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IF PROMINE NAND REPRESENTATIVE          CITIZENS
OF THE COUNTY
TOGETHER P WI TH ' PORTRA/TS -AND B/OGRAPHIES OFALL ' THE
~          R.    PI~T
CHICAGO:
CHAPMAN BROS.
1891.












PF(EFJeE.
HE greatest of English historians, MACAULAY, and one of the most brilliant writers of
j.! tthe present century, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL
I            ALBUM of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty 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 State, and from their lips have the story of their life
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent 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
-         influence extending throughout 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
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
many, 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 performing a deed of mercy-"they have done what
they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the
anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's
call went forth valiantly "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 every woman is a lesson that should not
be lost upon those who follow after.
Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve 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 flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biographical 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
publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the
information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of
the family 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, though repeated calls were made
at their residence or place of business.


CHAPMAN BROS.


CHICAGO, September, 1891.




Ak^t^6,,




OF THE


GOVERNORS


OF MIICHIGANT,


AND OF THE
OF THE




COPYRIGHTED
BY


1885.




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Feb. 22, 1732. His parents
'   J!    l were Augustine and Mary
(Ball) Washington. The family
to which he belonged has not
been satisfactorily traced in
England.      His great-grandfather, John Washington, emigrated to Virginia about 1657,
and became       a   prosperous
planter.    He had two sons,
Lawrence and      John.  The
former married Mildred Warner
and had three children, Johnl,
Augustine and Mildred.  Augustine, the father of George, first
married Jane Butler, who bore
him four children, two of whom,
Lawrence and Augustine, reached
maturity. Of six children by his
second marriage, George was the
eldest, the others being Betty,
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles
and Mildred.
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died
in I743, leaving a large landed property. To his
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon,
and to George he left the parental residence. George
received only such education as the neighborhood
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left
school, when he received private instruction in
mathemat;cs.  His spelling was rather defective

Remarkable stories are told of his great physica.
strength and development at an early age. He was
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fairness and veracity which characterized his whole life.
When George was 14 years old he had a desire to go to
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him,
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was
abandoned.  Two years later he was appointed
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very
essential to him. In I75 T, though only I9 years of
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for
active service against the French and Indians. Soon
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter
who did not long survive him. On her demise the
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George.
Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was
reorganized, and the province divided into four military districts, of which the northern was assigned to
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this
a very perilous mission was assigned him and accelted, which others had refused. This was to proceed to the French post near Lake Erie in Northwestern Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed
was between 500 and 6oo miles. Winter was at hand,
and the journey was to be made without military
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The




20                               GEORGE W
trip was a perilous one, and several times he came near
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment
of 330 men was raised in Virginia and put in command of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was
commissioned lieutenant-colonel.  Active war was
then begun against the French and Indians, in which
Washington took a most important part. In the
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Braddock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock
were disabled early in the action, and Washington
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter
to his brother he says: "I had four bullets through
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped
unhurt, though death was leveling my companions
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit
him.
After having been five years in the military service,
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio,
co resign his commission. Soon after he entered the
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an
active and important part.  January 17, I759, he
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy
widow of John Parke Custis.
When the British Parliament had closed the port
3f Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all."
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Congress of all the colonies was called to meet at Philadelphia,Sept. 5, I774, to secure their common liberties,
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Washington was sent as a delegate. On May IO, I775, the
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought. Among the
first acts of this Congress was the election of a commander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and
responsible office was conferred upon Washington,
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted
it on June I9, but upon the express condition that he
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account
of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country
were so long confided. The war was conducted by
him under every possible disadvantage, and while his
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his




'ASHING TON..


I

commission as commander-in-chief of the army to
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all
connection with public life.
In February,I789, Washington was unanimously
elected President. In his presidential career he was
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new
government; trials from lack of confidence on the part
of other governments; trials from want of harmony
between the different sections of our own country;
trials from the impoverished condition of the country,
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and
while perhaps this alone kept our government from
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and
very annoying.
At the expiration of his first term he was unanimously re-elected. At the end of this term many
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March,
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as President, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France.
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to
take command of the armies. He chose his sul:ordinate officers and left to them the charge of matters in the field, which he superintended from his
home. In accepting the command he made the
reservation that he was not to be in the field until
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations
his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eighteenth his body was borne with military honors to its
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at
Mount Vernon.
Of the character of Washington it is impossible to
speak but in terms of the highest respect and admiration.  The more we see of the operations of
our government, and the more deeply we feel the
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest,
the more highly we must estimate the force of his talent and character, which have been able to challenge
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and nations, and to win a fame as extended as the limits
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will
be as lasting as the existence of man.
The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry.
He commanded respect without any appearance of
haughtiness, and ever serious without kwiug dull.








6z


IJ




SE.XOND PRESIDENT.


OHN      ADAMS, the second
-i  [ |   President and the first ViceiM-Tl I         President of the United States,
1 As_,ln   was born in Braintree (now
-'         I_ Quincy),Mass., and about ten
miles from Boston, Oct. 19,
e  -~    I735. His great-grandfather, Henry
/l Adams, emigrated from  England
l about 1640, with a family of eight
dE'~/~7  sons, and settled at Braintree. The
parents of John were John and
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His
father was a farmer of limited
Xy     means, to which he added the business of shoemaking.  He gave his
i'    eldest son, John, a classical educaI    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 by what he
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical counjils, 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, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick perceptive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister,
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his
marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxation turned him from law to politics. He took initial
steps toward holdinr,. town meeting, and the resolu



tions he offered on the subject became very popular
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Boston 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 Leglislature) in I770.
Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress,
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himselt
by his capacity for business and for debate, and advocated the movement for independence against th[
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 1)rominent member of the committee of five
appointed June I, to prepare a declaration of independence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, butl
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 been dictated
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the
greatest question was decided that ever was debated
in Amlerica; and greater, perhaps, never was or wit
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 epoch 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 Almighty
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows.






24,


JOHIVADAAM;S.


2O   D


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 transported
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, I can see the
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is
worth more than all the means; and that posterity
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I
hope we shall not."
In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a
daeegate 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 exposed him to great peril of capture by the British cruisers, who were seeking him. He left France June I7,
1779. In September of the same year he was again
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readiness 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 anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a continued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he
was advised to go to England to drink the waters of
Bath. While in England, still drooping anddesponding, 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 regarded 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 accomplishing 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 by 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, Washington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was
elected President,though not without much opposition.
Serving in this office four years,he was succeeded by
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent 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 with
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
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it.
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence originated the alienation between these distinguished
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies
were with England and Jefferson 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 1824, 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, I826, which completed the half
century since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 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 been 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 " INDEPENDENCE 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, "0 yes; it is the glorious 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, resigned his spirit 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 and expressive, 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.








2V^^^^'Z?



.THIRD PRESIDENT.


27


a ~   ir. HOMAS JEFFERSON was
i2   d      born April 2, I743, at ShadW.            well, Albermarle county, Va.
[ His parents were Peter and
a1~ Jane (Randolph) Jefferson,
*F        v the former a native of Wales,
and the latter born in Lonv>   p     don. To them were born six
daughters and two sons, of
whom Thomas was the elder.
When 14 years of age his
l   father died. He received a
most liberal education, havv^   ing been kept diligently at school
from the time he was five years of
age. In 1760 he entered William
end Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion
and 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 irreproachaable in his morals. It is strange, however, under
such influences,that he was not ruined. In the second year of his college course, moved by some unexplained 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 exercise 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 philosophy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and
Greek 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, upright, gentlemanly young man.
Immediately upon leaving college he began the
study of law. For the short time he continued in the
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distinguished 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 political life. In I769 he was choser
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.  In
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beautiful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow
Upon 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 Cclonial Congress.
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a
writer and a reasoner soon become knowni and he
was placed upon a number of important committees,
and was chairman of the one appointed for the drawing up of a declaration of independence. This committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R.
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Congress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July
4, I776, What must have been the feelings of that






28


THOM;AS JEFEERSON.


z8                    THOMAS JEFFERSON.


man-what the emotions that swelled his breastwho was charged with the preparation of that Declaration, 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 remarkable 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. Jefferson and his family, ere his mansion was in possession 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 Plenipotentiary to France. Returning to the United States
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State
in Washington's cabinet.  This position he resigned
Jan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice President, and four years later was elected President over
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In
I804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity,
and George Clinton, Vice President.
The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstration was disturbed by an event which threatened the
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the conspiracy 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 merepretext; and although 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 been elected, he determined
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly
forty years, he had been continually before the pubtic, and all that time had been employed in offices of
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus devoted 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, 80o9, he bid farewell 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, i826, 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 Declaration, to participate in their festivities.  But an illness, 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 tha:
he might be permitted to breathe the air of 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 forever. And what a noble consutmmation 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 kindred 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 desperate 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 forehead broad, and his whole courtenance intelligent and
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as
well as personal courage; and. s command of temper 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 unaffected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conversation 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.








S




FOUR TH PRESIDENT.


3"


--


_lA         e   AMES    MADISON, "Father.~}i';;l 1| 1 ~    of the Constitution," and fourth,~ *'       [I %y President of the United States,
6X'. '  Jf/ was born March 6, 1757, and
(Dld~-    -,    died at his home in Virginia,
(I.X  J     June 28, I836. The name of:(a )~, James Madison is inseparably connected with most of the important
ll  events in that heroic period of our
J i~d, country during which the founda/ tions of this great republic were
1  laid. He was the last of the founders
of the Constitution of the United
States to be called to his eternal
i  reward.
The Madison family were among
\ the early emigrants to the New World,
landing upon the shores of the Chesapeake but 15 years after the settlement of Jamestown. The father of
James Madison was an      opulent
planter, residing upon a very fine estate called " Montpelier," Orange Co.,
Va. The mansion was situated in
the midst of scenery highly picturj    esque and romantic, on the west side
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and
political 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
r8 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey.
Here he applied himself to study with the most ir

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 subs -
quent career.
Returning to Virginia, he commenced 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 associated, all combined to inspire him.with a strong
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ot
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 especial attention to theological studies. Endowed with a mind
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with
almost unequalled powers 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-loving 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 appointed to the Executive Council.
Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained
member of the Council; and their appreciation of his




32


IAiMES MADISONN.


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 Congress, one of its most active and influential members.
In the year I784, his tern having expired, he was
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature.
No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no national 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 General Assembly of
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commiissioners 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, I787, 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 Constitution of the United States was then and there formed.
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more active in framing this immortal document than the mind
and the pen of James Madison.
The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 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 power at home and little respect
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the convention to draw tip 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 Representatives 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. She 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 Secretaryof State under
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration
was chosen President. At this time the encroachments of England had brought us to the verge of war.


IBritish 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 nonchalance 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 gundeck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the
battles of England. This right of search and impressment, no efforts of our Government could induce
the British cabinet to relinquish.
On the I8th 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, r8I3, 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 grappling with the most formidable power which ever
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February,
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole
coast of the United States under blockade.
The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me
ditator. America accepted; England refused. A British force of five thousand men landed on the banks
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesapeake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladensburg, 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, I815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent.
On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beautiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the remainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madison died July I2, I849.


I






II




2.o~




FIFTH PRESIDENT.


35


--




I;"J',i  AMES MONROE, the fifth
I,S!l      l [    President of The United States,
re~ —3;   many years resided in the provI M^     ince in which he was born. When,
was born in Westmoreland Co.,
/.i   E({ at 17 years of age, in the process
7a., 0of completing his education at
F?S ~William and Mary College, the Colonial Congress assembled at Philadelphia to deliberate upon the un^    just and manifold oppressions of
Great Britian, declared the separation of the Colonies, and promulgated the Declaration of Independence. 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 hopeless and gloomy. The number of deserters increaseer ieaed
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring
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 contending with an enemy whom they had been taught
to deem invincible. To such brave spirit  s as James
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country,
with a firm determination to live or de with her strife


for liberty.  Firmly yet sadly he 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 munnthl
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots
had been beaten il seven battles. At the battle of
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charging upon the enemy he received a wound in the left.
shoulder.
As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was promoted 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 Lord Sterling. During the campaigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon
this failure he entered the office 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, served 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 that ability
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards
employed with unremitting energy for the public good,






36


JAMEMS MONVROE.


36                 JAME 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 opposed to the new Constitution,
-hinking, 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 retained the esteem of his friends who were its warm
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member
of the United States Senate; which office he held for
four years. Every month the line of distinction between the two great parties which divided the nation,
the Federal and the Republican, was growing moire
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now separated 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 Constitution, which would give as much power to the
Central Government as that document could possibly
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 the 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 combination of their antagonism was needed to create the
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was denounced as almost a demon.
Washington was then President. England had espoused the cause of the Bourbons against the principles of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn
into the conflict.  We were feeble and far away.
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality between 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 President'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 denouncing the policy 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.




I


- --


Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mornroe was elected (overnor of Virginia, and held the
office for three yeais. 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 obtained 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 the largest transfr of real estate
which was ever made in all the history of the world.
From France Mr. Monroe went to England to obtain from that country some recognition of our
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those
odious impressments of our seamen.   But England was unrelenting. He again returned to England on the same mission, but could receive no
redress. He returned to his home and was again
chosen Governor of Virginia.. This he soon resigned
to accept the position of Secretary of State under
Madison. While 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 armorbearer of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. Uponl the return of
peace he resigned the Department of War, but continued in the office of Secretary of State until the exl)iration 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 independence of the South American states, and did not wish
to have European powers longer attempting to subdue 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 system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not
view any interposition 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, I831




4;.:




J ~, 2.  L)Al




'I 'X TH PRESIDENT.
an-,


$9


+-:1N, II
411


aog~ Qrq~~ Acuffs


4d
IN                                                                                     --.  -  ^ a OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the
sixth President of the United
States, was born in the rural
I home of his honored father,
John Adams, in Qlincy, Mass.,
on the I Ith cf July, I767. His
~~i-~-/~   mother, a woman of exalted
<e a  X a 3worth, watched over his childhood
[  ' g,during the almost constant abI ~)i )l sence of his father. When but
I   eight years of age, he stood with
j^     his mother on an eminence, listen-.   ing to the booming of the great battle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on
upon the smoke and flames billowi)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 ot hostile British cruisers. The bright,
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paiis, 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 I779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again
John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he
applied himself with great diligence, for six months,
to 3tudy; then accompained his father to Holland,
where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then
the University 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 minister to the Russian court, as his private secretary.
In this school of incessant labor 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 private tutor, at Hague. Thence,


in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father it
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintanc~
with the most distinguished men on the Con:;inclt
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he againi
became associated with the most illustrious men of
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal
themes which can engross the human mind.  Aftra short visit to England he returned to Paris, ana
consecrated all his energies to study until May, i785,
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young
man of eighteen, vwho had seen much of the world,
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a
residence with his father in London, under such circumstances, must have been extremely attractive
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he preferred to return to America to complete 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 support.
Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty
he studied law for three years. In June,:794, being then but twenty-seven years of age, he was appointed 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
Gleat Britian.  After thus spending a fortnight i.
London, he proceeded to the Hagte.
In July, I797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as
minister plenipotentiary.  On his way to Portugal
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches
directing him to the court of Beilin, but requesti rg
him to remain in London until he should receive his
instructions.  While waiting he was married to a:
American lady to whom he had been previously engaged, —Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London;
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom.
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in the
elevated sphere for which she w~'s stiined.




to


JOHN~ Q UINC Y A DA MS.


JOH                      QUINCYADA


He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797;
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having fulfilled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his
recall.
Soon after his return, in I802, 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, I804.  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 Government in its measures of resistance to the encroachments of England, destroying our commerce and insulting 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 I809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Presidential chair, and he immediately nominated John
Quiincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resigning his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked
at Boston, in August, 1809.
While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense student. 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 important
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five
chapters every day.
On the 4th of March, i817, Mr. Monroe took the
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr.
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his numerous friends in public and private life in Europe, he
sailed in June, I819, for the United States. On the
i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Monroe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary
of State.
Some time before 'he 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 received ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four;
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirtyseven. 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
be 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
he paLst 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 conscientiously devoted to the best interests of the country, 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, abstemious and temperate in his habits; always rising
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in
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, I829, Mr. Adams retired
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice President. The slavery question now began to assume
portentous magnitude.  Mr. Adams returned to
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with unabated zeal. But he was not long permitted to remain in retirement. In November, 1830, he was
elected representative to Congress.  For seventeen
years, until his death, he occupied the post as representative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in
the House, he announced that he should hold himself 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, before
he slept, the prayer which his mother taught him in
his infant years.
On the 2Ist of February, 1848, he rose on the floor,
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paralysis, 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 consciousness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and
said " This is the endof earth;"then after a moment's
pause he added, ". am content."  These were the
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent."




*0






(1.




SE VENTH PRESIDENT.


43,all                                  WS                  all           Jk                         a


~        NDREW     JACKSON, the
seventh President of the
4 7  United States, was born in
Waxhaw settlement, N. C.,
March 15, 1767, a few days
after his father's death. His
parents were poor emigrants
i       from  Ireland, and took up
their abode in Waxhaw settlement, where they lived in
deepest poverty.
\    Andrew, or Andy, as he was
universally called, grew up a very
rough, rude, turbulent boy.  His
features were coarse, his form ungainly; and there was but very
little in his character, made visible, which was attractive.
When only thirteen years old he joined the volunteers 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. " I am
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of
the dauntless boy.
The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate
Dlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner.
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fearful gashes,-one on the hand and the other upon the
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert
with the same demand. He also refused, and received a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and
were finally stricken with the small-pox.  Their
mother was successful in obtaining their exchange,


and took her sick boys home. After a long illness
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon
left him entirely friendless.
Andrew supported himself in various ways, s ilh 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 appointed
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
supposed herself divorced from her former husband.
Great was the surprise of both 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 occurrence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr.
Jackson into disfavor.
During these years he worked hard at his profession, and frequently had one or more duels on hand,
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was especially disgraceful.
In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a constitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates.
The new State 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 its




44,4.ArD.RE W JA CXSO.LV.


44            __,,.KS.N


sessions,-a distance of about eight hundred miles.
Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Democratic party.  Jefferson was his idol.  He admired
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr.
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose
second term of office was then expiring, delivered his
last speech to Congress. A 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 7 97, but soon resigned and returned home.
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court
of his State, which position he held for six years.
When the war of I8I2 with Great Britian commenced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair.
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who
would do credit to a commission if one were conferred upon 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 attack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was
in command, he was ordered to descend the river
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson.  The
expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of several weeks there, without accomplishing anything,
the men were ordered back 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 the most popular
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory."
Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col.
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in
which a younger brotler of Benton's was engaged,
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was
lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white settlers, were committing the most awful ravages. Decisive 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 assistance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama.
The Creek Indians had established a strong forton
one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, near the center of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother.
With an army of two thousand 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. I814. The bend


of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breastwork of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors,
with an ample suply of arms were assembled.
The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly desperate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who endeavored 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 warrios 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 concentrate all our militia upon 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 August, with an army of two thousand
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to
Mobile. A 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 battle 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 hundred.
The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be mentioned 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 been 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 June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jackson's life were that of a devoted Christian man.








/' 2 C/j    7




EIGHTH PRESIDENT.


47


rI2 TJL~Trp  17 W  B U1 El ~I; [ARTIN VAN BUREN, the
'          eighth  President of the
'?  United States, was born at
f ~  ]!  Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec.' 5,
1782. He died at the same
t     place, July 24, I862.  His
body rests in the cemetery
- s       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, unbordered
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 ancestors, as his iamne indicates, were of Iutch origin,
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland
to the 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 intelligelrce and exemplary piety.
Ae was decidedly a precocious boy, developing unusual activity, vigor and strength 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-office were required of him
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with,t lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pursued his studies with indefatigable industry. After
spending six years in an office in his native village,


he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his
studies for the seventh year.
In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of
age, commenced the practice of law in his native village. The great conflict between the Federal and
Republican party was then at its height.  Mr. Van
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had,
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the
many discussions which had been carried on in his
father's hotel.  He was in cordial sympathy with
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the
cause of State Rights; though at that time the Federal party held the supremacy both in his town
and State.
His success and increasing ruputation led him
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, thl,
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years
constantly gaining strength by contending in thi.
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned
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 consumption, 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 T1812, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was appointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved
to Albany, the capital of the State.
While he was acknowledged as one of the most
p.ominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had




48


iMARTIN VANI B U~iREAT


48-.MARTIN VAN B     E...
-. _                                              --


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 the State. In true consistency with his
democratic principles, he contended that, while the
path leading to the privilege of voting should 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 property interests in the welfare of the
State.
In I82I he was elected a member of the United
States Senate; and in the same year, he 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
conspicuous 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
Zhe Senate. He had been from the beginning a determined opposer of the Administration, adopting the
"'State Rights" view in opposition to what was
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams.
Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof
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 regarded throughout the United States as one of the
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians.
It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how
to touch the secret springs 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 outwitted Mr. Adams,
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which
few thought then could be accomplished.
When Andrew Jackson was elected President he
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This
position he resigned in 183i, 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
frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination
as ambassador.
His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favorite; and this, probably more than any other cause,
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu
tive. On the 20th of May, I836, Mr. Van Buren received 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. Parton, "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.
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to involve this country in war with England, the agitation
of the slavery question, and finally the great commercial panic which spread over the country, all were
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was attributed to the management of the Democratic party,
and brought the President into such disfavor that he
failed of re-election.
With the exception 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, secured 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.




I:




/)g,





a


ZVIrNTIH PRLSIDEN..                               c.-..


Wffl(LLIAN,   ~    lc
W,-d r-i4,N-,  9NaX  i A RZ),.     l   AILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, the ninth President of
V l      I-.~ i   the United States, was born
"~' IL  Uat Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, I773..... His father, Benjamin Harrison, was in comparatively opulent circumstances, and was
|D        one of the most distinguished
P         men of his day.  He was an
intimate friend of George
Washington, M as 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 Harrison and John Hancock were
both candidates for the office of
ia   speaker.
Mr Harrison was subsequently
chosen Governor of Virginia, and
was twice re-elected.  His son,
i    William Henry, of course enjoyed
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Having received a thorough common-school education, he
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated
with honor soon after the death of his father.  He
chen repaired to Philadelphia to.study medicine under
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of
2obert Morris, both of whom were, with his father,
signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and notwithstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he
aiandoned his medical studies and entered the army,.zaving 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 appointed 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 800o the North-western Territory
was divided by Congress into two portions.  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 appointed 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 upon the globe. He
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was invested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four
times appointed to this office-first by John Adams,
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by President Madison.
Whenhe 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. One of these settlements
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French
settlement.
The vast wilderness over which Gov. ]Harrisoi
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. Abol"




52


WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.


the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers,
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them.  One of
these was called Tecumseh, or "The Crouching
Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "The Prophet."
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomitable 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 huntinggrounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was
an orator, 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,
i.i the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went
from tribe 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 Tippecanoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter.
October 28, 812, lhis army began its march. When
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a
short conference, arrangements were made for a meeting 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 protestations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's encampment, 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 conversation with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possible, and j,'st 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 hidebus 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 before them, and completely routing the foe.


Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked
to the utmost. The British descending from the Canadas, were of themselves a very formidable force; but
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burning, 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 conflagration 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-inchief 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
General 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 British 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 I816, 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 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate of
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors
of that State, he gave his vote tor Henry Clay.  The
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate.
In I836, 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
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nominated by his
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the 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
brilliant with which any President had ever been
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an administration 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 sickness, died on the 4th of April; just one month after
his inauguration as President of the United States.




I
A
I






""lr




TENTH PRESIDENT.


55


C11 --- —-------— ~llI —-~lll-~~IIIC~- -- -C - - .,    'llr   OHN    TYLER, the tenth
Presidentofthe United States.
He was born in Charles-city
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He
was the favored child of affluence and high social position. At the early age of
twelve, John entered William
and Mary College and graduated with much honor when
but seventeen years old. After
graduating, he devoted himself with great assiduity to the
study of law, partly with his
father and partly with Edmund
1 f   Randolph, one of the most distinguished lawyers of Virginia.
E      At nineteen years of age, ne
I  commenced the practice of law.
His success was rapid and astonishing.   It is said that three
months had not elapsed ere there
was scarcely a case on the dockI    et of the court in which he was
iot retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State
Legislature.  He connected himself with the Democratic 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 the General Govern.


ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict construction 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 he 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 successful one. His popularity secured his re-election.
John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the
United States. A portion of the Democratic party
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course,
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent,
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor.
In accordance with his professions, upon taking his
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposition. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and
voted against the bank as unconstitutional; he strenuously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resisting all projects of internal improvements by the General Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr.
Calhoun's view of nullification; he declared that Gen.
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, 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
his profession. There was a cplit in the Democratic




56


JOHNr T YLER.


56                     JOH   TYLER. -~ — ~-  --


)arty. His friends still regarded him as a true Jeffersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compliments upon him. He had now attained the age of
forty-six.- His career had been very brilliant. In consequence of his devotion to public business, his private affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice
of law, and devoted ilmself to the culture of his plantation. 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
x839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Harrison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To conciliate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice President. It was well known that he was not in sympathy with the Whig party in the No:th: but the Vice
President has but very little power in the Government, his main and almost only duty being to preside over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it happened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a
Democratic Vice President were chosen.
In 184I, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice President of the United States. In one short month from
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler
thus /und 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 Harrison. 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
opplosed to the main principles of the party which had
brought hin into power. He had ever been a con'sistent, hone;t man, with an unblemished record.
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should
lie retain them, and thus surround himself with counsellors 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 harn.ony with himself, and which would oppose all those
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the public welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He invited the cabinet which President Harrison had
<elected 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 would


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 meastire 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 President into their arms. The 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 W higs and President Tyler were at
an end.
Still the President attempted to conciliate.  He
appointed a new cabinet 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 administration 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 atthe close of his term,
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr.
Polk, the Democratie 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 unspeakable 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 Forest, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in
his manners, richly furnished with information from
books and experience in the world, and possessing
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was
the scene of unusual attractions.  With sufficient
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, 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.
When the great Rebellion rose, which the State.,
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Calhoun had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confederates. He was chosen a member of their Congress;
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, bv
force of arms, the Government over which he had
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died.




II




I"
1C
Au




ELEVENTH PRESIDE T7'


59


} te'       AMES K. POLK, the eleventh
President of the United States,
i          } was born in Mecklenburg Co.,
N. C., Nov. 2, 1795. His parents were Samuel and Jane
(Knox) Polk, the former a son
of Col. Thomas Polk, who located
at the above place, as one of the
first pioneers, in 1735.
In the year I o6, with his wife
and children, and soon after followed by most of the members of
the Polk farily, Samuel Polk emigrated some two or three hundred
miles farther west, to the rich valley
of the Duck River.   Here in the
midst of the wilderness, in a region
which was subsequently called Maury Co., they reared their log huts,
and established their homes. In the
hard toil of a new farm in the wilderness, James K. Polk spent the
early years of his childhood and
youth. His father, adding the pursuit 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 punctuality 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 disappointment. 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 1815, entered the sophomore
class in 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 T818, with the highest honors, be.
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in
mathematics and the classics. He was then twentythree years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this
time much impaired by the assiduity with which 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 Andrew 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 political faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump.
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and




6o


fAMES K. POLK.


I


tourteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic
nature in the joy s 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 culture. In the fall of I825, 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 I839, he was continued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew,
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair
of tI nnessee.  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 performed his arduous duties to a very general satisfaction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th 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 14th of October, i839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In I841,
his term of office expired, and he was again the candidate of the Democratic party, but was defeated.
On the 4th of March, I845, Mr. Polk was inaugurated 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 signature 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 the 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 received 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 wai
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 the misery which this war caused.
It was 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 Lower California. 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, I849, 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 evening, 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 ties
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 i5th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen.




4;





J6wYcAcv




TWELFTH PRESIDENT.                  63
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1..       X ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth
"I.:    President of the United States,
~. 2diwas born on the 24th of Nov.,
a  '~ ~      17 84, in Orange Co., Va. His
l        efather, Colonel Taylor, was
-      a Virginian of note, and a disii  tinguished patriot and soldier of
the Revolution. When Zachary
was an infant, his father with his
wife and two children, emigrated
to Kentucky, where he settled in
the pathless wilderness, a few
miles from Louisville. In this front-;p  ier home, away from civilization and
all its refinements, young Zachary
could enjoy but few social and educational advantages. When six years of age he attended a common
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy,
cather remarkable for bluntness and decision of character  He was strong, fearless and self-reliant, and
manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There
is little to le recorded of the uneventful years of his
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation.
In i8o8, his father succeeded in obtaining for him
the commission of lieutenant in the United States
army; and lie 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 England, in I812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilderness by Gen. Harrison,on his march to Tippecanoe.
It was one of the first points 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 upon the fort.  Their
approach was first indicated by the murder of two
soldiers just outside of the stockade.  Capt. Taylor
made every possible preparation to meet the anticipated assault. On the 4th of September, 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 upon 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 post. Every mlan knew that
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of capture, death by the most agonizing and l)rolonged torture. No pen can describe, no iinmagination can
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages succeeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses.
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict
continued. The savages then, baffled at every point,
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired.  Capt.
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the
rank of major 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 couldt  There were no books, no society, no in.






64


If?.1,2CAR      F   TA YLOlR.


64                 ZACRARY TAYL




=


tellectual stimulus. Thus with him 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 I836, he was sent to Florida to compel
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and retire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty,
ilac' promised they should do. The services rendered
he e secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated
to -:he rank of brigadier-general by brevet; and soon
after, in May, i838, was appointed to the chief command 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 Southwest. 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 the world, but faithfully discharging every duty
imposed upon him.
In I846, 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
Mexicans. The rank of major-general ly 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 wonderful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un-,?red, honest soldier as their candidate for the
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the announcement, and for a time would not listen to it; declaring 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 years in the public service found
*Lt.ir claims set aside in behalf of one whose name




I


--


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 remarked, " 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 prepared such few communications as it was needful
should be presented to the public. The popularity of
the successful warrior swept the land. He was triumphantly 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, expeditions 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 9th of July, I850.
His last words were, " I am not afraid to die. I am
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died
universally respected and beloved. An honest, unpretending man, he had been steadily growing in the
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly lamented 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 enlarged and refreshed by reading; or much converse
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the consequence. 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 simplicity was child-like, and with innumerable prejudices, 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 outside 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 Dilworth'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 comfortab), ')~o,,
saving contempt for. learnirng of every kind.'


I





i




V


I2


-   f




THIRTEENVTH PR 'SIDENT.
III.. _,. _.


X e rit     ILLARD FILLMORE, thiri  teenth President of the United
] ]i'    States, was born at Summer
]i5_ )      Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y., on
x,  the 7th of January, 80oo. His
father was a farmer, and owE Ama ing to misfortune, in humble cirJ    cumstances. Of his mother, the
m l daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard,
7'~_\ i   ~^of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been
''   said that she possessed an intellect
i  of very high order, united with much
personal loveliness, sweetness ofdisposition, graceful manners and exquisite sensibilities.  She died in
i   831; having lived to see her son a
I   young man of distinguished promise, 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 advantages for education in his early years. The common schools, which he occasionally attended  were
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce
and expensive. There was nothing then in his character to indicate the brilliant career upon 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 County, 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 library. This proved an inestimable blessing
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in reading. Soon every leisure moment was occupied uith
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate
and the selections which he made were continually
more elevating and instructive. He read history,
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was enkindled in his heart a desire to be something more
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was becoming, 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 appearance
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample
pecuniary means and of benevolence,-Judge Walter
Wood,-who was struck witl the prepossessing appearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaintance, 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,
no friends to help him and that his previous educatiol had been very imperfect. But 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 delusion about
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some college. But many a boy loiters through university hal',nd then enters a law office, who is by no means as






MILLARD FILLMORE.


well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothingmill at the end of four years of manual labor, during
which every leisure moment had been devoted to intense mental culture.
In I823, when twenty-three years of age, he was
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas, 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. Though he had never taken a very active
part in politics, 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 degrte 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
arena 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 reputation and success.  After a lapse of two years
he again became a candidate for Congress; was reelected, and took his seat in 1837.  His past exipe
rience as a representative gave him 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 energies 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 i847,
he was elected Comptroller of the State.


I- -


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 considerable fame. The Whigs were casting about to
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-President 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 trumpet-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, I849,
Gen. 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 inauguration, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became President.  He appointed a very able cabinet, of which
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State.
Mr. Fillnore had very serious difficulties to contend
with, since the opposition 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 increasing over that of the slave States that it was inevitable 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. Fillmore, having served one term, retired.
In I856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Presidency 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 endeavoring to overthrow our institutions.  President
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other.
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, I874.




t-,~~~.1(11_^_-__ —.__-__~_1_1.1.1_ 1_1..1.__1__-._ ___._,__1:-__11____1 .__.._




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FO UR TEENTIL PRESIDE'T.


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* FRANKLIN PIERER I.R


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RANKLIN PIERCE, the. Iu.   fourteenth President of the
United States, was born in
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov.
23, I804. 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 uncompromising Democrat.  The mother of
ai   Franklin Pierce was all that a son
could desire,-an intelligent, prudent, affectionate, Christian woman. Franklin was the sixth of eight children.
Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, generous, 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 developing any precocity of genius, or any unnatural
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body,
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy.
When sixteen years of age, in the year I820, he
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was
one of the most popular young men in the college.
T'he purity of his moral character, the unvarying
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and


genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite.
There was something very peculiarly winning in his
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest degree studied: it was the siniple outgushing of his
own magnanimous and loving nature.
Upon graduating, in the year I824, 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
political career into which Judge Woodbury was entering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the facinating yet perilous path of political life.  With all
the ardor of his nature he espoused 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 years. The last two years he was
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote.
In i833, 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 i837, 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 Baren commenced
his administration. He was the youngest member in
the Senate. In the year I834, he married Miss Jane
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accomplishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every
station with wiich her husband was honored. Of the




7a


bRANA1KLINV PIEIRCE.


7,        R  N P


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, I847.
He took an important part in this war, proving himself a brave and true soldier.
When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advocates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his opponents. He resumed the practice of his profession,
very frequently taking an active part in political questions, 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 infamous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distinguished as a " Northern man with Southern principles."
The strong partisans of slavery in the South consequently regarded him as a man whom they could
safely trust in office to carry out their plans.
On the 12th of June, 1852, the Democratic convention 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, Massachusetts, 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 administration, 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 alienated 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 administrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also,
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advocated those measures of Government which they approved, 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, I857, President Pierce retired 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 divided 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 Government. 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.  Generous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the alleviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns
people were often gladened by his material bounty.




IU








IIFTEENTH PRESIDENT
-                                                _  __  _.


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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif-.          J I  teenth President of the United
TI - I   l Statcs, was born in a small
1  /        frontier town, at the foot of the
eastern ridge of the Allegha~ ~W   ' nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on
the 23d of April, 17 9. The place
1where the humble cabin of his
K   father stood was called Stony
Batter. It was a wild and romantic spot in a gorge of the mountains, 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, plunged into the wilderness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to perform his obscure part in the drama of life. In this secluded 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 Greek.  His
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle.  Here he developed 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 wi '
facility.
In the year 1809, he graduated with the highest
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster,
and was admitted to the bar in 18I2, 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 successfully defended before the State Senate oi-e of the
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of
impeachment. At 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 had a more lucrative practice.
In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and fot
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House.
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally
tried some important case.  In  I831, he retired
altogether from the toils of his profession, having acquired an ample fortune.
Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency,
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia.  The
duties of his mission he performed with ability,which
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in
I833, he was elected to a seat in the United States
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster,
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas.
ures proposed by President Jackson, of makung repri



76


"AM1C~S BUCHANAN.


70A-YE                              B LJII N  N.


sals against France, to enforce the payment of our
claims against that country; and defended the course
of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale
removal from office of those who were not the supporters of his administration. Upon this question he
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay.
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure
against Gen. 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 petitions on the subject of slavery, he advocated that they should be respectfully received; and
that the reply should be returned, that 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 the
States where it now exists."
Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr.
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such,
took his share of the responsibility 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 Grande 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 i 50,
which included the fugitive-slave law.  Mr. Pierce,
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr.
Buchanan with the mission to England.
In the year i856, a national Democratic convention 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 restriction and final abolition, on the other.  Mr. Fremont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, rer.eived 114 electoral votes.  Mr. Buchanan received
174, and was elected.  The popular vote stood
1,340,6I8, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On
March 4th, I857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated.
Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four
vears were wanting to fill up his threescore years and
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been
allied in political principles and action for years, were
stoking 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 bewildered  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,
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the republic. He therefore did nothing.
The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer
in the next Presidential canvass.  The pro-slavery
party declared, that if he were elected, and the control 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-slaver)
party was such, that he had been willing to offerthem
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the
South had professed to ask of the North was nonintervention upon the subject of slavery.  Mr. Buchanan had been ready to offer them the active cooperation of the Government to defend and extend
the institution.
As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avowing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental imbecility 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, I860; 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 besieged; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals
were seized; our depots of military stores were plundered; 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 weakness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliverance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the
scepter.
The administration of President Buchanan was
certainly the most calamitous our country has experienced. 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.




I




I  ~"-a-~




SIXTEENTH PRE'SID)EATT.


79


X]    BRAHAM     LINCOLN, the
L  sixteenth President of the
J  United States, was born in
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12,
809o. About the year 1780, a
5     (&?   man by the name of Abraham
)/  Lincoln left Virginia with his
_ family and moved into the thei
wildsof Kentucky. Onlytwo years
after this emigration, still a young
l!\ l man, while working one day in a
d]     field, was stealthily approached by
an Indian and shot dead. His widow
lwas left in extreme poverty with five
little children, three boys and two
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the
boys, was four years of age at his
father's death.  This Thomas was
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the
President of the United.States
whose name must henceforth forever 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 poorest of the poor. 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 compelled to leave the cabin of his
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend-.ess, wandering boy, seeking work.  He hired himself out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a
qlborer in the fields of others.
When twenty-eight years of age he buill a logcabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emigrants, who had also come from Virginia.  Their
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, 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 grateful 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 the uneducated
commlunity around him. He could not have had a
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts
into words. He also became an eager reader. The
books he could obtain were few; but these he read
and re-read until they were almost committed to
memory.
As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and
griefs, weddings and funerals.  Abraham's sister
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was married when a child of but fourteen years of age, and
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr.
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in I830,
and emigrated to Macon Co., Ill.
Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age.
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing
another log-cabin. Alraham 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 fortune. Little did he or his friends imagine how brilliant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of
education and was intensely earnest to improve his
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin
which  ardent spirits were causing, and became
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxicating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in
God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the
Lord thy God in vain;" and a profane expression he
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a
single vice.
Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer
among the farmers.  Then he went to Springfield,
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat.
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mississippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lincoln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give
great satisfacticn to his employers.  In this advenr




8o


ABRAHAM LINClTNOLNV.._o        _IRAZ         _V LICL..,'...


— I


ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon
his return they placed a store and mill under his care.
In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew
Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem,
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he
received he carried there ready to deliver to those
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon
made this his business. In I834 he again became a
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected  Mr.
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and
began his legal studies. When the Legislature assembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature.  Here it
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he removed to Springfield and began the practice of law.
His success with the jury was so great that he was
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit.
In I854 the great discussion began between Mr.
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question.
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois,
in I856, he took an active part, and at once became
one of the leaders in that party.  Mr. Lincoln's
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the contest in I858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most
notable part of his history. The issue was on the;lavery question, and he took the broad ground of;he Declaration of Independence, that all men are
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this contest, but won a far higher prize.
The great Republican Convention met at Chicago
on the i6th of June, I860.  The delegates and
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twentyfive thousand. An immense building called "The
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Convention. There were eleven candidates for whom votes
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most
prominent. It was generally supposed he would be
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him:
and aslittle did he dream that he was to render services
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of
the whole civilized world, and which would give him
aplace in the affections of his countrymen, second
cnly, if second, to that of Washington.
Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received i80
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore,
constitutionally elected President of the United States.
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good


and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this
high position. In February, I86, Mr. Lincoln started
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Baltimore had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row,"
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled
the plot. A secret and special train was provided to
take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at
half-past ten; and to prevent ai.y possible communication on the part of the Secessionists with their Confederate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had
started the telegraph-wires were cut.  Mr. Lincoln
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated,
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people,
In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other
prominent opponents before the convention he gave
important positions.
During no other administration have the duties
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to
the lot of President Lincoln.  Knowing this, and
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his
trials, loth personal and national  Contrary to his
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the
most courageous of men. He went directly into the
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving,
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he
had left Springfield, in I86I, however, plans had been
made for his assassination,and he at last fell a victim
to one of them. April 14, I865, he, with Gen. Grant,
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It
was announced that they would Le present.  Gen.
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feeling, with his characteristic kindliness of heart, that
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them,
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth
entered the box where the President and family were
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the
next morning at seven o'clock.
Never before, in the history of the world was a nation
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler.
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a
model. His name as the savior of his country w'il
live with that of Washington's, its father; his countrymen being unable to decide which is the greater.












SE VENTEENTtI PRESIDEA T.


3)          S NDREW  JOHNSON, seventeenth President of the United
w t           States.  The early life of
<  A   Andrew Johnson contains but
__:the record of poverty, destitu0 tion and friendlessness. He
was born December 29, i8o8,
*        < 'in Raleigh, N. C. His parents,
belonging to the class of the
"poor whites " of the South, -.ere
in such circumstances, that they
)  could not confer even the slightest advantages of education upon?' their child. When Andrew was five
I   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, supported 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 apprenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasionally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often
read from the speeches of distinguished British statesmen. 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 gentleman 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 o0 -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 1826, 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 Greenville College. In 1828, he or.
ganized a working man's party, which elected him
alderman, and in I830 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 Tennessee. He was then just twenty-seven years of age.
He became a very active member of the legislature
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in
1640 "stumped the State," advocating Martin 1Tan
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 r841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive
elections, held that important post for ten years. In
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and
was re-elected in I855. In all these responsible posi.
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abi;



84


ANDRE V JOHNSON.






=


ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the working classes.  In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected
United States Senator.
Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his
reason, that he thought this annexation would probably 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 compromise 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 Savior was the son of a carpenter."
In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i 8w, he
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the
Presidency. In i86i, when the purpose of the Southzrn 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, I862, appointed 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,
I865, 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
onlyto 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,
W as in utter irnonsistency with, and the most violent




I


I


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 i868, on account of "high crimes
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Tenure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were preferred 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 necessary to his condemnation, he was pronounced acquitted, 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 impotentl,
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presidency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm  unparalleled 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 immortalize 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 I875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Tennessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Congress, 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, I875, 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 reaching 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 funeral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August,
with every demonstration of respect.








I




EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT.


87


-<
~>S          Hi> -~^  ^ ~<~)
^(^    ^1 -  y.  '9  V g... LYSSES          S. GRANT, the
m M2.....eighteenth President of the
United States, was born on
I         (a the 29th of April, 1822, of
k^ltJy  a, Christian parents, in a humble
" home, at Point Pleasant, on the
i  banks of the Ohio. Shortly after
his father moved to Georgetown, Brown Co., O. In this remote frontier hamlet, Ulysses
received a common-school education. At the age of seventeen, in the year I839, he entered
the Military Academy at West
I   Point. Here he was regarded as a
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of
sturdy, honest character. lie took respectable rank
as a scholar. In June, I843, he graduated, about the
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of infantry to one of the distant military posts in the Missouri 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. At 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 ammunition. A messenger must be sent for more, along
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut.
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians,
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one
side of the animal, 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 Mcdino del Rey, he was promoted to a
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Chapultepec.
At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant returned 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 immigrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt.
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the
States; and having married, entered upon the cultivation of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but
little skill as a farmer.  Finding his toil not remunerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Galena, Ill. This was in the year I86o. As 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 army; 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 volunteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield,
the capital of the State, 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 Ixth of




88


Ul; YSSEES S. GRA NT.,


8                         UL Y


June, i86i, Capt. Grant received a commission as
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. 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 BrigadierGeneral 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 appeared 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 beginning, 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 surprised 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
listrict 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 cannon. 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 proceeded 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 measures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lockout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels
were routed with great loss. This won for him unbounded praise in the North. On the 4th of February, I864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenantgeneral, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant.
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials
and enter upon thl: 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 destroy the rebel armies which would be promptly assembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of 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 energy and ability, and were consummated at the surrender of Lee, April 9, I865.
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 salvation. 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 2I, I868, 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 emphatically 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 I880 for a renomination for President. He went to New York and
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm
nameofGrant & 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.




0
#I




\S  q  - -7)




NINEITEENTtI PRESIIDh'NT.


91


91




UTHERFORD B. HAYES,
| ei.  iTthe nineteenth President of
~ I ~:  ~the United States, was born in
ai3          " Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al-.    Smost three months after the
death of his father, Rutherford
e   / >   Hayes.  His ancestry on both
i    the paternal and maternal sides,
was of the most honorable char@ X i/'   acter. It can be traced, it is said,
as far back as 1 280, when Hayes and
' Rutherford were two Scottish chieftains, fighting side by side with
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert
Bruce. Both families belonged to the
v    nobility, owned extensive estates,
I    and had a large following. MisforLane overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotland in 1 68o, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son
George was born in Windsor, and remained there
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his marriage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel,
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufacturerof scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes,
son of Ezekiel arid grandfather of President Hayes, was
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer,
blacksmith and tavern-keeper.  He emigrated to
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro,
where he established a hotel. Here his son Rutherford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was


born. He was married, in September, I813, to Sophia
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emigrated 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 mechanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stocking, 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 conducted his business on Christian principles. After
the close of the war of 81 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. Hayes deter
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived
in I817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial
fever, less than three months before the birth of the
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore bereavement, 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 Vermont, 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




RUTTIA'P.C7RD  B. ANA 4YISS
cl ---~1._ --- — _1  ~  _  ~  -,-I


subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he
was not expecced 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 inquiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' laby died
iast 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
nim, said in a bantering way, ' That's right! Stick to
ihim. YoL have got him along so far, and I shouldn't
wonder if he would really come to something yet."
"You reed not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes.  " You
vait 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
datl; 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
tister as he would liave 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 disposition, 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 preparation 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 entered Kenyon College in i838, at the age of sixteen,
and was graduated at the head of his class in i842.
Inlmediately 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 remained two years.
In 1 845, after graduating 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 remained three years, acquiring but a limited practice,
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his profession.
In 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambition found a new stimulus. For several years, however, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subsequent ife. 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 Cincinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its
members such men as Chief 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 Cluo brought Mr. Hayes into
constant association with young men of high character and noble aims, and lured him to display the
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and
modesty.
In i856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to accept the nomination. Two years later, the office of
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council
elected him for the unexpired term.
In i861, when the Rebellion biroke out, he was aithe zenith of his professional lf,. His rank at the
bar was among the the first. But the news of the
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take uo
arms for the defense of his country.
His military record was bright and illustrious.  In
October, I86I, 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, "for gallant 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 Democratic. 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 I866.
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 I875.
In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Republican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in
augurated Monday, March 5, I875. He served his
full term, not, however, with satisfaction to his party.
but his administration was an average orn.








I — I~I




TWiENTIE TI PRESIDENT


9


J


AMES A. GARFIELD, twentieth President of the United
States, was born Nov. I9,
1831, in the woods of Orange,
Cuyahoga Co., O   His par' ents were Abram and Eliza
r (Ballou) Garfield, both of New
England ancestry and from families well known in the early his-, tory of that section of our country, but had moved to the Western
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settlement.
The house in which James A. was




(i;  born was not unlike the houses of
i   poor Ohio farmers of that day. It.a. about 20 X 30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces bev.een the logs filled with clay. His father was a
iard working farmer, and he soon had his fields.leared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built.
the household comprised the father and mother and:heir four children-Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and
'ames. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con-.racted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At
this time James was about eighteen months old, and
Fhomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can
rell how much James was indeLted to his biother's
ccil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years succeeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sisiers live in Solon, 0., near their birthplace.
The early educational advantages young Garfield
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of
tnein. He I1tbored at farm work for others, did carpenter work, chov!pp',d wood, or did anything that
would l)ring in a few dollars to aid his widowed
mother in Ihe'- l t r'X'loes to keep the little fan.ily to



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his struggling 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 poorest 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.
lThe highest ambition of young Garfield until hl
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 obtair
some other kind of employment. He walked all the
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city
After making many applications for work, and trying
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. Heremained at this work but a short time when he wen':
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;850, 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 I854, he entered Williams College, from which
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest honors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram
College as its President. As above stated, he early
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous member, often preaching in its pulpit and places where
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, Presidert of
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion:




fAAMES 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 communions
in which they have been reared. Too often itis true
that as they step upward in social and political significance they step upward from one degree to
another in some of the many types of fashionable
Christianity.  President Garfield adhered to the
zhurch 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-,arian charity for all 'who love our Lord in sincerity.'
Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. i I, I858, 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 I856,
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three
years later he began to speak at county mass-meetings, 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 I86I 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 received his commission as Lieut.-Colonel of the Fortysecond Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug.
14, I86I. He was immediately put into active service, 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 speedily accomplished, although against great odds. President Lincoln, on his success commissioned him
Brigadier-General, Jan. Io, 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 memberof the
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rosecrans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff."
The military bhstory 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 Gew Garfield was
elected to Congress in the fall of I862 from the
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio
had been represented in Congress for sixty 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 heentered Congress he was the youngest member in that
body.  There he    remained by successive reelections until he was elected President in I88o.
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says: " Since
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question whici
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whicl
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu.
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by
Mr. Garfield."
Upon Jan. 14, i880, 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, I88I, was inaugurated. Probably no administration ever opened its existence under brighter
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every
day it grew in favo: with the people, and by the first
of July he had completed all the initiatory and preliininary work of his administration and was preparing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams
College. While on his way and at the depot, in company with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back.
'he President tottered and fell, and as he did so the
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the
left coat sleeve of his victil, 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 occurred which so nearly froze the blood of the peop'l
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smitten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and
was at the sumnit of his p)ower and hole. 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 surpassingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept.
19, 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.
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and executed, in one year after he committed the four deed.




I








T VWETY-FIRST PRESIDENT.


99


HESTER     A.   ARTHUR,
i,:     T  twenty-first PresiILt of the
S,       '~ United States. was born in
Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on
the fifthof Od ober, 830, and is
'the oldest of a family of two
sons and five daughters. His
1   father was the Rev. Dr. William
Arthur, aBaptistcJ drgyman,who
emigrated to tb's country from
the county Ant:im, Ireland, in
I his i8th year, and died in 1875, in
Newtonville, neal Albany, after a
long and successful ministry.
Young Arthur was educated at
Union College, S( henectady, where
]he excelled in all his studies. Aftter his graduation he taught school
in Vermont for two years, and at
the expiration of that time came to
New York, with $50o in his pocket,
and entered the office of ex-Judge
E. D. Culver as student. After
being admitted to the bar he formed
a partnership 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 upon a success,
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur
soon afterward mnrr;ed the daughter of Lieutenant


I


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 occasion. 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 Judgedecided
that they could not be held by the owner under the
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from
the 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 People, and they won their case,
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs
Evarts and Arthur, 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 I856. 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 $500 damages. The next day the company issued an order to admit colored persons to ride
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly




loo


CHESTER A A RTHUR.


followed their example. Before that the Sixth Avenue Company ran a few special cars for colored persons 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 Governor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineerin-Chief of his staff. In i86I, he was made Inspector General, and soon afterward became Quartermaster-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 practice of this well-known firm was very large and lucrative, 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 succeed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July,
o0, 187 8, 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, i880. This was perhaps the greatest political
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It
was composed of the hjading politicians of the Republican party, all able men, and each stood firm and
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their
respective candidates that were before the convention for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield received 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 party, was a popular man, and his
party made a valiant fight for his election.
Finally the election came and the country's choice,vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated
March 4, I88r, 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 remarkable patience that he manifested during those hours
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suffering man has often been called upon to endure, was
seemingly more than human. It was certainly Godlike. 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 auspiciously 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 Garfield 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, I88r. The position 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 select 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 tis 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 faitlfully, until the
close of his administration, March 4, I885, and was
a popular candidate before his party for a second
term. His name was ably presented before the convention 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 carrying with him the best wishes of the American people, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory
to them and with credit to himself.




I




-, -




TWENTY-SECONDNZ  PRESIDENVT.


103


TWENY-SCON PREIDNT              103-~. — _


TEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAND,the twenty- second President of the United States, was
born in I837, in the obscure
town of Caldwell, Essex Co.,
N. J., and in a little two-and-ahalf-story white house which is still
standing, characteristically to mark
the humble birth-place of one of
i a ^    America's great men in striking contrast 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 minister, 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 commenced 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 this
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to
become self-supporting by the quickest possible
means, and this at that time in Fayette-jille 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 proved trustworthy he was to
receive $roo the second year. Here the lad commenced his career as salesman, and in two years he
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness
that his employers desired to retain him for an indefinite length of time. Otherwise he did not exhibit 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 Fayetteville, 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 New 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 although he obtained a good reputation in
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his




1o4


S. GROVER CLEVALAND.~U


4  S. GLN


calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order,
he 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
ask 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
ihe 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, while 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 engaged 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 employer 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;
out 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 pt'^.;shiment upon two
ciminals. In r88i he was elected Mayor of the
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with especial 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 ferreted 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 iniquitous 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 worsa
than squander the people's money." The New York
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleveland's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and thereupon recommended him for Governor of the Empire
State. To the latter office he was elected in I882,
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 Cleveland resigned his office as Governor of New York in
January, I885, 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, I885. 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
ofWar, 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 between 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,








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TWENTY'-THIRD PRESID-El-rf.


v;


T N -I-  PRE......I


ENJAMIN HARRISON, the
twenty-third 1'1resident, is
3    the descendant of one of the
l    historical families of t h i s
country. The head of the
family was a Major General
Hlarrison, one of Oliver
Cromwell's trusted followers and fighters. In the zenith of Cromwell's power it became the duty of this
Harrison to participate in the trial of
Charles I, and afterward to sign the
death warrant of the king. He subsequently paid for this with his life, being
hung Oct. 13, 1660. His descendants
came to America, and the next of the
family that appears in history is Benjaf  r in Z-Iarrison, of Virginia, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and
after whom he was named.    Benjamin Harrison
was a member of the Continental Congress during
the years i774-5-6, and was one of the original
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He
was three times elected Governor of Virginia.
Geno William Henry Harrison, the son of the


distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a successful career as a soldier during the War of 1812,
and with.a clean record as Governor of the Northwestern Territory, was elected President of the
United States in 1840. His career was cut short
by death within one month after his inauguration.
President Harrison was born at North Bend,
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. 20, 1833o His life upto
the time of his graduation by the Miami University,
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a country lad of a family of small means. His father was
able to give him a good education, and nothing
more. He became engaged while at college to the
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoo
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to enter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin
cinnati and then read law for two years. At the
expiration of that time young Harrison received tL:.
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left fhim
a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as &
fortune, and decided to get married at once, tak3
this money and go to some Eastern town an ' begin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with
the money in his pocket, he started out wits his
young wife to fight for a place in the world. [e




108


BENJAMIN HARRISON.




I


a                                                                                                                                                        L

decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at
that time a town of promise. He met with slight
encouragement at first, making scarcely anything
the first year. He worked diligently, applying himself closely to his calling, built up an extensive
practice and took a leading rank in the legal proiession, He is the father of two children.
In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then began his experience as a stump speaker  lie canvassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a
handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17th
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His
regiment was composed of the rawest of material,
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first
mastering military tactics and drilling his men,
when he therefore came to move toward the East
with Sherman his regiment was one of the best
drilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery
ot, Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen-,:ral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most
complimentary terms.
During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field
he Supreme Court declared the office of the Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another person
was elected to the position. From the time of Jeavirg Indiana with his regiment until tile fall of 1864
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been
nominated that year for the same office, he got a
thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected
for another term. He then started to rejoin Sherman, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet
-ever, and after a most trying siege made his way
to the front in time to participate in the closing
'ncidents of the war,
In 1868 Gen. Hareison declined  re-election as
reporter, and resumed the practice of law, In 1876
Le was a candidate for Governor. Although deeated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him
3 National reputation, and he was much sought, especiaLy in the East, to make speeches. In 1880,
as usual, he took an active part in the campaign,
and wa: elected to the United States Senate. Here
he served six years, and was known as one of the
4biest men, best lawyers and strongest debaters in


that body. With the expiration of his Se:lltO;..
term he returned to the practice of his profession;,
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms:a
the State.
The political campaign of 1888 was one of the
most memorable in the history of our country. The
convention which assembled in Chicago in June and
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer
of the Republican party, was great in every particular, and on this account, and the attitude it assumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr.
Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This movement became popular, and from all sections of the
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed
thither to pay their respects to the distinguished
statesman.  The popularity of these was greatly
increased on account of the remarkable speeches
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through
the summer and autumn to these visiting delegations, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were
his speeches that they at once placed him in the
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen.
On account of his eloquence as a speaker and his
power as a debater, lie was called upon at an unconmmonly early age to take part in the discussion
of the great questions that then began t-t agitate
the country. Ite was an uncompromising ant:.
slavery man, and was matched against some of ib;e
most eminent Demcratic speakers of his State.
No man who felt the touch of his blade decired t,
be pitted with him again. With all his eloquence
as an orator lie never spoke for oratorical effect,
but his words always went like bullets to the mark
lie is purely American in his ideas and is a spler
did type of the American statesman. Gifted witii
quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue,
he is one of the most distinguished impromptu
speakers in the Nation. Many of these speeches
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse
statements have already become aphorisms. Original in thought, precise in logic, terse in statement,
yet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as
the sound statesman and brilliant orator o: tnc day




.55|< '  ^-.-  ( -- )




7, 17,\   1~   Co,








JCJ/K (    CL4Ac
-Q~ie  n




GO lERNORS OF MICHIGA N.                   I65
_i

SThEPIHIN TT.N IASON.t


Ai          TEPHEN T. MASON, the, first Governor of Michigan, was
a son of Gen. John T. Mason,
/ '(e/         of Kentucky, but was born in
_ a,, (Virginia, in 81 2. At the age
of I9 he was appointed Secre-,  tary of Michigan Territory, and
served in that capacity during the
t g  administration of Gov. George B.
XJ,-    Porter. Upon the death of Gov.
}Q   Porter, which occurred on the 6th of
July, 1834, Mr. Mason became Acting Governor. In October, I835, he
was elected Governor under the State, organization, and immediately entered upon the performance of the
duties of the office, although the
State was not yet admitted into the Union. After
the State was admitted into the Union, Governor
Mason was re-elected to the position, and served with
credit to himself and to the advantage of the State.
He died Jan. 4, I843. The principal event during
Governor Mason's official career, was that arising from
the disputed southern boundary of the State.
Michigan claimed for her southern boundary aline
running east across the peninsula from the extreme
southern point of Lake Michigan, extending through
Lake Erie, to the Pennsylvania line.  This she
claimed as a vested right-a right accruing to her by
compact. This compact was the ordinance of 1787,
the parties to which were the original 13 States, and
the territory northwest of the Ohio; and, by the succession of parties under statutory amendments to the
ordinance and laws of Congress-the United States on
the one part, and each Territory northwest of the
Ohio, as far as affected by their provisions, on the


other. Michigan, therefore, claimed it under the prior
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 regulate the boundary. It was also claimed that the
Constitution of the State of Ohio having described a
different line, and Congress having admitted the State
under that Constitution, without mentioning the subject of the line in dispute, Congress had thereby given
its consent to the line as laid down by the Constitution of Ohio.  This claim was urged by Ohio at
some periods of the controversy, but at others she appeared to regard the question unsettled, by the fact
that she insisted upon Congress taking action in regard to the boundary. Accordingly, we find that, in
1812, Congress authorized the Surveyor-General to
survey a line, agreeably to the act, to enable the people
of Ohio to form a Constitution and State government.
Owing to Indian hostilities, however, the line was not
run till I818.  In i820, 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 opposed 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 Michigan organized her State government.
The Territory in dispute is about five miles in
width at the west end, and about eight miles in width
at the east end, and extends along the whole northern line of Ohio, west of Lake Erie. The line claimed
by Michigan was known as the " Fulton line," and
that claimed by Ohio was known as the" Harris line,'




STEPHEN T. MAtSON.




=


from the names of the surveyors. The territory was
valuable 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 extending 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 commissioners 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, apprising it of Governor Lucas' message, and advised immediate action by that body to anticipate and counteract
the proceedings of Ohio. Accordingly, on the I2th
of February, the council passed an act making it a
criminal offence, punishable by a heavy fine, or imprisonment, for any one to attempt to exercise any
official functions, or accept any office within the jurisdiction of Michigan, under or by virture of any authority 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 3ist 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 Constantine, Quartermaster; William E. Broadman, of
Detroit, and Alpheus Felch, of Monroe, Aids-decamp. When Governor Lucas observed the determined bearing of the Michigan braves, 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 employment, and just as Governor Lucas had made up his
mind to do something rash, two commissioners arrived 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 persisted in his attempt to gain possession of the disputed
territory by force.  After several conferences with
both governors, the commissioners submitted propositions 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 Governor 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 without being molested, and ordered the commissioners
to proceed with their work.
In the meantime, Governor Mason kept a watchful 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 Lenawee, the under-sheriff of that county, armed with a
warrant, and accompanied by a posse, suddenly made
his appearance, and succeeded in arresting a portion
of the party. The rest, including the commissioners,
took to their heels, and were soon beyond the disputed territory. They reached Perrysburgh the following day in a highly demoralized condition, and
reported they had been attacked by an overwhelming 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 territory, and accept
in return the Northern Peninsula, which she did.............. __








"000.1 I




SECOND GO VERINOR. OF MICHIGAN.


Io9


ILLIAM     WOODBRIDGE,
i^.    1 second Governor of Michigan,
%  dl l 1      v was born at Norwich, Conn.,
<'   Aug. 20, 1780, and died at.     i iDetroit Oct. 20, I86I. He
-    was of a family of three brothers
J   and two   sisters.  His father,
[.jj     Dudley Woodbridge, removed to
&l      Marietta, Ohio, about 179o. The
life of Wm. Woodbridge, by Chas.
e   ll  l Lauman, from which this sketch
is largely compiled, mentions nothing concerning his early education
{,   beyond the fact that it was such as! j    - was afforded by the average school
of the time, except a year with the
l 1   French  colonists  at Gallipolis,.i(l  where he acquired a knowledge of
tI he French language. It should
i  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 helped 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 law school in Connecticut, after a course there of
nearly three years, and began to practice at Marietta
in 80o6. In June, i806, he married, at Hartford, Connecticut, Juleanna, daughter of John Trumbell, a
distinguished author and judge; and author of the


peom McFingal, which, during a dark period of the
'Revolution, wrought such a magic change upon 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 biographies necessarily speak more
fully of men, because of their active participation in
public affairs, but human actions are stamped upon
the page of time and when the scroll shall be unrolled
the influence of good women upon 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. enjoyed 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 type of domestic and social
graces, she manifested a keen intellectuality that
formed the crown of a faultless character. She was
a natural poet, and wrote quite a large number of fine
verses, some of which are preserved in a printed
memorial essay written upon the occasion of her
death. In this essay, it is said of her "to contribute
even in matters of minor importance, to elevate the
reputation and add to the well being of her husband
in the various stations he was called upon to fill, gave
her the highest satisfaction" She was an invalid
during the latter portion of her life, but was patient
and cheerful to the end.
In I807, Mr. W. was chosen a representative to the
General Assembly of Ohio, and in 1809 was elected to
the Senate, continuing a member by re-election until
his removal from the State. He also held, by appointment, during the time the office of Prosecuting
Attorney for his county. He took a leading part in
the Legislature, and in I812 drew up a declaration and
resolutions, which passed the two houses unamilously




- 10


W~I LIA M W;OODBRIDGE._E


10,                     IVI LIA   WOODBRI G


and attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest
and most emphatic terms, the war measures of President Madison. During the period from 1804 to I814
the two law students, Woodbridge and Cass, had become widely separated. The latter was Governor of
the Territory of Michigan under the historic "Governor
and Judges" plan, with the indispensable requisite of a
Secretary of the Territorry. This latter position was,
in I814, 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 customs at 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. W. officiated as Governor for
about two years out of the eight years that he held the
office of Secretary Under the administration of"Governor 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
passedin Congress in 8 19 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 passage 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 t he "black
swamps" from the Miami River to Detroit, thus opening a means of land transit between Ohio and Michigan. 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 expedition for the exploration of the country around
Lake Superior and in the valley of the Upper Mississippi, 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 strenuously maintained the right of Michigan to the strip
of territory now forming the northern boundary of
Ohio, which formed the subject of such grave dispute
between Ohio and Michigan at the time of the admission of the latter into the Union. He served
but one term   as  delegate to  Congress, declining further service on account of personal and
family considerations. Mr. W. 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


I


the Territory, and was engaged also in the practice of
his profession, having the best law library in the Territory. In 1828, upon the recommendation of the
Governor, Judges and others, he was appointed by the
President, J. Q. Adams, to succeed Hon. James Witherell, who had resigned as a Judge of what is conventionally called the "Supreme Court" of the Territory.
This court was apparently a continuation of the Territorial Court, under the "first grade" or "Governor and
Judges" system. Although it was supreme in its judicial functions within the Territory, its powers and
duties were of a very general character.
In I832, the term of his appointment as Judge expiring, President Jackson appointed a successor, it is
supposed on political grounds, much to the disappointment of the public and the bar of the Territory. The
partisan feeling of the time extended into the Territory, and its people began to think of assuming the
dignity of a State government. Party lines becoming very sharply drawn, he identified himself with
the Whigs and was elected a member of the Convention of 1835, which formed the first State Constitution.
In 1837 he was elected a member of the State 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 history of the State, and the development of its political system. Since the organization of the State Government 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 Governor in 1839, under a popular impression that the
affairs of the State had not been prudently administered 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 political life, although he was strongly urged by many
prominent men for the Whig nomination for Vice
President in I848.
Soon after his appointment as Judge in 1828, Governor 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 limits of Detroit, where he resided during the remainder
of his life. Both in his public papers and private
communications, Governor W. shows himself a master of language; he is fruitful in simile and illustration, logical in arrangement, happy in the choice and
treatment of topics, and terse and vigorous in expression. Judge W. was a Congregationalist. His opinions
on all subjects were decided; he was earnest and
energetic, courteous and dignified, and at times exhibited a vein of fine humor that was the more attractive 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.




I








GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


I13


VT — --


JOHN S. BARRY
31|c ^'<^^?^~^? t^?^^S  at Xt<?ss
— E <.>


v,      Til OHN       STEWARD     BARRY,,t', |.       Governor of Michigan from
Jan. 3, 1842, to Jan. 5, i846,
f.        a and from Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan.. i, 18 I852, was born at Amherst,
(           N. H., Jan. 29, I802. His par-e  /fO   ents, John and Ellen (Steward)
l     i Barry, early removed to Rocking( l:    m ham, Vt., where he remained until.J~&i7  he became of age, working on his
W father's farm, and   pursuing  his
studies at the same time. He marn ried Mary Kidder, of Grafton, Vt.,
and in 1824 went to Georgia, Vt.,
where he h;ld 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.
Willard.
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.
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 flamed 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. Barry 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 hin
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 popular was his administration that, in
1842, he was again elected.  During these years
Michigan was embarrassed by great financial difficulties, and it was through his wisdom and sound judgment that the State was finally placed upon a solid
financial basis.
During the first year of Gov. Barry's first term, the
University at Ann Arbor was opened for the reception




II4


JOHTN STE W~ARD BARR F.


i 14_ JO      NSTW R  BRY


of students. The Miihigan 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 taxable 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 second term expired, the potpulation 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 i85o-the only instance of the kind
in the history of the State. He was a member of the
Territorial Legislature, of the Constitutional Convention, and afterward of the State House of Representatives.
During Mr. Barry s third term as Governor the Normal 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 constitution for the government of the State was also
adopted and the ';Great 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 Company, along the line
of their road, and finally the burning of the depot
at Detroit, in I850.
At a setting of the grand jury of Wayne County,
April 24, I85 I, 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 Railroad Company employed ten eminent lawyers, including David Stuart, John Van Arman, James A.
Van Dyke, Jacob M. Howard, Alex. D. Fraser, Daniel 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 examined 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, I85 I. On the 26th the prisoners were
put forward to receive sentence, when many of them
protested their entire innocence, after which the presiding judge condemned 12 of the number to the following 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; Ebeii Farnhami, 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 fidelity 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 popular Governors the
State has ever had.
Gov. Barry was a man cf incorruptible integrity.
His opinions, which he reached by the most thorough
investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong convictions and outspoken honesty made it impossible for
him to take an undefined position when a principle
was involved. His attachments and prejudices were
strong, yet he was never accused of favoritism in his
administration of public affairs. As a speaker he was
not remarkable. Solidity, rather than brilliancy, characterized his oratory, which is described as argumentative and instructive, but cold, hard, and entirely
wanting in rhetorical ornament. He was never eloquent, 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 position. He was a true statesman, and gained public esteem by his solid worth. His political connections
were always with the Democratic party, and his opinions were usually extreme.
Mr. Barry retired to private life after the beginning
of the ascendency of the Republican party, and carried on his mercantile business at Constantine.  He
died Jan. I4, 1870, his wife's death having occurred a
year previous, March 30, 1869. They left no children.




I




Ar,




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


I I7


1.      LPHEUS FELCH, the third,  Governor of Michigan, was
^         mf tember 28, i806.  His grandc.~_~x~Jcfather, Abijah Felch, was a soldier in the Revolution; and
e ~ _.  when a young man, having with
others obtained a grant of land bel tween the Great and Little Ossipee
A Rivers, in Maine, moved to that rep 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 remained until his death. Mr Felch received his early
education in the district school and a neighboring
academy. In 182i he became a student at Phillips
Exter Academy, and, subsequently, entered Bowdoin
College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at
once began the study of law and was admitted to
practice at Bangor, Me., in I830.
He began the practice of his profession at Houlton,
Me., where he remained until r833. 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 library and started to seek
a new home, His intention was to join his friend,


Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Miss., but on his
arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Felch was attacked by
cholera, and when he had recovered sufficiently 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 Michigan. He first began to practice in this State at Monroe, where he continued until 1843, when he removed
to Ann Arbor. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1835, and continued a member of that body
during the years 1836 and I837. While he held this
office, the general banking law of the State was enacted, and went into operation. After mature delibera.
tion, he became convinced that the proposed system
of banking could not prove 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 embarrassment. He, therefore, opposed the bill, and pointed
out to the House the disasters which, in his opinion,
were sure to follow its passage. The public mind,
however, was so favorably impressed by the measure
that no other member, in either branch of the Legislature, raised a dissenting voice, and but two voted with
him in opposition to the bill. Early in I838, he was
appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the
State, and held that office for more than a year. During 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 examinations of the Bank Commissioners brought to
light frauds at every point, which were fearlessly re



118


ALPHEUS FE~"E`~LCII.


i i8               ALIJUSFEcH


ported to the Legislature, and were followed by criminal prosecutions of the guilty parties, and the closing
of many of their institutions. The duties of the office were most laborious, and in 1839 Mr. Felch resigned. 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 commissioned by the Governor as one of the Judges of the
Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Fletcher. In January, I843, 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 next year.  In I847 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, I847, when his Senatorial term commenced. 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 exports 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 sailing vessels I8,528 tons, the whole giving employment to i8,ooo seamen. In I847, there were 39
counties in the State, containing 435 townships; and
275 of these townships were supplied with good libraries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes.
At the close of his Senatorial term, in March, 1853,
Mr. Felch was appointed, by President Pierce, one of
the Cnommissioners 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, I853, and was made President of the Commission. The duties of this office were of the most important and delicate character. The interest of the
new State, and the fortunes of many of its citizens,
both the native Mexican population 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 Commission. In March, I856, their labors were brought
to a close by the final disposition of all the claims
which were presented. The record of their proceedings, —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 plincipally in legal business.  Since his return he has
been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Senator, 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 election. In 1873 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 I877 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 Commissioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor
General of the State, the oldest survivingGovernorof
the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme
Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United
States Senator from the State of Michigan.








11 —.11 
C-10,




GO VERNORS.


121


iiA  ILLIAM    L.  GREENLY
\Governor of Michigan for the
1 Tyear Wir847, was born at Hamilx.        ton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept.
8, 1813. He graduated at Un\    ion  College, Schenectady, in
'  i83I, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1834. In
I836, having removed to Michigan, 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 I839.
1    In I845 he was elected Lieut. Govi ernor and became acting Governor
(I 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. We regret to say that there are only
few records extant 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


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 number.
In May, I846,the Governor of Michigan was notified by the War Department of the United States to
enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readiness for service whenever demanded. At his summons I3 independent volunteer companies, i of
infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of
the infantry four companies were from Detroit. bearing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette,
Scott and Brady upon their banners. Of the remainder 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 service. In addition to them ten companies, making the
First Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, springing
from various parts of the State, but embodying to a
great degree the material of which the first volunteers
was formed, were not called for until October following. This regiment was soon in readiness and pro.
ceeded by orders from Government to the seat of war.








I








GO VERNORS.


T2C


40


i  l  T \.....  HE   HON. EPAPHRODI1jf     TUS RANSOM, the Seventh
l     Governor of Michigan, was a,:         native of Massachusetts. In
that State he received a collegiate education, studied law,
and was admitted to the bar.
Removing to Michigan about
the time of its admission to the
7    Union, he took up his residence
at Kalamazoo.
Mr. Ransom served with marked
ability for a number of years in the
State Legislature, and in 1837 he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1843 he
was promoted to Chief Justice, which office he retained until 1845, when he resigned.
Shortly afterwards he became deeply interested in
the building of plank roads in the western portion of
the State, and in this business lost the greater portion
of the property which he had accumulated by years
of toil and industry.
Mr. Ransom became Governor of the State of
Michigan in the fall of 1847, and served during one
term, performing the duties of the office in a truly
statesmanlike manner. He subsequently became
President of the Michigan Agricultural Society, in
which position he displayed the same ability that


shone forth so prominently in his acts as Governor.
He held the office of Regent of the Michigan University several times, and ever advocated a liberal policy
in its management.
Subsequently he was appointed receiver of the
land office in one of the districts in Kansas, by President Buchanan, to which State he had removed, and
where he died before the expiration of his term of
office.
We sum up the events and affairs of the State under Gov. Ransom's administration as follows: The
Asylum for the Insane was establised, as also the
Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Both of
these institutes were liberally endowed with lands,
and each of them placed in charge of a board of five
trustees. The appropriation in I849 for the deaf and
dumb and blind amounted to $81,5oo. On the first
of March, 1848, the first telegraph line was completed from New York to Detroit, and the first dispatch transmitted on that day. The following figures
show the progress in agriculture: The land reported
as under cultivation in I848 was 1,437,460 acres; of
wheat there were produced 4,749,300 bushels; other
grains, 8,197,767 bushels; wool, 1,645,756 pounds;
maple sugar, 1,774,369 pounds; horses, 52,305; cattle, 210,268; swine, 152,541; sheep, 610,534; while
the flour mills numbered 228, and the lumber mills
amounted to 730. I847, an act was passed removing
the Legislature from Detroit to Lansing, and temporary buildings for the use of the Legislature wereimmediately erected, at a cost of $12,450.




9










)




GO VERNORS' O MICHIGAN.


1 29


-,!m         OBERT      McCLELLAND,
G        overnor of Michigan from
(i!V:       Jan. I, 85 2, to March 8, I853,
X      '     y was born at Greencastle, Frank-,:' i  $    lin Co., Penn., Aug. i, I807.
Among his ancestors were several
i   officers of rank in the Revolutionit) J ary war, and some of his family con-:Jfi, nections were distinguished in the
war of 1812, and that with Mexico.
t  His father was an eminent physician,, and surgeon who studied under Dr.
Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and
-    practiced his profession successfully
Ai  until six months before his death, at
I the age of 84 years. Although Mr.
McClelland's family had  been in good circumstances, when he was 17 years old he was thrown
upon his own resources. After taking the usual preliminary 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 1829. He then resumed teaching, and
having completed the course of study for the legal
profession, was admitted to the bar at Chambersburg,
Penn., in 1831. Soon afterward he removed to the
city of Pittsburgh, where he practiced for almost a
year.
In I833, Mr. McClelland removed to Monroe, in


the Territory of Michigan, where, after a severe examination, he became a member of the bar of Michigan, and engaged in practice with bright prospect of
success. In 1835, a convention was called to frame
a constitution for the proposed 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 appointed the
first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Gov. Mason,
and received an offer of the Attorney 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 important committees, Speaker
pro tempore, and as an active, zealous and efficient
member. In 1840, Gen. Harrison, as a candidate for
the Presidency, swept the country with an overwhelming majority, and at the same time the State of Michigan was carried by the Whigs under the popular cry
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 State House of Representatives, and with others adopted a plan to regain a lost
authority and prestige.
This party soon came again into power in the State,
and having been returned to the State Legislature Mr.
McClelland's leadership was acknowledged by his
election as Speaker of the House of Representatives




igo


ROBERT.McCLELLAND.


 --- —--. " ---
I — -`-"" ----


=


in I843. Down to this time Michigan had constituted one congressional district. The late Hon. Jacob
M. Howard had been elected against Hon. Alpheus
Felch by a strong majority; but, in 1843, so thoroughly
had the Democratic party recovered from its defeat
of I840 that Mr. McClelland, as a candidate for Congress, carried Detroit district by a majority of about
2,5o0. Mr. McClelland soon took a prominent position in Congress among the veterans of that body.
During his first term he was placed on Committee on
Commerce, and organized and carried through what
were known as the "Harbor 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
ta-orably was he known as a parlimentarian that his
name was mentioned for Speaker of the House of Repiesentatives, 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 position his reports and advocacy of important
measures at once attracted public attention. The
members of this committee, as an evidence of the esteem 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 I847, Mr. McClelland was re-elected to Con.
gress, and at the opening of the 3oth Congress became a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations. While acting in this capacity, what was known
as the " French Spoliation Bill" came under his special charge, and his management of the same was such
as to command universal approbation.  While in
Congress, Mr. McClelland was an advocate of the
fight of petition as maintained by John Q. Adams,
when the petition, was clothed in decorous language
and presented in the proper manner.  This he regarded as the citizens'constitutional right which should
not be impaired by any doctrines of temporary expediency. He also voted for the adoption of Mr. Giddings 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 Pennsylvania, in bringing forward the celebrated 'Wilmot
Proviso,3' with a view to prevent further extension of
slavery in new territory which might be acquired by
ihe United States. He and Mr. Wilmot were together at the time in Washington, and on intimate
and confidential terms. Mr. McClelland was in several National conventions and in the Baltimore convention, which nominated Gen. Cass for President,
in 1848, doing valiant service that year for the election 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




I




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 I850,
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
the Democratic National convention in I852, 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 Presidencyo
In i85 t, the new State 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 into operation: under
the new constitution, Mro McClelland was elected
Governor, and in the fall of I852 was re-elected for
a term of two years, from Jan. I, I853. His admin.
istration was regarded as wise, prudent and conciliatory, 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 haC
Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that or
the organization of thecabinet by President Pierce, in
March, I 85 3, 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 expenditures, 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 I867, Michigan again called a con
vention to revise the State constitution. Mr. McClelland was a member and here again his long experience made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser, a
sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he was
terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and impressive 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 happy. In
1870 he made the tour of Europe, which, through his
extensive personal acquaintance with European diplomates, he was enabled to enjoy much more than
most travelers.
Mr. McClelland married, in i837, Miss Sarah
E. Sabin, of Williamstown, Mass. They have had
six children, two of whom now survive.




I7




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GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


133


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lX",   NDREW     PARSONS, Gover[,/)        \ '"/ai/ '~ nor of Michigan from March
A     L,  '     g8, 1853 to Jan. 3, t855, was
(i,f born in the town of Hoosick,
2X             County of Rensselaer, and
State of New York, on the 22d
day of July, 1817, and died June
1     6, I855, at the early age of 38,     years. He was the son of John
Parsons, born at Newburyport,
Mass., Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the
sonof Andrew Parsons, a Revolutionary
- soldier, who was the son of Phineas
Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons,
a descendant of Walter Parsons, born
in Ireland in 1290.
Of this name and family, some one hundred and
thirty years ago, Bishop Gilson remarked in his edition of Camden's Britannia: "The honorable 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 1481, was Mayor of Hereford;
Robert Parsons, born in 1546, lived near Bridgewater,
England. He was educated at Ballial College, Oxford, 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 I556, was Vicar of Rothwell, in Notingham;
Bartholomew Parsons, born in I6I8, was another
noted member of the family. In 1634, Thomas Parsons
was knighted by Charles i. Joseph and Benjamin,
brothers, were born in Great Torrington, England,


and accompanied their father and others to New
England about I630. Samuel Parsons, born at Salisbury, 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 Boston,
Oct. 9, 1739, died Jan. 4, I789, at the age of 82, in
the 53rd year of his ministry. The grandfather of Mary
Jones was Capt. John Adams, of Boston, grandson
of Henry, of Braintree, who was among the first settlers of Massachusetts, and from whom a numerous
race of the name are descended, including two Presidents of the United States. The Parsons have become 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 I835, at the age of 17
years, and spent the first summer at Lower Ann
Arbor, where for a few 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 proudest States of the Union. These brave men came to
Michigan with nothing to aid them in the conquest
of the wilderness save courageous hearts and strong
and willing hands. They gloriously conquered, however, and to them is due all honor for the labors
so nobly performed, for the solid and sure foundation
which they laid of a great Commonwealth.




134


A -IVRE W P.,4-IR.S'O.ArS


13..DR TV IARSNS


In the fall of I835, 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 Shiawasse County, then with Clinton County, and an almost
unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized
township. In I837 this territory was organized into
a county and, at the age of only I9 years, he (Andrew) was elected County Clerk. In I840, he was
elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1842, and
also in 1844. In I846, he was elected to the State
Senate, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in I848,
and elected Regent of the University in 1851, and
Lieutenant Governor, and became acting Governor,
in I853, elected again to the Legislature in I854, 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 persuade nor drive him to do what he conceived to be wrong. When Governor, a most powerful railroad influence was brought to bear upon him,
to induce him to call an extra session of the Legislature. Meetings were held 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 tendered 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 favors, whether from any party who would attempt 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:
"though 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
of his oath." The following eulogium from a politcal opponent is just in its conception and creditable to its
author: " Gov. Parsons was a politician of the Democratic school, a man of pure moral character, fixed
and exemplary habits, and entirely blameless in every
public and private relation of life. As a politician he
was candid, frank and free from bitterness, as. an executive 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 prevailed at this time, occasioned by the settling of
Kansas, and the issue thereby brought up, whether
slavery should exist there. For the purposeof permitting slavery there, the " Missouri compromise " (whic'1
limited slavery to the south of 360 30') was rerepealed, 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, "Nebraska" and "anti-Nebraska," were temporally employed to designate the slavery and anti-slavery
parties, pending the desolution of the old Democratic
and Whig parties and the organization of the new
Democratic and Republican parties of the present.




I




ol14 —ol




GO VERNORS Ot MICHIG4AN.


I37


lem


44f1


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'~  j  W ld6\'       L~ -  -  -  - -  '     4,
~Y ~ ~~~~Yi~ C~~3~Yi3~v~ L~5~/~Cti ~ ~ 3 I~~i E~~~~a~t h~ ~~i,7 fP


KINSLERY S.


BINGHAM..


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".  INSLEY    S.   BINGHAM,
Governor of Michigan from
i855 to I859, and United
States Senator, was born in
G >         Camillus, Onondaga County,
N. Y., Dec. I6, I8o8. His
father was a farmer, and his own.  early life was consequently devoted to agricultural pursuits, but
notwithstanding the disadvantages 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
o Syracuse, N. Y.  In the spring of
i 833, he married an estimable lady
who had recently arrived from Scotland, and obeying the impulse of a
(  naturally enterprising disposition,
he emigrated to    Michigan  and
purchased a new farm in company
i   with his brother-in-law, Mr. Robert
Worden, in Green Oak, Livingston County. Here, on
the border of civilization, buried in the primeval forest, our late student commenced the arduous task of
preparing a future home, clearing and fencing, putting up buildings, etc., at su, h 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 Postmaster under the Territorial government, and was the
first Probate Judge in the county. In the year 1836,
when Michigan Lecame 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, Representative 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 prevented. He was reelected to Congress in I848, during which time he
strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the
territory of the United States and was committed to
and voted for the Wilmot Proviso.
In 854, at the first organization of the Republican
party, in consequence of his record in Congress as a
Free Soil Democrat, Mr. Bingham was nominated
and elected Governor of the State, and re-elected in
I856. 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 behalf, he became mainly instrumental in the
establishment of the Agricultural College at Lansiiig.
In 185 9, Governor Bingham was elected Senator in
Congress and took an active part in the stormy campaign in the election of Abraham Lincoln  He wit.




t38


K~zVSLEY S J. BINVGHAM.I~


138~~~~. JUSEY. IGAi


nessed the commencement of the civil war while a
member of the United States Senate. After a comparatively short life of remarkable promise and public activity he was attacked with appoplexy and died
suddenly at his residence, in Green Oak, Oct. 5, i861.
The most noticable event in Governor Bingham's
first term was the completion of the ship canal, at the
Falls of St. Mary. In i852, Angust 26, an act of
Congress was approved, granting to the State of Michigan 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-for the appointment
of commissioners to select the donated lands, and to
arrange for building the canal. A company of enterprising 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, machinery, 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 completed, 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 assigned 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 reformatory institutions inaugurated and opened during
Gov. Bingham's administrations. The Michigan Agricultural College owes its establishment to a provision
of the State Constitution of i850. Article 13 says,
"The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, provide for the establishment of an agricultural school."
For the purpose of carying into practice this provision,
legislation was commenced in i855, and the act required 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 college was opened to students in May, I857, the first of
existing argricultural colleges in the United States.
Until the spring of i86I, 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 unchanged 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 mechanical 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 accommodating about 225 students. Attendance in I875
was 179; total number of graduates for previous year,
121; ten professors and teachers are employed. Exclusive of the endowment fund ($8o,ooo), the assets
of the institution, including grounds, buildings, furniture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands,
etc., amount to more than $137,000.
Hillsdale College was established in I855 by the
Free Baptists. The Michigan Central College, at
Spring Arbor, was incorporated in I845. It was kept
in operation until it was merged into the present
Hillsdale College.  The site comprises 25 acres,
beautifully situated on an eminence in the western
part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and imposing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire
in I874, 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 contain one-half more room than the original building.
The State Reform School. This was established
at Lansing in I855, in the northeastern portion of the
city, as the House of Correction for Juvenile Offenders, having about it many of the features of a
prison. In i859 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 history. No bolts, bars or guards are employed.  The
inmates are necessarily kept under the surveillance of
officers, but the attempts at escape are much fewer
than under the more rigid regime of former days.




I*




p






GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAA.


fqt


M   SI          I             aMY I-MoZES  wslx
7AE _   -_ =  _   -f  ~ -   =z   lfV  0:
A.      '~WCo'     X
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[        ' OSES WISNER, Governor of
hMichigan from 185 9 to  86,
was born in Springport, Cayuga Co., N Y., June 3, 1815.
wHis early education was only
what could be obtained at a
common school. Agricultural labor
and frugality of his parents gave
W  him a physical constitution of unusv in ual strength and endurance, which
was ever preserved by temperate hab- I
its. In I837 he emigrated to Michi^     gan and purchased a farm in Lapeer
County  It was new land and he at
once set to work to clear it and plant
crops. He labored diligently at his
task for two years, when he gave up
the idea of being a farmer, and removed to Pontiac,
Oakland Co. Here he commenced the study of law
in the office of his brother, George W. Wisner, and
Rufus Hosmer. In I84I he was admitted to the bar
and established himself in his new vocation at the
village of Lapeer. While there he was apppointed
by Gov. Woodbridge Prosecuting Attorney for that
county, in which capacity he acquitted himself well
and gave promise of that eminence he afterward attained in the profession. He remained at Lapeer but
a short time, removing to Pontiac, where he became
a member of a firm  and entered fully upon the
practice.
In politics he was like his talented brother, a Whig
of the Henry Clay stamp, I)ut with a decided antislaver) bias. His lpractice ibeconlilig extensive, he


took little part in politics until after the election of
Mr. Pierce to the Presidency in I852, when he took an
active part against slavery. As a lawyer-he was a
man of great ability, but relied less upon mere book
learning than upon his native good sense. Liberal
and courteous, was lie yet devoted to the interest of
his client, and no facts escaped his attention or his
memory which bore upon the case. He was no friend
of trickery or artifice in conducting a case  As an advocate he had few equals. When fully aroused by the
merits of his subject his eloquence was at once graceful and powerful. His fancies supplied the most
original, the most pointed illustrations, and his logic
became a battling giant under whose heavy blows the
adversary shrank and withered. Nature had bestowed upon him rare qualities, and his pcwers as a
p)opular orator were of a high order.
On the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of
1854, repealing the Missouri compromise and opening
the 'Territories to slavery, he was among the foremost
in Michigan to denounce the shamful scheme. He
actively participated in organizing and consolidating
the elements opposed to it in that State, and was a
member of the popular gathering at Jackson, in July,
1854, which was the first formal Republican Conven.
tion held in the United States. At this meeting the
name "Republican " was adopted as a designation of
the new party consisting of Anti-slavery, Whigs,
Liberty men, Free Soil Denmocrats and all others opposed to the extension of slavery and favoral)e to its
expulsion from the Territories and the District of
Columbia. At this convention Mr. W. was urged to
accept the nomination for Attorney Genera) of the




MOSES WISNEfR.


IA2


State, but declined. An entire State ticket was nominated and at the annual election in November was
elected by an average majority of nearly io,ooo.
Mr. W. was enthusiastic in the cause and brought to
its support all his personal influence and talents. In
his views he was bold and radical. He believed from
the beginning that the political power of the slaveholders would have to be overthrown before quiet
could be secured to the country. In the Presidential
canvass of I856 he supported the Fremont, or Republican, ticket. At the session of the Legislature of
I857 he was a candidate for United States Senator,
and as such received a very handsome support.
In I858, he was nominated for Governor of the
State by the Republican convention that met at Detroit, and at the subsequent November election was
chosen by a very large majority. Before the day of
the election he had addressed the people of almost
every county and his majority was greater even than
that of his popular predecessor, Hon. K. S. Bingham.
He served as Governor two years, from Jan. I, I859,
to Jan. i, I86I. His first message to the Legislature
was an able and statesman-like production, and was
read with usual favor. It showed that he was awake
to all the interests of the State and set forth an enlightened State policy, that had its view of the rapid
settlement of our uncultivated lands and the developmnent of our immense agricultural and mineral resources. It was a document that reflected the highest
credit upon the author.
His term having expired Jan. i, i86I, he returned
to his home in Pontiac, and to the practice of his
profession. There were those in the State who
counselled the sending of delegates to the peace conference at Washington, but Mr. W. was opposed to all
such temporizing expedients. His counsel was to
send no delegate, but to prepare to fight.
After Congress had met and passed the necessary.egislation he resolved to take part in the war. In
the spring and summer of 1862 he set to work to
raise a regiment of infantry, chiefly in Oakland
County, where he resided. His regiment, the 22d
Michigan, was armed and equipped and ready to
march in September, a regiment whose solid qualities were afterwards proven on many a bloody field.
Col. W's. commission bore the date of Sept. 8, 1862.
Before parting with his family he made his will. His
regiment was sent to Kentucky and quartered at


Camp Wallace. He had at the breaking out of the
war turned his attention to military studies and became proficient in the ordinary rules and discipline.
His entire attention was now devoted to his duties.
His treatment of his men was kind, though his discipline was rigid. He possessed in an eminent degree
the spirit of command, and had he lived he would
no doubt have distinguished  himself as a good
officer. He was impatient of delay and chafed at
being kept in Kentucky where there was so little
prospect of getting at the enemy. But life in camp,
so different from the one he had been leading, and
his incessant labors, coupled with that impatience
which was so natural and so general among the volunteers in the early part of the war, soon made their
influence felt upon his health. He was seized with
typhoid fever and removed to a private house near
Lexington. Every care which medical skill or the
hand of friendship could bestow was rendered him.
In the delirious wanderings of his mind he was disciplining his men and urging them to be prepared for
an encounter with the enemy, enlarging upon the justice of their cause and the necessity of their crushing the Rebellion. But the source of his most poignant grine was the prospect of not being able to come
to a hand-to-hand encounter with the "chivalry."
He was proud of his regiment, and felt that if it could
find the enemy it would cover itself with glory,-a
distinction it afterward obtained, but not until Col. W.
was no more. The malady baffled all medical treatment, and on the 5th day of Jan., 1863, he breathed
his last. His remains were removed to Michigan and
interred in the cemetery at Pontiac, where they rest
by the side of the brave Gen. Richardson, who received his mortal wound at the battle of Antietam.
Col. W. was no adventurer, although he was doubtless
ambitious of military renown and would have striven
for it with characteristic energy. He went to the war
to defend and uphold the principles he had so much
at heart. Few men were more familiar than he with
the causes and the underlying principles that led to
the contest. He left a wife, who was a daughter of
Gen. C. C. Hascall, of Flint, and four children to
mourn his loss. Toward them he ever showed the
tenderest regard. Next to his duty their love and
welfare engrossed his thoughts. He was kind, generous and brave, and like thousands of others lie
sleeps the sleep of the martyr for his country.




I




Fla.NV




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


145


AUiSTINE  l UaLtie


\,.x       \ USTIN  BLAIR, Governor
of Michigan from   Jan. 2,
f H    1Ii86I, to Jan. 4, 1865, and
V J/        kown as the War Governor, is,      - m  and illustration of the benifi-          cent influence of republican in%  h'   ' stitutions, having inherited neithl    er fortune nor fame. He was born
l,}  in a log cabin at Caroline, Tompkins Co., N.., Feb. 8, I8I8.
His ancestors came from Scotland in the time of George I, and
for many generations followed the
Vi  pursuit of agriculture.  His father,
I  George Blair, settled in Tompkins
County in I809, and felled the trees and erected the
first cabin in the county. The last 60 of the fourscore and four years of his life were spent on that
spot. He married Rhoda Blackman,who now sleeps
with him in the soil of the old homestead. The first
17 years of his life were spent there, rendering his
father what aid he could upon the farm.  He then
spent ayear and a half in Cazenovia Seminary preparing for college; entered Hamilton College, in
Clinton, prosecuted his studies until the middle of
the junior year, when, attracted by the fame of Dr.
Nott, he changed to Union College, from which he
graduated in the class of 1839.  Upon leaving college Mr. Blair read law two years in the office of Sweet
& Davis, Owego, N Y., and was admitted to practice
Wi. 164I, and the same year moved to Michigan, locat

ing in Jackson. During a temporary residence in
Eaton Rapids, in I842, he was elected Clerk of Eaton
County. At the close of the official term he returned tu
Jackson, and as a Whig, zealously espoused the cause
of Henry Clay in the campaign of 1844. He was chosen
Representative to the Legislature in 1845, at which
session, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, he
rendered valuable service in the revision of the general statutes; also made an able report in favor of
abolishing the color distinction in relation to the elective franchise, and at the same session was active in
securing the abolition of capital punishment. In I848
Mr. Blair refused longer to affiliate with the Whig
party, because of its refusial to endorse in convention
any anti-slavery sentiment. He joined the Free-soil
movement, and was a delegate to their convention
which nominated Van Buren for President that year.
Upon the birth of the Republican party at Jackson,
in i854, by the coalition of the Whig and Free-soil
elements, Mr. Blair was in full sympathy with the
movement, and acted as a member of the Committee
on Platform. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney
of Jackson County in i852; was chosen State Senator
two years later, taking his seat with the incoming Republican administration of I855, and holding the
position of parliamentary leader in the Senate. He
was a delegate to the National Convention which
nominated Abraham Lincoln in i860. Mr. Blair
was elected Governor of Michigan in i860, and reelected in i862, faithfully and honorably discharging
the arduous duties of the office during that most mo



146


A USTI.ZV BLAIR.


146                        AUSTIN B1 —ILA


— L
 _ _.. __


mentous and stormy period of the Nation's life. Gov.
Blair possessed a clear comprehension of the perilous
situation from the inception of the Rebellion, and his
inaugural address foreshadowed the prompt executive
policy and the administrative ability which characterized his gubernatorial career.
Never perhaps in the history of a nation has a
brighter example been laid down, or a greater sacrifice been made, than that which distinguished Michigan during the civil war. All, from the " War Governor," down to the poorest citizen of the State, were
animated with a patriotic ardor at once magnificiently
sublime and wisely directed.
Very early in I86I the coming struggle cast its
shadow over the Nation. Governor Blair, in his message to the Legislature in January of that year, dwelt
very forcibly upon the sad prospects of civil war; and
as forcibly pledged the State to support the principles
of the Republic. After a review of the conditions
of the State, he passed on to a consideration of the
relations between the free and slave States of the
Republic, saying: " While we are citizens of the State
of Michigan, and as such deeply devoted to her interests and honor, we have a still prouder title.  We
are also citizeas of the United States of America. By
this title we are known among the nations of the earth.
In remote quarters of the globe, where the names of
the States are unknown, the flag of the great Republic,
the banner of the stars and stripes, honor and protect
her citizens. In whatever concerns the honor, the
prosperity and the perpetuity of this great Government, we are deeply interested. The people of Michigan are loyal to that Government-faithful to its constitution and its laws. Under it they have had peace
and prosperity; and under it they mean to abide to
the end. Feeling a just pride in the glorious history
of the past, they will not renounce the equally glorious hopes of the future. But they will rally around
the standards of the Nation and defend its integrity
and its constitution, with fidelity." The final paragraph being:
" I rcommend you at an early day to make mani

fest to the gentlemen who represent this State in the
two Houses of Congress, and to the country, that
Michigan is loyal to the Union, the Constitution, and
the laws and will defend them to the uttermost; and
to proffer to the President of the United States, the
whole military power of the State for that purpose.
Oh, for the firm, steady hand of a Washington, or a
Jackson, to guide the ship of State in this perilous
storm! Let us hope that we will find him on the 4th
of March. Meantime, let us abide in the faith of our
fathers-'Liberty and Union, one and inseparable,
now and forever.'"
How this stirring appeal was responded to by the
people of Michigan will be seen by the statement
that the State furnished 88,i i men during the war.
Money, men, clothing and food were freely and abundantly supplied by this State during all these years of
darkness and blood shed. No State won a brighter
record for her devotion to our country than the Peninsula State, and to Gov. Blair, more than to any
other individual is due the credit for its untiring zeal
and labors in the Nation's behalf, and for the heroism
manifested in its defense.
Gov. Blair was elected Representative to the
Fortieth Congress, and twice re-elected, to the Fortyfirst and Forty-second Congress, from the Third District of Michigan. While a member of that body he
was a strong supporter of reconstruction measures,
and sternly opposed every form of repudiation. His
speech upon the national finances, delivered on the
floor of the House March 2, I868, was a clear and
convincing argument. Since his retirement from Congress, Mr. Blair has been busily occupied with his extensive law practice. Mr. Blair married Sarah L.
Ford, of Seneca County N. Y., in February, 1849.
Their family consists of 4 sons-George H., a postal
clerk in the railway mail service; Charles A., partner
with his father; Fred. J. and Austin T., at home.
Governor Blair's religion is of the broad type, and
centers in the "Golden Rule." In 1883, Gov. Blair
was nominated for Justice of the Supreme Court
of the State by the Republican party, but was defeated,








LI.',.4






GOVYERNORXS OF MICHIGANN:


149


G V        M.. I_, Catt HiB APO
T'fT 'l ''' ~y V^I~  13P*  H^Tf^ rr^  'Bu^


ENRY HOWLAND CRAPO,
Governor of Michigan from
I865 to i869, was born May
24, I804, at Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Mass., and died at
5< /)    Flint, Mich., July 22, I869.
~t -   He was the eldest son of Jesse
fi:11 and Phoebe (Howland) Crapo.!);t  His father was of French descent
a   and was very poor, sustaining his
7i] family by the cultivation of a farm in
Dartmouth township, which yielded
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 incessant toil for a mere subsistence upon a comparatively 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 carrying 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 acquire a knowledge of
the English language, he copied into a book every
word whose meaning he did not comprehend, and
upon meeting the same word again in the newspapers
and books, whiclh came into9 hi hands, from the


context, would then record the definition. Whenever
unable otherwise to obtain the signification of a word
in which he had become interested he would walk
from Dartmouth to New Bedford for that purpose
alone, and after referring to the books at the library
and satisfying himself thoroughly as to its definition,
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 cornpiled quite an extensive dictionary in manuscript
which is believed to be still in existence.
Ever in pursuit of knowledge, he obtained posse;sion of a book upon surveying, and applying himself
diligently to its study became familiar with this art.
which he soon had an opportunity to practice. The
services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was
called upon, but had no compass and no money with
which to purchase one. A compass, however, he
must and would have, and going to a blacksmith shop
near at hand, upon 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 himself for teaching, and took charge of the village school
at Dartmouth. When, in the course of time and under the pressure of law, a high school was to be
opened, he passed a successful examination for its
principalship and received the appointment. 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 concluding 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




5So


HEIVR Y HOHi W-LA ND CRA PO.


15    HN H W ND AP


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 occasionally acted as an auctioneer. Soon after becoming a citizen of this place, he was elected Town Clerk,
Treasurer, and Collector of taxes, 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 established, however, soon afterwards. While a resident
in New Bedford, he was much interested in horticulture, 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 indication 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 I869. During his residence in New Bedford, Mr. Crapo was also engaged
in the whaling business. A fine barque built at Dartmouth, 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 Commercial Insurance Company in New
Bedford; and while an officer of the municipal governmenthecompiled and published, between the years
I836 and 1845, five numbers of the New Bedford
Directory the first work of the kind ever published
there.
Mr. C. removed to Michigan in I856, having been
induced to do so by investments made principally in
pine lands, first in 1837 and subsequently in I856.
He took up his residence in the city of Flint, and en

gaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber
at Flint, Fentonville, 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 cr six years. In
I862 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 i866, holding
the office two terms, and retiring in January, I869,
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 intense 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 performed 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
33, I869.
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, I825, 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 measure of success. But his wife was a woman of great
strength of character and possessed of courage, hopefulness 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 ie
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 conscientious in her sphere, and with added responsibilities
and increasing requirements she labored faithfully
in the performance 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
Congresiognal District of Massachusetts.




rFI




C,




GO ViERNORS OF MICIHIGAN.


I53


lou~k lmrw                  'Vm,,Mk


T3 '        - ENRY P. BALDWIN, Gov9 ]       m ~ ernor of Michigan from Jan.
4, I869, to Jan. I, 1873, is a
lineal descendant of Nathanj iel Baldwin, a Puritan, of Buck-,     I p inghamshire, England, who settled at Milford, Conn., in 1639.
-D'i      His father was John Baldwin,
O         a graduate of Dartmouth College. He died at North Providence, R. I., in 1826. His: /    ppaternal grandfather was Rev.
Moses Baldwin, a graduate of
v        Princeton College, in 1757, and the
I   first who received collegiate honors 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 Governor B. is descended from
Robert Williams, also a Puritan, who settled in Roxbury, 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
for 21 years he was pastor of the Congregationalist
Church. The subject of this sketch was born at
Coventry, R. I., Feb. 22, 1814. He received a New
England common-school education until the age of
12 years, when, both his parents having died, he became a clerk in a mercantile establishment. He remained there, employing his leisure hours in study,
until 20 years of age.
At this early period Mr. B. engaged in business on
his own account. He made a visit to the West, in
i837, which resulted in his removal to Detroit in the
spring of I838. 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 Episcopalian in religious belief, he has been
prominent in home matters connected with that denomination. 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 religious 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 Bank until the expiration of its charter, 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 186I-'2 he
was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a
member of Committee on Banks and Incorporations
Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the twa
Houses for the investigation of the Treasury Department 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 I868 and was re-elected in I870, serving
from I869 to I872, inclusive. It is no undeserved
eulogy to say that Governor B.'s happy faculty of estimating the necessary means to an end-the knowing
of how much effort or attention to bestow upon the
thing in hand, has been the secret of the uniform




If.X


HE.LVR Y P. BALD WI.Ar.


L                    HENRY P. BALD WIN.




success that has attended his efforts in all relations
of life. The same industry and accuracy that distinguished 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
wit'. 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 Legislature.  During his administration marked improvements were made in the charitable, penal and reformatory 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 I873. 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 permit a more equitable compensation to State officers
and judges. Thelaw of I869, and prior also, permitting
municipalities to vote aid toward the construclion of railroads was, in I870, declared unconstitudtonal by the Supreme Court. Many of the municipalities 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 bonafide holders. In his special message he says: "The
credit of no State stands higher than that of Michigan,
and the people can not afford, alid I trust will not
consent, to have her good name tarnished by the repudiation of eitherlegal or moral obligations." A special session was called in March, I872, principally for
the division of the State into congressional districts.
A number of other important suggestions were made,
however, ard as an evidence of the Governor's laborious and thoughtful care for the financial condition


of the State, a series of tables was prepared and submitted by him showing, in detail, estimates of receipts,
expenditures and appropriations for the years 1872 to
I878, inclusive. Memorable of GovernorB.'s administration were the devastating fires which swept over
many portions of the Northwest in the fall of I87
A large part of the city of Chicago having been reduced to ashes, Governor B. promptly issued a proclamation 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.
A second call was made asking assistance for the suffering 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 abou3 months, that the Governor issued a proclamation
expressing in behalf of the people of the State grateful 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 passenger 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 account 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 administration 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
capacity, Henry P. Baldwin has shown himself to be
the peer of any or all of them. The State has been unusually 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,'




i*
r




,I




GO VfiR~RVO.RS  OF MICHIGAN..


I57


GOVROSO.AZ'ITN                  5




ig    r/T \OHN     JUDSON    BAGLEY,
i |El    Governor of Michigan from
<a  ~T~ fi    I 873 to I877, was born in
' q~Z     ~Medina, Orleans Co., N. Y.,
Jlly 24, 832. His father, John
li        Bagley, was a native of New
Hampshire, his mother, Mary M.
Bagley, of Connecticut. He at* i|" |  tended the district school of Lock@"~ ~ X  port, N. Y., until he was eight years
i   old, at which time his father moved
to Constantine, Mich., and he attended 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 circumstances, Mr. B. was obliged to work
as soon as he was able to do so.
Leaving school when 13 years of age
he entered a country store in Constantine as clerk. His father then removed to Owosso, Mich., and he again
i  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 I853, he began business for himself in the manufacturing 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 manufacturing enterprises, as well as in mining, banking and insurance corporations. He was President of the
Detroit Safe Company for several years. He was one
of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company of Detroit, and was its President from
1867 to 1872. He was a director of the American National Bank for many years, and a stockholder 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 i865 he was appointed by Governor Crapo one of the first commissioners of the
Metropolitian police force of the city of Detroit, serving six years. In November, I872, he was elected
Governor of Michigan, and two years later was reelected 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 denomination. He was married at Dubuque, Iowa, Jan.
I6, I855, to Frances E. Newberry, daughter of Rev.
Samuel Newberry, a pioneer missionary of Michigan,
who took an active part in the early educational matters of the State and in the establishment of its excellent system of education. It was principally




158


JOHN J. BA GLE Y.


through his exertions that the State University was
founded. Mr. B.'s family consists of seven children.
As Governor his administration was characterized 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 instruction in technical studies,by strengthening the hold
of the Agricultural College upon 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
nanagement 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 establishing of the system of dealing with juvenile offenders through county agents, which has proved of great
good in turning the young back from crime and placing the State in the attitude of a moral agent; in securing for the militia the first time in the history of
Michigan a systematized organization upon a serviceable footing. It was upon 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 State. The successful representation
of Michigan at the Centennial Exhibition is also an
honorable part of the record of Gov. B.'s administration.
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 represents his employer, and as the Executive of the
State he was her " attorney in fact." And his intelligent, thoughtful care will long continue the pride of
the people he so much loved. He was ambitiousambitious for place and power, as every noble mind
is ambitious, because these give opportunity. However 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 fQr them, 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, business-like statements, bold, original, and brimful of
practical suggestions, and his 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. Literally, to him it was "more blessed to give than to
receive.
His greatest enjoyment was in witnessing the comfort and happiness of others. Not a tithe of his charities were known to his most intimate friends, or even
to his family. Many a needy one has been the recipient of aid at an opportune moment, who never knew
the hand that gave.
At one time a friend had witnessed his ready response 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 mor:
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 especially during the last few years, he devoted much time
to becoming acquainted with the best authors. Biography was his delight; the last he read was the "Life
and Woik of John Adams," in ten volumes.
In 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 was 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."




I




0 &Q4CL&c &-  x c O
CiAca ~~.~~~Nc i




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGA2.                  i6I
_


0z~ ag Do                                                             -9-9-9-ANA-at e,,~~8


s*~


-_f - f4:U4 S  5e. os~~L


ml~,rvrn%,t-e
%-&,M~)~..~~~)


-q- iM    C-qx~~j ~ Io  I  C"  -ARVW-Ps


0-1-41.  E   ~-    HARLES M. CROSWELL,
/ Governor of Michigan from
C  '  Jan. 3, 1877 to Jan. I, I88i,
was born at Newburg, Orange
'f  County, N. Y., Oct. 3r, 825.
He is the only son of John and
Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. His,   father, who was of Scotch-Irish
i    extraction, was a paper-maker,
and carried on business in New
l    ork City. His ancestors on
his mother's side were of Knickerbocker 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 Croswell, during the administration of
President Jefferson, published a pai  per called the Balance, and was
4   prosecuted for libeling the President
under the obnoxious Sedition Law.
He was defended by the celebrated
I   Alexander Hamilton, and the decisior, of the case establised the important ruling that
the truth might be shown in cases of libel. Another
imember of the famiily was Edwin Croswell, the famous editor of the Albany Arg'us; also, Rev. William
Croswell, noted as a divine and poet.
When Charles M. Croswell was seven years of age,
his father was accidentally drowned in the Hudson
River, at Newburg; and, within three months preceding that event, his mother and only sister had died,thus leaving him the sole surviving member of the
family, without fortune or means. Upon the death




of his father he went to live with an uncle, who, in
1837, emigrated with him to Adrain, Michigan. At
sixteen years of age, he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, and worked at it very diligently for
four years, maintaining himself, and devoting his spare
time to reading and the acquirement of knowledge.
In 1846, he began the study of law, and was appointed Deputy Clerk of Lenawee County. The du.
ties of this office he performed four years, when he
was elected Register of Deeds, and was re-elected
in I852. In I854, 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 Jackson in that year, which put in the field the first Republican State ticket in Michigan. In 1855, he
formed a law partnership with the present Chief-Justice Cooley, which continued until the removal of
Judge Cooley to Ann Arbor.
In I862, Mr. Croswell was appointed City Attorney
of Adrian. He was also elected Mayor of the city
in the spring of the 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 I866, during each term filling the positions above mentioned. Among various reports made
by him, one adverse to the re-establishment of the
death penalty, and another against a proposition to
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 Federal Constitution,
for the abolishment of slavery, it being the first
amendment to the instrument ratified by Michigan.
In I863, from his seat in the State Senate, he delivered an elaborate speech in favor of the Proclama



I62


t:HLARLES M. eCOSWlELL.


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 associates, 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 popular vote, it was always conceded that the constitution they proposed had been prepared with great care
and skill.
In I868, 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 formally acknowledged by his associates; and he was presented with a superb collection of their portraits
handsomely framed. He was, also, for several years,
Secretary of the State Board for the general supervision of the charitable and penal institutions of Michigan; in which position, his propositions for the amelioration of the condition of the unfortunate, and the
reformation of the criminal classes, signalize the benevolence of his nature, and the practical character
of his mind.
In I876, 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. At
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 qualities of head and heart that have ever
distinguished him, both as a citizen and statesman.


Governor Groswell has always prepared his addresses with care; and, as his diction is terse, clear,
and strong, without excess of ornament, and his delivery 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, I869, he gave, in a public
address, an " Historical Sketch of the Adrian Public
Schools."
In his private life, Governor Croswell has beenr as
exemplary as in his public career he has been successful and useful. In February, I852, he was married to a daughter of Morton Eddy, Lucy M. Eddy,
a lady of many amiable and sunny qualities. She
suddenly died, March 19, I868, leaving two daughters and a son. Governor Croswell is not a member
of any religious body, but generally attends the Presbyterian 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 prudence and sound judgment eminently fit him. Governor 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 appropriations; laws enacted to provide more effectually
for the punishment of corruption and bribrery in elections; the State House of Correction at lonia 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 preside at the dedication of this building. The great riot
at Jackson occured during his administration, and it
was only by his promptness that great distruction of
both life and property was prevented at that time.








#1ZIQ
I(              All


i.




GO VERNORS OPf MICHIGAN.


r65


(          2                      >
^^^^^?


X  |DAVID H. JEROME, Governorof from Jan. I, I88, to
Jan. I, I883, was born at De-, o    ~    troit, Mich., Nov. I7, I829.
His parents  emigrated  to
o  Ai     dMichigan from   Trumansburg,
Tompkins Co., N. Y., in J828,
locating at Detroit. His father
died March 30, I83I, leaving
nine children. He had been
twice married, and four of the
children living at the time of his
death were grown up sons, the offI   spring of his first union. Of the
five children by his second marriage, David H. was
the youngest. Shortly after Mr. Jerome's death, his
widow moved back to New York and settled in
Onondaga County near Syracuse, where they remained
until the fall of I834, the four sons by the first wife
continuing their residence in Michigan. In the fall
of 1834, Mrs. Jerome came once more to Michigan,
locating on a farm in St. Clair County. Here the
Governor formed those habits of industry and sterling integrity that have been so characteristic of the
man in the active duties of life. He was sent to the
district school, and in the acquisition of the fundamental branches of learning he displayed a precocity
and an application which won for him the admiration
of his teachers, and always placed him at the head
of his classes. In the meantime he did chores on
the farm, and was always ready with a cheerful heart
and willing hand to assist his widowed mother. The
heavy labor of the farm was carried on by his two


older brothers, Timothy and George, and when 13
years of age David received his mother's permission to
attend school at the St. Clair Academy. While attending there he lived with Marcus H. Miles, now deceased, doing chores for his board, and the following
winter performed the same service for James Ogden,
also deceased. The next summer Mrs. Jerome
moved into the village of St. Clair, for the purpose of
continuing her son in school. While attending said
academy one of his associate students was Senator Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, a rival candidate
before the gubernatorial convention in I88o. He
completed his education in the fall of his i6th year,
and the following winter assisted his brother Timothy
in hauling logs in the pine woods. The next summer
he rafted logs down the St. Clair River to Algonac.
In I847, M. H. Miles being Clerk in St. Clair County, and Volney A. Ripley Register of Deeds, David
H. Jerome was appointed Deputy to each, remaining
as such during I848-'49, and receiving much praise
from his employers and the people in general for the
ability displayed in the discharge of his duties. He
spent his summer vacation at clerical work on board
the lake vessels.
In i849-'50, he abandoned office work, and for the
proper development of his physical system spent
several months hauling logs. In the spring of I850,
his brother" Tiff" and himself chartered the steamer
"Chautauqua," and "Young Dave" became her master. A portion of the season the boat was engaged
in the passenger and freight traffic between Port
Huron and Detroit, but during the latter part was
used as a tow boat. At that time there was a serious
obstruction to navigation, known as the "St. Clair
Flats," between Lakes Huron and Erie, over which




I66


DA VID A f JEPOMA


x66                     DA. VID II. JER6rI ---
-   _  __~~__ ____   ------— I- ~ --         ---- — I


vessels could carry only about Io,ooo bushels of grain.
Mr. Jerome conceived the idea of towing vessels
from one lake to the other, and put his plan into
operation. Through the influence of practical men,among them  the subject of this sketch,-Congress
removed the obstruction above referred to, and now
vessels can pass them laden with 60,000 or 80,000
bushels of grain.
During the season, the two brothers succeeded
in making a neat little sum of money by the summer's work, but subsequently lost it all on a contract
to raise the "Gen. Scott," a vessel that had sunk in
Lake St. Clair. David H. came out free from debt,
but possessed of hardly a dollar of capital. In the
spring of I85 I, he was clerk and acting master of the
steamers "Franklin Moore" and "Ruby," plying between Detroit and Port Huron and Goderich. The
following year he was clerk of the propeller "Princeton," running between Detroit and Buffalo.
In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California,
Dy way of the Isthmus, and enjoyed extraordinary
success in selling goods in a new place of his selection, among the mountains near Marysville  He remained there during the summer, and located the
Live Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded
millions to its owners, and is still a paying investment.
He planned and put a tunnel 600 feet into the mine,
but when the water supply began to fail with the dry
season, sold out his interest. He left in the fall of
I853, and in December sailed from San Francisco for
New York, arriving at his home in St. Clair County,
about a year after his departure. During his absence
his brother "Tiff" had located at Saginaw, ana in
I854 Mr. Jerome joined him in his lumber operations
in the valley. In 1855 the brothers bought Blackmer & Eaton's hardware and general supply stores,
at Saginaw, and David H. assumed the management
of the business. From 1855 to 1873 he was also extensively engaged in lumbering operations.
Soon after locating at Saginaw he was nominated
for Alderman against Stewart B. Williams, a rising
young man, of strong Democratic principles. The
ward was largely Democratic, but Mr. Jerome was
elected by a handsome majority. When the Repubiican party was born at Jackson,.Mich., David H.
Jerome was, though not a delegate to the convention,
one of its "charter members." In 1862, he was commissioned by Gov. Austin Blair to raise one of the


six regiments apportioned to the State of Michigan.
Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held
meetings at various points. The zeal and enthusiasm
displayed by this advocate of the Union awakened a
feeling of patriotic interest in the breasts of many
brave men, and in a short space of time the 23d
Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Infantry was placed
in the field, and subsequently gained for itself a brilliant record.
In the fall of 1862, Mr. Jerome was nominated by
the Republican party for State Senator from the 26th
district, Appleton Stevens, of Bay City, being his opponent. The contest was very exciting, and resulted
in the triumphant election of Mr. Jerome. He was
twice renominated and elected both times by increased majorities, defeating George Lord, of Bay
City, and Dr. Cheseman, of Gratiot County. On taking his seat in the Senate, he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on State Affairs, and was active in raising means and troops to carry on the war.
He held the same position during his three terms of
service, and introduced the bill creating the Soldiers'
Home at Harper Hospital, Detroit.
He was selected by Gov. Crapo as a military aid,
and in I865 was appointed a member of the State
Military Board, and served as its President for eight
consecutive years. In I873, he was appointed by
Gov. Bagley a member of the convention to prepare
a new State Constitution, and was Chairman of the
Committee on Finance.
In I875, Mr. Jerome was appointed a memberof
the Board of Indian Commissioners. In 1876 he was
Chairman of a commission to visit Chief Joseph, the
Nez Perce Indian, to arrange an amicable settlement
of all existing difficulties. The commission went to
Portland, Oregon, thence to the Blue Hills, in Idaho,
a distance of 600 miles up the Columbia River.
At the Republican State Convention, convened at
Jackson in August, i880, Mr. Jerome was placed in
the field for nomination, and on the 5th day of the
month received the highest honor the convention
could confer on any one. His opponent was Frederick M. Holloway of Hillsdale County, who was supported by the Democratic and Greenback parties.
The State was thoroughly canvassed by both parties,
and when the polls were closed on the evening of
election day, it was found that David H. Jerome had
been selected by the voters of the Wolverine State to
occupy the highest position within their gift.




I




Q^^..^i v j     -~




GO0 ERNORS OF MICHIGAN


I69


T ' OSIAH    W. BEGOLE, the
)  A:| R present (I883), Governor of
l:    -I i 8  Michigan was born in LivingM-c, f  i   ston, County, N. Y., Jan. 20,
l '~.    I881 5. His ancestors were of
/    French descent, and settled at
' I     ~an early period in the State of
1[~    Maryland. His grandfather,Capt.
I      Bolles, of that State, was an officer in the American army during
the war of the Revolution. About! the beginning of the present cent@ i ury both his grandparents, having:become dissatisfied with the insti{] t[ tution of slavery, although slave~    holders themselves, emigrated to
~l )  Livingston County, N. Y., then
gQl   a new country, taking with them a
3 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 I812.
Mr. B. received his early education in a log schoolhouse, and subsequently attended the Temple Hill
Academy, at Geneseo, N. Y. Being the eldest of a
family of ten children, whose parents were in moderate though comfortable circumstances, he was early
taught habits of industry, and when 2 years of age,
being ambitious to better his condition in life, he resolved to seek his fortune i:i the far West, as it was


then called. In August, I836, he left the parental
roof to seek a home in the Territory of Michigan,
then 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 i839 he married Miss Harriet A.
Miles. The marriage proved a most fortunate one,
and to the faithful wife of his youth, who lives to enjoy with him the comforts of an honestly earned competence, Mr. Begole ascribes largely his success in
life. Immediately after his marriage he commenced
work on an unimproved farm, where, by his perseverance 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 Republican 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.
At 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 of his eldest son near Atlanta, Ga., by a Confedrate bullet, in I864, was the greatest sorrow of his life.
When a few years later lie was a member in Congress




170


JOSIAH W. BEGOI-E,


" 7 0...  S.                              W...-,....i


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 I870, Gov. Begole was nominated by acclamation for the office of State Senator, and elected by a
large majority. In that body he served on the Committees 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 publicspirited view of the importance of a new capitol
building worthy of the State, and was an active member of the Committee that drafted the bill for the
same   He was a delegate to the National Republican Convention held at Philadelphia in I872, 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 candidate for the nomination of member to the 43d Congress, in which he was successful, aftercompeting for
the nomination with several of the most worthy, able
and experienced men in the Sixth Congressional District, and was elected by a very large majority.  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 appointed by that committee to draft the most important report made by that committee, and upon the
only subject recommended by the President in his
message, which he did and the report 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 of
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 I882, Mr. Begole
was the candidate of both the Greenback and Democratic parties, and was elected by a vote of 154,269,
the Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome,


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 popular.
The very best indications of what a man is, is what
his own townsmen think of him. We give the following extract from the Flint Globe, the leading Republican paper in Gov. Begole's own county, and it,
too, written during the heat of a political campaign,
which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his sterling 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 the earnestness of his purpose nobody who knows hini entertains a doubt. He
is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bitterest political enemies. He has a warm, generous
nature, and a larger, kinder heart does not beat in
the bosom of any man in Michigan. He is not much
given to making speeches, but deeds are more significant 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 Democrats 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 I88i 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 I
have money."  This displays his true character.








0




G~O yEIRNORSS OFi MICIIIGAN.lN


173


_O V      O-,I -.  -73


C    I          of Michigan for the term com'* mencing Jan. 1, 1885, was
born in Lafayette Township,
Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 27,
1836. Having lived a temperate life, he is a comparative
young man in appearance, and possesses those mental faculties that are
g the distinguishing characteristics of
d,       robust, mature and educated manhood. When 11 years of age both
his parents died, leaving him witha,       younger brother and sister to support and without any of the substantial means of existence. Lacking the opportunity of
better employment, he worked on a farm in Richfield,
Ohio, for the greater part of each of the succeeding
seven years, saving money enough to defray his expenses at Richfield Academy during the winter
terms. He obtained a very good English education,
and was enabled to teach school for several subsequent winters. In 1857 he commenced the study of
law in the offices of Wolcott & Upson at Akron, remaining until March, 1859, when he was admitted
to the bar by the Ohio Supreme Court. lHe then
removed to Cleveland, and entered the law office of
Otis & Coffinbury, where he remained several
months. Here he continued his studies with increased zeal, and did much general reading. Hard
study and close confinement to office work, however,
began to tell on his constitution, and failing health
warned him that he pmust seek other occupation.


IHe therefore reluctantly abandoned the law and removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., to engage in the
lumber business.
When Michigan was called upon to furnish troops
for the war, Mr. Alger enlisted in the Second Mich.
Cav. and was mustered into the service of the
United States as Captain of Co. C. His record as
a cavalry officer was brilliant and honorable to
himself and his company. He participated in some
of the fiercest contests of the rebellion and was
twice wounded. His first injury was received ir
the battle of Booneville, Miss., July 2, 1862.
His conduct in this engagement was so distinguished that he was promoted 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
16th of October, Major Alger became LieutenantColonel 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 1863,
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 Michigan cavalry brigade. On the 6th of July occurred
the battle of Boonesboro, Md. In this conflict he
was again wounded. 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 celebrated contests of the war. He was an active character in all the battles fought by the Army of the




174


RUSSELL A. ALGER.


Potomac, from the time of the invasion of Maryland by Gen. Lee in 1863, up to the date of his
retirement, with the exception of those engagements
which occurred while he was absent from duty on
account of wounds. In all he took part in 66 battles and skirmishes. At the close he was breveted
Brigadier General and Major General for "gallant
and meritorious services il the field."
Aside from regular duty, Geni. Alger was on
private service during the winter of 1863-4, receiving 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. IIe 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 Peninsular Car Company and several other large corporations.
While always an active and influential Republican, Gen. Alger has never sought nor held a salaried office. He was a delegate from the First District to the last Republican National Convention,
but aside from this his connection with politics has
not extended beyond the duties of every good citizen to his party and his country.
Gen. Alger is now forty-nine years of age, an
active, handsome gentleman six feet tall, living
the life of a busy 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 irongray moustache and chin whiskers and a full head
of black hair sprinkled with gray. He is usually
attired in the prevailing style of business suits. His
favorite dress has been a high buttoned cutaway




frock coat, with the predominating cut of vest and
trousers, made of firm gray suiting. A high collar,
small cravat, easy shoes and white plug hat complete his personal apparel. IIe is very particular
as to his appearance, and always wears neat clothes
of the best goods, but shuns any display of jewelry
or extravagant embellishment. IIe 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 lie of
high or low situation. His affable manners delight
his guests, while his pleasing face and bright, dark
eyes always animate his hearers.
Gen. Alger is a hard worker. He is always at his
office promptly in the morning and stays as long as
anything remains that demands his attention. In
business matters he is always decided, and is never
shaken or disturbed l)y any reverses. IIe has the
confidence of his associates to a high degree, and al
his business relations are tempered with those little
kindnesses that relieve the tedium of routine office
life. Although deeply engrossed in various business 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 selected with rare good taste, and contains some of
the finest productions of modern artists. His team
of bays are perhaps the handsomest that 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.
H-enry, of Grand Rapids, to whom he was married
April 2, 1861. Sheis a slender woman of fair complexion, bright and attractive, and a charming hostess. She is gifted with many accomplishments 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 cJ course
at an Eastern seminary, and during the past yeai
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
his home at his handsome and large new residence on
Fort street, at the corner of First street, Detroit.




I
I




fall




GO VIERNORSS OF 2MICHIGAN.N


77


GO VERR OF ICHGAN                                -'77.YRUS GRAY     LUCE, the
present Governor of Michigan, combines in his character the substantial traits of: M     the New England ancestry
of his father, and the chivalrous and hospitable elements?       peculiar to the Southerners, which
<. B    came to him from his mother's side of
4,  the house. The New Englanders, acti^    ive in the cause of American liberty,
after this desired result was accomplished, turned their attention to the
growth   and  development of the
country which their noble daring had
constitutea independent of foreign rule. The privations they endured and the struggles from which
they had achieved victory built up in them those
qualities which in the very nature of events could
not be otherwise than transmitted to their posterity,
and this posterity comprises a large number of the
men who to-day, like the subject of this history,
are making a record of which their descendants will
be equally proud.
Gov. Luce was born in Windsor, Ashtabula Co.,
Ohio, July 2, 1824. Iis father was a native of
Tolland, Conn., 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
Northern Ohio. His mother, who in her girlhood
was Miss Mary Gray, was born in Winchester, Va.
Her father, tinctured with Abolitionism, found his
home in the Old Dominion becoming uncomfortable as an abiding-place at that time, and accordingly, with his wife and family of young children,


he also migrated, in 1815, to the wilds of Northern
Ohio. There the parents of our subject, in 1819,
were united in marriage, and continued residents of
Ashtabula County until 1836. 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 boys
living on the farms in that new country. Ile 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 Steuben County, Ind. This section of country was still
newer and more thinly settled, and without recounting the particular hardships and privations which the
family experienced, it is sufficient to say that but few
enjoyed or suffered a greater variety. Markets were
distant and difficult of access, the comforts of life
scarce, and sickness universal. Young Luce, in common with other boys, attended school winters in the
stereotyped log school-house, and in summer assisted in clearing away the forests, fencing the
fields and raising crops after the land was improved.
He attended three terms an academy located at Ontario, Ind., and his habit of reading and observation
added essentially to his limited school privileges.
When seventeen years of age the father of our
subject erected a cloth-dressing and wool-carding
establishment, where Cyrus G. acquired a full
knowledge of this business and subsequently had
charge of the factory for a period of seven years.
In the meantime he had become interested in local
politics, in which he displayed rare judgment and
sound common sense, and on account of which, in
1848, he was nominated by the Whigs in a district
composed of the counties of DeKalb and Steuben
for Representative in the State Legislature. Ie
made a vigorous canvass but was defeated by eleven
majority. This incident was but a transient bubble on the stream of his life, and that same year




178


CYRUS GRZA Y L UCE.


Mr. Luce purchased eighty acres of wild land near
Gilead, Branch Co., Mich., 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 with Miss Julia A. Dickinson,
of Gilead, and the young people immediately commenced housekeepinin 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 Novemler, 1883, Gov. Luce contracted a second marriage, with Mrs. Mary Thompson, of Bronson, this State. I-e continued on the same farm,
whicl, however, by subsequent purchase had been
considerably extended, until after his election to the
office of which he is now the incumbent. In the
meantime he has had a wide and varied experience
in public life. In 1852 he was elected to represent his
township in the County Board of Supervisors, and
two years later, in 1854, was elected Representative to
the first Republican Legislature convened in the State
of Michigan. lie served his township altogether
eleven years as a member of the Board of Supervisors.
In 1858 he was elected County Treasurer of Branch
County and re-elected in 1860. In 1864 he was
given a seat in the State Senate and re-elected in
1866. In the spring of 1867 he was made a member of
the Constitutional Convention to revise the Constitution of the State of Michigan, and in all of the
positions to which lie has been called has evidenced
a realization of the sober responsibilities committed
to his care. To the duties of each he gave the most
conscientious care, and has great reason to feel pride
and satisfaction in the fact that during his service
in both Houses of the Legislature his name appears
upon every roll-call, he never having been absent
from his post a day.
In July, 1879, Mr. Luce was appointed State Oil
Inspector by Gov. Croswell, and re-appointed by
Gov. Jerome in 1881, serving in this capacity three
and one-half years. In the management of the
duties of this office he is entitled to great credit.
The office was not sought by him, but the Governor


urged him to accept it, claiming that the office wns
the most difficult he had to fill, and was one which
required first-class executive ability. He organized
the State into districts, appointed an adequate force
of deputies and no more, secured a reduction of the
fees by nearly one-half, and in every way managed
the affairs of the office so efficiently and satisfactorily that above all expenses he was enabled to
pay into the State Treasury during his management
$32,000.49.
In August of the year 1886 Mr. Luce was nominated by the Republicans in convention assembled
at Grand Rapids, for the office of Governor of
Michigan by acclamation, and on the 2d of November following was elected by a majority of 7,432
over his chief competitor, George L. Yaple. In
1874 he became an active member of the farmers' organization known as the Grange. Believing
as lie does that agriculture furnishes the basis of
National prosperity, he was anxious to contribute to
the education and elevation of the farming community, and thus availed himself of the opportunities offered by this organization to aid in accomplishing this result. For a period of seven years he
was Master of the State Grange but resigned the
position last November. Fidelity to convictions,
close application to business, whether agricultural or
affairs of State, coupled with untiring industry, are
his chief characteristics. As a farmer, legislator,
executive officer, and manager of county as well as
State affairs, as a private as well as a public citizen.
his career has all along been marked with success.
No one can point to a spot reflecting discredit ir
his public career or private life. HIe is a man of
the people, and self-made in the strictest sense. His
whole life has been among the people, in full sympathy with them, and in their special confidence and
esteem.
Personally, Gov. Cyrus G. Luce is high-minded,
intellectual and affable, the object of many
and warm friendships, and a man in all respects
above reproach. To the duties of his high position
he has brought a fitting dignity, and in all the relations of life that conscientious regard to duty of
which we often read but which is too seldom seen,
especially among those having within their hands
the interests of State and Nation.




I




.0T-i  A/ 9iLcYi~s




GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN..rr


1            j ~1
~~~y ~ ~ ~ ~ I~ 1'~ 5~~~~11 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i~)~ ~ ~ F3~~
~~c~~ ~d~/


j   MON. EDWIN B. WINANS,
E l            who began his duties as
I  '           Governor of Michigan,
1          January 1, 1891, is a son
of the Empire State, of
which his parents also were
~(S      natives. From German ancestry on
the father's side, he derives the instincts of frugality and careful consideration of ways and means, and
these are strengthened by the substantial traits of the Puritan forefathers of his mother. Both lines
have transmitted to him the love
of country and home that has led
thousands into untrodden wilds where they might
secure that which wouild be for the future good of
themselves and posterity.
John and Eliza (Way) Winans removed from
New York to this State in 1834, and settled on a
farm in Livingston County, where the boyhood of
Gov. Winans was passed. He was about eight
years old at the time of the removal, having been
born at Avon, Livingston County, N. Y., May 16,
1826. Up     to the age of eighteen years lie attended
the district school, and he then entered Albion
College, from which he was graduated in 1850.
The excitement attendant upon the discovery of


gold in California had not died out, and young
Winans felt a strong desire to visit the coast and
try his fortune in the mines. He decided in favor
of the overland route, crossed the plains in safety.
and spent the ensuing eight years in seeking the
precious metal-a quest that was fairly successful.
Returning to Livingston County, this State, Mr.
Winans bought land and engaged in general farming. He has retained the farm as his home through
all the changes various official positions have
brought him, and joyfully returned to it whenever
his faithful discharge of public duty would allow.
His estate now includes four hundred acres of land
under a high state of cultivation and improved
with buildings of the best construction and modern
design. In connection with general farming Gov.
Winans has given considerable attention to raising
stock of high grades, and his understanding of
agriculture in its various departments is broad and
deep. He believes that his success in political life
is largely due to his thorough identification with
the agricultural interests of the State and no doubt
he is right.
The public career of Gov. Winans began in 1860,
when he was elected to represent his county in the
State Legislature.  He served two consecutive
terms, covering the period from 1860 to 1865. In
1867 he was a member of the Constitutional Con



'jS2


ED W~YzV P WINA NSi


DWI      B.N.


vention of the State, and in 1876 he was elected
Probate Judge of Livingston County for a term
of four years. The next important position occupied by Gov. Winans was that of Congressman during the Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Congresses,
representing the Sixth District. It was always his
lot to be nominated for office when the Democratic
party was decidedly in the minority, but such were
his personal characteristics and his reputation as
one interested in the welfare of that great class,
the farmers, that in every case he made a successful
race. When he was put up for Congress the opposition had a majority in the district of three thousand votes, but he was elected by a plurality of
thirty. While in Congress he took an active part
in all measures tending to the public good and
served on the Committees on Agriculture and Pensions. In the fall of 1891 his name headed the
Democratic ticket and he was elected Governor of
the State.
In his private life Gov. Winans has been as exemplary as in his public career he has been useful
and influential. He is a consistent member of the
Episcopal Church and in his religious faith and
practice has the close sympathy of his wife, who
belongs to the same society. His marriage was
solemnized in Hamburg, Livingston County, in
1855, his bride being Miss Elizabeth Galloway, who


was born and reared on the farm she still calls home,
as it was bought of her father by Gov. Winans.
She is a daughter of George and Susan (Haight)
Galloway, who are numbered among the early
settlers of Livingston County, whither they came
from New York. She is an educated, refined woman,
whose mental attainments and social qualities fit
her for the position which she occupies as hostess
of the Gubernatorial mansion. Governor and Mrs.
Winans have two sons, George G, who is now acting as his father's private secretary, and Edwin B.,
Jr., a graduate of West Point.
Gov. Winans has in former years shown himself
capable of close application to the duties which lay
before him, and his judicious decisions and wise
course when attempting to bring about a worthy
object, are well known to those who are acquainted
with the history of the State. Although it is often
said that it is scarcely safe to judge of a man until
his career is closed, yet Gov. Winans has acted his
part so well thus far in life that he is confidently
expected to add to the credit that already belongs
to the great commonwealth of Michigan, and which
to a certain extent lies in the hands of those who
have been and are its chief executives. Among his
personal characteristics are those of a love of truth,
justice and progress, and a cordial, kindly spirit
which makes warm friends and stanch adherents.




Clinton and Shiawassee Counties,
MIICHIGAN.




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4S    >   H        HE time has arrived when it:i11           [ becomes the duty of the
people of this county to perpetuate the names of their
pioneers, to furnish a record
';        ~^of their early settlement,
and relate the story of their
progress. The civilization of our
l  |[   day, the enlightenment of the age
and the duty that men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to
themselves and to their posterity,
ll li      demand that a record of their lives
'  fll^  and deeds should be made. In bio(':, m   graphical history is found a power
],  ] G   to instruct man by precedent, to
enliven the mental faculties, and
to waft down the river of time a
safe vessel in which the names and actions of the
people who contributed to raise this country from its
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly
the great and aged men, who in their prime entered
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number remaining who can relate the incidents of the first days
if settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an
actual necessity exists for the collection and preservation of events without delay, before all the early
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time,
To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough,
in spite of their best works and the most earnest
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of
their lives. The mleans employed to prevent oblivion
and to perletuate their memory has been in proportion to the amLount of intelligence they possessed.
Th-h pyramids of Kgvpt were Ibuilt to perpetuate the
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhumations made b)y the archeologists of Egypt from
buried MLeirphis indicate a desire of those people


to perpetuate the memory of their achievements.
The erection of the great obelisks were for the same
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monuments, and carving out statues to chronicle their
great achievements and carry them down the ages.
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling
up their great mounds of earth, had but this ideato leave something to show that they had lived. All
these works, though many of them costly in the extreme, give but a faint idea of the lives and characters of those whose memory they were intended to
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity;
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crumbling into dust.
It was left to modern ages to establish an intelligent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating
a full history-immutable in that it is almost unlimited in extent and perpetual in its action; and
this is through the art of printing.
To the present generation, however, we are indebted for the introduction of the admirable system
of local biography. By this system every man, though
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness,
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history,
through the coming ages.
The scythe of Time cuts down all; nothing of the
physical man is left. The monument which his children or friends may erect to his memory in the cemetery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished,
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated
by a record of this kind.
To preserve the lineaments of our companions we
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we collect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to
wait until they are dead, or until those who know
them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to
publish to the world the history of those whose lives
are unworthy of public record.




a
OO
O0




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


191


OBERT M. STEEL. The very name of
Robert M. Steel inspires the people of
Clinton County with admiration at his suc@cess. He is the most extensive property
owner and the wealthiest man of the county. and
the present business prosperity of St. John's is due
to him more largely than to any other man who
has lived here. He has large interests on the
Pacific Coast and his name is known in many
parts of the United States, as he has had large contracts in railroad and bridge-building work.and has
won many a bloodless victory over opposing elements and material forces. It has been well said
that *' peace has its victories as well as war " and
Mr. Steel, when affairs are viewed in this light, is
fully as deserving of praise as those who have led
hosts to victory on bloody battle-fields.
Mr. Steel, whose portrait accompanies this sketch,
is of Scotch parentage, his direct progenitors having
come to America in 1830. They settled in Vermont, where the father, William Steel, was engaged
in contracting and building.  In Craftsbury, that
State, he of whom we write was born October 21,
1833. Ie received an academic education in his
native State and after having obtained a thorough
training as a carpenter and joiner from his father,
he went to Toronto when of age and was employed
as time-keeper on the Grand Trunk Railroad.


After two months lie was appointed foreman on
the road that was building between Toronto and
Sarnia and held the position fifteen months. He
then entered into partnership with his employersMessrs. Hayden & Ross, who had taken a contract
to lay the superstructure on the Detroit & Milwaukee Road. In 1856 lie removed to St. John's,
as the most convenient point from which to carry
on his work. The contract was completed in the
fall of 1858 and the next year he took one to lay
the superstruction  on the Grand  Trunk  from
Detroit to Port Huron. At the same time he was
interested with W. A. Steam & Co., in building a
road from Three Rivers, Canada, to Arthaska, a
distance of thirty-eight miles.  Both contracts
were completed in December, 1859.
In September, 1862, Mr. Steel with his former
partner, Mr. Ross, entered into a contract under
the firm name of Ross, Steel & Co., to build the
Kansas Pacific Railroad of three hundred and sixty
miles. The firm had one hundred miles located anal
twenty-five miles graded when the company disposed of their franchise to Mr. Samuel Hlallet and J.
C. Fremont. Mr. Steel then entered into partnership with Ellithorpe & Adams, under the firm name
of Ellithorpe, Adams & Steel, and engaged in building stone bridges, etc., for the city of Leaven worth.
He subsequently rebuilt the Hannibal & St. Joe




192


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




Railroad, in which work he was engaged until
December, 1869. In 1867 he made an individual
contract with James F. Joy to build the accretions
for the Union Depot for the Burlington & Missouri
River and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads in Burlington, Iowa. This contract was completed in the fall of 1868, by working night and
day. In 1870, Mr. Steel contracted to build ninety
miles of the St. Louis & Southeastern Railroad,
which whs completed in November, 1871. Tlhe
next January he took a contract to build the Cairo &
Vincennes Road through two counties-a distance
of one hundred and sixty-eight miles, witl the culverts and bridges, and within the twelvemonth the
work was finished.
In 1873, Mr. Steel contracted to build the superstruction of forty miles on the Paducah & AMemphis Railroad and completed it in thirty-five days.
In May, 1875, Mr. George Masson of Toronto,
Canada, made a contract to build seventy miles of
railway between the Great Western of Canada on
the south and the Wellington, Grey & Bruce on
tke north, to be open for traffic, the following
January. Mr. Steel became sub-contractor for
thirty-five miles of this line, with fencing for the
whole, this necessitating a post and board fence one
hundred and forty miles long. He completed his
contract and it was declared satisfactory in every
particular and he was congratulated by Mr. Masson,
the chief engineer. Besides his extensive railroad
contracts, Mr. Steel was connected with the Government work at Chicago, Calumet, Ludington, Manistee and Frankfort.
Mr. Steel was the originator of the St. John's
Manufacturing Company, is the principal stockholder and President. He is a Director and holds
the largest individual interest in both the St. John's
National and Clinton County Savings Banks of St.
John. He is President of the Whipple Harrow
Company of St. John, the St. John's Evaporator &
Produce Company, Electric Light, Heat & Power
Company, and Mutual Gas Company of St. John.
He is a partner in the retail furniture establishment
of R. M. Steel & Co., of which D. G. Steel, represented in this work, is manager. He also has an
interest in the hardware firm of Nixon & Co. and
in the millinery firm Qf J. T, Cole & Co. He is


President of the St. John's Mercantile Company.
In 1887 he built the Steel Hotel in St. John's at a
cost of $65,000, which is not only a credit to the
city but is one of the finest hotel buildings in the
State. He has valuable real estate interests here,
owning about one-sixth of the town site and a valuable improved farm of three hundred acres within
the corporate limits. He also has farm lands in
different parts of the county and State.
Mr. Steel has still larger interests in the West
than here. In 1879 he began contracting on the
coast and thus became interested in different enterprises. HIe owns a stock ranch in Oregon where
he has from eight hundred to one thousand head
of horses, imported and graded, and on the coast
the half circle A brand is well known. He has also
an individual half of the town site at Hluntington,
Ore., and with his son George is largely interested
in the Island City Mercantile and Milling Company
and has a controlling interest in four or five stores
and two flouring mills there. They also own the
town site of Hillguard and have stores there. Mr
Steel also owns a one-fourth interest in six valuable copper mines, several placer mines (gold) and
a large mining ditch in Idaho. He is a stockholder in the Merchants' National Bank in Portland and is interested in other banks in the State,
being President of the First National in Island
City, the Wallona National of Enterprise and the
La Grande National of La Grande, and Vice-Presi
dent of the First National of Union.
Three thousand acres of land in Gratiot County
and an equal amount in Isabella County are included in the real-estate holdings of Mr. Steel.
He is President of the First National Banks of
Ovid, Mt. Pleasant, St. Louis and Ithaca, and of the
Mt. Pleasant Manufacturing Company and Ithaca
Milling Company. Notwithstanding his extensive
business interests, which to an ordinary individual
would be more than sufficient to occupy every
moment, he finds time to enjoy the intercourse of
one of the most prominent social orders and is a
Knight Templar of St. John's Commandery. He
also keeps well informed regarding the events that
are transpiring, the discoveries that are being
made and tihe improvements that are taking place
in science and art, and studies the political question




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


193


f


thoroughly. He votes the Republican ticket. In
1848 he spent a year abroad, visiting England,
Ireland and Scotland. He was married March 13,
1860, to Miss Carrie A. Hyatt, daughter of James
M. Hyatt of New York, and has three children.
M     11S. HANNAH MARSHALL, a venerable
and esteemed resident of Greenbush Township, Clinton County, is a native of Huron
County, Ohio, and was born November 7.
1829. She is a daughter of William W. and Nancy
(Strong) Watros. Her parents were natives of
New York, and her father served as a soldier in
the War of 1812. Of their children the following
survive: Joseph who resides in Norwalk, Ohio;
Franklin a resident of New London, Ohio; Mary,
Mrs. IIi-man, now a widow of Huron County,
Ohio; Washington, in Norwalk, Ohio; Mrs. Marshall; Wealthy, in Eaton County; Hester A., wife
of J. Reynolds of Huron County, Ohio.
Mrs. Marshall's early home and training were in
Iuron County, Ohio, aid there after taking her
education in the district schools, she prepared for
teaching, which work she carried on for some three
terms. She was then married October 7, 1852, to
Henry S. Marshall, who was born in Westchester
County, N. Y., in 1827. This gentleman was a son
of Seth and Phoebe Marshall, and he emigrated to
Ohio when a young man and was there married.
His childhood and youth received the benefit of
the usual advantages which were then offered to
the young, but the greater part of his education
has been what he has acquired himself.
By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall there
were born six clildren, five of whom are living,
namely: George, Frank, Lewie, Almira M. (a teacher
in Clinton County) and Denton. The parents of
this household emigrated to Clinton County, this
State in 1860, and coming to Greenbush Township,
finally settled upon the farm where the widow now
resides. Mr. Marshall was a hard working and industrious man, and by his own efforts, aided by his
boys, he made his farm what it is to-day. He


started in life empty handed and accumulated a
handsome property, all the result of his life work.
He was a kind and affectionate husband and father
and his death was an irreparable loss to his household. His fellow-citizens also felt the blow, as by
his death they lost a public spirited and enterplising man froml their midst. He was one who enjoyed the universal confidence and esteem of his
fellow-men. He was a Republican in politics and
deeply interested in all movements which look to
the progress of the county in either social or public
ways and was well known for his honesty and integrity, being esteemed "a man among men."  He
died February 14, 1880.
Mrs. Marshall still resides on the home farm and
owns one-third interest in the estate of eighty
acres. Her husband was a soldier in the Civil War
and received his honorable discharge before the
date of expiration of his service, on account of a
wound which he received    in the Battle of the
Wilderness. Mrs. Marshall is a member of the
Methodiet Episcopal Church and her naturally fine
qualities and Christian character command the
esteem of all who know her.
J  HOLIN A. WATSON. Prominent among ontelligent and prosperous stock-raisers and
well known in political circles of Clinton
County, is the gentlemen whose name apIears at the head of this sketch. IIis beautiful
farm with its elegant improvements forms one of
tile most attractive features of Duplain Townshlip,
and the fine grades of stock which he raises, attract the attention of every intelligent visitor. He
was born in the township where he now presides,
July 21, 1844. His parents, William B. and H-n.rriet E. (Faxon) Watson, were born, the former in
Bucks County, Pa., and the latter in Batavia, Genesee County, N. Y. His superior parentage anal
home training were of intestimable value to the
youth, who was thus given a preparation in life
superior to that of most of his comrades in the
West.
The father of our subject was by piofession a




194


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I I                                                                           -, -- -l-           ---. —                    ------ _ - _ _. __- l ( l -- ---


physician and a graduate of. the University of
Pennsylvania, who came to Michigan in the fall of
1839 and located on the place where his son now
resides near the center of Duplain Township. A
select school education was given the boy as well as
good practical business training. His mother was
a graduate of Le Roy Seminary, at Le Roy, N. Y.
and she gave him careful instruction in his early
life, for which she was well adapted, as she had
been a teacher before her marriage. His early life
was passed on the old homestead and when his
father died, August 20, 1871, he took charge of
the estate and property and carried it on successfully.
Having now reached the years of maturity, Mr.
Watson sought a companion to go with him through
life and on April 19, 1876, he entered into the
matrimonial state with Lizzie Webb of Waterbury,
Conn. Her father William Webb is the well-known
manufacturer of brass goods, tile head of the
business known as the American Cap and Flask
Company. One child, a son-William B. —wllo
was born January 19, 1883, is the fruit of this
union. He is at home with his parents at whose
hands he is receiving the education suited to his
years, and his future is one of the great promise.
Mr. Watson has a place of four hundred acres,
mostly under cultivation, upon which he and his
father made the clearing and placed the improvements. Three hundred acres of this is under the
plow and the houses and barns are both handsome
and spacious, and show the hand of a thorough and
systematic farmer.  Besides cultivating a large
share of his land he is a large breeder of sheep,
making a specialty of fine wool sheep. He breeds
Clydesdale horses and Short-horn cattle and also
raises large crops of wheat. He has a sugar camp of
about one thousand hard maples from which he
makes a great quantity of maple sugar and more
largely manufactures maple syrup.
The political affiliations of this gentleman are
with the Republican party and he has always been
actively engaged in forwarding its interests. He is
generally conspicuous as a delegate at the various
county and State conventions where his opinion
has great weight and his judgment is respected.
He is a member of the Stock and Wool Growers


Association and is identified with the Masonic
order. lie is a man of broad experience and has
not been contented to sit down at his own fireside
and know little or nothing of what is going on in
the world about him. He has spent a good deal
of time in traveling and has visited many parts of
our country being familiar with the prominent
cities and points of interest both in the East and
the West. In his early days in Clinton County he
was familiar with the Indians and found among
them the playmates of his childhood. He looks
back with interest to those pioneer days and feels
that that experience was one of the many which
have enriched his life.
ELDEN        S. MINER, one of the mnost
popular citizens of Corunna City, and the
prosecuting  attorney  for  Shiawassee
County, was born in Osceola, Livingston
County, this State. His father, Ezra, was a native
of Steuben County, N. Y., and his father's father,
also Ezra by name, was born in Connecticut, and
took part in the War of 1812. He was a sailor on
the high seas for twenty years and then settled on
a farm in New York which he improved and cultivated. lie came to Michigan in his later days, to
spend them with his son at Osceola and died at the
age of eighty years. The father of this aged
gentleman was Seth Miner, a native of Connecticut
and a Revolutionary soldier who was taken prisoner
early in the War and was in prison six years.
Being thus lost to his family for solong they believed him dead and his brothers took possession
of his property.
The father of our subject was a farmer, who
came to Michigan in 1836 when he was twenty-one
years old and located in Hartland Township,
Livingston County, where he bought unimproved
land and devoted himself to his cultivation. At
different times he resided in Cohocta and Conway
and now lives in Handy, Livingston County. He
has been a large landowner and is a public-spirited
man. His wife bore the maiden name of Annie
M. Skidmore. She was born near Springwater,




PORTRAIT: AND) BIOGR1APHICALT ALBUM.


195


POTRI AN B.URPIA     ALU.9


Livingston County, N. Y., and is the daughter of
Benjamin Skidmore, a farmer in that county, and
afterward an early settler in Lapeer County, to
which he came in 1836. He followed farming
there and afterward in Livingston County, and
died at the very advanced of ninety-two years. He
was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Of the seven children of the parental family our
subject is the fifth, being born June 5, 1854. His
mother who is still living at the age of sixty-five
years is a devout member of the Church of the
United Brethren. This son grew up in Cohocta
and Conway Townships, in Livingston County, till
he reached the age of seventeen years, having had
the advantages of the common district schools.
When seventeen years old he came to Corunna
with his parents and entered the high school, where
he graduated in 1875 after which he engaged in
teaching for three terms. He began tie study of
law under a preceptor and in the fall of 1876,
entered the Department of Law of the University
of Michigan, taking work also under Judge Kinney
of Ann Arbor. In 1878 he took examination before the Michigan Supreme Court at Lansing and
was admitted to the bar of the State.
The young lawyer now began practice, May 3,
1878, at Corunna, where he has continued ever
since, with the exception of the year which lie
spent at Flushing. At the time he went to that
city he resigned his office of Circuit Court Coinmissioner and in the fall of 1880 he was re-elected
to that position for two years. In 1888 lie received twelve hundred majority over his opponent
in the contest for the office of Prosecuting Attorney
for Shiawassee County, and was re-elected to the
same office in 1890, by a large majority, even considering the famous land slide of Republican votes
to the Democratic ticket.  Besides his professional and official duties he has had some con.
siderable dealings in real estate.
June 5, 1879, was the wedding day of Selden S.
Miner and Etfie Jones, the daughter of Charles
Jones, a teacher and a native of Washtena County,
who was doubly orphaned while still a little child.
The marriage took place at Bancroft, Shiawassee
County. Four children have resulted from this
union, namely: Wilman, Maude, Harold and Leon.


Mr. Miner has served the city of Corunna as
Mayor one term  and Supervisor of the Second
Ward for three terms and is President of the
School Board. He is identified with several of the
social orders, is a Mason-having attained the degree of Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the
Knights of the Maccabees.   His enterprise and
public spirit make him a prominent man in Republican circles, and he is always a delegate to the
county Conventions and generally to those of the
State.
\ —? — ---- --------
1  ON. ROWLANI) S. VAN SCOY, deceased,
a pioneer and an honored citizen of Clin/ ton County for more than fifty years, was
(  born in the town of Kent, Dutchess County,
N. Y., November 22, 1814. IIis father, Rowland
Van Scoy, was probably a native of New York and
served in the War of 1812 and died of camp fever
soon after the expiration of his service, at the age
of twenty-four years. The grandfather of our
subject was a wealthy farmer in tile Empire State,
whose ancestors were from Holland.
'The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Rachael D)rew. a native of New York and a relative of the late Daniel Drew, who became many
times a millionaire through his speculations on
Wall Street. By her first husband she was the
mother of two sons and a daughter, only one of
whom, Isaac Van Scoy, of Cayuga County, N. Y.,
survives. She re-married and had nine children by
her second husband. Her death occurred a few
years ago at the ripe old age of ninety-one years.
Mr. Van Scoy was born three months after his
father's death, at the home of his grandfather, with
whom he lived until old enough to look out for
himself. His education was obtained in the common district schools of his day. He was an apt
pupil and an industrious student and gained sufficient knowledge to enable him to teach school.
His efforts in this direction were successful and he
found no trouble in getting employment as a
teacher. He taught six terms in all. When he
was thirteen years old he hired out for nine months,
at $3 a month, to work on a farm. He fulfilled the




196


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


contract to the letter and saved every cent of the
$27 thus earned. He continued to work out during summers and attended school during winters
until he was able to teach.
Mr. Van Scoy was united in mnarriage September 19, 1839, with Miss Ruth Bissell, who was a
native of New York State and born in 1814. In
April, 1839, soon after his marriage, he came West
and pushed into the wild forests of Michigan, locating in De Witt Township, Clinton County,
where he purchased eighty acres of land from the
Government. He was the first to locate in that
part of the county and his neighbors for a time were
few and far between. I-e located not far from
where Lansing, the then unthought-of capital of
the State, now stands. For three years after his
settlement there he had purchased all his groceries
and necessaries of life in Detroit. lie cut his way
through the forest to where lie located and built a
small shanty which lie afterward replaced with a
comfortable log liouse.
This young man had just enough money to pay for
the land lie purchased at about $3 an acre. His team
consisted of a yoke of oxen which he bought in I)etroit and he made most of his household furniture.
The forests abounded in wild game but he found
no time for hunting. His mind was occupied with
matters that were destined to largely determine his
future. Our subject aimed to clear ten acres of
land each year in addition to what he sometimes
hired done. His cows pastured in the great forest
surrounding his home and many a time, while hunting for them in the evening, lie lost his way and
on one occasion he failed to find his way and was
obliged to sleep in the woods over night. He purchased more land as soon as his means would permit, as he always made it a rule not to purchase
land until he was able to pay half the purchase
money in cash. His specialty was raising wheat,
which he sold to make payments on his land, and
by adding to his possessions from time to time, he
became the possessor of four hundred acres, which
he cleared and brought to a high state of cultivation.
Mrs. Van Scoy died February 9, 1852. She was
a woman of strong religious convictions and a
member of the Baptist Church. The union resulted


in the birth of two children, namely: Rachael, now
Mrs. McPherson and the mother of two sons, who
was born June 29, 1840, and is living near her
father, and Caroline, born September 23, 1842.
She is the wife of William HIeck, a wealthy an(l
prominent farmer of Essex Township. Mr. Vnn
Scoy contracted a second marriage with Angeline
Bissell, which was celebrated May 6, 1852. She
survives him and lives in a beautiful home left by
her husband.
In the spring of 1854 Rowland S. Van Scoy disposed of Ills farm in De Witt Township and removed to Essex Township, where he purchased one
hundred acres on section 9, being a part of what
was known as Benedict's Plains. During the fall
he made another purchase and the following year
another, and so on from time to time until he
owned one of the finest and most productive tracts
of land to be found anywhere in this or any other
section of the State. This magnificent estate comprises nearly  nineteen  hundred acres of land,
equipped with all the modern imlprovements.  His
late residence is one of the most attractive and imposing in the county. His barns and other outbuildings are of a substantial character and always
kept in the best repair.
Mr. Van Scoy died October 14, 1890, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He was during his entire life an active, energetic man. Early in life lie
united with the Presbyterian Church, but later,
there being no church of his first choice, he attended all churches and gave liberally of his means
toward the support of the Gospel. He was also a
cheerful and liberal giver to all benevolent causes
of worthy character andl he was especially kind to
the poor. He was truly a just man and did what
lie believed to be right at all times and under all
circumstances. Politically he was a Republican
and held various offices of responsibility and trust.
Ile was Supervisor of Essex Township many years
and also of De Witt Township while a resident
there. He served as Justice of the Peace aind filled
other local offices with entire satisfaction.
Mr. Van Scoy represented his district in the
State Legislature from 1871 to 1875, being reelected in 1873. During his terms as Representa.
tive he was always found in his seat in the legisla



PORTRAIT'1 AND BRIOGRAPHIlCAL ALBUM. M


197


P                     = -... 1-) B  R- -AP  I.C               -- L i M —  - -.  197 -

tive halls, ready for the business of tle hour.
One of his rules of life was promptness and he was
never known to shirk a duty. Socially he was a
member of the Masonic and Grange fraternities.
He took an active interest in the success of the latter and lectured frequently for the order. He
was Master of the local Grange for ten years continuously and was recruiting officer at the time of
his death. He was a self-made man, a great reader,
and possessed a broad knowledge of the leading issues of the day.
About ten years ago this gentleman purchased
the bank at Maple Rapids and conducted that institution upon a safe and sound basis until his
death. He was truly a farmer by occupation but
le was an able financier as well and was regarded
with the utmost confidence and esteem by all who
knew him. IIe was a man of the strictest integrity and always made his word as good as his bond.
Mr. Van Scoy's estate is valued at about $150,000,
the result of his life's labors. IHe accumulated it
slowly by honest toil. Ile was strictly temperate
in all things and regular in his habits of life. His
success, was due to his sound morals and close application to business and as an example is well
worthy of emulation.
man of whom we write and who was borrn
August 27, 1857, in Oakland County, this
State owns a very fine farm on section 16, Owosso
Township. He is the third clhild in a family of
five. His father, John Murphy, deceased, was born
August 15, 1826, at The Spring, County Wexford,
Ireland, and was married at Templeton, the same
county, February 8, 1852, to Miss Mary Breen, who
survives him and who was also born in County
Wexford August 31, 1827. She was the daughter
of Morris and Mary (Leary) Breen.
The spring of 1852 was a severe one in Ireland,
the crops having f'ailed the previous year and many
people really suffering for the barest necessities of
life. Thousands emigrated from the Emerald Isle
to a land that promised them both freedom and


pllenty and among the many came the parents of
our subject. They settled in Oakland County, this
State, near Orchard Lake where the father earned
his living as a laborer for four years when the
family removed to Shiawassec County, securing the
land which afterward became their home. In the
spring of 1856 our subject's father bought eighty
acres in company with his wife's brother, James
Breen and soon after bought the entire amount.
lHer brother was killed at Detroit, where he had
lbeen an engineer for the Union Ferry Company
from Detroit to Windsor; he was killed instantly.
Eighty and one-half acres have since been added
to the number of acres first purchased.
In his earlier days our subject's father spent
much of the time on the water as a coaster and
fisherman, their home in County Wexford being
directly on the coast. After a sickness covering
about three years Mr. Murphy died November 1,
1887. lie was highly respected and deeply lamented.
Ie was a hard-working man and made a most attractive home for hia family with first-class improvements. lie left quite a family whose names
are as follows: James, who died at the age of
twenty-seven of consumption, worked at home on
the farm until the last; Mary Ellen, William John,.Julia Ann and Katie who died in infancy. Mary
Ellen married Lawrence Terrill and died at Antrim, Shiawassee County, this State, February 20,
1891. Julia married Patrick Burns of Sciota
Township, Shiawassee County and died May 17,
1889, only two weeks after her marriage, while on
her wedding journey. Our subject has haid charge
of the farm on which he lives for a number of
years. His father's sickness incapacitated him
from all care for three years before his death.
Mr. Murphy was married April 24, 1888, to
Miss Maggie Maroney, daughter of Edward and
Joana Maroney. One little child, a bright boy of
two years of age, named John, gladdens their
household. William Murphy as well as his father,
is an ardent Democrat. They are members of the
Catholic Church. Mr. Murphy is a pushing, vigorous farmer and stands high in the community as a
man of intelligence and ability. His mother bears
the loss of nearly all her family with resignation
and is one of the class of noble women who have




198


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--------- 1 —1 —1 --- — - — ` --- ----
-------— ^I — -— " —I-I-'- -----``-ll ---


-----— ' —- ---`-1-I- — -"II —'- -' -I I' 


done so much, enduring hardships and privations
incident to early settlement without a murmur and
who deserves great credit and praise for her devotion aTd attention.,,^(_ __ =-: =-ESG-E-.o.______ gYs


J OHN E. JAYNE, druggist at DeWitt, Clinton County, and proprietor of the Universal
feave Remedy, was born in Jackson County,
this State, June 15, 1840. Henry Jayne,
the father of this gentleman, was born in New York
State in 1806 and the grandfather, Samuel, of
Scotch-Irish descent was born in New Jersey. He
was a farmer and a soldier in the Revolutionary
War and our subject has in his possession the gun
which this ancestor carried through the period of
conflict. He removed to New York State about
the year 1800 and (lied there at the age of ninety
six years. Tlie father of our subject was reared
upon this New York farm and came to Michigan
in 1836, traveling by water to Detroit, where he
bought a yoke of oxen and followed the Indian
trails to Jackson County.
Here Mr. Jayne was one of the first pioneers,
and took a farm of one hundred and forty acres
from the Government. He built a log cabin and
cleared up the farm and after living on it for twentyfive years, sold it and established a general store
and afterward a drug store at Grass Lake. He
came to )eWiitt in 1866 and established a grocery
store, but devoted himself a part of the time to
farming. IIe also was in business in Lansing for
some time and now having retired from active
life, lives with his daughter, Mrs. Lawrence. He
is a Democrat in his political views.
Mrs. Jayne bore the maiden name of Sarah Johnson and she was born in Yates County, N. Y., in
1810. Of her five children three grew to maturity, namely: Elizabeth, (Mrs. Halbert); John, and
Ella, (Mrs. Lawrence). She has ever taken an
active interest in church matters, lhaving been a
member of the Congregational Church for fortyfive years. Iier father, born in New Jersey, removed to a farm in New York in early life, and
came to Washtenaw County in 1836. lHe took up


a farm there of two hundred and forty acres and
operated the first sawmill in the county, (lying there
at fifty-nine years of age. He had reared twelve
children and was of German descent.
The subject of this sketch remained upon tlhe
farm until he was twelve years old and attended
the pioneer sclools, which were furnished witll
slab benches having pin legs. When twelve years
old he moved into the village of Grass Lake and
attended school there and also at Leoni. When lie
was eighteen years old lie entered the telegraphl
office and learned that art. He worked as operator
at different places along the Michigan Central R lilway and also on the Alton and St. Louis Railway
and on the Illinois Central.
When the war broke out young Jayne hired himself to the Government as operator under Capt.
Bruch, and was sent to Stanford, Ky., and then
sent out on a raiding party to take the dispatches
sent by the rebels. He tapped the rebel telegraph
lines, took their messages and going to Knoxville,
Tenn., became detached from his men by the rebels
in an encounter, and had to walk all the way back
to Kentucky, traveling entirely by night. HIe had
only two and one-half biscuits as rations for four
days and three nights, and the journey lasted for
eighteen days, during which lie saw other hard
times and came near starving. After this experience he was laid up with the typhoid fever for six
weeks and he was taken home by his father and
wife. After recovering his health he returned to
Lebanon Junction, Ky., and remained there for
two years in the Government employ.
During his service in Kentucky Mr. Jayne had
some hair-breadth escapes. At one time while his
wife was spending some time with him the telegraph office was attacked by a force of guerrillas.
He hastily secreted himself in the attic and pulled
up the ladder after him. The guerrillas could not
find him, but finding his wife ordered her to reveal
his whereabouts, drawing revolvers upon her where
she stood. She told them that he had fled. They
fired many shots into the attic, but he protected
himself behind a brick chimnly. Another episode
was when lie was riding a mule and he jumped
from its back and ran into the woods and escaped
the rebels who were after him. At another time at




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


199


- I — ----- ----— ^ --- —---------
r__ ___.__..______________ _


Knoxville he had his horse shot from under him
and ran for two miles under fire but was not
touched.
After the war Mr. Jayne farmed in DeWitt
Township for several years and carried on dealings
in real-estate, after which he came to the village
and ran a general merchandise store for three years,
and then bought out his father's drug store. His
patent horse medicine called the Universal Heave
Remedy is a remarkable remedial agency which is
good for man and beast. It is a compound from
sixteen ingredients and he has sold and is now
selling great quantities of it.
The marriage of our subject on Christmas Day,
1861, united him  with Elizabeth M. Parks, who
was born in LeoniTownship, Jackson County,Mich.,
May 4. 1839. Their two children, Lottie E. and
Gertie B. are both at home. He is a Democrat in
his political views and for four years filled the
office of Deputy Sheriff under Mr. Collins. He is
a member of the Masonic order having joined it
at Elizabethtown, Ky., during the war. and also
belongs to the Chapter and Commandery at Lansing.
IHe was one of the organizers of the Lodge here
and helped to build the hall which belongs to the
order. tie owns his frame store and owes no man
a dollar. Ile has eighty acres of land in Dakota,
and eighty-four acres in Cheboygan County, Mich.
RCHIBALD C. COOPER. The original
of this sketch was born March 12, 1809, in
Washington County, N. Y. His parents
were George and Susan(Hamilton) Cooper.
The former was from Ireland and the latter of
Scotch birth and parentage. Both were brought to
America when children. Jane Serepta Castle, the
wife of our subject, was born near Rochester, Monroe County, N. Y., May 24, 1820, and was married
to Archibald Cooper, May 12, 1842, in Bennington Township. Mr. Cooper came to Sliiawassee
County in 1840, having come from Waterford,
Oakland County. He had lived in Michigan one
year before. He was a carpenter by trade and
worked at that in connection with his farm. He


owned new land on section 1, Bennington Township, having purchased two hundred and twentynine acres of Mr. Hunt, of Pontiac. His family
have ever since lived on the farm. The death of
the original of this sketch occurred August 10,
1876.
Mr. Cooper and wife made welcome to their home
a large family. The eldest of these, Lemuel C.,
who lives in Bennington; Duane, in Caledonia;
George Archibald who makes his home on the
homestead; Jenny, who married Edwin 0. Place,
lives near Owosso; Delia, who is now Mrs. Preston Reynolds and who resides in Shiawassee Township; John who is still at the old homestead; Sabina
who married William Lewis and resides in Shiawassee Township; William, who is in Caledonia
Township, and Mary Susan, now Mrs. C. S. Watson, of Bancroft. The eldest of the family, Lemuel C. Cooper, who owns a farm on section 2,
Bennington Township, was born on the homest(ad
on section 1, August 3, 1843. His parents, Archibald C. and Jane (Castle) Cooper, settled in Bennington, coming there from Pontiac. His mother
is still living with her son John on the old homestead. His father had previously married at the
age of twenty-one a Miss Jane Conger who died in
Oakland County, leaving two children. They are
Hamilton, who lives in Russell County, Kan., and
Harriet, who is the widow of R. Holman, of
Owosso. The second wife presented him with nine
children, the eldest of whom was married April
24, 1874, to Miss Sarah Beers, daughter of Abel
and Catherine (Banks) Beers. She was born February, 1848, in Connecticut. Mr. Cooper was a
teacher, having taught from  1863 to 1874. Mr.
Cooper began to improve his present farm in 1867.
The original purchase was eighty acres, but he has
added to it from time to time until it now contains
one hundred and thirty-three acres. Lemuel C.,
the present proprietor of the farm, is now engaged
in breeding Short-horn cattle. His flock of sheep
is also noted for being a very fine one. He also
has many hogs.
Mr. L. C. Cooper was Supervisor for a period of
nine years. He has held nearly all the offices in
the township during the past twenty-two years and
is an important factor in the community. He with




200


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--


his wife have a family of three children-Frank L.
who is sixteen years of age, Katie M., fifteen and
Gracie B., seven. In politics Mr. Cooper is a Republican. Mrs. Cooper is a member of the Episcopal Church. His farm is a very beautiful place,
having upon it good buildings with all modern
improvements. He is an intelligent man, inheriting the best qualities from a good old family.
ILLIAM WELHUSEN. Among the German-American  citizens who are doing
good work in Clinton County is the above
named, who owns and operates a farm of 120 acres
in Bingham Township. The property has been his
home since his early childhood, when his parents
emigrated from the Fatherland and took up their
residence here. He was reared to farm life, in
which his father spent his days, and is one of the
most intelligent and successful agriculturists in the
vicinity. He seems to possess all the qualities
necessary to secure prosperity in this line of work,
being industrious, thrifty and observing, noting
every change in the condition of the soil and in
climatic influences, and quick to take advantage of
each.
John Welhusen, father of our subject, crossed
the Atlantic in 1862 and for four years made his.home in Lockport, N. Y., working out by the
month. He then came to this State and became a
permanent resident of Clinton County. For nine
months after his arrival he worked for J. R. Hale,
then bought a tract of unimproved land on section
22, Bingham  Township. He cut the first stick
of timber from the forest that covered the land,
and after building a log house continued the work
of improvement. At the time of his decease,
which occurred in 1878, when he was but fortyeight years old, he was the possessor of 120 acres
and had his affairs on a sound financial basis. He
was a member of the Lutheran Church, with which
his widow is connected. She bore the maiden
name of Sophie Luver, and she also was born in
the Fatherland. She has been devoted to her


home and the interests of her family, and by her
economy and prudence has done much toward advancing their worldly affairs. She has two children
William and Fredricka, the latter now the wife of
John Luther.
The subject of this biographical sketch was
born in the northern part of Prussia, January 30,
1860, and was but two years old when his parents
came to America. When old enough to begin his
school life he entered the district school and continued his studies until he was fourteen years old
when he was laid up with a broken leg, caused by
the kick of a horse. For several weeks he was
confined to the house and when he recovered he
was put to work on the farm. Since his father's
death he has had charge of the estate, a part of
which has come into his possession. He was married November 19, 1884, to Bessie Schneiderwind,
formerly of Wisconsin. His wife is an excellent
housekeeper and an intelligent, kindly lady, who
has many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Welhusen have
two children-Elsie and Jessie, whose charming
ways brighten the home.
Although Mr. Welhusen had not a liberal schooling. he has made such use of the avenues of information that are open to all progressive men that
he is well informed on general topics, and particularly so on those in which he takes special interest
by reason of the bent of his mind or their connection with his work. In politics he is a sound Republican. Ile has been chosen Drain Commissioner
of Binghamn Township and is discharging the duties which belong to that office in a manner indicative of his desire for the improvement of the
county and the increased prosperity of the commullity.
INFIELD SAMUEL CARSON. The fine
farm on section 11, Owosso Township,
Shiawassee County, is owned and conducted by Mr. Carson, who was born May 16,
1847, in Seneca County, Ohio. His parents were
Henry and Agnes Rachel (Hamilton) Carson. The
younger of their two sons, James Filson, died
February 11, 1886. Our subject's father was a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


201


native of Harrison County, Ohio, where he was
born January 9, 1822. His parents were Col.
Samuel and Elizabeth (Willoughby) Carson and
his father, great-grandfather of our subject, was
John Carson, a Revolutionary soldier. Col. Samuel
Carson commanded a regiment of riflemen from
Ohio in the War of 1812. About the year 1826
he moved to Seneca County, Ohio, then a frontier
county, where he reared a family, of which our
subject's father was the third child. The children
are as follows: Robert, J. W., Harrison H., Ann
who died in Wisconsin, George who lives in
Sag'naw County, Samuel, T. B., Hannah, Sarah
and Margaret. Of these five are still living.
Thle father of the gentleman whose name heads
this sketch was married to Agnes Rachel Hamilton
May 21, 1846, and in October, 1850 the family
came to Michigan. They were married in lHardin
County, Ohio, where she had been a seamstress.
He was then in charge of a gang of men on the
railway, supplying material and building trestles
for bridges and overseeing the woodwork. In
1850 he purchased the land where his family now
lives, three miles northwest of Owosso, and devoted
much time to selling land. lie showed great skill
in tracing the titles and original ownership of
Government land, being a natural surveyor and
woodman.   Land-buyers estimated highly his
knowledge of woodcraft and consulted him in regard to the amount of timber that could be taken
off a tract of land.
The childhood home of our subject was the
headquarters for all new comers. His father was
hospitable in the extreme, an almost necessary
quality in those days when hotels were so few and
far between. The old gentleman was formerly a
Democrat but after the war he became a Republican. At the very outset of the war he enlisted as
Corporal in Company G, Third Michigan Cavalry,
and was frequently given detailed service. On
one occasion when the advance guard was about to
he cut off from the main body of troops lie volunteered to notify them to return, the command
having taken a detour. After a hard ride of six
hours he succeeded in bringing them in but at the
expense of killing his horse and injuring himself to
such an extent that he never fully recovered, hav

ing suffered thereby partial paralysis of the hip.
That he had stamina is proven by the fact that although he was suffering intensely, he did not leave
the command for hospital attention. A pension
was awarded him after his death. He served until
June 9, 1865, when he was honorably discharged
by general order. He participated in the battle at
Corinth and was one of the regiment of scouts
under Col. J. K. Misner under whom T. V. Quackenbusli was Captain.
After the war Mr. Carson took an active part in
political campaigns and was frequently called upon
to make stump speeches which were always effective because of his originality and gift of language.
Ile was a member of the Methodist Church of
which body he was an ordained Elder. At an early
period after coming to the State he was licensed to
exhort and conducted services at the log meeting
houses that dotted the countryside. He was a
zealous worker in ever thing relating to the Church.
The honor was paid him of being made Chaplain
of the Grand Army Post, and hle enjoyed the pleasure of attending the Post on February 23, 1887,
at meeting of the G. A. R. which was held in
Owosso at which tine a tremendous storm burst
over the city terrifying and bewildering the many
people who had convene( to be present at the Post
meeting. On his way home the road being washed
by the river which had overflowed, Mr. Carson's
horse went over the bank alnost in front of his
own house. His wife being alarmed by his nonappearance, sent her son to seek for him, but his
body was not found until eight days after the storm
when the ice was broken by dynamite and a short
distance below the louse the horse and buggy
were found,and the body about seventy rods farther down under a block of ice that had been overlooked. His obsequies were conducted by Quackenbush Post of Owosso and he was buried at Oak
Grove cemetery.
Our subject was married December 13, 1868 to
Miss Emily Owen, who was born in Licking County,
Ohio. Her parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Nightsir) Owen were both from New Jersey. They
originally settled in Clinton County in 1856 and
1863 came to Owosso Township where her parents
died within two weeks of each other at quite an




202


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Carson have a very
interesting family. Their names are Inez L., who
is twenty-one years of age; Wilbur H., nineteen;
Lena Agnes fifteen; Libby Edna, thirteen. Inez
was graduated with honors at the Owosso High
School where all the children are students. Mr.
Carson has had entire charge of the farm which he
owns for sixteen years. It consists of one hundred
twenty acres of good, arable land, the greater part
of it under a high state of cultivation.
Our subject has been prominently connected
with educational matters in his vicinity, having
been three years elected to the Board of Education.
Although a Republican in politics, Mr. Carson is
strongly in sympathy with the Prohibitionists. He
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
His great interest in educational matters and his
effects to secure better facilities for the district
schools in the county are evinced by the many
papers which he has written on the subject and
which are widely current in this State.
ON. SAMUEL S. WALKER, the organizer
) and Chairman of the Michigan Mortgage
Company, and one of the keenest men, intellectually, in Clinton County, makes his
home at Old Mission, Grand Traverse County,
Mich. He was born in Fredonia, Chautauqua
County, N. Y., June 11, 1841. His father, Hon.
Alva H. Walker, was born in Foster, R. I., February 15, 1802. He was the son of John Walker,
of Rhode Island, who was in the War of 1812.
His grandfather early removed   to Western
New York and settled near Fredonia in 1805. The
father of our subject became identified as a merchant with the business of that village and remained one of its leading citizens until his removal to Michigan in 1855. He was early identified with the educational interests of his home and
for many years was a Trustee and Treasurer of the
celebrated academy at Fredonia, which has recently been absorbed by the State Normal School
there. He was deeply interested in public affairs,
and was elected to the Senate of New York in 1853,


I


receiving the almost unanimous vote of the District
and serving in the Senate for two sessions. His
first Michigan home was in Detroit, but in 1861
he removed his family to St. John's and entered
into business with the late Mr. Teachout.  He
was a member of the Constitutional Convention
of Michigan, which met in Lansing in 1867, and
was President of the village of St. John's for a
number of years. He was a consistent member of
the Presbyterian Church while in New York and of
the Congregational Church at St. John's, contributing by his means, counsel, and influence to its
many good works. He died in St. John's, April
3, 1891.
The Walker family descended from the North
of England, the earliest member of it known in
this country, William Walker, being a sailor and
private during the Revolutionary War, sailing
with the celebrated John Paul Jones. The mother
of our subject was Minerva Snow, daughter of
Dr. Samuel Snow, of Booneville, Oneida County,
N. Y. Dr. Snow was born in Connecticut and
there became a practicing physician.  He afterward removed to Sackett's Harbor, and after living at Booneville, spent his last days in Fredonia.
Minerva (Snow) Walker still survives at the age
of eighty-one years.
The subject of this sketch had his education
first in the district schools and then in the famous
Fredonia Academy. After coming to Detroit in
1855, he continued his preparation for college.
In 1857 he entered the literary department of the
University of Michigan and after four years took
his diploma in the spring of 1861 with the degree
of Bachelor of Science. He returned to St. John's
and engaged with his father in merchandising, but
in January, 1865, opened a private bank which
was changed that same fall to the First National
Bank at St. John's. He continued as Cashier of
this institution and as a dealer in real estate for
about twelve years. In 1877 he sold his interest
in the bank and turned his attention more entirely
to real-estate loans and mortgages.  In 1888 he
organized the Michigan Mortgage Company, in
which he is Chairman of the Board and Business
manager. He is a born financier and has a thousand and one schemes for the promotion of business




I




,"I A..2


kk.,        f




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


205


-- I- - - - - -- - - - --   -~- --,    - ' -                       — =          -


in which he is remarkably successful. His fine residence is an ornament to the city and he is wellliked by those who have dealings with him.  He
has a beautiful summer home and productive farm
on Grand Traverse Bay, at Old Mission.  He has
four hundred acres of fine land and the place is
known as "Water's Edge."   He also has a fine
farm here.
Mr. Walker is a stock-holder in the State Bank
and was one of its organizers.  He is also Vicepresident of the State Bank at Carson City and a
Director in the Charlevoix Savings Bank.  He
also helped to organize the St. Louis and Ovid
Banks, and was engaged in the spoke factory
while it was in existence. Ile is also interested in the
Durand Land Company and was its first President.
He also has mining interests in Colorado.  For
twelve years he was a member of tie School Board
and he is wide-awake to the educational needs of
the city. He was Trustee and President of the
village of St. John's as long as he was willing to
add these responsibilities to his heavy business
cares. In 1874, he was elected to represent this
county in the Michigan Legislature, being the only
Republican elected in the county that year. iHe
served on various committees as Chairman and
member, and is considered a leader amoing Republicans in that vicinity. He and his family are attached to the Episcopal Church where they find
their religious home. From 1876 till 1882 he was
a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan and is now Treasurer of the Society of the Alumni of that institution.  Altogether he is one of the most interesting characters
of this thriving city, and one to whom every one
looks for help in any enterprise which is designed
for its prosperity.
Mr. Walker's marriage in 1864 to Miss Mary M.
Chapin, daughter of Volney Chapin, a well-known
manufacturer of Ann Arbor, united him with a
prominent family and added still more to his influence in the community. His wife was born in
Ann Arbor and educated there. For further details in regard to the history of this family the
reader will refer to the biography of Volney A.
Chapin, the nephew of this lady.
Three children have blessed this home, all of


whom are being liberally educated. The two oldest, Susie and Louie, have both attended the University at Ann Arbor, while Minnie was sent East
to take advantage of the fine educational advantages which are afforded at -Houghton Seminary,
Clinton, N. Y.
7 LBERT    T. NICHOLS, Cashier of the
@   | First National Bank of Corunna, is one of
the well-known financiers of Shiawassee
JY     County, and his portrait presented on the
opposite page shows the lineaments of a gentleman
very prominent in his section of country.  He
was born in Farmington Townslip,     Oakland
County, August! 30, 1832, and comes of old Eastern stock, whose blue blood is shown in the natural courtesy and case of manner of the descendants.  His paternal grandfather  was  Nathan
Nichols, a native of Berkshire County, Mass., and
one of the early settlers in Ogden, N..  He
cleared a farm there, on which his son Truman,
father of our subject, was born and reared.  In
1836 Grandfather Nichols came to this State and
the remnant of his dlays were spent in Oakland
County; he was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Truman Nichols was married in Monroe County,
N. Y., in September, 1831, and with his bride joined
the tide of emigration to the wilds of Michigan.
They traveled on a canal-boat to Buffalo, crossed
on the "Henry Clay" to Detroit, and hired a team
to take them to Oakland County.
Mr. Nichols bought eighty acres of land paying the Government price of $1.25 per acre, and
liad $10 left, with which lie bought a heifer. lHe
began chopping and clearing, putting up a log
shanty in which to shelter his family. He threshed
wheat for other settlers with a flail, receiving for
his labor one-tenth of the grain.  The country
was full of Indians, and at the time of the Black
Hawk outbreak the neighbors went to Detroit for
safety. Mr. Nichols remained on his farm, treating the savages kindly, and was not molested by
them. He hewed out two farms from the wilderness and finally had three hundred and twenty




206


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


acres of land well fitted for habitation.  In the
early days he went to Detroit for supplies, and
bought of Zach Chandler, afterward Michigan's
famous Senator. I-e was one of the originators
of the Baptist Church in Farmington, which was
the third organized in the State.  Ilis wife, who
was a native of Brockport, N. Y., bore the maiden
name of Hannah M. Allen. She is still living in
Farmington, which has been her home for sixty
years, and she is now seventy-eight years old.
She belongs to the same family from which Ethan
Allen, the famous Green Mountain boy, sprang.
The family of which our subject is the eldest
comprises four sons and one daughter.  As he
was born on the old farm which was then partly
cleared, his earliest recollections are of a wild
region still the haunt of deer and wolves.  When
old enough to attend school he had two miles to
go and had nothing better than slab benches on
which to sit. As the country became better settled, the schools were improved, and before he
was twenty years old lie had acquired a very good
education. Hie then began teaching and a part of
his work was done in the district where he himself had been a pupil. Ere long he attended the
Normal school in Ypsilanti about a twelvemonth,
but in two different terms, and he then returned
to the homestead and bought ninety acres of the
old farm.  He put up a building and engaged in
the sale of general merchandise in the village of
Farmington, at the same time operating his farm,
and in the course of time he became the owner of
one hundred and forty acres. During the war lie
was enrolling officer and otherwise worked for the
Union cause.
In 1865, when the First National Bank of Corunna was organized, Mr. Nichols bcame a stockholder and Director and in 1871 he was elected
Cashier. He then disposed of his interests in
Farmington and removed to Corunna, and has
been in constant discharge of the duties of his
bank office except during six months when lie was
incapacitated by illness. No other Cashier in Shiwassee County has had so long a term of service
in that capacity. Mr. Nichols is interested in real
estate and in agricultural work in and near the
county seat. For twenty years he las been Notary


Public, and for eighteen years has been a member
of the School Board and is now Treasurer.  He
has been one of the Board of Aldermen, serving
more than fifteen years, and in 1889-90, was
Mayor of the city. For two years he was Treasurer of the Shiwassee County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In every position to which he
has been called, whether of a financial nature or
municipal relation, he has been honest and faithful and his reputation is firmly established.
In Farmington, Oakland County, in 1855, Mr.
Nichols was married to Miss Angeline E. Mills, a
native of that place, who has been as faithful to
the duties which lay before her as her husband
has been to his.  They have two children, Ella
M. and Harry G., both at home.  Mr. Nichols is
Past Eminent Commander of the Knights Templar, belonging to Corunna Commandery, No. 21.
lie has been a fervid Republican since the party
was organized, and has frequently been a delegate
to county and State conventions.  Hle attended
the National Convention in Chicago as an alternate, when Gen. Garfield was nominated for the
Presidency. On account of his parents' faith lie
has special interest in the Baptist church, and because his wife is an Episcopalian he regards that
denonination with considerable favor. He therefore attends and supports both churches and he
has contributed to the building fund of other
societies. He is a courteous, accommodating and
affable gentleman, and is greatly liked by those
who enjoy his acquaintance.
fEORGE II. JUD), merchant tailor at St.
Johln's, Clinton County, has been established
in business longer than any other man of
this class in the place, and is by all odds the nost
lrominent. He keeps fine goods always on hand,
carrying even more than his trade will warrant,
and employs only first-class workmen, to whom he
pays city prices. He is himself a practical workman, and is, therefore quick to observe any slackness on the part of his employes, and it is his
ambition to keep up the reputation of his establish



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


207


----- ----


ment, and everything turned out from the shop
must be first-class in material and workmanship.
The reputation of Mr. Judd is that of having the
finest merchant tailoring establishment in Clinton
County, and it is doubtful if any similar place in
the central part of the State excels his.
The parents of our subject, Richard and Mary
A. (Gayton) Judd, were born in Devonshire, England, and sailed from their native land the day
after their marriage. They came at once to this
State and made their home in Flint, where Mr.
Judd engaged in such honorable employment as he
could. IIe soon bought a suburban lot and built
a residence in the midst of a seven-acre tract, and
he still lives in that locality. Hie is one of the
oldest settlers of Flint now living. Mrs. Judd
entered into rest in October, 1889. She was an
Episcopalian and a devout church member. The
children born to her were George H., Thurza and
Elise. The older daughter is now Mrs. King, of
Los Angeles, Cal., and the younger is the wife of
T. A. Willett, of Flint.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born
in Flint, November 18, 1852, and saw that city
grow from a small village to a place of importance. He was educated there and pursued his
studies until he was within a year of graduation
from the High School. ITe then began to acquire
his trade, learning to sew with one man at Clio,
and then taking up the regular trade of tailoring
with C. J. Haas in Flint. Ile remained with that
gentleman some years, becoming a practical cutter
and fitter, and for a year and a half he had charge
of the cutting work. He spent two years as clerk
in a general dry goods store in Flint, but then resumed his trade. In 1877 he came to St. John's and
began in a moderate way. It was not long ere lhe
had a good run of custom, as soon as he became
known as a reliable workman, and his business has
increased, compelling him to hire more and more
assistance. He has accumulated property, has some
valuable real estate here, and occupies a residence
that he built for his own use.
The home of Mr. Judd is presided over by a
lady who is a first-class housekeeper and an estimable woman. She bore the maiden name of Adah
Bailey, was born in Grand Rapids, and was married


to our subject in St. John's, December 1, 1879.
They have five children, who are named respectively, Thurza M., William H., George E., Ethel
and Gayton. Mr. Judd was confirmed in the Episcopal Church at Flint, and the family attend and
support it. Ile casts his vote with the Democratic party, but takes no greater interest in politics than is the duty of every good citizen.
i'7RRANK I. GODDARD is the owner of a fine
Il    farm, which attests to the success he has
met with in prosecuting the labors of life.
I-e combines with the cultivation of the soil considerable work as a stock-raiser, and has an honorable place among those similarly employed in
Clinton County.  His home is on section   30,
Greenbush Township, and the estate he owns
there consists of ninety-five and one-half acres of
land. It is under thorough cultivation and is supplied with numerous and commodious farm buildings, including a dwelling which is frequently invaded by the friends of himself and wife, whose
social qualities and interest in those about them is
recognized by all.
Mr. Goddard is a Knickerbocker, having been
born in Erie County, N. Y., July 4, 1847. His
parents were Riverus and Susan (Diller) Goddard,
natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, and he has a brother and sister living,
namely: Uriah Goddard, whose home is in Montcalm  County, and Harriet, wife of Judson Bancroft, of Greenbush   Township.   The  father
emigrated to Clinton County in the fall of 1865
and settled on a partially cleared tract of land that
is now owned by our subject. He continued the
work that had been begun upon the place, improving its condition from year to year, and lived upon
it until his earthly life was ended, February 5,
1878. His wife survived him but a few weeks,
passing away April 1, of the same year. She was
a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Goddard
voted with the Republican party and acted with
the public-spirited and industrious classes.




208


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--
-— 


I


Frank I. Goddard has been engaged in farming
from his youth up. He was educated in the common schools and in his mature years has gleaned
knowledge from various sources, principally from
the public prints which are so accessible in these
later decades. He was married in 1872 to Adeline
Allen, daughter of John and Rebecca Allen, now
deceased, who were early settlers in Clinton
County. Mr. Goddard follows his father's example in voting the Republican ticket and in taking
an interest in that which promises to be of general
benefit. He is carrying on his farm  work in an
able manner and receives a satisfactory income as
a reward for his efforts.
3EORGE H. BEDFORD. In scanning the
1  record of the lives and enterprises of citizens of Shiawassee County it is pleasant to
note the exercise of ability in every walk of life.
Talent may be shown in many a calling which is
considered by superficial observers to be merely
mechanical. True artistic merit and talent may
be discerned in the work of Mr. Bedford, a sign
painter of Owosso. He is frequently called upon
to paint designs which require ability and during
political campaigns, especially during the Presidential canvass, he has a great run of business in painting banners and portraits of the candidates, as he
has skill in attaining a likeness and gives unusual
satisfaction in his work.
Our subject was born in North Newburg, Shiawassee County, February 9, 1850. He is the only
son of Joseph H. and Mildred (Hubbert) Bedford,
both natives of England and early settlers of Shiawasse County. The father emigrated to the United
States when a single man and coming to this county
took up Government land and then returned to
England for some eight years. During this time
he was married, after which he returned to the
United States and spent some time on his new farm
and then built a store, one of the first at Newberg,
and engaged in carrying on:a general store, and
merchant tailor business, having learned the tailor' s
trade in the old country. When on a business trip




=




to New York to purchase goods lie was taken sick
and died there in June, 1856, when our subject was
a mere lad. His wife is still living and is now in
her sixty-sixth year and makes her home with our
subject.
George H. Bedford is the eldest of the two children of his parents, his only sister being Ada M.,
the wife of Jerome E. Turner. This son attended
school at Newberg. In settling up the father's
estate much of the property was lost, thus throwing the boy upon his own resources at a tender
age. -He worked for four years upon a farm and
then clerked in a store at Newberg and afterward
joined a surveying party.
Our subject now took up painting, learning to
paint carriages, and followed this for about eighteen years, most of that time carrying on an independent business at Owosso. He then turned his
attention to sign painting and finally made that his
specialty, and during the campaign of 1888 painted
many campaign banners and flags which were sent
out all over the State. He is truly artistic and extremely accurate, being able to dispense witli the
measurements usually made by sign-painters. tHis
shop is at No. 210 Exchange Street over the gas
company's office.
A neat and handsome residence on Ball Street
was erected by Mr. Bedford in 1883. Here he resides with his mother who has charge of his bachelor home. I-e is a highly respected and industrious citizen and bear a high reputation for integrity. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and has
served one term as Alderman in his ward. lie is a
member of Owosso Lodge No. 81, F. & A. M.,and
also of Owosso Chapter No. 89, R. A. M.
x_ _                 — _ _




*1                        --------- ~


ARRIET E. CASTLE. The lady whose name
) heads this sketch is at present a resident of
Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz County, Cal.
She was born on the home farm in Oakland
County, this State, February 7, 1824. She enjoyed the educational advantages common to the
children of that day and in 1875 she declared her
independence of conventionality by going to Cali



a




Xot,,t
^~    -B /A~




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


211


fornia and pre-empting a claim of one hundred and
sixty acres, locatedl twelve miles east of Santa Cruz.
Here she has made her home ever since.
Perfect climate and scenery, Miss Castle feels,
are in a measure a recompense for the host of
friends and relatives she left in her native State.
From her piazza she has a fine view of the bay.
Miss Castle is warmly attached to a niece who
spends much time witl her. This lady, Miss Ida
D. Benfey, is a professioual elocutionist anld a
graduate of the California University at Berkley.
She is the only living daughter of Louis and Delia
(Castle) Benfey. The public readings which she
gives are characterized by a careful analysis of the
subject considered, and a most sympathetic rendering of the dramatic element. It is said by
those who have listened to Miss Ben fey's entertainments that she is a lady of rare vocal culture anld
a thorough student. She is twenty-one years of
age and has a fine address, possessing great beauty
and talent.
OHN STEWART. of the firm of Dewey &
Stewart, proprietors of the Owosso Mills,
has been successful in the accumulation of
p iroperty but is in manner unostentatious
and unassuming, his character and his friendly
kindness making him respected and esteemed by
all who know him.  eIc was born in Seneca County,
N. Y., in the village of Romulus, March 15, 1825.
His parents, David and Charlotte (Lyon) Stewart,
reared their family in Seneca County. Two of
their little ones died in infancy.
The Western fever inspired the father of this
family to remove to Washtenaw County, Michi., in
the Territorial days. He located in Ypsilanti, in
1825, and there for twenty-five years carried on
farming operations. Later in life he removed to
Owosso, where he lived with his sons and led a
retired life. He was born in 1798 and (ied in
Owosso, in 1863. His faithful companion, who
survived him some seven years, was born in 1795
and passed away February 25, 1871. Of their six


children only two are living, four having been
c:lled to pass over the dark river. M. L. Stewart,
a banker in Owosso, is the only surviving brother
of our subject.
The schooldays of our subject were passed in
Washtenaw   County, Mich., until ie moved to
Owosso with his parents. In 1850 he formed a
partnership with T. D. Dewey, a business union
which is still in existence and has proved both congenial and lucrative. These gentlemen  erected
what is known as the Owosso Flouring1 Mill, which,
after operating for quite a time according to the
old burr system, they remodeled in 1884 and
changed to tile roller system. Mr. Stewart still
retains his interest in the Owosso Mills, but owing
to poor health and asthmatic trouble, he is seldom
found about the mills but busies himself in looking after his farm and fine horses. He is part
owner of "Louis Napoleon" and was also part
owner of ",Jerome Eddy," thie last named horse
having brought $25,000 the last time he changed
owners. Mr. Stewart still pays considerable attention to the breeding of thoroughbred trotters.
The gentleman whose sketch we here present was
married January 16, 1853, at Owosso, Mich., to
Mary A. Thomas, a native of Oakland County,
Mich., and a daughter of Avery and Harriet
(Goodhlue) Thomas, who were formerly of New
York and came to Michigan as p;oneers in 1831.
Mrs. Stewart was born October 20, 1832, and is
the only surviving child of her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have two children living:
Alice L., the older daughter, takes great delight
in handling the reins and driving a good horse.
She is interested in breeding and caring for fine animals and is at homne among the horses and colts;
Carrie J., who is also under the parental roof. is
accomplished in the musical line.
Mr. Stewart is the owner of three good farms,
one comprising five hundred and ninety-five acres,
another one hundred and sixty and the third half
that size. The last two are within the corporate
limits of the city of Owosso. This property is all
well improved and unusually valuable, and the residence of Mr. Stewart, at the corner of Oliver and
Water Streets, is both commodious and attractive.
Our subject has served as Constable and some




212


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


years ago was Alderman from the First Ward at
Owosso. Politically he has always been a stanch
Republican.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Stewart is presented:in connection with his biographical notice.
E   LI COOPER and his brother Lester are
among the leading and prosperous business
firms of Laingsburg, Mich., having been
connected with its public interests for sixteen
years. He is the proprietor of the finest hIotel in
the place, also carries on nmerchandising and is
engaged quite extensively in stock dealing. His
excellent business ability, enterprise and progressive spirit have won him success in life and as he is
so widely and favorably known throughout the
community we feel assured that a record of his
life work will be received with interest by many
of our readers.
Mr. Cooper was born in Crawford County, Pa.,
October 26, 1843, and is a son of Thomas and
Malinda (Courtwright) Cooper. His parents were
natives of New York and there resided until after
their marriage, when they removed to Crawford
County, Pa., making their home in that county
until 1846, which year witnessed their arrival in
Michigan. They settled near Franklin, Oakland
County, where Mr. Cooper died some years later.
His widow afterward became the wife of A. Smith
of Little's Corners, Crawford County, Pa., where
she lived until after the death of her second husband when she returned to Michigan and has since
made her home in Laingsburg with her children.
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and a most estimable lady. The family to
which our subject belongs numbered eight children as follows: Matilda, Polly A., Lavica, Alden
G., Thomas, Eli, Maria and Lester.
Eli Cooper, whose name heads this sketch was
reared to manhood upon a farm in the vicinity
of Franklin, Oakland County, Mich., and near
Plymouth, Wayne County, Mich.    His boyhood
(lays were spent mid play and work in the
usual manner of farmer lads and like thousands of


others he acquired his education in the schools of
the neighborhood. Having resided in Oakland
and Wayne Counties until twenty-two years of age,
he then went to Clinton County, where he purchased land near St. John's, and cleared and improved a farm. Having devoted his energies to
agricultural pursuits until 1875, lie then came to
Laingsburg and built the Cooper House, which is
a three story brick hotel. It is the belt block in
town and the hotel is furnished with all modern
conveniences and is first class in every particular.
As before stated, Mr. Cooper also engages in the
mercantile business and is a stock-dealer. The latter branch of business he has carried on for about
sixteen years and nearly all of the stock shipped
from Laingsburg passes through his hands.
In political sentiment, Mr. Cooper is a Republican and wliile he keeps himself well informed on
the issues of the day, is no politician in the sense
of office seeking for he desires rather to devote his
entire time and attention to his business interests,
and carrying out this wish he has met with signal
success. He is still the owner of his excellent
farm of one hundred acres near St. John's, and
although lie began life with no capital he has now
a handsome competence. lie is not only enterprising but is sagacious and far-sighted as well and
possesses those characteristics which are always
essential to success, perseverance and thrift.


U   /ILLIAM CALL, a well-known farmer and
/   stock-raiser, residing on section 5, Fair/  field Township, Shawassee County, was born
in Onondaga County, N. Y., July 4, 1832. Ile is
a son of Sherman and Susan (Randall) Call. The
father was a native of Ogdensburg, N. Y., where
he was born April 1, 1813. The grandfather, Jesse
Call, was a native of Vermont, of Scotch descent,
and removed to New York when his son Sherman
was a boy. Sherman removed to Wayne County,
Mich., wlen his son William was only about fifteen
years old. After remaining two years the father
returned to New York. William went on the Erie
Canal, where he followed towing for some seven




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


213


summers, and after that took service as'a sailor on
Lakes Erie and Champlain for some two years.
l)uring this time lie had made his way so that he
was now in command of a boat.
William Call was happily married to Sarah A.
Curtis. June 10, 1853. This couple had been acquainted with each other from their earliest chil(lhood, having been born within a mile of each other.
The lady is a daughter of Bradley B. and Lydia
(Abba) Curtis. His wife accompanied him on his
boat for about a year, but thinking it was better
to make his home upon tile land, Mr. Call decided
to settle in Michigan, and in December, 1856,
removed to Gratiot County.
Soon after coming to Michigan tis gentleman
gained by his frank cordiality and honorable dealings the good will of his fellow-citizens anlld  e was
shortly selected Township Treasurer, whicll offiie
he filled for seven years. lie was Justice of the
Peace for eight years and Highway Commissioner
for six years. He worked in the lumber woods in
the winter and speculated in tax lands, doing well
in both of these lines or business.
The largest farm of Mr. Call comprised eighty
acres on section 4, which lie purchased twenty-one
years ago, and the tract of twenty-seven acres, surrolunding his beautiful residence lie purchased later
and presented to his wife, so that she might be pro
vided for if anything should happen to him or his
fortunles. In addition to this lie owns twenty acres
in another part of the township, besides a house
and lot in Ashley.
'The political views of our subject have led him
to ally himself witl the Republican party until the
time of the last election, when he voted tile Prohibition ticket. I-e has traveled considerably and is
a man of broad information and considerable intelligence. Both lie and his worthy wife have been
members of the Baptist Church for some twentythree years. Iis five children are: Ada, born
April 4, 1858, now Mrs. Charles Emmert, living in
Gratiot County; Charles HI., born July 24, 1864,
living in Chapin, this State; Edward, born March 18,
1868, also living at Chapin; and Nettie, born April
4, 1872, who lives at home; the youngest child,
Mabel, born July 20, 1879, is still a school-girl.
Our subject did not have good opportunities foi


education in his youth, but this made him more and
more resolute ill his design of giving his children
a better chance than he had himself. His eldest
daughter taught school some nine terms before her
marriage and the daughter Nettie is prepared for
teaching, but prefers to be at home, as she is the
mainstay and comfort of her parents and her loveliness of character andt dutiful devotion lead them
to lean u)pon her in many ways. This family is,
perllaps, more than ordinary families united in
their lives and sympathies and are helpful to each
other.
IILLIAMI JOPLING, V. S. The citizens of
Canada who have emigrated to the States
and lhave there established themselves as
permanent residents are almost invariably men of
character and ability, who are gladly welcone to
the privileges and opportunities which are ours.
Among those who have thus added their mite of
character and influence to the great aggregate of
integrity and business ability in the State of
Michigan, we are pleased to mention William Jopling, who was born in tile Dominion of Canada, in
the province of Ontario, December 7, 1856.
Our subject is a son of Sarah (Wade) Jopling,
natives of Canada, and they gave to their son a
thorough and comprehensive education. lie passed
lis early school days in his native town, and after.
wards attended school at Peterboro and later entered the Collegiate Institute, pursuing his studies
there for two years and making good progress in
his classes. On leavi)ng tliat institution lie entered
the Ontario Agricultural College, and upon completing his course there he commenced the study
of veterinary surgery in the Ontario Veterinary
College, from which lie graduated in April, 1883.
After graduation lie spent the session of 1883-84
in the college as Assistant Demonstrator of Anatomy, remaining there about five months.
Dr. Jopling was now prepared for independent
practice, and in April, 1884, lie came to Owosso,
Shiawassee County, and commenced his practice as
a veterinary surgeon, to which profession lie has
devoted his whole time. He has a good horse barn




214


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and all necessary appliances in his business, and
has built up a good local practice as well as a large
country trade in Shiawassee and adjoining counties.
In August, 1885, he married Miss Jewel Pake,
a native of Canada, born in Bellville, Ontario. She
is a daughter of the late Amos Pake, and their
union las resulted in the birth of two daughtersHazel I. and Myrtle W. whose companionship and
affection make bright the lives of their parents.
Dr. Jopling is a member of the Independent Order
of Foresters, and is the commander of the lodge
of the Maccabees with which he is identified. Politically he is a Democrat.
Ad AMUEL W. GREEN. In the career of this
enterprising farmer may be found an illustration of the worth of good principles and
habits of industry. HIe had not the inherited wealth that falls to some men, but instead had
his own way to make, with only the weapons bestowed upon him by beneficent nature and the acquirements of boyhood. Ile struggled along during youth and early manhood, and in 1854 came
to Dallas Township, Clinton County, and set up a
permanent home. IIe had then but little more than
the money necessary to secure a tract of Government land and provisions to last during the winter. Determination, frugality, and persistent industry were brought to bear, and resulted in securing a good home and the comforts of modern life.
The family that Mr. Green represents was establishled in America during Colonial times by his
grandfather, Russell Green, who emigrated from
England when nineteen years old. When the Revolution took place he enlisted against the Mother
Country, and fought bravely on the side of freedom. After the war he settled in Massachusetts
and married Mary Hazard, a native of that State
and the descendant of English colonists who came
to Plymouth in 1620. They reared four sons and
three daughters and spent their lives on a farm.
One of their family was Willit G. the direct progenitor of our subject. That gentleman married Mary


Eldridge, daughter of Amos Eldridge, of the Bay
State and of honorable stock. After living in
Erie County, N. Y., for some years, Mr. Green
came to this State in 1840, and located in Oakland
County. Ten years later he came to Clinton
County and for thirty years was a resident of Dallas Township, dying there in 1880 at the age of
eighty years. His faithful wife passed away two
years before, aged seventy-eight. The members of
their family are Samuel, George, Willit, Almira,
Polly, Betsey, Philena, Nancy, Emily, Eliza and
Matilda.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
in Erie County, N. Y., February 23, 1826, and at the
age of fourteen years began the battle of life by
working on a farm by the month. He pursued
that course and was a fisherman on the Lakes until 1853, when he took up his abode in Oakland
County, this State, for three years. 'At the expiration of that period he spent two years in Flint
and then went on the Lakes for five years. IHe
next bought eighty acres of Government land,
where lie now lives and kept bachelor's hall for six
months.  -le was quite a hunter and had opportunities to exercise his skill, as deer were numerous
and bears too frequently encountered for comfort.
He once had a hand-to-hand contest with one and
a narrow escape from serious consequences. While
on the way home from the harvest field, he found
a bear killing a hog and set upon her with a club,
regardless of the fact that her cubs were with her
and she would be even more ferocious than usually
is the case. He succeeded in driving her away,
although she turned on him and did battle with
her paws.
In Dallas Township, in 1855, Mr. Green was
married to Miss Julia Dutton, whose father, George
Dutton, was one of the earliest settlers in Clinton
County, to which he came from New York. To
Mr. and Mrs. Green there came four children, all
now in California, except George, the third child.
He marriedLena Harter, daughter of James Harter,
a resident of Gratiot County and a native of New
York. The young couple were joined in wedlock
March 6, 1889, and have an infant son, James S.
The children of our subject who are in the West,
are Ellen, Edmond and Mary. The lady who now




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PORTRAIT AND BIOCGARAPI-'CAL ALBUfM.


'217


presides over the home of Mr. Green was known
in her maidenhood as Miss Catherine Dorn.  ler
father is Amasa Dorn, a well known resident of
Dallas Township. Mr. and Mrs. Green belong to
the United Brethren Church and are generally
respected for the earnestness of their lives and the
use they make of their time. Mr. Green lhas always voted the Republican ticket.
)OBERT G. MORRISON, M. 1)., a surgeon
rand physician of the Eclectic and Botanic
school, but better known, perhaps, as Col.
Morrison, makes lhis home in St. John's,
Clinton County. I-He was l)orn in Wlheelock l-Iollow, Caledonia County, Vt., at the foot of the
Green Mountains, January 6, 1838. Hlis fathler,
Jonathan, and his grandfather, Gillam, were both
Vermonters and farmers. The latter was a deatler
in and a lover of hlorses, andl was acculsome(l to
drive to Boston and back for a plleasant trip.  I(
served in the Revolutionary War. Thle family was
of English and Scotch extraction.
The fathler was also a noted hlorse dealer and a
good judge of that fine aninmal. lHe was a liberal
man in lelping his neig hbors and lost a fortune by
signing notes for a friend. In 1844 he removed
to Indiana where he cultivated a farm in lluntlington County till his death. )During his residence
there lie was active in overseeing the introduction
of water works in his city. The mother of our
subject bore the maiden name of Bletsey Brown,
and was a resident of Caledonia County, Vt. Her
fathler was in the War of 1812, and, reinoving to
Indiana, (lied in Bluffton, Wells County, that State.
lie was of English parentage. The wife of Jonathan Morrison died in Midland City, AMich., and
was buried in the cemetery with her two sons and
one daughter. The p)arents were both earnest and
active memtbers of the Free Will Baptist Church,
and had a family of eleven children.
The subject of this brief biography came to Indiana when six years old. There he was reared
and attended the district school in Huntington
County, after which he took some sehooling in the


Ft. Wayne IIigh School. When sixteen years old
hie began the study of medicine with Doctors Richa rd and )Davenport, and when only nineteen, began
practicing, having quite a country ride. Whlen
twenty years old lie established an indelenlldent
p)raetice. After two years' practice in the country
lie removed to Peoria County, Ill., and  after
spending some time there, returned to Indliana.
The young 1)octor enlisted when only twentythree years ol(l, Seltember 16, 1861. In one (lay
andl  a half lie raised a company of one hundred
men, with whom lie was mustered into the army as
Ca l)tain at Ander:son, Ind. Their regiment was
first placed in Gen. Sherman's command.   The
gralltant conduct of the young soldier speedily
raised himn from one rank to another. Hie receivedl
his commission as Major, September 2, 1862; as
LieutenanDt-C(_olonel, Decemnber 17, 1863; and as
Colonel, March 21, 1865. He was finally nlustered
out of service at Brownsville, T'exas, February 3,
1 866.
The Colonel took part in the following engagements: New   Madrid, Riddles Point, Mo., Ft. Pillow, G'rand Prairie, Ark., Yazoo Pass, Miss., Port
(Gibson, Champion Hills, Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Canliro Crow  Bayou, La., Grand Choctaw,
GrCand Gulf, MIiss., Palo Alto, Tex., and other
lesser lighlts and skirmishes. At the battle of Maognolia Iill, AMiss., lie received a slight wound in his
left shin bone from a cannister shot. but it was
not severe enough to compel him to be off duty.
lIe had command of his regiment for two and onehalf years.
Before Col. Morrison enlisted as a private in the
arrmy Gov. Morton sent him a commissionl as surgeon, which lie refused. While in the army, not a
day passed but lie visited the hospital and (lid all
in his power for the comfort and relief of the sufferers under his command. The last five and onehalf months of his army life he was in command
of a separate brigade by special order of Major
General Steel; Brigadier General James Slack
hlaving been relieved of the command by reason of
being mustered out of the service, this brigade was
composed of all the white troops in the Rio Grande
district at that time.
At the close of the war the young Coloniel lo



218


PORTRAIIT ANND BIOGRA PHICA L AIBUM.


1A                 A


cated at Roanoke, Ind., carrying on his professional
practice in connection with the dry-goods business
for two and one-half years, after which he spent a
short time in Ft. Wayne. Ie tried Wisconsin as
a place of residence, seeking health which had
been considerably impaired by his army experience, but returned to Indiana. In 1877 he camne
to Michigan and located in Allegan for some eigllteen years, after which he lived in Midland for
awlvile.
October 12, 1886, Col. Morrison made his home
in St. John's, where lie has built up a fine practice,
being the only Eclectic and Botanic physician in
the city. Here lie has built a pleasant home. His
marriage in Allegan in 1881 united him with Miss
Elma E. Selleck, a native of New York. He is one
of the examining physicians for the branch office
of the United States Pension D1epartmerlt, and is
Treasurer.  I-e is identified with the Masonic
order in the Blue Lodge and also belongs to the
County Medical Society.   Politically, he is a
strong Republican, and, as might naturally be expected, is an influential member of the Grisson Post,
G. A. R.
A lithographic portrait of Col. Morrison is presented elsewhere in this volume.
^ZC --- —^^ --- —
e    HARLES E. RIGLEY, is a potent factor in
the work of the Estey Manufacturing Company, of Owosso, and is considered one of
the best financiers in the city. He has various
business interests here, but that in which he is actively engaged is the one above mentioned, in which
he has the position of Secretary and Treasurer. He
does all the buying and manages the finances, thoroughly understanding the details of the business,
an(d displaying great shrewdness in securing needful material, etc.
Mr. Rigley is a son of the Green Mountain State,
born in Northfield, September 27, 1848. His parents were Edward and Christina (Butler) Rigley,
buth natives of lands across the sea. The father
was born in Lancashire, England, and was a spinner by trade, When he came to America he be

came connected with woolen mills, and the most of
his active life was spent at his trade. The mother
was born in Edinburg, Scotland, and was seventeen years old when she accompanied her lparents
to the United States. The son of whom we write,,
spent his early boyhood in Stockbridge, Berksllire
County, Mass., dividing his time between stuly
and such light work as he was able to perform. In
1867 he came to Detroit, and for some time spent the
dlays in painting or doing any other work by wlhich
he could earn an honest dollar. The evenings were
spent in schcol, principally Bryant & Stratton's
Commercial College, where he took a full business
course. At its completion he entered the employ
of the Estey & Tooley Company, with which lie
remained in Ietroit until 1875. That year the
firm  established themselves in Owosso, and Mr.
Rigley came hither as one of their trusted employes.
Soon after the removal the Estey Manufacturing
Company was organized, and Mr. Rigley was made
Vice President and Secretary.  In 1885 Julius
Estey succeeded him as Vice Presideni,, and he assumed the office of Treasurer, still retaining the
duties of Secretaryship. His place is one of great
responsibility, calling for the display of the strictest honesty, good clerical ability and tact of a high
order. That Mr. Rigley has not been found wanting is demonstrated by the feeling with which he
is regarded by those who have been his associates
in the company or with whom he has business dealings.
On November 14. 1873, he was married to Miss
Sarah Landon, of Brockville, Canada. She was the
daughter of James Landon. She has borne her husband three children whose respective names are:
Charles E., Lois E. and James G. The interesting
family brightens the pleasant residelce, which, with
its tastefully adorned grounds, is one of the attractive features of the city. Mrs. Rigley died
January 16, 1883.
Mr. Rigley is a stock-holder and Director of the
Owosso Savings Bank, and of the Shiawassec Savings Society. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, a Director of the Young
Men's Christian Association, and a Trustee in tile
Baptist Church. The religious society named has




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


219


I


no more active member or liberal contributor than
he. In every project which promtises to aid the
citizens of the town and county to a higher life
and greater prosperity, Mr. Rigley is found lending
a hand. In politics he is a Republican. Intelligent, social and well-bred, he is a favorite in society.
' ILLIAM  N. UPSON, who is numbered
among the industrious farmers of Clinton
County, is located on section 4, Dallas
Townslipl. Hie has seventy acres of fertile land,
with good buildings upon it, and his perseverance
and earnestness are rewarded by the securing of a
goodl aintenance from his fields and flocks. IIe
began his labors upon this tract when it was in its
primitive condition of forest wildness, and d(eer
were numerous in the locality. He cleared and
broke the farm, and from year to year made such
imp)rovements in the way of orchards and buildings
as seemed to himr fitting, until he had a comfort~able home.
Samuel UIpson, gran(lfatller of our subject, was
born, reared and married in Connecticut, but spent
hlls last years in Ohio, to which State he went during its early settlement. His wife also died in that
State, in Medina County. They reared a family of
five sons and one daughter. Their son Archibald,
father of our subject, went from his native State,
Connecticut, to New York, in his early life, and
made his home in Delaware County. He married
Nancy Newland, daughter of William Newland,
who was a native of Vermont and an hotel keeper
most of his life. The only child born of the union
was William N., who was about five years of age
when his father died. His mother subsequently
married Reynolds Sweet, and with her second husband came to this State, both (lying in Calhoun
County. Their children are Newland W., Sophronia A., James L., Elijah, Margaret and Joel.
The subject of this notice was born in Delaware
County, N. Y., December 21, 1820, and remained
at home until he was of age. He then began working by the month on a farm, having been reared to
agricultural work. After his marriage he ceased


working by the month, and entered upon a regular
farmer's life. In 1852 he came to Michigan, and
for three years his home was in Battle Creek. lIe
then bought and took possession of fifty-five acres
of the property he now owns. In course of time
lie added to the tract, and by degrees brought it to
its l)resent excellent condition.
In New York, December 22, 1845, Mr. IUpson was
married to Miss Elinor R. Williams, who shared
his fortunes, and was his cherished companion until April 4, 1875, when she breathed her last. Her
father, Nathaniel Williams, a native of the Empire
State, came to Clinton County when fifty-five years
old and died here at the age of seventy-two. lie
was a shoemaker by trade, and followed the same
on the farm occupied by Mr. Upson. To our subject and his wife one child was born, Ida 1., now
Mrs. Freeman, and the mother of three children,
named respectively, Orpha, William and Myrtle.
Mr. ITl)son has held all the township offices except
Constable, and he was retained as Township Clerk
a number of years. IHe has always voted a Democratic ticket. He is a member of the Baptist Church
and his deceased wife was identified with the same
religious body. A quiet, unassuming man and a
good citizen, he is respected by his acquaintances,
and numbered among those who are worthy of regard.
UOHN M. SHAFT, dealer in hardware, paints
oil      rocrs an groceries at Shaftburg, Sliawassee
County, was born in Lenox Township, Madison County, N. Y., June 18, 1837. John
P. Shaft, his father, was a native of New York
State and it was after him that the village of Shaftburg was named. The grandfather Peter Shaft was
also a native of New York and was of German and
Holland descent. Peter Shaft came to Michigan
about the year 1840, having been a soldier in the
War of 1812. He was a Whig in politics and after
his coming West made his home with his son, John
P. in which home he died after having completed
more than four-score and ten years.
The father of our subject owned an eighty-acre
farm in Madison County, N. Y., and was there




220


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


 ---- --- — -
'- --- —I


married and( came to the West in 1839. I-e made
his journey through Canada in prairie schooners,
camping out in the wagon at night. IHe located in
tle township of l'erry, Shiawassee County and
there bought two hundred and forty acres of land
upon which there were no imlprovements. The
nearest house to them was six miles away. In the
summers the Indians were frequent callers as he was
situated upon their trail and lie used to trade with
them and buy venison of them, although lie hunted
some and partially supplied his family with venison and bear steaks.
This pioneer used to market grain in Detroit and
it took six days to make the trip as tiere were no
regular roads this side of HIowell. He cleared up
a farm and at one time owned eighteen hundred
acres. Hle was a hard worker and a very persevering man. He came to Michigan with a small capital of $700 or $800 and was quite successful in his
operations. He was first a Whig and then a Republican in politics, and was earnest in his Christian belief, being an active member of the Methodist
Church. He passed away from earth November 16,
1890.
Christian (Olsaver) Shaft, the mother of our subject was born in Madison County, N. Y., in 1806.
Her eight children all grew to man's and woman's
estate, bearing the names of Orville, Elizabeth,
Jane, Martha, John M., Anna, Eliza and Henry.
The mother who died in 1845 was of German and
Holland( descent and her parents were Martin and
Anna (Williams) Olsaver. The name was originally spelt Ulsheffer. Both of this worthy couple
lived to complete their four-score years.
The subject of this sketch was a little fellow of
two and one-half years when he made his memorable jouiney by wagon to Canada and he remembern still seeing the red coated soldiers of the
Canadian Army. lie was educated in tie log
schoolhouse under the rate bill system, amid the
surroundings of a pioneer school and had more
neighbors who wore the blanket than those who
wore the garments of civilization. While still a
boy at home he used to haul wheat to Detroit and
hunted not only deer but coons.
His father gave the young man eighty acres of
wild land up)Ol  which lie settled and proceeded to


improve it. He built a frame house, to which he
has since made additions and carried on farming
exclusively until thirteen years ago. At th.t time
he saw a good opening in the mercantile line in
Shaftburg and erecting the first store building) in
that village, began business there in 1877, with a:
stock of groceries. He opened a stock of hardw:are
in 1884 and was the first man to engage in merchandise of any sort at that point. He erected tlhe
fine double brick store in 1889 and there he carli(es
on business with a general line of goods, includingl
hardware, oils, paints and groceries, in fact almost
everything to be found in a "country store" witl
the exception of dry goods.
Elizabeth Pinkney became the wife of John M.
Shaft in 1858. She was born in Livingston County,
Mich., and is the mother of eight children: Cash,
Lillian, James, Elizabeth, Ella, Peter, Ray and Roe.
Mr. Shaft's political affiliations are with the Democratic party and hie has held a number of township
offices having been Township Treasurer six or eight
terms. IHe is identified with the Masonic order at
Laingsburg being a member of Lodge No. 230.
ILLIAM      R. SHAW is one of the enterprising and painstaking business men of
Ovid, Clinton County, engaged in dealing
in all kinds of produce and grain. He was for some
time manager of the elevator which was owned by
the Holly Milling Company, but in 1890 purchased
the entire interest and has been carrying on the
business for his own emolument. Mr. Shaw has
shown good business ability so far in life, and being
ayoung man who is well informed and quick to
apprehend tle turns in the tide, his career is likely
to continue a prosperous one, and his business become one of the important enterprises of this
county.
Mr. Shaw was b:.rn in Livonia, Wayne County,
August 11, 1859, and passed his early life on a
farm, as his father was engaged in agricultural
pursuits. John Shaw, the parent, was born in Nottingham, England, but has lived in America many
years and become thoroughly in sympathy with




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


221


I


American institutions and ideas. The mother of
our subject is a native of this State and bore the
maiden name of Mary A. Maden. The son looked
forward to taking a collegiate course and pursued
his preparatory work in the Ann Arbor High
School, but on account of poor health was obliged
to change his plans. When nineteen yeais old he
began to teach and for a year gave his attention
to professional work in Wayne County. Finding
that he was likely to enter upon a business life
rather than that of a student, he then went to
Detroit and became cashier in the wholesale store
of Hammond, Standish & Co. For eight years he
was thus engaged, then came to Ovid and began
the management of the elevator, from which employment has grown his present occupation.
On February 13, 1884, Mr. Shaw was married to
Miss Ella S. Partridge, an educated, refined lady,
daughter of George W. Partridge, of Detroit. The
children who have come to bless the union are
John C.. born August 24, 1885; Carrie L., August
15, 1888; and Robert D., June 30, 1890. Mr. and
Mrs. Shaw are agreeable and friendly, and with their
general intelligence and good manners are becoming popular in the society which they frequent. Mr.
Shaw is a Republican, but has never held office.
Instead he pursues the even tenor of his way, attending thoroughly to business matters and enjoying domestic and social life as befits one of his
quiet tastes.
— s ----r*~S —^^sOHN J. PATCHEL. The gentleman who
owns the tine farm on section 10, in Vernon
Township, Shiawassee County, was born in
Essex County, N. J., in the town of Bloomfield, June 17, 1839. His father was Samuel Patchel,
a native of New York, born in Schoharie County,
October 7, 1809. He spent the early part of his
life in his native place, from which he went to New
Jersey and then came to Michigan in 1848, at which
time he located in Shiawassee County, Vernon
Township, on section 9. There were no improvements whatever on the farm and their first dwelling was a little log house which he himself erected.




At the time of his death, which occurred March
18, 1891, his farm was one of the most highly improved in the county. HEe was a firm adherent of
the Democratic party.
Our subject's family on the paternal side of the
house were of Irish origin. His grandfather, Samuel Patchel, came to America at the age of twelve
years and located in New York where he remained
until his death. Our subject's mother was also
from Ireland. Her maidlen name was Bridget Garrity. She came to this country when only eighteen
years of age and is still living, having attained to
the ripe old age of three-score and twelve. The
gentleman of whom we write is one of five children, one having died in infancy. The children
are as follows: our subject, John J.; William; Peter;
Mary E., and Richard T.
The original of our sketch, Jollhn J. Patchel, was
brought to Michigan by his parents when but nine
years of age and experienced all the delights that
a boy can feel in primitive and pioneer settlement.
Only think of the fox hunts, (eer, bear and wild
turkey that could be had for the killing 1 The woods
were full of the richest and sweetest nuts and the
holiday in which these sports could be enjoyed to
the fullest extent was well worth several (lays' work
hoeing in the corn-field or chopping wood in the
forest. His first school life was passed in his native place. lIe finished his school (lays in Vernon.
He remained with his father, helping him with the
manifold work that is necessary on a farm until he
reached his twenty-second year, when he started
out for himself, working on a farm in the summer
and teaching in the winter. This course he pursued for four years.
December 13, 1866, Mr. Patchel was married to
Mary E., daughter of Chandler B. and Pliebe
(Sickles) Chalker, a sketch of whose family will be
found on another page of this ALBUM.     Mrs.
Patchel was born in Shiawassee County, Vernon
Township, August 21, 1838, and was reared in her
native place. Three daughters and three sons are
now living of this family: Samuel C., who was
born October 9, 1867, took to wife Adella Kenyon
and resides on the same farm with our subject.
The second child is Ellen, who was born January
13, 1871, and died November 6, 1873; then came




222


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Edith M., born May 15, 1872, and died August 15
of the same year; then Helen J., who was born
March 24, 1874; Mary E., June 13, 1875; John R.,
June 23, 1878; Emma B., August 26, 1880, and
Ralph J., September 11, 1882. These children first
saw the light of day on the home farm where our
subject now lives.
Mr. Patchel after his marriage at once settled on
the place where he now resides, first building a log
house, 16x25 feet in dimensions. Eight acres of
the farm were cleared when the farm was purchased.
He kept gradually cutting the timber and constantly adding more to the original acreage in the
place. He now has one hundred and twenty acres,
ninety-five of which are under cultivation. Hle is
a general farmer, although he devotes much time to
breeding improved stock. Ile built his present
residence in 1889 at a cost of $2.500. It is a twostory brick dwelling, built in the modern style and
containing eleven rooms with closets and other
conveniences and nicely finished in red oak. It is
indeed n pleasant home.
In politics Mr. Patchel is a Republican. Ile has
been Supervisor of the township, School Inspector
and has held various other local offices. His position as Supervisor extended over four years. lie
is a member of the Congregational Church of Vernon, as are all his family down to the smallest. Iie
is a Deacon in this body and also Trustee, and devotes himself ardently to church work and also to
the Sunlday-school.
UI)DGE CURTIS J. GALE. Few indeed are
the men who retain an official position for as
great a length of time as that in which Mr.
Gale has been Justice of the Peace. He was
first elected to this position in 1859 and has held it
continuously, and has been absent from his field of
labor but six months during the more than thirty
years of his incumbency. His name is very familiar in Shiawassee County, as he is one of the old settlers, as well as one of the most busy lawyers. He
was admitted to the bar the year that he became
Justice of the Peace and for some time no ten men


did as much business as he. He has done other
official work besides that belonging to the office of
Justice, nearly all connected in some wise with
legal forms and practices. He is now retiring from
professional work and devoting his time to farming and breeding fine horses. The latter may be
said to be a hobby with Judge Gale, and he is taking great pains to prepare his land for the work in
which he is so interested, by arranging suitable
shelter and training tracks.
The Gales are an old Eastern family and presumably of English descent. The grandfather of our
subject was Joseph, a native of the Empire State
and a farmer in Westchester County, five miles from
Peekskill, among the foothills of the Catskill range.
The farm he lived upon is now operated as a summer resort by another member of the family. It
is principally covered with slate, and those who
have lived there in former years have made their
support by raising poultry and garden truck, for
sale at West Point. Jose)ph Gale, father of our
subject, was reared as a farmer but left the homestead and located in New York City. For abont
twenty years he was engaged in the cartage and
dairy business, and for about the same length of
time was a night-watchman, becoming captain of
the night watch of the metropolis. In the years
1837-38-39, he came to this State and located
lands at different points in Jackson, Inglham and
Shiawassee Counties. In 1840 he made a fourth
trip and bought property in Ingham County upon
which he established his home. lIe settled in the
woods and made from the forest land a fruitful
estate, clearing and breaking and putting up good
buildings. He died there in 1872, at which time
his holding of real estate was eleven hundred acres,
all improved. lIe was Supervisor several years
and was a well respected citizen.
The wife of Capt. Joseph Gale and mother of
our subject was born in New York and bore the
name of Mary Sutton. She was descended from a
Mohawk Dutch family. She died in Ingham County,
this State in 1848, leaving five children, three of
whom are now living in that county. They are
Charles, John C. and Mrs. Elizabeth Pierson.
The youngest member of the family is Mrs. Ann
Correll, whose home is in Eaton County and the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


223


third is the subject of this notice. This gentleman
was born in New York City, in April 1829, and
attended school there until 1840. The family were
twelve days in making the journey to their Michigan home, traveling on the Hudson River, Erie
Canal and Lake, aod from Detroit to Ann Arbor
by rail.  From that point to Ingham County they
went in a wagon and father and sons carried guns,
as their journey was through a wild country and
they did not know what animals they would encounter. Our subject was early put to work breaking land, there being some parts of the property
not covered with timber. He had common-school
advantages and when about twenty years old attended Spring Arbor College. lie acquired an
excellent education, being privileged to continue
his studies several years.
Mr. Gale went to Jackson and learned the paint.
er's trade, then spent a year with his father and in
the winter of 1856 came to Corunna. He took iup
the business of lumbering in the north woods on
the Titavassee River, but tired of the business within a year and aban(oned it to begin reading
law under S. P. Parson. He says this was the mistake of his life, for fortunue were then to be made
in the pineries. After he was admitted to the bar
he was in active practice until his health failed,
when lie began to draw out on legal work and pay
more attention to otler mitlers. He was Circuit
Court Commissioner eight years, was Postmaster of
Corunna four years under the administration of
Gen. Grant, and for some time Supervisor of the
First Ward. He also held the Mayor's office one
year,was City Clerk several years and while Supervisor was Chairman of the County Board three
years. He has also been a member of the School
Board for a protracted period and for several years
was Secretary of that body. The mention of these
positions gives but a faint idea of the amount of
business transacted by Judge Gale during the decades that Corunna has been his home.
Mr. Gale has twenty acres of land within the
corporation and a two hundred and forty-acre farm
in Hazelton Township.  For twelve or thirteen
years he has been carrying on the small tract, employing from twelve to fifteen hands during the
spring and summer. He made a specialty of rais

ing onions and made a financial success of the project. He built an onion cellar with a granite wall
in which he could store three thousand bushels,
designing the structure for the purpose. lie was
for a long time the heaviest dealer in that vegetable
in the State, but he finally gave ntp growing them
on account of the condition of tie land. Mr. Gale
put up a fine brick residence which is set off by a
handsome lawn, his home being known as "West
Side Lawn." In 1888 he built a driving track less
than half a mile in circuit, and in the fall of 1890
enlarged it, and now the West Side Driving Park
has the best half-mile track in the county.
The special purpose of Mr. Gale in making the
track was to lhave a place for the training of Gov.
Tod, which is considered the best colt in Michigan.
It is a three-year-old bay stallion, sixteen hands
high, and shows trotting action seldom exhibited
in a colt of its years. It is by Louis Napoleon,
dam Kit Gavin and grand-dam Scott's Hiatoga.
Its grandsire has strains of the Messenger, HIambletonian and Abdallalh blood and the record made
by other horses of the same stock is very low. Mr.
Gale has a couple of fine driving teams with a gait
of less than three minutes, and he has carried off
the blue ribbon from the State fairs for gentlemen's
driving horses. lie has also some fine fillies and
his stud is one of the largest and best in the county.
The stable in which his steeds are sheltered is one
of the best appointed in the State. Mr. Gale owns
city lots and has excellent improvements on his
large farm, which he superintends.
At Eaton Rapids, Eaton County, in 1855, Mr.
Gale was married to Miss Julia Preston, a native
of Jackson County.   She was an accomplished
musician and prior to her marriage was a music
teacher; she died in Pontiac leaving one child,
Frank, who is now book-keeper for the Corunna
Coal Company. A second marriage was made by
Mr. Gale, the ceremony being performed in Shiawassee Township and the bride being Miss Samanthi Parmenter. She is a daughter of Joseph Parmenter, one of the first pioneers of the county.
This marriage has been blest by the birth of one
child-Joseph, who lives with his parents. Mrs.
Gale is a member of the Baptist Church. Judge
Gale is a Knight Templar and for years has been




224


POR'RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Captain General of the Commandery in Corunna.
He has been identified with the Republican party
since its organization and is recognized as one of
its influential members in this part of the State.
___
ELSON SCOTT, a representative farmer and
stock-raiser of Greenbush Township, Clin-,  ton County, making his home on section
15, is a native of Morrow County, Ohio, and was
born August 15, 1850. His parents William and
Olive Scott are both natives of the Buckeye State,
and the father emigrated to Clinton County, this
State in 1855, making a settlement on section 10,
Greenbush Township. Iere in the dense woods
he made a home for his family, and became a pioneer and permanent settler, as he remained upon
the same tract of land until his death in 1872. He
was married a second time and was the father of
four children, three of whom are living: (hinsworth, who resides in Elsie, Mich.; Nelson; and
Alice who lives in Toledo, Ohio.
Mr. Scott was ever deeply interested in local
matters, especially in regard to educational affairs
and has served as one of the School Directors. He
was always looked to as one of the men who would
earnestly promote all movements looking toward
the prosperity of the township, and the elevation
of its people. His political views led him to affiliate himself with the Republican party. He was
a public-spirited man and in his death the community lost one of its best members and a pioneer
who had endured hardship as a good soldier.
Nelson Scott was reared to manhood in Clinton
County, and amid the trying yet stirring scenes of
*pioneer life, and has been a part himself of the
wonderful progress which this country has seen
since it was a wilderness. He received his education in the district schools of the township, which
were not in his days as thorough and systematic as
migllt be desired although they did a noble work
in their way, and reached as high a degree of excellence as could be expected. He has in his life
long career as a farmer ever striven to improve
himself by reading the journals of the day and has




I


I- - - I- - - -- ~ I — - --


thus gained much which was denied him in his
early days. The marriage of our subject, December 26, 1878, united him with Matilda C. McQuistion, who is a native of Indiana. By their union
there was born one son. Henry O., who came to
them November 29, 1880.
Mr. Scott settled on his present farm in the
spring of 1886. He now owns sixty acres of arable land, well improved and fitted up with excellent farm buildings. His political sympatlies bring
him into connection with the Republican party,
and he is deeply interested in the progress of that
organization. Both he and his amiable wife are
faithful and earnest members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and active members of society.
Mrs. Scott is actively identified with the Woman's
Foreign Missionary Society connected with her
church, and is an intelligent lady of refinement
and sterling qualities, and they are both highly esteemed members of society.
s      AMUEL F. PEARL is perhaps as wellknown as any man in the town of Ovid,
Clinton County, as he has been engaged in
business here for some years and carries
on a thliving trade. IIis business is that of a
dealer in clothing and is run under the firm name
of Cowen & Pearl, and in the pleasant store a well
selected stock may always be seen, and at prices
that defy competition. At present Mr. Pearl is
giving his personal attention to completing the
work on hand at the works of the Schofield Buggy
Company, for which he was appointed receiver in
September, 1890. When that corporation failed
the court placed their affairs in the hands of Mr.
Pearl and he has opened the factory, and is trying
to complete all their contracts.
Clinton County is that in which Mr. Pearl was
born, and his early home was in Duplain Township,
where his eyes opened to the light October 14,
1859. His parents are Orsamus M. and Ann H.
(Faxon) Pearl, the former a merchant of repute.
The educational privileges of our subject were such
as the common schools afford, supplemented by a




A




G":T?,


C)f




PORTR~AIT AND MOGRAPHICATI ALBUM.L~I


227


1'1T1I       AN.lO4AJIA  A L B1J M..22..1


three years' course at Hillsdale College. He decided upon the literary course as the best for him
and most likely to be useful in his future life, and
applied himself diligently thereto. When the race
was run he embarked in business and still operates,
as before mentioned.
Already, in the short period of ten years, MSr.
Pearl has risen to prominence among the business
men of Ovid, and become known as a man of strict
integrity, close application and financial penetration, and his reputation in social circles is that
which his mental culture and gentlemanly bearing
entitle him to. Politically he is a Republican and
a stanch supporter of the party, although not an
aspirant for public favors.
_..     3  e    -    -: ~
ON. DAVID      M. ESTEY. The best memorial that can be given this gentleman
is the plain account of the work lie has
accomplished and mention of the extensive enterprises in which he is interested. Less
than thirty years ago he stood at tile bottom of
the financial ladder-to-day no man in Owosso,
Shiawassee County, has a higher position in business circles or is at the head of larger interests.
He is President of the Estey Manufacturing Company and the Owosso Savings Bank, and halfowner of the Queen Cart Company and the EsteyCalkins Lumber Company.    All are located at
Owosso except the last named, the headquarters
of which is at Pinconning, Bay County. The
lumber company owns twelve thousand acres of
timber land in Gladwin County and as the trees
are removed farms are opened up and sold to settlers. The company has platted a town on their
land.
The subject of this life history is descended from
Isaac Estey, who was one of the first settlers of
Royalston, Mass., and was of Scotch and Irish extraction, the paternal line having sprung from
Scotland and the maternal from Ireland. Following Isaac Estey in the direct line was Israel B.,
who was born in the Bay State and carried on
farming and lumbering in New Hampshire and


Massachusetts for many years. Later he made his
home at West Dummerston, Vt., and his death
occurred in Owosso while on a visit to his son,
July 8, 1891, at the age of eighty years. He married L. Permelia Boyington, a noble woman, who
who was born in Paxton, Mass., and was the
daughter of Daniel Boyington, of that State.
whose ancestors emigrated from England. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Israel B. Estey were six
in number, and David M. was the second born.
His birth took place in Hinsdale, Cheshire County,
N. H., February 9, 1842, and he passed his early
years principally in Vermont. IHe received a
common-school education, and when a mere boy
went into the woods and chopped and cleared off
ten acres of heavy timber land.
Young Estey began the manufacture of lumber
in a small way, cutting down the timber with his
own ax, hauling it to the mill with ox-teams, and.
sawing the logs on one'of the old-fashioned New
England Gate sawmills. The lumber was dried
and made up into bedsteads of a simple pattern,
which were sold in New England. In 1865 Mr.
Estey transferred his business operations to this
State, locating at West Haven, six miles from
Owosso, where he had good water power. He
became known as one who furnished reliable furniture, and the business increased and compelled
him to remove to a place where he would have
better railroad communication with other points.
He therefore removed to Owosso in 1875, and established what has become a mammoth industry.
Mr. Estey formerly introduced his own wares,
spending much of his time on the road, but since
he has built up a large business he has employed
a good force and devotes himself to the general
oversight of affairs.
The small frame building in which Mr. Estey
began the manufacture of furniture in Owosso
stands opposite the immense works now used, and
affords a striking contrast of the past with the present. The building now used contains one hundred
and seventy thousand feet of flooring and the
power is furnished by a Corliss engine of two
hundred and fifty horse-power.  The output is
about $500,000 yearly, consisting of twenty styles
of chamber suits, twelve of sideboards and eight




228


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-------


of chiffoniers. The goods have a world-wide reputation, the market including every State and Territory in the Union, and the company having also
quite an export trade, notably to Japan, where
they have made large shipments.   The Estey
Manufacturing Company uses some special improvements, one of which is the Clapp patent
case, by which drawers are prevented from becoming bound by swelling or loose by shrinking,
so that they always move easily and are secure
against dust, moths or insects. The company employs a large force of competent workmen and
carries constantly in its yards 4,500,000 to 6,000,000 feet of lumber, which is cut on its own land
and prepared in its own mills. Goods can thus
be placed on the market at prices that defy competition for equally good work, and so great is the
demand that they have been obliged to put up a
second large factory, of which Mr. D. M. Estey
was the projector.
This new bluilding occupies one of the most
available sites in the city, on which an immense
three-story and basement factory was completed
within less than six days. The building proper
contains six hundred thousand feet of lumber, four
tons of nails and bolts, and one carload of glass.
The power is supplied by the latest improved
Compound Corliss engine (manufactured by C. &
G. Cooper & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio) and the dryhouse has a capacity of two hundred and fifty
thousand feet. The furniture made is constructed
so as to retain the standard of merit for which the
Estey furniture has become noted, although placed
upon the market at low prices. The company
operating this second factory, which is known as
the D. M. Estey Furniture Company, includes the
members of the Estey Manufacturing Company,
but is a distinct corporation with a capital of
$100,000. The city of Owosso gave a bonus of
$8,000 toward its establishment in this place,
knowing that it would attract hither a good class
of working people and add to the circulation of
money in other lines of trade.
The home of Mr. Estey is in a residence sur
rounded by extensive grounds that are beautified
by shade trees and blooming plants, the whole in
one of the best localities in the city. The estab

I


lishment is presided over by a lady who was formerly known as Miss Mary J. Norcross, but who
became the wife of our subject August 10, 1862.
She was born in the Green Mountain State and is
the daughter of Orson Norcross, who was of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Estey have two children-Orson B. and Dora. The son, who is a skilled
carver, has charge of that department in the furniture factory.
Mr. Estey has represented his ward in the City
Council and has served as Mayor of Owosso one
term. He took an active part in the establishment
of the water works and is now a member of the
Board of Water Commissioners. He was elected
Treasurer of the Board for a term of three years,
but at the expiration of a twelvemonth resigned.
Politically he is a stanch Republican. Mr. Estey
also aided in organizing the Owosso Savings Bank,
and in other less conspicuous projects has advaneed the interests of the community.   Mrs.
Estey is a member of the Baptist Church and Mr.
Estey is one of the Trustees of that organization.
It is needless to say that he is one of the most
valued residents of Owosso and his soundness of
judgment and keen perception of business details
is recognized by all with whom he comes in contact, and that as President of the corporations
mentioned his name and reputation have been sent
broadcast over the land.
A  lithographic portrait of Mr. Estey accompanies this sketch.
EORGE      ARCHIBALD      COOPER.      The
owner of the farm  located on section 1,
Bennington Township, Shiawassee County,
was born December 25, 1847, on the old homestead.
tie was reared at home and during childhood attended the district school.  He worked on the
farm until his father's death, when, having purchased eighty acres adjoining the homestead on
the west, he turned his attention to the cultivation
of that, his brother John assisting him, and they
worked together until 1885, when our subject undertook the charge of the County Farm of which




11 ,


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBIItM.


he was overseer for three years. He worked on a
salary, having from twenty-five to thirty inmates.
Mr. Cooper has a fine farm comprising one hundred and twenty acres, upon which is some wellbred stock. He keeps an English draft horse that
was bred by McCann Bros. Our subject was married June 18, 1880, to Miss Harriet E. Bemiss, who
was born in Bennington Township. She was the
daughter of Alva and Eunice Bemiss. She made
her home in the family of J. H. Hartwell for twelve
years prior to her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have two children: Lillian,
who was born February, 9, 1885, and Walter A.,
July 9, 1890. The original of this sketch has fine
buildings upon his place and a great many of the
latest inventions in agricultural implements. He
has a large barn, 36x82 feet and eighteen feet in
height that cost him $1,000 to erect. Mr. Cooper
is a Republican in politics. He has a vivid recollection of seven hard years spent in the lumber
woods. Mrs. Cooper's parents settled in Shiawassee
County, this State, at an early day, the father coming from New York. Mrs. Cooper was born February 12, 1858, in Bennington Township. Her
father died October 16, 1876, at the age of fiftyfour years. Her mother died several years previous. One brother still lives in Pittsburg, Micli.
ETER E. WALSWORTH.           This gentleman is Cashier of St. John's National
Bank and Treasurer of the Clinton County
Savings Bank, and is a stockholder and director in each institution. He is a Canadian by
birth, but in the paternal line is descended from
Eastern families, and several of his ancestral coneections fought against the Mother Country during the Revolution. In the maternal line he traces
his lineage back to the Emerald Isle, whence his
mother came to Ameriea when quite small. Her
maiden name was Ellen Lewis and her father was
William Lewis, a farmer who established himself
near Kingston, Canada, and died there. The
father of our subject is Edmund Walsworth,
whose parents were natives of New York but who


was himself born in Ontario, Canada. He is a
mechanic and was engaged in contracting and
building in Villa Nova and then at Park Hill, Ontario. In 1866, he removed to St. John's where he
worked at his trade for a time but is now living
retired.
The parental family consists of three children
and Peter E. is the youngest. He was born at Villa
Nova, Canada, January 29, 1853, and was ten
years old when his parents removed from  that
place to Park Hill. He pursued his studies in the
common schools, finishing his education after the
family came to St. John's. He inherited manual
dexterity and was handy with tools from his boyhood. He learned the trade of a carpenter and
then began studying architecture and building,
working in Bay City with a large company and
becoming a practical and skillful architect. In
1878 he turned his attention to other work and became book-keeper for what is now St. John's National Bank, but was the First National.  He
worked his way up, becoming in turn, Teller, Assistant Cashier and Cashier, and in the meantime
the charter expired and the new corporation succeeded with a capital of $100,000. In December,
1889, the Clinton County Savings Bank was organized in the same building with a capital of $35,000.
and Mr. Walsworth became its Treasurer-a position similar to that of Cashier in other banks.
The Savings Bank is a solid concern and has already on deposit over $120,000, and continually
increasing.
At tie bride's home in Muir, Ionia County, in
1878, Mr. Walsworth was married to Miss Victoria Ely. The father of the bride is a prominent
farmer of Ionia County and the name of Oliver
Ely is familiar to many people of this section of
the State. Mrs. Walsworth is a lady of more than
ordinary intelligence and tact, which she has displayed in the schoolroom, she having been a
teacher prior to her marriage. She is the mother
of one child, a son named Harry E.
Since 1881 Mr. Walsworth has been Treasurer
of St. John's, and he was a member of the Building Committee when the present schoolhouse was
erected. He is connected with the Masonic order,
enrolled in the Blue Lodge here. He gives his




230


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


political support to the Republican party and is as
stanch a member as can be found. He belongs to
the First Congregational Church and is one of the
Board of Trustees. His business ability is recognized by all with whom he comes in contact and
he is considered one of the most trustworthy of financiers.
7 NDREW     SILVERNAIL. The fertile soil
of Clinton County is made the scource of
good income by many thorough farmers,
whose homes are models of good taste and
comfort. A farm which attracts the attention of
the passers-by by the manner in which it has been
improved and the general appearance of prosperity
which it bears, is that on section 27, Greenbush
Township, owned and occupied by Mr. Silvernail.
Tile distinguishing feature among the buildings
here is a fine brick farmhouse, which was put up a
few years since, forming a decided contrast with
the little log cabin in which Mr. and Mrs. Silvernail made their first home in this township.
From his early boyhood our subject has been
engaged in farming, the only exception being the
years which he gave to the service of his country,
when he and thousands of other were struggling
to maintain the Republic. During that trying
time his wife was left with the care of the farm
upon her shoulders and had also to look after two
small children. She chopped her own wood, and
many a time walked to St. John's by a circuitous
route, where the roads were poor and swamps had
in some places to be crossed, in order to procure
Indian meal from which to make bread, or get a
small supply of other necessaries.
Mr. Silvernail was born in Chenango County,
N. Y.,July 9, 1833, being a son of Abram and
Betsey (Sitts) Silvernail. His parents trace their
ancestry back to Holland. Our subject was the
second son in the parental family and was about
entering his teens when a removal was made to Ingham County, this State. The family was numbered
among the early settlers there, and Andrew grew to
manhood amid the surroundings of life in a par

tially developed and sparsely settled country. He
attended school during the short sessions of the
time, and gained an insight into practical branches
and laid the foundation for his present fund of
knowledge. There were no unusual incidents connected with his youth, and when he was married
he and his wife spent a short time in the county
that had been their home for some years previously. They then made Eaton County their place of
residence for a short time, but in 1861 settled on
their present farm.
August 8, 1862, Mr. Silvernail enlisted in Company D,'Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry. He was
soon detailed as a drummer and as such and Drum
Major he went through the war. He was with the
Army of the Potomac a part of the time, but toward the close of the struggle was with the Veteran Reserve Corps. He was honorably discharged
July 8, 1865, and returning to Clinton County resumed his agricultural work. He had set up his
home on land covered with forest and had to pass
through the usual hours of toil in bringing it under
cultivation. Not only during his absence, but
while he was at home, his wife did much to aid in
bringing about the good result and they are now
enjoying the fruits of industrious and well-spent
years.
Mrs. Silvernail bore the maiden name of Mary
H. Sitts, and became the wife of our subject March
27, 1856. She is a native of Montgomery County,
N. Y., where she was born February 5, 1835. Her
parents were James and Nancy Sitts, natives of the
Empire State, and the other members of their family are: Edward A.; Alice, wife of Lewis Albers;
Emily, wife of Cornelius Weatherby, and Lydia C.,
wife of Chauncy Stevens. Her Grandfather Sitts
was a Revolutionary soldier, and so too was the
paternal grandfather of Mr. Silvernail. The latter has a Colonial relic in the shape of a powderhorn which was used by his ancestor during the
struggle for independence. Mr. and Mrs. Silvernail have two sons whose respective names are
LaFayette and Washington. LaFayette married
Dora M. Crooks, and they have two children:
Edith and Guy. Washington married Nola Keifer,
they have two children: Ralph and Bertha.
Having always been a lover of reading, Mr.




Missing
Page




0


0
nA" 0




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PORTRAIT AND BIOG


Silvernail is more than ordinarily well-informed
regarding topics beyond the particular line of life
which he has been following. In questions of politics, finance and religion he is ready to give a good
reason for his stand, and he is an entertaining companion. He votes the Republican ticket, and is of
course identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, his name being enrolled in a post at Eureka.
Mrs. Silvernail is a member of the Woman's Relief
Corps, and she is also active in the Ladies' Aid
Society by which good is done in the neighborhood. Husband and wife belong to the Christian
Church and take an active part in the work carried
on by that religious society. They have the respect
and goodwill of a large circle of acquaintances,
and many friends rejoice in their prosperity.
4C ---> --- —-.0^^<^04~~(~C ----— <
J   ABEZ PERKINS, M. D., one of the leading
physicians in this part of the State, would
also be one of the wealthiest if it were not
for his generous nature, and his inability to
urgently demand what is due him from patients
who seem reluctant or unable to pay. Iie was born
in Defiance, Ohio, October 26, 1820. His father,
John Pirkins, a native of Pennsylvania, removed
to Lexington, Ky., when but two years old, with
his father, Richard, who was a native of England.
The mother, Abigail Jones, a native of Virginia,
was a daughter of David Jones,of Welsh extraction.
After twenty years residence in Kentucky the fainremoved to Ross County, and after living there for
some time removed to Defiance County, where he
made his home during a brief period, then sold out
and settled on a place about two miles from Defiance, on a tributary of the Miami River. There
he built a flour and saw mill and also operated a
farm. Subsequently he removed to the vicinity
of Bryan, Williams County, where he owned and
managed a flouring-mill and sawmill, and where
he died.
He of whom we write spent his boyhood days in
and near Defiance, Ohio, until lie reached the age
of fourteen years, when he went to Williams
County, Ohio, and there grew to manhood assist

-RAPHICA L ALBUM.                         233
ing in a mill and on the farm. He entered the
Wesleyan University of Ohio at the age of eighteen,where he pursued his studies for two years, and
then commenced the study of medicine with Dr.
John Paul. He took the first three courses of lectures in the medical department of the Western
Reserve College, at Cleveland.
The Doctor commenced his practice at Springville, Mich., and in 1859 took a course of lectures
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New
York City. After leaving college he made a
trip through the South, and upon his return in
1860 resumed his practice. In July, 1862, he was
appointed Surgeon of the Tenth Kentucky Regiment, and soon after was promoted to the office of
Medical Director of the Twentieth Army Corps,
which position lie held until October of the following year, when he was commissioned Surgeon of
Volunteers. He remained in this position until
October, 1865, and during the time was a member
of Gen. Elliott's staff and had charge of Hospital
No. 19, at Nashville, Tenn. HIe was retained in
the employ of the Government until October, 1865,
and made trils to different cities in its interest.
After being released from his army position the
Doctor returned to New York City and spent eight
months at the College of Physicians and Surgeons,
and then came to Owosso, Shiawassee County, and
engaged in a general practice to which he has since
devoted his time and energies. He has built up a
reputation not only as a medical practitioner but
also -:s a surgeon, and few in this part of the State
st:lnd higher than he. His partner, Dr. A. M.
Hume is a good physician, and the two together
make a strong firm, andl have built up a large pr:ictic-. Dr. Perkins is frequently called to distant
pa ts of the State as counsel.
l)r. Perkins was united in marriage with Eva I.
Doane May 24, 1870. Tills lady was born in
Orange County, N. Y., and is a daughter of Gilberlt T. Doane. While living in Lewanee County,
Micll., in 1858 Dr. Perkins was elected to the Legislature, where he served one term  greatly to the
satisfaction and profit of his constituents, and to
the credit of the Republican party which placed
him in this honorable position.  -le is a member
of the Owosso Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., the




234


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Owosso Chapter, No. 89, R. A. M., and Corunna
Commandery, K. T. The Doctor is a kind-hearted
and benevolent man, and does much for the unfortunate and needy, being ever ready to respond
to the appeal of the distressed.
A portrait of Dr. Perkins is presented in connection with this biographical sketch.
1   NDREW     D. SHERMAN     is numbered
among the early settlers of Shiawassee
County of 1854, and has resided upon his
present farm on section 1, in thi town of
Sciota for the long period of thirty years. In the
years which have come and gone he has watched
the upbuilding of the county and aided in its
development and progress, especially has lie been
prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the community. To the early settlers is
due all honor, for it was they who laid the foundation for the county's prosperity and thus made it
what it is to-day.
Mr. Sherman, who well deserves representation
in this volume as one of the early settlers, was
born on his father's farm in Shawangunk Township,
Dutchess County, N. Y., March 1, 1836, and is a
son of Almeron and Jane A. (Donnelly) Sherman,
who were also natives of the Empire State. They
removed to Madison County, N. Y. when our subject was a year old and there resided until November, 1852, when they emigrated westward to
Michigan, settling on the same section where our
subject now resides. Upon the farm which Mr.
Sherman developed they spent the remainder of
their lives. He bought the whole of section 1, the
purchase price being $ 2.50 per acre and the wild
land which was covered with a heavy growth of
timber he cleared and improved, making it an excellent farm. His first house was a log cabin,
30 x 37 feet. It is still standing, one of the few
landmarks of pioneer days yet remaning and is
owned by Andrew G. Barry. Almeron Sherman
was a very successful farmer. By trade he was a
tanner and currier but on his removal to Madison
County, N. Y., he turned his attention to agricult.


ural pursuits, which lie followed during the remainder of his life. Although when he started out
in business for himself he had no capital, he became well-to-do. He was a valued citizen, respected by all who knew him and was honored with
several local offices of trust. In Madison County,
N. Y., he served for seventeen years as Justice of
the Peace and after coming West again held the
same office for about twelve years, a fact which indicates his efficiency and fidelity to duty. In
politics he was a Democrat but afterwards became
a Republican and both he and his wife belonged to
the Methodist Church of which they were faithful
and consistent members. Their family numbered
eight children-Evelina, Mary, Andrew D., Jane,
Anna E., John, Albert and Almeron.
Our subject was the third in order of birth and
the eldest son. He received a limited education in
the common schools of Madison County, N. Y.,
where the days of his boyhood and youth were
passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. He
accompanied his parents to Michigan and remained
at home until thirty years of age in order to care
for his parents.  On attaining his majority he
took charge of the home farm, thus relieving his
father from all business care. On the 1st of March,
1860, he married Miss Harriet M. Cross, who was
born in this county, May 15, 1839, and is a representative of one of the first pioneer families. Her
parents, Gideon M. and Elizabeth (Hall) Cross,
were natives of New York, and in 1833, followed
the course of human emigration which was steadily
drifting westward, until they arrived in Michigan.
They first settled in Livingston County, afterwards removed to Vernon, and a year later took
up their residence in Sciota, Shiawassee County.
In the fall of 1836, they settled upon a farm in
Sciota Township where (he mother died. The
father's death occurred in Ovid Township. Their
eldest son, Rev. Charles Cross, a Methodist minister, was the first white child born in Sciota Township, his birth taking place in March, 1837.
Mr. Sherman secured a deed to one hundred and
twenty acres of land, his present farm, upon which
he has resided since 1861. The many improvements found thereon are all the work of his hands
and many of those upon the old hormestead also




="


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


235


stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. As
he was the eldest son he worked upon the farm
while the younger children attended school. He
now has one hundred acres of his land under a
high state of cultivation and his farm is improved
with good buildings, including a large barn and a
commodious two story frame residence, which was
erected in 1884. The stock which he raises is of
the best grades. He has led a busy and useful life,
characterized by fair dealing and is truly a selfmade man. In politics he is a Republican and
while he keeps himself well informed concerning
the issues of the day has never sought or desired
the honors of emoluments of public office. HIe and
his wife hold membership with tie Methodist
Church.
This worthy couple have a family of four children, of whom they may well be proud-lHenrietta,
the eldest daughter, is now the wife of D. E.
Tobias who is in the railway mail service and resides in Grand Rapids, Mich. One child graces
their union, Maxwell. Jennie, Gertrude and Mary;
the younger daughters are well educated young
ladies, having received the advantages of the best
scholastic training in the State and Jennie and
Gertie are now teachers of recognized ability.
Mrs. Tobias also engaged in teaching prior to her
marriage as also did Mrs. Sherman before her
marriage.
HILANDER W. OSBORN. It is undoubtedly a great satisfaction  to a man or
woman who has reached years when they
can look back over a long life spent in
hardships and a struggle to give one's family
every advantage possible as well as to do one's
duty by one's fellowmen, to have the efforts recognized by loving children and kind friends with
the assurance that one has made the most of life
and that the world is better for their having lived
in it.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch
and who lives on section 4, Fairfield Township,
Sliiawassee County, is a general farmer here and
was born in what was originally Portage County


but is now known as Summit County, Ohio. He
is the son of Elias and Jerusha (Adams) Osborn,
the father a native of Osbornville, Conn. Our
subject's grandfather, Isaac Osborn, removed to
Northampton Township, Summit County, Ohio,
while his son was a boy. He built the first flouring mill erected on Mud Brook in Northampton
Township. The walls were of niggerhead stone and
the work was done in the main by himself. He
was one of the first settlers there and did a business
both as a millwright and miller and was also engaged in distilling.
Our subject is the eldest in a family of four,
only one of whom beside himself is still living,
this being a half-brother who resides in Summit
C(ounty, Ohio, and whose name is Henry Monroe.
Philander received a limited education, having less
than a year's schooling, but he early acqulired a
love for reading and study and utilized the uncertain light given out by tie hickory fire that blazed
On the broad hearthstone to become acquainted
with the popular authors as well as such sciences
as physiology, geology, philosophy,  mineralogy
and astronomy. Iie thus gained a fair education
by Ilis own efforts.
Mr. Osborn grew to manhood in Northampton.
His father having died while he was yet young he
was thrown on his own resources and obliged to
look to himself for his living. When sixteen years
of age he took a trip South, traveling through all
the Southern States to New Orleans. November
2, 1849, he was married to Merilla Antels, a daughter of John and Agnes (Swerenger) Antels. The
l;dy was born in Akron, Ohio, but her fattier was
a native of Wayne County, same State.
The gentleman of whom we write came to Michigan July 5, 1873, and purchased eighty acres of
land. Ile has since given forty acres of this to his
son. He is the father of three children: the eldest child and son is Oliver 0. who is a physician
and druggist and lives in Fenwick, Montcalmn
County; he has two children. The second clild is
Nancy who married Francis Emmert, whose sketch
appears on another page in this ALBUM. The third
child is Jessie M. who lives at Battle Creek, this
State, and is unmarried.
Our subject votes the Republican ticket and his




236


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


been a popular man in the county; he is not an
office-seeker and has ever refused to be a nominee.
He has served on the Board of Review. He, with
his wife, is a member of the United Brethren
Church, in which they they have been for over
forty years. Mr. Osborn's maternal grandfather,
Philander Adams, was a commissioned officer in
both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
He was a business man of unusual ability and acquired a very comfortable fortune. A native of
New York State, he settled in Randolph Townshilp,
Portage County, Ohio, where for many years he
was the proprietor of a large farm.
\V     ILLIAM E. WARREN, an intelligent and
prominent farmer and one of the leading
stock-raisers of Sciota Township, Shiawassee County, residing on section 4, has the honor of
being a native-born citizen of this county. His
birth occurred March 21, 1853, in Middlebury
Township, on a farm within a half mile of where
he now lives. His parents, David L. and Mary
(Ingersoll) Warren, natives of New York, came to
Michigan in the pioneer days, settling first in Oakland County and thence removing to Shiawassee
County. They took up their residence on section
33, in the town of Middlebury, where they resided until 1888. They then removed to the village of Ovid, which is still their home.
Farming has been the life work of David Warren, and in that pursuit he acquired a handsome
competence. He came to Michigan in its pioneer
days a poor man, but has now considerable means,
owning one hundred and ninety-five acres of land,
besides property in Ovid. Then, too, he has aided
his children to start in life. Mr. Warren has been
twice married, his first union being with Miss Ingersoll, by whom he had four children-Maria,
William E., Adelia, and Edna (deceased). After
the death of his first wife he wedded Mrs. Jane
Graham, of Lenawee County, Mich. In religious
belief Mr. Warren is a Methodist, and the mother
of our subject was also a member of the same
hlurch. He supports the Republican party, and by


his fellow-townsmen has been honored with a number of local offices.
Our subject was reared to manhood upon his
father's farm, and no event of special importance
marked his boyhood, which was passed in the usual
manner of farmer lads. During the winter season
he attended the district schools of the neighborhood, and throughout the remainder of the year
aided his father. The occupation to which he was
reared he has made his life work. On the 27th of
December, 1877, he was united in marriage with
Miss Enima B. House, of Williamston, Livingston
County, Mich. She was born in Clinton County,
and is a daughter of Jacob and Emma (Gates)
House. The young couple began their domestic
life upon their present farm, and their home has
been brightened by the presence of two interesting
children, both of whom are living-Cliffie D.,
aged eight years, and Charlie W., four years of
age.
Mr. Warren is the owner of one of the finest
farms in Sciota Township. His landed possessions
aggregate one hundred and forty-five acres, of
which one hundred and twenty acres have been
placed under the plow and are yielding to him a
ready return for the care and cnltivation he bestows upon them. Not only is le engaged in general farming, but, as before stated, he is an extensive stock-raiser, making a specialty of Holstein
cattle. lie has thirteen head of thoroughbreds on
his farm and also high grades of horses and sheep.
Large barns furnish ample shelter for his stock
from the storms of winter and are in themselves
models of convenience.
The home of the family, however, far surpasses
in excellence every other improvement upon the
place. On another page of this volume appears a
view of his commodious two-story brick residence,
which was erected in 1877 and is neatly and tastefully furnished. From the door extends a beautiful and well-kept lawn, and shade trees add to the
loveliness of the scene. The passers-by at a glance
will learn the fact that industry, neatness and enterprise are characteristics of the owner. In
politics Mr. Warren is a Prohibitionist, and both
he and his wife are faithful members of the Middlebury and Sciota Methodist Church of Middlebury.




I7
tG/5 TERM IN THt*      JEWZtLJ CONST7ANryjvA /0490  DRLWVAH. 1016.    DRENAH ~ND 11208. DREN1AH 8"'12666.#   HOLSTEIYN F'Rt3IAN N. B..;EWA      ilyEN
At4 Y.%EV Th
I


" PLE A-S ANT


PLAATVALLEY STOCK FARM..) REL5LDECE OF W. EWARR[FN, SEC2t., SCI OTA TRP SHIAWA55EE CO. MICH.




F




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AIBUM.


239


This worthy couple have long resided in the community and are widely and favorably known, hlaving a large circle of friends and acquaintances who
esteem them highly for their sterling worth.
C      IARLES HAGAN. One of the pioneer
settlers in this State who has helped to in/. troduce measures that have given it position
among the States is he whose name heads our
sketch. He is a native of Ireland, having been
born in County Down in 1827. His parents were
Arthur and Martha (Mullen) Hagan. The mother
(lied when Charles was nine months old and his
father when the boy was twelve years old. Left thus
early to battle with the world all his native wit
and shrewdness was developed by necessity. His
elder brother, James, now living in Bennington
Townlship, Shiawassee County, came from Ireland
to Canada in 1845. Our subject, who had come
with him, picked up the trade of a mason and
managed to support himself by it in the town in
which he settled, which was that of Henchenburg,
Canada.
Charles Hagan located on the new farm with his
brother James, going eight miles away from any
settlement. Here he lived for twenty-five years
and in November, 1869, he sold out his farm and
came to Shiawassee County, where his brother had
before settled. On first coming here he secured
eighty acres of land, afterward adding to it thirtyfive acres more. HEe at once began the erection of
a log house in the woods, which was a solid forest
for three or four miles. His energy is vouched for
in the fact that of this hundred and fifteen acres
of perfectly wild land he has now made a finelyimproved farm, nine acres only being unimproved.
IHe devotes himself to general farming.
In Canada Mr. Hagan took contracts for cutting
pine logs, from two thousand to five thousand logs
being considered a season's work. He was a mason
by trade and worked at that as time and circumstances allowed. His present home is an attractive
frame house, containing eight rooms and having a


I
I


I


handsome interior finish of hard wood. Under the
house is a spacious cellar, large enough to gladden
the heart of any thrifty housekeeper. There is a
fine barn upon the place, and taking it all in all it
is one of the most comfortable. tasty and attractive
places in the township. The house was erected at
a cost of $1,500.
Mr. IHagan was married in June, 1848, to Miss
Hannah Leveck, born in Camden, Canada, October
13, 1830. A large family has grown up under the
eyes of the parents. The eldest, John, lives at
Bennington; IMary is at home; James is in Bennington; Justine; Elizabeth and Sarah (twins);
Thomas, residing in Owosso; Charlotte; Charles, a
clerk in Owosso; Joanna Loretta, Joseph, and
Teresa. Justice is Mrs. John Donovan, of Grand
Rapids. Elizabeth is Mrs. Al Barr, of Detroit;
Sarah married John Stratch and resides in Washington; Charlotte who married Frank Stengel, resides in Owosso; Joanna is a natural artist and
without training has executed some excellent work
in color and design; she also has some musical talent and( is a fine-looking and very attractive woman.
Teresa is Mrs. Charles Hammel. Our subject has
always been a Democrat but recently has become a
mnember of tlle Patrons of Industry. Tihe family
are members of the Catholic Church of Owosso.
$      AMIUEL LAMFEIOM, a retired dealer in
clothing and the Alderman of the Second
Ward of Owosso, was born in the Kingdom of Wittenburg, Germany, in the village of Oberdorf, December 9, 1838. He is the
second son of Leonard and Sarah (Mendel) Lamfrom, tile father being a butcher by trade. Three
of this family were daughters and five were sons,
and four of them are still living. Trheschool days
of this son were passed in his native village and at
the age of eleven he entered the seminary at Eslingen and there studied for two years.
The mercantile experience of our subject was initiated by clerking for eiglhteen months in a dry
goods store at Eslingen. He now decided that he
would emigrate to the New World and iu August,




240


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


1854, he sailed for America, landing in New York
City with ninety-four cents in his pocket. LHe went
to Elmira, N. Y., and clerked in a store for a year
and then at Ogdensburg, and took charge of a
branch store for the same parties. He then went
to Rome, N. Y., and soon after to Syracuse. At
Auburn he served Mr. Jacob Silverburg and continued clerking for him until his employer moved
his stock of goods to Grand Rapids, this State,
when he accompanied him and continued for four
years in his service.
In 1861 the young man enlisted in Company K,
Tenth Michigan Infantry, Col. Lum commanding
the regiment. This regiment was assigned to the
western department of the army and its first battle was at Pittsburg Landing. He participated in
severe battles at Corinth, Murfreesboro, Atlanta
and Cape May, and joined the march to tile sea.
He then returned to Hilton Head, thence to New
York City, and on to Detroit, Mich., where he received his final discharge. He was a fifer all
through his term of service, which lasted three
years and two months.
Going to Jonesville, this State, tile young veteran clerked there in a store for eighteen months
and in 1866 started in business of his own, and
leaving Hillsdale County, went to Burr Oak,
St. Joseph County. He purchased a good stock of
gentlemen's furnishing goods and clothing and continued in this line for fifteen months. In September, 1867, he decided that Owosso was a better center of trade and removing his stock thither set up
his business house here, which he carried on until
his health failed in 1878, when he sold out his
stock and retired from active work. But an active
business man finds it hard to sit still and see the
busy world go on, and having to some extent recovered his health, Mr. Lamfrom, in 1882, again
started in business with an entirely new stock in
the same line as before. In this he continued until
September, 1890, when he again sold out his business and renting his store permanently retired
from active life.
The lady who presides so graciously over the
home of our subject became his wife March 24,
1867. Her maiden name was Mary Mendelsohn
and her home before marriage was in Detroit,


Mich. Three sons have blessed this home, namely:
Moses H., who is a merchant in Balina, Ohio;
Henry, who is at home; and Rudolph, who is clerking for his elder brother. The election of Mr.
Lamfrom  to the position of Alderman of tlie
Second Ward took place in the spring of 1891.
Iie is the Secretary of the Business Men's Association and has occupied that position since tile
organization of the society in 1887. lie is a member, dernitted, of the Owosso Lodge. His politic; I
preferences have led him to ally himself with the
Republican party, in which he is an active worker.
His residence at No. 403 Oliver Street, is in a
pleasant neighborhood and with attractive surroundings. The (uackenbush Post, No. 205, G.A.
It., claims him as one of its most active members
an(l he was its first (Quartermaster.  Iis life in
Owosso has made him well known throughout the
county as a man of enterprise, strict integrity and
pleasant social qualities.
IILONZ() A. AUSTIN, who has long been a
resident of Ovid, was born in Wyoming
County, Atica Township, N. Y., October
13, 1820. Ile was a son of Augustus and
Phoebe (Conger) Austin, both of Connecticut, who
moved into New York in the year 1814. His
father was by trade a carpenter, but pursued agriculture through most of his life. Iis son's advantages for education were very meager, as he attended only the common district schools of the
country and was never allowed by circumstances
to attend the town schoo.. His mother died when
lie was a child of only eleven and he remained will
his father until lie reached the age of twenty-three
years.
The young man then began life by farming in
the county where lie was born. His marriage took
place October 10, 1844. The lady who then became his wife was known in her maidenhood by the
name of Elizabeth Root. She was a native of Niagara County, N. Y. Her three children have all
lived to establish homes of their own, in which
they are an honor to their parents and a benefit to




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


241


the community. The eldest, R. Della, was born
July 14, 1845. She is now Mrs. George Shuman
and lives in Laingsburg, Shiawassee County; James
A., born December 29, 1850, married Francelia
Cornell and now lives in Middlebury Township,
the same county; Emma, who was born June 29,
1858, is the wife of 0. F. Gambee and resides in
Ovid. The mother of these children was called
from earth October 29, 1859.
Mr. Austin continued to farm in New York until February. 1875, when he came West and made
his first settlement at Laingsburg, but the following spring came to Ovid Township, this county,
and bought a farm of eighty acres, where he has
continued to live most of the time since, although
he spends a good deal of time in the village with
his daughter, Mrs. Gambee, making his home with
her most or the time since 1887. He has his place
operated by hired help and visits it frequently to
superintend the work. When he took this farm it
was in a very poor condition and he has improved its
quality and placed upon it many improvements.
Our subject has always taken a deep interest in
educational matters and did more toward building
the schoolhouse near his farm than any other man.
He was formerly connected with the MethodistEpiscopal Church, but of late years has joined the
United Brethren and has taken an active part in
the church work. He has filled the offices of Magistrate and Highway Commissioner in Ovid and is
a Prohibitionist in his political views. He says
that he can mark great changes and improvements
in this section since he came here in 1875.... ---- —.
G     OTTLOB RUESS, the owner of a farm
on section 18, Bennington Township, was
born in Wittenburg, Germany, June 6,1842.
His parents were John and Barbara (Alber) Ruess.
He is the eldest of a family of ten children six of
whom are now living. In 1852 our subject with
other members of his family, braved the dangers of
the ocean and came to America settling near Cleveland. His father and mother accompanied him
hither, also his grandfather Michael and his grand

mother Catherine Ruess came over at the same time.
They have both since died in the town of Independence, Ohio, at the age of seventy years. Our subject operated a stone quarrry at Independence,
Ohio, for some time, remaining there from 1852 to
1856.
Attracted by the advantages that the West offered to strength and industry, Mr. Ruess came
hither and located in Bennington Township in August, 1867, where lie and his father engaged in
farming. The father was thrown out of a wagon
by a stampede of horses and was injured so that he
did not long survive,dying at the age of fifty.three.
his widow still lives with her son, Gottlob and has
attained to the age of seventy-two years.
In 1862 our subject enlisted in the war, joining
Company A, One Hundred Twenty-fourth Ohio
Infantry. lie served until the close of the war under the command of Thomas. IIe was in all the
great battles except that of Kenesaw Mountain,
when he was in the hospital. His regiment was
surrounded at Chickamauga where our subject was
woun(ded by a musket ball striking his elbow. He
was discharged at Nashville under general order,
in July, 1865. Since his enlistment he lhad not
asked for a furlough and consequently on his discharge was eager to see his family at home. Ile
bought his present farm in 1867, about forty-five
acres of the place were then improved, but there
was only a poor log house upon the place in which
he lived one year.
With German thrift Mr. Ruess immediately )egan
improvements upon his newly acquired place and
during the time which he has owned it he has
expended $3,000 upon his buildings. His farm
boasts of some fine stock. He has three head of
Short-horn cattle, one male of which is registered.
He also has eighty acres one mile south of the place
on which he at present resides.
April 13, 1867, the original of our sketch was
married at Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Christine Herr,
who was born in Pennsylvania, December 25, 1844.
Mr. and Mrs. Ruess have been blest with a large
family, four of whom died in infancy. All the living children are at home. The eldest is John, followed by Elizabeth, Josephine, Ella, Lilly, Anna
and Frank. Ella, who has learned the trade of




242


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAAL ALBUM.


2AH
_. — - -


dressmaking, is quite a fine musician, having spent
some time in study of this beautiful art in which
her natural aptitude is so great as to promise
well for her being a brilliant performer.  Mr.
Ruess' family belongs to the Evangelical Association. He casts his vote for the Republican ticket
and is an ardent advocate of that party. Mr. Ruess
has a fine farm and by hard work and constant
application to his business has amassed a competency. His farm is furnished with all modern implements. He has the Wolcott patent wind engine
which supplies water to his two barns and owns a
fine feed cutter, corn sheller and feed mill where
he grinds all his own feed for stock. Our subject
has one brother, Jacob, who lives in Blennington
Township on section 20, also one sister, Paulina,
who is the wife of John Segrist and resides on sec
tion 20, of the same township.
O    HIN CHRISTOlPHER SCHROEIDER, who
resides on section 19, Owosso Townsh1ip,
Shiawassee County, vwas   born in Snxc
Coburg, Germany, December 17, 1820.
His worthy and intelligent parents were Zachariah and Elizabeth (Pressy) Schroeder, of whose
children  our  subject is the  only  survivor.
A  twin sister of John  died  in infancy  and
the father was also called from life when this
son was but twenty-two weeks old. His mother
lived to train and educate this son until he reached
his sixteenth year and in tills task she had the
kindly help of his stepfather, Adam Luetz, with
whom the boy remained at home after Iiis mother's
death until he reached his majority.
The young man pursued the life of a laborer for
three years, and when he was twenty-four years
old took to himself a wife, celebrating his marriage
with Fredericka Petckee in May, 1844. In the
mon'hl of June the young wedded couple started
for their future home in the New World, passing
four weeks in Bremen harbor awaiting the day of
sailing, and six weeks upon the ocean. After a
rough voyage during which the vessel at one time


was grounded upon a reef our emigrants landed in
New York City, and made their way to the
Western country reaching Detroit August 3.
Mr. Schroeder purchased forty acres of land oni
the Mt. Clemens Road eleven    miles north  of
Detroit, and made his home there for six years.
Here he was bereaved of his wife by consumption
as she died October 12,  0, leaving four children, the youngest being six weeks old. These
little ones have grown to maturity with thle exception of Matilda who died the year after her mother
passed away. George is now in California, whither
Carrie has also Ygone. Emma became the wife of
Edward Reed and died six years ago in Owosso
Township, Shiawassee County.
After the bereavement of Mr. Schroeder he rented
out his farm and worked out at fifty cents a day in
haying and harvesting seasons, sometimes receiving
instead of money one bushel of wheat a day as
wages. He struggled nobly to care for his children and keep them  together and for five years
worked in that vicinity and in Detroit. Upon
June 18, 1856, lie made a second matrimonial alliance takiing to wife Mrs. Margaret Finster, the
widow of George Finster who died of cholera
tIer maiden name was HIolstcin.
The subject of this sketch made his home in
Detroit, after his second marriage, urtil May, 1861,
when he removed to Pontiac, having sold his first
farm a.nd bought al tract two miles east of Pontiac.
IIe lived there for six years and in 1867 came to
this county, buying one hundred twenty acres
which were mostly unbroken. He now    has one
hundred and five acres upon which he has placed
improvements, wlhicl cost him  over $3,000 and
where lie has been breeding Durham cattle.
The death of Mrs. Schroeder, which occurred
September 4, 1890, when she had reached the age
of sixty-two years was terribly sudden and unexpected. She had gone    to Detroit during the
exposition, arranging her programme so as to visit
a sister and other friends and return home on the
following Friday. Slie was stricken with sickness
on the exposition grounds on Wednesday, and although every attention was given hler she survived
but a day, and on Friday came home iln her coffin.
Much blame is attached to the telephone companies




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBU3M.


243


for negligence in regard to sending commulieations.  Mr. Schroeder was anxiously waiti)g for
news after repeatedly sending messages, which the
company failed to transmit. He became almost
frantic with distress before being able to receive
definite news, and then only learned that his
partner in life's trials and joys had departed.
She was laid in the Dewey cemetery after
services held at her sisters's home in I)etroit.
The Rev. Dr. Canova of the Episcopal Church,
of which she was a member, conducted    memorial services on the following  Sunday.  She
left three children to mourn her loss, Charles, who
married Miss Della Vourrggone and lives in Owosso
Township, Shiawassee County; William who lives
in Witchita County, Kan., where he took up l) a
homestead some six years ago anld Henry naged
twenty-six who lives at home alld manages the
farm for his father.
Mr. Schroeder is an earnest, and devout member
of the Lutheran Evangelical Church. His political views attach him to the Republican party, in the
movements of whichl he takes a great interest,
but in local elections votes for tile best mtn. He
cast his first vote for Abrallam  Lincoln. The
home of this gentleman is a delightful one and lacks
only the presence of the lamented wife and mother.
Mr. Schroeder has been a hard working man having
passed through  many    difficulties and trying
periods in the early days. His earnest struggles to
keep his little family from want after the death of
his first wife were indeed heroic. His family is one
of the most prominent among the German people
of the county.
ERI)INAND       IH. GELLER. Among tlhe
men to whom the village of Fowler, Clinton County, owes its prosperity as a center
of business is Mr. Geller. who has for some years
been engaged in mercantile pursuits here. He
came to the village in 1869, and for fifteen years
followed hotel keeping, and then with his brother
Frank, embarked in the sale of merchandise. This


business has been continued, and at the same time
Mr. Geller has been interested in the real estate
business in partnership with John Fedewa and has
carried on general farming. He has a large amount
of land which lhas been acquired by his own efforts,
as has his other property. His farm lands consist
of two hundred and thirty acres in Dallas and
eighty acres in Essex Township, and good improvemnents have been made and the valuation of the
entire tract largely increased.
The parents of our subject were born in Prussia,
the birtlhplace of John J. Geller having been Arhwailer in the Province of Prussia, and his natal day
September 12, 1812. His union with Catherine Lingen was blest by the birth of six children, before he
emigrated to America, of whom three are deceased:
Kate, Ferdinand, John, Nicholas, Joseph and Maggie, two sons, Peter and Frank were born after the
family came to this country. The Gellers crossed
tlhe Atlantic in 1854, and came direct to Clinton
County and made their home on a forty-acre farm
in Dallas Township.  tr. Geller had been a teamster in the old count,y but here lie followed farming. ite added to his farm, and when he died, in
1890, lield the title to eighty acres, most of which
he liad cleared and broken. In accordance with
the custom in the Fatherland lie had (lone military
service three years.  He was seventy-eight years
old when called from time to eternity, and his
widow is now living in Fowler at the age of seventy-four. Sle is a communicant of the Roman
Catholic Church, with which her husband was connected.
Our subject was born in Prussia, July 27, 1843,
and was eleven years old when lie came to this
State with his parents. IHe worked for them until
lie was twenty-five years old, and then established
a home of his own in Fowler. IIe was married in
1869 to Lizzie Fedewa, daughter of Morris Fedewa,
to whose biography the reader is referred for facts
regarding her progenitors. The ceremony took
place at the bride's home in Dallas Township, and
the union was blest by the birth of a son Nicholas,
Mrs. Lizzie Geller died January 24, 1875, in Fowler, and the same year Mr. Geller was married to
Caroline Fedewa, a sister of his first wife. Six
children have been born to this lady: Ferdinand,




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




who died when four months old; Norah, who
breathed her last May 16, 1890; Katie and Bertha,
who are yet brightening their parent's home; Aurelia, who died in 1890; and Eva who is pursuing her
studies from under the home roof. Mr. Geller has
always been a Democrat. He and his wife are
communicants of tile Roman Catholic Church.
J  OHN T. WALSH, one of the most prosperous young merchants of Owosso, Shiawassee
County, who has worked out his own fortunes and demonstrated his ability and enterprise by the success which he has made of his
business at Owosso, was born in Troy Township,
Oakland County, July 25, 1851. He is a son of
Jolin Walsh, Esq., a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country when a young man, and has
always followed farming as an occupation.
Miss Elizabeth Todd the lady who became the
mother of our subject was also a native of the
Emerald Isle, and came when a young girl to this
country. After their marriage this couple made
their home in Oakland County, where they carried
on general farming in the township of Troy.
Mr. and Mrs. John Walsh removed from Oakland County to Shiawassee County, in 1865, making their new home on a farm in Bennington
Township. There they still reside and are among
the most highly esteemed and prosperous residents
in that section. Two children only have been
granted to this estimable couple. Our subject is
the oldest son, and his brother William is a farmer
in Bennington Township.
John T. Walsh passed his school days in the
counties of Oakland and Shiawassee and took his
practical training on the farm until he reached the
age of nineteen years. He then worked at house
painting for seven years, after which lie began his
mercantile experience as a clerk in Howell, Mich.,
where he spent six months. In 1877 he bought a
stock of goods in Bennington and entered into
general merchandising, and two years after began
buying grain at Bennington, which he still continues. In this line he has shown great judgment


and discrimination, giving great satisfaction to his
customers by his courteous treatment and kind attention to their needs, and by his judgment in a
choice of goods which will satisfy their demands.
He has the entire confidence of the community and
all rejoice in his prosperity and are glad to give
him a good word and a generous patronage.
Mr. Walsh added to his business in June, 1891,
by purchasing the grocery stock of F. E. Brooks &
Co., of West Owosso and carries on this business
at the old stand as well as his other store in Bennington. The new store is well stocked with all
kinds of first class goods in his line. His union in
marriage January 10, 1883, with Miss Myra Pond
of Bennington, gave him a helpmate who has
proved and will prove a prominent factor in his
career. This lady is a native of Shiawassee County,
and a daughlter of Rolland Pond whose sketch appears in another place in this ALBUM. To this
happy home one son has come, Harry who is now a
little lad of seven years. Mr. Walsh and family
have recently moved to Owosso. He has served
as Treasurer of Bennington Township for three
terms and is already a well-known man in Republican circles. He is a member of the Laingsburg
Lodge, No. 230, F. & A. M., and is considered one
of its prominent men.
I OIN R. BUSH.      The gentleman whose
name heads this sketch was born March 25,
1819, in Ontario County, Seneca Township,
N. Y., near Geneva. His father, Thomas
Bush, was a native of New Jersey and his mother,
Jane (Roberts) Bush, who died when her son was
only ten years of age, was born in Ireland. The
Bush family was originally from Prussia and a
family record is preserved which covers its history
for two hundred and fifty years. This has been
carefully prepared by the Rev. John L. Bush, one
of the members of the family.
Mr. Bush began for himself at the early age of
thirteen years by wielding the ax for his living.
When only fourteen he boasted that he could put
up two cords of wood in a day and at eighteen




PORTREAIT AND BI.OGRAPHICAL ALBEUM.


245


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learning the carpenter's trade, he came to Michigan in 1850. He settled in Ingham County on
eighty acres of land which he cleared. He also
cleared another farm in Huron County, Ohio. In
1859 he came to Owosso and improved three farms,
two of which were in Rush Township and one on
section 1, Owosso Township which contains seventy
acres. In November, 1878, he united his life for
better or worse with that of Miss Jane Robertson.
She died in 1863. Only one of the family of six
children that she left long survived her. This
daughter, Esther, who became Mrs. Schuster, resides in Rush Township. In 1875 Mr. Rush married for his second wife Victoria Rictlell, a native
of Germalny. Their union was blest by three children-Emma May, who is fourteen years of age;
Nellie Jane, twelve years and John R. Jr., eighlt
years,
Mr. Bush is a typical rustler. lie has never been
happy without an ax in his hand. It is as natural for
him to chop as for most boys to play and even
now at seventy-two years of age lie can chop down
more timber than most men of half the age. It is
music to his soul to hear the giants of the forest
crushing to earth under the blows of his ax. As
soon as he had one farm cleared with nothing left
for him to chop, lie would sell and seizing Ihis ax
jump over the fence and commence his old pursuit,
and was never satisfied until everything in sight
was felled and split into rails or slashed into cord
wood. For some unaccountable reason he has left
a beautiful natural grove of towering pine trees
about his house, but it is expected that they will
succumb to his passion and that lie will attack them
some night while dreaming.
Mr. Bush is a very methodical man. Everything must be done with mathematical nicety and
every rail cut to a certain length and laid up in the
fence with perfect exactness that would do credit
to a mechanical engineer. Our subject shows this
characteristic in his personal appearance, thoulgi
carrying many years, he is as straight and slender
as one of his saplings he dearly loves to demolish.
He is as "thin" as a sapling and nearly as tall, with
a mind as keen, active and vigorous as his own ax
has ever been. He boasts of having voted for
William Henry Harrison in 1840 and also for his


grandson, Benjamin F. Harrison. It will not be
surprising to those whoare opposed to the use of
stimulants to read of Mr. Bush's perfect physique
and health at so great an age, when it is recorded
that he has never taken stimulants in liquid form
of any nature, neither has he smoked or chewed
tobacco.
W,-,__ ---- -— H
GEORCGE 0. BRANI)S, who resides on his
farm on section 26, Caledonia Township,
was born June 2, 1858, in Shiawassee
County, this State. His father was John Brands,
a native of New Jersey and a farmer by occupation. His mother was Elvira (Martin) Brands, a
native of New York State. John Brands, the
father, came to Michigan in 1845, at the age of
eighteen. The mother came when a young woman
and made her home with her uncle, Samuel Martin.
She was a teacher by profession and conducted the
district school in Venice and Caledonia Townships.
John Brand returned to New York State, where lie
remained for three years, coming back to this State
in 1850, when he settled upon the farm  which he
occupies at this time.
David Brands, our subject's grandfather, and
family came to Michigan in 1845, he working in
the saw-mill in Corunna for a time and about 1847
he settled upon section 25, Caledonia Township,
where he died. The parents of our subject were
here married and made a permanent home, the
father settling upon ninety acres of timber land.
He was in straightened circumstances and obliged
to resort to many methods in order to clear his
farm and at the same time support his family. He
finally got the farm into a good state of cultivation
and afterward purchased eighty acres of land, half
of which was improved. He added to its improvement and finally (lied. May 15, 1887. The mother
still survives at the age of sixty years, making her
home here. Our subject is one of four children,
two of whom only are living, himself and brother
William. The father was a member of the Masonic
order and a Democrat in politics. He served as
Justice of the Peace for three terms.
The gentleman of whom we write received a dis

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


trict school education. He has always been a farmer, having been reared on the farm where lie at
present resides. In December, 1887, lie was united
in marriage to Miss Abbie Aemes, a daughter of
William and Amanda (Moore) Aemes, residents of
Fairfield Township. The father was a native of
New York and came to Michigan at an early day.
He was married in this county and moved to Hazelton, then to Corunna and later to Fairfield. The
mother is deceased, the father still survives. By
that marriage Mr. Aemes is the father of two children, both of whom are living. Mrs. Brands was
born November 5, 1863, in lHazelton Township.
She received a good education and has spent much
time as a teacher. She and her husband are the
parents of one child, Ivan E., who was born September 28, 1888.
Mr. Brands is a member of the Knights of the
Maccabees. He has been elected member of the
School Board and takes an active interest in local
politics. lie is an adherent of the Democratic
party and has been Road Overseer. He is now
serving his third term as Township Clerk.  -Ie
lives on the old homestead, where he carries on
general farming.
ANIEL W. MOREHOUSE, a noteworthy resident of Ovid, was born in Litchfield, Hillsdale County, Mich., on October 23, 1844.
Ite is a son of Gabriel and Harriet (Winans) Morehouse, his mother being a sister of lion. Edwin A.
Winans, now Governor of Michigan. His parents
were brought up in Steuben County, N. Y., and
came to Michigan when the father of our subject
was still very young. Michigan was then only a
wilderness and they made their home in the wild
forest. His father was by occupation both a farmer
and contractor, and when in this work he put in all
the culverts on the railroad between Ann Arbor
and Michigan City, this being the second time they
were put in. He was also engaged in similar work
on the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Rail

way, but through reverses was compelled to return
to the farm.
The subject of this sketch had few educational
advantages for when he came to Clinton County
there were no schools for him to attend and when
he grew older he had to work hard and could not
be spared from the farm to go to school. His
father came to Shiawassee County in 1854 and settling in Middlebury Township, began his work on
the railroad and the farm.
The father of our subject enlisted in the Union
Army and tie son also enlisted in the fall of 1863,
in Company F, Tenth Michigan Cavalry under Col.
Foote and was sent South to join the Army of the
Tennessee. Being on detached duty he was one of
those who chased Morgan and Gen. Price and was
at the battle of Saltsville, Va. He was there disabled and sent to the hospital at Camp Nelson, Ky.
After recovery lie was sent to Camp Douglas, Chicago, an(d acted there as guard to the prisoners till
the war was over, taking his discharge in the fall
of 1865. The father was wounded in the battle of
Murfreesboro and died in the hospital at Louisville, Ky., in the fall of 1863. The mother lived
until the spring of 1886 and was buried at Owosso.
Upon the close of the war Mr. Morehouse began
farming in iMiddlebury  Township, Shiawassee
County, and remained upon that place until about
six years ago when he sold out and went on a trip
to Kansas, Iowa and Illinois. He then returned to
farming and after one year came to make his home
in the town and engaged in business. I-e now
owns and has in operation, by the aid of hired help,
a farm of sixty acres.
The marriage, July 4, 1867 of Daniel Morehouse
and Laura Munger, was the union of a congenial
and happy pair. Miss Munger was from Mungerville, which was named for her father, but is now
known as Burton. She is the daughter of Alander
Munger of Shiawassee County, and is the mother
of five children, George, Myrtle, Claude, Nellie
and Willie. The last two died in infancy.
The political views of the subject of this sketch
are represented in the declarations of the Republican party, and he has held the offices of Treasurer
of the townships of both Middlebury and Ovid,
and has been Superintendent of the water works




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


251


of Ovid since they were begun. -He still holds this
responsible position and has filled all the school
offices since he came into the township. He takes
a more than ordinary interest in school matters as
well as in all affairs of public weal.
AVID      L. WARREN     was born June 9,
1825, in the town of Walworth, Ontario
County, N. Y., an(d is the son of William
and Mary (Horn) Warren. The father, who was
by occupation a farmer, moved to the State of
Michigan when his boy was only six years old and
died soon after their arrival here in December,
1831. They made their home in Oakland County
about five miles north-east of Pontiac. Upon thus
being sadly orphaned our subject and one sister
went to live with Thomas J. Drake, an attorney,
who resided on a farm. After remaining there
about seven years he lived at Flint and afterward
at Detroit with his mother who then had married
Joseph Hathaway, and afterwards lived with her
in Washtenaw  County. At the age of fourteen
years he began life for himself, working out for
$6 per month. He never had the opportunity of
gaining a thorough education and although his
foster mother taught him a good deal, he never attended a public school until he went to live with
his mother again when he was fourteen years old.
He then decided to attend school and pay his own
tuition, working nights and mornings and during
vacations. This he continued until he was twenty
years old.
When he was twenty-two years old our subject
came to Shiawassee County, and in 1847 settled on
section 33, Middlebury Township. He lived there
several months, erecting a log house and making
some clearing. The season before he chopped and
split two thousand rails, hiring a man to help him
and paying $1 for making six hundred rails. He
was married April 27, 1848, to Mary Ingersoll of
Oakland County, who was reared in New York
State.
After marriage he started  from  Washtenaw
County, May 2, 1848, bringing his wife on top of


the wagon of household goods and he himself accompanying her on foot, driving the cattle, which
consisted of an ox team and a cow. Their cabin
home had neither doors nor windows as we count
doors and windows now-a-days. He planted corn
and potatoes on land which he rented from a
neighbor, and worked out to earn money to purchase fifty bushels of wheat. This gave him seed
for the twenty acres of land which he had by this
time cleared, as well as for the maintenance of
their table. He had been presented by his mother
with an eighty-acre tract and soon had it cleared
and planted. Later he purchased two hundred and
forty acres at $4 an acre and afterward sold part
of it for $6. At one time when he had set his
heart upon a certain tract of land and had to get
to Flint to secure it in advance of another man
who also had his eye upon it, he drove a two-year
old colt forty miles without stopping to feed it
and reached Flint in advance of his rival, thus securing the land. He still holds one hundred and
fifteen acres of a tract of one hundred and twentyfive which he bought just across the road from
where his first land is located.
To him and his first wife were granted four children: Maria M. born April 26, 1850; Edna E.
August 20, 1851; William E. March 21, 1853, and
Frances A. August 26, 1855; Maria married tlorace G. Smith, a farmer, and resides at Laingsburg;
Edna died July 26, 1853; William E. married
Emma B. House, of Ovid and is a farmer; Frances
married Edson Swarthout and resides near the
father's farm. The mother of these children died
April 2, 1881.
Mr. Warren was married a second time on May
30, 1882, to Jane B. Graham of Lenawee County,
this State, whose portrait together with that of
Mr. Warren appears elsewhere in this volum'e. He
has made all the improvements on his various
farms and built all the houses and barns upon
them. His political views are in accord with the
platform of the Republican party and he has held
the offices of Township Treasurer, Justice of the
Peace, School Commissioner and other school
offices. He has for many years belonged to the
Methodist Episcopal Church and in this respect he
and his family are closely united, as their sympa



252


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


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thies are one and they labor together in church
work. He takes an earnest and intelligent interest in all matters of education. He has given to
his children excellent educations in the graded
schools of Corunna and Ovid, and desires for the
young people of his neighborhood every opportunity to gain a broad foundation for future usefulness.
He gives liberally to any cause which he deems to
be for the good of humanity. He removed to
Ovid in 1888 and has continued to reside here,
but still conducts the affairs upon his farm  and
manages everything in connection with them.
The attention of the reader is invited to a lithographic view of the fine homestead of Mr. Warren,
presented on another page.
g      _     -. Ahoy'     ^g,-!_
-EORGE R. WARREN.        Stastistics show
that the English people are the richest
nation on earth and as a people they are
credited with extraordinary shrewdness and foresight in making investments that will bring the
largest returns, but they have allowed one of their
richest treasures to slip away from them in that so
many of their bright young men have emigrated
to the New World. Our subject, George R. Warren, is proud of the fact that he is of English birth
and parentage, having been born in Surrey, England, December 15, 1831. His father was FIenry
Warren and his mother, Harriet (Ridgebridger)
Warren.
In 1847, when all parts of the world were convulsed by commercia  n   ial and social canges, the Warren family emigrated to America, coming to
Rochester, N. Y., where they lived for seven years.
In 1854 they came to Owosso and in the fall of that
year located on their farm. Our subject worked
by the month for neighboring farmers until he had
saved a sum of $700 or $800. This he used in
the purchase of one hundred acres of land on section 19, Bennington Township, Shiawassee County.
Mr. Warren has exceptionally good taste and judgment which is shown in every part of his farm.
The buildings are tastefully and conveniently arranged, his dwelling being a model of comfort and


I


elegance. He has a fine barn upon which he has
expended  a large sum of money. Mr. Warren
took to wife, December 11, 1861, at St. John's,
Margaret Warren, a daughter of Seth and Catherine
(Johnson) Warren of Owosso, to which place they
had come in 1856. The lady's parents died in this
county, the father March 17, 1859, and the mother
November 16, 1878. They were natives of New
York.
George R. Warren, our subject, is the eldest of
ten children. Mrs. Warren was born in Saratoga
County, N. Y., January 11, 1838. Her mother's
father was William Johnson, a Revolutionary
soldier, having been attached to the commissary
department. He was married at the close of the
Revolutionary War. At the time of his death he
was ninety-three years and eleven months old; the
mother was ninety four years old.
The gentleman of whom we write has a family
of bright children. His eldest son, Fred, was born
March 14, 1863; Ella, June 24, 1866; she married
Mr. Charles Shadbolt and resides at Bennington;
Fred is at home although he has shown his native
acquisitive faculty by already having secured sixty
acres of land adjoining his father's farm. Mr.
Warren and his son vote the straight Republican
ticket.
The family of our subject is one that all are attracted to by their geniality and warmth of heart.
Mrs. Warren is a woman possessing rare business
qualities and in these days of progress among women the possibilities for arising to prominent positions are many.
ILLIAM A. WOODARD, senior member
of the firm of Woodard & North, is one of
the well-known business men of Owosso
Shiawassee County. He has been located there since
the summer of 1866 and his name is perhaps as
well known as that of any dealer or manufacturer
in this locality. The firm of which he is a member
carries on a wholesale and retail furniture trade,
and their stock is large and complete. They
occupy all the floors of a brick block 22 x 100 feet








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


253


and three stories high, situated on the corner of
Washington and Main Streets, and also occupy
two stories in a building fronting on Main street.
Mr. Woodard is thoroughly acquainted with every
department of the business and possesses a large
degree of the tact which is necessary in carrying
on an establishment where a number of persons are
employed, as well as tie courtesy and honor that
win the good will of patrons.
Mr. Woodard was born in Steuben County, N.
Y., in the town of South Danville, May 14, 1846.
His father, William  A. Woodard, was born in
Steuben County, N. Y., and was a farmer by occupation; his mother, Miranda (Wing) Woodard,
was born in Cohocton, her father having been L.
Mason Wing. The parental family consists of four
sons and one daughter, and William A. was the
youngest son. He was educated in the common
schools of his native place and later attended the
Rogersville Seminary. He then prepared for a
business life by a course of study in Eastman
Commercial College in Rochester. In 1866 he
came to Owosso in company with two brothers and
bought what is generally known as White's planing-mill. The sons were followed to this State by
their parents in 1870. After carrying on the
planing-mill some months our subject bought the
furniture stock of C. W. Hastings and carried on
business at the same stand. About two years later
he began manufacturing furniture in company with
his brothers, and sold their products at wholesale
and retail, at the same time continuing the running
of the mill.
In 1870 Mr. Woodard built the brick store he
now occupies, where he has carried on business but
with various changes in the firm. In 1875 a
partnership was formed with his brothers Henry
and Warren, the firm name being Woodard Bros.,
and the three manufactured furniture until 1883
when the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent. Henry Woodard continued in tile retail
furniture business and W. A. held an interest in
the Owosso Casket Factory eighteen months, when
that partnership was dissolved and he bought an
interest in the furniture factory. This business
was carried on by L. E. Warren and W. A. Woodard, the other brother, Henry, having an interest




I


f

in the store with William A. When Henry died
our subject took G. F. North into the business and
at that time sold his own interest in the manufactory and gave his attention entirely to his other
affairs.
Mr. Woodard was married in 1868 to Miss Eliza
Pierce of Cohocton, Steuben County, N. Y., who
was carefully reared by her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Jere Pierce. Mr. and Mrs. Woodard have three
children, named respectively, Inez E., Alfred A.
and Josiah B. Mr. Woodard has served one term
as Mayor of Owosso and he was appointed Inspector of the Southern Michigan Prison at Jackson,
by Gov. Begole, for a term of six years. He is a
member of Owosso Lodge, No. 81, F. and A. M.
Politically he is a stanch Democrat. Besides his
extensive business, of which an account has already
been given. He is a stockholder and Director in
the Owosso Savings Bank. In social and domestic
life be is considerate and courteous, in business
dealings honorable and straightforward, and his
reputation is excellent.
ON. FRANK H. WATSON, of the law
firm of Watson & Chapman of Owosso,
was born in Shiawassee County, November
14, 1857. IIe is a son of Stephen and
Hannah (Kenyon) Watson. The father was a native of England and was brought up in Canada to
which countr:y his parents had migrated when lie
was an infant. The mother of our subject is a native of Connecticut, a daughter of John Kenyon
and of English ancestry. In 1851 Stephen Watson
and family moved to Shiawassee County and located on a farm in Shiawassee Township where he
still resides, carrying on general farming and
stock-raising, and being one of the most successful
agriculturists in his district. Frank H. Watson is
next to the youngest in a family of six children.
His youth and early school days were passed on
the farm and in the district school, after which he
entered Corunna High School and after completing his course there taught in the country for
some three years. He then took up the study of




254


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-- ---


law, reading in the office of Judge McCurdy of
Corunna, and afterwards read with Judge A. R.
McBride of the same place. He was admitted to
the bar at Corunna in 1881.
The young lawyer commenced his practice in
Corunna in 1883, forming a partnership with
Odell Chapman, which still continues. In 1883
he removed to Owosso, continuing however the
same connection. The firm is well and favorably
known throughout the couuty, and these legal gentlemen have a wide acquaintance among the peolle. They practice in all the courts, local, State
and Federal.
Mr. Watson was married in 1887 to Miss Ella P.
Westfall, of Corunna, a daughter of Lewis West.
fall and a native of Michigan. Her parents were
formerly from Port Jarvis, N. Y., a beautiful place
on tie Hudson River. Two lovely daughters
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Donna
M. and Helen P. Mr. Watson was elected Circuit
Court Commissioner of Shiawassee County in
1884. He was elected to represent the second
district of Shiawassee County in the State Legislature serving during the session of 1887. He was
also appointed United States Commissioner for
the Eastern District of Micligan. He is a member of Owosso Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., and is
considered one of its most prominent members.
He is regarded as a lawyer of more than ordinary
judgment and legal acumen. lie is a clear, forcible and logical speaker and presents his cases with
ability to both court and jury.  Politically he is
recognized as one of the strong and influential Republicans in this part of the state.
OHN M. BEARDSLEE. The name which
heads this sketch is that of one of the early
pioneers who braved the difficulties of early
settlement and who has helped to make the
State stand so high in the Union. Henry Beardslee came to Bennington Township, Shiawassee County, June, 1839, and located on the south half of
section 31. He had taken up the land from the
Government in the year 1839. The years that


followed between that time and his death, which
occurred November 7, 1860, were fraught with hard
work. His wife followed him to the better land
May 24, 1886. She was born July 27, 1801.
Our subject was born in New Jersey. In coming to Michigan in the early days the route that
was followed was very obscure.   Leaving the
Grand River Road at the Nichols' farm they went
to where a family by the name of Johnson were
living, but now a Mr. Cook lives there. Thence
they went to Moses Pitts, thence to Samuel Pitts
and came to the end of the trail. They proceeded
a mile and a half farther, being guided by the
stars. It had become known that a new family had
come into the neighborhood and all the people
kindly offered to assist at the raising of the home
roof and sure enough, on the momentous day when
the house was to be given form, the neighbors assembled from twenty miles distant and before the
night a safe and comfortable, if not elegant, habitation was reared.
On the farm Mr. Beardslee reared a family of
eight children, whose names are as follows: Madison S., who lives in Sciota Township; Drusilla,
now Mrs. William Claucherty, deceased; John M.;
Alanson, who lives in Whitmore, Iosco County,
this State; Peter S., who lives at the old homestead; Henry T., at Laingsburg; Emeline, deceased, and Martha, who is now Mrs. C. L. Dean.
J. M. Beardslee was born June 3, 1830, at Hardston, Sussex County, N. J. When he attained manhood lie was married in 1854 to Miss Angelina
Ladue. He had purchased one hundred and sixty
acres which he began to improve. He now has
two hundred and twenty acres, sixty acres of which
are exceptionally well improved.
Mr. Beardslee lost his wife fourteen months after
marriage. He was again married January 7,1857,
to Jane E. Dean, a sister of C. L. Dean. She also
died April 28, 1888, and he was united a third time
in marriage to a lady who was the widow of A. W.
Bugbee. He has a family of six children: The
eldest boy, Charles Henry, is in California; May
A., who was Mrs. Jacob Boyd,is deceased; Eva Jane,
who became Mrs. George Kenny, of Sciota Township; Emma, who married Elvert Place and lives
in Los Gates, Cal.; Lanson Guy, who lives in




t


a




I,  (
' 7




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


257


Sciota Township, and Fred, who died June 5, 1890,
at the age of seventeen. The only people in Bennington Township when the Beardslee family came
to this State were the Nichols, Tewsberry, Hutchins, Joe Skinner, Jennison, Jim Bugbee, Lern Cohn,
David Perry, Moses and Samuel Pitts, tie Howard
brothers and Samuel Kellogg. Our subject is a
Democrat in politics. He has a fine home and holds
a high position in the community.
ELLS B. FOX, M. D. It is both pleasant
and instructive to trace the history of a
man who has by native ability and force
of character made his mark in any of the learned
professions- It is especially interesting to study
the career of one who has made surgery his
chosen caDling, and who is awake to the wonderful
improvements which have been made within a few
years in that noble branch of medical science and
who is in this respect in the front rank of his profession. It is of such an one we now write and his
portrait is also presented to our readers.
Dr. Wells B. Fox was born in Buffalo, N. Y.,
September 1, 1823. His parents, Augustus C. and
Esther (Pratt) Fox, were born in Westminster,
Vt.; anld hoth came with their parents to Buffalo
in the same year, 1803. Augustus C. Fox was an
attorney and one of the first in Buffalo, being
County Attorney of Erie County for some years,
and enjoying an extensive practice. Hie passed his
life in that county, and died in 1854.  He and
his worthy wife reared six sons, namely: Charles
James, Augustus C., Wells B., Samuel Russell,
Benjamin F., and Elias William. The eldest son
is in the hardware business in Council Bluffs, Ia.;
Augustus lives at Deerfield, Livingston County,
Mich.; Samuel is a partner in the St. Louis Novelty
Works in St. Louis, Mo.; Benjamin F. has been
for thirty-five years a hardware merchant at Springfield, 111. and the youngest son was for many years
with Pratt, Fox & Co., in the same line of business
at St. Louis, Mo., but ten years ago he bought the
Washington Republican and published that paper


until his death in the early part of the present
year (1891).
The early history of Dr. Fox is very interesting.
When a child of eight years he was injured and
was placed for surgical treatment in the care of
Dr. Cyrenas Chapin, of Buffalo, one of the most
eminent surgeons of the Empire State.  The old
Doctor had no sons and kept the child with him.
IHe early imbibed the idea of studying medicine
and from the time he was fourteen years old compounded all Dr. Chapin's medicines and traveled
with him all over that part of the country.  Dr.
Chapin was a noted surgeon and taught the boy
to tie blood vessels and he was soon known as
the "artery boy."  The young student studied in
Buffalo, and took his medical course first in Union
College at Schenctady, N. Y., graduating there in
1843, and then in the medical department of tile
University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia.
After graduation, the young Doctor was appointed  under Dr. John Trowbridge   medical
attendant of the County Farm  and H-ospital of
Erie County, N. Y.   IHe took up his residence
near Buffalo and for two years had full charge of
this work. In 1849 lie came to Livingston County,
Mich., where his brother, A. C. Fox was living.
tie clame expecting to return East, but was induced
to remain, and soon began a general practice, such
as is incident to a frontier region in Hartland, that
county. He continued there until 1862, when he
enriere(l the army as a surgeon.
Gov. Wisner, who raised the Twenty-Second
Michigan Infantry, appointed Dr. Fox Assistant
Surgeon in August, 1862, l)r. A. R. McConnell,
now of Ludington, this State, being Surgeon. In
this capacity he servedl until July, 1863, when he
was nmade Surgeon of the Eighth Michigan Infantri until the close of the war. While in the
Twenty-Second Regiment, after Morgan's raid in
Kentucky, he organized the hospitals at Lexington,
Ky., being detailed for this purpose until January,
1863. He then went to Nashville, Tenn., where
he was detailed as Surgeon in charge of the Transfer Hospital, then located at the Zollicoffer Hotel.
He then joined the Eighth Regiment in front
of Vicksburg, Miss., during the siege. In August
he crossed the Cumberland Mountains to East Ten



258


P~ORTIRAIT A~ND BIOG~RAPHICAC.L ALBUJM.


2             PORTRAT AD BA


nessee, and was present at the siege of Knoxville,
and at the various battles in East Tennessee, being
detailed at Knoxville, as Surgeon in charge of the
Court House Hospital.  He remained here until
Gen. Burnside was relieved of the command of the
Ninth Army Corps, when the Eighth Regiment
veteranized and on the 8th of January started
home to fill up their ranks.
The regiment returned to the Army of the Potomac in the spring of 1864, in time to take part
in the battle of the Wilderness, and l)r. Fox was
placed on the operating staff, First Division Ninth
Army Corps, and was placed in charge of tie Field
Hospital. In September, 1864, he was made Surgeon-in-Chief of the Field Hospital in front of
Peterslurg and continued in this position until he
was discharged, July 20, 1865. He was at Appomattox with his hospital, and was, by invitation
of Gen. Sheridan, a witness of the making of the
terms of peace between Grant and Lee. He did a
large amount of personal work in surgical operations during his military service.
At the close of the Civil War Dr. Fox returned
to Michigan and located at Hartland, but in 1867
settled in Byron, this county, buying five hundred
acres of land near Bancroft, and moving on the
farm. In 1877 he came into the village of Bancroft and took an interest in its improvement,
erecting quite a number of houses which were a
material benefit to the village.  He still owns his
farm but carries on an extensive practice.  He is
widely known as a surgeon and devotes most of
his attention to that branch of the healing art, often
being called to far distant points on account of
his skill in surgery.  He is considered one of
of the leading members of the State Medical
Association.
The marriage of Dr. Fox and Miss Triphena
Skinner took place in Deerfield, Livingston County,
January 8, 1853. She died August 31, 1888. The
present Mrs. Fox who was united in marriage with
the Doctor, April 7, 1889, was born in Washtenaw
County, January 26, 1837, her maiden name being
Orcelia Melvin. Her parents, Lyman and Sarah Ann
(Arnett) Melvin, were natives of New York, who
came to Michigan in 1836. In February of the
following year they settled in Antrim Township,


Shiawassee County, on land adjoining the first
home of Allen Beard, who was a brother-in-law of
Mr. Melvin.
By his first marriage the Doctor had two daughters-Addie Elizabeth, who now lives at Bancroft
and is the widow of Esek Olney: and Lillian Belle,
who is Mrs. Dr. Harvey. The Doctor has never
been an office seeking politician, but is one of the
leaders of the Republican party which he helped
to organize under the trees at Jackson, Mich. He
has been an Odd Fellow since 1848 and is now
Noble Grand of Bancroft Lodge No. 112, and a
member of Bryon Encampment, where he has filled
all the chairs repeatedly.
Dr. Fox has a complete surgical record (taken
on the field) of all Michigan Regiments in the
Ninth Army Corps. This is of much value to the
families of all old soldiers and it shows in details
the facts relative to each wounded soldier, with
character of wound, treatment and disposition of
the case. Hle stands high not only in tile councils
of the Grand Army of the Republic, but also in
his profession, and his reputation as a surgeon is
national in its character.
7 LVIN    EVANS. a well-known citizen of
Owosso, Shiawassee County, engaged in inI  specting Government lands for private
parties, is a native of New York where he
was born near Rochester in 1830. His parents
were Lester and Abigail Evans. After their marriage at her home they removed to Michigan, and
made their home in Lenawee County, in the township of Rome, near Adrian where they spent the
remainder of their days. They had seven children,
three sons and four daughters, and four of this
circle are now living. The district schools of
Rome Township, supplied the training of this boy
and hle remained on the farm until he reached his
nineteenth year. The young man now went into
the woods and engaged in lumbering and also spent
some time in trapping and dressing furs. He was
in the woods altogether some nine years. For a
short time he engaged in the mercantile business




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


259


I- -


but did not find that it agreed with his health and
he sold out. He then entered the employ of the
Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company in
locating their lands and also in other parts of Michigan.
For the past five years Mr. Evans has been engaged in locating for a private company in the
West and also in the South traveling in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and other Southern States.
He is much of the time in the employ of Robins
& Lacy of Grand Rapids. He is not at home much
of the time but is employed by individuals in making estimates of the value of land and timber in
which he is considered an expert. Parties who
know him generally decline to purchase until lie
has given an estimate or expressed an opinion.
Mr. Evans' marriage with Miss Sarah A. Wallace, which took place December 18, 1862, at West
Haven, this county, was an event of supreme im -
portance in his life. This lady is a native of Washtenaw County, Mich., where she was born in 1844,
and she is one of eleven children in her parental
home. Ten of this circle have grown to man's and
woman's estate. The parents were George and
Abigail (Branch) Wallace, the mother being born
in Benson, Mass., March 28, 1807, and the father
in Townsend, Mass., September 5, 1808. Their
marriage took place in Lenox, May 30, 1827. They
removed to Michigan in 1838, settling in Washtenaw County, and in 1855 removed to Shiawassee
County, locating on a farm in Shiawassee Township, where they passed the remainder of their
days. The father filled a number of official positions in the township, and died September 24,
1878. He had been bereaved of his faithful wife
on May 8, 1874.
To Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been born four
children, George T., who died at four years of age;
Wallace A. died about four years of age; Albert
B., Verner A. L. Their beautiful farm of one
hundred and sixty-five acres lies one mile north of
the city limits, and they have another fine farm
six miles north of the city, which comprises one
hundred and seventy-five acres of timbei land, hard
wood. They also have a handsome residence at
No. 1114 North Mulberry Street. They are both active members of the First Baptist Church, and lib

eral contributors to church work and other benevoleit enterprises. They are intelligent and interested in public affairs, Mr. Evans being a stanch
Democrat, and Mrs. Evans a Prohibitionist.
q,9 1 —             - -- -=!


QEWTON BALDWIN, the well-known Justice of the Peace at Owosso, Shiawassee
County, is a native of the Wolverine State
and was born in Oakland Township, Oakland
County, October 22, 1833. His parents Benedict
and Permelia (Potter) Baldwin were both natives
of Connecticut. After marriage the father bought
a farm near Rochester, N. Y., at which city they
were married. Mrs. Baldwin was a daughter of
Daniel Potter, of English descent.
In 1824 this couple came to Michigan and settled in Oakland County onl an unbroken farm, and
continued there until their death, the father passing away in 1886, and the mother in 1863. Of
their nine children, eight are now living: Newton
is the youngest of the family, and he passed his
early school days in Oakland County. He then
attended the High School at Grand Rapids for
some two years.
The young man now began teaching, pursuing
this calling in Oakland County for six terms, and
in 1855 going to Iowa where he taught for three
terms. In 1860 Mr. Baldwin returned to Michig:n and undertook general merchandising in
Owosso. This he carried on for twenty years, associating with him during a part of the time his
Ibrother Charles A. Baldwin, and at another time
Mr. Charles C. Shattuck. For a year or two lhe
was out of business and then engaged for a second
time in Owosso in the mercantile line. Ile finally sold
out and entered the political arena, and being a candidate for County Clerk on the Democratic ticket
was elected. lie served in this office for two years
and also held the office of City Clerk and City
Treasurer for six years. He was candidate for the
office of Judge of the Probate Court on the Democratic ticket, and was defeated by a small majority of one hundred, the county ticket in general
going sixteen hundred majority for the Republican




260


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


candidates.  He then became book-keeper for Arthur McHardy, and was afterward employed by
M. L. Stewart, the banker, as Collector and Cashier,
and with him he remained for four years. In April,
1887, he was elected Justice of the Peace for a term
of four years and in the spring of 1891 was reelected to the same office.
The marriage of our subject in January, 1857,
united him with Miss Mary 0. Bromley, of Oakland County, Mich., of which she is a native. Her
parents are Bethuel and Eliza Bromley who were
early settlers in Michigan. One of Mr. and Mrs.
Baldwin's children has been called to the better
world. The other a daughter, Maude, remains to
cheer and comfort her parents.
Mr. Baldwin is a prominent member of Owosso
Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., and also of Owosso
Chapter iNo. 89, R. A. M., and of Corunna Commandery. He was elected Circuit Court Commissioner in the fall of 1890. After serving two
years as County Clerk he was admitted to the bar
of Shiawassee County. His beautiful home is at
the corner of Hickory and Williams Streets.
C    ONSTANTINE      GRULER. The thriving
town of Fowler is the seat of some flourishing business establishments, among which
the store of Mr. Gruler is quite noticeable. A
carefully-selected stock, valued at about $8,000, is
displayed in the new building that was put up in
1889 by its present occupant and is the best edifice
in the place. Mr. Gruler has been engaged in business here for some years, beginning his work when
the prospect for a town seemed -very poor, as the
country was covered with forest, with only here
and the:e a cleared farm in that part now occupied
by Fowler and the surrounding cultivated fields.
Mr. Gruler has carried on a good trade in grain
and produce and in an earlier day speculated in
real estate quite extensively. He has a pleasant
home, his residence being one of the most tasteful
in the village.
Philip Gruler, father of our subject, was born in
Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1805, and came to


America in 1851. He located in New York City,
but after living there five years came out to Clinton County and settled on a farm of fifty acres
which belonged to his son, our subject. He was a
builder and furniture-maker in his own country
and in New York was foreman of a piano factory.
He was married in Rottweil, Wurtemberg, to Mary
A. Kustor and to them were born the following children: Constantine, Louisa, and Romaine. Louisa is
now living in Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Gruler died
in Bengal Township in 1858 at the age of fiftythree years; his wife passed away in 1865, while on
a visit to her daughter in Brooklyn.
Constantine Gruler was born in Rottweil, Wurttemberg, May 19, 1832, and came to this country
with his parents. In his native land he had pursued the usual educational work and home life until fifteen years old, when he had become an
apprentice, serving three years in a store and paying $180 to the merchant for the privilege of
learning the business. After the family came to
America hie worked in a bakery and in a molding
shop, doing gilding in the latter. In 1857 he camne
to Clinton County and settled on his farm, and
here he was married to Caroline Schemer, a native
of Germany who came to America about 1856,
and lived with his stepson, Frederick Schemer, in
Clinton County. To Mr. and Mrs. Gruler nine
children were born, namely: Louisa, now Mrs.
Cook of Fowler; Annie, Mrs. Whittaker of Pewamo; Frank, a grain dealer in Fowler; Emma, who
is at the head of her father's store; Fanny, who
also clerks in the store; Alfred, Amelia, Rosa and
Ernest.
About 1857 Mr. Gruler traded his Bengal Township property for eighty acres in Dallas Township
and on the latter he made his home for ten years.
He then traded for eighty acres in Westphalia
Township and lived thereon until 1868, when he
sold it and went to Missouri, prospecting for a new
home. After a visit of two months he returned to
Michigan, satisfied to remain here, and in partnership with her brother-in-law, Frederick Schemer, he
started a mercantile enterprise where Fowler has
been built up. The partnership continued about
six years and the business has been continued by
Mr. Gruler. He has deprived of the companion







.4yI




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


263




ship of his faithful wife in 1883, when she closed
her eyes in death, breathing her last in Fowler.
She was born in Ulm, Germany, in the year 1841.
Mr. Gruler is a Master Mason, belonging to St.
John's Lodge, No. 105, and is also connected with
the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Fowler.
He has always been a Democrat. He has served in
the official capacities of Township Supervisor and
Treasurer, Highway Commissioner and Justice of
the peace, and at present is President of the
village of Fowler. That he has been a useful member of society and that his fellow-citizens think
well of him is conclusively proven by the official
positions to which lie has been called.
J  OIN M. FITCH, of the firm of J. M. Fitch
I & Son, of Corunna, is engaged in operating a planing milliand manufactures lumber, doors, sash and blinds. He is one of
the first half-dozen settlers in Shiawassee County,
and is a most delightful companion, pleasantly entertaining friends with reminiscences of the olden
times. He was born in Bedford, Mass., July 8,
1811. His ancestors came to America from the Isle
of Man about the year 1655. His father and
grandfather both bore the name of Moses, and were
farmers in Bedford. The grandfather was wounded
in the Revolutionary War, and died from this
cause. His father bore the name of Jeremiah. The
father of our subject died of an accident in Bedford
in 1824. The mother was known in maidenhood
as Polly Brown, and was a daughter of Daniel B.
Brown, a citizen of Lunenburg, Mass., and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Our subject is the
only child of his mother, and she remained with
him until her death in 1886, when she was nearing
the ninety-ninth anniversary of her birth.
Young Fitch attended the common schools and
followed farming in Bedford. In 1833 he sold his
property, and at that time executed the first deed
ever made of the farm,as it had been in the family
for generations. He removed to Meredith, N. H..
now known as Laconia, and took an interest in a
cotton manufactory. After three years he came


West, and in the fall of 1836 located in Ann Arbor for one winter, coming in the spring to Shiawassee Township, Shiawassee County.  He kept
public house that summer in the building that was
formerly occupied by A. L. Williams, the old In.
dian trader. This, the first hotel in Shiawassee
County, was known as the Shiawassee Exchange,
and all the county business was done there.
Mr. Fitch boughlt eighty acres of wild land, upon
which lie built a log house and began clearing the
timber. Wild animals were plentiful, as were also
the Chippewa Indians, with whom he learned to
talk, his house being only a mile from the Reservation Ketchermaudaugeninick, of three thousand
acres. As his health failed, he went East in June,
1840, and after spending some time in New York
and Philadelphia, went to the Isle of Cuba. Health
being restored, he returned to Michigan, farming
on rented land for five years, until he became
Sheriff in 1853, when he removed to Corunna for
four years. After renting land in Caledonia for
twelve years, he bought a farm in Hazelton in
1867, and made his home on it until 1875. IIe
ceased farming operations and engaged in 1880 in
a sawmill. Iie next built a planing mill at Judd's
Corners, and in 1890 bought the mill of McLaughlin Bros., and during that year moved to Corunna.
When lie gets both mills well consolidated, as he
is now planning, he will have the largest planing
mill in Shiawassee County, and a complete set
of machinery for manufacturing anything in his
line.
The year 1833 was the date which marked Mr.
Fitch's change from single to married life, and he
was then wedded in Bedford, Mass., to Miss Catherine Bacon, of that place. Of their three children the eldest, George B., was a fine mechanic,
who went South and has not been heard from since
1872; John A. is in partnership with his father;
and Abbie is the wife of Mr. John Andrews, who
is in the hardware business at Ovid. Our subject
has been for nine years Supervisor of the township in which he resides, and was Justice of the
Peace for some years. He has filled all the township offices and for years served in the office of the
Registrar of Deeds. He is a demitted member of
the Free and Accepted Masons, and belongs to the




264


PORTRiAIT AN1YD BIIOGRAPHIC AL ALBUM.CI


2 4A       A


Sons of Temperance. He has always voted with
the Democratic party, and for years has been an
influential member of the party. iHe and his wife
have been married almost sixty years. Both are
members of the Presbyterian Church, and highly
esteemed in social circles. The lithographic portrait of Mr. Fitch accompanies this sketch.
OHN BROWN, one of the official citizens
of St. John's, was born in County Antrim,
Ireland, December 4, 1834.  His father,
Francis Brown, was a native of Ireland and
a weaver by trade. He was born in 1807, and
came to America in 1842, locating in Essex County,
N. J. In 1850 he came to Oakland County, Mich.,
and two years later removed to Clinton County,
where he died in 1855. He belonged to the Presbyterian Church in his native land.
The mother of our subject, Susannah Brown,
was born in Antrim, Ireland, and is still living to
bless her children at the age of eighty-four years.
Of her ten children, our subject is the eldest, and
lie was but seven years old when his parents came
to America. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1852 when the country in these parts was
still a wilderness and very little clearing had been
done. After he had reached the age of nine or
pelhaps ten years he had an opportunity of attending the district school, but most of his education
was procured at home. While attending school he
chopped wood nights and mornings. In those
days deer were abundant and other game was plentiful and his father often killed a deer and thus
supplied the family with fresh meat which was
very rare in those days. The Indians were frequent callers and friendly neighbors.
The boy began to work out for neighboring
farmers as soon as he was old enough, and he was
thus able to earn money to pay for the first eighty
acres that his father owned in the Western home.
He also earned in this way the means to buy for
himself a farm. In 1857 he purchased his present
farm on section 27, Bengal Township, Clinton
County. This land was then an unbroken forest


and not an ax had been swung against its trees nor
a spade set in its virgin soil. He cut the first stick
and built the first house upon it and made his home
there about the year 1860.
The marriage of John Brown in 1858 with Soarahi
J. Teneick was an event of great importance in the
life of the young man. His intelligent and amiable bride was born in Canada, near Toronto, and
had been living in Michigan for some five years,
her parents being early settlers in Bengal Township. Three children have come to bless this home,
William H., George A., and James E. The subject
of this brief sketch is an earnest Republican and
is proud to say that he cast his first vote for John
C. Fremont. He is often solicited to fill positions
of trust and responsibility in the township and has
been Supervisor for eight years. He has also acted
as Treasurer for three years, and for two years has
filled the position of Drainage Commissioner. He
frequently sits as a delegate in various conventions, including the Republican State Convention.
He is an earnest member of the Grange and is ever
alive to movements which will favor the best interests of the farming community. Both he and his
good wife are members of the United Brethren
Church, which organization has made him a Trustee
of church and parsonage. He began life on the
bottom round of the ladder and has climbed to
where he can see prosperity and an excellent degree of success. His farm comprises one hundred
and sixty acres and the excellent buildings which
he has placed upon it are an ornament to the
township.
RED J. PAINE, the owner of a fine
farm located on section 7, Vernon Township, was born in Orleans County, Murray
Township, N. Y., February 27, 1848. His father
was Joseph W. Paine, a native of New York and
born in Herkimer County, in 1803, where he was
reared until he reached manhood. He acquired
the trade of a carriage-maker, wlich he followed a
large part of his life, although he bought and sold
grain and owned a large warehouse in Hinsburg,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


265


N. Y., on the Erie Canal. When he came to Michigan, in 1857, he located directly inl Vernon Township, on section 7.
A  little log house was on the farm  when Mr.
Paine came there and the place was partially improved. He remained in the house that was on
the place when he first came until his death, at the
age of eighty-five years. Politically, Mr. Paine
was a Republican. Religiously, he was a member
of the Universalist Church, and socially he identified himself at one time with the Odd Fellows.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Eliza Hill. She was a native of New York and
was born in Parma, Monroe County, in 1815.
She is still living and resides with W. D. Garrison.
She is a member of the Congregational Church.
She and her husband were married in Monroe
County and they became parents of two children,
a son and a daughter. The lady spoken of was
the second wife, Mr. Paine's first wife having lived
only a few years and leaving to him but one
daughter-Imogene-who is now the widow of
Z. B. St. John. The widow of Mr. Paine has as
above stated, two children-Jeanette, the wife of
W. D. Garrison, whose sketch will be found on another page in this ALBUM, and our subject.
Our subject is the first and only son and was tel
years old when he came to Michigan with his parents. Iis early school days were passed in his
native place and after he came to this State he attended school in a log house on section 8. He finished his schooling in the house that stands on the
corner of section 18, District No. 2. He remained
with his father until lie became of age and then
worked for him by the month until he was married, which event was celebrated in 1873. The
maiden name of his wife was Mary Clark.  She
was an only daughter of William and Delia Clark
and was born in Detroit in 1853.
After Mr. Paine's marriage he lived with his
parents for a period of about three years, then
located where he now resides. He is the proud
father of three children-two daughters and one
son. They are, Katie Belle, Mabel and Charles.
Mr. Paine may well be proud of his farm, which
comprises two hundred thirty-seven acres of wellimproved land, one hundred fifty acres of this


being under the plow; thirty-five acres is in
heavy timber, the rest is in pasture. IHe raises
many sheep, having at present three hundred and
thirty head of sheep and lambs. He also keeps a
fine stock of horses, now having eight head.  lie
is a general farmer and stock-raiser, making a
specialty of sheep-raising. Last year his lambs aggregated one hundred and thirty-nine. He handles
more sheep than any other man in the county,
having an average of one hundred lambs per year
for the last four years.
In politics Mr. Paine is a Republican and has
held many positions under his party. He is at
present Postmaster   in  which office he does
efficient duty.  He   has  one  of the   finest
farms in the county and as his ingenuity and
sense  of  order know   no  end, he    is constantly making improvements which add greatly
to the value as well as the comfort and convenience of the place.
i AMEiS N. McBRIDE, of the firm of Dewey
& Me Bride, publishers of the Owosso
Times is one of the influential citizens of
Owosso. The paper was established in 1881
by lion. George M. Dewey, whose biographical
sketch is found elsewhere in this volume. That
gentleman continued in the management of the
paper until 1890, at which time Mr. McBride purchased a half interest in the office with Mr. E. O.
Dewey.
The Owosso Times is the accredited organ of
l;he Republican party in Shiawassee County, and is
a fine appearing sheet, quarto in size, with a seven
column page and is issued every Friday. It is a
newsy sheet and its typographical excellence is a
credit to its publishers. The two large cylinder
presses and the two job presses of this office are
supplied with power by a gas engine. This establishment is also supplied with a large Bascom
folder and a thirty-two inch paper cutter. This
firm does the printing for the Shiwassee Reporter
besides carrying on a large job business.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Mercer




266


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


County, Pa., and a son of James S., and Mary
(Offutt) McBride. He was born December 12, 1864,
and his parents now reside in Shiawassee County.
For further matters in regard to the family history
we are pleased to refer our readers to the sketch of
James S. McBride to be found upon another page
of this album.
James N. McBride graduated from the Owosso
High School in 1884, and entered the university of
Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking the literary course
where he took his diploma in 1888, being awarded
also the second prize which was offered by the
American Protective Tariff League for an essay
on tie subject of tariff. One of the judges, Robert P. Porter, Superintendent of eleventh Census
of the United States, was so pleased with the young
man as to offer him a position on his force.  lie
appointed Mr. McBride Supervisor of the Third
Census District of Michigan.
The young man's intelligence and interest in
education brought him before the public and two
years after his graduation he was elected Superintendent of Schools of Shiawassee County, where he
served successfully for two years. He also became
a candidate for the nomination in the Republican
State Convention for the office of State Superin
tendent of Public Instruction, and received a large
vote in the convention, standing second to the man
who was finally nominated. Since he took charge
of the Owosso Times it has plainly shown tie management of a man who understands the newspaper
business and who is pushing to the front among
the newspaper fraternity of Michigan..LBERT T. PARRISH is a practicing physician and druggist at Byron, Shiawassee
County, and was born in Redford, Wayne
County, this State, September 27, 1859.
He is a son of Othniel T. and Cordelia C. (Taylor) Parrish, natives of New York State. They
were married in Wayne County, this State. The
mother of the family was taken away at Ovid.
The father now resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Until
the present time he has followed farming as his


vocation. He is a man in comfortable circumstances, a Republican in politics and a member
of the Masonic order.
The parents of our subject had three children,
of which the one of whom we write is the only
survivor. In childhood he lived in tile town of
Redford, Wayne County. When fourteen, his parents removed to Ovid, where lie remained until
reaching his majority. Tile schools of this county
are exceptionally good and our subject made the
most of his advantages, so that when le reached
twenty years of age he was well prepared to enter
the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. In 1881 he was graduaeed
from this institution with high honors.
The entrance of a young man upon his professional career is a momentous occasion, and especially in the profession of nmedicine where there
there is so much competition and so many circumstanees to be taken into consideration, it is necessary for a young man to balance and weigh well
all advantages and disadvantages before determining where he will practice. It is said that a
prophet is without honor in his own country, so
comparatively few young men begin their practice where they have gr:own up, and where all
their youthful escapades may serve to undervalue
their real professional ability. Dr. Parrish was
not an exception to the rule, and after much study
of the matter he located at Evart, Mich., and
there practiced until May, 1884, when he went to
Marcellus, remaining there until October, 1887,
when lie came to Byron, where he still continues
to practice. Dr. Parrish also had a large and flourishing drug business, in which he was also engaged at Marcellus. He is eminently a self-made
man, for he began without any material help whatever and entirely without means, with indefatigable energy he pursued his favorite idea. He
worked himself through college and with unswerving energy bent his will to securing the fine anl
lucrative practice which he now has.
The original of our sketch is a Mason, in which
body he has attained to a Master degree. He
also belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. IHe
is an ardent Republican, believing fully in that
platform with all the tenets that it implies. Sep



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


267


tember 15, 1880, Dr. Parrish induced Miss Maria
Hathaway to change her name for that of Parrish.
The lady is from  Middlebury, Shiawassee County,
where she was born. She is a daughter of William
and Mary (Bearce) Hathaway. Two little children
are at once the joy and care of their fond and
proud parents. Our subject and his estimable
lady dispense a liberal and charming hospitality
from their pleasant home in Byron.
~                          z
ILLIAM L. PAYNE, a well-known business man of Owosso, Shiawassee County,
who is respected alike for his thorough
business qualities and his quiet, unassuming, yet
honorable character, was born in Niagara County,
N. Y., March 4, 1832. His parents, Daniel and
Charlotte (Hargcr) Payne, were of Eastern birth,
the father being born in Massachusetts and the
mother near Saratoga, N. Y., where she first
saw the light July 13, 1811. Her parents, Eber
and Mary Harger, were of English ancestry.
Our subject came West in 1836, removing with
his parents to Genesee County, this State, where
he became interested in lumbering and shingle
making. Daniel Payne died in 1847, and his wife
passed away, in Owosso, in 1884. She was the
mother of four children, of whom our subject is
the oldest, the others being Eliza E., Edward 11.
and Chancy J. William   L. received only a very
limited education in the common schools. He
assisted his father up to the time of the death of
that parent, which occurred when William was
but fifteen years old, and from  that time lie was
thrown wholly upon his own resources, working
at lumbering and mining.
The Western fever so seriously affected this
young man as to lead him, in 1859, to cross the
continent by the overland route in company with
others, some going on horseback and others with
ox teams, and some with horse teams. Upon reaching Salt Lake City both of Mr. Payne's horses were
stolen by the Mormons. He loaded his effects on the
wagons of some of his friends and made the rest of
the journey to California on foot. IHe made a


halt at Placerville, where he began working in the
Placer Mines, and there spent thirteen months. He
spent six years at Coloma, Cal., where he met
with fair success.
Mr. Payne returned to Michigan in 1865, and
in the following spring came to Owosso. where he
went to work at harness-making with a younger
brother, Chancy J. Payne. Having spent twelve
months with him, he started in business on his
own account, and has ever since followed the line
of lharness-making and repairing. In company
with George Carpenter, he has erected a fine
brick building on West Main Street, which accommodates one store. He has also put up a brick
house adjoining on his own account on the same
street, and he has a pleasant residence on SouthBall Street.
Mr. Payne was marrield December 22, 1890, to
Mary E. Baker, of Fenton, Mich. This lady is a
native of Michigan. AMr. Payne is a Republican in
his political views, but not in any sense a politician.
He has been successful in business and has acquired
a comfortable competency.
OORSUCH & WELCH are editors of the Corunna Journal,a weekly five-column quarto,
k~1 that was established in 1 881 by J.N.Ingersol.
The Journal office has good appliances for carrying
on job work and a fine business is conducted in
this department. The Journal is a reputable sheet,
carefully edited, neatly printed, and having a
good circulation in and near the county seat. Mr.
Gorsuch is a practical printer and all-round newspaper man, and both editors are keen, quick-witted
and oberving, and have the command of language
which makes their utterances readable and instructive.
The senior member of the journalistic firm is a
grandson of Maj. Benjamin Gorsuch, who was
born in Maryland and died on his farm there. His
title came from  his position during the War of
1812. The next in the direct line was D. H. Gorsuch, a native of Maryland, who learned the trade




268


PORtTRAIT AND BIOGRA~PHICAL AIJBUM.


68  P T IA BO A.


of a tanner and currier. He traveled a great deal,
but in 1865, made a permanent location in St.
John's, Clinton County, where he was for some
time engaged in the harness and leather business,
but is now handling produce. His wife was Ann
M. Gorsuch, daughter of Jacob Gorsuch, and a native of Maryland. She died in St. John's in 1867,
leaving six children.
Elmer U. Gorsuch was the youngest of his parents' family and was born in Stryker, Ohio, March
12, 1864. HIe was but an infant when his parents
came from that place to Michigan and he grew to
maturity in St. John's. He was an apt scholar, and
in 1881 received his diploma, after having completed the high school studies. He taught a year, then
entered the office of the Clinton County Independent and worked on that paper in various capacities
until 1887, when he bought the Corunna Journal.
A year later E. J. Peacock was taken in as partner
but in 1890 that gentleman was bought out by F.
E. Welch and the present firm formed. Mr. Gorsuch votes the Republican ticket.
Mr. Frank Welch is the fourth of five sons born
to Benjamin and Lovina (Toby) Welch. His parents were natives of the Empire State, the father
born in Steuben County in 1813. Hle was a farmer
in his native State until 1832, when he came to
Michigan and located at Troy Corners, Oakland
County. In 1837 he entered land in Burns Township, in Shiawassee County, but did not take possession of it until 1840. From that time until 1860
he was engaged in improving and operating it, and
then sold and made his home in Byron, where he
died in 1867. His wife had breathed her last on
the farm in 1852. Mr. Welch was one of the thirteen men in Burns Township who first advocated
the principles of abolition.
Mr. Frank Welch who is now engaged in editorial work,was born May 10, 1848,and reared to the
age of fourteen on the home farm. During his boyhood he attended the district school and the graded
school in Byron. When fourteen years old he
began clerking, and was engaged in trade until he
assumed the duties of County Clerk. Mr. Welch
was first elected to that position in the fall of 1880
and was subsequently re-elected three times, holding the office continuously until January, 1889.


I
I


In the fall preceding he had refused to again become a candidate, as the confinement was telling
upon his health. In 1888 he had been admitted to
the Michigan bar, but he has not practiced. While
living in Byron he was City Recorder, Assessor
and Trustee. He is a well-informed, energetic man
and he and his partner have good standing in social and business circles.
EORGE F. JANES. Although this gentleman is not actively engaged in farming, yet
his sympathies are with the agriculturists,
as he formerly gave his attention to the same work
and now has farm land that he rents out. For some
time past his home has been in the village of Ovid,
and he is known and honored there. He has been
engaged in breeding fine horses, and has one animal that is one of the finest bred in the county —
"Col. Lewis," a handsome equine. For about a
twelvemonth Mr. Janes lived in Detroit where he
carried on the Park Dining Hall, on Woodward
Avenue, but most of his mature years have been
spent in pursuance of the calling of a farmer.
The direct progenitors of our subject were Howell W. and Lucy B. (Hall) Janes, natives of New
York, and the father a farmer. The early years
of the son were therefore passed upon a farm, and
from his childhood he found work to do on the
place. His birth occurred in Genesee County,
N. Y., April 5, 1835, and when old enough lie attended school in the winter. As his parents lived
about three miles from the schoolhouse, the walk
was a long one, and the lad worked for his board
in a family near the school, while pursuing his
studies. His parents had removed to tis State
when he was ten years old and settled in Duplain
Township, Clinton County. He recalls scenes of
wildness, when few and remote were the dwellings
of the settlers, there was no railroad nearer than
Pontiac, and the train made such poor time that a
man could run and overtake it almost anywhere.
Mr. Janes did not leave the parental roof until
he was twenty-four years old, and then set up a
home of his own, having won the consent of Miss




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


269


I


Mary E. Kingsley to aid him in that purpose. The
young couple were united in marriage November
7, 1858, at the home of the bride's father, Dennis
Kingsley, in Wayne County. near Northville. To
Mr. and Mrs. Janes there came five children, but
three were taken from them in infancy-Willie,
Freddie and Frank. There were left to cheer them
Alma Isabel, who was born October 8, 1862, and is
now the wife of James Crook, a farmer in Gratiot
County, and Orrin K., whose natal day was March
3, 1867, and who is married to Minnie Laing of
Cass City, Tuscola County, and is Cashier of the
Cass City Bank. The mother died on the farm
August 31, 1873, and on May 3, 1881, Mr. Janes
wedded Mrs. Mary E. Case, nee Misner, of Ovid.
When Mr. Janes was married he established his
home on land in Duplain Township, Clinton County, and there lie remained until 1886, having in the
meantime brought it up to par in point of cultivation and improvement. The forest growth was
removed by himself and other work done such as
is needed in developing new tracts. When he
left the place he went to Detroit,and in a short time
was located in the village of Ovid, where lie has
continued to reside. In politics he is a Republican, but his interest in affairs of a party nature is
limited to a knowledge of what is transpiring and
a proper disposition of his vote, and never leads
him to seek office. He is a Mason and for the past
three years has filled the Secretary's Chair in the
Ovid Lodge. He did his best to educate his children
and fit them for useful careers, and when projects
are advanced for the public good he is ready to
respond.
tiSi, e


business. He came to Michigan in 1883 and at
once located where he is now living-on an improved farm of ninety acres, upon which he has
since done considerable toward making it what it
is to-day. Like others of his class, he can always
see where some improvement can be made either
in repairing, enlarging or refitting the buildings,
and bringing the property under more thorough
cultivation. His estate is a well-regulated one
and from  it good and abundant crops are harvested.
Mr. Atherton is of New England parentage, his
father having been a native of New Hampshire
and his mother of Boston, Mass. His maternal
grandrather fought in the War of 1812. The
names of his parents were Alonzo D. and Sarah
(Goodrich) Atherton and they were living in
Cheshire County, N. H., when he was born,
January 2, 1837. His early years were spent upon a farm but he had very good school privileges,
first attending in the neighboring district and
later going to a good academy, where he fitted
himself for civil engineering which he has followed
several years before coming to tils state. In his
eighteenth year he left home and began teaching
in Orleans County and afterward went to Conada.
For four years he taught near Hamilton, for two
years near Paris and then in Watford two or three
years. These points are in the Province of Ontario. Until he was thirty years old Mr. Atherton
did little but professional work, and he then returned to Orleans County, N Y., and began to farm.
From that time he taught only occasionally, giving his attention mainly to agricultural work. He
finally decided to make Michigan his home as before mentioned. In the Province of Ontario, Canada, March 29, 1862, Mr. Atherton was married to
Miss Sarah, daughter of Stephen Barrow, of Binbrook. While they were still living in Canada
Mr. and Mrs. Atherton rejoiced in the birth of a
daughter-Clara A.-who    came to their home
January 19, 1863. She died in New York September 24, 1870. They have now two children
who are being well educated, one being almost
ready for graduation from the Ovid High School
and the other having already received his diploma,
Their names are Fred B. and Lewis 0. and they


AMUEL G. ATHERTON. The farmers
of Clinton County number in their ranks
few, if any, men of wider intellectual culture and broader general knowledge than
Mr. Atherton, whose home is in Ovid Township.
He was for a number of years engaged in teaching
and began his professional work while still in his
teens. He finally began to pay some attention to
farming and at length gave it his whole time as a




270


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


were born June 22, 1869, and August 31, 1873,
respectively.
Mr. Atherton takes considerable interest in political issues and party events and is himself a Republican. While living in New York he held
several township and county offices, but in this
State he has not allowed his name to go before the
people as a candidate. He and his family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
as people of more than ordinary intelligence and
interest in the higher things of life, Mr. and Mrs.
Atherton are well regarded.
-f~ —^"ft    c~ ---*~~-^ —^
jAY M. TERBUSH. A mingling of honest
British and German blood often forms a
strain of sturdy characteristics which makes
the best practical business men and most
thorough and progressive citizens. In this class
we may appropriately rank Mr. Terbush, a member
of the firm of Murray & Terbush, dealers in clothing, gentlemen's furnishing goods, hats, caps, boots
and shoes, one of the best known firms in Owosso.
Mr. Terbush was born in Oakland County, Mich.,
in the town of Holly, December 29, 1859. He is
the only son living by the second marriage of his
father, George W. Terbush, with Sarah Middlesworth. The father was a farmer by occupation
and a native of New York State, and of English
descent, and the latter was born in New Jersey, of
German descent. The son spent his early boyhood in Fenton, Genessee County, first attending
the common school and afterwards attending the
Baptist Seminary where he was graduated in 1875.
This young man's mercantile experience began
by his clerking in a clothing store at Fenton, for
the firm which was then known as Thurber & Murray. Here be served for one year and was then
employed by W. D. Murray, after which lie formed
a l)artnership with Mr. Murray and in the capacity
of a member of the firm continued - in business at
Fenton.
In 1884 Mr. Terbush came to Owosso and started the present store. He first opened a clothing
house, and finding himself successful, added fur

nishing goods and continued in this line until 1888,
after which he supplemented his business by introducing a line of boots and shoes. His old partner,
Mr. Murray, came to Owosso in May, 1889, and
joined him in this business. His large double
store, which is centrally located at the corner of
Washington and Main Streets, has a large business,
and the store virtually has four fronts or places of
entrance. It is literally packed with goods of excellent quality, selected with taste and disciimination, and the firm is able to fit out a man or boy
from top to toe, in first class style.
In March, 1888 Mr. Terbush married Miss Carrie A., daughter of A. J. Patterson, proprietor of
the National Hotel at Owosso. The birth of two
children, Jay M. Jr. and Rizpah Mae, are the fruits
of this union. Mr. Terbush is a member of Owosso Lodge, No. 81, F. and A. M., and of Owosso
Chapter, No. 89, R. A. M., and of Corunna
Commandery, K. T. and is also one of the Knights
of Pythias of the Subordinate Uniform rank. In
his pleasant residence on Water Street, he and his
amiable wife are the centre of a pleasant social life
around which their neighbors gather and where all
enjoy a genuine hospitality. Politically he is a
Republican.
ENRY C. CASE, a well-known farmer and
blacksmith of Eureka, Clinton County, is a
native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., and
was born October 4, 1843. He is a son of
Samuel and Maria (Penharlow) Case. The father
was a native of New York and the mother of Connecticut. Until lie was fourteen years old the boy
grew up in his native home and at that time migrated with his parents to Clinton County, this
State, making their new home in Greenbush Township. His father was thus one of the early settlers
in the township and was highly honored and respected by all who knew him, until his death in
September, 1889.
The brothers and sisters of our subject were
Maria, now Mrs. John Conant; Jane, the wife of
M. Sevy; Charlotte, Henry, and Ransford, who has




r4
I
t




1


Y~6/-""-eI




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


273


--


died. When sixteen years old, Henry Case began
to learn the trade of a blacksmith, taking his apprenticeship with his father who was also a mechanic.
He has followed his trade through life and has a
fine reputation as a thorough workman, having a
large trade, not only in Eureka but also among the
farmers through all that part of the township.
The marriage of Mr. Case in 1861 united him
with Martha Coe, of New York, where the marriage
ceremony was performed. This lady became the
mother of three children, two of whom, Frank and
Mamie, are living. This w ife was called away from
earth, and the second marriage of our subject took
place in 1883. The present Mrs. Case bore the
maiden name of Libby Jeffries. She and her husband
each own forty acres of finely cultivated land, upon
which they are raising splendid crops. Mr. Case
is a public-spirited and enterprising man and an
earnest promoter of every movement tending to
the improvement of the county and the elevation
of society. He is a Republican in his politics, but
is not in any sense an office seeker, but conscientiously casts his vote for those principles and men
in whom his judgment confides. lie is not only a
superior mecharnic but is possessed of the confidence
of his neighbors and his word is considered as good
as his bond. Both he and his good wife are respected members of society and every one rejoices
in their success.
ht,~-...    __^+-_.t, ----..9^
C    HARLES HOLMAN. The portrait on the
(l   oopposite page represents the lineaments of
a gentleman   well-known in Shiawassee
County. Mr. Holman has been a resident here
since the spring of 1857 and has held office longer
than any other official the county has known. IHe
was Register of Deeds from  January, 1867, till
January, 1881, having been re-elected six times.
He has been interested in business projects and has
from his earliest residence here manifested an earnest zeal for the improvement of this section and
its advance in all that is best in modern civilization. Financially speaking, he has succeeded in


the affairs of life, and in his declining years he is
unharrassed by the anxiety as to the wherewithal to
supply his needs. Better than all else, his character as a man is one which can be spoken of as a
model for younger men to copy, and in religious
work he is one of the most active and efficient men
in Corunna.
The Holmans came originally from England but
the Granite State was the home of the family for
several generations. In Marlboro, N. H., Sullivan
H-olman, father of Charles, was born in January,
1801. After he grew to manhood he went to New
York, where he was engaged in school teaching and
where he married Harriet Hall, a native of Phelpstown and daughter of Joseph Hall, who was a Captain in the Colonial Army during the Revolution.
In 1833 Mr. Holman removed to this State and for
a time made his home in Birmingham, then went
to Clinton, Lenawee County. He was engaged in
the manufacture of fanning mills, but when old
age overtook him he gave up his work. He is now
living with our subject and is ninety years old.
He is a Preshyterian, devout and earnest. Mrs.
Holman died at the home of her son Charles when
seventy years old. Our subject is the first born in
the parental family and has one sister living-Mrs.
Harriet Weston, whose home is in Alma. There
were two other children-Henry and Edward-but
they died young.
In Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., April 11, 1830,
Charles Holman was born. Ile has no recollection
of a home outside this State, to which he was
brought in a wagon, via Canada, when scarcely
more than an infant. His boyhood was spent in
what was a sparsely settled district of Lenawee
County and his home was a log house with a shop
in the same yard. His father was one of the first
to establish a home in that locality and the scenes
to which Mr. Holman looks back as the first that
he can recall, were of quite a primitive nature.
He attended the district school and later spent a
year in Romeo Academy. The summers were
given up to work on the farm, from the time lie
was strong enough to be of service, and during the
winter he worked diligently with his books.
When eighteen years old Mr. Holman began
teaching and two winters were given to professional




274


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


work. Grand Rapids was then a small place and
the only mode of travel thither was by stage and a
boat on the Grand River. The young man went
there and spent a summer working at the carpenter's trade. In the fall lie returned to Lenawee
County and for three years was a clerk in the
store of B. J. Bidwell. Hle then went to Macomb
County and for three years operated a rented farm
near Romeo. He next came to Shiawassee County,
and making his home in Owosso in the spring of
1857, he began teaming, drawing lumber between
St. Charles and Owosso. He teamed two years
and then took a position with Fowler & Esselstyn,
who carried on what was known as the West India
stave business. Their establishment was the principal one for such a purpose in this locality, and
Mr. Horlman remained with them seven years. In
the fall of 1866 he was elected Register of Deeds
on the Republican ticket and qualified for his office
in January following. While attending faithfully
to the duties of his position he carried on a realestate business, handling prolperty in Corunna and
the outlyingi districts of the county. In 1881 he
retired to private life, but the next year he was
elected Justice of the Peace an(1 served as such
until 1890. Mr. Holman has for several years
been one of the Superintendents of the poor of
the county.
The home of Mr. Holrman is one in which the
refining influence of woman is very apparent. It
is presided over by an educated lady who became
his wife in Romeo, Macomb County, in 1853. She
was previously Miss Cynthia F. HIolman, being a
daughter of Asa Hlolman, an early settler and
prominent farmer of Macomb County. She was
educated in a ladies' seminary in Detroit and
under the home roof received careful instruction
in matters of domestic economy. The happy
union has been blessed by the birth of six children,
three of whom are still at home. These are Nettie, who is an invalid; Helen, a high-school girl
belonging to the class of '93, and Charles, Jr. The
eldest of the family is Waldo, whose home is in
Owosso and who is a traveling salesmen for the
granite-ware firm of Manning, Bowing & Co., of
New York. The second child is Farrand, who is
engaged in the jewelry business in Owosso, and


the third is Mrs. Josephine Haney, wife of H. H.
Haney, a traveling salesman.
When the Republican party was organized Mr.
Holman identified himself with that body and has
been an unfailing supporter of its principles from
that day to this. He has been a delegate to county
and State conventions and was Chairman of the
County Republican Committee some four years.
He has long been connected with the School Board
of Corunna and is now holding the position of
Secretary, and for four years he has been Secretary
of the Pioneer Society.. Following the example
and teaching of his honored father, he is identified
with the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an
Elder. He has been Sunday-school Superintendent
and was a member of the building committee when
the present house of worship was put up.
4   ACOB E. LUI)WICK. The qualities that
win success have been displayed by the genteman above named, who began his battle
) with life when he was just entering his teens,
and has made his way, step by step, to competence.
Lie is numbered among the most enterprising farmers of Clinton County, and is pleasantly located on
section 29, Lebanon Township. He located here in
1868, settling on eighty acres of land, but adding
to the property in later years until his estate now
comprises one hundred and ninety acres. Here he
carries on general farming, and enjoys the comforts which belong to modern farm life. In addition to his lproperty here he is the proprietor of a
steam laundry at Belding, and at one time he owned
an elevator in Pewarno.
The parents of our subject were Jacob and Catherine (Keller) Ludwick, natives of Pennsylvania,
who went from that State to New York, and after
some years returned to the Keystone State, where
Mr. Ludwick died in 1839. Their children were
Joseph, John, Betsey, George, Margaret, Jacob,
Polly and Sarah. The mother married Mr. McNinch, and bore him three children-Marvin, Benjamin F. and Patrick H. Her second husband died
and she was again married, wedding a Mr. Fisher.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


275


Her last days were spent in Barry County, this
State, where she died in 1881.
The subject of this notice was born in Genesee
County, N. Y., May 28, 1834. He was eleven
years old when he left his native State and went to
Ohio to remain a year, after which he came to
Michigan with his mother. A home was made in
Eaton County, and the lad remained with his
mother a year, then started in life for himself. He
found work on a farm and remained in the employ
of the same man five years, then went to Kalamazoo
County and worked by the month. He made his
home in tlat county until 1868, when he removed
to the farm he is now occupying. During the intervening time he bought seventy acres in Kalamazoo County, cleared a part of it, then sold it and
bought other land, and ere long was the owner of
one hundred and twenty acres that he had cleared
and broken. Since he came to Clinton County he
has continued his former habits of life, working
industriously and making his well-directed efforts
count in the progress of his worldly affairs.
The National birthday in 1856 was celebrated by
Mr. Ludwick in an especial manner, lie being on
that day united in marriage with Miss Jemima
Henion. The wedding ceremony took place in
Marshall, Calhoun County. The bride was born in
Orleans County, N. Y., March 20, 1839, and was
the fourth child in a family of twelve. Her parents, John and Ruth (Barry) Henion, were born
in New Jersey and New York respectively, and
their marriage took place in the latter State. They
lived there until 1854, then came to Michigan, and
for thirteen years were residents of Kalamazoo
County. They then removed to Oceana County,
where the wife died in September, 1886. Slie was
at that time a member of the United Brethren
Church, although for years she and her husband
were Methodists. Mr. Henion is a carpenter, and
has always followed his trade, combining farm
work therewith during much of the time. His
present home is in Hart Township, Oceana County.
Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents of three children, named respectively, Fred J.,
Edward and Francis E. Although Mr. Ludwick
had the opportunity of attending school less than a
year, he has much ready intelligence and has always


I


I


aimed to keep well informed and increase his knowledge by those means which are available by all who
desire. He has been able to serve his fellow-men
most efficiently as Supervisor, an office to which he
was first elected in 1875. He held the office two
years, was again elected in 1881, and with the exception of 1887, has been Supervisor to the present
time. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a Master Mason, belonging to Hubbardston Lodge, No.
178, and is connected with Pewamo Lodge, No.
296, I. 0. 0. F.
ORACE C. MAIN, a much respected and
enterprising citizen of Owosso is the incumbent of the position of County Surveyor of
Shiwassee County. This gentleman is the
worthy son of Theodore and Amanda (Putnam)
Main, both natives of New York State, and who
were the honored parents of four children, three of
whom are now living. He was born in Orleans
County, N. Y., in the town of Clarendon, September 28, 1834. His father was born near Rome, N.
Y., in 1803, and was the son of Thomas T. Main,
who was a native of the same locality, and of
Scotch birth.
Horace being the oldest in his father's family
was much relied upon for assistance in work. His
school days were passed first in the district school,
and afterward at Brockport, where he attended the
college under the care of the Baptist Church, which
is now the State Normal School. After leaving
h t institution he taught for some time and farmed
during vacations. He came to Shiawassee County,
Mich., in his twenty-first year, and located on the
farm in Middlebury Township, surveying mostly
during the winter. He placed substantial improvements upon his farm and made sale for it, and removed to Owosso in 1881, where he has since made
his home, devoting himself mainly to surveying.
He has been City Surveyor since 1881. He also
owned another farm in Fairfield Township, a fine
tract of one hundred acres, but never lived on that
farm. The depot at Carland is on his land.
On June 18, 1854, he was united for life with




276


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Miss Diantha Howe, daughter of George and Huldah (Fullar) Howe, of Oswego County, N. Y. No
children have crowned this union, but this worthy
couple were not content to enjoy life alone without
doing good to some little one who had no parents,
and adopted a daughter, Lydia, who is now the
wife of Fred Hartshorn. Mrs. Main is an earnest
and devoted member of the Baptist Church, and a
liberal contributor also to other benevolent purposes.
Mr. Main has for some time filled the officer of
Supervisor of tie First District of Owosso City,
having twice been elected to this position. He has
several times been elected to the office of County
Surveyor, and was Drainage Commissioner for some
six years. He is a member of the Owosso Lodge,
No. 81, F. & A. M., and of Owosso Chapter, No.
89, R. A. M. His political affiliations are with the
Republican party, and he is a prominent man in
the circles of that party. Although he resides in
Owosso, and has a handsome home there, he still
owns his farm, and takes a personal interest in its
management.
of Middlebury, Shiawassee County, was
born in Ontario County, N. Y., December
21, 1827. He is a son of William and Mary (Horn)
Warren. His parents were born and brought up in
New Jersey and moved to the vicinity of Little
Egg Harbor. His father was by occupation a
farmer but died when this son was but five years
old. He had previous to this sad event removed to
the State of Michigan in 1830 and settled on a new
farm three miles northeast of Pontiac.
After two years of widowhood Mrs. Warren
married Mr. Joseph Ha.thaway, a resident of Washtenaw County, and with him young George lived
until he reached his sixteenth year. Up to that
time he attended school most of the time, both
winter and summer, and after this age was reached
lie attended during the winter terms. At this time
he 'began life for himself, working out for farmers
from whom he received about $7 a month. These


wages he received in the summer, and during the
winter he chored for his board and attended school,
for he was resolved to have as good an education
as lay within his grasp.
The young man came to Shiawassee County in
the fall of 1847 and located where he now lives.
He had received for his services not exceeding $11
a month all the time that he was working for others.
He and his brother, David L., came to this county
and worked   together at clearing their land, of
which they each had eighty acres. They cleared
ten acres on each place during the first year and
planted it in wheat. It was indeed a proud and
happy day for them when they harvested their first
crop, fifteen bushels to the acre, and had it threshed
by a machine from Pontiac. After having it
threshed they loaded twenty bushels into a wagon
and the roads were so bad that it took three yokes
of oxen to haul this load three miles, to the point
where they struck a respectable road. They now
took this wheat to Owosso and sold it at the rate
of forty-five cents a bushel. This was the first
money realized on the farm.
The house which these young men erected for
their home was made of oak logs and as they could
get no men to help them at that time they employed an ox-team to roll the logs into their places
upon tie building. The site of that first home is a
short distance in front of where Mr. Warren's present delighful residence now stands. Previous to
building this cabin tir subject had returned to
Oakland County, and spent one summer working
at $13 per month, and on his return brought with
him a flock of sheep, every one of which were killed
by the wolves during the following spring.
Mr. Warren had not been very long in his new
home before he felt the need of a woman's hand and
the cheer of a woman's presence to brighten the
dullness of the log cabin, and lie was married March
17, 1851, to Almira Thayer of Lyon Township,
Oakland County.  He tells the story of his trip
after his wife. He walked to Oakland County to
his wedding and walked back again, driving a cow,
and was keeping house in his log cabin just one
week after his marriage. The wife Was brought to
her new home in a lumber wagon by her father.
Six children came to bless and cheer this home,








71'r-l~




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


279


namely Amanda F., born December 22, 1852;
Alice, April 15, 1855; Horace A., May 1, 1856;
Elmer E., November 26, 1861; Emory D., May 16,
1869; George F., May 5, 1874. Amanda died
April 1, 1860, and Alice, May 8, 1855. Horace
Albert married for his first wife Jennie H. Welch
and for his second, Sarah Thompson; Elmer married
Anna Collins, of Shiawassee County and lives il
this county; Emory D. and George are at home
with their parents.
Immediately after harvesting his first crop Mr.
Warren proceeded to clear the entire eighty acres
and added to it also from time to time until he now
has a fine place of two hundred and forty acres all
highly cultivated. IHe built his new residence in
1863 and has erected several barns, adding something every year to the excellent buildings upon
his place. He has now an excellent carriage house
as well a commodious barn and his orchard is one
of the finest in the county. When he first came
here he had to go several miles to church service
at a schoolhouse and had to clear the road through
the woods to better enable him to attend these
services. He used often to carry his plow on his
shoulder six miles to get it sharpened, and had to
work out for neighbors to raise the money to buy
what necessaries the family could not (do without.
During the first year this pioneer and his brother
David L. made $107 by days' work besides what
they did on the farm. His wife underwent severe
hardships and often had to remain in the woods
alone while he went to the village, and sometimes
had to stay alone all night with wolves howling
about and wild bears and Indians roaming near
her. She used to spin and knit her woolen graments. Her father went to Idaho and 'was killed
by the Indians.
Mr. Warren's political sympathies have been
with the Republican party until within the last few
years when he became a Prohibitionist. He has
held the office of the Justice of Peace, Commissioner of Highways and School Inspector. He and
his good wife are both respected and useful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in connection with which he has been Steward, Trustee
and Superintendent of Sunday.school. He personally superintended the construction of the church


and gave largely to the building fund. He takes
a great interest in school and church matters and
has always given liberally lo all the churches.
R. J. LORENZO SMITH, who is engaged in
the practice of medicine in Vernon Shiawassee County, and whose portrait is shown
on the opposite page, was born in Coshocton,
Ohio, April 17, 1845. On the maternal side he is
of Irish lineage, while on the paternal side he is
descended from one of the old Virginia families.
His grandfather, George Smith, was born in Virginia, and owned a plantation and a number of
slaves. He was a great lover of fine horses, studied
veterinary surgery to enable him to properly care
for them, and always had several thoroughbreds
upon his farm. His love of horses won him the
title of Jockey Smith. He emigrated to Ohio in
1840 and became prominent in the community in
whlich lie made his home. When ninety-four
years of age he took a thirty-mile ride on horseback and losing his way wandered around for two
days before he reached home again. During this
time he partially lost his mind and never fully
recovered the entire use of his mental faculties.
He died at the age of ninety-six years. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John Thompson, was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to
America about 1803, locating in Pennsylvania.
By trade he was a glovemaker and he followed
that occupation until his death, which occurred in
1820.
Jacob Smith, the Doctor's father, was born in
1802, in Virginia, and upon the old homestead in
tha:t State was reared to manhood. At the age of
tcenty he went to Washington County, Pa.,
where he met and married Miss Mary Thompson,
whJ was born in that county in 1801. They
there began their domestic life, removing after
fourteen years to Coshocton County, Ohio, where
the death of Mr. Smith occurred on the home
farm, Febluary 9, 1845. He lived an exemplary
life and was one of nature's noblemen. The Pres
byterian Church found in him a most efficient and




280


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


faithful member and worker and many had reason
to bless him for kindness and aid received at his
hand. He was a total abstainer from all intoxicants and was never addicted to the use of tobacco.
Like her husband, Mrs. Smith was a consistent
member of the Presbyterian Church and delighted
in doing good. The poor and needy found in her
a true friend and the lessons which she instilled
into the minds of her children in youth did much
to make them honorable men and women. After
her husband's death she took upon herself the entire management of their farm of ninety acres and
educated and cared for her children. She was
called to the home beyond in 1869. In the
family were five children-four sons and a daugh
ter, of whom two sons and the daughter are now
living. George B. is a farmer of Bowd!e, S. D.:
Mary E. is the wife of Samuel K. Sayer, also of
Bowdle; Daniel T. was captain of Company I,
One Hundred Indiana    Regiment,  during tile
late war, and suffered many wounds. He received a bayonet thrust in his chest, lost his left
arm, a bullet lodged in his left shoulder-blade and
another pierced his right hand. He died from
the effects of these wounds in Millersburg, Olhio,
in 1870. John died at the age of twelve years.
The fifth and youngest of the family is Dr.
Smith. His father died before he was born. In
his native State he was reared and attended the
common schools until sixteen years of age, when
he went to Hopedale, Harrison County, where he
pursued a two-years' course of study in a Normal
school. He then went io Pittsburgh, Pa., and
was graduated from   the Iron City Commercial
College, after which he went to Nashville, Tenn.,
where he engaged in clerking for fourteen
months. Then returning to the place of his nativity he taught school for two years and at the
expiration of that period began reading medicine
with Prof. Joel Pomerene, of Millersburg, Holmes
County. He was also a student for three years
in the Cleveland Medical College, now called the
Western Reserve University, and after his graduation, in 1869, opened an office in Strasburg,
Ohio, and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he has made. his life work. Since
November, 1875, he has practiced continuously in


Vernon, Mich., with the exception of one year
spent in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and two years in Liberty. In 1885, however, he returned to Vernon,
and at once built up a good practice, to which his
skill and ability justly entitles him.
On the 17th of March, 1870, in Strasburg, Ohio,
Dr. Smith led to the marriage altar Miss Jennie
Patterson, who was born at that place in 1847.
She died July 20, 1880, leaving two children, ason
and daughter, Lillian May, who was born in 1871,
and lHudson O., born in 1873. The latter graduated from the Vernon schools in the spring of
1891. On the 8th of May, 1887, the Doctor was
united in marriage with Florence Willhide, who
was born in 1848, in Hagarstown, Md., where their
wedding was celebrated.
Dr. Smith is a member of the Shiawassee Medical Association and of the Alumni of the Western
Reserve Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio. He
takes considerable interest in civic societies, is a
member of the Masonic Lodge of Cedar Rapids,
Iowa, the Independent Order of Foresters, and is
Commander of Vernon Lodge, No. 337, K. O. T. M.
In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and has served
as President of the Village Board. In his religious
views lie is a Methodist, belonging to the church
of that denominaticn in Vernon. The Doctor is
a leading citizen of his community and among
his professional brethren ranks high. His liberal
patronage attests his worth and his many friends
accord him their warm regard and confidence.
- ------      ^      --— ^
ZI B. SEVY. We are pleased to present to
the readers of this volume the worthy subject of this sketch and his good wife who
are among the most noteworthy of the venerable
and honored pioneers of Central Michigan. Ozi B.
Sevy who resides on section 22, Greenbush Township, Clinton County, is a native of Genesee
County, N. Y. and was born September 18, 1824.
He is a son of David and Rhoda (Baker) Sevy.
His paternal ancestry is said to have been English.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest in a family of six children born to his parents, of whom




PORTRAITr AND BIOGRAPH CAL ALBUM.


281


--


four survive, namely: Ozi B., Edmund, who lives
in Dakota; Jeannette, who is the wife of W. F.
Davies in Greenbush Township; and Linda, the
wife of John Coverstone of Clicago, Ill. When
but fourteen years old our subject came with his
parents to Clinton County, this State, and in 1839
they made their home on section 23, of (1reenbushl
Township. Here they settled in the woods and
David Sevy, the father of our subject, built a lo(,
cabin without a single foot of sawed liumber, and
within this rude abode they set up a happy lhome
and cheerfully endured tlhe hardships which abound
in pioneer life. The father died at the home of
our subject where lie had made his liome for
thirteen years, on February 28, 1880, and in his
death the county lost one of the bravest of her
early pioneers, and a representative man. IIe llad
faithfully served his township as Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and Highway Commissioner, and
was a public-spirited and liberal man. His political
affiliations were with the Republican party, in the
progress of which lie felt a keen interest.
The subject of this sketch was born in New York
but reared to manhood in this county amid scenes
of pioneer life, and was early inurec( to the lprivations which must come to the children of the early
settlers. He also suffered the deprivations in regard to education and social privileges which were
the lot of Michigan's earliest citizens.
A noteworthy event in the life of Mr. Sevy was
his marriage upon Christmas Day, 1848. [Iis bride,
Elvira A., daughter of Rufus and Louisa Dinsmore,
was born July 7, 1830. Her parents were natives
of Massachusetts, and the little girl came West
with them when in her sixthl year, to lonia County,
where they became early settlers.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sevy have been born four children; one, Linda, has passed into the other world
and the others have grown up to take their l)laces
in the world where they are a credit to their
parents and an ornament to the society in which
they move. Alta A. resides in Clinton County;
Lillian A., is the wife of James Reavies and resides
at Battle Creek, where Henry J. also makes his
home being engaged in the jewelry business.
Our subject made a permanent settlement upon
the spot where he now lives in 1853 ain has re

sided here continuously from that day to this. He
is largely a self-made man, and in the accumulation of his property he has been ably assisted by
his wise and noble wife, who has been his efficient
helpmate and counselor through all their wedded
life. When he came to this region St. John's was
unknown and as a boy lie played tile drum in the
streets of this city at its first Fourth of July celebration in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Sevy are honored and
useful members of the Church of the Seventh Day
Adventists and they are highly respected members
of society. Hle is ever active in all movements for
the promotion of education for the young, and has
served as School Inspector for the township.  That
he is!publ c-sl)irited and acts for the good of others
his neiighbors will warmly testify, and that lie is an
enterprising, indlustrious and systematic farmer the
excellent condition of his buildings, his attractive
home and his well-tilled farm attests.
' OHN   ANDERSON. Among the foremost
agriculturists of Clinton County is Mr. Anderson, with whose name a visitor would
not long be unfamiliar.  For a number of
years lie has been carrying on his work in Essex
Township, on section 2, where he has now a fine
farm of two hundred acres bearing modern improvements of a substantial nature. When he
took up his residence here, ihe found a tract of timber land from which he had to remove trees and
stumps, and then prepare the soil for planting by
breaking the tough so]; and cutting deep furrows
inl the "lap of Motler Earth." That this required
an expenditure of time and strength is well understood by all who till the soil and such can appreciate his conduct as it deserves, and congratulate
him on arriving at prosperity.
As the patronymic indicates tle ancestors of
Anderson were Scotch, and he, himself, was born
in Ayrshire, the date of his advent being August
12, 1821. His parents were Gabriel and Sarah
(White) Anderson, both of whom were born in the
land of Bruce and Wallace. There the son grew
to manhood and received a fair education, to wlich




282


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


he has 'added general culture by reading and observation. He is fond of books and thinks over
their contents until they become a part of his mind.
He has four brothers in America: James and
Gabriel in Essex Townslip, Thomas in Van Buren
County, and Robert in another part of Clinton
County. He came to this country in 1851, taking
passage at Glasgow on a sailing vessel that reached
New York forty-six days after leaving the Scotch
port. He came at once to this State and for awhile
lived in Northfield, Wayne County, following his
trade of blacksmithing. In 1856 he came to Clinon County, and settled where he still lives, gradually bringing his property to its present fine
condition.
Mr. Anderson was accompanied to America by
his wife and one child, the former a native of
Scotland and known in her maidenhood as Margaret Stevens. She survived their emigration but
a few years, dying in Wayne County in 1855. Of
the four children she bore the living are John S.,
Sarah J., wife of David Surline, and Margaret, all
living in Nebraska. To his present wife Mr. Anderson was married October 9, 1857, the ceremony
being performed at her home in Owosso, Shiawassee
County. Her maiden name was Cornelia Brilton
and she was born in Washtenaw County, this State,
October 16, 1839. Her parents were Jacob and
Finetta Britton, early settlers in Clinton County,
and well known to many of our readers. Of the
twelve children comprising their family the following survive: Richard; Mrs. Anderson; Mary
E., wife of Benjamin Stevens, living in Missouri;
James, whose home is in Gratiot County; Liberty,
who lives in Chicago; Ann, wife of Jeremiah Sawyer, in Gratiot County; John who resides in Durand,
this State. The children of Mr. Anderson and his
present wife are: Edith, wife of William  Soule;
William; Lillian, wife of W. Hicks, and Nellie B.
Not only is Mr. Anderson a reliable farmer but
in all business transactions he is to be depended
upon to do the right thing and when a man of
public spirit is looked for his name is at once suggested. In his political views he is a Republican,
and the religious home of himself and wife is in
tile Christian Church in Maple Rapids. He has
ocrved as Township Supervisor several terms and




I


has also been School Director of his district. In
official life he is the same honest, upright man that
he is in private life, and his efforts are always directed toward achieving the best possible results.
He and his wife are active members of society and
no where will there be found a couple more highly
respected and influential in their circle.
G     WARLES D. RICE, a representative farmer
and stock-raiser residing on section 12, Essex Township, Clinton County, was born
November 27, 1836, in Oneida County,N. Y. He
is the son of Ilarlow and Catherine (Devotte) Rice.
Mr. Rice was a native of Connecticut and IMrs.
Rice of New York State. The Rice family in this
country is traced back as far as the year 1600,
when the ancestors of this branch came from Wales.
The ancestors on the maternal side are of French
blood.
In 1837 the subject of this sketch emigrated with
his parents to Macomb County, this State, becoming pioneers there. The mother died in that county
land the father after their removal to Clinton
County,which, however, was not until after Charles
reached the years of maturity.  His early education was acquired in the pioneer district schools
and upon the pioneer farm and he had to make up
in earnestness and devotion to his studies what was
lacking in advantages.
In 1861 Charles Rice was united in marriage in
Macomb County with Nancy J. Davison, a sister
of James K. Davison, of Essex Township, this
county, of whom a sketch appears in this ALBUM.
Seven children have come to bless the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Rice. They are Herbert, George, Martin, Frank, Fred, Ray and Otto. The last named
only has been called away from this world. It was
in 1865 when Mr. Rice came to Clinton County
and decided to settle on the land which he now
occupies. It was all woods here and he had to encounter genuine pioneer experiences and do genuine pioneer work. Since coming to Clinton County
he has broken about three hundred acres of new
ground for other farmers besides all that he has




I




Wz,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


285




done upon his own farm. His land consists of
eighty acres, all of which he has gained by his own
push, pluck and perseverance.
Mr. Rice has served one year as Commissioner
of Highways for Essex Township, and has served
both as School Director and Moderator. When the
schoolhouse was erected he was placed upon the
building committee in which capacity he was unusually efficient and gave great satisfaction to the
district. He is a Republican in his political views
and a man of public spirit and activity in regard
to all movements for the elevation of society. His
wife is an earnest and conscientious member of the
Christian Church. Besides general farming he has
taken much interest in raising graded Merino
sheep and a fine grade of horses for general purposes.
NDREW J. WIGGINS, M. D. This gentleman was foi some years known as the
leading physician of St. John and indeed
of the county, but as he is now on the
shady side of the hill of time he has given up his
work to a great extent, although he still visits
various parts of the State where lie is called in con.
sultation.  He has not allowed his knowledge to
decline, but has always kept well posted and still
peruses the latest medical journals and otherwise
keeps abreast of the day in his knowledge of the
work in which lie has so long and successfully been
engaged. He has paid considerable attention to
the packing and sale of articles of medicinal value,
and some years ago built a factory for the preparation of elm bark and shipped thousands of barrels.
He gave up the work only when the supply in this
section was exhausted. He also packed roots of
various kinds, placing on the market staples of
freshness and strength.
Dr. Wiggins is a son of Jacob and Charlotte
(Briggs) Wiggins, both of whom were born in tile
Empire State.   His father's birthplace was in
Oneida County and he was descended from an old
Eastern family. He served in the War of 1812 as a
teamster, although he was but a boy, and hauled
cannon balls and smaller ammunition. IHe after

ward became a farmer and operated one hundred
and three acres near Rome until 1836. He then
removed to Wyoming County and continued his
occupation there. He became known far and near
as "Uncle Jake" and was one of the most influential
men in the locality. I-e was frequently called
upon to act as administrator of estates and guardian
of minors and was always true to the trust reposed
to him. HIe died at the age of fifty-four years.
His political association was with the Democratic
party. His wife was a daughter of Joseph Briggs,
a native of New England, but for years a farmer
near Rome, N. Y., where she was born. She died
at the home of a daughter in Batavia when'seventysix years old.
The family in which Dr. Wiggins was the firstborn consisted of nine children, five of whom grew
to maturity but three only now survive. He was
born in Rome, Oneida County, N. Y. June 17,
1828, and was eight years old when lie removed
with his parents to the western part of the State.
The journey of one hundred and fifty miles was
made in the primitive fashion with a team and
wagon. The lad learned farming and attended the
district school and also pursued his studies for
three winters in the Warsaw Seminary. He then
spent one year at Lima College, where his father
had a scholarship. He had always desired to study
medicine and so well known was his taste that he
was called "Doe" from boyhood. He read medicine at intervals from an early date, but did not
take up the study very thoroughly until he was of
age. His first preceptor was Dr. Peter Kaner, of
Warsaw, with whom he read over a year. Later
he studied under Dr. H. P. Woodward at Burns,
and in the fall of 1850 came to this State and spent
the ensuing two winters in the medical department
of the University of Michigan. In August, 1852,
he returned to New York and entered Geneva
Medical College, from which he received his degree
the following spring.
The young physician located six miles from
Columbia City, Ind., where he practiced four years,
then opened an office in Goshen. For a time he
was in partnership with a Dr. Wickham. Thence
he came to Michigan and for a little more than a
year he practiced at Chelsea, Washtenaw County,




286


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


then four years at Danville, Ingham County. In
1861 he located at St. John and is now the oldest
physician here or in the county. Ilis practice has
extended over a large circuit of country and during his younger days he had all that he could do
to answer the demands made upon him. He was
for a time engaged in the drug business, in partnership with a Mr. Boyd, but gave it up to attend entirely to his profession. At one time lie was
engaged in the manufacture of children's sleds and
wagons, but the most important work to which he
has given his attention, aside from his lpractice, lias
been the preparation of drugs before mentioned.
In August, 1852, Dr. Wiggins was married to
Miss Irene Betts, the ceremony taking p)lace at
Blissfield, Lenawee County, Mlich., and the we(dding
journey being their return to New York, Mrs. Wiggins having been born in Palmyra, that State. It
was while living in Goshen, Ind., that lie was bereft
of his companion and for more than a decade he
lived a widower. Hiis second marriage was solemnized in St. John's, in 1872, his bride being Miss
Hattie Mead, who was born in Lenawee County,
Mich., and is the daughter of Peter Mead, an early
settler in Clinton County. The Doctor's first union
was childless, but of the second there have been
born two children-Celia M. and George F. The
dwelling in which the happy family enjoy the
pleasures of life is one of the most expensive in the
county seat and cost more than $10,000. It is the
only house in town that is heated by steanl and the
furnishing is the acme of good taste and comfort.
Dr. Wiggins has been a member of the Village
Board of Trustees and Health Officer and was
County Coroner two terms-1882-83 and 1884-85.
When Horace Greeley was a candidate for the
Presidency, Dr. Wiggins was nominated for the
State Legislature on the Democratic ticket, without
his knowledge. He did not desire the place and
had not the time to attend to its duties, as he was
then the leading medical practitioner of the county.
It is currently reported that he would readily have
been elected had he not defeated the aim of his
friends by his own efforts in opposition. He is interested in the social orders,belonging to the Ancient
Order of United Workmen and Knights of Honor,
is a Knight Templar and an Odd Fellow while in


New York. He is also connected with the Clinton
County Medical Society. He carries $15,500 insurance in the Western Masonic Association of Grand
Rapids and other companies. Politically, he is a
strong Democrat. Personally he is one of those
who has ever tried to act the part of a true man and
has been successful in that aim as in professional
an(d financial matters.
A litlographic portrait of Dr. Wiggins accompanies this sketch.
\ 11,LS TUTTLE', M. )D., a sturdy old gentleman of active habits and an iron constitution, still carries on his professional
business at Corunna, Shiawasse County.
IIe is of the Eclectic and Botanic school, and hlas
practiced in Corunna since 1855 and is the oldesiphysician there. I-e was born in Hartford, Conn.,
May 27, 1819. His father, Ransom  Tuttle was a
native of Connecticut and his grandfather was a
Revolutionary soldier, fighting under "Old Put."
Tlie family was of English descent.
Tile father of our subject was a farmer, and in
1826 he located in Canton Township, St. Lawrence
County, N. Y.,, where lie carried on farming and
dairying, and remained there through the term of
his natural life. Lie was a Whig in his political
views, and later a Republican. He was an Elder
in one Presbyterian Church for forty-two consecutive years and lived to be ninety-four years old.
The mother, who bore the maiden name of Sallie
Brooks, was a native of Connecticut, and lived to
complete eighty-two years. Of their eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, all grew to
maturity.
Young Mills was reared in St. Lawrence County,
and took his schooling in the log schoolhouse,
which in severe winter weather was so cold that
the boy used to cover with snowV the johnny cake
he took for lunch lest it should freeze. He was
early set to work and when sixteen learned the
trade of a carpenter and joiner. After four years
of apprenticeship lie began the business of contracting and building, but did not continue in it




PORTR`.PAIT AND BEIOG RAPHICAL~f~  ALBUM.


287


-                     AD.L.                 28 7.


long as his health was not robust. He now begun
the study of medicine with Drs. Clark and Baker
as preceptors, and practiced medicine there until
1855, when he came to Corunna, where he soon
built up an extensive practice, which has extended
over nearly every county in this State, and he has
patients from  Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and
Ohio. He is a specialist in all chronic diseases and
one of the oldest )physicians in Southern Michigan.
He uses the Electropathic treatment with great
success, and compounds his own medicines from
botanic sources. He pays all his attention to his
profession, and has the largest practice of any man
in the county, and a remarkable practice outside,
having a record of two thousand cases in Saginaw.
The marriage of Dr. Tuttle and Mary Fish. of
Madrid, took place in St. Lawrence Counlty, N. Y.
Seven children crowned the union of this couple,
three deceased.  Those living are, the eldest,
George R., who resides here. tIe is a carpenter and
joiner and has become a master mechanic. Hattie,
now Mrs. Oaks, resides in Muskegon; Emma, the
wife of Mr. Bramon, lives in Flint, and Lewis is a
cigar manufacturer in Detroit. The Doctor was
for four years County Coroner and at one time a
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and is a true-blue Republican in his political views.
AVID S. FRENCH, Secretary of the St.
John's Manufacturing Company, has as
prominent a place in business circles as
any man in the city. He has had considerable to do with civic affairs here and is influential in social orders that are among the niost
prominent in the country. In business affairs lie
is one of the chief officers as well as shareholder
and Director in the largest enterprise of its kind
in the United States, and has the influence which
accrues from the firm foundation on which the
Manufacturing Company stands. Add to this the
respect due him as a Union soldier, and it is plain
to be seen why he is a conspicuous member of
society and a popular citizen.
Tracing the paternal line of descent we find that


the Frenches came from  Wales to this country
several generations ago. The grandfather of our
subject was Asa French, a native of Berks County,
Pa., an( an early settler in Miami County, Ohio,
where he carried on farming. HIe was a soldier in
the War of 1812. The next in the direct line was
Lewis French, who was born and reared in Miami
Coulty land was graduated from the department of
law in D)el;ison University. IHe practiced his profession in Cincinnati during tile greater part of his
life, anl(l his d(lath occurred in St. Johns while on
visit to his son )David in September, 1885, when he
was seventy-two years old. I-e was a member of
the Episcopal Church. His wife bore the maiden
name of Maria Sargent, was born in Cincinnati,
and also die(d there. IHer father, David Sargent, a
native of P'leston County, West Va., was one of
tihe old settlers in Cincinnati and was a lprominent
manufacturer of lumber. To Mr. an( Mrs. Lewis
Frencll three children were born, but David S. is
the only one who grew to manhood.
The birtiplace of Iavid S. French was Lawrenceburg, Ind., and his natal (ay April 4, 1844. IHe
was reared in Cincinnati from  the age of six
months and pursued his studies in the city schools,
being in the last year of the high school work when
lie laid down his books to enter the army. "T he
shot heard round the world " had scarcely ceased
to echo, and the enlistment of the defenders of the
Union had just begun when young French, then a
lad of seventeen years, became a member of Company A, Second Olio Infantry. He entered the
service in April under the three months' call and
was mustered out during the summer, lhaving in
the meantime taken part in the disastrous battle of
Bull Run. In tile spring of 1862 he re-enlisted
and was mustered in at Piqua as a private in Company A, One Hundred Tenth Ohio Infantry. With
this regiment he took part in thirty-two battles,
and displayed an equal patriotism and devotion to
his country in the experiences of camp and campaign. He was mustered out July 1, 1865, at
Columbus, Ohio, having the rank of First Lieutenant.
For three years following the war Mr. French
was engaged in tie sale of merchandise at Brookston, Ind., and he then found employment in a




288


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


manufacturing company in Piqua, Ohio. This
company, which was engaged in the manufacture
of lumber was in business in Piqua until January,
1871, when its headquarters was removed to St.
John's. Mr. French came hither as Secretary of
what has since been known as the St. John's Manufacturing Company and has held that position
continuously. To his ability in looking aftel that
part of the work which comes within his province
and his accurate records of the transactions of the
corporation, much of its prosperity is undoubtedly
due.
Mr. French has a pleasant home, made attractive
by the housewifely skill, intelligence and amiability of the lady who became his wife May 24, 1866.
Hter maiden name was Cornelia M. Mitchell and
she is a daughter of Joseph Mitchell, a farmer
living in Piqua. Ohio, in which city her marriage
took place. Mr. French has at different times been
Village Trustee and he has also been President
four terms. lie is a Knight Templar, belonging
to a Commandery in St. John's, and is identified
with a Consistory in Detroit.  Thile high degree
which he has taken, has made his name conspicuous in Masonic circles and he is equally prominent
among Grand Army men. IHe has at vari::us times
been Commander of Charles E. Grisson Post and
takes an active part in the movements with which
his comrades are identified, whether commrnemorative or calculated to  promote future welfare.
Politically he is an enthusiastic Republican.. wi. e <.

in 1827 and came at once to America, and located
in Northern New York. They bought a farm and
continued there until 1840, when they sold out
and went to Canada, making their home not far
from Kingston, and were there until the death of
James Gormley in 1862. He was a Roman Catholic in his religious views.
Starting out at t th e age of fifteen to fight the battles of life, John Gormley learned the trade of a
carriage maker in Rochester, N. Y. He was there
five years as an apprentice and nearly two years as
a journeyman and then spent severalyears in Niagara County. Coming to Michigan in 1882 hie
bought forty-five acres of land where he now lives.
He had in 1855 been united in marriage with Jane
E. Hosmer, daughter of Prentice and Ellen (Brown)
1Iosmer. The Hosmer's were a Connecticut family
and there were ten children in the household to
which Jane belonged. She was born in September,
1831.
Mr. Gormley is a Republican in his political
views and cast his first vote for President Franklin
Pierce and his last for Harrison, and he has been
an earnest worker for the interests of his party.
While living in New York he filled the offices of
Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace for twelve
years, and was also Treasurer and Highway Commissioner for quite a term, and served as delegate
to many conventions. Since coming to Michigan
he has also filled the responsible office of Justice
and is now on his third term in that position. He
is active in local politics and acts as delegate in
conventions.
At the first call of the Governor of New York
our subject enlisted in September, 1861, and helped
to raise one of the first companies of light artillery
in the State. He was made Sergeant in Company
M, First New York Light Artillery, and in December of the same year was promoted to the office of
First Sergeant of the battery. They went from
Rochester to Albany, and from there to Washington, and during the winter were sent to Frederick
City, Md., and shortly after went down the Potomac to Point of Rccks below Hlrper's Ferry.
In February, Sergeant Gormley was with his
battery on Maryland Heights to protect men who
were making pontoon bridges and also to guard


OHN II. GORMLEY. Among the agricultural and business men of Rush Township,
we are pleased to mention the name which
appears at the head of this sketch. His
record also as a devoted and loyal patriot gives
him a claim upon every one who loves his country. His home on section 14, is a pleasant and attractive one. His birth took place in Jefferson
County, N. Y., upon Christmas day, in 1830. His
parents Anna and James Gormley, were born in
County Longford, Ireland, the father in 1805, and
the mother in 1809. They were united in marriage




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


289


the army while it crossed into Virginia. The battery followed in the rear and was at Winchester in
the first battle and in several conflicts in the Shenandoah Valley, going as far as Scranton. In May,
1862, he was in Bank's retreat, took part in the
second battle at Winchester, and going to Williamsport, Md., was there for a short time before returning into the Shenandoah and Loudoun Valley.
They operated with the army until the battle of
Cedar Mountain, August 9 and 10, 1862, where
this division of our army was so badly cut up. The
battery was reduced to one Second Lieutenant in
command at Cedar Mountain. The next battle in
which they took part was at the fords of the Rappahannock and they were in the heat of battle at
the second Bull Run, and in all the conflicts until
South Mountain and Anteitam. At the last named
place the drivers were taken from the teams to help
man the guns. Here our subject was struck by a
piece of a shell and for a time was rendered insensible but rallied and continued with the battery
through the conflict.
Until the battle of Gettysburg our young soldier continued with the army of the Potomac, but
in August, 1863, his battery and other bodies of
troops were sent to the Southwestern Army with
"fighting Joe Hooker." lie was present at Wauhatchie Valley, Lookout Mountain and Missionary
Ridge, and when Sherman took command in the
Southwest he was under him in all the battles in
that campaign until the capture of Atlanta. The
Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps which had
come from the Potomac under Joe Hooker were
united during the winter previous to the Atlanta
Campaign and formed the Twentieth Corps under
Iooker's command until the capture of Atlanta.
They were then put under the command of Gen.
Slocuiil, and this was the corps whiich entered Atlanta and held it. They went with Sherman to the
sea and were the first to occupy Savannah.
A promotion to Second Lieutenant was given to
Mr. Gormley in May, 1863. Leaving Savannah,
the Twentieth Corps went to South Carolina and
assisted in the capture of Charleston, and were at
Bentonville in March, 1865, and took part in that
battle. After the surrender of Johnston the army
went to Richmond and from there on to Washing

ton, being present at the Grand Review. Thhere
the army was disbanded and Lieut. Gormley was
mustered out of service in June, 1865, at Rochester.
---— cm sv ----.
AMES 1). ESTES, editor of the St. John's
News was born in Bingham Townslip, Clin.
ton County, February 19, 1$48. His father,
/ George W. Estes, was a Vermonter and his
grandather, Nathan, of New Hampshire, was a farmer on the shores of Lake Champlain and served
his country in the War of 1812. His father, the
great-grandfather of our subject, served in the
Revolutionary War. Later he located in Niagsra
County, where he cultivated a farm for the remainder of his days. The family is of French
descent.
The father came to New York when a boy and
was reared there as a farmer. He was married to
Susan Smith in Niagara County, and in 1845 came
to Clinton County this State traveling with a team
from Detroit. He was one of the first settlers in
Bingham Township and after clearing part of the
farm there located in St. John's. He had charge
of the first Post-office in Binghaml Township and
was Supervisor for seven consecutive years. He
was a practical veterinary surgeon and made himself very useful in those early days by his knowledge of the proper treatment of that noble animal.
the horse.  )uring his residence in the town he
has engaged in the   insurance business and is
County Coroner.
James Estes is the second in a family of eight
children all but two of whom are living. He was
reared in St. John's, educated in the Union School
and when thirteen he was apprenticed as a printer
in the office of the St. John's Union, a Democratic
paper. Along with his work he was allowed to
take some schooling. In 1869 he went to Flint,
this State, and took the position of foreman on the
Flint Globe. The next year he returned to this
city and became a partner with George S. Corbit
on the Independent. After continuing with him
for twelve years he bought Mr. Corbit's interest
and was proprietor and editor of the Independent




290


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




=


for six years, until in 1888 he re-sold this paper to
his former partner.
In 1889 the Aews was started by the St. John's
News Company and he became its editor. This is
a five column quarto paper. independent in politics
and has in connection with it an excellent job
office. Besides his newspaper work, Mr. Estes is
Secretary and Treasurer of the Cooper, Boiler and
Engine Company of this city. His marriage took
place in Flint in 1870. His bride, Miss Anna E.
Coonley, a native of Bloomfield, Oakland County,
this State, is a daughter of George and Mary (Winslow) Coonley of New York, who were early
settlers in Oakland County.
The subject of this sketch is an official member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for twelve
years has been Superintendent of their Sundayschool. He is well-known in the Michigan State
Press Association and is a Prohilitionist.  Besides
his other branches of business he handles real estate to some extent. In former years he was a
Democrat and at one time was nominated by that
party for tile Legislature.
-_.;^   ei^3    -- ^ |
1 OHN D. EVENS. The history of pioneers
is always fraught with interest to the old
and young, not only to those of their own
locality but to everyone who takes an interest in the experiences of humanity. To the old
it is of interest because it brings up reminiscences
of like experiences in which the shades of difference are the spicy feature. To the young it is always a source of wonder how the men and women
of the past have struggled, endured and overcome.
They rend of hardships that seem  perfectly unsurmountable to them, forgetting that occasion
develops latent powers and qualities hitherto
unsuspected.
John D. Evens is one of the pioneers of Michigan, having been born in Royal Oak-, Oakland
County, June 4, 1835. He is the second son and
third child of John D. and Mary (Barton) Evens,
and is now well known as the genial owner of the
largest livery and sale stable in Owosso, Mich.


I


I




Our subject's mother was a native of Ireland and
born in the city of Belfast. She was brought to
the United States when only five years of age. The
father was a native of Wales and emigrated to the
United States when quite young. The young people met and married in Oakland County, Mich., and
afterward settled on a farm where they passed the
remainder of their days.
The gentleman of whom we write enjoyed the
advantages of the public schools in his native
county until he was fourteen years of age, when,
like Tom Sawyer, he determined to see something
of the world for himself. He made his living for
a time by fishing and boating. This idyllic employment does not prove, however, that he was
without energy and seeking only to cater to his
own enjoyment, for he was much of the time engaged in the vigorous work of rafting on Lake
HIuron and afterward on the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. Those who have been in the lumber
districts of the North know the quickness of perception and the vigor of muscle that is needed in
this employment. He varied his work of rafting
with that of fishing, which business he followed
successfully for a period of sixteen years which he
spent chiefly on the waters of Lake Huron. After
this lie spent two years in Birmingham, Oakland
County, this State.
The business of dealing in livestock, cattle and
sheep was then beginning to assume an importance
in the Central States which promised to be highly
lucrative and one in which Mr. Evens felt that he
could engage with great advantage to himself.
The purchases that he made in livestock were
shipped to the Eastern markets where they were
in great demand and he soon found that he had
built up a successful and paying business. In 1868
he removed to Owosso and purchased the livery
stock of Sanford D. Wiley, where he continued
the business at the same stand from 1868 to 1871.
During the latter year he built the fine brick barn,
24x77 feet which he still occupies, also a frame
barn, 20x47 feet. Mr. Evens takes a pride in constantly keeping on hand a fine supply of carriages,
hacks and buggies, using for his trade from ten to
fifteen horses.
In 1863 our subject was married to Miss Susan




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AIBUM.


291


A. Wiley. The lady is a native of Vermont, and
is a daughter of Adam Wiley. Mr. and Mrs.
Evens are the parents of two children, a son and
daughter: Barton G., the son, who is in the United
States mail service and Hattie I., who lives at home.
Mr. Evens is a member of Owosso Lodge, No. 81,
F. & A. M., also of Owosso Chapter, No. 89, R. A.
M., and Corunna Commandery, No. 21, K. T. He
is also Treasurer of the National Union at Owosso.
As is usually the case with men who love horses,
Mr. Evens is a genial good fellow-hale fellow well
met with the whole community.    tIe with hiis
pleasing family resi(le in a neat and substantial
brick residence on Water and William Streets. The
surroundings of the home are as pleasant andc attractive as money and a love for the beautiful can
make it. Politically he is a Democrat. He is now
filling the office of Deputy Sheriff, previous to
which lie has served as Under Sheriff.


ONRAD FRIEGEL, who lives on section 17,
Benuington Township, Slliawassce County,
was born in Wurtemberg, Konigreich, Germany, March 28, 1834. His parents were Johailn
and Julia (lierringer) Friegel. Younig Friegel
came to the United States in 1853 when only nineteen years of age. He had the advantage of a
trade which was all that he brought with him from
home excepting a good constitution and a determination to make a success of life in America.
After coming to Detroit he worked in a brick-yard
for five years and then moved to Dearborn where
he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Johnson.
Immediately after marriage he began farming at
Dearborn, renting the place which he operated for
five years. In October, 1865, he came toBennington Township and bougllt eighty acres of land,
thirty-five of which were improved.
Longing for a sight of the old home and familiar
faces in the Fatherland, in 1868, our subject went
back to Germany and when he returned brought
his mother with him. She failed, however, to see
the attractions of America and after suffering for
some time with that malady known to Germans as




"heimweh," she died six months after her arrival
here, at the age of sixty-two years. Soon after
this he lost his wife. The following year he was
married December 12, to Elizabeth Bender, who
was born in Hesse-Coburg, September 12, 1841.
Mr. Friegel has added to his farm  until he now
possesses one hundred and sixty acres of finelyimproved land. For a period of three years he
was a dealer in grain, but losing money in this business, lie gave it up and devoted himself to his
farming. lie was elected Highway Commissioner
and held the position for two years. Our subject
is a Republican in politics having voted the straight
ticket for a good many years. By his first wife he
had four children: Julia, now Mrs. Godfrey Haber,
oi, New Haven Township; William; Mary, who
married George H iedt, and resides in De Witt, this
State; and John, who works for himself assisting
the farmers in the neighborhood. His children by
his second wife are Gustav; Lizzie, who is at home;
Fred, attending school in Lansing; David, who is
at home, and Laura also at home. Gustav is studying law at Corunna witll A. L. Chandler, having
taken the complete course in the high school of
Perry. William was for three years in California.
Ile also is a Republican in politics. Mr. Friegel
lIas a well-arranged and attractive ten-room Iiouse
whicl is always merry with the fun and badinage
of his happy family.
W       iILLIAM  R. BROOKS. The men who
serve(l in the late War, putting their lives
in balance with the chances of warfare
and often, if they survived, bearing home with
them souveoirs that will last as long as they live,
deserve always in every work that is meant to commemorate the achievements in American life most
honorable mention, and their trials must elicit the
sympathy of every American who is loyal to his
country. Our subject long served in the late War
as a soldier and now enjoys the serenity of civil
life on his farm that is located on section 35, Venice
Township, Shiawassee County.
Mr. Brooks is of English parentage, his father


I




292


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


being John Brooks, a native of England and his
mother Ann (Croff) Brooks, also a native of England, where they were married and afterward came
to America in 1832. At first they settled in New
York, but about 1836 they came to Michigan and
settled in Lapeer County on a new farm where
they remained for two years. They then returned
to New York where the father followed his trade,
which was that of a weaver. He lived in that
State until 1843 and there fully improved three
farms. He then moved to Macomb County, this
State, and improved a farm of eighty acres. He
added thirty acres to this and made some improvements, finally selling it. He then retired to the
village of New Haven, where he built a fine brick
residence.  This he traded for a good farm in
Washington Township, Macomb County, where he
moved and remained until his death, which occurred in 1883. His wife died in 1857 and he again
married, his second wife surviving him; she was
the mother of three children, all of whom are living. By his first marriage he was the father of
eleven children, ten of whom are living. Four
sons served in the Civil War; one as a member of
Company F, Tenth Michigan Infantry, and died
at Jeffersonville, Ind., after serving over two and
one-half years.
The parents of the subject were members of the
Free-Will Baptist Church but later the father
united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in
which body he has held various offices. He gave
his children good educational advantages. The
youngest of these is thirty-five years of age; the
eldest sixty. Personally our subject's father was
short, of stout build, having a strong constitution
and a sunny, genial temperament that endeared
him to all with whom he came in contact. He was
a manly man.
Our subject was born April 27, 1844, on the
homestead in Lapeer County. He grew to manhood among the pioneers of that county. He saw
more Indians than white men and wild animals skulked on the outskirts of the clearing. Deer, bear, wild
turkeys and smaller game abounded. At eighteen
years of age he went to Howell, Livingston County,
to learn the blacksmith's trade. There he worked
for a year and in the fall of 1863 he responded to


the call for volunteers made by the Federal Government and joined Company A, Fifth Michigan Infantry.
Mr. Brooks' regiment was detailed to the Army
of the Potomac.   He joined the regiment in
Detroit. In the winter of 1864 he went to Washington, was equipped and sent to Brandy Station
where his regiment was attached to the Red Diamond Division and belonged to the Second Army
Corps under Gen. Hancock. They remained at
Brandy Station during the entire term of service.
Mr. Brooks was also in Grant's campaign through
the Wilderness and was with the army at Petersburg, Va., also during the siege of that place and
at the celebrated mine explosion. His regiment
then followed Gen. Lie's army at Appomattox and
was present at the surrender. They then went to
Washiugton and   camped at Arlington Heights,
takiug part in the Grand Review. From this place
they went to Louisville, Ky., for the rest of the
term; from there they went to Detroit and were
mustered out of service.
Our subject took an active part in many of the
principal battles of the War. He was at the battle
of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor,
Petersburg and Hatchie's Run. During the time
of his service he never absented himself from his
regiment for a single day. The hardest day of his
whole service was April 6, 1865, when he was
engaged in marching and fighting Gen. Lee's forces
who were retreating. During the engagement he
was struck on the head by a spent ball and seriously wounded. At Hatchie's Run he was captured
by the rebels, but by making a desperate run for
his life, escaped. He was discharged from service
July 18, 1865, when he returned to his home on
the farm in Lapeer County.
The original of our sketch continued in Lapeer
County until 1869, when he came to Shiawassee
County and purchased    eighty  acres on section 34, Venice Township. About half of this
was improved.    He  made his home with a
neighboring family and began the work of improvement on hlis farm. He soon purchased another
eighty acres, part of which was cultivated.
By this time Mr. Brooks was tired of single blessedness and attracted by the charms of Miss Julia




j




I~g,,-t


/e-c- /j,    'I-  2-el//11
tM




0 rm






Missin
Page




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


297


Curtis, persuaded her to become his wife, which she
did in 1873. She was a daughter of Lewis and
Lydia Curtis, natives of New York State and settlers in Macomb County at an early day where the
father died. Her decease, however, took place in
Tuscola County. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis were the
parents of five children, four of whom  are still
living.  Two sons served in the army. Mrs.
Brooks was born January 8, 1845, in Macomb
County.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of six
children, all of whom are living and the splendid
inheritance of perfect health is proved by the fact
that none of them have ever been sick. The family
are Fred. B., Raymond P., William E., Margie A.,
Joseph C., Lewis C. They have received every
advantage in an educational way that the vicinity
affords. Both our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which
body he is a Trustee, Steward and Class-Leader.
They both take an active part in the Sunday-school,
the gentleman having been Superintendent of the
same for several years; he now has charge of the
Bible class and Mrs. Brooks does efficient work as a
teacher.
Mr. Brooks is a Director on the School Board.
He takes an active interest in politics, affiliating
with the Republican party, although he is now a
Prohibitionist. He has two hundred and forty acres
of fine land, two hundred fifteen being under the
plow. In 1880 he erected a residence that is a model
of comfort and convenience. It cost him $1,500
without counting his own labor, the board of his
employes, etc. Upon his place are three fine barns,
the dimensions of one being 34x66 with a good
basement, another is 34x46 and the third 30x40
feet. These barns, as well as a fine granary, 20x28
feet in dimensions were all constructed by himself.
Mr. Brooks has an orchard which covers three
acres of land, and four miles of under drainage has
been put in. He actively superintends everything
pertaining to his farm and devotes himself to general farming. He has some fine-wool sheep, also
thorough-bred Shropshires, the whole number of
his sheep being two hundred and thirty. His cattle
and horses are of a fine breed. He has also some
fine Poland-China and Berkshire hogs. Mr. Brooks


had the advantage of many farmers in this locality,
for he brought into the county with him $2,000
and a team of horses; however, he has greatly increased his worldly possessions by judicious investments and constant industry.
ILLIAM       F. SPALDING, a prominent
farmer residing on section 35, Rush Township, Shiawassee County, and a man whose
services in the Union army entitle him to the respect of every patriot, was born June 3, 1840,
in Niagara County, N. Y. His father, Jedediah
Spalding, a farmer, was born in New York about
1804 and was married in 1831 to Tamerson C.
Hollenbeck. The mother of our subject was a
daughter of Silas Hollenbeck, a native of New
York and the father of two sons and five daughters,
Tamerson, who was born about 1814, being the
eldest.
Jedediah and Tamerson Spalding became the
parents of five sons and two daughters, of whom
our subject is the third son and fifth child. When
only thirteen years old William started out to
work upon a farm, studying in the winters and
working during the summer.  Having attained a
comfortable independence as well as a fair degreeof education in this way, he decided to establish a
home of his own, and was married April 27, 1865.
Mary A. Lyman, who became his wife, was a
daughter of Alandas and Mary (Ewing) Lyman,
New England people, who were the parents of four
daughters and one son. Mary, the second in order
of birth, was born January 21, 1841, and at an
early age acquired those graces of character which
endear her to a large circle of acquaintances.
William F. Spalding and his accomplished wife
have had four children; Addie and Jessie are twins,
the former being the wife of Charles R. Duncan,
of Middleport, N. Y., and the mother of one son,
and Jessie being Mrs. Frank W. Stiles, of Rush
Township; the third daughter, Bertha, is deceased;
the son, Charles I)., is at home. It was in 1869
when our subject came to Michigan and purchased
eighty acres in Rush Township where he now lives.




298


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


It was all woods then but is now well cleared and
in a fine state of cultivation. In 1884 he built a
handsome brick residence which is an ornament to
the township.
The war record of Mr. Spalding is a source of
just pride to his family. He enlisted July 26, 1862,
in Company D, One Hundred Twenty-ninth New
York Infantry, and in December of that year the
regiment was transferred to the Eighth Heavy Artillery and stationed at Ft. Federal Hill, Baltimore.
He (lid garrison duty until May, 1864, when they
were ordered to the field at Spottsylvania and
North Anna. After that he was in all the engagements of the war in which the Army of the Potomac took part. At Petersburg he was shot twice
with minie balls,.one passing through the left
groin and another striking the left arm and passing
through the right side, injuring his lung an)d lodging in his spinal column. From this injury he has
never entirely recovered. He was sent to Annapolis into the hospital and from there went home on
a furlough and was in the hospital at Buffalo until
1865. As a partial compensation for his injuries
he receives a pension of $16 per month. Mr. Spalding is a strong Prohibitionist in his political
views and the leader of that party in Rush Township and vicinity.
We are pleased to present elsewhere in this volume lithographic portraits of Mr. Spalding and
his estimable wife,. ON. WILLIAM      H. ROSE, a prominent
farmer and a man of great energy and push,
prominent in county politics and well liked
by all who know him, was born in Bath
Township, Clinton County, where he now resides,
July 25, 1844. His father, Silas W. Rose, a native
of Steuben County, N. Y., was born April 27,
1802, and his grandfather, also S. W. Rose, now
deceased, was a German farmer. The father of our
subject was a merchant at Bath, N. Y., and came
to Michigan in 1836, making the journey first by
canal boat to Buffalo, then by boat to Detroit and


thence by ox-team to Wa.shtenaw County, Mich.,
where he kept an hotel on the road between Detroit
and Chicago for two years.
Seth W. Rose came to Clinton County in 1836
and entered about six hundred acres of land from
the Government, when there were but five families
in the two townships of DeWitt and Bath,"which
were all one then. He named this township for
his old home in New York. He erected a log shanty
and being a great hunter was able to furnish venison in plenty. The howling of wolves c6uld be
heard about his cabin at night and the friendly
Indians made frequent visits to his home. He had
to go to Pontiac for his milling and trading and it
took just a week to make the trip, having to ford
streams and travel almost impassable roads. He
was a prominent man and a useful one, and laid
out many roads in the neighborhood. He was cut
off in the prime of life, dying at the age of fortytwo years. In his political views he was a Democrat.
The widow of Silas Rose, Margaret (Murtle)
Rose, who was born in Steuben County, N. Y.,
December 17, 1802, is still living and in good
health, and makes her home with our subject. She
has reared to maturity nine children, namely:
Robert, Louisa, Selvina, Susan, Marilda, Silas, Angeline, Caroline and William H. She is of German
descent. Our subject used to play with the Indian
children and as he grew larger went on hunting
expeditions with them. When he could he attended
the log schoolhouse with open fireplace and slab
benches with pin legs, under the rate bill system.
He also received instruction from a private tutor,
John M. Easton, now residing in this township.
He has never had any other home than this and
has managed the home farm since he was sixteen
years old, as the older sons had gone out into
the world to seek their fortunes. He finally bought
out their shares in the homestead and made it all
his own.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Harriet
Gardner occurred October 22, 1866. This lady
was born in Steuben County, N. Y., in 1845 and
she has become the mother of one child-Nettie,
a beautiful little girl of eight years. The home
farm consists of three hundred acres of arable soil




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


in a fine state of cultivation. His beautiful house
was built in 1877 and his large barn erected in
1885. Here lie carries on mixed farming, making
grain his principal crop, employing from one to
ten men on the farm. Being earnestly solicitous
of the welfare of the farming community he is activein the Grange. He is also a member of the
hunting club at Bath and goes North every fall to
hunt deer. He is identified with the Masonic order
at Lansing and has taken twelve degrees. He was
elected Representative of Clinton County on the
Republican ticket in the fall of 1880 and served
two terms, and was efficient in general and local
legislation. He has held nearly every township
office, including that of Supervisor.
For fourteen years Mr. Rose followed lumbering
in Saginaw County and is still interested in that
trade as he now buys timber and works it up into
lumber. He has been a successful man and attributes his success to strict attention to business and
economy. He claims there is plenty of money in
farming for any one who pays close attention to
his farm and manages it with wisdom and discretion. While in the lumber business in Saginaw
County he accumulated considerable property.
LMOND    PARTLOW. This name is fa>J miliar to many of our readers and to a
large number of commercial travelers who
5  had occasion to visit the town of Eagle,
Clinton County, within the past few years. Mr.
Partlow  moved into the village in September,
1889, buying the Eagle Hotel, where he and his
efficient wife are conducting a house of entertainment that possesses many homelike features, duly
appreciated by those who sojourn under its roof.
Mr. Partlow has lived in Eagle Township half a
century and has seen this section of Michigan redeemed from a wilderness into an improved portion as fine as any in the State. In the work that
has been necessary to bring about this good result
he has borne a share from his early boyhood, and
he feels a just pride in his connection therewith.
Our subject is a son of Palmer and Eliza (San

ders) Partlow, natives of Franklin County, Vt.,
and the Province of Quebec respectively. They
were living in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., when
their son was born, August 5, 1837, and thence
they came to Michigan in 1841. The father took
up twenty acres of wild land in Eagle Township,
and by industry and economy accumulated a fair
share of this world's goods, so tlat his last years
were spent in comfort. Mr. Partlow lived to the
age of seventy-six years, dying in 1885, and two
years later his widow passed away, aged seventyfive. They were estimable people, highly respected
by their neighbors, and imbued with the spirit of
brotherly kindness and hospitality so notably
shown in early days.
Almond Partlow has but slight recollection of
any home outside the bounds of this State. As
his father was poor when le came hither, the lad
had but limited opportunities for obtaining an
education, his only attendance being in the common school. lie had his part to bear in clearing
the land his father had secured, and habits of industry and prudence were developed in him at an
early age. His labors were for the general good
of the family until he was twenty-three years old,
when he felt justified in establishing a home of
his own and secured as his companion Miss Mary
Blake, with whom he was united in marriage in
1860. In 1879 his happy home was entered by
the angel of death and the wife removed therefrom, the day of her decease being November 30,
1879.
The children thus left motherless are Edward
P., Henry W., Franklin A. and Alice E. The firstnamed was born in 1862, and is now living in
Laingsburg, Shiawassee County, and engaged in
the drug business. His wife was formerly Miss
Laura Medcalfe. The second child was born in
1864, married Nellie Slatterly and lives in the village of Eagle, where lie has a drug store and is
now Postmaster. Franklin A., who was born in
1866, is in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company and living at Superior
Junction, Wis.; he married Miss Della Summers.
The only daughter of our subject was born in 1869,
is unmarried and still brightens her father's home
by her presence there. Some time after the death




300


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


of his first wife Mr. Partlow made a second matrimonial alliance, the date of the event being
April 19, 1882, and the bride Fanny, daughter of
Simon Campbell. This excellent lady was born
in the city of Detroit and possesses many fine
qualities of mind and heart.
In politics Mr. Partlow is a Republican, convinced that the principles laid down by that party
are best calculated to build up the welfare of the
Republic, and ready to give an intelligent reason
for his faith whenever party matters are the topic
of conversation. Socially he belongs to Clinton
Lodge, No. 65, I. 0. 0. F. The religious home of
the family is in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
-— t —N-~~ ----^ ---
HAUNCEY        S. WOLCOTT, a venerable
and time-honored septuagenarian and representative pioneer of Clinton County, residing on section 36, Essex Township, is a native
of Genesee County, N. Y., and was born February
15, 1820. He is a son of Chauncey D. and
Lydia A. (Stiles) Wolcott, both natives of Connecticut. Oliver Wolcott, a relative of his father,
was one of our Revolutionary heroes. Our subject
resided in his native county until 1829, when,
with his parents, he emigrated to Michigan, settling in Oakland County. This was in the days
when Michigan was a Territory, and his parents
were among the earlier pioneers. They made
that county their permanent home, and remained
there the rest of their days.
The subject of this sketch attended the pioneer
schools of his native county, and there received
the grounding in the rudiments of an education
which tended to make him what he is to-day-a
self-educated man.  His father was formerly a
school teacher, and the instruction he received at
home ably supplemented the schooling which he
received in the log cabin. He came to Clinton
County in 1843, and in the following year settled
upon the farm  where he now resides in Essex
Township. He had been married March 7, 1841,
and now brought his wife to his new home. Her
maiden name was Alvertine E. Frink, and she was


was born in New York State May 30, 1857. Her
parents were Joshua and Martha (Jones) Frink,
the father being a native of Connecticut and the
mother of Rhode Island. Mr. Frink was a soldier
in the War of 1812, and came to Essex Township,
Clinton County, with his family about the year
1840. Mrs. Wolcott has two brothers andetwo
sisters residing in Clinton County, namely: Miner.R.; Josiah F.; Amy, Mrs. Coomer, now a widow;
and Albina D., Mrs. Reuben Becker.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott have been born six
children, of whom the following are now living:
Joel S., Dewey, John A. and Mary E., wife of C.
T. Luck. Mr. Wolcott has served as Highway Commissioner of Essex Township for several years and
also as Justice of the Peace for some time and Notary Public. He is a public-spirited citizen, and
he and his wife are looked upon as leading pioneers
of Clinton County. He can recall many scenes of
pioneer life and has seen great improvements in
this section. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott are esteemed and active members of society. He is a
Republican in political views and intelligently interested in the success of his party.
RS. SYLVIA     (DUTCHER) JUBB       was
born May 5, 1844, in Burns Township,
Shiawassee County, Mich. She lived 'at
home until her marriage which took place
October 9, 1863. She was then united with William J. Jubb who was born in Cohocta, Livingston County, Mich, June 29, 1836. His father,
Edlward H. the son of an Englishman settled in
Michigan in the early Territorial days having come
from New York thither. Mr. Jubb's mother was
Maria Countryman, and belonged to an old Revolutionary family.
Mr. Jubb learned the carpenter's trade when a
boy. After marriage lie lived for one year at Bennington and then moved out on a new farm in Middlebury Township, where he remained about five
years. He engaged in merchandising in Bennington in 1869, and three years later went onto a
farm which he carried on until he went to Otsego




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


301


I


County in the fall of 1878. There they settled
upon an unbroken farm five miles northwest of
Gaylord which has since continued to be their home.
Mr. Jubb had been a soldier previous to his marriage having enlisted in Company A, Third MichiInfantry in 1861. He served until 1863 being
attached to the Army of the Potomac, and was
finally discharged for disability.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Jubb are: Elliott H.,
now twenty-seven years old; Amanda J., who died
May 14, 1885, a victim of consumption at the age
of nineteen; Seth, aged twenty-three, who is married and settled near home; Dora S. twenty-one
years old and Garfield W. a boy of six years. Mr.
Jubb's political views are in accordanee with the
doctrines of the Republican party. Mrs. Mary
(Dutcher) Punches, the sister of our subject who
was horn October 7, 1826, in Monroe County, N. Y.
has only one son, Fayette P., who lives with his
mother at Bennington, where she has devoted the
last ten years to the care of her mother, as she has
herself been a widow since 1866.
0 rC                  - I4      OSHUA RAPALEE. Among the venerable
residents  of  Ovid  Township, Clinton
County, we are pleased to present the name
which appears at tie head of this sketch.
This gentleman has long been a resident of the
place which he still calls home, for he came here
when there was no such place as Ovid and not even
a building in St. John's. Hle was born in Yate3
County, N. Y., Milo Township, July 12, 1821.
His father, Ezra Rapalee, was a native of that
county, and his mother, who bore the maiden
of Marjorie Longcor, was born in Orange County.
He lived at home with his father, who carried
on a farm, until he reached his majority, after
which he began life for himself by working a
part of his father's place. This he carried on for
a number of years before coming to Michigan.
Mr. Rapalee contracted a union for life with a
lady of his native county, Hannah Lewis, of Starkey, a daughter of Joseph C. Lewis, a farmer
and blacksmith of considerable repute in Yates


County. Their wedding day was October 1,
1842. Two children only came to bless their
home-Viola May, who was born May 6, 1851,
and Rinda, May 26, 1853. Both of these ladies
have established homes of their own in Clinton
County. Viola is now the wife of Emmet Burgess, who follows different occupations, and Rinda
married J. V. Fulkerson, who is a trader.
The migration of the family to Michigan took
place in 1855, and they made their home at once
upon the land in Ovid Township which is still
their home. This section was in a wild condition and Mr. Rapalee can tell wonderful stories
of his encounters with wild game, especially with
deer. He often shot them, and at times had great
difficulty in getting home with his booty, as the
wolves would surround him   and fight for the
venison which he was carrying home to his family.
H-e slot almost every kind of game, and was a
great huntsman and fisher and has kept up his practice in these customs dear to the pioneer's heart.
He tells of the pigeons being so thick as to darken
the sun, and of the great abundance of wild elk,
moose, deer, bears and turkeys, which last were as
plentiful as domestic fowls are now in Southern
Michigan. He has often caught as many as from
three hundred to nine hundred pigeons in one net.
Whlen Mr. Rapalee came to Michigan lie settled on
tile land where he now resides, and clearing off
eighty acres set out fruit trees and planted crops.
lie has on his place an apple tree which lie planted
that year, which now measures more than a foot in
diameter, although it was a mere switch when
planted. lie lived in an old board house, which
lie lhas still on one part of his farm, and has resided on this place about twenty-five years. He
dli his marketing and trading in Detroit, having
to travel to and from that point, which was one
hundlred miles distant, and having to haul his
whe.it to that city. The smoky period is a time
which is within his remembrance, when the woods
at the North were on fire, and for six (lays he
could not see the sun nor the liaht of day and
could not distinguish a man at the distance of
five feet.
Our subject has been farming ever since he
came to this State, but of late years he only su



302


POR'LTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


perintends the work and hires others to do the
heavy labor. He still has the first eighty acres
which he took when he came here. He is a remarkable man in one respect among the restless
multitudes of our American people, as he has
never moved but twice in his life. Ile fully
illustrates the old adage that "a rolling stone
gathers no moss," for his prosperity has steadily
increased with the lapse of years since he made
his beautiful home in this spot.
NATHANIEL LAPHAM is one of those men
who, having worked hard in the earlier
years now enjoy ease and prosperity in
good homes, unharrased by turmoils and cares of
active life. lie was for some years engaged in agricultural pursuits and since 1867 his home has
been in Clinton County, and since 1888 he has
been living in St. John's. When he came to the
county he located in the woods, buying eighty acres
of forest land on section 1, Bingham Township.
He began his work in pioneer style, removed the
forest growth, broke the soil and brought the place
up to par, and added to the property until the
farm  embraced one hundred and ten acres. He
has also a farm of one hundred and ten acres in
Marshall, N. Y., and in St. John's he bas three lots
and two houses. Abundant worldly goods are his,
gained by close application to the work he had in
hand and good judgment in expenditures and investments.
Going back in the ancestral line a few generations we find that Mr. Lapham's paternal ancestors
came from Wales. His great-grandfather, John,
was born in Rhode Island and died in New York.
The next in the direct line was Nathaniel, a native
of Rhode Island, who settled in Oneida County,
N. Y., as early as 1804. He was a soldier in the
War of 1812.  His son Joseph was born on the
New York farm and became a farmer and stockbuyer in his native county. He was a very successful man and owned from three hundred to four
hundred acres at one time. He is still living, aged
eighty-seven years. Politically he is a Republican.


His wife was Mary Mix, a native of the same section as himself and daughter of Daniel Mix, a
farmer and stockman who was numbered among the
early settlers in that county.  She died when
seventy-five years old, leaving two children, of
whom our subject is the fifth in order of birth.
She belonged to the Universalist Church.
Mr. Lapham of this sketch was born in Oneida
County, N. Y., in 1839, and remained there until
he was seventeen years old. During his boyhood
and youth he studied in the common schools and
attended Deansville Academy two winters. In
1856 lie went to Wisconsin and for one season was
engaged in a mill in the pineries. He then went
back to his native State and remained two years,
and early in the '60s made a trip to California.
He took the ocean route, sailing on the "Baltic" to
Panama and on the "Golden Age" up    the Pacific Coast. He made his way to and for three
months worked in the silver mines. The Indians
in that locality became troublesome and life was
too dangerous there for those who had any regard
for themselves, so Mr. Lapliam returned to California. He found employment on a ranch two
miles from Sacramento and worked there about
two years, after which he returned home via Panam a.
In 1864 Mr. Lapham made a second trip to California and rented a ranch near Sacramento, on the
river of that name. He carried it on a year, and
then, being debilitated by chills and fever, he was
obliged to give up his work, and he returned East
via Cape Horn on the clipper ship "Hornet" in
command of Capt. Mitchell, of New York.  le
bought land near his birthplace and engaged in
farming, but a few years later removed to this
State and took up his work here. For some time
before he retired from active life he was the largest
cultivator of hops in Clinton County, and he devoted four acres and a half of ground to the vines.
Altogether his work in hop-raising extended
over a period of fourteen years. When he was in
a country infested by Indians he got along well
with the red men and was never molested by them.
In Paris, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1860, Mr.
Lapham was married to Miss Gertrude E. Austin, a
native of Winfield, Otsego County. Mutual hap



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAP>HICAL ALBUM.


303


II ---I


piness has followed in the train of the wedding ceremony and the joys of Mr. and Mrs. Lapham have
been enchanced by the presence in their home of
four children. The first-born, George E., occupies
the homestead; Frank E. is living in New York;
Mary J., formerly a teacher and now the wife of
W. Williams, lives in Bingham Township; Flora
E. remains with her parents.  Mr. Lapham is a
famous hunter and each year visits the north woods
where for thirty-two seasons he has bagged much
game. During his hunting trips he has sometimes
had close conflicts with wild animals and he has
killed six bears. He is of a jovial, pleasant disposition-one of those whom to know is to likeand few men prove more companionable and entertaining than he. He has a wide fund of observation and experience from which to draw interesting stories and instructive incidents, and he is also
respected for the energy he has displayed in the
work of life and for his good citizenship.  Politically he is a Republican.?ILLIAM H. McLEOD is the proprietor of a
thriving business establishment in Ovid,
where dry goods, notions, shoes and bazaar goods are sold and in which a flourishing
trade is carried on. Mr. McLeod has been engaged in mercantile pursuits for some time past,
sometimes with a partner anl again alone, and in
different towns in this part of Michigan. Hie has
an interest in farm lands and has become extensively
engaged in fruit culture. Mr. McLeod and wife
have two farms in Ovid Township which they have
been operating for some years; they own a nice
property in Shepardsville and our subject owns the
store in which he does business. He has one farm
of eighty acres which he himself cleared and upon
which he made all the improvements.
Lenawee County claims Mr. McLeod as one of
her sons, as he was born in Tecumseh April 17,
1853. His father, James McLeod, emigrated to
America from Edinburg, Scotland. He was a Baptist minister and a farmer. His wife, mother of


our subject, was Emeline Whittemore, a native of
New York City. When our subject was in his
third year they removed to Laingsburg, Shiawassee County, and since that time he of whom we
write has made his home in Shiawassee and Clinton
Counties. Young McLeod had but limited advantages for gaining an education, his attendance being confined to the district schools during the
winter months and even this being given ulp when
he was seventeen.
Young McLeod began his career in life at the
age of twelve years as a vender of pop-corn on the
train and five years later he became clerk for E.
G. Bement, at Laingsburg. At the age of twenty
he and P. C. Bassett entered upon the sale of general merchandise at Shepardsville and the firm continued in business about six years, during which
time they opened a branch store at I)uplain. In
the spring of 1880 the partnership was dissolved,
Mr. McLeod taking the stock at Shepardsville,
where he carried on the business alone some six
years. lIe then took in as a partner Mr. John
Walker, but in 1887 bought out that gentleman.
He and a brother had previously opened a store
at Laingsburg and he now moved the stock to Ovid
and also bought out C. H. Hunter and continued
the business at the same stand. Close attention to
the affairs he had in hand, careful consideration of
the wants of the people, combined with courtesy
and square (lealing have resulted in placing Mr.
MIcleod in good circumstances and giving him an
excellent standing as a business man.
Mr. McLeod has a pleasant residence where creature comforts are provided under the oversight of
tie lady who became his wife November 8,
1877. She is a native of Macomb and bore the
maiden name of Celestia Haire. Around the family fireside there gathers a bright and interesting
gr'oup, consisting of the four children born to Mr.
anad Mrs. McLeod. Tlhey are Alton D., born November 4, 1879; George E., September 4, 1881;
Lena E., December 21, 1884; and Florence, January 8, 1887.
Mr. McLeod takes an intelligent interest in political issues and public movements, but has never
sought official honors, preferring to give his attention wholly to his business affairs and his family






N.


304


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


— S C-r~ r-                   - -          ------               ---- --— II- ---- — I
1  ~              _   ~ ____   _~ _~~ _ ~ ~L____   I_   -~_ ---__ ~~_~ I ---- ~~ --- —-- ~~ --- —I


He votes the Republican ticket. He is a man of
domestic tastes, actively interested in the mental
progress of his children and giving them every encouragement to develop the powers of their minds.
He has the close sympathy of their mother and
both parents are careful to guide their little family
in courteous ways and good principles.
J OEL BENSINGER. Among the residents
of Michigan who came here from    other
States, we find none who are better prepared
to develop the country on sound business
principles and practical lines than the emigrants
from Ohio. They are almost without exception
representatives of families of intelligence and sterling worth and bring to their new homes elements
of success. Among them we are pleased to name
the prosperous farmer, stock-raiser and lumber
dealer whose name heads this paragraph. He was
born in Medina County, Ohio, August 17, 1855,
and is the son of William and Mary (Bensinger)
Bensinger, natives of Schuylkill County, Pa. The
father was born September 9, 1818, and the
mother's natal day was December 12, 1831. On
the mother's side the ancestry was of German blood
and the father was of English decent.
The first of the family who ever came to America
was George Bensinger, who emigrated to the New
World in 1710, locating in Schuylkill County, Pa.,
where the family made its home for generations.
His son George was the father of Moses Bensinger,
the grandfather of our subject. Moses removed
to Medina County, Ohio, at a very early date.
The War of the Rebellion deeply interested the
family as, like a large proportion of the citizens of
Ohio, they were strongly loyal to the old flag.
The father of our subject served for one year in
the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Infantry and the Government has recognized his
claims to remembrance by granting him a pension
of $8 per month. His eldest son, Edward, served
through the entire war, being in the army for six
years. After his enlistment he responded to the
roll-call without a failure during the first three


months, but was then taken prisoner and languished
in Southern prisons for more than a year. As soon
as he was free and once more able to control his
movements he re-enlisted. He was only fourteen
years old when he first entered the army and was
in every Southern State and was much in the West,
going as far as Pike's Peak. It was 1866 before
he returned home to his family.
William Bensinger was the first of his family to
locate in Michigan, as he came to Allegan County
in 1858, but did not remain there long, returning
to Ohio in 1861. After the war he again moved
to Michigan, locating permanently in 1866 on section 25, in Duplain Township, where he still owns
fifty acres of land adjoining the farm of his son
Joel. All of his five children are living in Michigan and he feels that this is indeed the place for
him to spend his declining years.
Our subject received but a limited education, as
the nearest school was two and a half miles from
his home. He began doing for himself when he
was about nineteen years of age. He has traveled
considerably and spent five years in the pineries,
where lie obtained his thorough knowledge of sawing. Mr. Estey, the manufacturer at Owosso, says
that Mr. Bensinger cuts the best lumber of any
sawyer in Ohio, Indiana or Michigan. This gentleman is in a position to know, as he is buying
continually from all parts of these States, and he
willingly pays Mr. Bensinger from $5 to $8 more
per thousand than he does other millers.
The marriage of our subject to Miss Lizzie Dynes
took place September 28, 1882. Her parents, Oliver and Elizabeth (Waring) Dynes, are natives of
County Down, Ireland, and both have now passed
from earth. They came to Michigan when she
was a little girl and throughout her youth they endeavored to give her the best possible advantages
and she is now a well-educated and accomplished
woman. Five children have come to share the affection and solicitude of Mr. and Mrs. Bensinger;
namely: Edward, born May 14, 1883; William Oliver, June 7, 1884; Joel Emerson, January 14,
1886; Orrin Lee, October 12, 1887; Gertie L., October 13, 1889. Our subject owns one hundred acres
of land, all of which he has gained by his own
efforts. Eighty acres are in Gratiot County and




i:::::::~::;::~ -~;~~.' ::1.~;:::~::-_:_; ~.::::~~.::::::::~ ~ ~: ~: ~:.'~:~:.:-::-~ ~::: -'I::


RESIDENCE OF JOEL BENSINGER,SEC. 36.,DUPLAIN TP, CLINTON CO.,MiCH.


I~T~ ~ g~-:~~-:  ~:-~:i~"-~b-"~ii:::;:;_-:_(__:.;j: ~_:~-ii:~l~~i ~ ~ ~s-i~.~: ~i~:;l:s~::.;~~;:~;r::1-;:i::  —::::-;-;- ~~:.  -';~~.77.. 2I-r  2,- ~ - I -, - -


RESIDENCE OF EDSON 5WARTHOUT,SEC. 5., SCIOTA T, SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.




----------— I---'




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


307




twenty acres constitute the home farm, upon which
he has good buildings. He is an earnest Republican in his political views, but has steadfastly declined all offers of public office, as he desires to
devote himself entirely to his agricultural pursuits.
A view of Mr. Bensinger's homestead accompanies this sketch.
) DSON SWARTHOUT, an extensive stockraiser, is the owner of the finest farm in
Sciota Township, his home being situated
on section 5. He was born in Victor Township,
Clinton County, Mich.. January 20, 1857, and is
a son of Thomas L. and Mary (Parker) Swarthout.
His pnrents were both natives of Ovid, N. Y., and
with their respective families came to Michigan in
1837, settling in Victor Township, Clinton County.
The paternal grandparents removed to Ovid Township, that county, a few years later and named the
village and town of Ovid. They were among the
first settlers in that section, where they spent the
remainder of their lives. The maternal grandfather resided in Victor, Clinton County, until his
death, but his wife still survives him.
Tile parents of our subject are now making
their home in Victor Township, Clinton County.
Thomas L. Swarthout has made farming his life
occupation and in the legitimate channels of business has acquired a good property. In politics he
is a supporter of the Republican party and has held
a number of town offices. Both he and his wife
have been members of the Methodist Church since
childhood and are earnest, consistent Christian
people who have the respect of all who know
them. In their family are only two childrenEdson and Nora, the latter the wife of C. E.
Warner, of Falkton, S. Dak.
In the usual manner of farmer lads Edson
Swarthout was reared to manhood. His boyhood
days were spent amid play and work, and his
early education acquired in the district schools
was supplemented by study in the schools of
Ovid. He remained under the parental roof until
twenty-three years of age, when he left home and
began life for himself. As a helpmate on life's




I


journey he chose Miss Frances Adell Warren,
and their wedding was celebrated on the 9Lh of
November, 1879, in Middlebury, the native town
of Mrs. Swarthout. Her parents were David and
Mary (Ingersol) Warren.
The young couple began their domestic life
upon the farm where they still reside, and which
was the property of Mr. Swarthout a year or two
previous to his marriage. A view of this estate
will be found elsewhere in this volume, and, as
before stated, no finer farm can be found in Sciota
Township. It comprises two hundred acres of
valuable land, and with the exception of about
twenty five acres the entire amount is under a high
state of cultivation. The home is a fine two-story
frame residence with a lawn in front, and beautiful shade trees protect it from  the heat of summer. Ample shelter is provided for the stock in
three large barns, the dimensions of which are
36x70, 24x64 and 35x74 feet.
Mr. Swarthout raises excellent grades of stock,
making a specialty of sheep, of which he has a fine
herd. His pleasant home, good buildings, the
the latest improved machinery and the well-tilled
fields all indicate the owner to be a man of practical and progressive ideas who thoroughly understands his business, and is therefore meeting with
excellent success. The enterprise and perseverance
which has characterized his life have won him
prosperity, and his fair dealing has secured him
the confidence of all. Politically he is a Republican, but has never taken any prominent part in
public affairs. He and his wife are members of
the Methodist Church, give liberally to its support and in the social circles of the community
they rank high.
---- ---— ~E-^ --- —
ORON A. DAYTON, one of the young
farmers who are doing so much to still
further heighten the standard of agricultural work in Clinton County, is located on section
28,  Watertown Township.    He owns ninetysix acres of fine land and also operates forty
acres belonging to his mother. Mr. Dayton is a




308


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- f


native of this county having been born in 1864
and his life has been spent here amid scenes with
which he is familiar.  His grandfather, Samuel
Dayton, came hither from  Ohio in the territorial
days and built the fine large dwelling on the turnpike in Watertown Township that is now occupied
by the mother of our subject.
The parents of Loron Dayton were born in Ohio,
but came to this State years ago. The father, Otis,
died in 1767, leaving his son fatherless when but
three years old. The widow, Rosanna (Sheets)
Dayton, married Horace Wixon, who is now deceased and she is living on the Dayton homestead.
Loron lived with his mother and stepfather until
he was of age and at their hands received good
training and a district school education. Decidilng
to follow the occupation of a farmer, he soon began
to find his place among men and he has a firm
financial standing.
In March, 1888, an event of unusual interest to
Mr. Dayton took place, it being the ceremony by
which he gained the hand of Miss Esther Chaplin.
This lady is the daughter of William Chaplin who
resides in Watertown Township, and she is a wellinformed, capable woman, fitted to bear a part in
the affairs of life as wife, mother and friend. She
has one son born April 9, 1889. Mr. Dayton believes in the principles of Democracy and supports
the policy of that party by his vote whenever the
ballot box is open. He does not push himself forward as a candidate having sufficient to employ his
talents in the work he has undertaken, and the
pleasures of domestic and social life affording him
relief from his toil.
ARL STINSON HALL. The history of the
family of Hall,which is of English origin, is
as old as that of the State of Vermont, to
which they were Colonists in the earliest period of
its settlement. Benjainin Hall, who was the grandfather of Earl S. Hall, was born February 20, 1770,
and died at Wayland, Steuben County, N. Y., in
1851. He settled at Rochester, N. Y., wl:en his
son William, the father of our subject, was about


ten years old. William married Malinda Stinson
by whom lie became the father of six childrenGeorge L., of Owosso Township; Edward M., of
Grand Rapids; Earl S., our subject; William M.,
who was killed at the battle of the Wilderness,
May 5, 1864, at the age of twenty-six years; Caroline who became the wife of Charles Stinson, and
died at Owosso, at the age of twenty-four years;
and Angeline A., who married Ira Rush, of Owos-o
Township, and died in 1888, at the age of sixtythree. William Hall died at Rochester in 1838,
and in 1842 the widow and family removed to Shiawassee County, where her brother, Ira Stinson,
then resided he having settled here four years previously.
When he of whom we write was a lad of but sixteen years of age he with his mother removed from
their farm, three or four miles west of Owosso, and
went to make their home with his sister, Mrs. Rush.
The lad began to feel that the responsibilities of the
family rested upon his shoulders and that he must
begin to be a provider for the wants of his mother,
so lie began work by the month, earning $4, but
kept at it faithfully until he became a man grown,
and even until his twenty-sixth year was reached
when he became the owner of sixty-five acres of
land. This was the nucleus of his present large and
finely improved farm. lie at once began to cut
out the timber and erect a house on the spot where
his present commodious dwelling stands.
The energetic young man was soon joined in
wedlock, October 1, 1857, to Miss Angelina S. Fox,
a daughter of Crawford and Samantha (Dawson)
Fox, of Bennington Township. Mrs. Hall's father
was a native of an old historic town of New York,
his father being Nathaniel Fox. Mrs. Hall's mother
is still living and for seven years has made her
home with her daughter. She was born at Utica,
N. Y., her father being John Dawson, a native of
Connecticut. Her mother's maiden  name was
Thankful Warren, who was born in Boston, Mass.
After the marriage of Mrs. Hall's parents they settled at Redford, Mich., fifty-four years ago, and a
few years later removed to Livingston County,
where the husband died in 1855. The widow subsequently mairied Peter Vroman of Middlebury
Township, who died August 19, 1885. The widow




PORTRAIT A:ND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


309


is a hale and vigorous lady who, although fourscore years of age yet has an acute mind and tenacious ilemory, coupled with a strong constitution.
She has fair prospects of still having a long lease
upon life.
Our subject, Earl Stinson Hall, responded to the
call of his country when it was in need of men with
strong and brave hearts to defend the cause of liberty and right. Ile enlisted October, 1863, in
Company B, Eleventh Michigan Cavalry and was
soon made Sergeant, in which capacity he distinguished himself in the struggle through Kentucky,
Tennessee, Virginia, North and South Carolina. He
was always with his command and ever ready for
service, eager to be at the front and yet magnanimous to the foe.
The company in which our subject enlisted did
not participate in any of the desperate battles of
that period, but were engaged in a large number of
skirmishes and minor engagements, frequently suffering severe loss of men. Toward the close of
hostilities the company was consolidated with the
Eighth Michigan Cavalry and from this he was
mustered out in October, 1865. Since Mr. Hall
left the army he has pursued farming which has
occupied his entire time and attention. No one
can boast of a more desirable home. It is surrounded with all the comforts of life, and lie is
happy in the company of a most estimable wife,
conscious of a lifework honestly done and duty
faithfully performed. The farm boasts many fine
improvements, not less than $3,000 having been
expended on it.
Mr. Hall is an example to the community, in
that his life presents no blemish or spot that need
to have a veil cast over it. The husband and wife
whose lives have been so congenial within themselves are proud of an interesting family. They
are Willie E., Lewis C., these two composing the
firm of Hall Bros., grocers; Bertie C., a teacher of
some years' experience, and one considered as
standing at the head of his profession. He is also
the present efficient Township Clerk, besides being
active in church and educational work. One daughter, Myrtie, the mother's darling, is an amiable
and sweet girl of sixteen years, now a student at
the High School of Owosso. She is also so profi

i
I
I


I


-- - - - - -- - - - - - - - ------  ------- -


cient in music as to call forth the praise of the
lovers of music in the community.
Mr. Hall is a Republican in politics though recognizing merit in other parties, and believing it
right to support the best men irrespective of party
in local matters. He is considered by his townspeople as a level-headed man on all subjects, and
is frequently honored by responsible positions of
trust. He is liberal in his religious ideas while
Mrs. Hall belongs to the Methodist persuasion.
IIARLES SIIICKLE, M. I). One of the energetic young plysicians of Bancroft who
has already attained some prominence, is the
gentleman whose name    heads our sketch. Dr.
Shickle was born in Plymouth, Wayne County, this
State, February 1, 1865. Iis parents were William
and Mary A. (Thomas) Shickle. The family are old
residents of Wayne County, his father having died
April 20, 1890. He was the owner of a farm of
two hundred and forty acres which he had made
a model of its kind. He was a native of Norfolk,
England, and had been self sustaining from the age
of five years. IIe came to the United States about
1860. He was married in Greenwich, Kent County, England. The gold fever early attracted him
to Australia where lie worked as a miner for some
years and then engaged in market gardening near
Melbourne. He came to Shiawassee County in
1867, where he lived a retired life in Fairfield
Township until last year when his death occurred.
Dr. Shickle was two years old when his parents
came to Shiawassee County and remained there
until be was twenty-two. During his childhood
he attended school at Ovid, after which he entered
the office with Doctor J. H. Travis of Elsie. In
1887 he entered Ann Arbor medical department
and was graduated with his class, June 27, 1890.
He was one of a class of ninety-four young men and
women who started out to alleviate the pain and suffering of mankind. Immediately after his graduation he began to practice at Bancroft where he has
since been. Dr. Shickle is still a single man. Politically he is a Democrat.




3~10


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALIBUM.~


A    A I


For so young a man, he has a complete professional library. He boasts a fine microscope and has a
large number of good pathological specimens and
nearly every specimen of the normal tissues of the
body. The Doctor has already displayed so much
energy in the pursuit of his profession for which
he has an ardent love that his friends predict for
him a brilliant future. Certainly there is no profession in which a man has a wider scope than in
that of medicine and in these days where every
man is a specialist, there are chances of attaining
fame never before offered.
ENRY M. BURNES is a farmer and resides
on section 19, Riley Township, where he
has one hundred and sixty acres of fine
land, all improved and with excellent buildings upon it. He is a son of James M. and Nancy
(Smith) Burnes. The father was a native of Monroe County, N. Y., and the mother was born in
Pennsylvania. The parents of Mr. Burnes came
to Michigan before their marriage, and after that
interesting event, located in Ingham County, where
the subject of this sketch was born. His natal day
was November 3, 1847.
Henry Burnes was reared upon a farnr, and attended the district schools of his township, working for his father until August, 1864, when,
although being less than seventeen years of age, he
decided to enter the army, and enlisted in Company F, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry.   He
joined the regiment at Atlanta, Ga., and after the
siege of that city the regiment was sent to join the
force of Gen. Thomas at Nashville, Tenn. In the
spring of 1865 the regiment was transferred to
Washington D. C, was then sent by boat to Newbern, N. C., thence to Raleigh, and there joined
Gen. Sherman's army on its march through the
Carolinas.  It was placed on detached duty at
Salisbury, N. C., where the regiment was finally
discharged.
Our young hero was sick in the hospital at the
time of the discharge of his regiment, but was finally mustered out and discharged at Detroit in Sep

tember, 1865. After his return to Michigan he
worked on the farm until November 25, 1866, when
he received in marriage the hand of Miss Mary
Stone, a daughter of Solomon B. Stone, who was a
native of New York, but had removed to Lake
County, Ohio, previous to her birth July 29, 1847.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Burnes has been
blessed with three children: Rosetta was born October 13, 1867; she is married to Frank Henson, and
they reside with her parents. Burton was born
August 21, 1869; and Adelbert, September 12,
1873. The last two are single and make their home
with their parents. The father of Mrs. Burnes is
still living in Riley Township. Mr. Burnes is a
member of the Joseph Mason Post, G. A. R., of
Wacousta, and is a member of the Grange, No. 456,
at South Riley, and is a Democrat in politics, taking an active interest in political questions. He
has filled the office of Highway Commissioner and
some other township offices of minor importance.
^ EORGE BIGFORD.        Among those who
became pioneers of Michigan in their very
early years is the thorough and prosperous
farmer and stock-raiser whose name we have given
in this column. He resides on section 36, Duplain
Township, Clinton County, and has his post-office
address at Ovid. He    was born in Genesee
County, N. Y., his natal day having been June 18,
1853. He was also of New York parentage, his
father, John, and his mother, Amlett (Stevens)
Bigford, being born in that State, where the father
died when George was still a little boy.
The widow of John Bigford came to Michigan
with her sons when George was only four years old,
and made her home in Owosso. Near here the boy
was raised upon a farm and received a fair commonschool education. He had one brother, Edgar, who
lives in Lansing. Having grown to manhood and
having now attained a mastery of the work of
life upon which he had resolved to enter, the young
man decided to establish a home of his own, and
chose for himself a life partner. The wedding




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


311


day of George Bigford and Melissa Woodworth
was Christmas Day, 1874. This lady is a native of
Michigan, having been born in Owosso Township,
Shiawassee County, May 11, 1855. Her parents,
William and Silvia A. (Andrus) Woodworth, were
born in New York, and had removed to Michigan
some years previous to the birth of theirdaughter.
After living in Washtenaw County for about eight
years the young married couple removed to their
present home, where Mr. Bigford purchased eighty
acres of rich and fertile soil, which was valued at
$63 per acre.
Three bright and interesting children were sent
to share the parental love and solicitude of Mr.
and Mrs. Bigford. The oldest, Wilbur, was born
while they were living in Washtenaw County,
January 30, 1876. Frank, the second, cariie to
them October 15, 1877, and Maggie on March 28,
1880. Mr. Bigford is deeply interested in political
movements, but takes no active part except to cast
his vote for the Republican candidates. Iis sturdy
character, strict integrity and untiring industry he
no doubt received from his Scottish ancestry, as
his father was born in that land.
L I JAH      FLESHMAN, a prosperous and
influential farmer residing on section 1,
Essex  Township, Clinton  County, is a
native of Stark County, Ohio, where he was born
February 2, 1838. His parents, Peter and Mary
(Wolf) Fleshman, were natives of Pennsylvania
and he is their eldest son. With his parents he
journeyed West in his eighth year and came to
Michigan, thus becoming one of the pioneers of
Macomb County. There he was reared to manhood upon a farm and in the district schools, having scanty opportunities for education but thoroughly improving his advantages and being stimulated therein by the desire of both parents and
teacher that he should become an intelligent man.
Mr. Fleshman was married in Detroit, Mich., to
Bridget McGraw, a native of Ireland. He came
to Clinton County in the spring of 1866 and first
located near Maple Rapids, where he settled in the


woods and cleared up sixty acres of f;n eighty-acre
farm. It was in 1878 when he removed to the
farm where he now resides, and which has been his
home from that day to this. His fine property is
all the result of his unaided efforts and he had no
one to start him in life.
Our subject is earnestly desirous for the uplifting of the agricultural community, both socially
and industrially, and is identified with the Ancient
Order of United Workmen. In his political views
he is a Democrat and is worthy of and receives the
respect of all who know him. Both he and his
wife are honored in social life and have a large
circle of friends.
J  OHN  NOURSE.   Among the farmers of
Watertown Township, Clinton County, none
are more worthy of representation in a work
of this kind than the gentleman whose name
heads this sketch. He resides on section 21, of
Watertown Township, where he has eighty acres in
that section and forty acres on section 27. When
we consider this large tract of fine land and learn
that he started out in life without a dollar in the
world, we can but give great credit to his industry, economy and enterprise. He is the son of
Thomas and Hannah (Taylor) Nourse, natives of
Norfolk, England, where he was born June 20,
1828. He worked for his father until he was sixteen years old, and then for himself until of age,
and by this time had saved money enough to pay
his passage to America. In company with his
young friend, George Gall, he came to this country. They went directly to Lockport, N. Y., and
when they reached there he had not a cent left, but
his friend Gall had one dime, and the latter generously decided to share this small sum with his
friend over a social mug of beer, and thus to start
together on tle same level.
The young man now hired out on a dairy farm,
and worked at various places for four years. He
then had by his economy saved enough money to
invest in a small tract of land, and he and his friend
came to Michigan together in 1849. While living




312


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


at Lockport, N. Y., he had formed an acquaintance
with the father of Josh Billings, who was also an
Englishman, an(d who befriended him at different
times. After he came to Michigan lie placed $300
in the hands of Willard King to invest for him. In
1853 he was united in marriage with Hannah Gall,
the sister of his early friend. She lived only two
years after their marriage. In 1856 he was happily
married to his present wife, Mary Loomis, a daugh,
ter of J. A. Loomis, a native of New York State
who came to Michigan in 1843, and is now living
in Watertown Township at the advanced age of
seventy-nine years. Mrs. Nourse was born in New
York State, November 16, 1838.
The union of John Nourse and Mary Loomis has
resulted in a family of four clildren: Cornelia D.,
born May 30, 1856, is now married to Samuel Dayton, and lives at Delta; George T., born September 1, 1857, married Cora B. Felton, and resides on
section 27 of this township; William E., born February 6, 1866, is single, and is at home with his
parents; Ettie. born September 20, 1873, is also at
home. Mr. Nourse has assisted his children nobly
and when starting out in life for himself, he has enabled them each to get a farm. Besides all that he
has given them, lie has accumulated one hundred
and twenty acres, and has given to his children several tlousand dollars. This prosperity is indeed
marvelous when one takes into consideration that
he can neither read nor write. His political belief
is in accord with the utterances of the Democratic
party, and he cast his vote in its favor.
--      ----- - i_,
O    LNEY P. DEWITT. The city of St. John's
is the seat of many important business
enterprises  and  thriving  establishments
where the staples are sold. The gentleman above
named is the proprietor of one of the large grocery
stores here and is interested in a wholesale house
in Grand Rapids and other enterprises in St.
John's. He carries a full line of staple and fancy
groceries and provisions and does a flourishing
trade, which is the more creditable as he began his
work with a small capital. The house in Grand


Rapids with which he is connected, was organized
in 1890 and incorporated under the laws of the
State under the title of the Lemon & Wheeler
Company, for the wholesaling of groceries. Mr.
DeWitt is a stockholder in the St. John's National
Bank and Clinton County Savings Bank and is the
owner of some valuable real-estate.
The Empire State claims Mr. DeWitt as one of
her sons, although from an early age he has lived
in Michigan. His paternal grandfather, William
DeWitt, was born in New York, on the Hudson
River and married a New Jersey lady. He was a
blacksmith by trade. He made an early settlement in Wayne County, N. Y., and in 1866 came
to Clinton County, this State, and died in DeWitt
Township when sixty-nine years old. His son
John M*, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y.,
grew to manhood there and removed thence to
Onondaga County. He was a saddler and harnessmaker and carried on a harness shop and for some
time had the stage route to Syracuse. In 1863 he
came to this State and for a year carried on the
harness business in Oakland County, at Davisburg.
tie then came to I)eWitt Township, Clinton County,
and after working at his trade for a time turned
his attention to farming. He owned five tracts of
land. He is now living in St. John's and has given
up active work. His wife, whose maiden name
wns Eliza J. Griffin, was born in Onondaga County,
N. Y., near Amber. She is the daughter of Heman
Griffin, an Eastern man who fought in the War of
1812. Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt have three children,
O. P. being the eldest. Tie second is Ada, now
Mrs. M. B. Pincomb, of Big Rapids, and the third
is William, a jeweler in Hammond, Ind.
The subject of this notice was born January 24,
1858, in Navarino, Onondaga County, N. Y., and
was about six years old when his parents came
West. He attended the common and high schools
in DeWitt, Clinton County, and when he was
eighteen years old began teaching. Between terms
he attended the Commercial College inLansing and
completed the business course and received a
diploma. He then became clerk in the general
mercantile establishment in the capital and within
three years had worked his way to a foremanship.
In May, 1881, he came to St. John's and started in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


313


the grocery trade as a member of the firm of
DeWitt & Pincomb. The connection was continued eighteen months when the business was closed
up and the partnership dissolved. Six months
later Mr. DeWitt bought the stock of Nelson Griswold and re-engaged in business, carrying on his
work alone. The clerks whom   lie employs are
obliging and trustworthy and in every respect
his place of business is worthy the visits of the
people.
In Riley, Clinton County, November 18, 1880,
Mr. DeWitt was married to Miss Hattie E. Jones,
a native of that place and daughter of Nathan
Jones, one of the early settlers of the county.
That gentleman was formerly engaged in farming
but is now living in the county seat.
Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt are the happy parents of
one child-Lee A. Mr. DeWitt is one of the
Board of Trustees of St. John's. He is a Knight
Templar, identified with the home commandery.
He has no church connections but contributes to
the support of the different societies, having a general belief in their good effect upon society. He has
no political aspirations and no party connection,
being strictly independent in the use of the elective
franchise. The character and ability of the man
outweighs in his mind any question of party
policy. In social and domestic life Mr. DeWitt is
considerate and agreeable and in business affairs he
is honorable and trustworthy.
E      ZEKIEL J. COOK. One of the men who
has dared and done so much in the interest
of the County of Shiawassee is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch and who at
present lives on section 7, Owosso Township. He
was born on the old homestead on section 1, Bennington Township, October 13, 1839. His parents
were Ezekiel and Barbara Ann (Hodge) Cook, the
former a native of Rhode Island. His grandfather
was Seth Cook, also of Rhode Island. Mr. Cook's
mother was born in Pennsylvania and married in
Oakland County.
Our subject's father came from Oakland County




I


in the fall of 1837, when he secured a quartersection of land upon which he lived until his wife's
death, January 20, 1874. Her natal day   was
November 28, 1808. Our subject's father died
March 12, 1884, his birth having taken place December 16,1798. Previous to his marriage with
the lady above named Mr. Cook was united November 14, 1822, to Drusilla Castle, who was born
November 16, 1801, and died September 9, 1833,
in Oakland County. His marriage with our subject's mother took place February 26, 1834, in
Oakland County. He had settled in this county
just before his first marriage, coming hither from
Rochester, N. Y.
Mr. Cook had several children by his first wife.
They are Chancy C. who died in Saginaw County, in
1888; Elizabeth D., married Edward Curliss and
lived in Owosso, having departed this life in April,
1889; Drusilla, widow of Walter Gammon of
Sacramento County, Cal. The second family of
children are as follows: Seth is a citizen of the
township; Anna, who became Mrs. Hugh Cooper,
at present resides in Riley County, Kan.; Ezekiel;
Albert J. is a professor of entomology, at the State
Agricultural College of Lansing.
The gentleman of whom we write lived on the
farm until his wife's death and there continued
with Ezekiel, Jr., until his own death. In politics
Mr. Cook was a follower of the Republican platform. He was connected with the Baptist Church
of which he had been a leader for many years,
having assisted in the organization of the Maple
River Baptist Church. For years lie took a prominent position in the locality in which he lived and
was recognized by all as a man to be depended
upon in any case of emergency. lie was progressive in all things and sought to introduce into his
agricultural life any feature that would lead to improvement. He was the first man to introduce
Durham stock into the county and he only bred the
finest blooded animals. He took an active part in
the Agricultural Association and encouraged his
fellow farmers to ever strive for a better display.
At the time of his death he owned four hundred
acres of land.
Our subject's son and namesake, Ezekiel, re
mained at home until he became of age. He attended




314


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




=


the Agricultural College for two years, having
taught at the age of twenty and after his majority
having continued in educational work for five consecutive winters, working on lhe farm in the summer. By popular vote lie was made County
Superintendent of Schools and as such has discharged the duties incident to the position most
satisfactorily for three years. He resigned, however, before the expiration of his term on account
of his mother's death. He has since lived on the
farm. On June 14, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Benjamin, who was born in
Oakland County February 10, 1843. Her parents
were Miles and Anna (Norman) Benjamin, the
former a native of Syracuse, N. Y., the latter of
Connecticut. Ezekiel Cook, Jr., is the father of a
fine family: Charles B., born June 17, 1867; Clayton T., born April 11,1871; will graduate in the class
of 1891 at the Agricultural College at Lansing,
Eddy J., born May 20, 1874, died at the age of
four months. The eldest son was graduated in the
class of 1888 at the Agricultural College and became an assistant in the department of entomology.
OHN W. OUTCALT, the present Supervisor
of Olive Township, Clinton County, owns
and occupies a tract of two hundred and
forty acres. He was born in LaGrange
County, Ind., February 2, 1840, and is the eldest
of three children born to William and Mary A.
(Richard) Outcalt. His father was born in Portage
County, Ohio, April 10, 1813, and in 1836 went to
Indiana, where he had previously bought land. The
country in which he located was sparsely settled
and much of the land was undeveloped. IHe cleared
and improved a farm, living upon it until 1854,
when he came to Clinton County and bought a
partly improved tract in Olive Township. Here
he died in 1869. He was Highway Commissioner
of Olive Township nine years. The patronymic
indicates the German extraction of the family and
in the Eastern States the first American home was
made. Mrs. Outcalt died in the Buckeye State.
Our subject had but limited educational privi



I


I                                                                                    _


leges, his attendance being confined to the district
school and mostly prior to entering his teens. The
time that he spent in the schoolroom after that age
was used to good advantage, as after being at work
for a time he better appreciated educational privileges. When about thirteen years old be became
a driver for a dealer in Wolcottville, hauling grain
from that place to Ft. Wayne and bringing goods
back. He was about fourteen when his father
came to this State, and after the family was settled
he spent some farther time in school here. He began the battle of life for himself in 1866, when he
purchased eighty acres of wild land in Fairfield
Township, Shiawassee County.  He built a log
house in the woods and made that his home three
years, while laboring hard to improve his property.
The ill-health of the father caused him to return
to the homestead, the care of which was relinquished
to him. Here he has remained, carrying on his
work with zeal and energy.
In the fall of 1863 Mr. Outcalt became a soldier, enlisting in Company I, Twenty-seventh
Michigan Infantry. Under the command of Col.
A. B. Wood, he took up the duties of a defender
of the Union. The heaviest engagements in which
he took part were the battles of the Wilderness,
Cold Harbor, Grove Church and the fight on the
Weldon Railroad south of Petersburg, but on
many other fields he displayed equal devotion to
his country. At Weldon Railroad lie was struck
by a rifle ball which shattered one of the bones in
his right leg below the knee, so that several. pieces
were taken out. He lay in Harwood Hospital at
Washington for some time. His wound was received June 18, 1864, at which time he held the
rank of Corporal but was acting as Lieutenant.
He was discharged April 18, 1865, and resumed
the peaceful occupation of farming.
In 1866 Mr. Outcalt was married to Miss Betsey
Gage, with whom he lived happily until 1884, when
she was called from time to eternity. She was a
native of Rose Township, Oakland County. In
1886 Mr. Outcalt contracted a second matrimonial
alliance, wedding Miss Roxie Merrihew, a native
of the township in which they are now living, and
a well-respected, capable lady. She is a member
in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal








-rv We-i




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


317


Church. Mr. Outcalt has been Highway Commissioner six years and Township Treasurer one year.
In both capacities he acted for the good of those
who gave him their suffrages, and as Supervisor
he is now discharging his official duties in a creditable manner.
LLEN BEARD, a prominent and wealthy
farmer whose fine farm and elegant residence are an ornament to the community,
was the first settler in Antrim Township,
Shiawassee County. A native of Ontario County,
N. Y., he was born January 11, 1810. I-is father,
Joshua, was born February 8, 1786, near Ilagerstown, Md., and when fifteen years old removed
from that State to New York with his parents. Iie
lived and died in Yates County, completing his
life work March 21, 1864. He was a prominent
man and connected with the Baptist Church, being
a liberal contributor and an earnest worker in the
same, as was also his wife, Martha (Blake) Beard,
who was born in August, 1790, in Saratoga, N. Y.,
and died in 1852. Nine of their eleven children
grew to maturity, and five are now living. The
grandfather of our subject, Adam Beard, was of
German descent and came from   Baltimore soon
after the Revolutionary War.
Our subject, who was the eldest of the family,
was reared upon the farm and educated in the district schools, after which lie took two terms in an
academy at Penn Yan, the county seat of Yates
County, which was formed from parts of Ontario
and Steuben Counties, N. Y. In the year 1832,
being then in his twenty-second year, he took a
trip down the Alleghany River to Pittsburg, and
tlence down the Ohio to Cincinnati, visiting friends
in Ohio and prospecting through the country. IHe
returned home by way of Lake Erie. In 1833 lie
rented a farm for one year and in November,
1834, he started with a team of horses for Ohio,
and arriving in what is now Willoughby, remained until April, 1836, when he set out for
Michigan.
Arriving in the Wolverine State, our subject




I


_ ._I____________- ----. - _ — I --- —-— ` —


left his family at Lodi, in Washtenaw County,
while he came on prospecting into Shiawassee
County. IIe finally selected his present farm, and
going to the land office in Detroit, filed his application, and in time received his deeds, signed by
President Van Buren. Building his log shanty
and bringing on his family, he became the lone
white settler of Antrim Township, and the only
one for miles around. He had to cut his way
through the woods, felling trees and wading or
bridging good-sized streams. Deer, bears, wolves,
and other wild animals abounded. Indians were
abundant and used often to come to him to exchange venison for flour. LIe was familiarly acquainted with many of the red men. He cleared
a small spot and turned the first furrow in the
township, which lie afterward helped to organize,
for other families soon followed him and it became
necessary to have an organization. As soon as he
had raised products from his new farm, lie went to
Detroit to market what lie did not need for the
family. lie has cleared and improved some three
hundred acres of land.
Hannah Arnot was the maiden name of the lady
who became Mrs. Beard in 1832. She was born in
Ontario County, N. Y., September 2, 1810, and
died August 26, 1843. Four children graced this
marriage: Martha, the wife of George Tyler, who
lives in Morris; Byron, a prominent farmer in the
township; Charles F., who was a member of the
Twenty-third Michigan Infantry and was killed in
the engagement at Campbell's Station during the
late war; and Mary E., who is also deceased. The
second marriage of Mr. Beard occurred in 1848,
when he was united with Charlotte Thompson, of
New York, wlio is still living. She became the
mother of eight children, namely: Allen, deceased;
Joshua, Walter, Elnora; John, a farmer in the vicinity; Abraham L., who is the plresent incumbent
of tie office of County Clerk; Sarepta, the wife
of George Honniker; and George, a farmer.
Mr. Beard cast his first Presidential vote for
Andrew Jackson and when Lincoln was a candidate he voted for him, but he has since cast his
ballot with the Democratic party. He has filled
for a series of years the offices of Postmaster and
Justice of the Peace. IIe had at one time a tract




318


PORTRAIT~ AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


31      POTAT N IGRPIALABM


of land comprising about nine hundred acres, but
having made generous provision for his children,
he has now about three or four hundred acres left.
This is all the result of his undaunted industry
and enterprise, as when he came to Michigan he
had only his team and wagon. HIe has raised Iurham cattle and takes an interest in fine wool sheep
and has dealt considerably in lands, having owned
in all probability three thousand acres. He is one
of the original members of the Pioneer Society,
and although now on the shady side of life is the
active manager of his own farm.
The many friends of Mr. Beard will be pleased
to notice his portrait on another page.
r~ --- —----— ^_-~^~l S^a~3 - ----
OHN W. POLLARI, MI. ). The publishers of this ALBUM would fail in their purpose of representing the notable members
of the various communities, were they to
omit mention of I)r. Pollard, who is one of the
most prominent medical men of St. John's, Clinton
Conty. For one so young lie has acquired a reputation extremely creditable to his ability as shown
in the practical work which he has done, particularly in those departments of which he makes a
specialty. Wlile versed in general medical knowledge, he pays particular attention to diseases of
women and children and to those of the eye, nose
and throat. It was his desire from boyhood to
become a physician and surgeon, and lie made
excellent preparation, first grounding himself well
in English branches such as are useful to every
man, and then entering one of the best medical
schools in the country and taking a thorough
course of training there.
Before giving the principal facts in the life of
Dr. Pollard it may be well to speak of those from
whom he derived his being, as by so doing we will
gain an insight into his natural abilities. His paternal grandfather was born in England and after
emigrating settled in North Carolina, where he
followed an agricultural life. He was a soldier in
the War of 1812. George Poliard, father of the
Doctor, was born and reared in North Carolina and


when a young man went to Kentucky and married
there. His wife was Eliza Hoard, who was born
near the Mammoth Cave and was a daughter of
Stillman Hoard, a Virginian, who after living in
Kentucky some years went to Missouri and died
there. Mr. Pollard removed to Illinois and was
one of the early settlers in Douglas County, locating on new land and finally becoming the owner of
two hundred and eighty acres in Oakland Township. In his boyhood he had become a millwright
and worked at his trade for some years after his
removal to the Mississippi Valley. He was a firstclass mechanic and had a great deal of work to do.
He was a prominent and official member of the
Christian Church and was one of the most highly
respected citizens. He died in 1881.
The family of the couple above mentioned consisted of seven children and John W. is next to
the youngest. He was born July 8, 1860, in Illinois,
and reared on the farm, spending what time he
could in study and when nineteen years old beginning to teatch. He was a graduate of the Tuscola
High School and immediately after finishing the
course there began professional work, and for thiee
years and a half was a Principal, first in Hinesborollgh and next in Ogden. At the same time he
took up the study of medicine under the guidance
of Dr. J. P. MIcGee of Tuscola, and in 1883 lie entered Rush Medical College in Chicago. He worked
his own way through school, and two years after
going to Rush was graduated with the degree of
Doctor of Medicine. He opened an office in Norwich, Kan., and remained there until 1888, when he
came to St. John's and married Mrs. Athelia Nelson, daughter of J. Stitt and widow of C. C. Nelson
a merchant here. This lady was born in Canada.
ITer wedded life was brief, as she died of la grippe,
January 14, 1890.
The fall after his marriage Dr. Pollard entered
the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery
and the next year left that institution, having had
the same degree which he had gained at Rush
conferred upon him. He at once began practice
in St. John's where he has a constantly increasing
number of calls and already the demands upon his
time are greater than is usually the case after so
short a residence. He has a thorough understand



~1T
44




I



PORTRAIT~j ANb) BIOGRNIPHICAL A1,1fJum..~


319


POI-TI1A1T AND BG1ICALATAM.                  31.9,.. _..... _ _ -..____.
- - - - -~~~.-~ I~ ^ - -~ - - - - -. --- —---...


ing of. his profession, and is one of those ambitious
young men, who are not content without frequent
and earnest efforts to keep up with the times and
advance in mental growth. In 1891 he took a
polyclinical degree in Chicago, having investigated
different lines of surgical work and better fitted
himself for carrying on business as an oculist,
aurist and laryngolocist, etc. While he was living
in Kansas he was surgeon on the Santa Fe Railroad.
On March 29, 1891, Dr. Pollard contracted a
second matrimonial alliance, the ceremony taking
place in St. John's. The bride was Miss Elinor
Caldwell, daughter of the late Roland Caldwell,
who was born in Canada near Hamilton and is a
graduate of Hamilton University. She is a lady of
unusual culture and refinement, with fine tastes and
an intense love for the beautiful. HIer home is orderly and tastefully adorned, and her social qualities and noble character secure the warm friendship
of those who become acquainted with her; she is a
member of the Episcopal Church.
Dr. Pollard is interested in social orders and is
identified with several lodges in'St. John's-those of
the Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor and United
Workmen. He is a member of the Clinton County
and State Medical Societies and makes good use of
the current periodicals devoted to physics and
surgery, as well as every opportunity which comes
in his way of consultation with other practitioners.
His political support is given to the I)emocratic
party. The attention of the reader is invited to a
lithographic portrait of the Doctor presented on
another page of this volume.
IRAM DAVIS, deceased, a well-to-do farmer of Rush Township, Shiawassee County,
<  whose farm is on section 14, was born in
Delaware County, N. Y., November 9,1813.
He was the son of a New York farmer, Samuel Davis
who was born in 1780, and who married, in 1802,
Sarah Berry, a native of New York, born in February 1786. Samuel Davis had a common school
education and purchased a farm in Delaware County lis native State. Five daughters and seven sons


constitute the family which came to bless him and his
good wife. He was a soldier in the War of 1812
and in 1856 he came to Michigan and located in
Shiawassee County. Less than a decade comprised
the life of himself and wife in the new home as he
was bereaved of tlat companion Iecember 5, 1863
and he followed her to their eternal home, January
19, of the next year. They were both earnest and
devoted members of the Presbyterian Church.
Hiram Davis upon reaching his majority began
life in the good old fashioned way by taking to
himself a helpmate in the person of Elizabeth M.
Harder, a daughter of Nicholas P. and Margaret
(Snyder) Harder. Dr. and Mrs. Harder were natives of Columbia County, N.Y., and the parents of
six children, three sons and three daughters, of
whom Eliztabeth is the eldest, being born August 1,
1814. In 1837 the Davis family came by way of
Buffalo to D)etroit and thence to Shiawassee County, Mich., and settled on eighty acres of land, one
half mile west of what is now Bennington Station.
Mr. Davis was tle first man to drive a team from
Bennington to Owosso, having to cut a road upon
which to travel. 'T1ie trip from Pontiac to Bennington at that time took live days.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis lived in Bennington till 1843
whlen they removed to Vernon and in 1850 made
their home in St. Charles, Saginaw County, but returned to Shiawassee County in 1854 and in 1876
came from Shliawassee Township to Rush Township,
and bought one hundred and seventy-five acres of
land on section 14. It was then nearly all wild
land but is now well-improved and in fine condition.
Mr. Davis died here in 1882. He was a Republican in his political views and was Township Treasurer in Chesening, Saginaw County. Nine children
were born to him and his good wife, two sons and
seven daughters, namely: Sarah, who became the
wife of Freeman Lytle of St. Charles; Jane C., wife
of Fordyce Potter of Durand, Mich.; Samuel A..,
who died June 11, 1855; Delia M. wife of Stephen
Nonon and lives on the old farm in Rush Township
with her husband and one son Marcus V.; Mary A.,
wife of Edwin Hosmer of Brady, Saginaw County;
Janett, wife of Harver Johnson of Ingersoll, Midland County; Emily E., wife of L, P. Smedley of




320


PORTR'AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -— i —-I- II — -— ` --- -— 11 --- —1 —  — —1 ---1 — --' —-11-1 — ' —' - -`- —  I- --- I--' --- —  —' —
-- ------—  ------— I-i — I --- —-— '- --- —` -----I ---- --—  --- —- — — — —  —-I —


Durand; Nicholas, who is married and living in
Spottsylvania County, Va., and Luella, wife of Ira
Johnson of Rush Township. Mrs. Davis lives on
the farm and has one hundred and sixty acres of
fine land. She is a devoted and useful member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Henderson.
E   LLIOTT V. SMITH, the local freight and
passenger agent at Owosso, Shiawassee
County for the Michigan Central Railroad,
is a native of New York, being born July 5, 1844,
in Watertown, Jefferson County. He is the fourth
in a family of seven children of Martin and Minerva (Spaulding) Smith, the father being a native
of New York, born near Lake Champlain, and a
son of Jonathan Smith, a native of Scotland who
came to the United States when a young man, making his home in Saratoga County, N. Y. The
mother of our subject is the daughter of Jared
Spaulding who was a cloth dyer by trade. His
death occurred in the State of New York at the age
of fifty-eight years. Martin Smith was a carriagemaker by trade and later in life followed farming,
spending a number of years in Genesee County,
Mich., and dying in 1872 in his fifty-fifth year
from injuries received by being thrown in front of
a reaper and being badly cut. His wife is still living in Littleton, Iowa.
The school days of our subject passed in New
York State, and he also attended the Pleasant
Grove Seminary in Iowa. In 1862 he responded
to the call for more troops and enlisted in Company C, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, where lie
was then living, as his father removed to that
State when the boy was about twelve years old.
His Colonel was James I. Gilbert. The regiment
was sent to Minnesota to quell the Indian troubles,
after which they were ordered to Tennessee and the
far South and took part in the battles of Corinth,
Iuka, Chickamauga, Vicksburg, Meridian, Pleasant
Hill, Tupelo, Old Tower Creek, Old Lake, and
other conflicts. He was wounded at Pleasant Iill
and also at Nashville, and was mustered out of
service in August, 1865 having served three years.


Returning to Iowa, Mr. Smith engaged in farming and continued thus employed until 1870, when
he went to work in the lumbering industry for two
years in the North Woods. After this he came to
Owosso, Mich., in 1872, and began railroading,
being first employed as baggageman for the Michigan Central Railroad in Owosso. In a short time
he was assigned to the station at Owosso Junction
as joint agent in charge of the offices of the Michigan Central and Detroit Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railroads. In November 1888, he took
charge of the passenger and freight business in
Owosso for the Michigan Central Railroad.
The marriage of Elliott Smith and Miss Hattie
Shatto of Flushing, Mich., took place in September, 1872. Mrs. Smith is a native of Ohio and her
birthplace was Youngstown. She is a daughter of
John Shatto who died in the service of his country
during the Civil War. Mr. Smith has for four
years been the Alderman from the Fourth Ward.
He is a Representative member of the Grand Army
of the Republic, and is Post Commander of
Quackenbush Post, No. 205. He is a member of
the Board of Education and acts as its Secretary.
At his pleasant residence at No. 525 West Main
Street, a whole hearted hospitality is extended by
Mr. Smith and his amiable wife.
I LBERT PIERSON, a well-known citizen
of Eureka, Clinton County, is a native of
Essex County N. J., where he was born
October 13, 1817. His parents, Silas and
Phebe (Davis) Pierson, were natives of New Jersey, of which State the Pierson family is one of the
old and well known families. The maternal grandfather, Joseph Davis, was a soldierkin the Revolutionary War and did effective service through that
period of conflict.
Of seven children born to Silas and Phebe Pierson, the following have lived to manhood: Oliver,
Albert, Harriet, Silas, Walter, and Charlotte.
These boys grew up in their native county, and
their father being a carpenter and joiner, they
learned much is his line of work. When about








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3:23




eighteen years old, Albert began learning the harness-making trade and served an apprenticeship at
this for nearly three years. After having reached
his majority he removed with his parents to the region which is now included in Morrow County,
Ohio, and resided there for several years.
It was in Ohio that the young mal met and married his first wife, Lucy J. Linscott, who became
Mrs. Pierson in 1844, and and died in 1888. His
marriage with his present wife took place December
19, 1890. Before her marriage with him she was
the widow of John Fesler, late of Eaton County,
Mich. This lady who bore the maiden name of
Ellen Gale, is a native of Canada, being born near
London, Ontario, January 13, 1844. Her father
was Captain Charles Gale who sailed on the Great
Lakes. He is a native of Chicago, Ill., and is said
to be the oldest white man now living, who was
born in that great city. He now lives in Ontario.
Her mother was a native of Pennsylvania of German descent. When two years old Mrs. Pierson
moved with her parents to Cleveland, Ohio, and
there grew to womanhood. She married John Fesler in Gratiot County, this State, November 30,
1859, and by him   became the mother of eight
children, six of whom are now living, namely:
Charles, Lena, Ida, Nellie, Gussie and Etta.
Mlr. Pierson came to Michigan in 1833, and located in Gratiot County, in Washington Townslip,
in the unbroken woods. He busied himself in clearing the land and cultivating it. He was one of the
first settlers and built the second log house in his
township. He took his land from the Government
paying $1.25 per acre. He underwent the usual
hardships of pioneer life and helped to turn the
wilderness into a prosperous farming community.
He moved to Eureka in March, 1886, and has since
resided in that village. Besides what he owns
here he has eighty acres of land in Gratiot County.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Pierson are earnest and efficient members of the Christian Church and are active factors in all social enterprises. He is public.
spirited and enterprising, and interested in both
national and local political movements, being a
Republican in his views formerly but now works
and acts with the Prohibition party, having lost all
faith in the old parties. The parents of Mrs. Pier

son reared a family of nine children and no death
occurred in the family, until September, 1889, when
one of the sons died. Of their six daughters all
but one married men by the Christian name of
John and four of them are now widows. The father is now seventy-four years old and the mother
sixty-six and they celebrated their Golden Wedd
ing April 7, 1891.
^-s~ ---~J:~- <^'^     -— ^
C_ ON. GEORGE M. DEWEY. Among the
men who have helped to mold public opinion, both as educators and through the public press, we are pleased to present the
portrait and give a sketch of the life of the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs.
This citizen of Owosso and former editor of the
Owosso  Times, was born in Lebanon, Grafton
County, N. II., February 14, 1832, and is a son of
Granville and Harriet B. (Freeman) Dewey, both
natives of the same pl)ce, where their son first saw
the light. The mother was born in the same room
which afterward was the birthplace of her son.
The grandfather of our subject was Martin Dewey
and the great-grandfather Elijah Dewey, who settled in Lebanon at a very early day, was of English parentage.
The mother of George M. Dewey was a direct
descendant of the Plymouth Pilgrims and in the
direct line of that branch of the Standish family
which settled in Connecticut.  Granville, the
fattier of our subject, was a soldier in the War of
1812 and was a farmer by occupation, residing on
the old homestead which had been handed down
for generations, from father to son. His death occurred January 27, 1840.
The subject of this sketch pursued his early
studies with great assiduity and when still quite
young went to Lowell, Mass., for further educational advantages and was graduated from the
high school there in 1846. After this he was employed by Charles E. Smith on an astronomical
expedition in South America, which consumed
about eighteen months. Returning to Lowell he
undertook teaching, which profession he pursued




324


PORT.RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


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for over three years in the East, after which he
came West in 1852 and taught for some time.
The good reports made by travelers of the fertile land and fine climate of Michigan attracted Mr.
Dewey hither in 1854, and coming to Berrien
County, he taught for a year. Here he made so
enviable a reputation among instructors as to receive the appointment of Deputy Superintendent
of Public Instruction at Lansing. This position
he filled for eighteen months and then tendered his
resignation, having decided to enter upon a different branch of work.
The newspaper business proved attractive to the
young man and he undertook the management of
the Niles Enquirer, which lie carried on for nine
years successfully. Afterward lie purclhased the
Republican Banner at lanstings, iarry County, and
edited it for fifteen years. In 1881 he came to
Owosso and bought the Owosso Times, which lie
afterward incorporated as a stock company and
held his connection with this paper until 1 89(0.
Mr. Dewey has been connected with lpublic affairs to a considerable extent ever since coming
into the State and through the medium of the press
exerted a wide political influence. He has also unusual ability as a stump speaker and has often taken
the stump both in MIichigan and other States for
the causes of temperance and the Republican party.
He stumped the States of New York, New Hatmpshire, Illinois and New Jersey, making speeches for
temperance and in defense of Republican principles. He has made from   one to two thousand
speeches during his public career. lie was Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of
Michigan in 1888-89. In 1886 he became a member of the Grand Council of the Royal Templars
of Temperance. In 1872 the Sixteenth District
of Michigan honored itself by electing this gentleman State Senator and he served in the sessions of
1873-74. He was one of the delegates who organized the Republican party "under the oaks" at
Jackson, Mich., July 6, 1854.
Mr. Dewey's marriage, May 28, 1857, with Miss
Emma Bingham, of Niles, was a union which has
resulted in a life of great domestic happiness.
This lady is a native of Ohio, born in Mahoning
County, that State, and a daughter of the late


Judge Lemuel Bingham, of Niles, who was a native
of Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Dewey have
been granted six children, all but one of whom
have grown to years which are proving their inheritance of the bright intellectual traits and admirable social qualities of their parents: Hattie, the
eldest, is deceased; Edmund 0. is now one of the
editors of the Shiawassee Times, the leading Republican paper of this section; Henry B. is a graduate of the State University and now Superintendent of the Schools of Shiawassee County; Emma
G. is Assistant Principal in the Owosso High
School and was a student in Wellesley College,
Mass.; George M., Jr., is a cadet in the United
States Military Academy at West Point; while
Mary Halnnalh is still a student in the Owosso pub.
lie schools. The pleasant family residence on Park
tand Oliver Streets is a center of true social life and
hospitality.,    ARTIN  D. COMSTOCK. So many of
New York's sons are found in the Western
I    States who leave made a success in mercantile life that its representatives are always
expected to be men of prominence and position.
The gentleman of whom we write was horn at Onondaga County, N. Y., September 16, 1845. He
is a son of Orange and Rhoda (Dunlap) Comstock,
who were natives of the same State and county
that our subject was born in.
Our subject's father died in the county in which
lie lived for so many years in New York in the
spring of 1858. He had been a farmer all his life
and his efforts in agriculture bad been rewarded,
so that at the time of his decease he left his family
Iin very comfortable circumstances. Although he
was quite a prominent Whig, he had no ambition,
whatever, to hold office. He was a son of Jude
and Patty Comstock, natives of New York and as
the name would indicate, they were of ScotchIrish extraction. Our subject's mother married for
her second husband John Lowry, who was then
living at Lodi Plains, Washtenaw County, this
State. They moved to Shiawassee County, Mich.,
in 1826 and settled in Burns Township, where




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


325


Mr. Lowry died. Mrs. Lowry was again married, this time to Porter Sherman' of Livingston
County, who is also deceased. She now resides in
Bancroft, this State at the age of sixty-eight years,
is the only surviving parent of six children, viz:
Martin, George, Martha, Martin D., Eugene and
Adella. The lady had no children 1)b her second
and tt ird marriages.
Our subject was reared in his native town and
county on his father's farm  and received the advantages of a good common-school education. In
the spring of 1861 he came to Lodi Plains, Washtenaw County, this State, and there lived until
September. 1862, when he joined tie army as Corporal in Company H, Twentieth Michigan Infantry, then commanded by Colonel Williams, of Lansing. His regiment joined the Ninth Army Corps
under General Burnside and their first engagement
was at South Mountain. The next conflict in which
Mr. Comstock participated was at Antietam, followed by that of Warrenton Junction, after which
time they continued fighting and skirmishing along
the line until they reached Fredericksburg, where
they  were in time for the engagement. From
Fredericksburg they went to Fortress Monroe and
from there came back to Tennessee and joined the
Army of the Tennessee.
The siege of Vicksburg and that of Knoxville
un(ler the presiding genius of the immortal Grant,
was an experience that our subject had in common
with many of the brave men who dared to put
their lives in balance with the chances of war. He
was also in the battle of the Wilderness and from
that time on his company was engaged in fighting
and skirmishing until Lee's surrender, in April,
1865. The war record of our subject is a long one
and a most honorable one, in that he was engaged
in some of the most decisive battles of the late wai.
He was mustered out and received his final discharge at Jackson, Mich., in June, 1865. During
the three years in which he served in the Army he
was never wounded or taken prisoner.
After the war Mr. Comstock came to Burns
Township, Shiawassee County, where he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of wild land on section 25. It had no improvements, whatever, and
the work of clearing, building, planting and reap

ing were before him, but with energy he set about
accomplishing the hard task of making the wilderness bloom and blossom as the rose and now owns
one of the finest farms in the county.
IHe lived on this farm until the spring of 1883,
when he came to Byron and lived about eighteen
months. He then moved to Bancroft, Where he
lived until 1885, but finding the hold of old associations and friends strong upon him, he returned
to Byron where lie has since resided. Ile followed
the stock business, buying and selling for the metropolitan market for about fifteen years. He also
engaged in the hardware business in Byron in the
fall of 1887. His beautiful farm in the near neighborhood claimns much of his time and attention.
Like most of out successful business men Mr.
Comstock had small property to begin life on, but
this was doubtless not a disadvantage to him. He
is a Republlica.n in politics, but has never held office. Like m'ost of the old soldiers, lie is a Grand
Army Inan and belongs to D. G. Royce Post, No.
117, at Byron. In the fall of 1866 Miss Helen
Runyan of Vernon T'ownship, Shiawassee County,
became Mrs. Maartin Comstock. lier native State
is New York, Oneida County, and she is a daughter
of John and Margaret (Van Lou) Runyan. Three
children came to bless the home of our subject and his wife. They are Lilly, Orange and Guy
E., of whom Guy E., is the only surviving child.
J  EROME W. TU RNER, a prominent attorney
of Owosso, is a native of the Green Mountain State, hlaving been born il Sheldon,
Franklin County, January 25, 1836. I-e is
the only son of the IIon. Josiah Turner, an eminent lawyer of Michigan, and was for over a quarter of a century Judge of this Judicial Circuit.
As a leading Republican he has always been prominent in the ranks of his party. He is now United
States Consul at Amherstburg, Canada. He was
born in Vermont in 1811 and was a grandson of
Josiah Turner, whose ancestors were of English descent. The mother, Eveline Ellsworth, also a
native of the same State and of English descent,




326            PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


was born in 1817 and was a daughter of Dr. William Ellsworth.
Jerome W. Turner removed with his l)arents
from Vermont to Howell, Livingston County, Mich.,
when a little child of three years and grew to
manhood in this State, taking his early education
in the village schools and later attending Northville Academy in Wayne County. He took a
course also at the academy of Lodi, Mich., and then
entered the State University in 1853, graduating in
the literary department in 1857. He read law with
Judge F. C. Whipple in 1857 and was admitted to
the bar before the close of that year. Mr. Turner
associated himself with Judge Whipple but somewhat later removed to Shiawassee County and in
1860 located at Owosso, whicl hie has mad(e his
permanent home.
In 1857 our subject was united in marriage with
Martha F. Gregory, of Howell, Mich., a daughter
of the Rev. E. E. Gregory. Mrs. Turner is a native
of Michigan, born in Saline, Washtenaw County
and a lady of rich and varied accomplishments. To
their seven sons and one daughter these parents
have given a superior education and three of the"
sons have followed the father in entering the profession of law. They are named as follows: Jerome
E., Willard J., Charles G., Edward E., Iorace B.,
Ellsworth P., Milo P., Eveline J., wife of W. E.
Decker.
Mr. Turner was elected State Senattor for the
district composed of the counties of Shiawassee and
Livingston and was re-elected by a good majority.
lie was delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Cincinnati which nominated Hancock,
and also to the one at Chicago when Cleveland was
nominated. He was Post Office Inspector during
Cleveland's Administration for the Sixth Inspection
District, headquarters at Chicago. The district
comprised six States with Illinois about the center.
He was elected Mayor of the city of Owosso in
1879. IHe was also appointed, in 1864, First Assistant Paymaster in the United States Army, for
two years, with headquarters at Louisville, Ky.
Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. In 1863 lie was appointed Adjutant of the Thirtieth Michigan Infantry, which was
Lcationed on the Canadian borders, at Ft. Gratiot,


MIich. The services which this distinguished gentleman has rendered in his official life entitle him
to the admiration and honor which he receives and
makes him what he must ever remain, one of the
most highly respected members of society in
Owosso.
7UGUSTUS BAIN. Among the intelligent
farmers of Shiawassee County this gentleman has a place which he has gained by
industrious, intelligent efforts and an upright life. His home is on section 35, Owosso
Township, and lie and his estimable wife are realizing as great enjoyment as often falls to the lot of
humanity. They have an abundance of worldly
goods, and are not harrassed by pecuniary vexations, but are able to enjoy every reasonable pleassure, and rejoice in the association of family and
friends.
Mr. Bain was born in Columbia County, N. Y.,
March 17, 1827, and is the seventh child of Peter
P. and Mary (Miller) Bain. His father was the
son of Peter McBain, a Scotchman, whose successors dropped the prefix and retained only the final
syllable of their patronymic. Both parents were
born in the Empire State, and when Augustus was
ten years old removed from their earlier home to
Yates County, where they spent the remainder of
their lives. Their gnome was on a farm until less
than a decade before the husband died, after which
date he was established in the grocery trade in Penn
Yan. Our subject, when in his twenty-first year,
was married to Miss Elizabeth Freeman, a native
of Yates County, who shared his fortunes until
May 8, 1887, when she closed her eyes in death.
In Laingsburg, this State, July 28, 1889, Mr. Bain
contracted a second matrimonial alliance, wedding
Mrs. Laura Mack, whose maiden name was Laura
M. Place. She was born in Steuben County, N.Y.,
September 7, 1832, her parents being Joseph and
Mary (Freeman) Place, natives of New York, but
of English descent. Mr. Place was born in the
metropolis in 1799, and his father, who was a
native of England, was interested in ocean vessels.
Joseph was a teacher and was following his profes.




RESIDENCE OF THOMA5


MARVIN, SEC.9.,MIDDLEBURY TP.,SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.




7-77                                                                                                              7,77" - -77, — -7-77- -77


RE51DENICE OF AUGU.STUS


BAIN, SEC. 35.,OWOSSO TRP,SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


329




sion in Steuben County, when he married Mary
Freeman, who was a sister of John Freeman, father
of the first Mrs. Bain. He became the father of
twelve children, of whom Laura was the fourth in
order of birth. Two others of the family are now
living-Carrie, wife of Charles Lackton of Detroit,
and Mary Ellen, wife of the Rev. Robert Shaftoe,
of Paw Paw, Ill. In April, 1853, the Places came
to this State, locating in Bennington Township,
Shiawassee  County.  There  Mrs. Place died.
March 22, 1879. Mr. Place survived until November 8, 1883, when he passed away in his eightythird year. For seven years prior to his decease he
had been blind.
The daughter, Laura, was married in Steuben
County, N. Y., to Albert Gillett, a native of the
same county, and lived in the Empire State until
1869; when they settled near her father in Shiawassee County. Mr. Gillett was a merchant,
but as his wife preferred country life, he gave up
iiis business and turned his attention to farming.
His health failed in 1876, he having over-exerted
himself at the Centennial Exposition, and in 1881
he removed to Owosso, where he died November
27, 1883. His children are Emma, who died in
1879, and who was the wife of Judson Dowd;
Flora Dell, wife of Washington Bush, living in
Perry, this State; Mary D., who married Roscoe
ChalHin and lives in Bennington Township; Henry
A., a resident of Illinois; Carrie E., who died in
infancy; Minnie, now Mrs. Judson Smith, occupying the homestead in   Bennington  Township;
Laura E., an attractive and intelligent young
lady living with her mother, and engaged in teaching music.
June 22, 1885, the widow was married in San
Jose, Cal., whither she had gone with her daughter,
to Peter W. Mack, who was born in Canada, September 19, 1832. He had settled on a farm in
Shiawassee County, in 1861, and lost his first wife,
Jane McRea, in October, 1883. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Mack lived in Owosso for a
short time, but soon went to California, intending
to remain there, but in August, 1886, they returned to Michigan and bought the pleasant home
now owned by the survivor. In October of the
same year Mr. Mack bought the farm upon which


she is now living, and resided upon it until death
again severed the conjugal tie, and January 28,
1888, Mr. Mack breathed his last. Mr. Mack had
three children by his first wife-James, Frank and
Georgie (Mrs. Wilbur Pierpont), all living in
Owosso Township-and when his estate was settled
his widow did not claim her dower, feeling-that, as
she had been his companion for but a few years,
she would be depriving his children of their rights
by so doing. Instead she bought the interest of
each child and so retained possession of the estate
upon which she is now living with her third husband, Mr. Bain.
Mr. Bain votes the Democratic ticket, but is not
pronounced in his political views. IIe is a member of the Methodist Church, and Mrs. Bain is a
Baptist. They are whole-souled, genial people,
fairly representing the more intelligent class of
rural residents, and in their later years are realizing as much enjoyment as life can furnish to congenial spirits who minister to each other's happiness
and together dispense hospitality to their friends
and acquaintances. Mr. Bain fraternizes with the
brethren of the symbolic square and compass, and
has traveled the burning sands when it became
necessary to shade his eyes from the eastern brilliancy of the sun.
The attention of the reader is invited to a view
of the pleasant homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Bain.
1HOMAS MARVIN, a well-known farmer of
Middlebury Township, Shiawassee County,
'I was born in Oakland Township, Oakland
County, Mich., March 29, 1847. His parents,
Abram   and Margaret H. (Bolsby) Marvin, were
natives of New York and New Jersey respectively, and his father's occupation was that of a
farmer. Upon the farm of his parents our subject
passed his early life in Oakland County, till he arrived at the age of twenty. He had two sisters
and two brothers; his brother George now resides
in Ovid Township, and his brother William in the
township of Fairfield, Shiawassee County.
The advantages offered Thomas Marvin for an




330


PO~RTRAIT AND BIOG-RAPHICAL ALBU~M.


3    _POR                               RAI      AND    BL                      ALBUMX *__.- _.=....  ------—.
--- -- --- -- --- -- -- --- -- --- -- -- -   -   - --- -- ----- -   --- - -  - ------  ----


education were moderately good, and he attended
the best common schools in the county during the
winters until he reached the age of twenty years.
On May 10, 1867, he came to Shiawassee County
and located with his father on section 9, clearing a
portion of that land.
Upon reaching the age of twenty-one the young
man worked out for one summer, and then worked
for his brother George. During the next year his
father died, and he and his brother William took
the home place, and carried it on for several years,
after which they divided it and Thomas took sixty
acres of the homestead, to which he has since added
until now lie has a fine farm of eighty acres. When
lie took this land it was all cleared of timber, but
all other improvements he has himself placed upon
it. An event of great importance in the life of Mr.
Marvin took place March 14, 1872. This was his
marriage to Lydia Bell, of Addison Township,
Oakland County. One child, Eddie E., was born in
November, 1876.
Mr. Marvin devotes himself entirely to farming
aned raises only ordinary grades of stock. He
makes his principal crop in wheat and raises it extensively. In politics he is a Republican, and he
has held the offices of Constable and Pathmaster.
lie is now enga(ged in putting up windmills, pumps
and all kinds of apparatus in connection with
windmills. lie is earnestly interested in educational movements and desires the best schools for
the youth of the township. I-He aims to give his
own son a broad and liberal education.
On another page of this volume appears a view
of the rural abode of Mr. Marvin, which is one of
the most pleasant homes in the township.
-:EORGE SCHUYLER CORBIT, editor and
proprietor of the Clinton Independent, of
l St. Johns, was born in Pekin, Niagara
County, N. Y., August 25, 1839. A full account
of his ancestry is given in the biography of his
brother, John H. Corbit, which will be found elsewhere in this book. He is the youngest of six
clildren of the parental family and was reared in


his native town until he reached the age of thirteen years, heing but seven years old when his
mother died. He had only limited school advantages on account of poor health. At the age of
thirteen he went to Tonawanda, N. Y., and villlout
any money or assistance started out for hliinself.
His first work was in packing shingles. Later he
went to live with a Mr. J. C. Gibson, of Buffalo,
who was in the commission business, but i0lo lived
in Tonawanda. He then apprenticed himself to a
printer, the proprietor of the Niagara River Pilot,
which was published at Tonawanda. This was edited by Mr. S. S. Packard, who was connected with
Bryant & Stratton's chain of commercial colleges,
and later publisher of Packard's Monthly, in New
York. After remaining there four or five years
he went to Buffalo and attended Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College for one winter.
In the spring of 1857 this young man caime to
St. John's, and began clerking for his brother and
also working on the paper, the North Side Democrat. A year later he went to Owasso and helped
to establish tle Owasso American, at Owasso, with
Mr. John N. Ingersol, who had purchased the
plant. In 1859 he went to Princeton, Ill., to work
on a paper. The next year lie assisted in taking
the United States Census in Bureau County, that
State, and in 1860 he visited Chicago and worked
on the Daily Herald and on the Home and School
Journal. In the fall of 1861 he returned to St.
John's and clerked for his brother in a hardware
store. He may be properly styled one of the early
and successful pioneers of St. John's.
Mr. Corbit was not prepared to purchase a paper
of his own and with J. H. Stephenson, purchased
the Independent. But this gentleman did not remain long with him and soon sold out his interest
to our subject who managed it alone. IHe began
with a six-column folio and has improved;t every
year while he has owned it. He has continued to
edit his paper from 1866 to the present date with
the exception of six years, during which he was
traveling as a representative of the Detroit Free
Press, in Michigan and in the Western and Soutlern States, spending much of his time in the latter
with "M. Quad," the world-renowned humorist,
who is now employed on the New York World at




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


331


$200 per week. When he undertook that work he
disposed, as he supposed, of the Independent, but
as it fell back into his hands he once more gave it
new life and restored it to its former party usefulness.
The Independent is now a six-column quarto and
is outspoken in its declarations of Democratic
principles. It is the official county paper and has
in connection with it a good job office. It occupies
a fine brick building which belongs to Mr. Corbit,
and which is known in the city as the "Independent
Block."
Mr. Corbit built for his own residence a commodious and attractive brick dwelling, at the head
of a principal avenue and in a most delilgltful part
of the city, -where he and his wife reside. Ilis
marriage took place in Shepherdsville and his brile
bore the maiden name of Cynthia A. Shepherd. She
is the eldest daughter of B. M. Shepherd and was
born and educated in Ohio. Mr. Corbit is well
known throughout the State, and is often placed
upon the district and county Democratic committee, where he is now serving as Secretary. His wife
is an earnest and efficient member of the Episcopal
Church. Our subject may well feel a justifiable
pride in his success in following the plans of his
early life. He has been energetic, faithful, hence
successful in his every business undertaking.
ON. STEARNS F. SMIT'r, Mayor of the
City of Owosso, was born near Cleveland,
/Ohio, September 18, 1835. In 1853 he
came with his parents, Elijah T. and Caroline Smith, to Perry, Shiawassee County, Mich. In
1855 he returned to Ohio, where he remained until
the spring of 1859, when he emigrated to the Pacific Coast where he remained until December,
1866, and then returned to Perry, residing there,
at Saginaw, and in Williamston, Ingham  County,
until 1878 when he removed to Owosso.
Mr. Smith was married to Ellen F. Scofield,
daughter of Stephen and Louisa Scofield, of Locke,
Ingham County, in 1867. They have two children
-Mrs. Fred Edwards, of Owosso, and Grace, un

married. Mr. Smith is a prominent lawyer, actively engaged in the practice of his profession.
During his residence in Owosso lie has held the
office of Supervisor, City Attorney and Mayor of
Owosso; also the office of Prosecuting Attorney of
S hiawassee.
-..A. _B%.


ITRAM AXFORI). A conspicuous position
among the business men of Owosso is held
by the gentleman whose name appears at
the head of this paragraph, who by years of
well-directed effort both in cornmercial pursuits
and in agriculture has earned a well deserved reputation as a thorough and progressive man.
Mr. Axford is a dealer in dry goods, groceries
and provisions, and also handles baled hay, wood
and carries on a meat market.  He was born in
the Dominion of Canada February 4, 1845, and is
the third son of William and Sarah (Gifford) Axford. The father was a native of New Jersey and
the mother of Canada and she was snatched from
her home by death when this son was a prattling
boy of four years old. The father was a farmer
and pursued this business until 1864 when lie removed to Owosso, where he resided until his death
in 1886. Hiram passed his early school days in
Canada and afterward in Michigani, but was not
long in school as he soon went to work on the
farm.
After coming to Owosso, our subject was variously engaged for two years. Ile then operated a
meat market in West Owosso, having for his partner, John Turnbell. Two years later he sold out
his interest, but soon decided to resume that work
and bought out Mr. Turnbell, continuing in the
business at the old stand. In 1887 he put in a
stock of groceries in an adjoining room, and subsequently added a stock of dry goods. He was so
successful in his business that he decided to still
further enlarge it, as he found that he had that rare
quality of a young business man, which enabled
him to divide his attention among varied forms of
trade. He therefore opened up a woodyard, while
at the same time he continued with both his meat




332


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I
-------— "'


I


market and store. Over this business he has had
personal supervision aid at the same time carries
on his neat little farm of forty acres.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary
J. Needham of Owosso, took place in 1872.  This
lady was born in Ontario, Canada, and came to
Michigan with her father, Thomas Needham, when
she was an infant. Three sons and two daughters
come to cheer the home of this intelligent and amiable couple. They are, William C., Gertie died
when ten months old, Freddie T., John N., Julia
M. and Kittie Bell.
Various offices of local responsibility have been
assigned to Mr. Axford by his fellow-citizens. He
has been Alderman for tle Fourth Ward and member of the Water Board. He has been a conservative in politics. He is identified with the Owosso
Lodge No. 81, F. & A. M., also of Owosso Chapter,
No. 89, R. A. M.   His pleasant home on Main
Street West, adjoins his three store buildings; all
his handsome property has been gained by his own
efiorts, as he began with little more than his own
push, pluck and perseverance.
IHARLES S. WILLIAMS. Among the many
prosperous agriculturists who are making
Clinton County the seat of their labors
none are more deserving of representation in a biographical album than the one above named. The
fact that he is the owner of a fine tract of land on
section 1, Bingham  Township, is but one of the
reasons, the most important being found in his having begun the battle of life empty-handed and
having reached his present substantial and honorable place by persevering industry, good management and honorable dealing. His farm comprises
two hundred and ten acres, nearly all of which
was placed under improvement by himself, and it
stands as one of the well-regulated pieces of property in this neighborhood.
The direct progenitors of Mr. Williams were
John andi Mary (Le Bau) Williams, natives of
Pennsylvania who removed to Niagara County,
N. Y.,in 1841. There the mother died in 1846




I


I -   ----- 1 1 -


and the father in 1881, the latter aged seventy-six
years. He was a farmer from his boyhood and
was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. His family consisted of four children,
three of whom survive to this writing (1891).
Charles was born in Northampton County, Pa.,
March 19, 1833, and was some eight years old
when taken to New York. He was reared on a
farm and first attended the district schools; ie
then gave a few terms to study in the Lockport
(N. Y.) High School and later spent several terms
at Wilson Academy. He always stood at the head
of his classes and in the academy his progress was
very rapid.
Before he completed his higher studies, young
Williams had begun teaching and had. given several terms to pedagogical work at from $16 to $22
per month. He did not take up farming as his
business in life until 1860 and five years later he came
West and located in the township that is now his
home. He bought some land on section 1, and
began his work here in the woods. Improvements
were made as circumstances would allow, and the
estate increased by judicious investments until it
became the fair and fruitful expanse now to be
seen. In 1864 Mr. Williams decided that his duty
lay amid the smoke of battle, and enlisting, he
was assigned to the Twenty-sixth New York Battery. At Spanish Fort he was under fire for fourteen days and at Ft. Blakely he stood a long siege
of similar hazard.  He was discharged in July,
1865, and returned home with his health impaired
by exposure and hardship. He has recently been
awarded a small pension.
At the bride's home in Pekin, Niagara County,
N. Y., September 24, 1860, Mr. Williams was
united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Kelsie. The
marriage has been blest by the birth of three children, but only one is now living. This is William
A., a prosperous young farmer who is located on a
part of the homestead and who formerly taught
school. Mr. Williams held local offices in his
native State, but las not taken part in public affairs here. He was but twenty one years old when
he was elected Township School Superintendent,
and the honor conferred upon him at that early age
gave conclusive evidence of the interest he was




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


333


understood to have in educational affairs and his
mental ability and strength of character.  lie has
ever manifested a desire for the public weal,
whether in the line of material matters or those of
the higher nature. In politics he is a Democrat.
He and his estimable wife are the center of a pleasant and intelligent circle by which they are regarded highly.
O     LCUTT R. WARNOR, one of the most
prominent men in Fairfield Township, Shiawassee County, and a citizen who has been
actively interested in the development of the community in every line of progress, resides on section
15, where he has fifty acres of rich and arable land
which he has finely improved. Here he carries on
general farming and stock-raising, in whieh he was
very successful. He was born in Herkimer County,
N. Y., May 20, 1828, and is the son of Oliver and
Avis (Warren) Warner, both natives of the Empire
State.
In 1838, two years before removing to Michigan,
our subject's father camne to Van Buren County, and
entered land upon which he afterward lived. The
subject of this sketch is the oldest in a family of
four who lived to years of maturity, two only of
whom are still living. One brother, Delos, died
September, 1879, leaving one child. The sister
Catherine married Mr. Richmond and makes her
home in Van Buren County, this State, while Oliver
the youngest brother was a soldier in the Third
Michigan Cavalry and belonged to the company
commanded by Capt. Mencher. He was killed in
the siege of Atlanta and left a wife and one child.
Mr. Warnor has been three times married; his
first wife was Lucinda Carr and she was the mother
of three children: Orlie, who married Loren Austin,
a printer at Elsie; Ava, who married Mr. Baker
and lives in Van Buren County; and Arthur, who
is married and also lives in Van Buren County. His
second marriage united him with Harriet Gifford
and she also had three children. The eldest, Oliver, lives in Texas; Ina makes her home in Oakland
County, Mich.; and Bernice lives at Grand Rapids.


The present Mrs. Warnor, whose maiden name was
Rebecca L. Scott, was born July 16, 1839 and was
united with Mr. Warnor in marriage April 14, 1880.
No children have crowned this marriage.
When our subject first came to Michigan in
1867 he bought fifty acres of fine land, which he
hlas placed under cultivation and has made it by
undaunted industry and perseverance, one of the
best farms in the county. He has had to work hard
for all he owns but is proud to say that he owes no
man a dollar. His early education was limited but
by a thorough course of reading he has made himself a man of intelligence. His political views
have attached him to the Democratic party and he
cast his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce.
lie has served one term as Highway Commissioner
and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding
his membership in Elsie and having been connected
with the order for some eighteen years.,LEASON J. YOUNGS. The fine farm of
two hundred and three acres, located on secj  tions 4 and 5, Venice Township, Shiawassee County, is owned by one of the early pioneers
of the State. His early years were fraught with
anxiety and a struggle for the commonest necessities of life, bet he has attained a flattering degree
of success in the face of many discouragements.
His parents were natives of New York State. His
father, David Youngs, was born in 1801. His
mother was Harriet (Gleason) Youngs. They were
married in their native State. David Youngs was
a blacksmith by trade, although he later became a
farmer.
In 1834 the family of Mr. Youngs came to this
State and settled in Washtenaw County, where they
remained for one year. They then went to Hartland Township, Livingston County, and located
upon eighty acres of new land. Had their time
not been occupied with the routine duties of farming, they must have found it unbearably lonesome,
for their second nearest neighbor lived at a distance
of four miles. Their first dwelling was a log
shanty, and there was but little time to beautify it.




41


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


The only flowers that blossomed about the place
were those that sprang naturally from the sod, but
these witl their sunny little faces cheered many
lonely hours of the wife. David Youngs died in
1865, and the mother died in 1885, at the age of
seventy-seven years; they were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, which body they had
helped to organize in the township. In politics
Mr. Youngs was a Democrat, and he held several
local positions under his party, having been Assessor for a number of years. He also discharged
satisfactorily the duties of Highway Commissioner.
David Youngs and his wife were the parents of
seven children, four of whom are now living, our
subject being the only one now in Shiawassee
County. He was the second one of the family, and
born in Niagara County, N. Y., May 26, 1828. He
attended the pioneer school in the county, and was
early taught vigilance in his dealings with the Indians. There were many wild animals in the woods
and when powder and shot were plentiful, better
sport could not be desired than the hunting there
found.
The original of this sketch started out in life for
himself at the age of nineteen years. Ile was
brought up as a farmer and has ever continued in
that calling. When he began work for himself he
had nothing. He worked out by the month, remaining five years in one place. In 1852 he came
to Shiawassee County, and worked in the Valley
sawmills for three years, after which he settled upon
one hundred and sixty acres of land where he now
lives. It was then all wild land and the work of
clearing and improving must have seemed to him
a tremendous task.
In 1856 Mr. Youngs was united in marriage to
Miss Laura Priest, a daughter of George W. and
Judith Ann (Luther) Priest, for whose history see
sketch of George W. Priest in this ALBUM. Mrs.
Youngs was born October 4, 1840, in Washtenaw
County, this State, and was only three months of
age when her family removed to Venice Township.
Here she attended the district school, went to singing-school, and was the belle of many a corn-husking and apple roasting.
The young couple settled upon the farm where
they now live, and were the proud possessors of


the only frame house between Lytle's Corners and
Flushing. They have since added to the house,
and now it is a commodious and comfortable place,
charmingly located, and having many natural advantages. The farm has also been added to until
it now comprises two hundred and three acres, one
hundred and forty of which are under cultivation.
Mr. Youngs has ever been the active proprietor,
and all the improvements now to be found on the
place have been made by himself.
After marriage our subject had but $100 in
money, and the comfortable fortune which he now
enjoys he has earned by his own efforts, with the
exception of $500. They are the parents of two
children, Frances A. and Bertha E. Frances is the
wife of Edward Carr, and lives in Corunna; Bertha
married Charles Crowe, and lives at Judd's Corners. Our subject and his wife have reared three
children besides their own. The first, Mary Emery,
lived with Mrs. Youngs for fourteen years, when
slie married Charles W. Shipman; they are the parents of four children. The second adopted child,
Ethan Frederick Youngs, lived with them nineteen
years; he took to wife Frances Baird, and now
lives in Shiawassee Township. The third child was
George W. Mayo, and he was one of the family for
nine years. All of these children received a good
education. In tenderly caring for these homeless
children, Mr. and Mrs. Youngs have fulfilled the
Divine command, and will surely reap a blessing.
Our subject has been a member of the School
Board in this district for a number of years. He
has always taken an interest in politics, casting his
vote with the Democratic party. For two years lie
was Township Treasurer, and has held the office of
Justice of the Peace for twelve years. He discharged satisfactorily for six years the duties of
Highway Commissioner. He is a temperate man
in his habits, and the confidence that is reposed in
him by his neighbors and intimate friends, is shown
by his having been appointed several times as executor of estates for others.
During the Civil War Mr. Youngs was the first
man drafted in Shiawassee County, but feeling that
the responsibilities of home would not permit his
leaving, he furnished two men as substitutes, one
for nine months and the other serving three years.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


335




These substitutes cost him $730. He carries on
general farming, feeling secure that if one crop
fails another will bring up the shortage. He has
some full-blood Merino sheep, and owns some fine
Jersey cows.
---  *^@^~ff-~s ----I REDERICK       A. STO. This gentleman
i  is numbered among the substantial farmers
of Clinton County, having by dint of energy and prudent management become the possessor of a fine tract of land numbering two hundred and eighty acres. The comfortable farmhouse
in which he abides is situated on section 10, Dallas
Township, where Mr. Stow first bought one hundred and sixty acres of land. He came hither in
March, 1870, and since that time has been carrying on his enterprise with increasing success. He
cleared and broke one hundred and sixty acres
of the land lie now owns, and has made various
improvements, so that the place is now well regulated in every respect, with a line of substantial
buildings, good fences, thriving orchards and adornments suited to 'the surroundings.
The Stow family is traced back to the old Bay
State, whence the grandfather of our subject removed to New York many years ago. He afterward came to this State and was among the pioneers of Washtenaw County, where he died of
cholera during the '30s. His son, Alanson, who is
next in the direct line, was born in New York
October 12, 1803, and lived in that State until
1835. tIe then came to Michigan and settled on
a farm in Wasltenaw County, but later removed
to Jackson County, where he died June 2, 1854.
He endured the privations of pioneer life in Washtenaw County, where the howling of wolves was
often heard and deer frequently seen by those
who stood in the vanguard of civilization. He
cleared and broke much land and necessarily labored long and hard. He always voted the Democratic ticket, and he and his wife belonged to the
Methodist Church. Mrs. Stow, whose maiden name
was Catherine F. Bennett, was born in Seneca
County, N. Y. Her father, James Bennett, was born
in Dublin, Ireland, but her mother was a native of


Pennsylvania. Mrs. Stow died August 14, 1850.
They were the parents of four sons and two
daughters, as follows: James B., our subject, Sarah
E., Henrietta, George and Ashfield, only two of
whom are now living. George resides in Colorado.
Frederick Stow, the subject of this notice, was
born in Seneca County, N. Y., April 13, 1832,
and was a child of about three years old when he
camn to Michigan. His school privileges were
limited by circumstances to a short attendance
each year in the pioneer schools, but lie had a
good home training, and like many another born
and reared in that (lay and age, developed a
ready intelligence that counterbalaneed the deficiencies in schooling. He remained at home
until he had arrived at man's estate, and then
for about two years worked by the month at farming. He then went to Grand Rapids, where lie
was living when the war began, and lie felt that
his duty as a patriot called upon him to take his
place in the army.
In 1861 Mr. Stow enlisted and was mustered in
as a private in Company B, Third Michigan Infantry. June 10 lie rose to the rank of Secc)nd
Lieutenant, January 1 following was comlnissioned First Lieutenant, and October 25 became
Captain. He served until March 28, 1863, when
he was honorably disclarged. Among the fields
on which lie fought were Blackburn's Ford, Bull
Run, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage Station,
Greendal:e, Wlite Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, the
second Bull Run, Cllantilly and Fredericksburg.
As all old soldiers and historians remember, these
conflicts followed closely one ulpon another and
the intervals were frequently spent in hard marcles
and little rest was afforded the troops who took
part. Besides the battles mentioned, Capt. Stow
was present during the siege of Yorktown in 1862.
January 26, 1863, Capt. Stow was married to
Henrietta, daughter of Franklin and Maria (Welch)
Chubb. Her father, a native of Massachusetts,
came to this State early in the '30s, and in 1834
established a home in Ionia County. He was married in Ann Arbor, his wife being a native of
New York, and their daughter, Antoinette, was
the first white female child born in Ionia County.
Their other children are Hector, Henry, Henri



336


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


etta, James and Lorette. Mr. Chubb was an oldline Whig. He was Justice of the Peace a number
of years and when he died, in 1859, Ionia County
lost -one of her principal and honored pioneers.
Mr. Stow and his wife have two sons-George F.
and Arthur F. The elder was graduated from
the Agricultural College in Lansing, in 1888, and
the younger is now studying there.
After his discharge from the army Mr. Stow
engaged in the sale of merchandise in Grand
Rapids and followed a commercial life until 1869.
lie then made his home in Lyons Township, Ionia
County, a year, after which he came to Clinton
County and has remained on his farm. Being interested in the advancement of agriculturists, both
materially and mentally, he is connected with the
Grange. He belongs to R. G. Hutchison Post,
No. 129, G. A. R., in Fowler. Iie is convinced
that the Republican platform embodies the truest
political principles, and he votes to support it.
His religious home is in the Presbyterian Church,
and he is a well-respected member of society.
a,..+,,.....
X  pILLIAM     DETWILER. To any one who
is interested in the commercial prosperity
of Henderson, Shiawassee County, a sketch
of its prominent business men will be of value.
The gentleman of whom we write is the principal
merchant and grain dealer of this village and his
career is full of instruction, especially to the young
who would learn how to attain success in life. He
is a Pennsylvanian by birth, being born in Bucks
County, June 18, 1819. His father, John Detwiler,
was a well-known farmer in Montgomery County,
that State. He received the education which was
then available for all young Pennsylvanians, and
upon reaching his majority took to himself a wife
in the person of Anna Detwiler.
Jacob and Elizabeth (Hoinsicker) Detwiler, the
parents of Mrs. John Detwiler, had a family of
four children, and their daughter Anna became the
mother of sixteen children, which were equally




divided between sons and daughters. She and her
worthy husband passed their last years in Bucks
County, Pa., where they lie side by side in their
last rest.
A common-school education was all that was
granted to the subject of this sketch but he gained
practical knowledge upon the farm where he
worked until he was eighteen years old, and there
also learned economy, perseverance and industry,
which have been golden lessons to him. When he
left the farm he learned the trade of a miller and
worked at it for four years in Pennsylvania and
followed that business for ten years in Wayne
County, Ohio. When he had reached a point where
he felt himself independent and able to support a
family he took to himself a wife, being married in
1846 to Elizabeth Wellhouse, daughter of George
and Elizabeth (Nyswanger) Wellhouse. Her father was a German and her mother a native of
Maryland and she was one of a family of ten children.
The first home of the young couple was in
Wayne County, Ohio, where Mr. Detwiler was in
the milling business for ten years and on a farm
for twenty years, having two hundred and fourteen acres in Chippewa Township. In 1874 they
came to Rush Township, buying one hundred and
twenty acres on section 14. Later he sold that
and bought land in the village, and in 1888 purchased one hundred and thirteen acres on section
24. Seven bright and interesting children have
blessed this home, namely: Caroline, who became
the wife of G. D. Palmer, of Medina County, Ohio,
and passed from earth in Henderson, Mich., July
31, 1881. Ella, who became the wife of Hugo
Pryer, of Cleveland, Ohio, and died in May, 1874;
Leota who became the wife of Dr. J. H. Bare, of
Saginaw, Mich.; George who lives in Henderson;
John, Harvey and Walter who have all passed
away from earth.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is the field of
the religious labors of Mr. and Mrs. Detwiler, and
the latter is especially useful in church work, being
a teacher in the Sunday-school and active in every
good work.   They are liberal contributors to
church purposes and helpful in many ways. Mr.
Detwiler allies himself with the Republican party




11




Ia




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


339


and is pleased to remember that his first vote for a
President was for William Henry Harrison and his
last vote for the illustrious grandson of that incumbent of the Presidential chair. George Detwiler is in business with his father and they are
handling grain of all kinds as well as farm produce,
their store being the largest and most important
in the village.
ILLIAM IAVENS, M. D. The Iavens
family is one of those in which an exceptionally close sympathy exists between
husband and wife, extending even into business
relations, both being students of the same profession and successful practitioners. The firm, which
is composed of Dr. William Iavens and his estimable wife, is one that is well known in and about
St. John's, as that city has been their home for a
score of years. They are doing a fine business,
and both are looked up to with admiring respect
by those whose friends they have brought back
from  the gates of death or to whom personally
they have brought relief from pain and a renewed
lease of life.
D)r. Havens was born in    Bethanv, Genesee
County, N. Y., January 4, 1831, and is the eldest
and only surviving child in a family of seven. IIe
was a weak, puny child until he was about nine
years old, when he began to gain in strength, and
when fourteen he was as rugged as most boys of
his years. Up to that age his home was in Bethany, and he first studied in the district school,
and then in the seminary. He also aided in the
dry-goods store which his father was carrying on.
In 1845 his l)arents came to Lansing, and within a
few weeks were located on a farm, which the father
developed from its primitive condition to one of
fair appearance and great productiveness. The lad
aided in the efforts which were necessary to accomplish this purpose, and made his home under the
parental roof until he was twenty-four years old.
He had previously studied medicine, beginning when
nineteen with Dr. McClure, of Lansing, who was


his preceptor for more than a year. He then attended medical school there, but did not enter
upon the practice of his chosen profession until
some years later.
In Lansing in 1855 Mr. Havens was married to
Miss Mary P. Baker, a native of Ohio, and they
established their home in Tompkins Township,
Jackson County on a farm. For a year our subject operated a tract of two hundred and twentyfive acres, of which he was the owner, but he could
not be satisfied with farm life, and so he resumed
the study of therapeutics. IIe pursued his work
in Lansing with Drs. Baily & Olds, and in 1868
entered Halnenann Medical College, of Chicago,
from which lie was graduated in 1871 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The next year he
received the same degree from the Micligan State
Homeopathic Medical College, and in the capital
lie began his medical work. IHe practiced some
before lie completed the course of study, as is often
the case with those who wish to make lractical application of their instruction in order to better
lrepare themselves for the finishing courses of lectu res.
In 1871 Dr. Iavens located in St. John's immediately after his graduation from the Chicago College, and his work las only been interrupted by his
additional course in Lansing and the visits lie has
paid to other parts of the country.  He has made
a specialty of heart disease. Mrs. Iavens is also a
gradluate of the Micliigan State Homeopathic Medical College, and ler own special calls are numerous. They ihave three children-Mary E., George
C. and Lillian I)., and the son is also a physician.
He was graduated from HIahnemann College in
Chicago, and the Commercial College at Lansing,
and is practicing in Fowler, this State.
I)r. Havens has real estate in Lansing and a
pleasant residence property in St. John's. He is
also interested in Colorado lands, particularly at
Aspen, and is quite in love with the Centennial
State. Ile visited that section in 1890. Ile is a
Mason, connected with both the Blue Lodge and
the Chapier, and belongs to the State Homeopathic
Medical Society. Politically, lie is a Democrat.
Mrs. IHavens is an Episcopalian. The fine characters and abounding intelligence of both give them




340


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


an added hold upon the people, and their names
are among those of the most honored residents in
the city. A litbographic portrait of Dr. Havens
appears on another page.
OHN N. HARDER is the son of Nicholas P.
Harder, M. D., deceased. The latter, one of
the early physicians of Shiawassee County,
J left as an inheritance to his family a reputation of which his progeny may well be proud. IIe
was famed far and near for excellent judgment, professional skill ant progressive and practical ideas.
Dr. Fox testifies that he preferred to practice with
Dr. Harder rather than with any other of the early
physicians. Ile was a brainy man, a great student
and was active in looking up new methods of dressing wounds and treating disease. He was a student
of Kinderhook Institute and received his license to
practice from  the State of New York. tie was
considered a man of advanced ideas for his oppor
tunities.
Nicholas P. Harder,the first Doctor iii this county,
settled in the township of Shiawassee in 1837, arriving here October 11, from Sullivan County, N. Y.,
whence he had been one month on the way coming
by wagon. He traveled through Canada with his
family which consisted of his wife and her baby,
Nicholas P. Jr., then two or three years old, his
wife's two sons by a previous marriage, Moses P.
and Joseph L. Gardner, then lads of seventeen and
fourteen years respectively and his own four children by his first marriage, John Nelson, aged seventeen, Henry, aged fourteen; Hannah, aged fifteen
and Adeline a girl of ten years.
Dr. N. P. Harder's first wife was Margaret
Snyder, who had died when our subject was
fourteen years old. The second wife bore the
maiden name of Sallie Purvis and at the time of her
marriage with Dr. Harder, was the widow of Joseph Gardner. One child was born after the removal of the family to Michigan, Norman A. who
lives on the old homestead. The Harders are of
Holland descent and belong to one of the old
Knickerbocker families of New York. The old


Doctor died December 8, 1863, at the age of
seventy-seven years. His wife survived him some
twenty-three years, and passed away at the age of
eighty-seven in 1887.
The father of our subject began to practice medicine when he was about twenty-three years old,
and he had a broad patronage and was the family
physician of many of the first families of this and
adjoining countries. HIe accumulated a fine estate of three hundred and eighty-five acres in one
body. He was a man of fine physique and stood
six feet in his stockings, weighing one hundred and
eighty pounds. He was Supervisor for fifteen years
in New York and also in Shiawassee County, where
lie was County Treasurer for a number of years.
While in this office he resided in Corunna but
afterward returned to his farm. EIe had an extensive ride and often slept on his horse and many
times had to find his way through the woods by
blazed trees. Politically he was an old-line Whig
and then a Republican and attended to his practice
up to almost the day of his death which was occasioned by an attack of pneumonia.
The subject of this sketch was born June 17,
1S20, in Columbia County, N. Y., and      was
seven years old when the family removed to Sullivan County and seventeen years old when they
emigrated to Michigan. In 1853 he went to California, starting January 24 and crossing the Isthmus, being gone two years and seven months. IIe
had a true love for agricultural pursuits and has carried on farming all his life. He was not married
until about thirty years old, his first marriage taking place June 9, 1850, when he was united with
Miss Martha L. Seymour, who (lied December 16,
1863, just after lie had been bereaved of his
father.
The second marriage of John N. Harder occurred February 21, 1865, his bride being Eliza
A. Austin who died March 22, of the next
year. On February 13, 1868, John N. Harder was
united in marriage with Julia Loomis, of Shiawassee Township, the widow of T. C. Loomis. Iis
children are: Sidney, who died when two years old,
was the eldest; Addie, Mrs. I. W. Loomis, of Oceana
County and Eva, who died at the age of seven years,
twins; Grace, Mrs. Edward Banner, of Shiawassee;




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


341


John N., who lives at Durand, and Kate, Mrs. J.
E. Gundeman, who lives in Shiwasssee Township, are twins; Fred H., who died in infancy.
These are all the children of his first wife. The
second wife had one daughter, Eliza M. who died
when three years old, and the third wife left an
infant Frank M. who is now twenty-one years old,
and a carpenter by trade. He was assistant teacher
in the High School at Bancroft in 1890 and 1891.
Mr. Harder is a prominent member of the Order
of Odd Fellows, and has passed all the chairs and
is highly honored by his comrades. The maiden
name of Mrs. Harder was Julia A. Card and she
was a daughter of Joseph and Electa (Wilmington)
Card, who came from Madison County, N. Y. to
Michigan in 1846, when this daughter was twelve
years old. Her father was a shoemaker by trade
and died when Julia was fifteen years old, and his
wife passed away in 1876. Julia was born in 1834,
on September 16 and when seventeen years old
married Trumbull C. Loomis. She had three children by this marriage, Ida, Mrs. Frank Remer of
Oceana County; Will,who lives in Jackson County;
and Fred who died in infancy.
Our subject is a strong adherent of the Republican principles and doctrine.
EV. R. D. STEARNS. This name is a familiar one in St. John's, Clinton County,
as the figure of him who bears it is frequently met going about in pursuance of
the high and holy duties devolving upon a servant
of the Lord and a shepherd over one of His flocks.
Mr. Stearns is the Rector of the Episcopal Church
and devotes himself zealously to the work in which
he is deeply interested, giving all his time to the
pronotion of the interests of the Church. Not
only does he enter with his whole heart into those
matters which add to the attractiveness and power
of the church services, but he is equally zealous
regarding the societies and other avenues by which
the cause of Christianity can be promoted. He is
a fluent speaker, pleasing in his address upon all
occasions, and is a scholarly and studious man.


In the veins of Mr. Stearns there flows a double
strain of Revolutionary blood, both his grandfathers having fought for release from British oppression. His paternal grandfather, who was the
son of an emigrant from Scotland, died in Massachusetts. In Pittsfield, that State, Isaac H. Stearns,
father of the rector, was born, but after growing
to manhood he located in Pawlet, Vt. He subsequently removed to New York, making his lonie
in Otsego and then in Oswego County. HIe was
engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods and
on three occasions had his business establishment
destroyed by fire. He, however, recovered from
the effects of these calamities, acquired a competence and retired from active life during middle
age. He inherited the spirit of his father and
fought in the War of 1812. He died in Oswego,
in Oswego County, N. Y., during the '60s, when
sixty-four years old. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and his wife, who also
died in the Empire State, was a Methodist. Mrs.
Stearns bore the maiden name of Lois Doane and
wats born in Powlet, Vt. The parental family consisted of nine sons and daughters and the name of
R. D. was fourth on the family roll.
The Rev. Mr Stearns was born in Edmonston,
Otsego County, N. Y., February 18, 1821, and
was but six months old when his parents removed
to Pulaski, Oswego County. Ie attended   the
common schools and then took a preparatory
course in Mexico and Belleville. When nineteen
years old he became a student in Union College at Schenectady, matriculating in the junior class of the classical course. He was graduated two years later and spent the ensuing
three years in an Episcopal Theological Seninary in New York. At the conclusion of his
course of study there he was ordained by Bishop
1)e Lancy, the ordination services taking place at
Grace Church, New York City, in 1844. The
first parish over which Mr. Stearns had charge was
that of St. John's Church in Sackett's Harbor,
where he was rector four years. Two thirds of
his congregation belonged to the army and navy
and among them were such men as Gens. Grant
and Hunt, and Capt. Sawyer, of the navy. With
Grant he was on quite intimate terms, and he re



342


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


calls many an occasion on which they were together enjoying a delightful time.
From Sackett's lHarbor the Rev. Mr. Stearns
went to Medina, Orleans Ccuntv, where he was
rector of St. John's Church for nineteen years.
Thence he removed to Ioonton, N. J., where lie
labored five years, during which period the parsonage was built. He next spent eight years in White
Water Wis., following which lie was the rector in
St. Louis, this State. Here lie was located four
years and brought to completion, a $10,000 church.
lie next came to St. John's, Mich., in 1885 an(
here lie has continued the record of former years,
bringing up the standard of church membership and
work, and increasing the value of church property
by good improvements. The rectory which lie has
put up is an ornament to the place and the church
property is well located and valuable. In fact it
is the finest in the co.unty seat and one in which
people, whether members of the society or not, take
pleasure and pride.
In his aims and labors the Rev. Mr. Stearls Ihas
the wise and loving sympathy of his wife, who dist)lays an equal activity withl himself in religious
work. She llas been organist and an active member in the ladies' societies, and active in every social effort in which the churchl can take a part.
She was known in her maidenhlood as Miss Elizabeth Cooke, an(d became Mrs. Sterns at Watertown, N. Y., September 23, 1850. She was born
at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, N. Y., her father being a surgeon in the United States Navy. I)r. Andrew B. Cooke went through the war of 1812, and
was Fleet Surgeon on the Mediterranean when
taken sick and brought home, to (lie. IIe had
sailed around the world three times. Mrs. Stearns
was educated at Mrs. Willard's Seminary in Troy,
N. Y., and acquired a degree of culture that included the best qualities of her nature in its force,
and gave her especial fitness for tle position to
which she was called when she became a wife.
Of children born to her four passed the age of
childhood, but one only now survives. William
R. died in Medina, N. Y., and Emily IB., in Boonton, N. J., when fifteen years old. Charles W.
breathed his last in Elgin, Ill., in 1889, when twenty six years of age; lie was then engaged with the
VJUI,.r\ru  - )  Y~-I      ___,132


Elgin Watch Company. Edward A., the third
child, is a resident of South Omaha, Neb., and belongs to the reportorial staff of the Stockyards
Journal. The Rev. Mr. Stearns was connected
with a Masonic lodge at Boonton, N. J. and is
still identified with tlle Royal Arcanum. IHe exercises the right of stuffrage with the Republican Republican p)arty and is as firm a believer in its principles as one could hope to see. His efficiency as
a minister is due to some extent to his personal
qualities, which gain the friendship of those to
whomt he becomes known and attract to his services tliose who otherwise might not enter the
church.
cll  uctli... --— v_ S —0 ---<
0    1rrIS L. If IC1E, a well-known farmer and
) stock-raiser of Essex Township, Clinton
0_ iCounty, and a native of Macomb County,
tlhis State, was born August 22, 1839. ITe is a son
of hiarlow and Catherine IRice, the former being a
native of Connecticut and( the latter of New York
Statle and both early settlers in Macomb County, to
which thley came in thle '30s. Our subject was
reared to manhood in his native county and has
beein a life long farmer. EHe received tlhe advantages of a common-sclhool education and enjoyed
the instruct,ion of earnest and devoted teachers,
wlose influence made him an extensive reader and
stimulalte(d him to self improvement through life,
but the curriculum of those pioneer schools was
not brolad an1, hlis course was cut short by the necessary demands of a pioneer life.
1Mr. iRice was ill 1871, united in marriage with
MaIry Sligllt, who is a (laughter of George and
lHelen Slight, natives of England. They came to
this State in the year 1853, and live in Travis
City. Mrs. Rice was born September 2, 1848 and
beclame the mother of four children, namely:
Lewis, Clayton, Mabel an(l Ethel. It was in 1865
when lie removed with his family from Macomb
County, to Clinton County, and finally settled on
the farm where lie now resi(les. IIe made his home
in tile unbroken forest, building a log cabin, measuring some 14x26 feet, before bringing on his family. They lived in this rude dwelling for many




I






a




PORTRAIT AND) BIOG(RAP'HICAL Al-BUM.


345


years until in 1888 lie erected the haindlsomle residence which is the crowning beauty of his farm.
Mr. Rice owns sixty acres of land and llas it all
under good cultivation.  Iis tprosperity is tlie iesult of his own industry iand enterprise. colupled
with sterling integrity and worth.  lie has done
much pioneer work here anld has receivetd many
hard knocks in his strluggle with the rude forces of
nature. I-e earnestly (lesires the p)romotion of all
efforts for the elevation of the social and( ind(llstrial
condition of the farming community.     tIe lhas
served( as Assessor in hlis district for three years,
and is a Republican in his political views. IBotlt lie
and his worthy wife are earnest and active members of the Congregationlal Church, in wlhic)h le
has served as Treasurer, and is now 'rutstee. lie
enjoys tle confidence of the business commnlt.uity
and is regarded as one of tlie most trustworthy
citizens in his township.
—, -   - __ ---. - _ —  1
ENJAMIN Al. SEIIPARDI), an entcerprisilng
an(l )prosperonus farmer of Clinton Cot nty,
) ),has a good piece of land in ()vi'l Townslhilp,
where many conveniences lmay be seen.
Ile was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., November 24, 1816, and in both lines of lescenlt I: of old
families of the Empire St'ate. Iis parents were
Sanluel and Eunice (I)ake) Slhelpard  wiho a. ye
their sons and daltughters as g'oo(. anf educationl:ns
opportuntity permitted( and  taugllit themi mn an
things not found in text books but necessary to
prosperity and happiness. Our subject remained
on the paternal l acres until after he was of age, and
learned how to carry on a farm and (evelol) the
resources of tile land.
When   he had attained to his maj(olrity youing
Shepard begani thle work of an agriculturist iln his;
own belhalf, his location being in 1Erie County, Pa.
He was about twenty five years old when he went
to Ohio, and established himself in Seneca County
in which   he owned his first farm. h''ere ihe resided ten years, catrrying on his clhosen work and
also speculating some. When the period mentioned
had elapsed, he returned   to  Pennsylvania and


)boit-ilt Ilis father's homestead, and( from tllat time
until nighr  a score of years had passed lie made
the old place his home.   lle tlen sold out and
camen to this State, choosin' Clinton County as
thle seat of his future lab)ors.  He settled upon a
patrtially iniprove(l fatrm in Ovid Township and
finished the work of placing the quarter section
under cultivation. FrIom  1861 to 1880 lie lived
u1l)n that land, then removed to the tract lie now
occu pies.
I)iring more   than thirty years tlhe cares and
holes of Mr. Slhepard were shared 1by a t ru-e-hearted
companion and she bore her part in the toils and
pleasures as well. She hIad borne   tle name of
Matilda Stilwell, was a native of the Keystone
Statee and became his wife Janluary 1, 1838. Her
(ideathl occutrred iat Shepardville, Auglst 17, 1874,
anlld slle left eighlt children, whlose record is as follows:  Blenjamin F., born Septemer 18, 1839;
Cvntha A., Novelmber 17, 1841; Sqamuel C., Deceml)er 5, 1844; Ma tilda, October! 3. 18-16; Hlelen,
)Otober 11, 1848; Ba'rton, August 30, 1851; 'James
B., March 12, 185 1; and Ida Jane, October 31,
1860. 'Two of these-Sanmuel and James are now
e(ng'a(e(1 in busilless in DIeliver, Col., atnd Benjamini died( in Lincoln, Nebraska, in February, 188~.
Tlie ltiesetit wife of IMr. Shepalrd was united to
himi in marriage January 6, 1878, at which time
she was known as IMrs. Elizabeth (Glates. IHer formet homlne was ill thie samen townslhip in which she
resides. She is an estimable woman and is capal)ly
ilnll:itainr the domestic machinery of her home
1:ni(1 slrrondi)ng her family and friends with good
el e r.
William Sheplard, brother of o ur subject, calne
t1 C(liton   County before tlhe latter and alround
lhis ftarml  a little towni s)prang up that is called
Slhelepardsville.  Ile of whom we write has never
s(ultlht office, c(alrilig, littlr for the plaiudits of the
clrowd and feeling, tllat the respoulsiblities wouldl
far outweigh tlle pleasures. I-e keeps himself informled regarding political and otherl issues, votes
thle l)emocratic ticket and takes special interest in
educational matters. lIe 1hs held  some school
offices, and  gives his sulpport to tlhe Methodist
Episcopal Church, of which lie an(d his wife are
members.   He is a firm believer in the power or




346


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Christian principles and thinks the good of the
people is subserved by religious societies even
though they are not of his denomination.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Shepard appears
on another page of this volume.
AMES GOFF is a farmer, residing at Byron,
Mich. He was born in Argentine, Genesee
County, this State, February 3, 1847, and
is a son of George and Azuba (Stevens)
Goff. The former was born in East Broomfield,
Mass., in 1810, where lie remained with his parents
until ten or twelve years of age when the family
removed to Canandaigua, Ontario County, N. Y.,
at which place our subject lived until early in the
'30s, when he took up land from the Government
in Argentine Township, Genesee County. Here he
lived until 1872, when lie removed to Byron, this
State, and there he resided for the remainder of his
life; lie (lied May 7, 1890. Hle was a farmer, and
when in early life he came to Michigan, the country was a wilderness. There were few roads even
to point out the path of civilization. lie took up
a large tract of land originally, but retained only
two hundred and forty acres which he cleaied and
improved. Like most of the emigrants from the
East, Mr. Goff came to Michigan with only limited
means and made here what he had. At his death
he had attained a very comfortable competency.
The father of our subject was a strong Republican in politics, although he was an ardent upholder
of his party, he never held any office. Ile was a
consistent and conscientious member of the Christian Church. The paternal grandparents of our
subject were James and Martha (Case) Goff, who
were natives of New England. They died in Ontario County, N. Y. Our subject's mother was
born in Chemung Township, Chemung County, N.
Y., March 5, 1821, and was the daughter of Brinsley and Elizabeth (Hunt) Stevens, both of whom
were natives of New York. They removed to Ontario County, N. Y., and in 1837 came to Michigan, settling in Argentine, Genesee Couunty, where
they spent the remainder of their lives. The father




I


was a soldier in the War of 1812; lie was also a
farmer all his life.
Our subject's parents have had six children,
namely: Marvin, Martha E., James, George, Cora
and Tsabelle. The eldest and youngest are deceased. James Goff was raised in Argentine Township, Genesee County, on his father's farm and received his education from the district schools in
the neighborhood, finishing at Fenton, Mich. Afterward he attended school at Ovid and at Byron.
His life thus far was spent on the farm and until the
fall of 1889 he was content to remain where he was
brought up until he removed to the village of Byron, where he is now living with his mother.
Mr. Goff's farm comprises eighty acres on section
18, Argentine Township, and on it he takes great
delight in raising a very high grade of stock. Like
so many others in Michigan, in 1861 when there
was a call for volunteers, Mr. Goff was among the
first to respond. Ie joined the army as a private
in Company I, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and
served with the Army of the Cumberland until the
close of the war. Ite was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., in September, 1865, and received his
final discharge at Jackson, Mich., in October, 1865.
In.July, 1864, he was promoted to First Duty Sergeant, and served in that capacity until the close
of the war. He was in the battles of Burnside's
campaign in East Tennessee, and his regiment
joined Sherman's army immediately after the Resaca (Ga.) fight. They remained in the Georgia
campaign, and proceeded down the State as far as
Atlanta, participating in the battles of Kenesaw
Mountain and in the siege of Atlanta and the
Stoneman raid. After the battle of Atlanta his
regiment was sent back to Tennessee, where it
joined the army under Gen. Thomas, and participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville.
During his service in the army he did not miss
duty for a single day, and never sought to be excused. He escaped the hardships of a prisoner's
life, but was at one time five days and nights in the
woods getting away from the rebels.
Mr. Goff is an ardent Republican in politics, and
although he has served his party well, he has never
sought emolument in the way of appointment to
office. He is a Grand Army man, belonging to the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


347


D.G. Royce Post, No. 117 at Byron, and is a member of the Union Veteran's IUnion. He believes in
the protection of the farmer, and is a strong member of the Farmers' Alliance. October 16, 1872,
Mr. Goff married Miss Fanny Monroe, of Byron.
She was a native of New York State, born October
2, 1847, and was a dalughlter of Henry and Elizabeth (Paley) Monroe. The gentleman whose name
heads our list, and his wife, have ihad two children
whose names are IIoward and Daisy. Their ages
are respectively fifteen and nine years. Mrs. Goff
died March 10, 1891. She was for many years a
member in good standing of the Methodist Church.
ILLIAM C. PATRICK. This gentleman
is the fortunate owner of a fine farm consisting of two hundred and thirty-one acres
on sections 5 and 8, Eagle Township, and among the
agriculturists of Clinton County he occupies an
honorable position both by reason of his ability
and character. HIe has done well in life financially
speaking and has been useful in his (lay and generation by setting a good example and by the exercise of valor as a defender of the ITnion. He spent
several of tile best years of his early manhood in the
IUnion Army and no duty was too hard and no
danger too hazardous for him to endure il lhis
country's behalf. The farm he now occupies lie
has called home since his boyhood and lie las therefore become widely known in this part of the State.
The parents of our subject, John and Eliza (Coleman) Patrick, as well as their son, were born in
Northampton, England, and came to America in
1853. They settled in livingston County, N. Y.,
but after living there four years came to this State
and took possession of land now included in tile
son's farm. William was born January 17, 1811,
and received but a common-school education,spending the intervals of study in work for his fatlhr.
IHe was twenty years old when he determined to
enter the army and give the strength of his young
manhood to the Union cause. IHe enlisted in September, 1861, in Company E, One IIundred and


Fourth New York Infantry, anld was sent to the
Army of the Potomac. When the troops were
organized into corps lie was attached to the First
Army Corps. The first engagement in which the
regiment took part was at Cedar Mountain, Va., in
the summer of 1862. This was followed by a fight
at Rappahannock Station and this in turn by one at
Thoroughfare Gal), where they were sent to intercept Lee. Here the Union troops were repulsed
and not long afterward they took part on the famed
field of Bull Run.
In September, 1862, Mr. Patrick and his comrades fought at Antietam, where the regiment lost
heavily. After the victory there they went south
to tlhe Rappahannock and took part in Burnside's
camp aign,fighting at Fredericksburg and elsewhere.
They also fought under Cen. Iooker at Chancellorsville in tile spring of 1863, arriving there in
time to support the Eleventh Corps, that had been
stampeded. They were detailed on picket duty and
covered the retreat next day. When Lee invaded
Maryland and Pennsylvania in June, 1863, their
corps was in the advance following him, and reached
Gettysburg  in time to make the first attack.
Among the killed at that point was the gallant
Gen. Reynolds and but thirty-five of tie regiment
were left to answer roll call, all the others being
killed, wounded or missing. Mr. Patrick was badly
woun(led in the hip during tlle first day's fight and
being in a serious condition was left on the field,
wlile others who were but slightly wounded were
carried along by the rebels in their ietreat. After
the soldiers had passed lie was taken to a field hosplital where he remained three months and was then
sent to Philadelplhia. In that city he remained
nine months, when lie was discharged on account
of wounds received while in the service. For over
four years he carried the ball in his body. From
the date of his discharge he drew a pension of $8
per month and this lhas recently been increased to
$12.
After his discharge Mr. Patrick returned to his
old home and located on section 8, of the same
township. In the course of time he returned to the
section on which lie had spent his youth and where
he has continued to make his home. Among the
members of his household is his aged father, now




348


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


seventy-five years old. In charge of the domestic
affairs is his devoted wife to whom he was married
November 28, 1868. She bore the maiden name of
Rebecca Morris and is a daughter of William Morris, a native of England, where slle also was born
June 12, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick are tile llal)p)y
parents of five living children and they sorrow for
the death of a son Meade,who died when three and
a half years old. Their surviving children are John
J., William, Charles, Henry C. and Rose May.
In his use of the elective franchise Mr. Patrick
supports candidates named on tlhe  Republican
ticket, as he firmly believes the principles they are
pledged to support are best calculated for the needs
of the nation. IIe and his wife belong to the
United Brethren Church in Portland and earnestly
endeavor to carry the principles of Clristianity
into the actions of every day life.
UTHER RYON, who is engaged in gener'al
_) farmingi and stock-raising on section 4, Sci-, -   ota Townslhip, Shiawassee County, was 1,o1rn
in Kendall, Orleans County, -N. Y., April 1, 1839,
and is a representative of one of tile early families
of this county. His parents, D)aniel and Mahala!
(Stanhope) Ryon, came to Michigan in 1845, and
settled in Calhoun County, where they made their
home until 1856. In that year, they took up their
residence upon section 34, in the town of Middlebury, where they are still living. In his younger
years, Mr. Ryon learned the cooper's trade, wlhich
he followed in the East, but on coming to Michigan, he embarked in farming, whichl he hlas since
made his life work. At tlhe time of his arrival here,
the land was all wild, not a furrow having been
turned. He built a log cabin, 16x20 feet after
clearing a small patch of timber away and when
his family were established therein, lie turned his
attention to the development of the land, malking
an excellent farm. In politics, Mr. Ryon is a Dlenocrat. In the fanily are seven children, all of
whom are living-Will:ird W., Luther, Sarah IL.,
John J., Austin, Nancy D., and Charles.
Since his seventh year, Luther Ryon has been a


citizen of Michigan. He was reared in Calhoun
County, and received a very limited education as
his family was then in poor circumstances, and his
services were needed at home upon the farm. He
remained under the )arental roof until twenty
years of age, when lie left home and began to work
by the month as a farm hand. He came to this
county with his parents in 1855, and after working
for others for a year or more, he and his brother
Willard purchased eighty acres of land, the farm on
which he now makes his home, then a wild and unimproved tract. After a time he bought out his
brother's interest and by hard labor, untiring energy and perseverance has developed one of the
best farms in this locality. Iis outbuildings are
models of convenience, his machinery is of the latest improved styles, and his well-tilled fields present a most pleasing appearance. In connection
with general farming, he engages quite extensively
in stock-raising, and has some fine specimens of
blooded thoroughbred cattle, including Short-horns
and other breeds. Ile also has a fine imported
horse, 1)uke of IHamilton, valued at $2,000.
On the 6th of October, 1863, Mr. Ryon was
united in marriage with Miss Cornelia A. Balcom,
of Sciota Township, who was born in New York,
September 5, 1841, and was a daughter of Charles
and Caroline (Hills) Balcom. By their union one
child was born, a daughter, Bertha A. The death
of Mrs. Ryon occurred May 5, 1890, and was deeply
regretted by many warm friends. She was a member of the Methodist Church, as is also the (laughter.
In politics, Mr. Ryon is independent, having
allied himself with no party, but holding himself
free to support whoever he pleases regardless of
party affiliations. He has held a number of township offices, the duties of which he discharged with
promptness and fidelity, and is a member of the
Patrons of Industry. He also holds membership
with the Methodist Church, and    is an active
worker in its interests. To every enterprise or
movement calculated to upbuild or benefit the
community he gives his support and is accounted
one of the leading and valued citizens of the township. He owns one of the finest farms and most
beautiful homes in the vicinity which is the result




Rae


I


J


I   I                       I i..:




LUTHER RYON.                                 DUIE Or HAMILTON 2G5
7: —
IT TI
e!t:;~;~                ~:He:~~,,is~.~
- X 0; f —
g v D f. S...


FARM RESIDENCE OF LUTHER RYON, SEC 4.,SC!OTA TP., SHIAWASSEE CO.,M ICH.




I
aa




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.                                                     351...                                                               --.........,................................................,..I


of his own efforts, and lie may truly be called a
self-made man.
The attention of the reader is invited to a view
of the fine homestead of Mr. Ryon and also to his
portrait presented ill connection with this b)rief
biographical notice.
ILLIAM       F. IALL.   In Ovid Townsllil),
Clinton County, is a pleasant farn of
eighty-five acres, owned and occupied by
the gentleman above named.     When Mr. Iall
came hither in the fall of 1864 he found the tract
covered with heavy timber, and in clearing and
developing his p)roperty lie did mIuch pioneer work.
Ile removed the trees from forty acres and made
all the improvements now to be seen u1pon his
estate. He has a good house, barn and sheds and
a small but thrifty orch'ard, and his fields are in a
high state of culti vtion.
Mr. Hall was born in Wayne County, N. Y.,
September 1, 1832, his parents being.Jacob E. nd(
Ilul(dai (Wood) Hall. They removed to Mlic igan
in 1835, settling in Macolm) County, where tlhe
father cut a way into tile woods and lcleare(l up a
large farm, hewing out his home from the forest.
He had two hundred and twenty acres, a part of
which he pllaced under cultivation before his
decease, which occurred when his son Williaml was
about twelve years old. The mother of our subject had breathed her last some six years belore,
leaving  seven children, of whom     lie was tile
youngest.
The lad received such an education as farmers
generally give their sons, but after the deatl of hIis
fatler he had his own career to carve out. ite
worked in Macomb County until lie was of age,
then went to Oakland County and( for some time
worked in the store of his brother, John C., in l'ontiac. In that city he began his wedded life and
he remained there some two years after his marriage. He then came to the farm lie now occupies, where he and his wife have gathered about
them many comforts and conveniences. During
the year made famous by the great Chicago fire




I


and the destruction of forests in tlhe Northwest, lie
had to fight against the devouritng element which
occasioned the farmers in this section lmuchl anxiety.
April 5, 18(61, Mr. 11all and Miss Ruth Woo1dar(l of Maicomb County were united in marriage.
They have had tlhree children, whose record is as
follows: Jenny E., who was born March 18, 1862,
m'arried George 1P. Casler, a f'armer of Mi(ddlebury
Township; IIattie, Iorn Janiuary 19, 1866, is tile
wife of Geo(ge Vintcent and their liome is in Ovid;
(George J., who was )or11 (October 25, 1868, married( Edith Aleln:al( resi(les with his par)ents.  Mr.
I1all has never held oilice except one connected with
educattional affairs, in which he lhas ever been much
interested. For aboutt nine years lie has been a
School lIirector and his iitcrest in good slchools is
well known to his neillbtors allnd acquainlt'ances.
Ile is one of tllose who believe that the iegulation, or ra.thler the prolih iition of the manu1llfacture
and satle of liquor, is an a'ct; for whicli all lovers of
their country slouldl work and( lie -has enteredl tlhe
rtnks of tlhe Prohlibitioln prty. lie is a well-respected nmember of.tlhe conmmnllity, carries on his
f'arn intellig(nitly and w\itli earnestness, 'and( in
social aniid (lomestic life, is kindlly andl considerate.,   ~~..,~lt —~ -.... _5 \. ---.
EO)1GE EASLE1L.         We are always glad to
l    —, welcome to America nati ves of Germany,
for they represent one of the best classes of
people tt    ve so atly lhelped to t(ldevelop the
resources of our country.   George   Easier, tile
owner of the farm located on section 17, Vernon
Townslilp, was born in Elsus, (Gernmany, June 18,
1830. His father was Frederick Easler, also a
native of Germany, and was a grain and fruit buyer
in that country. He catne to America 'about 1838,
goiln direct to Sullield Township, Portage County,
Ohio, and located oil a twenty-five acre farm.
Here he bent his energies to work out the I-erman
idea of agricultural improvement, which means to
make land produce three times as much to the acre
as does the ordinary American.
The father died in Olio a:t the age of about sixtytwo years. He was a member of the Lutheran




352


PORTRAI~~A T AND BJJOGRAPHI-ICAI ALjBUM.


352PORRAI AN Il ORAPICA ALUM


Church. Our subject's motler's mai(len name was
Lena Wagner, also a native of Germany. She
lived to be about fifty years of ale and was also a
strict member of the Lutheran Church. Our subject was the second childl of the family and about
eight years old when lie (.ame to America witlh his
parents. lie started out in life for himself at the
age of fourteen years, working by the mnonthl on
adjoining farms. Ile then went to Akron, Ohio,
where he entered a hotel in order to learn the trade
of a pastry cook. Ile worked there for one monthl
for $4, thlence went to Pittsbur(g, Pa., where lie
learned to make rope.   ITe remanined with the
master for six years, having bound hlimself for that
length of time. At the expiration of this time he
went to Louisville, Ky., where lie remained one
summer, working at his trade, that of rop)e inaki-nl,
A visit to his home was made about this time and
then he returned to Pittsburg, 'a., where lie staid
for one month. Thence in the spring of 1851 he
went to St. Louis, MIo., there working at hlls trade
for one summer. lie remove(d to Lexington, Mo.,
and remaine(l one winter and tllen, attracted by the
gold craze in California, he took his way Westward.
He was one of one hundred and sixteen men who
drove sixteen hundred an(l sixty-five head of cattle
and two hlund(lre  head of mules across the plains.
Arrived in California, 1e took up mining whlichl ie
followed for two years, during which time hlie was
more fortunate than many, in that hie was able to
take away with him $3,000. Withl this lhe purchased
a farm in Summit County, ()lhio. The place comprised one hundred acres and was well improved.
Having acquired( a homle, Mr. Easler needed a
wife to brighten and make homelike the place and
he was united in mnarriage to a lady whose maiden
name was Catherine Henry. She was a nDative of
Germany.   Mr. and Mrs. Easier became the parents
of three children, one daughter and two sons.
Sarah A., the daughter, is book-keeper in a drygoods store at North  Branch, Lap)eer County,
Mich.; George W., resides on the farm with his
father and manages the place; Edward resides in
Vernon Township, his farm immediately joining
that of our subject on the soutlh. In 1869 our
subject lost his first wife and his secondl union was
with Martha Ewell, a native of Portage, Ohio; she


was born May 22, 1841, and was the sixth child of
Lorenzo Ewell. She has presented   ler llusband
with one child-Fred L., who resides at lomne.
In 1875 the original of our sketch sol( oult his
farm in Ohio an(d came d(ireetl to Verlloll Township), Shiawassee County, this State, and li trl:hallZed
the place wlhere he now lives.  lie owns oic iuiidred and sixty acres of well-imp)roved land and h:ts
a dwelling, pleasant and comfortable, whiich cost
him $5,000.  It is a two-stolry framIe with.a pleasant outlook and beautifully finishled insi(le in lhardwood. Mr. Easler pri(les himself tliat his house is
exceptionally well built andl tllat there is not a
b)oard in it which has a knot-hole as larle as a
silver quarter. lHe paid for his farm and sucll improvelnents as it has upon it at tlhat time, $10,000
and has since refused $90 per acre for the p)lace.
I-e has expended $1,000 in laying tile on the farm
and( each year adds to the perfection of thle drainage.  I-le is a Democrat in principlle, although he
is independent in that he votes for whom     he
considers the best man. Mr. Easler is a self-made
man, is modest and unassuming and thoroughly
well liked in the community.  Ele has made of his
farm in Vernon Township one of the finest in the
county and it is a place of which indeed ttle State
may be proud.
~ —~-   -— t — -   -eILLIAM      SIMPSON    is a furniture (lealer
and undertaker of Laingsburg. Of the
many wort'hy citizens which New York IIas
furnished to Shiawlssee County none are more
deserving of representation in this volume thall thle
gentleman whose name heads this sketch.  lie was
born in Diana, Jefferson County, of the EIml)ire
State, July 19, 1844, and is a son of George W. andl
Susan (Coats) Simpson. The father was a nattive
of New HIampshirc and when a young man retrove(i
to New York, where lie mnet and mnarried l iss
Co'ats.  Lie was a man of some means who follow, (1
farming as his chosell occupation, but his last (l:v!
were spent in Alexandria, N. Y. In l)olitic I;,
was a supporter of the Whig party and in religious
belief was a member of the Methodist Chlurch,




PORTAI'T AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


353


while his wife held membership with the Baptist
Church. In their family were seven children:
George W., Mary J., William, Irvin, Pruella and
two who died in infancy. Irvin was a member of
the Eighteenth New York Cavalry and died( of
sickness at Brazier City, La.
In the usual manner of farmer lads the subject
of this sketch was reared to manhood and in the
district schools of his native State he acquired his
education. Ite began life for himself at the age of
sixteen years, at which time he went to Clinton
County, Mich., where he worked as a farm hand by
the month for two years. At the expiration of
that time he once more returned to his old home in
the State of his nativity and on the 29th of l)ecenber, 1861, offered his services to his country and
joined the boys in blue of Company E, Ninetyfourth New York Infantry. IIe served with the
Army of the Potomac for three years and participated in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the battles of the Wilderness
and many others of less importance. He was very
fortunate in that he was never wounded, but at the
battle of Gettysburg he was taken prisoner. However, he was soon paroled and witl his regiment
continued until thle three years of his enlistment
had expired, when at City Point he received his
discharge, Decerber 29, 1864.
After being mustered out of the service, Mr.
Simpson returned to New York and remained at
home upon his father's farm until October, 18G65,
when again he took up his residence in Clinton
County, Mich. He purchased a farm in Victor
Township, but after a few months sold his land and(
began working by the month, continuing that
course of action until the spring of 1871. I-e then
came to Laingsburg and started his present business. The following year he was united in marriage with Miss Frances Le Bar, daughter of l)aniel and Mary (Lewis) Le Bar, and a native of
Mason, Inlgham County, Mich. Their union was
graced by one child, Zella. The mother departed
this life in 1874 and on the 20th of May, 1875, Mr.
Simpson was united in marriage with Miss Georgie
Teachout, of Laingsbnrg. She was born in Massachusetts and her parents, John and Lydia (Springer)


Teachout, were also natives of thle Bay  State.
Tlhree children liave been born of tlhe second marriage: Ray E., Roy P. an(d Ierbert L., all of whom
are still at home with their parents.
(n coming to Laingsburg Mr. Simpson embarked in mercantile plursuits and has since carried
on the furniture iand undertaking business. IHis
store is one of the finest and( most complete in the
town and from   tie beginning his trade has constantly increased until now he has an excellent patronage. Thereby ie thas gained a handsome coinpetence, and in addition to that which hle has in his
business lie has money loaned. On attaining his
majority Mr. Simpson identified himself with the
Republican party but, is now a Prohlibitionist. Socially lie is a Master Mason, has taken the Scarlet
l)egree of the Odd Fellows and is also a member
of lenry Demiing Post, No. 192, G. A. R., of
Laingslurg. Iie is not only a representative business man but is also a valued citizen of the comImunity wlio manifests a commendable interest in
all that pertains to the tupbuilding and welfare of
the town and county.
HARLES E. PHELPS, Supervisor of Bath
(      Township, Shiawassee County, was born
February 15, 1844. His father, Edwin L.
Phelps, a native of Vermont, worked in a furnace
in his native State, and also after coming to Micligan (luring the early (lays of the '30s. After
operating a furnace at Birmingihalm, Oaklandi
County, Mich., for a few years, he came in 1838 'o
Clinton County, giving up his furnace business on
account of his health. I-e and his brother, both
single men, kept "bachelors' hall" for three or four
years. Ie assisted in surveying out the site for
the State Capitol at Lansing. HIe never hunted
much, but was on friendly terms with the Indians,
but his brother Ozias was a great huntsman. There
were only three or four settlers there anywhere
near their home.
After improving the eighty acres in which he
and his brother held joint ownership, our subject
bought eighty acres where he now resides.  At one




354


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPH1ICAL ALBUM.


~~i


time he owned one hundred and twenty acres of
land. lie used to go to Dexter, Washtenaw
County, to trade, and later to Corunna. Ile wasa
Republican in politics, and for some time the Highway Commissioner, and helped to lay out many of
the roads in this township. His death occurred
when he was about sixty years olld in 1873.
The mothler of our subject bore the maiden
name of Susan Rose. She was a native of New
York, and became the mother of eight children,
four of whom grew to maturity, namely: Charles
E., Emeline, who (lied at eighteen, Ozias and
Amos. Tne mother of these children was a consistent member of the Free Will Baptist Church,
and died in 1863.
The childhood of our subject was spent in the
woods playing with the Indian children, going to
school in the log schoolhouse, and helping upon
the farm. Many a drove of deer has he seen browsing in the woods near his father's home. Ile began for himself when only twenty-two years of age,
although he had left home somewhat earlier, as lie
enlisted in the army, February 15, 1863, becoming
a private in the Fifteenth Michigan Infantry, Company K. l-e particilpated ip the siege of Vicksburg and the batule at Jackson, Miss. lIe was also
present at Lookout Mountain, but did not engage
in the fighting. lie was mustered out of service
at Detroit in February, 1864, after which lie engaged in farming.
The father of our subject gave his son forty
acres of fine farming land, and to this lie has
added so that lie now   has eighty-eight acres.
Having a home, lie now bethought himself of taking a wife, and on April 26, 1866, he married Anna
Markham, a native of Cattaraugus Coulnty, N. Y.,
where she was born July 6, 1848. Her l)arents,
Seth and Nancy (Briggs) Markllham, both natives of
New York State, and farmers, settled in Lorain
County, Ohio, where they carried on a farm for
ten years, and in 1861 came to Shiawassee County,
and settled in Woodhull Township.   i e died in
1868, and she in 1884.   Eight of their eleven
children grew to maturity. Both of them were
earnest and active members of the rUnited Brethren
Church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have been born four


children, who are by name, Minnie Adelaide, Robert Seth, Alton J. and Roscoe C. Bloth lparents are
identified with tlhe Free Baptist Church, which is
situated one-lialf mile south of their resid(le!ce.
Mr. Phelps is a man very generally known
throughout this section of Shiawassee County, alil
being well liked and much above the average. in
intelligence, has been placed in such offices of trust
as lie was willing to un1dertake. He has been
Justice of the Peace for one term, Towi:slip
Treasurer for four years, and is now serviln  a
second term as Supervisor. As a Republicani and
an old soldier, he is an ardent mnembler of the
Grand Army of thle Iepublic, and being earnestly
desirous of the welfare of the fa1rming community,
lie is an active meniber of tlhe Farmers' Alliance.
Ile has also been a (lelegate to the county convention of the Rep!)ublican party, and is a member of
Lodge No. 124, I. (. 0. F. at Bath. His wife, who
is a true helpmate in-every capacity of life, is most
highly esteemed and admired by tlose who have
known her longest.
-Co"QB~ —? — - o,    -?O —~-~s
ON. EDWIN) A. 'TODD. This honored cit' zen of Owosso is one of the comparatively
few men now living who are thoroughly
conversant, by actual expterience, with the
scenes through which this section of the country
has passed since it was an almost untrodden wilderness. IIe was born in Pontiac, Oakland County,
Mich., on the 16th of January, 1828, and (luring his infancy his parents removed to Flint, where
they were the first white settlers. There the son
spent his boyhood and youth, his chief playmates
beincg lndian boys and girls.  When old enough to
wield an ax and guidle a plow lie began to take his
part in the work of development and crossed the
country with alrticles in which his father was carry -
ing on trade, tCius becoming thoroughly acquainted
witl the scenery and able to note every change in
the apltpearance of the lands of Central Michigaln.
In order to better understand( the traits developed in ouI subject, we will make a brief mention




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


355




of the career of his parents. His father, John
Todd, was born in Batavia, N. Y., and came to
what was then a vast territory in 1817.  Ie made his
home in Pontiac, Mich., then a small village, where
hle wooed and married Miss Polly M. Smith. This
lady was born in Fleming County, N. Y., near Auburn, and was a daughter of Abram Smith and of
English ancestry. The Todds trane their lineage
to Scotland. After some years Mr. Todd settled
on a farm in Oakland County, but in 1830 removed
to Flint. That place was only a trading post and
Mr. Todd laid out the first wagon road or trail to
Saginaw and built the first bridge across the Cass
River. He was an Indian trader, exchanging various articles for furs, pelts and such other things as
the red men had to dispose of. ITe had many
thrilling adventures with the Indians, but generally
got along with them peaceably. He remained at
Flint until late in life, then removed to Owosso,
where he died( at the venerable age of ninety years.
Mrs. Todd also died here, her age being, sixty-nine
years. She was a woman of great force of character and will-power, as she llad need to be to spend
her time on the frontier and make a true home in
the midst of untowardl surroundins.
Besides the subject of this biograIphical sketch
the children of John and P'olly Todd were May L.,
Julia I. and Albert S., all living except Julia. IIe
of whom we write went onto a farm in Genesee
County when seventeen years old and remaine(l
there until he was of age. Ile then joined the
great army tlhat was beginning to liead for tile Pacific Coast, where golld lhad been discovered a short
time before, and starting from the States in 1849,
he reached California tlle following year, via the
Isthmus of Panama. Ie enigaged in mining, in
whiclh he proved successful and lduring the five
years spent on the Coast amassed considerable
wealth. During the latter part of the time lie was
interested in water-works connected with placermining. When the five years had elaplsed IMr.
Todd returned to Michig'an and invested hlis money
in various ways. In 1855 he canme to Owosso and
built the second sawmill and the first run by steam,
being in partnership with David G-ould, his brotherin-law. The old mill is still standing and has recently been occupied as monument works by Rollin


Pond. Mr. Todd retained his interest in the mill
about three years, after which lie sold out, having
other affairs to which lie preferred to give his attention.
From  the beginning of the construction of the
Amboy, Lansing & Traverse B3ay, now thle Jackson, Lansing & Southern Railroad, until 1873 Mr.
Todd was connected with that enterl)rise. That
year lie formed one of tile firm of Nason Gould &
Co., whose headquarters were in Chessening, Saginaw County, and the connection continued about
four years, wlhen it was dissolved, as tlhe timber on
lands held by it was exhausted. In 1878 Mr.
Todd entered upon another period of miinig, going to Leadville, Colo., where he remained about
tlree years, operating very successfully. In 1886
lhe visite(d Mexico and invested in silver minin,
pro)perty, his first venture b1eing in Zacatecas.
Thence lie went to the State of Jelisso on the Pacific Coast, where agaii lie 1)ecame profitably interested in silver mininig. From that p)oint lie went
to Aguacallientes and again engDged in mining
lie returned to Owosso after an absence of about
two years and has not since beetn actively engaged
in business save in looking after his investments
and in work connected withi the Toled:o & Alnn Arbor Railroad, of which lie is a I)irector. Ile has
considerable city plroplerty, including three substantial (lwellings, from wlich lie receives a good rental.
In Mlarch, 1855, Mr. Todd was married to Miss
MIartha Jolnson, a native of New York, who came
to tlis State witl her parents wllen a young lady of
eighteen years.  -ler agreeable nmanners, refinement and fine character have endeared her to many,
and in her own homne she is respected an(l beloved
by those to whom she has been devoted for years.
Tlie children of Mr. and Mrs. Todd are four in number: William A., the eldest, is engaged in the
insurance business in Tennessee; Edwin A., Jr.,
has cllarge of the Claims l)epartment for the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Railway; Fred A. is
assistant physician at Toledo, Ohio, in the asylum
for the insane; Frances E. is the wife of James H.
XWheeler, cashier of the Oklahoma City Bank, in
Oklahoma Territory.
The first connection of Mr. Todd with the municipal affairs of Owosso began in 1871, when he was




356


PLORTRnAIT ANDI BIOGRAPHICAL, ALBUM.III


3  P   A  B


elected Mayor. Hle was again chosen to take his
place at the head of the government in 1890 and
once more did what he could in an official capacity
1 lo promote the interests of the town in which he
had chosen to reside. The first Presidential vote
of Mr. Todd was cast for Franklin Pierce and he
has always been a D)emocrat. I)uring the war he
was numbered with the class known as War Democrats, taking a strong stand on the side of the
Union. He joined the Masonic lodge at Flint and
is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of this city,
and one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the State;
and his religious home is in the Episcopal Church,
of which his wife is also a member. Mr. Todd has
been a Vestryman for many years. HIe is genial
and entertaining and stands high as a citizen and a
man.
01 I N KING, a well-known and prosperons
resident of section 13, IHazelton Townslip,
Shliawawssee County, is the son of John King,
(  a nalive of County Longford, Ireland, of
which county his mother also (wlhose maiden name
was lri(lget Murtaugh) was a native. They were
married at tleir ol(d home and came to America
in 1846, landing at New York City. Iere they
remained for three years, and in 1849 came to
Michigan and scettled in Flint Township, Genesee
County, on an unbroken farm covered with oak
openings. TUpon tils they remained for four years
and cleared some twenty-five acres of the land.
Selling their first Western farm, the parents of
our subject removed to HIazleton Township in
1853, and settled on section 13, which was all
wild land. Before reaching their home they were
obliged to cut the road through the woods for a
mile an(l a half. Here they finally acquired a
handsome property of four hundred and eighty
acres. They encountered many hardships in their
early life in the West as they were unused to
such experiences. It was so solid a forest that it
was witll difficulty tlat they found their way from
point to point, even by the help of blazed trees.
There were but few families then in the township and only nine voters were registered that


spring. The farm was greatly improved during
the lifetime of the father, who passed away in
1871, at the age of sixty-six. His worthy companion outlived him ten years and attained the
age of eighty-one. They were the parents of six
children, who grew to maturity.
Joseph King, one of the sons of these parents,
was a soldier in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry during the War of the Rebellion, and being
taken prisoner at Knoxville, underwent the hardships at Andersonville for eighteen months, but he
lived through them and with eleven other comrades escaped and returned to the Union army.
IIe was relegated to his own regiment and returned
to Detroit, waiting to be mustered out. He was
taken sick the night after reaching Detroit, and
died there. Ite was a man of great popularity,
not only among his comrades in arms, but also
with the citizens of Flint, where lie made his
home.
The subject of this sketch was born upon the
Green Isle of Erin April 17, 1836, in the Parish
of Cloonglish, County Longford, and was nearly
eleven years old when he came to America. He
was well educated in his native county, and attended the Grammar School in New York City.
He was fourteen years old when he came to Michigan and almost eighteen when he made his home
in Shiawassee County. Until after he was twentytwo years old he remained at home helping his
parents upon the farm, and he then worked out
by the month for a few years. His father had
been unfortunate in contracting debts and he assisted him in lifting them. His father gave him
a one-third interest in the undivided three hundred acres which constituted the farm, and when
they were finally divided he received the one
hundred acres lying west of the remainder of the
tract.
In 1860 John King had some chopping done
upon his land and built a little frame house, 16x24
feet, and November 17 of the same year he began keeping bachelor's hall in this new home. A
yoke of oxen was the team with which he assisted
himself in his arduous labors. The young man
found that man was not made to live alone and
November 19, 1861, he took unto himself a wife




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..~..-... - -  _-  _   -.,77...._..:.-..................-...-.-......................................


357




in the person of Bridget E., a daughter of Patrick Trainor, an old settler in Flint. She was
born November 1, 1844, in Ireland, and lived
only five years after marriage, dying December
6, 1866. Sle was tlhe mother of two children,
both of whom were snatched from   her arms by
death: Joseph Patrick was born October 15, 1862,
and died September 1, 1866; and Annie, born
July 21, 1864, died December 28, 1865. The
mother and botlh children died within twelve
monthls of each other. This left the little home
indeed indeed desolate.
'rhe second marriage of John King took place
August 5, 1 867, his bride being Bridget l)elehanty, daughter of Patrick and Bridget (McNamara) Delebanty, natives of County Clale, Irelal)d.
Mlr. and Mrs. I)elehanty came to America in 1850,
and after spending a year in New York City camne
West, spending four years at Cleveland. In 1856
he came to Michigan, settling in Gaines Township, Genesee County, upon a farm. Mr. l)elehanty was a man of intelligence and worth, and
for some time was section foreman on the railroad.
LIe died March 18, 1891, having reachle( the age
of seventy-eight years, and his widow, who is
now eighty-four, still survives him. They were
the parents of ten clildren, six of whom are now
living.
Mrs. King was born September 5, 1846, in
County Clare, Ireland, and she has become the
mother of fourteen children, eleven of whom  are
now living. They are named: Josephine, born
April 30, 1868; Francis J., born June 17, 1869;
Hlannahl, January, 20, 1871 (deceased); Mary, born.January 2, 1.873 (deceased); Ambrose, born March
11, 1874; Cecilia, October 17, 1875; Ellen, July
1, 1877; an infant unnamed (deceased); John Albin, born January 3, 1880; Ann Lilly, May 25,
1882; Elizabeth, November 7, 1883; Agnes, l)ecember 12, 1885; Esther, July 13, 1887; and
Stephen A., March 7, 1890.
The farm has been greatly improved since Mr.
King went upon it, and now he has one hundred
and twenty acres. The original one hundred is
the finest farm and assessed the highest in the
township. In 1885 he built his residence at a cost
of over $4,000, besides his own labor and haul



ing. The front part is 18x28 feet and nineteen
feet high, and is built of brick with a cellar wall
under the whole house. This wall is seven and
one-half feet hilgh and two feet thick. The cellar
has a cemente(d floor and is thoroughly underdrained. The front wing has the dimensions of
18x28 feet and the rear wing of 18x30 feet. It is
the handsomest house in the township and is as
well built and attractive as any in the county,
being finished in graining.  It contains thirteen
rooms, conveniently arranged and lighted, witli all
improvements. Mr. King does not enjoy good
healtl as lie ihas suffered with spasmodic asthma
ever since 1863. Both lie and his wife are devout
members of the Catholic Clurch.
To his children Mr. King Ihas granted a good
education and the younger ones are many of them
attending school. Josephine has held a teacher's
eerti icate since she reacled( tile age of sixteen
years. She is a graduate of the Fenton Normal
School and hias taughlt for five years, being considered a very successful young womInan in her
profession. Our subject is active in school matters and a member of tle School Board. HIe is a
Democrat in his politieal views, but, is independent to a consideralle d(egree, a(nd in local elections
votes for the man ratlter than for the party. Iie
has been Ilighway Commissioner for three years
and for five years in succession tilled the olfice of
Townsl.ip Treasurer, and filled it well. IIe received the unqualified support of his fellow-citizens altliougli this is a strongly Republican Townshil. lie also serves as Clerk of township elections:and is a member of tile Board of Review.
M OLIN II. CLEMENTS. The subject of this
sketch, living in De Witt Township, Clinton
County, belongs to a well-known family,
( which has for many years been noteworthy
for its intelligence, Christian character and patriotism. He himself is a man of unusual business
ability which lie has proved by his success in life.
lIe was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., September
4, 1821, and his father, HIenry Clements, of German




358


IPORTIRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.:_- -   _:: -:::::: --- -_: 1 -- ---:-::  I:.::::-:.::  -,,  7:.::: - -7:::~:::- -- -:- -:-:.


descent, was boin in New York State in 1801 and
carried on farming in Dutchess and Chaultauqua
Counties in that State. IHe came to White Oak
Township, Inglham County, Mich., June 1, 1836,
traveling by lake to Detroit, and thence by team.
Ile took up from the Government seven hun(ired
and twenty acres of land and was among the first
to penetrate the forests of White Oak Township,
where he established his new home. Ile was three
miles from his nearest neiglbor, twenty-five miles
from a grist mill, eleven miles from a sawmill, six
miles from a tavern and four miles from a religious
meeting which was held in a log schoolhouse.
W'heat was then worth nine shillings per bushel,
corn seventy-five cents and flour 87 per barrel.
'lThe Indians were very numerous tlen and I enry
Clements was on friendly terms with them. The
country also was full of (leer and game. lie was
an unuIsually hard worker and( attended closely to
blusiness and( thus (leveloped( a great portion of his
larrge f:-,ar. At his deatll in 1864: hle liadl reached
tlie age of sixty-three years.  lie was a Whigi first
and tlhean a Republican iln politics and( was an active
member of tie Mtholioist (Chlurch and aman of
many goold qualities of mindl alnd heart.
Tlle wife of Henry Clements was Catherine Iamuon, a native of New York State, of IIolland descent.  She was a kind, (Christial motler and reared
with great care annd wis(om iie' ten chil(ren, five
sons and five dlaughteris. Four of lher sons served
in tlie army (uring the war of the rebellion and
~one of the(m  never returned as he (lied in service.
Shle was a (co)nsistent ant:d earnest member of tle
Methocist Chlurch and died at th e agt of fifty-nine
years.
Tlie sulject of this sketch'was but foulrteen years
old when lie came to Micligan with lis l)parents in
1836. Up to th is tinme lie hlad received his education in the district schools of Chautauqua County,
N. Y.   le had an untusually strongl liking for
hunting and hle spent mnucll of his time until lie
reached maturity in hIunting (leer and( other wild
game. Probably few    young men at that time
killed as many deer as lie. Hle helped to carry
the chain to survey the present site of the city of
Lansing.
In 1848 Mr. Clements took up his residence in




I


I -1- -—:-::_:-:  - - --:::~~::~~~I: 7:__-~T   ____ — _:  ----


Lansing and engaged in the general merchandise
business. Here we must record the only financial
failure of his life, as lie did not succeed here, and
had to close his business in 1850 at a great loss. In
December of that year he went to California by
water and there engaged in mining. Ite was sufficiently successful to be able to send money home
to llis wife from time to time witlh which slie honorably paid the debts which his misfortune had
broulghlt upon him.
Ile returned October 2, 1852 and resided in
Lansing until 1866 when lie bought the farm where
lie now lives which then comprised two hunilred
and forty acres of tle finest land in Clinton County.
Ile lias since parted with a part of this land to his
children. It is safe to say that there is not anothler
two hundred and forty acres of land in the county
so well situated, so level and so ricli as this tract,
lyiig as it does between the swamln  land and the
upland. At tlie time of purchase tile property was
mucl run downl, but lie has improved it and built
a large fralme barn an( a frame residence. This
however hle lias now slupplanted with a palatial
white brick residence which he erected in 1883. It
is situated upon a well slhaded lawn and is one of
the finest pllaces in the township.
This gentlteman owvns an extensive hlotel at the
summer resort of Indian River in Cheboygan
County, Mich., where he and his good wife spend
tile summers, while they winter on the farm. IHe
is independent in politics. The lady who became
his wife in 1843 was known in her maidenhood as
Mary Newell and is one of tlhe finest of women.
She was born at Morrisonville, Madison County,
N. Y., June 26, 1822. Her father, Aaron Newell,
was a native of Connecticut and operated a mill in
New York State. He came to Michigan in 1843
and settled oni a farm in Ingham County, and died
tlhe followingr year. Hiis wife, Mary (Tidd) Newell,
was born in Massachlusetts. She was a true-hearted
and kindly woman, a member of the Presbyterian
Cliurch and of English descent. One of the six
children whom she reared to maturity died in the
service of his country during the War of the Rebellion. Slie passed away from earth in 1864.
Mr. and Mrs. Clements have had six children,
namely: Melvina, who died in her fifth year; HIelen,




I




t;~ —:;.~ _.;r --- —~,_-.-J.i~:::~?.-~;~:;i,:'-;.:
~~;~~ i:^-:~~~~~~:-: —~i~a~.~:
i..
rr_.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


361


Mrs. Church; Newell; Dora,who died when twentynine years old; DeLoss, who died when two years
old and Charles. This family both in the past
generation and the present stands among the most
highly esteemed and most popular in the county
and they have helped in a thousand ways to make
the neighborhood in which they live what it is considered to-day, one of the most intelligent and
cultured country districts in Southern Michigan.
ATHER HENRY C. KOENIG. This gentleman is a well-known figure on the streets
of St. John's and in the neighboring town
of Portland, and to him is due to a large degree
the present condition of St. Joseph's Catholic
Church in St. John's. IIe took up his work when
the affairs of the church were in a bad condition,
the congregation having run down in number and
finances, and a debt hanging over it that it seemed
scarcely possible to lift. lHe was worked his way
gaining the confidence of his people, and encouraging them in their efforts, and has succeeded in
clearing the charge of indebtedness, improving the
church and parsonage and placing the affairs on a
basis that promises well for the future. In the
twenty-three years that have elapsed since the
church was established, thirteen men have labored
here and no one has staid so long as Father
Koenig.
The father of our subject was Adam Koenig, a
farmer and gardenier in Saxony.  He came to
America in 1873 and located in Detroit, where he
still lives retired from active life. He is a son of
Lawrence Koenig, who also a farmer and was quite
wealthy. The mother of our subject bore the
maiden name of Catherine Kuhn, and she too is a
native of Saxony, where her father, George Kuhn,
was engaged as a tailor and a farmer. Her children were seven in number, six sons and one daughter, as follows: Nicholas L., Henry C., (the second
in order of birth) Barnard J., Theresa M., Charles,
William and August W. Our subject was born in
Saxony October 11, 1858, reared in the village of


Pfaffschwende, and attended the parochial school.
He accompanied his parents to America, sailing
from Bremen and after a stormy voyage of seventeen days landed in New York. Soon after the
family was settled in Detroit he found employment
and for two years was variously occupied, and
during the time took up the study of languages.
His father in the meantime spent some months on
a farm in Macomb County, and while making his
home there the lad combined work and study.
When nineteen years old young Koenig entered
St. Jerome's College, at Berlin, Ontario, and remained there until he had completed a four years'
classical course. He was graduated June 29, 1882,
and received a valuable medal for his proficiency
in mental philosophy, in which he had the best
record of any student in the institution for many
years. At the wish of Bishop Borgess he then entered Sandwich College, and continued his studies
there a twelvemonth. IHe next went to St. Mary's
Theological Seminary, at Baltimore, Md., but was
not able to remain there for the entire course, as
the climate did not agree with him, and the confinement of such protracted studies also affected his
health. lie was obliged to give up his studies after
a year's attendance and came home nearer dead
than alive. When able to resume his work he did so
and his theological training was completed in St.
Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, from whtch he was
graduated in 1886.
The rites of ordination were held by Bishop C.
H. Borgess at Sandwich, Canada, June 16, 1886,
and after a vacation of two weeks Father Koenig
was at his post in St. John's. The outlook was
very discouraging and so little did he seem able to
accomplish -hat he was ready to abandon his work,
and went to I)etroit hoping to be given a different
field or to receive some encouragement regarding
his work. A visit with the Bishop cleared his mental sky, and having the support and counsel of that
gentleman, he entered upon his labors with renewed
zeal, and at length saw the result. In addition to
tile charge in St. John's he has been the pastor of
At. Patrick's Church in Portland. He believes in
honesty in politics and religion, and in his work
for the young, advocates giving each child a fair
education, and at the same time teaching him in




362


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


early life to help his parents, and so fit himself for
work in future years. Father Koenig, with his liberal education and genial nature, is a royally entertaining companion and he has many warm friends,
while by his people he is looked up to as one from
whom they receive the best of counsel and care.
In connection with his biographical notice, a
lithographic portrait of Father Koenig is presented
to our readers.
HARLES L. MOON, son of an early settler
in Clinton County, who resides just south
of the village of DeWitt, was born in DeWitt
Township, August 22, 1841. His father, Henry
Moon, was born about forty miles from London,
England, in 1806, and came to America with two
of his brothers when he was about twenty years
old. lie staid for a short time in Canada with two
other brothers who had previously come over, and
then came on to Michigan, making his home in Salem Township,Washltenaw County, in 1833. There
he worked by the month for four years, and in 1837
came to this county, and took one hundred and
sixty acres from the Government in the south part
of the township. He built a log cabin with puncheon floor in the midst of the dense woods, and
had to cut a track through the forest in order to
get his ox-team to the new home. Hle was obliged
to go to Detroit to get any milling done, and his
most numerous neighbors and most frequent callers were Indians, deer, bears and wolves. He was
on friendly terms with the red men, and as he
lived on an Indian trail saw much of them. They
would come to DeWitt to get whiskey, and on
their way home at night, wildly intoxicated, would
keep him awake for many hours by their war whoops
and shrieks.
In the spring of 1850, Mr. Henry Moon went to
California by the overland route, being four
months on the way. He engaged in mining, and
was gone some three and a half years, and accumulated some money while there. After his return to
Michigan he lived here until his death at the age
of seventy-nine years. He was a Democrat in his


political views and cast his vote for that party.
He married Susan Frazier, of Washtenaw County,
who lived to the age of sixty-nine years. She was
a member of the Baptist Church, and reared to
maturity six of her seven children.
The log schoolhouse where our subject attended
school was of a very rude pattern.  It had no
chimney and the fire was built in a corner of the
room, and a hole was left in the roof for the escape
of the smoke. He remained at home until he
reached the age of twenty-seven years, and bought
a small place of eighteen acres. He has been
School Inspector of the township, and is a Prohibitionist in his political views, believing thereby
he will advance the cause of temperance and
morality. Mr. Moon was married to Miss Mary
Vincent, March 8, 1871. Four children have been
born to themn-Flory, Harry, Bertie and Roy-all
living.
AM ELVIN W. DRAKE.         Brave and patriotic service in defence of our Nation's
flag, has set the seal of nobility upon many
a man who is now a quiet agriculturist of
Rush Township, Shiawassee County. Among them
we find Mr. Drake, who resides on section 20, and
is a native of this State having been born in Oakland County, February 9, 1844.
Walter Drake who became the father of our subject, was a native of the old Bay State, and born
May 20, 1808.    Twenty years after he made
a beginning in life for himself by working on
the farm, and in 1829 he went to work on the
Ohio and Chesapeake Canal in Virginia, but returned to New England and in 1830 came West.
He was engaged in fishing and sailing in Detroit
until 1831, when he went to Oakland County, and
purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres
in Southfield Township.
The family of Elisha and Huldah (West) Hunter
came from Rhode Island to Oakland County about
the year 1820, bringing with them three sons and
three daughters.  Their daughter, Adeline, the
youngest, born December 27, 1808, became in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALIBUkM.


363


---- ----   -- --   -~- - - -  - I-   -- ---- ------ ---   - - I —I


1831 the wife of Walter Drake, and in time the
mother of our subject.  Mr. Drake resided in
Oakland until 1844, when he was appointed by the
Government to go to Grand Traverse as instructor
to the Indians in farming. Three years later he returned to Oakland and remained there until 1860,
when he spent five years in Genesee County and
five years in Owosso and then came to Rush Township and bought one hundred and sixty acres on
sections 20 and 28.
Our subject is the youngest of two sons and two
daughters.  His mother died in 1881, and his
father, who was a sturdy old Jackson Democrat,
still lives with him. M. W. Drake has a good
common-school education.  His marriage took
place upon Christmas Day, 1875. The lady who
thus celebrated with him this sacred holiday bore
the maiden name.of Ada L. Meaker. Her parents
were Joshua and Mary (Nelson) Meaker, who had
three children. Her father had had three children
by a previous marriage, and came to Michigan in
1838. He was the son of Eli Meaker, of New
York, and his father also bore the name of Joshua.
The family lived near Binghampton, N. Y. The
grandfather of our subject, on his father's side, was
Larnard Drake, a farmer and stonemason of Massachusetts, whose nativity was about June 5, 1783.
He was married in 1802 to Susannah Phillips, who
was born September 5, 1783.   They were the
worthy parents of nine children, and removed to
Michigan where Larnard Drake died in Oakland
County, March 21, 1863.
Mrs. Drake was born October 15, 1847, and she
became the mother of six children: Eva J., Irving L., Lula E., Mary A., Walter J. and Herbert
E. During the Civil War Mr. Drake had been a
soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in Company C, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, in August, 1862.  He was ordered from  Saginaw to
Louisville, Ky., and from there went on to Frankfort, New Market and Bowling Green, and finally
wintered in that place. In 1862 he was in the hospital when his regiment left Bowling Green, but
joined them at Cave City, Ky., when they were in
pursuit of John Morgan's band of raiders. They
reached Paris, Ky., in time to save the railroad
bridge from the Confederates, and thence went


to East Tennessee over the mountain range. They
were in that portion of the State from October,
1863, until the beginning of the Georgia campaign. They marched with Sherman to a point
below Atlanta, and then returned and were engaged
with Hood's army for some time. They followed
him to Clifton, Tenn., and then marched to Washington. They were stationed for awhile at Smithland, near Ft. Fisher, and afterward at Wilmington
and Raleigh, and were in all the conflicts of that
campaign, being in twenty-seven battles in all during their time of service.
Mr. Drake is a prominent and popular Prohibitionist and was a candidate for Sheriff at a time
when he ran two hundred votes ahead of his ticket.
He is County President of the Patrons of Industry
and has filled that office ever since its organization
in the county. With his wife and two eldest children he is an earnest and devout member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, where they find a
broad field of labor and influence.
EV. HENRY KING, JR., who resides in
IIenderson, is an Englishman by birth,
\   being born in London, September 13,
\   1834. His father, Henry King, Sr., was a
wholesale tobacconist who was born in 1811. His
education was that of an ordinary Englishman and
in 1848 lie came to Canada and made his home
there, settling in Kingsville, Ontario. His good
wife, Susannah W. Smith, was also a Londoner and
some two years younger than himself. They were
the parents of four daughters and two sons, and
lived together in great happiness until 1877, when
the wife passed from earth. They were prominently identified with the Wesleyan Church, in
which Mr. King was a leader and an active worker.
IHe has ever been deeply interested in Canadian
politics and was a stanch and loyal supporter of
Sir John McDonald.
Upon reaching his majority young Henry King
undertook the profession of a teacher and some
four years later removed to the United States,
making his home at Memphis, Mich. Here he took




364


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIPHICAL ALBUM.


up the work of the ministry, taking charge of the
Baptist Church in that place for some two years.
Previous to his coming to the States he had taken
to himself a wife in the person of the second
daughter of Henry and Rachel (Wilkinson) Fulmer, who was born in March, 1837. The wedding
day of H-enry King and Jane Fulmer was August
31,1856. Mr. Fulmer was born in 1812 and his
wife in 1813 and they were both natives of Ontario,
Canada, and became the parents of a large family
numbering  seven sons and six.daughters. He
passed from earth in 1870 but his good wife makes
her home with her daughter Jane.
After preaching for some time in connection
with the Baptist Church the Rev. Mnr. King felt
drawn to connect himself with the Methodist
Episcopal body which he did in 1884 and four
years later he became the pastor of that church at
Henderson. To Mr. and Mrs. King l as been
granted a fine family of ten clildren, all but one of
whom are still living and a number of them are
already filling positions of usefulness and responsibility. They are namely: Amelia R., wife of S.
Conklin, of Oakland County; Emily S., wife of
Albert Grow, of Saginaw, Mich.; Theodosia;
Fannie; Hattie, Mrs. Edwin Morris; Aurelius;
Jennie; Henry A., died August 28, 1871; Addie,
and Ellsworth.
The subject of this sketch was a Republican in
his political views and vote until 1888 when he becatne a Prohibitionist and lie has ever been a
worker for the political princil)els which lie has
espoused. Ile has been identified with the order
of Odd Fellows for some twenty-five years and lias
held the office of Vice Grand and Noble Grand in
the Lodge at Rochester, Mich. He was also Rel)resentative of the Grand Lodge in 1886 and was
Chaplain of that body in 1887.
The story of the life of the Rev. Mr. King would
be quite incomplete were we to omit therefrom a
record of his military service. In 1864 lie enlisted
in Company G, Third Michigan Infantry and was
First Sergeant therein. The regiment was at once
ordered to Decatur, Ala., and their first engagement
was at Murfreesboro. He was at one time quite ill
and had to be in the hospital for three months. IHe
remained in the service until the close of the war,


and has ever felt an earnest interest in the Grand
Army of the Republic, being commander of the
T. C. Crane Post, No. 128, of Henderson, a position
which he has filled for three years, and is now
Aide-de-Camp on the National Staff with the rank
of Colonel by appointment of the Commander-inChief.
4 ---^- ----
PI F. BREWER. This progressive townsman
and energetic farmer living on section 15,
Hazelton Township, Shiawassee County, is
the son of one of the pioneer settlers of the State
and himself knows what it is to clear as well as cultivate a new farm. His parents were Archibald
C. and Parthena (Pettit) Brewer, natives of New
York State. The father was a painter by trade,
although lie later became a farmer. They were
married in New York State and there resided
until they came to Michigan in 1846. They landed
at Ietroit and first settled in Genesee County on
a farm which the father had partially improved a
year previous.
The first home of the Brewer family after moving to this State was a little log house, and after
they had plaid for moving their goods and the
erecting of their home they had exactly seventyfive cents in money and a team of horses with
which they had come to their new home from
Detroit. The country about was thinly settled.
Mr. Brewer, Sr. bent his energies to improving
this farm and then traded it for eighty acres of
wild land in Flint Township, same county. He
divided the farm and gave the subject of this
sketch forty acres and together they began improving and cultivating. Our subject's mother died
May 3, 1866, having attained the age of sixty-six
years. The father, who was born April 25, 1801,
departed this life in 1880. They were the parents
of seven children, four of whom are now living.
They were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and in politics Mr. Brewer was a strong
Repulblican.
lHe of whom we write was born September 21,
1831, in Livingston County, N. Y., and was fifteen
years of age when his parents came to Michigan.




I




M. L. KING.




PORTRAITr AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


367




Previous to this time he had received a good common school education and afterward it was thought
that he was old enough and capable of taking his
part in the development of the new farm, for wlhich
he proved himself to have sufficient business caplacity, for he conducted his father's business and
managed the work of the farm until he was twentyone years of age. He has always been a farmer
and has always studied to make his farm yield as
much as nature will allow.
Being provided with a home, he invited Miss
Mary Jane Palmer to preside over the domestic
realm. She was a daughter of Amos and Lydia
(Curtis) Palmer, who were both natives of New
York, being there married, after which tlley
removed to Wyoming County, Pa., living on a
farm. Her father died in 1843, after settling in
Genessee County, this State, in 1842. He had
located on a raw farm and was the fathe" of seven
children, three of whom are now living. IMrs.
Brewer's parents were members of the Free Will
Baptist Church. She was born September 5, 1837,
in Wyoming County, Pa., and was only five years
of age when her paients ctne to Michigan. Here
she received a district school education.
After marriage our subject settled on his forty
acres in 1860, after which they removed to his
present farm of eighty acres, about twenty-five
acres of which at the time was  nd(ler cultivation.
Thelre was originally a small log house and a log
barn upon the place. The farm now comprises
eighty acres, sixty-five of it being under cultivation.
Our subject and his estimable wife are the
parents of six children, four of whom are now
living. They are: Elva P., Alice J., Artlhur J.
and Herman A. Those deceased are Emma L. and
Oscar F. The eldest child was born February 3,
1855; Emma L. was born October 27, 1856, and
became thle wife of John Walworth; slie was tlle
mother of four children and died January 23,
1889. Alice J. was born October 11, 1858; sihe
became the wife of Alexander Frasier; she has
four children and her home is in this township.
Oscar was born March 2, 1862, and died the same
month. Arthur J. was born June 22, 1863; he
was married to Sarah A. Porterfield and lives at


Sevart's Creek; lie is the father of three children.
Ilerman A. was born September 12, 1865, and lives
at home. The family are members and efficient
workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of
wlhich denomination Mr. Brewer has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Ile is a member of
the Masonic order and hlas been a member of the
Sclool Board and Postmster of Hazelton Postoffice eight years. Politically  he plrefers the
Republican party, under which lie has been elected
Township Clerk and Treasurer. -le served for
seven years as Township Supervisor. lie is an
advocate of temnlerance and is much interested in
the Prohibition movement. His delicate health
has always been a dr'awback to him in the work
that lie has planned.
M   ARCUS L. KIN(. The owner of the farm
located on section 27, Venice Township,
1 Shiawassee County, is the g(n'lcleman whose
name is seen at the liead of tlii:3 sketch, and
whose portrait appears on the opposite page. I-e is
of good parentage, his father being Ansel King, a
native of New York, a farmer by calling and aI
soldier in the War of 1812.    lis motlle: was
Phlebe (Willis) King, also a native of New York
where she was married and resided until their coming to Aiclligran, in 1827.
On first coming into tlhe State Ansel King settled
witI liis family on a farm in Macomb Counly
where they were pioneers. He purchased the land
directly from  the Government and it was as wild
as it could well be. The human beings that they
most frequently saw were the Indians, and wild
animals prowled around their very door. On locating their tract they were obliged to tear down
four Indian wigwatms to get a site for their log
cabin. They were in very straightened circumstances when they came to thlis State; the father
supported his family by plying his trade, which
was that of a shoemaker, and went about the locality to "whip the cat."
The farm was cleared and many improvements
were made before the death of our subject's father,




368


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


which occurred in 1846, the mother following him
in 1854. They were the parents of eight children,
two of the eight now surviving. In religious
matters they held the view of the optomistic Universalists. In politics the father was a Democrat,
and was appointed to fill several local positions,
being a member of the School Board, Highway
Commissioner and Supervisor. He gave his children as good educational advantages as circumstances would permit. In his day he was a very
hard-working man and what he acquired was accumulated by unflagging effort.
Our subject's father had a local reputation of
being the greatest chopper in the region of Seneca
Lake, N. Y. He accomplished Herculean tasks in
felling the monarchs of the forest, but his championship was declared in a contest, which took
place at one time. The prize offered was $25, and
Ansel King won the money by felling more trees
than his opponent.
Mr. King was born March 25, 1827, in Seneca
County, N. Y., and was only six months of age
when his parents brought him to this State. Ile
grew up in the wilderness and his intimates were
the squirrels, rabbits and birds, which in later years
he declared his power over by killing and preparing
for the larder. He at first had no schooling and
there were but few advantages in that direction
during his early life. He began for himself at the
age of sixteen years since which time he has always
been a farmer.
When Mr. King first started out in life lie hired
out by the day or month on a farm. Thus he continued for a few years and then worked his mother's
farm after the death of his father. In 1850 he
persuaded Sarah Ellen Herrick, a native of New
York, to unite her fate with his. Her natal year
was 1835. He continued to work for other people
until he came to Shiawasse County, in 1863, when
he settled upon the farm which he at present occupies. At that time it bore but few improvements
and their home was for some time a log house, but
gradually he erected all necessary and convenient
buildings and added other improvements. lie now
has eighty acres, seventy of these being under cultivation, and he carries on the work of his farm
himself. Mrs. King passed away from this life De

cember 6, 1890. She was a most excellent woman
and possessed of all the virtues that belong to the
model wife, mother and neighbor. She was a descendant of a good family and was a worthy representative. Although she is passed away her good
works yet live in the memory of those who knew
her and we might justly say of her in the words
of Herrick, "None knew her but to love her; none
named her but to praise."
Mr. King and his wife were the parents of five
children, three of whom are still living: Laura,
the wife of Samuel Shumaker, lives in Grand
Rapids, this State, and is the mother of three
bright children; Ansel took to wife Nettie Blount,
and lives at Flint, they have two children; Cora
May is the only one of the children at home.
In 1862 Mr. King responded to the call of his
country for volunteers and enlisted in Company B,
Twenty-second Michigan Infantry. He went to
Kentucky under Gen. Rosecrans and was taken
sick at Lexington. There he was left in the hospital where he nearly died. Ile was then sent to
Louisville, Ky., for a time, thence to Detroit where
he was honorably discharged in June, 1863, on account of disability. He has never fully recovered
from the effects of the sickness contracted in the
army and is drawing a pension from the United
States Government. Our subject believes in perfect justice to his fellow-men first of all and tries
to live in accordance with the Golden Rule. He
takes an interest in politics, casting his vote with
the Democratic party. He is a temperate man and
always has been, advocating temperance principles
among the youth of the community where he
lives.
_~-.  eC~~f~~


OHN BROOKS, among the business men of
Owosso, is notable as a sterling and energetic man who well deserves especial notice.
He is the manager of the firm of E. M.
Brooks, dealer in coal, lime, cement, and seeds.
They also handle grain of various kinds and also
farm produce. Mr. Brooks is a native of Michigan, having been born in Oakland County, near
Pontiac, August 31, 1836.  His worthy parents,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


369


I


Daniel and Eliza (Harris) Brooks, were both born
near Ovid in Seneca County, N. Y., and their
natal year is the same-1807. They were married
in Seneca County in 1834, they located in Oakland County, Micb., whence after a short sojourn
they returned to New York but after remaining
there a short time removed West again, making
their home in Sangamon County, I11.
Michigan again claimed the attention of l)aniel
and Eliza Brooks, who returned to Oakland County and subsequently located in Shiawassee County,
half a mile west of the city of Owosso, where they
remained until about the time of the death of the
father, which occurred in 1885.   His wife is
still living and is the daughter of George Itarris
of German descent. As the Brooks family is of
Scotch-Irish descent our subject combines the sterling qualities of those three hardy and industrious
nations.
John Brooks took his common-school education
in Oakland County, and began his career upon a
farm quite early, continuing to follow his agriculal pursuits until he reached his twenty-fifth year.
In 1861 he enlisted in the service of his country
in Company l), First Michigan Cavalry, under the
command of Col. Broadlhead. 'This body of troops
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and was
detailed for duty in that part of the country. Mr.
Brooks was discharged on a surgeon's certificate
on account of wounds and disability, in October,
1862, having served for fourteen months.
Returning to Owosso, Mich., he entered tupon
the business of handling stock and keeping a mt:it
market, which he carried on for some three years.
In 1865 he embarked in the mercantile business
in Bay City, and remaining there for four years.
IIe then sold out and returned to Owosso andl
started in the grocery and produce business which
he has followed up to the present time. The firm
handles all kinds of grain and has erected an ele
vator on the track of the Michigan    Centrn l
Railroad, whose capacity is about five thousand
bushels. They also run a woodyard in connection
with the other business and handle tile and ground
feed, also all kinds of coal.
Miss Electa M. Burnett of Bay City, became the
wife of John Brooks, May 14, 1867. This lady is


a native of Maine, and a daughter of Albert Burnett.  Her eldest child, Frank E., is already a partner with his father in the business and Alice B.,
who is at home with her mother, is the congenial
colmpanion and delight of her parents.  She with
her mother has made the beautiful home on Cedar
Street a pleasant social resort for all their neighbors and friends. Mr. Brooks is the owner of two
good brick business houses which are a credit to
the town. His political views lead him to affiliate
with the Republican party and his public spirit and
enterprise make him a friend to every movement
which will redound to the credit of the city. This
family is pleased to point with honor to one of
their ancestors, Gen. David Brooks, whose historical record is a subject of just pride.
a   4. w...  _


\-4 RANK F. II()YER, I). D. S., a popular
dentist of Owosso, Shiawassee County,
Mich., is like many of thl best citizens of
this section, a native of the Empire State, being
born in Royallon, Niagara County, N. Y., April
15, 1857. His parents, Benjamin and Malinda
(Dyseninger) Htoyer, were for years residents of
New York and the mother was a native of that
State, her mother being a native of Pennsylvania
and her father of Germany. The fatller of our
subject was also of German birth and came to this
country many years ago. He followed the calling
of agriculture througlout life and is still living and
with his worthy wife now resides at Shelby, Orleans
County, N. Y.
Of the five children of this intelligent couple
four are sons and one a daughter and the Doctor
is the third in order of birth.  He prepared for
college at Medina, N. Y. and then entered tlhe
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking his
diploma in the department of dentistry in 1880.
He then opened an office and commenced his
practice at Corunna. In 1888 he moved to Owosso
where lie established hi'mself in business, having
his office supplied with all the latest and best appliances known to the profession.
The young dentist in 1890 took a step of gront




370


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


importance to his happiness and future prosperity.
It was his union in marriage with Mallie Mitchell
the accomplished daughter of the late James
Mitchell of Ann Arbor. Dr. IHover is a member
of Corunna Lodge F. & A. M. and of Corunna
Chapter R. A. M. and also of Corunna Commandery, No. 21 K. T. HIe is an ardent Republican in his political views and is deeply interested in the prosperity of his party. The happy home
of this pleasant young couple is at 435 East Oliver
Street.
UGUST HL. AMOS, JR., a farmer residing
on section 13, Rush Township, Shiawassee
County, was born in Germany, March 27,
1853.  His father, who bore the same
name, was born in 1810 and was a farmer in Mraemsheim, Wurtemberg, Germany. He was educated
in the common schools of that Empire and started
out for himself when he reached the age of twentyone. About the year 1838 he married Louise
Seiglow, who was born in 1812, in the same place
as himself. They came to America in 1853 and
after passing one year in Buffalo came to Genesee
County, Mich., remaining there until 1860 at which
time they came to New Haven Township, Shiawassee County and from  there to Rush Township,
where they bought forty acres on section 34. -He
remained there until his death. He was an earnest
and efficient member of the Methodist Church.
Our subject had the usual common school education and started out for himself when only
thirteen years old. He worked on farms for about
two years and then went into the lumber woods
where he labored for seven years. In 1872 he
bought one hundred and twenty acres, going into
this enterprise in connection with two brothers.
In 1874 they built a house upon their farm and
two years later one of the brothers sold out his
interest to the other two.
The marriage of August Amos, Jr., to Emma
Horn, was solemnized in 1876. Mrs. Amos is a
daughter of Solomon and Mary Jane (Bowers)
Horn. Mr. and Mrs. Horn were from Ashland
County, Ohio and had nine children, four sons and


five daughters, of whom Emma is the fifth child
and third daughter, having been born January 20,
1830.
The house where Mr. and Mrs. Amos now make
their home was built by them in 1882 and in 1884
they removed to Owosso, where Mr. Amos was in
the employ of D. M. Estey, in the furniture business. Two and one-half years later he returned to
the farm, but still owns some property in Owosso.
The home farm contains seventy-five acres and it
is all in fine shape. Mrs. Amos is an earnest and
active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and her huesband is a supporter of it though not a
member. He is earnestly interested in the welfare
of the farming community and belongs to tile
Patrons of Industmry. He is a Democrat in his
political views and has been unusually successful
in business.
The attention of the reader is invited to a view
of the pleasant homestead of MNr. Amos, presented
in connection with this biographical notice. The
cosy residence and commodlious b)rn are among tile
finest in the community, while the many implovements apparent on tie place make it an ornament
to the township.
- --— ^~.>N^<*- -^s —~G    EORGE     E. KITTLE. One of the most
pleasant rural homes in Clinton County,
is pleasantly situated on section 26, Watertown Township, and comprises one hundred and
sixty acres of fertile land. Under the skilled management of Mr. Kittle the earth is made to yield
bountiful harvests, and thrift is apparent in every
detail of the farm work. The place is the property
of Alexander B. Kittle, father of our subject, who
resides with him. The various cereals are raised
here, while a large barn, one of the best in the
neighborhood, is used to store the products of the
estate. The family residence is a two-story frame
structure, with neat porticoes, and a large lawn. On
one side a neat driveway leads past the dwelling,
while on the other, beautiful trees throw a pleasant
shadow on the green grass.
The paternal grandparents of Mr. Kittle were




_77-     1.  I - I. , -l'.,-.  -     -,                                                                   -, I       -         -. 17,. -.   l —.,.l-:-'l..'l..-;-   -   — l'...


jj-J


RESiDENCE OF GEORGE E. KITTLE)53EC.R6.)WATEFHT0WN TP.,CLINTON GO.,MAICH.




-4
-    7                     7,      .... '.                                                                                                       -.    ;            -.,     ---
Wl —,-,,, 7.   -                    7,-7,77                ".,       -. 77 —,, - 7-7;                         -,            ......   -'.                 -,  -I,                                                                    -, ---,-..   -, —  ".;                 Z-,','-              -              


i'l




II


RESIDENCE OF AUGUST H.- AMOS $ SEC.13., RU5H TF.,5HIAWA.55EE CO-,MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


373


Dow and Mary (Becker) Kittle, natives of the State
of New York. The former who was a miller by
trade, was drowned, and his son, Alexander B., was
thus left fatherless and early thrown upon his own
resources. When ten years old he was hired out
at farm  work, and after working on a farm three
years, learned the trade of a tailor, at which he
served an apprenticeship of seven years. -Ie then
started out in life for himself, and for nearly forty
years worked at his trade. His birth occurred
September 26, 1812, and he was accordingly in his
early manhood when he was married, October 8,
1835, to Mary Ann Barringer. This estimable
lady was born December 10, 1813, in Dutchess
County, N. Y., and was tile daughter of Jacob W.
Barringer.
Six children were born to the larents of our
subject, and the following is a brief record of
them: William Dow was born May 6, 1828, married Nora McCollough, and now lives in Indianapolis, Ind.; Mary Jane, who was born April 20, 1840,
married E. L. Wrtight, and to them were born two
children: William  H., who is married and has a
daughter, Nellie N.; Nellie M.; Sarah C., born
August 31, 1843, is the wife of William Warner
and resides in Cleveland, Ohio; Julia F., born
March 20, 1846, married Artemus Baldwin, who
served as a Captain in the Civil War and was accidentally killed through the discharge of a gun. To
them was born a daughter, Jessie; Eleanor, born
April 12, 1849, is the wife of Capt. Stephen Chilton, resides in Lansing, and is the mother of two
children Georgie K., and Hattie D.
In 1853 the father of this family came to AMichigan, and after making some preparations for the
reception of his family, sent for his wife and children, who made the journey in safety. The trip
was a tedious and difficult one, as they were compelled to cross the Detroit River on the ice and
endure other hardships incident to travel in those
earlier years. George E., the subject of this sketch
is the youngest in his father's household, and was
born July 22, 1851. He passed the days of his
boyhood and youth in aiding his father at home,
and gaining such an education as was possible in
the common schools of the district.
Upon reaching man's estate our subject estab

lished domestic ties of his own, and was married
to Eliza Barber, a native of the Buckeye State.
The union was blest by the birth of three children,
viz: Gerty, born October 28, 1881; Robert I).,
December 13, 1883, and Alexander B., July 31,
1888. Mir. Kittle is a prominent member of the
Farmers' Alliance and his good wife is a consistent
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Alfred Moshcr, who helped to clear the present farm
of the heavy timber and improve the same, still
remains a member of the family circle.
A view of Mr. Kittle's homestead appears on another page of this volume.
N NI)IREW    J. PATTERSON was born at
Ladd's Corners, Monroe County, N. Y.,
A May 31, 1833. His father, Robert Patterson, was a native of Pennsylvania, having
been born in Little York and died in 1885 at the
age of seventy-eight. For many years lie conductedl
a popular hotel. Our subject's mother was Ann
Eddy; she was also born at Little York, Pa., from
which she removed to Monroe County, N. Y.,
where for many years her parents kept an hotel at
Ladd's Corners, on tie Ridge Road. In 1844 Mr.
Patterson's father removed to the West witli his
family and located at Lapeer, this Stare, where he
kept an hotel for a year. lie also owned two farms
on one of which his decease took place. lie filled
the office of Township Treasurer, also County
Treasurer.
Of the seven children that were the result of the
union of our subject's parents Andrew J. was the
sixth. He was eleven years of age when his parents came to the West and twenty-three when they
removed to Lapeer.  Iis childhood years until he
reached the age of fourteen were occupied in the
usual devotion to his studies, wlen he entered a
printing office in order to learn that business. He
worked up in the trade until lie became partner
of the firm which published the Lapeer Democrat.
After selling out his share in the paper lie went to
Saginaw where he was employed on the Saginaw
Enterprise. Continuing there but a short time he




374


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




-


returned to Lapeer where he remained a twelvemonth and in the spring of 1855 he went to Brockport, N. Y. Here he remained one summer, during which he took the important step of uniting
himself in marriage to Miss Nancy A. Greswold,
of Brockport.
Returning to Lapeer with his bride Mr. Patterson
spent the following winter and spring in work on
the local paper, when an opening was found in Toledo, Ohio, for his talent. Here he did most acceptable work on the Toledo Blade. So many young
men are attracted to Chicago that it is not surprising that our subject should hope to find a good
field in which to work and he was successful in
getting on the Chicago Times under Storey. He
remained on this paper until August, 1856, when
lhe returned to Saginaw and resumed work on the
Enterprise. He returned to that place at the request of the proprietor of that paper in order to
set up in type the tax list of four counties for that
journal.
On the completion of this undertaking our subject came to Owasso, Shiawassee County, in tie fall
of 1856. HIe was employed by E. Gould who was
publishing the Owasso American where he remained
for two years. June 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Michigan Infantry, Col. Terry commanding the regiment, which was assigned to duty
on the Potomac. Ile was discharged in 1862 on
account of disabilities. Returning to Owosso he
began the publication of what was known as the
Corunna Journal, which he continued until its
sale to Mr. Ingersoll.  He remained in Owosso
until the fall of the year 1863, when he went
to work in the office of Lyon Hanchett on the
Owosso Press, and was foreman of the paper until
June, 1864. At this time he was commissioned
Captain of Company E, of the Twenty-ninth Infantry and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, remaining with the regiment until it was
mustered out in September, 1865, when he returned home after the war and engaged in general
merchandising for six years. In April, 1871, he
became proprietor of the National Hotel. Shortly
after be purchased the property, rebuilding and
adding to the original house until it is hardly
recognizable. He carried on the hotel until May,


I
I


7,


I


1891, when he leased the property. Everything that
he has undertaken has been successful. He has
built three good brick business houses for which
he finds a ready rent. He still owns the entire
property. He has four children, three sonis and
one daughter. His eldest son is Charles..; the
next is Arthur D; the daughter, Carrie A,is now
the wife of J. Turbush, a merchant of Owosso;
Frederick R. is still at home.
Mr. Patterson was City Clerk for eleven years
in Owosso and Alderman for the Fourth Ward for
two years, Marshal one year and Mayor one year.
He is a member of Owosso Lodge No. 81, F. & A. M.,
Charter member of Lodge No. 89, R. A. M., also
First Commander of Quackenbush Post No. 205,
G. A. R. Politically, he has always been a Democrat.
( u ON. JAMES M. GOODELL is well known
h))) even outside of his public position as a lronL  inent attorney and old settler of Corunna.
lie is a man of delightful social qualities
and broad and liberal public spirit, and is most highly respected by the community. He was born at LeRoy, N. Y., and is the son of George W. Goodell,
who was born June 10, 1815, in Sudbury, Rutland
County, Vt. The grandfather. Jacob, was a native
of Massachusetts who came with his parents to
Vermont when a young man. His father was also
named Jacob, and he took part in the Revolutionary War from beginning to end, from Bunker Hill
to the Siege of Yorktown, being most of the time
an aid to Gen. Washington. IIe was in almost
every prominent engagement and lived till 1828,
when his days ended in Vermont. The Goodell
family is of English descent and the name was
formerly spelled Goodail.
The grandfather of our subject was a merchant,
farmer and manufacturer of lumber before the W:lr
of 1812. He and several others invested their all
in lumber, which they rafted to Quebec just before
the declaration of war. It was seized by the El,,g
lish Government and these unfortunate specul:Ltt s
were thus reduced to poverty. Mr. Goodell then entered the army and took part in the battle of Plattt



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


375


burg. He remained in Vermont until his death in
1820. When George Goodell was eighteen years old
he left Rutland County, Vt., and came to Rochester,
N. Y., where he engaged in farming and mechanical work. He then went to Le Roy and engaged
in collecting and work in that line. lie studied
medicine at Bergen and became a physician but did
not practice. In 1855 he came to Michigan and
made his home in Corunna.
About a year and a half after coming to Corunna,
Mr. George Goodell was elected Register of Deeds of
Shiawassee County. For two years, beginning in
1856, he was in the drug business, from which he retired and busied himself in the insurance and real-estate business. He died in 1885 )ecember 10. IIe was
in his political views, first a Whig then a Republican and in 1878 became a Greenbacker. IHis wife
Celinda D. Chase, was born in Addison County,
Vt., and married the father of our subject in Troy,
N. Y., October 1, 1839. Her father, Abner Chase,
was a Quaker farmer of Vermont. This estimable
and intelligent lady died in Corunna, December 20,
1882. She was highly esteemed in her church relations, being a member of the Baptist Church, and
was mourned alike by her associates and her family.
Four of her children lived to years of maturity,
the oldest one being our subject who was born
October 1, 1841.
When thirteen years of age, James Goodell came
to Michigan traveling by rail to Pontiac, and
thence by stage to Corunna. Attending school in
that village for some time he took a clerkship with
his father in the Register's office. July 8, 1861,
being then in his twentieth year, he began the study
of law with McCurdy & Raynale, and was admitted
to the bar of Michigan at Corunna, September 8,
1863, and began the practice of law right here
where he has made his record from that (lay to
this. In the fall of 1864 both he and his preceptor
Mr. Raynale, were nominated for the office of
County Prosecuting Attorney and Mr. Goodell was
elected. He held the office for two years and after
an interim of two years he was re-elected to another
term. This second time, curiously enough, he was
opposed to and defeated his other old preceptor,
Judge McCurdy.
In 1866, Mr. Raynale and the young lawyer


were again candidates for office; this time for Circuit Court Commissioner,and, again Mr. Goodell led
the van. In 1872 Mr. Goodell was nominated for
the State Senate in the Eighteenth District, which
comprises Shiawassee and Livingston Counties.
He was duly elected on the Republican ticket and
served during the session of 1873 and the extra
session of 1874, which was called together to consider l)roposed amendments to the Constitution.
IHe was at that time the youngest member of the
Senate. He made a good record in his senatorial
office and received the deserved confidence of his
fellow-senators, being placed on several special
committees and serving as Chairman of one.
Mr. Goodell was for eight years consecutively
the Supervisor of the Third Ward in Corunna, and
occupied this office for ten years and all without
once soliciting the position. He was appointed by
the board of Supervisors on the committee which
was to investigate and assist the prosecuting attorney in the matter of the county indebtedness,
which amounted to $40,000. They reduced this
amount some $15,000. During the progress of
this case Mr. Goodell raised the question of compound interest and carried it to the Supreme Court.
This question has never before beeln raised between
the county and State. Ie was Mayor of Corunna
for one term.
James M. Goodell and Helen F. Ilosmer were
married in Corunna, September 5, 1865. This lady
was a native of Watertown, Wis., and a daughter
of George S. Hosmer, a farmer near that city.
They have six children living, in whom they take
a justifiable pride. The eldest daughter, Gertrude
K., is studying vocal music at the Detroit C(onservatory of Music. She has remarkable vocal powers
and her professor esteems her voice as one of the
finest in the State. She married William Hubbell,
of Ypsilanti, June 25, 1891. The next daughter,
Kate C., is an artist here and a member of the firm
of Rhodes & Goodell. George A., was an artist in
the best gallery in Detroit. lIe died August
4, 1891. He was also a student of music. The
four younger children, Eloisa F., Genevieve A.,
Maud C., and James M., Jr. are all members of the
High School in Corunna and all musically inclined,
which talent they inherit from their mother. Mr.




376


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRA PHICAL ALBUM.


Goodell is identified with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arch Masons, although not actively engaged in the work of the
lodge. He is a clarter member of tie Ancient Order of United Workmen. I-e is interested in public affairs but not identified with either political
party. His wife is an honored membet of the Episcopal Church of Corunna.
< --- —— 4:. '.....
OlIN PAINTER, wliose home is situated on
section 34, Venice Township, Shiawassee
County, is a son of John and Sallie (Charlton) 1Painter, the former a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., and the latter a Virginian.
They were married in Pennsylvania and made
their home there until their death.  They were
the parents of twelve children, six of whom are
now living. The Inother died in 1872 and tile
father in 1881.
Our subject had his birth in Stark County, Ohio,
June 24, 1824, and grew to manhood in Pennsyl.
vania. D)uring his youth and early manliood lie
helped his father on tile farm, and did not begin
work for himself until his marriage which occurred.September I1, 1860.  His wife bore the maiden
name of Sarah Anna Tompkins and is a daughter
of Gridley and Lydia (larding) Tompkins. Mr.
Gridley was a native of New York and his wife
was born in Pennsylvania.  They wer e married
in his native State, but after a residence of a few
years there they removed to Pennsylvania, where
he died in 1857. She then came to Michigan and
is now the wife of John B. Baxter and lives in this
township, being now seventy-six years of age.
Mrs. Painter is the only one of her two children
by the first marriage now living, andl was horn
September 21, 1840, in New York State.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Painter settled on
a farm of their dwnI in Pennsylvania and migrated
in 1869 to the Wolverine State, settling upon
eighty acres of land where they now live. It was
then in heavy timber and entirely unbroken but
had upon it a log house. Sixty acres of this has
now been cleared and it was done by the patient


work of Mr. Painter and his sons.  All the improvements which now appear they liave put upon
the farm. Last year they finished the residence at
a cost of $1,000 and carry on mixed farming.
Five children of this household have been called
hence and the four now living are James M. I).,
born January 9, 1867; Jesse F., December 22,
1869; Elisha Elton, May 15, 1879; Lydia, born
January 13, 1862, now the wife of Eugene Simpson and tile mother of three children, rcsiding
at Clayton, Mich. To all of them have been given
a good (istlict school education andl they are earnest and active members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. The father is a Democrat in politics but
the sons are Republican. They were in poor circumrstances when they began life, but have brought
themselves a comfortable fortune by hard work
and economy. They hlave been hardworking people and are not now in robust health, but haive a
good farm, well cleared, and it is all the result of
their own labor. Four of Mr. Painter's brothers
served in the army during the Civil War.
C    IIARLES S. GRACE, a man prominent both
in agricultural and political circles, who re
sides on section 18, Rush Township, Shiawassee County, llad hlis nativity in Albany, N. Y.,
May 31, 1831. His father, William Grace, a native of Newfoundland, born about the year 1769,
went into the Revolutionary Army whien a boy of
twelve years. Hie was a dealer in stone, and later
in life took part in the War of 1812. Lucy Farquerson became lis bride in 1816. This lady was
a member of a noble family of Scotland, being a
daughter of Lord Lewis Farquerson.
William and Lucy Grace had eleven children,
nine daugliters and two sons, of whom our subject
is the youngest. William was largely engaged in
sending  stone, wood and building material to
Albany by way of Eric Canal. His wife had
pro!erty left her by her father, Lord Farquerson
who had become a wholesale tobacconist at Schenectady, N. Y., after coming to tilis country. Lord
Farquerson returned to Scotland before Ilis death,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


377


and Mrs. Grace employed Capt. Walton, Squire
Cole and Squire Bogart to look after the property
in Schenectady. At the time of her death, in 1832,
she left directions for the disposition of her property. She gave papers showing her ownership of
the property to Charles Smith, a Catholic priest of
Albany, N. Y. By neglect in some way the property was never turned over to the heirs, and no account was made of it. Our subject was then a
babe, and was placed in an orphan asylum, but was
taken from  that institution by his aunt, Lucy
Fitzgerald, of New York.
Charles Grace, when but a small boy, was sent to
Sandusky, Ohio, to live with his sister, Margaret
(Grace) McCarty. He remained there until 1847,
when lie started out for himself, and in 1856 came
to Saginaw, Mich., and bought eighty acres there.
After making a trip to Chicago and Wisconsin lie
returne(1 to Ohio and in 1861 enlisted in Company
D, Fifty-fourth Olio Zouaves.
Our young soldier went first to Camp Dennison,
Ohio, then to lPa.ducah, lKy., and on to Ft. l)onelson and Shiloh. On May 6, 1862, lie was shot
in the righlt thigh,, andl was sent to Cairo, Ill., and
then to Cincinnati, (O)io, to the hospital. In 1863
he rejoined the regimenlt at MeA l )llis, and went on
to Vicksbulrg, but returning to AMemiphis was sent
to Tuscumitbia, A1la. IBing unable to proceed with
Sherman in his march to the sea lie was sent back
to Cincinnati, Ohio, and was disc(harged in 1864
at Columbus, Oliio.
Returlling to Michiga:n Mr. Grace traded lis
farm in Saginaw Coun ty fori a farm of one lhundre(d
acres in Rush Township, Shiawassee County, and lins
since bought and sold farms in Shi'lwassCe Coll nty,
and at one time owned twelve hundred acres.  In
1871 he married Mary E. Curtis, of Rush Township,
a dauglhter of William land Eliza (Slocum) Curtis.
They had four sons and three (laulghters, of whom
Mary E. is the second child and oldest (daughter,
being born in 1852.
Into the delightful home of Mr. and    Mrs.
Grace have come six children, their offsplring being
equally divided between sons and daughters. The
daughters are: Anna, Carrie E. and Eliza, and the
sons, Charles A., Lewis W. and Frank L. Mr.
Grace is a consistent and earnest member of the


Christian Church and is a prominent member of
the Grand Army of the Republic, being the
Speaker of the T. C. Crane Post, No. 128, of Henderson. His political views have led  him  to
affiliate will- the Republican party, in which he is
an earnest worker and often appears as delegate at
county conventions.
NSLE,1Y A. IUNT. In every town and in
every neighborhood there are one or more
men who aie looked upon as leaders in the
/   community and    whose influence, both
strong and broad, carries weight in every enter)rise and in every movement. 1lappy is it for a
community when these leaders are wise, and regard
r:;ller tlhe good of their fellow-men than their own
aggrandizement. Among such leaders we find tle
subject of this sketch. He is a farmer, residing on
section  15 of Watertown    Township, Clinton
County, where lie has eighty-three acres of fine
land. His farm is stocked with a choice selection
of horses and cattle, also a flock of as fine registered
Merino sheep and as well-bred as any in the State
of Micligan,and upon it may be found an att:active and commodious farm house andl excellent
farn buildlings, such as are needed for the successful carrying on of agriculture.
Our subject is the son of Nelson and Mary (Conradl) tunt, btlh natives of New York, who1 came
to Oakland County, Mici., in 1836. There tile
subject of this sketch was born, his natal day having been June 3, 1839. lie received his practical
trainilng on the home farm and received a district
school education to which was added one term at
the DeWitt Iigh School. IHe worked for his
father until twenty-two years of age, and was of
great assistance upon tile farm.
Tle event in his life which had most influence in
securing his happiness and his prosperity as well,
was his marriage, August 21, 1861, to Phlebe 0.
Cronkite. This lady is a daughter of Samuel W.
and Berthier Cronkite, natives of New York, who
came to Micligan at an early day. This marriage
has been a very happy one and has been crowned




378


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-i --- —_-.....___ :: ----^- -1 --- —— ...


_


I


by the birth of three children, Lettie E., who is
married to Walter Saxton and makes her home in
Watertown Township, and M. L. and F. A., who
are both single and reside at home.
In political matters Mr. Hunt is a Republican
and has been honored by his party by being placed
in a number of official positions. He has been
Township Clerk for three years and is at present
the Supervisor of Watertown Township, which
office he has held for five terms. He is a member
of Wacousta Lodge, No. 259, A. F. & A. M., in
which he has served as Senior Deacon and is now
Junior Warden. He is also a member of the Patrons of HIusbandry and is ever alive to the interests of the farming community. The father of our
subject is of German extraction. He resides on
section 15, where he has a fine farm, but is not
able to be very active in its cultivation, as he is in
feeble health.
JESSE E. STONE, who began life for himself with no capital except twenty-five
cents and his own enterprise, earnestness
and energy, has won for himself a place in
the respect of his fellow citizens of Duplain Township, Clinton County, as well as a reputation as
one of the brave veterans of the late Civil War. I-e
was born in the township where he now resides,
July 13, 1842, and is a son of Elijah J. and Laura
A. (Watkins) Stone. His father was born at Corn.
well, Vt., and his mother first saw the light in
Batavia, N. Y.
The early home was upon a farm and the boy
was faithfully instructed in the duties of farm life
by his father. The family removed to Michigan,
making the new home in Calhoun County in 1835,
but came to Clinton County in February, 1841.
Here the father lived until June 20, 1887 when he
was called from  earth. His son cherishes as a
worthy memento of this parent the commission as
second Lieutenant of Infantry which was given his
father by the Governor of Michigan in 1839.
The subject of this brief sketch had few advantages for education and was able to attend even the




common schools only a part of the year. He went
to school in the winter but assisted upon the farm
during the summer, and our subject attended two
term of select school. He remained with ]iis
parents till he reached his majority but made his
own living from the time he was seventeen years
old. He began life with twenty-five cents and the
suit of clothes which his parents had provided for
him and went to Livingston County where he
worked out upon a farm, receiving in exchange
for his labor the small wages which were then paid
to a farm hand.
A patriotic desire to serve the country of his
birth led him into the army, and he enlisted in the
fall of 1863 in Company I, Tenth Michigan
Cavalry, Col. Thaddeus Foote, commanding. This
regiment was sent to Lexington, Ky. and became
a part of the Army of the Cumberland. They
took part in no famous battles but saw smoke many
times in skirmishes and their most severe experience as soldiers was in the hardships which attended their manner of life. Our young hero served
in the army until the close of the War and was
mustered out of service at Memphis, Tenn., on
November 11, 1865.
Returning to Clinton County, Mich., Mr. Stone
resumed farm labor. His marriage took place
about a year later as he was united with Nettie
E. Vantine of Corunna, Mich., November 29, 1866.
Three children crowned this union, namely, Nellie
E. born May 4, 1869, Marcus E., April 30, 1873,
(died in infancy), and Frank E., born March 12,
1876. Both his children are at home with their
parents.   Mr. Stone began at the Colony working land on shares. The Colony was founded by
a company of men from Rochester, N. Y. He
lived there for two years and then went to Olive
Township, where he bought a farm and carried it on
for two years. He then found a purchaser for that
property and in November, 1870, made his home in
Duplain Township, where he has since resided.
The fine place of one hundred and twenty acres
where our subject now lives has about one hundred
acres under cultivation. A fine orchard marks the
enterprise of this gentleman as do other substantial improvements, including a large barn and other
buildings which mark the hand of a prosperous and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


379




systematic farmer. In politics he is a Republican
but has never sought office any kind, preferring the
quiet avocations of farm life to the public arena.
He is a breeder of Poland-China hogs and Merino
sheep, of which he has an excellent flock, and in
which he takes a great interest. He gives his attention largely to raising wheat, oats and corn, and
has a good trade in celery during the season when
that vegetable is in the market. He is deeply interested in the promotion of good schools as well
as other movements for the best welfare of the
community.
ON. NEWTON H. BAKER, who was born
in Wayne County, N. Y., on the 25th of
July, 1833, is a prominent and honored
citizen of St. John's.  His father came
from New York to Michigan early in the '50s but
his family did not remove West until after the war.
H-e made his home in Detroit most of the time and
spent a season in Minnesota. He was a member of
the Baptist Church for many years and died in
1888 at Lansing. While living in New York he
filled various offices of trust and while there followed farming as his avocation and also owned at
one time four sawmills, two being run by steam and
two being watermills. He was quite an extensive
manufacturer of lumber. His wife, Phoebe Foster,
a native of New York, is still living at the very
advanced age of four-score years and six. She has
been a communicant in the Baptist Church for
many years and trained her eight children in the
faith and practice of the Christian religion. Only
six of them are now living.
Mr. Baker, our subject, was brought up on a
farm, and attended the district school when a child.
When a little older he had the privilege of attending during the winter and was busy upon the farm
during the farming season. IHe remained at home
several years after becoming of age and followed
the nursery business a number of years before
coming to Michigan. It was in 1867 when he made
his home in Bengal Township, Clinton County,


Mich., where he purchased land on section 21.
This was all an unbroken forest and he had a heavy
task before him of subduing the wilderness and
putting the land into a condition for agriculture.
After making a clearing he built a frame house
and established his home.
In 1863 Mr. Baker took to himself a wife in the
person of Miss Emily Carlton, of New York. Two
children have resulted from this union: Belle married William Kearney who was killed by a train of
cars in Battle Creek, November 22, 1890; they
have one child-Ralph N. Minnie is still at home.
Mr. Baker is fully identified with the Democratic
party in his political views and is a representative
man among the members of that party. The first
offices which he was called to fill were those of Supervisor and Justice of the Peace. He was sent as
a Representative to the Michigan State Legislature,
serving from 1877 to 1879. While there he was
placed upon the Committees of Horticulture, Agriculture, and Religious and Benevolent Societies.
Hle has been identified with the Masonic order since
1863 and is a useful member of the Ancient Order
of United Workman, and was a charter member of
the Bengal Grange. His one hundred acres of arable
land has been put out in its present fine condition
by his own hand. He started with limited means
and has been prospered to an unusual degree and
his elegant home and fine barn, and the orderly
and systematic condition of everything upon his
farm attest to his good management and excellence
as a farmer.


—:w-^..^^^^^^.^. —


"OHN    J. KEISER. Among the prominent
citizens of Clinton County who are to be
represented in this ALBUM is Mr. Keiser
formerly County Clerk. In his public capacity he discharged his duties in an efficient manner and gave general satisfaction, and as a private
citizen he is well known and popular, particularly
among farmers and old soldiers, as his life has
brought him in close contact with them. He is the
owner and ocWcpant of a well-improved farm on
section 10, Greenbush Township, consisting of one




380


PORTRAIT AND J310GRAPHICAL ALBUM.


8I


hundred and ninety acres of land which under his
management is the source of an excellent income.
This farm has been his home since 1872, at which
time lie came from the State of Ohio. He is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in
Tuscarawas County, October 24, 1841.
Mr. Keiscr, as his name indicates, is of German
ancestry and it is found upon inquiry that his
great-grandparents in both lines were emigrants
from the Fatherland. His direct progenitors were
Joseph and Susannah (Harman) Keiser, the one a
native of Stark and the other of Harrison County,
Ohio. They reared a.family of six children, John
J. being the eldest son; there is one daughter older
than he. His brothers and sisters are: Lydia, wife
of J. J. Strouse, living in Greenbush Township;
Noah, a resident of Fulton County, Ohio; Samuel,
whose home is Gratiot County, this State; Jacob, a
resident of Greenbush Townsllip, and Susannah,wife
of Franklin G onter, living in Tuscarawas County,
Ohio. John was reared to manhood in his county
and from his boyhood has been engaged in farminig. His education was obtained in the public
schools and he added to the advantages they afforded by reading and personal observation, thus
keeping well up with the times in his knowledge
of general topics.
August 14, 1862, Mr. Keiser enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio Inantry, and became an integral part of the Army of
the Potomac. HTe served under different generals
and took part in a number of the most important
battles of the war, together with a large number of
skirmishes and the usual marches and camp duties.
In the list of battles are Martinsburg, Harper's
Ferry, Locust Grove, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and
Cedar Creek. At the last named Mr. Keiser was
wounded, but not seriously. He was honorably
discharged July 2, 1865, as Orderly Sergeant and
returning to his native State laid aside the arms
and accoutrements of a soldier and took up again
the implements of a farmer.
During the month of October, 1866, Mr. Keiser
was married to Miss Sarah A. Biddle, daughter of
George and Mahalah Biddle, botlP of whom are
deceased. The children born of this union are:


Edward, a graduate of Ypsilanti Normal School
and now engaged in teaching; Clara, wife of
Charles Houk, living in Mason County; Addison
A., who is reading law witl Messrs. Norton &
Brunson, attorneys in St. John's; and Almeda and
Elda who are at home.
In politics Mr. Keiser is a Republican. Besides
serving as County Clerk two years, 1881-82, he
has been Township Supervisor four terms, Justice
of the Peace seven years and Township School
Inspector several years.  Ie resigned his position
as Justice to accept the county clerkship. He is
connected with the Masonic order at Eureka and is
a member of J. Wagner Post, No. 217, G. A. R.,
in the same town. His religious home is in the
Evangelical Association in that village, and he is
found taking a part in various enterprises which
will benefit the community and add to the prosperity of the people of this section. lie his a
beautiful home and the worldly goods he has accumulated by industlry and economy suffice to place
him far above want.., _. ffAs


USTIN    E. RICHARDS, a prominent lawyer who was recently elected to the position of Circuit Court Commissioner of
Shiawassce County, is a native of that
county, having been born in New Haven Township, April 14, 1861, just about the the time when
the first gun was fired at Ft. Sumter. His father,
William, was born in Nottinghamshire, England,
and came with his parents to America when a little
lad of six years, making the journey in 1832. The
family located on a farm in Saline, Washtenaw
County, Mich., and engaged in farming.   The
grandfather had been a jeweler and watch-maker
in England and the father had learned the cooper's
trade. He spent some time in Saginaw County,
and then located in Maple Grove and resided there
for a couple of years before coining to New Haven
Township in Sliawassee County. Here he bought
uncultivated land and proceeded to improve it. In
1865 he removed to Burns Township and purchased an improved farm of four hundred acres.




~~0




EMORY B. VOORHEES.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


383


I I


He was a prosperous man and carried on a barrel
factory in Washtenaw County and at the same
time speculated in lands. He lived to be only fortyfive years old, his death taking place in 1871. He
was a pillar in the church, being active as ClassLeader in the Methodist Episcopal connection. His
political affiliations were first with the Whigs and
afterward with the Republicans.
The mother of our subject was Maria, daughter
of Abraham Smith, both natives of Livingston
County, N. Y. The grandfather was an early settler in Washtenaw County, where he carried on
farming, although he had been a wagon-maker in
New York. He died in Saginaw County where he
liad been living for some years. His wife also died
in that county. The brother and sister of our
subject are Frank, a farmer in Burns Township,
this county, and Elma, now Mrs. C. E. Brewster,
of Grand Traverse County.
After attending the district schools in Burns
Township young Richards studied in the Byron
graded schools and then attended the Corunna High
School. When eighteen years old he took charge
of the home farm and operated three hundred
acres, one hundred of which were his own. I-e had
an earnest desire to study law and before lie was
twenty-one years old began its study evenings,
making good progress, although he was working
hard through the day. He took instruction from
Judge McCurdy, and in 1884 rented out his farm
and locating in the village of Byron began the
practice of law, being admitted to the Michigan
bar at Corunna in December, 1887. The fall of
1890 saw him raised by the votes of his fellowcitizens to the position of Circuit Court Commissioner and on New Year's Day 1891, he took
charge of the duties of that office, in connection
with which he also carries on a general practice.
Our subject was married at Byron, May 24, 1888,
to Miss Inez Gibbs, a native of Cahokia, Ill., who
had spent her girlhood in Michigan. One child
has blessed this union-Hugh McCurdy. In 1885
Mr. Richards had become Supervisor of the township, and in 1890 lie was made Chairman of the
County Board, and was Justice of the Peace therefor four years, being elected to that office when only
twenty-one years old. He is greatly interested in


the question of an old debt, a State claim, which
has been for years hanging over the township. He
is identified with the Masonic order, having attained the degree of Knight Templar. He is not a
party man but is independent in his political ideas.
lis wife holds an honored and responsible position
as an active member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
MORY B. VOORHEES, now engaged in bus
iness in Ovid, is the only Democratic can.
didate for the State Legislature who has
ever secured the suffrages of the people of this district. He was sent to the capital in 1885 and made
a good record as a law-maker, thus adding to the
reputation he already enjoyed as one who was capable of working well for the public. In various
minor offices he has demonstrated his ability and
good judgment and in business circles he is spoken
of as a man of honor and tact. In August, 1889,
he removed to the village near which lie had previously been carrying on a farm and opened up in
trade as a dealer in furniture, musical instruments
and undertaker's goods. While giving close attention to his business, he oversees the farm and derives a satisfactory income from his land, while his
latter enterprise is growing in a most pleasing way.
Mr. Voorhees belongs to a family well known in
Clinton County, his parents having located here in
1840. His father, John Voorhees, was born in New
York and married Caroline Jennings, a native of
Connecticut. He located in Washtenaw County,
this State, during its early settlement and came
thence to Clinton County and made his home in
Ovid Township. Here our subject was born, Octoler 22. 1853. Hle was reared on the homestead,
which is located three miles south of the town of
Ovid, and his educational advantages were limited
to the common schools, his studies being completed
in the high school of the town in which he now
lives. When of age he began his life work on the
homestead and remained there, as before stated,
until quite recently. He still carries on there the
breeding of Hambletonian horses and keeps a good




384


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- - —  -


stock of cattle, sheep and hogs. The highest price
that has been paid in this county for a home-bred
horse was probably received by him for a Hambletonian three-year-old, which brought $1,000.
During the year 1889 he sold $2,200 worth of
horses bred on his estate.
For the comforts with which his home is abundantly supplied and the happiness of his domestic
life Mr. Voorhees is indebted to a lady of fine character, intelligence and skill who was formerly
known as Miss S. Ella Slocum. She became his
wife October 22, 1879, and their home is brightened by the presence of four children: Mabel E.,
born November 19, 1880; Mary C., February 26,
1886; Grace D., February 28, 1888; and Ruth S.,
May 19, 1801. The little girls are being carefully
instructed, not only in matters of the intellect but
in graces of character and bearing, and their increase in knowledge and true politeness gratifies
their parents greatly. Mrs. Voorhees is a daugh.
ter of George W. Slocum, a farmer of Middlebury
Townshil-, Shiawassee County.
In 1884 Mr. Voorhees was Supervisor of Ovid
Township and at various times he occupied other
stations. lHe was President of the village one
term and has aided in advancing the cause of education bly his connection with school offices. For
ten years he was Secretary of the Ovid Union Fair
Association, during which period it prospered and
the Fairs proved a success. Husband and wife belong to the Methodist-Episcopal Church and are
highly esteemed for their fine characters, cultured
minds and social natures.
In connection with this brief biographical notice
a lithographic portrait of Mr. Voorhees is presented
to our readers.
I   ARVEY W. CARRINGTON, a prominent
and progressive citizen of Greenbush Township, Clinton County, and one of the brave
veterans of the Civil War, is a native of
Medina County, Ohio, where he was born September 10, 1838. He is a son of Elisha and Charlotte
Carrington and his grandfather, Fletcher, on his


mother's side, was a soldier in the War of 1812.
When only seven years old he was sadly bereaved
by the death of both his parents, and thus lie was
early thrown upon his own resources. He then went
to live witl his grandfather, Fletcher, where he remained until the death of that old gentleman when
our subject was about fifteen years old, and he was
thus indeed thrown upon the world.  His educational advantages were naturally quite limited and
he has had to educate himself by reading, since lie
attained to manhood.  After the death of his
grandfather he began to learn the blacksmith's
trade and after following it a year and a half took
up the business of a traveling salesman for awhile.
The needs of our country in her time of distress
appealed strongly to this homeless young man who
indeed had no one to leave behind him, and he enlisted in May, 1861, in Company C, Twenty-third
Ohio Infantry, under Colonel, afterward President Hayes and under the generalship of Rosecrans. H-e was also at one time in Gen. McClelland's command.   He fought in the battles of
South Mountain, Md., and at Aatietam and in
other minor engagements. His honorable discharge
was granted him July 3, 1864, after which lie returnedl to Ohio, making his headquarters at Berea
and going out as salesman for a wooden ware and
grindstone company and worked for them a number of years.
It was 1866 wlen Mr. Carrington came to Michigan and made his home in St. John's and while
there was on and off the road at various times. He
was married in 1865 to Mary G. Beebe. She became the mother of two children and both mother
and children have passed from earth. His second
marriage wascontracted with Rose B. Sharpneck
and to her were given three children, Mabel R.,
Minnie A. and Paul.
For several years our subject engaged in the
mercantile business at St. John's, handling dry
goods almost exclusively. The firm  bore the
title of W. Bundy & Co.  He removed to his
farm  in Greenbush Township in the spring of
1886  and   here  he owns eighty   acres  of
land.   tie sympathizes with the Republican
party in its views of public policy and casts
his vote in its interest. He is public spirited and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


385


~_gLiPI~-LI ----~ --- - - --- —----
I  --- —— ___________________-________


=


wide-awake to promote the interests of the township. While living at St. John's he served two
terms as a member of the Town Council.  He is a
member of the Masonic order and is connected
with many social movements which look to the
betterment of society.
------    ^   ^      -----
OL. GEORGE COLT, one of the prominent
business men of Owosso, Shiawassee County,
Mich., is a native of Pittsfield, Berkshire
County, Mass., where he was born May, 10, 1807.
His father, James D., was also a native of Massachusetts and lived to the ripe old age of ninetyfour years. His father. James I). Colt was of English descent. The mother of our subject, Sarah
(Root) Colt, a native of Massachusetts, was a
daughter of Ezekiel Root and died on the farm on
which she was born.
Our subject is one of seven children in his
parental home and his boyhood was passed in Pittsfield, Mass. After attending a course of instruction in the Pittsfield Academy lie went South in
1828 and became a planter in Florida and later
went to Cuba in the winter of 1836 where he purchased a coffee plantation which he managed successfully for seven years.  Returning to Florida he
engaged in cutting timber for the Government for
shipbuilding after which he went to New York City
and took up the manufacture of chemicals.
Five years later in September, 1853, Mr. Colt
removed to Michigan and located for a time in
Shiawassee Township, where he carried on a flouring-mill and a sawmill, until his flouring-mill
burned. After this disaster he rebuilt and after a
short time sold out this business and removed to
Owosso in 1875 where lie has lived a somewhat retired life, although he gives himself partial occupation by conducting a fire insurance business.
Col. Colt has been twice married. His first
matrimonial alliance was solemnized in 1834. By
this marriage with Leonora, daughter of Judge
Phillip Fatio, of Florida, lie had five children, four
of whom are living, namely, Fatio an attorney at
Bay City; Leonora widow of Rev. J. W. Capen, of


I.


I-     - ~  I- - - - - I- - - - - -


Binghamton, N. Y. Julia F., the wife of Oliver
Bronson, of New York and Louisa who is unmarried. His second wife was Elizabeth S. Kimball a
native of Ohio and daughter of Moses Kimball
Esq., of Normal, Ohio. By this marriage there are
two children, Georgia and Henry Dutton.
The subject of this sketch has held the office of
City Treasurer and City Clerk. He is a stanch
Democrat, casting his first Presidential vote for
Gen. Jackson, and was appointed Collector of the
Port at St. Marks by Van Buren, b)ut refused to
accept the position. Both he and his excellent wife
are devout members of the Episcopal Church.
They have a beautiful residence on Water Street
where they dispense hospitality to their numerous
friends. While in the South he engaged in the
Seminole War and was in command of a force
of soldiers. While living in the South he received
the title of Colonel which friends still enjoy
bestowing upon him.
O   RSON G. SUGDEN      who   owns the farm
( on section 21, Shiawassee Township, Shiawnssee County, was born in Commerce, Oakl.and County, this State, August 22, 1848. His
l)arents were George and Anna (Reeves) Sugden.
The former was born in Hartford, Conrp and the
latter in New York and (lied when her son was but
four years old. 'The parents were married in Oakland County, this State. In 1856 George Sugden,
the father of our subject, settled in Shiawassee
County and took for his second wife Mary A. Price,
who died two months before him. His death occurring in March, 1865. Of the two children
which came to this family our subject is the elder.
Clarles died in December, 1877. Before his death
lie lived on the old homestead. He left a widow
who married again, her name now being Mrs. Alfred Jackson. The father settled on the farm,
which his son at present occupies, in 1856.
It then comprised eighty acres of land, forty of
which were improved. The father was Supervisor
of the township for several terms and filled this
position at the time of his death. Our subject and




386


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC~HIAL ALBUM.II


38                                  PORTRiT              AND_         BIO.R          PiCA                        M _ _ _ _ _ _. _  _ _....
-                                                                        --   - -  -—,   -,  —,-   -   - -  -  -,   -- -,,   "   -   -   -  -   -----  -   -- -   - - -  --- --- — ~~ -


his brother lived on the farm from the time of their
father's death until that of Charles occurred. For
a time our subject's grandfather, Thomas Sugden,.
made his home with Orson's family, for two or
three years.
The original of our sketch was married at the age
of twenty-one years to Miss Cornelia Aber, of Sciota
'ownship. Her death occurred February 15, 1882.
He was married a second time, October 10, 1883,
to Miss Lena D. Hendee, a sister of Mrs. W. H.
Phelps. She was born in Vernon, Shiawassee
Couuty, February 22, 1862. Two children grace
the home of our subject. They are Claude W.
who was born July 27, 1877, and Edward Eral,
born October 1, 1889.
Our subject is a Republican in politics. He
served for two years as Township Treasurer, his
term closing April, 1891. Itis farm comprises one
hundred acres upon which are buildings in very
good condition. His dwelling is comfortable and
commodious and bears many evidences of taste
and culture. lie has one barn upon his place the
dimensions of which are 38x60 feet and another
18x64 feet. His farm is well irrigated and drained.
Ils barn and stock sheds are supplied with water
from  a reservoir which is filled by a wind engine.
The attention that Mr. Sugden has paid to the surroundings of his house show that lie is a lover of
order and progress and that he also appreciates the
value which appearances lend to a home.
NSON B. CHIPMAN, one of the first act1 ual settlers of Owosso, Shiawassee County,
and the oldest living settler now in the
rd     city, was born in Addison County, Vt., at
the foot of the Green Mountains December 27,
1812. His father, William Chipman, a native of
Vermont, was a son of Jesse Chipman, a soldier in
the Revolutionary War, who was with Gen. Montgomery at the fall of Quebec. The ancestors of
this family were of English stock.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Ada Miner, and was a daughter of Richard
Miner; they were both natives of Connecticut, and


descendants of the old Puritan stock. They were
the parents of a large family of children, only two
of whom are now living: Isaac A., and our subject.
Anson B. Chipman passed his boyhood and spent
his youth with his father at Malone, N. Y. He
attended school mostly in Malone, and worked
also with his father in making spinning wheels. In
1832 lie came to Michigan and spent the summer, and
in the fall returned home. In the spring of 1833,
he returned with a team to Michigan and towed a
boat through the Welland Canal.
In 1837 Anson B. Chipman removed to Shiawassee County, this State, locating in the woods. Here
he started a shop and set up a lathe turning a few
years after assisted by his father. In 1838 he entered into the hotel business which was the first in
Owosso, located on the corner of Washington and
Main Streets; it was subsequently burned and was
on the site of Sau [bury's block. He kept no liquors
and carried- on the business for three years. In
1847 lie removed to his present farm which comprises some hundred and twenty acres, a part of
which was covered with heavy timber of the best
maple and oak trees.  -Ie now turned his attention
to farming, and after thoroughly clearing his farm
platted a portion of it which was adjacent to the
city and south of the county road, and sold out ten
acres of his land in lots, which at the present time
are well covered with homes.
Mr. Chipman has been twice married. His first
wife to whom he was wedded in 1835, was Miss
Mary Shattuck, near Ypsilanti. She died in 1839.
His second marriage took place in 1841, when he
was united with Miss Mary Pratt of Ypsilanti. She
was a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and is the
fourth child of Samuel and Lucy (Hitchcock)
Pratt. Five children have been granted to this
worthy couple, Adah and George deceased; Richard E.; Linilie, deceased, and Emma the wife of
John S. Hoyt. Politically our subject is a stanch
Democrat, and he cast his first Presidential vote for
Andrew Jackson. In 1848 he was County Judge,
and has filled a number of offices, Mayor of the city
and Supervisor of the township, also Town Clerk
and Township Treasurer, being now Superintendent of the Poor which responsible office he has
held for thirty-seven years. He has also been Jus



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


387


tice of the Peace for fourteen years, has been Notary Public forty years, was Major in the Militia.
Both he and his noble wife are earnest and efficient
members of the Congregational Church. He is a
member of Owosso Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M.,
also of the Owosso Chapter No. 89, R. A. M.. in
which lie held the office of High Priest, and was for
many years a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in this orgonization passed all of the chairs. His pleasant home
stands at the corner of West Main and Chipman
Streets, which latter avenue is named for this honored citizen.
O — *^@=h ---~L  *
ALTER R. SEYMOUR, decease(]. This
worthy man, a former resident of New
v  Haven Township, Shiawassee County, was
born in New York, February 17, 1813. Ile took
advantage of a common-school education and began at an early age to support himself and before
he reached lis majority came west to try his fortunes in a new country.  lie came to Livingston
County in 1832, and after working there for a few
years removed about 1836 to Shiawassee County,
buying a farm  of eighty acres, some three miles
north of Corunna. lie cleared twenty acres and
was there about four years.
In 1837 Mr. Seymour was joined in marriage
with Nancy Ann Finley, a daughter of Lewis and
Lucy (Rice) Finley, natives of New York, wiho
came to Michigan in 1835, and settled where
Owosso now stands, building the first house upon
that section. He bought one hundred and sixty
acres and lived there for several years, but afterward purchased the whole of section 18, in New
laven Township, and removed to New Haven
about the year 1844 and remained there until his
death which occurred four years later.
Mr. and Mrs. Finley were the parents of eleven
children, of wlom Nancy Ann was the second in
order of birth, her natal day being July 6, 1817.
The first shelter which Mr. Finley erected for himself upon his new llome was a very unique and
primitive structure. lie drove stakes into the


ered this enclosure and hung blankets around the
sides and hiere lie lived for a week, while he built
his log house on the banks of the Sliawassee River,
on the land which is now known as the Ingersol
farm. This log house which was the first built in
tlhat section, had the roof of bark from the basswood, and the floor was of split logs. A trip of
sixty miles to Pontiac was necessary to reach a
mill or a market. Mrs. Finley who was an earnest
and conscientious member of the Baptist Church,
(lied in New Haven in 1877. Her husband held
some local offices and was an earnest and active
Democrat.
Mr. and Mrs. Seymour settled on their farm on
section 18, New Haven Township on a tract of
eighty acres which had been given to the lady by
her father. They had a little log house 18x20 feet
with just enough cleared for the liouse an(1 yard,
and their nearest neighbors were two miles distant.
Tlhey cleared off the timber and cultivated the
land, and in 1850 added to it by purchasing twenty-four acres on the same section. Mr. Seymour
was an adherent of the I)emocratic party, and for
several years filled the office of Higlway Commissioner. Seven clildren were granted to them,
namely: Aaron Lewis who is in California; Lucy
L.; Mary L.; Edward L., and George Richard,
deceased; William  Walter, and S.ophia A. Mr.
Seymour died in the prime of life in 1865. tlis
widow lives in a nodest home ulpon a sightly hill
overlooking the Shiawassee River and lle village
of West Haven, and she is alike beloved and respected by a laige circle of friends and acquaintances.,    HARLES M. MERRILL, of the law firm of
Fedewa & Merrill, is one of the most prominent attorneys in the county. He was
born in Chatham, Medina County, Ohio, and is a
son of Floyd Merrill, a native of St. Lawrence
County, N. Y. The grandfather, Richard, was a
New Hampshire man of no little note, being a classmate of Daniel Webster at Dartmouth College and
a civil engineer and land surveyor of ability.
While in business at New York City he was sent by


ground, and taking to pieces a wagon box he cov



388


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


II-` - -
- ----------


a syndicate to St. Louis to survey lands. He made
his home later in St. Lawrence County, N. Y.
wbere he was a successful farmer and owned a fine
property about twenty miles from the city of Ogdensburg.
The father of our subject was reared in New
York and was there married. In 1844 he removed
to Ohio where he was successful in managing a fine
farm. In 1867 he sold this property and journeyed
to Clinton County, this State by team. He purchased a farm adjoining the village of St. John's
and made his home within the village, while he
carried on the farm. I-e had eighty acres of improved land which is now owned by his son. He
was a strong Republican in his political views and
in Ohio filled the position of Township Trustee.
His wife, Margaret Campbell, a native of New
York City, was a daughter of James Campbell,
whose father was a Scotchman and became an
Orangeman. lie was closely allied to tile noble
family which represents the Campbell clan. lie
spent his days in New York City after coming to
this country and his son the grandfather of our
subject came West ant located in Michigan.
Of the four children of the parental family our
subject was the third, being born January 25, 1853.
His early training was given him in the district
schools and on the farm in Medina County, Ohio.
It was in 1867 when he came to this county. lie
attended the Union School at St. John's until coimpelled by necessity to suspend his studies. When
eighteen years old he went to Lenawee County and
engaged in surveying on the railroad for the
Chicago and Canada Southern Railroad.
In 1874 the young surveyor adopted the law as
his chosen profession and entered that department
of the University of Michigan. After a two years
course he graduated in 1876 in the Centennial Class
with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He located
at St. John's and practiced for a short time with O.
L. Spaulding. He then went in with Anthony
Cook for two years. After practicing alone for
awhile he entered into partnership with Mr. Fedewa, January 1, 1891. In 1880 he served as
Supervisor of the township for two years, and has
acted as Justice of tihe Peace for eight years. Being
elected Prosecuting Attorney he entered upon his


duties January 1, 1887, and being re-elected the
following year he continued in that office till the
beginning of 1891. He has a most excellent law
practice in this city and is also somewhat interested
in real-estate, owning about eighty acres in Bingham Township
This gentleman took upon himself the responsibilities of married life in 1880, being then united
at St. John's with Miss Laura J. Joslen, a native of
Stueben County, Ind., and daughter of Dr. O. C.
Joslen, a prominent physician and early settler
there. Dr. Joslen died in St. John's in 1886. Five
beautiful children have come to bless this happy
and congenial union, namely: Oliver; Charles AI.,
Jr.; Robert J.; Margaret J. and Treva. Mr. Merriil was for two years Village Trustee. He is a
true blue Republican and is often made a delegate
to county and State conventions. He is identified
with several of the social orders, being a Knight
Templar, and Odd Fellow, a member of the Ancient
Order of United Workmen, of which he is a charter
memnler here. He is the local representative of
the Odd Fellows in the Grand Lodge. The firm
of Fedewa & Merrill is as well-known through the
county as any firm of attorneys, and our subject
compares well in character, culture and refinement
with any of the citizens of Clinton County.
G    EORGE WARNER, JR., a well-known and
respected farmer, residing on section 19,
New Haven Township, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in May, 1843. His father, George
Warner, Sri., received the usual education of a
German boy, and pursued the avocation of a
farmer. He was also a native of Wittenberg, and
was born in 1801. In 1823 he was joined in marriage with Fredericka Rummel, who was born in
the same place in 1807. Our subject is the fifth
child in their little group of three daughters and
three sons.
George Warner, Sr., came to America in 1845,
and settled in Auglaize County, Ohio, where he
bought a farm of forty acres, upon which he re



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


389


=


mained until his death in 1852. Ilis wife survived
him for several years and passed away il 1864.
He was a Democrat in his political belief, and he
and his worthy companion were devout Lutherans
in religion. Very meager opportunities of education were furnished to their son George, as it was
early necessary for him to undertake his own support.
The young man purchased some town property
in Wapakoneta, Ohio, in 1862. lie had learned
the trade of cabinet-making, and purchased a half
interest in a shop at Perrysburg. In 1870 be came
to New Haven, Mici., and worked for about two
years, and then going to Saginaw became employed
in the car shops there, and later came to where he
now lives and bought one hundred and twenty acres
on section 19.
'rie lady whom Mr. Warner chose for his companion through life was Clara Hart, a (laughter of
Lewis and Cordelia (Seymour) Iart, who were
among tile very earliest settlers of New Haven
and ranked high among the pioneers of Shi:awissee
County. Lewis Hart was born in 1816, and Cordelia Seymour in 1821. They were both natives
of New York and came to Michigan wlen they
were children, reaching the Wolverine State about
the year 1830. To both of them was given a
good common school education, and they were
united in marriage February 21, 1841. They had
nine children, four sons and five daughters, and.
their family became one of the most influential in
Shiawassee County. Their daughter Clara was
born September 17, 1854, and became the wife of
George Warner in 1874. Mrs. Warner's fatter
was alternately Supervisor and Treasurer of New
Iaven Township for a number of years. tier
father died April 5, 1868, but her motller srllvived until November 1, 1886. Whlel they first
came to New Haven their nearest neighlor was
three miles distant. They hlad to go to Pontiac to
mill, and on one occasion their ox-team became so
badly mired that they were obliged to leave one
ox in the mud until the next morning when tley
returned to extriecte it. In those days the bears
would come to the pen and carry off their hogs.
To Mr, and Mrs. Warner have been granted six
oright and promising children. They are by name


I


I


I


Clayton, Kittie, Wallnita, Dora, Iva tand Donald.
The parents are both members of the order of the
Patrons of Industry, and Mrs. Warner has been
the President of that society at West Haven. She
is a woman of more than ordinary ability, having
a fine mind and a commanding preselce. Mr.
Warner is a Democrat in his political views, but
does not care for office, preferring to confine his
activities to the culture of his farm, in which he is
truly successful.
ARON IHUFF. The sons of pioneers take
an earnest and just pride in recalling the
experiences of their parents when  they
first came to thle new West. Tile hard.
ships and trials then patiently and bravely encountered, the difficulties overcame and thie grand success achieved hlelpcd to mold, not only the cliaracter
of the parents but to stamp upon the children an
impress which can never wear away. They are
more earnest, more true-hearted and more perserving because of what their parents have undergone.
The father of Aaron I-uff, was one of these plioneers. His name was John M. HIuff and he was
born in Seneca County, N. Y. in the Township of
Ovid in 1794. IIe took part in the War of 1812
as a fifer and came to Michiigan in 1889, locating
ulpon section twenty-three, Vernon Township, Sliiawasace Coulty, not far ftom where his son now
lives. There were no improvements at all on the
place and lie cut logs to make his own home, and
put the place in good condition for agriculture.
This earnest pioneer was a Whig in politics, and
held the office of Justice of the Peace for four
years. lie was a constant and active member of
the Presbyterian Chllurch an(l acte(l as D)eacon in
that body while living in New York.  lis father,
Nichols Huff a native of New Jersey, is also a
patriot and bore to his last days a wound received
in the right knee during the Revolutionary War.
ihe lived to be over ninety years of age. The
family is originally from Holland.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name




390


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-- ' --- --- —--


I


of Sarah Sutphen and was born in New Jersey, June
15, 1790. She lived until July 8, 1858. She was
married to the father of onr. subject in Seneca
County, N. Y., July 9, 1812. They were the parents of ten children, four of whom still survive.
Aaron Huff was born in Ovid Township, Seneca
County N. Y., March 6, 1821, and there remained
until he reached the age of eighteen years, taking
his schooling in his new home. He assisted his
father on the farm and came at the age of eighteen
with his parents to Michigan and did genuine
yeoman work in clearing the forest and subduing
the soil.
The first marriage of Aaron IHuff took place
September 6, 1848, his wife being Phoebe Wyckoff,
whose mother died when Pltebe was two years
old. She was a native of the same township as himself where she was born in January, 1828. One
daughter blessed this union, Marion Elizabetll, who
is married to Samuel Sayre and lives in Alcona
County. Mrs. Huff herself died April 24, 1851, at
the age of twenty-three years. Our subject married a second time February 8,1852, taking to wife
Elizabeth Cole, a, native of Pennsylvania, who was
born in Harrison Township, Potter County, this
State, August 23, 1832. She came with her pi)arents, Joseph and Elizaheth (Wickes) Cole to
Michigan when an infant of only one year. Mr.
and Mrs. Cole were natives of New York who cane
to Michigan in the old Territorial days and ma(le
their first home in Kensington Township, Oakland
County, thence removing to Livingston County,
where the mother now resides, having reached the
age of eighty-five years. The father died at the
age of seventy-eight.
Mr. and Mrs. Huff are the parents of five children, three daughters and two sons, namely:
Phoebe M., the wife of Thomas Peck; Charlie
narried Hattie B. Dell; Minnie, the wife of Alexander Peck; Alida, the wife of Leander Peck; and
Rolla. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Peck have three
daughter —Cora, Hazel and Nellie. Charlie Huff
has one daughter Merlie. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander
Peck have one son and one daughter; Roy alnd
Lelah. Mr. and Mrs. Leander Peck have one son
and one daughter-Eddie S. and Ivah.
The subject of this sketch located where he now


I


I


resides when he first came to Michigan and found
upon the place a log house. He at once went to
work to clear away the forest trees and set out orchards, putting up fences and necessary outbuildings. He had at one time one hundred and ten
acres but has sold about thirty acres of this and
has his farm mostly under cultivation. He has
always been a Republican in his views but now
votes the Prohibition ticket. Mrs. Huff belonged
to a family of eight children, four sons and four
daughters, all but one of whom are still living.
MSr. Huff has retired mostly from active work and
allows his son Rolla who resides with him to carry
on the farm.
n ORMAN COWLES, a representative agriculturist of Essex Township, Clinton County, was born February 10, 1835, in Macomb
County, Mich. lie is the son of Chester and Eliza
(Curtiss) Cowles, both of whom were natives of
New York. His paternal great-grandfather was one
of the Revolutionary heroes in whose record his
descendants take great pride. Chester Cowles was
an early settler of Macomb County, this State, to
wlich place lie came in the territorial days, taking
up land from the Government in 1832.
Our subject received his early education in the
district schools of the pioneer times, which,
although they did not offer great advantages, may
yet be favorably compared with the schools of today in the earnestness of both teacher and pupils.
Ile has been a life long reader and has given himself a supplementary education, which fitted him
for usefulness and enabled him to attain a position
of influence in the community.
In 1853 young Cowles made a trip to California,
going by way of Nicaragua and being thirty-one
days in reaching his destination. There he engaged in gold mining and was fairly successful.
After one year and a half in the mines, he returned
to Michigan, making the trip by way of Panama.
Since his return lie has devoted himself entirely to
farming. Iis marriage with Emily Rice took place
April 18, 1860. This intelligent and amiable lady
was born in Macomb County, this State, April 28,






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RE31DENCE O FNORMAN GOWLE5, S EC5. 1. 2. ESSEX TP., CLINTO N CO. M ICH..~,:Aj~:,:.                                          -i:-...
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R]ESIDEC OF      N  OMA C OWES E'..2,,S PLNO OICH
[;~a~;Y
j~i;


RESIDENCE OF PERRY SHEPARD, SEC.18., EAGLE TF, CLINTON CO.,MICH.




0
I k I
0.
I
lp




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


393


I


1834, and is a daughter of John and Mary Robinson Rice, natives of Maine. Her parents emigrated to Macomb County, this State, in the old
Territorial days, settling in the woods and buying
land from the Government in 1833, during Jackson's administration. There they resided during
the remainder of their days.
To Mr. and Mrs Cowles have been born five
beautiful and interesting children, who have all
lived to years of maturity. They are: Carrie,
(Mrs. Joseph Blemaster) Charles, Burt, Austin and
Ralph. In the spring of 1882 our subject removed
with his family from Macomb County to Clinton
County, making his new home in Essex Township
where he now resides. He owns a fine farm of two
hundred and fifteen acres of excellent land, well improved and highly cultivated, and in a word, one
of the best farms in Clinton. He is a public spirited citizen and actively promotes all efforts for the
elevation of the social and industrial condition of
the farming community. His judgment endorses
the principles of the Republican party and lie is a
member of the Farmers' Club of Essex County,
which he now is serving as President. fie is prominently identified with the Ancient Order of United
Workmen at Maple Rapids, and Mrs. Cowles is an
active and efficient member of the Congregational
Church. Both are honored members of society
and do much to elevate its standard and encourage
all good works. On another page of this volume
appears a lithographic view of the comfortable residence of Mr. Cowles, witli its rural surroundings.
M    ORRIS OSBURN. Prominent in commercial circles and well known among business
men as a bright financier and a thorough
manager, is the gentleman whose name
heads this paragraph. He is a man of quiet manner and considerable reserve, but a clear thinker
and prompt to act. He has accumulated an excellent property, and is a thorough business man. He
was born in Meadville, Pa., on January 31, 1838,
and is the eldest son of John and Jane (Morris)
Osburn. He passed his school days in his native


home, attending first the ward schools and afterward the academy. He then entered his father's
store, thus gaining useful experience in mercantile
affairs.
In 1856 the subject of this sketch came to l'ontiac, Mich., and spent the winter, after which he
came to Owosso, and, buying a small store, put il
a stock of goods. Soon after his coming here his
father joined him, and he went into company with
him and a younger brother. They also took an
interest in pine timber lands in Saginaw County,
running three sawmills under the firm name of
Gould, Osburn & Co. The firm did a large business in the way of manufacturing lumber and continued in existence until 1877, when the Osburls
sold out their interest to other parties and made
Owosso their permanent home, at the same time retaining their interest in the mercantile establishment at that place.
Mr. Morris Osburn helped to organize the First
National Bank at Owosso, and was-made Vice-President, a position which he held for twenty years,
after which the charter of the institution ran out
and it was changed to a private bank. lie was
also one of the principal men in incorporating the
Owosso Woolen Mills, and also the Secretary of
the company of French, Osburn & Knill, which
continued in existence until the mills burned.
They were, however, immediately rebuilt, but
burned a second time, and were again rebuilt, but
the business was closed up in 1871.
Mr. Osburn continued to hold his interest in the
firm of Osburn & Sons until 1884, when lie sold
out and turned his attention to general farming
and stock-raising. His fine farm of two hundred
and forty acres is well improved and finely stocked
with sheep and cattle and a good grade of draft
horses.
The great event of Mr. Osburn's life was his
marriage, in 1860, to Miss Mary Gould, a daughter
of the late HIon. Amos Gould. This lady was born
in New York State, near Auburn, and her union
with our subject has been blessed by the birth of
three sons-Harry G., who is a resident of Chicago,
and Morris and Joe, who are still at home. Mr.
Osburn has been Supervisor at large in Shiawassee
County, and is now serving his second term in that




394


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


office. He is also Secretary of the Water Board,
and his political convictions are in accordance with
the Republican party. His attractive and handsome residence at No. 418 Oliver Street is pleasantly situated and is the center of a genial social
life.


~~~-a-~3f~~~3~ -010-+0 daM-~-IS


OSEPH HANKEY, a prominent farmer and
stock-raiser, residing on section 3, Greenbush Township, Clinton County, is a native
of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born
September 22, 1834. John and Pauline Hankey,
his parents, gave him a fair education in his native
language and in the branches which are taught in
the Goverment schools of that country. In his
early manhood he spent some time in a blacksmith
and machine shop.
The young man emigrated to America in 1851,
taking passage at Ilavre, France, in a sail vessel,
which, after an ocean voyage of forty-two days,
landed him in New York City. He went on at
once to Rochester in that State, and there worked
in a blacksmith and machine shop for about two
years, and then came to Wayne County, N. Y.,
where he engaged as a farm hand for a number of
years. While living there he was married to Caroline Spat, a native of Germany.
Nine children have been granted to Mr. and Mrs.
Hankey.   They are: Mary, now    the wife of
David Gilson; Catherine, William, John, Elizabeth, Charles, Franklin, Edward and Anna. Mr.
Hankey came to Clinton, Mich., in the fall of 1859,
and settled on his present farm in Greenbush
Township. He has one hundred and sixty acres in
his home farm, besides one hundred and twenty in
another tract in Gratiot County. He has greatly
improved his land, having done a vast amount of
pioneer work upon it, and has brought to its present high state of cultivation.  -le began with very
little, and has by his own exertions attained to his
present state of prosperity.
Mr. Hankey is fairly well informed in the English language, and matters of public interest, having exerted himself to this end ever since coming


to this country, and, being public spirited, he has
desired to understand our national institutions,
and has allied himself politically with the Republican party. He is an active promoter of all movements looking to the welfare of the community
and general prosperity. He is one of the leading
and representative German-American citizens in
Greenbush Township, and his excellent character
and success in life give him a strong influence
with his fellow-countrymen. He has given considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, having
upon his farm some fine specimens of 11olstein
cattle and horses of fine breeds. His beautiful
home and broad and fertile farm with its well-kept
barns and outbuildings attest not only to his prosperity, but also to his industry and good management. He is well and favorably known for his
honesty and industrious habits, and commands the
confidence of the business community.
EORGE H. SOWLE. It is a pleasure to
record the successes of those who have applied themselves diligently Lo an honorable
calling, and this pleasure is increased when the subject represents a family worthy of respect and useful in its part of the world. For these reasons we
are glad to be able to present to our readers some
account of the scenes that have transpired in the
life of the gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs, and who is now a thriving farmer of
Essex Township, Clinton County. Although for
some years past the years have been gliding by unmarked by any strange event, he has not bee n
without a share in the dangerous and thrilling experiences of which human existence is capable.
Our subject is the son of a pioneer of 1834, his
father having located in Clinton County at tl:it
time and having been one of the first to secure
Government land in Essex Township. He camxl
here on foot from Lenawee County, and selected:t
location in a part that was the home of 1niny
Indians and the haunt of deer, wolves and Ibt:li-.
It was in the center of the township, although no
organization had yet been made and no roads laid




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


395




out. Prior to coming here James Sowle had been
working in Lenawee and other counties in the
vicinity of Detroit, and he had put up the first
flouring mill in the City of the Straits, one run by
water power. He was born in Dutchess County, N.
Y., in 1806, and came to Detroit a few months before he became of age. Until he came to Clinton
he worked at his trade, that of a carpenter, but
after selecting a location here he cleared and improved a farm and devoted himself principally to
agricultural work. In 1884 he removed to section
15, where he spent the few years that remained to
him of earth life.  -le died in 1888 in his eightythird year.
James Sowle belonged to a military company
and was a regular attendant at the exercises of
training day. He was the first Highway Colmmissioner elected in Essex Township and laid out the
first roads. Hle served at various times as Supervisor, Treasurer and Clerk, and stood high in the
estimation of everyone who knew him. IIe was a
counselor and friend of the red men, who often
called upon him for advice in the settlement of
their difficulties. His home was open to all travelers or those who intended to settle in this or neighboring counties, and all were made welcome under
his roof. lie was a member of the Baptist Church,
and for many years held the office of Deacon. His
first wife, the mother of our subject, bore the
maiden name of Lucy Nestle, was born in New
York and was the mother of nine children, but two
of whom survive. She breathed her last in 1848
and Mr. Sowle subsequently made a second marriage, which was blessed by the birth of five children.
The subject of this sketch was born in the township that is now his home, December 25, 1844, and
was reared on the old Sowle homestead. Hlis first
attendance at school was in a log shanty six miles
from  home, on the site of what is now known as
Richard D. Caruss Corners. His second school
was in a part of his father's dwelling, and after a
time a district was organized and a log schoolhouse
built. There were but four or five white children
in the district, the others being Indians. Like
other lads in farm settlements, he could attend
school only in the winter months, the other seasons


being given up to work on the farm. When the
Civil War broke out young Sowle had not passed
through his teens, but he was desirous of taking uip
arms and aiding in the maintenance of the Republic, and in August, 1862, carried out his wish and
enlisted in the Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry, Col.
Copeland commanding. During the next few
months he participated in many skirmishes, being
present in every engagement in which his regiment
took part. He had the fortune to be present at
several of the most noted battles of the war, including  Wincllester, Cedar Creek, Petersburg,
Trevilian Station and the three days' fight at
Gettysburg. He was one of seventy-one men detailed as escort to Gen. Hooker on his way to Antietam.
At Hartwood Church, in Virginia, July 29, 1863,
Mr. Sowle was taken prisoner, being captured by
Stuart's Cavalry, while out foraging. IHe was
taken to Fitz Hugh Lee's headquarters, at Fredericksburg, thence sent to Libby prison, and three
weeks later removed to Belle Isle, where he was
paroled December 27. After being duly exchanged
he rejoined his regiment at City Point, and subsequently, while engaged in the Shenandoah Valley,
was again captured by the rebels, this time being
one of twenty-two prisoners secured by Mosby's
guerrillas. Not long after, the twenty-two prisonors were drawn up in line under the direction of
the notorious guerrilla chieftain, and slips of paper
having been placed in a hat, they were obliged to
draw therefrom, those who secured pieces marked
with a cross being doomed to death. Seven were
to be hung in retaliation for the hanging of rebels,
and this was the means taken to determine which
should have that fate. Mr. Sowle was the first to
draw and his ticket had the fatal cross upon it.
When the drawing was completed the seven
doomed men were placed in single file, with a rope
tied to the left arm of each and fastened to the
saddle of one of the seventeen mounted rebels
who accompanied them to a point seventeen miles
distant, where they were to meet their fate. Col.
Mosby had decided to go as near Winchester as
possible and leave the hanged men where the
Union forces would find them and read the notice
which would state his reasons for the deed. At




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stated intervals during the march a halt was made
for a slight rest and scouts would be sent forward to see if the way was clear. During these
brief periods the doomed men could communicate with each other in a whisper and the more
daring ones endeavored to plan an escape. Some
of the party were so excited and bewildered that
they were unable to muster courage to make an
attempt, but Mr. Sowle, who was at the head of
the little column, was quite cool, and determined
not to be hung, preferring to be shot if he must
die.
As the doomed party was approaching a strip
of woods and he felt sure that the execution
would not long be delayed, they were ordered to
turn to the right and as they did so passed into
a deep gully, the bottom of which was covered
with dry leaves. Mr. Sowle had ascertained that
the rope could easily be loosened from his arm
and in the noise made by the rustling of the
leaves his slight movement in freeing his arm
was unnoted and he dropped down on the ground.
He was unobserved even by his less fortunate
comrades, and lay flat on the ground while the
guerrillas passed by. The last horseman had
scarcely passed when the Lieutenant ordered a
halt and sent his scouts out to find a suitable
place in which to carry out his fiendish purpose.
Mr. Sowle dared not move, but lay, with his heart
beating fast, during a period that seemed an age,
before the order was given to march. The scouts
returned and reported everything in readiness,
and as the party moved forward he moved in the
opposite direction. It was quite dark, the moon
having disappeared behind a cloud, and in his
flight he ran against a stone wall and was
knocked almost senseless. He lay for a moment
in the bunch of briars and heard the order given
to halt and the oaths uttered by the rebels when
they discovered that the seventh man was missing.
In a moment Mr. Sowle had run farther back
and climbing a tree he remained concealed in the
branches until nearly noon the next day, when
he made his way safely into the Union lines.
Three of his unfortunate comrades were hung and
the other three decided to stand up and be shot.
As tie revolvers were drawn upon them one of


the doomed men struck his foe and made a bold
attempt to escape. Several shots were fired after
him, but none took effect. The other two were
shot and left for dead, but one recovered.
Having passed through this experience in safety,
Mr. Sowle continued his valiant service until tihe
close of the war and participated in the Grand
Review at Washington, after which he was discharged and returned home. In the peaceful calling of a farmer he has been very successful and lie
now has a fine estate of two hundred acres, bearing
good improvements and furnishing large crops, A
No. 1 in quality. The possession of this estate is
the more creditable to Mr. Sowle as he had but
limited means with which to begin his life work,
and he has risen to a position among the prosperous dwellers in the township by the exercise of
sterling qualities and careful habits. His home is
made cozy and attractive by the taste and skill of
the lady who became his wife on June 1, 1866.
She bore the maiden name of Alice Bentley, and
is a native of New York. They have three children,
named, respectively, Byron M., Cortie R. and Orville D.
Mr. Sowle is a Democrat in politics, and, socially,
is connected with the Masonic order, Grange, Patrons of Industry, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Grand Army of the Republic. He has
served as Highway Commissioner several years and
has been an acceptable public servant.  le and
his wife are esteemed as among the useful and
agreeable members of society and their prosperity
is rejoiced in by their friends.
MBROSE AUSTIN, who is widely known
as a successful farmer and bridge builder,
resides on section 7 of Hazelton Township,
M       Shiawassee County, Mich., and is a native
of Tompkins County, N. Y., his natal (lay being
February 12, 1821. His father Sylvester Austin
was a farmer and also a tanner and currier, and
was born in the old Bay State, May 18, 1785. lie
received the rudiments of a common school education and after he had learned trade of a tanner and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


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 --- —-- --------- ----- I --- —--


currier worked at that until the year 1816, when
he purchased one hundred acres in Tompkins
County, N. Y., seventy acres of which was wild
land. He cleared forty-five acres of it and lived
upon it until his demise in July, 1852.
The mother of our subject, who was united in
marriage with Sylvester Austin in 1809, was Sarah
North, a daughter of Oresimus and Jane (Maryhugh) North, natives of New York and parents of
eight children, of whom Sarah was second in order
of birth, her natal day being January 6, 1791.
Sylvester and Saralh Austin made their first home
in Ulster County, N. Y. Nine daughters and one
son came to cheer their home, of whom Ambrose
is the fifth in order of birth. The parents were
earnest and consistent members of the Baptist
Church and Mr. Austin voted the Democratic
ticket but had no aspirations for office. Mrs.
Austin was called from earth in 1851 and her bereaved husband followed her in July the ensuing
year.
Ambrose Austin received the ordinary advantages of the common school and grew up to manhood upon the farm. At the age of twenty-four
he bought a farm of eighty acres in Tioga County,
N. Y.. and having cleared some of the land proceeded to improve it, and lived upon it upon 1849
when he bought eighty acres more and devoted
himself to getting out large quantities of wood,
furnishing ties for the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western Railroad. Mr. Austin remembers that
road when it was a strap-railroad and employed
horses as its motive power. This was in the year
1833 and the first steam engine was put upon this
road about the year 1840.
In 1852 our subject sold his farm of one hundred and sixty acres and removing to Tompkins
County, purchased his father's old homestead of
hundred acres. He had been happily joined in
marriage in 1844 to Sarah Hamilton, a daughter
of Charles Hamilton, a farmer of Tompkins County.
Sarah was born in 1823 and the fifth child in a
family of two sons and five daughters. She became the mother of four sons.
Benjamin Austin the oldest son of Ambrose and
Sarah was born in Tompkins County, N.Y. in 1845
and became a soldier in the Union Army. He en

listed and went to Virginia in 1863, and remained
until the close of the war, guarding the Salt Works
near Charleston, W. Va. After the close of the
war he attended Eastman's Business College at
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He then came to Michigan
and lived with his father until June, 1875 when
he was killed by the kick of a horse. Vincent the
second son was born in 1847 and died in infancy.
Marcellus who was born in 1849 is married and
lives in Iowa. Roland was born in 1851 and died
in Pennsylvania in 1885. The mother of these
sons died in New York in 1853.
After the death of his wife Ambrose Austin sold
his farm and went to Canada and was there till
1866 when he came to Oakland County, Mich.,
and in 1867 bought a farm in Hazelton, Shiawassee
County, and moved on to it in 1868. He cleared
about one half of the sixty-five acres and then sold
the land and purchased where he now lives. His
second marriage occurred in 1864 when he was
happily united with Matilda Battiece of Canada,
where she was born in 1838. By this wife, Ambrose Austin had three daughters and one son,
namely: Emeline, wife of George Brown, of Flint;
May, Mrs. Walter Shuttleworth, of Corunna; and
Cora and Jay who are at home with their parents.
The Republican party claims the warm allegiance
of our subject and he has several times been elected
to the office of Highway Commissioner. His cxpeliences in the lumber regions of New York and
Canada form an interesting part of the record of
his life, and his relation of them is both thrilling
and instructive.
tc    - - _


OHN HICKS, of St. John's, is one of the
most successful men in business in Clinton
County. In proportion to his early start
in life he is probably the most successful,
and by the report of the Assessor only one man in
the county outstrips him in wealth. He is a shrewd
and able business man, very enterprising and of
unnsual intellectual force, and his public spirit has
led him to do many things for the city of his
choice.  He is the oldest merchant in Clinton




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=


County, being engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business, and is also President of St. John's
National Bank.
John Hicks was born in Kingston, West Ontario,
Canada, July 7, 1824. His father, Samuel, was
born in New Jersey, and was the son of John
Hicks, Sr., an Englishman, who was a sea captain and made voyages to the East Indies, and
finally located in New Jersey, where he remained
the rest of his life.  Samuel Hicks was also a
sailor and was for years a captain on the lakes.
He was engaged in the War of 1812. While on
the lakes he had his headquarters in Toronto, and
for years had the contract of carrying the mail
between that city and Kingston. He afterward
made his home in St. Joseph and ran a boat between that point and Chicago. During the McKenzie Rebellion  he was implicated with the
patriots and found it necessary to leave Canada.
He made his home first in Detroit and afterward
in St. Joseph, Mich.
Samuel Hick's wife, Eunice Bailey, was a native
of Connecticut and belonged to a New England
family. She, with her brother, remove(l to Watertown, N. Y., in the early days, and he became a
prominent business man there. Here she married
Samuel Hicks. Her days closed in St. Lawrence
County, N. Y. She brought up her four children
to the faith of the Presbyterian Church. Her
eldest, Andrus, died in St. Lawrence County;
Louisa, now Mrs. Brooks, resides in Cleveland,
Ohio; and Marinda M., now Mrs. Clow, resides at
New Westminster, British Columbia.
The youngest child, our subject, was reared in
Canada. He supplemented his district school education by attendance at Whitney Academy. Here
he began work, first on the farm and afterward as
clerk. In the fall of 1849 he traveled by stage to
Toronto, from there by boat to Queenstown and
Chippewa, and after visiting Buffalo went to Detroit. IHe finally located at DeWitt, this State,
where his uncle, David Sturgis, had a general
store and grist and saw mill, and was at that time
the most prominent man in the county. For a
year the young man kept his uncle's books, and
then, going into partnership with him, bought a
stock of goods and entered into the general mer

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chandise business. After about three years of
this partnership our subject bought out Mr. Sturgis' interest, and that gentleman established a store
in St. John's while Mr. Hicks continued the business at DeWitt. It used to take a week to bring
goods by team from Detroit, and he was obliged to
carry on business according to a sort of barter
system, taking almost everything imaginable in
exchange.
In the fall of 1856 Mr. Hficks disposed of his
business in DeWitt, and coming to St. John's, resumed partnership with his uncle. Two years later
he bought out Mr. Sturgis' interest and continued
alone in general merchandising. About the year
1858 he began buying grain here and shipped
the first grain that went from here in bags and
barrels. In 1860 he built a warehouse and entered more extensively into the grain business,
which he has since carried on continuously. H-e is
the oldest grain merchant in the county and has
all the modern improvements in his elevator, having the largest fans for cleaning his wheat and
shipping more grain than any other man in St.
John's. He is also engaged in the wool business
to some extent, and   has dealt in lands and
lumber. Hle formerly managed two stores in Gratiot County, one at Bridgeville and one at Pompei. For six or seven years he was heavily engaged in buying staves for the Detroit market,
whence they were shipped to Europe. For a number of years he also carried on a fine farm of one
hundred and sixty acres in Essex Township, Clinton County.
The subject of this sketch has been efficient in
building operations. He was Chairman of the
Building Committee that erected the Court House
and jail, and was its most efficient member, and
was also on a similar committee for the construction of the sclloolhouse. HIe has erected two brick
buildings, and he and Mr. R. M. Steel together
built the three-story brick block which is known
by-their name. These gentlemen were engaged in
manufacturing brick and had a yard in St. John's
for many years. For several years he was proprietor and manager of the St. Joseph Foundry and
Agricultural Works. Mr. Hicks came to Clinton
County with only $1,000, and by strict integrity,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


399


the exercise of good judgment, perseverance in
carrying out his plans and by strict attention to
details he has made a success of everything he
has undertaken.
Mr. Hicks was one of the organizers of St.
John's National Bank, is and has been its President since its organization, and one of its largest
stockholders. He is also one 6f the organizers
and a director of the Savings Bank. He is in the
dry-goods and carpet business, and his fine stock
occupies two floors in his extensive store. He has
large real-estate interests in Clinton, Gratiot and
Isabella Counties, Mich. IIe has also an interest
in Florida lands and in an extensive ranch in Nebraska.
The marriage of Mr. Hicks with Eliza A. Huston took place in 1855. This lady is a daughter
of Matthew Huston and granddaughter of Thomas
Huston, both wealthy landowners in County Antrim, Ireland. When the family first came to this
country, in 1818, they located in Vermont and
after awhile went to Burlington.  Mrs. Hick's
father had a fiourishing'shoe factory in Shelburne,
Vt., but met with reverses through signing papers
for a friend. He came to Michigan in 1848, and
finally made his home in Gratiot County, where lie
died in 1856, being highly respected. Mrs. Huston was a Vermont lady, Arabelle Pierce by name,
whose father, Luther, was born in Connecticut.
She still resides with our subject, and although
eighty-three years of age sle possesses a clear
mind and active faculties.
Mrs. Iicks was one of five children and was
born in Shelburne October 13, 1833. After attending common-school, she received her higher
education at a ladies' seminary. Mr. and Mrs.
Hicks have three children. Their eldest, Ida E.,
is now Mrs. Rawson, of Seville, Fla.; John C. is
with his father in business; and Jennie M. is at
home with her parents. They have all had the
best educational advantages which could be afforded them, as the intelligence of their parents
and their warm devotion to family interests have
led them to this wise course. The beautiful residence which Mr. licks erected at a cost of over
$15,000 occupies the most beautiful location in
town. Ile has been for a number of years on the


Village Board, and was active in organizing the
First Methodist Episcopal Church here, being
Chairman of the committee and a Trustee. His
wife is a devoted member of this church and very
active in the ladies' societies. Mr. Hicks has been
Chairynan of the Democratic County Committee.
` 'ELSON FARLEY, one of the most prosperous farmers of Rush Township, Shiawassee
'LcA  County, resides on section 7, where he and
his companionable and excellent wife are enjoying
the comfort which past years of industry and enterprise have earned for them.   Mr. Farley
was horn in Hamilton, Canada, in 1834.   His
fatherf, David Farley, a blacksmith, was born in
County Cork, Ireland, in 1790, and came to Canada nnd bought property in Hamilton.  He was
married about the year 1832 to Ann Persons, a
dauglhter of John and Elizabeth (Denain) Persons.
They had two sons and two daughters of whom
Ann was the youngest. David and' Ann had one
son, our subject. David Farley died in 1837 and
his widow afterward married Dtvidl McManners, a
farmer and a neighbor of theirs, by whom she had
two children.
When our subject was seventeen years old he
started in life for himself at the business of head
sawyer, coming to Michigan in 1858 he worked
for several years in various localities and in 1861
took up a homestead of eighty acres on section 7,
Rush Township. This land was nearly all swamp
or marsh land and is what was known then as the
Beaver Meadows as it had beaver dams in it and
formed the head waters of the south branch of
the Bad River.
In 1861 Nelson Farley took to wife Orilla Linabury, a daughter of John and Cynthia(Alfree)Linabury. They were from Pennsylvania and had
twelve children, of whom Orilla was the eleventh
child and fourth daughter, being born June 6,
1844. Mr. and Mrs. Farley have had one daughter-Ida May, who was born in June, 1862, and
died January 17, 1880.  This loss was a heartbreaking one to her parents, who have never ceased
to mourn for her.




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400PORRAT AD IOGAP HICA ALBU


When a young man, Mr. Farley had earned and
accumulated $1,000 which he had invested, but it
was swept away in the financial crash which followed the close of the Crimean War. He then
started out again for himself, and working eighteen
days in the harvest field, earned $9, which constituted the capital with which he came to Michigan.
Game was very plentiful in those days and he
killed many a deer. He was one of the best shots
in the country and has not by any means lost his
interest in sport nor his skill. He goes each fall to
the North Woods and hunts in the region of Rifle
River. AuSable and AuGrass. Upon many of his
expeditions his wife accompanied him, as she too
enjoys the pleasures of wild life and the delights of
the chase. His fine farm is in a high state of cultivation and shows the hand of a careful farmer.
He is a Prohibitionist in his political views and is
ever on the side of pure morals and a businesslike way of dealing with public questions.
J  OSEPPH SCHIWEIKERT. "A good name is
rather to be chosen than great riches," and
the gentleman of whom we write has chosen
the better part, for though modest and retiring by nature, so honest and upright is he in his
dealings with his fellow-men, that his name is the
synonym for integrity and honor. ITe owns a fine
farm on section 26, Burns Township, Shiawassee
County, and was born in Wurtemburg, Germany,
September 17, 1837. He is the son of Joseph and
Dora Schweikert, who were natives of Germany,
where they lived and died.
Our subject is the second of a family of three
children born to his parents. He was reared in
Germany, where he received his education and such
Iractical instruction as the German system requires
for its children. lie learned the wagonmaker's
trade in his native land, where he worked at it for
some years. In 1855 lie came to America, and as
with many foreigners of superior intelligence, was
specially attracted to a university town. Ile located
at Ann Arbor, where he worked at his trade for
one year. The next few years were spent by him


in service upon farms near Ann Arbor. He continued in this way until the breaking out of the
war, when his zeal was fired by the danger in which
he felt his adopted land was placed. He determined to be one to fight for the liberty of the millions of dark-skinned people of this land, and joined
the army as a private in Company C, First Battalion Fifteen United States Infantry. He served
with this regiment for three years, and was with
the Army of the Cumberland in the Fourteenth
Army Corps, First Brigade and Second Division.
He was in many of the principal engagements.
A man who has been through such experiences
as the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Ky.,
Stone River, Chickamauga, has a story that can be
transcended in interest by but few events in any
history whatsoever. The gentleman of whom  we
write was a participant in all these, and was also in
all the battles of the Georgia campaign, even tile
taking of Atlanta. His term of service expired in
Atlanta, and lie was there honorably discharged,
after which he returned to Michigan. He will ever
wear an honorable badge of his army service in a
wound resulting from a gun-shot at the battle of
Stone River. He escaped the bitter experience of
being taken prisoner, but contracted rheumatism
while in the army, that lie has suffered more or less
from ever since. His honorable service is recognized by the Government by the payment of a penson of $12 per month.
After the war Mr. Schweikert purchased eighty
acres of land in Burns Township, where he now
lives, having since added thirty acres to the original purchase. He has done most of the improvement on this place, and now has a fine farm  with
well-appointed buildings. Our subject has accumulated all that he possesses by his own efforts. Since
the war he has given all his attention to farming.
In politics he is an adherent of the Democratic
platform, thinking that its principles of personal
rights nearest approach the freedom of which we
boast. He is a member of the G. A. R., D. G.
Royce Post, No. 117, of Byron, and enjoys recounting with his comrades the varied experiences of the
years spent in the South.
After coming to America it is most natural that
he should be infatuated by the charms of his fellow




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


403


country-woman, whom he persuaded to help him
in brightening and making cheerful his home and
hearth, and in February 18, 1865, he was married
to Miss Margaret Bawmiller, of Lodi, Washtenaw
County, this State. The gentleman of whom we
write and his estimable wife have had four children, viz: Mary, Clara, Charlie and Fred, all of
whom are living. The husband and wife aie members of the Evangelical Association.
Z     EPHENIAII SEXTON, a well-known resident of Price, Clinton County, was born in
Clarke County, Ohio, May 23, 1839. He was
reared on a farm and took what education he could
get in the log schoolhouses, which were not very
elegantly furnished with slab seats. When a lad of
only seven years he removed to Oakland County,
Mich., and began working out when only twelve
years old at the wages of $2 per month. He continued thus employed for a year and then went to
live with another man for two years. When the
war broke out his patriotism was fired and he enlisted in the army, September 2, 1861.
Our young soldier was a private in Company B,
Second Michigan Infantry, under Col. I. B. Richardson. He took part in the battles of Yorktown,
Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Charles City Crossing,
Malvern Hills, the Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Jackson, Lenore Station, Campbell Station and the siege of Knoxville. When his
time of service expired he re-enlisted and saw active service in the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania
Courthouse and all through that campaign, wintering at Petersburg. He was struck three times but
not badly injured and though he suffered from
sunstroke was never away from his regiment. Ile
was honorably discharged at Detroit in August,
1865.
After the war Mr. Sexton returned to Michigan
and worked at the blacksmith's trade in White
Lake, Oakland County. In 1867 he came to Clinton County and bought land on section 13, Olive
Township. It was all new land and not even a
stick had been cut on this section but he has


cleared his farm and thoroughly improved it, until
it is now one of the finest in this part of the county.
The marriage of Zepheniah Sexton to Mary J.
Doty took place in 1867, in Rose Township, Oakland County. Mrs. Sexton had one child, Carrie,
and died in 1870. Our subject's second marriage
was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1872, and he was
then united with Sarah E. Mann, who died November 17, 1877. She was the mother of two children, both of whom have died. His third marriage took place in February, 1884 and his bride
was Annie Neal, who died in 1886. The one child
to whom she gave birth has also died.
Mr. Sexton is proud to say that his political
record dates from his casting his first vote for
Abraham Lincoln and he has always remained connected with the Republican party. He has filled
several local township offices and is Justice of the
Peace and has also been for some time Highway
Commissioner. He is active as a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic. The pride of his
farm of one hundred and sixty acres is in his fine
stock. He makes a specialty of draft horses and
for a few years back has also bred Percherons, but
now pays more attention to Clydesdale stock. He
has one fine imported horse, "Silver," No. 8990,
who was two years old on May 19. He is a magnificent specimen of the horse and is much admired
by all lovers of that noble animal.
On another page of this volume appears a lithographic portrait of Mr. Sexton.
E    LIJAH  B. WELCH is a prominent groceryman at Byron, and was born in Troy, OakL   land County, this State, November 10, 1840.
Ie is a son of Benjamin and Lucina (Tobey)
Welch, natives of York State. The father came to
Michigan in 1826, when only about thirteen years
of age. He remained in Detroit for several years,
making his home with Maj. Kersley, then Land
Commissioner. Later he went to Troy Township,
Oakland County, where he worked on a farm and
drove a team. About this time he met the lady
who afterward became his wife, and with her he




404


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


continued to live in said county until 1838, when
he settled on a farm in the township of Burns,
Shiawassee County, which he had taken up from
the Government in 1836. This farm comprised
eighty acres of wild land and it is the same that is
now owned by Robert Fox and is the east half of
the southeast quarter of section three, Burns
Township.
Mr. Welch lived on the place above mentioned
two years, when he moved to Lapeer County.
Here he ran a mill for a year or so and then in
1812 moved back to his farm in Shiawassee
County, where he lived until 1865, when he sold
the place and moved to Byron, in which town he
and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, he
passing away in 1867, at the age of fifty-six years;
his wife died in 1852. He was a farmer all his lifetime and one of the men who are such indefatigable workers that they will not spare self and consequently broke down his health by hard work. He
secured a comfortable competence and thus passed
away with his mind at ease about the future of his
family. Like most Northern men, he was a strong
Abolitionist. He was never an office-seeker, but
held some township offices. He was not an educated man, but was intelligent and well read. He
was a member of the Free aild Accepted Masons
and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. The couple had five children, named respectively, Elijah B., Edgar, Dennis, Frank and
Charles. Charles and Dennis are deceased and our
subject is the eldest child.
The gentleman of whom we write was reared in
Burns, Shiawassee County, on the paternal farm and
has spent the whole of his life in the same township.
He enjoyed the advantages of a common-school
education and in the intervals of his school life he
assisted his father with the farm work. At the age
of sixteen years, he began clerking in Byron and
followed that until 1867, when he engaged in business for himself at Byron and has ever since been
in the mercantile business at this place. He started
in life without any aid whatever and has made all
that he now possesses by his own earnest efforts.
In politics Mr. Welch is independent, believing
that the best man for an office is he who is best
fitted for it, irrespective of party. He has been


elected to some township offices. He is a Free and
Accepted Mason, in which body he has attained to
the Third degree. He belongs to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of the
Knights of the Maccabees.
April 15, 1867, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Bradley of Byron, this State,
who was born in Wisconsin. She was a daughter
of Reuben and Sarah (McQueen) Bradley, who are
natives of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Welch
have had three children who are named respectively, Ethelyn, Herbert and Ray B. The two eldest
children are deceased, and Mr. Welch and his wife
lave adopted a daughter who is eighteen years of
age, to whom they have given the name of Edith
and whom they cherish as one of their own.
NDREW     J. EWELL is one of the most
enterprising and progressive farmers of
Clinton County, and resides on section
20, of Eagle Township, where he has
a beautiful farm of one hundred and seventy-three
acres of improved land, which has upon it good
buildings and is in a high state of cultivation. He
is the son of Philander and Lydia A. (Wells)
Ewell, natives of New York, (further reference will
be found in the Oakland County History,) who
came to the Territory of Michigan in 1829, and
settled in Shelby, Macomb County, where the subject of this sketch was born on the 4th of August,
1837. From that date to this he has been a resident
of Michigan. He had the advantages of but a
very limited education in his earlier days, but
when almost a young man he attended the academy
at Disco, Mich. He worked for his father upon
the farm until he reached the age of twenty-two
years.
The 23d of January, 1859, was a great day in the
life of this young man, as he then wedded the one
whom he had won as his bride. Roxana J. Hover,
the accomplished daughter of David and Eliza
(Zacharias) Hover, natives of the States of New
York and Maryland respectively. This lady was
born in Niagara County, N. Y. on the 5th of




PORTRAIT AND BiOGRAPHICAL ALBtM.


405




June, 1838. Her grandfather was one of the men
who manufactured guns for the Revolutionary soldiers, and she recollects hearing him often relate
incidents of the struggle for independence. He
died at the age of sixty-six years and her father
died at the age of sixty-two, her mother living until
she was sixty-six. He- parents came to Michigan
in 1858 and located in Macomb County.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Ewell has been
blessed with three children, two of whom are living.
Clark E., who was born June 27, 1860, resides in
Minneapolis, Minn., and is engaged as book-keeper
in the Pillsbury Mills. He took a course of study
at the Commercial college at Minneapolis. The
second son, George B. McCellan, born December
14, 1864, attended the High School at Portland,
Mich., and makes his home with his parents.
In politics Mr. Ewell is a Jeffersonian Democrat
and takes quite an interest in the principles and
policy of his party. IHe is a member of the Lodge
of the Free and Accepted Masons at Grand Ledge.
Mrs. Ewell is an efficient member of the Baptist
Church of Portland. She is a woman of more than
ordinary ability and understanding of finance.
She owns in her own right a fine tract of land and
is an able and wise counselor to her husband in all
their business affairs. Our subject makes a specialty of raising Slort horn cattle and usually raises
about fifty head of sheep and is raising mostly
wheat and stock.
MMI R. BOSS. This gentleman is carrying on a successful business enterprise in
the village of Fowler, Clinton County,
having an interest in a flouring mill formerly owned by Mr. Bliss. He bought a half-interest in the plant in the fall of 1887, after having
worked there about a twelvemonth. Prior to that
time he had spent a number of years on a farm in
Riley Township, of which he is still the owner.
When he came to this State in 1849 he bought a
tract of eighty acres and a few years later had it
cleared and under cultivation. The entire acreage
was covered with forest trees when he took posses

sion and wolves could often be heard howling
around his rude dwelling. Deer were plentiful and
bears quite numerous, and Indians roamed through
the forest wilds. Mr. Boss added to the extent of
his farm  and now has one hundred and twenty
acres, on which is a complete line of good buildings
put up by himself.
Mr. and Mrs. David Boss, grandparents of our
subject, reared two sons and one daughter and died
in New York. Their son Hiram was born in
Dutchess County, which was the place of his grandfather's birth and when a young man went to Saratoga County. There be married Sarah A. Rodgers and reared a family, named respectively: Sarah
J., A. Roger, Francis M., Joshua B., Mary, John
1., Augusta and Nelson R. The parents died in
Saratoga County. The father had always followed
the trade of a painter. He was a Master Mason
and Mrs. Boss belonged to the Episcopal Church.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs was born in Milton, Saratoga County, N.
Y., November 23, 1827, and when fourteen years
old began to learn the painter's trade with his
father. Prior to that time he had pursued his studies in the common school. When of age he began
working for himself, taking a position in an ax factory, where lie painted tools. In 1849 he came
West and for a few years lived upon his land in
Clinton County, then spent eighteen months in his
native State and returned to the farm to remain
until some time after the death of his wife, which
occurred in April, 1855. His companion, to whom
he was married in Ballston Spa, N. Y., bore the
maiden name of Sarah S. Pratt and to them the following children were born: Edwin H., Henry G.
and Rufus D. The eldest is now in California and
the youngest in Washington, D. C., while the second is living on his father's farm in Riley Township.
Mr. Boss spent a season alone on the farm after
he was bereft of his companion and then returned
again to his native State. In April, 1858, he was
married there to Mrs. Catherine Sherman, nee Woodard, and that year came back to his farm, upon which
he resided until early in 1887. The present Mrs.
Boss was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., October 8, 1832,
and by her marriage to Mr. Sherman she had four




406


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


children, named respectively: Ervin, Georgiana,
Harrison and Ida. Georgiana is deceased. The
sons are living in St. John's and Ida in Fowler.
The parents of Mrs. Boss, David and Mary (Hall)
Woodard, were born in Connecticut and Wayne
County, N. Y., respectively. The mother is still
living in the section in which she was born but the
father is deceased; he was a carpenter by trade.
In New York Mr. Boss was initiated into the
Odd Fellows' order, but he has no connection with
the lodges in this State. For a number of years he
served as Justice of the Peace in Riley Township
and he has also been Township Clerk and Supervisor. His political allegiance has always been
given to the Democratic party. He is an honorable business man and an intelligent and reliable
citizen.
S-; ENJAMIN F. LIAMIL, is a retired farmer
and resides on section 33, Riley Township,
Clinton County, where hte has a fine brick
residence on a tract of forty acres of land;
lie also owns eighty-four acres on section 4, Watertown Township, the same county. He is the son
of Isaac and Bethiah (Barrett) Hamil, natives of
Boston, who, after their marriage came to Monroe
County, N. Y., where their son Benjamin was born
near Rochester. His natal day was September 11,
1821.
This boy was reared upon the farm and when
fifteen years of age removed with his parents to
Ashtabula County, Ohio. But sorrow now came
to them in the death of the father, a year after arriving in Ohio. They resided there three years
longer and then the widowed mother brought her
children to Oakland County, Mich. The subject
of this sketch attended the academy while they lived
at Ashtabula and after they moved to Michigan he
hired out on a farm at $12 a month and worked for
one man three years. This kind employer was
Noah P. Morse. While working for him our subject attended to all his financial affairs and acted as
foreman directing the general conduct of the
work.
New Year's Day, 1842, was the wedding (lay of




our subject. Amanda C. Johnson, the woman
whose hand he had won and who has to this day
been his helpmate and companion, is a daughter
of Russell H. Johnson, a native of Monroe County,
N. Y., where she was born, July 30, 1824. This
union has been blessed by the birth of four children, but bereavement has sorely stricken the household and only one of these beloved children remains to the parents. William was born September
3, 1843, and died September 27, 1855; Sarah was
born May 7, 1846, and married Benjamin F. King,
January 10, 1871; they reside in Watertown Township. Silas was born October 5, 1849, and died
May 3,1853; Charles R. was born March 8, 1858,
and died of quick consumption, September 2, 1882.
In the spring of 1846, Mr. Hamil moved to
Clinton County, and located on section 4, of Watertown Township, on a piece of Government land.
When he arrived here two shillings constituted his
wealth and he was even so unfortunate as to break
his ax while cutting timber to earn the money to
bring him to Clinton Coulnty, but by his industry
and perseverance he has been quite successful in
and life and now having one hundred twenty-four
acres in fine condition, well stocked and thoroughly
furnished with good buildings, he is living a retired
life in comfort and prosperity. Politically he believes in the principles of the Republican party and
has frequently been called upon to fill offices of public trust in his township. I-e and his wife are members of the Congregational Church 'and are active
and earnest in church work.


LARK      WHELAN. The subject of this
sketch.was born in Clarkston, Monroe
County, N. Y., February 18, 1820. His
parents were Herbert and Sylvia (Pratt) Whelan,
both natives of New York. The gentleman of
whom we write is the eldest of four children of
whom only one, a sister, is living. This sister,
Julia, the widow of Eli Knight, is still living in
Lenawee County, Mich. Our subject s mother
having died when he was only eight years of age
he was adopted by a man named Trumbull Gran



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


407


--


ger of Monroe County, with whom he removed to
Ohio at the age of thirteen and again at the age of
fifteen to St. Clair County, Mich.
Our subject started out in life for himself when
seventeen years of age, although he made his home
with his foster parents until he was twenty-one.
When twenty years of age lie began boating on
the Ohio Canal, which course he pursued for two
summers. After the manner of young men he took
to himself a wife in November, 1843. The lady
to whom he was married was Miss Laura R. Aiken.
IHe purchased fifty acres of land, paying $173 on
it at the time and procured a yoke of oxen. He
then located in North Lorain County, New Oberlin, Ohio. In two years he sold it but bought it
back soon afterward, he making a verbal contract
to work three miles back in the woods for a remuneration of $500 a year and his board, his wife
agreeing to take charge of the house. The man
for whom he worked was Relph Campbell of Oberlin. At odd times he succeeded in erecting a house
on his own farm, but being solicited to return to
Campbell, went back again to him for a year. Mr.
Campbell purchased a mill and our subject was associated with him in running the same until 1854,
when the death of the proprietor occured. After
ceasing to work for Mr. Campbell Mr. Whelan resumed the improvement of his own farm  He remained here, however, but a short time, soon going
to Oberlin in order to give his boys educational advantages. He remained three years in Oberlin,
until about the close of the war. While at this
place he was engaged in work for the college, taking charge of a gang of men and continued there
until 1866 when lie came to Shiawassee County.
On the coming of Mr. Whelan into the county
he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land
for which he paid $50 per acre. Since the original purchase he has added two hundred and eight
and three-fourth acres to his farm.' He gives his
attention to general farming. Mr. Whelan's family consists of Francis M., Charles A., both residing near their father, who has given them their
start in life, and Clark Whelan. The family have
brought up a little girl whose name is Martha Garrett. She was treated with the greatest tenderness
and affection and when she reached womanhood


married the Rev. John McLean, of Vernon. They
also adopted a boy five years of age from the Orphan Society of New York. His name is John J.
Jeffries, but he has always gone by the name of his
adopted parents. He is a talented musician and
gives great pleasure to all who have the privilege
of hearing him perform on the piano. He still
makes his home with the Whelan family who also
have a young girl, now aged seventeen, and whose
name is Emma Wright. She has made her home
with the family for the past eight years. Mrs.
Whelan is a Baptist in belief and is connected
with that church. Mr. Whelan's success in life is
perhaps largely owing to the fact that he has never
1 ad any desire to go beyond his means, always believing in paying as he goes.
*.    > ----o**..X~,...o -...i        ILLIAM  N. STRONG   ranks among the
energetic and leading farmers of the township in which he lives and is carrying on
his work in a manner which shows him to be possessed of good judgment. His home is on section
18, Watertown Township, and his land embraces
one hundred and sixteen acres bordering on Looking Glass River. He was born in Monroe County,
N.'Y., September 23, 1824, and was reared on a
farm and has always been engaged in agricultural
work. He received a common-school education in
the home district and gave his strength of body
and mind to aiding in the general work of the family until he was of age. His parents were Ezra B.
and Eleanor (Lane) Strong, natives of Vermont
and New York respectively.
In his early manhood Mr. Strong won for his
wife Miss Myanda Cutting, to whom he was joined
in wedlock in the Empire State, October 25, 1847.
In 1855 the young couple removed to this State
and here the wife (lied in 1863, leaving four chil
dren motherless. The eldest is Ambrosia, who-e
natal day was in January, 1851; she is now the
wife of Asa Durfee and lives in the State of Washington; the second is Rosina, who was born April
7, 1853, and married Josiah Alien, their home being in Eagle Township; Elinor, the third child.




408


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


was born August 24, 1856, and is the wife of Robert
Shaw, of Watertown Township; David, the only
son, was born in August, 1858, and lived to be
but four years old.
During the year 1864 Mr. Strong was married to
Marintha Shadduck and she is a daughter of Andrew
and Sarah (French) Shadduck, natives of New York
and pioneers of Clinton County, Mich., to which
they came in 1838. Their daughter was born in
Eagle Township, April 17, 1844. Mr. and Mrs.
Strong are the parents of two children: William
E., born November 30, 1868; and Hattie, January
1, 1871. The daughter attended Albion College
and is proficient in music.
Believing in the worth of the principles and policy of the Democratic party, Mr. Strong is an unfailing supporter of the tickets presented by it.
The family hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Wacousta. Their standing in
society is assured and their interest in what is uplifting is known to all with whom they associate.
OHN H. FEDEWA, an attorney-at-law and
ex-Prosecuting Attorney, is one of the bestknown men in Clinton County. lie is well
known in State and county conventions,'being now a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. Previous to 1886 there had been
a fusion of the Democratic and Greenback ranks in
the Sixth Congressional District, but in the fall of
that year these two parties could not agree upon a
candidate, and each put up a nominee. Mr. Fedewa was one of the members, of the Democratic
delegation who sought to make peace between the
two factions, believing that it was the honorable
thing at that time to give the Greenbackers the
candidate, as it was their turn, but the larger number of the convention did not agree to this and
would not submit to it. A joint convention was
afterward held with a view of adjusting this difficulty and again joining forces. Mr. Fedewa was
the choice of the Democrats as their candidate for
Congress, and the Greenbackers, appreciating his
honorable treatment of them, promised to support


him, but at the time of the election the past lack of
harmony broke up the agreement and the two parties did not cast a heavy vote together, and unfortunately he failed of election.
This gentleman is a native of Clinton County,
having been born in Dallas Township, May 8, 1849.
His father, Morris, was a native of Germany, born
in Prussia near the River Rhine. After his marriage in that country he emigrated to America in
1842, sailing from Havre to New York, a voyage
of fifty-three days. He then took passage by canal
and lake to Detroit, coming to Dallas Township,
where lie entered land near Westphalia and began
to improve a farm. He was among the first settlers
here and made his home in a log house, set in a
little clearing. He afterward removed to Westphalia Township where he spent his last days, passing away at the age of sixty-nine years, April 2,
1882. His wife Mary M. Pung, was also a nalive
of Germany and she also died in Westphalia, March
5, 1888. Of their twelve children ten grew to
maturity and eight are now living.
When eleven years old the subject of this sketch
came to Westphalia with his parents. He acquired
his education at the districts and on the farm, and
when seventeen years old he engaged in the carpenter's trade at Westphalia. For three years lie
worked at his trade in the summer and went to the
St. John's High School in the winter. When twenty
years old he engaged in teaching for a short time.
In the fall of 1870 he entered the department of
the law of the University of Michigan, and took
his diploma in 1872 with the degree of Bachelor of
Law. He began his practice in Westphalia and in
1874 had so far gained the confidence and esteem of the community by his excellent professional work that he received the nomination by the
Democratic party for Prosecuting Attorney of
Clinton County and was elected at the following
election. After two years' service in this office he
returned to Westphalia where he engaged as an attorney and in the real-estate business. His first
term as Prosecuting Attorney was from 1875 to
1877. He afterward served two years, from 1879
to 1881,and four years, from 1883 to 1887, making
in all eight years in this responsible office.
Professional duties do not occupy all this gen



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


409


I


tleman's attention, as he finds time to deal quite
largely in real estate. His marriage took place in
Westphalia in 1876. The lady whom   he made
his wife was Lizzie Petscl, eldest daughter of
Mathias and Anna M. Petsch. Mr. Petsch died
March 10, 1885. Mrs. Petsch resides at St. John's.
Five children have gathered about the hearthstone of Mr. and Mrs. Fedewa, of whom Mamie M.,
John M. and Annie E. are still with their parents,
The eldest two, Paula M. and Arthur P., died of
diphtheria, the latter the 14th, and the former the
15th of February, 1883, leaving their bereaved
parents in sore affliction. This trial renders even
dear to these affectionate parents the children who
remain to them.
Mr. Fedewa is a Democrat in politics. In 1888
he was made a member of the Democratic State
Central Committee, and in the fall of 1890 became
a member of the executive committe of this organization.
G    EORGE C. HAVENS, M. D. The thriving
village of Fowler is the home of this young
physician, who after carrying on a thorough
course of study and making preparation for special
branches of medical work, has been giving his time
to practice, in which he has proved very successful.
lie is a son of William and Mary P. (Baker) Havens,
to whose biographical sketch the reader is referred.
From them by inheritance he has a predisposition
for medical research, and to their training is due
the sound foundation of therapeutical knowledge
which underlies his mental fitness for his work.
Dr. Havens was born in Lansing, December 24,
1857, and pursued his literary studies there, and
in 1875 was graduated from the commercial college. He then took up his medical studies with his
parents, both of whom were in practice, and after
suitable reading entered the medical department of
the State University in Ann Arbor. lie studied
there during the season of 1879-80, and the next
year took a course of lectures at Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, and received his diploma
from that institution in the spring of 1881. He
took a special course on diseases of the eye and


I
I
i


ear in order to be thoroughly prepared to treat
those important members. He likewise made special
study of obstetrics and diseases of women and
holds certificates from Charles H. Vilas, M. D., and
J. Leavitt, M. D. The first year of his practice
was in Laingsburg and he then located in Muskegon, where lie remained eight years, zealously attending to his professional duties and also carrying
on a drug store. In 1888 he came to Fowler,
where he has likewise had a successful practice.
At the residence of John Wesley Herrick in
Muskegon, May 13, 1888, Dr. Havens was united
in marriage to Miss Ettie Herrick, daughter of the
host. The bride is the eldest in a family consisting
of one son and two daughters and is a native of
the Buckeye State, born November 14, 1865. She
is a well-bred and educated lady, with a sympathizing nature and social qualities. Her father went
from the Buckeye State to Iowa, but after a sojourn
of a year removed to Muskegon, this State, where
lie has remained and lives a retired life. To Dr.
and Mrs. Havens a daughter was born October 18,
1886.
In his political views and adherence Dr. Havens
is a Democrat. He is Health Officer, both of Dallas
Township and the village of Fowler, and is a member
of North Muskegon Knights of Maccabees. HIe carries a $2,500 policy in the Home Life Insurance Company of New York. He is following worthily in
the footsteps of his parents and adding to the lustre
of the name lie bears, with a good reputation
among his fellow-professionals and high standing
with the people.
''a -   -.D       g...-    -




LBERT HARLOW. The subject of this
sketch is the fortunate owner of one of the
best farms in Watertown Township, conI/     taining one hundred and ten acres, well improved and furnished with fine buildings. He is the
son of Abner and Cynthia (Conant) Harlow, natives
of the State of Vermont, where Albert was born
July 11, 1826. His parents removed to the State
of New York when he was only about five years of
age. Here he was reared on a farm, and had very




410


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


little opportunity to obtain an education, but continued working for his father until he was twentyone years of age.
Upon the 23d of November, 1852, he won the
hand of the lady who so graciously presides over
his household. Her maiden name was Catherine
Mapes, and she was a daughter of Peter and Mary
(Earl) Mapes. Her father was a native of Canada,
but moved into the State of Michigan. She was
born in Canada, January 25, 1833. This marriage
has been blessed with five children, all of whom are
living: Minnie was born November 24, 1853, and
is married to Myron Clary, and resides in Watertown Township; Edith D., born March 10, 1856, is
married to Delbert Forward, and has her home in
the same township; Florence, born March 23, 1861,
is the wife of Frank Clary, and resides in Northern
Michigan; Nellie, born October 23, 1865, is married to Edwin Stanton, and resides in Clinton
County; Bertie, born February 11, 1868, resides
with his parents, and assists in conducting the farm.
In his political views Mr. Harlow is a consistent
and pronounced Prohibitionist, and is ever wideawake to the necessity of action for the moral and
social improvement of the community. The families are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He came to Michigan and located on his
farm in 1854, and has made great improvements
upon it, and erected all the buildings which now
adorn it.
RANKLIN ALBERT WEIDMAN. On the
whole wide earth there is nothing more
nearly approaching the desire of God's own
heart than a family where love reigns supreme,
where the reins of domestic government are held
in hands guided by intelligence, judgment and progression, where there is a constant growing upward
in little things as in great. The family biography
of Franklin A. Weidman, who lives on section 27,
Owosso Township, reminds one of Browning's
question, "Why stay we here on earth unless to
grow?"
Franklin A. Weidman was born in Wayland,
Steuben County, N. Y., September 22, 1849. His


father was William M. Weidman, born in Mauch
Chunk, Pa., February 13, 1820, and his father,
grandfather of our subject, was Jacob Weidman,
also of Pennsylvania. Franklin's mother was Lydia (Clements) Weidman, of North Sparta, Livingston County, N. Y. Both parents now live in
Owosso. The father was from Scotland.
Our subject is the youngest of four children:
Mary, now Mrs. Lorenzo Densmore, is living in
Owosso; Emma, who is the wife of L. E. Woodward, and a resident of Owosso; George, who died
in his twelfth yeal; and Frank. It is natural that
the youngest son should be cherished as Jacob lid
Benjamin, and he was kept at home until 1869;
when in his twentieth year he came to Owosso,
where his brother-in-law, Mr. Woodward was then
living. Unwilling to be idle, he worked for his
brother in-law for seven years, at the expiration of
which time his father came to Michigan and secured eighty acres of land on section 34, Owosso
Township, for his son.
The children of to-day scarcely know what it is
to go into a wild country where carpenter's tools
are neither many nor good, and hew down with
one's own hands the trees which must build the
habitation for the family, clear the stumps from
the ground, plant the corn and wheat that must
furnish the bread for the following year, prepare
their own meat, and in fact be unto themselves
sufficient for all their needs. Evidently Mr. Weidman was working with a purpose. Bright eyes and
loving glances doubtless lingered in his memory,
for in two years he returned to New York and prevailed upon Miss Isabella G. Drake to give up a
life of single blessedness and begin the journey
with him. They were married at Danville, Livingston County, N. Y., October 21, 1871. The
lady was a native of Danville, her birth occurring
October 11, 1849, her father being Isaac, also a
native of Danville, and her mother, Eliza, a native
of France.
Mrs. Weidman, who is an unusually intelligent
woman, was educated at Danville Seminary, where
she began to teach at the early age of seventeen.
She maintained her position in the faculty of the
school for eight years, giving particular attention
to music, of whicl she was a teacher, and which




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RESIDENCE Of GEORGE W. BOWCRS,SEC.Z5.,DUPLAIN TFICLINTON CO.,MICH.


RE51DI1NCE OF F RANKK


WEIDMAN,SEC 27T. OWO5SO TP.,SHIAWASSEE CO.,MiCH.




I




PORTIRAIT A`ND BIOGRAAPHICA~L ALBUM.


413


PORTRAIT^ AND BIOGRAPHICALALBUM.41


she still continues to teach. Several children came
to grace and brighten the family hearth. They are
William A., who is nineteen years of age; George,
who died in his ninth year; Edward D., who is fifteen years of age; Mabel, who died in infancy; and
Nellie, who is a seven-year-old fairy. The eldest
son at present makes his home with his grandparents in Owosso, where he is taking a business course
in college.
Mr. Weidman's advantages for an education were
meagre, but since his marriage, assisted and encouraged by his wife, he has studied indefatigably,
and as a result has become one of the advanced
men, with broad ideas and liberal principles. Every
business enterprise which he has undertaken has
prospered, and his farm is one of the most desirable in Shiawassee. It contains four hundred and
thirty-seven acres of the best soil in the township,
and is all under a high state of cultivation.
How the daily drudgery of life can be mitigated
by an intelligent application of simple scientific
principles to the commonest means of labor! Few
farms in Michigan can boast of such admirable
arrangement as that of Mr. Weidman. His commodious and beautiful home, a view of which appears on another page, has all the latest improvements both in a sanitary direction and for the
comfort of farm life. He has just completed a barn
40x90 feet, with stable-room for twenty head of
horses, and a fine carriage-room, one end of which
is arranged for an ice-house and cold storage. His
cow stable is 40x60 feet, with cement floor. IIe
has ample granaries, hog houses and other suitable
buildings. Water is supplied for use in the house
and about the farm by tanks from a reservoir over
the kitchen, which is filled by an Eclipse wind
engine. The reservoir is filled from an inexhaustable well of purest water. He has applied this
force to his wood saws, feed grinders and stalk cutters, and in his swine department he uses a patent
steam cooker, and finds that the sensible application of all these modern improvements pays in more
and better returns. He makes a specialty of growing and training for fancy driving a number of excellent bred horses, and keeps constantly on hand
a few choice roadsters.
Mr. Weidman is one of the workers of the county,


earnestly interested in cverything that will improve, not only his own and family's condition,
but that of his fellow-beings.  He is interested
especially in the educational interests of the county,
and is an earnest advocate of any means that will
make more progressive the children that are coming up. Mr. and Mrs. Weidman are not connected
with any church. He is a stanch Democrat in politics.
c~+-  — E^^~)~i r ----Y+I\-9
G- EORG-E W. BOWERS, one of the most
popular residents of Duplain   Township,
Clinton County, makes his home on section
25, and is there carrying on the business of general
farming and stock-raising. Iis native place is
Chenango County, N. Y., where he was born February 6, 1833. His youthful days were pnssed in
the usual manner of farmer boys and he grew up to
engage in the duties of agriculture. Iis father was
Gilbert Bowers and his mother Delilah (Hancock)
Bowers, a distant relative of Gen. Hancock. Both
parents were natives of Connecticut.
Our subject was given by his parents a fair
opportunity to secure an education, and attenlded
the common schools, except during the busy
season of farm labor when lie was needed to assist
his father. IIe made a determined effort for self
improvement and was thus able to extract much
benefit from his school life, which, although not
presenting a broad curriculum of studies, gave
thorough and valuable drill in the elements of
education.
A domestic life of true happiness and prosperity
began April 29, 1861, by the marriage of our subject and Miss Juliet Levee, daughter of Charles and
Polly (Bramen) Levee, both natives of Connecticut.
One child, their much loved daughter, Almeda
came to brighten their home until they gave her in
marriage to Myron Goodrich.  She was born unto
them May 13, 1862, and is now the mother of one
beautiful child, George, who was born November
30, 1888.
George W. Bowers resided in New York until
1871, when he removed to the home which he now
occupies. Here he owns some eighty acres of ex

141




414


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


~ ----I


cellent land, which is considered worth fully $65
per acre. Two valuable adjuncts of his farm are
the ever flowing springs and the inexhaustible
gravel bed, both of which add to its attractiveness.
In 1890, seven human skeletons were discovered
deposited in this gravel bed and it is supposed that
they were murdered and recklessly thrown into the
pit and covered from sight. Six of these skeletons
had double teeth all around, showing that they
were all of one family.
A sister of Mr. Bowers, now Mrs. Belden, is
living in Michigan, and makes her home in Livingston County. Although our subject is a Democrat he has been elected at two different times as
Road Commissioner in a township which is strongly
Republican. His election was evidently not a party
movement but it attests the appreciation of the
citizens of the township of his ability and efficiency.
His efforts have been deservedly crowned with
success, and through the exercise of good judgment and industry he has gained a prominent
position among his fellow-citizens. A view of his
residence, barn, and rural surroundings is presented
elsewhere in this volume.
OUWE B. YNTEMA, A. M., Superintendent of St. John's public schools, with
which he has been connected since 1877,
was born in Vriesland, Ottawa County,
Mich., May 31, 1851. His father, H. 0. Yntema,
was a native of Vriesland, in the Netherlands, and
the grandfather, Otto, was a farmer there and died
while still a young man. The father was reared in
the old country and there he married and adopted
farming as his vocation in life.
In 1847 the young man sailed with his wife and
family from Amsterdam, landing in New York and
going directly west to Chicago. From that city
lie came into Michigan, stopping first at Holland
and afterward going up the Black River on a flatboat. He finally settled about ten miles from the
lake, being the first one to locate in what was afterward Vriesland, in the township of Zealand, where


he and his were eight miles from any other
family. He blazed the trees to mark his way, and
entered land, taking one hundred and sixty acres,
began in true pioneer style, with a log cabin for a
home. He added to his possessions from time to
time and at one time owned three hund(red and
twenty acres, and became so prosperous as to lbe
able to loan money for the necessities of his neighbors.
Mr. Yntema was a Justice of the Peace and became one of the first trustees of Hope College, at
Iolland. He was a well-read man and possessed
an excellent fund of information. He was a charter member of the Reformed Church, in which lie
served as Elder, and was well known throughout
the county. He was a stanch Republican and exerted a strong influence in favor of education and
religion wherever he was known. His wife bore
the maiden name of Clara Van Derkooij. She was
a native of the same town across the sea as her
husband, and her father, Douwe Van Derkooij,
was a farmer in Holland, and died there.
The mother of our subject passed away from
earth in 1873, having been the mother of nine
children, four of whom are living. Prof. Yntema
was the youngest of his father's family, and, being
reared on the farm, took training in the practical
work of agriculture and what schooling lie could
secure in the district schools of that day. These he
improved so well as to be able to enter Hope College Preparatory Department when sixteen years
old. After four years of study there he taught for
one year and then entered the Freshman class of
the college, taking his diploma with the Centennial
class of '76, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
He received one of the principal honors of the
class, being appointed to deliver the Latin saluta.
tory. He continued his studies after graduating,
and three years later, in 1879, took the degree of
Master of Arts, and delivered the Master's oration.
In the fall of 1876 he entered the senior class of
the Michigan State Normal School, at Ypsilanti,
taking his diploma the next spring. In the fall of
that year he began teaching in St. John's, as tile
Principal of the High School, in which position lie
continued until he was elected Superintendent of
the city schools. He has a special taste for mathe-.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AILBUM.


415


matics, and teaches that branch of learning and the
sciences, besides superintending the school system
of the city.
The subject of this sketch has accumulated some
real estate and owns land in Kent and Ottawa
Counties, including twenty acres adjoining the city
of Grand Rapids. His beautiful home was designed by himself and bears the marks, both internally and externally, of a refined taste and broad
culture. Here he and his lovely and efficient wife
exercise a gracious hospitality. They were married in St. John's, December 27, 1888. The lady's
maiden name was Mary E. Loomis, and she is a
a daughter of Leonard Loomis, a native of Loraine
County, Ohio, whose father, Jonathan, belonging
to a New England family, was born in New York
and died in Ohio. Both were farmers. The father
enlisted in the Forty- second Ohio Volunteers,which
was raised at the Berean College. He enlisted as a
private and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In the battle of Champion Hills, Miss., he was
wounded in the arm and taken prisoner, but was
held only a few days. He served for three years
and at the close of the war came to Kent County,
whither his mother had come before him. Ile located at Byron and engaged in farming and teaching until 1866, when he came to Greenbush Township, Clinton County, where he is now engaged in
agriculture. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Justice of the Peace, and
was Supervisor of Greenbush Township.
The mother of Mrs. Yntema was Elizabeth Abbott, a native of Kent County, this State. Her
father, Luther, was born in Connecticut, whence
he came at an early date to be a pioneer in Kent
County. There he resided until the day of his
death. His daughter, Elizabeth, the mother-in-law
of our subject, died April 11, 1880. Mrs. Yntema
was the first child of these parents and was born in
Greenbush Township, Clinton County, where she
was reared and educated. She completed her
schooling by a three-years' course in the St. John's
High School, where she took her diploma in 1884.
She then engaged in teaching, which profession she
pursued until her marriage.
One lovely child; Hessel E., brightens the home
of this intelligent and delightful couple. The


father is an earnest and devoted member of the
Reformed Church, and the mother of tile Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are active in church
and Sunday-school work, but they do not reserve
their religion for Sunday alone, for the loveliness of
their Christian character is evident in every way,
and receives the just appreciation of their neighbors. Mr. Yntema is highly intelligent and wellread and a member of the Michigan Teachers' Association. He is also President of the County
Teacher's Association, and a true-blue Republican
in his politics.
ON. CHARLES 1I. COSSITT, the wellknown and popular Postmaster of Owosso,
was born in Oconomowoc,Waukesha County,
Wis., July 10, 1848. His parents were Asa
L. and Mercy A. (Shearman) Cossitt, the former
of whom was born in New York, May 9, 1813, and
the latter in Rhode Island. From  the Empire
State Mr. Cossitt removed to Wisconsin, and in
1854 came to Michigan, and during the remainder
of his life was numbered among the residents of
Shiawassee County. He died in Owosso in 1890,
some years after the mother of our subject had been
borne to the tomb. Their family consisted of six
children, but two brothers and a sister are all who
now survive.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs, is the second son in the parental family.
He received his education in this State, being but
a small boy when his parents removed hither. His
studies were pursued chiefly in Lansing, and after
finishing his course of instruction he learned the
trade of a machinist. He inherited mechanical skill
and as his father was a wagonmaker he had early
in life gained some knowledge of the use of tools.
He became a first-class machinist, and for a time
was interested in the furnace business. He was one
of the partners of the firm of Howell & Co., owners
of the Shiawassee Iron Works, located in Owosso,
and with his associates endured a considerable loss
when the establishment was burned in 1885. When
but sixteen years old, Mr. Cossitt enlisted in the




416


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Union Army, and for seventeen months he was
connected with tie Sixth Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Col. J. H. Kidd. He went into the
service in 1864, and was assigned to the Army of
the Potomac, but subsequently transferred to the
West, and he received- his discharge in the spring
of 1866.
For some years past Mr. Cossitt has been in public life, and has not been interested in bjsiness
other than as a stockholder or silent partner. In
1881-82 he served as Mayor of Owosso, and in 1884
he was elected to represent the county in the Legislature of the State. He was again elected City Treasurer in 1887-88. He was appointed Postmaster by
President Cleveland January 31, 1888, and is filling
the position with satisfaction. He has been VicePresident and President of the Owosso Savings Society, and he has often occupied Chairs in the
Masonic order, being connected with Owosso Lodge,
No. 81, F. & A. M., and Owosso Chapter, No. 89,
R. A. M.
Mr. Cossitt was married July 30, 1870, to Almira Fairman. She is a native of Ontario, and a
daughter of Nelson Fairman, who came to Owosso
a number of years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Cossitt have
one child, a son, Henry, who assists his father in
discharging the duties of Postmaster. He is recognized as one of the prominent and influential Democrats in this part of the State.
S    URT LYMAN, a prominent young citizen
and farmer located on section 21, was born
y in Corunna, January 24, 1861. His father,
P. S. Lyman, was a native of Massachusetts,
and the grandfather, Liberty Lyman, a native of
the same State, brought his family to Shiawassee
County and settled in Shiawassee Township near
Bancroft, where he located upon Government land.
For further information in regard to the ancestry
of this family, the reader will please see sketch of
Edson Lyman on another page in this volume.
Liberty Lyman proceeded to cut down the forest and made his home in a log house upon the land
adjoining the old Exchange Place. Detroit was


the nearest market town, and a trip for provisions
to that point was a serious matter. The father of
our subject was a young man when he came to
Michigan and was married in Ann Arbor. Ile wns
an original genius and very notable as a pr.ctical
mechanic and engineer, being employed at, the
woolen mills at Ann Arbor. In 1844 he brought
on machinery and started a woolen mill which was
known as the Corunna Woolen Factory, and built
a brick house the same year in which the family resided. He was very successful in the woolen mill
business, and a man of popularity and public spirit
and soon drifted into politics. He was President.
of Corunna, and became first Town Clerk; was also
County Treasurer, which office he held two terms.
and died on the 23d of August, 1868. He had
been an earnest Abolitionist, and was a stanch adherent of the Republican party.
Mary Hicks, the wife of P. S. Lyman, was a native of Vermont; they were married July 11,
1844. Her father, Sumner Hicks, was an early settler of Ann Arbor, where he was engaged in manufacturing. His daughter, now seventy years of age,
is still an active and earnest member of the Methdist Episcopal Church in Corunna. Of her seven
sons our subject is the youngest, and only one of
his brothers survived childhood, Orendo, who (ied
in 1876, at the age of twenty-one years.
Burt Lyman took a course in the High School
after attending the lower grades of the public school,
and in 1883, when twenty-two years old, took charge
of the farm upon which he has made most of the improvements. It is all now in tillable shape, except
ten acres of oak timber which are yet uncleared.
His crops are largely grain and potatoes. He is
very successful with grain, as his land is productive, and in a splendid state of cultivation. Iie
ships by car-load and puts his products promptly
upon the market.
The twenty-second birthday of our subject was
celebrated most royally by making it the wedding
day. He was then united in Corunna witl Miss
Estella Ball, daughter of Dr. A. R. Ball. Thislady
was born June 9, 1862, in Marshall, Mich. Slhe
lived for eight years in Grand Ledge, and afterward in Mason. After gradhiating at Corunna
High Sebool, she taught for one year. She is a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


417


lady of high intelligence and lovely Christian character, being an earnest and active member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Her three children
were named Edessa, Edith and Pliny. Edith died
on the 21st of July, 1891. Mr. Lyman is a Republican of very decided views, and is prominent in
county and State conventions. For two years he
has served as Alderman of the Second Ward, and
is for his years one of the most prominent men in
the town.
I OHN LAMBIE, an honored pioneer of Essex
Township, Clinton County, is the head of a
family we are pleased to represent in this
ALBUM, as its members are valued in society
and have been a great aid in elevating the section,
materially and morally. With many progressive
ideas and energetic spirits they are always at the
front in whatever they undertake, and secure the
respect of others and influence them in many ways.
The home of Mr. Lambie is on section 11, and his
estate consists of eighty acres of land that is carefully and intelligently tilled and made to produce
abundantly of grains and othier crops. It has been
secured by close economy, industry and perseverance, when there was need, and since prosperity
dawned upon Mr. Lambie he still remains thrifty
and diligent. lie was obliged to borrow money to
get from New York to Michigan and when he began
his work here he was $7 in debt. This was soon
liquidated and he kept up his efforts until he stood
on a firm basis as to means.
The natal day of Mr. Lambie was February 13,
1817, and his birthplace Ayrshire, Scotland. He
is a son of James and Margaret Lambie, who had
not sufficient worldly goods to give him more
than a common-school education but could instill
into his mind firm principles and teach him good
habits. Early in the '50s, she decided to emigrate
to the New World where he believed he could find
better opportunities for advancement and do more
for his family. Ile took passage at Glasgow on a
sail vessel from  which he disembarked at New
York thirty-seven days after leaving port. He


came on to Wayne County, this State, but in a
short time removed to Oakland County where he
remained several years. In 1862 he came to Clinton County and settled on his present farm, then
in the woods and covered with heavy timber. This
was removed and arrangements made for the comfort and convenience of the family and the proper
care of stock and crops.
Mr. Lambie was married in his native land to
Miss Mary Sellers a true-hearted, efficient woman.
To her there were born nine sons and daughters,
the following surviving: Jane, wife of Gabriel
Anderson; James; Margaret, wife of Frank Rogers;
Mary wlo married George Davison; John, Alexander and Robert. The deceased are Matthew and
William. Having been bereft of his companion
Mr. Lainbie at length married Mrs. Nancy Paul,
who is now deceased. He is identified with the
Congregational church and in every movement
that will be for the public good he is likely to be
found connected. For several years he has served
as School Moderator and he is known to be deeply
interested in educational matters.
James Lambie son of our subject, who now
lives with the father on the homestead, was born
in Ayrsllire, Scotland, April 30, 1843. lIe came to
this country with his parents and attained to
manhood in this State, amid somewhat primitive
scenes. The love of liberty that characterizes the
race from which lie sprang, led him to take up arms
in defence of the American flag when the Union
was in danger, and October 9, 1861, saw his name
enrolled in Company G, Third Michigan Cavalry.
Before he left the State he was transferred to the
Third Michigan Light Artillery, in which he
served until January 1, 1864, when he became a
veteran and continued his soldierly work until the
close of the war. He was at different times in the
the forces under Gens. Pope and Sherman and
fought in many battles, some of them of more
than ordinary note. The list includes Cornith,
Farmnington, Iuka, Lumkin Mills, Tallahatchie,
Town Creek, Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw
Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Decatur, S. Edisto
River, Cheraw, Fayetteville, and Bentonville as well
as the sieges of Atlanta and Savannah. He took
part in the march to the sea and its varied incidents




418


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




and privations, and was present when Joe Johnston surrendered to Gen. Sherman. He also participated in the Grand Review at Washington, and
shared in the plaudits of the vast crowd who welcomed the returning victors, while remembering
with deep grief of those who had fallen.
At S. Edisto Mr. Lambie was wounded and for
a time was laid up. He was honorably discharged
at Detroit, June 28, 1865, and he is now connected
with the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging
to a post in Maple Rapids. He has taken up the work
of a farmer with zeal and has a good name among
his class. He owns eighty acres in Lebanon Township. He was married February 21,1867, to Edna
Clarke who departed this life in May, 1879, leaving a daughter, Edna M. May 18, 1880, lie was
again. married, his bride being Mrs. Loreda Dowd,
widow of T. G. Dowd of Gratiot County. This
union has resulted in the birth of a daughter, Harriet. Mrs. Lambie belongs to the Ladies' Relief
Corps at Maple Rapids, and is a consistent member
of the Christian Church.
LFREI) B. CRANE. Among the brave
defenders of our country who are enf titled to high honor for their war record
we are pleased to note many residents of
Rush Township, Shiawassee County, and none with
more praise than Mr. Crane, who received a medal
of honor (the Kearney Cross) for special bravery at
Chancellorsville. His regiment was the heaviest
loser in battle, for the number of men (three hundred and fifteen) in the regiment, of any in the
entire service of the Union. In the first battle
after Grant took charge they lost two hundred and
twenty-one, and seventy- five fell at Spottsylvania.
Our subject was born in Seneca County, N. Y.,
May 14, 1841, and is the son of Thomas C. Crane,
a farmer and minister of the Gospel who was born
in New Jersey in July, 1821. The Rev. Mr. Crane
had a common-school education and taught for
several years, and was married when nineteen years
old to Miss Mary A. Sensaby, the daughter of
Alfred Sensaby, of New York, she being the eldest


of two children. Ten children blessed the home of
Thomas and Mary Crane, the eldest being our subject.
The family removed to Indiana in 1842 and from
there to Van Buren County, Mich., and then to
Cass County. The father spent four years in California, going there in 1855 and then came to Shiawassee County and bought eighty acres in Rush
Township on section 35, and remained there as long
as he lived. He, as well as his son, belonged to
the Union army as he enlisted the first year of the
war in Company K, Fourteenth Michigan Infantry.
He was at luka, Miss., and in several other encounters, and was killed in the siege of Nashville
in 1862. His widow lives in New Haven, Mich.
The military career of our subject began in 1861
when he joined Company H, Fifth Michigan Infantry. During his service he was in the following
battles, the charge of Munson's Hill at Washington,
1). C., Pohic Creek, Siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Richmond, Charles City Crossroads, Malvern Hill, Harrison's Landing, the second
Manassas, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Chancellorville, Gettysburg, and
Mine Run. He then went with Grant to the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, and at that latter conflict was in the regiment that led the charge and
one of the first men inside the works. He also saw
the smoke of battle at North Anna, Nye River,
Cold Harbor, and the charge of Petersburg on the
18th of June. On the 22d he was captured at the
battle of Weldons Railroad, being at that time in
command of the picket line. He was run through
the face with a bayonet and his skull cracked and
was taken to Libby Prison. From there he was
sent to Belle Isle, then to Danville and and Andersonville, Milan, Savananah, Florence, Castle Thunder and Richmond, where he finally received his
release. He rejoined his regiment at Petersburg
in 1865 and was there when the city surrendered,
being discharged July 4, 1865.
In 1866 Mr. Crane was married to Louise M.
Hanford, daughter of James and Catherine (Patterson) Hanford, residents of Wisconsin. This
marriage resulted in the birth of ten children,
namely: Edith, Schuyler C.; Clara B., deceased;
Gordon T., Frank Leslie; John Sherman; Fred C.,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


419


~_I


Charles Foster, Robert Lincoln and Nellie M. The
eldest daughter is now Mrs. George Van Curen, of
Rush Township. The first purchase of our subject
was eighty acres of the old farm which he took in
1865. He sold it in 1870 and bought two hundred
acres the following year, eighty of which he disposed of in 1880.
Mr. Crane is identified with the order of Odd
Fellows and has held all the offices in the lodge,
being now a Deputy Grand Master of Emanuel
Lodge No. 153, at Henderson. He is also a prominent member of the T. C. Crane Post G. A. R., of
the same place, No. 128. He is a Free and Accepted Mason at Owosso and a well-known member
of the Union Veteran Union of Corunna. He is an
ardent Republican and says that he loves to vote
as he shot during the war. HIe is an active worker
in the party and has been sent as delegate to
county, congressional and State conventions. He
has filled numerous local offices, such as School
Inspector, Township Clerk, Township Treasurer
and Supervisor, having filled the last named office
for thirteen years in succession. For two years he
was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and has
been solicited to represent his district in the Legislature but declined the nomination. His splendid
record in the war is something of which he may
justly feel proud, and his good farm provides him
for him the comforts which he so richly deserves.
His political influence is strong and ever worthily
exercised.
------— ^3 ----^            IE  DWARD HOISINGTON, a well-known citizen of Shiawassee Township, Shiawassee
l     County, was born in Ypsilanti, Mich., May
17, 1852. He was the only son of a family of
three, his parents being Earl and Betsy Ann
(Miller) Hoisington. His sisters are Mary, Mrs.
Sidney Johnstone, of Marion, Mich., and Alice,
Mrs. Earl West, of Newberg. When two and onehalf years old Edward Hoisington removed with
his parents to Salem and five years later to Vernon where they lived until 1861, but returned to
Ypsilanti for three years, remaining there until
after the close of the war, when they removed to


Newberg. After five years there the family removed to Shiawasse Township, where the father
working at the cooper trade, which the boy learned
when fifteen years old.
Our subject worked at the trade with his father
until the last ten years and made a successful business of it, employing about six hands in addition
to their own labor. About the year 1874 they
took possession of the farm but still continued to
work at their trade till thirteen years ago, when he
built a home, and adding forty-one acres to the
farm gave himself more to general farming.
Edward was married July 23, 1876, to Miss Melvina A. Chapman, who was born October 7, 1856.
This lady is the daughter of Horace Henry Chapman and Amanda M. Wells, and has one sister,
Arabella, now wife of William Galloway, of Woodhull Township. Mr. Chapman was a native of
Connecticut and the mother a native of New York.
They were early settlers in Michigan and were
married at Ypsilanti. Mr. Chapman came to Bay
City when that place was first started, and helped
materially in building it up, as he was a carpenter
by trade. He came from Bay City to Shiawassee
in 1864 and on account of impaired health, devoted
himself mostly to farm work. His wife died May
7, 1871, aged forty-six, and his death occurred
August 22, 1882 at the age of sixty-eight. Edward and Melvina Hoisington have three sons,
Lewis, born December 15, 1877, Reuben, born
March 11, 1880 and Ray, March 24, 1885. Politically he is a Democrat and socially is a member of
the Masonic fraternity.
This sketch of our subject would be incomplete
without further notice of the life of his worthy
father. Earl Hoisington, was born in Greece, Genesee County, N. Y., April 17, 1825. His father,
Rial Hoisington, was born in Vermont, and his
grandfather, Vespacian, was a native of England,
coming to America when only five years old, and
making his home in Vermon. He entered the Revolutionary army when only fifteen years old and
served for six years. He afterwards made his
home in Western New York. and finally came to
Michigan and settled in Salem, Washtenaw County,
where he died about the year 1836. His son Rial
came to Michigan in 1827, making his home in




420


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Plymouth, Wayne County, and afterwards in Salem, to which he came about the year 1832. Rial
Hoisington married Almira Cleveland, who is the
grandmother of our subject. He died in Canada
about fifteen years ago, and his wife passed away
when Earl was twelve years. After this sad event
the father of our subject returned to Washtenaw
County and worked at the carpenter's trade for
some two years, and traveled as a journeyman
through the State of New York for four years. In
1848 he returned to Michigan, and located at
Ypsilanti where he was married, March 11, 1849,
to Miss Betsey Ann Miller, who was born in 1828,
near Cayuga Lake, N. Y. In politics he was an
old line Whig but afterwards became a Democrat;
and was a Mason for twenty years, and was formerly
an Odd Fellow.
/ILLIAM GEORGE HUNTER, a prominent
and respected resident of the Township of
Ovid, was born in Canada on October 25,
1849. His parents, George and Harriet (Coombs)
Hunter, were both natives of England, and his
father followed the occupation of a farmer although
lie had been educated for the ministry. Our subject passed his early life, until he reached his majority, with his parents, receiving a common school
education. In the meanwhile he had come with
them  to this country as they emigrated to this
State when he was nine years of age, locating in
Ovid ''ownship, in the fall of 1858. He tells interesting stories of those early days when this country
was all under heavy timber. He says that his
father's first work was to clear away trees enough
to furnish land upon which to plant a crop, and in
due time he removed all the trees and stumps,
bringing from the wilderness an arable and highly
cultivated farm.
After our subject reached the age of twenty-one
years he began farming in this township for a livelihood, and was soon able to purchase a fine tract of
land and has always owned his own farm. In the
year 1870 he decided to take to himself a wife and
to begin a home upon his farm. He was married




I


I-              - -


November 8th, to Mary Bradshaw, of Ovid Township. This accomplished and intelligent lady is
the daughter of Stephen Bradshaw, and has seven
children, namely: Graham, born August 16, 1872;
Nora, January 28, 1874; Minnie, March 24, 1876;
Garfield, June 15, 1880; Pearl, June 24, 1882;
Cecil, February 8, 1885; Helen, May 26, 1889.
These children are all living and are still at home
with their parents forming an agreeable and happy
family circle. Their father has made his home on
this same place ever since he became of age, and he
has placed upon it all the improvements which now
make it so fine and productive a farm.
Mr. Hunter joined the army during the progress
of the Civil War, enlisting in November, 1864,
in Company K, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry. He
was placed on detached service and was sent through
many of the Southern States. He was finally honorably dis(charged in June 1865, at Jackson, Mich.
His political views lead him to affiliate with the
Republican party and he has held and is now holding the office of Justice of the Peace in this township. He has also held the office of School Director.
He takes great interest in educational matters and
is giving his family a thorough and liberal education. He is one of the prominent members of the
Grand Army of the Republic and has been Post
Commander of George A. Winans Post, No. 104,
at Ovid.
I AY V. RETAN, a well-known and influencitizen of Ovid, Clinton County, was born
December 19, 1851, at Commerce, Oakland
County, this State, twelve miles west of
Pontiac. His father, Henry K. Retan, was born in
Sussex County, N. J., and his mother Catherine A.
Voorhies, was a native of Peapack, N. J. His
great-grandfather was of Dutch birth and his greatgrandmother was from France.
Our subject resided in Oakland County with his
parents for about eleven years. His father was by
occupation a merchant and in his later years engaged in the hotel business. When the boy was
about eleven years old the family removed to












PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


423


Owosso, and after one year's residence there, made
their home in Ovid. He received but a commonschool education, attending only at intervals. He
was in poor health in his younger days, and on this
account was unable to attend school consecutively.
Since his father's removal to Ovid in 1863, he has
made this place his home.
When this young man was eighteen years old he
served as an apprentice to the tinsmith trade in
Ovid for two years, but his health forbade continuing in this line of work, and he therefore abanloned it entirely. His marriage, November 14,
1876 united him happily with Alice Powers, of
Eureka, Mich. This lady is a daughter of John
and Mahala Powers. Mr. Powers is a farmer by
occupation. They have one child Guerd H., who
was born May 4, 1881.
When young Retan became of age, he went to
work for his father in the hotel at Ovid, and continued in this way for about five years, until in
1880 he purchased his father's business and has
from that day continued the hotel under the name
of the Retan House. Ile has also added to the
hotel building and for the past fifteen years he has
carried on, in connection with the hotel business a
livery stable. He conducted a farm in Ovid Township for about two years and was very successful
in the business, as he has been in every relation
which he has sustained in life. He also conducted
an hotel in Ithica, in partnership with D. T. Covert, for a period of three years.
ARRISON OUTWATER. A beautiful farm
)on section 5, Eagle Township, Clinton
County, is the home of this gentleman and
his interesting family, the tract consisting
of one hundred acres well improved and remunerative. Like many another prosperous farmer of
Clinton County, he is an old soldier and receives
the respect and gratitude of those who love their
country and rejoice in its present prosperity, recognizing that to those who fought during the Civil
War this state of affairs is due. He is a native of
the Empire State, born in Niagara County, June


15, 1840, and is a son of Nicholas and Sally (Smith)
Outwater, who were born in New Jersey, went to
New York in their youth, and in the latter State
began their wedded life.
Our subject was reared on a farm and made his
home under the parental roof until he was of age.
He attended the district school when a boy and spent
some time in Wilson (N. Y.) Academy, adding to
his knowledge of lower branches much information
regarding higher studies. In 1860 his parents removed to lonia County, this State, and after they
were settled there the young man taught two terms
of school. Feeling impelled to enter the army he
returned to his native State in August, 1862, and
was enrolled in Company M, First New York Battery, and was attached to the Army of the Potomac.
His services were given to that great body until
the fall of 1863 and during the period he took
part in the battle of Chancellorsville and was then
sent to follow Gen. Lee. The battery reached
Gettysburg on the first day of the fight and it was
the fortune of Mr. Outwater to see the body of
the lamented Gen. Reynolds soon after his death.
The battery was stationed on the south of the
village and from his elevated position he could see
the entire movements of the rebel army on the
third day, during the heavy artillery duel in which
over four hundred pieces were participating. After
Lee's retreat the battery followed to the Potomac
and when the rebel forces crossed was drawn southeast to protect Washington. In the fall the battery
was transferred to Sherman's Army and from that
time on followed his fortunes through the famous
march to the sea and the return through the Carolinas, and then took part in the Grand Review at
Washington, June, 1865. The story of Sherman's
campaign in the Southeast has been told again and
again, and every reader can fill in the picture of
our subject's adventures during the long, weary,
and yet happy weeks. After his discharge Mr.
Outwater returned to the home of his parents in
this State and ere long was established in a happy
home of his own.
The marriage rites between Mr. Outwater and
Miss Finanda Rohm was solemnized in September,
1865. The Angel of Death entered their home in
February 1880, removing the good wife. In August,




424


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


1881, Mr. Outwater was married to his present cornpanion, Miss Catherine A. Pettit, of Jackson. This
union has been blest by the birth of four children,
named respectively: Harry M., Olive E., E. Olney
and Stanley S. It is the intention of Mr. Outwater
to retire from farm life and to take possession of a
residence property in Portland, Ionia County, that
he now owns.
Politically Mr. Outwater is a stalwart Republican.
He belongs to John McGeary Post, No. 132, G. A.
R., and Lodge No. 60, A. 0. U. W. He has been
Iighway Commissioner of Eagle Township, and
School Moderator for the past six years. He is a
member of the Baptist Church in Portland, has
held the office of Deacon for many years, and is
an earnest, humble Christian and ardent Sundayschool worker. In the Sunday-school field he has
become one of the most prominent workers in the
State and is now Superintendent of the denominational district work which covers Montcalm and
Ionia Counties.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Outwater is presented elsewhere in this volume.
ZEKIEL SALISBURY is one of the goodly
number of men to whom wordly goods have
accrued in sufficient quantity to enable them
to spend their declining years without work.  le
occupies a large brick residence in Owosso, where
creature comforts abound, and is surrounded by an
affectionate family and a congenial circle of friends.
Ile was born in Johnstown,Montgomery County, N.
Y., January 2, 1812. His father was also born in
the Empire State, while his mother was a native of
Dublin, Ireland. Matthew Salisbury, grandfather
of Ezekiel, was a Revolutionary soldier of Welsh
and English lineage. John and Mary Ann (Mead)
Salisbury were the parents of three daughters and
four sons, but three of their family only are now
living, of whom Ezekiel is among the latter. The
father died in his native State in the year 1838.
The mother came West and died in Bennington
Township, Shiawassee County, in 1848.
The fourth child in the family above mentioned


was Ezekiel, who passed his boyhood in his native
county and received a common-school education.
When sixteen years old he went to Utica and began
to learn the blacksmith's trade, at which he served
an apprenticeship of four years. He then returned
to his native place and engaged in business as a
blacksmith, carrying on a shop there until 1836,
when he made the journey to this State. He bought
three hundred and twenty acres of land in Waterford and White Lake Townships, Oakland County,
and for several years carried on farming and blacksmithing. He then traded some of his property for
land in Shiawassee County and removed to Bennington Township. Here he continued the two
lines of life in which he had been formely engaged,
doing blacksmithing for the settlers over a circuit
of twenty or thirty miles and managing a farm of
four hundred and eighty acres. In 1866 he shut
up his shop, sold his tools and giving his farm to
his two sons, removed to Owosso, where he has
since lived, looking after his interests in a general
way, but doing no hard physical work.
In May, 1832, Mr. Salisbury was married to
Miss Martha P. Stedman, only daughter of Fisher
and Rebecca Stedman, natives of Vermont and New
York respectively. The bride was born in Washington County, N. Y., in 1815, and is still sharing
her husband's fortunes and taking part with him in
social duties and pleasures. There were born to
them eight children-Nathaniel, who died in infancy; Sarah E., who became the wife of Edgar
Harryman; May J., who married Charles Harryman; Eugene P., deceased; George S., deceased;
Martha A., wife of B. R. Brewer, now living in
Owosso; John F., a resident of Owosso; and David
R., a boot and shoe dealer in the same place. Mr.
and Mrs. Salisbury have eight grandchildren and
one great-grandchild.
Mr. Salisbury was a stockholder and director in
the First National Bank and retained his interest
until within a few years of the affairs of the Bank
being wound up. He then became connected with
the Second National Bank and was its Vice-President until 1890, when it was changed to the Owosso
Savings Bank and he became Vice-President of the
new institution. He has four good store buildings
which he rents, and his worldly possessions are in



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


425




creased by various mortgages and notes which he
holds. The first Presidential ballot cast by Mr.
Salisbury was for Andrew Jackson and during the
war he was a strong War Democrat. He was
Justice of the Peace of Bennington Township four
years and was Supervisor of the first District of
Owosso for five years. He and his wife belong to
the Congregational Church and are numbered
among its most highly esteemed members.
) OBERT S. CLARK. No more successful
dealer can be found among the young men
of St. John's than Mr. Clark, who is a partner in the firm of Clark & Hulse, who carry
clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods. He
has already acquired a competence and the promise
of his future is more than ordinarily bright. His
success has been reached by close application to his
business and by that strict honesty which is the
best policy in business and adds greatly to the
strength of one's character and the regard in which
he is held by his fellow-men. Mr. Clark inherits
from  his father the persistency which is a typical
English trait and from him he also derives tact and
good judgment in business matters. Add to this
the fact that in his youth he was given training in
mercantile matters, and it is easy to see why he has
succeeded better than other men of his years.
The father, Robert Clark, was born in Yorkshire,
and came to America when seventeen years old.
Making his way to Ypsilanti, this State, he learned
the blacksmith's trade, and after working at it there
went to Ionia and labored for some time. He
bought one hundred and sixty acres of heavily
timbered land and later started the first blacksmith shop at Eureka, Clinton County. He also
opened a store, which his wife attended while he
was engaged in the shop. One of the first nurseries in the county was also started by him and in
each of these enterprises he proved successful. He
finally gave up all and then entered upon the sale
of general merchandise on a large scale. He increased his stock and facilities until he had three




stores and merchandise worth $20,000. In 1885
he sold out and retired from trade. He has some
interest in agricultural matters, owned three hundred and fifty acres of land and improved a large
tract. He built a gristmill which he still manages.
He is the largest tax payer in Greenbush Township,
and is the most successful man Eureka has known.
He is a leading member of the Evangelical Church.
His faithful wife, of whose companionship he was
bereft in 1881, was born in Knox County, Ohio
and bore the maiden name of Susan Brubaker. Her
parents are numbered among the early settlers in
Clinton County, Mich. The family included our
subject and three sisters: Mrs. Nellie Hulse of St.
John's; Mrs. Gettie Davies and Miss Anna M. of
Eureka.
The natal day of Robert S. Clark was May 16,
1860, and his birthplace Eureka. He attended the
district school and when quite small began to assist in the store, and thus in very early years
learned something of mercantile life. When fifteen he was placed in charge of a hardware store,
and did the necessary work until he was eighteen,
after which he kept the books of the establishment.
When of age he assumed a third interest in the
entire business, the firm becoming R. Clark & Co.
Subsequently father and son bought out Mr. Eagle,
and R. Clark & Son carried on the business. This
partnership lasted until 1885, when they sold out.
When he became a partner in the business, our
subject had $1,000 given him by his father, as a
birthday present when lie became of age. The
tlird interest in the establishment was worth $4,333. HIe paid in the $1,000 note and gave his own
note for the balance at ten per cent interest, and he
paid up the liability he had assumed within five
years.
In 1884 the stock invoiced at $20,634 and it was
then that our subject became an equal partner with
his father. After the dissolution of partnership in
1885 he came to St. John's and started in the clothing business in partnership with Jesse Sullivan.
During 1886 he sold his interest and in a short
time opened a grocery store, but soon sold it and
returned to the clothing trade. He carries a large
and carefully seleeted stock, and lie and his partner
are constantly working up their business. Young


I


I




426


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Clark had no indebtedness to his father when he
dissolved with him. and so began in St. John's unincumbered by past obligations. He has a farm of
eighty acres in Greenbush Township, which is well
improved and brings in a good sum when rented.
In Knox County, Ohio, in 1883, Mr. Clark was
united in marriage with Miss Neva Shipley, a native
of that place and daughter of George Shipley, a
well-to-do farmer and prominent citizen; she was
educated at Adah, Ohio, and she is not only well
educated in the literary sense but she is a proficient musician and taught music in Eureka prior to
her marriage. She is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church and is a highly respected member of society. She is the mother of two children,
Robert G. and Gracie.
Mr. Clark was so unfortunate as to lose one of
his lower limbs from a somewhat peculiar cause.
During the winter of 1890-91, his foot was affected
by the tightness of the elastic in his shoe, which
rubbed and gnawed, and having taken cold a serious complication set in. The sore spread and became gangrenous, and it was found necessary to
perform  an amputation. Dr. Gillam  performed
the operation January 25, 1891, and within five
weeks Mr. Clark was able to be up, and with his
artificial member he gets around so briskly that
few would know that he has been deprived of a
part of his body. In politics Mr. Clark is a thorough-going Republican. He is a Mason, enrolled
in Eureka Lodge, No. 318. He is a very popular
young man, with an excellent reputation both in
business and social circles.
E  ZRA B. NICHOLS. A stranger traveling
through  Watertown   Township, Clinton
County, would be impressed by the number
of fine farms and beautiful farm-houses that dot its
expanse. One of the best tracts of land in the
county is that owned by the gentleman above
named, consisting of eighty acres on section 35.
Although not so large as some, the place is so well
supplied with conveniences for man and beast, and
the soil is so evidently cared for according to the


most approved methods, that none can fail to call
it beautiful. It has long been the home of Mr.
Nichols, and indeed his memory pictures but few
scenes unconnected with the immediate locality, as
he came hither when but six years old.
Grandfather Nichols and his son Jason, father of
our subject, were natives of the Empire State and
came together to Michigan in 1835. They located
in what is known as the Canadian Settlement in
Eaton County, and there the younger man set up
a home of his own a few years later, wedding Abigail Billings, a worthy woman who aided and encouraged him  in every laudable undertaking.
November 4, 1840, they were made glad by the
birth of a son whom they called Ezra B. During
the childhood of the lad the father bought land in
Clinton County originally entered by his wife's
father, and removing thereto lived upon it until
his death September 20, 1883. He was well-nigh
seventy years old, having been born in 1815. Besides our subject, Jason and Abigail Nichols had
three children, all living.
Our subject had but a district school education
but this was sufficient for all practical purposes
and was a good groundwork for the knowledge
that can only be gained by experience and personal observation. Since beginning the battle of life
Mr. Nichols has made use of the papers and other
avenues of information and is well informed regarding events of general interest and practical
topics. lIe was fortunate in winning for his wife
a lady who sympathizes with him in every noble
thought and intent and has the ability to aid him
in many ways. She was formerly Miss Sarah E.
Barnard and is the daughter of the Rev. Daniel
Barnard of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She
was born in the Empire State and her marriage to
Mr. Nichols was solemnized March 26, 1865.
The record of the children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Nichols is as follows: Arthur C., born June 3, 1867;
Nellie E., March 9, 1869; Lou B., October 23,
1875. Nellie was educated in Lansing and her
younger sister is now pursuing a course of study
there. Mr. Nichols is now Justice of the Peace
and in former days he was Deputy Sheriff of
Clinton County. Politically he is a Democrat,
firm in the faith, and convinced that his party is




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


427


- - - - - - - - - - ~   I —  ~-~-` ~ ~ -~- - - - --- ---- --— ~- I


worthy of the support of every lover of his
country. Socially he is a member of the Masonic
order, enrolled in Lodge No. 33, F. & A. M. in
Lansing. Mr. Niclhols is a man of good character
and energy and commands the respect of his acquaintances.
AMES HAMILTON.        The finest photograph gallery in Clinton County is Hamilton's Studio at St. John's. The reputation
of the work turned out from this gallery is
equal if not superior to that of any other town in
Central Michigan, not even excepting the Capital.
Mr. Hamilton has perfect appointments, and uses
a new paper, manufactured by himself, which ihe
calls the Aristo. By its use he secures clearer uand
more lasting impressions and the finish does not
fade as did that of the old time photographs. Mr.
Hamilton carries a line of frames suitable for such
pictures as he turns out, having every facility for
making the large portraits which are so popular.
Mr. Hamilton belongs to that honorable class
known as the Scotch-Irish, his ancestors having
gone from Scotland to Ireland and made that their
home during two or three generations. His father,
John Hamilton, was born in the Emerald Isle and
accompanied his parents to America wllen six
years old. They made their home at Ogdensburg,
N. Y., and the grandfather of our subject died the
next year. The family removed to Canada and
John. though only a little boy, began to do for
himself. He worked on a farm, later became a
clerk and finally engaged il the sale of general
merchandise at Markdale. lie was successful as a
merchant and became the owner of several farms.
He was living a retired life when he died, May 21,
1890, and was then sixty-nine years and ten months
old. He was a member of the Conservative party
and was an active and earnest communicant of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The wife of John
Hamilton and mother of our subject was Phebe
Walker, a native of Canada who is still living in
Markdale. She too is of Irish parentage.
The natal day of James Hamilton was August


14, 1857 and his birthplace Markdale in the province of Ontario. He   attended the common
schools and did not begin the art of photography
until 1880, when he learned the process. Soon
afterward he bought a gallery which he carried on
for three years, then changed his location to Collingwood, where lie remained ayear. He then sold
out, and in January, 1887, came to this State and
established himself in business in Albion. After
sojourning there eighteen months he went to
Springfield, Mo., and operated as a member of the
firm of Hamilton &   Bushman.   The business
connection was dissolved in 1889 and coming to
St. Johns our subject bought the two galleries that
were then in operation here. He carried on both
until the fall of 1890, then sold one and gave his
attention entirely to the work done in what has become so well-known as Hamilton's Studio.
Mr. Hamilton has a pleasant home which is made
cosy and attractive by the efforts of his wife,
formerly Miss Isabella Kenny. She was born near
Collingwood, Canada, and married there, Septeriber 13, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Ilamilton are the
happy parents of a little son, John J. The political allegiance of Mr. Hamilton is given to the
principles of Democracy, but he takes no further
interest in party matters than to read of what is
going on and cast his ballot at the proper time.
He is a pleasant and well-informed gentleman.
MITH F. WARNER who has held the position of Supervisor of Woodhull Town-;  ship, Shiawassee County, was born in Che,
iango County, N. Y., January 25, 1835.
Iis father, Smith B. Warner was a native of Washington County, N. Y., and was born in December,
1800 and his grandfather James was as far as is
known a native of Massachusetts. The family in
America originated with three brothers who cane
from Wales in Colonial days and settled at Martha's
Vineyard Island off the coast of Massachusetts.
The grandfather, James Warner, was a surveyor
and farmer and early removed to New York State
where he was reared and died having reached a good




428


PORTMAIT AND BIOGRAPHI CAL ALBUM.I


428_  PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICA ALBUM.


old age. The father also was a farmer and followed surveying to some extent. He also owned
and operated a grist-mill, a carding machine and a
scythe factory. He came to Michigan in 1844,
journeying across the lake to Detroit and from
there by team to this county. He traded mill and
farm property in New York for a large tract of
land here which was then an unbroken wilderness.
Here he made his home in a log house, which was
situated on the Indian trail. He was no hunter
but had dealings with the Indians who were very
numerous. He drew wheat to Detroit for sale and
was from seven to eight days on a trip.
Hannah (Smith) Warner, the mother of our subject was born in Cheshire, Conn., in 1804. She
reared three of her four children, namely: Mary J.,
Prudence W. and Smith F. She was a member of
the Baptist Church and a woman of earnest Christian character. She survived her husband for many
years as he passed away in 1846 and she lived until 1864. Her father, John Smith, was a native of
Connecticut who settled in New York State. He
had four brothers in the Revolutionary War; two
were killed, one was wounded and one was taken
captive on a British Man-of-War and after dark,
jumped overboard and swimming ashore managed
to escape. John Smith married Hannah Bunnell,
who was of English descent and they had four
daughters. He lived to almost complete his one
hundred years.
The subject of this sketch came to Shiawassee
County with his parents in 1844. He attended the
pioneer schools here walking three miles to his first
school-house which was a log shanty with a flat
roof, walls eight feet high, having a large stone
fire-place and slab benches with pin legs.  The
school was managed under the rate hill system.
He took one term in the schools of Corunna and at
one time they had school in his father's house,
children coming to it from four or five miles distant. In those days he saw many more Indians
than whites. Young John Okamus, son of the
Chief of the tribe, used to stay all night at the house
and brought the boys presents. The wolves bothered the sleep and it was with difficulty that they
could be protected. He was fond of hunting and
used occasionally to drop a deer which helped to


supply the family with fresh meat. He began for
himself at twenty years of age by making a trip to
California across the plains, riding eight hundred
and fifty miles on horseback to Council Bluffs and
going by wagon the rest of the way. He spent four
years in Eldorado County, Cal., and was successful in mining.
After his return from the West, Mr. Warner
took the farm where he now resides and also had
part of the homestead. He has made most of the
improvements which now appear upon it. He was
married in December,1860,to Miss Sarah A. Boughton who was born in Westphalia, Clinton County,
Mich. Eleven children have been granted to them,
six of whom are now living. They were named Andrew J.; Frances C., Mrs. Osborn; Jennie E.; Seth
L.; Arthur F. and Annie M. The mother of these
children is an earnest and devoted member of the
Methodist Church and has brought up her children
in the principles of her religion.
The subject of this sketch has one hundred and
sixty acres of land upon which he carries on mixed
farming. He is a Democrat in his political views
and as has been before said has long been the
chosen Supervisor of the township. He was also
Clerk of the township for nine years. He helped
to survey many of the roads in this vicinity and
as an intelligent farmer is a member of the Grange
and ever active to promote the interest of the agricultural community. During the war he helped to
raise a company of men for the army.
P   RANCIS W. REDFERN. The record of this
citizen of Clinton County is of interest, not
only to his acquaintances, but to others, as
it shows him to have been a valiant soldier, an
honorable official and a trustworthy citizen. It is
impossible in a volume like this to trace his career
through every detail, but it is the purpose of the
biographical writer to present the important incidents and to make such a note of his characteristics as will enable the reader to fill in the outline
and complete the picture. Since 1875 he has been
located on section 28, Essex Towuship, on a fine




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


429


- -


farm of one hundred and thirty acres, which is one
of the most valuable pieces of property in the
vicinity.
Mr. Red fern was born in Toronto, Canada, July
20, 1842, his parents being Matthew and Hannah
(Hine) Redfern, who imigrated from England in
1838. When the lad was about four years old
they went to Monroe County, N. Y., where they
made their home some seven years. Thence they
came to this State, locating in Calhoun County,
where our subject remained until after the breaking out of the Civil War. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of New York
and Marshall, Mich., and in 1859, having completed the High School course, entered the Michigan
Agricultural College at Lansing. Before he had
completed the course of study there, he and sixty
other students enlisted in the service of the Republic. Young Redfern was enrolled February 14,
1862, and was attached to the Engineers' Corps
under Gen. Fremont.
For a time our subject was on duty at St. Louis,
Mo., and when Gei. Fremont was superseded the
Engineers' Corps was disbanded, and he returned
to Michigan. He then enlisted in the navy, and
was sent to join the North Atlantic Squadron, and
for a short time was on the boat iNorth Carolina,"
a receiving ship. Thence he was transferred to
the gunboat "Peterhoff," on which he served about
four months. She was finally sunk at Wilmington,
having collided with another boat, but no lives
were lost by reason of the disaster-a remarkable
fact, as the "Peterhoff" was but three minutes in
going down. Mr. Redfern subsequently served on
the gunboat "Union" in Farragut's fleet and took
part in the naval engagements at Pensacola, St.
Mark's and Mobile.
Mr. Redfern went up the Mississippi as far as New
Orleans, reaching that place after the fighting on
the river was nearly done, and has little of interest to recall of that stream.  Ie was discharged
February 14, 1864, and at once enlisted again,
joining the First Michigan Cavalry. He remained
with that regiment until the close of the war and
had the pleasure of beingin  n Custer's command
and forming a part of Sheridan's forces during the
campaign in the Shenandoah Valley and the raids


around Richmond. He was at Appamattox when
Gen. Lee surrendered and was one of the party
sent in search of Booth after President Lincoln was
shot. He took part in the Grand Review at Washington and was then sent to the plains, where he
had a taste of Indian warfare prior to his final discharge December 14, 1865.
When he could no longer serve his country as a
soldier Mr. Redfern returned to this State, and exchanged the weapons with which he had been
fighting for those with which to subdue antagonistic elements in the physical world. In the peaceful walks of life he has displayed the same devotion to principle which animated him as a soldier
and he has gained that which is better than silver
or gold-a good name aniong men. For some
years he has had the companionship and close sympathy of a noble woman who became his wife September 30, 1866, prior to which time she was known
as Miss Eunice M. Sherman. She is a native of
the Empire State, and is one of those who while
making her home and family the objects of her
chief care, is kindly and useful among her neighbors. Five children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Redfern but only four live to cheer them by
their love, their names being Frank, Chalmer, Alice
and Winfield S.
The political affiliation of Mr. Redfern is with
the Republican party, and in 1890 he was a candidate for Representative from Clinton County, but
was defeated by L. W. Baldwin, of Fowler. He
served as Grain Commissioner one term and as Justice of the Peace one term in Essex Township, and
some years ago, while living in Muskegon County,
was Sclool Inspector of Montague Township two
terms. In the spring of 1891 be was elected Township Supervisor for a period of one year and he is
now discharging the duties of that position in a
capable manner. He is a member of Billy Begole
Post, No. 127, G. A. R., at Maple Rapids, was Commander one year and at the expiration of his term
was presented with a beautiful officer's sword as a
memento of his efficient service. He is also connected with Essex Grange, No. 439, at Maple Rapids and was Master three years. He was Master of
Clinton County Pomona Grange two years, an(d
has been a member of the Executive Committee of




430


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
A


v
-- --


the Michigan State Grange six years. He is also
identified with the Masonic order. He and his
wife hold membership in the Christian, Church
at Maple Rapids. The hospitality of their home
is extended with a lavish hand, and few indeed
are the homes where better entertainment is afforded both as regards creature comforts or intellectual pleasures.
ON. RICHARD B. CARUSS. The Caruss
farm is a landmark in Clinton County, and
its owner is one of those to whom the present advanced condition of this section is
due. In the strength of his early manhood he began the toils necessary to bring a tract of undeveloped land under cultivation, and he is happy to
say that from the proverty of those days he has
arisen to a position of financial solidity that makes
it unnecessary for him to work hard when he is old.
He located upon his present farm in 1862, and has
since taken a leading part in the political and public affairs of Essex Township.
A native of the State of New York, our subject
was born February 3, 1827, in what is now known
as Wyoming County. His parents, H. C. S. and
Temperance (Bishop) Caruss, were natives respectively of New York State and New Hampshire.
His paternal ancestors were English and on his
mother's side he is of Scotch blood. His maternal
grandfather, Noah Bishop, was a Revolutionary
soldier and also served in the War of 1812. Our
subject accompanied his parents to Michigan in
1833 and was reared to manhood in Oakland County
amid primitive surroundings. There his fatherand
mother experienced the trials and pleasures of pioneer life and there they remained until called from
earth; he in 1878 and she in 1839.
Mr. Caruss received the advantages of a district school education. and the intelligence of his
parents and the earnestness of his teachers inspired
him with a desire to know both men and books.
He therefore resolved to avail himself of every


opportunity of self-improvement, and by a persistent course of reading he has attained to the intelligence which is his marked characteristic to-day.
His principal study has been veterinary surgery, in
which lie is particularly well informed.
The marriage of Mr. Caruss September 21, 1851
united him happily with Mary A. Wolcott, daughter of Chauncey and Lydia (Stiles) Wolcott. By
this union there were born three children, all of
whom have grown to maturity and are doing well.
They are: Luana, wife of Charles Fowbel; Carrie,
a college graduate, who is a teacher and noted elocutionist; and Temperance is at home. The various members of the family are highly esteemed in
social circles and enjoy their comfortable home on
section 25. Mr. Caruss has done much pioneer
work and now owns one hundred and eighty-six
acres of fine and productive land. A view of his
estate with its principal buildings is presented in
connection with this biographical notice. He has
attained his present prosperity by the exercise of
energy and enterprise, and has always been aided
by the active management of his wife.
Mr. Caruss sympathized with our Government
in its struggle during the Civil War and enlisted
at the first call for troops in April, 1861, becoming a member of Company D, Second Michigan
Infantry. This regiment was made a part of the
Army of the Potomac and took part in the following battles: the first engagement at Rull Run,
Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, siege of Yorktown, and
Charles City Crossroads. At the latter place he
was the victim of a sunstroke and at Williamsburg
received a flesh wound. On account of these injuries he receives a monthly pension of $24. After
participating in the above mentioned battles, besides in less important engagements too numerous
to mention, he received his honorable discharge
August 7, 1862, being brought home on a bed
from Harrison's Landing, Va. He was confined to
his house and bed for over a year after reaching
home.
In his political views Mr. Caruss is a Republican and a leader in his party. For two years he
was Supervisor of Essex Township, and in 1880 he
was elected to the Michigan State Legislature where
he served during the final session of 1881 and the




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RES ID ENCE 0F JAM E5 R.yAN DYNEI SEC. E& MIDDLEBURY TFPJSH IAWA3EIE C.O.MI\41CH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


433


special session of 1882. A public-spirited man, he
is an active promoter of every movement for the
elevation of society and the industrial progress of
the county. Socially he is identified with the
Masonic order at St. John's. Beside general farming, he is also engaged in stock-raising, and is a
noted breeder of Scotch Galloway cattle and
American Merino sheep, and is beginning to cultivate Percherons. Both lie and his estimable wife
are honored members of society and have the good
will of the community.
— 'c ---^M^F~ ---e —
7 AMES R. VAN DYNE, a well-known farmer
of Middlebury Township, Shiawassee County, was born in Novi, Oakland County,
Mich., April 12, 1836. Ile is a son of
Abram  and Harriet Van Dyne, both natives of
New York, his mother having been born in Mouroe County and his father in Seneca County. Ilis
father was by occupation a farmer and came to
Michigan when Detroit was a small village of only
P. few houses. HIe went at once to Oakland County
and settled twenty miles south of Pontiac. lie
was able to give to his son no advantages except
those of the district school, which he could attend
only in winter after lie was nine years, for, being a
pioneer, the father did not realize much cash and
hence had difficulty in making payment of the rate
bill.
Our subject lived at home with his parents until
lie reached his majority and for the next two years
made a strenuous effort to earn money and acquired
$300 which lie invested in a tract of land in Tuscola County, Mich. But when be came to examine this land he found that it was only a swamp.
He therefore began life again at the age of twentythree years empty-handed. He perseveringly and
undauntedly worked at whatever lie could get to
do, cheerfully accepting the wages which were
offered him, often working for fifty cents a day.
I-e thus continued until he reached the age of
thirty years. He lived in Oakland County, working on shares and saving what he could, until he


was able to buy eighty acres of land, paying $150
down on it.
Mr. Van Dyne came to Shiawassee County in
1866 and located on the farm where he now resides.
He hired considerable work done on his estate and
during sheep shearing time devoted himself largely
to that work, at which he was an expert. Ile
slheared sheep at ten cents a head and could make
as much as $8 per day. He has been known to cut
five acres of wheat with a cradle in a day and during one season cut eighly acres of oats and wheat.
Hlis enterprise and energy surmounted all difficulties and lie never failed to make a dollar at anytlhing to which he could turn his hand. Ile added
little by little to his possessions until now lie has a
grand farm of four hundred and eighty acres, to
which he has been constantly adding, both in extent
and improvement. Ile has an elegant residence
and nine large barns and one in the course of construction. A view of his residence with some of
the outbuildings appears on another page, together
with a view of his tenant house on section 35.
The marriage of our subject took place September
24, 1867, his bride being Amna M. Herrick of
Middlebury Township. Seven children have blessed
their home, namely: Albert E., now twenty-two
years old; Agnes B., a young lady of nineteen
years; Lucy A., who, although only eighteen years
old. was married on February 11, 1891, to Alonzo
H. Moten of Middlebury; Ella B., sixteen years
old, Iattie E., thirteen, James Edward, eleven, and
Anna, seven years old. Ella is now a pupil in the
Union schools at Ovid.
Mr. Van Dyne is intelligent on political questions and a Republican in his views. He is now
filling his second term as Township Treasurer and
has been Commissioner of Highways. He has
never sought office and these positions of trust
have been urged upon him by those who believe in
his integrity and ability. Both he and his noble
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and for the last forty years he has been in
the choir. He and all his family take a great
interest in music and are exceedingly helpful in
this department of church work, not only in the
vocal but in the instrumental part of the service.
I-e gives liberally to other churches besides his




434


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


434      PORTRAIT ANDB~IOGAHCLABM


own and is a public-spirited man in every respect.
He takes more than an ordinary interest in educational affairs and has given his sons and daughters
good opportunities for self-improvement.
YLVESTER CARTER. Among the most
public-spirited citizens of Duplain Townlb     ship, Clinton County, we are pleased to
mention Mr. Carter, whose pleasant home
is situated upon section 25, where upon eighty
acres of rich and arable soil lie is carrying on the
calling of a farmer and stock-raiser. Hie was born
in New Hampshire, September 4, 1815, and is therefore now in his declining years, but is still active
and energetic.
Our subject is a son of Jude and Abigail (Pierce)
Carter, and when he was a little child of three
years his people removed to Broome County, N.Y.,
where he grew up, attending the district school
winters as he grew old enough, and laboring upon
the farm in the summers. Upon reaching the age
of twenty-one years, he decided to come to Michigan, and in 1837 he located in Oakland County,
and in Duplain Township in 1839.
Mr. Carter has been twice married. His first
wife was Rosetta P. Hale. She lived but a little
over a year after their marriage, and died without
leaving any children. His second marriage occurred May 28, 1850, and he then took to wife
Miss Maria Drake, a daughter of Nathan and HIannah (Hix) Drake. By this union five children
were granted to Mr. Carter, and they are by name:
Sarah L. married John F. Kelley and lives in St.
John's; William H., who lives in Fairfield Township with his wife and three children; Minton S.,
who lives at home; Hannah A., who was snatched
by death from the arms of her parents when she
was only four years and seven months old; and
Sylvia, who still resides under the parental roof.
The first tract of land which was purchased by
our subject when he came to Michigan consisted of
forty acres. This he afterward sold and bought
bhe farm where he now resides. He remembers


with pleasure casting his Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840, and he was gratified
to be able to vote for the grandson of that Presi(lent. He is an ardent Republican, but has never
been a seeker for office. He brought his father
here from New York to pass his declining-years,
and he is buried at the Colony burying ground.
Mrs. Carter was born June 18, 1822, in New
York. Her mother spent her last days in this
household, and is now lying at rest in the burying
ground at Elsie. Mr. Carter is a man who devotes
considerable time to reading, and thus keeps himself in touch with the most important movements
of the day. He is always depended upon to assist
in promoting any movement which tends to elevate the morals of the community or to further its
true prosperity. IHe offered to each of his children
an opportunity for a thorough and liberal education, and to those who chose this he gave the best
advantages. Ii addition to farming and stockraising, he has devoted himself to some extent to
the dairying industry. His life work and his steady
perseverance in industry and integrity are happy
lessons to all the young who desire the truest success in life. It is to be hoped that his posterity
will emulate his example in their lives...~ ---'.. —.- ^           ~,~-..l ---
O   TIS FULLER is one of the most popular
men of St. John's and every one rejoices in
his prosperity. He is an ex-editor of the
Republican, and is Deputy Collector of Internal
Revenue for the First District, appointed by Collector Stone. He was born in Genesee County,
N. Y. at Elba, July 14, 1853. His father, James
Fuller was born in Bristol, N. H. and both parents
belonged to old New England families of English
and Scotch-Irish descent who came to this country
about 1640 and later took part in the Revolutioiary War.   The grandfather came to Genesee
County, N. Y., in the early days, and taught school
for some years. He engaged in farming in Elba
Township. The father was a Captain in the State
Militia.
In 1857 the father of our subject located on a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


435


farm in Ingham County, owning one hundred and
eighty-four acres of finely improyed land. lie acted
for several years as Supervisor of Vevay Township
and died in 1884. He was a Republican in his political views. The mother, MaryPage, was born in
Bristol, N. H., and was a daughter of John Page,
a New England teacher of eminence who pursued
his profession throughout life. He was the son of
a Revolutionary soldier. The mother was welleducated and taught school before her marriage.
Nine of the children of this intelligent and
worthy family grew to maturity, our subject being
next to the youngest.  IIe attended a private
school, the Fuller Academy, which was kept by his
sister, where he studied the higher branches and
the languages. At the age of nineteen years he
began teaching in the district sclools, carrying
this on for three winters, holding a first grade certificate. This high grade he took before he was
twenty-one years old.
The young man now took up editorial work and
in 1876 became a partner in the proprietorship and
editorial work of the Ingham  County News at
Mason.   After being a partner of W. F. Conell
for six months he bought out that gentleman's interest and managed it alone until 1880, when lhe
sold it. In January, 1881, he came to St. John's
and purchased the Republican becoming its sole
editor and proprietor. This he carried on until
July, 1889, enlarging it from a nine column folio
to a six column quarto and building up a good job
office, making the business double what it was
when he took it. H-e put in a steam power press
and made other improvements. He finally sold out
the business to C. C. Vaughan.
The sale of the paper was the result of Mr.
Fuller's appointment, June 20, 1889, to the position
of Deputy Revenue Collector of the first district,
Sixth Division.  This includes the counties of
Gratiot, Clinton, Ingham and Jackson, Clare and
Isabella. He is an investor in various broad interests, being President of the Pulaski Heights Land
Company, of Little Rock, Ark. This company
owns a sub-division of Little Rock with a capital
stock of $150,000. He is also one of the directors of
the Ludington and St. John's State Bank and owns
stock in the Carson City State Bank. He also owns


an interest in pine lands in Mississippi. fle is
School Assessor in St. John's and socially belongs
to the Knights Templar, to the Ancient Order of
United Workmen and to the order of Chosen
Friends. He is a notable man among the newspaper men of the State, being well known in the
State and National Editorial Association and being upon the executive committee of the latter in
1889. At the time of the trip which this association took to Colorado, Texas and Mexico lie accompanied them. He has for a long while been a
frequent delegatte to the Republican State Convention and for years has been the Treasurer of the
County Republican Committee and is also on the
State Committee.  He belonged to the Village
Board of Trustees for two years and was President
pro tern during most of that time.  lie was the
Republican candidate for State Senator in 1884,
but owing to the fusion at that time between
Democrats and Greenbackers he was defeated.
M   W. WILLOUGHBY.       A man who has
such a keen appreciation of the value of
education and culture as to overcome early
lack of training and school himself in book
lore, will prize this privilege for his children and
will give them as their richest heritage an opportunity for a liberal education. Such a man is the
one whose name stands at the head of this paragraph, and his children to whom he has given a
university education will never cease to thank him
for this opportunity.
Mr. Willoughby's fine farm is located on section
36, Rush Township, Shiawassee County, and there
he carries on general farming ind stock-raising.
Seneca County, Ohio, is his native place and there
he was born February 28,1839. His father, T. B.
Willoughby, a farmer and lawyer, was born in
Virginia in 1806. He had the advantages of the
common school and was also a hard student by
himself, and trained himself in all kinds of business. His father, Robert Willoughby, a native of
Eastern Maryland, had the appointment of Indian
agent, and was located near Pittsburg, Pa. His




436


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.I


436            PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


mother Anna Barnes, was the mother of three
daughters and two sons, of whom T. B. was the
fourth in order of birth. Robert was a soldier in
the War of 1812 and a prominent man in the Masonic order. Both he and his good wife lie at rest
in Seneca County, Ohio.
At the age of twenty-one T. B. Willoughby located land in Ohio, and clearing away the trees
made it his home. His marriage took place about
the year 1824 in Harrison County, Ohio, where he
was united with Diana Caldwell, daughter of Samuel Caldwell, a native of Connecticut who came to
Ohio in an early day. Diana was born about 1809
and was the eldest of a family of two sons and
four daughters.
About the year 1832 the young couple removed
to Seneca County, and bought a farm of eighty
acres in Venice Township and some fourteen years
later removed to Wyandotte County. He was a
man of more than ordinary caliber and worked
earnestly for whatever principles either religious
or political his convictions pointed out. He was a
member of the Protestant Methodist Church and
an officer in the same and he was a Democrat in
politics. He filled honorably and efficiently the
offices of Justice of the Peace and Constable. Both
lie and his wife passed away while residing in Wy..
andotte County, she being taken from his side in
1865 and he following her in 1868.
The subject of this sketch grew up under somewha' disadvantageous circumstances and had scant
opportunities for schooling but being a thorough
student through his natural inclinations and his
father's example, studied by himself. April 19,
1861 he married Esther E. Gilbert, daughter of
Ileber H. and Ann (Collins) Gilbert, natives of
New England and the parents of two sons and five
daughters, Esther being born May 31, 1841.
Mrs. Willoughby is a lady of more than ordinary
ability and of liberal education, being a graduate
of the medical department of Ann Arbor. At one
time she filled the position of Matron of the general hospital in that city. Their five children are:
Juan M., who died whet a little over a year old;
Paul G., who attended the Owasso High School
until he was about seventeen years old then entered
the Agricultural College at Lansing, but ill health
C15  1nrr   yr~~  1 ~IIII) 3


forced him to quit school, and since he has been
engaged in breeding and driving horses; Ruth A.;
Victor R., and Levi Philip Ray. The only daughter is a graduate of the literary department of the
University and is teaching the languages at La Porte,
Ind. Victor is a junior in the High School at Anl
Arbor and Levi is at school in tie same institution.
Mr. Willoughby knows a fine animal when lie
sees it and is well versed in trotting and roadster
horses, both of whichl he raises. He has some registered stock and several high graded animals,
keeping at present some seventeen good horses. I-e
is a prominent member of the Patrons of Husbandry and the Patrons of Industry and has held
State offices in each. He is a Grand Army man
and is independent in politics. His popularity with
his neighbors is quite independent of his political
views and he has held the following offices: Justice
of the Peace, Superintendent of Schools and Drainage Commissioner.
As we have before said, this gentleman's marriage took place April 19, 1861, and on April 20,
he enlisted in Company G, Fifteenth Ohio Infantry,
and was sent at once to Columbus. From   there
he went to Zanesville and on May 25 reached
Grafton, W. Va. Thence he went to Cheat Mountain Gap and was there when Gen. Garnet was
killed at Carricks' Ford. He went from there to
Red House and then to Oakland, Va., where he was
at the time of the battle of Bull Run. From there
he was ordered to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio,
and mustered out of service in August at Upper
Sandusky. This period of service had not satisfied
his desire to serve his country and on the 17th of
August 1862 he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-third Infantry, which was organized at Monroeville, Ohio. His company was under
the command of Capt. Curtis Berry, First Lieutenant A. Robins and Second Lieutenant James Gillan. The regimental officers were Col. William T.
Wilson, Lieut.-Col. Hunter, and Maj. Norton.
At the time of enlistment our subject was made
Orderly Sergeant of his company, and received
orders to go by way of Parkersburg to Clarksburg, W. Va. His first engagement was at Winchester, and lie was there promoted to the office of




PORTRAI[T AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


437


PORTRAIT AND --- —— I- BIORAPICA  A.  4


Second Lieutenant. During the first fight, June
13, 1863 at Winchester, twenty-three officers of his
regiment were captured some of whom never returned to the regiment. A number of the officers
captured at this time were of that party who dug
out of Libby Prison in 1863, and very few of
them ever did active duty in the regiment again.
Lieut. Willoughby often had charge of a large
number of men and his experience had fitted him
for command and in June 1863, being sick with a
fever, he was captured in hospital. He was sent to
Richmond and paroled and being forwarded to
Annapolis was put in the Marine Hospital, and
there was exchanged in September but was retained
by the officer in charge of Camp Parole and detailed
as distributing officer.  Remaining there until
November or December, he reported for duty at
Martinsburg, Va. Thence he went to New Market
and was under Gen. Siegel's command and from
there went to Piedmont where he was under Gen.
Hunter and afterward was with Gen. Crooks at
Stanton. Going to Lynchburg, Va., they were
forced back across the mountain to Parkersburg
andl Harper's Ferry. There they crossed the river
to Snicker's Ferry in the Blue Ridge Mountains,
where our subject was shot through the thigh on
July 18. He went to Baltimore and was there
granted a leave of absence and went home to Ohio.
After a short visit home the young Lieutenant
rejoined his regiment November 6, 1863 and taking
charge of his company at Cedar Creek, W. Va.,
although yet suffering from his wound he went
from  there to Opequon Creek. From   there ie
went by way of Washington to the James River,
making Hatchie's Run, near Petersburg, his objective point. He had charge of the first skirmish.line
that captured the works at Hatchie's Run. He
then went to Burkville Junction to head off the
retreating rebels and reached there on the night of
April 5. On the 6th he was ordered to High
Bridge and was there surrounded and captured
after his ammunition was spent, by the cavalry of
Fitz Hugh Lee. A special order from the Adjutant-General's office finally effected their exchange,
so that they might be mustered out, when their
term of service expired.
At the close of the war Lieut. Willoughby de

cided to make his home in Michigan and came
directly to Owosso, but two years later removed to
Rush Township and purchased eighty acres of rich
and productive land and five years later bought
forty acres more on section 36. It was then an
unbroken forest but it is now well cleared and is in
a productive condition. He has never recovered
entirely as to health from the effects of army life,
and he is granted a pension by the Government.
He generally hires a man to do the farm work and
pays his individual attention more fully to his
stock, making a specialty of fine horses.
— ~^ ---~ ----^~ —
ILLIAM     JOHNSON. The last century
\\     has been characterized by such gigantic
strides in the evolution of the arts and
sciences that are applied to the commonest as well
as the most complex features of daily life that the
latter part of the century seems as different from
the fore part as though epochs had elapsed between
them. A man or woman whose life has spanned
a large part of the century cannot but have been
shaped more or less by the current of events that
has gone to make this the most wonderful age in
the world's history. Our subject, William Johnson has attained patriarchal years and can recount
events that have occurred during his lifetime that
would have made the heroes of old blush for the
comparative modesty of their works and achievements.
William Johnson was born in Sodus, Wayne
County, N. Y., about one mile from Lake Ontario,
October 9, 1812, the date that is so memorable to
Americans as that of the struggle in which America irrevocably asserted her independence and
claimed her rights. Our subject's father, Ichabod
Johnson, was a native   of Vermont, while his
mother whose maiden name was Polly Farnham,
was also born in Vermont. The father died when
William was six months old and the mother afterward married Thomas Boyd, who was connected
with the engagement of Sodus Point. The original of our sketch was raised on the farm until his
stepfather's death at which time he was fourteen.




438


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


After this sad event our subject remained three or
four years with his mother, aiding in the work of
the farm. When seventeen years old he went with
his brother to Oswego. Here he remained two
years and then returned to Sodus which continued
to be his home until 1835, when he came to Michigan.
October 8, 1835, the young man left home behind him and started out for what was then the
wild West. He came to Shiawassee, Shiawassee
County, this State, where he remained until his
marriage, which event was celebiated February, 5,
f840.  His wife's maiden name was Diantha
Wright, a daughter of Ephraim Wright of Shiawassee, who came to that place in the spring of
1836 from Ohio. Our subject made his living for
a time by working for Hosea Baker. About this
time he went to New York State where he remained for six months. On his coming to this
State he bought eighty acres of Mr. Baker, paying
for the land by giving him his team with which
he had come West and six months work. I-e was
compelled to do what work he could find and
could devote but little time to the improvement
of his purchase. An engagement to put a roof on
the Newburg Mill which had at that time been just
begun, required much of his time. July 31, 1840,
he moved onto his farm which at that time had a
log house and he continued to live in the place for
fifty-one years.
Mr. Johnson managed to pick up the carpenter's
trade and contracted to build a great many houses
and barns. The contract of building the Shiawassee Mills was given to him in 1863. In 1852 Mr.
Johnson was in Minnesota where he assisted in
building a mill at Minneapolis and worked at his
trade in St. Paul. During the winter of 1835-36
while working for Itosea Baker, he was twice sent
to Pontiac to mill and each time met with a serious mishap. There were then no bridges and the
streams had to be forded. The first accident
spoken of occurred as he was on the return trip
from Byron. Finding the river frozen over he
had to ride one horse over at a time breaking the
ice with an ax, picking his way carefully across
the stream on his horses' back. Then unloading
the wagon, before he could pursue his way he was


obliged to repeat the operation time after time to
get all across the river. Our subject was present
at the first township meeting held in the spring of
1836. It was at the house of Hosea Baker of
Newburg, sixteen votes being cast. Mr. Johnson
has never since missed a township election. In
politics Mr. Johnson is a Republican, having
voted in 1840 for William H. Iarrison and during
the last campaign for his grandson.
Mr. Johnson's wife died after about fourteen
years of wedded life having been the mother of
five children. He was afterward married in Februury, 1856, to Mrs. Ananda Van Noller, whose
maiden name was Bristol. They were married at
Corunna by the Rev. Mr. Arnold, the Presiding
Elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After
being his helpmate for twenty-eight years she
died, July 22, 1887. Mr. Johnson had no children by his second wife. The first family are as
follows: George W., who lives in Clinton County;
Lydia Ann who is Mrs. E. A. Campbell and residing in Lamoure County, N. Dak.; Henry who died
at tie age.of fourteen; Huldah, Maria and Riley C.
tIuldah married Reuben Lafler and died at about
thirty years of age. Riley C. was born May 19,
1850, and was married August 17, 1876, to Miranda Monroe, of Clinton County.
Our subject is a stanch, straightforward  old
gentleman. He has always been an active man,
used to hard work and even yet is vigorous and
energetic. He has been for many years a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
IICHARD C. DAVIES, of the firm of Davies
& Adams, has been engaged in his present
enterprise but a short time, and the business
of the firm is in its infancy. They occupy
two floors of a building eighty feet deep and have
the largest stock of vehicles and harness in St.
John's. Mr. Davies himself is an old settler of
the county and has been intimately connected with
the business life of this section, as an employe of
his brothers, W. T. & R. E. Davies. He is in independent circumstances and able to establish a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


439


I


business on a firm financial basis, and with his
experience and acumen is likely to make a success
of his new project.
The birthplace of Mr. Davies was Sandgate,
County Kent, England, and his natal day January
14, 1841. His father, Robert Davies, was a native
of Wales, but from his young manhood was a soldier in the English army and after acting as a military servant of the Crown twenty-one years he
was retired as a pensioner and recived a Government appointment. He had charge of the military
canal and road in County Sussex, and died there
when about threescore and ten years old. During
his army life he took part in the war of the allied
forces against Napoleon under the leadership of the
renowned Gen. Wellington, and fought in Spain,
Portugal and France, and likewise served in Canada; he held the rank of a Sergeant. He was a
member of the Church of England. His wife,
formerly Mary A. Thomas, was born in Kent and
spent her last years with her children in America,
dying in Clinton County in 1873. Their children
are William T., a manufacturer of fanning-mills in
Greenbush; Robert E., a partner in the same business; Richard C., subject of this notice; Mrs. Elizabeth S. Adams, of St. John's; and Mrs. Mary A.
Goddard, deceased, who died in Greenbush.
The subject of this biographical sketch was
reared to the age of nineteen years in his native
land.  The years were mainly spent in County
Sussex, at Winchelsea on the coast of the English
Channel, where he had the advantage of good
common and private schools. He began to acquire
the painter's trade when fifteen years old and contined his work while he remained in England. His
father died in 1859 and the next spring Richard
with his mother and sisters came to America. His
brothers had already become established in business in this State, having entered upon the manufacture of fanning mills in Greenbush in 1855.
The younger members of the family, with the
mother, took passage at Southampton in July, 1860,
landed at New York and spent a month in the Empire State. They then came West and our subject
located in Greenbush and became salesman and
collector for his brothers, traveling in the northern
part of the State. He continued his work in the


fanning-mill business until December, 1890, when
he entered into partnership with R. T. Davies, and
established his present business. His partner died
about Christmas, 1890, and Mr. Adams became interested in the business in January, 1891. Of Mr.
Davies' present partner mention is made on another
page in this volume.
In Greenbush Township in 1865, Mr. Davies was
united in marriage with Miss Serena F. Smith, a
native of St. Leonard's, County Sussex, England.
She has proved her efficiency in domestic and social
life, and is an esteemed member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. For two years Mr. Davies was
Treasurer and Collector of Greenbush Township,
but with this exception his time has been given
exclusively to his business affairs and such duties
as all loyal citizens owe. He votes the Republican
ticket witll unfailing regularity.
3 ---^-J-t-^-^^ --— ^~eS
RTIIUR S. THOMAS, the genial proprietor of the Junction House at Durand, was
born in Canada, July 23, 1853. His father was George Thomas, a native of
London, England, and born March 25, 1812. He
engaged in clearing vessels, and came to Detroit in
1839; the same year he proceeded to Canada, where
he was engaged in buying and selling wheat in
Montreal. From that place he went to London,
Canada, where he became manager of the Bank of
Montreal. He was then sent to Chatham in order
to start a branch of the Bank of Montreal. Besides
being engaged in banking in that place he became
interested in real estate, in which he was a dealer
until 1859. At that time he went to Detroit,
where he was engaged in the grocery business.
The father of our subject after leaving the
grocery business, entered the Auditor's office where
he remained until 1869. He then purchased an interest in the railroad dining-room at Owosso, of
which he secured entire control in 1871, when he
built the present dining-rooms at Owosso. Since
1871 he has continued in the same business, it
being just twenty years since he began the business
in this location. His efforts to please the public




440


PORTRECAIT AND BJ OGRAP~HICAL ALBUM.II


0    P  A   B P   A


and provide comfortable accommodations have
proved successful, and he is much liked by the
traveling fraternity, and indeed by all who meet
him in a social or business way.
Not confining his attention solely to catering to
the public, Mr. Thomas has built five substantial
brick stores in Owosso on Main street near the
corner of Washington. These buildings were completed in 1886 and are commodious and admirably
adapted to their purposes. Mr. Thomas removed
from the corner of Main and Washington Streets
one of the oldest frame houses in the city, erecting
in its place the handsome three-story brick block
which now adorns the city. Our subject has made
three additions to the city of Owosso near the
Junction. He deals largely in real estate, having
sold on contract many lots at $50 to $500 each
with small payments down and satisfactory monthly
payments. He has a fine farm of over one hundred
and fifty acres of good land that is highly cultivated, well drained and has two good dwellings.
In 1890 he sold five acres to the Catholic Church
for a cemetery. He is a man of broad interests but
his attention is more strongly held by news at large
than by that of local circles.
In politics Mr. Thomas is independent, voting
always for the man whom lie believes best fitted
for the office. Ile is a Mason, socially, having
been Malster of the lodge at Chatham, Canada, three
successive terms. Since coming to the United
States lie has not united with any lodge. In religion he is an adherent of the Episcopal Church
and very devoted to his church work. He was
Senior Warden for twenty-two years, ever since
coming to Owosso, and was in the vestry of St.
Paul's Church of Detroit.
The mother of our subject, Eliza M. (Gibbs)
Thomas, is a native of Canada and of English ancestry. She died in 1854 the mother of five children, four sons and one daughter, all living but
one, who died in infancy. Henry is a master mechanic of the Detroit, Bay City & Alpena Railroad
and resides in Tawas City; Alfred r. is in the
grocery and dry-goods business in Owosso; Eliza
M., the oldest child, resides in Detroit; our subject
is the youngest member of the family. His first
school (lays were passed in the old Capitol school




r


of Detroit and he finished his education in the
Bishop's school in the same city. He remained with
his father, assisting in his business until 1887, when
the father purchased the place which the son now
operates. He was manager of this until the spring
of 1891, wlien he purchased the place of his father.
He also owns fifteen lots adjoining the property
and has twenty five acres outside the corporate
limits of the place.
The Junction House which Mr. Thomas so successfully conducts has twenty-four rooms. Lie has
another house east of the railroad which he uses for
sample rooms and in case there is an overflow from
the main hotel. The hotel has in connection a lunch
counter. Twenty years of the life of our subject
have been passed in the hotel business, and he has
filled every position incident to the care of such an
house, even to cooking. He was married in July,
1886, to Isabelle Kerr, a native of Ireland. They
are the parents of one son-Henry A.
In addition to other varied interests Mr. Thomas
has invested in the Loan Association. Socially he
is a member of the Masonic order. He belongs to
Blue Lodge, No. 81, of Owosso, Chapter No. 89,
also of Owosso, Corunna Commandery, K. T., No.
21, and the Detroit Consistory. Politically he has
not allied himself with any political party, but votes
for whom lie believes best qualified to discharge the
duties of the position in question.
P RANKLIN FORWARD. There is probably no man in Clinton County, whose work
is more apparent and more prominent than
that of the gentleman whose name heads this
sketch. The more than forty buildings which he
as a carpenter and contractor has erected in Clinton County, may truly be considered as monuments
to perpetuate the character of the individual. For
his enterprise, his thoroughness and his integrity
are marked by the excellent character of the work
which he has done, and the architectural value of
these buildings.
Mr. Forward is now devoting his time mostly to
farming and resides on section 16, of Watertown






1






t




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


443


Township, where he has a beautiful farm of over
one hundred acres. It is well improved and in a
high state of cultivation and has upon it two sets
of excellent farm buildings. He is the son of
George and Sarah (Cager) Forward, natives of
Sussex County, England, who came to America in
1833. They were married two years previous to
their coming to this country and upon arriving in
America located in Cayuga County, N. Y., where
this son was born August 11, 1836. Our subject
was reared upon hlis father's farm in New York and
assisted him in the duties of agriculture until he
reached his majority, after which he learned the
trade of a carpenter and joiner.
In October, 1860, Franklin Forward was married
to Harriet Stalker, and two children blessed this
marriage. Charles E. born October 22, 1862, is
now married to Allie Goodsell. He resides on the
farm  and assists his father in carrying it on.
Clara was born August 28, 1869. She is single and
resides at home. The mother of Mrs. Forward is
sfill living and has a home with her son Franklin.
She is now eighty-two years of age, but is in possession of all her mental faculties. She was the
mother of thirteen children and nine of them are
still living. Franklin has been very successful in
life and has accumulated a good share of this
world's goods. In politics he is a Democrat but
cannot be called in any sense a politician. The
family belong to the Baptist Church of Waucousta
in which they are active and efficient members.


I


where order prevails and good management is
shown in all the details of farm work. Numerous
and substantial buildings stand on this tract and the
comforts of home abound in the pleasant residence.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was
Wendell Grove, who was born in Lancaster County,
Pa., and was married to Miss Coon, a noble Christian woman. When the Western Reserve was being
opened up he went thither and was one of the first
settlers in what became Mahoning County, Ohio.
He not only cleared and improved land, being a
thorough farmer, but in the early days he manufactured wooden plows and was a famous hunter and
tanner of skins. He reared a large family, among
whom was a son Andrew, born in Ohio, April 4,
1804.
This gentleman remained in Mahoning County
until he was of age then went to Trumbull County,
which was his home during the rest of his life.
When he began laboring for his own maintenance he
worked on the farm by the month and he also did
carpentry. He was a Major of the county militia,
held various township offices and was a prominent
resident of Trumbull County. He died January
12, 1887, when in his eighty-third year. His wife
preceded him to the tomb, passing away November 3, 1885, aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Grove
bore the maiden name of Catherine Palm and was
married October 31, 1826. The children born to
them were David A., Maria, Jacob, Jonathan, Cornelius, Milo, Shannon, Jasper V., Almira and Warren.
Cornelius Grove was born November 10, 1836,
in Trumbull County, Ohio, and made his home with
his parents until his marriage. He had good school
privileges and made the best use of his opportunities, becoming well grounded in all the subjects
that he studied. The settlers on the Western Reserve were noted for their desire for good schools
and young Grove after taking the lower course,
attended an academy at Warren and one in his
township-Lordstown. He adopted the profession
of teaching and followed it for a number of years,
for a time being an assistant in the academy. He
paid some attention to farming and building, having learned the carpenter's trade from his father.
In 1869, a few months after his marriage, he came


ORNELIUS GROVE. In noting the present prosperity of Clinton County it is well
to remember that it was once a great tract
of undeveloped land, and that those who brought it
to its present condition underwent much toil and
in many cases suffered privations unknown to men
of the present day. The subject of this biographical sketch, although he did not come here in pioneer times, yet hewed out his farm from the forest,
taking possession of one hundred and sixty acres
of woodland in Lebanon Township. He now has a
beautiful and remunerative piece of property




444


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


to this State and made his home where he has since
lived-on section 32, Lebanon Township.
The lady whom Mr. Grove won for his wife was
known in her maidenhood as Miss Udulci L. Stull,
and was a native of the same county as himself,
born in Liberty Township, January 2, 1846. She
had the misfortune to lose her mother by death
during her early childhood and she was reared by
her grandmother, Mrs. Caroline Stull, who was
born under the shadow of the historical Charter
Oak. She was educated in the schools of the county,
becclme a teacher and did excellent professional
work for five years. She had two sisters older and
one younger than herself, their names being Mary
C., Elizabeth F., Adra A. Her father was Valentine
Stull, a native of Geauga County, Ohio, born March
31, 1818. He was married when of age to Miss
Mary M. Boyd, who died in 1849. He subsequently
married Mary A. Goist and this union was blest by
the birth of the following children: Amanda J.,
Valentine R. and Eliza A. Mr. Stull was a farmer
and carpenter and was engaged in mercantile pursuits to some extent; he was a Captain in the Ohio
militia. He lived in Trumbull County some years,
then in Mahoning County and finally came to Gratiot County, this State, where he died October 5,
1887.
The happy home of Mr. and Mrs. Grove is
brightened by the presence of three children-P.
Birdie, Selbie D. and Wellyn P.-and they have
buried three whose names were Ola M., Ina L. and
Catherine M. Birdie and Selbic are teaching in
the home and adjoining townships during the intervals of study and will be graduated from the
Pewamo School in 1891. Wellyn is ably assisting
his father on the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Grove have
been Spiritualists for many years. In politics Mr.
Grove is a Greenbacker. EIe has never aspired to
political honors but has preferred the life of an
independent farmer. He has held office in various
farmers' clubs, has been President of the Central
Fair Association at Hubbardston and President of
the Michigan Buckeyes. While living in his native State he held the rank of Major in the Second
Regiment of Trumbull County militia.
Mr. Grove has written many able articles for
papers. treating of various topics, including relig

ion, finance and education. lIe has contributed to
the county papers, the Lyons Herald, Pomeroy's
Democrat, the Advanced Thought, and several other
papers. He has written a very able production on
free newspapers to promote knowledge in the general public, which should be read by everyone
who favors a higher and more thorough educational system. The Grove family is one that is
well known in the community as taking a great
interest in mental progress and matters that lead to
a higher standard of thought and culture; and its
various members are given their due meed of respect by their many acquaintances.
The attention of the reader is invited to a lithographic portrait of Mr. Grove, presented in connection with this biographical sketch.
(LFRED     G. GUNNISON. Among        the
most prominent and highly respected citizens of DeWitt Township, Clinton County,
we find Mr. Gunnison and his wife, who
are highly educated and influential in all directions
which tend to the upbuilding of the social, educational and agricultural interests of the township.
This gentleman was born in Green Oak, Livingston
County, Mich., June 18, 1835. His father, Elihu
Gunnison, was a native of Newbury, N. H., where
he was born August 28, 1803. He was reared
upon a farm in New England and early imbibed
the love for education and intelligence which
marks those old New England families. He clerked
for a time in a store and removed when a young
man to Lansingburg, N. Y., and there learned the
trade of comb-making.
Elihu Gunnison came to Michigan in 1829, making most of the journey on foot and making his
first home at Superior, Washtenaw County, where
he opened and operated a store for a short time.
His marriage with Ruth Ann Pryer, who was born
in Batavia, N. Y., May 15, 1815, was an event of
great importancean nd the beginning of a life of unusual domestic happiness. This union was solemnized in Washtenaw County, March 11, 1833, and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


445


I —


resulted in the birth of eight children, seven of
whom grew to maturity and bore the' following
names: Alfred G., James H., Arsanius B., Hannah
E., Joseph W., Ann L. and Nancy. The mother
of these children is still living in Lansing with her
daughter, Nancy Livonia (Mrs. Willard).
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Elihu Gunnison
made their first home in Green Oak, Livingston
County, and after a few years he came to Clinton
County, and in November, 1835, bought of the
Government one hundred and sixty acres of land
on section 14, DeWitt Township. In February
following he removed his family with an ox-team
and sled to the new home, crossing the streams on
the ice, and made his final settlement on the Looking-glass River, in Victor Township. During their
three years of residence at that point they had very
few white neighbors, but the Indians were numerous and friendly, and they were glad to trade with
him and sharpen their knives on his grindstone. It
was a three-days' journey to take grain to mill at
Pontiac. Wild animals were abundant and he had
great difficulty in protecting his sheep from the
wolves.
In the spring of 1839 Mr. Gunnison removed his
family to the spot which he had first picked out.
He built a log house and improved the wild land
with the help of his boys, and lived there until his
death, September 23, 1877, with the exception of
one year, 1850, when he lived at Lansing and
rented out his farm. His intention in going to
Lansing was to educate his children, but he found
that the rental of his farm was not sufficient to
support his family in the city, so he returned to his
home.
The subject of this sketch came into this county
when only six months old, and attended the ratebill school in a log school-house of the most primitive kind, taking his writing lessons with quill pen
at the wide writing desk on the wall. The father's
determination to give his children what he considered the great desideratum, an education, was not
to be balked by the failure to continue his residence
at Lansing. Alfred and James, after the year at
Lansing, went to school at Leoni, in Jackson
County, for six months and at the State Normal
School, at Ypsilanti, for two years, going on foot


to and from that point, and boarding themselves
while there. In 1857 and 1858 Alfred attended
the Agricultural College at Lansing.
Alfred Gunnison and Amanda Thomas became
man and wife March 21,1871. This lady is finely
educated and accomplished and is an old schoolteacher, having taught eleven terms in New York
State and some after coming to Michigan. It was
while on a visit here that she consented to teach
and at the same time met our subject, whom she
afterward married. She was born in Brutus Township, Cayuga County, N. Y., August 14, 1845, and
is the daughter of John and Desire (Pierce)
Thomas, natives of New York State. Mr. Gunnison also taught previous to his marriage, in Delhi
in Eaton County, and in Oakland County. This
intelligent couple are the parents of three daughters, namely: Bessie, now teaching school in Bengal Township, Clinton County, and Gertrude and
Lena, at home.
Our subject settled on his present farm in 1863
and has one hundred and twenty acres in all, upon
which he conducts mixed farming. His house is
delightfully shaded by large forest trees. He was
formerly a Democrat, but is now a prominent Prohibitionist. In 1864 he was elected Supervisor of
the township, and has also served as School Inspector, School Superintendent and Superintendent
of the County Poor. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gunnison are very prominent members of the Sons of
Temperance in both county and State organizations, and they contributed generously of their
means for the erection of a fine brick building
having a Sons of Temperance hall in the basement
and a church-room above. This building, which
cost $3,000, belongs jointly to the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Sons of Temperance. Mrs.
Gunnison has served as Grand Worthy Patriarch
in the State organization of this order. They are
both also prominent and active in the Grange and
Farmers' Alliance, Mr. Gunnison being Vice-President of the County Grange and his wife Secretary.
He was for two years Chaplain of the County
Grange. Mrs. Gunnison has been Lecturer of the
Grange and is now Lecturer of the Alliance. She
also takes part in the Literary Pioneer Society and
is correspondent for two newspapers. On account




446


PORTRCAIT AND BIOGRAPH-IC~AL ALBUM.I~I


446            P            AD B I        - -.R..A....T.IPHICAL A LBUM
---- --- ---- --- --- -------  ------— I


of their superior literary ability they are put to the
front in every undertaking and their service is
given so freely and cordially as to make them exceedingly popular.
vCc.on


7jREDERICK SCHEMER. For about twenty
years this gentleman has been carrying on a
successful mercantile trade in Fowler, Clinton County, during a part of the time having been in
partnership with Mr. Gruler, who is mentioned on
another page in this ALBUM. Mr. Schemer is one
of the best informed of the German-American citizens in this locality and is an excellent representative of the better class of foreigners, who prove
such trustworthy citizens and add so much to the
prosperity of the sections in which they locate.
His father, Frederic M. Schemer, was born in
Bavaria, Germany, and when a young man went
to Ulm, Wurtemburg, where he spent the rest of his
life. He was married there to A. M. Schmidt,
who, after his decease became the wife of Dr.
Fisher, a native of Ulm. Mr. Schemer was the
father of two children, Frederick and Caroline, and
they have a half sister, Fredericka Fisher. Mr.
Schemer was a trader in furs and a manufacturer
of fur goods, but his principal business was in
handling raw skins. He died in 1840. The mother
of our subject breathed her last in Fowler in 1888,
at the advanced age of eighty years.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born
in Ulm, Germany, September 9, 1829, and was given
excellent educational privileges.  In the Real
school he studied French as well as his mother
tongue, and also the natural sciences. He served
a three years' apprenticeship in the furrier's trade
and worked at that business while living in his native land. As a matter of course, he was a member
of the German standing army. In 1855 he decided to emigrate to the United States, and crossing the Atlantic he made his home in Philadelphia
for a year, then spent the same length of time in
New York City, following his trade at each place.
He then came to this State und took possession of
a farm in Bengal Township, Clinton County. Dur

ing the ensuing twelve years he gave his attention
to agricultural work, clearing a large number of
acres and breaking the soil on a quarter section, on
which he raised good crops.
We next find Mr. Schemer locating in Fowler
and engaging in mercantile business in partnership
with M. C. Gruler. After a few years the partnership was dissolved and each of the gentlemen continued in business, occupying separate and distinct
rooms. Mr. Schemer has been quite successful, and
has a fine tract of land, comprising about two hundred acres. Ile is aided in his store by his son
Ernest. He has two children deceased, Albert who
died at the age of eleven years and Emilie who
died at the age of four years. His wife was known
in her maidenhood as Miss Romana Gruler and
their marriage rites were solemnized at her home in
Bengal Township in 1856. She is a daughter of
Philip Gruler, of whom mention is made elsewhere
in this work. Mr. Schemer has been School Inspector and a member of the Village Council, and
he is now one of the Board of Trustees. Since he
became a citizen of the United States he has always
cast a Democratic ballot.
HARLES E. SHATTUCK, a prominent
business man of Owosso, is a native of
New York State, having been born in Madison County, in the Township of Lenox, October
12, 1834.   His intelligent and worthy parents,
Roland and Evalyn (Wimple) Shattuck, were natives, the former of Massachusetts and the latter of
New York. His ancestry was of English blood
and hers of Holland extraction, she being the
daughter of Myndert Wimple. The father of our
subject was called away from life when the son
was quite young. His mother was first married
to Myndert Quackenbush, by whom she had three
sons-Col. Quackenbush of East Lansing is her
eldest son. Her second marriage resulted in three
children, two daughters and our subject. Charles
removed with his mother to Owosso, Shiawassee
County, in 1848, when he was about fourteen
years old. He first came to Michigan in 1843,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


447


and spent five years at Ann Arbor. lie clerked
in Dr. Barns' general store in Owosso for about
three years. He then went to Port Huron, Mich.,
and clerked for twelve months. Returning   to
Owosso he built. a house and carried on a general store for about three years-then    purchased  the Owosso American Printing Preyss,
which he edited and managed successfully for a
time, selling out his press eighteen months later.
He next purchased a grocery stock which he
handled for three years and then went north in
company with his half brother Tessee H. Quackenbush, and bought two hundred acres of pine land
and engaged in cutting logs and hewing the same
into lumber. IIe had seventeen   hundred and
fifty thousand feet on the dock at Saginaw at the
time of the breaking out of the war and in selling
it lost several thousand dollars but was able to
retain his home at Owosso. IHe then started in a
general store which he carried on during the war
and finally disposed of it by sale. For two years
he filled the office of Internal Revenue Assessor.
He then served as clerk and collector in M. L.
Stuart's Bank, and while thus engaged became interested in the sale of sewing machines. Ile subsequently added organs to his stock and eml)loyed
men to sell them through the country, building up
a large business and establishing local salesmen
whom   lie supplied on commission. Having quite
a wholesale trade he added pianos to his business
and ilas continued in this line for nearly a quarter of a century, putting in a full stock of musical
instruments and sheet music.
Mr. Shattuck is now  building a double threestory business house on Washington Street which
he will furnish during the summer and to which he
will move his splendid stock of goods. It will
have the finest front of any business house between
Detroit and Grand Rapids. His marriage, wlich
occurred September 24, 1860, was the most im
portant event in his life in its influence upon his
happiness and future prosperity. Abbie C. Palmer of Saginaw, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of Michael Palmer, then became his wife, and
her helpfulness and inflence were beyond computation for the welfare of her husband. She died
here December 7, 1889, leaving three children,


Jesse C., Minnie A., and Edith. The son is a
graduate of the University of Michigan in the class
of 1887. After graduation he became superintendent of the schools of St. Clair, Mich., for
three years and in 1890 returned to Owosso and
was President of the Owosso Business Men's Association one term which was organized in 1887.
I-e is also a member of the Michigan Sewing Machine and Organ Company which was incorporated in 1887, of which he is President. The eldest daughter Minnie is the wife of O. W. Stebbins,
now of Montgomery, Ala., and Edith took a
course of study at Alma College, Alma, Mich., and
is now at home.
The subject of this sketch was elected Supervisor several terms of the second district of Owosso
and is also president of the organization in this
city of the Building and Loan Association of
Bloomington, Ill., He is prominently identified
with the Masonic order and is a Knight Templar.
His political views lead him to affiliate with the
Democratic party in the local councils of which
his judgment is respected. His handsome brick
residence on Exchange Street is delightfully situated and surrounded by extensive lawns.
ALVIN FLINT who lives on section 31,
Caledonia Township, was born February 3,
1836, in Four Corners, Shenango County,
N. Y. his father was Horace B. Flint, a native of
New York and a farmer and tradesman.  Before
coming to Michigan he was in the clothing business and at one time had been a carpenter and
joiner. Our subject's mother was Hannah (Hartwell) Flint, also a native of New York in which
State the parents were married and there remained
until 1833, when they moved to Ohio and settled
in Crawford County.
In 1836 the parents of our subject came to Shiawassee County and settled in Perry Township, but
after one year they built them a home in Antrim
Township.  He, however, had the distinction of
building the first log house in Perry Township.
At that time the country was full of Indians, wolves,




448


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


wildcats, deer and bears were more plentiful than
the commonest necessities of life of to-day.  He
had means enough to bring his family here and get
a yoke of oxen and a cow. The family came by
the overland route from Ohio with an ox-team,
first to Ann Arbor and then to this county. They
lived in Perry and Antrim Townships for eighteen
years, improving and putting in fine condition a
farm which he finally sold, and in March, 1854,
he moved to the farm where our subject now resides. At the time of purchasing it was partially
improved. The family remained here until the
time of death, the mother passing away March 26,
1864, and the father March 1, 1867.  They were
the parents of six children, two of whom are now
living-Orlando, who lives in Perry Township and
our subject.
The parents are both members of the Baptist
Church of which body the father was a Deacon for
many years, also holding the position as Clerk and
contributing of his means most generously for the
support of the same.  He always took an active
part in local politics. In early life he was a Democrat but in his later years he became a supporter
of the Republican party. He held many local positions in the township, having been Supervisor of
Antrim Township, also Treasurer, Justice of the
Peace and the first Overseer of the poor in the
county. Hie was also a member of the School
Board in which he was particularly interested.
Mr. Flint amassed a very comfortable fortune before his death, having always been a hardworker,
very economical and a good trader.
Our subject, Calvin Flint, was ten years of age
when his parents came to Michigan. He attended
the first schools built in Antrim and Perry Townships. At the early age of eleven he began to realize the earnest side of life, for at that time he began chopping and splitting rails.  From that on
he swung the ax until within a few years ago. IHe
began for himself when twenty-three years of age.
Mr. Flint was in partnership with his father until
the death of the latter and was largely instrumental
in his financial success.
In 1860 he entered matrimonial life, taking as a
partner of his joys and sorrows Elmira D. Waugh,
a daughter of Nelson and Polly (Cook) Waugh


both natives of New York State. The lady's father
was a farmer, having come to Michigan at a very
early date. Soon after he married his wife and resided in Oakland County until in 1837, when they
removed to Shiawassee County and settled in Bennington Township where they took up a farm from
the Government and where they lived until the
death of the father. The mother died in 1887 and
the father in 1890.  They were the parents of
eight children, seven of whom are now living.
Mr. Waugh and his wife were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church in which he was a
Class-Leader. In politics he was originally a Democrat, but late in life became a follower of the Republican party. He was appointed first Highway
Commissioner of Bennington Township.    Mrs.
Flint was born May 26, 1840, in Bennington
Township, where she grew to womanhood. She received a good district-school education of which
she appreciated the importance enough to take advantage of every opportunity to advance in culture and refinement.  She became a teacher, in
which she was engaged for one year.
When married, our subject settled upon his own
farm where he has remained ever since.  Ile has
one hundred and thirty-four and one-half acres,
ninety of which are under the plow. At the time
of his purchasing here the greater part of the tract
was heavily timbered. He has cut out about twenty-five acres of this, still having a very fine woodland left. In 1861 he built him a comfortable and
cozy residence at a cost of $1,000. During the years
that have passed he has made many changes and
additions to his place. He still carries on mixed farming which in the end he considers most profitable.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of two
children. The eldest, Charles L., died in childhood; Myrtie May is the wife of F. B. Richardson
and lives in Owosso; they have no children. Mr.
and Mrs. Flint are members of the Baptist Church
in which he has always been very active, having
held the positions of Clerk and Deacon for many
years. They have also been strong supporters of
educational measures that promise improvement
in that direction. Their daughter, Mrs. Richardson, is a graduate of the Owosso High School and
is also efficient in music and art.




PO.RTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


449


` ---I --— ~ I — ---   ------       -----
I ~    -~-          1~1_1~~


Our subject has taken an'active interest in politics. He has been Overseer of the township for
twenty-five years. For eighteen years he has held
the principles of temperance paramount to any other
ordinary issue. He is now a member of the Royal Templars in which he carries.a policy of $2,000.
On first coming to the State, M-r. Flint's
father worked in Owosso for a season at the
carpenter's trade and erected the first grist-mill
ever built in that place. He traveled from there
to Antrim, a distance of twelve miles through the
woods, packing his food and necessary clothing on
his back. The efforts of such men as Mr. Flint
have made our State what it now is.
— r —^ --- —^-~
O)HN S. HARDER was born in Chatham,
Columbia County, N. Y., August 15, 1822.
His parents were Charles and Maria (Snyd i er) Harder, members of good old MohawkDutch families. The father died at the age of
fifty-two years in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1843.
Tlie gentleman of whom we write was the younger
of two brothers, the elder being Jacob S. IHarder,
now a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
lie resides at Nashville, this State. Our subject's
mother died when the lad was eight years old and
his father not long afterward miarried Eva Sinyder,
a sister of his first wife. She and the boys came
to Michigan in 1844, buying eighty acres of land
on section 15. Jacob, who was twenty six at the
time of his arrival in the State, began to teachi
having acquired a fair education at Cazenovia
Academy. For seventeen years the family continued living in this way, until Jacob entered the ministry, joining the Michigan Conference. In 1851
he settled in Portland. Ile has been here but one
year since joining the conference, at which time lie
taught in the home school. The stepmother who
took the place of an own mother to the children,
died in 1864.
The gentleman of whom we write continued to
reside on the farm, adding to it until it numbered
two hundred acres. Here he resided until the fall
of 1880Q when he gave up his farm and went to


Grayling, Crawford County, this State, where lie
remained for ten years, being proprietor of a hotel
in that place. The failure of his health while on
the farm caused him to make the change. -j While in
Grayling he did much to build up the town, he
himself erecting a number of houses which he made
accessible to the poorer class of people by selling
on the monthly installment plan, ie having introduced the idea in that place. For three years he
was the Superintendent of the County Poor.
In February, 1891, he decided to come back to
the old homestead and purchased the Potter place
in the village of Newburg. He still' owns eighty
acres of the old farm. In 1856 he was elected
Township Clerk, which position he filled for two
years. From 1859 to 1862 he was Highway Commissioner and in 1869 and 1870 Township Treasurer. He has always been prominent in church
work, having taken a distinctive place among the
organizers of the Methodist-Episcopal Church, and
for twenty years he has been Superintendent of the
Sunday-school of that denomination.
Mr. Harder was married in 1851 to Miss Elizabeth Loomis, a daughter of Erastus and Caroline
(Lonsbury) Loomis, who settled in an early day
on the farm now occupied by W. H. Phelps. His
death occurred in December, 1877, lie being at that
time in the eightieth year of his age. His wife survived him but a short time. Mrs. Harder is one of
three children and the only one living. Her eldest
brother, Trumbull. took a prominent part in the
Michigan Volunteers in the war. He belonged to
a company of the First Michigan Cavalry and
served until ho:norablv discharged. The father,
mother and other broter r died within a vear of
each other.
Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents of four children who are named respectively:
Imogene. now Mrs. 0. J. Smith, deceased in 1886;
Charles W., a painter by trade at Grayling; Carrie, now Mrs. Forbes Ferguson, of Shiawassee: and
Alice, who is Mrs. William Hanson, of Newburg;
George C. Harder is a member of their family and
though not a son by birth was adopted at the age
of eleven weeks, now having attained sixteen
years. He is regarded in every sense as a member
of the family and as much love.and tenderness is




450


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




lavished upon him as upon the other children. He
is a student at the high school at Bancroft. He is
a bright boy and his friends anticipate that he will
have a brilliant career in the world.
Mr. Harder was brought up a Democrat, but
since 1856, when he voted for Fremont, has stood
by the Republican party. He is a straight temperance man although not in favor of the third party.
He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church since sixteen years of age and has been instrumental in building up that body wherever he
has lived. Mr. Harder has returned to Newburg
with the intention of spending the remainder of his
life with his friends.
AMES A. HUBBARD. It is a pleasure to
record the successes of one who enters upon
his life work with a determination to succeed, and who for a long period of years is
classed among the good citizens in any locality.
We are glad to speak of Mr. Hubbard, whose name
i; not unknown to our readers, as he has long
been identified with the agriculturists of Bingham
Township, Clinton County. He has a fine farm
of one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, extending to within half a mile of the corporation
line of St. John's. The tract was brought to its
present condition by his personal efforts and the
old log house which was his first dwelling here hlas
been replaced by a handsome frame house. Mr.
-Iubbard began his life work with limited means
and has passed through the varied experiences
while accumulating property.
The first of the Hubbard family to come to
America emigrated from England during Colonial
days and made his home in Massachusetts. There
John Hubbard, the next in the direct line, was
born, and thence he went to Washington County,
N. Y. His death, however, took place in Genesee
County some years after the Revolution, during which he had fought bravely. His son,
Jonathan, was born in Washington County, N. Y.,
May 14, 1789, and died July 9, 1870, at the
ripe age of eighty-one years. When the War


of 1812 began he organized a company and went
into the service as its Captain. He was an almost
life-long member of the Presbyterian Church. He
married Alice Archer, a native of New York,
who was born May 17, 1787, and died April 15,
1864, in her seventy-fourth year. She was connected with the same church as her husband. To
them came nine children, three of whom are now
living, one being the subject of this biographical
notice.
The natal day of James A. Hubbard was October 9, 1816, and his birthplace Salem Township,
Washington County, N. Y. He was reared on a
farm  and received a common-school education,
having to work hard and pay for schooling as the
free-school system was not then in vogue. He
made his home with his parents until 1845, when
he came to Michigan and spent the winter in Livingston County.  About 1837 his brother had
entered land in Clinton County and the spring
after his arrival in the State our subject came to
look at his purchase. He found a wilderness with
but few scattered clearings and concluded not to
make his home on the property but to go to the
mining regions of Lake Superior, which were just
being opened ul. Iec entered the employ of a
mining company, known as the Isle Royal Company, on Isle Royal, as overseer of a large force
of men, and remained there three years. He then
went to the South Shore and spent five years as
overseer at the Bohemian mine. He gained quite
a knowledge of mining during these periods and
won the confidence of his employers, who found
him trustworthy and faithful to their interests.
In 1854 Mr. Hubbard learned that a railroad was
laid out near his Clinton County land, and thinking that the property might be worth something
he decided to look after it. On his arrival here
he found the railroad in process of construction
and a public house being erected where St. John's
now stands. There were many primitive conditions existing here, however, deer being plentiful
and small game abundant. He set himself to work
to clear a tract on which to make his home, and
soon had ten acres free from timber and adorned
with a log house, which landmark is still standing.
He continued his work upon the place, determin







7-                           c,          O       -,                                                                                                           I
'77     -77      7  :  '-        ;-',  ',:       _;-                 I       -


"              4.............






NEWS PRINTING HOUSE. J. C. STONE.PROPP. LAING$BURG MICH.


I  _ _ _ _I


r


R~E51DENCE OF JAME5 HUBBADSEC.,3.,E3INGH/AMi7 C'INTON CO.,MICV".




I i




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


453


ing to make his permanent home here. His success has been already mentioned. In 1862 he
secured an efficient helpmate in the person of Miss
Charlotte Dawson, a native of Niagara County,
N. Y. Their marriage has been blest by the birth
of two sons-Martin D., who was born April 11,
1868; and John, who died in infancy. Mr. Hubbard is a Democrat and has been a delegate to
county conventions, but is not an office-seeker,
preferring to devote his time to his personal affairs
and the duties which every citizen owes to himself as well as his country.
A lithographic view of the fine homestead of
Mr. Hubbard appears on another page of this
work.
OHN C. STONE, editor and proprietor of
the Laingsburg News, has the honor of being a native of Michigan. Lie was born in
Jackson, February 28, 1843, ard is the eldest of four children whose parents are Amasa and
Minerva (Munger) Stone, natives of New York.
The father was a wagon maker by trade and in
connection with that occupation followed farming.
He was three times married, his first wife being
Nancy Kendig, of the Empire State. For his second wife he married Minerva Munger, and with
his family in 1836 emigrated Westward, settling in
Jackson County, Mich., where they spent the remainder of their lives. He became one of the first
surveyors of Jackson County, and was a highly
respected citizen of the community. In politics he
was a supporter of the Democratic party. The
family of Amasa and Minerva Stone numbered
four children —John C., Marco D., Vitelli D. and
Catherine M. After the death of his second wife
Mr. Stone wedded Sylvia Howard, their union being celebrated in Jackson County, and unto them
was born a daughter, Amanda.
John C. Stone was reared to manhood in the city
of Jackson, Mich., and received his education in
the common schools. He learned the cabinet mak.
er's trade which he followed until 1863, when at
the age of twenty years, he joined the army as a
private on the 19th of December, and was assigned


to Company G, First Michigan Engineers' and Mechanics' Regiment. He served with the Army of
the Cumberland under Gen. Sherman until the
close of the war when the country no longer needed
his services, he was honorably discharged at Jackson, Mich., November 1, 1865. HEe participated
in the battles of Atlanta and Savannah, Ga., Columbia, S. C., and Raleigh, N. C., and was very fortunate in his army experience in so far that he was
never wounded or taken prisoner.
When the war was'over Mr. Stone returned to
his home and once more resumed the dress of a
civilian, entering upon business for himself. He
established a job printing office at what is now
Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Mich., where lie remained for about three years, when in 1877, he
came to Laingsburg and established the Laingsburg News which he has since published. It is an
in(dependent paper, favoring Prohibition, and is
devoted to the interests of the commnunity. Mr.
Stone has met with excellent success in this undertaking. The News now has a circulation of a thousand copies among the best class of people and is
well deserving of the liberal patronage it receives.
On February 4, 1868, Mr. Stone led to the marriage altar Miss May Doty, daughter of William
and Rachel (Mattllews) Doty. The lady is a native of the Empire State, but at the time of her
marriage was living in Ionia County, Michi. They
have a pleasant home in Laingsburg and are surrounded by many friends, being widely and favorably known   throughout tile  community. Mr.
Stone is connected with several civic societies, being a Third Degree Mason, a member of the Odd
Fellows' Lodge, and Henry Deming Post, No. 192,
G. A. R. He is also connected with the Good
Templars Society and embodies tile temperance
principles which lie has long advocated in his political sentiments, being a supporter of the Prohibition party. His fellow-townsmen have honored
him with a number of village and township offices,
the duties of which have ever been faithfully discharged in a quiet, yet efficient manner. We see
in Mr. Stone a self-made man, one who has risen
from a lowly position by his own exertions. Although he had no capital when he started out in
life, he is now at the head of a good business and




454


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


is the owner of the building which he occupies —
a substantial three-story brick, one of the largest
blocks in town and represented by a view elsewhere in this volume. His public and private
career have alike won him the respect of those with
whom he has come in contact.
G   EORGE W. NAY. Among the prominent
citizens of Clinton County, selected for a
~  j place in this ALBUM, we take pleasure in
representing the worthy subject of this sketch,
whose home is in St. John's. His valuable sawmill plants is located on section 15, Greenbush
Township. The main saw is a sixty inch one, the
top saw measures thirty inches, and they are of
Syracuse, N. Y., make. The engine also, which is
of fifty horse power, is from the Syracuse engine
works. The mnill turns out some ten thousand feet
in a day's work of ten hours. Ten men are employed in the mill when it is running at its full
capacity.
The subject of this sketch is sole proprietor of
the mill, and also owns eighty acres of the adjoining land. He is a native of New Hampshire,
where he was born inl Hillsboro County, April 6,
1831. He is a son of James and Jane (Farnsworth) Nay, both natives of the old Granite State.
His paternal ancestors were Scotch, and his mother
was from English and Irish stock. lie is the eldest son in his father's family, and grew up in his
native State, where he received both the commonschool and academic education, attending at the
academy at Peterboro, N. H.
Upon reaching the age of eighteen, the young
man began to serve an apprenticeship of three
years at the machinists' trade, and afterward followed this?trade as a journeyman many years, becoming finally locomotive engineer on the New
York Central Railroad, running from Rochester to
Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and followed this calling a number of years.
L A noteworthy event in the life of our subject
was bis marriage, June 25, 1863, to Mary E. Cornwell, daughter of Daniel and Fannie P. Cornwell.


By this union there was born one daughter, Marian
V., who is at home with her parents. Mr. Nay
first came to Clinton County, in the spring of
1882, but did not bring his family to reside here
until 1890. He is, therefore, a comparatively re
cent addition to the social and business life of St.
John's, but has already gained a high standing in
both departments of life.
The subject of this sketch is a Republican in
his political views and affiliations, and a man of
broad intelligence in regard to the movements and
policy of his party. Hle is well-read in regard to
both its history and the character of the men who
prominently represent sit. He is a public-spirited
man, and is depended upon as one of the active
promoters of every movement which is, in his
judgment designed to elevate the community and
redound to the prosperity of the city. He began
at the bottom of theladder, and has reached his
present prosperity through his. own efforts. He
has been more than ordinarily successful in life and
commands to a marked extent the confidence of the
business community.
iEMUEL R. NICHOLS, a well-known and
efficient Supervisor of the First District of
Owosso, Shiawassee County, Mich., was
born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., June 24,
1844. He is a son of H. 11. and Harriet 1.
(Parker) Nichols, both natives of New   York
State. The father was a tanner and currier by
trade and followed that vocation for many years
in Gowanda, N. Y.     The grandfather, Caleb
Nichols, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and
was of Scotch descent. Nine of the twelve children of the father's family lived to years of maturity.
The early boyhood days and school life of our
subject were spent in his native county. He came
to Michigan when thirteen years old to visit his
uncle and made his home among strangers and
worked at farm work until he reached the age of
eighteen years, spending his winters mostly in
school at Oxford, Oakland County,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


455




The young man had the heart of a patriot and
responded promptly to his country's call in her
hour of peril. He enlisted in the Seventh Michigan Infantry under the command of Ira R. Grosvenor, and his regiment was attached to the Army
of the Potomac and was sent at once to join the
army in front of Yorktown. Hle was taken sick
with swamp fever and had to lie in the hospital.
This sickness resulted in his discharge on a surgeon's certificate.
Afer he had recovered his health Mr. Nichols reenlisted in the First Michigan Sharp Shooters and
was sent to join the Army of the Potomac. At
the battle of the Wilderness he went in as Sergeant
and came out in command of his company, the
Captain having been killed. He took part in the
encounters at Spottsylvania and Petersburg, his
regiment being the first to raise the flag over
Petersburg. He was then sent to look after prisoners, seven hundred of whom  lie transferred to
the authorities at Petersburg, and when he was
discharged in August, 1865, at Jackson, he ranked
as First Lieutenant commanding Company K.
Returning to the paths of peace, Lieut. Niclols
entered into business on his own account, choosing the marble trade and locating in Ortonville,
Oakland County.    Here lie continued for two
years, and then removed to St. John's, where he
was burned out, after two years' run of business,
and lost nearly all that he had. In 1872 lie went
to Vassar, Tuscola County, and established himself in the marble business, continuing for ten
years, when, on account of failing health, he sold
out, and coming to Owosso, entered the employ
of L. E. Woodard, of the Casket Works, being
given the position of shipping clerk, which lihe
still holds.
'he spring after his return from the war Lieut.
Nichols decided to establish a home of his own
and chose a partner for life's joys and sorrows.
He was married April 19, 1866, to Miss Sarah Smith,
of Brandon, Oakland County, a daughter of Jasper and Cordelia Smith, natives of New Jersey
and of Dutch descent. Three children have blessed
this happy union: Cora, wife of J. Robins, Jr., of
Owosso; Alice G., at home; and Arthur J., who
has charge of the hardware department of the


Owosso Casket Works. Mr. Nichols served as
Deputy Sheriff four years in Oakland County,
and in the same office two years in Tuscola
County. In the spring of 1891 he was elected
Supervisor of the First District of the City of
Owosso. He is a member of Austin Lodge, No.
48, F. & A. M., and a prominent member of
Quackenbush Post, No. 205, G. A. R., in which he
holds the office of Past Commander. In politics
he is a stanch Republican and resides at No. 522,
River Street, an attractive and delightful home in
which true hospitality abounds.
C     EARLES COWAN. This name will be recognized by many of our readers as that of
a business man of Ovid, Clinton County.
He is senior member of the firm of Cowan & Pearl
and conducts the business in which their means are
invested, that of the sale of gentlemen's clothing
and furnishing goods, and the handling of wool,
which they buy every year. The firm  was organized about a decade since but Mr. Cowan has been
connected with the affairs of Ovid for a much
longer period. He came here in 1861, and with
the exception of ten years spent in the service of
the American Express Company, and while in the
army lie has been in business here.
Mr. Cowan was born in Oakland County, August
9, 1847, and his educational advantages were confined to the country schools in the winter months
and two terms at the Pontiac High School. IIe
left home when thirteen years old, determined to
make his own way in the world, and when butsixteen enlisted in Company D, First Michigan Cavalry, and was sent to Virginia where he was on detached duty and that of Provost Marshal. Thence
he was sent across the plains and discharged at
Leavenworth, Kan., in 1864. Returning to his
native State he found employment with the Express Company and was agent at Monroe three
years and messenger seven years. He went out
with the first express car sent from Detroit on the
Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railroad.  While
agent at Monroe he also conducted a drug busi



456


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ness there, which he sold out when he came back
to Ovid. Here he started in the business he is now
following. He was Secretary and Treasurer of the
Schofield Buggy Company prior to 1890.
The parents of Mr. Cowan are N. B. and Louisa
(Stone) Cowan, natives respectively of Massachusetts and New York. They are now living in Ovid,
enjoying good health and an unusual degree of
physical strength, although both are quite aged,
the father being eighty-one and the mother seventy-four years old. Our subject has three brothers
and two sisters-Albertus, Oscar, Elmer, Mrs.
Charles Farmer, and Mrs. Jerome Winslow.
The family of Mr. Cowan consists of a wife and
four children. He was married April 19, 1871, to
Addie Longcor, of Ovid, and their children are
Frank H., A. Monroe, C. Howard and Harry V.
Mr. Cowan is a Democrat, is a member of the
County Committee and is Chairman of the Town
Committee and takes quite an active part in carrying on political work. He has been Village Treasurer and for several years has been connected with
the Village Council. He has been a member of
the School Board eight years and is a member of
the Soldiers' Relief Commission of Clinton County.
He takes an active interest in the promotion of educational matters and in all public enterprises which
promise to increase the prosperity and advance the
welfare of the people by whom he is respected as
he deserves.
AVID G. BAXTER. Among the prominent citizens of Clinton County considerable mention belongs to Mr. Baxter, who
during his long residence in this county,
has acquired a reputation for integrity and perseverance and wherever known is highly respected.
In his youth he was orphaned by the death of his
father and mother, and was therefore early thrown
upon his own resources. To such men as he
America owes her high standing among other older
countries, and to the efforts which such citizens
as he have made, Clinton County may justly attribute the development of her limitless resources.


Mr. Baxter owns and operates a well-improved
farm of fifty acres on section 12, Dallas Township,
and this has been the scene of his labors for many
years. He has a commodious residence with substantial outbuildings, an ample supply of farm
machinery and all the other appliances for prosecuting his calling in a profitable and successful
manner. He makes of farming an art anal a
science, and by reading and observation keeps himself thoroughly posted as to the best methods
employed in connection therewith. Before locating permanently in this State he visited the South,
looking for a good place to settle, but a careful
investigation convinced him that Michigan offered
better opportunities for acquiring independence
than any other State in the Union.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Baxter, whose
given name was John, was a native of Scotland,
and in an early day settled in Connecticut, where
he passed the remaining years of his life. Ile was
a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His family
comprised three sons and one daughter, who
attained manhood and womanhood, and among
these was John Baxter, Jr., who was born in Connecticut and at an early day came to New York
State, where he died. The mother of our subject
bore the maiden name of Martha M. Babcock and
was a daughter of John Babcock, a native of New
York. Unto John Baxter, Jr., and his good wife
were born eight children, named as follows: Abbie
H., Deland H., Lydia, Elijah, Almeda, David G.,
Amy E. and Charlotte M.
The father of our subject was a prominent man
in the community where he passed the greater part
of his life. Hle was a lumberman and brickmaker
and finally engaged in farming pursuits. lie
served in the War of 1812. For forty years he
was a Deacon in the Baptist Church, of which his
wife was also a member, and he filled various
township offices satisfactorily. His death in 1850
was a loss to the community, to the development
of which lie bad been so devoted. David G., of
this sketch, was born February 8, 1838, in Renssaelaer County, N. Y., and resided in his native
State until lie was twenty years old. After the
death of his parents he made his home with a
brother until, in 1858, he came to Clinton County,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


457


I ---I


and settled on a forty-acre farm in Lebanon
Township.
After residing on that farm fourteen years our
subject removed to Gratiot County, where he lived
on a farm he purchased there for one and one-half
years, and then traded it for the estate he now
owns. February 8, 1862, was a very important
date in the life of Mr. Baxter, for he was then
united in marriage with Ellen L. Strickland, the
welding ceremony being solemnized in Clinton
County. The bride was the daughter of Peter
Strickland, a native of Pennsylvania, whence he
removed to Ohio. In Lorain County, that State,
he married Wealthy Pollock, daughter of Elijah
Pollock, and they became the parents of eight
children, as follows: Fannie M., Lydia M., Samuel
D., Prudence J., William J., Ellen L., Charles C.
and Andrew J.
In 1849 Mr. Strickland came to Michigan, settling on a farm in Bengal Township, and thence
removing to Dallas Township and later to Lebanon,
where he died. lie was a life long farmer and
owned forty acres at the time of his death, although
he had been the owner of one hundred acres at one
time.  A  pioneer settler, lie witnessed many
changes in the community where he settled; when
he first located there it was two miles to the nearest neighbor, and hogs could not be kept on
account of the wolves. Mr. Strickland was a
hunter and killed many deer as well as much small
game.
The happy wedded life of our subject and his
wife has been blessed to them by the birth of the
following children: Francis J., William R., Ettie
M., Cora B., Joel D., Lydia M. and John G., all of
whom are living. Ettie M. is now Mrs. Myers and
resides in Fowler. William R. is in Northern
Michigan, while the other children are under the
parental roof. Mr. Baxter is a member of the
A. 0. U. W., No. 19, at Fowler; he is also a member of the Farmers' Alliance and the Patrons of
Industry. Politically he has always been a stanch
Republican, but has never aspired to office, and
although elected to minor offices has refused to
accept.
Three brothers of Mrs. Baxter were soldiers in
the Union army during the Civil War; the eldest,


Samuel D., was twenty-eight years old when he
enlisted, while the youngest, Charles C., was only
eighteen. William J. was killed at James Island,
Samuel died at Hilton Head, S. C. and Charles at
Bowling Green, Ky. The grandfather of Mrs.
Baxter, Elijah Pollock, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. A noble woman, Mrs. Baxter has
stood side by side with her husband in moral
endeavors and her quiet dignity is felt in every
circle that she enters. She is a consistent member
of the Methodist Church.
<T   EORGE W. PARKS. It has been but a few
(  years since this well-to-do farmer and prominent citizen of Dallas Township, Clinton
County, was called to his long rest. He passed
away November 1, 1889, at the age of fifty-five
years, leaving a widow and eleven children. He
was one who had not only done much agricultural
work, aiding in clearing land and fitting it for
cultivation, but had been connected with social
orders and local affairs, and had made many friends
by the way in which he had conducted himself.
One of his distinguishing characteristics was his
fondness for books and few men actively engaged
in farming read more than, if as much as he. He
was well read in the law and was the better able to
discharge the duties of Justice of the Peace, which
office he held for thirty-four years.
The grandfather of our subject is David Parks, a
venerable man who has reached the age of ninetynine years and is the oldest person living in Dallas
Township.  He was born near Albany, N. Y.,
October 16, 1792, and is one of five sons and three
daughters horn to Smith Parks, a Revolutionary
soldier. David Parks lived in his native State
until he had grown to manhood and was married
there to Catherine Coon. During the early settlement of Oakland County, this State, he came
hither, then went to Ohio, but after some years returned to Michigan and located in Clinton County.
After the death of his wife he went to Nebraska,
thence to Iowa, and finally returned to Clinton
County. He made a second marriage, wedding




458


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHITCAL ALBUM.


458POTRITAN  BIGAPHCA LBM


Mrs. Demis Holmes, nee Bigelow. There were nine
children born to his first wife and one to his second.
Mr. Parks was Justice of the Peace for a number
of years and was also Township Clerk and Supervisor. He possessed much natural ability and was
well read in the law.
The eldest son of David Parks was Samuel H.,
who was born in Madison County, N. Y., October
14, 1812, and accompanied his parents to Allegany
County when about nine years old. He came to
this State with them in 1833 and Oakland County
was his home nearly a decade. He then came to
Clinton County, where he has since lived. When
he came hither he settled on eighty acres of land
belonging to Mr. Hays and after a time bought
eighty acres on which he lived four years. At one
time he owned considerable real-estate, but he sold
much of it and divided a part among his children.
lie has cleared and broken a large number of acres
and he and his wife have worked very hard, as
they were among the pioneers and lived in a part
of the country where neighbors were remote and
wild animals abounded. He followed farming
until he retired and he and his wife are now living
in Fowler. Their respective ages are seventy-nine
and seventy-six years. To them  have been born
the following children: George, Orin, Riley, Sidney, Edwin, Albert and Mariette. Edwin died
while in tie Union Army.
The wife of Samuel Parks bore the maiden name
of Zelpha Butler and their wedding took place in
Allegany County, N. Y., January 3, 1832. The
bride was a daughter of John and Betsey (Brown)
Butler, natives of New York City and Chenango
County respectively. Their other children were
Finetta, Minnie, William, George, Sarah, Maria and
Hattie. MIr. Butler had been married before and
his first wife bore him two sons, Richard and John.
Mr. Butler was a tailor by trade. He removed
from New York City to Delaware County and
lived there until his daughter Zelpha was four
years of age. He then removed to Steuben County,
where he died at the age of forty-nine years. His
wife (lied when thirty-nine years old.
George W. Parks, subject of this sketch, was
born in Novi Township, Oakland County, in 1834,
and was nine years old when his parents came to


Clinton County. Reared on a farm, he adopted
the occupation in which his father and grandfather
were engaged, and after owning several farms
settled on that now held by his widow, in 1881.
March 23, 1862, he was united in marriage with
Lois Mansfield, (laughter of Miles and Samantha
(Eddy) Mansfield. The bride's father was born in
Vermont in 1803 and in his early life went to New
York where he spent a number of years. There he
was married to a daughter of Abraham Eddy, a
native of Massachusetts, and after a time came to
Michigan. Mr. Mansfield cleared eight farms in
this State. He died June 16, 1879, but his wife is
still living in Newaygo County and has now
attained to the age of eighty-three years. The
daughter who became the wife of our subject was
thoroughly instructed in domestic matters, received
a good education and has the characteristics which
render her a useful member of the community.
Her children are Rosa, Edna,Archie, Perry, Clarence-Addison, Ida and Edith are deceased-Floyd,
Maggie and Beryl.
The late Mr. Parks devoted some time to teaching during his early years, but spent his life principally in farming. During the late war he was
drafted and furnished a substitute. He was a
Master Mason, enrolled in St. John's Lodge, and
was a member of the Society of Chosen Friends at
Fowler. Ie was also a member of the Grange. He
was at one time Township Clerk, and was School
Inspector several years and belonged to the Board
of Health.
HARLES F. CURRIER. New England has
perhaps not so many representatives in the
Western States as have other sections of the
country, because& of loyalty to their native States,
but when they do break the ties that bind them to
home, they ar aalways found to be among the most
substantial members of the community in which
they settle. Our subject, who is of New England
origin, owns a fine farm on section 4, Caledonia
Township, Shiawassee County.   The family to
which he belongs occupies a prominent position in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


459


the old Bay State. His mother was Almira A.
(Smart) Currier, a native of Maine whose family
were from Massachusetts.  His father was also
from a New England family. They were married
in New York.
From New York Mr. Currier's parents went to
Ohio in 1832,where the father was engaged in working farms on shares. Whether this was profitable
or not does not appear, but in 1850 he removed to
this State and settled in Caledonia Township on
section 4. The tract that he had selected for his
new home was entirely unbroken. The father's
health was poor and the prospect seemed dark for the
family. In 1868 the father died, and May 16, 1890,
the mother followed him. They were the parents
of eleven children, seven of whom are now living.
Both the parents of our subject were members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in this State
the father officiated as a local preacher. He was
much interested in schools and was active in politics, at first casting his vote with the Whigs, and
later with the Republicans. He was an ardent
advocate of temperance and even at an early (lay
when temperance was not so popular as it now is,
he did much toward inculcating its principles in
the youth of the county.
Our subject was the fourth child, and was born
July 1, 1831, in New York. He was an infant
when his parents moved to Ohio, and when they
came to this State he had reached young manhood.
Ile had received all the education that a district
school afforded. In the intervals of school life lie
helped his father on the farm. He remained at
home until twenty-one years of age, from which
time he worked out on a farm by the month for
the space of two years. He then spent four years
in the pineries in Northern Michigan, after which
he located upon his present farm, which is part of
the original farm of his father. Here he has lived
ever since.
Charles Currier was married July 3, 1858, his
wife's name being Annette B. Lemunyon, a daughter of Horace and Permelia (Wilcox) Lemunyon,
natives of New York. Her father's natal day was
October 13, 1810, her mother's June 22, 1814.
They were married in New York and came to this
State in 1854. They first settled in Shiawassee


Township where they remained for two years, then
went to New  haven Township, taking up land on
section 32,where they settled upon a new farm. The
tract was heavily timbered and the work of improvement neccessarily slow, but it is now finely
cultivated. Mrs. Currier's mother died December 3,
1859, her father, December 24, 1886. Nine children gladdened their hearthstone, but three passed
away in childhood.  The father was a leading
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs.
Currier was born November 28, 1841, in Ontario
County, N. Y. There she was reared and received
her education in the district school. After her
marriage with our subject they settled upon their
present farm, their first home being in a shanty.
Before bringing his wife to their new home Mr.
Currier had eighteen acres under cultivation. He
now owns sixty acres, of which fifty are under cultivation. His residence is a very pleasant one,
which was built two years ago at a cost of $1,500.
He has also erected other buildings upon the place,
having large and commodious barns and sheds for
stock. He is encgaged in mixed farming and when
the seasons do not favor one crop, he turns his attention to making the most of another. He has a
fine orchard which he himself set out and which by
great care and attention produces a large harvest.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of six
children, three of whom are now living. They
are: Alice A., who was born June 10, 1861; she is
the wife of Edward Galloway and lives in New
Iaven Township, her home being gladdened with
one child-Nina A.; Horace Edward, born April
24, 1867, is as yet unmarried and lives at home;
Mina A., born June 24, 1871, resides with her parents. The children have had the advantages of a
common-school education. Mr. Currier was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for
twelve years, and Class-Leader for a number of
years. The family are members of the Free Methodist Church, of which denomination our subject
was a Steward for a period of ten years. He has
also been a Class-Leader for twdlve years, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school for a long time.
He is also a leader of the Bible class. le has
been elected to a position on the local School Board,
taking more or less interest in politics, at first cast



460


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
_ __.. _. _..... __ _. __ __.


ing his vote with the Democratic party and later
favoring the Republican platform, and is now a
strong Prohibitionist.  Mr. Currier and his wife
are both workers in the temperance cause.
The early experience of our subject is not unlike that of many another pioneer settler. They
were not overstocked with money when they came
to this State, and have known what it is to do without filthy lucre for a whole year at a time. At an
early day farmers used to drive into Corunna with
a part of a loal of apples and sell them out at a
penny apiece.
ARTIN SMITH, Under Sheriff of Clinton
/  County, opened an establishment for the
manufacture of wagons in St. John's in
1870, and has been almost continuously engaged in that work since that time. The same year
lie beYgan the manufacture of carriages and from
time to time enlarged the works until he was carrying on the most complete wagon manufactory in
tile place. He employed a good force of men and
the Smith buggies and wagons were sold on the
road, the number disposed of each year running
up into the hundreds. In the fall of 1890 Mr.
Smith closed dlown the works and gave up manufacturing, continuing only his blacksmith and repair shop. A short time afterward he was appointed
Under Slieriff and now occupies his time in official
work, having taken charge of almost every duty
belonging to the Sheriff.
Mr. Smith is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born
at Speir, March 19, 1850. Ile comes of an old
German family and the name was in the old country spelled Schmitt. His father, Joseph Schmitt,
was born in 1800, owned a small farm and carried
on agricultural work until he emigrated. l-e spent
six years as a soldier and it was on account of his
feeling regarding the military laws of the Empire
that he decided to leave his native land. He
thought the system oppressive and did not wish his
sons to endure the hardships he had passed through
and with two who would soon be subject to military duty he crossed the Atlantic in 1854. He lo



cated at Detroit and engaged in huckstering,
following the business successfully until his death
in 1870. He was joined by his wife and four
younger children in 1857. Mrs. Smith was a native of Bavaria, and bore the maiden name of
Elizabeth Bernatz; she died in Detroit March 8,
1861. Mr. Smith was a member of the Roman
Catholic Church.
Martin Smith was the youngest of seven children
and was seven years old when he accompanied his
mother to America. He vividly recalls the voyage,
which was long and stormy. The party sailed
from HIavre on Good Friday, and did not land in
New York until the middle of June. Coming on
to Detroit, the lad had limited school privileges
until lie was eleven years old, pursuing his studies
in the parochial school. He then began to assist
his father by driving a huckster's wagon over a
circuit of some twenty miles, and during the next
three years made more money than his parent. He
was then apprenticed to a wagonmaker and served
until lie was sixteen, when he began journey work
at $2.25 per day. lie was in the employ of Hugh
Johnson until February, 1867, when he went to
New York and entered the coach manufactory of
Dunn Bros. In 1869 he made a change to Rochester and entered the employ of James Cunninghamn & Son, well-known carriage-makers, but after
working for them some nine months returned to
)etroit. In a few months he had opened wagon
works in St. John's and three years later put up a
blacksmith's shop, and from that time increased his
business as circumstances warranted. He became
the owner of real estate and now has several residences and a store on Main Street. He is truly a
self-made man and the competence he has secured
is an indisputabie proof of his energy and business
ability.
In Rochester, N. Y., in July, 1868, Mr. Smith
was married to Miss Catherine Lechner. This lady
was born in Bavaria in 1851, and is a daughter of
Laurence and Barbara (Schmuck) Lechner. Her
parents emigrated when she was about four years
old and settled in Erie, Pa. When the Civil War
began her father was one of tie first to answer the
call for volunteers, and tie went out with a Pennsylvania regiment. After the short enlistment, he




a




*  e  /2~2 ) e<)~5 2
-— "'7I7 7/




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


463


re-entered the service as a cavalryman and having
received a severe sabre wound was discharged on
account of physical disability. He recovered sufliciently to enter the navy and remained in that
branch of the service until the close of the war.
He is still living in Erie but his wife died several
years since. The religion of the family is that of
the Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Smith is an excellent housekeeper and a devoted wife and mother. Her union with our subject has been blest by the birth of six children, all
of whom are at home except the first-born; he is
now attending the University of Michigan in the
department of law. He was graduated from the
High School in St. John's in 1889. The names of
the sons and daughters are William A., Joseph P.,
Lina II., Minnie G., Mary and Tracy. Mrs. Smith
is a communicalnt of the Catholic Church. Mr.
Smith votes the Democratic ticket. IHe is a well
disposed, social and energetic man, straightforward
and courageous in the discharge of his official
duties and well lilked by his acquaintances.
E      DWARD BROWN. This well-known resident of St. John's, Clinton County, has
l___  dealt more extensively in farm lands than
any other man in the county, and has in addition
been interested in other projects of a business nature, in some of which he still has a share. tle owns
lands not only in this but in other counties, the
largest holding elsewhere being in Wexford, Saginaw and Benzie Counties. lie is now extensively
engaged in the grain and produce trade and occupies a fine farm of two hundred acres in and adjoining the city limits. It has been well improved
and is supplied with adequate buildings, including
two residences. It is well adapted for stock raising and excellent arrangements have been made for
the care of stock as well as for the cultivation of
crops. The place is well watered, wind power
being used to convey the liquid from point to


I


I


I -    -  - ` ` - - - -~ --- - - - -y- - - -


point wherever it is required. Mr. Brown keeps
from twenty to thirty cows and supplies the cheese
factory with a large quantity of milk. He was one
of the founders of that institution and has been its
Treasurer since it was opened. In August, 1889,
he bought the Brown Brothers' elevator, where a
thriving grain trade is carried on.
Mr. Brown was born in County Antrim, Ireland,
near the city of Lisburn, November 18, 1844, but
is of English stock. Iis great grandfather was in
the English army and having been sent to Ireland
during one of the wars, he made his home in
County Antrim and there his descendants lived for
years. The grandfather of our subject was a weaver,
and to his trade and the business of farming his
son, Francis, father of Edward, was reared. In
1846 Francis Brown emigrated, sailing from Liverpool to New York, and being six weeks on the
ocean. He settled in New Jersey, near Jersey City,
and engaged in farming and the dairy business. In
the spring of 1851 he came to this State and for a
year or more farmed in Oakland County. lie then
came to Clinton County, and bought eighty acres
of wild land in Bengal Township, paying $2.50
per acre. There was no settler within ten miles of
his place on the west, and there were no bridges
and but very poor roads, scarcely more than tracks
over which to travel. IHis supplies were secured
at Lansing, where he went with an ox-team, camping out on the way, as it took two or three days
to make the round trip. His table was supplied
with venison and other game, and he manufactured
black salts, which was legal tender and exchanged
for groceries.
Mr. Brown hewed out a farm, adding to his acreage until the estate consisted of two hundred and
forty acres, all of which wys placed under good
improvement. His eldest son, John, worked in
Oakland County, for $12 a month to get money
with which to pay for the first eighty acres. He is
now Supervisor of Bengal Township. The father
died on his farm May 30, 1883, and the mother,
who is now eighty-five years old, lives with some
of her children on the homestead. Mr. Brown was
a Presbyterian, but as there was no church of that
denomination in the neighborhood, he worshiped
in others. Mrs. Brown, whose maiden name was




464


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Susannah Corkin, was born in County Antrim,
Ireland, in June, 1806, and came of the old Scotch
Presbyterian stock. Her parents were Robert and
Lucy Corkin, the latter of whom was born in Scotland. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Brown con,
sisted of nine children, Edward being the sixth in
order of birth and the youngest of those born in
Ireland.
Our subject was early set to work on the farm
and while his father and older brothers worked
out, he had mDuch of the clearing and breaking of
ground to do. When but a small lad he chopped
trees like a hero and became an expert ox-driver,
as the ground was broken by means of those animals. He had no school privileges until he was
thirteen years old, and then began his studies in the
primitive log school house. A better building and
better opportunities came in later years, and while
still carrying on the farm he went to winter school
until he became fairly well educated. He remained
under the parental roof until he was thirty years
old, although when of age he bought eighty acres
adjoining the homestead, and undertook its im
provement. He subsequently purchased an improved farm of eighty acres which he operated for
some years, and finally became the owner of various tracts, amounting to over five hundred acres.
In 1872 Mr. Brown went to Europe, enjoying a
pleasant voyage from New York to Glasgow on
the steamer "India."  He visited the home of his
mother's people in Scotland, his own birthplace in
the Emerald Isle, and then spent some time in
England, France and Germany. Early in 1873 he
returned on the steamer "California," sailing from
Glasgow and on this occasion experiencing what
a storm brings to an ocean traveler. After his return he began dealing in farm lands, buying and
selling unimproved property until over three thousand acres had passed through his hands. Of improved farm lands he has handled tracts in Gratiot,
lonia, Montcalm, Saginaw, Midland and other
counties, and in this and Gratiot Counties alone
he has owned some five hundred farms. At the
same time he has carried on agricultural work,
operating some five hundred acres of land. Besides
operating in this State Mr. Brown has dealt in pine
and oak lands in Arkansas, principally in Cleve

land, Desha and Pulaski Counties. In 1889 he established his home where he is now living.
Mr. Brown has various financial interests besides
his ownership of about fourteen hundred acres of
land in this county and real-estate elsewhere. He
and J. Corbet own the St. John's Hotel and he is
associated with Robert Young in the ownership of
three stores, and with his brother in that of one
and has two others of his own, he is a share-holder
in a company that owns most of Durand, Shiawassee County, and is President of the Durand Land
Company, which was organized in July, 1888. He
is also a stock-holder and Director in the State
Bank, and was Cashier from 1887 until October,
1889, when he resigned as he had not time to attend to his duties. He is also a Director and large
shareholder in the Cooper Boiler & Engine Corn
pany, which manufactures engines in which gasoline, coal or wood can be consumed.
Notwithstanding his extensive business interests
Mr. Brown finds time to discharge some public
duties and join in some social schemes. In 1883
he was elected County Treasurer and re-elected
two years later, serving continuously until January, 1887. He has held some township offices since
he was of age and at various times has been Treasurer, Clerk and Supervisor. He held the last-named
office in Bengal Township, until his removal. He
has been Notary Public for years, is a mnember of
the School Board, and was one of the Committee
on designs for the building when the present building was put up. He was nominated for the Legislature in 1876, and run two hundred ahead of his
ticket in the western half of the county and came
within thirty votes of election. His name was
placed before the people on the Republican ticket
with which party he was identified until the Greenback movement. He is now independent in politics. He has been sent as delegate to various
conventions of each party, and for several years
was Chairman of the Greenback County Central
Committee.
Mr. Brown was married in Bingham in January,
1876, to Miss Ella Conn. This lady was born in
the Green Mountain State but has lived in Michigan since she was a year old. Of the happy union
there has been born two children, Bulah and Ralph




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBU3tM.


465




the latter, deceased. The family attend and support
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Brown is
connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His portrait is presented in connection with
this brief biographical notice.
ERRY HADSALL was born in Exeter
Township, Luzerne County, Pa., March 4,
1837. He is a son of Edward and Jane
(Diamond) Hadsall.      His parents were
natives of the same State and county in which their
son was born. They came to Michigan in Septem.
ber, 1856, and settled in Cohoctah, Livingston
County, on a farm, where they are both residing.
The father of the family has attained more than
the prescribed three-score and ten years and at the
age of seventy-eight is still able to oversee and
conduct much of the work of his farm. Agriculture has been a life business with him and he still
owns the small farm on which he resides.
Edward Hadsall is one of the many who suffered
most bitterly from  the horrors of the late war.
During the war he was taken prisoner by the Confederates and was held two months at Danville,
and from there he was sent to Libby Prison, where
the few months in which he endured the short rations, abuse, filth and vermin almost terminated his
life. However, he was more fortunate than many
of his comrades, who perished so miserably in that
dread Southern prison, and was exchanged. Only
those who have had friends that they believed lost
to them, returned as it were, from the dead, can
understand the joy of such a home-coming as that
of Mr. Hadsall after his bitter Southern experience.
He was never able to do a good day's work after
his discharge. He was an ardent Republican in
politics, but never had any ambition to hold office.
The parents of our subject had a family of nine
children, of whom   Perry was the third. He
was reared in his native town and county on the
farm, where he remained until September, 1865,
when he came to Michigan and located in Byron,
taking up the business of milling, which he followed for a year. He then turned his attention to


working at the carpenter's and builder's trade,
which business he pursued for about nine years and
then built his present sawmill, to which he has
ever since given his time and attention. With his
milling business he also combines that of the insurance business, being agent for the Oakland, Genesee and Shiawassee Mutual Fire InsuranceCompany. Mr. Hadsall started in life without any
means whatever and has proved his executive ability by amassing more than a competency in his
chosen branches of work. He is a Republican in
politics, having cast his first vote for Abraham
Lincoln.
The esteem in which Mr. Hadsall is held in the
township in which he resides is evidenced by the
numerous offices which have been conferred upon
him by the vote of the people. He has attained
the third degree in the Masonic order and has been
honored by all the offices in the lodge.
In the fall of 1856, in the bright sunny days of
October Mr. Hadsall was married to Miss Emily
Bailey of Exeter Township, Luzerne County, Pa.,
who became the head of his house and home. The
lady was born in Goshen, Orange County, N. Y.,
March 7, 1839, and was a daughter of Samuel and
Permelia (Blain) Bailey. The gentleman of whom
we write and his estimable wife are the parents of
one child, Permelia J., now the wife of Dr. B. S.
Knapp, of Owosso. They have been blessed with
two children —Carl and Hazel, both of whom are
living.
-— 5^^ ---
OBERT E. DAVIES. This name will be
recognized by many of our readers as that
of one of the firm of W. T. & R. E. Davies, proprietors of the Greenbush Fanning-mill Factory, which turns out hundreds of
those useful articles each year. The works are located on section 15, Greenbush Township, fitted
with adequate machinery, and during the year
1891 the output is expected to be at least four
hundred. Mr. Davies is also well known as one of
the officials of Clinton County, now serving in the
capacity of Clerk of Greenbush Township. He
has held the office continuously since 1863, and




466


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
A            _-       - - - - - - - -


prior to that time had acted one year, in 1861.
Besides his extensive manufacturing interest Mr.
Davies has a half ownership of over four hundred
acres of land. He resides in an attractive dwelling,
which is furnished in keeping with his means and
and the good taste of the family, and enjoys the
many comforts of a prosperous rural resident.
The parents of our subject were Robert and
Mary A. (Thomas) Davies, the one a native of
Wales, and the other of County Kent, England.
His father was a valiant soldier in the British army,
fought during the Peninsular War in Spain, took
part in the battle of Waterloo, and was stationed
in France three years after that famous engagement. The son of whom we write was born in
County Sussex, England, October 5, 1830, and was
reared in his native land to his twentieth year.
His education was mainly acquired il the national
schools, but after he emigrated to America, he did
some studying in the Empire State, attending a
school in Lyons. In 1849 he crossed the Atlantic,
taking passage at Liverpool on the American clipper ship "DeWitt Clinton," and after an ocean
voyage of thirty days landing at New York City.
Thence he went to Lyons, where he served an apprenticeship of three years in a fanning-mill factory. He remained there nearly two years after he
learned his trade, then in the fall of 1854 came to
Michigan.
Mr. Davies stopped at Grand Rapids, and spent
a year working as a journeyman, then located in
Clinton County, and with his brother William T.
embarked in business. The brother had come to
America in 1851, and learned the trade in Lyons,
N. Y., and the two undertook the manufacture of
fanning-mills and milk safes. For three years they
rented a shop, then having acquired some capital,
they bought land and put up a building, some
20x30 feet in size, to which they have added at
various times until the factory has assumed' its
present large proportions. Their fanning-mills
have acquired a wide reputation, extending over
the State, and the Greenbush Fanning-mill Factory
ranks among the leading industries of the kind in
Central Michigan. The factory is supplied with
such machinery as will facilitate the labor and reduce the cost of production, so that the mills can


be sold at reasonable rates, and much ability has
been manifested by the proprietors in carrying on
their project and building up their trade.
For a number of years Mr. Davies had the sympathy and encouragement of a devoted wife,
whose maiden name was Alice Thormas. She was
a daughter of Shem and Hannah Thomas, was well
able to discharge the duties devolving upon a
housekeeper and mother, and possessed a fine
Christian character. She was identified with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in the faith of which
she died March 17, 1889. She was the mother of
four children, named respectively, Robert T., Nellie, Edith M. and James R. The first-born is deceased. The older daughter is the wife of Lewis
W. Marshall.
Mr. Davies is a Methodist, and has been Steward
in the church. Politically he is a Republican. He
has been pre-eminently successful in life, and his
career affords an example of what may be accomplished by a young man of determined spirit and
good natural ability, without financial aid from
others. He is courteous, obliging and hospitable,
keeps abreast of the times in his knowledge of
general topics, and takes a deep interest in the
progress of mankind, both near his home and in
remoter regions. He is one of the most influential men of the locality, and one in whom his acquaintances have implicit confidence.
~ —,~ —~
ILLIAM       WRIGHT.     Shiawassee County
\   is noted for its fine farms, and especially
W  for the comfort in which its agriculturists
live. Almost universally they have spacious, commodious homes, in which the comfort and conveniences that seem so necessary to modern life are
to be found. The farm of William Wright, located
on section 17, Owosso Township, is not an exception. Its owner came to Michigan in 1876, having
been born in Frontenac, Canada, in 1842, the 29th
of November. He was the youngest of a family
of eight. His father was John Alexander Wright,
a native of Ireland, who settled in Canada in 1839.
His mother's maiden name was Alice Dunn.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


467


--


Our subject's father purchased the farm which
had previously belonged to William Mason, and
which contained eighty acres, and to which he
afterward added eighty acres more. This farm
boasts of all the latest improvements in agricultural implements. Mr.Wright is engaged in handling farm machinery, among which are the Peerless
binders and mowers and the Butler wind-engine,
and he owns the Van Wagoner patent fence, for
which he has the agency in Rush, Middlebury,
Owosso and Bennington townships. He is also engaged in manufacturing and erecting a fine wire
fence for the gas works in Owosso.
In 1870 Mr. Wright was married to Miss Rhoda
Ann Orsen, who was born in Frontenac County,
Canada. Their family consists of George U., A.
Torrence, J. Howard, Edmund G. and Sadie Pearl.
George has attended the St. John's High School
and the Industrial College, at Owosso, and expects
to engage in mercantile business. Torrence is a
student at the Oakside School at Owosso, where he
is preparing to take upon himself the work of a
teacher. -He also intends eventually to take up the
study of law. Our subject was formerly a Republican, but since the formation of the Prohibition
party he has transferred its allegiance to it. Mr.
Wright has a fine farm  that is very well improved. It is well drained, and the purest water is
accessible from every part of the farm, conveyed
thither by pipes that lead from a reservoir filled by
a wind engine.
~-~     --      *^-        -
P)ANIEL B. CIASE, a representative farmer
residing on section 29, Essex Township,
Clinton County, is a native of New York,
being born in Albany County, June 30, 1812. His
father, Joseph J. Chase was born in Rhode Island
in 1780 and came to New York when young, and
followed farming. He (lied about the year 1854
and left behind him the respect and esteem of all
who knew him for his honest and earnest Christain
character. The grandfather, Joshua, was the son
of another Joshua. William Chase was the first of
the family in America, coming with the fleet which


brought Gov. Winthrop and his colony to America
in 1630. He died in 1659 and his two sons,
Thomas and Aquilla, were among the first settlers
of Hampton, N. H.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Mary Snyder, and was a native of Albany
County, N. Y. She died about the year 1855. Of
her nine children three are living, two daughters
and one son, our subject. He was reared on the
farm and had very little education in his boyhood,
although his father was possessed of a good education and was a teacher. Most of his school days
were passed in Cayuga County, N. Y., where he
went to school in the log school-house. When he
was twenty-one years old he hired out to work on
a farm at $11 a month. The following spring he
decided to go West, and taking a canal boat at Pb.
Byron for Buffalo and thence a steamer to Detroit,
he reached that point and journeyed on foot to
Chicago, reaching that place in 1834. lie worked
for a short time in a brick yard and then on a farm
at Naperville, twenty-five miles west of Chicago,
receiving $12 a month. He did not remain there
long but spent part of the year at Ottawa. In the
spring of 1835 he walked eighty miles to Chicago
to attend an auction of Government land, and bid
off a quarter-section which lay along the Illinois
River. At the same time he purchased a lot in
Joliet for forty dollars which he kept for twenty
years and sold for *600, the same lot four years
later bringing $10,000. He soon disposed of his
qunrter-section of land to friends and returned
East to Cayuga County, N. Y. on foot. He traveled to Michigan City fifty-two miles the first day.
The young man now undertook the management
of his father's farm on  shares and afterward
Ibought twenty-seven acres which was sold at sheriff's sale, and three months later disposed of this
land for twice what it cost him. The following
fall he returned West and began work in the pincry in Allegan County, at $20 per month. After
spending part of the winter here he walked to Chicago and from there to Southport,Wisconsin. After
a short time there he took up a claim. Tie following spring he purchased six yoke of oxen and with
another man undertook breaking prairie for neighbors. For three years he kept bachelQr's hall. Ite




468


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I   ~ -  - -


fenced his half section and exchanged it for a small
farm in New York, where he now settled down to
farming.
In 1862 Mr. Chase exchanged his New York
farm for part of what he now owns on section 29,
Essex Township, Clinton County, Mich. The
eighty acres which he now owns, was pretty well
improved and he secured about eighty acres more.
His marriage took place in 1837 and he was then
united with Catherine Switzer of New York. She
died November 8, 1863, having been the mother
of nine children. Those now living are, Munson,
Catherine (Mrs. George Bush,) Nancy (Mrs.
Horace Skinner), Charles H., editor of the Gratiot
County Journal, and Adelbert, who is also
connected with that paper. To all of his children,
Mr. Chase gave an excellent education. His second
marriage took place July 7, 1886. His wife was
Mrs. Melissa Swarthout who had been twice
married before uniting her fortunes with those of
our subject. Her first husband was James Kelley,
a native of New York who lived in Michigan.
Her second husband was Charles Swarthout who
died soon after their marriage. She is the daughter
of Ralzmond and Sallie (Jason) Griffin, natives of
Connecticut and New York respectively. Mrs.
Chase is the mother of four children, all by her
first husband and all of whom are married and
gone from home.
Mr. Chase was reared a Democrat and became a
Republican about the time of the organization of
that party. He has belonged to the Methodist
Episcopal Church for fifty years and Mrs. Chase
is an efficient member of the Baptist Church. He
has one hundred and sixty acres of land all well
improved, and has placed upon it a fine large house
and a good barn, and has in a word an elegant
farm which is an ornament to the township. In
1886 he rented his farm for three years and made
his home in Palo, Ionia County, after which he returned to the farm. He has had considerable
dealings in lands both buying and selling.
Ralzmond Griffin, the father of Mrs. Chase was
the third son of Lomer Griffin, and was born in
Barkhamstead, Conn., February 22, 1803, and
died May 1, 1888. His father was a native of
Granby, Conn., where he was born April 22,1759,


and died at Lodi, Ohio, in 1880, at the extreme
age of one hundred and twenty-one years. Before
his death he had seen grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. The mother of Mrs. Chase died in 1884 at the age of eightytwo years. She was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church and her husband was a Congregationalist. Five of their seven children are
still living. Our subject has held the office of
Highway Commissioner, School Inspector and Assessor. The offices were held in New York.
B. HOLMES, a well-known and leading
business man of Durand, Shiawassee County,
was born in the same township, Vernon, January 18, 1850. Here he has grown to manhood
and has made such a record throughout as to have
gained the esteem of his neighbors. His father,
Edward Holmes, a native of New York, was born
in 1810 and after being reared in his native place,
came to Michigan in 1847, and coming direct to
Vernon Township, located on a farm in section 19.
This lie improved and remained on it as long as he
lived and passed away from earth in 1881. He
was a Democrat in his political views and was
identified with the Masonic order, being a Royal
Arch Mason.
Nancy Kinney was the maiden name of her who
became the mother of our subject and she was born
in New York, in which State also she married Edward Holmes.   Nine children came to gather
around their fireside and they had the joy of seeing
them all grow to manhood and womanhood and fill
positions of usefulness in life.
Mr. Holmes is the third son and fourth child of
his parents and his first and only schooling was received in Vernon Township. He remained with
his parents until twenly-one years of age and after
working by the day in a sawmill for three years,
spent seven years clerking in the general store of
L. D. Goss, first at Vernon, then at Perry and
afterward at Morris. His first independent business venture was made at Morris, where he put in
a stock of groceries, and carried on business for




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


469


three years. He then sold out in April, 1887, and
the year following located at the stand where he
now does business. The same year he built the
brick store which he occupies and has increased his
stock by the addition of dry goods, hats, caps,
boots and shoes.
Mr. Holmes' union in marriage with Julia Tyler,
took place on New Year's Day, 1879, and has
brought him a happy home and one son, Carl T.
who was born in 1880. Mrs. Holmes is a native of
the Wolverine State, and was born in 1856. Her
education and training were received at Perry.
This gentleman's political views are somewhat independent in their nature and he votes for the man
whom he considers the best possible incumbent for
the office to be filled. Ie is identified with the
Masonic order and belongs to the North Newberg
Lodge at Durand. Corunna Chapter No. 33, and
Corunna Commandry No. 21. He is a liberal contributor to every cause which he considers worthy
and is wide awake to the interests of the community.
H. POWER, a prominent young business
man of St. John's, is Cashier of the State
g    Bank of that city. He is a native of the
county, having been born on his father's farm one
mile south of Eureka, August 18, 1863.   His
father, the late J. E. Power, was born in Perry
County, Pa., near Philadelphia. He learned the
trade of a millwright at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and
worked there until about 1850. lHe then came to
Clinton County, this State, and took up three hundred and twenty acres in Greenbush Township.
Ile was among the first settlers there and his claim
was in the thick woods, where he literally hewed
out a farm. He did not entirely abandon his trade,
but gave his principal attention to farming until
his death, in 1885. He was Township Supervisor
fifteen years. He was married in Mt.Vernon, Ohio, to
Mahala Brown, who survives him and is now living
in St. John's. She was born in Knox County, Ohio,
her father being Asa Brown, a farmer there. She
is a most estimable woman and has been a devoted
mother to her eight children, of whom D. H. is


the youngest. She is a member in good standing
of the Christian Church.
Thie gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs spent his early years on a farm and pur.
sued his studies in the district school until he was
fifteen years old.  He then attended the high
school at Ovid and having completed the course of
study was graduated in 1883. The fall of the next
year he entered the State Normal School at Ypsilanti and after diligent study for twelve months was
graduated from the English class. He had already
begun teaching, putting in his time at professional
work in the intervals of attendence at school, his
first term having been begun when he was nineteen
years old. After leaving the Normal school, he had
charge of the grammar department in the Ovid
school one year, and he then became a salesman
for the Dickerson Publishing Company of Detroit.
For two years Mr. Power worked for that companv throughout the Southern and Western States
and in the prosecution of the duties of general
agent, he visited twelve of the sisters of the Republic. In January, 1887, he became connected
with the State Bank of St. John's, as discount and
collection clerk. His faithfulness and accuracy
and his evident fitness for banking led to promotion and in a short time he was book-keeper for the
institution. He then became Teller and Assistant
Cashier and for a year-the Cashier being absentlie transacted all the business pertaining to that position. In October, 1889, when Mr. Brown resigned, he was chosen to success him. Mr. Power
is one of the stockholders in the bank, and his
financial ability and reputation for thoroughness
and honesty are potent factors in the success of the
institution.
At the bride's home in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1880,
Mr. Power was united in marriage with Miss Clara
La Montine, daughter of Thomas La Montine, a
prominent railroad employe in the Forest City.
She was born there, had the advantage of excellent
schooling and good associations, and is well calculated to make a happy home and attract to it a
pleasant circle of acquaintances, Mr. and Mrs.
Power have one child. Mr. Power is a Knight
Templar, belonging to a commandery in St. John's.
He is a member of tile Michligan Banker's Associa



470


PORTRAIT ANTD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


4 — 7 0 ----  —. -  1-.  O. -1..T RA.1......  B G P C   AL U...


tion, and politically is a Republican.  Active,
quick-witted, well educated and well informed, he
is an excellent business man, readily perceiving
what will be for the advantage of the institution in
which he is engaged and the town in which he
lives. He has pleasing social qualities and is a popular member of society.
ALTER WRIG IT, who has resided in
Antrim Township, Shiawassee County, for
forty years, is a native of Coxsackie,
Greene County, N. Y., born September 4, 1824.
His father, James, came to Livingston County,
Mich., in 1836, and entered a half section of land
which lie cleared and improved. I-e came across
Canada with two yoke of oxen and a team of
horses.  His life ended at Howell, Livingston
County, this State, about 1872, at the ripe old age
of eighty-four years. lie was a man of prominence
and influence and has held various local offices including that of Justice of the Peace. He was also
a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal
Cllurch.
The grandfather, William Wright, of New York,
was a Revolutionary soldier, coming out of that
struggle as Orderly Sergeant, and drew a pension
until his death in 1838. The mother of our subject
bore the maiden name of Cynthia Clarkl and was a
native of Connecticut. She (lied in 1851, leaving
to her children the fragrant memory of a beautiful
Christian life. She was a devoted member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and a faithful mother
of twelve children, eight of whom still live.
The subject of this brief sketch was reared upon
the farm and received his education in the district
schools. He was twelve years old when his parents
removed to Michigan, old enough to be a keen observer of the various phases of pioneer life and
well remembers this country when (leer, bears,
wolves and other wild game were plentiful. He
was not a stranger to the red man for he used to
"licker" with him frequently, exchanging "nappanee" (flour) for buckskins and other commodities.
Young Wright helped his father, who was a car

penter, to build the first frame schoolhouse in his
district. He afterward worked at the trade considerably and has built agood many barns and sheds
for his neighbors. IIe remained at home until of age
when he struck out for himself, working a year or
so at coopering, a trade at which he became quite
an expert.
Antrim Township became the home of our subject in the fall of 1848, andl purlhased the farm on
section 21, where he now resides. Some few acres
had been cleared of trees but were only partially
improved. Lie entered into partnership about this
time with a brother and built and operated a sawmill. In 1851 he went to California to seek his
fortune, journeying via the Isthmus and spending
four years in the Sunset State. He mined to some
extent and was also connected with a company
which operated a sawmill. After working at these
and other employments he returned in 1855 to his
former home, where he had retained his interest.
Here he resumed farming and continued to clear
and improve the land.
After his trial of Western life Mr. Wriglht decided that it would be best to inaugurate a home
of llis own, and he was married in 1858 to Miss
Hannah Miller, a native of Macomb County, Mich.,
by whom he has had five children, namely: Alice
at home; Mira, the wife of Jonathan McCaig, a
farmer in this township; John L. and Millie who
are at home, and one child who died in infancy.
HIe was reared a Whig but became a Republican
and more recently a Prohibitionist. For twentytwo years he filled the office of Justice of the
Peace, was Treasurer for four years and School
Inspector for quite a term. H-e belongs to the order
of Odd Fellows.
One of the strongest formative influences in the
life of Walter Wright and his family has been the
religious atmosphere which has ever pervaded their
home. Being descended from godly parents, the
Christian religion has ever been their inspiration,
guide and strength. They are connected with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Wright
has been a member for over fifty years, and where
he has been prominently identified in an official
capacity and as a zealous worker for all its good
objects. He has ever been a liberal contributor




RESIDENCE OF WALTER WRIGHT, SEC. 21. ANTRIM TP,SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.....7ir, l                     1'


RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM FP VAN LIEW. SEC. IG.,BENNINGTON TR,SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH




-I
I
i9




PORTt'RAIT AND BIOGR~APHICALC ALBUM.


473


P R   A IO A LL


to benevolent and other worthy causes and gave
liberally toward the erection of a handsome church
in his neighborhood. His character and the true
principles by which he has ever been guided commend the religion in which he believes to all who
know him. He began the battle of life without
means but has attained to a handsome property of
one hundred and forty acres of rich and arable
land in a high state of cultivation.
A view of this estate is shown on another page
of this work..^ ---. -   ---      - -
ILLIAM PIXLEY VAN LIEW. The gentleman whose name heads our sketch and
who owns a farm on section 16, Bennington Township, was born in Monroe County, N. Y.,
October 2, 1824. His parents were John and
Rosina (Van Tassel) Van Liew, of New Jersey.
'They are both descendants of old Knickerbocker
families. In 1868 Mr. Van Liew came to Michigan and for four years lived at Franklin, Lenawee
County. In May, 1872, he came to Shiawassee
County and secured his present farm, a part of
which is one of the earliest settled places in the
county, having been secured by the Colf family in
1836 from the Government. The original settlers
were obliged to cut out their own roadway through
the forest for two miles from the Grand River road.
Mr. Van Liew is a man of taste and judgment
and his home, which is a very handsome place,
bears evidence to his culture and refinement. His
beautiful residence, a view of which is presented on
another page, would grace the fashionable thoroughfares of any of the large cities and the interior arrangement and finish compare favorably with the
much more pretentious residences on Euclid or
Madison Avenues. The house was erected in 1887
from plans prepared by a professional architect,
and the interior finish is in natural oak and walnut.
The latter bears a tinge of color and tone of richness found only in the choice lumber seasoned by
time. The walnut used is taken from the boards used
as the chamber floor in the first house constructed
by the pioneer Mr. Coif over half a century ago,


and aside from its richness of tone, it for this reason has a value, because of its historical association. Water is supplied by an automatic wind engine, which forces it into a reservoir over the
kitchen, whence it passes through large pipes to the
large barn and cattle sheds. Commanding as it
does a view of the surrounding fields and spreading country, the home is a delightful one and a desirable place for a man to live a retired life, realizing the comforts and benefits of the real home.
Mr. Van Liew was married in Wayne County,
N. Y., October 16, 1850, to Miss Louisa Hollenbeck, who was born at Upper Lisle, Broome County,
N. Y., being the daughter of Silas W. and Anna
Catherine (Coburn) Hollenbeck. One son, Henry
Beech Van Liew, born August 8, 1854, is the only
child. IIe was married April 13, 1887, to Sarah
Wilcox, who was born December 16, 1858. They
have two children, Felicia Louisa, born May 15,
1888, and Arthur Max, born January 12, 1890.
The son of our subject, Henry B. Van Liew, is the
Township Clerk and is looked upon as one of the
active, progressive young men of the neighborhood. At present he has charge of the farm, which
consists of one hundred and forty-five acres.
Mr. Van Liew's family is as pleasant as only culture and refinement added to naturally amliable and
delightful qualities can make one, and their acquaintance may be considered not only agreeable
but beneficial to those with whom they come in
contact.
W     /ILLIAM M. MESLER. This gentleman
is a representative farmer, whose home is
in Essex Township, Clinton County, on a
tract of land consisting of one hundred acres,
where he has made a good home by industry, and
judicious management. He is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Orleans County,
August 27, 1838, and is one of tie nine children
born to Absalom and Sarah (Wyman) Mesler. His
father was a native of New Jersey and his mother
was born in Vermont. The other surviving members of the parental household are Candace, wife




474


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -I


of Nelson Thompson, whose home is in Niagara
County, N. Y.; Charles V., a captain of the Union
Army; William M.; Augusta, who lives in the Empire State; Samuel; Mary, wife of Samuel Barton;
Sarah and Merrill.
When our subject was an infant less than two
years old bis parents removed to Niagara County,
N. Y., where they remained and where he grew to
manhood. He received a fundamental education
in the schools of the time, and having been inclined to read, he has supplemented the knowledge
obtained in his youth by much information regarding topics of general interest and the history
that is making. In 1866 he came to this State and
for a time his home was in Lenawee County.
Thence he removed to his present location in 1868,
taking possession of a tract of woodland, on which
he had much hard work to do in subduing the
rude forces of nature and making it what he
wished.
July 14, 1868, Mr. Mesler was married to Miss
Elizabeth Miller, a native of Lenawee County, and
daughter of Mattison Miller. an early settler there.
Five children have come to bless the happy home,
their respective names being Wallace, Ada, Laverne, Sarah and Ernest. They are being carefully reared and prepared for useful and honorable
stations in society, and the older ones are already
assuming their places as worthy children of
respected parents.
October 15, 1861, Mr. Mesler enlisted in Company B, One Hundred Fifth New York Infantry,
which was consolidated with the Ninety-Fourth
Infantry in March 1863. He became an integral
part of the army operating on the James, and was
with the celebrated First Corps. He fought in the
battles of Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Chancellorville, Mine Run, the Wilderness, and others of
minor importance, and was honorably discharged
in November, 1864. By reason of disability in(ulred while in the service of his country he is in
receipt of a pension of $22 per montb. With his
comrades of a Grand Army Post at Maple Rapids
lie lives over again the scenes of his army life, and
from them and others he hears much that is of
interest, regarding the work done in other parts of
the South, He is a Republican in politics, Mr,


Mesler has been Treasurer of the School Board in
his district, and has in various ways been connected with the best interests of the people by
whom he is respected and among whom he has
many warm friends.
EBER W. HILL, who resides on section 6,
De Witt Township, was born in Watertown
7   Township, Clinton County, November 25,
1840. His father, Stephen, was born in
Maine, in 1809, and the grandfather, Enoch, was a
native of Enygland, and made his home for years
upon the island of Newfoundland, whence he came
later to Maine. He there followed lumbering and
farming and owned a finely impcroved farm. He
reared twelve or thirteen children and died in old
age.
The father of our subject learned the trade of a
sawyer in Maine and followed it there. He came
to Michigan while yet a single man in 1836, and
located at Plymoutl, Wayne County, where he
worked on a farm and taught school. After remaining there two years lie came to Clinton County,
in 1838, and settled first in Wateitown Township,
taking up one hundred and sixty acres of Government land at 81.25 per acre. lie brought with
him enough flour to last until after harvest, and
yet he saw some hard times. He raised some wheat
on shares in Wayne County and from   that got
enough flour to last for several years. He journeyed there on foot to harvest his wheat.
Mr. Hill was united in marriage in Plymouth,
Wayne County, this State, to Miss Olive Gooch,
andt built a log cabin on his claim, where lie
was surrounded by friendly Indians and wild game
in great abundance. He was no huntsman but
bought meat from  the Indians. He was a hard
worker, a Republican in politics and Justice of the
Peace for years, besides holding other minor offices, and dlid in 1886. The mother of our subject was born in Maine in 1816, and came to Michigan with her parents through Canada by team in
1834. She is still living in Watertown Township.
Of her eight children five grew to maturity. Lucy


*




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


475


(Mrs. Utley), Heber W.; Bartlette who died in the
War; Elrey B.; Leo C.; Amos; Frank; and Jessie
who died when young. Their mother's parents,
Benjamin and Lucy (Boyington) Gooch, were
natives of Maine where Mr. Gooch engaged in
lunmbering, being also a merchant. He had a cargo
of lumber destroyed by the English during the
Warof 1812, which broke him up in business. He
came West about 1834 and lived first in Wayne
and then in Kent County and died in Grand
Rapids, when eighty-seven years of age. He was
a Democrat in politics. The mother of Mrs. Iill
was drowned in the Erie Canal on their way West.
She was walking across the deck of the canal boat
at night in the vain and accidentally stepped off
into tie water. He afterward twice married.
The subject of this sketch was born in Watertown Township, Clinton County, and reared upon
the farm. lHe walked three miles to his first school,
which was a log house furnished with slab seats
and writing desks around the wall. Quill pens
were then in use, the rate bill system was in vogue,
and the teacher boarded around. When twenty
years of age, our subject hired out by the montl,
on the wages of $15, and after three years, he took
his savings and went into the lumber business which
he followed for eight years.
In 1864 Mr. Hill settled on a small farm in Kent
County, while lumbering there, and ran a grocery
for a year and a half at Grand Rapids. He afterwards went into the furniture and undertaking
business at White Hall, Muskegon County, but after
four years sold out his business and bought the
farm where he now resides. He afterward returned for three years to White Hall and engaged in
wagon-making, after which he returned to his present home in 1878.
Hebert W. Hill married Florence Utley in 1864.
This lady was born in De Witt Township this
county, May 21, 1848. She is the mother of six
children: Kittie B., Bessie A.; Carmalita, Grace
M.; one who died in infancy and Randolph. The
three eldest daughters are teaching school. Mrs.
Hill is a member of the Baptist Church and Mr.
Hill has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifteen years. For many years
he was a Republican and later an Independent and


is now a stanch Prohibitionist. While living in
Kent County, he held many of the minor township
offices and was an Alderman at White Hall. Ile has
a fine farm of eighty-two acres which he is carrying on and he also runs a milk wagon, gathering
up milk for the condenser at Lansing.
W  OBERT CHARLES SHEPARD. It has been
our pleasing task to chronicle the history
j  of the maternal side of our subject's family
lunder the biographical sketch of Mrs. Lucy
l)oane. In ancestry the family might successfully
vie with any of tle New York "Four Hundred" or
the F. F. V.'s of Virginia. Robert Charles Shepard
was born April 24, 1855 in Owosso Township and
is the elder of two sons, the younger being Samuel
Manley Shepard, who was born August 26, 1864,
and died of consumption March 1, 1887, at the age
of twenty-two years and six months.
This is one of the oldest families of Central
Michigan, they having settled in Owosso Township
in 1841.  Capt. Chauncy Franklin Shepard deceased, the father of our subject, was born September 21, 1829, in Niagara County, N, Y., where his
parents Samuel and Miiss Ann Park were married.
Ile was married June 1, 1853, to Amanda K. Guilford, daughter of Franklin Paul and Samantha
(Manley) Guilford, who was born February 6, 1831,
and died June 13, 1883. Capt. Shepard was prominently connected with the educational interests of
the county, having been teacher for upwards of ten
years and much of that time Principal of the tIenderson graded school. The young couple immediately made their home on the farm adjoining the
present farm of F. M. Shepard, his half-brother,
upon which they resided until after his return from
the army.
Capt. Shepard was at one time quite prominently
connected with strong financial men in the development of oil properties in Canada, but his venture
in this direction, as has been the history almost
universally with oil operators, proved the opposite
of satisfactory and he severed his connection with
that company to engage in farming, securing the




476


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


homestead at present occupied by his son, in 1867.
Capt. Shepard's military career is a prominent one
and few men did more to raise troops and further
the cause to which he was devotedly attached. He
had strong convictions and having engaged in the
cause of union and liberty lie considered.no sacrifice too great and his whole effort and service was
to uphold and support the war.
The father of our subject was first enlisted in
Company D, First Michigan Cavalry under Capt.
Josiah Park of Ovid and was stationed at Detroit.
The following year he enlisted one hundred and
twelve soldiers in Shiawassee County for Company
B, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and his merit and efficiency were recognized by the old war Governor,
Austin Blair, who issued his commission as Lieutenant of that command under Capt. Mix. After
going with his company to the front he was taken
sick and when lie was sufficiently recovered to
travel, was discharged and returned home. Recuperating sufficiently, he again assisted in recruiting
soldiers for Company F, of the Tenth Michigan
Cavalry and this time enlisted one hundred and
twelve men. I-le received his commission October
24, 1863, making him Captain of the company.
Capt. Shepard distinguished himself on many
occasions during the bloody period when the South
revolted against the North. One notable occasion
was at Strawberry Plains where he commanded two
hundred and seventy-five men who were attacked
August 24, 1864, by a force of six thousand rebels
with nine pieces of artillery; after a sharp fight the
enemy was driven back and the fort and railroad
bridge saved from destruction. The Captain was
an officer of commanding appearance and a skilled
swordsman, having received the unusual instruction in America, in the art of fencing from  his
father who bad enjoyed the advantage of excellent
military training.
The gentleman of whom we write received in
consideration of his eminent services recognition by
some of the bravest officers in the war. Grant was
pleased to honor him particularly and he was favorably mentioned in various commander's reports
and finally rewarded a liberal pension. His ability
as a commander was appreciated by his fellowtownsmen who ever after the war insisted on his


acting as Marshal upon occasions of public parade
and civic displays where a cool head and clear
brain were needed. Politically le was a Democrat
of the Democrats and did all in his power to increase the strength of his party's ballot. While
his party was in a minority in the county he was
recognized by men of all political complexions is
an honest, able and honorable man and one who
would grace any position to which the will of the
people might call him. His decease occurred February 18, 1890, after a lingering illness covering
the last fifteen years of his life, during most of
which time he was confined to his house.
No one of the pioneers of Shiawassee County
is remembered by more peolle with a more tender regard than Capt. Shepard and when cycles of
time will have rolled around he will still be numbered among the benefactors of the county and one
of Michigan's most honorable sons. Our subject
was married October 23, 1877, at Ellington, Chautauqua County, N. Y., to Miss Emily Stevens, who
was born there lMay 7, 1850, being the daughter
of Cyrus and Fleveline (Manley) Stevens. He,
like his father, taught for a short time and has
ever been identified with educational interests.
being Director of his district. He is a Prohibitionist in politics and votes with that party. Two
bright children have resulted from  the union of
Mr. and Mrs. Shepard-Blanche Fleveline,who was
born September 14, 1880, and Merle Frank, born
A.ugust 25, 1882.
W  ESLEY E. WARNER. 'I'Te field of newspaper work opens to men of mental power
and business tact an opportunity differing
widely from that of any other line. There are certain peculiarities in this work that have come to
be classed distinctly and if hard to define they are
easy to distinguish. The man who succeeds in editing a good andl paying paper in a small town displays qualities that entitle him to high consideration and such are found filling a prominent place
in society, and fire looked to for tile support of all
worthy enterprises. In the town of Maple Rapids




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


477


such a position is held by the subject of this sketch,
who is proprietor and editor of the Maple Rapids
Dispatch.
Before noting the principal facts in the life of
Mr. Warner some mention of his parents will not
be amiss. His father is Charles J. Warner, who
was born in Vermont, April 6, 1830, went from
the Green Mountain State to New York and thence
to Lorain County, Ohio.  In the fall of 1855 lie
came to this State and located in Lebanon Township, Clinton County, where he still lives. He has
cleared and improved a farm and carries on agricultural work although he is a cooper by trade.
His wife was taken from him by death September
16, 1890. She was born in Cattaraugus County,
N. Y., January 21, 1820, and bore the maiden
name of Angeline J. Jackson. She was a teacher
of good repute, and the first term taught in Round
School-house in Lebanon Township was by her
and in a log shanty.  She was a woman of deep
religious feeling and upright life, but was not actively connected with any church at the time of
her death. Six children were born to this couple
and four of the number are now living.
The son of whom we write was born in Lorain
County, Ohio, October 11, 1853. Hie was therefore an infant when he came to this State and ll is
recollections and associations are entirely with
Clinton  County and the surrounding territory.
lie w-,s reared on a farm and obtained his education principally in the district school, the temple
of learning in which he studied being generally a
a log one. He spent about one year as a student
in the Ionia High School. Having a bright mind
and an earnest desire for knowledge he applied
himself diligently and became thoroughly acquainted with the studies that he pursued. In November, 1872, he began teaching and he has a record
of twenty-three terms of pedagogical work. lie
spent a year and a half in normal work.  In localities where lie taught he is remembered with
gratitude and respect, and those whom he led up
the hill of science recall with ever increasing thankfulness the efforts he made to aid them over the
hard places and increase their love of learning.
In July, 1885, Mr. Warner purchased the Maple
Rapids Dispatch and the first issue under his man

agement was on the 17th of that moth. The paper
was founded by Orrin and E. D. St. Clair in 1878
and was conducted by them about three years. It
then passed into the hands of E. R. Reed, who succeeded by Mr. Warner. It is a five column quarto,
neatly and well printed, carefully edited, and under
the management of its present proprietor has been
materially improved. The political banner under
which it is issued is an independent one, Mr. Warner himself being independent in his use of the
elective franchise and believing that as a neutral
his paper will be more valuable and successful than
otherwise. The editor is frank in his utterances
regarding corruption or improper use of political
power, and fearless in speaking of other matters in
which the people are or should be interested.
Presiding over the pleasant home of our subject
is the lady who became his wife September 4, 1883.
Prior to that date she was known as Miss Celia
B. Burnett, being a daughter of Alfred and Susan
(Utter) Burnett, natives of New York and now
residents of Gratiot County, this State. Mrs. Warner was born in Hlartland, Livingston County; this
State, recieved a good education and is an agreeable and estimable lady. She and her husband belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Warner has
been Secretary of the Odd Fellows Lodge for six
years and is connected both with the Encampment
and Rebecca degree. He was School Inspector of
Lebanon Township one year and has acceptably
filled the position of Village Clerk.
SAAC F. CRESSMAN is an intelligent and
worthy farmer residing in Bingham Township,
near St. John's. He was born March 23, 1839
and is a son of Abram J. Cressman, a native of
Pennsylvania who is still living in Northampton
County, that State, at the age of seventy-six years.
His forefathers settled in Pennsylvania in the year
1642, coming from Bremen, Germany. The grandfather of our subject, John Cressman, served in the
War of 1812, and was the son of a Revolutionary
hero. The father of our subject has held several
township offices, and has for many years been a




478


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


prominent member of the Lutheran Church. His
occupation is that of a millwright. His wife, Lydia
Frulshey, a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1854
leaving eight children.
Isaac Cressman is the eldest of his father's children. His brother John is a graduate of Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, and is a Lutheran
minister at Kutztown in that State. Edmond is a
graduate of the Kutztown Normal College, and
also of the Philadelphia Seminary, and Oberlin
College. He is a Congregational minister at Steel
City, Neb. Emanuel is a graduate of the High
School at Easton, Pa., and also of the Jefferson
Medical College at Philadelphia. After completing his course there he took a full course in the
Theological department of the seminary at Philadelphia and is in the Lutheran ministry in Erie
County, Pa. Augustine graduated at Oberlin
College and is a Congregational minister at Wahoo,
Neb. Martin was educated at the Easton Iigh
School and after teaching for several years became
a merchant in Luzerne County, Pa. Melinda now
Mrs. Knoll lives at Bethlehem, Pa.
Our subject was brought up on the farm and
when fourteen years old entered the boardingschool at Easton, Pa. After graduating there he
attended three years at the Allentown Seminary.
He there prepared to enter the Sophmore Class in
the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, but owing
to the breaking out of the war his plans were
changed. He offered his services in the Union
Army in 1861, but was rejected on account of poor
health. In the fall of 1861 lie came West and
located at Pontiac, Mich., and taught at Auburn
for two years. In 1863 he came to St. John's where
he purchased land in Bengal Township which he
sold two years later and with the proceeds purchased the farm on which he now resides. He
taught school also for some eight years. Not a
stick of timber had been cut on his present farm
when he bought it and he has cleared and improved
it and put it in a fine condition. It contains three
hundred and sixty acres.
Mr. Cressman was married in 1864 to Mary E.
Colby, a native of Pontiac, Oakland County, this
State, who died in 1872 leaving three children, Isaac, Nellie and Frank. His second mar

riage took place in 1873 when he was united with
Teressa Lance, who was born in Wayne County,
Ohio. Her seven children are named, John, Edward, Emanuel, Melinda, Ralph. Ethel and Clyde.
The gentleman of who we write is a stanch Republican in his convictions although he does not
take an active part in political movements. He is
school inspector and has been a member of the
Board of Review, serving also for two terms as
Drainage Commissioner in which latter capacity he
has laid a great many ditches and always did his
own surveying. lie is identified with a number
of the social orders, belonging to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, the Masons and the Knights
Templar. He has taken the Ninety-fifth Degree
of the Memphis Masonic Rite. He is President of
the Patrons of Industry of the Subordinate association since its organization, and also President of the
county association, also Representative of the Sixth
Congressional District of Michigan of the Patrons
of Industry for North America. He has been connected with the Lutheran Church for many years
and his wife is an earnest and conscientious member
of the Presbyterian Church. He represented the
Mutual Life Insurance Company of Boston for five
years, from 1867 to 1873, having his headquarters
at Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio. Ile began
life with no means and has attained to a good degree
of prosperity.
~ ----— ^y?^ ~-~~ ----
ANIEL Z. JONES, deceased. This former
resident of Rush  Township, Shiawassee
County, had his nativity in Steuben County,
N. Y., in 1813. His father, Andrew Jones, was a
farmer and miller, born in New York about the
year 1765. He owned considerable property in
New York and operated a gristmill for several
years. He was a consistent Christian and a member of the Methodist Church and died about the
year 1856. His wife, Polly Blanchard, was a
daughter of Mr. Blanchard, a Captain in the War
of 1812.
Andrew and Polly Jones had fourteen children.
Their household was equally divided between sons
and daughters, and Daniel was the seventh son




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


479


and thirteenth child. HIe received an ordinary
common-school education and when he started out
in life for himself began working a rented farm,
after which he went to Wisconsin in 1851, but four
years later returned as far as Michigan and located in Hudson, where he was until 1870, then
came to Rush Township, Shiawassee County, and
bought forty acres of land on section 9. This tract
was then all wild land and it had to be cleared up
and improved, which was done by the brave pioneer. He died here February 22, 1889. His religious belief was in accordance with the doctrines
and worship of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and lie was a Republican in politics.
Daniel Jones was married, in 1844, to Caroline
Dodge, a daughter of Simeon and Sarah (Parks)
Dodge. Sinleon Dodge was a carpenter, who came
from Canada to Ohio, settling in Painesville in
1831, and remaining there some five or six years.
Caroline was born on New Year's I)ay, 1826, and
she was the second of their six children.
To Daniel and Caroline Jones were born six
children, namely: Mary, Henry, Gilbert, Ella, Arvilla and Augusta. Mary is the wife of Americus
Gowen, of Hudson, Mich., and has a family of
three sons and three daughters; Henry is married
and lives near his mother and works her farm, and
has two sons and three daughters; Gilbert died in
1861; Ella, now Mrs. Andrew Goodwin, of Rush
Township, has one son and four daughters; Arvilla, the wife of George Hale, of Rush Township, has four sons and two daughters; Augusta
is Mrs. Sylvester Cook and has had two daughters, one of whom passed away in 1890.
Mrs. Jones is an earnest and devoted member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in Henderson,
and has been a professing Christian since 1855.
She gave her departed husband efficient aid in
building up the new home, and when he was clearing the land and burning the underbrush she was
often at his side working as hard as he. When
they first came here much of the land was covered with water, but cultivation has established a
good drainage and she now has forty acres of fine
land in a good state of culture.
Mr. Jones was an ardent supporter of the administration  luring the Civil War and showed his




faith by his works, enlisting in September, 1861,
in Company I, Ninth Michigan Light Artillery.
The regiment was sent to Detroit, and while there
encamped he was thrown from a horse and so
badly injured as to be unfit for service and was
sent home. When he was better he returned to
Detroit, but was discharged as being unable to
perform duty in active service.
A substitute for his father in military service
was provided in the person of Henry Jones, the
second child of Daniel. This young man was born
in Ohio, August 3, 1847, and in 1864 he enlisted
in Company B, Fourth Michigan Infantry. He
was sent to Detroit to be mustered into service,
and was at once ordered South. He went first to
Bull's Gap, Tenn., then to New Orleans, after that
to Powder Horn, Green Lake, San Antonio and
Galveston, Tex., and was mustered out in April,
1865. This young man was not married until
ten years after his return from the war, when he
took to wife Mary Haines, a daughter of Richard
and Lucy (Hoyt) Haines, who was born in 1859.
Henry and Mary have five children, nnamely: Fred,
Carrie, Daniel, Violet and Anna.
—? ---3 —^       -s ---^
(     ENRY MANKEY, one of flie most prosperous German American citizens in North
Riley, has a farm in Bengal Township,
Clinton County, where his elegant and
commodious brick house and large red barns
attract the attention of every passer-by and are
the evidences among others of the hand of a skillful and prudent farmer. He was born in Germany
May 18, 1840, and after taking the school advantages which are given every German child. and
being thoroughly instructed in agriculture, he
remained at home and worked on the farm until he
reached the age of eighteen years.
Young Mankey decided to come to America in
1850, and set sail for this country on a vessel
which was six weeks and three days upon the
ocean. He landed in New York and made his way
directly to this State, settling at Fowler, Clinton
County. Here he found work in various places




480


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-— "I "


and in due time selected a farm for himself, purchasing forty acres just one mile east of Fowler.
Here he lived for several years and in 1880 came
to Riley Township, where he has since made his
home.
Mr. Mankey in 1880 purchased a farm on section 33, Bengal Township, and there made his
home. He had enlisted in the army in 1863 in
the Tenth Michigan Cavalry, Company G, under
Colonel Crobridge. He was a young man working for an lonia County farmer when the call was
made for troops and he entered the army against
the advice and protests of his employer. But he
had an honest German notion of duty to country
and a training for military life which he felt might
be of use in this time of distress. He served until
the close of the war and was in a number of battles,
being taken prisoner at Thorn Hill, East Tennessee.
I-e lay in Southern prisons at Danville, Richmond
and other points for five months and all who saw
him believed that he could never live to return
home as he was so emaciated from starvation.
The marriage of our subject took place in 1868.
He then took to wife Josephine Demistadt, of Germany. They were blessed with four children,
Fred, Will, Frank and Emma. In 1880 our subject came to Riley Township, this county, and
made his home where he now lives. Hle is a Democrat in his political views and a German Lutheran in religion. He came to this county without
a penny and now has four hundred acres of fine
land in a splendid condition and upon this farm
he raises all kinds of stock., ENRY 0. HOVEY, a well known and highly
respected farmer residing on Section 14,
Vernon Township, Shiawassee County, was
born October 25, 1832, in Manaway Township, Portage County, Ohio. Horace Hovey, his
father, was a native of Massachusetts, and a farmer
by occupation. He grew to manhood in his native
town and was married to Miss Betsey Caulkins, al
native of the same State as himself. Immediately
after marriage he moved to Ohio, and located in


Portage County. There in Manaway Township he
cleared away the forest and built a log house.
After living in it for a number of years he erected
a two-story frame building, which stands there yet.
Horace Hovey removed to Michigan about the
year 842 and coming directly to Shiawassee County,
located on section 20, of Vernon Township.
Here he improved the farm and remained as long
as he lived, dying at the age of eighty-three. He
had been bereaved of his wife some years previous
to his own demise, when she had reached the age
of seventy-two years. Twelve children, nine daughters and three sons made up their household.
Our subject is the eighth child and second son
and was about ten years old when he came to Michigan. Here lie began attending school and improved as well as possible, the scant opportunities
for education which were his. I-e remained with
his father until he reached the age of thirty-one
years, assisting upon the farm. He was married
December 4, 1864, to Henrietta, the daughter of
Lewis and'Electa (Rosman) Lockwood, who was
born in Shiawassee County, March 8, 1849. She had
been orphaned by the death of her parents when
she was only three years old and was brought up
by the Rev. H. H. Carson, a Methodist Episcopal
minister residing at Owosso.
Immediately after marriage the young couple
made their home upon the farm where he now resides. Very little had been done to subdue this
land and prepare it for cultivation. It was all
woods and the little log house was the only building upon the place, while throu gh the forest roamed
deer and bears and all kinds of wild animals.
Three children, two daughters and a son, have
come to bless their home, namely, Cora M., Eben
and Chloe M. The two latter are at home and
Cora is the wife of John Mikan, residing at Durand.
All the improvements upon the farm have been
put in by Mr. Ilovey, and le has one hundred
acres in a fine state of cultivation. I-e has also
eighty acres on section 20, of the same township. His beautiful house, a two story frame
building was erected in 1884, at a cost of $1,500,
and he has a new barn, built in 1890, which cost
him $500. His other barn was put up in 1876.
Mr. Hovey has always been a hard-working man,




I




a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


483


and he has gained all that he has by hard work and
persistent enterprise. He is doing a general farming business and has cleared many acres of heavy
timber. He indeed, dearly loves the woods and
feels more at home in the forest than in any other
place. He is a true lover of nature, and rejoices
in believing that the groves were "God's first
temples."
PREDERICK ALCHIN. Shiawassee County
is noted for the richness of its soil, and for
the many farms that are scarcely exceeded
in production and the value of their improvements
by that of any other section of our fair land, and
Mr. Alchin is represented in this volume as the
fortunate owner of a large farm in Middlebury
Township, that compares favorably with any in
this locality. IHe is now living retired in Ovid,
where he is surrounded by the comforts which he
has accumulated through years of laborious and
untiring efforts. His estate comprises one hundred
and thirty acres, pleasantly located on section 25,
and is embellished with first-class improvements,
that have greatly increased its value. A portrait
of Mr. Alchin is presented on the opposite page in
connection with the following brief outline of his
life.
In Kent County, England, for many years lived
Richard and Ann M. (Cossom) Alchin, the former
of whom was by occupation a manufacturer of
shoes and boots. There in the little village of
West Malling, on July 20, 1836, Frederick Alchin
was born. There also he passed his youth, gleaning a good education in the common schools of the
vicinity. At the age of fourteen years he accompanied his parents to America, locating in Pittsfield, Washtenaw County, Mich., and there engaging in farming. His school studies were permanently interrupted by emigrating to America, as
after that time he attended school only three
months altogether.
When our subject was seventeen years old, he
left home and engaged ini farm work until the
breaking out of the Civil War. He then enlisted,


September 20, 1861, in Company D, Fourth Michigan Infantry, under Col. Woodbury. With the
other members of his company he was sent to
Virginia, where he participated in active service as
a part of the Army of the Potomac under Me
Clellan. Prior to the battle of Harrison's landing he lost all he had, including his blanket, and
during the fierce storm of several days' duration,
he lay in the open field without anything to
protect him from the elements. He was also unable to secure suitable rations, and finally the constant exposure undermined his health. He was
sent first to Craney Hospital in Virginia, whence
after remaining about four months, he was transferred to the general hospital in Hampton, Va.
After prolonged treatment and much suffering he
was transferred to the Invalid Corps.
Upon recovering sufficiently our subject was
appointed Wardmaster of Ward 3, in the above
mentioned hospital, and was afterward put in the
Veteran Reserve Corps, of which he was made
Fifth Sergeant, Company K, Fifteenth Regiment.
On September 21, 1864, he was honorably discharged, and returning to New York, was there
married on October 2, of the same year, to Miss
Mary Z. VanAuker, of Steuben County. Mr. and
Mrs. Alchin are the parents of three children, viz:
Frank S., born August [3, 1865; Ernest C., March
16, 1867, and Mary A., July 20, 1870. The oldest and youngest are married and reside in Shiawassee County.
In the spring of 1867 Mr. Alchin came West to
Shiawassee County, locating on section 25, Middlebury Township, and commencing at once to clear
the farm. The surrounding country was covered
with a forest growth and roads had not yet been
opened. Undaunted by obstacles, he continued
steadily at the work of improvement and finally
made his farm one of the most desirable estates in
the county, providing it with conveniently arranged buildings and the best machinery for carrying on agriculture. In the fall of 1889 he purchased a residence in Ovid, and in that hospitable
home he and his estimable wife frequently entertain their many friends.
Mr. Alchin takes a deep interest in politics, being anxious that proper men should be elected to




484


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


office and voting the Republican ticket. He has
served his fellow-citizens acceptably as Drain Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, and has always
exerted a wholesome influence in this community
with whose interests his own have been bound for
a period of nearly a quarter of a century. He was
at one time a member of the Ovid Agriculture
Association, and as might be expected, is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic of which he is chaplain. He well deserves
the success which has crowned his efforts. After
long years spent in agricultural pursuits he has retired from the more arduous labors of life and is
passing his declining years in a peaceful enjoyment
of the comforts of life, surrounded by friends whom
he has gained by his upright character, and blessed
by the love of children whom he has reared to
honorable manhood and womanhood.
G  EORGE C. WILKINSON. Of the many
pioneers who have settled in this State and
have changed the contour of the country
from that of a wilderness to an agricultural land
almost rivaling that of England, with its green
meadows, verdant forests and fertile ground, is
George C. Wilkinson who owns the farm upon
which he resides on section 7, Venice Township,
Shiawassee County. He has passed through all the
phases of pioneer life, knowing its hardships, its
adlvantages and pleasures.
His father, Charles W. Wilkinson, before being
cast by the westward wave of emigration in this
State, was a resident of Jefferson County', N. Y.,
where he was born. He was a farmel in New York
and his grandfather on the paternal side was Abraham Wilkinson, a native of New Jersey. Our subject's mother is Eliza (Clark) Wilkinson, a native
of Ovid, N. Y., and born in 1814. Her father was
Jesse Clark, a native of Cumberland, R. I., where
he was born October 18, 1784. He was a volunteer in the War of 1812, in which he did good
service. He had the advantage of possessing a
trade, which was that of a cabinet-maker, although
later in life he became a farmer. His wife's maiden


name was Lucinda Sayles, a native of Smithfield.
R. I., and born February 1, 1788. They met and
were married in New York and resided at Romulus. Then in 1834 they removed to this State,
settling in Commerce Township, Oakland County,
where he purchased a farm and spent the remainder
of his life in improving the same. Mr. Clark died
in 1863 and his wife in 1875. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom are now living.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson
took place November 2, 1836, and the next January they settled on the old farm in Commerce
Township. The young couple soon removed to
Shiawassee County, and settled in what is now
Vernon Township. Their first home was a little
log house in the midst of the woods and there were
very few neighbors near. He cleared off a little
space on this farm and sowed wheat. There he
staid for two years and in 1840 removed to Venice
Township settling on the farm where our subject
now resides. At first there were no roads and no
neighbors nearer than a quarter of a mile, but plenty
of Indians and wild animals and their watchfulness
to prevent the encroachments of these varied the
monotony of their lives.
There was but little money in circulation at that
time among the pioneeers and they had to live on
the products of their own farm. The first crop of
wheat that the father of our subject raised found no
market and the nearest mill was at Pontiac which
was at such a distance as to make it out of the question to be carried there. They finally traded off the
wheat at the little village which was then called the
New Corners, at fifty cents per bushel. They themselves could not enjoy the luxury of living on
bread made from white flour and their ordinary
food was Johnny-cake. They traded with the Indians for venison and so great were their dealings
with the primitive owners of the land that Mrs.
Wilkinson became familiar with the Indian language.
Our subject's parents first settled on eighty
acres. Mr. Wilkinson was incapacitated for work
twenty years previous to his death, being a great
sufferer from asthma, which he had from nine years
of age until his death. Physically, he was the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALtBUM.


485


strongest man in the township and so genial and
open-hearted that he was popular with everyone in
this section.
In the spring of 1859 the father of the original
of our sketch went overland to California, the
journey outward taking him six months. When
he reached the Golden State he worked at teaming
in Sacramento in which employment he continued
for over four years. He returned by the way of
the Isthmus of Panama. Some of his winters were
spent in the pineries of Northern Michigan, hoping that the spicy atmosphere in the pine region
would alleviate his suffering. He died January 10,
1883, at the age of sixty-nine years, nine months
and nine days.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson were members of the
Baptist Church. For many years he held the position of Justice of the Peace and in 1870 was appointed Census Enumerator. He also held the offices of Supervisor and Treasurer, having the honor
of being the first Supervisor of Venice Township.
As every man must to whom the welfare of the
country is anything at all, Mr. Wilkinson took considerable interest in politics. Originally he was a
Whig, but later cast his vote with the Republican
party. He was a well-read man, intelligent and always abreast with the times. They were the parents of four children, all living. They are Mary,
George, Sarah and Elvira. Although Mrs. Wilkinson has been a hard-worker all her life she still enjoys good health and her friends hope that she will
be spared to them for many years. She resides on
the old farm. Her son George was born June 13,
1840, and was the first white male child born in
Venice Township. During his childhood there
were not many educational advantages in the
township and he did not receive much schooling
other than that acquired at home. At the age of
twelve years, however, he could use the plow as
well as a man and (luring the trip of his father to
California he took the entire charge of the farm,
managing it with much judgment and discretion.
He has added to the home place until it now numbered one hundred and sixty acres, one hundred
and thirty being under the plow.
Our subject built the residence his mother now
lives in and also his own. Since the death of his


father he has added many buildings to the place.
He engages in mixed farming and is much interested in stock-raising, owning some thorough-bred
Percheron horses and some good Durham cows.
His sheep have a local reputation for the fine wool
that they produce.
In 1866 George C. Wilkinson was married to
Angeline Lewis, daughter of Henry and Annie
(Miles) Lewis, who came to Michigan from Canada in 1860 and settled in Hazelton Township.
Mr. Lewis cleared and improved a farm in that
township. There his wife died and he was married a second time, still living on the old homestead. By the first marriage he had five children,
four now living. Mrs. Wilkinson was born April
4, 1839, in Canada. She and her husband are the
parents of two children —Ada, who is twenty-three
years of age and Charles H., seventeen years old.
They have received a good common school education. Mrs. Wilkinson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wilkinson has ever
taken an interest in local politics and is a Republican. He was candidate for Supervisor at the last
election but was defeated. Their daughter, Miss
Ada, has much ability in a musical direction in
which art she gives instruction.
^,*-  ** _*g-*j --— ~- -. _  _ L Z ~ -  ~f I-*AMES J. PEACOCK, United States Pension
Attorney, and a prominent citizen of Corunna, Shiawassee County, where he is Supervisor of the Third Ward, was born in
Wayne County, N. Y., near West Walworth, February 26, 1844. His father, Horace, was a native
of the same county as himself, and his grandfather
was from Yorkshire, England, where he was educated, and whence he came to America and located
on a farm in Walwortll Township. He died at the
very advanced age of ninety-seven years at Canandaigua, N. Y. having been a much loved and
highl, respected member of the Society of Friends.
The father of our subject, who was a contractor
and builder, came to Michigan in 1855 with his
family, and making his home in Corunna, undertook building in connection with farming. Later






486


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--   -           '-  ---- ---  ---  ---- ---  ----  --- — I


he built an evaporator which tile family still owns.
iHe died suddenly of apoplexy in 1887, at the age
of sixty-eight years, having been well-known as an
earnest and efficient member of the Baptist Church.
He was in the Aldermanic office for nine years.
His wife who bore the maiden name of Angeline
Button, was born in Oswego County, N. Y., and
and is now living in Corunna. Of her eight children, her five sons are living, and the three daughters have been called away from earth.
The subject of this sketch was eleven years old
when he came to Michigan, and after attending the
Union schools of Corunna, he learned the trade of
a carpenter, beginning it at twelve years of age.
When only eighteen years old he felt the call of
duty to go to the defence of his Nation's flag, and
enlisted August 9, 1862, in Company H, Twentythird Michigan Infantry. He was mustered in at
Saginaw as a private soldier and took part in the
engagements of Paris, Ky.; Huff's Ferry, Tenn.;
Leonora; Campbell Station, Tenn.; siege of Knoxville, and spent the winters of 1863 and 1864 in
Eastern Tennessee. He joined Sherman's army at
Red Clay, Ga., and went to Rocky Faced Ridge;
at Resaca he received a wound twice from balls
in the calf of the left leg, and was placed in the
field hospital.  He was afterward transferred to
Chattanooga, thence to Nashville, and then to
Hospital No. 7, at Louisville. This proved a very
serious affair as gangrene set in and required heroic
treatment for its removal. He was eleven weeks
on his bed, and had thirty-six applications of
bromine to remove the gangrene. After this he
was transferred to St. Mary's hospital at Detroit,
and was mustered out of service December 17,
1864, as he was incapacitated for further service.
In the spring of 1865 he engaged in work with
his father, and remained with him for some years,
and later took up the business of contracting and
building which he carried on for some years until
the old trouble again laid him one side, and with
browken health he felt it incumbent upon him to
take up some lighter work. He became interested
in the evaporating business, and built an evap~brator in Corunna, which he managed for some years.
In 1888 Mr. Peacock became United States Pension Attorney, and the same year passed an ex

amination before the State Judge, and was admitted
to the bar as a necessary preparation for the business of this office. He is Supervisor of the Third
Ward, and served as Alderman for two years. His
marriage with Lucy A. Mann took place in 1868, at
Corunna. His wife was born in Jefferson, Greene
County, Pa., and became the mother of three children: Horace F., who is a printer in the office of
the Journal; Frank, who died in 1885; and Arthur,
who is still at home with his parents. Mr. Peacock is a prominent member of the Grand Army
of the Republic, and Commander of the H. F. Wallace Post, No. 160. He is the first Colonel of
Corunna Commandery No. 5, National Union Veterans Union, Department of Michigan. He was on
the staff of Dillon, Commander in Chief of Union
Veteran Union, as Colonel in the National Encampment of this order. As a Republican he is often
seen as delegate at the county and State conventions, and is a member of both county and city
committee. He was the census taker for Corunna
in 1890. He finds his religious home in the Baptist Church, and is a Trustee of that organization
in Corunna as well as the active and efficient Superintendent of their Sunday-school.


DWIN PENNELL, the Sheriff of Clinton
County and a resident of St. John's, is as
popular a man as there is in the county. He
was born in Ridgeway, Orleans County, N. Y.,
April 25, 1853. His father, Orrin G. was born in
Truxton, Cortland County, N. Y., and removed to
Orleans County when only four years of age. The
grandfather, Dr. Ezra Pennell, was a native of
Massachusetts and a practicing physician in Cortland County and afterward in Ridgeway. lie was
well known through all that region and his saddle
bags were a familiar sight on many a country road.
The great-grandfather, Capt. Abram, was a Revolutionary hero and his company was a notable one
in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was a prominent
man in every way. The family is of Scotch descent,
The father of our subject was reared in Orleans




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


487


County, from the time he was four years of age.
He was educated at Yates Academy, where he
graduated and soon engaged in teaching, mingling
this with his vocation as a farmer. In 1861 he
located in Superior Township, Washtenaw County,
this State and bought a farm, purchasing at $45
and selling later at $75 per acre. This land was
midway between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. IHe
parted with it in 1869 and located in DeWitt,
Clinton County, where he bought four hundred
and thirty-five acres of land and engaged in general
farming upon an improved farm. He served for
two years as Supervisor and in 1885 was made
State Senator from Clinton and Ingham Counties
on the Democratic ticket. He still resides in
DeWitt having reached the age of sixty-nine years.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Lorana Davis. She was born in New York. The
maternal grandfather, Levi Davis, was a soldier
in the War of 1812. He afterward engaged in the
nursery business in New York locating at Ridgeway, where he died. The mother of our subject
died in January, 1888. She had three children,
namely: Galusha who was for four years the Sheriff
of this county and served as United States Marshal for Eastern Michigan for the same length of
time. He was for eight years Cashier in St. John's
National Bank and is now in Oregon. The second
son is our subject, and Mark remains on the old
farm.
Edwin Pennell was reared in New York on the
old Ridge Road until he reached the age of eight
years. He then came to Michigan and attended
district schools in Washtenaw County and took
one year in the Union School at Ann Arbor. He
remained at home on the farm of which he took
charge until his marriage, which occurred in
DeWitt. The lady who became his wife bore the
maiden name of Frances Averill and was a native
of New York. The young man now took one-half
of the old farm into his possession. He has one
hundred and sixty-seven acres of fine land all improved with good buildings, upon which he carries
on general farming and raises Short-horn cattle and
fine roadsters. He has been one of the judges of
premiums at the State Fairs.
January 1, 1891, be was elected Sheriff of Clinton


County, and entered upon the discharge of the
duties of his office, locating at St. John's. His
second marriage took place November 28, 1889
with Miss Lillian Kelsey, who was born in lonia
County, this State, and is a daughter of E. P.
Kelsey, an early settler and prominent farmer, who
has a fine farm of six hundred acres well stocked.
One child, Nina, was the result of the first marriage.
Our subject is identified with the Knights Templar
and with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal
Arch Masons and the Commandery. He is often
a delegate to county and State conventions of the
Democratic party, and has not only the confidence
of his party but the good will of the community
in general, being a man of genial nature and
liberal views. His fine physique and pleasant face,
always attract attention and commands respect.
His excellent and amiable wife is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. He was five years
Supervisor of De Witt Township, prior to his
election to his present office of Sheriff.
— ^ - -~f ---      s ---^
J' AMES CORTRIGHT, a prominent farmer
and a man of exceptional intelligence, residing upon a beautiful farm in section 28,
DeWitt Township, was born in Ontario,
County, N. Y., on New Year's Day, 1839. His fattier, Obadiah, and his grandfather,James Cortright,
were natives of New York and Germany respec.
tively. The grandfather came from the old country to New York, where he remained until his death.
Thle father of our subject was reared upon a farm
and at various times undertook to buy a farm but
on account of defects in title he each time abanloned the project. He came to Michigan in 1856
and settled at Plymouth, Oakland County. After
a year there he removed to Ingham County and
bought two hundred acres on contract, but failing
to make payments lost this land. For a short time
previous to his death he made his home with our
subject and passed away at the age of seventy-two
years.  His political affiliations were with the
Democratic party.
The mother of our subject, Mary Stoddard, a na



488


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.'


tive of Connecticut, reared to manhood and womallhood seven of her nine children, namely; Amanda,
Mrs. Hadden; Lovina, Mrs. Carmer; Lovisa, Mrs.
Croper; Cordelia, Mrs. McStay; Mary, Mrs. Curby;
Betsey, Mrs. Higdon; James and George. The latter died in the service of his country during the
war. Their mother was a Methodist and brought
them up to revere the principles of Christianity.
She was of English descent and made her home in
her later years with our subject, dying at the age
of seventy-two.
Young James Cortright was reared on a farm
and educated in the district schools, beginning life
for himself by working out for neighbors when he
was twenty years old. Like many another youth
he felt the call for duty when his country's honor
was in danger and enlisted September 28, 1861
in Company F, First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, being mustered in at Marshall Mich.
He was sent to Louisville, Ky., thence to Lebanon
and marching to Somerset on the Cumberland River participated in the battle of Mill Spring. The
chief work of his regiment consisted of constructing
bridges, stockades, railroads and boats. He was in
battle at Lavergne, Tenn., and at the siege of Corinth. He was also engaged in several skirmishes
with bushwackers at Tilton, Ga., and other places.
He had typhoid fever while at Somerset, Ky., and
was in the hospital nearly all the winter of 1862. He
was on a train at Tullahoma, Tenn., one night when
the bushwackers had torn up the track ahead of
them. He was on the tender when the engine flew
the track, striking the bank. The engineer and fireman jumped and ran away leaving Mr. Cortright
and his captain alone. Cortright found that his
captain was badly injured, as one leg was severely
crushed, but he removed the debris which was upon
him and made him more comfortable. The rebels
came within twenty feet of them but failed to discover them. Our subject received his final discharge
in December 1864 and although he has done valuable service for his country he has never applied
for a pension.
Upon returning home in the fall of 1865 this
young man bought ninety acres of the farm upon
which he now lives, only five or six acres of which
had been cleared, and there was no building upon


it except a small barn. He at once set about preparing a home and the same season set up housekeeping, as he had been married on May 4 of that
year to Nancy Livermore, who was born August
10, 1836 in New York State. They never had any
children but have brought up two and cared for
them as their own. Mary M. they took at the age
of twelve years and William J., the son of an uncle,
they took when only one year and a half old.
Upon his fine farm of one hundred and thirty
acres Mr. Cortright carries on mixed farming. He
built the pleasant home in which he resides, in
1876, and his commodious barn in 1883. He is a
Republican in his political affiliations and has
served as Highway Commissioner. He is a member
of the Masonic order at DeWitt and a member of
the Grange, in which he served as Master one year.
When in the army he was considered an unusually
good drill sergeant and conducted most of the
drilling in his own company. He was also detailed
at Elk River, Tenn., to drill tie first regiment of
Tennessee colored troops.
ICHARD C. HAMILTON, who resides on
section 20, Shiawassee Township, was born
in Oswego County, N. Y., June 3, 1847.
His parents were James and Fanny (Miner)
Hamilton, natives of New York. The father was
of Scotch and the mother of Welsh descent. His
father died when the son was but three years old
and at the age of six his mother and six children
came to Michigan, locating in Corunna in 1853.
Until lie was eight years old be attended school,
when his mother was married to Selden Phelps,
who was a widower with six children. They removed to the present farm and there remained until our subject was sixteen years of age. During
this time he had but small educational advantages,
his mother being able to spare him only two or
three months during the winter from the work incident to a farm.
In 1863 our subject enlisted in the Civil War,
which was at that time desolating so many homes.
August 27 he joined Company F, Tenth Michigan




PORT~RAITP AND BI.OGRAIPH ICAL ALBJUM.


489


PORTRAIT AND B~~IORPIA AL U48


Cavalry, of which a Mr. Shepherd was Captain.
He was mustered in at Grand Rapids and immediately sent to Camp Nelson. He soon afterward
participated in the battle of Nashville, but was
principally engaged in guerrilla warfare. He was
at Lookout Mountain, detailed to do scouting and
orderly duties. He was not attached to any staff
but was intrusted with many important missions.
such as carrying dispatches to the commanding
Generals. He was wounded in one of the guerrilla
fights in Kentucky, receiving a ball in his foot, also
buckshot in his mouth, which knocked out two of
his teeth and lodged in his lip. He lhy in the hospital at Burnside Point, Ky., where he was for
some time in the convalescent camp. This wound
so incapacitated him for action that he was not afterward on duty. He was honorably discharged
under general order in March, 1865, at Indianapolis,
at which place he did prison guard duty for seven
months. He was transferred to Company I, Fifth
Veteran Reserve Corps, in December, 1864.
Mr. Hamilton reached home the latter part of
November and he remained on the farm that winter, during which he attended school. The next
year he entered a lumber camp and was foreman
for two lumber companies for six years and in 1877
engaged on his own account in lumbering, which
he continued for several seasons. I)uring the time
that he was thus engaged he made his home at Saginaw. In 1877 he went to California, where he has
resided until the beginning of 1891, but during
that time he has returned to the home place at five
different times. While in California he located in
Colusa County, where he was engaged in farming,
speculating somewhat in land. He bought his
present farm of his stepfather six years ago, but
has made his home upon it only recently. His
stepfather died in 1884; his mother still lives at
Milwaukee, Wis., and has attained tile age of
eighty-two years. She lives with one of her
daughters.
Our subject was married in Colusa County, Cal.,
March 17, 1880, to a young lady whose maiden name
was Susan A. Hemstreet. She died March 20, 1887.
On his second marriage he was united, April 18,
1889, to Miss Maggie Downing, of Downville, Cal.
He has never had any children. In politics Mr.


Hamilton casts his vote with the Republican party.
He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of the Princeton Lodge in
Colusa County, Cal., in which he took an active
part, having held all the chairs that it was in the
power of the lodge to confer. IHe was a delegate
to the Grand Lodge in 1889 and has been out
with numerous encampments. IHe has taken an active part in politics and three times lie has carried the strongest Democratic Precinct in Colusa
County, which is the strongest Democratic county
of the State.
The gentleman of whom we write has acquired
a comfortable fortune and has determined for the
remainder of life to take it as it comes. He has
traveled extensively, having visited every State in
the Union, and is a very delightful companion,
being perfectly conversant with all the topics of
the day and entirely devoid of local prejudice.
His farm consists of eighty acres of finely improved
land. Upon it is a comfortable and attractive dwelling and good barns and outhouses in the best of
condition. Mr. Hamilton, however, is too fond of
traveling to tie himself down to one place and is
very willing to dispose of his home.
J OHN U. MILLER, a raiser of small fruits
and garden vegetables at Owosso, Shiawassce
County, was born at Crawfordsville, Ind.,
January 26, 1849. He is a son of Ira and
Hannah (Huffman) Miller, who made their first
home after marriage in Crawfordsville, andl continued to reside:lhere until 1854, when they removed to Ohio, where they spent a year, then
came to Ingham County, Mich., locating upon a
farm and residing there for a number of years.
In 1877 they removed to the city of Owosso
where they now reside.
John U. Miller is second in a family of six
children and his school days were passed in Ingham County. When fifteen years old he began an
apprenticeship to the carpenter's and builder's
trade. After learning the trade he started upon
his own account, and followed this business up to




490


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


1886. At that time he purchased seventeen acres
of choice land in the northern part of the city and
began raising small fruits of all kinds. He has
very fine varieties of berries, both strawberries
and raspberries, and he finds a ready sale for his
crop in the city. Besides berries and other small
fruits he raises a considerable amount of garden
vegetables, for which he also finds a ready market.
He has a good substantial residence, an excellent
barn and neat outbuildings, and his surroundings
are in every way desirable.
The lady who, October 8, 1874, became the
helpmate of Mr. Miller was Miss Clara, daughter of Joseph and Laura (Ormsby) Manning,
of Owosso. Her parents were natives of New
Hampshire and Vermont respectively, and her
widowed mother is still living. Three children
have come to bless this happy home-IHugh, Edna
and Flossie. Mr. Miller is a member of Owosso
Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., and of Owosso Chapter, No. 89, R. A.M..  r Miller takes an active
part in church and Sunday-school work, being a
member of the Baptist Church, where he serves as
Clerk, and having taught in the Sunday-school a
number of years. In all this work he has had the
earnest sympathy and co-operation of his good
wife. Politically he is a Prohibitionist.
ILLIAM WALLACE MOORE was born
in Lewis County, N. Y., April 10, 1834.
V  For many years before his death, which
occurred April 11, 1885, he operated his farm on
section 10, Vernon Township. His parents were
Samuel and Lucia (Shaler) Moore. He was reared
on a farm until he reached his fourteenth year, when
he was thrown on his own resources. He began
his career by clerking in a store, where he remained one or two years. Ile then went to New
York City, expecting to get a position, but failing
in that he shipped as cabin boy on a sailing vessel
and lived the life of a seafaring man for nine years.
At first his work was before the mast but he finally
became Steward, in which position he received fair
remuneration-*75 and $100 per month.


During Mr. Moore's life on the waters he visited
a great many foreign lands, having been to Australia, China, Van Dieman's Land and having once
circumnavigated the globe. During the period of
nine years in which he was a sailor he kept up no
correspondence with his family and naturally felt
anxious to know of their welfare. He went home
to see his mother and then came on to Michigan,
where his brother, Oscar C., was living. On his
brother's solicitation he remained here, locating on
eighty acres belonging to his mother. In 1860 he
began to clear and improve the farm, continuing
the work for two years. Then feeling that his
country needed him he returned to New York and
again entered upon the life of a sailor, joining the
the navy at New York. His boat was detailed to
duty on the Mississippi River. He served thus
for two years, during which time he was sent to
Mexico, where he had the yellow fever. Not fully
recovering from this illness, he was discharged and
returned to Michigan.
Soon after coming back to this State Mr. Moore
was united in marriage with Julia M. Lemon, the
(late being October 23, 1867. The lady was born in
Troy, Oakland County, August 22, 1842. Our
subject lived on his farm until his death, which
resulted from exposure while making maple sugar.
In person Mr. Moore was small of stature, genial
and open-hearted. He was well educated, having
attended the Lawville Academy in New York,
which school was presided over by Prof. Mayhew.
After settling in this State Mr. Moore was ever
active in educational matters and also in politics.
He was a Democrat but never aspired to office.
He served as Justice of the Peace for about three
years. At the time of his death he owned a fine
farm of one hunted and sixty acres, one hundred
and twenty-five of which were cleared and well
improved.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore had several children whose
names are as follows: Louis Wallace, twenty-two
years of age; Lester, who died in his third year;
Lucia, who died at thirteen months; Leon Lawrence, Darwin Clinton, Henry Bush and Frank
Arthur. Louis is at present in charge of the farm.
He has great musical ability, performing well on
the violin, guitar and organ; he has paid a great


0




IC --                            I., -ii-       - _ -   --.,:..~ —   -   -.  I -:-ir~;-~i  —:-~ ~ --   r-.Ic~


I


RESIDENCE OF RALPH SWARTHOUT, SEC. 17., SCIOTA TP., SHIAWASSEE_ CO.,MICH.!riI c   I, -   w,   It w..  C~"!  --.  T  d-..  - -— 7, -,, I- 7-.z.-   —,.I.  -  I  Ir ~ _-"" —; M  M  rl.  I."-.-I;:l,I   I   r II.~ I I.I~" I

j


RESIDENCE OFTHE LATE W. VW. MOORE,SEC.IO., S HIAWASSEETR,SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


493


I -


deal of attention to his musical studies and has
been the leader of the orchestra at Vernon for
some time. His love for music was inherited from
his fatter, who was a fine violinist. There was a
break of three years in the family life in this State
which they spent in New York at the home of an
uncle of Mr. Moore. This was seven years previous to Mr. Moore's death. Our subject was not
connected with any church body. Mrs. Moore is
a Methodist. The brother of Mr. Moore who was
the means of settling in this State is Oscar Carlos
Moore, who has led a varied life, and finally settled on a farm in Shiawassee County. He was
married July 6, 1852, at Martinsburg, N. Y., to
Mary A. Hills, who was born there November 20,
1832. He has a fine family, who are all more or
less musical. The youngest daughter, Minnie L.,
is a teacher in the high school at Corunna, and she
and her brother have unusual talent in music.
A view of the pleasant home occupied by Mrs.
Moore and her interesting family is presented on
another page of this volume.
T    ALPH SWARTHOUT, a resident farmer of
Sciota Township, living on section 17, is an
honored pioneer of Shiawasse County. From
an early day in its history he has been identified with its upbuilding and development and especially with its agricultural interests. Few have
longer been residents of the community than he
and for this reason if for no other would he be
deserving of representation in this volume.
Mr. Swarthout was born in Ovid, Seneca County,
N. Y., February 9, 1825, and is a son of William
and Betsey (Willits) Swarthout. His father was a
native of the Empire State but his mother was
born in Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Michigan in 1837, locating first in Victor, Clinton
County, but after two years they removed to what
is now Ovid Township, giving the name of Ovid
to the town and village. There William Swarthout
spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming,
which occupation he had also followed in the East.
On his arrival in Michigan be entered large tracts


of land from the Government and his first home
in the West was a log cabin, the dimensions of
which were 18x24 feet. This structure had a shake
roof, a puncheon floor, a fireplace eight feet long
and the chimney was made of clay and sticks. He
cleared between four and five hundred acres of
land, transforming it from its primitive state into
rich and fertile fields. He became quite wealthy
and at one time owned a number of large and valuable farms but these he divided among his seven
sons, namely: Isaac, Layton, Ralph, Hugh, Lonsbury, Anthony and William. One son died while
young, his name was John. In politics Mr. Swarthout was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican
but he never sought or desired public office. He
and his wife were members of the Methodist
Church and were typical pioneers, hospitable, warmhearted and true.
Our subject was the third son of the family. The
first twelve years of his life were spent in his na.
tive State and he then accompanied his parents to
Michigan, since which time he has resided in this
locality. He was reared amid the wild scenes of
frontier life and received only such educational
advantages as the district schools afforded. He has
aided in clearing many an acre of land and with
the family shared in the usual experiences of the
pioneer. When the country was new and unsettled
wild game of all kinds was plentiful and at least
five hundred deer have fell before Mr. Swarthout's
unerring rifle. He has also killed as many as
twenty-two bears as well as much smaller game.
The Indians were still frequent visitors of the
settlement and so limited was the work of cultivation and improvement at that day that a traveler
now viewing the country would not recognize in
Shiawassee County the same locality which he then
visited. Forty-three years have come and gone
since Mr. Swarthout settled upon his present farm.
He entered the land from the Government and still
has in his possession the deed signed by President
James K. Polk. His farm now comprises ninetythree acres, he having given much of his land to
his children, thus diminishing his own possessions.
Every improvement placed upon it is the work of
his own hands. It is situated on the line between
Clinton and Shiawasee Counties, only two miles




494


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -- -` --- —-I — — ` —I --- —c ----` —` --- —---------
I --- --- -I ' --- —----------


north of Laingsburg and is one of the finest farms
in this vicinity. A view of the residence and
pleasant surroundings appears in connection with
this biographical notice.
Mrs. Swarthout was in her maidenhood Miss
Catherine Tyler. She is a native of Connecticut
and a daughter of David F. and Susan (Darrow)
Tyler, who were also natives of that State. They
came to Michigan about 1838, and for two or three
years resided in Oakland, after which they came to
this county, locating in Owasso. Later they removed to Perry Township, where the death of Mr;
Tyler occurred. His wife still survives him and
is now living in California. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Swarthout have been born six children and all are
yet living: George W., Bettie, Layton, Hattie,
Thompson and Charles.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Swarthout are members of
the Methodist Church. They have been connected
with that organization for more than thirty-five
years, are liberal contributors to its support and
are active workers in its interests. In politics he is
a Republican with prohibition sentiments and socially he is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He
deserves great credit for his success in life, all of
which is due to his own efforts. Mr. Swarthout
has not only the honor of having witnessed the entire growth of the county but has been an active
participant in the same. To the early settlers we
owe a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid
for they did for the county what nq other could
do-laid the foundation for its future prosperity
and greatness
G    OODLOPE CASTNER. A         worthy place
among the farmers of Dallas Township,
Clinton County, is held by the gentleman
above named, whose pleasant home is on section 16.
He occupies a well-developed farm of eighty acres,
to which he fell heir on the decease of his father,
and he also has a house and lot in the village of
Fowler. He was reared amid the surroundings of
farm life, and early learned to plow and sow, to
reap and mow, and carry on the whole routine of


agricultural work. His training has stood him in
good stead, and he carries on his own farm with intelligence, reaping satisfactory results.
Both the father and grandfather of our subject
bore the name of Andrew, and they were natives
of Germany. The younger married Mary E. Castner, and late in the '40s emigrated from his native
land, and made his home in Canada. After living
there some twelve years, he came to this State and
located in Dallas Township on a farm of forty
acres. He subsequently added eighty acres, and
had a well-regulated estate when he laid down the
cares of life. He passed away January 14, 1888,
some years after his wife had entered into rest, her
death having taken place in 1854. The mother of
Mr. Castner kept house for him many years after
his wife died, and passed away in 1874. The religious faith of both husband and wife was that
expressed in the creed of the Lutheran Church.
Their sons and daughters were Louisa, Dora, Goodlope, Joseph, Mary and Alexander; all born in the
New World except the eldest.
Goodlope Castner was born September 4, 1849,
in Canada, and was about six years old when bereft of his mother's care, but so well was her place
supplied by his grandmother, that he felt her loss
comparatively little. He studied and worked under his father's guidance, and in the district schools
until he was of age, then married and set up a
home of his own. His wife bore the maiden name
of Barbara Martin, and is a daughter of Anthony
Martin, who came from Germany to the United
States, during the early development of this State,
and settled in the township of Westphalia, Clinton
County. He removed thence to Dallas Township,
and now lives in Fowler, but still owns forty acres
of land. Mr. and Mrs. Castner have had four chil.
dren-Mary, Joseph, Florence and Alvera. Mary
is now Mrs. Sutton, and her home is in Fowler;
she has a daughter, Florence. Joseph died when
about three months old; and Florence at the age
of six months; Alvera is yet with her parents, and
they are also cheered by the presence at their fireside of an adopted son, Albert Ibeck, a lad now
eleven years old.
Mr. Castner is not a politician, but votes with
the Democratic party, to the principles of which hle




POR(TRAIT AND B IOGRAPHICAL;T ALBUM.


495


I AD BIR


has always given his adherence. He is a reliable
citizen, a good neighbor, and an honest man, whose
frielids are many and sincere. Mrs. Castner is a
communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, and
has as many friends as her husband wherever she
is known.
AMES J. WARREN, one of the well-known
citizens of Greenbush Township, Clinton
County, residing on section 19, was born
(Qt   August 6, 1839, in Orleans County, N. Y.
He is a son of Seth and Catherine (Johnston) Warren, both natives of New York. His maternal
grandfather was an Englishman, and butchering was
his business, supplying meat to the American army
during the Revolutionary War. Our subject remained in his native State until 1856, when he removed with his parents to Michigan, and resided
for several years in Shiawassee County. Both parents died in that county, his father spending his
last days in Owosso.
After attending the common school in his native
State and taking practical training upon the farm,
young Warren attended school one winter after
coming to Michigan, but after that had to depend
entirely upon his own ambition to obtain opportunities for improvement. His marriage which
took place on New Year's Day, 1863, united him
with a- lady of English birth and parentage, Elizabeth S. Warren, who was born in Surrey County,
England, April 9, 1838. Her parents were Henry
and Harriet (Ridzbridger) Warren. In 1849 she
emigrated with her parents to America, taking passage at Southampton in a sailing-vessel, and after a
sea voyage of four weeks, landed in Quebec. This
was said to be the shortest trip across the Atlantic
ever made by a sailing-vessel. This family now
decided to come to the States, and made their home
in Rochester for a short time. There the father
engaged in the nursery business and subsequently
in farming.
The parents of Mrs. Warren had eleven children,
nine of whom are now living. They are by name:
George R., living in Shiawassee County, this State;


William H., in California; Eliza, wife of John
Burger, of Monroe County, N. Y.; the wife of our
subject; Thomas, in Barry County, this State;
Henry, in Newaygo County; Alfred, in New York;
Nancy, wife of W. Burr, living in Chicago, Ill.
Our subject and his wife have one adopted daughter, Lottie A., who is the wife of Walter H. Eames.
In December, 1863, Mr. and Mrs. Warren settled
on their present farm in a log house about 18x24
feet in size. The farm consisted of about fifteen
acres which had been partially cleared, and the remainder being heavily timbered. He cleared it all
off and cultivated the farm, putting it in the excellent condition in which it appears to-day.
In the spring of 1891 this gentleman was elected
Justice of the Peace, and he is now serving on his
third term of School Director for his district. Both
he and his intelligent wife are efficient members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he also
serves as Steward. They are highly honored members of society, and are ranked among the representative pioneers of Greenbush Township. He is
identified with the Masonic order, and is a Republican in politics. He had gradually added to his
farm by purchase until he now has one hundred
and forty acres, and the log house is replaced by a
handsome and commodious residence. When he
first made his home upon his present farm, there
were two miles of solid woods between his farm
and St. John's, the latter being then a small village.
IHARLES HENNING.           Upon a prominence overlooking the Looking Glass River
one of the smoothest streams in Michigan
stands a handsome and attractive brick residence.
Between the house and barn is a fine spring of
cold water, which is always flowing and furnishes
water for both house and stock. Two large, red
barns and the usual outhouses to be found upon a
well-conducted farm, stand farther back from the
road all being located upon one of the finest farms
in Clinton County. In this house resides the family
of Charles A. Henning, a hard-working, happy and
contented old gentleman of German birth. The




496


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


farm is one mile west of the village of DeWitt and
is located in DeWitt Township.
Mr. Henning was born in Prussia September 27,
1843. His father, Ernest,'was a farmer who worked
rented land in the old country and came to America in 1854. He was traveling from April 22 until
July 14, coming from Germany to Sandusky, Ohio.
He made his settlement in Erie County, Ohio, and
owned eighteen acres there, remaining there for
twelve years. He then bought one hundred and
twenty-six acres in Sandusky County and settled
on it in 1866. He was killed when sixty-two
years of age by a kick in the side from a spirited
horse. He was a member of the German Methodist Church, which lie joined immediately after
coming to America, and in which he took a great
interest. He had been a Lutheran in the old country. He earnestly espoused the doctrines of the
Republican party and cast his vote for its progess.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Charlotte Trune. She was born in Prussia,
Germany and became the mother of two children
-John, who died at forty-seven years of age, and
our subject. She was a member of the German
Metlodist Church and died at sixty-eight years of
age in Sandusky County, Ohio.
Our subject was eleven years old when he came
to this country with his parents, and had attended
the German public schools from the time he was
six years old. For two years he went to school in
Venice, Ohio, and then he and his brother went to
work with the father on a farm. There was a heavy
debt to be paid on this land, which the father
could never have cancelled himself, but the boys
loyally stood by him and gave him the benefit of their labors until the debt was cleared. The
father had only $80 when he landed in America and had no resources except those which lay in
his strong right hand. In 1876 Charles Henning
came to Michigan and bought a farm in DeWitt
Township. This tract of land was valued at $11,000 and he went in debt $7,000 for it. But again
he worked and cleared this debt of his own as he
had done for his father.
In 1876 Mr. Henning married Henrietta Moldenhaur, who was born in Germany, in 1852; and came
to America when only two years old, She has had


five children, namely: John, Daniel, Rineheart,
Franklin and George K.,which latter died at the age
of eleven months. Both parents are devout members
of the German Methodist Church and have been
from very early life. He is a Republican in his
political views and a man of intelligence and very
popular in the neighborhood.
OYAL W. HILL. The title of Honorable
was earned by this gentleman while acting
as a Representative in the session that began
in 1886, but his friends consider that it belonged
to him before that time by right of his conduct as
a man and the labors lie had performed in his
chosen profession, in departments of public trust
and in private life. He is now a resident of the
town of Eagle, Clinton County, where he has long
been living, but whence he expects to move in a
short time to take up his residence in the State of
Washington. His intention is deeply regretted by
his friends and neighbors, although they admit his
right to take advantage of better prospects elsewhere.
Mr. Hill is the son of Reuben and Martha (Mil.
ler) Hill, natives of Essex County, N. Y., where he
also was born, the date of the event being July 9,
1843. The parents came to Clinton County in
1854 and established their home in Eagle Township. The father died April 21, 1889, at a venerable age, his natal day having been March 19,
1806. The mother, who was born August 11, 1811,
is still living, her home being in the town of Eagle.
The son had very meagre educational privileges
and may be said to have begun his studies, outside
the home, when twenty years old, at which time
he entered the Portland Union School. He afterward taught eight winters and pursued the study
of the law, entering the Legal Department of the
University of Miclhigan in 1878. The ensuing
year he was admitted to the Clinton County bar
and in 1885 he was licensed to practice in the
United States Courts.
The official life of the Hon. Mr. Hill began in
1869 when he was elected Township Clerk. The




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


497


-------- -i --------------—  --- —----—  ---


next year he served as School Inspector and in
1873 he became Justice of the Peace. HFe also filled
the position of Supervisor of Eagle Township for
six years. In 1884 he made a splendid run for the
position of Prosecuting Attorney and ran one
hundred and seventy-three votes ahead of the
number received by Blaine. The opposing candidate was John H. Fedewa, probably the most prominent Democrat in the county. In 1886 Mr. Hill
was elected to the Legislature on the Republican
ticket and in his new position he was as faithful to
the interests of his constituents as he had been in
minor ones, and as anxious to promote law and
order as when acting on behalf of the State against
criminals.
June 15, 1870, Mr. Hill was happily married to
Mary A. Dravenstatt. The union has been 4blessed
by the birth of one son, Irving E., whose natal day
was November 7, 1871. This young man has attended the State Agricultural College one year and
has taught two terms. He is now studying telegraphy. The family, parents and son, belong to the
Methodist Episcopal Church and all are highly esteemed by their neighbors. Mr. Hill is a member
of Portland Lodge F. & A. M. and Clinton Lodge
No. 65, 1. 0. 0. F., and holds the office of Past
Noble Grand in the latter.


until 1856, when they came to Clinton County,
Mich., and bought eighty acres of timber land on
section 19, Eagle Township. They had been there
but a few months when in 1857, both died and the
family was broken up. Charles was thrown on his
own resources with but slight knowledge on which
to build his hopes of the future. He had attended
the district schools during the winter months only,
but was determined to obtain a better education,
and therefore, his first effort was to save money for
that purpose. Ile hired out on a farm, hoarded
his resources carefully and in the winter of 1860-61,
attended school at Ypsilanti. The next fall he
went to the Lake Superior copper region and remained there until August, 1862, when he responded to a call for volunteers and went to the
aid of his adopted country.
As a private In Company A, Twenty-seventh
Michigan Infantry, Mr. Newsom went to the front.
The regiment became a part of the Ninth Army
Corps, under the command of Gen. Schofield, and
participated in all the battles of the Army of the
Cumberland, until after the fall of Vicksburg.
The regiment was then marched across Kentucky
into Tennessee and took part in the siege of Knoxville and the battles of Blue Springs, Strausburg,
Blaine and various others under Gen. Burnside.
They went into winter quarters in 1863-64 at
Blaine Crossroads and when the spring campaign
began were attached to the Army of the Potomac.
The boys took part in the battles of the Wilderness
and many other engagements up to the time of the
surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox. Mr. Newsom was struck with a piece of shell in the right
thigh and disabled from further service in the field
and was taken to the hospital where he remained
about a year, the wound having been received
June 17, 1864. He was then discharged on a certificate of physical disability and has since been in
receipt of a pension of $12 per month.
After his discharge, Mr. Newsom returned to
Clinton County and when he had sufficiently recovered, hired out by the month and labored thus
until 1871. By industry and economy he had
saved money enough to buy a farm of one hundred
and three acres. He made the last payment on
this property before his marriage, which took place


HARLES B. NEWSOM. Among the finelyimproved farms of Clinton County is that
belonging to the gentleman above named,
which consists of one hundred and forty-two acres
on section 33, Eagle Township. In the life of the
owner of this estate the spirit of enterprise and
habits of industry and thrift have been manifested,
resulting in the accumulation of a goodly share of
worldly possessions, and the example set by Mr.
Newsom may well be emulated by youths who are
beginning their career.
Mr. Newsom is a native of Yorkshire, England,
born March 16, 1841. When he was a lad of some
four years his parents, Robert and Hannah (Kirk)
Newsom, emigrated and established their home in
Livingston County, N. Y. There they resided




498


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I __ __


January 4, 1872. His bride was Elsie Doty, daughter of the Hon. Philo Doty, a Clinton County
pioneer, who is widely and favorably known for
his work in developing the resources of the county
and promoting the public welfare by his actions in
the legislative halls. Mr. and Mrs. Newsom have
one daughter, Fae H., born May 2, 1882. She is
being carefully instructed by her mother in the
courtesies of life, and domestic accomplishments,
such as her age will allow, and is receiving a good
education. Mr. Newsom   is a member of Earl
Halbert Post, No. 108, G. A. R., at Grand Lodge.
He always votes the Republican ticket. He and his
wife dispense the hospitality of their pleasant home
in a cordial spirit and their friends are numerous.., -----
ARTIN V. RUSSELL, a prominent farmer
residing in Durand, Shiawassee County,was
born in New York, December 26,1836. His
father, Peter,'was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., in 1806, and was a cooper in his younger
days, removing from his native place to Ohio after
he became a man. He remained in Ohio for three
years and came toM ichigan in 1840,making his home
in Tyrone Township, Livingston County,on a farm.
Not a tree had been chopped, nor stick touched
when he took possession of the land. He cut timber enough to clear a spot for a home, and used
the logs thus hewed for building his log house. He
cleared the place and made it his permanent home,
and now at the age of eighty-five he is still residing there. He is a Democrat in politics and a public-spirited man, and has been placed by his fellowcitizens in offices of trust. He was for some time
Justice of the Peace and also Treasurer of the
township, and is indentified with the Masonic
order.
Elmira Rowlan, who became Mrs. Russell, and
the mother of our subject, was born in New York
ill 1807, and is still living. She brought to her
good husband six children, four of whom are now
living, our subject being the fourth in order of
birth. He was a little one, only three years old,
when he journeyed with his parents to Michigan,


and here has passed all of his life which is within
the range of his memory. Here he had his first
schooling, attending the log schoolhouse, and sitting on the slab seats which had no back except as
the children made out to lean against the wall.
He remained with his father until he reached the
age of twenty-six years.
The marriage of Mr. Russell and Clarissa A.
Griswold was solemnized February 15, 1863. This
lady was born in Livingston County,Mich.,November 16, 1840, and is the only daughter of Frederick
and Hannah (Johnson) Griswold. Three years
after their marriage the young couple left the home
of Peter Russell and located in Shiawassee County.
They settled in Vernon Township, on section 15,
March 26,1867. He built the house that now stands
upon the place in 1877 at a cost of $2,000. He
lived there twenty-one years, and in March, 1888,
removed to the village of Durand, where he has
seventy-six acres inside the corporation, but he
does not engage in active farming nor in business
to any considerable extent. He is a Democrat in
his political convictions and has served as President of the village board since 1877. He is connected with the Masonic order being a member of
Blue Lodge, No. 161, at Durand, and also of the
North Newburg Lodge. No children have come
to bless this home. Mr. Durand is highly esteemed
and his opinion has great weight with his fellowcitizens, who look to him for counsel in many matters which pertain to the welfare and prosperity of
both village and township,?
DELBERT       TINKER, one of the most
prominent residents of Hazelton Township,
Shiawassee County, whose farm is located
on section 17, was born in Ontario County,
N. Y.,in 1850. His father, Dr. Malachi Tinker,
was born in Henrietta, N.Y., in 1819, and received
his education in the academy there and at Geneva
College, where he graduated in 1840.  After a
practice of two or three years he located.at Port
Gibson, and was at the latter place for fifteen years




PORTRAIT AND'BEIOGREAPHICAPL ALBUM.Z


499',


PORTRAIT AND B~~~IOGAHCLABM                   9.


before coming to Michigan. He arrived at Ypsi.
lanti in 1859, and in 1862 came to Hazelton and
procured one hundred and sixty acres on section
17. This was then an unbroken forest and he had to
cut his road into it from the West. He carried on his
professional work and hired men to clear the farm
Dr. Tinker had been married in 1844, his wife being Harriet Culver, daughter of Cornelius Culver.
The Culver family consisted of four sons and four
daughters, of whom Harriet was the second child,
being born in 1820. Dr. and Mrs. Tinker became
the parents of one daughter and three sons, of
whom Adelbert was the second born. Dr. Tinker
was called from earth in October, 1887. lIe was
a sturdy Whig and later in life a Republican, but
for a number of years previous to his death he was
a Democrat.   The grandfather of our subject,
James Tinker, was a pioneer of New York State,
having gone to Monroe County in 1812. He was
a native of Connecticut, whence lie emigrated,
the journey being made in twenty days by driving
a yoke of oxen. He died in 1856 at the advanced
age of eighty-three.
The subject of this sketch received the usual
opportunities of a common-school education, and
he improved them to such good advantage as to
be able to teach while still quite young. He remained with his parents, but began for himself
when eighteen years old. In 1876 lie bought forty
acres near the father on the same section, and began to clear it, but sold it in 1888. He now has
one hundred and sixty acres of arable and productive land. His marriage, in 1874, was an event of
great importance in the life of the young man, his
bride being Lorana, a daughter of Joseph H. Bush
of Hazleton. He was a native of New York, and
had three children, one son and two daughters, of
whom Lorana is the second born, her natal day being in 1853. To Mr.and Mrs. Tinker have been born
one son, Malachi Joseph, born in 1881, and one
daughter, Blanche Mabel, who died when two years
and three months of age.
Mr. Tinker is identified with the Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons in which he has been Secretary and Junior Warden, and where he.is now
Master. His political views lead him to affiliate
with the Democratic party. His handsome brick


residence, the first one built in Hazelton Township,
is attractive and commodious and is the center of
a~ delightful social life. In addition to his general
farming he has added the care of a dairy, in which
he is successful.
RANK M. SPAULDING is one of the most
conspicuous figures among the younger
business men of St. John's, Clinton.County. He is a member of the firm of Nixon & Co.,
which carries on the most extensive hardware trade
in the city. He was born in this city November 4,
1861, and had the misfortune to lose his mother
when he was scarcely old enough to recognize her
care. His father going to the war, he was tenderly cared for by his paternal grandparents until he
was eight or nine years old, when he entered the
St. John's High School. When eighteen years
old he went to learn the hardware business at Saginaw, entering the establishment of ex-Governor
Jerome, and working his way to marking clerk in
six years. In 1885 he began business for himself
in that city, as a partner in the firm of Stock,
Spaulding & Stock. The connection lasted until
1888, when our subject disposed of his interest in
the business and returned to St. John's.
Here Mr. Spaulding went to the Whipple Harrow Company as secretary and.treasurer, but after
a year, sold his interest and bought into the firm
of Nixon & Co., taking the place of F. A. Travis.
He is also interested with his father in a farm of
four hundred and eighty acres in Bingham Township, of which he has the management. It is a
well-improved tract of land on which fine crops
are harvested and higlh grades of stock raised. Mr.
Spaulding displays. a creditable amount of energy
in the prosecution of business affairs but does not
give his mind entirely to the improvement of his
finances. On the contrary he indulges to aconsiderable extent, in social pleasures, and is one of the
most prominent and active supporters of the Episcopal Church. He is a vestryman, and brings to
the consultations of the Board, a mind that is keen,
a heart that is true and a hand that is. liberal. He




500


PORTRAIT ANTD BZIOGRAPHICAL ALLBUM.


50       POTATADBOOAHCLABM


is connected with the Masonic order and is a Republican.
At the bride's house, in Saginaw, in September,
1889, Mr. Spaulding was married to Miss Eva
Hogan, whose father, George Hogan, is a manufacturer of mill saws. Mrs. Spaulding was born in
Pittsburg, Pa., but finished her education in the
Saginaw High School and was engaged in teaching
there. She takes pride in continuing the culture
of her mind, and in making herself useful in society, hut her home is her first care. She dispenses
hospitality most graciously and supplements the
geniality of her husband by her own interest in her
companions and her sympathy in their projects.
She belongs to the Episcopal Church and is an active member of the Ladies' Aid Society. Husband
and wife are prominent and well respected, and by
those to whom they are best known, they are regarded with a deeper feeling.
RANCIS MARION SHEPARD. The gentleman, whose biographical sketch it is our
pleasant privilege to give here, was born in
Niagara County, N. Y., October 14, 1840. His
father, Samuel Shepard, who was born in 1800, died
February 24, 1866. He was A native of Vermont,
and at seven years of age with his parents removed
to Monroe County, N. Y., sixteen miles west of
Rochester. This was in the year 1807. Our subject's grandfather was Samuel Shepard. The family is probably from Wales, having come to this
country long before the Revolution.   Samuel
Shepard was drafted in 1812. Our subject's uncle
took his father's place in the army at the tender
age of eighteen. The old gentleman lived until
his ninety-first year, and frequently spoke before
his death of having passed the present site of Rochester, N. Y., before there was a house there, at the
time frequently wondering if it would not be a good
place to locate.
Our subject's mother was Anna A. Park, born
in what is now Chemung County, but at that time
Tioga County, January 22, 1812. She was a
daughter of Robert and Sally Ann Park, who were


second cousins and both natives of New Jersey.
His grandfather was born in Ireland, and the
mother's side was from Wales. Samuel Shepard,
the father of our subject, was one of seven children, only one of whom is now living-Mrs. Theri
Guthrie, of Ashtabula County, Ohio.   Samuel
Shepard was united to Miss Hannah Park, a halfsister of Ann Park, when a young man, and settled
on a new farm in Monroe County, N. Y. Having
lost his wife in a few years, he married the lady who
is now his widow in 1839, in Niagara County, N. Y.,
and in 1841 came to Michigan, where he lived one
year. In the village of Owosso was the site they
selected for their home, purchasing the farm upon
which our subject now lives.
The family of Shepards were among the very
first settlers in the township, there being only the
families of Ezra Mason, Apollos Dewey, Reuben
Griggs and Abram Wilkinson. Three children
survived to remind him of his union with his first
wife. The first, Artemesia, who died in Owosso;
Chauncey Franklin, father of Robert Shepard, of
Owosso Township, died in 1890; and Charles Robert, who left home before he was of age, going to
California, where he died in 1859, at the age of
twenty-one years. Only two children resulted
from his second marriage-Francis M., and Hannah, who is the wife of George T. Mason.
At the age of seventy-nine our subject's mother,
Mrs. Shepard, is still blest with a good memory
and a clear, strong brain. She still takes delight
in recounting in touching and interesting style the
hardships attending upon frontier life, and transports her listener back, as it were, almost into
another age. She is quite hale and bears her
nearly eighty years of care and the burdens of life
as though it were but half that length of time.
For half a century she has assisted in the development of Shiawassee County, and time was when no
one was more deservedly popular than she, and no
hand more willing to aid the needy or comfort the
sorrowing. The few years that may yet be allotted
her will be passed in peace, surrounded by the comforts that are the result of her own early effort and
struggle, and cheerfully attended by loving children and grandchildren. But a few years more
and the few survivors of those early experiences




I




9n4D-1 -



V




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


503.


of frontier life will be called home to meet again
in that beautiful land when the struggles and aspirations of long years are past.
Our subject, F. M. Shepard, at the age of twentyseven took unto himself as wife Miss Maria Adelia
DeWitt, December 31, 1868. The lady is a native
of New Jersey, where she was born at Holt, Warren County, February 22, 1851. She is a daughter of Walter C. and Margaret (Middlesworth) De
Witt. Her father is still living in Shiawassee
County, Middlebury Township.
In 1865 Mr. Shepard attended one term  of the
Agricultural College at Lansing, where he brought
away many ideas that have been to him of great
intrinsic value. He now pays particular attention
to the breeding of Galloway cattle, having eight
head of registered cattle and a number of grades.
He is also breeding Shropshire sheep, roadster
horses and the Napoleon branch of Hambletonians.
He is at present Supervisor, and has been Township
Clerk for seven years, and has held every township
office but that of treasurer. Naturally his interest
is paramountly awakened by all agricultural matters. Although his father was a Democrat, he is a
Republican, having cast his first vote for Lincoln.
Mr. Shepard is not an adherent of any creed or
sect, believing rather in the religion of humanity.
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and has filled all the chairs therein. His
home has been made cheery by the advent of five
children.  The eldest, Marcia A., is now Mrs.
Bert Launstein, of Owosso Township; Philip T.,
Bertha V., Marion and Margaret, who all live at
home.
AVIS DUTCHER. Those who have re
sided in Michigan for a half-century or
more have witnessed many changes. Where
once deep silence reigned on a spot so lone
and wild, now fertile realms are tilled and populous
towns have sprung into existence; where once the
warrior lit the pile and bound the captive, now
happy children  play in fearless gayety.  Mr.
Dutcher, whose portrait is presented on the opposite page, is a native-born citizen of this great State


and has for years been closely identified with the
progress of Shiawassee County. His pleasant homestead is located on section 4, Bennington Township, adjoining the village of Bennington. He was
born in Salem, Washtenaw County, February 16,
1831, and his earliest recollections are of primitive
scenes and the hardships of pioneer life.
The parents of Mr. Dutcher were both natives
of New York State; the father, who bore the name
of John, was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego County,
December 1, 1797, and the mother, whose name in
maidenhood was Philothey Colf, was born in Gorham, Ontario County, September 26, 1805. The
maternal grandfather of our subject, William Colf,
settled in Bennington Township in 1838, and made
his home during the last years of his life with Mr.
Dutcher, but died at the home of Mrs. Sylvia
Jubb,in Middlebury Township, in his eighty-second
year. His sons Jeremiah and Hiram Coif still reside in the township of Bennington. The ceremony
which united in the holy bonds of wedlock John
Dutcher and Philothey Colf was solemnized August 23, 1823,in Monroe County, N. Y., and seven
years after this important event the young couple
removed to Michigan in June, 1830. The father
passed from earth March 26, 1859, mourned by a
large circle of friends.
Our subject was one of five children, namely;
Johiel who died in infancy; Mary, the widow of
Henry Punches, who lives in Middlebury Township; Davis of this sketch; Seth, who (lied of chronic
diarrhea (luring the war, and Sylvia now Mrs. WVilliam J. Jubb living near Gaylord, Otsego County.
For more than two years Seth was connected with
Company G, Sixth Michigan Cavalry.   He was
brought home by Davis from Pt. Lookout, Md., and
died November 7, 1864 at the age of twenty eight
years.
In 1843 the father of our subject came to Shiawassee County and settled in Bennington Township on a farm of Hiram Colf's and two years later
located near Bryon; in 1846 he removed to the
farm which is now the property of the son. Here
the father bought eighty acres on contract and it
was paid for by Davis and his brother Seth, who
also worked and paid for one hundred and twenty
acres of land on section 36, in the township of




504


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


'" '1 ---'1 — —1 --- —
 "


Middlebury, Shiawassee County. The mother is
still living on adjoining property and has now
reached the extreme age of eighty-six years. Davis
was married July 4, 1860, at Stockbridge, Mich.,his
bride being Miss Minerva Rathbun a daughter of
Fernando C. and Eunice (Coif) Rathblun and Esq.
Joseph B. Wallace officiating at the ceremony. Mrs.
Dutcher was making a visit to his uncle at Bunker
Hill'near Stockbridge, when she was married to our
subject. Her mother who was at that time a widow,
was a cousin of the family and her father died
about the same time that Mr. Dutcher Sr. passed
away. Her mother married a second time becoming Mrs. McCormick, but being bereaved by the
death of her husband a few years later,she returned
and made her home with Mr. Dutcher. There she
died in 1867 and was buried on December 28,
the day that Harry was born. Her only son Oliver
H., died in the army as the result of vaccination
when about twenty-six years old. Mrs. Dutcher
died on New Year's Day, 1888,of typhoid fever at
the age of forty-eight years.
The record of the children of Mr. and Mrs.
Dutcher is as follows: Hiel S., who is married
to Miss Catherine Carrick and lives on a farm near
his father; John died when one year and eight
months old; Harry J. who is twenty three years
old, lives at home; Squire died when eighteen years
old, on Christmas Day,. 1890, as the result of a
cold contracted a few years before. Dolly died at
at the age of seventeen December 24, 1890. Both
of these young people died of consumption and
upon the same day were laid in the same grave.
Lucy now thirteen years old and Alice aged ten
are in school; Ellen May died in the spring of 1888
when an infant less than two years old. Harry was
for two years with a traveling circus and by careful economy made that business profitable. He is
a musician and plays different instalments in the
orchestra. All the members of the family are musical and the two little girls are receiving culture in
that line. Their mother who was a highly educated
woman was an earnest and conscientious member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which her
husband is an active worker and was a trustee at the
time the church was built.
Mr. Dutcher'a farm consists of seventy-two acres


of arable and finely cultivated soil. He is quite a
sportsman and makes frequent expeditions to the
wilder parts of the State, going North nearly every
year. He has a record of killing quite a number
of deer as well as bears, wild cats, foxes and wild
turkeys innumerable. Mr. Dutcher's mother resides in an adjoining house and is an invalid having been confined to her bed for a year. Her mind
is still active and her memory excellent considering her bodily infirmities. At the time our biographer called upon her she was receiving a visit from
her daughter Sylvia who lives in Otsego County..                 y.
() HN D. WILLIAMS. The name which heads
this sketch is that of one of the prominent
merchants of Byron, Shiawassee County,
conducting the largest hardware house in
the place. He was born in Boston, Mass., June 29,
1819, and was the son of John and Elizabeth
(Martin) Williams, natives of Massachusetts, who
were of Welch extraction. The family left Boston
in 1838 and removed to Marshall, Oneida County,
N. Y., where they lived for several years, and from
there went to Waterville of the same county and
State where the parents spent the remainder of
their lives.
The paternal parent of our subject was a tanner
by trade which business le followed the greater
part of his life. He served in the War of 1812 as
an officer in an artillery company. At one tine of
his life lie was in very good circumstances, as property was considered at that time, but the Bankrupt
law of 1842 so crippled him that he never recovered his financial position. lIe and his wife were
members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics
he was an Independent and held some minor municil)al offices.
The grandparents of the original of our sketch
were John and Sarah (Wheeler) Williams, who were
natives of Massachusetts. John Williams was a
Major in the Revolutionary War and his family
have the proud honor of knowing that he was a
participant in the battle of Bunker Hill, at which
time he was wounded. He enjoyed a personal ac



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


505


quaintance with Gen. George Washington and
served in the battle of Bunker Hill under Gen.
Warren. The family trace their ancestry to one
Robert Williams, who came to America from Wales
soon after the landing of the Mayflower. He was
a baronet and his coat of arms is registered at the
office of Heraldry in London.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was a
native of England, and took a conspicuous part in
the tea riot in Boston. Our subject's grandparents on both sides died in Massachusetts and were
interred in the Dorchester Cemetery near Boston.
The gentleman of whom we write is the third in a
family of six children whose names are as follows:
Elizabeth A., Sarah M., John D., Thomas J., Caroline C. and Mary C. The two youngest are deceased. Mr. Williams was raised and educated in
Boston and in early life worked with his father at
the tanner's trade. He remained there until 1838
when he came to Marshal, Oneida County, N. Y.,
where he was engaged in the lumber business and
worked in his father's shoe factory as a cutter until
1848 when he came to Byron and started a shoe
factory which then gave employment to nineteen
men.
Our subject continued the shoe business until
1851, when he caught the California gold fever
and took his way westward by way of the water,
sailing from New Orleans and passing the Isthmus.
He crossed the Andes on foot for a distance of
twenty-eight miles in company with Grave Dennis
and N. G. Phillips. He remained in California
until the fall of 1853 when the gold fever was beginning to subside. On his outward trip he had a most
eventful voyage. The ship on which he sailed took
fire May 4, 1851, the sails were all burned and the
vessel drifted for eight days, the passengers being
reduced to quarter rations.  The vessel finally
made port at Mazatlan, Mexico. Tie fire on the
vessel was caused by the melting of the arches in
the boilers.
While in California Mr. Williams met with an
ordinary degree of success, part of the time mining
for gold dust and the remainder of his stay engaged
in trading. In 1853 he returned to Michigan and
went on a farm in Argentine Township, Genesee
County, about three miles from Byron, where lie


remained until September 10, 1862, when he removed his family to Byron village, rented his farm
and joined the army as Second Lieutenant in Company 11, Ninth Michigan Infantry. He joined the
regiment at Bowling Green, Ky., November 8, 1862,
when he marched with the regiment to Nashville,
Tenn., and advanced day by day from December
25, to the 31st, when the two armies became engaged in battle at Murfreesboro, Tenn., he being an
enthusiastic participant in the five days' fight. He
remained with his regiment until June 17, 1863,
when by order of Gen. Rosecrans, then Deputy
Commander of the Army of the Cumberland, the
regiment reported to Gen. St. Clair Morton at Murfreesboro, Tenn., and from him received orders to
build Redoubt Brannon, which was done and was
received by an inspecting officer from the War Department.
After accomplishing the work spoken of above,
Mr. Williams received a promotion couched in the
following terms:
"Headquarters of tile Army of the Cumberland,
Chattanooga, Tenn.,
Approved.
"In accordance with recommendation from Capt.
Merrill, Brig.-Gen. Van Cleve commanding Fortress Rosecrans, will place Lieut. J. D. Williams of
the Ninth Michigan Infantry in charge of all the
works at Fortress Rosecrans, Murfreesboro, Tenn.,
as engineer, for his skill, zeal and efficiency in building redoubt Brannon.
By command of Maj.-Gen.
George H. Thomas."
Our subject was in command here until Decemhler 7, 1864, when lie was relieved of duty, but
owing to his perfect acquaintance with the surroundings, it was deemed best that he should command the fort the following day, the 8th of
December, on which the battle occurred, which he
did.
After this battle Mr. Williams was returned to
Van Cleve's Staff and served in that capacity until
September 25, 1865, when he was mustered out at
Nashville, Tenn., and received his final discharge
at Jackson, Mich., October 3, 1865. His health
suffered so greatly from the hardships endured






506


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


while in service that he has never entirely recovered.
On returning from the war he again went on his
farm in Argentine Township, Genesee County,
where he remained until the spring of 1875 when
he sold his farm and moved back to Byron. Here
he engaged in buying wool and produce, following
that business until April, 1883, when he purchased
H. L. Cook's hardware business, to which he has
ever since devoted himself.
Mr. Williams owns some land in Gratiot County
and timbered land on section 30, Arcadia Township. What he possesses he has acquired by his
own efforts and though he has met with several
heavy losses he has always regained his financial
standing. In politics he is an independent and has
held several minor offices in the township. He is
a member of the Union Veterans, of which organization he is Colonel commanding, and also belongs
to the Odd Fellows.
Our subject was married November 9, 1848, to
Miss Mary E. Dennis, of Byron, Mich., who was
born in Concord, Mass., in 1863. She was the
daughter of Bowman and Elizabeth (Bellows)
Dennis, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts.
They came to Michigan in 1844 and settled in
Byron where Mr. Dennis died. His wife died in
Washington, D. C. Mr. Williams and lady have
been blest with four children: John D., Frederick
W., Bowman S., and Mary E. The latter died in
infancy. John D. is engaged in business at Grand
Rapids; Frederick W. resides at Pine Village, Ind.;
Bowman S. remains at home and is in business with
his father.
NDREW      M. VAN DERHOFF, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Lebanon
Township, Clinton County, is a son of
John Van Derhoff, whose father John was a
native of Germany. John Van Derhoff, Jr., was
born in New York and there lived and (lied. He
was married to Orvilla Collins, a native of New
York. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Derhoff were born
the following children: Amos, Isaac, Cynthia and
Andrew M. After the death of the father of these


children their mother was married a second time to
Isaac Hubble and had one son, Collins by name.
Andrew M. Van Derhoff was born March 6,1845,
in Pittsford, N. Y., and being early bereft of his
father, he started in life for himself at the age of
thirteen years, making his home with Deacon Osborn and remaining with him one and a half years.
He then worked by the month for several years
and took his schooling in the common schools and
taught for one term. In 1867 he came to Michigan, making his home in Ionia County, where he
was engaged in mercantile pursuits for one year.
HIe then worked on the railway for a year and returning to Ionia County rented a farm.
About 1872 Mr. Van Derhoff was married to
Mary, a daughter of Moses Wade, a New Yorker,
who came to Michigan at an early day and settled
on the farm now owned by our subject. He sold
out this land and went into the North Woods, but
finding bears much too numerous there, he decided
to return to Lebanon Township, where he made his
final home. Two children, Belle and Frederick,
have been granted to our subject and his wife.
Eighty acres of fine land in Lebanon Township
were purchased by Mr. Van Derhoff soon after his
marriage and here he lived for a year, but having
an opportunity to sell, he disposed of the property,
making $1,500 by the operation. He started emptyhanded in life and at this time was now worth about
$3,000. After spending some time in New York,
he returned to Ionia County and soon made his
home in Hubbardston, that county, where lie bought
and sold stock until his removal, in 1886, to his
present location. He and his wife noW own one
hundred and seventy-two acres and good buildings.
He takes great interest in Percheron horses and has
two fine animals, namely: "Nigger Boy" and "Grey
Dan."  He also makes a specialty of raising sheep
and at times has owned as many as seven hundred
ewes. He is an active member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is and always has been
an ardent Republican in politics. Some years ago
our subject lost his wife and was married again in
1885 to Mrs. Adell Tyler, a daughter of Abial
and Amanda Gardner, who were natives of New
York. The father was a carpenter and farmer and
both are now deceased. They lived near Batavia




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


507


r


and had accumulated considerable property. Mrs.
Van Derhoff was married to Winfield Tyler in 1873,
in Genesee County, N. Y.; he was the son of Warren and Carsander Tyler, natives of New York.
Mrs. Van Derhoff was the mother of two children,
Lester and Charles, by her previous marriage. No
children have been granted to our subject and his
wife.
l OHN M. FITCH, representing Thomas Wood
& Co., of Boston, Mass., wholesale dealers
in coffee, tea and spice, is the veteran traveling groceryman in Michigan, having been
on the road more years consecutively, than any
traveling groceryman in the State. He was born
in Salem, Washtenaw County, this State, October
6, 1832. His father, Elijah Fitch, was a native of
Genesee County, N. Y., and his grandfather and
great-grandfather, who both bore the name of Elijah were born in Connecticut. The latter was a
Revolutionary soldier under Gen. Washington, and
our subject has in his possession $60 in Continental currency, which was paid to this ancestor for
services in the army. With this is also a twentyfive cent piece of Continental money. In his latter
life the grandfather emigrated to Genesee County,
N. Y., from Connecticut, and died there. He had
been a soldier in the War of 1812. The Fitch
family in America is traced back to three brothers.
who came from the Isle of Man to Connecticut
about 1655.
The father of our subject followed farming. lHe
was married in Pultneyville, N. Y., and came to
Michigan in 1830, locating in Salem. [le began in
true pioneer style, cutting roads to his new home
and building a double log house. Here our subject was born. In 1838 Elijah Fitch had his farm
in a fine condition and sold it, purchasing in Brighton, Livingston County, where he cleared another
large farm of two hundred and forty acres. He
afterward removed to Novi, Oakland County,
where he kept a hotel, and in 1849 located on a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Ovid, Clinton County. He then entered another one hundred
and sixty by land warrant, and later added to it


until he had four hundred and eighty acres in one
body. He had about one hundred acres of this
improved at the time of his death in 1865. He was
Supervisor of Ovid at a time when there were
but twenty-two voters in that township, and was Justice of the Peace in Salem, Washtenaw County,
afterward in Livingston County. He received his
appointment from Gen. Lewis Cass while Governor
of the Territory. For six years while he held this
office there was not a law suit tried in Salem. He
was a Democrat in his political views, and in early
life was connected with the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and was a man who was straightforward
and upright in his life.
The mother of our subject, Hannah Hathaway
by name, was a native of Pultneyville, Genesee
County, N. Y., and died in 1865, in forty-eight
hours after the death of her husband. Her father,
Joseph Hathaway, lost a finger in the War of 1812.
Hie came to Michigan in 1830, and took a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres in Salem, but spent
his last days in Ovid. Of the seven children of
Elijah and Hannah Fitch six grew to maturity.
Our subject spent his childhood on the farm and
was early set to work driving oxen and doing other
heavy farm work and was quite an expert in handling six and seven yoke of oxen, and from the
time lie was quite young had no schooling except
in the winter for some time. While in Novi he
attended the district school for three years, and
then took two years in the Cochran Academy at
Northville. He was a fine penman and taught
writing school as well as day school in the winters.
In the summer of 1853, John M. Fitch and his
brother Malcomb cleared twenty acres of land in
Middlebury Township, Shiawassee County. In the
fall of 1853 he went to DeWitt in the employ of
1). and J. Sturgis & Co., who are in the general
merchandise business. After spending a year with
them and a year in the store of John Hicks, he went
with that gentleman in 1855 to St. John's. After
being with him a year he took a stock of goods
from him on commission and went to Ovid to establish a general merchandise business. This was
one of the pioneer stores there, and was carried on
from 1856 to 1862. In 1858 he had straightened
up his accounts with Mr. Hicks and run the busi



508


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--


ness alone until 1862. In 1858 he went to Detroit
with only $80 in money to purchase $1,500 worth
of goods, which he accomplished, as his manner of
doing business and his local reputation, gave the
merchants confidence in his ability and integrity.
For one year he carried on a stave and heading
business. In 1863 he went to Detroit with the firm
of Robeson & Brook, and afterward with Johnson
& Wheeler, as shipping clerk.
In 1865 Mr. Fitch took up the grip sack in the
service of Johnson & Wheeler, wholesale grocers,
and was with them for twenty-two years, traveling
in Michigan, most of the time in the northern part
of the State. lie was then for one year with Burdan
& Co, and now represents a Boston house. In his
line he has received the highest salary offered, with
the exception that one man a Mr. Fletcher, working for the same house received the same salary.
He made his residence in Detroit until 1869, when
he came here and was in the drug business for one
year. In 1874 he returned to Detroit but in May,
1886, he again made his home in Corunna. lie is
interested in land in Ludington, Mason County,
this State, and owns real-estate in Corunna. No
man in Michigan knows more prominent men and
business men than he, and for twelve years while
he was traveling, he acted as reporter for the Detroit Free Press signing his initials reversed F.
M. J.
The first marriage of our subject took place in
Caledonia in 1852. His wife was Susan, daughter
of the Rev. William Cochran an early settler of
Washtenaw County, a stone mason by trade and a
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This
lady was born in Buffalo, N. Y., and died in Detroit, January 6, 1885. She left two children,
Chester M., who resides in Memphis, Tenn., and
carries on business in furnishing goods. Ida C.,
now Mrs. C. S. Howard, whose husband is connected with the American Exchange National Bank
of Detroit. The second marriage of Mr. Fitch
took place December 24, 1885, in Grand Rapids,
being then united to Miss Anna Hilborn. This
lady was born near Goodrich, Genesee County,
Mich., and was reared in the state of New York.
Mr. Fitch was Township Clerk in Ovid and Supervisor of the Second Ward for one year in Corunna.


He is connected with the Masonic Lodge and is now
belonging to Detroit Commandery No. 1, K. T.,
and Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter at Corunna. He is a member of the Independent Order
of Good Templars, being District Worthy Chief
and at one time District Deputy, and is Grand
Worthy Chief Templar of Western Michigan. He
also belongs to the Ancient Order of United
Workmen at Detroit, and is a demitted member of
Odd Fellows; and a member of the Knight of the
Grip. His wife is also an earnest Temperance
worker being a member of the Independent Order
of Good Templars and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union as well as the Ladies Society. Mr.
Fitch is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an exhorter, and for many years
Superintendent of the Sunday-school. LIe was a
Democrat until 1885 when he became a Prohibitionist. As a delegate at County and State Conventions he has served on committees for drafting
resolutions and has been a member of the Prohibition County Convention Committee. He is also
acting agent in Michigan of the Pure Petroleum
Product Company.
ICHARD MOORE, a prominent old settler
and ex-Treasurer of Clinton County, has a
nice property which is mostly within the
% corporate limits of St. John's. He was born
May 2, 1828, in Hindal Veston, Norfolk, England.
His father, John B. was an English farmer, being
a proprietor of a small property. When young he
was a business man and was in the mercantile line.
The mother, Percella Fox, was also of English birth
and lived to be over eighty years old, as did also
her husband. Her mother completed a century of
existence. They were connected with the Church
of England.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of
eighteen children of his parents. He went to school
until he reached the age of ten years, after which
he clerked in a store, until he was fifteen. He then
came to America in the spring of 1843, leaving
Liverpool on the sailing-vessel "Monument." They




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


509


had a stormy voyage and were out of sight of land
forty-five days, making port finally in New York.
The first stopping place of the young man was in
Medina County, Ohio. Here he staid for about
six months and then came to Lenawee County,
Mich., and worked for different farmers. Later lie
removed to Albion, in Calhoun County, this State.
IHe attended Albion College for about two years
and also taught in that county, working on the
farm when not engaged in professional duties.
A little later Mr. Moore went to Iowa, traveling
with his own team and wagon. He tried to cross
the Missouri River between Clinton and St. Joseph
but the Indians drove them back and they had to
cross at another point. He went to Council Bluffs
and from there to Missouri. He returned to Michigan, stopping in Calhoun and Lenawee Counties.
In 1855 he came to St. John's by team, and the
following spring bought land and made his home
on it. He built a log house on his forty acres and
erected and operated the first ashery which had
ever been put up here. He brought black salt
down from   Gratiot County. HIe manufactured
pearlash, shipping by Car-lo(ad for several years.
He finally sold the ashery and paid more attention
to farming, clearing the land and purchasing more,
until he now has one hundred and forty acres. He
had at one time two hundred and twenty acres here
beside land in Gratiot County. He has it now all
in a fine condition and a pleasant and commodious
home is his. He was at one time a member of the
Agricultural Society of Clinton County.
The marriage of Richard Moore with Mary J.
Onsted, took place in Hillsdale in 1855. This lady
is a daughter of Peter Onsted, of New Jersey, and
a granddaughter of John Onsted who came from
that State to Michigan in 1834, wllen he purchased
a farm in Cambridge, Lenawee County. Tie fatheli
also came to this State from New York and inproved a large farm of four hundred acres. The
mother, Elizabeth Conklin, was a native of New
Jersey, her father, Isaac Conklin, being a farmer
and an early settler in Michigan. Mr. Onsted died
in Adrian and Mrs. Onsted in Cambridge.
Mrs. Moore was one of a family of ten children
in her parental home. Her birthplace was in Yates
County, N. Y., August 29, 1832, and she came to


Michigan when a little child with her parents. She
supplemented her log-schoolhouse education by
attendance at Leoni Seminary. This amiable and
intelligent lady is the mother of two children. Her
eldest, Alice, was one of the first graduates of St.
John's High School, and is now the wife of Ernest
Schemer and resides at Fowler; the second child,
Richard Bell, attended Goldsmith's Commercial
College at Detroit. He married Miss Sylvia Maxwell, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Aten)
Maxwell; he assists his father on the homestead.
Mr. Moore was for three terms Village Trustee
and for many years was School Director and prominent as a member of the building committee. He
is a Democrat in his political views, believing
firmly in the doctrine of free trade and is often
made a delegate to county and State conventions.
In 1874 he was elected County Treasurer on the
Democratic ticket, filling the office for two years.
He has been an active member of the Grange since
1873, filling the position of Master and being made
a member of the State Grange. HIe is identified
with the Patrons of Industry at Bingham.
ORNELIUS G. BARNES. Among those
who are securing a maintenance as tillers of
the soil in Clinton County is Mr. Barnes,
whose home is on section 23, Bingham Township.
When he came here in 1867 he bought a tract on
which a log house had just been built and a small
clearing made. The rest of the eighty acres were
covered with a wild growth, but the land gave
promise of fertility when once it was placed in
condition for working. Mr. Barnes was a skillful
carpenter, and for some time he worked at his
trade, hiring men to place his farm ii condition,
as he could thus get along better than if he were
to give his own time and strength to labor with
which he was unacquainted. He now has a wellimproved farm, the newest structures on which are
a large farm-house and barn that were recently
built.
Mr. Barnes was born in Medina County, Ohio,
February 7, 1832, and is a son of Giles and Eliza






510


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


(Northrop) Barnes. His mother was born near
Hartford, Conn., and died during the '60s. She
was an earnest and humble Christian and held
membership in the Congregational Church. She
had nine children, four of whom are now living.
The father was a shoemaker by trade, but going to
Ohio during its early history he cleared a farm
and devoted himself to agriculture. He was for
many years a Deacon in the Congregational
Church and ever took deep interest in religious
work and the affairs of the church. His death
took place in 1881, whe l he had reached an advanced age. Grandfather Barnes was a commissioned officer in the Colonial Army at the time of
the Revolution. He was of Welsh extraction.
The;ubject of this biographical notice was
reared on a farm  and enjoyed the educational
privileges of the district school. When twenty
years old he began learning the carpenter's trade
and was working with the saw and plane when the
Civil War began. Like many others.,Je thought
the struggle would be short, but as hostilities continued he threw aside his tools and enlisted August
12, 1862. lie became a member of Company I,
One Hundred and Third Ohio Infantry, Col. Jack
Casement in command. After six months' service
he was promoted to be Commissary Sergeant of
the regiment and in that capacity acted until compelled to relinquish his duties on account of sickness.
He did not sever connection with the army until the
close of the war and was mustered out in June,
1865. During his army life Mr. Barnes took part
in the siege of Knoxville, was under Sherman's
command in various engagements near Atlanta, and
made one of the force which followed Gen.
Thomas in the pursuit of Hood.
The marriage of Mr. Barnes and Miss Helen
Bradley was solemnized in 1858. Mrs. Barnes is
a native of the Green Mountain State and is characterized by the thrift and neatness which have become typical traits in New England women. She
has ever been devoted to her home and its interests, yet ready at all times to extend her kindness
to neighbors and acquaintances. The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are three in number, named
respectively, Eugene W., May C. and John. Mr.
Barnes belongs to the Grand Army of the Repub



I


I - 1- 1` ~ 1- " ~ - - - 11- - ^ ---- - -~ — ~


lic and has been a Mason nearly twenty years. In
politics he is a Republican. He has served two
terms as Highway Commissioner and two as Township Treasurer, and his official record is good, and
he is now filling the office of Justice of the Peace
to the satisfaction of the people.
— At ---I
n    ICHOLAS SIEB, an honored veteran of the
late war, is the owner of one of the fine
farms of Sciota Township, Shiawassee
County. He has one hundred and sixty acres on
section 9, the greater part of which is under a high
state of cultivation and well improved. His fine
two-story frame residence, a view of which on
another page invites the reader's attention, is surrounded by a nice lawn and beautiful shade trees,
while in the rear are good barns and other outbuildings which are found on a model farm. The stock
which he raises is of the best grades and the place
presents a neat appearance indicative of the thrift
and enterprise of the owner.
The life record of Mr. Sieb is as follows: he was
born on the 15th of April, 1839, in Baden Baden,
Germany, and his parents, l)amian and Caroline
Seib, were also natives of the same country. The
mother died in that land but the father came to
America (luring the late war and died in Hamburg,
Erie County, N. Y. Our subject was one of a
large family, but now has only two sisters livingCaroline, wife of Isadore Bond of Abbott's Corners,
Erie County, N. Y.; and Catherine, wife of Peter
Wagenplott of Buffalo, N. Y.
Nicholas Sieb, whose name heads this sketch, may
truly be called a self-made man and his example
in many respects is well worthy of emulation. He
began life for himself at the early age of fourteen
years. Leaving home, he first went to Holland,
then across the North Sea to England, and from
Liverpool sailed to New York, upon an English
sailing vessel, reaching his destination after fortytwo days spent upon the broad Atlantic. After a
short stay in the eastern metropolis he went to
Buffalo, N. Y., where he had an uncle living. That
gentleman apprenticed him for a three years' term




1A. E.CURC EURSSH EX, LOWER'S CORNERS.,SEC.2., ESSEX TP.,CLIJNTON CO.,MICH.


RESIDENCE OF NICHOLAS 5IEB, SECG.. CI OTA TP., SHIAWASSEE CO.,MIC-.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRr~APHICAL ALBUJM.


513


PORTRAIT~~~ ~ ~ AN BIGAHCLABM  1


of service to the wagon-maker's trade and when
that period had expired he still continued with his
employer for fourteen months longer. In 1847 we
find him en route for Rochester, where he worked
at his trade for about three years. During that
time he also belonged to the State militia. From
Rochester he went to Geneseo, N. Y., where he
secured employment and there remained until 1861.
In that year when his adopted country was engaged in civil war he determined to show his loyalty to the Union by enlisting. He joined the
army in 1861, as a recruiting officer first and
helped to raise the Sixth New York Cavalry, which
he joined as a private of Company C. He served
for more than three years and participated in
nearly all the engagements of the Army of the
Potomac, including the seven days' battle of the
Wilderness, Antietam, the movements in front of
Petersburg, the battles of Spottsylvania Court
House, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and the raid around Richmond. He had two
horses shot from under him and was once thrown
from a horse and very seriously injured, but as
soon as possible he rejoined his regiment and
again participated  in active service. He was
always at the front and his bravery was displayed
by many heroic deeds. On the morning of the
battle of Antietam  he was frying his meat for
breakfast when the first cannon ball fired struck his
frying pan. His term of service having at length
expired he was honorably discharged and returned
to his home in Geneseo, N. Y.
Shortly after he had again reached that city in
October, 1864, Mr. Sieb was joined in wedlock
with Miss Mary Schley of Geneseo. The lady was
a native of Wayland, Steuben County, born in
1844, and a daughter of Nicholas and Catherine
Schley, who were natives of Prussia, Germany.
Their union has been blessed with six children, as
follows: Hattie, who died in infancy; Ida, the wife
of Lewis Willett, a farmer of Sciota Township;
Matie, Edward, Charlie and Emma.
Mr. Sieb continued to work at his trade in
Geneseo, N. Y., until 1867, when he removed to
Wayland, and was there employed in the same
occupation until 1878. In that year he emigrated
Westward to Michigan and bought the fine farm of


which we have before spoken. Mr. Sieb's success
in life is due entirely to his own efforts. He came
to America a poor boy unable to speak a word of
English, but possessed a young man's bright hope
of the future and a determination to succeed; by
working untiringly and diligently he accumulated a
handsome competency which supplies him with the
comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
In politics, Mr. Sieb is a stalwart Republican and
in all possible ways aids in the success and growth
of his party. In its principles he is a firm believer
and while residing in New York he was always a
delegate to his town and county conventions and
was a member of the Republican District Committee
for ten years. However, he has never sought public preferment having steadily refused to hold all
office except that of School Director, in which he
served five years. Socially, he is a member of
Henry Demming Post, No. 192, G. A. R., of Laingsburg. Iis war record is one of which lie may well
be proud, and no American-born citizen was truer
to his country or more faithful to his duty than
Mr. Sieb. Respected and honored by all who know
him he well deserves a representation in his county's
history.
-_a.. V,


EV. CHARLES SMITH.          This volume
i  would be incomplete were it to omit or fail
to give an important place to the biography
of the Rev. Charles Smith, of Essex Township, Clinton County. There has recently been
erected at Lowe's Corners a Methodist Episcopal
Church, a view of which is represented in connection with this sketch. With the erection of this
handsome edifice Mr. Smith was closely identified,
and served as Treasurer of the Building Committee.
Ever an earnest worker in the Lord's vineyard his
influence is wide and his standing high. His character as a true-hearted gentleman and a devout
Christian gives him that influence over those who
know him which is essential to success in Christian
work. In the church he served as Class-leader,
Steward and Trustee, and is also prominent as a
local preacher,




514


PO RTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC.A L ALBUM.WI


1I


Mr. Smith is of English birth and parentage, and
was born in Messingham, Lincolnshire, March 4,
1822. His parents, Edward and Jane Smith, had a
family of three children, of whom he is the youngest. He received but a limited education, for the
necessary demands of the family upon his efforts
forbade his attending school after he reached the
age of nine years.. In consequence of this disadvantage he has had to rely largely upon a life-long
habit of reading to supplement his early studies
and is therefore alomst entirely self-educated. Until
he reached the years of his majority he remained
upon the home farm and in 1843 emigrated to
America, taking passage at Hull on a sailing vessel.
After an ocean voyage of six weeks he landed in
Quebec, Canada, with only a few dollars in his possession and he remained in that city for a few
months before coming to the States.
The first home of Mr. Smith in the United States
was in Edwards County, Ill., where he resided for
a time and then came to Lenawee County, Mich.
In 1862 he removed thence to Clinton County, and
settled on the farm in Essex Township which is
now his home. He is a practical farmer, has cleared and cultivated his land and embellished it with
substantial buildings. [fe now owns one hundred
and sixty acres of finely improved land and ranks
among the most prosperous farmers of the community. His beautiful home contains the evidence of culture and good taste in an unusual degree
and is kept in the most perfect order by a refined
and sympathetic wife. In addition to the one
hundred and sixty acres, Mr. Smith with the assistance of his two sons bought and cleared a tract of
one hundred acres, which was afterward deeded to
the eldest son.
The first marriage of Mr. Smith united him with
Jane Burnette, a native of Yorkshire, England; of
their seven children, four survive, namely: Sarah,
(Mrs. Riley Ferguson,) Isaac, Edward and Cora,
now Mrs. William  Anderson. Mr. Smith chose
for his second wife Mrs. Harriet Ward, widow of
the late John Ward of Clinton County. Mrs.
Smith is a native of Northlew, Devonshire, England, and came to the United States in 1852. In
politics Mr. Smith is independent with Prohibition
proclivities. He has served as School Director of


his district, Treasurer of the township and has
always faithfully performed the duties of citizenship.
In presenting the claims of the Gospel Mr. Smith
is clear and logical, pleasing and persuasive. lIe
receives the respect of all who know him and is
best beloved by those who enjoy a close association
with him and best understand his nature. During
the first ten years of his residence in this county
lie traveled from ten to twenty miles every other
Sabbath and preached the Gospel of Christ, while
during the week he was often called upon to attend
funeral services and in other ways minister to the
spiritual needs of the people. At times it seemed
as if his crops would suffer from  neglect while he
was away, but a merciful and loving Providence
kept watch over him and his, and in the end everything came out all right. The people appreciated
his sincere efforts in their behalf and aided him in
every way possible, so that what he gave returned
to him in "full measure, pressed down and runing over." At one time when he had a twentyacre field cleared ready for logging, and was anxious to get the ground prepared for wheat, his
neighbors came to his assistance in old-fashioned
frontier style and soon had ten acres logged. By
such tender chords of friendship were those early
settlers bound together.
ICHAEL S. DOYLE. The gentleman of
whom we write has been identified with the
most vital interests of the village of Elsie,
Clinton County, from its early beginnings.
He has taken a lively interest in its future and was
active in securing the right of way for the railroad
which is so efficient a factor in its prosperity. His
manufacturing interests, which he located in that
village, have also been potent in establishing the
industries which are necessary to the healthy
growth of a young town. He was born in New
Brunswick, Parish of Chipman, QuBen's County,
February 18, 1842. His parents, Michael and
Sarah (Tuffts) Doyle, were both natives of Nova
Scotia, and his father is by occupation a minister




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


515


of the Gospel, who is still living in Saginaw
County and has reached the ripe old age of ninetytwo years, having devoted fifty years of his life to
the ministry of the Baptist Church.
The subject of this sketch resided at home until
he reached his majority. His educational advantages were limited, as he had only the common
subscription schools of those days to attend. He
left New Brunswick when he was seventeen years
old and located in Oxford County, Canada, where
he remained for about twelve years. After he became of age he engaged in handling staves and also
carried on agriculture.
Having established himself well in business, Mr.
Doyle looked about him for a companion with
whom to share the joys and sorrows of life, and
soon won the hand of Sarah Withrow, of Oxford
County, Canada, the daughter of John Withrow, a
farmer in that county. They were happily wedded
on January 25, 1868, and became the parents of
two bright and promising children. Maud L. was
born July 16, 1869, in Oxford County, Canada;
Boyd W.,was born in Elsie, December 2, 1884. Both
children are at home, and his daughter is by occupation a teacher. She has pursued the profession
for four years and is now a successful teacher in
the high school at St. John's, Mich.
Mr. Doyle decided to remove to the States, and
in November, 1869, he came to Michigan and located at Elsie, in Duplain Township. Here he engaged in tile stave business for a firm in Detroit
and represented their company for four years. He
then bought out a cheese factory which had been
running on a small scale for some time in Elsie,
and established himself in business, giving his concern the name of the Elsie Cheese Factory. By
strict attention to business and the manufacture of
a superior article, his factory has become widely
and favorably known, all over the State. Six years
ago he established a factory of like character at St.
John's, and lie puts out as much as eight hundred
pounds of cheese daily and yet he has not capacity
to supply the demand for his product. From 1880 to
1886 he conducted a general store and he also erected
tile first brick building that ever went up in the
town of Elsie. He assisted in getting the right of
way for the Ann Arbor Railroad and furnished


all the ties that were used for that road in Clinton
County and a portion of those that were used in
Gratiot County.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch has
a farm  of eighty acres on section 15, I)uplain
Township, where he makes his home, and he also
has a place of forty acres on section 25, Gratiot
County. He is prominent in all public movements
and is a Republican in his political convictions.
He was the first President of the village of Elsie,
but other than this he has never sought office of
any kind. IHe is an intelligent breeder of fine
stock and has some seven or eight Hambletonian
horses and raises some Holstein cattle and Suffolk
hogs. Eie is an earnest promoter of all progressive
educational movements, in which he is seconded by
the intelligence and activity of his wife. That lady
was born in Queen's County, New Brunswick, but
from her early childhood till her marriage made her
home in Oxford County, Canada. This couple form
a fine example of the good stock which has come
to our Northern States from the adjacent districts
of Canada.
--— *^&^ri~ ---I EWIS BENTLEY. In traversing Clinton
County, a stranger will find many beautiful
farms, but few, if any, more attractive than
that owned by Mr. Bentley. This property lies on
section 20, Essex Township, and consists of one
hundred acres of choice land, upon which good
farm buildings have been erected and every suitable adornment made. The dwelling is a handsome frame house, of home-like appearance and
evidently regulated by one who understands how
to secure comfort and order at the same time. On
this tract Mr. Bentley has lived since 1856, at
which time it was a wild and somewhat desolate
expanse, quite thickly populated by deer and bears,
that sometimes passed through his door yard.
Those who are familiar, by experience or hearsay,
with pioneer work and its accompanying selfdenials and privations, know through what scenes
Mr. Bentley must have passed ere his land became
the beautiful farm of to-day.
The Bentleys came from England to America in




516


PORTRA~AIT ANND BIOG RAPHHICAL ALBUM.,


516PO TRAI  AND BIOGRAP


early Colonial days, and the great-grandfather of
our subject fought in the French and Indian War.
The next in the direct line, George Bentley, of
Saratoga, N. Y., served six years and seven
months in the Revolutionary army under Gen.
Washington. He died in 1838, leaving several
children, one of whom was Isaac, the father of our
subject. That gentleman was born in New York
in 1788, and in 1809 was married to Hannah De
Bois, who was a native of New York also, and was
of French Huguenot descent.    Isaac Bentley
fought in the War of 1812. His occupation was
farming, and he was a modest, highly respected
man who was always found on the side of right.
lie died in Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., in
1863. Mrs. Bentley breathed her last April 12,
1855, leaving twelve sons and daughters, nine of
whom are still living.
In Ontario County, N. Y., June 5, 1817, the son
of whom we write was born. He was reared on a
farm and received a common-school education in
the district in which his home was. He early became acquainted with the details of farm work and
learned how to conduct an agricultural enterprise
when quite young. After he attained to his majority he worked out by the month three years, and
in 1842 he bought sixty acres of land adjoining
the village of Richmond, and there began tilling
the soil for his own advantage. April 4, 1855, he
left his Eastern home for the West, and coming to
this State, he was soon settled on the land he still
calls home. While looking out for his personal
interests and the good of his family, he has not
been unmindful of the rights of others, and he has
thus gained the good will and respect of his associates at the same time that he has improved his
worldly condition.
The wedding day of Mr. Bentley and Miss Jeannette Baker was December 2, 1841, and the bride
was then almost twenty-one years old, having been
bornl January 29, 1821. She was a native of the
village of Richmond, and was a schoolmate of Mr.
Bentley, who found his boyish liking for her growing with his growth into the warm affection that
made him desire her companionship in a closer
relation. The happy union has been blessed by the
birth of thlree vhildren, and the parents have been


saddened by the death of two of their loved ones.
Marcus, their first-born, enlisted in Company G,
Fifth Michigan Cavalry, in 1862, and served until
he was discharged on account of ill health; he died
soon after his return to the North, all the love and
care of his friends being powerless to stay the disease that had fastened upon him. Alma died in
1866. Emma D., the survivor, was born in Essex
Township, and is now the wife of C. F. Roberts, who
is farming the Bentley place.
Mr. Bentley was reared to believe in the principles of the Whig party and held his place in its
ranks until the disintegration, when he joined the
new organization-the Republican party. In 1885
he threw his influence into the Prohibition ranks,
being convinced that the liquor question was the
one most needing settlement. He has been identified with the Clinton County Agricultural Society
in the capacity of Director thirteen years. For
seventeen years lie has been Director in the Clinton
and Gratiot Counties Mutual Insurance Company.
Mr. Bentley was the prime mover for the erection
of a monument in honor of the deceased soldiers
of Essex Township, and the handsome stone now
adorning Plains Cemetery is due to his efforts in
rousing public opinion.
In every good cause he is an active worker,
and to all he contributes generously. Mr. Bentley possesses mental ability of a pronounced
character, and has published a History of Essex
Township, and for years has been a contributor to
the local papers.
___    far ^  t^.,.*


EWELL A. DRYER, M. D.,a prominent physician practicing at Bath, Clinton County,
was born in White Oak Township, Ingham
County, Mich., November 2, 1838. His father,
William A., was born in New York, in 1813, and
his grandfather and great-grandrather both of
whom bore the Christian name of Allen, were natives of Massachusetts, being born in 1772 and
1745, respectively. The latter was the son of William Dryer, a native of Massachusetts and the
grandson of John VanDrier, who was born in Hol



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


517


land in 1677 and was the son of a Holland weaver.
He settled in London, England and married an
Irish woman. He was impressed into the English
army and brought to Boston on a British Man-of
War. He there deserted and settled at Rehoboth,
Mass., where he changed his name from VanDrier
to Dryer, which form the name has since retained.
He married Judith Raymond, and their issue was
two sons, John and William. John had six sons
and five daughters, whose decendents now live in
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. William, in whose line
our subject comes, had six sons, four of whom sacrificed their lives for freedom in the Revolutionary
War. The two who survived are Allen and William. Of the latter's posterity nothing is known.
Allen had the following sons: Aaron, Jonathan,
Simeon, Rufus, Wheeler, James, Allen and Edward.
Allen Dryer, the second, who was the grandfather of our subject married Esther Bullock and
had six sons and six daughters. He kept a hotel
and was a tax collector, being kept most of the
time in this office on account of being a cripple
and having to go on crutches. William A. Dryer,
the father of our subject, was the youngest son in
a family of twelve children. He was reared at
Cazenovia, Madison County, N. Y., and early
learned the wagon-maker's trade, which together
with farming he followed all his life. He made his
journey West by Erie Canal and across the lake to
Detroit and there bought a yoke of oxen and came
to White Oak Township, Ingllam County, in the
fall of 1836. The wagon which lie used he had
made before leaving home and brought with him,
He had been out the year before and located the
land. He and his brave family saw some hard times
and during one period of privation they lived for
three weeks on potatoes and salt.
There were only seven men in the township when
William Dryer first made his home there. IIe
took from the Government eighty acres of land
which he cleared and developed. In 1845 he moved
to Pinkney, Livingston County, and in 1848
moved to Lansing and in both places worked at
his trade. After three years at Lansing, he clerked
in a store for three years, and then began the mercantile business for himself. When he went out
of business he bought a one hundred and sixty

I




acre farm within a mile of Lansing, and resided
upon it until about a year ago, when he again
removed to the city where he now lives, having
retired from active work. He is a Methodist in
his religious views as is also his worthy wife, whose
maiden name was Betsey Newell. She was born in
Eaton, Madison County, N. Y., May 27, 1815.
Seven of her ten children arrived at years of maturity. They were named: William (deceased),
Mary E., Mrs. J. E. Warner; Newell A.; Elbridge
A.; Esther, Mrs. Christopher, Sarah A., James
William, and Helen A., deceased; William F., and
Betsey, Mrs. Edward M. Johnson. Their mother
(lied in 1861.
The first school which our subject attended was
in a log schoolhouse. Then at seven years of age
he went to Pinkney to school and afterward was
in the Lansing public schools and at Taylor's Academy. His earliest playmates were Indian children
and he was familiar with wild animals. He remembered seeing twenty-five deer in one drove within
the limits of what is now the city of Lansing and
also saw four bears within the same bounds. Somewhat later he attended Rogers College at Lansing,
and later began the study of medicine under H.
B. Shank and    II. HBartholemew. lThey were his
preceptors until he graduated in 1864 at the Buffalo University. He also spent two years in the
University at Ann Arbor and one year at Buffalo.
The young Doctor's first place of practice was
at LeRoy, Ingham County, Mich., but he did not
tarry there long, for after eight months in that
place he enlisted, March 14, 1865, in Company E,
Seventeenth Michigan Infantry. Ile was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the Seventh Michigan
Veteran Volunteers upon April 11, 1865. This
regiment was in the Nineth Army Corps, Second
Division. He joined his regiment at Petersburg
and went as far as Burksville Junction, Va. iHe
was discharged finally from United States service
July 5, 1865, at Evansville, Ind. and from the State
service at Jackson, Mich.
Upon November 20, 1865, the young Doctor
located for practice at Bath and has made that his
home for twenty-six years. His marriage with
Calista E. Ware, took place October 3, 1865. This
lady was born in Ohio, April 29, 1844, and has be



518


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-- --


come the mother of three children. The two eldest Geary and Zora have died and the only surviving child, Mary B., married John M. Feier and
lives near her parents. Her husband is a station
agent at Bath. Dr. Dryer has two hundred acres
of land in this county, the farming of which he
— superintends personally and raises both grain and
stock. He is a Republican in his politice and in
religion is a spiritualist, being a member of the
Haslett Park Association of Pinle Lake, Bingham
County, Mich. He is a member of the Bath Hunting Club and takes a month each year to go hunting in the North Woods.
RS. JULIA TAYLOR COLE. The busi\ ness establishment of J. T. Cole & Co., is
one of the conspicuous business houses of
St. John's and one to which many ladies
resort for first-class millinery and dress-making. It
is one of the finest locations in the city, on the
corner of Clinton Ave. and Higham Street, and occupies two floors of a large building. The first
floor is devoted to the millinery department and
the second to dress-making; artists and competent
help are employed in both. The display of goods
is large and attractive and both, wholesale and
retail trade is carried on. No town in Central
Michigan has a more tasteful millinery store, and
none equals it in the extent of the work done.
Elisha Taylor, father of Mrq. Cole, was born in
one of the New England States and was young
Awhen his parents removed to New York and settled
near Auburn.   Early in the '20s he came to
this State and was one of the first to make a home
in Avon Township, Oakland County. Hie entered
a large tract of land on Stony Creek and built a
mill, being a miller by trade. His wife was Mary
Miner, a native of Rhode Island, whose father was
Perez Miner, an Eastern man who died in New
York. Mrs. Taylor was left a widow, in 1835, with
a family of seven children, all still living but one.
She sold the mill but remained on the farm, improving the place and eventually dying there in
1865. Besides Mrs. Cole, her living children are;


Miner, a prominent resident of Broken Bow, Neb.;
Lemuel, a farmer in Wisconsin; Mrs. Mary Copeland, a florist in Monroe, Wis.; Mrs. Sarah Van
Hoosen, on the old homestead in Avon Township,
Oakland County; and Mrs. Janetta Stewart of
Shelley, Iowa. The deceased is Mrs. Electa Matteson who died in Romeo, this State.
Mrs. Cole was born in Oakland County and her
home was on a farm until she became a young lady.
She pursued her studies in the district school until
nineteen years old when she began teaching. The
next year she attended the academy in Rochester.
After teaching two years she next spent some time
as a student in the State Normal School in Ypsilanti. She paid her own expenses while pursuing
her advanced studies, and resuming her profession,
taught for some ten years. Her labors were mostly
performed in Oakland County and she was the
principal teacher at Vassar for some time. She was
married in Avon, Oakland County, October 8,
1864, to Mr. Ela Cole, who lived but a few months
after their marriage. He was born in New York,
was orphaned when quite young and came to Mt.
Vernon, Macomb County, in his youth. IHe was
in the employ of the Peninsular Iron Company of
Detroit and the trusted employe of John and Hiram
Burt until his decease. He was called hence Septtenber 20, 1865.
When left a widow, Mrs. Cole returned to her
old home and resumed the professional work she
had laid aside after her marriage. During the years
of 1867 and 1868 she was located in Flint as resident agent for the Grover & Baker Sewing Machine
Company. In 1869 she came to St. John's and in
partnership with Miss Holcomb opened up millinery under the firm name of Cole & Holcomb. After
ten years of uninterrupted business, the firm sold
their stock to J. Hicks & Co., Mrs. Cole taking the
entire charge of this department for twelve years.
Her health being affected by close application in
business, she spent a few months in travel for
rest and recuperation, after which she returned and
took charge of the millinery department in the establishment of Hicks & Kniffin, which position she
occupied for four years. She again opened business for herself in the spring of 1884 and in the
fall of the same year, Miss Clara Kroll became her




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


519


~ ---- -----


partner. In June, 1885, the partnership was dissolved by the death of Miss Kroll and again Mrs.
Cole carried on the business alone. In 1890 the
present firm was established, R. M. Steel entering
into the business.
Mrs. Cole has shown herself to be possessed of
energy and business ability, and the refined tastes
that are so necessary in carrying on an establisbment which turns out work'calculated to enhance the
comeliness of its patrons. As a teacher she had an
excellent reputation, and in her connection with
the social interests of St John's, she is advancing
the welfare of others. Personally she is cultured
and affable, with manners that are pleasing to all
with whom she comes in contact, and a character
that makes her a choice friend. She is a member
of the Woman's Relief Corps, is Past Counselor of
the Chosen Friends, and holds office in the Fraternal Guardians. Were she to vote she would use a
Republican ballot, as she is well grounded in I( lief
in the justice of the principles of that party.
RANCIS E. PUIRL)Y. The energetic gen) tleman who is proprietor of the creamk I   ery and also general merchant in Morrice
and who has attained such prominence in the conmunity and has been so successful in his business,
was born June 15, 1841,in the place where he now
resides. His father was Josiah Purdy, a farmer
in New York, who came here during the '30s with
only his strength of determination and a fine constitution with which to conquer the many difficulties that were in the way of a pioneer settler.
Coming to this State in the '30s, he entered
some land from the Government, upon which tle
town of Morrice now stands. He made the journey
thither from his native State before the days of
railroads through the woods with a team.  Clearing a small space in the midst of his claim, he built
himself a log cabin. The trail ran just in front of
his little log house so that his most frequent guests
were the Indians, who, though generally friendly,
had to be kept at arm's length, because of their
native treachery and begging proclivities.  Those


were the days in which the deer were perfectly at
home in the forest. Bears also were to be had for
the killing and many are the interesting and thrilling stories in which the father of our subject recounts his experiences with the larger beasts of
prey. The bears especially caused him much trouble
by killing his pigs and they had to be hunted
most assiduously.
For a short time Josiah Purdy resided at Pontiac. Returning to Morrice he cleared a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres where he died at the
age of seventy-twoyears. As a boy he helped to
lay out some of the roads in the township. He
married Diantha Hartwell, a native of New York.
With her he reared seven children-Horace, Lavinia, Francis E., Lucretia, Preston, Loran and Armina. Mr. Purdy was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, while his wife was an adherent of
the Baptist persuasion.  They both took active
parts in their respective churches. The mother of
the family died at the age of sixty-five.
As a child, our subject attended  the pioneer
schools, which meant that he went two and a half
miles to learn the three r's in a little log house
where a private school was kept by a Mrs. Allen.
The little log house was also Mrs. Allen's residence
and after the breakfast of bacon and bear's meat
with such vegetables as would support hearty pioneer men, the little house was swept and garnished
and the slab benches with short pegs so that the
smaller pupils' feet could touch the earthen floor,
were ranged against the wall. These were the
days of the birch rod, though deponent sayeth not
whether Mrs. Allen was a severe mistress, but each
little pupil was before her eye and if the quill pens
scratched or made blots she knew the reason why.
After getting such an education as could be acquired here the original of our sketch began life
for himself at the age of twenty-one.
The war coming on soon after our subject
reached his majority, he declared himself for abolition and the Government by enlisting, August
9, 1862, in Company H, Twenty-third Michigan
Infantry, where he served three years. All the
horrors of war were experienced during those four
terrible years. He was a participator in the battle
of Campbell Station where the point of his nose




520


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




=


was shot off, a piece of shell passing into his mouth;
so seriously injured was he that he was laid up in
the hospital at Knoxville for some time.  After
recovering sufficiently he joined his regiment at
Strawberry Plains, after which he was in the battle
at Resaca, Atlanta and in Sherman's campaign.
While there he was under Gen. Thomas' command.
He was also in the battle at Johnsboro, Ga., Franklin, Tenn., Nashville, and was mustered out in the
month of July, 1865. He now reveives a pension
of $12 per month. After Mr. Purdy left the army
he returned to Morrice and farmed for five years.
About this time stock-raising was a business
which offered great inducements, and the plains of
Nebraska with their waving acres of the best native
grass afforded ample pasturage for any amount of
stock. Here Mr. Purdy cast his lines for the next
eleven years, going to North Platt.  The Indians
were just beginning to be hostile, made so by the
encroachments of the whites, who they began to fear
were depriving them of their natural inheritance.
Mr. Purdy built a fort and on his farm the neighbors in the vicinity used to gather when the Indians were threatening.  It was not an unusual
occurrence to see a vast herd of buffalo passing
over the rolling plains to the salt licks, and our
subject found exciting diversion in hunting the
noble animal that has now become almost extinct.
Our subject returned from North Platt to Morrice
in the year 1882, and purchased a farm of forty
acres, one-half mile east of town, making his residence on the farm.
The creamery which is conducted by the gentleman whose name heads our sketch was established
by him in company with Mr. Goss in 1888, but
our subject now runs it alone having bought out
Mr. Goss. The number of pounds of butter made
per day in the creamery has been as high as one
thousand and of so delicious a quality is it
that it finds a ready market at home as well as
abroad. Mr. Purdy is the owner of a fine store.
It is a large frame building in which general merchandise is sold.
In 1866 our subject took the important step of
uniting himself for better or worse to Miss Mary
E. Davis. She was born in 1841. By her he became the father of one child, who reached the age




I




of four months. His first wife dying in 1874, Mr.
Purdy married Miss Mary E. Lake, who was born
in New York State. By her he has two children,
named respectively, Egbert L. and Lulu D. They
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and Mr. Purdy is a Republican in politics. The
community has conferred upon our subject the
greatest honors that are within its power to give.
lie has most acceptably filled the position of Treasurer in the village and has also been Councilman.
He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
It is not surprising to learn of the success of so
energetic a man as is our subject.  A  careful,
prudent, far-seeing man and endowed by nature
with all the qualities that insure success, his intelligence and sense of high principles have added to
his pecuniary success the gratifying assurance of
the esteem of his fellow-townsmen.
IIDNEY     D. PARKS owns and occupies a
well-developed farm on section 23, Dallas
)Township, and has from his early life been
identified with the interests of Clinton
County. The reader is referred to the biographical
sketch of Samuel H. Parks for information regarding his parents and the surroundings amid which
lie grew to maturity. He was born in Oakland
County, in 1840 and was two years of age when his
parents came to Clinton County. He pursued his
studies in the common-school, working with and
for his father during his youth, and growing to a
sturdy and vigorous manhood. February 15, 1864,
he entered the service as a member of Company A,
Twenty third Michigan Infantry and during the
ensuing year and a half took part in many skirmishes
and fought at the battles of Franklin, Nashville
Town Creek, Altoona and Rome. He was honorably discharged August 7, 1865, and returned to
the duties of civil life with renewed ardor.
Mr. Parks returned to the old home and remained
there until his marriage, December 24, 1868, when
he established himself on forty acres of land lie had
bought. To this property lie subsequently added
sixty acres, and he placed the whole in good con



f.
I
I
1%




K




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


523


dition by means of hard work and good management. He cleared and broke much of the acreage
and put up all the buildings that now stand upon
the estate. The part of his farm.on which he resides has been occupied by him since 1875. Mr.
Parks has never aspired to public office but has
often been offered positions of trust. He votes the
Republican ticket. lie is a member of the United
Friends, No. 19, at Fowler.
The lady who presides over the domestic affairs
at the home of Mr. Parks was known in her maidenhood as Miss Elizabeth Van Gieson, daughter of
Marcelius Van Gieson, and their marriage was
solemnized in Clinton County at the home of
our subject's brother. Mrs. Parks is a well-informed, pleasant lady, who is an excellent neighbor and faithful friend. She is the mother of two
daughters. Lettie, the first-born, died when ten
years and eleven months old; Augusta is now a
young lady seventeen years of age.


- 21-I C3


died here on Christmas Day, 1886. The widowed
mother is now past four-score years of age and
resides in St. John's.
Our subject is the eldest of the surviving children in the parental family, the others being Sarah
C., wife of Edmund Reynolds, living in Shiawassee County; Nancy M., who married John Hall and
lives in St. John's; Gershom, whose home is in
Shiawassee County: and Vincent S. and Erastus J.,
who live in St. John's; George P. was born in
Morris County, N. J., July 8, 1832, and was fourteen years old when with the other members of the
family he came to this State. From his boyhood
he has spent his time chiefly in farming, but has
done carpenter work at odd spells. Being the eldest son of a poor man, he was obliged to assist his
father in laboring for the support of tle family and
his educational advantages were therefore limited.
He attended school but little after lie came to this
State.
It was in December, 1863, that Mr. Mattoon entered the Union army as a private in Company I,
Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry. He was first
sent to join the Western army, but later became an
integral part of the Army of the Potomac. It was
his fortune to take part in several hard-fought contests as well as in the usual line of skirmishes and
the dangerous duties of a picket. MAr. Mattoon
participated in the terrible battles in the Wilderness and the list of heavy engagements in which he
took part also includes Spottsylvania Court House,
Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church and Petersburg,
During the siege of the last-named place he was severely wounded and for six months he was confined
to the hospital. After passing through many dEngerous scenes, he was honorably discharged, July
26, 1865, and laying aside his arms, took up once
more the implements of his peaceful warfare
against lunproduetive vegetation.
The lady who presides over the domestic affairs
in the home of Mr. Mattoon became his wife September 16, 1866. She was born in Wayne County,
this State, April 9, 1841, and bore the maiden name
of Hannah M. Armstrong. Her parents, Harvey
and Susan B. (Norris) Armstrong, were natives of
the Empire State. About 1857 they came from
Wayne to Clinton County, locating in Bingham


G    EORGE P. MATTOON. This gentleman is
identified with the vast army of farmers
who are doing so much to enhance the prospelity of the State of Michigan and whose homes
attest to their enjoyment of the material comforts
which they gain and the advantages afforded by
modern civilization. He has also a close sympathy with and for soldiers, having himself endured
hardship and braved danger on Southern battlefields during the late Civil War. His military
record can be pointed to with pride by his posterity and his character is one worthy to be held up
as a model to those who succeed him. His home is
on section 30, Greenbush Township, and his farm
of sixty acres is as carefully and intelligently tilled
as any in Clinton County.
Gershom and Nancy L. (Woodruff) Mattoon,
the parents of our subject, were born respectively
in New York and New Jersey. They made their
home in the Empire State for some years, but in
1846 emigrated to Michigan and established themselves in Shiawassee County. Several years later
they removed to Clinton County and the father




524


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM........


Township, where they were early settlers. They
had a large family, those who are now living being
Sarah C., wife of S. R. Burbank, of Olive Township;
Eliza, wife of Amos Armstrong, living in Bingham Township; Elmira, who married R. Ely and
lives in Livingston County; Henry, whose home is
in Gratiot County; Amy A., wife of J. Marshall, of
Newaygo County; and Mrs. Mattoon. To our subject and his wife there have been born two daughters, who are named respectively Clara I. and Lizzie
J. Husband and wife areheld in esteem by their
acquaintances, and with their children take an active part in the social movements of the neighborhood. Politically Mr. Mattoon is a Republican.
On account of disability incurred while in the service of his country, he is receiving a pension of
$12 per month. He and his wife belong to the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Mattoon will be
found on the opposite page.
YRON S. KNAPP, M. D.        Among the
leading physicians who are prosecuting professional labors in Owosso may well be
mentioned Dr. Knapp, who has a fine city
practice and a country ride that consumes much
time. He gives his preference to homeopathy,
believing it the most philosophical school of medicine and the manner in which he carries out its
principles commends it to others. He is a close
student of human nature in every particular which
bears upon disease and its cure, diagnoses acurately
an(d-is skillful in his treatment.
The paternal ancestors of Dr. Knapp were from
Holland and during the past few generations lived
in the East. His grandfather, Ebenezer Knapp,
was born in the Empire State and so too was his
father, Harry Knapp. The latter was born in
Greenbush, Rensselaer County, April 12, 1808, and
went to Ontario County when sixteen years old.
There he grew to manhood and married Miss Lilless
Simmons, a native of New York, whose father,
Ephraim  Simmons, was born in Massachusetts.
The maiden name of her mother was Bowen. The


Simmons family is of English stock. Mr. Knapp
was a cooper and followed his trade in his native
State until October, 1835, when he removed to
Michigan, settling in Washtenaw County. He then
gave his attention largely to general farming, occupying rural property until his disease, which
occurred in 1860. A widow and seven children
survived him and six of the latter are still living.
Dr. Knapp was born on the farm in Washtenaw
County, not far from Ann Arbor, February 10,
1845. He passed his boyhood in his native county,
attending the district school and bearing such part
as was suitable in the home work. He continued
his studies in the Union School in Ann Arbor and
after completing the course there entered the State
University and for two years was a diligent worker
in the medical department. He next entered the
Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from
which he was graduated June 25, 1874. Coming
at once to Shiawassee County he opened an office at
Byron where he carried on his work until August,
1882. He then removed to Owosso where he soon
had a good practice, which has increased from year
to year and now occupies his time quite fully.
Dr. Knapp was first married to Miss Martha
Webster of Washtenaw County, who died childless.
October 27, 1878, he brought to his home a second
wife, formerly Miss Nellie J. Hadsall of Byron,
Shiawassee County, but who was born in IPennsylvania, whence her parents, Perry  and Emma
(Bailey) Hadsall, had come. This union h:is been
blest by the birth of two children, a bright boy and
girl bearing the respective names of Carl J. and
Hazel. The powers of their minds are being developed and their parents take great interest in
their growth in learning and in their increasing
courtesy and strength of character.
Politically, Dr. Knapp is strongly in sympathy
with the Prohibition movement. The only social
order with which he is connected is Masonry, but
he belongs to several lodges-Owosso, No. 81, F.
& A. M., Owosso Chapter, No. 89, R. A. M., and
Fenton Commandery, No. 14, K. T. He belongs
to the Saginaw Valley Medical Society and the
State Homeopathic Medical Society, and through
their means and by a constant use of medical
journals keeps himself abreast of the times in pro



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUIM.


525


--— I


fessional knowledge and interest. He and his wife
are members in good standing of the Methodist
Episcopal Church and he is a member of the Board
of Stewards and Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
D. UNDERWOOD. The owner of the
farm located on section 13, New Haven
Township, Shiawassee County, was born in
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, March 24, 1841. His father was Edmund Underwood, a farmer and shoemaker by trade, and a native of Massachusetts in
which State he was born in 1803. He had the advantages of a common-school education and after
leaving school learned the shoemaker's trade. In
1824, he married Maria Arnold, who was born in
Connecticut about April, 1803. Not long after
their marriage the young couple went to Ohio about
the year 1833, where they purchased twenty acres
of land in Cuyahoga County. They remained in
Ohio for thirty-six years, when they sold their farm
and came to this State, locating in New Haven
Township where they purchased forty acres on
section 13.
Edmund Underwood had six children-three
daughters and three sons, of whom our subject is
the youngest. The parents of this family were
Wesleyan Methodists, of which body the father
was Steward. In politics he was a Republican.
Our subject's mother died in 1879, and the father
in 1886. They were both interred at West Haven.
He of whom we write received a common-school
education. When about seventeen years of age he
learned the carpenter's trade at which he worked
for nine years in Ohio.
Mr. Underwood came to Michigan and located
on the farm that he had purchased two years
previously while on a hunting trip. This purchase comprised eighty acres of which he sold
forty and then bought forty acres on section 14,
but in turn sold this and again purchased on section 13, where he at present resides. In 1860 he
was united in marriage to Abby Morse, a daughter
of Charles and Sarah (Payne) Morse, natives of
Maine. The family was composed of two sons and


five daughters, of whom Abby is the third child
and third daughter. She was born December 3,
1842.
Mr. and Mrs. Underwood have had six children,
whose names are, Adell R., Charles E., Everett C.,
Lucian O., Herbert P. and Blanche M. Charles E.
is married and lives in Owosso, his home being
gladdened by the advent of one little daughter; Everett is married and lives in New Haven;
Lucian is married and lives in Owosso. Mrs.
Underwood is a communicant in the Wesleyan
Methodist Church. Our subject is a Patron of Industry and is a member of Vernon Tent, No. 337,
K. O. T. M.
In politics Mr. Underwood was a Republican
until 1884. He served for several terms as Highway Commissioner and was elected Township
Treasurer, in which capacity he served for two
terms. He has now given his allegiance to the
Prohibition party and has been elected on that
ticket Justice of the Peace, which office he is now
(1891) filling. He is greatly interested in the
work of his party and goes as delegate to all the
conventions. In regard to his farming our subject
pays most attention to the breeding of stock,
particularly favoring Short-horn cattle, of which
he now has eight liead, all registered or eligible to
be registered. In 1886 he began to breed Berkshire swine and in 1888 he introduced Shropshire
sheep, of which he has seventeen head, all registered or eligible to registry.
I/RED. F. MURDOCK, proprietor of the
l~  Murdock Granite & Marble Works at St.
John's, is as plrosperous a young business man as the county seat boasts. He carries a
complete stock of marble, with fine varieties of
granite, and keeps a force of from five to ten men
employed in the shop, and two on the road. He
sends out fine work, which is produced from the
material in the rough, as he understands marbleworking from  that point. He is himself a fine
workman and for some time devoted his attention
entirely to fancy carving. He was born at Dexter,




526


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-
--


Washtenaw County, September 26, 1856, and is, as
his name denotes, of Scotch descent. His grandparents came from Scotland to Massachusetts and
later removed to this State, being among the
earliest settlers in Ypsilanti. Grandfather Murdock was a man of cultured mind and even when
he had passed the age of eighty years was able to
write a good hand and deliver an interesting sermon. He had the trade of a miller, but had taken
up work as a city missionary of the Presbyterian
faith. He labored in Louisville, Ky., for years
and died there when eighty-two years old.
Samuel W. Murdock, father of Fred. F., was
born in Massachusetts and was quite young when
brought to Ypsilanti. He learned the jeweler's trade
in Rochester, N. Y., when all kinds of jewelery
were made by hand, and for upwards of forty
years was enagaged in the jewelry business in Dexter, this State. He was an expert mechanic in both
gold and silver, and a prominent member of the
community. In politics he was a Republican and
his religious home was in the Congregational
Church. He died in the fall of 1882; his widow is
still living in Dexter, She bore the maiden name
of Mary McCagg, was born in Lockport, N. Y.,
and is a daughter of John McCagg, a native of the
Empire State, whose last years were spent in Indiana. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Murdock was
quite a large one and six of their sons and daughters lived to maturity. Fred is the youngest son,
but has two sisters younger than himself.
He of whom we write remained in his native
place until he was eighteen years of age and during the time attended the lower and high schools
and also did much work in the business establishment of his father. At the age noted he began
an apprenticeship at marble cutting in Ypsilanti
and after three and a half years there went to
Albion to become foreman and manager of Ira W.
Reed's Marble Works. He was in charge of tile
yards three and a half years then spent some time
in Marshall, where he confined himself entirely to
the finer kinds of cutting. In 1879 be engaged in
business in St. Louis, Gratiot County, as a member
of tle firm of Murdock & Martin. This company
started the pioneer marble works in that place, but
after a time the business changed hands and until


1885 was carried on by Murdock Bros. That year
the partnership was dissolved and the assets divided, and while the brother kept on there our subject brought a part of the stock to St. John's. tie
is doing a fine business and deriving a very satisfactory income from the work which he carries on
with so much enterprise and good judgment.
At the head of the household affairs in the happy
home of Mr. Murdock is the lady who became his
wife January 1, 1883. The ceremony was performed in St. Louis, near which place the bride was
born. She bore the maiden name of Ida Baker
and is a daughter of M. H. Baker, an early settler
in Gratiot County. Mr. and Mrs. Murdock have
one child, a son, Eugene. Mr. Murdock is a Knight
of the Maccabees and his religious home is in the
Congregational Church. He is a member of the
State Marble and Granite Dealers' Association. In
politics he is a Republican and he has represented
the local party as a delegate to county conventions.
IHe possesses personal traits that render him very
popular and as a citizen he is public-spirited and
always to be relied upon.


line of


KIRK   WHITE. The newspaper field
affords an opportunity for the display of
talent and the exercise of the powers of the
mind, that is scarcely known in any other
life. He who succeeds in this line must


have business tact of a high order, and if his influence is to be wide and deep, he must possess
qualities of character that are sterling and true.
It is therefore high praise to speak of a man as a
successful editor. Without flattery this can he said
of the subject of this sketch, who is editor and
proprietor of the Owosso Press in which he succeeded J. H. Champion & Co., who had carried on
the paper twenty-four years. The Press is an eightpage paper, 15x22 inches, and is the oldest journal
in the county. It is the only sheet pasted and
trimmed in the county, and the only Democratic
organ and its utterances on politics are fearless and
frank. It is neatly and well printed, the press and
office occupying two floors and the rooms being




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


527




the best equipped in the county. The printing is
done on a Taylor cylinder press and a Stonemitz
folder trims, pastes and folds the paper. Included
in the plr.nt are two job presses and a gas engine.
Mr. White was born in Owosso June 21, 1863,
and is the only son of Erastus and Anna A.
(Mather) White. His mother was born in Vermont
August 3, 1830, and was the daughter of Rufus
Mather of the same State. She traced her descent
in a straight line from Cotton Mather, the noted
minister of Colonial times. The father of our subject was born in Massachusetts March 30, 1828,
and was a son of Adriel White. For a time he
carried on a retail furniture business in Brattleboro, Vt., where he was married April 13, 1853. In
1856 he came to Owosso and started a planing-mill
in company with his brothers Wellington   and
Philetus D., under the style of White Bros. The
firm operated for a number of years, then sold out
to Woodard Bros., and Erastus White finally went
to Manhattan, Kan., where he is making his home
with a daughter and living a somewhat retired life.
Tile subject of this sketch attended the public
schools in Owosso and was graduated in the High
School class of '83, receiving two diplomas one
in Latin and one in the scientific course. The next
year he entered the State University from which he
was graduated in the class of '88 with the degree
of Bachelor of Philosophy. While in school he
was managing editor of the University Chronicle
and after completing his classical course he became
Superintendent of the schools in Fenton. EHe retained the position two years, then abandoned the
pedagogical field for that of journalism, and in
September, 1890, purchased the Owosso Press. This
sheet is issued on Wednesday of each week and in
its management Mr. White is finding sufficient use
for his talents and occupation for his time.
Mr. White was married June 27, 1889 to Miss
Ida Belle Durkee. She is a native of this State,
and having lived in Owosso for some years is well
known in the best society here. She and her husband belong to the First Baptist Church and Mr.
White is Treasurer of the society. A stanch Democrat, he is Chairman of the City Democratic
Committee and is one of the most efficient workers
in the local ranks. He was elected by the Board of


Supervisors June, 1891, County School Examiner
for the term of two years. Mr. and Mrs. White
occupy a pleasant residence where the housewifely
skill and refined tastes of Mrs. White are manifest,
and to which the intelligence and social qualities of
the wife attract an interesting circle.
W. WARNER, one of the early settlers
of Hazelton Township, Shiawassee County,
and a son of William H. Warner, a native
of Farmington, Conn., resides on section 27, where
le has a highly cultivated farm. His father is of
English descent, and was born July 5, 1792. He
was a cooper by trade and later in life pursued the
calling of a farmer. lie married Polly Gill, a
native of Preble, Cortland County, N. Y., who was
born May 10, 1797. The paternal grandfather of
our subject was a hero in the Revolutionary War
and freely gave his services for the defence of Independence.
After their marriage in New York State, the
parents of our subject resided there for a number
of years and in 1825 lemoved to Pennsylvania
where they settled in Potter County on a farm
which was all wild land. They improved the farm
and put it in a good state of cultivation. Three
children were granted to them  two of whom are
now living. The father took an interest in politics
and belonged to the Democratic party. He hleld
the office of Justice of the Peace and all other
township offices, was a prominent man in his neigh|lorhlood and became County Commissioner. He
was a member of the Universalist Church. HIis
death occurred Novembier 1,1861,and his wife died
January 10, 1877.
Our subject was the second child in this family
I and was born August 11, 1824 in Preble, Cortland
County, N  Y.   He received a common-school
education and remained at home until he reached
the age of twenty-one years, learning the trade of
a carpenter and joiner, in addition to the usual
duties of a farm boy. He was united in marriage
with Susan Latta, January 14, 1850.
This lady is a daughter of William J. and Sarah




528


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


(White) Latta, natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively. The paternal grandfather James
Latta, a native of Ireland, came to America when
a boy with his parents and married Sarah Jackson,
a native of the Empire State. He was a soldier in
the War of 1812, and the maternal grandfather
John White, a Pennsylvanian, fought in the Revolutionary War. The parents of Mrs. Warner were
married in New York and moved to Pennsylvania
in 1836, settling in Potter County on a farm adjoining Mr. Warner's. Thus their young people
grew up together and their long acquaintance fitted
them for a harmonious companionship. Mrs. Latta
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
She was born March 5, 1796 and died August 15,
1869. Mr. Latta was in his political preferences a
Democrat. Hle was born August 28, 1792 and died
March 5, 1881. They were the parents of nine
children, two of whom are still living.
Mrs. Warner had ier nativity, December 21,
1821 in Steuben County, N. Y., and there received
a district school education. After her marriage to
Mr. Warner, they remained in Pennsylvania and
he worked for some time at hlis trade. In the fall
of 1852 they started West, going to Detroit and
from there to Pontiac by railroad, reaching Flint
by stage and then by ox-team traveling to Shiawassee County, they settled in Hazelton Township,
on section 34. There were then but eight men in
this township and only one of those is now living.
The new farm was entirely unbroken and Indians
and wild game abounded. They had a capital of
$600 when they started from Pennsylvania and
with that they had to buy everything they liad to
eat, wear and use for some time. At that time he
could not get an opportunity for a day's work.
Corunna was the nearest town and it was twelve
miles away.
Mr. Warner built a board shanty and housed his
family and then began clearing the land with
which he progressed slowly. He bought eighty
acres of land and dug the first well in the township.
Both he and his wife suffered from ague. After
clearing off seventy acres of land lhe built the
house and barn which now appears upon the farm.
Two children blessed this pioneer home, William
L. born August 10, 1854, who married Lena


Largen and lives at Monette, Mo.; they have three
children. George W. born February 9, 1859,
married Emma Fuller and has two children; they
live on the homestead. Our subject is connected
with the Masonic order and takes an interest in
politics being a Democrat in his views. He has
been the Township Treasurer and for many years
Justice of the Peace, and has filled the offices of
Supervisor and Township Clerk. Mr. and Mrs.
Warner have now retired from active work and
for several years she has been an invalid. They
have lived here now for thirty-nine years and have
seen this country grow from its rough condition
when wild cats abounded, venison was the principal meat and ox-teams the only means of conveyance, to its present prosperous and populous condition, having every facility for railroad travel and
connection by the great lines of the telegraph with
every part of the world.
W~>ILLIAM D. and ARTHUR GARRISON,
who constitute the firm of Garrison Bros.,
are among the most prominent business
men of Shiawassee County, and probably control a
larger amount of the business of Vernon than any
other two residents of that place. Their extensive
interests have made them widely known and their
sketch will therefore be received with interest by
many of our readers.
William Garrison, the father of the brotiers,
was born in New Jersey, in 1803, and when a
young man went to New York, settling in Seneca
County, where he met and married Miss Mary
Pinney, a native of the Empire State, born in 1806.
After three years, accompanied by his wife, he emigrated Westward, locating in Oakland County, in
1836. A year later he took up his residence on
section 7, Vernon Township, Shiawassee County,
in a little log cabin situated in the midst of eighty
acres of unin)proved land. He at once began
clearing and developing a farm and there made a
good home which continued to be his place of residence until his death, which occurred in 1858.
His wife died four years previous. They were




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


529




I




leading citizens of the community, respected by all
who knew them, and took an active part in public
affairs. They were one of three families who organized the first Congregational Church in Vernon.
For many years Mr. Garrison served as Justice of
the Peace, and was Treasurer of the Township.
One of nature's noblemen, he had many friends,
but few, if any, enemies. All who knew him respected and honored him.
In the Garrison family were six children, two
of whom died in infancy, W. D., the senior member of the firm of Garrison Bros., is third in order
of birth and the eldest child now living. He was
born in Seneca County N. Y., August 9, 1835, and
was about two years old when his parents came
with their family to Michigan. His education was
acquired in the district schools of tie neighborhood
and in Vernon. When a young man he learned
the carpenter's trade, which he followed for four
years, but during the greater part of his life he has
engaged in mercantile pursuits. In March, 1857,
he formed a partnership with Milo Harrington, and
the firm establsihed a general merchandise store in
a small building near the Detroit, Grand Haven
and Milwaukee depot, bu after about eight months
Mr. Garrison sold out to his partner, who continued
the lbusiness. Arthur Garrison is a native of this
State, his birth having occurred in Oakland Countv on the 26th of September, 1837. His literary education was also acquired in the public
schools and under the parental roof he was reared
to manhood. On the first of March, 1859, a partnership was formed between the two brothers under
the firm name of W.. &e A. Garrison. Their
stock of general merchandise was displayed for
sale in a one-story wooden building, which occupied the present site of M.ID.  Rhodes' hardware
store. Some time later Arthur sold out to his
brother and engaged in other business. Subsequently, however, he returned to Vernon and built
and occupied a store on the site of their present
building. There were then two Garrison stores in
the place, but eventually a second partnership was
formed and W. D. moved his goods into Arthur's
store. In the month of April, 1872, a disastrous
fire occurred in Vernon, nearly the whole of the
business portion of tile town being destroyed. The


Garrison Bros. store and much of the stock of
goods was burned to ashes, but with characteristic
energy these gentlemen secured a room and on the
next day were again selling goods. They soon had
a temporary store erected, and almost immediately
work was commenced on the front part of their
present building, which was ready for occupancy
the same fall. The store was of brick, 36x 70 feet,
and three stories high with a basement, but so rapidly did the business increase that their quarters
were found insufficient. and in 1880, the rear end of
the building was taken out and the store made 30
feet longer. At present its dimensions are 36x100
feet, and the firm occupies the entire three stories
which are filled with a complete line of dry goods,
groceries, carpets, crockery, boots and shoes, etc.
The building is warmed by steam and lighted with
gas, has every modern convenience and is so complete in its appointments that it would grace many
a city much larger than Vernon.
In 1858, W. D. Garrison was united in marriage
with Miss Janet Paine, who was born in Orleans
County, N. Y. in 1836, and is the eldest daughter
of J. W. and Eliza (Hill) Paine. Unto them have
been born five children, four sons and a daughter,
of whom two are living. William is blind. IIe
graduated from a blind institute, of Boston, Mass.,
and is now married and has one child, Glenn.
Charles B. graduated from Ann Arbor University in 1890. Frankie, Claude and Maud died
when young. Mr. Garrison, the father, is a Knight
Templar Mason, belonging to Vernon Lodge, No.
21, A. F. & A. M.
We have before stated that the firm of Garrison
Bros. is the leading business firm of Vernon. In
addition to their mercantile interests they own and
operate a grain elevator, a roller process flouring
mill and a creamery, and in connection with the latter
is a commodious refrigerator which gives them
extra facilities for preserving butter, eggs and
poultry. In 1888, the business done by the firm
anounted to upwards of $190,000. They paid out
during the year, over $4,300, for freight bills; they
bought 5,700 bushels of wheat for which they
paid $54,000; bought 30,000 bushels of oats, paying for the same, $7,800; 1,475 bushels of clover
seed, paying $7,786; they bought and made 152,100




530


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


pounds of butter, valued at $30,200; bought 38,000
pounds of poultry, at $3,250; bought 80,250 dozen
eggs, at a cost of $14,000; the sales of the store
amounted to $57,256; and the estimated mill sales
were $15,400. After giving the above figures, it
seems superfluous to mention anything about the
business ability of the Garrison Bros. It takes
enterprise, industry, perseverance and good management to build up such a business as they now
control. In every branch of industry which they
have undertaken they have met with success and
their prosperity is justly deserved. Their dealings
with their fellow-men have ever been marked with
courteous treatment and the strictest integrity.
They have the confidence and good will of all with
whom they have come in contact, are widely known
in business circles throughout the State and have a
reputation for fairness which has won them the
respect which is justly their due. In addition to
his other interests, W. D. Garrison is connected
with the First National Bank of Corunna, Mich.
as its President and Director.
-'J  ENJAMIN B. HARDY. The name of this
gentleman is well known in Shiawassee
County and the surrounding country, as
that of a man much interested in the breeding of fine stock, particularly of the noted Holstein
cattle. He is located six miles south of Owosso in
Bennington Township, on a farm consisting of two
hundred and sixty acres, upon which many improvements have been made and convenient ar.
rangemeuts for the carrying on of the work to which
the owner gives his attention. Conspicuous among
the farm buildings is a barn 50x75 feet, placed
with the side to the road with a wing forty-five
feet square. Mr. Hardy breeds Clydesdale horses,
Poland-China hogs and thoroughbred sheep, but
his chief dependence is upon cattle, which he began
breeding nine years ago, and which he has exhibited at local fairs, and always with excellent results.
The patronymic of the family was originally McHard, but the prefix was dropped during the early




I


life of our subject's father. That gentleman, John
Hardy, was left an orphan when about seven years
old, and lived with a family named Kellogg, and
was reared under their care in Ohio. He married
Esther Chapin, a native of Massachusetts, but at the
time of their marriage a resident of Ohio. They
reared eleven children, seven of whom are now living, but Benjamin is the only one in this State. He
was was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, November 7, 1836, and remained at home until he was almost of age, assisting his father in dairy work, and
working out by the month, his time being given
him. He spent a year thus engaged in Wisconsin,
then returned to his native State and carried on a
farm until 1866, when he removed to this State and
settled on his present farm January 22. At that
time there were but forty acres cleared, and the
only building on the tract was a small log house.
Mr. Hardy bought this property in 1864, paying
$20 per acre, those being days of high prices when
wheat commanded $2.60 per bushel.
Mr. Hardy has a sugar-bush of one thousand
trees, from which he manufactures nearly one thousand pounds of choice sugar each season. He has
a sugar-house especially prepared for this work.
He has a herd of twenty-three thoroughbred Holstein cattle, the chief being iWinona Jumbo," No.
15811. It is a fine animal that was bred by W. K.
Sexton, of Holly. Mr. Hardy is also the owner of
the noted "Shiawassee," which was bred by Forbes,
of Stockbridge, and which weighed twenty-three
hundred pounds when three years old, and took two
premiums. In the herd there are also the fouryear-old cow, "Anna," which gives forty quarts of
milk daily, and the three-year-old heifer "Deraxa,"
that weighed fourteen hundred pounds when two
years old. Mr. Hardy keeps animals of the Netherland and Alexander families, that are noted for
their fine looks and their excellent milking and
beef qualities, as well as for the ease of their keeping.
December 21, 1865, the interesting ceremony
was performed that made Miss Elearfor Marshall
Mrs. B. B. Hardy. The bride was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, September 12, 1842, where her
marriage took place. Her parents were Willard
and Mary (Cheney) Marshall. To her judicious




II


qp,:$


RESIDENCE OF BENJAMIN B. HARDY, SEC. 13.,BENNINGTON TP., SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.




I




PORTRAIr rAND BITOGRAPHIC~AL ALBUM.~


533


PORTRT A BI


management of household expenditures and her
sympathy and counsel, Mr. Hardy owes a measure
of his success in life, as when they began working
together they had no capital except what was needed
to pay for their farm and start them at housekeeping with a limited amount of household goods.
Their family consists of one son, Burrill, who was
born August 2, 1867. He has always remained on
the farm. and is now working in connection with
his father. He was married February 19, 1890, to
Miss Cora Payne, daughter of William and Ros.
anna (London) Payne, who was born July 8, 1871.
Mr. Hardy is a methodical and regular worker,
and without neglecting his affairs finds time to take
an active part in all movements tending to advance
the interests of the agricultural class. He also fills
some local office, and at present is serving his second year as Justice of the Peace. Politically he is
a Republican. He has a good library, containing
many standard works, and he makes use of the
Statutes of Michigan in regulating his decisions as
a Justice. Personally he is whole-souled, jovial,
and fond of what he considers innocent amusements, which include dancing and the use of cards
in his home.
A view of the residence in which Mr. Hardy and
his family are pleasantly domicile(d, is shown elsewhere in this volume. It is the abode of hospitality, and the frequent resort of their many friends.
VW    ILLIAM   W. JONES. The population of
our country is of so compositive a nature
that whether a man is from England, China,
or Timbuctoo, causes very little comment, but the
nationality certainly has much to do with the characteristics of the man and the degree of success
that he acquires. Our subject is of Welsh extraction, and his whole life has been characterized by
the vigor and energy and stick-to-itiveness for
which his people are known. He owns a fine farm
on section 35, Venice Township, Shiawassee County,
and has made of his purchase a very desirable dwelling place.
The father of our subject was Henry Jones, a


native of Wales, whence he came to America at
the age of seventeen years, first locating in Canada.
He was an iron manufacturer, which trade he acquijed in his native land, later he became a farmer.
Personally Henry Jones was a quiet, unpretentious
man, a careful student and ever watchful to turn
every opportunity to his own advantage. While
in Canada he met our subject's mother, whose
maiden name was Mary (Cane) Jones, a native of
Pennsylvania. They continued to reside in Canada until death claimed him for his own. They
were members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church,
in which body the father was a Class-Leader and
also Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He died
in 1880; the mother still survives, aged seventytwo years. They were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are now living.
Our subject is the fifth child born to his parents
and made his advent into the world October 22,
1844. Iis early childhood was passed in his native place, where he remained until manhood. From
his father he learned the business of roller and polisher of iron, and after finishing school, worked at
this trade until he was of age. He received a good
district school education, and was fitted on leaving
home to successfully meet and cope with the difficulties of life. Ite first went to Oswego, N. Y.,
and from there came to Michigan in 1865.
Oni coming into the State, Mr. Jones first settled
in Bennington Township, where he employed himself in getting out logs. This occupation, however, lasted but a short time, and lie went to
Saginaw County, where he spent a winter in the
pineries. After the year of hard work spent in
felling and preparing logs for market, he came to
Venice Township and took a job with two other
men of clearing fifty-one acres of land. The contract was let by George Martin, and lie completed
it and ten acres besides, the same spring. The next
fall he succeeded in finishing ten acres more, and
the same winter pursued the same course of energetic work and cleared five acres for a man by the
name of Len Johnson, besides chopping one hundred and two cords of wood.
In 1866 the gentleman of whom we write set up
a home, inviting Hannah Sophia Cronkhite, daughter of Sheldon and Hannah (Jones) Cronkhite, to




534


PO RTRAIT ANDT BIOG RAPHIPCAL ALBUM.


34       POR  I AD BA    A


preside over the domestic realm. Mrs. Jones was
born October 22, 1847, in this township. Her parents are still living. In girlhood she received a
district-school education, and even then was noted
for being a most capable housewife. After their
marriage they made their home with Mrs. Jones'
father, working the farm for him the space of one
and one-half years.
The original of our sketch, feeling that he must
acquire a home for himself, purchased thirty-three
acres on section 22. It was somewhat improved.
It proved to be a speculation, for he sold it a short
time after, and with the proceeds purchased forty
acres on section 23, Venice Township. It was a
dense woods, and our subject at once set about
chopping and clearing ten acres of the land. He
again sold and then purchased forty acres on section 26; this also was new land, and to it he soon
added forty more, and after putting some improvements upon it again sold when he rented a farm of
Mr. Savage, where he remained for two years, then
purchasing eighty acres of land whereon he now
lives.
Mr. Jones' new home seemed not very prepossessing, for what was not dense woods, was a dismal swanp, and the work of clearing and draining
seemed a Herculean task. He built a log cabin,
chopped logs and cleared the land and ditched the
swamp in order to drain it. It proved to he his
permanent home, and the improvements that he
has put upon it have changed the aspect of the
place altogether. Besides this farm he owns eighty
acres in Tuscola County. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are
childless. They are not unbelievers in religion,
although not members of any religious body. He
takes an interest in politics, casting his vote with
Democratic party, but the man is more to him than
the party.
Our subject has a large practice in his township
as a farrier, employing the allopathic system in his
treatment. EIe has given more or less attention to
this profession all his life, and has been very successful. His farm is well-improved, he having put
sixty-five acres under cultivation.  He devotes
himself to general farming, perhaps favoring the
raising oi stuck. HIe has a full-blooded Jersey cow
and also many others that are three-quarter blooded.


He is also the owner of a very fine four-year-old
roadster, sired by Joe Gaven. Our subject was absolutely empty-handed when he began life, and he
has acquired what he has by the hardest labor.
_, --- —. — Hgg; --
SAAC O. YOUNG, a prominent young farmer
and stock-raiser, residing on section 24, Essex
Township, Clinton County, is a native of Western New York, and was born July 28, 1853. His
father, who has now passed away was William
Young, and his mother bore the maiden name of
Mary A. Van Dorne. She is a native of New Jersey, and his father he believes to have been born in
New York. He was only an infant of some six
months when his parents brought him to Micligan,
making their first Western home on the farm where
he now resides.
William Young was a representative pioneer,
making his home in the woods, enduring hardships
and laboring hard to reduce the wilderness to a
state of civilization. Of his children six survive,
namely: James, William, Lyman, Catherine, (Mrs.
J. J. Bishop,) Alice, (Mrs. Luther Cleland,) and
Isaac. He was a Democrat in his political views,
and a man of public spirit, and in his death the
county lost one of her best men. His widow resides in Greenbush Township, this county, with
her eldest daughter, and is now in her seventyeighth year.
Isaac Young has seen this county grow from its
primitive condition to its present state of culture
and prosperity, and has been a life-long agriculturist. His schooling was taken in the log schoolhouses of the early day, and he there received an
impetus, which has resulted in making him a selfeducated man. He was married July 3, 1874, to
Anne Schlarf, who was born in Wheeling, W. Va.,
September 13, 1858, and came to Michigan in 1866,
a daughter of Henry Schlarf. By their union there
have been born five children, of whom the following are living: Lizzie, horn May 25, 1875; Vora,
August 12, 1881; Willie, May 19, 1883, and Loys
C. May 15, 1891.
Mr. Young owns two hundred acres of land




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


535.


which he has thoroughly improved and placed in a
good state of cultivation, and he has by his own
efforts attained to the prosperity which is now his.
He is public spirited and enterprising, one of the
most progressive of the agriculturists of Essex
Township, and is meeting with success.
AVID G. STEEL, a brother of Robert M.
Steel, who is engaged with him in the furniture and undertaking business, is one of
the prominent young business men of St
John's. He was born in Craftsbury, Orleans
County, Vt., November 3, 1853. The parents
were of Scotch birth, both being born in Glasgow,
and the family is an old Scotch family. The
father was a carpenter and when a young man
came to this country and made his home in Vermont for a few years. He afterward went back to
Glasgow and brought his bride to America, making
his home in Craftsbury and engaging in building
and contracting. He put up many public buildings as well as residences and built up a fine business. His wife's maiden   name was Margaret
Moody. She was a daughter of William Moody,
a merchant, who also came to this country and engaged in business in Craftsbury. Hie was very
successful in the mercantile line and bought large
tracts of land which he cultivated and on which
he carried on a dairy business. He had at one
time one thousand acres, and lived to the extreme
age of ninety-seven years. The father of our subject was a Republican in his political views and an
Elder in the Presbyterian Church. His wife came
West after his death and made her home with her
son, Robert M., at whose home she (lied.
Of the thirteen children of Mr. and Mrs. Steel
ten grew to maturity and seven are now living.
Of these the youngest is our subject. He had advantages of excellent district schools in Craftsbury,
and remained there until 1870, when he came to
St. John's. Here he attended Union Schools for
three years and then went to Illinois with his
brother Robert as foreman of a company of men,
as he had contracted to build the railroad between


Vincennes, Ind., and Cairo, Ill. He was with his
brother for seven months and then returned to St.
John's, after which he went to the North Woods,
at Hamilton, Gratiot County, as clerk for his
brother in a store. After staying with him a year
he took a clerkship in a retail furniture store at St.
John's, which was connected with the St. John's
Manufacturing Company.
In 1887 the brothers undertook the present
business, which they established in partnership.
They carry both furniture and an undertaker's
stock, filling two floors in a large double store.
No establishment in Central Michigan can excel
them in a fine and large display of furniture. An
event of great importance in the life of this young
man took place in St. John's in 1883. It was his
marriage to Miss Nellie Wood, a native of Ionia
County and a daughter of Joseph Wood. This
lady was brought up and received her education
in this city and has a large circle of friends with
whom she is a great favorite. Mr. Steel is an ardent Republican, but a man who has little to do
with politics except to embody his own opinions in
his vote.
4      HARLES DAY, one of the most prominent
citizens of DeWitt Township, and a man
worthy of note, morally, socially and intellectually, was born in Genesee County, N. Y.,
August 6, 1832. His father, Elijah, was born in
Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1802, and his grandfather, Pelatiah, was born at Salem, Mass., about
1776. The great-gralndfather, Abner Day, was a
native of England who emigrated to America in
the seventeenth century, and made his home at Salem, Mass. There he engaged in farming, and died
at a ripe old age.
The grandfather of our subject, Pelatiah Day,
was both a farmer and a millwright. He was also
a shoemaker and tailor and carpenter and joiner
and a preacher. He built a great many mills and
dams, and was a prosperous man for those days,
being worth at his death about $3,000. His wife.
whose maiden name was Rosetta Barker, reared six
children, namely, Elijah, James, Sylvester, Sallie,




536


PFORT~RAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC~AL ALBUM.


536     POTRI AND BIGRPHCA ALBUM.


Charles P. and Roxina. He settled in Genesee
County, N. Y., in the town of Batavia, and lived
there. He was a preacher in the Free Will Baptist
Church and served as an itinerant minister. He
was a man of learning and well-versed in Greek
and Latin, and was a Whig in politics.
Elijah Day, the father of our subject, owned
one hundred and sixty acres of land in Genesee
County, N. Y., where he was a large stock-raiser.
He was a very active member of the Free Will
Baptist Church, and kept a regular hotel for
preachers. He was a Whig and a strong Abolitionist, and later attached himself to the Republican party. He died in 1884, and at his death was
worth some $12,000. His wife, Minerva Barden,
a native of Lima, Monroe County, N. Y., was born
in 1805 and brought up on a farm. Of her six
children five grew to maturity, namely, Jerome,
Charles, Almira (MIrs. Case), Elijah Jr., Emory L.,
and Albert died in infancy. The mother was
a member of the Baptist Church. but much inclined to Spiritualism. She died at the age of
sixty-nine years. Her father, Isaac Barden, was
born near Albany, N. Y., and was an extensive
farmer, hlaving about four hundred acres. He was
a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Ciurch and
an ardent Republican and Abolitionist.
Charles Day lived in Genesee County, N. Y.,
until he reached the age of twenty-three years.
There he attended the Caryville Collegiate Seminary at Oakfield, spending three years in that institution. He traveled for twelve years for the
Mt. Hope Nursery of Rochester, N. Y., and was
sent to Michigan in 1855. He traveled extensively in this State, and when his brother, Jerome
Day, who had located here, died, Charles took his
farm in 1856, and ran it and the fruit tree business
together.
At that time the country was still new, and the
farm was mainly timber, six acres of which has
been girdled and the rest was uncleared. Indians,
wild deer and turkeys abounded and our subject
was on very friendly terms with the red men. He
now has about sixty-five acres of this land in excellent condition.
Upon March 31, 1856, Mr. Day took to wife
Nancy Boughton, who was born in Batavia, N. Y.,


March 4, 1832. No children have been granted to
them. The home farm contains eighty acres. and
Mr. Day owns one hundred and thirty acres in
Genesee County, N. Y. He built his large frame
barn in 1864, and his attractive and commodious
home was erected in 1874. He has hired most of
his farming done, as he has largely devoted himself to the study and relief of physical suffering.
In 1875 he began the study of the diseases of the
human body, and since then has made a specialty
of doctoring. He is a man of wonderful magnetic power and uses no medicines, but simply
rubs the patient and draws the disease from  him.
Ile claims to cure typhoid fever in twenty-four
hours, and has all the practice that he can attend
to, and goes hundreds of miles to treat cases. lie
is a Spiritualist in his religious views.
Our subject was for many years a Democrat in
his political views, but now adheres to the Union
Labor party. He has held every township office
here, except that of constable. He goes East every
year to look after his farm in New York. He
bears a strong resemblance to James G. Blaine and
ex-Governor Luce, and is often mistaken for the
latter. He never charges for services to the poor,
and has no doubt a remarkable power, as he has
cured hundreds.
AMES GOODSELL is a farmer and resides
on section 12, Watertown Township, Clinton County, where he owns one hundred
and sixty acres of rich land, well improved
with a fine dwelling and large barns. Mr. Goodsell bought this farm about seventeen years ago,
paying cash down for it, all of which he had
earned by his own labor as he has never inherited
a dollar. He is the son of Daniel and Alice
(Williams) Goodsell, natives of the State of New
York, where this son was also born April 26,
1829. He was thrown upon his own resources at
the age of nine years and worked for his board
until he was twelve years old. He then met Mr.
A. C. Otis, of Wayne County, Mich., and contracted to work for him until he was twenty-one




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


537


- —
--------- -I ---' ----I- --- ------— i` ---
----


years of age. He was to receive his board and
clothes and when twenty-one he was to have three
suits and $100 in cash. All of this Mr, Otis performed to the letter when the young man arrived
at his majority.
Mr. Otis now hired him, paying him $14 per
month the year through, although wages at that
time and there were about $10 a month, or $120
a year, for general laborers. At the age of twentythree this young man was joined in marriage with
his first wife, who was Miss Lucy Otis. He then
rented the large farm of his wife's uncle, consisting of five hundred acres, and managed it on
shares. This marriage took place in April, 1852.
His wife died in 1856, leaving two children. The
eldest, Dillie, married James Ford and resides in
Wayne County, this State.   Alice, the second
daughter, died when two years old.
After remaining a widower for over two years
Mr. Goodsell was happily married in March, 1858,
to Mrs. Delia Harris, a daughter of Mr. Wilmarth,
also a native of the Empire State. This union
ha& been blessed with five children, whose names
are: Hattie, Mrs. Hurd; Alice, Mrs. Forward; Edward, who is married to Clara Gross, and resides on
the farm with his father; Ida, Mrs. Alfred Ide;
and Beulah, who is single and lives with her
father. Mrs. Goodsell departed this life in 1890.
Mr. Goodsell's political belief is in accord with
the principles of the Democratic party. He has
been a Mason for about thirty-five years and belongs to Lodge No. 272, A. F. & A. M., at DeWitt.
ILSON LEE owns and occupies one of the
well-improved farms, so many of which
are to be found in Clinton County. His
property consists of seventy-four acres on section
13, Eagle Township, and is not only well cultivated but has been improved with good buildings,
sufficiently numerous and ample to answer every
need. The parents were Wilson and Mary (Lerew) Lee, who were of Irish descent but lived in
the State of New York. There the son was born
January 30, 1829, and reared on a farm. He at

tended the district schools and in the intervals of
study worked on the home farm and did not leave
his parents until he was of age. During the Civil
War Mr. Lee had the care of the family and did
not entered the service until the fall of 1864. He
enlisted September 1 in Company E, Eighteenth
Michigan Infantry, was attached to the Army of
the Cumberland and took part in all the engagements of Sherman's march to the sea. tIe was not
wounded, but in the winter while cutting timber to
put up winter quarters a log rolled over on him
and injured his spine so that he was unable to do
any work for some time.
When Mr. Lee entered the army he left a wife
and three children, the youngest but two months
old. When he was discharged he returned to his
home and tried to carry on a farm, but found himself so illy adapted for farm work on account of
the injury he had received that he gave it up
after a year. He then turned his attention to
hotel-keeping in Carson City, Montcalm County,
but after living in town four years returned to
the country. In 1887 he bought the land on
which he now lives, but it is carried on by his son.
Mr. Lee is drawing a small pension, but as he has
been seriously disabled he is deserving of a larger
sum than $8 per month.
The marriage of Mr. Lee and IHelen T. Charles
was solemnized November 26, 1851. Mrs. Lee
was born November 26, 1828, in Genesee County,
N. Y., whence her parents, Mrs. Bliss Charles,
came to Jackson County, this State, in 1836. Of
the children born of the happy union we note the
following: Octavia L., born August 21, 1857, has
been twice married: her first husband was Herman
A. Lyon, and three children were born of this
marriage. Her present husband is Horace Hulse
and her home in Eaton County. Viola E. was
born December 19, 1860, married Eddy Doty, has
two children and lives in Eagle Township; Lunetta
Z. was born July 20, 1862,.and died in infancy.
William B. was born July 7, 1864, and lives on
the home farm; he was married to Avilla Hartford November 26, 1890.
The fitness of Mr. Lee for work in which he
would advance the interests of the community has
been recognized by his election to the positions of




538


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Highway Commissioner, Justice of the Peace and
a member of the School Board. As Justice he
has served three years. He is a member of Joseph
Mason Post, No. 248, G. A. R., and Mrs. Lee is
an active member of the Ladies' Relief Corps, No.
182. Mr. Lee is also a Master Mason, belonging
to Lodge No. 354, in Wacousta. Politically he
is a Republican. He and his wife are held in
esteem by their acquaintances far and near.
ILLARD    KING   is a prosperous farmer
who resides on section 22, of Watertown
Township, where hie has one hundred acres
of as finely improved land as there is in Clinton
County.   His beautiful home is surrounded by
handsome grounds and his excellent barns and
out buildings are sufficient to establish a reputation as a first-class farmer, both thorough and systematic.
Our subject is a son of David and Electa (McKee)
King, natives of Massachusetts, who were early
settlers of New York, as they went from the Bay
State to Monroe County many years ago. There
their son Willard was born, January 8, 1821, and
there his early life was spent. IHe received farm
training and a district-school education and worked
for and with his father until he reached the age
of twenty-one.
Mr. King came to Michigan in 1846 and made
his first home in Eagle Township, Clinton County,
where he bought the beautiful farm upon which
he now resides. This was then all unbroken forest and he did genuine pioneer work in subduing
the wilderness. He made a clearing, planted a
home and brought his family to this Western wild.
Besides cutting the trees it was necessary for him
to remove an immense amount of stumps and stones,
but this was accomplished through the perseverence, energy and industry of our subject and it
is now all in a high state of cultivation and so
smooth that a binder can be run over every rod
of the land.
The marriage of our subject had taken place


about three years before he came West. He was
wedded in October, 1843, to Edna Lowell.'a daughter of Josiah Lowell, who came to Michigan in
1839, from Essex County, N. Y., where she was
born March 2, 1821. For a further account of
the family from which Mrs. King sprang please
see the sketch of Mr. Othman W. Lowell.
This union has been blessed by the birth of
three interesting children, who have all grown to
maturity and have taken their places in the world,
where they are an honor to the parents and a blessing to the community. Benjamin F. was born
April 20, 1845. He is married to Sarah Hamill, a
daughter of B. F. Hamill, of Riley Township, Clinton County, and resides on section 23, of Water.
town Township, the same county, where he has
sixty acres of fine land; Frances, born February
26, 1851, is the wife of R. Noble Lee and resides
in Watertown Township; H. Melva was born October 6, 1857. While not engaged in her professional duties as a teacher she makes her home with
her parents. To her as to all their children Mr. and
Mrs. King have given the advantages of a firstclass education.
Mr. King is a man of high intelligence and keenly
alive to all matters of public interest. In politics
he is a stalwart Republican but cares little for office. He has been Highway Commissioner and
built the first iron bridge in the township, which he
put across the Looking Glass River. Our subject
has been Deputy Sheriff, for four years, of this
county.
HARLES S. REEVES. The publishers of
this ALBUM would do injustice to the village
of Ovid, Clinton County, were they to omit
from this volume a record of the life of the gentleman above named, who is proprietor of a wellknown paper. This sheet is the "Register Union,"
an independent weekly, with a subscription list of
fifteen hundred. It is a bright, newsy sheet, in the
columns of which are to be found interesting local
items, the important facts of general news, and
terse, clear-cut editorials on varied topics. The
circulation of the paper has been brought up from




PORTRAIT AND BIOG RAPHICAL ALBUM.


539


PORTRAI ANDBIOGRAPHICALALBUM..


three hundred and the business is in a promising
state. Mr. Reeves is a quick-witted, observant
man, on the alert to glean information that would
be of value in his work, and eager to make of his
publication a force even greater than present circumstances will admit. Knowing that every enterprise that reaches a good height must have a gradual growth, he is well satisfied with his progress
so far.
Mr. Reeves belongs to an excellent family, his
father being a minister of the Episcopal Church,
and his mother a woman of pronounced character.
The names of his parents were Abram and Anna
M. (Young) Reeves, and they were born respectively in Warren, Ohio, and Mayville, N. Y. The
son was born in Rushville, Ind., December 5, 1853,
and spent his life to the age of eighteen years with
his parents. His educational privileges were confined to the common schools of the various villages in which his parents lived, and he did not
advance beyond the common branches. At the
age of sixteen years he began to learn the printer's
trade in Kentland, Ind., from which place he went
to Cannelton, where he remained about two years
and a half. By this time he had a good knowledge
of the newspaper business and the "art preservative
of all arts."
Our subject then came to this State, and for six
months was located at Mendon, St. Joseph County.
Thence he came to Ovid early in August, 1873,
and he and A. D. Carrier purchased the Ovid
"Register". The partnership continued six years
when Mr. Reeves sold his interest to Irving Carrier, son of his former partner, and entered upon
the sale of books and stationery. In November,
1885, Mr. Reeves and George P. Allen bought the
Register and continued the publication jointly
until the decease of Mr. Allen, which occurred in
the fall of 1887. A year prior to this date the
partners had bought the Union and had begun
the publication of the Register Union in which
it was their object to combine the excellencies of
the two publications that had formerly been issued.
Since the death of his partner Mr. Reeves has
become the sole proprietor of the plant and is carrying on the work alone. Having a thorough
knowledge of the business, he is able to systema

tize it and to make choice of efficient help in the
mechanical departments.
Mr. Reeves has a pleasant home, brightened by
the presence of two sons. The wife to whom he
was married May 25, 1875, was known in her
maidenhood as Miss Augusta Joines, and was at
that time living in Ovid, where she has many
friends. The children whose presence, adds to the
attractiveness of the home are Homer E., who was
born April 15, 1881, and Lawrence A., March 4,
1888. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves have lost one son,
their first-born, Freddie, who was born March 25,
1876, and lived to be but eleven months old.
In his political sympathy Mr. Reeves is a Republican. He has held the office of Township Clerk
seven years, and has been a member of the Village
Board, and is now its Secretary. For four years
he has been a member of the School Board. He
takes a warm interest in the progress of education
and in other public enterprises that are of an elevating nature.
W I N       K N I G HT, a sexagenarian and
respected citizen of Greenbush Township,
1   Clinton County, is a native of Worcester,
England, where was born May 4, 1827. He is a
son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Reed) Knight, both
natives of England. In that beautiful island he
was reared to manhood and received through the
care of his parents the rudiments of an education
in a pay school, which was the best they could
secure for him. But the schools of that time were
not equal to what the English national schools now
are and his training in book learning was scanty
and far from thorough. He appreciated, however,
what was given him and throughout life has adapted
himself to circumstances by gaining through books
and papers useful information which has made him
a man of intelligence.
The young man emigrated to this country in
1852 when he was twenty five years old. I:e took
psssage at Liverpool in a sail vessel, "The Washington," an American ship, and after a voyage of
thirty-six days, landed in New York City and came




540


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


directly to Geauga County, Ohio, where he first
began working as a farm hand by the month, and
after spending a short time in this work engaged
in drilling wells which he followed for several
years and afterward spent some time in the oil
fields of Pennsylvania.
Like many another adopted citizen of our country, the time of trouble showed the true-hearted
loyalty which had grown up in his heart for the
land to which hle had come in his early manhood.
He enlisted November 6, 1864, in Company D,
Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, which became part
of the Fourth Army Corps. He did guard duty
during the most of his period of service and did
not participate in any battles although he was on a
number of raids. The marriage of Edwin Knight
took place February 15, 1853. The wife whom he
then chose as his companion in life was Mary
Marshall, one of his own country-women, who was
born in Gloucestershire, October 14, 1833. She
is a daughter of William and Sarah (Dyer) Marshall. In 1852 Mrs. Knight, then a young lady,
and her two sisters came to America, taking passage on the same vessel which brought Mr. Knight
to this country. They came on to Ohio, locating
near him and there their marriage took place.
In 1871 our subject came to this State and
settled in the woods and had made a small clearing
and had the lumber cut for a house, when the great
fires of that year swept through this section and
devastated this neighborhood and he suffered the
loss of all his labor and had to go back to Ohio
and make another start, when he came again to this
place in 1886, and made his home on the farm where
he now resides in Greenbush Township. Here he
owns eighty acres of fertile land in a fine state of
cultivation.
Mrs. Knight is an earnest and active member of
the Christian Church and is identified with the
Ladies' Aid Society. For both of these worthy
people the days of struggle and hardship are over
and they have reached the point where they can
with comfort enjoy the fruits of their labors and
lend a helping hand to others. They are both useful and respected members of society. Our subject is a Republican in his political views and
casts his vote with that party. He is well-known


I
II
I
I
I
i
i


as a public-spirited man and is counted upon to
actively promote the welfare of the community in
every movement which he considers well designed
for that end. He is identified with the Grand
Army of the Republic and has served as Sergeant
of the Post at Eureka, Mich.
The brother-in-law of our subject, William Marshall, resides with him and is an Englishman by
birth. Mr. Knight receives a pension of $8 per
month on account of services rendered and sufferings endured during the War of the Rebellion.
This  British-American citizen  possesses many
sturdy characteristics and virtues with which the
Anglo-Saxon race is blessed. He is well known
throughout all this region as an energetic and persevering man, and enjoys the confidence of all who
have tested his honorable method of dealing. It
is with plleasure that we represent him and his
good wife among the honored citizens of Clinton
County.
W   ILLIAM BOYLAN is a farmer, and resident of section 24, Watertown Township,
Clinton County, where he has eighty
acres of fine land well improved and a handsome
brick residence with good barns and other outbuildings. He is the son of James and Mary
(Winget) Boylan, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. Our subject was born in
Greene County, Pa., July 5, 1830, and was reared
on a farm and worked for his father until he reached
the age of twenty two years. In 1849 his father
moved to Washtenaw County, Mich., and located
near Ann Arbor.
On March 23, 1853, lie was happily married to
the lady who now presides over his household.
Her maiden name was Fannie C. Fitzsimmons and
she is the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Fitzsimmons, natives of Geneva and Chemung Counties, N.
Y., respectively. She was born in Chemung County,
June 3,1834. Her parents came to Michigan in 1844.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Boylan has been blessed
witli four interesting children, three of whom are




-q:




/266


— e--L




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


543


now living. Their eldest, Florence. a little girl
of great loveliness, was boln December, 20, 1854,
and died March 7, 1867. Hattie, who was born
July 11, 1856, is now Mrs. Fred L. Corbin and resides in Watertown Township.  May, born May
20, 1858, married Fred W. Ainsley, and also resides in Watertown Township. Lulie, born December 8, 1865, is the wife of W. A. Small and
resides in Lansing.
In the spring of 1864, Mr. Boylan moved onto
the farm where he now lives. It was then nearly
all timber and since his coming onto it he put up the
buildings as they now stand.  His father died in
1865 at the age of sixty-five years and the mother
in 1867. In politics Mr. Boylan is a stanch Republican and takes quite an active part in local
politics and is an intelligent observer in regard to
national movements of the party. He has been
Justice of the Peace several terms and held other
responsible offices in his township. He is a member of the Grange, believing that that organization
will help to promote the social and industrial
condition of the farmers.
U?-,~_a c.T.              ~ —J,




f


Young Shepard then learned the carpenter's
trade and for several years devoted himself to
teaching during the winter months and to mechanical work in the summer. He was thus engaged
until 1864, although in 1861 he bought a farm on
which to make his home. He purchased one hundred acres, to which, by industry and economy, he
was afterward able to add seventy acres, and the
whole is highly improved and forms a most beautiful home.
In September, 1864, Mr. Shepard felt it his duty
to leave his family and respond to his country's
call, and enlisting in Company I, Seventh Michigan
Cavalry, he became an integral part of the force
that was engaged in the Shenandoah Valley, under
the command of the gallant Phil Sheridan. Our
subject was taken sick soon after being mustered
into the service and was conveyed to the hospital
at Washington, D. C. After remaining there until
the latter part of October lie came home on a
twenty days' furlough, and joined his regiment the
following December in the Shenandoal Valley.
In March, 1865, the boys were ordered to join the
Army of the Potomac, and were sent to Whitehouse Landing and thence to Petersburg, via City
Point. Prior to the surrender of Gen. Lee the
regiment took part in seven serious engagements
and after the scene of Appomattox was ordered
South to intercept Gen. Johnson. That Confederate leader had surrendered before they reached his
army and they then returned to Petersburg and
Richmond. They awaited the arrival of Gen.
Sherman's army and then participated in the Grand
Review at Washington, after which they were sent
to Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., and finally discharged
there, July 17, 1865.
During his absence at the seat of war Mr. Shepard's family had spent the time in Wayne County
with the parents of his wife, and after his discharge
they again moved onto the farm where they have
since resided. Mrs. Shepard bore the maiden name
of Sarah J. Loomis and is a daughter of Jacob and
Sarah (Kimball) Loomis, natives of New York.
The marriage rites between her and our subject
were solemnized in September, 1860, and they now
have three living children-Elmer J.. Florence C.
and Forest Glenn. The eldest, who was born in


ERRY SHEPARD. Among the many prominent citizens and farmers of Eagle Township, Clinton County, none are more favorably mentioned by their acquaintances than
Mr. Shepard, whose portrait appears on the opposite
page and who, with his interesting family, lives on
section 18. He is the son of George and Eunice
(Briggs) Shepard and  was born in Wyoming
County, N. Y., July 8, 1835. His early years were
spent upon a farm, and during his boyhood he
attended a district school and afterward went to
Warsaw Academy and prepared himself for teaching. He remained in his native State until he was
twenty years old, then came West and located in
the eastern part of Michigan. After his arrival he
taught school for a number of winters laboring on
a farm during the summer, but feeling the necessity of better fitting himself for teaching he
spent one school year diligently engaged in tile
State Normal School at Ypsilanti.






544


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


December, 1864, teaches in the winter months,
but makes his home with his parents, as do the
other members of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard have three children deceased. Although only
just past middle age Mr. Shepard is quite decrepit
at times, by reason of rheumatism and other
complaints contracted in the service, yet he manages to be around and supervise his own affairs,
lending a helping hand whenever necessary and at
times may be said to constitute a hand on the farm.
His indomitable will and perseverance which have
done so much to give him that independence
which he now enjoys, not. permitting him to remain
idle. Mr. Shepard early in life formed the resolution to establish a reputation for honesty and upright action, and is now enjoying as a consequence
the respect and esteem of all who know him.
Mr. Shepard believes it the duty of every man
to keep himself well informed in matters of religion,
politics and finance, and to be assured of his standing on every question of importance. He has decided in favor of the principles of the Republican
party and supports them with his vote and influence. The family are members of the Baptist
Church at Portland and are the centre of a friendly
circle, whose various members are intelligent, upright and zealous for true growth.
The attention of the reader is invited to a view
of Mr. Shepard's pleasant home with its rural surroundings, which is presented in connection with
this biographical notice.
— = --- |= --- —------— j —e= ^
ANIEL B. SAYRE, one of the most prominent citizens of Vernon Township and a
brother of Charles H. Sayre, whose sketch
appears elsewhere in this ALBUM, was born
in Yates County, N. Y., in Jerusalem Township,
August 19, 1836. His parents, Lewis and Zillah
(Benedict) Sayre were natives of New York, the
former of Steuben County and the latter of Yates
County. They came in 1840 to Shiawassee County,
making their home in Vernon Township in the
days when they had to cut down trees in order to
erect a shelter over their heads. The father was a




man of prominence in his day and filled numerous
positions of trust and responsibility. He died in
1874 and his devoted wife who survived him is
still living, having reached the age of eighty-two
years.
Our subject is the youngest son of his parents and
was four years old when they came to Michigan.
Our subject's only sister, Lydia A., married Ezra D.
Hammond, by whom she had two children. She
died in 1875, at Pewamo. Her two children are
now married, one living at Pewamo, the other at
St. Charles. Daniel went to school with his brother
Charles, three and one-half miles from home,
through the woods to a log schoolhouse. The
chimney was made of sticks and clay and the
benches were merely split logs with pegs for. legs.
His last school days were spent in a schoolhouse on
section 26. He was twenty-four years old before
he left the parental roof permanently, and during
all that time he assisted his father on the farm.
Daniel Sayre's marriage took place in 1860. His
union with Caroline McBride was one which led up
to a life of more than ordinary domestic happiness
and comfort. This lady was born in New York in
1845, and after marriage the young couple located
upon what is still the home farm; there they built
a simple board house and in peace and contentment
made their home in this humble way, while they
improved their farm and reared their little family
of three children. Their oldest son, Ernest C.,
married Emma Williamston; they reside in Vernon
Township on a farm and have two children, Clarence and Carrie. The daughter, Zillah B., is the
wife of Dr. B. C. Sickles, who resides at Ashley, in
Montcalm County. The second son, Lewis E.,
married Ella Oellerich, of Grand Rapids. They
reside with the father and have charge of the farm.
The mother of this household passed away from
earth, August 17, 1890. She had been an invalid
for some ten years and went to California for her
health in 1888, being gone five months. She was
in Mississippi at the time of her decease, having
gone there in search of health.
The gentleman of whom we write has a farm of
eighty-three acres, all of which is good arable land.
He erected his present residence in 1873, at a cost
of $3,500. It is a square two-story frame building,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


545


the main part measuring 30x30, while the wing is
18x23 feet and tile adjourning wood house 20x20.
This house is pleasantly situated and conveniently
arranged, the rooms being all capacious and well
lighted.
Mr. Sayre never learned a trade and indeed he
never needed to, for he is a natural genius in the
way of mechanics and can make anything from a
barn to the second hand on a watch. Ile has three
beautiful secretaries made by his own hand which
for workmanship and finish cannot be excelled.
He is a lover of the violin and has made many
specimens of this instrument, which are fine in tone
and admirable in use, and he can repair a watch as
well as most jewelers. He has property in Durand,
a part of which is in the grain elevator which is
known by his name, and which he and his brother
built together. They were partners in the sawmill
and also in the wagon-wood works on section 25,
for some seventeen years, but they dissolved partnership in 1887, the brother retaining the mill and
our subject taking property in Durand. He was
head sawyer for many years while in charge of the
mill.
Our subject is a Prohibitionist in his political
views with some Democratic leanings. Ele is a
member of the Masonic order and belongs to Nortl
Newburg Lodge, No. 161, and his son Lewis is a
member of the same lodge. He is also a member
of the Patrons of Industry. He has a blacksmith
shop and jewelry shop on his place where he is
prepared to do any kind of work, either delicate or
heavy.
C      OOLEY E. BALL, the Superintendent of
the Poor for Clinton County, and member
of the hardware firm of Fowler & Ball, is
like his partner one of the representative men of
St. John's. He is a man who has been and is remarkably successful in business, being enterprising
and energetic.  He has aided in building up a
splendid business and has built for his family a
commodious and attractive home. He was born
in Lapeer, Mich., in August, 1847.  His father,
George F., was of Massachusetts birth. The grand

I


I


I —    L


father was a practicing physician and spent his days
in the Bay State. There the father was reared and
lived until he came to Michigan.
George F. Ball drove the first ox-team that ever
came into Lapeer and with A. N. Hart he made
the first settlement there.  They settled on land
which afterward became the city of Lapeer and
established their homes. He became Countv Clerk
and Register of Deeds and some what later removed
to Portsmouth, Bay County, where lie is engaged
in the mercantile business and entered into trade
with the Indians. He made a study of their language and could converse with them more fluently
than any man in that region about the year 1834.
He spent some time in Canada, having charge of
three or four fish boats, and then went to East
Saginaw, where he owned an interest in a river
boat. He then went to Midland, where he settled
on a farm of some two hundred and eighty-seven
acres. He was a Democrat in his political proclivities and is now seventy-seven years old.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden
name of Julia A. Bancroft. She was a daughter
of a Massachusetts farmer and is row living at the
age of seventy-two years. She was the mother of
five children, of whom our subject is the fourth.
He was reared in Portsmouth and Saginaw, and
attended the high school of Saginaw.  They removed to Midland when lie was about fourteen
years old at which time the father went into the
hotel business but after four years returned to
farming. When sixteen years old lie went into
the employ of the County Treasurer of Midland
County, John Larkin by name, becoming his deputy and kept all his books. At Midland he was
the trusted employe in the lumber business and
for fifteen years had charge of paying the lumberln en.
The marriage of Mr. C. E. Ball and Miss Frances A. Kipp took place at St. John's in 1874. This
lady is a native of Genesee County, Mici. After
marriage Mr. Ball formed a partnership with Mr.
Fowler and Mr. C. Kipp under the firm name of
C. Kipp & Co.; four years later the firm became
Fowler & Ball. He engaged in the hardware businass, carrying the largest stock in town. Mr. Ball
and brother own land in Saginaw County. He and




546


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


his brother, G. W. Hall, were interested in the
first bank in Midland and managed it five years.
The brother's health failing, he withdrew fromn active work and G. E. Ball moved to St. John's.
The bank was called the C. E. and G. W. Ball
Bank.
One child cheers the home of Mr. Ball. For six
years, beginning in 1885, he has been Superintendent of the Poor.  He is a Director and Stockholder in St. John's National Bank and Clinton
County Savings Bank. Socially he belongs to the
Knights Templar at East Saginaw, St. Bernard Commandery. He is also identified with the Free and
Accepted Masons and Royal Arch Masons. Religiously he is connected with the Episcopal Church
at St. John's and is a Democrat in his political affiliations.
j       IlIKF
J  OSEPH    H. HOWE, a retired farmer of
Owosso and the son of a notable man, who
was an important factor in the early settling of Michigan, was born in Jerusalem,
Albany County, N. Y., October 25, 1825. His
parents, Joseph and Tamson (Mead) Howe, had
a family of six children, three sons and three
daughters, and Joseph was the youngest son. The
father was born in New Hampshire in 1790 and
was a farmer by occupation and a son of Joseph
Howe, of English blood. The mother of our subject was born in Vermont in 1795, and was of
Welsh descent, being a daughter of Jacob Mead.
Both of the grandfathers of our subject were Revolutionary soldiers and both drew pensions.
The parents of our subject were married in Vermont and removed soon to Western New York,
where they settled on a farm which they carried on
and at the same time Mr. Howe devoted some attention to painting, and with a brother-in-law carried on tanning and shoemaking, in Steuben County,
town of Wheeler. In April, 1832, they were still
further affected with the Western fever and moved
to Michigan, locating  in Superior, Washtenaw
County. It was in 1841 when they finally removed to Shiawassee County, locating in the town

ship of Bennington, where he had a farm of two
hundred acres. Here he carried on general farming. His wife died in March, 1848. In 1849 he
married Mary A. Miller. She died in 1868.
The father of our subject was a stanch Jeffersonian Democrat and a Universalist in his religious
faith. lie was highly respected by his fellow-citizens, who frequently laid upon him burdens of
trust and responsibility, and he was for some six
years Supervisor of his township, while living in
Washtenaw County, and held the same position
after coming to Bennington Township. He was
one of the Building Committee at the time of the
construction of the fire-proof vault in the old Court
House in Washtenaw County, and also in the erection of the county poor-house. He was a man of
great energy and resolution and only cared to
know that he was right and then went ahead tinflinchingly and unswervingly. He died May, 1876.
The subject of this sketch attended school in
Steuben County, N. Y., until he reached the age of
seven years and then went to the district school in
Washtenaw County, Mich., whither his parents had
removed, and later in Shiawassee County during
the winters, remaining on the farm with his partents
until lie was twenty six years old. He then began
farming on his own account, beginning. On a
farm of fifty acres. He soon became prosperous
and began raising fine wool sheep and a high grade
of horses, and later was able to furnish horses to
the market, selling teams as high as $500.
Mr. Howe continued in adding to his farm until
he had one hundred and fifty acres, when he bent
his energies to improving it and placed upon it
good buildings. He continued upon this land until 1872, when lie moved to the city of Owosso and
embaiked in the boot and shoe trade, manufacturing and selling ready-made goods. Ile associated with him Mr. E. L. Brewer, his brother-in-law,
and this partnership, under the firm name of Brewer
& Howe, lasted for a period of eleven years, at the
expiration of which time Mr. Howe sold his interest to his partner and retired.
Mr. Howe now devotes his time to looking after
his general business. Soon after retiring from the
boot and shoe trade he erected a good brick business
block, which lie rents out and which is now oc



PORTRAI~A T AND) BIOGRIfAPHICAL ALBUM.


547


_PORTRAIT... ___. _.............   _. _ _ __ AND_ _BIGR PHCA   A


cupied by Knapp & Smith, furniture dealers. His
marriage, which took place February 16, 1852,
united him  most happily and congenially with
Helen M. Brewer, of Bennington, Shiawassee
County. This lady was born in Otsego County,
N. Y., in 1833, and is the daughter of Jonathan
Brewer. Three children have blessed this union:
Elmer G., express agent and baggage-man on the
Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railroad; Homer J.
died, aged eleven months; the daughter, May, is at
home, the joy and comfort of her parents.
The gentleman of whom we write was for a number of years a member of the Masonic fraternity.
In politics hle was a Democrat up to the year 1870,
since which time he has affiliated with the Prolhibitionists. He was one of the stockholders in tlhe
First National Bank at Owosso. He still owns his
farm, although he lives in Owosso and has a handsome brick residence on Goodhue Street.  All who
know him rejoice in his prosperity and his success
is a subject of congratulation to himself and his
fellow-citizens.. -.r -
ERBERT COLISTER. Among the rising
young men of Bath Township, Clinton
/    County, we are pleased to mention the
()   nname which appears at the head of this
sketch. Mr. Colister, who is descended from stanch
old Scotch-Irish stock, shows out his hereditary
traits of industry, thrift and steady habits. Iis
character has secured him the esteem and hearty
good will of all with whom    he has come in
contact, and his ability singles him out as one who
is yet to make his mark in tie community. Ie is
an energetic young farmer and resides with his
mother on the farm where he was born, December
16, 1857.
His grandfather, Robert Colister, was born in
Ireland, May 29, 1777. He was of Scotch parentage and early learned the weaver's trade, which he
followed for years. Hle came to America in 1796,
and soon made his home in Scipio, N. Y., where,
on March 10, 1805, he married Phoebe Sharpsteen.
He worked at the stonemason's trade for a time,


but finally purchased a farm and settled upon it, in
Bald Hill, Livingston County, N. Y., where the
father of our subject, Robert Colister, Jr., was
born. Later he sold this farm and purchased another at Springwater.
In the fall of 1836 Robert Colister, Sr., set out
with his family for Michigan, making his journey
by way of Canada, in a prairie schooner. They
camped out during a part of the journey and at
one time did not see a house in three days' travel.
He first settled in Milford Township, Oakland
County, where he lived for two years. He left the
family there and came to lonia, which was at that
time the seat of the land office, and purchased of
the Government one hundred and sixty acres of
what is now his grandson's farm. He then returned
and brought on his family, and in 1840, on account
of advancing years, he retired from active work,
selling this farm to the father of our subject, with
whom lie resided until his death, November 23,
1857. His wife, Phoebe Sharpsteen, was born in
New York State, August 22. 1789, and died here
February 11, 1838. She was the mother of thirteen children, and with her husband was a member
of the Methodist Church. She was well known
throughout a broad circle of acquaintances for her
pioneer work, her indomitable industry and her
warm heart for all who needed help and comfort.
The father of our subject came here with his
parents at the age of nineteen. In 1840 he bought
the farm of his father, upon which but little improvernent had been made. He helped to build the
log house and at that time had but few neighbors,
lnd there was but one houlse in Laingsburg. He
was on very friendly terms with the Indians, who
were plentiful in those days. lHe marketed grain
alnd bought provisions at Detroit and Ann Arbor
and later at Owosso. He was an extremely hardworking man, and would chop, split and pile four
('Ords of wood in a day. He helped get out the
timber for the old State House at Lansing. As his
family outgrew the original old log house lie built
another, more  commodious, and in 1867 he
erected the capacious and attractive frame residence in which his widow and son now reside.
This lady, who was born August 10, 1827, became the wife of Mr. Colister on May 29, 1850.






548


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I                                                                                                                                                                                        10`


She was Lois Fletcher, daughter of Isaac and
Esther (Cole) Fletcher. Her father was born in
Connecticut in 1788 and her mother in New York
in 1803. They came across the lake to Michigan
in 1838 and settled in Putnam Township, Livingston County, and coming to Clinton County in
1844, made their homle in the southern part of
Bath Township. He was a blacksmith by trade
and had a shop first at Pinkney, Livingston
County, and afterward in this county. He died
at seventy-one years of age, and his wife at the age
of eighty-two years. They were both members of
the Free Will Baptist Church and were the parents
of eleven children.
The father of our subject owned two hundred
and forty acres of land, two hundred of which lie
cleared himself. He was generous and benevolent,
always helping the poor and often losing money by
aiding neighbors who were never able to repay
him, yet he himself never was in debt to any man.
He was called from earth in January, 1891. Of
his nine children six grew to maturity, namely:
Ellen, Mrs. Salem Harper; Fred, who married
Laura Bartles; Herbert; Edgar L., who married
Anna E. Carl; Hiram IH., who married Anna
Thompson; Paul C., at home. The father's first
Presidential vote was cast for William Henry Ha'rison and his last for Benjamin Harrison. The
widow of this worthy pioneer resides with her son
and is hale and hearty, a fine example of a sturdy
and intelligent woman of advanced years.
After attending district school our subject took
a course at the Bartlette Commercial College at
Lansing, graduating there in 1875. When twentyone years old he began working out for others,
spending about three years at carpentry, although
he had never regularly learned the trade. He is
noted throughout all this region as a sheepshearer, having sheared as many as sixty-seven in
one day and forty-four in one afternoon. He has
a few fine horses and has begun to breed Perche.
rons. Besides forty acres of his own he carries
on a portion of his mother's farm. In religious
belief he is a Universalist and his political sympathies have led him to affiliate with the Republican party. He takes great interest in both local
and national politics and is often sent as delegate


to county and congressional conventions, and in a
word is recognized as a local leader in the party.
He is unusually intelligent and quick of perception. of exceptionally good habits, and never has
tasted tobacco or liquor in his life. He is a delightful conversationalist, with a strong vein of
humor running through his talk, all of which tends
to give him the exceptional popularity which he
enjoys.
i LFRED B. BENJAMIN. Among the men
jIII who are winning a competence by cultivatL   ing a portion of the soil of Clinton
Xj     County, mention ought certainly to be
inade of Mr. Benjamin. The farm which he occupies consists of eighty acres on section 7, Dallas
Township, and he also owns twenty-one acres in
Ionia County. He has an attractive and comfortable home where once there was only a dense forest. He removed the timber, broke 'he land,
erected a farm-house and good outbuildings, and
made of the property a valuable tract, suited for
the abiding-place of an intelligent family. Besides
clearing his own land Mr. Benjamin has removed
the timber from over one hundred acres belonging
to others.
Going backward some years we find that Josiah
Benjamin, grandfather of our subject, spent his
entire life in the Empire State and that he had
three sons and one daughter. The son, who became the father of our subject, was Nathan, who
was reared by a Mr. Rice, as he lost his father
when quite young. When grown to manhood lie
adopted the occupation of a farmer and followed
his calling in his native State until 1835. He then
joined the body that was moving Westward and
opening up new land on the frontier, and made his
home in Oakland and then in Ionia County. After
some years he removed to Clinton County, thence
went to Gratiot, but later returned to Clinton and
spent his last days with his son Calvin. When he
came West, he drove from   Oakland to Ionia
County and his was the first wagon taken through
by the Grand River. His dwelling was nine miles
from the nearest neighbor in one direction and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


twelve in the opposite. He located on a two hundred-acre farm, most of which he cleared and broke.
Nathan Benjamin was married in Ohio, where
his mother's people lived, to Chloe Tyler. The
bride's father, John Tyler, was a native of New
York and a soldier in the War of 1812. To Mr.
and Mrs. Benjamin, a large family were born,
named respectively, Josiah, Sophronia, Lucy, Sylvester, Calvin, Mary, Minerva, John, Alfred and
Sarah. Mr. Benjamin was a Whig and later a Republican, and when the country was new he held
various township offices. He was a member of the
Baptist Church, while his wife was not identified
with any religious body but was a woman of
Christian faith and character. Their youngest son,
Alfred B., was born in Ionia County January 8,
1840, and remained with them until he was about
nineteen years old. He spent the next two years
working by the month for one of his brothers, and
when he became of age bought forty acres of land
in Lebanon Township, cleared it and made a good
home. He finally traded this property for that on
which he is now living.
April 18, 1861, our subject was married to Margaret E. Williams, a lady whose home training had
been excellent and who had grown to womanhood
in possession of many fine qualities of mind and
heart. The children born of the happy union are
Alfred A., Ella E., John C., Andrew N. and Emma
J. John and Emma have been removed from their
parents by the hand of death, and only Andrew is
at home, as the others are established elsewhere.
Alfred is living in Pewamo, and Ella, who married
S. Thuma, is a resident of Mackinaw City.
Mrs. Benjamin is a grand-daughter of Nathaniel
Williams of New York, who came West late in life
and died in Dallas Township. He was a shoemaker
by trade. His wife, Margaret, bore six sons and
six daughters, and two of the sons were in the
Mexican War and one gave up his life there. The
father of Mrs. Benjamin was Asa W. Williams who
was born in New York in 1818 and in 1840 came
to this State. After sojourning here about three
years he returned to the East and spent some six
years, after which he again came to Michigan. He
spent a few years in Oakland, then lived in Livingstoi and Calhoun Counties in turn, and from the


last named removed to Clinton County. When the
war began he enlisted in Company G, Twentythird Michigan Infantry, and died in the hospital
at New Albany, Ind., November 18, 1862, and
was buried on the banks of the Ohio River. He
was married June 4, 1841, to Sarah J. Crandall,
and their children were Margaret E., Charles P.,
Eliza D., John, Emma F., Lucy A., William N.
and Rosy L. Mr. Williams was a mason and also
a f.armer. In religion he was a Baptist, and in the
later years of his life was a Republican in politics.
Mr. Benjamin has always been in sympathy with
the principles of the Republican party and never
fails to cast his vote when the ballot box is open.
In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Union Army
and was mustered into Company G, Twenty-third
Michigan Infantry. He was one of those illfortunates who suffered from illness much of the time
while in the South, and lie was discharged in March,
1863. Hle belongs to Hathaway Post, No. 378, G.
A. R., at Pewamo. He is honorable in his business
relations, kindly in his bearing toward his acquaintances, and in domestic life agreeable and considerate.
UDWIG STRUBER. This highly respected
citizen of Owosso lost his father at a tender age and was early thrown upon his own
resources without means with which to embark in
business. By industry, economy and close application lie has accumulated a handsome fortune, and
while so doing has won a warm place in the hearts
of those with whom he has been closely associated,
and the respect of every acquaintance. He is an
unassuming, kindly man, careful and prudent in
business transactions, strictly just in all his dealings, and as fine a type of the German-American as
the county affords.
Mr. Struber was born in Waldeck, Germany, July
18, 1827, being the youngest in a family of seven
children-five boys and two girls. His father,
Henry Struber, was a shoemaker, but only the
faintest recollections of him are enjoyed by the
son, as the latter was but three years old when the
former died, The mother was Louisa (Weisman)




550


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


— I


Struber. In accordance with the law of the Empire the lad attended school between the ages of
six and fourteen years, and soon after leaving school
he began a regular apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade. He served three years, then entered
the German Army and led a soldier's life for an
equal period. Upon being discharged he made
his preparations for emigrating to the United
States, where he believed that lie would enjoy better opportunities for personal agrandizement. IHe
embarked on a sailing-vessel and after a voyage of
six weeks landed in New York City, a stranger in
a strange land.
Mr. Struber came direct to Detroit, this State,
and sought work at his trade, and thus occupied
his time seven years. In April, 1857, he came from
Detroit to Owosso, and opened a boot and shoe
store in a frame building,where he carried on business until 1878. He began on a small scale and
as his reputation extended and the country became
more populous he increased his stock, including
leatier and findings. He now  occupies a brick
block, 22x80 feet, and two stories in height. favvorably located on Main Street and built by himself for his business. He carries a large and wellselected stock of goods of reliable makes, and firstclass material. He is a stock-holder in the Owosso
Savings Bank and for several years was a stockholder and Director in the First National Bank.
Besides his business property he owns a residence
on Washington Street and a goodly amount of
household appurtenances.
Mr. Struber has an excellent wife, who has been
faithful to their mutual interests and devoted to
their children and at the same time has been ready
to do kindly offices to those who were in need.
Their marriage was solemnized in Detroit in 1852,
Mrs. Struber being at that time a resident of the
City of the Straits. Her maiden name was Dora
Gerner and she is a native of Germany, but has
spent most of her life in the United States. She
was the mother of three children, but one has
passed to the better land. The living are Ludwig
F. and Edward F.,who are now assisting their father
in carrying on his business affairs. Mrs. Struber
died March 20, 1890. Mr. Struber at one time
represented the Second Ward in the common coun

cil. His political sympathy is with the Republican
principles and he is an unfailing supporter of the
ticket. His religious home is in the German-Lutharan Church of which he is one of the trustees.
^^== ---                     NE
J '  ENRY PALMER M. D., PH. C. a notable
l[()' physician and surgeon of St. John's, was
1,    born in Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y.;
(el) February 22, 1857. His father, George,
was a native of Cambridgeshire, England, where
his parents were farmers. He was there a farmer
and came to America in 1855, locating near Lockport, where he carried on farming for nine years.
He came to Michigan in 1864 and bought a farm
of eighty acres near St. John's. Here he brought
his family and located in Greenbush Township, and
resided there until his death in 1875. His wife,
Sarah Johnson, was also a native of England, aud
survived him, but died on the home farm in 1882.
Of their four children our subject is the youngest.
Dr. Palmer was reared in Lockport whence lie
came to St. John's in 1864, and remained until he
reached the age of sixteen years, when he began to
work reguarly by the month. When he was seventeen years old he attended the St. John's High
School during the winters, paying his tuition,which
he was obliged to do as he was not a resident of the
town. In 1876 he entered the Agricultural College
for a preparatory course to the study of medicine.
He took a three years course in five years for he
worked his way through by teaching to obtain
money for his education.
The young man then spent two years in the West
as a civil engineer. He spent one year in Utah on
the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Thence in
Oregon on the Oregon Short Line for one year.
He then returned to St. John's and in the fall of
1883 entered the University of Michigan in the
Department of Pharmacy, graduating in 1885 with
the degree of Ph. C. He then entered the junior
class of the regular medical department and graduated in the spring of 1887 with the degree of
Doctor of Medicine.
The young Doctor now made his home perma







ChfmC( c

CrC




PORT'PRAIT A ND BI.OG RAPHICA L ALBU M.


553


PORTRAIT~~~~~ AN IORPHCL LUM  5


nently at St. John's and worked up for himself an
extended practice in Clinton, Gratiot and lonia
Counties. He has a general practice but makes a
specialty of diseases of the eye. He has also made
a practice of Pharmacy. His marriage in this city
in 1887 united him happily with Miss Lucy
Perrin, a daughter of H. M. Perrin whose
sketch  will be found  in this volume.    She
was educated in this city and is a graduate of the
High School and a lady of culture and refinement.
One child, Ruth E., gladdens their home.
The Doctor is the Health Officer of the city, a
member of the Knights of the Maccabees and a
member of the National Union. He is an enthusiastic Republican in his political views. He is a
prominent member of the State Medical Society
and Secretary of the County Medical Association,
and is also connected with the State Pharmaceutical Association. His worthy and amiable wife is
an active member of the Congregational Clurch.
-r/    ANK   D. CLEVELAND.       Among the
dealers in Shepherdsville, Clinton County.
none are paying closer attention to business
affairs or succeeding better in their enterprises than
Mr. Cleveland, a portrait of whom is shown on the
opposite page. He is a young man of enterprising
spirit and business ability, quick to take advantage
of an opportunity to promote his financial interests, yet honorable in his dealings and straightforward in his principles. He is engaged in the sale
of general merchandise, carrying a stock which includes dry-goods, groceries, medicines and paints,
and in addition is agent for the National Express
Company, and Postmaster. To this official position
he was appointed on the election of President
Harrison. Mr. Cleveland also holds the office of
Justice of the Peace and is a Notary Public, and
thus has many demands upon his time, although as
this is a law-abiding community, his decisions as a
Justice do not enroach very largely.


The parents of our subject were Jerome B. and
Elizabeth (Evans) Cleveland, the latter a native of
Wales and the former of New York. The father
might be called a "Jack of all trades," as he possessed mechanical skill and agricultural knowledge
and was able to turn his hand to various kinds of
work, although lie gave his attention mainly to
farning, carpentry and the work of a millwright.
The son of whom we write was born in Oneida
County, N. Y., June 14, 1857. He was so unfortunate as to lose his father by death when but
twelve years old and being thrown upon his own
resources he found employment as a tow-path boy
on the Erie Canal. He followed driving four years
and then secured a clerkship in restore at Palmyra.
After about six months confinemnent to the store he
gave up the occupation and turned his attention to
farming in Ontario County, remaining there and
thus engaged three years. Ever anxious to do better
he then came to Michigan and sought work in the
lumber woods, in brick yards, etc., as occasion
served and prospects led him.
We next find Mr. Cleveland traveling in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, then sojourning for a
time in this State, and in 1880 going back to New
York. A few months later he returned to Michigan
with a bride, and located in Ottawa County, where
he carried on a farm three years. Thence he went
again to his native State and spent one winter
clerking. In the spring he came to Shephardsville
and secured work, and after a time opened up a
stock of merchandise, such as he has since been engaged in the sale of. While diligent in the pursuit
of his business affairs and zealous in advancing his
own interests, he discharges the duties of citizenship as he should, feeling that he cannot stand alone
and that his own success depends very largely upon
the general welfare. He helps support the Church,
takes an interest in educational matters and in various ways promotes the good of the community.
In politics he is a Republican.
Domestic affairs at the home of Dr. Cleveland
are in charge of a capable, intelligent and amiable
woman, who became his wife, February 23, 1882.
The ceremony was performed in Vienna, Oneida
County, N. Y., where the bride was living, she being Miss Mary Forgeon, daughter of Peter and




554


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I

Louise Forgeon. Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland have
two bright children-Burton J., born July 6, 1883,
and Olive L., born February 2, 1888.
JW    ILLIAM A. NIXON is the senior member
of the firm of Nixon & Co., hardware
dealers in St. John's, his associates in business being R. M. Steel and F. M. Spaulding. The
business establishment in which be is interested occupies a double store, one hundred and fifty-five
feet deep, where a complete stock of heavy and
shelf hardware naw  be seen. Both wholesale and
retail trade is carried on and the business is extensive, calling for much ability and close application
in its control. A sufficient force of men are kept
to do all necessary work, including plumbing.
Fair dealing and courteous, accommodating treatment await all who patronize the establishment.
The Nixon family originated in England, and
emigrated thence to Virginia, from which colony
the great grandfather of our subject went to Canada. His son, Gen. William Nixon, was born at
Grimsby and was a blacksmith and carriage-maker.
The old shop in which he manufactured various
mechanical implements and vehicles, is still standing and he was quite an extensive manufacturer of
carriages and wagons for those days. He was
Quartermaster-General in the British Army during
the Revolution. In his later years he operated a
large farm on the mountains four miles from
Grimsby. He died there when ninety-seven years
old. His son, Allen, father of our subject, became
a blacksmith, but afterward turned his attention to
farming. He located on land secured by his father,
his farm covering the present site of the town of
Woodstock.   Thence he removed to Hamilton
where he lived retired, but he later went to the
miountains near Grimsby and again became a farmer. There he died when sixty-four years. He was
a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
Allen Nixon was twice married, his second wife
being Elizabeth Van Denser, who was born near
Grimsbty. and whose father, John Van Deuser, was
a native of Holland. The family faith was that of


the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Nixon had
four children, three of whom lived to mature years,
William A. being the eldest. He was born in Canada on the site of the city of Woodstock, November 4, 1843, and was about three years old whlen
taken to Grimsby. Seven years later he went to
Oakville to live with an uncle, W. Y. Pettit, with
whom he remained on a farm until he was fourteen years old. During that interval he had good
advantages in the district school. He then returned
to Grimsby with his father and remained until he
was seventeen years old, when he was apprenticed
to the tinner's trade at Beamsville. He served five
years and then went to Tonawanda, N. Y., and
worked at his trade a short time, and next pursued
his calling in Pitthole City, Pa.
Being taken sick Mr. Nixon returned to his
father's and started out to sell patent clothes-lines
in the Dominion, and rusticating the next sulnmer.
He then re-engaged at his trade, working for a year
in Bothwell, Canada, when the Fenian outbreak
called him to military service, as he had been a
member of the militia. Having received orders to
report he did so and entered the volunteer service in Company 19, organized at Beamsville, and
served as a private until the close of the trouble.
He then came to Detroit and for a short time
worked there and at Windsor, and in 1868 established himself at Plymouth, this State, where
he remained a few years. Early in the '70s he
came to Maple Rapids, Clinton County, and for
about a decade was in the employ of Mr. O. F.
Peck, a hardware dealer who carried on a tinshop
in connection with his salesroom. Mr. Nixon next
started in business for himself as a member of the
firm of Nixon & Co., who dealt in tinware and
hardware.
In 1886 Mr. Nixon moved his stock to St. John's
and in December opened a store here. He has enlarged the establishment since that time, and first
formed a partnership with a Mr. Geller, the style
being Nixon & Geller. Later Mr. Steel took Mr.
Geller's place, and the firm name was changed to
Nixon & Co. in 1889. Mr. Nixon has a commodious and attractive residence here, built in 1890,
and he also owns real estate in Maple Rapids. He
formerly had one hundred and sixty acres near




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


555


that place, but has disposed of it. THe is a thorough-going business man and is energetic in wbatever he undertakes, whether for his own advantage
or of a social, political or religious nature. He
belongs to a Masonic Blue Lodge in Maple Rapids
and to a Chapter and Commandery in St. John's.
He is also member of the Knights of the Maccabees
organization in St. John's, and he belongs to the
Ancient Order of United Workmen, having been a
charter member of the first lodge of that order in
the State-that at Maple Rapids, No. 1. Politically he is a stanch Republican. He belongs to the
Congregational Church, is a member of the choir,
and while in Maple Rapids was Sunday-school Superintendent.
The present wife of Mr. Nixon is a native of
Connecticut and bore the maiden name of Lura J.
Brooker. Her father, Warren Brooker, a native
of Connecticut, was a pioneer settler in Litchfield,
Ohio. The daughter was first married to Allison
Jenne, a native of Litchfield, Ohio, and when she
became the wife of Mr. Nixon was living in Maple
Rapids, where their wedding took place July 23,
1873. The first wife of Mr. Nixon was Frankie
Johnson, a native of Plymouth, this State, who
left one child, named for herself, and now the wife
of Charles Moreland, a farmer in Bingham Township.
-3 ---^__..-a__r — *BIENEDICT STAMPFLY, D. V. S., a prominent and successful farmer of De Witt
Township, Clinton County, was born in the
Valley of Canton Berne, four miles from
the City of Berne, Switzerland, August 22, 1833.
His father, who bore the same name, was a Swiss
miller, and followed that calling and farming until
lie followed his son to America in 1855. He located in Coffey County, Kan., being a pioneer there,
and owned quite a large tract of land which he
farmed until his death which occurred when he was
fifty-five years old. His wife, Elizabetl, also a native of Switzerland, was the mother of seven children, five of whom she reared to maturity, namely:
Benedict, Daniel, John, Elizabeth and Anna. Both
she and her husband were consistent members of the


Reformed Church, and she died in Kansas after
having passed her sixtieth year.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon the
farm in his native home and educated in the cornmon schools, and later entered tie college of Berne
and began the study of medicine with a view to
practicing it. But finding that it was not to his
taste, he took a course in veterinary surgery. He
spent three and one-half years in the college, a
school very thorough and rigid in its requirements,
and was graduated in 1854.
That same year this young man and a chum came
to America, ostensibly to sow their "wild oats,"
Ibut after traveling over eleven different States, our
subject left his chum and came to Michigan, a
country of which he had heard much. He liked it
well, and finally decided to remain there and make
his lhome in America. For three years he worked
out on a farm and then spent four months visiting
in Ohio, and returning, married in 1859, Lovina
Moor, whom he had met during his previous stay
of two years. She was born in Michigan, in June,
1844. Three of her five children have grown to
maturity-Anna, Thomas and Elmina.
Mr. Stampfly first bought forty acres of land on
section 15, and later added one hundred and twenty
more, and was doing well in his work when his
wife died in April, 1867, and he became discouraged and sold his land intending to leave tle country. He however took new courage and decided
to remain. In 1867 he bought three hundred and
twenty acres on section 11. and in the fall of 1868
married Ellen R. Williams, a most estimable lady of
the village of De Witt, who was born in Woodhull
Township, Shiawassee County, this State. Nine
children have blessed this union, of whom the following are living, namely: Elvira, Daniel, Roy,
Mabel, Allen and Ernest. In 1878 our subject
bought a two hundred and forty-acre tract across
the road from his present farm, and he is now cultivating two hundred and sixty acres of his farm
which comprises nearly four hundred. He raises
considerable stock and grain, and employs a large
force of men.
Mr. Stampfly has practiced veterinary surgery
ever since he came to Michigan, and has treated
with great success all kinds of diseases of the horse.




556


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


He is frequently sent for to go many miles into the
country. He raises from  two to three thousand
bushels of wheat each year. Hie is remarkably successful in his farming operations, and is well liked
by all who know him. He built a large barn in
1867, and expects to erect a handsome brick residence this summer. He is a Republican in politics,
with strong prohibition proclivities, and is a member of the Reformed Church. Hie has been a member of the Grange for a great many years, and for
two years was Master of the local organization. He
was for four terms President of the Patrons of Industry, which office he finally resigned.._. -.g^    ^   r.,1


" LFRED    S. FILDEW, senior member of
the drug firm of Fildew & Millman, has
long been one of the prominent business
men of St. John's. The residence he now
occupies was built twenty-six years ago, and the
lot on which it stands was grubbed by him, while
many stumps were removed from the streets by his
efforts. To him is due the organization of the
Carpenters' Co-operative Company, and he is one
of the originators of the Cooper Boiler and Engine
Company, and has in every way possible labored
for tie improvement of the town and the increased
value of property here. In 1884 he and W. A.
Wilson bought out the pharmacy of Pach lBros.,
and lie has since been engaged in the drug trade.
After a time his partner went out of the business,
and his son John came in, and the firm was Fildew
& Son until 1890, when the present association was
formed.
During the French Revolution a lady escaped
from France with her two sons and made ler way
to England, but died immediately after her arrival.
The children were reared by charity, and one of
them learned the tanners' trade, which lie followed
for years. He married and reared a family, one of
his sons being Henry, who was born in Devonshire
in 1814. The family name became Fildew, agree.
ing to the common pronunciation, although the
original spelling  was probably Fildieu. Henry
Fildew was a carpenter and joiner in Honiton, the


English city made famous by the manufacture of
Honiton lace. He married Elizabeth Moore, a
native of Ipswich, Suffolkshire, and daughter of
Thomas Moore, a native of the North of Ireland,
but of Scotch descent. This Thomas Moore was a
Color Sergeant in Her Majesty's army. He mar
ried an English lady, and as they spent much time
ill the West Indies, their daughter Elizabeth received much of her trainilg there. Mr. and Mrs.
Fildew, the father and mother of our subject, came
to America in 1870, and the mother died in St.
John's in 1875; the father returned to his native
land and is still living there, now aged seventyfive years. The younger members of their family
who survive are: HIenry, a contractor, whose home
is in St. John's, but who is now doing some work
for R. M. Steel, in Oregon; Anna, wife of William
Cockeram, of St. John's; and Frank, a carpenter li ving in Detroit, and at present a member of the State
Legislature.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
in Iloniton, England, August 6, 1837. He went
to the British school until he was twelve years old,
when he began to work for a druggist, and after
eirliteen months in his employ became a carlenter's
apprentice. Hie served until he was of age, becoming a skillful carpenter and joiner, and he then
found a position as time-keeper and book-keeper
in a railroad yard, where construction work was
going on. May 16, 1859, he was married at
Sougalton to Miss Jane Parsons, a native of the
same place as himself, and a daughter of Benjamin
Parsons, a farmer. The week after their marriage
the young couple left Liverpool on the."City of
Washington." and ten days later landed among
strangers in New York. After some short sojourns
in different places, they spent three years at Livonia, Ind., and then came to Detroit, where for a
short time Mr. Fildew worked at his trade. The
fall of that year they came to St. John's, and he
went to work on a farm with a brother-in-law, but
ere long was employed at his trade by Mr. Brainard, a builder in St. John's.
In 1873 Mr. Fildew organized the Co-operative
Company of St. John's, becoming its President
and Secretary, in the manufacturing of sash, doors
and blinds. The company did contracting and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


557


building, erecting stores, ward schoolhouses and a
jail, while operated under the original charter. In
1879 it was changed to the Spoke Factory, and
after some changes in the list of stockholders it
was reorganized with Mr. Fildew as Secretary for
two years. The material at last became scarce, as
timber was giving out in this section, and the company then made a change and converted their
works into what is now known as the Cooper
Boiler & Engine Company. Other schemes in
which Mr. Fildew has been or is interested have
already been mentioned. He has three childrenJohn H. married Miss Ida Lyons, of St. John's;
Annie E., now Mrs. J. T. Millman; and Etta J.
Etta J. is at home, John HI. is now on the road,
traveling for B. & S. McGraw, of Detroit.  He was
for a time in the drug business with Dr. Baggs, and
then was employed in the War Department at
Washi.ngton about five years.
Mr. Fildew has for years been Secretary of tile
Masonic Blue Lodge in St. John's, and he is Treasurer. of the Ancient Order of United Workmen
and Counselor of the Closen Friends. tie is also
connected with the Knights of Honor. Ile is an
honorary member of the fire department. In politics lie is a Republican, and on more than one occasion he has been a delegate to county conventions.
His religious connection is with the Congregational
Church.
'OHN P. GERARDY, is the manager of the
largest general store in I)urand, Shiawassee
County. He was born in New Orleans, La.,
(  March 9, 1855. His father was J. J. P.
Gerardy of whom a sketch will be found on another page of this ALBUMI. Mr. Gerardy, our subject, is the eldest of seven children and hadl only
reached the tender age of a single year when lie was
brought to Michigan by his parents. His first
school days were spent in Venice Townshil, Shiawassee County, and he finished at the High School
of Corunna.
Our subject's lifework was begun at the age of
nineteen years. He worked on the farm  by the
month in the summer time and in order to finish


his schooling spent his winters over his books in
Oakland County, Novi Township. For two years
he worked thus when he returned to Venice Township, where he purchased a farm. September 19,
1877, he united himself in marriage to Frances A.,
daughter of E. P. Tew of Corunna. After his
marriage he settled on his farm in Venice Township, where he carried on hi. agricultural business
for ten years. At the expiration of this time he
sold his farm, in the year 1887, and located in
Durand, giving himself entirely to his present
business.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerardy are the parents of one
daughter-Rena M., who was born August 5, 1878,
and who lives at home with her parents. Mr.
Gerardy adheres to the Democratic platform  and
his party has awarded him several local positions
in virtue of the efficient service he has done. He
was Township Clerk for four years in Venice Townshil) and is -now an incumbent of the position in
Vernon Township, also Notary Public. HIe is a
Mason, socially belonging to the North Newrburg
Lodge, No. 161, and Corunna Chapter, No. 33;
also a member of Corunna Commandery Knights
Templar No. 21. Ile is a member of the Knights
of the Maccabees at Durand, and hlolds the office
of Record Keeper in the same. Mr. Gerardy who
is a prominent man in Durand and Vernon Township, is doing a good and lucrative business. 'Mrs.
Gerardy was born in Corunna May 8, 1856, and is
tlhe third daughter of Elisha P. and Eleanor (Miller) Tew. She was reared in her native town and
was there educated. She began teaching school
when but thirteen years of age and followed it for
nine years, during this time holding a good position in Shiawassee County.
K ICHMOND SIMMONS, M. D., a prosperous
and well-known Hom(epathic physician of
I)eWitt, Clinton County, was born in
Salem    Township,   Washtenaw   County,
Mich., January 16, 1848. His father, John P. a
native of New York, was born in 1821, and his
grandfather, Ephraim, was a native of New Eng



558


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


land and of English descent, who came to New
York State in an early day and passed his last days
there. The father, who was a cooper in his early
days, came to Washtenaw County, Mich., in 1839
and was one of the first coopers in that county.
He farmed there for awhile and in 1851, removed
to Olive Township, Clinton County, and buying
fifty itcres of land, lived upon it three years. After
living eleven years in Branch County, he returned
East and worked in the nursery business in Rochester for a year.
Mr. John Simmons returned West and worked
at his trade in Coldwater until 1859, when he
bought a farm five miles south of Coldwater and
farmed for five years. He then returned to Washtenaw County and bought a farm which he operated until 1878 when he came to DeWitt Township,
and buying seventy acres passed his last days there,
dying January 13, 1884. He was a Universalist in
his religious belief and a Democrat in politics. He
married Nancy A. Clair a native of New York
State, where she was born in 1826. She had three
children: Harriet E. died at the age of fourteen
months, and Charles E. died when twenty-three
years old. She still lives with her son, Richmond,
and is a Universalist in her religious belief and of
Holland descent on both sides of the family.
After our subject had taken his earlier schooling
in the district schools he spent three years in the
High School at Ann Arbor and when twenty-five
years old began to read medicine under Dr. B. S.
Knapp, of Owosso, Mich. After a year with him
he entered the university at Ann Arbor in 1874.
He studied there for two years and then attended
the Pulte Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, taking his diploma there in February, 1878, and in
April of the same year coming to DeWitt, to establish his practice. This he has built up quite extensively and does a great deal of surgery as well as
ordinary practice.
The marriage of Dr. Simmons with Martha E.
Smith occurred March 5, 1879. This lady was
born in Victor Township, Clinton County, October
27, 1858. Two sons have come to cheer their home,
John L. and Daniel R. The Doctor is a member of
the State Medical Society of IIomoepathy and was
a delegate to the National Medical Society which


met at Niagara in May, 1883. He is a member of
the Lansing Commandery of the Masonic order and
of the Blue Lodge at DeWitt. He also belongs to
the Masonic Mutual Benefit Association at Grand
Rapids, and is one of the Modern Woodmen of
this place. He is a Democrat in his political views
and is now both Township Clerk and Health Officer.
Three and one-fourth acres of land surround his
pleasant home in the village.
ILLIAM    T. TILLOTSON, an intelligent
and prosperous citizen of Duplain Township, Clinton County, who has ever been
helpful in forwarding the causes of education and
church work, was born in Brunswick, Medina
County, Ohio, November 28, 1826. He is a son
of Leonard Tillotson, a pioneer of that county in
Ohio, who made his home there in the year 1815
about eighteen miles from Cleveland in the days
when it took him three days to make the trip from
his home to and from that city.
The mother of our subject was Mary C. Thomas
in her maidenhood, and she came from Connecticut
where she was born and reared to make her home
in Ohio when but sixteen years old. The father
came from  Massachusetts when a boy and was by
occupation of a farmer. This son received only a
common-school education and was able to be in
attendance upon school only during short and infrequent periods, but lie made the best of his scanty
advantages and so well did he succeed that he was
enabled to become a teacher when quite young.
August 11, 1852, this young man came to Michigan, making his home in Elsie and working one
one year for his cousin. He carefully hoarded his
wages and in 1853 bought eighty acres of lan(d,
paying $3 per acre for the tract. lIe made a clearing of five and a half acres during the first year
and at once put in a crop of wheat. He continued
with his clearing until he had finished it and built
a log cabin preparatory to setting up his own home.
The marriage of our subject to Mary E. Wool,
of Elsie, took place September 26, 1855. Five
children blessed this union, namely: Marvin L.,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


559




born August 16, 1856, died August 25, 1859;
Marion L., born September 23, 1860; Myra, April
13, 1864; Hattie, May 6, 1868, and Willie, May 6,
1876. Marion married Eva J. Bennett, of Duplain
Township; Myra and Hattie are teaching school
and Willie is still an attendant at school in Elsie.
The father has continued his farming operations
ever since he came to this place. The old log house
formed the family home until 1874 when he built
a large two-story frame residence. He built his
first barn in 1860 and the others since that time.
He has now a place of one hundred acres of fine
farming land upon which he raises almost every
kind of grain and keeps graded stock, sheep and
cattle.
Mr. Tillotson is no partisan in politics but votes
for principle rather than party and is a careful
student of public movements. When he first came
to this county he says there was no Ovid, no St.
John's, no Owosso and very little Lansing. He
and his faithful wife are members in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, to which he has belonged ever
since he came to the county. He was also ClassLeader and Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
He is deeply interested in educational movements
and has given his children excellent advantages in
this direction.
UDOLPH COLBY. Another of the pioneers
of this State who has done much to make
Shiawassee Township bloom and blossom
as the rose is Rudolph Colby, who lives on
his fine farm on sections 17 and 18, Shiawassee
Township. He was born on the place September
12, 1855, his father being James S. Colby and his
mother Eliza L. (Nelson) Colby. They came to
Shiawassee County and settled at their present location one year previous to the birth of our subject,
coming hither immediately from  Pinckney, Livingston County, but prior to that time from New
York, about the year 1848. After coming to this
State the father secured a tract of one hundred and
sixty acres, which he farmed for a number of years,
constantly adding to the original acreage until lie


became the possessor of three hundred and twenty
acres, nearly all of which is improved.
Our subject remained at home attending high
school at Corunna and began to teach at the age of
eighteen, in which work he continued for two years
and then relieved his father of the care of the
home farm in which he was in charge until 1883.
Mr. Colby then began to build his present home.
He has added twenty acres to the original tract of
one hundred and sixty acres. Upon the place he
has built a new barn, 32x62 feet and twenty feet
high and under which are good granaries. He
erected this at a cost of $800. His barn and sheds
for stock are supplied with water that is forced
where needed by a wind mill.
Mr. Colby does not devote himself to any special
line in agriculture, but he engages in the more
lucrative course of mixed farming. He is a most
intelligent man and keeps abreast with the times in
all the improvements of the day. He was elected
Township Treasurer in 1835, in which capacity lie
served for two years. And at the close of the
term he was elected Supervisor, and is now serving
his fifth term  During his service an arrangement
has been satisfactorily made for the liquidation of
the old debt standing against the county of the sum
of about $40,000, which had been hanging over the
county for forty years, the basis of settlement
being outlined by the Supreme Court as carried up
by the recent Board of Supervisors. This happy
result is largely due to the action of Mr. Colby and
his colleagues. At, the June session of 1891 of
Supervisors, Mr. Colby succeeded in reducing the
equalization valuation of his township $22,000,
which was an important item to the people of the
township. At other times his efforts have been
crowned with success toward making or modifying
measures for the benefit of the township. Three
years ago he succeeded in getting a reduction of
valuation, amounting to $6,000. Some of the new
bridges that have been built in the township have
been secured by his influence in the Board. In
June, 1891, the new law of School Commissioners
was first tested and a citizen of Shiawassee Township was chosen for Commissioner. This concession was largely due to Mr. Colby's efforts.
The gentleman of whom we write was married




560


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


January 7, 1880, to Miss Georgiana Sergeant,
daughter of Collins Sergeant. She is a native of
the township, being born March 14, 1861. They
have a family of two bright children-Roy L. and
Wayne S. Mr. Colby has been a Mason since
1866. Politically, our subject is one of the most
active Republicans in the county, always having
taken a prominent position in every political campaign. He is a Director of the Owosso Fair Association. He is interested in every measure that
can benefit in the least his fellow-townsmen.
-v ---.'*-31':J  OHN H. CORBIT. This gentleman has the
honor of having established the first hardware store in St. John's, and of being the
first dealer in merchandise in the county.
He came here in March, 1856, when the town was
just starting into life, the railroad having just been
completed, and during the fall he put in a general
stock of hardware which was shipped from Buffalo,
N. Y., to Fenton, and carted fronm here. The firm
of Corbit & Moote carried on business three years,
then Mr. Corbit became sole proprietor of the
establishment and in 1870 he built a large double
store, which he found it necessary to enlarge in
later years. The building is one hundred and
thirty feet deep and an implement warehouse of
large size is also used, five floors being occupied
with goods from which the retail trade is supplied
and some wholesaling done. Agricultural implements have been handled by Mr. Corbit for years.
At present the business is carried on by the firm of
Corbit & Valentine.
In the paternal line Mr. Corbit is of Irish parentage, but his father came to America when quite
young. He was married in Baldwinville, N. Y.,
and located in Geneva County and after the death
of his first partner made a second matrimonial alliance. His wife was Mary Gardner who died in
1846. He was a weaver by trade but was for some
time a dealer in grain and produce at Pekin, on
the old "strap" road between Lockport and Niagara
Falls. For a long time he was the only produce
dealer there. He afterward retired and came to St.




John's, where he remained with his children until
his demise. He was an old-line Whig.
Mr. Corbit of this notice was born in Cambria,
Niagara County, N. Y., June 15, 1832, and remained there until fifteen years old, pursuing his
studies in the district school. He then went to
Lockport and served a three years' apprenticeship
at the tinner's trade, then took up his work as a
journeyman at Niagara Falls. A year later he returned to Lockport, made a short sojourn, and
thence went to Tonawanda and from there to
Pekin. He was in business in the East until 1854,
when he came to Albion, this State, and entered the
employ of Mr. Brooks of Battle Creek working one
season. He then returned to his native State, spent
a short time, and coming back to Albion in the
spring of 1856 decided to locate in the new town
to which a railroad was being built. Besides his
hardware store here be has been interested in other
schemes for his own good and the improvement of
the place. He built the Republican printing office
and the drug store block, in partnership with Dr.
Bagg and still owns a half interest in each. He
has also a half interest in the lot occupied by the corner (drg store, and a farm in Bingham and Bengal
Townships. His outlying land consists of seventy
acres, which is very well improved and produces a
fair income by rental.
In company with his brother, George S., Mr.
Corbit built the Independent office building but
afterward disposed of his interest to his brother.
In 1888, in partnership with Ed. Brown, he bought
out the firm of Dr. Stewart and put up the Hotel
St. John's, a large brick structure leased at a good
rate. He is interested in Denver real-estate, and
was one of the originators of the State Bank of
St. John's, and is a Director in that organization.
In 1861 he built what was at that time the finest
residence in town and is still a beautiful home. It
is in the Gothic style of architecture and has a
pleasant location in a sightly part of the city.
The wife of Mr. Coriit was formerly known as
Miss Jennie Earl. She was born in Onondaga
County, N. Y., where her marriage took place, and
was deprived of a father's care and training when
she was quite young. She has her mother with
her, Mrs. Earl being a lady eighty-six years old.




I
I



r
I 4:::






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


563


Mr. and Mrs. Corbit have had but three children
and only one of these survives. Agnes and Fanny
are deceased; Helen, the second in order of birth,
adds to the pleasure and attractiveness of home
and social life, her intelligence and good breeding
giving her popularity. She attended the St. John's
High School and pursued higher branches in Detroit and Kenosha.
The family are communicants of the Episcopal
Church and the wife and daughter are active in the
ladies' work, while Mr. Corbit has been a Vestryman for years. He is one of the founders of the
religious society, having been associated with Gen.
0. L. Spaulding and the lion. S. S. Walker in buying land and putting up the house of worship. He
is a Democrat and has been a delegate to county
conventions. He is a charter member of the St.
John's Gas Company, and was one of the originators of the fire department, of which he is an honorary member. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and Ancient Order of United Workmen in St.
John's. He was Trustee of the village two years
during the early days of its existence. In business
circles his reputation is irreproachable, and as a man
of good character and mental culture lie is well
regarded by all who know him.
-+HARLES 0. BUSSELL, one of the brave
defenders of our country, who fought for
the old flag during the Civil War, resides
on a farm on section 10, New Haven Township,
Shiawassee County. His father, Charles H. Bussell, was a native of New Hampshire, born January
8, 1798. He was a youth of more than ordinary
ability, and was given an opportunity for education of which he availed himself. When twentyone years old he left the parental home, and coming
to Ohio, bought fifty acres of wild land which he
cleared. He made an addition to it by the purchase of sixty-six acres and continued to live upon
it for several years.
In 1855 the father of our subject came to Caledonia, Mich., and took up two hundred acres. Af

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ter remaining in that place for two years, he returned to Ohio, where he sojourned several years.
In 1865 he came again to Michigan, and lived with
his son at New Haven until his death in 1880.
On May 19, 1822 he had been joined in marriage
with Susan J. Starr, who was born in New York,
October 20, 1807. They had eleven children, five
daughters and six sons, of whom our subject is the
eighth child. His mother died April 11, 1891, in
Hazelton, Mich. In her early years she was a
Methodist, but later became a Universalist. The
father was an ardent Republican, and was active
in party matters.
The gentleman of whom we write, was born in
Lorain County, Ohio, in 1838. He had meagre
opportunities of schooling in his youth, but has always availed himself of the best advantages which
have come to him through life. He is a great reader
and has developed his intellectual abilities by an
intelligent choice of books.  When twenty-one
years old he began working out by the month, and
in 1864 left the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, to
enter the army. He enlisted in Company II, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, and was at once sent
to Atlanta. He marched with Sherman to the yea,
and was with that General near Raleigh when the
news was brought that Lee had surrendered his
army to Grant. He remembers with enthusiasm
the excitement and hilarious joy with which the
boys in blue greeted this grand message. From
there he went to Salisbury, N. C., and was there
mustered out and came home to Detroit, where he
received his final discharge.
After returning from the war, MIr. Bussell went
to Hastings, and buying some village property, entered the mercantile business, but after a year went
to Ohio. Upon his return to Michigan he buught
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, to which
he afterward added by purchase fortyfive acres.
He is a Republican in his political views, and a
stanch and active one, taking a lively interest in
political movements. In his boyhood he was a
schoolmate of the Horr brothers, of Lorain County,
Ohio, who are now so prominent in public life, and
has always kept up a cordial intimacy with them.
He has an excellent farm, and his barns and outbuildings by their neat appearance and freshly




564


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


painted exterior, speak well for the care which he
bestows upon his property. IHe is a man of genial
and companionable nature, and his bachelor home
is a pleasant resort among his friends.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Bussell will be
found elsewhere in this volume.
--- -   at    ~ —~LVIN M. BENTLEY of the Owosso Tool
Works, Owosso, Mich., is considered one of
the prominent citizens of that place.
These works were      established  by  D.
Thompson & Co., in 1884 and took their present
title in 1885. Mr. Bentley acted as manager under
Mr. Thompson and when the change was made and
he became proprietor, he continued in the same
capacity.
Mr. Bentley was born in Orleans County,
N. Y., October 20, 1858. His father, William
Bentley, a native of New York, is now a retired
farmer of Ontario County, and his mother, who
bore the maiden name of Sarah Holliday, is also a
native of that State and is still living, the honored
mother of eleven children, ten sons and one
daughter, of whom nine survived until maturity
and seven are now living.
Our subject passed his school days in his native
county, and afterward removed to Niagara County,
where he spent two years and then moved to
Shortsville and spent the last two years of his
school days at Canandaigua Academy. His first
work was shipping clerk, afterward assistant to the
superintendent of the Empire I)rill Company at
Shortsville, where he remained eor four years. In
1882, he removed to Linden, Genesee County,
Mich., where he engaged in the manufacture of
farm wagons. He built up a large business and
after eighteen months sold out to his partner Myron
Harris. In the fall of 1883 he moved to Ovid,
Clinton County, this State, where he purchased an
interest in the firm of D. Thompson & Co., manufacturers of farm tools and dealers in hardware.
The firm of D. Thompson & Co., of which Mr.
Bentley was partner, erected works in Owosso in
the fall of 1886. Mr. Bentley bought the interest


of his two partners, then established the Owosso
Tool Company of which he is sole owner. This
company makes a specialty of the manufacture of
door and window screens and wooden snow shovels.
They also make scythe snaths, grain cradles, hay
rakes and all kinds of handles. This concern occupies two extensive buildings and surrounding these
are large lumber yards and railroad side tracks.
They carry constantly from one to two million feet
of hard wood and pine lumber.
The buildings are equipped with the finest and
best machinery and the company employs from one
hundred and twenty-five men to one hundred and
fifty men the year around. The business has sextupled within four years, and has been eminently
successful from the start. The products of this
company find a market from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast and have also got something of a European trade. The business under the personal supervision of Mr. Bentley, who is sole proprietor.
The marriage of Mr. Bentley with Miss Clara
Brown of Shortsville, N. Y., took place in 1879.
This lady is a daughter of C. P. Brown, President
of the Empire Drill Company at that place. One
son has been granted to this worthy couple, Calvin
P. Mr. Bentley is a Republican in his political
views and a man of intelligence in public affairs.
Both he and his accomplished wife are active members of the Congregational Church.
E EUBEN E. DAGGETT, a respected citizen
of Eureka, Clinton County, this State, was
I   born November 17, 1827, in Cattaraugus
County, N. Y. He is a son of Loren and
Prudence (Dennis) Daggett, natives of New York
and Vermont respectively. His paternal ancestors
were of English stock and his maternal grandfather is said to have been a Revolutionary soldier.
During the early childhood of our subject he attended the district school and also assisted his
father upon the farm, but when ten years old he began working out as a farm hand, earning the tremendously large wages of $2.50 a month and his
board. As he worked out in this way until he was




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


565


—  —
--


twenty years old, there was of course, no further
schooling for him, and his education as far as the
schoolroom was con6erned was cut short.
Mary A. Wright, a daughter of Edward and
Mary Wright, of Genesee County, N. Y., was
the lady whom this young man chose to be his
companion through life. Their wedding (lay was
October 17, 1847. Four children were granted to
this young couple, namely: Edward, Mary E., wife
of John Prentiss, William and James. The two
last named were twins. The mother of these children died while they were living in New York and
in the fall of 1857, Mr. Daggett with his orphaned
children, came to Clinton  County, Mich., and
began their new home in Greenbush Township.
Mr. Daggett's second marriage occurred in May.
1859, when he was united with Mrs. Caroline
Badgerow who was snatched from his side by death,
January 9, 1891. This lady was a member of the
Evangelist Church, and was highly esteemed by all
who knew her as well as by her family to whom her
death was an irreparable loss. In the fall of 1890,
Mr. Daggett removed from the farm to the village
of Eureka, where he now makes his home. When
he first took his farm it was a dense forest and he
did true pioneer work upon it, clearing it and
bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and now
owns one hundred acres of excellent land. He is
identified with the Evangelist Church in which he
finds a broad field for labor. He is public-spirited
and enterprising and is interested in the success of
the Democratic party with which he casts his vote.
AMUEL S. C. PHIPPEN, M. D., C. M., one
of the influential physicians of Owosso, is a
native of Canada and was horn in thl
county of Ontario, March 26,1860. IIe is the
eldest son of Nicholas and Thomasina (Croxall)
Phippen. The father was a furniture dealer, and
was also engaged in the milling business in a saw
and planing mill, and did a very extensive business
in a sash, door and furniture factory. A man
of good judgment and great ability, he was universally esteemed where ever known.


The son, Samuel S. C., passed his early days in
Brooklin, county of Ontario, where he received
the rudiments of his education. At the age of
fourteen he removed with his parents to Park Hill
in the county of Middlesex and there he sojourned
for four years. During this interval he was a student in the Park Hill High School and at the end of
his course he passed the intermediate examination,
receiving a first-class teacher's certificate for the
Province of Ontario. This of itself speaks well
for his attainments at that early age. Then going
to Toronto he passed his matriculation examination in medicine before the College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Ontario, and became registered as
an undergraduate in medicine in the University of
Toronto. He subsequently attended lectures over
one year at the Toronto School of Medicine.
We next find the young student in London, Canada, where he studied one year with Dr. Moorhouse, a celebrated physician of Canada. Afterward he proceeded to Montreal and became a
student in the medical department of McGill University, where he continued three years, graduating with high honors and receiving his diploma in
March, 1883. He stood at the head of his class
in the examination of the medical clinic at the
Montreal General Ilospital.  Owosso, Mich., was
the first point to which the young practitioner
turned as his field of labor. He came here in June,
1883, soon after graduating, and in this place he
has built up an extensive and lucrative practice.
The  )octor established a home of his own in
September, 1886, at which time lie was united in
marriage with Miss Anna Kohler, of Owosso, Mich.
The bride was born and reared in this city, and is
universally beloved for her many noble and amiable qualities. The Doctor is a member of the
Owosso Academy of Medicine and also of the Michigan State AMedical Society. He is Assistant Surgeon of the Fourth Regiment of the Michigan
Brigade Uniformed Rank. Knights of Pythias. This
gives him the rank of Captain on the Colonel's
staff. He is also Local Surgeon at Owosso for the
Michigan Central Railway. For several terms he
was Health Officer and likewise President of the
Board of Health of the city of Owosso.  Socially
lhe is identified with the Knights of Pythias


a




566


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Knights of the Maccabees, etc. His delightful residence at No. 707 W. Main Street is the frequent
scene of social reunions, where he and his accomplished wife extend hospitality to their friends and
neighbors. Politically the Doctor is a Democrat,
believing the principles of that party to be best
calculated to advance the interests of the nation.
ULIUS FRIESEKE. The firm of J. & H.
Frieseke began the manufacture of brick
and tile in Owosso in 1865, on a small scale,
the work being mostly done by hand. As
the demand increased they enlarged the capacity of
their works and have kept pace with the growth of
the town and now carry on a flourishing business,
making brick and drain tile and all kinds of ornamental brick. They use the McKenzie brick machine, made in Adrian, and their tile machine is of
the Bennett make, manufactured at Jackson. The
annual output of brick is between two and three
millions and the amount of tile varies according to
the demand. They employ twenty-five men during
the busy season, which lasts from six to seven
months, and furnish them  employment at wood
chopping during the winter.
Our subject, who is senior member of the firm,
is of German birth and parentage, and came to
America during his youth. He was born February
10, 1842, and attended school in his native land
until sixteen years old. His parents, Frederick and
Maria (Langerwisch) Frieseke, then crossed the Atlantic with their family, and landing at New York,
came at once to Shiawassee County, this State.
The father died here at the venerable age of ninetyone years. He had been a soldier in his own land
and had fought under Gen. Blucher in the war of
the allies against Napoleon. In 1859, soon after
their arrival in America, our subject began brickmaking for Charles Shattuck. He and his brother
worked at the brick yard, after a time went to Ypsilanti and worked in a brick yard.
Young Frieseke felt as much interest in the
events that transpired during the early '60s as


though he had been born in America, and soon
after attaining to his majority he entered the Union
army, enlisting in the Thirteenth Michigan Battery
Light Artillery.  His enrollment took place in
1864, and he was sent to Washington, D. C., and
spent some time in fortifications in and near that
city. In July, 1864, he took part in an engagement at Ft. Stevens. After serving about sixteen
months he was honorably discharged in July, 1865,
and returning to Owosso he started in the brick
business before the month had expired. He bought
out Mr. Shattuck and has continued to use a part
of the old plant. The clay is of superior quality,
the vein about six feet thlick, free from gravel and
other impurities, and the material burns a handsome
red.
In 1868 Mr. Frieseke was married to Miss Catherine Strahle, a resident of Owosso, but a native of
Germany. Her father was John Strahle. The
family of Mr. and Mrs. Frieseke consists of two
sons and five daughters-a group of enterprising,
active boys and girls, several of whom are already
entering upon the duties of life. Mr. Frieseke has
represented the Third Ward on the Aldermanic
Board four terms and is still filling his official station. In 1889 he was elected to the Mayoralty and
brought his business principles and prudence to
bear upon municipal affairs. He is a member of
L. B. Quackenbush Post, No. 205, G. A. R., and
his name among his comrades is that of a good
soldier and true patriot. He is held in good repute
by his acquaintances and his reputation as a business
man has extended beyond the city, wherever the
products of his yard have gone. Politically he is a
stanch Republican.
ILLIAM II. BIGELOW, who is now serving his second term as Register of Deeds
w\Y   of Shiawassee County, is an intelligent and
enterprising man, who for some years has been
closely identified with the business prosperity of
this locality. He came to the county in 1878 and
notwithstanding some misfortunes which have befallen him, particularly a heavy loss by fire, he has




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


567


gone on his way with unflagging energy, determined to succeed and securing for his family a
good maintenance. He was born in Oswego, N. Y.,
July 27, 1852, and was but six weeks old when his
parents came to this State to make their future
home. IHe grew up in Ypsilanti, where he first attended the common and then the high school and
at a still later period studied in the normal school.
He then became a student of pharmacy under Drs.
Tripp & Van Tuyl of that city.
In 1873 young Bigelow went to Saginaw, where
for two years he clerked for William Moll, after
which he was manager of the store three years. He
then located in Byron, Shiawasse County, in the
drug business and carried on the trade five years.
During that period he was Village Recorder of
Byron and Treasurer of Burns Township. Thence
he went to Bancroft, where he intended carrying
on the drug business with his brother. The stock
was placed in the store, but the first night after
our subject reached the place, a fire occurred by
which the establishment was totally wrecked, entailing a loss of $2,600. In the spring immediately
following Mr. Bigelow started a drug and grocery
business in Owasso, the firm being Bigelow & Bigelow. The business was carried on until he of whom
we write was elected Register of Deeds, when he
removed to the county seat in order to be able to
give his time as he ought to his official duties. His
first election was in the fall of 1888, when he was
placed in nomination on the Republican ticket. He
received a majority of sixteen hundred and twenty,
the largest given any candidate in the county, and
ran eight hundred ahead of the ticket. He entered
upon the discharge of his official duties January
1, 1889, and in the fall of 1890 was re-elected,
with a majority of nine hundred and forty-three,
which, considering the political aspect at that time,
was extremely satisfactory.
At the head of the household affairs in the residence of Mr. Bigelow is awell-read and amiable lady,
whose maiden name was Adelaide R. Brooks. She
is a daughter of William R. Brooks, an early settler
in Lenawee County, and was born near Adrian. She
was given excellent school privileges, engaged in
teaching and had a high reputation as an instructor
of youth. Her marriage took place in Adrian April


23, 1874, and two children have been born of her
happy union. They are named respectively Stella
A. and Horace W.
Mr. Bigelow is a member of the State Pharmaceutical Society and is a registered pharmacist. He
has been a member of the City Board of Health.
He is a demitted Odd Fellow, belongs to the Knights
of Pythias in Owasso and is Past Commander of
Wilson Tent, No. 89, K. O. T. M., there. Is a prominent Mason, being a Knight Templar in Corunna
Commandery with the rank of Generalissimo. He
is firm in his political faith and has been a delegate
to county and State Republican conventions and
was a member of the County Central Committee
several years. Personally he is one of the most
agreeable of men, showing an interest in the general welfare and the progress of human events that
stamps him as a man of intelligence and kindly
feeling.
7    HOMAS ATKINSON, one of our representative British-American citizens, was born
February 19, 1829, in Lincolnshire, England.
His parents Thomas and Ann (Jackson) Atkinson,
came from England to America in 1855, and located in Clarence Township, Erie County, N. Y.,
coming to Michigan in 1863. They were both
earnest and devoted members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church and died in 1863 and 1874, respectively.
The subject of this sketch was one of two children of the parental home, and his father being a
farm laborer residing in an English village he received his education in the village schools and
worked on a farm from the time he was twelve
years old, getting sixteen cents a day wages. In
1851 he preceded his parents to America and was
upon the ocean four weeks. He found employment
in a brick-yard in Clarence, Erie County, N. Y.,
and worked at that and upon a farm for some time,
and for a while worked a farm upon shares.
In 1861 the young man was taken with the Western fever and came to St. John's, Mich., where he
worked by the day for about two years. He and




568


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-


his brother finally purchased thirty-six acres of
land in Bingham Township, but after a while our
subject sold out his share and purchased what is
now his home farm on section 13, Bengal Township.
It was only partly improved but had upon it a
small house and barn. Upon this he has expended
much labor and enterprise as he completed clearing
it of trees and has placed it all under cultivation,
and it now shows the hand of a thorough.going
and practical farmer.
In 1851 he was united in marriage with a lady
who is like himself of British birth, Sarah 'Wood,
a native of England. She is the mother of eight
children: Thomas is married and lives on a farm
near his parents; John resides in St. John's; Emily
is the wife of Romeo Cossle,in St. John's; William
resides at home and four children died in infancy.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson are earnest and active
members of the Free Methodist Church and he is a
Republican in his political views. He began life
with no means except his own energy and enterprise and he has now attained to a handsome property, having eighty acres of land in the home farm
and owning a house and lot in St. John's. His
home is a pleasant one and forms one of the attractive spots in the township.
HILANOUS EMMONS, a prominent farmer
and lumber dealer of Clinton County, occupies one hundred acres of land in Bingham Township, and since 1880 has been
the successful operator of a sawmill there. He
manufactures lumber in considerable quantities and
ships much of the product, although he has quite a
heavy home trade. His farm is on section 32, of
the township named, is well tilled and stocked and
supplied with all necessary buildings. The mill
from which Mr. Emmons derives so good an income was built by him in the fall of 1880, when he
saw an opportunity for a lumber manufacturer
to enter upon a good business.  Prior to that
time he had been giving his attention entirely
to farming and had occupied different tracts of
land in this State, to which he came in 1852.


Mr. Emmons was born in Seneca County, N. Y.,
September 25, 1829, and is one in a family of nine
children, only three of whom are now living. His
parents were Philanous and Susan (Wilkes) Emmons, each of whom was born near Great Bend,
N.Y. The father was a good mechanic and understood the trades of coopering and masonry. He
died in 1839, aged fifty years. He had been a soldier during the War of 1812. Mrs. Emmons lived
to an extreme old age-ninety-five years-dying in
1890. She was a devout member of the United
Brethren Church.
Our subject spent his early years upon a farm,
but after the death of his father, which occurred
when he was ten years old, he was away from home.
Ile did such work on the farms as was within the
range of his capabilities, and during the winter
months attended school until he had acquired a
fair education. He continued to work out in his
native State until he had attained to his majority,
and. not many months after his birthday he came
West. During the year before mentioned he located in Bengal Township, Clinton County, buying
forty acres of land on which there were no other
improvements than a log house and a small patch
of cleared ground. It was in a sparsely settled
region, where deer and other wild game abounded
and the homekeepers supplied their tables with the
flesh of the animals they killed. Mr. Emmons
lived there seven years, then removed to Orange
Township, lonia County, but after a sojourn of
three years sold out and went to Macomb County.
He remained there only a few months, when he had
an opportunity to exchange his farm for a partly
improved tract in Olive Township, Clinton County.
Here he located and farmed two years and a half.
During that time he' bought a farm in Bingham
Township, which he exchanged for another tract on
which lie has established his home.
The year 1852 saw Mr. Emmons beginning his
career as the head of a family. He was married to
Sarah Ritter, a native of Seneca County, N. Y.,
who has been faithful to the obligations imposed
upon her as wife, mother and friend. She has had
nine children, of whom we note the following:
Elmer married Sarah A. Smith, lives on a farm and
operates a cider press which he built in 1878; he




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


569


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has ground and pressed as high as forty thousand
bushels of apples, and ships as high as fifteen car
loads of eider for which he finds a ready market
in Philadelphia. He also makes a good deal of
jelly. Orion is married and living in Dickey
County, N. Dak.; Della is the wife of Isaac J. Miller
and her home too is in Dickey County, N. Dak.;
Willard is now at Fairhaven, Wash.; Emma is
the wife of Lewis J. Miller and lives in St. John's
Pearl married Will May and lives in Owosso;
Byron C. is married and living on a farm in Bingham Township; Libbie and Claude are at home;
Grace is deceased.
Mrs. Emmons is a member of the Seventh Day
Advent Church. Mr. Emmons gives his political
allegiance to Democratic principles and policies and
never fails to support the candidates whose names
adorn the party ticket. Naturally interested in that
which pertains to farm life, he is a member of the
Patrons of Industry.
ON. LUTHER F. CONRAD, a well-known
farmer resides on section 22, Watertown
Township, Clinton County, where he has
one hundred and eighty acres of fine land.
There is probably no man in this part of the county
who is so well and favorably known by his fellowcitizens as Mr. Conrad, as he has not only been
identified with the agricultural development of
this section but has also been honored by his fellow-citizens by being placed in various offices. He
creditably represented the second district in the
Legislature of 1885-86, to which he was elected
on the Greenback and Democratic Fusion ticket in
a district which had been represented during the
preceding term by a Republican. He received a
majority of two hundred and sixty-five votes over
his very prominent and popular Republican opponent.
While in the Legislature Mr. Conrad served on
the committee of Normal Schools, also on that of
Roads and Bridges. He was considered to be one
of the most intelligent members of the House in the
matter of education, as he was the first County


Superintendent of Schools of Clinton County under
the present law in which capacity he served for six
years. He had also filled the office of Township
Clerk.
Our subject is the son of George and Hannah
(High) Conrad, who were natives of Westmoreland County, Pa., and his grandfather was William
Conrad who served in the War of 1812 and lived
to be eighty-six years of age. The family on both
side were among the early settlers of Ohio, as his
grandfather Conrad and his father removed to
Stark County, Ohio, in 1819, and his grandfather
High also removed to that State the same year. His
mother was then an infant and was carried the
greater part of the way in the arms of her father.
The father of our subject was born in 1807 and his
father in 1782.
Luther F. Conrad was born in Medina County,
Ohio, May 23, 1839, and at the age of thirteen he
started out in life for himself, hiring out in summer and attending school in the winter and thus
preparing himself for teaching. He taught his first
term at the age of twenty and continued this work
each winter until 1864, when he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Infantry. This regiment was attached to the Twentythird Corps under General Scofield and was sent to
Nashville, Tenn. After the battle at that point
they were transferred to Morehead City, N. C., and
joined Sherman's army in connection with which
they followed General Johnston until his surrender.
The regiment was then placed on detached duty at
Charlotte, N. C. On July 13, 1865, they were
discharged and mustered out at Columbus, Ohio,
from which point our subject returned to his home.
After this he engaged as before in working during
the summers and teaching in the winters until
1868.
The accomplished woman who presides over the
household of our subject became his wife, April 6,
1868. Her maiden name was Louisa Chandler,
and she was a daughter of Edward and Julia
Chandler, and was born in Medina County, Ohio,
September 29, 1842. This union has been blessed
with three children. Julia Estella, was born July
2, 1870, and having graduated in the class of 1890,
at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, is now en



570


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I — I --- —-i --- I --- —-----
- - ---— I ----- — —- --- —-—  ---"- --- -` — -— I- ----`


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gaged in teaching in Allegan County, this State.
Holland H., who was born May 7, 1873, is with his
parents on the farm; Kirk H., was born February
3, 1875, and is now one of the pages in the Michigan Legislature. The mother of these children is
a lady of broad intelligence and was a teacher for
five years before she became the wife of our subject. The Hon. Mr. Conrad is the Commander of
Mason Post No. 248, G. A. R., of Wacousta, and
his wife is a member of the Relief Corps.
I   ONAS ITOENSHELL. The owner of the
farm located on section 3, Caledonia Township, is our subject, who was born March
(  19, 1835, in Westmoreland County, Pa.
His father, Jacob Hoenshell, a native of the
same county, was born in 1812 and was a farmer
by  occupation.  lie enlisted in the Mexican
War but was not actively engaged therein. Our
subject's grandfather was George HIoenshell, also a
native of Westmoreland County and a farmer who
had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
Our subject's great-grandfather was a native of
Holland and came to America when New York was
first settled. He was an extensive farmer in Westmoreland County and a man of considerable prominence.
Our subject's mother was Sarah (Keister) Hoenshell. She was a daughter of Jacob Keister, also a
native of Westmoreland County, and who served
as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was a
farmer and for the time in which he lived, a man
in high financial standing.  Her grandfather,
Peter Miller, was a man of wealth and influence in
Somerset County, Pa. He came from Holland and
handled large sums of money. The parents of our
subject were married in Pennsylvania, where they
resided until 1852, when they came to Ohio and
settled in Coshocton County, in which county the
father died in 1888. The mother still lives at the
age of seventy-eight. They were the parents of
thirteen children, six of whom are now living.
Our subject was brought up a Lutheran, of




I


I- - - -  II-~ ---" —


which Church his parents were members. The
traditions of the Democratic party were also early
ingrained and he naturally became an adherent to
that platform. He remained in his native State
until he was eighteen years of age, when he
removed to Ohio with his father. Previous to
this time he had received a good education and
was competent to fill any ordinary position in life.
He has always been a farmer although he learned
the business of engineering.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Hoenshell
started out in life for himself, hiring out by the
month to farmers in Ohio and receiving the magnificent remuneration of $16 per month. He continued in this way for two years and his economy
is proved by the fact that in 1856 he had laid aside
enough out of his small wages to warrant his taking upon himself the cares and obligations of married life. November 6 of the year abovenamed
he was united in marriage with Mary Steffe, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Underwood) Steffe, the
former being a native of Maryland and the latter
of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hoenshell's parents were
married in Ohio and always lived there; both
father and mother are now deceased. They were
the parents of sixteen children, eight of whom are
now living. Mrs. Hoenshell was born in Ohio in
1838 and received her education in the common
schools of the district.
After their marriage our subject and his wife
settled in Coshocton County, Ohio, and worked
the farm of his father-in-law, where he remained
until he came to this State in 1864 and settled on
the farm where he at present resides. At the time
of his advent into the county there were but few
improvements upon the place that he selected. He
now has eighty acres of land, seventy acres of
which are under cultivation, and he has given
eighty acres to his sons. All the improvements
upon his fine farm have been made by himself.
The residence in which he is now comfortably
domiciled and a view of which appears on another
page, was built in 1878 at a cost of $2,000. He
carries on the farm by himself.
Mr. Hoenshell is the parent of ten children, seven
of whom are now living. They are as follows:
William, who was married to Fannie Cooper, lives




RESIDENCE OF JONAS HOENSH ELL, SEC..,CALEDONIA T, SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.


I


i


1


A


~ ~ — ~10,,r+r~,~~~-                           v
NAM'


L -— JY*ISI EislOY rr ElsriiuruP~


RESIDENCE OF~


T. L.SWARTHOUT,SEC.12.,VICTOR TF, CLINITON CO.,MICH.




IS
fI




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRALAPHICAL ALCBUM.I~


573


PORTRAIT~~~. AN  BIGAHCLABM                     7


at Owosso and is the father of two children; Leonora, wife of L. G. Cudney, lives in Caledonia
Township and is the mother of three children;
Jacob is married to Cora Alliton, lives in New
Haven Township and is the father of one child;
John, who wedded Maude Le Munion, lives in
Caledonia Township; Lewis H. married Carrie
Willis and lives in this township, and is the father
of two children; the two youngest members of the
family, Ella and Fred, live at home.
Botli parents are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church of which body the father has
been Steward and Class Leader for many years.
He has always contributed generously toward the
upbuilding of the church and has been Leader of
the Bible Class in the Sunday-school for eight or
nine years, his wife also being a constant and efficient teacher in the same. Mr. Hoenshell was
originally a Democrat but has transferred  his
allegiance to the Prohibition party. His fellowtownsmen have shown the confidence that they
repose in him by appointing him to several local
offices. He has held minor offices for twelve years
and has served efficiently as Commissioner of
Drainage.
------- --
HOMAS LONSBURY SWARTHOUT. A
large and fertile tract of land in Victor
Township, Clinton County; is owned by
this gentleman, and is the scene of his industrious
and well-directed labors as an agriculturist. Its
possession is due to his continued efforts, thrifty
management and wisdom in investment, and shows
that poverty in youth is not necessarily followed
by poverty in maturity. The career of Mr. 'Swarthout is but an added example of what may be accomplished by a young man of determined spirits
and good habits, and is deserving the consideration of all such. A view of the homestead of Mr.
Swarthout, which is pleasantly located on section
12, appears on another page of this volume.
Mr. Swarthout was born in Romulus, Seneca
County, N. Y., October 6,1831, and is the son of
William S. and Betsey (Willett) Swarthout. He
was the fifth in a family of seven sons and at the


age of five years accompanied his parents in their
removal from the Empire State to Michigan.  He
received only a common-school education, but has
availed himself of every opportunity for improvement, and ranks high among the intelligent farmers of the county. At an early age he began to
assist his father in the farm work, and acquired a
thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He
naturally chose farming as his life work, and in
the pursuit of his calling has acquired a competency for his old age, and at the same time has well
served his adopted township and county by the aid
that lie has afforded in assisting his lellow-citizens
to develop the agricultural resources of this section of the State.
Under pioneer influences our subject grew to a
stalwart manhood and when he started out in life
for himself, located on the estate which he now occupies. This was in 1855, he having bought the
place the year previous. He found the farm in a
wild condition fresh from the hand of nature, and
it required ceaseless exertions to clear and improve
it and place upon it all the improvements which are
visible to-day. The homestead comprises two hundred and fifteen acres, of which about one hundred
and seventy acres are under cultivation. Besides this
he has aided his children in gaining good homes.
His residence is a large, two-story square frame
building and was erected in 1872. Good barns
and other outbuildings are noticeable, and the estate bears every mark of the hand of the efficient
owner. Mr. Swarthout handles sheep to some extent.
For many years our subject was a Republican,
but lhe is now a Prohibitionist, believing that by
adherence to that party he will best serve the interests of morality and good government. He has
served the public in various official capacities. Religiously he is a devoted member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, as is also his intelligent and
worthy wife, to whom he was married April 5,
1854. Her maiden name was Mary Parker, and at
the time of her marriage she was residing in Victor
Township, Clinton County.  She is a daughter of
John and Sarah (Cronk) Parker, and was born in
Romulus, Seneca County, N. Y., December 21,
1834. She has become the mother of two child



574


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ren-Edson, a sketch of whom appears in this
work, and Nora E., wife of Charles E. Warner, a
farmer and salesman of Falkton, S. Dak. Mr. Warner has been Treasurer of his county and is a prominent man in his community. lie and his wife have
one daughter, Marjory Swarthout.
'  LFRED T. KNIGIT, a farmer residing on
section 8, is a native of England where he
was born in Nottingham in 1836. He is
a son of John Truman, a lace-maker of
Nottingham. As our subject was early sent to live
with his grandfather, Mr. Knight, he took his name
and is generally known by it, and therefore we write
his biography under that name, as he has no relatives in America outside of his family. The father
of our subject was a well-educated man and a great
reader. He was married about the year 1835 to
Elizabeth Knight, a daughter of William Knight, a
manufacturer of silk hose in Nottingham. This
daughter was the second in a family of four daughters and one son.
John and Elizabeth Truman had born unto them
four daughters and four sons. As the mother died
in 1848 Alfred was sent to live with his grandfather,-Williain Knight, and grew up by his name.
In 1855 he whom we now call Alfred Knight came
to America and worked in New Jersey on a canal.
Later le worked in a screw factory in Massachusetts and then went to Illinois, locating for eight
years in Burrett, Winnebago County. He was in
the army for some time and after that went on the
lakes as an engineer for seven years. Company E,
Fifty-second Illinois Infantry was the company
joined by our subject in 1861. He was sent successively to Quincy, St. Joseph, (Mo.), Ft. Scott,
Paducah, Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and
Corinth. When at Shilohi he saved the life of Brig.
Gen. Sweeney by shooting at'a rebel who was aiming at the general. All through the battle of Shiloh
he was in the very thickest of the fight and was
ever cherished as a particular friend of Gen. Sweeney..It was in 1863 when our young man returned


from the war and he was soon married to Emma
Minkler, a native of Ohio, who was born in 1837.
Her father was John Minkler and he had a family
of four daughters and one son. Mrs. Emma Knight
died in 1883. After spending two years upon the
lakes Mr. Knight came to Rush Township and purchased forty acres of land on section 28, but sold
it and came to New Haven Township and bought
forty acres on section 8. In 1882 he purchased
twenty acres more on section 9, and in 1879 purchased eighty acres on section 8.
In 1879 our subject took to wife Mary Aten,
eldest daughter of Aaron and Mary A. (Wagner)
Aten, of Pennsylvania. She was born April 13,
1837. Mr. Knight is a devout member of the Disciples Church and prominently identified with
Lodge No. 53, I. 0. O. F. at Henderson, in which
he has held various offices. He has been a delegate
to the Grand Lodge. lIe is a Patron of Industry,
being the President of that order in New Haven
Township. His lolitical views ally him with the
Prohibition movement.
l  IRAM W. BROWN. Among the men now
prosecuting a successful work in Clinton
17    County there may be found many who
() began without means and have acquired
wordly substance by industry, integrity and continued effort. One of this number is Mr..Brown
who now owns one of the best quarter-sections in
Essex Township. The soil of this tract is a rich
black loam, very productive and capable of furnishing large crops and a consequently good income. UThe property was bought by Mr. Brown
when it was almost a wilderness, and he has cleared
and improved the larger part of the tract and placed
it in condition for cultivation. Not only is Mr
Brown a good farmer, but he has a war record that
entitles him to the respect of every loyal American.
The birthplace of our subject was Washington
County, N. Y., and his natal day August 11, 1828.
His father, John Brown, was also a native of the
Empire State and his occupation was farming. He




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


died in the '50s, in his seventy-second year. The
mother of our subject bore the maiden name of
Theda Waters and she was born amid the green
hills of Vermont. Hiram is one of the three survivors in a family that originally consisted of eight
children. Having been reared upon a farm his
early education was limited to the curriculum of
the district school, but he has made use of other
avenues for acquiring information and there are
few topics of the day upon which lie is not more
than ordinarily well-informed. He remained in
and near the old home until after the breaking out
of the Civil War, when he decided that his duty
was to take a place among the defenders of the
Union, and he enlisted in the One Hundred and
Twenty-third New York Infantry, commanded by
Col. McDougal.
Mr. Brown entered the service in the year 1862
and first smelled the smoke of battle at Chancellorsville, and during the progress of the fight was struck
in the abdomen by a fragment of shell and narrowly
escaped a fatal wound. Ile then fell into the hands
of the rebels but was exchanged after sixteen days
captivity. His wound was of so serious a nature
that his recovery was considered remarkable and
the operation by which the piece of shell was removed from   its lodging place between the hip
bones attracted the attention of all the surgeons in
the locality. It was performed by a surgeon of the
One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York Infantry.
who found it necessary to sever one of the arteries
and to turn back the covering of the bowels. Mr.
Brown was confined to Chesnut Hill Hospital in
Philadelphia five months, but he was then able to
rejoin his regiment and take part in the noted battles of the grand march to the sea. Among the
fields on which he fought were Atlanta, Peach Tree
Creek, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, etc. Mr. Brown
participated in the Grand Review at Washington
and received his final discharge at Albany, N. Y.
For some time he held the rank of corporal.
In 1866 Mr. Brown was appointed on the police
force in Troy, N. Y., and remained there two years,
During that time, while on his regular beat, he met
with an experience that added much to his reputation as a member of the force. He was attacked
by the bully of the city who found more than his


match on this occasion and was knocked down by
our hero six times and most gloriously whipped. In
1868 Mr. Brown decided to resume the occupation
in which his early years were spent and emigrating
to Oakland County, this State, he bought a farm in
Avon Township, but two years later sold it and
removed to Clinton County. He then bought the
land he now occupies, on section 17, Essex Township, and set himself to developing the resources
with which nature had supplied it.
In 1863, while at home on a furlough, Mr.
Brown was united in marriage with Miss Permelia
Thomas, who was born and reared in Washington
County, N. Y., and has proved her worth as a companion and helpmate. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown
there have been born five children, named respectively, Theda, Anna, Katie May, John H. and Lewis
C. The daughters are deceased, but the sons are
living and still fill their places at the parental fireside. Mr. Brown is not an office-seeker, but has
yielded to the wishes of his neighbors and served
them as Highway Commissioner and in other capacities of local interest. He gives political support
to the Republican ticket, as lie believes that the
principles of that party are the soundest and best
adapted to increase the prosperity of the nation.
T    ANSOM   CONVERSE, whose fine farm is
located on section 25, Owosso Township,
Shiawassee County, a mile and a half
south of the city of Owosso, was born in
Cayuga County, N. Y., near Port Byron, on the
Erie Canal. His parents, Elias and Emma (Frettenburg) Converse were natives of New York and
Vermont respectively.
The parents came West in the early days, settling
at White Lake, Oakland County, Mich., in 1841.
Here they lived for six or eight months and during
that time the family was deeply bereaved by the
untimely death of the wife and mother. They
then removed to Livingston County, making their
home in the township of Conway. After living
there ten years they returned to Oakland County,
and ten years later the father bought a farm ad— I~R --— J ----- ~ —C~






576


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I




joining the old Livingston County place, and made
it his home until his death in 1875, having completed his seventy-fourth year. His birth occurred
February 3,1801.
The family of Elias Converse and his first wife
consisted of William, who died in Nevada in 1859;
Angeline, the widow of William Babcock, and residing in North Bradley, Saginaw County; Ransom;
Lewis, who lives in Owosso City, and James, who
lives in Livingston County. The second wife of
Elias Converse was Mrs. Harriet Richmond, who
survived him until the fall of 1890, and who reared
to manhood two sons-George, who resides at the
old home in Livingston County, and Herbert, who
lives at Fowlerville, that county. At the age of
twenty-one our subject was married to Miss Levina
Richmond, of Livingston County. She died in the
spring of 1857, leaving one child, Charley Eugene,
who lived to be five years old.
On November 13, 1857, our subject was united
in marriage with Miss Harriet W. Morehouse, the
-ceremony being solemnized at Jackson, although
the bride was a resident of Livingston County.
She was born in Scio, Washtenaw County, September 4, 1839, and was the daughter of Capt. Josiah
Morehouse, a soldier in the War of 1812, and
Mary (Anderson) Morehouse. The parents came
from Orange County, N. Y., at an early date and
settled in Washtenaw County, two miles from Ann
Arbor.
Ransom Converse bought a place in Livingston
County, and lived there two years, after which he
sold the place and rented for a time. He had just
secured a new home in Conway Township when his
first wife died. A few years afterward he bought
in Cohoctah Township, and lived there until he
came to Owosso with the exception of three years
at Fowlerville. It was on August 16, 1880, that
he came to Shiawassee County, and bought his
present farm of sixty acres, pleasantly located one
and a half miles south of Owosso. He has a beautiful farm and a pleasant home with good improvements, and the whole place is in such a condition
as to reflect credit upon the thrift and management
of the owner.
Three childrei have been born to our subject
and his estimable wife, the eldest of whonm-George


I


I


Freeman-died in his third year. Frank E., was
born November 19, 1863, and Mary Edna, September 5, 1870. Frank has ever been a close student
and is now one of the leading teachers of the
county. He graduated first at the Owosso High
School, and then took a literary course in the
Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, taking
his diploma with the class of 1888. He taught two
or three terms when only seventeen years old, and
after graduation filled the Principal's chair for two
years in the graded schools of Saraaac, and is now
Superintendent of the city schools of Pontiac,
Mich. A wide-awake, progressive teacher, he is
meeting with marked success. Edna is still a student in the public schools, and while pursuing her
studies, she still continues the faithful daughter and
helper in the home, her mother being an invalid.
The political views of Mr. Converse have been
in accord with the utterances of the Republican
party, but the last four years he has voted the Prohibition ticket. Mrs. Converse is an earnest and
devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
It is by hard work that this worthy couple have
gained their present substantial position and they
justly rank among the most influential people in the
community.




7 OGIN P. MILLER. This gentleman is one
of many who are successfully prosecuting
the calling of a farmer on the fertile lands
of Clinton County.   Iis efforts have rcsuited in the accumulation of property and his
real estate consists of two hundred and eighteen
acres on section 18, Dallas Township. He had a
somewhat larger amount but the right of way of
the railroad has reduced his estate several acres.
He has made excellent improvements upon his
property, and in every part of the estate neatness
and order prevails, and the evidences of good management are visible to even the most careless observer.
The grandfather of our subject was Querin Miller, and the father was Mathias Miller, the latter
born in Germany in 1796. This gentleman mar



PORT~RAIT AND BIIOGR~APHIICAL ALBUM.


577


POTRI AN  BIGAHCLABM        7


ried Catherina Bierschbach, who died May 21, 1843,
at the age of forty-three years, the year of her
birth having been 1800. Ten years after her decease the husband emigrated to America, leaving
his native land June 10, 1853, and coming at once
to Clinton County. He settled on a farm of eighty
acres in Dallas Township, where he passed the
remnant of his days, and died July 28, 1860. In
his native land he had followed the trade of a
blacksmith, but here he gave his attention entirely
to farming. He had fought against Napoleon at
the age of eighteen years while acting in the Prussian army. His children were Catherina, John,
John P., Peter, Annie and Joseph. The last three
named are deceased.
The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs was born in the village of Nuerburg
Drees, Rhenish Prussia, July  8, 1830.  When
old enough   to  enter upon the duties of life
he became a farmer, and carried on his work in his
native land until 1853, when he came with his
father to this country. He spent some time in
Grand Rapids, making shingles by halnd-that being before machines for that purpose had been introduced-and followed that occupation until le
had produced nearly a million. In 1857 he set up
his home in Dallas T'ownship, and here he has remained, although not on the same tract of land.
He had two farms that he sold, and in May, 1883,
took possession of that which is now his home. His
acreage here was one hundred and forty-three,
which in 1890, was increased to the present
amount.
Mr. Miller has been twice married, his first companion having been Mary C. Brucker, to whom he
was married June 10, 1862, in Dallas. She was a
daughter of Peter Brucker, who died in Germany,
and came hither with her stepfather, John M.
Mueller, when eleven years old. She died June 19,
1871, at the early age of twenty-seven years, leaving four children -Catherina, John, Peter and
Mary. One daughter, Barbara. died in infancy.
The present wife of Mr. Miller bore the maiden
name of Elizabeth Fox, which she exchanged for
that she now bears, May 28, 1872. She is a daughter of Anthony Fox, a native of Germany, who
came to this State in a early day. The second


union of Mr. Miller has been blessed by the birth
of the following children-Joseph, Annie, Mathias,
Rosy, Edward, Clara, Anthony, Bertha, Theresa
and Gertrude. The last two named are deceased.
September 24, 1864, Mr. Miller enlisted in Company I, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, and after
spending most of the time on picket line, was discharged at Salisbury, N. C., June 28, 1865. He
was an earnest Democrat and has retained his connection with that party. In the discharge of public affairs he has been called upon year after year
to assume responsibility, and he now holds the
office of Township Supervisor, in which position he is serving for the second term in
succession.  IIe   was  Treasurer  two   years
and was the first one in Dallas Township
ever elected twice in succession. As Justice of the
Peace lie served two terms, and again in 1889, and
he has been H-ighway Commissioner nine years,
and School Director twelve years. Mr. Miller is
crop correspondent for tile State, and if information regarding the prospect and results is desired,
he is the man to approach. By his neighbors he is
held in esteem because of his friendliness and
worth of character, and in business circles he has
an established reputation.
E  ZEKIEL MITCHELL is extensively engaged
in farming and stock-raising on section 23,
Sciota Township, where he owns a valuable
tract of land of two hundred and forty acres. The
neat appearance of the place, and the many improvements there seen, all indicate careful management on the part of the owner, and speak to the
passer-by of his industry and enterprise. He was
born in Sodus, Wayne County, N. Y., on the 5th
of May, 1828, and is the eighth in order of birth
in a family of eleven children. The Mitchells are
of Irish origin, and on the maternal side our subject is of Irish descent. His parents, Newcom and
Polly (Howe) Mitchell, were natives of Vermont,
and in that State were married. At an early day
they removed to Wayne County, N. Y., and the




578


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




year 1846 witnessed their arrival in Michigan.
They settled in Salem, Washtenaw County, but after a year removed to Bennington Township, Shiawassee County, where the remainder of their lives
were passed. When a young man, Newcom Mitchell had learned the blacksmith's trade and he made
that occupation his life work, although after coming to this county, he purchased eighty acres of
wild land which he cleared and improved, carrying
on farming in connection with his trade. He was
a Whig in politics, and a member of the Baptist
Church, to which his wife also belonged. They
were highly respected people of the community,
and many friends mourned their loss.
Until eighteen years of age Ezekiel Mitchell lived
in his native State, and spent his time in work upon
the farm, and in attendance at the district schools.
With his parents he came West in 1846, but soon
after reaching Michigan he left home, going to Ann
Arbor, where he was employed in various lines of
labor for a few years. On coming to Shiawassee
County, he engaged in business as a horse dealer,
after which he worked for a time at the blacksmith's
trade, which lie had learned in his youth, engaging
in that pursuit in Sciota Township, in Pittsburg
and in Laingsburg. In the meantime he had purchased the farm which he still owns, and after a
few years spent in blacksmnithing, he settled upon
his land, and to its cultivation has since devoted
his entire energies.
A marriage ceremony performed in 1853, united
the destinies of Mr. Mitchell and Miss Electa Main,
who was born in Freedom, Washtenaw County,
Mich., in 1836, and is a daughter of Francis and
Electa Main. Unto them has been born a family of five children-Gertrude, Charles H., Etta,
Maud and Mabel, twins.
As before stated, Mr. Mitchell's farm comprises
two hundred and forty acres of land in a body, of
which one hundred and seventy-five acres has been
cleared and improved, and is now under a high
state of cultivation. Where was once a barren
waste, waving fields of grain now delight the eye,
and in their midst is a large and pleasant two-story
frame residence. To the rear of the house is a
good barn and other outbuildings such as are necessary to a model farm. Mr. Mitchell also owns


seventeen acres of land within the corporation limits of Laingsburg. He has made every dollar which
he possesses, and certainly deserves great credit for
his success. Indolence or idleness is utterly foreign to his nature, and his life has been characterized by hard work, perseverance, good management
and enterprise. In politics he is a Democrat. No
more worthy citizen can be found in the community than the gentleman whose name heads this
sketch, and it is with pleasure that we present this
brief record of his life to the readers of this ALBUM.
J AMES A. CHAPIN. Shiawassee County
has now become so thoroughly settled a
country that it is beginning to count among
its pioneers many a man who is able to retire from business and having passed the days of
his youth and maturity in hard labor and having
acquired a handsome competency, can sit by and
watch the progress of younger men as they follow
in his footsteps. Among this number we may
mention the gentleman whose name heads this
sketch who has long been a prominent citizen and
an intelligent and successful farmer and who, having rented out his farm in Bennington Township,
makes his home in Owosso.
Our subject was born in Allegany County, N. Y.
in the town of Burns, December 22, 1828. His
father, Deacon Samuel Chapin, was a native of
New York, a soldier in the War of 1812 and a prominent member in the Baptist Church and followed
farming as his occupation. His father, Samuel,
was a native of Connecticut, of English ancestry.
The mother of our subject, Eliza Armstrong, was
a native of Ontario County, N. Y. and a daughter
of James Armstrong, a native of New Jersey and
an early settler of New York. The Armstrongs
were of Scotch descent.
James A. Chapin and his parents removed to
Michigan in 1852 and located near Ann Arbor,
and 1854 moved on a farm near Grass Lake. They
afterwards moved to Shiawassee County, where
they spent three years and then removed to Washtenaw County, making their home in the city of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


579


I                       I- -- --


Ann Arbor, where the father passed away from
earth in May 22, 1872. The mother, who was a
devoted member of the Baptist Church, was called
hence in March 29, 1884 and they are both buried in
Ann Arbor. She was the mother of nine clildren.
Her husband, Samuel Chapin, had been twice married, his first wife being Miss Betsey Godfrey by
whom he had two sons: Decatur who took part in
the Civil War and afterward died by disease contracted while in service and Barney J. who was
also a soldier and became Lieutenant Colonel of the
Eighty-six New York Infantry. He fell in the
battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863 being shot
in action while charging upon his noble black
steed.
James A. Chapin, the subject of this notice is
the eldest son by the second marriage. John C.,
the brother'next younger, is deceased; Miles died in
California in 1863, where he removed in 1852.
William went some years ago to Puget Sound and
makes his home at Tacoma. E. Bennett Chapin, M.
D., makes his home at Grass Lake. Eliza (Mrs.
John C. Harper) lives at Milan; Cornelia A. is
single; Electa J. is the wife of B. W. Waite of
Dexter; Samuel is a doctor and lives at Milan,
Mich.
Our subject passed his boyhood days in school
near Geneseo in Livingston County, N. Y., and
previously attended a school in Genesee'County that
State. In 1863 he settled upon a farm in Bennington
Township, Shiawassee County, taking a farm of
eighty acres which he has since increased to one
hundred and ninety. He has been a breeder of
Short-horn cattle, fine sheep and good horses and
he continued in this business up to the spring of
1891, when he concluded to rent out the farm.
Seraphina E. Armstrong, a native of Macomb
County, Mich., and daughter of John D., and
Elvira Armstrong became the wife of Mr. Chapin
February 8, 1854. Her parents removed to the
territory of Michigan in 1831. They were born,
Mr. Armstrong in Ontario County, N. Y., Mrs. A.
in Vermont State and they were of Scotch descent.
Three lovely daughters have come to bless the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Chapin, all of whom have
grown to years of maturity and are a comfort and
honor to their parents who gave them every op

portunity of improvement and a liberal education.
Ella E. is the wife of M. W. Southard of Owosso;
Mellie S. is a graduate of the State Normal
School at Valparaiso, Ind., and is now teaching her
fourth year in the city of Owosso. Mary C. has
been for several years a teacher and is a graduate
of the Owosso High School.
Mr. Chapin is well-known in Republican circles
as a stanch adherent of the principles of that party
and he takes an active part in local and county
politics. While living on the farm, he was Treasurer, Clerk, Justice, etc., of Bennington Township and he has been for twelve years past the Superintendent of the Poor of the county. He is
truly honored by all who know him and his family
stands high in social and educational circles.
~c —~3~(-..^ ^^  ^4..^ ---~c~s
HADDE)US L. CRONKIIITE. The German element in our countryl has produced
many of the best results, although tile Teutons are supposed to be slow, and indeed, are slow
in some respects, the careful way in which they
balance results, insures them against making mistakes and perhaps this is one of the reasons of
their wolnderful progress in tlhe sciences in which
nicety and exactness are required. Our subject is
of German descent and the characteristics of his
nation are to be found in the nice detail with which
every part of the work on his farm is finished.
Our subject's father was Cornelius L. Cronkhite,
a native of Rensselaer County, N. Y., being born
January 20, 1818. Ile was a farmer by calling.
His wife was Maria E. (Jones) Cronkhite, a native
of Rutland County N. Y., and born January 21,
1817. Her fatherl was John Jones, a native of Connecticut; her mother Electa (Stacy) Jones, a native
of Vermont. He also was a farmer and came to
Michigan in 1844, locating on section 34, Venice
Township. The mother died in 184 6 and the father
in 1847. They were the parents of three children,
two of these now living. The parents of Mr.
Cronkhite were married in Cayuga County, N. Y.,
in 1840. Their first home was in Cayuga County,




580


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


N. Y., and there they remained until 1844, when
they came to Michigan by way of the lakes, their
first stop being at Detroit, thence by wagon to
their claim in this place. After the tedious overland journey they arrived at their destination, and
settled upon eighty acres of land. It was perfectly
wild and there were few neighbors, there being
at that time only a dozen voters in the township.
He of whom we write provided a dwelling for
his family by erecting a log house, well built for
the time and considering the immediate demands
of the family. There were some Indians in the
country, and plenty of wild animals, but their worst
enemy was the fever and ague, from which they
alternately shivered and burned.  The settlers
used to trade with the Indians for venison, meal
and pelts. Mr. Cronkhite added to his farm
until at the time of his death, it comprised two
hundred and forty acres. One hundred acres of
this he cleared during his life, and built his residence in which the family now live. It is now
thirty-two years old. Everything in the house
was made by *iand and made on the ground, for
there were no stores at which furniture could be
procured. It took a year to erect the modest home
that now could be built in one tenth of the time,
but when it was erected it was one of the most
elegant and pretentious houses in the county.
Besides the house, Mr. Cronkhite built barns
that arc a credit to the place, and set out a fine
orchard from which now the family have plentiful
harvests. A block which was to have been used
in the building was left in the woods, and two years
ago the subject of our sketch found the same block
covered with mud and leaves but as sound as it
was forty years before. When the barn was raised
Mr. Cronkhite was obliged to get men from Vernon Township and Genesee County besides all
the men then living in this township. We are not
told, but can surmise, after the raising was completed and the floor laid, the amount of good
cheer that was devoured to celebrate the erecting
of the new building. Mr. Cronkhite Sr. died on
the 8th of February, 1882. Our subject's mother
still survives and is well and bright, still wielding a
powerful influence over her family. She has the
attraction of an intelligent, well-educated woman,


having received academic advantages in her girlhood. She and her husband are the parents of
three children, two of whom   are now living,
Thaddeus and Dewey W. Frances was born May
18, 1842, and became the wife of the I-on. Hiram
Johnson; she was the mother of five children and
died January 12, 1890. The first son, who was
born December 2, 1847, was united in marriage to
Eliza Stewart and is living in Imley City, Mich..
where he is pastor of the Baptist Church. His little family comprises two children. The parents of
our subject were members of the Baptist Church,
of which body the father is a trustee.
In politics Mr. Cronkhite Sr. was a Democrat.
He was Treasurer of this township under his party,
also Highway Commissioner and Commissioner of
Drainage. He attained a high degree of prominence in this community by virtue of his judgment
and intuition of human nature. The principles of
temperance and the welfare of schools were vital
issues with him.
Our subject was born April 27, 1854, on the
home farm where he at present resides. The district schools of his community afforded him all the
educational advantages that he enjoyed.   The
presiding genius over this academic hall was
Emeline Pierce, long since deceased. Her school
numbered seven pupils, and for the tuition she had
$1 each per week. Ile has always lived at Bomee
and since assuming charge of the farm has cleared
twenty-five acres and has added a granary, tool
shed and cattle shed to the buildings on the place.
One hundred and eighty-three acres of the farm is
now under cultivation. Hle is engaged in general
farming, giving the greater part of his time to the
breeding of stock, having some fine Clydesdale
horses, Durham cattle and Merino and Shropshire
sheep.
October 27, 1875, Mr. Cronkhite abjured a life
of single blessedness and united himself for better
or worse with Mary J. Gidley, (laughter of Edwin
and Polly (Heniman) Gidley. Mrs. Cronkhite's
father is a native of Massachusetts, as was also the
mother. They came to Michigan at a very early
day. Mr. Gidley served in the Civil War in the
First Michigan regiment of Engineers, remaining
with them the full term. He died May 4, 1891.














PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


583


Mrs. Gidley still survives, and lives in this townshid. They were the parents of eight children, four
of whom are now living.
Mrs. Cronkhite was born April 11, 1857, in Oakland County. She enjoyed the advantages of a
good education and well fitted to be a model wife
and mother. She and her husband are the parents
of three children, viz: Celia S., born November 15,
1878; Sarah B., born October 11, 1880, and an infant who died soon after birth. Mr. Cronkhite is
the Treasurer of the local school district. LHe formerly voted the Democratic ticket and once was
attracted to the Greenback party. He is an ardent advocate of temperance principles.
OHN E. HILL. On the opposite page is
presented a portrait of Mr. IHill, who is
numbered among the prosperous business
men of Ovid, Clinton County. He possesses a genius for business of the highest order,
being of sound understanding and quick perception, and quick to carry out the measures which
his judgment approves. Hence his various enterprises have invariably been successful, for they
are always guided by prudence. Gifted by nature
with fine endowments, he has cultivated them to
the utmost, and is actively conducting his business as a harness and trunk dealer. le throws
into his daily labors his individual uprightness
and integrity, qualities which are the glory of
every man's character, whatever his position in
life may be.
The native place of Mr. Hill was Mantua, Portage County, Ohio, and the date of his birth August 29, 1853. His father, John W. Hill, was a
native of Connecticut, and was there reared and
educated. He was by profession a minister of the
Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church and
honored his calling by his upright life.  The
mother, whose maiden name was Emily Starr, was
reared to womanhood in Summit County, Ohio.
Our subject left his parental home when a lad
of only eight years, and going to Pennsylvania,
made his home with friends in Mercer County.


At the age of twelve he removed to Forestville,
N. Y., where he remained for some time.  His
educational advantages were very limited, as in
his childhood he attended the common schools for
a brief period, and then took only an incomplete
course.
In his youth Mr. Hill became an apprentice to
a harness-maker at Girard, Erie County, Pa., and
with his employer, whose name was J. C. Simmons,
he remained nearly four years. After he learned
his trade he supplemented his scanty schooling by
a year in the Bryant & Stratton Business College
at Meadville, Pa. We next find him at Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until
June, 1873. He then returned to Pennsylvania
and followed the same line of work for a year in
Edinborough. From there he went to Cambridge,
Crawford County, the same State, and on May 2,
1875, located in Meadville. It was in 1885 that
he finally decided to leave that city permanently
for the far West, as lie considered Michigan to
be, and leaving the Keystone State May 12, he
came to Ovid, where he has since been conducting
a business in the harness and trunk trade.
The marriage of our subject, October 29, 1879,
united him with Miss Jennie M. Frazier, of Meadville, Pa. In politics Mr. Hill is a Republican.
He is intelligent in regard to matters of public
good, and always willing to do his share for the
upbuilding of the town and its social and moral
elevation, but he is no politician in the popular
sense of the word. and never seeks office. He is
content to do his part by casting his ballot for the
men and principles which lhe endorses and to
quietly express his views on matters of public
interest.
4   OHN READ, a British-American farmer, residing in Bath Township, Clinton County,
and one of the most intelligent and prod_    gressive of the citizens of this vicinity was
born in Buckinghamshire, England, May 24, 1836.
His father, William Read, was born in 1809 in
Northamptonshire, England, and his grandfather,
Richard, who was an extensive farmer on the ten



584


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-211 ---cl --- —--- - --- —----
------—  --- —--------— -  --- —----------


ant system and a man of unusual vigor, died in
England. The father was also a farmer and coming to America in June, 1852, made his home in
Washtenaw County, Mich. After a short time he
removed to Livingston County, where he owned
and managed two hundred and forty acres of land.
He was a hard worker and a man of more than ordinary health and strength, a Presbyterian in
religious belief and a Republican in politics. He
died in March, 1888.
The mother of our subject whose maiden name
was Mary Marlow was born in England, about
1812. She was the mother of eight children, when
the family emigrated to this country, and their
journeying under these circumstances may well be
considered a great undertaking. Three more little
ones were added to her flock after coming to America. The children are John, Joseph, (recently deceased,) Jacob, George, Sarah, (Mrs. Hagadorn,)
Edward, Richard, Thomas, William, Mary A. (Mrs.
Jones,) and Albert. The mother was a Baptist in
her religious belief and brought her children up
to revere the principles of Christianity. She is
still living on the old homestead in Livingston
County.
The subject of this sketch was sixteen years old
when he emigrated with his parents to this country
and as he was six weeks on the way, and was very
observing he learned much from the sailors while
on the voyage. He had never traveled on a railway until he started on this journey from his old
home. He had spent his boyhood in farm  work
and in the English schools, and after settling in
Michigan worked out by the month at wages ranging from $6 to $15.
At twenty years of age the young man began
life for himself, working on farms and in the lumber woods for several years. His marriage with
Ruth Sickles, October 15, 1863, was a union
which has been blessed by harmony and happiness.
Mrs. Read was born in New York State, May 8,
1836, and came to Michigan when a little girl. Her
parents Simeon and Lois (McDonald) Sickles, were
pioneers of Washtenaw County. One child only,
Flora L., who died at the age of eleven years
blessed the union of our subject and his wife.
after marriage Mr. Read lived in Lenawee


County, for a few years on a rented farm, and then
coming to Clinton County, in the spring of 1866
bought one hundred and sixty acres of partially
improved land where he now lives. He has greatly
improved this farm and built in 1872 his large
white frame residence. His neat and commodious
barn was built in 1870. These handsome buildings
adorn a farm which every passer-by can see is well
cultivated and economically managed.
Mr. Read is a Republican in his political views
but sufficiently independent not to be closely bound
by party ties. He served as Supervisor of Bath
Township in 1869 and 1870. He has a second farm
on section 7 of the same township which is under
his own personal supervision. He also loans money
out at interest.
The wife of his youth was snatched from his side
by death July 1, 1890, and he was again married
February 23, 1891, this time taking to wife Rosa
L. Youngs, who was born in Fremont, Sandusky
County, Ohio, in 1854. She was reared upon a
farm and educated in the district school, and has
lived in Clinton County, since 1872. She takes an
intelligent interest in fancy work, and has taught
wax work. Her parents, Cyrus and Mary (Florence) Youngs, were born in France and both came
to America when they were thirteen years old,
where they met and were married in Buffalo, N.
Y. They came here from Sandusky County, Ohio,
and now own a beautiful farm of two hundred
acres upon the banks of Park Lake in this township.
\ )EUBEN GILMORE, a member of an old
XA  New England family, and a son of a solt   dier in the War of 1812, makes his home
on section 10, Caledonia Township, Shiawassee County. His father, Aretus Gilmore, a native of Massachusetts, was born September 7, 1792,
~and his mother Orna (Nichols) Gilmore, was also
born in the old Bay State, her natal day being October 7, 1800. Their marriage was solemnized in
Lorain County, Ohio, and there they spent all their
wedded life. Aretus Gilmore opened up a new
farm and improved it and became a prominent




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


585


-- -


=


man in his locality. They were the parents of
thirteen children, six of whom are now living, and
the father passed away in 1854, but his wife lived
to complete eighty-five years. After Mr. Gilmore's
death she married a second time, but had no children by her second union. She was an earnest
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Arctus Gilmore was a Whig, and took an active part
in politics, and was also wide-awake in regard to
the interests of district schools, being a member of
the Board.
The subject of this sketch was the third child of
his parents, and was born January 29, 1822, in Loraine County, Ohio, and attended the district school
there, making his home in that county until he
reached the age of thirty years. When young he
learned the trade of a ship-calker, and worked at it
for some time. From the time he was twelve years
old he took care of himself and earned the money
with which to clothe himself. His marriage took
place, May 13, 1847, his bride being Rachel Fisk,
a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Jack) Fisk.
Mr. Fisk was a native of Vermont, born November
4, 1794, and his wife was a Marylander. He was
a farmer and a soldier in the War of 1812. Their
marriage took place in Maryland, whence they removed to Steuben County, N. Y. After some
twelve years residence there they went to Lorain
County, Ohio, in 1838, and lhere they died, Mr.
Fisk in 1879, and his faithful wife in 1877. He
was a Democrat in politics, and both of them were
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
they were the parents of twelve children. Mrs.
Gilmore was born in August, 1825, in Steuben
County, N. Y.
After their marriage Reuben and Rachel. Gilmore rented a farm until they came to Michigan in
1858. Here they took a partially improved tract,
having upon it a log house, and remained upon this
farm for ten months. They then returned to Ohio
for three and one-half years, but again came to
their Michigan farm upon which they remained
from  that day to this. Mr. Gilmore has cleared
the timber from some of his land and erected all
the buildings which now stand upon it. Forty acres
still remain in timber, and thirty-two are improved.
Two of their five children are living: John, who




married Mrs. Ella (Howe) Lindsey, lives in this
township, and has three children; Jackson, who
married Louana Hart, and has eight children, and
makes his home in Howard City. One daughter,
Minerva L., died May 24, 1889.
Mr. Gilmore is a member of the Patrons of Industry, and has been upon the School Board for
some time. He takes an active interest in political
matters, affiliating with the Democratic party. For
many years he has acted as Road Commissioner,
and in this capacity has proved himself both efficient and aggressive. He is proud to say that although he has reached and passed the limits of
three-score years and ten, he has never been a party
to a law-suit, either as one who sues or as one being sued.
-^~ ---~=i ---4>c|~ —~ ---
C    ALVIN P. BARRUS, a farmer residing on
(( section 7, Greenbush  Township, Clinton
County, is a native of Onondaga County,
N. Y., and was born on the 7th of June 1826.
tle is a son of William K. and Mary A. (Neal)
Barrus, who were natives of New York, and became the parents of eight children, seven of whom
still survive, namely: Robert, living in Gratiot
County, this State; Lucinda, wife of David Sadler,
of Cayuga County, N. Y.; Calvin P. James C., in
Gratiot County; John W., in New York State;
Marietta, wife of William Finch; and Sarah, Mrs.
Bogardus, a widow.
The subject of this brief sketch was reared to
manhood in his native county, and from early boyhood was engaged in farming. He received the
rudiments of an education in the schools of his day,
but had not the advantages which are so richly
showered upon the children of this generation. He
has, however, persevered through life in the habit
of reading which has made him the intelligent,
broad-minded man who is so highly respected by
his neighbors at this day.
An event of great importance in the life of Mr.
Barrus took place in 1856. He was then united in
marriage with Anjanette Bogardus, a native of New
York State, and a daughter of Henry and Mary




586


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




Bogardus. Three children resulted from this marriage: Louisa A., wife of E. A. Smith, is the only
one who lived to maturity. In 1865 our subject
came to Clinton County, this State, and made his
home on the farm where he now resides in Greenbush Township, which was then in the unbroken forest. Here he has done thorough pioneer work and
has been one of the chief factors in making the
wilderness rejoice and blossom as the rose. He now
owns one hundred and twenty-three acres of as fine
land as is to be found in the county, and he has it
all under a fine state of cultivation. He has had
no one to help him make a start in life, and has had
to make his way step by step through difficulties
which would have appalled a man of less endurance
and perseverance.
The faithful wife, who had been his helpmate
and counselor for many years, departed this life
May 4, 1891, leaving behind her a wealth of love
and affection, and many friends to mourn her loss,
for she was respected and beloved by all who knew
her. In her death the county lost one of her representative women and one of her bravest pioneers.
Mr. Barrus is identified with the Masonic order,
and is a Democrat in his political views, believing
that the principles of that party are best adapted to
improving the condition of the masses and to aid
in the upbuilding of the country. He has served
as the School Assessor, and is a man of true publicspirit and enterprise. His comfortable home and
surroundings, and the excellent condition of his
farm, speak loudly to every passer-by of his industry and enterprise as well as of his good management. He is a typical representative of the selfmade Michigan pioneer, and receives the just.
enconiums of all who know him.
AFAYETTE LEWIS. Love of country is
noticeably a distinguishing characteristic of
some families, and its manifestations are to
be traced through their history from generation to
generation. We find this true in the family to
which our subject belongs, as one of his grandfathers was a patriot in Washington's army during


the Revolutionary struggle, his father took an active part in the War of 1812 and he and two
brothers fought for the old flag during the days of
civil war. To further attest their love for the best
traditions of our country his parents gave him the
name which we all so deeply honor, the name of
Washington's friend and the friend of America.
Lafayette Lewis resides on section 24, Duplain
Township, Clinton County, where he carries on
the work of a farmer and stock-raiser. He was
born October 7, 1824, and the place of his nativity
was Crawford County, Pa. He is the son of Laban
and Sallie (Darrow) Lewis, the father being a native of Vermont and the mother of the Empire
State. The ancestry on the father's side is Scotch
and the mother is of mixed German and English
stock.
There were no free schools in that part of the
country where our subject's boyhood was passed,
and it was with difficulty that his parents obtained
for him the educational advantages which they felt
were due to every child. They gave him the best
opportunities within their powers but he was not
able to pursue an extensive course of study. They
gave him however the best home training and
thorough drill in the duties of a farm.
The most important event in the life history of
Mr. Lewis may well be considered his marriage, as
he was thereby joined to an affectionate and capable wife who was a help to him in every department
of life and whose companionship cheered and stimulated him through seasons of discouragement and
hardship. This union was solemnized in Crawford
County, Pa., September 4,1848. The maiden name
of Mrs. Lewis was Polly A. Vincent, a daughter of
Morey and Sara (Rhodes) Vincent. She became
the mother of eight children, all but one of whom
are now living near their father, and that one resides in Detroit. The efforts which this parent
made to sustain and educate his offspring are now
doubly rewarded in the affectionate care and companionship of his children.
The subject of this sketch came to Michigan in
1865, immediately after the close of the war in
which he had served for nine months. It was in
the One Hundred and Sixty-eiglhth Pennsylvania
Infantry that he fought for the old flag and the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.I


587


Union, and he received his honorable discharge in
July, 1865. On moving to Michigan he made his
home where he now resides, buying eighty acres of
excellent land, twenty of which he has given his
eldest son, Franklin M., who is married and lives
near by. The eldest daughter, Jane, married Milan
Emmons, who was a soldier for four years in the
Civil War and who now lives in the same township
with Mr. Lewis. Alice Lucinda is now Mrs. Frank
Searle and Laura is the wife of Ira Warner, a merchant in Elsie. Verna married Charles W. Hawkins, a short hand reporter in Detroit. Maurice 0.
lives in Owosso and is a jeweler by occupation, and
the two youngest children, Cora M. and Herbert T.
are still under the parental roof and attending
school, the daughter being a student at the High
School in Elsie. The beloved mother of these
children is no more with them, as she passed to the
other world April 6, 1890, and all that remains of
her mortal being is lying at rest in the cemetery
at Elsie. The principles of the Republican party
are the political creed of Mr. Lewis and he cast
his first Presidential vote for Taylor.
^    ------ ^iof-<    i     ----


Corunna, Shiawassee County, and owns several
farms there. He lived there about twenty years a
retired life and finally made his home at Flint, where
lie died when about eighty-three years old. He was
a Democrat in his political views.
Phoebe A. (Riker) Trusdell, the mother of our
subject, a native of New York State, brought to
maturity ten of her thirteen children, and died in
middle life in February, 1875. James Trusdell
moved to Corunna when about seven years of age
and attended the village school there. Wllen fifteen years old he learned the trade of blacksmlthing, which he worked at until about fourteen years
ago and occasionally takes a turn at it yet, having
a small shop on his farm. H-e began work for
himself at fifteen years of age, and did days' work
at his trade until 1871, when he established a shop
of his own at DeWitt. Clinton County.   After
running a shop here for a year he moved to Clare
and then to Lansing. During his nine years' residence in that city he established a livery stable on
Turner Street, which he carjied on for about five
years. lie then traded his business for the farm
where he now lives.
The marriage of James Trusdell with Ella Gardner was solemnized January 19, 1871. The bride
was born in DeWitt Township, March 13, 1852,
and her parents, John W. and Phoebe A. (Phillips)
Gardner, were natives of New York State, who
came to Clinton County in 1841. Mr. Gardner
was a farmer, blacksmith and merchant, and used
to do a large business in merchandise in DeWitt,
drawing his goods from Detroit by team. He died
at the age of sixty years, but his widow still lives
in DeWitt. She is an active and earnest member
of the Baptist Church, and is the mother of one son,
Milan, and of one daughter, who is the wife of our
subject.
The four children of our subject are still living
-Clyde, Arthur, Maude and Lora. Mr. Trusdell
has one hundred acres of fine arable soil, seventy
of which are under cultivation. He has himself
cleared most of the place. The handsome frame
residence, which is an ornament to the farm, was
built in 1890, and the property is well supplied
with barns and other outbuildings necessary to the
carrying on of mixed farming and the raising of
VVYLJI-I~  VI  UL LULI~\R LIIL~I~- C)


AMES K. TRUSDELL, a successful farmer
of DeWitt Township, residing in North
Lansing, was born in Brandon Township,
Oakland County, Mich., November 28, 1845.
His father, Gamaliel Trusdell, a farmer, was a native of New York and came to Michigan some
time during the '30s, journeying by Erie Canal
and Lake to Detroit, where he bought oxen and
drove to Oakland County. There he took up
Government land and was one of the first whites
in that region. Deer and bears were plentiful and
he hunted some, but he was a hard worker and devoted himself mostly to his farms, of which he
cleared up three in Oakland County. The last one
was a tract of four hundred and twenty acres, which
he sold. There were many Indians in that region
and he was friendly with them. He moved to
Clarkston, in the same county, and for three years
engaged in the livery business. He then went into
the same business in connection with a farm at




588


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


stock. He has ten cows and furnishes milk for the
condenser at Lansing. He is a Democrat in his
political belief, and both Pathmaster and School
Director, and is a man of more than average intelligence. His wife is fully his equal in education
and business ability and her reputation as a woman
of genial nature and lovely Christian character is
well known in the community.
I HARLES HAUGHTON, a leading farmer
and dairyman residing on section 10, New
Haven Township, Shiawassee County, Mich.,
is one of the foremost men in his section of the
county, being highly esteemed, both in agricultural
circles, for his business-like way of conducting affairs, and also among religious people, as he is
looked upon as a leader in the Disciples Church.
He was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, June 23,
1835.
Samuel H. Haughton, the father of our subject,
was born in Connecticut about 1795, and coming
to Ohio with his parents when a boy, settled upon
a farm in Trumbull County. Here he enjoyed a common-school education and started out in life, upon
reaching his majority, by taking up one hundred
acres of Government land, which he cleared and
where he made a home. When he had reached the
age of twenty-five he decided that he would forward his own interests by taking a life partner and
he was married in 1820 to Amanda Osborn, daughter of Josiah Osborn, a farmer of Trumbull County.
Amanda was one of a family of four daughters and
three sons and the year of her birth was co-incident
with the beginning of this century. One daughter
and six sons blessed the home of this pioneer
couple, of whom our subject is one. Samuel and
Amanda Haughton were earnest and devoted members of the Disciples Church, in which he filled conscientiously and efficiently the offices of Deacon,
Trustee and Elder. Politically he was a sound
Whig and later a sturdy Republican. He passed
from earth in 1862 and his devoted wife survived
him for twenty years. They are buried side by
side at Southington, Trumbull County, Ohio.




A good common-school education was bestowed
upon the subject of this sketch and when he reached
his majority his father gave him fifty acres of good
land and sold him fifty acres more in Southington.
In the meanwhile he had married, in 1852, Nancy
Hurd, a daughter of Isaac and Lucy (Viets) Hurd.
Nancy was one of a family of three sons and five
daughters, being born December 6, 1839. Six
children have been granted to this happy home,
namely: Laura A., Minnie, Mattie, Myrtie, Melvin and Calvin.
Our subject came to Michigan about the year
1865 and purchased one hundred and twenty acres
onsection 12, and later bought ninety acres more
on section 10. He and his faithful companion are
I)isciples in their religious belief and he is an Elder
and Trustee in the church, being a very prominent
man in religious circles. Ile was formerly a Republican and is now an ardent Prohibitionist. At
one time he filled satisfactorily the office of Drainage Commissioner.
EORGE W. PRATT, a prominent citizen
residing on section 8, Greenbush Township, Clinton County, is a native of Madison County, N. Y., where he was born May 26,
1827. He is a son of James and Sallie (Perkins)
Pratt, both natives of New York, and his father
was a soldier in the War of 1812. Of the nine
children born to this worthy couple the following
survive: Lafayette, who resides in Shiawassee
County; George W.; Sylvia, now Mrs. Van Duzen,
in Shiawassee County; Mary, Mrs. W. Tunningly,
of Genesee County; Walker and Sarah, who live in
Lansing, Mich.
When but two years old our subject removed
with his parents to Chautauqua County, N. Y., and
was there reared to manhood and was prepared
for his life work of farming. His schooling was
taken in the district schools, which were not well
fitted to impart a very thorough grounding in
the elements. He was married January 4, 1849, to
Charlotte Turk, who was born September 4, 1831,
in Chautauqua County, N. Y. Her parents, Jacob




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


589


and Nabby Turk, were natives of New England
and early settlers of Chautauqua County.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have been born ten children, four of whom are living: James M., Luther,
Lomo(n and George. In the spring of 1866, Mr.
Pratt emigrated to Michigan and settled in Greenbush Township, Clinton County. He lived on
section 17, until the spring of 1885, when he removed to his present home. IHe has done some
pioneer work in his day, and now owns some one
hundred acres of land, most of which is under cultivation. He still has about eight acres of timber,
where can be found about two hundred and fifty
splendid specimens of the hard maple, from which
he annually makes a supply of maple sugar. He
has also some fine white and red oak and beech
trees. He has been remarkably successful in life
for a man who started with no means.
Our subject is a Democrat in politics and a public-spirited citizen. For three years he has served
as Moderator of the school district in which he
lives. Mrs. Pratt was one of seven children, six
of whom are living. Her brothers and sisters are
named: William H., Willard, Sarah, Jacob, Harmon and Nabby. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are now in
their prime, enjoying the fruits of a life well-spent
and are highly respected by all who know them.
ILLIAM TAPHOUSE is the owner of the
farm  located on section 25, Caledonia
Township, Shiawassee County. The parents of our subject were James and Elizabeth (Neville) Taphouse, natives of Hampshire, England,
where they always lived. Mr. Taphouse, Sr., died
in 1870, his wife preceding him by many years,
her death occurring in 1825. They were the parents of five children, four now living.
He of whom we write was born February 12,
1816, in Hampshire, England, where he remained
until he had attained to manhood. He was brought
up as a farmer lad and had but limited educational
advantages. In 1838 he was married to Mary Bolton, by whom he had three children, two now living. Elizabeth became the wife of Andrew Stores


and lives in Texas; they hatve a family of seven
children; Mary A. became the wife of Gilbert Card
and lives in Owosso; she is the mother of four
children.
Mrs. Taphouse died in 1847 and our subject
again married in November, 1848, taking to wife
Harriet Cowdry also a native of Hampshire, England. By this marriage there were nine children,
four of whom are living. They are Alfred, Hattie,
Charles and Edith. The former married Susan
Watson and lives in Caledonia Township, this
county, having one child; Hattie is the wife of
Charles Lewis and lives on her father's farm; she is
the mother of one child; Charles took to wife Ellen
Gerardy, making his home, which is brightened by
two children, in Owosso; Edith is the wife of Andrew Geeck and lives in Owosso; she has one child.
Mr. Taphouse's second wife died May 3, 1888,
aged fifty-nine years, her natal day being June 15,
1828.
Our subject moved to America in 1855 and on
landing at New York he determined to come at
once to Michigan, which he did, locating in Oakland County, where he was engaged in renting
farms. One he occupied for seven years, the other,
in Rose Township, four years. In 1867 he came
to Shiawassee County and settled upon section 25,
Caledonia Township. It was a wild farm and the
only building upon it was a board shanty, through
whose cracks the snow blew fast in winter.
When Mr. Taphouse first landed in America he
had a wife and six children dependent upon him
and on deciding to come West he was obliged to
borrow enough money of his brother-in-law to make
the trip. His hard labor, however, enabled him to
make the change to this county in much better circumstances. He settled upon eighty' acres, for
which he paid part of the price down. lIe added
to and fixed the little old house until it was a comfortable place, where they continued to live until
1883. IHe cleared seventy acres during this time.
His present pleasant and cozy home was built at a
cost of $1,000 eight years ago, Mr. Taphouse no
longer conducts the work of his farm himself, renting the place to his son-in-law. Our subject has
been a very hard worker all his life and now in his
later years is enjoying the fruit of his early labors.




590


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--
--


His family are members of the Presbyterian Church
at Corunna. His children all incline to Christianity. He has given his children every advantage in
an educational way that he could afford and they
are all respected and honored members of society
in the places where they have located. Mr. Taphouse has always been interested in politics, casting his vote with the Republican party. He has
ever been a temperate man in his habits and is in
fairly good health, his family trusting that many
years of usefulness and serenity are still in store
for him.
RS. MARIETTA BUSH.         A traveler in
Clinton County could not fail to notice
the improvements upon a certain eighty.
acre tract of land on section 9, Watertown
Township, and would be likely to inquire who is
the fortunate owner. The substantial outbuildings
indicate large crops, and a glance at the commodious brick residence is sufficient to impress the
beholder with the belief that on this farm the comforts of home are considered of great importance.
A view of this pleasant homestead appears in connection with this biographical notice. Mrs. Bush
rents out the land, but still continues her residence
on the farm. She was an able coadjutor of her
husband in the upbuilding of their pleasant home,
and contributed her share towards its prosperity.
Not only is she a capable manager and good financier, but she is also extremely kind and benevolent, ever ready to extend a helping hand to any
who are in trouble.
Mrs. Bush is the daughter of Byron Moses, a
a resident of Watertown Township and a native of
Massachusetts. Mr. Moses came to Lapeer County,
this State, many years ago, and was for sometime
identified with its development. His daughter,
Marietta, was born August' 6, 1856, in Lapeer
County, and when she was about three years old
accompanied her parents to Watertown Township.
There she grew to womanhood, receiving excellent
educational advantages, which have been of incalculable value to her in managing her business
affairs. Under the careful instruction of her mother


she early became a capable housewife, and when
she married was well fitted to take charge of a
home of her own.
In 1875 Marietta Moses was united in marriage
with James T. Bush, and presided over his home
until June 2, 1887, when he passed away, leaving
her in charge of their two children: James W.,
born September 29, 1876; and Vera L., November
27, 1879. Both are still at home with their mother.
Mr. Bush was a native of New York, born February 10, 1831, and was for a long time a prominent
farmer of this part of Michigan, having come here
about 1856. His paternal grandfather, a native of
Holland, lived to the venerable age of one hundred
and three years, and served through the Revolutionary War. Conrad Bush, father of James T.Bush,
resided in New York, and died May 8, 1889, at the
great age of ninety-two years.
James T. Bush was twice married, and was bereaved of his first wife December 2, 1874. His
death was not only a severe affliction to his family, as he had been a good husband and father,
lut it was felt that his removal took away one of
the best citizens of the township who had contribted liberally to its growth. He farmed extensively
and acquired a good amount of property. Mrs.
Bush is a prominent and influential member of the
Congregational Church at Wacousta, and is highly
esteemed throughout the community. Being a woman of more than ordinary business ability she
conducts her affairs with wisdom and success.,     HARLES   A. WHELAN. Prominent in
church and political circles and one of the
influential citizens of Shiawassee Township,
Shiawassee County, is the gentleman whose name
appears at the head of this sketch. He was born
in Amherst Township, Lorain County, Ohio, January 6, 1846, and is the younger of the two children in the parents' home, his brother bearing the
name of Frank. His parents were Clark and
Laura (Aiken) Whelan, who came to Michigan in
January, 1867, although the son did not come
West until the following fall.




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R ES[ DENCE. OF MR. C.A.WH EbAN. SEC.13, SHIAWASSEETP-, SHWAWASSEE Cq MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


593


-11-1 ---- ---- -------- `- — i —
---------- — II --- —-—  --- ------- —  — --- —--— I --- —-------


Our subject was reared on a farm and took a
three years' course in Oberlin College, leaving college at the age of nineteen to engage as a clerk in
the general store of I. M. Johnson & Son. Here
he continued for two years until lie decided to follow his father to Michigan. He remained with his
father until March 24, 1869, when he was married
and settled on the farm where he now lives. His
father at this time presented him with seventy-six
acres of land, upon which he lived for four years
and then went to Vernon to take a clerkship for
Nichols & HIerrington.
This change of occupation was not actuated by
a love of change or a distaste for agriculture, but
was made for the purpose of realizing money with
which to build a suitable home. He accomplished
his object in two years, and coming back to the
farm erected the house in which he now lives at a
cost of $2,000. This residence, a view of which
appears on another page, is a pleasant and commodious house of twelve rooms, and has been the
abode of the family since he returned from Vernon. Mr. Whelan has added by purchase to his
farm until it now comprises one hundred and
thirty acres, upon which he carries on mixed farming.
A firm Republican, Mr. Whelan is prominent in
the ranks of his party. He served as Township
Treasurer and was afterward elected Supervisor for
two years. He served three years in the capacity
of Township Treasurer, under peculiar circumstances. Edwin Sheldon, the incumbent of that
office, proved a defaulter to the amount of $4,000
and left the county. Our subject was appointed
to fill out his term, and after assuming the office of
Supervisor he found it his first duty to act against
the bondsmen, which he did in a prompt and'business-like manner and brought the affair to a successful termination in one trial, so that the township did not lose by the defaulter. He was elected
Justice of the Peace in 1889, in which office he is
now serving. He was the Republican candidate
for member of the Legislature in 1890 in his district and made a fine canvass against the Hon.
Hiram Johnson, his successful competitor.
The marriage of our subject united him with
Rebecca A. Newberry, daughter of William and


Mary (Parmenter) Newberry. She was born in
the old Newberry homestead, April 24, 1847.
Three children have been born to her, namely:
Edwin C., born July 23, 1870; Mary E., September 3, 1873; and Howard N., May 5, 1876. Edwin
graduated at the Vernon High School in the class
of '90. May has fitted herself for the teacher's
profession and graduates this year at the same
school and expects to teach next year. She is
giving especial attention to music. Howard N.
is also a student of the high school. The various
members of the family are prominently identified
with the Baptist Church at Vernon. They have
one of the neatest homes in the township and are
highly appreciative of the best things of life.
ra  - *,  - A


LFREID DERHAM. The farm of one hundred and ninety acres which so much resembles the beautifully cultivated farms
of central England and which is located oi
section 8, Venice Township, Shiawassee County,
belongs to the gentleman whose name is at the head
of this sketch.  He is of English parentage, his
father being Henry Derham, a native of Somersetshire, England. Mr. Derham, Sr., still survives
having reached the age of seventy-five years. He
makes his home at Corunna.  His trade was that
of a miller and baker but since coming to America
he has engaged almost exclusively in farming.
Forty-four years ago he came to this country, remaining in Rochester, N. Y., two years, thence
coming to Michigan.
The mother of our subject was Martha (Jewell)
Derham, a native of the same shire as her husband,
where he wooed and won her. Mr. Derham came
to Michigan in   1849, coming   to Shiawassee
County, where they located eighty acres on section 5, it being as wild as was all the land at
the time of the first settlement.
Our subject's father returned to Oakland County the summer of 1850, thence went to New York
State. Tie next fall he purchased his farm in this
State and made a temporary home in the log barn
of George W. Priest, until a shanty could be put




594


POlRTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


up on his own claim. As soon as this was erected
the family moved into it making it their home
until 1866, when our subject bought his father out,
and Mr. Derham, Sr., retired to Corunna to live.
Thirty acres of the farm were at that time cleared.
Our subject's mother died in 1868. The father
again married Mrs. Marm in 1870. By his first
marriage he had five children who were named respectively, William our subject, Elizabeth, Mrs.
Ethan Doan, Charles, and Emma who is Mrs. Whittemore. Our subject's mother was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church and his father was
a Republican in politics.
Alfred Derham was born in England, August 3,
1841. He was nine years of age when brought to
Michigan and here received a good common-school
education in Venice Township. He became selfsupporting at the age of fifteen, although until he
was seventeen years of age his wages went to his
father. From this period he bought his time and
worked out, securing with his savings eighty acres
of land of his father in Caledonia Township. This
was located on section 13.  After adding forty
acres to this purchase he sold it in 1865, or at
least a part of it, and traded the rest for the old
homestead.
At this time the Civil War broke out and there
was a call for volunteers.  Our subject enlisted
August 8, 1862, in Company H, Twenty-third
Michigan Infantry. He was first sent to Louisville, Ky., thence to Shelbyville, after which he
went with his regiment to Frankfort, also to Perryville and Bowling Green. From this point his regiment was engaged in guarding trains to Nashville,
which duty lasted during the winter. The next
summer he was engaged in chasing the rebel, Gen.
Morgan, over Kentucky and up into Ohio and our
subject assisted at his capture.  From  that place
they went to Cincinnati, crossing over into Covington, Ky., and near there had several skirmishes
with the rebels. At Paris, Ky., they were enabled
to save the railroad bridge from destruction by
the rebel force.
The regiment in which Mr. Derham was left
Paris August 4, 1863. They served in the Second
Brigade and the Second Division of the Twentythird Army Corps. They proceeded by the way




I


I-      - - ~ -


of Lexington and Louisville to Lebanon, thence to
Newmarket and leaving that place August 17, participated in the advance into Eastern Tennessee,
arriving at Loudon, September 4.  September 5,
the brigade made a forced march of twenty miles
to Knoxville, thence to Morristown and then returned to Loudon.
During this time our subject was engaged in
picket duty and in building intrenchments. From
Loudon the regiment marched to Lenox Station
and again returned with the army to Huff's Ferry
and attacked the enemy on the 12th, no advantage
being gained by either side. During much of the
time they were under the command of Gen. White.
At Knoxville, Gen. A. E. Burnside commanded,
and directed his regiment to burn the wagons, etc.,
to keep them from  the rebels.  The retreat to
Knoxville was a heated one and a brisk fight took
place at Campbell Station. Mr. Derharn was present during all the siege of Knoxville.  After this
siege was raised the regiment was active in doing
picket duty and outpost duty during the Atlanta
campaign. His regiment participated in the battle
of Rocky Face and made a charge at the battle of
Resaca.
May 22, the original of our sketch was shot
through the left leg by a musket ball and he was
sent to the hospital, from thence to Nashville.
From that place he proceeded to Jeffersonville,
Ind., and thence to Detroit.  At Jeffersonville his
wound became serious, gangrene setting in and as
a result he was obliged to suffer two severe operations by having the wound burned. His discharge
was received at Detroit after a service of two
years and five months and then the return home
seemed to offer a prospect of blessed peace. After
returning from his war experience he was incapacitated for work for over a year.
Alfred Derham was married December 31, 1866,
to Elvira L. Wilkinson, a daughter of Charles and
Eliza Wilkinson, a sketch of whom will be found
in another part of this ALBUM under the name of
George C. Wilkinson.  Mrs. Derham   was born
May 31, 1847. The young couple at once took
up their lifework on the farm which he owned and
where he has since remained.  He now has one
hundred and ninety acres of land, one hundred and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


595


-- --


forty of which are under cultivation. In 1874 he
built his home at a cost of $1,500. He has since
built four barns and carries on a good business in
general farming.
Mr. and Mrs. Derham  are the parents of five
children, viz: Elmer C., born April 8, 1868;
George H., May 30, 1871; Floyd A., October 10,
1875; Albert G., March 30, 1880; Blanche G., December 4, 1889. The family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the father
is one of the Trustees. The children have received
the educational advantages to be attained in their
district. Our subject has been a member of the
School Board for a dozen years. IHis eldest son is
now Assessor in the township. Mr. Derham is a
member of Corunna Lodge G. A. R. He has
taken an active interest in politics, casting his vote
with the Republican party.  The Commission of
Drainage, which is so important an one in this
State, has been presided over by our subject.
ETER FLEAGLE, a valiant soldier of the
Civil War, who manages a farm on section
15, Greenbush Township, Clinton County, is a native of Carroll, Md., where he
was born March 24, 1833.     His ancestry on
both sides is traced back to Germany. He is the
third eldest son of his parents, Daniel and Nellie
Fleagle, both natives of Pennsylvania. He remained in his native State until he reached the age
of twenty, when he left home and going to Sandusky, Ohio, began work there. He had received
only a rudimentary education as the early schools
of Maryland gave but a scant measure of the intellectual training which the children of to-day
enjoy, but he made the best of the circumstances
and has since he reached manhood taken long
strides in the direction of self-education.
Peter Fleagle in 1860 took to wife Mary Cole, a
native of Ohio and daughter of Daniel H. and
Anna Cole. By their union he became the father
of four children, two only of whom are now living:
Nellie, who is the wife of Frank Marshall, and Anna.


The mother of these children, departed this life
February 20, 1874, and the second marriage of our
subject united him with Alice Riddle, a daughter
of George K. Riddle, of Greenbush Township. To
them have been born four children: Ella, Edward,
Freddie and Louis.
The subject of this sketch enlisted in April, 1861,
in the Eighth Ohio Infantry. He entered as a
private and served for three months, doing duty at
Cleveland and Camp Dennison.    He afterward
re-enlisted for three years, in 1862, in Company K, One Hundredth Ohio Infantry, a regiment
which was attached to Gen. Sherman's army. He
marched through Georgia, Alabama and East Tennessee, and participated in the battle of Franklin
and the siege and battle of Nashville. He also
took part in the Atlanta campaign and was present
at the fall of that city and went with the Twentythird Corps when it was ordered back to Nashville
to protect that city and guard the prisoners of
war. He was afterward in the campaign in North
Carolina with Sherman and fought at Wilmington,
Kingston, and in various skirmishes, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865.
After his discharge Mr. Fleagle came to Clinton
County, Mich., wlere his family was then living,
as they had removed to this region during the war.
He has been a resident here since 1865 as he then
settled on the farm which he now occupies, a fine
tract of one hundred and twenty acres of land,
mostly under cultivation. He is practically a selfmade man and has made a good success of his efforts as a farmer. He is a Republican in politics
and keeps himself abreast of the public movements
of the day, and is ever an earnest helper in all
movements which tend to the uplifting of society.
Mr. Fleagle has served as Commissioner of Greenbush Township for several years and also as School
Director.  He is identified with the Keystone
Grange. Both he an'd his excellent wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and he has for some time served as Class-Leader
therein. The record of our subject both as a gallant soldier in the great Rebellion and as an honored citizen of the Republic is an excellent one, and
his posterity may point to it with pride, and may
nake it their object to emulate and imitate his




596


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


life. Mr. Fleagle is among the most honored and
esteemed citizens of Greenbush Township and enjoys the confidence of all who have had dealings
with him.
\/    IRAM REED, a prominent farmer residing
on section 23, Venice Township, Shiawassee
A   County, is a son of Riley Reed and Caroline (Jackson) Reed, both natives of Ontario County, N. Y., where they were engaged in
agriculture. Their early married life was spent in
that State until more than fifty years ago, they
came to Michigan to reside.   They settled in
Farmington Township, Oakland County, and lived
there for twenty years. When they went there
their farm was entirely unbroken and uncultivated
and they put it in a fine condition before leaving
and moving to Shiawassee County. About Ihirty
years ago they came to Venice Township and made
their home again on a new farm and have improved
it and put it in fine shape. Both parents have now
passed away from earth, the father dying some
thirteen years ago. Three of their five children
survive them.
The birth of Hiram  Reed occurred April 13,
in Ontario County, N. Y. Ile was bred a farmer
and has always followed that calling. When lie
came to Shiawassee County at the age of twentyone, he had not a single dollar of capital and
worked on a farm by the month, earning $144 per
year, continuing in this way for four' years. He
then bought eighty acres of raw land, having no
improvements whatever upon it, and was married
in 1865 to Olive Delling, a daughter of E. M. and
Sarah (Brewster) Delling. both natives of Maine.
Mr. Delling came to Michigan in 1836 and made
his permanent home in Southfield Township, Oakland County, where he died in 18S7. His wife
still survives him and is now seventy-five years old.
They were the parents of six children, now living.
Mrs. H. Reed was born in 1839, in Oakland
County and received more than an ordinary education so that she was enabled to teach school. Mr.
Reed built a frame house upon his farm and began
clearing it and now has one hundred and ten acres


of his one hundred and twenty under cultivation
and all cleared by his own ax. His pleasant and
attractive home built some eight years since, cost
him $1,600 outside of his own labor, and he has
two barns and other comfortable and convenient
outbuildings. He carries on mixed farming, being
active in the work himself.
Two children have blessed this home, Finley C.
and Edwin E. and to both of them has been given
a (ood common-school education. Their mother
is an earnest and active member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Mr. Reed is a man of intelligence and is thoroughly informed on the live issues
of the day. He believes that a man should not
neglect his duties as a citizen and that the right of
suffrage is not paramount to the duty of voting.
His political convictions ally him with the Democratic party, and he has been a member of the
School Board, aad is now upon his second term as
Treasurer of Venice Township. He is a man of
strictly temperate habits and his fine farm is the
direct result of his sturdy industry, upright life and
active enterprise.
M DWIN D. WEBSTER, one of the intelligent
and progressive farmers and highly respected citizens of Essex Township, Clinton
County, was born in Franklin County, Mass.,
October 26, 1828. He is the son of Lyran and
Dimis (Stebbins) Webster, both natives of Massachusetts. When only six years old, he migrated
with his parents in 1834 to Kent County, Mich.,
and after a short stay moved to Ionia County,
where they resided until the spring of 1837 when
they came to Clinton County. Here they were
early settlers and did much pioneer work.
In 1850 the father of our subject went to California with a view of mining, and somewhat later
made a journey to Australia, from which far distant
country he never returned and was never heard
from again. Our subject was reared to manhood in
Clinton County amid the scenes of pioneer life in
which he took a sturdy and manly part. He received his education in the early schools and is
mainly self-educated.




PORTRAIT' AND) BTfOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.1[


597


POTATADBORAHLABM       9


The first marriage of Mr. Webster took place in
1851. He was then united with Elizabeth Parr, by
whom he had two children, Mary D., (Mrs. O. D.
Casterline) and Elizabeth H., (Mrs. W. B. Casterline). His second marriage which occurred in
1858 was with Caroline Weller, a native of New
York. Mr. Webster settled on the farm where he
now resides in the fall of 1858, where he owns one
hundred and twenty acres of rich arable soil in a
high state of cultivation.
For eight years our subject has served as Justice
of the Peace and for three years as Highway Commissioner. He is a Democrat in politics, and a
man of enterprise and public spirit. He turned the
first furrow on his farm and chopped the first tree
which was felled upon that tract of land. He is
identified with the Masonic order and also with the
Pioneer Society of Clinton County and both he and
his worthy wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He has a fine barn and residence
and his farm is one of the chief ornaments of the
township.
OHN C. ADAMS, one of the representative
and intelligent residents of Antrim Township, Shiawassee County, is the subject of
this sketch, and a man whom we are pleased
to point out as worthy of the respect and admiration of his fellow citizens. He was born in Ontario
County, N. Y., September 13, 1837. His father,
David D. Adams, began life August 23, 1806 and
was also a New Yorker by birth. He was a stone
mason but after marriage followed farming and
came to Michigan in 1847, landing in this township
and making his home on the farm now cultivated
by our subject, upon June 2, of that year, thus being among the earliest settlers. He built his log
house at the beginning  of the next year on a
spot adjoining what is now the home of his son.
Wild game was then plentiful and the country
was quite unformed. Mr. Adams helped to organize the First Methodist Episcopal society in the
township and was elected its Class-Leader. He
passed from earth August 6, 1880. His good wife,


who bore the name of Angeline Howard, was born
in New York, November 24, 1813, and died in
1856 upon October 21, She also was an earnest
and valued member and worker in the Methodist
Episcopal Church. A family of ten little ones
came to bless this pioneer home and eight of them
are still in active life.
John C. Adams was born on old Bald Hill near
Hemlock Lake, in Ontario County, N. Y. His
schooling was very scant and after he was ten
years old he obtained only about fourteen months
of school life up to the age of twenty-three, but
those months were fraught with much benefit to
him as they were devoted to earnest study at Prof.
Nuttings' Academy at Lodi, during three terms.
The young man enlisted when he was about
twenty-four years old in the Union Army, which
he joined May 26, 18(G1, but the company which he
joined did not go into warfare. Ile subsequently
enlisted August 9, of the same year in Company
11, Fifth Michigan Infantry under command of
11. D. Terry. He was present at the siege of Yorktown and was wounded at Williamsburg, Va. May
5, 1862, being struck by a ball in his nose, cutting
him badly on thle right side and crushing the bone.
Ile came home after a time on a furlough and was
subsequently discharge(d.
I-e taught for a few terms after returning from
the war and also enpgedl in farm work at the old
homestead for a number of years. IIis present
farm was purchased in the spring of 1871. IHe was
married twice, the first time March 28, 1865, taking for his bride Anna M. Hutchins, of Newberg,
Cutyahoga County, Ohio, who died soon after mar.
riage. His second marriage which took place De.
cember 22, 1870, united him  with Mrs. Mary
Dodge, whose maiden name was Krupp. She was
born in Niagara County, N. Y., and was formerly
the wife of Mr. Henry F. Dodge, wlo died in 1867.
Mr. Adams' political views have led him to affiliate with the Republican party and his fellow-citizens have placed him in various offices of trust and
responsibility.  He was Highway Commissioner
one year; Drainage Commissioner three years;
Clerk for two years; Treasurer one year; School Inspector for several terms and is at present Justice
of the Peace. He has been Notary Public for




598


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




=


twenty-four years and has transacted a great deal
of business for his neighbors. He is identified
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Grand Army of the Republic and the Grange.
Both Mr. Adams and his faithful helpmate are
devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and he is a member of the official Board
being both Stewart and Trustee. He also fills the
position of Class-Leader and is looked up to as a
spiritual instructor. He has always been a liberal
contributor to all benevolent and charitable purposes. He takes great interest in Jersey and Holstein cattle. He began life with limited means, his
first purchase being forty acres, and he now has
purchased and cleared more than one hundred and
forty acres. For twelve years he had charge of
the post-office at Glass River.
i.. Wa. va


_- _         -- /A.~   v
EIETUS      S. WOODHULL, a        well-known
farmer residing on section 9, Woodhull
Township, Shiawassee County, was born in
Ontario County, N. Y., February 22, 1827. His
father, John Woodhull, who was a native of New
York State and born in 1791, was a farmer and
owned a sixty-acre farm in New York, and came
to Michigan in 1836. making his journey through
Canada by ox-team and horse-team. The family
is of English descent and springs from two brothers who came to this country during the French
and Indian War. The grandfather of our subject
owned two hundred acres of land in Ontario
County, N. Y., but came West to live with his
children soon after their emigration to Michigan,
and died here in 1841, when seventyseven years
old.
The grandmother of our subject, Catry (Robison) Woodhull, was born in New York State, January 9, 1774, and her oldest son, John, became the
father of our subject. Her father, John D. Rob
ison, for whom she named her first-born, was a
carpenter and joiner by trade, as well as a farmer.
He joined the army as a Commissary during the
Revolutionary War, and also fought in the war
between the French and English. He was the first




I


settler of Phelps, Ontario County, N. Y., to which
place he came in 1788. He was of Scotch descent, and a man who was highly respected by all
who knew him, and continued in life until he
reached the advanced age of eighty-five years.
The father of our subject established his family
upon the farm where he now resides when there
was not another family in the township. It took a
week or more to go to market, which was no
nearer than Pontiac or Ann Arbor. He was most
friendly with the Indians, and they reciprocated
his kindness, and through them he easily supplied
his family with venison. His log house was the
first one built in the township. He cleared a part
of the farm and died in 1852. He was a deeply
religious man and an earnest and active member
of the Baptist Church. In early life he was a
Jacksonian Democrat, but later his convictions led
him to espouse the principles of the Free-soilers.
His wife, Clarissa Swift, was born in Ontario
County, N. Y., in 1804, and brought three children
with her when she made the toilsome journey to
the West. Her four children are now all living,
namely: Nancy, Mrs. Stone; Zetus S.; Elizabeth,
Mrs. Smith; and Frances, Mrs. Kimball. She died
when seventy-eight years old at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Stone, in Wisconsin. She was a
member of the Baptist Church and a most devoted
and earnest Christian, who believed in keeping up
the ordinances of religion and was not kept at
home from religious services by bad weather or
any light excuse.
Zetus Woodhull was in his ninth year when,with
his parents, he made the journey West. Indian
children were his playmates and he quickly learned
theii language. He remembers with interest the
wolves and deer which abounded and which made
his boyhood life an adventurous one. He attended
his first school three years after coming West and
had to walk a mile and a half to reach it. It was
the primitive school-house which has so often been
described, and was carried on under the rate-bill
system. As he 'was late in beginning his schoollife, he carried it on past his majority and spent
three winters at Corunna pursuing his studies. He
began life for himself when twenty-six years old,
after the death of his father. He has always lived


I






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


599


II — - - - - - - -~ - - -            'I


here, as he bought out the interests of the other
heirs in the home farm.
In 1858 this young man was united in marriage
with Alice Colby,a native of Canada, whose father
settled in Ypsilanti in 1834. She was a Baptist in
her religious views, and a true helpmate in every
sense, but died in 1881, when fifty-two years old.
She was the mother of four children, three of
whom are now living: Scott, Lelah and Lee. One
died when four years old. Mr. Woodhull has now
two hundred and forty acres of land, most of
which he has improved, and carries on mixed farming, raising stock and garden produce. He has for
many years been a member of the Republican
party, but cast his first ballot for Martin Van Buren, when, after his occupancy of the Presidential
chair, he was renominated to that position by the
Free-soil Democrats. He has served as Township
Clerk and Commissioner. He has seen great improvements in this section, as the country when he
came to it was just as it came from the hand of
nature. He built his present house in 1871, and
has a good frame barn, which he erected in 1842.
LIJAH W. COBB holds an honorable place
among the citizens of Dniplain Township,,      _ Clinton County, as a public spirited man
who has achieved success in his chosen calling and
is an active promoter of all movements for the
good of the community, in religious, social and
industrial circles. He was born in Bennington,
Wyoming County, N. Y., June 18, 1829. His
worthy and intelligent parents, Joshua W. and Susannah (Doty) Cobb, were of Eastern birth and
lineage. The father's native home and where he
received his early training was in Canaan, Conn.,
and the mother was born at Half Moon Point,
N. Y., a beautiful place on the Hudson River.
The father of our subject followed throughout
life the agricultural pursuits which he had chosen
as his vocation, and when this boy was fifteen
years old the family removed from the East to
Clinton County, Mich., and located at a point in
Duplain Township, which was afterward destined


to be the site of the village of Elsie. Forests then
covered that tract of land and wild animals roved
over the ground which now resounds to the busy
feet of the citizens of the village. The father
took up land where the son now resides and began
the laborious task of hewing from  the forest a
productive and beautiful farm.
Before coming to Michigan the boy had received
only the rudiments of an education which are
given in the common schools, and the forest home
in the wild West offered no advantages for further
education so his schooling ended at the time of
his emigration to the Wolverine State. He now
devoted himself to assisting his father and sub.
duing the wilderness, and after he had reached the
mature age of twenty-six years he felt that he had
earned the right to establish a home of his own,
which he proceeded to do with the co-operation
of Miss Ann Sickels, of Howell, this State.
This lady, who became Mrs. Cobb November
14, 1855, is a daughter of John F. Sickels, and is
now the mother of four children. The eldest,
Arthur Eugenio, was born November 29, 1857;
Agnes L., December 28, 1862; Willie S., July 25,
1865; and Emma G., August 15, 1871. Agnes
died in infancy; Willie, December 16, 1872; and
Emma, October 3, of the same year. Arthur,
who is the only surviving child, married Cora
Waldron, of Elsie, and now conducts the farm
for his father, thus relieving his parents of much
responsibility.
Elijah W. Cobb upon the death of his father,
which occurred when his son was twenty-one
years old, took charge of the entire place. He
found eighty acres of land, with about fifteen
acres cleared, and he proceeded with energy and
enterprise to make substantial improvements, to
clear the rest of the farm and to add to it by purchase. He has added some twenty acres to the
original tract and has placed upon it the farmhouses and barns of which he may well feel proud.
About the year 1865 he engaged in buying staves
for Fowler, Essington & Co., making that his business for a number of years. He then opened a
store for the sale of groceries, in which he was
successful, but being desirous of changing his line
of goods, sold out this establishment and took up




600


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


the sale of hardware and drugs. In this he continued until about the year 1870, when he disposed of this business, as he had received the
appointment of Postmaster at Elsie, which position
he held until the election of Cleveland, since which
time he has directed his attention entirely to agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Cobb's official life has not been bounded
by the duties of a Postmaster, as he has held the
office of Township Treasurer for four years, and
has also served his township as Highway Commissioner and Treasurer of the village high school.
He is now a member of the Village Council. His
political convictions lead him into affilation with
the Republican party, for which he does good'service both by his own vote and the influence which
he exerts among his fellow-citizens. He takes a
more than ordinary interest in school matters and
is very active in efforts to improve the schools of
the township. lHe also is helpful in fostering the
cause of religion and is a friend to all church
work. lTe has done his share toward public improvements and is ready with his counsel and his
purse to help forward necessary movements in that
direction. He gave $500 to the railroad which
was built through Elsie, as one of the inducements to that choice of direction. This is one
example of his public-spirited enterprise which has
made him so well known and so thoroughly respected in the community.
4 ^<"-~- -^>^<^..~o~c.*.^^ < <
FOWLER. The owner of the fine farm on
section 10, Vernon Townslip, was born in
the township and county in which he now
resides September 17, 1843.   His father was
Josiah Fowler, a native of New York and he was
born October 6, 1810, a farmer who had the additional benefit of a trade —that of a cooperwhich was indeed an advantage to him in coming
to a new State in pioneer days. When he first
came to Michigan he settled in Oakland County,
thence came to Shiawassee County, where he settled on section 10, Vernon Township, improving


the place that he had purchased as much as possible
before his marriage. He built a log house in which
he lived with his family for many years. He cut
the timber on the place and realized from it a good
return. He was a Republican in politics and a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
died April 24, 1862.
Our subject's mother was Elizabeth (Chalker)
Fowler, a native of New York State, having been
born September 11, 1826, and died in 1879. She
was married to Mr. Fowler in Vernon Township,
in the year 1841. She and her husband were
brought up side by side in what was then known
as Chalker neighborhood. They were the parents
of nine children, each of whom was gladly welcomed into the family. Six of these are now living. Mr. Fowler, our subject,- was the second
child and first son, and was reared in his native
place. HIis first school days were spent in the little
log schoolhouse on section 9, Vernon Township,
and as he grew older he was advanced to the dignity of a frame schoolhouse on section 7, of the
same township. He remained at home, assisting
with the farm work until he was twenty-three years
of age.
Our subject felt that if the future had anything
particular in store for him he should begin to find
it out, so he left the home nest and engaged himself as a laborer on the neighboring farms or at any
work that he could find to do. This he continued
for five years and then he went into the lumber
woods in the northern part of the State. He spent
one summer in Detroit in which he enjoyed the
various experiences of camp life. In 1881, our
subject purchased the land upon which the old
homestead stood and upon which he now resides.
In 1885 he was united in marriage to Mary Asselstine, a native of Canada and who was born May
20, 1859. She was reared in the same place where
they were married. Mr. Fowler has eighty-six
acres of well improved land and devotes himself
to general farming.
Our subject is a Democrat in politics. He has a
great regard for religion, but has not connected
himself with any denomination, although his wife
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Fowler, who is a very superior lady and an








I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALB3UM.


603


"II --- —------------------—  ---

energetic supporter of whatever work she takes up,
whether it be in her family, church or society, is
a fine musician and is the leading voice in the
church choir. Mrs. Fowler's parents were Billings
and Lucy (Huffman) Asselstine and are natives of
Canada. Her father was a mechanic and was engaged in building threshing machines in Canada,
although he farmed the early part of his life. He
died June 17, 1890. The mother is still living and
resides with the family of our subject.
EORGE       W. TOPPING, M. D., an able
physician and courteous gentleman whose
home is in DeWitt, Clinton County, comes
of good old English stock and represents families
long known in the Empire State. In choosing a line
of life he diverged widely from that of his father,
yet has been a worthy successor of his parents in
having been actuated by the principle that "what
is worth doing is worth doing well." He applied
himself diligently to useful studies, laid a broad
foundation on which to rear a superstructure of
experience, and has been a strong tower in his
profession. For thirty seven years he has made
the town of De Witt the center of his professionai
labors and he long ago attained a State reputation
and rose to a prominent position in the community.
Going back a few generations in the paternal
line we come to Daniel Topping, who with five
brothers emigrated to America from  England,
all settling on Long Island. He was a Captain in the forces that fought for the freedom
of the Colonies, and in civil life he was a farmer.
He owned a large tract of land, given him by the
Government for his services in the Revolution, but
not liking the property, sold it for a song and settled near Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. There he died
at a ripe old age.. His warrant covered ground now
the site of the town of Elbridge. One of his children was Simon H., who was born on Long Island
December 23, 1762, and died February 8, 1831.
He owned one hundred acres of land in Cayuga
County, N. Y. His wife was Sarah Frost, born in


New Jersey July 22, 1765, and died July 18,1848.
Both spent their old age with their son, David
Topping. Both belonged to the Baptist Church.
They reared nine children.
One of the family of Simon and MaryTopping was
Daniel, who was born in Hanover Township, Morris
County, N. J., December 25, 1790, and followed
the ancestral occupation. He was a Lieutenant in
the War of 1812, and fought at Lewistown and
Black Rock. Afterward he was a Captain of the
State Militia. Tall, straight and of a soldierly bearing, he was a marked man wherever be appeared,
as his grandfather had been before him. He was
known far and near as Deacon Topping, holding
office in the regular Baptist Church almost a lifetime. His home was the stopping place for all the
ministers who passed that way, and his hand was
ever open to relieve the wants of others. He made
his home in Cayuga County, N. Y. where he
breathed his last Sunday, October 3, 1847. His
faithful wife survived him many years and passed
away at the home of their son, George W., our
subject, April 1, 1874. She was born at Rensselaerville, N. Y., October 21, 1791, and bore the
maiden name of Betsey Atwood. She was one of
those good, kind and devoted women who leave a
void in the entire neighborhood when they pass
away, and from her early life she was a consistent
member of the Baptist Church. The children she
reared are Nancy, Lydia, James, Louisa, Harriet,
Cynthia, Almina, George W., Morton and Charles.
Dr. Topping was born at Mentz, Cayuga County,
N. Y., December 11, 1827, and his boyhood days
were spent on a farm. He attended the district
school, then went to Groton Academy in Tompkins
County, and later studied in the Normal School in
Albany. To this school he was appointed by the
County Board, which gave a free scholarship to the
most successful teacher in the county. The year
before lie had been clerk in the collector's office at
Montezuma, on the Erie Canal, and in the winter
had taught a large district school, thus showing
how able he was to instruct and guide others.
After taking up his work in the Normal School,
young Topping began to study medicine, reading
with Dr. J. V. Griggs at Montezuma nine months.
He next went to Townsend, Huron County, Ohio,




604


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and puisued his studies with his brother-in-law,
Dr. W. S. Allaben, about six months, after whiclh
he spent one term in the medical department of
the Wooster University, Cleveland, Ohio.
The next step of Dr. Topping was to cross the
plains to California in company with three comrades, the party having eight horses and two mules.
They were one hundred and twelve days traveling
from Kansas City to Bear River, Cal., and during
the trip had some trouble with the Indians but lost
none of their number. Mr. Topping and his partner opened and worked mines, and had the usual
experience, sometimes making a "rich strike" and
again being reduced almost to a "grub stake."  At
one time Mr. Topping could have brought back a
fortune, but lured on by high hopes he stayed
and lost, and at last after an absence of three years,
came home with $3,000 only. The return was
made by the Nicaragua Route in the spring of
1853 and the young man was soon found studying
Latin and German at Lockport, N. Y. In the fall
he entered the medical department of the University
of Michigan and in the spring of 1854 received his
diploma and at once selected De Witt as the place
in which to open an office.
Dr. Topping has a reputation based not alone on
the careful diagnosis and skillful treatment of diseases but also upon critical surgical operations he has
performed. Much work with the knife and saw has
been placed in his hands and he has shown coolness, keenness of apprehension and the delicate
touch required by a surgeon, and the tender firmness so needful in times of danger and excitement.
In 1867 he performed an operation on Charles
Corlett, who had completely severed the larynx
and the anterior portion of the aesophagus near the
pomum adami. For twenty days the patient was
fed through the wound. As this was the first case
of the kind on record it caused the name and fame
of Dr. Topping to travel broadcast in professional
circles. He performed a new and difficult amputation of a part of the foot through the shaft of the
metatarsus, and other equally important work has
been done by him in a number of cases. He has
removed tumors and wielded the scalpel in almost
every way known to surgeons.
A great shock and grief came to Dr. Topping


June 17, 1864, when his wife was burned to death.
She was but twenty-eight years and two days old.
Her maiden name was Lusiana Hurd and she had had
two daughters-Alice, now wife of W. S. Weld, an
insurance agent in Elgin, Ill., and Mrs. Mary
Walbridge, whose husband is an attorney in Ithaca,
this State. August 3, 1865, Dr. Topping made a
second matrimonial alliance, wedding Sindenia A.
Ballard, who was born in Franklin County, Vt.,
October 18, 1833, and by this marriage a son was
born, George Ballard Topping, now in a wholesale drug house in Columbus,.Ohio, having graduated in pharmacy from a school in Ann Arbor.
The residence of Dr. Topping is a neat and attractive one and within it the evidences of taste and regard for true comfort may be seen. Mrs. Topping
is a notable housewife, is bright and winning in
her ways, and kind hearted and obliging.
In 1877 Dr. Topping was President of the old
Clinton County Medical Society and he has been
Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and President
of the Michigan State Medical Society, holding the
last named office in 1883. He was sent as a delegate to the meetings of the American Medical Association four or five times, of which he remains a
permanent member. During the Civil War he was
appointed Examining Physician by Gov. Blair.
He is a member of the Detroit Medical and Library
Association and takes an abiding interest in all that
pertains to the improvement of medical science and
those who practice it. Dr. Topping belongs to
Blue Lodge No. 272, F. & A. M., in DeWitt, to
Commandery No. 25, K. T., in Lansing, and to
Capital Chapter, No. 9, R. A. M., in the same city.
He also is a member of Council No. 29,of Royal and
Select Masters in Lansing, of the Odd Fellows Lodge
No. 241, in De Witt, and the Grange No. 459, here.
He represented his society three times as a delegate
to the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows. Politically
he is a Democrat, but sufficiently independent to be
in no bondage to party ties, reserving the right to
consider the man and the need of the moment at
every election. For a number of years he was
School Inspector, and in every work he has undertaken he has shown himself to be worthy of trust.
At present he carries on a drug store in connection
with his practice.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


605


The Doctor is a regular correspondent of the
medical journals of the country and is often engaged in the discussion of important subjects
through different periodicals. He has given considerable attention to ornothology and entomology,
and has the largest collection of birds and insects
in the country. Mrs. Dr. Topping was graduated
from the Michigan Female College June 28, 1861,
and prior to her marriage was a very successful
teacher for twelve years, teaching in some of the
finest schools in the State and holding the position
of principal in several graded schools. Since her
marriage she has taken a very active part in the
Methodist Episcopal Church and has served for
several years as Superintendent of the Sundayschool. In the cause of temperance she is an active
worker whenever an opportunity presents itself.
She is now and has been for several years President
of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, of
De Witt.
The attention of the reader is invited to the lithographic portrait of Dr. Topping which accompanies
this sketch.
— ^ ----^~ ----4~ —
HEODORE        W. SCHOEWE, a prominent
and wealthy German - American citizen of
De Witt Township, Clinton County, has
one of the finest brick farm residences in that
county. It is beautifully situated on the south
bank of the Looking Glass River about one mile
west of the 'village of De Witt. Adjoining it
are two large red frame barns and other neat and
convenient outbuildings, which show the hand of
a practical farmer. He is a warm hearted, wholesouled man, who is universally beloved by his
neighbors. He was born in Prussia, Germany,
November 6, 1842.
The father of our subject, John Schoewe, was a
carpenter and millwright by trade in Germany and
coming to America in 1854, settled in Erie County,
Ohio. His long wearisome trip from the old home
to Sandusky, Ohio, consumed the time from April
22, to July 14, as they crossed the ocean on a sail
ship. He had some money when he reached this
country, about $2,000, and added to his possessions


after coming here, and at the time of his death
owned one hundred and seventy-two acres in Erie
County, Ohio. He died in 1874. He was an active
church member having been connected with the
German Methodist Church during most of his life.
Upon coming to this country he adopted the political principles of the Republican party. His wife,
Carolina Heinch, was born at Laurensburgh, Germany, and was the mother of ten children, only
four of whom arrived at years of maturity, namely:
August, Henry, Lewis, and our subject. She was a
member of the German Methodist Church for the
greater part of her life and died in April, 1882,
both she and her good husband being buried at
Castalia, Erie County, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch attended school in
Germany, until he was eleven years old, when he
came to this country and after that attended the
college at Berea, one winter. When twenty-two
years old he began working for himself, his father
giving him some land to farm  and later dividing
the farm with him. When twenty-five years of age
he came to Michigan and worked in Detroit at the
Michigan Central Railway shops for two years at $55
per month. He then returned to Ohio and bought
forty-eight acres of land from his father, and later
received the twenty-seven acres which was his share
of the estate. He farmed there until November
1872, after which he bought eighty acres in DeWitt
Township, about one mile south of his present residence. After about three years he exchanged
that property for his present farm.
The wife of our subject, Rebecca HTeitmeyer,
who became Mrs. Schoewe, September 6, 1864, was.
born at Lawrensburg, Ind., March 6, 1847. Of
her ten children nine are still living.  William
married Emma Grose and is a farmer; Robert died
at the age of five years; Carrie is at home and
Minnie who married John Wannieke makes her
home at Berea. Bertha, Elsie, Fred, Eddy are all
at home as are also the twin babies who have not
yet received their names. One child, a twin sister of
Minnie, is deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schoewe
are active and consistent members of the German
Methodist Church, and Mr. Schoewe is a Republican
in his politics. His handsome and spacious brick
residence was built in 1886 at a generous cost and




606


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


his large barn was erected in 1876 and the other in
1882. He conducts mixed farming and has ten
head of cattle, ten horses, and usually keeps a flock
of about one hundred sheep.
M      ELVIN J. TYLER, a well-known and influential farmer residing on section 7,
Lebanon Township, Clinton County, is a
son of Washington T. S. Tyler, whose father, Malachi Tyier of Pennsylvania, was born
February 4, 1769, and died December 12, 1815.
His wife, Polly Story, was born April 24, 1773 and
died July 14, 1866. At an early day this couple
made their home in New York; they reared a family of four sons and two daughters. The father of
our subject lost his father when quite young, and
lived at home assisting his mother until he reached
his maturity. His marriage took place in 1828, and
his wife, whose name was Mary, was a daughter of
William Polluck, a native of Maryland. IIis father was James Polluck, a native of Ireland. William Polluck had in early life removed to New
York and settled in Genesee County being one of
the pioneers there. He was married in Madison
County, N. Y., to Rachel Stephens, and became
the father of the following children: Mary, Martha,
Emily, Rachael Sophia, Jane, Cordelia. Their father was a cooper by trade and followed this calling all his life, dying in New York July 15, 1884.
He had been bereaved of his wife October 10, 1865.
To the parents of our subject the following children were granted: Melvin, Cassandra and George.
The family removed to Michigan in 1865, making
their home in Lebanon Township, Clinton County,
on a farm of sixty acres, which they afterward sold
and removed to Ionia County. Here they resided
in Matherton until the death of the father, February 24, 1883, in his eighty-third year. Ile was
Supervisor in Stafford Township, N. Y. for a number of years and held various township offices in
this State. In politics he was first a Whig and
later a Republican. His wife is now living with her
son,.our subject, and has reached the age of seventynine years, having been born October 24, 1812.


The subject of this sketch first saw the light,
September 8, 1831 in Genesee County, N. Y. After
reaching his majority he purchased a farm of
seventy-five acres which he cultivated for eight
years in Byron Township, Genesee County, N. Y.
He was married in the latter County, N. Y., to
Adelia Walton, a daughter of Jarvis Walton, who
was born in Massachusetts in 1800, and who married Sallie Tillotson in Cattaraugus County, N. Y.
Five children came to bless their home to whom
the following names were given: Henrietta, Perry,
Mary, Billings, and Adelia. Mr. Walton was a
carpenter and mason who came with his family to
Michigan and made his permanent home in McComb County, where he cultivated a farm, and
died in 1856, having been bereaved of his wife in
1841.
To Melvin J. Tyler and wife have been born the
following children: Alice, Clara, Mary, Ida, Stella,
Fred and Edith. Upon coming to Michigan in 1863
our subject settled on one hundred and sixty acres
which he now owns. I-e has cleared and improved
most of his land and has placed upon it good
buildings. Ile is a Master Mason and a member of
Lodge No. 178 at Hubbardson. He is a popular
man among the Republicans and has been twice
elected to the position of Township Treasurer.
LAYTON A. JOHINSON, a well-known and
highly respected citizen of Ovid Township,
Clinton County, was born in Highland
Township, Oakland County, this State, August 23,
1863. He is a son of Willis D. and Sarah A.
(Gifford) Johnson. His father was a native of
New York and his mother of Ohio. His father
was by trade a carpenter and also conducted a farm
upon which the early life of this boy was passed
and where he spent most of his time until he reached
the age of nineteen years. He had the advantage
of a common-school education but went to school
in the winters only, as his father died when he was
but six years old and he had to devote his summers to work for his own support and that of the
family. When he was but eighteen years old he




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


607


came to Ovid and attended school for more than
two years. He attended for twenty-six months
without being once absent or tardy, thus showing
the earnestness with which he pursued his education
and the value he placed upon his school privileges.
He graduated in June, 1883.
The young man now entered the insurance business, working for Mr. E. Nethaway in Ovid and
after working for thirteen months was given a half
interest in the business. He continued as a partner
for a year and then purchased the entire control of
the business and has since conducted it alone with
great success for a young man. He established a
branch office at Owosso and placed it under the control of a trusted employe. In connection with insurance he is also carrying on a considerable real
estate business and this year is handling bicycles.
The marriage of Mr. Johnson, July 23, 1889, was
an event of great importance in the life of the
young man. The lady of his choice was Ella M.
Nethaway of Ovid. They are the parents of one
little son born May 15, 1891. This gentleman's
political views are in accordance with the declarations of the Republican party, and he is deeply
interested in both local and national politics. He
has held the office of Village Assessor for three
years past. He is a prominent and useful member
of the Baptist Church with which he has been connected since he was twelve years old and is a member of the State Board of the Baptist Sunday-school
work.
~ C-~_tfl~t ---.-^ —~E   SEK OLNEY. The gentleman whose name
heads this list, was born January 17, 1829,
-  and died April 26, 1888. His native lilace
was Columbus, Chenango County, N. Y. His parents were James and Clarissa (Ostrander) Olney,
the former being a native of Rhode Island, and
was one of an old and highly respected family in the
State, well known in Rhode Island history. Our
subject was reared on a farm  until his father's
death, which family calamity left the wife and
children indeed greatly bereaved. The father had
been deeply in debt, and our subject, the eldest
of three children, felt that it was his duty to re

main at home, which he did until he was thirty
years of age, devoting himself to clearing off the
indebtedness on the homestead.
Borrowing a large amount of money from an
uncle, he began business as a money-lender. The
family broke up when our subject had attained his
thirtieth year. He came to Corunna, this State,
in 1859, and began to loan money that he had secured as his share of the farm, and was also agent
for many Eastern capitalists for whom he loaned
out money. He remained in Corunna fourteen or
fifteen years, until his marriage in 1874, when he
removed to Vernon, where he lived for fifteen
years. He still continued the business here at this
place of money lending. He remained at Vernon
until his death. While driving what was considered a gentle horse, it became frightened, apparently without cause, and he was thrown from the
carriage, striking the skull at the base of the brain.
The skull was shattered and lie lay from Monday
afternoon until Thursday morning, when he died
with progressive paralysis, from the effects of the
wound.
Mr. Olney was a Republican in politics. Socially
lie had many friends and but few intimates, but to
the friends who really reached his heart he was a
friend indeed and for life. At the time of his
death lie was handling about $100,000 for Eastern
men. All of the men for whom he was agent were
personal friends whom he had known in the East.
He was rather independent in thought and action,
and believed that attention to his own business was
paramount to any other consideration. At the time
of his death his business affairs were so perfectly
and methodically arranged as not by any possibility to admit of litigation on the part of friend or
foe. He dealt uprightly and wisely both for himself and others.
Mr. Olney was united in marriage October 1,
1873, to Miss Addie E. Fox, eldest daughter of
Dr. W. B. Fox. She was born February 2, 1855,
at Osceola, Livingston County, this State.  She
acquired a good education at the Owosso High
School, where she took the normal course, afterward teaching for four terms in the district school
of the place. Mr. and Mrs. Olney have been blest
by the advent of two daughters into their home:




608


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Mabel, the eldest, was born October 17, 1875; and
Nellie, February 22, 1878. Both are accomplished
musicians. Mabel is at present a student at Oakside School, Owosso, with Mrs. Josephine Gould as
Principal. The younger is making great improvement in special studies, and particularly in music.
She is not content with having acquired what she
already has, for she is fitting for the higher work
of college life.
Since Mr. Olncy's death his wife has continued
his business, making collections and following his
tactics as nearly as possible. She has a beautiful
home at Bancroft, where she has lived since her husband's death, and is a member of the Congregational Church.  While Mr. Olney never sought
public positions, nor was even a business man in
the ordinary sense of the word, he was an important
factor in this county, and much of the improvement
that the county now boasts is due to his tact and
management.
ORMAN ANDREW        HARDER was born
on the old homestead where he now lives,
A4  June 9, 1837, and is the youngest of the
family of Dr. N. P. and Sallie (Purvis) Harder.
He was reared on the farm  and remained at home
and when nineteen years old the charge of the farm
fell to him. It then consisted of one hundred and
forty-five acres, the remainder of the three hundred and eighty five acres having been divided
among his brothers. The parents lived with this
son until their death, the father passing away in
1863, and the mother surviving until August
23, 1887. The house now standing was built by
our subject in 1869. He has disposed of a part of
his acreage and now owns only eighty-two acres.
He is a Republican in his political views but does
not care for office.
N. A. Harder was married September 3, 1857,
at Argentine, Livingston County, this State, his
bride being Miss Caroline Carr, a daughter of
David and Rebecca (Evans) Carr, who had come
to Antrim Township, Shiawassee County, in 1846,
from Wayne County, N. Y., where this daughter


was born on Christmas Day, 1836. Mr. Carr died
in Antrim Township, about the year 1861, and his
widow survived him some five years. Only two of
his children, Mrs. Harder and Miss Emily Carr,
who resides with her sister, are residents of this
county. Two other sisters make their home in
Livingston County; Cordelia, Mrs. Emery, who
lives in Durgee, and Rebecca Maria, Mrs. Benjamin
Colburn. A brother David lives in Isabel County
and James Carr resides in Livingston County.
Two children have been born to our subject and
his worthy wife. The son, Joseph Clifford Harder,
born February 14, 1863, is following the ancestral
tendency to professional life and is a member of
the junior class of the Homeopathic department of
the State University and expects to graduate in
the class of '92. He had read with Dr. Harvey
for one year before entering the University. The
daughter, Emma Pearl, born August 24, 1873, is a
student of the Owosso High School, having now
completed her second year in that institution. She
is now prepared to teach and expects to follow that
profession. Mr. Harder is prominent as a Mason
and for twenty-eight years has been identified with
that order. Both he and his intelligent and amiable wife are devout members of the Baptist Church.


TEPHEN WATSON was born in Durhamshire, England, November 15, 1817. His
parents were Stephen and Mary (Featherstone) Watson, also of English nativity.
Our subject was only six months old when the
family emigrated to the United States, settling in
Clinton County, N. Y. When sixteen years of age
his parents removed to Canada and settled near
Lake Ontario, where the family are still represented.
His father died there about 1848. His mother
died in 1863.
When seventeen years of age, the gentleman of
whom we write, went back to Canandaigua N. Y.,
where he learned the blacksmith's trade, which
he followed for about fifteen years, working at it
both in New York and Canada. August 18, 1842,
he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Kin



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


609


________ _~_ ____~__ ______ I


yon, who was born at Syracuse, January 24, 1821.
Her father was John and her mother Margaret
(Chatterton) Kinyon, both natives of Dutchess
County. After his marriage, Mr. Watson continued
to live in New York and Canada respectively for
seven years, having lived for five months in Niagara County, Canada, during which time he was at
Niagara Falls where lie worked at his trade. He
went back to New York, where he remained for a
year and in the fall of 1850 came to Michigan.
Like most early settlers, Mr. Watson purchased
a farm, his comprising one hundred and sixty
acres. There was a small clearing, but no house.
He began to improve the place on which he has
lived ever since. The first tract was located on
section 8, Shiawassee Township. To this he added
one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, aggregating three hundred and twenty acres on sections
5 and 8. He devotes himself to general farming,
having about two hundred of his land under cultivation.
Mr. Watson and his wife have had a large family of children, all of whom have attained to manhood and womanhood and have taken responsible
positions in life. They are Simon Zelotes, who
lives in Owosso; Charles Stephen, who is engaged
in business in Colorado; Mary Emily, who is Mrs.
James Monfort, of Corunna; Edwin G., of Shiawassee Township; Frank Henry, of Owosso; Edgar
K., who is at home and operates the farm. He
was born March 11, 1861, and is yet unmarried.
Mr. Watson is a Democrat in politics, but is not in
any sense a politician. He has not united himself
with any church. Our subject is a Mason of
twenty-five years standing.
The original of our sketch has been a hard worker and the farm which is so finely improved was
cleared almost entirely by himself. Ile brought
hither means to buy his first one hundred and sixty
acres, but had little else to commence with. Mrs.
Watson's local attachments are very strong indeed,
and she says that she was so impressed with the
loneliness of the country in pioneer days that she
thought it doubtful whether she could remain
here, so she kept enough money in gold by her,
which she brought from New York, to carry her
back to her home, should she be so homesick that




she could not endure it. Mrs. Watson has two
brothers in this State, Simon Kinyon of Corunna,
and William Kinyon of Barry County. Simon
Kinyon is one of the early pioneers, having lived
in the county upwards of half a century. Mr.
Watson is one of the stanch and sturdy citizens
of the county and lie has been greatly aided in his
efforts at building up his home and rearing his
large family so that they might take an honorable
position in life, by his estimable wife who is in
every sense a beautiful woman.
DWIN    A. GOULD, of the firm    of M.
Wood & Co, a manufacturing company
which furnishes handles of all kinds to
the market, is an esteemed citizen of Owosso,
Shiawassee County.  This business was established on a small scale in 1868 by Mr. Wood,
who was joined in it in 1878 by Mr. Gould, with
whom he formed a partnership. Our subject was
born in Flint, Mich., January 7, 1852, and is a son
of David Gould, one of the early settlers of Owosso.
Having settled here when a boy, he became a prominent citizen in this part of the State,and one who was
active in securing railroad facilities. He was Mayor
of Owosso for two terms. He was largely engaged
in tie lumber business in the Saginaw Valley. He
was a son of Daniel Gould and died in Owosso in
his fifty-seventh year, in 1884. He was a native
of Cayuga County, N. Y., where be was born September 26, 1827, being the youngest of four brothers, Daniel, Amos, Ebenezer and David, all of
whom were prominent in the history of Owosso.
David Gould was at one time one of the sawmill kings of Michigan, cutting large quantities of
lumber, lath and shingles. His wife was Mary L.
Todd, who was born in Oakland County, this
State, and is the daughter of John and Polly Todd.
She is the mother of two children, a son and a
daughter, our subject and Anna L., who is still
single.
The subject of this sketch spent the most of his
school days in the Owosso city schools. He continued with his father in the lumber business up to




610


PORTRAIT AN~D BIOG RAPHICAL ALBUjM.


60  P T AD BA  A


the time when he went in with Mr. Wood in the
handle works. Mr. Gould was married May 6,
1873, to Miss Frankie Eggleston of Owosso. Mr.
and Mrs. Gould have two sons, Ernest L. and
Ray D.
Mr. Gould is a Democrat in his political views
and four years acted as Alderman for the First
Ward of Owosso, and during the last year he was
in office, he was President of the City Council.
He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. His
residence at No. 520 Adams Street is among the
handsomest in the city, and is surrounded by beautiful grounds which are in a high state of cultivation.
'* --- —-------— ""
ULIA   A. LITCHFIELD, the widow       of
Joseph A. Litchfield, who owns the highlyimproved farm on section 4, Fairfield Township, Shiawassee County, was born November 8, 1844, in Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio.
She is a daughter of Ebenezer and Eliza M. (Hyde)
Nethaway, the former born September 30, 1809, in
Huntington, L. I. and the latter born in Massachusetts, November 7, 1820.
Mrs. Litchfield lived in Ohio until she was about
six years of age when her parents removed to Duplain Township, Clinton County, this State. Here
our subject received a fair common-school education. She left her father's home only to enter that
of her husband, her marriage taking place March
1, 1866, when she became the partner of the joys
and sorrows of Joseph A. Litchfield, formerly of
Columbia, Lorain County, Ohio.    He was of
English birth and parentage, his natal day being
August 5, 1839.
After their marriage for seven years Mr. and
Mrs. Litchfield spent nine months of each year in
Cleveland, Ohio,and the remaining three months on
his farm in Shiawassee County, this State. This
farm he had purchased about one year previous to
his marriage and it made a delightful summer home
for the young couple. In 1873 they came to their
farm to make a permanent home, but in 1877 they
modified their plans somewhat and moved to Morrice, this county, where they kept a hotel, in which


business they continued until they were burned
out, the fire sweeping everything before it, in August, 1880. They had previously lost their farm
residence by fire, March 16, 1869, at which time
they lost all they had possessed excepting the clothing they wore and the land. About $4,000 worth
of property, including a stock of lumber was lost
in this way.
Mr. Litchfield had been the overseer of all the
mason work on the Lake Shore Railroad. After
their hotel was burned they returned to the farm
where they rebuilt and have since resided. Here
Mr. Litchfield died February 24, 1888, and is buried in the cemetery at Elsie, this State. He had
formerly been married to Dora Downie but they
had no children. Our subject has been the mother
of four children-Ebenezer A., Henry T., Adella E.
and George A. The eldest son was born January
25, 1867, in Daplain Township, Clinton County,
this State. He at present has charge of the farm
which he directed three years previous to.his father's death. IIe received only a common-school education, but has made a decided success of whatever
he has undertaken. He doos not confine himself
wholly to the cares of the farm but finds some time
for the pleasure of travel. In 1890 he joined a
company known as the C. H. Smith Bicycling
Tourists. This merry party left Detroit August
18, at ten o'clock on their wheels for a trip to Niagara Falls by way of Toronto and Northern Canada. They arrived at Niagara Falls August 25, at
eleven o clock in the morning. They went from
Toronto to Lewiston on a steamer. After his return from this trip he went to Dakota where he
took much interest in studying the condition of
the country.
The second child of Mrs. Litchfield, Henry T.,
was born in Ovid, this State, January 9, 1873. He
is energetic and ambitious and is of great assistance
to his brother and mother in directing the work on
the farm. Adella was born March 8, 1876, in
Fairfield, this county. She only lived to be six
months old, her death taking place September 13,
1876. The youngest son, George A., was born in
Morrice, Shiawassee County, June 19, 1880.
Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield had the pleasure of a
trip to England in 1887, at which time they visited




RESIDENCE OF MR5S.JULIA A. LITCH FI ELD, SEC.A. FAI Rfi LL) TR, SHlAVVASSEE CO,,MICH.




------ - ------— ' -— ^ -— ' - --- —------
-


I


FARM  RESIDENCE OF D. L. WARREN,5EC.33.,MIDDLEBURY TP.,SHIAVA55EE CO.)MICH.




VA




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


613


the gentleman's sister. They were gone two months
and Mr. Litchfield derived much benefit to his
health. Mrs. Litchfield's father was three times
married and each wife presented him with a family.
Our subject had one sister -Marilla S., who was
married to John T. Cobb; she was born April 22,
1842, and died childless October 30, 1860. Her
husband soon after enlisted in the army and there
died. Our subject's oldest half-brother, Ira, who
took to wife Mary A. Wool, was born April 22,
1836. He lives in Nebraska and has a very pleasant
family of three children. Caroline A.; a halfsister, born December 31, 1837, died while young;
Charlotte A. born September 27, 1840, married
John Curtis and died September 26, 1873. She
left two children, one of whom, Elmore Curtis, is
a physician in Saginaw City; the other, Frederick,
makes his home in Elsie, Mich.  Ienry C., born
August 1, 1848. another half-brother, served about
one and one half years in the army for which he now
receives a pension, his home being in I)avenport,
Iowa. His family comprises two children. Ella
M. married Clayton Johnson and lives in Ovid,
having one child.
Mrs. Litchfield was a teacher before her marriage,
having spent about seven terms in that work. She
loves travel and feels that much may be learned
from observation of portions of the country and
the manners and customs of the various classes of
people. One of the pleasantest trips of her life was
made in 1871, when she spent several weeks visit.
ing her aunt in New York City. A view of the
home where she and her children entertain their
many friends, is presented on another page of this
volume.
M    RS. LAURA    (ROBINSON) MANN, the
widow of Francis F. Mann, who resides on
section 9, Woodhull Township, Shiawassee
County, is now the second oldest pioneer
of that township. She is a woman of wonderful
mind and her faculties, both mental and physical,
are still bright and active, although she is now
eighty-two years old, having been born in Springfield, Vt., June 9, 1809. Her father, Daniel Rob

inson, was a native of Connecticut, born October
29, 1776. His father, Isaiah Robinson, a native of
the same State, was a son of John Robinson who
came to America and was the head of the family
in this country. His father, John Robinson, is the
one so well known in history in connection with the
movements of the Puritans in England and on the
continent.
Isaiah Robinson, the grandfather of our subject,
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War but finally
settled on a farm near Springfield, Vt., where he
reared a family of ten children and died at the age
of eighty-two. His wife passed away in 1876. His
son Daniel was also a farmer and worked at the
carpenter's trade some, settling in St,. Lawrence
County, N. II., where he followed farming and
surveying. He was an unusually intelligent man
and made every effort to overcome the lack of
early advantages and was in many senses a selfeducated man. He pushed his studies after reaching maturity and attended school after he was
married, fitting himself for teaching, whichi he pursued for twenty winters. He had to an unusual
degree the respect of his pupils, and was considered one of the most important members of the
community, being not only superior mentally but
plhysically, and having the advantage of a military
bearing on account of his drilling in the State militia in which he was a captain. He was a Whig in
politics and of very liberal religious views. IHe died
June 28, 1854.
Nancy McElroy, the mother of our subject was
born in Boston, Mass., October 30, 1771, and was
the daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth McElroy
who came from Scotland to America in 1740, during the war between the Highlanders and Lowlanders. They belonged to the latter class and left
their homes on account of the persecutions of the
HIighlanders. The mother of our subject received
her name, Nancy Martin McElroy, from a British
Gen. Martin who was acquainted with her parents
during the Revolutionary War and at the time she
was named he presented her with an English Bible
printed in German text. She bore two sons and
four daughters, namely: Omenda, Mrs. Hulett;
Opheus; Hannah, Mrs. Graham; Laura, our subject,
Nancy and Orsemus, Their mother died March 11,




614


PORrRAIT ANL~D BIOGRAPYHICAL ALBUM.


1813. She was a woman of sterling Christian char-  adopted and brought up three boys-Amassa F.
acter and was connected with the Methodist Church.  Chadwick, James O. McClintock and Albert J.
Our subject was brought up on a farm and     Wilcox.
learned the trade of a seamstress. When eighteen  The subject of this sketch has a fine farm of one
years old she went to live with an uncle, William  hundred and twenty acres and has seen wonderful
Robinson, just over the State line at Walpole, N. H.  changes in this region during her lifetime. She
She was exceedingly expert with her needle and  has lived in three different houses on this farm.
made many elegant garments. She there met and  She still has charge of her business but rents out
married the man of her choice, Francis F. Mann,  her land to others. She is a devoted member of
who was born atAlstead, N. H., December 12, 1808.  the Christian Church and her daughters are memTheir marriage was solemnized June 29, 1836. Mr.  hers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which
Mann was reared upon a farm and learned the trade  they take an active part. Helen has been Superinof a shoemaker, at which he worked until about a  tendent of the Sunday-school for one year and
year after his marriage.                       assistant Superintendent for a number of years.
The young couple decided to try their fortunes  She wrote a history of the Sunday-school and read
in the West and came to Washtenaw County,      it at a convention in 1888. Take them all in all
Mich., in October, 1837. They made their journey  this family has been exceedingly influential in
through Canada by team and wagon except the    shaping matters, social, industrial and religious for
distance from Chatham to New York, when on ac-  this township.
count of rain and mud they took a boat and crossed
the lake. They remained in Washtenaw County
with a sister of Mrs. Mann's until February, 1838,    ----
when they came to Shiawassee County and took up
a farm in the woods in Woodhull Township. Here
they built a log house and went to work to clear     MIKAN. Among the many valuable citithe land.                                            zens who have come as emigrants from the
Therelwere then only three families in the town-   German Empire, to our prosperous and
ship, but there were wild animals in abundance.  beautiful State of Michigan, all are ready to welThe wolves used to have a run-way right by the  come Mr. V. Mikan, who has made his mark as an
side of the log cabin and many a night the young  industrious and valued member of society in Vercouple used to lie awake and hear them howl and  non Township, Shiawassee County. He was born
wonder whether the protection was sufficient for  in Bohemia, Germany, July 13, 1834. His father
them and their animals, for they made strenuous  who also bore the name of V. Mikan, is a native
efforts to get into the pen and kill the pigs. Deer  of the same province, and is now living and resides
were abundant and Mr. Mann occasionally killed  with this son. The brother, John, whose sketch
one for venison but he was no huntsman. Indians  will be found on another page is the only other son
often came to trade baskets for flour.         of this father, and his wife Anna Saka, who is also
Mr. Mann was far from strong and suffered much  a native of Bohemia. The mother died at the age
with malaria after coming to the West. He died  of seventy-six years.
May 31, 1882. His political views were in accord  Mr. Mikan and his brother John remained in
with the principles of the Republican party and he  their native place until 1854 being reared upon the
held the offices of Treasurer, Justice of the Peace,  farm and given a public school education. In the
School Inspector, etc. Mrs. Mann reared three  year just mentioned the family altogether came to
children of her own: Mary O., Helen L, and Har-  America, and made their first home near Racine,
riet L. The latter married Linus D. Parks; they  Wis., where they bought a farm and cultivated it
have both died, leaving one child, Clarence E.,who  until 1857. They then came to Shiawassee County,
makes his home with his grandmother, She also  Mich., and located in Vernon Township, on the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


615


spot which they now call home. The land was all
woods then and they cut the timber and hewed the
logs and put them up, making for themselves a
block house. This building still stands on the place
and is looked upon as a pleasant memorial of the
early days. The brothers own everything in part.
nership and have six hundred and forty acres of
land, four hundred and eighty of which are in Shi.
awassee County, and one hundred and sixty in
Genesee County.
In 1870 Mr. Mikan removed to the house where
he now resides and made his home there. They
keep a good stock of cattle a fine lot of horses and
from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and
fifty head of sheep. Hle is a very hard working
man, and spares no pains to improve his farm and
make it one of the most productive in the township.
His marriage in 1864 united him with Mary Berka,
a native of Bohemia. They have eight children,
four daughters and four sons, namely: Mary, John,
Ella, Matilda, Frank, Milton, Victor, and Blanch;
the oldest daughter is the wife of 0. T. McCord, of
Omaha, Neb. She taught for five years in Omaha
previous to her marriage. John resides in Durand;
Ella who attended school in Ypsilanti is in Omaha,
Neb., with her sister. The other children are still
at home.
Mr. Mikan has two large barns, one 82x40, the
other, which is a cattle and horse barn, is 36x60
with a shed which measures 20x40. Mr. Mikan is
quite independent in regard to politics, and votes
conscientiously for the man who will fill the office
with the most benefit to the community. The
brothers carry on the farm together, and have always worked in unison from the time they Were
able to work at all.
-- -S ---^ ---^ ---
J?AMES ALBERT HAYT. Among the leading Democrats in Rush Township, Shiawassee County, prominent both in local politics
and in business circles, is the gentleman
whose name heads this paragraph, and whose fine
farm is located on section 22. He was born in
Palmyra, N. Y., October 19, 1831, being the son


of Charles Hayt, a native of Norwalk, Conn., who
was born about 1790, and came to New York some
twenty —five years later. He married Jane Soule, a
daughter of Nathan and Mabel (Hodge) Soule,
natives of Bennington, Vt., who had two daughters
and one son, Jane, the youngest, being born about
the year 1795.
Charles and Jane Hayt were blessed by the birth
of nine children, two daughters and two sons, are
yet living. The seventh child, our subject was
only five years old when he was sent to live with
his grandparents, with whom he remained until he
reached the age of fifteen. When his father died
he returned home but stayed there only a short
time. He lived in various States from that time
on, and learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade.
In 1854 the young man came to Michigan, and
in 1857 to Rush Township, and bought forty acres
of land where Henderson now stands. After clearing some of it he disposed of it by sale and went
to the locality of Detroit, where he worked at his
trade. His marriage took place in 1858, his bride
being Cyrenia M. Dains, a daughter of Samuel and
Sabra (Wallace) Dains. Mr. and Mrs. Dains were
New Yorkers and the parents of two sons and seven
daughters, of whom Cyrenia was the seventh in
order of birth, her natal day being October 31,
1839.
Eighty acres of land on section 22, were purchased by our subject in 1859, and he removed on
to it the following year and built a house. Six
children have blessed their home, namely: Louisa
E., Lester Ii., Luther H., Hubbard D., and Lena
M.; one died unnamed. The oldest daughter is
now the wife of Frank Condis, of Bancroft, and
the oldest son has married and is living at Alma,
Graliot County, this State. The remaining three
have been taken to the other world. In 1881 he
bought forty acres on section 23, and forty acres
in 1884 on section 9, which latter tract he has given
his daughter. He is especially fond of country life
and although he has tried living in Owo3so three
different times he finds that he prefers the farm.
Mr. Hayt is a Democrat in his political views,
and cast his first Presidential vote for Franklin
Pierce, and his last for Mr. Cleveland. He is a
prominent worker in the party, and has been a del



616


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


egate to county, congressional and State conventions, and has been Chairman of several boards.
In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Michigaa Infantry, and received the appointment of
Corporal, and served bravely until the close of the
war. He has been Justice of the Peace for four
terms, Township Clerk three terms, Township
Treasurer three terms, Highway Commissioner two
years, School Inspector four terms, and on Board of
Review two terms. He has been an officer in school
matters nearly ever since he came to this part of
the country. His official record, his war record and
his record as a citizen entitle him to just praise.
EZEKIEL F. BROWN is one of the prominent young farmers of Eagle Township,
where he resides on section 25, and owns two
hundred and eighty-one acres of land in the townships of Eagle and Watertown, Clinton County.
This farm he has improved finely and placed upon
it excellent buildings and all the conveniences for
farm life. Ile is the son of Isaac and Hannah
(Odell) Brown, natives of Monroe and Rockland
Counties, N. Y., and was born in the first named
county April 10, 1842.
In 1853 the parents of our subject removed to
Michigan and made their home on section 25,
Eagle Township, Clinton County, where they have
ever since resided. He was trained in the usual
duties of a farmer's boy and attended the district
school, supplementing what he had thus obtained
by a course at Lansing, Mich. In 1864-65 he took
in addition to this a commercial course at Bryant
& Stratton's Business College at Rochester, N. Y.
He proposed by this course of study to fit himself
for teaching, and began his professional work in
this direction in 1863. After he returned from
Rochester he taught school for quite a number of
terms in Clinton County.
In October, 1870, Mr. Brown was married to
Louisa S. Tallman, daughter of Aikens Tallman,
who was a native of New York State. This union
has been crowned by the birth of two children,
both sons. The eldest, J. Earl, born January 27,


1872, is now attending High School at Lansing,
from which he will soon graduate. Fred L., born
February 4, 1880, is attending the district school.
Mr. Brown is interested in political questions but is
not a party man as he votes for men and measures
rathler than according to the dictates of the wire
pullers.
Our subject is a grandson of Ezekiel F. and
Alice (French) Brown who were natives of New
Hampshire and of Irish descent. The father of
Ezekiel, our subject, bought one hundred and five
acres of wild land when he came to Michigan in
1853. Both he and his good wife are living on
their beautiful farm at quite an advanced age, as
the father was born May 28, 1817, and the mother
November 3,1818. They reared a family of nine
children, six of whom are now living: Betsey A.
was married to George Smith, and died leaving
one child. Horace was born April 5, 1840, and
died February 20, 1859. Sarah M. was horn August 8, 1844, and is now Mrs. George M. Dayton,
of Lansing, this State. Isaac M. was born July
13, 1846, married Mary A. McMillan and resides at Lansing. Phoebe A., born January 20,
1851, is the widow of John T. Backus, and
now resides with her parents. Hiram E., born
January 20, 1856, and married Rena Navtzber.
George   I., born February 16, 1859, married
Myra Smith and resides at Grand Ledge. The
father of this family gave to all his children the
advantages of a good education alnd to our subject
and his brother Hiram training which fitted them
for teaching which they both pursued for some
time. Our subject is a member of Lodge No. 179,
F. & A. M. at Grand Ledge and is a man in good
circumstances, having been prosperous in all his
undertakings.
J  WIGHT C. CLAPP, a popular citizen and
Alderman of Owosso who has made his
mark as Superintendent and designer at the
Estey Manufacturing Company, at Owosso, had his
birthplace in Madison, Lake County, Ohio, August
23, 1844. When four years old his parents took




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


617


him  back to Massachusetts, their former home,
where they settled in Montague.   His father,
Cyrus Clapp, was born in 1811 and was the son of
Joseph Clapp, who was descended from English
blood on his father's side and on his mother's sidewas
of Scotch descent. The great-great-grandfather was
a native of Solcombe Regis, Devonshire, England,
and came from Plymouth to New England in 1630,
arriving at Nantasket on May 30, 1630. The
father of our subject was a carpenter and joiner
and engaged in the manufacture of plow handles
and scythe snaths. Ile died in 1885 in Montague
Mass. His wife, Sophia (Brown) Clapp is still living in her seventy-fifth year and was the mother of
nine children.
Dwight C. Clapp passed his early school days in
Montague, Mass., and left school at the age of
fourteen years to enter his father's manufacturing
establishment.  When seventeen years old he
learned the business of sash, door and blind making. He then went to Providence, R. I., where he
worked for the Providence Tool Company and
also made stock for the Springfield musket. In
1865 he went to Springfield, Mass., and there
worked at making sash, doors and blinds for some
eight years, and from there removed to Cleveland,
Ohio, where for two years he was inspector of sewing machine cabinets for the Providence Tool
Company and afterward filled the position for
eighteen months of Superintendent of the Utica
Furniture Company, Utica, N. Y.
In the spring of 1884 the subject of this brief
sketch came to Owosso and took the position of
Superintendent of the Estey Manufacturing Company. He also designs for the company in which line
of work he has great ability.  He is the inventor
of the famous Clapp patent bureau and has secured
a number of valuable patents on the same. This
bureau is made without glue, blocks, or nails and
overcomes the shrinking and swelling of the parts.
The drawers are so constructed that they never
stick or bind and are almost dust tight. For a fuller
description of Mr. Clapp's invention and experiments the reader is referred to the sketch of Mr.
D. M. Estey.
In April, 1886, this gentleman was united in
marriage with Miss Cora M. Holt, a native of Mas

sachusetts, and a lady of rare accomplishments.
She is a sister of Chas. E. Rigley of the Estey
Manufacturing Company. Mr. Clapp is a member
of Owosso Lodge No. 81 F. and A. M. and of
Owosso, Chapter No. 89 and Junior Warden of
the Corunna Commandery No. 23 K. T. He is
now serving as Alderman for the First Ward. The
home of Mr. and Mrs. Clapp is a fine structure
handsomely finished and elegantly furnished. It
is beautifully situated in extensive grounds which
are adorned with shrubbery and trees of various
kinds.
SAAC M. DRYER, a prominent farmer and
old settler of Clinton County, living in the
outskirts of the village of Bath, was born in
Cazenovia Township, Madison County, N. Y.,
July 13, 1833. His father David P. was a native
of New York and born in 1807, and his grandfather, Allen Dryer, was born in Massachusetts in
1772. The great-great-great-grandfather of our
subject was born in Holland in 1677 and bore the
name of John VanDrier. He settled in London,
England and was impressed into the English army
and brought to Boston on a British Man-of-War.
Hie there deserted and settled at Rehoboth, Mass.,
where he changed his name from Van Dryer to
Dryer. For further account of the genealogy of
this family, the reader will consult the biography
of Dr. Newell A. Dryer which appears in this
volume.
The father of our subject was a farmer and in
1836 came to White Ok Township, Ingham
County, Mich., and took up eighty acres of land
from  the Government. He journeyed by water
from his old home to Detroit and there purchased
an ox-team  which he drove the rest of the way.
He lived upon his farm until 1849 and was friendly with the Indians and received their friendship
in return. He never cared for hunting although
there were thousands of deer all about him. He
moved to Bath Township, Clinton County, February 1, 1850, having bought eighty acres here the
previous year and built a log-house. All was an




618


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


_ __I I ~_.~_ ~_.___ _ _~ _ __ --- -- - - - - -- --.I


unbroken forest and there were no neighbors within three miles of the cabin. About the time of the
close of the war Mr. Dryer left his farm and went
to Lansing where he lived a retired life for five
years after which he returned to the village of Bath
where he now resides. A sister, who makes her
home with him, has reached the extreme old age of
ninety-four years.
The mother of our subject Philena Morse, was
born in New York State in 1816. She had five
children all of whom she reared to man's and woman's estate. They are named Isaac M., Philena,
Allen, Delia and Emma. She was a devout and
earnest member of the Baptist Church and was
called away from earth in 1852. The father of our
subject is a Democrat in his political views and he
has served his township in various offices among
which is that of Township Treasurer.
The subject of this sketch was but three years
old when he came to Michigan and his earliest
play-fellows were Indian children. He attended
the rate bill school in the log schoolhouse, enjoyed
the open fire-place, sat upon the slab benches supported by pin legs and learned to write on the desk
fastened to the wall, using quill pens. He afterward attended Union School at Lansing. He was
reared on the farm and remained at home until he
was twenty-five years of age. He was then married
and established a home of his own, October 11,
1857, choosing as his companion for life Rebecca
McKay, who was born in Salem, Washtenaw
County, on Christmas Day, 1833.
To our subject and his good wife have been born
ten children, seven of whom have grown to maturity. They are Susan C., the wife of G. S. Brower,
a contractor and builder at Fresno, Cal. Ida A.,
who married L. H. Rush, who lives in Pomona,
Cal. David who is married and carries on the
business of a carpenter and joiner at Oakland, Cal.;
Elbridge O., is a plumber at Larado, Tex.; McClellan J., who married Alice DeBar and works on
the home farm; Ernest A., a furniture dealer who
lives at Texarkana, and Fleta who married Charles
Steadle, a farmer in Bath Township.
Isaac Dryer bought eighty acres of land in 1852
which constitutes his present farm. He found no
improvements upon it and at once set to work to


build a log-house which was 17x23 feet in dimensions. He lived in that until 1874 which burned
three years later after which he erected the large
brick house in which he now resides. He has made
all the improvements which are to be seen on this
fine farm and has added to it by purchase until he
now owns one hundred and seventy-two acres, all
but thirty of which is under cultivation. He carries on mixed farming and is very successful therein. Mrs. Dryer is an earnest and active member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Our subject has long been an advocate of the
principles of the Democratic party. He was elected Supervisor of Bath Township in 1872 and held
that office for eighteen years besides other minor
offices. He has been a charter member since its
organization in 1864 of Lodge No. 124 I. O. 0.
F. and has held all of the Chairs in that body. On
several occasions he was delegate to the Grand
Lodge. He is also identified with the order of the
Good Templars. He used to kill a good many
deer in the early days and retains his fondness for
that sport, being now a member of the Bath Hunting Club which goes North every year in November for hunting. He was the first president of
that club when it was organized in 1873. He is a
man whose intelligence, character and ability will
always make him prominent in any community
where he may choose to reside.
_                          I
ALTER C. DE WITT, a well-known resident of Middlebury Township, Shiawassee
County, first saw the light in Hope, Warren County, N. J., June 8, 1815. He is a son of
James and Anna (Coats) DeWitt, and his father
was born and brought up in Warren and Sussex
Counties, N. J. He was by occupation a trader
and was for thirty years Justice of the Peace and
Postmaster of Hope, while he was at the same time
engaged in traffic. The son had few advantages
for an education and received only the rudiments
obtained in the common schools. He has always
been a great reader and has kept himself well-informed.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


619


I -


The subject of this Sketch made his home with
his parents till he reached the age of seventeen
years, when he went to learn the trade of a tanner
and currier in Warren County, N. J., and served
an apprenticeship of four years and after this he
worked as a journeyman at his trade. He was
engaged for fifteen years in New Jersey and finally
established and took charge of a large tannery for
James tull & Bro., of Strausburg, Pa. For two
and one-half years he carried on this establishment
and then for one year re-engaged in his trade of
currying.
The parents, brothers and sisters of young DeWitt
having come to Michigan and located in Oakland
County, the father prevailed upon him to follow
them hither, which he did in 1855. After engaging in farming for some six years in that county
he decided to remove to Shiawassee County.
When he first came to the State he had brought
with him very limited means and in consequence
had taken a very small tract of land which he
found insufficient for his plans.  He therefore
decided to dispose of that and go where land was
cheaper. When he came to this county in 1861
he took up an eighty-acre tract which he purchased of Gideon Lees of New York. At the time
of his coming to the West he had quite a family
of his own, as he had married July 4, 1840. His
wife, Margaret Middlesworth, of Hope, N. J.,
became the mother of seven children. Their eldest,
Jacob A., was born March 31, 1841, and died February 16, 1842. Theo F., born April 30, 1843;
James, January 4, 1846; William  M., February
16, 1848; Maria D., February 22, 1851; Anna,
July 2, 1855; Peter, January 16, 1859. The
youngest son died June 7, 1874. The mother of
these children departed this life Decerber 30,1887,
after having reached the age of seventy years.
She was a consistent member of the Methodist
Church.
When Mr. De Witt came to Shiawassee County
he found his farm an unbroken wilderness and lie
and his boys went into the woods with their axes
with right good will to clear land upon which to
plant crops. He feels that Providence was with
them in their struggles and can hardly realize that
by their unaided efforts they cleared and made the


improvements which they did, but they at once
felt that this was their place of abode and made it
their permanent home. He had hardly put his
land into a condition to raise crops when he felt
the call of duty to go to the defense of his country's flag. He enlisted in Company B, Eleventh
Michigan Cavalry, taking the position of a Sergeant. This was in August, 1863, and he served
for two years. Neither he nor his son Theodore,
of the same company, received any wound in the
service.
Walter De Witt and his son have a fine place of
two hundred and fifty-four acres of highly cultivated arable land. He finds his chief interest in his
farm and his family and has never sought office,
although he is an ardent Republican and his AntiSlavery views were the impelling force which led
him into the army for the purpose of putting down
slavery. He is an earnestly religious man and has
been a member of the Methodist Church for more
than thirty years. His standing in the community
is that of one whose self-respect and integrity have
earned for him the esteem of all.
E-~II ---~E^^II ---
T     IRAM M. HIGH. This young gentleman
is numbered among the professional men of
Ovid and is engaged in the practice of law
) in partnership with Henry E. Walbridge.
He is rapidly advancing in legal ranks and his
future is looked forward to with interest by his
friends and acquaintances, who believe that he has
the qualities that will make themselves felt more
and more as he advances in years. Already he
has shown determination and ambition, and what
he has accomplished in the way of mental culture
and professional standing has been by his own
well-directed efforts, unaided by capital or influence.
Mr. High is a son of James and Margaret High
and was born in St. Croix County, Wis., April 11,
1860. He was reared by his paternal grandparents
and lived in Van Buren County. Mich., until 1870.
His guardians then removed to Missouri, resided
in Shelby County two years, then located in Mont



620


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -— 


=


gomery County, Kan. In that county the young
man remained about nine years. He had been
given some normal school training, attending private schools of that nature, and at the age of
seventeen years began teaching in the Valley District in Montgomery County. He continued his
pedagogical work until the spring of 1882, then
came to Ovid and attended Prof. Baker's Institnte
six months. In the fall he went to the Territory
of New Mexico and took charge of a boarding
train between Wallace and Albuquerque, remaining
about seven months. He then returned to Kansas
and reentered 'the school-room, continuing to
teach until the spring of 1884.
Mr. High then came to Ovid, reaching here
March 12, and at once began the study of law with
A. D. Griswold. The following fall he became a
partner of that gentleman and the connection continued until dissolved by the death of Mr. Griswold, May 28, 1890. Mr. High then formed a
business connection with his present associate. He
is not engaged in political life, but keeps himself
well informed and is ready to deposit a Republican
vote when the ballot box is open. lIe is now filling the office of Superintendent of the Poor. His
happy home is presided over by an intelligent,
refined lady, who became his wife April 11, 1886,
prior to which time she was known as Miss Lena
Everett. She is a daughter of John W. Everett,
whose name will be recognized by many of onr
readers. Mr. and Mrs. High are the happy parents
of a little daughter, Majie J., who was born March
2, 1889.
M    ARVIN BABCOCK. There is in a record
of the laborious acquisition of a competency, but little to attract the reader in
search of a sensational chapter. It is to
those who recognize the nobility of character which
attains success in spite of obstacles, and to those
who would emulate the excellence of such an example, that we address the following remarks. Mr.
Babcock is of English ancestry, and belongs to a
family whose name was originally Badcock. His




I


I

father, Samuel Babcock, was born in Windham
County, Conn., August 9, 1779, and his mother,
whose maiden name was Clarissa Brown, was also
a native of Connecticut, and a cousin of Lorenzo
Dow. Of the union of this worthy couple, which
was solemnized September 8, 1800, eight children
were born, of whom Marvin was the youngest, and
is the only one now living. His natal day was July
2, 1817.
The father of our subject was a merchant, and
one of the founders of Hampton, now called Westmoreland, in Oneida County, N. Y. When the
War of 1812 was over, prices went down, and in
consequence of this Mr. Babcock failed. The Sheriff sold everything, and then according to the laws
of the day put the debtor in jail at Whitesborough.
Not being a criminal, he was put "on the limits"
with the privilege of going home Saturday night
to spend the day of rest with his family. But he
was not permitted to have even a half-day during
the week wherein to earn bread for his family. Our
subject remembers when but three years old, going
with his mother to the jail to see his father. This
was just before the death of that parent, who died
in 1820, of quick consumption, after being in jail
six months.
Mr. Babcock was not as strong and robust as
his brothers, and could not work as hard as they,
but he resolved he would not go to the poor house.
He invested ten shillings ($1.25) his entire capital,
in goods, and started out as a peddler, continuing at
this work until he had gained $100. He then took
a deck passage from Buffalo to Detroit, and lccated
in the township of Webster, Washtenaw County,
this State. He found a neighborhood of friendly
and intelligent people, among whom was the farmer
whose daughter became the wife of E. B. Winans,
now Governor of Michigan.
Mr. Babcock bought some land in the unbroken
forest in 1837, and then returned to New York and
continued peddling. In 1840 he started again for
the West, and purchasing a drove of sheep in Ohio,
drove them  into Washtenaw County. This was
probably the first drove that came within the
bounds of the county.  In 1860 he started for
Texas with a drove of one thousand fine wool
sheep, intending to go into the wool-growing busi



I




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iI




PORTRAIT AND BI3OGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


625




=


ness there, but on account of the war he disposed
of them in Iowa. He was married March 19, 1841,
at the Goodrich House, Ann Arbor, by Esquire
Clark, to Miss Mary M. Knight. Bridal tours were
not much in vogue in that day, and the young couple, who were both practical farmers, settled down
to manage and cultivate their farm.
Mr. Babcock has never belonged to any church,
nor to any secret society but one, which he abandoned after attending two meetings. He has never
run for any political office, but is an enthusiastic
and stanch Democrat, and has made some rousing
Democratic speeches. He says that the grand old
Democratic party outlives all others. He is not a
believer in Christianity, as taught by the clergy of
to-day, but believes that all good works in this
world will receive credit in the world to come. He
has published a number of tracts expressing his
views on religion, especially one which he called an
open letter to the St. John's School Board, in which
he protested against the teaching of sectarianism in
the public schools. This tract has been translated
into some languages of India, under the auspices
of the Colombo Theosophical Society.
Mr. Babcock is a Spiritualist, and is widely
known on account of his opposition to the teaching of religion in the public school. The following
article entitled "A  Better Religion Wanted," is
taken from  the Clinton Independent, and gives
some of his ideas on the subject:
"There are over one thousand religions and the
best one of all is the one that has the most humanity, that most loves justice, that has more respect
for good works than faith, and that is possessed
with a disposition to sometimes be willing to make
a little sacrifice for the sake of peace and the gratification of others. But when a man reads the Protestant Bible in school every day for ten years, he
is unjust, selfish, and not willing to do by a Catholic as he would have a Catholic do by him if he
was a Catholic, and the Catholic was him. The
Catholics are or ought to be entitled to some consideration. I sometimes feel that even I, as bad as
I am, am entitled to some rights, in a school that
costs me more than $100 a year."
"We will now hear from Judge Kilbreth, of the
Court of Special Sessions of New York. HIe states:




I




'In 1888 the number of arrests in this city was
83,617, and the number of arrests in 1874 was 84,821, a decrease of nearly one and one-half per cent.
in fourteen years. So according to official record
there were more than one million of arrests in a
single city in those fourteen years. And all the
while when this wickedness was going on the church
bells were ringing, and the preachers were preaching, but not one among them all tried to encourage
those bad people to be good by telling them that
good works in this world will be rewarded in the
next.'
"We want a better religion; a religion that will
reward an honest man in the next world for his
good works while living in this world. Our prisons are full of robbers, thieves and murderers, and
our cities full of gin and hell holes for gambling.
And I don't wonder that the Chinese heathen prefers the religion of his country to the religion of
our country. There must be something wrong
somewhere. I am sure that the church never can
win the respect of unconverted tax-payers by overriding their constitutional rights, or by preaching
that the chances are that the good will be damned
unless they shall conclude to believe and agree
with the church, and the awful record of crime in
this country shows the absurdity of our Protestant
friends, supposing that notwithstanding the law is
against them, they are so much better than the law,
and so much better than the Catholics and all others, as to give them the right to trample upon the
rights of all others by running our school in the
interest of Protestantism. We want a better religion, one that will show some respect for the rights
of others and practice the religion of good works."
After leaving the business of a peddler, Mr. Babcock sold goods at Albion and at Otisco, this State,
an(d after running a jewelry store at St. John's
some years, retired from business. Ie and his
wife, whose sketch follows this, recently celebrated
their golden wedding, in which they were assisted
by their two surviving children. The son, Charles
T., has been a trader among the Crow Indians in
Montana for twelve years, and the daughtter, Sarah
Catherine, is now Mrs. Dr. Stevenson, of Morenci.
Mr. Babcock was seized with the gold fever in
1852. He went by the overland Fremont route to




626


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


California, dug sixty-five cents worth of gold with
his own hands, had the ague, and bought twelve
bottles of ague medicine, (which would have cost
a shilling in the East) at $3 a piece, stayed four
weeks and came home by the way of Panama. After reaching home he was robbed of his gold.
ARY MARTECIA BABCOCK, who bore
the maiden name of Knight, was born October 17, 1822, in Verona, Oneida County,
N. Y. She is the oldest daughter of Levi
Knight, whose ancestors were of English stock, settled in Windham County, Vt. The great-grandfather, Jonathan Knight, was an officer in the Revolutionary War. About the time of the War of
1812, his son Levi removed with his family to
Oneida County, where in 1819 his son, Levi, Jr.,
was married to Mrs. Catherine Sivers, whose maiden
name was Near. This lady's father, Conrad Near,
was taken prisoner by the Indians when a boy of
ten years, and taken to Quebec, where he was kept
until the close of the war.
Mrs. Babcock is the oldest child of Levi and
Catherine Knight. She had an early love for books
which has never left her. Her youthful school
days were marked by diligence, promptitude and
efficiency, a love of system and a desire for improvement. Her parents came to Michigan in
1835, and settled in Livingston County, where
there were no sc(hools, and she was obliged to study
by herself with such poor text books as she could
get. She commenced to teach when fifteen years
old, and- continued in this work until the death of
her mother, when she assumed the responsibility of
managing the family until her father married a
second time.
On the 18th of March, 1841, Miss Knight became
the wife of Marvin Babcock, and commenced
housekeeping on the farm. She became the mother
of four children, two of whom are still living:
Sarah Catherine, now Mrs. Dr. Stevenson, born in
1842; and Charles, in 1859. The deceased are
Albert B., born in 1844, and died in 1867; George
M., born in 1850, and died in 1853. -Wherever


I


I




Mrs. Babcock has made her home, she has been
prominent in all literary and progressive societies,
and was one of the founders of theLadies' Library
of St. John's, being its President for over ten years
and is still one of the Executive Committee. She
has been active in Chautauqua circles, temperance,
church and aid societies, and has collected a fine
library for herself and family. She also has the
best collection of Indian curiosities in the State.
She is devoted to the solid improvement of society
and her aim is to do good to those with whom she
comes in contact.
The attention of the reader is invited to the lithographic portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Babcock presented elsewhere in this volume. By their united
efforts they have arisen from a very small beginning to a competency, sufficient to support them
in ease, and are now in their old age enjoying all
the comforts and even luxuries of life.
F-)EORGE W. REED, whose fine farm is situated on section 17,Vernon Township, Shiawassee County-, was born in Tompkins
County, N. Y., in Dryden Township, September
20, 1832. He is the sixth son and eighth child of
William K. and Minerva (Walcott) Reed, whose
biographies will be found elsewhere in this volume,
under the name of their son, John Reed.
Our subject was three years old when he came
to Michigan with his parents, and his first school
days were passed in the log schoolhouse, and his
later ones in District No. 2 Vernon Township.
When twenty-one years old he began independent
work on shares for his father. He wooed and won
for his wife Ellen L. Randolph who was born in
Litchfield Township, Bradford County, Pa., October 30, 1807, and their marriage took place on
New Year's Day, 1861.
Mrs. Reed is the second daughter of Peter and
Emily (Walcott) Randolph. The mother was a
native of New York, and the father of Pennsylvania. He was a farmer and came to Michigan in
1838. He went on to Chicago when there were
only a few houses in that little village, and returned




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUUM.


to Pennsylvania, and after a short stay there and
in New York decided to make Michigan his home,
and located in Vernon Township, Shiawassee
County, on section 7. There he bought an improved farm, but after seven years sold it and
bought on section 8, where he now lives. He is
now in his eighty-third year, a devout and consistent member of the Free Methodist Church, and a
citizen who is highly respected by the younger
members of the community. In his younger days
he espoused the principles of the Democratic party.
When in Pennsylvania he filled the offices of Assessor and School Officer. He was bereaved of his
faithful companion in 1889.
When Mrs. Reed was eleven years old she removed from Pennsylvania to New York, and she
was a young lady of seventeen when she came with
her parents to Michigan. Immediately after marriage she and Mr. Reed made their home where
they now live. There was on the place a log
house, 18x20 feet, with a frame addition 12x18
feet, and the farm was partially improved. They
have a family of four children, Frances, Albert,
Minerva and Jessie. Mr. Reed has a farm of
eighty acres, sixty-five of which are under cultivation, and he is doing a general farming business.
His residence, where they now live, cost him $1,300,
and he has thoroughly drained his farm, placing in
it some thirteen hundred rods of tiling. He keeps
about ninety head of sheep, and other stock in
proportion. His first Presidential vote was for
John C. Fremont in 1856, and from that day to
this he has been a consistent adherent of the Republican party. He takes an earnest interest in
educational affairs and acted as School Director for
seventeen years.
i     ILLIAM    R. SUTTON. The gentleman
I  whose name heads our sketch, and who is
tile owner of the largest livery, sale and
feed stable in Bancroft, was born in Genesee
County, N. Y., January 20, 1827. His father was
James H. Sutton, a native of New Jersey, but was
brought up in New York. His grandfather, Jere

miah Sutton, was the son of a Baptist minister and
was of Irish descent. Our subject's mother was
Adelia (Dowd) Sutton and was born in Norfolk,
Conn. She belonged to an old English family.
Her father, Capt. Joseph Dowd, was an old sea
captain. When the little girl was but ten years
old her family moved to Genesee County, N. Y.
Our subject came to Ray Township, Macomb
County, in the spring of 1838, with his parents.
The family of Mr. Sutton settled on a farm
which was very new land, and here the mother
died in 1847. The father died in 1884 in Richmond, Macomb County, at the age of seventy-nine
years. He had lived in Macomb County since
1838 and was a man who had seen quite a good
deal of public life, having held many minor offices.
Our subject, William R. Sutton, remained at home
until he had reached his majority. He learned the
coopers' trade and worked at it three or four years
when he secured a farm in Ray Township, and engaged in general merchandising at Richmond and
New Haven about 1865-66. He returned to his
farm where be lived a retired life until coming to
Bancroft in June, 1879, and purchased a restaurant,
grocery and boarding house.
Mr. Sutton also at this time purchased much
land, upon which he built a number of residences
for sale. He then engaged in the general merchandising business for two years. Farm life again
allured him and lie purchased a number of acres
which he has improved, especially in its buildings.
Here he remained for three years and then returned
to Bancroft. For the last seventeen years our subject has been traveling for Ieldenfritz & Son, nurserymen of Monroe, this State, formerly as salesman,
more recently as collector and for the last few
years as local agent. For three years he has conducted the livery business. He owns a very good
residence and has one which he rents, and will soon
build a barn of his own. He owns from seven to
ten carriages. He has been Justice of the Peace
one term here and also elsewhere, and is at present
City Treasurer.
Mr. Sutton was formerly a Republican in politics, but since the formation of the Prohibition
party he casts his vote with them. He has also
been Constable of the town and Coroner. Mr.




628


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Sutton was married at the age of twenty one to
Fidelia Eton, a cousin of ex-Lieutenant Governor
Sessons; she lived only fourteen months after her
marriage. March 16, 1856, he took as his second
wife Charlotte L. Bump, who was born at Mendon,
N. Y., March 16, 1831; she had been a teacher for
a number of years. Their family comprises only
one son, Adelbert T. Sutton, born October 1, 1857.
He is the editor and proprietor of the Review, of
Richmond, this State, and is in Government emplay as mail agent on the Michigan Air Line. Mr.
Sutton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and both he and his wife are active in
church work.
E    ZRA L. SMITI, LL. B., a prominent attorney of Clinton County, and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, is a gentleman of no little
legal ability and a thorough understanding of professional matters. IIe has for some years made
his home in St. John's. His father, William Burroughs Smitih, was a native of Romulus, Seneca
County, N. Y., and his grandfather, Jonathan, who
was a wagonmaker, was born in New Jersey, and
after his removal to Romulus worked at the trade
of a carpenter. He came to Michigan in 1844
and made his home in Genesee County, near Fenton, in the woods. Here he engaged at his trade
and spent the remainder of his days. He brought
up his son William to learn the carpenter's trade.
The father of our subject was married in 1841
to Miss Sarah Hoagland, a daughter of John HoagJand, who was born in New Jersey and was an
early settler of Romulus, New York. After marriage he engaged in carpenter and joiner work and
in 1843 came to Michigan. He journeyed by boat
to Monroe and thence by train to Lenawee
County, where he worked at his trade and carried
on the business of a contractor and builder. In
1869 he moved to this county and bought land,
on which he lived till 1878, when he removed to
the city of St. John's to educate his children.
He here has carried on his former business and in
addition has managed the foundry for Mr. Hicks


and also at one time for Cross & Weller. In
1889 he became pattern maker for the Cooper
Boiler and Engine Works. He was Trustee of the
village for two years and when he lived in Essex
Township was Commissioner of Highways for two
years. The three children who were granted unto
him are Wilhelmina, now Mrs. Root, of Walker
County, Ala.; Cyrus, a resident of this place, and
Ezra Lawson Smith, our subject.
William  Smith was Supervisor in Lenawee
County for three years and was enrolling officer
and Deputy-Provost Marshal during the war. He
was also State Recruiting Commissioner, appointed
by Gov. Blair, during the war, and was in Detroit during most of the period of conflict. For
eight years he was Justice of the Peace. He is
now Financial Secretary of the Royal Templars.
He has been a Republican, and a thorough one,
since 1854, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years. His mother, Eliza
Burroughs, was from New Jersey, and her father,
William, was one of the first settlers in Romulus,
N. Y.
Ezra L. Smith was born at Ridgeway, Lenawee
County, Micl., July 13, 1862. When nine years
old lie removed with his parents to Essex Township, and after attending the common schools
studied at St. John's High School, where he graduated in 1883. After teaching for one year he entered the law department of the University of
Michigan and after a course of two years took
his diploma in 1886, with the degree of Bachelor
of Laws. He then engaged in the practice of
law at East Tawas, with Judge Probats, of losco
County. After that he removed to Mio, Oscoda
County, where he was appointed by Gov. Luce
as Prosecuting Attorney. After two years in this
office he traveled through the lumber districts of
the South, spending one year in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
St. John's became the permanent home of this
gentleman in 1889, and in January, 1891, he was
appointed Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in this
city, which office he fills admirably and also carries on the practice of law in the courts. His
marriage, which took place October 21, 1889, in
this city, united him with Cora Brainard, a daugh



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


629


ter of W. W. Brainard, an old settler of St. John's.
she is a lady of fine intelligence and excellent
education and was a teacher previous to her marriage. Mr. Smith is a true-blue Republican and
at the time of his election to the office of Justice
of the Peace he received the largest majority of
any man on the ticket. He is identified with the
Knights of Pythias and his wife is an earnest and
active member of tie Methodist Episcopal Church.
RED IH. GOULD. This young gentleman
is a well-known capitalist and real-estate
A_    dealer in Owosso, Shiawassee County, in
which city he was born October 11, 1857. IHe is
the fifth of the six children comprising the family
of Amos and Louisa (Peck) Gould, the latter of
whom is still living and occupying the well-known
Gould mansion. She is a native of the Empire
State, and daughter of Ira Peck, who came to
Owosso late in life. She is now in her declining
years the object of the loving devotion of the children to whom she devoted herself in their early
years, and whom she has guided in paths of usefulness and honor. Of her husband and his career
the reader may learn by reference to his biography on another page.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs began his educational work in the Owosso
schools, and when his course of study here was
finished entered the military academy at Chester,
Pa. He was graduated from that institution when
in his nineteenth year, and returning to his home
soon matriculated in the law department of the
State University. After two years of diligent study
and careful research in legal tomes, he received his
diploma in 1878. Ile then entered the First National Bank with his father, and soon became assistant Cashier, retaining the position until his parent
died, when the business of the institution was
closed up together with the affairs of the estate.
The young man was one of the executors of an estate computed at $250,000, a great part of that
value being included in tracts of land in this and
other States, some of which comprised as high as


twelve hundred and fifty acres. In the settlement
of this estate, business tact and keen judgment were
required, and the fact that young Mr. Gould has
been called upon to look after similar work in
other cases shows that he did his work well.
A  large tract of land adjoining the city of
Owosso, was one of the valuable parts of the estate.
A portion of this has been platted and laid out in
city lots and is now for sale. Mr. Gould handles
real-estate quite largely, and in looking after his
general interests, both in and out of the city, and
settling up other estates placed in his hands, he
fully occupies his time. He was one of the stockholders and a Director in the First National Bank
until it went into liquidation. He owns a good
farm of two hundred and sixty acres, well stocked
with horses, sheep and cattle, and considerable attention is given by him to the stock business. He
is raising standard-bred horses of the Hambeltoian strain and thorough-bred cattle.
In June, 1883, Mr. Gould was united in marriage
to Miss Josephine Fletcher, a charming young lady
well known in Owosso society. The happy union
has been blest by the birth of three children, the
bright group consisting of Fletcher A., Lena M.,
and Frederick E. Mr. Gould is a very well informed gentleman, whose ambition it is to keep
abreast of the times in his knowledge of affairs, and
to advance his individual interests, and add to the
worth of the city in whose prospects he takes pride.
Politically he is a stanch Republican.
j  ICHOLAS 0. SMITH. Afterspending some
years on a farm not far distant from Ovid,
Clinton County. Mr. Smith removed to the
village in the fall of 1890, for the two-fold object
of being nearer good schools in which to place his
younger children, and of giving his wife rest which
her health demanded. He still owns his farm, which
consists of two hundred acres, and is one of the
finest tracts of land in the county, being in a high
state of cultivation, well stocked and supplied with
numerous and ample buildings. A model barn,




630


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


36x60 feet, is in process of construction on the site
of one that was destroyed by fire August 10, 1890.
It is to have a neat, substantial foundation and be
light, airy and conveniently arranged. In the old
structure when it was burned there was a large
quantity of grain and considerable machinery. Mr.
Smith has been extensively engaged in sheep-breeding and takes great interest in horses.
Mr. Smith was born in Wayne County, Ohio,
October 20, 1837, and is the son of Jonathan G.
and Elizabeth (McDougal) Smith. The father was
born in Fayette County, Pa., in 1794, and was a
farmer by occupation. The mother was of Irish
extraction and was born on the ocean while her
parents were en route to America. She died when
her son Nicholas was but five months old, and the
father marrying again the child was reared by a
stepmother. His educational privileges were limited
to the common schools which he attended mainly
during the winter months. He remained on the
homestead until he was twenty-three years old,
then set up his own home, and from that time until the spring of 1883 he carried on farming in
Knox and Richland Counties, Ohio. He was also
engaged in the sale of agricultural implements and
in veterinary surgery, and since he came to this
State he hts followed the latter to some extent,
but only as an accommodation. In December,
1882, he bought land in Clinton County, one hundred and sixty acres known as the B. M. Shephard
farm and forty acres from Jonathan Cox, and
moved upon it February 22, 1883. There he lived
until he thought best to move into Ovid, in the
High School of which place his younger son will
graduate in June, 1891.
In Knox County, Ohio, March 17, 1861, Mr.
Smith was married to Miss Ellen Hoke, a native of
that county, she being a daughter of Peter and
Sarah (McDaniel) Hoke, who was well fitted for
the position she assumed. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
have had six children, one of whom died in infancy,
and Vanorah Belle, who was born January 3, 1869,
passed away October 14, 1890. The surviving
children are George F., born February 10, 1863;
Alverda M., August 3, 1865; Spurgeon R., December 29, 1871, and Electa E., October 6, 1876. The
older son is married to Edna Taft and they are liv

ing on the home place. Alverda is the wife of
Robert Hazel and their home too is in Clinton
County.
While he lived in Ohio Mr. Smith held several
offices, such as School Trustee, President of the
graded School Board, Constable and Justice of the
Peace. He held the position of Justice several
terms, and acted as Administrator of several estates.
He has been a member of the School Board in this
State, and is now serving as Justice of the Peace.
Politically he is a Republican, and he has been
faithful to the party since the days of Abraham
Lincoln. He is a peaceable, law abiding citizen,
intelligent and public spirited, and is highly regarded by his acquaintances. Mrs. Smith, who is
an estimable woman, has also many friends and
well-wishers.
OHN FEDEWA. This gentleman is numbered among the successful agriculturists of
Clinton County, in which he has resided
since 1848. His long residence has given
him an extended acquaintance and he has been
very useful in advancing the interests of the
county and particularly of Dallas Township, by improving land and gathering around him the evi.
dences of prosperity and civilization. Every welldirected effort is of benefit in furthering the general
good and the man who succeeds in doing well for
himself and his family, also does well for mankind
in general. The home of Mr. Fedewa is on section
32, of the township named and his estate now consists of one hundred and sixty acres. He has had
other land, but has given to his children tracts on
which to establish their homes and begin their work
as householders.
The grandfather of Mr. Fedewa bore the naime
of Morris and spent his entire life in Germany,
rearing five sons and four daughters. In this
household band was a son, Adam, who was born in
1795 and when he had grown to manhood married
Mary K. Miller. To them were born the following
children: John, Mathias, George, Maggie and Eva.
The entire family emigrated in company in 1841,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


631




and coming at once to Michigan located in Westphalia Township, Clinton  County.  There the
father died in 1861, and the mother in 1879. The
father had bought forty acres of land and afterward
added to his estate until he had an entire quarter
section. Wild animals abounded in the neighborhood and bear often carried off the hogs. Mr. and
Mrs. Fedewa passed through the usual experiences
of those who developed wild land, but lived to see
what had been an almost trackless forest converted
into fruitful fields. Both were members of the
Catholic Church.
John Fedewa, eldest child of the couple above
mentioned, was born December 15, 1820, and left
his native land in his twentieth year. After the
family was established in this State he found employment in the saleratus works in Lyons, Ionia
County. In 1848 he married and set up his home
on land that he still occupies, first securing forty
acres and afterward adding to his real-estate as he
was prospered. He built the substantial farm house
and other structures in which he lives and houses
his stock and crops, and not only kept his family
in comfort, but was able to give his children a
much better start in life than is sometimes the case.
While looking earnestly after his own interests he
has served his fellow-citizens in several public
capacities, especially in that of Road Commissioner
-an office he lleld fifteen years. He was Township Treasurer one term, Justice of the Peace about
three years and School Inspector during a long
period. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Catholic, as is his wife. Before lie left his
native land he had become a mason-a trade in
which his father and grandfather were engaged.
The marriage of Mr. Fedewa was solemnized in
Westphalia Township, Clinton County, in' 1848.
His bride was Anna Schaffer, a woman of domestic
skill and amiable disposition, who was a native of
Germany. The union has been blest by the birth
of seven children, named respectively, Mathias,
John J., Mary, Catherine, Annie, Stephen and
Lizzie. All are living in Dallas Township, except
Mary, who is the wife of Nicholas Shaffer and resides in Westphalia Township. The father of Mrs.
Fedewa was Theodore Shaffer and her mother was
Catherine (Taylor) Shaffer. They emigrated from


Germany to America in 1846 and made their home
in Clinton County. Mr. Shaffer was a shoemaker
and farmer. His children besides Mrs. Fedewa,
were John, Anna Mary, Catherine, Mary and
Stephen.
----— ^f ----4~ ---
n  ARSON JEFFERYS. This gentleman is
one of the prominent and most venerable
men of Clinton County, and we take great
pleasure in presenting    a biographical
sketch of this worthy and intelligent citizen. He
was born in Sussex County, N. J., December 1,
1818. He was a son of Parson and Sarah (Dickerson) Jefferys. The grandfather Jefferys, was an
Englishman who settled in New Jersey at an early
day. When about five years old our subject removed with his parents from the old home to
Knox County, Ohio, where they took up pioneer
work. Here the boy was reared until he reached
his majority. He received but a limited education
and had few advantages for thorough and systematic schooling, but has thoroughly improved
every opportunity to augment his knowledge and
broaden his understanding of public affairs. After
reaching his majority he followed the business of
carpentering at different times for some years.
The first marriage of our subject took place in
Ohio, in 1841. His bride who had borne the
maiden name of Sarah E. Carter, became the mother
of five children, three of whom are now living,
namely: Melinda (Mrs. Norman Hulse); James
(who was a soldier in the Civil War) and Ruth H.
In the fall of 1848 our subject migrated to Clinton
County, Mich., and bought eighty acres of land
from the Government, at $1.25 per acre, making
his home where he now resides in Greenbush Township. Here he settled in the woods and did much
brave pioneer work, transforming the wilderness
into a prosperous farm.
The second marriage of Mr. Jefferys united him
with Mrs. L. A. Tinklepaugh, widow of Lewis
Tinklepaugh of Clinton County. This lady is a
daughter of Nelson and Sallie A. Daggett, late of
Clinton County. Our subject has served as Township Treasurer for several years and has also been




632


PORTR~AIT AcND BI~OGRAPHICAL ALBUM.~I


632PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


on the School Board for his district. He is a public spirited and enterprising man and inclines to
Democratic principles in politics. He and his wife
are highly esteemed members of society and are
now enjoying the fruits of their pioneer work, of
which probably none of their neighbors have done
more. Parson Jefferys is known far and wide for
his integrity, intelligence andl true manly character
and is highly respected by the rising generation.
i- -  A1 --- —----— =        ^  N -
C    LEMENT     NETHAWAY. Of late years
the attention that farmers have paid to stock
raising has led to the improvement, not
only of blooded animals, but also the stock that
finds so ready a market in large cities. It is a most
lucrative field of business and one that has not been
fully developed as yet. It promises rich reward
to such farmers as perfect it. Among the agriculturists in Shiawassee County who have given much
attention to introducing a fine grade of stock is
Clement Nethaway, who resides on section 34,
Fairfield Township, Shiawassee County. A view
of his pleasant homestead is presented on another
page.
The original of our sketch was born thirty miles
from New York City in Cornwall County, on Long
Island, and is the son of Thomas Nethaway. His
mother having died when he was but a babe and
his mother's family being so scattered that no care
could be expected from thnt source, our subject was
adopted into the family of a Mr. Howell near
Ithaca, N. Y. He received but a limited education,
it being deemed necessary that he should be so
provided that he could take care of himself. He
learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked
some forty years, partly in New York and partly
in Ohio.
Mr. Nethaway is now seventy-nine years of
age, having been born February 7, 1812. His
wife, who is still living, was born July 13, 1810,
near Lansing, N. Y., and is a daughter of Smith
and Mary (Dow) Head. Her father was a native
of Massachusetts and her mother of New Jersey.
Our subject lived in Medina County, Ohio, for a


period of about nine years. He moved to his
present location in 1855, and thus may be counted
among the pioneers. He followed his occupation
as a cooper and invested his earnings in land which
improved both in   value and condition.  Mr.
Nethaway has seen this country change from a
howling wilderness to a beautiful garden and many
are the experiences and adventures that might be
chronicled of his early days in this State.
The subject of our sketch and his wife have been
blest with seven children, as follows: Melvina,
Ebenezer, Smith, Christopher, Mary and Sara
who are twins, and Thomas. The eldest daughter,
now deceased, became the wife of William Scott
and left four children. Ebenezer lives in Fairfield
as does his brother, Smith. Christopher is still at
home with his parents. Of the twins Sara married
Samuel Vincent and died leaving one child; Mary
married John Choate and has three children. The
youngest son is married and lives at home with
his wife and three children.  Our subject cast
his first vote after reaching majority for Gen.
Jackson and has been a stanch and consistent I)emocrat all his life. Although frequently nominated
to various positions, he has always refused to run
for office.
AMES W. ROSE, a prominent young farmer
residing on section 22, Bath Township,
Clinton County, was born April 4, 1853, on
the pleasant farm  which he now occupies.
His father, Robert Rose, was born in Steuben
County, N. Y. His grandfatler, Silas W. Rose,
was born in the same county, April 27, 1802, and
his great-grandfather bearing the same name and
having the same nativity was a farmer of German
descent. The grandfather was a merchant at Bath,
N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1836, traveling by
Erie Canal and Lake Erie to Detroit. Here he
bought an ox-team and journeyed to Washtenaw
County, where he kept hotel for two years on the
Detroit and Chicago stage route. He came to
Bath Township, Clinton County, in 1838, when
that township and DeWitt were in one. He helped




It I -.  I I o -   I --


RESIDENCE OF CLEMENT NETHAWAY,5EC.34.,FAIRFIELD TR,5HIAWA55EE CO.,MICH.


RESIDENCE OF MR.JAMES WHEELER ROSE, SEc.22..BATH TP, CLINTON CO. MICH.


RFSDEINCE OF SAMUEL M. KERBY, SEC.24.,CALEDOIlAI TP.,3HIAWA35E.-CO..
MI rICM




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


635


organize Bath Township, and named it for his old
home.
The grandfather of our subject entered from the
Government and bought, in all, about six hundred
acres of land. He was a great hunter and killed
scores of deer and wolves and was on very friendly
terms with the Indians. He had to go to Pontiac
to mill and to trade and found the roads almost
impassable and the streams difficult to ford. IHe
laid out many roads in the township and took an
ever active interest in political matters, being a
Democrat in politics. Myrtle Rose, the grandmother of our subject, was born in Steuben County,
N. Y., December 17, 1802. She is still living and
makes her home with the Hon. William H. Rose,
the uncle of our subject. She reared to man's and
woman s estate nine children, namely: Robert.
Louisa, Selvina, Susan, Marilda, Silas, Angeline,
Caroline, and William H.
The father of our subject was a mere lad when
he came to Michigan in 1836, having been born
April 27, 1829. He played with the Indian children, studied in the old log schoolhouse and hunted
deer and other game. His passion for hunting remained with him through life and il later years he
used to go North to hunt deer. He settled on the
farm now occupied by our subject when it was all
wild wood, and building a log house set to work
to clear the land. A second log house succeeded
the first and he finally built a large frame house
suitable to the prosperity which he achieved. At
the time of his death, May 15, 1880, he had acquired a large and handsome property. He was
accidentally killed at a barn-raising. He was a
liberal contributor to the Baptist Church with
which he has long been identified. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Masonic
order and also of the Sons of Temperance. His
marriage with Martha Smith, who was born in
Steuben County, N. Y., November 1, 1829, united
him with a lady of great worth and excellence of
character. She survived him and makes her home
with our subject. She has ever taken a deep interest in church matters. Our subject is the only
one of her four children now living. They were:
Bensley, our subject, Lizzie and Mary. Both of
the daughters died when young.


After studying in the district schools, James
Rose attended one term in the Union School at
Lansing. When only twenty years old he took to
himself a wife in the person of Almira J. Murray,
who was born in Ohio, February 7, 1852. This
union was solemnized October 31, 1873, and has
been blest by the birth of two children, Jady, and
Edna F. His accomplished wife and interesting
children form with him a household of more than
ordinary happiness and intelligence. His wife is
an earnest and active member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Rose is a Republican in his political views and
has held the office of Road Commissioner for two
terms. He belongs to the Lodge No. 124, I. O. 0.
F. at Bath. He carries on mixed farming, not
only upon his own tiact of eighty acres but also
upon forty more belonging to his mother. His
homestead, a view of which appears on another
page of this volume, is one of the finest in the
community, and is embellished with all modern
improvements.
_S,^^,,_^ T       _ _T^
s      AMUEL M. KERBY. The gentleman who
lives on the farm on section 24, Caledonia
Township, Shiawassee County, is a native
of Canada and was born February 4, 1818,
in Lundy's Lane. His father was George P. Kerby,
also a native of Canada and a farmer. His mother
was Mary (Merrill) Kerby, a native of Canada.
There they were married and have always resided.
The mother passed away from this life in 1821, the
father in 1881. He wras three times married and
survived all his wives. The mother of our subject
was his first wife. By his first marriage he had four
children, by the second three, and there was no
fruit of the third marriage. Of the second marriage only one child survives and of the first, two
are now living-our subject and a sister, Mrs.
Emma Mills, who lives in Florence, Canada, and
who has a family of five children.
Our subject's parents were members of the
Episcopal Church. The father was Justice of the
Peace for many years and held the position of
Postmaster at Florence for thirty years. He was a




636


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


soldier in the War of 1812, being an ensign of his
regiment, and participating in the battle of Lundy's
Lane and Queenstown Height. Our subject remained in Canada until he had arrived at manhood. There he received a good English educa
tion and remained at home until twenty-five years
of age, helping his father who was in poor health.
At the age of twenty-five he began teaching school
which he continued for four years, spending part
of that time among the Indians at Muncie, Canada.
In August, 1845, he was united. in marriage with
Elizabeth Wood, daughter of James A. and Nancy
(Toll) Wood, both natives of Canada and farmers.
He was a soldier in the Patriot War and distinguished himself in several engagements.
Mrs. Kerby's parents removed to the United
States and settled in Pontiac, this State, where they
remained for two years and then returned to
Canada. There the father died January 20, 1890,
at the age of ninety-one years; she died February
6, 1891, at the age of eighty-nine years. They
were the parents of six children, five of whom are
now living. Mrs. Kerby was born in October, 1823
in Canada, and there she received a common-school
education. After marriage our subject and wife
continued living in Canada, where he carried on a
farm. He was also engaged in the merleaidise
business at Ridgetown, Canada, where he continued
for several years. He was a Lieutenant in the Infantry Regiment in the Patriot War.
In 1860 Mr. Kerby came to the United States,
locating immediately in this State, where he settled
at Pontiac, following the business of farming. He
afterward removed to a farm in Commerce Township, Oakland County, where lie remained for two
years and then located on a farm half way between
Commerce and Walled Lake, where he remained
for four years. In 1870 he came to Shiawassee
County and purchased eighty acres, which is part
of his present farm. It was all perfectly new land
and he built his house and cleared his farm mostly
by his own individual effort. He has given forty
acres of his original farm to his son and leased the
coal privilege for a limited number of years to the
Ohio Coal Company, a good quality of bituminous
coal being found on the farm. He still carries on
the farm, managing it entirely to his own satisfac

i


tion. A view of his homestead, which is considered
one of the best in the community, appears elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. and Mrs. Kerby are the parents of twelve
children, nine of whom are now living. One son,
Samuel M., Jr., remains at home; Hannah lives in
this county and is the mother of eight children;
Fancy Winters lives in Vernon Township, Shiawassee County and is the mother of seven children;
Mrs. Edwin Goddell lives in Oakland County;
John F., was married to Lillian Crandall; James
R. was united in marriage with Mary Alchin and is
the father of five children; George P. is the husband of Mary Avery and has two children; William H. married Lucy Bergen and has one child;
Edwin D. married Jessie Kinney and is the father
of two children.
Both our subject and his wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He is and has
been for many years a local preacher in that denomination. In Canada he was a member of the
Wesleyan Church but in Pontiac there was no such
denomination. He has preached for a period of
forty-seven years and has been Superintendent of
Sunday-school for nearly as long a time. For many
years he was an adherent of the Republican party
but now he votes the straight Prohihition ticket,
being a hearty supporter of temperance principles
which he lias inculcated in his own family, for of
his six sons not one uses stimulants of any nature.
Although Mr. Kerby enjoys excellent health and is
hale and hearty, he has retired from active life and
is enjoying the fruits of his early labors. The
post-office station has been given Mr. Kerby's name
and is known far and near.
~      ON. NATHANIEL GROSVENOR PHIL) LIPS, deceased. When a man of mark in
character, standing, and ability is taken
C(,  away from a community it is the universal
feeling that his memory should be cherished and
his example perpetually pointed out,that his fellowcitizens may benefit by it and that the young may
learn to emulate his example and aspire to like hon



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


637


orable distinction. Among such names we count
that which stands at the head of this sketch. This
gentleman was born in Preston, New London
County, Conn., November 20, 1825.  His parents
were Grosvenor and Abbie B. (Kimball) Phillips,
both natives of Connecticut. Tie mother was a
descendant in the seventh generation from the
Rev. William  Brewster who came over to this
country in the "Mayflower." She is still living and
is now the widow of Lucius W. Beach, of Owosso
and has reached the advanced age of eighty-eight
years.
The subject of this sketch was the only child of
his father as that parent died before his birth.
When he was about four years old his mother married Mr. Beach and when the boy was ten years
old they moved to Norwalk, Ohio, where Mr.
Beach entered the' mercantile business, and the
boy had the privilege of attending the Norwalk
Academy. When he was thirteen years old in the
year 1838 the family removed to Shiawassee where
Mr. Beach had charge of a hotel. They continued
in this line of work until 1853, tile greater part of
that time at this place, although Mr. Phillips liad
in the meanwhile spent two years in California
where he had successfully engaged in mining. He
now purchased eight hundred acres lying near the
old bome. Mr. Beach was blind the last twelve
years of his life and this was a great drawback to
the family happiness.
Nathaniel Phillips was married February 23,
1859, to Lois K. Barnard, a daughter of Pardon
Barnard and Eliza Ann Curtis, who were natives
of Madison County, N. Y., and made their home
in Genoa, Livingston County, Mich., as early as
1837, where their (laughter Lois was born, March
3, of that year. The children born to this couple
were Nathaniel Grosvenor who died in infancy:
Winthrop Barnard who passed away at the age of
twenty-eight; John Beach and Frank Kimball who
both died in infancy; Abbie Eliza, now Mrs. Robert Campbell, of Detroit; Moses Kimball, a traveling salesman; Helen Elizabeth, in school at Ann
Arbor; Nathaniel Gxosvenor second, who is learning the watchmaker's and jeweler's trade at LaPorte,
Ind., and Lois Catherine who is a student in the
Detroit Home and Day School. The son Winthrop


was killed by an accident on a railway in Kansas
where he was seeking a new home.  He had resided in Dakota for six years.  His wife was
Georgiana LaFrance of Dunesith, N. Dak., and she
is now with Mrs. Phillips at the old home.
The gentleman of whom we write was an ardent
patriot during the Civil War and a strong supporter of the administration, and gave freely his
share of means and influence to forward the suppression of the rebellion. In 1865 lie was elected
to the legislature for one term, but refused further
renomination on account of press of business. He
had been for a number of terms Township Sapervisor, and was active in building up the village of
Bancroft, as lie laid out that place and erected two
stores. One of these burned and he rebuilt it in
better style as a double brick store. This is now
occupied by the Post-office and Opera HIouse and
also by a family. He also erected the Phillips
Ilotel which is still owned by his widow. lie was
active in bringing the railway through Bancroft
and helped to secure the right of way.  He was
also interested in agricultural affairs, and ever active in promoting the interests of tlie agricultural
community. He was also helpful to churches although not a member of any one, and donated land
for the building of each church as it was organized.
Mr. Phillip's took great interest in school matters and for many years filled the office of Director.
By his intelligence and business judgment he was
very helpful in promoting the prosperity of the pub
lie schools. Some ten years ago he was strongly
spoken of as a candidate for Congress but declined
to let his name be used in this way. He had an unusually good practical education and was a great
reader and was always in close synplathy with the
advanced movements of the day.
Mr. Phillips passed one winter, two years previous to his death, in Florida and Cuba, and in
traveling through the South. He also traveled in
the Northwest during the following spring. He had
throat trouble and his health was failing for some
eight months before his demise which took place
June 6, 1888. He anticipated his death and placed
his business in good shape so that the affliction of
losing the husband and father might not be sup.




638


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


plemented by business anxieties for the widow and
orphan. He was a man measuring six feet one and
one-half inch, and weighing two hundred and
twenty-five pounds.
The old homestead adjoins the village of Bancroft, and is a delightful place. The farm contains
one hundred and sixty acres and there is another
farm of four hundred acres at a distance of two
miles, and a third tract of one hundred acres. Mr.
Phillips was a Mason and a Knight Templar at
Corunna for twenty years.  The family stands
foremost in the social life of Bancroft and is highly
respected. They are possessed of more than ordinary culture and signs of refinement are abundant in the home.
M    ONROE W. WHITMORE. The late Mr.
Whitmore belonged to the great army.of
men who devoted some of the best years
of their lives to the maintenance of the
Republic, and who were content to endure hardship and privation and enter into dangers seen and
unseen in order to preserve every star upon the old
flag. In private life he was a farmer, enterprising
and progressive, and the work that he accomplished
enabled him to leave to his widow and children a
competence, while at the same time adding to the
value of land around him by the good improvement of his own. His death occurred January 14,
1881, and he left a widow and two sons to honor
his memory, and continue the work he had been
carrying on.
Mr. Whitmore was born in New York April 10,
1823, and was thrown upon his own resources at an
early age, by the death of his father, Caleb Whitmore. When the gold excitement broke out he
joined the band of mineral seekers, who were making their way to the coast, and drove across the
plains to California. He reached the scene of the
Mountain Meadow massacre the day after the dastardly deed was done, and assisted in burying the
dead. He spent ten years on the Pacific Coast, engaging in mining and such other work as was then
going on, but giving his attention principally to


the search for gold. When the decade had elapsed
he returned to the East, and soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion, he took up arms, enlisting October 24, 1861.
In Company B, Second United States Sharpshooters, the name of Monroe W. Whitmore was enrolled, and as an integral part of the Army of the
Potomac he took part in seventy-four engagements.
The roster of the regiment shows that it was organized in October, 1861, and disbanded in February,
1865. The total number of men enrolled was eleven
hundred and eighty-two, and the number killed
and wounded, five hundred and thirty. The regiment took more prisoners than they ever had men,
and are believed to have killed in action at least
twice their own number. After the term for which
Mr. Whitmore had enlisted had expired, he re-entered the service in January, 1863, and remained
with his regiment until it was disbanded as before
stated.
The lady who became the wife of Mr. Whitmore
July 3, 1867, bore the maiden name of Eliza Scaddan. Her father, John Scaddan, was born in Vermont, and came to Michigan when a young man.
To this State had also come, but from Maryland,
Miss Eliza Stowell, and in 1834 this couple were
married at Ann Arbor. The wife died in 1838,
leaving two children: Nancy, born January 17,
1836; and Eliza, October 15, 1838. The latter had
the advantage of good schooling, completing her
studies in Ann Arbor, where she attended the Union
school three years; she was graduated with the
honors of her class, and has in her mature years
kept up her mental culture by reading, and an interest in that which was going on in the educational
world. In 1848 the father of Mrs. Whitmore came
to Clinton County, and this has since been her
home; she is now living on section 17, Eagle Township, where she has a beautiful farm of one hundred
and forty-five acres, finely improved.
Mrs. Whitmore is cheered in her loneliness by
the presence of her two sons: Carl E., born March
31, 1868, and Monroe, January 20, 1871. The
elder is now taking a course of instruction in the
commercial college at Lansing. The mother is
giving both good advantages in the way of securing knowledge, and so fitting them for honorable




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


639


--— _:.. _  ___. ___:._.~   ___. ~ ~ _  ___1_~_~~:: ---,- -------     1 -l~ --- —~-.-~.Il ---. --- —---  -. —~ -


and useful careers in life. She is a woman of strong
business ability and good judgment, and is carrying on her financial affairs most satisfactorily.
From the United States Government she draws a
widow's pension of $12 per month. She is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of Eagle, and is interested in various movements which will elevate
the status of the community. Her father was born
July 22, 1802, and his father, in turn, Hewlett
Scaddan, February 27, 1762. The wife of the latter was born February 12, 1767.
m      C. iS  "  <S


M ERMAN L. RICHMOND. For more than
four decades this gentleman has been idenL     rtified with the work that has been going on
in Clinton County, in removing from  its
soil the wild growths of its primitive days and replacing them with orchards and fields, which supply the necessities of man. He is located on
section 29, Greenbush Township, where he first
bought eighty acres of Government land, receiving
a patent therefor signed by President Zachary Taylor. He paid for this tract the customary price of
$1.25 per acre and his first effort here was to prepare for and erect a log cabin. His rude dwelling
was a mile and a half south of the village of Eureka and in it he lived a number of years, during
which time lie endured self-denials and hardships
to which all early settlers are subjected.
Mr. Richmond was born in Genesee County, N.
Y., September 21, 1827, and was reared to manhood
in his native State. His parents were Adam and
Sarah (Farley) Richmond, natives of Rhode Island
and New York respectively. Amid the surroundings of farm life Herman developed a vigorous,
self-reliant character and in the schools of the
neighborhood he pursued the branches then taught,
diligently seeking knowledge and preparing to
carry on a man's work in the world. In 1849 he
made the journey to Michigan, which then seemed
far distant from his native State. For a number
of years he lived on the land he first secured here,
gradually bringing it under thorough cultivation,
but he finally removed to another eighty-acre


tract, on which he is now living. This second
piece of property is under good cultivation and
supplied with buildings which accommodate the
stock and the crops which he desires to store, and
a dwelling in which he and his honored wife are
spending their declining years in peace and comfort.
The labors of Mr. Richmond have long been
shared by one who was previously known as Miss
Caroline L. Drake. She was born in the town of
Newhaven, Oswego County, N. Y., and was one of
a family of Seth and Sophronia (Castle) Drake, who
were numbered among the early settlers of Greenbush Township and came here when Mrs. Richmond
was thirteen years old. Her marriage with our
subject was solemnized at her home here in 1850
and the happiness that resulted was increased by the
birth of three children-Howard L., Alice J. and
Emma Gertrude, who died in infancy. The daughter is now the wife of C. E. Mathews.
Mr. and Mrs. Richmond are representatives of
the class which has brought Greenbush Township
to its present position among the divisions of the
county and among the time-honored citizens none
command the respect of the people in a larger degree. Many years ago Mr. Richmond worked at
grading on the Michigan Central Railroad and
more than one night was spent in Lansing when
t.here were but two houses on the site of that city.
Firmly believing in the principles laid down in the
Republican platform, Mr. Richmond votes to sustain them. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond are members
of the Seventh-day Adventists' Church, holding
membership in Greenbush Township.,- s7 o.( s7.

/L JBERT L. CHANDLER, a well-known
and successful lawyer of Corunna, Shiawassee County, was born in Saratoga,
N. Y., November 26, 1854. His father,
Enos, was a boot and shoe merchant at Troy, and
the son of a Connecticut man who was a commissioned officer in the regular army and died soon
after his retirement from the service. His son
Enos, died at Greenwich, N. Y. The mother Zilpha




640


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Tallman, was born in Rhode Island and now resides in Lansingburg, N. Y. She is an earnest and
devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and was the mother of nine children.
Albert when a boy twelve years old came to this
State and went to work for himself on a farm. He
saved the money which he earned in his first year's
work and went to school in Sturgis. He worked his
way through and graduated in the High School in
1872. He was the leader of the class and his hoyish history was written up in the St. Joseph County
History. He next went to Hillsdale and by teaching and other work during vacations was enabled
to keep himself in the college for six years. While
still a student in 1877, he came to Corunna while
Prof. Bagley was sick and relieved him temporarily
of the charge of the High School during the spring
term. In 1878 he went East and read law and
pursued his studies, spending some time in the law
library of Syracuse, N. Y.
After returning to Shiawassee County Mr. Chandler became principal of the Vernon High School for
two years and in 1881 he was admitted to the bar
of Michigan at Corunna. His first year of practice
was in company with Frank Watson and after that
he formed a partnership with Long & Gold. Mr.
Charles Long is now on the Supreme Bench. This
partnership was not of long duration and after
practicing for awhile, Mr. Chandler went into
partnership with Sumner Howard, but this gentleman survived only one year and our subject has not
thought best since that to join his forces with those
of any other of his professional brethren, but in
his practice alone he has been more than ordinarily
successful. In 1885 he was admitted to the United
States bar and he now practices in any of the courts
of the State and of the nation.
Ills marriage with Stella Booth, a niece of exGov. Luce, in 1878, was an event of prime importance in the life of the young man. This lady is a
daughter of Samuel Booth, a retired farmer of
Cold water. She was born in Gilead, Branch County,
Mich., and was educated in Hillsdale County. One
child only has blessed their home a daughter —
Abbie. Mr. Chandler is much more interested in
scientific researches and literary pursuits than in
politics and enjoys greatly the quiet pursuit of


agricultural affairs, as he owns over two hundred
acres, having one farm in North Star Township,
Gratiot County, and one in Rush Township, Shiawassee County, both of which he superintends and
operates himself. He delights in fine stock and is
raising full-blooded registered Jersey cattle, and
thoroughbred Berkshire and Poland-China hogs.
He las control and charge of the Shiawassee Paper
Mill in Shiawassee Township, which he manages for
Godfrey & Clark, of Pittsburg, Pa. He has been
special correspondent for the last ten years for different papers in the State. During one year he held
the office of City Attorney and is Deputy Master
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in
Corunna and a member of the Encampment. His
political views are in accord with the platform of
the Republican party and he is sometimes sent to
represent the county in State conventions. Mra.
Chandler is a Presbyterian in her religious views
and is a valued member of the church in this city.
O   THMAN W. LOWELL is a farmer residing
on section 23, Watertown Township, Clinton County, where lie has one hundred and
thirty acres of finely improved land. Mr. Lowell
bought this tract twenty-two years ago, when it
was all covered with a heavy growth of tinmber,
which he has since cleared, with the exception of
twenty acres. Upon this land he has built two
dwelling houses and two good sets of farm buildings.
The subject of this sketch is a son of Josiah and
Johannah (Harris) Lowell. The father was a native
of Massachusetts, where the family first settled after coming to America, and where they founded
the city of Lowell, that noted manufacturing town
which bears their name. The father was born January 18, 1791, and the mother December 12,1793,
and they were married in 1814. Previous to this
event Josiah Lowell had served for one year in the
American Army, in the War of 1812, and after he
was married, and had removed to the State of New
York, he was called out again at the time the British invaded Plattsburg, and participated in the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


641


battle at that point. He was a man of patriotic impulses and principles, and gladly served his country in the hour of need.
The marriage of the parents of our subject was
blessed with the birth of ten children, and all grew
up to man's and woman's estate. The father came
to Michigan in 1840, and located on section 21,
Watertown Township, where he bought forty acres
of wild land, which is now owned by Benjamin
King. Mr. Lowell was very poor when he came to
Michigan, and had not the means wherewith to pay
for his purchase of land, but he went ahead bravely
and earnestly to make a home for his children, and
by chopping the timber off of eighty acres, lie
earned the money to pay for the forty acres, and
to provide at the same time for his large family of
little ones. He came to this section alone six
months before bringing on his family, and lived
alone and worked as we have said during that first
season. He then went back to New York on foot
and arranged to bring his family to the new home
in the wilderness.
The subject of this sketch was born in Orleans
County, N. Y., August 6, 1838, and was only two
years of age when he came with his parents to the
new West. Their home was in the dense timber,
and was far from any schoolhouse, the nearest
being four miles from his home if he went
around by the road, and there was mlch of the year
when it was necessary to go in that way; consequently the boy received very little schooling, and
grew up among the trees as sturdy and as near to
mature as they. He worked for his father until he
was twenty-one years of age.
Othman Lowell took to wife Jennette Master, in
August, 1859. This lady was a daughter of George
Master, who was a native of New York. Her. union
with our subject has been one of unusual happiness
and domestic comfort, and has been blessed by the
birth of eight children, all but two of whom are now
living; Edith,who was born August 29, 1860, is married and makes her home in Watertown Township;
Herbert, who married Ursulla Green, lives on the
farm with his father; Clark lives at home; E. G.
is married and resides at Lansing; Jennie is attending school at Lansing; and Mattie is living at home
and attending the district school. Mr. Lowell is a, I


Democrat in politics, and has been honored by being placed in several positions of trust and responsibility. For nine years he has held the office of
Highway Commissioner, and that of Drainage Commissioner for two years. He belongs to the Grange
and is actively interested in every movement
which tends to the welfare and elevation of the
farming community.
EVI C. BIRD, one of the most highly esteemed and popular citizens of De Witt,
Clinton County, resides in an elegant brick
house, furnished and finished most tastefully and
luxuriantly, upon his fine farm in Olive Township.
Here with his wife, a lady of rare intelligence, and
his two lovely and intelligent daughters, he has a
home of which any man may well be proud. He
was born in Washtenaw County, Mici., September
23, 1837.
The father of our subject, Samuel D. Bird, of
New Jersey, came to Michigan in 1831 and settled
in Washtenaw County, where he took up land and
cleared it of timber and had it in fine condition before his death, which occurred in 1877, when he
was seventy-two years old. He was a man of
prominence in the community and held the offices
of Supervisor and Justice of the Peace. HIe was a
Presbyterian in his religious belief, in which he was
also joined by his good wife, Rachel Drake, of New
Jersey, who is still living, in her seventy-ninth
year. All of their six children are still living.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm
and studied in the log school-house when he could
get time from farm duties to attend, which was
generally in the winter. He remained at home
until lie was twenty-two years old and in 1859
made a trip to California by water. Here he remained for nearly seven years and engaged in mining. He returned by water in 1866 and farmed
the old homestead in Washtenaw County for four
years.
Mr. Bird came to Clinton County in 1872 and
purchased the farm on which he now resides, on section 35, Olive Township. This farm is an old set

I




642


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




=


tied place, being located on the Grand River road,
which runs from Detroit to Grand Rapids. He has
lived here continuously to the present date and has
added greatly to the improvements upon it. His
marriage with Miss Helen Chubb, in Livingston
County, Mich., took place in 1869. Her parents,
Major S. and Axie (Bennett) Chubb, came from
New York to Michigan at an early day and took
up Government land.
Two children have blessed the home of Mr. Bird,
Mary and Jessie. Mary is a teacher of music and
Jessie is attending school. Mr. Bird is a Democrat
in his political views but pays little attention to
politics, devoting himself mostly to the interests of
his land, of which he has one hundred and twenty
acres. He has been very successful, as he began
life with limited means and has now a handsome
property. He built a fine brick house in 1880,
which is an ornament to the neighborhood.
SRAEL M. BRAY. When a traveler goes into the country to visit he likes nothing better
than to sit down side by side with some genuine,
wholesouled old settler and hear stories of the
early days. It is delightful indeed to listen to
stories of adventure, when told by one who has
seen it all and been a part himself of those stirring
scenes. When with this entertainment is mingled
a genial sense of comradeship and friendship, the
time passes swiftly indeed. Such an enjoyable time
did the writer of this sketch have in visiting Israel
M. Bray.
This gentleman was born April 17,1830 in Brant
County, Canada. His father, John Bray, was a
native of Warren County, N. J. and was a tanner
by trade although he followed farming to some
extent. He died in Canada, in 1867, at the advanced age of eighty-four years having been born
in 1783. He was a British soldier in the War of
1812. IIis wife was Joanna Swayze of New Jersey,
died in 1854 at the age of sixty-one years. Both
she and her worthy husband had been for many


I


I




years active members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Their three children still survive them.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the
parental family. A district school and education
and training in farm duties occupied his boyhood
and early manhood. Having remained at home
until he reached his majority, he began farming
for himself in 1852, and remained in Canada for
three or four years. It was in 1857 that he came
to Clinton County, this State, and bought the farm
where he now resides on section 27, Bengal Township. About twenty acres of this land had been
cleared, but it was still so near to nature's heart
that from the window hle could see deer and wild
turkeys, straying fearlessly about the farm. Genuine pioneer work has been done upon this place
and the old log house has been long since replaced
by an attractive and commodious farm house, while
the land shows marks of a skillful farmer's hand
and systematic manager.
The marriage of Israel Bray in March, 1854 united him with Charlotte Wood of Canada, a daughter
of Lewis and Asenath (Smith) Wood, who removed
to Canada from New York, and are still residing
in our sister Dominion. Seven children were the
result of this union, namely: Joanna, deceased;
Asenath, Sarah, Cassius M., Lewis W., Harriet and
Charlotte. The mother of these children passed
away from earth in 1866.
The second marriage of our subject took place in
1867 when he married Mary Nelson a lady of English birth who came to America with her parents
when about eight years old. She became the mother
of three children; Edith, Alice and one who died
in early infancy. Mr. Bray is proud to relate that
he cast his first ballot for "Old Abe", and he is a
stanch and sterling Republican of the old fashioned
sort. He is frequently solicited to fill offices of
trust in this township. He was Supervisor in 1860
and has been Treasurer for one term. He is an
earnest and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His home farm comprises one hundred and fifty acres and he has twenty more in
Olive Township. Upon these he raises all kinds
of stock. He began life with $1,000 and has made
a fine advance in his possessions. He is very nat.
urally and properly proud of his ancestry, his














PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


645


great grandfather having come from Yorkshire,
England before the time of the Revolutionary War.
Richard, the grandfather of our subject, was a Revolutionary soldier and died in New Jersey.
LEXANDER RAWSON BALL, M. D.
There are great numbers of earnest,
thoughtful physicians throughout this
broad land who have devoted much time
to scientific research and who have won an honorable name among those to whom they have been
benefactors. One who seeks by study and patient
research the means of alleviating the miseries to
which all flesh is heir is entitled to the grateful
thanks of mankind, and such an one is Dr. Ball, of
Corunna. We are pleased to invite the attention
of the reader to his portrait, presented on the opposite page, and to the following brief outline of
his life record.
A native of the State of New York, Dr. Ball was
born in Rutland Township, Jefferson County, October 10, 1822. Iis paternal grandfather, Nehemiah Ball, was a blacksmith at Elizabeth, N. J., afterward at Whitestown and in Jefferson County, N.
Y. Later he removed to Poultney, Steuben County,
N. Y., where he died. The family is of English descent. The father of our subject, also named
Nehemiah, was a carpenter and farmer in Jefferson
County, whither he had come with his parents in
1811, when quite young. He died in Rutland, that
county, in 1833, when only thirty-three years of
age.
Eunice, the mother of our subject, was a daughter of Dr. Ozia Holmes Rawson, a native of East
Haddam, Conn., who practiced medicine at Whitesville, Jefferson County, and died at the early age
of thirty years. He traced his ancestry back
through many generations to Edward Rawson, of
England, who was a minister for a time in Kent,
England, and was a member of the nobility. In
1636 he came to New England and settled in Newbury, Mass. Following him in a direct line were
Grindall Rawson, who was graduated from Har

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vard in 1678, and Edmund Grindall, a graduate of
Yale College and a minister of the Gospel.
Two children blessed the home of the parents of
our subject, the sister of our subject being Mandana R., now Mrs. Hultz, of Ithaca, Gratiot County,
Mich. The devoted mother was taken from earth
in 1829, when still quite young. Young Alexander was only eleven years old when he was doubly
orphaned by the death of his remaining parent, and
he then went to Poultney, Steuben County, N. Y.,
where he was reared by an uncle, Nathaniel Ball,
a blacksmith. With him he remained until he was
sixteen years old, when he went to Prattsburg, the
same county, and attended an academy. While
there he began the study of medicine under Dr. A.
D. Vorhees, teaching school at the same time.
In 1844 Dr. Ball came to Michigan and taught
at Niles, but three years later returned to Steuben
County, N. Y., to take to himself a wife. This
lady, Miss Delilah Weld, was born in Delaware
County, N. Y. The first home of the newlywedded pair was in Rochester, that State, where the
young doctor engaged in the practice of medicine
until 1853, when he came to Eaton County and located in Oneida Township, near Grand Ledge.
There he purchased a farm and while cultivating it
continued the practice of medicine for eight years.
After this he attended lectures at the Cleveland
Homeopathic Medical College,  in takingh te degree of
Doctor of Medicine in 1862.
After practicing in Grand Ledge nine years, Dr.
Ball, in 1862, moved to Marshall, Mich., wlere he
practiced his profession nine years; thence he returned to Grand Ledge, remaining until 1874, and
going from  there to Mason, Ingham   County.
Four years later he came to Corunna, where he has
lately made a specialty of rectal diseases along with
his general practice. He was at one time professor
in the Michigan IHomeopathic College at Lansing,
which was in a flourishing condition from 1872 to
1875.
Ten children have blessed the home of Dr. and
Mrs. Ball, as follows: Warren W., who died at the
age of seventeen; Eunice, now Mrs. Archibald
Wrigley, of Shiawassee Township; Hannah Bell,
M. D., a graduate of the Michigan Homeopathic
College and a practicing physician at Jackson;




646


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Alexander R., Jr., deceased; Delilah, now Mrs. G.
Homer Jones, residing in Lansing; Mary, who died
in Lexington, N. C., in 1888; Aaron E., who resides in Demorest, Ga.; Martha, now Mrs. E. W.
Ellis, who resides in Brooklyn, Jackson County,
Mich.; Fanny Estella, now Mrs. S. B. Lyman, of
Corunna; Maude, a graduate of the high school of
Corunna, of the class of 1881, and of the Michigan
State Normal School, in 1884, taught school four
years in Charlotte, two years in Grand Rapids and
is now attending the New England Conservatory of
Music at Boston.
Since 1864 Dr. Ball has been identified with the
Masonic fraternity and is a Royal Templar of Temperance, being Select Counselor in that organization. He has belonged to the Prohibition party
since 1872 and was Chairman of the County Committee for four years and a member of other important committees. He was a delegate to the
National Convention at Indianapolis, Ind., in 1888,
and in every State Convention since 1872. He has
held various offices in the Homeopathic State Medical Association and when connected with the Medical College at Lansing was Registrar and one of
the Trustees of that institution, besides holding the
Chair of Theory and Practice.
-— f ---- ^~ --- ^ —
ZEKIEL DE CAMP. In looking back over
his past life this gentleman recalls a varied
experience, which includes many interesting incidents and some which were less agreeable
to participate in than they are to remember after
the lapse of years. Hle was early thrown upon
his own resources and was not too proud to engage
in any honest work by which he could add to his
means, and thus he saw life under phases not always known to lads. His early experiences include ditching, chopping, logging and sawmilling,
as well as the more common employments of boyhood, and after he began a business life he carried
on different kinds of work as he saw an opening
for good returns from an investment. The town
of Ovid, Clinton County, has been the center of
his operations for some 'years past, and his home


is on a fine farm of one hundred and forty-five
acres adjoining the village. He is well known in
the place as a financier and as a man largely interested in real estate, who has bought and improved both residence and business property.
The parents of our subject were Enoch and Eliza
(Austin) )eCamp, natives of New Jersey and New
York respectively. The father lived upon a farm
and taught school considerably, but devoted his
attention quite largely to inventions. Like most
men of inventive genius, his means were limited,
as the surplus was generally used in perfecting
some implement or machine which he felt a moral
obligation to give to the world. The son has
carefully preserved goods made by the father on
a machine that he invented for the use of two and
three warps. The family was living in Steuben
County, N. Y., when Ezekiel was born, July 31,
1831. The educational advantages of the lad were
limited to the common schools of those days, and
soon after lie entered his teens he began to care
for himself. He did much farm work, together
with other things before mentioned, and when but
eighteen years old had charge of a lot of men in
the lumber woods, and plrior to his twenty-fourth
year was foreman for a large lumber firm in New
York. He came West when there was but twenty
miles of railroad west of Lake Michigan and went
to Watertown and Madison, Wis., and to Chicago,
Ill., and engaged in a hardware store when it was
necessary to haul goods to those places with teams.
After varied experiences Mr. DeCamp came to
Clinton County in the spring of 1853, and settled
in Victor Township. After remaining there a year
he removed to Ovid Township and opened up a farm
six miles southwest of the village of Ovid. There
he remained until the fall of 1863, at which time
he had about one hundred acres cleared and improved, supplied with good buildings and well
stocked. He next established himself in the village and for a year was book-keeper for W. C.
Bennett, who was engaged in general mercantile
business. HIe next formed a partnership with E.
M. and John A. Potter, under the firm name of
DeCamp, Potter & Co., the object being to carry
on a general mercantile business and handle produce and lumber. The connection lasted about




PORTRAIT AXPD BIOGIRAPR~ICAL~t AILBUM.j


647


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eight years and when the firm was dissolved Mr.
DeCamp formed a partnership with John Andrews
and George W. Stickney in the hardware business,
the style being DeCamp, Stickney & Co. This
firm also handled agricultural implements. The
co-partnership continued about ten years and was
dissolved by the death of Mr. Stickney, which
occurred about 1880.
In 1882 Mr. DeCamp organized the banking
house of DeCamp, Upton & Co., which carried
on its work until November, 1884, when it was
merged into the First National Bank, of Ovid,
Mr. DeCamp becoming Vice-President and still
holding that office. During his residence in Ovid
he has built a substantial brick block here and llas
improved several farms, doing much of the work
personally. He was at one time engaged in the
nursery business here and once carried on the
manufacture of lumber and shingles in Saginaw.
He has extensive farming interests and takes great
pride in improving outlying land and in keeping
high grades of stock. He has an ardent love for
fine animals, and the horses, cattle and sheep~
upon his farm are notable among the herds in the
locality. His favorite cattle are Short-horns and
he breeds American Merino sheep. Mr. DeCamp
refers with a smile to the fact that when he came
to Ovid the main street was but an Indian trail
and the present thriving village was only a vision.
The estimable woman to whom Mr. DeCamp
owes the comfort of his home was formerly Miss
Polly E. Cross. She is a daughter of John L. and
Louise Cross, pioneers of Ovid, and at their home
she was married to our subject February 18, 1857.
Mr. and Mrs. DeCamp have three children, of
whom we note the following: Charles C. is engaged in the general hardware business in Durand,
Mich., and is also a member of the Durand Land
Company; Albert is a manufacturer in St. Louis,
Mo.; Antha E. is the wife of H. N. Keys and lives
in Ovid.
In politics Mr. DeCamp is a Republican. He
was a warm sympathizer with the North during
the Civil War and gave much toward the cause,
although he did not enter the army. While preparing to go to the front he opened his house to
the disabled and sick, and hospitably entertained


and relieved them. He has been President of the village of Ovid and is now a member of the Council.
In schools he has always been much interested and
for twelve years he was a member of the Board of
Education. ITe has probably done fully as much
as any man in the township to advance the cause
of education and all agricultural interests, but
whenever it vas possible he has kept out of office.
He has been President of the Agricultural Society
of Clinton and Shiawassee Counties, and with
his taste for agriculture has been efficient in that
position.
Mr. DeCamp has a Revolutionary relic that he
values very highly. It is a musket which was carried by his paternal grandfather, who came to
America with Gen. LaFayette, and the weapon
has additional value from the fact that the father
of our subject carried it during the War of 1812.
The maternal grandfather of Mr. DeCamp lived
in Boston in Colonial days and was one of the
Tea Party so famous on the pages of history.
HOMAS V. CLANDENING. Among the
young farmers of Watertown Township, we
find the young man whose name appears at
head of this sketch. lie is the son of Thomas E.
and Eliza (Morgan) Clandening, who were natives
of Ireland. The father was born in County Cavan
and the mother in County Longford. He is the
grandson of Thomas Clandening on his father's
side and Thomas Morgan on his mother's side, being thus a double heir to his Christian name. Both
the Clandenings and the Morgans have long been
prominent in military circles of Great Britain, and
at one time there were seven members of the Clandening family members of the Royal Army at the
military barracks of Dublin.
The father of the subject of this sketch was born
about the year 1807, and was married January 15.
1838, about three years previous to his coming to
America. Upon arriving in this country he located in New York City, where his son, Thomas
V. was born October 18, 1842. When Thomas was
five years of age his parents moved to Albany




648


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


County, N. Y. where he grew to manhood. He
had only a district school education and early began
the efforts for his own support. For some time
he worked in a store as clerk and then hired himself as an employe in a hotel.
At the time the war broke out the young man
felt the patriotic impulse to enter the army for the
defense of his native country, but he was effectually
prevented by circumstances over which he had no
control. He, however, was not contentto remain
idle when his country needed help and he finally
enlisted in the State service, as a member of Company E, Eighty-second Regiment, Seymour Guards,
in which he was fourth Sergeant.
In 1867 this young man came with his parents
to Eaton County, Mich., where he assisted his
father on the farm, until the death of that parent,
January 27, 1889, after which sad event he took
charge of the property, as he was the eldest. The
family consisted of seven children, three of whom
are still living. Anna E. is married to George
Myrick, and resides in Buell County, Kan. Richard H. married Maggie Crommie, and resides in
Bennington, this State. In politics Mr. Clendening is a stalwart Republican and he is intelligent
and alive in regard to the political issues of the
day. His mother is still living with him and presides over his household, in which work she is capable and efficient, although she has reached the age
of seventy-eight years. He is a devout and earnest member of the Church of England.
'^^^ g^~ ----^4'*8^ICHAEL REIDY, one of the prominent
business men of Corunna, Shiawasseee
County, is a practical pharmacist and druggist and also handles a line of salt, groceries and lime. He was born in Albany, N. Y.,
fifty-seven years ago. His father Thomas, was a
native of County Limerick, Ireland, and came to
America at the age of twenty years making his
home in Albany. In 1836 he removed to Ann
Arbor, this State, where he engaged in work, and
was for years the janitor in the University building.


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His wife, Catherine Sheehey, was a native of the
same county as himself. He died at the age of
of about seventy-five years. The mother is still
living at Ann Arbor, about seventy-eight years old.
They were both members of the Catholic Church,
in which faith they brought up their children, two
of whom grew  to maturity, namely, our subject
and Mary A., who became Mrs. Gaffney, of Caledonia.
Being but a little one of two years and a half
when his parents came to Ann Arbor, Michael
Reidy grew up in the shadow of the university,
and after taking an academic course, he was
apprenticed at the age of seventeen, to the trade of
a machinist with Ch&pin & Loomis. After being
with them three years, he was with Nichols & Shepherd, of Battle Creek, for eighteen months. He
then went to St. Louis, Mo., and worked in the
the largest machine shop in that State, but in 1856
went to New Orleans, Vicksburg, Mobile and other
points until the breaking out of the war, and remained in the South until the war was over. After
the war he returned to New Orleans in charge of
refitting steamship plants.  He went back and
forth as he could find the best opportunity to work
between New Orleans, Vicksburg, Mobile and Jackson, Miss. He frequently found work on the gunboats, and helped in putting in proper shape, the
rams "Arkansas" and    "Tennessee,"  He  continued in this occupation in the South all
through the war and received large wages, as he
was an excellent mechanic. He was captured at
Pilot Town at the mouth of the Mississippi and
brought before Gen. Canby, by whom he was
was placed in New Orleans prison for three months.
After his release he worked for the United States
Government oin the steamship "Planet."
After the close of the war, Mr. Reidy returned
to Michigan and in 1866, engaged in the grocery
business, going into partnership with Mr. Gaffney,
a connection which lasted two years. After the
dissolution of that partnership, our subject bought
a fine stock of groceries and continued in that line
exclusively until 1879, after which he combined
that business with the drug trade. He has also at
same time handled lime, salt, shingles and cement.
He owns the store in which he carries on his busi





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


649




ness and another store where lime is handled, and
carries altogether the largest stock of these comimodities in town.
The marriage of Mr. Reidy to Miss Emma Cahell
took place in Flint, this State, Feb. 28, 1870. This
lady was born in Canada, and they are both devout
members of the Catholic Church which they help
to support by their means and influence. Mr.
Reidy is a strong Democrat in his political views,
and has been made Alderman for one term in Corunna. He is identified with the Knights of Honor
and is a well known member of the State Pharmaceutical Association.
ROF. REUBEN M. WINSTON, Secretary
a  of the Clinton County Board of School Examiners, is a self-made man, having begun
life empty-handed and by his own exertions procured a fine education in first-class institutions of learning. He was born in the town of.
Green, Chenango County, N. Y., January 31,
1860. His father, Adoniram J. Winston, was born
in Albany County at Westerlo. The grandfather,
George, was also a native of Westerlo, Albany
County, that State, and became a farmer at
Greene, and later in Coventry Township, Chenango County. He afterward disposed of his
property and removed to Wayne County, but is
now retired from active life and makes his home
in Palmyra. He has been a Deacon in the Baptist
Church for over fifty years and a member for over
seventy years, and a man whose religious life and
strict integrity entitled him to the esteem which
he received in a large measure. The great-grandfather, David, was a native of Albany County,
where he was a prominent farmer and lived to exceed the age of ninety-four years. Isaac, the
father of David, was a patriot and fought through
the Revolutionary War. The ancestry is traced
to Wales.
The father of our subject was a notable Sundayschool worker in his (lay and was prominent in
nearly every good work, although he died at the
age of thirty three years. In his earlier (lays he


mingled teaching with farming and ever forwarded
the interests of education. He was an earnest
Abolitionist and joined the Republican party soon
after its formation. He volunteered as a soldier
in the Civil War, but was rejected by the physicians.  His wife, Nancy Merrill, daughter of
Ebenezer Merrill, was born in Chenango County,
N. Y. Her father was born near Victor, in that
State, and was a pioneer of his part of the country. The mother of our subject passed away from
earth in 1863. Her children were early orphaned
by the death of their father, her son, Reuben M.,
being only five years old at that time, after which
he went to live with his grandfather. In 1866 he
removed to Wayne County, N. Y., and divided
his time between school and work on the farm,
having only the advantages at that time of the
common district school. When fourteen years old
he worked out during the summers by the month.
He afterward attended Walworth's Academy at
different times, working his own way. IIe also
attended the Palmyra Classical Union School,
which prepares its graduates thoroughly for a
future classical course.
When eighteen years old the young man engaged in teaching school, and in 1881 he came to
Michigan, where he taught the district schools and
in the village of Durand for some three years.
He then took the position of principal of the
graded schools of Maple Rapids, this county, for
four years, and was elected for the fifth year, but
owing to the fact that he had been appointed Secretary of the County Board of School Examiners,
he resigned his position at Maple Rapids. At that
place he succeeded Prof. H. II. E. Terry, a graduate of Ann Arbor, and his notable success in the
management of those schools established his reputation as an educator and led to his appointment
as Secretary of the Board of Examiners. On
account of a change in the law he was elected
County Commissioner of Schools by the Board of
Supervisors June 25, 1891.
Prof. Winston is a stirring member of the board
and a hard fighter for every measure which he
considers necessary to the educational progress of
the county. His work in this direction occupies
all his attention, and his best efforts are given to




650


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


uphold the common schools of his county. He
takes an active part in institute work and has been
instructor in State institutes and teachers always
feel the impress of his work. Hle was married at
Walworth, N. Y., in 1884, to Miss Josie M. Briggs,
a native of Sodus, Wayne County, N. Y. She is
a daughter of Caleb and Helen Briggs, her father being a jeweler of considerable note. His
daughter was educated at Walworth Academy.
Three children bless the home of our subjectGlenn M., Nina L. and Stanton. Mr. Winston is
identified with the Free and Accepted Masons and
is a stanch Republican in politics. He also belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, of which
he is Commander. He is a well-known and highly
honored member of the State Secretary's Association and a member of the State Teachers' Association and bears a high reputation throughout
the commonwealth in educational circles, being a
man beloved and respected by all.
OHN F. BINGHAM. Prominent in political, religious and agricultural circles is the
gentleman whose name heads this biographical sketch. His fine farm and pleasant
home are located on section 14, Rush Township,
Shiawassee County.   He is a native   of the
Wolverine State and was born in 1853. His father,
Lorenzo Bingham, was a Vermont farmer and had
his nativity in October, 1818. In 1840 he married
Sarah Hiller, a daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Frank) Hiller, who were natives of New York and
became the parents of ten children.
The father of our subject came to Michigan in
1839 and settled in Flint, buying forty acres of
land and cutting from it the timber. In 1846 God
called him to preach His word and he remained
faithful until death. He lived there for twelve
years and then moved to Oakland County, making
his home for about eleven years in Independence
Township. His wife's mother had died in 1834
and a few years later Mr. Hiller came to Michigan
and made his home with his son, Jacob Hiller, until
his death in 1863. The father removed, in 1869,


to Shiawassee County and bought eighty acres of
land in Burns Township. In this home they remained until the death of Lorenzo Bingham, October 1, 1870.
John Bingham is one of a family of four sons
and two daughters born to his parents. He was
married in 1878 to Sarah Beals, eldest daughter of
Philip and Catherine (Epley) Beals. Mr. and Mrs.
Beal were Ohio people and had a family of two
sons and three daughters. In 1880 Mr. and Mrs.
John Bingham moved to Rush Township, where
they bought eighty acres of land, to which they
have since added five acres more. They have three
bright and interesting children-Cora May, Ella C.
and Philip J.
Our subject's political views led him to ally himself to the Republican party until about the year
1886, since which time he has cast his vote for Prohibition. He and his earnest Christian wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
in which Mr. Bingham is Class-Leader and Steward'
and he is also Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
The family feels a just pride in the records
of past generations of worthy ancestors. James
Bingham, the grandfather of our subject, was a farmer and a native of Vermont, being born about
1770. By his first marriage he had several children and the second marriage, in 1817, with Polly
Baker, gave him one daughter and four sons, of
whom Lorenzo, the father of our subject, was the
eldest. The father of James was Jeremiah, an Englishman by birth, who had several sons and many
grandsons, some of whom became missionaries of
the Cross. Binghampton, N. Y., was named after
a brother of Jeremiah. Mrs. Lorenzo Bingham is
a very intelligent and delightful woman and is
spending her declining years with her son John.
LMON    B. CLARK.     Among the able
financiers of Shiawassee County, who have
done much to build up the commercial
life and industries of the county, we are
pleased to note the name which stands at the head
of this brief sketch, Mr, Clark is a banker at




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AIBUM.


651


=


Morrice, and a man highly esteemed both for character and social qualities. There is probably no
man who has done so much as he to build up the
business interests of his town. lie is sole owner
of the bank and of the furniture store which is in
connection with it and is a partner in a hardware
store with the son-in-law. He is proud to count
himself a native of the county in which he has
spent his life, as hli was born in Vernon Township,
Shiawassee County, September 10, 1837.
Our subject's father; John B. Clark, was a native
of Pennsylvania and his grandfather a native of
Massachusetts, of English descent. Ile was both a
weaver and farmer, and died in Pennsylvania, after
completing a century of upright and worthy living.
The father added to his agricultural pursuits the
trade of a tanner and currier. which line of work
he followed until he removed to this State in 1836.
HIe had lived in New York State a few years previous to his emigration to the West, and made his
journey in the good old-fashioned way by team to
Buffalo, and thence by boat to Detroit. taking team
again from that city to this county. There were
then but few families here and the eighty acres
which lhe bought needed hard and persevering labor to subdue them from their wild condition to
that of a farm.
John B. Clark built a log house and established
his home. Indians abounded but were friendly
and helpful and he found them good neighbors.
Iie hunted considerably and killed a good many
deer. Detroit and Pontiac were his two trading
points and it took a week to go to either and return in those early days. He was a stanch Democrat in politics. He passed away from earth in
1842.
The lady who for so many years faithfully
walked side by side with John B. Clark in his
journey of life, bore tie maiden name of Lois
Smedley. She was a native of Massachusetts and
died at the age of sixty-nine, leaving four children, Maria, Charles S., Almon and Judson. The
mother's father was a farmer and died in Pennsylvania. Her family was of English and Welsh
extraction.
In the early days of our subject Indians were
more plentiful than white people and he remem

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bers with great zest his boyish encounters with
deer, and his visit to the Indian camps, for their
reservation was only two miles away. lHe was
early left fatherless as that parent was taken from
his family by death when Almon was only five
years old. The mother married a second time,
becoming Mrs. Alanson Horton, and removed to
Bennington Township in 1846, being accompanied
in her removal by our subject. The common district school and the pioneer log schoolhouse were
the seats of learning in which he took his early
education, and they were carried on under the rate
bill system, three months in the summer and three
months in the winter constituting the school year.
When eighteen years of age the youth began
teaching an    rid exercised his powers in tis direction
in Burns, Perry and Bennington 'Iownships, the
schools in whiicli he taught being also carried on
under the  rate-bill system.  He made an arrangement to buy the homestead on condition
of taking  care of his mother and stepfather
during their declining years. To this land he
added by purchase and at one time owned two hundred and fifty acres, more than two hundred of it
being under cultivation. Ile had a fine orchard,
consistilng of five hundred apple trees and he carried on mixed farming.
Mr. Clark moved to Morrice and buying an elevator went into the grain trade. But this was not
exactly in his line of work and he disposed of it
and established a bank later in the same year. He
subsequently added the furniture business to his
enterprise and went into the hardware trade with
his son-in-law, Edward Allen. He holds stock in
the Detroit Loan Company of which he is the
local Treasurer and Attorney. His marriage with
Minerva Whitford, April 30, 1850, has resulted in
the birth of one child-Lois. Mrs. Clark was
born in Perry Township, this county, in May, 1838.
Her daughter, Mrs. Lois Allen, has one child, Arthur.  Mr. and Mrs. Clark contribute liberally to
the support of the Methodist Church with which
that lady is connected as a member.
Mr. Clark is connected with a number of the
social orders and has also been placed by his fellowcitizens in various positions of trust and responsibility. For one term he was Supervisor of Ben



652


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


nington Township and he has been President and
Trustee of the village of Morrice. He was nominated in 1871 on the Democratic ticket for State
Senator, but was defeated although he ran largely
ahead of his ticket. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Shiawaseee Lodge.
He was instrumental with John A. Morrice, in raising a subscription of $3,000 to secure the location
of a town at this point. He built the beautiful
home in which he now resides in 1883, and after
buying the two-story brick building in which the
hardware store is located, enlarged it by an addition of one hundred feet to its length. This brief
sketch does not adequately detail the broad influence and sterling character of the gentleman of
whom it speaks.
OHN MIKAN. Every steamer that crosses
the broad Atlantic freighted with precious
souls, bears to our country hundred of citizens of other lands, the majority of whom
have no capital except energy and perseverance.
From Castle Garden they scatter through different
States, but wherever they locate they become an
integral part of the community, and as a rule are a
very desirable class of residents. Of none is this
more true than of our German-American citizens,
who bring to their adopted home those traits of
character which enable them to become identified
with any given section, and contribute their quota
to its improvement.
Certainly the growth of Shiawassee County has
been promoted in no inconsiderable degree by the
labors therein of Mr. Mikan, whose name introduces this brief biographical outline. Side by side
with his brother, V. Mikan, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this volume, lie has labored for their
common weal. He was born in Bohemia, Germany,
June 19, 1835, and was reared in his native place,
early learning those lessons of thrift and industry
which have stood him in such good stead in his
later career as an agriculturist. His parents, V.
Mikan, Sr., and Anna (Saka) Mikan, were natives
of Bohemia, whence with their children they emi.
grated to the New World in the year 1854. The


mother passed away some years ago, leaving
her husband in the care of his affectionate sons,
who cherish him in his declining years. They
have made their home in Vernon Township, Shiawassee County, since 1857, at which time they removed to this State from Wisconsin, where they
had first located.
Both brothers are hard working men who live on
the same section, with their homes only one-half
mile apart, John's house being east of his brother's. They scarcely know what it is to have any
separate interests, for they have always worked in
such harmony, and with such similar aspirations,
that they have not allowed self-interest to divide
them. Their original purchase has been so increased
that they now own six hundred and forty acres in
partnership, part of it in Slhiawassee County, and
part in Genesee County.
John Mikan was married in 1875, to Kate Barka,
and they have two daughters, Anna and Milla. It
was in 1887 that he erected the house where his
family now resides, and a view of which appears on
another page. It is a two-story frame building, and
cost $2,000, its fine appearance attracting universal
admiration. His barn, which is 40x70 feet on the
ground, with a heighth of twenty feet at the
side, cost $1,200. It is with great pleasure that we
make note of this pleasant family circle, and of the
prosperity which has attended the efforts of the
brothers.
5.  E v a  -., _          -q


ANIEL RIDENOUR, a well-known citizen of St. John's, was born in Richland
County, Ohio, September 12, 1819. His
father, Jacob, was a Marylander, and came
when a young man from State to Pennsylvania,
thence to Ohio about the year 1818. There he settled upon a farm when the country was still new
and full of wild game, such as deer, wild turkeys,
etc. He left Ohio in 1852, and coming to Clinton
County, Mich., located in Essex Township, where
he continued to live until his death, which transpired when he was about ninety years old. He
was one of the honored veterans of the War of




. -        I .1; ,       - I. 7 —, 1  ,       :- —. .,.;, ; , 1,  -,..", 1   .,  -   1 ,,.,.  I. 11        ".. I    -..      -11                     I -.   "  'I'll. 17     I - I -   7: -   - -  - - I -— 1 —,              -                   'd l        I --.1. 'l-, -, 1- I.. ,        -                                 . 1,..,..- I. I.




II


RE51DENCEI OF DANIEL FRIDENODUR SEC.6.J BIN'GHAM' TRCL [VN  O.MICH.


RE5IDENCE OF JOHN M JKAN.5, EC. 13.JVERNON TR, SHIAWASSEE CO.)MICH.




*1




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


655




1812. His good wife, Nancy Brown, who was the
mother of ten children, also lived to an advanced
age. and died just previous to the demise of her
husband.
Our subject is one of the three children of the'
parental family now living, and was reared upon
the farm and received his education there and in
the log schoolhouse. When he could get time to
attend it, he went to school, but had to work at
home most of the time. One employment to which
the boys were put in those days was acting the part
of animated threshing machines, by tramping out
the grain upon the floor of the log barn. He remained at home until he reached the age of twentyfour years, and in 1843 went to Richland County,
where he farmed on shares for several years. In
his early days as now, he was marked as unusually
industrious and enterprising, and a man for whom
he was farming on shares, was so well satisfied with
his endeavors as to regret greatly to have him
leave. He made him a liberal offer, promising not
only to give him one-half of all he could raise, but
also to build him a house.
In 1852 Mr. Ridenour came by team to Clinton
County, this State, and settled on section 6, Bingham Township. ITe bouglt part of his land from
the Government and part from a farmer. It was
an unbroken forest, and lie went to work with his
ax to cut down logs with which to build his house.
The country was full of game, and he killed many
fine specimens of the deer, and three bears. Indian neighbors were abundant and friendly, sometimes aiding him in his work. He proceeded to
clear and improve his entire farm, and it was not
long before he had fine crops of grain. There was
no market for his grain short of Detroit, to which
it must be drawn by team. But he readily found
sale for all he could raise among his neighbors who
had not been able to get in a harvest.
Mr. Ridenour has been three times married. His
first wedding was in 1843, when he was united with
Alpheta Munson, of Medina County, Ohio. She
died in 1845, leaving one daughter, Mary. Her
sister Almyra became his second wife in 1846, and
died in 1874. She was the mother of seven children-Alpheta, Frank, Jane, Daniel, Edward, Addie, and one who died in infancy. His third mar

riage took place in 1875, when he was joined in
wedlock with Ladema Kentfield, of New York.
The political views of our subject are in accord
with the utterances of the Democratic party, and
le is conscientious in casting his ballot, but does
not take an active part in political matters. He
has three hundred and eighty-eight acres in his
home farm, and in addition has two hundred acres
in Isabella County, and besides this he has given to
each of his children a handsome tract of land. He
began life with nothing, and says that he was so
poor he could not afford to buy a plow, although
he could get a good one for $5. He has been a
hard worker and is a successful man. His residence,
a view of which will be found elsewhere in this
volume, is an ornament to the township, and lie
has just completed a commodious and capacious
barn to replace one that was destroyed by lightning last year.
<T   WILLIAM      HECK. Avisitor to Essex
\   Township, Clinton County, would not long
\  be ignorant of the name and fame of William Heck, as lie is one of the most prominent
farmers in the locality. lie is one of those upon
whom   Dame Fortune has been showering her
favors, led to do so by his persistent industry,
good judgment and upright dealing with others.
When he came to this State lie had but limited
means, but a wise use of his small fund and persevering toil have resulted in making him one of the
well-to-do agriculturists of the township. iHe
occupies a fine farm on section 16, where substantial buildings may be seen, together with good
stock and a full supply of modern machinery. The
dwelling he now occupies is one of the most attractive in the county, being large, of pleasing design
and evidently substantially and well arranged. It
was erected in 1874 and is surrounded with the
adornments that befit a rural home.
Mr. Heck was born near Geneva, Seneca County,
N. Y., September 23, 1830, and his father, George
Heck, was born in the same locality in 1808. The
latter has always been engaged in farming and has




656


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -I ----I--1 — "


=


been so successful that he now combines moneyloaning with that occupation. He belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church in which he has been
Class-Leader for more than forty years. His wife,
the mother of our subject, who was known in her
maidenhood as Margaret Hofstoter, was born in
'New York and died in 1878 when threescore and
ten years old. She was a woman of strong religious
convictions and for many years belonged to the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The family of which
our subject is the eldest, consists of seven children,
all living but one.
The gentleman of whom we write spent his early
years in the manner customary to farmers' sons,
attending the district school and doing various
kinds of work on the estate until he had grown
nearly to manhood. When about twenty years old
lie became a high school student, first at Prattsburg
and tllen at Lima, and when of age he began teaching, a work which he continued during six terms.
In 1854 he became clerk in a grocery store in
Penn Yan, where he was employed three years.
At the expiration of that time he came to this
State and selected a location in Clinton County, a
short distance north of St. John's. He bought
eighty acres of land in the woods that llad a 12x14
shanty on it, and taking possession of the little
residence, lie cleared about thirty acres around it
and made other improvements. HIe made that his
home some seven years then sold it and bought
land in Essex Township, on which he has since
resided. His first purchase here was of one hundred
and forty acres which was but partly improved.
To this he has added and he now owns two hundred and forty acres which have been placed in fine
condition. He has always taken delight in horses,
and Percheron, Hambletonian and Morgan are the
breeds for which he manifests a preference. For
years Mr. Heck has been a strong believer that tile
road to wealth was mixed farming, and by diligence and dint of labor all men could succeed.
September 6, 1859, was the day on which William Heck and Caroline Van Scoy were united in
marriage. The bride was born in De Witt Township, Clinton County, and to the biographical
sketch of her father, the Hon. Rowland S. Van
Scoy, the reader is referred for her ancestral his



I


I  I —


tory. She possesses a rare degree of intelligence
and capability, having had her faculties developed
by careful training, and she fills a place of honor
not only in her own home but in the society of the
neighborhood. She is an humble, earnest Christian, holding membership in the Congregational
Church. From   her father's estate she inherited
two hundred and sixty acres of land in De Witt
Township and four hundred and thirty acres in
Essex Township. She has borne her husband two
sons: Seldon M., born January 2, 1861, and George
R., March 18, 1864. The elder is a prosperous
farmer in I)e Witt Township and the younger is
preparing to enter upon the practice of law somewhere in the State. George is an exceedingly
bright young man, with a promising future before
him, and has every assurance of success in his
chosen profession. He is a graduate of the law
department of the college at Valparaiso, Ind.
Mr. Heck has advanced the interest of the traveling public while serving as Commissioner of
Highways and lie has held other local offices to
the general satisfaction. As Justice of the Peace, an
office he has held four years, lie has decided wisely
and justly and has done much to promote law and
order in his locality. In politics he is a Republican. An honorable, trustworthy citizen, a first-class
farner and a social, friendly man, Mr. Heck is
held in good repute by his acquaintances and
among tiiose who know him best he has many
warm friends and admirers.
'OSEPHUS WOODHULL, a fine old gentleman of marked ability and noble character,
who was the first settler in Woodhull Township of Shiawassee County, which is named
after him, was born in Phelps, Ontario County, N.
Y., September 19, 1815. His father, Joseph, was
born on Long Island, N. Y., in 1764, as was also
his grandfather Zebulon Woodhull, whose natal
year was 1737.
The family is of English descent and springs
from two brothers who came over to this country




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


657


during the times of the French and Indian Wars.
The grandfather was a farmer and died in 1789.
The father was reared on the farm and also learned
the tailor's trade but did not follow it to any considerable extent. He owned two hundred acres of
land in Ontario County, N. Y., but came West to
live with his children in November, 1836, dying
here in 1841, when seventy-seven years old. He
was a member of the Baptist Church and in politics
was in early life a Democrat and later a Whig.
Catry Robison Woodhull, the mother of our
subject, was a native of New York and was born
January 9, 1774. She reared nine children to maturity, namely:  John, Betsey, Lena, Nancy,
Reaves, Almira, Louisana, Vienna and Josephus.
Of all this number our subject and Ezra R., are
the only ones living. Their mother passed away
from earth September 9, 1859. Like her husband
she was a member of the Baptist Church. Hier
family bore an honorable record for patriotism,
and her father, John D. Robison, a native of New
York, where he was born in 1744, was a carpenter
and joiner by trade and also a farmer. But he
joined the army as a Commissary during the Revolutionary War and was also a soldier in the Irench
War with the English. He was the first settler of
Phelps, Ontario County, where he made his home
in 1788. He was of Scotch descent and a man of
sterling character. Hle died in Phelps, after having reached the advanced age of eighty-five yealrs.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the
district schools and trained upon the farm, where
he remained until he reached his twenty-first year.
He then, in September, 1836, came to Michigan,
making the trip by water accompanied by his
mother and sister while his father and brother
John came by Canada driving the team.' He first
settled on section 4, Woodhull Township, which
was then, of course, unnamed, and built the first
house within its bounds. The nearest neighbor
was at Laingsburg, three miles north. The Indians
were very neighborly and very numerous and frequent visitors to his log house. He caught a few
deer with the help of his dog but he never shot at
one. Wolves and bears also abounded. In those
days it was a serious matter to go marketing or
even to go for the mail as the former took a man


to Detroit and the latter to Howell in Livingston
County. Mr. Woodhull made a trip to Detroit in
1837 with two yokes of oxen and a covered wagon
to secure a supply of flour and provisions. He had
1o follow Indian -rails and to ford streams and the
trip consumed fifteen days. He remained in that
early home for sixteen years and put the farm in
an improved condition.
Mr. Woodhuil's health failing he concluded that
his days of hard work were over and moved to
Lansing where he lived for seven years. His health
became decidedly improved and he decided that
lie would again go into the country, so he bought
the farm where he now resides, a fine tract of one
hundred acres and moved upon it. Three-fourths
of this land was then improved and had upon it a
log house. His marriage November 20, 1845,
united him with Ph(lbe A. Laing, who was born
in Saratoga, N. Y., March 27, 1822. Her parents,
Peter and Mary (Calkins) Laing, natives of New
York State, came to Michigan in 1833, and settled
in Saline Township, Washtenaw County, and later
removed to Sliawassee County. Mr. Laing was
the first settler at Laingsburg which bears his name.
lie kept hotel there for a number of years and
passed away from earth April 13, 1865. His wife,
who was the mother of eight children, preceded
him to the other world, thirty years before
his death.
The subject of this sketch has had three children
one only now living, the others having been
snatched from their parents arms before reaching
the age of two years. The son, Charles, married
Katie Corcoran, who died February 8, 1891. They
were the parents of three children two of whom are
living.
Mr. Woodhull has two hundred and forty acres
of land but gave his son one hundred acres. He
built the house in which lie now lives in 1871 and
erected his large barn in 1868. He carries on
mixed farming, raising both stock and grain. He
is a Baptist in religion and was Deacon for a long
term of years at both Laingsburg and Lansing, and
was for many years a Republican in politics but of
late calls himself an Independent. lIe served as
Supervisor of this township a number of terms and
was elected County Treasurer during the war, but
- ---------—, ---—.-a




658


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPH ICAL ALBUT~M.


6581        ORRI AND., —~l --- — BIOGRAPHICAL......._ ALBUM ~.I _L-.-C


as the soldier vote was thrown out he had to give
up the office after one month's incumbency. For
fourteen years he has held the office of Justice of
the Peace, and has also held other offices in the
township. As an agriculturist he is deeply interested in all movements which tend to the improvement of the farmers and is identified with the
Grange, believing that that is helpful toward their
social and financial prosperity.
EORGE T. MASON. Among the pioneer
families of Shiawassee County none are more
prominent than the Masons, who for half a
century have been identified with every interest of
this section. Several of its members are now among
the more active and progressive citizens and one of
these is the subject of this biographical sketch. His
home is on section 17, Owosso Township, and is
one of the pleasantest in the county, being supplied
with every comfort heart can wish and presided
over by a lady of excellent taste and housewifely
skill.
In September, 1839, Ezra L. and Albert B. Mason, with their families, came to Owosso Township in the old lumbering stage wagon. They were
given accomodations by the Stimson family, who
allowed them the use of one room in an out kitchen
for a few days, until the land which had been purchased the year before could be located by compass, a trail cut through the timber and a small log
house built. Into the little cabin the two families
moved and the elders began to carve out their fortunes. Lumber was so scarce that not enough
could be obtained to make a door and quilts were
substituted and used for months. Ezra Mason was
born in Rochester, N. Y., October 17, 1813, and
was the son of Ezra Mason, Sr., a native of Vermont. The father of that gentleman had emigrated
from Ireland early in the eighteenh nth century.
Ezra Mason was married in early life to Harriet
Mason of Ohio, who died in 1848. He subsequently married Sarah Whaley, who is still living,
her present home being in Ovid, Clinton County,
and she being the wife of William Woodworth.


Mr. Mason died in Owosso December 15, 1885, a
few years after he had removed to that place. His
family consisted of seven children-Esther, wife of
Isaac Whaley of Kent County; Wealthy, formerly
the wife of R. Doty of Oakland County, who died
in April, 1889; Ezra, ex-County Treasurer and
now operating a farm in Shiawassee County; George
T., the subject of this sketch; William H., a lumber dealer in Owosso; David, who died in boyhood,
and Lyman, who breathed his last in 1881.
When the Masons settled here they were upon
the extreme verge of civilization, there being no
known settlements north of them and none to the
west for scores of miles. What is now Owosso
Township contained but two families outside of the
little hamlet of Owosso, where not more than a
dozen shanties stood. The Griggs and Wilkinsons
had been here a short time and made a small clearing two miles from the land of the Masons. Ezra
Mason was a practical surveyor and was soon
called far and near to locate the lands of the newcomers, and much of his time was thus occupied.
IIis brother Albert gave his attention to clearing
and developing a farm and encountered difficulties
so great that he was at times on the point of abandoning his efforts and returning to New York, especially when ill health combined with other disadvantages to darken his pathway. Time after time
the brothers had to renew their courage by noting
the greater misery of others and strengthen their
resolve to continue their struggle.
Success finally came to them and in addition to
securing a competence and a desirable home they
gained the unlimited respect and confidence of
neighbors and friends. Their homes became the
headquarters of social gatherings, and their interest was sought in every important movement, and
not in vain. They lived to see the forest transformed into cultivated lands where hundreds of intelligent and industrious people found sustenance;
in place of the elk, bear and antelope once hunted
by the aborigines whose trail crossed their farms,
they saw herds of domestic animals.
The name of the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs took place February 2, 1842,
and his life was spent in the usual way until the
breaking out of the Civil War. He then shared in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


659


the excitement attendant upon the hostilities and
was not content until in 1863 he was able to enter
the service as a private in Company H, Eleventh
Michigan Cavalry. He served two years, less fifteen
days, when the close of the war released him from
a soldier's duties and he resumed farm work. During the most of the time that he was at the front
he was in the command of Gen. Stoneman, and he
participated in nearly all of the fifty-nine engagements that are credited to the regiment. He was
Orderly to Gen. Gillam during a raid of eighty
days, and was frequently on guard duty. When he
returned home he took up farm  work in Middlebury Township, but in 1868, after visiting Missouri and Iowa on a prospecting tour, he bought
the farm he now occupies.
The marriage of Mr. Mason and Hannah A.
Shepard, daughter of Samuel Shepard, was solemnized November 25, 1869. The bride was born in
Owosso Township, March 11, 1845, and belongs to
a well-known and highly respected family. She
has had two children-Myrlie A., born June 26,
1878,and Bertha A.,who was born October 19, 1871,
but lived only to the age of four and a half years.
Mr. Mason is one of those who believe it the duty
of every citizen to exercise the right of suffrage
unfailingly, and he is always found at the polls on
election (lay depositing a Republican ballot. IHe
is an active supporter of the Methodist Protestant
Church, of which he is a member, and works with
the society in all the benevolent and progressive
enterprises. He also takes an active part in the
promotion of educational interests, and has done
much to advance the general welfare of the agricultural community of which lie is an influential
and solid member.
R. D. D. HOLLEY, a prominent physician
of Shiawassee County, and engaged in
practice in Vernon, was born in Seneca
County, N. Y., on the 9th of August,
1826. He is descended from one of the early New
England families, which during Colonial (lays was
established in America. His grandfather, Gideon


Holley, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and
his father, Ransom W. Holley, was a native of Delaware County, N. Y., born in February, 1797. At
the age of six years he was taken to Seneca County,
where he was reared to manhood. In his youth he
learned the carpenter and joiner's trade and became an extensive contractor.  While living in
Ovid, Seneca County, he built a fine Methodist
Church, was the architect of a Presbyterian Church
in Aurora, N. Y., also built the Dutch Reformed
Church of Farmer, the Masonic Hall of Ovid, and
a great many elegant residences. He married Sarah
Clark, who was born in Providence, R. I., October
4, 1799, and was the youngest child of B. and
Sarah Clark. When a maiden of fifteen summers
she went to Seneca County, N. Y., where she became the wife of Ransom W. Holley, at the age
of twenty-one years. Unto them were born nine
children, four sons and five daughters, of whom
three are now living —Monroe, a resident of Kent
County, Mich.; Mrs. Harriet Huff of Kent County;
and the Doctor.
In 1831, Mr. Ransom W. Holley, with his family
emigrated to Michigan, going direct to Detroit,
from whence he went to Saline and later to Northville, Wayne County. Soon afterward he located
upon a farm in Novi Township, Oakland County,
where he made his home until coming to Shiawassee
County, in 1836. He entered land from the Government where the village of Vernon now stands
and built the second log house in the -place, there
making his home until his death. He took a prominent part in public affairs during the early history
of the county.  He attended the first township
meeting in Vernon Township, was the first Supervisor of the town and one of the first Justices of
the Peace. He held the office of County Commissioner in 1837, and in 1856, was elected County
Treasurer, a position which he held two years. In
politics he was first a Whig, but on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks. Socially, lie was a Royal Arch Mason and attended the
convention of that lodge in Albany during the time
of the Morgan trouble. He was one of five persons
who organized the first Presbyterian Church in
this county and continued his connection with it
until the Congregational church was organized when
0~VLIC LVLM  ~I~~CUV~IIIM ~liI




660


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


he joined that body and served as Deacon or Elder
until his death. He was appointed a single commissioner to build the Court House in the County
and drew the plans and superintended the work.
He departed this life in September, 1860.  Ransom W. Holley was one of nature's noblemen, a
friend to the poor, a valued citizen and a trusted
companion. His loss was deeply regretted by a
large circle of acquaintances and he is still cherished in the memory of many friends.
Dr. Holley, whose name heads this sketch, was
the fourth child and third son of that honored pioneer. He began his school life in Northville,
Oakland County, and attended the common schools
until the age of eighteen, when he began teaching.
A year later he entered upon the study of medicine
and after two years' private study entered the
Michigan University in the autumn of 1850, graduating in March, 1853. He also was a student in the
NewYork College of Surgery and the Jefferson Medcal College of Philadelphia, Pa. He has practiced
his profession for two years in Detroit, for four
years in Grand Rapids and about thirty-six years
in Vernon, where he has built up an excellent practice and won for himself a reputation as one of the
leading physicians of the county.
In 1853, Dr. Holley was united in marriage with
Miss Rachel Y., the second daughter and fourth
child of Stephen and Nancy (Madden) Rogers,
natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Holly was born in
Oakland CQunty, Mich., September 1, 1832, and
there grew to maturity. Both of her parents have
now passed away. Unto the Doctor and his wife
have been horn five children-Milton R., a resident
of Mecosta County, Mich., married Margaret
Young and to them have been born six children,
four sons and two daughters.  Florence Irene is
the wife of George B. Clarke, of Vernon, and unto
them have been born six children, four of whom
are now living. Lillian May is the wife of John
Y. Martin, a resident of Caledonia Township, this
county, and Clarence M. completes the family.
Both the Doctor and Mrs. Holley are members
of the Congregational Church, of which he has
served both as Trustee and Deacon, and while living in Grand Rapids, Mich., he also served as
Deacon of the church in that city. Socially, he is




I


I - - - - - - - -- - - - -- ` L


a member of the Masonic fraternity and is connected with several medical societies.  He was
President of the Grand Rapids Academy of Medicine in 1886, and President of the Owosso Medical Society for two years and of the Union Medical Society of Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw
Counties.
Doctor Holley has made of his profession a life
study, each year adding to his rich store of knowledge concerning the science. His skill and ability
have long been recognized by the people of this
county and have won him a liberal and lucrative
practice. IHe ranks high among his professional
brethren and his reputation is justly deserved.
SA D. WE[IPPLE, Cashier of the Owosso
Savings Bank, is one of the most popular citizens of that thriving young city.
This bank was organized January 13,
1891, as a successor to the Second National Bank.
He was born at Plymouth, Wayne County, Mich.,
October 10, 1857, and is the only son of Thomas
S. and Emily J. (Snell) Whipple, both of whom
are natives of New York, whence, about 1840,
they removed to Michigan with their parents, who
settled near Plymouth. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Anson Snell, who lives at
Shearer, Mich. His father, Thomas S. Whipple,
was the son of Calvin Whipple, whose ancestors
came from England.
The boyhood and early school days of our subject were passed in Plymouth and vicinity. At
the age of seventeen he entered the high school
at Ann Arbor. After pursuing his studies there
two years he entered Michigan University, from
which hle was graduated as M. A. in 1881. After
graduation he went to Constantine, St. Joseph
County, Mich., where, for two years, he acted as
Teller of the Farmers' National Bank. In 1884
he removed to Owosso, entering the First National
Bank as book-keeper, and was soon after made
Cashier, in which capacity he continued until the
bank went into voluntary liquidation, and wound
up its affairs. He then took the position of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


661


Cashier in the City Bank at Battle Creek and remained there for three years. In January, 1889,
he returned to Owosso to take charge of the Second National Bank.
Here Mr. Whipple acted as Cashier until the
Second National Bank was re-organized as the
Owosso Savings Bank, when he was made Cashier
of the new institution, which is considered one of
the solid enterprises of the city. The Owosso
Savings Bank carries on a general banking business
and has in connection with that a savings department, including a Nickle Savings Stamp System
for small deposits. The bank has a paid-up capital of $100,000. Mr. Whipple and David M. Estey are also owners of the Queen Cart Company at
Owosso.
Mr. Whipple was married in 1887 to Miss Elsie
M. Collier, of Owosso, a daughter of George W.
and Aurelia M. Collier. This lady was born,
reared and educated in Owosso and her parents
were pioneers of this city. One son, Joseph C.,
has blessed the home of this intelligent couple.
Mr. Whipple is a Knight Templar and a Knight
of the Maccabees. He is a Republican in his
political views and warmly interested in the future
of his party. His beautiful residence on West
Oliver Street is surrounded by attractive grounds
and is in a delightful neighborhood.
ILLIAM RUSSELL, a venerable and representative pioneer of Greenbush Town\/ ship, Clinton County, is a native of Oswego County, N, Y., and was born July 13, 1815.
He is a son of Josepll and Jane (Neal) Russell,
both natives of New York. The ancestry on his
father's side was English and on his mother's side
Welsh and Irish. The father was a soldier in the
War of 1812. in which he did good service for his
country. Four of his children now    survive:
James, William, Thomas and Alfred. The first
three live in Greenbush Township and the fourth
in Gratiot County. Our subject received a logcabin education in New York State and had but
limited advantages in his childhood and youth, but


he has made the most of them and has given himself opportunities, as he could make them through
life, for self-improvement.
Our subject emigrated with his parents to Lenawee County, this State, in 1836, and lived there
several years before coming to Clinton County,
where he arrived in 1841. IHere his parents also
came and spent the remainder of their days and
here he has made his home continuously to this
(ay. His marriage took place in Lenawee County
in 1838, July 13. His bride, Annis Clymer, a native of New York, was born February 18, 1820.
Her parents were Isaac and Mary Havens Clymer,
natives of New York and New Jersey, respectively, and her paternal ancestry was German.
When about seventeen years old she came with
her parents to Lenawee County, this State, where
she remained until she came to Clinton County
with her husband. Of the large family of children in her parental home the following are living: Mrs. Russell; Ilenry, who lives in Gratiot
County; Jane, Mrs. Bailey, now a widow,in the same
county; Ebenezer, in Saginaw County; William,
in Saginaw; Emma, wife of Lucian Cias, in Gratiot
County; Loretta, the wife of Joseph Hawkins,
living in the Southwest; and Caroline, wife of
Cornelius Doty, of Gratiot County.
To Mr. and Mrs. Russell eight children have
been born, all but two of whom are now living.
They are named, Philetta, wife of George Andrus,
in Gratiot County; Amanda, Mrs. Abram Spayd,
living in St. John's; Mortimer, in Greenbush
Township; Melvin, in Gratiot County; Eva, wife
of Lorenzo White; and Emma, wife of Frank
HIyde, of Gratiot County.
The subject of this sketch settled in Greenbush
Township nearly half a century ago and came to
his present home in 1854. He and his good wife
made their home for a number of years in a log
cabin and endured the usual hardships of pioneer
life and he has attained his present success by
the unaided efforts of himself and his noble companion, who has ably assisted him both by hand
and by her sound counsel through all the difficulties of their struggling years. When they first
came to the township they were about five miles
distant from the nearest neighbor and life would




662


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--


=


indeed have been lonely had there not been a
cheerful home inside the rough walls of the log
cabin, for at night the wolves howled about their
home and were more neighborly by far than
could be desired.
For eight years Mr. Russell served as Justice
of the Peace and also as Highway Commissioner,
and has also been one of the School Directors.
Both he and his good wife are members of the
Disciples' Church and are well known throughout
the township as representative pioneers and people of sterling Christian character. The honesty
and integrity which has marked his career gives
him the universal confidence of the business community.
WILLIAM M. STEVENS. Too much stress
can scarcely be given to the labors of those
who did the initial work of developing the
physical resources of Clinton County, and the publishers of this volume are glad to be able to lay
before their readers an account of the share borne
by the gentleman above named. He was eighteen
years old when he came hither with his parents, and
for nearly forty years he has toiled and planned in
Essex Township. An eye-witness of many changes,
he rejoices in the prosperity of this region, and is
glad that his own hands have helped to bring about
the present state of affairs.
The parents of our subject were Benjamin and
Louisa Stevens, natives of New England, and they
were living in Worcester County, Mass., when the
son was born, January 24, 1836. He was a mere
infant when they removed to Ohio, and in that
State they remained until he was fourteen years
old. They then returned to the old Bay State, but
after a short sojourn went again to Ohio, and settled in Summit County. When our subject was
about eighteen years old, parents and son came to
Michigan and established their home in Essex
Township, Clinton County. Here the parents died
some time since, leaving to their descendants an
honored name. The education of William Se.cvens
was obtained in the common schools, and by con



I


I


tact with men, and a judicious use of the public
press.
The lady of Mr. Stevens' choice was Miss Ann
Washington, a native of Michigan, with whom he
was united in marriage December 24, 1859. Having made his home in an unbroken region, he has
had to toil hard and deny himself of some of the
pleasures and comforts of life, but he has had his
reward in securing a good home and becoming the
possessor of eighty acres of well-cultivated land.
For many years he has been engaged more or less
as a veterinary surgeon, and he has frequent calls
for his services in this line. In exercising the right
of suffrage he uses a Democratic ballot, and when
affairs are on foot that will advance the interest of
the community he is ready to bear a part. Selfmade in finances, and largely self-informed, he
enjoys the confidence of his acquaintances and
ranks among the prominent agriculturists of the
neighborhood.
ESLIE R. TAYLOR, L. D. S. The original
of this sketch, who is a dentist, was born in
Picton, Prince Edward County, Ontario,
March 17, 1855. His parents were James and Maria
(Wyckott) Taylor. His father, a hardware merchant
at Park lItll, was a son of Capt. Robert Taylor, a
soldier of the War of 1812, who was promoted on
the field for bravery. Capt. Robert Taylor was the
son of Col. Robert who came to Canada with Gen.
Wolf and was killed on the Plains of Abraham at
the taking of Quebec. Dr. Taylor, himself, was a
soldier under her majesty, Queen Victoria, and
served five years in the regular service and was at
the expiration of his service a captain, promoted
from a private for meritorious service. Dr. Taylor
attended the Royal College of dental surgery at
Toronto, Canada, and in the interims of study
worked in his father's store. He was graduated at
the head of his class in 1877 and began practice
at Park Hill, where he remained for one year then
moving to Michigan has continued his practice of
dentistry ever since.
Dr. Taylor is an enthusiastic fancier of the canine




I




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


665


-- ""1' ~"
------— ` --.


species and for ten years has paid much attention
to the breeding of fine dogs, having been connected
with C. H. Corbett, Governor of Goals, Kingston,
Ontario, in the ownership of the Kingston and
Bancroft Kennels. The breed that he has particularly favored is that of the English Setter. He
has had and has now many valuable English
Pointers and Irish Water Spaniels and English and
Irish Setters. He exhibits at bench shows and at
all field trials of speed. He has obtained many
prizes for his dogs. He advertises in several sporting papers and his average sale amounts to $2,000
per year. He bred the celebrated "Gruse" which
sold for $500, and several dogs sired by "Grouse"
for $200 apiece. He now has some setters and
pointers that are valued at $1,000 apiece.
Dr. Taylor was married May 17, 1881, in Dashwood, Canada, to a lady whose maiden name was
Miss Laura Fried. They have a small family of two
children —Warde and Maude. In politics Dr. Taylor is a Democrat.
ON. EDGAR B. WARD, M. D., a practicing
physician of Laingsburg, claims New York
as the State of his nativity. He was born
in Ontario County, September 27, 1835,
and is the son of Owen I. and Paulina (Tallman)
Ward.   His parents were also natives of the
Empire State and became pioneers of Michigan in
1836, settling in Lodi, Washtenaw County, where
the father spent the remainder of his life. Mrs.
Ward, after her husband's death, came to Laingsburg and spent her last days in the home of the
Doctor.
In early life Owen Ward was a merchant but in
later years followed farming. He gave his support first to the Whig party and afterward to the
Republican party. He and his wife in religious
belief were Presbyterians during their earlier years
but later in life united with the Congregational
Church. Of their family our subject, who is the
second in order of birth, is the only survivor. The
other four, Thomas O., Frances, Harriet and Milton, are deceased.
Dr. Ward spent the (lays of his boyhood and




youth in Lodi, Mich., whither he had been brought
by his parents during his infancy. He had the
advantage of an academic education and when
twenty years of age he began reading medicine
with Dr. D. A. Post of Ypsilanti, having decided
to follow a professional career rather than farming,
the pursuit to which he had been reared. With
Dr. Post he continued his studies for a time and
subsequently was graduated from the medical
department of the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor in the spring of 1858. Immediately thereafter he located at Centerville, Iowa, where he
practiced for two years, coming thence to Shiawassee County, Mich., and in 1862 located in Laingsburg, where he has practiced continuously since,
with the exception of two years, 1875 and 1876,
which he spent in Jackson. It is said that every
person is fitted for a special work and if they
engage in that line will meet with success. Granting this to be true we would say that Dr. Ward
has found his special work if success be the rule by
which to judge. He has worked hard, been a constant student of the profession and as a result has
built up an excellent and lucrative practice.
On the 23d of September, 1857, Dr. Ward was
united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Allen, of
Lodi, Mich., who was born in Freedom, Washtenaw
County, in 1839, and is a daughter of John and
Nancy (Wiltsie) Allen. Their union has been
blessed with two children, a son and a daughter:
Walter E., a practicing physician of Chicago, and
Theo Josephine. The various members of the
family hold a high position in the social world
where they ale deservedly esteemed for their sterling worth.
Socially the Doctor is a third degree Mason, and
repeatedly has been honored with the office of
Master of his lodge. He belongs to the Shiawassee
County Medical Society, which he has served as
President, and is a member of the American Medical Association. A number of village offices he
has filled, elected by the Republican party, and in
1869, upon the Republican ticket, he was elected
to the Legislature for one term. He has been
engaged in literary pursuits for a number of years,
corresponding with many of the leading newspapers besides contributing to different medical jour



666


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


nals. Every public trust reposed in him has been
faithfully discharged and whether it be in business
or social life he is held in high esteem by his many
friends, who will be pleased to notice his portrait
on another page of this volume.
_>_EORGE      W. SCOTT. We take pleasure
f  in calling especial attention to the ancestry
\~ of the subject of this sketch, as his grandfather was the first actual settler in Clinton County.
That grandfather, David Scott, was born at Litchfield, Conn., in November, 1779. Being left an
orphan at an early age he soon began to work for
himself and came to Michigan about 1825 and settled on a farm a mile and a half south of Ann Arbor. After living there eight years he came to
Clinton County, October 4, 1833, and was the only
settler within a radius of forty miles.
Mr. Scott took up land from the Government
where the village of De Witt now stands, built a
log cabin and cleared up the land. At one time
he owned eight sections in the vicinity. He was
a hard worker and farmed extensively and built an
hotel, the first one in the region, at which he entertained emigrants. This building was a double log
house. He was friendly with the Indians and could
speak their language, and was constantly surrounded in those early days by wild animals, deer,
bears and wolves being abundant. He died May
7, 1851, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife,
Eunice Forbes, was born at Shoreham, Vt., January
14, 1780, and having reared six of her eleven children passed away May 7, 1840. She and her
husband were both of the Universalist faith in religion.
The father of our subject, Sylvester, was a native of Genesee County, N. Y., where he was born
August 29, 1806, and came with his parents to this
State in 1825 and to this county in 1834. He settled on a farm a quarter of a mile west of De Witt
where he owned two hundred acres. He built a
log house on the place and made some improvements, but was killed by accident, April 22, 1838,
in his thirty-second year. This accident occurred in


the first sawmill that was ever erected in Clinton
County. Ie was a notable huntsman and killed
many deer, wolves, foxes and turkeys.
The mother of our subject, Sophronia Cooley by
name, is a native of Massachusetts, where she was
born iu 1811. She reared three children-Sylvester E., Charles M. and George W., and now resides
with her son, our subject. She is a Methodist in her
religious belief, and was well known as a pioneer
of courage and endurance throughout all the earlier years of history in this region. The early
childhood of our subject, who was born in Washtenaw County, July 9, 1834, was spent among the
Indian children and in the log schoolhouse, as he
was three months old when lie came here. When
twenty-one years old he spent one year at Olivet
College, after which he farmed the home place until his marriage and then took a part of the homestead and proceeded to improve it.
Miss Jennie Webb, to whom he was married in
1857, was born in Plymouth this State. March 16,
1836. Two of their three children are still living.
William died when nine years old; Frank C. was
married to Ida Robison and lives with his father,
and G. Earl is also at home. Our subject is independent in his politics, with prohibition proclivities. He has been Treasurer of the township for
three years and is a member of the Grange. All
but eight of his one hundred acres are under the
plow, besides forty-five acres which he has given
to his son. He has been carrying on mixed farming but now devotes himself largely to keeping
cows and selling milk to the condenser at Lansing.
He has also dealt to some extent in Short-horn
cattle.
EORGE J. SPITLER, a successful farmer,
whose property is situated on section 10,
Rush Township, and a brave veteran of the
Civil War, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio,
February 1, 1831. His father, John Spitler, also
operated as an agriculturalist and was born in
Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1799. His advantages




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--------
---- --- ---- ------- --- — I


for education were exceedingly meagre, but he
cheerfully made the best of those given him. He
was a son of Peter Spitler, a native of Virginia.
John Spitler was married, in 1823, to Susannah
Raub, a daughter of Henry Raub. Mrs. Spitler's
parents had ten children, four sons and six daughters, of whom she was the eldest daughter and
third child. Mr. and Mrs. Spitler settled on a
farm of fifty acres, which belonged to Mrs. Spitler
and made their home on that place until about
1846, when they traded it for another farm in that
vicinity and remained in the same county until the
time of their death. They were the parents of six
daughters and eight sons, of whom our subject is
the fourth child and second son.
The elder members of this large family were
early called upon to assist in carrying on the family industries and our subject had but few opportunities for gaining an education. At the age of
twenty-three he began life for himself and in 1853
he established a home of his own. At that time
he was married to Miss Maria Martin, daughter
of John and Elizabeth (Zedaker) Martin. Mr. and
Mrs. Martin were the parents of seventeen children, of whom Maria was the ninth in order of
birth, and she was born July 1, 1832.
After sojourning for one year in Ohio the young
couple moved to Pennsylvania, but later returned
to Ohio and in 1876 came to Michigan, locating the
following year in Rush Township, upon the farm
where they now reside. At the time of their first
coming here they bought eighty acres and about
eight years afterward they purchased forty acres
on section 15, and in 1889 bought thirty acres on
section 11, making a total acreage of one hundred
and fifty.
The six children who have blessed this happy
home are: Saral Jane, who died in 1864; John P.,
who lives near his parents; Charles W., who died
in 1864; Miller M., who passed from earth in 1869;
George W., an engineer in Buffalo, N. Y.; Minnie I
A., the wife of Charles W. Peters and living on the
home farm. Mr. Spitler is a Republican in his political views and has taken an active part in local
politics.
The war record of our subject is worthy of the
highest praise and ranks him among the bravest


defenders of our nation's honor. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio
Infantry and was ordered at once to Lexington,
Ky. He was in the battle of Perryville and also in
those of Chickamauga and Mission Ridge and went
with Sherman to Atlanta and on to the sea. In
January, 1863, he was sent on a foraging expedition
from Murfreesboro and was captured by John Morgan's band, but was released because Morgan said
he was not so situated that he could send them to
a rebel prison and he could not be "bothered" with
them. Our hero was at Goldsboro and Raleigh,
being at the latter point when Petersburg was
taken. He came home by way of Richmond and
Washington and was at the national capital at the
time of the Grand Review.. )i~7 _. _ _


J   AMES S. HARPER, one of the most thorough
and systematic farmers in Woodhull Township, was born in Wayne County, N. Y.,
July 12, 1827. His father, Robert Iarper,
a native of New York State, is of Scotch-Irish descent a number of generations back, and claims
connection with the Harper Brothers, Publishers,
of New York City.
Robert Harper was a farmer and came to Michigan in 1835, making his way through Canada by
team and wagon. lte settled in Lodi Township,
Washtenaw County, when wolves howled around
the house at night and deer were a thousand times
more numerous than neighbors. He owned in all
three hundred and sixty acres of land. He was
not a man of great physical strength, but was an
extensive reader and a man of more than ordinary
intelligence. He held the office of Township Clerk
for twenty years and was the best penman in the
county in those earlier days. He was a member
of the Methodist Church and a man of exemplary
Christian life and strictly temperate habits. He
died at the age of sixty-five years.
Berthana (Mason) Harper, the mother of our
subject, was a native of New York State and like
her husband was an earnest and conscientious Christian and a member of the Methodist Church. She






668


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


------


was the mother of seven sons and one daughter.
She spent her last days with her son, the Hon. E.
P. Harper, who was twice elected Representative
from Washtenaw County to the State Legislature.
She died at the age of eighty years and both she
and her husband are laid to rest in Saline Township, Washtenaw County.
The subject of this sketch well remembers the
long, dreary journey which he took from the East
to the West when a little boy of nine years, for he
was at that time sick and had to be brought on a
bed all the way. He was educated in the pioneer
schools, which were fitted up in pioneer fashion and
he learned writing by the use of the quill pen.
When a young man he used the gun with considerable dexterity and occasionally brought down a
deer for the family larder. IIe began life for himself when twenty-one years old.
James Harper came to Woodhull Township with
his wife and one child May 9, 1848, and bought
eighty acres of wild land, upon which he lived in a
log house for a good many years, but finally erected
one of the handsomest farm houses il the township.
His marriage with the woman of his choice took
place October 31, 1846. Her maiden name was
Margaret A. Van Riper. Shle is a native of New
York State, where she was born September 19,
1830. Her three daughters and one son are named:
Andrew J., who married Mary Marsh; they have
one child and live on the old homestead farm which
was given them by his father; Bertha H., who
married Myron fierce; they have two children and
live on a farm in Waishtenaw County; Mary, who
married Neal Dewer, a railroad man in Houston,
Tex.; they have three children; Katie married
Frank Kent, who is a farmer here.
Mr. and Mrs. harper left the old homestead farm
in 1885 and moved onto the finely improved
eighty acre farm on section 23; which was a present from  Mrs. Harper's father. The homestead
farm of Mr. Harper comprised two hundred and
eighteen acres, all finely improved, having upon it.
an elegant frame residence which was built in 1875.
He has a fine farm of eighty acres on section 27 and
has always cairied on mixed farming, in which he
has been eminently successful. He has a finely furnished house and his wife exercises a cultivated


taste in adorning and arranging it and it is well
supplied with unique bric-a-brac. For forty-three
years this faithful couple have been earnest and
devoted adherents of Christianity and members of
the Methodist Church. Mr. Harper is a Democrat
in his political views and has held the office of
Township Treasurer but does not care to meddle
much with politics. He is a member of the Patrons of Industry and is identified with the Masons
at Laingsburg and has ever been an active worker
for temperance.
EONARD H. POST. Among the leading
industries in Clinton County is the Greenbush Pump Works, which were established
in 1864 by the gentleman whose name stands at
the head of this sketch. This gentleman is the proprietor of this business, and manufactures wooden
pumps as well as the rubber bucket chain pumps.
lie also places upon the market milk safes, easy
chairs, cupboards, secretaries, washing machines,
clothes bars, bob sleighs, land rollers, harrows, corn
cultivators, wheelbarrows, wagon jacks and whiffle-tree and neck-yoke woods.
The postoffice address of this gentleman is at
Union Home Michigan, where he can be addressed
in regard to his business. The main building is
20x40 feet in dimensions, with a south wing 16x25
feet, and a blacksmith shop adjoining 16x30 feet
in size. The main shop is used for wood-working
machinery, with a paint shop overhead. When Mr.
Post confined his business mainly to pumps he put
out about three hundred to five hundred pumps
per annum   and kept a salesman on the road.
Now that he has added so many other specialties
to the business he makes only about one hundred
pumps per annum and these are taken by the local
trade.
The proprietor of these works was born in Lower
Canada, November 18, 1842. His parents, Hiram
L. and Isabella Post, were natives of New York
and Canada respectively. The boy grew up in
Canada until he reached the age of fourteen years,
at which time he and his father came to Clinton








i II I'i,,
i: ~I


1,KZ


AI



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


671


- -- --


County, this State, and settled in Greenbush Township. His father was a pumpmaker before him,
and from early youth our subject has been employed in this trade, and also in miscellaneous
wood working and blacksmithing. He also does
general repairing of agricultural implements, including wagons and buggies.
The marriage of Mr. Post with Macy A. Wells
took place in September, 1868. She has been the
mother of three children, Orpha A., wife of Frank
Bower, Frank L. and Effie F. Mr. Post owns
some sixty acres of excellent land besides his fine
manufacturing establishment. IHe is now servina
as Justice of the Peace, and has proved himself a
public-spirited and enterprising man. When lie
started in business here his capital was $3.25, and
considering this start, his success has been remarkable. He is a Republican in politics, and is intelligent in regard to matters of public interest,
and commands the entire confidence of the business community for his thoroughness and integrity.
OLIN '. ABBOTT, M.D. The calling of a
physician is an arduous and responsible one
and brings into play some of the most important characteristics of man. A successful practitioner must have a broad knowledge of
the construction and needs of tile body, keen perceptions and a thorough understanding of the principles upon which therapeutic science is based.
The best success cannot be attained without a
generous sympathy and tender regard for the suffering whom it is the province of the physician to
relieve. His extensive practice and many friends
attest to the professional skill of Dr. Abbott, of
Ovid, Clinton Township.
Near Plymouth, in Devonshire, England, Dr.
Abbott was born February 21, 1839. His parents,
John and Mary (Peke) Abbott, were both born
and reared about four miles from Cornwall, where
are situated the famous ten mines of England. The
father was by occupation a farmer and our subject
remained at home with him until he was eighteen
years old, when he decided to emigrate to the


New World. Leaving his home in England he
crossed the broad Atlantic in 1857 and began in
life for himself. He had received good educational
advantages in the parish schools, and also attended
for a year or two the high-grade common schools.
After arriving in America, he was for a time a student in the grammar school of Oakwood, Victoria
County, Ontario.
The excellent education which he had received,
our subject utilized in teaching, following that profession for eighteen months in Victoria County
and later attending the Normal School of Toronto
for an equal length of time. IHe then resumed
teaching in the county of Haldimend, which lihe
pursued for five years. Returning to Tornoto, he
took a medical course at Victoria University, where
he passed three years. After completing his medical studies he was engaged for two years in the
General Hospital at Toronto, and thus gained a
wide and thorough knowledge of many foims of
diseases and their treatment, as well as practice in
surgery which has proved of incalculable value to
him.
In the fall of 1873 Dr. Abbott came to this
State, reaching Ovid October 2, and here he has
since resided principally. The longest period in
which he has been absent from  Ovid was a year
which he spent in Pompeii, Gratiot County. In
1879, he decided to establish a home of his own
and on July 12, he was united in marriage with
Clara B. Harrington, of Ovid. This union has
proved one of more than ordinary congeniality
and prosperity and has been blest by the birth of
two children, Mary Anna, born June 23, 1881, and
Grace, January 21, 1885. Both of these beautiful
little girls have been spared to cheer the hearts and
enliven the home of their parents. Mrs. Abbott
is a lady of intelligence and amiability of character
and is universally esteemed.
Dr. Abbott dearly loves a fine horse and prides
himself upon the possession of a good animal. He
carries on a general practice and has an extensive
country ride, besides a fair share of the patronage
of the village. His practice has constantly increased since he first located here, and to-day his
reputation as a physician of learning and skill is
unsurpassed in this county. He takes a great in



672


PORTIRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


672         PORTRAI AND_1-  B P      ALBUM. ___,_..__,_..,,___


terest in the education of his children and believes
strenuously in non-denominational schools in all
branches of education. There is bright prospect
ahead for his interesting family, for the children
show every sign of native ability which will one
day make their parents as proud of them as they
are now fond.
A lithographic portrait of Dr. Abbott accompanies this brief biographical notice.
~-=L-_.-  3*-4


dealers of Shiawassee County, and a popular
~    citizen of Owosso, was born in Trumbull
County, Ohio, near Youngstown, April 15, 1850.
His father, Joseph Kincaid, was a native of Ohio,
born in Youngstown in 1815, who pursued the
calling of agriculture through life and at the same
time attended to a great deal of business for his
neighbors, making a specialty of settling up estates.
He is the son of Robert Kincaid, of Scotch descent.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Cornelia Wilson. Her natal day was April 9,
1820, and her birthplace was Youngstown. Hier
parents, Andrew and Harriet Wilson, were of Scotch
descent. Her husband died in 1873, but she still
makes her home at Corunna, in this county. Of
their seven children, three sons and four daughters,
there are four now living.
Our subject passed his early school days and
boyhood at Girard, Ohio, when he entered Oberlin
College, taking a commercial course, and taught
one winter, and then entered the employ of Prendie & Rosser at Vienna, Ohio, acting as weighmaster and book-keeper. After continuing here
two years he entered the Girard Stove Works as
manager and book-keeper. Two years later he
went to Churchill, Ohio, into the coal mines as
assistant to other parties. Mr. Kincaid had the
management of the business during the continuance
of the firm of Kincaid, Morris & Co., the owners of
different mines. Tod Kincaid came to Corunna
in 1877 and opened up the mines for the Corunna
Coal Company, taking the management of the
company and also assuming an interest in the


mines. The office of the company is near the station on a branch of the Grand Haven & Milwaukee
Railroad. An elevator has been built at the same
point and the firm handles all kinds of grain, employing some seventy-five to one hundred and
twenty-five men in Shiawassee County. In July,
1891, he bought out all his partners in the coal
mines and now assumes the business himself.
In February, 1890, Mr. Kincaid located in
Owosso, where he was united in marriage the same
month to Mrs. McHardy, of Owosso. Mrs. Kincaid is a native of Ohio, being born near Cleveland.
This couple make their home in a palatial brick
residence surrounded by beautiful lawns, and there
they dispense a graceful hospitality to their friends.
Mr. Kincaid is a Democrat in his political views,
and while a resident of Corunna was three times
elected Mayor. He is identified with the Corunna
Lodge No. 21, F. & A. M., and with CoruniJa
Chapter No. 115, R. A. M. He is also connected
with Corunna Commandery K. T., and is now Vice
President of the Business Men's Association of
Owosso.
]  NEWTON     McLOUTH. This gentleman is
a numbered among the large landowners of
LK  Clinton County, and it is pleasing to note
his prosperity and see that merit has won. Mr.
McLouth attributes his success to his strict attention to whatever business project he had in hand,
whether great or small, and no doubt this was a
potent factor in the result. Fair dealing, due consideration for others and wise economy also aided
in the matter, and the consequence is that our subject has prospered exceedingly. At present the
landed estate of Messrs. McLouth & Son comprises
five hundred and sixty-two acres, divided into five
farms and operated almost entirely by tenants.
The residence of Mr. McLouth is on the outskirts
of the town of DeWitt, and is a large, handsome
house built in 1871. One of the substantial barns
on the land surrounding the dwelling was built in
1873, and another in 1888; there was one on the
farm before the date first mentioned, but it has been
repaired and remodeled.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


673






The great-grandfather of our subject emigrated
from Ireland to the Colonies and was the originator
of the family in America. His son Peter was born
in New England and was a Revolutionary soldier;
he died when three-score and ten years old. The
next in the direct line was William W., who was
born in Massachusetts and after his marriage settled in Ontario County, N. Y. He was a farmer
and a cooper. In 1835 he removed to this State,
locating in Lenawee County and taking up Government land. He had traveled on the Erie Canal
to Buffalo, crossed the lake on a steamer and paid
$65 for having his household goods hauled from
Toledo to his destination. So poor were the roais
that it took three days to go thirty miles. Ile
built a log cabin in a sparsely settled locality and
with Indians and wild animals around him began
to improve his land. He first secured eighty
acres and later entered one hundred and twenty
in another township. There were two stores in
Adrian, where he traded, and many now flourishing
towns were not even dreamed of by the most sanguine.
William  McLouth was a hard-working, honest
man and his labors in the pioneer field are worthy
of remembrance as being potent factors in the
present prosperity of the commonwealth.  His
political adherence was given to the Democratic
party. While in New York, he taught school, and
in this State did a good deal of surveying having
a practical knowledge of that science. His wife
was Betsey Ketchem, a native of Massachusetts,
whose early years were spent on a farm, and whose
training in domestic arts fitted her for a place by
the side of a sturdy  pioneer.  She proved a
capable and courageous companion, and to her
their children owed much for devoted 'care and
wise instruction. She died when about seventyfour years old, and her husband was a year older
when lie was called hence. In their family there
were twelve sons and daughters, whose respective
names are Eleazer, Peter, Wells, Lavinia, Alvah,
Newton, Rebecca, Jane, Cyrus, Orville, Angeline
and Lawrence.
The son of the couple above mentioned, whose
life it is our purpose to sketch, was born in
Ontario County, N. Y., July 19, 1827, and was


I


z


eight years old when the removal to this State took
place. He went to the log schoolhouse, where he
sat upon a bench with pin legs and wrote copies at
the desk by the wall, using a quill pen to form the
characters. The services of a teacher were secured
by a rate bill, under which each parent paid a due
proportion of the amount required for the expenses
of the school. When not engaged in study and
the healthful sports of the period and place, young
McLouth was helping his father in farm work and
gaining an insight into life's duties and cares, and
laying the foundation for his later prosperity by
acquiring habits of industry and frugality.
When he was of age Mr. McLouth began the
battle of life as a farm laborer at from $12 to $13
per month, working in this way two seasons. He
next became a section hand on the Lake Shore &
Michigan Southern Railroad and in this way got
his first real start in life. He was in the employ of
the company three years, and during the last two
was a section boss. In July, 1856, he came to
Clinton County, in which he had previously
bought eighty acres of land.  It was in Riley
Township, four miles north of his present location,
and was his home eight years, during wlich period
many improvements were made. Mr. McLouth
then sold out and bought one hundred and ten
acres in Delhi Township, making that his place of
abode a year. He next, having sold that farm,
came to the one he now occupies which consists
of one hundred and forty-two acres. When he
took possession the clearing consisted of one hundred acres, and the place presented a different
appearance from that of to-day.  Mr. McLouth
has raised large numbers of horses, cattle and
sheep, and now has thirteen head of good roadsters.
In the year 1852 Mr. McLouth was united in
marriage with Miss Emily Hathaway, a New
York lady, born in April, 1834.  She is a notable housekeeper, a devoted mother and wife and
a generous friend.  Sle has had but two children, and only one now shares in the earthlife.
William W. died at the tender age of five years
The survivor.is Willis, who married Josie Holmes
and lives across the road from his parents. He
is a farmer and manufacturer, and with his father


I




674


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


runs a water power gristmill, in which a good
business is done. He is a very energetic, pushing man and is rapidly rising to prominence in the
section where his father is so influential and well
known.
Our subject is a Democrat and shows an interest
in political questions, although not a politician in
the ordinary usage of that term. He has served
as Supervisor and held other minor offices in the
township, and has always been zealous and earnest
in positions of responsibility and public trust.
His personal qualities are such as win friendship,
and he has friends far and near, while his name is
known and honored as that of an honest, reliable
man of affairs.
~-^ ---o -~.   >4-o^ ---    <EUBEN H. B. MORRIS, whose fine farm is
p  situated on sections 13 and 24, Shiawassee
\  Township, was born in Porter, Niagara
County, N. Y., two miles from Youngstown, September 27, 1827. His father, Joseph
Morris, of New Jersey, was born in Monmouth
County, and was the son of Robert Morris. Joseph was bound out as an apprentice when eight
years of age and learned the wagon maker's trade.
He married Maria Shelly, who was born in Essex
County, N. J., and they became among the first
settlers on the Holland purchase in New York, and
there they spent the remainder of their days. Joseph died about twenty-five years ago and his wife
survived to the extreme old age of ninety-three
years, passing away in August, 1889. She belonged
to the long-lived family, as her father lived to
complete one hundred two and one-half years.
The family of Joseph and Maria Morris consisted
of Levi, Ellen, Samuel, Sarah Jane, our subject,
Mary, Lucy, Frank, Joseph, Roxanna, James and
Oscar.
The subject of this sketch lived upon a farm
with his parents until he reached the age of
twenty-two, and then rented a farm for himself
for two years and in the fall of 1851, came to Shiawassee Township and carried on a rented farm
three miles south of Bancroft. In the spring of


1856, he rented the farm of Mrs. Hannah M.
Wright, the widow of Edward Wright, who died
in Navada, Cal., where he had been as a miner. In
the fall the young farmer and the widow decided
to unite their fortunes and were married October
6, 1856. This lady's maiden name was Hannah M.
Harder, and she is a daughter of Dr. Nicholas P.
Harder, the pioneer physician of Shiawassee
County. They remained upon the farm which
then contained one hundred and fifty-six acres,
forty of it being improved. He has put the land
in splendid condition and made it what it is to-day.
A view of his place which is an ornament to the
township, is shown on another page.
On account of failing health, Mr. Morris decided to leave the farm and at once built a house
in Vernon and started a meat market, at the same
time handling live stock and provisions. He took
a load of sheep to Saginaw and afterward started
with a load of flour, intending to take it to the
same place. He had bought it at $6 a barrel, but
at St. Charles found a man who wanted it at $12.
a barrel and disposed of it. He also bought oats
at thirty cents and found a market for them at
eighty cents and thus paid for his house by teaming
and dealing in the commodities which were so much
needed in other localities. Mrs. Wright has two
sons, Charles and Marion, both of whom are living
in Owosso.
Mr. Morris bought out the interest in the farm
which belonged to these two young men and after
his health improved he spent considerable time there.
He has built a good house on a commanding elevation and devotes considerable attention to buying and shipping stock, making weekly shipments
to Buffalo and managing his own sales there on
the market, this making a financial success of this
part of his business.
Mrs. Morris was born in Sullivan County, N. Y.
November 6, 1875. By her marriage with Mr.
Morris she has the following children: Nellie, Mrs.
Andrew Huff; Edward, living in Genesee County;
Frank, who makes his home in Colorado; Denver,
who lives at Newberg; Donabel, Mrs. Christopher
Matthews of Paducah, Ky., and Maggie, Mrs. Milton Eastwood, of Genesee County. The mother
of these children came to Michigan in 1837, and




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I I.,

II


'46


I


I


RE51DENCF OF JOHN J. FEDEWA,5E0J0.DALLAS IT, CLINTON CO.,MICH.,x,
4.,


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RESIDENCEI  OF  R. H. B3.IAORRI3, SECA13.)5tAIAW4A55Fr'ETP.)5H1WAS5EE  CO., AICH.




i
b




PORTRAIT ANDI BIOGCRAPHICAL ALBBUM.


677


A IO


in 1845, was married at her father's home to Edward M. Wright, a native of Ohio, who came here
with his father, Ephraim Wright about the year
1835. He had a large tract of land upon which
he settled, but died December 12, 1854, in California after two years' absence. Our subject is a
Republican in his political convictions, and has
been Constable for eleven years continuously.
He is prominent in church circles, a supporter of
the Gospel, and both he and his wife are active
members of the Methodist Episcopal Clurch.
J   OHN J. FEDEWA. This gentlemen has
been engaged in agricultural pursuits since
he was old enough to take a part in the
affairs of life, and prior to leaving his
father's home had become thoroughly conversant
with farm work in every department. lie is one
of the native-born citizens of Clinton County and
is now pleasantly located on section 30, Dallas
Township, where he has one hundred and ten acres
of productive land, supplied with a complete line
of substantial buildings, put up by himself. A
view of this attractive homestead is presented on
another page.
The reader is referred to the sketch of John
Fedewa for information regarding the parents of
our subject, and the circumstances by which he was
surrounded and had his sterling qualities developed.
He was born June 1, 1852, and did not leave his
father's house to make a home of his own until he
was twenty-five years old. He was then given
eighty acres of land upon which he is now living,
and to this he has added, Increasing the tract to
the amount before noted. He vividly remembers
when his father's farm  was covered with forest
trees, and recalls with mingled feelings the work
ie himself did in helping to clear two hundred
acres.
The cozy and attractive home of Mr. Fedewa is
presided over by a lady who was known in her
maidenhood as Miss Mary A. Martin. The rites
of wedlock were solemnized at the bride's home
November 7, 1878, and six children have been born


to the happy couple. The children are named respectively: George C., Sophie, Theodore, Lizzie,
Ben and Arnold, none of whom yet have left the
home nest. Mrs. Fedewa is a daughter of Conrad
Martin, a native of Germany and well known to
many of our readers.
For a number of years Mr. Fedewa has been
Director of his school district and he has ever manifested a deep interest in the progress of educational matters. After giving due consideration to
political issues he decided in favor of the principles of Democracy. He and his wife belong to the
Roman Catholic Church. They have a pleasant
circle of acquaintences and are regarded with respect by those with whom they associate.
L  W. SPITLER. The young man who resides on section 12, New Haven Township,
Shiawassee County, although but thirtyone years of age has already attained a flattering degree of success that promises to land him
at the head of the list of useful and prominent men
in the county. He was born in Trumbull County,
Ohio, February 17, 1860. His father was Abraham
W. Spitler whose business was that of an agriculturist. He was a native of Ohio in which State he
was born in 1838.
Our subject's father was joined in marriage to
Lury Canon in 1859. She was a daughter of Ebenezer and Fanny (Viets) Canon, of Shalerville,
Ohio. Tley were natives of New England and had
three sons and three daughters, of whom Lury was
the fourth child, her natal day being December 2,
1835. In 1873, A. W. Spitler and his wife came to
Shiawassee County where he yet lives. He had three
children of whom our subject is the eldest, the
others two, Almon E. and Carrie L. Hillis are both
residents of this county. The father was in the
Civil War for two weeks and was captured by John
Morgan's men, but being paroled, he went to Johnson's Island where he guarded prisoners. Our
subject's godfather was Absalom Spitler, a farmer
whose native place was Virginia in which State he
was born in 1802. He came to Ohio in 1827 where




678


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-— "


=


he purchased one hundred acres in Bristol Township, Trumbull County. He was married in Virginia
in 1825 to Sarah Bowers, a daughter of John and
Anna (Miller) Bowers. Sarah was born in 1802.
She and her husband were the parents of thirteen
children, of whom our subject's father was the
third son and ninth child. Sarah died in 1887 and
Absalom died in 1889.
The gentleman of whom we write enjoyed the
advantages of a common-school education. He remained at home until 1883, when he started out
for himself on a farm. In 1889 he settled here
where he now lives purchasing a farm of eighty-two
acres of which he has cleared a part. In 1883 he
was joined in marriage to Alida B. Pray. She was
a daughter of L. W. and Harriet (Brown) Pray,
natives of New York. Mr. Pray was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1815; about the time lie
attained to his majority he moved with his father's
family to Mt. Morris, Livingston County, N. Y.
His education was obtained in the Lima and Wyoming Academies in the State of New York, and at
the latter place he began the study of law. When
admitted to practice at the bar he formed a plartnership with his preceptor, Judge John B. Skinner,
continuing with him until 1850, when he removed
to Illinois. Locating at Belvidere he resumed the
practice of his profession, but in 1870 he moved to
Michigan and settled on the farm where our subject at present resides.
In 1841 Mr. Pray was united in marriage with
Miss Harriet Brown, who still survives her husband.
She was a resident of Wheatland, Monroe County,
N. Y. Two sons and six daughters were born to
her and her husband, of whom Mrs. Spitler was the
youngest she being born March 30, 1861, in Belvidere, Il1. During Mr. Pray's residence in New
Haven Township, he was for many years Justice of
the Peace, also at various times held other minor
offices, and was prominently identified with the
growth and development of the county.    Two
children besides Mrs. Spitler were residents of this
county, Theron B., and Hattie F., now Mrs. E.
C. Tagg, of Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Spitler have two sons-Edwin
P., born November 16, 1886, and Wesley T.,
August 25, 1888, The parents are members of the




I


Christian Church, in which body they are both
devoted workers, he having taken an especially
prominent position in the Sunday school. He is a
Patron of Industry, of which order he has been
President. In politics he casts his vote with the
Republican party. He has been Township Clerk
and Treasurer and is interested in everything that
promises to improve the locality in which he resides.. _ ~-._...: f.. ^ _


NTHONY SWARTHOUT is one of the
business men of Ovid, Clinton County,
and carries on a good trade in dry-goods
and carpets. He entered upon a commercial life in 1870, selling a farm upon which he had
been living and forming a partnership with Messrs.
Fnxon & Potter for the sale of general merchandise. The firm was changed two years later and
our subject and Mr. Potter bought the interest of
the retiring partner and continued the business under the style of Potter & Swarthout. During the
year 1883 our subject took charge of the entire
business and has continued it since that time, but
has confined himself to the sale of the articles before mentioned. He built the first brick store put
up in Ovid and the second brick residence, together
with the two-story brick building now occupied
as his place of business. He has prospered in his
occupation and is deriving a satisfactory income
therefrom.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Swarthout was
a Revolutionary patriot and was taken prisoner by
the British soldiery and confined in what is known
as the old sugar-house of New York. The direct
progenitors of our subject were William S. and
Betsey (Willett) Swathout, natives of New York
and Pennsylvania respectively, but living in New
York at the time of their marriage. The father was
a farmer and the son spent his early life amid rural
scenes. During his childhood in 1837 his parents
came to this State and took their place among the
very first settlers in Clinton County. They made
their home in Ovid Township and began to de.
velop a farm from the forest. Anthony, who was
born at Ovid, Seneca County, N. Y., February 21




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


679


1833, began to work on the farm as soon as he was
strong enough and continued to spend the summers
in labor, while attending school in the winter.
When nineteen years old he spent six months in
attendance at the old seminary at Ypsilanti, after
leaving which he taught six consecutive terms in
Clinton County. He then began farming about
four miles south of the village of Ovid and continued his work there until the year before mentioned when he took up commercial life.
The recollections of Mr. Swarthout extend back
to a time when Ovid Township was inhabited only
by Indians. The first or second general election
held in the county was at his father's house and at
De Witt, one day at one, and the next day at the
other to accommodate the six voters then in the
county. Mr. Swarthout says he did not attend
school until he was twelve years old, as prior to
that time there were not enough settlers to pay for
a teacher or pupils to make up a class. Having
witnessed and participated in the improvement of
this section in all that pertains to material good
and social advancement he takes a just pride in the
standing of Clinton County, among the divisions
of the commonwealth.
March 28, 1860, was a momentous day to Mr.
Swarthout, as he then became the husband of Miss
Stella Ferguson, an estimable lady who understands
how to make her home cozy and attractive, and
has done well in the sphere of life to which she has
been called. She was born in Nichols Township,
Tioga County, N. Y., and like her husband can
look back to scenes of early days. To Mr. and
Mrs. Swarthout there have been born three children whose record is as follows: Ella was born
September 22, 1861, and died April 17, 1871;
Elvin was born October 5, 1864, and Lloyd, May
17, 1872. The elder son was graduated from Albion
College and took a post-graduate course at Ann
Arbor; he is now practicing law in Grand Rapids.
He married Miss Lizzie Master, of Ionia. The
second son is now studying in Albion College.
Mr. Swarthout has been much interested in giving his children fine educational privileges and it
is his aim to take part in all worthy public enterprises. Since he was entitled to the right of suffrage he has voted the Republican ticket. He has


held the office of. Township Clerk and School Inspector but has never sought public honors, preferring to devote his time to his personal interests
and the good of his family. He is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church and has good
standing in that religious body, enjoys the confidence of all with whom he has dealings and has a
fine reputation as a business man and citizen.


I


0


-s ---~~J~~3 ---t= —


5    HIOMAS BROMLEY, Agent for the Detroit,
Grand Haven, & Milwaukee Railway, at
St. John's, Mich., was born at Bildiston,
County Suffolk, England, March 12, 1839, and is
the second of three sons, comprising the family of
Joseph Bromley and Maria (Howard) Bromley.
Joseph Bromley, the father, was by profession a
civil engineer, but died in Fakenham, in 1841, at the
age of thirty-five. Mrs. Bromley was one of a large
family of eighteen children, equally divided as to
sex, all arriving at man and woman's estate, and
claiming descent from the noble line of Howards.
As an interesting episode a little story is often
told of one brother who traveled in the East Indies, and while being entertained by a Prince,
spoke of his nine sisters, whereupon the Prince
cut from his coat nine diamond buttons with the
request that one be given to each of the "fair ladies."  Maria Howard was married to Joseph
Bromley in 1832. After a wedded life of only
ten years she was left a widow with limited means.
Then began the struggle to maintain herself and
children. Thinking to accomplish this better in a
new country, Mrs. Bromley, six years after her
husband's death, emigrated with her two younger
children to America, arriving in New York City
after a stormy voyage in a sailing vessel which
lasted eight weeks.
In this city the mother took up her residence for
the first three years and gave her attention to the
education of her little ones, and to teaching a private school. Thence she removed to Booneville,
Oneida County, where her eldest son Joseph W.,
having completed his education in the mother
country, joined her. From there she removed to






680


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Owosso, Mich., and after a time to Detroit, Niagara
Falls, and Windsor, always making a pleasant home
for her boys, who finding employment in stores
and on the Great Western Railway, were now able
to assist her. In the meantime Joseph having
married and learned telegraphy, secured a position
as agent on the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee
Railroad, at Coopersville, and successively taught
the art of telegraphy to his brothers, Thomas and
Harry, who then branched out for themselves.
Thomas, after a few weeks at Grand Rapids, located
at Gaines, Mich., in 1864, his mother going with
him. Here in 1865 he married Miss Simmons,
daughter of Thurston Simmons and his good wife
Hannah (Sawyer) Simmons, who were born in
Marion County, N. Y.
The father is of German descent, and has been
an industrious, enterprising, and successful man;
he has now retired from business, and has his home
in the "City of the Straits," where he spends his
days quietly and pleasantly, as fancy dictates. The
mother, who died in 1864, and whose maternal
ancestor was of English descent, was wont to entertain her children with wonderful tales of the
"Lords of Houghton," and a fortune which should
come from over the sea. Mrs. Broinley, who is the
eldest child, was born in Livingston County, Mich.,
where she lived until ten years of age. The par
ents then removed to Gaines, the daughter spending the greater part of her time attending school
in Owosso, Pontiac and Detroit, until recalled by
the illness and death of her mother, which was
followed a year later by her marriage to Thomas
Bromley.
In 1867 their eldest son, Thomas, Jr., was born,
and in the same year they removed to St. John's,
where they still reside. In 1869 a daughter was
born, and in 1873 another son. Thomas, Jr., the
first-born, was married to Miss Ola Shaver in 1890,
and also has his home in St. John's. He is a bright
young business man, and is at present employed as
joint administrator of the Shaver estate. The
daughter, Brownie, is a graduate of the school at
home, also of the Michigan State Normal, from
which last she received a life diploma, and is.now
following teaching as a profession. Roy, the baby,
died in 1876, when only two years and four months


old. The same year recorded the death of another
inmate of the family, Mr. Bromley's mother, aged
seventy-two years.
Of the twenty-eight years that the subject of our
sketch has been employed by the Detroit, Grand
Haven & Milwaukee Railroad, twenty-five have
been spent at St. John's, where he has faithfully
transacted a vast amount of business. This station
was formerly the terminus for the North Woods,
and is at present the largest grain shipping point
on the line. It also has an immense import for
merchandise, which means employment for a goodly
number of men under Mr. Brormley's supervision.
He is a member in good standing of several secret
societies, and in politics is a conservative Democrat. In 1888 be took a brief respite from his labors and visited the Fatherland and his birthplace,
spending a few days in London and Paris; this,
and a few weeks in his adopted country, are the
only variations he has allowed in a life devoted to
duty and hard work..- _.-. —e

NDREW J. MILLER, a prominent stockraiser and farmer, a citizen of Duplain
I  Township, Clinton County and well-known
for his patriotic services during the Civil
War, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., June 16,
1838. His honored parents, John and Sallie (Mixwell) Miller were both born and reared in the
State of Pennsylvania and his father was by occupation a farmer. The circumstances of his boyhood did not permit our subject to go to school
after he was twelve years old but he took a thorough course of training in the practical duties of
farm life, and remained with his parents until he
reached his majority. His father's family came to
Michigan when our subject was only twenty-two
years old and he then began life for himself as a
farmer by working on a rented farm in Greenbush
Township, Clinton County.
The young man took to himself a wife October
26, 1858, in the person of Catherine Beebe, of Duplain Township and by this union he had three
children: Eddie who died in infancy; Maggie who




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


681




was born June 21, 1862, and is now Mrs. David
Moore and makes her home in Duplain;Ollie, born
June 28, 1857, who died when he was five years
old. The mother of these children was called from
earth August 28, 1872.
The second marriage of our subject took place
December 3, 1875. The present Mrs. Miller bore
the maiden name of Minerva Beebe and is a daughter of Oliver and Ellen (Lowe) Beebe. Her mother
was born and brought up in Ireland and her father
came from the State of New York and was one of
the very first settlers in this county, as he came here
fifty-four years ago when the Colony was first
founded. He was one of the three men who drove
teams with loaded wagons from Detroit to'their new
home, and who from the time they reached Pontiac
had to cut every step of the way through the
woods. They brought their families with them in
the wagons and here Mr. Beebe located his new
home on section 31, )uplain Township, where he
erected the first frame building in the township
which is still standing.
Mrs. Miller was born September 9, 1846, on the
spot where her present home now stands. She can
remember when the village of St. John's was all
covered with stumps and it was quite an impossibility to get through the streets with a wagon.
The first home erected by her parents was a loghouse, the floor of which was made of split logs and
the first broom  which was made here was cut
out of a hickory pole, the end of the pole being
shaved up to form a brush with which to sweep
the floor. This early pioneer, her father, passed
away August 10, 1876 and was buried at the
Colony, burial ground near the home of our
subject and her mother died March 1, 1880.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller came to the place which
they now call home in the winter of 1876 and here
they have resided from that day to this. They
have made great improvements and in the summer
of 1882 erected the handsome two-story house
which now forms so attractive a feature of the
landscape. The large barn was put up in the summer of 1886. Part of the clearing of this land
Mr. Miller has done with his own hands, and he
has reserved some ten or twelve acres of timber.
The political belief of this gentleman is in ac

cordance with the principles of the Republican
party to which he has ever been attached. He enlisted on September 9, 1862, in Company E,
Sixth Michigan Cavalry under Col. Gay. The regiment was ordered to Grand Rapids and thence
to Washington City and joined the army of the
Potomac but he did not remain with his regiment
long, as be was taken sick upon the march and was
relegated to Campbell Hospital at Washington.
Thence he was transferred to the Guard Corps, in
which he did guard duty in the city. He nursed
in the hospital for some time and was very useful
in dressing wounds and attending the sick, and was
afterward transferred to the Veteran Reserve
Corps. He was discharged in July, 1865, and at
once came to Michigan, where he began farming.
lie has a small place in Ovid Township, which he
is now carrying on, and where lie takes a great deal
of interest in raising stock of a good grade. He
has never been an office seeker as he prefers quiet
farm life to public office.
OREN HOPKINS, a retired farmer, now
extensively engaged in the dairying business, is a native of the Empire State where
he was born February 19, 1826. He is the second
son and fifth child in the family of Philander and
Mary (Masales) Hopkins, the former having been
born in Rutland County, Vt., September 1, 1794,
to Nehemiah Hopkins and Lucy (Willard) Hopkins,
who was a sister of President Fillmore's mother.
The grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War, and lost his left arm, of which he was deprived
during sixty years of after-life.  The father was
in the conflict of 1812.
The mother of our subject was born in New
York State in 1797, her parents being of French
and German extraction.  She lived until 1833.
Her husband was a carpenter and house builder
who came to Michigan in September, 1836, and
located in Livingston County on a farm where he
carried on farmingin connection with his trade and
was well known as an excellent barn builder and
put up many barns throughout the county.  His
death occurred in April, 1861.  In his early life




682


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -- - —


he was a Democrat but his last vote was cast for
Abraham Lincoln in the last campaign before his
death. He was an enterprising man and took a
lively interest in political matters.
The subject of this sketch attended the district
schools and afterward the union schools of Saline,
Washtenaw County, this State.  He also studied
at Rochester Academy in Oakland County.  lHe
took up the study of surveying during the summers and assisted in making surveys and drawing
maps in Northern Michigan. On one of his trips
in that section he was shipwrecked on the ill-fated
side-wheel steamer, "Monticello" which during a
terrific gale went to pieces on the rocks, about
forty miles above the village of Eagle River.  At
that time one hundred and forty persons were for
twelve hours (during the whole night) upon the
verge of a watery grave. After fifteen hours of
ceaseless toil without a morsel of food and no
drink except occasionally a swallow of lake water,
he with several others had the pleasure of assisting
the last person on shore, and then prepared all the
bread for the crowd that could be made from the
small amount of flour obtained from the wreck.
This amounted to the size of a common biscuit
apiece, made simply of flour and water and had to
last two days more. Mr. Hopkins afterward devoted
his winters to teaching and stock-breeding in Ingham County. He taught fifteen terms of school
and at one time was engaged in locating land and
helped in locating some seven hundred and fifty
thousand acres, or three-fourths of a million acres
for the Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company.
Mr. Hopkins bought some eighty acres of land
in Livingston County and commenced farming. In
1866 he sold this property and moved to Shiawassee County, making his new home on a farm
in Owosso Township, south of the city of Owosso.
Here he took one hundred and eighty-nine acres
adjoining the city limits where he carried on general farming and stock-raising, and continued
until 1890, at which time he retired from the toilsome work of the farm and removed to the city of
Owosso, taking up the dairy business.  He milks
from fourteen to twenty cows, selling milk in the
city.
The marriage of Loren Hopkins and Jerusha C.


Dunn of Livingston County, Mich., took place in
1853. This lady was a daughter of Hillyer Dunn.
She died having one child, Frank D., who is a
merchant at Alba. In 1863 Mr. Hopkins contracted a second marriage, taking to wife Clara
Norgate, of Washtenaw County.    Her parents,
Stephen and Letitia (Taylor) Norgate were natives
of England who came to Washtenaw County in
the old Territorial days, making their settlement
here in January, 1836.  Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins
have two children, Mina L.. a student at Albion
College, and B. S. who is attending the high school
at Owosso.
Mr. Hopkins has served the township of Owosso
as Supervisor and has been Justice of the Peace.
He has also acted as School Inspector serving two
terms in Owosso Township and twelve years in
Livingston  County. His early political inclinations were in the direction of Democracy, but he
joined the Republican party upon its organization
and in 1884 became a Prohibitionist. Both he
and his intelligent and worthy wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is an
official in that body.  He has also been Superindent of the Sunday-school for some time as well as
Trustee of the church property.  His pleasant
home is situated in South Owosso at No. 431 Gute
Street.
ASHINGTON        BING HAM.     A  worthy
representative of an honorable family that
numbers among its members men who
have taken prominent positions in life, is the gentleman who owns the beautiful farm located on
section 33, Venice Township, and known as the
the "Evergreens." It is a family trait that the
men are never satisfied with mediocrity in anything.
The physicians that are in the family stand at the
head of their profession. The lawyers are not to
be outwitted by any judge or jury and our subject
is a fair example of how thorough agriculture may
be made.
Our subject's father was Simon Bingham, born
in Sherbourne, Chenango County, N. Y., on September 5, 1811. He, like his son, was a farmer, and




POR1TRAIT AND BIOGR~APHICAL, ALBUM..


683


P I AD B.    6


made a decided success in that calling in the East.
His wife was Laura A. (Bryant) Bingham, also a
native of Sherbourne, Chenango County, N. Y. and
born September 10, 1812. The paternal grandfather was Wheelock Bingham, a native of Connecticut, who emigrated to New York State at an early
day. The maternal grandfather was Almon Bryant,
a native of Vermont and a man who attained much
prominence among the farmers in that State. One
of the sons of Almon Bryant, although eighty-two
years of age, is still active and most satisfactorily
discharges the duties of sheriff of Chenango
County. Almon Bryant is the father of a family
of twelve children, two.thirds of the family are
still living. A grandson of Almon Bryant, Sr., is
a prominent physician in New York City and is
connected with Bellevue Hospital. He is the
medical adviser as well as personal friend of exPresident Cleveland.
The parents of Mr. Bingham were married in
Chenango County, N. Y. where they always resided,
being proprietors of a farm. The father died in
1890; the mothei still lives and makes her home in
Sherbourne village. They were the parents of
seven children, four of whom are now living. Our
subject and Wellington Bingham are twins and
William and Wilson are twins. The mother is a
member of the Universalist Church. The father
was actively interested in politics and was an adlherant of the Republican party.
Our subject was born December 19, 1835, on the
old home farm in Chenango County, N. Y. There
he received a common-school education, and remained at home until he was twenty-one years of
age. The intervals of his school life were occupied with the duties incident to a farmer lad. On
reaching his majority he started out in business for
himself, having no other resources than a pair of
strong hands and an abiding faith in his future
success.
For the first year he worked by the month on a
farm, receiving $13 for his services. The next
year he engaged in the carpentry and joining business, all in his home neighborhood. In 1860 he
was united in marriage to a lady who bore the
maiden name of Emma A. Cone, daughter of Benjamin and Ann (Burbank) Cone, natives of New


York State, where they resided on a farm in Chenango County, this being the place where our subject and lady were married. Mrs. Bingham was
born January 12, 1835. She died September 11,
1865. They were the parents of one child, a
daughter,'Clare S., whose natal day was April 13,
1862.
Mr. Bingham was again united in marriage, his
second wife being Adelia M. Cone, a sister to his
former wife. She was born November 4, 1838, in
Chenango County. There was no fruit from this
marriage and his wife died October 29, 1888. During the first years of his married life our subject
owned and operated a farm in Chenango County,
staying there for two years; they came to Michigan
in 1869 and settled upon sixty acres of land, it
being the nucleus of the farm which he now owns
and where he resides. Thirty-five acres of the
original farm were chopped at the time he purchased
it, but there were no buildings upon the place. He
has since added one hundred acres, all of which he
had cleared himself. He now has one hundred and
fifty acres under a good state of cultivation. He
has underdrained, fenced and cross-fenced it.
Mr. Bingham built his present residence in 1869,
doing most of the work upon the house himself.
lie built a barn 30x40 feet in dimensions and
another barn measuring 44x100 feet, it being the
largest in the township. He set out a good orchard
and some of the finest fruit produced in the vicinity
is found on his place. An evergreen hedge borders two sides of the orchard. It is made of over
one hundred finely   developed  and carefully
trimmed evergreen trees and so beautiful is the
color effect against the changeful greens of other
trees, that it has given the name to tile farm of the
"Evergreens."
Across the southern part of his farm our subject
has dug a large and deep ditch, through which runs
living water. Mr. Bingham's farm is undoubtedly
the finest in Venice Township, taste and refinement
characterizing every feature of the place. Here he
carries on general farming.  His son, Clare S.
Bingham makes his home with our subject. Five
years ago Mr. Bingham began sheep-raising, importing a number of full-blooded Shropshires.
EHe originally had ten. The next year our subject




684


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




=


made his first trip to England and brought over
sixty-nine head  of thorough-bred Shropshires.
Every year since he has made a trip abroad for the
same purpose and hAs brought into the United
States nearly six hundred full-blooded Shropshires,
his market for the same extending in every State
in the Union and also Canada. He imported a
flock of sixty head without making personal selection and these were the first to enter the United
State3 under the provision of the McKinley bill.
They were quarantined fifteen days at Middleport,
Mass.
The subject of our sketch is now President of the
American Shropshire Association. Naturally he is
an enthusiast on this subject and being thoroughly
well informed, his conversation is both interesting
and instructive. Mr. Bingham takes an interest in
politics, affiliating with the Republican party. In
addition to his farm cares, for the past ten years he
has been agent for a number of Eastern capitalists
and makes investments for them.
Mr. Bingham is the author of many articles on
the superiority of Shropshires, and we quote the
following from a paper read by him at a meeting
of the Sheep Breeders Association held at Birmingham, Mich., February 11, 1891.
i" Where we remember the comparatively short
time which has elapsed since the introduction of
this breed into the country and the strong prejudice which they have had to encounter because of
the comparative failures which had resulted from
the introduction of other mutton breeds, need I say
that the wonderful manner in which they have
spread over many of the great Middle and Northern
States is a convincing proof that they have the
merits which commend them to the judgment of
large numbers of our best farmers.
In looking over sheep husbandry as a whole in
the United States, and thinking out its future, it
must be apparent to every one that new conditions
have arisen which will compel some changes from
the policy formerly found to answer. The growth
of population in industrial centers will call for an
increased supply of both wool and mutton. The
large quantities of meat heretofore produced upon
the western cattle ranges will become less with
each succeeding year, partly from the lands being




I


I


put under cultivation, and partly because the increasing population will demand a larger portion
for food. It therefore looks to me as if the farmer
in this State, and those surrounding it, who gives
attention to the production of mutton and wool
must enjoy for many years a good demand for his
products. In view of this the future seems more
assured to sheep husbandry than to any branch of
agriculture. I speak of sheep husbandry as a
whole for if it is in a good sound position the admirers of the various breeds must certainly share in
the prosperity.
The position of the industry at present when the
wool markets are assured to American growers up
to a point where wool-growing is profitable, has
been a good thing for our Merino friends, and I
think it will prove equally so to those who pin their
faith to the Shropshire. The Shropshire I believe
to be the best wool producer among the mutton
breeds, and the demands of manufacturers for the
medium fleeces produced by them is surely going
to increase from year to year. Heretofore much
of this grade of wool has had to be imported.
The higher tariff charges will naturally lead manufacturers to depend more and more upon the home
product if it is of good quality and in sufficient
supply. This is going to exercise a most important
influence upon the money making capacity of the
Shropshire, for it is a notable fact that the shearing
qualities of the breed are being much improved,
and the fleece is becoming a more important point
among breeders in the selection of stock."
------               — e
EHOMAS R. YOUNG. Varied experiences
prepare one for the emergencies that are
sure to arise in the most monotonous life.
Our subject though now leading the tranquil life
of a farmer, has followed various occupations, and
has been the prime factor in many adventures. His
farm is located on section 11, Caledonia Township,
Shiawassee County. He was born September 26,
1815, at Hampton, Windham County, Conn. His
father was William C. Young, a native of Connecticut and a blacksmith by trade. His mother was




RESI ENCECF A?'-FY.NOFiNY DROSTE,SEC. 32. DALLa.S TP., CL!IITOIl CO.,MICH.
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RESIDENCE OF THOMA5 R. YOUNG, SEC.1. CALEDONIA TP.,SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.




2~I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


687


Nancy (Crane) Young, also a native of Connecticut. The parents were married in that State, and
there resided a number of years, thence moving to
Monroe County, N. Y., where they remained until
1826, at which time they removed to this State and
settled at Lapeer.
The father of our subject began farming, his
tract of land being perfectly new and unbroken.
He at once erected a log house, which his wife
made as comfortable as circumstances and resources would permit. Mrs. Young died in 1841, her
husband following her a few years later; they were
the parents of eight children, three of whom are
now living. The father was a man of strong physique, well fitted for the demands that pioneer life
made upon him. He was always a hard worker and
ambitious that no one else should accomplish more
than himself. They were members of the Baptist
Church. Mr. Young was a Democrat in politics.
Our subject came with his parents to Caledonia
Township, this county, from New York when about
twelve years of age. Here he grew to manhood,
receiving in the meantime a good common-school
education. IIe has always devoted himself faithfully to his chosen calling, that of a farmer. He
began life for himself when sixteen years of age,
having purchased his time of his father. For some
time he was engaged in digging plaster in which
work he was employed for four years. He then
spent three years in labor on the Erie Canal, after
which he shipped on a whaler and spent three years
in cruising in the South Pacific. He went around
Cape Good Hope and returned by way of Cape
Horn. This single cruise occupied three years, but
they brought back a ship load of whale oil.
In 1839 Mr. Young came to Michigan, went to
his father at Lapeer where he remained for. a few
months, thence came to Shiawassee County, and
located two hundred and eighty acres where he now
lives. He secured the tract directly from the Government, it being at the time perfectly wild. His
nearest neighbors lived at a distance of two miles,
and there was no clearing near him. Indians were
the most frequent visitors they had and not always
of the pleasantest kind, for they were treacherous
and greedy. Bear and deer were plentiful and the
larder was often replenished by the aid of the rifle


He tells of one occasion when on arising in the
morning he found a large bear chasing his cow.
He got his rifle and killed the bear at one shot, but
to quiet the fears of his wife he shot him again.
Their first dwelling was a log house which was
raised at once in the midst of tall forest trees. After
paying for his land he had no money and was
obliged to change work with his neighbors in order
to get the use of a team. He finally got a yoke of
oxen, but it seemed as though a Nemesis of misfortune pursued, for after wintering his oxen while
driving them through the woods a tree fell upon
one of the oxen killing him instantly; a little later
the other sickened and died. The next year he
secured another yoke. Soon after the limb from
a tree fell upon one of them, killing it immediately.
His first cow was hurt and he lost her. In fact his
misfortunes were enough to discourage any ordinary man.
Mr. Young was married February 21, 1841, to
Nancy M. Hart. They lived for a year in a shanty
10xl2 feet in dimensions, after which they built a
log house. Mrs. Young was born August 17, 1823,
in Jefferson County, N. Y. They are the parents
of seven children, three of whom are now living,
viz: Albert, who has taken to wife Phebe Eldredge
and lives cn section 12, Caledonia Township; they
are the parents of three children. Melinda, wife of
Ira Angus, lives in this township and is the mother
of two children; Mary Josephine, the wife of Jesse
Parleng, also lives in this township, and is the
mother of five children. Mrs. Young died November 15, 1889. She was a member in good standing
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Our subject was a second time married, January
26, 1890, to Lydia (Warrener) Kilbourn, a daughter of Eli and Almeda (Farr) Warrener. The
former was a native of Massachusetts; the latter of
Ellisburg, N. Y., in which place they were married
and lived until 1852, when they went to Ohio.
Here they remained until 1864, and then removed
to this State, settling in Maple Grove, Saginaw
County, on a new farm. The father died in 1867;
the mother still survives, making her home here.
She has attained to the age of eighty-six years.
She and her husband were the parents of ten chil(ren, six of whom are now living. Mrs. Young




688


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


was born October 28, 1827, in Jefferson County,
N. Y. She was married to Newell Kilbourn, who
was an old settler in New Haven Township. She
presented her husband with two children, one of
whom is now living, Albert, who is married to
Louisa Bennett, and lives in New Haven Township,
they have one child.
Mr. Young has one hundred and twenty acres,
of which sixty acres are under cultivation. He
carries on the farm himself and takes a delight in
working out his ideas and theories of improvement,
all of which he has made himself. Since coming
to Michigan he has given his whole time and attention to farming and has cleared between two hundred and three hundred acres of land. At one time
he owned a farm of six hundred acres, but of this
he has sold some and has given some to each of his
children. He also fitted his children as much as
possible for their life work by giving them the best
of educational advantages. He has always taken
more or less interest in politics and is a Democrat.
He has been elected Highway Commissioner, having been appointed one of the first here. He built
the first schoolhouse and helped to organize the
first district. lie is an advocate of temperance,
having always lived up to these principles.
A view of the pleasant home of Mr. Young appears on another page of this volume.
'  NTIHONY DROSTE. Among the nativeborn men of Clinton County, who are
pursuing an agricultural career is the
gentleman above named, whose farm lies
on section 35, Dallas Township. He owns one
hundred and twenty acres, eighty of which was
given him by his father in 1887. He has put up a
beautiful residence, and has excellent accomodations for his stock and storage-room  for that
portion of his crops which he does not dispose of
when harvested. As his name indicates, he is of
German parentage and his father has long been
known as one of the hard-working and honest
pioneers of Clinton County. He cleared much




=


land, aiding other men to prepare their lands for
cultivation, and cut down the timber on over two
hundred acres.
Theodore Droste, the father of our subject, was
born in 1812, and married Theresa Knapp, with
whom he crossed the Atlantic in 1840. He made
his home in Detroit and worked by the day until
1842, when he came to Clinton County and settled
on forty acres in Westphalia Township. He has
prospered in wordly affairs and now owns two hundred and forty acres and has given his sons comfortable tracts. His children are Theodore, Mary,
William, Rosie, John, Joseph, Anthony and Casper.
He and his wife are communicants of the Roman
Catholic Church.
Anthony Droste was born in Westphalia Township, May 6, 1859, and lived there until within the
last few years. He did not leave the parental home
until he was twenty-four years old, when he was
married in 1884, and set up his own household.
His wife was Mary Simons, daughter of Peter
Simons. Their wedded life was brief, Mrs. Droste
dying in 1889. She left three children-Dora,
William and Ludwig. In 1890 Mr. Droste contracted a second matrimonial alliance, his bride
being Anna Doll, daughter of Mathias Doll, a German-American citizen who was an early settler in
Clinton County.
Mr. Droste was well prepared for carrying on the
business affairs of life, as, after studying in the
schools near his home, he attended the Goldsmith
Business College in Detroit. Like others of his
class he keeps well informed and takes an intelligent
interest in the progress of affairs, not only near at
hand but in the remoter regions of the earth.
Politically, he is a Democrat and he and his wife
belong to the Roman Catholic Church.
Elsewhere in this volume will be found a view of
the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Droste.
- Js ~




MORY L. BREWER, a prominent business
man of Owosso, was born in Hartwick,
Otsego County, N. Y., October 3, 1835.
His father, Jonathan W. Brewer, was born in Madison County, N. Y., in 1798 and was a well-known




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


689


- _.


Otsego County manufacturer of cast iron scrapers
and plows. He was also by trade a shoemaker,
but never followed that vocation but continued in
the manufacturing line as long as he lived in New
York.
In the fall of 1847 the father of our subject
removed to Michigan, making his home in Bennington Township, Shiawassee County, and died
in Owosso in 1872. His ancestry was of Holland
blood and his father was Mathew Brewer. He was
a Captain in the Revolutionary army and his son
Jonathan was also a military man and held the
commission of Colonel in the State militia. Julia
G. Leland was the maiden name of the lady who
became the mother of our subject. She was born
in Vermont and was a daughter of Joshua Leland,
of Scotch descent. She was a member of a distinguished family, one of whom, Aaron Leland, was
Governor of Vermont. The grandmother on the
mother's side was an aunt of General and Senator
John Sherman. Julia (Leland) Brewer died in
Owosso in 1882 in her eighty-third year. She was
the mother of seven children, two daughters and
five sons, three of whom were the offspring of her
first husband, Mr. Cook. All of her four children
by Mr. Brewer are now living.
The children of Jonathan and Julia Brewer are:
Helen W., wife of Joseph H. Howe, of Shiawassee
County; Emory L., our subject; Lasel C., who
resides in Evansville, Wis., where he carries on a
hotel; Burns W., a farmer making his home in
Owosso. The children of Mrs. Brewer's first marriage are: Sabrina, now Mrs. Herrington, residing
in Otsego County, N. Y., and William A. Cook, of
Caledonia Township, Shiawassee County, where he
resides on a farm.
After attending school in Hartwick, N. Y., until
he reached the age of twelve years, Emory L.
Brewer came to Michigan and went to school in
Bennington. His opportunites at that time were
meager indeed, but after he reached the age of
twenty-one he entered the Union school and after
attending one winter he went the following fall to
the agricultural college at Lansing, where lie took
a two years' course, thus preparing himself for
teaching, which he pursued for four winters.
The young man then bought a farm in Benning

ton Township which he still owns. He placed
eighty acres under cultivation and engaged in general farming. This he pursued until the fall of
1862, when his patriotic impulses led him to
respond to the call of his country and enter her
service. He enlisted as a private in Company K,
Fifth Michigan Cavalry, under Col. Copeland.
This regiment had at various times changes in its
command, being at different periods under the
command of Cols. Norvell, Gould and Hastings
and Gen. Alger. It was assigned to the Army of
the Potomac and placed in tile brigade commanded
by Gen. George H. Custer.
In 1864 Mr. Brewer was promoted to the position
of Second Lieutenant and received commendation
for meritorious conduct. He continued in that rank
until October, 1864, when on account of an injury
received at Hawes' Shop, Va., he was discharged
October 13 on a surgeon's certificate. This injury
was by means of a gunshot which passed through
both shoulders and caused a terrible experience
with abscesses. He took part in the following
battles: Hanover, Va.; Hunterstown, Pa.; Gettysburg, Monterey, Cavetown, Smithtown; Boonsboro, July 6, 1863; Hagerstown, Williamsport;
Boonsboro, July 8, 1863; Hagerstown, Williamsport, July 10; Falling Waters, Snicker's Gap,
Stevensburg, Morton's Ford, Richmond, (better
known as Kilpatrick's Raid,) Wilderness, (Beaver
Dam Station,) Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge,
Milford and Hawes' Shop.
Returning to Owosso in 1864 this brave veteran
settled himself to the pursuits of peace, devoting
his time to the study of law in 1865-66. He was
Clerk of the Supreme Court at Lansing, after
which he made a visit of two years to his native
State, New York. When he came back to Michigan he formed a partnership with his father-in.
law, Abram Brewer, which he' continued until
1872, and they carried on a brisk business in the
boot and shoe trade. The father sold out his interest to J. H. Howe and the firm name was changed
to Brewer & Howe andl remained under this title
until 1883, when our subject bought out his partner's interest and continued in business alone.
About the same time he built his handsome brick
business block, measuring 22x80 feet, two stories




690


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and a basement. He carries a full stock of boots,
shoes, rubber goods and mittens and occupies the
first floor of his building.
Our subject was united in marriage with Phoebe
A. Brewer, (no relative as is known,) a daughter
of Abram Brewer, Esq. This lady was born in
Michigan and has become the mother of two children, who have grown to be a comfort and a
delight to their parents: Leo G. is now in Saginaw;
Nora is at home and a student in the high school.
Mr. Brewer politically was first a Democrat as
was his father before him, but for a few years past
has been a stanch Prohibitionist, voting the first
Prohibition ticket in the State and the only one
at that time in the city of Owosso, and is a prominent stump speaker for that cause and for every
phase of the temperance movement. His pleasant
home is at the corner of Goodhue and Hickory
Streets, and it is not only comfortable and commodious, but attractive in its external appearance.
-ILLIAM I-I. PUTNAM. The subject of
A  our sketch was born in Ovid Township,
Vw Clinton County, this State, March 11, 1845.
His father was William R. Putnam, a native of
Ovid, Seneca County, N. Y. He was born in the
year 1814 and was reared in his native place until
he came to Michigan, which was quite early in his
life and before the township was organized. He
located his land on what was afterward called Ovid
Township, so named by himself. HIe returned to
New York and there married our subject's mother,
whose maiden name was Iannah Waters. She was
a native of the same town as her husband,
who remained two years after his marriage in the
East and then camfe to the land where he had previously located.
Here Mr. Putnam built for his family a log house
in the midst of his tract of land which was untirely
unimproved. The work of cutting the logs devolved wholly upon himself and when the little
house only 18x24 feet was completed he had the
satisfaction of knowing that he himself was its only
builder. He remained here long enough to clear


up the place and in 1853 he came to Shiawassee
County, where he located in Sciota Township, there
improving another farm. Here also he built a log
house of the same dimensions as that in Ovid Township. This proved to be his home for the remainder
of his life, his death occurring June 1, 1880. Mr.
Putnam was a Democrat in politics and the confidence which his fellow-townsmen had in him was
manifested by his election to several township offices. He was Township Clerk and Treasurer, also
Highway Commissioner in Clinton County.
Our subject's mother is still living and resides
in Sciota Township, Shiawassee County, being now
about seventy years of age. Our subject is one of
eight children, seven of whom are now living. Mr.
Putnam is the fourth child and third son. He was
reared in his native place until he was eight years
of age when he came with his father to Shiawassee
County. His first school days were spent in Clinton
County where he went to school in a little log house
called the Wilson school house. The seats were split
logs set upon pegs-answering the purpose of legs.
He finished his school days in Shiawassee County,
at the school known as the Octogon school house.
He remained with his father and mother assisting
them on the farm aiding in clearing, fencing, etc.
Mr. Putnam came to Vernon Township in 1867
and engaged with James Jones who was then building a sawmill at the village of Vernon, for the
manufacture of hard-wood lumber in its various
forms to be used in furniture and carriage works.
Here he remained for two years and then went to
Muskegon where he was engaged in a similar business for about one year, then came back to Vernon.
The mill property there having changed  ands h en
worked for the new proprietor a couple of years,
then engaged with James C. Brand as foreman in
charge of his then quite extensive business in hardwood lumber, staves, heading and   hoop-poles,
where he remained for several years. During this
time he superintended the building and placing of
the machinery for a fifty horse-power mill at Vernon Center for the manufacture of hard-wood lumber, staves and heading.
The firm were now doing a large business and
felt the need of better mail facilities, the nearest
post-office being some four miles distant in the vil

0








lA44L,<X&X




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


693


lage of Vernon. Mr. Putnam ever mindful of his employer's interest went to work to get a post-office established at Vernon Center. Through his unceasing
efforts and the influence of Hon. Geo. A. Durand
at that time a member of Congress from the Sixth
Congressional District of which Shitawassee County
then formed a part, he succeeded in having a
post-office established at Vernon Center, and giving to it the name of Durand in honor of George
I-I. Due.and, M. C. In the month of May, 1876,
Mr. Putnam received his commission from Marshall Jewell, Postmaster-General. under U. S.
Grant's second administration, and on June 19
following, he opened up and commenced business
in the newly established post-office of Durand,
which position he occupied until January 1, 1879,
when his successor William H. Bilby was appointed.
Mr. Putnam was again commissioned Postmaster
at Durand in 1885 under Grover Cleveland taking
charge of the office June 6. and continued in that
position until June 1, 1889. After the establishment of the post-office, Mr. Putnam  turned his
attention to the securing of a railway station on
the Detroit and Milwaukee Railway which was the
only road through Durand at that time. His
efforts were rewarded by the company making Durand a flag station.
In the year 1877 Mr. Putnam associated himself
with his brother-in-law, George Child, under the
firm name of Child & Putnam and engaged in the
hardware and agricultural trade. This firm  did
business for about two years when Mr. Child retired and Mr. Putnam took in partnership another
brother-in-law, E. H. Delano, under the firm name
Putnam & Delano, and carried on the above business until 1882. Mr. Delano then sold his interest
to Mr. Putnam, who continued     the.business
in addition to the buying   and  shipping  of
grain and produce until 1887, when he sold out
and retired from active business.
The gentleman of whom we write was married
August 13, 1872. The lady's maiden name was
Josephine M. Delano, and she was a native of Sodus
Centre, Wayne County, N. Y., born October 8,
1848. She came to Michigan with her parents
when about six years old. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam
are the parents of two children-a daughter and a


son, named respectively, Homer, who is seventeen
years of age and Ethel, thirteen years of age.
These young people remain at home to brighten
the hearts of their parents.
In politics Mr. Putnam has always been associated with the Democratic party and has held various offices of trust and honor. He has been twice
elected to the office of Township Clerk and has been
Township Treasurer for two terms. For five years
lie has been Notary Public and is now Justice of
the Peace. In connection with his official duties
lie carries on quite an extensive real-estate and insurance business and has for sale or rent some
choice residence property. Hie is a Mason, socially,
belonging to the North Newburg Lodge, No. 161,
of Durand, and is now Junior Deacon in the same,
in which lodge he has taken an active interest. He
is thoroughly interested in the growth and development of the village which he hls seen grow from
a country cross-road where there were not more
than three frame buildings in sight, to a busy
hustling town of eight hutndred inhabitants, and the
greatest railway center in the State.
%\ENJAMIN      FRANKLIN      BATCIIELOR.
Among the prominent farmers and stockraisers of Fairfield Township, Shiawassee
County, is the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs and whose property consists of two hundred acres of fine land. His name
is well known and his personal acquaintance enjoyed by a large,number of citizens, as well as by
many in the surrounding townships, who are proud
to acknowledge their friendship to him. His business transactions are characterized by good judgment, strict integrity and acute perception, and are
therefore almost invariably successful, while as a
citizen, patriot and friend, he is highly esteemed
wherever known.
Mr. Batchelor was born in Van Buren, Kalamazoo County, Mich., November 2, 1847, and is the
son of Almon and Rachel (Lattimer) Batchelor,
natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania. The father died when our subject was only




694


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--


I


fifteen years old, and as he was the third among
a family of eight children, great responsibilities
were early thrown upon him. Having received
careful training in farm duties, he was able to be
very helpful to the family. His educational advantages were limited, for home duties were of
such a nature as to require his constant attention.
When only seventeen years old Mr. Batchelor
enlisted in the service of his country February 14,
1864, connecting himself with Company B, First
Michigan Cavalry and serving as a brave soldier in
defense of the Union. He took part in the battle
of the Wilderness, being under Custer as his
Brigade Commander, and Sheridan being the General of the corps with which he was connected.
He was with his company through all the campaign
of 1864 and on the 19th of September had his horse
shot from under him. After the close of the war
he enlisted as a regular soldier in the United
States Army, serving three years and being stationed all the time at Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
In March, 1869, Mr. Batchelor left the regular
army and on November 17, of that year, he was
united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Loynes,
daughter of Comfort D. and Mary      (Ensign)
Loynes. Of this union five children survive to
brighten the parental home. They are as follows:
Jay F., born September 14, 1870; Charles E., January 6, 1873; Katie M., April 6, 1875; Minnie A.,
November 24, 1877, and Eva B., August 27, 1887.
For about seventeen years Mr. Batchelor made his
home on section 6, Rush Township, but two years
ago removed to Fairfield Township, where he is
now pleasantly located.
In matters of public importance Mr. Batchelor is
deeply interested and usually votes the Republican
ticket, but has never in any sense been an officeseeker. On account of injuries received while in
the service he receives a pension of $12 per month.
He is prominently identified with the Grand Army
of the Republic, as would naturally be expected.
He was not the only representative of his immediate family in the Civil War, as his father enlisted
in Company K, Fourteenth Michigan Infantry and
died at Jackson, Tenn., of pneumonia contracted
from exposure while having the measles. A brother
of our subject, William, now a farmer in Norton




I


-- --


County, Kan., was also a soldier during the late
war, belonging to the Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry and becoming an integral part of the Army
of the Tennessee.
The attention of the reader is invited to a lithographic portrait of Mr. Batchelor presented in connection with this brief biographical outline.
RTHUR GARRISON, the junior member
of the firm  of Garrison Bros., claims
Michigan as the State of his nativity. He
was born in Novi Township, Oakland
County, on the 26th of September, 1837, and is
the fourth child of William and Mary (Pinney)
Garrison, a sketch of whom is given on another
page of this work in connection with that of W. D.
Garrison. Arthur was reared to manhood amid
the wild scenes of pioneer life and with the family
shared in the hardships and privations of those
early days. His education was finished in a log
schoolhouse in Vernon Township, known as the
Garrison School, and he entered upon his business
career as a carpenter. He followed that trade for
some time and then spent a year and a half as clerk
in a store in Vernon.
Mr. Garrison has been twice married. In October, 1861, he was joined in marriage with Isabel Brown, a native of Buffalo, N. Y., and the
third child of John Brown. Her father was a native of Scotland, and her mother of England.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Garrison were born four children, the eldest of whom, Minnie E., is now traveling for her health. She has visited California two
or three different times, spent two months in the
Sandwich Islands, and has traveled all over this
country. Carrie B. is the next younger. Ethel H.
is attending school in Oberlin, Ohio, and expects
to graduate from that college in 1892. Isabel, the
youngest, is at home. The mother of this family
died in the spring of 1875, and her remains were
interred in Vernon Cemetery. In 1876 Mr. Garrison was again married, his second union being with
Susan E. Holmes, who was born in Vernon Township and has spent her entire life in Shiawassee




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


695


County. She is a daughter of Edward Holmes,
and is the sixth child in a family of ten children.
In political sentiment Mr. Garrison is a Republican, and socially is a Knight Templar Mason.
He and all of his family are members of the Congregational Church, of which he has been Treasurer for twenty-seven years, and in the social
world they hold an enviable position, moving in
the best circles of society where worth and intelligence are accepted as passports. Mr. Garrison for
the long period of twenty-six years has been
Treasurer of the Vernon Cemetery Association.
Honored and trusted by all, he has been found
faithful to every duty and has won the highest regard of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. His public
and private life are alike above reproach, for naught
can be said against him.
The extensive business interests of the firm of
Garrison Bros. has made them well known throughout Shiawassee County. They are at the head of
some of its principal industries and furnish employment to a large number of hands. The business transacted by the firm in 1888 amounted to
upward of $190,000, and was the result of their
own efforts. Endowed by nature with good ability,
they have made the most of every opportunity,
steadily working their way upward, and in the
legitimate channels of business have won a fortuneTheir names are inseparably connected with the
history of this community, for not only in the
business circles but in the upbuilding and progress
of the county have they been prominent. Mr.
Garrison is a Director in the Corunna National
Bank.
— ^ --- —^E ----^ — s
OLLIN POND, of the Owosso Monumental
Works, which were established in June,
1886, is a native of Michigan, being born
in Shiawassee County in the township of
Bennington, July 22, 1844. He is the son of
Cortes Pond who was born in Schroon, N. Y.,
November 23, 1812. His father, Jared, was the
son of Benjamin Pond who was born September 26,
1790 at Poultney, Vt. This ancestor was a Judge


and also a Representative in the New York Legislature, and represented his county at the time of the
War of 1812, and did much both in his public and
private capacity to sustain the Government at this
time of trial. His death occurred October 16, 1814.
He was present at the battle of Plattsburg, N. Y.,
in 1814 and volunteered to repel the invaders.
By exposure at this time lie contracted a disease
which caused his death. The ancestors of this
family were of English birth.
Cortes Pond, the father of our subject, moved to
Miclligan while it was a Territory. He married
Abigail Howe in December 31, 1835. She was a
daughter of Jonathan Howe, and lived till November 21, 1858. Mr. Pond settled in Branch
County subsequently  removed   to Washtenaw
County and to Bennington Township, Shiawassee
County in 1842. Iere he remained until his election as County Clerk in 1854 when the duties of
that office required his residence at the county seat
and he then made his home in Corunna. About
the year 1861 he married Emily Bixby, who is
deceased.
Mr. Pond was always a stanch Democrat and an
active temperance worker. At the time of his
death ie was the Treasurer of the County Pioneer
Society, Treasurer of the city of Corunna and one
of the Superintendents of tie Poor. This latter
position lie had held for thirty-three years and it
was a true tribute to his integrity, ability and kindly heart that he had for so long a time been placed
in such a position of trust.
Rollin Pond passed his early boyhood and his
school days mostly in Corunna, and after talking
advantage of the Corunna schools he studied at
Flint, Mich. He then assisted in making abstracts
of Shiawassee County property for Charles H-olman
who was Registrar of Deeds.
The young man in the spring of 1868 went to
Kansas making a stop at Emporia, Lyon County,
that State, where he was employed in the office of
E. P. Bancroft, whom he helped to put in proper
shape the abstracts of Lyon County. After this
he entered the employ of W. H. Andrus in the realestate business and gave to that gentleman efficient
assistance in his business. He then entered the
bank of Swallow, Heritage & Sowden as book



696


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


keeper for six months, after which he went to
Arkansas City and entered the real-estate business
on his own account and remained there for some
time. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of
land which he proved up and received his patent
signed by Gen. Grant. On his trip West he drove
a team from Sturgis, Mich., through to Emporia,
Kan., and April 19, 1873 went on a buffalo hunt
in company with others and returned on the 24th.
He killed several buffaloes and caught one buffalo
calf which he tamed.
In the fall of 1873, Mr. Pond returned to Michigan and in the following spring embarked in the
grocery business with J. C. Merrill under the firm
name of Merrill &.Pond but he did not continue
long in this relation as he sold out the next season.
In April, 1877 he entered the monumental business,
the company being comprised of Rollin Pond,
Frank Pond and Edward Shuttleworth under the
firm name of the Corunna Marble Company, which
continued to transact business until the other
partners sold out their interest to our subject in
1881. In 1886 he removed his stone and marble
works to Owosso, which he considered a better location and where he is now well established in that
business. He manufactures monuments and does
other work in that line, both in foreign and American granites and marble. He is a Democrat in his
political views, but on local issues votes independently of party.
L LBERT H. ELLIS. One of the stanch
sturdy pioneers of early days, who has
seen the face of the country change from
a wilderness that was the fit habitation of
the Aborigines to a well-improved and highly.cultivated land owned by men who are representatives from almost every nation on earth, is the
owner of the farm located on section 21, Venice
Township, Shiawassee County. His father was
Horace Ellis, a native of Massachusetts, in which
State he was born in 1795. His'mother was Mary
E. (Kennedy) Ellis, a native of Onondaga County,
N. Y., where she was born February 15, 1810.
The Ellis family is of old New England ances.


try, and our subject's father was a soldier in the
War of 1812, being Captain of a regiment. His
parents were married in New York State in 1826,
and for a couple of years they lived in Onondaga
County, anti then ran a boat on the Erie Canal.
In 1855 they came to Michigan and settled at
Grand Blanc, Genesee County, which was somewhat improved when they came hither.     The
mother died in April, 1873, and the father June
6, 1877. They were the parents of ten children,
six of whom are now living. They were Presbyterians in their church preference and the father
was a Democrat in politics. He had received a
good education and was thoroughly well read, inclining toward a book-worm. He had high natural
ability, which was recognized by his friends and
all with whom lie came in contact. In New York
State he was appointed Supervisor of the township. The parents were robust, healthy people,
both sides being noted for longevity.
Our subject first saw the light of day December 8, 1838, in Onondaga County, N. Y. There
he spent his early childhood and received his education in the district schools. He remained at
home until twenty-four years of age, helping his
parents with the burden of supporting so large a
family. June 24, 1863, he took upon himself the
obligations of matrimony and was united in marriage with Hannah M. Kennedy, a daughter of
Horace A. and Hepsapath (Worden) Kennedy,
both natives of New York. The mother was born
in 1813, the father in 1815. They came to Michigan about 1835, and were pioneers of Genesee County, where they opened up a new farm.
Their most frequent visitors and nearest neighbors
were Indians, and they had ever to be on the
alert against the encroachments of wild animals.
The parents of Mrs. Ellis were married June
28, 1841, in Genesee County, where they made a
permanent home and opened up a new farm. The
father died May 15, 1879; the mother still survives at the age of seventy-eight. She is very
active and bright, and does not feel that her usefulness is yet at an end. The father was a hardworking man. They were the parents of five
children, four of whom are now living. He, like
most pioneers, was active in politics, for in the




.      I                                                                                                                             If-        t        X frN77N


1


RES!DENCE OF J. W. FRENCH, SEC.21.,DUPLAIN TP.,CLINTON CO.,MICH..      -A


RESIDENCE OF C.T. WING,SEC.11. PERRY TP.,SHIAWNASSEE CO.,MICH.




*




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPrHICAL ALBUM.,


699


I AD BA  A.


early days it was a vital question as to who should
have the power, the improvements of the county
depending almost entirely upon the office-holders.
He held the position of Highway Commissioner
for years and took an active interest in the welfare of schools. HIe is a well-read man and the
dearth of literature in early days must have been
a great deprivation to him.
Mrs. Ellis was born July 26, 1844, in Grand
Blanc, Genesce County, where she received a good
common-school education. The marriage of our
subject and his wife occurred at Fenton, Genesee
County, this State. They started out in life together empty-handed, with only their love and
faith in each other. They went to New York
State, where he worked on a farm  by the month
for one year, after which they returned to this
State, and he worked in the pineries for six
months.
Mr. Ellis next rented a farm of his father-inlaw, upon which he continued for one year annd
then conducted the work on his own father's farm
for a period of one and one-half years. In 1868
he came to Shiawassee County, purchasing eighty
acres of wild land, for which he ran partly in
debt. Their first residlence was a shanty, and here
they began clearing. It was his first experience
in that direction, but lie went at it energetically
and has remained here ever since. He now owns
one hundred and twenty acres, of which he has
one hundred and ten acres under splendid cultivation.
The residence where our subject is at present
domiciled, and a view of which is shown on
another page, was built at a cost of $1,200. He
had a good barn upon his place before his house
was built. This still stands, and hie has since added
another. The fine orchard that he owns was set
out by himself and now yields a plentiful harvest. tHe devotes himself to general farming and
is greatly interested in the breeding of thoroughbred stock. He at present owns some fine Merino
sheep and his Jersey cows are a picture of sleek
serenity.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of two
children, one now living. Edward S. lived until
he reached his majority and died July 19, 1886;


Horace Ray was born on the 12th of September,
1874. Our subject has been a member of the
School Board and is much interested in local
politics, being a Democrat. He has for years been
Road Overseer. Hie is temperate in his habits and
principles. His undivided attention is given to
his farm, from which by economy and intelligent
cultivation he lhas gained a comfortable competency.
I     HARLES T. WING, Supervisor of Perry
Township, Shiawassee County, was born
May 25, 1837, in Genesee County, N. Y.
His father, Chancelor Wing, was born in Otsego
County, N. Y., in 1801, and his grandfather, Benjamin Wing, was a native of Rhode Island, and a
descendant of three brothers who came originally
from England, and settled in Eastern New York.
Tils grandfather served in the Revolutionary War,
and being taken prisoner at the battle of Quebec,
was held by the British for twenty-two months.
Later he owned three hundred and twenty-one
acres of land in the Genesee Valley, where he settled in 1806, being one of the first to locate west
of the Genesee River, after the Revolutionary War.
H[e was a Quaker in his religious views, but overcame his non-combative principles sufficiently to
fight for liberty. I-e had always been a man of rugged and sturdy strength, and (lied very suddenly
when between eighty and ninety years of age.
The father of our subject was a carpenter and
farmer, and quite a natural genius in the mechanical line. He was the youngest boy of the family,
and finally owned and operated the old homestead,
taking care of his parents in their later years. He
himself, however, was cut off befo e he had reached
old age, as lie died when only forty-five years old.
He was a farmer of ambition and thrift, was a radical Whig, and a strong protectionist in his political
views, and a Baptist in religion. He was highly
respected in tile community where he passed all his
life, and was placed in some local offices of trust.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Susan Tryon, and her natal day was May 6,
1818, her birthplace being in Madison County, N.




700


PORTRAIT AND BIOG R~APHICAL ALBUMW


70            POTRI AN BIGAPIA ALBUM

Y. She was reared upon a farm, and after her
marriage with Mr. Wing, became the mother of
five children-Charles, George, Emily, Henry and
Austin C. She is now residing with our subject,
and enjoying in peace her later years. Her parents
were Sebina and Emily (Hodge) Tryon, natives of
Massachusetts. They removed to Madison County,
N. Y. soon after marriage, and there on a farm
brought up their five children, and remained until
their death. She passed away at forty-two years
of age, and lie at forty-five. They were of English
and Irish descent.
The district schools in New York were the scenes
of the early studies of our subject. He continued
in them until nine years of age, and when fifteen
years old entered college at Geneseo, N. Y., but
was obliged to discontinue his course of study on
account of weak lungs. He returned to the farm
and employed himself there until he reached the
age of twenty-four years.
The military service of Mr. Wing, which he undertook in defense of the old flag, began November 2, 1861, in Company G, One Hundred and
Fourth New York Infantry. After thirteen months
of service in the ranks as a private, he was promoted
to be Commissary Sergeant, December 1, 1862,
and served in this capacity until he was discharged.
His first battle was at Cedar Mountain, and he was
then in the conflict for four days at Rappahannock
Station. He also took part in the battles of Thoroughfare Gap, Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam. He was never sick a day, but
was on duty continuously from the time of his enlistment until he was mustered out of service November 2, 1864. The young veteran returned to
New York and engaged in farming for about three
years.
The spring of 1867 saw our subject on his way
to Michigan, and on April 24, he purchased a farm
and started his new life in the far West. His farm
did not have much improvements upon it. but he
has added to it the handsome buildings which now
adorn it. He lumbered in Saginaw County from
1869 to 1873, and owns forty acres there in the
pine lands. He has one hundred and forty acres
here in Perry Township. The attractive large farmhouse was put up in 1882, and the new barn in


1876, the other one being remodeled in 1888. He
carries on mixed farming, and keeps a good stock
of cattle and horses.
The sturdy Republican principles and business
qualities of our subject have led his fellow-townsmen to place him in numerous places of trust and
responsibility. He was for three years Township
Clerk, and is now on his fifth term as Supervisor.
Hle was nominated Representative from this district
in 1890, and came within eleven votes of being
elected. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also of the Masonic order,
and is Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Perry. His earnest interest in the
prosperity of the farming community has led him
to be active in both the Grange and the Farmers'
Alliance. He helped to organize the local Grange,
and has been Master in it for most of the time
since its inception.
On another page appears a view of the pleasant
home of Mr. Wing.
J OION WILSON FRENCH. A       lineage (terived from patriotic ancestors may well be a
source of pride to any honest, self-respecting
citizen who loves his country and is himself
worthy of his parentage. Such is the subject of
this sketch, a man whose grandfathers on both sides
were heroes in the Revolutionary War and whose
father served in the War of 1812. Their descendant, of whom we write, was born in Albany, N. Y.,
July 7, 1828. His parents, Padon and Christina
(Vanswall) French, were both natives of Providence, R. I. His father was by occupation a stonemason and also a butcher, and the boy spent his
life at home with his parents, assisting them as he
could until he reached the age of twenty years.
Training in the practical arts of agriculture and
such education as he could derive from the common schools, made up his boyhood experiences.
Our subject began in life for himself by learning
the wheelwright's trade in Madison County, N. Y.
He did not really complete his apprenticeship, but
followed the trade as far as he had learned it for




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


701


about ten or twelve years, after which he en.
gaged in farming for a livelihood. By his marriage with Eunice Brown, of Madison County, N.
Y., he had no children. After her death he again
entered into the matrimonial state in 1870, choosing for his wife Miss Harriet Smith, of Chicago,
Ill. As they have no children of their own, they
have adopted one child.
When Mr. French came to Michigan, in 1869, he
located at Saginaw for about a year, after which lie
removed to Watrousville and later to Orion, in
Oakland County, following his business as a butcher.
He resided in Oakland County until about ten years
ago, when he removed to Laingsburg, in Shiawassee
County, and there made his home for some six or
seven years, after which he came to Clinton County.
He remained in Ovid for about one year and then
removed to this place, which is located on section
21. Here he has a fine tract of eighty acres and upon
it he has devoted himself entirely to agriculture,
raising a variety of crops and having a large field of
hops. He has more than ordinary success with this
crop and makes it very profitable. He raises all
kinds of stock but does not pay especial attention
to any particular grade or kind.
Mr. French is a public-spirited citizen in every
sense of the word and actively promotes all efforts
which he believes will redound to the prosperity of
the county and the benefit of her citizens. His
political affiliations are with the Republican party
and he actively maintains its principles and casts
his vote for its candidates. While living in New
York lie held some offices, but since he lived in
Michigan he has asked his neighbors not to mention him for any office, as he prefers the quiet
home life to the political arena.
A view of the home of Mr. French, with' its rural
surroundings, is presented elsewhere in this volume.
O  W. MUNGER      was born near Norwalk,
Huron County, Ohio, November 17, 1836,
where he lived up to the age of thirteen
years, developing a natural aptitude and liking for
trade. His parents secured for him a situation as


clerk in a hardware store in Cleveland, but the
hardware business was not to his liking. Leaving
his place, he secured for himself a situation in a
dry-goods store.
After serving an apprenticeship of five years at
this business, young Munger felt himself competent to manage a business for himself, but being
without means it was not easy to make a start. He
prevailed upon his elder brother (who had a limited
amount of capital) to go into business with him,
then camethe question of a location. Realizing
that they must avoid the older centers of trade,
where capital and competition are ever ready to sit
down on the presumptious new beginner, they
looked West for a situation.
After some time spent in search, they located in
the then woody little town of St. John's. This
was in April, 1857; from that date to the present
time the subject of this sketch has been identified
with the growth and improvements of the now
beautiful little city of St. John's. It was in August, 1857, that young Munger (then but just out
of his teens) started for New York to purchase his
first stock of goods, being an entire stranger to the
great city and every person in it. One of the veteran jobbers said to him, "You are the youngest
specimen that I have ever known to come so far
and alone to purchase goods."
After three years of hard work and rigid economy Mr. Munger was enabled to buy his brother's
interest in the store, his brother returning to their
native place in Ohio. All went well with this little
mercantile adventure until April, 1861, when fire
swept store and goods out of existence, leaving our
hero just where he started, except that he had established for himself a good credit. It was this
credit that enabled him to rebuild and start in
anew, since which time prosperity seems to have attended every effort and he has accumulated a comfortable fortune.
Mr. Munger has filled many places of responsibility and trust. During the Rebellion he held the
office of United States Assessor for the first division
of the Sixth District of Michigan, a position he resigned to go to the Legislature in 1864. He declined a renomination for this office. In 1878 he
was nominated for the State Senate, but was de



702


PORTrRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALX;BUM..


_70        PORTRAIT AN     IGAH. ICA   ALBUM.


feated in the election, there being three candidates
in the field. Since that date he has had little to do
with politics, devoting his time to his own private
business. In the year 1865 he helped to organize
the First National Bank of St. John's. This was
the first regularly organized bank in Clinton
County. He acted for a number of years as one of
its Directors. In 1885 he helped to organize the
State Bank of St. John's and was made its first
President. He has held many other positions of
trust and has always served faithfully in every capacity.
Mr. Munger was married in October, 1881, to
Miss Ella Walker, of Detroit. Three children have
been born to them: Olive W., Henry M. and
Thomas L. In 1883 Mr. Munger built for himself
a handsome residence, where he and his interesting
family now live, enjoying that quiet to which those
who are industrious and energetic in early life are
entitled.
C      HARLES C. DUFF. The prosperity of all
towns is due to those who handle the staples
there, and it is eminently fitting that a
biographical album should incorporate the histories
of business men. In Owosso one of the thriving
business establishments is a wholesale and retail
grocery store, conducted by the gentleman above
named. He carries a full line of staple and fancy
groceries and provisions, has a well selected stock
and employs efficient help in disposing thereof.
He is very generally known by the dwellers in tle
city and the surrounding country, and is very
popular with his customers. He began his enterprise on a small scale, having but limited means,
but by the exercise of good judgment and honest
dealing he has risen to a prominent position in business circles.
The father of our subject was Robert Murray
Duff, a native of Scotland, who was born in 1802.
He married Adeline McGregor, a native of Lewis
County, N. Y., and soon after that event established
his home in Monroe County, this State. There he
spent the remnant of his days, dying in 1847. His


widow survived him one year. They had seven
children, five sons and two daughters, and Charles
C. is the fourth on the family roll.
The natal day of Charles C. Duff was December
16, 1842, and his birthplace the town of Brest, Monroe County. IHe attended school there during his
early boyhood, then spent some time in Lewis
County, N. Y., an inmate of the home of William
G. Cookman. He was in the Empire State when
the Civil War began and although lie was still in
his teens lie entered the service as a private in Company B, Thirty-fifth New York Infantry, Col. N.
B. Lord commanding. The firing upon Ft. Sumter had hardly ceased to echo over the land when
Mr. Duff enlisted and he was enrolled in April 1861.
As one of the number comprising the Army of the
Potomac, it was his fortune to take part in the
battles of second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Anticram, South Mountain, Gainesville and Chancellorsville. In May, 1863, his term of service having
expired, he was discharged and almost immediately
re-ernlisted,but is now in Company A,Twentieth New
York Cavalry. He was sent to Norfolk, Va., and
(uring 1864-65, took part in a number of cavalry
raids of thrilling interest and was given considerable
duty in guarding posts and roads. For a time he
was detailed as a clerk at the headquarters of
Gen. Ord, and was there when he received his discharge, August 31, 1865.
When he was released from army service Mr.
Duff returned to New York and in October of the
same year came to this State, stopping in Owosso
on a visit. Soon afterward lie entered the employ
of M. L. Stewart and during the ensuing five years
handled groceries. He then embarked in business
on his own account, but in a modest way, and continued in trade for two years, after which he sold
out and spent about eight months as commercial
traveler. I-Ie then started in business again, his
stock consisting of groceries, and in this line he
has continued to the present time. He now occupies a well-built and equipped store which he put
up for his own use in 1890. The building is 22x85
feet, with three stories and a basement.
Mr. Duff has a pleasant residence, surrounded by
extensive lawns and grounds tastefully adorned,
and furnished in a manner which indicates the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


703


presence of refined womanhood in the home. It is
presided over by the lady who became his wife
September 11, 1866, and is further brightened by
the presence of two daughters, the elder of whom
is an accomplished musician. Mrs. Duff is a native
of this State and before her marriage had many
friends in Owosso. She was known in her maidenhood as Flora Graham  and is the eldest daughter
of Dr. J. N. Graham and wife. She is an intelligent, agreeable lady, an admirable hostess and a
stanch friend. The daughters bear the respective
names of Helen V. and Louisa A. Mr. Duff is a
clever, affable gentleman, full of energy in the
prosecution of his financial affairs, and social and
obliging at all times. Politically, he is a stanch
Republican.
E    DWIN P. WALDRON, Manager of the St.
Johrn's Mercantile Company, is numbered
among the foremost business men of the
city. The company (the business of which he has
in charge) was organized in 1888 and carries on
one wholesale and three retail departments, occupying altogether eight floors.  Every article sold
here is bought directly from the manufacturerssugars from the refineries, cotton and woolen goods
from the mills, boots and shoes from the factory.
Everything about the establishment is in perfect
order, and the utmost cleanliness is observed in
those departments which are likely to be less neat
than is desirable unless care is observed. Mr.
Waldron has shown himself to be possessed
of much of the capacity for managing men which
is necessary in carrying on an extensive enterprise,
as well as great business ability in other directions.
Mr. Waldron is of English parentage, his parents having been born in Devonshire, England.
His mother died last July. She was a most estirnable lady and respected and loved by everyone.
Some time after their marriage, the parents of our
subject emigrated to the United States and established their home in Harrison County, Ind., where
his father engaged in farming and milling. In 1864


he came to Clinton County, this State, and continued his agricultural work here for some years but
is now a resident of St. John's.  He was County
Superintendent of the Poor for ten years.  His
Church membership is with the Methodists.  He
has three living children, our subject being the
second of these. This gentleman was born near
Hancock, Harrison County, Ind., July 27, 1859,
and was five years old when he began his residence
in Clinton County. Young as he was when the
Civil War was in progress, he remembers that during the "Morgan raid" his father's mill was burned
by the daring band of rebels, and he recalls other
incidents connected with those times. He received
his education in a country school and finished at
the St. John's High School. -He lived upon the farm
until he was eighteen years old.
Young Waldron then became Assistant Postmaster in St. John's under George A. Wells, and
served successfully and satisfactorily over four
years. He then entered the Government employ
as Postal Clerk on the Detroit, Grand Haven
& Milwaukee Railroad between Detroit and Grand
Rapids, having been recommended by Gen. 0. L.
Spaulding, of St. John's, then member of Congress,
now Assistant Treasurer of the United States.
After acting in that capacity over two years he became a traveling salesman for H-. S. Robinson &
lirdinshaw, dealers in boots and shoes, of Detroit, being with them over four years, the last
three years being their head salesman.  He together with R. M. Steel & Sons and others started
the St. John's Mercantile Co., incorporated it under
the laws of the State wit[*$50,000  capital, of
which he was elected Manager.  It is the largest
retail establishment in Central Michigan and the
stock is so immense that it is not necessary for
people to go elsewhere to trade. The building is
heated by steam and lighted by electricity.  Mr.
Waldron is a hustler, broad guaged, and his time
is fully occupied in looking after his many business interests.
In 1886 Mr. Waldron and D. S. French started
the St. John's Creamery, which has been absorbed
by the Mercantile Company.   By  applying the
test system of gathering cream, he has done
more towards raising the quality of the stock in




704


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- --


this vicinity than any other man. He is Vice-President and Director of the State Dairyman's Association, taking an active part in furthering dairy
interests, knowing this is a large and growing in.
dustry of our country. Through his influence the
next meeting will be held at St. John's. He is also a
member of the County Agricultural Society.  He
is a Director in the St. John's Electric Light, Heat
& Power Company, and a stockholder in the St.
John's Gas Company, National Bank of St. John's
and the Clinton County Savings Bank.
The home of Mr. Waldron is presided over by
an educated, refined and efficient lady who was
known in her maidenhood as Miss Caddie Steel and
is a (laughter of Robert M. Steel. She is a native
of St. John's and was educated here and in every
way displays the qualities of noble womanhood.
She is an active member of the Episcopal Church
and has held office in the societies which the ladies
of that religious body use as a means for accomplishing good. Her marriage was solemnized at
her home in 1889.
Mr. Waldron is a Knight Templar and is also a
member of the Masonic Consistory at Detroit thirtysecond degree. He belongs to to the Mystic Shrine, a
high social order in Detroit, and is Past Eminent
Commander of the Knights of the Maccabees in
St. John's. Politically he is an earnest Republican
and his services have been called into requisition
as a delegate to county and State conventions, and
in 1891 he was a delegate to the meeting of the
National Republican League in Cincinnati.  Although not a member, he is a Vestryman  in the
Episcopal Church.
A   UGH W. MORRIS. St. John's is the seat
of a number of fine business establishments
in which a successful trade is carried on,
but none are more quickly noticed by one
who passes through the streets than that of Mr.
Morris. The store-room contains a fine stock of
plain and fancy furniture, cornices, picture-frames
and upholstery goods, in all of which he deals
quite extensively. There is also a material-room


and suitable apartments for the manufacture of
picture-frames and furniture, the machinery being
run by a steam-engine. Mr. Morris is a practical
mechanic and a fine workman, and has many calls
for special goods to be made to order. He began
at the bottom of the ladder and his present business has grown by slow stages, and he now stands
upon one of the higher rounds, and looks over a
fair prospect. His location is No. 61 Clinton Avenue, where he has filled up the buildings to suit
the convenience of the workdone in all the departments of his business, and also owns the property,
extending from one street to the other, across the
middle of the block.
The grandfather of our subject, Edward Morris,
was born in Morganshire, Wales; at twenty years
of age he left his native country, going to England, where he married Elizabeth Hughs, an English lady. After the birth of his third child they
came to America, and settled in Quebec in 1817.
His occupation was that of a civil and general engineer. His family consisted of seven children,
William, Mary and Edward, born in England,
Martha, John, Joseph and Emma, born in Canada.
His son Edward Morris, born May 20, 1817, was
three weeks old when his parents crossed the ocean.
He was married on the 3d of October, 1843, in
Caledon, county of Peel, to Eliza Weston, whose
father was Alexander Weston, of Lincolnshire,
England. Her mother was Ruth Newton, the
daughter of Thomas Newton, of Lincolnshire, a
brother of Sir' Isaac Newton, the philosopher.
Ruth Newton, and Alexander Weston were married
iu Fulstone, Lincolnshire, where they resided until
1833, when they came to America. They sailed
from Hull to Quebec on the ship "W. R. Triton."
The family of Alexander Weston consisted of six
children, Eliza, Mary, Alexander and Thomas, born
in England, and Alice and George, born in Vermont, near Lake Champlain. His occupation was
that of master brickmaker. He died December 21,
1888, and was buried Christmas Day in Fremont
cemetery, Sanilac County, Mich. His wife died
July 26, 1854, and was buried at Port Sarnia,
Canada. Edward Morris and his wife resided in
Canada where he carried on the business of carriage and wagon making until 1860, when they




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


705


I


moved   to  Lexington, Mich.   Their family
consisted of eleven children; Edward, born March
19, 1845; Eliza, August 1, 1846; Sarah, February
24, 1848;Weston (1st.), February 9, 1850; Lucena,
August 24, 1851; Hugh (the subject of this sketch,
and named by his parents "Hughs"), born February 10, 1854; Martha, April 7, 1856; Weston,
February 15, 1858, all of whom  were born in
the county of Peel, Canada; Jennie, born February 5, 1861; John, December 5, 1863; and
Joseph,  January  21, 1866,   in  Lexington,
Sanilac County, Mich. Of this number three
are dead. Weston (1st.) died in 1850, and is
buried in the county of Peel, Canada; Edward died
February 1, 1874, and is buried in Lexington;
and John died November 10, 1888, buried in Croswell. Edward Morris, the father, died February
13, 1866, and is buried in Croswell, Sanilac County,
Mich.
Hugh Morris, at the age of fifteen was apprenticed to the cabinet trade after which he took instructions in architectural drawing to complete
his preparation for his business. When he had
worked at his business in different cities he came to
St. John's in 1875. In 1882 he established his present business. September 1, 1880, he married Matie
L. Brainard, the eldest daughter of W. W. Brainard, one of the pioneers of St. John's, coming to
the town in 1856. He established the first lumberyards and manufacturing shops in that village;
and it is noticeable that the wheels of that shop
were the first that were turned by steam in that
section of the State. He was born May 16, 1824,
in Keene, N. 11. In 1850 he went to California
where he remained engaged in mining and lumbering until 1856, at Rabbit Creek, Sierra County.
His grandfather was Simeon Hagar, born November 11, 1766. His wife was Polly Chaflin, born
January 16, 1765. Their daughter, Mindwell
Hagar, was born May 21, 1792, and was married
to Leonard Brainard January 24, 1814. Leonard
Brainard was born in Connecticut, in June, 1788.
They settled in Geauga County, Ohio, where they
cleared a large farm. Their family consisted of
six children, Albert, Simeon, Chester, Mary, William and Martha. Leonard Brainard died September 24, 1847. His wife died March 3, 1879.


They are both buried on the old homestead, near
Chardon, Ohio. At Newburg, Ohio, June 19,
1856, William Wallace Brainard married Harriet
Sarah Rider, youngest daughter of Ezekiel Rider
and Sarah Hitchcock, who were married in Poultney, Vt., January 4, 1809. Ezekiel Rider was
born March 1, 1787, and died October 8, 1843. He
was buried in Jackson, Mich. Sarah Rider, his
wife, was born August 18, 1789, and died November 18, 1850. She was buried in Chardon, Ohio.
Harriet S. Rider was born in Kirtland, Geauga
County, Ohio, August 27, 1833. The family of
W. W. Brainard consisted of four children, Mary
L., born January 19, 1858; Willie E., November
18, 1860; Cora E., June 29, 1863; and Hattie R.,
May 26, 1867, all living except Willie E. who
died November 18, 1860. The family of our subject consists of two children, Robert Brainard
Morris, born June 8, 1882, and Opal Hughs
Morris, December 26, 1888.
LANSON MATTHEWS, a representative
and leading farmer of Essex Township,
Clinton County, and a gallant soldier in
the War is a native of Schuyler County,
N. Y., and was born March 17, 1840. He is a son
of Whitman S. and Harriet (Hoyt) Matthews, both
of whom are natives of New York. In 1857 with
his parents our subject emigrated  to Clinton
County, Mich., and the family settled in Essex
Township near the present home of our subject.
Here both parents died, leaving a large circle of
descendants to mourn their loss as they had been
the parents of eleven children. At this date only
one besides our subject survives, namely: Eliza,
wife of W. J. Richardson of Maple Rapids.
The subject of this sketch was reared in New
York and when he reached his seventeenth year
came to Michigan. He had received a common
school education in New York State and has since
supplemented it by a liberal course of reading. He
was one of the pioneer school teachers of his township in Michigan, and although he did not teach
long he looks back to that experience with pleasure.




706


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


His work as a teacher was interrupted by the demand for soldiers to defend our Nation's flag, to
which he made a noble response.
Mr. Matthews enlisted August 15, 1862, in Company G, Fifth Regiment, Michigan Cavalry, which
was at first sent to the defence of the city of Washington. Subsequently they joined Sheridan's forces
in the Shenandoah Valley and were afterward sent
into the valley of the James River. He fought in
the battles of Gettysburg, Winchester and Cedar
Creek and was a part of the force which compelled the surrender of Petersburg and Richmond.
Besides these more notable encounters, he was in
many battles of importance and numerous skirmishes and throughout carried himself in a gallant
and soldierly way. He was under Sheridan's command at Appomattox Court-house. Altogether he
met the enemy in about fifty engagements, sonie of
the most important being, Gettysburg, Boonesborough, James City, Brandy Station, Wilderness,
Cold Harbor, Trevilian Station, Winchester, Cedar
Creek, and Appomattox Court-house. He received
his honorable discharge July 3, 1865, after which
he returned to Michigan. For his brave services in
defence of his country he receives a pension of $8
per month.
The marriage of Alanson Matthews and Sarah
Root was celebrated July 30, 1865. This lady is a
native of Madison County, N. Y., and a daughter
of Justus and Mary Root. Mr. Root passed
away some years ago, but Mrs. Root is still living
and resides in Alabama. Five children were
granted to Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, namely: Emily,
Florian, Daisy, Nellie, and Leslie.
After the war our subject located permanently
on the farm where he now resides. He has cleared
up the land and brought it from the condition of a
wilderness to that of a highly cutivated farm.
During his pioneer days he underwent great selfdenials and the usual hardships of a pioneer's life.
He has always taken a great interest in school matters and is an active promoter of every movement
which tends to the upbuilding of society, especially
as regards the agricultural community. His political
views are in accord with the principles of the Republican party and that ticket always secures his
endorsement. He owns one hundred and forty


acres of land all of which he has gained through
his own efforts, seconded by those of his faithful
and helpful companion. They are people of culture and education and are well informed on the
leading topics of the day.
(&      ILJLIAM  H. BRUNSON, LL. B. One of
the most public-spirited young men of St.
John's, Clinton County, is the village
Attorney, who is also the ex-Secretary of the
County Board of School Examiners. This gentleman, who bears the name which appears at the head
of this sketch, was b<lrn March 8, 1858, in Victor
Township, Clinton County. His father, William,
was born in Ontario County, N. Y., and his grandfather, Flavius, in the State of Massachusetts.
The father was reared in East Bloomfield, N. Y.,
and in 1843 was married and came to Clinton
County with team and wagon. He made the trip
several times back and forth and finally bought
land in Victor Township, taking up one hundred
and sixty acres, which he improved and cultivated
until 1861. At that time he was elected Sheriff of
the county and located in St. John's. He was
Sheriff for six years and also United States Deputy
Marshal (luring the war, being engaged in recruiting. He then became Deputy Revenue Collector,
which position he occupied for four years. He
soon after began the practice of law, which he is
now pursuing. His wife was Mary A. Pierce, of
Ontario County, N. Y., the daughter of one of the
heroes of the War of 1812. They were both earnest and devout members of the Congregational
Church. Of their five children only two are now
living. Our subject is the youngest of this family.
He was reared in St. John's from the time he was
three years old, and after attending the public
schools took a course in the High School.
Upon reaching the age of sixteen years this
young man began to take care of himself. He
soon commenced teaching, which he carried on for
six years, first in the district schools and after that
in the public schools of this city, after which he
became Principal at De Witt for one year. In Au



I






//Z tI"




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


709.S..


-


gust, 1882 he was elected Secretary of the County
'oard of School Examiners, in which position he was
kept consecutively until 1888. He felt that he
had his own way to make in the world and he left
no stone unturned to achieve success. In 1884 he
entered the law department of the University of
Michigan, where he took his diploma in 1886 with
the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
The young attorney now began the practice of
law and entered into partnership with Judge
Daboll until that gentleman was appointed Judge
in 1889 when the partnership was dissolved. Some
time after he formed a partnership, which still
exists, with Mr. W. A. Norton. His marriage
took place in St. John's in 1888. He was then
united with Elizabeth F. Finch, a native of
Duplain Township, Clinton County. Her father,
William Finch, was an early settler and died while
in the service during the Civil War.
Mr. Brunson is President of the Alumni Association of the Law Class of '86. Among the college fraternities he is attached to the Phi Delta Phi.
He is an enthusiastic Republican and is often seen
as a delegate at county and State conventions and
has been Secretary of the County Central Committee for several years.
G    EORGE COSGROVE, M. D., one of the
truly self-made men of Shiawassee County,
is a man of solid attainments, character and
ability, and a genial and popular citizen.  He
comes from a family of physicians and has true
professional pride. He was born in Toledo, Ohio,
May 27, 1842. His father Thomas Taylor Cosgrove, M. D. was an early practitioner of that city
and afterward at Sylvania, Ohio, where he made
his home in 1833. The mother's name was Betsey
Mooney.
George early became an apothecary and assisted
in compounding his father's medicines. He was
educated in the Sylvania Academy but his further
educational advantages were postponed by the
death of his father, January 7, 1864. The young
man then went on the road as advance agent for


Stowe's circus, traveling through Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
Becoming tired of this traveling life young Cosgrove settled down at Byron, this county, June 22,
1866, and engaged for two years in the hotel and
livery business at that place. He then bought some
wild land in Burns Township, and for six years
carried on farming, after which he came to Bancroft. At the time he removed to the village he
sold one of his farms and has now disposed of the
other. In 1885 he took charge of the post-office
under Cleveland's administration and served for
four years.
Dr. Cosgrove fully intended to become a physician and had been reading and studying medicine
through all the time that he was carrying on these
various branches of business. He was merely biding his time to take a complete course. He took a
medical course at Cincinnati in the Eclectic Medical College, graduating in the class of 1890, and
after a few months of practice in that city, settled
at Bancroft and proceeded to build up a permanent practice. In February, 1891, he took a postgraduate course in the Post Graduate Medical College at Chicago.
Dr. Cosgrove is having success in his practice
and has special apparatus for treatment of the
lungs, throat and nose. His success has been highly gratifying and he has not yet lost a single case
by death. He is a member of the Eclectic Medical
society at Cincinnati. He has two brothers in the
medical practice, one in Toledo, Thomas Crosgrove,
M. D., and one in Franklin, Ohio, S. F. Cosgrove,
M. D. Both adhere to the old school as did his
father, also his nephew, Thomas Taylor, M. D., of
Sylvania, Ohio.
Our subject was married August 20, 1867, in
Livingston County, this State, to Catherine Faul, a
daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Warren) Faul.
She was born in Prussia, Germany, on Christmas
Day, 1846, and is the mother of the following
children: Henrietta, now Mrs. Darwin Walling, of
Chicago; Fred. F. who is at home with his father,
and Francis M. who lives in Chicago and is Assistant
Superintendent of a cemetery there. The Doctor
is Democratic in his political views. Dr. Crosgrove has been Worshipful Master in the Masonic




710


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.I


710P


Fraternity since 1882 with the exception of an
interim of two years. He organized the Bancroft
Lodge No. 382 in 1885. He is also a Knight of
Pythias and a Knight of the Maccabees.
In connection with his biographical notice a
portrait of Dr. Cosgrove is presented to our readers.
%EORGE W. LORING, formerly dealer in
books,wall paper and stationery,besides being
one of the leading business men of Owosso,
Shiawassee County, takes an active part in political
movements, not only those of local circles, but also
county and State politics. He was born in Oakland
County, this State, in Groveland Township, January 16, 1840, and is the second son of Hosea and
Pheson (Ford) Loring, the father being a native of
New York, and the mother of Ohio. This venerable, but active lady, who is the daughter of Benjamin Ford, is now in her seventy-fourth year.
She was bereaved of her husband in 1851, when he
was in the prime of life, having barely reached his
forty-third year.
The Loring family is of English descent, the first
American members making their home in Massachusetts. There were only two children in Hosea
Loring's family, our subject and his brother Charles,
and George W. is the only survivor. The boyhood and school days of our subject were passed in
Hillsdale County, in attendance at the district
school, and when fifteen years old he started out
for himself, learning the business of a marble cutter and tomb-stone maker. When nineteen years
old he engaged for awhile in the photograph business, which he followed until the breaking out of
the Civil War, when he left the pursuits of peace
for active service on the battlefield.
On June 3, 1861, saw our young man an enlisted
private in Company E, Seventh Ohio Infantry, Col.
Tyler commanding. This regiment was assigned
to the Eastern Army, and went to Virginia. Among
other battles in which lie took part was that of
Winchester, in which he was wounded. In the following October he was discharged upon a surgeon's
certificate of disability, and returning to Michigan,


he opened a photograph gallery in February, 1863.
Mr. Loring removed to Flint in 1864, and in 1865
made his home in Battle Creek, one year later he
removed to Owosso. IHe finally sold out his business and started the enterprise in which he has been
engaged, that of books, stationery and wall paper.
He had a fine location, his store room  measuring 22x80 feet, and his business occupying two
floors. In May, 1891, he sold out his business to his
son, Clayton W., and for the past year he has been
partner of E. P. Byerly in the pension business.
The marriage of George W. Loring and Martha
M. Keyte, of Owosso, Mich., took place April 26,
1865. This lady was born in New York State, and
emigrating with her parents to Owosso when a
child. She is a daughter of William H. Keyte.
Two sons have come to enliven this home, Clayton
W. and Charles O. Mr. Loring has held the office
of Alderman for five years, and was elected City
Clerk, which position he held one term. He was
also City Auditor for two years, and now holds the
position in Shiawassee County on the Soldiers' Relief
Committee, and is Secretary of that Board. He is a
member of Quackenbush Post, G. A. R., is a Republican in politics, and is often made a delegate to State
and Judicial Conventions. He is a Knight Templar and belongs to all Masonic bodies, being a member of Cominandery No. 21. His pleasant home
at No. 216 Exchange Street, East, is the center of
a delightful social life where Mr. and Mrs. Loring
entertain their friends with true hospitality.
I L L I A M BYRON LAUNSTEIN. The
fact that a German is always expected to
make more or less of a financial success of
life, proves the theory that there is such a thing as
strong national proclivities in commercial life as
well as in personal characteristics. The conditions
of life in Germany are so stringent, and the discipline so thorough as to develop characteristics
wanting in other people. Prudent, careful and yet
with a vein of idealism brightening their matter of
fact lives, these people have extracted from every




PO R"TR'AT AND 13MG~kA-P~ICA, A~LBUM~


7ii


I   RAI AA
---...
-              _.  T  =.. —      -


branch of industrial pursuits in America the utmost
productiveness. Not different in this respect from
his people is Mr. Launstein, who resides on section
21, Owosso Township, Shiawassee County.
Our subject was born in Hanover, Germany, June
21, 1831. His father was Henry Launstein, and
his mother was Caroline (Sanders) Launstein. In
1846 the family crossed the ocean and made a new
home in the United States, settling in Oneida
County, N. Y. In 1856 the gentleman of whom
we write, was married to Lucretia Jackson. Mr.
Launstein worked for a long time by the month
as foreman on the Erie Canal until 1860. At that
time he came to Michigan, which he has since made
his home.
Mr. Launstein did not at once erect a home, but
rented for six years, although he secured the land
on which he afterward built the fine residence in
which he now resides. He purchased one hundred
and twenty acres, of which ninety acres are now
under cultivation. He makes a specialty of buying and shipping live stock to Detroit, frequently
buying in Chicago for the local markets, Saginaw,
Bay City, etc. He deals specially in cattle, hogs
and sheep. He has a registered Hereford animal
for the improvement of his stock.
Mr. Launstein has an interesting family, whose
names are as follows: Henry M.; Carrie, who is
now Mrs. Will Cossitt, of Milwaukee; William S.,
who is in business at New Orleans, La., where he
handles machinery; Bertram Claudius, who resides
with his wife on the farm. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. The eldest son,
Henry M., resides on section 28, Owosso Township, and was born in Oneida, N. Y., March 22,
1858. When three or four years old he was brought
by his parents to Michigan. He remained-at home
enjoying such school advantages as the place afforded and assisting his father on the farm until he
was twenty-two years of age. He was united in
marriage to Miss Naomi A. Shelton, January 4,
1881. For two months he resided in Owosso, then
rented a place of his father until two years ago,
when he purchased eighty acres upon which he
resides. The wife of Henry M. is of English parentage. Her father, William Shelton, and her
mother, Sarah (Mason) Shelton, now of Middlebury




came to this country many years, and settled in
Phelps, Ontario County, N. Y., where their daughter was born July 27, 1856. One little girl has
come to brighten the family by her presence, and
is the joy and care of her fond parents. Mr. Launstein is of the Baptist persuasion, and is a strong
Republican in politics.
The well-improved farm upon which Mr. Launstein lives, has every improvement in agricultural
implements that can be obtained. Water has been
brought to the aid of the farmer by being made a
force that accomplishes much of the labor in former
years performed by hand.
-__    _4,.t


ILLIAM       SUTHERLAN, an honest, industrious farmer who has made Clinton
County his home since 1853, owns a
highly-improved farm on section 15, Eagle Township. The fruitful estate consists of one hundred
and twenty acres which has been brought under
thorough tillage and supplied with an A No. 1 set of
farm buildings, including every necessary and convenient arrangement for facilitating the work done.
This tract of land has been the home of Mr.
Sutherlan since his marriage and is the birthplace
of his wife.
The birthplace of Mr. Sutherlan was Crawford
County, Pa., and his natal day January 15, 1837.
His parents, Daniel and Margaret (Young) Sutherlan, were born in Niagara County, N. Y., and after
living in the Keystone State a number of years
came to Michigan. Our subject followed them
when seventeen years old and hired out to work by
the month until 1858-a period of nearly five
years. He then married and rented the farm which
he now owns and lived here happily until the outbreak of the rebellion, when his peaceful life was
exchanged for war's alarms. Before the year 1861
had expired he had responded to a call of "Father
Abraham" and December 5 was enrolled in Company H, Sixteenth United States Regulars, under
the command of Col. Carrington. The regiment
was attached to the Army of the Tennessee and the
first engagement was at Stone River. This was fol



712


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




lowed by participation in that terrible fight at
Perryville and in September, 1862, the boys were
on the field of Chickamauga.
There Mr. Sutherlan was so unfortunate as to be
taken prisoner and during the ensuing five months
he saw the inside of nine different prison pens. He
was first sent to Libby, then changed from point to
point and finally reached Danville. The smallpox
broke out in the prison there and he was stricken,
but recovered and was sent to the convalescent
camp, where he was detailed as a nurse and released
from close confinement on a parole of honor. This
was January 19, 1863, and on February 19, he, in
company with Lieut. W. H. Newlin of the Seventythird Illinois Infantry, and six others, escaped.
After thirty-two days and nights, during which
mile after mile was traversed, the most severe privations endured and various accidents met with,
they reached the Union lines. A very graphic account of their escape is published in a small volume
written by Lieut. Newlin, and if space permitted
we would be pleased to give further details here.
After reaching the Union lines Mr. Sutherlan
was sent North on a thirty-day's furlough and
visited his wife and children in this State. He then
went back to the front and before his final discharge took part in ten more heavy engagements,
besides participating in the usual marches and
minor skirmishes. At Chickamauga he had nineteen bullet holes in his clothes but he never received so much as a flesh wound. Iis term of
service expired in the spring of 1864 and he was
mustered out and sent to Louisville, Ky., to receive his discharge. EIe returned to his family,
whom he had seen but once in three years, and
resumed farm life but with health badly shattered
by the experiences he had passed through. As a
recognition of his services, he is in receipt of a
pension of $10 per month.
The wife of Mr. Sutherlan was formerly Miss
Harriet DeWitt and is one of the family of Jacob
DeWitt, a pioneer, of Clinton County. She has
one of those strong characters which are so often
developed amid the primitive surroundings of
early settlements, and has been an efficient helpmate, devoted mother and excellent neighbor. Her
children are Ernest, Carrie and Milo, all married.


Ernest won for his wife Miss Mary Cory and Carrie
married Alfred Davids. These two couples reside
in Belden. Milo married Alma McCrumb and
lives on the home farm with his parents. Mr.
Sutherlan is connected with the Grand Army of
the Republic and in politics chooses to associate
with the Republican party. He and his wife have
many friends and are spoken well of by their acquaintances.
OHN THOMAS, who occupies a finely cultivated farm on section 12, Lebanon Township, Clinton County, is a son of William
Thomas, whose father George, was a native
of Pennsylvania, where he reared a family of four
sons and two daughters. Both lie and his wife
ended their days in that State. William Thomas,
was born in Pennsylvania in 1805, and in 1850
came to Greenbush Township, Clinton County,
where he spent the remainder of his days. He was
married before coming West, to Sarah Denman, and
to them the following children were born, Keziah,
Philip, Elizabeth, David, John, Esther, Prudence,
George and Zenas. Their father had a farm of
about fifty acres in Greenbush Township, which he
owned until his death which occurred about the
year 1870. He had been bereaved of his wife two
years previous to his own decease.
John Thomas was born August 19, 1830, in
Pennsylvania, and was a little lad of seven years
when his parents brought him to the West. He
remained at home and took his training on the
farm and in the district school until he reached
his majority. An event of great moment in his
life took place October 3, 1855, when he was united
in marriage in Oakland Township, Oakland County,
with Miss Mary A. Cook. To this couple have
been born the following children, Ida E., and Clara
B. The oldest daughter is now Mrs. Bacon and
resides in Lebanon Township. Clara B., Mrs.
Winans resides in the same township.
Previous to his marriage the young man, when
about twenty years of age, purchased forty acres
of land in Greenbush Township. He sold this and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


713


bought eighty acres in Gratiot County, in Pine
River Township, and there he made his first home
on his own land. Afterward he disposed of. this
and again bought forty acres in Greenbush Township, which he sold and bought in Essex Township,
afterward trading this for eighty acres where he
now lives. He has added to this by repeated purchases until his farm now comprises two hundred
acres. At one time he lived for a year in Baldwin,
Lake County, and engaged in the sale of milk, but
returned to the farm at the expiration of that
time.
When a boy young Thomas was familiar with the
sight of wild animals about his home and saw many
a deer, wolf and bear from which he must guard
his stock. lIe was a good shot in those days and
tells with zest of killing several bears. He is interested in the cultivation of fine stock and breeds
road horses and Hrambletonians. He has himself
cleared about fifty acres of land. He is a member
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen belonging to Lodge No. 1, at Maple Rapids. Although
he has never aspired to public office he is earnestly
interested in political questions, and espouses tlie
cause of the Republican party.
f  ON. WILLIAM F. JENISON. Few families in Clinton County have been more
prominently associated  with its history
than the Jenisons, of whom our subject is
the head. This gentleman with his estimable wife
lives on a farm to which he came in 1837 and
which he reclaimed from  its forest wildness and
made into a fair and fruitful estate. The tract
consists of a goodly number of acres in Eagle
Township and for a number of years the house
built there by Mr. Jenison soon after his arrival
was used as a hotel. It was on the line of the Detroit & Grand River turnpike and was the point
for changing horses as well as a mill station. With
a field glass Mr. Jenison could look east down the
road three miles, and catch the signal of the driver
so as to know how many passengers would want
dinner, and when the stage drew up before the door


meals would be ready. When the bill chartering
this turnpike was before the Legislature, Mr. Jenison spent about three weeks at the Capital urging
its passage and assisted in securing a grant of ten
thousand acres of swamp lands. This early work
is a good example of the interest shown by our
subject in that which would add to the value of
this section as a place of residence and attract toward it homeseekers and thus develop its varied resources. The Hon. A. F. Bell, of Ionia, who was
Commissioner, let the contracts and it has proved
a last benefit to the citizens of Grand River
Valley.
To Fletcher and Alma (Root) Jenison, natives
of New York, a son was born December 19, 1812.
His birth took place in Byron Township, Genesee
County. The child was christened William F. and
grew to a sturdy and vigorous manhood. He attended the district school, then entered Brockport
College, where he completed the classical course
and was graduated at the age of eighteen years.
His father was in moderate circumstances and while
pursuing his college course the youth did his own
cooking, thus reducing his expenses. Later he
utilized his good education in the profession of
teaching, and taught altogether in his native State,
seven winters. After coming to Michigan he
taught school three winters, having one hundred
pupils during the last term.
An episode of Mr. Jenison's early life was his
enlistment as a soldier in the Patriot War. His
regiment had proceeded but a part of the way toward Canada when the measures of the United
States Government put an end to the trouble. On
the return march, Col. Pettibone sought out
Jenison. "William," said the Colonel, "what shall
we do when we get back? Of course the people
will laugh at us, and we'll never hear the end of
this."  Our hero was fertile in expedients. He
made up his mind to have "the folks at home"
laugh with the "soldier boys" instead of at them.
A mock parade was proposed to the officer in command and the idea was accepted. When the volunteers reached their own neighborhood, they announced a public drill. All the wind.broken spavined horses that could be found for miles were
taken into service, and on the appointed day the




714


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALIBUM.


714PI    AD BA A


pageant was witnessed by thousands. The costumes were as various, fantastic and unique as ingenuity could make them. Patriot Jenison rode a
huge bull that he broke and trained especially for
the occasion. The carrying out of the plans was a
perfect success; everybody laughed and no one
ever thought of such a thing as guying "soldiers"
for their heroic exploit of marching toward Canada
and then marching back again.
In the fall of 1837 Mr. Jenison came to Michigan and bought two hundred and forty acres of
land where he has continued to make his home.
A few years afterward he was married to Jeanette
Berry, who was also a native of New York, but
whose parents were born in England. The natal
day of the young bride was April 15, 1820. She
is a true-hearted, noble woman, who has not only
given her family devoted care, but has done many
neighborly deeds of kindness and is respected and
beloved by all about her. The children born of
the happy union are Henry H., Addie, Alice A.,
Alma J., Helen and Nelson F.
Mr. and Mrs. Jenison have an interesting family
to each member of which they gave a good educa
tion and lived to see them all in prosperous circumstances and occupying useful positions. Henry
was born September 25, 1842, and is one of the
most prominent young men of the county both
socially and politically. Like his father he is entitled to the "Honorable" before his name, having
served the Sixteenth District in the State Senate
in 1882, and having been elected over one of the
most prominent members of the Republican party
by a majority of about twelve hundred. He has
also been a Surveyor of Clinton County six years.
He is a graduate of the Michigan Agricultural College and is most favorably spoken of as an enterprising, progressive farmer. He owns two hundred and forty acres of fine land which he devotes
to dairy purposes, having it improved with convenient buildings, etc. He is a Mason and quite prominent in the order. He was married April 29,
1877, to Miss Addie Dravenstatt.
Addie, second child of our subject, was born
August 16, 1846, and married to Benjamin F. Simons, November 7, 1867, and their home is in
Lansing; Alice was born August 25, 1848, and be.


came the wife of A. O. Bement and is now deceased;
Alma, who was born March 25, 1850, also lives in
Lansing, being the wife of Joseph W. Bailey, Esq.;
Helen, whose natal day was May 27, 1852, married
Clarence Niles and they make their home with
their parents; Nelson F. was born December 16,
1853, married Alice Cowles and is a resident of
Lansing.
In the organization of Clinton County, William
F. Jenison took a very active part and he was the
first Sheriff elected therein. He served in that capacity two terms and for a number of years was
Supervisor of Eagle Township and was a member
of the Board when the county seat was changed
from DeWitt to St. John's. In 1863 he was elected
to the Legislature and one of his first acts was to
introduce a bill to legalize the $50,000 of bonds
issued by the State to aid in the prosecution of the
War of the Rebellion. About this time the farmers
of the State were suffering great loss by there being shipped into the State sheep afflicted with hoof
rot. These animals had been sold to the farmers
in many localities in quite large numbers, and being introduced into their flocks had been the cause
of many deaths among the wool-bearing animals.
Mr. Jenison introduced a bill imposing a heavy
fine upon anyone who introduced, offered for sale
or drive on any highway of the State, diseased
sheep, and this act is still in force among the statutes of the State. For this act alone Mr. Jenison
merits grateful remembrance from agriculturists
and all who are interested in the financial prosperity of the State.
Mr. Jenison had charge of the Eagle postoffice
for twenty-seven years, when the office was moved
to the new town of Eagle at Eagle Station. When
he resigned the Postmaster-General paid him a
balance due of $14. Mr. Jenison is a prominent
Mason, has taken the Royal Arch degree and is a
charter member of Grand Lodge, Chapter No. 85;
he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason at Lansing early in the '40s and has passed
the Chairs in both Chapters. Hle also took an active interest in the Grange movement in this State
during its early years, and was a member of the
State Grange, and as an officer organized a number
of subordinate granges in different parts of the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


715


State. In politics the Hon. Mr. Jenison is a Jeffersonian Democrat. At his advanced age-four
score —tie is in full possession of all his mental faculties, and the respect which he has received from
his acquaintances is in nowise lessened, as he retains
his interest in their welfare and his ability to see
the bearing of movements which are going on in
other parts of the world.
A     HARLES I. KLINE, who is one of the
prosperous farmers of Duplain Township,
Clinton County, resides on section 36, and
has his post-office address at Ovid. He carries on
general farming and stock-raising. He was born
in Union County, Pa., May 2, 1851, and his parents, Peter M. and Leah (Moyer) Kline, were both
Pennsylvanians and born in Union County.
Our subject was a little one of only three years
when he left his native place and removed with
his parents to Sandusky County, Ohio. There
Peter Kline owned land and there they resided
for about twelve years, while this boy was growing up and receiving his common-school education.
The duties of the farm required his help and he
was able to go to school in the winters only, attending to farming duties in the summers.
When this youth was about fifteen years old his
parents removed to Kalamazoo, Mich., and there
purchased land, where the father remained fifteen
years, but going further west, bought property in
Kansas and made his home there in Dickinson
County.
Charles H. Kline and Miss Malissa Ousterhout
were united in the bonds of marriage December
20, 1876, and then began a life of great domestic
happiness and prosperity. The lady is a daughter
of Henry and Melora (Hoor) Ousterhout, both
New Yorkers, the father being born in Cayuga
County, and the mother not far from Newark.
Mrs. Kline's birth took place in Prairie Round
Township, Kalamazoo County, Mich., December
18, 1854, and she was one of a family of eleven
children, who were named as follows: Annie, born
February 20, 1845, died in September, 1865;




Agnes, born May 25, 1847, died February 2, 1870;
Clarissa, born June 10, 1852, married Holton Carter and lives with her husband and three children
in Fairfield Township, this county; Malissa, Mrs.
Kline; Elihu, born February 27, 1858, lives in
Ovid Township; Elsie, born August 26, 1861, is
now Mrs. Nelson House; Lida, born November
25, 1864, became Mrs. Randolph Lyvere and died,
leaving one child, Floyd. Lincoln, born November 9, 1866, died March 16, 1891; Wallace born
December 31, 1870; two died in infancy.
Our subject is the eldest in a family of four
children, his brothers and sisters being Allen,
who lives in Kansas with his father: Ellen, who
married William Wahl and is now a widow living in Kansas; and Andrew, whose home is also
in that Western State. Mr. Kline's father came
to Michigan with the grandfather, Cornelius, in
1824. They located in Ann Arbor in the September following the first settlement made in February.  It was in 1836 that they removed to
Kalamazoo County and came to this county in
1864.
Mrs. Kline is a lady who in her youth received
excellent opportunities for education which she
thoroughly improved, thus becoming both intelligent and accomplished. She attended the graded
schools of Ovid and Schoolcraft, and as she miatured early began teaching when she was only
sixteen years old and followed this profession
most of the time until her marriage. One beautiful child, Allen, born January 24, 1881, is the
sunshine of his home.
Mrs. Kline is justly proud of the ancestors from
which she is descended, as three of her greatuncles were soldiers in the War of 1812, two of
them  being on the grandmother's side and one
being the brother of her grandfather. Her greatgrandmother was a heroine indeed, and during
the battle of Kingston took part in the fight 1and
made nine Indian warriors bite the dust. The
ancestry on her father's side is of Holland extraction.
Mr. Kline has never been an office-seeker as he
prefers to devote his thought and effort entirely
in the line of his own business, which he feels
cannot be safely neglected. IIis political convic

A




p


716


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-----—.- --- —--------------—  ---- — i --- —---------- .. --- — -----I —I -----


tions have allied him with the Republican party,
and he is an intelligent voter on all questions
which come up for adjudication. He owns one
hundred acres of fine land, a part of which formerly belonged to Mr. Ousterhout, his father-inlaw, who now makes his home with this family,
as he was bereaved of his wife July 29, 1879.
He is a man of keen mental ability and an excellent memory, although he has passed the limits
of three-score years and ten.
-t — I --- —
ILTIAM W. BURGESS, one of the reliable and respected citizens of Bennington
/  Township, Shiawassee County, has a fine
farm on section 18, where in 1852 he bought fifty
acres of land and immediately went to work with
his ax to clear it. Ten years later he made his
home upon this spot where he built a home in 1862
and added to his property until he acquired one
hundred and forty four acres. His brother Hiram
also bought property here and settled here forty
years ago. Our subject found the path to fortune
a very rough one, getting his start by hard labor
and working out by the day here and at Saginaw
in different lines of work.
Our subject was born in Farmington Township,
Oakland County, Mich., October 31, 1832. His
parents Oren and Polly (Adams) Burgess were natives, the former of Vermont and the latter of New
York. They came West when Michigan was but a
Territory, and settled in Novi Township, Oakland
County, in 1830. In that place they spent the remainder of their days and died when William was
but a child. As he lost one parent when he was seven
years old he became a double orphan at the age
of eleven. After that he was thrown entirely upon
his own resources and from necessity became selfsupporting, working out by the month at Oakland
at twenty-five cents a day.
When William Burgess grew to manhood he won
the heart and hand of Miss Mary M. Lilley, a
daughter of Richard Lilley who came from Pennsylvania to Michigan when his daughter was only
five years old. The marriage took place in Sciota


Township, Shiawassee County, June 8, 1862. Mr.
Burgess has one hundred acres of land finely improved and he has placed in it two hundred rods
of drainage tile and has thereby reclaimed a large
number of acres. On October 17, 1888, Mrs. Burgess died at the age of forty-eight years, deeply
mourned by a large circle of friends.
The children born to our subject and his wife
were John H.; Clarissa, Mrs. Winfield Kimmis, who
lives one mile south of our subject and one mile
east on a farm given them by the father. John,
who fecently married Lucinda Bristow, a daughter
of John Bristow, and lives at home assisting his
father on the farm. Mr. Burgess is a Republican
in his political views and a member of the Methoist Episcopal Church. His brother Manford Burgess has lived in Bennington Township for some
twelve years and his brother John has made his
home in Sciota Township for twenty-two years.
Certainly Mr. Burgess has just reason to be
proud of his fine estate, which represents his unaided efforts during a lifetime of patient industry.
Elsewhere in this volume appears a view of the
comfortable home and rural environments which
mark his place as one of the best in the community.
"'AMES W. PERRY. Prominent among the
old settlers of Shiawassee County is this
gentleman who makes his home in Vernon
Township on section 4. He was born in
Cortland County, N. Y., July 5, 1822, and is now
nearing the completion of his three-score years and
ten. His father, William Perry, was born in Concord, Mass., and came to the Empire State when a
boy of about thirteen years. He married Rachael
Hamilton, a native of New York, and they took up
their home there never coming West. The father
died when he was about fifty-nine years old. He
was a Whig in his younger days and afterward
became a Democrat.
Twelve sons and one daughter constituted the
family of this worthy couple, ten of whom are
now living. James is the fifth son, and was born
in Madison County, N, Y., where he gained his




R;S:& WC" OF WtL!A-.IL '. BUR  EBEA IW4L' GTOIA 7 Pl z T,SH1,A!VA3HE.;O.1MICH.


'. -                                                                                                                                                             --  - - r,., - -:1



sUB-i
-----— r,:,_:_: - - —:;~~:::-;c:-`
ir-.1;i
pIar


RESIDENCE AND FARM pRoPERTY Of J.W'. PERRY, sKcA.,VERNON T.,SHIAWAS$LE CO.,MICH.




I*




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


719


I


early education. When twenty-one years old he
started out for himself, working by the month on
the farm, and by careful economy was enabled to
establish a home of his own a few years later.
The marriage of James W. Perry and Polly Ann
Oviatt took place November 25, 1846. Mrs. Perry
was born in Allegany County, N. Y., November
26, 1827, and is the second daughter of William
and Betsey (Lesure) Oviatt. When only five years
old she was orphaned by the death of her mother,
and was reared in Madison County, N. Y., by relatives, Isaiah and Rachel Lesure.
Mr. Perry made his first home in Madison County,
N. Y., on a farm and there he remained until 1854,
when upon September 4 he started for the far West,
as Michigan was then called, and made a new home
for his family on the spot where he now lives. He
bought fifty acres, nearly half of which was then
under cultivation. He had arranged to have a
house built on the place before coming here. It
was a small edifice but quite aristocratic in its design as it was built of boards, and cost $30. His
next home cost $2,500. This he built in 1868
employing Benjamin Warner as his carpenter and
joiner. The home in which he now resides was
built on the very spot occupied by the $30 house
in 1854 and he built it in 1889 at a cost of $1,500,
employing the same carpenter who built for him
twenty-one years before.
This venerable gentleman has a fine farm of one
hundred and sixty acres, forty of which ale in
Venice Township. He and his noble helpmate are
the parents of four children: Alphonso W., was
born May 16, 1849, in Madison County, N. Y.,
married Ada Light and resides in the second house
which his father built upon the homestead. Alice
S. was born July 17, 1851, in Madison County, N.
Y., is the wife of Hamilton H. Jones, and resides
in Farmington Township, Oakland County, this
State. Leslie D. was born in Shiawassee County,
this State, November 21, 1858 and died June 11.
1862. Erma R., born February 26, 1868, resides
at home. Mr. Perry is now retired from  active
life and has thrown off business cares. He is a
Democrat in his political views and intelligent in
regard to matters of public interest. He and his
devoted companion are beloved not only by their


children but by all who have known them since
their coming to this county so many years ago.
A view of the Perry homestead is presented on
another page of this volume., ----- -^^g^    I-     --— ~ —
AMES H. CONN, one of the most prominent
citizens of St. John's, is President of the
Cooper Boiler and Engine Works of this
e     city and ex-County Treasurer. Besides carrying on a fine farm, he is an extensive dealer in
agricultural implements. He was born in Essex
County, N. Y., at Port Henry on Lake Champlain,
from which point old Crown Point could be seen.
His natal day was October 25, 1838. His father was
Lynds S. Conn and was born October 22, 1800, in
Cheshire, N. H. His grandfather, George, was a na
tive of Massachusetts, whence he came when a young
man to New Hampshire with his parents and engaged in farming. The grandfather died in Niagara
County, N. Y., and the father, after engaging for
some years in farming in Essex County, went as
Captain of a sloop on the lake, which he owned.
He sailed until about 1852, when he returned to his
farm in New York.
About the year 1857 Lynds Conn decided to
come West, and migrating to Bingham Township,
Clinton County, entered for himself and others
some five hundred acres. The two hundred and
eighty acres which lay two miles south of St.
John's he proceeded to improve. He had been
here before in 1854 and he had then taken up a
claim, but did not bring his family until 1857.
He bought a shop of Mr. Hullsinger, who resides in
a log house with a shop adjoining. Here he lived
until his death in 1885, when he had reached the
advanced age of eighty-five years. For quite a
long period he held the office of Highway Commissioner and was County Superintendent of the Poor
for eighteen years. He was an ardent and earnest
Republican and a member of the Universalist
Church.
The mother of our subject, Anis Sprague, was
born at Ft. Ann, in Washington County, N. Y.
Her father, Beriah Sprague, was a Vermonter, but.






720


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


1 —`


=


came to Ft. Ann and took a farm there early in his
life. He took part in a number of battles during
the War of 1812 and died at Port Henry. He was a
Baptist in his religious belief. His daughter, who
was the mother of our subject, died in 1871. She
was the mother of five children, two sons and three
daughters. Four of these are now living.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest of
the family and was born on tile farm near Lake
Champlain and was on the lake a good deal. He
remained at home until he was eighteen years old
and in the spring of 1857 he drove from Port Henry
to Ogdensburg. There he took passage by the
propeller "Bay State" for Michigan, coming to
Clinton County and locating in Bingham Township.
Here he aided his father in improving the land
which he had taken. In 1859 he went to Green
Bay and engaged in lumbering for one winter.
The next summer he returned home and remained
there for ten years.
Mr. Conn now located land for himself and while
improving his own one hundred and twenty acres
worked his father's farm. In 1869 he took a position as foreman for John D. Gardner & Co., the
owners of the sawmill at Green Bay, and remained
in the pine woods for five years. He then removed
with his family to Molino, Flo., twenty-three
miles north of Pensacola, where he took charge as
foreman of extensive mills belonging to the Pensacola Lumber Company. He remained with them
for six years, but his health was not good and he returned to Michigan in April, 1879.
Upon his return to Michigan our subject purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in
Bingham Township and here he has made his residence. He has cleared about fifty acres of this
land, which is all tillable, with the exception of
twelve acres. He has two fine sets of buildings
upon the farm, with two windmills and tanks. The
orchard is in fine condition and he has his farm
well stocked with good grades of hogs, draft horses,
etc. He is a prominent member of the Clinton
County Agricultural Society. His farm adjoins the
village line and his comfortable and attractive residence is situated only thirty-six rods from the corporation.
In 1882 this gentleman engaged in the agricul



tural implement business. He carried it on alone
until his election to the office of County Treasurer
upon the Republican ticket in 1886. At that time
lie took a partner in his business, which is now conducted under the firm name of Conn & Brown.
He was re-elected to this position in the fall of
1888, holding the seat through 1890. Previous to
this he served two years as Township Treasurer, in
which he gave such thorough satisfaction as to
cause his friends to place him in the same responsible position in the county.
Mr. Conn was one of the originators of the Cooper
Boiler & Engine Company, which was started in the
St. John's Wagon Spoke Works, which he had been
previously interested in. He helped to re-organize
this business on a new basis and acted as its manager. He is one of the largest stockholders in the
new business. The marriage of our subject took
place in Port Henry, N. Y., in 1861. HIs bride was
Harriet Ferguson, a native of Port Henry and daughter of Henry Ferguson, a prominent farmer in that
region. One child only has blessed this happy and
congenial union, Agnes A., who is now married to
T. 0. Olcott and resides in Bingham Township.
Mr. Conn is identified with the Ancient Order of
United Workmen. He was for eight years a Notary Public. His well-known character as an honorable man and his hearty friendliness and affability
give him great influence in the community and
make every man his friend.
ED H. BRIGGS. This young farmer is carrying on extensive work in Eagle Township,
having under his care and control three
hundred acres of land. He owns a tract
of one hundred acres and operates another tract
of two hundred belonging to his father. Altogether he has a busy life and no agriculturist in
Clinton County is showing more enterprise and
zeal in business affairs, while in social and domestic
circles he is genial, open-hearted and considerate.
He is proving the worth of good training and the
value of heredity and honoring the name he bears,
one already known in this section because of the
work accomplished by his parents in pioneer days.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


721


I  — ~

The career of Mr. Briggs furnishes but slight
material for the biographical writer, as his years
have been spent in one locality and in the customary routine of youth and early manhood. He was
born in the township that is still his home, January
22, 1858, and reared on his father's farm. He attended the district school and the High School in
Portland and thus acquired a practical education
and laid a good foundation for higher knowledge.
Having decided upon a rural life he has given his
attention to farming from his youth up aid has
prospered well.
Mr. Briggs secured for his companion and helpmate a young lady of mental ability and pleasing
manners in whose hands the domestic machinery
runs smoothly and the dwelling is made a true
home. She was formerly known as Miss Ella May
Hazen and her marriage was solemnized July 4,
1880. Edna, the first-born of Mr. and Mrs. Briggs
died in infancy; Bessie, who brightens their home,
was given to them March 3, 1886.
Enoch Briggs, grandfather of our subject, was a
native of Massachusetts and followed the sea
twenty-four years, during twenty of which he was
owner of a vessel. In that period he lost two boats.
After giving up seafaring he built a cotton factory
and carried it on a number of years. In the spring
of 1821 he removed to New York and bought a
tract of one hundred acres upon which he spent
his last years, dying there December 24, 1834. His
good wife, formerly Abigail Cooper, survived him
some years and died in Clinton County, Mich., in
her seventy-fourth year. Mr. Briggs left four children, the third of whom was Hiram C., father of
our subject. This gentleman was born in Mansfield,
Bristol County, Mass., May 18, 1819, and when the
farm was sold a few months after the father's
death he was fifteen years old.
Soon after the young man set out to seek employment and hired to Edward Swan for eight months
at $10 per month. When the period had elapsed
his employer proposed to have him remain during
the winter and attend school and continue his
work the next season. This was done and the
second year found him receiving $11 per month
for his services. Early in September, 1837, he left
Bristol for Buffalo with a yoke of oxen and load of


goods belonging to David Simmons and when near
the city he was joined by Mr. Simmons and his
own brother Cyrus and their families, all en route
for Micligan. A boat was about starting to Detroit and they embarked with their goods and
chattels and arrived at their port early on the second day.    ilring two teams they drove to Novi
Corners, Oakland County, where they stayed a few
days. Thence they came to Clinton County with
three ox-teams, passing through Howell City. then
a hamlet where three or four families lived. They
traversed much sparsely settled territory and often
saw that neighbors were ten and fifteen miles apart.
During the journey, it was a journey in those
days, the pair were given a royal welcome by several pioneers with whom they spent a few hours
and finally had the aid of Alexander Chapel and
Jeremiah Eddy in underbrushing a road from
the farm of Mr. Deits to the place they had selected for their future home. The two gentlemen
who were heads of families felled a tree where they
intended to build a cabin, and set up some forked
sticks on one side, placed poles from them to the
tree and covered this rude frame with canvas, making a dwelling in which they were sheltered until a
log house was finished. Cooking was done at a
"gypsy fire" in front of the tent.
Mr. Briggs worked for Mr. Simmons a year then
returned to New York and spent a winter in school.
Hle next worked on a farm near Canada six months
and in the fall of 1839 came to Michigan and made
his home with Mr. Simmons. IHe owned land on
sections 8 and 18, Eagle Township, and while living with that gentleman chopped trees on section 8, and cleared forty acres. In May, 1843, he
traded most of his property for an eighty-acre
tract with a log house and a frame barn on it and
forty acres under tie plow, and here he took up
his residence ere long. This land was on section 9,
and was the home of Mr. Briggs forty-three years
after which period he and his wife removed to
Eagle where they still live.  The farm grew in
extent as well as in beauty and utility and is now
well-improved expanse of two hundred acres,
properly stocked and supplied with substantial
buildings.
Mrs. Hiram Briggs bore the maiden name of




722


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Caroline R. Tyler and is a daughter of Deacon
Dean M. and Phebe Tyler, whose home was in
Orange Township, Ionia County, when the daughter was married. The ceremony took place there
May 4, 1844, and the record of their children is as
follows: Ellbury born December 5, 1846; Aurestes
E., August 4, 1848; Harlan H., August 7, 1854; Jed
H., January 22, 1858.  The only survivors are
Aurestes and Jed, the others having died in infancy.
When Aurestes E. Briggs was fifteen years old
his father sent him to Lansing to a select school under the superintendency of Prof. Owels,where he attended school for three years. After leaving school
at Lansing he taught the ensuing four winters and
in the meantime attended fall schools at Maple Rapids, Clinton County, under the instruction of Prof.
Mudge. He then entered into mercantile business
as a clerk at Portland, Ionia County, and was engaged as a book-keeper and clerk for two years.
Next he embarked in the mercantile and lumber
business in Portland for himself, selling out at the
expiration of five years. Later lie turned his attention to loaning money and buying and selling
pine lands.
November 9, 1875, Aurestes Briggs was married
to Addie J..atterlee, of Portland, Mich., and they
have one daughter-Mabel, now (1891) nine years
old. Mrs. Briggs is a daughter of 0. 8. Satterlee,
and was given excellent opportunities for a literary
education and musical training. She has fine musical talents and is a successful music teacher. She
and her husband visited the Centennial as also did
Hiram Briggs and his good wife. In the month
of April, 1883, Aurestes Briggs went to San Francisco, Cal., thence to Portland, Ore., by the way of
the Pacific Ocean. Then in company with his
cousin LaFayette Briggs he took a large drove of
horses from Portland through to Madison Valley,
Mont., the residence of the cousin. Soon after their
arrival in Montana, A. E. Briggs returned to his
home in Portland, Mich.
In April, 1888, Aurestes Briggs, with his wife
and daughter, went to Bozeman, Mont.,where they
remained for a few months then visited his cousin
in Madison Valley. Before leaving Montana the
family visited the National Park. In the following


November they journeyed to Washington and from
there to San Francisco, Sacramento and other
places in California. After an absence from their
home of nearly two years they returned to Portland, Mich., and from there went to Bellaire, where
he is now looking after his timbered lands in the
North. He has been an extensive traveler and says
that Michigan, taken up one side and down the
other, is the best State in the Union. A' man of
good judgment and careful arrangement, he is in
good circumstances, and his ability wins for him
the esteem and respect of a large circle of acquaintances.
The father, Hiram E. Briggs, is a Republican in
sentiment and has held most of the important offices
in Eagle Township. During the Rebellion he was
elected to the office of Township Treasurer,which he
filled satisfactorily for three terms; he was also Supervisor in 1871-72. He is a believer in the Christian religion and is a warm supporter of churches.
Mrs. Briggs united with the First Baptist Church
in Portland, Ionia County, about 1840 and her
daily life has proved the sincerity and depth of
her faith.
<-^^-~ ----*- ~c-~r —c ---cc -'I ---J ' a)^?^
ENRY E. WALBR1DGE, a prominent attorney at St. John's (and a member with
Gen. 0. L. Spaulding, Assistant United
States Secretary of the Treasury, of the
firm  of Spaulding & Walbridge) is a man of
peculiarly courteous and manly bearing, liberal,
open-hearted, and with sterling qualities which recommend him to strangers as well as to the more
thoughtful student of human nature. Few are his
superiors or even his equals among the members of
the Michigan bar and he is an honor to the town
in which he makes his home. He was born in
Glover,Vt., in 1850, March 3l, and came to Michigan when a child of two years. His father,
Capt. Henry Walbridge, was born in Vermont and
was left an orphan when only twelve years old.
He was obliged to support himself,which he did right
heartily and with good success, learning the trade of
a tinsmith. He took a thorough course in the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


723




Academy of Vermont and by evening study prepared himself for admission to the bar of Vermont
before Judge Redfield.
Capt. Walbridge began the practice of law in
Saline, Mich., and also engaged in the hardware
business. In 1856 he came to St. John's and built
up a practice here, making for himself a prominent
place in the profession. He held the position of
Commissioner of the Circuit Court and afterward
was made Prosecuting Attorney. He was soon,
however, to leave the pursuits of professional life
for the battlefield, and enlisting in the Union army,
he raised Company G, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry. He joined the army in August, 1862,
and was made Captain of the company which he
had recruited. He took part in many scenes of
battle, but after about two years' service was
obliged to resign on account of poor health, and,
returning to St. John's, commenced anew his practice as an attorney. He remained in this city until 1888, when he removed to Ithaca, Gratiot
County, and retired from business. He is an earnest and active member of the Congregational
Church and has been efficient in connection with
the Grand Army of the Republic.
The mother of our subject, Zilphia Allen, was
born in Vermont, and is a daughter of Ethan Allen (a distant relative of the hero of Ticonderoga)
who came to Michigan and died at St. John's.
She was the mother of four children, three of
whom survive, namely: Henry E., of this sketch;
Edward L., an attorney at Ithaca; and Mrs. Ella
De May, of the same city. Our subject was reared
in Saline till he reached the age of six years, when
he came to St. John's, and here attended the Union
and high schools. At the age of seventeen he
entered Olivet College, taking the scientific course
for over two years. Then returning to St. John's
he pursued the study of law with his father.
The week after Mr. Walbridge reached his majority, in April, 1871, he was admitted to the
Michigan bar and was taken into partnership by
his father. He continued in this connection until
he formed a partnership in July, 1890, with Mr.
Spaulding. In the fall of 1871 he was elected.Circuit Court Commissioner and held the office for six
years. His practice extends over the following


counties: Clinton, Shiawassee, Saginaw, Ingham,
Gratiot, Kent, Ionia and Montcalm. He is now
local attorney for the Detroit, Grand Haven &
Milwaukee Railroad. An enthusiastic Republican,
he takes part in every political canvass, speaking
in Republican meetings and working earnestly at
the polls. He is frequently seen as delegate at the
County and State Conventions and his opinions
bear great weight with his fellow-citizens. He is
the father of two lovely daughters-Neva and
Mabel.
UANE CASTLE is the eldest son of Lemuel and Mercy (Witmore) Castle. He
was born February 15,1822, in New York.
His father was born May 21, 1793, in
Monroe County, N. Y., and his mother was born
December 3, 1798. They were married June 13,
1819, in Chili, N. Y., and settled in Oakland
County, this State, in 1822, and in 1837 moved
thence to Shiawassee County, securing the farm
where Duane resides at present.
The tract that Lemuel Castle settled upon was
very wide and it was necessary that he cut the road
through to his place for a distance of three miles.
Our subject's grandparents were Asa and Elizabeth (Doty) Castle. The former was born July 2,
1771, and was a native of Ireland. The latter
was born July 4, 1770. They had a family of six
children, whose names are as follows: Charlotte,
Lemuel, Barnabas, Sabrina (who became Mrs.
Gresham Bartlett of Shiawassee Township), Isaac
and Drus'lla. Lemuel Castle was a soldier in the
War of 1812, with his father, Asa Castle, and Lemuel was a member of the Legislature in this State.
Lemuel died November 4, 1862. His wife followed
him six years later. They left a family of nine
children. The eldest was Jane Serepta, who became Mrs. Cooper; Duane, the subject of our
sketch; Harriet, who has lived in Santa Cruz, Cal.,
for fifteen years; Sabrina, who died a young
woman, having been a teacher in Detroit; l)elia,
who married Louis Benfey and died June 17, 1861,
at the home place; Angeline, who became Mrs.




724


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


James Arthur, died in 1884, in California; Myra,
who died at the age of twenty-five; Lemuel, who
passed away in infancy, and William, who lives in
San Luis, Cal.
Our subject was married December 20, 1863, in
Shiawassee Township, to Mrs. Delia E. Wilcox,
widow of the Rev. M. L. Wilcox, a minister of the
Christian Church. Her maiden name was Hill.
Her parents were Calvin G. and Charlotte (Castle)
Hill, the latter being the eldest child of Asa and
Elizabeth Castle. She was born in Gates, Monroe
County, N. Y., May 4, 1830. Mrs. Castle had one
child by her first marriage, May, who is now Mrs.
Charles Gammon, of Sacramento, Cal. She has
one son by her present husband, Manley W., who
was born November 13, 1867, on the home farm.
He is married. His wife's maiden name was Tillie
M. Oliver and she is the daughter of the Rev. J. B.
Oliver, of Bancroft. They were married September 19, 1888. The subject of our sketch is now
and has been for about a year in California, where
he went hoping to benefit his health. It is expected
that the farm will soon pass into other hands and
that the family will remove to California.
M     IRON ELLIS, deceased. This gentleman
l was during his life-time accounted as one
of the representative citizens of Clinton
County. He was well-known throughout
all this region as the efficient Treasurer of the
county, the duties of which office he discharged
with marked ability and with credit to himself and
to his constituents. He was a native of Onondaga
County, N. Y., and was born March 27, 1826. His
parents, Clark and Theresa Ellis, were natives of
the same State, and there they reared this son until
he reached his twentieth year, supplementing his
public-school education with a thorough academic
course. He was ever an extensive reader, and a
man of wide intelligence and well-informed on matters of public interest.
In his twentieth year the young man emigrated
to Huron County, Ohio, and for a time taught
school there, and continued this work for awhile


I


I


I " - 2- --


after he came to Clinton County, which was in
1851, when he made a settlement in Greenbush
Township. The place was slightly improved when
he settled on it, but he has placed upon it most of
the improvements which are to be found there today, and has brought it to a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Ellis united in marriage on the 7th of December, 1852, with Nancy Mathews, a lady who
was born in Schuyler County, N. Y., November 9,
1829. She is a daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Mathews, both New Yorkers who came to
Clinton County from Ohio, and made their home
upon the farm where Mrs. Mathews now resides.
This venerable lady is one of the oldest pioneers in
the township, and is past the limit of four-score
years.
Mr. Ellis served as Supervisor eight years, Treasurer and School Inspector of the township, and was
in every office efficient and active. He was a Republican in politics, and served two terms as County
Treasurer. He left a valuable estate of two hundred acres to his wife. To Mr. and Mrs. Ellis was
born one son, Frank M., who has died leaving one
son, Miron.
Mrs. Ellis is an active member of society, and
closely identified with the work of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, with which she and her good husband were so long connected. The lady was reared
to maturity in Ohio, and accompanied her husband
to Greenbush Township. Mr. Ellis was a kind and
affectionate husband and father, and was universally
respected. He served at one time as Treasurer of
the Farmers' Mutual Life Insurance Company, and
was well known in every capacity for his sterling
integrity and uprightness in business matters. He
was at all times public-spirited, and stood well with
the entire community both socially and financially.
In his death, October 10, 1883, the county lost one
of her most influential citizens, and the people of
Greenbush Township felt that every one had lost a
friend. Though his bodily powers failed toward
the last, his mind was unclouded, his faith unquestioned, his hope bright. In such a case "tis not
so difficult to die." Floral tokens of admiration
and affection were various and plentiful, and the
regard in which the deceased was held, was mani



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


725


- --
- -


fested by the large concourse that attended the
funeral to pay their last tribute. The remains lie
interred in Eureka Cemetery. He was a true man,
and one whose intelligence and character gave him
an influence with all who knew him. The biographer had the pleasure of interviewing his widow,
a lady of culture and refinement, and highly esteemed in the social circles wherein she moves.
ANASEH KUHNS, a representative citizen of section 14, Greenbush Township,
Clinton County, is a native of Stark County
Ohio, where he was born February 22,
1836. His parents, Solomon and Rebecca Kuhns,
are natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent.
Our subject was reared to manhood in his native
county, and when nineteen years old undertook to
learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner. This he
has pursued until within a few years past. He received but a limited education in the public schools
of his native county, in which he had few advantages. He is largely self-educated, having been
ever alert to secure for himself broad and intelligent views of public affairs. Of the twelve children born to his parents, the following survive:
Tilman, who lives in Indiana; Matilda, the wife of
Tobias Keck, who resides in Gratiot County, this
State; Moses, who makes his home in Isabella
County; Rebecca, now the widow of Mr. Baum, in
Clinton County; Ephraim, who lives in Missouri;
Solomon, in Greenbush Township; Manaseh, our
subject; Benjamin, who lives in Ohio; and Israel,
who lives in Gratiot County.
The subject of this sketch was married in Ohio,
February 6, 1862. His wife, who bore the maiden
name of Matilda Climes, became the mother of five
children, namely: Emma, now the wife of Joseph
Stauser, Norman, Mary, John W. and Millie, deceased. He emigrated from Ohio to Noble County,
Ind., and after residing there for several years,
came in 1870 to Clinton County, Mich., where he
has since resided.
Mr. Kuhns has greatly improved his farm, and
put it in the fine condition in which it is seen to

day. It comprises eighty acres of land which he
has placed under cultivation, and his prosperity has
been attained by the exercise of industry and perseverance. He has been a hard worker, and has
done an immense amount of pioneer labor, as he
settled in the woods and had to clear his land before he could begin its cultivation. Mr. Kuhns is
a public-spirited and intelligent citizen, and is always counted upon to join every movement which
points toward progress and the social and industrial
elevation of the county. He is a Prohibitionist in
politics, and he and his noble wife are earnest members of the Evangelical Association, where he has
served for over twenty years as a Class Leader, and
in which his wife is identified as one of the members of the Ladies' Aid Society.
*-._ --— *
SHER TEACHOUT. St. John's was deprived of one of her prominent business
men, May 23, 1887, when Mr. Teachout
breathed his last. He had been identified
with the business life of the city from 1859 and in
the prosecution of the work to which he gave his
attention he had displayed the energy and enterprise
which were crowned with success. While advancing his own interests he had not been remiss in the
duties of a citizen, but had done much to improve
the appearance of the city and increase the yalue
of property, and had borne some part in municipal
affairs as a member of the Board of Trustees. His
personal characteristics were those which win
friends and in his dealings with his patrons he was
honorable, courteous and obliging. He was therefore well liked and his death was regretted even
by those who had but a passing acquaintance with
him.
Mr. Teachout was born in Yates County, N. Y.,
on the banks of Seneca Lake, October 24, 1828.
His father died when he was quite young, but his
mother subsequently married again and he was
reared by her and his stepfather. He came to this
State with them when but a boy and Lenawee
County was his home until he was of age. He then
went to Ann Arbor and engaged in the marble




726


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


business, remaining there a decade and then locating in St. John's. Upon coming here he opened a
grocery store, in partnership with D. C. Hurd, and
later was associated with the Hon. A. H. Walker.
The new firm opened a general store in which a
thriving trade was carried on. Mr. Teachout also
bought wool and invested his surplus in other ways.
After dissolving partnership with Mr. Walker, he
was interested with Charles E. Chapin and L. S.
Reed for a few years. After giving them a start
he carried on his business alone, until about two
years before his decease, when he sold out to H. L.
Kendrick, of Detroit.
In 1882 Mr. Teachout built a large brick block
of two stories and a basement, which is now owned
by his widow and heirs. He was to some extent
interested in farming lands and had quite an acreage
that he rented to tenants. He was connected with
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and exercised the right of suffrage with the Republicans.
His death was occasioned by paralysis. The grief
of his friends is to a slight degree ameliorated by
the remembrance of his years of usefulness and
well-doing.
The one to whom IMr. Teachout's loss came with
the most crushing effect is the lady who became his
wife December 3, 1873. She was known in her
maidenhood as Emily J. Mattison and is a native
of North Bennington, Vt., near the famous battle
ground. She is the only child of Judge Martin
Mattijon and his wife, Ann S. Slye, from whom she
inherits rare qualities of mind and tastes for that
which is best in character and mental attainment.
She attended school at her native place and
acquired a thorough knowledge of the branches
which she studied and then made a specialty of
music. She had such musical ability and taste that
she laid aside other work and gave the art her
entire attention for some time. She became a
teacher of music and in 1871 came to St. John's to
follow this work. She has a tasteful and comfortable home, where the evidences of refinement and
true culture are plainly manifest. She belongs to
the Baptist Church and is an efficient member of
the Ladies' Home and Foreign Mission Societies,
with the latter of which she is connected as President. She is also a member of the Ladies' Library


Association, and in all ways open to a gentlewoman,
displays public spirit and interest in the welfare of
others. She has one child-Florence M.
Mrs. Teachout is of Danish descent in the paternal line but the Green Mountain State has long
been the home of the family. Her grandfather,
the Hon. Asa Mattison, was a member of the Vermont Legislature and was a farmer and stockgrower in that State. Her father was born in the
same town as herself-and so too was her grandfather in 1809, and adopted the occupations of
his father. For three years he was Associate Judge
and for twenty years Justice of the Peace. He was
a prominent and official member of the Baptist
Church. He was a writer of merit, producing both
prose and poetical compositions which showed
decided talent. Some of his verses are incorporated in the volume "Poets and Poetry of Vermont,"
and his "Brass Buttons on Furlough" has often been
republished in newspapers. Besides his literary
talent, he possessed musical ability of a high order
and discoursed charmingly on the flute. He died
in the year 1872.
The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Teachout
were James and Freelove (Dyer) Slye, natives of
the Green Mountain State, and engaged in farming
and dairying. Their religious home was in the
Baptist Church. The father of James Slye was
Capt. James of the Colonial Army. After the
death of her husband the mother of Mrs. Teachout
came West to her daughter and has since made her
home in St. John's.
OHN T. MILLMAN, one of the reputable
business men of St. John's, Clinton County,
is undoubtedly as popular among his friends
as any man in the city. In business relations
he is rapidly advancing to the front, as he is seen
to be thoroughly reliable in financial matters and
competent to dispense the articles in which he deals.
He is a member of the prominent drug firm of Fildew & Millman, whose stock includes not only
drugs and medicine, but books and stationery,
paints, oils and wall paper and fancy goods. Mr.




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


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Millman became a partner in this firm in November,
1889, assuming a half-interest and taking the place
of John H. Fildew, son of his partrer. For three
years prior to that time he ha. been in the employ
of the old firm. The stock has been increased since
he became connected with the business and the firm
is also doing some wholesaling of preparations of
their own, one of which in particular, Eclectic Balm,
has a large sale in the State. In January, 1891,
Fildew & Millman bought a stock of goods in
Fowler and now carry on a branch store there.
Mr. Millman was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, March 9, 1861. His paternal grandparents
spent their entire lives in England, and his father,
John Millman, was born and reared in Devonshire.
When a young man he came across the ocean and
settled at East Flamboro, Canada, where he engaged
in farming. He bought and improved land, having two hundred acres when he retired to Guelph,
where he died at the age of seventy-five years. IIe
took part in the Canadian Rebellion. His wife,
mother of our subject, was Sarah Thomson, a native
of County Argyle, Scotland, who cane to America
when a child. Her father, John Thomson, was a
farmer, and after his emigration made his home at
Pushlinch, Canada. Mrs. Millman is now living
in Wingham, Canada. She is an active member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which her deceased husband held a prominent position.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the
four children born to his parents. He was reared
in his native city and attended school there, completing the High School course when nineteen years
old. He then began an apprenticeship as a druggist under Alexander B. Petrie, with whom he
served four years. In 1883 he entered the Ontario
College of Pharmacy and studied diligently until
in March, 1884. He then became head clerk in a
drug-store at Hamilton, Ontario, holding the position eighteen months. In 1886 he came to Detroit,
passed his examination under the laws of the State
and received his certificate as an authorized pharmacist of Michigan. Coming to St. John's he entered the establishment of Fildew & Son, with the
result above mentioned. In his political affiliations
he is a Republican of the stanchest description. Ite
is a young man of much intelligence, keeping him



I


I


self well informed regarding various topics of interest his manners are so cordial and genial that
they prepossess every acquaintance in his favor.
In the short time that he has lived in St. John's he
has made many friends and his presence is thought
desirable at every social gathering. June 24, 1891,
Mr. Millman was married to Miss Annie E. Fildew,
daughter of his partner, A. S. Fildew, of St. John's.
j EV. ROBERT F. M. DOMAN, pastor of St.
Paul's Catholic Church, at Owosso, Shiawassee County, is a native of Michigan and
spent his youth in Bay City. His father,
John Doman, was for many years a railroad contractor in Canada and the West, and was actively
engaged in this line of work, being senior member of the firm of Doman & Sons, with headquarters at Portage, Wis. His birthplace was in the
vicinity of New York City, and he was of Irish
parentage. The mother of our subject was Ann
Shaw, a native of Ireland, who emigrated to the
United States with her parents when a child of
three years. Her father's name was Robert Shaw.
The childhood days of our subject were passed
in Bay City, attending the public schools; later he
atten(led the school of the Church of St. Mary's of
the Lake, in Chicago. Thence he went to Montreal, Canada, and entered the Sulpician College,
from  which he was graduated in 1872. After
graduation he decided to enter the profession of
the law, and returning to his native State, became
a student in the office of A. McDonnall, a prominent attorney of that place. After completing a
thorough course of reading he was admitted to the
bar May 1, 1875.
however, the young attorney was not satisfied
to follow the career which he had marked out for
himself, as his inclinations led him to desire to
enter the priesthood of his church. He therefore
went to Baltimore, Md., and entering St. Mary's
Theological Seminary, took a thorough course in
theology and was ordained to the priesthood June
29, 1878. His first ministerial charge was at Alpena, Mich, where he assisted in erecting a house




730


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


of worship. Later he was called to take charge of
the church at Kalamazoo, but after serving there
for nine months was appointed to the church of
the Holy Trinity, Detroit. There he remained
nearly four years.
Notwithstanding the parochial duties which required such constant exertion on the part of Father
Doman, he served the people in other capacities.
He was appointed on the Board of Orphans, was
one of the Examiners of the Clergy, was elected
one of the five judges of the Ecclesiastical Court,
and served as Theologian to Bishop Borgess at the
Third Plenary Council in Baltimore. Owing to
these arduous duties his health failed, and lie accepted a vacation of one month, which he spent in
the Rocky Mountains. Upon his return to Michigan he took charge of the church of St. Paul, in
Owosso. This church provides for six hundred
sittings, all rented, a sign of prosperity which attests the thorough character of the ministry of
Father Doman. Since he came to this city he has
also been instrumental in instituting a new Catholic cemetery.
Politically Father Doman is a Free Trade Republican, believing that reciprocity is the plan to
effect the proper adjustment of our trade relations
with the world. Socially he is held in high esteem
not only by his parishioners, but by all who meet
him for the many noble qualities which he possesses. The attention of the reader is invited to
his lithographic portrait, which is presented in
connection with this brief biographical notice.
HN PINKNEY, who operates a farm        on
section  13, Lebanon  Township, Clinton
County, is an example of the success which
follows a youth and young manhood of industry, perseverance and integrity. When he came
to this county he had only $400 and now he is the
highest taxpayer in the township. His first wages
were but a shilling a week, but hardships in youth
did not discourage him and he is now one of the
most prosperous men in this part of the State. His
father, Robert Pinkney, was a native of England.


His wife, Elizabeth Gray, was the mother of the
following children: James, Mary, Elizabeth, Annie,
David, Martha, Peter, Isaac, John and George.
Robert Pinkney was a farmer and he and his good
wife spent all their days upon their native island.
John Pinkney was born September 23, 1830, in
England, and when a young man worked on a farm
upon wages. As has been aforesaid, his first wages
were one shilling a week and the highest which he
earned and what was usually paid to a good farm
laborer was twenty-two pounds a year. About a
year before he came to America he was united in
marriage with Maria Gray. The wedding took
place March 20, 1851. To this young couple one
son was born, whom they named William. Their
first home in this country was near Castile,
Wyoming County, N. Y., and here they lived for
four years, after which they emigrated to Clinton
County, Mich., and made their home upon a farm
of forty acres. Here he built a log house and at
once commenced the first task of clearing the trees
from his land. After living in this home for about
thirteen years his wife was taken from his side by
death.
The second marriage of our subject took place
September 23, 1869. The lady with whom he
united his fortunes was Eunice Randolph, a daughter of Augustus Randolph, a native of Upper Canada, who was born in 1805 and came to New York
to live, and was there married to Mary A. Eddy,
a daughter of Eliakin and Eunice Eddy, natives of
Vermont and Massachusetts respectively. Eliakin
Eddy was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
The parents of Mrs. Eunice Pinkney were granted
the following children, namely: Merritt, Prudence,
Eunice, Julia, Charles, George and John. The
grandfather of these children, Joseph Randolph,
fled from Canada to New York during the War of
1812, leaving his property and starting life anew.
Mrs. Augustus Randolph now resides in Lebanon,
having reached the advanced age of four-score
years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pinkney have been born five
children, two of whom died in infancy and the following are still living to bless their parents: David, Lenora and Annie. Lenora is now Mrs.
Jaquist and makes her home in Lebanon Town



PORTRtAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ship; and Annie is at home. Mr. Pinkney has
added largely to his original farm and although he
has given his son sixty acres, now owns four hundred and seven acres.
Mr. Pinkney at first saw hard times and did real
pioneer work. He says that when his first son was
born he did not own a shilling. When he first
came to his Western home he found deer and
bears in abundance and Indians were living near
his home. He cleared and broke two hundred acres
and having put his land in good condition pursued
general farming, combining with this the culture of
sheep and buying and selling stock of this kind to
a considerable extent. He now has fine buildings
and has made all the improvements himself. He is
a Granger and also a member of the Order of
United Workmen and belongs to lodge No. 1 at
Maple Rapids.
- EORGE     T. SANDERS.     The gentleman
((   -who is the subject of this sketch, and who
lives on section 16, Caledonia Township,
Shiawassee County, was born July 17, 1825, in
Chenango County, N. Y., where he remained until
he grew to manhood. His father was George Sanders, also a native of Chenango County, and born
in 1800. He lived for many years in this State,
pursuing his chosen calling, which was that of a
farmer. Our subject's mother was Rebecca (Mason) Sanders, also a native of New York, and born
in Chenango County. But one child gladdened the
home of this couple, that child being our subject.
George Sanders, Sr., was married twice; the mother
of our subject was his first wife.
The gentleman of whom we write, received a
common-school education, and after finishing his
school life he began for himself at the age of twenty
years. He bought his time of his father, and left
home to work out for others, laboring as a farmer
for many years. December 17, 1855, he was married to Mary S. Fairchild, a daughter of Sillick and
Aurelia (Jones) Fairchild, the father being a native
of Connecticut, the mother of Vermont. His natal
year was 1785, and the mother's 1794. They were


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also farmers. After their marriage they resided in
Chenango County, N. Y., until their death.
The mother was a member of the Presbyterian
Church, while the father was a believer in the religion of humanity. He was a Democrat in politics,
and was ardently interested in both local and national affairs. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom are now living. The wife of
our subject, Mrs. Sanders, was born December 17,
1832, in Chenango County, N. Y. She received
the advantages of a good education, and taught
school both in New York and Pennsylvania, where
she held sway over both district and select schools.
After marriage the young couple settled at New
Haven, Oswego County, N. Y. The present Mrs.
Sanders is the third wife of our subject. One child
was the outcome of the second marriage, George E.
Sanders, a dentist now working at East Saginaw,
one who has a fine practice and an interesting family of three children.
The gentleman of whom we write, came to this
State in 1857, and settled in Caledonia Township,
for a season. He removed to Ionia County, where
he remained for three years and then went East,
making a stay there of one year. He again came
to Michigan and settled in Shiawassee Township,
working in a sawmill for a year or so. Twentyfour years ago he purchased his present farm, originally having but forty acres, fifteen of which were
improved. He now has eighty acres, nearly all of
it being under cultivation.
Mr. Sanders built his present comfortable and
commodious residence five years ago. He prides
himself on being a farmer and nothing else, that is,
that he does not divide his attention, but gives his
whole energy toward making his chosen calling a
success. He and his wife are the parents of three
children: Charles G., deceased, was a dentist in
Stanton, this State, and left a wife and two interesting children; Alice M. is the wife of Edgar E.
Miller, residing in Caledonia Township, and is
blest with two bright children; and Fred M., who
lives in single blessedness, follows his profession,
which is that of a dentist. Our subject and his family are all Christian people.
Mr. Sanders stands in high esteem with his neighbors and townsmen, and has been appointed by




732


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPH-IICAL ALBU7M.


732           PORRAI    D B


them to various local offices. He is now a Director in the local schools. As every man should be
in America, he has interested himself in casting his
vote for the man whom he considers the best fitted
to fill public offices. He affiliates with the Democratic element in his township, and is considered
one of the leading lights of that party. Besides his
duties as School Director, he has been Highway
Commissioner for a number of years, and also Road
Overseer. Mr. Sanders feels the advantage that
education is to the man of the present time, and he
has placed within the reach of his children all the
opportunities possible for them to become well-educated, cultured and refined.
AMES S. ADAMS. This substantial and
energetic business man is a member of the
firm of Davies & Adams, dealers in buggies,
carriages and harness, and carrying the
largest stock of those commodities in St. John's.
The firm also handles agricultural implements and
is carrying on the best business of the kind in the
county seat. Mr. Adams has not long been a resident of this city, but he has already a well-established reputation, as it is plain to be seen that he is
a good business man as well as a thoroughly trustworthy citizen.
The grandparents of Mr. Adams lived and died
in Engln and and his direct progenitors-Robert and
Patience (Smith) Adams, were born there. The
father lived near Yarmouth and his taste led him
to take an abiding interest in the shipping from
that port, and when only a boy he became a sailor.
After his marriage he made his home in Canada,
thence removed to Vermont and then to Ohio,
giving his attention to farming. He finally came
to this State, spent some years in Ingham County
and in 1854 located in Clinton County. He was
one of the first settlers in Greenbush Township,
where he improved a tract of wild land. After
some years of agricultural work there he retired,
making his home in Eureka until his death, in 1872.
He was a Republican in politics, and a member of


the Christian Church. His widow survived him a
few years, breathing her last in 1875. They had
a family of five children and he of whom we write
is the third.
James S. Adams was born in what is now Fulton
but was then Lucas County, Ohio, April 16, 1842,
and came to this State when a child, the journey
being made with a team and wagon. He lived in
Mason, Ingham County, until he was twelve years
old, then came to Clinton County, and prior to his
eighteenth year made himself useful on the farm
and continued his studies in the district school. He
then entered the employ of Davis Bros., fanningmill manufacturers, and worked his way to foreman
in the wood department. He was with them twentyone years and during that period bought a farm of
one hundred and twenty acres on sections 16 and
21, which he reclaimed from its wild condition and
improved with substantial buildings. In  1881
Mr. Adams left the shop and turned his attention
to raising grain and fine stock, and for five years
he farmed very successfully. He kept graded
horses of the Percheron strain, and fine cattle, hogs
and sheep. In 1886 Mr. and Mrs. Adams met
with a severe affliction in the loss of their son
Edward, a promising young man, twenty-one years
old. The associations of their home were too
vividly connected with him for them to wish to
continue their residence on the farm, and selling off
everything in the way of stock and implements,
the land was rented and they took up their abode in
Grand Rapids.
Mr. Adams engaged in the real-estate business
and in contracting and building and for two years
carried on his work in the city named. He then came
to St. John's and took up the same line of work
here. He is a fine mechanic, able to make anything in wood to which he gives his mind, and as a
builder he turned out good work. January 1,
1891, he bought an interest in the business with
which he is now connected. He still owns realestate in Grand Rapids, as well as property in St.
John's, the latter including a pleasant residence and
several lots. His wife, to whom he was married
in Greenbush in 1865, was born in England and
bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Davies. She is
a most estimable woman, sharing with her husband




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM


733


A




in the respect of their acquaintances. Mr. Adams
is an official member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and has been Steward in that denomination
for nearly twenty years. In politics he is a Republican.
LBERT E. HARTSHORN, senior member
of the firm of Hartshorn, Son & Crowe,
wholesale and retail dealers in agricultural
implements, carriages, wagons and sleighs,
also transfer and storage agents of Owosso, Shiawassee County, is a native of Vermont. He was
born in Windsor County, November 30, 1842, and
his father is Luther Hartshorn, a native of Connecticut, and a farmer by occupation. His father,
Reuben Hartshorn, was of English ancestry, and a
soldier in the Revolutionary War. The mother of
our subject bore the maiden name of Achsah Bartlett, and was born in Vermont in 1827, a daughter
of Orange Bartlett, of Irish and Scotch extraction.
She passed away in 1865, but her husband lived
until April 20, 1891, and died in his sixty-second
year. Of their four children Albert E. is the eldest.
After passing his early school days in his native
town our subject went to Rochester, N. Y., for
further education, and in 1861 came to Shiawassee
County, and took a farm in Bennington Township,
where he engaged in general farming. There he
carried on agriculture until his removal to Owosso,
in 1881, still retaining, however, his ownership of
the farm, consisting of two hundred and forty
acres of well-improved and arable land, upon which
are situated good farm buildings.
In 1881 Mr. Iartshorn bought a one-half interest in the stock of C. S. Williams, and entered into
partnership with that gentleman under the firm
name of Williams & Hartshorn. Two years later
he sold out and purchased new stock, embarked in
the same business alone, and in 1888 took his son,
Fred C. as a partner in the concern. Two years
later he again purchased the stock of Mr. Williams,
which consisted of farm implements, and took LeRoy W. Crowe as an additional partner in the
business.
This is one of the large and substantial concerns


of the county, and is said to be the broadest in its
dealings. The firm handles anything from a hoe
to a steam thresher. Its brick warehouse is twostories in height with extensive sheds in the rear,
thus securing ample room for their immense stock
and trade. The main building is 44x90 feet on
the ground floor, and the whole building is occupied by the firm.
In connection with implements this firm carries a
good stock of ready-made harness and also keeps
seeds of all kinds. They also carry an excellent
line of sewer pipe and tiling of the manufacture of
the Jackson Fire Clay Company.
Christmas Day 1865 saw the happy marriage of
Albert Hartshorn and Alvira D. Dolloff, of Chagrin
Falls, Ohio, a daughter of Hezekiah Dolloff, who
with his wife was a native of Maine. Mr. and Mrs.
Hartshorn have become the parents of three children, a son and two daughters: Fred E., who is his
father's partner; Edith A., and Bertha M. Mr.
Hartshorn is now Treasurer of the School Board of
the city of Owosso, and a member of the Board of
Education. He is identified with the Owosso Lodge,
No. 88, I. 0. O. F., in which he has passed all the
chairs, also a prominent member of the First Baptist Church, of Owosso, and Secretary of the Board.
He rents out his farm and resides at his pleasant
home at No. 224 Johns Street. In politics Mr.
Hartshorn is a Republican.,         iv..__..~


A LBERT   R. HICKS, M. D., a prominent
physician of Bath, Clinton County, was
born in Lorain County, Ohio, August 13,
1835. His father, Robins Hicks, was born
in New York State in 181'3, and his grandfather,
Amasa. who was of German descent, was born in
Vermont. The great-grandfather came from the
old country and settled on the shores of Lake Champlain many years ago. He was a Surgeon in the
Revolutionary War, and served through those
years of conflict. After that he became a Baptist
missionary, and received thirty stripes save one,
for preaching the doctrine of immersion which was




734


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I- - ---------------—  —-- -` -— I ---- — — — --- —— ' ---- -—  --- —-------------
--


contrary to the State law of Vermont. He (lied at
the very advanced age of eighty-seven years.
The grandfather of our subject owned and operated a mill for many years in Clinton County, N.
Y., but after his settlement in Lorain County, Ohio,
lived a retired life. Later he removed to Fulton
County, Ohio, and after twelve years of residence
there, died in his eighty seventh year. He was a
stalwart Baptist in his religious belief.
The father of our subject was a miller, and pursued this calling for forty years. He was a pioneer
in Lorain County, Ohio, and milled for many years
in that State. He removed to Kent County, Mich.,
in 1853, and spent two years in a mill at Rockford,
after which he devoted himself to farming. The
land where Cedar Springs now stands, was what he
took from the Government, and upon a farm near
that point he now lives at the age of eighty-seven
years, a hale and hearty old man. He is a Democrat in his political views, and a Seventh Day Adventist in religion, as is also his good wife, who is
like himself in excellent health at the age of seventy-eight years. Her maiden name was Hannah
Pangborn, and she was born at Plattsburg, N. Y., in
1813. Her side of the family is of Welsh descent.
Two sons only of her household of four are living,
Frederick W. and our subject., Albert Hicks attended the village school at Elyria until fifteen years old. He then entered the institute at Norwalk, Ohio, from which he was graduated at eighteen years of age. In 1853 he came
to Michigan, and until he went into the army he
followed milling and farming. He enlisted August 4, 1864, in the First Regiment, Michigan
Light Artillery, Seventh Battery. He was sent to
Navy Point, Ala., and assisted in the capture of
Mobile and surrounding ports, doing guard duty
also at Navy Cove for a time. He received his discharge at Mobile, Ala., August 3, 1865.
After the war the young man entered upon the
work of the Baptist ministry, preaching in the counties of Kent, Ionia, Shiawassee and Clinton. He
has done twenty-five years of ministerial work, carrying on preaching with the practice of medicine
from 1876 to 1889, after which he became less active on account of health. He has baptized in all
some three hundred converts, He began the study




of medicine in 1873, under Dr. J. Outwater of
Saranac, lonia County, Mich. Hle read under his
instruction for four years, and then began practice
at Pewamo, Ionia County, Mich. After practicing
there three years and two years at Laingsburgh, he
located in Bath in 1879, where he has since carried
on general practice.
The marriage of our subject took place in November, 1857. His wife bore the maiden name of
Ella A. Butler, and her grandfather was a cousin of
Gen. Benjamin F. Butler. Both our subject and
his wife are earnest members of the Baptist Church
and he is a Republican in politics. Their three
children: Elmer A., Carrie E. and Willie H. are all
living. He is a member of Lodge No. 124 L. 0.
0. F., and has been worthy Grand Master of the
Sons of Temperance of the State of Michigan.
J   OHN T. DANIELLS stands in the front
rank among the farmers of Clinton County,
bringing to bear upon his labors deep
thought and scientific methods. He is preeminently successful in his work, as his fine estate
and standing in the community attest. He owns
and occupies eighty acres of land on section 1,
Essex Township, where he located in 1868. He
has brought it to a high state of productiveness,
and has furnished it with substantial buildings of
various kinds and adornments suitable for a rural
home, and the whole is now one of the most attractive places in the vicinity.
Mr. Daniells was born in Oakland County, this
State, December 25, 1840, and comes of old New
York stock. His parents, Willard and Harriet
(Churchill) Daniells, were born in the Empire
State and came West many years ago. The father
secured Government land in Oakland County about
1825 and was one of the first settlers there. His
name is remembered and held in respect among
the pioneers, so few of whom remain to enjoy the
results of their labors. Amid scenes of pioneer
life he of whom we write grew to man's estate, although his recollection does not extend back to the
most primitive condition of affairs in Oakland
County. During his youth the vicinity was be.


I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


735. ---- __ --- —-


coming well settled and before he had attained to
his majority the country was well developed and
populous.
Mr. Daniells received his preliminary education
in the common schools of his native county, and
after he became of age he entered Olivet College
as a student and spent two full school years in the
diligent pursuit of knowledge there. He has a
wide fund of literary knowledge and has also the
practical learning that makes his theories available
for his own and others'-good. He has spent some
five winters in school teaching and as an instructor
was capable and thorough. Having worked hard
in order to obtain thorough schooling he appreciates the efforts of others and has always given his
sympathy and aid to those who were striving to
advance.
September 10, 1867, Mr. Daniells was married
to the lady of his choice, Miss Martha Barnes,
daughter of John and Anne Barnes, who were
early settlers in Ingham County. Mrs. Daniells
is a sister of the Hon. O. M. Barnes, of Lansing,
who was at one time candidate for Governor on
the Democratic ticket. She has a liberal education,
having graduated from Olivet College after finishing the classical course, and for several years she
was engaged in teaching. She is a fitting companion for her husband, being able to sympathize
with him in his higher tastes and enjoy with him
every opportunity for culture of which their circumstances and surroundings will admit. They
have had but one child, a son, who was spared to
them but a short time.
As would naturally be expected Mr. Daniells
takes an active interest in the promotion of the
cause of education and in all movements that will
elevate the standard of society. In politics he is
a Republican. He was elected Justice of the Peace
in 1884 and has served continuously to the present
time. In his official capacity lie is popular and
efficient, and he has acquired a reputation for giving just decisions, unbiased by prejudice and arrived at by the processes of a judicial mind and
justice-loving spirit. He is now serving his second
year as Secretary of the Clinton County Pioneer
Society and for three years he has been Secretary
of the Farmers' Club in Essex Township. For two


years he has been Secretary of the Clinton County
Wool Growers' Association and he is one of the
four men appointed to make crop reports from
Clinton County for the benefit of all agriculturalists, the facts being reported and properly classified
in Washington by the agents of the Government.
Mr. Daniells is a member of the Baptist Church
and his wife is a Congregationalist. They are social leaders and their home is the scene of many a
gathering, where their hospitality and ability to
entertain are shown and their many friends enjoy
"a feast of reason and a flow of soul."  In business circles the word of Mr. Daniells is considered
as good as a bond and he commands the fullest
confidence of those with whom he has had dealings.
Mrs. Daniells find many opportunities to perform
acts of kindness toward those who are less happily
situated than herself and her heart is always open
to cries of distress and appeals for sympathy.
37`HOMAS CARMODY, a prosperous farmer
having a pleasant home and a tract of
land on section 28, Rush Township, Shiawassee County, was born on the Emerald Isle in
County Clare, January 7, 1845. His father Michael, a native of the same county, was a farmer and
his natal year was 1814. He received a good coimmon-school education and was noted in local circles as a good penman. He had a brother who had
perhaps the best education of any man in the section where he lived and held office a number of
years under the Queen.
Michael Carmody was married about the year
1841 to Elizabeth Caton, one of ten children of
Michael and Elizabeth Caton, who came to America
in 1848 by way of Quebec, and made their first
home in the United States at Buffalo. After six
years spent there they came to Corunna, this county,
in 1854, and the following spring came to Rush
Township and settled on eighty acres on section
26, which he had bought two years previous. Before his death, which occurred in 1887, he owned
one hundred and twenty acres. He was a Roman
Catholic in his religious belief and a Democrat in




736


PORTIRAILT NND) BIOGR~APHICAL ALBUM.


736 —           PORTRAIT NN BI          ALBUM.


his political affiliations, being a great worker for the
party but caring little for office.
The subject of this brief sketcl received a good
common-school education and upon reaching his
majority started out in the world for himself.
After working for a year he bought a fine team,
which he afterward traded at a valuation of $400
toward his farm. He obtained a farm of one hundred and twenty acres and went to work upon it,
keeping bachelor's hall for some two years, but
Thomas Crmody believed that it was not well for
man to be alone and in September, 1869, he was
married to Mary Gorman one of the five children
of Patrick and Mary (Murphy) Gorman, of County
Queen, Ireland. Mrs. Carmody's natal (lay was
July 18, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Carmody have great
reason to be proud of the four promising children
who have blessed their household. Their eldest
daughter, Bessie, is a teacher in New Haven, Mich.
Mary Maud and Edward are still in the High
School at Owosso and the youngest daughter Agnes
is with her parents at home.
The gentleman of whom we write is by conviction allied with the Democratic party. His first
Presidential vote was cast for Seymour and his last
for Cleveland. HIe has been actively interested in
politics and a great worker for the principles which
his judgment approves. He has been Highway
Commissioner for nine years in succession and is
still Treasurer of the township, a position which he
has held for some time. Through most of the time
he has resided in this region he has been upon the
School Board. He is very fond of a fine horse and
always keeps the best stock of this kind and has
now as fine a team as is to be found in the county.
His comfortable home is the seat of true domestic
happiness and is most delightfully situated and
pleasantly arranged.


he was charitable in his thought of others and pure
in his language. His opinions on church matters
was looked up to by all who were connected with
him and he took a good stand on all important
questions.
Our subject was born in Warwick, Wayne
County, N. Y., April 4, 1812, and was the eldest
of seven children, of whom the following are living:
our subject, John, who resides on the old homestead in Lorain County, Ohio; James, who lives at
Strawberry Point, Iowa; David, residing in Orange
County, Fla.; and Rebecca, the widow of R. A.
Andrews, of Toledo, Ohio. His parents, John and
Sallie (Fancher) Newberry, were married in 1811
and removed in 1827 to the Western Reserve in
Lorain County, Ohio where they carried on a farm.
The father died in 1852, and the mother in 1876
at the age of eighty-six years.
William Newberry was educated mostly in the
common schools and by his own efforts at home, as
he received neither academic nor college training.
His library contains standard works on history and
especially on Bible history, and among other books
the writer noted Blaine's twenty years in Congress,
and the Universal Encyclopedia. It has an unbroken file of the Country Gentlemen which Mr.
Newberry had bound. In 1833 at which time he
reached his majority he learned the carpenter's
trade and worked at H-uron, Ohio. In the summer
of 1836 lie came to Shiawassee County, Mich., and
assisted in building the old mill in the township of
Shiawassee, which was the first mill erected in the
county.
In 1839 young Newberry had secured eighty
acres of land and built him a home into which lie
took his bride, to whom he was united on the 1st
of December. Most of his carpentry work was
done in Owosso where lie put the first frame building erected there, namely the old hotel which was
the first one in the place. He bought his land from
old "'Uncle Ephraim" Wright and cleared his farm
but worked at his trade most of the time, hiring
help on the farm for fifteen years. He was instrumental in introducing tile draining, laying miles
of it under his farm which comprised two hundred
and thirty-seven acres at the time of his death.
When the will of Mr. Newberry came to be pro,


ILLIAM NEWBERRY. In many respects
the gentleman whose name appears at the
head of this paragraph was head and
shoulders above his neighbors of the township. He
was a man far-seeing in discernment and strong in
0ounsel, His financial ability was undoubted and




-W                  I. Ir — -I 1.~p r


RES. OF MR.ELI GALLUP, SEC. 35, EAGLE TP-, CLINTON CO.,MICH


0  e.  I II,,  I,  ',.,,  II.I            - - I I..  I -I.. I,..  I I.I,  I..  II,; ~- -  I~ — I  -;;  I  I.


SrE~...~.1-;
s;if




RE8. OF THE LATE W, NEWBERRYSEC.3. SM IAWASSEE T, SH IAWASS EE C0. MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGR~APHICAL ALBUM.


739


POTRi AND BIOGRAPHICA ALUM                   739-I

bated it was found that he had settled everything
in that document and there was not a claim presented against the estate. This shows his carefulness and business capacity. He took great pleasure in cultivating rare and exotic flowers and in
testing new varieties of fruit. He had on his farm
almost every well-known variety of the pear and
the same may be said of other fruits. He was one
of the organizers and officers of the Shiawassee
Agricultural Association of Owosso, and served as
President in this society repeatedly, being connected with it until the organization of the Bancroft
Union Market Fair which was based upon his suggestions. He was its first President and continued
in that office until his death. He bred fine flocks
of sheep and introduced from Vermont the Merino
sheep, but he turned his attention more fully to
fruit raising, of which he had a thorough knowledge. He was a close student of this subject and
Downing's Works on Fruit were among his textbooks.
Politically Mr. Newberry was in early life a
Jacksonian Democrat, afterward a Whig and then
a Republican, being an ardent supporter of the administration and of Gov. Blair during the Civil
War. Through much of his life he was connected
with the Baptist Church, having been baptized
about one year after marriage by Elder Barnes,
and after that church was disbanded at Shiawassee
he held a letter and was always in sympathy with
the church and a liberal supporter of the Baptist
organization at Vernon. His whole life as a
Christian was affected by the example of such heroes of the church as Adoniram Judson, and his interest in foreign missions was intense and his contributions generous,
The marriage of William Newberry and Mary
Parmenter took place as has been said December 1,
1831. Mrs. Newberry was born in Vernon, Vt.
July 24, 1814, and was a daughter of Amos and
Mary (Lee) Parmenter, both natives of the Green
Mountain State. Her brother Joseph who is a resident of Shiawassee County, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The children of this family
are Sarah, Mrs. John Wilkinson, living at North
Star, Mich.; Harriet, now the widow of C. S. Pratt of
Shiawassee Township; Elizabeth, the widow of the


Rev. Williams S. Wilkinson of the Baptist Church
who lives at Vernon; Rebecca A., Mrs. Charles A.
Whelan of Shiawassee Township, whose husband's
biographical sketch appears in this ALBUM; James
who died September 3, 1876, of typhoid fever when
twenty-five years old; John and David, who are
both at home and have charge of the farm, which
consists of one hundred and sixty acres of the old
homestead, and a view of which is shown on another page.
Neither of these sons is married. They carry
on general farming but make their onion crop a
specialty. They have a maple sugar bush of six
hundred trees. They are strong temperance men
and Prohibitionists taking an active part in the
work and being frequently delegates of conventions. They are intelligent and enterprising, and
stand in the front rank among the pushing, progressive men of the county. They are open hearted, congenial men, David being especially blessed
to a remarkable degree with the power of bril iant
conversation and forcible and logical argument.
There is a fine future ahead for these distinguished
sons of an illustrious father. The death of William
Newberry which occurred October 1, 1888, has
made more evident to all who knew him the value
of his life and integrity and manly worth, and
brings home to the young the truth that the fruits
of honesty and right living are like the sunlight,
which benefits the world long after i; has disappeared.
J   AMES STERLING BRISTOL. A traveler
in Clinton County would find on section
4, Bingham Township, a fine large farmhouse and neat surroundings, where the
subject of this notice makes his home. The land
upon which this dwelling stands makes up a productive estate of one hundred and twenty acres,
which is devoted to the dual purpose of farming
and stock-raising, and has been greatly improved
by its present owner since lie purchased the property in 1883. In 1889 he built a sawmill, from
the proceeds of which he is deriving a good addition to his income.
The parents of our subject were born in the




740


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I

Empire State and made their home there for some
years after their marriage. They removed to
Michigan in 1835, and established their home in
St. Joseph County, but after remaining there about
a decade, removed to Oakland County. Nearly a
score of years after they began their residence
there Eli H. Bristol closed his eyes in death,
dying in Pontiac at the age of sixty-eight years.
He had held the office of Supervisor and others
of local importance. He belonged to the Congregational Church, with which his widow has been
identified for many years. She was formerly Miss
Lucy Sterling, of Lima, N. Y. She has now attained to her eighty-fourth year. Of the six children born to this worthy couple three are now
living, all sons. The one who is the subject of
this life history was born in Lima, N. Y.. August
22, 1832. He was reared on a farm and began his
school life in an old-fashioned log building with
slab seats, but having good teachers, parental encouragement and natural ability, he became well
grounded in the practical branches.
When he began the labors of life for himself,
Mr. Bristol had but limited means, but he had an
abundance of energy and was determined to make
his way. He worked out by the month in the
summer and taught school winters, and also farmed
on shares during a part of the time in which Oakland County was his home. His pedagogical work
extended over a period of several years and he
gained a good name as a teacher. In 1864 he
came to Clinton County and located in Essex
Township, where he lived about fourteen years.
There he cleared and improved a good farm. He
came thence to St. John's, where he was engaged
in the insurance business for three years, and then
gave about eighteen months to the grocery trade.
He then took possession of the farm on which he
is now living and laboring.
The wife to whom Mr. Bristol was married in
1858, and who shared his fortunes until 1879, bore
tho maiden name of Miss Julia Stone. She was a
native of the Empire State and was a woman
whose worth of character was recognized by all
who knew her. The children born of the union
are Eli Maurice, Jay and Neddie. Mrs. Bristol
was a member of the Congregational Church, In


1880 our subject brought to. his home a second
wife, formerly Miss Sarah Covert, a native of the
Empire State, whose housewifely skill and Christian character commend her to her acquaintances.
She and her husband belong to the Congregational
Church. Mr. Bristol votes the Republican ticket.
He has held various offices, such as Treasurer, and
served in that capacity several terms, and was
School Inspector some years. He bears an excellent reputation both in social and business circles.
-' --- —~-=~-e —^-C ---
ARWIN BANCROFT is a prominent farmer
in Essex Township, Clinton County, and
the fortunate possessor of an estate consisting of three hundred and seventeen acres of choice
land. This valuable property is supplied with a
complete line of farm buildings, including a large,
handsome farmhouse which is well furnished and
suitably adorned. A visitor to this farm will
find modern machinery in use and the most approved methods followed in all the work that is
carried on; and will see in the pastures stock of
good grades. The land is particularly adapted
for wheat, and Mr. Bancroft devotes a large acreage to this cereal.
Mr. Bancroft is a native of the county, born in
the adjoining township of Lebanon, February 28,
1845. His father, Palmer Bancroft, a native of
Cayuga County, N. Y., came hither in 1843, looked
up a home and made his removal the following
year. After living in Lebanon Township six years
he came to Essex Township, where he cleared and
improved a fine large farm. He died here in
1887, aged sixty-nine years. He was an honest,
upright man who endeavored to honor his profession of faith by his daily life. IHe was a member
of the Christian Church. His wife, whose maiden
name was Amanda Ocobock, was born in the Empire State and is now living with their son, Darwin, and has reached her seventy-fourth year. She
has had six children and three are now living.
The subject of this brief life history spent his
youth amid rural scenes and when old enough to
attend school occupied a place on a slab seat in' a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


741


- --------- ----


--


I


I- - -~ - - - - - ~ -I

primitive log schoolhouse. After getting a fair
start in the country school he became a student at
Maple Rapids, walking three and a half miles to
and fro for six months. In 1868 he left his
father's home and located on a farm in Lebanon
Township, remaining there six years, and then returning to Essex Township and taking up his residence on section 20, where he has since remained.
He is one of the most enterprising of the younger
farmers in the county and the success he meets
with is due to this fact and to the intelligence
with which he pursues his calling. He makes good
use of his income by surrounding himself and
family with additional comforts and conveniences,
and entering into various projects by which the
welfare of the community will be advanced and
ihe section built up.
The year 1867 was that in which Mr. Bancroft
was united to the lady of his choice, Miss Desiah
M. Irwin, daughter of Thomas and Betsey Irwin.
Her parents came to this State in an early day and
spent their last years here. The daughter was
born on the farm that is now her home and around
which fond recollections cluster. She is a lady of
intelligence, not only on domestic topics but on
others of general interest, and with her husband
belongs to the Christian Church and endeavors to
carry her faith into the actions of her daily life.
Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft have three children, named
respectively: A. D., Jesse and Murdow. Mr. Bancroft is a member of the Republican party and is
connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
AMUEL W. INGRAHAM, one of the old
settlers of St. John's, who has one of the
largest and most complete undertaking es.
tablishments in Clinton County, was born
in Shippensville, Pa., November 22, 1835. His
father, the Rev. A. S. W. Ingraham, was born upon
a vessel in Bristol Bay as his parents were coming
from  Scotland.  They settled upon a farm in
Dutchess County, N. Y., and here the boy grew to
manhood and became a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He was licensed to preach by


the Erie Conference which at that time extended
into Ohio. He served in that Conference through
life and lived to be ninety-four years of age, dying
at Niles, Ohio. He was an earnest and conscientious Abolitionist, and a conductor on the Underground Railroad and suffered persecutions as did
all the early Abolitionists. His wife, Laurette B.
Machell, was a daughter of a French Marquis and
was born in Paris. The family fled their native
country at the time of the French Revolution and
located in New York City. The father had an estate on the Isle of Martinique, West Indies, and
while there on a visit fell dead in the street. His
daughter was reared in the city of New York, and
conversed fluently in French, as that was the family language. She died in Ohio after having been
the mother of five children: Margaret, George,
Nancy, Mary and our subject. All but the last
two have followed their parents to the other world.
The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood
mostly in Pennsylvania and Ohio, supplementing
his common school education by a year's attendance
at Alleghany College. ITe then taught school for
one term, after which he learned the trade of a
painter, in Ravenna, Ohio. When twenty-one years
of age he came to Michigan, and in i856 worked
for a brother-in-law in a drug store. In 1860 he
entered into partnership with G. W. Stephenson in
a drug store, which they bought of Dr. Leach.
After one year our subject was taken sick and was
threatened with consumption. lie therefore gave up
this business and went back to Ohio. He returned
to Michigan in 1864. His state of health kept
him out of the army into which his inclinations
would have led him. Having improved in health
he removed to St. John's and carried on the business of painting until 1885, when he started as an
undertaker for R. M. Steel & Co. In 1889 he entered this line of work independently. He has a
fine location for his business and also for his residence.
Mr. Ingraham's marriage took place in St.
John's in 1859. His bride was Augusta D. Smith,
who was born in Steuben County, N. Y., and came
to Michigan when ten years old. Of their three
children, Clara died when quite young. Henry S.
is with his father in business and Clarence W. is




742


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--- -I


I


married and resides at Flint. Henry S. married
Miss Mollie Stark of Grand Ledge. Mr. Ingraham
is a demitted member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and is identified with the Free and
Accepted Masons. He is a true blue Republican
and very earnest in his political convictions. His
wife is an active and efficient member of the Con
gregational Church and a lady whose character is
universally respected. Mr. Ingraham has the good
will of every one in St. John's and vicinity.
ILBUR T. CHURCH, a stock-dealer and
the proprietor of the principal market in
St. John's which is operated under the firm
name or Church & Schanck, has been a market
man and stock-dealer since 1879, and is a wholesouled gentleman who commands the good will of
the community.   He understands his business
thoroughly and is probably as fine a judge of stock
as can be found anywhere. He was born in Lockport, N. Y., September 15, 1857.  His father,
Thomas, was born in England and came to America when about fifteen years of age and began work
on a farm in Niagara County, for $3 per month.
Later he engaged in farming more independently
is the township of Lewiston and finally drifted
into the stock and market business. He was a
well-known member of the Agricultural Society and
was a prominent figure at every fair. He died
when about fifty-two years of age. He had joined
himself to the Republican party after coming to
America and was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Julia A. Cooper, a native of Lockport, N. Y.,
became the wife of Thomas Church. Her family
early settled in Lockport and there she still resides.
She became the mother of seven children. Her
son, Wilbur T., was reared on the farm and studied
in the Union schools of Lockport. He graduated
from them when eighteen years old and learned
the trade of a butcher. Later he started a market
in Lockport which he carried on alone. In 1879
he located at St. John's, and for awhile worked at
his trade, Three years later be started in the meat




=




business independently with Mr. Webster, the firm
operating under the firm name of Webster &
Church. They shipped stock quite extensively.
In 1889 they disolved partnership and our subject
ran the business alone until the spring of 1891,
when he took Mr. Schanck into partnership.
The firm of Church & Schanck rents land and engages largely in feeding stock, shipping several
carloads every year. They also raise the standard
breeds of horses and have a fine animal "Carl Jackson" by "Jerome Eddy", also another five-year-old
"Charles Dickens" by "Jerome Eddy." They have
some standard bred mares and colts, nineteen in
number. They always have the finest show in the
State for Christmas market.
The marriage of W. T. Church and Nellie J.
Reynolds, took place in Lockport, in September,
1876. The lady is a native of New York, where
she has a large circle of friends. She is an earnest
and conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which she finds a broad field for
activity. Five children have blessed their home,
namely: Fannie, Flora, Cora, Jennie and Kittie.
Mr. Church is an official member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a Knight
of Honor. He is a true blue Republican, and an
upright and honored citizen of this city.
iW,ILLIAM H. DUNHAM. It is a question
whether in any other of the counties of the
State there are still living as many of the
early settlers as in Shiawassee County. The greater
part of the farms are owned by the original purchasers and the fact that many of them, like our
subject, who resides on section 15, Fairfield Township, Shiawassee County, have passed more than
the allotted three-score years, speaks well for the
healthfulness of the locality and the care that its
residents have taken of sanitary measures, such as
drainage, etc.
Our subject was born in Rome, Oneida County,
N. Y., March 19, 1815, and is now in his seventyseventh year. He remained in his native county
until his marriage, which took place QctQber 26,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


743


1835, when he removed to Albion, Orleans County,
N. Y. There he resided until 1853, when he removed with his family of four children to Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio. Here his fifth child
first saw the light of day. Mr. Dunham moved
to his present home in this State in 1862. At the
time of his entry into the State the place was a
dense wood and the one hundred and sixty acres
which he purchased had to be reached by chopping
a way with his ax. He at once began the work of
improvement.
Our subject's father, whose name was John Dunham, was born in Massachusetts and was a soldier
in the War of 1812. The lady to whom Mr. Dunham united himself in marriage was Miss Almira
Brooks.  Her native place was Westmoreland,
Oneida County, N. Y., and her natal day was October 26, 1815. She was married on her twentieth
birthday.  Mrs. Dunham   was the daughter of
Charles and Eliza (Draper) Brooks, natives of
Vermont.
Our subject has five children, whose names are
as follows: Clara M., Walter C., Charles H., George
W., and Evaline C. The eldest child and daughter
is the widow of Burton Sanderson, and lives in
Strongsville, Ohio. A singular co-incidence of her
family is that she has the same number of children
as her father, the sex being the same as his and one
born in each month to correspond to the month
his children were born in. The eldest son lives on
a farm which adjoins tlat of our subject. Charles
H. is the Supervisor of the township at the time
of this writing (1891). George W. lives at not a
great distance from his father's farm. The youngest
daughter has not left the home roof. It is almost
remarkable that in the history of Mr. Dunham's
family he has never lost a child, a grandchild or a
great-grandchild. He has ten grandchildren and
five great-grandchildren.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch
had the advantage of only a limited education, but
has been a great reader and naturally intelligent,
may be styled a self-made man in both education
and property. His farm is in a high state of cultivation. He has one of the finest orchards in the
township and good buildings on the place. There
is no incumbrance whatever upon his farm.


Mr. Dunham is a man of broad and liberal ideas.
believing thoroughly in the possibilities of the
future and he has done all he could to develop
the country. He was appointed Highway Commissioner which post he filled for four years and
although he has never been an office-seeker, the
people in the township have urged him to stand
for office a number of times and though the township was strongly Republican he came within four
votes of being elected. He was appointed Supervisor on the Democratic ticket. Our subject was
formerly a member of the Congregational Church,
but of late has not been identified with any body,
as there has not been a church accessible from his
home.
M\ INARD A. HULSE, a prominent clothing
merchant of the firm of Clark & Hulse,
and also of a firm at Ovid, which bears the
name of Lambie, Clark & Hulse, was born
in Greenbush Township, Clinton County, August
29, 1855. His father, Addison Hulse, was a native
of New York, as was also his grandfather. The
father came to Ohio when young, and made his
home near Fredericktown, Knox County, where he
learned the shoemaker's trade under Isaac Eagle,
but finally took up farming. After his marriage
he came to Michigan on foot, prospecting, and then
back to Ohio in the same manner. He bought
Government land, cutting roads to his farm in order to reach it. He built a log house and manufactured rough hewn furniture wherewith to furnish it. He began with one hundred and twenty
acres of land in Greenbush Township, and now has
one hundred and forty acres. He is a Republican
in his politics, and has been Supervisor and Township Treasurer for years.
The mother of our subject Mahala A. Carter was
born in Virginia, the daughter of Charles Carter,
who was also a Virginian by birth, who came to
Knox County, Ohio, in the early days. Somewhat
later he became a pioneer in Essex Township, Clinton County, Mich., where he followed farming until




744


PORTREAIT ANID BIOGRttAPHICALi AtBUM.h~


7R    AND,O C  A.,.


his death which occurred in 1861. He was a member of the Universalist Church, but his daughter,
Mrs. Hulse, was a Methodist.
Four children made up the household of the parents of our subject. They were as follows: Sarah
E., now Mrs. Dr. S. M. Post, of Eureka; Charles
A. of the firm of Eagle and Hulse, merchants; our
subject, and Phoebe A. Hodge, who resides at
Bannister, Gratiot County. The oldest son served
for five years in the Regular Army on the frontier
of Mexico, and at other points. The earliest education of our subject was on the farm and in the
district schools, for after he became old enough to
be of service on the farm  he was able to go to
school only a part of the year. He remained at
home until he was twenty-two years old, having
entire charge of the farm during the last three
years of that time.
The young man now became interested in mercantile business, and in 1877 came to St. John's
and began clerking in the dry-goods department of
the general merchandise store of J. Hicks. Three
years later he entered the employ of Mr. Warner
Bunday, the oldest grocer in the town. During
the six years when he was in the employ of this
gentleman and three years that he was with his
former employer he lost only one week's salary on
account of illness. While with Mr. Bunday he occupied the position of head clerk and was considered the best salesman in the town, receiving the
compliment of the highest salary paid in that line
of work.
The present partnership of Clark & Hulse was
formed in 1886. They bought a grocery stock
from A. P. Colwell, which they closed out selling
$1,800 worth of goods in a week. They then put
in a stock of clothing and a full line of gentlemen's
fancy goods, carrying a large and well assorted
line of both kinds. In December, 1890, they formed
a branch store at Ovid, under the name of Lambie,
Clark & Hulse.
The marriage of Mr. M. A. Hulse and Miss Nellie Clark took place in Eureka, Greenbush Township, in 1883. The lady is a native of that township,
and is now the mother of one child, Edward G. In
1891 Mr. Hulse was elected a member of the Board
of Trustees of St. John's. He is a member of the


Knights Templar and of the Royal Arch Masons in
this city, and belongs to the Free and Accepted
Masons at Eureka. His strong Republican convictions and sound judgment make him a prominent
man in his party, and he is frequently a delegate
to county conventions. Mrs. Hulse is an earnest
and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Mr. Hulse is active in all public affairs,
especially in the fire department in which he is
Vice President. I-e began at the bottom and by
close application to business, and just and generous
dealing with his fellow men, has attained to a fine
business position. He has ever made it his rule of
action, to do unto others as he would have others
do unto him.
GEORGE WOOD. There is no class of manufacturers more necessary to the comfort
of mankind than millers and none whose
names are held in more honor than those who send
out good flour. Some account of the lives of such
men is a fitting addition to a biographical album
and the friends of George Wood of St. John's will
be glad to read this record of his career. He is
senior member of the firm of George Wood & Bro.,
proprietors of the city mills. The establishment
is now fitted with a full roller process run by steam
and having a capacity of seventy-five barrels per
day. The buildings are large, two stories and a half
high and substantial in structnre. The firm turns
out a special brand of flour called the "Pearl,"
which is in demand in the home market and is
becoming known elsewhere.
The Woods are an Eastern family and the business in which our subject is engaged is one for
which he has a hereditary fitness, as it has been
carried on by his direct ancestors for at least two
generations. His grandfather, Jesse Wood, was a
miller at Ft. Ann, N. Y., until 1828, when he sold
out and located on a tract of land in Washtenaw
County, this State. In 1835 he removed to Ionia
County, bought a farm and engaged in farming
until his decease. He was a soldier in the War of
1812. His son Joseph, father of our subject, was
born in Washtenaw County, N. Y., near Ft. Ann,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPEHICAL; ALBUM.


745


PORTRAIT AND B~~IORPIA AL U. 4


in 1811, and was in his seventeenth year when he
came West. He at once began work as a miller,
his first employers being Brown & Co. of Ann
Arbor, and Ypsilanti being his residence a little
later. In 1835 he located on Government land in
Ionia County and rented Pratt's Mill on shares.
Subsequently he became a partner with "Uncle"
Samuel Dexter, and without giving up his trade he
carried on a farm. About 1847 he sold the land
and bought a mill on Flat River, and in 1856
began the erection of another. This was completed in 1858 and run three years, when it was
destroyed by fire. Mr. Wood then came to St.
John's and bought milling property now owned by
his sons, beginning his work here in 1862. He
died May 3, 1882. From the organization of the
Republican party he was a stanch member. He
belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church and
was an official member.
The wife of Joseph Wood and mother of our
subject, bore the maiden name of Waty West.
She was born in Niagara County, N. Y., and her
father, Ebenezer West, was also a native of the
Empire State. Ile was one of the early settlers at
Ann Arbor, this State, and his occupation was
farming. Mrs. Wood died in St. John's, June 3,
1882, only four weeks after her husband had been
carried to the tomb. They had eight children,
five of whom grew to maturity. The eldest of
these was Harriet E., who died in Ithica; the
second was George, our subject; the third, Marion,
now living in Detroit; the fourth, Warren D., of
the firm of George Wood & Bro.; the fifth, Cora B.,
who resides in St. John's.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born
in lonia, August 28, 1846, but his boyhood and
youth were chiefly spent at Smyrna, on the Flat
River. He attended the district school, but from
the age of three years ran about the mill and when
but a little lad began to gain an insight into its
workings. When the family came to St. John's
he took up regular work in the mill and was a valuable assistant to his father, who had been reduced
in finances by his previous misfortunes and was
virtually beginning life for the third time. When
he was of age young Wood went to Saranac, where
his father had a mill property, and for a year lie


carried on the establishment. He then returned to
St. John's, where he has remained, giving his close
attention to business, first as an employe and then
as a partner. His father was in business with a
Mr. Russell until 1869, when our subject bought
out that gentleman and the firm of Wood & Son
went into effect. In 1880 the father withdrew
from the business, which was bought by our subject and his brother, who since that time have been
operating together. In 1885 they put in the New
Process and later built so as to use full rollers,
and in 1890 remodeled and enlarged the establishment.
In Saranac in 1869 Mr. Wood was married to
Miss Mary Patterson, who was born near Cleveland, Ohio. She is a well-informed and estimable
woman, a good housekeeper and a member in high
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr.
Wood belongs to the Odd Fellows Encampment
and the organization of Knights Templar in St.
John's and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political support is given to the Republican party. He is a genial, liberal man, wellinformed regarding passing events and topics of
interest, and having many friends in the town with
whose interest he has so long been connected.
C    HARLES E. TABOR. Among the younger
members of the farming community of
Lebanon Township, the subject of this
sketch may properly be mentioned as having
achieved success in more than an ordinary degree.
He was born May 3, 1860, at his father's homestead
on section 6, Lebanon Township, which is now his
property, and where he owns one hundred and
fifteen acres of some of the finest farming land in
this part of the State. Mr. Tabor was bred to
farming pursuits from his youth, while his natural
habits of enterprise and industry ensure success in
his undertakings. His industry is tireless, his
integrity unquestioned, and his personal popularity
is good. His good traits of head and heart win
for him the respect of all who know him, while in
citizenship he is energetic and progressive.




746


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


In an early day John Tabor, the grandfather of
our subject, removed from his native State, Vermont, to New York, where he settled in Franklin
County and there spent his remaining years. He
was a militia captain in the Empire State and
followed agricultural pursuits during his entire life.
Among his children were Roderick, who was born
April 8, 1828, in the Green Mountain State. He
accompanied his parents to New York and there
was united in marriage with Miss Edna, daughter
of Hamilton Babcock, a native of Vermont. Mr.
Tabor and his excellent wife became the parents of
six children, namely: Addie, Libbie, Fred, Hattie, Lottie and Charles E.
About 1854 the father came to Michigan and
settled in Lebanon Township, on section 8. His
first purchase comprised one hundred and twenty
acres, which he afterward sold, and bought one
hundred and fifteen acres on section 6. At that
time the State was in a wild and unsettled condition,
the dense forests being inhabited by Indians, and
deer, bears, wolves and other wild animals were
numerous. There were neither railways or public
roads, but it was not long before all modern im.
provements were introduced and the State took
rank with the best. Mr. Tabor was a hard-working
man, and he cleared and improved his land, and
embellished it with substantial buildings. He made
this homestead his residence until death called him
from earth, February 24, 1891. His widow is still
living at the age of sixty-two years, and makes her
home with her son, Charles. Mr. Tabor was a
Master Mason, and voted the Republican ticket.
He served his fellow-citizens in various official
capacities, among them holding the position of
Supervisor and Highway Commissioner.
In Lebanon Township, Clinton County, where he
was born, Charles E. Tabor, of this sketch, has
always resided, with the exception of two years in
Gratiot County. During his boyhood he received
good common-school advantages and the knowledge
gleaned from  text-books has been increased by
careful observation and constant reading. Upon
the death of his father he fell heir to the old homestead, and here he follows general farming. Like
his father, he believes in the principles adopted by
the Republican party and uniformly votes for the


I


(


-- — ~~ --- —


candidates who are pledged to its support. He was
married, March 3, 1887, to Miss Millie Schoomaker,
the marriage ceremony being solemnized in St.
John's, Clinton County. The bride is the daughter
of John and Mary A. Schoomaker, natives of New
York. During the early history of this State, the
father came hither and settled in lonia County,
where he still lives. Two children have blest the
union of our subject and his estimable wife-Fred
and Charles. Mrs. Tabor is an educated and
refined woman, who looks well to the ways of her
household, is devoted to husband and children,
and full of kindly deeds to those about her.
\   /ILLIAM C. BOTSFORD. In the city of
\ / St. John's this gentleman has resided since
1886, prior to which time he had spent
more than thirty years on farm land in Greenbush
Township. He came to the State in 1853 and
established his home in the woods on section 27, of
the township named. He bought a tract of land
on which there was a clearing of about two acres,
and set himself energetically to work to improve
it in every part, and to add to its extent and to the
income he would thereby receive. When he began
his work here he was the possessor of $200 in cash
and from this small capital has grown an ample
competence. He now has an estate of two hundred
and forty acres and has given his eldest son one
hundred acres of valuable land. His residence in
St. John's is new and beautiful, and he and his excellent wife are enjoying that which they labored
hard to acquire, and are taking an active part in
social and benevolent affairs.
Mr. Botsford was born in Genesee County, N. Y.,
June 12, 1829, and was very early thrown upon
his own resources. His parents were Chandler and
Anna (Drake) Botsford, natives of the Empire
State, and he was their only son. He was but four
years old when death deprived him of his father's
care and two years later he was out among strangers. When twelve-years old he began the regular
work of a farm hand and for his services from that
time on he received from twenty-five cents per day




I




^  )




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


749


to $5 and $6 per month. His educational privileges were necessarily limited as he was able to attend school but a short time during the winter
months, and his entire school life would probably
not cover a period of more than a year.
It is needless and indeed impossible to give the
details of Mr. Botsford's life, but the fact that he
had a small sum of money when he came to this
State shows that he was prudent and economical
and that he had an aim in life that he was determined to carry out. Those who are acquainted
with the primitive condition of the lands in Clinton
County know how hard he had to toil in bringing
his estate to its present fine condition. In his efforts to make a home and secure a competence he
was aided by a capable and devoted woman who
became his wife April 17, 1856. She was born in
Lenawee County, this State, was the daughter of
William and Charity Leckenby and bore the name
of Sarah A. Her judicious management of matters which came within her control, and her good
judgment, were of great assistance to him, while to
her skill as a housewife he owed the creature comforts which surrounded him. To Mr. and Mrs.
Botsford there catne two children who were named
Varian C. and William E.
Mr. Botsford belongs to the Republican party
and is well satisfied that its principles are much
better calculated to enhance the welfare of the
people than those laid down in any other platform.
He has often been solicited to occupy positions of
trust in the township but has preferred the more
quiet walks of life, and has served only as School
Assessor of his district, a capacity in which he
acted for twenty-one years in succession.
E   ZRA WILSON HARVEY, M. D., a man of
fine physique and commanding appearance,
having in him the noble qualities which
come from the old Quaker stock, with these natural
traits well supplemented by special training in his
profession, has built up a large practice in Bancroft, Shiawassee County. His parents, William
and Druzella (Mills) Harvey, were born in Bucks


County, Pa., of old Quaker families, and they made
their early home in Canada where this son was born
in Elgin County, near Sparta, August 13, 1853.
In 1862 Mr. and Mrs. William Harvey came to
Michigan and settled on a farm three miles from
Pontiac, and four years later went to Lapeer County where the family still live. Their son, our subject, remained at home until lie reached the age of
nineteen years, attending first the common schools
and later the Romeo High School. He began
teaching near Imlay City,and taught there one winter and one winter at Attica. He had already begun to study medicine with his brother, Dr. James
Harvey, a practitioner for twenty-five years at
Romeo, and for five years at Detroit. He took his
first course of lectures at Ann Arbor iii 1874 and
1875, and spent the next two years at the Detroit
Medical College, graduating in a class of thirtyfive students in 1877.
Dr. Harvey next began practice at Vassar, Tuscola County, Mich., but remained there only a
short time, returning to Lapeer County, and very
soon changing to Bancroft where he has since resided, with the exception of one year. His studies
abroad have enabled him to take a prominent place
in the profession. During 1882-83 he took hospital practice and clinics in London, Paris and
Edinburgh. He was a pupil at St. Thomas Hospital, London, where the annual ticket cost $700,
and spent about a year at the Hotel Dieu in Paris.
Upon resuming his practice he made a specialty of
chronic and nervous diseases. During the spring and
summer of 1890 lie again went abroad, passing the
season at clinical work in London under special
instruction in the hospitals, and devoting especial
attention to gynaecology.
Dr. Harvey's office work has largely increased
since his European trips, and his success has been
remarkable. He pays especial attention to surgical
operations and is called to distant parts of the State
for special cases. He is a member of the County
Medical Society, which is known as the Owosso
Academy of Medicine, and is a prominent member
of the State Medical Society.
The domestic life of our subject is as worthy of
record as his professional career. His marriage in
1878, at Laingsburg, to Miss Lillian Belle Fox, a




750


PORT'RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


daughter of Dr. W. B. Fox, not only gave him an
accomplished and lovely wife but connected him
by marriage with that eminent physician whose
fame is national. Mrs. Harvey was born in Illinois, and was for some years a teacher. One son,
Wells B. Fox Harvey, is now twelve years of age,
and Dr. Harvey's little namesake, Ezra, died in infancy. Mrs. Harvey is a promlinent member of the
Congregational Church. The Doctor is a Republican in his political views and wa.s formerly an
advocate of high tariff, but since his visits to Europe he has experienced a change of heart in this
respect and now advocates free trade.
The attention of the reader is invited to a lithographic portrait of Dr. Harvey presented on another page.
I  REDERICK W. NEWMAN, a retired florist and landscape gardener who followed
this line of work for many years in Germany, now residing in Owosso Township, Shiawassee County, Mich. He was born in the village of
Griben, Prussia, November 28, 1828. His worthy
parents, Christof and Marie (Schroeder) Newman,
lived in the village just named, and the father was
Inspector on a large plantation, and he and his wife
spent their days in their native country. Frederick was the youngest of four children, and entered
school when only six years old, continuing in his
studies until he reached the age of fourteen years.
He then went to Pottsdam, and there learned the
trade of a florist and gardener, continuing with his
employer for three years, after which he took charge
of a gardei. He entered the Prussian Army at the
age of twenty years, and served two years in the
regular army and three years in the Reserve Corps.
He then returned to his business of superintendent
of gardens.
This young man like many another had learned
of America, and of the opportunities for prosperity
and progress to be found in the New World, and
in 1856 he set sail from Hamburg on board the
ship "Humboldt," passing six weeks and three days


on the ocean, and arriving at New York City, he
journeyed to Cleveland. Ohio. He was in a company of six families which had come together from
his native land, who remained together until they
reached Cleveland. Our subject then decided to
go to Milford, Oakland County, Mich., and soon
after secured a position in Detroit, taking charge
of an extensive flower garden, where he continued
for eighteen months.  In 1858 he removed to
Owosso, where he continued gardening and raising
flowers, devoting his attention to new and choice
varieties.
In 1861 this adopted citizen of our country enlisted in Company F, Ninth Michigan Infantry,
Col. Duffield commanding, which regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and took
part in the following engagements: Murfeesboro,
Stone River, Atlanta and Chattanooga, besides various less important fights. He continued in the
service for two and one-half years, and then re-enlisted as a veteran in the same regiment, serving in
all four years and three months. He was honorably discharged in October, 1865. He held the
rank of First Corporal, then was promoted to be
Sergeant.
After returning home this honored veteran returned to the pursuits of peace and clerked in a
hardware store for two years for William Andrews,
of Owosso, after which he took a position in a grocery store, but finally returned to his much loved
occupation of gardening and raising flowers. He
built up a good business in this line, supplying
plants and flowers to many localities throughout
the State, and also served the interests of the Rochester Nursery for two years. In 1881 he went
to England, where he has a brother whom he visited and remained five months; also spending seven
months in Prussia with other relatives. Returning
to his home he took up his business of gardener
and florist, in which he continued until 1883.
The subject of this brief sketch, was in 1857
united in marriage with Louisa Frederaka Karsten, of Milford, Oakland County. She with her
parents was of the party who came over the ocean
on the same vessel wjth Mr. Newman; she was the
daughter of Christof and Dora (Pangal) Karsten.
She became the happy mother of five promising




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


751




children, all of whom have lived to years of maturity, and have fully justified the fond expectations of their parents. Louisa A. is the wife of
Charles Briggman; Clara Louise is the wife of R.
B. Ketchum, of Bay City; Adolph R. is the foreman in Robbins' Table Factory; Herman R. has
gone to the Far West, and is located in New Mexico; and Bertha M. is at home. Mr. Newman owns
three residence properties in Owosso which yield
him a good rental, besides his pleasant home at No.
215 State Street, corner of Linn. He is a member
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He
still pays some attention to gardening for various
residents of his town, although he does not make a
business of it. Politically he is a Republican..,L   — o.    r r —. __    T-'.


OBERT CLARK. A good type of the Englishman  who   has become thoroughly
Americanized and who combines the push
and energy of a citizen of the United
States with the persistence and steadfastness of natives of the Mother Country, can be found in the
person of Robert Clark, a resident of Eureka, Clinton County. lIe was born in Lincolnshire, March
16, 1835, being a son of Robert and Ann (Anson)
Clark. He remained in his native land until he
reached his twentieth year, and then took passage
at Hull on the sailing vessel '"Richard and Harriet"
and after an ocean voyage of over six weeks landed
at Quebec, Canada. Ie came direct to Wayne
County, this State. but made only a short sojourn
ere removing to Ionia County, where he followed
his trade for a time. He had been apprenticed to
a blacksmith when about fourteen years old, and
had served five years, becoming an expert at the
trade.
About 1862 Mr. Clark abandoned his trade and
engaged in the sale of merchandise in the village
of Eureka, where he had been living some six
years, but working as a mechanic. He was the
second blacksmith to locate in the place. After
turning his attention to mercantile pursuits he
gained the full confidence of the business circles
with which he came in contact, and was soon re

garded by his patrons as one who was ready to
cater as far as possible to their needs, and who
would treat them  with marked courtesy at all
times. In his dealings he has been honorable and
straightforward, and his success has been well deserved.
The lady whom Mr. Clark made his wife, July
10, 1858, was kown in her maidenhood as Hannah Shire, and to them were born four children
-Robert S., Nellie, Gettie and Anna May. Nellie is the wife of Addison Hulse, and Gettie is
now the widow of the late R. E. Davies.  Mr.
and Mrs. Clark are lavish in their hospitality, and
the home, which is pleasingly adorned and kept
in perfect order by the wife, is often invaded by
their friends, who are sure of a cordial welcome
there. Besides the residence, Mr. Clark has considerable land in the locality, and worldly goods
sufficient to insure him against want unless some
unforeseen calamity befalls him. Ile is not only
one of the leading and influential citizens of
Eureka, but is recognized as one of the substantial men of Clinton County, and one whose example
can be noted as affording encouragement to others.
Politically he is a Democrat, but with quite liberal ideas regarding party policy, and socially he
is connected with the Masonic order in St.
John's. He and his wife belong to the Christian
Church.
OLLINS S E R G- E A N T. The gentleman
whose name heads this sketch is a descendant of a good old New England family,
and is proud of the fact that his ancestors, both
on the paternal and maternal side, have played no
inconspicuous part in the early history of the
Colony.  Collins Sergeant, who resides on his
farm  on section 21, Shliawassee Township, was
born in Sodus, Wayne County, N. Y., November
29, 1818. His father, Richard B. Sergeant, was
born in Massachusetts, in which State he and three
brothers were enlisted in the War of 1812, and
stationed at Sodus Point, N. Y. This point, however, proved not to be on the field of action.




752


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--


His mother, Hannah (Harkness) Sergeant, was born
in the old Bay State, where she met and married her
husband.
Our subject remained at home until about
twenty years of age, and when he reached his
majority, in 1839, came to Michigan, where his
uncle Stephen had already settled in the year
1837. In 1841 he made an investment in land and
the next year secured the place where he now
resides. In the meantime he had been at work
in the mill at Shiawassee. During the intervals
of his work at the mill he spent the time in
improving the farm, getting ready a home to
which he anticipated bringing his bride.
Mr. Sergeant was united in marriage December
31, 1846, and in 1847 he came to the farm, having
previous to this built a house. He has made his
home on this place ever since. He is a publicspirited man, who, though modest about asserting
himself or his claims, has been pleased to assist in
everything that promises to benefit the locality in
which he lives. In politics he is a Republican, having voted for William H. Harrison in 1840, and
again for his grandson in 1888. Since his malority
he has not missed casting his vote at a single Presidential election.
Mrs. Sergeant was known in her girlhood as
Minerva Lemon, and she was a daughter of John
and Julia Ann (Trowbridge) Lemon. The former
was a native of Ireland, and tie latter of New Jersey. They met in this country and were married
in Steuben County, N. Y., where they located June
29, 1823. In 1831 the family came to Michigan,
where they located in Troy, Oakland County. In
1840 they removed to Shiawassee County, about
one mile north of their present home. Her father
died soon after her marriage, at the {tge of fifty-six
years; her mother died in 1864, at the age of sixtythree years. Mr. Sergeant has a fine family, all of
whom are men and women who have taken their
positions in life and are all useful members of society. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, married P.
F. Shaefer and resides in Buffalo, N. Y.; Frank
lives at home; Georgiana is Mrs. Rudolph Colby
and resides in Shiawassee Township. The son
Frank has taken to wife a lady whose maiden name
was Margaret Hadley. Our subject and his wife live


all alone on their pleasant farm. Their son Frank
has a very beautiful home immediately adjoining
the paternal estate. Two children, Ned and Lucy,
brighten their home life.
g —e — -
ETH J. BARKER. The original of our
sketch is a farmer located on section 8,
S      Vernon Township. He was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., in the town of
Schuyler, July 19, 1819. His father was Isaac
Barker, a native of Massachusetts, who went to
New York with his parents when a very small child.
There he was reared and became a farmer. He
came to this State in 1836 and settled in Lenawee
County, where he located on a farm which had four
acres cleared. He immediately planted all the
available land in wheat, preparing other ground for
the same crop as fast as possible.
When our subject's father first settled in Vernon
Township there was only part of a log house on the
place. He finished this primitive habitation and
moved in with his family. The work of clearing,
fencing, putting up new buildings, plowing, planting and reaping occupied the years until he died,
at the hale old age of eighty-four. He was Republican in politics and a memnber of the Baptist
Church. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Paul
Barker, was also a farmer in Massachusetts.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Huldah Whaley, whose place of nativity is not
known to her son. She lived to be eighty-four
years old. Herkimer County, N. Y., was the place
of their marriage. They were tile parents of six
children, all sons, three of whom are now living.
The original of our sketch is the third son. His
first school-days were spent in Monroe County, N.
Y., and when he came to Michigan with his parents, a young man of seventeen years, he was at the
age to anticipate Inuch pleasure from the adventures that would be met in pioneer life. ITe remained at home until he reached his majority, when
he entered the service of neighboring farmers,
working by the month until he came to Shiawassee
County and settled in Vernon    Township, one




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


753


mile south of Vernon where lie purchased a place.
IHe improved the farm   to a great extent, at
first building a log house, the modest dimensions
of which were 18x22 feet. In 1865 he sold out
his farm and moved into Vernon, where he remained for six years.
In 1871 village life having lost its attraction for
him, he moved to the farm where he now resides.
In 1846 Mr. Barker was united in marriage with Jane
Harrington, a native of New  York. They were
the parents of four children, two daughters and
two sons, two of whom died in infancy. Romaine
died at the age of fifteen years; Nellie, who became
the wife of W. E. Parish, died at the age of thirty
years, leaving one daughter, who is now a member
of our subject's family. Mrs. Barker died in 1881
and Mr. Barker was again married, taking for his
wife Celia, daughter of Archibald Purdy. She was
born in Shiawassee County, Bennington Township,
March 16, 1841, and was reared and educated in
the same place. She was formerly married July 1,
1860, to C. S. Clark, by whom she had three daughters. They were named respectively: Fanny, the
wife of Case Reed. who resides in Vernon Township; they have two children, a son and a daughter. Carrie is at home; Ella died at the age of
three years.  Mrs. Barker's father, Archibald
Purdy, was one of the earliest settlers in Shiawassee County. Mr. Barker has a fine farm of one
hundred and two acres and devotes himself to general farming. He is a Republican in politics, -his
first vote having been cast for William H. Harrison
in 1840, and since that time lie has never missed
but one Presidential vote.
e    IARLES H. PHILLIPS. This Union veteran is carrying on a prosperous career as a
farmer and is known to many as one of
tlose to whom Lebanon Township, Clinton County,
owes its agricultural status. His property forms
part of section 20, the estate consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, a large part of which was
cleared and broken by himself. Mr. Phillips is a


Wolverine, born in Wayne County, May 21, 1830.
His home was there until 1862, since which time lie
has been identified with the progress of Clinton
County. He first bought eighty acres of land here
and afterward added a forty and in due time had
the whole under excellent improvement.
Mr. Phillips traces his ancestry to an old Vermont family, his grandfather, Jonathan Phillips.
having been born in the Green Mountain State.
That gentleman was twice married and reared a
family of seventeen children. IHis eldest son was
in the War of 1812. David, the direct progenitor
of our subject, was a year old when the family removed to New York, journeying in a wagon drawn
by oxen. He lived in Ontario County until he was
about twenty-five years old, and in 1826 came to
Michigan and settled in Wayne County. Ile was
the first to locate in Plymouth Township and his
eldest son was the first white child born there. He
endured all the hardships of pioneer life, but by
hard work made a fine farm of the quarter-section
of land from which lie removed the forest growth
and on which he broke the virgin soil. HIe was
first married to Parna Butler and their children
were Oscar, Jonathan, Charles, Benjamin F.,
Amanda, Davidson and David. His second wife
was Jane Sackett and her children were Sarah,
Mary, Martha, J. C., Milton and Clarissa. The
father died in 1881, at a good old age.
We would fail to do credit to the character of
Charles 1I. Phillips were we to omit from  this
record a mention of his work as a soldier. He enlisted August 12, 1862, in the Twenty-first Mitchigan Infantry and was assigned to Company K.
He took part in many campaign duties, including
hard marches and skirmishes of greater or less importance and fought in the battles of Bentonville
and Stone River. During the latter lie was
wounded and taken prisoner the last day of December, 1862. He was held but five days, then
paroled and until May 20 he remained in the hospital at Murfreesboro. Thence he was taken to
Nashville and about the first of October was exchanged. He returned to his regiment and remained with it until the close of the war and
received his discharge in June, 1865. He was one
of the participants in the eight days' siege of Sa



754


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


vannah and he did what he could on many a field
to keep the old flag intact. His army life is kept in
memory through his connection with Russell Post,
G. A. R., in Hubbardston. In exercising the
right of suffrage Mr. Phillips always uses a Republican ballot.
The lady to whom Mr. Phillips owes the comfort
of his home became his wife in Wayne County, in
1856. She is the daughter of John Stringer, who
came to this State during its early settlement, lived
on a farm but followed the carpenter's trade most
of his life. The given name of Mrs. Phillips is
Phebe A. To her and her husband one child has
come, a son, Benjamin F., who lives on a farm in
the same township as his parents. He married
Miss Minetta Winans; they have one daughter,
Gracie.
--------- "~~~~ICr gt^^-T-i --- —--— U
IRAM WEBSTER, M. D. The gentleman
whose name heads this sketch is a practicing physician at Byron. He was born in
Ogden, Monroe County, N. Y., March 13,
1821, and was the son of Dr. John and Susan (Allen) Webster. The former was born in Berkshire
County, Mass., where he was reared. He took up
his residence in Monroe County, N. Y. in the year
1800. There he read medicine, was graduated and
began his practice, which he continued until his
death. His wife also died there; she was born in
New York State. The father of our subject was
a Democrat and held numerous local offices. Both
he and his wife were members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He was a man who secured a
comfortable competence during his lifetime, but
probably considered that his chief treasure was his
children, of whom he lhad eleven. Eight of his sons
reached years of maturity and one daughter lived
to call her parents blessed. The gentleman of
whom we write was the youngest son.
Dr. Webster remained at home in his native town
until lie was twenty-one years of age, when he went
to Lockport, N. Y. and began reading medicine
with Dr. Samuel T. Teall, and subsequently was
graduated at the American Eclectic Medical Col

lege at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1854. Previous to his
graduation be had practiced medicine in New York
State under a license. In 1851 he came to Byron,
this State, where he had been engaged in the practice of his profession, with the exception of some
short intermissions spent in travel and in attending
lectures il the East. Dr. Webster enjoys the distinction of being the oldest practitioner of Byron
and one of the oldest in the county, having been
in practice here for forty years.
Owing to the advanced age of our subject, he is
gradually retiring from practice and is giving
more or less of his time and attention to agriculture. He owns a farm of thirty-five acres in Burns
Township, Shiawassee County, part of which is inside the corporate limits of Byron. Here he takes
delight in the raising of small fruit, giving special
attention to that most delicious of fruits-grapes.
It is not Dr. Webster's desire to make a business of
this work, although there is a great demand in the
local markets for the grades of fruit which he
delights in cultivating. He also has a fine aviary,
giving much attention to bee culture.
Hle whose name heads our sketch started in life
with only what nature had given him, and the
advantages that he acquired in his school-life. He
says that when lie landed in Byron in 1851 he was
not worth ten cents and was a total stranger. So
energetic and pushing was he, however, that it was
not long before he had a large and lucrative practice. He is a well-read physician, one who was
never content to stand still in his profession, realizing that the possibilities in medicine are without
limit. He is a man in whom all have great confidence, both personally and as a physician. In politics he is a Democrat and his party have shown
their confidence in his integrity and simplicity of
purpose by bestowing upon him several of the best
offiees of the township. He has at various times
times been Clerk, Justice of the Peace and Health
Officer, Village Trustee and is a member of the
Masonic order, in which he has a Master degreebeing one of the oldest members of the lodge.
In 1844 Dr. Webster was married to Miss Betsey
Odle of Niagara County, N. Y. She was born at
Plattsburg, N. Y. about 1826 and was a daughter
of Milo Odle. Mrs. Webster died in 1850. Dr.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


755




Webster was for a second time united in marriage,
this time to Miss Adelia Cargill of Genesee County,
this State; she was born in New York State, March
11, 1829, her native place being Canandaigua, Ontario County. She was the daughter of Hartford
and Alice (Paul) Cargill, who were among the
first settlers of Genesee County, this State. Dr.
Webster and wife have had four children who are
as follows: Estella, wife of William L. Dibble of
Shepard, this State; Charles, who died at the age
of three years; Elvira, wife of D. G. Royce, postmaster and merchant at Byron and Lucy A., who
died at the age of eleven months.
G    EORGE W. PRIEST, one of the foremost
pioneers of Shiawassee County, residing on
section 8, Venice Township, is a member of
an honorable old New England family, and a son
of Joshua Priest, a Vermont farmer, born in 1781,
who fought at the battle of Sackett's Harbor and
was there wounded and became a pensioner of the
Government. The mother of our subject, Polly
Edmunds, a Vermonter and a relative of Senator
Edmunds, was born in 1788.
The parents of our subject entered the marriage
state in Jefferson County, N. Y. and resided there
until 1836, when they removed to Michigan, settling upon a farm in Washtenaw County, but afterward removed to Clinton County, where they
died, he in 1846, and she in 1872. Of their large
family of fourteen children, four only are living
namely; our subject; Electa, Mrs. Smith; Lucina,
Mrs. Culver; and Alzina, Mrs. Church. The father
was a Democrat in his political views.
Jefferson County, N. Y., was the native home of
our subject who was born March 25, 1814. In his
early boyhood he went to the district school a distance of from two to four miles and left home
when he was twenty years old. During the first
year he had occupation upon the farm  at $10 a
month. After a short visit home he went to Rodman, Jefferson County, N. Y. and hired out to care
for horses and cows, at $15 a month. After about
six months service here he drove a team of horses


to Michigan, making Marshall his objective point.
He did teaming for a season, but being afflicted
with inflammation of the eyes, he returned to his
father's home, which was ther, in Washtenaw
County, and there he remained until his marriage,
at the age of twenty-five years.
George Priest married Judith A. Luther, May
18, 1839. Her parents, Martin and Hannah, (Ed=
munds) Luther, were natives of Vermont and Massachusetts respectively. The father disappeared iil
some mysterious way many years ago and the
mother died in 1823. Judith was then adopted by
a Mr. Robinson, in New York State, who came to
Michigan in 1830, and settled in Lodi Township,
Washtenaw County.   After attending the district
school she taught for some time.
After marriage the young couple made their
home in Shiawassee County, upon the farm where
they now reside. They took up eighty acres of
Government land all timber, in beech, maple,
basswood and oak. Indians and wild animals
abounded and only two other families were near
enough to be called neighbors, namely: the households of Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Bunce. Mr.
Priest built a log house thirteen logs high, every
log in which was rock elm. With the help of nine
men and a yoke of cattle he raised a log barn
24x26 feet and did it in one day. For years it was
the only barn in that neighborhood. He was very
enterprising from the first and the very first spring
planted corn among the logs and potatoes, after
which the neighbors helped him to log the field. In
the fall he put in wheat which came up finely, but
an unexpected and heavy frost on June 10, cut it
down. A second crop was put in and grew well
but it was affected by the rust, and he cut it down
and fed it for fodder to his one cow. During the
first eight years he did not possess $8 in money,
but worked out to obtain everything which he did
not raise upon the farm. He passed through
severe struggles in thus establishing a new home.
He manufactured black salts and as he had the only
team in the neighborhood he was able to haul tihe
salts to Pontiac and thus procure provisions.
It was January 4th that they first made their
home in this wild place and it was the month of
June before Mrs. Priest set her foot outside the






756


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALIBUM..


76  P


woods, so isolated was her life. They had religious
services and when they went to church the whole
neighborhood went on a sled drawnSby two yoke of
oxen. Mrs. Priest had a silk dress which was a
possession in those days, as there was none other
here. The log cabin sheltered them  for twenty
years and then they built in 1861 the home in
which they now reside. In preparing to build the
log house he had no boards and no broad ax with
which to hew out puncheons. He borrowed one
from a neighbor who lived five miles away and
after a few days returned it at the appointed time,
and trudged off five miles in another direction to
borrow another which he had to return soon as it
was needed. Thus he hewed out basswood puncheons for the floor. There was no chimney and no
door to this log house, and a quilt was hung up to
serve as a portiere, although that word was then
unknown to these sturdy pioneers. They greatly
felt the lack of fruit and the following spring
sowed some rutabagas to serve in its place.
Mr. Priest now has one hundred and ninety acres
of land more than one-ninth of which is improved,
and most of this he cleared with his own strong
right arm. IHe has now retired from active work
and he allows his son to run the farm. They have
five children of their own and one adopted daughter. Their oldest, Laura, born in 1840, married
Gleason Youngs and lives in this township with her
husband and two children: Albert, born in 1842,
married Sarah J. Morrison, arid has two sons; he is
living in Hancock. Helen M., botn in 1843, the
wife of Norman Leland, lives in Owosso. Joseph,
born in 1844, married Sarah Wilkinson and lives
in Corunna and has three children.    George,
born in 1848, married Priscilla Nichols and has
three children; he lives on the farm. The adopted
daughter —Minnie Van Ness —born in 1858, is
the wife of Henry Lyons and lives in Hazelton
Township.
The mother of these children is an earnest and
devoted member of the Baptist Church.    Mr.
Priest has always been interested in political movements and has held the office of Highway Commistioner. He is a member of the Masonic order,
having taken the Royal Arch degree. He helped
to organize Venice Township and has been a


member of the local School Board. They are both
in good health and spirits and are regarded in the
most friendly manner by all their neighbors far
and near. When he first came to Michigan, after
getting settled, he had thirteen shillings in his
pocket, with which to carry his family through the
winter. Letter postage was then two shillings and
a letter came for him after his money was all
gone. He had to borrow the twenty-five cents for
thirty days in order to get it.
r-7  RED R. DARLING. When a young man
l     shows his mettle by assuming the care and
responsibilities of a family in early boyhood
and successfully carries through his undertaking,
one naturally expects that he will attain prominence in everything that he endeavors to do. Our
subject, who is a farmer and stock-raiser on section
21, Fairfield Township, Shiawassee County, was
born November 25, 1858, and is the son of Oscar
and Charlotte (Tillotson) Darling, natives of New
York and Ohio respectively.
Our subject's father moved to Ohio in his early
manhood, and here he met and married Charlotte
Tillotson, their union taking place October 15,
1851. They began their married life together in
Ohio and there remained for three years, when in
1854 they came to this State and located at the
lhome occupied at present by the original of our
sketch. The tract was at that time a dense forest,
there being not even a road any place near. The
father died on the farm August 6, 1876. Our
subject was a youth of eighteen years at that time,
but he soon came to the front and showed his
ability to manage, seconded by the counsel of his
mother. He is one in a family of five, namely:
Dilla, Ida, our subject, Masy and Annette. The
eldest daughter married Allen Bradshaw and lives
in Clinton County, this State; Ida became the wife
of Charles Bennett and lives in Duplain, Clinton
County; Mary is the wife of Hudson Goodrich
and lives in Rose, Oakland County, this State.
The youngest sister married Wilbur Johnson and
lives in Antrim County.




RCSIDE NC E O F A. C. B EN ETT, SEC. 2.,DUPLAIN TP.,CLINTON CO.,MICH.


RESIDENCE OF FRED. DARLING, SEC. 2e., FAIRF ELD -P., SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.




v
b




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


759


 —- ------ --


Mr. Darling was married November 4, 1885, to
a lady whose maiden name was Adda Cunningham,
a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Culver) Cunningham. Mrs. Darling was born in Canada, as were
her parents. Her natal day was January 11, 1865.
The original of our sketch is the father of two
children: Clarence O., who died January 25, 1889,
and Blanche Elizabeth, wlo was born February
19, 1890. Our subject has a good farm of eighty
acres, which formerly belonged to his father but
which he has acquired by buying out the interests
of the other heirs. Only a common-school education was enjoyed by Mr. Darling, but he is a bright
progressive young man for whom native intelligence and ability does much. In politics he is a
Republican but has never been an office-seeker.
The attention of the reader is invited to a view
of the comfortable homestead owned and managed
by Mr. Darling.
a_ -.


received a good common-school education. The
father, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, was
given a land warrant on account of his services
during that period of conflict. He entered land in
Michigan for his sons and our subject located upon
an eighty-acre tract which was thus obtained.
This had been given to two of the brothers but
Albert bought out the interest of the other one.
The marriage of our subject with Caroline M.
Sexton, daughter of Henry and Minerva (Peet)
Sexton, took place November 1, 1855. Mrs. Bennett's father was a native of the Empire State and
her mother was from Connecticut. Caroline Sexton was born February 19, 1835, in Wolcott, New
Haven County, Conn. The family resided for
many years in Medina County, Ohio, before coming to Duplain Township, Clinton County, where
they settled in 1850. Three children have blessed
this union: Clara M., born October 8, 1858, who
makes her home with her parents; Nellie M., born
November 2, 1862, now the wife of John Caswell,
whom she married November 20, 1884, and by
whom she had two children, Ina Belle and Lenn B.;
Eva, born July 31, 1866, was married to Marion
L. Tillotson January 14,1886, and is the mother of
one child, Fred.
Mr. Bennett is proud to claim a Scotch ancestry,
as he believes that he inherits much of value from
that sturdy, persevering and honorable race. He
was a Whig in his early days and cast his first
Presidential vote for John P. Hale, who failed of
election to the Presidential chair. He has of late
found his political convictions embodied in the
declarations of the Republican party and casts his
ballots for its candidates.
When our subject moved to his present home in
1855 there were only four square rods cleared and
the road ran for only a few rods north of his home.
In order to reach a point where he had promised
to assist at a raising, only four and one-half miles
from his home, he had to go by such a circuitous
route as took him into four counties. In those
days wild game abounded and deer, bears and
other wild animals came almost to his doorstep.
Many a night have he and his family listened to
the howling of the wolves. Those pioneer days
are now all passed, and the prosperity which has


LBERT C. BENNETT, one of the pioneers
of D)uplain Township, Clinton County, is
there carrying on a prosperous business as
farmer and stock raiser. He was born in
Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio, his natal day
being September 18, 1831. Oliver R. and Elizabeth (Ford) Bennett were his parents, the father
being a native of New Hampshire and the mother
born in the old Bay State. It was in that commonwealth they united their fortunes in marriage
in 1816 and after living a number of years in New
York they became pioneers in Medina County,
Ohio. The subject of this sketch was next to the
youngest in a large family. There were seven
brothers andt one sister, but the sister was called
from  earth while quite young and the seven
brothers grew to manhood side by side. Four of
them emigrated to Michigan and two of these have
been laid to rest here, leaving families to mourn
their loss.
Albert had reached his majority before coming
West and had been carefully trained hy his parents
in the duties of the home and farm as well as




760


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


come to this worthy family is a just reward for
their industry, unflagging perseverance and enterprise.
Mr. Bennett has a fine homestead, a view of
which appears on another page. Of this place he
may be justly proud, for it is an ornament to the
township.
----- --
L NDREW M. VAN DEUSEN.         The name
4  at the head of this sketch is that of the ocf  cupant of the farm on section 16, Fairfield Township, Shiawassee County.  He
was born July 30, 1847, in Medina County, Ohio,
and is the oldest of a family of ten children, five
of whom grew to years of maturity and four of
these are still living. He is the son of Ralph Henry
and Mariette M. (Rockwell) Van Deusen, the
father still lives in the vicinity in Clinton County.
The mother is deceased, having died in June, 1891.
When our subject was only eight years of age he
removed from his native place with his parents
and came to this State. His early life was spent
on a farm and lie received but a common-school
education. His natural inclinations, however, are
of a literary turn and he has ever been an omniverous and intelligent reader.
When seventeen years of age our subject enlisted
in the war of the rebellion, August 24, 1864. The
company which he joined was Company E, Twentyninth Michigan Infantry. During his service he
saw much hard fighting. He was in the battle at
Decatur, Ala. and at Stone River, al- o at Nashville
and was a participant in several other engagements.
Ile was detailed to do telegraph duty, which
was considered a most dangerous post but was so
fortunate as to escape without injury. At the end
of the war he was honorably discharged, September
25, 1865.
Three years after Mr. Van Duesen left the army
he was united in marriage, May 10, 1868, to Miss
Hattie E. Gifford, a daughter of Ara and Abby
Gifford. He immediately went to work at farming, which calling he has ever since followed. Our
subject's wife was born in Northville, Fulton
County, N. Y., April 5, 1849. She moved with


her parents to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, when about
two years of age and from there to Tuscola County,
Mich., when in her fifth year. She went to Oakland
County when fourteen years of age and thence
came to Shiawassee County when in the full bloom
of maidenhood. Our subject and his wife are childless, and the interest that they would naturally have
given to the little ones had they come to their home
has been devoted to the helpless and friendless and
to the development of the resources within their
reach.
Mrs. Van Duesen is a member of the United
Brethren Church. Our subject is a man full of unusual intelligence and has a vast fund of general
information. He is of great generosity of nature
and though limited in means, does his share in advancing every interest of the community. He has
been awarded a pension for his services in the late
war but it is less than he deserves.
The parents of our subject's wife were natives
of Fulton County, N. Y. Her father was born
August 20, 1832, and the mother's natal day was
March 31, 1837. Mrs. Van Deusen was her parents' only child; her father was a farmer of good
financlal standing.
ASON WOOD. The firm of M. Wood &
Co., is one of the most prominent in
Owosso and is carrying on a money-making business. The work in which they are
engaged is the manufacture and sale of all kinds of
hickory handles, whiffle-trees and neck-yokes. They
make a specialty of ax handles, but have also a
large a demand for those which are used on other
tools, particularly railroad and miners' picks and
the heavy tools of mechanics. The capacity of the
plant is two thousand handles per day and the establishment is a building 44x60 feet, with an engine room 24x50 feet.  Improved machinery is
used, some of the lathes being of Mr. Wood's own
invention, and a force of nearly a score of men is
employed.
Mr. Wood is of English ancestry and former generations of the paternal branch lived in Massachu



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


761


- --------------- -----— `- ---— I --- —----
-----


setts, while his mother's family belonged to another
part of New England. The parents of our subject
were Joel and Phebe (Yeomans) Wood, natives of
Massachusetts and New York respectively, who,
after their marriage settled in Chenango County.
There the father carried on a farm until 1847, when
he went to Medina County, Ohio, and made that
his home until 1882.  He then came to Owosso,
where he died some three years later. His wife had
been removed from him by death in 1875. Their
family consisted of five children, but three only
survive, and Mason is the second on the family
roll.
Our subject was born in Chenango County, N.
Y., February 19, 1826. He attended school in the
neighboring town of Preston and then worked on
a farm until he was nineteen years old, when he
began to make fanning-mills. He next learned the
trade of a gunsmith, at, which he busied himself
twelve years, having come to this State in 1855.
Leaving the work of a gunsmith he spent four
years in blacksmithing, and then spent eighteen
months in a tour in the Northwest and in mining
in Idaho and Montana.
Returning to Owosso Mr. Wood spent two years
in farm work, and then put up a shop and worked
at gunsmithing about two years. In 1871 he began on a small scale the business in which he is
now engaged, doing all work by hand, then put
up a lathe in company with Charles Osburn, carried on the business six months. The lathe did not
work properly and he resumed hand work and
planned improvements on the machine, perfecting
them within a few years. He next formed a partnership with David A. Gould, and the business
was placed upon a solid footing. After his death
his son, E. A. Gould, assumed his father's interest
in the firm. The mechanical skill and ingenuity
of Mr. Wood is now made available for the advantage of the firm, and by the aid of skilled workmen
and first-class machinery they are enabled to turn
out products which are serviceable and reliable.
When in his twenty fourth year Mr. Wood was
married to Miss Maria Gilbert, daughter of Orin
Gilbert and a native of Portage County, Ohio. To
them has been born one daughter, Allie M., who is
with her parents. The family occupies an attrac

tive residence on the corner of West Main and
Lansing Streets in a delightful neighborhood. Mr.
Wood is a Republican and has been from the time
he was able to exercise the right of suffrage. He
is identified with Owosso Lodge, No. 88, I. O. 0.
F. He has an excellent reputation in business circles, and his somewhat checkered career has given
him a large fund of experience and observation
from which to draw items of interest and instructive facts.
C  RED S. RUGGLES, M. D. The ills that
Ti    flesh is heir to are so numerous and com-,    mon that he who is proficient in the science
of healing has a strong hold upon his fellow-men.
If to his ability and a knowledge of book lore he
adds a knowledge of human nature and is strongly
sympathetic, a man cannot fail to succeed in his
chosen profession. Dr. Ruggles, who is a prominent man in Shiawassee County, Mich., and who
almost has a monopoly of the practice of medicine
in his vicinity, is a plain, unassuming but keenly
intelligent man whose personal power over his fellow-men, and especially his weak patients, has
assured him a high standing in his profession.
Dr. Ruggles was born in Lydon, Caledonia
County, Vt., June 15, 1856. Hle was a son of
Ephraim  H. and Susan (Stoddard) Ruggles, who
are natives of Vermont where they still live. The
father of the subject of our sketch has been a
farmer all his life, but now having acquired a competency and having a delightful home, living in all
the comforts that early effort could secure, he has
retired from active business. He is a Republican
in sentiment, but has never held any office. He
and his wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist
Church. They have three children, namely: Halsey, Charles, and the original of our sketch, Fred
S., all of whom are living. The eldest two sons
still live in their native State and county.
The original of our sketch was reared in his native town on the farm, and received his education
in the district schools and from the Lydon Literary
Institute. IIe remained with his parents until he




762


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


reached his twenty-third year, when, desiring special instrucJijn in medicine, he came to Ann Arbor,
Mich., there entering the homeopathic department
of medicine. Here he graduated in the spring of
1881. Soon after leaving college he located in
Brighton, this State, where he began his practice.
Dr. Ruggles remained here, however, only three
months and then went to Ypsilanti where he also
practiced a few months. In 1882 he came to Byron, Shiawassee County, and has been constantly
engaged in the healing art ever since at that place.
For the past six years Dr. Ruggles, besides -his
medical profession, has carried on the drug business at Byron. He is a member of the Michigan
State Homeopathic Society. He holds a Master
degree in the Masonic order and is a Knight of the
Maccabees. In politics he is an ardent Republican.
June 29, 1881, the gentleman of whom we write
was united in marriage to Miss Effie A. Knapp, of
Salem, Washtenaw County, Mich. The lady was
born in the place of her marriage and is the daughter of Myron E. and Amanda Knapp. Dr. Ruggles
and lady have had one child, a daughter, Agnes M.
R. ARTHUR H. KENYON is one of the most
prominent dentists in St. John's, having a
large and lucrative practice by which his
time is fully occupied. He is a native of the Empire
State, born in Clinton, Oneida County, May 22,
1855. His father, Henry B. Kenyon, was a native of
Brookfield, Madison County, and in his early years
was a farmer, but later became a clerk in a general
produce house in Clinton.  He died when but
forty years old, leaving six children, the youngest
of whom was A. H. Politically lie was a strong
Republican and religiously lie was an earnest Methodist. His father, Varnam Kenyon, was a native
of Schoharie County, N. Y., whither his parents
had gone from Connecticut.
The wife of Henry Kenyon, and mother of our
subject, bore the maiden name of Chloe Lamb.
She was born in Brookfield, N. Y., and her father,
Amos Lamb, was a native of Connecticut. He was
a farmer and a man of means, spent a great deal of


time and money in carrying on religious work and
was a leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church
near his home. As an exhorter he labored to upbuild the cause of Christianity. His father, who
was a Revolutionary soldier, was one of the early
settlers in Madison County and named Colchester
Township after his old home in the "Land of Steady
Habits."  Mrs. Chloe Kenyon is now quite advanced in years, having been born in 1818.  She
is living in Brookfield, Madison County, N. Y.
Dr. Kenyon lived in his native place until lie
was about nine years of age, when, his father having died, his widowed mother returned to the home
of her youth with her family. For two years the
lad remained with his Grandfather Lamb and he
then worked out.a year on a farm for his board
and clothes. The mother married Loren Burdick,
a farmer of Madison County, and A. H. spent two
years witll her, having the opportunity of attending school during the winter. He then began
working out again, now securing wages, and lie
kept on as a farm hand until 1872. He then spent
two years in a machine shop, after which he was
a clerk about the same length of time.
In February, 1874, young Kenyon came to this
State and for five months he lived with Mr. Campbell in Greenbush Township, Clinton County. He
then spent some three years in the employ of the
St. John's Manufacturing Company and then took
up the study of dentistry, spending a year in the
office of Dr. E. F. Sanders. He next returned East
and spent a summer at the old home in Brookfield,
N. Y., still studying dental surgery. Returning to
St. John's he studied a year longer and in 1880
opened an office. lHe has not only been successful
in securing a reputation that brings him plenty of
work, but he has acquired some property, iicluding
a farm of eighty acres in Bengal Township, which
is under good improvement and rents for a fair
sum.
Dr. Kenyon was married in Ovid in 1883 to
Miss Mary Allen, a native of Pontiac.  She was
reared and educated at her native place, had good
schooling and careful parental training, and understands how to make her home cosy and attractive.
She and her husband have many friends and stand
well with their associates.  The Doctor votes the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


763


- - - - -             -    - - - I  I, - -   -   -  _- 7   - _  ---  -   ---   -   --   --  11- -,   -  1- 1-  -- - -  - - -   - -1 - - l- ---- -- -l — -—. — -.- - -   I —   -  -  -   - - -   —,-   -   -


Republican ticket.  As a self-made man in the
truest sense, he is deserving of commendation, and
such he receives from all who know the difficulties
under which he labored and through which he advanced to his present position.
W  ILLIAM   T. DAVIES, a prominent and
prosperous citizen of Clinton County, and
a member of tile well-known firm of W. T.
& R. E. Davies, manufacturers of the celebrated
Greenbush Fanning Mills, was born in Hythe, Kent
County, England, August 30, 1829. He is a son
of Robert and Mary A. Davies, and a brother of
his partner, of whom a sketch appears in this volume. He was reared to manhood in his native
country and there received a fair education, yet he
is largely self-educated, as he has always kept his
eyes open and sought out means and sources of information. This young nian emigrated to America in 1851, taking passage at London on a sail
vessel, and making what was then considered a
short voyage of twenty-six and one half days,
making port -at New York City. I-e went to Lyons,
N. Y., and there served an apprenticeship of
three years at the fanning mill trade. lie subsequently came to Michigan   and for a short
time worked as journeyman at his trade in Grand
Rapids.
In 1855 the subject of this sketch and his brother,
R. E. Davies, established themselves in Greenbush
Township, Clinton County, where they have since
continued. They first commenced manufacturing
fanning mills on a small scale, and the celebrated
"Greenbush Fanning Mill" is their special product
and they also put out a large supply of milk safes.
The marriage of Mr. Davies with Miss Jeannette
M. Sevy, a sister of Ozi B. Sevy, of whom a sketch
appears in this ALBUM, occurred in Greenbush
Townslip. To them have been born six children,
five of whom are still living, namely: Hattie E.,
Mary L., Jennie, William  T., and Nettie. Mr.
Davies is identified with the Masonic order at
Eureka, and is in every capacity a public-spirited


--- -   I     1


and enterprising citizen. He is pre-eminently a
self-made man and a successful one.  He owns
one-half interest in a large body of land in which
his brother is also interested, and these brothers
work together harmoniously in the fanning mill
business. He is a stanch Republican in his political views, and favors every effort to improve the
social and industrial conditions of the county.
A more extended mention is made of the manufacturing plant and business of which he is onehalf owner in the sketch of his brother, Robert E,
Davies. For a more complete recital of the ancestry of Mrs. Davies the reader will please consult
the biography of Mr. O. B. Sevy, her brother. The
Sevy family is among the most prominent of the
early pioneers of Clinton County.
The beautiful rural home of our subject is almost directly across the road from the residence of
his brother, and both the external surroundings
and the internal arrangements indicate a high degree of culture and refinement. Mr. Davis possesses many of the sterling qualities and virtues of
the sturdy English race which has made that nation
the world's colonizer and civilizer. While not desirous of holding offices of trust, yet he takes a
lively interest in the politics of his township and
county. He has an excellent reputation for a
sound business judgment and financial ability, and
both he and his family are highly esteemed in social circles. No manufacturing firm of Clinton
County bears a better reputation among business
men than that of W..  &. R. E. Davies.
s  TEPHEN    1I. VALENTINE. This aged
man is now residing on a small farm in
Ir     Ovid Township, Clinton County, to which
he came in 1872. He is a skilled farmer
and a good business man, who has demonstrated
his ability in other than agricultural lines, but has
never given over his interest in farmers and their
work, and has almost continuously been in some
wise connected with them. The property on which
he now resides is pleasantly located, well improved
and sufficiently productive to satisfy every need




764


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


of Mr. Valentine and his good wife, while not
large enough to burden them with cares. With
their future secure, they are enjoying life and its
pleasures in a reasonable way, and are making
themselves useful as members of a common family.
Mr. Valentine was born on Long Island, N. Y.,
on August 9, 1819, and is the son of James and
thebe (Hendrickson) Valentine, who were also natives of the island. Prior to his eighteenth year
he made his home under the parental roof, pursuing the customary course of study, and taking a
part with his father in the work his parent was carrying on. He then went to the city of New York,
and became a clerk in the wholesale grocery house
of a brother, remaining there about four years.
He then took up his residence in Yates County,
where for ten or twelve years he was engaged in
farming. Thence he came to Michigan, settling on
a tract of land just across the roadjfrom the one he
is now occupying. He made some improvements
here, such as building a good house and barn, but
after a time traded for a farm in Erie County, Pa.,
and removing to the new place carried on his work
there about three years.
The next move of Mr. Valentine was to return
to Yates County, N. Y., where, having sold his
Pennsylvania farm, he entered into the grain business at Shingle Point, on Seneca Lake. During the
three years he spent at that place lie handled about
one hundred thousand bushels per annum, and lie
also conducted a grocery store there, serving at
the same time as Postmaster. The warehouse having been destroyed by fire he bought a farm on
the outskirts of Hemrods, and platting it began to
sell town lots. After a time he exchanged what
remained in his possession for twenty acres in Canandaigua, Ontario County, and engaged in the culture of grapes. From that locality he returned to
Michigan and settled where he is now living. Mr.
Valentine takes great delight in hunting and making
trips to various localities where game can be found.
He also enjoys fishing, and often goes out with his
rod to catch the finny tribe. Mr. Valentine is a
taxidermist of considerable notoriety, having had
some of his work represented at the Centennial in
1876.
The wife of Mr. Valentine was reared on the


banks of Seneca Lake, in Yates County, N. Y.
Her maiden name was Almira Longcor, and her
union to our subject was solemnized March 25,
1843. The only child born to them is Gordon B.,
whose natal day was November 18, 1845; he is now
married and living Chicago, Ill. He was formerly
engaged in mercantile pursuits. Mrs. Valentine
is a lady of good breeding and fine character, a
devout member of the Baptist Church, with which
her husband is also connected. Mr. Valentine is
a Republican in politics. He has never aspired to
office, but has yielded to the wishes of his neighbors and served as Township Supervisor. Hus.
band and wife are well respected and number their
friends by the score..
OBERT G. STEEL, Secretary of the St.
J  John's Mercantile Company, is the son of
1  Robert M. Steel, whose biography appears
C in this volume. He is one who may be
said to be "favored by the gods," as he has wealth,
education and high breeding, and has also the honest, straightforward and upright character that wins
respect. He was born in St. John's, October 4,
1867, and reared and educated here. He was graduated from the High School in 1886 and at.once
began an energetic business life. He had been
reared with the idea that it was necessary for him
to apply himself with energy and zeal to whatever
he had in hand, and from the age of fifteen years
had been given much responsibility. While his
father and his brother George were in Oregon he
had looked after their business interests to a considerable extent, and under their discipline he was
well prepared for the battle of life.
After his graduation young Steel gave his entire
attention to his father's business here, looking after
the real-estate interests. When the Mercantile
Company was organized in 1888 he became a stockholder and was elected its Secretary. He has retained the position, applying himself closely to the
duties devolving upon him, and as the enterprise
is a most extensive and successful one, they have
been by no means light. Ile is also Secretary and




PORT'RAIT AND BIOG RAPHIICAL ALBUM.


765


PORTRAIT A  B P   AL


a Director of the Electric Light, Heat & Power
Company, and a stockholder and Director in the
St. John's Gas Company, and the St. John's Evap
orator & Produce Company, and somewhat interested in the St. Jobn's Manufacturing Company.
He is estimated to be worth some $50,000, and it
is certain that no man of his years in this or any
other county, is a more thorough business man or
more energetic and alive to his interests.
Mr. Steel belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees and is a Knight Templar. He is a stanch
member of the Republican party and without being
a politician in the common acceptation of that
word, he aids the party of his choice in many ways.
He keeps himself well informed regarding news of
the day and many topics which scholarly minds
enjoy and in his manners exhibits the qualities of
the true gentleman.,-t. —^ ---sRANK CONN.       Among the enerprising
young business men of Clinton County a
prominent place belongs to this gentleman, who is a Deputy County Treasurer, as well as
Secretary of the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance
Company.   He promises in the maturity of his
powers to take a conspicuous rank among the citizens of the county and State, and his life thus far
proves that success may be attained by perseverence and industry, even though moneyed capital
be wanting. He was born in Bingham Township,
August 23, 1856, and is the son of Bemsly P.
Conn. Thie latter who was a native of Crown
Point, N. Y., was born February 24, 1828, and was
the son of George Conn.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a
farmer by avocation and was born in New IIampshire in 1806. His grandfather came from Ireland
at a very early day in the history of our country
and settled in Massachusetts. George Conn was
an early settler on Lake Champlain, where he carried on operations as an agriculturist. The mother
of our subject, Harriet E. Newell, was born on the
shores of Lake Champlain and was a daughter of
Joshua Newell, a farmer, who engaged in the War


of 1812, and finally died at the old home. Harriet
E. Newell was born January 20, 1830, and when
about nineteen years old was united in marriage
with Bemsly P. Conn, November 14, 1849. Her
father was born in Vermont, August 10, 1792, and
married Harriet Foster, their union being blest by
the birth of two sons and five daughters. Joshua
Newell was of the fifth generation from Thomas
Newell, who left Hertfordshire, England, in 1630
and settled in Farmington, Conn., in 1640. The
maiden name of his wife was Rebeckah Olmstead.
In 1854 the father of our subject came to Michigan an( entered land in Bingham Township, Clinton County, where he now resides. He added to
his original purchase of eighty acres until he has
now one hundred and sixty-five acres, and he has
improved the farm until the farm yields bountiful
harvests of golden grain. Seven children came to
brighten his home, three of whom have passed
away leaving two sons and two daughters in the
family circle. Our subject, who was the third in
order of birth, was reared under the parental roof,
and at an early age began to assume responsibilities. He managed the home farm successfully, and
although he had few opportunities for gaining an
education, he is well informed on all topics of
interest and importance.
Responsible positions in public affairs have been
given to Mr. Conn. In 1886 lie was appointed
Secretary of the Insurance Company above named,
in which he is interested, and still retains this position to which he has been twice re-elected. He
is really the responsible head of the whole business,
which he manages with great ability and strict integrity. He is also active in the Grange and his
counsel goes far in deciding questions of expediency. For two years he was Master of the County
Grange, and for three years he held the same position in the sub Grange. tie was also Secretary
of the County Grange two years and officiated in
the same capacity for three years in the sub Grange.
He is always actively interested in and an earnest
promoter of all movements to aid the farmers, and
is an earnest advocate of the single tax movement.
In January 1891, he was made Deputy County
Treasurer, and to the duties thus imposed upon
him he is bringing the same faithfulness and tact




766


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


which characterizes him in all positions in life.
His political affiliations are with the Democratic
party and he is a man who commands respect for
his opinions even among those who are of a different political faith.
HRISTOPIHER T. COOK. Michigan owes
an incalculable debt to those of her sons
who cheerfully and bravely responded to
their country's call in time of peril and rallied
under the old flag. Many who lived to return
from the battle field, sacrificed greatly in health
and strength during the marches and encampments
which fell to their lot. It is well known that more
died from exposure than from the bullet and
among those who suffered seriously in this way was
our subject. He is a farmer who resides on section 31, Rush Township, Shiawassee County, and
is a native of this county being born in Bennington  Township, August 23, 1844.   His father
Jonas C. Cook, a farmer and shoemaker, was born
in Genesee County, N. Y., April 18, 1810. I-e
had a common-school education and at the age of
eighteen came to Oakland County, Mich., with his
parents.
Jonas Cook was the third child in a family of
eight and when he was nineteen years old his father died and he undertook the support of the family. At the age of fourteen he had learned the
trade of a shoemaker and he availed himself of this
knowledge in his great undertaking. He remained
at home till he reached the age of twenty-six years.
In 1836 he was married to Paulina Shadbolt, one
of a family of five children.
Jonas and Paulina Cook, had six children, but
all of the little ones were snatched from their arms
in infancy and the mother died in 1842. In 1843
Mr. Cook married Rebecca Demming who was born
in Kingston, Canada, May 28, 1819. She was the
youngest of three daughters. Jonas had moved to
Pontiac when his first wife died and resided there
until 1844, when he made his home at Bennington,
Shiawassee County. There he bought eighty acres,
but in 1851 sold and bought other land in the same


township, which he disposed of and went to Owosso
to engage in the shoe trade. In 1855 he removed
to Ovid, where for three years he carried on the dry
goods business, which he finally disposed of,
and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres
in Owosso Township, and remained there till his
death, which occurred in 1886. He had been bereaved of his wife three years before, and they are
both lyiing in Oak Hill cemetery. They were consistent and earnest members of the Protestant
Methodist Church. He was an active man in the
Democratic party and was at one time. Highway
Commissioner.
The gentleman of whom   we write is the eldest
son in a family of four and received a commonschool education. I-e remained under the parental
roof until he reached the age of twenty-five years
and then purchased forty acres of land in Owosso
Township, upon which he remained until 1874. In
1869 he married Frances Farrar of Corunna. She
is the daughter of John and Louisa J. (Beech)
Farrar, New Yorkers, who had four children, of
whom Frances was the second child and second
daughter, being born August 8, 1852.
In 1874 Mr. and Mrs. Cook moved to Rush
Township and bought one hundred and twenty
acres on section 31. This farm was an unbroken
forest and he has cleared about seventy acres of it.
Two children have blessed this home, May Edith
and Charles G. Mr. Cook is identified with the
Masonic order and has been since 1866. He belongs to the Ovid Lodge No. 227 and is a member
also at Burton of the Oaks Lodge No. 107, I. O. 0.
F., also the Quackenbush Post, G. A. R. of Owosso.
He has been an Odd Fellow for twenty-six years
and has filled all the chairs.
In politics Mr. Cook espouses the cause of the
Democratic party and is a worker in its ranks steadfastly declines to fill any office. He was a soldier
in the late Civil War, enlisting in 1864 in Company E, Second Michigan Infantry, which was sent
at once to Nashville. Through severe exposure
the young soldier was taken sick and was finally
sent to the hospital where he remained about six
weeks. He was then sent home on a furlough for
three months. After this he returned to Nashville
and from there went to Louisville and Jefferson



A




l                                   A




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


769


----- - --- — --- ---    ` -" — — --1-11-
-- —  — — —-  - "I — -  11 --- —--- -------— I —


=


ville, but being still unfit for duty was again given
a short furlough and sent home. After being home
for a brief period he reported for duty at Detroit
but the severity of his sickness had so weakened
his constitution that he was considered fit only for
the hospital to which be was relegated and soon
after was discharged. He has never regained his
full quota of health and strength, as the attack of
congestion of the lungs, which was brought on by
his exposure in the army, thoroughly undermined
his constitution.
APT. WILLIAM E. CUMMIN, whose portrait is presented on the opposite page, has
been variously occupied at Corunna, and is
well known, not only in the county seat but over a
wide extent of country. During the late Civil
War lie did good service in the defense of the old
flag and looks back to a long list of engagements
in which lie took part. He is of remote Scotch
ancestry and traces his lineage to the Cummin Clan
who fought with the renowned Sir William Wallace. The Emerald Isle was the home of several
generations of his ancestors, and his grandfather,
Alexander Cummin, was born in County Down,
Ireland.
This grandfather was a manufacturer of cloths
and linens and a cloth merchant and he became
quite well-to-do. He took part in the Irish Rebellion and participated in the battle of the Boyne.
He finally sold his property in Ireland, came to
America accompanied by his wife Elizabeth, and
lived with their son James at Corunna. There he
died at the venerable age of eighty-two years. In
their religious beliefs he and his good wife were
rigid Presbyterians. Their remains are interred in
the Pimtree Cemetery at Corunna.
James Cummin, father of the Captain, was born
in County Down, Ireland and came to this State a
young man. He worked at the carpenters' trade
in Detroit in the '30s and acquired eight acres of
land in the city. He sold the tract and came to
Shiawassee County, and was one of the first to
make a home in Perry Township. He has followed




I


I~- - - - ^ — - I — - '- - -~ - -- ^- I~- - I- ~ ~ I~ —~ - - -


farming and the real-estate business and has bought
and sold more lands than any other ten men in
Shiawassee County, at one time owning over three
thousand acres. He was a stockholder to the extent of $8,000 in the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad and also had $1,000 in the Chicago &
Northwestern Railroad, the most of which was a
free gift to the railroads to aid in their construce
tion. He also gave one-third of the land necessary
to the Corunna Car Company, organized for the
purpose of manufacturing railroad freight cars.
In order to put in the requisite machinery, he endorsed notes to the amount of several thousand
dollars and lost every cent of it.
Mr. Cummin was also a stockholder with United
States Circuit Judge Longyear and others in Lansing, in the State Insurance Company.: He was
Director in the company, where he invested $5,000,
all of which he lost. He purchased of Hugh McCurdy his entire stock in the First National Bank,
and was a large stockholder in that organization
for many years. He was a war Democrat and during the late unpleasantness did grand service in
securing recruits in several townships, acting at the
request of a committee of citizens. He was County
Treasurer from  fourteen to sixteen years, and
Supervisor for a long time. He was engaged with
the late ex-Gov. Andrew Parsons and others in the
location of the county seat, which after a long and
bitter contest was finally located at Corunna.
James Cummin was also the founder of the Exchange Bank of J. 13. Wheeler & Co., the first
bank in Shiawassee County, and was one of its principal stockholders. He now owns from five hundred to six hundred acres of land, and was at one
time the largest taxpayer in Shiawassee County.
He is now in his seventy-sixth year.
The mother of Capt. Cummin bore the maiden
name of Julia A. Beale. She was born in Rochester, N. Y., and educated at Mrs. Allen's Female
Seminary. Her father, an early settler of Rochester, was engaged in the sale of merchandise there,
and later in Detroit, this State, and for several
years he was Sheriff of Monroe County, N. Y.
From Detroit he went to Lansing, where his death
took place. He was the owner of considerable city
property. He was a native of Connecticut, of Eng



770


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


lish extraction, and his given name was James.
Mrs. Cummin died in Corunna in 1880, and the
esteem in which she was held was shown by the
extremely large attendance at her funeral. All
stores and places of business were closed during
the last services over her mortal remains. She was
the mother of ten children, four of whom died
when small, and one in later years. The fourth on
the family roll was William E., who was born in
Perry Township, August 17, 1844.
Capt. Cummin lived on the farm until he was
five years old, then he came to Corunna, where he
studied until he had almost finished the highschool course. In the meantime he gave some
assistance to his father in farm work and in the
Treasurer's office. In June, 1863, while still a
student, he began raising a company, assisting
Capt. Shepard and Myron A. Converse. On July
25 he was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company F, Tenth Michigan Cavalry. At a large
meeting of the citizens of Corunna, held in the
courthouse, Hon. J. N. Ingersoll, on behalf of the
citizens, presented Lieut. Cummin with a handsome
sword, sash and belt, which he carried with bravery
and honor.
Lieut. Cummin was mustered in and took the
oath of office in Grand Rapids, and being sent to
the South, took part in some thirty engagements in
Tennessee and the surrounding country, prior to
receiving a serious wound at Flat Creek Bridge.
In that engagement he was leading a charge with
fourteen men, two of whom-Henry Kimberk and
Charles Russell-were killed. The Captain had
two horses shot from under him and( was himself
pierced through the right hip, the ball passing
through the pommel of the saddle and out through
the cantel of the saddle, then through his right hip.
He got into a cornfield among some raspberry
bushes and was then brought to camp and two days
later taken to Lamar Hospital. The wound was
received August 24, 1864, and he remained at the
hospital until well enough to come home,when he enjoyed a leave of absence, rejoining his regiment in
November. Prior to this, however, the Captain in
August, 1864, led a charge with thirteen of Company F, Tenth Michigan Cavalry, at Greenville,
East Tennessee, against Maj. Arnold's command,


and captured Lieut. Davis, of the Third North
Carolina Cavalry, and Lieut. Carter, of the First
Tennessee Cavalry with his own hand, throwing their
bridle reins over his arm and turning them over to
Col. Foote in person.
After his return to the scenes of conflict Lieut.
Cummin took part in a dozen or more battles, princippally in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, and January 7, 1865, was promoted to the
rank of Captain. He had previously had command
of the company, and had often led the boys in the
thick of the fight.  In the battle of Abbotts
Creek, N. C., on April 10, 1865, he was injured by
a fall. While in command of a detachment of the
Tenth Michigan Cavalry he burned several iron
railroad bridges in the Roanoke Valley, Va., in the
spring of 1865, while on the Stoneman raid. IIe
was mustered out November 28, 1865, after having
conducted himself as a true man and a valiant soldier. He was on staff duty with Company I, Tenth
Michigan Cavalry, for several months, with Gen.
James E. Smith, commanding at Memphis, Tenn.
He had charge of the records of the regiment, with a
detail of men under his command, and for this reason he was discharged seventeen days later than his
regiment.
Returning to Corunna, Capt. Cummin became
Postmaster in 1866, and after holding the place
three years became clerk in the Exchange Bank.
He had been paying some attention to reading law,
and in the fall of 1870 entered that department at
Harvard Univerity and studied diligently a twelvemonth. He was graduated in 1871 with the degree
of LL. B. and at once opened an office in Corunnna.
In 1878 lie bought the Shiawassee mill plant and
took up the manufacture of flour in the town of
that name. He had excellent water power, in fact,
the best on the river, and the product of his mill
was strictly first-class. In 1881 he took a consignment of flour to Glasgow and visited England,
Scotland and Ireland, taking special interest in the
birthplace of his father and the old home of his
grandparents. In addition to his milling Capt.
Cummin was engaged in the manufacture of oak
heading for oil barrels at Morrice and shipped to
the Standard Oil Company at Cleveland, in one
month shipping eighty-six car loads. In 1885 he




PORTRAIT AND BIOG~RAPEHICAL ALIBUM.


771


PRRI AN.1~AP A  ALU.         771.


sold his mill, and coming to Corunna, located on
land which extends into the corporation.
Capt. Cummin was married to Miss Annie E.
Field, a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., and one of the
leading ladies of Corunna. She is a member of the
Presbyterian Church, Treasurer of the Christian
Aid Society and an efficient worker in various
branches of religious work. She is conductor of
the Woman's Relief Corps and one of its prominent members. Capt. Cummin belongs to Henry
F. Wallace Post, G. A. R., in Corunna, to the Masonic Lodge at Corunna, and the Union Veteran's
Union. He was for many years a stockholder to
the extent of $4,000 in the First National Bank.
While he was Postmaster he was also Deputy Internal Revenue Collector under Col. Raymond, of
the Sixth District, which then embraced the upper
peninsula. In politics Capt. Cummin is a Democrat and he has frequently been a delegate to
county, State and Congressional conventions, and
attended the Democratic National Convention in
Chicago in 1884. At that time he was President
of the Cleveland Club.
4nEROME B. FRASIER. One of the most
sturdy pioneers of Venice Township, Shiawassee County, hears the name which appears at the head of this paragraph. He is
a son of Reuben R. Frasier. a noted native of Chautauqua, N. Y., and of Sophia (Wright) Frasier,
who was born in Bolton, N. Y. Their marriage
took place in their native State and there they
made their home until October, 1843, when they
emigrated to the Wolverine State, and'settled in
West Bloomfield Township, Oakland County. After
remaining there one year they came to Shiawassee
County, in the beginning of 1844, settling on section 22, of Venice Township, upon an unbroken
tract of land, and building a pioneer log cabin. At
the town meeting that spring there were but nine
voters, and only two more men were living in the
township.
Nine shillings constituted the fortune in hand of
this young pioneer when he made his home in this


county, and he had no team to help him in this
work. He had eighty acres and at once began
clearing it of timber, and at the time of his death
he owned one hundred and thirty acres most of
which was cleared. Indians and wild animals were
plentiful, and the nearest mill was at Pontiac.
There was but one wagon in the township and no
roads on which it was comfortable to use them. Oxteams were the only means of locomotion, and all
the neighbors were poor men. No churches nor
schools were yet established. Reuben Frasier died
in May, 1860, in the prime of life, having reached
the age of forty-seven years. His faithful wife who
still survives him has now attained to seventy-seven
years and makes her home in the old homestead.
Seven of her twelve children are still living to
comfort and cheer her in her declining years. They
are Helen, Mrs. Tottingham; our subject; Martha,
Mrs. W. Reed; Angeline, Mrs. G. A. Frazier; Malissa, Mrs. Michael; Reuben and Frank. The father
took an active interest in both politics and religion,
being an efficient worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and having allied himself to the Democratic party.
The gentleman of whom we write was born,
March 7, 1841, in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and
was only a child when he came West. There were
no opportunities for schooling until he had reached
the age of fifteen or sixteen, and then the schools
were not of a high order. As he was only nineteen
years old when his father was called from earth,
and was the eldest son, the cares of the family fell
upon him. He stayed at home and helped to care
for his mother and the children until he was twenty-five years old, and all his labors went for their
benefit.
Jerome Frasier married Mary E. Sawtelle, July
5, 1866. Her parents, Neely C. and Abigail (Allis) Sawtelle, were both natives of New York, who
came to Michigan in 1836, and made their home in
Avon Township, Oakland County, this State, and
in 1842, came to this county and settled upon an
unbroken farm in Venice Township. Here he built
a log cabin to shelter his family, and cutting a
road for three miles through the woods built the
first bridge across Rushbed Creek which lasted for
forty-three years. He was a hard-working man,




772


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and had eighty acres of land which he put in a fine
condition. They finally removed into the village
of Vernon and resided there until his death, September 13, 1867, at the age of sixty-two years.
They were the parents of five children, three of
whom are now living: Emeline (Mrs. Yerkes) Luther, and Mrs. Frasier.
Mrs. Jerome Frasier was born April 18, 1838, in
Oakland County, Mich. She received an excellent
training in the schools and her parents brought her
up in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
After marriage she removed with her husband into
Vernon for a short time and then went to live upon
a farm in a little frame house in which they lived
until six years ago. He has now added fifty acres
to his original eighty, and he has cleared one hundred acres of that himself. He has now built an
excellent frame residence and two double barns as
commodious and neat as are to be found in the
county. His land is in an excellent state of cultivation and a fine orchard has been set out. Besides
his own farm he has cleared between five and six
hundred acres for others. Five of their six children are now living, namely: Bertie J., born April
23, 1867; Bertha Estella, June 24, 1868; Frank B.,
April 3, 1870; Myron H., December 7, 1871, and
Myrtle M., May 13, 1875.
Jerome Frasier is a member of the Farmers Alliance and is prominently identified with the Patrons
of Industry. He is deeply interested in educational
movements and has occupied a position upon the
School Board, and provided for his children a good
district school education. HFe is intelligent in his
political views and independent in politics. His
neighbors have raised him to the office of Highway
Commissioner, which lie fills with efficiency and to
the satisfaction of all concerned. He has been a
tremendously hard worker all his life and has accomplished great things.
In March, 1865, Mr. Frasier enlisted in Company E, Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry., and
joined the regiment at Camp Butler, Springfield,
Ill., but remained there until his discharge, as the
war closed soon after his enlistment. The only way
in which he was allowed to suffer for his country
during his short period of service proved to be a
serious one indeed. He was vaccinated with poor


virus and it nearly proved his death and his constitution will probably never entirely recover from
the injury thus inflicted.
Six years ago our subject removed to the farm
where he now resides, where le has eighty of his
ninety acres of land under cultivation. He has
removed the stumps from it, and built a handsome
residence three years ago. A granary and an addition to his barn make his outbuildings a credit
to the township. He is active in carrying on his
work, and. does not yet talk of retiring from the
cares of the farm. His father was a noted hunter
in the early days, and every fall they laid in meat
for the winter which they had procured by the shot
gun, and he still keeps up this practice. Last fall
he and his two sons went to Ogemaw County, and
killed eighteen fine deer, some of which weighed
two hundred and twenty-five pounds when dressed.
When he was fifteen years old he shot an old bear
with his smooth bore shotgun and an ounce ball
and killed her. He then chased the cub about
forty rods and up a tree and killed it with the same
gun. Mrs. Frasier's father and her brothers were
also famous as shotsmen, and killed and caught in
their time nearly twenty bears.
W       ILLIAM T. BAIR, residing on section 21,
Greenbush Township, is one of the prominent and prosperous citizens of Clinton
County, the sketch of whose life will be read with
interest by everyone who takes up this volume.
The biographer found him to be a courteous gentleman and one well informed on the general topics
of the day. He is the present efficient and poplular Master of the Keystone Grange, with headquarters in Greenbush Township. In this position
he exerts a wide and wholesome influence by reason of his sound ideas and good judgment respecting the many social, political and financial problems with which that order has to deal.
The gentleman of whom we write was born January 3, 1848, in Ohio in Tuscarawas County. His
parents, Jacob and Mary (Sliffe) Bair, were natives
of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Tusca



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


773


rawas County, Ohio, in the early days and became
pibneerS. They were of German descent. To
them were born eleven children, nine of whom are
now  living.  Their eldest, Benjamin, lives in
Mansfield, Ohio; Simon, and Susan, who is now
the wife of John Shoewalter, both live in Tuscarawas County; Jacob was a soldier in the Civil War
under the command of Gen. Banks and was killed
While upon the Red River expedition; Lydia, the
wife of John Dorsey, lives in Davis County, Ind.,
and George in Mansfield, Ohio; William T. is the
next son, and Franklin, the youngest, lives near
the old home in Tuscarawas County, Ohio; Leah,
now Mrs. LaFayette Meyer, of Tuscarawas County,
Ohio, and Elizabeth, wife of Henry Bowers, of the
same place.
The early training of our subject was upon the
farm and he has followed agriculture all his life.
His schooling was scanty and was far from thorough and systematic, and he has been obliged to
educate himself in many ways since reaching manhood. He was united in marriage February 21,
1875, with Mary E. Bomgardner,a native of Ohio,
whose father, Benjamin, lived near the old homestead of the Bair family in Ohio. Three interesting children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs.
Bair, namely: Clark, born February 1, 1877; Clarence P., September 27, 1878, and Mary B., April
27, 1888.
The father of these children came to Clinton
County in the spring of 1878 and here he has
made his home ever since, in Greenbush Township,
upon a splendid farm of one hundred and twenty
acres, which he has put in the finest possible condition. He has served as School Director and was
elected in January, 1891, Master of the Keystone
Grange, No. 226, in Greenbush Township.
The political views of Mr. Bair have always led
him to affiliate with the Republican party, with
whom he has generally cast his vote, but he is a
strong Prohibitionist in his principles, and always
works against the liquor power in every way that
he can do it, by voice or vote, and ever strives for
the moral and social elevation of the people of his
township. And now we find Mr. Bair enrolled
with the Prohibition party, voting and acting for
Prdhibition, first, last and all the time. Both he


and his excellent and intelligent wife are active
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
which he acts as Steward. They are respected
members of society and enjoy the friendship of a
large circle of acquaintances.
EANDER      C. TABER. Although not a
native of this State Mr. Taber recalls few
scenes that are not connected with the
commonwealth, and his labors in life from  his
early boyhood have been performed here. During
the greater part of the time his home has been in
Clinton County, and for a number of years past he
has been numbered among the enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of Greenbush Township. In
the spring of 1865 he settled on section 31, where
he has continued to reside and now has one hundred and forty-five acres of land, the most of
which is under thorough cultivation and improvement. Having seen the country grow up around
him he takes just pride in that which his eyes
behold and in the fact that he aided in bringing
about the result.
Mr. Taber is the eldest son of Moses and Sally
(Bancroft) Tabor, who was born in the Empire
State and lived there until the son was about two
years old. The little lad was born in Monroe
County, January 4, 1835. When the family left
their Eastern home they came to Oakland County,
this State, and lived there some six years, their
surroundings being such as make up the familiar
story of early settlements. They then removed
to Olive Township, Clinton County, and here they
again made their home in a sparsely settled locality
where the scenes that met their eyes were of a
primitive nature.  Young Taber attended the
early schools such as the pioneers often established
before they were scarcely settled and although he
did not study many branches he became well
acquainted with the few. In the intervals of
school life he worked on the farm, devoting more
and more time to agriculture as he grew older and
stronger. He decided to follow the occupation,
but occasionally has paid some attention to the
work of a carpenter and joiner.




774


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Believing that it is not good for man to live alone
Mr. Taber won for his wife Miss Mary, daughter
of Seeley and Arvilla (Seeley) Harger, to whom
he was married September 7, 1857. This young
lady was born in New York and her home life and
educational privileges were similar to those of her
husband. She has had three children, to whom
have been given the names, Edwin M., George S.
and Charles J. The second son is deceased.
During his early years Mr. Taber did much
chopping and logging and other pioneer work. He
has so carried on business affairs as to secure the
confidence of those with whom he has had dealing,
and his sterling integrity is well known. Industry,
perseverance and good management are attested
by the fine condition of his property and the
goodly number of acres included in his farm.
Mr. Taber has served as School Director and has
always shown a warm interest in educational affairs.
He is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of
the Farmers' Mutual Fire Association and is classed
anmong the most intelligent and thrifty agriculturists of the county.
ARREN WOODWARD is one of the prominent business men of Owosso, being a
manufacturer of as well as dealer in furniture, and also carrying on the undertaking business. He was born in Steuben County, N. Y., May
27, 1840, and is the third son of William A. and
Miranda (Wing) Woodward. His father was born
in Cohocton, Steuben County, September 5, 1809,
and was a son of Lyman Woodward, a native of
Brattleboro, Vt., and of English descent. The
mother of our subject, Miranda Wing, was born in
Middlesex, Yates County, N. Y., September 14,
1812, and was the third child of Elnathan and
Hannah (Watkins) Wing, natives of Massachusetts.
The parents of our subject were married January 2,
1832, and removed to Owosso, Mich., in 1869.
The gentleman of whom we write was educated
in his native county, attending the village school,
after which he took an academical course at the


i


I


Rogersville Seminary. At the age of eighteen he
began teaching school and followed this work for
three years. His last school numbered one hundred
scholars. He began his business career as an architect and builder in 1862 and followed it for four
years. He came to Owosso in 1866 and began the
manufacturing of sash and doors, associating himself in this business with two of his brothers, under
the firm name of Woodward Bros. They purchased
the planing-mill of White Bros. and continued the
business at the same stand, adding to it the manufacture of furniture and building up a large 'business.
In 1890 he sold his interest to his elder brother, L.
E. Woodward and retired from the firm.
In July, 1890, Warren Woodward established his
present business of furniture dealer and undertaker,
in which he carries a large and complete stock of
the finest goods, and in connection with which lie
still continues manufacturing to some extent. His
present location is on the corner of Maine and Ball
Streets, where his business occupies four floors.
From his long experience in the manufacture of
furniture and his thorough knowledge of the busi.
ness, he is enabled to serve the public most satisfactorily.
Mr. Woodward was married in 1864 to Miss
Dora Faulkner, a daughter of John P. Faulkner, of
Steuben County, N. Y. She died in July, 1868,
leaving one son, Elbert W., who is his father's chief
assistant in his business. The lady who now pre.
sides over his pleasant home became his wife in
1871. She is Agnes, sister of his first wife. By
this marriage three children have come to bless
this home, namely: Francis H., who is now a student in the high school; L. Fay died May 8, 1885;
and Dora P., at home.
The gentleman   of whom   we write has held
numerous positions of trust and responsibility, to
which he has been chosen by his fellow-citizens.
In 1868 he was Alderman of the First Ward, has
served as member of the School Board for six years,
is a prominent member of the Shiawassee Agricultural Association and President of the Board.
He is also a member of the Board of the Young
Men's Christian Association and President of the
Board of Trustees of the Congregational Church.
He is identified with the Owosso lodge, No. 88,




PORTRAAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


775


I. 0. O. F. His commodious and attractive home
is the center of a pleasant social life and within its
walls he and his delightful family welcome the
friends who are drawn to them  by their truehearted and congenial dispositions. Politically he
has always been a Republican.
UGO     WESENER. Many citizens of Shiawassee County, who are worthy of notice
in this ALBUM are not native-born Amercans, but have proved themselves true and
worthy adopted citizens by making their homes
permanently in this country and taking upon
themselves the duties and allegiance which the
Nation expects of those who would identify themselves with our people. Among such we count
the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph,
a capitalist who has retired from active business
and is now managing the valuable estate which lie
has gained by years of persevering ind(ustry and
thorough-going enterl)rise. He possesses considerable property in Saginaw, also in Owosso, owning
the three story block known as the Wesener Block,
consisting of three store rooms, and also some
fine residence properties, including the one where
he resides. He was born in the city of Werne,
Germany, July 29, 1830, and is the only son of
Joseph and Johanna (Knipping) Wesener. The
father was a dealer in real estate and died in the
old country when our subject was but twelve years
old. The boy attended school from the age of six
to that of fourteen years and remained with his
mother until he reached his sixteenth year.
The youth now entered the German army for
one year but was held for three years on account
of the revolution in Germany. After his discharge
he emigrated to America in company with his
mother, sister an(d brother-in-law. He landed in
New York City, where he staid four months and
from  there came directly to Michigan, making
his home in Saginaw for some twenty-seven or
twenty-eiglht years. He then engaged in business
for himself and continued until the outbreak of the
Civil War when he enlisted in Company K, Fifth


Regiment Michigan Infantry, under the command
of Col. Terry.
The regiment was assigned to the Army of
the Potomac and at its organization he was chosen
Second Lieutenant. Upon their reaching Fortress Monroe Lieut. Wesener was taken sick and
was placed in a hospital for some weeks. He finally
resigned his position as Second Lieutenant and
was discharged on a surgeon's certificate.  He returned to Saginaw and there engaged in the drygoods business. He finally drew out his interest
in the store and in 1875 came to Owosso where he
bought the stock of goods which was being carried
by Mr. Goodhue and continued the business at the
same stand. A year later this merchant moved into
his own building on Washington Street, where he
remained until 1885, when he sold his stock to
Brown & Mahaney and retired from the mercantile
business. He soon after erected the Wesener Block,
a fine building three stories in height with baseiment, since which time he has lived a retired life,
looking after his busineiness interests in Owosso, East
Saginaw and West Saginaw.
The marriage of Mr. Wesener, in December 1855,
was with Miss Bertha Wingut, of Saginaw, a native
of Germany and daughter of Ferdinand Wingut.
They have had nine children, only three are now
living, viz: IIugo G., a book-keeper for a large
lumber firm in East Saginaw; August C., a clerk
for Osburn Bros. in Owosso; John A., a graduate
of the University at Ann Arbor and now Professor
in two medical colleges of Chicago, where he holds
the Chair of Chemistry; Bertha M. died at the age
of nineteen, in 1889; she was highly educated and
and a fine singer, and her untimely death from
typhoid fever was a heavy blow to this affectionate
family. They also had a daughter Elsie who lived
to be eight years old and died six years ago: Ferdinand died at nine years of age; the others died
when quite young.
The political affiliations of Mr. Wesner are with
the Republican party and religiously he is connected with the Congregational Church. He is a
member of the Owosso Lodge No. 81, F. & A. M.,
and of Chapter No. 87, R. A. M., of the Corunna
Commandery, Lodge No. 21,K. T. He is also identified with the Quackenbush Post, No. 25, G. A. R.




776


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




His pleasant home at the corner of Michigan and
Clinton Avenues is finely situated and the center
of a pleasant social circle. The sister of our subject was the wife of Dr. Lewis Franke, of Saginaw,
Mich. She died in 1885, leaving eight children.
Mr.Wesener's mother brought to the United States
over $20,000. She died in 1890 in her ninetieth
year, having belonged to a family who are noted for
long life, many of them living for nearly a century.
AMES D. SANDERSON, who is engaged in
farming on section 2, in the town of Sciota,
claims New York as the State of his
) nativity. The date of his birth is March
4, 1823, and the place LeRoy, Genesee County.
His ancestors were early established in New England and his parents, Pliny and Lydia (Weller)
Sanderson, were natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut respectively.  Their marriage was celebrated in the old Bay State and after a time they
took up their residence in Genesee County, N. Y.,
where they made their home until 1836. In that
year they removed to Ohio, settling in Richfield
Township, Lucas County, on a farm where the
mother spent her last days.
After the death of his wife Pliny Sanderson came
to Shiawassee County, Mich., where his death occurred some years later. His last days were spent
in the home of our subject. By occupation he was a
farmer, which business he followed throughout his
entire life. He became quite well off but through
unfortunate business transactions lost much of his
property. He served as Captain in the War of
1812, and in politics was a Whig and later a Republican. In his religious views he advocated the
teachings of the Christian Church of which he was
long a member. The family of Pliny Sanderson
and his wife numbered six children, four sons and
two daughters-Sallie, Lydia, David, Jonathan,
James D. and William.
We now take up the personal history of our subject, who in the usual manner of farmer lads was
reared in the State of his nativity until thirteen years
of age, when he accompanied his parents on their


I


emigration to Ohio. His education was received
in the schools of New York and Lucas County,
Ohio, and his education thereby acquired has been
largely supplemented by reading and observation.
He remained at home with his father in Ohio until
1852, when he determined to try his fortune in the
West and came to Michigan. He cast his lot with
the early settlers of Shiawassee County, and purchased eighty acres of land, from which lie developed a farm that has since been his home. Only
two acres of the land were partially improved at
that time but now the plow has turned the entire
sod, and rich and fertile fields are seen in the place
of the once wild and heavy timber. The first home
of the family was a log cabin which Mr. Sanderson
built on his arrival, but that primitive structure
lhas long since been replaced by a good frame residence, a view of which is shown on another page
together with other buildings necessary for the proper management of the farm.
As a helpmate on life's journey, Mr. Sanderson
chose Miss Lucy Richmond, and on the 4th of
March, 1849, the words were pronounced that
made them man and wife. At the time of her marriage, Mrs. Sanderson was living in Maumee City,
Ohio. She was horn in Summit County, that
State, December 21, 1830, and is a daughter of
John and Salinda (Martin) Richmond. By their
marriage six children have been born but they lost
their eldest child, a daughter, Salinda. The living
are Orice, Lydia, Allen, James and Edrice. Lydia
married Henry Bolton and lives in Rush Township,
this county, where he owns one hundred and four
acres; Orice became the husband of Ella Isham and
they own a farm in Saginaw County, this State;
Allen B., who married Clara Cobb, owns and operates forty acres in Sciota Township; James R. married Anna Brown and they also live in Sciota
Township, where he has sixty-seven acres; Edrice
W., who was united in marriage with Eva Emery,
resides with his wife under the parental roof.
Both Mr. Sanderson and his wife are members of
the Universalist Church and in the social world
they rank high, having many warm friends who
greatly esteem them for their sterling worth. In
politics he is a Republican and a member of the
Patrons of Industry. He has taken no active part






ERE5~OF MR.J-D.SANDERSONSEC. a.,SCIOTA TPF,SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.


* ES.OF WILL BALCOM,SECS$.4,&S-.SCIOTA TP) SHIAWAS~SEE CO,,M ICH.








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


779




in public life but has devoted his entire time and
attention to his business interests and with great
success. He is now the owner of one of the finest
farms in Sciota Township, its well tilled fields, good
improvements and excellent buildings, all indicating the enterprise and thrift of the owner. For
almost forty years he has made his home in this
community and therefore justly claims the honor
of being an eye-witness of Shiawassee County's
growth. But he has done more than this, for in
the upbuilding and development of the county he
has borne an active part.
W       ILL A. BALCOTM, one of the wide -awake
and enterprising young farmers of Sciota
Township, Shiawassee County, residing on
section 4, has,.pent his entire life on that farm,
which is the old Balcom homestead, having been
purchased by his father in 1850. Iis parents,
Charles and Caroline (Hills) Balcom, were natives
of New York and came to Michigan in April, 1850,
locating on the farm where our subject now resides.
The mother is now deceased but the father is still
living and makes his home with his son. He is a
Republican in politics, and one of the esteemed
early settlers of the community. Of the five children of the family the eldest and youngest are now
deceased, namely: Cornelia A. and Eva A. The
surviving members are Walter C., Julia E., and
Will A.
The subject of this sketch was born September
11, 1854, and under the parental roof spent his
boyhood days. As soon as he was old enough he
began work upon the farm and the occupation to
which he was reared he has chosen as the means
whereby to obtain his livelihood. He is now the
owner of the old homestead which comprises one
hundred and eleven acres of land, ninety of which
being divided into fields and highly cultivated, arc
yielding a golden tribute to his care and labor. He
possesses excellent business ability, and allows
nothing to come between him and his duty. Never
for a month at a time has he been away from his


farm. He is enterprising, industrious and progressive, which characteristics are sure to win prosperity.
On the 14th of November, 1876, Mr. Balcom led
to the marriage altar Miss Annie Montague, of
Victor Township, Clinton County, where their
union was celebrated. The lady is a native of
Canada, and a daughter of Henry and Mary (St.
Clair) Montague, natives of Canada of English descent. The home circle includes this worthy couple,
Howard E., their ten year old son, and Charles
Balcom, the grandfather. Their residence a view
of which is shown on another page, is a neat and
substantial two-story frame dwelling, comfortably
and tastefully furnished, and supplied with many
of the comforts, and some of the luxuries of life.
By those who know, the farm is acknowledged
to be one of the best in the township, and the many
improvements seen thereon are monuments to the
thrift and industry of Mr. Balcom or his father.
As a citizen, our subject is public spirited, manifesting a commendable interest in all that pertains
to the welfare of the community, and aiding in all
enterprises that are calculated to upbuild or advance the best interests of town and county. There
are many who hold him in high esteem, and those
who have known him from his boyhood and have
been witnesses of his entire life are among his
stanchest friends.
M ANDERVILLE D. GROW. The attention
of every stranger in Owosso is attracted
to the handsome Grow Block, the finest
business structure in the city and a credit
to Owosso. It was erected by the gentleman
whose name heads this paragraph, a modest yet
successful citizen who has from small beginnings
accumulated a comfortable competency through the
exercise of honest industry, unswerving integrity
and undaunted perseverance. He was born in
Cortland County, N. Y., in the town of Homer,
January 16, 1831. He is tle second son in a family
of four children. His parents are Stillman T. and
Derinda (Graham) Grow, being born the former in




780


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-----—  --- — -----— - ---- -— `- --- —- ---
-----


Connecticut in 1806 and the latter in Cortland, N.
Y. She (lied in Oakland County, Mich., when her
son was twelve years old. The father followed the
double avocation of agriculture and the ministry
and was for forty years a preacher in the Baptist
Church. His father, Elisha Grow, was of English
descent, and Stillman Grow spent most of his
mature years in Michigan, dying in Genesee
County, in 1887.
The subject of this sketch was eight years old
when he removed with his parents to Michigan,
making his home in Springfield Township, Oakland
County, where he attended the common-schools
for five years. His parents then removed to Atlas,
Genesee County, where the father died in 1887.
Here the family resided for some years. The marriage of Mr. Grow in his twenty-third year united
him with Eliza Mitchell, a lady of Atlas, who was
born in Niagara County, N. Y. and is a daughter
of George Mitchell.
After marriage the young couple made their
home in 1854 in Shiawassee County, locating on a
farm in Bennington Township, where Mr. Grow
carried on farming and stock. raising. He made a
specialty of sheep-raising, having an excellent flock
of sheep of two hundred or more and remained on
the farm in the successful pursuit of agriculture
until April, 1887, when he removed to Owosso.
The family of Mr. Crow consists of four children,
three sons and one daughter. The eldest, Frances,
is now the wife of William Rood; Lasell married
and resides in Owosso; Wray is also married; the
youngest, Lynn, is at home. In 1890, Mr. Grove
erected the fine building which is known as Grow
Block, which is three stories and a basement in
height and 44x85 feet on the ground floor. The
first floor is occupied by stores and the second
rented out for offices, while the third floor is used
as a public hall called Grow Hall, which place of
assembly is a great convenience and credit to the
city. Mr. Grow resides in a comfortable home on
Gute Hill. The house faces upon Gute Street.
The grounds comprise some five acres and since his
retirement from  active farming he has devoted
himself largely to fruit raising and has upon this
place choice fruit of all descriptions. When he
began life for himself his capital did not exceed


I
I


$300 and he has gained all his handsome property
through his own exertions, seconded by the efforts
of his devoted wife. This lady is possessed of a
lovely Christian character and is an active member
of the Baptist Church at Owosso. Mr. Grow is
identified with the Owosso Lodge, No. 88, I. 0. 0.
F. In politics he is a Republican.
g-T  *f              ----— 3 -W     ILLIAM I. CARUSS, the present efficient
Road Commissioner of Greenbush Township, Clinton County, is a native of Wyoming County, N. Y., and was born December 23,
1830. His parents, Henry C. S. and Temperance
Caruss were both born in New York State, and his
paternal grandfather was an Englishman and was
in the British Army during the Revolutionary War.
His maternal grandfather was a soldier on the other
side.
The emigration to the West of this family was in
1.833 and here they found a home in Oakland
County, and became pioneers of that region. The
mother died soon  after coming there, but the
father lived until 1884 when he died. The children
were reared there, and there our subject was reared
to manhood. HIe saw all the rough sides of pioneer
life and suffered with many of the children the
deprivations of scanty education and limited social
advantages. Mr. Caruss' education is that which
he mostly has himself obtained through a habit of
reading, which he has indulged in through life.
Upon May 15, 1858 Mr. Caruss took to himself a
wife, in Oakland County. His bride bore the
maiden name of Caroline Hosner, and she was a
native of O'akland County and a daughter of
Thomas Hosner, an old settler there. One son only
blessed this union, DeLoss. In 1865 this family
emigrated to Clinton County, and made their home
upon the farm where they now reside upon section 7,
Greenbush Township. Here they began life anew
in the woods in a log cabin and gained the experiences of the pioneer.
Through all years since our subject has come to
Clinton County he has been a useful and prominent
citizen, being always ready to serve his fellow



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


781


citizens in any way which would promote the best
good of the community. He has been Highway
Commissioner of the township and is a Republican
in his political views. His one hundred and fortyfive acres of land arc in a splendid condition, being
thoroughly cleared and well cultivated. He is
identified with the Masonic order in which organization he is well known. Mr. Caruss has the reputation of being the most efficient Highway
Commissioner this township has ever been so
fortunate as to elect, and he has probably done
more than any man within its precincts to bring the
highways up to their splendid state of efficiency,
and receives the gratitude of the community for
this invaluable service, while he has the confidence
of tile entire business community for his integrity
and honorable dealings.
W     ILLIAM   B. McCALL. Perhaps.no better
representative of both agricultural and
mercantile interests could be selected
among the citizens of Duplain Township than Mr.
McCall, of Elsie, who was born in Owosso, Shiawassee County, this State, October 6, 1859.  His
intelligent and worthy parents were both born and
brought up in Westmoreland County, Pa., and
bore the names of John H. and Angeline H.
(Byerly) McCall. They were early settlers in
Michigan, as they came to this State April 30.
1859, and made their home upon a farm near
Owosso. Here the father carried on agricultural
pursuits in connection with auctioneering.
No*startling events or unusual occurrences mark
the boyhood and youth of our subject. - He had
the advantages of a common-school education, but
beyond that was not favored in the educational
line. As a dutiful son, he made his home with his
parents, serving them as best he could through his
minority, learning from his father the best methods
of farming and growing up to a vigorous and robust manhood. His father died in October, 1880,
the very month in which his son reached his majority, and his grave is to be found in Owosso.
The son now began life for himself as a farmer


upon the old place in Owosso Township, and carried on the work there until four years ago, when
he found a purchaser for his property, and disposing of it, moved into Owosso and entered into
business with Lawrence, Hamblin & Co., running a
general store at Elsie.  After three  months'
experiment Mr. McCall decided that he would prefer to be more independent in his work, and he
bought out the firm and undertook the business on
his own account.
The marriage of Mr. McCall with Miss Anna
Strehle, of Owosso Township, was solemnized April
20, 1881, and has resulted in the birth of three
children-Nellie M., born March 1, 1883: Myrtle
May, October 21, 1886; and Glen Ellsworth, December 10, 1888.
The subject of this sketch is carrying on quite
successfully his venture in the mercantile line, and
handles groceries, queensware and crockery, dealing
largely also in farm produce. In his political views
he is a Republican, and one of the most active men
in public affairs in the village. lie has been made
a village Trustee, and lie takes an active interest
in educational matters, promoting by his counsel
and voice the upbuilding of the schools of the
place. Both he and his intelligent and amiable
wife have been for the past four years active
and earnest members of the Metlodist Episcopal
Church.
AMES H. GUNNISON. Among the families of early settlers who came to Clinton
County, none probably excel in solidity of
character and a worthy ambition the faminly
which is represented by our subject. The father,
Elihu Gunnison was born August 28, 1803, in
Newbury, N. H. After clerking for a time in a
store he removed when a young man to Lansingburg, N. Y., and there learned the trade of a comb
maker. He came to Michigan in 1829, making
most of his journey on foot and settling in Superior,
Washtenaw County, and there established and carried on a store. His marriage March 11, 1833 was a
worthy union with a lady of high intelligence and
great loveliness of character. Her maiden name




782


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


waS RHth Ann Pryer and she was born near Batavia,
N. Y., May 15, 1815. This union resulted in the
birth of eight children, seven of whom grew to
maturity and bore the following names: Alfred G.,
James H., Arsanius B. Hannah E., Joseph W., Ann
L., and Nancy Livonia. The parents of these children through all the trials of pioneer life maintained a high standard for their children, and
Sought for them above all things, the attainment
of a lofty character and a sound and liberal education.
James H. Gunnison was born in Victor Township, Clinton County, May 21, 1837, and is the
second white child born within the limits of the
county. His early education was taken in the old
schoolhouse under the rate bill system and the
teacher of the school boarded round. When a
little older he and his brother Alfred, two years
older than himself attended school at the Wesleyan
Methodist Seminary at Leoni, Jackson County, and
the two brothers walked back and forth whenever
they went home and boarded themselves at Leoni.
They also went to Lansing and worked for their
hoard while attending the public school there for a
year. They attended the State Normal School at
Ypsilanti, Mich., for three or four years walking to
and from home when they made their visits home
and boarding themselves at Ypsilanti. They also
attended for three years in the same way the Agricultural College after it opened at Lansing.
The young man remained at home until he was
about twenty-four years and then went to Knox
Coiinty, Ill., and taught school for two winters,
working on a farm  during the summer month.
While there he took a horseback trip to Iowa. He
then returned here and settled on the home place
which he carried on for his father until the death
of that parent when it came to him by will.
The marriage of James H. Gunnison with Celia
SouthWorth took place September 29, 1864. This
lady was born in Saline, Mich., on Christmas Day
1843 and was reared in that village. Her parents,
Luther and Sarah A. (Graham) Southworth, Were
natives of New Hampshire and Ireland respectively.
Mrs. Southworth was born in the North of Ireland
and came to America when a girl of thirteen. Her
husband was a shoemaker by trade and came to


the West in 1862 and owned forty acres of land
on section 27, DeWitt Township, *here he died
November 29, 1879, at the age of seVenty-three
years. tis wife is still living and makes her home
at Lansing, having passed her eighty-second year.
The wife of our subject died NoVember 12, 1889.
She was an active worker in the Methodist Church
here, and a lady of lovely Christian character. Her
daughter Hallie, born in 1871, a young lady of unusual beauty and accomplishments and endowed
with a liberal education keeps house for her father.
The subject of this sketch has one hundred and
forty acres in his home farm, over one hundred of
which are under cultivation. In politics he was
long a Democrat but is now an earnest Prohibitionist. He has served as Highway Commissioner and
ran for County Treasurer on the Prohibition
ticket in 1890. He is an active member of the
Sons of Temperance and also of the Farmers' Alliance, of which he is now President of the County
Organization. He was the first Worthy Master of
the Sons of Temperance and helped to organize it.
He gave $100 to help erect the building which is
used together by that temperance organization and
the Methodist Episcopal Church. He will attend
as State Delegate the National meeting of the Sons
of Temperance which is to be held in Saratoga,
N. Y., in July, 1891. He is a member of the
Masonic order which he joined in 1863. His pleasant home is delightfully shaded by large forest
trees which he has preserved for theitr beauty. He
is a man of excellent mind, broad education and of
a most genial and kindly disposition, being wideawake to the interests of his neighbors and of all
with whom he comes in contact.
-. --- —._.i.3l.         ---


UMAN WILCOX. In noting the present
appearance of the country included in Clinton County one does not always remember
that it is not a work of chance, but that it required
arduous toil on the part of the early settlers to
bring about the present condition, and that they
are entitled to the undying gratitude Of their successors, who can scarcely realize the privations




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM


783




they endured. Among those who have had a part
in the self-denying toil by means of which Greenbush Township was reclaimed from the wilderness
is Lupnan Wilcox, who has long been living on
section 36. In the spring of 1849 he cut the first
stick of timber on a tract of land here, and as soon
as a little clearing was made put up a log cabin
about 16x20 feet in dimensions. From that time
he has resided on the same farm, but long ago exchanged his cabin home for a more convenient and
attractive residence.
The paternal ancestors of our subject were English, and it is supposed that his mother also derived her descent from citizens of the mother
country. His parents, Jabez and Dorcas (Lounsbury) Wilcox, were born in Connecticut and were
living in New Haven County when their son Luman was born, January 15, 1811. He and a sister,
Mrs. C. C. Wilcox, of Bingham Township, are the
only survivors of the parental family. When
he was fifteen years old our subject accompanied
his parents to Monroe County, N. Y., where he
attained to man's estate. He received but a very
limited education as far as schooling goes, but
gained much practical knowledge not found in text
books. January 1, 1834, he was married to Miss
Lucy Richards, a native of Cortland County, N. Y.
and daughter of Obadiah and Asenath Richards.
In due time there came to the young couple two
children, upon whom they bestowed the respective
names of Earl and Hannah. When the daughter
grew to maturity she became the wife of H. B.
Smith.
In 1837 Mr. Wilcox removed from  the Empire
State to Portage County, Ohio, and established
himself about eleven miles southeast of Ravenna.
He remained in the Buckeye State until the time
already noted as the period when he became a citizen of Michigan. Here he and his efficient wife
toiled and planned, gradually seeing the result of
their efforts and the fruition of their hopes in the
better appearance of their own property, the added
comfort of their home, and the increase in the
society of the neighborhood. He owns about one
hundred and eighteen acres of good land, and his
farm is a standing monument to his capability and
industry, a when he came hither hle had very little


means. The journey from Ohio was performed in
a two-horse wagon in which a limited supply of
household goods were packed.
For several years Mr. Wilcox served as Supervisor of Greenbush Township, and he has also been
Highway Commissioner, Treasurer and Justice of
the Peace. He and his wife belong to tle Christian
Church, and Mr. Wilcox is a Prohibitionist in politics. Both are connected with the Clinton County
Pioneer Society, and are highly esteemed by all
who know them and understand how well they have
spent their lives and how useful they have been.
ILLIAM P. SCHANCK, one of the old settlers of Clinton County, now resides in St.
John's, where he is engaged in raising
standard-bred horses and buying and shipping
stock. With his partner, W. T. Church, he has
charge of a large and handsome meat-market. He
was born near Fredericktown, in Knox County,
Ohio. His father, Peter, and grandfather,William,
were Eastern men, the father being reared in New
York and having learned the trade of a mason.
He married after emigrating to Knox County, Ohio,
and carried on both masonry and farming, having
a fine reputation as a bricklayer and plasterer.
Mr. Schanck was not entirely satisfied with his
surroundings and decided to locate at some other
point, so he took a trip on foot, in January, 1849,
in company with Addison Hulse, of Greenbush
Township. After prospecting about they decided
to buy land in Essex Township, Clinton County.
They returned to Ohio on foot and in April Mr.
Schanck returned to his new home by team amn
wagon. The roads were very bad and in some
places he had to cut new roads, and he was seven
weeks on the journey. Often he could make but a
very few miles a day. He finally reached the desired location and took up one hundred and sixty
acres of land and built a log house. He worked at
his trade and hired others to cultivate his land for
his work was very much needed. At one time there
was not a house in Maple Rapids that had been
plastered by any other hand than his. He alsodid




784


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




--


teaming and drew lumber with his ox-team from
Elsie to build the first house in Maple Rapids. iHe
worked also at his trade in St. John's in those early
times.
Mr. Schanck had not been in the new country long
before the whole family was stricken with the ague.
He was unable to work for some time and they
saw very hard times. When the next payment on
the farm fell due he was unable to meet it and was
obliged to sell some forty acres in order to get the
$100 to pay for what was left. Later when more able
to purchase he bought the same property again for
$1,600. The original one hundred and sixty acres
are now well improved. He died in 1887, on the
25th of April.
The wife of Peter Schanck and the mother of our
subject, bore the maiden name of Rachael Jeffreys.
She was born in New Jersey. Her father, Parsons
Jeffreys, was a weaver by trade which he followed
in connection with farming in Knox County, Ohio.
His wife was a daughter of Capt. lickerson, who
served in the Revolutionary War and was of German descent. He trained his daughter to be a fine
weaver and she was able to manufacture cloth for
the family in the early days. She was a devout
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and
died in 1885. She was the mother of five children.
Our subject came to Michigan when only four
years old. He remembers distinctly crossing the
Maumee River on a scow. He was early set to
work on the farm and when eleven years old was
counted as a full hand in following the plow. He
early took charge of the farm, releasing his father
to do mason work. He helped clear up the farm
and had a notable record in the neighborhood as an
ox-driver. He went to school in the winters until
he reached the age of sixteen years and then he was
put to work, driving a team from the woods to St.
John's and other places on the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad, hauling staves. In 1864, when eighteen years old he went to Kansas, hiring himself to
a brother-in-law who was in the livery business at
Ft. Scott. He stayed there only three months and
then came back to take charge of two hundred
acres of land in Essex County which belonged
to his brother-in-law. In the fall of 1865 he went
to Colorado, going by rail to fifty miles beyond


Dubuque, Iowa, then staging it to Omaha; there lie
engaged to handle freight and drove five yoke of
wild steers to Denver.  He afterward went to
Central City, and engaged in mining in the Pewabic mines. In July, 1866, he started out prospecting, crossing the wilderness and snowy ranges of
mountains into a corner of Utah, after which he
returned to Central City.
When out prospecting, our subject with a party
of eight, stumbled onto a troop of Indians. There
were thirty of the warriors and they at once surrounded the whites and searched them. They found
that they had fish with them and said "White man
steal my fish, I take his biscuit," and they did,
taking most of their provisions from them and letting them go. In the fall the young man returned
to Iowa and took the railroad for home.
In the fall of 1867 Mr. Schanck entered into a
matrimonial alliance with Miss Mary C. Helms,
who was born in New York. The young married
couple settled on a farm in Essex where they lived
for three years and in 1870 went to Isabella County
and purchased an hotel, which they managed for
thirteen months. Mr. Schanck then bought a stage
line from Mt. Pleasant to Clare, and from  Mt.
Pleasant to St. Louis. lie managed the business
for about fifteen months and it paid him well until
1873. In 1874 lie worked at farming and lumbering in the pine woods and in 1876 he rented his
father's farm on shares for three years, and during
a part of that time took charge of three hundred
and twenty acres in Essex Township.  For ten
years he managed tie largest farm of any man in
that vicinity.
Our subject gradually dropped his farming interests and located in St. John's, purchased a residence and other property in the city and entered
into partnership with Mr. Church. This firm engages largely in buying, feeding and shipping stock
and also in raising standard horses. Among their
finest horses are "Charles Dickens" sired by "Jerome Eddy," "Lucy M." with a record 2:29- and
"Belle Jackson."
Mr. Schanck has but one child, Orby, who is at
home. The father belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons at Maple Rapids and is a member
of the Grange at Essex. He is a Democrat in his




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


785


political views but not radical. He has had the
tender of some township offices but declined them
as he preferred to devote his attention to his business. He is a very enterprising man and has made a
success of life, beginning in this new country when
St. John's was a mere hamlet and had but one small
store. He has seen hard times in pioneering and
has a corresponding enjoyment of the comforts of
the present time.
V    DSON B. PUTNAM, who is engaged in
general farming on section 2, Sciota Township, Shiawassee County, has spent his entire life in this community. He was born on his
father's farm near his present home, February 5,
1859, his parents, Barnet J. and Melinda (Cone)
Putnam, being early settlers of the county. His
father was a native of New York, and in 1836,
came to Michigan. Not long afterward Miss Cone,
a native of the Buckeye State, sought a home in
this locality, they became acquainted and were married in Sciota Township where they are still living.
Unto them have been born four children —Adell
E., Edson B., Frances M., and George B., and the
family circle yet remains unbroken.
No event of special importance occurred during
the boyhood of our subject. As soon as old enough
he was put to work upon the farm where he labored
during the summer season, while in the winter he
attended the district schools where his education
was acquired. He was also a student for two years
in Ovid, Mich., and for a short time pursued his
studies in Valparaiso, Ind. He afterward taught
several terms of school in this county but farming
has been his life occupation. He remained with
his father and gave him the benefit of his labors
until twenty. two years of age when he began farming on his own account. On the 2d of July, 1885,
he was united in marriage with Miss Emma A.
Moulton, of Middlebury, this county. The lady
was born in Steuben County, N. Y., and is a
daughter of Hiram and Betsy (Haight) Moulton.
Her father is now deceased but her mother still
survives him and is living in Middlebury.


Mr. and Mrs. Putnam began their domestic life
upon their present farm and their home has been
brightened by the presence of two children, sonsMark E., aged four years; and Earl M., three years
of age. The farm upon which the family resides
and which Mr. Putnam  owns, embraces one hundred and ten acres of valuable land on section 2,
Sciota Township, about 85 acres of which is under cultivation and well improved. He raises all
kinds of cereals adapted to this climate and is
meeting a good success in his line of business.
HIe is a well-informed man and a great reader, thus
keeping conversant with all general topics of interest and with political issues as well. In politics he
is a supporter of the Prohibition party. In 1890,
lie was a candidate for the office of Supervisor of
his township. The election resulted in a tie and on
drawing cuts Mr. Putnam was found to be the successful candidate. So ably and well did he fill the
office and discharge its duties that in 1891, when
again made a candidate, the election returns showed
him to have won by a majority of fifty-three.
Both Mr. Putnam and his wife are members of the
Methodist Church and lie also belongs to the Patrons of Industry. He is a worthy and valued citizen of the community who takes an active interest
in everything pertaining to the advancement and
welfare of the community and is an upright, honorable man whose life is in harmony with his profession. He has thereby won the confidence of all
with whom he has come in contact and is both
widely and favorably known.
ILLIAM I. HINMAN. The owner of the
farm  located on section 30, Caledonia
Township, Shiawassee County, was born
December 20, 1823, in Canada. His father was
James Hinman, a native of New York State. He
was a carpenter by trade but later in life became a
farmer. His mother was Bailey (Bonesteel) Hinman, a native of Canada. After their marriage in
Canada they removed to New York where they
made their home in Rochester until he came
to Michigan. Mrs. Hinman died May 12, 1852,




786


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and three years afterward Mr. Hinman came to
Michigan where he worked at his trade, first building a house for a man in Genesee County.
In the fall of 1855 the father of our subject came
to this county and settled on section 30. He, however, soon after sold this and after moving to two or
three places he returned and died here shortly before
the breaking out of the Civil War. He had been a
soldier in the War of 1812. The couple were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which
the father was a Class Leader, Steward and Trustee.
In politics he was a strong Democrat. They were
the parents of four children, three of whom are
living-our subject, John B. and Henry S.
At an early age the gentleman of whom we write
removed with his father from Canada to Rochester,
N. Y., where he grew to manhood. He lived at a
distance of two miles from the schoolhouse and until
the age of thirteen years had a poor chance to acquire an education. After that time he spent only
one winter in school, beginning life for himself at
the age of fourteen.
At first Mr. Hinman was employed on a farm and
later as a laborer on public works, being engaged
on the Genesee Valley Canal, his uncle, Col. Walker
Hinman, having a contract on the same. This gentleman has recently died at the age of ninety-six
years. Our subject at the age of twenty-one years
began learning the carpenter's trade; he then
formed a partnership with his father and elder
brother and the three took contracts together.
In October, 1855, our subject came to Michigan
and located on his present farm. The conditiom
of the roads may be judged of from the fact that
he had to pay $30 to have two loads of goods
drawn from   Fentonville to this place.  That
year the farmers were hauling their wheat from
Caledonia to Pontiac and got forty-five cents per
bushel for it. The next year he helped to build
the freight house in Owosso, the railroad having
been finished to that point on the 15th of June.
The farmers took their wheat and emptied it- into
the cars, receiving $1.22 per bushel for it.
At the time Mr. Hinman settled on his present
place there were no improvements, whatever, it
being a dense forest. He himself helped to cut
the road that passes his home. He built one of the


first frame houses in this locality. HIe divided his
time between his trade and the work of clearing
his farm, which now consists of fifty acres of land,
forty-five of which are now under cultivation. His
present residence was erected seven years ago. He
was his own architect and builder and has erected
a very attractive, convenient and commodious
home.
On the 7th of October 1847, our subject was
married to Sarah Jane Frazer, a daughter of James
G. and Mary G. (Hawkins) Frazer, the former being
a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Connecticut, in which State they were married. They
soon came to Pittsford, N. Y., where they resided
until they removed to Illinois in 1853. Mrs. Frazer's death occurred in 1861 and her husband followed her in 1867. They were the parents of nine
children, six of whom are now living.
Mrs. Hinman was born September 26, 1827, in
Monroe County, N. Y. In her girlhood she was
full of enterprise. At the age of thirteen she was
no longer dependent upon her parents and ever
after until her marriage provided herself with the
necessities of life. In their early married life Mr.
and Mrs. Hinman lived in Rochester, N. Y., for
eight years and then came to this State, of which
they have ever since been residents. They are the
parents of two children-Frances A., whose natal
day was May 14, 1850, and who became the wife
of William A. Richardson; they live in Owosso and
are the parents of two children-Mabel Leora and
Ivah W. The second child, William  James, was
born June 9, 1855, and died October 22, 1876.
Both children received a common-school education
at Corunna.
The family are kindly, Christian people and follow the Golden Rule, being ever ready to lend a
helping hand to those in need. Mr. Hinman is a
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
at Corunna. He has ever taken an interest in politics, having formerly been a Republican but is now
a strong Prohibitionist, being ardent in his work
in the party. The family were formerly members
of the Good Templars. Mr. Hinman has been
Highway Commissioner here.
Our subject and his estimable wife have experienced many of the hardships incident to pioneer




I




A/w


4^n~^




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


789


life, but there are some features which can now be
enjoyed as savoring strongly of the ludicrous. The
first night spent in this locality the family slept
in a log house, owned by John B. Hinman, where
there were evidently no provisions made for a large
family, but by stretching a point they accommodated them and nine persons slept in one bed.
They lived in a shanty, which afforded but slight
protection from rain or cold, for six weeks.
Mr. Hinman's father was Captain of a company
of farmers in Canada and after the War of 1812
they held themselves in readiness for defense
against being taken by the British army for serving
in the American ranks.
OHN BENNETT. Honorable industry always travels the same road with enjoyment
and duty, and progress is altogether impossible without it.  The idle pass through life
leaving little trace of their existence, but the industrious stamp their character upon their age, and
influence not only their own, but succeeding generations. The career of Mr. Bennett may be
pointed to with pride by his posterity, for not only
has he been a successful agriculturist but at the
time when the Union was threatened, he offered his
services in behalf of his country, and on Southern
battlefields fought for freedom and equal rights to
all. He was a brave soldier, and his military record can be pointed to with pride by his friends.
Mr. Bennet was of English descent. His paternal grandfather, John Bennett, was a native of
England, and he and his good wife, Ann, reared a
family of five sons and three daughters. Among
the former was Joseph, who was born in England
in 1817, and there married Sarah Watkins. Of
this union the following children were born: John,
Cynthia A., James J., Henry P., Joseph R., William, Charles and Herbert. In 1843 the father
came to America, locating first in Canada, and ten
years later removing to Detroit, whence after
spending one winter he went to the village of St.
Clair. After three years he returned to Canada for


a year, and then coming to Port Huron lived in
Michigan until his death, which occurred in Ionia
County. His good wife, now seventy years old,
still resides on a farm in that county.
The father was a Methodist in faith, but at the
time of his death was connected with the United
Brethren Church. He followed both farming and
preaching during the years he spent in Clinton and
lonia Counties, and was universally esteemed for
his many noble qualities of heart and mind. He
had a commission from the Queen of England as
Ensign Bearer. In early life he was a teacher, and
was an English professor in Calais, France. A
thorough scholar and linguist, he understood
French, German and Latin, and was well versed in
Greek and Hebrew.
The subject of this sketch was born November
26, 1840, in London, England, and when two
and a half years old was brought by his parents to
Canada and afterward accompanied them to Michigan. He remained with them until he reached his
majority, accompanying them in their various removals, and assisting them in the farm work. After
lie started out for himself he worked on a farm for
H. L. Porter, in Gratiot County. He continued
with this gentleman until August 15, 1862, when
he enlisted in the United States service in Company G, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, and served until
May 30, 1865. He was with the Army of the Potomac during the entire period of his services, and
is personally acquainted with Gov. Alger, of Michigan, who was Colonel of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry until near the close of the war, when he was
promoted to be Brigadier-General. Mr. Bennett
participated in the following engagements: Littlestown, June 30, 1863; Gettysburg, Monterey and
Williamsport, Md., Boonesborough, Culpeper,
Raccoonford, Robertson River, James City, Brandy
Station, Buckland Mills, and Morton's Ford, Va.,
the raid to Falmount, Kilpatrick's raid, the battle
of Trevilian Station, and many engagements of
minor importance.   Our subject was slightly
wounded in the right shoulder, and has ever since
had poor health. IHe returned to his home at the
close of the war, having been honorably discharged.
For about eighteen months he rented a farm in
Lebanon Township, Clinton County, and on De



790


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


cember 1, 1866, purchased the farm where he now
resides. This estate comprises eighty acres of fine
and fertile soil, and is considered one of the most
pleasant homesteads in the county. It is embellished with substantial buildings, and in 1885 a
commodious residence was erected by Mr. Bennett
for the abode of his family.
A few months after returning from the field of
war, Mr. Bennett was married August 15, 1865, to
Samantha Murwin, and one son was born to them
-Clifton J. The wife died in 1869, and on January 2, 1871, Mr. Bennett was again married,
choosing as his wife Mrs. Melinda Blaine: Of this
happy union one child has been born, a daughter,
Sarah M. Mr. Bennett is a member of Billy Bego]e Post, No. 127, G. A. R., at Maple Rapids.
Formerly he was a Republican, but he now adheres
to the Democratic party. He has served his fellow-citizens in various official capacities, has been
Justice of the Peace for five years, and has also
served as School Moderator and School Director.
He joined the Methodist Church at the age of sixteen years, and has since been a faithful member of
that organization. The other members of the family belong to the Baptist Church.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Bennett appears
in connection with this biographical sketch.
I~ ARSHALL HAND. It is doubtful if Clint 1 on County has a resident more highly respected by his acquaintances than Mr.
Hand, whose home is on section 1, Olive
Township. He is now engaged in farming, and is
successfully operating one hundred and seventy
acres of land which forms one of the best-regulated and most thoroughly developed farms in the
county. On every part of the estate the visitor will
find evidences of good judgment, and the buildings
are substantial and neat. Mr. I-and has not always
been engaged in farming, but has had much experience as a school teacher, and as a public official, as
will be seen by the perusal of the accompanying
paragraphs.
The Hand family came from New York to Michi

gan, and in the Empire State its members had
lived for several generations.  Jonathan Hand,
grandfather of our subject, was born there, and so
too was his son Hiram, the year in which the latter
entered upon the stage of human existence being
1816. That gentleman married Jane Sutfin, who
was also a native of the Empire State, and born
May 18, 1821. To them were born four children,
the eldest of whom is Marshall. He opened his
eyes to the light in Yates County, N. Y., March
10, 1841, and was just entering his teens when his
parents removed to this State. His father took up
forty acres of Government land on section 1, Olive
Township, being among the first to settle in the
locality. Deer and other wild game still abounded
in this region. Mr. Hand died April 24, 1860, but
the mother of our subject is still living.
Marshall HEand began his education in his native
State, and after he came to Michigan had to pursue
his studies in a log schoolhouse much more primitive than the buildings at his old home. When he
was seventeen years old he began teaching, his first
school being in the Krepps district, where he did
nearly all his work. The first three months were
taught for the sum of $25, but before he had given
up pedagogical work he received as high as $40
per month, which was first-class wages for the time.
He taught twenty-three terms, all but two of which
were in the same district, and many who studied
under his direction acknowledge the benefit they
derived from his teachings, not only on the topics
written of in their text books, but on the principles
of true living. Mr. Hand was nineteen years old
when his father died and he had to take the place
of his parent as best he could and look after the interests of the family. He did not give up teaching, but devoted himself to that work during the
winters only, living upon the homestead and carrying on farm work.
In the fall of 1880 Mr. Hand was elected Register of Deeds for Clinton County, and in order to
discharge his duties with the utmost faithfulness,
he removed to St. John's, and began his official
work in January, 1881. He was re-elected in 1882,
and was the only county official on the Republican
ticket who made the race that year. He continued
in the office until January, 1885, and then spent




PORTRAIT AND B~IOGRNPHICAL ALIBUM.


791


PORTRiT AND BIOR...A L AB.          1,  _,.


several months aiding his successor in discharging
the duties of the station. In the fall he returned
to the farm, where he has remained, devoting himself with renewed energy to his agricultural work.
In 1868 Mr. Hand was married to Miss Martha
A. Isabell, a native of this State, whose wedded life
was brief, as she died in April, 1869. Mr. Hand
lived a widower some seven years, then in 1876
was married to Miss Mary E. Faucett. She too
was born in this State. To this union there have
been born two children, May and Verne. As intimated in mention of his official work, Mr. Hand
is a steadfast Republican. He was Clerk of Olive
Township five years in succession, Supervisor seven
consecutive years, and at another time served in
the latter capacity one year. He was Township
Superintendent of Sclools one year, and is now a
member of the Board of Review. IHe stands high
in the community, and his opinions are valued and
his society sought, while the influence of his life
and character extends far beyond his home.
G EORGE 1). KIPP.     Among the residents
of Clinton County, may be found many
men who began their career at the bottom
of the financial ladder and having climbed upward,
round by round, until they have reached a height
far above the level from which they started. One
of this number is Mr. Kipp, an enterprising farmer
of Olive Township. His home farm. is not so large
as some, but is made valuable and attractive by a
complete line of substantial farm buildings and a
homelike residence; while elsewhere  e he has other
real estate and 'much goods." In Saginaw County,
he has eighty acres of land and he has given his
eldest son an equal amount there, and in Clinton
County his landed estate consists of one hundred
and twenty acres.
The father of our subject was James Kipp, a
native of Wayne County, N. Y. who came to this
State in 1833 and carried on farming in Wayne
County some ten years. He was then called hence,
at the early age of forty-two years. His wife,
mother of our subject, was known in her maiden

hood as Mary Westfall, and she too was born in
the Empire State. She lived to the good old age
of eighty-two years, passing away in 1889. Our
subject was born in Wayne County, this State,
January 12, 1834, and passed his boyhood and early
youth amid the surroundings of a comparatively
new region. His home was on a farm and his
schooling was obtained in the home district, where
he pursued the curriculum usual under such circumstances and gained a practical knowledge of
the important branches only. Ile was bereft of his
father's care when in his tenth year and in his
youth became possessed with a desire to visit the
Pacific Coast.
When but nineteen years old young Kipp made
his arrangements for a journey westward and left
Wayne Station March 27, 1854. The Missouri
River was crossed May 7, and the party picketed
their horses in the American Valley in Northern
California, July 15. They had seen two hundred
Indians but had had no trouble with the red men.
The experiences common to all travelers across the
plains by the overland route, have been related so
often that we will not enter into detail. Suffice it
to say that Mr. Kipp takes pleasure in recounting
to interested listeners the scenes and incidents of
his memorable journey. He remained in California
two years working in the mines, and returned by
the ocean route, bringing with him as the result of
his labors $1,800 worth of the precious metal for
which men strive.
Mr. Kipp next spent five years working in a
grist-mill in Wayne County and after learning the
miller's trade had charge of a mill three years. He
next bought a farm in Kent County but ere long
sold out and changed his place of residence to
Clinton County. In 1864, lie bought a tract of
woodland from  which he has developed the fair
fields of his present home. He swung the ax
manfully, grubbed industriously, and soon began to
see the result of his labors in a clearing that grew
until it extended over the entire acreage. Various
buildings rose on the farm  as need came for
them, until arrangements were perfected for the
convenient carrying on of all farm work.
Mr. Kipp was married in Wayne County in 1857,
to Martha Reed, who died in 1861 leaving one




792


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




child-Jesse. In the same county Mr. Kipp contracted a second matrimonial alliance, wedding
Thankful Axtell. Of this union there have been
born five children, named respectively: James,
Mary, Emma, William and Albert. The last named
has spent the past two years in St. John's. The
present Mrs. Kipp is a kindly capable woman,
whose home is well kept and whose friends are
many and true. Mr. Kipp has served his neighbors
in the capacity of Commissioner of Highways and
done well for the traveling public. He is a Democrat and has acted as a delegate in various conventions. One of the most distinguishing traits
is the care with which he meets every obligation
and the promptness with which he takes up a note,
never letting one pass the time it is due.
AMES K. DAVISON, a typical farmer of
the progressive and thrifty class, occupies a
farm on section 11, Essex Township, and
has an excellent position among the men of
Clinton County. He possesses a good business
ability as well as agricultural skill and his land is
well tilled, furnished with good buildings and
adorned with suitable features, such as forest and
orchard trees, etc. lie is a native of Macomb
County, this State, and was born May 2, 1845, to
Andrew and Sallie (King) Davison. His father
was born in Connecticut and his mother in New
York and his ancestors are supposed to have
been Scotch. His father was an early settler in
Macomb County, coming to the State some time
in the '30s, when but little had been done toward
the development of the physical resources of the
Territory. The parental household included seven
children, of whom three only now survive-George,
living in Montcalm County; Nancy, wife of Charles
D. Rice, whose home is in Essex Township; and
James K., our subject.
The latter was educated in the common schools
of Macomb County and has supplemented the
knowledge gained therein by a course of reading
and keen observation of men and methods, thereby
becoming well informed. He was quite young


when the Civil War began, but was anxious to aid
in defending the flag and when not yet twenty
years old he entered the army, March 27, 1865.
He enlisted in Company G, Sixteenth Michigan Infantry, and did guard duty principally in Virginia
until the close of the war. He was in Washington
during the Grand Review but did not participate
in the parade. His discharge was received in July,
1865, and he returned to his native State to resume
the arts of peace and pursue an honored calling.
In 1881 he settled upon his present estate in Clinton County, which consists of eighty acres.
During the month of September, 1874, Mr. Davison was married to Miss Stella Bentley and some
time after her loss he won Miss Katie Perry to
brighten his home. His marriage with his present
wife occurred in November, 1880, and mutual happiness has been the result. Mr. Davison is of a
somewhat conservative nature but ever ready to
lend a helping hand to enterprises that will benefit
the people of this section and shows a greater degree of genuine public spirit than is usual among
farmers. At present he is a member of the Board
of Review. He is a Mason, belonging to a lodge in
Maple Rapids. In matters of national import he
casts his ballot with the Republican party, but in
local elections considers the candidate rather than
the political platform on which he stands, believing
that the parties differ so little on minor points that
the man is the all-important thought. He is more
than ordinarily successful in the affairs of life and
has an honorable place among his associates.
J   OHN COWELL, deceased.    This martyr
upon his country's altar, who died of starvation in the rebel prison, was before his
enlistment a resident of New Haven Township, Shiawassee County, Mich., and was born in
Ottawa County, Ohio, April 14, 1825. He received at the hands of his parents a good commonschool education, but his father died when he was
a little boy and the child came to Macomb County,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


793


Mich., to live with his uncle, Laucius Haskins, a
farmer and miller, who was the owner of a carding
machine, saw-mill and grist-mill.
John Cowell remained with his uncle and learned
the trade of a sawyer, but in 1843 purchased eighty
acres of wild land, part of which he cleared and
then made sale of, going from that section to Mt.
Clemens, Mich. In 1855 he came to Shiawassee
County and settled upon a farm of eighty acres on
section 30, a tract of unbroken land which he proceeded to clear of timber. He had already chosen
his partner for life in the person of Margaret E.
Tapking, a daughter of Ernest and Sophia (Felstahousen) Tapking, who were Hanoverians from
Germany. Margaret was their eldest born, her
natal day being October 27, 1827, and she was twelve
years old when her family came to America and
from that time has made her home in Macomb
County.
To John and Margaret Cowell were born two
daughters and four sons, namely: Andrew, Junietta M., Mary M., Edward C., Henry F. and Eugene
S. John Cowell was a Democrat in his views, but
was what was honorably known in war times as a
War Democrat. His heart beat warmly for his
country's flag and he sprang to the defense of his
nation's honor, enlisting under Capt. Geo. A. Drew
October 11, 1862, in Company G, Sixth Michigan
Cavalry, at Grand Rapids, Mich., and was mustered in by Lieut. Col. J. R. Smith, October 11,
1862, at Grand Rapids, Mich. H-e went from the
latter place to Washington and was in service
with his regiment for a year and was captured by
the enemy, October 10, 1863. His capture took
place at Culpeper and he was taken first to Libby
Prison and then to Andersonville, where he sufered the unspeakable horrors of that 'prison pen.
He died of slow starvation, expiring April 17,
1864, thus sealing his devotion to his country with
his life.
Mrs. Cowell has carried on her farming operations with good success and has a fine farm and
good buildings. She added to the old farm in 1889
some forty acres, which are situated on section 30.
There are about ninety acres of the land cleared
and thirty still in timber. She is a woman of
truly religious life and belief and a member of


the Methodist Episcopal Church, and through her
many trials has enjoyed the consolations of Christianity. Owing to poor health she does not now
take as active a part in church matters as she did
in former years.
S. MYRES. The gentleman who owns the
farm on section 21, Vernon Township, was
born in Erie County, N. Y., in Clarence
Hollow, June 14, 1840. His father was
Peleg Myers, a native of Pennsylvania and a miller
by trade. He died a young man. His grandfather,
Stephen Myres, was also a native of Pennsylvania
and a farmer. Our subject's mother, whose maiden
name was Nancy Sample, was born in New York,
and was the mother of three children, one daughter
and two sons. Stephen, eldest son, resides in Oakland County, this State. Mary, the wife of James
T. Durling, resides in Milford, Oakland County.
The mother of our subject was united in marriage a second time, becoming the wife of Phineas
Baits, and from this union there were two daughters and one son. The eldest, Josephine, is now
the wife of Halsey Toncray and resides in Dowagiac,
this State; Lillian is the wife of Daniel Hollister
and resides in Detroit; the son, Smith Baits, married Lydia Estler and resides in Dowagiac, Mich.
Mr. Myres is the second child of the first marriage
and was only eight years of age when he came to
Michigan. His first school days were spent in
Milford, Oakland County, and he finished in the
Ypsilanti Normal School at the age of eighteen
years, after which he at once commenced teaching
school.
His first attempt at teaching was in Livingston
County, and he also followed his profession in
Oakland County, after which he taught successively
two years at Parshallville, having two teachers;
Hartland Centre two years; and at Brighton, where
he had four assistants. While at Hartland he was
Township Superintendent of schools two years.
He has followed the profession of a teacher for
twenty-eight years. Six months were taught by




794


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


him in Durand, after coming to Shiawassee County,
and his last school was at District No. 3, Vernon
Township,in said county; it was known as the Homes
School District. In 1883 Mr. Myres gave up
teaching and went to farming, in which avocation
he has met with flattering success. In 1871 he
was united in marriage to Miss Franc Harback, a
native of Michigan, having been born in Holly,
Oakland County, June 2, 1846.    She was the
daughter of Franklin Harback, and spent some
years in teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Myres became
the parents of one child, Jessie, who was born
April 16, 1875, and who died at the age of
eighteen months.
Mr. Myres is a Democrat in politics and the people of his township have shown their confidence in
his integrity and intelligence by electing him Supervisor in the year 1883, which office he has held for
eight successive terms. IHe has also been, and is
at the present time, School Moderator of District
No. 4. IIe belongs to the Masonic fraternity,
Durand Lodge, No. 161. At present Mr. Myres
is a general farmer, devoting his time and attention to the fertile acres that surround his home.
He enjoys the pleasant consciousness that he has
done what he could to aid many to a higher position in life than they would otherwise have occupied.
--    7__S_}._ ---7 OHN B. HINMAN is the owner of and resident on the farm located on section 30, Caledonia Township and was born July 3, 1826,
in Canada. His father was James Harvey
Hinman, a native of New York State, where he
was born November 17, 1793. His mother Bailey
Bonesteel, was born May 16, 1796, in Canada, where
she met and married her husband. Thile young
couple resided there nearly twenty years, and then
removed to Rochester, N. Y. The mother's death
took place May 13, 1852, and in 1855 the family
came to Michigan, the father's death occurring
December 17, 1862. They were the parents of four
children, all of whom were boys.
Our subject was his parents' third child. He received a district-school education and was about




ten years of age when the family removed to
Rochester N. Y. When about thirteen years
of age he left home and went to work on a
farm until lie had reached his nineteenth year. He
then bought his time of his father and continued
to work for himelf on a farm. On October 24, 1852,
he was united in marriage with Harriet A. Wicking,
a daughter of Ethelbert and Mary A. (Comber)
Wicking, both natives of County Kent, England,
his natal day being in 1810 and hers in 1812.
Their marriage took place in England and their
emigration to America occurred in 1841, after
which they settled in Pittsford, N. Y., where he
devoted himself to farming and made a permanent
home. Mr. and Mrs. Wicking died respectively
in 1860 and 1887. They were the parents of
eleven children, seven of whom are now living.
They were Episcopalians in church preference and
the mother was for many years a teacher in the
parish school in England. Mrs. Hinman's father
was a stanch Democrat in politics.
Mrs. Hinman was born March 22, 1835 in England, where she received the advantages of a district-school education. At the time of her marriage she was a resident of Rochester, N. Y. In
1853 the family came to Michigan and settled in
Genesee County on a new farm. Our subject
built a frame shanty which was intended as a temporary dwelling and immediately began the work
of clearing his tract of land. There they lived for
two years and then removed to the farm which
they at present occupy. It also was new land and
comprised fifty acres of heavy timber land. There
were no roads and they were obliged to make
their way through the woods to the neighbors,
guarding against losing themselves by blazing the
trees.
The amount that they paid for the land took all
they had and the months and even years that followed were passed in a hand to hand struggle with
poverty. It was often a question how the mouths
should be filled. When Mr. Hinman moved into
the county with his family his wife drove to their
future home from twelve miles beyond Flint, finding her way through the forest by marked trees.
They stopped at Corunna and then proceeded to
the farm where they at present reside. One can




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


795




imagine the feelings of the wife as she descended
before the unfinished log house in which there was
but a single room, only one door and an unshingled
roof. Mr. Hinman's brother William and family
came at about the same time and for several weeks
they all lived in that one room. Our subject
brought the first hogs. cows and hens into this
neighborhood. The pigs were very small and had
to be treated much like babies, being fed with a
spoon.
Mr. Itinman was obliged to work out for others
in order to get means to support the family. At
odd times he devoted himself to clearing his land.
At first they had to bring their drinking water
from a distance of half a mile. The first team
they had was a yoke of calves, and Mrs. Hinman
used to gather field sorrel for pies.  hlie had no
lard and was obliged to make her pastry of buttermilk and saleratus. But pies were luxuries to be
enjoyed only on rare Sundays. Our subject's
farm is now all improved and in a high state of
cultivation. They have lived here for thirty.six
years and now live in an attractive house that is
very different from the one room cabin. His present home was built fifteen years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Hinman have never had children.
Both are members of the Episcopal Church at
Owosso, of which lie has been Treasurer and
Warden for a number of years. Oar subject is a
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
in which he has held several offices. He is actively
interested in politics, being an adherent of the
Democratic party.  I-e was in early days a Pathmaster.
In pioneer times flour was not always easy to
be gotten. The family of whom we write were at
one time out of this staple article, and Mr. Hinman's father, who lived with them made a trip to
Owosso with his ox-team in order to procure the
flour. He secured a barrel on credit, the barrel
costing him $9. As Mr. Hinman rolled the barrel
over the doorsill he made the discouraging remark:
"There goes the cow," but the wife was determined
that that docile and and useful animal should not
be sold, as it was not in the end, for she secured.enough to pay for the flour by nursing a sick person for a period of four weeks. It is a satisfaction to


know that such privations as these we have mentioned, were bravely endured and that success and
comfort is the result of their hard labor,perseverance
and patience. Mrs. Hinman's brother, James Wicking, was a soldier in the late war, being a member of
Company C, One hundred and Fifteenth New York
Infantry. He was a mounted Orderly to Deputy
Provost Marshal Gen. George S. Batchelor, and
died in the discharge of his duty June 17, 1863, at
Port Royal, S. C.
Mr. and Mrs. Hinman, though having no children, have always been very charitably disposed in
regard to providing for unfortunate and homeless
children, havinog at various times cared for sixteen.
Their home is known far and wide as the "House
of Refuge for the homeless."
HEODORE A. LAUBENGAYER, a successful business man of Owosso has one of the
neatest and most attractive drug stores in
Central Michigan. It is not only fitted up handsomely and arranged with taste but his management has also secured the confidence of the community and given him a large custom in his native
city. He was born March 9, 1859 and is the oldest son of John F. and Sophia (Gerner) Laubengayer, both of whom are natives of Germany, who
emigrated to the United States previous to their
marriage and were united in the bonds of matrimony in Ann Arbor, Mich.
This German-American citizen became a graduate of the pharmaceutical department of the State
University, where he took his diploma in 1845. He
opened up a drug store in Owosso in 1857 on the
same site where his son's store now stands. His business was carried on in a small frame building in
which he continued until his death in 1887 when
he reached the age of fifty-two years. He began business with limited means and achieved a good success. His wife and three children survive him, two
sons and a daughter, namely: Theodore A., Matilda D., (Mrs. Harry Osburn) and Alfred G., a jeweler with the Chicago Watch Company.
Theodore A. Laubengayer spent most of his




796


PORT'RAIT AIND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.iI


796~~~~~~~~ POTATADBOGAHCLABM


school days in Owosso and then entered the State
University where he pursued his studies for
eighteen months, being able to shorten his course
on account of having assisted his father for some
time in the store before going to the University.
The young man now returned to his native home
and continued with his father until the death of
that parent when he succeeded in the business. In
1889 he built a fine brick block which he now occupies, a three-story building occupying 22x90
feet on the ground floor.
The marriage of our subject in 1873 united him
with Miss Nettie Leonard of Fenton, Mich., a
daughter of Mr. Harry Leonard. This worthy
couple are members of the Lutheran Church and he
is a Republican in his political views but a conservative one. He is also identified with Lodge No.
181, Knights of Pythias.
P   IERCE DYNES. Probably few farmers of
Shiawassee County are better known than
Mr. Dynes, who is a highly respected citizen of Owosso Township, and has always
been a hard worker and shrewd manager. He has
after hardships and toils achieved a satisfactory
success, and now has one of the finest farms which
the county affords. He resides on section 35, of
Owosso Township, and cultivates two hundred and
fifty acres of land, one hundred and five of which
are in Bennington Township, two miles from the
home. A view of the homestead, which is under
fine improvement, is presented in this volume.
The subject of this sketch was born in County
Iown, Ireland, December 5, 1826, atd is the son
of Oliver and Mary (McCormick) Dynes. When
twenty-five years old, Pierce in company with his
sister Mary, who now resides in New York, came
to America. He found employment with a Mr.
Stanley in Monroe County, N. Y., and worked for
him for three years at $9 a month. He then came
to Michigan and secured the land where he now
lives. He has paid for this property out of his own
savings, as he had no capital with which to begin
life except his own pluck, push and perseverance.


When he came to this country it was indeed an
untamed wilderness. There were then but two
stores in Owosso, and only one house on the road
between Mr. Dynes' farm and that village. He
bought eighty acres, paying $160 for it, and improving it to such an extent that it is now a farm
of great value and worth each year in its products
many times the money which he then paid out.
Three years after coming to the Wolverine
State young Dynes took to wife Sarah Jane, a
daughter of Thomas Thompson. This intelligent
and faithful helpmate died October 3, 1883, under
very distressing circumstances. She was driving
with her son Thomas and came near to where a
steam  thresher was in operation.  The engineer
was requested to move a little farther from the
roadway so that the team might pass in safety, but
he declined to move, telling them to drive along
and that it would be all right; but just as the team
was passing the machine the escaping steam frightened the horses and they began to run. Mrs.
Dynes was thrown out and fell under the wheels of
the wagon which went over her, breaking her hips
and inflicting internal injuries. Help came at once
and she was tenderly carried into Mr.Hopkins' house
and her husband and medical aid were at once
summoned. Drs. Perkins and Knapp soon arrived
upon the scene, but could do nothing more than
to administer opiates to relieve her agony. She
scarcely regained consciousness and four or five
hours later breathed her last after intense suffering.
This terrible calamity has given Mr. Dynes a
blow which he cannot efface from his life. This
faithful companion had for years labored together
with him for the attainment of a pleasant home
and a comfortable independence, and just as their
ambition was gratified it is indeed hard that she
should be taken away by so apparently needless a
calamity. It has saddened her husband's life and
left a gloom upon the home.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Dynes consisted of
the following children: Robert, who died when
three years old; Henry, who lived to be twentyseven years old and passed away September 12,
1887; Sallie, now  Mrs. George McKinzie, of
Owosso; Thomas, who lives in Bay City; Jennie,
who is Mrs. Miles Wiggins, of Owosso; John, who




RESIDENCE OF PIERCE DYNESY53EC. 35.%OWOS3O TFI35HlAW'AS3EE CO.JMiICH.


r- ---


IF -- 1 1         1 1,~~.. ~   -~6 -.11


RE~SIDENCE OF M. G. PHOLNIX,5[0.3-4. BENNINGTON Th.,SUIlAWA55EE CO. MICH.




A




PORTRAIr AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


799




has a farm in Bennington Township; and Richard,
Maggie, Lula and Raymond, who are all at home.
Mr. Dynes is a devout member of the Episcopal
Church and a man whose upright life and earnest
character justly meet the approval of an intelligent conscience. Were it not for the blow which
has fallen upon him in the death of his wife, life
would have only enjoyment and comfort for him.
M    AXFIELD    G. PHOENIX.     One of the
finest farms in Shiawassee County is that
located on section 34, Bennington Township, and owned by M. G. Phoenix who
was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., April 6,
1830. lIe is the son of Ralph and Catherine (Dawson) both of New Jersey. They came to St. Joseph
County, this State, and located near White Pigeon
in the year 1835, where the mother still resides. When our subject was but seven years
of age the family removed to Washtenaw County
where they remained for two years. The father
being taken away whlen his son was but six years
of age, his uncle, Lyman Bennett, took him into
his family at the age of seven and brought hi m to
Shiawassee County, where he remained until he was
sixteen years of age. At this age the boy felt the
responsibility of manliness and determined to go
to his mother in order to assist her as much as possible. This he did and returned to VWhite Pigeon
where he remained until 1854.
It is said that early impressions have a lasting
influence both upon the mind and affections, and it
is evident that Shiawassee County appealed to our
subject for in 1855 he returned and -purchased
eighty acres of land. At the time he moved on his
farm it contained a log house, about which was a
small clearing. He paid $1,100 for the place, going
in debt to the extent of $450. He was soon married to Mary Card and began the work of life in
earnest. Because of his straightened circumstances
he had unusual difficulties to contend with.  A
team was a luxury not to be thought of and Mr.
Phoenix broke land for other parties for three or
four years, chopping wood on his own land in the


winter. The farm now contains one hundred and
twenty acres with good improvements. He has his
house charmingly located on a commanding eminence from which can be had a view of the surrounding country. Hie built this residencs upon
which he expended $1,200 and added a fine barn
which cost him $1,100. His farm is well watered
by means of pipes leading from a reservoir that is
filled by a wind engine and the water is conducted
to barns and sheds for stock. He has about eight
hundred rods of tile and his farm is exceedingly
well drained. The reader will notice on another
page a view of his attractive homestead.
March 29, 1865, Mr. Phoenix entered into a second contract of marriage, this time to Miss Wealthy
Brandt, a daughter of Frederick Brandt, who was
born in Perry Township August 26, 1847. Our
subject has a pleasing family who are useful and
lprominent members of the community. The eldest,
Jennie, is the wife of Charles R. Bemiss and lives
on the farm, being about thirty years of age;
the others are Bertha, who has reached the age of
nineteen years, and John who is now nine years
ol. Mr. M.Phoenix is a Republican in politics and
is an ardent advocate of the measures that go to
mnake up the platform of that party. He is one of
the prominent men of his township, having declared
his ability by the way in which he has surmounted
tlhe difficulties of pioneer life and the success that
he has made in a business way.
YLVESTER BEEBEE, a venerable septuagenarian and a time-honored pioneer of
Clinton County, residing on section 23,
Greenbush Township, is a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., where he was born April 14,
1820. He is a son of Silas and Antlia (Pardee)
Beebee, natives of New York State. His paternal
ancestors are English. Our subject was reared to
manhood in his native county and has pursued
farming since his boyhood. He received the rudiments of an education in the early schools of New
York, which he attended in winter only as he was
the eldest son of the family and could not be




800


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


spared from the farm work in the summer after he
became old enough to assist his father. The latter
was very limited in financial resources and unable
to hire the help which would have relieved our
subject from labor, so he cheerfully turned his energies toward helping to support the family. However, he took what schooling he could get and
constantly improved his opportunities for selfeducation and has throughout life been a thorough
and systematic reader of the journals of the day.
Mr. Beebee was first married in New York State
in 1846. His wife, Abby Ann Vincent, a native of
New York State, became the mother of two children-Emma L., the wife of William  Bird, who
resides in Duplain Township, Clinton County, and
William  F., who makes his home in Greenbush
Township. The wife was snatched from his side
by death while they still made their home in New
York. The marriage of Mr. Beebee to his present
wife, who was known in her maidenhood as Clara
Osborn, took place April 17, 1861. To them were
born two children-the daughter Antha A., now
the wife of Frank Green, makes her home in Ovid,
Mich.; the son, Charles E., has been called from
earth.
The subject of this sketch came to Clinton County
from Pennsylvania in 1865. He first resided in
Essex Township but in 1870 he came to Greenbush
Township and located on the farm where he now
resides. Here he has forty acres of excellent arable
land in a good state of cultivation. A view of this
pleasant homestead appears on another page of the
ALBUM. Mr. Beebee has risen from the poverty of
his boyhood to the possession of a handsome property and all that he has is the result of his perseverirg industry, enterprise and integrity. Hle has
also through all his struggles maintained the reputation of a good citizen and a man of honor and
has the respect of the entire community.
The citizens of Greenbush Township testified to
their appreciation of Mr. Beebee's character by
electing him Justice of the Peace in April, 1873, and
re-electing him every four years up to the present
time, thus keeping him in continuous service, as he
is now serving his fifth term. The "Squire" as he
is called, is eminent throughout all that region for
the judicial knowlege which he displays in his office


of Justice of the Peace. His decisions have become proverbial for their fairness and are at all
times rendered from an unbiased and unpredjudiced
standpoint.
For nine years Mr. Beebee has been serving as
School Director and was School Moderator of his
district. Both lie and his worthy wife are highly
esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and are counted among the most useful
members of society. He enjoys the full confidence
of all who have had dealings with him in business
and is considered one of the most prominent citizens of Greenbush Township. It is with pleasure
that we represent this aged pioneer in this volume
among other public-spirited and influential citizens
of Clinton County who have done so much to develop Central Michigan and have by their labors
and wise enterprise converted what was once a
wilderness into what may be styled the "garden
of the West" for its beauty and productiveness.
ICIIAEL E. CARLAND. This gentleman
is prominently identified with the business
interests of Corunna and with the various
projects by which the welfare of Shiawassee County is advanced. He has been for some
years engaged in mercantile pursuits and he has
become one of the leading dealers of the city. In
1879 lie built a substantial block, one hundred and
twenty feet (deep and divided it into two stores.
Here he has a large stock of dry goods, groceries,
crockery and queensware, boots and shoes, carpets,
wall paper-in fact everything in the line of general merchandise that is likely to he called for.
Not only the main floor, but the second story is
used, and in every part of the establishment the
work is systematized and the employes courteous
and obliging. Mr. Carland has a partner in the
business, his associate being his nephew, John Carland, who first engaged with him in the sale of groceries. The present extensive business has grown
out of the old trade and the firm of M. & J. Carland is now the oldest in town.
Mr. Carland was born in Kinsale, County Cork,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


80l


I


Ireland, July 12, 1835, and was but a child when
his parents emigrated. His fatLer, Michael Carland, was born in the North of Ireland, but had
been taken to County Cork when but a child, his
parents removing on account of the Rebellion of
1798. Michael grew to manhood and learned the
trade of a tanner and currier in County Cork, and
there married Mary Allen, who was born in Bandon, County Cork. They came to America in
1836, voyaging from Cork to Boston, and being
nine weeks en route. Mr. Carland worked at his
trade in the "Hub" a short time, then made his
home in Mexico, Oswego County, N. Y., a few
years. In 1838 he came to Detroit and worked at
his trade as an employe of the Kirbys. His wife
died therein 1839, and the family was scattered,
but in 1840 he returned to Mexico and with a relative became interested in a tannery. He was in
business there until 1846, then returned to Detroit
and again worked at his trade for a time. He r.ext
bought a farm in Washtenaw  County, and during
the winter, while crossing one of the small lakes
near his home, he was drowned, his body not being recovered until spring. He was one who took
a decided stand on all questions which he took into consideration. In politics he was a Democrat
and in religion a Catholic.
There were six sons and daughters born to the
parents of our subject, but only two surviveMichael and Alice, the latter a widow of George
Sumner, of Sylvan, Washtenaw County. One son,
Richard, who was a soldier in the Second United
States Artillery, was lost at sea, off Cape Hatteras.
from  the steamer "San Francisco."  John, the
fourth child, was Captain of Company HI, TwentyThird Michigan Infantry and rose to the rank of
Major. HIe served through the Civil -War and
was later appointed Second Lieutenant in the Sixth
United States Infantry and did duty in the Sioux
campaign, the various stations at which he was
posted being Fts. Hall, Douglass, Leavenworth
and Abe Lincoln. His death occurred at Frankfort, this State, in February, 1890, after he had
gone on the retired captain's list. He had located
in Shiawassee County in 1856, and farmed in Venice Township two years. He then studied law
with S. T. Parsons in Shiawassee County, was ad

mitted to the bal and was holding the office of
Justice of the Peace when the war began. He
raised a company during the early days of 1862,
and from that time until the close of the war was
in the Carolinas and the West. From   1865 to
1867 he practiced his profession in Corunna and
from that time until near his demise he was in the
Regular Army. His connection with that branch
of the service covered a period of twenty-three
years and dluring twelve of them  he was Regimental Quartermaster and Commissary, having
charge of the subsistence and arms of the regiment.
John Carland was married in Mexico, N. Y.,
to Emlily Calkins, who died in Corunna before the
Civil War, leaving two sons, three and seven years
of age. They were reared by their uncle Michael
and given every possible opportunity to become
educated. One of them, John E., after being
graduated from the Corunna High School, read
law with Judge J. B. Shipman, of Coldwater, and
then with John G. Hawley, of Detroit.  He was
admitted to tile bar and in 1877 went to Bismarck,
Dak., where he was City Attorney and Mayor.
Ie was alppointed United States District Attorney
for the I)istrict of Dakota in 1885, and by President Cleveland was made Associate Justice of the
Sul)reme Court of the Territory of Dakota. When
the Territory was admitted to the Union as two
States, his official station necessarily became void.
I-e is now engaged in practice in Sioux Falls, S.
Dak. He was also a member of the Constitutional
Convention of North Dakota and was Chairman of
the Judicial Committee. The other son, Willis
W., went Webt in 1876, and was in the Government employ during the Custer campaign. He afterward located in MAiles City, Mon., where lie held
the offices of Deputy Clerk of the United States
District Court and Treasurer of Custer County; he
is now engaged in the real-estate business in Chicago.
The subject of this sketch has no recollections
of an earlier period than his residence in Detroit.
He lived in New York some six years and in 1846
lie returned again to this State, crossing the lake
on the schooner "Essex."  That summer he became cabinboy on the "Gen. Anthony Wayne,"




802


PORT'RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


which plied between Buffalo and Toledo, and in the
winter he went to Port Huron and made his home
with the late Elijah Birch. IHe had a curiosity to
go to Detroit to see his old acquaintances, and
found his sister Alice in the employ of James F.
Joy and then learned of the death of his father.
His sister persuaded him to live in the same family
as herself and during the next two years he staid
with Mr. Joy and attended school. He then went
back to Mexico, N. Y., and made his home with
his father's former partner until 1850, when he
again came to this State. His sister in the meantime had become the wife of Mr. Sumner, who was
foreman in a tanning and currying establishment
ill Van Buren County. Young Carland became an
apprentice there, serving until 1852, when he joined
a company to cross the plains.
The party was organized under Capt. George
W. Peacock and the outfit consisted of ox-teams
and wagons. They traveled through    Southern
Michigan, Northern Indiana and Illinois to Ottawa,
went down the river to St. Louis on a steamer,
then on to "St. Joe," where they crossed the Missouri River on aflat boat. They made their way
across the Western plains, striking the South
Platte at Ft. Kearney, subsequently crossing the
North Platte and Sweetwater. When within eighty
miles of Salt Lake, Mr. Carland and four others
left their train and went to the Mormon capital,
where our subject hired out to work at his trade.
He was quite contented, but five weeks later met
a relative who persuaded him to go on to California. His employer at Salt Lake was a prominent Mormon and Mr. Carland did some work
on the Temple. He was there when the fifth anniversary of the entrance of tile Mormons into the
Salt Lake Valley was celebrated, July 24, 1852.
Mr. Carland and his friend had one horse which
they used in turn, traveling in company with a
fieighter of whom they hired board. At Bear
River, forty miles north of Salt Lake, his wagon
broke down and he returned them the money they
had paid him and also gave them some provision.
The two continued their journey alone and made
their way through to the Big Meadows at the Sink
of the Humboldt, where Mr. Carland hired to a
horse trader. He crossed the desert with him,


passed up the Carson Valley and across the Sierra
Nevadas, and reached Stockton, Cal., by way of the
Ione Valley. There he was discharged and going
to Sacramento lie traveled on foot to Placer ville,
where he spent the winter in mining.  lie spent
the ensuing two years in the neighborhood of
Mormon Island, Sacramento County, still engaged
in mining, and then went to San Francisco and secured employment with the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company, running between San Francisco and
Panama. He was on the route until the spring of
1858, when he made a prospecting tour to British
Columbia, taking special note of the advantages of
the Frazier River region. Thence he returned to
Sacramento and for a year was engaged in ranching in the suburbs of that city.
Mr. Carland next returned to San Francisco but
during the summer of 1859 worked on a farm near
San Jose, then going again to San Francisco and
entered the employ of Howes & Wynant, general
commission merchants. In the winter of 1860 he
made a trip to Washington Territory, in an oyster
schooner which loaded in Shoal Water Bay, and
the next spring resumed his work in the commission house in San Francisco. I-e was there when
tile rebellion began, and with his employers and
others undertook to enlist, but when told that they
would be sent to fight the Indians on the plains,
all decided not to become soldiers. In December,
1862, Mr. Cailand sailed for New York via Panama, and reaching the American metropolis, January 3. 1863, came at once to Shiawassee County.
Here he was married January 28, to Miss Sarah E.
Calkins, a daughter of William A. Calkins, a wellknown farmer whom he lind known since childhood.
The bride was born in Mexico, N. Y., and was a
well bred and capable woman. She (lied April 26,
1872, leaving three children.  The living children
are Emily, now the wife of A. J. Erb and residing
in Manistee, Mich., where he is engaged in practicing law; Kittie, a teacher in tle Corunna High
School, who studied here and attended Albion College two years; a daughter, Sarah E., died at
the age of one year, and Major, twin of Sarah, who
is a telegraph operator in the employ of the Mexican Central Railroad in Old Mexico.
In the spring of 1863, Mr. Carland went to




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


803


i

Grand Rapids and became engaged in a tannery
owned by Mr. Taylor. In the fall he went to Venice Township, Shiawassee County, and spent the
winter, and the next spring took charge of Mr.
Scott's tannery at Coopersville, Ottawa County.
Another winter was spent in Venice Township, and
the following spring he located in Corunna and
began work as a mason. In August following, he
and his former schoolmate, NI. Ormsby,became partners in the grocery business, but in 1868 Mr. Carland disposed of his interest in the firm and in the
fall engaged in business alone. He soon after took
his nephew, John, into the business and the work
has gone on as before noted.
In 1867 Mr. Garland built a residence and he
can justly claim of having one of the most beautiful
homes in Corunna. IHe made a second marriage
in 1872, the ceremony taking place in Venice
Township and his bride being Miss Elizabeth McLaren, who was born tilere. This marriage has
been blest by the birth of two children-Bessie and
Charles S. Husband and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Carland  is a
Knight Templar and a Mason of the Royal Arch
degree. Hle is a Democrat and has frequently been
a delegate to county and State conventions.
When Corunna became a city he was elected Alderman and served several terms. He has been
a member of the Board of Education almost continuously since he settled here, and has been
President part of the time. IHe belonged to that
body  when the present schoolhouse was built.
During one year he served as Supervisor of the
First Ward.
IJDGE AMASA ANGEL HARPER, is a
prominent figure among the old settlers of
Corunna and was for eight years Judge of
the Probate Court. Iie has a beautiful farm
of one hundred and twenty acres adjoining the
corporation of this city and makes his home in
Corunna. He was born at Junius, near Seneca
Lake in Seneca County, N. Y., October 13, 1833.
His father, Alonzo, was born near Ft. Ann, in
Washington County, that State, and his grand

father, Robert, was born in Vermont, and was a
Washington County, N. Y., farmer, when he left
home to take part in the War of 1812. In 1835
he removed from Seneca County to Lodi Township,
Washtenaw County, Mich., where he became a
prominent man, being Supervisor of the Township
and Justice of the Peace, and occupying other
official positions until his death.
The father of our subject journeyed with his
father by team from Seneca County, N. Y., to
Michigan through Ohio, crossing the Maumee
Swamp. Upon reaching Lodi he located some land
in heavy oak openings and built a log house with
mud and stick chimney. In 1876 lie removed to
Norvell, Jackson County, where he engaged in
farming and where he now resides in his eightyfirst year. Ile has long been a prominent member
of the Baptist Church and his political sympathies
are with the Democratic party. The mother of
our subject, Julia Cornell, was born in Washington
County, N. Y., and was the daughter of William
Cornell, a soldier in the War of 1812. Her death
took place April 3, 1891, when eighty-two years of
age. Of her eleven children, nine now survive, to
mourn her loss.
The first recollections of our subject are of
Michigan, as he was very young when he came here.
He was early set to work guidingc oxen and doing
other hard farm tasks. Both he and his father
were excellent shots and often brought down a
deer for the family larder. The log schoolhouse,
and somewhat later more convenient and more
thorough schools at Chelsea furnished his opportunities for education.
Soon after the young man completed his twentyfirst year he engaged in the general merchandise
business at Chelsea, going into partnership with
his uncle, Mason Harper. One year later he bought
out his uncle and continued for five years in business by himself. In 1858 he sold out his business
and leaving Washtenaw County, located in Woodhull Township, Shiawassee County, where he bought
eighty acres of new land upon which he worked
for three years. After selling this property he
located in Perry Township, where lie bofght a farm
of one hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated for some time. He then started in business




804


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


with general merchandise at Perry, until he was
elected Township Clerk. He filled this office for
three years and the ththat of Township Treasurer
for four years. ITe became Supervisor in 1873
and continued consecutively in that office until
1880. He was for a long while Chairman of the
County Board. In the fall of 1880 he was nominated for Judge of Probate Court on the Republican ticket and being elected he took charge of the
office January 1, 1881, and made his home in Corunna. He was re-elected in 1884 and continued
serving until January 1, 1889, when he declined
further re-election.
Judge Harper is now devoting himself to the
improvement of his farm of one hundred and
twenty acres and to the breeding of fine stock. He
breeds Percherons and also thoroughbred roadsters
and full- blooded and graded animals of other kinds,
and has a fine grade of Merino sheep. His home
is a handsome brick residence, adorned with taste
and pleasantly situated. His marriage in Chelsea,
October 9, 1854 united him with Cornelia J. Burchard, the daughter of Dickson Iurchard, a native
of New York, who came to Michigan and located
in Sylvan Township, Washtenaw County, about the
year 1837. IHe was a Whig, Abolitionist and Republican, and was one of the successful pioneer
farmers. He was also a member and an influential
one in the Protestant Methodist Church and died
in 1866. Mrs. Harper's mother bore the maiden
name of Adelia Becker. She was a native of Schoharie, N. Y., and died in 1858. Mrs. Harper was
born in Bradford County, Pa., January 7, 1836,
and came to Michigan in 1837. Her education was
completed in the Academy at Grass Lake, Jackson
County, Mich.
The two children of Judge and Mrs. Harper are
Myrtie D., who graduated at the Corunna High
School and engaged in teaching until her marriage
with John J. Wilkinson, with whom she now resides in Omaha, Neb., and Hattie E., who is a graduate of the same school and then took a position
with her father as Registrar of the Probate Court,
which position she now occupies under Judge Bush.
The Judge'is a prominent Mason and has attained
the rank of Knight Templar; he has been Secretary
of the Commandery for two years. He is a demitted


member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
from Perry. He is an influential Republican both
in the county and this part of the;tate. He held
the office of Mayor of Corunna in 1888-89.
When on the United States Grand Jury he was one
of the jurymen in the great tobacco suit with
Rothschild. As a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church he is active and interested in all
church work and occupies the position of Trustee.
-— ^ --- —^3f ----^ —
OHN A. BARRINGTON. The man who
sawed the first board that was manufactured
in Greenbush Township, Clinton County,
and ground the first bushel of wheat, which
was turned into flour here, is still residing in this
township, and his name appears at the head of this
sketch. He is a prominent and influential citizen
of Eureks, and was born March 16, 1816. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Ailment) Barrington,
were born in Ireland, where he also first saw the
light. They brought him with them to this country
when he was an infant of some eighteen months,
and the family found their first home in the New
World in Susquehanna County, Pa.
Having passed his early boyhood in this section
the youth learned the trade of a carpenter and
joiner, and being naturally of a mechanical turn of
mind took up architecture. This work he followed'
for many years and indeed until 1880, when he
planned and put up for himself the last house
which was erected under his hands, in which he now
resides. His business has brought him largely into
contact with the outside world and he has gained
much in this way as well as by a course of extensive
reading, all of which has aided in supplementing
the education he received in his school (lays. When
about seventeen years old he went to Mississippi
and resided there for several years, after which he
visited Kentucky.
While living in Kentucky Mr. Barrington made
the important choice of a companion for life, and
in 1841 he was married to Serepta Squires and a
happy domestic life now began. Several children
came to cheer the hearts of these parents, but have




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


805


all been taken from them by death as was also their
mother in 1878. His union with the present Mrs.
Barrington was solemnized January 23, 1879. He
was then wedded to Mrs. Frances Tinklepaugh,
widow of Eli Tinklepaugh. This lady is a native
of Lenawee County, this State, where she was born
November 1, 1840, and is a daughter of Benson
and Mary Miller. Mr. Miller died some years ago
and somewhat later his widow   married Nathan
Ellis and now resides in Essex Township. Mrs.
Barrington's first marriage occurred in 1862.
It was in 1856 when Mr. Barrington and his first
wife came to Eureka, Mich., and here lie soon built
a sawmill and afterward a gristmill, and was thus
the first mill-owner in Eureka. He carried on this
business for a great many years and did a large
amount of custom grinding. Ile employed steam
power and had three sets of burrs and lie had a
large trade for many miles around.
Our subject is independent in his political views
ant( votes for the man in whom his judgment sees
the best protector for the interests of the people.
He owns eighty-five acres of land in Greenbush
Township, and eighty acres in Gratiot County this
State. He has been pre-eminently successful in
business and may well be classed among the honored and respected citizens of the county.
AMES M. VANAUKEN is the son of one of
the early pioneers of Michigan who came to
this State in the old Territorial days. This
/son, James, was a native of New     York,
being born near Lyons, Wayne County, February
9, 1820. The father, Lewis, was a native of New
Jersey, who removed to Monroe County, N. Y.,
when quite a young man and came to Michigan in
1835, making his home in Superior Township,
Washtenaw County, on a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres, one hundred acres of which was under
cultivation. He sold it and came to Newburg, Shiawassee County. He was a Democrat in his political views and a man who was ever respected for
his integrity and uprightness. He lived to the ex

treme old age of ninety-three years, four months
and fourteen days.
Anthony Vanauken, the grandfather of our subject was a native of New Jersey and a soldier in
the Revolutionary War. After that military experience, he settled down upon a New Jersey farm
and lived to a good old age. The mother of our
subject bore the name of Jane Westfall. Her son
does not know her nativity but remembers that
his parents were married in New York. The mother
lived to be eighty-one years old. Sixteen children
gathered about their hearthstone, eight daughters
and eight sons, all of whom grew to manhood and
womanhood with the exception of one child.
The son James was sixteen years old when his
parents decided to come West and he traveled with
them through Canada with team and wagon.  Iis
schooling was received in New York and his school
books consisted of Webster's spelling book and the
New Testament. He was happily married December 16, 1841, to Elizabeth Bentley, a native of Niagara County, N. Y., who was born January 17,
1822, and came to Michigan when a girl of fifteen
years.
After young Vanauken was married he undertook the charge of his father's farm for one year
and then rented a place for three years in Washtenaw County, after which he came to Vernon Township, Shiawassee County, where he now  resides.
When he took the place there was not a tree nor a
bush cut upon it. He huilt the cheapest kind of a
log house, and roofed it with shakes. The dimensions of the house were 18x21 feet on the ground.
But luxuries were not what this young couple expected. They were looking forward to the future,
and were willing to work hard and do without
many things to which they had been accustomed
in childhood, and it was not long before one hundred and twenty acres were cleared and under cultivation. In the early days Byron was the nearest
town to this early home and Pontiac was for a
long while the nearest railroad station.
To Mr. and Mrs. Vanauken there came no children of their own, but they brought up one child,
Henry W., son of Thomas and Melinda Smith,
whose mother died when he was four weeks old.
He was born March 10, 1851, and when he had




806


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


grown to manhood married Carrie Palmer, of Vernon Township, a native of New York State. Four
little ones blessed this home, Ella Belle and Jiminie living with their parents, the other two having
died of diphtheria when quite young.
It is ever a pleasure to record the life of any
couple so worthy and so genial as those of whom
we have just spoken. Mr. Vanauken has been a
hard working man and has with his own hand
cleared and improved the one hundred and sixty
acres which belongs to his home farm.  -le carried
his activities far beyond the limit of most men in
advancing years, and was known to cut four and
one-half acres of heavy grain with an ordinary
cradle after he had reached the age of sixty-one
years. His good wife has been to him indeed a
helpmate in every way and she is known throughout the neighborhood as a true-hearted friend to
everyone who comes within the reach of her influence.
OHIN WALSH. The gentleman who owns
the farm on section 8, Bennington Township, Shiawassee County, was born in County
Down, Ireland, May 23, 1823. His parents
were Thomas and Grace (Todd) Walsh, and lie was
the fourth of a family of ten children, all of whom
lived to be grown but one, who died at the age of
ten; five are living at the present writing, (1891).
In 1847 our subject came to the United States in a
sailing vessel, proceeding at once to Birmingham,
Oakland County, where he was soon after followed
by other members of the family.
On first coming to this county Mr. Walsh
worked out by the month, $10 being considered at
that time ample remuneration for his services.
March 23, 1849, he was married at Birmingham to
Elizabeth Ann Todd. This lady was born in
County Down, OAtober 13, 1826, her father being
John M. Todd, and her mother Grace (Montgomery) Todd. In 1845 the family located upon a
farm two miles east of the town. Mr. Walsh operated as a renter for fifteen years, and then coming
to Bennington purchased one hundred and sixty
acres in the year 1865. The time of his advent


into the county was made memorable by the occurrence of Lincoln's assassination just previous.
At the time Mr. Walsh purchased the farm sixty
acres were improved, and there was a log house
built upon it. Now he has one hundred and forty
acres under cultivation, and owns a fine large house
which was erected in 1881 at a cost of $2,000. He
also has a barn upon his place which is 40x80 feet
in dimensions with a basement in which to store
grains; this he built at a cost of $2,000. A view
of these buildings and the rural surroundings appears elsewhere in this volume. It is conveniently
arranged witli tanks and windmill and has all appliances for making a farmers' life as comfortable
as possible. He has fine sheds for his cows and the
place as a whole is regarded as the finest in the
township. It is located at the pleasant and convenient distance of three-quarters of a mile south
of Bennington.
Mr. Walsh bas two sons, John Thomas, who was
born January 25, 1851, and William, March 2,
1859. The latter has always lived on the farm and
is equally interested with his father in conducting
the same. He is a steady man with progressive ideas
concerning agriculture.  Travel has a fascination
for him and in his various trips through the country, having visited Lake Superior, Duluth, Chicago,
Washington, D. C., Mt. Vernon and other places,
he has imbibed ideas that have been of use to him
in his home life. This son is as yet unmarried.
John Thomas married Myra Pond, and lives in
Owosso where lie is engaged in the grocery business.
A great many sheep and hogs are fattened upon
the farm of Mr. Walsh, and these are shipped to
the large cities where they find a ready market.
They average one hundred head of sheep per year.
The members of the family belong to the Presbyterian Church, and are generous supporters of the
same. Mr. Walsh and his sons are Republicans
in politics, and the father has held several minor
township offices.
Everything about Mr. Walsh's place indicates
ambition and energy. His fences and buildings
are in the best of order; his commodious tool house
is a model of neatness and contains implements
that are perfect. His sheep barn and in fact every



o
m
I.


-7


A "


RESIDENCE OF JOHN WALSH, SEC.8.,BENNINGTON TP,SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.


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" SPRING BROOK   FARM." RE5. OF M.5. SMITH,SEC.34.,VERNON TP,SHIAWASSEE CO.,MICH.




IL




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


809




thing about the place is kept up in excellent style.
Much of the success of the owner of thisafine farm
is owing to the business qualifications of his estimable wife, a lady whose ambition is to help others
by her noble and elevated example.
ARCELLUS S. SMITH, proprietor of the
I   " Spring Brook" farm, is an intelligent and
11highly respected agriculturist of Vernon
Township, Shiawassee County, having a
fine farm on sections 33 and 34. IHe had his birthplace in LeRoy Township, Jefferson County, N. Y.,
and was born February 28, 1830.   His father,
Thomas Smith, was a native of Connecticut, was
born in March, 1805, and came in early childhood
to Jefferson County. There he was reared and
learned the practical work of a farmer which he
chose as his calling in life. He is now eighty-six
years old and resides in Vernon Township to which
he came in 1848.
The grandfather of our subject, Ephraim Smith,
was a native of Massachusetts who removed to
Connecticut and afterward to Jefferson County,
N. Y., where lie died. Ite did much in the service
of his country, driving a baggage wagon in Washington's army during the Revolutionary War and
serving as a private during the conflict of 1812.
He drew a pension until the (lay of his death, which
occurred when he was seventy-nine years old. He
was respected both for his political and religious
views in which lie was earnest and outspoken, being
an old(-line Whig and a Presbyterian.
Melinda McCrea, who married Thomas Smith and
became the mother of our subject, was born in
Lewis County, N. Y., and was called from earth
when she was about forty years old. Her father,
Isaac McCrea, a native of Canada, where he was
reared, was a farmer and came to Lewis County,
N. Y., at the time he was married, afterward removing to Jefferson County. In the boyhood of
our subject he had the unusual happiness of having
two grandfathers and one great-grandfather all
living in Jefferson County, within a mile of each
other. His grandfather on his mother's side was


also a private in the War of 1812 and lived to be
eighty years old, (lying in Jefferson County on a
farm where he had lived for nearly fifty years.
The parents of our subject were married in Jefferson County, N. Y., and there they remained for
twenty years, coming to Vernon Township, Shiawassee County in 1848. They built a log house
and cleared and improved the farm. Their nine
children grew to man's and woman's estate and are
now all living except two daughters. Marcellus is
the eldest child and was reared in his native place
until he reached the age of nineteen years. His
schooling was taken in a little village called Evans'
Mills. He came with his father to Michigan in
1848, but three years later was taken still more
severely with the Western fever and went to California by water, going by the way of Panama to
San Francisco and from there to Stockton, entering
the mines. HIe made from twenty-five cents to $1
a day and remained there for nearly three years.
Althouigh he did not make a fortune he did clear
enough to purchase the farm where he now resides,
which he bought upon his return in 1854.
Cornelia Andrews, a native of New York, who
was born May 18, 1831, became Mrs. Marcellus S.
Smith, July 13, 1855. This estimable lady came
to Michigan with her parents when a little girl of
nine years. She was the mother of seven children,
two daughters and five sons: Lola M., is the wife of
D. A. Ross, a large lumber dealer of Bay City,
Mich.; Frank A. a bachelor, lives in California;
Forrest J., a teacher for seven years in Shiawassee
County, married Allie Vanakin, also a teacher;
Fern C., a professor in Gladwin, Mich., married
Dora W. Mills; May died at the age of two years;
Mason M. resides at Pittsburg, Pa., and although
not yet twenty-two years old is trusted very largely
by his employers, the firm of A. Sperry, for whom
he buys lumber; Gale H. died at the age of two
and one-half years. Mrs. Smith, the wife of our
subject was called from earth August'27, 1890, and
her body lies at rest in the Lovejoy Cemetery in
Vernon Township.
Our subject located where he now resides immediately after his marriage. There was then no
building on the place but in six weeks after the
wedding day the house was completed and the




810


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




young couple began their home life therein and
proceeded to clear and improve the place. Mr.
Smith has three hundred acres of well-improved
land, two-thirds of which is under the plow. He
started with one hundred and twenty acres and is
now so comfortably situated as to be able to retire
from active work and let his son Forrest J. manage
the farm. He built his present attractive residence,
a two-story frame building, commodious and roomy,
at a cost of $1,500. A view of this pleasant place
is shown elsewhere in this volume.
The political convictions of Mr. Smith lead him
to affiliate with the Democratic party. He was at
one time an Odd Fellow, but withdrew from that
order some years since. He has one of the best
barns in the township, which he built in 1888 at a
cost of $1,200. He is proud of his children and
justly so, as they are intelligent and useful, each in
his own way, to the community in which they live.
None of his sons ever use tobacco or liquor in any
way.
_. t, *"-   -  --— oii
P   REDERICK LIMAN HALL. The gentleman of whom we write was long a proI)rietor of one of the finest farms in Duplain
Township, Clinton Coanty. He was born December 18, 1817. His father was Frederick Hall and
his grandfather was Benjamin Hall, who came
originally from Connecticut. Mr. Hall was by oc
cupation a wagonmaker and also a carpenter. The
nomadic instinct seemed strong within him, for he
spent a considerable number of years in traveling.
Born in Canaan Township, Columbia County, N.
Y., in early youth he went to Newfoundland and
thence he went on the sea, spending six months as
a sailor. He made a tour of the Southern States
of our country, afterward coming North and buying land in Columbia County, Wis. He spent
about one year in that State.
In early life Mr. Hall was united in marriage to
Mary G. Barnes. She also was born in Canaan
Township, Columbia County, N. Y., July 27, 1828,
and was the daughter of Earl Barnes and Mary
(Goodfellow) Barnes. The young couple's wedding day was the 29th of March, 1850. After they


had taken up the burden of life together they came
to Clinton County in 1853 and located on section
35, Duplain Township. In less than two years the
family moved to Columbia County, N. Y., where
they resided a term of seven years and then returned to their home farm here. When they came
to this place there were only twenty acres of land
cleared and a small log cabin containing but a single room. With brave hearts they went to work
clearing the place and endeavoring to give it a
home-like air. There is no hyperbole in saying
they went to work with brave hearts, for bears
were plentiful at that time and panthers screeched
in the woods near the house. There were frequent
visits from Indians, who, if not hostile, had to be
watched lest they carry off the edibles that were
necessary for family use. The guns stood ready
for immediate use.
For many years the railroad nearest the home of
our subject was not closer than Pontiac, and often
when the necessities of life gave out they had to be
replenished with the gun and fish-hook. There
were indeed many dark days. The wild beasts and
Indians were not the only foes to be feared, but
there were frequent forest fires which threatened
destruction to the little home. In 1865 Mr. Hall
built the home where they have since resided and
they have constantly been adding improvements,
until it is now one of the most attractive farms in
the county. Mr. Hall died September 20, 1872,
and was buried at the Colony cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall were the proud parents of
nine children —Winfield S., who was born June
23, 1851; Grace, born October 6, 1853, and who
died in Wisconsin, May   30, 1854; Lucy, born
July 7, 1855, and died September 22, 1857;
Frank B., born January 20, 1860; Adella, born
September 25, 1863, married W. 0. Towne
and lives in Ithaca, Mich.; Herbert was born
September 30, 1866; Minnie O., January 20,
1867, and Edwin E., May 2, 1868. Minnie is a
teacher in the High School of Ovid. The farm is
now conducted by the son Frank, who is an enthusiast over fine stock, of which he owns some
high-grade animals. The boys have had only a
district-school education, while the sister, who is
now a teacher,attended the Ovid High School and




PORTRAIT AND B1IOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.3[


811


PRR  T — - D --------------  — BI-O-GR-AP-HICA  AL


finished at the Normal School of Flint. The
special crop raised on the farm is wheat, of which
they put in one hundred acres last fall. The principles of the family are Republican in politics.
The father of the family was at one time Supervisor of the township. The eldest son has been
for the past four years Treasurer of the township,
which position lie has filled not only acceptably to
the people but with honor to himself.
-  RANCIS M. EMMERT. Thousands of men
took part in the contest in the dread war of
the Rebellion in which brothers were pitted
against each other, and each one of these has a
history that is full of dramatic interest to the children of to-day who are taught to reverence the
American flag as the symbol of freedom for wlich
their fathers fought. Our subject is one of a family whose members were engaged in the desperate
struggle. H-e now enjoys the peace and quiet of
an agricultural life, devoting himself to stock-raising and agriculture on his fine farm on section 5,
Fairfield Township, Shiawassee County.
Ohio was Mr. Emmert's native State. He was
born there in Cuyahoga County, October 5, 1855.
His parents were George William and Elizabeth
(Killian) Emmert, natives of Germany, in which
country they were married. Their family numbered two children before they left Germany. On
coming to this country they first settled in New
York, where they resided two or three years. Here
the father plied his trade, which is the ancient and
historic one of a potter. He did not remain long
in New York, moving to Ohio, where -our subject
was born. There the father engaged in farming,
and when the original of our sketch was about
eight years of age, his parents again tried to better
their circumstances by removing to Michigan.
On coming to this State, the Emmert family
located in Gratiot County, near the present home
of our subject. In the year 1861 the father enlisted
in the army and served about one year, when he
was honorably discharged on account of ill-health
there contracted. During the intervals of farm


work, our subject received but a limited education.
He was, however, naturally bright and intelligent,
and picked up a great deel.
Francis M. Emmert is the fourth in a family of
five children.  His eldest brother, William  F.,
served in the army over three years, and took an
active part in many of the principal battles of the
war. He was a participant in the desperate struggle at Gettysburg, and also at Chancellorsville. At
his death he left a family of three children. His
interment took place in the Ford Cemetery, in Elba
Township, Gratiot County.
The gentleman of whom we write, was married
December 26, 1878, to Miss Nannie G. Osborn,
dQaughter of P. W. and Marilla (Antles) Osborn, of
Fairfield Township, Shiawassee County. Four children have come to them, filling their homes and
hearts with hope and promise. They are named
respectively-Mark, Lelah B.. Fred  Boyd and
Oliver. Our subject has ninety-eight acres of land,
all well improved. A part of this land is in Shiawassee County, and a part in Saginaw County.
The original of this sketch is in his political preference a Republican, and has been appointed by
his party as Assessor of the school district in which
he lives; he has also been Justice of the Peace of
the township. He became an Odd Fellow in February, 1891. Mr. Emmert's family are highly respected in the community, and are well worthy of
being chronicled among the representative citizens
of the township.
4ILLARD       R. DRURY.     This gentleman
has done much to build up this part of the
country, both by his own work and by his
enterprises, which have given employment to many
men. His family also has been one which has
helped forward the community in numerous ways.
Mrs. Drury is in many respects a remarkable
woman, having uncommon business ability and
being a lady of fine appearance and commanding
address, and one who makes a good impression upon
all who meet her.
This gentleman, whose postoffice address is Ben.




812


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


nington, Shiawassee County, was born in Norwood,
Peterboro County, Canada, March 5, 1837. His
parents, Nathan and Elizabeth (Rice) Drury, natives of Vermont, settled in Canada after their
marriage. Nathan Drury died in 1862, in Norwood, Canada, and his good wife survived twentynine years, dying at the advanced age of ninety-five
years, one month and nine days, she having been
born in the year 1796, in Vermont. In 1822 she
was married to Nathan Drury. She had eleven
children, four sons and seven daughters of whom
six survive. Our subject is the fourth in the family. He came to Ovid in 1862, and in the following year bought the mill of Bennington and proceeded to stock and operate it. This he carried
on until 1882, employing from eight to fifteen
men.   He finally replaced the old mill with a
new one, but after two or three years that was
burned and he erected a third one, which now
stands.
In the spring of 1867 Mr. Drury opened up a
store, putting up a new building, where the postoffice now is, laying in a general stock, including
everything needed in a country town. Mrs. Drury
took charge of the store and carried it on for
nearly eighteen years. In the fall of 1867 Mr.
Drury was appointed Postmaster and continued
in this office until 1874, when he resigned in favor
of George D. Palmer at the same time that he sold
out his store.
In 1868 our subject was made railroad agent and
held the position for nine years until the office required an operator. H.S did much outside business
for the railroad, especially in buying wood, and
was frequently promoted, receiving at one time
$3,000. He was also agent for the American Express Company for thirteen years, and did a large
business in buying and shipping wheat, handling
all that was sent from that point. He also shipped
large quantities of lumber and had about $15,000
capital invested. He started in business with only
$300 which he had earned by working out by the
day and month. During this time he had purchased
two hundred and fifty acres of land, of which he had
improved about two hundred acres.
When Mr. Drury sold out his business he removed to a farm one-fourth of a mile west of


town and put up buildings at the expense of $1,500.
He lived on that place for six years and spent one
year in town. HIe has four hundred acres and has
farmed extensively, raising both grain and hay, and
sometimes sells one hundred tons of the latter commodity. There is one hundred acres in his home
farm, and he has three other tracts of eighty acres
each, and a forty-eight-acre tract.
The marriage of our subject took place December 4, 1866 in Detroit. His wife bore the maiden
name of Ellen M. Wight, and she is a daughter of
Don C. and Hulda (Session) Wight. She was born
in Windsor County, Vt., September 19, 1841.
Her parents are natives of the Green Mountain
State and of English ancestry. Mr. Wight's father,
Benoni, and grandfather, Jabez, were born in England. The family removed to Michigan in 1856,
and settled in Commerce Township, Oakland
County. They came to Owosso in 1854, and during the same year removed to Bennington. He had
been a miller and at once went into partnership
with Mr. Drury for a year, while he improved his
farm. After this he retired from  business. He
died May 20, 1885, at the age of seventy-four
years, and his wife passed away November 14, 1888,
at the age of seventy-six years. IHe was a man
who enjoyed life and was public-spirited, well informed and successful in business. He had five
children: Ellen M., Mrs. Drury; Austin E., who
was taken prisoner at Sister's Ferry, Ga., while on
a scouting expedition; he was Lieutenant in the
Black Horse Cavalry, and was shot down and killed
after being taken prisoner, at the age of twentytwo; the third child died in infancy; the fourth
was Frances Juliana; Albert IH. died when seven
years old. Frances became Mrs. Ulysses Buck and
died at Tidioute, Pa., in 1872.
Ellen Wight began to teach in her fifteenth year
and afterward attended the State Normal School at
Ypsilanti, and from the time she was nineteen until
her marriage she devoted herself entirely to teaching, being engaged in Oakland, and also at Grand
Rapids. She drew up contracts and legal papers
for years for all the neighbors, and was complemented by attorneys for their completeness.
No children have blessed this home, but Mr. and
Mrs. Drury have adopted two who have indeed re



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


813


warded their kindness. Lenna Ellen, now Mrs.
Nile Brown, of Perry. was adopted when thirteen
months old and was married May 18, 1886, in her
eighteenth year; and Leroy, who was adopted in infancy and is now in his tenth year. Mr. Drury
was brought up a Presbyterian in his religious faith,
and his wife is a Universalist with leanings toward
Spiritualism. They now live in the house erected
by Mr. Wight. They both belong to the order of
the Patrons of Industry, and until quite lately Mr.
Drury was a Republican. He has been remarkably
successful in every business which he has undertaken and he is highly respected.
ALEB MEAD. The original of our sketch,
who owns the farm on section 16, Caledonia
Township, Shiawassee County, was born
January 19, 1836, in Luzerne County, Pa. His
father was Daniel Mead, a native of New York
State, a carpenter and builder by trade but a farmer
by occupation. His mother was Hannah (Green)
Mead, also a native of New York State. Their
marriage took place in Pennsylvania and there
they resided until 1843, thence removed to Ohio and
settled in Lucas County upon a perfectly new farm.
In 1853 they came to this State and settled in Caledonia Township on a timbered farm that was also
entirely new. They began their home by building
a log house and about it began the work of clearing. In 1860 the father died, after which the
mother returned to Ohio and died there in 1861 at
the age of fifty years while on a visit to her friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mead were the parents of
thirteen children, six of whom  are now living.
They were both members of the Baptist Church.
Daniel Mead took an active interest in the political
events of the day, whether local or national. In
the early days he was a Whig and later joined the
Republican party. For some time he was a Director of the school district and when temperance
principles were not so general as they now are, he
declared himself strongly in favor of prohibition.
He was necessarily a hard working man, for in the
early history of the country it was the survival of


the fittest, and only he succeeded who had bodily
strength and moral determination to go through
successfully what he had undertaken. As he could
give his children little else, he was determined that
they should at least have the advantage of good
schooling and thus be fitted to make a way for
themselves in the world.
Tile subject of our sketch was seven years of
age when his father removed West to Ohio and ten
years later they came to this State, after which he
worked on a farm, his wages going to his father.
At twenty one he began to work for himself, although lie often added his efforts to those of his
father in order to help toward the support of the
family.  He thus continued until his marriage
which took place in 1859, when he was united to
Eliza Stewart, a daughter of George and Anna
(Hess) Phyilliere. At the time of her union with
our subject she was a widow  As her name indicates, she was of French descent and a highly educated woman. Mr. Phyillere was a weaver by
trade and came to Michigan in 1854, settling in
Caledonia Township on section 17, on a wild farm.
Both her parents are now deceased, the father passing away at the age of ninety years. They were
the parents of six children, three of whom are now
living. Mrs. Mead was born in New York in 1832.
After marriage our subject settled on the farm
where he at present resides, which comprises eighty
acres. This was at the time partly improved. He
however owns but sixty acres now. At one time
he was the owner of one hundred acres, but gave
forty to his son. He has cleared two hundred and
fifty acres of land and has done a large amount of
other hard work. Our subject and his wife are
the parents of three children: Otis, who is married
to Ida B. Parling and lives on section 16. He has
a family of two children who are twins-Adelia
and Amelia. Adelia is the wife of D. E. Setten
and lives on section 17; she has a family of four
fine boys. Amelia is the wife of Truman Hamp
and lives in Owosso; she has two children. Mrs.
Mead (lied in 1863. In 1870 he was again married, this time to Caroline Quay, a daughter of
Richard and Hannah (Jackson) Quay, the former a
native of the Isle of Man, the latter of Ohio. They
came to this State about 1850 and settled in Venice




814


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Township where they both died; they were the
parents of nine children, seven of whom still live.
The present Mrs. Mead was born in 1851 in Venice
Township, this county. Our subject and his wife
are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom
are now living. They are: Carrie M., Maude L.,
Berle, Ethel, Nina, Lettie, Florence, and a son,
Hugh B., who, though adopted, is like one of their
own children.
Mr. Mead is a member of the Royal Templars at
Corunna. He is a member of the H. F. Army
Post, No. 160, G. A. R. at Corunna. He has always taken an interest in local politics and is an
ardent advocate of the Republican party. At
present he is serving in the capacity of Road Overseer and has been elected Justice of the Peace, but
refused to qualify.
In 1862 Mr. Mead enlisted in Company H, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry. Ile enlisted August
6, of that year as a private but was soon promoted
to the rank of Sergeant. The regiment was organized at Saginaw and sent to Kentucky under
Gen. Manson. It took an active part in chasing
the rebel Gen. Morgan all over Kentucky, Indiana
and through the fields of his operations. They
then went East into Tennessee under Gen. Schofield and later under Gen. Burnside in the Knoxville campaign. Mr. Mead served under Gen.
Thomas in the action against Gen. Hood at Atlanta,
Ga., and from there he went to North Carolina
where his regiment were engaged in skirmishing
with Morgan, also at Paris, Ky. They were also
in the engagement at Campbell Station and at the
siege of Knoxville. They were participants too
in the Atlanta campaign and were under fire from
May 6 to September 2d. Our subject was engaged
in the battles of Franklin, Nashville and Atlanta.
At Ft. Anderson, N. C., he was present at the
capture and surrender of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.
The regiment was posted in North Carolina at Salsbury until June, 1865, when our subject came to
Detroit, where he received his discharge, thence
came home. He never missed a single battle during
the three years in which he was in the war in which
his regiment engaged. In the charge at Resaca a
piece of shell passed through his left side and arm
and tore a corner off from a book in his pocket and


also tore the under part of his sleeve. It then rebounded and struck a new recruit in the stomach,
killing him instantly. In his army experience of
three years Mr. Mead was never off duty excepting
two days. His wife died while he was in the army.
Hie returned home to bury her and then immediately went to the front. It is by such men as
these, whose grit and determination never acknowledged defeat, that the Union was saved.
E    DMUND G. HAWKINS. The gentleman
whose name heads this sketch was born
_A April 2, 1836, in Waterford Township,
Oakland County, this State. His father, Stephen
Hawkins, a native of Cooperstown, N. Y., where
he was born May 8, 1800. He was a carpenter and
joi:er by trade, but later in life devoted himself to
farming. Our subject's mother was Elvira(French)
Hawkins, a native of New Hampshire, and there
born May 12, 1800. They were married in New
York, where they resided until they came to this
State in 1835. For a year they made their home
at Pontiac, in Oakland County.
For two years Stephen Hawkins lived in Owosso,
where he built the first houses that had clapboards.
From  there he went to Corunna, where for two
years he worked at his trade. lie then purchased
from the Government the farm on which he now
resides. This was in the year 1835, but he (lid
not move on to it until 1840. At that time there
were but few families in Shiawassee County and
not more than one farm that boasted any improvements in the township. His present finely-developed farm was then a dense wood, abounding in
wild animals, such as deer, bears, wild cats and
panthers, and Indians.
Mr. Hawkins, Sr., first settled on ninety-seven
acres, which was solid timber land. In the midst
of this he built and occupied the second log house
in the township. He immediately began clearing
this farm with the intention of making it a permanent home. From time to time he added to his
farm until he now aggregates two hundred and
twelve acres, one hundred and sixty of which are




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


815


under cultivation. Physically Mr. Hawkins was
a strong man of robust constitution, and the hard
work incident to pioneer life suited him. He built
many houses in the township, among which were
three schoolhouses. He also afterward built the
residence in which his son at present resides. Mr.
Hawkins passed away from this life April 10, 1885;
his wife preceded him only a few days, her death
having occurred April 5, 1885.
The parents of our subject brought into the
world four children, three of whom are now living. They were members of the Baptist Church.
The father always took an active interest in politics, at first casting his vote with the Whigs and
later with the Republicans. In an early day he
was appointed Highway Commissioner and also
Township Treasurer. He helped to lay out some
of the principal roads in the county and was also
actively engaged in the organization of the township. Iis interest was paramount in educational
matters as he felt that therein lay the greatest
promise for the future of our nation.
Our subject attended the district school in his
early youth and has never spent much time away
from home. At the age of about twenty-five years
he assumed the charge of the farm, which he has
since conducted with most admirable success. In
1865 he was united in marriage with Jenny Moore,
a resident of Shiawassee County. Previous to her
marriage she had made her home with her brotherin-law, M. Green, who then held a Government
office in the Treasury Department at Washington,
D. C., and who is now Postmaster at Los Angeles,
Cal.
Mrs. Hawkins was born in New    York State
August 10, 1843. She was well educated and on
first coming to Michigan taught school- for several
years. She is the mother of six children-Harry
S., Edmund M., Maude, Grace, Rena and Sumner.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins appreciate the importance
of educational advantages and lavish every opportunity of improvement upon their children. The
second son, Edmund M., holds a certificate to
teach. Hie has been a member of the local School
Board.
The gentleman of whom we write has ever been
actively interested in politics, always casting his


vote with the Republican party. For three terms
he was Township Treasurer and also held the office of Highway Commissioner. He is a standing
delegate to the county conventions and prides
himself on never having missed a vote at any election since reaching his majority.  Our subject
and his wife are charter members of the Royal
Tem plars.
Mr. Hawkins is the proprietor of the old home
farm and devotes himself to that most profitable
class of farming in the Central States-general
agriculture. He has a high grade of sheep, his
favorite breed being Merino; he also has some
line Durham cattle and Clydesdale horses, than
which there are none better in this vicinity. He
has some fine "Jim Fiske" horses. Mr. Hawkins
has enjoyed the advantage of continuing the progress on a farm  which his father had previously
improved. IHe does not believe, however, in standing still and all inventions in agricultural implements or new breeds of animals find their way in
a short time to this place.
-. --- —*;3"^ --- —r1, A RK    S M I T HI. Clinton County is the
l  home of a goodly number of young and
progressive farmers, none of whom occupy
a more prominent place in the social circles of
their neighborhood than the one above named.
He resides on section 29, Watertown Township,
where he owns eighty-seven acres of fine land in a
high state of cultivation. To his enterprise was
due the building of the first silo in the township
and in other ways he has shown that he believes in
keeping up with the times and getting out of the
old ruts whenever modern genius can gain an
advantage over the former ways.
Mr. Smith is a son of Henry and Cassie (Keys)
Smith and a grandson of Jonas and Lucinda Smith,
who were natives of New York and of German
descent. His grandfather came to Michigan in
April 1840, and located on section 29, Watertown
Township, on land now owned by George Smith,
Esq., uncle of our subject. Of the family five are
now living-Sarah, wife of the Hon, David Clark,




816


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


816 —` POTRI AN  IGAHCLABM


of Eagle Township; the father of our subject;
George, Hiram and Susan, wife of George E. King,
of Watertown Township.
Henry Smith was born in New York in 1831,
was reared on a farm and learned the trade of a
carpenter and joiner. In 1857, some years after
having come to this State, he married a daughter
of James Keys, a pioneer of Calhoun County and
a native of New York. The daughter was born
in the county named in 1837 and by inheritance
and training has traits of character and habits of
thought and life that have made her useful to her
family and acquaintances. She is of Scotch
descent and the name of her ancestors was originally McKeys but the prefix was dropped many
years ago. To Mrs. Smith there have come four
children, but Keys, the first-born, died in infancy.
The second child is the subject of this biographical sketch; the next are Myron and Myra, twins,
who were born November 9, 1863.
The gentleman with whose name these brief
notes are headed was born August 6, 1861, and
had the usual school privileges open to the youth
of the State in the last few decades. In 1884 he
began farming on shares the land of his uncle
George and in 1890 bought the property on which
he now lives and removed thereto with his mother
to preside over the household. He is meeting with
success in general farming and his future is bright
with promise. In political sympathy Mr. Smith
is a pronounced Democrat.
so! AMUEL SHIJSTER has a fine farm and
excellent farm  buildings on section 15,
Rush Township, Shiawassee County. He
was one of the pioneers of this section and
located his farm by means of a pocket compass. He
has always been a great worker and is well known
in that way throughout the township. Hie was born
in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, July 11, 1821. His
father, John, a farmer, was born October 4, 1800,
in Washington County, Pa. He moved to Ohio at
the age of fifteen years with his father, and wheln


seventeen years old his father died, and a guardian
was appointed over the son.
In October, 1820, John Shuster settled on a farm
of one hundred and sixty acres which had been
given him by his father, and six years later sold
this property and resided in Carroll County until
he bought eighty acres in Tuscarawas County. IIe
afterwards exchanged for propeity in Hardin
County, acquiring one hundred and sixty acres
there in 1839. Here is where he died in 1880.
When he first located in Tuscarawas County lie
settled in the unbroken forest and within the memory of our subject there was at one time but one
wagon in the township where they lived.
John Shuster was a Democrat in his political
views. lie belonged to the Rifle Company, which
was a part of the State Militia. His marriage in
1820 gave him a wife in the person of Elizabeth
Wingate, a daughter of Henry and Mary Wingate
who had ten sons and three daughters, of whom
Elizabeth was the third in order of birth. Twelve
children constituted the household of Joln and
Elizabeth Shuster and our subject is the eldest of
the numerous flock.
Very scanty opportunities for education were
offered to Samuel Shuster and he attended school
in all only seven months and seventeen days. He
started at the age of twenty-one to work out by
the month at $10 a month. He took a job of clearing land, chopping five acres for $25, half in money
and half in wheat, and succeeded in clearing it in
twenty and one-hlalf days. This was in Hardin
County, Ohio. For several years he worked at
different points and at various avocations. He had
learned the plasterer's trade and was employed in
that a part of the time. He moved to Ada, Ohio,
and built a house and resided there two years.
Coming to Michigan in 1854 Mr. Shuster located
his own land, built a house and cleared the timber.
I-e drove a pair of steers from Ohio to a point
near where Henderson now stands. He was married November 29, 1849, taking as his wife Elizabeth Main, a daughter of Timothy and Mary
(Gilpin) Main, who were from Southeastern Ohio.
Elizabeth was the eldest of the family of two sons
and four daughters and was born January 29, 1830.
Mrs. Elizabeth Shuster died December 24, 1859,




-,!-:,7i, —,1.,3                                                               e,r;3   -,:!,777 7" o:;;   -.  770!.7  1::.  1-:-:-~:a 1~:i:I
r.Z...-~.~
~- -;~i.;-~-~;:;;..~~.-~I~.
~I~
db


RESIDENCE OF THEODORE H. COX, SEC.13.,ESSEX TP.,CLINTON CO.,MICH.


-                                         I                                                                                                                                                                                                             I     i 1-i~.1- -II   I: ' ''




RESIDENCE OF 5AMUEL SHUSTER,SEC.I5.,RUSH TP.,SHIAWASSEE CO.-,MICH.




A




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


819


leaving to her husband three sons, Sanford, Anson
and John.
During the following year Mr. Shuster was united
in marriage with Mrs. Lucy (Freeman) Rush. She
is a daughter of Richard Freeman of English birth,
the father of twelve children of whom Lucy was
the second, being born in 1835, in Oakland County,
Mich. She has presented her husband with five
children, namely: Elizabeth, Jane, Athelia, Leslie
and Edna.
Mr. Shuster has been a member of the Grange
and held office in it, and has also been a member
of the Patrons of Industry. He calls himrnelf an
Independent in politics and was a Democrat until
the organization of the Greenback party which lie
then joined. For thirteen years he was in the
office of Highway Commissioner. He has a good
house and farm buildings and one hundred and
forty of his two hundred and forty acres are in a
high state of cultivation. Iis residence, a view
of which is presented on another page, is a twostory brick structure, surrounded by a lovely lawn
and numerous convenient outbuildings.
3^     HEODORE H. COX. Perhaps no resident
of Essex Township, Clinton County, is better Known than the gentleman above named,
who has always been a useful member of the society in which he moves, and has made warm friends
wherever he has lived. He has resided at his present location since 1869, where he has a fine farm
embellished with first-class buildings.  The surroundings and furnishings of his cozy home are
indicative of the intelligence and good taste of
those who occupy it, and the hospitality dispensed
under its roof is widely known and greatly enjoyed
by the many friends of the family. A view of
this pleasant homestead appears in connection with
this biographical notice.
A  native of Lenawee County, this State, Mi.
Cox was born October 29, 1839. His parents,
John and Jane Cox, were natives of Pennsylvania


and his father was a soldie; in the Black Hawk
War. He was one of the early settlers of Lenawee
County, buying land from the Government and
settling in the woods. Amid scenes of pioneer life
our subject was reared to manhood and aided his
father in the development of the farm. WhEn a
mere child he lost his mother by death.  He received the rudimenis of an education in the early
district schools of the county, and the instruction
there gained, although very meagre, gave him an
impetus which has led him to pursue a good course
of reading and acquire extensive information on
all subjects of general interest.
The marriage of Mr. Cox, December 9, 1866,
united him with Sarah A. Freer, who was born
April 26, 1847, in Lenawee County.  This estimable lady is the (laughter of James C. and Matilda
Freer, both natives of the State of New York. To
Mr. and Mrs. Cox have been born eight children,
namely: Alzina M., Jennie, now Mrs. Adelbert
Blackney; James L., Eddie and Frrnk (twins);
Willie, deceased; Hattie and Nina.  The various
members of the family are highly respected in society social circles and Mrs.Cox is prominently identified with the Ladies' Aid Society, and a consistent
Christian. With her husband she has encountered
the usual hardships attending a pioneer life, and
now reaps the reward of systenatic labor in a comfortable and pleasant surroundings.
In the spring of 1869 Mr. Cox removed from Lenawee to Clinton County and settled upon the farm in
Essex Township where he now resides. He bought
eighty acres of heavily-timbered land, paying $950
for the property. Immediately after purchasing
the place he began his improvement and erected a
log house which has been his home from that day
to this. He cut the first tree that was chopped
down on the place and did much pioneer work.
As the result of his untiring exertions he now owns
one hundred acres of good land; lie is a fine type
of our self-made men, as he entered upon his career
as a farmer with but little means, and only by perserverance, coupled with good judgment, has made
his way up to a position of importance anlong the
most substantial men of Essex Township.  Politically he is a Republican and a public-spirited citizen. His pleasant and obliging disposition has




820


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


" --- —--  ---


I


won him the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances in this county, and his honorable life has
gained their perfect confidence.
JUSTIN   W. BECKWITH, Supervisor and
farmer on section 2, Victor Township, Clinton County, was born in Charlemont, Frank-! lin County, Mass.,September 30, 1823. He
is a son of Ebenezer and Mary A. (Nash) Beckwith, both natives of the same town as their son.
The paternal grandparents were Edward and Elizabeth (Dart) Beckwith, both natives of New England, who died in Franklin County, Mass. Edward
Beckwith was one of the Revolutionary heroes.
The maternal grandparents were Joseph and Mary
(Giles) Nash, who were New Englanders. The
grandparents on both sides were members of the
Baptist Church. The parents of our subject lived
most of their lives in Franklin County, Mss.,
where they were born and reared.
These worthy parents spent their last days in
Michigan with our subject. The father was a
farmer all his lifetime, and a man of limited means.
In early life he was a Democrat, and later a Republican, but never took part in politics. Both lie and
his wife were members of the Baptist Church from
early years. They had five children-Mary M.,
Justin W., Eunice N., James N. and Joseph E.
Justin is now the only survivor of the family. He
remained with his father on the farm until about
twenty years of age, after which he engaged in
work in a scythe snath factory until 1862. He
then sold out his interests in Massachusetts, and removing to Clinton County, this State, bought the
farm where he now resides, a tract of some one
hundred and twenty acres. He has cleared up
about eighty-five acres, and has placed good improvements upon it. He has a good farm, is out
of debt, and all he owns is the result of his own industry and enterprise.
Mr. Beckwith has been a Republican all his life
long, and cast his first Presidential ballot for James
K. Polk. He has held the office of Justice of the
Peace for twenty-four years continuously, and is




now serving his eleventh term as Supervisor. He
is identified with the Patrons of Industry, and with
the Grange, and both he and his intelligent wife are
consistent members of the Congregational Church
at Victor.
The subject of this sketch was married July 13,
1846, to Miss Sarah Upton, of Charlemont, Mass.,
where she was born June 4, 1819. She is a daughter of Elias and Triphena (Hathaway) Upton, natives of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Upton came
West and spent their last days at the home of a
son, James Upton, in Clinton County.
Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith have had three children:
Flora A., now the widow of Emmet Jamison, and
the mother of two children; Paul and Blanche.
The Rev. Clarence A., a Congregational minister,
is now stationed at West Roxbury, a suburb of Boston. He took his college education at Olivet College, and then two years in the theological course
at New Haven, Conn., and one year at Bangor,
Me., taking a diploma at each institution. He married Miss Eugenia Loba. a highly educated and accomplished lady, and a graduate of Olivet College.
They have one child, Paul. Osborn L. is a farmer
and lives with his father. He took his schooling
in the district school and High School of St. John's,
Mich., and married Miss Ella Green, a native of
Victor Township. They have three living children
-Marcia, Lloyd and George. One son, Raymond,
is deceased.
J OSEPI H. COPAS, a live and successful
business man of Owosso and the President
of the Association of Englishmen of Shia(  wassee County, is a man who is a representative of the sterling intelligence and business
acumen and promptitude which make the best
class of British-American citizens. IHe is also a
man of genuine popularity, which is no doubt due
to the genial good fellowship which is one of his
distinguishing characteristics.
This gentleman, whose meat market and packing
establishment are said to constitute the largest concern of the kind in tile State, outside of Detroit,




POORTRAITI AND BItIOG RAPHICAC' L ALBUM`


821


I AD BA        A.-                   --


started his business in 1864. He is a native of
England, born in Somersetshire, October 4, 1844.
He is the third son and fifth child in a family of
eleven, the offspring of William E. and Elizabeth
(Billet) Copas. Both parents were reared in England and spent their lives in their native land.
The son attended school in Gloucestershire,
walking three miles to and from home and gaining
only a common school education. At the age of
thirteen he started out on his own account, working at various kinds of employment and engaging
for awhile on the Great Western Railroad in England. In April, 1865, he sailed from Liverpool,
England, landing at Castle Garden in New York
City, making the trip in seventeen (lays. He came
directly West to Oakland County, making his first
stop at Pontiac but after three months going on to
Owosso, where lie worked for three years for
George B. Hughes in the butchering business, having worked some at this calling in England.
In 1868 the young man started in business on
his own account in a small way, opening a meat
market on Exchange Street with which, after four
years of experience, he connected a pork packing
establishment. This he began as he did his market,
in a modest way, and has built up his business little by little and thus made it a marked success.
He built his present store and packing house in
1878. It is 22x132 feet on the ground floor and
comprises two stories. The front of the main floor
is used for the retail market and the rear and the
second story accommodate the packing house. He
superintends personally every part of the business
and has the cutting, pickling and smoking all (lone
under his own eye. He has a wide and extensive
business connection and ships to many distant
points. He carries on the business on a strict financial basis, and is proud to say that he always pays
one hundred cents on the dollar in every transaction. His concern is called tie largest in Michigan outside of Detroit.
The maiden name of Mrs. Copas was Jane Rowlands. She is a native of Wales and came to the
United States some years ago, making her home in
Owosso. Five children have come to bless the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Copas, namely: James -I.
and Albert E., who are both assisting their father


in his business, the latter being book-keeper. The
two younger children, George W. and Jennie E.,
are still at school. Mary Ann died at the age of
six years and six months. The political preferences of our subject are with the Democratic party
and he holds stanclily to the principles embodied
in the platform of that organization. He and his
family are all devout and earnest members of the
Episcopal Church, in which he acts as Vestryman.
— s ---^3 ----^ ----^
rP  RANK    FEA'THERLY, an intelligent and
highly respected   resident of Hazelton
i/    Township, Shiawassee County, residing on
section 16, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1852, and
is the son of John Featherly, a shoemaker who was
born in New York, in 1805. The father of our
subject received the rudiments of a common school
education, and remained with his parents until
1826, when he learned his trade as a shoemaker,
and having thus prepared for the responsibilities of
life was married the following year to Sabra
Knight, a daughter of Charles Knight. Mr. Knight
had a family of five sons and three daughters, of
whom Sabra was the first born, her natal ear being
1815.
John and Sabra Featherly became the parents of
three daughters and four sons, and our subject is
the sixth child and fourth son of this group. The
father came to Venice Township,Shiawassee County,
in 1861, and the following year bought forty acres
of wild land on section 16, Hazelton Township.
He (lied in 1872 and his good wife survived him
until 1888. His political views were embodied in
the declarations of the Republican party.
The subject of this sketch received the usual
common-school education and assisted his parents
until he reached the age of twenty-one. He had
purchased a half interest in 1866 in eighty acres of
land which is situated on section 15, and in 1872
lie received forty acres of the old farm. He has
disposed of part of his land and his farm now comprises eighty acres.
His happy marriage in 1879 united him with Estella Connel, a daughter of John Connel, of Hazel.




822                      PORTRAIT AND BI(
ton, who migrated from Ireland in 1855 and settled
in Canada. lie was the father of seven children,
four sons and three daughters, and Estella is his
second child, being born in 1861. Mr. and Mrs.
Featherly have three interesting children, Floy,
Dora and Pearl. Their happy home is sheltered
behind the walls of the old log house which grants
more comfort and health to its occupants than many
a more pretentious edifice.
Mr. Featherly is a thoughtful and progressive
man and devotes much time to reading. He is
identified with the Patrons of Industry and is President of the Township Union. The doctrines of
the Republican party embody his political views,
and he is earnest and hearty in his advocacy of the
party with which he is identified, but is in no sense
a seeker for office.
AMUEL E. GILLAM, M. D. Unless it
be in the ministerial field there is no higher
type of educated, skillful and useful humanity than can be found among the
medical practitioners. The work in which the
physician is engaged calls for some of the most
sterling qualities of character and depth of mental
power, and he who can gain and retain the high
esteem of those among whom he labo's proves himself a true man. It, therefore, affords the biographical writer pleasure to recount, even briefly,
the deeds of a successful physician an i surgeon.
Such is Dr. Gillam, of St. John's, who hae a large
and lucrative practice in both branches of his
work and is said to receive more calls than any
other medical man in Clinton County. He has
many surgical operations to perform and has a
high rank as a wielder of the scalpel and surgeon's
knife.
As giving some faint idea of the hereditary
characteristics of Dr. Gillam, it may be well to
speak of his ancestors for a generation or two. His
grandfather, John Gillam, was born in Ontario,
Canada, and went thence to New York and was
married near Palmyra. He came to this State as
early as 1833, and was one of the pioneers of Ing

)GRAPHICAL ALBUM.
I...




ham County. He secured raw land in White Oak
Township, and settling in the woods, built a log
house and cleared a farm of two hundred and
twenty acres. Being a mechanic, he also put up a
blacksmith's shop and worked at the trade. He
died at the age of fifty-five years. His wife belonged to the Everett family, of New York, and
her brother, Samuel Everett, was one of the contractors and builders of the Erie Canal. She died
in Fowlerville in 1866, when eighty-seven years
old.
In the family of the couple mentioned was a
son, George W., who was born at Orchard Creek,
near Palmyra, N. Y., and was a mere boy when he
~came to Michigan. He was reared on the home
farm and learned the blacksmith's trade from his
father. When grown to nanhood he located in
Plainfield and carried on a shop there until 1867,
when he came to Elsie, Clinton County, and engaged in the sale of general merchandise. Later
lie removed to Ovid, where he continued in mercantile business until 1889, when he sold out and
located in St. John's, retiring from business. -He
is a Class-Leader and a very active member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and has gained special
prominence as a promoter of religious work. He
has been a delegate to various conferences.
The wife of G. W. Gillam is a native of Ontario,
Canada, and bore the maiden name of Margaret
Turner. She is a daughter of John Turner, a
Scotchman, who was educated for the ministry as
a Presbyterian, but came to America, and after living in Canada for a time located in lhis State and
united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Tie
was pastor at different times in Michigan, Indianll
and Illinois, and (lied in the last-named State. The
mother of Mrs. Gillam bore the maiden name of
Boice and was born in Ireland. Her father was
the founder of the linen works at Montreal, Canada, and was a very prominent citizen. The family name was formerly Du Boise and undoubtedly
the ancestors some generations back were from
France. Mrs. Gillam is now sixty-five years old.
She has three children-Samuel E.; Mrs. Anna E.
Doolittle, of Owosso; and Bertie, who died in infancy.
Dr. Gillam was born in White Oak Township,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


823


Ingham County, April 26, 1845, and reared in
Plainfield, Livingston County, from the age of
eleven years. He had good school advantages,
and having an apt mind and love of study, he
was able to enter the Michigan State Normal School
at Ypsilanti, when but fifteen years old. He attended there three years, and while a student enlisted
in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, known as
the "Normal Regiment," but could not obtain the
consent of his parents to go to war, and so remain at home. He engaged in teaching and for
several years followed the profession at intervals,
laboring in both district and graded schools.
From early years he had been desirous of studying
medicine, and when eighteen began reading in the
office of Dr. P. L. Schuyler, of Iosco. He did
not quit teaching but pursued his studies in connection with his professional work.
In 1866 young Gillam entered the University
of Michigan as a student in the medical deparrtment, and worked his way through college, being
graduated in 1869 with the degree of Doctor of
Medicine. He then began practice at Elsie, Clinton County, remaining there until 1877, and then
going to New York in order to take a clinical
course in the Bellevue HQspital Medical College,
was graduated in March, 1878, then returning to
Elsie, settled up his business there and in March,
1879, opened an office in St. John's. Here he has
remained, working up a large practice and securing a reputation that is highly creditable. He built
a pleasant residence when he located here and it is
presided over by sympathizing and capable companion and helpmate. Mrs. Gillam was known in
her maidenhood as Miss Rose A. Finch, was born
in Williams County, Ohio, and is the daughter of
Peter Finch, one of the early settlers of Clinton
County, Micl. She is a well-educated lady, and
as a school teacher was highly valued. She is a
member of the Congregational Church.
In addition to his property in St. John's, Dr. Gillam owns large tracts of valuable pine and oak land
in Cleveland and Desha Counties, Ark., and is interested in real estate in various places. He is surgeon
for the Detroit, Grand Haveir & Milwaukee Railroad, and is President of the United States Board
of Pension Examiners of St. John's, with which


he has been connected since 1886. Since 1873 he
has been connected with the State Medical Society,
and is President of the Clinton County Medical
Society, which he helped to organize. Socially he
is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at St. John's, Mich.
_  -, __  6e)


^ EORGE J. BUSH, a well-known farmer of
Essex Township, Clinton County, and the
~J    son of a highly-respected pioneer, was born
in the township where he now lives, November 11,
1842. His father, David Bush,was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and came to Clinton County in
1836, taking up Government land on section 33.
Here he did genuine pioneer work, building up a
home in the woods, erecting a log shanty and
bringing his goods and family from Detroit with
the aid of an ox-team. To that city also he went
for most of his supplies, and to lonia he took his
grain to be ground.
David Bush cleared the heavy timber from his
land, cultivated it and soon began to raise good
crops on what was but a short time ago a wilderness. His death occurred in 1876 and was a sad
and sudden bereavement, as he was killed while
helping to raise a large frame barn in the neighborhood, being accidentally struck by a pike pole.
His wife, Albina Frink, of New York, was born in
Genesee County and is still living, enjoying a
hale and hearty old age, and is the mother of two
children.
Our subject was born in the shanty which was
built by his father upon his first coming to Michigan. For several years there was no school near
enough for this boy to attend, but he finally went
to a log school-house which was two and one-half
miles from home. Here he sat on slab seats and
wrote with a quill pen at the old-fashioned writing
desk which was fastened to the wall. He was an
invaluable help to his father, and assisted bravely
in clearing and improving the farm. He was happily married in 1872 to Rebecca Chase, daughter of
Daniel B. Chase, and has one daughter, Birdella,
who is now a young lady. Mr. Bush is prominent




824


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


in Republican circles and is often sent as a delegate to county and district conventions. He is
also identified with the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, and both he and his good wife and
daughter find a field of labor in the Christian
Church, to which they belong. He has one hundred
and twenty acres of excellent land in a fine state of
cultivation and in addition to general crops raises
all kinds of live stock.
A    HARLES SEXTON, a resident of Duplain
Township, Clinton County, prominent in
both agricultural and commercial circles,
was born in Waterbury, New Haven County, Conn.,
on December 12, 1829. His parents, Henry You.
mans and Roxa (Adams) Sexton, were natives of
New York City and Connecticut respectively. The
father was brought up in New York City, and the
mother had her training and education in the city
of Waterbury. The father owned a farm and
also pursued his calling as a clockmaker and repairer, and he was assisted by his son in the farm
work.
The subject of this brief biography came to the
Wolverine State when he was in his twenty-first
year, and located in August, 1850, on section 13,
Duplain Township, Clinton County. As he was the
eldest of his father's family and his help on the
farm was early demanded, he had not opportunities
of going to school as he would otherwise have had.
He, therefore, received no more than a very ordinary common-school education. He began life as
a farmer when he came to Clinton County, and here
took up one hundred and sixty acres through the
purchase of a soldier's bounty land warrant, making his selection in Duplain Township. Two years
later he exchanged this property with his father for
the eighty acres on section 13.
His union for life with Nancy M. Lewis was celebrated October 7, 1852. This lady is a daughter
of William and Abigail Lewis, whose home was on
a farm in Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio. Eight
children came to make this home a happy and joyous one, namely: Martin B., born July 27, 1853;


Alice A., August 18, 1855; William J., March 28,
1860; Harry L., November 22, 1862; Melvin M.,
April 14, 1864; George E., August 8, 1867; De
Forest, July 25, 1874; and Ernest J., March 26,
1878. Of this happy household, Martin, William
J., George and DeForest have been called to a
better land; Alice is now Mrs. George C. Meecher,
and resides in Otsego County, Mich.; Harry lives
in Cleveland, Ohio; Melvin is married, and like his
elder sister resides in Otsego County; and Ernest
is at home with his parents.
Ever since coming to this part of the country
Mr. Sexton has been engaged in agricultural pursuits and has operated a threshing machine for ten
seasons. He has also sold organs, pianos and sewing machines. He has long been interested in
stock-raising and keeps a number of excellent cows
supplying milk to the cheese factory. He has filled
the office of Chorister in the Baptist Church at
Elsie for more than thirty years, but within two
years past has felt it incumbent upon him to withdraw from this position of responsibility.
Mr. Sexton was at one time Constable, and for
six years has filled the position of Highway Commissioner. Until a few years ago he ranked himself
as belonging to the Republican party, but now
stands with the Prohibitionists and attends most of
the Prohibition conventions in the State.
'C> --- —*.O0' ~9  '*-$ ^* --- —'<SRAEL MEAD, a well-known and prosperous
resident in Duplain Township, Clinton County,
was born in Chester, near Lake George in New
York, March 30, 1811. His father, Nehemiah Mead
was a farmer by occupation and brought his son
up in his own line of work. The mother Zilpha
Wilcox Mead, gave to her son the inheritance of a
sound constitution and an honest love for work
but could not give him good educational advantages as the family was so situated as to debar him
from such opportunities. Most of his education he
has had to attain for himself since he reached his
majority.
When our subject was a mere infant his father
removed to Washington County, N. Y., and five




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


825


years later transferred his home to Wayne County,
the same State. The young man remained with
his parents until he reached his majority, and then
decided to come West. This was in the old Territorial days and our subject arrived in Novi Town.
ship, Oakland County, in 1832, thus becoming one
of the sterling pioneers of that region. That county
was then an unbroken wilderness, and the new settler could scarcely find even a cabin within its
confines. He took up a place of eighty acres to
which he afterward added forty acres more. Hie
was then a man of Herculean strength and wonderful endurance and during the twenty-five years
when he made his home in Oakland County he accoml)lished marvels in subduing the wilderness and
bringing his land from the condition of a forest to
that of a rich and productive farm. He placed
upon this land an excellent house, fine barns and
every appurtenance necessary to carry on a farm.
Previous to his migration this young man had
taken to himself a wife in the person of Livisa
Knapp, who became Mrs. Mead in May, 1831. Five
children blessed this home, but one only of that
little circle, Lovilla, remains to cheer the heart of
her father. The four others, Loretta, Maria, Samantha and Andrew lie with their mother in the
"city of the silent."  Mrs. Livisa Mead passed
away from earth in 1844.
The second marriage of our subject united him
with Clarissa Austin, of Oakland County, and by
her lie had nine children, namely: Phoebe, Mary,
Jay, Mark, Eliza, Cora, Milton, Clarissa, (who died
in infancy) and Frederick. The mother of these
children died about eighteen years ago.
Mr. Mead removed from   Oakland County, to
Clinton County, in the year 1855, and located on
the place where he now resides, which was then
also a wilderness. He had to cut his way through
the woods to his new home, and only a few inhabitants were then to be found in the bounds of the
county. He has thus done double pioneer work.
Ile has cleared about one hundred and forty acres
out of the three hundred and seventy which he
took when he first came to the county. He designs
to give this place to his children, when his time
comes to resign his earthly possessions. His youngest son and his daughter Lovilla make their home


I


with him as does also the husband of the daughter. He is a sturdy specimen of the old fashioned
farmer of the early days of Michigan, and calls
himself a "square toed Democrat."  He keeps ten
head of horses and some very fine ones and a small
herd of good cows. He has held school offices and
some other township positions of trust and responsibility.
HOMAS H. LEMON. The name that heads
this sketch is that of a gentleman who for
many years lived on a farm on section 14
Shiawassee Township, Shiawassee County. He was
the eldest son of John and Julia Ann (Trowbridge)
Lemon and was born December 1, 1816, in Steuben
County, N. Y. He was married December 8, 1842,
in Oakland County to Hope A. Smith and the next
month, January 7, reached Shiawassee. Previous
to his marriage he had secured a tract of land, in
1839, on section 15, in company with his father.
The tract comprised one hundred and sixty acres
and upon it he built a house that was the first home
of the young married couple. Here he settled in
January, 1843, and the following June his father
came and settled on the same tract.
About this time Mr. Lemon and his wife returned
to Oakland County, but in 1845 they came back to
Shiawassee County and built on the other eighty
acres, remaining here until 1851 when his health
failed him and he was obliged to make a change.
He removed to Newburg where he opened a grocery
store and soon enlarged it to a general merchandise
stock continuing in this business for about two
years. Then in company with Daniel N. Sabin he
opened a store at Shiawassee in 1854, remaining
there until 1859. He disposed of his business at
the time above mentioned and secured the farm
upon which he at present lives. It at first comprised seventy-nine acres. His boys were growing
up and he felt that farm life was more conducive
to the cultivation of manliness and vigor than town
life. He lived upon his farm until the time of his
death which occurred December 6, 1880.
Mr. Lemon was never a strong man physically
and during the latter part of his life was a great




826


PORTRAIT AN1D BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


sufferer. Personally he was of medium size and of
slender build with kind blue eyes and a bright intelligent expression, and lie was a charitable man
who disliked ostentation. Socially he was genial
and loved his fellow-men and was beloved by
them. In politics he was a Democrat. He had not
attached himself to any church although religiously
inclined. He was a strong supporter of schools and
in fact of everything that was a means of advancement. Before his death he had added to his farm
until it aggregated one hundred and sixty acres.
The wife of our subject, Hope A. (Smith) Lemon
was born in Troy, N. Y., September 1,1823. Her
parents were Samuel and Marcia B. (Collier)
Smith, the former a native of New Hampshire and
the latter of Vermont. They came to Michigan in
1824, settling seven miles from Detroit on the
Pontiac turnpike. In 1832 they removed to a farm
in Oakland County, where the father died in 1862
at the age of eighty-five years. His widow survived him but a few years, dying in 1871, at the
age of seventy-nine. She had made her home for
the last four years of her life with Mrs. Lemon.
The father of our subject continued to live on the
farm which lie had bought in company with his son
until his death, which occurred in 1846. His widow
died in April, 1864. They had eleven children of
whom our subject was the eldest. The next was
Sarah P., who became Mrs. Elisha Brewster and
died in 1859; Martha married D. N. Sabin and resides near the homestead; Minerva is now Mrs.
Collins Sergeant; John died in 1876 and his widow
resides in Corunna; Benjamin lives in Byron;
Joseph is in business at Corunna; James is on the
farm; Charles lives in Lansing; Edward resides near
the old farm; Julia is the widow of Wallace AW.
Moore. and lives near tie homestead. Mr. Lemon's
son-in law, Elisha Brewster, was the second Sheriff
of the county.
Mrs. Thomas H. Lemon presented her husband
with several children, namely: Delia B., now Mrs.
William Devereaux lives on the homestead; Melvin
E. died when four years of age; George C. lives
on part of the old farm; Samuel J. is living in the
neighborhood; Ella L. died at the age of twentyfour unmarried; Marcia A. who is Mrs. H. M.
Rippey is living near; Adell M., who is Mrs.


George M. Winnie of Caledonia Township, and
Tom E. lives near the old home.
Mrs. Thomas H. Lemon is a woman of rare intelligence and of prepossessing appearance and
presence. She still lives on the farm. Her sonin-law, William H. Devereaux resides on the place
with her. By the death of a half-brother in 1885
she received a handsome fortune. This brother
had been for many years an invalid and his fortune
had accumulated for a space of fifty years in the
hands of trustees. This windfall could not have
come to one better suited for its wise disbursement
than Mrs. Lemon. Charitable and kind she is ever
guided by good judgment and discretion in all her
acts. Mrs. Lemon's eldest daughter, Mrs. Delia
Devereaux, who was born in Oakland County,
April 23, 1844, makes an exceedingly pleasant
home for her mother. She was married in December 1863 to Mr. Devereaux, who was born in
Rensselaer County, N. Y., January 26, 1827. Their
family consists of Hal L. who lives near, aged
twenty-six years; Nellie L., died at the age of fifteen, her natal day being May 25, 1883; Derward
E. at the age of twenty is at home.
HARLES L. BENEDICT, a young and prosperous farmer who owns and operates one
hundred and twenty acres of choice land in
Essex Township, Clinton County, was born in that
same township June 28, 1868. His father was
George A., was also born in the same township in
1843, and the grandfather. Nelson, was a native of
New York, who came to Clinton County at an
early (lay, soon after the migration to that county
of his brother, Hiram  Benedict, who gave his
name to what is known as the Benedict Plains.
George Benedict died about 1880 at the age of
thirty-seven years. His wife, who bore the name
of Laura Eldred. was born in Ohio, and is now the
wife of George Fox, a wealthy stock-dealer of
Maple Rapids, Mieli.
The subject of this brief sketch is the only child
of his parents and was reared on the old Benedict
homestead. He received his education in the




I








I,

Iyl4A)




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


829


Union schools of Maple Rapids, and after his
father's death, which occurred when the boy was
only twelve years old, he continued to reside on
the farm with his mother. He was happily married
in 1887 to Miss Hattie Jones, who was born in Essex Township in 1869, and is the daughter of Eli
and Helen Jones, both natives of New York who
came to Essex Township at quite an early day. They
now reside in Durand, Mich., where Mr. Jones hlas
an interest in a sawmill.
Two children, Nemo and Leta, have been sent to
brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Benedict.
Their home is pleasantly situated and very attractive to the passers-by, and within its four walls may
be found a happy household. Mr. Benedict is a
stirring, energetic young man, and his push, pluck
and perseverance will effect great things in the future. He casts his vote according to his best judg
ment for the man who he thinks will do best for
the community.
i ---           _ ---
ALVIN   BENJAMIN.      Few residents of
Lebanon Township have so strong a claim
on the consideration of the readers of this
volume as Mr. Benjamin, whose portrait appears
on the opposite page. Ile has borne an honorable
part in the public affairs of a great commonwealth,
and has successfully prosecuted a farmer's career.
His home is on one of the finest farms in Clinton
County, and there every convenient structure, firstclass machinery and farm implements, and high
grades of stock may be seen. The estate consists of three hundred and eighty acres, which,
when covered with growing crops, present an appearance of prosperity not to be surpassed in Mich.
igan. Mr. Benjamin at one time owned six hundred and forty acres, but has given one hundred
and twenty acres to three sisters, and has also given
very liberally to those in need.
From New York State, of which he was a native,
the father of our subject, Nathan Benjamin by
name, came to Oakland County, Mich., at a very
early day. In 1834 he located in Ionia County,
whence he removed to Clinton County, and there


spent his last days. In the Empire State he was
married to Chloe Tyler, and a large family of children was born to them, named as follows: Sylvester, who died at the age of thirty-five years and
twenty-seven days; Calvin, Alfred, John, Sophronia, Mary, Minerva, Lucy and Sarah. The father
followed agricultural pursuits during his entire life
and was a faithful member of the Baptist Church.
He took a lively interest in the growth and prosperity of his adopted home, and contributed liberally of his means to this end. Every enterprise
calculated to advance the interests of the people, socially, morally and financially, received his unqualiified support, and his death on January 27, 1867,
was a loss deeply felt and widely mourned. He
died at the age of sixty-nine years, eight months
and twenty-five lays. Ilis wife, the mother of
our subject, passed from earth January 18, 1867,
aged sixty-five years and two months.
Calvin Benjamin, of this sketch, was born in
Oakland Township, Oakland County, Mich., February 2, 1831, and three years later was brought by
his parents to Ionia County, where he remained
until 1852. The family then removed to Lebanon,
at that time a vast wilderness. They endured the
hardships common to those days, and Calvin was
early initiated into the labor incident to clearing
and improving a farm. Being fond of adventure
and a man of spirit, it was natural that Mr. Benjamin becaine a victim  of the gold fever, and
started with some com;panions to seek his fortune
in California. There for some time lie engaged as
a miner, and now wears a ring as a choice relic of
the gold he (Iug.
In 1855, having accumulated some wealth, Mr.
Benjamin returned to Lebanon, where he has lived
the life of a farmer until the present time. He takes
pride in raising fine stock, in which le has been
more than ordinarily successful. For years lie has
maintained the principles of a devoted Christian
and is a member of the United Brethren Church.
A man of unceasing toil, strict integrity, and p(ssessing a genial and charitable nature, he has contributed largely to the promotion of religion and
its works, not only in his own locality, but in others far away. Just across the road from his comfortable home, reared high above it, looks down




830


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAAL ALBUM.


830 iPOR.TRAIT AN. BIOGA.L.....U.=


the spire of a modest church, one of the fruits of
his charitable nature, and erected in 1881. Besides
building this edifice, Mr. Benjamin has contributed
largely to the erection of nineteen others.
In Matherton, Mich., on January 2, 1884, Mr.
Benjamin was united in marriage with M. Annette
Mather. The bride was the daughter of Vernum
and Sallie (Ticknor) Mather, and the granddaughter of Buckley and Edna (Perry) Mather, natives
of New York. The grandparents reared a family
of two daughters and four sons. After the death
of Buckley Mather in the Empire State, his widow
was married a second time to a Mr. Stevens, and
came West to Illinois, where she died. Vernum
Mather was born April 12, 1817 in New York, and
in 1836 migrated to this State and purchased land,
which he traded for property in the East. Returning to New York, he sojourned there until 1867,
when he again came to Michigan and remained in
Matherton until 1884. Later he removed to Albion, where he now resides. The village of Matherton was named after Asaph Mather, a brother of
Vernum.
The wife of Vernum Mather, who was known in
maidenhood as Sallie M. Ticknor, was born in 1823
in Lebanon, N. Y., and was the daughter of Orrin
Ticknor, a native of Connecticut. She was married to Mr. Mather in the Empire State in 1843,
and four children came to bless their union, viz:
M. Annette, George, Elbert and Cora. All are living excepting George. Elbert is pastor in the
Methodist Episcopal Church at Battle Creek. He is
a graduate of Albion College, class of '88, afterward
completing his education at the Universityof Boston.
He was united in marriage with Annie E. Stevens
June 30, 1891, at Atchison, Kan. The bride is a
graduate of Albion College, and for two years a
teacher of languages in Streator, Ill. Cora, who is
a graduate of the Albion College, class of '87, and
teacher of languages in Marshalltown, Iowa, is a
teacher, and has been principal of the High School
in Legonier. Mr. Mather was a merchant in New
York, but has been a lumber dealer in Michigan,
and now lives retired from the active duties of life.
He and his estimable wife are both members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Benjamin was born July 11, 1844, in Ca

yuga County, N. Y., and received a good education in the common schools of her native State and
in the academy at Groton, N. Y. In 1864 she
came West to Illinois, where she taught school at
Chatham for five years. She also followed that
profession in Matherton, this State. A most estimable woman, she has proved an efficient helpmate
to her husband, and possesses those traits of character which have drawn around her a large circle of
friends. Her home is one of the most hospitable
in the county, and is the frequent resort of the
friends whom she and her husband have attracted
to them during their long residence in the community.
AMES SELDEN McBRIDE, a noteworthy
citizen of Owosso Township, who resides on
section 18, was born near Mahoning, Mercer
County, (now Laurence County) Pa., October 15, 1835. His father who bore the name of
James McBride was also a native of Pennsylvania,
and a son of Samuel McBride who was born in
County Antrim, Ireland, and came to America
during the Revolutionary War. This emigrant
indulged a natural antipathy to England and soon
enlisted himself against the crown and with the Colonists. He served with distinction in Washington's Army throughout that period of conflict, and
made his home at its close in Washington County,
Pa., whence he removed to Mercer County, in
1796.
Jane Wick was the maiden name of her who became the mother of our subject and she was born
in Youngstown, Ohio, where her ancestors were
pioneers. During the early years of our subject
the family resided in Pennsylvania, and his father
died there in 1867. This son is the youngest in a
family of six, of whom four are now living. His
early years were passed mainly upon a farm and he
took his education in the common schools of that
day. His efforts were necessary in carrying on the
affairs of the family and he gladly aided his mother
in every way possible.
While still a young man, Mr. McBride engaged
in mercantile life in which he was occupied suc



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


831


cessfully for five years. At the age of twenty-four
he was happily united in marriage with Miss Mary
Offutt, who was born March 30, 1840, in Laurence
County, Pa. Their marriage took place November
3, 1859, and the young couple made their home in
Pennsylvania until 1868, when they settled at Tullahoma, Tenn., where for three years Mr. McBride
was engaged in selling general merchandise in connection with his farming operations.
Prior to this time and during the speculative
period of the war, when the oil excitement was
running at fierce heat, Mr. McBride suffered the
common affliction and speculated largely in oil and
oil lands. The termination of the war put a stop
to advancing prices, and sales falling off, he found
himself but a small gainer by his efforts in that direction. Not being able to cultivate a healthy love
for the people of Tennessee (which State was in a
chaotic condition for years after the close of the
war), he sought a more congenial clime, and having an opportunity to secure his present farm of
one hundred and twenty acres, he removed to Shiawassee County in the fall of 1871.
In addition to general and mixed farming operations, Mr. McBride has become a breeder of
thoroughbred stock. His herd of Jerseys is one of
the best in tlie county and he gives considerable
attention to dairy interests. He uses the submerged
system in his creamery and the prizes taken by his
choice butter during the last few years fully attest
the excellency of his system and management. His
product has been awarded first prizes at a number
of State fairs and dairy shows.
As a breeder of the now famous Durock Jersey
swine he stands foremost, having sales for his animals throughout the United States and Canada.
His farm also is in a highly improved condition.
Politically he is a Republican and has been Justice
of the Peace for eight years. He is frequently
chosen to attend county or State conventions, and
enjoys the fullest confidence and esteem of his
neighbors and associates. His children are James
N., who graduated at the State University in 1888
and was awarded the second prize of $100 offered
by the American Protective League. This he
won while still a junior in college for a competitive essay on Protection, all his rivals being mem

bers of the senior class. He is the popular editor
of the Owosso Times, and in 1890 his name was
prominently mentioned as a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The second
son is Quincy, who is interested in stock-breeding
with his father andt is at present traveling as a
commercial salesman. The daughter is named
Eva, and became the wife of Burt Munger, and
she (ied in California in 1888. Mr. McBride and
his excellent lady are earnest and active members
of the Presbyterian Church in which they find a
broad field of influence and activity. The family
is esteemed as one of the most reliable a(nd intelligent in the county.
'rhTHAN DOAN. Whether it is that the conditions of agricultural life inl Michigan rel  semble those of the State of New York we
cannot state, but it is a fact that many of the early
settlers of New York have removed to this State
and carry on a successful business in farming.
Our subject, who is a native of New York and
who emigrated to this State at a comparatively
early date, owns a farm on section 12, Caledonia
Township, Shiawassee County, of which county he
has been a resident for thirty-five years.
Our subject's father was Jesse N. Doan, a native
of New York. His mother was Elizabeth (Braford) Doan, also a native of the same State as her
husband. They were married in their native State
and came to Michigan in 1851, settling in Gaines
Township, Genesee County, their claim being wild
land that they had purchased from the Government.
Mr. Doan, Sr., was a cooper by trade, which is
always a lucrative business in a new settlement and
although he devoted himself to farming his services were ever in demand in his trade. He was a
soldier in the War of 1812. He did not live long
after coming to this State. His decease occurred
in 1853; the mother died in 1854. They were the
parents of twelve children, four of whom are now
living. During their lives they were consistent
members of the Baptist Church, in which the father




832


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


was an active worker, holding various offices in
that body before he came to this State. Politically
he was an old-line Whig.
The natal day of our subject was August 18,
1840, his birthplace being in Cayuga County, N.
Y. IIe was only eleven years of age when the family came to this State and at fourteen years lost
both parents, after which lie was obliged to begin
the struggle for life for himself. He helped others
with farm work until he reached his sixteenth year,
when he began learning the cooper's trade and
continued to follow that in connection with farming for a number of years.
In 1861 the marriage of our subject took place,
his wife's maiden name being Elizabeth Derham, a
daughter of Henry Derham, of whom a sketch will
be found in thal of Alfred Derham, in another part
of this ALBUM. Mrs. Doan was born August 3,
1843, in England. After marriage the young
couple settled on forty acres of land on section 12,
Caledonia Township. It was a little wilderness,
having in its midst a tiny board shanty, but the
hearts of the young people were not dismayed. The
wife beautified the home without as well as within,
besides doing the manifold duties of a housewife.
They had no money at their command and knew
that all that they could expect from the future must
be made by the work of their own hands.
Mr. Doan has now one hundred and twenty acres,
of which one hundred acres are under cultivation.
His claim was originally heavy timber land and the
work of clearing was not small. In 1881 he built
his present residence at a cost of $1,500. It is a
sweet, cozy little place and proclaims the love of
home that its builder has. In 1880 he built a large
barn at a cost of $750. All the improvements
that his farm at present boasts he has made himself. The work of general farming is carried 6n
in a thorough manner.
Mr. Doan and his wife are the parents of six
children. They are: Albert H., Nancy M., Adella
M., Fred J., Charles W. and Edith E. The eldest
son is the husband of a lady whose name was Cora
Craig and lives on section 13; Nancy is the wife
of Samuel Galloway and lives in Hazleton Township; one child, a boy, is at once her care and
pride; Adella is the wife of Clarence Cudley and


lives on section 18, Venice Township; Fred J.
married Alice Brown and lives in Venice Township; the two youngest children reside at home:
they have all received the advantages of a good education and Mrs. Galloway was formerly a teacher.
Our subject and his wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and are also workers
in the Sunday-school. He is Trustee, Steward and
has been Class-leader for sixteen years, and has
been Superintendent of the Sunday-school, also
conducting the Bible-Class. Mrs. Doan, too, is a
teacher in the Sunday-school.
The original of our sketch is much interested in
local as well as national politics and events. Ile
is an adherent of the Republican party, believing
in the right of its platform. Mrs. Doan has much
executive ability and has been President of the
Ladies' Aid Society of her church, presiding over
the same with dignity. At the time of Mr. Doan's
settlement here there were more Indians than white
men and wild animals abounded. Roads were not
then laid out and he helped to chop and clear most
of the present roads in this locality. Like the majority of early settlers, for years he was a great
sufferer from fever and ague.
OHN Q. PIERCE, one of the influential
citizens of Greenbush Township, Clinton
County, makes his home on section 21, where
hle owns one hundred and thirty-two acres
of land. This property has been accumulated by
a series of well-directed efforts, and it bears improvements which stamp it as the home of a man
of intelligence and good judgment. The evidences
of woman's refining tastes are not lacking, and altogetherthe farm is attractive to passing strangers
as well as to those who know and esteem its occupants.
The birthplace of Mr. Pierce was Orleans County,
N. Y., and his natal day January 4, 1828. He is a
descendant of old New England families, Aretas
Pierce, his father, having been born in Vermont,
and Matilda (Steadman) Pierce, his mother, in
Massachusetts. He grew to manhood in the county




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


833


I ----I


of his birth, spending his early years on a farm and
acquiring the rudiments of an education in the district schools. He subsequently attended the academies in Albion and H-olly, N. Y., and in the latter
made a specialty of civil engineering. In 1849 he
took up the work to which he had decided to devote himself, on a branch of the Galena & Chicago
Railroad, one of the first in Illinois. For a score
of years he was an engineer and surveyor for railroad corporations, and during that time visited a
number of States and worked for some of the bestknown companies in America.
Mr. Pierce spent two years on the preliminary
survey and construction work connected with the
enlargement of the Erie Canal, having charge of a
division between Gasport and Slielby Basin, with
headquarters at Middleport. iHe also was the engineer on the construction of a branch of the Erie
Road between Buffalo and Hornellsville, N. Y. He
was chief assistant of the New York and New England Railroad between Milwaukee and Putnam;
later he was Chief Assistant Engineer of the Connecticut Valley Railroad from HIartford to Saybrook. When he gave up the profession, in 1873,
he was Chief Assistant Engineer of the Massachusetts Central Railroad between Boston and Boylston, and had a fine reputation as a civil engineer.
In the spring of 1875 lie went to California, intending to locate in that State, but after a short stay
changed his mind and settled in Michigan. He
chose Clinton County for his future home, and
bought land on which he has since been living. In
connection with farming he carries on stock-raising quite extensively, and markets a good grade of
horses and cattle.
In 1855 Mr. Pierce was married to Miss Julia
Bennett, who bore him three children, none of
whom are now living. He made a second marriage
June 1, 1874, his bride on this occasion being Miss
Myra Keys, daughter of Horatio N. and Althea
Keys, of Orleans County, N. Y., where she was
born September 23, 1849. Three children have
been born of this union, but only one is living,
John Q., Jr. The parents of Mrs. Pierce were born
in the New England States, and her mother is still
living in New York. Her father departed this life
in 1887. Mr. Pierce is identified with the Repub

lican party. He and his wife are active and respected members of society, manifesting an interest
in the welfare of the people among whom they
have made their home, and doing what they can to
aid in elevating the status of the community, materially and intellectually.
QUIRE ISAAC D. HANNA, one of the
earliest pioneers and a member of one of
)  the most intelligent families of Shiawassee
Country resided on section 19, Venice
Township. His father, Richard, was born in Newberg, Orange County, N. Y., in 1797, pnd for the
past fifty years has been a farmer, before that being
a carpenter and joiner. He still lives at the age of
ninety-four years in Crawford County, Pa., and
has all his faculties in good condition. His mother,
Sarah (Barton) Hanna,a native of Dutchess County,
married Richard Hanna in New York and resided
in Cortland County until her death in 1827. Two
only of her four children now survive, our subject
and Sarah, Mrs. Rogers. The second marriage of
Richard IHanna gave him seven children, and all
but one of them are now living. He volunteered
to serve his country during the War of 1812 but
was not called into action.
Our subject's birth was in Cortland County,
N. Y., March 2, 1822, and he remained at home acquiring a district school education and being employed upon the farm until he reached his majority.
He cut the first stick that was felled upon his father's farm in Crawford County, Pa., and when
twenty-one years old was given a portion of his
father's farm and settled upon it. In 1843 he married Cynthia Kingsley a daughter of Orren and
Margaret (Buchanan) Kingsley, the mother being
a native of New York and the father of Connecticut. Bishop Kingsley (now deceased) was Mrs.
Hanna's eldest brother and they had another brother
who was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Mr. Kingsley died in 1870 and his wife
followed him six years later, leaving seven of their
twelve children to mourn their loss.
Mrs. Isaac Hanna was born in June, 1816, in


11






834


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Oneida County, N. Y., and there received so good
an education as to be able to teach. She occupied
the desk of the teacher for eleven terms, mostly in
Pennsylvania and New York, and after marriage
lived for four years in Pennsylvania. Returning
to Livingston County, N. Y., the young couple
occupied a farm for four years then spent one year
at Rochester and returned to Pennsylvania and
pursued farming. In 1860 they came to Michigan
and settled upon a farm in Genesee County, coming
to this county five years later and making their
home where they now reside. It was then a tract
of one hundred and ninety-six acres, only eighty
of which was roughly improved. For ten years
they lived in a shanty and then built the house
now occupied by the son. Fifteen years ago they
built their present attractive and commodious
home and all other improvements which may be
seen on this farm have been placed there by Mr.
Hanna. He now has seventy-six acres, all but two
of which are improved.
Three of the five children of Squire Hanna and
Cynthia, his wife, are now living, namely: Richard,
who married Hattie Yerkes, and with his wife and
one child lives on section 18; Almeda, the wife of
William Minto, who lives at Corunna and has four
children; Sarah, the wife of Edgar Slocum and the
mother of two children, lives in Caledonia.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is the body of
Christian worshipers with which the Hannas are
connected. Tn this Mr. HIanna has been both Steward and Class-Leader, and also Superintendent of
the Sunday-school.  Mrs. Hanna also takes an
active part in church work and has for some been
teacher of the Bible Class. Mr. Hanna has been a
member of the local school board and is active in
promoting the interest of education. He is a worker
for the I)emocratic party and his first vote was cast
for Henry Clay for President. He is serving his
third term as Justice of the Peace and has been
Commissioner of Highways for five years.
Excellent educational advantages have been furnished to the children of this household, and they
gladly avail themselves of this opportunity. The
father has now retired from active work, giving
over into younger hands the heavy toils of a farmer's life. He has done a great amount of work




I


in his day and has always been a strong and robust
man. Only seven years ago when he was over
sixty he waded through two feet of snow for some
distance to see a stump from which he and his father had cut a tree forty-seven years before.
Squire Hanna has a pleasant remembrance of those
early days and loves to recount the adventures of
pioneer life.
~..0S Mel.
E    ZRA SMITH, MA. D. A practitioner of the
healing art, who has a reputation for erudition that extends beyond the locality in
which he lives, is the gentleman whose name is at
the head of this sketch. He resides in Judd's
Corners. Ile was born January 2, 1836, in Candor
Township, Tioga County, N. Y. His father was
Jesse D. Smith, a native of Connecticut and born
in 1797, a farmer by calling. Our subject's mother
was Lucinda (Sanford) Smith, a daughter of Ezekiel Sanford. I1er birthplace was Tioga County,
N. Y. Her death, which occurred in 1843, was an
irreparable loss to her son who was then but seven,;ears of age. Our subject is one of four children,
three of whom are living.
The Doctor remained in Tioga County until he
was eighteen years of age, when he commenced the
study of medicine. Hle had previously received
an academic education in Tioga and Alleghany
Counties. In the latter county he attended the
Alfred Academy. He studied and read for one
and one-half years under Dr. Sutherland of Candor,
N. Y. and then went to New Haven, Conn., where
he studied under Prof. Charles A. Lindsley, now
professor of Theory and Practice in Yale College.
Our subject entered Yale and took the complete
course and was graduated January 14, 1857, taking
the degree of M. D.
After finishing his college course lie of whom we
write opened an office in Fair Haven, Conn., and
there continued until the spring of 1861, when he
was recalled to his childhood's home in order to see
to his father's estate of which there was a farm and
a hotel. Here the Doctor located and continued his




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


835


I


practice until 1865. When in 1868 he came to
Michigan he had but seventy-five cents in his
pocket, having lost his property in litigation. lie
located in Hazelton Township, where he began
practice and here continued until 1877. Dr. Smith
then removed to Flushing, Genesee County, opening an office there and continuing in the practice
of his profession until 1885. Three years after
this he was engaged in handling a stock of drugs,
having to relinquish his practice on account of ill
health, caused by hard riding in severe weather and
over a very large circuit. At this time of his life
he had a very narrow escape from death as a result
of his severe riding. The original of our sketch
then came to this place where he has since remained,
engaging in farming and doing a limited practice
in his profession. His farm. which comprises but
fifty-five acres, is all under cultivation and is a
perfect garden spot.
On October 24, 1872, the Doctor was united in
marriage with Mrs. Emma Eliza Perry, widow
of Lyman Perry. She was a native of Vermont
where she was born July 11, 1828, her parents
being Moses and Elizabeth (Bessey) Fuller, the
former a native of Vermont and born February 5,
1789; the latter was of Scotch descent and born
November 19, 1794. After marriage Mrs. Smith's
parents resided in New York where the father died
in 1834. The mother came to Michigan and made
her home with Mrs. Smith, passing away from this
life in January, 1879. They were the parents of
twelve children, only two of whom are now living.
Mrs. Smith came to Michigan in 1865 and settled
at Grand Rapids where she lived until 1868, thence
removing to Hazelton Township. One child is the
fruit of her former marriage; he is Alphonso Perry,
born December 15, 1856. He united himself in
marriage with Delpline Monroe and now lives on
section 35, Hazelton Township, his home being
gladdened by the presence of two children-Jesse
S. and Florence. Mrs. Smith's first husband died
in September, 1871, having been a farmer all his
life. During the war he took part in the strife on
the Union side. His death was caused by an acci-*
dent which occurred while building a bridge and
which resulted in concussion of the spine.
Doctor and Mrs. Smith are members of the


Methodist Episcopal Church at Judd's Corners
where he is Trustee. He is also chorister having a
fine voice and much ability as a leader. He is a
member of the Royal Templars and is ranged on
the side of temperance. He has been appointed
Health Officer of -Hazelton Township. When the
Doctor first came to this township the family were
poor and lived in a log house three miles back in
the woods. There were no roads near and they
were obliged to cut the roads out for themselves.
At this time the Doctor made baskets and also a
cutter of saplings that he himself got out from the
woods. He was thereafter known as "Basswood
Doctor."
7 A AME S S. COLBY, a retired farmer of
Owosso, Shiawassee County, Mich.. was born
in Granby Township, Oswego County, N.
(   Y., March 14, 1822. His father, Daniel D.
Colby, was a native of New York, and a farmer by
occupation, and a son of William Colby, a Revolutionary soldier of Scotch-Irish extraction. The
mother of our subject, Elizabeth Singer, was a sister of the notahle I. M. Singer, the inventor of the
Singer Sewing Machine. She was a daughter of
Adam Singer, of Dutch descent, and was born in
Rensselaer County, N. Y.
Both the father and the mother of our subject
remained on the farm in Oswego County, and there
spent their declining years. The father was born
in 1799, and passed away in 1884. In 1874 he was
bereaved of his wife, whose natal year was 1800.
They were the parents of eleven clildren, of whom
our subject was the eldest of seven sons and four
daughters, eight of whom are still living. They
were all born in Oswego County, and two of them
are living in Michigan, one in Missouri, and the
others in their native State.
He of whom we write was trained in the practical work of farm life, and attended the district
school when he could be spared from tle farm.
Being the eldest son, he was his father's mainstay,
and remained under the parental roof until he had
reached his twenty-second year. When he came
to Michigan he made his first home at Pinckney,




836


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Livingston County, and in 1844 established himself there in the coopering business, and the last
year of his residence in Livingston County kept
hotel.
Mr. Colby removed to Shiawassee County in
1854, and located on a farm six miles south of
Owosso, in the township of Shiawassee. Here he
devoted himself to raising sheep, and in cultivating
the more prominent cereals such as wheat, oats and
corn. His farm consisted of three hundred and
twenty acres, and he continued upon it until 1881,
when he removed from the farm to Owosso. He
owns three farms which are operated by tenants.
Mr. Colby was married in November, 1843, to
Eliza Nelson, who was born in Oswego, N. Y., in
1826. Five children were born to them, namely:
Gaylord F., who is now a farmer; Clarence D., who
has an extensive farm in Inglam  County, this
State; Rudolph J., who owns a part of the old farm
in this county; Leola L., who resides at home; and
Nellie, the wife of Clarence Edgerton, a farmer
living near Grand Rapids.
The present Mrs. Colby was a widow, formerly
Mrs. Harriet Durgen of Saginaw. Mr. Colby is a
stanch Democrat in politics, and has made a grand
and successful struggle with the difficulties of life,
having begun his career with very limited means.
He has now accumulated a handsome property, and
has one of the finest brick residences in the city,
with all the modern improvements.
'-"^g --- —-— ^ c=='~^~"^  ^E^
EORGE M. COLBY, a prominent and wellknown resident of Woodhull Township,
Shiawassee County, was born in Granby
Township, Otsego County, N. Y., July 2, 1831.
His father, Daniel D. Colby, a native of New York
State, was born in 1799 and his grandfather Wil.
liam, a native of New Hampshire, was born in 1760.
He enlisted in the Revolutionary War when sixteen years old and served through the whole period
of conflict, carrying to his grave a British bullet
which he received at the battle of Monmouth. le
was a pensioner of the Government until the day
of his death. He carried on a farm of some sev

enty-five acres, was the father of eight sons and
three daughters, and added to this number one
adopted daughter. In his later years he was an
earnest and devoted member of the Methodist
Church. His wife died in 1835 and he survived
until 1847. The family is of Irish descent and
their original ancestor came to this country in
Colonial times.
The father of our subject owned the homestead
farm but sold it in 1836 and bought a farm in
Oswego County, seven miles from Oswego City.
In early life he was a Presbyterian and later a
Methodist. IHe was a man of strict integrity and
always religiously inclined. His death occurred in
1883 when he was eighty-four years old. Like his
father he was a Democrat but after the breaking
out of the war lie became a Republican. He held
the office of Justice of the Peace and was considered a Justice of more than usual ability, frequently trying cases from Oswego City.
The wife of Daniel Colby was Elizabeth Singer,
a sister of Isaac M. Singer, the inventor of the
Singer Sewing machine. She was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y. in 1802. Eight boys and four
girls completed the number of her children, all of
whom she had the happiness of rearing to mature
years. They were James S., Edwin R., Eleanor
M., (Mrs. Mason), Polly A., (Mrs. Place), Elizabeth, (Mrs. Erwin), George M, Archelaus A., John,
Lydia E., (Mrs. Dean), William D., Charles C. and
Ernest B. She was in early life a Presbyterian
andl later a Methodist, and was beloved and respected by all who knew her for her sterling Christian
character and real goodness of heart. She and her
husband had the great lhappiness of celebrating
their golden wedding, December 4, 1869, since
which time she has passed away.
Adam Singer, the maternal grandfather of our
subject, was of German descent and as far as known
was a native of New York State. His father, the ancestor of this family, came to New York from Germany, and was a millwright and carpenter. He
used to tell about being behind the redoubts during.the Revolutionary War. He built many mills in
New York and Ohio and in other States and died
in New York in 1856 after completing his fourscore years.




--                   -1 ~ I ILlll-M-          I-    -


RESIDENCE OF CHARLES W. BAUERLY,5EC. 18.,DE WITT TP.,CLINTON CO.,MICH.


RESI DENCE OF GEORGE M. COLBY, SEC. 22.,WOODHULLTP.,SH IAWASSEE CO.,MICH.




I~




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


839


Our subject was reared upon the farm and educated in the district school, and although he worked
out some before reaching his majority he really
began life for himself at that time. He came to
Michigan in 1852, journeying by boat to Niagara,
then took cars to Buffalo, boat to Detroit and cars
again to Dexter. He made his first home at Pinckney, where he had a brother living, but after a year
and a half there he came to Shiawassee County.
He was married July 31, 1855 to Rachael VanRiper, who was born in Lodi Township, Washtenaw
County, February 18, 1835.
The parents of Mrs. Colby were Andrew J. and
Catherine (Dubois) VanRiper, the former, born in
New Jersey and the latter in Ulster County, N. Y.
They became early pioneers of Washtenaw County,
settling there in 1831, while Michigan was still a
young territory. After doing much to subdue the
land in their new home they moved to Shiawassee
County in May, 1847, and made a farm here. Mr.
VanRiper owned four hundred acres here besides
giving each of his four children a generous tract of
land. He was a hard worker, a Democrat in politics and a Presbyterian in religion. He died here
in September, 1888, when eighty-three years old.
His faithful and devoted wife had preceded him to
the other world in 1876, when she was seventy-four
years old.
Mr. and Mrs. George M. Colby have been blessed with seven children, but have also been sorely
bereaved, having lost all but two of these children
in early infancy. The two surviving are Catherine E. who married Enoch Carl, lives on a farm in
Woodhull Township, and is the mother of one
child, Hazel, and Charles M., who yet resides at
home but has eighty acres of his own land. Charles
M. is very ingenious and can turn his hand to any
work presented to him. When our subject took
the farm upon which he now lives it had no improvements upon it, and he built a log-house which
at that time was considered the best in the township. He used to keep a good many traveler's who
would come in at all times of the night. He built
his barn in 1866 and the house in which he now
lives in 1880. He carries on mixed farming on his
estate.
Mr. Colby is a Democrat in his political princi


ples and affiliations and has held some minor township offices. He is now Deputy Sheriff and was
Assessor for this school district for over twenty
years. He is agent for the Shiawssee Mutual Insurance Company, also for the Niagara Company
of New York and the Fire and Marine Company of
Detroit. He also does collecting. He is a member
of the Grange, belongs to the Patrons of Industry,
and is connected with the Masonic Lodge at Williamston, Ingham County. He is a fine man and
his good qualities and enterprise make him known
favorably throughout all this region.
A view of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Colby
is presented on another page.
C   IARLES W. BAUERLY.           Among the
highly-respected  and  thriving  GermanAmerican farmers who have made their
home in DeWitt Township, Clinton County, we
are pleased to present at the head of this sketch
the name of a man of more than ordinary intelligence and geniality of temper and manner. To
have the respect and thorough liking of his neighbors, as Mr. Bauerly has, is something in which to
feel a just pride.
Mr. Bauerly was born at Wurtemberg, Germany,
November 15, 1837. His father, John M., who
was born in 1804, was a wagon-maker and gunsmith by trade, and came to America in 1837,
thirteen years before he brought over his family.
He settled first in Saline, Washtenaw County, and
engaged in wagon-making. Subsequently he removed to Jonesville, Hillsdale County, where lie
worked at his trade until his death in 1881. Many
of his wagons have done good service all through
Michigan, and some have crossed the plains to
California, as there was a great demand for his
thorough work during the gold excitement of 1849 -50. He was a Lutheran in religion, and a Democrat
in politics.
Caroline Deyle, the mother of our subject, became the wife of John M. Bauerly, in 1832. She
reared three children-Fred, Gottlieb and Charles
W. Like her husband, she has been an earnest and




840


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


conscientious member of the Lutheran Church,
and is still living in Washtenaw County. Our
subject was thirteen years and eight months old
when he came to America with his mother and
older brothers, and he well remembers the journey, which was a great undertaking, as they were
forty-three days on the ocean, and eighteen days
journeying from New York City to Jonesville,
Mich., by way of the lake.  He had attended
school in Germany both in the common schools
and also in a Latin school, where he took a fiveyears' course, and where the requirements were
exceedingly strict.  After reaching this country
he was in school at Jonesville for four months,
and in Washtenaw County for three months.
When our subject started out for himself he
worked for ten years for John Sclneeburger, and
in 1862 came to DeWitt Township, Clinton
County, and bought eiglhty-six acres of land. Upon
July 15, 1852, he took a step which has been
greatly blessed to him and to all with wiom lie
is concerned. It was his marriage with Catherine
Hepfer, who is an excellent housekeeper and a delightful, motherly woman. She, like himself, is a
native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and was born
July 24, 1842.  Her parents, Jacob and Mary
(Walter) Hepfer, came to America in 1847, and
settled in Washtenaw County, Mich. Mr. IHepfer
was a poor man, but had the carpenters' trade and
a resolution and ability to work hard. He rented
land for four years and then bought a small tract,
and coming to Clinton County in 1866, settled in
DeWitt Township.   Both he and his good wife
were Lutherans and people of earnest Christian
character. She was taken from him by death in
1873, and he was called away upon Christmas
Day, 1875. They were the parents of five children-Jacob, Conrad, George, Mary and Catherine.
Nine children have cheered the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Bauerly, seven of whom are now living,
and all are at home except two.  Lydia is the
wife of Valentine Neller, a farmer and carpenter
in Olive Township, Clinton County. The remaining children are William, Edward; Carrie, who
married Jacob Schlenker, a butcher of Lansing;
Mary, Charles and Henry. The parents of these


children have been members of the Lutheran Church
from childhood.
Although our subject began life with nothing
but his pluck, perseverance and industry, he now
owns one hundred and forty-six acres of as fine
land as there is in the county, and has a pleasant
large frame residence, the main part of which he
built in 1867, and to which he made additions in
1882. On another page appears a view of this
residence, which stands back from the road about
seventy-five yards and is pleasantly situated. lHe
built his large red frame barn in 1878 and his
granary in 1880. His home is an exceptionally
happy one, and his children are deservedly the joy
and pride of their parents, as they are more than
ordinarily bright and intelligent, and make home
happy for one another.
Along with the prosperity and happiness which
has been his, Mr. Bauerly has had some bitter with
the sweet. In 1867 he had his leg crushed by a
falling timber while raising a building, and lay in
bed for sixteen weeks, while his doctor bill grew
rapidly to the proportions of $195. Our subject
was elected on the Democratic ticket as Supervisor
of DeWitt in 1880, and served for six years as
Township Treasurer and was appointed for one
year to fill an unexpired term. He served for two
years as Highway Commissioner, and is now
and has been for eight years on the Board of
Review.
J  ARED L. HOLBROOK is one of the farmers and stockbreeders of Clinton County,
whose name is well-known among that class,
and whose reputation in business circles is
excellent. He is the owner of two hundred and
eighty acres of land. the home farm comprising
eighty acres on section 36, Greenbush Township.
This tract is well improved and the home is supplied with creature comforts, and the entire estate
is made attractive by the good judgment shown in
its control and the fine appearance of the crops
which grow there. Mr. Holbrook has a half interest in two fine stallions, his partner in their owner



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


841


ship being Mr. William Bird of Duplain Township.
One of these animals is a French coach horse,
"Homer", a six-year-old weighing thirteen hundred
and sixty pounds anal valued at $2,000.  The
other is a Norman Percheron called "Colin," whose
weight is eighteen hundred pounds and value as
many dollars. Both are imported and rank among
the best-bred horses in the county.
Mr. holbrook is probably of English ancestry
and is of New York parentage. His f.ither, Edwin
M. Holbrook, came to Clinton County in 1842,
traveling the entire distance in a two horse wagon.
He spent a short time in DeWitt Township, then
established his home in Greenbush on section 36,
and there opened up a tract of woodland.  His
first dwelling was a log cabin some 18x24 feet, and
in it he dwelt until about 1864. He then put up
a substantial frame house, in which his widow  is
living with the family of their son, Jared.  Mr.
Holbrook breathed his last April 29, 1887, leaving
a rccoi;d of useful and active pioneer work and public service as a Justice of the Peace and good citizen. Mrs. Holbrook bore the name of Charlotte
Cobb. When they reached their Michigan home
the husband had but twenty-five cents in money,
and they of course passed through some scenes of
self-denial and arduous toil while securing and
perfecting their home.
The subjectof this sketch is the only surviving
child of those born to his parents. His natal day
was February 9, 1843, and his birthplace the county in which he has aquired so good a name. Growing to manhood amid the scenes connected with
the early development of tis section, lie not only
witnessed the progress here, but bore a hand in it
from his boyhood. He received his education in
the early schools of the county and counterbalanced
the limited curriculum by gathering much information regarding other topics from his parents and
associates. He has always been engaged in farming and has so conducted his affairs as to command
the confidence of those with whom he has dealings
and gain the reputation of a man whose word is as
good as his bond.
In 1864 Mr. Holbrook secured a Christmas present of more than ordinary value, it being a wife
whose maiden name was Mary E. Beurmann. This


lady is the daughter of William  and Elizabeth
(Pierce) Beurmann, is a native of this State and
has a brother and sister living in Clinton County,
whose names are Milton and Eva. Mr. and Mrs.
Holbrook have five living children named respectively, Louis, Lemuel, Edith, Ethel and Blanche.
They have lost two sons-Edwin and Leroy. Mr.
Holbrook votes the Republican ticket. He has
served as School Inspector of Greenbush Township
and a member of the Township Board of Review,but
his time is generally given to his private affairs and
to a share in such enterprises as all public-spirited
citizens take an interest in.


UGUSTUS C. ROBINSON, a farmer and
resident of Riley Township, Clinton County, is the prosperous owner of one hundred
and sixty acres of as fine land as there is
in the county. It is all improved and upon it is
one of the ihandsomest dwelling houses in this part
of Michigan, which was built by the subject
of this sketch at a cost of over $5,000. It is
surrounded by a beautiful lawn and is most delightfully situated.
Mr. Robinson is the son of Jonathan and lannah (Moody) Robinson, natives of Maine and New
Hampshire respectively, who in their youth moved
into New York with their parents, where they became acquainted and were married. They located
their new home in Steuben County and there Augustus was born October 10, 1827. He was brought
up on a farm and in 1836, when he was about nine
years old, they removed to Toledo, Ohio, and the
following year removed to Iillsdale County, Mich.
Here he grew to manhood and took his training in
the practical work of farmlife but had few advantages educationally, attending the district school
for a short time only. In 1848 young Robinson
won in marriage the hand of Hannah Wilcox, a
daughter of David P. Wilcox a native of the State
of Connecticut, where the daughter was also born.
After marriage the young farmer carried on his
work in Hillsdale County, but sold the farm there
early in the '60s and brought his wife and two




842


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM... _........ _




children to Clinton County. But he now felt the
call of duly to rush to arms for the defense of his
country and lie enlisted in Company A, Twentyeighth Regiment Michigan Volunteers.
This regiment was sent to Nashville, Tenn., and
there formed a part of Gen. Thomas' Army. After
the second battle of Nashville it was transferred to
Washington, D. C., and thence by boat went to
Morehead City, and in the spring of 1865 joined
Sherman's Army at Goldsboro, N. C. After the
surrender of Gen. Joe Johnston the regiment was
divided and Company F and his Company A. were
placed on detached duty at Charlotteville, and
from there went to Dallas and Lincolnton, N. C.
In December, 1865, he was discharged and musttred out of service at Washington, D. C. The
young veteran now returned to his family in Clinton County and the following spring purchased the
farm on which he now resides. Five children have
been granted him, namely: Eva who died at the
age of eleven years; Adelbert who died at the age
of twenty-three years, of consumption.  Oscar D.
lives on a farm of eighty acres in RiTey Township;
Ida is married to Frank Scott and resides at home
with her parents; David P. is unmarried and also
lives at home. Mr. Robinson believes in the principles of the Republican party and is ardently interested in its progress and development.  He is
a member of the Joseph Mason Post, G. A. R.
and is ever earnestly desirous of the welfare of
all old soldiers.
HARLES L. DEAN. The difficulties of
pioneer life so elicit the sympathies of
those who are accustomed to the comforts
and luxuries of the present day that it seems particularly depressing that such great responsibility
and difficulties should make grave young lives.
Children who were left without parents in the early
days appreciate the responsibilities of life much
more than elder people do in this day. Our subject, Charles L. Dean, was born in Pulteney, Steuben County, N. Y., October 21, 1844. His parents,
William Thomas and Mary Dean, moyed to Shia

wassec County in 1856 and settled in Woodhull
Township upon a new farm. The mother died in
the fall following their coming into the State and
the father soon returned to New York. Ie now
lives at Grand Island, Hull County, Neb.
The original of our sketch was the third child in
a family of nine, eight of whom lived to be grown,
two of these only are in Sliawassee County.
Charles C. Dean of Laingsburg, who was thirteen
years of age when his mother died and who after
that sad bereavement made his home with his
brother in-law J. M. Beardslee.
The subject of this sketch began his struggle
with life at the tender age of ten years. He worked
for Mr. Beardslee three years and at the age of
sixteen went to live with Alexander Place at Pittsburg where he remained until he enlisted in the
army on August 5, 1862.
Mr. Dean's war record is connected with that of
Company H, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry of
which John Carlin was Captain and M. W. Chapin,
Colonel.  He served until the close of the war
under Buell and Bragg in Kentucky and Tennessee
and was with Shernman until the battle of Johnsboro when his regiment was sent back with Thomas
after Hood with Schofield in command of the corps.
After the winter's campaign the regiment rejoined
Sherman at Raleigh. They made a forced march
from this place to Wilmington which they reached
February 22, 1865. From here they marched one
hundred and forty miles from Wilmington to join
Sherman and engaged in the first battle at Campbell Station. Here our subject was wounded and
was compelled to lie for three weeks in the convalescent corps near Knoxville.  The last year of
the war he was detailed to be a color-bearer. Mr.
Dean served his country fai'thfully during that
desperate period of bloodshed and on the close
of tie war was discharged July 20, 1865 by general
order. He draws a pension of $6 per month.
After returning from the war our subject worked
for the first two or three years in the service of
farmers and finally purchased eighty acres of land
in section 32, Bennington Township. Sixty-five
acres of this tract was cleared at the time of his purchase. He paid for part of his farm in labor.
From time to time he has added one hundred and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


843


twenty acres to the original tract which he has
mostly improved himself.
Mr. Dean was married in 1869, to Miss Martha
A. Beardslee. She was born on the old homestead
in this county December 1, 1844. Her father had
died in 1860 and her mother on May 24. 1886, being in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Mr. and Mrs.
Dean have had four children whose names are
Florence G., born September 14, 1872, and died
when four months old; John M., born November
1, 1873; Jessie V., May 1, 1878; Clarles J.,
April 6, 1881.  rie little  family of children
are very bright and promise to take a high stand
both socially and in a business way in the communities where their lives may fall.
The gentleman of whom we write has a very
pleasant home which he has improved with taste
and judgment. It has been acquired by hard labor,
as he had nothing but what he earned to begin with,
having at the time of the purchase of his farm
only $400 which he had saved from his wages with
which to make the first payment, but by his industry and energy he has succeeded in clearing his
farm and has made of it a most desirable home
place.
AMES ANDERSON. A visitor to the agricultural districts of Clinton County will see
many well-improved farms, which give evidence of the thrift and good judgment of
their owners, and indicate that prosperity has
crowned the efforts of many farmers in this part of
Michigan. One of the estates of this description
in Essex Township consists of eighty acres on
section 11, which is owned and occupied by the
subject of this biographical sketch. Mr. Anderson
is a man who may be taken as a type of the nation
which has for centuries inhabited the northern part
of the island of Great Britain, and made the name
Scotchman, synonymous with thrift, determination
and decision of character.
Ayrshire, Scotland, was the birthplace of Mr.
Anderson, and his natal day was August 12, 1828.
His parents were Gabriel and Sarah (White) Ander

son, who instilled into his mind and heart good
principles and a firm belief in the value of industrious and frugal habits, and who taught him to be
strictly honest and just. He received a good common-school education and served an apprenticeship
of three years in a wholesale and retail mercantile
establishment, and was then employed by the firm
as assistant book-keeper for one year. He has
therefore practical knowledge of business affairs,
and is a first-class book-keeper.
When seventeen years old young Anderson
enlisted for ten years in the First Royal Scotch
Infantry of the British Army, and was stationed at
Glasgow. He was one of the soldiers authorized
'to quell the celebrated riot in that city in 1848, and
was afterward sent to Halifax, N. S., where he was
stationed nearly three years. During that period
the great fire in Halifax occurred and he witnessed
the conflagration and had some work to do in preserving order. While in Nova Scotia he was
assistant schoolmaster of the regiment to which he
belonged. He was finally ordered home, and having landed at Southampton, England, proceeded
to Winchester, eighty miles south of London, where
lie bought his isscharge, paying ~20.
In 1852 Mr. Anderson took passage at Glasgow
on a sail vessel which reached New York after a
voyage of forty-three days. He directed his footsteps westward, and reaching Wayne County, this
State, was employed as a collector for several
months. He subsequently worked as a farm hand
for several years and also assisted in making pottery. During several seasons lie sailed on the
Great Lakes, but finally, in 1860, he settled at his
present place of residence. The land upon which
he located was covered with forest trees against
which the ax of the settler had not been swung
and not an acre of its soil had been improved. In
the work that was necessary to reclaim the property
he had some hardships to undergo and he looks
back upon many hours of earnest and arduous
labor.
The year that saw Mr. Anderson located in
Clinton County saw him setting up a household
with the lady of his choice, Miss Phebe Lyon,
daughter of Conger and Sarah Lyon, who were
num bered among the early settlers of Essex Town



844 '


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson there have been
born six children, four of whom are now livingSarah E., Mary V., Wilton C. and Roland S. The
elder daughter is the wife of Ruby Philips and
Mary married Edwin Aniiis.
Mr. Anderson possesses the love of liberty characteristic of the Scotch and is thoroughly in
sympathy with American ideas. During the Civil
War he sympathized ardently with the defenders
of the Union and finding that the trouble was not
easily settled he enlisted December 12, 1863, in
Company A, Twenty -third Michigan Infantry, and
became a part of the Twenty-third Corps in the
Army of the Cumberland. He followed the leadership of the gallant General Sherman on some hard
fought battle-fields and tedious marches, and everywhere and always showed his devotion and courage
as a brave man ought. At the battle of Resaca he
was struck in the right ankle by a piece of shell
and within a half hour was wounded in the left
arm by a cannon ball. He is now receivinga small
pension from the Government, on account of these
wounds. He took part in the siege of Atlanta and
in the battles of Nashville, Raleigh and others, and
his discharge shows that he was present at twentyeight heavy engagements. He had the fortune to
be present when Gen. Johnston surrendered and he
recalls the incident with vivid interest.
For thirteen months after hostilities ceased Mr.
Anderson served as First Sergeant of the Twentyeight Michigan Regiment, being transferred when
his own regiment went home, doing duty at Raleigh,
N. C. He was honorably discharged June 6, 1866,
and returned to his home and family. IHe is identified with Billy Begole Post, No. 127, G. A. R., at
Mlaple Rapids, and for several years has been Adjutant. For nine years he served as Highway Commissioner of Essex Township and he has stood as a
candidate for Register of Deeds for Clinton County,
but was defeated by Mr. Beers. Hle exercises the
right of suffrage in behalf of the principles laid
down by the Republican party, believing that by
so doing he is serving the best interests of the
nation. He is well versed on the social and political questions that agitate the minds of the people,
and is a firm believer in keeping up with the spirit
of the times, both in personal culture and in public


affairs. He and his family are well respected by
all who know them and are considered worthy of the
confidence and esteem of all.
~ —g — 'o —^=-^~~-'ug      o'~ ----""EWIS PEARL. The Pearl family is recognized as one of prominence in Clinton
County, and it affords the publishers of this
ALBUM pleasure to represent the member above
named. lie has an unusual interest in the history
of this section, as he was born in Ovid Township
and his parents were among the pioneers of 1838.
They came from New York, where both were born,
and spent seven years in the township named,
after which they made their home in Greenbush
Township. Their first home here was a log cabin
on section 25, but after some years they occupied a
different dwelling and finally built the fine brick
house that now adorns the farm.
The Hon. Stephen Pearl, father of our subject,
was of Scotch ancestry, and his wife, Amarilla Horton, was of English descent. The husband served as
Treasurer of Clinton County for a number of
years and was also Drain Commissioner for a long
time. He represented the district in the State Legislature one term. His influence on the community was not confined to his official record, but was
deepened by his character as a man and the fact
that his habits were worthy of emulation. When
he began his pioneer work here he was a poor man,
but when called hence he left a comfortable estate.
The old homestead is now held jointly by his
daughters, Mrs. Eliza McKnight and Mrs. Emma
Faxon. The only other survivor of the family is
he of whom we write, who was the first-born son.
The Hon. Mr. Pearl departed this life April 7,
1889, and thus was removed from Clinton County
one of her best and most honorable citizens.
Our subject opened his eyes to the light June 16,
1844. Among the pictures in the gallery of his
memory is that of Indians passing to and fro, large
tracts of unbroken forest and the rude homes of the
early settlers, and he also recalls many incidents of
his school life, when only a rudimentary education
could be obtained in the neighborhood. A spirit




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


845


of self-reliance and a mental as well as physical
vigor generally accrue from such surroundings as
those in which Lewis Pearl grew to manhood, and
in his own career this fact has been demonstrated.
He was married August 13, 1865, to Miss Martha
J. Foss, who was born in Ontario, Canada, November 2, 1841. Her parents were Philip and Catherine Foss, who came to Clinton County in 1862 and
made their home in Duplain Township a number
of years, then removed to Montcalm County, where
they are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Pearl are the
parents of three children: Stephen O., born April
6, 1867; George L., September 21, 1878; and
Catherine E., May 9, 1881.
For about four years Mr. Pearl was a partner of
Stephen D. Rowell in the foundry business, under
the style of Rowell & Pearl, and for several years
he carried on the sale of merchandise. With these
exceptions his time has been devoted to farming,
and he now has a good property consisting of two
hundred and sixty acres in Greenbush Township
and one hundred and sixty acres in the Upper
Peninsula. He has also a third interest in one
hundred and thirty five acres in Eaton County.
Mr. Pearl has taken some part in transacting the
public affairs of the locality in which lie has lived,
having been Drain Coinmissioner of Greenbush
Township and having served one year as Supervisor of McMillan Township, Luce County, in the
Upper Peninsula. lie has always favored those
projects which would build up this section socially
and materially, and he and his wife are well known
and highly respected in their locality. Mr. Pearl is
identified with the Patrons of Industry, and politically is a Republican.
I L L I A Al L. TALLMAN. Among the
young and progressive farmers of Eagle
Township, Clinton County, there is none
who enjoys a larger share of public esteem than
the subject of this sketch. Hie resides on section
15, where he has a beautiful farm consisting of
two hundred and twenty-four acres upon which
numerous improvements have been made. A home

like residence and a full line of outbuildings, together with orchards and forest trees beautify the
farm, and add to its value as a place of residence.
The place is well stocked with modern machinery
and first-class implements of all kinds, and wellkept stock grazes in its pastures.
Akins Tallman, father of our subject, was born
in Warren County, Pa., September 22, 1810. His
parents were Elihu and Lucretia (Perkins) Tallman, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively, who were married in the latter State in
1788, and removed to Pennsylvania in 1789.
Akins Tallman was reared on a farm in the timber
country of Pennsylvania, and never attended school
after he was eight years old. He worked for his
father until after he was of age, and May 27, 1832,
married Samantha Dix. The union resulted in the
birth of fifteen children, of whom the following
grew to maturity: Christopher C., George W. (died
at the age of twenty-four), Amanda R., Melvina J.,
William L., Samantha L., Alpheus W., Julia M.,
and Lawson D. who was killed in a sawmill near Big
Rapids in 1880. During the '40s Mr. Tallman removed to Ohio, and in 1853 came to Michigan. He
located on a farm now occupied by his son William, and carried on agricultural work here until
1883. Ile tlen removed to Grand Ledge, where
he is now 11 ving, respected by all his neighbors. In
1877 his wife Samantha was called to a brighter
world, and June 26, 1879, he was married to his
present wife, Mrs. Sarah Pennington, widow of S.
Pennington.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs, was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, January 9, 1879, and labored for and with his father
until he was of age. He attended the district
school, Portland High School and Lansing Academy, and became much better grounded on topics
in text books than is sometimes the case with farmers' sons. He also acquired a thorough knowledge
of farm work, so that when the homestead came
into his possession he was able to carry it on systematically and successfully. He is interested in
the social orders to some extent, and is a Master
Mason, belonging to Grand Ledge Lodge, F. & A.
M. His political association is with the Republican
party. lie has a happy home presided over by the




846


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




lady who became his wife October 22, 1872. Mrs.
Tallman was known in her maidenhood as Miss
Sarah Adams, and is a well-informed, kindly and
capable woman. Three children have come to bless
the happy union, but one was taken from them November 12, 1886, his death occurring from accidental causes. The deceased was Glenn L., who
was born September 11, 1874; the living are Grace
E., born July 3, 1876, and Matie F., born March
8, 1885. Since the above was written there has
been a fine daughter added to brighten the home
of our subject and his wife, born June 13, 1891.
D   ICHARD WATERS. The attention of the
reader has doubtless been attracted by the
view on another page, of the pleasant
homestead  belonaing  to Mr. Waters.
Clinton County has no finer farm than the one
which is pleasantly situated on section 27, Lebanon
Township, and which is operated by the subject of
this sketch. The estate comprises nearly two hundred acres and is embellished with a substantial set
of buildings, among them a commodious residence
of modern style of architecture, and such outbuildings as are needed for the storage of grain or
shelter of stock.
Mr. Waters is one of our British.American citi
zens who reflect credit alike upon the land of their
birth and the country of their adoption. Iis father, Robert Waters, a son of Samuel Waters, was
born in 1808 in England and was one of four children, viz: William, Richard. Robert and Sarah.
Upon attaining to years of maturity he was united
in marriage with Ann Fisher, a daughter of James
Fisher, an Englishman. Mrs. Waters was one of a
family of five daughters, namely: Ann, Sarall,
Margaret, Hannah and Mary. Mr. Fisher emigrated to Canada about two years before his death;
Mrs. Fisher survived her husband only two years.
To Robert and Ann (Fisher) Waters were born
eight children, of whom five are now living, as follows: Ann, William, Margaret, Richard and IIannah. The children who died were named Betsey,
Caroline and Elizabeth. After the birth of the


three oldest children the parents emigrated to
Canada, where the father died in 1861. The widow,
who has now reached the age of seventy-five, is
living near Jackson, Mich. Mr. Waters was a farmer
by occupation during his entire life and was an
earnest member of the Methodist Church.
Richard Waters was born June 16, 1844, in
Canada, and as his father died when he was but
seventeen years old he was compelled to start out
in life for himself while still quite young. He first
worked on a farm by the month and took jobs as
he could get them. When his father's estate was
settled he received fifty acres of the land which that
parent had taken up in Canada. The young man
sold his inheritance, putting his capital in business
and engaging in the running of an hotel in Gray,
Canada. He remained there for two years and
afterward pursued the same business in Wilmington for the same period.
The marriage of our subject, March 24, 1864,
united him with Agnes, daugliter of James and
Christie (Clark) Todd, natives of England. Mr.
and Mrs. Todd had a large family of children, as
follows: Walter, Isabella, Joseph, Fortune, Christie, James, Agnes and Martha. Mrs. Waters died
in Canada in 1871,and after her decease the family
removed to Michigan, making their home for one
year in Washcenaw County. Mr. Waters was married a second time in 1872, choosing as his wife
Mrs. Fortune Wardrope, the sister of his former
wife. To them the following children have been
born: Albert, Ernest, Alice M., and George, deceased. Mrs. Waters is a lady of intelligence and
refinement, and highly esteemed in the community.
Upon locating in Washtenaw County, Mr.
Waters entered land and in 1873 purchased over
one hundred acres where he now resides. He has
added to his first purchase until he now owns one
hundred and eighty-six and two-thirds acres. He
has been greatly prospered in his undertakings, for
he started with almost nothing and has attained to
his present influential position among the farmers
of Clinton County, by the exercise of industry
and good judgment. When he was first married
his capital consisted of $200. The farm which lhe
pre-empted on coming to Michigan was all dense
forest, which he cleared and put in a fine state of




RESI D ENCE OF STEPHEN


ROW EL L, SEC 36., GREEN BU H TP., CL N TON CO.,MICH.


RESIDENCE OF RICHARD WATERS, SEC.27., LEBANON TR.,CLINTON CO.,MICH.








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


k 849


cultivation. The buildings which have been erected
upon his estate cost about $4,000 and the entire
property constitutes about as handsome a farm as
there is in Lebanon Township. Besides pursuing
general farming Mr. Waters raises Durham cattle.
Socially he belongs to the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, being a member of Lodge No. 19, at
Fowler. He is a Republican in his political views,
but has never desired or sought office, preferring
domestic quiet to the cares of public position.
-~,~f     ~ —~Lt~~~= --- —-—.
$    TEPHEN D. ROWELL, one of the leading
citizens of Greenbush Township, Clinton
County, is located on section 36, where he
has a fine farm of one hundred acres. A
view of his residence and surroundings, which are
unusually attractive, appears on another page. He
has gathered around him many of the comforts
and conveniences which belong to modern farm
life, and is successfully prosecuting the labor, to
which he determined to devote himself when he
was ready to take up the work of life. He is a
native of Livingston County, N. Y., born April 7,
1837, and is one of the five children that comprised
the family of Samuel and Sally (Pearl) Rowell.
The father of our subject was born in New
England and the mother is believed to have been
a native of New York. In 1837, they removed
to Michigan, settling on the farm now owned by
their son Stephen. It was then in the dense forest,
remote from a settlement and with neighbors few
and comparatively distant. Mr. Rowell put up
what became known as Rowell's foundry, and in
connection with the work of developing his farm,
manufactured plows, harrows, cultivators and land
rollers, those being articles for which there was a
demand in the new country. He died here in the
spring of 1883. Besides our subject the living
members of his family are: Hannah, wife of T. C.
Avery, and Sarah, wife of Byron Brown.
The subject of this sketch was but an infant
when brought to this State and his earliest recollections are of scenes of pioneer life. He was too
young to know anything of the journey, but has


I
I
I


been told that his parents left Springwater. N. Y.,
when he was a month old and traveled the entire
distance to their new home in a one-horse wagon.
West of Detroit they were obliged to cut their own
road through the brush, as there was only a trail,
and sometimes not even this to follow. When old
enough to attend the pioneer schools the lad did so
and gained what knowledge he could under the circumstances, but was necessarily obliged to be content with a limited amount or to add to it by selfeffort. He chose the latter and by reading has
kept himself in touch with the world at large. During his boyhood he began working in the foundry
with his father and in due time had learned all the
departments of the work and also that of the farm,
where his labors were also of service to his father.
For several years he carried on the foundry, a part
of the time alone and a part with partners. The
building is now used as a cider-mill.
In 1859, Mr. Rowell was married to Miss Sarah
Stottle, who was born in Niagara County, N. Y.,
and whose parents, Peter and Rachel Stottle, were
natives of the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Rowell
have but one child, a daughter, Lucy, who is now
the wife of Stephen Keys. Although he was reared
to believe in the principles of Democracy, his
father having been their supporter, Mr. Rowell
became convinced that the Republican party was
nearer right and gives his influence to that organization. He has always been interested in educational progress and has served both as Director
and Moderator in his district. Mrs. Rowell is a
member in good standing of the Christian Church.
' LFRED CRICKMORE, One of the prominent men in Shiawassee County who has
made a signal success of agriculture is the
gentleman whose name heads our sketch,
and who resides on his farm on section 11, New
Haven Township. He was born in Washtenaw
County, this State, November 2, 1844.    His
father was Robert Crickmore, a native of London,
England, where lie was born in 1810. He received
a common-school education in his native land, and




850


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


at the age of twenty-three came to America, where
he worked in New York State for one year, thence
coming to Ypsilanti, Mich., where he purchased one
hundred and twenty acres of wild land. He began
to clear it with much energy, but was taken sick
and lost his farm. On his recovery he went to
Oakland County in 1845,and purchased eighty acres
of land in West Bloomfield Township. This was
entirely unimproved land, and he at once devoted
himself and his energies to clearing it. In 1860
he added forty acres to his original purchase.
Our subject's father, Robert Crickmore, remained
in West Bloomfield Township until 1886, when he
sold his farm and went to Pontiac where he now
resides, having purchased a most comfortable
home. He is a Methodist in belief, and in politics
an adherent of the Democratic party.  Before
leaving his native land he was married. His wife
passed away before he came to this country, and in
1837 he again took upon himself the obligations of
matrimony, being united to a lady whose maiden
name was Mary Neat. a daughter of James and
Elizabeth Neat, of Washtenaw County, this State.
Mrs. Crickmore is of English parentage, and is one
of eight children, being the second child and only
daughter, her natal year being 1817.
Our subject's parents were blessed with ten children-five daughters and five sons-of whom our
subject is the third child and third son. Alfred
Crickmore received a common-scool education.
He remained at home until he was twenty-seven
years of age, for several years being engaged in
buying and selling cattle. In 1871 he rented a
farm in Oakland County, on which he lived three
years, then he removed to another farm where he
staid one year, after which he came to New Haven
and purchased one hundred and sixty acres located
on section 11. At the time of his purchase the
land was perfectly wild, but is now entirely under
cultivation.
In 1861 Alfred Crickmore was united in marriage with Susannah Daudison, who was a daughter of Robert and Frances jTrollop) Daudison.
They were natives of England, and had five children, one son and four daughters, of whom Susannah was the fourth child. She was born December
16, 1850. Our subject and his wife have but one


son, Frederick B., who was born in 1871. Mrs.
Crickmore is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist
Church. The subject of our sketch is a Patron of
Industry. His political preference was given to
the Democratic party until 1886, since which time
he has been a Prohibitionist. He is a strong supporter of his party, but does not aspire to office,
although he has been frequently urged to accept
such. He is particularly interested in breeding a
good grade of Leicestershire sheep of which he has
over one hundred head. He also has some fine
thorough-bred Berkshire swine and is greatly interested in breeding Shorn-horn cattle, of which
he now has eight head, all registered or eligible to
be. Hle has good barns and buildings and his farm
is thoroughly well improved.


EORGE D. KINGSLEY. Our subject was
born at Northville, Wayne County, this
State, October 22, 1841. He was the son of
Dennis and Delia (Bain) Kingsley. His father was
from Rutland County, Vt., and was a merchant
in Medina. His mother was from Orleans, N. Y.,
After the father came to Michigan, which was in
the year 1835, he engaged in farming. He located
in Wayne County at once, where he resided until
1867. Our subject's early life was passed on a
farm in Wayne County. He was afforded a good
common-school education, but did not receive anything more from his parents. The war beginning
soon after lie was a man, he enlisted August 18,
1862, in Company D, Fifth Michigan Cavalry,
under Col. Alger, afterward Gen. Alger.
Mr. Kingsley's war record began by being sent to
Virginia, where lie joined Sheridan's army under
the immediate command of Gen. Custer. He was
with the Army of the Potomac through all of its
terrible fighting up and down the Shenandoah
Valley. He was a participant in the battle of Gettysburg, whose bloody field left desolate so many
Northern and Southern homes. He was also in the
seven days' fight in the Wilderness, at Pt. Conway,
Kelley's Ford, Culpeper, Pony  Mountain and
Whitesford. He was also in the engagement of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


851


I


Winchester in which Sheridan rode twenty miles to
check the tide of defeat. The historic old town
which now lies like a jewel on the green bosom of
the Shenandoah Valley was then washed with blood.
Fair women and young girls were on the battlefield, succoring and nursing the wounded and
dying. Pictures like these, of which there were
so many in Mr. Kingsley's long experience, will
never be forgotten.  He was discharged from
service July 4, 1865, having served about three
years. He was at Washington at the Grand Review, and his company started with Custer to the
West, but did not get further than Leavenworth,
Kan., where our subject was mustered out, and
from Detroit, where he went immediately, he continued to Northville, remaining at home for one
and one-half years.
Mr. Kingsley came to Clinton County April 21,
1867, where he bought a tract of land on section
27, Duplain Township. Clinton County was all
unbroken woods at the time, and in the midst of
the virgin forest he built himself a log cabin. In
telling the story of his early experience here, he
says his cabin was six logs high on one side, and
eight on the other. Large game at that time was
as abundant as small game is now. Deer were
plentiful, and the larder had often to be replenished by means of tle gun and the seine. He began clearing his land in the summer of 1867, and
finished cutting the timber from twenty acres which
he planted in wheat. He lived in the log house
about six years, and then built a frame residence,
which is commodious and comfortable. His farm
is made attractive with shade and fruit trees, and
there are two fine maples on his place near the
house, which, planted in Centennial year, seem
to have grown under most auspicious circumstances.
The gentleman of whom we write was married
April 17, 1867, to Kate Killins, of Northville,
Wayne County, Mich., and a daughter of Richard
Killins. The couple have no cliildren, and have
bent their energies toward making their farm a
model one. One of the notable features of their
place is a fine orchard, and he has stock, of which
he is justly proud. He pays most of his attention
to grain-raising. In politics Mr. Kingsley is a


Democrat. He has never sought office of any
kind, believing that he who sows and reaps conscientiously is just as much an honor to his country as he who makes the laws. He is a Grand
Army man, and belongs to the Clinton Encampment, No. 35, and Caton Whitney Post No. 32; also
to Lodge No. 97, I. O. O. F., and Clinton Encampment No. 35.
AARON    B. ELLSWORTH, a well-known
Li farmer of Antrim Township, was born in
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, November 21,
1832. His father, Benjamin Ellsworth,
a native of Yates County, N. Y., came to Ohio
many years ago and after quite a residence there
removed in 1866 to McHlenry County, Ill., where
he died in 1877 at the very advanced age of seventy-nine years. He was a farmer by occupation.
His father, William  W. Ellsworth, was a native
of New York and a Revolutionary soldier of German descent. The mother of our subject, Rebecca
Sheffield, was born in New York and died in 1881
when she had reached the same age to which her
husband had attained at the time of his decease.
Three of their four children are still living.
Farm training and the district school provided
the education of our subject. He went to the log
school-house and sat on the slab seats and studied
earnestly to gain what he could during the time
that could be spared from the farm. Until he was
thirty-four years of age lie remained at home and
cared for his parents. In February, 1865, he came
to Shiawassee County, Mich., and located on a farm
on section 3, Antrim Township, when all this
region was a dense forest. IIe built a house and began his life in the woods in cheerful independence.
In his purchase of one hundred and seventy acres
he was obliged to go in debt but lie succeeded in
paying for it all and added to it nearly one huntred acres more.
The marriage in 1855 of A. B. Ellsworth and
Juliet Christian of Ohio resulted in the birth of
five children, namely: Louisa, the wife of Henry
Peach, a neighboring farmer; Perry and Percy,




852


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




(twins) of whom the former is married and lives
near the father's home; Elmer and Maud. The
family home stands in a beautiful little natural
grove of oak openings and the father of the family
is known to all his neighbors as a well-informed
and intelligent man, one who is wide-awake to
matters of public interest and capable of exercising
good judgment. His farm is in an excellent condition.
Mr. Ellsworth was by his early inclinations a
Whig and cast his first Republican ballot for
Abraham Lincoln. He is frequently appointed
delegate to county conventions and is looked upon
as one of the prominent men of the party in his
locality. He has been identified with the Masonic
order since 1875. He began life with no means
and now has a farm of two hundred and sixty-two
acres. He has always raised American Merino
sheep and has as fine a flock as can be found in
the county. He also breeds good horses and has
just begun to take an interest in Holstein cattle.
He is one of the truly self made men who are
worthy of the respect of their fellowmen..^,,,


his way to Michigan he stopped in Seneca County,
N. Y., where his marriage took place. He and
his faithful wife were among the first settlers in
Livingston County, this State, and he named the
township in which they made their home in honor
of his birthplace-Hamburg. He located on a
farm, but soon drifted into politics and occupied
official positions for years. During a protracted
period he was Postmaster at Hamburg, in which
town his death occurred.
In that place our subject was born, February 6,
1841. He had good school privileges, first at his
home and later in the University of Michigan,
where he was pursuing the classical course when
the Civil War began. He was not content to re.
main in the North when there was need of valorous action elsewhere and he enlisted June 20,
1861, as a private in Company D, Fourth Michigan
Infantry. September 1, 1862, he was commissioned
Second Lieutenant in the Twenty-sixth Michigan
Infantry and May 4, 1863, rose to the rank of
First Lieutenant. A  still higher commission —
that of Adjutant, was given him April 15, 1864,
and July 29 of the same year he was appointed
Captain. The upward steps in his rank were
awarded as his fitness was shown, and on March
13, 1865, he was breveted Major of United States
Volunteers for gallant and meritorious services in
the field.
Maj. Grisson had not escaped the forfeits generally paid by a soldier, but had been wounded
prior to his receiving the commission of Captain,
the field of Spottsylvania being the one on which
he was stricken. A shot penetrated the left lung
and he was confined to the hospital for some time,
but recovered and rejoined his regiment. When
hostilities ceased he was retained on Gen. Miles'
staff, and was finally mustered out, April 19, 1866.
He had been one of the guards who had charge of
Jefferson Davis at Fortress Monroe. After his release from the service he took an active part in
bringing up the standard of the militia in this
State. He was chosen on Gov. Bagley's staff for
two terms and then served successively on that of
Gov. Crosswell and Gov. Jerome. His position
gave him the title of Colonel, by which he was
known to all his friends. Military tactics were a


HARLES       E. GRISSON. The late Mr.
Grisson belonged pre-eminently to that
class that makes a State noble and prosperous. No man stood higher in the community and
none more richly deserved commendation for a
life whose influences were ever on the side of morality, virtue and religion, and whose efforts always
were to build up the section in which he lived in
every legitimate way. He was prominently identified with financial institutions in St. John's and had
a conspicuous position in connection with the military affairs of the State. During the Civil War lie
devoted his time and strength to the service of his
country, being one of those who enlisted during
the summer of 1861 and served until after the
close of the great conflict.
The parents of Mr. Grisson were Ferdinand and
Sida (Near) Grisson, the former a native of Hamburg, Germany. That gentleman emigrated to
America in company with several brothers. On




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


853


hobby with him and he was proficient in all that
pertained thereto. He was President of the State
Military Board and was an active member of the
Grand Army of the Republic. The Post in St.
John's was named in his honor and Charles E.
Grisson Post, No. 156, ranks high in respect to the
continuance of all military drill.
After the war Mr. Grisson made his home in St.
John's and for a short time was engaged in the
grocery business. He then became Teller of the
First National Bank, with which he remained
eleven years. In 1877 he and Alvin Shaver started
a private bank, known as Shaver & Grisson's Bank,
and carried it on until the death of the Colonel,
when it was merged into the State Bank. For
years he held the position of Village Treasurer
and at the time of his decease he was the incumbent of that office. He was Chief Engineer of the
Fire Department, took a deep interest in educational affairs and promoted the interests of the
schools in various ways. In Masonic circles he
was very prominent and when called from time to
eternity be was State Commander of the Knights
Templar. He had also been a Notary Public for
years. In politics he was an ardent Republican,
stanch in his belief in the worth of the principles
of the party and well informed regarding every
issue of the day and that which led to it. His
death occurred November 20, 1882, and cast a
gloom  over the entire community. The funeral
was conducted according to the beautiful burial
service of the Episcopal Church, of which he was
Vestryman and had long been an active and liberal
member.
In Lockport, N. Y., May 30, 1877, Mr. Grisson
was married to Miss Frances E. Dunn, who survives and still makes her home in St. John's. Mrs.
Grisson is of New York State ancestry in the paternal line, both her grandfather and her father,
David R. Dunn, having been born there. The latter was a lumberman who dealt extensively in that
commodity as a wholesaler in New York City, but
made his home near Lockport and also carried on
business there. The remote ancestors were from
England. Mr. Dunn died at the early age of
thirty-four years. His wife was Laura Spaulding,
who was born at Peru, Berkshire County, Mass.,


and whose last years were spent in Lockport. She
was a member of the Congregational Church. Her
father, Harvey Spaulding, was a native of Massachusetts and died in Vicksburg, Miss. His father, in
turn, was a Revolutionary soldier.
Mrs. Grisson was born in Lockport and reared
there, near Niagara Falls. She received a liberal
education and has kept up her reading so as to
have a good knowledge of passing events and the
progress of mankind in science, art and literature.
On the demise of her companion she was left
with a competency and her home is made attractive by the good taste with which she uses
her means. She is a member of the Episcopal
Church, and has high standing in the community.
" ^~ — --- *^~)3^ --- —12d
_RED A. TRAVIS, PH. C., is a practical
pharmacist and dealer in drugs and medi-,   cines in St. John's, where the firm of which
he is a member carries the largest stock in Clinton County. Travis & Baker own a building two
stories high in which to prepare and display the
goods which they dispose of by wholesale and
retail. They buy a large part of their stock directly from the manufacturer and supply smaller
dealers found about them. They also carry paints,
oils and wall-paper, and besides the main building hlave a storehouse for such articles as they
wish to remove from   their main stock. Mr.
Travis, in addition to his undivided interest in
the building above mentioned, has some valuable
real estate in Muskegon.
The ancestral home of the Travis family was in
White Hall, N. Y., where both the grandfather
and the father of our subject were born. The
former owned large tracts of land in the East and
boats on the lakes, and was a more than ordinarily successful man. W. D. Travis, father of our
subject, was a hardware merchant in his native
place and is still living there, now in his fiftyfourth year. For a short time he was located in
Litchfield, Ohio. His wife, Nettie Brooker, was
the daughter of Warren Brooker, a farmer. She
died in her native place in 1864, leaving two chil



854


PORTRAI[T ANJD BILOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


8              PORTRAI ANDBIOGRA.PHICA AB_ UM.


dren-our subject and an infant in arms. The
father is a Republican in politics and is a village
official in White Hall.
The subject of this notice was born in Litchfield, Ohio, March 8, 1864, and when his mother
died was brought to Maple Rapids, this State, to
be cared for by his aunt, Mrs. William A. Nixon.
When twelve years old he was sent to Ann Arbor
to attend the grammar and High School, and he
took two different courses of study-the English
and business, although he did not graduate. He
spent the summers in a drug store and in 1882
entered tie pharmaceutical department of the University of Michigan. He became thoroughly versed
in pharmacy and in 1884 received his degree.
In 1885 Mr. Travis bought out Dr. Bagg, who
was one of the proprietors of a drug store in St.
John's, and the firm of McDonald & Travis carried on the business for three years and a half.
Mr. Travis then sold out to R. M. Steel and he
and that gentleman bought out Mr. Geller and the
firm of Nixon & Co. was formed. After a year in
this connection he bought drug stores in Ithaca
and Pompeii respectively and operated both, with
headquarters in the former place. In June, 1890,
Mr. Travis disposed of his interests there and
bought the old site in St. John's and the present
drug firm was formed. At that time he not only
secured the building but the stock, to which he
added a fresh supply of such goods as he thought
necessary.
In Maple Rapids, June 16, 1886, Mr. Travis was
married to Miss Carrie Hewitt, daughter of Isaac
Hewitt, an old resident of Clinton County and a
well-known banker. Mrs. Travis was born at
Maple Rapids, obtained a part of her education in
Ypsilanti and was graduated from Mrs. Noble's
Seminary in Detroit. She is a lady of rare intelligence, refined and gracious, and with her husband has a large and pleasant circle of friends.
They have one child-Marguerite.
Mr. Travis is one of the stockholders in ihe
National Bank of St. John's and the Clinton County
Savings Bank. He is a Knight Templar, belonging to the Commandery in St. John's, and he is a
member of the State Pharmaceutical Society. Although not a politician in the ordinary sense of


the word, he gives earnest heed to the issues of
the day and feels assured that the Republican
party stands on the best ground, and therefore
joins with it heart and soul. His personal qualities
and traits of character are such as to secure
friends, and in business relations he is regarded
as worthy of the position he has reached-that of
one of the most prominent druggists in the county.
ILLIAMI W. D)ENNIS is numbered among
the residents of Ovid, Clinton County,
upon whom   Dame Fortune has bestowed
her favors so plenteously that they are able to
cease from toil and enjoy the culture and pleasure
that comes from travel, mental pursuits, and association with others of refined tastes. He is in re- ceipt of an income amply sufficient for his wants,
and his dwelling is furnished with regard to the
creature comforts and intellectual enjoyments of
its inmates. One of the prominent features is a
collection of well-selected volumes, from the pages
of which the thoughts of men of mental power are
to be read and information obtained regarding
science, art and history.
Mr. Dennis was born in Onondaga County, N.
Y., January 25, 1840, and his early years were
spent upon the farm of his parents, Jacob and Mary
(Bowen) Dennis. His education was confined to
the curriculum of the common school until he had
arrived at the age of twenty, when he entered Genesee College. In that institution he remained three
years, perfecting himself in a selected course of
study. The Civil War affected the plans of the
young man, whose ardor in his country's behalf led
him into the army as a member of Company D,
One Hundred and Eighty-eight New York Infantry. He was Orderly Sergeant, and the part of the
great body to which he belonged was known as the
Army of the Potomac. He was present as an active
participant at the battles of Five Forks, Weldon
Railroad, Stony Run, Hatchie's Run, and in the
spring of 1865 the corps to which he belonged led
in the chase after Gen. Pickett. Among incidents
of special interest recalled by Mr. Dennis is the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM


855


-- -




scene of the surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox,
and the Grand Review in Washington.
When the war was over Mr. Dennis was sent to
New York to be paid off, and he then entered into
mercantile business at Livonia Station, Livingston
County. During the administration of President
Johnson he was appointed Postmaster. In July,
1866, he came to this State and located in Ovid,
where he at once began speculating in real estate.
In 1868 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff and filled
the place to the satisfaction of his superior, and the
law-abiding element of society.  He had been
studying law and in 1870 he was admitted to the
bar of Clinton County. He was a close student
and did not cease his reading and study when his
license was granted, but continued to apply himself, gaining constantly in knowledge of legal technicalities and broad understanding of principles of
equity. Early in the '80s Mr. Dennis became interested in the lumber trade, and for a decade he
operated extensively at Detroit and other points.
The wife of Mr. Dennis was known in her maidenhood as Miss Lorena M. Bowen, and her former
home was in Spencerport, N. Y., near the city of
Rochester. There their marriage was solemnized
February 22, 1866. The union has been blessed
by three children: Willis R., born February 26,
1868; Vienna L., March 8, 1871, and Ethel Bertha
July 8, 1875. Willis is married but still lives with
his parents, and Vienna is established in a happy
home of her own, within the limits of the county.
Mrs. Dennis is a true lady, capable, well-read,
agreeable and kindly, and her friends are many and
sincere.
As the possession of so fine a library would indicate, Mr. Dennis is a bookworm, and he spends
much time poring over his choice volumes. In
1888 he traveled extensively in the Rocky Mountain region, visiting Colorado, Utah, Oregon,
Washington and California, as well as the States of
Kansas and Nebraska. The next year he spent
some months in Europe, his visits there including
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy. He attended
the Paris Exposition, and gazed upon such noted
scenes as the Bay of Naples, Mt. Vesuvius, the
ruins of Pompeii and the Cathedral of St. Peter.


From every possible place he brought some relic
of his trip, and his cabinet of curiosities is of unusual interest, including as it does articles gathered
from many parts of our own land and from foreign
countries. One of the choicest souvenirs is a paper
signed by his General, in the form of a receipt for
eighty-eight prisoners of war. Another is a piece
of wood that once was a part of the ship in which
the gallant Capt. Perry achieved the victory on
Lake Erie in 1813. Of those brought from abroad
the most valuable are a small glass bead from a
cloak worn by Queen Elizabeth, and a quill pen
from the bank of England. The first of these was
purloined by Mr. Dennis from a garment in the
Tower of London when the guard was "off his
guard." Mr. Dennis has also a quill pen from
Geneva, Switzerland, lava from Mlt. Vesuvius, and
relics from the historic cities that were buried by
the eruption of that volcano in the year 1879. During the winter of 1890-91 Mr. Dennis and wife
made a Southern trip, visiting nearly every Southern State.
ANIEL L. MURPHY, Treasurer of the city
of Owosso, Mich., was born in Franklin
County, Mass., in the town of Erving, April
5, 1854. He is the son of Jeremiah  and Ellen
Murphy, both of whom are natives of Ireland, who
came to the United States when quite young and
settled in Massachusetts, where they were married.
After marriage they settled in Erving, where
they spent most of their lives, then removed to
Athol, Mass., where the mother died. The father's
death occurred in Springfield, Mass. They were
the parents of eight children, our subject being the
third in number.
The subject of this sketch passed a portion of
his school days at Erving, Mass., and later went to
Athol in that State. His first work was in a cotton
mill where he remained for two years.  He then
learned the trade of upholstering furniture and
followed this until 1876 when he drifted West to
Michigan and soon after coming to Detroit, went
to work for D. M. Estey & Tooley in their manufacturing company, working at his trade. In 1878
he came to Owosso and continned in the employ




856


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


of Mr. Estey for some eighteen months longer, and
then engaged in house painting for three years.
After this he entered the employ of Woodard
Brothers at Owosso as head finisher in the furniture department. After five or six years he then
went to Bancroft, Mich., where he embarked in
furniture and undertaking business but sold out
this business at the end of twelve months.
Mr. Murphy returned to Owosso and for three
years followed the business of house painting at
the end of which time he started in business with
a fine stock of wall paper, paints, oils, varnishes,
brushes, window shades, fixtures and room moulding. He was married November 14, 1881, to Miss
Mary Harvey, of Lansing, Mich., a daughter of
James Harvey, formerly of Canada and a native of
Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have had five children: Ella M.,Kate, Agnes E., Mary, and James E. the
latter having died. Mr. Murphy was elected Treassurer of the city of Owosso in 1891 and is a stanch
Democrat, taking considerable interest in local politics and being sent often as a delegate to county
and Congressional conventions. His pleasant home
is situated at No. 720 West Elizabeth Street.
it l..___. ~4.     ^....  a
ILAS N. PIERCE, a leadin a  and representative farmer of the town of Sciota, Shiawassee County, residing on section 10 and
an honored veteran of the late war, was
born in Naples, Ontario County, N. Y., March 17,
1839. His parents, Jerry W\. and Eliza (Newcomb) Pierce, who were also natives of the same
county, removed to Steuben County, N. Y., when
our subject was a mere lad and settled in the town
of Cohocton, where they spent the remainder of
their lives. Mr. Pierce was a carpenter and millwright by trade, and owned and operated a gristmill for many years. In his business career he
met with excellent success, for beginning life with
no capital he worked his way upward until he was
the possessor of about $30,000 worth of property.
He not only had to contend against poverty and
other obstacles which arose in his path, but depend

ent upon him for support from his tenth year was
his blind mother.
A manly, courageous boy Jerry W. Pierce developed into a self-reliant man and the prosperity
which crowned his efforts was richly deserved.
Although his educational advantages in his youth
were very limited, by reading and study in leisure
hours he became a well-informed man. He took
active interest in educational matters, believing
that good schools are essential to good citizenship.
In politics he was a Whig and Republican, and in
religious belief a Universalist, although he was not
a member of any church. However, he was a
liberal contributor to churches and charitable institutions and was a man of honor, integrity and
sterling worth. He died in 1866, at the age of
sixty-seven years. His wife long survived him,
passing away in 1889, at the age of eighty-two
years. She was a member of the Methodist Church
and a consistent Christian woman, who won the
love of all with whom she came in contact. Of
the family of six children, the two eldest, Harvey
and Jonathan, are now deceased. Jonathan was
wounded in the battle of Morton's Ford, Va., October 11, 1863, and was never heard from afterward. He was Captain of Company I, Sixth New
York Cavalry, and was breveted Major. The surviving members are: Silas N., Henry C., Jerry W.
and Eliza L.
We see our subject as a youth working upon his
father's farm during the summer, and attending
the district schools of the neighborhood during the
winter months. Under the parental roof he remained, assisting his father until twenty-two years
of age, when in the autumn of 1861 he offered his
services to his country, and enlisted as a private of
Company C, Sixth New York Cavalry. Ite served
with the Army of the Potomac for about two years
and three months, and on re-enlisting in the same
regiment and company he was made Orderly Sergeant.  A few   months later he was promoted
to the rank of First Lieutenant, and served in that
capacity for about a year, when he was made Captain of Company G. Capt. Pierce commanded the
company until after Lee's surrender, when in June,
1865, he was honorably discharged, after nearly
four years of faithful service. He participated in




REa5OF MiR.CHRISTIAN WOLTER,SEC. 16.,Sci OTA Tp., ISHIAWAS5EE CO., MIeH

RE-S.OF MR.$IOLAS N. PIERCE7 SEC.1O.1ISCIOTA' Th, SHIAWA5SEE CO-MICH.




A




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


859


I

the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Falling Waters, Wilderness,
Trevilian Station and Winchester, where he received a gunshot wound in the side which forced
him to remain in the hospital for six weeks. He
was present at the capture of Early's army, and
took part in the two days' fight at Five Forks,
Va., after which there was fighting and skirmishing, but no important battles, until Lee's surrender,
which Capt. Pierce witnessed. Ile was a faithful
soldier, true to every duty and always found at
his post discharging every task imposed upon him
with the utmost fidelity. His service was one of
love and patriotism for his country, and although
he has never fully recovered from  the effects of
his wound, the Government has not been solicited
to pay him a pension in recognition of his services.
When the war was over Capt. Pierce returned to
New York and formed a partnership with his
brother, J. W., they together operating the home
farm and a sawmill, and also engaged in mercantile
business at the same time with another brother,
H1. C., until the fall of 1879. The connection was
then discontinued and our subject went West on a
prospecting tour, traveling over Kansas and other
Western States. No locality pleased him as well as
Shiawassee County, Mich., and in consequence lie
here purchased land. In 1870 he bought two hundred and seventy acres which he improved and cultivated, but a portion of this he has since sold, and
now owns ninety-seven acres of valuable land.
Capt. Pierce devotes his entire attention to farming and has one of the finest homes in this part of
the county. A view of the estate with its principal buildings is presented on another page. Nearly
all of the improvements placed upon his farm are
the result of his untiring labor, and his home with
its entire surroundings indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner.  One large barn furnishes
ample shelter for his stock, and the other outbuildings are in keeping with this. Among his fellowtownsmen Capt. Pierce is regarded as one of the
prominent and representative farmers of the community, as well as a valued citizen. He has been
honored with several local offices and is now Treasurer of Sciota Township. At the ballot box he
supports the Republican party, and is well informed


concerning the political issues of the day. Socially
be is a member of Henry Dcmming Post, No. 191,
G. A. R., of Laingsburg.
On the 25th of February, 1875, Capt. Pierce was
united in marriage with Miss Rhoda A. Welch, of
Cohocton, Steuben County, N. Y., whom  he had
known from childhood. The lady is a native of
that county, and a daughter of Daniel and Sally
M. (Spike) Welch, who spent their entire lives in
that community. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have
been born six children-Anna, who died in infancy; Lucy E., Theada A., Dora N., who died at the
age of four years; Jerry W. and Howard N. The
family have a pleasant home pleasantly situated
near Laingsburg, their residence being a twostory frame dwelling, commodious and of substantial appearance.  Hospitality there abounds
and the friends of the family are many.
I HRISTIAN       WOLTER, a self-made man
who is engaged in general farming on section 16, Sciota Township, Shiawassee County,
is of German birth. His parents, Frederick and
Dora (itommon) Wolter. were also natives of Germany and never left that land. His father was an
overseer and contractor. In their family were
seven children of whom Christian is the fifth in
order of birth. He first opened his eyes to the
light of day on the 10th of February, 1829, in
Mecklenburg, Prussia, and was reared to manhood
in the place of his nativity. His educational advantages were limited but he has made of himself
a well-informed man by reading, study and observation. He worked as a driver and teamster in Germany and when twenty-nine years of age, in 1859,
sailed for America with the intention of trying his
fortune in this country.
Mr. Wolter located in St. Clair, Mich., where
some years previous Miss Sophia Foss had settled.
She was a childhood's acquaintance of his and the
same year of his arrival they were united in marriage. Seven children graced their union: Mary,
Emma, Herman, Henry, Frank, Cora, and LeRoy,
all of whom are living with the exception of
Emma.




860


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-I --- I ---"I^- -—  — --


=


Mr. and Mrs. Wolter began their domestic life
in St. Clair County, Mich., upon a small farm
which he owned and there resided until 1861, when
selling out they came to Shiawassee County. Mr.
Wolter purchased eighty acres of land on section
16, Sciota Township, where he has since resided.
Only forty acres had been partially improved hut
with characteristic energy he began its development, soon transforming the land into rich and fertile fields, and as prosperity crowned his efforts and
his financial resources were increased he extended
the boundaries of his farm until now one hundred
and twenty acres of valuable land pay a golden
tribute to his care and cultivation.
When Mr. Wolter landed in New York City, he
had only $100 and that he had saved from his
wages received as a teamster, but he came to America with the determination to succeed and has labored untiringly to that end. He is now the owner
of one of the finest farms in Sciota Township, its
neat appearance indicating careful management
and thrift on the part of the owner and the many
improvements standing as monuments to his thrift
and industry. On another page of this volume
appears a view of the residence which is a fine twostory frame structure, in the rear are good barns
and outbuildings such as are found on a model
farm. An apple orchard covering two and a half
acres yields luscious fruit in season and small fruits
keep the table supplied with delicious dishes. Mr.
Wolter deserves great credit for his success in life
and his example might be followed with profit by
ma-Ay of the youths of to-day. IHe and his wife
belong to the Lutheran Church; in politics he is a
Republican but has never taken an active part in
political affairs.
IAMUEL B. ROWLEY       is a farmer and
stock-raiser of some prominence in Clinton
County, and especially among the people
of Essex Township, where he is located.
He has a good farm of eighty acres on section 11,
which was reclaimed by him from the virgin forest
and made fit for the habitation of an intelligent
and enterprising family. Mr. Rowley located here




I


in 1868, a few months after his marriage, and he
and his faithful wife endured some of the privations incidental to life on a new farm, even when
the country around was comparatively well settled.
'rliey have been rewarded for their labors by securing a comfortable home and the means with
which to gratify their reasonable tastes and join
in good works.
The parents of our subject were natives of the
Empire State and their names were William and
Martha. Their home was in Chemung County,
where their seventh son, Samuel B., was born
April 30, 1837. Of the parental family the only
other survivors are: Augustus, whose home is in
Ogle County, Ill.; Erastus, who lives in Chemung
County, N. Y.; and Gordon, living in this State.
Our subject pursued his studies in the district
scliools and from  his early boyhood took part
in the farm work in which his father was engaged.
Hie attained to his majority in his native State,
which he left in 1858 to come to Michigan. For
a time he worked on a farm in Clinton County,
but in 1860 he went to Pike's Peak, Colo., and
engaged in gold mining.
Mr. Rowley remained in the gold fields a year,
during which time he did fairly well in his search
for the precious metal. In the spring of 1862 he
returned to this State and in the fall enlisted in
the First United States Lancers, Company D. For
a number of months he was stationed at Detroit,
doing State guard duty, and he was discharged in
April, 1863. After that event he went to New
Mexico and found employment under the Government as a freighter, his business being to haul supplies for the use of the soldiers. He was thus
engaged more than six months and at one time
while crossing the plains his party had a brush
with the Indians and two of the men were killed.
He saw two white men at Ft. Lyons, Ark., that had
been scalped by the Indians and let go. Mr. Rowley
next took up farm life, in which he has been succeeding, as before indicated.
Mr. Rowley was fortunate in securing for his
wife a lady of culture and refinement, who has an
excellent reputation as a school teacher. She was
known in her maidenhood as Miss Clara Clarke,
and is a native of the Empire State and daughter


II




PLORTRZAIT AND 1 BIOG~RAPEHICAL ALBU~M.


861


POTRI AN BOGAPICL LBM.86


of Morris Clarke. She became the wife of our
subject April 4, 1868, and their union has been
blessed by tile birth of three children-William,
Arthur and Zorah. The last named has been removed from them by death at the age of seventeen years, and is sadly missed and mourned by
her many friends and bereaved parents.
Mrs. Rowley is a humble and devout Christian,
her membership being in the Christian Church,
which her husband also attends. Mr. Rowley is
a member of the Essex Farmers' Club, and is
likely to be found joining in public-spirited enterprises and movements in which the neighborhood
is interested. He is a firm believer in the )principles of the Republican party and never fails to
east his vote with others of like faith. lie is a
hospitable, genial man, and his efforts at entertaining his friends are ably seconded by his wife, and
their home is the scene of many social gatherings.
EVI B. SHADDUCK. This gentlemlan is
one of the representatives of a pioneer family of Clinton County, than whom none are
more favorably remembered. HIis parents were
Andrew and Sarah (French) Shadduck, who were
occupying a farm when he was born, June 11, 1857.
Until sixteen years of age his life was spent in a
manner customary to farmers' sons and at that early
age he started in business for himself, renting
the homestead. He had obtained a fair education
and by strict attention to business and the judicious investment of his earnings he has acquired a
goodly share of worldly possessions. From the
time he rented the farm lie attended to all the business affairs of his father.
In October, 1878, Mr. Shadduck was married to
Miss Adalaide Holbrook, the accomplished daughter of Russell Holbrook. Mrs. Shadduck was born
September 23, 1857, in this State, to which her
father had come from New York. She has borne
her husband two daughters, both at home on the
beautiful farm on section 24. The daughters are
Cora B., who was born July 4, 1880, and Minnie
A., September 16, 1885. They are being given


such educational opportunities as are suited to their
years, and their parents are bestowing great care
upon their home training, teaching them the courtesies of life and guiding them in good principles.
Mrs. Shadduck belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
Church of Wacousta. AMr. Shadduck is an active
Republican and he is now filling the official station
of Supervisor of Eagle Township.
The father of our subject died at his home in
Clinton County, January 24, 1891, aged eightyone years and ten days. From a sketch of his life,
read at his funeral, we quote the following: "The
late Andrew Shadduck was born January 15, 1810,
on a farm on tile banks of the Hudson River, near
Albany, N. Y. HIe was the son of Thomas and
Maria Shadduck and the youngest of a family of
six children. His mother died when he was about
two years old and three years later his father married Miss Annie Buck, from New Hampshire, and
this excellent womana gave him a mother's care for
some years. When Andrew w'is seven years old,
the family removed froni New York to New Hlampshire and rented a farm. The season was very
cold and frosty, the crops failed, the family were
poor, had no money, very little provision and only
one cow. One of the old Blue Laws was that each
family should be taxed to pay the priest. His
father could not pay the tax and the cow was
driven off and sold to pay the priest. This event
seemed darkly cruel to the child and always remained a vivid reality in his memory.
" Soon after the family removed to Brown
County, N. Y. Andrew now went to live with his
uncle John Shadduck, who was a farmer, lumberman and shingle-maker and while there he went to
school in the winter. He had to walk two miles
through the snow and wind to a log hut where
school was held. For more than eight months in
the years he helped to saw timber, pack shingles or
work on the farm, and did everything a bright,
strong boy could do. When he was twelve years
old, a man came to his uncle from the woolen mills
at Preston Hollow, on Catskill Creek, looking for
a boy as an apprentice. Young Andrew suited and
it was arranged that he should go and work in the
mills, where he was bound to remain five years.
At this mill the wool was taken just as it was she



862


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ared from the sheep and made into finished cloth,
and he learned the whole business from cleansingcarding, dyeing, fulling and pressing the cloth. He
went to the mill early in the morning and the day's
work was not done until nine o'clock at night. He
served his full time and was said to be a skillful
workman, but he never worked another day at clothmaking.
"' Mr. Shadduck left the mill and went to live with
Dr. Brewster, a farmer and physician. This excellent
Doctor was one of the truest friends the young man
had ever found. While he kept him quite hard at
work on the farm, he still found time to care for
his intellectual and moral training. He remained
with this good man and wife five years, receiving
what was high wages then $9 per month. Through
all his life the names of Dr. Brewster and his wife
were held in loving remembrance and lie often
spoke of them. It was during his stay with them
that he became a Christian. In the spring of 1832
Mr. Shadduck went to Genesee County, N. Y., to
his sister's home, near which he bought a piece of
timbered land-a part of what was known as the
Holland Purchase. He worked hard early and
late, in heat and cold, clearing his land and building a house and barn. October 3, 1833, lie married
Sarah French and they made their home on the
new farm until two years had passed. He was then
told by two men who passed, that his farm was
sold and title was not good, and this proved to be
true.
"This was in the fall of 1835 and the next spring
Mr. Shadduck decided to go to Michigan and buy
land there. All his wealth was $50 and while
crossing Lake Erie he felt that he did not know
where he was going, only somewhere in the vast
wilderness of the territory of Michigan. He prayed earnestly that God would show him where to
go and he always believed the Lord led him to the
beautiful location which was home to him for over
fifty years. He experienced all the hardships of
pioneer life, the privation and toil of which can
hardly be realized by the present generation. His
wife died in 1866 and in 1874 he married Mrs.
Sarah Niles, who died in 1889. During his last
sickness he demonstrated that death shall not separate us from the love of God. He said his soul


was in perfect peace and he was glad to go and be
with his Savior. He'had lived surrounded by his
sons and daughters, who deeply mourn the loss of
a loving, generous father. His sons are Danford
anrd Levi B., and his daughters, Mrs. Pliebe Schnepp, Mrs. Margaret Patterson, Mrs. Marintha
Strong, Mrs. Jane Niles, Mrs. Axella Ring and
Mrs. Lucina Allen."
W. FRASIER, a retired farmer and stockraiser of Hazelton Township, Shiawassee
County, residing on section 16, had his
jo     birthplace in Westford, Cedar County, N.
Y., May 4, 1820. He is a son of Phillip Frasier, a
native of New York, born in 1783, and he received
a common-school education. His wife bore the
maiden name of Phcebe Robbins and was a daughter of John and Phoebe (Hicks) Robbins. They
were natives of New York and had a family of ten
children, six of whom were sons and four were
daughters, Phoebe being the eldest, having been
born in 1798.
Phillip and Phoebe Frasier were married in 1812
and a short time after this interesting event the
young husband left his bride and entered the service of his country in the War of 1812. IHe served
in the engagements at Kingston and Cooperstown.
At one time he was shot across the back but not
hurt seriously. Six sons and four daughters made
up their household, of whom our subject is the
fifth child. He had limited advantages for education and when fifteen years old was allowed to try
his fortune for himself. He began by working on
farms and doing teaming.
In 1844 the young man purchased some land
which he sold two years later and purchased another
tract whichli he kept until about the time when he
went to Michigan, when he disposed of it. His
trip West was made in 1854, coming by way of
Buffalo to Detroit, and as he brought his own team
with him he drove from that city to Hazelton. He
at first purchased eighty acres of school land and
fterward added forty more on section 21. This
was all an unbroken forest and the nearest neigh



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


863


PORT AI T... --- - -— AND BIGAP.A  A.  8.....63.... -.


bor east of him was three miles distant, but toward
the south there was a neighbor within two miles.
During that first fall Mrs. Frasier and Mrs.
Spears, who was her nearest neighbor, took it into
their heads to make a visit to a cousin of Mrs.
Frasier who lived five miles away from them
directly through the forest. This cousin was Mr.
Job Knight, of New Haven Township. of whom a
sketch will be found in this book. The ladies took
an ax in hand and started on their way, blazing
the trees as they went so that they might not get
lost. They made their journey in safety, being
aided in finding their way by the stakes which had
been driven by the surveyors to mark the section
lines.
To Mr. and Mrs. Frasier have been born four
children, namely: Susan, George, Alexander and
Esther. Mr. Frasier is a Democrat in his political
convictions. Before coming West to live he had
made a trip down the Ohio River and up the Mis.
sissippi, where he ascended the Kankakee River
and selected a farm. He then went on to what is
now known as Chicago, where at that time the
steamboat wharf was simply a dock made of posts
driven into the ground and covered with poles
and slabs. From there he went to what is now
Saginaw, which compared very favorably then
with Chicago. From  there he went on to Detroit
and Buffalo and then returned lhome.


carried on the blacksmith's business. At the e;id
of that time he removed to the village of Raymond,
Jackson County, Mich., where for some two years
he worked at his trade and carried on a meat
market.
Venice Township, Shiawassee County, this State,
was the next home of Joel B. Goss, his family being the first to move into that township. They
built a log house and established themselves there
for two years, and then sold out to Nelson Ferry
and moved into the north part of the township, and
partially improved two farms. He then traded
farms with Mr. C. Wilkerson in Vernon Township,
and after two years' residence upon that property
removed to Owosso. After living at various places
in Shiawassee County, he went South, dying in
Arkansas, December 14, 1876. He was a prominent
man in political, social, school and church circles.
IHe was a Democrat in his party affil.ations and was
Supervisor of Vernon Township for three years
and Justice of the Peace for a long term. He held
both school offices and road offices and was the
Class-Leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He and his worthy wife were the parents of six
children, five sons and one daughter of whom our
subject is the eldest.
He of whom we write was seven years old when
he came to Michigan with his parents and his latest
school days were spent in District No. 3, Vernon
Township. When he was twenty-one years old he
undertook independent work as a farmer. After
his father went South he had charge of the family.
She whom he chose as his life companion was
Chloe Hovey, the tenth in the family of twelve
children of Horace Hovey.  The marriage took
place November 5, 1854. Mrs. Goss is a native
of Manaway Township, Portage County, Ohio, her
natal day being April 29, 1838. After marriage the
young couple made their first home where they now
reside, upon which Mr. Goss has made nearly all
the improvements. Their five children were named:
Rebecca, born October 25, 1862, the wife of William H. Davis, residing in Vernon Township; Laura
D., born July 22, 1864, the wife of Arthur C.
Woodward, residing in Schuyler County, N. Y.;
George F., born August 28, 1867, married Nettie
Carry and resides in Vernon; EffielM., born Septem

GEORGE W. GOSS, one of the old settlers
of Vernon Township, Shiawassee County,
residing on a fine farm on section 20, was
born in Lenox Township, Madison County, N. Y.,
October 27, 1829. His father, Joel B. Goss, was a
native of Ohio, born January 24, 1805. When
about fourteen years of age he was bound out to
learn the trade of a blacksmith. At the age of
twenty three, he was married at Oswego, N. Y., to
Philinda Whitney who was born in New York,
April 27, 1808.
The parents of our subject remained for awhile
ill New York and then removed to Ohio in 1832 to
the village of Millgrove, where for two years he




864


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ber 13, 1873, resides at home.  The oldest child,
Hattie E., born April 7, 1857, died June 16, 1862,
in her early childhood.
Mr. Goss has one hundred and seventy acres of
finely improved land, one hundred and forty of
which are under cultivation. Here he carries on
general farming and keeps a large flock of sheep.
He was Township Treasurer in 1857 and 1858, and
has been School Director and Assessor besides
holding some road offices.  He has been ClassLeader for thirty years in the Methodist Episcolpd
Church and is Steward in the same. He has been
Church Trustee and Superintendent of Sundayschool several times and is an active worker and
a liberal contributor to church purposes. His wife
and daughter are also active in church work. Mrs.
Goss is the tenth in family of twelve children, all
of whom grew to man's and woman's estate. It is
a curious fact that in the order of their birth they
came as follows: Three daughters and one son;
three daughters and one son; and three daughters
and one son. The parents of Mr. Goss were members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church that
was formed in the county of Shiawassee, and
their daughter was the first that died in the township of Venice and the second that was buried in
in the cemetery.
OAH     LONG. Among the fine farms in
Venice Township, Shiawassee County, that
on section 6, belonging to Noah Long is one
of the best. Our subject, though not a native of
this State might be called a pioneer, having moved
here at an early day. He has experienced many
of the hardships incident to pioneer life and his
stay here has not been devoid of adventure that
has its exciting and frequently ludicrous side.
Our subject's father was Noah Long, a native of
Pennsylvania, in which State lie was a farmer. His
mother was Elizabeth (Burge) Long, a native of
Germany. They were married in Pennsylvania
and there resided a number of years. They then
removed to Ashland County, Ohio, in which State
they were pioneers. There they made a permanent


home and fully improved the farm on which they
located before the death of the father which occurred in 1854. His wife survived him a number
of years, she dying in 1870. Thirteen children
came to them and were at once their joy and care.
Five of this number are now living. The family
were members of the Wesleyan Church. In politics Noah Long, Sr., was a Whig.
The original of our sketch was born February
15, 1825 in Ashland County, Ohio, where he attended the district school and in vacations and out
of school hours doing the work upon the farm that
is understood to belong to a farmer lad. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, getting from his father a good knowledge of practical
farming. At twenty-two years he started out for
himself, working for others by the month.
In 1847 Mr. Long was united in marriage to
Emeline Fox, a daughter of Aruna and Ruth (Smith)
Fox, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts
in which State they were married and then removed
to Wayne County, Ohio, where they settled upon a
rudely improved farm. There they made a permanent home, bending their efforts toward cultivation of the farm and the production of crops that
would give an income that would sustain life.
The father died in 1840, the mother in 1872. They
were the parents of five children, two of whom
only are now living. The mother had united herself with the Presbyterian Church. Politically,
the father was a Whig. Their daughter, Mrs.
Long, was born January 13, 1832, in Massacllusetts and was an infant when taken to Ohio. There
she received the advantages of a district-school
education. After marriage our subject and his
wife lived in Ohio for two years and in 1850 came
to Shiawassee County, this State, and settled upon
one hundred and sixty acres where they now live.
The country was raw and new, the nearest road
was at a distance of three miles from their home
and there was no schoolhouse nearer than five miles.
They were surrounded with dense woods which
were penetrated by no roads for years after their
advent hither. There were plenty of Indians and
wild animals.
Their first home was a small shanty which Mr.
Long himself built. When they first came to the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


865


State they had very little money and that was spent
for only the necessities of life. The first year Mr.
Long chopped three acres and planted it in corn.
As he had no proper implements he was obliged to
use an old ax in his planting. Since that time he
has chopped and cleared one hundred acres of his
land.
For four years our subject had no help outside
of his own hands, his first investment in a beast of
burden being an ox-team. The country was sparsely
settled for years and frequently they saw very hard
times. In those days he frequently carried one
hundred pounds of meal from Corunna through
the woods for a distance of six miles to his shanty
on his shoulder. He used to split rails and in the
absence of horse and cart carry them  where he
wanted them on his shoulders. The largest trees
in what is now a very fine orchard, Mrs. Long
raised from the seeds.
The first log house built by Mr. and Mrs. Long
is thirty-five years old and yet stands. Two years
ago he built his present residence which is a comfortable and commodious house. They now have
one hundred and twenty acres, all of which is improved and besides have helped their sons to make
a start in life. Mr. Long no longer carries on his
farm, renting it out to a good tenant. Nine children have come to the Long home to make it resound with their merry voices. Eight of these are
now living. They are: Taylor Lorg, who took to
wife Lydia Angus and resides in Chesaning, Saginaw County, this State; they have six children.
Ruth, wife of George Pearsall, lives on section 7,
Venice Township and has seven children; Martin,
who was united in marriage to Cora Simons lives
in Vernon and has one child; Ezra, who is married
to Elva Escott, lives on section 7; Ida is the wife
of Elba Pember and lives in Ohio: she has one
child. Myron married Annie Castle and lives on
the home farm; his family comprises two children.
Elva is the wife of Fred Stewart and lives in the
State of Washington. Minnie is the wife of George
Chavey and lives in Caledonia Township. The
children have all received the advantages offered
by a district school. Mrs. Long is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Long is a
Republican in politics. When the family came


here there were twenty-four voters in Venice Township. [Ie has been appointed to the office of Road
Overseer which post he has held for a dozen years,
during which time he has done efficient service,
remembering well from early experience the great
disadvantage that poor roads make in a country.
Although advanced in years, both Mr. and Mrs.
Long enjoy good health and the prospects are that
they will live to be useful and efficient members of
society for many years longer.
Mrs. Long tells an interesting story of her eldest
son who was lost in the great forest when he was
quite a small boy.
OL. EI)GAR P. BYERLY, one of the veterans of the Civil War and now Justice of the
Peace of Owosso, was born in Westmoreland
County, Pa., near Pittsburg, November, 10, 1842.
He is a son of Adam H. and Jane (Brush) Byerly,
both natives of Westmoreland County, Pa., in
wh ich they were reared and married. The father was
of German and Irish extraction and the mother of
Scotch descent. The father was a merchant, banker and farmer and died in his sixty-eighth year.
HIe is the son of Jacob Byerly who was also a native of Pennsylvania and born in the same county
as our subject in which county also was born Robert Brush, the maternal grandfather.
In 1849 Adam H. Byerly removed with his family to Eagle River, Lake Superior, Michigan, in
which he settled and helped to organize the county
of Houghton and was Superintendent of the Cliff
Mine, owned by the Pittsburg and Boston Mining
Co. He then managed the business of the company up to the year 1854, when he removed to
Owosso and helped to organize the First National
Bank. He was a stockholder and director at the
time of his death which occurred in March, 1885,
when he was sixty-three years old.
Edgar P. Byerly was the oldest of the three sons
and two daughters in his parental home.  Part of
his school days were passed at Pittsburg, part of
them in Lake Superior and the remainder in Owosso.
In 1861 he became messenger for the American




866


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I ---~' --- —
--- --


=


Express Company on the Amboy, Lansing & Traverse Bay Railroad, continuing in this work for a
year.
The military experience of our subject began in
July, 1862, when he enlisted in the Fourth Michigan
Cavalry under Col. Minty. The regiment was assigned to the army of the Cumberland and took
part in the battles of Stone River and Chickamauga.
He remained with his regiment until December 8,
1863, at which time he was transferred and promoted, being commissioned as First Lieutenant in
the Tenth Michigan Cavalry and the following year
he was made Captain in the same regiment.  He
remained with this regiment until the expiration
of its term of service, receiving his discharge November 11, 1865.
~Upon his return to Owosso, Capt. Byerly embarked in the mercantile business in which he continued until 1874 during which period he was engaged in breeding fine roadsters and trotting horses.
For eight years he served as Alderman for the
Third  Ward, and was Deputy Sheriff for eight
years and Deputy United States Marshal for four
years during the administrations of Garfield and
Arthur. On February 1, 1891, he was appointed
Colonel on Gov. Winan's Staff, Aid-de-camp and
Treasurer of the State Military Board.
Col. Byerly was married January 28, 1875, to
Miss Martha F. Decker, of Owosso, Mich., who
was a native of the Empire State.  Col. Byerly's
political views lead him to affiliate with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Quackenbush
Post, No. 205, G. A. R., also of the Loyal League
of the State.
y RS. LAURA A. PATRIDGE, owner of the
extensive Patridge dairy farm, two miles
north of the city of Owosso, is a lady of
many admirable characteristics, and one
who is doing much to build up the interests of her
adopted home as is evidenced by the extent and
magnitude of her farm. This most desirable property is considered by those competent to judge to
be the handsomest and finest farm in the State of
Michigan.  It is certainly a model farm in appear



r


ance, accommodation and conveniences. The two
hundred acre tract lies along the east shore of the
Shiawassee River and consists of gently undulating
fields of grain and meadow land.  The most commanding spot was selected as the site for building
the home, and few farms can boast of so extensive
or admirably arranged dwellings and barns. Buildings have been erected at a cost of upwards of
$12,000 and the immense stock barns are supplied
with every convenience that modern ingenuity can
devise. The farm is now devoted to the dairying
interests, and about thirty cows are milked regularly, over three hundred quarts of milk constituting the yield.
This lady is a daughter of Arnold D. and Mary
J. (Milks) Pierce and was born at West Seneca,
Erie County, N. Y., September 29, 1850. Her
father's family is one of much historical prominence and is traced in unbroken lines back for six
lundred years. Her father is still living at Buffalo,
N. Y., at the age of seventy-five years. HIis other
child, Herbert, lives near that city; Susan M. the eldest daughter died in 1874.
Our subject was married December 7, 1869, at
at Willink, N. Y., to Worthy M. Patridge, a native
of Hamburg, N. Y. They resided at West Seneca
until they came to Michigan in November, 1887.
Mr. Patridge visited this region and had been
much impressed with the location and beauty of
this land, and after returning to New York Mrs.
Patridge's father purchased it and presented it to
his daughter. For four years she has made this
her home and her kindly disposition and willing
hands have endeared her to hundreds of friends.
She was happy in the enjoyment of all that could
make life delightful until the family circle was pervaded by a sense of unrest, which resulted in an estrangement between herself and her husband, who
now live apart. Her daughter, Carrie Dell, who is
loyal to her mother's affection and interests makes
her home with that parent, and her husband, Mr.
G. Mason Getman, is the efficient overseer of the
affairs of the farm.  Miss Susie is also with her
mother.
Mrs. Getman first saw the light May 9, 1872,
and was married January 14, 1890. Her husband
was born October 27, 1866, and is a son of George


r








A4 o

4
Ill.



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


869


H. Getman and Ellen C. (Smith) Getman.   His
parents at one time owned this beautiful property
but are now residents of Warner, S. Dak. One
child, Mattie Belle, born October 24, 1890, is the
crowning blessing of this union. Mrs. Patridge is
a lady of culture and refinement and a noble woman.
She has great capacity to enjoy and her aspirations
have no half way ground. She has hosts of warm
friends and( admirers and is a marked character in
Owosso Township.
ART L. UPTON. Perhaps no better representative of the agricultural community of
Clinton County can be found than in the
subject of this biographical notice, whose
portrait is presented on the opposite page. It may
be doubted if the entire county contains a more
public-spirited, intelligent and efficient farmer, or
one who has always taken a greater interest in
everything calculated to advance the good of the
community. He has ever manifested an interest in
those movements which would advance the material prosperity or elevate the intellectual status of
the community, and his influence has always been
on the side of right and justice. He has a farm on
section 10, Victor Township, which, although not
containing a large acreage, is one of the best improved in the community.
Before giving an outline of the main events in
the life of Mr. Upton it may not be amiss to briefly
mention his lineage. His paternal grandparents,
Elias and Esther (Newell) Upton, were natives of
Massachusetts. The maternal grandparents were
Josiah and Triphena (Newell) Hathaway, the former a soldier in the War of the Revolution. The
immediate progenitors of our subject were Elias
and Triphena (Hathaway) Upton, both natives of
Heath, Franklin County, Mass. They knew each
other from childhood and spent most of their lives
in their native county. They came to Michigan in
1857 and passed their last days in the home of
a son, James, in Clinton County. The father was
a soldier in the War of 1812, and in politics was
first a Whig and later a Republican. He and his


wife were members of the Congregational Church.
Although they never accumulated wealth they were
enabled to live in comfort and pass their declining
years quietly and happily.
The family of which our subject was a member
comprised eleven children, namely: Triphena, Emily, Sarah, James, Josiah, Hart L., Hannah, John,
Martha, Roswell and Caroline. They are all living
excepting John and Martha. Hart L., of this sketch,
was born in Heath, Franklin County, Mass,, June
23, 1827, and remained with his father upon the
homestead in Massachusetts until he reached his
majority. Later he was for six years employed in
a scythe snath factory, and afterward commenced
to farm upon the old homestead. There he followed agricultural pursuits for a few years, but
wishing to try life in the farther West he removed
to Victor Township, Ontario County, N. Y., and
worked on a farm there for eighteen months.
In 1856, in company with his brother James,
our subject came to Michigan and bought the farm
where he now lives. Soon after he located here
he built the house which is still his home. About
seventy of his ninety-three acres are in a high state
of cultivation and he has given his entire attention
to the improvement of the land. All the present
embellishments are the result of his judgment, and
his character is shown in the efforts he has made
to render his home attractive as well as remunerative.
In December, 1863, Mr. Upton joined the army
as a private in Company I, Twenty-seventh Michi.
gan Infantry. It first wintered with the army of
the Eastern Tennessee under Gen. Burnside in the
Ninth Army Corps. The following spring the
regiment joined the Army of the Potomac in which
it continued until the close of the war, being mustered out near Washington City, July 26,1865. He
received his final discharge in Detroit, August 7,
of the same year. Among the important engagements in which he participated were the following:
the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, North
Anna River, Bethsaida Church and Cold Harbor.
At the last mentioned place he was put on detached
duty but was soon afterward taken sick and for
five months was confined in the hospital in Portsmouth Grove, R. I. In February, 1865, he joined




870


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


---                                                - ------ `~~~` —'~~~~-` ~ ~ -~'   -~-~-~-~- ^ ----  -- ------- -- ~~I
li-,-   -   -  -   --- -  -I —,  -~I- ------ ---                                   -  -  -,  I -   -                 -- -  -I  -


the regiment at Petersburg, Va., but has never
regained his former health and since he left the service has been debarred from manual labor, in consequence of which he draws a pension of $30 per
month.
In politics our subject is an ardent Republican
and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. He has never held office, preferring domestic quiet to the excitement of political life.
Socially, he is a member of the Henry Demming
Post, No. 192, G. A. R., at Laingsburg. On October 7, 1852, he married Miss Nancy Dole, of Ashfield Township, Franklin County, Mass.; this estimable lady was born in Shelburne Township,
Franklin County, Mass., October 4, 1832, and is
the daughter of Orpheus and Polly (Thair) Dole,
both natives of Franklin County, Mass. To Mr.
and Mrs. Upton have been born three children,
one of whom survives, Fred R., a farmer, who
married Miss Elva Troop and has two children,
Ruth and Leroy. Minnie S., deceased, was the
wife of George Grove and left one son, Bert H.
The son Dean died in infancy.
T    HOMAS W. BALDWIN, a prominent exsoldier of the Civil War, and Supervisor of
Olive Township, Clinton County, for eight
years past, was born in Ogden Township, Monroe
County N. Y., March 19, 1842.  Iis father, Elon
W. Baldwin, emigrated from New York to Plymouth, Sheboygan County, Wis., where he died in
1852, at the age of thirty-four years. He was a
man of powerful frame and great muscular strength
but this very fact made him somewhat reckless in
his exertions and he strained himself in lifting a
heavy burden and his death was the result. He
was one of the first settlers in that section of the
country, and he had to go sixteen miles through
the woods with an ox-team to Sheboygan to buy
his provisions. He laid out the cemetery and was
the first man to be buried in it. He occupied the
responsible position of Supervisor of his township.
Cynthia S. Webster was the wife of Elon W.


Baldwin and the mother of our subject. She is a
native of New York and is still living at the good
old age of seventy-five years. Five of her children are yet living, of whom our subject is the
eldest. He received a common school education,
such as could be obtained in the pioneer log schoolhouse. He was an apt scholar and planned to take
a college course, but when the war broke out he
enlisted in the service of the country. He had,
however, spent one year in the institute at Parma
Corners, Monroe County, N. Y., which was taught
by Prof. Clark, the author of Clark's Grammar.
The young man enlisted August 20, 1862 in the
Third New York Cavalry, Company A, under Col.
Sirnmn Mix. He took part in the battles of Kingston, Goldborough and Yarboro. He participated
in the great raid of Wilson's Cavalry in North
Carolina and Virginia and was taken prisoner near
Richmond, October 4, 1864, having been entirely
surrounded by a detachment of Longstreet's division. He was at this time Sergeant and iad
charge of a line of pickets. He spent the first
night in Richmond and the following day was removed to Salisbury Prison, where he was contined
for five long months. A part of the time while he
was there the prisoners numbered ten thousand.
Little was given them except corn bread, and now
and then a weak imitation of rice soup. When he
was finally released he weighed only seventy
pounds. While he was a prisoner one attempt was
made to escape, but it proved unsuccessful. He
was excused by the surgeons from further service,
and reached home in June. 1865. He had enlisted
as a private and was promoted to various official
positions.
Our young hero came to Clinton County in 1868,
and located in the woods in Olive Township, purchasing a farm where he how resides. Not a tree
had been cut on this land and the entire country
was a wilderness, where deer anid other wild game
abounded. The marriage of our subject with
Marion A. Smalley, of New York, took place in
1866. She was a native of Parma Township, Monroe County, N. Y. Mr. Baldwin is a Democrat in
his political views and has been a delegate to
county, Senatorial and Congressional conventions,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


871




and takes an active part in local politics. He
served as Drainage Commissioner one year, Clerk,
three years, and Supervisor for eight years. He
was also for one year, Chairman of the County
Board. I-e has been a candidate for the Legislature but as his party was in the minority he was
unsuccessful. He is a member of the Grand Army
of the Republic and was the first Master of the
Clinton County Grange and also of the sluordinate Grange, which position he held for several
years.
-  ENRY PEACH. A "'hustler," is the term
that is used by his neighbors to describe
this industrious, enterprising and successful
young farmer whose beautiful farm  and
elegant home are so great an ornament to the
Township of Antrim, Shiawassee County. He was
born in Newberg, Shiawassee County, November
6, 1854. His father was an Englishman, being
born in Somersetshire in 1828. He served for
seven years as an apprentice at tailoring and afterwards worked at his trade in England but came to
America and located at Pontiac, Oakland County,
this State, in the hopes of doing better at his chosen
calling. He subsequently removed his shop and his
home to Newberg, which was then a thriving town,
and in 1858 he purchased forty acres on section 34,
Shiawassee Township, which was at the time completely covered with heavy timber, and here lie
began his first experience in farming.
The father cleared and improved his little farm,
adding to it from time to time as his means would
permit, and at his death in 1883; he owned two
hundred acres of land in a highly improved condition. He had been for some years a member of
the Christian Church, and was a prominent and
enterprising man and one highly respected. He
was not only respected but beloved, for he showed
his good will to his neighbors by "lending them a
hand" whenever it was in his power to do so. His
faithful wife, Susan Woodthorp, a native of Lincolnshire, England, is still living and two of her
four children also survive the father.
The subject of this sketch took his early training


on the farm and in the district school, and remained
at home until he reached the age of twenty-two,
after which he took charge of the homestead for
several years, but purchased his present farm on
section 3, in 1877. After this he carried on both
farms for a time.
Henry Peach was united in marriage with Louisa
Elsworth in December, 1876. This lady was born
in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and is the daughter of
Aaron and Juliet (Clinton) Elsworth, both of Ohio,
who came to Michigan and settled in Shiawassee
County in the early days. Both are yet living and
are engaged in carrying on farming. Two children
Eva and Emma, have come to bless the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Peach. The beautiful home which
he erected in 1884, is one of the most attractive in
the township, and the other farm buildings attest
the thorough management of the systematic farmer.
His largest barn which was erected in 1879 and the
other which was built in 1882 are both commodious and capacious. He raises fine stock, especially
sheep and has one of the best flocks in the township. He is a Republican in politics and a man who
is interested in public affairs.
ILLIAM 11. PHELPS was born on the old
homestead, section 20, Shiawassee Township, May 6, 1844, and is one of two children who were born to his parents. His early life
was spent at home in preparing for his manhood's
career. IJe enjoyed all the educational advantages common to that time and was happy on the
home place until he reached the age of twenty-one.
In December, 1864, he joined a company at Michigan
City and was one of the Mechanics' Corps from
Chicago, under Capt. Lewis Niles, in the War of
the Rebellion. The company was sent to Nashville, where our subject was engaged in building
breastworks and such other work as would be incident to the duties of the Mechanics' Corps. While
thus engaged he was'taken sick at Nashville, where
he lay for a short time in the hospital, being ill with
typhoid fever. He was discharged and brought
home on a bed, June 15, 1865.




872


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


During Mr. Phelps' early life, while at home on
a farm, in the winters he did the cooking for the
men in his father's lumber camp, for his father was
largely engaged in getting out timber on his own
land in Genesee County. After his return from
the war he rented a farm for a period of three
years, having united himself in marriage, July 3,
1865, to Miss Edna Hendee, of Venice. She was a
daughter of William B. and Sophia (Potter) Hendee, who are still living in the village of Vernon.
Mrs. Phelps' family settled in Shiawassee County
about 1850, having formerly lived in New York,
the father being a native of Vermont. The mother
was born in New York.
Mr. Phelps was engaged for the three years in
which he rented his farm in supplying lumber
camps with feed and provisions in Saginaw County.
He also dealt in feed, flour, hay, etc., sometimes
supplying as many as twelve camps. He was also
the proprietor of a feed store at St. Charles, of
which he and his father were partners for three
years. In the fall of 1867 he bought the farm
upon which he at present resides, the same that his
grandfather, James Phelps, had settled upon in 1833,
this land having passed through five transfers in
the meantime. The original barn erected by his
grandfather is still standing. The farm at first
contained forty acres, but now has one hundred.
In 1876 Mr. Phelps erected a comfortable and
attractive nine-room house, which makes a most
delightful dwelling for his family and it is a
most inviting meeting-place for his many friends.
He is at the present time devoting himself to general farming. tIe has good stock, among which
are many fine thoroughbred Jersey cattle.
Our subject is a Republican in his political preference and has usually been sent as a delegate to
the State Conventions. He is not, however, in any
sense a politician and has refused all offices that
have been offered him. He and his wife are active
members of the Maple River Baptist Church. He is a
Prohibitionist, but not in favor of a third party.
No children have ever made their advent into the
family, but Mrs. Phelps has assisted in the rearing
of her sister, Lena D. Hendee, who lived with them
from thirteen years of age until her marriage, which
occurred October 21, 1883. She is now Mrs. Or

son Sugden, of Shiawassee County. William Rose
has also been a member of the family from the age
of twelve years until he had attained to his twentieth year. He is now a resident of Hazleton.
OSEPH H. ROBBINS, of the Robbins Table
Company, Owosso, is one of the best known
citizens of that city. The works of this
company were started in 1873 upon a small
scale by Benjamin F. Robbins and his son, Joseph
H. They were at first located on State Street and removed to their present location,in 1878,on the corner
of West Main and Robbins Streets. In 1885 his
father died and he took his son, Joseph, Jr., into
partnership. At that time the present firm known
as the Robbins Table Company was formed. They
are well-placed and have a fine outfit, availing
themselves of all the latest improvements in machinery and the best methods of transacting business.
The subject of this sketch was born in Alleghany
County, N. Y. February 13, 1844. He is the
youngest son  of Benjamin F. and Mary A.
(Rideout) Robbins, both of whom were natives of
New York. The Robbins' ancestry is Scotch and
the Rideout family came from Holland originally.
The parents of our subject had six children, only
Joseph H. surviving. His school-days were spent
in his native county until he reached the age of seventeen years, after which he drifted West, traveling
through several States.
In 1868 he came to Owosso and there learned the
trade of a cabinet-maker with N. H. Robinson, and
worked at this trade until 1873, when he began the
manufacture of tables. As his business has increased he has extended its works and increased its
capacity. His main building is 40x100 feet in dimensions and is two stories in height. It has two
wings, 36x80 feet, and is all heated by steam. The
machinery is driven by an engine of fifty-fourhorse power. He employs forty-five men the year
round and his output of tables is on an average of
about two hundred a week, for which lie finds a
ready sale. His tables enjoy a reputation of su



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


873


perior style and finish and it is with difficulty he
can supply the demand as fast as the orders come
in.
Mr. Robbins was married in 1866 to Miss Emma
Jones, of Waupun, Wis. This lady is a daughter
of William M. Jones and is a native of New York.
To their happy home five children have come,
namely: Joseph H., Jr., Charlena D., who is bookkeeper for her father; Evora H.; Elbert W.; and
Benjamin P. Mr. Robbins has served for the past
eight years as Alderman for the Fourth Ward.
He is a Republican in his political convictions and
earnestly supports that party.
— ^ -— ^ ---- t ---
r    RANK WESTCOTT, the efficient Postmaster of Vernon, Shiawassee County, and the
l    owner of a hardware store at that place, is
accounted one of the leading business men of the
community. The history of his life is as follows:
HIe was born in Genesee County, Mich., on the 26th
of December, 1852, and is a son of A. F. Westcott,
a native of New York, born in Jefferson County,
April 26, 1829. His father is a tinsmith by trade,
and throughout the greater part of his life has followed that business. He first came to Michigan in
1850, and located in Pontiac, Oakland County,
where he worked as a tinner until his removal to
Flint. lie embarked in business for himself in
Byron, Shiawassee County, and located in Vernon
in 1861, establishing a tin shop at that place. He
is industrious and is an enterprising business man,
who by his own efforts has made all that he now
possesses. It was not long after he had located in
this county before his fellow-townsmen recognized
his worth and ability, and called upon him to fill
a number of public offices of honor and trust. He
has served as Justice of the Peace, Township Clerk,
President of the Village Board, and for the long
term of twenty years was Vernon's popular Postmaster. As a public official he has proved true to
every duty devolving upon him, and won the confidence and high regard not only of his friends but
of those opposed to him politically. He supports the
Republican party at the ballot box, and socially is


a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On the 4th of July, 1852, Mr. Wcstcott suffered the loss of an arm, two fingers and an eye
by the premature discharge of a cannon while engaged in aiding in tile celebration. He now resides
on a farm in Vernon Township, and is one of the
honored and highly respected citizens of the community.
The wife of A. F. Westcott and the mother of
our subject was in her maidenhood Miss Catherine
E. Stone. She was born in Jefferson County, N.
Y., March 22, 1834, a:nd belongs to a family noted
for longevity. Her father, Solon Stone, who was
born in Massachusetts, on the 19th of March, 1801,
is now living at the advanced age of ninety years,
and still retains his mental and physical faculties
to a remarkable degree. He resides with his daughter in Vernon Township. Ilis mother reached the
extreme old age of ninety-six years. The family
of Mr. and Mrs. Westcott numbers three children,
two sons and a daughter.
The eldest and the only surviving child is our
subject. HIls entile life has been spent in this
State, and under the parental roof he remained until sixteen years of age, when he began clerking in
a hardware store. Subsequently he was employed
as a salesman in a drug store for four years and
while serving in that capacity gained the exj-erience which has proved of such benefit to him in
his after life. He embarked in business for himself in 1874, in connection with his father on a
very small scale but so well has he succeeded and
so rapidly has his business grown that he now carries a stock valued at $3,000. He possesses the
essential characteristics of success, is enterprising
and progressive, sagacious and far-sighted, courteous in manner and fair in all his dealings.
In 1875, Mr. Westcott was joined in wedlock
with Miss Mary E. Porter, a native of this State,
born in Macomb County, June 22, 1856. She is
the youngest of a family of eight children. By
her marriage one child has been born, a daubliter,
Nellie E., born July 21, 1883. This worthy couple
rank high in the social world, having many warm
friends throughout the community, and their home
is the abode of hospitality. Mr. Westcott is one of
the prominent citizens of Vernon, favorably known




874


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


both in social and business circles. He has the
interests of the village at heart, and liberally aids
in all enterprises calculated to upbuild and benefit
the community or promote the general welfare. In
politics he is a stanch Republican, and has held the
office of Clerk of the Village Board. For twenty
years his father filled the position of Postmaster.
In 1889 Frank Westcott was appointed Postmaster;
he displays the same fidelity and promptness in the
discharge of every duty that characterized his father's administration and is justly popular. In his
social relations he is an Odd Fellow and also a
member of the Knight of the Maccabees, of Vernon.
AVID L. EAEGLE, the popular and effi
cient Supervisor of Greenbush Township,
Clinton County, represents one of the
early families of this locality and is worthily succeeding his father in the duties of a farmer
and citizen. He is a veteran of the Civil War and
as such commands the respect of lovers of their
country wherever he meets them. His home is on
section 12, of the township named, and the property
that he owns and operates there consists of eighty
acres supplied with various improvements, such as
fit it for the residence of a family who enjoy home
comfort and social pleasures.
Before sketching the life of our subject we will
make brief mention of his progenitors. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812.
His father, Isaac Eaegle, was born in Morris County,
N. J., January 27, 1806. and married Jane Nightser. In 1835 he emigrated to Ohio and for a
number of years his home was in Knox County.
Late in the '40s he made a second removal, traveling with a team and wagon to Clinton County, this
State, and consuming some thirteen days in the
journey. The family spent the first winter in
Essex Township, coming to Greenbush Township
in the spring of 1849 and settling in the woods on
section 11. White settlers were still few and
Indians were the principal neighbors of the Eaegle
family. The hardships incidental to pioneer life
were endured by them and they are able to recall


very vividly the scenes of those days. For many
years Mr. Eaegle served as Justice of the Peace
and his decisions were based upon the broad law of
justice and brotherly kindness. Politically, he was
a stanch Republican. His family consisted of nine
children, those now living being David L., John
L., William, Abram, Isaac N. and Mary E.
David L. Eaegle was born in Morris County, N.
J., April 6, 1833, and was scarcely more than an
infant when his parents went to Ohio. Ile came to
this State when about fifteen years old and attained
to his majority here, taking a part in the developing processes in which his father was engaged, and
adding to his education whenever circumstances
permitted. The schools of the time did not afford
opportunities for extended study but in the ground
work of English education the pupils were thoroughly taught. In his early manhood our subject
went to Whiteside County, Ill., to work on a farm
and when the war broke out he enlisted there, enrolling his name in the Union Army, August 7,
1861, and becoming a member of Company B,
Thirty.fourth Illinois Infantry.
The first real battle in which Mr. Eaegle fought
was Shiloh, which occurred on the anniversary of
his birth, April 6, 1862. It was not the way in
which he was accustomed to celebrate, but he was
willing to make an exception, as he fully realized
the nation's need. Soon after he was engaged at
Stone River, and during the battle there he and
fifteen comrades were captured by the rebels and
taken to Libby Prison, where they passed several
months in confinement. After enduring the usual
hardships of prison life M\r. Eaegle was paroled and
sent to Annapolis to await exchange. He finally
returned to his company and regiment and subsequently took part in the battles of Mission Ridge,
Resaca, Ga., and Bentonville and made one of
the gallant sixty thousand who marched with
Sherman to the sea. On the 23d of December, 1863
he had veteranized, re-entering the service in the
same company and regiment in which he had first
gone to the front. He enlisted as a private and
passed through the various stages of promotion to
the rank of First Lieutenant, receiving his commission as such from Gov. Oglesby of Illinois,
November 7, 1864. At the conclusion of the war




PORTRAIT AND BIOG~RAPHICAL ALBUM.


875


POTRI AN BIOGRAPHICALALBU.                              875


he took part in the Grand Review at Washington
and not long after returned to this State, having
received his discharge July 18, 1865.
Mr. Eaegle secured a companion in life June 10,
1866, being married on that day to Carrie C. Tripp,
a daughter of Edwin and Margaret Tripp, early
settlers of Clinton County. Mrs. Eaegle's mother
is still living in Greenbush Township. To Mr.
and Mrs. Eaegle there have been born three children, one of whom, Elza E., is deceased. The
living are Linnie J., and Belle, the former now the
wife of C. A. Putt. The daughters have been carefully instructed by their mother, who is a lady of
more than ordinary intelligence, and both parents
have made it their aim to prepare them as well as
possible for useful careers in life.
Mr. Eaegle is now filling his second term as
Township Supervisor and in former years he has
been Treasurer three terms and Highway Commissioner one term. He is an enterprising, publicspirited man and a valued member of society. He
is connected with the Masonic order and the Grand
Army of the Republic and casts his vote with the
Republican party. Mrs. Eaegle is a member in good
standing of the Evangelical Church and is highly
esteemed by her acquaintances.
EWIS BRYANT.       This well-known resident of Clinton County has been carrying
on the work of an agriculturist here for
many years, and has made a good living, and,
what is far better, has won the regard of his acquaintances by his upright life. He is one of those
to whom the present development of Essex Township is largely due, having brought a tract of land
under cultivation, and borne a part in the toils and
privations to which all early settlers were subject.
His estate consist of eighty acres on section 1, and
bears good buildings, adequate for every need, and
the other improvements that befit it. The farm
work is carried on according to approved and tried
methods, and results in fine crops and a consequently satisfactory income.
The birthplace of Mr. Bryant was Seneca County,


N. Y., and the date of the event September 17,
1825. His parents are John and Anne (Ifodge)
Bryant, natives of New York and Connecticut respectively, and now living in this State. The
mother, who is with her son, is in her eighty-fifth
year, and the father, whose home is in Clenaugh
County, is two years older. Of the nine children
born to them there are five living beside our subject, namely: Daniel. Mrs. Louisa Phillips, Mrs.
Jane Barret, Mrs. Mary Gardner, John and Helen.
In 1841 the parents came to Michigan and located
in Washtenaw County, where they resided a number of years. After making their home in other
places they finally came to Clinton County.
Our subject received but a limited education, his
attendance being confined to the schools kept in
the primitive log cabins of his youthful days, and
he is mainly self-educated. Like many another
man similarly reared, he is well informed on all
general topics and converses well regarding them.
lie was sixteen years old when he accompanied his
parents to this State, and he grew to manhood
amid pioneer scenes and took a considerable part
in the work that was going on around him. Habits
of industry, sturdy principles and worthy aims
flourished in such soil, and he became a man of
sterling merit. In the spring of 1852 he removed
to Clinton County, and located on section 2, Essex
Township, but ere long changed his residence to
the section on which he now lives. His home was
in the woods and three hundred Indians were
camped in the vicinity, their tepees being conspicuous from some points of view. They were friendly
and gave no trouble except, perhaps, by undue
familiarity.
December 25, 1846, Mr. Bryant and Miss Louisa
Hollenbeck were united in marriage, and nobly has
the wife borne her part in the duties that have lain
before them. She was born in New York, August
20, 1825, to Cornelius and Fannie Hollenbeck, who
were of the old Knickerbocker stock, and with
them she came to Michigan when eleven years old.
From that time until her marriage her home was in
Wayne County. Her brother and sisters who are
living are: Harriet, wife of William Wyman:
George; Sophia, wife of Solomon Wyman; and
Sarah, wife of James Grubaugh. Mr. and Mrs.




876


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Bryant had five children, but the only survivor is
John F. Emma L. Morrison, daughter of our subject, died July 13, 1889, when thirty-one years of
age. She was the wife of W. J. Morrison.
Mr. Bryant has served as School Direector, and
takes part in various movements that tend to promote the general welfare. He casts his vote in the
interest of Democracy. His sterling integrity is
widely known and his word is relied upon as
closely as his bond.  He and his estimable wife
have many warm friends, and the general wish is
that they -may enjoy many more years of happiness
and prosperity.
C   HARLES H. SAYRE, a prominent citizen of
Shiawassee County, whose farm is located
on section 25, of Vernon Township,first saw
the light of day in Yates County, N. Y., his natal
day being April 3, 1835. His father, Lewis Sayre,
was born in Steuben County, N.Y., and there he was
reared to manhood and took to wife Zillah H. Benedict, whose native place was Orange County, the
same State. After marriage they made their first
home in Yates County, N. Y., and their first home
in the West was in Vernon Township, Shiawassee
County,this State. The father entered a tract of
land on section 24, where not a tree had been cut,
nor a road put through. He cut logs enough to
build a house, 18x24 feet, on the ground, and clearing the forest proceeded to plant a crop. He
fenced his farm and placed upon it many improvements, making it his permanent home until his
death which occurred in 1874. Lewis Sayre was a
sturdy Democrat in his political views and a man
who was honored by his neighbors. Iie filled the
office of Justice of the Peace for sixteen years with
great acceptability and profit to his constituency.
He was Supervisor during one term to fill a vacancy, and also acted as School Assessor. His
widow is still living, having reached the good old
age of eighty-two years. They were the parents
of three children, two sons and a daughter.
The subject of this sketch is the second child of
his parents, and was only six years old when he
was brought by them  to Michigan. He went to


school but little in his Eastern home and his first
schooling in Michigan took him through the woods
three and a half miles to a log building, which is
the one known as the Lovejoy schoolhouse. He
completed his education in District No. 8, of Vernon Township. He remained faithfully with his
father, assisting in the farm work until he reached
his twenty-fifth year when he established a home
of his own.  The marriage of C. H. Sayre to
Judith De Mund occurred June 1, 1865. This
estimable lady was born in Seneca County, N. Y.,
December 10, 1844, and is the eldest daughter of
Joseph and Elizabeth (Wyckoff) De Mund. Her
father, who was a native of New Jersey, survived
until the year 1883, and her mother, a native of
Seneca County, N. Y., is still living, and makes her
home in Vernon Township.
Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sayre
located in the place where their home now stands
and he engaged in the sawmill, and in the wagon
woodworks business, making woodwork for wagons,
plows and cultivators. He found this a business
for which there is a demand and he has continued.
in it up to the present time. Hle built a mill on
section 25, and carried it on in connection with
farming. His father and brother Daniel were both in
partnership with him, the former for some eighteen
years, and the brother for seventeen years, but
Charles finally bought them out, and has continued
the business successfully alone. The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Sayre are two daughters and two sons:
Mary, the wife of C. E. Sherman, resides in Vernon Township, and the other three, Fred D., Frank
J. and Lorena M., reside at home. Four hundred
and forty acres of excellent arable land constitute
the farm of Mr. S:yre, but of this he has given his
son, Fred, one hundred and twenty acres. All of
his land lies in Vernon Township, except eighty
acres which he owns in Presque Isle County. He is
doing a general farming business in connection
with his milling industry, and has a fine flock of
one hundred and twenty sheep, in the raising of
which he is successfully engaged.
Until quite recently Mr. Sayre espoused the doctrines of the Democratic party but he now votes
for Prohibition. For fifteen years he was School
Assessor. He is a member of the Methodist Epis



hl34(FLCE UG-LkF l KU IEDNA5HI, 5LU I2.,LLtU3HUH I r.,L1I


ON CO.,MICH.


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RESIDENCE OF AUSTIN RYON SEC.3.,SCIOTA TP.,SHIAWASSEECO., MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


879


copal Church of Gaines, Genesee County, and was
for some time Trustee of that organization. Some
years ago he was identified with the Masonic
fraternity, both at Byron and also at Gaines,
but is not at present connected with any order.
His residence which is pleasantly located cost some
$2,000. A view of this attractive rural abode appears on another page. Mr. Sayre also owns a house
and lot in Durand. He is a man who is highly
esteemed and cordially liked by the community in
general, and his genial nature and strict integrity
make him prominent in both social and business
circles.
USTIN RYON, who is engaged in general
farming and stock-raising on section 3, in
the town of Sciota, Shiawassee County, is
/     a native of this State. He first opened
his eyes to the light of day in Merango Township,
Calhoun County, on the 16th of November, 1846,
and is the fifth il a family of seven children born
unto Daniel and Mahala (Stanhope) Ryon. His
parents are more fully mentioned in the sketch of
Luther Ryon, which appears on another page of
this work. Austin spent the first nine years of his
life in Calhoun County, and then with the family
came to Shiawassee County, where he has since
made his home. He was reared to manhood upon
a farm in the town of Middlebury, and in the district schools of the neighborhood he acquired his
education which has been greatly supplemented by
reading in later years, thus making him a wellinformed man.
At the age of twenty-two years, Mr. Ryon left
the parental roof and began life for himself. He
secured employment in the neighborhood as a farm
hand and worked in that capacity for two years,
during which time, b1y industry and economy, he
accumulated a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase forty acres of land, which constitutes a part
of his present farm. The entire tract was covered
with timber, but he at once began to clear and improve the same, and in course of time his labors
were rewarded with abundant harvests. As his
efforts were crowned with prosperity and his financial resources were increased, he extended the


boundaries of his farm until it now comprises
eighty acres;sixty-five of which are under a high
state of cultivation, and with the exception of ten
acres of that amount, all has been cleared by his own
hand.
The land is divided into fields of convenient
size, and upon it are to be seen the latest improved
machinery and good buildings. Elsewhere in this
volume appears a view of his commodious frame
residence and barns, which are models of convenience. The former is 38x60 feet in size. We
wonder more at Mr. Ryon's success when we know
that he had nothing with which to start out in life
save a three-year old yoke of cattle. His prosperity is due entirely to his own efforts and is justly
merited, for he has lead an industrious, useful and
honest life. As a citizen he is true to every duty
devolving upon him, and whether in public or private life, his associates alike hold him in high regard. He is a member of the Patrons of Industry,
and himself and wife hold membership in the
Methodist Church. In politics on question of
national importance he is a Democrat, but at
local elections lie votes for the man whom  he
thinks will best fill the office, regardless of party
ties.
On the 10th of December, 1871, a marriage
ceremony performed in Middlebury Township
united the destinies of Austin Ryon and Miss
Catherine Kief, who is a native of London, Canada,
and a daughter of Arthur and I-elen (Britt) Kief.
Their union has been blessed with two children,
sons-Arthur and Elmer-who are still at home
with their parents. The Ryon household is the
abode of hospitality, and the members of the family are occupying an enviable position in the
social world, where worth and merit are received as
the passports into good society.
AMES WOOD, Jr. Rush Township, Shiawassee Countv, may well be considered rich
in sons who nobly did their duty in the
( conflict for the supremacy of the old flag.
Among these we are pleased to name the gentleman whose name hleads this paragraph and whose




880


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRtAPHICAAL ALBUM.J


880PORTRAIT: AND.. BIGAPIA ALBUM


fine farm is located on section 36. He was born in
Wayne County, N. Y., January 30, 1830. His father, James Wood, a New York farmer, married
Emeline Wood, daughter of Squire Wood of New
York, a soldier in the War of 1812. He had six
children three sons and three daughters of whom
Emeline was the eldest. One of ler brothers took
part in the Civil War and died of starvation in a
rebel prison. She became the mother of two children, our subject and his brother Joel.
James Wood, Sr., died the year after the birth of
our subject, and the following year, 1837, his
widow and her parents came to Wheatland, Lenawee County, Mich. Afterward Esq. Wood came to
Shiawassee County, and buying forty acres in 1858,
made his home here until his death a few vears
later. He was a stanch Democrat in his political
views and an earnest worker for the principles of
the party.
James Wood, Jr., began to work upon the farm
when he was thirteen or fourteen years old and his
opportunities for schooling were indeed meager.
In 1865, when he was then twenty years old, he
bought a farm of fifty.five and one-half acres on
section 36, of Rush Township. This land was all
woods and the young man proceeded to clear it
away.
The marriage of our subject in 1866 united his
fortunes with those of Ellen Dutcher, a daughter
of Robert Dutcher, of New York, the father of
twelve children of whom Ellen was the sixth, being
born in 1846 After becoming the mother of three
children, George, Lester, and Ellen G., she died in
1872. In 1874 Mr. Wood was a second time united
in marriage, taking as his wife, Isabel Galloway, a
native of Ireland, whose natal year was 1846 and
who came to this country with her parents when a
little child. Robert and Nancy Galloway still live
in Owosso, Mich. To James and Isabel Wood have
been grantedI one daughter.
In 1890 Mr. Wood built a handsome and commodious residence and everything about his place
shows him to be a progressive and practical man.
His political convictions ally him with the Republican party, for which he is quite a worker. His
military career began in 1864 when he enlisted in
the Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry. He was


sent to Washington, then to City Point and took
part in the battle of the Wilderness. After this
battle he was transferred to Company A, Second
Michigan Infantry. During the battle just referred
to, Mr. Wood was at the front as he was also during the subsequent engagements, up to the time of
the battle of Petersburg.
Arriving at Petersburg on the night of June 16,
our subject was placed in charge of the works upon
the next day and was twice shot, once in the neck
near the jugular vein, and once in the shoulder,
this latter ball going through and lodging in the
spine where it is still located. He was carried off
the field and sent to the hospital at Mt. Pleasant
where lie remained until winter, when he came to
the hospital at Detroit. In March of the following
year he went back to his regiment at Petersburg
and was there until the close of the war. HEe went
directly from Petersburg to Washington where he
did garrison duty until July 30, when he was mustered out of service and returned home. He soon
bought the farm upon which he now resides and
has made it his home up to the present time.
I     RS. JESSIE   WHITE, the    well-known
widow of John B. White, who resides on
section 2.3 Fairfield Township, Shiawassee
County, is a native of Ontario, Canada,
and was born February 7, 1842. She is the daughter
of James and Turnbull (Renton) Hermister, natives of Scotland, where they were reared and married. She is one of the younger children in a family of eight and has two brothers and one sister
still. living in Canada. Some of her nephews have
followed this branch of the family into Michigan.
Her brothers who are living are William  Hermister, of Warkworth, Canada, and John Hermister of
Orilla, Canada, both of whom follow agriculture as
their life work.
John B. White was a Canadian by birth and his
natal day was February 23, 1832. His parents
were Nathan and Helen (Blizzard) White. Itis
father was born in New York and his grandfather




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


881


in England. Mrs. White had been acquainted with
the brother of John B. in Canada but she met him
who was to become her husband first il Michigan
where she had come to visit a brother who was then
living there.
The marriage of John B. White and Jessie Hermister  took place March 23, 1866, and they at
once went to house-keeping in a log house upon
the farm which Mrs. White still calls her home.
Mr. White had previously owned land in St. Clair
County, but he sold it and bought the eighty acres
where the house now stands. He afterward bought
forty acres on section 26. By the marriage of this
worthy couple three children were born, namely:
Mary,born March 30, 1868; James N., May 18,1872
and Mabel J., March 13, 1875.
Mr. and Mrs. White had not been given anything more than a fair common-school education
and it was their early and earnest desire that their
children should have more than themselves of this
precious preparation for life's duties and enjoyments. They have therefore given to them excellent advantages which have been improved to good
purpose. The daughter, Mary, has been teaching
for some five or six years and is doing well in her
chosen profession, and Mabel,the younger daughter,
has just graduated from the Ovid High School and
expects to begin teaching during the coming season. These two daughters and a son make their
home with their mother who was bereaved of her
husband by death, February 16, 1887. His death
was caused by that terrible disease, cancer of the
stomach.
The husband of our subject was one of quite a
numerous family, as his father was twice married,
John B. being one of the children of the first marriage. His full brother, Hiram, lives near Bassett,
Chickasaw County, Iowa, and has three children.
He was at one time a resident of Farfield, Iowa.
Of the second marriage there are three children living in St. Clair County, Mich., namely: Harriet,
Mrs. McArthur; Sara, the wife of William Owens
and the mother of three children; Henry, who is
married and has two children. Mary died leaving
five children to the charge of her bereaved husband,
Richaid Lankin. Cynthia married Joel Smeads
nd left four children. George was a soldier for


four years and there is no certainty as to what became of him, although the last time he was heard
from he was in Iowa.
Mrs. White was one of a large family of sisters.
Three died unmarried, Agnes, Jane and Mary.
Betsey, Mrs. Edward Phillips, lives in Coburg, Canada and has five children living. Turnbull, married John Hicks and lived in Percy, Canada, but
is now deceased; she left seven children. Mrs.
White and her children find their great hlappiness
in their domestic life as they are more than ordinarily sympathetic in their aims and wishes.
RTIUR M. HUME, M. D. The healing
art is one of the most gracious in the long
catalogue of professions. In it a conscientious man with a love for sympathy
with his fellow-beings has a scope for his natural
kindness of heart and personal dynamic force that
enter into but few other phases of life. Dr. Hume
was born in Medina, Lenawee County, this State,
July 16, 1859. He is the son of Alonzo S. Hume,
a native of New York State who removed to Lenawee County in 1836. The father of our subject was
born in 1812 and was the son of Moses Hume, a
native of Massachusetts. His great-grandfather
Hume was a soldier in the War of the Revolution
and as he was a Scotchman by descent doubtless he
was one of the many who were least willing to give
up the struggle. His father was a native of Scotland. The mother of Dr. Hume was Elizabeth
Hopkins. She was born in Reading, England, and
emigrated to America when but fifteen years old.
The father (lied in Lansing December 6, 1889, and
the mother of Dr. Hume died in Corunna, Shiawassee County, June 9, 1888.
Our subject is the youngest of nine children born
to his parents. Ile passed his youth on the farm,
where he attended the common schools until he
was prepared to enter Oak Grove Academy. Here
he pursued his studies for three years. He then
began teaching at the early age of sixteen, which
work he alternated with attendance at school himself. In this way he finally completed his education,




882


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
I.


after which he read medicine with Dr. W. C. Hume
of Bennington. He then entered Detroit Medical
College, from which he was graduated in March,
1881. He first located at Marcellus, Cass County,
Mich., where he began his practice. In 1881 he
removed to Bennington, where he continued until
October, 1883, when be came to Owosso formed a
partnership with Dr. Jabez Perkins, a prominent
physician and surgeon of tle place and the firm is
now known as that of Perkins & Hume. Both
gentlemen have an extensive practice in town and
country.
Dr. Hume was married in January, 1882, to
Miss Ida M. Norris, a daughter of Willard Norris
and a native of Owosso. Two children brighten
and make cheerful their pleasant home. They are
Ethel D. and Harold A. The Doctor is a member
of the State Medical Society and also of the American Association. He is a member of the Owosso
Academy of Medicine and also of the Clinton
County Medical Society.   He belongs to the
Owosso Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., of which he
has been Master for two years; also the Owosso
Chapter No. 89, R. A. M. For the past four years
he has been a member of the Board of Health in
which body he had done efficient work, being in
the advance in all questions regarding sanitary
precautions for the public benefit. He is a Republican in politics. His pleasant home is located at No.
526 East Exchange Street.
/'EORGE D. MASON, County Treasurer of
G(  ~ Shiawassee County, is a young man of un-, usual ability and intelligence, being well
educated and wide-awake and the possessor of an
excellent judgment and good sense in business
affairs. He is one of the very youngest of county
officials in the State, having been born in Owosso
Township, this county, October 3, 1868. His father, Ezra, is a native of the same township and
his grandfather, Ezra L. was an early settler there,
coming from New York State about 1839, and
bringing on his family at a time when only two
other households had been located within the


bounds of Owosso Township. In his later years he
resided in the city of Owosso and handled real
estate. For a number of years he was Supervisor
of Owosso Township and for a long while was
County Surveyor. He was a man of Christian
faith and character and was connected with the
Baptist Church. His political affiliations were with
the Republican party.
The father of our subject grew up in Owosso
and after taking what education he could obtain in
the district schools, pursued a course of study at
the commercial college in Ann Arbor. He then
took charge of a farm and at different times filled
positions of trust and responsibility, being County
Surveyor for nine years and being for some time
Supervisor of Owosso Township and also the
Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors.
After serving as County Treasurer from 1887 to
1891 he returned to his farm. He was for twelve
years Secretary for Shiawassee County of the
Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
The mother of our subject is a native of New
York State and the daughter of the Rev. S. II.
Davis, a pioneer minister of the Baptist Church
who now resides at Durand, this county. She is a
Presbyterian in her religious faith. Her four children who were all sons are as follows: Our subject; Edward L., now a member of the Sophrnore
Class at the University of Michigan; Frank was
killed by an accidental shot in June, 1888; and
Fred is still at home.
After attending the district school and graduating in the Perry High School in June, 1885,
George D. Mason taught in Rush Township. His
first teaching was when he was a little over fifteen
years of age. After assisting his father in his capacity of Secretary of the Insurance Company, he
became, January 1, 1887, Deputy County Treasurer. In these two capacities as assistant he really
did the business of the Treasurer of the county and
assistant to the Secretary of the Insurance Company and did it so well that in the fall of 1890
before he was twenty-two years old he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the office of
County Treasurer and received the election, entering upon his office New Year's Day, 1891. He is
identified with the Free and Accepted Masons and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


883


PORTRAIT AND BIOG.                         883..

with the Knights of the Maccabees, and in politics
is a true blue Republican. lie is an active and
earnest member of the Presbyterian Church of
Corunna in which he occupies the position of Trustee as well as of Treasurer. He is an unusually
bright and capable man for his years and has no
doubt a splendid future before him.
t —N — -
ARTIN L. CORBIN is one of the progres/  \sive farmers of Watertown Township, Clinton County, where he resides on section
22. He has one hundred acres of finely
improved land, upon which he has placed excellent farm buildings and all the accessories which
mark a well-managed farm. He is the son of
Henry H. and Polly (Edgerton) Corbin, natives
of the State of Connecticut, who soon after their
marriage removed to Monroe County, N. Y., where
Martin L. was born June 21, 1830.
The subject of this sketch grew up upon his
father's farm in New York and remained at home
until he reached his majority. Three years later,
in 1853, he was united in marriage with Frances
Lamberton. He and his bride came to Michigan
the following year and made their home in Watertown, Township, but a great trial soon befell Mr.
Corbin in the death of his beloved wife, April 16,
1859. She departed, leaving him with one son —
Fred L., who was born September 10, 1856. This
young man is now married to Hattie Boylan and
resides in the same township with his father, upon
eighty acres of land.
January, 1860, saw the second marriage of our
subject.  He was then united with Martha J.
Lowell, a daughter of Josiah and Johannah Lowell,
who were pioneers of Michigan. Mr. Lowell came
to Clinton County in the year 1839, and in 1840
brought his family into what was then a wilderness. They came at that time from New York
State, where Mrs. Corbin was born September 2,
1828. For further details in regard to this fine
old pioneer family see sketch of Othman Lowell
in this book.
The marriage of this worthy couple has been


blessed with five children, three of whom are now
living: Mary F., born January 6, 1861, resides at
home with her parents. She prepared for teaching
by attending school at Grand Rapids, Lansing and
Ypsilanti, and has taught about ten terms of
school. Frank H., who was born November 8,
1863, died November 6, 1865; Harry L., born
June 20, 1865, died August 4, the same year;
Clara A., born July 29, 1866, became Mrs. John
Hunter and resides in Watertown Township; Hattie, born January 6, 1870, was graduated in the
class of '90 of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, and has been teaching in the Center School,
Watertown Township. In politics Mr. Corbin is
a Jeffersonian Democrat and takes an intelligent
interest in political movements and public affairs.
He and his wife have been for a long time members of tlhe Watertown Grange. They were charter members and are active promoters of all movements in the interests of the farming community.
J AMES W. WOODWORTH, a prosperous
farmer of Ovid Township, Clinton County,
was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., July
9, 1857. He is a son of John and Louise
(Peterson) Woodworth, both of whom were natives of New York. His father was engaged in
agricultural pursuits but, although living in the
country, was ambitious that his children should
have the best advantages for education, and after
giving this son all the available help in the common schools, sent him, at the age of eighteen years,
to a seminary at New Marlboro, Mass., at which
institution he remained for three years.  After
leaving there he attended for one year Eastman's
Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
When our subject was only eight years old his
parents removed from New York to Virginia and
located at Richmond. I-Ie resided in that place until
1879, when he removed West, making his home at
Abilene, Kan., where he took a farm and carried
it on for about five years. After this he removed
to Michigan and engaged in farming in Ovid
Township, where he has since resided. He has a




884


PORTRAIIT AND BIOGRAPHICAAL AL~BUM.


84         P


place of ninety-two acres in a high state of cultivation and well improved.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage May 20, 1884, with Emma H. Wright, of
New Marlboro, Mass. She was a daughter of S.
W. Wright, a merchant of that place. This happy
marriage has resulted in the birth of three beautiful children, all of whom are living and in health,
and are a constant joy to their faithful and devoted parents. Ilelen was born July 20, 1885;
Margaret, May 20, 1888; and Alice, March 8,
1890. Mr. Woodworth's political convictions are
in accord with the doctrines of the Republican
party and he is intelligent in his views on political
matters, and earnest in the advocacy of his own
principles, but is not in any sense an office-seeker,
and has never held any office in this township.
His interest in educational matters may perhaps
be considered as pre-eminent over that which he
shows in other public affairs, and he desires not
only for his own family, but for all the youth of
his township, the best possible opportunities for
preparation for future usefulness. He is a good
judge of stock and keeps fine animals of various
kinds.
O   TIS GOULD, M. D., one of the most popular
citizens and genial men of Henderson, has a
fine drug store in that village and also fills
the office of Postmaster, as well as dealing in general merchandise.  Iis birthplace was Genesee
County, N. Y., and the date of his nativity, December 28, 1847. His father, Jason Gould, was a
farmer and blacksmith, and was born about the
year 1823, in Rensselaer County, N. Y. He removed to Western New York when it was a new
country and came on to Michigan in 1854. He had
been united in marriage in 1846 to Grace E. Corbett. Her parents, William H. and Loretta E.
(Wright) Corbett were from Eastern New York,
and were the parents of eleven children.
Mrs. Jason Gould, who was born in 1834, emulated her mother's example and was also the mother
of eleven children. Jason Gould came to Branch
County, Mich., and in time he gained the possession


of a farm and cleared it and made his home there.
He is now a hale and hearty old gentleman of
nearly seventy years, and a stanch Democrat, his
influence being felt markedly among his neighbors
in Branch County. The paternal grandfather of
our subject bore the name of Otis Gould and was
a farmer and dairyman in Massachusetts, where he
was born in 1790. He married Dollie Searles, who
was born in Eastern New York about the year
1792, and eleven children was also the number of
their household. He was a Democrat in his political views and he and his worthy wife were devout
members of the Baptist Church and died in Western New York.
Young Otis Gould received a common-school
education remaining a schoolboy until the year
1864 when he enlisted in the army. He like many
of his young companions felt his heart stirred
during the days of the Civil War and finally could
no longer restrain his patriotic impulses and enlisted in January, 1864, in Company M, Eleventh
Michigan Cavalry. He first went to Detroit and
then to Lexington, Ky. He was attached to the
Western Army and was in the engagements at Mt.
Sterling, June 9, and at Cynthiana, the 12th of the
same month. He assisted in breaking up John
Morgan's band and then went to the forks of the
Cumberland, where they camped out. In October
they were sent to guard King's Salt Works. Our
subject was wounded by a bullet in the right arm
and was left on the field when the army retreated,
and was captured but being taken to a prison hospital was sent to Richmond where he was exchanged
and forwarded to Annapolis. Receiving a furlough
he went home for awhile but on the 1lth of I)ecember returned to Annapolis. He received another furlough in January and remained until
March 11, when he reported at Kalamazoo and
thence was sent to Detroit and back to Tennessee
when he met his regiment at Lenore Station. From
there they went to Pulaski and in July were mustered out of service.
Dr. Gould took up the study of medicine in
1873 at Fremont, Ind., under Dr. Lyman Abbott.
He afterward took lectures at Ft. Wayne and began the practice of medicine in 1879 in Indiana.
In July of the same year lie came to Michigan and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


885


settled at Charlotte, Chesaning and Oakley, successively, and in 1883 he came to Henderson where
he pursued his practice until quite recently, his
health requiring that he should give it up. This
gentleman is prominently identified with the Odd
Fellows, being a member of Emanuel Lodge, No.
153 at Henderson, and he is Surgeon of T. C. Crane
Post, No. 128, G. A. R. of this village. He is a
Republican in his political views and has the good
will of his fellow-citizens to a more than usual degree.
In 1888 Dr. Gould was united in marriage with
Mrs. Lillie (Davidson) Kephart, of Le Roy, Osceola County, Mich., who had one son, Hugh,
by her first marriage. This lady is a daughter of
James L. Davidson, of London, Canada. One son,
Glen 0., has been granted to him and his accomplished and amiable wife.
e S. ALLISON, who carries the finest and
most complete stock of jewelry in St. John's,
Clinton County, was born in Oakland
County, Mich., June 11, 1846, and his earliest
recollections are of the pioneer scenes of frontier
life. His father, Samuel, was born in New York
of Quaker parentage. He was descended from two
brothers who came from England and settled in
New York. About 1830, Samuel Allison, who had
been engaged as a farmer in New York, came to
Michigan accompanied by his family. He took up
one hundred and sixty acres of land in Avon Township, and commenced its improvement. In 1855
he sold this piece of property and removed to
Northville, Wayne County. Ten years later he
located in Vernon, where he died in 1866. He was a
Democrat, in politics, and a faithful member of
the Christian Church.
Hattie (Waterbury) Allison, the mother of our
subject, was born in Sanford, Conn., and died in
Lapeer, Mich., at the ripe old age of seventy-nine
years. The subject of this notice was reared on
his native homestead until he was nine years old,
when lie accompanied his parents to Northville,


Wayne County, and there was a pupil in the graded
schools. When seventeen he commenced to learn
the jewelry business and worked in various places
at his trade. In 1867 he removed to Ionia and
started in tile business for himself, continuing for
twelve years until 1879 when he came to St. John's
and bought out the establishment of R. B. Emmons.
He now carries on a lucrative trade in his chosen
avocation and is well known as a reliable dealer in
diamonds, jewelry, watches and clocks, etc. His assortment of diamonds is especially fine.
Mr. Allison was married in Owosso, in 1868, to
Abbie E. Gould, daughter of the late Col. E. Gould
of Owosso. Mrs. Allison was a native of Ohio, and
has borne her husband three children-Robert G.
who is in the jewelry business with our subject;
Louis B. who belongs to the class of'93 in the State
Agricultural College at Lansing; and Nellie G.
Mr. Allison is a stockholder in the State Bank of
St. John's and in the Owosso Savings Bank. He
is a Vestryman and Warden in the Episcopal
Church of St. John's. Politically he is a Democrat
and has served as delegate to county, State and
judical conventions. Socially he belongs to the
Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights
of Honor.
EWIS UIIRBROCK. This gentleman holds
a position among the prominent and thrifty
German-American   citizens  of  Clinton
County, and we take great pleasure in presenting
to our readers an account of his life and character.
It is impossible within the limits of a volume like
this to follow his career in every detail but an outline will be given which will indicate the prominent features, and the reader will be able to fill out
the picture by his own imagination. The home of
Mr. Uhrbrock is on section 33, Greenbush Township, where he has been living since the fall of
1869. He is the fortunate owner of one hundred
and eighty acres of fertile land, which is under cultivation and supplied with a line of well constructed buildings.
The natal day of Mr. Uhrbrock was December 3,






886


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


1828, and his parents were John and Maria Uhrbrock, natives of the Fatherland, where their son
was born and lived until twenty-five years old.
The lad received a good education in his native
tongue and when of suitable age entered the army,
in accordance with the law of the Empire, and
spent two years in camp and field. He was apprenticed to a cooper and spent four years in becoming
acquainted with his trade. When he decided to
seek a broader field for his labors in the country
across the sea, of whose adcvantages he had heard
much, he embarked on a sail-vessel which was sixty-four days in reaching New York. After arriving in the New World he began to pick up the English language and is able to transact all business
in this tongue. When he came to his present farm
he found two acres of cleared land here and the
balance of the estate he has denuded of its forest
growth since he took possession.
The wife of Mr. Uhrbrock was known in her
maidenhood as Catherine DeVries. She became the
mother of seven children, five of whom are living,
namely: Anna, Maggie, Flora, John and Louisa.
Mr. Uhrbrock is a member of the Lutheran Church,
and in politics is a Democrat. He has gained the
reputation of an honest, industrious man, whose
word is reliable and whose perseverance and good
management are fittingly attested in his fine estate.
i   1ILLIAM    WIDEMAN. Whatever the natural advantages of a country, its history
\/Y   must depend upon the men who have resided there, and by their energy and ability added
to the original facilities and attractions. The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs,
although not an old settler of Clinton County, has
been for nearly a decade identified with its progress and is known as the owner of a fine farm on
section 7, Greenbush Township. A traveler here
cannot fail to be struck with admiration for the
farm, it is so well cultivated, so finely improved
and stocked with such good animals and a number
of modern machines. Inquiry reveals the fact
that it consists of one hundred and sixty acres of


valuable land, and is the home of Mr. Wideman.
The reader will notice with pleasure a view of this
rural abode on another page.
The Buckeye State claims Mr. Wideman as her
son, and in Medina County his birth occurred
March 31, 1839. His parents John and Barbara
Wideman, were natives of Pennsylvania, but when
children accompanied their parents to Canada,
where they were married. Later they removed to
Medina County, Ohio, and cleared a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres. They had a family of
eleven children, and our subject has three sisters
and one brother now residing in Gratiot County,
this State. Mr. Wideman passed his youth in
Ohio, aiding his father at home and receiving the
advantages of a common-school education. He
keeps himself well informed as to general events
and news of the day, and having a decided taste
for reading, gives decided evidence of culture and
intelligence.
In 1869 Mr. Wideman removed from Ohio to
Michigan, and resided for a time in Kalamazoo
County. Thence he went to Newark Township,
Gratiot County, and there made a home in the
woods, clearing a space upon which to build a home.
During the years of his residence there he accomplished much pioneer work and saw the primeval forests give place to broad fields of cultivated land, a
sparsely settled region become populous and thriving towns dot the wide expanse. In the fall of 1883
he came to Clinton County and made his home
upon the farm in Greenbush Township where he
now resides. He started in life at the bottom of
the ladder and by industry, energy and perseverance has attained to the possession of a handsome
property, and has gained the respect of the entire
community.
On January 29, 1871, in Gratiot County, Mich.,
occurred the ceremony which united in the holy
bonds of wedlock William Wideman and Harriet
A. Barrus, the daughter of Robert T. and Harriet
A. Barrus. The happy union was blest by the
birth of five children, as follows: Lena, Glen, Jennie, Millie and Robert B. The children are all at
home and are receiving excellent educational advantages in the public schools. The loving wife
and devoted mother passed from earth July 13,




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RESIDEC  F GEOGL A. iIU NTO  SEC.,I.LLURY  SHIAWASSE CO., 1ICH
R  E  1DE FI,C. E   F' GEORGF. A. ilJN'NT 00l. H C. ).,/i  4,Lw- iU';:(Y.-F:, HIAWA$,E~ CO %.j


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1
I
i
t




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


889


I -I-`-  —I --- —— '-I-- ------- -—  —I --- —-— I —-I ---I ---


1885, mourned not only by her family, but by her
many friends in the community. She was highly
esteemed for her social graces and noble qualities
of heart and mind. Religiously she was a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and labored
earnestly for the spiritual welfare of the neighborhood.
In his political views Mr. Wideman is a Republican and a man of deep intelligence in the discussion of public matters. He bears an honorable
reputation among his neighbors and fellow-citizens
and is looked upon as a man of much capability,
who has contributed his quota to promote the
growth of the county, and has aided in elevating
the moral status of the community. His fine farm
attests to the presence of a thoroughly systematic
manager and is universally conceded to be one of
the best in Clinton County.
EORGE A. IIIJUNTOON. Shiawassee County
contains many beautiful estates, but none
are more comfortable than that of Mr.
Huntoon, a fact wih'ch will be apparent to the reader
when he glances at the view of this fine farm presented on another page. The thrift of the owner
is indicated by the many substantial buildings
which combine utility and neatness, the chief among
them being an elegant residence. Tie most approved methods of husbandry are used in the cultivation of the estate and the large barns are taxed
to their utmost every season with the grains which
a bountiful harvest yields. Even a cursory glance
will convince the observing passer-by that agriculture is here both an art and a science.
Mr. Huntoon is proud to say that he is a nativeborn citizen of the State of Michigan. He was
born in the township of Waterford, Oakland
County, September 17, 1845, and is the son of
Daniel and Mary (Stanlake) Huntoon. The father,
who followed the occupation of farming, had been
previously married, and by his first union had three
children-Philetus, Phineas and Horace. The
mother, who came to this country from England,


was also previously married, and by her first husband, whose name was Marshall, she had two children, John and Jane. When our subject was only
four years old lie was orphaned by the death of his
father and was reared under the devoted care of his
mother. He had no brothers or sisters of his own.
When quite young Mr. Huntoon came to Shiawassee County. Although he attended the district
school and atterward went to the schools of Corunna and Owosso for about two years he did not
have the advantages in the educational line which
are given to the youth of to day. In 1866 he
commenced work for himself on the place where he
now lives, it having been previously purchased with
property left him by his deceased father and was a
tract of one hundred and sixty acres of heavily
timbered land. Upon this he has made theimprovements which now mark it as one of the best
farms in the county.
On November 17, 1875, Mr. Huntoon and Miss
Harriet A. Herrick, a native of Middlebury Township, this county, were united in the holy bonds of
wedlock. The mother died July 17, 1887, leaving
two children, who are still at home with their father. They are Eva L., born November 13, 1873,
and Charles H., August 19, 1879. The second marriage of Mr. Huntoon was solemnized October 9,
1889, when Miss Jennie C. Herrick, of Middlebury
Township, this county, united her destinies with
his. Mr. Huntoon erected his two-story brick residence in 1876, and about the same time erected
the handsome barns which adorn his farm. One of
his barns measures 44x50 and has eighteen-foot
posts. He is now building a new barn for grain
and sheep and it will be 25x56 feet with eighteenfoot posts. His grain barn with shed is 29x75 feet
with the same altitude. He also has a corn house,
a carriage house, and a tool house 16x30 feet. He
is greatly interested in the cultivation of fruit and
has a fine orchard.
In political matters Mr. Huntoon believes in the
principles of the Republican party and has for
eleven years held the office of Township Clerk. He
also takes an active interest in educational affairs,
has given his children a thorough education, and
his daughter is now attending school at Ovid. He
prefers home life and the pursuit of his agricultural




890


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


----


interests to the meetings of lodges or societies. He
has always hired more or less help in the carrying
on of his farm and especially in the clearing of the
land. For some time he has been successfully engaged in the sale of windmills, pumps and tanks
throughout the neighborhood.
EORGE OLIVER. a prominent farmer of
Watertown Township, Clinton County, resides on section 15. His farm is finely improved and has upon it two sets of farm buildings,
and various accessories of a well-kept farm. He is
the son of George and Ellen (Pott) Oliver, natives
of Scotland. They were both born in Roxburyshire, and were married there before removing to
Canada. They located in the County of Leeds
Canada, where the subject of this sketch was born,
his natal day being the 6th of August, 1819.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a
farm and received but a very limited education as
there were but few schools in that region during
the time of his boyhood. He learned to read and
write and after he grew to manhood wisely devoted
all his leisure time to the improvement of his mind
and his advancement in knowledge, and in this
way has been able to accomplish a great deal, and
may be called an exceedingly well-read man when
we consider his early opportunities. When he was
twenty-one years old he learned the trade of a
carpenter and joiner and worked at this for about
twelve years.
The marriage of Mr. Oliver took place in August 1848. He was then happily united with Rebecca Clow, a daughter of Peter Clow. Her parents were also of Scottish birth and came many
years ago to Canada, where this daughter was born
in the county of Leeds on March 15, 1824. This
marriage has been blessed with the birth of seven
children, who are all living. The oldest son Peter
C., has been twice married. His first wife was a
Miss Clow and after her death he married Miss
Biddlecom. He followed the vocation of a carpenter and resides in Lansing. Ellen, Mrs. Cronkite, lives in Riley Township, this county; George


R., married a Miss Morgan and lives in Watertown,
this township. Phoebe was married to Mr. Newsom and is now a widow and makes her home with
her parents. Theresa married Mr. Kuhlman and
now resides, a widow, in Gratiot County, this State.
Margaret S. is a teacher by profession and makes
her home with her parents. She was educated at
Ovid and Lansing, this State. Albert W. is married to Miss Jenne, and now lives on the farm
which he conducts for his father.
Mr. Oliver is a Republican in his political views
and intelligent in regard to matters of public interest, but does not seek office.  The family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal, Congregational and United Brethren Churches in which they
are influential and where they find a broad field of
influence and labor. Mr. Oliver camne to Michigan
in February, 1865, and at once settled upon the
farm where he now resides.
HANDLER     B. CHALKER. Among the
prominent farmers of Shiawassee County
who, after years of arduous toil, lhave retired from the active duties of life and are now
spending their declining years in the enjoyment of
the comforts which they have accumulated, especial
mention belongs to the gentleman whose name introduces this brief biographical sketch. He owns a
fine farm on section 3, Vernon Township, which
for many years he actively cultivated and improved, but which is now rented. It comprises
one hundred and six acres, and is embellished with
all modern improvements. The residence is commodious, while the outbuildings are such as are
always to be found on the estate of the progressive
farmer.
It will not be amiss, before entering into the detailed account of the life of Mr. Chalker, to record
a few facts concerning his forefathers. His grandfather is supposed to have been a native of Massachusetts. He was a tanner and currier by trade and
served in the Revolutionary War. Nathaniel
Chalker, father of our subject, was born in Massachusetts in 1780 and was reared in Vermont. He




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


891


- - - - -- - - - --- - - - - -


served in the War of 1812. When he attained to
man's estate he emigrated as far west as New York,
where he located in Seneca County on a farm, and
remained many years. During the early history of
Michigan he came hither in 1837 and settled in Vernon-Township, Shiawassee Coanty.
The farm upon which the father of our subject
located was unimproved and in the midst of primitive surroundings. He at once commenced its improvement, built a small log house, and gradually
evolved a pleasant homestead from the hitherto
unattractive place. Here the remainder of his life
was passed and le died at the age of seventy-two
years in 1852. Politically, he was a Democrat and
in his religious affiliations belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject
bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Corry and was
a native of New Jersey, where she was reared to
womanhood. She experienced all the hardships of
pioneer life and died at the age of eighty-four.
The parental family included four children, three
sons and one daughter, all of whom lived to mature
years and married. Of these our subject is the
eldest child nid he was born in Seneca County,
N. Y., October 23, 1813. He was reared in his native State, receiving a good common-school education and remaining with his parents until he was
twenty-three. He was married April 12, 1837, in
New York, to Miss Phebe Sickles, who was born in
Seneca County, N. Y., September 6, 1813. Immediately after their marriage the young couple
came to Shiawassee County, and settled on the
place where he now resides. It was then a wilderness, inhabited mostly by Indians. The family were
soon comfortably domiciled in a log house which
Mr. Chalker built and which was 20x24 feet in
dimensions, and in that primitive abode many
happy years were passed.
Five children came to bless the home of our
subject and his estimable wife, as follows: Mary,
the wife of John Patchel, resides in Vernon Township; Ellen and Alexander B. are deceased; Jane
resides at home. Mrs. Chalker died July 7, 1874
and her remains were interred in the Vernon Cemetery. She was a woman of noble character, whose
kindness of heart and hospitable nature were universally appreciated. Mr. Chalker cast his first


Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson and is still a
firm Democrat. He has served his fellow-citizens
in various official capacities, has been School Inspector, Justice of the Peace twenty years, Supervisor ten years, and was Town Clerk at an early
day. For many years he has been a Mason, and
holds membership in the Blue Lodge at Vernon,
Royal Oak and Corunna.
leo


AMES HAIRE is numbered among the prosperous farmers of Ovid Township, Clinton
County. He has a fine tract of land consisting of one hundred and twenty acres
freed from stumps and stones and placed in condition to raise crops of high glade and large quantity.
A thrifty orchard adds its value and beauty to the
scene, and farm buildings of various kinds are
arranged at suitable points. In other days Mr.
Haire took considerable interest in breeding trotting horses but is not now engaged in that work;
he however still retains his liking for good stork
of all kinds. Ile has done much of the work
necessary in order to fit a forest or wild plain for
cultivation and knows what hard work is as well as
any man in the neighborhood.
In the paternal line Mr. Haire is of Irish stock
and his father, John Haire was born on the Emerald Isle. His mother, Eliza (Covert) Haire, was
born in Yates County, N. Y., and the home of the
good couple was on a farm. For some time they
lived in McComb County, then spent a short time
in Livingston County and in 1857 came to Clinton
County. Here the father died in August, 1882, and
the wife in March, [884. They were the parents of
six children: Margaret, Hannah (deceased), James,
our subject, Cornelia, Selestia and George (deceased). Our subject was born in McComb County,
May 14, 1847, and passed his boyhood amid rural
scenes. He obtained a district-school education,
going to the temple of learning nearest his home
in Ovid Township and in the intervals of study
helping to improve the property on which he now
lives. When the family came hither but little of
the acreage was cleared and it has been the aim of




892


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




=


Mr. Haire to continue the work until the whole is
in proper condition. He has succeeded and also
added to the extent of the farm, and at the same
time has bought and sold land in various parts of
the State. He now has town property in Ovid
and St. John's and he also loans money.
In 1872 Mr. Haire went to Nebraska and took
up eighty acres of Government land where the
town of jlastings now stands.  He divided his
acres into town lots and thus disposed of them,
then getting rid of all his interests there returned
to this State. He spent some two years in the
Southwest but was quite content to make Michigan
his permanent home.  Mr. Haire is a supporter of
the principles laid down in the platform of the
Democratic party. He takes much interest in the
promotion of the cause of education, although he
derives no direct benefit from better schools, as he
is not an attendant and has no sons or daughters
to send. However, a man of good intellect and
the American spirit of progress must needs be
zealous for others and for the general advantage,
and so Mr. Haire is awake to public improvements.
_         ^_e^^ A,




I




lie has ever since resided. Here he owns many
broad acres, and his farm is among the best in the
county. He has done much pioneer work, for besides developing this farm he cleared up a farm in
Eaton County.
Mr. Skinner's first marriage united him with Ursulla Reeves, who bore him six children, four of
whom are now living, namely: Emily, Mrs. Frank
(Branch), Horace, Harvey and Abel. I-e married
for his second wife Mrs. Eliza Everts, by whom he
had four children, namely: John, Alice; James, a
graduate of Ann Arbor University and Superintendent of Lapeer, Mich., schools; and Eliza. His
present wife was before their marriage, Mrs. L. C.
Taylor, and by her he has one child, Sterling.
Mr. Skinner is one of the representatives pioneers of his district. He is a public-spirited man
and a leading member in the Congregational
Church in which he has for many years served as
Deacon. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. Our subject raises Durham cattle,
and Percheron horses in connection with general
farming. He has for some time raised PolandChina, Suffolk, Essex and Berkshire hogs, but is
not now handling much of that kind of stock. lie
began for himself when fifteen years old, and although his early educational advantages were meager he has by means of persistent and intelligent
reading given himself a generous education, and
made himself one of the intelligent men of his
township, as well as achieving success as a farmer.
J    / OHN MEACHER was born in Worcestershire,
England, February 6, 1824, and is a son of
Thomas and Sarah (Woodman) Mcacher,
both of whom are natives of the same locality. The father was by occupation a farmer, and
the boy came to America with his parents when but
twelve years old, making his home in Cuyahoga
County, Ohio, not far from Cleveland. Before
coming to this country, John attended a boarding
school in England, and up to the time of his emigration had excellent school advantages which he
sadly missed after coming to the New World.


ORACE M. SKINNER. It is with pleasure
that we present to our readers a sketch of
one of the most prominent, wealthy and influential farmers and stock-raisers of Clinton County, who resides on section 22, Essex Township, and is a native of Washington County, Vt.,
where he was born October 16, 1819. He is a son
of Harvey and Hannah (Searles) Skinner, the former
being English, and the latter Scotch by birth. He
is the youngest of their thirteen children.
When three years old the subject of this sketch
lost his father by death, and when fifteen years old
he, with his mother and other members of the family came West and made their home in Lenawee
County, Mich. There he lived for three years, after which he returned East, residing for several
years in Livingston County, N. Y. In 1839 he
again came to Michigan, and for several years made
his home in Eaton County, and came to Clinton
County in 1852, settling on his present farm, where


I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


893


Thomas Meacher made his home upon a farm
near Cleveland, and when nineteen years old the
son took an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade
and followed this calling for about ten years. -ie
came to Michigan in October, 1853, and took up a
tract of eighty acres in the wilderness. Hle had to
cut his way more than three miles through the
woods to reach his land. His deed is signed by
President Franklin Pierce.
Miss Caroline Clement, became the wife of John
Meacher, September 2, 1848. This lady had been
living in Cleveland, but was originally from England. Six children were born to her, namely:
George C., born February 14, 1850; Harriet E.,
December 26, 1852; Frank, July 3, 1856; Emily,
January 19, 1858; Charles J., April 14, 1861; and
Agnes, February 18, 1864; Fredie, who died when
but three years old. The other children have estab.
lished homes and families of their own. Their
mother was called away from earth April 16, 1882.
Mr. Meacher has made all the clearings, and put
in all improvements which now appear upon his
farm, and has seen great changes and experienced
severe hardships.  The Indians were numerous
when lie first came here and camped upon the river
banks. Ile tells of game being plentiful, and at
one time he and his brother-in-law  had sixteen
deer hanging up in his yard, and could not sell
them nor give them away. He is a Republican in
his political views, and has adhered consistently to
the doctrines of that party. He can remember with
interest the days when Frederick Douglas used to
speak in this county in defense of the anti-slavery
principles, and realizes the great change which has
taken place in public sentiment since the days when
that noble and able black man was subject to mob
law.
\J ILLIAM M. WARREN. "He who builds
well builds for the future."  The gentleman whose name heads our sketch and who
died June 4, 1891, showed that in building up a
character he intended his good deeds to live after
him. William M. Warren was born March 20,
1812, in Fishkill, Dutchess County, N. Y. At the


early age of fourteen he bought his time and found
employment on some of the most important public
works then in progress in that State. Mr. Warren's
father died when their son was sixteen years of
age. His mother lived to be eighty-two years of
age. The parents were of English and Scotch
origin and our subject was the eldest in a family of
eight. The parents were Comstock Warren and
Sarah (Scofield) Warren. Their family were William M., Hannah, Jacob, Isaac, Maria, Abby, George
and Carrie. All of the children lived to be grown.
One sister, Abby, is now Mrs. Rufus Rowland, of
Flint. Our subject is the only one who lives in Shiawassee County.
In his early business life Mr. Warren showed himself competent and trustworthy and won the esteem
of his employers. When twenty years old it was his
intention to go to Michigan and he had started on
the way but was persuaded to defer the journey
for a time. March 5, 1833, a few days before he
wastwenty one years old he married Laura Sprague,
of Hannibal, Oswego County, N. Y. She died at
Bancroft, October 10, 1884. Coming to Michigan
from New York in 1836 their married life here
continued for forty-eight years. At their golden
wedding eighty-two guests gathered in their home
to celebrate their anniversary.
In 1835 Mr. Warren was for a few months engaged in business and showed such enterprise,
shrewdness and integrity as promised success in
that line if he had followed it. He came to Michigan in September, 1836, with his wife and only
child and settled in Shiawassee County. Mr. Warren often said that if he had not learned in New
York what ditching could do for a country ie
would not have remained. He proved himself
earnest and enterprising as a pioneer and an efficient helper in some of the leading improvements
of that early day. He helped build the first mill in
the county, drew into it the first log and helped
saw the first board. This mill was at Shiawassee
Town. He also helped to build the first mill in
Owosso and was one of the three men who sowed
the first wheat in the county. He bought the seed
wheat at White Lake on a return trip from Detroit.
Mr. Warren was the father of seven children,
four sons and three daughters. They are Olive L.,




894


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Sarah, George W., John S., Abby J., Charles H. and
Edwin A. Of these all survive him except one
daughter who died in infancy. The eldest child is
now Mrs. H. A. Hart, of Bancroft; the eldest living
son is connected with the Phelps Lumber Company
at Big Rapids, and the Agricultural Improvement
Company. John lives at Pomona, Cal., where he
is a minister of the Methodist Church and doing
efficient work as an evangelist, being well known in
various parts of the country as a most eloquent
preacher. He was graduated at the University at
Ann Arbor and then entered the Normal School at
Ypsilanti and after that was for some time a teacher.
The fifth child is Mrs. A. G. Warren, who resides
in Bancroft. The youngest, Edwin A., whose home
is in Sturgis, this State, is a music teacher of a
wide reputation, traveling through the South where
he gives concerts. His wife is a temperance lecturer.
The original of our sketch first settled on forty
acres one mile northwest of Bancroft. Here he
remained seven years. He added to his farm until
he had three hundred acres, a part of the original
tract having been platted and added to the city.
He gave land for a railway station, arranging that
certain trains should stop at his home. For fifteen
years previous to the building of the railroad he
did teaming for the Ball Company at Owosso, being
overseer for some time of from fifteen to twenty
teams. He was an ardent supporter of Abolition.
Mr. Warren was in advance on all questions concerning public health and well-being. He made a
particular study of drainage and in his later years
did much to drain the lower country, especially in
and around Bancroft. In politics Mr. Warren was
a Republican having voted for William H. Harrison
in 1840. He was well informed and always capable of giving an intelligent opinion on all public
matters. Mr. Warren was one of the members of
the Baptist Church to which he united himself
when fifteen years old. Later, however, he transferred his membership to the Metlodist Church in
which he remained until his death.
As a farmer in Michigan our subject was always
most successful; he seemed to have an innate knowledge of the requirements of nature and so fed his
fields that in return they always yielded him the


largest crop. lHe built a very pleasant home in
which he dwelt until the death of his wife, after
which he lived with his son Charles. In 1855 Mr.
Warren purchased a large tract of Government
land at Big Rapids, recognizing the advantages
that the place must certainly some time be from a
manufacturing point of view. His son George
platted this tract after the town was started and it
is now very valuable.
AICHARD       TOMPKINS. Among the foremost pioneers of Duplain Township, Clinton
County, we find a number of British-American citizens who brought to their adopted
home the sturdy industry and manly self-reliance
which characterizes the yeomanry of the British
Isles. This class has ever been among the best
emigrants which have favored the Western country
with their life labors and we are pleased to make
mention of Richard Tompkins,who was born in Oxfordshire, England, July 12, 1832.  His father,
Edward,was born in Blackthorn, Buckinghamshi re,
and his mother, Mary Coppock, was a native of
Milton, Oxfordshire. The father was in his early
years a baker but during the boyhood of our subject he managed a farm upon which this boy spent
his early years, continuing with his parents until
he was twenty-five years of age.
Young Tompkins did not have the advantages
of a liberal education but attended the parish
schools until he was fourteen years old. lie came
to America in 1857 and located in Commerce
Township, Oakland County, and worked on a farm
there about five years. In 1862 he came to Clinton County and purchased a farm of forty acres in
Ovid Township. He resided there for two years,
then sold his property and bought the place where
he now resides on section 35, Duplain Township.
He found that five acres of his land had been
chopped, and with that exception he has cleared
the entire place except a small portion which he
has left for firewood.
The matrimonial union of our subject with Margaret MoClintock was an event of great importance




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


895


in the life of the young man. It took place April
9, 1864. The lady had her girlhood home in Ovid
Township, Clinton County, and she became the
mother of eight children: Sarah, born February 3,
1865; Charles E., December 23, 1866; Johanna C.,
September 20, 1868; Alice C., February 3, 1870;
Mary B., February 10, 1872; Herman, November
29, 1874; Pearl, July 1, 1877, and Raymond R.,
December 29, 1879. His wife died January 12,
1891, and left this large family of children with
their father to mourn their loss. Her children all
survive her. Sarah is now Mrs. William Neal and
Johanna is the wife of Thomas Woodworth, of
Duplain Township. Both of these young men are
farmers. Mr. Tompkins has given his undivided
attention to farming ever since he came to this locality. He raises a variety of crops and makes
corn, wheat and all the cereals prominent in his
work. He is a Patron of Industry and is much interested in the workings of that fraternity.
J   OEL SYLVENUS WHEELOCK, M. D. T his
successful and prosperous physician of Bancroft was born in Lockport, N. Y., March 9,
1848. His father, Joel Wheelock, a native
of New York was a farmer and the son of an Englishman. The mother, Lois Chase, was also a native of New York, and now makes her home with
her son.
The youth made his home under the parental
roof and had reached the age of fifteen, when he
came to Michigan, making his home with his uncle,
Lewis Wheelock, owner of the Saginaw Salt Works.
For three or four years he worked by the month in
a saw-mill and then went into partnership with his
employer, building a mill at Coleman Station, which
he conducted until on account of failing health he
sold out his interest when he was twenty-eight
years old. Finding that it was necessary to seek
a different sphere of labor he decided to study
medicine, although he made a success of his milling operations. He attended the Adventist College
at Battle Creek, and in 1875 entered the Homeopathic Medical Department of the State Univer

sity at Ann Arbor. Three years later he graduated
in the class of '78.  Among his classmates are
Profs. Wood and McLaughlin, now     belonging
to the faculty of the University; also Dr. Olive, a
prominent physician of Detroit.
The young I)octor opened up his practice at
Holt, Inglam County, lich., remaining there some
four years and in 1882 came to Bancroft where he
has built up a fine practice, making a specialty of
gynecology.  -Ie has met with admirable success
and has an extensive practice.
The lady who presides so graciously over the
home of 1)r. Wheelock, bore the maiden name of
Zilpha Rosannah Baiiey. She is a lady of fine
presence and attractive ap1pearance and is exceedingly popular and greatly admire(d by all who
know her. They were united in marriage April
24, 1872, in Midland County, Mich., which was
her home. Her parents were Leonidas P. and
Prudence (Bugby) Bailey and she was boin in Niagara County, N. Y., April 27, 1854. She took
her higher education at the Normal school at Ypsilanti and taught for one term. She was induced
to take up the study of medicine on account of Dr.
Wheelock's frail health, as they feared that he
might be laid aside from his profession, and she
wished to prepare herself to care for the family if
it should prove necessary.  She graduated from
the Michigan University of Ann Arbor and has
since been in active practice, being unsually suc.
cessful in her work.
The children of these two able physicians are as
follows: Edith P., born March 28, 1875, and Lois,.April 20, 1885. Edith is in the High School and
will graduate next year. She is a fine musician and
a young lady of more than ordinary attractions as
she inherits the intellectual ability and charming
physique of her mother. The mother is a prominent worker in the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union and lectured ably before the county convention. They are members of the State Homeopathic Association. Mrs. Wheelock is especially a
student of hygenic conditions of living, and lectures occasionally on subjects in this line. She is
said to be an impressive and pleasant speaker and
has a manner of unusual refinement and cultivation,  Their pleasant homne in the heart of the vil



896


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


lage is the center of much domestic and social enjoyment. Both the Doctors are public-spirited and
wide-awake to the interests of the community, both
local and national, being Republicans in their political views with strong prohibition tendeneies.
y~ —~ ----           -— c __
E      LI GALLUP, one of the prominent farmers
of Eagle Township, Clinton County, is the
fortunate owner of two hundred acres of
fine land on section 35. He bought this tract in
1856, when not an ax had been swung against the
trees that clothed it and no part of its soil had been
turned by the plow or spade. It is now a well improved farm under a high state of cultivation, and
nearly all divided into fields from which good
crops are garnered at the proper time. A small
part is left in woodland. The farm is well stocked
both with domestic animals and good machinery
and its owner is carrying on the work of general
farming systematically and with pleasing success.
A view of this pleasant homestead appears in connection with this biographical notice.
Eli Gallup, Sr., father of our subject, was born
in Stonington, New London County, Conn., and
was of Welsh ancestry, although the family had
been established in America in a very early day.
The grandfather of our subject was a Corporal in
the Revolutionary Army and served notice on the
citizen soldiers to report for duty. Corporal Gallup had four brothers who were Revolutionary
pensioners also. The father of our subject lived,
to a green old age-ninety-one years-the date of
his demise being May 1, 1882. His wife bore the
maiden name of Sally Crary.
Eli Gallup, of this sketch, was born in Albany
County, N. Y., April 27, 1821, and was reared on
a farm, receiving only a district-school education.
He worked for his father long after his majority
and did not establish a home of his own until 1854,
when in his thirty-fourth year. He then married
Anna Honor, an estimable woman, whose price has
indeed been "far above rubies" and whose children
"rise up and call her blessed."  The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Gallup are Mary, Ella and Ambrose


E., of whom we note the following: Mary was born
May 13, 1858, and is now the wife of Fred. W.
Shuart, a farmer near Portland, and the mother of
two children; Ella was born September 21, 1862,
married John Niles and lives in Grand Ledge;
they have one child; Ambrose was born August5,
1866; he is single and living with his parents on
the old homestead, of which he has charge. He received a good education and takes quite an active
part in politics and is sound in the principles and
policy of the Democratic party, which lie served as
a delegate at the last State Convention. Being a
young man with special ability as an organizer, he
is bound to take high rank among the working
members of the party.
Our subject and his son are equally ardent in
their attachment to the Democratic party. Mr.
Gallup is a Mason and at one time was a member
of the Chapter at Portland; on his withdrawal
from that body he became a charter member of the
Chapter at Grand Ledge. The family has held
membership in the Christian Church and are not
only earnest and conscientious in the ordinary
afairs of life, but show a very charitable disposition and abiding interest in the welfare of those
around them. The farm of Mr. Gallup is cut by
the Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railroad and his
facilities for shipping produce are excellent.
[  RED ABERLE, one of the stirring business
men of Owosso, having a wareroom   and
office on Comstock Street, where he deals
in hides, pelts and tallows, is a native of the city
where he now resides, and first saw the light January 22, 1861. He is the only son of Jacob and
Earnestina Aberle, both natives of Germany. His
mother died in Owosso when the boy was only five
years old.' The father migrated to the United
States in 1848, before his marriage, and landing in
New York City, came directly to Michigan, locating in Ann Arbor for awhile, where lie met and
married the lady who became the mother of this
son.
Soon after their marriage the parents of our sub



0~


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-0
5M




Missing
Page




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


899




ject removed to Owosso and the father started a tannery on Comstock Street, where he built up a
large business, continuing in it up to 1884. At
that time he moved to Boulder, Col., where he is
the proprietor of the Brainard Hotel.
The subject of this sketch took his schooling at
Owosso and became an apprentice to the tanners'
trade. After six years he established himself in
his present business. He is well versed in the details of his trade and has built up an excellent
business, and has a good connection, shipping to
different parts of the country find commanding
good prices.
Mr. Aberle was married February 28, 1883, to
Miss Carrie Gabler, of Freniont, Neb. She was
born in Iowa and is a daughter of Christian Gabler. Her parents were natives of Germany and
became early settlers in Iowa. One son, Roy, has
crowned the union of this excellent couple. Mr.
Aberle is the owner of considerable valuable city
property, and takes a pride not only in his business
but in the prosperity of the town.
SPENCER      ROBINSON, one of the old
settlers of Antrim Township, owns one hundred and sixty acres of choice land on section 9, upon which he located thirty-four years ago
when it was a wilderness.   In productiveness
and neatness of appearance it is not outdone
by any farm in the township. Mr. Robinson came
to Antrim Township in the fall 1856, and then located the land upon which he moved the following
spring.
The young farmer built'a shanty, and like most
pioneers, began at the bottom round of the ladder.
During these many years he has not been idle, as
is attested by the general appearance of his farm,
of which he may well feel proud. The elegant
farm house, well furnished throughout, and the
good, substantial barns and outhouses all speak for
the industry of the owner.
Mr. Robinson is a native of Michigan, being
born in Lodi Township, Washtenaw County, February 8, 1833. His father, Loami, was born in


Maine in 1799, was reared in Vermont, and removed to Cayuga County, N. Y., where he was
married to Isabel Edmonds, a native of Massachusetts, who was born in 1808. In 1831 he came to
Michigan and located Government land in Lodi
Township, Washtenaw County, upon which he settled and proceeded to improve it.
Loami Robinson lived upon this farm     for
several years and finally removed to Ann Arbor,
where for some years he lived a retired life, dying
there in 1870. lie was an honored pioneer and a
man who commanded the respect of everybody
who knew him. His fellow-citizens placed him repeatedly in the office of Supervisor and other
official positions. He was a zealous member of the
Christian Church and for many years a Deacon.
I e was a representative man in the highest sense of
the term and a representative farmer.
The mother of our subject wvs an ardent Christian woman, who died in 1888, having been the
mother of thirteen children, nine of whom are yet
living. Some of them are filling prominent positions, one of them being the principal of Detroit
public school.  Our subject was born in the log
house which his father had built in the woods
and covered with elm bark, two years previous.
He received most of his education in the pioneer
log schoolhouse of that daty and made the most of
his opportunities, being able to teach school when
lie was nineteen years old. After he became of
age, he worked for himself for a few years, and in
the fall of 1856 came to Antrim  Township and
purchased his present farm.  He was married
July 6, 1854, to Miss Matilda Isabel, who was
born in Lodi Township, Washtenaw County, this
State.
The political convictions of Mr. Robinson have
led him to affiliate with the Republican party, and
he is unusually well informed upon the political
issues of the day. IHe is not a seeker for office,
but has been called upon to administer various
local offices, such as Clerk and School Inspector.
He raises good grades of stock, and Short-horn
cattle have been favorites with him, but of late he
has interested himself more especially in Jerseys.
He has some fine specimens of Percheron draft
horses.  He  began  life  with  limited  means




900


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I -------------- - - --- —----- ---— I --
-------------—  --- —- -- -------- ----------— ` --- —-------— 


and has made a success of his efforts in every
direction, not only in his farm life, but in his dealings with his fellow-men. Both his and his excellent wife's company are highly esteemed in social
circles, and are welcome additions to the congregation at Morrice, where they attend church.
'The genial charity of spirit exhibited by Mrs.
Robinson makes her beloved by the whole community.
RANGE WHITLOCK. For half a century
this highly respected man has made his
home in Clinton County, and he has seen
the country developed from what was but a wilderness, with here and there a clearing and a little
village springing into life, to a vast region of fine
farms and beautiful towns. In that which his eyes
have seen his hands have participated, and in recalling the stirring incidents of pioneer times he
call rejoice that he was able to do a part in the
noble work that was carried on. He is now, in his
declining years, receiving an income sufficient for
every want, his efforts having resulted in securing
to him a fine estate on section 27, Greenbush Township. His farm consists of two hundred and forty
acres and he has given each of his children a fair
start in life.
Chittenden County, Vt., was the birthplace of
Mr. Whitlock and his natal day was March 25, 1813.
His parents were Joseph and Milly (Wasson) Whitlock, natives of Connecticut and Canada respectively, and on the father's side he is of English
lineage. He is the eldest of the surviving children
of his parents, the others being Mrs. Sarah A.
Thomas, a widow living in Shiawassee County;
Millie A., wife of Minor Chipman of Owosso, and
Betsey, who married L. R. Comstock and lives in
Owosso. When but ten years old our subject left
his father's roof and started out in the world, hiring out to Horace Sprague of Addison County,
Vt., as a farm hand. IIe worked for that gentleman nearly four years, receiving several months
schooling each year. He was obliged to look out
for opportunities for study and managed to attend
the district school in Superior, this State, in the


winter of 1838-39. He is mainly self educated,
not having had liberal advantages, but having
been well grounded in practical branches during
his early years.
In the fall of 1838 Mr. Whitlock came to this
State and bought one hundred and sixty acres of
land from the Government, at the usual price of
$1.25 per acre. The land was in Clinton County,
in a locality uninhabited save by Indians, and not
wishing to take up his residence here Mr. Whitlock went to Washtenaw County where he remained
until 1840. A few families having located within
a comparatively few miles of his purchase, and he
thus being able to find a boarding place, he came
back to Clinton County and entered upon his pioneer labors. He hewed down forest trees, removed
stumps and brush, and by the aid of a sturdy team
of oxen began to cultivate the soil. Energy and
perseverance conquered and by degrees a beautiful
farm took the place of the former wilderness.
While working for his own interest Mr. Whitlock
exercised the hospitality and spirit of true brotherly kindness which were almost universal among
pioneers, and thus became known far and near as
one worthy of respect and friendship.
In the fall of 1845 Mr. Whitlock secured a congenial companion in the person of Miss Phebe A.
Hiscock, with whom  he was united in marriage
November 25. His bride was born in the Empire
State, to Isaac and Phebe (Crandall) Hiscock, and
is distantly related to Senator Hiscock of New
York. A few months after their marriage Mr. and
Mrs. Whitlock settled upon the farm, where a
comfortable log cabin had been built, in which
they resided until 1866. That year saw them
sheltered in a more modern residence, convenient
and substantial, which 'still affords them shelter.
In the course of time there came to brighten their
home three children, who were named respectively
Orange A., James W. and Mary E. The daughter
is now the widow of Floyd Coleman, who formerly
lived in Clinton County.
Mr. Whitlock has been Hig hway Commissioner
of the township and for many years has been ably
serving as Justice of the Peace. He possesses a
logical and judicial mind and his decisions in cases
that have come before him have become proverbial




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


901


by reason of their fairness and honesty. He has
been interested in whatever promised to be for the
public good and at all times ready to bear a part
in work tending toward that object. He has been
Treasurer of Keystone Grange in Greenbush Township and his son William  has been Master of the
same society. Mrs. Whitlock is an esteemed member of the Baptist Church. Husband and wife
have many sincere friends in this locality and may
well be classed among the representative pioneers
of the neighborhood, eminently worthy of representation in a biographical album. Mr. Whitlock
was chairman of the Board of the Farmers' Mutual
Fire Insurance Company of Clinton and Gratiot
Counties for twenty-two years in succession, and
has been Justice of the Peace for forty-five years
with the exception of probably six months.
-( OLNEY      A. CHAPIN, Postmaster at St.
/  John's, is one of the most prominent among
the young men of the city.  His father,
Charles A., was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y. The
grandfather, Volney, was born in Burlington, Otsego County, that State, April 21, 1803. His early
years were spent upon the farm, and his opportunities for an education were limited. When seventeen years of age he was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, but not liking his master, he ran
away and went to Moravia, N. Y., where he became an apprentice in the works of Jethro Wood,
the reputed inventor of the cast-iron plow.
After learning the trade and working a few years
as journeyman, Mr. Volney Chapin's first business
venture was at Ogdensburg, where he carried on a
foundry in partnership with George Ward, of Moravia. He continued in business until the summer
of 1831, when, with his wife and son, Charles A.,
he removed to Rochester, and established a foundry which he carried on until the spring of 1833.
In June of that year, he brought his family to
Michigan and located at Ann Arbor. He bought
a foundry of Samuel A. Sperry, which had just
gone into operation. He formed a partnership
with Jonathan Hussy, of Moravia, N. Y,, which


continued for about ten years under the firm name
of V. Chapin & Co. All the coal and iron that
were used in those early days and up to 1839, were
brought from Detroit by wagons, and such were
the conditions of the roads, that it took from four
to six days to make the round trip. This put up
the price of these commodities to an extravagant
figure and made the foundry business an expensive
one.
From a small beginning this business grew to be
large and successful. Their plows were sent into
adjoining States, and they made the gearing and
machinery for most of the mills in Michigan. From
1843 to 1846 Mr. Chapin was sole owner, and employed sixty men in the manufacture of plows,
mill machinery, saw-mill engines and boilers, threshing machines, separators, stoves and tinware. In
the summer of 1846 he sold a half-interest to a Mr.
Loomis, and the business was managed under the
firm name of Chapin & Loomis. A few years later
Charles Tripp was admitted to the firm, and his
name added to that of the other partners, and in
1859 Mr. Chapin sold out his share of the business
to the new partner.
In 1844, in connection with George Ward (his
old partner), Volney Chapin built the spring mills,
of Ann Arbor. In 1846, with his brother-in-law,
Col. Daniel Sloan, he bought the water-power of
Judge S. W. Dexter, known as the yellow mills.
On this they built the Dover Mills which are now
owned by Thomas Birket. In 1851 he bought onehalf interest in the paper mill in the lower town
from J. H. Lund. This he sold to his son, Charles
A., in 1852. Two years later lie purchased an interest in this business, which was then managed under
the name of Lund, Chapin & Co. They built a
new paper mill at Geddes, and the business was
carried on until 1865, when it was discontinued.
Mr. Volney Chapin, Sr., was also largely interested with his son Volney and F. E. Jones in a
business which was carried on under the name of
Jones, Chapin & Co. They had branches at Niles
and Decatur, Mich., Chicago, Ill., and Davenport,
Iowa. He retired from this firm a few years before
his death. His business in salt and lumbering in
the Saginaw Valley was very extensive, and he was
a large dealer in pine land, owning at one time come


Is




902


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


six thousand acres in Saginaw County. He gave
his name to Chapin Township in that county, and
had large manufacturing interests there, in the making of lumber and shingles. He was one of the
most prominent, liberal and public-spirited men in
Washtenaw County, and none was more respected.
The marriage of the grandparents of our subject,
Volney and Chloe (Sloan) Chapin took place in
Rochester, N. Y., in 1829. The lady was a resident
of Newport, Herkimer County, that State. In
1839 and 1840, this gentleman was the Treasurer of
Washtenaw County, and at one time was President
of the First National Bank in that city. From
1860 to 1864, he was Treasurer of the University
of Michigan.
The father of Volney Chapin, Sr., was Dan, who
was born in Bennington, Vt., June 16, 1768. IHe
married Debora Wright in Otsego County, N. Y.
His father was Gad Chapin, who served in the Colonial War against the French and Indians, and
held a commission as Captain from King George
III. He settled at Bennington, Vt., and in the
Revolution served with the Vermont troops. In
1789 he came with his family to Otsego County,
N. Y., where he settled on a farm about twelve
miles from Cooperstown. The Chapin family are
to be found in the early history of Massachusetts.
Deacon Samuel Chapin, the progenitor of all who
bear this name in America, removed from Boston
to Springfield, Mass., in 1642, and in October, 1652
he was appointed one of the magistrates of Springfield.
The mother of Volney Chapin the younger, was
Miss Fannie E. Kingsley, a daughter of the Hon.
James Kingsley, who was among the first attorneys
to practice law in Washtenaw County. He was
born in Canterbury, Conn., January 6, 1797, and
reared and educated at Brooklyn, in the same
county until the age of nineteen years, when he
went to Providence, R. I., and pursued his classical studies at Brown University. He then studied
law at Brooklyn, and was admitted to the bar. In
1823 he went to Virginia, and was engaged as a
private teacher in the family of Ludwell Lee, a son
of the famous Richard Henry Lee. Three years
later he went to Mississippi and made his home in
the town of Grand Gulf, but soon after the yellow


fever broke out and he concluded to try the climate
of Michigan. He came on foot from Detroit to
Ann Arbor in the fall of 1826. In January of the
next year he began to practice law in that city, being the first as has been said to be admitted to
practice in that city.
In 1830 the Hon. James Kingsley was married
to Lucy Ann Clark. In 1828 he was appointed
Judge of the Probate Court of Washtenaw County,
which responsible office he held for eight years.
From 1830 to 1833 he was a member of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, and in
1831 he was. appointed a Trustee of the University
of Michigan. He was elected to the Lower House
of the State Legislature in 1837, and the following
year and from 1839 to 1842 he was a member of
the State Senate. While belonging to that body he
drew up, in 1842, the first charter for the Michigan
Central Railroad by which it went into operation.
In 1848 he was again a member of the State Legislature, and in 1850 he was a prominent member of
the Constitutional Convention. He became one of
the regents of the University of Michigan in 1852,
belonging to the first set of elected regents, which
position he held for six years. He was again in
1869 and 1870, a member of the Lower House,
which was the last official position held by him. Iie
was the second Mayor of Ann Arbor. About the
year 1872, he removed to his farm near Corunna,
where he resided until August 10, 1878. He then
had an amputation performed at Ann Arbor, from
which he died August 17. He was one of the most
prominent men in the State.
The mother of our subject still resides in Ann
Arbor, and is a member of the Episcopal Church,
to which her husband was also attached, and where
he served as Vestryman. They were the parents of
three children, of whom our subject is the second
born. He was born in Ann Arbor, September 19,
1857, and here he was reared and educated, being
a graduate of the High School, in 1876, when he
was eighteen years old. He then came to St. John's
and engaged as a clerk for Asher Teachout, in the
dry-goods business. He served in this capacity
until 1881, when he became Assistant Postmaster.
In 1887 he engaged in the grocery business buying
out James Richardson, and forming a partnership




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM


903


-
------ I


with a Mr. Madison under the firm name of Chapin
& Madison. This enterprise lasted for about a
year, when our subject sold out his interest and
took the position of Assistant Postmaster under J.
M. Frisby. March 9, 1891 he received his commission as Postmaster, in which office he well fulfills his duty, and makes every effort to accommodate the public and forward the business interests
of the town. He is a prominent and active member of the Episcopal Church, and in his politics is
a Republican.
^ EORGE     AUGUSTUS PARKER, a well{   known and popular citizen of Bancroft has
filled the office of Justice of the Peace for
nearly sixteen years, greatly to his own credit and
the well being of the community. He was appointed Postmaster of Bancroft, October 1, 1889,
and is a popular and efficient official. He was
born August 24, 1843, in Marion Township, Livingston County, Mich., his parents being David and
Sarah M. (Rust) Parker both natives of the Empire
States who removed to Michigan in 1829 and came
to Shiawassee County, making their home in Antrim Township in 1859.
The father of our subject was a man of strong
character and clear convictions of duty and received many local offices at the hands of his fellowcitizens. He was Township Clerk and also Supervior, and filled for four years the office of Sheriff,
to which he was elected in 1868. He was a strong
and ardent supporter of the Government during
the dark days of the Civil War. He spent eight
years in Owosso where he was interested in the brick
yards and passed away January 6, 1888, at the age
of seventy-eight years.
George A. Parker was a soldier in the Civil War,
enlisting in Company A, Tenth Michigan Infantry
under Capt. H. S. Burnett. He was mustered into
service at Flint, February 12, 1862, and was sent
to Hamburg Landing, Tenn., where his regiment
was attached to Grant's Army. He was in action
at Corinth, Shiloh, Boonsville, luka, Huntsville
and Nashville to Stone River, Chattanooga and all


the engagements of Slerman's march to the sea including the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, under
Sherman's command. At Kenesaw     Mountain he
received a gunshot, the ball passing through his
right elbow and he was sent to the hospital. He
was kept one year in the Post Quartermaster's office
at Louisville, Ky., on detached service as a clerk
and was mustered out after the surrender of Lee's
army under general order No. 161.
During the time that Mr. Parker was in the
army he did much detail service. At one time at
Farmington, Miss., he was detailed to carry from
Col. Lum directions to the Loomis battery to change
position. He was knocked down by a shell bursting
near him, and retired to camp with the sight of his
right eye impaired, which resulted in the loss of
same.
This brave soldier returned to Michigan and began farming. He was given the office of Under
Sheriff under his father and attended to his business for four years, after which he returned to the
farm but in 1880 came to Bancroft where lie has
been for some time in the produce business, shipping apples, potatoes etc. He has shipped as many
as seventy-seven thousand bushels of potatoes and
and forty-seven thousand barrels of apples in one
season and has a broad and extensive line of custom. He has handled Shropshire sheep to a considerable extent. He has sixteen acres of land
adjoining the village of Bancroft which lie has
platted and made thereof an addition to the village; his farm consisted of one hundred and one
acres.
Mr. Parker was married October 10, 1868 to
Miss Florence L. Gaylord, a daughter of John and
Hannah (West) Gaylord, who were the first settlers on Indian Reserve at Mags Bridge in 1852.
Mrs. Parker's natal day was March 1, 1844. Two
clildren have come to bless this home: Hugh W.,
now ayoung man of twenty-one is assistant Postmaster and carries on a stationery and notion store
in connection with the post-office. Ethel is a
charming child of ten years. Mrs. Parker's mother
makes her home in this household and has now
reached the age of seventy-three years. Mr. Gaylord
died in 1886. He was a man of earnest Christian
character and a member of the Congregational




904


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Church and had filled the position of Postmaster
at Burns for nearly twenty-five years. Mr. Parker
ranks high both as a citizen and in political circles.
Mrs. Parker is a lady of intelligence and refinement
and their beautiful home in the suburbs is the
center of a delightful social life.
J  UDGE MATTHEW     BUSH. The Judge of
Probate of Shiawassee County, is one of the
youngest men holding such an office in the
State, and the fact that he was chosen for so
responsible a position gives conclusive evidence of
the good opinion of his associates and acquaintances. In his case, as in that of many a man of
note in thriving towns, the foundation of knowledge and power was laid in the district school and
the fields that comprise the home farm. The habits of application and industry were acquired and
a sturdy independence gained, and when better
opportunities for study were at hand the young
man was ready to take advantage of them and assimilate that which he read for his future good.
From worthy ancestors he inherited an inclination
toward the higher things of life and his home
training deepened his aspirations.
The paternal grandfather of Judge Bush bore
the same given name as himself. He was born in
England, emigrated to America and carried on
farming in Ulster County, N. Y. He was a soldier
in the War of 1812. His wife lived until 1886,
surviving him many years and attaining to the
venerable age of ninety-two. Peter M. Bush, father
of the Judge, was born in Ulster County, and was
engaged in farming near Marbletown until 1877.
He then sold his land, came to this State, and spent
the remnant of his days at Stanton, Montcalm
County, dying there in 1879. Years ago he was
an Abolitionist and he was afterward identified
with the Republican party. His religious home
was in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife,who
bore the maiden name of Elenor Mayes, was born
in Roxbury, Greene County, N. Y., and died at
Edmore, Montcalm County, Mich., in 1884. Her
father, Edward Mayes, was also a native of Greene


County and was a farmer and drover. The Bush
family consisted of five children, three daughters
and two sons, and Matthew was the second in order
of birth.
The birthplace of Judge Bush was at Marbletown, Ulster County, N. Y., December 6, 1853.
His time up to the age of seventeen years was
spent like that of other lads living on farms, and
he then began teaching in the district schools. He
followed the profession two years, then learned
telegraphy in the store of Winter Bros., at Rondout, which was connected by telegraph with another establishment in Kingston. During this time
he had charge of the newspaper department about
two years, then took a station on the Wallkill Valley Railroad, being agent and operator at Shawangunk. He had been there but a few weeks when
he was taken sick with the measles and was obliged
to give tp work. When he was able to resume
active duties he determined to take up law and
August 12, 1873, began the study with Messrs.
Launsbery & DeWitt, of Kingston, both of whom
afterward became members of congress. According to the existing laws of New York it was necessary to serve a clerkship of three years in a reputable law office before being entitled to admission to
the bar. The statute was complied with by Mr.
Bush, and in September, 1876, at Saratoga, he received his license to practice.
The initial work of the young lawyer was done
at Kingston, where he remained until 1879. He
then turned his footsteps Westward and located in
Vernon, Shiawassee County, where for a year he
was in partnership with Alex McKereher. He then
practiced alone until the fall of 1888, when the Republicans of the county nominated him for Probate
Judge. Proving successful in the race he at once
made preparations for assuming the duties of the
office and entered upon his work in January, 1889.
The term is one of four years and during the period that has already elapsed Judge Bush has gained
credit by his faithfulness and good judgment in
administering the duties which belonged to him.
He still owns his residence at Vernon and has another in Corunna, to which place he removed in
order to be near his office. The first position of
an official nature that he held in the State was that




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


905


___,h.=


of President of the village of Vernon, but he has
frequently acted as a delegate to the Republican
conventions, both county and State, and has been a
member of the Republican County Central Committee. He has always been a Republican and he is
very firm in his political faith.
Judge Bush was first married to Flora McKercher, by whom he had one son Walter M. She
died of consumption in May, 1885. The present
wife of Judge Bush bore the maiden name of Annie E. Verney and was married to Mr. Bush at
Vernon in March, 1887. She was born in Leroy,
Calhoun County, and educated in that place and at
Vernon. Her fatler, the late Rev. James Verney,
was a minister of the Congregational Church and
she is an earnest member of that religious body and
has been an efficient worker in the Sunday-schlools
of Vernon and Corunna. She is the mother of
two children whose respective names are James V.,
and Russell A. Judge Bush belongs to the Blue
Lodge in Vernon and Chapter in Corunna, and is
a Knight Templar, enrolled in a Commandery at
Corunna. He is also an Odd Fellow with his name
on the roster of a lodge at Vernon. He is social,
intelligent and cordial in his bearing, and his
friends are by no means confined to the members
of his own party.
AMES I1EATH. It is a delight to the
biographer who is seeking out the promninent men of such a county as Shiawassee to
enter the home of a man like James Heath,
so whole-souled and hearty, and'so full of the milk
of human kindness. He is, although of Northern
birth, a man who is typical of the gentlemen
farmers of the border States of Kentucky, Missouri
and Arkansas. His farm is located on section 25,
Shiawassee Township. and it is well worth a visit
to see it in its well-kept condition, showing so
plainly the hand of a genuine farmer.
Our subject was born in the city of Rochester,
N. Y., February 18, 1829. His father, James,
was a native of Berkshire County, Mass., and a son


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I


of Aaron Heath, a native of England, and a Revolutionary soldier. His mother, Mary Ann Mann,
was born in New York. James was the second in
a family of four children, who were by name:
Maria, who died in Ohio; James; Mary, the widow
of J. C. Rogers, of Owosso, and Lewis W., who is
known as Captain Heath, of Grand Rapids. This
son was a captain in the army and inspector of the
Postoffice Department under Governor Cosgrove.
One son, Nathan, by a former marriage lives in
Sylvania, Ohio.
The Rev. James Heath, the father of our subject,
was known far and wide as a noted revivalist and
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
had remarkable abilities and was in demand as an
assistant to pastors throughout New York, Ohio
and Michigan. He began to preach when a boy
of sixteen years and was active in ministerial work
for fifty two years. I-e was a prominent man in
the church, a strong Abolitionist and progressive
in his ideas. During the latter part of his life he
attached himself to the Protestant Methodist
Church, as the Methodist Episcopal Church was
too conservative on the anti-slavery question. He
died in 1861 at the age of sixty-eight, passing his
last days with his son James in Lenawee County,
Mich.
When our subject was only six years old, the
family removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and
at the age of sixteen years he learned the trade of
a cooper, and followed it for ten years in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In 1858 the young man removed to Lenawee County, Mich., and purchased
one hundred and twenty acres in Medina Township,
where he lived for five years. In 1864 he came
to Shiawassee County, where he had two hundred
and twenty-eight acres of fine land, one mile northeast of Bancroft.
Upon this farm which now consists of one hundred and fifty acres of finely improved land, there
is situated a commodious home, which is beautifully located in a very fine natural grove and which
cost $2,000. All outbuildings which are necessary
for the successful carrying on of a farm may be
found here. One barn measures 3-6x36 feet and
the other 32x42. The farm is located on both
sides of the Shiawassee River, and is consequently




906


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


finely situated for raising stock, in which Mr. Heath
takes great pride. He is breeding Hambletonian
horses, and one of his young animals sold not long
since for $475, and he frequently sells for $300,
they being sired by old "Louis Napoleon."  He
also has very fine driving horses and an  lways takes
premiums at fairs. His farm is also well stocked
with fine wool sheep. He is a support of agricultural fairs and is always selected as a judge of
horses. He is a Republican in his politics, but not
at all an office seeker. His mother lived with him
until her death in 1868, at the age of sixty-eight
years.
The lady who presides over this beautiful home
and extends its hospitality to the friends of the
family, was united in marriage with our subject
October 11, 1854, her maiden name was Julia Walton, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Andrew
Walton, a New Yorker, who is still living on a farm
in Ashtabula County, Ohio, at the very advanced
age of ninety-six years. The children who have
blessed this happy home are: Charles, living in
Burns Township; Sarah; Fred; Lewis, who lives in
Owosso; Frank, in Seattle, Wash.; Elgiva; Winifred. Sarah is Mrs. C. Case, of Shiawassee Township;
Fred lives in Dakota; Winifred is a student at the
High School at Bancroft, and is taking a musical
training, having an excellent voice which gives
promise of producing great results under the education which is being given her. Mrs. Heath and
Elgiva are prominent members of the Congregational Church.
~-~ — (^^   — ~~~3 — ~
R. COLIN McCORMICK, of Owoss(, was
born in Elgin County, Ontario, Canada,
September 3, 1848. He is the sixth of nine
children of Duncan and Mary (Kerr) McCormick,
both of Scotch descent. The boyhood of our subject was spent upon the farm and in the district
schools of his native county, until he reached the
age of sixteen years, when he began teaching and
continued four years, after which he went to Toronto and graduated in the Normal School. He then
took up the study of medicine entering the office


of Dr. J. D. Van Valsor, of Blenheim, Ontario. He
took his first course of lectures at McGill medical
college at Montreal, Canada, and the second and
third courses in the State University of Michigan,
taking his diploma in 1872. In 1873 he located in
Dansville, Ingham County, this State, and took
charge of Dr. Sherwood's practice for several
months while that gentleman was absent taking a
course of lectures. After this he made his home in
Bennington, Shiawassee County and remained there
for two years.
In June, 1875, Dr. McCormick located permanently in Owosso, where he has built up an excellent
practice, and has made his mark in the profession.
His marriage with Miss Mary A. Crawford took
place in December; 1875. This lady is daughter of
Donald and Mary Crawford, of Duart, Kent County, Ontario, Canada. Five children have been sent
to cheer and enliven this home, namely Minnie,
Nellie, William  Gladstone, Anna and Maggie
(twins). The mother of these children died May
26, 1889.
Dr. McCormick served the city of Owosso one
term as Mayor, being the incumbent of that office
in 1883. He was also the Secretary of the Board
of Education for three years from  1886 to 1889
and Health Officer a number of terms. He was
elected Censor of the Detroit Medical College and
he is a member of the State Medical Society and
was Secretary of the Owosso Academy of Medicine
for seven years and President for two years. He
was a stockholder in the First National Bank. His
present residence on Exchange Street is a handsome
brick edifice, which was built in 1886, and is situated in extensive and pleasantly arranged grounds.
This honorable gentleman is a member of the
Owosso Lodge No. 88, I. O. O. F., also of the
Oriental Encampment No. 59, and has held all the
offices in that body. He also belongs to the Canton
Semper Fidelis No. 9, of which body he has been
five times elected Captain. He is also identified
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen No.
48. He occupies the position of Examining Physician for several of these bodies. He is a member
of the University Alumni Club of which he has been
elected Vice-President. I-e operates a good farm
of between eighty and one hundred acres and pays




0~
0 rm


0




Missing




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


909


some attention to stock of good grades, especially
horses. He was for six years chairman of the Republican city committee. His residence is among
the best in the city, being modern in its style of
architecture and having all modern improvements
for the comfort and convenience of the family.
L ^ —    _^ ---~~ --- ^ —
ILLIAM A. ALDRICH. Among the wellknown families of Watertown Township,
Clinton County, none are more favorably
mentioned than the Aldrich family. Tie subject
of this sketch whose portrait appears in this connection resides on section 32, where he is engaged
in cultivating his father's farm of one hundred and
twenty-six acres. This land is in a high state of
cultivation and has upon it two good sets of farm
buildings. It was all unbroken timber when it
was purchased by Silas Aldrich, the father of our
subject, some thirty-six years ago. The father still
resides on the farm, which he has cleared with the
help of his son William. This son was then so
young as to be too small to give his father the
necessary help, but they together sawld boards
from their trees to build a small platform, upon
which the boy stood while he lelped in drawing
the cross-cut saw through the trunks of the trees.
William Aldrich was twenty-one years of age
when he learned the wrgon-makers trade, and he
followed this business for some nine years, but in
consequence of the failure of his father's health he
returned to the farm where he has ever since resided. His father was the son of William and Mary
(Blew) Aldrich, who were natives of Rhode Island,
where he was born. His early rearing and education, however, were carried on in Rochester, N.
Y., as his parents removed to that place when he
was only two years of age. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812.
The father of our subject was born August 17,
1812, and on April 13, 1841, he was married to
Martha   I. Nelson, a daughter of William  and
Hannah Nelson, who were natives of New York,
where she was born November 13, 1821. This
marriage was blessed with the birth of three chil

------


I


dren: Frances F., born December 2, 1847, is now
the widow of W. F. Appleton, and resides at Grand
Ledge, Micl.; Mary born in 1855, died at the age
of nine years; William A., the subject of this
sketch, was born February 22, 1852, and on August
19, 1876, he was united in marriage with Sarah J.
Clark, a daughter of John W. Clark, whose parents
came to Oakland County, Mich., at an early day.
She was born in that county, December 13, 1859.
Three children have blessed the home of our
subject and his noble wife, namely: Silas M., born
September 27, 1878; Herbert C., September 29,
1884, and Mary Izella, November 7, 1887. In politics Mr. Aldrich is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Farmers' Alliance.


J    -OHN W. BRYANT. Among the representative and time-honored pioneers of Clinton
County and indeed of Central Michigan who
are worthy of representation in this ALBUM,
it is with pleasure that we name the venerable gentleman whose name heads this brief sketch. His
home is on section 6, Greenbush Township, and he
is a native of Seneca County, N. Y., where he was
born, January 11, 1824. I-e is a son of Daniel
and Orena (Roberts) Bryant. His mother was a
native of New Jersey and this is her eldest son.
When about five or six years old the subject of
this sketch migrated with an uncle to Wayne
County, Mich., and there resided a short time before coming to Clinton County. In the fall of
1836 he came with his uncle, Samuel Foreman, to
De Witt Township and remained with him until he
was of age, as his parents both died in the East.
Ele received but the scantiest rudiments of an edu.
cation, as the log schoolhouse of that day did not
furnish as systematic and thorough a training as
was desirable, but he has always paid a great deal
of attention to matters of public interest and has
been a thorough reader, and in that way has gained
for himself the benefits of an intelligent understanding of many questions.
The marriage of our subject took place in Wayne
County, this State, in August, 1848. His bride




910


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


was Frances E. Phillips and she became the mother
of one daughter, Josephine, who is now the wife of
Dwight S. Morrison. Mr. Bryant settled upon the
farm which he now occupies way back in the '50s.
This land was then practically a dense woods
and the first home was in a log cabin where the
family endured great hardships and did thorough
pioneer work. He has seen the country grow from
a wilderness to its present highly cultivated state.
When Mr. Bryant came to this region St. John's
contained only a log hut or two. He has helped
to organize the township and improve it in many
ways. He has served on the School Board and has
taken his part in organizing the ranks of the Republican party in this region. Although he cannot in any sense be called a politician, yet the principles of this party receive the endorsement of his
judgment and he is active in promoting its progress. Both he and his good wife are representative
pioneers of this region.
Mr. Bryant owns a half-interest in one hundred
and twelve acres of land and is a successful man in
the conduct of his affairs and the attainment of a
fine property. All the citizens of the township
join in wishing a calm and peaceful period as the
closing epoch of the lives of this venerable and
praiseworthy couple.
ALTER FLOATE. Among the prominent
local politicians, leading agriculturists and
representative citizens in whom the readers of this ALBUM will be truly interested is the
subject of this sketch. He resides on section 2,
Essex Township, Clinton County, and is a native
of Sussex County, England, being born there January 26, 1829. His parents, John and Sarah (Skin.
ner) Floate, were both natives of England, and
they reared this their only son in his native county.
He received but a limited education, and from
early youth engaged in farming, but he early imbibed a love for reading, and has kept himself in
touch with the live issues of the day. In 1853 he
emigrated to America, taking passage at London
on the sail vessel called 'The Congress," and after


an ocean voyage of forty-two days he landed in
New York City, and coming to Michigan settled in
Macomb County. There he resided for several
years and finally came to Clinton County, in 1866,
establishing himself on the farm in Essex Township, upon which he now resides.
Mr. Floate owns eighty acres of fine land which
he has brought from the condition of a wilderness
to a state of cultivation, and upon which he established a happy home. He was married April 13,
1855, to Mrs. Sarah A. (Sill) Holmes, a native of
Connecticut, who was born October 15, 1827. This
lady is a daughter of James and Harriet (Rockwell) Sill, both natives of Connecticut. Her paternal ancestry is Irish and her maternal English. Her
grandfather Sill was a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs.
Floate lost her father when in her second year, and
her mother lived until April 13, 1885, when she
died at the home of our subject.
To Mr. and Mrs. Floate have been granted four
children, namely: Charley J., Ira H., George M.,
and Lizzie M., who is now the wife of Ray Sessions.
Mrs. Floate had been previously married and was
at the time of her second union the widow of Miranda Holmes. By him she had three children,
two of whom are now living, namely: Livona,
(Mrs. James Vosper,) and Jetora (Mrs. Thomas
Anderson.)
Mr. Floate has served as Commissioner of Highways for Essex Township, and was elected Justice
of the Peace, but not desiring office failed to qualify as he prefers the quietude of home life. He
is a member of the Farmers' Club of Essex Township, and served as its first President two years.
He is also prominently connected with the Stock
Breeders' Association of Clinton County, and for
two years served as its President. He raises fine
Merino sheep and has always taken an active interest in promoting the progress of the agricultural
class, either socially or industrially.
Our subject is a Republican in politics, and is
identified as a charter member with the Ancient
Order of United Workmen of Maple Rapids, the
first organization of that kind in the State. He
has served as Master Workman in this order, and
is identified with the Clinton County Pioneer Society, as is also his intelligent and worthy wife, and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


911


IY-X~I~-C-XI —~-~ ----i ---_ —
__  


they are both looked upon as among the leading
members of society in their township. He had only
twenty shillings left in his pocket when he reached
Macomb County, Mich., and it is through his own
unaided efforts that he has achieved the prosperity
which is his to-day.
AVID B. GREEN, a prominent resident of
Middlebury Township, Shiawassec County,
was born in Warren County, N. J., July
18, 1840. He is a son of William T. and
Catherine (Brands) Green. His father's family
was originally from France and came to America
with Lafayette, at the time of the Revolutionary
War. His mother's people were from Germany,
but his parents were both born and brought up in
New Jersey. His father was by occupation a farmer and our subject lived with his parents until
the war broke out and then enlisted. The family removed to Michigan when the boy was twelve years
old and located in Oakland Township, Oakland
County. Our subject had only the advantages of
a common-school education, attending the country schools in the winter. In the spring of 1862
he removed to Shiawassee County and located in
Middlebury Township.
In August, 1862, the young man enlisted in
Company E, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, under Col.
R. H. G. Minty, and was sent to Louisville and
thence to Nashville, where they joined the Army
of the Cumberland, following Bragg in his retreat.
The first general engagement was at Stone River,
at Lebanon, December 31, 1862; then at Lavergne, and Rover, Tenn.; then in succession at
Liberty, Penn., McMinnville, Middletown, Shelbyville, Tenn., Chickamauga, Rossville, Ga., Crossroads, Tenn., Mission Ridge, Kingston, Dallas, Lost
Mountain, Big Shanty, Noonday Creek, Kenesaw
Mountain, the siege of Atlanta, Lovejoy Station,
Lost Mountain (again), Rome, Double Bridges
and Macon.
The detail fronl the company to which Mr.
Green belonged, captured Jefferson Davis, May 10,
1865. He was the second man on the ground


when that notable was captured. During all the
service through which he passed he never received
a wound nor was obliged to be in the hospital, although he had a narrow escape at Chickamauga.
He was mustered out of service in Nashville, Tenn.,
July 1, 1865, and reached home July 10.
After reaching lhome this young veteran began
farming and improving his place and was married
on November 4, 1867, to Mariah Rogers, of Brooklyn, N. Y. He has three children: Kittie E., born
May 14, 1870; William II., September 19, 1868;
and Grace S., April 29, 1875. His children are all
living and at home with their parents. Mr. Green
has a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres,
in a high state of cultivation. In politics he is a
Republican and has held the offices of Township
Clerk and Treasurer and is now filling his second
term as Supervisor. He belongs to the Order of
Odd Fellows and takes an active interest in education, giving his children the best advantages available and furnishing his eldest daughter instruction
in music.
YLVESTER E. SCOTT, a grandson of the
first actual settler in Clinton County, was
born October 23, 1838, in IeWitt Township. His grandfather, David, was born
in November, 1779, in Litchfield, Conn., and being
left an orphan at an early age, was thrown upon
the world to earn his own livelihood. Coming to
Michigan about 1825, he settled on a farm a mile
and a half south of Ann Arbor and continued to
reside there for eight years. When he came to
Clinton County, October 4, 1833, he took up land
from the Government where the village of DeWitt
now stands, built a log cabin and went to work to
clear the land. He had then no neighbors within
forty miles of his home. He was a hard worker
and farmed extensively, owning at one time some
eight sections in this vicinity. He built a double
log house which he used as a hotel for emigrants
and it was the pioneer hotel of that region.  His
home was indeed in the wilderness surrounded by
wild animals and Indians. He could speak the In



912


PORTRAITDAND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


dian language and was friendly and neighborly
with the red men. He died May 7, 1851, at the
age of seventy-one years.
Eunice Forbs, the grandmother of our subject,
was born at Shoreham, Vt., January 14, 1780, and
died May 7, 1840. She and her husband were both
of the Universalist faith. They were the parents
of eleven children, six of whom grew to maturity.
Her son, Sylvester, the father of our subject, was
born August 29, 1806, in Genesee County, N. Y.,
and coming with his parents to Michigan in 1825,
remained with them until about the time they removed to this county, to which he followed them
in 1834. He built a log house on a farm a quarter
of a mile from DeWitt, and was engaged in improving his land when he was killed by an
accident in the first sawmill which was ever
erected in the county.   His death  occurred
April 22, 1838, when in his thirty-second year.
His wife,whose maiden name was Sophronia Cooley,
was born in Massachusetts in 1811, and bravely
carried on the farm and brought up her sons after
the sad death of her husband.
The subject of this sketch attended the district
school in the log schoolhouse under the rate bill
system. He spent the days of his boyhood upon
the farm and among the Indians. Somewhat later
he rented a farm in the neighborhood, a part of
which lie afterward bought. His marriage took
place July 31, 1864. His bride, Mary Winans,
was born in Livingston County, Mich., August 12,
1841. They have had two children. Their eldest,
Theron, died in infancy and the daughter Beatrice
L. is at Albion College, Mich., taking a course in
music at the Conservatory. Mr. Scott is an excellent farmer and upon his fine farm in the outskirts
of the village of DeWitt and situated upon a beautiful street, which is lined with large maple trees,
stands his attractive and commodious frame residence. He has two large frame barns and other
outbuildings suitable and necessary to the carrying
on of a farm. Ninety-five acres of his one hundred and fifteen are under the plow and he carries
on mixed farming. His house was built in 1868
and his barns, one in 1854, and one in 1878. Both
lie and his worthy wife are efficient and happy
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with


which they hlave been connected six and ten years
respectively. He is in no sense a politician yet is
deeply interested in the movement of both local
and national affairs.  He was a Democrat until
1875 and since then has been a Prohibitionist.
M    AURICE COLEMAN       is another of the
British-American  citizens  of Duplain
Township, Clinton County, one who has by
his life of sturdy industry and undaunted
courage and perseverance, shown himself a credit
alike to the land which gave him birth, and the
country of his adoption. He was born in Somersetshire County, England, November 23, 1860, and
is a son of Charles and Maria (Rice) Coleman.
His parents were born and brought up in Devonshire, his father at Hatchbecham, and his mother
at Fingrave. The father was by occupation a
blacksmith, and gave his son a common-school
education. After remaining with his parents until
he became of age the young man began life for
himself by working on a farm in England.
Our subject decided to come to the United
States in the spring of 1875, and after spending
two years in Onondaga County, N. Y., in work
upon a farm, he decided to go still farther West,
and made his home for two years and a half near
Shipman, Macoupin County, 111., where he pursued
farming labors. After that he came to Michigan,
and located in Duplain Township, Clinton County,
where he remained about five years. He then went
to "torn and bleeding Kansas," and spent three
years in Wabaunsee County, engaged upon a
ranch.
Returning to Michigan and locating in Duplain
Township, this young man determined to establish
a home of his own, and was married March 2,
1887, to Alice F. Lowe, of this township. Two
children crowned this union, the eldest Byron, born
July 7, 1888, died October of the same year. The
second, Joseph C., born July 15, 1889, still lives
to be the joy and delight of his parents. Mr.
Coleman has been on this place now for about




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


918


I

three years, and is cultivating a tract of about
sixty acres. He has never sought office of any
kind, but takes a lively interest in politics, and is
an adherent of the Prohibition party.
=-^+f- ---- ---
4  IOHN  WOODWORTH, a citizen of Ovid,
Clinton County, Mich., was born March 21,
1815, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth
Woodworth, both of whom died when he
was a mere boy. tie was then bound out in the
County House of Albany County, N. Y., as he was
born in Albany. He afterward lived with Samuel
Rue, of Saratoga County, and remained with him
until he reacied his majority. During his minor
ity he received only a common-school education,
but after he became a man he took some supplementary schooling.
After striking out for himself this young man
followed farming at Clifton Park, Saratoga County,
and later came to Michigan in 1837, locating in
Hillsdale County. tIe remained here two and onehalf years, and then leaving the State the fall Gen.
Harrison was elected President, he returned to his
native county. He was there married on February
3, 1847, to Louisa Peterson of Clifton Park, and
he now has five children, three sons and two daughters. They are by name, Margaret, born August
22, 1849; James W., July 9, 1855; Belle, December 3, 1858; Robert C., November 12, 1862; and
Frederick, April 4, 1866. These children are all
married except Robert, who lives in Ohio, and
Margaret makes her home in Virginia. The three
others reside in Michigan.
Mr. Woodworth removed to Virginia in 1865
and located near Seven Pines, the scene of the celebrated battle. He lived on a farm there until
1881, when he returned to Michigan and located in
Clinton County. For some time he managed the
farm where his son now resides, and then moved
into Ovid, where he has since resided. He has
now retired from active business. He has always
been a Republican since the formation of that
party, and has held a number of offices in Richmond, Va. He was a member of the County Court,


Coroner, Commissioner of Highways, and Commissioner of the Poor. He was also appointed by
Gen. Canby as Commissioner of the Revenue.
One interesting fact in the life of our subject is
that although his father's family was broken up by
the death of the parents, and the five children were
scattered to different places, where for many years
they were ignorant of each others whereabouts,
they have at last come together again by accident,
after a separation of sixty years, and have had a
re-union. Those living are now residing in Michigan, two having died since the re-union; at that
time their combined ages aggregated three hundred
and fifty years.
MA ATHIIAS FEI)EWA. The name of Fedewa
is familiar to many citizens of Clinton
County, as the family has been connected
with the work carried on here, for a number of years past. The member whose life history
it is our purpose to sketch in these paragraphs, is
a farmer on section 30, Dallas Township. His estate consists of one hundred and ten broad and
fertile acres, which was reclaimed from  its wild
condition by his personal efforts.  He not only
cleared and broke the land but he has put up the
various buildings which now adorn the property.
The parents of Mr. Fedewa are John and Annie
(Shaffer) Fedewa, of whom mention is made on
another page in this volume. On the farm they
now occupy he was born April 30, 1849, and his
entire life has been passed in Clinton County. Hie
pursued the usual course of study and on the farm
learned much that has been of practical benefit in
the work to which he decided to devote himself.
His home was with his parents until he was about
twenty-six years old, when he married and established himself on an eighty-acre tract given him
l)y his father. To this he added other acres, and
the success with which he has already met, gives
promise of still greater prosperity as time goes by.
The marriage rites between Mathias Fedewa and
Mary A. Thelen were solemnized May 18, 1875.
The bride is a daughter of John Thelen, who was




914


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


born in Germany and is numbered among the early
settlers of Clinton County wherein he breathed his
last. The Thelen family includes three sons and
three daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Fedewa eight
children have been born and the lively group consists of Joseph, Edward, William, Barnard, Annie,
Albert, Nicholas and Ludwig. The parents are
devout members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Fedewa belongs to the Democratic party.
ENJAMIN F. RANN. One of the men
most prominently interested in the growth
of the village of Morrice, Shiawassee
County, is the gentleman whose name heads
our sketch. He is the owner of the flouring-mills
and large general store, and deals largely in wool
and grain. Ie was born in Genesee County, N.
Y., April 24, 1843. His parents are proud of the
fact that they were among the first pioneers to
come to the great State of Michigan. His father,
Albert W. Rann, is a native of New York, and was
born at Alexander, Genesee County, NS Y., May
31, 1818, same township and county in which his
son was born. The father, who was a farmer, came
to Michigan in 1847 across the lakes, thence by
wagon to Shiawassee County, where he located on
section 35, Perry Township. Starting from Alexander on the 9th of November, 1847, erected
a log house and moved into it January 1, 1848.
Only an old settle, can realize what it was to
find one's way through a perfectly wild country, to
a new home where there were none of the features
of civilization, no roads nor anything else indicating human companionship, with unbroken forests
on every side. Hewing down the heavy timber in
a little space they built a log house and gradually
cleared the stumps away from the house, which
was a source of great wonder to the Indians, who
visited them very frequently. Many have been
the times when the larder needed replenishing that
the father of our subject has stood in doors or
gone not far from the house and killed deer, the
meat of which he prepared for family use, and the
pelts of the animals were sold to the trading posts.


He traded and milled at Byron, and later at Williamston.
It is a work of years to clear and put under cultivation a farm, and Mr. Rann's father found his
time fully occupied in clearing land, and providing
a subsistence for his family. He now owns one
hundred and ninety acres of land which is under
a fine state of cultivation. The aged couple celebrated their golden wedding April 14, 1891. His
wife was Mary Ann Bridger; she was of English
origin and came to America with her father and
mother, and four sisters and brothers, when but ten
years of age, starting from England April 8, and
landing in America June 1, 1829. She is the
mother of four children: Ellen V., who married
Oliver S. Smith; our subject; Benjamin F.; Florence E., who married F. B. Gardner, and Henry
E. The parents are adherents of and believers' in
the Universalist faith. The father is a Democrat,
and has been Justice of the Peace for a number of
years. They are both still living on the old farm
on section 35.
The original of our sketch was brought to this
State at the tender age of four years and was
reared in the wilderness. He first attended the log
school and was later advanced to the dignity of a
frame schoolhouse, where they had slab benches
and quill pens. The school was conducted on the
rate bill system. Iie began business for himself at
the age of twenty-three when he engaged in farming. He purchased ninety acres in Ingham County,
just across the line. Here lie resided for four years,
and then removed to Rann's Mills a place on the
father's farm and built the first grist-mill ever
erected in Perry Township. In 1872 this mill was
operated by steam, and he so continued it until
1878, when he located at Morrice, and January 21,
1878, started the mill which he at present is conducting. It was at first a three run of stone mill,
but in 1889 lhe put in the machinery for a patent
roller process and it now has a capacity of turning
out sixty barrels per day. He sold his farm in
Ingham  County in 1887, which place he had previously rented for several years. On coming to
Morrice Mr. Rann built a fine two-story brick
store which he rented for four years, and then
opened as a general merchandise store. At the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AIBUM.


915


time he was residing at Rann's Mills he was the
proprietor of a store, conducting this for three
years, from May, 1875, to May, 1878. In both his
stores he carried a good stock of groceries, clothing and provisions, making of it a general stock.
Mr. Rann was married December 25, 1866. The
lady's maiden name was Ellen A. Lovejoy, and she
was born in Hillsdale County, this State, August
7, 1841. They have had five children: Earle L.,
Morton, M. Belle, George A. and Theo F. Our
subject is a )emocrat in politics and a strong adherent and believer in the Universalist faith. He
has held tie office of Justice of the Peace for eight
years and for one year has been Township Supervisor and Village Trustee, and President of the
village for six years. He is a member of Perry
Lodge, No. 150, I. 0. O. F., and a charter member
of Bancroft Lodge, No. 138, K. P.
Mr. Rann has been one of the most energetic
men in building up the town in which he lives.
He buys grain and ships it, besides flour, to the
New England States, Buffalo and Detroit, and he
has a fine Eastern trade. Earle L., the oldest son
is now associated in the business. Both the elder
sons are graduates from business colleges.
DWIN H. LYON, a prominent attorney of
St. John's, was born in Scio Township,
Washtenaw County, July 7, 1861. His
father, Charles W., was born in the same county
and his grandfather, Lorenzo M.. came there in
1832, when a young man, from New York City,
where he was born and where he had been a clerk.
He entered land in Scio and made it his home, taking to wife there Lena Lane, of Binghampton, N.
Y. He engaged in farming until he retired from
business and ended his days in Ann Arbor in the
year 1888. His ancestry had been in New York
for three generations.
Charles W. Lyon attended the Normal School at
Ypsilanti and followed teaching for some years, although his general avocation was farming. In
1866 he came to Clinton County, where he carried
on a farm and at the same time a sawmill, having


purchased a sawmill called Lyon's Mill. In 1880
he sold this property and came to St. John's, where
he remained until 1889, and then again made an
exchange of property and took charge of a sawmill at Conway, Emmett County, where he manufactured pine and hemlock lumber, under the firm
name of W. C. & E. H. Lyon. He now resides at
St. John's.
The mother of our subject, Sarah M. Lyon, was
born at Medina, Ohio, in November, 1841. The
grandfather, Royal C. Lyon, was a native of Rutland, Vt., where he was a blacksmith, and came in
the early days to Medina County, Ohio, and thence
to Michigan, becoming one of the early settlers in
Bengal Township, Clinton County. He settled
here about the year 1850 and carried on his trade
as a blacksmith as well as being one of the pioneer
farmers.
The parents of our subject had five children:
Willard C., the partner of our subject, who resides
in this city; Edwin H.; Mark, who was accidentally
killed on the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad at
Grand Rapids; Ida M., who resides at home; and
Fred M., who is a wanderer and has no certain
abiding place. Eldwin was reared in Washtenaw
County until five years of age and then came with
his parents to Bengal Township, where the father
was operating the mill at Lyon's Mill. I-e was educated in the district schools and trained practically upon the farm and in the sawmill. At the
age of fourteen he entered the High School at Ann
Arbor, then was graduated at the St. John's High
School after three years' study. He afterward entered the literary department of the University of
Michigan, where he took his diploma in 1884, with
the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy.
The young man now entered the employ of his
father in the implement business and commenced
the study of law with Cook & Daboll and in July,
1886, was admitted to the bar. He had already
formed a partnership with Mr. Cook, which continued till the death of that gentleman, when he went
into partnership, in 1887, with another attorney,
under the firm name of Fedowa & Lyon, which partnership continued until January, 1891, since which
time he has carried on his profession alone. He
has an extensive practice in St, John's and vicinity




916


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and is one of the most highly honored and esteemed attorneys in the county.
Our subject and his brother, W. C., were at
one time in the implement business together, but
exchanged that business for a sawmill. The lady
whom he made his wife in 1888 was Alice Maxam
by name, a daughter of Leroy and Cynthia Maxam.
She was born in Onondaga County, N. Y. This
lady was a graduate of the St. John's High School
and taught for some time before her marriage both
here and in Colorado. She was a lady of fine abilities and broad culture and was deeply mourned, not
only by her family but by the community, when
taken away by death, September 4, 1890. Mr.
Lyon served as Circuit Court Commissioner from
1887 to 1889. His political views are expressed in
the platform of the Democratic party and although
not an office-seeker he is esteemed as one of the
strongest men in the party, a(nd his good judgment
and affability give him a broad and enduring influence.
ORRIS ORMSBY. Among the reputable
men who in their conduct of business mat1  ters and the duties belonging to the various relations of life have acquired a worthy
name, should be mentioned Mr. Ormsby, who has
been in business in Corunna, Shiawassee County,
since the summer of 1865. He is the oldest grocery
dealer, in respect to his business life, in the city,
having been continuously engaged in this line of
trade since August of the year mentioned. He is
also agent for the American and National Express
Companies and he has been useful in his day and
generation as a trustworthy public servant and
church worker.
Mr. Ormsby is of Irish extraction, but the family
was established in America many years ago. His
father, Philander Ormsby, was born in Whitestown,
N. Y., in 1800, and when eighteen years old went
Oswego County and established himself on a farm
near Mexico. He improved land there and followed farming until his death in 1856. He was
one of the strong Abolitionists whose belief caused
so much agitation in political circles. His religious


home was in the Baptist Church and he was a Deacon from his early manhood. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Luna Halsted, and was
born in Oneida County, N. Y. Her last years
were spent in this State and she died at Corunna
at the home of her youngest child Morris Ormsby.
The birthplace of our subject was in the
vicinity of Mexico, Oswego County    N. Y.,
and his natal day July 26, 1836. His early
years were passed amid the usual rural surroundings, and his school privileges were limited
to an attendance during the winter months, while
the summers were given to various duties belonging to farm life. When his father died he took
charge of the seventy acres of land comprising the
homestead and operated it until 1865, when he
sold and came to Corunna. A few months later he
was established in business here with M. Carland,
and the connection continued until 1869. Mr.
Ormsby then bought out his partner and until 1872
carried on the grocery trade alone. He then took
his nephew, F. Howlett, in as a partner, and put up
a brick store, into which they moved a stock of
goods in September. During the centennial year
Mr. Ormsby again became sole proprietor of the
establishment, and has carried on the business alone
since that time. He carries a stock of crockery
and wall paper, in addition to staple and fancy
groceries, and has a thriving trade. In February,
1888, lie became agent for the American Express
Company and in May 1891, the business of the
National Express Company was placed in his
hands.
In Mexico, N. Y., July 6, 1856, Mr. Ormsby
and Miss Mary E. Whitman were united in marriage. The bride was born in the town of Oswego
and was the daughter of Orange Whitman, a blacksmith. After more than thirty years of wedded
happiness, she was called hence August 19, 1889.
They had two sons born to them who died previous to their removal to Michigan. Mr. Ormsby
was City Treasurer four years in succession and
was Supervisor of the Second Ward in Corunna,
one year. While holding the latter position lie was
Chairman of the Committee of Public Buildings
and Grounds and others. He was a member of the
School Board one term. In his early years he be



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


917




longed to the Abolition party and when there was
no further need of that element in politics he became a Republican. In 1886 he was convinced
that the liquor traffic was the most important subject for legislation and he abandoned the Republican ranks and became a Prohibitionist. He was
a delegate to  county  and  State conventions
while working with the Republicans. While interested in all matters which pertain to public welfare, Mr. Ormsby has been more active in church
work than anything else. He belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been
Steward and Trustee. Having a love of and talent
for singing,he has been Chorister for a quarter of a
century and his voice still leads the choir.
--            ol
TF  EV. WILLIAM C. ALLEN, the pastor of
St. John's Congregational Church, is an
Englishman by birth, having been born
)September 26, 1843, in Canterbury, Kent,
England. His father, Thomas, was born in Redferd, Lancastershire, and was a veterinary surgeon,
living at Canterbury. When a young man lhe was
in the English army and served under the Duke of
York. He died at Canterbury at the age of sixtyone years. The family is of Norman descent.
The mother of our subject, Elizabeth Clark, was
born in London. Her father was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, but made his home in London in
early life. They were members of the Church of
England. Elizabeth Clark Allen died in England
when her son was but three years old, and his father died one year later. He was then brought up
by his eldest sister, Elizabeth Philips, who resided
at Dundock. Ireland. Of the sixteen children of
this family only eight grew to maturity. William
was educated by his sister in the National schools
and a private academy until he reached the age of
fourteen years. He then, in 1857, enlisted as a
volunteer in the English army. He served his first
five years in the second Royal Cheshire Militia,
with quarters at Chester. In 1862 he re-enlisted
for twelve years, as a private in the Thirteenth Hussars.
In 1866 the young soldier came to America dur

ing the Fenian raid and was located in Canada, being most of the time in Toronto. He served until
1868 when he purchased his discharge and began
the study of ministry. He took a four years' course
in theology under the Toronto pastors, being engaged in preaching at the same time. He was
regularly ordained to the ministry, June 11, 1873,
at Toronto. He remained there for some years
and then went to St. Catherine's. He located at
Saugatuck, Allegan County, Mich., in 1877, and
was pastor of the Congregational Church there for
fifteen months. Tlence he went to Webster, Washtenaw County, and was for four years pastor of one
of the oldest churches in the State. In 1883 he
slent nine months at St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula and there built a church. From  there he
went to Leslie, Ingham County, and was pastor of
the church there for four years, and helped them to
erect a neat and commodious house of worship. He
spent fifteen months in East Tawas and in Septemnber, 1888, was called to St. John's as pastor of the
Congregational Church, which built for him in
1890 a neat and attractive parsonage.
The marriage of the Rev. Mr. Allen with Miss
Rebecca Sylvester took place in Toronto, May 26,
1871. This lady was born in Toronto and is a
true helpmate to her husband in his pastoral work,
heing possessed of a noble Christian character. Mr.
Allen's musical abilities are on the same par of
excellence with his public talents and he has a high
reputation as a performer upon the flute and cornet.
-OHN BLASS, a resident of St. John's, Clinton County, was born in Columbia County,
N. Y., October 18, 1819. His grandfather
was John I. Blass, of New York, and his
great grandfather was one of three brothers who
came from  Germany. The father, Jacob Blass,
came to Indiana and settled in LaPorte and subsequently removed to Michigan, where he died about
1875. His wife, Anna Vanderwocker, a native of
New York, died in 1820. With the exception of
two half brothers and two half sisters our subject




918


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


is now the only living representative of his father's
family.
This boy was reared upon the farm and had a
walk of nearly two miles to take to reach the
school.  Hie lived with his grandmother until
about twelve years old, when he began working
for various farmers by the month or job as he
could get employment. After he was eighteen
years old he went to learn the trade of carpentry
and when he had it partly learned he struck out
for himself and followed this line of work for about
twenty-two years.  Having accumulated some
means he began buying and selling land in the
counties of Wayne and Cayuga, N. Y.  Ife finally
kept a tavern at Westbury, N. Y., for some three
years, and afterwards sold out and came to Michigan, making his home near Cold water and working at his trade. Hle subsequently bought a farm
which lie improved and disposed of.
In 1864 Mr. Blass went to Idaho and spent one
summer in the gold diggings in the northern part
of the Territory. He then returned to this State
and prospected for land in Northern Michigan,
but finally returned to this part of the State
and purchased a farm near St. John's. IHe sold
this property and bought a tavern in Olive Township, Clinton County, which has long been known
as the "Muskrat Tavern."  After carrying this on
for about two years, he sold it and purchased the
farm where lie now resides on section 9, Olive
Township. Most of it was unbroken and he has
done much pioneer work in clearing and improving it.
The first marriage of our subject took place
November 28, 1845, at Phelps, N. Y., and his wife
died December 18, 1865. Of her three children
the oldest, Densel, died in the war. Oscar is in
the boot and shoe business in Chicago, and Edgar
is now deceased.  The subject of this biography was a second time married, February 22, 1867,
to Ophelia Emery, of Michigan, who died April 2,
1869, leaving one child who has died. Mr. Blass'
third marriage took place July 3, 1870, his wife
being Lury A. Jason, of Ohio. One daughter,
Millie, is the result of this marriage.
Mr. Blass is an earnest and hearty advocate of
Republican principles and is a member of the


Grange. He began life without means, and being
a plan of great energy and push has been quite
successful. He now owns one hundred and twenty
acres of land and raises all kinds of stock. He has
made his money by buying and selling land and
various methods of trade. The especial pride of
the home of this family is the daughter Millie, who
is now a fine young woman and one who deserves
and receives the warmest praise of all who know
her. She is efficient and capable in domestic affairs
and a universal favorite in society.
-— ^ -+it   ILLIAM F. BEEBEE, a prominent young
farmer and stock-raiser on section 23, of
Greenbush Township, Clinton   County,
where he owns one hundred acres, is a native of
Madiison County, N. Y., where he was born July
3, 1853. He is a son of Sylvester and Abby Ann
Beebee, natives of New York. He has been reared
to manhood in this county,having come hither with
his parents when a youth. He received his education in practical life on the farm, and his booklearning in the district schools,which in those days
were sadly deficient in the many advantages that
are now enjoyed by the children of Michigan. He
is mainly a self-educated man and is well-read and
thoroughly well-informed in regard to topics of
general interest.
The marriage of Mr. Beebee, January 1, 1877,
united him with Odessa Green, a daughter of William and Sarah Green, of Greenbush Township.
The father died some years ago and the mother is
again a widow, having married for her second
husband David Blank, now deceased. To Mr. and
Mrs. Beebee have been born three children: Nora
L., born January 27, 1881, Bertha M., February
18, 1887, and Emma E., September 9, 1890.
Mr. Beebee is a Republican in politics, and while
not an office-seeker, is intelligent in his understanding of the policy of his party and is earnestly
interested in its progress. He is wide-awake on
matters of local enterprise and is one of the active
promoters in every movement which tends toward
the elevation of society and the future good of the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUBM.


919


county. He is earnestly in favor of progressive
movements in education and looks to the interests
of the rising generations  He is prominently iden
titied with the Knights of Honor at St. John's and
he and bis valuable wife are highly respected members of society.
The subject of this sketch is well-known, not
only in his township, but also throughout this part
of the county, for his sturdy integrity, industry
and enterprise, and for the good success which has
met his efforts. He enjoys the unfailing confidence
of the business community. Further mention of
his venerable father, Sylvester Beebee, the wellknown Justice of the Peace, appears elsewhere in
this ALBUM. Mrs. Beebee is a member of the
Cl ristian Church at Eureka.


/H. COLE, a merchant and ex-Shleriff of
Shiawassee County, is now engatged  in
general merchandising in Corunna, and is
accounted one of the most influential and enterprising citizens of that prosperous town. Ile was born
in Brownville, Jefferson County, N. Y., July 25,
1843. His father, William N., was a native of the
same county and the grandfather, William, was a
native of Vermont and served in the War of 1812
at Sackett's Harbor. IIe afterward became one of
the early settlers in Jefferson County and owned a
large tract of land there. Ile died at the age of
seventy-five years.
The father of our subject emigrated from Brownville, N. Y., to Shiawasese County, this State, in
1867. He made his home in Calefdonia Township,
and there bought improved land, and later lpurchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres in
Vernon Township. He is now eighty years old,
yet bright and active and able to do a goodl (lay's
work. He keeps up his interest in public affairs
and is an earnest Republican in his political views.
His wife, Laura Bunce, was left an orphan at an
early age and was reared by her uncle, Judge Bunce,
who was one of the first to locate in St. Clair
County, and who laid out Port Huron and Pontiac. He was a surveyor and could talk the Indian


language, and became Judge of St. Clair County,
and was esteemed one of the most able men of the
of his day in Michigan. He attained to the extreme age of one hundred and two years. When
he reached his one hundredth year the occasion
was celebrated at his home by a gathering of the
most noted men of the State. He was bereaved of
of his wife in 1848. The only sister of our subject is Hattie, Mrs. Merrick, of Franklin County,
N. Y.
After attending a common district school in Jefferson County, N. Y., the subject of this sketch
spent one winter in the academy at Ft. Covington.
When the war broke out he was strongly inclined
to join the army and finally did so in 1863, volunteering in the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery,
Conmpany I. lie was mustered in at Sackett's Harbor and joined tlle Army of the Potomac under
Sheridan in tlhe Valley of the Shenandoah. I-e
was in many skirmishes and fights and in the engagement at Ierlmuda Hlt undred, his artillery lost
one-third of its men. They were then placed
l)on provost duty until June 1865,and during the
next mIonth were mustered out of service.
In the spring of 1866 this young veteran soldier
went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and engaged in farming
for two years. He then bought a farm of eighty
acres within the corporation limits of Corunna,
Michl., which lie managed until 1875. He gradually drifted into the stock business and 'for three
yezirs managed a nlarket.  At two different times
Iie was in the livery business and for two years
[Under-Sheriff under Kelso. In the fall of 1884 he
was nomilnated Sheriff on the Democratic ticket
and received the election and being re-elected
served until January 1, 1889. He purchased, in
April, 1891, the dry goods, grocery and notions
business which had been under the management of
Mr. Eveleth.
Miss Mary Jones, of Brownville, N.Y.,became the
wife of Mr. W. H. Cole in 1865. Her parents,
Silas and Sarah A. Jones, were prosperous farmers
of Jefferson County, N. Y. Three children came
to bless this home. They are William N., who is
at home; also Laura, who is with her father in business and Blanche who is still at home. Mr. Cole is
often sent as a delegate to county and State Dem



920


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ocratic conventions. He is a Knight Templar and
has a handsome badge of that order which was presented to him by his Deputies. He also belongs to
the Knights of Honor of Corunna.:o --- —--
' AMES SLEETH, M. D., one of the wellknown professional men of Byron, Shiawassee County, and editor and publisher of
the Byron Herald, was born in County
Monaghan, Ireland, in August, 1823. He is the
second son of Robert and Susan (Gamble) Sleeth,
who emigrated to America in 1838 and made their
home on a farm in Commerce Township, Oakland
County, where they spent the remainder of their
lives. He and his worthy wife were earnest and
devoted members of the United Presbyterian
Church and they were farmers in comfortable cir(umstances. His political convictions led him to
affiliate with the Republican party.
The subject of this sketch was the second in a
family of eleven children and was fifteen years old
when his parents emigrated to America. He remained with them on the farm in Oakland County
until he reached the age of twenty-three years,
when lie went to Milford and began reading medicine with Drs. Foote and Morev. He afterward
took two courses of lectures at the medical department of the Western Reserve College of Hudson,
Ohio, graduating from that institution in 1850.
The young man then came to Byron and began
practicing medicine, but after one year removed to
White Lake, Oakland County, and after practicing
two years returned to Byron, there continuing in the
practice of his profession until the spring of 1863,
when he joined the army as an assistant Surgeon
under a commission in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry.
He remained with that regiment in the Army of the
Potomac until the close of the war, at which time
it was sent West to Ft. Laramie, Wyo., and remained there until October, 1865, when he was discharged and returned to Byron.
Dr. Sleeth then engaged in the drug business for
about four years and after spending one winter in
Corunna moved again to Byron and attended to


legal business and taught school until the inauguration of Hayes' administration when he was appointed Postmaster at Byron, and he held that
office for eight years. After this he started the
Byron Herald which he has since published, making it a neutral paper. He read law and was admitted to the bar at Corunna about the year 1859,
and has since given more or less attention to the
practice of the legal profession.  He has held
numerous township offices and was elected Coroner
of Shiawassee County in 1890, but would not qualify as he did not wish the office. He is a Republican in his political convictions and is identified
with the D. G. Royce Post, No. 117, G. A. R. at
Byron.
In December, 1854, Dr. Sleeth was united in
marriage with Frances E. Kelsey, of Byron. She
was born in Fairhaven, Vt., in the year 1827,
and was the youngest daughter of Curtis and
Betsey Kelsey. By this union there were born three
children, namely: Carrie E., Minnie and Philip S.
The first named is now the wife of William McDonald; Minnie is the wife of J. T. Emmett, of
Howell, and Philip has been called to the other
world. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sleeth o.re members
of the Presbyterian Church and are respected and
esteemed members of society.
J   ACOB HOOVER, a resident of Essex Township, Clinton County, and the father of a
large, intelligent and prosperous family, was
' born in Mercer County, Pa., October 6,
1826. His father, who was also named Jacob, was
born in Pennsylvania in 1796 and moved to Mahoning County, Ohio, where he managed a farm
until his death, which occurred in 1870. He was
a successful farmer and a consistent member of the
Lutheran Church. The mother Christina Bush,
two of whose five children are now living, died before her husband.
The subject of this brief sketch was reared upon
a farm and took his education in the district school,
passing many hours upon the slab seats in the log
school-house and profiting much by the earnest and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


921


I         -


thorough drill of those pioneer sclools, which
made up in thoroughness what they lacked in a
broad and comprehensive course of study.
When the youth reached his eighteenth year his
father generously gave him his time and he hired
himself out upon a neighbor's farm for $10 a
month. After five years of work in this way he
went into the iron mines in Mahoning County,
Ohio, for about seven years, then farmed on shares
for six years. He came to Michigan in 1865 and
purchased a farm in Essex Township, Clinton
County, and moved upon it two years later. This
land, which was then covered with forest, he has
cleared and improved and one of his first movements was to erect a log house. He at first purchased eighty-nine acres, to which he has added
forty-eight more.
The marriage of Jacob Hoover to Cynthia Ague
was solemnized in Edinborough, Pa., in the year
of 1849. They became the parents of fourteen
clhildren of more than usual promise, and have
found in them  true parental comfort and joy
and have been bereaved of only one of their large
flock. Orin, the eldest, married and lives in Ashley, Gratiot County, this State; Christina J. is the
wife of Leroy Jones, a farmer in Bengal Township;
Charles is married, and like his elder brother, lives
in Ashley; Cynthia is the wife of Charles Jones, a
farmer in Saginaw County; Loran A. is deceased;
Eva is teaching at Maple Rapids; William and
Harry are at home; Maggie, a dressmaker, and
Mary, a stenographer and typewriter, are in Chicago; Seth C. is still unmarried; Myrtle is attending school at Ashley, and Maude and Ralph are at
home with their parents. To every one of this
large family their parents have furnished opportunities for a liberal education.
Mr. Hoover is well known in Republican circles and has more than once been sent as a delegate to county and district conventions, and for
several years ably filled the office of Highway
Commissioner. He is identified with the Ancient
Order of United Workmen and has been a Mason
for twenty years. Both he and his admirable and
worthy wife are active members of the Christian
Church. He began life with no means except his
own resolution and his manly strength and he now


possesses one hundred and thirty-seven acres in a
splendid state of cultivation and a commodious
and attractive home. Besides general crops he
raises all kinds of stock.
The parents of Mrs. Hoover were Abram and
Jane (McChesney) Ague. They were both natives
of Pennsylvania, where they spent their earlier
years, but came to Ohio and made their home there
many years ago. They have both long since been
called away from life.
ILAS A. YERKES, a prominent citizen of
Bennington Township, Shiawassee County,
I?) settled on his farm on section 5, in the fall
of 1848, having at that lime one hundred
and sixty acres from his father all in wild land. He
began to improve it and secured eighty acres more
which now comprises.the body of his farm, with
the exception of a small portion which was platted
and sold as lots. He brought with him a team and
a little money from Oakland County, where he had
lived in Novi Township since 1827.
The:parents, William and Hester (Dennis) Yerkes,
were both from New York, the father being born
in Pennsylvania, and the mother in New Jersey.
After their marriage in New York, they came to
Michigan in 1825. William Yerkes was bereaved
of his wife in 1880, when she was eighty-two years
old, and he died in 1885 at the very advanced age
of ninety years. He was a prominent man in the
eommunity, and had served in the Territorial Legislature, and afterward in the State Legislature for
two or three terms. He took up Government land
and lived on it until his death. His ten children
all grew to maturity, and established homes of their
own. They are named-Joseph, William P., Mary,
John, Silas A., Robert, Charles, Stephen, George
and Harrison.
The subject of this sketch remained at home until he was twenty-one, and then took possession of
the land which his father had secured from the Government. He had been West locating land for
the Eastern people, and had secured forty acres in
that way. He carries on general farming, and pays




922


PORTRAIAT ANDU BIOGR1APH-ICAL ALBUM.~l[


9                                O.


some attention to stock-raising. lie breeds Hambletonian horses, and bred "Raynerd" whose record
is 2:27. He also has "Maggie Yerkes," a mare of
great promise. His political views lead him to
affiliate with the Republican party with which he
has voted continuously since 1856. tIe is active
in public affairs, although a sufferer in health, having been a victim of sciatic rheumatism for thirty
years.
The marriage of Silas Ycrkes with Eleanor Ann
McCarty, of Owosso, took place August 18, 1849.
This lady is of French and English descent, and is
a daughter of Abram F. and Eliza (Andrews) McCarty, who settled in Owosso in 1847. Their
daughter was born in Ohio; her children are: William F., who died at the age of seven; and IHettie
Eliza, now Mrs. T. Jay Perkins, who lives on a farm
and whose husband is a partner in the spoke factory of Owosso. Mr. Yerkes carries on his farm
by the help of hired men. He is a sympathizer
with and supporter of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Mrs. Perkins was born March 22, 1854,
and married September 5, 1883. They resided for
awhile in Northville, Wayne County, where Mr.
Perkins was conducting a mercantile business, but
after two years returned to Benningfton, where lie
became a member of the Greer & Perkins manufacfacturing company, buying out the Owosso Spoke
Factory.
Mrs. Perkins is an accomplished and enthusiastic
equestrian, and divides her time between her husband and her horses. She has her own horses, and
is breeding HIambletonian Clay and Olmedo Wilkes
horses. She has two Louis Napoleon colts, and is
well posted on horse records. She takes a great
interest in driving, and has been largely instrumental in erecting a capacious horse barn upon the
farm which is admirably arranged to accommodate
a number.of horses, having separate box stalls, well
ventilated and lighted. She is an intelligent lady,
and handsome and of stately presence.
The history of Mr. Yerkes and his wife would
be incomplete without some reference to their ancestry. The Yerkes family in this country originated with two brothers, who came from Holland and
settled in Philadelphia many years ago. "Baron"
Yerkes, the street railway magnate is a near rela

tive of our subject. Farmington, Conn., was settled in 1640 by John and Mary Andrews. The
genealogy of this family has been prepared by the
Rev. Alfred Andrews, of New Britain, Conn. That
gentleman is the father of the Andrews Bros., of
Chicago, who are so well known in business circles
as manufacturers of school supplies. The genealogy
shows an unbroken line from this first American
John Andrews through Joseph and Joseph, Jr.,
William. Miles, Jason and Eliza (Andrews) McCarty to Eleanor Ann McCarty, now Mrs. Yerkes.
IIOHN WESLEY CHASE.        The owner of
the farm on section 16, Shiawassee Township, Shiaw:assee County, is the gentleman
whose name heads this sketch. He was
born in Luzerne County, Pa., June 13, 1830. His
father was John N. and his mother Eliza (Carney)
Chase. She was a native of Luzerne County, Pa.,
the father of Maine. John Chase, Sr., died at
Ontario, Ind., some fourteen years ago. His widow
survives, having attained the age of eighty-three.
Our subject's parents settled in Cass County,
this State, near Niles, in 1831, and about 1834
went to Will County, Ill., where they located
about thirty miles southwest of Joliet. About four
years later they went to LaGrange County, Ind.,
and in March, 1841, came to St. Joseph County,
this State, where they settled on the southeast corner of the township, where they lived until our
subject was about thirty-eight years of age.
In 1850 Mr. Chase made the overland journey
to California, where he was engaged in mining at
Sutter's old mill during the years 1850-51. His
efforts were crowned with fair success and he returned to St. Joseph County in 1852. Here he settled upon a new farm to which he bent his efforts
to improve until 1868 when he came to his present
place. Mr. Chase has one hundred and sixty acres
in his farm, part of which was improved when he secured it. He is engaged in general farming. He married, January 1, 1854, in St. Joseph County, Miss
Sophia Ph-enix, who was born in Tompkins County,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


923


N. Y., and who has- two brothers living at not a
great distance from her. Maxwell E. resides in
Brighton Township and Henry Phoenix lives in the
neighborhood of Mrs. Chase.
Our subject and his estimable wife were the
parents of several children, whose names are as
follows: Emma, now Mrs. George Hartwell, of
Benington Township; Mary, the widow of Charles
Mosley, who lives at home with her mother; Katie,
who is Mrs. Dennis Morris, of Newburg; John, at
home; Jane, who is Mrs. William Banks, has been
a teacher for several years in the home district;
Phoenix, who is in business at Owosso; Ralph, at
home, and Charles, also at home. Our subject is
not connected with any church, although his father
was a prominent Methodist in pioneer days. The
gentleman of whom we write was Justice of lhe
Peace in St. Joseph County, Mich.
IEUT. CHARLES FOWLER. The varied
wants of men give rise to differing lines of
trade, in which men of ability can fird room
for the exercise of their peculiar talents and so
become prominent and prosperous. A glance over
the town of St. John's will show the stranger a
number of first-class establishments, one of which
is devoted to the sale of hardware, plumber's and
gas fitter's goods, and the manufacture of tinware.
A full line of shelf and heavy hardware is carried,
and the other departments of the business are
equally complete. This establishment, which is the
largest of the kind in the place, occupies five floors
of a double store and is under the direct control
of its proprietors, Charles Fowler and Cooley E.
Ball.
John Fowler, grandfather of our subject, was a
native of Cambridgeshire, England, and spent his
entire life there cngaged in the work of blacksmithing. His son James, father of our subject, was
born at Gravely in 1815, and learned his father's
trade. He carried on a shop for some time in
Huntingtonshire, whence he came to America in
1851. He lived in various places, looking about
for a location that pleased him, and finally settled


in Tonawanda, N. Y., where he carried on a shop
until 1870. He then came to this State and made
his home with his son, our subject, until his death,
in 1881. IIis wife, whose maiden name was Sarah
Bodger, was born at Covington, Cambridgeshire,
England, and died in the East during the Civil
War. They had six children, Charles being the
first-born. His sister Hannah, Mrs. Bourne, died
in Schoolcraft, this State, and Sarah A., now Mrs.
Taylor, is living in Graadville, the other died very
young. In Fenstanton, Huntingtonshire, February
18, 1840, Charles Fowler opened his eyes to the
light. Iis life to the age of twelve years was
devoid of any incident of unusual interest, as up to
that time he studied and played as do most lads.
IIe then decided to " paddle his own canoe " and
ma(le his way to New York and thence to Cow
Bay, L. I., and for ten months worked among the
oystermcn on a sloop. IIe then returned home and
for three years was in the employ of a Mr. Stoddard.
In 1856 he came to this State and made his home
in Genesee County near Goodrich, working at
various occupations as he found opportunity, being
ready to turn his hand to anything and being
handy with implements of various kinds. IIe
attended school winters until he was nineteen, when
lie began teaching and soon after he became a
student in the State Normal School at Ypsilanti.
Young Fowler was at Ypsilanti when the war
broke out. In August, 1861, he came to St. John's
and entered tile employ of Mr. Charles Kipp, for
whom he worked until July 22, 1862. He then
enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry and
was mustered in at Saginaw, September 11, as a
private in Company A, and appointed First Sergeant that day. He received a commission as
Second Lieutenant, December 17, 1862, and was
assigned to Company C, of the same regiment, was
promoted to First Lieutenant of the same company,
February 4, 1864. In July, 1864, he was offered
his choice of a commission of Captain or one of
First Lieutenant and Quartermaster; he chose the
latter and he thus became a member of the Colonel's
staff with same pay as Captain. Some of the occasions on which he did valiant service were during
Morgan's raid, the battle at Campbell Station in
November, 1863, the siege of Knoxville and the




924


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Atlanta campaign.  After following Sherman's
fortunes in that memorable series of marches and
engagements, he returned to Nashville with Gen.
Thomas and then marched to Clifton, was sent to
Washington, then  to  Alexandria, and.finally
rejoined Sherman at Goldsboro. He next marched
to Raleigh and was present at the surrender of that
city and was afterward quartered at Salisbury, N.
C., until July 1, 1865, when he was sent North to
receive his discharge at Detroit, July 20. He was
one of the fortunate few who escaped the illness or
wounds which detained them from their commands,
and was never off duty while he was a soldier.
When the war was over Mr. Fowler retulned to
St. John's and until March, 1868, was clerk in the
hardware establishment of Kipp & McFarland. He
then became a partner in the firm and in 1870
another change was made, the style then becoming
Kipp & Fowler. In 1876 the firm of C. Kipp &
Co. went into effect, Mr. Fowler being one of the
three members. In 1884 the senior member sold
his interest to his companions and Fowler and Ball
have since carried on the business. Mr. Fowler
has a pleasant home where a wife and two children
greet him when business hours arc over. Mrs.
Fowler bore the maiden name of M. Janet Irish,
and was born in Groveland Township, Oakland
County, where her marriage took place in 1866.
She is a daughter of Manley Irish, an agriculturist
there.
Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have had four children.
Those now living are Leah, who was born in 1873
and is a high school student of the class of '92, and
Robert D., a bright lad somewhat younger than his
sister. The deceased are Charles M., who was born
in 1868 and died in 1886 and Fred H. who was born
in 1869 and died when four years old. Charles
was an extremely bright and promising youth,
whose early decease cast a shadow over the school
with which he was connected, and left an ineffaceable cloud in the home of his parents. When
called hence he was pursuing the last year's course
in the High School.
Mr. Fowler was Village Trustee six years, then
President two years and is again serving in the
former capacity. He belonged to the School Board
nine years and was chairman of the committee when


the present building was put up. He is an honorary member of the fire department and is one of
the directors and shareholders in the gas company.
He belongs to Charles E. Grisson Post, G. A. R.,
and is one of its most popular comrades and equally
well liked in general society. Politically, he is a
stanch Republican and he has served as a delegate
to county, State and congressional conventions.
OSEPH J. HUFFMAN, one of the noble
defenders of our country during the Civil
War, whose fine farm is situated on section
12, Rush Township, Shiawassee County, was
born in Portage County, Ohio, May 4, 1841. His
father, William Huffman, a farmer, was born in
Pennsylvania, near Reading, March 28, 1818, and
received a common-school education. lie came to
Ohio with his parents, and was married about
1838 to Margaret Ruff, of Columbiana County,
Ohio. She was born March 28, 1815.
The parents of our subject made their early
home in Edinburg Township, Portage County, until
1844, when they went to Hancock County, Ohio,
and bought eighty acres of land. They did not
hold 'this long but sold it and purchased another
farm in the vicinity, where the father died in 1864.
They had ten children, three daughters and seven
sons, of whom our subject was second in order of
birth.
September 13, 1866, was the wedding day of
J. J. Huffman and Sarah J. Fricks, a daughter of
Daniel and Matilda (Martin) Frick, who had four
sons and three daughters, of whom Sarah J., the
second in order of age, was born December 18,
1845. Our subject and his wife bought eighty
acres of land in Hancock County, and lived there
for some twelve years, coming to Michigan in
1878 and purchasing eighty acres in Rush Township. Two lovely daughters have graced their
home, Lillian J.. who is now the wife of William
F. Johnson, and Ada M. who remains with her
parents.
Mr. Huffman has for some time been identified
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in




REDKj4C1 I   O I 3C  3NVDER,  QFO. t.,  T dPL)U 1! TI, ZH \I V -` E  CO.,MICH.


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RPSKMI D  FO  Or J. J. HO FFIVAN,5FC.1;.  iUJH T-,S> 3!AWA I A  2O.,Wt H.




A.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


927


which he has been Treasurer and is now Vice
Grand. He is a Republican in his politics and has
been Treasurer of the township for four years and
has also held offices in connection with the school
matters. In 1880, he bought forty acres of land
and in 1883 added forty more, all on the same
section, and now has one hundred and fifty-one
acres, one hundred and twenty-five being under
cultivation. He started with no capital and has
made a good farm and home by his untiring exertions and good management.
In August, 1861, Mr. Huffman, then a youth not
having reached his majority, enlisted in Company
A, Forty-ninth Ohio Infantry. His regiment was
ordered South and he was present at the following
engagements: Pittsburg Landing, Siege of Corinth, Murfreesboro, Stone River, Resaca, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Picket's Mills,
and Kenesaw Mountain. He went as far as Atlanta
and then returned to Nashville with Thomas' Division, in pursuit of Hood. The following spring
they were sent to San Antonia and Gonzales,
Tex.   From there they proceeded to Victoria,
where they receive ththeir discharge November 30,
1865. When leaving Nasllville, Tenn., for Texas,
our subject was promoted to the office of First
Sergeant. Mr. Huffman's experiences in the war
have left him with some serious afflictions which
most certainly point to his deserving a pension but
he has never received one. He suffers greatly
with catarrh and also with heart disease, and his
deafness was caused by the firing of a cannon near
him.
The attention of the reader is invited to the
view of Mr. Huffman's homestead, presented on
another page.
AYTON     B. REED, a retired farmer and
capitalist of Owosso, Mich., was born in
Rootstown, Portage County, Ohio, January
28, 1820. His parents were Abraham  and Sily
(Hitchcock) Reed; the father was born on the
27th of March, 1777, in Ellington Township, Tolland County, Conn., and the mother December 17,


of the same year. In connection with seven other
families this couple soon after marriage removed
with wagon and by the aid of oxen and horses
from Connecticut to Ohio, settling in the Western
Reserve camping by the way and being forty-two
days on the road, finding their new home in the
green woods of Portage County.    There they
cleared away the trees, cultivated a farm and spent
the remainder of their (ays.  The father died on
January 6, 1849 and the mother passed away June
27, 1834.
Ten children clustered about the fireplace in this
pioneer home, four sons and six daughters; of
this household there are only four living, three
sisters and our subject. He attended school at
Rootstown and began his business days as clerk in
a store and after some experience there he set out
through the West to peddle goods, going to country
stores and having a regular circuit, following the
business thirteen years. He afterward started in
dealing on his own account in dry goods, adding
such other stock as is found in country stores and
continued in Rootstown in this business for five
years, after which he sold out and became a traveling salesman for James Ward & Co. of Niles, Ohio.
After serving that firm for several years he entered
the employ of a New York house in the hardware
line, traveling through Ohio and later being salesman for Manning, Roman & Co., of Meriden,
Conn.
Mr. Reed came to Sliawassee County, in 1866,
and locating in Caledonia Township bought a farm.
In December, 1890, he sold that property and
moved to the city of Owosso where he has since
resided, looking after his general business and
transacting loans. His marriage took place June
22, 1842. His wife who bore the name of Helen
S. Barnum, was born in Rootstown, Portage County,
Ohio,June 22,1825. HIer mother was Juliet Bostwick,
who was born April 9, 1797, in Hinesburg, Chittendon County, Vt. and lived to the age of ninety
years. Her father, Samuel Barnum, was born in
Vergennes, same county, July 21, 1796, and lived
to the good old age of eighty-five years.
Mr. and Mrs. Reed became the parents of two
children: Juliette A., a graduate of the High
School at Corunna, now the wife of Albert West




.4


928


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


of Owosso and Laura H., wife of Walla H. Holman of the same city. Mr. Reed has been Justice
of the Peace and Supervisor of Caledonia Township for several terms. Politically he is a Democrat but cannot be called in any sense a politician.
He is also a member of the Corunna Lodge No. 61,
I. 0. 0. F. The family resides in a beautiful, attractive residence at No. 519 Mason Street East.
> * ~ ^-*b^ —3 t~ — s+          -<
'-R ENJAMIN F. SMILEY, a prominent reside t of Greenbush    Township, Clinton,) }County, was born February 7, 1835, in
Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and is a son of
James and Elizabeth (Burrell) Smiley. His father
was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of
Maryland, and they were pioneers in Ohio. They
had a family of eleven children and the following
are now living, an honor to their parents and a
benefit to the communities in which they move:
Robert B., living in Kansas; John, in Davis County,
Ind.; our subject is next in order of birth; Thomas,
in Davis County, Ind.; Marshall and Susan, (Mrs.
M. S. Itskin) in Tuscarawas County, Ohio; Jane in
the same county; Keziah, wife of J. A. Hostetter,
in Canal Dover, Ohio; and James M. and Rachel,
(Mrs. M. J. Flood) in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
Mary A., is deceased.
The subject of this sketch engaged in farming
from his early boyhood and growing up in his native county, took such educational advantages as
he could there find. He is principally self educated,
as the necessities of farm life kept him at home
much of the time and when he attended school the
lack of system in the schools of those early days
prevented him from making rapid progress.
His marriage in 1860, May 30, with Elizabeth
Putt, was an event of great moment in the life of
the young man and was the beginning of a domestic life of more than usual happiness and prosperity. His wife was born in the same county with
himself and they had grown up together from
childhood and their long acquaintance made a
foundation for mutual happiness. She is a daugh

ter of Daniel and Barbara Putt. Her father is
still living but her mother has passed away from
earth.
Five children have been sent to bless the home
of our subject, three, Clara, Robert L., and Clark
P., have been called to the better world. The two
who remain to cheer the hearts of their parents are
Olive F., and Charles. Mr. Smiley removed his
family from Ohio to Miclhigan in the spring of
1881, and soon decided to make his home on section 22, Greenbush Township, Clinton County.
He and his wife have by their efforts accumulated
most of their property and now own one hundred
and twenty acres of as fine land as there is in the
township, all under thorough cultivation.
In political matters our subject sympathizes with
the Democratic party, but he is not a strictly party
man, and is willing to work with his fellow-citizens
of any party for the social and industrial improvement of that section of country. He has served
as School Assessor in his district and is ever wideawake to the educational interests of the young, as
he is anxious that his children and the children of
his neighbors shall have a better start in life than
their father's had. Both he and Mrs. Smiley and his
son and daughter are earnest and devoted members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and take an
active part in social life. He is well-known for his
sterling integrity in business matters, and enjoys
the confidence of his neighbors.
-EORGE C. REEVE is a farmer in Watertown Township, Clinton County, residing
on section 26, where he owns a fine farm of
one hundred and ten acres, well improved and furnished with fine farm buildings. His dwelling
house is attractive and pleasantly situated, is finished in hard wood and has all the modern improvements. He is a son of Thomas and Sophia
(Butt) Reeve, natives of Cambridgeshire, England,
where the subject of this sketch was born February
14, 1840, and where he was reared upon a farm.
The mother of our subject died when he was
only four years old, and his father marrying again,




PO RTRAIT AND BIOGRA-PI41CA[C~L ALIBUTM.


929


P..             ALBU M.


the boy was brought up by his stepmother. Ile
remained at home until he was eleven years of age
when he, with his father's family, came to America
in 1851, and located in Clinton County, Mich. In
1864 George Reeve won the hand of Jennie Reynor,
who has been to him a true helpmate and who presides over this beautiful home and shares with him
the fruit of their toil. Their marriage took place
July 2, 1864, and the union has been blessed by
the birth of five children-Agues L., born May 7,
1866, married Stellian Wilson and resides in Ingham County; Herbert H., born November 22, 1868,
married Gracie Gillett and also resides in Ingham
County; William R., born January 16, 1870, resides at home with his parents; Claude B., born
September 18, 1876, and George C., February 14,
1881.
Mrs. Reeve is the daughter of William and Hannah (Ring) Reynor, natives of the Empire State,
where she also was born July 22, 1844. Her parents came to Michigan in 1846 and located in
Eagle Township, Clinton County. Her father enlisted during the Civil War and was killed while
in the service.
Mr. Reeve bought the farm  where he now lives
in 1864. It was then all timber land, and he has
thoroughly cleared it and placed upon it the improvements which now make it rank as one of the
finest farms in Clinton County. His residence and
buildings are handsome and attractive and show,
without doubt, the hand of a thorough going
farmer and efficient business manager. He takes
quite an interest in social affairs and is a member
of Lodge No. 33, A. F. & A. M., and of Franklin
Council No. 211, Royal Arcanum, in the same
city.
~ ---. ---.
ETH E. SHELDON, a retired farmer, is one
tile most prominent and influential citizens
of Vernon. From the active part he takes
in public affairs he has become widely
known throughout the community and we feel assured that this sketch of his life will be received
with interest by his many friends. HIe is a native
of tie Buckeye State, born in Portage County, Oct

ober 14, 1834. The family to which he belongs
was founded in America during Colonial days. The
paternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Sheldon, followed farming throughout his life in his
native State-Connecticut, and lived to be ninetyfour years of age when he was thrown from a horse
and killed. He was a leading citizen of tie community in which he made his home. a man of pronounced convictions, of irreproachable character
and for fifty years served as D)eacon in the Baptist
Church, being one of its most active and faithful
mem bers.
Seth Sheldon Sr., the father of our subject, was
born in Suffield Township, Hartford County, Conn.,
and became one of tile early settlers of Portage
County, Ohio, whither he emigrated when about
twenty-five years of age. IIe married Julia Bancroft, a native of Windsor, Hartford County, Conn.,
and a daughter of Benjamin Bancroft. Unto them
were born three children, two sons and a daughter.
The father died in Ohio, in 1835. lie was a Whig
in political sentiment. Mrs. Sheldon, who has since
married Martin Post, is still living and lhas reached
tile ripe old age of eighty-one years.
Seth Sheldon, their youngest son and tile subject
of this sketch was only a year old when his father
died. His mother afterward again married and the
family came to Michigan when Seth was a lad of
six summers, locating on section 12, Shiawassee
Township, in this county. The first home of the
family was a log cabin and they lived in true pioneer style, enduring many of the privations and
disadvantages such as are incident to frontier life.
Afterward Mr. Sheldon returned with his mother
and sister to Connecticut, where he spent about
two years and then again came to Shiawassee
County, Mich. His education was completed in
the schools of Flint and at the age of sixteen he
started out for himself to fight life's battles. iHe
commenced work as a farm hand, working by the
month the first year and in the succeeding autumn
and winter attended school. He then secured employment as clerk in the store of John Simonson,
with whom he remained for three years, after which
he spent one year in a general store in Owosso.
Subsequently lie was employed in a store in Shiawassee Township, after which he went to Iowa and




930


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- ---


i


I

embarked in business for himself as a general merchant in Solon. The year 1856 witnessed his
return to Shiawassee County, whereupon he purchased a farm on section 13, Shiawassee Township,
which he operated for two years, boarding at a
neighbor's as there was no house upon the place.
In 1858, Mr. Sheldon was united in marriage
with Miss Helen M., the third child of Henry and
Abigail (Merrell) Woodward, both of whom were
natives of the Empire State. Mrs. Sheldon was
born in Byron Township, Genesee County, N. Y.,
October 28, 1841, and with her parents came to
Michigan in 1844. Her father gave his life for
his country during the late war, dying in Knox.
ville, Tenn., but her mother is still living at the
age of seventy one years. The young people began their domestic life upon the farm on section 13,
and for many years made it their home. Through
their united efforts and their industry and enterprise they acquired a handsome property and as his
financial resources increased our subject extended
the boundaries 6f his farm until his landed possessions now aggregate three hundred and twenty-two
acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He carried on general
farming and stock-raising with excellent success
until 1887, when he retired from  active business
life and removed to Vernon to enjoy the fruits of
his former toil.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon have been born
eleven children, eight sons and three daiughters as
follows: Herbert L., who was born July 30, 1860,
died at the age of three years; the second, an infant son, died in 1861; Charles Wilbur, born Jan.
uary 1, 1863, died the same year; Clara Isabel, born
June 30, 1864, is studying music in Ann Arbor;
Kate Elizabeth, born September 26, 1866, is the
wife of J. A. Curtis, a clerk in one of the Vernon
stores; Arthur F., born May 1, 1868, is now a
student at Ann Arbor; Eddie, born May 18, 1872,
died the same year; Charles E., born November 5,
1873, Bertha Irene, August 11, 1875, George R.,
May 11, 1878, and Harold B., February 21, 1884,
are still at home.
In former years, Mr. Sheldon was a Democrat
but is now a supporter of Republican principles
and the present efficient President of the Village


Board. He is also president of the School Board
and under his able administration the schools are
fast attaining a high degree of excellence. The
cause of education has ever found in him a friend
and other enterprises calculated to benefit the public also receive his hearty support. He is Master
of Vernon Lodge, No. 279, F. & A. M., and is also
connected with Chapter No. 21, R. A. M. of Corunna. As before stated he came with his family to
Vernon in 1887, erecting at that time a pleasant
residence at a cost of *2500. The Sheldon household is noted for its hospitality and the members
of the family rank high in the social world. He
whose name heads this sketch is one of the most
prominent and honored of Vernon's citizens, for
by an upright life he has won the confidence and
best wishes of all with whom he is brought in contact.
'AMES OSBURN, one of the prominent merchants and prosperous citizens of Owosso, is
now at the head of the firm of Osborn &
Sons, dealers in dry goods and carpets. His
natal day was May 21, 1840, and his birthplace
Meadville, Pa. His father was John M. Osborn,
a native of the same State as his son, being born in
Meadville, January 18, 1812. He there grew to
manhood, receiving a common-school education
and being trained in practical life. His father was
a soldier in the War of 1812, during which service
he died, and the great-grandfather of our subject
was a Revolutionary soldier.
The Osburns came originally from England and
made their first settlement in Connecticut. Jane
(Morris) Osburn, the mother of our subject, was
also born in Meadville, Pa., April 24, 1819. Her
father, David Morris, was of Welsh descent. After her marriage to the father of our subject they
settled in their native town and there John Osborn
engaged in the mercantile business and the manufacture of hats, being a practical hatter by trade.
In 1857 John Osburn removed with his family
to Owosso, Mich., and there engaged in the drygoods trade, thus becoming one of the early merchants of that village. This business he carried on


I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


931




during his residence in Owosso. taking his sons into
the firm with him and remaining active in the business up to the time of his death, which took place
April 27, 1891. His faithful companion through
life departed this life three days later, passing
away April 30, 1891, and both were buried in the
same grave. They were active and devoted Christians and were identified with the Congregational
Church, which they had ever liberally supported.
They were the parents of seven children, five sons
and two daughters, six of whom lived to reach the
ege of maturity.
The eldest son, Morris, a retired merchant and
farmer, is a man well known in this section and
his biography will be found elsewhere in this volume; Charles Y. is the Collector of the port of Marquette, Mich; Fred is a partner in the store with
his brother James; Emma, now deceased, was married to Mr. Rodney Mann; Ariana, also deceased,
was the wife of G. L. Dimick; and Arthur died at
the age of five months.
James Osburn passed his school-days in the city
schools of Meadville, Pa., and afterward entered
the academy there, from which he was graduated
in 1857. I:e then entered his father's store and
assisted in selling goods and continued to reside
with his parents, accompanying them to Owosso
and after reaching manhood taking an interest in
the store. When his father retired from business
the two brothers, James and Fred, together bought
out the stock from their father, but preferred to
continue the firm name as before.
The dry-goods establishment of Osburn & Sons
is a large double store, 52x100 feet and three stories in height. The business occupies two floors, with
a well selected line of dry goods, carpets and
clothing. The marriage of our subject took place
August 9, 1881, to Ella Larzelere. She isa daughter of S. B. and Elizabeth A. Larzelere, the family
being of French descent and Mrs. Osburn being by
birth a native of New York State, whence she removed with her parents to Ypsilanti when she was a
young girl. She is the mother of one son, James L.
Mr. Osburn has served his city as Alderman of
the First Ward for eight years and was elected
Mayor of the city of Owosso in 1878. He was a
stockholder and Vice-President of the Second Na

tional Bank before it was re-organized into the
Owosso Savings Bank. He is prominently identified with Owosso Lodge, No. 81, A. F. & A.  I.
Politically he is an Independent Republican.
Both he and his charming wife are prominent members of society and are earnest and devout members of the Episcopal Church, of Which Mr. Osburn
is Vestryman.
/M  t ARTIN VAN B. SIMPSON. The family
to which our subject belongs is one of the
oldest in the county of Shiawassee, and one
of the most notable. This representative
resides on section 18, Owosso Township, and was
born in Ovid, Seneca County, N. Y., January 10,
1836. His parents, Lewis and Enay (Sayre) Simpson, were both natives of New York, the mother
being a daughter of John Sayre. Six children
gathered about their fireside, our subject being next
to the youngest. Of the four sons and two daughters all but one are still living.
In 1842 the father of this household came to
Sliiawassee County and secured a homestead upon
the land where his son Edward B. now lives, a tract
adjoining the farm of Martin. The father passed
away from earth in 1866, at the age of sixty-two
years. His faithful wife tarried longer than he,
dying about twelve years ago. In 1842 they had
no neighbors nearer than six and one-half miles,
and were thus isolated from companionship, as the
family was situated on the northern border of the
settlement. In those trying days she proved herself a thorough and brave pioneer and won the respect and admiration of all who knew her.
At the age of twenty-three, Martin Simpson began life for himself and a few years later set up his
own home. iHe was married March 6, 1861, to
Miss Aurora Munger, a daughter of Philander and
Abigail Munger, who came here from New York
twenty-two years ago, and spent the remainder of
their days in Owosso Township. Mr. Munger died
in 1866, and his widow survived until thirteen
years ago. At the time of his marriage the young
man secured the farm upon which he now lives,




932


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and which has been his home from  that day to
this.
The domestic happiness of Martin and Aurora
Simpson was not to continue long unbroken, for
the call of patriotic duty roused the young man
and led him to enlist in defense of the old flag.
He was mustered into the United States service
October 11, 1863, as a private in Company D, Sixth
Michigan Cavalry. His command was attached to
the Army of the Potomac, and lie was detailed to
brigade headquarters, and was on hospital duty
much of the time. In consequence of this he was
not sent into battle as was the body of his regiment. He was discharged at the close of the war,
having experienced no injury except an accidental
pistol wound which had shattered the end of his
thumb.
Mr. Simpson buried his first wife in November,
1874, and she left as her legacy to him one child,
Alpheas, born June 23, 1867, who is now a son of
mature years and at home with his father. Alpheas
Simpson has entered the matrimonial state, having
been united October 23, 1887, with Miss Nora
Toby, to whom has been born one child, Aurora,
who bears the name of the departed grandmother,
and who has reached the charming age of three
years.
The second marriage of Mr. Simpson, which occurred March 20, 1877, brought to preside over
his home Ann Munger, a sister of his former wife.
She died four years later, being a victim, as was
her sister, of that dread disease, comsumption.
The third marriage of our subject occurred in
1873, his bride being Miss Hulda Hammond,
daughter of Dennis Hammond, of Laingsburg. She
died in October, 1887. No children resulted from
the last marriage.
Mr. Simpson has seen many of life's trials and
met with misfortunes, yet he stands to day as one
of Owosso's substantial men. He is now so situated as to be able to reap the benefits of a life of
labor, and to enjoy the comforts of the handsome
property which he has been able to accumulate.
Several of his father's family are located near him,
his brother, Edward, living on the old homestead,
where their early days were passed, and one sister,
Susan, being Mrs. George T. Hall. Mr. Hall was


one of the early settlers, and while a person of
marked characteristics and idiosyncracies, is a man
of character and usefulness and a highly respected
citizen. His estimable wife is one of the really
substantial and whole-souled women of Shiawassee
County, whose life is full of love and sunshine.
Of the other brothers and sister, the eldest, Mary,
married George Collier, of Owosso, and died at the
age of twenty-eight years, and Charles is a Methodist minister and in charge of a church at Mt. Morris, Mich., while Henry is a merchant at Gladwin,
this State.
Mr. Simpson is a Republican in his political
views, and while lie has never figured as a politician in the sense of an office-seeker, he has
ever taken an active interest in public affairs and
the advancement of the county and State.
UCY G. DOANE. Were it in our power
to throw on the page of this ALBUM in life
colors animated with the spirit of their
various times, portraits taken from the family histories of our patrons, we doubt if any would transcend in interest that of the family of Mrs. Lucy
(Guilford) Doane, who resides on section   28,
Owosso Township. For centuries past the ancestry
on both sides of the house has numbered in its line
a succession of men and women who have ever
been potent factors in their communities.
LIet us glance at the first portrait on the paternal
side. It is that of Earl John Doane, whose name
as is seen by reference to the Doom's Day Book
has been bequeathed to the son of each generation
with the exception of a short break of thirty years.
Earl John was a stanch Briton and as valorous in
heart as with the use of the sword, even though he
decked his sturdy, rotund English body in rare
Flemish lace, rich brocades and velvets, as was the
fashion in those days. The Doanes were manly
men and when a strong arm or trenchant pen were
required for the honor of Church or State they
gave their services gladly. One of the lineal
descendants of the family was a secretary under
Gov. Winthrop.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


933


The mother of the husband of the subject of our
sketch, Gilbert G. Doane, was Lucy Harmon,
daughter of one of the oldest and most highly
esteemed Colonial families of the State, of whom a
special history is being prepared. Gilbert G.
Doane was born September 12, 1816, in Pawlet,
Rutland County, Vt., and September 2, 1846, at
Mexico, N. Y., married the charming Miss Lucy
Guilford. Mr. Doane died October 30, 1885.
Mr. I)oane inherited the literary tendencies of his
family. I-e received his education in his native
tongue, began his career as a teacher in New York
State, and though he suspended his teaching for a
time, taking up the editorship of a newspaper and
the manufacture of paper, so great was his love for
his work that he resumed it on removing to
Owosso, being acknowledged throughout Michigan
as a liberal educator with liberal and progressive
ideas.
in 1864 Mr. Doane became attached as Headquarter Clerk in the Army of the Cumberland, for
from the first he had been convinced that the principles of abolition were the only ones that would
save the standing and honor of America among
the nations. Naturally interested in the politics of
lis country, his study of law and civil Government
gave him an insight into national affairs attained
by but few men.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Doane attest the
influence that intellectual pursuits in the parents
wield over the children. They are all cultured,
educated men and women. They are Evoera I.,
fnow Mrs. J. Perkins, M. D., of Owosso; Liola A.,
wife of James Carson, of Owosso, who was a prominent educator and conducted a summer normal
school at his own farm; Etta C., widow of the
Rev. Henry Marden, who went as a missionary to
Central Turkey, Asia. She accompanied her hus
band and remained there ten years. Prior to her
marriage she was a teacher in the Owosso school.
They started back to the United States for a vacation, but on the way hither the husband was seized
with an epidemic fever to which he succumbed
and died, being buried in May, 1890, at Athens,
Greece. Mrs. Marden is now (1891) making a
visit to her childhood's home and will soon return
to Turkey as a missionary. Charles and Ella


Doane still live on the home farm, having a pleasing family of four children, John, Emeline, Etta
and Elsie.
Mrs. Doane's family, the Guilfords, were among
the first settlers in Connecticut, having received a
tract of land from the Crown in 1634. The place
was given the family name, which it still retains.
The family have ever held a high and honorable
position in the history of the State. The father of
Mrs. Doane, Franklin Paul Guilford, was born
June 4, 1804, at Fair Haven, Washington County,
N. Y. When twenty-one years of age he was
united in marriage to Samantha Manley, June 26,
1825, at Dresden. His wife was born June 4,
1801, in Benson, Rutland County, Vt. Mr. Guilford was much interested in public matters, but
never an office-seeker. He was formerly an ardent
Whig and a strong anti-slavery man. He settled
in Michigan in 1849 in the present homestead with
Mrs. Doane and her husband, where he remained
until his death, May 17, 1880. He was killed
before the terrified eyes of his daughter Sylvia
while trying to stop a runaway team. He caught
the horses by the head but was himself so violently
struck by the pole that he was instantly killed.
He was a devoted member of the Baptist Church.
His family are Lucy, Sylvia, Amanda Kidder,
George W., Marcia and George Paul. Sylvia and
George Paul still remain on the old homestead..L ORACE N. KEYS, the well-known bank
cashier in Ovid, Clinton County, has made
his home in this place since 1882. He is
still quite a young man, but his financial
ability is recognized, and his integrity as a man appreciated by those among whom he has made his
home. IHe was born in Holley, Orleans County,
N. Y,, August 8, 1858, and is descended from old
New England families. His parents were Horatio
N. and Althea (Beebee) Keys, natives of Connecticut and Vermont, respectively. The father was a
merchant tailor, and then for ten years a merchant
in New York, and during the later years of his life
was engaged in farming. The son received com



934


PORT.RAIT AND) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


934      POTRI AN  BIORA A  AL BU.


mon-school advantages prior to his sixteenth year,
when he began to take up the duties of manhood.
In the spring of 1876 Mr. Keys came to this
State and locating in Clinton County near St.
John's, for a time worked on a farm. He then became clerk in a dry-goods store in the county seat,
holding the place until 1879, his employers being
Dunn & Upton. At that time he began in the
banking business as clerk and book-keeper in the
First National Bank of St. John's, in which he remained until March, 1882, when he came to Ovid
and was employed by De Camp, Upton & Co., until November, 1884, when the First National Bank
of Ovid was organized. Mr. Keys became a Director and Cashier, and is still acting in the responsible position, maintaining his place in the minds
of the people, and promoting the stability of the
institution in which he is interested.
Mr. Keys was married December 15, 1887, to
Antha, daughter of E. De Camp, of Ovid. His
wife has enjoyed excellent advantages, both in the
way of education and home care, and is a refined
and estimable lady. Mr. Keys is a Republican and
his first Presidential vote was for James A. Garfield.
He has been Village Trustee one term, but has in the
main given his attention strictly to business and to
the reasonable enjoyments of the social circle that
he frequents.
ABEZ TREADWELL HOUSE, one of the
venerable citizens of Bennington Township,
Shiawassee County, was born in Herkimer
County, N. Y., January 21, 1817. His father
Conrad House, was of German origin but was
born in this country, and his mother, whose maiden
name was Hannah Newell, was born in Massachusetts.
Jebez House is one of a family of seven children
all of whom grew to maturity, and five are now
living. Samuel lives at Owosso; Mary Abigail is
the widow of Francis House, a distant relative;
Althea, Mrs. Erasmus Lombard of Plymouth,
Mich.; Azuba, Mrs. Calvin Mitchell of Northfield,
Mich.; Maria, the eldest, who died three years ago


in Illinois and Everett B., who died in 1876, at
Byron, Mich. In 1844 the family made their home
at Ann Arbor. The father died at the age of
eighty-three in 1875 and the wife had passed away
a few weeks previous when seventy-seven years
old.
At the age of seventeen our subject left his home
and lived with Mr. William  Ambler in Wayne
County, N. Y. For four or five years he clerked
in this gentleman's store, and then took a stock of
goods to Fort Wayne, Ind., and sold it all out
within seven months. tie then went to Plymouth,
Mich., and worked in a shop making fanning mills,
for three years there and at Detroit. Buying a
farm in Salem, Washtenaw County, he spent six
years upon it, cultivating the farm and occasionally
building a mill as there was a demand for them.
He built a saw-mill at Hicksville and cut one million feet of plank for the plank road from Detroit
to Lansing. After ayear he sold this mill, but
carried on one on his farm where he also lhad a
blacksmith shop. When he sold this property he
rented for two years from his brother-in-law in the
same township.
Upon New Year's Day, 1862, he made his new
home on a one hundred and twenty-acre tract
which he had purchased the previous fall. This
farm  was partially improved and he traded the
crops on his Washtenaw County farm for the crops
which he found upon this and paid in addition
$2,900. There is a wind-mill upon the farm which
feeds a reservoir at the house and also one at the
barn. He has a fine large orchard and makes a
special crop of peaches, selling some seasons from
$500 to $600 worth. This crop he has found very
profitable in helping him out with the year's expenses. At one time he signed a note of $3,000
for a minister, who was unable to pay it, and it
was upon the peach crop that he depended to help
him clear the indebtedness. He also raises broom
corn and makes brooms, sometimes selling $200
worth per season.
Mr. House was married at Plymouth, Mich.,
when twenty-two years old. His bride was Mary Ann
Roe, who lived only three months after marriage.
His second marriage took place November 3, 1841,
at Plymouth. He was then united with Lydia




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


935


Gorton, who was born at Henrietta, Monroe
County, N. Y., April 10, 1820. Her parents,
Thomas and Hannah (Straight) Gorton were natives of New York, who settled in Wayne County,
Mich., in 1836.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. House are as following: Samantha, Ella, Major, and Lillie. The
eldest daughter is now Mrs. Philander Punches,
and lives near her father; Ella, is Mrs. William
Jennings, whose husband is Overseer of the county
farm, and Lillie is Mrs. Clayton Thomas, and with
her husband lives at home with her parents. Five
children have been called to the better world,
namely: Everett, who died in infancy; Caroline,
at the age of three years; Edsel, at the age of
twelve; Frank, when fifteen years old; and Willie,
when twenty-one. This son enlisted to serve in the
Civil War and died of measles at Grand Rapids,
havilig been gone from home only six weeks. Mr.
House is a Prohibitionist and was formerly a Re
publican and has always been a strong temperance
man. He uses no tobacco and has not tasted tea
nor coffee for ten years. He and his family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to
which he has belonged since he was seventeen years
old and he holds the office of Steward in that body.
-    R. HARRINGTON. The owner of a fine
farm located on section 5, Vernon Township, was born in Ontario County, N. Y.,
October 26, 1814.  His father, George
Harrington, came to Michigan in 1831, first to
Farmington Township, Oakland County, laboriously making his way through the forest growth
with an ox-team, by which he brought his family
hither. Here he bought forty acres of land upon
which he built a log house. The ten years during
which he remained on this place were fraught with
incident and hard labor. After clearing this farm
he moved to Shiawassee County, and located in
Vernon Township, where he spent the remainder of
his life. He was a Democrat in politics and was
instrumental in getting many of the early improvements. He was appointed Road Commissioner


and did much to open up the way for later emigration. He was a Mason and a member of the
Royal Arcanum.
Our subject's mother was Miss Sally Bristol, a
native of New York State. She attained to the good
old age of seventy years and was proud of having
been the parent of eleven children, two daughters
and nine sons, of whom Mr. Harrington is the
second child. His first school days were spent in
New York and he came with his parents to this
State when seventeen years of age and remained
with them, assisting in clearing and cultivating the
farm until lie was twenty-seven years old. During
this time he also worked at the carpenter's trade.
On March 22, 1824, Mr. Harrington was married to a lady whose maiden name was Sarah A.
Clark. She was a native of Rhode Island, having
been born in the city of Providence. She was the
eldest daughter of Jacob and Sally (Hopkins) Clark,
who were also natives of Rhode Island. Her parents came to Michigan in 1833, and located in Oakland County, Novi Township, where they remained
for three years and then came to Shiawassee
County, settling on a farm in Vernon Township
where Mrs. Clark died at the age of about thirtynine years. Mr. Clark married for his second wife
a Miss Anna De Wolf. He died at the age of eightyfour years.
The original of our sketch settled in Vernon
Township, and thence went to Livingston County,
Mich. where he remained about eight years, thence
went back to Shiawassee County, in 1856, where he
located on the place where he now resides. At
the time of his location there were no improvements whatever on the place. The first house he
built was a little frame dwelling, 10x24 feet. The
subsequent years were passed in clearing and improving the farm, in planting and reaping, that go
to make up the (lays of a farmer's life. Our subject and his wife are the parents of the following children; Orlan M., who resides in Ovid; Emma the wife of Newton Strong who make their
home with our subject; one who died at the age of
seven years, and one child who died in infancy.
Our subject has eighty acres of well-improved
land, and is a general farmer. He is an enthusiastic supporter of all measures that promise good to




936


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


----- ----— I — — - —  ---" — --- — `--  —

the community. Mr. Harrington, who is by courtesy given the title of Doctor throughout the
county, has by his genial manner won friends wherever he has been. His tenacity of principle and
purity of purpose by right give him a place in the
high esteem as well as the affection of his fellowmen.
OHN THOMAS COOPER, who resides at
the old homestead on section 1, Bennington
Township, Shiawassee County, was born on
the home farm August 24, 1853. His early
educational advantages were those of tie children
in his neighborhood, and as Michigan is larticularly progressive in educational matters and prides
herself on her district schools, they were good. In
1872 our subject attended the Normal School at
Ypsilanti, where he was graduated after taking a
three years' course. He belonged to the class of
'75, of which there were ten graduates. During
this period lie devoted himself to the full English
course. His classmates are, as a matter of course,
much scattered and are making themselves names
and fame in various parts of the country. One is
Judge Edwin Haug, of Detroit.
The subject of our sketch began his career as a
teacher. His first school was in District No. 5,
Bennington Township. He taught for ten consecutive winters, in the summers working for his father
or brother on the farm and in 1876 at his father's
death took entire charge of the home place, conducting the farm exclusively since 1886. tIe is
recognized as an educator of prominence throughcut the State and for a number of years has had
many calls to be in attendance at county institutes
where he was engaged in teaching special branches.
The frail state of his health, however, compelled
him to give up this work. Although Mr. Cooper
now devotes himself to agriculture he is deeply
read in literature and keeps himself well posted in
current events. He has a fine library of the English
and American authors, in the perusal of which he
takes the greatest pleasure.
The original of our sketch was married May 7,
1885, in Shiawassee Township to Miss Blanche


King, daughter of Harvey and Sarah (Barnes) King.
Her grandfather was the Rev. Silas Barnes, one of
the pioneer ministers of the Baptist persuasion in this
State. Mrs. Cooper was born in Ashtabula County,
Ohio, August 10, 1863. Her father died when she
was three years old, her mother surviving him only
ten years; the daughter at the age of thirteen entered
the family of an uncle, Dr. Horace Barnes, of Ionia,
where she remained for five years and then changed
her home to that of her aunt Mary Reynolds, wife
of the Rev. G. M. Reynolds, of Shiawassee County.
Here she lived until her marriage with Mr. Cooper.
Mr. Cooper has one hundred and twenty-nine acres
of land, which was the old homestead. He devotes
most of his attention to stock-raising, taking much
pride in the fact that he has some of the finest
blooded animals in the county. He owns a registered Short-horn, bred by J. W. Hibbard, having
an Oxford strain of the Strawberry Roan family.
Our subject is a Republican. His fellow-townsmen have their confidence in his integrity, intelligence and judgment by electing him to the most
honorable positions that the township can give.
-IHe has been Township Superintendent of Schools
and Inspector of the same for many years. Although Mr. Cooper's household is destitute of children it is one of the most agreeable in which to
visit. The head of the family is a man of unusual
intelligence, culture and refinement, and the wife
a la(ly whose sweetness of disposition and bright,
genial manners endear her to all who know her.
G     LINTON   J. HILL is the only son of a
worthy sire, Cortland Hill, and was born in
Bengal Township, Clinton County, Mich.,
December 5, 1838, being the first white male clild
born within the limits of this county. Iis father,
Judge Cortland Hill, was born in Tompkins County,
N. Y., in 1811. He was ereared upon a farm. lie
attended school for only one-half day, but after
he became of age lie taught school for several
years both in New York and Pennsylvania. He
obtained his education by his father's fireplace and
studied both Greek and Latin. He came to Michi



PORTRAIT AND BIOG RAPHICAL ALBUM~,937


PORT   T AD BA A  M        9.

gan about 1835 and took up Government land near
Homer, Calhoun County; he sold this land, buying
near Charlotte, Eaton County, and subsequently
transferred his property rights to Clinton County,
where he purchased three hundred and twenty
acres on section 31, Bengal Township, for which he
paid $2 an acre. In 1836 he was married to Lucinda Rease, a native of Montgomery County, N. Y.
She was a lady of frail form and delicate appearance, and many of her friends in the East thoulght
that a man who would take so frail a creature into
a desert could have no affection for the wife of his
choice, but her husband learned that bone and
muscle did not make a heroine:ind that she had the
nerve and grit to kill a bear and drive a gray wolf
from her door with her brool.
When Cortland Hill came West with his bride
he left ler in Detroit while he built a log shanty on
his land, being thus the first settler in what is now
Bengal Township. Indians were numerous but
peaceable, and wild game was plentiful. He did
his own clearing and chopping for a number of
years, and his team was a yoke of oxen with which
he went as far as Pontiac to mill, an. later to Ionia.
After his first three children were born and they
began to have religious meetings in the neighlorhood, Mr. Hill bought an old horse and they all
went to meeting on his back, the parents being
sandwiched in between the three children. When
they reached the church their neighbors envied
them because they could go on horseback, while
the others came to the service on foot.
In 1844 Mr. HIill removed to De Witt, then the
county-seat of Clinton County, where he engaged
in the mercantile business for four years and then
returned to his farm where he lived until his death,
which occurred January 3, 1888, in his seventyeighth year. He was Judge of the Probate Court
for six years and served as Deputy County Clerk for
two years. He was a Democrat in politics and was
a candidate for the Legislature, but his party was in
the minority and he failed of election. For many
years he was Justice of the Peace and was Supervisor of Bengal Township for several years. In
his office as Justice he was more than ordinarily
wise in his decisions and was familiar with the law
of the land. He was a prominent member of the


Grange and took an active interest in the order,
making many speeches throughout the State in its
behalf.
Judge Hill was an intelligent student of the
Bible and a lecturer upon astronomy. He was for
a number of years connected with the Free Will
Baptist Church, but that society became extinct in
his locality and he never after united with any
church. He was a man of excellent habits and was
never known to utter an oath or use a by-word of
questionable sound. He was held in the highest
esteem by all who knew him. He was the Presiident and one of the most active members of the
Pioneer Society for more than a dozen years. For
forty years he was Postmaster of the Bengal postoffice, which at his denth was discontinued. He
purchased a water gristmill in De Witt in 1848
and repaired and operated it for two years.
The mother of our subject died February 5, 1888,
just a few weeks after the death of her faithful
husband, with whom she had celebrated their
golden wedding during September of the previous
year. She was a conscientious and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and at the
time of her death was almost seventy-two years old.
She was the motler of six children, five daughters
and one son. In the words of the father, written
at the time of the celebration of their golden wedding, "These five daughters, amiable, affectionate
and lovely, the joy of our hearts and the pride of
our lives-these five daughters whom we fondly
hoped would steady our faltering steps in life's decline, are all gently sleeping in the cemetery."
The subject of this sketch is now the only surviving member of this family. He was reared on
the old Hill homestead and educated in the old
log schoolhouse, never attending but one term in a
frame schoolhouse. After he was eighteen years old
he entered Olivet College where he spent seven
terms and then took one year at the State Agricultural College. He remained at home until of age
and taught for some time. Subsequently he bought
and sold stock and speculated in land for two or
three years.
In 1868 our subject was united in marriage with
Delight Lyon, of Ohio, who died May 1, 1874,
leaving one son-Tyler. Mr. Hill's second mar



938


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




riage occurred in the fall of 1875, when he was
united with Lora Seaver, a native of Oneida County,
N. Y., whose parents brought her to Michigan
when she was about a year old and who have since
passed away. Two children bleesed his marriage
-Ray, who has died, and Dell.    Mrs. Hill is
an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Mr. Hill a Democrat in his
political views and has been a member of the
Masonic order for more than twenty-five years.
He has a fine farm of five hundred and twenty
acres and has for several years raised Shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses, Merino sheep and
Poland-China hogs. His boyhood life in the forest
developed a fondness for hunting. He killed scores
of deer in this township, and since they became
scarce has followed them north and now makes
regular trips north every fall to engage in this
sport. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence and a prominent and influential citizen in the
community.
M. KILBOURN is a prominent druggist
and real-estate dealer in Corunna. lIe owns
the building in which his drug store is located, and carries a large and carefully-selected
stock of drugs, medicines and druggists' sundries,
carefully dispensing the former and taking pains
to have only those which are reliable and pure. He
deals in farm lands to some extent but his chief
real-estate business is in connection with Riverside
Sub-Division, which adjoins the county seat and
extends to within a half mile of Owosso. It comprises land on section 20, Caledonia Township, formerly known as the D. B. Reed farm. It was
bought by Mr. Kilbourn in September, 1890. The
scheme of the new sub-division occurred to him
and Mr. Eveleth and thirty acres of land was
platted. Some of it was sold almost immediately
after being placed on the market, and Detroit parties replatted a tract acquired by them.
Mr. Kilbourn is a descendant of families of the
Empire State, his father having been born in Franklin and his mother in Oswego County. The latter
was a daughter of Harry Huntington, a millwright


who died in Ingbam County, this State, in 1859.
Her maiden name was Amanda Huntington. The
father was reared on a farm and after his marriage
removed to Shiawassee County, this State, and was
engaged in farming in Perry Township until 1865.
He then sold his farm and came to Corunna, assuiming an interest in a planing-mill, and sash, door
and blind factory. IHere he died in 1868 at the
age of forty-eight years. The widow remained
here until 1887, then went to Selma, Cal., where
her younger son Charles is in the drug business;
her death occurred there the following year.
Fred Kilbourn is the elder of two children born
to his parents and his natal day was January 10,
1854. He was born on the farm in Perry Township and lived there until he was eleven years old.
He attended the Corunna High School after the
family removed to the county seat, but when he
entered his teens was obliged to go to work. He
spent two years clerking in the general merchandise establishment of Simons Bros., then went to
Portland and worked two years. He next spent a
year in a grocery store in Lansing, then returned
to Corunna and became a clerk for Dr. Alsdorf.
In the employ of that gentleman he spent four
years and then began business in partnership with
George Shattuck. This was in 1877 and the firm
of Kilbourn & Shattuck was in force two years.
The senior partner then assumed the entire interest
and since that time has been carrying on his business alone. Mr. Kilbourn owns a residence and
five acres of land in Corunna, and a forty-acre
farm with excellent improvements in the vicinity.
In the city of Detroit in August, 1886, Mr. Kilbourn was married to Miss Alma Croarkin. This
lady was born in Dexter, Washtenaw County, and
completed her education in the Sacred Heart College at Detroit, from which she was graduated in
due time. She is a communicant of the Catholic
Church. Mr. and Mrs. Kilbourn are the happy
parents of two bright children, named respectively,
Kathleen and John. Mr. Kilbourn is a Mason and
in politics is independent.  His character and
ability have been recognized by his fellow-men
and he has been called upon to serve them in positions of responsibility. He has been Alderman
two years, was Supervisor of the First Ward one




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


939


year and City Treasurer two years. In 1883 he
was elected to the highest position within the gift
of the people of Corunna and sat in the Mayor's
chair during the ensuing term and again in 1890.
His official stations give evidence of his reputation
in business circles, and the competence he is securing proves that he is a good manager and full of
energy.
---— ~E^ ---
OHN A. JOHNSTON. Fairfield Township
is noted for producing some of the finest
stock in the county, and one of the farmers who have given most intelligent attention to this industry which is at present proving so
luclative to all who are engaged in it, is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this sketch, and
who resides on section 12, Fairfield Township, Shiawassee County. Besides his interest in stock-raising he is a general farmer and has a pleasant and
well-improved place that compares well with any
in the county.
Mr. Johnston was born in Brecksville, Ohio,
July 1, 1845. He is the son of Joseph and Margaret (Hampson) Johnston, natives of Pennsylvania but of Irish parentage. His grandparents on
both sides were natives of Ireland. His paternal
grandfather was Edward Johnston and his maternal grandfather was William HIampson.    The
grandparents emigrated to this country at an early
day, and their children became scattered through
the Eastern States. Mr. Johnston's father removed
to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, with his parents when
he was six years of age, his birth day being April
1, 1806. There he was reared on a farm, and on
reaching manhood married, but did not long make
Ohio his home, coming to Kalamazoo County,Mich.,
in 1850. Our subject was the youngest of a family of five children, all of whom were born in Ohio.
Three of them  are living, two in Kalamazoo
County. Our subject was four years old when
his parents removed to Michigan, and he became
familiar with all branches of farm work.
October 9, 1870, the gentleman of whom we
write was united in marriage to Miss Susan Bly,
daughter of Philip and Mary Ann (Ramsey) Bly,


natives of London, England.  They were, after
coming to this country, residents of St. Joseph
County, this State. Our subject continued to live
in Kalamazoo County for about seven years after
his marriage when he concluded to better his fortunes by removing to Shiawassee County. Here
he has purchased eighty acres of land which he has
earned by his own individual efforts. Mr. Johnston is favored, in that he has a better education
than the average farmer, having had unusual advantages both in early school days and in home.
training. He has one child who gladdens his home
and for whom he looks into the future with great
expectancy, as well as some natural paternal anxiety. This child is a daughter, Pearlyette, who is
the wife of Lewis Loynes, and lives on the homestead. She has two children to whom  she has
given the names of Joseph and John.
Our subject casts his vote with the Democratic
party. A brother of Mr. Johnston formerly lived
in this township where he was the owner of one
hundred and twenty acres of land, but on March
10, 1890, he died. Mr. Johnston is much engaged
in stock-raising, having some fine blooded animals.
He finds this a most lucrative business and a sure
offset to any failures that may be in crops.
i  )ILLIAM I-. POTTER, who is proprietor
of a harness shop in Ovid, is a native of
V  the township, and was born June 2, 1864.
His parents are John A. and Mary J. (Brown) Potter, who were born in New York and Michigan
respectively. The father was a merchant and in his
store in Ovid the son obtained commercial training
and learned the details of business life. In the
schools here the lad pursued his studies until seventeen years old, and he then entered the busines college in Valparaiso, Ind., and was graduated after
diligent use of a year and a half of time. Returning to Ovid he took a position in the banking
house of Sowers & White, and kept the books of
the establishment about eighteen months.
Mr. Potter then decided to enter the business
world as a principal instead of an employe, and be





940


PORTRAIT' AND BI[OGRAPHICAL~A~   ALBU~fM.


940_.....__.,.___ PRI  AN  IOR A  A U..~~~~~~~~~~~ooal woun. Whe                             but a. bo he wen to.........__..........


gan to look about for a good opening, and going to
Edmore he was employed by his father, who kept
a hotel there a twelvemonth. He then returned to
Ovid and in January, 1890, opened up a harness
shop. He is doing well financially in this enterprise, and is gaining the reputation of an honest
and reliable dealer. The goods sent out from his
shop are well made, of good material and excellent workmanship, and the demand is increasing.
May 28, 1885, Mr. Potter was married to Miss
Cora HI. Brokaw, of Ovid, daughter of Charles P.
Brokaw. Two daughters have come to brighten
the happy home-Beulah, born November 28, 1886;
and Kate Clice, July 7, 1889. After due consideration of the political question Mr. Potter decided
to throw his influence with the Republican party,
and thus his vote is cast. In April, 1891, he was
elected Town Clerk, and lie is carefully and intellidischarging the duties of his office. He and his
wife are held in respect by their associates, and are
looked upon as additions to social circles where the
educated and well-bred gather.
_C


honorable wound. When but a boy he went to
Tompkins County where he remained until 1823,
thence coming to Michigan in 1836, where he settled in what is now Vernon Township. The town
was not then organized. Ite located on section
17, on whih there were no improvements whatever,
Mr. Reed being compelled to cut the road through
for himself for the greater part of four miles.
Mr. Reed took up the land from the Government and at the time he entered upon his claim not
a stick of timber had been cut on his place. He
cut the logs and built a shanty that served for their
habitation for a number of years. His time was
necessarily spent in clearing up the place and it
was necessary that the family should ever be vigilant for there were wild animals in abundance
prowling around their very door. Here he remained until the age of seventy-four, when death
overtook him. In early days he was a Whig in
politics and held the office of Highway Commissioner, probably not because of his party inclination, for there were only seventeen voters at the
time the town was organized. The first town
meeting was held at Mr. Reed's shanty and all the
voters of the town were at that meeting. The
gentleman was Poormaster at one time and also
Pathmaster, in which capacity he attended to the
opening up of the roads. He was a member of the
Wesleyan Methodist Church and very active in
the work.
Our subject's grandfather on the paternal side,
Abijah Reed, was a native of Ireland and a wheelwright by trade; he came to America when a young
man and lived to he seventy years old. Our subject's mother, Minerva (Wolcott) Reed, was a native of Bradford County, Pa., and was born in
1794. She reached the good old age of seventyeight years and was a co-worker with her husband
in the primitive settlement and the organization of a
church. They were married at Ithica, Tompkins
County. N. Y., and were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, four of whom
are now living. Our subject was the eldest, then
followed William J., George W.. 1tamet A., the
wife of John Tunison and who resides in Vernon
Township. Our subject's school days were spent
in Dryden, N. Y. After he finished his school


JO ON REED. No State in the forty-four
gives greater encouragement to a man who
desires to devote himself to agricultural
life than does Michigan. Its resources are
large and its climate is adapted to the cultivation
of many crops. As a fruit-growing country it is
unexcelled, although in this respect it is not given
the credit it should have, because it is superficially
considered too far north for the perfect development of fine fruit. Our subject is one of the
thousands of farmers who have proved that the
resources of their State are almost without limit,
he having most successfully carried on a large farm
for a number of years.
Mr. Reed's farm is on section 7; Vernon Township. Our subject was born in Tompkins County,
N. Y., in Ithica Township, January 11, 1820. His
father was William K. Reed, a native of Bucks
County, Pa. He was born in 1796 and his son is
proud of the fact that his father was a soldier in
the War of 1812, from which he carried a most




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


941




work he came to Michigan with his father at the
age of sixteen. He helped to clear the farm in
Vernon Township and remained with his father
until twenty-one years of age when he bought the
farm where he now resides. He cut the logs and
built a shanty in preparation for the home to which
lie was so soon to bring a young bride. He was
married July 3,1844, to Mary A. McCollum, a native of Tompkins County, N. Y. She was born
February 2, 1823, and is the oldest child of the
family. Her father and mother were Abram and
Jane (Gilmore) McCollum.
After Mr. Reed's marriage he took up his residence in a log house. He lived in the shanty for
one and a half years, after which he built a good
log house in which he lived for nine years, when
lie replaced it by a frame dwelling to which he has
added until he now has a fine large home. One
hundred and fifty-nine acres stretch away from the
house and one hundred and fifty acres of this during the summer months are verdant with waving
grain. All these improvements have been made
by our subject. Mr. Reed and his estimable wife
have liad six children. The two eldest, Louisa and
Dexter, are deceased. Ellen is the wife of William
H. Howd, and resides in tile village of Vernon;
Marion is deceased; Charles E. is a mechanic residing in Georgia. The youngest son is also deceased.
Mr, Reed is at present not engaged in any business. He rents his farm on shares and enjoys in
his old age the fruits of his long years of hard
labor. He is very proud of some fine stock which
he has. The Republican party is the one of Mr.
Reed's choice. He has been School Director for
twelve years and Highway Commissioner for four
years.
EORGE W. EMMONS, a retired farmer, is
the oldest settler in St. John's, Clinton
_( County. He owns one hundred and twenty
acres inside the corporation of this city, and is the
gentleman who laid out and platted the Emmons
Addition. His father, Philanous, was born in
Catskill, N. Y. He was a cooper and mason by


trade. He carried on his trade in Romulus, Seneca County, N. Y., where he resided until his death
at the age of fifty years. His wife, Susan Wilkes,
was born there and came to Michigan and passed
away from   earth in Bingham  Township, this
county, when ninety-five years old. In her later
years she was tenderly cared for and cherished by
her son, our subject, who was her main support.
She had lived a godly life and was connected with
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Of the eight children in the parental home our
subject was the fourth in order of birth. His
birthplace was Romulus, N. Y., and his natal day
September 12, 1823. Ile attended the district
school until he was twelve years of age and then
was bound out to George Rogers, and came to
Michigan, making lhis home in Novi Township,
Oakland County. His coming to the West was in
1836. He remained with Mr. Rogers until twentyone years of age, and for a few years after reaching his majority. He worked for a tract of eighty
acres of land which Mr. Rogers valued at $100.
This is the land upon which lie now resides.
In the fall of 1844 the young man came to St.
John's, making the journey from Howell on foot,
through the unbroken wilderness for fifty miles.
He has always been fond of hunting, and even in
those early days was a good shot. He now belongs to the St. John's Hunting Club and goes to
the Lake Superior region on the Northern Peninsula every fall for sport, spending about two or
three months there. In Oakland County in the
early days he was in at the death of three bears and
a fourth one he killed all alone, attacking him
with dogs and rifle, and shooting him down. He
killed scores of deer and has some fine stags'
heads mounted as ornaments of his beautiful home.
The same year that he came to this county he returned to his former home and engaged in work
for some of the farmers, but three years later he
returned and began to cut the timber. He blazed
a road, which afterward became Lansing Street, in
St. John's, and felled the first trees in this locality,
being here three years before another settler came.
But it was too lonely to establish a home and he
returned to his old neighborhood.
It was in 1855 that Mr. Emmons finally made




942


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


his permanent home on the land which is now St.
John's. Here he built a log shanty with basswood
boughs for roof and began to improve the land.
After clearing twenty acres he planted it in wheat
which yielded him enough to eat and to sell for
his greatest necessities as well as seed for next
year. After he had raised his first crop his period
of greatest poverlty was over, for he has always
had enough to supply his needs from that day to
this.
About three years after this young man built'
his shanty other settlers came to St. John's and
established a settlement. He has since added to
his farm and has now one hundred and sixty acres
in a fine condition. He laid out one hundred
acres, which he platted as Emmons' Addition to
St. John's. This he sold as village lots and has
done considerable business in both real estate and
negotiating loans. He has some of the best lots
in the city. His first shanty was his home for four
years. He then built a frame house, which yet
stands. He built a larger home somewhat later
which he moved away in 1884, and erected one
of the finest brick residences in tile city. The
grounds occupy a whole block and the building cost some $10,000. Here our subject and
his wife dispense a cordial and graceful hospitality. The home is a beautiful one and is arranged and adorned in exquisite taste. His first
marriage took place in DeWitt, Clinton County,
in November, 1855. The lady's name before
marriage was Mary J. Morton.
The second marriage of Mr. Emmons took place
in Nankin, Wayne County, this State, in February, 1865, and he was then united with Mrs. Cornelia Pate. His third marriage took place at Detroit in February, 1872. Mrs. Emmons bore the
maiden name of Mary J. Chase. Her father and
grandfather, both of whom bore the name of Benjamin, were residents of Portsmouth, N. H. The
great-grandfather was one of the Revolutionary
heroes and both father and grandfather followed
the trade of a cooper. The father came to Ohio
many years ago and served his country for five
years in the Florida War. After coming to Michigan he was married at Detroit, and then went
to Maine for six years. Later he returned to l)e

troit, where he now resides at the age of seventytwo years. He is a Democrat in politics and a
member of the Christian Church. His wife was
a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and bore the
name of Christina Bessenger. She is a daughter of Michael Bessenger, who came to America
when his daughter was only two years of age, and
was a gardener in I)etroit. This worthy and intelligent couple were the parents of ten children, of
whom this daughter was the fourth. She was
born in Portland, Me., December 8, 1848, and was
two years old when the family removed to Detroit.
She is a lady of superior capabilities, true culture
and great loveliness of disposition, and is an ornament in the social life of the city.
Five beautiful children make glad the hearts of
these parents: Mamie, George W., Grace C., Fred
C. and Clarence H. Their mother is an earnest
and consistent member of the Christadelphian
Church. Mr. Emmons has been a Trustee of the
village for seven years and village Assessor for
one year, and was one of the most active citizens
in establishing a capable fire department. He has
a large interest in the Lansing Building & Loan
Association and also that of Detroit. He is a
straightforward Democrat and a man who is independent in his views.
J OHN J. P. GERARDY, who lives on section
17, Venice Townslip, Shiawassee County,
is one of our foreign-born citizens who is
truly welcome to our land, for he has proved
himself worthy of a home in the "land of the free."
His father, J. J. Gerardy, was a native of the department of LaMoiselle, France, and was a merchant and farmer. The great-grandfather was of
Italian blood. The mother of our subject, Susan
(Johannes) Gerardy, was a native of France, in
which country the parents spent their lives and
where they lie at rest. Our subject is the only one
now living of their household of five sons and two
daughters. Three of their sons served in the French
Army. A brother born in 1811 entered the army
in 1829 and served five and one-half years.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


943






I


Tile subject of this sketch was born May 11,
1826, in France, and was thoroughly educated both
in elementary and college courses. After completing his college education he was engaged for a
time in mercantile business at Metz and in 1844
entered the army. During his military career he
was at Strausburg in the First Battalion of sharpshooters. HIe was sent to a shooting school at St.
Omer, France, near Calais, where for nine months
lie took rifle practice and he was for three months
at Briancon upon the Switzerland frontier. He
went to Africa in a new battalion, the Eighth, and
landed in Algiers in 1847 and helped all through
the war. In 1849 he returned to the First Battalion and was engaged in the conquest of the city of
Rome against Garibaldi. After driving out that
brave Italian they returned in 1850 to Africa and
engaged in war there. On August 11, 1852, he
received his discharge and returned to France,
having been promoted from private to Sergeant of
the first class. Ile had lost his parents during his
absence and lie proceeded to settle up his affairs the
same year and embarked at Havre November 1.
Mr. Gerardy passed seventy-two days upon the
ocean and landed at New Orleans, La., and was
engaged for some time in the Luxemberg Hospital
in that city. In June, 1854, he married Mary A.
Luchenbuhl, a native of Bavaria, who was born
about the year 1826 and came to America two years
before her marriage. They continued to live at
New Orleans until April 1 of the following year,
when they sailed for New York City, being twentytwo days on the voyage. They spent the season
in Medina, N. Y. and in October came West, spending two weeks in Flint, and in November, 1855,
came to Shiawassee County and settled on the farm
which they now own. Eighteen'of its eighty-two
acres had been already cleared but there was no
building except a log house upon it.
Mr. Gerardy was not used 'o roughing it"in the
bush" and scarcely knew how to endure the hardships of pioneer life, but bravely went to work and
cleared the land as he could from time to time. IIe
now has one hundred and twenty-two acres, seventy-five of which are improved. In 1868 le built
his residence at a cost of $800 and the barn was
built in 1859. The orchards lie set out some twen



I




I


ty-eight years ago. Two disastrous forest fires visited him, the first being the more severe, and during it he and his wife had a trying experience.
They were lost in the dense smoke and wandered
for several hours with a lantern, trying to find
their home, although they were not more than fifteen rods from it during all that time. Indians,
deer, wolves, foxes, bears and panthers abounded in
those days.
In 1883 the devoted wife and mother passed from
the busy scenes of earth, mourned by all who had
the pleasure of her acquaintance. To her and her
husband nine children had tbeen born of whom six
are now living, namely: John P., wlo is married
and lives at Durand; Mary, the wife of Nelson LaMay, a farmer, who lives west of Byron and has one
child; Helen, wife of Charles Talphouse, foreman
in a lumber yard, has two children and lives in
Owosso; Alfred, who married Mary Mann, and has
two children, they making their home in Flushing,
Genesee County; Theodore, a farmer, who married
Mary E. Wlleelock, and lives near his father; Kittie,
the youngest daughter, is at home and keeps house
for her father. To all the children the parents
extended every possible opportunity for a good
education.
Several social orders claim Mr. Gerardy as an
active member; he belongs to the Blue Lodge,
Chapter, Council, and Commandery of the Masonic
Order at Corunna, and has held the office of Scribe
in the Chapter, and Standard Bearer in the Commandery. He has long been a member of the local School Board, and filled the Moderator's Chair
for nineteen years. IHe has always taken an interest in political movements aitnd votes the Democratic ticket. For eighteen years he has been Township Clerk, for sixteen years lie served as Notary
Public, and has also been Overseer of the HIighways. In looking back over his life lie realizes
that lie has hlad some great blessings, although he
has seen some hard times. It is a matter of regret
to him that he was not able to attend the last sad
obsequies or perform the last services over the
remains of his parents, his four brothers and two
sisters, but he was absent from them at the time of
their death. In 1854 while in New Orleans he had
yellow fever, and after coming to this State suf





944


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


fered from the Michigan fever and typhus fever
in 1857.
In the fall of 1853, Mr. Gerardy enlisted in New
Orleans, La., in the United States Army for war
with Mexico, but the difficulties being adjusted
between the two governments he was discharged
shortly after enlisting. He also. made the pilgrimage to the old city of Treves in Prussia at the exbition of the Holy Coat in 1844, at which time he
saw the crutches used by the young countess of
Droste-Vischering in the cathedral of that city. It
will be remembered that this young countess was
claimed to have been healed by miracle.
ARNER BUN DAY, the popular Mayor of
St. John's, and a prominent grocer, comes
of English ancestry. His father, who bore
the same name as himself, was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared in the State of New York. For
a time he was engaged as a teacher in Ontario
County, but later operated as a farmer. In 1837
he came to Michigan, entered and improved land
in Hillsdale County, where he owned one thousand
acres. He was a member of the Congregational
Church. The mother of our subject, Betsey Gardner, was born in Ontario County, and died in Hillsdale County.
Five children were born to the parents of our
subject, namely: John A., Cornelia G., Warner,
Phoebe A. and George F. He of whom we write
was born in Canandaigua, N.Y., in 1835, on January 5. His first recollections are of Hillsdale
County, whither he was brought by his parents at
the age of two years. He received his education
in the pioneer log schoolhouse which prevailed at
that time, but his opportunities were limited,
as be was early set to work.    He remained
under the parental roof until he was twentyone years old, when he engaged in farming for
himself.
Purchasing a farm  of one hundred and fifty
acres, Mr. Bunday devoted his time to its improvement until 1863, when on account of ill health
he sold out. Later he engaged in the general mer



I




cantile business in Somerset until 1868, when he
sold out and came to St. John's. He is the oldest
merchant in this thriving place and has operated
continuously here since his first arrival. For a time
he was doing business in the dry-goods line, but now
carries a full line of groceries and does sonme wholesale business.
Mr. Bunday was first married in Woodstock,
Lenawee County, in 1863 to Miss Annie E. Flint,
a native of Woodstock, and the daughter of Joseph
Flint. Two children came to them —Wallis M.
and Madge G. The second marriage of our subject united him with Miss Annie M. Campbell, and
was solemnized in Madison County, N. Y., in
1877. In 1891 Mr. Bunday was elected Mayor,
and has efficiently filled this the highest office
within the gift of the people. He has also served
as School Director, and as County Superintendent
of the Poor three terms. Socially he belongs to
the Free and Accepted Masons and is a Knight
Templar. He votes the Republican ticket and has
served as delegate to county and State conventions,
also on grand and petit juries.
*,    -     -  J           _ _-..T.,,.




ANIEL A. SUTFIN. Among those who
have long been identified with the interests
of Ovid Township, Clinton County, is the
gentleman above named, who landed here
April 29, 1853, and located on section 31. He
had not money enough to pay the teamster for
transporting him from  Detroit, but in lieu of
money Iie had a determined spirit, physical
strength and the encouragement and womanly aid
of an estimable wife. The first year he cleared
enough land to make a potato patch and a building
spot, and little by little he added to the tract until
he had eighty acres ready for cultivation. When
he came hither wild deer and turkeys would run as
close to his house as ten feet, and a daughter was
once attacked by a coon within fifty feet of the
door and dragged the animal nearly to the house
before she could get loose. After living on the
farm a quarter of a century, Mr. Sutfin sold it and
removed to section 11. There he partly improved




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


945


the place on which he lived six years, then became
a resident of Ovid, and now owns and occupies
three acres of Patterson's Addition.
As will be seen, Mr. Sutfin has been engaged in
agricultural pursuits —a line of work to which he
was reared, as his father was a farmer, and he early
learned how to till the soil and manage a farm.
He was born in Yates County, N. Y., March 22,
1825, and his parents were James and Maria (Ellis)
Sutfin. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and
when eleven years old began his residence in Yates
County, N. Y., where the lady who became
his wife was born and reared. Our subject reinained with his parents until he was of age,
spending much of his time in farm work, and having only common-school advantages.   Much of
the knowledge he now possesses has been gained by
him since his marriage. During seven successive
summers he was a boatman on the Erie Canal, and
thus got his start in life. When he came to this
State, Jackson was the nearest railroad point to the
locality he had chosen, and he set up his home in
the forest and endured the usual hardships while
improving his land. The years have been spent in
steady industry, and even now when he is growing
old, he is by no means idle. Hie has been able to
give his children good educations and lhas lived to
see them happily married and settled in comfortable homes. Bereft of the companion who made
his home happy for many years, he is now living
alone, but surrounded by children and friends.
April 24, 1842, Mr. Sutfin was married to E. M.
Wilcox, who was born in Orange County, N. Y.,
June 29, 1823, but at the time of her marriage was
living in Yates County. After sharing his fortunes nearly half a century, she breathed her last,
October 11, 1889. The record of the children of
Mr. and Mrs. Sutfin is as follows: Perry W., born
February 25, 1843; Jane, February 4, 1845; Mary,
February 25, 1847; Emily, November 8, 1849,
Augusta, December 15, 1851; Eliza, May 19, 1854;
Lewis, October 30, 1857; George, October 29,
1859; Emmet, May 24, 1864; D., December 25,
1866; Charles, December 25, 1871.
Mr. Sutfin has held but few offices, except that
of School Trustee, but was Drainage Commissioner
two years. In exercising the right of suffrage he


uses a Republican ticket, as he has long been convinced that that party embodies the truest principles of political policy. He has secured the
respect of his acquaintances by a quiet, industrious
life and by the care which he has taken to do for
his children that which would enable them to do
well for themselves and society.
M 1BROSE G. COWLES, M. D. Prominent
not only in professional circles but also in
social matters and church work is the wellknown physician whose name stands at the
head of this paragraph. He makes his home in
Durand, Shiawassee Count:y, and from that point
extends a wide practice which calls him in various
directions. He was born in Wood County, Ohio,
in the wilds of the Black Swamp, on the banks of
the Maumee River, his natal day being June
2, 1846. His father, David R. Cowles, was born
in 1805 in McGrawville, Cortland County, N. Y.,
was there educated and carried on his trade as a
wagon maker.
In 1845 David R. Cowles removed from New
York to Wood County, Ohio, and theie carried on
his trade, but he was not satisfied with that wild,
swampy country, and about a year later removed
to Michigan, reaching New   Hudson, Oakland
County, in 1847. Here he again made himself
useful in wagon-making, for which there was a
great demand and but a small supply. He made
his home in that country until the fall of 1865,
when lie rEmoved to Shiawassee County and located on an unimlproved farm   on section 28,
Vernon Townshil. Here he built a frame house
and cleared away the forest and made hlis home
until his death, which took place in 1880. He was
a strong Abolitionist before the war and became
an ardent Republican afterward. He was a faithful Christian man and an active worker in the
Methodist Episcopal Church to the time he was
eighteen years old.
The faithful mother of our snbject is still living,
and resides in Vernon Township. She bore the
maiden name of Lydia A. Swartz, and was born in




946


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


New York in 1814. She had but two sons, the
Doctor and his brother William. The latter resides on the farm with his mother. He being the
older of the two boys, entered the army at the age
of eighteen, serving three years, taking part in the
battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and
other like bloody battles.
The parents of our subject brought him with
them to the Wolverine State when he was an infant
of but one year, and his first schooling was taken
in New Hudson, his first teacher being that worthy pioneer instructor, Harriet Barry. He continued his studies at the Union School at Corunna,
taking a special course in the Normal room. Being
now qualified to teach he began that work, teaching
in the winters, helping his father through the
summer and attending Normal School through the
fall, carrying on work in this way for ten years.
At the same time he undertook the study of medicine. Later he attended the University of Ann
Arbor for one term and took a full course in the
Bennett Medical College, of Chicago, whence lie
graduated in 1878, locating the same year where
he now resides. Here he has built up a practice of
which any physician may be proud.
Dr. Cowles entered the state of matrimony in
January, 1880, his bride being Harriet McIntyre.
She was born in New Hudson, Mich., March 17,
1850, and had made her home here until marriage.
A great calamity befell the young couple during
the first year of their marriage, as the Doctor brought
home infection from a diphtheria patient and his
wife took the desease in its most malignant form
and thereby lost her hearing and in consequence
her speech has also departed. This trouble came
to them only eight weeks after their marriage, and
it has been borne with remarkable Christian fortitude and submission. No children have blessed
this home.
The Doctor has a beautiful farm of eight acres
which was his father's old homestead. HIe is a
Democrat in his political views and is identified
with the Masonic order, belonging to Durand
Lodge, No. 161. He was Superintendent of the
schools in Vernon Township for seven years, and
is an active worker in the Epworth League, which
is the Christian Endeavor Society of the Methodist


Episcopal Church. He is also a member of the
Independent Order of Good Templars, and is Secretary of the Masonic lodge. Dr. Cowles has been
the medical officer for the Chicago & Grand Trunk
Railroad and also for the Detroit & Milwaukee
road for seven years, and for the Cnincinati, Saginaw & Mackinaw Railroad since it was built.
-EORGE E. KING, the subject of this sketch,
has one of the most beautiful forty acres
farms in Watertown Township, Clinton
County. It is situated on section 15, and is improved with fine buildings. This gentleman is the
son of David and Electa (McKey) King, natives
of New York State. tie was born in Niagara
County, that State, and lived there until he was
fourteen years of age when he started out to work
for himself. He was early orphaned as his mother
was snatched from  him  when he was only six
months old, and he lost his father's protecting
care at the age of eight years.
George King was born April 18, 1837, and
came to Michigan in 1852. After spending some
time in Clinton County, he went to Lansing and
clerked in a store of J. I. Mead, who was one of
the leading merchants of Lansing at that time.
He remained there only one year and in 1854 went
to Wisconsin. After a year he returned to Clinton County, and bought the forty acres upon
which lie now resides. It was then an unbroken
forest and he has brought it from that condition
to its present highly cultivated state. He was
now considering the subject of matrimony and
felt it necessary to provide a home. He built a
small log house on his clearing and prepared for
housekeeping.
On the 17th of December, 1857, George
E. King   and  Susan Smith   were united in
marriage. The bride was a daughter of Jonas and
Lucinda Smith, pioneers in this section of Michigan. An opportunity to do well in Wisconsin
now induced the young couple to go there instead
of settling in the home they had prepared, but af



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ATBUM.


947


ter two years upon a farm there they came back to
Clinton County to their home. Here they have
resided from that day to this. One son only has
come to enliven and cheer their home, Frank Smith
King, who was born December 23, 1859.
On September 27, 1882, this son took to wife
Miss Susan Easton, a daughter of Orvill Easton, of
Clinton County. They reside on section 33, Watertown Township, and have one daughter, Josie
Myrl, born November 11, 1886, a beautiful little
girl in whom her grandparents delight. The son
has a fine farm of sixty-five acres which he is carrying on prosperously and it is near enough to the
parents' home to enable them to have frequent
social intercourse and family reunions.
The political views of our subject are embodied
in the declarations of the Republican party and he
is a stalwart defender of the policy of that organization. Iis intelligence and character are such as
to make him a leader among the party men of his
locality, and he is a delegate to most of the State
and county conventions. lie has been Township
Clerk for seven years and Highway Commissioner
for one year, and in this capacity did some excellent work which redounds greatly to his credit.
Among other enterprises he built two iron bridges
across the Looking Glass River.
AMIES H. CALKINS. Many of the prominent men in the business centers in Southern
Michigan are now found among those who
were born in this State and Owosso is no exception to this rule. The gentleman- whose name
heads this sketch was born in Genesec County,Mich.,
September 15, 1848, and is' a son of Caleb Calkins,
a native of New Hampshire whose natal day was
November 26, 1804. He pursued farming all his
life and died in August, 1860.  The grandfather
of our subject was also Caleb Calkins and was of
Welsh descent, the family belonging to tile early
settlers in New England.
Caroline Piper is the maiden name of the mother
of our subject, and she was born in Connecticut,
June 12, 1804. Her father, Samuel Piper, was of


German descent. Soon after her marriage with Caleb
Calkins, February 22, 1825, they removed from
Vermont to Genesee County, N. Y., and afterward
made their home in Monroe County, this State.
In 1840 they moved farther West, going to
Michigan and settled on a farm in Genesee County,
where they lived until the death of the father in
1860, and the mother passed away a few years
later. They were the parents of thirteen children,
nine boys and four girls and ten of this large circle grew to maturity and six are still living. Our
subject being the youngest of the family.
The school days of James H. Calkins were passed
in Genesee County, Mich., in the district school
and in manual training upon the farm. He was
but a lad of twelve years, when he was bereaved
of his father. He began work in the lumber
regions of Northern Michigan, entering the sawmill and lumber camp when only fifteen years old,
doing a man's work much of the time. He remained
there till his twenty-first year. On leaving the Saginaw Valley he returned to Genesee County and
began work at the carpenter's trade which he continued to follow until 1871, when he came to
Owosso and continued in the same line of work for
two years.
At that time Mr. Calkins turned his attention to
setting up machinery in flouring mills and continued in this and as Superintendent for Dewey &
Stewart, of Owosso, until 1891.  In the fall of
1890 he formed a partnership with D. M. Estey
under the firm name of Estey & Calkins, engaging
in the manufacture of lumber in the north part of
the State in Bay and Gladwin Counties. The firm
owns a tract of land of about eight thousand acres
and Mr. Calkin spends most of his time in looking
after their lumber interests. The company has two
large sawmills, one on the tract of timbered land,
and one at Pinconning, Bay County. The marriage
in 1871 of James H. Calkins and Addie Brown was
celebrated at Clayton, Mich., at the home of the
bride's father, James E. Brown. This young bride
died three years later leaving one daughter, Maud.
In 1878 Mr. Calkins married his present wife,
Charlotte E. Imhoff, of Owosso, a daughter of
Henry and Eliza R. Imhoff. Mr. Calkins has served
as Supervisor of the Second District of Owosso and






948


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




=


was elected Mayor of Owosso'in the spring of 1887.
Ile is a member of Lodge No. 81, F. & A. M.,
Chapter No. 89 R. A. M. and Corunna Commandery No. 21. He is one of the directors of the
Owosso Savings Bank and his political views are
in accordance with those of the Republican party.
— 5 --- —^~- -- — 4 —
T DWIN EWER WHITE was born at Mend don, Monroe County, N. Y., February 12,
1858. He is descended from Scotch Presbyterian stock on his father's side, while his mother is
of Quaker ancestry of English descent. From these
two sources come that indomitable will and energy
coupled with high conscientiousness of character
and purpose for which tile subject of this sketch is
noted.
The first fifteen years of Edwin E. White's life
were spent on his father's farm in New York State,
attendance at the neighborhood school alternating
with the arduous duties of farm life. In 1873, ihe
began study at the East Bloomlfield Academy, N.
Y., remaining there, however, but two years, when
he removed to Ann Arbor, Mich. There, in the
fall of 1875, he began his preparation for entering
the University of Michigan. The line of study he
selected was the classical course, in which, in 1878,
he was duly graduated from  the Ann Arbor High
School and his name was one of the first to be enrolled on the books of the University in the fall of
that year. The class with which he entered college
was the largest that had yet come up to the University, being something over uwo hundred and
twenty-five strong. IIe entered upon his studies with
earnestness and enthusiasm and early in his course
manifested a predeliction for historical researches
and examination in the field of Political Science.
The opportunities for pursuing these two branches
of study were perhaps unequalled at any American
College or University at the time he was at college
and to say that he improved the opportunities to
their fullest extent would be relating only what
actually occurred.
While Mr. White was so earnest and conscientious as a student, he was equally so in his atten

I


tion to athlet;c matters and to whatever concerned
the general welfare of his class or of the University. Ile was honored with the highest gift in the
power of the students, being elected in 1881, to
the Presidency of the Student's Lecture Associaciation. In his social relations he was always the
whole-souled, companionable boy, and was an enthusiastic member of the Sigma Phi Society, one
of the leading Greek letter secret fraternities at
Ann Arbor. Instead of taking the Bachelor's degree in 1882 with his class, he decided to continue
his studies for another year with especial attention
to Constitutional Law and history. "Accordingly
in 1883 the degree of Master of Arts was conferred
on him. During the last two years of his course
he took lectures in the Law Department of the University.
In the year of his graduation, Mr. White was admitted to the bar, and took up his residence in St.
Paul, Minn., where he at once obtained a position
in the legal department of the Northern Pacific
Railroad. His stay at St. Paul, however, was but
a brief one, and at the end of five months he removed to St. John's, where he entered into partnership relations with the Hon. Samuel S. Walker,
under the firm name of Walker & White, and engaged in the business of loaning funds on real-estate security.
On April 22, 1885, Mr. White was married to
Miss Mary R. Morey, at her mother's home at Lima,
N. Y. The lady with whom his fortunes were
thus happily joined has more than proven herself
the valuable helpmate of her husband, and has
gained the love and admiration of all the people
of St. John's during her six years' residence therein.
Since the removal of Edwin E. White to St.
John's, he has rapidly accumulated wealth, and is
already ranked among the substantial business
men of the town, being at present a Director in
the State Bank, of St. John's, the Durand Land
Company, the State Bank, of Carson City, and
various other banking and business enterprises.
He is actively engaged as Secretary and Treasurer
of the Michigan Mortgage Company, Limited,
and on him devolves, to a very large extent, the
management of the important affairs of this concern.
He has been a member of the Common Council of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


949




=




St. John's, and at present holds the responsible office of President of the School Board. His wide
acquaintance with and deep interest in educational
matters are already being felt and appreciated by
his townspeople, and the improved condition of
the Public Schools is a matter of universal conment.
Mr. White still retains his studious habits, and
his greatest delight is with his books. His library
is conceded by all to be the finest in Clinton
County, and in matters of historical interest is
really one of the most valuable in the State.
C. HOLLEY, M.D., of Vernon, was born in
Seneca County, N. Y., August 9, 1829, and
is tie son of Ransom W. and Sarah (Clark)
Holley. The father, who was born in February,
1797, in Delaware County, N. Y., was reared in
Seneca County, tie same State, whither he went at
the age of six years. By trade he was a carpenter
and joiner, and was a large contractor while in
Ovid, N. Y. IHe erected several fine churches in
the State of New York, a Methodist Episcopal in
Ovid, a Presbyterian in Aurora and a Dutcl Reformed in Palmer. He also built many handsome
residences, and a Masonic hall in Ovid.
In 1831 the father came to Detroit, Mich.,
and after several removals settled in Novi Township, Oakland County, on a farm. This was his
home until lie came to Shiawassee County in 1836,
taking  up  land from  tlhe Government where
Vernon now   stands, and building  the second
log house in the place. Here he remained until
called hence by death. He attended the first township meeting in Vernon Township and WAS the first
Supervisor and one of the first Justices of the
Peace in the township. He was first a Whig but
afterward became a Republican. In 1856, he was
elected County Treasurer, holding the office two
years. His death occurred in September, 1860.
Socially, Ransom  W. Holley was a Royal Arch
Mason and attended the convention held at Albany
during the time of the Morgan trouble. He was
one of five men who organized the First Presbyter

I
I





ian Church in the county, and he was appointed
as a committee of one to build the Court-house in
Corunna, for which he drew plans and superintended the work. He continued a member of the
Presbyterian Church as long as it was in existence,
and when the Congregational Church was organized
he joined with it. There he served as Elder and
Deacon and remained a faithful member until his
death. The grandfather of our subject, Gideon
Holley, was a native of New York, born in
I)utchess County.
The mother of our subject was known in maidenhood as Sarah Clark and was born in Providence,
R. 1., October 4, 1789. D. C., the subject of this
sketch, was the fourth child born to his parents
and obtained his schooling partially in Northville,
Oakland County. He attended the common schools
until he commenced to teach at the age of eighteen
years. After teaching one year, he commenced
the study of medicine and after reading two years,
went to the Michigan University in March, 1853.
IHe has been a student in the New York College of
Surgery, and Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pa. He has established a good practice in
Vernon and is well known as a faithful and reliable
physician.
In 1853, Dr. Holley was united in marriage with
Rachel Y., tle fourth child in the family of Stephen
and Mercy (Madon) Rodgers, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Dr. Holley was born in Farmington
Township, Oakland County, Mich., September 1,
1832, and was theie reared to womanhood. Her
father and mother, who are early settlers in that
section of country, have passed away. Dr. Holley
and his good wife are the parents of several children, Milton R., married Margaret Young and they
have six children. Their residence is in Mecosta
County, this State. Florence Irene is the wife of
George B. Clarke and the mother of four living
children.  They make their home in Vernon.
Lillian May married John Y. Martin and they live
in Caledonia Township, Shiawassee County; Clarence M. is at home.
The Doctor is a Mason, belonging to the Blue
Lodge at Vernon. He was engaged in the practice
of his profession in DeWitt about two years, and
in Grand Rapids, Mich., about four years. He and


I- I-- ---" ---i'- ---- ------- —  — --- — ---^ --- ---- ____11_-_-_-. 



950


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Mrs. Holley are members of the Congregational
Church, and lie has been Trustee and is now Deacon
in the same. He also served as Deacon of the
church in Grand Rapids. In 1886 he was President of the Grand Rapids Academy of Medicine.
and also served as President of the Owosso Academy of Medicine two years. He was at different
times a member of the Union Medical Society of
Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw Counties. He is
held il high esteem and having always been conspicions for fair dealings with  ll men, has justly
won tle confidence not only of his patients, but
also of the entire community.
l UDGE SHERMAN B. DABOLL. In tracing the history of men of mark, we find as a
rule that they were early thrown on their
own resources, and that; their first experiences were in the face of adversity. The secret
of their success lies in the fact that their combativeness and will power were directed against the
untoward circumstances, and thus the sterling
virtues grew to full strength in their characters. In
the history of no resident of St. John's, Clinton
County, is this more plainly demonstrated than in
that of Judge Daboll, who is now Circuit Judge of
the Twenty-ninth Circuit, having received his appointment at the hands of Gov. Luce in the summer of 1889. His duties have taken him into nine
counties outside his own, and everywhere attorneys
and papers speak in the highest terms of his ability
and justness and the rapidity with which he dis
patches business. He makes no display, and manifests no pride in his office, except in so far as it is
shown by perfect courtesy and the bearing of a
true gentleman. 'he young attorney is treated
with as much respect as the old, and the law is administered in a dignified and impartial manner.
George Daboll, grandfather of the Judge, was
born in Connecticut, and was the representative of
French and English ancestors. He was an early
settler in Rensselaer County, N. Y., where his son,
George W., was born and reared on a farm. The
son became a school teacher when quite young, then


drifted into mechanical work in iron, and for some
time made agricultural tools. He went from his
native county to Brookfield, Madison County,
worked at his trade for awhile and then engaged in
the manufacture of flour and feed. This work he
continued until his demise, March 1, 1878, when
sixty-two years old. He married Lydia James, a
native of Nassau, N. Y., whose father, Amos
James was a native of the Empire State, and a
farmer by occupation. He was a son of a Revolutionary soldier, and his wife, whose maiden name
was Culver, was the daughter of a patriot of '76.
Mr. James removed to Minnesota and died at Point
Douglas. Mrs. Daboll reared three children, the
youngest of whom is the subject of this biographical notice. The eldest was Amos J., who enlisted
in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York
Infantry in 1862, was in active service until he was
taken ill at Petersburg and died May 30, 1865,
while still connected with the army. The second
child is Latitia, now 1Mrs. Huey, whose home is at
Leonardsville, N. Y. The mother died in 1864, at
Point Douglas, Minn.
The natal day of Judge Daboll was May 18,
1844, and his birthplace Nassau, N. Y. In that
place and in West Stephentown he spent the years
until he entered his teens and then his home was
on a farm in Madison County. He worked like
other farmer boys, attending school during the
winter months, and having laborious- occupations
during the summer. When fifteen years old he
entered the Brookfield Academy and made his way
by spending the summers in farm work, as lie had
his own expenses to pay. He was seventeen years
old when the war began, but like many another
Northern youth was not only intensely loyal, but
eager to battle for the Union, if not on Southern
fields, then with his arguments at home. In 1862
he was working for one of the class who became
known as "copperheads" near Utica, and he and his
employer had frequent disputes over the all-absorbing topic. He was in the field on a load of hay
when he heard the news of the second call, for
three hundred thousand volunteers. His employer
had often said that young Daboll did not dare to
go to the war, and now jokingly remarked that
here was a chance for him. The young man took




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


951


it in earnest, left his load, and in spite of the efforts of his employer to detain him, and threats
that he would receive no pay for his past services,
went to his home, obtained his father's consent to
his enlistment and became a member of Company
G, One Hundred and Seventeenth New York Infantry.
The enrollment of young Daboll occurred July
22, 1862, and he was mustered in at Rome, theni
sent to Washington and for eight months his work
was aiding in building fortifications near the Capital. He then went to Norfolk by train, and under
the command of Gen. Geddy, did duty on the
Nansemond River during the period of Longstreet's
attempt to capture Suffolk. The command then
returned to Norfolk and took transports to Charleston Harbor, where he aided in building the battery
on Long Island that shelled the city. He also
helped to build the fort on Morris Island that battered down Fts. Sumter and Wagner.   He was
present throughout the siege and witnessed the
firing on Ft. Sumter. Various points on the Eastern coast were visited in the course of the next
few months, one of the acts in which Mr. Daboll
participated being a raid to Hanover Junction to
cut the railroads in order to prevent reinforcements
from reaching Gen. Lee. He also took part in the
movement at Drury's Bluff, in the attempt of Gen.
Butler to capture Richmond, and the battle of
Cold Harbor.
The division with a part of the Eighteen Army
Corps took part in the capture of the Heiglts of
Petersburg and then, being relieved by the Army
of the Potomac, returned to Butler's division at
Bermuda Hundred, and soon afterward the regiment was in line before Petersburg. Mr. Daboll was wounded in the early morning of July 4,
1864. He had been on duty during the early part
of the night and was lying asleep when a shell
burst about one hundred yards from him, and la
fragment struck his right forearm. He was taken
to the field hospital, transferred to Hampton, then
to the steamer "Western Metropolis" and sent to
the general hospital at Ft. Schuyler, N. Y. He remained there about six weeks, during which time
gangrene set in, and the advisability of amputation
was seriously debated. However, by the cutting


away of flesh and the application of strong caustics this extreme measure was avoided. Mr. Daboll
was sent to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, and
remained there until October. when he was able to
rejoin his regiment, then stationed at New Market
Road. Va., on the north lank of the James.
In December Gen. Butler's expedition to Ft.
Fisher occurred and Mr. Daboll participated, but
after the reconnaissance was in the camp on the old
ground until early in January, when the command
was again sent to the fort, and this time attacked
that stronghold. The regiment to which he belonged led the advance in what was as hotly contested a fight as history recounts. The company
in which Mr. Daboll belonged was reduced from
twenty-four to twelve men. The next experience
of Mr. l)aboll was at Wilmington, N. C., and he
then joined Sherman at Raleigh and after the surrender of Johnston received a furlough and returned home to visit his dying brother. lie started
to rejoin his regiment and met the boys in Albany
and was mustered out at Syracuse June 8, 1865.
Ile returned to his home, and for about eighteen
month was employed at the harnessmaker's trade,
when his work was interrupted by the loss of two
fingers on the left lhand. The misfortune was occasioned by the premature explosion of a charge
of powder while celebrating the election of Gov.
Fenton.
Mr. Daboll then resumed his studies in the academy where lie had formerly been, and also took up
tlhe study of law under H. A. Bennett and II. M.
Aylesworth of New Berlin. He worked on a farm
three days each week and studied the balance of
the time, and so became educated in English
branches and in legal lore. In November, 1868,
he was admitted to the bar and began practice in
New Berlin. A year later he opened his office in
Brookfield, Madison County, where he labored until 1878. In July of that year he came to St.
John's and began practice, entering into partnershilp with the late Anthony Cook, in April, 1879
-a connection that continued until 1882. Almost
immediately after his arrival here he took rank
with the best of the bar and maintained it as long
as he carried on private practice. He had charge
of some of the most important cases tried in the






952


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Clinton circuit, and was engaged on the defense in
three of the four murder trials had in the county
since he became a resident.
The official life of Judge Daboll began in 1874,
when he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Madison County, N. Y., for a term of three years. In
1880 he became a Circuit Court Commissioner in
this State, and served two years, refusing to run
a second time. When the Twenty-ninth Circuit of
Clinton and Gratiot Counties was formed he was
selected for the Judgeship by Gov. Luce, and since
that time he has been one of the busiest men in the
State. He is quick to see a point, and does not
permit long and useless discussions, although he
never refuses to hear all sides on important matters.
He has rendered some decisions which are of special
moment to wageworkers and old soldiers, and is certainly entitled to their respect and consideration.
January 1, 1887, he was appointed QuartermasterGeneral of the State with the rank of Brigadier,
with the rank of Brigadier and was re-appointed
two years later. He resigned to accept the appointment of Circuit Judge which he received August
6, 1889.
In New Berlin, N. Y., August 19, 1869, Judge
Daboll was married to Miss Elizabeth Campbell, a
lady of illustrious descent as will be seen by the
perusal of the following paragraphs. She was born
in Cooperstown, N. Y., September 1, 1843, educated at the New Berlin Academy, and taught in
private and public schools there and in Columbus,
Ohio. Her rare intelligence. excellent judgment
and charming manners make her an important and
useful member of society. For years past she has
been Secretary of the Woman's Relief Corps, in St.
John's, and she is likewise an official member of
the Ladies' Library Association. She is a member
of the Episcopal Church, in which the Judge has
been Vestryman and Warden. They have one
child, Winnifred C. In the paternal line Mrs. Daboll traces her ancestry to the Fourth Clan Campbell of Argyle, Scotland, and on her mother's side
she is in the eighth generation of the direct descendants of Gov. Bradford, of the Plymouth
Colony, the connection being through his eldest
son by his second marriage, with Mrs. Alice Southlworth, who came over in the "Anne."


David Campbell, grandfather of Mrs. Daboll,
was born in Princeton, Conn., and was a man of
liberal education who did some literary work in
connection with farming. For some years his 1home
was at Florida, Herkimer County, N. Y., where
David Campbell, father of Mrs. Daboll was born.
When but a lad David Campbell, Jr., with a chum
named Gilbert, ran away to New York City.
Campbell became a pianomaker and Gilbert an apprentice at the printer's trade, and to the support
of the latter his friend contributed, as he made the
most money. Gilbert was destined to become a
prominent man. He went to California in the early
days, founded the Alta California, and was the
first member of Congress from the Golden State to
Washington, at the time when John C. Fremont
was Senator. He never forgot his friend Campbell, to whomn he had owed so much in their youth.
Mr. Campbell was for fourteen years foreman and
overseer in Boardman & Gray's piano manufactory
in Albany, and then for more than a decade had a
similar place with Hayes & Co., of Norwich. Iis
eyesight then failed him and he was obliged to
abandon mechanical work, and in the spring of
1869 he came to Clinton County, tthis State, and
is now carrying on a farm in Greenbush Township.
The wife of David Campbell, and mother of
Mrs. Daboll, bore the maiden name of Mary Braflford and was born in New Berlin, Chenango
County, N.Y. Her grandfather, Perez Bradford,was
born in Woodstock, Conn., and served in the Revolutionary army between the ages of sixteen and
seventeen years. He took the place of his brother
George who had been wounded-the family being
so patriotic that they wished to be represented. He
became a manufacturer of woolen cards, went to
Otsego, then to Tompkins and later to Onondaga
County, N. Y., and finally engaged in agricultural
as well as mechanical pursuits. He died in Cazenovia. His son, Fabius M., father of Mrs. Da.
boll, was born in Hartwig, Otsego County, and
was a goldsmith and engraver. Ile was a very fine
workman. He continued his trade until lie became
blind. He died in Binghamton.
Judge Daboll is a Mason, identified with the
Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery in St.




PORTK'IRAIT AND ) BIOGR~IAPHICAL ALBUM. M


953


POTRI A


John's. He is also a memher of the Knights of
HIonor and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
In Grand Army circles he is prominent, doing
much work for the order, among other ways in
which lie manifests his zeal being that of a speaker
for the order in many places. He has been Commander of Charles E. Grisson Post three years,
and was Judge Advocate of the Michigan Department for one year. Politically he is a Republican,
and he has been Chairman of the County Central
Committee. Hie is an honest man, a learned and
upright judge, and has a pleasant smile and a
hearty greeting to all, because having labred lihe
applreciates the toil of others and honors industry
and good citizenship.
J  OSHUA C. CURTIS. Prominent not only
in social and agricultural circles but also in
temperance and church work is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of
this sketch. He has been for many years identified
with the agricultural interests of Vernon Township, Shiawassee County, where his farm is situated
on section 4, and he was born in this same township, September 12, 1843. His father, Caleb Curtis, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., in 1806
and he chose for his wife Sarah Brown, a native of
the same county, born the year after himself.
They were married in Tompkins County, in 1825,
and made their first home in their native county.
Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Curtis in their early married life removed to Pennsylvania, but afterward
returned to New York and from there started West,
spending some time in Ohio, but ultimately making their permanent home in Vernon Township,
Shiawassee County, where they located on section
4, in 1836. There were then no improvements on
the place which consisted of one hundred and sixty
acres of Government land. Mr. Curtis proceeded
to cut down logs and build a home. It was constructed on the prevailing style of architecture in
that section and at that time, with log walls, bark
roof, bark floor, stick chimney, and with the ample
dimensions of 18x20 feet on the ground. This was


the first house put up by the neighbors who-came
together from  the East and for the first three
weeks it sheltered eighteen souls.
Mr. Curtis built the first barn that was erected
in that part of the township, and made his home on
this place as long as lie lived. He died in 1863,
and his faithful wife followed him to the grave in
1889. Their remains lie side by side in the cemetery of Vernon Townslip, and their memory is
cherished by all wilo knew and loved them.
The father was a member of the Presbyterian
Church in his younger days and was active in organizing the Congregational Church here. He
afterward joined the Methodist Episcopal Church
and spent his last days in its communion. He was
active in church work and a liberal contributor
with his means. lie had preaching in his little log
house and in his barn, where they held their first
quarterly meetings, and his house was always a
home for all the Methodists who calne that way.
His wife was a life-long member of the Methodist
Church and active and earnest in her attachment
to its faith and worship.
Three sons and four daughters constitute the
children who gathered in this old log house and all
but one lived to manhood and womanhood. The
eldest, Benjamin B., lived to be fifty-two years old
and is now deceased. Julia T., the wife of William
Palmer, resides in Linden, Genesec County, this
State; Margaret L. died August 4, 1885, at the age
of fifty-one; Caroline J. died at the age of twentytwo; Eliza M. is the widow of J. B. Smith; John
died when only two years old and our subject is
the youngest of the household.
The early schooling of J. C. Curtis was taken in
the log schoolhouse on section 5, this township,
and he finished his school days on section 4. He
started out for himself at the age of twenty and
had then accumulated about $150. After the
death of his father he bought out the interest of
the other heirs in the old homestead and made it
his home.
The marriage of Mr. Curtis and Miss Mary M.,
daughter of Truxton and Charlotte (Packard)
Goodrich, took place February 7, 1869. Mr. Goodrich wasa native of4Rutland County. Vt., and his
wife was born in St. Lawrence County, N.Y,, where




954


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


tlheir daughter Mary was also born, April 6, 1844.
She grew to womanhood in her native county, and
came to Michigan in 1865. She had received excellent educational advantages and completed her
school (lays at a young ladies' seminary in Madrid,
St. Lawrence County, N. Y. She taught school in
her native county for three years in the graded
schools and after coming to Michigan taught in the
district schools of Shiawassee and Ingham Counties. She returned to her home in New York and
was married at the Congregational Church of Norwood, the Rev. George Hardy officiating.
The father of Mrs. Curtis was a soldier in the
Civil War, serving in the Commissary Department
in the Ninety-sixth New York Infantry. He served
but one year and died before he could reach home.
Her mother always remained in her native State
and lived to be fifty-three years old. After marriage Mr. Curtis brought his bride at once to the
place which is still his home. They became the
parents of two bright and promising sons, Caleb
A., who was born December 5, 1869, resides at
home and is his father's mainstay, and Fred G.
was born August 1875 and is now growing up to a
strong and noble manhood.
Mr. Curtis has one hundred acres of well-improved land which was his father's old homestead,
and his present attractive residence was built in
1882, at a cost of $1,500, and his barn at about
the same time at the cost of $1,000. He has accumulated a handsome property, which is all the
result of his earnest and persistent labors. He carries on general farming and keeps good stock. His
flock of sheep numbers from seventy-five to one
hundred head and he keeps from    four to six
horses and from twelve to fourteen head of cattle.
His views of political economy accord with the
doctrines of the Republican party but lie has of
late felt impelled to voice his temperance sentiments by voting for prohibition. He is a member
of the Royal Templars of Temperance at Vernon,
and both he and his good wife are earnest temperance workers. He holds office in the order and is
Counselor, the highest office in the lodge. Mrs.
Curtis is a writer for the temperance paper which
is known as the Royal Templar and they are both
earnest and efficient members of the Methodist


Episcopal Church.  Mrs. Curtis was formerly a:
member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Curtis is a trustee of the church and has been ever
since it was built. He takes part in the Sundayschool and was Superintendent in itl for nine years.
Mrs. Curtis teaches the primary department.
fM   F. WASHBURN. The St. John's Mercantile Company is widely known and the
gentlemen who have the most responsible
positions therein are prominent in business
circles. The gentleman above named is foreman
of the shoe department and is carrying on his part
of the work of the house in a thorough and systematic manner. His manners are courteous and
obliging and lie is well liked by all who make his
acquaintance. The established reputation of the
Mercantile Company gives assurance of the integrity of its employes and a responsible position
there is a letter of credit in the best society of the
county scat. Had Mr. Washburn no other hold
upon the people of St. John's this would be sufficient to insure him their respect, but before he entered the service of the Mercantile Company lie
had become somewhat known here and already had
a good name.
Mr. Washburn was born in Madison County, N.
Y., of which his father, Marcus Washburn, was a
lifelong resident. His grandfather, Noah Washburn, made an early settlement there, removing
from his native place, Stafford, Conn. He was a
soldier in the War of 1812. Marcus Washburn
married Sophia Parker, a native of Madison County
and daughter of Leonard Parker, formerly of
Stafford, Conn. Mr. Parker was a farmer and
speculator and owned a large amount of land.
Like Grandfather Washburn, he fought in the War
of 1812. The mother of our subject died in 1877
and her husband in 1883. They liad five children
and he of whom we write was the first-born. His
natal day was August 21, 1842, and hle remained
on the farm until he was seventeen years old, in
the meantime attending school and gaining a practical knowledge of the English branches.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


955


-                                                                                                             --     -— I


At the age mentioned young Washburn became
clerk in a general store and spent two years there,
then about the same length of time in Salisville.
He next took up work at the carpenters' trade and
after a few years became a contractor and builder
of private and public edifices. He carried on his
work in the East until 1878, then came to St. John's
and for two years worked at his trade. In 1884
he was made Marshal and filled the office a year
after which he opened a boot and shoe store, which
in 1889 he sold in order to accept his present position.
At the bride's home in Auburn, N. Y., 1869,
Mr. Wshlburn was united in marriage with Miss
May Simons. This estimable lady was born in
Madison County, has a good education and is devoted to her family. She has five children, named
respectively, Ray, Henry, Edith, Lewis and Minnie.
The first born hlas a position with the Manufacturing Company of St. John's. Mr. Washburn is a
Mason and a Knight of the Maccabees and in the
latter lodge is Record-keeper and Treasurer. Politically he is a Democrat and he has been a delegate to county conventions. For a year he was
Village Clerk, but his attention has generally been
given to business affairs and the pleasures of social
and domestic life, for which he is well fitted.
AVID H. SOULE.       This well-known resi(dent of Ovid is now carrying on tile ice
trade, having control of the sale of that
commodity in the village and supplying it from a
pond located on his own farm which furnishes him
about one thousand tons per annum. In addition
to this business he carries on a farm of one hundred acres, although his residence is in the corporation. Here as elsewhere he has taken great pride
in setting out shade trees to beautify his own home
and adorn the country. Mr. Soule has lived in
this country long enough to be able to recall the
time when there were only trails through the
woods; settlements were remote from each other
and oxen were in almost universal use, there be

ing but few horses in the county. Identified in
various ways with the prosperity of the locality,
he has gained an excellent reputation and made
many friends.
Mr. Soule was born in Monroe County, N. Y.,
May 29, 1829, being a son of J. HI. and Elizabeth
(Gage) Soule, both of whom were born and reared
in the Empire State. The father was a carpenter
and joiner, but in his later days became a farmer
and the son spent his youth in a rural home. His
educational advantages were limited to the district
school of his day and his attendance confined to
the winter months. He resided under the parental
roof until lie attained his majority, then took up
farm life for himself in his native county. After
a time he opened a livery stable, which he carried
on for a couple of years, after which he sold it and
went to California. This was in 1852 and lie remained on the coast two years, driving a stage and
keeping a hotel, and for a time being on the police
force.
In 1855, Mr. Soule came to Michigan and took
up pioneer labor in earnest, locating on unimproved
land in Ovid Township, Clinton County. His
home was on section 13, where he first cleared and
and improved a farm of eighty acres and afterward added to it another tract of equal size. The
father came to the State the same year as the son
and he too located in Ovid Township. In 1861,
Mr. Soule built a saw mill which he ran six or
seven years, doing a business that was satisfactory
to himself and to his neighbors. He then began to
handle wild land to a limited extent. After sixteen years' residence in the country he removed to
the village of Ovid, where he carried on the Clinton House a few years, during which time he also
ran a livery stable and sample room. Some nine
years ago he sold the hotel and removed to his
present residence, which is on Main Street soutl of
the river. While in the hotel business he built
more than half of the block commonly known as
the Hotel Block.
Mr. Soule was first married to Mary E. Haight,
of Montgomery County, N. Y., who was removed
from him by death after twenty-three years of
wedded life.  They ha(i two children, Byron B.,
who was born in 1858, and Carrie Belle, born




956


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--, _.-_: ~_:.I_.1.  L -..:   ------------..  - _ _1.: __ - - __::_  - - -__: _::   ___- -  __I:_ -


=


in 1862. The son is now an attorney and Justice of the Peace in the village of Ovid. After
living as a widower a decade, Mr. Soule was again
married in the fall of 1873, his bride being Miss
Emma Terrell of Ovid, who died here in 1889.
For six years Mr. Soule has held the office of
Highway Commissioner and he has also been School
Supervisor,School Trustee and School Director, and
was Trustee in the village two years. He has always
been identified with public spirited enterprises and
advocates all the schemes which would benefit the
public, voting public bonds to support and upbuild them. His business enterprises are carried
on with energy and the success that he attains is
merited by his earnestness and zeal.
ON. J. B. F. CURTIS, M. D. is conducting
public affairs as Mayor of Corunna, Shiawassee County, and is an able physician
and surgeon, whose fame is not limited to
the community where lie now resides. He was
born in Wyoming County, N. Y., in the city of
Warsaw, November 17, 1839. His grandfather,
John C. Curtis, was born in Connecticut, and his
father, Edmond, was in the Revolutionary War
and the War of 1812. He was killed in the battle of Lundy's Lane. The grandfather was an
early settler on the Holland Purchase and later
removed to Erie County, where he died.
The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed to Erie County, N. Y., in 1846, and located
in Alden. In 1859 he came to Michigan and settled in Commerce Township, Oakland County, and
from there went to Flint, Genesee County, about
1862. In the latter city he was in the employ of
the City Commissioner of streets and public works,
a position which he held until 1881. He then retired from  life's active duties and at the age
of seventy-one years died at the home of our subject in 1888. He was first a Whig but upon the
organization of the Republican party became a
firm follower of its principles.
Lydia (Ingersoll) Curtis, the mother of our subject, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., and was


I


I


II  __~__ _ _~_....___  ___ ~ ___ __ ~ __ _ _ ~ I_


the daughter of Samuel Ingersoll, a brave soldier
in the War of 1812, where he was taken prisoner.
He was a native of Washington County, N. Y., and
removed after the War of 1812 to Genesee County.
The mother resides in the home of Mr. Curtis.
The great-grandfather of our subject was Francis
Ingersoll, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. At
the age of seven years our subject accompanied
his parents to Erie County, locating in Alden Township and gaining a conimon-school education,
which was afterward supplemented by academic
instruction. At the age of nineteen he was graduated from the academy and then helped his father
on the farm.
In 1859 Dr. Curtis came to Michigan, locating
in Corunna, and the following year entered the
University of Michigan. When twenty years old
he began the study of medicine with Dr. Chase, of
Geneseo, N. Y., and was graduated from the MIedical Department of the University of Michigan in
the spring of 1862. He then returned to the Empire State and enlisted in the One Hundred and
Fourth New York Infantry, of which lie was assistant Surgeon for six months; he was then appointed Hospital Steward for the One Hundred and
Second United States Cavalry. Until the fall of
1865 he remained in the South taking charge of
the sick and wounded and barely escaped capture.
He was mustered out at Charleston, S. C., and discharged in Detroit November 1,1865.
Dr. Curtis came at once to Flint and opened an
office for the practice of his profession. During
the time he resided in that city, until 1881, he
served in various public capacities. For six years
he was Alderman of the Second Ward, for three
years City Clerk, and one year Health Officer.
In 1881 lie came to Shiawassee County, and prac
ticed in Lathrop for seven years, since which time
he has been successfully following his profession
in Corunna. The Doctor was married in Lapeer
County in 1863 to Miss Amelia Burbank, a native of Grand Blanc, Genesee County. Two children comprise their family, Edmond T., a telegraph operator, and Francis A., both of whom
are are home.
In the fall of 1888 the Doctor was nominated
to the State Legislature on the Republican ticket




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


957


-------  --- --


I


and was elected to represent the first district of
Shiawassee County.  He served acceptably on
various important committees, among them the
Committee on Municipal Corporations, Schools for
the Blind, and was Chairman of the Committee
on Public Health. IHe belongs to the Grand
Army of the Republic, is a Mason, a Knight Templar, and belongs to the Royal Arcanum. He is
an influential Republican and has served as chairman of the Republican County Committee and
as a delegate to county and State conventions.
ARNEY PEARCE, one of the most successful agriculturists of Clinton County, lives
in Olive Township, on a farm of two hundred and twenty acres and has also one hundred
and seventy acres in Riley Township. Like many
another now prosperous and well-to-do, he began
his career without capital other than his mental
and physical strength. It is easy to see what qualities lie has exhibited and what habits pursued,
especially if one visits his home and notes the
orderly arrangements and full supply of impliments here. The dwelling that shelters the happy
family is a large brick house, furnished in good
taste and abounding with creature comforts.
The birth of Mr. Pearce occurred in Huron
County, Ohio, February 10, 1832, and the lad was
reared on a farm. lie pursued his studies in the
district schools, which he attended mostly during
the winter months, and when sixteen years old began working on a farm at $9 a month. His wages
increased as he grew older. lie spent a year in
working on the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati
Railroad, and then resumed farm work and in addition to meeting his own expenses cared for his
mother whose second husband had died and left
her poor. In the spring of 1864 he came to this
State and made his first home in DeWitt Township,
Clinton County. He subsequently bought a sawmill in partnership with William Dills, and operated
it about five years, then purchased land on section
31, Olive Township, where he has since lived. He
has added to his land as success crowned his efforts


and now stands upon a substantial basis as a landowner and money loaner.
The parents of Mr. Pearce were Varney and
Mary (Rusco) Pearce. The former died in 1833,
when but forty five years old; the latter lived to
the age of fifty-six years. She was a member of
the Universalist Church. Her children by her first
marriage were four in number and to her second
husband she bore five sons and daughters. The
wife to whom our subject owes the comforts of his
home and financial aid through her judicious management of domestic affairs, bore the maiden name
of Charity L. Van Dyke. She is a native of Riley
Township, is well educated and has a thorough
knowledge of domestic arts. Her marriage to our
subject occurred at her home in 1872 and they have
three living children and lost one in its infancy;
the names of tle survivors are: Alta, Josie and
Varney.
As would naturally he supposed, Mr. Pearce is
interested in the advancement of the farmers in
knowledge and social standing, and he therefore
identified himself with the Grange some time ago.
Politically he is a Democrat and he has done what
he could to promote the interests of the party as a
delegate to various conventions. His life has been
marked by no unusual incidents, but has been a
continuation of years of honest and industrious
living such as affords an excellent example to
others.
The parents of Mrs. Pearce, William and Sarah
J. Van Dyke, were residents of Seneca County,
N. Y. In 1844, they came to Riley, Clinton County,
Mich., accompanied by their five children Lewis,
Mary Jane, James M., Martha, and George H.
They lived with the family of Atwell Simmons
until they could clear up a spot large enough for a
house, and then they erected a home. They. were
two and one-half miles from neighbors for a long
time after moving to their new home. Charity, Mrs.
Pearce, was horn in 1848.   In 1851, another
daughter whom they named Sarah was added to the
household.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke saw very hard, discouraging times, as was generally the case with the
first pioneers.  Her health was very poor for
several years after coming to Michigan. Although




958


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


starvation seemed almost to stare them in the face
they did not give up in despair or faint by the wayside. With the united help of the older children
the dense forest gave way to broad fields of waving grain. Many a time have the children heard
their parents tell about being kept awake at night
by the howling of the wolves, and it was not much
more uncommon to see bears roving through the
woods than it is to see squirrels now.
In the fall of 1861, Lewis, ihe eldest son, enlisted
in the Third Michigan Calvary and in January,
1862, James M. enlisted in the Fourteenth Michigan
Infantry. In the spring of 1862, Lewis was discharged for disability, but in the fall of the same
year he again enlisted in the Tenth Michigan Cavalry
and staid until the close of the war. During the summer of 1862, James was transferred to Company
L, First United States Cavalry. He had served
three years lacking three months when he was seen
to fall from his horse in battle and was never heard
from again. Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke died in the
fall of 1878, there being only a few weeks' difference between the dates of their death. They left
six children to mourn their loss: Lewis, George H.
and Martha (Mrs. William H. II. Knapp), live in
Riley near the old home. Mary Jane, (Mrs. Lewis
Smith), Sarah (Mrs. J. T. Oberry) and Mrs.
Pearce live in Olive.
E    RWIN EVELETH, a retired merchant and
prominent agriculturist and speculator in
pine lands, has made his home in Corunna
for a score of years and has become widely known.
He bears a share in the municipal and educational
work of the county seat, as well as in her business
affairs, and while advancing his own interests is
helping to make this section more prosperous and
desirable than ever before. It is by the exercise
of unusually good judgment in making investments
Mr. Eveleth has become so successful as a land
operator, and his holding of real-estate reaches up
into the thousands of acres. He owns pine land in
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, and in Caledonia Township, Shiawassee County, has three im.


proved farms with all necessary buildings. One of
these is included in the corporate limits of Corunna,
and is operated by Mr. Eveleth himself and he also
has an interest in farm lands in the North.
Charles Eveleth, father of our subject, was born
and reared in Massachusetts and went to New York
in his early manhood. He was married in Genesee
County to Mary Jones, who died in 1847 leaving
two sons and one daughter. After his marriage he
located on a farm, whence he came to this State in
1853, traveling by boat to Detroit, thence by rail
to Pontiac and by team to Grand Blanc. He rented a farm there and operated it five years, then removed to the vicinity of Flushing and after a time
retired from farm life and took up his residence
with his son, our subject, with whom he still lives.
He has now reached the advanced age of eightyfour years. Ile is a member of the Baptist Church.
The gentleman of whom we write was born in
Genesee County, N. Y., November 6, 1842, and
came to this State when about eleven years old.
He had attended the common school in his native
State and after the removal continued his studies,
but in the intervals of school work aided his father
on the home farm. In 1861 he went to East
Saginaw, then a small place, and found employment on the docks, checking for the warehouses.
IHe remained there five years, and then began speculating in pine lands, buying for $1.25 per acre in
the northern part of the State, as well as in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He located at Flint, from
which place he carried on his enterprise, traveling
to different points, including the Southern States
and the entire Mississippi Valley east of the Father
of Waters. In 1871 he brought his family to
Corunna and established his home here. In 1886
he bought out D. Lowe and engaged in the sale of
general merchandise, carrying on the store until
April, 1891, when he sold to William Cole. He is
a partner of Robison Flinn, of Detroit in his land
business.
In Saginaw in the year 1866 the marriage of Mr.
Eveleth and Miss Jenny Block, an English lady
took place. To them have been born ten children,
seven of whom are at home and unengaged except
in efforts for their own improvement and in the
lighter duties which belong to youth. Their names
blvl0 ~ r-u ~ -vr  I —t  VJVVI




PORTRAIT AAND BIOG;RAP1H1CAL, ALBUM.N


959


~~~~ORRI AND --- —------  BIOGRPHICA  ALBU M. 9 ---~5


are William S., Grace, Nettie, Burr, Ralph, Nina
and Erwin, Jr. The older children are Lizzie, wife
of Fred Northway and teacher in the Corunna High
School; Florence, who married John Drake, a farmer
in Caledonia Township; and Charles, who is clerking for Mr. Cole.
Mr. Eveletb is now serving for the second year
as one of the Board of Aldermen. He is President
of the Board of Education, on which he has had a
place five years. He belongs to Blue Lodge No.
23, F. & A. M. in Flint, and the Corunna Tent of
the Knights of the Maccabees. After giving due
consideration to the political situation he became
identified with the Republican party and he has
seen no reason to transfer his allegiance, but on the
contrary he is a stancher member, if possible, than
in earlier years. He is not identified with any
religious body but attends services in the various
churches and contributes to the support of each
and all.
J. PATTERSON, Prosecuting     Attorney
for Clinton County, and a veteran of the
late war, is prominent in legal circles, and
is well known in other counties as the attorney for the complainant in the now famous
bounty case of Smith vs. Alpine. He was born
near Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, N. Y.,
December 19, 1839.   His paternal grandfather,
Hon. John Patterson, was born in one of the Eastern States, of Scotch descent. The father of our
subject, Col. John Patterson, was a native of New
York, where he was reared. He followed his trade
as a tailor at Franklinville, and later at Rushville,
where he died.
Our subject's mother, Sally (Winslow) Patterson,
was born in New Berlin, Chenango County, N. Y.,
and belonged to a substantial old Eastern family.
The death of the father left our subject's mother
with six small children dependent upon her. She
resided in Franklinville a few years, then returned
to New Berlin, and finally came to Michigan and
made her home with her children. The following
is a record of the six children included in the
family circle: Charles; Henry J., of this sketch;


William, who died in Salt Lake; Emma Love,
who resides in Pennsylvania; Hannah, who died
when only sixteen; and Mary, who died in infancy.
Our subject with his brother was early compelled
to make his own living and aid his mother with the
younger children.  He was put out on a farm,
where he remained until he was sixteen, thoroughly
acquainting himself with every (detail of farm life,
and taking advantage of every opportunity for
acquiring knowledge. In 1856 he came to Michigan with his benefactor, William Strong, with
whom he remained two years in this State., in the
meantime attending school during the winter season. He then returned to the East and attended
school in Pennsylvania. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, old Third Michigan Infantry, which was mustered in at Grand Rapids for
three years.
Many of the most importani and decisive battles
of the war were participated in by our subject,
among them the following: Bull Run, first and
second engagements; Malvern 11ill, Gettysburg,
Richmond and many others. At the close of the
war he took part in the Grand Review at Washington, and was mustered out in 1865. lIe escaped
uninjured, although several times bullets had
pierced every garment he wore. The veteran regiment was consolidated with the Fiftl Regiment,
and the new Third was formed. After the war,
Mr. Patterson returned to Watertown and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
which he commenced to improve. That undertaking he was compelled to give up on account of his
health, and selling the place, he began the study of
law in 1870. After fully preparing himself for
the practice of his profession under his preceptor,
the Hlon. Randolph Strickland, he was admitted to
the bar at St. John's in 1878. Four years later he
was admitted to practice in the United States
Courts. He has practiced in this and adjoining
counties, and has the widest range of practice
of any lawyer in the county.    He has been
largely engaged as a pension attorney, and in
the fall of 1890 was elected Prosecuting Attorney.
Mr. Patterson was married at Wacousta, in






960


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


January, 1861, to Miss Margaret Shadduck, the
daughter of an early pioneer of Wacousta. Four
children have been granted to our subject and
his estimable wife-Minnie Streeter, Blanche
Streeter, Ambra and Iva. Mr. Patterson is a Democrat, and has served as delegate to county and State
conventions.
With reference to the bounty case mentioned
above, we quote the following from Mr. Patterson:
"In 1864 our State Legislature said, by an act
passed on the 4th day of February, that every soldier wlo would enlist and was mustered into the
United States service, and properly credited where
he was enrolled, should receive $100 as a State
bounty. In the month of July following, Gov.
Blair said, by his proclamation, that no more
bounties could be paid, as the money raised for
that purpose had been exhaused. Consequently
hundreds of our boys in blue, who left their families, homes and comforts to save the Union, with
the sacred promise of the people of the State that,
besides caring for their families, they should re
ceive the bounty if they would enlist and save
others from draft, have been carrying for twentysix long years these promises, in the form of certificates, and while our State has done many
generous acts toward the care of the unfortunate,
she never to this day has honored the sacred obligations, a law passed by a Republican Legislature,
and who have, as a party, posed for twenty-six
long years as the friend of the soldier, and who for
all this long time failed to give the subject a passing
notice.
"A. J. Smith, a crippled soldier, and for whom
I had contended for over twenty years that he
should be paid his bounty, made his petition to the
Supreme Court, calling upon that court to compel
the Auditor-General to credit and allow his claim.
This proposition was met, opposed and sneered at
by every State official, excepting Judge S. B.
Daboll, then acting quartermaster-general, and I
met the grand spectacle of a Republican law
unwilling to pay bounties to Michigan soldiers,
resisted by Republican officials, and Republican
lawyers setting up among other things the unconscionable pler of "statute of limitation."  April


18, 1890, I presented the case to the court, and
Judge Chaplin, with his master mind, permeated
with its love of justice and its high regard for the
honor, dignity and equity of the law, wrote the
opinion, elaborately and profoundly, deciding that
the State must pay."
).

HARLES A. BIGELOW, editor of the Morrice Tribune, was born in Oakland County,
Mich., November 10, 1863. His father,
Spencer Biglow, was born in the State of New
York in 1818 and is s farmer by occupation. For
a while he worked in the cotton mills at Watertown.
Coming to Michigan he settled in Oakland County
three miles east of Holly and resided there
about forty years. He was an early settler there and
improved eighty acres of land. In 1878 he came to
Shiawassee County and purchased eighty acres in
Bennington Township, wlere he now makes his
home. Hie is a Republican in politics.
The mother of our subject was Mary Payne and
was born in New York. Her family comprises
three daughters and two sons, namely: Ella Rouse,
Elizabeth Myers, Sarah Kinney, Charles A. and
Walter. She is a member of the Congregational
Church and a consistent Christian woman. Our
subject was reared in Oakland County, and received
his education in the district schools of the community. He began for himself at the age of eighteen
years and going to the vicinity of Stanton, worked
in the lumber mills. In 1882 he began to learn
the printeI's trade in the Clipper office at Stanton,
where lie was employed about three years. Afterward he sold fruit trees during one season.
In 1886 Mr. Bigelow came to Morrice and established his present paper as the Morrice Sentinel,
but after running it under that name until October,
1890, it was changed to the Morrice Tribune. It
is a six-column folio, a bright, newsy sheet, and
enjoys a good circulation. The office is well
equipped with news and job type, and first-class
work is being sent out from its composing rooms.
Mr. Bigelow was married October 22, 1883, to Miss
Mary House, who was born in Bennington Town



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


961


~-Y1 ---~ —LI-~ --- —--— I


ship, this county, in 1862. One child has blest
their union-Stanley, now four years old.
Mr. Bigelow is a Republican in politics although
his paper is independent. Socially he is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Maccabees, No. 327, the Alliance and of the Good
Templar's lodge. Although still quite young in
life, his prospects are flattering and undoubtedly the
future contains many successes for him.
UGH W. MORRIS. The fine furniture establishment owned by Mr. Morris is among
the most attractive business houses of St.
John's. A practical mechanic and splendid
workman, he is truly a self-made man and in the
department of labor which he has chosen success
has crowned his efforts. He is a manufacturer of
furniture and picture frames, a dealer in plain and
upholstered furniture, and special goods made to
order. Mr. Morris was born in Charleston, Canada, February 10, 1854. His father, Edward, was
born in Devonshire, England, while his grandfather,
also named Edward, was a native of Wales and
was a civil engineer by trade.
When the father of our subject was quite young
he was brought to Canada and was there apprenticed to a carriage and wagon manufacturer. He
became well-to-do and owned about one-half of the
town of Charleston, Canada. In 1860 he came to
Michigan and located in Lexington, Sanilac County,
where he engaged in the manufacture of carriages
and wagons. He was a fine mechanic and was successful in his business enterprises. He died in
1866, mourned by a large circle of acquaintances
who had learned to highly esteem his nobility of
mind and heart. The paternal great-grandfather
of our subject was a native of Scotland who
brought his family from  the highlands of that
country to Wales.
Eliza Weston, as the mother of our subject was
known in maidenhood, was horn in Lincolnshire,
England, and came to Canada when she was seven
years old. She has successfully engaged in the
millinery business and owns a farm of one hundred


and sixty acres in Sanilac County and considerable
real estate. Religiously she is a devoted member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her children  numbered eleven, of whom      eight  are
living. Hugh W., of this sketch, was reared in
Canada until the age of six years when he came to
Lexington. He received his education in the
graded schools of the town and afterward attended
the High School. In 1882 he began to serve an
apprenticeship of three years at the cabinetmaker's
trade, and later took instruction in drawing at
Lexington.
The valuable instruction which Mr. Morris received (luring his apprenticeship he utilized as a
journeyman traveling through different portions
of this State. In 1875 he came to St. John's and
entered the employ of the St. John's Manufacturing
Company, where his unusual abilities were soon
noticed. He began at the bottom of the ladder,
his stock in trade consisting of a small kit of tools,
and his present enviable position is due to his patient efforts. He has always received the active
co-operation of his wife with wh(lm he was united
in marriage in St. John's, in 1880. She was born
in this city and bore the maiden name of Mattie L.
Bromard. After receiving an excellent education
at Albion College she was engaged as a music
teacher with great success. They have two children-Robert B. and Opal H.
Mr. Morris was for two years Trustee of St. John's
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and belongs to
the Knights of the Maccabees. He was Treasurer
of St. John's Gun Club and is a fine shot and a
lover of hunting. Politically lie is a Republican
and with his estimable wife enjoys the esteem  of
the community.
LARK SMITH. We are pleased to present
to the readers of this ALBUM, a brief biographical sketch of a gentleman who has
made his mark in Bancroft in the line of newspaper work. Mr. Smith is editor and proprietor of
both the Bancroft Commercial and Perry Sun. He
was born in Elgin County, Ontario, Canada, Jan



962


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


uary 15, 1866, and his parents, J. J. Smith and
Abigail (Courser) Smith, were also natives of that
province and are now living in Williamston.
The youth was reared upon the farm and while
still young took a position in a printing office and
learned the trade of a compositor. He went to
Groton, l)ak., in 1881 and took a position on the
Grolon Leader. He came to Michigan in 1878
and in 1883 went to Valparaiso, Ind., and attended
the Normal School. He continued there for two
or three years and afterward returned to Groton,
where he remained until 1889, when he came to
Williamston, Ingham County, Mich.
The Bancroft Commercial was established  in
October, 1890. It is a five-column sheet, well edited and attractive and independent in politics. It
is a weekly paper published every Friday. Mr.
Smith assumed control of the paper February 4,
1891, and is pushing its interests with vigor.
RLANDO B. SWAIN. The publishers of
the ALBUM would fail in their purpose of
recording lives that have been useful and
are worthy of note, were they to omit mention of
the successful career of Mr. Swain. He owns one
of the best farms near St. John's, and for some
years past has been carrying on the agricultural
implement business in the county seat. lie handles
all kinds of implements and during the nine years
in which he has been thus engaged he has but
added to the reputation he already had, that of an
honorable man, trustworthy in all business relations.
His home has been on section 21, Bingham Township, since 1857, and few living in this locality
have so thorough a knowledge of the progress of
St. John's as he. The town was just starting into
life and the railroad had just been built through
here, when he opened a blacksmithing shop on four
acres of land now included in his farm.
Orlando Swain, father of our subject, was born
in Saratoga Springs, N. Y., August 16, 1791. He
served in the War of 1812. He was a blacksmith
and followed his trade, with the exception of three
years which he passed on a whaling expedition


when a young man. Ile came to this State with
his son and died here late in the '70s. His wife
was Gracie Wesgate, a native of New Hampshire,
who died in 1873. They had but two childrenOrlando B. and a daughter who died at Port
Henry, N. Y. The son was born in that place
January 31, 1821, and attended the district school,
which was a large one, there being ninety-six
pupils under the care of a single teacher. His
father was in limited circumstances and as soon as
he was old enough to work, lie was compelled to
do so. He learned the trade at which his father
was employed and began his work at the anvil and
forge when he was quite young. From tile time
he was eighteen years old he took care of his
parents.
When Mr. Swain came to Clinton County he had
no money with which to buy land and he went up
to a point twenty miles above Green Bay and spent
two years working at his trade in a lumber camp.
He thus earned the wherewithal to pay for forty
acres, and returning, entered upon work at his
trade, while hiring his land cleared. But few
roads had yet been laid out jn this locality, and
wild game abounded, while Indians sometimes
camped near and hunted during the winter. Notwithstanding the wildness of the country the first
forty acres bought by Mr. Swain cost him $1,000.
He bargained for the property and made his payments as fast as possible and then from time to
time added to it as his means would permit. He
now has three hundred and sixty acres on which
first class improvements have been made.. For
twenty years after coming here he worked at his
trade and he then turned his attention to farming,
in which he had been interested, but not to any
great extent personally.
In Port Henry, Essex County, N. Y., July 9,
1855, Mr. Swain was united in marriage with Miss
Harriet E. Conn. This lady was born December 5,
1834, and died February 21, 1889, after more than
thirty years of happy wedded life. The children
born to her were four in number, named respectively: Frank C., Fred E., John A. and Flora J.,
John is deceased. The living sons, with their
father, make hunting trips to the upper and lower
peninsulas and in one season have killed as high as




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


963


forty-nine deer, three bears and a beaver. Mr.
Swain and his wife gave their children the best
possible school advantages and in every way endeavored to fit them for the duties of life.
Mr. Swain was initiated into the Masonic order
in 1854 and has kept up an active connection with
that society. In politics he is a Republican and he
is assured that his party is the best calculated to
promote national welfare. He has served as Township Treasurer and Commissioner, in a manner
creditable to himself and his constituents, and has
many warm friends in the commonwealth which he
honors by his residence.
rEORGE WELLER. A man who engages
in mining is a producer who has no rival,
for the metal that he digs from the earth is
the agent that procures for us most of the necessities and all of the luxuries of life. Why the
work and the worker should be looked down upon
so frequently is a question that involve many
things, but certainly they are outside of the producer himself. Our subject, who at plresent resides on his farm on section 27, Venice Township,
Sliawassee County, was for several years a miner
in California, where he successfully brought much
of the precious ore to earth.
Our subject's father was Nathaniel Weller, a
native of New York, born in 1801 and a farmer in
calling. His mother was Nancy (Fleming) Weller, a native of Maryland born in 1803. They
were married in Chemung County, N. Y., afterward resided in Cayuga County,same State. Nathaniel Weller died in 1886 and his wife followed
him one year later.  They were the parents of
seven children. Three of these are now living.
George Weller. the gentleman who is the original of our sketch was born August 27, 1839, in
Cayuga County, N. Y, where he received a district school education. At the age of seventeen
years he emancipated himself from home rule and
went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. In 1856 he arrived at San Francisco. From
there he went to a place near Oregon.  There lie


began operating in the gold mines, remaining for
four years. He was among a very rough class of
people and saw some very hard times.  He then
returned to San Francisco and was a pilot upon a
schooner belonging to his brother for a few months.
Montgomery County, C'll., was the next scene of
his efforts. There he purchased one hundred and
sixty acres of unimproved land and held it against
a law-suit brought to oust the settlers. He afterward sold out his claim and went back to New
York State, after a stay of seven years in the
Golden State. He staid at home in New York
State for one and one-lalf years, while there engaging in farming.
During Mr. Weller's stay in California he undertook to run a sloop from San Francisco to Benica.
While in the bay a stiff gale arose and for three
days the struggle between the elements kept him so
occupied that he had not time to partake of food
before getting into harbor. While there he was
an eye witness to the hanging of Corey and Casey
who were convicted for the murder of Richardson
and editor James King, respectively.
In February, 1868, the original of our sketch was
united in marriage to Achsah White, daughter of
Washington and Nanny White, natives of New
York State. They resided in Auburn, N. Y., and
enjoyed a retired life as farmers. They were the
parents of eight children, six of whom are now living. Mrs. Weller was educated at Auburn, N. Y.,
and received the best of musical instruction. After
marriage our subject remained in  New  York
for nearly a year, then in the latter part of 1868,
came to this State.
The family of Mr. Weller proceeded directly to
Shiawassee County where they purchased forty
acres of land on the section above quoted. There
they built. a house, 12x16 feet in dimensions and
seven feet high. Two years later they hauled that
house by oxen to the farm where they now reside and here located upon eighty acres of raw
land which had no improvements whatever.  The
neighbors were few, only Indians occasionally coming here to make sugar. There was plenty of game
and the larder need never be empty of meat.  A
bear was killed in the clearing near the house.
Mr. Weller determined to make a permanent home






964


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


here and set about clearing off his place. His wife
died July 7, 1879. By her he is the father of five
clildren-Frances, Fred, Charles, Helen   and
George N. The eldest child was born December
18, 1868, and is now the wife of William  Voight,
living at Lennon; she is the mother of three children. Fred's natal day was October 23, 1869;
Charles O., March 4, 1872; Helen first saw the light
of day January 24, 1874, and the youngest of the
family was welcomed July 2, 1876.
Mr. Weller was again married June 22, 1881, this
time to Mary Sutton, a daughter of Benjamin and
Penelope (Gipson) Sutton, both of English nativity.
They came to America in 1851, proceeding immediately to this State and settling in Oakland County, For twenty years they made their home in that
county and then came to Shiawassee County, later
removing to Genesee County, where they now
reside, the father having attained the age of sixtyfour years; the mother fifty-nine years.  They are
the parents of eleven children, of whom nine are
now living.
Mrs. Weller was born November 25, 1859. in
Oakland County, where she received the advantages of a district-school education.  Mr. Weller
and his present wife are the parents of twin boys
-Ambert and Albert-born January 30, 1885.
Mr. Weller now has two hundred acres of land of
which one hundred and eighty acres are under
cultivation. Of this he cleared all himself with
the exception of fifty acres. When he began he
struggled against the disadvantages of poverty and
debt and he had to work nights as well as days
in order to free himself. He built his present residence about fourteen years ago and all of the
other improvements have been placed here by himself. Each year he raises a fine crop of strawberries and has an orchard which covers two acres.
lie carries on general farming and has some fine
stock. His sheep are registered Shropshires.
Our subject is still the head of the farm.  He is
a Master Mason, belonging to the lodge at Auburn,
N. Y. He is also a Knight of the Maccabees of
Lennon, of which he is Sergeant. He has given
his children the advantages that were possible and
they have all taken the full course in the district
schools. The political issues of the day all have


a great interest for him. He affiliates with the Republican party. He has been a hard-working man
and in this way has made a success of farming.
His children are all natural musicians. The religious inclinations of the family on both sides of the
house are with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
OB R. KNIGHT. The success that crowned
the efforts of the gentleman whose name
heads our sketch is due to the fact that since
\QX   settling in this State in a very early day he
has strengthened his position as a careful farmer
by the best principles of the conscientious and
Christian man. His farm, which is located on section 11, New Haven Township, Shiawassee County,
is a very fine one, being cultivated to the highest
degree.  Job Knight was born in Chautauqua
County, N. Y., March 24, 1822. His father was
Jeremiah Knight, a farner who was a native of
Rhode Island. His natal day was March 28, 1795.
After receiving the advantage of a commonschool education the father of our subject went
to Oneida County, N. Y., in 1803 and in 1813 settled on what is known as the Holland Purchase in
Chautauqua County, where ihe remained for twentythree years. He then went Lake County, Ohio.
He remained there several years when he decided
to come to Oakland County, Mich., which he did
about 1852. In 1855 he came to New Haven
where he purchased twenty acres; here his death
took place about 1858. He was originally a Methodist in belief, then became a Mormon and finally
a Spiritualist. He was a preacher successively of
all these creeds. In politics he was a Whig and
on the organization of the Republican party joined
its ranks. M1r. Knight was strongly attached to his
party but never an office-holder.
In 1816 the father of our subject was united in
marriage to Roba Fisk, a daughter of Hezekiah
and Roba (Walker) Fisk, who were natives of
Rhode Island. Roba was the eldest of fourteen
children, her natal year being 1796. Her father
died in 1828, his daughter following him in 1859.
Our subject had very good school advantages and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


965


-I ----------
----- ---


-


=


at rhe age of eighteen began life for himself by
renting farms in Cayuga County in which business
he continued for several years. His advent into
this State was made in 1845 and was because of the
severe drouth which prevailed in the East. He came
hither by way of Fairport to Detroit, where he
worked for four months, thence he went back to his
home, and getting his family came to Southfield
Township, Oaklana County, where he remained for
one and one-half years. He then removed to Rose
Township, same county, where he remained for six
years. -Ie there owned fifty acres of land which he
traded for eighty acres here in New Haven, coming
to this place January 1, 1859.
Mr. Knight was obliged to construct a dwelling
for his family on short time, for at that period
there were neither hotels nor dwelling houses near
at hand. He built a shanty 14x20 feet in dimension
and there setting up his household gods and goods
began the work of clearing his farm. The little
home where they first lived had a roof slanting in
one direction; the weather was very cold and the
warmth fiom within caused the snow to melt and
wlen the water reached the eaves it formed an icy
sheet both inside and without the south wall of the
cabin. In 1887 Mr. Knight added fifteen acres to
his farm and in 1889 five acres more.
When our subject first came to this State his
nearest neighbor lived at a distance of six miles
from him. He found his way to the farm by blazed
trees. Since settling in this place Mr. Knight has
seen many changes, not only in the improvement
of the country but in the contour of the land itself.
The shanty that he at first built was on a ridge,
but the south part of his farm which now is a
fertile field in which wave the richest crops was at
that time a pond where he has seen the-water two
feet deep and containing plenty of fish. He has
cleared about ninety acres of the farm.
In 1840 the gentleman of whom we write was
married to Mary Morrison, daughter of John and
Nancy (Kent) Morrison. They were natives of
New York and Nancy was the eldest of three children, the other two being sons. Mr. and Mrs.
Knight are the parents of five children: Polly M.,
Orpha Eudora, Daniel Edson, Emma Lulette and
Mary Ellen. Our subject and his wife are members




I


------ -------------
--


of the Christian Church, of which he is an Elder
and Trustee. He is also Treasurer of the Sundayschool, of which he has been Superintendent for a
number of years, at the same time presiding over
the Bible class.
Our subject is a Patron of Industry, of which he
is Treasurer. Formerly he was a Republican in
political preference and under that' party was
Highl Commissioner for two terms, Township Clerk
and Justice of the Peace. Since 1885 he has been
a Prohibitionist, taking an active part is the work
and progress of the party. Mr. Knight in one of
the most progressive and successful farmers in the
township or county. He has a fine residence and
good barns and his neighbors assert that he makes
more from  his farm than any other man in the
county with the same number of acres.
In the early history of New Haven Township the
town meetings and elections were held on the same
day. When the first independent or circuit caucus
took place it was held in Mr. Knight's sugarhouse, only eight persons being present.
-4   _I V.   4l




f   TEPIEN W. DOWNER. Among the older
citizens of North Lansing, Clinton County,
)      who have retired from active life, we have
the pleasure of noting the gentleman whose
name stands at the head of this sketch. He is a
man of broad influence, both on account of his
character and as an old pioneer who has achieved
a decided and deserved success. Although considerably past the allotted span of man's life he
is still active in his habits and faculties. His nativity occurred August 19, 1815, in Sharon Township, Windsor County, Vt. His father, Erastus,
was born in Connecticut in 1793, and his grandfather, Jason, was also a native of that State. The
great-grandfather, Arnold Downer, was a soldier
in the Revolutionary War and lived to complete
his ninety-third year,.lying in Vermont. His son,
the grandfather of our subject, although a boy of
sixteen at the time of the Revolutionary War, entered the service and was a personal attendant
upon Gen, Waslington. He died in Vermont at






966


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


seventy-nine years of age, having reared a family
of four children anld being a man of considerable
property. The family is of Scotch English descent.
The father of our subject early became interested in the lumber business at Lebanon, N. H.
After moving to Niagara County, N. Y., in 1833,
lie bought and improved a farm, owning at one
time two hundred and three acres near Lewistown,
N. Y, in that county. His death occurred upon
the farm when he had reached the age of seventynine years. In religious belief he was a Universalist, and in politics he was a Democrat up to the
time of the war, after which he became a Republican. His marriage to Margaret Evans, a native
of Vermont, born in 1793, brought him six children, three of whom grew to maturity, namely:
Esther, Mrs. Woodbury; Stephen W. and Ziba A.
The sister, Esther, has passed away and the mother
died when eighty-six years and one month old.
Even to her later years she showed a deep interest in religious matters and church affairs, being
a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her father,
Laban Evans, was a na:tive of Vermont, of English
descent.
When nineteen years old, Steplen I)owner entered into the lumbering business in New York
State, in which he continued for seven winters, and
during one summer ran a canal boat on the Erie
Canal between Buffalo and Albany. He also did
some lumbering in Canada. IHe came to Michigan
in the fall of 1841, walking from Detroit to Clinton County, after having reached that point by
boat. There he took up one hundred and sixty
acres of land on section 20, Bingham Township,
and built the first frame house ever erected in that
township. lie bought a team of oxen and peddled tea, coffee, groceries and dry goods through
the country. He built a log shanty without using
a single nail. At that time deer were more plentiful than domestic animals and Indians more numerous than whites. One day our subject killed
with a club a bear which was trying to steal his
sheep.
After living upon this farm seven years and
clearing some one hundred acres of it, Mr. Downer
removed to Farmington, in Oakland County, and
staid there one year, after which he returned to


Clinton County and settled in DeWitt Township,
where lie resided until April 1, 1891, when he removed, as has been before said, to North Lansing.
When he took this farm it had no improvements
upon it and he had to build a frame shanty before
clearing it up.
The marriage of Stephen W. Downer and Anna
Morton took place May 20, 1842, and was the beginning of a life of more than usual domestic happiness. Mrs. Downer was born in Oswego County,
N. Y., June 11, 1825, and is a daughter of Bishop
and Elnora (Elderkin) Morton, natives respectively
of Rutland, Vt., and Connecticut. Mr. Morton
was born June 3, 1803, and his wife Decenmber 14,
1808, and were married in New York State. Up
to the age of forty-five he followed carpentry and
after that engaged in farming, coning to Michigan
in December, 1836, and locating in Tecumseh,
Lenawee County. They came to Clinton County
in 1845, and he developed there a small farm and
died at the age of sixty-three years. His wife followed him to the grave after she had reached the
age of seventy-two. They were both earnest and
consistent members of the Baptist Church and were
the parents of eight children.
Mrs. Downer obtained her education in the log
schoolhouses of Lenawee County.   She became
the mother of three children, besides one adopted
daughter. The eldest, Margaret E., married John
C. Waller, a contractor and builder in Lansing.
They have one child, Margaret M., and have lost
two-Anna D. and Florence G. Bishop E. has
been twice married, his first wife being a Miss
Clements, who was the mother of three sonsErastus C., Stephen W. and John H. Ilis present
wife bore the maiden name of May Smith and has
two children-Earl Bishop and Leo Morton. This
son carried on a farm in DeWitt Township. Erastus Morton died April 3, 1868, at the age of
twelve years. The adopted daughter, Katie B.,
married William Morgan and is now a widow with
four children-Anna M., Ora E., Florence E. and
Willie I.
Mr. Downer has thirteen hundred acres of land
in Clinton County and ten houses in Lansing,
with which ten acres of land are connected. He
loans money quite largely, and when we consider




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


967


that he had less than $200 when he came to Michigan his business success is remarkable. He attributes his "good luck" to hard work, good management and close attention to business. He and
his noble wife were the first couple married in
Bingham  Township, Clinton County. He was a
Democrat in politics previous to the Civil War,
since which he has been independent. He served
for seven years as Supervisor of his township when
living in Bingham and was elected to the same
office in DeWitt. but resigned after qualifying.
He also resigned the office of Justice of the Peace.
His wife, who is a lady of fine intelligence, was a
teacher for some time previous to her marriage.
^*> --- —*04>-0 ^<~-0^ --- —<<^
xW    ILLIAM W. WATSON, M. D., a prominent young physician of Morrice, was
born in Delhi Township, Inglam County,
this State, July 12, 1862. His father, William  B.
Watson, was born in the State of New York, in
1827, of English descent, and was a farmer and
storekeeper. Coming to Michigan in 1844, he located in Delhi Township, Ingham County, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he
made all the improvements. His possessions when
he reached this State consisted of about seventy-five
cents in money and an old horse. Until 1870 he
operated as a farmer, then opened a store in Holt.
Delhi Township. After he continued thus engaged
for a short time lie resumed his farming pursuits
and now lives on a farm which be rents out. Politically he is a Democrat and is a Universalist in
religion.
For twelve years the father served- as Clerk of
the township and for eleven years he was Supervisor. He was at one time candidate for the office
of County Treasurer and came within fifteen votes
of being elected. His wife bore the name of Pattie
Welch in maidenhood and was born in New York
State. They reared four children: Ellen F. Green,
Emma Keller, Charles M., a pllysician, and William
W., of this sketch. The latter attended the district school and supplemented the good commonschool education which he there obtained by


instruction in various institutions of learning,
among them the University of Valparaiso. He utilized the thorough education which he had received
in the profession of a teacher, which he followed
three terms in White Oak and Stockbridge.
On May 20, 1883, Dr. Watson was married to Miss
Tillie M. West, who was born in the Empire State,
November 30, 1866. Two bright children have
blessed this congenial union. After residing on a
farm two years our subject began the study of medicine with his brother, C. M., at Lansing. With
him lie read one year, next entered the State University and after a year spent there, became a student in Hahnemann College, Chicago, where he
was graduated in 1889. Immediately afterward he
located here and has already become known as
an intelligent, skillful physician, fully alive to the
latest developments in the science.
In his political affiliations Dr. Watson is a Democrat and has served with efficiency as Health Officer here. Ile is a member of the Masonic order
at Perry. In his practice he is an advocate of the
school of homeopathy and is a member of the State
Medical Society.
ILLIAM H. ROBSON, an enterprising farmer who resides on section 8, Sciota Township, Shiawassee County, was born in
Ontario County, N. Y., September 23, 1863, and is
the son of John H. and Mary E. Robson. The
parents, who were natives of the State of New
York, came to Michigan about 1871 and settled in
the village of Ovid, Clinton County. Later he
bought and located upon the farm where our subject now lives. This was the home of the father
until the spring of 1891, when he returned to the
Empire State and now makes his home there. In
that State he was a farmer and saw manufacturer.
For a time, after coming to Ovid, he operated as
a merchant and 1lso bought grain at that point.
Although he began life with small means he has
accumulated a large property through the exercise
of perseverance and good judgment.
In politics the father is a Democrat and with his




968


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRC:IKAPHICAL ALBUM.


968 —' ----        PORTRAITI —I --------------— I AND~~ —~~ BIG AP IA   ALBUM.   -------  I


wife finds a religious home in the Presbyterian
Church. Five children were born to them, namely:
Adda G., William H., Charles K., Jennie A. and
John H., Jr. Until he was eight years old our subject remained in the Empire State, then came West
with his father and spent his youth in Ovid. In
1884 he located upon his present farm and has
since given his attention to agriculture. He had
received his education in the Ovid High School.
He now has two hundred and forty-four acres, of
which one hundred and ninety are cleared and under cultivation. The buildings are good and the
entire estate forms one of the best farms in the
township. It is located on the Clinton and Shiawassee County line, five miles south of Ovid. Mr.
Robson is raising thoroughbred Cotswold sheep
and Durham cattle with considerable success. Politically he is a Democrat. He is not married, but
his pleasant homestead is rendered brighter by the
presence of his sister Jennie and brother John H.
v. _,    -__.


J oAY D. ROYCE. The gentlemaan who has
been appointed by Uncle Sam to hold the
responsible position in Byron of guardian
of the mails, was born in Deerfield, Livingston County, Mich., September 1, 1857, and is a
son of John and Hannah E. (Bentley) Royce,
natives of New York, of Scott, Cortland County.
They were married in Mundy, Genesee County,
this State, and later took up their residence in
Deerfield, Livingston County, where they lived
until 1868 when they moved to Argentine, Genesee
County, where the father died. His wife still survives him. Our subject's father was all his life a
farmer and was in comfortable financial circumstances. In his youth lie was a Whig and later
became a Republican. The high esteem in which
he was held in the community was evinced by his
election to numerous township offices. Both he
and his wife were members of the Presbyterian
Church, of which they were active and generous
supporters. For years he held the position of
Deacon in the church.
Our subject's parents had eight children, namely:


Elsie, Eva, Llewellyn P., J. D., Orvill, Sarah C.,
Emily E. and Howard W. Jay D., who is the
gentleman whose name is at the head of our sketch
was raised in Deerfield, Livingston County, where
he remained until eleven years of age, then went
with his parents to Argentine, Genesee County, this
State. His early life was passed on a farm until
he had reached the age of eighteen years. During
this time he had enjoyed the advantages of a comnmon-school education at Byron. When eighteen
years old he taught school for one term and then
took a position as clerk in a store and later the same
position at Bancroft and Milford. He was engaged
in the hardware business in Byron for two years,
first in partnership with Austin Alcott and later
with M. D. Comstock. He went out of business
for a while, resting and recuperating until April,
1889, when he received the commission of Postmaster of Byron, which position lie still holds. IHe
is a strong adherent of the Republican party under
which he has held several town offices. He has
reached the third degree in the Masonic order and
is at present Master of the lodge at Byron. He is
also a Knight of the Maccabees.
Charmed by the sweet face and amiable manners
of Miss Vira Webster, one of the most attractive
young ladies of Byron and a daughter of Doctor
and Adelia Webster, he wooed and won her for his
own in October 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Royce lhave
been made happy by the advent into their family
of one child, Vernon W. This amiable couple are
the center of a social life at Byron.
GEORGE W. DEVEREAUX. This prominent business man and farmer of Owosso is
~J well known throughout this part of the
county as he has now been in business here for
many years, and his livery and sale stable is one
of the most popular institutions of the city. He
was born at Rose Valley, Wayne County, N. Y.,
July 4, 1843. He is the youngest of a large family
of eleven children. His father, Stephen Devereaux,
was a native of New York and was born in 1804.
He lived till the year 1871 when he passed away at






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


969


North Newburg, Shiawassee County, Mich. The
mother, who was a daughter of William Waterbury, of English descent, was born in 1813 and
died in 1885 at Pontiac, Oakland County, Mich.
The Devereauxs are of French descent, the grand
father being a native of France.
Stephen Devereaux removed with his parents to
Michigan in 1847, and located on a farm in West
Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, and there
remained up to the year 1868, when he and his wife
removed to Shiawassee County and made their home
in Shiawassee Township where they spent most of
their days. They had ten children, four sons and
six daughters, all of whom  lived to maturity.
Our subject and his twin brother spent their school
days in Oakland County, alternating the district
school in winters with working on a farm in the
summers, and removed with his parents to Shiawassee County when they made that change. He
remained with his parents until the death of his
father and being the youngest son he staid by his
mother after that sad event.
In 1872 Mr. Devereaux opened a livery and sale
stable which he carried on for three years, after
which he disposed of it by sale and began acting
as traveling salesman on the road. Subsequent to
this he clerked for awhile in a dry-goods store and
then began a livery business on Park Street, where
he keeps a good supply of horses, carriages and
buggies and every convenience which should be
found in a first-class stable, using some twelve to
fifteen horses in his business all the time.
The happy married life of Mr. Devereaux began
in 1872 and he was then united with Miss Antoinette Brewer, daughter of Abram and Sarah Brewer,
who came to Michigan many years ago from New
York and became pioneers in Shiawassee County.
Mrs. Devereaux had her nativity in New York, but
most of her education and training was received in
Michigan. One son only has come to bless this
union-Floyd Lee.
Besides his business property our subject has a
fine little farm of forty acres near the city limits
and a pleasant and delightful home. He is not
actively concerned in political movements but is
intelligently interested in them and feels it the
duty of every patriotic citizen to study to vote


intelligently and to be conscientious in exercising
his privileges of suffrage. The Republican party
represents the principles which he considers most
judicious and best adapted to the prosperity of the
country.
HARLES D. HARMON, M. D., a successful
medical practitioner of Laingsburg, was
born in Canastota, Madison County, N. Y.,
December 21, 1830, and is of German and Irish descent. His father, Daniel B. Harmon, was a native
of Germany and at the age of twelve crossed the
Atlantic to America. He landed in this country
without a dollar in his pocket and with no friends
to aid him, but he possessed untiring energy and
perseverance and in the course of years became
wealthy.
While residing in Vermont, Daniel B. Harmon
married Miss Electa Lillie, a native of Ireland, who
had come to this country when a maiden of sixteen summers. Soon after their marriage the young
couple removed to Ontario County, N. Y., where
they resided until 1838, when they came to Michigan and settled at Whitmore Lake, Livingston
County. At that place Mr. Harmon built a mill
and opened up a farm, but after a short time he sold
out and went to Howell, Mich., where he built the
Howell Mills. After operating them a short time
we next find him a resident of Shiawassee County.
At Antrim he erected what is known as Wright's
Mills, which after carrying on for several years,
he sold to Walter and I. S. A. Wright, the present proprietors.
Mr. Harmon's next place of residence was in
Argentine, Genesee County, Mich., where he bought
a large farm, devoting his attention to agricultural
pursuits until his death, which occurred a few
years after he located there. His wife survived him
some twelve years and died on the old homestead
at the age of fifty-four. Mr. Harmon had reached
his forty-eighth year when he was called to his final
rest. We have before mentioned that he became
quite wealthy, but before his death he lost heavily
by going security for others. He was a carpenter,
millwright and gunsmith and in fact a natural me_






970


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


chanic, being able to turn his hand to almost anything. He proved a valued and useful citizen of
every community in which he resided and in politics was a Whig and Republican. In his church
relations he was a Methodist and his wife belonged
to the Baptist Church. In their family were eight
children: Cornelia E., Charles D., Charlotte E.,
Clarissa, Ann., Lewis L., Clark N. and Nancy M.
Dr. Harmon was a lad of only eight summers
when he accompanied his parents to Michigan.
His boyhood days were spent at work upon the
farm or in his father's mill until nineteen years of
age, when, having determined to make of himself a
physician, he began reading medicine with Drs.
Mixom and Webster, of Argentine, Genesee County.
He also studied in Byron, Mich., and in 1860 was
graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of
Cincinnati, Ohio. It was in April, 1861, that he
opened an office in Laingsburg, and from that time
up to the present he has continued practice at this
place, with the exception of about ten years, from
September, 1878, until 1888, when he was engaged
in the prosecution of his profession at Ft. Worth,
Tex.
At present Dr. Harmon has only office practice
and gives his whole attention to the treatment of
chronic diseases. He has been a constant student
of the profession, having kept abreast with all the
discoveries and improvements connected with medical science and to further fit himself for his chosen
life work he pursued a course of study in the
Homeopathic i    c Medical College of Lansing, Mich.,
which is now a part of the State University of Ann
Arbor. In the last-named institution he also occupied the position of Professor of Anatomy for some
time.
In 1850 Dr. Harmon wedded Miss Mary C. Middlesworth, of Argentine, Mich., and unto them
were born four children: Charlotte E., Sarah A.,
Charles D. and Isaac H. On the 14th of September, 1883, the Doctor was joined in wedlock with
Miss Bertha Shaedel, of St. Louis, MAo  This lady
is a native of Baden Baden, Germany, and was educated in that country, in Paris, France, and in
America, and speaks and writes the German,
French and English languages. Her culture and
refinement is manifested in her home and is shown


by the circle of friends she has gathered around
her, people of the highest worth and intelligence.
The Doctor is a stanch Republican, having supported that party since he went to Texas, prior
to which time he was a I)emocrat. He has never
taken any active part in political affairs, especially
in the sense of office seeking, but keeps himself well
informed concerning the issues of the day. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. His success in his professional career is equalled only by his success as a speculator
in real estate. Upon going to Ft. Worth, Tex.,
in 1878, he possessed a capital of about $9,000,
which he invested judiciously and wisely in lands
in and near the rapidly growing city of Ft.
Worth. This property has so arisen in value that
it is now worth $75,000.
Upright and honorable in all his dealings, his
course has been marked with the st-rictest integrity and fairness and he has won not only a handsome competency, but also the confidence and warm
friendship of those with whom he has been brought
in contact. He is an honored citizen of this community and it is with pleasure that we present to
the readers of the ALBUM thlis brief sketch of his
life.
— ~ —
I ENRY    W. WEBSTER, President of the
) Clinton    County Agricultural Society, is
a well-known horseman, paying particular
attention to the raising of standard-bred
animals, but also buying and shipping stock in
large numbers. His principal shipping point is
St. John's, not far from whichl place he has a wellimproved farm. Indeed, he may he called a resident of the city, as the property that he operates
adjoins the corporation limits. Ile has other property which is carried on by a renter. Mr. Webster
feeds from four to five hundred head of sheep per
season, but on his farm the most conspicuous animals are the equines.
The father of our subject rejoiced in the name
of Lyman and was a native of the old Bay State.
He came to Michigan and entered one hundred and
sixty acres of land which is now covered by Grand




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


971


I - I -I


Rapids. He had been there but a short time when
the city started into life, and he traded his property for a tract that was part prairie, on which he
located. This was in Essex Township, Clinton
County, and the locality is still known as Webster
Prairie, he having been one of the first settlers in
the township. Hie improved his land and followed
farming there until 1850, when he went to California by the overland route. IIe was three months
making the trip and during that time slept under
the open sky. He worked in the mines in Sacramento Valley for three years and won a greater
degree of success than many. He then went to
Australia and for a year was in communication
with his family, to whom he sent money, but after
that time all communication ceased and his fate is
unknown. He had been one of the prominent officials of Essex Township and is well remembered
by the old settlers who remain. His wife, Dimmis
Stebbins, was born in Massachusetts and died at
their home in Essex Township.
Mr. Webster, of this notice, is the youngest of
ten children born to his parents, and opened his
eyes to the light in Essex Township, March 22,
1845. He was reared on the prairie farm and attended the district school whenever opportunities
afforded, although his educational privileges were
somewhat limited. When fifteen years old, having
remained at home, he took charge of the farm.
His mother bought a new eighty in the woods and
lie and a brother cleared it. Before he was of age
he bought the place and farmed it until 1884.
During that time he paid considerable attention to
stock-raising and when he sold the property he
came to St. John's and became a buyer and shipper. He subsequently bought forty acres in Binghiam Townslip, just outside the city; and eighty
acres in Dallas Township, one and a half miles
southwest of Fowler. In 1886 he opened a meat
market in partnership with W. T. Church, to whom
he sold his interest three years later. He subsequently bought into the firm  again and later car.
ried on the business alone until February, 1891,
when he sold out to give his entire attention to his
other affairs.
Among tie horses owned by Mr. Webster, are
some especially deserving of mention. 'Sir Crabb"


is a fine animal, No. 11,218, and sired by "Sirossco" by "Jerome Eddy."  His record is 2:16 1.2
and his dam, "Belle Crabb," has a record of 2:34
1-2. He is a seal brown, fifteen and a half hands high
and four years old. A brown stallion four years
old, whose (lam was "Membrino Bashaw," is one of
the fine steeds on the farm, and the gelding, "Henry
Lewis Boy," is another. The later is five years old.
Mr. Webster also owns a three-year-old gelding,
"Fred H.," by "Manchester," dam "Nellie Smith,"
and other animals of almost equal value.
In February, 1870, Mr. Webster gained a faithful helpmate and companion in Miss Mary E.
Wright, with whom he was united in Owosso.
She is a daughter of Isaac Wright, an early settler
in Antrim, Shiawassee County. Mr. and Mrs.
Webster are the parents of one child-Edna.
They have a residence is St. John's, as well as good
and adequate buildings on the farm. Mr. Webster
is an Odd Fellow and Mason, and in the latter society has risen to the Royal Arch degree. His political associations are with the Democratic party.
In 1888 lie was elected President of the Agricultural Society and has been retained in the position
from year to year. The society owns a twentyacre tract, with a half-mile track, and the county
fairs are second only to those of the State in their
exhibits and the valuation of premiums offered.
During the fall Mr. Webster occupies a large part
of his time in work connected with the affairs of
the society.
4  OHN   D. HENDERSON.       The firm of J.
D. Henderson & Bro. is one of the best
known in or near St. John's and is carrying
on manufactures as great in extent as any
in this locality. The gentlemen are proprietors of
the Bingham Roller Flouring Mill and the St. John's
Sawmill and our subject is also owner and operator
of a tract of farm land near the city. Their flouring-mill is fitted up with a complete roller process
and operated by steam, having a capacity of one
hundred and twenty-five barrels per day. The
product has a first-class reputation and is shipped




972


PORTRAITr AND BIOG~RAPHICAL ALBUM.


2AH


extensively. In the sawmill both hard and soft
wood is cut and the establishment turns out more
lumber than any other in the county. The capacity
of this mill is ten thousand feet per day and the
most of it is consumed by local trade, although
some is shipped to a considerable distance.
Walter Henderson, grandfather of our subject,
was born in Scotland and was a fancy carver in
marble. He worked at his trade until he enlisted
in the English army and he then served as a soldier
twenty-two years. He 'was at Waterloo and was
wounded by a ball which crossed his nose and eyes,
injuring his sight. He served two enlistments of
eleven years each and during his connection with
the army was regimental bugler. After his second
term had expired he located at Leith, Scotland, and
worked at his trade some until he retired from active life. He was a stanch member of the Presbyterian Church. His son, John D. Sr., was born
near Leith in 1815 and when old enough to adopt a
vocation became a mechanic. He ran an engine for
Mr. Dawson twenty-two years and then was engineer in the insane asylum in Edinboro three years.
He next filled the position of engineer in a flouring-mill in Leith and left that place in 1856 to
come to America. For some time he was engaged
as a locomotive engineer on the Michigan Central
Railroad, making his home in Detroit and he then
became head engineer on a lake steamer owned by
Russell & Co., of that city. In the fall of 1858
lie became night watchman at the depot and roundhouse at St. John's and later for the manufacturing
company here. He then operated a stationary engine, and after the burning of the roundhouse
went to Pontiac. Although seventy six years old
he is still active and is employed in the roundhouse
at Pontiac. He is a Republican in politics and a
Baptist in religion.
The first wife of John D. Henderson, Sr.. was
Jane Moffitt, a Scotch lady, whose father was Robert
Moffitt. She died in St. John's, March 1, 1862.
She was the mother of twelve children, of whom
our subject is the fourth in order of birth. The
second union of Mr. Henderson was blest by the
birth of two children. The birthplace of our subject was Leith, Scotland, and his natal day January
16, 1845. When he was ten years old he was ap

prenticed at rope and sail-making and served three
years and eight months. All his schooling was received at night schools, but as his mother was well
educated he was encouraged by her to glean knowledge from every possible source. The family (lid
not cross the Atlantic with the father, but made
their voyage the next year. Thley left Leith, March
1, 1857, and going to Liverpool embarked on the
sailer "Martin Luther," Captain Gordon in charge.
The vessel was wrecked and the passengers were
picked up in the Bay of Biscay by the man-of-war
'Tagus" and taken to Plymouth. They remained
there eight weeks, until the disabled vessel was repaired, and were then seven weeks and three days
in crossing to Quebec.
During the voyage young Henderson made himself useful on board the vessel, his knowledge of
ropes and sails standing him in good stead. He
reached Detroit July 26, 1857, and for about eighteen months worked at rope-making for a Mr.
Gallagher on the Grand River Road. He desired
to have a better education and attended school one
summer. In the fall of 1858 he came to St. John's
and found employment in the sawmill of B. Wright
& Son, beginning at the foundation of the business,
at the work of tail sawyer. He worked in the mill
two years, rising to the position of head sawyer
and becoming as well able as anyone in the establishment to file and hang a saw and do other mechanical work.  He acted as head sawy(r and
manager until 1869, when he and his brother
bought the establishment and continued the manufacture of lumber there, and in 1875 they built
their present gristmill.
In St. John's, October 11, 1865, the marriage
rites between Mr. Henderson and Miss Betsey A.
Talmage were solemnized. The bride was born in
Oakland County, near Milford, where her father.
Samuel Talmage, was an early settler. He carried
on farm work there for years, then came to St.
John's, but is now living in Ovid. Mr. and Mrs.
Henderson have six children, named respectively,
John E., Anna M., Carrie A., Bessie A., Agnes B.
and Jenny M. The son is now engaged in the
grocery and dry-goods trade in Pompeii, this State,
and the eldest daughter, who is a graduate of the
St. John's High School, is teaching in the Perrin




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


973


I,~.~.......-.  ~.  ~-.-~. —   -. x....-.- ___-..~..-..~~ ---. --- —   - - - - -


School. The younger children are still pursuing
their studies, three of them being pupils in the High
School. It is the desire of their parents to give
them a thorough education and they are encouraged and aided by their father and mother on every
possible occasion.
The farm owned by Mr. Henderson consists of
two hundred and forty acres in Essex Township
and is well supplied with necessary buildings, strong
fences and good stock. It is devoted principally
to the cultivation of grains and the raising of cattle and sheep. Mr. Henderson is a Mason of prominence and high degree. He belongs to the Blue
Lodge, Cllapter and Commandery in St. John's and
has passed all the chairs. He is a true-blue Republican and has been a delegate to county conventions. For seven or eight years he was Mayor
of St. Joln's, holding his office during successive
years except one twelvemonth.    He was also
Trustee twelve years and is Chairman of the Water
Commission and an honorary member of the fire
department. The system of waterworks is an excellent one and much credit is due Mr. Henderson
for this fact, as he was President of the Commission when it was put in and had charge of the
work.  In hlusiness and civic relations he has
equally displayed his strength of character, the integrity and sturdy enterprise of the true Scotchman, and the thorough sympathy with American
progress, of one who has adopted this land with
his whole heart. Hle is liberal and open-hearted,
always ready to take part in an enterprise which
promises to be beneficial, and in his social life is
good natured and popular.
()AHOMAS I). DEWEY. Conspicuous among
~(f   the business men and principal citizens of
Owosso, Shiawassee County, is Mr. Dewey,
of the firm of Dewey & Stewart, which carries on
two enterprises and is well known far beyond the
limits of the county. The Owosso City Mills, of
which these gentlemen are proprietors, were established by them in 1850 (making them probably the
oldest firm in the State) with two runs of stones,


and as the county settled up and the city developed, its capacity was increased from time to time.
It is now fitted completely as a roller process mill
with a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels
per day, and the products are sold throughout the
State. All kinds of grain are ground and different
varieties of flour placed on the market. The name
of the mill is probably more familiar to many
whose use its products than those of its proprietors,
and the gentlemen thcinselves are perhaps best
known as the proprietors of the celebrated Owosso
Breeding Stables and Stock Farm of which further
mention will be made below.
The Dewey family originated in England and
three generations ago its principal members were
living in Vermont. In Rutland, that State, Apollos,
Jr., father of our subject, was born September 20,
1795. When quite young he emigrated to Monroe
County, N. Y., with his parents, but removed
thence in 1822 to Oakland County, Mich., which
was then a wilderness. Hie chose as his wife Abigail
Wetmore, who at the time of their marriage resided in Chili, Monroe County, N. Y., but was a
native of Middleton, Conn., born July 3, 1790.
She became the wife of Apollos Dewey, Jr., on
February 24, 1817, and four children were born to
them, as follows: John Wetmore, Thomas Dustin,
of this sketch, Mary Esther, and Nancy Baldwin.
The three youngest children were born in Oakland
County.
The ancestors of our subject on the maternal
side emigrated from Holland, two brothers coming
from that country to America, the one taking the
name of Wetmore and the other the name of Whitmore. John Wetmore served as a soldier in the
Revolutionary War and for many years followed
the seas, gaining the title by which he was familiarly known, that of Captain. For a long time he
resided in Connecticut, where he married Miss
Mahitable Clark. Later they removed to Monroe
County, N. Y., where they operated as farmers and
reared a family of eleven children. The dates of
the birth of John andt Mahitable Wetmore were
September 19, 1760 and October 15, 1766, respectively. The paternal grandfather of our subject
was Apollos Dewey of the Green Mountain State.
In 1822 the parents of our subject left Monroe




974


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


County, N. Y., for the wilds of Michigan, and
reaching Oakland County established their home
on a farm which the husband operated for several
years. They removed to Shiawassee County in 1839
and there spent the remainder of their days. Mrs.
Dewey died in 1864, but the father survived until
1881, when he passed from earth at the age of
eighty-one years. He had long been a Deacon in
the Methodist Episcopal Church and was highly
honored by his acquaintances as a representative
farmer and an excellent man. Their family comprised two sons and two daughters, and Thomas D.
was tie second in order of birth. The others areJohn W., a resident of Shiawassee County and
represented elsewhere in this volume; Mary Esther,
wife of Mr. Trauger, living in Niles; and Nancy
B. who married C. D. Nichols, and lives in Berrien
Springs.
Mrs. Trauger, sister of our subject, was born
July 8, 1824 and on August 26, 1845, she became
the wife of Horace Hall, a Methodist minister. For
forty-two years the Rev. Mr. tall preached the
Gospel, and during twelve years was Presiding
Elder, also serving twice as delegate to the General
Conference. He died at Niles, Mich., March 14,
1884. Two children were born of this unionLora O., born April 10, 1848, a graduate from
Albion College in the Class of '70 and a teacher in
the Soldier's Orphan Home at Atchison, Kan.;
Olin D., born February 22, 1854, died at Lyons,
December 19, 1861. On September 22, 1888, the
widow married Henry Trauger, and they are at
present residing in Niles.
The other sister of our subject, Nancy B., was
born January 5, 1834, and became the wife of Mr.
Nichols February 10, 1852. Their children are as
follows: Fremont Dewey, born September 22, 1853;
Charles A., December 1, 1858; Cora A., October 6,
1864, and John Dustin, November 21, 1866.
Thomas D., of this sketch, was born in Oakland
County, February 22, 1823, and began his schooling in a log building at Bloomfield Center, where
he sat upon a plank bench while conning his lessons.
When but seventeen years old he came to Shiawassee County in the spring of 1839 with his parents and entered upon a career of general farming
in Owosso Township. November 9, 1840, but a


short time after coming to the county, the young
man entered the dry-goods store of C. L. Goodhue, in the village of Owosso and remained there
as clerk for five years. He then bought out his
employer and carried on the business until 1852,
when lie closed out to give his attention entirely to
the milling business in which he had engaged with
Mr. Stewart two years before.
In 1870 Messrs. Dewey & Stewart opened their stables and two years later bought "Louis Napoleon,"
a six year old stallion, that is still in service. This
animal is a Hambletonian in descent through
"Volunteer," and two years before his purchase by
his present owners had made a mile in 2:36, a remarkable record for a four-year-old at that period.
He was then owned by George B. Alley, of New
York, and a standing challenge of $2,500 per side
agai.ist any four year-old in America was never
accepted. Hie is the sire of Jerome Eddy, an animal that was sold to Henry C. Jewett & Co., of
Buffalo, N. Y., for $25,000 and now stands at the
head of their stud.
'he dam of "Jerome Eddy" was "Fanny Mapes,"
by 'Alexander's Abdallah," a son of Hambletonian
No. 10. This mare was purchased by Messrs.
Dewey & Stewart the year after they bought "Louis
Napoleon." The latter animal is also the sire of
"Charlie Hilton," whose record is 2:171, with a trial
mile of 2:14, and of the great two-year-old "Uncle
Sam," who obtained a record of 2:31~ in 1890. This
stallion is also grandsire of "Reno's Baby," whicl
has been well called the "equine wonder of the age"
and at the close of 1889 was the fastest average
speed producer ever developed in America.. In
December of that year he made a record of 2:25'
as a two-year-old trotter, and six days later, of
2:241 as a pacer, a feat never before accomplished
by any colt of the same age. Messrs. Dewey &
Stewart also own "Bonnie Wilkes," 'Col. Mapes"
and "George Milo," all tine horses, of good pedigree.
In 1849 Mr. Dewey married Miss Philena S.
Gould, daughter of Amos Gould, of Cayuga
County, N. Y. Both her parents died in New York
when she was about five years old, after which she
was taken into the family of her cousin, Amos
Gould, of Owosso and reared to womanhood. She
was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., and died in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


975


-c"i~ —I ----"- -—  —


=


Owosso March 15, 1885. In 1888 Mr. Dewey was
married to his present wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Cramer, a native of this State and a popular
member of Owosso society. In 1868 Mr. Dewey
was elected Mayor u.nd for some time he filled the
office of Justice of the Peace. While in the township of Owosso he was Town Clerk, Highway
Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, Constable,
Postmaster, and in the city both Mayor and Alderman. His political allegiance is given to the principles advocated by the Republican party. In business he is enterprising and judicious, and in social
life he is genial and courteous.. ----- ^g^     r l  ----
LBERT B. MASON. He whose name is
at the head of this sketch was for many
years the loved and loving consort of the
lady who is now the proprietor and owner
of the farm located in Owosso Township, Shiawassee County. He was born March 8, 1817, in Monroe County, N. Y. His father was Ezra Mason,
and his mother Esther (Boner) Mason. In 1839
our subject came West with his parents.   His
father had made a prospecting tour through the
State before bringing his family hither, and selected the land which he at this time purchased
from the Government, paying $1.25 per acre for
the same.
Two of the Mason families made the journey to
the wilds of Michigan together, which was a wise
provision, inasmuch as the country was so desolate, there being at that time only two families, the
Gliggs and Wilkinsons, any place near. The milling was done at Pontiac, a long distance from
their residence. On reaching manhood, our subject was married to Miss Minerva Courtwright, who
was born in Monroe County, N. Y., July 16,1822.
Her parents were Aaron and Mary (Van Sickle)
Courtwright. She united her fate with that of her
husband when little more than a child, not being
more than sixteen years of age. Mr. Albert Mason's
decease occurred June 3, 1887. He was greatly
mourned as a good man by acquaintances as well
as the members of his immediate family. He and


I


I




his wife were the parents of six children, whose
names are as follows:   Elisha. Frances, Mary,
Phoebe, Jane and John. Phoebe was the wife of
William Stiff, of Benton, and died in 1875; Mary
is Mrs. Joln Babcock, and at present makes her
home with her mother; Jane is Mrs. Daniel Milland, and resides in Gratiot County.
The father of the family was a Republican in
his political preference, and a member of the
Protestant Methotlist Church in religious predilection. The family has occupied the present home
since 1854. It is a handsome structure, erected a
few rods from   the site of the original homestead. On coming into the country, his father's
family lived for some time in the little house of the
Simpsons until a shanty could be built that would
accommodate them. All lived for one year where
Shafer lives at the present time, the land having
belonged to Ezra, who had a family of seven children. His widow is still living at Ovid, having
married a Mr. Woodworth.
__
OHN    PEACHI.   This short biographical
sketch is given as a tribute to the memory
of him who was a loving father, affectionate
husband and prominent citizen in all these
various relations, in behalf of his son and the oldest member of the children of this generation.
John Peach was born in Somersetshire, England,
March 13, 1829. Htis decease occurred April 13,
1883. His father was Thomas Peach, and his
mother Mary Ann (Buge) Peach. Both passed
away in Michigan at the age of seventy years.
Our subject came to the United States in 1851.
He had learned the tailor's trade, and on locating
in Pontiac, in 1853, was at once engaged in his
own particular line of work.   About 1855 he
bought the farm which is still in the possession of
his family. It was located in Antrim Township,
Shiawassee County, and first only comprised forty
acres. Thereon he erected a log house in which
he lived until death. His landed property, however, had increased before that sad event until it






976


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


~-'-~ ---   - -- -- - ~ ^ —~~- I — I  - -~-   -~-'-`-~~`   ~ - ~ --  ~  ~ —~-~~~~~~~- ~ ~   --   - ~~~-~-   -~-~~~ — - ^-~- -— ' — ------ -   ---- --  ----- — ~ — ~ ~ l -- ^


aggregated about three hundred acres, which bore
very fine improvements.
Mr. Peach was a Republican in his political liking, and although he was a quiet and unassuming
man, he was very successful in business. Several
years before his decease he suffered greatly from
ill health. His marriage took place July 29, 1853,
being united at Milford to Miss Susan Woodthorp,
of Pontiac.  She was a native of Lincolnshire,
England, being there born October 4, 1829. Her
parents were Thomas and Mary (Ellif) Woodthorp.
Mrs. Peach came to America in November, 1851,
and with friends proceeded to Pontiac, where she
was employed as seamstress. The young people
became acquainted in that village, and after mar.
riage came directly to Newburg.
Quite a little family grew up about the parents
in their primitive home. They are Henry, who is
now the proprietor of the farm which his father
left; Ida, deceased; Lilly, deceased; and George.
The estate now comprises two hundred and fortytwo acres in the place where the residence is, and
one hundred and twenty acres more in the place
near by, which is rented. They have a fine home,
which was erected at a cost of $4,000.
ARNET J. PUTNAM, a farmer and pioneer
located on section 3, Sciota Township, was
born in Amity, Alleghany County, N.Y.,
January 25, 1826. He is the son of Cornelius and Eliza A. (Johnson) Putnam. The family on the paternal side are of composite ancestry,
being a mixture of French, English and German.
The grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier and
was present at the battle of Saratoga at the surrender of Burgoyne. The parents on the maternal
side were participants of the War of 1812, hence
our subject's family have given their full quota for
the defence of their country.
The parents of our subject was married in Chenango County, N. Y., but later removed to Alleghany
County, same State, where they lived until September, 1836, when they started out for the West
by the overland route, conveying their family and


household goods on an ox-cart to Buffalo, where
they took ship for Detroit, the voyage occupying
eight days. They again started out with the oxteam on the Indian trail for what is now Shiawassee County and settled on the farm which our subject's father secured while on a previous prospecting tour. It comprised eighty acres of the west
half of tile southeast quarter of section 3, in what
is now the township of Sciota.
On their advent in the place above mentioned
the land was a bit of nature's own making and
heavily timbered. They put up as soon as possible a log cabin which was 12x14 feet in dimensions and guileless of a floor. It was covered with
bark on the outside to make it warmer and in this
they lived for two or three years, until they could
afford a better residence. The whole family took
a pride in their new purchase and all bent their efforts toward clearing up the place and making it
fit for civilization. Here the family of five children was reared and the parents of our subject
spent the remainder of their lives. The father
was a farmer all his life and a very hard-working
man. On landing in the country they had but a
small supply of provisions, comprising only one
peck of potatoes and sixpence in money, while the
nearest neighbor was six or seven miles distant
with a dense wilderness between them and the
nearest trading point was Pontiac, some sixty or
seventy miles away.
The original of this sketch is the eldest of five
children, being only ten years of age when his parents came to Michigan. He was denied the advilntages of an education, as the country was too
new to support schools and his parents were not
able to provide tutors. Ile being the eldest son
mnuch of the care fell on him, as his lather suffered
from ill health many years before he died. Mr.
Putnam remained at home until he was twentyseven years of age, as which time he married and
began life for himself. He has lived in the vicinity where he now resides since coming to Michigan and on his present farm since 1875. His farm
now comprises only seventy-seven acres, as he has
divided the greater portion among his children.
The original of our sketch is a man of wide
reading and well informed. He is politically a






POIRTRAITr AND BIOGREAPHICAL ALBUM.


977


POTRI AN BIOGRAPHICA ALUM                97


Democrat, and has received many official favors
from his party. Socially he is a Free and Accepted Mason of the Third degree. In 1853 Mr.
Putnam was married to Miss Melinda M. Cone, of
Sciota,Shiawassee County. She was born in Mohegan
Wayne County, Ohio, April 5, 1831. Our subject
and his lady are the proud parents of four children
— Dell E., Edson B., Francis M., and George B.
'The history of the family is closely connected with
that of the State. Mrs. Putnam's father was one
of the men who helped survey Michigan for the
Government.
LNATHAN BROWN. From the beginning
agriculture has ranked among the most
honorable callings. Earth is the gracious
mother that supplies the needs of mankind and the
farmer belongs to the priesthood that intervenes
between giver of all and needy humanity. The
name that heads our sketch is that of one who belongs to the honored calling and who resides on
section 31, Venice Township, Shiawassee County.
He has been very successful in every branch of
agriculture to which he has turned his attention.
Ebenezer Brown, the father of our subject, was
a native of Tompkins County, N. Y., where he was
born in 1790. He was a farmer by calling and in
the War of 1812 did efficient service as a soldier.
He was wounded at the battle of Ft. Erie and his
services were recognized by the United States as
long as he lived by the award of a pensicn. He
filled the office of Corporal in the army. The
family on the paternal side are of Dutch descent.
Our subject's mother was Elsie (Woodruff) Brown,
a native of Connecticut and born in the year 1800.
The Woodruffs are an old New England family,
their history being connected with that of the earliest settlers of that portion of the country. They
were married in New York State, where they resided a number of years, starting West in 1833.
They stopped in Ohio where they made a stay of
three years in Summit County. In 1836 they
came to this State and settled on section 4, Vernon
Township. It was an entirely new farm and there
was not a road laid out in the township. It was


necessary that the family should be sufficient unto
itself for there were then no neighbors. In spite
of these discouragements Mr. Brown made a permanent home, his first dwelling being a log cabin.
During the years that intervened between his coming to the State and his death he made great improvements upon the farm, cutting out the timber
and planting large crops. His death, which occurred before the Civil War, was accidental. He was
quite aged and sitting before the fire in an old
fashioned fire-place he is supposed to have fainted.
At any rate he fell face forward into the fire and
was shockingly burned. The mother followed him
in 1863. They were the parents of five boys and
four girls, of these four are now living.
Timothy Brown, one of the sons, served in the
Mexican War and after his discharge was anticipating great pleasure in his home coming. He was
taken ill at Louisville, Ky. and there died. Two
other sons, Archibald and Samuel, served in the
Civil War. Archibald (lied at Burnside Point,
Tenn. in the hospital and Samuel died in the hospital at New Albany, Ind. The husbands of two
daughters also gave their lives for their country.
Our subject was brought up in the Presbyterian
Church of which his paients were members, the
father being a Deacon in the same. Politically our
subject's father was broad in his views. He was
recognized, however, as being a good man and one
who would conscientiously discharge any duty reposed in him. He was a Justice of the Peace for a
long time and also held the office of Postmaster,
he being the first one in Vernon Township before
the village of Vernon was established.
Our subject was born October 13, 1818, in
Tompkins County, N. Y. IHe remembers that in
coming West his father took the old Erie Canal to
Buffalo, thence went to Cleveland, Ohio, by steamer. At the time of their advent into this State he
was eighteen years of age and he remained at home,
helping with the farm work until he reached his
majority when he started out for himself.
Mr. Brown's first venture in financial life was the
purchase of seventy-two acres of land, which he
still owns. Ile was obliged to go in debt for the
land, purchasing it on a contract to chop and clear
and put into crop five acres per year until he paid




978


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


for it. He fufilled the contract and the land became his own. At the same time he worked for
William Placeway, the second settler in Venice
Township. We learn from our subject that the
agent told him that the owners were indebted for
highway taxes on the land and he made Mr. Brown
the offer that he should have the privilege to work
out the tax and apply it upon the payment of his
land. He chopped out the clearing for the present
roads at $6 per acre and thus earned one hundred
and forty dollars which helped to pay for his land.
Although Mr. Brown left Ohio at so early an
age, the State evidently had attractions for him, for
he went back at the time of a severe drouth and
brought back a wife. He was married January 1,
1842, to Matilda Brewster, a daughter of Plato
and Eunice (Osmond) Brewster, the former a native
of New York. They were early settlers in Cleveland, Ohio, and later moved to Northfield, Portage
County, Ohio, where they both died. They were
the parents of ten children, -only one now surviving. Mrs. Brown's father was a soldier in the War
of 1812.
The lady who became the wife of our subject
was born December 14, 1822, at Cleveland, Oliio.
On returning with her husband to this State after
their marriage she bent her efforts to making the
little log-house as cozy and homelike as possible.
Here they have lived ever since, with the exception
of three years spent in Corunna. Mr. Brown now
has one hundred and twenty acres of land upon
which there are good buildings. All the clearing
and improvements that are made upon the farm were
so placed by his own hands. He estimates that
he has cleared one hundred acres of land for other
people besides superintending the building of his
own residence and outhouses. They are the parents of eight children, four of whom are now living.
Our subject's eldest daughter and child is Lucy
J., the wife of La Fayette Hall, who was born January 24, 1844, and lives in this township; they
have one child.  Perry D. Brown, eldest son of
our subject, was born July 12, 1846. He was united
in marriage to Elizabeth Fields and lives on section 30; they have three children. Eunice S., born
November 4, 1848, is the wife of William Morris


and lives in Vernon Township, on section 11; sle is
the mother of one child and also a child by a former
marriage. Alice E., born June 29, 1867, is the
wife of Fred Doan and lives at home with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which body he was a ClassLeader in Corunna for many years. He had been
a member of the Sons of Temperance and has ever
had an interest in politics, voting the Democratic
ticket formerly, but is now a strong Prohibitionist.
He was elected as the first School Inspector, has
been Township Clerk and also Township Treasurer
for seven years. He has filled the positions of Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and Constable for
many years.
The original of our sketch has always been a
temperate man. What he has acquired has been
by his own efforts and by the hardest labor. At
an early day lie suffered terribly from that dread
scourge of the pioneer settler- -fever and ague. It
is a pleasure to record the success of men who have
been so diligent in working not only for themselves
but for the good of others.,    HARLES M. HOUSE. A prominent place
among the business men of Ovid, Clinton
County, is held by Mr. House, whose good
judgment and enterprise are abundantly displayed
in the discharge of his duties as a citizen and a
business man. He is a native of New York, born
October 20, 1846, in Springville, Erie County. His
parents, Milton and Cassandra (Pierce) House,
were likewise natives of the Empire State and the
father followed the occupation of farming. Until
he became of age our subject resided under the
parental roof, but at the age of seventeen accompanied his parents to Iowa, locating with them near
Independence, Buchanan County. At the age of
twenty-one Mr. House removed to Pontiac, Mich.,
and took the management of the lumber yard of
E. M. Pierce, who later sold the yard to Henry
W. Lord. In this place our subject worked several years. While in that city he met the lady




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


979


who on Dccember 22, 1871, became his wife, and
who was Louisa Moore, the daughter of Canwell
Moore, of Pontiac. The young couple resided in
Pontiac only a short time after their marriage,
removing thence to Corunna, this State, where our
subject, in company with his brotler, C. W., opened
a lumber yard and planing mill. After operating
it successfully about two years they lost it by fire.
Our subject rebuilt alone and failed.
Next]we find Mr. House engaged as a farmer
in Iowa for two years, but Michigan had greater
attractions for him than that State, and returning
to Ovid in 1875. ile worked for others about three
years. At that time he and Mr. Clark bought
out his employer's business and ran it under the
firm name of N. J. Clark & Co. In 1887 Mr.
Clark sold out his entire interest to George S.
Huntington and the establishment has since been
operated under the firm name of House & Huntington, it being the only lumber yard in Ovid.
The members of the firm are widely known for
reliable transactions in business and enjoy an extensive patronage. Although several times Mr.
House has been absolutely insolvent he has overcome the difficulties which surrounded him each
time and is now reaping the reward of perseverance. Although he is not a partisan in politics, he
is a firm Republican and has held various village
offices.
UC IUS E. GOULD. The gentleman of
whom we write is one of the well-known
citizens of Owosso, Shiawassee County,
where he carries on a flourishing business in loans
and real estate. He is one of tile native sons of
the Wolverine State, being born in Antrim Township, Shiawassee County, September 8, 1817. When
only a year old his parents moved into the city
of Owosso, and this has been his home from that
day to this.
Col. E. Gould, the father of our subject, was
born in the State of New York and there grew to
manhood. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania
and died in Owosso in 1884. They were the par

ents of four children, three sons and one daughter,
of whom our subject is the eldest. After attending school at Owosso, he entered Olivet College,
where le studied for two years, after which he entered the law department of the State University
and took his diploma therefrom in 1871. Returning to Owosso, he commenced the practice of law,
and in 1872 was elected Circuit Court Commissioner, a position which be has filled successfully
and with satisfaction to the people for nearly twenty
years.
For a short time Mr. Gould was editor of the
Owosso Times, which he established in 1882, and
which somewhat later he disposed of by sale. Besides attending to his legal business he now took
up work in the line of effecting loans and handling
real estate and insurance, and as this business
grew in his hands he has given himself largely to
it, although he has dropped from his attention the
department of insurance. He is a shrewd and
enterprising dealer, and besides attending to his
own property he effects many sales for others. He
owns considerable property in the city in the shape
of lots.
Nothing in the history of Mr. Gould is more
worthy of note than his happy marriage with Miss
Josephine M. White, of Owosso. This talented
and highly educated lady has opened an institution of learning which is known as the Oakside
School. This was established in 1883, and had its
first inception in the Col. Gould homestead, but
was removed to its present location at the corner
of Oliver and Pine Streets in 1885. Under the
principalship of Mrs. Gould and with the superior
instruction in music which is to be obtained from
Miss Nora P. Collins, it is no wonder that it has
attained to a degree of popularity exceeding the
warmest expectation of its founder.
This school offers liberal and systematic training in the elementary English branches and such
instruction in history, literature, physics and higher
mathematics as is ordinarily given in a preparatory school. Mrs. Gould, who is at the head of
this institution, is a most efficient teacher and a
most sympathetic friend to her pupils. Her patronage is to be found not only in Owosso, but
also in St. John's, Sbiawassee, Adrian, Detroit, and




980


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


many other towns of Michigan. This family in
its various members has made its mark upon the
community and its influence is far-reaching and
effective in raising the standard of both social and
intellectual life.
ILLIAM G. HENDERSON is a member
of the firm of J. D. Henderson & Bros.,
n proprietors of the Bingham Roller Flouring Mills and the St. John's Sawmill and operators
of two hundred and forty acres of farm lands in
Essex Township. The reader is referred to the
biography of his brother, J. D. Henderson, for an
account of their ancestry. He of whom we write
is the sixth child in the parental family and was
born in Leith, Scotland, August 28, 1848. The
first nine years of his existence were spent in his
native land and he then accompanied his parents to
the New World, reaching Detroit July 26, 1857.
Thence he came to St. John's, Clinton County, and
here he attended school,,eing one of the pupils in
the Union school during the first year that the old
building was occupied. He then began working in
a sawmill, first as a fireman, but soon as an engineer.
He combined the two parts of the work while in the
employ of S. J. Wright, for whom he worked
nearly all the time until 1869. For one year he was
fireman and engineer for a Mr. Lyons.
In 1869 the present firm was organized and the
manufacture of lumber has been carried on continnously. In June, 1875, the brothers began the
building of the flouring mill they now operate,
completing it in November, and making the first
run on the 12th of that month. They have an
excellent location and a substantial building, three
stories high with a basement. In 1885 the full
George T. Smith roller process was put in and the
present capacity of one hundred barrels per day is
none too great to supply the demand. The Hendersons turned out a special family brand of flour
and besides the manufacture of this staple grind
feed in large quantities.
Mr. Henderson was married in this city in 1870
to Miss Mary A. Wells, daughter of Benjamin and


Eliza (Munger) Wells. Her parents were born in
Steuben County, N. Y., and her father was engaged
in farming there until they came to Shiawassee
County, Mich. He located in Venice Township,
where he improved and operated a farm. He died
there in 1862, aged fifty-two years. He was a
prominent citizen and official in his township.
After his decease his widow made her home with
her children, and after the marriage of her daughMary, resided with her until near the close of her
life. She was on a visit to another daughter in
Shiawassee County when she died January 22,
1885. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wells belonged to the
Free Will Baptist Church.
Mrs. Henderson was born il Venice Township,
Shiawassee County, received a good education and
was carefully instructed in womanly acquirements
and fine principles. She is the mother of seven
children; three are deceased, Mary L., Freddie W.,
Effie B.; Louie M., Ina M., Hallie G. and Robert
G. Mr. Henderson is a strong Republican and an
earnest and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is Trustee. He is a
Knight Templar, enrolled in the Commandery in
St. John's. He has an excellent standing in business circles and is a worthy coadjutor of the brother
with whom he is associated in business.
A iDDISON HULSE. This ex-Supervisor of
Greenbush Township, Clinton County, residing on section 11, is a native of New
York, as he was born in Tomiipkins County,
December 29, 1826. He is a son of Anthony and
Sarah Hulse and was early bereaved of his parents
losing his father when scarcely five years old and
being deprived of a mother's care at the age of six
years. He then removed to Huron County, Ohio,
and after a few years made his home in Knox
County, the same State.
Most of the boyhood days of our subject were
passed in Ohio, and there he grew to manhood upon a farm. His marriage with Mahala A. Carter,
a native of Virginia, brought to him five children,
four of whom are still living, namely: Sarah E.,




981~


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


f                                                                                                       -


wife of Dr. S. M. Post; Charles A., Minard A., and
Phoebe A., wife of W. W. Hodge. The son who
has passed over the dark river was named William B.
In 1849 Mr. Hulse migrated from Ohio to Clinton County, Mich., and made his home in Greenbush Township, on the farm where he now resides.
He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of as
good land as is to be found in the county and has
it all under excellent cultivation. He is a selfmade man in the truest sense of the word, as his
early orphanage threw him upon his own resources.
IIe has served as Township Treasurer for several
years, and in his political views endorses the declaration of the Republican party. -He is one of the
successful and representative pioneers of Greenbush Township, and deserves and receives the universal esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.
ON. AMOS GOULD. The life work of
ljr)  few  men illustrates more graphically a
series of struggles and triumphs than does
() that of Judge Amos Goulc', of Owosso. An
honored and successful counselor, a faithful and
industrious practitioner, he lias ever maintained
that reputation for fidelity to duty which is the
general characteristic of the American lawyer. Iis
acquirements were not attained as light and idle
passtimes. Each advance step was taken after due
deliberation, and was then laboriously maintained.
Years added to his strength, and untiring industry
greatly increased his stock of knowledge, until in
the full and complete man we scarcely discern the
feeble beginning.
The knowledge of Mr. Gould's ancestry begins
with his grandfather, Capt. Ebenezer Gould, of
Killingly, Windham  County, Conn. He was a
young married man of good repute, by occupation
a farmer,who attained the rank of captain of the
militia during the Revolutionary War, and later
removed to Granville, Washington County, N. Y.
He purchased a large farm which he improved and
lived upon until his death, which occurred about


1808. Mrs. Gould, his wife, was a Miss Robbins,
of Connecticut, and became the mother of eighteen
children, who were at one time all residing under
the parental roof. The father of Amos Gould,
after his marriage, about the year 1805, to Miss
Polly Simmons, removed from Granville to the old
town of Aurelius, south of Auburn, N. Y., where
their son Amos was born, Dec. 3, 1808. The father
there purchased a farm and began the work of
clearing, to which he devoted himself with vigor
until called again to the early home to participate
in the settlement of the estate of his parents. In
1813 he returned to his purchase in Cayuga County,
N. Y.
Amos has a vivid recollection of those early
(lays, and recalls distinctly the War of 1812. On
their return from the East, troops were seen encamped along the Mohawk River. Farther west,
in Onondaga County, the camp-fires were burning
and a regiment of cavalry overtook the emigrants
on the route to their home, and having divided
rode swiftly past and disappeared in the distance.
The son remained on the farm with his father
assisting in the labors of the husbandman, a:.d devoting the winter to such study as was afforded by
the public school of tile neighborhood.
From the age of ten years Amos developed a
fondness for reading, and eagerly availed himself
of such material as was afforded by the ladies'
library established in the vicinity. One or two
private collections were also accessible to him.
In 1824 an opportunity occurred of enjoying the
superior advantages of a school in Auburn, where
the languages were taught, and where he added
greatly to the limited knowledge of Latin he had
previously acquired. This continued with interruptions for two years, after which the academy
at Aurora, Cayuga County, opened its doors to
him, and in 1827 he entered the sophomore class
at Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y.
Mr. Gould pursued his studies until an unfortunate circumstance caused the temporary suspension of that institution, when, lacking means to
enter another seat of learning, he engaged in teaching in Auburn, N. Y. Ile also entered at this lime
the office of William H. Seward as a student of the
law. Later he became associated with Theodore




982


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.~I


982      PORTRAIT ANDB~IOGAHCLABM


Spencer, son of Chief Justice Speccer, of New York,
and received as clerk, a compensation which materially aided him in his early struggles  His admission to the bar of the Supreme Court and
Court of Chancery of New York occurred in the
fall of 1832. He soon after opened an office, and
at once found himself in rivalry with the leading
talent of Western New York. including Judge F.
J. Jewett, of Skaneateles, James R. Lawrence,
Judge B. D. Noxon, of Syracuse, and other noted
lawyers. He ultimately formed a co-partnership
with George Rathbun and continued it several
years, the firm having enjoyed an extensive practice throughout the State.
The partnership was dissolved in 1840, and Mr.
Gould, having become involved and rendered liable for debts of his brother and brother-in-law,
who were merchants in Owosso, Mich., and unsuccessful in business, concluded to go to that place,
and if possible, close up the matter by the payment of the debts. He was also influenced by a
desire to enjoy a change of climate, and thereby
regain his health, which was much impaired by
close application to professional duties. He therefore made Owosso his residence in 1843. Two
years later he resumed the practice of his profession in Shiawassee and adjoining counties, and engaged actively in its duties until 1865, when he
surrendered its cares and profits to his brother and
former partner, Col. E. Gould, for whom he had
retained the business during his service in the
army.
While in practice in New York, Mr. Gould was
appointed Master in Chancery, by his friend William H. Seward, then Governor of the State, and
later was made by Chancellor Walworth, Injunction
Master for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, the court
having been held at Auburn, N. Y. These offices
he held till his removal to Michigan. In the fall
of 1844 he was elected Probate Judge for Shiawassee
County, and in the year 1852, to the Senate of the
State of Michigan. He was also Prosecuting Attorney of the county, and was Supervisor for the
Township of Owosso from   1844 to 1850. Mr.
Gould has, since the Rebellion, affiliated with the
Republican party, but has ever made principle a
stronger motive than party in the casting of his


ballot.  He has even  been induced to change
his relations with one great party when its plat.
form and measures did not accord with his views
of right. The State election of 1855 found him a
candidate of the Democratic party for the office of
Attorney General, but when circumstances arising
from  the late war witnessed the withdrawal of
many of the strongest supporters of the party, Mr.
Gould was among them. He organized, in 1865,
the First National Bank of Owosso, and was from
that time its president, owning a majority of tile
stock. He was also engaged in the superintendence of his large farm of twelve hundred acres, and
the management of extensive land and lumber
speculations, which, at the advanced age of seventytwo years, made him still an active man, and one
immersed in business enterprise. IIe was an earnest member of the First Congregational Church
of Owosso, and was one of its early founders. Mr.
Gould's spacious residence was filled with the
genial members of a happy family circle. His wife
to whom he was united in 1841, was Miss Louisa
Peck, of New York State. They are the well-beloved parents of five grown sonis and daugliters,
whose delight it is to comfort their declining years.
OL. E. GOULD, deceased, was born in Fleming, Cayuga County, N. Y., April 10. 1817.
He remained at home and worked with his
father on the farm until 1836, receiving in the
meantime such an education as thie common schools
of his native town afforded. HIe then left the farm
and entered a store owned and managed by his
brother Daniel, in Scipio, Cayuga County. In the
fall the stock was purchased by his brother, Amos
and Ebenezer continued in charge of the store until the spring of 1837, when he removed to Auburn,
Oakland County, Mich., bringing the stock of
goods with him and opening a store in that place.
He continued in business there until September of
the same year, when he brought the stock of goods
to this place, arriving in Owosso just forty years
prior to the day of his death, it has been ascertained from books and papers he had preserved.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


983


The store first occupied by him in this place was a
small building standing near where Mr. Struber's
boot and shoe store now is, at the corner of Ball
and Exchange Streets. The building is now part of a
dwelling house on Williams Street, east of L. D.
Wyncoop's.
In the fall of 1838 Ebenezer Gould formed a copartnership with David Fish, the firm taking the
name of Gould, Fish & Co., and during the same
fall Amos Gould built a store for them on the corner of Exchange and Washington Streets, the same
store being now occupied by Finch & McBain.
There the firm  continued in business until the
spring of 1843, when Mr. Fish retired and the Colonel continued the business until the following
spring, 1844, when he sold out and retired from
the mercantile business.
In the fall of 1840 the firm of Gould, Fish & Co.
rented the old red grist-mill and the mill was run
by  the firm  until the fall of 1843, when it
was purchased by Amos Gould. The old red mill,
subsequently destroyed by fire, stood near where
Dewey & Stewart's mill now is. Col. Gould was now
employed until 1847 in settling up his old business,
marrying in that interval, on December 2, 1845,
Irene Beach, of Shiawassee, daughter of Lucius
Beach. In the spring of 1847 he removed from
Owosso to a farm in the town of Antrim, near Mr.
M. B. Martin's, which is still in the fnmily possesson, and he cultivated and improved that farm, occupying his leisure hours in the study of law, until
in the early part of 1850, when he came back to
Owosso and went systematically into the study of
law in the office of his brother, Amos Gould. He
was admitted to practice at the bar in the fall of
1853, was taken into partnership by his brother
and (lid business for some years under-the name of
A. & E. Gould. In the summer of 1860 Benton
Hanchett was taken into the firm and this partnership continued until January, 1864.
In July, 1862, when the Eighth Michigan Cavalry was being organized by Col. Copeland, under
authority from the War Department, the position
of First Major was offered to Ebenezer Gould and
he at once accepted. He joined the regiment and
was mustered into service with it the latter part of
August, but the regiment did not leave the State


until the 4th of December following, then being
only partly armed. It was then ordered to Washintton, where they remained about a month. In
January, 1863, the regiment was doing picket duty
at Fairfax and in that vicinity, in Virginia. In
February they were employed on the Windham
raid to the Blue Ridge, north of Fredericksburg,
under command of Lieut. Col. Norvell. Col.
Copeland being elsewhere employed, was never
with the regiment after they entered Virginia. The
raid proved rather disastrous and unprofitable, having only some trifling fights with guerrillas and
though they went in one thousand strong they
came out with but about three hundred; a large
share of the missing subsequently straggled back
to camp. About the 1st of March tile regiment
had a fight with Mosby, in Luray Valley at Aldie.
At about this time Col. Norvell resigned and
though many officers and men of the regiment desired and believed of right tlat Col. GouLd should
have had the vacant position yet the command was
given to Col. Alger. Col. Gould had been previously promoted to be Lieutenant Colonel. The
regiment was now   formally attached to Gen.
Hooker's Army of tile Potomac, Gen. Kilpatrick's
Division, Gen. Custer's brigade. Soon after, the
regiment for the first time met regular Confederate
soldiers and had a fight at Plum Creek, near Hanover. On this occasion as on all subsequent affairs
of the kind Col. Gould had charge of the most important movements of the regiment. At Plum
Creek he had command of the picket line and he
did his part so well that ever after he had the perfect confidence of Gen. Custer.
Now came Lee's attempt on Pennsylvania and
Gen. Kilpatrick's cavalry was sent thither to cut
off this attempt to reach New York and on this expedition they ran, just at night, unexpectedly into
a rebel column of overwhelming numbers, where
they had to fight nearly all night to extricate themselves, which they did without serious loss. This
occurred on the last of June. The cavalry had
previously been into Gettysburg and held it two
days. Then came the battle of Gettysburg, the defeat of the rebel army and the subsequent operations of the cavalry in pursuing and harassing
Lee's retreating army. On the night of the 4th of




a


984


'PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


July the cavalry fought nearly all night under
Kilpatrick, near Emmetsburg, and captured 2,700
rebels with seven miles of wagon train. On the
5th, the cavalry encountered the head of the rebel
army and fought till 10 o'clock at night, when they
were again nearly surrounded and Kilpatrick's dash
served to extricate them. On the 6th, they had
another fight at Funkstown, in Maryland, and Col.
Alger was wounded in the thigh by a pistol shot
and the sole command of the regiment devolved
upon Col. Gould. Then followed a fight at Williamstown on the Potomac and then the battle of
Hagerstown, in which, while charging at the head of
his regiment, Col. Gould was wounded by a bullet,
that went through his leg just above his ankle, and
so disabled him that ie had to be carried off the field.
He was carried off by S. J. Lockwood. who, from
the time the Colonel went into active service, was
always near him, and we are indebted to Mr. Lockwood for this sketch of the Colonel's military career.
Col. Gould came home as soon as he was able to
after he was wounded and he did not rejoin his.regiment again until they were in winter quarters
at Culpeper. He had not then recovered from the
effects of his wound sufficiently to be really tit for
service, but he was better suited to be with his regiment than to be absent from duty, though an invalid. In May, 1864, lie was with his regiment
during the battle of the Wilderness and actively in
command, when, after crossing the Rapidan, the
cavalry was ordered to raid in the rear of the enemy. But little was accomplished by the raid, and
after coming from that ride, Col. Gould's disability
on account of his wound, to which had been added
the camp diarrhoea, had increased so that for his
relief he was detached to take charge of dismounted
men to the number of about six thousand, proceed
to City Point and organize them. They went to
City Point,having in charge more than seventy miles
of wagon train and had to fight guerrillas nearly
all the way. He got little relief from his maladies
under such circumstances; nevertheless, when his
men were recruited he was ordered to move up the
north bank of the James, with the expectation of
going into Richmond. Fighting as far as they
went with rebel infantry, the movement was finally


abandoned and soon after, on the 10th of November, Col. Gould having about the same time been
promoted to the rank of Colonel, was honorably
discharged on account of disability. He never
fully recovered from the effects of the wound near
his ankle, the sore for a long time taking on an ulcerous character, in consequence of detached bones,
large slivers of which came from it years after, and
when it did finally heal, he was ever after quite
lame. His camp malady, too, lingered with him,
with various intervals of relief, until the last.
After the close of the war, in 1865, as soon as he
was able to attend to business, Col. Gould resumed
his practice as a lawyer and during the last ten or
twelve years he was ranked with the best in the
profession in this part of the State. From 1867
until about a year before his demise, he had Mr. G.
R. Lyon as a partner, and on account of his health
he was obliged to gradually withdraw from the fatiguing labor of the profession and limit his duties
to giving advice and counsel.
And 3 ----      ----
YER PHELPS. The owner of a fine farm
) on section 20, of Shiawassee Township, Shiawassee County, our subject is a native of
New York State, being born in Chenango County
October 9, 1811. Thus he is now (1891) an octogenarian. His son, who dictates the outlines of
this sketch, takes pleasure in chronicling his
father's efforts and successes through life. The
father of Dyer Phelps was James Phelps, a native
of England. His mother, Elizabeth (Fuller) Phelps,
was from Massachusetts. His paternal progenitor
came over to America with his brother and served
in the Revolutionary War as Captain. He died
after being an inhabitant for many years of Massachusetts, at the age of ninety-five years. Our
subject came with his brother Silas to Michigan
in 1833, and located on section 20, Shiawassee
Township. Silas Phelps remained here until about
one year before his death, which occurred about
the year 1845, at the age of sixty-six years. Two
brothers, Mason and Milton, of whom Milton only
is now living, settled in Sciota.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


985




Our subject came to Michigan as one of the
early settlers in 1837, and secured his present
farm, which he purchased from  Dr. Middlet, at
which time he bought eighty acres. He was married in Erie County, Pa., when twenty years of
age, to Almira Sodday and drove hither with two
3oke of oxen and one horse. They were seven
days in coming, being delayed greatly in their progress by the swampy condition of the land. They
were twenty-eight days altogether on the road,
but fortunately were with two other parties. Ourt
subject has ever since lived on the present farm.
Losing his wife in 1854, a few months later lie
was united with Betsey M. Bunch, widow of Truman Bunch. She also died about 1874. He was
a third time married, November 5, 1876, to Mrs.
Sarah Hearnden, widow of Robert Hearnden, who
was a native of England. She was an Englishwoman by birth and parentage and came to the
United States in 1849, and went to Shiawassee
County in the year 1866. By his first marriage our
subject is the father of two children-Eliza Jane
and William  Henry. Mr. Phelps has never been
a politician, having attended wholly to the development and improvement of his property. He
now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land
in first-class condition. Our subject has two sisters living in California, and in 1854 he spent a
delightful winter with them, and again in 1882,
with his present wife, he visited them. For the
past eight years Mr. Phelps has been a great sufferer from rheumatism., ON. H. M. PERRIN. This prominent cit.
izen of St. John's, Clinton County, whose
/' services to the county as Judge of the
)   Probate Court have been of great value to
the community, has been a resident of this city for
many years. The firm of Perrin & Baldwin of
which he is the senior member consists of H. M.
and P. K. Perrin and A. J. Baldwin, and is doing
an extensive business in both law and real estate.
He of whom we write is a native of the Green
Mountain State and was born in Washington


County, June 23, 1829. His father, Porter Perrin,
was born in the same county and was engaged in
farming at Berlin, and his grandfather, Z. Perrin,
who was one of the early settlers of that county
and of French lineage, served in the Revolutionary
War.
Lucy Kinney was the maiden name of her who
became the mother of our subject. Her birth was
in Vermont, but her father, David Kinney, was a
Connecticut man who became a pioneer in Berlin
Township, Washington County, Vt. The mother
died in her native State, leaving many to mourn
lher loss, as her amiable qualities and her character
as a devoted and lovable Christian woman had endeared her to all with whom she came in contact.
She was a member of the Congregational Church.
Among her eleven children our subject was the
sixth in order of age, and to him were given the
best advantages for a liberal education.
After completing his elementary education
young Perrin studied at Theltford Academy, and at
the age of twenty-one entered Dartmouth College,
matriculating as a sophomore and graduating when
twenty-four years old, completing a classical course.
He took his law course at Albany at the University
of Albany and was admitted to the bar in 1854.
He then cane West stopping with an uncle for one
year at Terre Haute, Ind., and made his way to
Detroit in 1855. He remained there for two years
and in 1857 established himself in St. John's and
began the practice of law and he is thus fairly entitled to be ranked as the oldest attorney in this
city. He has devoted himself largely also to real
estate and mortgages and has platted several additions to the city. He also owns a farm in this
township, besides considerable city property.
The marriage of this gentleman in 1862 brought
to his home a bride in the person of Miss Mary
Ackley, who was born in Novi, Mich., and is a
daughter of Samuel Ackley, a pioneer in Michigan.
To the Judge and his amiable and talented wife
has been granted one child only, their daughter,
Lucy, who is now Mrs. Palmer of this city. In
1865 this Senatorial district honored itself by
sending this capable and broad-minded statesman
to the Michigan State Senate, and he is thus the
oldest Senator as well as Judge in this region for it




986


PORTRAIT AND BIOGR~APHICAL ALBU'M.


9     P R   AN  B P   AB...


was between the years 1861 and 1865 that he sat
upon the bench of the Probate Court. The Congregational Church is the religious body with
which he has connected himself and his counsel is
ever sought in church matters and his judgment
greatly relied upon. During the days of the war
he was for some time the Supervisor of the township and he has also served one term as President
of the village. His political views are founded upon
Republican principles, but he is a man who relies
upon his own judgment in the matter of casting
his ballot and prefers to be independent in that
matter when it seems to him that the cause of the
country would be better served thereby.
LARK P. TABER.         The gentleman who
owns and resides on the farm located on
section 26, Fairfield Township, Shiawassee
County, was born in Alexander, Genesee County,
N. Y., April 14, 1838. He is the son of Clark and
Rebecca (Peck) Taber, natives of Providence,
Saratoga County, N. Y.   The father was born
June 12, 1800. Our subject's mother (lied when
he was thirteen years of age. His boyhood days
were spent on a farm and he received but a limited
educatioL as his parents were in straightened circumstances and at the age of sixteen he was obliged
to begin life for himself.
The gentleman of whom we write came to Michigan when he was nineteen years of age. The first
place where he stopped was in Kalamazoo County,
where he worked on a farm until 1861. At that
time calls were made for volunteers in the Federal
Army and our subject at once responded, enlisting
in the Company I, Second Michigan Calvary. The
enlistment took place September 15, 1861, and between the years of 1862 and 1864 our subject wasa
participant in ninety-eight engagements, some of
which were perhaps the most desperate and bloody
battles that the world has ever known. In many of
the engagements the loss of men was frightful and
the bloodshed on both sides was something to daunt
the heart of the bravest man. Mr. Taber had two
horses shot from under him. One was struck with


a minie ball and one with a cannon ball. He reenlisted on the 4th of March, 1864, in the same
company and regiment with which he was at first.
He was a participant in the battle of Chickamauga
and after doing honorable service was discharged
September 1, 1865.
On leaving the army our subject returned to
Kalamazoo County, this State, where he worked for
one season and then went to New York. There he
staid two seasons, when he returned to Michigan,
bringing with him his aged father who was dependent upon him for a living. This was in 1867. In
the spring of 1868 he purchased his present farm
and in 1870 be assumed the responsibilities of married life, making Miss Ellen Lincoln his wife. Their
marriage took place February 28.
For many years Mr. Taber voted with the
Republican party, but of late tl-e Prohibition
party is the one of his preference. Having lost
his wife in 1881, Mr. Taber again married, November 27, 1883, his bride's maiden name being
Florence E. Smith, a daughter of Jones and Lois
(Peck) Smith. By his first marriage he is the father
of two sons-Ray, horn April 4, 1872, and Roy,
February 24, 1877. His present wife has presented
him with a son-Ralph B., born August 19, 1885.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Taber, John
Smith, was born in 1795 and came to Batavia N.Y.
from Connecticut at a very early day. Hle was
twice married and by his first wife had three children: Simeon, Charles and Jerome. Simeon, who
married Catherine Paine, removed with his family
to Michigan. Charles died at his father's home in
the town of Batavia and was buried in East Pembroke. Jerome, who married Maria Seamons and
had four children: John, Sarah, Alice and Rose,
_died in the town of Alexander and was buried
in East Pembroke. After the death of his wife,
John Smith was again married, choosing as his bride
Sally Jones, and three children were born to them:
Jones, Harriet and Sally. John Smith died in Bat.
avia in 1849 at the age of fifty-six years. His wife
died in August, 1865, when sixty-six years old.
Both were buried in East Pembroke. N. Y.
Jones Smith, the father of Mrs. Taber, was united in marriage with Lois Peck, of Alexander, May
24, 1855, and two children came to bless their home;




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


987


Florence and Lettie. Florence, now Mrs. Taber,
was born July 14, 1856, and was married in 1883;
Lettie was married on January 17, 1883, and three
children have been given to her and her husband:
Bertha. James and George. On August 19, 1886,
Jones Smith fell from a ladder and sustained fatal
injuries from which he died the following day. He
had attained the age of three-score and two years
and his mortal remains were laid away in Alexander; thus ended a life of honor and usefulness.
His sister, Sally, died at the age of twelve, while
the remaining sister, Harriet, was married to Smith
Day in 1872, and they removed to Durand, Mich.,
where she died of consumption in 1879.
On the maternal side, Mrs. Taber is descended
from Eliphalet Peck, a valiant soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was born in Connecticut, and
in the early history of York State settled in Saratoga
County, removing to Alexander in 1824 and settling on the well-known Peck farm, where he died
at the age of eighty-four years. By his wife Abigail he had the following children: Nathaniel, Eliphalet, Samuel, Benjamin, Asa, Abigail, Rebecca,
Ruth and Eli. The latter, a native of Saratoga
County, came to Alexander in 1824, and located on
his father's farm. He married Nancy, a daughter of
John and Mary Smith, and their children were;
Walter, Asa, Polly, Priscilla, Adelia, and Lois;
the latter becoming in time the wife of Jones Smith
and the mother of Mrs. Taber.
JUDGE J. H. CRANSON. This highly respected and representative citizen of St.
John's, has long been known as an official in
this county, and is now the oldest Judge of
Probate in Michigan, having sat on the bench since
January, 1873. His father, John Cranson, a native of Massachusetts, was in early life a carpenter
and cabinet maker, but finally drifted into buying
land and located upon a farm in Orleans County,
N. Y.   In 1832 he came to Detroit and later
bought a farm in Penfield Township, Calhoun
County, but before his death removed to Battle
Creek Township, that county, wher- he had a fine


farm of three hundred and twenty acres. His
faithul and devoted wife, who was a native of
Massachusetts and bore the maiden name of Clarissa Bannister, died in Penfield Township.
Judge Cranson had his nativity in Orleans County, N. Y., April 16, 1832, and was reared in Calhoun County from the time he was nine years old.
His boyhood was passed upon the farm and at the
age of nineteen he attended the Wesleyan Seminary at Albion, for a year and a half.  After his
father's death the young man went to the Lake
Superior regions with an exploring party, and
somewhat later engaged in the work of contracting
and building, and put up a great many block
houses.
Returning to Battle Creek, young Cranson engaged alternately in work and study until prepared f(;r admission to the bar which was granted
him in Kalamazoo in September, 1857. The following spring he located in St. John's and began
practice as an attorney, serving also as Justice of
the Peace. In 1863 lie enlisted in Company I,
Twenty-third Michigan Infantry and took part in
the Georgia Campaign. He was mustered out of
this service in June, 1865, and was transferred to
the Twenty-eighth Michigan Regiment with the
rank of Second Lieutenant. He was then stationed
in North Carolina till June, 1866, when he received his honorable discharge.
Upon his return to St. John's,Mr. Cranson formed
a partnership with Gen. 0. S. Spauldlig, which
existed a number of years. In 1872 he received
his election as Judge of the Probate Court and is
now serving his fifth term in that honorable office. He was happily married in 1869 to Miss
Elizabeth Swegles, a native of Hillsdale County,
this State, and daughter of John J. Swegles, a native of New York, who became a pioneer in Hillsdale County, and was the Auditor-General of
Michigan from 1852 to 1853, after which he came
to St. John's and was the founder of this city,
platting and naming it. [le built the mills here
and also the first store and hotel and died in 1861.
Mrs. Cranson received her higher education at
Hillsdale College and after leaving school pursued
for some time the profession of a teacher. To her
has been born one son, Robert E., and to him his






988


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


=


parents have given a liberal education. He attended the Orchard Lake School for three years
and is now pursuing his studies at the School of
Mines expecting to graduate in 1892. The Judge
is a man of liberal views and broad judgment and
finds his political home in the Democratic party.
He has been for many years an official member of
the Episcopal Church and is identified with the
Knights Templar of St. John's.  His popularity
with the people is great and the satisfaction which
is generally felt throughout the county with his
work as a Judge, is a true indication of his value
in this office.
ON. JOHN WETMORE DEWEY. Happy
is the man who has lived a long life characterized by uprightness of purpose, integrity of principle, and whose high mental
and moral standing is gratefully recognized by his
fellow-men. Such a man is Hon. John W. Dewey,
who lives on section 32, Owosso Township, Shiawassee County. HIe was born in Erie County, N.
Y., near Buffalo, June 3, 1818, and is the eldest of
four children, the others being: Thomas D., of
Owosso; Mary Esther, now Mrs. Trauger, of Niles;
and Nancy B., wife of C. D. Nichols, residing at
Berrien Springs. The parents of the gentleman of
whom we write, Apollos and Abigail (Wetmore)
Dewey, removed soon after his birth to Monroe
County, N. Y., where they lived until 1822. They
came thence to Michigan by way of the lakes, expecting to take the first steamboat that sailed on
the lake. Quite a little colony started out from
New York together, it consisting of eleven persons,
Lemuel Castle and wife, Abner Davis and wife,
Mr. and Mrs. Niles, and Asa Castle, wife and daughter, with Ezekiel Cook. Tie party came to Oakland County, this State.
The parents of our subject were among the first
families to settle in Owosso. The nearest neighbors were Clement S. Johnson, Lemuel Castle, Reuben Griggs, A. B. Chipman, Daniel Ball and B. 0.
Williams. Much must be left to the imagination




as to the early years of a young man in such a
sparsely settled country. The days were taken up
with hard work, such as hewing timber, building
rail fences, clearing stumps from the land and caring for the stock, while the evenings were spent in
such diversions as singing school, spelling matches,
sleigh-riding in home-made vehicles, whose wolf
skin rugs the driver was proud of having made
with his own hands.
Mr. Dewey went back to New York to find his
wife, to whom he was married in 1844. She was
Miss Fidelia S. Mather, and their wedding was solemnized on May 30, in Ontario, N. Y. The young
people began life together on the farm  where he
still resides on section 29 and 32, Owosso Township, his father having given him two lots, and he
purchasing more until he aggregated two hundred
and forty acres, having given $4 per acre for his
land, and paying for it by raising wheat which he
sold at thirty cents a bushel. His wife died June
27, 1845; she had one child who died before the
mother passed away. On November 18, 1847, Mr.
Dewey married Mrs. Nancy Frink, a widow, whose
maiden name was Curtis. She was born in Madison County, N. Y., October 12, 1818, and emigrated to this State in 1836, settling in Livingston
County.
No children have blessed the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Dewey, but they have adopted four children
whom they reared with as great love and as conscientiously as though they had been their own.
The eldest of these children, Burr L. Curtis, was
nephew of Mrs. Dewey, and lived at home until he
was of age. He is now married and resides in Bennington Township; Ellen Rouse, an orphan, remained with them until she was twenty-four years
old, when she married Charles J. Wimple, in
March, 1881; George P. Jenkins, who makes his
home in Pontiac, and Ida Norris, who married Dr.
A. M. Hume, lives in the city of Owosso. These
children owed to the tender care of Mr. Dewey and
his estimable wife real parental affection.
At present Mr. Dewey has two hundred and forty
acres of land which is under a high state of cultivation. He has not farmed for himself for fifteen
years, having rented his land to capable tenants,
and now enjoying the sunset of his life in seeing




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


989


the perfected fruit of his labors. He has a fine home
six miles southwest of Owosso, immediately adjoining the old homestead. The fertile fields are dotted
with fine stock that has been brought hither at much
expense, and selected with great care from the best
breeds in the country.
In 1880 our subject was elected to the Legislature where he served for two sessions. The honor
was conferred upon him of appointment to the
Chair of Commissioner of Drainage. In his public work he always stood stanchly by the constitution of the State on all points. He was strongly in
favor of railroad grants for the development of
the northern part of the State. He is not a Prohibitionist, although he voted to submit the question to the people. He helped organize a society,
taking an active part in all matters that benefited
the county. He was paramountly active in school
matters, acting as Director for twenty-five years,
and was a firm friend of all progressive educational effort.
Mr. Dewey is not a recognized member of any
church, but has decided leanings toward the Methodist denomination of which he is a liberal supporter.
He is a Republican in politics, and boasts of having voted for William Henry Harrison in 1840, and
for his grandson during the last campaign. He is
a strong citizen, of whom the community at large
is justly proud.
LI MARTIN. One of the most beautiful
homes in Shiawassee County is that of Mr.
Eli Martin. It is situated on the banks of
the Shiawassee River and its location is 'enough to
make anyone, however restless, charmed with the
beauties of nature. It is located on section 36,
Caledonian  Township, Shiawassee County. Its
owner first saw the light of day May 9, 1835, in St.
Lawrence County, N. Y.
Our subject's father was Samuel S. Martin, a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he was
born March 4, 1801. During the greater part of
his life he pursued the calling of a farmer and lumberman. His wife was Maria (Lytle) Martin, a


native of the same county in which he was born
October 10, 1806. They were married in New
York where they resided until 1850, and then
eame to Michigan. They settled on section 18,
Venice Township, this county, upon a perfectly
new farm. They began building a home here by
erecting a log house in the midst of the woods, being one of the first families of settlers in the township. Samuel Martin improved a large farm. He
was a large landowner and a man who ma(de his
presence and influence felt in every community
wherever lie happened to be. His death took place
January 17, 1871. His wife followed him a few
months later-June 6, 1871.
The old couple were the parents of nine children,
seven of whom are now living. The children have
been brought up under the influence of the Methodist Church of which their parents were members
in Vernon, ever having contributed largely to the
support of the church and attending to many details that would otherwise have been overlooked.
For years they furnished the communion service.
He took an active part in political matters, in the
early part of his life being a Whig and later a Republican. Under his party he was elected to teveral offices in the township. He was Justice of
the Pence and Highway Commissioner for a term
of seven years.
Our subject received most of his educational advantages in Venice Township, here attending the
district school. He remained at home until
twenty-two years of age and was soon afterward
united in marriage, March 25, 1857, to Sarah
Yerkes, a daughter of Titus and Helen (Burcher)
Yerkes, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of New York. Their marriage
took place in Wayne County and soon after, in
1831, they came to this State and settled in Lyon
Township, Oakland County, upon a new farm.
There they lived until 1849, having acquired two
hundred acres of land that at the time of their
leaving was well improved. At the date above
mentioned they came to Shiawassee County and
settled on their present farm, which was then new
land, being at the time a perfect wilderness. Mrs.
Yerkes died January 11, 1859, her husband, August
10, 1869.




990


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Mr. and Mrs. Yerkes were the parents of eight
children, three of whom  are now living.  The
children were brought up in the Baptist Church of
which body their mother was a member. The
father was a farmer and miller. He erected the
Valley Mill at this place and also buili the dam
that crosses the river near his home. He first settled upon three hundred acres, of which he cleared
one hundred acres. He was a prominent man in
the township, taking an active stand in every question that affected the community. Politically he
was a Whig and later a Republican.
Our subject's wife, Mrs. Martin, was born March
5, 1838, in Lyon Township, Oakland County, this
State. She received the usual advantages to be
had in the district school and after graduating she
taught for a short time in Venice Township. She
and her husband are the parents of four children,
three of whom are living. They are Titus S., who
was born April 13, 1861, and married Stella
Church who lives in this township; she has presented her husband with one son  Frank. John
Y., born June 8, 1863, and married to Lillian Holly,
whose home is in this township; Florence A.,
born October 5, 1868. The children were all advanced students of the Corunna High School.
Florence is a graduate of Olivet College, having there devoted  herself principally to music.
She is now a student of Hellmuth College, London,
C'mada.   It is her intention to attain to a high
position in that beautiful art which appeals more
directly to the intellect than any other. She is
already acknowledged to be a remarkably fine
pianist.
Mr. Martin has always been a strong friend to
such school measures as he felt would be of advantage to the men and women of the future. He votes
the straight Republican ticket and although he is
held in the highest esteem by his fellow-townsmen,
he has never been willing to accept office, prefering to devote himself to his chosen calling and the
pleasures of home life. He is a model family man,
his constant study being how he can beautify the
home and make it lleasanter for his family. He
now has four hundred acres of land under a high
degree of culture. All the buildings have been
placed thereon by the family. He has been inter

ested in the lumber business in Saginaw County,
which he has carried on in such a manner as to result most profitably to himself. Mrs. Martin is a
very prepossessing lady whose sympathies and interest are awakened by every measure that promises progress. The itemperance question is one of
vital importance to her and she is an ardent worker
therein.
-----— ^ —E — -^
County, N. Y. His natal day was September 17, 1820, and he is the son of William
Close, a native of York State. The mother
was born in Massachusetts; they were married in
Cayuga County, where the husband died in 1848.
The mother and part of the children came to this
State and settled in Burns Township, Shiawassee
County, but the old lady spent her last days among
her children and died in Mundy, Genesee County,
this State. Mr. Close's father was a farmer all his
life and in politics a thorough-going Democrat.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were
Jabez and Abigail Close, natives of Connecticut.
He was a Revolutionary soldier and settled in Cayuga County, soon after the Revolutionary War,
taking up a section of wild land. He was a tailor
by trade and varied his farm work by employing
his needle in making the homespun suits for his
neighbors as there was a demand for them. IHe
died upon his farm as did his wife. The maternal
grandparents were natives of Massachusetts but
died in Cayuga County, N. Y.
In those days the French rule of one had not
become the fashion in rearing a family. Our subject's parents had nine children, viz: Jabez, Ebenezer, Lydia, Lewis, Angelina, Delia, Louisa, W illiam and Eddie. Of these the original of our sketch
is the eldest. He grew up in his native town, assisting his father on the farm during the intermissions while he was not at school. He received a
good academic education and was fitted for college,
but his father's death prevented the fulfillment of
this much cherished desire.
After finishing school Mr. Close determined to
fit himself for the legal profession and with this




PORTRAITT AND BIOGRAPHICALAI   ALBUM.


991


P              AN BIGRPHCA ALBU M.9
_~.


object in view he read law for about one and a
half years at Moravia, N. Y., but was never admitted to the bar. In the year 1846, the country
was just recovering from a great financial crisis
and social as well as commercial circles were in a
very unsettled state. The barriers to the great
West seemed not so insurmountable as they had
been before, for now there was a golden purpose
in the distance that led to the opening up of a
vast extent of Western country. Mr. Close followed the tide of emigration, coming to this State
where he located at Farmington, Oakland County,
in which place he remained one year and from
there went to Mundy, Genesee County, where he
bought a farm on which he lived until 1851, when
he sold out and came to Byron.
While he of whom we write felt that his legal
studies were a great advantage to him, he realized
that there would be more immediate returns in a
mercantile life and thus turned his attention in
that direction in which lie engaged for about five
years. About this time he purchased a farm in
Burns Township, and has followed farming more
or less from that time until this. Mr. Close still
own a farm of eighty acres in this township. He
has been engaged in trade of all kinds. He has
done a particularly lucrative business in buying
and selling wool and grain. The means that he
has accumulated lie has made by his own exertions. He has retired from active business and in
the afternoon of his life is enjoying the fruits of
his early labors.
The original of our sketch is independent in politics, believing that the best man to fill an office
is he who is best fitted for it, irrespective of party.
He has served twelve years as Supervisor of Burns
Township and numerous other township offices
have been conferred upon him. For four years he
occupied the position of Postmaster of Byron under Cleveland's administration and is now Justice
of the Peace. He has attained to the Master degree among the Masons. He is a Presbyterian in
faith and his wife is a member of the Baptist
Church.
In 1843 Mr. Close married Miss Sarah A. Royce,
of Cortland County, N. Y. She was a daughter
of Joseph and Sally kCross) Royce. This mar

I
I
i


riage resulted in the birth of one child-William
F., who is a farmer and wool-buyer. He was
united in marriage to a lady whose maiden name
was Hattie Chaffee. Their union is graced by the
birth of one child, a son, Fred. Mrs. Close died
in 1858, and Mr. Close was a second time married
in 1859, to Miss Melissa A. Parrish, of Mundy,
Genesee County, Mich. She was born in New
York, in Genesee County, and is a danghter of
John Parrish. There were no children by this
marriage. The second Mrs. Close died in 1861.
In the fall of 1861, Mr. Close was united in
marriage with Miss Lucy A. Tilden, who was born
in Michigan in 1838, and whose parents were natives of the State of New York. The third wife
died in the year 1885. The following year he was
joined in holy wedlock to his present wife, Mrs. R.
M. Richards, of Byron, widow of William Richards. She was born in New York and her maiden
name was Smith. By her first marriage she had
three children who are now living-Frank, Austin
E., and Elmer.
G     EORGE A. STEEL. No young man in
Clinton County has been more successful
( than Mr. Steel, who is now Vice Preisident
of St. John's National Bank and has full charge of
the business of his father, R. M. Steel, in this section. He is the eldest of three children and was
born in St. John's, June 19, 1862. He was in the
last year's course of the High School when his
health failed and lie laid aside his book, at the early
age of sixteen years to enter into business that
would take him out of doors and recuperate his
wasting strength. This was in 1878 and he went
to Sauk Rapids, Minn., and took charge of the
building of a bridge. His health improved and he
went to St.Paul where he had charge of the building
of the sub-structure of the highway bridge across
the Mississippi at Ft. Snelling. His father had the
contracts for both of these structures.
In 1879 young Steel went to Nevada where he
acted as Paymaster, drawing and signing all checks
and seeing to the pulchase of all stores for a force


I








992


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




=


engaged in the building of the Nevada Central Railroad. The next year he was in Oregon and Washington, again acting as paymaster and looking after
all the finances of the Oregon Railway Navigation
Company, the Oregon Trans-Continental Company,
and the Oregon Construction Company that had
contracts for thee onstruction of some four hundred
miles of railroad. In his disbursements for the
company he handled from $200,000 to $350,000
per month. While his father was President he became Secretary. Both had been largely interested
in the company from the beginning and at the
close of their contract they owned all the shares.
In 1885 Mr. Steel was married in St. John's to
Miss Cora Stout. This lady was born in Maple
Rapids and is a daughter of Anderson Stout, an
early settler in that place and an attorney-at-law.
For some time he was located in St. John's, but he
now now makes his home in Pasadena, Cal., and
has retired from practice. Mrs. Steel is a graduate of St. John's High School and of Mrs. Noble's
Training School of Elocution of Detroit, and was a
teacher in St. John's before her marriage. To her
there have been born two sons-Francis R. and
George G. Educated and refined, with a degree
of good judgment and tact that enables her to look
well to the ways of her household, she is one to
whom prosperity brings a greater desire to make
life pleasant and surround her home with the evidences and means of culture.
After his marriage Mr. Steel located in St. John's
taking charge of his own and his father's affairs
and doing no more contracting until quite recently.
He became connected with the National Bank at
St. John's and has since been its Vice President.
He is also a Director of the Clinton County Savings
Bank of St. John's St. John's Manufacturing Company,Whipple Harrow Company, St. John's Electric
Light, Heat & Power Company and the Gas Company. He is Director and Manager of the St. John's
Evaporator & Produce Company, which he assisted in organizing, and is interested in the First
National Banks of Union and Island City, Ore., and
is a Director of the First National Banks of Ovid,
Mt. Pleasant, St. Louis and Ithaca, this State. With
his father he is largely interested in real estate,
milling and merchandising in Oregon. He has a


I


nice property in St. John's and has been Trustee
of the village for four years.
Politically, Mr. Steel is a Republican and he has
a place in the foremost ranks of the party. For the
last three years he has been a delegate to the State
convention. He is edowed with a large amount of
public spirit, is liberal in his donations of time and
money to worthy enterprises and in his dealings
with mankind is straightforward and honorable.
He is looked up to and admired by his fellowmen,
not only on account of his phenominal success, but
because of the manly character and gentlemanliness
of his bearing.
-_^,     GT   ^   ___  1-.


C. BEACH, Superintendent of the St. John's
Manufacturing Company, was born in Marcellus, Onondaga County, N. Y., March 24,
1851. His father, Orlando, and his grandfather,
Dr. Bildad, were both natives of Connecticut, and
the latter was educated as a physician. He was an
early settler of Onondaga County, where he was
prominent as a physician and citizen. He was
Surgeon in the War of 1812 undter Gen. Scott. The
family comes of English descent. The father was
reared in Connecticut and New York, and was engaged in farming and hotel keeping at Austin
Hollow in Onondaga County. He now resides in
Marcellus. Politically he is a Republican, and he
is an official member of the Episcopal Church.
lThe mother of our subject was in her maidenhood know as Catherine Curtis, and was born in
Connecticut. Grandfather Gad Curtis was born in
the same State but became an early settler of Marcellus, N. Y. His father Nathaniel was in the Revolutionary War. Our subject, who was one among
three children, spent his youth in Marcellus, and
was educated in the Union schools. When sixteen
years old he entered the employ of a firm who were
selling sewing machines, and was thus engaged for
about six years. In 1872 he went to Kansas City,
Mo., where he was employed in a chair factory.
From early boyhood he was skilled in the use of
tools, and was a natural mechanic.
Returning to his native place our subject was for




FOkRTRAI[ AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I

some time engaged as a traveling salesman. In
1880 he came to Detroit and became foreman in a
furniture manufacturing establishment, while with
them he patented a knock down dining table.
Later he became foreman for the Union Chair
Works, and during the year or more he was with
them he improved on his table. In 1885 he came to
St. John's with his patent and became Superintendent of the Manufacturing Company, which has
since undergone a material change. In the large
buildings some two hundred and sixty men are employed, and during the ten hours which they work
each day, turn out three hundred and twenty-five
tables, upon which Mr. Beach receives a royalty.
It makes a specialty of manufacturing (lining tables
and is the most extensive establishment of the kind
in the United States or even in the world. Owing
to the untiring energy of Mr. Beach the business
has become a great success.
Mr. Beach was married in Marcellus, N. Y., in
1879, to Miss Hannah Hardacre, who was born and
reared in Weston-super-Mare, England. The family circle is completed by the presence of four
children: Louis, Carl, Mamie and  Olive.  Mr.
Beach is a member of the Ancient Order United
Workman, and a Republican in his political affiliations. His wife belongs to the Episcopal Church,
and both are highly esteemed in the best social
circles.
EKNNIS SNYDER, one of the most intelligent and public-spirited gentlemen of
Middlebury Township, Shiawassee County,
was born in Warren County, N. J., March
13, 1827. He is a son of Dennis and Sallie (Guilic)
Snyder, both natives of New Jersey. His ancestor lived in that State during the Revolutionary
War and his paternal grandfather took part in that
conflict and was killed just after the war had been
declared closed.
Our subject lived at home until he becaw
age, assisting his father on the farm and taking advantage of what schooling he could get, but his
opportunities were limited and  meager.  His


parents came to the wilderness of Oakland County,
Mich., when he was six years old. and when he
first desired to go to school there was none within
three and one-half miles of their home. When
he could go to school, he attended only two or
three months in a year. His mother died when
he was but two and a-half years old, and hsla
father marrying again he was reared by his stepmother.
When Mr. Snyder reached the age of twentyone he went to Muskegon and worked for three
years in the lumber woods. He also worked for
Ryerson & Morris, who were engaged both in swmills and farming in that region. Later he went
to the Point of Barks and worked in the grindstone
quarry, learning the trade of grindstone-turning.
In order to reach those quarries he traveled on
foot eighty miles in the month of March, but he
was determined to conquer difficulties acquired a
thorough knowledge of the way such stones were
cut and prepared.
Young Snyder next returned to Oakland County
and purchased a farm in the township of Oxford
about three miles from the village bearing that
name. He resided upon it for eight years and did
much to improve its condition. Then coming to
Shiawassee County he located on sections 10 and
15 of Middlebury Township, where he has resided
ever since. He came to this place in March, 1864,
and making his home in an old log house undertook to clear the wilderness and improve a farm.
Since that time he has erected both a capacious
barn and attractive residence, a view of which is
shown on another page.
This fine two-story brick house, containing fourteen rooms besides closets and cellar, is most conveniently arranged and heated by a furnace. Mr.
Snyder raises water by windmill into a tank which
is carried through the house for the convenience of
the family. tie is a man who prizes the convenieees of life and knows how to put a home into
the be shape for living. Naturally of a mechanieal tari, he can handle tools as though he were
trained to them. He had a blacksmith outfit at
the time of oleaing, and sharpened his own plows
and did many little jobs of this kind which mut
otherwise have been sent away or left undone. Us






994


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


has now cleared land on three different farms,
either by his own hand or that of hired men, and
has transformed from a wilderness to a condition
for farming purposes somewhere about three hundred acres. In 1889 he built a fine and convenient horse barn, and has another large barn,
26x72 feet, with 23-foot posts, with a shed 22x72
feet.  He has abundant protection for his stock
and shows great judgment and consideration in
handling them.
Mr. Snyder was united in marriage with Mahala
Parker, of Pontiac Township, Oakland County,
who has become the mother of four children:
Frank, born May 1, 1855; Mary, November 19,
1858; Abram, December 15, 1863; Lewis, January
4, 1872; Frank married Jennie Cramer, of Burton,
and is a farmer near his father; Mary married Mr.
James Voorheis and lives in Fairfield Township;
Abram, who married Frances Moore, of Ovid, lives
in Middlebury Township; and Lewis, who is still
single, remains at home. The father devotes himself to general farming and breeding of good
stock, but does not handle blooded grades. In
politics he is conservative and has never sought
office, but he has always taken an intelligent interest
in schools, and is a man of more than ordinary intelligence and character.
EORGE PRIOR, one of the prominent agriculturists of Vernon Township, Shiawassee
County, is a British-American citizen who
has brought with him from his native country the
solid characteristics which go to make up a first-class
British farmer. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, September 22, 1822.  His father, Thomas
Prior, died before the birth of his son, and the
mother, Ann (Holder) Prior, spent the remainder
of her life in the old country and did not follow
her son to this new land. These parents had three
children of whom our subject is the only one who
lived to maturity. He was reared in England and
received his schooling there, and was married in his
native shire, August 8, 1843, at the Rangle Church




I


I


by the Rev. Thomas Right, his bride being Ann
Woodthorp, a native of England where she
was born November 15, 1824. She was reared
in her native shire, and there the young couple located after marriage.
After eight years of married life, Mr. Pr;or decided to come to America and try his fortunes in
the New World, leaving his family at the old home
until he should see what he could do in the way of
bettering his condition. He located first at Albion
N. Y., and after remaining there one year decided
to send for his wife and family. After they came
to him he staid one year in Albany then moving to
Michigan, making his home in Milford Township,
Oakland County, where he found employment for
two years, after which he came to Shiawassee
County, and made his    home  in  Shiawassee
for about three years working, by the day for
others until he had accumulated means to purchase
a home of his own in Vernon Township.
Our subject purchased forty acres of land, where
he now resides in 1856, and building a log house
thereon settled his family in it and went to work
to clear the land of trees and cultivate it. He
fenced the farm and set out a fine orchard. Ten
children were born to this frugal and enterprising
couple. The three eldest were born in England,
George T., in 1845, and Mary Jane in 1847. The
latter is now the wife of Ed Byam, and resides in
Vernon Township. The third child, James H. was
also born in England in 1849. Two died in infancy. Charles H. and the remaining children
were born in Michigan; Charles' natal year being
1853; Edward W. was born in 1855; Eliza A., in
1859; Ella E. in 1861; Willie in 1863. Eliza is now
Mrs. Charles King and makes her home in Vernon
Township; Ella is the wife of William Badgers
and lives in Burns Township, and Willie died in infancy.
Mr. Prior has added a little at a time to his farm
until he owned at one time two hundred and fiftyone acres, and has improved it all. After his children became of age he gave to each $100 and then
hired them giving them each $200 per year besides
pocket money and clothes,applying the $200 on land
that he owned, so that they now each own a fine
tract of land. This land cost him about $1600 for






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


995


the fifty acres with good house and barn which he
is disposing of to each of his sons.
When Mr. Prior first came to Michigan lie used to
work out for a bushel of shelled corn a day and
carried it home at night. He also at other times
worked for a bushel of potatoes a day carrying
them home at night on his back. He now owns
one hundred and forty-six acres of well-improved
land and three good dwelling houses. The beautiful
home in which he now resides, was erected by him
in 1880 at the cost of $2,000. It is an attractive
two-story frame house, conveniently arranged and
pleasantly situated. He and his wife made a visit
home to Lincolnshire, England in 1881, spending
the summer season in the old home and delightfully
renewing old acquaintances and strengthening the
bonds of affection with the relatives and members
of the family whom he found near the old home.
Ie is now doing a good farm business, and handles
some stock having about one hundred and forty
head of sheep, thirty-five head of hogs, two hundred chickens and eight horses. He is a Democrat
in his political views and a man who is interested
in the upbuilding of the political institutions of our
country. His eldest son, George T., served in the
late war in the Tenth Michigan Cavalry, and is
now receiving a pension.
J   ACOB SCHINDORF. The life of this gentleman affords a striking example of hard
work and perseverance crowned with success. He has battled earnestly against circumstances and has become the owner of valuable
property, has a flourishing trade in agricultural
implements and vehicles and is the proprietor of a
general blacksmithing shop where first-class work
is always done. He has real estate in Grand
Rapids and Saranac besides that which he occupies
in St. John's. He started in the labors of life
without any aid in the way of money and all that
he received from the parental estate was $1,000.
He has been living in Michigan since 1850 and is
well posted regarding the advances that have been
mnade in this great commonwealth, He was born
*


in Seneca County, Ohio, June 20, 1839, and was a
lad of eleven years when the removal was made to
this State. The family traveled from Sandusky to
Detroit on a boat, by cars to New Buffalo and
thence to Waukegan. Not liking that section the
father returned to this State and from Battle Creek
went to Grand Rapids with a team, and thence cut
his way through the timber, following a route
marked by blazed trees into lonia County. The
new home was made in Otisco Township and our
subject was at once set to work girdling trees and
clearing land.
The Schindorf farm consisted of two hundred
and sixty acres, most of which was placed under.cultivation through the efforts of our subject and
his brother. Their school privileges were necessarily limited and their recreations were such as
are common in sparsely settled communities.
Jacob hunted a good deal and during one fall
killed thirteen deer. Those animals were so numerous during the smoky time that he drove ironwood
sticks slantingly into the ground and thus killed
five of them. He sometimes had fights with the
wounded animals and on one occasion his life was
saved by the intervention of a log over which his
antagonist could not pass. When of age young
Schindorf was apprenticed to a blacksmith in Saranac and spent four years in service, then in company with his former master formed the firm of
Scheidt & Schindorf, which  lasted  ten years.
After the dissolution of the firm Mr. Schindorf
opened a shop and began the manufacture of
wagons and other commodities. In 1883 he came
to St. John's, bought and improved a shop and
began to work at his trade here. He is now dealing in all kinds of vehicles and still manufactures
the Schindorf wagon which he has been placing
on the market for more than a quarter of a century. He also manufactures carts and in former
years made buggies.
The father and grandfather of Mr. Schindorf
bore the same name, Peter, and were natives of
Bavarian Germany. The younger Peter Schindorf
came to America in 1831 and located in Seneca
County, Ohio. For two years he worked at $6 per
month, then bought forty acres of land which he
improved and occupied until he camle to Xichigap,






86


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


When lie located in lonia County he bought one
hundred and sixty acres, then forty, then sixty,
and with the aid of his sons placed the whole under
improvement. He had a large family, comprising
ten sons and daughters, and Jacob was the second
in order of birth. The mother was Elizabeth
(Krupp) Schindorf, and born in Bavaria, Germany.
Her father, Charles Krupp, was a blacksmith who
emigrated to this country the same year as Mr.
Schindorf and located in the same county in Ohio.
From that time until his decease he was engaged in
farming.
At Sherman, Huron County, Ohio, April 19,
I868, Jacob Schindorf was married to Teresa
Meisig, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, but had lived in the Buckeye State from the
time she was four years old. Mr. and Mrs. Schindorf have three children living, viz.: Joseph J.,
Lucy M. and Martha T. The son is engaged in
business with his father, the firm being J. Schindorf & Son. He is married but the daughters are
still inmates of their parents' dwelling.  Mr.
Schindorf is a Catholic and gave his aid ill the
improvement of the church property and was a
Trustee until he resigned. He casts a Democratic
ballot and has been a delegate to county and State
conventions, visiting Detroit and Grand Rapids
when State Delegate. The son is a member of the
fire department, and both have a good name in
business circles, and in the society which they frequent the entire family is looked upon with respect
and friendly feeling.
-+ ---^ — +ERMAN C. FRIESEKE, a properous business man of Owosso, Shiawassee County, of
f the firm  of J. and H. Frieseke, manufacturers of brick and drain tile, is a native
of Prussia, Germany, having been born December
17, 1844, in Pritzerbe, near Brandenburg. His
father was was one of the old soldiers who fought
at Waterloo and followed his children to this country, dying in Owosso, Mich., at the age of ninetyto, Oif naii   was Frederick and his wife was




I


I- - -


Elizabeth (Langerwisch) Frieseke, and they emigrated to America in 1858 when the son was only
fourteen years old and made their way directly to
Owosso.
After coming to Michigan the father carried on
farming in a small way for a number of years. The
schooling of our subject was in the public schools
of Germany until he was fourteen years old, but
after coming to this country he assisted his father.
In February, 1864, Herman Frieseke enlisted in
the Union army in the Thirteenth Michigan Battery which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and took part in the battle of Ft. Stevens and
afterward engaged in skirmishing and garrison
duty. After eighteen months' service he was discharged in July, 1865, and was finally paid off and
mustered out of service at Jackson, Mich.
Returning to Owosso this young man engaged
in the manufacture of brick in company with his
brother Julius under the firm name of J. & H.
Frieseke. They manufacture all kinds of brick,
both plain and ornamental, common and pressed
brick. They also make drain tile from two and
one-half to twelve inches in diameter, most of
which finds ready sale near home. The works are
situated near the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad.
Miss Eva Graham became the wife of Mr. Frieseke in 1872. She was an Owosso lady who was
born in New Albany, Ind., and she became the
mother of one son and one daughter, Edith and
Fred C., but this happy home was soon to be
broken up by the death of the mother. She departed this life in 1881. The second marriage of
Mr. Frieseke took place in 1884; he was then united
with Mary Shultz, of Laingsburg, Mich., a native
of Prussia. No children have crowned this second
marriage. Both of this worthy couple are active
members of the Corgregational Church, and they
have a beautiful home on the corner of Water and
King Streets.
The election of Mr. Frieseke as Alderman of the
First Ward took place in the spring of 1891. He
is a member of the Quackenbusl Post, No. 541,
G. A. R. From   1883 to 1887 Mr. Frieseke was
engaged in manufacturing brick in Jacksonville,
la. He is Treasurer of the Shiawasee  yioga




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


9097


_.I


Society and one its directors since its organization
in May, 1867, and is now serving his second term
upon the local School Board. Politically, he is a
Republican.
ILLIAM HECK. Many elegant homes and
beautiful farms are to be found in Clinton
County, and few   among   them  attract
greater admiration than that of Mr. Heck. The
residence is a fine large frame house, whose interior
arrangements show the refinement of the lady who
presides therein with grace and hospitality. Mr.
Heck and his estimable wife are highly esteemed
throughout the community, and their many friends
rejoice with them in their present prosperity. He
was born September 23, 1830, in Seneca County,
N. Y., and is the son of George Heck, a farmer and
a successful business man. The mother, Margaret
Heck, died in 1878 at the age of three-score and
ten years. She was a woman of strong religious
convictions and was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church many years, as was also her husband.
Our subject, the eldest among the children, was
reared to farming pursuits, and received a fair education in the common and High Schools of the
vicinity. He engaged as a teacher successfully for
six terms, but in 1854 became a clerk in a grocery
store in Penn Yan, Yates County, N. Y., where he
remained three years. He then came to Michigan
in 1857, and located north of St. John's, Clinton
County, where he purchased eighty acres of timber
land, whose only improvement consisted of a 12x
14 shanty. He cleared about thirty acres and made
it his home some time, but after about seven years
purchased his present farm on section 16, Essex
Township, where he has since lived. His first purchase here consisted of one hundred and forty acres
to which he has added until he now owns two hundred and forty acres of fine land.
Mr. Heck was married September 6, 1859. His
wife was born in DeWitt Township, this county.
Their son Seldon M., who was born January 2,
i861, is a prosperous farmer in DeWitt Township;


George R., born March 18, 1864, is a graduate in
the law department of Valparaiso (Ind.) College,
and is preparing to enter upon the practice of law.
He is an exceedingly bright young man and his
future is assured. Mr. Heck is a Republican politically, and has been Justice of the Peace four years,
also served as Commissioner of the Highways, etc.
Mrs. Heck is a member of the Congregational
Church, and is a woman of many endearing qualities. She owns two hundred and sixty acres in one
farm in DeWitt Township, and four hundred and
thirty in Essex Township, which was inhe:ited
from the estate of her father, a very prominent and
influential citizen.
Mr. Heck has always taken a delight in horses,
being especially interested in the Percherons, Hambletonians and Morgans. 'He raises a good breed
of stock, and this in connection with general farming occupies his time. His success in life has been
remarkable for he came here without means, and
has acquired a competency by continued efforts.
His residence which was erected in 1874, is the resort of many friends and is one of the coziest of
the homes of Essex Township.
NDREW    COWELL. Among the farmers
of Shiawassee County a prominent place
is held by this gentleman who resides on
section 17, New  Haven Township. He
was born in Macomb County, Mich., in 1846, and
is the oldest child of John and Margaret (Tapking)
Cowell, whose sketch will be found on another
page of this volume. In his youth Andrew attended the common school. In 1866 lie bought
forty acres on section, 19, and soon afterward went
to Wyoming Territory where for two years lie was
engaged in cutting railroad ties. On his return
East he spent one year in Michigan, then went to
North Platte, Neb., and there joined a Government
surveying party. This occupied his time during
two summer seasons while the winters were passed
in hunting and trapping in Colorado.
In 1876 our subject attended the Centennial
Exposition at Pbiladelphia and the following year




I
I


998


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


bought the farm of eighty acres on section 17,
where he now lives. At the time of the purchase
it was all wild land which was gradually cleared
through the energy of Mr. Cowell. In 1877 he was
married to Anna Dumond, whose father, Harmon
Dumond, was a farmer of New York. Anna, who
was the second among three daughters, was born in
1857. Our subject and his estimable wife have four
children-Gracie, John, Morris and Lester. Mr.
Cowell is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No.
153, at Henderson, in which he has filled all the
Chairs. Hebelongs to the G. A. R. in Henderson.
Mr. Cowell enlisted in 1865 in Company H,
Tenth Michigan Cavalry and was ordered to Nashville. His term of service lasted from  February,
1865, until the ensuing November, and during
several weeks of that time he was in the hospital.
He was mustered out at Memphis and returned
home after making an honorable record as a soldier. In partial compensation for injuries received
in the army he receives a pension.
AILEY   RICE, the present Postmaster of
F owler, Clinton County, is the son of S. Rice,
a native of Connecticut who in his early
years was a sailor for six years, and afterward followed his trade as a stone-mason. In 1840
he decided to leave New England and come West,
and removed to Medina County, Ohio, where he
died two years later. His wife, Betsey Clark by
name, bore to him three sons and two daughters
and the son Riley was born in Connecticut in 1832,
thus being eight years old when the family removed
to Ohio.
At the age of twenty this young man entered
into a matrimonial alliance with Lydia A. Sears,
and to them were horn two daughters, Mary and
Effie. It was in 1855 that our subject came to
Michigan and settled upon a farm and there made
his home for thirty years, after which he came to
Fowler where he now resides. In 1864 he felt the
call of duty to enlist under the banner of his country, and on September 6, he entered the United
States service, in the Twenty-third Michigan In

fantry, serving until June 28, 1865, when he received his honorable discharge. He took part in
the battle of Nashville and in the conflict at Franklin, and he cherished the associations of war times,
with great warmth and is an active member of the
R. G. Hutchinson Post, No. 129, G. A. R., and is
now serving as its commander. He is a Republi.
can in his political convictions and vote.
After the death of Mrs. Lydia Rice our subject
was a second time married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Demuth) Turk, widow of Mr. John Turk, an Ohio
man. Her father, Landy Demuth, was born in
Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and removed from that
region to Lucas County, where he now resides.
Here he became a prominent citizen and a leader in
the Democratic ranks. His wife was Harriet Rakestraw and of her eleven children Mrs. Rice was the
first-born. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Rice
was Frederick Demuth, a native of Pennsylvania.
The first marriage of Mrs. Rice took place March
13, 1864, and by that union she became the mother
of three children: Eva, Arthur and Clarence Turk.
Mr. Turk died January 14, 1876. This lady is
possessed of more than ordinary talent and education and began to teach at the early age of sixteen
and followed that profession for a number of years.
She is now Deputy Postmistress at Fowler. She is
an efficient member of the Women's Relief Corps
of Fowler and has been its President and also at
one time served as Secretary. Mrs. Rice was a
National Delegate to St. Louis in 1887, being one
of the thirteen to represent the State of Michigan.
Slie has also been Assistant Inspector for the State.
Her literary ability and culture place her in the
front rank and her pen-work as correspondent for
the Clinton Independent at St. John's, is highly
prized.
RFORD NASH. One of the most strongly
marked features of the American people is
their indomitable spirit of industry, standing
out prominent in all their past history and as
strikingly characteristic of them now as at any
former period. It is this spirit which has laid the
foundation of the greatness Qf the nation and has




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


999


placed the United States in the front rank among
the republics of the world. This vigorous growth
has been the result of the industrial energy of individuals, and has depended upon the number of
hands and minds from time to time actively employed within it, whether as cultivators of the soil,
writers of books, or producers of articles of utility. The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs has contributed his quota toward the
progress of this section of country and is a prosperous farmer of Clinton County, residing on section 26, Lebanon Township.
The father of our subject, Zenas Nash, of New
York, came to Michigan when a youth of fifteen
years in company with his parents. Upon reaching
years of maturity lie was united in marriage with
Mary Corwin and to them five clildren were born,
namely: Erford, Edgar, Ella, Marion and John.
The first home of this family in Michigan was in
Jackson County on a rented farm. After seven
years' residence there they removed to Wayne
County and purchased one hundred acres of land.
Zenas Nash cleared and cultivated the land but
died before he had been on the place many years.
His father, Aaron Nash, came from New York at
an early day to Washtenaw County and removed to
Jackson County before his death.
Erford Nash was born May 24, 1848 in Jackson
County, Mich., and remained with his parents until
he became of age. He then undertook to work
the farm on shares and in 1871 purchased forty
acres of land in Lebanon Township. He now owns
two hundred acres of fine land and excellent farm
buildings. Some years ago he erected the commodious and attractive building in which he makes
his home and a view of which is presented in connection with this sketch. He also built the large
and well arranged barn which is one of the signs
of a prosperous and competent farmer. He is a
general farmer in the common acceptation of the
word and has success in all his undertakings. He
is not a politician but is interested in public matters, and votes and works for the success of the
Republican party to which he has always been
strongly attached.
The wife of Erford Nash is of English birth,
and by name Lizzie Tate, Shle came to America


with her parents when a child; her father, John
Tate, made his first home in America in Detroit
and lived in Wayne County until the breaking out
of the war. Then like many another BritishAmerican subject lie sprang to the defence of his
adopted country and enlisted in a Michigan Regimnent. Ile was killed in battle and Mrs. Nash was
thus left an orphan in early life. The mother lives
with her children in this county; the home farm
which has never been divided, is left for her support. The marriage of Mr. and Mls. Nash took
place December 5, 1872 in Wayne County, and has
been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Mary,
who is at home with her parents.
(     ON. PHILIP V. M. BOTSFORD, well
known beyond the limits of Bennington
Township, Shiawassee County, where he resides on section 27, was born in Scottsville,
N. Y., in 1839. When one year old he was brought
by his father, John W. Botsford, to Michigan, and
here he has since resided. His education was received in the district schools and further supplemented by attendance in the Michigan State Normal at Ypsilanti. In 1861 he entered the law
department of the University, and was graduated
in March, 1863. The following August he began
active practice of his profession, in which he continued( successfully for eight years. He became
well known as a pension claim lawyer, and found
his practice lucrative, but poor health compelled
him to adopt a more active vocation.
Accordingly Mr. Botsford, in the fall of 1883,
took up his residence on a farm in Bennington
Township, where he is now located. A strong Republican, he has for years been conspicuous among
his fellow-citizens who have called him to many
positions of trust and responsibility.  He was
elected Supervisor of Bennington Township, on
the Farmers' and Laborers' ticket, receiving ninety four majority. He is an instrumental factor in
all the transactions, business and social, of the
Patrons of Industry, is Vice-President of the
County Association and President of the Milling




1000            PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-—  —


I


I-                - -   - - - -- - - - - - -


Association, operating mills at Perry. At the last
election he was chosen to represent the Second District of Shiawassee County in the Legislature, and
is making an active and influential member. The
ticket was a combination of farming and labor interests and he received one thousand five hundred
and sixty-seven votes. His course as a legislator
is one upon which his constituency can reflect with
pride, and is well calculated to advance their interests materially.
The Botsford farm comprises two hundred and
eighty acres on section 27, and is partially devoted
to the breeding of roadster horses. Among the
latter is the well-known "Judge Holden," No. 10,333, a beautiful trotting bred stallion. He is six
years old, fifteen and three.fourths hands high,
weight, one thousand one hundred and seventy
pounds; a bright bay with black points, powerfully
and handsomely formed, registered.
' m.   G F -  _


I


EWCOMB MITCHELL.         This gentleman
holds a position among the prominent and
thrifty citizens of Bennington Township,
Shiawassee County, and we take pleasure in presenting to our readers a brief account of his life
and character. It is impossible in the limits of a
volume like this to follow his career in every detail, but an outline will be given which will indicate the prominent features, and the reader will be
able to fill out the picture by his own imagination.
The home of Mr. Mitchell is on section 28, and
the estate now comprises one hundred acres. The
residence is a commodious structure of eleven
rooms, tastefully furnished and the home of a happy family. The improvements on the place have
cost $4,000, consisting besides the elegant dwellinghouse, of all convenient and necessary outbuildings, also wind engine and reservoirs.
The father of our subject passed his last years
with our subject, but died in Attica, N. Y., October, 14 1851. He was born May 10, 1785, and
his father was an Irishman. The mother of our
subject was born in June, 1794, and died May 9,
1873; her maiden name was Polly Howe. The
original family Cfoa prised eleveti children, six of


1
1
i
i
i
I
i
I
I
II
I
II
I


whom  now survive, as follows: William, who
makes his home with our subject; Newcomb; Calvin, who lives near Ann Arbor; Ezekiel, a resident
of Sciota Township; Adeline, Mrs. Olive Mead, of
Lansing; Sarah, Mrs. Russell Walker, of Lansing.
Our subject worked out until he was twenty
years old, the wages going to the family. He
worked at his trade in Salem and Lansing, and was
also employed in Detroit and Michigan City, Ind.
In 1848 he came to Shiawassee County, and settled
on land which had previously been purchased by his
father. Here he has lived since 1849, and through
the efforts of himself and his good wife, the place
has been converted into one of the prettiest estates
in the county. He was married January 1, 1856, to
Eliza J. Phelps, and their union was blest by the
birth of eight children, as follows: Adella, born
May 21, 1857; Cora A., March 22, 1859; Charles
H., July 12, 1861; Frank D., February 15, 1864;
Rose May, July 19, 1867; Arthur A., March 12,
1869; Lena A., April 25, 1871; Edna E., October
1, 1873, and Effie F., August 2, 1879. The five
youngest children still remain under the parental
roof, to brighten the old home by their merry
voices and pleasant manners. They are interested
in music and are quite proficient in that direction.
Mr. Mitchell has for some time been an active
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in
which he is an Elder.
EONARD G. LOOMIS. In this gentleman
we have an ex-Supervisor of Greenbush
Township, Clinton County, who was born
in Lorain County, Ohio, August 4, 1837. His
father, Jonathan C. Loomis, is now deceased, but
the mother, Betsey L., is still living. This son
received his education in the public schools of
Ohio and took one year in the Berea College, Ohio,
and subsequently taught three terms of school, one
term being in Ohio and two in Michigan.
Upon the breaking out of the War this young
man decided to go to the defense of the old flag
and enlisted in 1861 in Company E, Forty-second
Ohio Infantry, entering as a private but being
Soon promoted to a       sergeancy. He took part in






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


1001


I

the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Chickasaw Mountain, Arkansas Post and numerous minor
engagements. On the 16th day of May, 1863, at
Champion Hill he was Wounded and then taken
prisoner by the rebels, bein^, howevrS, parole]d 6on
after. He received his h'      Tf4 e  haffigti, N6 -vember 16, 1864.
In the spring of 1866, Mr. Loomis came to
Greenbush Township and settled on section 7,
which has since continued to be his home. Ile
owns one hundred and twenty-five acres of well
improved land and is considered one of the prosperous farmers in this part of the county. His
Wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Abbott,
fas borne to him three children, two of wliom are
rving, namely: Mary E., wife of Prof. D. D.
Yntema, of St. John's and Leonard S. For one
year Mr. Loomis acted as Supervisor of the township and he has served many years as Justice of the
Peace, being very useful in this capacity. The
wife ot his youth was called away by death, and
he was married again October 13, 1880. His present wife, whose maiden name was Minnie Quigley,
has four children, namely: Ethel, Emma O., George
B. and Ruth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Loomis are devoted and earnest members of the Methodist Church
and he is identified with the Grand Army of the
Republic at St. John's. He is among the prominent and leading citizens of Greenbush Township
and is esteemed highly as a leader of thought in
the Republican ranks.
^___^^^^~-00 --- —~ —
OHARLES C. WASHBURN, a well-known
farmer and successful apiarist, 'who resides
on section 1, Rush Township, Shiawassee
County, was born in New York, April 16, 1842.
His father, Benjamin, was a farmer and a native of
Maine, where he was born in 1797. He had an
excellent common-school education and started out
in life for himself when only sixteen years b1d.
When he had reached the manly age of twenty
years he went to NeW York City and there learned
the baker's trade, but he was not willing to settle
down to watch the oven, and took passage as a


sailor making a voyage to the West Indies. He
continued in this line of work for seven years and
then traveled for a commercial house in Maine, and
afterward went into business for himself, living in
Vermont, itassachstsetts and Northern New York
successively.
The marriage of Benjamin Washburn with
Nancy Anthorp took place in 1838. This lady
Was of English parentage and was born in 1819
being the eldest in a family of three sons and one
daughter. For one year the young couple carried
on a hotel at Stanstead Plain, N. Y., and then came
to Ft. Ann, N. Y. on the Erie Canal. They did
not'reside there long but emigrated to Wayne
County, Mich. in 1842, and after three years spent
there purchased eighty acres of land in Ingham
County, not far from Lansing. There they lived
for about eleven years and then made their home
on section, 12, of Rush Township where they bought
eighty acres of land, at the same time purchasing
another eighty on section 5. Eleven children
blessed this home, six daughters and five sons.
The father was a Methodist in his religion and a
Democrat in politics and an earnest worker for his
party. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace
and died in 1870 while his good wife survived him
for twenty years.
The subject of this sketch had but a poor chance
for schooling, for the exigencies of pioneer life
early called the older children of the family into
requisition as laborers upon the farm.  When
twenty-one years old he left home and was for ten
years a lumberman in Michigan and Wisconsin.
He bought forty acres on section 1, in 1863, and
ten years later was united in marriage with Maria
Parshall, a daughter of Henry and Lucina (Root)
iarshall. They were from New York and had in
their family two sons and six daughters, Maria being born in 1855.
Six children have been born to our subject and
his excellent wife, namely: Charles H., Elnora
Maria, Benjamin F., Alta May, Mary Elma, and
Mattie E. Mr. Washburn's political views are in
accordance with the principles of the Democratic
party, and he has been some what active in local
political work and has filled the offices of Highway
Cormmissioner and SchQol Inspector,




ANM- N::aQ~=" "I -- -
]F~-~j~is


U


iM


BIOG E? IG TI.c


A
Abbott, John T., M. D...... 671
Aberle, Fred..............  896
Adams, James S............732
Adams, J. C.................597
Adams, John...............    23
Adams, John Q.............. 39
Alchin, Frederick..........483
Aldrich, William A.......... 09
Alger, Russell A..............173
Allen, Rev. W. C............917
Allison, C. S..................885
Amos, August H., Jr........ 370
Anderson, James............ 843
Anderson, John.............. 281
Arthur, Chester A.......... 99
Atherton, S. G..............269
Atkinson, Thomas........... 567
Austin, A. A...............240
Austin, Ambrose.............396
Axford, H...............        1
B
Babcock, M..................620
Babcock, Mrs. M. M..........626
Bagley, John J............... 157
Bain, Augustus.............326
Bair, William T..............772
Baker, Hon. N. H............379
Balcom, William A.........779
Baldwin, Henry P............ 153
Baldwin, Newton.............259
Baldwin, T. W...............870
Ball, A. R., M. D............. 45
Ball, C. E...................545
Bancroft, Darwin............740
Barker, Seth J...............752
Barnes, C. G..................59
Barrington, John A..........804
Barrus, Calvin P.............585
Barry, John S.............13
Batchelor, B. F..............693
Bauerly, Charles W.........839
Baxter, D. Q............ 456


Beach, T. C....9........92
Beard, Allen...............  317
Beardslee, J. M............... 254
Beckwith, J. W...........820
Bedford, George H.........208
Beebee, Sylvester...........799
Beebee, William 1...........918
Bcgole, Josiah WV.............169
Benedict, Charles L..........826
Benjamin, Alfred B..........548
Benjamin, Calvin............829
Bennett, A. C...............759
Bennett, John................789
Bensinger, Joel.............. 304
Bentley, Alvin M..........561
Bentley, Lewis...............515
'Bigelow, C. A................ 960
Bigelow, W. H............... 566
Bigford, George.............310
Bingham, John F............650
Bingham, Kinsley S..........137
Bingham, W................. 682
Bird, L. C.................641
Blair, Austin.................1 5
Blass, John..................917
Boss, A. R.................405
Botsford, William C..........746
Botsford, P. V. M............999
Bowers, G. W............... 413
Boylan, William..............540
Brands, George O............245
Bray, Israel M................ (42
Brewer, E. L.................688
Brewer, F. F................. 364
Briggs, J. H..................720
Bristol, James Sterling......739
Bromley, Thomas............679
Brooks, John.................368
Brooks, W. R.................291
Brown, E. F................. 616
Brown, Edward..............463
Brown, H. W................574
Brown, John...............264
Brown, Elnathan.............977
Brunson, William H..........706
Bryant, John W..............909
Bryant, Lewis................875
Buchanan, James............ 75
Bunday, Warner.............944
Burgess, William W.........716
Burnes, Henry M............310


Bush, George J...............823
Bush, John R..............     44
Bush, Mrs. Marietta.........590
Bush, Judge Matthew........ 904
Bussell, C. O.................563
Byerly, Col. Edgar P....... 85
C
Calkins, J. H.................947
Call, William.................212
Carland, M. E................800
Carmody, Thomas...........735
Carrington, H. W...........384
Carson, W. S.................200
Carter, S....................434
Caruss, Hon. R. B...........  430
Caruss, William I............780
Case, Henry C................270
Castle, Duane................723
Castle, Miss H. E............208
Castner, Goodlope...........494
Chalker, C. B................890
Chandler, A. L..............639
Chapin, J. A................578
Chapin, V. A.................901
Chase, D. B..................
Chase, J. W..................922
Chipman, A. B...............386
Church, W. T................742
Clandening, T. V.............647
Clapp, D. C..................616
Clements, J. H................357
Cleveland, F. D.............. 553
Cleveland, S. Grover.........102
Clark, A. B..................650
Clark, R. S................   425
Clark, Robert............ 751
Close, Jabez..9............90
Cobb, E. W...................599
Colby, George M...........836
Colby, J. S.................835
Colby, Rudolph..............559
Cole, Mrs. J. T...............518
Cole, William H.............919
Coleman, M..................912
Colister, Herbert............547
Colt, Col. George..........   385


Comnstock, M. D............324
Conn, Frank................ 765
Conn, James H..............719
Conrad, Hon. L. F...........569
Converse, Ransom..........575
Cook, C. T....................766
Cook, E. J...................313
Cooper, A. C..............199
Cooper, Eli..................212
Cooper, G. A...............    28
Cooper, J. T..................936
Cooper, L. C...............199
Copas, J. H.................820
Corbin, Martin L.............883
Corbit, George S............330
Corbit, John H.............560
Cortright, James............487
Cosgrove, George, M. D......709
Cossitt, Hon. C. H............415
Cowan, Charles..............455
Cowles, A. G., M. D..........945
Cowles, Norman............390
Cowell, Andrew..............997
Cowell, John.................792
Cox, Theodore H.............819
Crane, Alfred B.............418
Cranson, Hon. J. H..........987
Crapo, Henry H........  149
Cressman, I. F............477
Cresswell, Charles M.........161
Crickmore, Alfred...........849
Cronkhite, T. L............579
Cummin, Capt. W. E.........769
Currier, C. F................458
Curtis, Hon. James B. F.....956
Curtis, J....................953
D
Daboll, Judge S. B............
Daggett, Reuben E..........56
Daniells, John T.............734
Darling, F. R.................756
Davies, R. C................. 438
Davies,..............     465
Davies, William T.,.,...,,..., 76




INDEX.


Davis, Hiram................319
Davison, James K............792
Day, Charles.................535
Dayton, L. A.................307
Dean, C. L...................842
DeCamp, E...................6416
Dennis, W. W................854
Derham, A...................593
Detwiler, William............336
Devereaux, G. W............968
Dewey, Hon. George M.... 323
Dewey, John W..............988
Dewey, T. D..................973
DeWitt, 0. P.................312
DeWitt, Walter C............618
Doan,Ethan................. 831
Doane, Lucy G...............932
Doman, Rev. R. F. M........729
Downer, S. W................965
Doyle, l. S...................514
Drake, M. W.................362
Droste, Anthony...........688
Drury, W. R..................811
Dryer, I. M...............617
Dryer, N. A., M. D...........516
Duff, C.C....................702
Dunham, William H........742
Dutcher, Davis............503
Dynes, Pierce..............796
E
Eaegle, David L............874
Easler, George..............351
Ellis, Albert H............... 696
Ellis, Miron................721
Ellsworth, A. B...............851
Emnlert, F. M..............811
Emmons, George W........941
Emmons, P................     568
Estes, James D.............289
Estey, Hon. D. M............227
Eveleth. E.................958
Evans, Alvin.................258
Evens, J. D...........2...290
Ewell, A. J................... 404
F
Farley, Nelson...............399
Featherly, Frank............821
Fedewa, J. H................408
Fedewa, John.............630
Fedewa, John J............. 677
Fedewa, Mathias.............913
Felch, Alpheus.............117
Fildew, Alfred S.............556
Fillmore, Millard............. 67
Fitch, John M................263
Fitch, John M................507
Fleagle, Peter................595
Fleshman, Elijah............ 311
Flint, Calvin...............447
Floate, Walter..............910
Forward, Franklin...........440 -

Fowler, Lieut. Charles....... 923
Fowler, N....................600
Fox, W. B.,M.D.............257
Frasier, A. W.................862
Frasier, J. B................. 771
French, D. S................  287
French, J. W................700
Friegel, Conrad..............291
Frieseke, H. C............... 996
Frieseke, J..................566
Fuller, Otis..................434
G
Gale, Hon. C. J.............222
Gallup, Eli...................896
Garfield, James A............95
Garrison, Arthur........... 694
Garrison, W. D...............528
Gerardy, J. J. P.............942
Gerardy, J. P................557
Geller, Ferdinand H..........243
Gillam, S. E., M. D...........822
Gilmore, R..................584
Goddard, F. I................207
Goff, James...............    346
Goodell, Hon. James M......374
Goodsell, James..............536
Gould, Hon. Amos........... 981
Gould, Col. E...............982
Gould, Edwin A..............609
Gould, F. H..................629
Gould, L. E.................97
Gould, O., M. D..............88
Gormley, John     I.......    288
Gorsuch, E. U.......... 267
Goss, George W.............. 863
Grace, Charles S............ 376
Grant, Ulysses S............. 87
Green, D. B................911
Green, S. W............... 214
Greenly, William L.........121
Grisson, C. E................852
Grove, Cornelius............443
Grow, M. D................. 779
Gruler, Constantine..........260
Gunnison, A. G...............444
Gunnison, James H.........781
H
Hadsall, Perry...............465
Hagan, Charles............    239
Haire, James.............891
Hall,E. S....................308
Hall, F. L....................810
Hall, William F.............351
LHamil, Benjamin F..........406
Hamilton, James......... 427
Hamilton, R. C...............488
Hand, Marshall..............790
Hankey, Joseph............394
Hanna, Isaac D.............833
Harder, J. S................449
Harder, N. A...............08
Harder, J. N................340


Hardy, B. B................530      Jefferys, Parson..............631
Harlow, Albert...............409    Jenison, Hon. W. F......... 713


Harmon, C. D., M. D.........969
Harper, Judge A. A..........803
Harper, James S.............667
Harrington, D. R............ 935
Harrison, Benjamin..........107
Harrison, William Henry... 51
Hartshorn, A. E.............733
Harvey, E. W., M. D.........749
Haughton, Charles...........588
Havens, George C., M. D.....409
Havens, William, M. D......339
Hawkins, E. G...............814
Hayes, Rutherford B........ 91
Hayt, J. A....................615
Heath, James...............905
Heck, William......... 655
Henderson, J. D.............971
Henderson, William G.......980
Henning, Charles............495
Hicks, A. R.,M. D............733
Hicks, John..................397
Eigh, Iiram M..............619
Hill, Clinton J................936
Hill, H. W..........474
1 ill, John  E..................583
H ill, L. W....................496
Hinman, J. B................794
Hinman, W. I................785
Hoenshell, Jonas............570
Hoismlgton, Edward.........419
Holbrook, J. L...............840
Holley, D.C., M. D.........  659
Holman, Charles............273
Holmes, D. B..............168
Hoover, Jacob..............920
Hopkins, Loren............ 681
House, Charles M............ 978
House, J. T..................934
Hovey, H. O.................480
Howe, J. H...................546
Hoyer, F.FF.9...........     369
Hubbard, J. A............    450
Huff, Aaron..................389
Huffman. J. J..............924
Hulse, Addison.............. 980
Hulse, M. A................743
Humre, A. M., M. D...........881
Hunt, A. A.................. 377
Hunter, William G...........420
Huntoon, George A..........889
Ingraham, S. W..............741
J
Jackson, Andrew............ 43
Janes. George F.............268
Jayne, John E...............198
Jefferson, Thomas............ 27


Jerome, David H.............165
Johnson, Andrew........... 83
Johnson, C. A................ 606
Johnson, William..........437
Johnston, John A........... 939
Jones, Daniel Z..............478
Jones, W. W................ 533
Jopling. William.............213
Jubb, Mrs. Sylvia............300
Judd, George H..............206
K
Keiser, John J................379
Kenyon, A. H., M. D.........762
Kerby, S. M................. 635
Keys, H. N.................933
Kilbourn, F. M..............933
Kincaid, Tod................ 672
King, George E.............. 916
King, Rev. Henry, Jr........ 363
King, John................... 356
King, M. L.................. 367
King, Willard................538
Kingsley, George D..........850
Kipp, George D..........791
Kittle, George E............370
Kline, C. H.................715
Knapp, B. S..................524
Knight, A. T..........5....574
Knight, Edwin...............539
Knight, Job R................964
Koenig, Father H. C.........361
Kuhns Manaseh..............725
L
Lambie, John................417
Lamfrom, Samuel............239
Lapham, N...................302
Laubengayer, T. A..........795
Launstein, William B........710
Lee, Wilson.................537
Lemon, Thomas H...........825
Lewis, Lafayette...........586
Lincoln, Abraham........... 79
Litchfield, J. A..............610
Long, Noah..................864
Loomis, L. G................1000
Loring, George W...........710
Lowell, O. W............... 640
Luce, Cyrus Gray...........177
Ludwick, J. E............... 274
Lyman, Burt.................416
Lyon, Edwin H..............915
M
Madison, James..............31
Main,H.C...........          275
Mann, Mrs. Laura............ 613






tIDEX.


Marshall, Mrs. H............193
Martin, Eli............      989
Marvin, T................. 329
Mason, A. B................975
Mason, G. D.............882
Mason, G. T................ 658
Mason, Stephen T........105
Matthews, Alanson..........705
Mattoon, George P.......... 523
Mankey, Henry............479
McBride, James..........265
McBride, J. S................830
McCall, W. B.............781
McClelland, Robert.........129
McCormick, Colin, M. D.....906
McLeod, W. H............303
McLouth, Newton..........672
Mead, Caleb...............813
Mead, Israel........824
Meacher, John....892
Merrill, Charles M...........387
Mesler, William M.......473
Mikan, John..................652
Mikan, V....................614
Miller, A. J................680
Miller, John P...............576
Miller, J. U...................489
Millman, John T...... 726
Miner, Selden S..............194
Mitchell, E...................577
Mitchell, N..........       1000
Monroe, James............     35
Moon, C. L..........         362
Moore, Richard.............508
Moore, W. W................490
Morehouse, D. W.............246
Morris, H. W.................704
Morris, R. H. B...............674
Morrison, Col. R. G.........217
Munger, Hon. O. W..........701
Murphy, D.L.............855
Murphy, William J.........197
MurdocK, Fred F.............525
Myres, H. S..................793
N
Nay, George W.............454
Nash, Erford.................998
Nethaway, C.................632
Newberry, William.......... 736
Newman, F. W..............750
Newsom, C. B...............497
Nichols, A. T...............205
Nichols, Ezra B..............426
Nichols, L. R.................45
Nixon, W. A..................554
Nourse, John...............311
0
Oliver, George...........890
Olmey, Esek............. 607
Ormsby, M.................916
sborn, P. W.........         235


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I


1 - -   - -t - -, -


Osburn, James...............930
Osburn, M................393
Outcalt, John W.............314
Outwater, Harrison......... 423
P
Paine, Fred J................
Painter, J...............7
Palmer, Henry, M. D......... 5
Parker, G. A................
Parks, George W............44
Parks, Sidney D............ 52
Parrish, A. T................266
Partlow, A................299
Parsons, Andrew.............133
Patchel, J. J................221
Patridge, Mrs. L. A..........P66
Patterson. A. J..............373
Patterson, H. J..............959
Patrick, William C.........347
Payne, W. L...............267
Peach, Henry...............871
Peach, John.................975
Peacock, James J............485
Pearce, Varney.........9... 57
Pearl, Lewis...............844
Pearl, S. F.................224
Pennell, Edwin.............486
Perkins, Jabez, M. D........233
Perrin, Hon. H. M....        985
Perry, J. W................716
Phillips, Charles H.........753
Phillips, Hon. N. G.........36
Phippen, S. S. C.............56
Phelps, C. E.................353
Phelps, Dyer................9.
Phelps, W. H.................71
Phoenix, M. G................
Pierce, Franklin............
Pierce, John Q...............
Pierce, S. N..................
Pierson, Albert..........
Pinkney, John...............70
Polk, James K................
Pollard, J. W., M. D.........318
Pond, Rollln.................95
Post, Leonard H............668
Potter, W. H.................939
Power, D. H..................469
Pratt, George W.             588
Priest, George W............. 755
Prior, George................994
Putnam, B. J.................976
Putnam, E. B................785
Putnam, W. H.............690
Purdy, F. E.............,...519
R
Rann, B. F...................914
Ransom, Epaphroditus.....125
Rapalee, J....................301
Read, John..................583


Redfern, F. W...............428
Reed, D.B.......             927
Reed, George W..............626
Reed, H.....................596
Reed, John................940
Reeve, George C.....         928
Reeves, Charles S.....   538
Reidy, Michael.............648!etan, J. V............... 420
Rice, Charles D...........   282
Aice, Otis L.................342
Rice, Riley................... 998
Richards, A. E..............380
Richmond, H. L..............639
Ridenour, Daniel...........652
Rigley, Charles E............218
Robbins, J. H...............872
Robinson, A. C..............841
Robinson, E. S...............899
Robson, William H..........967
Rose, James W.............. 632
Rose, Hon. W. H.............298
Rowell, Stephen D......... 849
Howley, S. B.................860
Royce, J. D.................968
Ruess, G.................   41
Ruggles, F. S., M. D..........761
Russell, M. V............... 498
Russell, William.............661
JRyon, Austin...............879
Ryon, Luther...............348
Salisbury, E..................424
Sanders. G. T...............731
Sanderson, J. D..............776
I  yr, H,,..................876
/t're,....................544
t$bnc]k, Wtilm P........783
iernPr, redrltok..........446,T............. W.605
Schrpo   r, J...............242
Schwfikert, Josep.......... 400
Scottp, e0  r................. 224
Scott,. W................. 666
Scott, S.....................911
Schigndorf, Jacob............995
Serpant, Collins.............751
Sovy, Ozi B..................280
Sexton, Charles..........824
Sexton, Zephaniah..........403
Seymour, W. R............387
Shadduck, L. B..........861
Shaft, John M................219
Shattuck, C. E...............446
S   w, W. R..................220
Shelclon,................929
Shepard, B. ),...............345
Shepard, F. M........    0...500
Shepard, Perry..............
Shepard, R. C...............475
Sherman, A. D...............234
Shickle, Charles, M. D.......309
Shuster, Samuel.............816
Sieb, Nicholas.............510
Silvernail, Andrew..........230
Simmons, R., M. D...........557


i


f


-:r': —. --- —_.: - ~,- — ~ -; ---- _i.-r'  1-1':-. 7:

Simpson, Martin V. B........931
Simpson, William............352
Skinner, H. M................892
Sleeth, James, M. D.........92Q
Smiley, Benjamin F......928
Smith, Rev. Charles.........513
Smith, Clark.................815
Smith, Clark.................961
Smith, E. L.................628
Smith, E. V.................320
Smith, Ezra, M.............834
Smith, J. L., M. D...........279
Smith, Martin...............460
Smith, M. S................  99
Smith, N. O..................629
Smith, S. F...................331
Snyder, Dennis............. 993
Soule, D. H..........     955
Sowle, George H............394
Spalding, W. F...............297
Spaulding, F. M..............499
Spitler, George J.............66
Spitler, H. W................ 677
Stampfly, B..................55
Stearns, Rev. R. D...........341
Steel, D. G..................535
Steel, George A..............991
Steel, R. G....................764
Steel. R. M..................191
Stevens, William M........662
Stewart. John...............211
Stone, Jesse E...............378
Stone, John C................453
Stow, F. A................335
Strong, William N...........407
Struber, L...................549
Sugden, O. G................385
Sutfin, D. A................944
Sutherlan, William..........711
Sutton, W. R................ 27
Swain, O. B..................92
Swarthout, A................ 678
Swarthout, Edson............307
Swarthout, R................493
Swarthout, T. L..............573
T
Taber, C, P...................986
Taber, Leander C............773
Tabor, Charles E.............745
Tallman, W. L...............845
Taphouse, William......... 589
Taylor, L. R...............662
Taylor, Zachary........... 63
Teachout, Asher.............725
Terbush, J. M................270
Thomas, A. S................ 439
Thomas, John...............712
Tillotson, W. T..............558
Tinker, Adelbert.............498
Todd, Hon. E. A..............354
Tompkins, Richard.........894
Topping, G. W.,M. D........ 03
Travis. Fred A...............853
Trusdell, James K............587
Tuttle, M., M. D..............286






INDEX.
-----------   -- -~ ---  - -- ------                                   P; —~ I —e-;  ~;;............................!:.e7
Turner, Jerome W...........325                                           Watson, S....................608    Wing, C. T...................699
Tyler, John................55                    W                      Watson, W. W............... 7       Winston, R. M................649
Tyler, Melvin J..............606                                        Webster, E. D................596    Wisner, Moses............141
Webster, H., M. D............754     Wolcott, C. S..............00
Webster, H. W...............970      Wolter, Christian...........89
Walbridge, H. E.............722      Weidman, Frank A..........410  Wood, George................744
U                     Waldron, E. P...............703    Welch, E. B............403           Wood, James, Jr............879
Walker, Hon. S. S...........202     Welch, Frank................267.   Wood, Mason.............760
Walsh, John............... 806      Weller, George................963   Woodard, W. A...........252
Walsh, John T...............244      Welhusen, William..........200     Woodbridge, William....... 109
Uhrbrock, Lewis...........  885     Walsworth, P. E............229     Wesener, Hugo..............775       Woodhull, J.................56
Underwood, W. D...           525     Ward, E. B., M. D...........65     Westcott, Frank.............873     Woodhull, Z. S...............598
Upson, William N...          219     Warner, George, Jr..........388    Wheelock, Joel S............895      Woodward, Warren..........774
Upton, Hart L...............869      Warner, S. F...............427     Whelan, Charles A..........590      Woodworth, John............913
Warner, W    E..........     476     Whelan, Clark..............406      Woodworth, J. W...........883
Warner, W. W...............527       Whipple, A. D...............660     Wright, Walter..............470
Warnor,. R.................333                          White, Edwin E..............948  Wright, William.............4;6
Warren, D. L................251     White, Mrs. Jessie..........880
Warren, W. M...............893      White, 11. Kirk...............526
Warren, George H...........276       Whitmore, M. W...........638
Valentine, S. H..............763     Warren, G. R................252    Whitlock, Orange............900                    Y
Vanauken, J. M.............805      Warren, James J............495     Wideman, William...........886
Van Buren, Martin...........47       Warren, William E..........236     Wiggins, A. J., M. D........285
Van Derhoff, A. M............506     Washburn, C. C.............1001     Wilcox, Luman.............782
Van Deusen, A. M............760      Washburn, M................95   Wilkinson, George C.........481     Yerkes, S. A..................921
Van Dyne, James R..........433      Washington, George........    19      illians, John D............504     Yntema, D. B...............414
Van Liew, William P.......473       Waters, Richard.............846     Williams,.C. S..........3... 332    Young, Isaac 0..............534
Van Scoy, lon. R. S.........195     Watson, Hon. F. H..........253     Willoughby, M. W...........435      Young, Thomas R...........84
Voorhees, E. B.............. 383    Watson, John A.............193     Winans, Edwin B............181  Youngs, G. J............ 333








INDEX.


2CZNL 6 A- -E A "  ^
_,A
tg ]PORTR"~h tTS t:~


Abbott, Dr. J. T..............670
Adams, John................ 22
Adams, John Q..............38
Alchin, Frederick............482
Aldrich, William A..........908
Alger, Russell A..............172
Arthur, Chester A............98
Babcock, M..................623
Babcock, Mrs. M.............622
Bagley, John J...............156
Baldwin, Henry P............152
Ball, Dr. A. R...............6t4
Barry, John S...............112
Batchelor, B. F.............692
Beard, Allen............... 316
Begole, Josiah W.............168
Benjamin, Calvin............828
Bennett, John...............788
Bingham, K. S................136
Blair, Austin................144
Brown, Edward..............46;2
Buchanan, James............ 74
Bussell, C. O................562


Cleveland, Frank B..........552
Cleveland, S. Grover.........103
Cosgrove, George...........708
Crapo, Henry H..............148
Croswell, Charles M.. 1........60
Cummin, William E.........768
Dewey, Hon. George M...... 322
Doman, Rev. R. F. M........728
Dutcher, David..............502
Estey, Hon. D. M............226
Felch, Alpheus...............116
Fillmore, Millard............. 66
Fitch. John M................262
Fox, W. B....................256
Garfield, J. A................. 9
Grant, U. S................... 86
Greenly, William L.......... 120
Grove, Cornelius.............442
Harrison, Benjamin..........106
Harrison, W. H.............. 50
Harvey, E. W...............748
Havens, William.............338


Iayes, R. B..............  90
Hill, John E..................582
Holman, Charles.............272
Jackson, Andrew........... 42
Jefferson, Thomas........... 26
Jerome, David H............164
Johnson, Andrew............ 82
King, M...................366
Koenig, Henry C.............360
Lincoln, Abraham...........    78
Luce, Cyrus Gray............176
Madison, James.............. 30
Mason, Stephen.............104
Mattoon, George P...........522
McClelland, Robert..........128
Monroe, James...............34
Morrison, R. G...............216
Nichols, A. T............... 204
Outwater, H.................422
Parsons, Andrew.............132
Pierce, Franklin............. 70
Polk, J. K................ 58


Pollard, J. W................318
Ransom, Epaphroditas...... 124
Sexton, Zephaniah...........402
Shepard, B. M...............344
Shepard, Perry...............542
Smith, Dr. J. L...............278
Spalding, W. F...............296
Stewart, John...............210
Taylor, Zachary............ 62
Topping, Dr. G. W........... 602
Tyler, John.................. 54
Upton, H. L..................868
Van Buren, Martin........... 46
Voorhees, E. B...............382
Ward, Dr. E.B..............64
Warren, D. L.................249
Warren, Mrs. D. L...........248
Washington, George......... 18
Wiggins, A. J................ 284
Winans, Edwin B............180
WiSner, Moses................140
Woodbridge, William........ 108


(4/1 0~s


Amos, A. H.................371
Bain, Augustus..............327
Balcom, Will A............... 777
Bauerly, Charles W..........837
Beebee, Sylvester............797
Bennett, A. C................757
Bensinger, Joel............305
Bowers, G. W................411
Burgess, William W.........717
Bush, Mrs, M.................591
Caruss, R. B..................431
Colby, George M.............837
Cowles, Norman............. 391
Cox, Theodore H.............817
Darling, Fred................757
Droste, Anthony.............685
Dynes, Pierce...............797


Ellis, A. H..................697
Essex M. E. Church..........511
Fedewa, John J.............675
French, J. W.................697
Gallup, Eli..................737
Hardy, B. B.................531
Hoenshell, Jonas............571
Hubbard, James A..........451
Huffman, J. J................925
Huntoon, George A..........887
Kerby, Samuel M............ 63
Kittle, George E.............371
Litchfield, Mrs. J. A......... 11
Marvin, Thomas.............327
Mikan, John.................653
Moore, W. W.................491
Morris, R. H. B..............675


Nash, Erford...............877
Nethaway, Clement..........633
Newberry, John............. 737
Perry, J. W.................717
Phoenix, M. G...............797
Pierce, S. N..................857
Ridenour, Daniel............. 53
Rose, James W..............633
Rowell, D. Stephen..........847
Ryon, Austin...............877
Ryon, Luther................349
Sanderson, J. D..............777
Sayre, C. H................ 877
Sieb, Nicholas...............511
Shepard, Perry...............391
Shuster, Samuel.............817
Smith, M. S..................807


Snyder, Dennis.............. 25
Stone, J. C..................451
Swarthout, Edson............305
Swarthout, Ralph............491
Swarthout, T. L..............571
Van Dyne, James R..........431
Van Llew, William P........471
Walsh, John...............807
Warren, D. L................611
Warren, W    E................237
Waters, Richard.............847
Weidman, Frank.............411
Whelan, C. A............... 591
Wideman, William..........887
Wing, C. T...................697
Wolter, C.................. 857
Wright, Walter..............471
Young, Thomas R............C85




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