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-OF

ialaiaz@oo,        llleg ani   an BuOe~ Gounies,
MZ1011 I -A I    A,
CONTAINING
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens,
Together with Biographies of all the
[OV8FIOFS      of the State, and of the lresidents
OF1 TH EI   UN ITED  STA:TES.


CHICAGO:
CHAPMAN BROS.


1892.


I






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PFEFP<E.
FHE greatest of English historians, MACAULAY, and one of the most brilliant writers of
the present century, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the
MJ / ~     llives of its pecple." In conformity with this idea the PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL
\.,11 \      RRECORD 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 rank second to none among those
comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life
1. I ~ 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
Dl   l     advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an
~  ~'m %influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who
X lhave 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.
May, 1892.                                                     CHAPMAN BROS.




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OF THE
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9




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{_ -A
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FIRST PRESIDENT.
~.e  _~~-;i'~-"~ ---i —~      ~Ib  _~ --- —--—.


OIL-              Ur    lokwo~
Xfe..-.
~LSStJfcS             I
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~' |^t~li^<^>^t^^<p^W ^'~'E^'''pt^^^


t"B? ~I     s)    HE Father of our Country was
%I   l   born in Westmorland Co., Va.,
X1 i; |    l Feb. 22, 1732. His parents
) ALd      5/) were Augustine and   Mary
(Ball) Washington. The family
to which he belonged has not
been satisfactorily traced in
3!'1        England.  His great-grandfather, John Washington, emigrated to Virginia about I657,
and became          a  prosperous
planter.  He had two sons,
Lawrence and   John.  The
former married Mildred Warner
and had three children, John,
Augustine and Mildred. Augustine, the father of George, first
married Jane Butler, who bore
Q   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
mathematics.  His spelling was rather defective,


Remarkable stories are told of his great physical
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 I4 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 ig 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 accepted, 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 600 miles. Winter was at hand,
and the journey was to be made without military
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The, _~,,




20


GEORGE WASHINGTON./'


20cr~r — -             GEORGE  WASHI


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 300 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
of 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, 1774, to secure their common liberties,
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Washington was sent as a delegate. On May io, 1775, 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 deyotion
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, I783, Washington, in
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his....


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, 1789, Washington was unanimously
elected President. In his presidential career he was
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a hew
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 subordinate 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 kbiug dull.






I




I



SECOND PRESIDENT.                    2


4-'Mk M IF -%T


H.'7f l Jg     OHN   ADAMS, the second:  President and the first Vice>~ ~lr1 [   President of the United States,
~'~~ - yt  ~was born in Braintree (now
~()_i~'~    Quincy),Mass., and about ten
miles from Boston, Oct. 19,
wS   1735. His great-grandfather, Henry. /M    Adams, emigrated from England
about I640, with a family of eight
*"A.Ad sons, and settled at Braintree. The
parents of John were John and
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His
r father was a farmer of limited
means, to which he added the business of shoemaking.  He gave his
eldest son, John, a classical educaI    tion at Harvard College.  John
graduated in I755, 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, (I765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxation turned him from law to politics. He took initial
steps toward holding a 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 Bos.
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leglislature) in 1770.
Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress,
which met in I774. Here he distinguished himself
by his capacity for business and for debate, and advocated the movement for independence against the
majority of the members. In May, I776, he moved
and carried a resolutionin Congress that the Colonies
should assume the duties of self-government.* He
was a prominent member of the committee of five
appointed June 1, to prepare a declaration of independence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through
Congress in a three days debate.
On the day after the Declaration of Independence
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the
greatest question was decided that ever was debated
in America; 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 off
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows.




24                       JOHN ADAMS.


I


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, I777, Mr. Adams was appointed a
delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money
from the French Government. This was a severe trial
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home,
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and exposed him to great peril of capture by the British cruisers, who were seeking him. He left France June I7,
i779. 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. W hile in England, still drooping and desponding, 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
class of 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, 1826, 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, "O 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 ard expres.
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his,
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous.
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked
the manners and address of Jefferson.




I




IJ






THYKRD PRESIDENTrT


27,HZRD P  E


c~lat,         >^HOMAS JEFFERSON was
O g i |   n born April 2, 1743, at Shad-:       well, Albermarle county, Va.
JN^S l t     His parents were Peter and
J  D        Jane (Randolph) Jefferson,
the former a native of Wales,
and the latter born in London. To them were born six
W       daughters and two sons, of
whom Thomas was the elder.
W hen 14 years of age his
father died. He received a
most liberal education, having been kept diligently at school
from the time he was five years of
age. In I760 he entered William
and 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
previouasly 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.
Immnediately 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 1769 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 Colonial Congress
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a
writer and a reasoner soon become known, 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, 1776, What must have been the feelings of that




28


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 I783.
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France. Returning to the United States
in September, I789, he became Secretary of State
in Washington's cabinet.  This position he resigned
Jan. i, I794. In I797, 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
% new republic. This has been generally supposed
was a mere pretext; 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 I809, 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, I8o9, he bid farewell forever to public life, and retired to Monticello.
Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole
families came in their coache? with their horses,fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and
nurses,-and remained three and even six months.
Life at Monticello, for years., resembled that at a
fashionable watering-place.
The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver-..~


I


I


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 that
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 consummation of a noble
life! To die on that day,-the birthday of a nation,- -
the day which his own name and his own act had
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him,
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings,
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life.
Almost at the same hour of his death, the 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 fore.
head broad, and his whole courtenance intelligent and
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as
well as personal courage; and.i}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 writingsis
discernable the care with which he formed his style
upon the best models of antiquity.






I      4                                      i




X4\tX tt a




.ry- tRlTU.RTHP.Rl-,'SIDENT


31


EQ URT PRSDET                                 31


AMES MADISON, -"Father
l             of the Constitution," and fourth
President of the United States,
'           was born March i6, I757, and
a b   u   died at his home in Virginia,
June 28, I836. The name of
James Madison is inseparably connected with most of the important
events in that heroic period of our
it a)t,  country during which the foundaa tions of this t reat republic were
laid. He was the last of the founders
of the Constitution othe stUnited
\fr States to be called to his eternal
I   reward.
t'1    The Madison family were among
en \f the early emigrants to the New World,
landing upon the shores of the Chesapeake but I5 years after the settlej: ] ment of Jamestown. The father of
James Madison was an       opulent
etly 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 ikm

prudent zeal; al alowing 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 subsfquent 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 of
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that
his life was not to be long, he directed 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
(I777), 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 nmap, 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


JAMES MADISON.


intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not
a little to his subsequent eminence.  In the year
I780, he was elected a member of the Continental
Congress. Here he nmet 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 term 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, I786, Mr. Madison
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commissioners 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 8 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. Madiron was selected by the convention to.draw up an address to the people of the United
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution,
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and
went into effect in I789.
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 Secretary of 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.


British orders in council destroyed 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 6n 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, I813, 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,
I8I3, 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, I8 I 5, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent.
On the 4th of March, I817, 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, I836, then at the
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madison died July 12, I849.






~C




IN




'FIrFTH T PREzSIDENT.T


35.


FF -               -       R                     -


i S!  'AMES MONROE, the fifth.J    tl     ^   Presidentof The United States,
was born in Westmoreland Co.,
Va., April 28, 1758. His early
life was passed at the place of
Qj       nativity. His ancestors had for
many years resided in the prov' W     ince in which he was born. When,
at 17 years of age, in the process
/   of completing his education at
William and Mary College, the Colonial Congress assembled at Philadelphia to deliberate upon the unjust 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 increased
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 spirits 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 die 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 months
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of 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 I778, 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 volunteer, 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


JAMciES MONROE.


36                   JAME MONOE


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,
thinking, 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 more
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
iight equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de.
nounced 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.


Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Monroe was elected Governor 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 Frapce had but shortly before obtained from Spain. Their united efforts were successful. 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 transfer 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. Upon the return of
peace he resigned the Department of War, but continued in the office of Secretary of State until the expiration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the election 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 i823. 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 i830,
when he went to New York to live with his son-inlaw. In that city he died,on the 4th of July, i831








jj, AU.




SIXT~H PRESID-RNTVT


39


SiT  _S R, -.          3_


I- +~V11194-,\
E1\


W                                             4,4k 4*f7.12& AL.                                               A&D~r~s


e.                    d
S
tl 1v
I,Nt/,
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I




- W ----% — -$ ---,,,


I


[OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the! I! sixth President of the United
_Y-        I Ei   States, was born in the rural
AWJ  I,,_/fg   home of his honored father,
j* John Adams, in Qtincy, Mass.,
( on the i ith cf July, 1767. His
v  / /    mother, a woman of exalted
E..,_  worth, watched over his childhood
l[?d Q   during the almost constant ab/)1 sence of his father.  When but
v".'~    eight years of age, he stood with
his mother on an eminence, listen-. v   ing to the booming of the great battle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on
upon the smoke and flames billowg  ing up from  the conflagration of
Charlestown.
When but eleven years old he
took a tearful adieu of his mother,
to sail with his father for Europe,
through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright,
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received
from them flattering marks of attention.
Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again
lohn Quincy accompanied his father.  At Paris he
applied himself with great diligence, for six months,
to.tudy; 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
yea's 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
as studies, under a pria.te tutor, at Hague. Thence,


in the spring of I782, he accompanied his father t:
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance
with the most distinguished men on the Continent
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again
became associated with the most illustrious men of
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal
themes which can engross the human mind.  Aftea short visit to England he returned to Paris, and
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785,
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world,
and who was familiarwith 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, 1794, 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 admitted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney,
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with
Great Britian.  After thus spending a fortnight ii
London, he proceeded to the Hague.
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 Berlin, but requesting
him to remain in London until he should receive his
instructions.  While waiting he was married to an
American lady to whom he had been previously engaged, —M;ss 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 was 4^tiedc






40


JOHN Q UINCY A,-DAMS.


He reached Berlin with his wife in November, I797;
where he remained until July, I799, 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, 1804.  His reputation, his
ability and his experience, placed him immediately
among the most prominent and influential members
of that body. -Especially did he sustain the 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
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resigning his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked
at Boston, in August, 809.
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, I8I9, 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
he was elected.
The friends of all the disappointed candidates now
combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon
Mr. Adams. There- is nothing more disgraceful in
e past history of our country than the abuse which


was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was
a m administration more pure in principles, more conscientiously devoted to the best interests of the country, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, perhaps, was there an administration more unscrupulously 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, I830, he was
elected representative to Congress.  For seventeen
years, lntil 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 2istof February, I848, 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 end of earth;"then after a moment's
pause he added, "  am content."  These were the
last words of the grand " Old Man Eloquent,"




p




can  X /7  n
G^ ^z^^<y~c ^ ^^f)




SE YENTIV PPAi~SIDE'E31V r.43


J,                                   AILIZI,                ill I         Jll"'                         a.'     NDREW     JACKSON, the
jj         ~  seventh President of the
-~-"~ i^,  Ji United States, was born in
X-      Waxhaw settlement, N. C.,
_-_x 0       March 15, 1767, a few days
after his father's death. His
parents were poor emigrants
flrom  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
I78I, 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, sich 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 I79I, 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 occur.
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr.
Jackson into disfavor.
During these years he worked hard at his profes
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand,
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was especially disgraceful.
In January, I796, 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 ip
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jackson was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its




I


44


ANDRE W JA CKSO.Ar


4                 D E W.      J  z. 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
i' 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 I812 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
affered 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 brother 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 fort on
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. I8I4. The bend


of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres or
tanglei 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 morning 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 camie 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 T824,
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however,
successful in the election of i828, 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 mrmorabie
in the annals of our country; applauded oy 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, I845. The last years of Mr. Jackson's life were that of a devoted Christian man.


/..,


I
6




OW:




INZ
t
VA


I




EIGHTH PRESIDENT.


4


0
/-4
Te 3


ARTIN VAN BUREN, the
eighth  President of the:id i    United States, was born at
f Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5,
-    S!           1782. He died at the same
place, July 24, I862.  His!w       body rests in the cemetery
-'W -       at Kinderhook. Above it is..,a plain granite shaft fifteen feet
high, bearing a simple inscription
about half way up on one face.
A    The lot is unfenced, unbordered
or unbounded by shrub or flower.
There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren
of rumantic 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 name indicates, were of Dutch 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 intelligence and exemplary piety.
Ate 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
a 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 i803, 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, th,:
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years
constantly gaining strength by contending in thll
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 T 812, 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 moxed
to Albany, the capital of the State.
While he was acknowledged as one of the most
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had




-   7r-,  i  ~, -


48
a _


MAR TIN VAN B 'R REN.


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 182I he was elected ci 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 I827, John Quincy Adams being then in the
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to
ihe 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 i831, 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, 1836, 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, I862, 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




6: ~qVz4 -





NINTH PRESIDENT.
~~~~~~~__ _...........


St


91                                             — b -e
)WI                         tit", KI-1:N gm-f-I-Y               t
&.                            a 61    ~?


% y ',!/, A VI
0,,63)))I

*m       ILLIAM   HENRY HARRISON, the ninth President of
the United States, was born
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, I773.
His father, Benjamin Harrison, was in comparatively opI @(     ulent circumstances, and was
one of the most distinguished
* 0f    men of his day.  He was an
intimate friend of George
Washington, v as early elected
a member of the Continental
g  Congress, and was conspicuous
among the patriots of Virginia in
<'    resisting the encroachments of the
' British crown. In the celebrated
Congress of I775, Benjamin Harrison and John Hancock were
both candidates for the office of
speaker.
Mr Harrison was subsequently
chosen Governor of Virginia, and
was twice re-elected.  His son,
William Henry, of course enjoyed
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and
intellectual and cultivated society could give. 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
then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of
Robert 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
abandoned his medical studies and entered the army,
Aaving obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi

dent Washington.  He was then but I9 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 I80o 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 ap.
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of
Upper Louisiana. He w as 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. Harrisoa
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About




WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.


II- ---....


the year 18o6, 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,
in 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, 1812, his army began its march. When
near the Prophet's town three Indlans 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 just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all
the desperation which superstition and passion most
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the
little army. The savages had been amply provided
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets.
The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide-us 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, sear:.hing 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 i8i6, 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 oneof the presidential electors
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate.
In 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 be 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.
















7TENTH PRESIDENT.


55


- I
4rlIzz
0

A                      a


—: i  /iT   iOHN   TYLER, the tenth
|i E  B   Presidentof the United States.
t  He was born in Charles-city
5  Co., Va., March 29, 179o. He
was the favored child of affluence and high social position. At the early age of
10 j 1 J   twelve, John entered William
and Mary College and gradi t     uated with much honor when
l SJ     but seventeen years old. After
I 9     graduating, he devoted himself with great assiduity to the
study of law, partly with his
i    father and partly with Edmund
Randolph, one of the most distin)   guished lawyers of Virginia.
At nineteen years of age, ne
i commenced the practice of law.
G    His success was rapid and aston^ /  ishing.  It is said that three
9.    months had not elapsed ere there
was scarcely a case on the docket of the court in which he was
hiot 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 OCovern

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,JOH2 TYLE.R.


56                      jOHN 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 himself 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 North: 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 1841, 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 longlife he had been
opposed to the main principles of the party which had
brought him into power. He had ever been a consistent, honest man, with an unblemished record.
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should
he 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 harmony 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
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and
bless us.
The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States.
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with
his veto.  He suugested, however, that he vwould


approve of a bitl 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 measure 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 Whigs 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. Ca\houn 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, by
force of arms, the Government over which he had
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died.




i
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px  c     -"
E-C)




ELE EENITH PRESIDEANT'


59.     1,X XAMES K. POLK, the eleventh:      l ].-President of the United States,
I['etl  m    was born in Mecklenburg Co.,
_[,     / N. C., Nov. 2, I795. 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 I735.
In the year Ioo6, with his wife
and children, and soon after fol-  lowed by most of the members of
the Polk farnly, Samuel Polk emigrated some two or three hundred
miles farther west, to the rich valley
o   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 wil-    derness, 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 mighlt 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 18I5, 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 ir88, 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


fAiMES K. POLK.


J_                             _.                    _K PO;ourtecus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic
nature in the joy s and griefs of others which ever gave
him troops of friends. In I823, 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 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that
for fourteen successive-years, until I839, he was continme- in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew,
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair
of 'Tennessee.  In Congress he was a laborious
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was
always in his seat, always courteous; and whenever
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any
ambitious rhetorical display.
During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused,
and stormy scenes were witnessed; but Mr. Polk 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 I4th 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, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugurated President of the United States. The verdict of
the countryin 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. Ie was
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said wails the
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent -nearly
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande,
where he erected batteries which commanded the
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on
the western banks.
The anticipated collision soon took place, and war
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first
called one of "observation," then of "occupation,"
then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly
and awfully slaughtered.  The day of judgement
alone can reveal 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, I849, in the fifty-fourth
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen.




I - m
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;k


76






T WELFTH PRESID1ENT.


63


W H L6


t11 —S       k


J_ iAW8A T Ip Jt.~


- IONw


eMae _-MWOMM


zi-J    '.ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth
aI  0  _wPresident of the United States,
l   M     Mwas born on the 24th of Nov.,
a ^ ' 1i784, in Orange Co.,Va. His
'~       father, Colonel Taylor, was
'-P    a Virginian of note, and a diso tinguished patriot and soldier of
the Revolution. When Zachary
was an infant, his father with his
wife and two children, emigrated
1 to Kentucky, where he settled in
the pathless wilderness, a few
miles from Louisville. In this frontier home, away from civilization and
i  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,
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of character  He was strong, feailess 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 be recorded of the uneventful years of his
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation.
In I808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him
the commission of lieutenant in the United States
army; and he joined the troops which were stationed
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady
from one of the first families of Maryland.
Immediately after the declaration of war with England, in 1812, 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.  Theit
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 man knew that
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of capture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged torture. No pen can describe, no immagination 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 could. There were no books, no society, no in.




64


ZACHAR Y TA YLO-,

=.                    Z        Y T


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 1836, 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
here 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, 1838, 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 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over
forces much larger than he commanded.
His careless habits of dress and his unaffected
sinplicity, 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
t.zir claims set aside in behalf of one —whose name


had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste 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 comfortable,,,tsaving contempt for learnirg of every kind.'


f
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THIR TEENTI PRESIDEVT.


-^1     +^MILLflRnFILLMnHE^  |t
j|  3^.<g\^^^ ^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^T^XI^^ +3o *,HN><teKYa H',  ^xse'~~~,s '
Bir-  -----— '              X -.^^^^ i ----"


li@       - MILLARD FILLMORE, thi:{ W V~ teenth President of the United
" 2 GStates, was born at Summer
[    aHill, Cayuga Co., N. Y., on
-.% the 7th of January, i8oo. His
_          father was a farmer, and owe ing to misfortune, in humble cir{ cumstances. Of his mother, the
{ daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard,, of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been
]   said that she possessed an intellect
of very high order, united with much
ai    personal loveliness, sweetness of disposition, graceful manners and exquisite sensibilities.  She died in
1 1831; having lived to see her son a
young man of distinguished promise, though she was not permittedto 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 mil 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 Nxith
books. His thirst fur 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 with the prepossessing appearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaintance, and was so muchl impressed with his ability and
attainments that he advised him to abandon his
trade and devote himself to the study ofithe law. The
young man replied, that he had no means of his own,
no friends to help him and that his previous education 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 hall
and then enters a law office, who is by no means as




i      - i.- -7mBwm-  1-  "  v. I I  I


t;d


MILLARD FILLMORE.


well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothingmil at the end of four years of manual labor, during
which every leisure moment had been devoted to intense mental culture.
In 1823, 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 I829,
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the
State of New York, as a representative from Erie
Courty. 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 degr e 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 professicn, 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 I837.  His past experience 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 -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, 1849,
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 inaugura
tion, 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. Fillmore 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, i853, 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, 1874.




4




S
' J
':::f )0




FOUR TEENTH PRESIDEVT.


7r


--


* FRANKLIN PIERCEIr;4; 3 I&AF.&A.&A.*., -It, itil                                     "i~~'~ ~~ i~~ f~-;~cJ~i~  nk~s3rk!  RANKLIN    PIERCE, the
fourteenth President of the
United States, was born in
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov.
23, 1804. His father was a
Revolutionary soldier, who,
with his own strong arm,
'-i      hewed out a home in the
',~l8i[     wilderness. He was a man
of inflexible integrity; of
strong, though uncultivated
mind, and an uncompromising Democrat.  The mother of
v    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 1820, he
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me. He was
one of the most popular young men in the college.
The 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 simple outgushing of his
own magnanimous and loving nature.
Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of
the State, and a man of great private worth. The
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant
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 yeais. The last two years he was
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote.
In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected
a member of Congress. Without taking an active
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty,
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom
he was associatad.
In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age,
he was elected to the Senate of the United States;
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced
his administration. He was the youngest member in
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accomplishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every
station with which her husband was honored, Of the




72


biRANVKL.Alr PIERCE.


72 —                        bRANKLZN~ PiERCE.~                     ---- -


three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with
their parents in the grave.
In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire.
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos
state of Mrs. Pierce's health.  He also, about the
same time declined the nomination for governor by the
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr.
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 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 aistinguished 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 Southern 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
byvgreat 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 Episcopai
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 townspeople were often gladened by his material bounty.








ioi


I




I;IFTEENTH PRESIDENT
I
-IO                    NOluJ^^<<<tm cm-t f
ji  t  - A  S
&l                    ^$^'av  B'^AZA'o  m
A   _ Ivru                   w
+ C*<<( F * 4 AH> +


W{'}     lTr d  AMES BUCHANAN, the fif-.  ~::teenth President of the United
~  )_.Statcs, was born in a small
i        frontier town, at the foot of the
eastern ridge of the Alleghanies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on
e }~   the 23d of April, i79I. The place
i~,    where the humble cabin of his
l!-"      father stood was called  Stony
7t     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
1 783, 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 d-rama 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 8Io9, 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 1812, when he was
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand
with the ablest lawyers of the State.  When but
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he successfully defended before the State Senate orIe 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 licrative practice.
In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for
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
1833, 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 mallng repri



76


JJI4MES~ B UCCf4.zV4.zV


7N


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 050,
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 1856, 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, received 114 electoral votes.  Mr. Buchanan received
174, and was elected.  The popular vote stood
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On
March 4th, 1857, 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
seeking the destruction of the Government, that they
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery.
in this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly 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
nominat ed 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-slavery
party was such, that he had been willing to offer them
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the
South had professed to ask of the North was 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, 186o; 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, i868.












KN\




SIXTEENTH PRE'S/DE^rT.


79


" -~  ~-I-                     ---— 79




I; —tI~nF~
f^g~~~f~             I8,asf~~rtl3aE
CIOABRAHAM 2             <    X       |
q.firX.        BRAHAM     LINCOLN, the
/  /^   'fl~\I& sixteenth President of the
txXA ' w~United States, was born in
('   ~l ' Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. I2,
I809. About the year 1780, a
D(o,../-~     man by the name of Abraham
Lincoln left Virginia with his
(  ~,^-   family and moved into the then
(f l  wildsofKentucky. Only two years
l         after this emigration, still a young
man, while working one day in a
/&  field, was stealthily approached by
(-  an Indian andshot dead. His widow
j  was 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 himselfout, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a
hAborer in the fields of others.
When twenty-eight years of age he built 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. Whertwo years later his mother died.
Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated
community 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 'tead
and re-read until they were almost committe^ tc
memory.
As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly'family
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys ari
griefs, weddings and funerals.  Abraham's sistce
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mai
ried 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. Abraham worked diligently at this
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when
he announced to his father his intention to leave
home, and to go out into the world and seek his 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 satisfaction to his employers.  In this adven.




80


ABRAHAM~i LINVCOLN.:


8      A A  I


ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon
his return they placed a store and mill under his care.
In I832, 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 i839 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 "l 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
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second
cnly, if second, to that of Washington.
Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received i8o
electoral votes out of 2o3 cast, and was, therefore,
constitutionally elected President of the United States.
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good


I and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this
high position. In February, i86i, 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 HarrisLburg, through Baltimore, at all
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at
half-past ten; and to prevent any possible communi.
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Confederate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train hat
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, both 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 be present.  Gen.
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feeling, witth 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 will
live with that of Washington's, its father; his co'ntrymen being unable to decide which is the greater.




a
I




/,



SE VIVTEErNTH PRESIDElV T.


83,      X1 ~,  NDREW    JOHNSON, seven~...  teenth President of the United
4~     ~ States.  The early life of
a Andrew Johnson contains but
the record of poverty, destitus    tion and friendlessness.  He
*  was born December 29, i8o8,
1I>   l ~ in Raleigh, N. C. His parents,
l   belonging to the class of the
A 7X     "poor whites " of the South, were
i    in such circumstances, that they
could not con(r.:7ee 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. fndil 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 oLward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest
and recreatio: 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 i835, he was elected a
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes.
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age.
He became a very active member of the legislature.
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in
i840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Itan
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to thos,
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased
his reputation.
In i84I, 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
i853, 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'
4k




0


84


ANDRE TV~I~I JOHNSOff


84-        ANDREW JOHN ~~- -A~~


ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the working classes.  In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected
United States Senator.
Years before, in I845, 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,
arnd become merged in a population congenial to
themselves." In I850, 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 8b, ne
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the
Presidency. In i86r, 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, 1862, 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
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole
administration, the history of which is so well known,
was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent


opposition to. the principles laid down in that speech.
In his loose policy of reconstruction and general
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress; and he characterized 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 impotent!y,
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
A






11,11._Z;






EIGHTEENTH_ PRESIDE.Y.T.


87


/UITET    RSDN.8


~jc~~Lp~;yS<A
JFgl~


LYSSES   S. GRANT, the
- eighteenth President of the
I      1  theUnited States, was born on
the 29th of April, 1822, of
~ Christian parents, in a humble
home, at Point Pleasant, on the
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after
his father moved to Georgetown, Brown Co., 0. In this remote frontier hamlet, Ulysses
1   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. He took respectable rank
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of infantry to one of the distant military posts in the Misscuri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating
-r
2ndians.
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 animral, ran the gauntlet in entire safety.


From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry,
-o aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz.  In
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at 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 -word
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 15th of




88.


U;L YSSES S. GRA 2NT.


4    -; - -


Z


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
aistrict of Tennessee was assigned to him.
Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how
to secure the results of victory.  He immediately
Dushed 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 toa 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 uporn tb duties of his new office


I
i


I


I


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 21I, 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, I872,
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
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain,
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to
the penitentiary.  The General was attacked with
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23,
I885, the nation went in mourning over the death of
the illustrious General.


B ~




f






t /L —"-,






NINEVTEENTH PRESIDENT.. -


91
-  -


i  UTHERFORD B. HAYES,
the nineteenth President of
1 Xthe United States, was born in
j Delaware, 0., Oct. 4, 1822, al-.          r most three months after the
death of his father, Rutherford
eSD  ',2  Hayes.  His ancestry on both
the paternal and maternal sides,
was of the most honorable chard   acter. It can be traced, it is said,
as far back as 280, when Hayes and
L  Rutherford were two Scottish chieff  tains, fighting side by side with
(.    Baliol, William Wallace and Robert
Bruce. Both families belonged to the
nobility, owned extensive estates,
I    and had a large following. Misforcane overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotland in I68o, 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 has death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel,
son of Daniel, was born in I724, and was a manufacturerof scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes,
son of Ezekiel aid grandfather of President Hayes, was
born in New Haven, in August, I756. 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
I635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers
in the Revolutionary War.
The father of President Hayes was an industrious
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me.
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a 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 1812, 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, not 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 I8I7. 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




92


B UT~HER~FORD B. HA AYES.




92    RTHERORD. HAYES


subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of inquiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of
nim, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't
wonder if he would really come to something yet."
"You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him
President of the United States yet." The boy lived,
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his
mother.
The boy was seven years old before he went to
school. His education, however, was not neglected.
He probably learned as much from his mother and
sister as he would have done at school. His sports
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being
his sister and her associates. These circumstances
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of 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 improved, and he was making good progress in his
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His preparation commenced with a tutor at home; bWit 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.
Immediately after his graduation he began the
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq.,
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he remained two years.
In 1845, 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 proCession.
Mn i849 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 life. One of these was his marrage with Miss
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the 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 Club 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 ac,
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office ol
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council
elected him for the unexpired term.
In i86i, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at
the zenith of his professional  'Hif. His rank at the
bar was among the the first. But the news of the
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take u'
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 I864, 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, froma
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 I867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio,
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat.
In I869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton.
He was elected Governor for the third term in i875,
In i876 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, 1875. He served his
full term, not, h wever, with satisfaction to his party,
but his administration was an average oro.



I




II      /2
oop,",7             4117  /  I I,




TWENTIETH PRESIDENT.


AIDS      ~;:Kfl_
I IJ


AMES A. GARFIELD, twentieth President of the United
States, was born Nov. I9,
1831, in the woods of Orange,
Cuyahoga Co., O   His parents were Abram and Eliza
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New
England ancestry and from families well known in the early history of that section of our country, but had moved to the Western
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle

ment.


The house in which James A. was


(@) born was not unlike the houses of
f   poor Ohio farmers of that day. It
ais about 20 30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces bet./en the logs filled with clay. His father was a
iard working farmer, and he soon had his fields
cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built.
the household comprised the father and mother and:heir four children-Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and
7ames. In May, I823, 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
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can
cell how much James was indebted to his brother's
roil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years succeeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sisicrs live in Solon, O., near their birthplace.
The early educational advantages young Garfield
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of
thern. He labored at farm work for others, did carpenter work, chopped wood, or did anything that
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed
mother in her strulggles to keep the little family 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.
The highest ambition of young Garfield until ha
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. He remained at this work but a short time when he went
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in
the meantime, and doing other work. This school
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of
which church he was then a member. He became
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more; hence, in the
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which
he graduated in I856, taking one of the highest h(%,ors 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, President of
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion;




fAMES 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 it is 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
church of his mother, the church in which he was
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec-,arian charity for all 'who love our Lord in sincerity."'
Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. i i, 1858, who proved herself
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of
whom are still living, four boys and one girl.
Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856,
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three
years later he began to speak at county mass-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, i861. 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. 10, 1862; and as "he had
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years
before, so now he was the youngest General in the
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh,
in its operations around Corinth and its march through
Alabama. He was then detailed as a 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 hlstory 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 Gev. Garfield was
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio
had been represented in Congress for 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 he entered 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 whic.
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argument 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, i88o, 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 favor with the people, and by the first
of July he had completed all the initiatory and preliminary 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.
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the
left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting no farther
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'e
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit.
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty
days, all during the hot months of July and August,
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent
bearing was teaching the country and the world the
noblest of human lessons-how to live grandly in the
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpassingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept.
19, i883, 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 foui deed.




4








T WENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT.


99


__ __ __ r


_lf/,      B HESTER     A.   ARTHUR,
g  i, [ //   twenty-first Presil.II of the
fg i.N^   tUnited States. was born in
' *.-?     Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on
the fifth of Ocl ober, 830, and is
the oldest of a family of two
sons and five daughters. His
'   I  father was the Rev. Dr. William
Arthur, aBaptistc)-rgyman, who
emigrated to tb's country from
the county Ant:im, Ireland, in
his J8th year, and died in 1875, in
Newtonville, neal Albany, after a; long and successful ministry.
Young Arthur was educated at
9  Union College, S< henectady, where
he excelled in all his studies. After his graduation he taught school
I   in Vermont for two years, and at
the expiration of that time came to
New York, with $500 in his pocket,
and entered the office of ex-Judge
'   E. D. Culver as student. After
I   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 -.nrr;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 I852 that Jon,
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided
that they could not be held by the owner under the
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from
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






to00


CHIESTER A. ARTHUR.... —_I_ _
1. ---


=


followed their example. Before that the Sixth A venue 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,
20, 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 leading 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
wvas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated
March 4, I88i, as President and Vice-President.
XA few months only had passed ere the newly chosen
President was the victim.of the assassin's bullet. Then
came terrible weeks of suffering,-th.cc moments of
anxious suspense, when the hearts of ail1 civilized na

I


I


I                                                        -~

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 -is 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 fa:thfully, until the
close of his administration, March 4, r885, 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 thl 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*




I




TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT.


103


--                                                                                                   wo-                            0-9 ---~


TEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAN D, the twenty-second President of the United States, was
i            born in 1837, in the obscure
town of Caldwell, Essex Co.,
C,      r -.N. J., and in a little two-and-a9   = ~  half-story white house which is still
standing, characteristically to mark
i        the humble birth-place of one of
2ISk? ~America's great men in striking contrast with the Old World, where all
i        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-iille 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 $too 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




IO4


IS. GROVERf CLEVELAND..


z.            S.- GRO VR' CLE VZAND. —I


calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order,
he left the city to seek his fortune. instead o:' oing
to a city. He ltrsc tnougnt ot Cleveland, Ohio, as
there was some charm in that name for him; but
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to
isk 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. G'Good gracious!" remarked,hp, 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
ifterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers,
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told 'hem what he
wanted. A number of young men were already engaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and
ne 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;
Dut 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 ptr.Ishment upon two
caminals. In t88I 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
cPt,  Tn t hir office. as we1!) as that of Sheriff, his
perrormance oi duty nas 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 iniqui.
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme
to betray the interests of the people and to worse
than squander the people's money." The New York
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. 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 1882,
and his administration of the affairs of State was
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if
any, were made very public throughout the nation
after he was nominated for President of the United
States. For this high office he was nominated July
I, I884, 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 Republican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleveland resigned his office as Governor of New York in
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as
the Chief Executive of 'he 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
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts;
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New
York; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas,
of Wisconsin; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of
Arkansas.
The silver question precipitated a controversy 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.




I




0




'TWENUTY~-THIRD PRESIDENT.


107


TWENTY-TI                        R                              107.,., A,


"Vd4p O O,0**6-9~XJ*6OoSME.4i - Aef


X ENJAMIN HARRISON, the
3     wenty-third  President, is
-        I    the descendant of one of the
/ historical families of t hi s
country. The head of the
family was a Major General
' X     i      IIHarrison, one of O 1 i v e r
Cromwell's trusted followers and fighters. In the zenith of Cromwell's power it became the duty of this
'i,  Harrison to participate in the trial of
1I?    Charles I, and afterward to sign the
death warrant of the king. He subsequentiy 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 Benjar in _-larrison, 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
wa:' three times elected Governor of Virginia,
Gen, William Henry Harrison, the son of the


distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a sueo
cessful 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 a:fter alis inauguration.
President Harrison wa- born at North! Bend,
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. 0, 18533  His life up to
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 tlh
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left him
a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as a
fortune, and decided to get married at once, take
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 wita his
young wife to fight for a place in the world. 'e






108


BEINJAMIN HARRISON..10                    BEJAINHARION;:=;-  ----— x,   — w —  Ia


I


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 profession. 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  Hle 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
at Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier General, 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 leavir-g Indiana with his regiment until the 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
lever, 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. Harrison declined ^, re-election as:eporter, and resumed the practice of law, in 1876
he was a candidate for Governor. Although deeated, the brilliant campaign he miade won ior him
a 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 was: elected to the United States Senate. Here
u, served six years, and was known as one oG the,blest men, best lawyers nld strongest debaters in


I


that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial
term he returned to the practice of his profession,
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in
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 as.
sumed 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 statesmeno
On account of his eloquence as a speaker and hie
power as a debater, he was called upon at an uncommonly early age to take part in the discussio.
of the great questions that then began to agitate
the country. He was an uncompromising anti
slavery man, and was matched against some of 'te
most eminent Democratic speakers of his State.
No man who felt the touch of his blade desired tc
be pitted with him again. With all his eloquence
as an orator he never spoke for oratorical effect,
but his words always went like bullets to the mark
He is purely American in his ideas and is a spler
did type of the American statesman. Gifted witis
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. Origi
nal 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






IiSM_-c          A     — A-j-4  ~Ca -
il+
—.
LT












*I           f
Ii            4
I


j     CCA e~Ak




GO VERIVORS OF MICHIGAN.


10o5


GO VERNRS O                MICIGAN10


it Ei-ij Dit  vAl  Q 2 i' l,
Q^   F^SS.  BUItZ'^^^ItP^'
Tgs9 ~%TMS


TEPHEN T. MASON, the
c2) C^   first Governorof Michigan, was
' —'  jY Ca son of Gen. John T. Mason,
~      / of Kentucky, but was born in
s  Virginia, in I812. At the age
of I9 he was appointed Secre<s  tary of Michigan Territory, and
'%/1i served in that capacity during the
lt2/l administration of Gov. George B.
'j6}, Porter. Upon the death of Gov.
f  Porter, which occurred on the 6th of
July,.i834, Mr. Mason became Acting Governor. In October, I835, he
was elected Governor under the St ate
organization, and immediately en'    tered 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 a line
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 I3 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 th, e ior
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, woo find that, in
I812, 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 I8I8.  In 1820, the question in dispute
underwent a rigid examination by the Committee on
Public Lands. The claim of Ohio was strenuously
urged by her delegation, and as ably 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 questieremained open till Michigan organized her State gov.
ernment.
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,"






lo6


STEPHEN T. MASO0N.




-


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 irmmediate 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




IT


I-                      - --   -


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.




Is




*Jt





0


SECOND GO VERNOR OF MICHIGA N.


0og


A T        ILLIAM    WOODBRIDGE,
second Governor of Michigan,
a.           was born at Norwich, Conn.,
Aug. 20, 1780, and died at
Detroit Oct. 20, i861. He
wasof a family of three brothers
and two   sisters. His father,
L   J  Dudley Woodbridge, removed to
Marietta, Ohio, about 1790. The
life of Wm. Woodbridge, by Chas.
t       Lauman, from which this sketch
i   is largelycompiled, mentions nothing concerning his early education
beyond the fact that it was such as
was afforded by the average school
i of the time, except a year with the
m   French  colonists at Gallipolis,
W s where he acquired a knowledge of
the French language. It should
be borne in mind, however, that
home education at that time was
an indispensable feature in the
training of the young. To this and
and to a few studies well mastered,
is due that strong mental discipline which has served
as a basis for many of the grand intellects that have
adorned and 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 806. In June, 80o6, he married, at Hartford, Connecticut, Jileanna, 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, i86o.
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 I8o7, 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 1812 drew up a declaration and
resolutions, which passed the two housesunaminously






WIL LIAMz WOODBRIDGE.


I

and attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest
and most emphatic terms, the war measures of President Madison. During the period from I804 to I814
the two law students, Woodbridge and Cass, had become widely separated. The latter was Govzrnor 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 1814, without solicitation on his part, tendered to
Mr. W. He accepted the position with some hesitation, 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 Secrefary 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 themn 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 9 authorizing one tobe chosen.
Under this act Mr. W. was elected by the concurrence
of all parties. His first action in Congress was to secure
the passage of a bill recognizing and confirming the
bid 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. le 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, ne was appointed one of a board of
commissioners for adjusting private land claims in


the Territory, and was engaged also in the practice of
his profession, having the best law library in the 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 1832, 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 Terri -
tory, 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 tl e 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 th'e 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 1848.
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 fiuitful 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 (ongregationalist. 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.




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G~O VE-RzVORS O~F MlMffl~r,4 A


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GO- VERNORS OF IJJJCJTIJGA A' --- —-                     T 1


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* JOHN      S. BARRY
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J -    N OHN STEWARD BARRY,,   y     Governor of Michigan 'from
Jan. 3, 1842, to Jan. 5, i846,
'?/         and from Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan.
I-, I, 852, was born at Amherst,
N. H., Jan. 29, i802. His pare  e l ents, John and Ellen (Steward)
[!  Barry, early removed to Rockingt        ham, Vt., where he remained until.^/~i2,  he became of age, working on his,  father's farm, and  pursuing  his
1  studies at the same time. He mar6     ried Mary Kidder, of Grafton, Vt.,
and in 1824 went to Georgia, Vt.,
where he had chlarge 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 Captainof a company of State militia. In I83I
he removed to Michigan, and settled at White Pigeon,
where he engaged in mercantile business with I. W.
Willard.


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 framed the constitution upon which Michigan
was admitted into the Union. He took an important
and prominent part in the proceedings of that body,
and showed himself to be a man of far more than
ordinary ability.
Upon Michigan being admitted into the Union,
Mr. 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 him
as a party leader, and that he should head the State
ticket at the following election. Accordingly he received 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 onened for the reception


Four years after, 1834, Mr. Barry removed to Co.!



114


JOHN S'TE TVtARD~ BARR F.


I 1. —N         W    B R Y........


of students. The Michigan Central and Michigan
Southern railroads were being rapidly constructed, and
general progress was everywhere noticeable. In 1842,
the number of pupils reported as attending the public
schools was nearly fifty-eight thousand.  In 1843, a
State land office was established at Marshall, which
was invested with the charge and disposition of all
the lands belonging to the State. In 1844, the 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 I845, when Gov. Barry's second term expired, the population of the State was
more than three hundred thousand.
The constitution of the State forbade more than two
consecutive terms, but he was called upon to fill the
position again in 18o-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 I850o
At a setting of the grand jury of Wayne County,
April 24, 185I, 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; Eben Farnham, 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 Nationai
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 of 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
w-as involved. His attachments and prejudices were
strong, yet he was neve: 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 l)olitical 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. 14, 1 870, his wife's death having occurred a
year previous, March 30, 1869. They left no children.




d




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GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


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[f 7LPHEUS FELCH, the third.   [i;G      ~   Governor of Michigan, was
born in Limerick, Maine, Sep' X tenmber 28, I806.         His grand-.,'cc. -   y ( father, Abijah Felch, was a soldier in the Revolution; and
/   when a young man, having with
ih   others obtained a grant of land be/;.l tween the Great and Little Ossipee
dI)J-   Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re{~   gion when it was yet a wilderness.
The father of Mr. Felch embarked in
- '   mercantile life at Limerick. He was
the first to engage in that business in
}.   that section, and continued it until
his death. The death of the father,
i   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 1830.
He began the practice of his profession at Houlton,
Me., where he remained until [833. 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 I843, when. he removed
to Ann Arbor. He was elected to the State Legisla.
ture in I835, 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





ALPlHEUS FELCH.


- --


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 I845 he was elected Governorof 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 eml)loyment to I8,000 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, I85 3,
Mr. Felch was appointed, by President Pierce, one of
the Commissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish


and Mexican land claims in California, under the
treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress
passed for that purpose. He went to California in
May, 1853, and was made President of the Comrission. 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, 1856, 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 principally 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 1877 the University of Michigan
conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. For
many years he was one of the Regents of Michigan
University, and in the spring of 1879 was appointed
Tappan Professor of Law in the same. Mr. Felch is
the oldest surviving member of the Legislature from
Monroe Co., the oldest and only surviving Bank Commissioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor
General of the State, the oldest surviving Governor of
the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme
Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United
States Senator from the State of Michigan.




*








GO VERNORS.


A^iT^i     ILLIAM    L. GREENLY.       ^i Governor of Michigan for the
year 1847, was born at Hamilc-      ( Lton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept.
18, I813. He graduatedat Union 'College, Schenectady, in
I^   1 I831, studied law and was admitted to the bar in I834. 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.
L   In i845 he was elected Lieut. Governor and became acting Governor
by the resignation of Gov, Felch,
who was elected to the United
States Senate.
The war with Mexico was brought
to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly's
administration. 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 conczded; but their names and
nativity are hidden acway i:n 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 13 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 proceeded ly orders from Government to the seat of war.




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Rlt.-      QHE  HON. EPAPHRODI*  PTi l'US RANSOM, the Seventh
AMI  l  Governor of Michigan, was a
~~~  ~l'i   native of Massachusetts. In
that State he received a col4  legiate education, studied law,
jl. F   and was admitted to the bar.
>~.'     Removing to Michigan about
7,"    the time of its admission to the
E[ (    U Knion, he took up his residence
at Kalamazoo.
t  Mr. Ransom served with marked
ability for a number of years in the
State Legislature, and in I837 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 i847, 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 lie displayed the same abi'l' 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 $8,500oo. 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, 21o,268; swine, 152,541; sheep, 610,534; while
the flour mills numbered 228, and the lumber mills
amounted to 730. 1847, an act was passed removing
the Legislature from Detroit to Lansing, and tempo.
rary buildings for the use of the Legislature wereira
mediately erected, at a cost of $12,450.












01




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


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OBERT     Mc CLELLAND,.^ t       4IGovernor of Michigan from
a  Jan. I, I852, toMarch 8, 1853,
was born at Greencastle, Frank>~        lin Co., Penn., Aug. I, I807.
x/ Among his ancestors were several
/i'-] officers of rank in the Revolution}Y ary war, and some of his family cone<;  nections were distinguished in the
war of 18I2, and that with Mexico.
His father was an eminent physician
and surgeon who studied under Dr.
Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and
practiced his profession successfully
until six months before his death, at
the age of 84 years. Although Mr.
McClelland's family had  been in good 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 I829. 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 I838, 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 I840, 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 M;.
McClelland's leadership was acknowledged by his
election as Speaker of the House of Representatives






rI2'


rROBERT McCLELZLANzD


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- 843, so thoroughly
Had the Democratic party recovered from its defeat
of r840 that Mr. McClelland. as a candidate for Congress, carried Detroit district by a majority of about
2,5CO Mr, McClelland soon tock a prominent posi.
tion in Congress among the veterans of that bodyo
During his first term he was placed on Committee on
Cowr.:erce, 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
iavforably was he known as a parlimentarian that his
name was imentioned 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 leports 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 Congress, and at the opening of the 3oth Congress became a member of the Committee on Fore.gn Relaiionso While acting in this capacity what was known
as tre " 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
rght of petition as maintained by John Q. Adams,
when the petition, was clothed in decorous language
and presented in the proper mannero  This he regarded as the citizens'constitutional right which should
not be impaired by any doctrines of temporary expeIiency. 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 Pennsylvaniia, in bringing forward the celebrated 'Wilmot
Proviso/' with a view to prevent further extension of
slavery in new territory which might be acquired by,he United States. He and Mr. Wilmot were together at the time in Washington, and on intimate
and confidential terms. Mr. McClelland was in sewv
eral National conventions and in the Baltimore convention,'which nominated Gen. Cass for President,:n 1848, doing valiant service that year for the election of that distinguished statesman. On leaving
Congress, in I848, Mr. McClelland returned to the
practice of his profession at Monroe. In 185o a
convention of the State of Michigan was called to
revise the State constitution, He was elected a


I
--------


I


member and was regarded therein as among the ablest
and most experienced leaderso His clear judgment
and wise moderation were conspicuous, both in the
committee room and on the floor, in debate. In 1850,
he was President of the Democratic Stateconvention
which adopted resolutions in support of Henry Clay'3
famous compromise measures, of which Mr, McClel
land was a strong advocate. He waa  a member of
the Democratic National convention in i8529 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 corn
promise measures, and took an active part in the
canvass which resulted in the election of Geno Pierce
to the Presidencyo
In I85 1, 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 operatic; undei
the new constitution. Mr. McClelland was elected
Governor, and in the fall of 1852 was re-elected foT
a term of two years, from JanO i, 1853, 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, i853,
the State Treasury was well filled, and the State
otherwise prosperous. So widely and favorably hac
Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that on
the organization of thecabiret by President Pierce, in
March, 185 3, he was made Secretary cf the Interior, in
which capacity he served most creditably during fou,
years of the Pierce administration, He -thoroughlv
re-organized his department and reduced the expenditure.  He adopted a course with the Indians which
relieved them from the impositions and. annoyances
of the traders, and produced harmony and civilizatio?
among them. During his administration there was
neither complaint from the tribes nor corruption among
agents, and he left the department in perfect ordeI
and system. In I867, Michigan again called a con
vention to revise the State constitution;Mr. McClel
land was a member and here again his long.experi
ence made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser, a
sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he was
terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and im
pressive in his addresses to the jury. His sincerity
and earnestness, with which was occasionally mingled
a pleasant humor, made him an able and effective
advocate. In speaking before the people on political
subjects he was especially forcible and happy. It
1870 he made the tour of Europe, which, through hni
extensive personal acquaintance with European dip.lomates, he was enabled to enjoy much more than
most travelers,
Mr. McClelland married, in r837, Miss Sarah
E. Sabin, of Williamstown, Mass. They have hia
six children, two of whom now survive.




I




41,IIQ






GO VERN~ORS OF MICHIGAN.


t33


\II
s   J4  W
- z   'TI
YtT~


A N D R E W z  _   1,Q
*^     ^D
~ --- —Z G;.1,r


NDREW     PARSONS, Gover[~~ ^ J.AX   ] )nor of Michigan from March
8, I853 to Jan. 3, t855, was:"J..     born in the town of Hoosick,
ff(s County of Rensselaer, and
State of New York, on the 22d
-,-/    -day of July, 1817, and died June
'7       6, i855, at the early age of 38.1';     y years. He was the son of John
Aj&-~!   Parsons, born at Newburyport,
~V!Mass., Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the
1 son of Andrew Parsons, a Revolutionary
(    soldier, who was the son of Phineas
Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons,
a descendant of Walter Parsons, born
i  in Ireland in I290.
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:
SirJohn Parsons, born I481, 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 1556, was Vicar of Rothwell, in Notingham;
Bartholomew  Parsons, born in i6I8, was another
noted member of the family. In I634,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
17 3, 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 1835, 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 wtonderful
natural resources, until to-day it ranks with the proudest States of the Union. These brave men come 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.


i




'34


ANDREW PARSONS


Y-~ --- —-----— ~- __ —_


In the fall of 1835, he explored the Grand River
Valley in a frail canoe, the whole length of the river,
from Jackson to Lake Michigan, and spent the following
winter as clerk in a store at Prairie Creek, in Ionia,
County, and in the spring went to Marshall, where he
resided with his brother, the Hon. Luke H. Parsons,
also now deceased, until fall, when he went to ShiawasseCounty, then with Clinton County, and an almost
unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized
township. In 1837 this territory was organized into
a county and, at the age of only I9 years, he (Andrew) was elected County Clerk. In I840, he was
elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1842, and
also in I844. In 1846, he was elected to the State
Senate, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in 1848,
and elected Regent of the University in I85, and
Lieutenant Governor, and became acting Governor,
in 1853, elected again to the Legislature in 1854, and,
overcome by debilitated health, hard labor and the
responsibilities of his office and cares of his business,
retired to his farm, where he died soon after.
He was a fluent and persuasive speaker and well
calculated to make friends of his acquantances. He
was always true to his trust, and the whole world
could not 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 I854, 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 " (which
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.




b~I




ol"~




GO VERINORS OF MICHIGAN.


I37


I KINSLERY S. BINGHAM.
t  / I. t           ij


%a.. - 0  1 7          II'.


Ii


rINSLEY       S.  BINGHAM,
Governor of Michigan from
I855 to I859, and United
States Senator, was born in
Camillus, Onondaga County,
~ '  N. Y., Dec. I6, i8o8. His
father was a farmer, and his own
'i.~J    early life was consequently devoted to agricultural pursuits, but
notwithstanding the disadvantages related to the acquisition
of knowledge in the life of a farmer
i  he managed to secure a good academic education in his native State
and studied law in the office of
Gen. James R. Lawrence, now of
Syracuse, N. Y.  In the spring of
1 f  833, he married an estimable lady
I  who had recently arrived from Scotland, and obeying the impulse of a
y    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, puttinr Iu buildings, etc., at such a rate that the land


chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation.
Becoming deservedly prominent, Mr. Bingham was
elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and Postmaster under the Territorial government, and was the
first Probate Judge in the county. In the year I836.
when Michigan I ecame 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, Rep-,
resentative to Congress, and was the only practical
farmer in that body. He was never forgetful of the
interest of agriculture, and was in particular opposed
to the introduction of " Wood's Patent Cast Iron
Plow " which he completely prevented. He was reelected to Congress in I848, during which time he
strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the
territory of the United Sta!es and was committed to
and voted for the Wilmot Proviso.
In 1854, 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 belhalf, 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




138


ZI-IVSLI,,' S. BYINGHAil~M.


138  KINSLAY S. B-iVG


nessed the commencement of the civil war while a
member of the United States Senate. After a compaxatively short life of remarkable promise and public activity he was attacked with appoplexy and died
suddenly at his residence, in Green Oak, Oct. 5, i86i.
The most noticable event in Governor Bingham's
first term was the completion of the ship canal, at the
Falls of St. Mary. In J852, 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 i85o. Article I3 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 1855, 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.1875
was 7 9; total number of graduates for previous year,
12; ten professors and teachers are enlmployed. 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 1845  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 7 2, 48 by 7 2, 80 by 60, 52 by 7 2, 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 1859 the name was changed to the State
Reform School. The government and dicipline, have
undergone many and radical changes, until all the
prison features have been removed except those that
remain in the walls of the original structure, and
which remain only as monuments of instructive 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.




0








GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


14I


OSES WISNER, Governor of
^Michigan from 1859 to i86r,
was born in Springport, Cayuga Co., N  Y., June 3, 1815.
His early education was only
" what could be obtained at a
(    common school. Agricultural labor
and frugality of his parents gave
a t     him a physical constitution of unusA. ual strength and endurance, which
Aqwas ever preserved by temperate habits. In I837 he emigrated to Michic  gan and purchased a farm in Lapeer
g   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 Deing 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 1841 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, but with a decided antisiavery bias. His practice becoming extensive, he


took little part in politics until after the elevion of
Mr. Pierce to the Presidency in 1852, when he took an
active part against slavery. As a lawyer he was a
man of great ability, but relied less upon mnere book
learning than upon his native good sense. Liberal
and courteous, was he yet devoted to the interest of
his client, and no facts escaped his atter.tion 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 powers as a
popular 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 shamfil 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 Democrats and all others opposed to the extension of slavery and favorable to its
expulsion from the Territories and the District of
Columbia. At this convention Mr. W. was urged to
accept the nomination for Attorney General of the






I42                                  MOSES
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 1856 he supported the Fremont, or Republican, ticket. At the session of the Legislature of
1857 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 development 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
ro 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 resol ed 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


WI"SNER.




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, ano
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 gnet 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., I863, 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 ie
sleeps the sleep of the martyr for his country.




I




:: -




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAIN.


145


X",      USTIN   BLAIR, Governor
[ ~of Michigan from            Jan. 2,: /tr86r, to Jan. 4, I865, and
'        kown as the War Governor, is
s-       and illustration of the benificent influence of republican institutions, having inherited neithrp  er fortune nor fame. He was born,in a log cabin at Caroline, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, I818.
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
I7 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 mlddle 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 coliege Mr. Blair read law two years in the office of Sweet
& Davis, Owego, N Y., and was admitted to practice
W \t4Ik, 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 Eacon
County, At the close of the official term he returned to
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 1854, by the coalition of the Whig and Free-soil
elements, Mr. Blair was in fitll sympathy with the
movement, and acted as a member of the Committee
on Platform. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney
of Jackson County in 852; 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 1862, faithfully and honorably dischargird
the ardlous duties of the office during that mol. mo



146


A US TIN br BLAIR.


14                   A US TIN BLAIR


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 I861 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 tp 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 recommend 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 Dis.
trict 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 r, 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 pmrty, but wns defeated.




It






-WA




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGA N.


r49:a\,kG,;;,,@ ^^^  'ia )  --- lT:^ H -==:a.    HEj^]     Ag XR.i^
^::~^^^.^^^^c.. _             &.


' '? RENRY HOWLAND CRAPO,,               Governor of Michigan from
Go |I865 to I869, was born May
t  i A} 24, I804, at I)artmouth, Bristol Co., Mass., and died at,   t.Vf~   Flint, Mich., July 22, I869.
He was the eldest son of Jesse
I   and Phoebe (Howland) Crapo.
t    4,i His father was of French descent
and was very poor, sustaining his
> 1family 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
anid bloks, whicl came into his hlands, 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 corn
piled quite an extensive dictionary in manuscrip'
which is believed to be still in existence.
Ever in pursuit of knowledge, he obtained possession 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 aland 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 1):isscJ






150


~HEIzVR Y A'10 WZA ND CRA PO.0


1-        - - I R  Y


a severe examination. Receiving a certificate that
le 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 1869. 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
1836 and 1845, five numbers of the New Bedford
Direct6ry the first work of the kind ever published
there.
Mr. C. removed to Michigan in 1856, having been
induced to do so by investments made principally in
pine lands, first in 1837 and subsequently in 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
1862 he was elected State Senator. In the fall of
1864 he received the nomination on the Republican
ticket for Governor of the State, and was elected by a
large majority. He was re-elected in i866, holding
the office two terris, and retiring in January, 1869,
having given the greatest satisfaction to all parties.
While serving his last term he was attacked with a
disease which terminated his life within one year
afterwards. During much of this time he was an 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 meas~ure 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 he
was accustomed to walk home on Saturday to see
his family, returning on Sunday in order to be ready
for school Monday morning. As the walk for a good
part of the time was 20 miles each way, it is evident
that at that period of his life no common obstacles
deterred him from performing what he regarded
as a duty. His wife was none the less conscientious in her sphere, and with added responsibilities
and increasing requirements she labored faithfully
in the performance of all her duties. They had
tenf children, one son and nine daughters. His son,
Hon. Wmi. W. Crapo, of New Bedford, is now an
honored Representative to Congress from the First
Congressional District of Massachusetts.




I?






E652c3{Q("*1
"c:




GO VI;fRNORS OF MICtHIGAN.


I53..I ---

lcwvglr 119MM    W'ft NE7          arm             -A        leff"hk I        IRMIV
-1,. r a.'D             ING


ENRY P. BALDWIN, Governor of Michigan from Jan.
Xi       4, I869, to Jan. i, I873, is a
lineal descendant of Nathan3          iel Baldwin, a Puritan, of Buckinghamshire, England, who set<   tied at Milford, Conn., in I639.
^l7j\l    His father was John Baldwin,
a graduate of Dartmouth College. He died at North Providence, R. I., in I826. His
paternal grandfather was Rev.
Moses Baldwin, a graduate of
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 I638. 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, I814. 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 1838. 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 I86o, Mr. Baldwin was elected to the State
Senate, of Michigan; during the years of i86I-'2 he
was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a
member of Committee on Banks and Incorporatibns
Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the two
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 1869 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 kinowing
of how much effort or attention to bestow upon the
thing in hand, has been the secret of the uniform




I 4                               HIENRY P.
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
messa:,e 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 1869, and prior also, permitting
municipalities to vote aid toward the construclion of railroads was, in 1870, declared unconstitutional 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, and 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, 1872, principally for
the division of the State into congrcssional districts.
A number of other important suggest ions were made,
however, and as an evidence of tle Governor's laborious and thoughtful care for the fi aincial condition


BALD WIN.


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
1878, inclusive. Memorable of GovernorB.'s administra;tion were the devastating fires which swept over
many portions of the Northwest in the fall of 87 r
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 abou':
3 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 tree 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 decrec.




r







GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


157


OHN   JUDSON    BAGLEY,
l! 1873 to I877, was born in
ti Governor of Michiga        N from
' ^ B          Medina, Orleans Co., N.Y.,
July 24,1832. His father, John
~(^    ):    Bagley, was a native of New
e X   AHampshire, his mother, Mary M.
S~1 Bagley, of Connecticut. He attended the district school of Lock*9 ^tA    port, N. Y., until he was eight years
A|: old, at which time his father moved, to Constantine, Mich., and he attended the common schools of that
village. His early experience was
I  like that of many country boys whose
parents removed from Eastern States
to the newer portion of the West.
His father being in very poor circum[  stances, Mr. B. was obliged to work
as soon as he was able to do so.
Leaving school when r3 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 1853, 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.
lhas 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
I867 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 1865 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, 1872, he was elected
Governor of Michigan, and two years later was reelected to the same office, retiring in January, I877.
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, 1855, 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






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
lnanagement 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 for them. Self entered not into the calculation.


t_::d


BAGLEY.
His whole life was a battle for others; and lhe 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 more
next year than I have this." This expressed his idea
of charity, that the giving should at all times be free
and spontaneous.
During his leasure hours from early life, and 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 Christmina;
eve he gathered his children about him and, takinZ<
the youngest on his lap, told some Christmas story,
closing the entertainment with "The Night Beforc
Christmas," or Dickens's " Christmas Caroi."




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GO VERNORS OF MICHIT`GAN.


i61


GO~  ~ VEROR OF ICHGAN     x


HARLES M. CROSWELL,
E      l:R'( 7Governor of Michigan from:-iJan. 3, I877 to Jan. I, I881,
was born at Newburg, Orange!~o e     County, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1825.
' He is the only son of John and
Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. His
1D[1      father, who was of Scotch-Irish
extraction, was a paper-maker,
and carried on business in New
f! A  York 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
i   and Connecticut, in the early exis\ tence of the Republic. Harry Cros3    well, during the administration of
President Jefferson, published a paper called the Balance, and was
prosecuted for libeling the President
under the obnoxious Sedition Law.
He was defended by the celebrated
i   Alexander Hamilton, and the decision of the case establised the important ruling that
the truth might be shown in cases of libel. Another
member of the family was Edwin Croswell, the famous editor of the Albany Argus; 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 I846, 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 1852. In 1854, he took part in the first movements
for the formation of the Republican party, and was a
member and Secretary of the convetion held at 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 1862, 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 1863, from his seat in the State Senate, he delivered an elaborate speech in favor of the Proclama



i62                              CHARLES M.
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 I872, 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.


CROS WELL.
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 for years 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 been 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 I9, 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 bv his promptness that great distruction of
both life and property was prevented at that time.




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GO VERNORS OF MICHItGAN.


f65


DAVID H. JEROME, Governor of from Jan. I, I88i, to
-";-:: I i  J^ an. I, I883, was born at Detroit, Mich., Nov. 17, I829.
His parents   emigrated  to
Michigan from   Trumansburg,
Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1828,
locating at Detroit. His father
died March 30, 1831, 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
i and willing hand to assist his widowed mother. The
heavy labor of the farm was carried on by his two




older brothers, Tlimothy 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 I880. 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-'5o, 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 H. JEIROME.


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 185 1, 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, i853, Mr. Jerome went to California,
oy 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 tunrel 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
1853, and in December sailed from San Francisco for
New York, arriving at his home in St. Clair County,
about a ),ear after his departure. During his absence
his brother "Tiff" had located at Saginaw, ana in
1854 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 cammissioned by Gov. Austin Biair te 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 1875, Mr. Jerome was appointed a memberof
the Board of Indian Commissioners. In 1876 he was
Chairman of a coi.mmission 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 60o 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, wh, was sut)ported 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 wihin thei- gift.








0




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGA N


2 i           OSIAH   W. BEGOLE, the
present (1883), Governor of
Xl@ J:/B          Michigan was born in Livingston, County, N. Y., Jan. 20,
I815. His ancestors were of
French descent, and settled at
an early period in the State of
'  Maryland. Hisgrandfather, Capt.
W~ Bolles, of that State, was an offilJ   cer in the American army during
l1 l the war of the Revolution. About
/   the beginning of the present century both his grandparents, having
become dissatisfied with the instid   tution of slavery, although slaveholders themselves, emigrated to
I i   Livingston County, N. Y., then
a new country, taking with them a
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 21 years of age,
being ambitious to better his condition in life, he resolved to seek his fortune in the far West, as it was




then called. In August, 1836, 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 1839 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 I856, 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 I 864, was the greatest sorrow of his life.
When a few years later he was a member in Congress




I70


JOSIAH W. BEGOIE.


7.                                W


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 1872, and
was the chosen member of that delegation to go to
Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator
Wilson of their nominations. It was while at that
convention that, by the express wish of his many
friends, he was induced to offer himself a 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 1882, 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 him 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 tcstep 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 ",burt 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.




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GOVERNLc,7ORSS OFi MICHIGA~N.


173


GO —                 VERNOR   OF 2IIICIIGAN-                     173


* 1,..
>,'~1,
r   t14


" USSELL A.ALGER,Governor
of ~Michigan for the term com|mencing Jan. 1, 1885, was;  born ill Lafayette Township,
^1 0  ^ i L. nMedina Co., Ohio, Feb. 27,
3   1836. Having lived a temperate life, he is a comparative
2         young man in appearance, and possesses those mental faculties that are
the distinguishing characteristics ot
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 farml 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. I-e 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. He 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 must seek other occupation,


lie 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
1Gth 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,
le 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


-RUS~SkLL 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, Gen. 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 Feninsular 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. He 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. He is one of the
most approachable men imaginable. No matter
how-busy he may be, he always leaves his desk to
extend a cordial welcome to every visitor, be he of
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 by 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 IH. Henry, the daughter of W. G.
Henry, 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 a 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 streets at the corner of First street, Detroit.;



Iaw
I




Z,


'4'




GO V7ERNORS'OF  MICHIGAN.lN; 77


GI


'*v w   vA- x T W i He '
W  lh CyK roF~ Jfu~c.O~  F
4==.srS S  s.__._= n


J   m:^ '     YRUS GRAY     LUCE, the
present Governor of Michi-:',r iO+ gan, combines in his character the substantial traits of
i. ga Ethe New England ancestry
of his father, and the chival~" i^      'jJ  >  rous and hospitable elements
peculiar to the Southerners, which
came to him from his mother's side of
t14      the house. The New Englanders, active in the cause of American liberty,
after this desired result was accomplished, turned their attention to the
'J^       growth  and  development of the
'       m. 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. His 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. lie was
taught to work at anything necessary for him to do
and to make himself useful around the pioneer
homestead. When twelve years of age his parents
removed further West, this time locating in 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. He
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 GRAY LUCE.


I


Mr. Luce purchased eighty acres of wild land near  ur
Gilead, Branch Co., Mich., the improvement of    th
which he at once entered upon, clearing away the  re(
trees and otherwise making arrangements for the  th
establishment of a homestead. In August, 1849, he  of
was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Dickinson,  fee
of Gilead, and the young people immediately cor-  the
menced housekeeping in a modest dwelling on the  tol
new farm. Here they resided until the death of the  pa
wife, which took place in August, 1882. Mrs.     $3
Luce was the daughter of Obed and Experience
Dickinson, well-to-do and highly respected residents  ins
of Gilead. Of her union with our subject there   at
were born five children, one now deceased.       Mi
In Novemler, 1883, Gov. Luce contracted a sec-  be:
ond marriage, with Mrs. Mary Thompson, of Bron-  ov
son, this State. Ile continued on the same farm,  18
which, however, l)y subsequent purchase had been  ers
considerably extended, until after his election to the  as
office of which he is now the incumbent. In the  Na
meantime lie has had a wide and varied experience  the
in public life. In 1852 he was elected to represent his  mu
township in the County Board of Supervisors, and  ties
two years later, in 1854, was elected Representative to  plis
the first Republican Legislature convened in tih State  wa:
of Michigan. lIe served his township altogether  pos
eleven years as a member of the Board of Supervisors.  clo
In 1858 he was elected County Treasurer of Branch  affs
County and re-elected in 1860. In 1864 he was    his
given a seat in the State Senate and re-elected in  exe
1866. In the spring of 1867 he was made a member of  Sta
the Constitutional Convention to revise the Consti-  his
tution of the State of Michigan, and in all of the  No
positions to which he has been called has evidenced  his
a realization of the sober responsibilities committed  the
to his care. To the duties of each he gave the most  wh
conscientious care, and has great reason to feel pride  pat
and satisfaction in the fact that during his service  est(
in both Houses of the Legislature his name appears  I
upon every roll-call, he never having been absent  int(
from his post a day.                             and
In July, 1879, Mr. Luce was appointed State Oil  abo
Inspector by Gov. Croswell, and re-appointed by  he
Gov. Jerome in 1881, serving in this capacity three  lati
and one-half years. In the management of the     whi
duties of this office he is entitled to great credit.  espc
The office was not sought by him, but the Governor  the:i


ged him to accept it, claiming that the office was
e most difficult he had to fill, and was one which
quired first-class executive ability. I-e organized
e State into districts, appointed an adequate force
deputies and no more, secured a reduction of the
es by nearly one-half, and in every way managed
e affairs of the office so efficiently and satisfacrily that above all expenses he was enabled to
y into the State Treasury during his management
2,000.49.
In August of the year 1886 Mr. Luce was nomated by the Republicans in convention assembled
Grand Rapids, for the office of Governor of
ichigan by acclamation, and on the 2d of Novemr following was elected by a majority of 7,432
er his chief competitor, George L. Yaple.  In
74 he became an active member of the farm' organization known as the Grange. Believing
he does that agriculture furnishes the basis of,tional prosperity, he was anxious to contribute to
e education and elevation of the farming cornnity, and thus availed himself of the opportunis offered by this organization to aid in accomshing this result. For a period of seven years he
s Master of the State Grange but resigned the
sition last November. Fidelity to convictions,
se application to business, whether agricultural or
airs of State, coupled with untiring industry, are
chief characteristics.  As a farmer, legislator,
ecutive officer, and manager of county as well as,te affairs, as a private as well as a public citizen.
career has all along been marked with success.
one can point to a spot reflecting discredit ir_
public career or private life.  He is a man of
people, and self-made in the strictest sense. His
ole life has been among the people, in full symhy with them, and in their special confidence and
eem.
Personally, Gov. Cyrus G. Luce is high-minded,
ellectual and affable, the object of    many
l warm friendships, and a man in all respects
)ve reproach. To the duties of his high position
has brought a fitting dignity, and in all the reons of life that conscientious regard to duty of
ich we often read but which is too seldom seen,
ecially among those having within their hands
interests of State and Nation.




II




0tzc




GO VERNORS O' MICHIGAN.


18i


  ------ --
-------— I- —`-  ----

~ tV~~


i i!         who began his duties as
ll f           Governor of Michigan,
A s  \(       d January 1, 1891, is a son
of the Empire State, of
which his parents also were
6  natives. From German ancestry on
the father's side, he derives the iniC  stincts 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 would 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 he 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



D2 EDWIN B WINAN S.


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 spir't
which makes warm friends and stanch adherents.




KALAMAZOO, ALLEGAN,
AND
VAN BUREN COUNTIES,


MICHIGAN.
~NEW. I




I




,iS              ~HE time has arrived when it
becomes the duty of the
people of this county to perpetuate the names of their
Y/]&, '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
~  l1   and the duty that men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to
themselves and to their posterity,
1demand that a record of their lives
1  k    and deeds should be made. In biographical history is found a power
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
-f 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 means employed to prevent oblivion
and to perpetuate their memory has been in proportion to the amount of intelligence they possessed.
Thh pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the
names and deeds of their great rulers.* The exhumations made by the archeologists of Egypt from
buried Memphis 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.




WkV)~




Missng
Page




09


rL~ 0
r "












i IBIOGRAPYTCAL.
911 hiaP1__A-WLVvzH


W ILLIAM AVERY HOUSE. The rapid
growth of Kalamazoo is due in a large
measure to the number of able and honorable men who have from time to time sought a home
within its limits and contributed generously to the
development of its resources. Such a one is the
subject of this brief biographical notice, and the
original of the portrait on the opposite page, of
whom, when he passed away, it was the universal
testimony of his fellow-citizens, "Take him all in
all, we have lost our best man." His death, which
resulted from accident December 8, 1881, removed
from the city a gentleman unswerving in his devotion to its interest and in his support of its institutions.
Our subject was the son of Hubbard and Aphia
(Johnson) House, natives of Vermont.  Sincere
Christians by example and precept, they trained
their children for responsible positions in life.
William Avery House was born in Moretown,
Washington County,Vt., July 24,1821. When quite
young, he accompanied his parents to Glenns Falls,
N. Y., and from there to Clyde, Wayne County, the
same State, where he remained until 1837. Meanwhile he enjoyed the ordinary school advantages of
those times, and under the training of his father, a
man of Christian principles, firm in character and
generous in heart, he grew to a stalwart manhood.
In 1837, our subject accompanied his parents to
Michigan and located on new land two miles from
the present village of Otsego. He endured all the
hardships of pioneer life and aided in the support


of the family. Two years after settling on the
place, they removed to a home which the father
had purchased in Otsego, and for several years
thereafter our subject was employed with his team
in drawing flour from the Otsego mills to Kalamazoo. Regularly, each day except Sunday, he came
with his load and usually returned home with
merchandise for the Otsego dealers.
When after a time the way opened for Mr.
House to become a clerk in one of the village stores,
his courteous dealings with his customers, and
obliging manners, won him popularity. He soon
formed a partnership with J. B. Porter and together
they conducted a successful dry-goods business in
Otsego. When he was twenty-four, he was united
in marriage, in 1845, with Miss Emeline A. Beckwith, with whom he lived happily until his death.
Two of the children born of the union died in
childhood and the third, Arabella Sophia, became
Mrs. Leroy Cahill, and died September 22, 1874,
so that of a once happy circle but one remains. The
widow finds consolation not in the houses and lands
which are hers, but in the thought that she will meet
her loved ones once more, in the land where Death
never comes.
For nine years after his marriage, Mr. House
made his home in Otsego, during the latter part
of the time engaged in managing the Otsego mills
and in building a part of the plank road between
Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. In 1854 he removed with his family to Kalamazoo, where he
ever afterward resided. Prior to the war he en







192


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


gaged in business operations which required his
almost constant presence in the South and during
his travels he was usually accompanied by his
wife. The opening of the war compelled him to
close his business, although not without a considerable loss. In 1860 he returned to Kalamazoo
and a year after built the handsome block on the
corner of Main and Burdick Streets, which bears
his name.
In 1867, Mr. House entered into partnership
With Messrs. C. H. Booth and Beach Hall, as general real-estate and insurance agents, and after the
withdrawal of Mr. Hall, the firm thus modified
continued until the fall of 1874. The death of
his daughter caused Mr. House to sever his connection with the firm, and in company with his wife
he spent some time in traveling. A few years later,
in connection with his son-in-law, Capt. Leroy
Cahill, he commenced the business of manufacturing agricultural implements, which he conducted  successfully  until his death.  While
thus engaged he gave employment to scores of
men in the city and also to many traveling
salesmen.
On the evening of December 8, 1881, while at
his barn, Mr. House was so severely kicked by one
of his horses which he was exercising that he
soon after died. His sudden taking away caused
the greatest consternation in the city, for it was
recognized that Kalamazoo had lost one of her
best and most valued citizens, one who had been
active in business and social circles as well as in
church and charitable measures. lie had filled the
position of Village Trustee for many years, also
served on the Board of Education, and was always
able, efficient and valuable in those capacities. Ile
was one of the original Republicans of Michigan,
and was a delegate to the convention which met
"under the oaks" at Jackson. During the war he
was a stanch Union man and remained throughout
his life a strong supporter of the Republican party.
In his death the poor and needy lost a friend, who
had often cheerfully aided them.
The funeral services were held Sunday, December 11, in the First Congregational Church, of
which he was a faithful member. The capacities of
the church were taxed to their utmost to accommo

date his friends, who paid the last tribute of respect to one they loved. Iis friend and pastor,
Rev. C. O. Brown, delivered the memorial address,
which was a lofty and eloquent eulogy of the
virtues of the departed. Afterward the remains
were borne to the grave, and, surrounded by the
relatives, employes, and members of various civic
organizations, were committed to the ground.
^f) -J ___   * -m    - *  '_, _   oW
E     DWARD MARGESON. Steubeni County,
N. Y., was the birthplace of our subject, his
natal day being in 1827. He is the son of Caleb and Lavina Margeson, and is at present residing on section 32, Ganges Township, Allegan
County, where he is engaged in cultivating forty
acres of excellent land. He devotes some time and
attention to the practice of veterinary surgery, his
advice being much sought after in this county.
Our subject is a son of Caleb and Lavina Margeson, the father a native of Essex County, N. J.,
where he was reared on a farm and educated in the
common schools. The elder Mr. Margeson accompanied his parents on their removal from New York,
where they located in Steuben County. When
reaching years when it became necessary for him
to choose an occupation, he learned the trade of a
shoemaker, which he followed the remainder of his
life, never leaving the State of New York.
In Steuben County, N. Y., the parents of our
subject were married, his mother's maiden name
being Lavina Beard. Their union was blest by
the birth of nine children. In religious matters
they were members of the Baptist Church. Caleb
Margeson died in 1831, his good wife surviving him
about fifteen years. The paternal grandparents of
our subject were Thomas and Mary Margeson, natives of New Jersey. Thomas M. was a son of the
noted Margeson who came to the New World in
the "Mayflower."
Our subject began making his own living by
working out on a farm at the age of thirteen years.
Later, for seven years, he was steersman on the
Erie Canal, and in 1862, came to Michigan and
located at once in Allegan County. Four years
later he came to Ganges Township where he now




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


193


I

owns a good farm. February 16, 1862, he was
married to Mary, daughter of John and Eliza
(Baird) Ward, natives of the Empire State, and
farmers by occupation. Mrs. Margeson had twelve
brothers and sisters. By her marriage with our
subject, she became the mother of a daughter,
Laura, who died when only three years of age.
February 28,1865, Mr. Margeson entered the Union Army, enlisting in Company I, Tenth Michigan
Cavalry, under the command of Gen. Sheridan. IIe
remained in the service until the close of the war,
receiving his honorable discharge at Memphis,
Tenn., November 11, 1865. Again returning to
the peaceful pursuits of life, he came to Michigan
and devoted his attention to the cultivation of his
property. He has given some study to the veterinary surgeon's art, and has been extremely successful in his practice in this region.
Mr. Margeson is a member of Jacob Fry Post, No.
46, G. A. R., and is Republican in politics. With
his wife, he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
w     ILLIAM B. ANDREWS. Men of strict in./tegrity of character, whose lives are guided
by prudence and principle, are valued meimbers of any community, whose best riches they constitute. Such a one is the subject of this brief notice, wlio is influential in the farming circles of
Allegan County, and makes his home on section 3,
Watson Township. A native of New York, he was
born in Gencsee County, June 30, 1830, and when
only four years old was taken to Ohio by his parents, Norton and Caroline (Root) Andrews, natives
of the Empire State. I;s father, who followed
the calling of a farmer, was thus enga-ged in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and Allegan County, this State,
whither he removed in 1855, settling on an unimproved farm on section 3. His death occurred
here at the age of seventy five, and his wife passed
away when seventy-three.
The parental family comprises nine children,
seven of whom attained to mature years, and four
are now living, namely: Willard; l)elia, wife of
Albert Lane; Jane, who married Job Reynolds,


and William B. The last-named son received his
education in Ohio, and accompanied his parents in
their removal to Michigan, settling with them on
the l)lace which he now owns. The year following his arrival in Michigan, in 1856, he was married
to Miss Avis Ann Round, a native of Vermont,
who came to Michigan when she was a small child.
This estimable lady was a devoted wife and tender
mother, and her death, in 1886, proved a deep bereavement to her family and friends. She was the
mother of four children: Charles, who married
Bertha Donwell; Frank, who was united with
Sarah Dodge; Eva May, the wife of Fred Edgel,
of Hopkins, Township; and Martha May, who died
at the age of twelve years.
At one time Mr. Andrews was the owner of one
hundred and sixty acres, but lie now owns only
half that amount, the remaining eighty acres having been given to his son Charles. Ile carries on
a general farming and stock-raising business, and
through the exercise of good judgment and great
energy, has been successful. While he has been
prospered financially, he has also gained the goodwill and confidence of those with whom business or
social intercourse has brought him in contact, and
is everywhere esteemed as an upright and industrious man. In his political views, he adheres to
the principles of the Republican l)arty, but is not
an office-seeker, preferring the quiet discharge of
his individual duties to the excitement of political
life.
_   7 __    J___ —   -, ENRY FORD, who has been a prominent
nman in the political and local affairs of his
community for a number of years, is the
owner of a fine fruit farm near Lawton, in
Antwerp Township, Van Buren County. IIe is a
native of Orange County, N. Y., and was born
February 11, 1825. His parents were Davis F'.
and Mary (Townsend) Ford, who were of English
and Irish descent. The father was born April 2,
1791, and the mother June 7, 1796, the former
being a farmer by occupation. To this worthy
couple eleven children were born, seven sons and
four dauhllters, as follows: I-arry, Benjamin A.;






194


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Phoebe E., wife of Milton Pemberton; Elizabeth,
wife of Charles Campbell; Harriet, who married
Peter P. Bush; and Charles T., John P., William
J., David F., Townsend and Margaret, all the
last-named being deceased. The parents of this
family died in Orange County, N. Y., the father on
May 8, 1863, and the mother June 16, 1861.
Our subject was educated principally in the district schools of his native county, and at the age
of seventeen became a clerk for the Southfield
Furnace Company, for whom he worked faithfully
for a number of years. By his diligent and careful
attention to his duties, he gained the confidence of
his employers and April 1, 1849, was intrusted
with the management of the business. He occupied
this position successfully for fifteen years, but in
1866 the business changed hands and he removed
to Lawton, Mich. Here he took charge of the
Lawton Furnace until October 15, 1874, when, the
interest being purchased by other parlies, he became manager of the Bangor Furnace Company, in
Van Buren County, which manufactured on an
average thirty-eight tons of iron per day. In 1880,
Mr. Ford engaged in the mercantile business at Lawton, in which he was employed until 1888, when he
sold out and bought his present place of sixty-five
acres, which is mostly in fruit, such as grapes,
apples, peaches and raspberries.
Mr. Ford represented the Twelfth District, consisting of Van Buren and Cass Counties, in the
State Senate in the session of 1881 and 1882, being
elected by a vote of seven thousand and seventyseven to five thousand five hundred and forty-nine.
He cast his first vote for Zachary Taylor while he
was living in New York, but has been a firm Republican ever since the formation of that party.
Hie served as Justice of the Peace for some six
years, Township Trustee of Antwerp Township for
two years, and is at present President of the
Town Council. Ile is a member of the Knights
Templars and of the Masonic order, and is now
holding the office of Justice of the Peace at Lawton. Mr. Ford has been twice married, his first
wife being Miss Kate Coffey, to whom he was
united June 7, 1847, and who died April 3, 1881,
leaving one child, Elizabeth.
Mr. Ford was again married, in 1882, this time to


Florence Smith. Mrs. Ford was born in Michigan,
January 20, 1859, her parents, Louisa and Jesse
Smith, being early settlers of this State.  They
had a family of four children, namely: Julia, Jesse,
Charles II. and Florence. The father (lied in 1862
and the mother is still living in Lawton. She is a
worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and hold a high position
in society and in the estimation of all with whom
they are associated.
AFAYETTE MEACHEN is a farmer and
stock-raiser, residing on section 17, Lawrence Township, Van Buren County. Ile
was born in Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., March
28, 1827, and is the son of Calvin and Polly Meachen. The father was a farmer and came West to
Medina County, Ohio, when our subject was about
eight years of age. There he purchased a farm
upon which our subject was reared to manhood;
receiving but a limited education.
Lafayette Meachen began to make his own way
in the world when attaining his eighteenth year,
having bought his time of his father. On reaching
his majority, he had a good team of his own. lie
was married October 13, 1848, to Miss Deborah
Johnson, of Medina County, Ohio. Mrs. Meachen
was born in the southern part of Ireland, October
2, 1821, and by her union with our subject has
become the mother of four children: Mary Elizabeth, who died when six years of age; Deborah,
who was born in Medina County, Ohio, November
1, 1851, married Prosper Manchester, a farmer of
Gratiot County, this State, and has five children;
Annie, who died when about six years of age, and
Gaylord, also deceased.
In 1852 our subject came to Lawrence Township,
Van Buren County, and purchased eighty acres of
wood land. His father had previously come to
Arlington Township, same county, where he became the possessor of forty acres of land. IHe of
whom we write immediately erected a log house
on his purchase, into which he moved his family
and began the work of clearing and improving his
L~~l-~2 V~SWI YIV IVLILVL VVCYIIzn




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


195


II- - - - -       - - -   -


estate. Ile has since added eighty acres to his
property, fifteen of which is devoted to an orchard.
In 1881, he erected his present beautiful residence,
which bears all the comforts and conveniences of
modern times. Mr. Meachen is a self-made man
in the truest sense of that term, and is ranked
among the first-class farners of Van Buren County.
He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first
vote for John C. Fremont. Mrs. Meachen came
to America when about twenty years of age, and
was residing in Medina County, Ohio, at the time
of her marriage. She is a very worthy and estinmable lady and has aided her husband greatly in
attaining to his present high standing in the agricultural community.
AMUEL A. BENTLEY is a retired farmler,
living in Allegan. Ile was born in Monroe Township. Monroe County, this State,
September 27, 1819, and is the son of
James and Amanda (Barker) Bentley. Iis parents
were natives of England and Ohio, respectively,
and James Bentley came to Monroe County as early
as 1803, where he engaged in farming. The father
was all through the War of 1812 and was within one
mile of the fort at Detroit when Hull surrendered.
The mother was born in Painesville, Ohio, in the
year 1800, in December. She, when a young girl,
came to Monroe, Mich., with her mother and stepfather, and it was here she married James Bentley
when about fifteen years of age, he being about
thirty years old. IHe died in Monroe County,
in 1862, aged eighty-two years; his good wife
survived him until 1889, and at her death had
reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years.
James Bentley was a stanch Harrison man, having
served under that general in the army of the War
of 1812.
The parents of our subject had a large family of
eleven children, nine of whom are living: our subject, James, John, Climena, Malissa, Eunice, William, Amanda and Eliza. Samuel A. Bentley received his education in a log schoolhouse in Monroe
County, Micd., at the same time being well trained
in farm duties. lIe remained an inmate of the par

ental home until reaching his majority, then began
working for himself by renting farms and tilling
the soil. He suffered all the privations of the
early pioneer.
In 1854 our subject came to Watson Township,
Allegan County, and purchased eighty acres of
heavily timbered land.  He industriously set
about clearing his tract and remained upon it until
1879, when he went to Plainfield, Kent County,
and farmed for about twelve years. In 1890 he
returned to Allegan Village and bought where he
now resides, on Depot Street.
Miss Electa Baird became the wife of our subject
in 1839. She was a native of Wooster, Ohio, and
came to Monroe County, Mich., with her parents,
Charles and Iannah Baird. Their union has been
blessed by the birth of eleven children, seven of
whom are living: Elizabeth, Abigail, Lemuel, Samuel, Charles, Mary and George. Mrs. Bentley died
in 1864, and our subject was a second time married, the lady on this occasion being Mrs. Sarah
Baird, daughter of Jared and Susan (Hull) Smith,
natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Michigan
in 1836, and located in LaSalle Township, Monroe
County, where they engaged in farming until
their death. Mrs. Sarah Bentley was their only
child; her marriage with our subject took place in
1872. By a former marriage, she had become the
mother of one child, a son, Frank E., now living
in Grand Rapids. In politics, Mr.Bentley was originally a Whlig, casting his first vote for Gen. William Henry Hai rison. lie afterwards became a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist.
Mr. Bentley was the second white male child
born in the State of Michigan. J6hn Anderson,
who was about three months older than Mr. Bentley, was born in French Township, Monroe County,
and was accidentally shot when twelve or fourteen years old, so that our subject is now the oldest
native of Michigan living.  IHe relates that
during the hard winter of 1854-55, deer would
come into their yard and stand while the hay was
being thrown out to the cattle, and when it was on
the ground would then eat with them. He also
remembers seeing wolves come to the house in the
day time, when his mother would take down the
old musket and shoot at them. Mr. Bentley is




196


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-- -


a very interesting conversationalist and can relate
many tales of hardship and adventure which have
made a lasting impression on his mind.
Mrs. Bentley, the present wife of our subject,
was born in Seneca County, N. Y., where her
father was a farmer. They came to Michigan in
1836, and were thus early settlers here. She was
given a good education and taught school in Monroe County. In the early days, her father was a
Whig.
RAN W. ROWLAND, a resident of Paw
Paw, Van Buren County, who has been
quite influential in various ways in the advancement of the township and county, was born
in Savannah, Ashland County, Ohio, March 25,
1839. His parents when Eber and Jerusha (Fowler) Rowland, both natives of the State of New
York. Our subject was reared in the country and
his father being a miller, he was about the mill a
great deal. When about fourteen, he came to Calhoun County, Mich., and attended a common district school there, having attended only commonschools in his native State. His parents soon came
to Michigan and afterward, in 1856, settled in
Lawrence Township, Van Buren County, and our
subject journeyed hither and helped his father in a
mill. When nineteen, he began teaching school
which lie followed winters until his enlistment in
the late war.
Mr. Rowland volunteered in Company C, Third
Michigan Cavalry, September 17, 1861. He saw a
good deal of service in the South and was in Missouri,
Tennessee, Alabama, Lousiana, Mississippi and Arkansas and was in active service for three years and
nine months. He was in the hospital from April,
1862, to September, 1862, except when at home on a
thirty-day furlough. When the company was organized, he was appointed Sergeant and served as such
and Orderly-Sergeant until his re-enlistment in 1863
when he received a commission from Gov. Blair
as Second Lieutenant, in Company E, of the same
regiment and, in 1864, was commissioned First
Lieutenant in Company I; the following year as


Captain he was re-assigned to Company C. On the
22nd of September, 1861, five days subsequent to
his enlistment, he was married to Miss Miary A.
Benjamin, of Lawrence, Van Buren County. She
was born at Marshall, Oneida County, N. Y., January 7, 1843, and was a daughter of Daniel and
Eunice Hazard Benjamin.
On the return of Mr. Rowland from the army,
he engaged in the milling business with his father
for six months and then began teaching school in
the township and village of Lawrence. He taught
three winters and in the meantime he entered the
grocery business at Lawrence and followed it until
1868 when he was elected County Clerk and
served  two  terms, removing   to  Paw  Paw,
January 1, 1869. He studied law while in this office. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of
1872, and practiced law for a number of years and
during this time served one term as Prosecuting
Attorney and several terms as Circiut Court Commissioner. Mr. Rowland began the newspaper business at Paw Paw with Mr. A. C. Martin, in
1882. He had one-half interest in it and assumed
exclusive editorial charge, his partner being the
business manager. He was thus connected with
the True Northerner, as their sheet was calledc
for six years, when he sold to his partner and purchased the Decatur Republican in 1889, and has
since that date been editor and publisher of that
sheet. IIe has served as Justice of the Peace eight
consecutive years and is at present the President
of the School Board on which he has served for
twelve years. He is one of the number who have
helped to bring the school up to its present high
standard. In the summer of 1890, Mr. Rowland
was special agent of the Census Bureau, having to
collect statistics of mortage indebtedness in the
counties of Van Buren, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph,
Kalamazoo and Ionia.
To our subject and his wife have been born
three children: Mary L., born November 9, 1864,
is a graduate of the Paw Paw  Iigh School, the
wife of Henry E. Shaefer and the mother of two
children; Marion 0., born April 8, 1869, is a graduate of the same school, is married and resides at
Eaton Ral)ids, and is the father of one son; Mina
B., born August 11, 1875, died November 7, 1887,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


197


I


of diphtheria. Mr. Rowland is a Republican in
politics and cast his first presidential vote for
Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has never voted any
other ticket since. He and his wife became members of the Disciples Church in 1885, and have been
valued and consistent members since, and he is an
Elder in the same.
The Rowland family are of Scotch descent, two
brothers, Thomas and Daniel, having come to America from Scotland in the latter part of the seventeenth century. They settled in Fairfield County,
Conn., and Thomas had a son Thomas, who in turn
named his son Thomas, born in Connecticut, September 22, 1721, and.died May 15, 1808. His wife
was born December 25, 1721, and died August 17,
1798. Their son, Hezekiah Rowland, the third,
was born January 9, 1759, at Reading, Conn., and
married Grace Wildman, September 17, 1778.
This couple were the great-grandparents of our
subject. Hezekiah died in New York, April 29,
1819, and his wife in Ohio, May 14, 1846.  Their
son Levi, the fourth of ten children,was the grandfather of our subject, a native of New York, born
November 12, 1788. He married Phoebe Townsend,
a native of New York, born December 11, 1785.
She died in Ohio, August 22, 1832, and her husband died in the same State, December 13, 1874.
They have five children, the fourth of whom,Eber,
was the father of our subject, born at Southeast,
N. Y., October 7, 1816, and married June 10,1838,
to Jerusha Fowler who was born March 31, 1817,
at Cohocton, N. Y. They had eight children, of
whom our subject is the oldest.
ENRY LITTLE. At the advanced age of
) ninety-three years, this venerable gentle/ man and esteemed citizen of Kalamazoo
passed away at his home, No. 435 Lovell
Street, May 25, 1890. With more than an ordinary
endowment of vital energies, his physical and
mental powers alike were retained in a remarkable
degree until the very day of his death.
Born at Cambridge, N. Y., April 29, 1797, Mr.
Little was the son of William and Phoebe (M:archant) Little. He was only six years old when he


was bereaved by the death of his mother, after
which the family was broken up and became scattered. In his boyhood he was engaged as a farm
laborer, but at the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a millwright, machinist
and master mechanic, commencing in business
in 1815, at St. Johnsbury, Vt., where he filled
large and important contracts for the erection of
public structures.
In 1826, Mr. Little was engaged in constructing
mills upon the "Big Dam" at Boston, Mass. Returning to St. Johnsbury in 1827, he entered the
employ of Messrs. E. and T. Fairbanks, then conducting a foundry, iron-works and machine shops
upon the site now occupied by their extensive scale
manufactory, and in 1830 superintended for them
the erection of a mill for cleaning and preparing
hemp fibre for market. An imperative necessity
arising for some improved apparatus for weighing
hemp as brought to the mill, the Fairbanks brothers instituted various experiments in reference to
scales upon an entirely new plan, and Mr. Little
materially aided them in originating, planning and
bringing to a successful result the world-renowned,
valuable invention known as "the Fairbank's platform scales."
March 11, 1822, Mr. Little was married to Miss
Ruth, daughter of Abralam Fuller, a patriot soldier of the Revolution. The union was a most happy
one until death entered the home and removed the
devoted wife, February 8, 1888, at the age of
eighty-seven. The removal of the family to Michigan, took place October 3, 1831, settlement being
made first at Galesburg, afterward at Comstock,
and still later on at Gull Prairie. In March, 1838,
Mr. Little removed to Grand Rapids, taking up
some Government land, which he later exchanged
for an improved farm near the old home on Gull
Prairie.
Between the years 1838 and 1840, Mr. Little was
engaged as a millwright in the construction of
flouring mills at Paw Paw, Yorkville and Kalamazoo. Leaving his farm at Richland in charge
of his two younger sons, William Henry and Albert, in 1863, he took up his permanent residence
in Kalamazoo. His only daughter, Mrs. William
C. Travis, died February 21, 1878, aged fifty years.




198             PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- - --- ` --- —-----
-I --- —




I


I - 1 - 11 — - -~ _   _ _1 1_ - 1_ _   -


His later years were devoted to general reading,
and the writing of articles for publication, in which
he was successful.  Three sons survive him:
Frank, whose sketch is presented elsewhere in this
volume; William Ilenry and Albert.
Henry Little, in his more prominent characteristics, wasa man of positive convictions, of indomitable energy, perseverance and self-will; orderly,
painstaking, frugal and industrious in all his habits; scrupulously exact, undeviating, upright and
reliable in business affairs; orthodox, strong and
unswerving in his religious faith, enjoying as a
citizen, neighbor and friend, the highest esteem
and confidence of his fellow-men..C^-<^     ^ --      r
_-             - ---—?
S    >HEO A. PALMER was born January 3,
1838, in Madison County, N. Y. He is at
present engaged in cultivating a portion of
the soil on section 9, Porter Township, Van Buren
County. His parents were Philander and Betsey
(Barker) Palmer, the father a native of Jefferson
County, N. Y., and the mother bblrn near Birmingham, Vt. After their marriage they resided near
Syracuse, N. Y., until 1845, when they came West
to Michigan and located at Napoleon, Jackson
County. There the father improved a farm, andi
became a very prominent citizen. He was an active
Republican in politics and died in 1873. Iis good
wife had preceded him to the better land by several years, dying in 1847.
Two of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Philander Palmer are living. Our subject received
a good education in the common and select schools
of the Wolverine State, and remained at home
until reaching his majority. When starting out
on his own account, he became a butcher and was
fairly successful in his undertaking. On the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Palmer enlisted in
Company K, Seventeenth Michigan Infantry, and
was chief bugler of his regiment. With his company he was sent to Washington, D. C., and took
part in the following engagements: South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Newport, Louisville, Ky., and Bardstown, same State, where lie




was taken sick and lay in the hospital for a short
time. He was then sent to Louisville on detached
service and later, joining his regiment at Knoxville, Tenn., returned to the Army of the Potomac
and participated in all the engagements from the
Wilderness to Petersburg. He was made Mail
Agent of the First Division of the Ninth Army
Corps, and, after the surrender of Gen. R. E. Lee,
was sent to Washington, D. C., under Gen. Wilcox. Mr. Palmer received his honorable discharge
June 15, 1865, and during the long period in
which he saw service was never wounded or captured.
On returning home after the close of the war, our
subject engaged in farming in Jackson County,
and in the fall of 1871 removed to Kalamazoo and
engaged in the grocery and provision business in
company with Mr. Lot Hewitt. HIe continued
thus employed until the fall of 1890, in the meantime building up a large and lucrative business.
On account of ill health, he was advised by his
physician to remove to a farm and in doing so
settled upon his present tract of eighty acres, in
December, 1890. He carries on general farming
and fruit-growing and has a finely-improved
tract.
In October, 1865, our subject and Miss Clara M.,
daughter of Lot Hewitt, were united in marriage.
Mr. IHewitt, who was the former partner of our
subject, died in 1888. Mrs. Palmer was born December 10, 1845, in Columbia Township, Jackson
County, this State, where her father was a pioneer.
She received an excellent education in the common
and select schools and is an intelligent and refined
lady. Our subject and his wife have an adopted
son, Darwin, who is aged fourteen years. lIe is
being given a good education and at the present
time is a student in the High School at Lawton.
He of whom we write and his good wife are
members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Palmer was
Trustee for nine years of the First Baptist Church
in Kalamazoo, and was Chairman of the House
Committee of the same for a like period. He has
been a contributor to the Kalamazoo College for
the past twenty-five years and his store was known
as the "Students' Grocery," because he was always
a warm friend and helper of the students. In


I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


199


politics, Mr. Palmer is a true-blue Republican and
has always taken an active part in local affairs, and
while a resident of Kalamazoo was elected one of
the first Aldermen of the city. While a member
of that body, he organized the police force and
also the secret service department, and was placed
on five of the most important committees, of which
lie was made Chairman. He was one of the charter members of Orcutt Post, No. 79, G. A. R.,
of Kalamazoo, but refused to accept any official
position in that body other than to act as Chairman of the Council of Administration, which position lie holds in the Lawton Post at the present
time. He was also Chairman of the Special Relief
Committee. The Masonic order claim Mr. Palmer
as one of their warm adherents. He occupied the
office of Trustee in the Society of Chosen Friends
in Kalamazoo.
ADISON II. PLOPPER. This gentleman
is carrying on a thriving grocery business
in Lawrence. His store is well stocked
with staple articles and all the table delicacies in their season. He also has a full line of
queensware, hardware, etc. Mr. Ploppcr was born
in Madison County, N. Y., October 20, 1842, and
is the son of Stephen and Phebe A. (Palmer) Plopper.  The father was born in New     York, of
German ancestry, while the mother was a native
of New York and came of Yankee stock.
The father of our subject was a cooper by trade
and came to Michigan with his family when Madison H. was three years of age. He located in Monroe County, and there made his home until 1852,
when he came to Paw Paw and remained during
that winter. The following year he came to Lawrence Townshlip, Van Buren County, and purchased
the farm upon which he is residing at the present time.
Madison H. Plopper was ten years of age when
his parents located in Lawrence Township. His
mother died a few years after coming here, in
1857, and he remained at home until reaching his
majority. In February, 1864, our subject enlisted
in Company D, Eighty-ninth New York Infantry


and joined his regiment at Charlestown, S. C.
They were soon sent to Virginia, where Mr. Plopper participated in the siege of Petersburg, Cold
Harbor and Richmond. He was also present at
the surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox. There
was a period or six months when his regiment was
under fire the greater part of the time. Our subject received his honorable discharge August 12,
1865, and returning to Lawrence engaged in the
peaceful pursuit of farming.
The original of this sketch purchased forty
acres of land in Decatur Township in 1868, and,
November 12 of that year, was married to Miss
Lavinia Stearns, of Lawrence. Mrs. Plopper was
born in Green County, Wis., December 23, 1847,
and by her union with our subject has become the
mother of seven children, five of whom are living,
viz: Carrie, Clayton, Phebe Ann, Clifford and Winnie. In 1876, Mr. Plopper disposed of his farm
and for ten years drove a peddler's wagon. At
the expiration of that time he again purchased a
farm, which he operated three years. Having received a sunstroke while in the army, he was unfit
for outdoor work, and, selling his estate, engaged
in his present business, in Lawrence.
Our subject has also been a Republican and cast
his first Presidential vote for Grant, in 1868. Iie
has been Village Trustee and is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic, having attended the
National Encampment at Detroit in 1891. lIe is
a member of the Christian Church, with which he
has been connected for thirtv-five years; Mrs. Plopper is also a member of that body.
IBERTY H. BAILEY, who is an old settier of Van Buren County, having come
here in April, 1845, occupies a high place
in the regard of his fellow-citizens, for his strict
integrity of character and honorable dealings with
his fellow-men. IHe is one of the most prominent
members of the Masonic fraternity in this part of
the State, and takes great pride in his connection
with that ancient and renowned order. His greatgrandfather, Richard Bailey, emigrated from England when a young man, and settled in the Massa



200


2PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


chusetts Colony. Ile was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The grandfather of our subject was
born in Massachusetts and removed to Windham
County, Vt.
The father of our subject, Dana Bailey, was also
born in Massachusetts, and removed with his parents to Townshen(l, Windham County, Vt., where
he married Betsey Walker, and lived during the
remainder of his life in the house in which his wife
was born. He attained the age of upwards of
eighty years, and was then accidentally killed by
falling from a wagon. The maternal ancestors of
our subject were also English, Jesse Walker, his
grandfather, leaving England when but eleven
years old, and coming to America, settled in Townshend, Vt.  There he grew to manhood, married,
and built a house, which still stands and is now occupied by his granddaughter, a sister of our subject. When the Revolutionary War broke out,
Jesse Walker was one of the first to enlist, and he
served until the close, being at the Siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis. When a
boy, in England, he numbered among his playmates
Samuel Marsh, who became a soldier in the British
army. After the battle of Bunker Hill, Mr. Bailey
found his former companion among the dead, with
his musket at his side, on which his name, Samuel
Marsh, was carved. Mr. Walker took this musket
and carried it for seven years, until the close of the
war, and it is now in the possession of the subject
of this sketch. The mother of our subject was
over eighty years of age when she died.
The parental family consisted of seven children,
of whom three are still living. One daughter resides on the homestead in Vermont; the youngest
son is living in Minneapolis, Minn.; and the subject of this sketch, Liberty H. Bailey, was born in
Townshend, Vt., February 26, 1820. His ancestors
were all tillers of the soil and he was reared to the
same occupation. He was graduated from a Baptist College in his native town, acquiring a good
academic education. In 1842 he came to Michigan
in the employ of the Vermont Land Company, and
located land for said company in various parts of
the State, and in 1843 purchased the land where he
now resides. He lived in Kalamazoo until April,
1845, when he came to Van Buren County, and for


ten years resided in Arlington Township. In 1855
he settled on the west half of section 11, South
Haven Township, it being the land he had purchased in 1843, at which time there were over three
hundred inhabitants on the place, but they were
all Indians, engaged in making maple sugar, hunting and fishing. His land now lies adjoining the
village of South Haven, is all cleared and well
improved. He has an apple orchard of thirty-five
acres, and also raises peaches, pears and other fruits.
He has a number of cattle, horses and hogs, and
everything necessary to carrying on a farm in firstclass style.
Mr. Bailey has been twice married, being united
in 1845 to Sarah Harrison, daughter of Benjamin
Harrison, who was first cousin to President William Henry Harrison. She was born in Columbus,
Ohio, and died in South Haven, December 16,
1862, at the age of thirty-eight years. By this
marriage, three sons were born, namely: Dana, who
died at the age of fourteen years; Marcus resides at
Evanston, Ill., and during the administration of
President Cleveland was Chief Engineer of the
United States Custom HTouse, at Chicago. He is
now connected with the electric lighting of that
city. Liberty H., Jr., is Professor of Horticulture
in Cornell University, at Ithaca, N. Y., and in representing that university he has traveled over
nearly all of Europe. In 1863 Mr. Bailey was
married to his present wife, who was Miss Maria
Bridges.
In politics, Mr. Bailey is a stanch Democrat, and
has frequently held local offices. There is nothing,
however, in which Mr. Bailey takes more pride
than in his connection with the Masonic fraternity.
He was made a Mason by Gen. B. F. Chadwick
Lodge, No. 119, in 1862, and is one of the charter
members of Star of the Iake Lodge, No. 158, A. F.
& A. M., at South Haven, of which lie was first
Mastel, and has held the office for eight years.
He is a charter member of South Haven Chapter,
No. 58, R. A. M., of which he was the first High
Priest and has held that office for six years, a charter member of South Haven Council, No. 38, and
Thrice Illustrious for two years. He is a member
of Pinsular Commandery, No. 8, K. T., at Kalamazoo,and holds a Thirty-second degree in the Ancient




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


201


-  ---- —-  -—  — " —-I ----------—  --- —-------—  --- — --- —- — - - I --- —— - `-- - — —- - ---
I


and Scottish Rite Masonry, bteing a Charter member of the Consistory at Grand Ralids. I-e also
belongs to the High Priesthood of Michigan, and
to the Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell. He
never misses attending the meetings of either of
these branclles of Masonry when it is possible for
him to be present. Bailey Lodge, No. 287, A. F. &
A. M., at Breedsville, is named in his honor, and
on November 13, 1875, that lodge presented him
with a solid silver-headed cane.
Mr. Bailey is liberal in his religious views and
leads an honest, upright life, being a man whose
word is as good as his bond. He has a pleasant
home and a good library, his books consisting
largely of Masonic literature.


I


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LI)DER JOHN    H. REESE. The life of a
minister of the Gospel is always a checkered
-  experience, in which the shadows often predominate, and in which, perhaps more than in any
other calling, a brave heart, a firm will and continued perseverance are necessary to accomplish the
end in view. The constant strain on the nerves
and brain of a conscientious pastor breaks down
many a man who otherwise would have lived to a
strong and hearty old age. It is not wonderful,
therefore, that after thirty-two years' service in
tile Master's cause, Mr. Reese should feel the necessity of taking a much needed rest and retiring
from active work in his beloved calling.
Mr. Reese, who resides in Bangor, was born in
Glenn, Montgomery County, N. Y., January 9,
1829. His parents, Martin and Hannah (Rulifson)
Reese, were natives also of New York, the former
born in 1803, and the latter in 1809. Their family
consisted of fourteen children, all? except one,
reaching mature years, as follows: Martha, John H.,
Cynthia, Jane E., James H., Juliet, David A.,
Cllarlotte, Daniel H., George W.; Reuben W., who is
editor at Kearney, Neb.; Margaret, wife of Perry
Madison, who resides in Chicago, and Cllauncey B.,
who was a soldier in the late war. Charles S., who
was a soldier in the Twelfth Michigan Regiment,
was taken prisoner at Pittsburg Landing, and died
in the rebel prison at Macon, Ga. Daniel H., who is


now employed in the Custom House at New Orleans,
was also a soldier of the late war, enlisting in the
Sixth Michigan Regiment, and, at the close of the
war, was a Lieutenant of a colored regiment.
Since taking up his residence in Lousiana, he has
served one term in the Legislature of that State.
Martin Reese, the father of this large family, was
a son of John and Margaret (Pettingill) Reese.
John Reese was a son of Nicholas and Anna (Cline)
Reese, who were residents of the Mohawk Valley,
and on both sides of the family they were descendants of natives of Holland. They were the parents of
thirteen children, as follows: Marks. John, Samuel,
Martin, Adam, Nicholas, William, Jacob, Henry,
Christina, Ellen, Catherine and Elizabeth. The
mother of our subject was a daughter of Harmon
and Margaret (Forncrook) Rulifson, who were
residents of the Mohawk Valley. The maternal
grandparents were Abraham and Catherine (Sours)
Rulifson, the former a son of Henry and Peggy
(Van Horn) Rulifson.
Our subject grew to mature years in New York,
where he was educated in the common schools.
He came to Berrien County, Mich., on October 6,
1850, where lie followed teaching and farming until 1859, when he began preaching in the Disciples
Church, which he continued until 1867, when lie
entered Bethany College, at West Virginia, being
a student there for four years. In 1871, lie returned to Cass County, Mich., having graduated
from the college in June of that year, and has been
engaged in the work of the ministry ever since.
He was married in 1852 to Harriet A. Fenton, and
to them was born one son: Boyd E., now a resident
of Jasper County, Mo. Mrs. Reese died, in 1857,
and our subject was afterward married to Miss
Polly Goss, a native of Edinburg, Ohio.
In 1876, Mr. Reese took up his residence in
Bangor. At that time there was no organization
of the Disciples Church in the village, but, by persistent efforts, Mr. Reese has succeeded in building
up a live and prosperous church. He has devoted
fourteen years of his life to this work, and has the
satisfaction of seeing a great measure of success
attend his efforts. The best of his life has been
given to the furtherance of the Gospel and the
advancement of all measures of reform. He has




~~


202


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


=


labored earnestly in the cause of temperance, believing prohibition to be the only correct solution of
the great question of the liquor traffic. Beside his
mony other duties, he has found time to prepare a
chart of universal Church History which is a remarkable work, and reflects great credit on the
author.
Mr. Reese has borne a prominent part in the
history of this county, and will ever be held in
grateful remembrance for his untiring work in its
interests, and  for the example of an earnest
Christian life.
C APT. GEORGE N. DUTCHER.          Among
the prominent citizens of Allegan County,
none are more favorably known than the
gentleman whose name we have just given, and
who resides in Douglas. He is the son of William
F. and Lucinda (Deitrich) Dutcher, and was born
in Pike County, Pa., October 28, 1834. He was
given a good education, and at the age of fifteen
removed with his parents to Portsmouth, Va.
While there he learned the trade of machinist and
engineer in the United States Navy Yard, serving
an apprenticeship of nearly five years.
In 1852 the parents of our subject came West as
far as Chicago, Ill., and two years later came to
Douglas, Allegan County, where the father was engaged largely in the lumber business. George
went to work on the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad during the summers, and in the winter assisted his father in his lumber operations. In 1862
he entered the service of the Union as First Lieutenant in Company I, Fifth Michigan Cavalry.
Briefly stated, his war record is as follows:
Entering the army as First Lieutenant, August
14, 1862, he was promoted to be Captain, January
13, 1863, and on the 2d of July was wounded in
the battle of Gettysburg. He received a second
injury in the engagement at Brandy Station, Va.,
which proved so serious that the Captain received
an honorable discharge, November 2, 1863. During a portion of his term of service, he acted as Assistant Adjutant-General to Gen. Kilpatrick, to




whose division he belonged, and whose brigade it
will be remembered was the first of the Union forces
to enter Gettysburg.
Capt. Dutcher returned home in 1863, shattered
in health and still suffering from his wounds. Acting upon the advice of his physician, he went to
the seashore to rest and recuperate his wasted energies. There he met the captain of a whaling
vessel bound on a three-years' cruise, who induced
him to accompany him as far as the Azores Islands.
Thinking a short ocean voyage would do him
good, as he could return on an incoming vessel,
Capt. Dutcher accepted the invitation and set sail
with the party. The result was lie concluded to
make the entire voyage. Unfortunately they were
ship-wrecked oft the coast of Madagascar, but were
rescued. Later Capt. Dutcher shipped before the
mast on a trading vessel bound for Australia. His
wanderings thus begun lasted for three years.,
during which time he traveled around the globe,
visiting almost every foreign country of any importance.
Our subject at last returned to San Francisco in
1869, poor in purse, but abundantly rich in restored physical health. On arriving in Chicago,
in 1870, he at once engaged as superintendent of
the machine department of Crane Bros. Manufac,
turing Works, with whom he remained for four
years, when he became one of the organizers of the
firm of Fieldhouse & Dutcher, steam-fitters, etc.
In early life as a railroad engineer in Chicago,
Capt. Dutcher was one of the members of the wellknown organization of The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, which order was instituted in
1854. The following year he became a Mason in
the Blue Lodge at Otsego, Mich., and is now a
member of Dutcher Lodge, No. 193, at Douglas,
which received its name in his honor. lIe is connected with Washington Chapter, No. 43, R.. A.M.;
Silvain Council, No. 50, R. & S. M., of Chicago;
Commandery No. 19, K. T. and Oriental Consistory S. P. R. S., having taken the thirty-second degree. He is a prominent member of the G  A. R.,
being identified with Van Arsdale Post, No. 148,
and of the Illinois Commandery Military Order of
the Loyal League of the United States.
November 14, 1854, Capt. Dutcller was united






I










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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


205


in marriage with Miss Eliza, daughter of Edward
Adams, of Lexington, Ohio, where Mrs. Dutcher
was born. Our subject has erected one of the finest
residences in Allegan County, which would be an
ornament to any city. The good judgment whicl
Capt. Dutcher has displayed in every undertaking
in life has won success, and we are gratified to be
able to present to our readers a sketch of so prominent and enterprising a gentleman. A brief account of the life of his brother, Thomas Benton
Dutcher, will be found on another page in this
volume.
C ---+++ D —+-~    + +I          -
ON. CHARLES EDWARD STUART. This
volume would be incomplete were no considerable mention to be made of the life of
this early settler of Kalamazoo, who proved
himself to be an enterprising citizen, able lawyer,
successful politician, broad statesman and an honest
man. It is therefore with pleasure that we invite the attention of the readers to his portrait on
the opposite page, and the following record of his
lineage and life.
The ancestors of Mr. Stuart were of Scotch and
English origin, and members of the Mayhew family,
who emigrated from England, settling in Martha's
Vineyard in 1642. Dr. Charles Stuart married
Miss Catherine Parsons in October, 1805, and
soon afterward removed to Columbia County, N.
Y., where their second son, Charles Edward, was
born, November 25, 1810. Soon after the close of
the War of 1812, Dr. Stuart removed to Waterloo,
Seneca County, N. Y., where lie practiced his profession, and also cultivated a farm.
On that farm Charles E. lived and labored from
boyhood to man's estate.  IHis education was
limited, consisting of a mere training in the
simplest rudiments of a common E nglish schooling, and gave him no preparation for the
important positions which he afterward so lionorably filled.  When nineteen, he commenced
the study of law with Messrs. Birdsall & Clark, at
Waterloo, and in due time was admitted to the
practice of his profession at the Bar of Seneca
County.
9


Early in 1835, Mr. Stuart came to Michigan,
arriving in I)etroit, and afterward visiting (in
search of a location) Dundee, Tecumseh, Ypsilanti,
Ann Arbor, Jackson and Marshall. Upon coming
to Kalamazoo, he decided to make it his home,
and at once formed a law partnership with Gov.
Epaphroditus Ransom. Returning the following
autumn to Waterloo, he was married November 3,
1835, to Miss Sophia S., daughter of George and
Sophia (Lee) Parsons, and, with his young bride,
came to Kalamazoo. The golden wedding anniversary of this happy marriage was fittingly celebrated by the family and many friends in November, 1885.
With the exception of one session of service in
the Legislature, Mr. Stuart devoted his attention
exclusively for twelve years to his profession. In
1847, and again in 1850, he was elected by his
district to Congress, and in the winter of 1852-53
was elected United States Senator, serving six
years. In 1860, he was delegate-at-large to the
National Democratic Convention. which met at
Charleston, S. C., and adjourned to Baltimore, Md.,
with its work unfinished. Two years later he was
commissioned by Gov. Blair to raise and equip the
Thirteenth Regiment of Infantry, which was noted
for gallantry on the field of battle.
In 1866 and 1868, Mr. Stuart served as delegate
to the conventions at Philadelphia and New York.
About that time inflammatory rheumatism, which
resulted in heart disease, compelled his gradual
withdrawal from participation in public affairs.
Ilis last case in the courts was tried in 1873. In
spite of the suffering of the last fifteen years of
his life, he retained full possession of his mental
faculties. On the evening of May 19, 1887, just
after he had dictated a business and friendly letter,
which closed with "Love to all," lie passed away
without a struggle, in the seventy-seventh year of
his life.
The loss of this distinguished citizen was profoundly mourned by the people of Kalamazoo,
and many memorial resolutions were passed by the
organizations with which he was identified. At
tle opening of the Supreme Court, in Lansing,
June 21, 1887, the IHon. Charles S. May, in behalf
of the Bar of Kalamazoo County, presented resolu





206


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


tions, whiclh were adopted by that body, and afterward  spread  upon   tile Jolrnal of tlle Court.
Justice Sherwood and(   Chlief Justice  Camlpbell
responded, and   paid glowing tributes to the
life anld character of tlle deceased, whlose great
qualities as a jury lawyer, eloquence as an advocate, and profound knowledge of legal principles,
drew around him a large circle of ardent admirers.
A firm  believer in tlie fundamental trutls of
revealed religion, Mr. Stuart cared little for the
various dogmatic interpretations of those truths.
He cherished a deep reverence for real religion,
and its consistent exemplification in life, and was
never heard to ridicule, in tIle least, the religious
sentiments of others, however eccentric or crude.
'Tliose who knew him but little, deeme(l him cold,
but his early comrades knew him affectionately as
"Charley Stuart," and ever held him     in fond
friendship.
To speak fittingly of his domestic relations
would necessitate the withdrawal of tlat veil behind which sits the sorrowing wife of his youth
and their surviving children. But before that
curtain, with heads bowed. in respectful and sorrowful memory, stand his old friends and neighbors in Kalamazoo, and the people of tlhe State he
loved and served and honored.




i
I


I


----- ----  - -----  - 77 — — 1 ~ ---  -         ---------


years. IHe was descended from   one of the old
)Dutcll families of New    York. Thle maternal
grandfather of our subhject was Christopher l)utcher,
of l)utchless County. lie was a large land-lholder,
owning besides a flour mill and a mill for cutting
stone, and was one of tlme wealthly men of tlat
county. Thle father of our subject lived in New York
until 1853, wllhen le cae to Michigan, and eventually died in tils county, in tlhe townshiil of
Whaling, at the venerable age of seventy-seven
years. His wife's deatlh had occurred( many years
before, in tlle year 1816, wliile she was yet a
young woman. ITe was a man of a religious turn
of mind, and of strong moral character. In politics, he was a Whig, and later a Republican to
tlhe day of his death. Ile was tile father of eiglit
children, of whom  our subject and his brother
Silas, of Ypsilanti, are tile sole survivors. Tle
latter, wlo is eighty-four years old, is living retired from active business.
-le of whomn this is a life-record was well ediucated at Le Roy, Genesee Coulnty, N. Y., and
began his career in life as a teacher in tile same
district where lie had attended school. Ile afterwards served seven years to master tile details of
the tanner and currier's trade at Le Roy. lie
engaged in that line for some years in that town,
and then took up his residence in     Rochester,
where lie obtained a situation as assistant bookkeeper in a leather house. In 1837, his employers
sent him to Michigan to sell boots and shoes and
woolen goods, and he went from hlere to Chlicago,
where he purchased hides to ship to Rochester.
Wishing to see more of the West, he left Chicago,
and, going to Iowa, joined a surveying party.
He was obliged to abandon it, however, as he became sick, and, returning to tlle Mississippi River,
he boarded a boat, which conveyed him down that
stream and up the Ohio to Cincinnati. lie found
employment in that city in splitting leather, and
remained there at that occupation three years.
At the end of that time he went out into the
country, put down vats and built a tannery, and
put it into running order before lie returned to
Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade five
years longer.
Our subject was then married to Miss Mary


Oc


YLVANUS M. VAN I)USEN, a prominent
citizen of Allegan, where lie is living in
retirement in an attractive home, has been
connected with the agricultural interests
of Allegan County for many years, as thle propri
etor of a choice farm in Watson Townshil), and lie
has also been actively identified with its public
life as a member of the County Board of Super.
visors for some years, and in various other
responsible positions. He was born in the Township of Mentz, in the County of Cayuga, N. Y.,
in April, 1815, and is a son of Richard and
Betsy (Dutcher) Van Dusen, who were natives of
Dutchess County, N.Y. His father, who was a
millwright and a farmer of Dutchess County,
subsequently removed to Cayuga County, where
he carried on a good farming business for many: 1  '


I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


207.


Bryant, and he and his bride went to Burlington,
Iowa, to live. He opened a store in that city for
the sale of leather goods-boots and   shoeswhich he managed three years. His next venture
took him to Madison, Ind., where he was given
charge of the currying department of a tannery,
and he held that position the ensuing eight years.
Coming then to Michigan, he purchased land in
Watson Township, and gave his attention to farming at that point for some years. He at length
retired from business entirely, and has since been
a resident of Allegan, where he has a beautiful
home, complete in its furnishings and appointments, and charmingly located on Seminary lill.
He still retains his farm, which at one time contained two hundred and forty acres of land, but
has been reduced somewhat in size by the sale of
a part of it. It is highly cultivated, and finely
improved with substantial buildings, and a large
barn, eighty feet in length. When he was actively engaged in its management, he had the farm
well stocked with fine graded cattle, of which he
made a specialty.
Our subject's first wife died, and he was subsequently married to Miss Lydia A., daughter of
John and Elizabeth (Archer) Griffin, who were
natives respectively of England and New York.
They were married in the Empire State, and Mr.
Griffin carried on farming at Cartright, Delaware
County, until his death. His widow was afterwards married to James McClaughry, with whom
she came to Michigan in 1865. They settled in
Watson Township, where Mrs. McClaughry died
in 1884. But two of her children are living, Mrs.
Van Dusen, and her sister, Mrs. Annie Harder, of
Delaware County, N. Y. The mother was a devoted Methodist. Mr. Van Dusen has three children living by the first wife: Edward S. and William, who are farmers of Watson Township; and
Emma, who married Michael Conway, and has two
children, Clarence and Mary Rene. William married Miss Nellie Bennett, and has one son, named
Richard.
A man of clear, well-balanced intellect, decided
in character, of wide experience and exact judgment in business matters, Mr. Van Dusen at once
took his place among the leading citizens of the


county, after he took up his residence here, and
his counsel and assistance have often been sought
in the guidance of affairs of public importance.
For a period of five years, from 1860 to 1865, he
represented Watson Township on the County
Board of Supervisors. He was at one time School
Director, and was active in securing the erection
of a new schoolhouse, with modern appointments,
in his district, and his public spirit and liberality
have been manifested by the material help that he
has afforded in the building of churches, in the
construction of roads, and in his cordial encouragement of all enterprises to stinulate the progress of township or county. He is known in political and social circles as a Republican, and is
likewise an Odd Fellow.
AMES M. POTTS, a resident of Wayland
Township, Allegan County, is one of the
prosperous citizens of that township, who
1     has acquired an enviable reputation, not
only for his business qualifications but for his
many excellencies of character. He has always
been a busy man and in whatever lie has engaged
has shown energy and enterprise and is well deserving of the success with which he has met.
Mr. Potts was born in Shelby County, Ohio,
June 7, 1833. His parents, James H. and Sarah
(Shepherd) Potts, were natives respectively of
Miami County, Ohio, and Kentucky, the former
dying September 5, 1852, and the latter, February
26, 1870, and both being interred in Beulah
Cemetery in LaGrange, Ind. The father was by
trade a shoemaker. The parental family consisted
of nine children, of whom our subject was the
fourth child and second son.' He was able to obtain only a common-school education as he was
obliged at an early age to begin work.
On the death of his father which occurred when
our subject was nineteen years of age, he took
charge of the home place which was then in La
Grange County, Ind., and for seven years assisted
his mother in her many cares. For some time he
was engaged in working at the blacksmith's trade




208


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAlPHICAL RECORD.


and also ill the jewelry business, but after thle
Civil War broke out lie abandoned all tllhouglt of
hlis own affairs and enlisted il Marchl, 1864, in
Battery A, First Heavy Artillery, of Indiana, being assigned to tile Nineteentlh Corps in the Department of the Gulf, which at tle time was under
command of Gen. Banks.     Tley took part in
various engagements and during their service were
in a number of the Southern States. Ile was discllarged at Baton Rouge, La., in January, 1866.
Upon his discharge from the army, Mr. Potts returned to Indiana, but in March, 1866, came to
Michigan, locating in Salem Township), Allegan
County, where lie began farming and speculating
in wild lands. Hie afterward went to Ottawa
County, where he remained for fourteen years engaged in lumbering and clearing land, also bullying
and selling wild lands.  At the expiration of this
time, he returned to Allegan County, and lias
since been engaged in buying and selling produce,
etc. Ile also owns a place of fifty-tlree acres, on
which he carries on farming to some extent and
which is under a state of good cultivation.
Mr. Potts was married October 14, 1858, at Wolcottville, La Grange County, Ind., to Miss Jemima
M. Stroman of that place. They hatve become the
parents of six children. Those living are Id'a G.,
James V., Dolly and Charles S. Mary died at the
age of one month, and Ernest T., whien twenty
years old, the former being buried in Indiana and
the latter at Elmwood Cemetery in Wayland
Township.
Mr. Potts has been    an extensive  traveler
through the United States and has learned much
by observation of the people and customs in various parts of the country. Since early manhood,
his reading has been extensive and of a substantial
order, including the travels and researches of some
of the most eminent men of both hemispheres and
the study of the theories of a number of the
sciences, especially chemistry, geology, astronomy,
phrenology  and   physiognomy.   Many   hours
have been spent in search for knowledge in
those interesting studies when the world around
him was wrapped in slumber. These researches, together with his extensive travels throughout tile
United  States, close observation and excellent


judgment, combine to make hlim a man of wide information and breadth of knowledge. lie is a
liberal, both in religion and politics, and is strictly
moral and temperate. Socially, lie is a member of
tlIe Grand Army of tle iRepublic, and tlle Patrons
of Industry. Ie and his family are highly esteemed by tile people of tlhe communityi in which
tley reside.
LANSON TANNER is a general farmer
and stock-raiser residing oni sectiol 35,
l)orr Township, Allegan CountSy. His fatiler, James, was a native of Massaclhusetts,
where lie was reared, and chose farming as his life
vocation. Ile was married to Miss Anna McConney,
who was born and received her rearing and education in Connecticut.  Tile paternal grandfather
came to Ohio from Massachusetts in 1812, and was
one of tlIe pioneers of Geauga County.
Our subject received his rudimentary education
in his native county. His father dying wlhen our
subject was but fifteen years old, and lie being
the oldest of the family of seven children, tle sulpport of the family devolved upon him. IHe remained at home until lie was twenty-th)ree years
old, giving his time to the care of the family. At
that age he went to Illinois, where he located in
McHenry County, and engaged in farming for one
year, at the end of which time lie came to Michigan, in the spring of 1856. He spent four years in
Hopkins Township, and in 1860, came to Dorr
Township, taking up the place on which lie now
resides. His place consists of sixty-six acres, and
lie has probably cleared one hundred and sixty
acres himself. He has splendid improvements on
his land, and has made of it a fine estate. He has
also dealt considerably in land in the county, buying and selling.
Mr. Tanner was married, January 2, 1854, to
Laura Burlingame, of Munson Township, Geauga
County, Ohio. They have had born to them  six
children, five of whom  are married: James II..
Francis L., Viola I., Hiarman M., Alice L. and Florence, who died when eight years old. Mr. Tanner
keeps a small dairy and also has a number of








;4- N
'4"




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


211


---:= =   -- -- -,-   ----   -- - — ~ -   ~ ~ -- - -~ -- ~ ^   - - -


fine Poland-China hogs, making a specialty of
tills breed.  IIe is a stanch Republican in politics, and was Constable of Hopkins Township,
while residing there. IIe is plarticularly interested
in tle advlancement of educational causes, and lie
and his family are held in higlh respect in the community.
3EN. ELISIIA MIX, Superintendent of the
Poour of Allegan County. A large and lion\  J orable number of men of Allegan County
have a record of services to their country duringl the
Civil War, of which their country feels proud and
wlich, it is not unlikely, wil be held as the choicest
heritage by their descendants. To lhave lielped to
carry the flag through tlose dark (lays is an honor
and will ever be a joy to those who were so hap.lpy
as to be able to respond to tle call of our War President. The subject of our sketch, and thel original
of the portrait on the opposite page, is one of these
men.
Our slubject was born in Watertown, Litchltield
County, Conn., November 17, 1818.  lie is the son
of Jailes and Lucy (Steel) Mix, natives of West
Hartford, Conn. T'le father was a manufacturer
and merchant in tlhe above-named city, and there
lived andi died. Tlhe parental family included ten
children, three of whom are now living: our subject; James C., wlho is residilng il New York City,
being a member of the New York Life Insurance
Company, with his office in Plark Row; and Maj.
Frank W., residing at Stamford, (Conn. Allother
son, Capt. Edward Mix, a member of the Sixteenth
Conneticut In fantry, was knocked overboard by a
boomi at 'Pamlico Sound 1an(d drowned. James Mix,
the father, was a soldier in the War of 1812.
The grandparents of our subject were Elisha and
Betsey (Webster) Mix, natives of Iartford, Conn.,
where tlle gra(ndlfatller was a large landowner an(d
wlhere they spent their last days. Ile was a Revolutionary soldier.  Iis father, the great-grtandfather of ourl subject, as was also the great-greatgrandlfather, was named Elisha.The Imternal grandparents of Genl. Mix, Allyn and( Jolan na (Cad well)
Steel, natives of West Ialrtford, Colnn., reared a


family of six children. Ile is able to trace his ancestry on that side of the house back several generations. Tlie father and mother of his grandparents were Salnuel and Martha Steel; his parents,
Johanna and Susannah Webster; his parents, Samuel
and Mercy Bradford; his parents John and Mercy
Warner, and his parents John, Sr., and Rachel
Nichols. The latter came from Essex, England,
and settled in Cambridge, Mass., in 1631. Later,
with the Rev. Thomas Iooker, they organized the
I-artford Colony.
Our subject was given a good education in the
Hartford, Conn., schools, and after being graduated
from the grammar departmnent commenced clerking in a wholesale grocery store. Later he learned
the trades but did not follow thlem. I-e then went
to New York City, where lie ellmbarked on a vessel
sailing between New York and Liverpool. Then
(going to Tampa Bay, Fla., he sailed up the
Suawnee River to Ft. Fannin. Then abandoning
the sea, lie went into the Quartermaster's Department for one and one-half years. At the end of
that time, returning to Connecticut, lie engaged in
making fine tools used in the manufacture of clocks,
in the factory of Eli Terry & Co. lie was thus engaged for two years, then took a like position in
the Jerome Manufactory at New Haven, remaining
with that company for eight yeart,. Our subject
with others then formed the New Iaven Clock Co.,
successors to the Jerome Manulfacturing Company,
~and are still engaged in nmaking clocks. Mr. Mix
disl)osed of his interest in the business in 1852, but
while a member of the company formed one of the
Executive Board.
Wlhile a resident of New Haven, Gen. Mix studied
civil engineering and wlen lhe came to Allegan
County, in 1852, was elected County Surveyor. He
erected the first sawmill in Manlius Township,which
lie operated for several years. IIe chartered other
Imills to assist in getting out the lumber, at the
same time being engagced in surveying. I-e also
owned a farm il Manlius Township which he
operated until the outbreak of the Civil War. He
then,gave his attention to drilling companies for
the service, having an order from Gov. Blair to
raise a corltany for the Eightlh Michigan Cavalry.
1 le was commlnissi(oned Captain of his company Nov



212                 POR


STRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.






---
- -----— t —


I


ember 1, 1862 and March 2, following, was promoted to be-Major. April 16, 1864, lie was made
Lieutenant-Colonel, and in September, 1864,
Colonel. He was taken prisoner in August, 1864,
but was exchanged on the 27th of the following
month and mustered out of the service in September,
1865.
Prior to receiving his discharge, our subject was
commissioned Brevet Brigadier-General of the
United States, which honor was conferred upon him
in recognition of his long and meritorious service.
In 1863-64 he was made Superintendent of Military Roads, with headquarters at Big Hill, Ky. The
roads over which he had supervision extended from
Big Hill to Cumberland Gap and from Big Hill,
Ky., to Somerset, Ky., via Crab Orchard. Gen.
Mix when in the army was a prisoner of war at
Macon, Ga., and Charleston, S. C., and while on the
Stoneman raid his hat was shot through by a minie
ball, which shock has affected his head more or less
since that time. He received a wound while on
the Chattahoochie River, in Georgia, which has
seriously affected his health. Gen. Mix participated in fifty-two battles during the late war and
well deserves all the honors which are paid him.
On returning from army life, Gen. Mix again
located in Allegan and engaged in the hardware
business for two years. He was then employed by
the State in making surveys and later went to
Wyandotte, Mich., where he established the Agricultural and Stove Works, remaining there for
eighteen months. Returning to Allegan, our subject built the car works of this place and subsequently went to Connecticut, where he followed
his trade for five years. He later went to Bridgeport,wheze he built the factory for the Bridgeport
Lock Company, and where he continued to reside
for four years. In 1879 Gen. Mix went to Clarion
County, Pa. where he was instrumental in the upbuilding of the village of Arthur and where he
carried on an extensive lumber trade. At Swiss
Mount, Elk County, Pa., he had in his employ
three hundred men, being engaged in the lumber
business. In 1884 he returned to Allegan County
and has been a resident here since that date.
Gen. Mix and Miss Amelia Edmunds were united
in marriage in 1843. Mrs. Mix was a native of


England but was residing in Bristol, Conn., at the
time of her marriage. They have been granted a
family of two children: Rosena, who married Harrold Weeks and who has one daughter, Alice M.;
Elisha, who married Fannie Williams and has become the father of five children: Lora A., Mosley,
Ralph, James and Frank E.
Our subject is a Republican in politics, a Mason
and Odd Fellow and a member of the Grand Army
of the  Republic, and  in church  matters is
connected with the Congregational Church of New
Britton, Conn. Gen. Mix was instrumental in having the State road constructed from Allegan to
Traverse City, in 1857, a distance of one hundred
and eighty-five miles. It was one hundred and
eight miles from any house and during that time
his force mutinied on him twice, their food giving
out and they feeling the gnawings of hunger. But
Gen. Mix pacified them and thus the work went on
smoothly. He is one of the prominent men in Allegan County and we are pleased to be able to
present his sketch to our readers.
AVID O. EVEREST. This gentleman -is
at the head of the firm of D. 0. Everest &
Co., of Pine Grove Mills, Pine Grove
Township, Van Buren County, engaged in
manufacturing wood mouldings, windmills, harrows and all kinds of agricultural implements. Mr.
Everest was born, March 22, 1825, in Montgomery
County, N. Y. His father, David C. Everest, and
his mother, Jane (Frey) Everest, were natives of
New York, who resided in their native State until 1856, when they came to Pine Grove Towiiship
and spent the remainder of their days. The fatller
was a lumberman and operated a sawmill in
his native State. They were the parents of six
children, four of whom are living. One son, Alfred
C., was a soldier in the Civil War and served under
Grant in the Army of the Potomac.
Our subject received a common-school education
in his youth and learned the millwright and carpenter's trade. lie began for Iminself wlhnei six
teen years of age, and was master workman before




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


213


he was twenty-one. IIe had men under him who
had had thirty years' experience.
Mr. Everest was married, August 15, 185 1, to Reliance Ann Strong, a native of Onondaga County,
N. Y., born in 1829. By this union they have become the patrents of six children, five surviving:
Frank, who married Nettie Dyer, lives in Almena
with his live children; Jane, the wife of Frank
Plants, resides here and is the mother of six children; Emma married Gad Gilbert and has three
children; John married Gertie Clark and they have
two children; Addie, now the wife of Fred Stark,
lives in Nebraska and they have two children.
Our subject came to Michigan iln:May, 1852, and
settled at old Pine Grove. IIe rebuilt a sawmill
there and operated it till 1863, when it was destroyed by fire. lIe then built another one on
Brandywine Lake and ran it until 1871. This
was also swept away by fire with millions of feet
of lumber. The young man was not to be discouraged and he set about to erect a mill at
Pine Grove Mills, it being the one in whiich he does
his manufactulring at the p)resent time. The firm
at first worked lunder the title of Everest & Wise,
but is now Everest & Co. "Tihe Advance'' spring
tooth harrow and also the spring tootlI corn cultivator are among their farming implements and arc
the best made. The best material is used, and their
goods are fully guaranteed. Tlley have patrons all
over the country and are made known by their
advertising and the tasty circulars which they send
from place to place. When Mr. Everest first came
here, this vicinity was all in woods and the best
house was a shingle shanty.  IIe is the pioneer
miller of this place. IHe has seen the country prosper and flourish and las taken a very active part
in its ui)building.  Ile has given some attention
to farming and now has between three hundred
and four hundred acres of land, mostly cleared.
Our subject has taken al active interest in politics and for many years cast his vote with the Republican party, but is now  entirely independent,
preferritig the man to the party. He has served
his townshlp as Treasurer, Supervisor and Justice
of tile lPeace. lie was Treasurer, Justice of the Peace,
11ighwlay Comm issionelr and School Inspector all
at once. At the first township meeting there were


but thirteen voters and they were mostly his own
mill hands. Our subject helped to establish the
station of Pine Grove Mills, and built the station
free of cost to the railroad company and also took
$1,000 in stock. Socially, Mr. Everest is a member
of the Masonic order and has been Master of the
local lodge, and was an Odd Fellow in New York
State. Mrs. Everest is a consistent and valued
member of the Baptist Church; her husband is an
attendant and supporter of the same church..T^       1  *- *-* *_ U~"      "l  '
R RUI IUS P. CIAI))DOCK is a resident of
South Haven, where lie has a comfortable
home. IIe owns a farm near the village
anid devotes a great deal of his time and
attention to the b)reeding of horses, which he finds
to be a very profitable business. IHis birth occurred
April 9, 1838, in Clarence, Erie County, N. Y., and
is the son of William and Emaline (Parkhurst)
Chaddock. There were five sons and three daughters included in the parental family, all of whom
were born in Erie County, N. Y. Nancy became
the wife of Iudson Cleveland and died in Rochester, N. Y., leaving one child; William graduated
with tlhe degree of Doctor of Medicine from the
Michigan lUniversity and died at Pewamo, this
State; I)aniel E. is a farmer in Van Buren County;
Racliel married John Baker and died in Barry
County, in 1891; Austin was a sleculator in oil
and died at Lockport, N. Y.; Charles is a farmer in
Chlarlevoix County, Mici.; Emneline is tihe wife of
William Titus and makes her home in Millerstown,
Pa. The parents died at Lockport, N. Y.
The gentlenman whose name lieads this sketch attended the district schools and learned the trade
of a carpenter. In 1867 lie removed to Charlevoix
County, Mich., and for a time continued to work
at his trade. When reaching his thirty-fifth year
he concluded that manual labor was a slow and
hard road to wealth. Iie thus gave up carpentering and built an hotel at East Jordan, Mich.,which
lie continued to conduct as "mine host" until 1883,
when he sold out and came to South Haven. Here
he purchased a comfortable home in the village
and invested in a farm near by. His land is well




214


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


cultivated and stocked with a fine grade of horses.
Arulius P. Chaddock was married, July 4, 1857,
to Sarah, daughter of Amos and Betsey (Roberts)
Davis. Mrs. Chaddock was born in Hamilton,
Canada, May 14, 1842. Her parents resided in
Niagara County, N. Y., with the exception of the
time when Mrs. Chaddock was born when they
were living temporarily in Canada. Our subject
and his wife have a family of three children: Adelphia, who was born September 13, 1858, is the wife
of R. H. Craig, and has one child-Essie; Betsey
died at the age of five years in New York, and Rule,
who was born November 30, 1867, married Stella
Lewis and is the father of two children: Raltie and
Daisy.
The original of this sketch has been the architect
of his own fortune and is now living in comfortable circumstances respected by all who know him.
In politics, he is a stanch Republican.
_e-rr           -      — s~~~j~E ~L,
LDOROS S. SHEPARD, Postmaster at McDonald, and a prominent merchant of the
village, is classed among the ambitious,
wide-awake young men of this section, whose
energy and business talent have given a new impetus to the varied interests of the county of VanBuren. Besides attending to the business of his
office and his store, Mr. Shepard is actively and
profitably engaged in market gardening.
Our subject was born in the city of Rochester,
N. Y., in 1854, the eldest in the family of three
children of Martin W. and Anna (Griffin) Shepard,
who were also natives of Rochester. Our subject's
grandfather, Series Shepard, was )probably born in
England, as were also the grandparents on tihe
mother's side. Our subject was brought to Michigan when a child, and was reared on a farm near
Kalamazoo. Ile remained there until 1864, and
then went to South Haven to live.  IIe resided
there but a short time before he located in the
village of Bangor, where he remained until 1877.
In the spring of 1884, he opened his store at McDonald, and has been engaged here as a merchant
ever since.  Hie has met with marked success,
building up an extensive trade, not only with the


residents of the village but numbering many of the
people in the outlying country among his steady
customers. His establishment is orderly and well
appointed, and he carries a fine class of goods.
IIe has succeeded because he pays close attention
to his business, which is conducted systematically
and on a paying basis, and he is invariably prompt
and courteous in his dealings with all.  Having
been reared principally on a farm, he has a natural
taste for agricultural pursuits, especially for horticulture, and does quite a business in that line of
farming. Mr. Shepard is a devoted adherent of
the Republican party, although he is by no means
an offensive partisan, as is shown by his popularity
as Postmaster, to which office he was appointed in
1886.
Our subject was united in marriage to Miss
Addie M. Brown, in November, 1887, and they
have established one of the pleasantest homes in
the village of McDonald. Their family circle is
completed by the three children born unto them,
whom they have named Floyd, Lewis and Gilbert.
Mrs. Shepard is a native of this part of Michigan,
and is a representative of one of its oldest pioneer
families. Herfather, John 1). Brown, is said to
have been the first white child born in Van Buren
County, his parents having been among its very
first settlers.
I ESSE A. SHERROI). Among the gentlemen
prominent in business circles in Bangor,
there is perhaps no one more worthy of
    mention than the gentleman whose name
initiates this paragr'aph, who has l)een identified
with every worthy enterp)rise of the city since becoming a citizen of the place.
Our subject was born in Erie County, Pa., ()ctober 5, 1837, and is one of nine children of his
father's family. I-e grew to mature years in his
native place, and received a fair education in the
common schools, being also taught the principles
of farning, which lie carried on while in Pennsylvania.  Thinking to better his financial conditionm, lie decided to comne to Vanl Buren County,
which he did in the winter of 1863, and engaged








:::: :_c:-sa-a_




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


217


in tilling the soil until 1880, at which time
he went into tie undertaking business, and is
to-day carrying it on. Eight years previous, in
1871, he sold his farm and embarked in the general merchandise business, and to-day enjoys a
liberal patronage from his many friends and acquaintances.
The parents of Mr. Sherrod were Daniel and
Hannah (Cole) Sherrod, both natives of the
Empire State.   The father was born in 1800,
and was a son of Daniel Sherrod, who was a participant in the War of 1812. The mother was born
in New York, and died in     1884. The father
passed away in 1888. The family are descended
from good old German stock, their native thrift
and intelligence being handed down through many
generations.
This gentleman was happily united in marriage
with Miss Rosalie Morris, daughter of E. S. Morris,
of Cratwford County, Pa. The ceremony was solemnized April 2, 1862, at the home of the bride.
They have become the parents of two children:
A son, Burtis M., who was born March 28, 1865,
and to whom they are giving the best educational
advantages and training within their power. The
daughter, Ella Adell, died when nine years of age.
The family is one highly respected in the community, and are members of the Disciples Church,
in which they are valued members. Mr. Shlerrod,
socially, is a member of the Independent Order of
(dd Fellows, and politically is a Prohibitionist.
1 1)DGE WI ILI1AM  B. AVILLIAMIS.   The
gentlellan wllose portrait accomi1)tanlies this
personal sketch is following his profession
in Allegal, where lie is one of the llonored
a1d1 highly esteemed citizens. Ile was born in
Pittsford, Monroe County, N. Y., July 28, 1826.
His parents, Erastus and Elizabetl (Lunlley) Williams,were natives of Stockbridge, Mass., and Wales,
respectively.
Erastus WilliaIIs followed the occu)pation of a
farlmer dlurinog his residence in. Monroe Counlty,
prior to which lie had been a manufacturer of


woolen goods in Berkshire County, Mass. He spent
his later years in Monroe County, where he died
in 1873. HIe was an old-line Whig and a Deacon
in the Presbyterian Church nearly all his life. The
mother of our subject died in 1827. The grandparents of Judge Williams were Asa and Lucretia
(Parks) Williams, natives of Connecticut, who removed to Massachusetts and carried on farming in
Stockbridge Township, Berkshire County, where
they settled in 1775 and resided until their death.
They had five children.
The parents of our subject had a family of four
sons, three now living: Edwin, a retired farmer
of Calhoun County, Mich.; Asa, a conductor on the
Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, and William B.
Cyrus M. is deceased. Judge Williams was educated in the district school and in the Pittsford
High School. He studied law at Rochester, N. Y.,
at Ballston Spa, and in the State and National Law
School. He was admitted to the Bar in 1851 and
commenced the practice of law in Rochester, where
he remained until 1853. He then went to Pittsford, where he practiced until January, 1855, being engaged in settling his father's estate. At
that time he came to this city, there being but one
firm of attorneys in the place. In 1856, he was
elected Judge of tie Probate Court and was reelected in 1860, holding the office for eight years.
When the first shot was fired at Ft. Sumter,
which was the opening gun of the War of the Rebellion, Judge Williams, with others, began to organize and raise troops, going around the country
mnaking speeches and using every means in their
power to aid the cause of the Union. He not only
gave his advice and counsel, but illustrated his
patriotism 1l y his example, enlisting on the 4th of
August, 1862, in the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry and being elected First Lieutenant of his comanNy. Soon afterward he raised a company of his
own, which became Company I, Fifth Michigan
Cavalry, and reported at Ietroit, with himself as
Captain. They soon made their way to the front,
where he took an active part until April, 1863.
IHe then returned home on a furlough of fifteen
days, at the expiration of which time he returned
to his comnmand, and later, in June, on account of
sickness resigned. His company had been very




218


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


fortunate during their term of service, only one of
them  having died from   disease. Several were
martyrs to the terrible prison pens at Andersonville and Columbia, thirteen dying in those places.
After his first return from  the army, Judge Williams had authority from Gov. Blair to raise the
Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry, but owing to
his illness he was not able to go to the field with
them. He held the office of Judge of Probate for
two terms, after which he declined a re-election.
In 1864, Judge Williams was appointed a member of the Visiting Board for the Michigan University, holding the office two terms, of two years
each. In 1866, he was elected State Senator and in
1868 re-elected, and was President, pro tem, of the
Senate, and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
He declined a renomination to the Senate and was
elected to the Constitutional Convention which
met at Lansing, in 1867. In 1868, he was a member of the Republican National Convention at
Chicago which nominated Gen. Grant for the
Presidency. In 1871, he was appointed Attorney
for the Chicago & Canada Southern Railroad. In
1872, he was appointed by Gov. Baldwin a member of the State Board of Charities, in connection
with Judge C. I. Walker, of Detroit, and the IIon.
Henry W. Lord, of Pontiac. C. M. Croswell, who
later was Governor of Michigan, was Secretary of
the Board. Judge Williams held this position until his election to Congress, in 1873, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of the Hon. Wilder D.
Foster. He was re-elected to that honorable position in 1874, but declined to become a candidate
in 1876. On retiring from   Congress, March 4,
1877, Judge Williams was appointed by Gov. Croswell Railroad Commissioner of Michigan, holding I
that position three terms, when he requested to be
relieved by Gov. Begole, the newly-elected Democratic Governor, his resignation taking effect January 15, 1883. Since the latter date he has been
a citizen of Allegan and has been very influential
in its improvement. In addition to his law practice, he has been largely interested in real estate
in this county.
Judge Williams was married, in September,
1853, to Miss Marietta Osborn, of Rochester, N. Y.,
a daughter of Daniel and Selura (Hawks) Osborn.


Of this union five children have been born: Marion
L., now Mrs. F. R. Rudd, of this city; William B.,
a resident of Deadwood, S. I)ak.; Ella, the wife of
T. S. Updyke, of Grand Rapids; Theodore O.,
County Surveyor of Allegan County, and Frank
H., an attorney-at-law, who is associated with his
father in business.
In politics, Judge Williams is a thoroutgh Republican, is deeply interested in all political issues of
the day, and ranks among the influential members
of his party in the State. HIe is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic. With his fanlily,
he is a devoted member of the Episcopal Church,
and has been a member of the Vestry since the
organization of the church, in 1858, being the only
one who has held that position continuously. He
is one of the Trustees of the Akeley Institute at
Grand Haven, a church school for girls, and contributes of his means toward benevolent measures.
-.       l++-:+?    ++t++.
N   LBERT P. THOMAS, who is tlme le(ading
lawyer in South aIven, located in tlat
I  town in May, 1885. Ile was born in Lockport, N. Y., April 20, 1837, and is a son of
Zimri I). and Mary (Sanderson) Thomas. Zimiri
1). Thomas was a native of Massachusetts, born in
1809. Whlen quite young, le came with his father
to Western New York, locating near Lockport, on
the Iolland Purchase. When lie grew up, lie took
a contract for enlarging the Erie Canal. In 1844,
lie removed to Buffalo and carried on a hotel in that
city and later at IIamburg, where he ran a line of
stages and also was Postmaster. lie came to Michigan in 1853 and settled in Allen Township, IIillsdale County, on a farm which he operated until
1865, when lie removed to the city of IIillsdale
where he has sinlce resided. lie is acting as Justice
of the Peace, and has a large business. HIe has
held this office continuously for the past twentyeight years. HIe is an active Republican and held
the office of Supervisor of Allen Township, Ilinsdale County, and also represented his district in
the Legislature, his election taking place in 1864.
Hie is a Knight Temllplar, having been at prominent
member of the Masonic fraternity for many years.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


219


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


=


The mother of our subject was born in New York
State and died in 1877, at Hillsdale. Her birth
took place about 1811. She was the mother of five
children, who all attained their majority, namely:
William W., a farmer in Reading Township, Hillsdale County; Adeline, who married Emmet Williams and died in hamburg, leaving two cihildren:
Arvid S., a farmer of Allen Township; Albert P,
and Carrie, wife of Frank HIamlin, also residing in
Allen Township.
The subject of this sketch, while in his native
State, attended the common schools, and after
coming to Michigan entered the college at Hillsdale upon its opening, alternately attending school
and teaching. In 1861, while still at college, he
enlisted, but was not accepted. In 1862, lie again
enlisted, this time being more successful, and in
October of that year was mustered into service as
Lieutenant of Company C, First Michigan Sharpshooters. The company went into camp aL Kalamazoo, where, in the spring of 1863, they were
sent to Ft. Dearborn, Detroit. They took part in the
chase after Morgan, the famous raider, afterward
returning to Ft. Dearborn, and then came to Camp
Douglas, Chicago, where they were employed in
guarding prisoners until March, 1864. They were
then sent to Annapolis, Md., and joined the Ninth
Army Corps under command of Gen. Burnside,
afterward going to Warrington Junction, Va.,where
they joined the Army of the Potomac and participated in the battle of the Wilderness. At Spottsylvania Courthouse, our subject received a gunshot
wound which disabled him from service until February, 1865. He then went to Chicago, where lie was
made Lieutenant of Company D, One Hundred and
Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, being sent to Nashville, Tenn., where his regiment became a part of
the second sei)arate livision of the Army of the
Cumberland. While in Nashville,:Mr. Thomas was
detailed as Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Gen. IH. M.
Judah, which position lie held until the ~General
was relieved at Marietta, Ga., in August, 1865,
our subject having been promoted in the meantime
to the rank of Acting Adjutant-General.
When Gen. Judah was relieved, Gen. John D.
Stephenson assumled coimmand and our subject remained Acting Adjutant-General. After the head



I


I-  -I - - ~ - I- -


quarters were changed to Atlanta, Mr. Thomas
reported to Gen. Bran nen, at Savannah, Ga.,where,
in December, 1865, he was detailed as Judge Advocate of the General Court-Martial, and acted in
that capacity until January 14, 1866, when he was
discharged from the service under a general order.
He returned to IIillsdale and resumed his legal
studies, and in the fall of 1866 entered the Law
Department of the University of Michigan, from
which he was graduated in 1867. He located at
Hillsdlle, where he remained until the spring of
1872, when he went to Howard City, Montcalm
County, and in the fall of that year was elected
Prosecuting Attorney for the county, serving in
that position for four years. In May, 1885, he removed to South Iaven.
Mr. Thomas was married, July 2, 1868, at Hillsdale, to Louise S. Beckhardt, daughter of David
and Adeline Beckhardt. She was born in Buffalo,
N. Y., in 1848.  They are the parents of one
daughter, Helen. In politics, Mr. Thomas is a Republian, and is Vice-president of the Enterprise
Club. lie became a member of the Knights Templar, January 7, 1876, being knighted in the De
Molai Commandery, No. 5, Grand Rapids. Mr.
Thomas relates many interesting incidents of his
war experience, and among others tells how he was
given an order for the capture of Jeff Davis,which
was carried from Gen. Steadman to Gen. Wilson
at Macon, going alone under a flag of truce from
Altoona. Hle reported to Gen. Wilson, and the
next day Jeff Davis was captured, and our subject
returned on the same train to Atlanta.
J   OEL ). MONROE, who is engaged in business at Paw Paw as a pension, real-estate
land collection agent, is a prominent and
well-known figure in political, Grand Army
and social circles in Van Buren County and elsewhere. IIe is a fine representative of the nativeborn citizens of the United States, who so nobly
and patriotically sacrificed the opening years of
their manhood in battling for the Union during
the Civil War'. Our subject was scarcely nore than
a boy when he volunteered his services to defend


i






220


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-— --I --- —------
---------- -^ ---

=


the Stars and Stripes, but early in the conflict he
won a high reputation for coolness and unflinching
courage, for promptness and fidelity in the discharge of his duties, and for other genuine soldierly qualities that gained himna military record
of which he and his may well be proud.
Mr. Monroe was born in the town of Sempronius,
Cayuga County, N. Y., May 22, 1843, a son of Joel
and Eliza (Atwood) Monroe. His father, a native
of Scotland, was born September 8, 1806. Ile was
an infant in arms when his father, Joel Monroe,
Sr., settled in New Hampshire. When he was ten
years of age, his father removed to Shrewsbury,
Mass.,whence he went to Cayuga County, N. Y., to
live when Joel, Jr., was eighteen years old. It was
there, in the town of Moravia, that the younger
Monroe met and married Eliza Atwood. She was
a native of New Bedford, Mass., born May 22,
1808, and had gone from her birthplace with her
parents to New York. The parents of our subject
spent their early married life in Cayuga County,
but when lie was ten years old they took up their
residence in HIuron County, Ohio, where the father
carried on farming for many years. After the war,
their son, of whom we write, persuaded them to
remove to a farm which lie had bought in Porter
Township, this county. This was not the father's
first experience of life in Michigan. HIe had formerly lived in this State in Territorial days as a pioneer settler in Oakland County, entering land near
Pontiac, from the (Government. lie located there,
and for some four years was engaged at his trade
as a shoemaker. IHe then returned to New York
and remained there until his removal to Ohio, in
1853. The father closed his eyes in death, in 1879,
on the farm in Porter Township.
Our subject was reared on a farm in ()hio, and
was early set to work at various kinds of agricultural labor to the neglect of his education. lie
was a thoughtful, studious lad, and in time made up
for his lack of schooling. At the age of fourteen,
lie began to perfect himself in penmanship, having
a natural talent in that direction,and by studying
a Spencerian Compendium carefully, and practicing
at every opplortunity, lie became so accomplished
in the art that he was perfectly competent to teach
it, and at the age of seventeen commenced to con

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duct night schools in country schoolhouses for the
purpose of imparting instruction in penmanship.
He soon acquired local fame in that line, and succeeded financially beyond his highest exl)ectations.
Hie was at that time learning the trade of a carpenter in the summer, and lie took lessons in synmmetrical drawing and architecture. By teaching penmanship, lie obtained money to buy a scholarship
in the commercial course at Oberlin College, but
did not attend, as the war broke out.
At the opening of the rebellion, our subject
threw aside pen and books and eagerly volun teered
for the three-mnonths' service, enlisting May 17,
1861, at which time he lacked five days of being
eighteen years old. The quota leing already fille(l,
much to his disappointment he was obliged to
wait awhile before joining the army, but lie reenlisted, in July, for the three-years' term, being
assigned to Company I, Fifty-fifth Ohio Infantry,
which formed a part of the Army of the Potomac.
IIe fought gallantly with his regiment in many
skirmishes with the enemy, and in the battles of
Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Fairfax Cou rt
House and Gettysburg. The connection of his
regiment with the Army of the Potomac was severed at Gettysburg by the consolidation of the
Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, which became tlhe
Twentieth Corps, and lie and his comrades were
sent to the assistance of Rosecrans at Chattanooga.
lere the brave boys saw   more hard fighting,
and our subject bore a gallant lart in it all until
after the battle of Lookout Mountain, when lie
was placed on detached service as clerk at headquarters of transportation at Nashville, a post for
which he was eminently fitted, and lie retained it
until the expiration of his term of enlistment.
When lie was discharged, Mr. Monroe returned
to Ohio, and after staying at home a few days lie
proceeded to New York with some friends, and(
thence went to tlle front to visit thle One lundred
and Eleventh New York Infantry. The martial
spirit was still strong within him, notwithstanding
his previous long and trying experience of the
hardships of war, and lie re-enlisted as a member
of that regiment, in Company C, June 4, 1864,
andl from that tile was plresent at every encounter
with the enemy until December 9, when he was


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


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disabled at liat llie's Run by a fracture of his skull,
caused by a portion of a tree, that lIad bleen hit by
a shell, falling on himr. lie was in a hospital for
fifteen (lays, but could no longer stand the restraints of lioslital life, and stole away without
warning or leave, to join his regiment. The brave
fellow was warmly received by his Captain and
Colonel, wlo fully appreciateld his value as a soldier andl were glad to have him back again. lie
was present at the surrend er of Lee, at Appomattox,
and after taking part in the Grand Review of all
the troops at Washington, he was discllarged, June
4, 1865.
Upon leaving the army for the last time, our
friend returned to New York to finish his interrupted visit of tlhe year before. Ile then returned
to llis Ohio llome, and subsequently took a tlreemonths' trip through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado
and other parts of the West. Hle found no place
in which lie cared to locate permanently, and retracing his steps Eastward, he came to Michigan, and
lurchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in
Porter Township, Van Buren County, upon which
lie persuaded his parents to settle, as we have before mentioned. That was in the fall of 1865, and
for some time our subject gave his attention to
farming. Two years later, lie removed to Lawton,
where lie followed his trade as a carpenter, and
liad charge of a planing mill. I-e lived there until
1875, having sold his farm, and then went to reside with his father in order to oversee the farm,
as his father was in poor health. lie continued to
follow carpenter work, however, and lived there
and in that neiglhborhood until the fall of 1883.
After Ills father's death, in 1879, he bougllt forty
acres of land near Lawton, and made his home
upon that until 1887, when, having been elected
Registrar of Deeds. he took up his residence at
Paw Paw.. Ie was re-elected to that office in 1889,
and served four years in all. While living in
Porter Township, he was Justice of the Peace four
years.
Mr. Monroe is a member of the Republican party,
of which he has been a loyal adherent from  the
days when lie was fighting to sustain its principles
on Southern battlefields.  His first Presidential
vote was cast in 1868, in favor of Gen. Grant, and


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many times lie lias been a delegatet to county conventions, as well as to two congressional, tlhree
State and a like number of legislative conventions.
Ite is also conspicuous as a Grand Army man and
prominent in the conclaves of that organization.
le llas been Adjutant of L. C. Woodman Post,
No. 196, G. A. R., I)epartment of Michligan, lie
having been tlle prime mover in obtaining the organization of that post. Hie lias also been Officer of
the day one term, Commander two terms and Acting Commander one term.   ie llas been present at
three National reuniions hleld at Columibus, Milwaukee and l)etroit, respectively. Mr. Monroe is also
one of tlie most active members of tle Masonic
fraternity in tlis part of thle country, belonging
to Lawton Lodge. No. 216. Ile hleld tie position
of Senior Deacon for four years, tllat of Junior
Deacon one year, and lie is a clarter member of
said lodge.
The marriage of our subject witll Miss Eliza A.
MIunger was celebrated December 17, 1867. Mrs.
Monroe is a native of tllis county, born in Porter
Township, May 16, 1844, a daughlter of one of the
pioneer families. Ier parenlts, Luke and Lucretia
(Reed) Munger, were natives of New York State
and Ohio, respectively, and early settlers of Van
Buren County, coming to Miclligan in Territorial
days. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe are the parents of the
following children: Stella A., who married John
Lytle, a farmer of Porter Townslip, is tihe mother
of one child; Mark P., wlo is learning the art of
printing; Carl, Celia, Viola, Leon and Pearl.
E    ZRA S. TTPIIAM, althougll residing on his
pleasant farm on section 17, Porter Township, Van Buren County, is retired from
the active duties of life. He was born April 19,
1821, in Vermont, and is tle son of Joshua C. and
Sallie (Willard) ITphlam, natives of Massachusetts,
but who accompanied their respective parents to
Vermont in their youth. The father was a clothier,
and his father, James Uplham, died on a farm in
Montgomery, Vt., aged sixty-eight years. He had
been a merchant in early life. The maternal grand

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


father of our subject, Eli Willard, was a farmer,
and died when about seventy years of age. The
family on both sides of the house are of old New
England stock.
The parents of our subject came West to Lorain
County, Ohio, in 1836. The mother died in Milan,
that State, at the advanced age of ninety years.
Mr. lTpham passed away at the home of our subject,
in his seventy-ninth year. Ezra S. Upham came
to the Wolverine State in 1837, and made his
home for three years in Otsego. Hle then returned
to Ohio, and was married, in 1840, to Miss Sarah
Hunter, a native of Vermont. Mrs. Upham was
born in 1822, and was the daughter of Jonathan
Hunter, a farmer who came to Michigan in 1838,
and located in Genesee County, where he was a
prominent citizen and made his permanent home.
Mrs. Hunter died some twenty years after coming
to Michigan.
Our subject continued to make Lorain County,
Ohio, his home after his marriage, where he purchased a farm upon which lie resided twenty-two
years. In 1862, he came with his family to the Wolverine State, and located in the Kinney Settlement
on an improved farm. He resided there but two
years, however, when he purchased a tract on section 24. rwo years later lie disposed of that property and became the owner of a good farm on
section 20. Ile donated the land where the Protestant Methodist Church now stands, and was
otherwise interested in all worthy objects.
In 1873 Mr. Upham purchased his present farm,
which contains ninety acres. In addition to that
tract, he owns thirty-eight acres east of his home
farm, and a nine-acre wood lot. Iis comfortable
residence was erected in 1876, and his estate contains all the improvements which make agriculture
a pleasure. IHe does a general farming business
and las his place stocked with a good grade of
animals.
The family of our worthy subject and his wife
number seven children: Elizabeth, Mrs. Chamberlain, has one child; Harriet is the wife of T. Wyman and has two children; Almira, Mrs. John Me
Lain, has four children; Martha, Mrs. Hamilton
McLain, has two children; Cappie married F. Chamberlain and has one child; James N. married Gert

rude Packard and has one child; Charles B. married Lillian Bradford and has two children.
Mr. Upham was for a number of years a school
officer in his district. In politics, he is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for James
G. Birney. While a resident of Ohio, he was Township Trustee for fifteen successive years, receiving in
his last election every vote but two in the township.
IIe has been elected Justice of the Peace three
different times, but has never qualified. IHe has
represented his township in the office of Highway
Commissioner, and has otherwise been active in
public affairs.
TILLIAM WEBSTER is a resident of Hart\ /ford, Van Buren County, who was born in
Vy/ Cayuga County, N. Y., August 20, 1820,
and is one of a family of eighteen children, fifteen
of whom are still living. The parents of this
family were Charles I. and Arvilla (Fish) Webster.
They came from   New Hampshire to New York.
During the War of 1812 the father served in the
Commisary Department. His father, Nathan Webster, served as a Revolutionary soldier.
Our subject was first married in New York State,
in 1841, to Arpha Odell, and by her had eleven
children. One son, Charles I., served in the War
of the Rebellion and was killed in the battle of
Atlanta. Our subject moved his family to Michigan in 1855, and has been a resident of this State
since then. In 1889 Mrs. Webster passed away,
and in 1890 the husband was married to Jane
Bennett. Six of Mr. Webster's family are now living, two in Detroit and four in Iartford.
When the original of this sketch came to this
county, he found it entirely new and his family
set to work and cleared a farm of three hundred
and thirty-four acres. He still owns one hundred
and seventy-two acres of it, which is operated by
a son. He owns a nice home in the village where
he now makes his home, retired from all active
labor, and is now enjoying the fruits of his early
labors. He is a congenial man, and is held in
the highest respect by all with whom he comes in
contact. Politically, he is a Republican at all




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


223


times and socially lie is a member of the Free and
Accepted Masons ill ltartford. AVlen lie first ca'me
here, there were not more than one or two stores
in tle le la  and lhe has seen the town develop to
what it is to day.
ANIEL, W. SIAS, whlo was a soldier (lluriln
Jthle late war, now occupies an important
position as a wide-awake, prosperous
farmer of Van Buren County, his fine
farm, witlh its well tilled acres, and substantial
modern improvements, comparing with the best in
Bangor Township. Mr. Sias was born in Jefferson
County, N. Y., in 1839, the third child in the family of four children of Jeremiah and Mary (Chapman) Sias. ITis fatler was born in Vermont, in
1796, and the mother was a native of New York
City. Tile paternal grandparents of our subject
were Jeremiall and Aclsall (Whittier) Sias, his
grandmother being a cousin of the poet Whittier.
Our subject passed his youth in his native State,
and was in tile opening years of an energetic,
self-reliant manhood when the war broke out.
In 1864, lie threw  aside all personal considerations and enlisted in Company B, One Iundred and
Eighty-sixth New York Infantry, and served until
tlle Government had no farther use for his services,
the conflict between tile North and the South lhaving been brought to a successful issue. IHe bore
an active part in the capture of Petersburg, and in
the various encounters of his regiment with the
enemy, lie displayed the coolness and resource of a
veteran, and his war record is an honor to him.
In 1871, Mr. Sias removed his family to Michigan and settled on section 31, Bangor Township.
Iere lie has developed a very fine farm, amply
supplied with good buildings and with the modern appliances pertaining to agriculture, and its
eighty acres of fertile soil are under a highl state
of cultivation. Mr. Sias has proved to be a valuable acquisition to the citizenship of thlis county,
and llas not only done good work as a skillful,
practical farmer, but also as a public-spirited civic
official. Hle has held the office of Justice of the
Peace about fourteen years, besides being School


Inslector an1d Iigwllwy Commnissioner. IIe is a
man of steady, clear brainl, of undoubted veracity
and steadfast honor, and in him the Christian
Church finds one of its most consistent and hardworking members. Politically, he has been identified witll tie Repul)blican party ever since lie beg'an to vote.
The marriage of our slubject with Miss Addie
P'tarker took plLace in his native county ill 1860.
It has been a felicitious Liuion, and lhas brouglht
thlell two children: Ernest B., who resides on a
farm adjoining his father's, and Elizabeth, wife of
Warren T'. Winslow, station agent for tile Toledo
& Soutih Ilaven Railway, at Covert. Mrs. Sias is a
laugliter of Davis Parker, who is thlougolt to have
been born at Lawre1nce, Mass., and wlo was a brother
of tile famous l'resbyterian minister, tile Rev. Mr.
O. Parker, wlho resided in Flint, Micl., and was a
son of Josephl Parker. Tlie latter was a native of
New England, but was of English antecedents.
- cc ________ 2
I/3 LENN )I)O TG LASS STUART. To a few such
men as our subject, Kalamazoo owes much
')    of its present activity ill trade ani( manufacturing interests.
It is to the active, pushing, vigorous young
business men like the gentleman whose name heads
this article that this beautiful city owes much of
its advancement. Glenn Douglass Stuart is doing
his part well and were the lovers of the esculent
herb to have a voice he would be crowned wlhat
lie is already "The Celery King."
Born at Gowanda, N. Y., February 15, 1860,
Mr. Stuart is the son of HFon. William H. and Barbara (Allen) Stuart, natives of New York.  lIe
is the fourth of five children, three of whom  survive, one, Mrs. Alice Blackney, being identified
with him in business. He was reared in Gowanda,
received his education in Wooster (Ohio) College,
and studied law in his native city. In 1883 he
came to Kalamazoo and     studied under Gov.
Charles May, with whom lie remained some years.
On account of trouble with his eyes, he was compelled to abandon his study and seek outdoor em



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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


ployment. lie therefore commenced in the celery
business, and from a small beginning has increased
his enterprise until now the business in the city
averages forty tons daily during the season.
The business in which Mr. Stuart engages supports at least one fourth of the population of Kalamazoo.   His grounds include three thousand
acres in Kalamazoo and vicinity. Mr. Stuart is
also a breeder of trotting horses, having about
thirty first-class animals. Several have a record
of 2:30, while many others have become well
known on the track. December 8, 1883,Mr. Stuart
was married to Miss Alice, daughter of Herman
Hascall, founder of tile daily Telegraph.  Mrs.
Stuart was born in Kalamazoo. Mr. Stuart and
his wife have two children: Maud and Allen.
Socially, Mr. Stuart is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Few men have
made as rapid and substantial advancement in
business as Mr. Stuart. Keen-witted and wide.
awake he is a typical resident of the West and will
undoubtedly attain wealth in his chosen occupation.
W  ILLIAM K. VAN    I-ISE is a well-known
and highly-respected farmer of Van Buren
County, residing on section 14, Decatur
Township, where for a third of a century he has
made his home. Of much of the history of the
county he has been an eye-witness, has seen
its growth and upbuilding, and has aided in its
development. Ile is, therefore, deserving of representation in this volume, and it is with pleasure
that we record his sketch.
Our subject's father, Joseph Van Hise, was born
in Trenton, N. J., in 1805, and when a lad of
seven years went with his parents to Cincinnati,
Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married
May Keer, a native of the Buckeye State. Shortly
afterward he removed to Lebanon, Ohio, in 1836,
and twenty years later came to Michigan, locating in Decatur Township. In Cincinnati he ha'I
learned the hatter's trade, but in Lebanon followed the milling business, and here engaged in
farming. He was a Democrat in politics until the


nomination of Fremont, when lie joined the new
Republican party and became one of its stanch
advocates. Iie served as Justice of the Peace and
Town Clerk for a number of years, and was Supervisor of Decatur Township before the townships
were divided. Ite died April 14, 1872, and was
buried on the old homestead, where his father and
mother were also interred, their deaths occurring
several years after he came to Michigan. Of the
eight children in the Van IIise family, six grew to
mature years and three yet survive. Eunice, who
has taught thirty-nine terms of school, is now living with her mother on the old homestead; Jarred
P. operates the old homestead, which was a wild
tract of land when it was purchased by the father
from the United States Government.
William Van Hise, of this sketch, claims Ohio
as the State of his nativity, a farm in Butler
County being the place of his birth and the date
July 10, 1835. I-e was a babe when his parents
came to Michigan, and in this State, therefore, almost his entire life has been passed. The public
schools afforded him  his educational privileges,
but his training there was more meager than that
whic li e received on the farm. Abandoning farm
work at the age of twenty-one, he embarked in the
grocery business, which he followed for four years,
having had some experience in that line as a clerk
in a store in Lawton. On selling his stock of
groceries, he removed to the farm 'in Decatur
Township which has since been his home, and his
farming labors have only been interrupted by his
service in the late war. Feeling that his country
needed his aid, lie enlisted, Iecember 9, 1863, in
Company II, Twelfth Michigan Infantry, under
Capt. Claflin, and served until the close of the
war, being mustered out on the 15th of February,
1866. Ile was with the Western Army, and most
of the time served on detached duty.
On the 18th of July, 1858, Mr. Van Hise was
joined in wedlock with Miss Amelia, daughter of Richard and Phoebe Armitage, who were
natives of the Empire State and emigrated to
Jackson, Mich., in an early day. Mrs. Van Hise's
mother died when she was a maiden of ten summers, and her father afterward removed to Decatur,
where she became acquainted with her future hus



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band. Unto them were born four children, but
Eugene E., born May 24, 1863, died February 25,
1864. Inez P., born July 3, 1859, is the wife of
Adelbert Maguire, of Paw Paw    Township; Susa
K., born March 17, 1861, is teaching school in the
MIcWilliams district and resides at home; Carrie
B., who was born June 25, 1875, and is now attending school in Dlecatur, completes the family.
Mr. Van Ilise is a man who gives his support to
all worthy enterprises and is a friend to educational, social and moral reforms. Of the cause of
temperance lie is a stanch advocate, and labors
earnestly in its interests. Socially, lie is a demitted
Mason, and belongs to the Farmers' Alliance and
the Grand Army Post of Decatur. I-e is an inflexible adherent of Republican principles. and an
active worker for the party's interest, and has
filled a number of offices with credit to himself
and satisfaction to his constituents. For six years
he has been Supervisor of the township, still holding the position; was Clerk for two years; for
about twenty years lhas been Justice of the Peace,
and was I)rain Counmissioner and Commissioner of
Highways for one year each. The duties of citizenshili he has ever faithfully discharged, and is
alike true to private trusts. Ile now does a general farming and stock-raising business, and has
forty acres of his sixty-acre farm under a high
state of cutivation.
LEXAN)IER W. IIENDRICK, M. 1). Tlhe
medical profession hlas many able representatives in Paw Paw, and among those
who stand foremost and highest in the
esteem of the people may be mentioned the gentleman whose portrait is presented on the opposite page. IIe is a graduate of Ilahnemann Medical College, at Chicago, and during the years
which lie has devoted to his profession has proved
himself eminently worthy of his high calling, and
has achieved success and prominence. As a surgeon lie stands very high, having hlad many intricate cases under his care and meeting with wonderful success.
The subject of this sketch is perhaps best known
10


outside of Paw   Paw as the founder and proprietor of the "Maple City Iome," where the
drinking and opium   habits may be cured by a
treatment which includes all there is in the chloride
of gold cure.   At this institute there are two
distinct courses of treatment: one for original
cases, and another especially adapted to the cure
of those who have taken a course elsewhere and
have since relapsed. The treatment is most approved and successful, and consists in the use of
chloride of gold and sodium, in combination witl
other potent and well-chosen drugs. The so-called
bi-clloride of gold or double gold-if it means anything-is too strong, and with its use patients are
liable to be overdosed; hence the dangerous tendency to relapse, insanity and suicide which occur
so frequently in otller treatments. The chloride of
gold, and of -sodium as a preparation of gold, is
sufficiently powerful, and with other airect and
potent remedies in combination is much more
eflicient, and by its use the ill effects of the gold
cure are avoided.
The cure adopted by )Dr. Hendrick     is performed by antidoting the alcoholic poison, eliminating its ill effects, curing the diseased conditions, righting up the prostrated nerves, and taking
away the appetite for liquor-making it loathsome, so that the person so treated will abhor it
within one week. It may take three or four weeks
to  complete a cure.    All liquors needed are
furnished until no more will, or can, be taken.
I)runkenness is cured by this treatment as positively as ague may be cured and as easily.
While the cure is thorough, tile patients are preserved from the shock of the battle. their nerve
force not being exhausted in the manner complained
of by those who have been treated elsewhere. Invariably the patients leave with a well-regulated
system and a hopeful spirit. The second course
of treatment is adapted to those who have relapsed after a course at other institutes. It is
well understood that it is dangerous for them to
go through the same treatment where the bichloride of gold is used. One directly adapted
to such cases is here provided, and it is proving
to be wonderfully successful; and tLiese secondcourse patients have a safe, easy time, with no




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PORTlnRAIT AND BIOGRRAPHI[CAL RECORD..


2 2 8 J P O R T A I T   N D   I O G R P H I C L   R E O R D


more suffering than the first-course patients. They
have as bright and hopeful prospects as others,
and have reason to feel the most profound gratitude for their restoration.  At the Maple City
Home, baths of all kinds are administered, as well
as the massage and electric treatment and the
Swedish Movement Cure.     While the general
work of a sanitarium is done here, especial attention is given orificial surgery, for which splendid
advantages are offered.
A native of New York, Dr. Hendrick was born
in Berlin Township, Rensselaer County, August
8, 1837, and is a son of Alexander W. and Betsy
A. (Record) Hendrick, natives of New York and
of English ancestry. Our subject grew to manhood in New York, receiving an academic education and fitting for college at New Hampton,
N. H., where he took a course in the Biblical
School. After taking his college course at Amherst, he entered the ministry at the age of
twenty-four. He had been converted to the faith
of the Free-will Baptist Church three years previous to becoming a minister. For about five
years he followed ministerial work in Central
New York.
On September 3, 1860, Dr. Hendrick and Miss
Harriet Horton, of Poestenkill, N. Y., were united
in marriage. Failing health indficed the young
minister to come to Batavia, Ill., and later he entered Hahnemann Medical College, at Chicago,
from which he was graduated in 1871. He located in Kalamazoo, Mich., thence removed to
Galien, and from there came to Paw Paw in 1877.
He has made a fair fortune in his profession and
has a splendid library. During the fire, in 1888,
he lost $800 worth of medical works, besides office
fixtures valued in all at $1,350. In his politics
he is a Republican, and although not old enough to
vote for John C. Fremont at the time of his candidacy for the Presidential Chair, yet he spoke for
him at many meetings. He is now a member and
a Trustee in the Baptist Church, in Paw Paw,
and was initiated into masonry in Batavia, Ill.,
although he is not identified with the order here.
The Doctor and his estimable wife are the parents of the following-named children: Ella Francetta; Wayland Alexander, who died when nine: C::::


years old; Howard E. and Byron C., who passed
away in infancy; Edith A., who was born December 9, 1879, and Eugenia Paulina, August 17,
1882. Ella F. married W. E. Woodard, a farmer
of Kalamazoo County, and they have one child.
Success is the true test of merit, and those who
know Dr. Hendrick will bear witness to his being
an honorable, conscientious physician, who has
become thoroughly conversant with the details of
his profession by hard study and indomitable
energy. An enterprising citizen, he is always
ready to advance any truly meritorious project
that will promote the prosperity of the community, and during his residence in Paw Paw has
won a host of friends.
ORRIN PARKER, deceased. Among the prominlent pioneers of Keeler Township, Van
Buren County, stands the name of the gentleman of whom we write, and although he has
passed away to enjoy the recompense due his long
and useful life, his memory still lives among those
who knew him. He was born in New York State
in June, 1788, and was one in a family of ten children born to Timothy and Eunice Parker. They
were named: Anson, Orrin, Parley, Chauncy,
Fannie, Orson, Laura, Harvey, Russell and Polly.
All grew to mature years.
Our subject was married to Jemima Day, in November, 1809, and reared a family of ten children:
Emery, Laura, Abigail, Sampson, Fannie, Amos A.,
Russell, Orson F., Milla M. and Calvin D. Mr.
and Mrs. Parker came to Washtenaw County, Miic.,
in 1836, and from  there moved to Van Buren
County, in 1838, and settled in the woods. They
developed a farm of forty acres, where his wife
died in 1849, and he passed from this life in 1867.
One daugllter, Milla, married John W. Abbott, in
1854, and they established themselves on a farm
in the dense woods and cleared a place of two hundred and forty-six acres before Mr. Abbott's death,
which occurred in 1870. He and his worthy wife
had born to them one child, Helen M., now the
wife of Frank Tuttle. Mr. Abbott was born in
Onondaga County, N, Y., in May, 1826. His par



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


229


ents were Osem and Annie (Olden) Abbott, the
father born in 1797, and the mother in 1802. They
were both natives of New York. Mrs. Abbott
erected a beautiful brick residence on her farm in
the summer of 1881, and has conducted her own
business affairs in which she has been very successful. Sle is one of the most respected ladies of the
community.
I LES II. IHILL, who has a pleasant home on
section 19, Allegan Townshi, is a rep)resen\  tative farmer and influential resident of
Allegan County. I-le is now retired from active
farming operations, although he still maintains
the supervision of this place of one hundred and
thirty acres. A native of Richland Township,
Oswego County, N. Y., lie was born November 14,
1816, and is the son of Arrey, and Polly (Lindman) Hill, natives of New York. The father,
who was a ship builder, came to Michigan in 1827,
and, locating in Detroit, sojourned there for a
period of two years.
From there Mr. Iill removed to a small village
called Plymouth Corners, where he built several
mills and other buildings during his residence in
the place of about three years. Afterward, he resided for a time in Grand Rapids, then a small
hamlet, and thence proceeded to Grandville, where
lie remained about fifteen years. In 1852, lie came
to Allegan County and settled on section 24, Pine
Plains Township, where he remained until 1854.
When on his way to Grandville he was taken sick
at Bradley's Corners and there died. The mother
of our subject died at Grandville, April 10, 1884,
at the good old age of eighty-four.
The family to which our subject belongs consisted of nine children, three of whom are now
living, namely: Giles H., Arrey J. and Betsy.
Our subject was about seventeen years old when
lie came to Michigan, and at the early age of
eighteen, began trading  with the Indians at
Grand Rapids. He became fluent in the use of
Indian language and spent the winter seasons for
a numnber of years on the East shore of Michigan,


buying furs and exchanging goods for the same.
For three and one half years he carried the mail
from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, first making the
trip on horseback for three months, and then traveling in a buggy and carrying passengers. In
company with Orlando Pierce, lie later carried the
mail and conveyed passengers in a stage coach the
entire distance of sixty-five miles.
Afterward, Mr. Hill worked for William Lewis
in the hotel business at Yankee Springs and was
thus engaged for two years. Afterward he was in
the employ of T.B.Pierce at Otsego,Allegan County,
in an hotel, and when at the expiration of ten
months, Mr. Pierce sold out to C. D. Parkhurst,
our subject remained with the latter gentleman
some four years. MrI. Parkhurst later came to
Allegan and bought the Allegan I-louse, which Mr.
Iill purchased of him, after filling the position of
clerk for some years. During the time lie was
proprietor of the hotel, he was also interested in
the lumber business, and after selling the hotel, he
removed to section 24, Pine Plains Township, where
lie had four hundred acres of uniml)roved land.
In order to reach his purchase, Mr. HIill was
compelled to cut a road through the woods, and
afterward cleared a place for his house, which
was a small board shanty, made of lumber he had
brought down the Kalamazoo River to Fox Springs
on a raft and afterward carried up the hill on his
back. For more than two years lie was engaged
in clearing and improving the place, and at the
expiration of that time was induced by lIon. F. B.
Stockbridge to remove to Singapoor and take
charge of his hotel. Prior to leaving the farm, lie
carried the mail for two years between Allegan
and Saugatuck, and during that time was stricken
with the small pox which his wife and child caught
from him. Fortunately it did not prove fatal to
them.
While Mr. Hill was at Singapoor lie boarded between fifty and one hundred men who were in the
lumber business and at the same time superintended the erection of a large hotel on his farm
on the Kalamazoo River, of which he was proprietor from December, 1857, until 1877. In 1859,
leaving his wife to manage the hotel, le crossed
the plains to California with- a span of fine horses,




230


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-                             --                       -— " ---             -— I


and remained on the Pacific Slope for one year,  co
managing a restaurant in the winter and locating  wc
mines during the summer. After a visit of three
months at home, he again went West and for three  Mi
years was superintendent of a mine in California,  Ma
receiving $10 per day. At one time he could have  Ca
sold his mine and returned home with $100,000,  da
but he refused to do so.                        on
On his return, after spending nine years in Cali-  bri
fornia, Mr. Hill farmed until about 1879, when he  fr(
removed to his present place. He is well-to-do  bu
and the owner of about two thousand acres of land  we
in Allegan County, besides considerable live stock.  He
He has held the office of Justice of the Peace, Sup-  M(
ervisor, Town Clerk and Pathmaster, and as a    on
member of the Democratic party, is one of the   Va
prominent and influential citizens of the county.  shi
He was married, November 2, 1846, to Matilda M.  $7
Muma, and four of the six children born of this  wh
union are now living, namely: Julia H., who is the  he]
wife of Walter Ingham  and the mother of one    He
child, Ray; Cynthia A., now Mrs. Simmonds, and  tra
the mother of two children, Marcia and Jesse; Ada  chl
C., who married George St. Germain, has one     ad,
child, Bessie; and Charles E. Mrs. Matilda M. Hill  of
died September 4, 1871.
Mr. Hill was afterward married to Olive C. Muma,  of
sister of his first wife, and daughter of George and  in
Sally (Goodhue) Mumna,natives respectively of New  La
York and Canada. Mr. Muma, who was a farmer     wh
by calling, came to this State as early 'as 1838, set-  18.
tling in the village of Allegan and there spending  Ba
his remaining years. Mr. Hill and his estimable  lin
wife have a large circle of warm friends and enjoy  18'
the confidence of all to whom they are known.   me
tor
ma
Jar
HILIP   NICHOLAS, a retired farmer re-    is t
siding in Lawrence, Van Buren County, is  boi
a native of Cambridgeshire, England,     par
whiere he was born March 26, 1829. He      is i
is a son of Richard and Mary (Stephens) Nicholas.  his
The father was a farmer, and our subject grew to  Ma
manhood learning all the pursuits of agriculture.  riec
As soon as he was able, he had to assist on the  wo
farm, and thus obtained but little education. He  wit


mmenced for himself at the age of eighteen,
)rking by the month and day at farming.
Philip Nicholas was married March 26, 1852, to
iss Hannah Payne, a daughter of George and
ary (Porter) Payne. She was born in Little Port,
Lmbridgeshire, England, October 11, 1833. The
y after their marriage, they started for America
a sailing vessel, and were five weeks on the
iny deep. They landed in New York City, and
)m there went direct to Brownsville, Pa. Having
t $1 left, Mr. Nicholas immediately commenced
Erk in a foundry for seventy-five cents a day.
worked there seven months and then started for
edina County, Ohio, where he worked on a farm
e year and seven months. He then came to
nLI Buren County and located in Arlington rownip, where he bought eighty acres of land, paying
5 down. This he immediately began to improve,
file his good wife and helpmate kept house for
r brother for her board and that of her children.
cleared about three acres and sold the entire
ict for quite an increase in value. He then purased another eighty acres, which he still owns in
cition to other land, making him the possessor
one hundred and forty broad and fertile acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas have become the parents
nine children, namely: George P., who was born
Brownsville, Pa., March 23, 1853, and lives in
wrence with his wife and two children; Ellen,
lo was born in Medina County, Ohio, October 29,
54; she married Edward Hogmire and lives in
ngor with her five children. Ann, born in Argton Township, this county, November 10,
56, is the wife of Samuel Hogmire and the
other of four children. Wesley, born in Arling1 Township, May 22, 1858, is a farmer; he is;rried and the father of two children. Mary
ne, born April 9, 1860, married John Alien and
the mother of four children. Ierbert R. was
rn September 5, 1862, and is at home with his
rents. Charles Sherman, born January 14, 1865,
narried and lives in Arlington Township with
wife and two children. Alfred Alonzo, born,y 29, 1868, lives on the old homestead, is mard and the father of one child. Willia  Ellsrthl, born Novemb)er 10, 1870, lives at home;h- his parents. All these children have received




I




J.P. WQOODBURY




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


233


good common-school educations, and Herbert R.
has been a teacher for two years, but had to abandon it on account of ill health.
Mr. Nicholas continued to live on his farm until
1891, when he moved to his present beautiful
home in Lawrence, which he has but recently
built. He was drafted to serve in the late Rebellion, but paid $1,000 to a substitute. He was naturalized as a citizen of the United States, while
living in Arlington Township, and voted on the
Republican ticket till his views changed to the
Democracy. Since the formation of the Prohibition party, he hlas given his influence to that body.
He and his wife are earnest members of the United
Brethren Church and have paid the greater part of
the expense of the church, which is built on their
farm. Mr. Nicholas has served as Street Commissioner and also on the School Board of his township. Herbert R., his son, has also served as School
Director in Arlington Township.
EREMIAH PRATT WOODBURY.           Probably no man did more to advance the interests of Kalamazoo than the subject of this
biographical notice, whose portrait is presented on the opposite page, and who has gone to
his final rest. Every enterprise he took hold of
was impelled by his great vigor and enthusiasm,
and it became a maxim that what J. P. Woodbury
took an active interest in was sure of success. A
man of keen intellect, always ready to grasp the
difficult questions that puzzled others, his clear
mind would soon unravel the difficulties and make
smooth sailing.  His judgment was final in all
questions of financial policy, and no institution
guided by his brain was ever in danger of the
rocks.
Born in Charlton, Mass., February 7, 1805, our
subject was the son of Caleb and Silence (King)
Woodbury, natives of Sutton, Worcester County,
Mass. His father was a man of public importance
and upright character, whose family comprised his
wife and ten sons. The fourth child, Jeremiah P.,
was reared by his uncle, Jeremiah Pratt, the husband of his father's sister, who adopted him when
he was a mere infant. I-e was reared in Massachu

setts, and accompanied his uncle to New York, settling in Tompkins and remaining on a farm there
until about 1830. In the meantime he learned the
trade of a carpenter, his uncle being a millwright.
When about twenty-four years old, our subject
entered the mercantile business at Peruville,
Tompkins County, in connection with his younger
brother, Caleb. He followed merchandising from
1832 until 1836, and in the meantime was married,
March 12, 1834, at Lansing, Tompkins County, to
Miss Malinda Knettles. Mrs. Woodbury was born
in Tompkins County, November 27, 1813, and is
the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Tichenor)
Knettles. Her father was of German parentage,
being the son of one George Knettles, who emigrated from Germany and established a home in
Philadelphia County, Pa., later removing to Carlisle, the same State. Joseph was married the first
time in New York, when about tllirty-three years
old, and settled in Tompkins County, and after the
death of his first wife, he married Miss Catherine
Tichenor, being then about forty-three years of age.
In 1836, Mr. Woodbury, accompanied by his
wife, came to Michigan and located in Bellevue,
Eaton County, a little town just started. He there
opened a store and engaged in the tanning of hides,
and the manufacture of boots, shoes, saleratus, etc.;
he also engaged in the real-estate business. His
brother Caleb, who had been his partner in New
York, came with him to this State and engaged in
business with him until the spring of 1847, when
he disposed of his interests in Bellevue, and went
to Adrian.
Eighteen months prior to his removal to Kalamazoo, our subject started a branch store here, and,
upon removing his family hither, engaged in the
manufacture of pig-iron, the ore being found on
the river banks. A few years before, a furnace
had been erected but the enterprise proved a failure. Mr. Woodbury purchased the property and
made a success of the business. Soon afterward he
started a stove manufactory in the village, making stoves and selling them throughout the country. In addition lie built a flouring mill, two miles
south of the village, and operated it with considerable success. He was one of the original owners
of the gas works in the city.




234


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


After his flouring mill was burned, Mr. Wood
bury became connected with the Kalamazoo Paper
Mill, and also gave considerable attention to the
Michigan National Bank, of which he was a Director. He was an extensive property owner, investing in property in Eaton County, and also in
the pine lands of Minnesota. His home was at No.
405 Main Street for thirty-nine years, and about
eleven years before his death he erected the
present residence which now adorns that part of
the city. His death, which occurred November 5,
1887, was the result of being thrown from a carriage, while returning from a fishing excursion
with a party of gentlemen. It was a great shock
to the community, and especially to those who
most tenderly loved him-his wife and children.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury were the parents of five
children, one of whom died in infancy; Caroline
married George Trask, a son of Luther Trask, of
Kalamazoo, and resided in New York until the
death of her husband, since which her home has
been with Mrs. Woodbury. Catherine is the widow
of Col. Fred W. Curtenius; Emma married Ira A.
Ransom, and resides in Kalamazoo; Edward also
resides in this city, and is an active business man.
Fond of life and society, Mr. Woodbury was a
most genial and companionable man, and his extensive travels throughout the United States and
Europe gave him a fund of information which
contributed to his popularity. His temperament
was nervous, his disposition generous, and his
charities best known by the poor and destitute, to
whom he never refused a helping hand.


and after his decease his wife married Baker Mallett, and to them  was born a daughter, Sarah.
After Mr. Mallett's death, our subject's mother
became the wife of William  Smith. She passed
from  this life about 1870. Mr. Hilton, of this
sketch, remained with his mother until reaching
his majority. His early life was spent in the village of Alnwick, but as lie was obliged to earn his
own living from the age of ten years, his educational advantages were very limited.
When attaining his twenty-second year, Robert
Hilton was married to Mary A., daughter of James
N. and Charlotte (Loveday) Edwards. The ceremony which made them    one was celebrated in
England, May 16, 1856, and the next morning
they set sail for the United States. Their first location was at East Mendon, Monroe County, N. Y.,
where Mr. Iilton engaged to work on a farm for
two years. In 1859, however, le came to Michigan
with his family and located in Battle Creek, which
they made their home for a twelvemonth, when
they came to Allegan County. They settled in
what was then Pinplains, but is now Lee Township, being among the first white people to locate
there.
Our subject, when making a permanent settlement in Allegan County, purchased one hundred
and twenty acres where he now makes his home,
paying for the same fifty cents per acre. The
property was in its primitive condition, and, erecting a log cabin 14x20 feet in dimensions, he commenced the work of clearing. His wife's parents
lived with them until they could build a cabin of
their own. Mr. Hilton began working in the pine
woods at $12 per month in order to support his
family in their new home, and the first winter, the
weather being extremely severe, froze his feet.
With the coming of the spring, he commenced
felling the timber on his land, working at a great
disadvantage, however, as he owned neither farm
implements nor team. Ile worked two days out of
the week for a neighbor for the use of his team one
day. His industry and perseverance were rewarded,
and, at the end of the second year, he had harvested six acres of wheat.
Mr. Hilton was very ingenious and seldom went
in debt for any of his farm machinery. His first


- -  - _


/


---.r_


N


OBERT HILTON. This owner and resident
located upon the fine farm on section 11,
Lee Township, Allegan County, is a prominent gentleman in this region. He was
born in Lincolnshire, England, April 16,1830,and
is the son of Robert and Mary (Smith) Hilton.
The father died while our subject was a babe, he
being the youngest of four children, all of whom
died when young.
Robert Hilton, Sr., was a farmer by occupation,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


235


------
 --- --


harrow lie constructed himself, using wooden pins
for teeth. In tile neat and convenient buildings
which now adorn his place, we see the same spirit
of economy manifested, for Mr. Hilton never began any work unless he had the money to carry it
through. He is now the proud possessor of two
hundred acres of excellent land, which have been
accumulated solely through his own efforts, as he
came to the new State with no other means of support than his strong and willing hands. IHe has
been more than ordinarily successful in his farming
operations, and now ranks among the well-to-do
and intelligent agriculturists of Lee Township.
Mrs. Hilton was one of a family of seven children,
six of whom are yet living: Mary A. (Mrs. Hilton),
Eliza, John, Albert, Joseph, Elizabeth (deceased)
and James. Our subject and his wife have not
been blessed with children. In politics, Mr. Hilton
is a strong Democrat, and greatly respected in this
locality.
MBROSE MILHAM, an old settler of Kalamazoo County, and one of its wealthiest
f farmers and stock-raisers, belonging to
one of its best-known pioneer families,
occupies a leading place among the agriculturists
who have had the making of Pavilion Township,
so far as redeeming the land from the wilderness
and transforming it into smiling and highly
productive farms is concerned. His farming interests, which centre there on section 6, are very valuable, his farm being one of the best in point of
improvement and one of the best stocked in this
locality.
Mr. Milham was born in the town of Chatham,
N. Y., September 25, 1827. His father, John Milham, was also a native of New York, his birthplace
in Columbia County. He was a son of Mathias
Milham, a native of Germany. He had come to
New York in Colonial times, and was engaged
there as a farmer for many years. He died when
about ninety years old. John Milham grew up to
the life of a farmer in his native State, and in due
course of time had a good farm of two hundred
acres in his possession. He was a man of more


than ordinary push and executive ability, and he
was not only prominent in public life in New
York, representing his district in the State Legislature and holding other important offices, but he
was conspicuous in the public and business life of
this county, after he settled here in 1845. He
located in Kalamazoo Township, where lie developed a large farm, and at one time he owned between fifteen hundred and sixteen hundred acres
of land, and was one of the richest men of the
county. He was a Democrat in politics, and ever
loyal to his party. He was nominated for Sheriff by
his party at one time, but was defeated, as the odds
were too great against his party. He was a Lutheran in his religious belief. He passed away at
the ripe age of seventy-two, and his memory is
cherished as that of one of our noblest pioneers.
He was four times married. The mother of our
subject, Eva Milham, a native of the State of New
York, died in middle life. She bore four children:
William, Richard, Ambrose and James.
Our subject's education was obtained in the district schools as far as book learning was concerned,
and on his father's farm he acquired a thorough,
practical knowledge of farming in all its branches.
He came here in his nineteenth year, making the
journey by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence by
water to Detroit, from there to Marshall by railway, and a team bought at that place conveyed
him and the other members of the family accompanying him to this point. At the ago of twentyone, young Milham began farming for himself, and
thus entered upon his career as a pioneer.  The
country roundabout was then nearly as wild
as when the Indians held it, for the white settlers
were few in number. Kalamazoo was but a small
village, with no indications of its present size and
importance.  Deer were abundant, and used to
come into the field where our subject was plowing.
He first bought two hundred acres of land in Portage Township with his brother William, and he
lived there some five years prior to coming to
Pavilion Township. He has here three hundred and
twenty acres of land, of which two hundred are
cleared and well tilled. Mr. Milham has made all
the improvements on the place, and they are of a
substantial class, of modern build and well aranged.






286


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


------ --                       -- --- ---       ~ ~ -


He has tllree large barns, a large shed, and a (omn modious frame residence that is beautifully situated
in a natural grove of oaks. Ite carries on mixed
farming, and has raised some fine l)urllam cattle
and many Shropshire sleel).
Mr. Milham was married May 18, 1824, to Miss
Lydia Turner, wlo was a true and tender wife to
him and devoted mother to their clildren, and their
neighbors found in her a kind and sympathizing
friend. Slie was horn near Rochester, N. Y., l)ecember 29, 1829, and came to Michigan with her
parents in 1843. She died June 29, 1885, after a
happy married life of thirty-one years. Our subject las six children living, namely: Ella; Williamin  B., who married Miss Cora Pike in 1885; Evn
C., whlo married William rlTurner, January 30, 1889,
and died August 21, 1891; Louis R.; Jennie, who
married William Collins, (ctober 15, 1885, and
Oliver. One son, Jerome A., is dead.
Our subject has witnessed the development of
Pavilion Township and the county at lalrge, and
lie has been potent in bringing about tle great
change that makes this section so prosperous.  lie
isa valued citizen, who is thoroughly identified
with the interests of his community and in him the
Democratic party has one of its most faithful adherents. His career shows him to be a live and sagacious
business man, and his many friends and all who
have occasion to deal with him feel that lie is just
and fair-minded in all his transactions.
ALV IN H. FLETCIER is a prominent
hardware merchant in South Haven. The
Fletcher family is an old one in tile United
States, its members being descendants of Robert
Fletcher, who was born in England, in 1592. The
latter-named gentleman came to America in 1630,
and settled at Concord, Mass., where he became a
wealthy and influential man. His deatl occurred
in that city, April 3, 1677. The direct line of ancestry of our subject then passed to William
Fletcher, who was born in England, in 1622. He
came to America with his father in 1630, and in
1653 became one of the first settlers of Chelmsford,
Mass., where he died November 6, 1677.


Thle son of William Fletcher, Joshua, was born
in Chelmsford, Mass., March 30, 1648, and died
November 21, 1713. Iis son, Josepll, was born
June 10, 1689, in Chelmsford, Mass., and died in
Westford, Mass., October 4, 1772. His son, Pelatialh Fietchller, was born in Westford, Mass., May 13,
1727, and died in the same town, February 23,
1807. His son, also nalled Pelatiah Fletcher, was
born in Westford, Mass., April 4, 1767, and (lied
May 7, 1811. His son, Joel Fletcler, was born in
Westford, Mass., February 23, 1786, and removed to
Anson, Me., where he married and reared a family
of seven children. His second son, Calvin Fletcher,
who was the father of our subject, was born in
North Anson, Me., October 2, 1814, and before lie
attained his majority, learned tlhe blacksmith's
trade.
Tlie maiden name of our subject's mother, was
Catherine Hall, a daughter of James Hall. Slle was
born in Bloomfield (now Skowhegan), Me. Tile
father was engaged in general mercantile business
in his native town until 1852, when lie removed to
Cape Vincent, Jefferson County, N. Y., and continued a like business until 1861. He then came
to Michigan and established a hardware trade
in Plainwell, Allegan County, remaining there until 1863, the date of his removal to South Haven.
Since locating here, he associated his son, our subject, in business with him, they operating under tlle
firm name of Calvin Fletcher & Son, until tlle
death of the fatler. He was a very influential citizen, and although a stanch Democrat in a Republican town, was frequently elected to public office.
He was at one time Justice of the Peace for twentytwo years, and a member of tlle Sclool Board for
many years.
In his church relations, the senior Calvin Fletcher
was an Episcopalian being one of tlhe founders of
that denomination in South Haven. He was a
Royal Arch Mason, being a charter member of
Star of the Lake Lodge, No. 158, A. F. & A. M.,
of which lodge he was Senior Warden and was
for many years its Treasurer. Financially, lie was
successful, but, his health being very poor, the
last three years of his life were spent in the sanitarium at Battle Creek, where his death occurred
February 4, 1887. His wife died at South Haven,




t




(-,100,~
f-~




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


239


November 25, 1884. Tlhey were tile parents of
four clhil(lren: Calvin 1I., Norman, Katie and Eva
(twins); tile latter-nmneed daughter is deceased.
Calvin I-. Fletcher, of this sketch, was born in
Somerset County, Me., August 28, 1840. He was
educated in Fairfield Seminiary, at Fairfield, N. Y.,
but, before completing his course, lie gave up Ills
studies, and for a period of two and one-half
years was a sailor on tlhe Atlantic Ocean. Returning }home, lie accompanied his family to Michigan,
and when his father established in l)bsiness at
South Haven, lie became his partner. Since his
father's deatll, lie has carried on tlme business in tile
name of Calvin Fletcher's Son. ITe is tlie oldest
llardware merchant in Soutlh Haven, and does a
sllendid business.
Mr. Fletcher was married to Mrs. Clara (Church)
McGinnis, January 27, 1887. In politics, lie is a
l)emocrat. His stock of goods was destroyed by
fire in September, 1890, and in July, 1891, his residence and some goods in storage were also burned.
He has since, however, erected a handsome brick
residence, which is supplied with all the modern
comforts and conveniences. In addition to the
business already mentioned, Mr. Fletcher owns a
good fruit farm near the village which is under
splendid cultivation.
ITJTHFER Ti. TRASK. Michigan owes mucl
to those men who in early days came from
)L_\,  New  England to establish their homes
within her borders, bringing with them the sturdy
independence, the good sense, the piety and thle
love for education which characterized the Puritan fathers and their descendants. Tle Trask
family is said to have descended from three brothers
who came to this country from  England in the
Colonial days, and one of them, Capt. Trask, who
settled at Salem, was the ancestor of our subject.
His parents were Aaron and Betsey (Goodell)
Trask, and he was born in Millbury, Worcester
County, Mass., February 15, 1807. His death,
November 14, 1888, in Kalamazoo, was a cause of
sincere grief and mourning, not only in his family


but in church, society and business circles. HIe
was one who filled a large and varied field of usefulness, having possessed a strong physique, capable of supporting unlimited hardships, keen good
sense, a strong will, profound moral sense, and a
deeply religious nature.
Tile common schools afforded opportunities for
tile education of Lutler Trask in his boyhood,
and at sixteen lie engaged in manufacturing pursuits, continuing thus for five years, and tllen carrying on farming until lie came to Michigan. His
marriage, which took place in   October, 1828,
united lhim witll Miss,ouisa Fay, of Southboro,
Mass., by whom he llad two children, George, who
died in 1875, and HTannall  L., who is now Mrs.
Cornell, of this city.
In 1834, Mr. Trask made an exploring trip into
the wilds of Michigan, and, being pleased witli the
country, brought his family lither. The first settlement was made in June, 1835, in the village of
Kalamazoo, where Mr. Trask pursued the calling of
surveyor and civil engineer for several years. -Ie
was a natural mechanic, and built a number of
houses and stores in Kalamazoo, which lie sold; besides his family residence which was the first brick
house erected there, but which is now demolished. In
those early days the pioneers found abundant opportunity for exercising their abilities in every
direction, and Mr. Trask was most useful in promoting Christian worship, and in teaching in the
first Sunday-school which was established in the
village. He supported the services of tlme pioneer
Methodist minister, Mr. Robe, and later, those of
the Rev. Silas Woodberry, who was the first Presbyterian minister at Kalamazoo.
In the spring of 1836, efforts were made
which resulted in the building of the first churcl
edifice, and in this enterl)rise Mr. Trask joined
most heartily, and became a member of the session
of the Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder for
more than forty years. The stock company which
built the first church was composed of the following pioneers: John Winslow, Luther H. Trask
Clark Kellogg, Abram   Edwards Alexander H.
Edwards and    Martin   Heydenburk, and    the
church  edifice was their individual property
for many years. His strong good sense, ear



240             PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


—  ---c —-`x ----
--- ------— ' —"-II ---— ` —




I


-— `-I ----I --- —111 ---- -cl- --- —-— -— - — -"I` ----I- ---

nest Christian character and independent spirit,  his I
gave him the good-will and confidence of all  Care
all who knew him, and his ever-open hand and  Kala
heart were ready to aid in every good cause. Al-  Tras
though frank and outspoken in his opinions when  sket(
occasion called for expression, Mr. Trask was really  in tl
a man of reserve and of tact, keeping his own af-  men
fairs to himself, and declining to be forced to ex-  resol
press himself until the proper time arrived for an-  have
nouncing his plans and views. His firm will thus  help
counterpoised his impulsive nature, and gave him  passe
a reputation for strict honesty and good judgment.  In
He hated shams and falsehood more than all else.  be fo
for he feared God rather than man, and fearlessly
obeyed his conscience, even though it cost him
dear.
Mr. Trask was Clerk of the Circuit Court of
Kalamazoo County, during 1839 and 1840; in
1842-43, he was made Receiver of the United   l\
States Land Office, and Inspector of the State Prison
from 1855 to 1860. In 1858 he was appointed a  and
member of the Board of Trustees of the Michigan  and
Insane Asylum, and was President of the Board  open
until 1878.  His New   England training and   in V:
heredity gave him a constant interest in educa-  resid
tional matters, and in the early days le was active  imprl
in public school work. He was one of the founders  ship,
and a member of the Executive Board of the    the v
Michigan Female Seminary, which was developed  MI
on the plan of Mt. Holyoke. In political mat-  ney)
ters he was originally a Whig, and, upon the for-  port
mation of the Republican party, joined its ranks.  14, 1
His work as a pioneer of Kalamazoo, and as a  Coun
friend of all public institutions, added greatly to  Scotc
the development of the city, and to its beauty and  state,
strength.                                     plied
George L. Trask, the son of our subject, was grad-  Bay.
ated at Union College in 1852, after having taken  life o
a partial course of study in the Michigan State  ject
University. He was in mercantile pursuits in New  The 1
York until his death, which took place in 1875.  vesse
While traveling in California in 1852, he under-  lande
took the task of taking the bark from one of the  count
mammoth trees, and in 1856 carried this treasure  where
to Sydenham Palace at the London Exposition,  famil
where it was exhibited and sold. His death oc-  pione
curred June 4, 1875, at New Orleans,he having left  Ou
d::0:::Ou


home on a business trip to Mexico. His wife,
)line, daughter of the late J. P. Woodbury, of
imazoo, survives him. His sister, Hannah L.
3k, became the wife of Joseph B. Cornell, a
ch of whose life work can be found elsewhere
his volume. Luther H. Trask was among the
who were active in developing the summer
rt at Little Traverse Bay, where the family
e a cottage. His faithful and self-sacrificing
mate, wlio survived him more than two years,
ed from life, February 7, 1891.
connection with this biographical notice may
)und a lithograph portrait of Mr. Trask.
-*'-sJ      -~ -,.      —,
OBERT ORR. The name of Orr is familiar
in Southern Michigan as that of one of its
pioneer families, of which our subject is a
) member, and he is entitled to all honor
respect for his worthy life record as a man
citizen, who has been a valuable factor in
ing up the section of the country comprised
an Buren County, of which he has been a
ent for more than forty years, clearing and
oving a farm on section 28, Paw Paw Townwhicli is classed among the best estates in
lecini ty.
r. Orr is the son of Hugh and Rebecca (WhitOrr, and was born in their home in DavenTownship, Delaware County, N. Y., September
816. His father was a native of Dutchess.ty, N. Y., born April 8, 1777, and was of;h ancestry. He owned a farm in his native
but lie was an engineer on a steamer that
on the Hudson River and on Chesapeake
At the age of fifty-five, he abandoned his
>n the river, and, with his wife and our suband his wife, started for Michigan in 1844.
little company embarked with their team on a
1 on the lake bound for Detroit, where they
id, and then drove across the rough, wild
try to Climax Prairie, Kalamazoo County,
e a son had already settled, and there the
y located, and became identified with the
lers of that vicinity.
r subject had been brought up on a farm,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


241


and had a good experience of farming ere lie tried
it on the virgin soil of Michigan. His education
had been conducted in the common schools of Iis
native town. He began life for himself the spring
before he was twenty years old, and, being a
strong, active,-capable youth, he did well. He
worked at lumbering for one man four years, receiving $110 the first year, $125 the second year,
*135 the third year, and $144 the fourth year.
Out of this not very large amount of money, lie
managed to save the astonishing sum of $400, as
he had an eye for the future, and had wisely laid
by his earnings that he might become independent. He put that money out at interest, and proceeded to gather together more. He went down
the Delaware River, and, taking a job at logging,
in two years had saved another *400. His next
venture was to invest in seventy acres of land in
Delaware County in 1842, which, some years after,
he traded for a quarter of a section of land in Van
Buren County, Mich., without coming to see it.
He was to have the second choice out of seventeen
hundred acres of land, and he selected the tract
on which lie now lives in Paw Paw Township, his
homestead now comprising but one hundred and
ten acres, as he disposed of a part of his quartersection.
When he first came to Michigan, Mr. Orr leased
land of his brother on Climax Prairie, and worked
that two years prior to making the exchange of
his property in New York for land in Van Buren
County, which we have just noted. He moved to
his present home the first week in May, 1847.
His first work on his place was to build a log
house, hauling the lumber for a floor from Climax
Prairie. He has cleared the land himself, anid has
a farm well worth having, with its neat buildings,
well-tilled, highly productive soil, and pleasant
surroundings. He is a sober-minded, industrious
man, of sterling principles and kindly nature, his
neighbors, and other friends of many years' standing, finding him accommodating and helpful, and
lie is highly regarded by the entire community.
He is a representative Democrat of this section,
and has assisted at the councils of his party as a
delegate to county conventions. He has served
as Road Commissioner three years, and is always


in favor of all feasible plans for improving the
township in any direction.
Shortly before coming to Michigan, Mr. Orr
took unto himself a wife, in the person of Miss
Abigail Ann Cummings, to whom lie was wedded
April 24, 1844, and lie thereby secured a helpmate
to assist him in founding a home in the forest
wilds where lie afterwards settled. Mrs. Orr was
born in Delaware County, N. Y., January 6, 1820,
a daughter of William and Sabie (Bedfield) Cummings. Three children have been born to her and
our subject, of whom one is spared to bless their
declining years, their son, Samuel Hugh. Their
daughter Sabie, born in Kalamazoo County, February 4, 1846, died September 29, 1863. Their
youngest child, Sabrina A., born April 8, 1846,
married Albert Hinckley and died March 13, 1875,
without issue. Samuel Hugh Orr was born on the
home farm, November 6, 1847. He received a
good common school-education, and a thorough
training in all that goes to make a practical, wideawake farmer, and has attained a solid place
among the men of enterprise who are carrying on
the large agricultural interests of this his native
county. He is a stalwart Democrat, and has the
welfare of his party at heart. He was married
November 3,1875, to Miss Eva A., daughter of
Uriel and Margaret (Sherrod) Lee. She is a
native of Paw Paw Township, and was born here
June 1, 1852. The following is recorded of the
five children that complete the household of herself and husband: Daisy, who was born October 3,
1876, is a student at the High School at Paw Paw;
Dayton Wellington was born April 10, 1878;
Grove Robert, September 21, 1880; Grace Rose,
August 8, 1882, and Ivy Roselia, February 15,
1884.
ERRY MARION YOUNG, an extensive grain
dealer of Decatur, has engaged in business
in this line since 1888. A native of Elkhart County, Ind., he was born on the 7th
of November, 1848, and is one of seven children
whose parents were Samuel Bryant and Elizabeth
A. (Stubbs) Young. His father was born near the






242'


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


city of Toledo, Ohio, andl throughout his life followed the occupation of farming. When a lad
of ten years, he went to Indiana, where he remained
until 1853, and during that time met and married
Miss Stubbs, a native of the Hoosier State. Removing to Michigan, he settled in Decatur Township, Van Buren County, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1881. His
first wife died in 1866. They were the parents of
seven children, six of whom grew to mature years,
namely: Mercy Elizabeth, wife of George W. Hall,
of Manistee County, Mich.; Caroline Ann, wife of
James R. Jewell, of Decatur Township; Dorcas.
who married Allister Ball, their home being in
Manistee County; Eli Bryant, who is engaged in
the hardware business in Dowagiac, Cass County;
Fora Belle, wife of Charles E. Ball, also a resident
of Manistee County, and Perry of this sketch. In
1869 S. B. Young was again married, his second
union being with Mrs. Maria A. Henderson, who
was born near Niles, Berrien County, Mich. They
had a family of five children, all yet living: William,
of Decatur; Nellie, his twin sister, now the wife of
Martin ' ost, of Tennessee; Blanche, who lives with
her sister in Tennessee; Albert, of Decatur, and
Maud, whose home is also in Decatur,':living with
her motlier, who still survives. Mr. Young was a
man widely known throughout this community,
and had a host of warm friends, who esteemed him
highly for his many excellencies of character. He
was very energetic and industrious, and in early
life was very successful in his business career. The
Republican party found in him a stanch advocate,
and he took an active interest in political affairs.
Since lie was five years old, our subject has been
a resident of Van Buren County, and has therefore
been an eye-witness to the greater part of its
growth and development. His educational privileges were only such as the common schools afforded,
but by reading and observation he has become a
well-informed man. At the age of seventeen, he
began farming for himself in Decatur Township,
and continued the cultivation of his land for about
ten years. In the meantime he chose as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey, Miss Jennie
Ball, their union being celebrated November 24,
1870. The lady is a native of Butler County, Ohio,


an(l a daugllter of Daniel R. Ball, a well-known
and influential farmer, now residing in Manistee
County, Mich. Two children grace their union:
Minnie Dell and Claude.
On selling his farm, Mr. Young removed to Decatur, where, in connection with Mr. Rawson, he
engaged in the grain business for some time. After
their partnership was dissolved, he continued to
carry on that line of trade, and also to handle produce, and is now doing a fine paying business, being the most extensive grain dealer in Decatur. He
is a man of good business ability, and his welldirected efforts are winning him a signal success.
In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and has held
the office of Township Clerk, being the present
incumbent.  He is also a member of the Village
Board.  He belongs to the Masonic fraternity
and has held the offices of Junior Warden and
Junior Deacon. Both in business and social circles
Mr. Young ranks high and is deservedly popular,
having won his way upward by merit.
-said cVz7_7~- ',
ARREN H. CORY owns eighty acres of
fine land on section 20, Lawrence TownVY    ship, Van Buren County, where he is engaged as a farmer and stock-raiser. He was born
in Springfield, Otsego County, N. Y., September
11, 1840, and is the son of Marsena and Lucinda
(Hardy) Cory, natives of New York. The father
was a farmer and came to Cass County, this State,
when our subject was a lad of eleven years.
Warren H. Cory was reared on a farm in the
above-named county, and received    a limited
education. lie was married February 25, 1863,
when about twenty-two years of age, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Bentley and Maria (Walker)
Ragen, the father a native of Dublin, Ireland, and
the mother of New Lebanon, N. J. Mr. Ragen
died when Mrs. Cory was an infant of fifteen
months. She was born February 20, 1841, in Her
kimer County, N. Y.
After his marriage, our subject made his home
with his father for a number of years and then purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the home
farm, on which he continued to reside for ten or




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


243


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


eleven years. After disposing of his property
there, in 1876, he purchased his present home in
Lawrence Township, Van Buren County, thirty
acres of which were under the plow. His farm is
now under the very best cultivation and ranks
among the finest in the county. Although having
been very successful in his farming operations,
Mr. Cory has suffered many losses, at one time
having his barn burned by lightning when full of
machinery.  He soon replaced it, however, and
at the present writing has a good dwelling on his
estate, which was erected in 1884.
Mr. and Mrs. Cory have had born to them two
children: Frank M., who was born in Cass County,
this State, January 14, 1864, is married and has
one child, and Carrie M., who was also born in Cass
County, October 11, 1868, is a teacher in the home
schools an d has met with a high degree of success.
Our subject is a Republican in politics, having
cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864.
Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body Mr. Cory has
held many official positions. He has a brother,
Charles Cory, who is a farmer in Dowagiac, this
State. His father lived to be about seventy years
of age and died in December, 1885; his mother is
still living, her birth occurring in 1819.
EV. RODNEY SANFORD IEAN, proprietor
and editor of the South Haven Messenger, was
born in Volney, Oswego County, N. Y., May
13, 1817, being a son of Orrin and Alcena
(Merry) Dean. His early life was passed upon a
farm until the age of eighteen years, when he went
into a printing-ofice, where he spent eleven years,
working in Oswego and Syracuse. IHe then passed
five years on a farm, and in 1853 entered the ministry of the Baptist Church, being ordained at Fenner, Madison County, N. Y., and then locating at
Burlington Green, Otsego County, where he reinained for four years. Hie afterward had charge
of churches at the following places: Montezuma,
three years; South Butler, four years; Walworth,
three years; and Middlesex, two years. In 1869,


he came to Michigan, first locating at Keeler, where
he lived for two years. I-e was afterward at
Dowagiac two years, Bloomingdale eight years
and Evansville, Wis., three years. In March, 1884,
he came to South Haven and purchased the Messenger, of which lie is sole proprietor. This paper
is an eight-column folio, is Republican in politics
and is ably edited.
Mr. Dean was married in May, 1842, to Mary S.
Parker, daughter of Amasa and Celestia (Curtis)
Parker. She was born in Madison County, N. Y.,
November 28, 1824. Three children have been
born of this union, two of whom are living: Oran
A., a physician of South Haven, of whom a fuller
notice is given later, and Theodore S., an attorney
residing in Brockport, N. Y.
Oran A. Dean, M. D., was born in Syracuse,
N. Y., March 17, 1843, remaining with his parents,
attending school, until the age of eighteen. Soon
after the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted
as a private soldier and was mustered into the service, October 1, as a member of Company F, Seventy-fifth New York Infantry, at Auburn, this State.
In December of the same year, they went to Ft.
Pickens, Fla., and in May, 1862, to Pensacola, from
which place they were sent to New Orleans tile following September. In June, 1863, our subject was
physically disabled for field service and was detailed on detached duty as hospital attendant and
clerk, at New Orleans. In May, 1864, he was sent
to Alexandria, Va., where he acted in the same capacity, and received his discharge November 24, of
that year. lie then returned to New York and in
the spring of 1855 commenced the study of medicine under a physician at Walworth. He afterward
became a student in the medical department of the
University at Buffalo, being graduated from there
in 1868.  lie settled in HIamlin, N. Y., where he
practiced for six years and the ensuing six years
at Charlotte. Ile was also for one year in Albion.
In 1881, he went to Stoughton, Wis., two years,
also residing for four and one-half years at Beloit.
In June, 1888, he came to South Haven, which he
has since made his home.
Dr. Dean was married, in 1869, at Rochester, to
Marian D)'Alton. She was born in ltindostan, her
father being an officer in the English Army sta



244


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


tioned there. They have become the parents of
three children: Lillian M., Elsie M., and Alice A.
In politics, Dr. Dean affiliates with the Republicans and is a member of the Grand Army of the
Republic. He is a member of the Baptist Church.:I+++V+X+
a ++++K  ++++ — -




ILLIAM      WETHERALL. Few of the citizens of Allegan County are more widely
known, and none are more highly esteemed, than Mr. Wetherall, who owns a fertile farm
on section 25, Watson Township. He is engaged in
general farming upon his two hundred and thirty
acres of finely improved land, and also devotes
considerable attention to stock-raising, keeping a
good grade of cattle and horses, and owning about
one hundred head of sheep. In all his business
transactions, he displays good judgment, and, as he
is practical and energetic, he has become well-todo. As a veteran of the late war and a publicspirited citizen, he has proved his patriotism by
his life.
The house in which Mr. Wetherall first saw the
light of day was situated eight miles from York,
in Yorkshire, England, and there he was born
March 8, 1824. His father died when he was an
infant, and his mother, whose maiden name was
Elizabeth Wilson, was also a native of Yorkshire,
who afterward married Thomas Jefferson. William
was taken in his infancy into the home of his uncle,
Richard Wetherall, with whom lie remained until
he was fourteen years of age. Then, with no
moneyed capital, but an abundance of energy and
determination, le started out in life for himself.
For three years he was employed on a farm, receiving *40 the first year and $45 the third.
After working by the month for six years in
England, Mr. Wetherall came to America in 1845,
and from New York City proceeded to Livingston,
N. Y., where he worked for two years on a farm.
Afterward he was employed near Rochester for
two and one-half years, and thence came direct
to Allegan County, where he bought the farm in
Watson Township, which is still his home. He
was married, in 1851, to Charlotte Goucher, who
was born in New York in 1834, and they became


the parents of seven children: William married
Mary Horning, who died leaving four children:
Stephen, Dicie, Morris and Claude; Helen married
William Hunt, now deceased, and is the mother
of two children: Allie and Emma; Mary is the
wife of Reuben Deyo, of Otsego, and the mother
of four children: Altha, Edna, Grant and Lula;
Lottie, now Mrs. Frank Gilger, of Martin Township, has three children: Willie, Hattie and Mildred; Mattie is the wife of John Frost, of Otsego,
and has one daughter, Louise; Stephen and Alice
are deceased.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Wetherall was
formerly an active Republican, but now votes for
the best man, regardless of party ties. lHe has
served efficiently as Pathmaster and School I)irector. In the Methodist Episcopal Church, to
which he belongs, he serves as Class-leader, and
is a teacher in the Sunday-school. He was formerly Steward in the Otsego charge, but is now
in the Martin charge, taking an active part in
religious work, and contributing liberally to all
good causes. l)uring the late war, he enlisted in
the first Michigan Engineers and Mechanics' Infantry, and served with Gen. Sherman ten months.
O(SIAH G. MILLER, the ex-Mayor of the
city of Bangor, who is sagacious in looking
after the interests of the city and township,
i   also takes a great degree of interest in seeing to what extent Mother Earth will yield an increase. He owns an excellent farm of two hundred and forty broad and fertile acres, and also
carries on the hardware business in the city. IHe
was born in Monroe County, Mich., February 3,
1833, where he grew to mature years and received
a common-school education, surrounded by the
impediments and difficulties usually attending the
settlement of a new country. Losing his mother
when only thirteen years of age, necessity compelled him to depend upon his own efforts for a
livelihood, and he began his career under adverse
circumstances. lie made manly efforts toward
securing what education he could, and engaged for




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


245


two winters in sawing wood, this affording him
the opportunity of attending school.
The father and mother of our subject, John and
Fannie (Woodruff) Miller, were both natives of
New York, the former having been born in
1806. He was one in a family of seven children:
Itiram, Almeda, John, James, Elmira, Hannah and
Stephen, and the parents of this family were lineally descended from the Dutch. John and Fannie
Miller came to Michigan as early as 1831, and here
commenced the experiences of pioneer life, which
were not different from  those of most who
came to the State in the early days.     Our
subject spent seven summers of his life as an employe on the Wabash and Miami Canal, where he
made his first $100. In 1858 lie came to Van
Buren County with a team and wagon which he
had purchsased, and which lie exchanged for forty
acres of land. He immediately returned to Monroe
County, securing a situation in a brickyard. In the
fall, he purchased a horse and buggy and drove to
Bangor, where he purchased the farm now owned
by him, giving in payment $100, his first purchase
of forty acres, and his horse and buggy. In 1860,
he followed his trade, that of a carpenter and
joiner, and worked in a sawmill as an employe of
J. II. Nyman. In the spring of 1861, he returned
to his trade, working at it until September 25,
1861, when he was united in marriage with Eveline
Watkins. They began their married life with a
farm paid for and $30 in cash.
Thomas Watkins, the father of Mrs. Miller, came
here in 1857 from (hio. Mrs. Katie (Spaughn)
Watkins, the second wife of Thomas Watkins and
the mother of Mrs. Miller, died in Ilancock County,
Ohio, to which place they removed in 1857.
After Mr. and Mrs. Miller's marriage, they passed
eleven years on the farm, where their three children were born, namely: Ida, born July 10,
1862, died in 1872; Omar, born September 6,
1865, is a resident of Bangor, and John J., who
was born December 26, 1869. In 1872, Mr. Miller
bought a small stock of hardware and has conducted this business in connection with farming
since. Ile has added to his farm from time to
time until he now has a splendid estate of two
hundred and forty acres to which he gives his per

sonal attention and has it all under excellent cultivation. He has been identified with all the
interests tending to promote the township and
county and he is considered a gentleman whose
word is as good as his bond. In 1891, he was
elected honorable Mayor of the city of Bangor
and filled the office not only with credit to himself
but with great satisfaction to his constituents.
Ile has been more than half the time since his residence here a member of the School Board.
Mr. Miller's life was begun as a poor boy. By
energy and perseverance, united with economy
and good business qualifications, he has secured a
competency, and is now living in the enjoyment
of the comforts and luxuries wealth affords. The
records show him to be one of the heaviest taxpayers in his school district and township. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat and socially, is a
leading member of the Masonic fraternity.
_/
ILLIAM PEET, a retired farmer and capitalist of Allegan, Allegan County, was
born April 15, 1827, in Deerfield Township, Oneida County, N. Y. His parents were John
and Mary (1)avis) Peet, natives of England and
Wales, respectively. They were married in Liverpool, England, before coming to America. On
landing in New York, they immediately settled in
Deerfield Township, Oneida County, where Mr.
Peet purchased a small farm  and erected a log
house, where he resided for some twenty years.
lIe then sold and moved to Cattaraugus County,
where lie purchased one hundred acres. This he
improved, and erected good, substantial buildings,
but after a residence there of a few years, he sold
to his eldest son, Thomas, purchasing one hundred
and thirty-five acres adjoining. He likewise improved this tract, and here spent the remainder of
his days, dying April 10, 1873, at the age of
seventy-seven years. Sometime previous to his
death, he sold the farm to his son John, with whom
he made his home. His good wife passed away
July 17, 1873, at the age of seventy-nine years.
She was a valued member of the Baptist Church,




246


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIHICAL RECORD.


246PORT I AD B C R


of which her husband was an attendant. Mr.     has a fine k
Peet was a stalwart Democrat. Ile was a hard   for, besides
worker and an honest man, and was the father of  apple orch:
a family of eight children, five of whom survive  a profitable
Thomas died April 4, 1850, aged thirty-one years;  on. In 181
Griffith died when four years old, and Edward  Allegan, an
on the 27th of August, 1890. Those living are:  has a fine I
George, Evan, William, )avid and John.           The subj
The subject of this sketch was educated in the  to Phidelia
district school of Deerfield Township, his native a native of
county, afterward attending school in Cattaraugus  where she v
County in the winters, and working on the farm  daughter oj
in the summer months, until lie reached his ma-  natives of (
jority. Ile then left the parental roof, and started  County, Vt
out in life with nothing but a strong hand and  born Marcl
willing heart. lie hired out to a farmer in the  18, 1811.
neighborhood, receiving $13 per month. The     County, N.
same fall, lie went on the Alleghany River, and  Allegan To
worked on a sawmill, remaining there eighteen  on farming
months, having the sole charge of the mill. lIe  until at tl
then journeyed to Genesee County, the same State,  hundred an
and worked eight months on a farm. Having      city of Alle
learned the trade of a carpenter at odd times, lie  occurred in
worked at this the ensuing two years.  Octo-   Ile was a ]
her 5, 1854, he came to Michigan and settled   man of the
in Heath Township, Allegan County, which is now  to the Bapt
known by the name of Pine Plains. Purchasing   seven child]
eighty acres of wild timber land, he set about in  Mrs. Peet, 4
true pioneer style, erecting a crude frame house,  were: Slher
14x21 feet, into which he moved three weeks      The estin
after. He ran in debt for the farm, which cost $480,  of six chi
only paying down $170. With ax in hand, he     Durand,by
commenced to chop and clear his land, but after  divorced fl
two years' time, he plainly saw lie could not meet  Miss Roby I
his payments and took a small farm, which had  stead, and a
been partly cleared, to work for one year. In the  Mrs. J. Bills
winter he chopped and hauled cord wood to Alle-  the mother
gan at night, spending the entire day in preparing  Merna, and
it. The following sprin lie h  ad his land all paid  ley, a farm
for, with the exception of $30, which lie employed  child, Fred
an agent to borrow for him without giving any  Mrs. Mauric
security whatever.                             born, Cleo;
William Peet has brought his farm to a splendid  School at A
state of cultivation, and by subsequent purchases,  I)emocratic
now owns one hundred and seventy-five broad and  of the count
fertile acres, on which lie has erected a handsome  citizens by 1
and commodious house, costing $2,000. I-e also  Peace, wlic]


)arn, with all the conveniences wished
a tenement house on his place. A fine
ard adorns the place, which gives him; income, and general farming is carried
88, lie decided to move to the city of
id now lives on North Street, where lie
iome.
ect of this sketch was happily nmarried
L. Vahue, February 11, 1852. She is
Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, N. Y.,
vas born February 4, 1835, and is the
f Philip and Arminta (Giliett) Vahiue,
Clinton County, N. Y., and Chittendon., respectively, the father having been
h 6, 1810, and the mother February
Mr. Vahue was a farmer in Allegany
Y., and came West in 1854, settling in
*wnship, this county. He still carried
here, on forty acres, to which lie added,
ie time of his death he owned one
d ninety-two acres. H-e moved to the,gan two years before his death, which
1879, the mother passing away in 1882.
Republican in politics, and a wealthy
township, lie and his wife belonged
ist Church. They were the parents of
ren, three of whom grew to maturity:
Charles A., and Orson G. The others
nan D., Miles, Mary J. and Emily M.
nable wife of our subject is the mother
ildren:   Judson A. married Mary
whom lie had one child, Claud; he was
'om this wife, and afterward married
Butler; they reside on the old homeire the parents of one child. Minnie M.,
s, a resident of Allegan Township, and
of four children: William, Adelbert,
Maud. Mary, Mrs. George E. Kingser in Pine Plains Township, has one; Edward C., a farmer; Flora M., now
ce Thorp, to whom one child has been
and John P., a student in the High
llegan. Mr. Peet is an adherent of tlhe
party, and is one of the prominent men
ty. IIe has been honored by his fellowthe gift of time office of Justice of the
li position he held for the long period








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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


249


of thirty years, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. The office of Township Treasurer was his
for two years, and also various other minor offices
of the township. Hle and his family are held in
high repute by all in the vicinity.
oON. FRANCIS B. STOCKBRIDGE, United
States Senator from Michigan. "Some men
are born great, some achieve greatness,
some have greatness thrust upon them."
The subject of our sketch, although well-born,
achieved his position by labor and assiduity, aided
by a strong will and an indomitable purpose; and,
when at length honors were thrust upon him, he
was found well-fitted to sustain them, and lhe bore
them meekly as sacred trusts.
Mr. Stockbridge was born at Bath, Me., April 9,
1826. He is descended from honest, sturdy New
England stock, eminent for its high sense of honor
and unswerving integrity.  Any man born in
New England need never blush at the mention of
his birthplace, for her sons have traversed the
globe, and the odor of her good name has been
transmitted and leavened the earth. His father,
Dr. John Stockbridge, was a physician of prominence in Bath, and practiced his profession there
for nearly half a century.  His mother, Eliza
Stockbridge, was the daughter of John Russell, the
veteran editor of the Boston Gazette.
Francis B. Stockbridge received his education in
the common schools and academy of his native
place, until he reached the age of sixteen, when he
accepted a clerkship in a dry-goods store in Boston.
While there he saw, or became acquainted with,
many of the noted men of New England, whose
memory still lingers vividly in his mind. He remained there until 1847, when he came West to
Chicago, which in those early days showed no
prophecy of being the future site of the wonder of
the centuries, the World's Fair. In connection with
another gentleman, he there opened a lumber yard,
under the firm name of Carter & Stockbridge.
In making that move, Mr. Stockbridge evinced
the rare foresight and sagacity displayed in all
the after transactions of his successful career. From
11




a clerk in a dry-goods house in Boston, he became
a lumber merchant in Chicago, and from that time
onward his interests rapidly widened until he became one of the most prominent and extensive
lumber dealers in the Northwest. In 1853, he removed from Chicago to Allegan County, Mich.,
where he had a number of sawmills. Locating at
Saugatuck, he remained there until 1874, when he
removed to Kalamazoo, where he has since resided.
Shortly after his removal to Kalamazoo, Mr.
Stockbridge became connected with 0. R. Johnson
& Co., whose mills then turned out about twentyfive million feet of lumber annually. Soon afterward he became a member of the Mackinac Lumber Company, whose mills were of about the same
capacity, and in 1875, was elected President of
the company. Three years afterward he founded
and became President of the Black River Lumber
Company. He led a busy life. In 1887 he organized the Kalamazoo Spring & Axle Company,
of which he is also President. He is a member
of the Ft. Bragg Lumber Company, of California,
and is a large owner of Mississippi pine lands; a
leading stockholder in Menominee iron mines and
the Menominee River Lumber Company, of the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and largely interested in the famous S. A. Brown & Co. stockbreeding farm, near Kalamazoo. During the war,
though not in active service, he was on the staff
of Gov. Blair, and gained the rank of Colonel.
In 1869, Mr. Stockbridge was elected to represent Allegan County in the State Legislature, and
after completing his term, was elected to the State
Senate, where he served most acceptably until
1873. In both Houses he was distinguished for
his tact as an organizer, his calm insight and prudence as a manager; and his great ability in committee work in every form. He has been engaged
in several political campaigns, in which his reputation as a statesman and as a man of keen business,
as well as political, foresight has been clearly demonstrated, thus adding year by year to his reputation and the esteem in which he is held by his colleagues and constituents. His course seems to have
been steadily progressive, both politically and in
his business. "Confidence is a plant of but slow
growth," but the people had tried him and he had




250


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


their confidence, and in 1887 they elected him to
succeed lion. Omar D. Conger in the Senate of the
United States.
In that time-honored chamber, filled with the
sacred memories of departed greatness, where the
god-like Webster tllundered, where still linger the
echoes of the voices of Clay, Sumner, Everett,
Conkling, Blaine, and a host of mighty ones, not
(lead. but living evermore-here, as elsewhele,
his practical ability has made itself apparent. He
served with marked ability on several Senate committees; on the Committee on Fisheries, which was
of great importance as affecting the food supply of
the people. Of this committee he was Chairman.
lie served on the Census Committee, on the Committee on Epidemic Diseases, the Committee on
Indian Affairs, the Committee on Railroads and
Naval Affairs. Though perhaps less known as a
politician, much less as a mere politician, lie is a
Republican of the most pronounced type, one who
has ever labored for the best interests of his party.
As a legislator, he has shown marked ability and
discretion in considering and deciding grave questions of National polity and practicality, and has
preserved his equanimity among the many clashing and discordant elements that beset a man in
political life.
The Senator was married, in 1863, to Miss Betsey
Arnold, of Gun Plain, Allegan County, Mich., the
estimable daughter of Daniel Arnold, Esq., one of
the pioneers of the State. Their social and domestic relations have ever been most pleasant. At the
federal capital they have moved in the highest
and most select circles, and have been noted for the
munificence and royalty of their entertainments
and receptions, as also at their elegant Michigan
home, one of the finest in the State. Here the
Senator comes at times, and, throwing off for a
short season the oppressive cares of State and business, he enjoys the beauties of his extensive
grounds, and gives himself to restfulness and
the indulgence of his natural tastes for all that is
choice and elegant in literature and art, in the full
enjoyment of all that an ample competence can
gratify, the sure result of wise and well-directed
commercial enterprises. Like the California Croesus,
Senator Stanford, he is a great lover of the horse,


his keen eye taking in with admiration the
points and beauties of a well-bred animal, and in
the raising of fine stock he perlhaps finds one of his
greatest sources of pleasure.
Nothwithstanding the multiplicity of his business interests, the time and attention devoted to
political and Governmental affairs, and tile demands of social life, we find the Senator not unmindful of the sober and more important duties
and promptings of the higher life, for as a member
of the Protestant Episcopal Church, lie is one of
the Vestrymen, and prominently and actively connected with all church and charitable matters. lie
is President of the Kalamazoo Children's Iome, a
most worthy charity. He bought and gave tlle
site and paid liberally toward the building of the
beautiful edifice of the Young Men's Christian Association, which now stands a monument to his
munificence, that donation alone amounting to
$10,000. He also subscribed liberally toward the
building of the Academy of Music,and is a munificent patron of a hospital in Chicago.
In October, 1887, we find the Senator one of
three gentlemen who gave $13,000 toward carrying
on the work of Kalamazoo College, and to causes
such as these he has given freely of his means,
keeping ever in view the prosperity and best interests of the city of his residence. He is a man of
majestic and courtly presence, yet affable and easily
approached. He is popular with all classes and
with none more so than with his own employes.
There is a gentle humor in his nature, tlat
relaxes at times his seeming gravity of demeanor
and renders him a pleasant and genial companion, and, like Blaine, he enjoys a good story,
and can tell one, too. Hle has done much for
Kalamazoo, as well as for the other localities in the
lumber districts, where he has interests, and later,
for the great State in which they formed a part.
In connection with his biography may be found
a portrait of Senator Stockbridge.  An openhearted, free and whole-souled man, doing from
day to day some generous deed for others, high
rank or station counting little in his eyes, lie values a man for what he is and what he has accomplished, and there is no one more open to the approaches of the poor or. humblest. Although he




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


251


---—  - II ---- - ------—  ---
-II ---- --  — -  --- --—  - --- —--—  ----' —' --- —--—  --- —---


has been of great benefit to the communities in
which he has lived, he is now of equal or greater
benefit to the State which lie represents in the
highest legislative body of the world. Personal
interests are not allowed to encroach upon his
higher duties to the public. Patiently he listens to
every argument advanced for or against a measure, which may affect his constituency or the public good, tearing down the web of political sophistries and getting at the true bearing and merits of
any bill under discussion; and when at last his decision is reached, his judgment is fixed, and he
stands immovable as a rock, and the persuasions
or entreaties of his warmest friends have no effect
upon his judicial mind, when lie feels that he is in
the riglt. A self-poised, level-headed man, his
adopted State is proud of him and he of her, and
he stands high ranked among the sons of Michigan.
The writer thankfully acknowledges the valuable aid in statistical and other matter from that
rare and invaluable book, "The History of Eminent Men of Michigan."
OWELL A. NEWCOMB. It is with pleasure that the biographer presents to the
11_\_ readers of this volume the sketch of this
enterprising young farmer, whose fine tract of
land is on section  6, Waverly Township, Van
Buren County. He is a native of this county, his
birth occurring in Waverly Township, July 9,
1856, hence he takes a great interest in the welfare of this section. Ile is the son of Orlando and
Elizabeth (Austin) Newcomb.
Our subject traces his ancestry back many generations, his father being Orlando Newcomb, his
grandfather Willard, his great-grandfather David,
his father James, his father Hezekiah and his
father Simon Newcomb, who was born in
Maryland. The family originally came from the
West of England. His son, Willard Newcomb,
born in Stephentown, N. Y., April 6, 1788, was
in the War of 1812, and a pioneer of Orleans
County, N. Y. By profession, he was a minister
in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He came to


Almena Township, Van Buren County, this State,
in 1835, where he made his home until his death,
January 31, 1862. The maiden name of his wife,
the grandmother of our subject, was Clarissa
Heath, who bore him ten children, six sons and
four daughters.
The father of our subject was born in Livingston, N. Y., June 15, 1821, and, accompanying his
parents on their removal to Michigan, was engaged
in farming and lumbering in Bloomingdale Township, Van Buren County. In 1850, he located on
section 12, Waverly Township, where he purchased
one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he
set about industriously to clear and improve. He
died in 1873, having been twice married. His first
wife was Matilda Armstrong and his second Elizabeth Austin. The latter-named lady was born in
Lyons, N. Y., and by her union with Mr. Newcomb
became the parent of eight children, six of whom
grew to maturity: Lowell A.; Etta M., wife of H.
M. Stout; Perry O., Travers O., Bert J., and
Grace O.
Lowell A. Newcomb was educated in the common schools and remained with his mother until
twenty-four years of age, when he began farming
on his own account. In 1882, he located where he
now resides, having purchased thirty-two acres of
land. He now has in his possession one hundred
and fifteen acres, which he cultivates in the most
intelligent manner. He has upon his estate all the
needful buildings and farm machinery and ranks
among the prominent agriculturists of Waverly
Township.
The maiden name of our subject's first wife was
Laurania Hill, who only lived three months after
her marriage, her death occurring April 19, 1882.
Mr. Newcomb was later married to Betsey E. Scott,
who was born on the farm  where our subject at
present resides, February 20, 1860, his estate being
a part of Mr. Scott's old homestead. Mrs. Newcomb is a daughter of John and Isabella (Caruthers) Scott, natives of Scotland. Her father was
a son of George Scott, who reared a large family
of children. Mr. and Mrs. John Scott came to the
United States in 1840 and settled at Amsterdam,
N. Y., removing later to Rochester, same State. In
the fall of 1844, they made Michigan their home,




252


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


and located on a tract of one hundred and ninetysix acres on section 6, Waverly Township, wlich
he cleared and improved, and later added forty
acres to his original tract. In addition to the
property already mentioned, lie owned eighty acres
in Allegan County. In politics, Mr. Scott was a
Republican.  I-e passed from this life June 18,
1880. His wife still survives and makes her home
with her son. Sle was born October 3, 1819, and
is the daughter of Thomas and Helen (Hamilton)
Caruthers.
Our worthy subject and his estimable wife are
consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and are greatly esteemed wherever they
are knovwn.
J   OHN SEBRING, a gentleman-farmer, residing in Gobleville, Bloominngdale Township,
Van Buren County, is a native of New York
State, having been born August 4, 1818.
His father was John R. Sebring, a native of IHolland, who came to America when a young man.
The mother was Maria Drake, a daughter of Richard
Drake, of Ovid, N. Y., a prominent man of that
place. The parents of our subject were married in
New York and settled on a piece of land on the
tIolland purchase. The father died in 1820, at the
age of forty-six years, having been born November
19 1773. By this marriage, three children were born,
our subject being the only survivor. The mother
was again married, this time to a Mr. Coleman and
became the mother of four children, only one now
living. She died near Rochester, N. Y.
John Sebring started out in life for himself
when fifteen and worked at the cooper business,.
He was married, February 4, 1838, to Betsey A.
West, a native of Oneida County, N. Y., where she
was born September 19, 1818. He made his home
at Waterloo, N. Y., for a number of years and then
went to Wayne County, where he lived until 1857,
in which year he came to Michigan and settled in
Kalamazoo. Soon after his marriage, he took up
the carpenter's trade and followed it for many
years. His good wife died July 23, 1864, at the


age of forty-five. They became the parents of nine
children, six of whom are living: James l)eroy is
married to Julia Sweet and lives in Kalamazoo,
where he is a prominent grain dealer; Emma L. is
the wife of Chauncy Strong, engaged in the insurance business at Kalamazoo and the former cashier
of the bank at that place. Mary T. is tile wife of
William IH. Kellogg, and lives in Antwerp Township, this county; they have five children. Adella
B. married William A. Forbes, the )resent Coulty
Clerk of Kalamazoo County; they are the parents
of two children. M. Odell married Eva Griswold.
and is the father of two children; lie is the clhief
clerk in the elevator at Kalamazoo: Tlleron Y.
married Harriet C. McPherson, a daughter of 1)r.
J. B. McPherson, of Manistee, and is the caslier in
the Kalamazoo National Bank.
Our subject was again united in the bonds of
wedlock, choosing for his second wife Clarissa S.
Hall, a daughter of Amos and Anna (Southwortllh)
Hall, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively. The ceremony took place in February,
1865. Mr. IHall died in 1865, at the age of eightythree years, at Kalamazoo. Mrs. Hall passed away
three years previous, at the age of seventy-five
years. They had born to them twelve children,
two now living: Mrs. Sebring and Beach HIall, a
resident of Kalamazoo. The wife of our subject
was born September 8,1821, in Chenango County,
N. Y., and received a good education, teaclinig
school twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Sebring lhave
had no children born to them.
The original of this sketch did teaming from
Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids for five years, and
then lie and his eldest son carried on the grocery
business at the former place. But in 1866 he
came to this county and bought a farm of one
hundred and forty acres, which was partially improved. He cleared forty acres more and finely
improved it but, selling out, came to Goblcville,
in 1877. Here he has a tract of seventy-six acres
and has splendid buildings upon it. Mrs. Sebring
attended the academy at Pitchller Springs, N. Y.,
and came to Michigan in 1853. She taught school
a good deal in New York, and took care of her
parents during their declining years. Our subject
and his amiable wife are members of the Regular








gI
0
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


255


Baptist Church and are active in church work.
The former is a Deacon and has been Superinten(lent of the Sunday-school at Lawton, while his
wife was a teacher in the same Politically, Mr.
Sebring is a Republican, and he and his wife are
both temperance people and work for the advancenent of that cause.
~gZIF-r -----— * —*     >       W il%
OSEP'II SILL,, M. I). The gentleman whose
portrait is presented on the opposite page
was born in Buffalo, N. Y., October 9, 1821,
4J':and is the son of Joseph and Eliza (Berry)
Sill, the father a native of Lyme, Conn., and the
mother, of Saratoga County, N. Y. The family is
of English ancestry, the great-grandfather of our
subject, Joseph, Sr., emigrating to this country
with a brother and settling in Lyme, Conn. His
son, the grandfatler of our subject, located at an
early day in Saratoga County, N. Y. His son,
Joseph, removed about 1806 to Buffalo and in the
spring of 1835 came West to Oberlii, Ohio. In
the fall of 1836, lie came to Jonesville, Hillsdale
County, this State, where he lassed his last days,
dying June 30, 1843. Ilis wife died the day following. They left a family of four sons and one
daughter, one son and two daughters having died
previous to that time. The father followed the
occupation of a general merchant in Oberlin and
farmer at Jonesville.
The original of this sketch was the eldest but
one in the lparental family. His elder brother,
Giles E., went to California in 1857, and died
there about two years ago. Sidney B. is a dentist
in Aurora, 111., and Prof. J. MI. B. is Superintendent of the Ypsilanti Normal School and formerly
occupied the position of Superintendent of Schools
in I)etroit. The widowed sister of our subject was
the wife of William BI. Clark, a merchant of Kalamazoo, wllo died here about ten years ago.
Joseph Sill commenced the study of medicine
prior to his father's death, and in the fall of 1843
attended his first course of lectures at the Geneva
Medical College, in New York. In 1845-46 he
ol)ened a dental ollice in Kalamazoo, which was the
first of its kind in the city, and thus earned the


money which enabled him to complete his studies
in the medical department of the University of
New York. Hie received his degree of Doctor of
Medicine in March, 1847, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession atJonesville,
N. Y., where he remained until 1851.
A graduate of the regular school of medicine,
Dr. Sill practiced its doctrines until unable to
check a malignant disease which was prevalent at
that time.   Upon adopting   the principles of
Iomeopathy he was successful with almost every
case. In the winter of 1850-51, lie took a lostgraduate course at the Cleveland Homeopathic
MIedical College, and in the spring of 1851 located
at Kalamazoo. IIe has been a constant resident
here since that tinme, witl the exception of a year
spent in California and the winter of 1867-68,
when he visited medical institutions in Europe.
Traveling evidently agrees with the Doctor, for
while on the ocean trip to the Golden State via
the Isthmus, lie gained fifteen pounds en route, ten
pounds on the return trip, and twenty pounds on
Iris visit to Europe.
)Dr. Sill is the only physician in Kalamazoo who
has been in active practice here since 1851, and
the oldest practicing Homeol)athist in the State,tlere
being only two physicians of that school within its
bounds at that time-one at G('rand Rapids, who is
now deceased, and Dr. Ellis, of l)etroit, who has
retired from practice. Dr. King became a partner
of our subject in 1858, and carried on his practice
while lie was in Europe.
-Ie of whom we write entered his first school
when ten years of age, but when fifteen was prepared to enter college. The following year ended
his school life, after which he was engaged as a
teacher for three years. In ipolitics, lie votes the
Republican ticket, but is not otherwise interested
in politics. In 1861 Dr. Sill, intending to be present at the inaugural of President Lincoln, reached
Pennsylvania during the oil excitement and be.
came interested in developing wells which netted
him a handsome profit. Later lie became an extensive stockholder in the old Telegraph Mine in
Utah, which proved a good investment. He is still
the p)roprietor of mines there, some of which are
being worked. lIe gives his Western interests






256


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


considerable attention and makes frequent visits
to Utah, his health not being able to stand the
strain of constant practice.
Dr. Sill was at one time part owner of a glucose
factory at Leavenworth, Kan., which promised
large returns, but was unfortunately burned, while
the Doctor was en route from Utah to make it his
first visit. He has done much toward building up
the city of Kalamazoo and is part proprietor of
Rose Street Terrace. His office is in a handsome
block, as are also his residence apartments.
September 28, 1847, our subject was married at
Jonesville, Mich., to Miss Ann Eliza Champlin, a
native of Ithaca, N. Y. She is one of the Trustees
of the Ladies' Library, and, with her husband, is a
member of the First Presbyterian Church. Although
the Doctor has met with financial reverses, he now
stands among the substantial citizens of the city.
LHe holds views of his own on many subjects and
does not consider the State Medical Department
necessary,thinks there are too many doctors already.
He is very conservative on educational methods,
believing there is too much mechanical education
and not enough individual development. He is
an interesting conversationalist and genial companion and in the city and surrounding country
his friends are legion.
-rX~''~,-$F~~~~         C ~I~


with a brother, who went South and was never
heard from again. The grandfather of our subject
married Hannah Davenport, of Dutch parentage,
and reared a large family. His career as a farmer
in New York State was cut short by his untimely
death at the age of forty years.
The father of our subject was a tailor by trade,
and engaged at that several years in New York
and somewhat in Ohio after his removal thither
in 1829. He had settled in the wilderness of
Huron County with his wife and two children,
and at different times owned three farms there,
doing a great deal of improving.  He finally
traded a farm there for land in Alamo Township,
this county, and removed thither in the spring of
1846, with an ox-team, being two weeks on the
way, which led through the famous Cottonwood
Swamp, near Toledo, where in one place they
were six hours going four miles, and then had to
pay toll to get further. About this time, the father was severely injured by the falling of a tree,
and was never able to work much after that. He
and his son, our subject, developed the farm,
building first a large tamarack log house, and beginning pioneer life.  In 1855, Mr. Ford left
his farm in Alamo Township, and, settling on a
farm in Climax Township, dwelt there until his
death, April 1, 1872. He was a stanch Democrat
in politics, in which he always manifested a good
degree of interest. As one of the pioneers of
Kalamazoo County, his memory is held in reverence. The mother of our subject was yet a young
woman when she died, February 20, 1834. Three
out of her four children grew to maturity: Betsy,
Elma and William.
It is of the latter we write. I-Ie obtained his
early schooling in his native county, the first school
that he attended being two miles from his home,
and conducted under the rate-bill system. The
schoolhouse was a typical pioneer educational institution, built of logs, heated by an open fireplace, and furnished with rude slab benches.
When our subject was fifteen years old, he came
with his parents to their new home in Alamo
Township, where he attended school for awhile,
but the most of his time was employed in farm
work, in clearing the land and tilling the soil. He


i    I ILLIAM FORD, of Climax Township, who
may be denominated a pioneer of Kalamazoo County, though but a boy when ihe
came here over forty years ago, has risen to prominence as a farmer and as a leading politician in
this section of the State, being active in the interests of the Democratic party. Huron County,
in the neighboring State of Ohio, is the birthplace
of our subject, and September 14, 1831, the date
of his birth into the pioneer home of George and
Apna (Lyons) Ford, who were natives of New
York. The father was born April 13, 1802, and
the mother April 28,'1809, she being of Yankee
blood. The father was of Scottish antecedents,
his father, James Ford, having been born in Scotland and reared in Ireland. Shortly after the
American Revolution, he emigrated to this country








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


257


was but two years old when his mother died, and
at the time the family came to Michigan his sister
had married, and, his father being a cripple, he had
to begin life in earnest to help support the family and attend to the wants of the household, the
capable lad doing the most of the cooking for
live years after coming to this county. IHe was
fond of the hunt, and as wild game was plentiful, occasionally found time to indulge in the
pleasures of the chase, killing a deer now and
then, and among his trophies are tile antlers of
two, which are well mounted and ornament the
walls of h is parlor.
When lie entered upon his independent career
as a farmer, Mr. Ford bought eighty acres of
land in Alamo Township, but after clearing some
of it, lie sold it at a good advance and bought
forty acres on section 32, of which only ten acres
had been cleared. IIe felled the rest of the timber, and in ten years sold that place in order to
buy ninety-three acres of his present farm on section 28, Climax Township. Thirty-five acres of it
had been cleared, but there were no buildings on
the place worth mentioning, except a board house.
Mr. Ford has worked unceasingly to bring about
the c-Lange that makes it one of the finest farms
in the locality, with line modern improvements
and all the appliances for carrying on agriculture
profitably. He has erected a good set of buildings, putting up a large frame barn in 1873, and
building a commodious and neatly-appointed frame
residence in 1879. lIe has also increased the size
of his farm to one hundred and thirty-three acres,
of which one hundred acres are cleared and under
line cultivation. IHe raises both grain and stock,
and has cattle, horses and swine of high grades.
Mr. Ford was married, April 29, 1859, to Miss
Flora E. Root. She, too, is a native of Ohio, born
in -orain County January 21, 1839. She came to
Mich., in April, 1856, with her larents, who becamle residents of Climax Township. HIer marriage with our subject has brought them   nine
children, seven sons and two daughters, the latter
(Birdie and Ina) dying in infancy. The names of
the boys are Aslton E., Arthur IH., Ozias C.,
G(eorge, Van Evry, Charles an( De)e, respectively.
Our subject has shown himself in various ways




a public-spirited citizen, who is thoroughly alive
to the interests of township and county, and lie
is noted as a leader among the Democrats of tlis
part of the State, one who wields more power in political matters than anyone else in his community, and is regarded as one of our shrewdest and
most acute politicians. Ile is thoroughly posted
on national issues, in whicl lie is greatly interested,
and lie understands well the best mode of conducting a local political campaign. At tle last
call for soldiers during the late war, Mr. Ford
was drafted, and, it being inmpossible for him to go,
lie sent a substitute, for which lie paid $600.
ACOB McLIN. This gentleman is a resident of section 35, Texas Township, Kalamnazoo County, where he is successfully carrying on the pursuits of agriculture. His
parents were Thomas and Mary (Jackson) McLin,
natives of Tennessee. The maternal grandfather
was a cousin of Andrew Jackson. The parents
came from Clinton County, Ohio, to Kalamazoo
County, in September, 1830, and settled on section
36, Texas Township, where they spent the remainder of their days.
Eleven children were born to the father and
mother of our subject, his birth occurring November 20, 1817, in Clinton County, Ohio, where lihe
passed his boyhood days and in the fall of 1830
came to this county with his parents. EIe here
continued to live with his father until he was married October 23, 1842, to Miss Adelia Gage in
Texas Township, this county. Mrs. McLin is a
daughter of Isaac and Polly (Howard) Gage, natives of Vermont and New York State, respectively.
Tihe mother died in Chautauqua County, N. Y.,
and the father came to Kalamazoo County in 1835,
settling in the northern part of Texas Township,
where lie lived until his death. Ie was the father
of seven children, of whom Mrs. McLin is the
fourth-born, she having had her birth in Chautauqua County, N. Y., July 22, 1823.
After his marriage, Mr. McLin settled on section
35, of Texas Townslip, on the farm where he now
lives. It comprises fifty-one acres and on it he


I






258


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


has made the very best improvements. This couple
have become the parents of three children: George
H., Mary H. and Luther I. Mary is the wife of
R. H. Gibbs, of Three Rivers, Mich. Mr. McLin
has held the offices of Constable of his township,
Justice of the Peace for seventeen years and Township Collector,.the duties of which offices he discharged faithfully and conscientiously. He has
taken in former days quite an active part in
politics and has held all the offices of his township.
He is a stanch member of the Republican party
and has been since its organization. Religiously,
he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The son, George H., is a physician at Huntington,
Ind., and is a graduate of the Cleveland and the
Philadelphia Medical Colleges,and has also attended
college in Edinburgh, Scotland, and London, England. Luther I. is a graduate of the medical department of the Michigan University and also of
Detroit and is now practicing at St. Joseph, Mich.
The gentleman of whom we write this brief record
is with his good wife held in esteem by the
entire community in which they are spending the
evening of their lives.
J     OHN McBRIDE, a respected and prominent
farmer, located on section 35, Hopkins
Township, Allegan County, is a son of
James and Polly (Wolf) McBride, natives
of Pennsylvania. They there resided on a farm
in Venango County, and the mother passed away
in 1838. The father is still living, and makes his
home with his children. He was twice married,
the mother of our subject being his first wife, and
by her he had three children. The second marriage was fruitful of nine children.
Our subject was born December 24, 1833, in
Center County, Pa., and lost his mother when five
years old. He began life for himself at ten by farming by the month. He came to Jackson County, this
State, in 1855, and the following year came to this
county, and worked on farms in summers, and in
the sawmills in the winters.


In August, 1861, Mr. McBride enlisted in Company G, Sixth Michigan Infantry, and was sent to
Baltimore, Newport News, Ship Island, and then,
under Gen. B. F. Butler, on the expedition to New
Orleans, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, wintering in
various places in the South. He re-enlisted, and
then came home on a furlough. He again returned
South, and was on duty at numerous places, fighting in the battles at Baton Rouge, and siege of Port
IHudson, and also doing some lively skirmishing.
This brave soldier returned home after four
years of faithful fighting in September, 1865, and
settled on a farm on section 16, Hopkins Township,
which was partly improved. In September, 1866,
he was married to Mary M. (Gregory) Brewer, a
daughter of James H. and Lydia J. (Daniels)
Gregory, both natives of Massachusetts, the former
being born in 1820, and the latter, who died in
1889, in 1824.  They moved to Ohio in 1848,
and came to Michigan in 1852, settling in Watson
Township, this county, on section 2, taking up
one hundred and sixty acres of land. During the
Civil War, the father moved to this township and
settled on section 15, where he now lives. They
had five children born to them: Mrs. McBride,
Edwin E., Flora A., Mrs. Frank Hofmaster, of Kalamazoo, being the ones living. The wife of our
subject was born January 17, 1843, in Berkshire
County, Mass., and was married, in 1860, to Fred
A. Brewer, a soldier in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry. Ile was captured and held in rebel prisons
five months, and died soon after being exchanged.
He was the father of one child, Edwin A., who
married Libbie McClintock, and lives in this township with his wife and three children.
After his marriage, our subject lived on section
16, this township, three years, when he moved to
section 28. In 1869, he located on his present
farm, where he has one hundred and twenty acres
in all, and seventy-five highly improved. Ile has
cleared it all himself, and is a sagacious and industrious farmer. He lost his barn by fire in 1876,
and soon erected another and better one in its
place. Iie and his wife are the parents of three
children: Gertie Adella, the wife of William Bostwick, of Kalamazao City, and the mother of two


children: Jesse Lee, and Alice A. These children




I




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


261


have received the best educational advantages of
the day, and Mrs. Bostwick was engaged in teaching school before her marriage. Mrs. McBride is
a member of the Congregational Church, and she
and her husband both belong to the Grange, of
which she was Assistant Steward and Lady Assistant. She is also a member of the Woman's Relief
Corps at Hopkins Station, and has been Outside
Guard. In politics, Mr. McBride is a Republican,
and always has been, and is one of the leading
members of the Grand Army of the Republic, where
lie loves to meet with his old comrades.
RIAH UPJOHN, M. D. This family originated in Shaftesbury, Dorsetshire, England. The Rev. William Upjohn, father of
the subject of this biography, belonged to the Independents of England, and preached in Shaftesbury for forty years without remuneration, believing it to be his duty to lead the sinner to the Redeemer without money and without price; he at
the same time followed his legitimate business as a
civil engineer. He was a man of acknowledged
ability and of good lineage. The Doctor's mother,
Mary (Standard) Upjohn, was the third daughter
of Mr. Standard, of Sherborne, and belongs to the
great Devon family of Northcote, the present head
of which is the Earl of Iddesleigh. Her grandfather, Thomas Lawrence, was the second son of
John Lawrence, of Ashton Hall, Lancashire. Her
grandmother was Mary Nortllcote, who married
Thomas Lawrence, October 6, 1725.
Our subject is the ninth of twelve children and
was born September 7, 1808, in Glamorgan, near
Cardiff, Monmouthshire, South Wales, where his
parents were temporarily residing. To ascertain
the true worth of a man, it is necessary to know
the influences to which he was exposed in his early
days, the associations of his youth, the manner of
his education. These things have much to do with
the career which follows. We find in Uriah's early
life evident traces of a boy who was spelling and
reading his way to a fully-developed man. He received the benefit of the elementary training of


the English schools of his day and was then placed
in the Heytesbury and Castle Carry schools, where
he went through a full academic course. IIe remembers that his father took him from school for
a time to aid him in making a railroad survey from
London to Exeter, the first survey of the kind in
England.
Amid the corrective influences of an excellent
home and the discipline and thorough training of
good schools, Uriah passed from childhood to manhood. He remained at home until 1828, when he
and his next older brother, William, bade goodbye
to the inmates of the old home in "Merrie England," and taking passage in an ocean vessel, embarked with their effects and fortunes for the
United States. After a prosperous voyage across
the Atlantic, they arrived in New York City in
June, and spent the summer traveling and prospecting through some of the Eastern and Southern
States.
The following winter, our subject played the
"English Schoolmaster Abroad" for the people of
East Hamburg, Erie County, N. Y. Early in the
spring of 1830 he returned to England for'the purpose of assisting his parents in their preparations
for removing to America. Arrangements being
completed, he, with his father's family, once more
set sail for the New World, landing at New York in
July the same year. The family settled in Greenbush (East Albany), N. Y., and it was while living
there with his parents that lie commenced the
study of medicine in the office of Dr. Hale. Mr.
Upjohn had while living in England given some
attention to the study. Dr. Hale was a man of
learning and an able physician, a graduate of
Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, and a
man of high social standing, having married the
granddaughter of Gov. George Clinton.
After going through the full course of studies in
the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New
York City, Dr. Upjohn graduated on March 25,
1834. He had also attended the practice of Physics
and Surgery in the New York Hospital during the
two sessions of 1833-34; and had found time during his sumnmer vacations to attend two full courses
on surgery and anatomy under Prof. Alden
March, of Albany. The following recommenda



262


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- -- - 1 -



tion, which our graduate bore with his diploma
from college, needs no word of comment:
To whom it may concern:
Be it known that Dr. Upjohn received his degree in our university yesterday. It affords me
great pleasure to bear testimony to the great diligence with which he has pursued his studies, and
to the uncommon proficiency which he evinced in
his examination before the professors. My best
wishes attend him in his career in life, and it is my
opinion that wherever he may locate, he will be a
valuable acquisition to his professional brethren
and the community.
VALENTINE MOTT, MI. D.
New York, April 2, 1834.
Dr. Upjohn commenced the practice of medicine
at Brighton, Monroe County, N. Y., immediately
after his graduation. His parents had removed to
Pittsford, in the same county, where the father
died in 1847 and the mother in 1852. In June,
1835, he and his brother William started out to
seek their fortunes in the far West, crossing Lake
Erie by steamer. From Detroit, on horseback, they
took up their line of march westward through the
wooded territory and reaching Kalamazoo County,
pitched their tent on the northwest quarter of
section 31, in that part of the township of Richland since called Ross. Having erected a log house
here on their new land among the early settlers of
this region, the two brothers commenced the practice of medicine. The Doctor had not been long
in Michigan when he learned that the law required
physicians to have a license, making it necessary
for him to go to Detroit to present his credentials.
This lie did and received his papers.
On September 15, 1837, Dr. Upjohn was married
to Maria Mills, youngest daughter of Deacon
Simeon Mills, one of the pioneers of Gull Prairie.
Our subject's practice has been very extensive.
His ride on horseback for more than twenty years,
until roads were made and buggies could be had,
extended among the sparse settlements and solitary
log cabins scattered over the territory of five
counties. To visit his patients, he rode by a pioneer's new-made track, or by the Indian trail or
blazed trees, or through the trackless woods, "by
routes obscure and lonely."  Kindly, patiently, he
went on his errand of mercy in all seasons of the
year, and through all kinds of weather, rendering


his services as cheerfully to the poor, who could
not pay, as to those who could. At one time, while
attending the sick in a north settlement, as Dr.
Upjohn was about to leave lie was informed that
around the lake there was a log cabin, whose inmates were all sick. After a round-about ride, he
came to the cabin, knocked at the door again and
again, and at last heard a faint "come in." Entering he found the entire family of seven or eight
persons prostrate with fever, and the first word
uttered was a request for water. Filling a large
pitcher with water from the lake near by he gave
to each one a drink. Finding that some of them
were very sick, lie dealt out medicine as each case
required, built a fire, chopped wood, brought it in
and made them as comfortable as he could, gave
them words of cheer and bade them good-night,
promising to come again. IIe then rode three or
four miles out of his way to find a neighbor who
would stay with them for one night.
Dr. Upjohn at that time was obliged to use a
large amount of quinine and has more than once
used an entire bottle in one day's ride of not more
than forty miles. During his early experience,
many of the virtues of quinine, not thin adopted
by the medical profession, that are well established in the present time, were recognized by hlin.
Prof. Palmer, of the Medical University, gives him
the credit of first using it as a cure for pneumonia.
We give a few incidents illustrative of the trials
and adventures of the physicians in the early settlement of this country. Our subject once made a
trip of sixty miles, and at one place where lie
visited they had only a crust of johnny-cake to
satisfy his hunger, and but a wisp of straw, that
was taken from tlie bed of his patient, to feed his
horse.
A number of years ago, Dr. Upjohn related this
incident of his early practice: "I had been gone
from home two or three days, visiting the sick at
almost every house, and staying at night wherever
I happened to be. Tired and exhausted, I was
making my way home, walking and leading my
horse, when within one mile of home I heard some
one riding rapidly behind me, and my first impulse
was to dodge behind the brushes and let him pass.
'Ilallo there' said some one, and on coming up




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


263


PORTAIT ND IOGRPHICL RCORD                 26


he hurriedly asked, 'Is this Dr. Upjohn?' 'Yes.'
'Well, you're wanted.' 'Where?' 'Six miles beyond   Yankee  Springs.' 'Who   is sick?' 'A
woman.' The distance being twenty-six miles I
hesitated. I asked if she was very sick. 'Yes,
very,' said the man, 'and very poor; you may
never get your pay.' I wrote a note to my wife
for some medicine to be sent back by the man and
I made my way back, arriving there at three
o'clock the next morning. I found my patient in
a crude log house and very sick indeed, and in a
log barn nothing but straw for my horse."
The wants of a growing family often pressed so
keenly upon him that the Doctor sometimes felt
the need of prompt collection of his fees. Yet the
writer has heard him say, that, driven by necessity,
he has often entered with reluctance the settler's
home to collect his bill, but the presence of destitution and lack of the very necessaries of life were
so evident that he has left the house without presenting his bill. A large part of his early practice
was of an unremunerative character, and on a close
estimate by himself, it would be safe to say that in
his extensive practice of sixty years he has given
one-half of his services to the destitute and poor.
Dr. 0. F. Burroughs, of Galesburg, Mich., has
written amusing incidents of our subject's stopping his horse as they were riding together and
getting out of the buggy to procure some plant
that grew by the road side, then giving an interesting lecture upon it as they rode along. It was
the same with geology-the fossils did not escape
his notice. Fording the Kalamazoo River at one
time on horseback, when on a visit to a patient, he
saw a large rock in the stream, and exclaimed, "I
have found it after two year's search; I have found
it at last! HIere is the bed-rock, the carboniferous
limestone," but hurried on to attend to his professional duties. Returning, he dismounted and
though the river was full of ice he stood knee-deep
in the water and examined the rock. An incident
in his boyhood days will illustrate a sterling trait
of his character. When a boy of thirteen, lie and
a schoolmate started on horseback to visit Netley
Abbey, on Southampton Bay, by moonlight. Arriving at the bay, they left their horses and took a
row boat for the Abbey, Here they had a delight

ful time, viewing its splendor by the light of the
moon. Some time before, they had made a pledge
to each other that they would never drink or play
cards, and they bethought themselves that this
stood them in good stead at this time, as there was
much drinking and card-playing in the inns they
passed by. Rowing back they mounted their
horses for home and Uriah's mate said, "Let us try
the speed of our animals." A little experience of
this kind cost them dearly for after the race his
mate's horse dropped dead.  Frightened, they
rolled the animal out of the way and both rode
home on one horse. The schoolmate thus spoken
of was the late Sir Robert Lush, one of England's
twelve judges.
Dr. Upjohn's ancestors on both sides have been
mostly Quakers and he in his gentle manners and
unostentatious life has evinced the Quaker, although he has never worn the garb. In 1834,
while living in Brighton, N. Y., he joined the AntiSlavery Society, and afterwards joined the Republican party on its formation. While he and his
brother William were in the midst of their professional life, they sent a petition with many names
attached to the Legislature, which resulted in that
very important Act known as the Homestead
Exemption Law. In Michigan in 1845, Dr. Upjohn was nominated for Congress on the Free-Soil
ticket. Iis brother William was for many years
located at Hastings, Mich., where he was lucratively
engaged in the practice of medicine, and where he
died. In August, 1887, the brother Erastus went as
a pioneer to Nebraska, settled at Bellevue and
printed the first paper in that Territory; he was a
surgeon in the army during the war, and practiced
medicine in that State up to the time of his death.
The youngest sister, Helen, married Judge Fenner
Furgerson, a former resident of Albion, Mich., who
was appointed by President Pierce the first Chief
Justice of Nebraska Territory. Our subject is the
only surviving member of the family.
Twelve children have been born to Dr. and Mrs.
Upjohn, eleven of whom grew to mature years.
Six are graduates of the medical and pharmaceutical departments of Michigan University, namely:
lelen, the wife of Hugh Kirkland, a promninent physician at Kalamazoo; Mary N., wife




264


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


of W. P. Sidnam, of Kalamazoo; Amelia, formerly
the wife of Dr. Campbell, but now deceased;
Henry U., William W., and Jane T.  Mary and
Amelia were the first lady graduates in the department of pharmacy, and Frederick took a
course in pharmacy at Philadelphia. The spirit of
Galen that inspired the father has thus manifested
itself in the love of the profession among his children. His daughter Alice received her early education at Gull Prairie Seminary, afterward attending for a time the Normal School at Ypsilanti and
later the Ladies' College at Evanston, Ill.  She
married the Rev. Wright Barrett, a graduate
of Garrett Biblical Institute.  Virginia, at an
early age, evinced a rare talent for music and was
given a musical education at Detroit. She became
a successful teacher and while thus engaged in
Hastings, was taken ill and died, July 8, 1870, at
her father's home in Galesburgh.  Sara attended
the public school at Ann Arbor and married Rev*
John Redpath, a graduate of the Union Theological Seminary of New York. Ida (now deceased),
the youngest of seven daughters, graduated at the
High School in Ann Arbor, and married James
Hayward, a graduate from Michigan University in
the literary and civil engineering departments.
lie was employed by the Government in making
surveys in Mississippi and Texas, and was drowned
in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Doctor lived on Gull Prairie from the time
lie came to this county until 1868, with the exception of two years which he spent with his falmily in Iowa. He then removed to Galesburgh, this
county, where he remained until 1871, at which
time he changed his residence to Kalamazoo. In
the spring of that year he retired to a farm purchased of Charles Brown, his brother-in-law, near
Richland village, his old home. He is now past
eighty-three years of age, and still quite robust.
Sixty years of his life have been faithfully and
conscientiously spent in his profession and in providing for and educating his eleven children. -le
is an affectionate and considerate husband and father, unselfish to a fault, studying the comforts of
those around him rather than his own, always imparting some valuable instruction to his children
when gathered around him at home or while riding


with him as he went about the country. Being a
great reader and a man of original thought and
wonderful memory, he was prepared for any
emergency.   For the past ten or fifteen years
his practice has been that of a consulting l)hysician, and while not in active l)ractice in the last
few years he yet cherishes great interest in the
advancement of medicine and the well-being of
his fellow-men, cheerfully giving counsel where it
is needed, pointing out dangers to life and health,
with a kindly feeling to all humanity. In his re
ligious views he believes that a well-spent life is
the best preparation for future happiness, regardless of religious creeds. Mrs. Upjohn was the faithful and loving wife of our subject for the long
period of forty-five years, sustaining him by words
of cheer and comfort when he was about to despair,
and in all he has accomplished in securing a good
home and a competency slie deserves a full share
of credit. She was called to her heavenly lhome
February 17, 1882, when in her sixtieth year, loved
and respected by all who knew her.
A lithographic portrait of Dr. Upjohn accompanies this biographical notice.
C      IESTER A. PUTNEY. The older members
(( of a community are doubly entitled to the
respect and esteem of their neighbors when
their long lives have been repllete with acts of
kindness, and their whole career marked by integrity and uprightness. The time-honored and
respected gentleman whose name appears at tile
head of this sketch makes his home in Hartford,
Van Buren County.    His native home was in
Middlesex, Yates County, N. Y., where he was
born July 11, 1821. His father, Aaron Putney,
was born in 1769, in Massachusetts, and the mother,
Eleanor (Adams) Putney, was a native of New
York. Our subject's grandfather, Jedediah Putney,
served in the Revolutionary War and was a son of
John Putney, a native of England, who came to
America when a young man and figured conspicuously in tile early history of the country.  The
Putneys have been tillers of tll soil at all times
and have always been very successful.




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


267


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Our sultject emigrated to Ollio when a young
mal andl there marrield Miss Elizabetl Parker, in
1844. Mrs. Putney died in New York whence our
subject had moved and where lie lost two children.
Ile was afterward married to Miss Mary A. Pratt,
dallahter of Ira and Clarisa J. (Gillette) Pratt,
natives of Maissacllusetts and New York State,respectively, born in Rusliville,)ntario County, N. Y., who
bore him seven children, five of whom are still living: Orville C., Isabelle A., William C., Katherine
J. and M. Josephine.
In the spring of 1863, Mr. Putney came to Van
Buren County, where he has ever since made his
home. Ile found it new and undeveloped and at
once rented a farm.  Subsequently he purchased
land of his own and now has a nice farm of two
hundred and thirty acres, on which his son Orvill
resides. In the fall of 1890, he erected a beautiful
modern residence in Hartford, which is not surpassed by any in the village. Here he now resides,
having been retired from manual labor since 1889.
This honored gentleman has always been held in
highest repute by all his friends and numerous
acquaintances for his honesty and uprightness. Ite
is a true-blue Republican politically, but has never
been an office-seeker, preferring the quietude of
domestic life to the turmoil of public office.




=


among the first families. An aunt of Mrs. Mottram, on her father's side, lived to be over
one hundred years old.    One of the Lloyds
became United States Senator.    Mrs. Mottram
came to Schoolcraft, this State, as early as 1832,
one of a party of thirty-six, only two of whom are
living at the present time, namely: Mrs. Mottram
and her sister, Mrs. D. G. Kendall, who is at present residing in San Antonio, Tex.
The Doctor and his wife are the parents of
three children: Mary E., William  K. and Alice.
Tile eldest daughter is the wife of Maj. W. C. Ransom, whose biography will appear on another page
in this volume; William K. is residing in Ottawa,
Kan.; and Alice is the widowv of Sidney Cook, late
of Flat Rock, this State. The Doctor represented
St. Joseph County in the Lower House of the
Legislature of 1843, where he took an active part
in organizing the public school library system,
which has become one of the most prominent an(d
useful features of the great educational system
of the State. Our subject located on the site of
the present beautiful residence of the family in
1850, and in 1869, a modern dwelling was erected,
which now adorns the place.
The following is an extract of the speech of
Charles S. May delivered August 13, 1891, at the
pioneers' reunion of Kalamazoo County:
The death-roll read by your Secretary shows that
during the past year. some of the best known and
most honored of your members have been summoned across the dark river. Many of those I
knew as we all knew them. Some of them were
my friends, known and tried for many years.
One of them, and the most prominent name on the
list, was, for more thirty years, my friend and physician-a man whom I greatly honored and respected-the late Dr. William Mlottram.
This man, who, as a pioneer, citizen and physician, was so well and widely known, may justly
claim the passing tribute at my hand. His life
work, and it was a most grand and useful one,
was done here in our midst. The first part of his
career passed just across the line in St. Joseph
County. As pioneer, physician and legislator, and
one of the pioneers of our own city of Kalamazoo,
the wide practice of his profession brought him
into relation with thousands of our citizens. His
fine and imposing presence, his courtly bearing,
his highbred and polished courtesy of manner,
his gentle and reassuring voice in the sick room,


- I -----—  --- —— '


 ----~0~ ----~0~.N


W     ILLIAM MOTTRAM, M. D. The gentleman whose portrait appears on tle opposite page deserves great credit for the position he won, not only as a physician and surgeon, but in securing the confidence of the people
whom   lie served.  Dr. Mottram was born in
the State of New York, January 30, 1810, and
passed from this life at his home in Kalamazoo,
July 2, 1891.
The father of our subject, William  Mottram,
was a native of England, while his mother, whose
maiden name was Mary Bedient, was born in Vermont. The Doctor was married January 20, 1835,
at Schoolcraft, this State, to Miss Gillian Marguerite, daughter of George E. and Ruth (Duncan)
Lloyd, natives of Virginia, where they were








268


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


which was itself a remedy, will be long remembered among us, and I may as well say that the
removal of such a figure from our midst, though
his years were ripe, is a great public loss. Men
like Dr. Mottram  were such fine specimens and
types of manhood and manners of the Old School,
that their removal leaves us doubly sensible of the
great change which has come upon us. May we,
their survivors, long cherish their memories and
strive to cultivate their virtues."
OJIN B. TOMKINS, who is engaged in
general farming and stock-raising on section 26, Decatur Township, Van Buren
County, was born in Bradford County, Pa.,
on the 30th of June, 1853, but has spent almost his
entire life in this community. Is parents were
John and Rebecca Tomkins. His father was born
in New Jersey, June 18, 1813, and his ancestors
for several generations past have resided in that
State. With his parents lie removed to Pennsylvania, the family locating in Bradford County,
where he engaged in farming and also carried on
a sawmill. He first came to Michigan in 1840, and
purchased forty acres of land in Hamilton Township, Van Buren County. Only a few acres had
been cleared and the arduous task of its development fell to his lot. As his financial resources increased, he added to his possessions from time to
time until he had one hundred and twenty acres,
but after a few years' residence in Hamilton Township, he removed with his family to Decatur
Township,locating on a farm of forty acres which
he made his home for about twelve years. His next
place of residence was in Hancock County, Iowa,
but after a few months spent there, he traded that
farm for land adjoining-that which he owned before his removal from Michigan. Another trade
he made, exchanging forty acres for one hundred
and twenty acres in Kalamazoo County, upon
which he made his home for two years, afterward
operating the farm a mile and three-quarters north
of Decatur, where he made his home until his
death, which occurred on the 7th of June, 1886.
Mr. Tomkins was twice married. After the death
of his first wife, he married Rebecca Barnum, a native of Bradford County, Pa. By the first union


were born eight childrenl, by the second three, and
all grew to manhood and womanhood, but only six
are now living.
Our subject is the youngest of the family. He
was only a year and a half old when his father first
came to Michigan, and amid the wild scenes of
frontier life was reared to manhood, his education
being acquired in the district schools. He worked
upon his father's farm until after his death, and
cared for his parents in their declining years. He
continued to operate the old homestead farm until the 18th of February, 1891, when the house was
burned down. He then sold the land and removed
to the farm which is now his home-a forty-acre
tract of highly cultivated land on section 26, Decatur Township.
On the 30th of June, 1874, Mr. Tomkins was
united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Secord, and
unto them have been born three children: Lottie,
born July 3, 1876; Harry, September 3, 1878, and
Johnnie, September 12, 1886. The parents are
members of the Methodist Church of Decatur, and
give liberally to its support. Mr. Tomkins has
taken an active part in Sunday-school and church
work and has done much for the upbuilding of
the church, thus increasing its powers of usefulness. Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows
society. To farming and stock-raising, he devotes
his attention and is making a specialty of the raising of good horses. He is recognized as a leading
agriculturist of the neighborhood, a practical and
progressive farmer and a valued citizen.
OHN M. LAY, a prominent citizen of Galesburgh, was born in Chenango County, N. Y.,
February 18, 1815. His father, Daniel, was
a native of Connecticut, and when a young
man came to the Empire State, where he was married to Anna Brown. The young couple then located on a farm in Chenango County, removing
later to Steuben County and afterward to Niagara County, the same State.
In 1835, Mr. Lay, Sr., accompanied by his family, came to Michigan, where he settled in Kalamazoo County and a few years later moved to




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


269


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Calhoun County and there dield at tile age of
seventy-seven years. The mother survived hiim a
few years, passing away when eigllty-one. rlley
were the parents of eight children, all of whom
grew to manhlood and womanllood, and seven now
survive, namely: Charles; John M., of this sketcll;
Hulda, widow of Alex. Farmer, of Battle Creek;
William; I)arius W.; Adaline, who became tile wife
of R. Turner; and l)arwin. Mrs. Louise l)imond is
deceased.
Tle subject of this notice was reared under the
parental roof and accompanied his parents in their
various removals, remaining with them until he
was of age. His schooling was completed in Niagara County, N. Y., after which lie learned the
trade of a carpenter and joiner. Ile came to Constock Townslip, Kalamazoo County, in 1837, and
worked at his trade, assisting in building the first
sawmills in the county. He erected other structures, and assisted in putting in the gearing in the
first gristmill in Comstock.
After continuing as a carpenter for six years in
Comstock Township, Mr. Lay embarked in the drygoods business in the village of Galesburgh and successfully carried on a large trade for four years. Ile
then sold out and was for seven years in the drug
business. He was married, June 21, 1840, toSophia
Beckwith, who was born in Otsego County, N. Y.,
September 22, 1818, and they are the parents of
three children, namely: Alexis M., who was born
October 26, 1844, and resides in New York City;
Rosa A.,born November 17, 1842, married E. G.
Curtis, of Chicago, and died in California, May 9,
1890, leaving one son, Charles G., who now resides
with his grandfather; William F., who was born
April 29, 1847, is now in New York City. Mr. Lay
was deeply bereaved, February 26, 1889, by the
death of his devoted wife, whose mortal remains
lie buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.
For more than twenty years, Mr. Lay has been
retired from active business, but he still takes great
interest in all affairs of importance and is a publicspirited man. Until the nomination of John C.
Fremont to the Presidency, he was a Democrat,
but since that time he has been a Republican. IHe
was Justice of the Peace in Comstock Township,
also Assessor and Treasurer for two years, and has


leldl tlhe various schlool oflices. Ite was appointed
Major of tile militia under Gov. Blingllam in this
State during tle Rebellion. At various times he
has been identified with the Village Board and
llas promoted the interests of the place in every
way lossible. Socially, lie is connec.ted with Galesburgll Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Lay
moved to Chicago in 1869, and was one of the sufferers in tlhe great fire, after which lie returned to
Galesburgh.
n     T AMITEI  BIGEL()W. A conspicuous position among the farmers of Van Buren
County is held by this gentleman, who
llas gained influence and standing by years
of well-directed efforts, and an intelligent appreciation of the duties of citizenship. lie occupies
a valuable estate in Arlington Townslhip where he
las placed improvements that make thle place one
of the best in the community. Tle pleasant appearance of the residence without is but an index
to the comfort tlat rules withip, and without making any pretensions to elegance, tlee dwelling attracts the admiration of every passer-by. There
are few citizens now surviving who have resided
in this county for a longer period than Mr. Bigelow, and his upright life will cause llil to be lovingly remembered, long after lie shall have exchanged thle things of time for tlose of the eternal
world.
Avon, Livingston County, N. Y., was the birthplace of Mr. Bigelow, and April 20, 1827, the date
thereof. His father, Calvin, was born in Connecticut in 1786, and his mother, Sarah (Hall) Bigelow, was likewise a native of Connecticut. The
parents reared eleven children out of a family of
thirteen born to them. Thle paternal grandfather
was Joseph, whose native place was in the State of
Connecticut, and who was probably descended
from  English ancestors. Our subject resided in
Livingston County until the fall of 1845, when he
came to Van Buren County, and has since made
his home in Arlington Township.
In 1853, Mr. Bigelow was married to Miss Eunice,
daughter of George and Eunice (Harvey) Meacham,






270


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


and a lady of refined tastes and great kindness of
heart. The farm  which Mr. Bigelow still occupies was purchased by him in 1848, when it was
covered with a dense growth of forest trees, and
surrounded by uncultivated tracts of land. Gradually he developed and improved the place, erecting good buildings as occasion offered and replacing the forests with cultivated fields. His family
consisted of his wife and six children, wlose
lecords are as follows: Eva, the wife of Alexander
Phillips; Jerome, a resident of Bangor; Nellie,
now the wife of Martin Bigelow; Herbert; Eunice,
who married D. Talbot; and Jane.
Until 1876, Mr. Bigelow devoted his energies exclusively to farming, but at that time he began
breeding blooded stock. He purchased the horse
well known as "Robert Whaley," and has since added
to his stock until he now has a fine stock farm.
His political belief brings him into affiliation with
the Democratic party, and his first vote was cast
for Gen. Cass in 1848. As a representative and
pioneer citizen of Van Buren County, he well merits having his name perpetuated through the medium of the RECORD, and as long as there will exist in this county a love for those who have
developed its resources, so long will the account of
his life work be read with pleasure by generations
yet. to come..,-^,. --- —--— j-. *:
RANK FREEMAN is a resident farmer and
stock-raiser on section 15, Pine Grove
Township. He is a son of John Freeman
and Julia (Muloany) Freeman, the father a native
of New York and the mother of Ireland who came
to New York when quite young. They were married in New York and came to Michigan in 1856,
settling in Prairieville, Barry County, where he
worked for others. He then went to Kalamazoo
County and settled on a partly improved farm and
lived there ten years. In 1865, he sold out and removed to this county and settled upon a farm of
wild land consisting of eighty acres. Here he lived
twelve years and then went to Kansas and located
in Crawford County three years. At the expiration of that time, he again came to Michigan and


operated his farm in Kalamazoo County on which
lie resided until about three years ago, since when
he has lived in the city of Kalamazoo. His good
wife and helpmate died in 1869. She bore her
husband five children, our subject being the eldest
born.
The birth of Frank Freeman took place in Lewis
County, N. Y., May 10, 1848, and he came to Michigan with his parents when a mere lad. He received a good education, and when fifteen years
old had a great desire to become a soldier, so enlisted in April, 1864, in Company F, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and joined his regiment at Chattanooga, Tenn., in the late war. He took part in the
battle of Franklin under Gen. Thomas, and also in
a number of skirmishes. He was never off duty
and served with his regiment until September,
1865, being engaged in hunting down guerrillas
from the previous April.
After being honorably discharged from the army,
our subject returned home and took charge of the
farm. He now has eighty acres of land, fifty-five
of which are all cleared and in a good state of cultivation and he carries on mixed farming successfully.
His horses are splendid roadsters and of the "Morgan Messenger" breed.
Mr. Freeman was married in January, 1869, to
Amanda A. Tower, a native of Ohio. She bore her
husband five children: Albert, Grace, Pearl, Edith
and Leo. The older children have good educations
and Miss Grace is a teacher. The beloved wife
and mother was called to the better land, April 17,
1891, aged forty-two years. Mrs. Freeman when a
babe lost her mother and was taken to Illinois, and
lived there until eighteen years old when she came
to Michigan. Mr. Freeman is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic Post at Kendall and
is the Treasurer of the same. He is also a member
of the Free and Accepted Masons of Goble and
the Knights of the Maccabees of Kendall, and is
Treasurer of the School Board of district No. 8.
In politics, he affiliates with the Republican party
and has been a believer of that platform all his
life. He lives on his farm with three of his children who are his consolation and joy. He is held
in the highest repute by all his neighbors and
friends.




0::




4s


(^3 ^y^0%  ft



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


273


-  --- —--- -----— --- ---  ---I --- —




0 N. TIHEODATUS TIMOTHY             LYON,
Vice-president of the American IHorticultural Society, and President of the Michigan State Horticultural Society, was born
January 13, 1813, in Lima, N. Y. He comes of
sturdy pioneer ancestry, his grandfather, Thomas
Lyon, being a farmer of Connecticut, while his
father, Timothy, emigrated at an early day
from that State to Western Massachusetts, and
in the early settlement of the "Genesee Country"
settled at Lima. Timothy Lyon owned and operated a farm, but devoted his attention mostly to
architecture and millwrighting. He married Miss
Mary, the daughter of Jonah Davis, a farmer
who early emigrated to Lima from    Delaware
County, N. Y.
Four childrenwere born to the parents of our
subject: Theodatus T., of this sketch; Marinda
0., who married Matthew Lochhead, and resides at
South Haven; Oscar, deceased; and Phidelia, the
wife of W. H. Craig, of Buena Vista, Colo. The
parents died in Plymouth, Wayne County, Mich.
From the age of about twelve years our subject
devoted his summers partly to   farming  and
partly to mechanical work, having developed a
considerable liking for machinery. Aside from
such employments his time was passed in the district school, with a few terms in a select village
school. In tle spring of 1828 his school privileges were brought to a permanent close by his removal, with his father, to the then remote and
wild Territory of Michigan.
Mr. Lyon well remembers hearing the report of
the cannon used to telegraph from Buffalo to Albany the fact that the water had been admitted
into the western end of Erie Canal. This was
about 1826, and the ceremonies were signalized by
the presence of Gen. La Fayette, then on his last
visit tothis country. About this time, visiting
the orchard of a neighbor, Mr. Lyon found him in
the top of an apple tree, inserting buds in the
smaller branches. He watched the process with
the closest attention, and on his return home, procured and sharpened a case knife (the best implement available for the purpose). I-e then proceeded to cut buds from his favorite apple tree
and insert them in other trees in the orchard, as
12


I.


f

I


an earnest of his first lesson in practical pomology.
The removal of Mr. Lyon to Michigan, which
was made in May, 1828, was by way of the then
new Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence to Detroit via
Lake Erie. At that time, the first steamer upon
the lake, "Walk-in-the-Water," had been recently
wrecked, and the only steamers remaining were
the "ITenry Clay" and the "Michigan," each making weekly trips between Buffalo and Detroit.
The latter was then a small, remote, frontier town;
its chief vehicles, one-horse carts, often without
tires on the wheels, while the inhabitants were
largely French-Canadian. In traveling to Plymouth, then but three years settled, the family
passed the Bucklin Woods, three miles without a
clearing; also the Schwartzburg Woods, four
miles of continuous forest. The first frame residence in Plymouth, that of John Tibbits, was
raised the summer after the arrival of the Lyon
family.
The first year Mr. Lyon spent in Michigan was
employed in tending a small country store, established and managed by his father at Plymouth.
His employment was afterward for a time diversified by carrying the mail on horseback, the route
extending from Tecumseh to Maumee, on the one
hand, and Pontiac on the other, with a weekly trip
to Monroe, then little more than a French village.
In compliance with the desire of his father, our
subject spent the greater portion of the years
1830-31 in an effort to acquaint himself with the
business of manufacturing leather, at an establishment owned and managed by Phineas Davis, a
prominent merchant of Detroit. But the business
proved too uncongenial and was abandoned.
In the meantime, his father having embarked in
the business of milling, Mr. Lyon was supplied
with employment until the summer of 1834.  He
then returned to his former home in Lima, N. Y.,
where he taught a district school two winters and,
during the one summer spent there, devoted about
six weeks to study under the instruction of a
former teacher. At the end of that time he received his final "graduation," so far as school privileges were concerned, although, even at his
present advanced age, he has not ceased to be a






274


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


student. In obedience to the earnest wish of his
parents, he, in the spring of 1836, concluded quite
reluctantly to forego his purpose of pursuing a
course of study, and returning to Michigan, resumed the mercantile business. He also followed
the profession of a teacher and finally commenced
to operate as a farmer and manufacturer of lumber,
occasionally filling the positions of Township
Clerk and School Inspector.
December 6, 1838, Mr. Lyon was married to Miss
Marilla, daughter of William II. Gregory, a prominent farmer of Plymouth and at one time member
of the Legislature of this State. After a long illness, during which she patiently bore great suffering, Mrs. Lyon died in March, 1891, leaving her
bereaved husband and a large circle of friends to
mourn her loss. A few years after his marriage,
Mr. Lyon removed to the Wayne County Poor
House, where he spent one year in charge of the
establishment as Superintendent and farmer. The
number of inmates increased during the winter to
above eighty, and the accommodations consisted of
a double log house, formerly a "tavern," with a
small frame addition answering as a kitchen. The
Whig party having lost control of the appointing
board, Mr. Lyon was superseded at the close of
the year 1842, and then returned to Plymouth.
About 1844 Mr. Lyon commenced a small nursery at Plymouth, mainly for the purpose of growing a supply of trees for his own planting. He
collected the varieties for the nursery from the
surrounding orchards, accepting the names by
which they were commonly known. He soon
learned that he had in so doing incorrect and local
names for many varieties, and in some cases the
same fruit under a variety of names. This put
him upon the work of correction and identification,
in which labor he derived much aid and encouragement from Jabez Warner, then of Plymouth,
and for many years the champion "grafter," as well
as the conservator of varieties of fruits in a large
number of the orchards of that region. He also
received aid from Thomas Thomas, an enthusiastic
fruit-grower of Salem, Washtenaw County.
Such a work is very likely to grow upon a person,
and the case of Mr. Lyon proved no exception to
the rule. He soon saw the need of a broader


knowledge; and amid the toil and care of business,
entered upon the study of the limited pomology of
thirty years ago. A series of articles in the Michigan Farmer, describing the apples known and valued
in Wayne County and vicinity, drew the attention of Charles Downing, of Newburg, N. Y., and
made Mr. Lyon acquainted with him. From   his
trial grounds at Newburg, our subject was enabled
to obtain numerous varieties of new and comparatively untested fruits, and having a decided penchant that way, and his recently-planted orchard
being in a condition for that purpose, he indulged
extensively in testing novelties as a matter of personal and public satisfaction, but with little regard
to the question of profit. The test orchards of
Plymouth are the outcome of those experiments.
From 1861 until 1865, under a Republican
County administration, Mr. Lyon held the position
of member and Secretary of the Board of Superintendents of the Poor of Wayne County; and
quite to his surprise was continued a year in the
place by the succeeding Board of Democratic
County Auditors. His associates were Alanson
Sheley, of Detroit, and S. W. Walker, of Wayne.
Under that administration, the first adequate supply of good water was secured for the establishment, important improvements of the farm were
devised, the entire buildings throughly renovated,
and the present keeper's residence built. Those
undertakings, together with the keeping of the
books of the establishment, compelled Mr. Lyon to
devote to it a very considerable portion of his
time for several years.
June 17, 1864, the Detroit & Howell Railroad
Company was organized with Mr. Lyon as President; this was followed April 13, 1867, by the organization of the Howell & Lansing Railroad Company, both being parts of the same line. Mr. Lyon
was chosen President of the latter company. He
held that position until, in 1871-72, the road was
turned over to an association of Boston citizens,
represented by James F. Joy, of Detroit. During
the six years devoted to this work, our subject had
to secure nearly the whole of the large amount of
pledges along the line, both by individuals and
townships, together with the entire "right of
way," except a small portion near Detroit. As a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


275


-  I —   ------- -— I


consequence, his attention was diverted from the
subject of pomology and the care of his orchards
was largely delegated to other hands. Partially
on account of the ill health of his wife's parents,
and their final death, Mr. Lyon removed to the
village of Plymouth.
On the completion and opening of the Detroit
& Lansing Railroad and its consolidation with the
line to Ionia, Mr. Lyon's connection with it ceased,
leaving him without special employment. At this
juncture strong inducements were offered him to
remove to Western Michigan and resume his
former pursuits, which he did in 1874, becoming
associated with the Michigan Lake Shore Nursery
Association as its President. That enterprise was
inaugurated at an inauspicious time; and, as a consequence of the subsequent shrinkage of values,
together with the failure of a large number of
subscribers to the capital stock to fulfill their engagements, it was thought best to dissolve the corporate organization. The nursery is now conducted under private auspices.
In December, 1876, Mr. Lyon was elected President of the Michigan State Pomological Society,
now the Michigan Horticultural Society, to which
position he has been annually re-elected up to the
present time (1891). For two years he was a member of the Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society, and at three different times delegate of that society to the sessions of the American
Pomological Society, besides being a representative of our State Pomological Society to a meeting of that society, held in Rochester, N. Y. These
and varied minor positions of similar character, together with the supplying of occasional matter
for the press, have conspired to entail upon him a
voluminous correspondence, drawing largely upon
his time and energies, with but little direct advantage to himself. In 1889, he closed out his nursery
business to take charge of the South Haven subexperiment station under the State Board of Agriculture, and agent of the National Division of Pomology,which is under control of the National Department of Agriculture, and tests various varieties of
fruits, insects and bugs. Mr. Lyon was for four
years First Vice-president of the American Pomological Society. In 1888, he wrote a history of


"Horticulture in Michigan," which is published in
the reports of the society; he has also been a frequent contributor to journals and magazines,
among them the Rural New Yorker and The Michigan Farmer.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Lyon accompanies
his biographical notice.
J   AMES M. McALPINE. In the career of
this gentleman, who has for many years
been a successful farmer in Allegan County,
and is now living in retirement at Monterey
Centre, where he has ten acres of fine property,
may be found an illustration of the worth of good
principles and habits of industry and prudence.
IHe had not inherited the wealth that falls to some
men, but has fought his way through life, provided
only with the advantages that a beneficent Nature
has granted him. In addition to the property
mentioned above, Mr. McAlpine is the proprietor
of a tract of two hundred acres in Monterey
Township, which bears excellent improvements
and nets him a handsome income.
James McAlpine of this sketch is the son of
William and Lydia (Souls) McAlpine, natives of
New York. The father being a farmer, young
James was reared to that calling and remained under the parental roof only until reaching his
eleventh year, when, ambitious to begin life for
himself, he hired out as a farm hand. In 1841 he
was happily married to Miss Lucy D. M., daughter
of Noble Granger, who was a native of New York
and a pioneer of Allegan County, this State.
After his marriage our subject rented a piece of
land which he farmed four years, then deciding to
try his fortunes in the new State of Michigan, he
came hither in October, 1845. On landing here
his possessions consisted of a wife, one child and
$30 in money. His persistent industry has been
rewarded and he is now enabled to pass his declining years in peace and quiet, enjoying the fruits
of his early struggles.
To Mr. and Mrs. McAlpine were born a family
of three children: Martin Van Buren, who married
Ellen Kibby and is residing in Monterey Town





276


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


ship, Allegan County, for a fuller sketch of
whom the reader is referred to his biography to be
found on another page; Willie died at the interesting age of four years, and Lizzie, now Mrs.
Knoblock, resides in Monterey Township.
Coning here at such an early day, our subject
has been an eye-witness to the wonderful development of this section of country and by his thrift
and energy has done no little helping to bring
about the transformation. He is now living on a
beautiful tract of ten acres in Monterey Centre,
which homestead adds greatly to the beauty of the
surrounding landscape. His father was born in
1792 and died in 1867. His mother, who was born
in 1790, passed away in 1869. Mr. McAlpine is a
stanch Democrat in politics and has been honored
with all the various offices within the gift of the
people, having served for many years as Supervisor and Justice of the Peace. We are very much
pleased to be able to present to our readers a sketch
of Mr. McAlpine, who is widely known and greatly
respected throughout Allegan County where he has
resided for so many years.
EVI LOOMIS. This old pioneer of Allegan
County is at present residing on section 11,
Ganges Township. He was born in Madison County, N. Y., September 16, 1810, and was
the son of Josiah and Rebecca S. Loomis. The
father was born in Blanford, Conn., where he was
reared upon a farm. He received a limited education and, when attaining his majority, married
Rebecca Sheen, also of Connecticut.
After their marriage, the parents of our subject
moved to New York, where they bought a farm in
Hamilton County, upon which they resided the remainder of their days. To them were born five
children, of whom Levi is the only member living.
They bore the names of William S., Lyman; Emily,
now Mrs. William G. Butler; our subject and
Josiah J. Mrs. Rebecca Loomis died when our
subject was but twelve years of age, and his father
was married a second time, to Polly Newton, and
to them  was born a daughter, Harriet, The sen

ior Mr. Loomis fought in the War of 1812, and
voted the Whig ticket. His father, Alexander
Loomis, took up arms against the Mother Country
during the Revolutionary War.
Levi Loomis spent his early life on the farm and
attended school until reaching his twelfth year,
when, his mother dying, he was thrown upon his
own resources. His first work on his own account
was for a Dr. Foote, with whom he remained two
years and then spent the same length of time on a
farm. Later, he went to Pennsylvania, and after
making a short stay there, emigrated to Oneida
County, N. Y., where he learned the carpenter's
trade and continued to work thus for five years.
In 1835, he came West to Michigan, and for five
years worked at his trade in different parts of
Allegan County. Mr. Loomis erected the first
sawmill on Pine Creek, and in 1840 located on his
present farm on section 11, Ganges Township, Allegan County.
The original of this sketch was married in 1837
to Miss Sally A. Skinner, who was born July 16,
1808, and was a daughter of Isaac Skinner. To
them  were born   seven  children: Marion D.;
Charles L., deceased; Flora L., now Mrs. A. C.
Goodrich; Ida T., Mrs. D. French; Effie L., deceased,
who Was the wife of Frank Raymond; Bertrand,
who died while in the army; and Charley.
Mr. Loomis was the second settler in Ganges
Township, coming hither with teams.  As there
were no boats on the river he was obliged to
build a raft, on which he placed his family and
floated to the mouth of the Kalamazoo River.
On locating on the eighty acres of timber land,
which our subject had purchased, he immediately
set about the erection of a house for his family,
which "shanty" was 32x16 feet in dimensions.
Mr. Loomis has been very successful in his undertakings, and although he started in life $140 in
debt, he now is the proud possessor of three
hundred acres of excellent land, two hundred and
twenty acres of which is under cultivation and
sixty acres in fruit. In those early days, when
markets were far distant, our subject kept his family supplied with choice meats, as he was a good
huntsman and game was plentiful. He often carried provisions from Kalamazoo, forty-five miles




*


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


277


distant. His good wife, who departed this life
March 3, 1889, was a very capable woman and
noted for her skill as a housewife and caretaker.
To her economy and good judgment our subject
gives all due praise for his present success in life,
as she proved a helpmate in the truest sense of
that term.
In politics, Mr. Loomis is a Republican. Ile was
formerly a Whig, and cast the only Whig vote
polled in the village of St. Joseph' in 1835. IIe
has been active in local affairs and helped to organize Ganges Township and all the school districts. He also aided in the building of the first
schoolhouse in the township, and hired and paid
the first teacher. He, with the assistance of his estimable wife, made out the first tax-roll of what are
now Lee, Casco, Ganges, Manlius, Lake, and Saugatuck Townships. He has held the office of Justice
of the Peace for four years, was Township Clerk
for the same length of time and has been honored
with nearly all the local offices. In religious matters, he is a conscientious Baptist.
M    ORTIMER Mc DOWELL is the owner of
two hundred and eighty acres of land on
sections 13 and 18, Casco Township, Allegan County. His entire tract is under
most excellent cultivation, and in addition to
raising the cereals he has forty acres of sugar bush
and a like amount in fruit. ITe has made as high
as eighteen hundred pounds of sugar from his
bush in one year.   Mr. McDowell is    greatly
respected in this locality and ranks among the
prominent and well-to-do agr;iculturists of Allegan
County.
Our subject was born in Niagara County, N. Y.,
in 1830, and was the son of Timothy and Emeline
McDowell. The father was born in Oneida County,
N. Y., in 1801, where lie was reared to agricultural pursuits. He was entirely a self-made man,
as all his schooling was received before he reached
his eighth year. He remained at home until attaining mature years and at the age of twenty-four
was married to our subject's mother, who bore
the name of Emeline, daughter of Joshua and


Susan (Burnam) Reynolds. Mrs. McDowell was a
native of Vermont, and born in 1807. The young
couple made their home on the old farm for two
years. The grandparents of our subject were
pioneers of Niagara County, N. Y., and helped
raise the first house in Lockport. When moving
to New York they passed through what is now
the site of Rochester, that city being callednin'that
early day Corset Corners.
Timothy McDowell purchased a tract of unimproved land within six miles of Lockport, upon
which he resided for a few years.  He later removed with his family to Chautauqua County,where
he made his home for eleven years. In 1845 he
came to Michigan and located at once in Casco
Township, near where our subject now lives, he
being the first settler in that region.  His farm
included three hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land. The trip hither was made overland
with ox-teams and in that early day the postoffice
was at Saugatuck, where also they obtained the
most of their supplies, although they were compelled sometimes to drive the slow ox-team to
Otsego. Mr. McDowell was prominent in local
affairs, and was the first Postmaster of Casco.  In
politics, he was in early life a Democrat, but in
later years joined the Republican party. lIe was
widely known throughout this section and for a
number of years was Director in the National
Bank at South Haven.
Mortimer McDowell of this sketch was given a
good common-school education and accompanied
an uncle to Casco Township, Allegan County,
when only fifteen years of age. They at once
began the erection of a cabin, the lumber which
was used in its construction being rafted down
the lake ten miles by night.  The father and
family followed in a few months and located in
the new home, which was 18x26 feet in dimensions,
and which was made comfortable for their reception.
Our subject remained under the parental roof
until reaching his majority, in the meantime working industriously in clearing the home farm. When
starting out for himself he took contracts for
that line of work and has probably cleared over
five hundred acres of land in Casco Township.






278


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


--— f


His marriage occurred in 1859, when Emily E.,
daughter of Richard R. and Nancy Hudson, became his wife. Mrs. McDowell was born in Portage County, Ohio, which was also the native State
of her father; her mother hailed from Pennsylvania. Emily E. was the youngest member of
her parents' family of four children.  Her paternal grandfather was a very old pioneer of Ohio
and lived to reach the good old age of ninety
years.
To Mr. and Mrs. McDowell have been born two
sons: Arthur, who married Miss Mary Munger,
and Ernest. In politics, our subject is non-partisan, always casting his vote for the best man.
Together with his wife, he is a member of the
Township Grange.
ENRY OVERIHISER. This well-to-do resident on section 35, Casco Township, Allegan County, was born in Steuben County,
N. Y., in 1865 and is the son of George
and Elizabeth Overhiser. His father was also a
native of the Empire State, his birth occurring in
1804. He was there reared on a farm and received a good common-school education, remaining with his parents until he became of age. For
eleven successive winters he was engaged in logging on the Chemung River, a distance of three
hundred miles from  his home, which journey he
made on foot.
The parents of our subject were married when
quite young, the maiden name of his mother being
Elizabeth Storms, a daughter of Peter and Dorcas
(Ballard) Storms. Her parents were of English
descent, natives of New York. In 1841 Mr. and
Mrs. Overhiser came West to Fayette County, Ind.,
where the father was engaged the first winter in
cutting cord-wood at twenty-cents per cord, walking a distance of six miles to his work. He purchased a small tract of land in Fayette County
and resided there for the following three years.
He then removed to Blackford County, also in
Indiana, becoming the proprietor of one hundred
and sixty acres of school land. Being pioneers
in that locality, the hardships which they endured


have made a lasting impression upon the mind of
our subject, who was one in a family of thirteen
children, twelve of whom grew to reach mature
years.
The brothers and sisters of our subject bore the
following names: Belinda; John; Mary, who is
the wife of W. W. Johnston; Elvira, Mrs. Isaac
Johnson; Martha, deceased; Henry; Lonson; Anna,
Mrs. F. Bonham; Charles; Willard; Marion; Sarah,
Mrs. D. D. Tourtellotte and Katurah, Mrs. Thomas
Mills.  George Overhiser, our subject's father,
lived to see about one-third of his farm improved,
and died in 1862, his wife preceding him to the
land beyond in 1860. He was a son of Casper
and Ruth (Beals) Overhiser, the father being a
farmer of Holland   descent. He was married
twice and reared a family of twenty-one children.
When reaching his nineteenth year, Henry
Overheiser's father gave him $1 with which to
commence life on his own account. He at once
began by chopping wood, which occupation he
followed only a short time, when he learned the
carpenter's trade, which, together with his farming
operations, has been his life work. Hle came to
Allegan County in 1860 and has made this county
his abiding place since that time. His first purchase of land was on section 10, Casco Township,
coming to his new home with his wife, three
children and their early effects in a single wagon.
I-e was very successful in his undertaking and in
a few years was enabled to add forty acres to his
original tract. Later he added sixty acres and now
has a farm of one hundred acres. He has erected
a beautiful residence on his estate and by using
the best methods and improvements in his operations is meeting with more than ordinary success.
In 1855 our subject and Miss Sarah, daughter of
Peter and Rhoda McKee, were united in marriage
and to them were born eight children: Lonson,
Albert; Olive, Mrs. S. Galbreath; Ida, wife of
Charles Osborn; Grant deceased; Charles; Mary also
deceased, and Minnie. Mrs. Overhiser died March
4, 1884, and our subject was a second time married,
the lady of his choice being Mrs. Henrietta (Fisher)
Wharfield, the daughter of Henman and Catherine
(Uran) Fisher, natives respectively of Ohio and
Pennsylvania. Mrs. Overhiser was born in Kala



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


279


mazoo County, this State, where her parents were
early pioneers. Her first husband was William
Gould and upon his death she became the wife of
Henry Wharfield. In political affairs our subject
has  been quite prominent, having served his
township as Tax Collector for ten consecutive
years and Supervisor for two years. He has also
represented his fellow-townsmen as a delegate to
Republican conventions. Together with his wife,
he is a member of the United Brethren Church and
is greatly respected in Casco Township.
LFRED    S. PACKARD, who resides on
section 1, Covert Township, Van Buren
County, is numbered among the prominent business men of Western Michigan, and is a large landowner of some of the best
land in the celebrated fruit belt of Michigan, from
which are obtained the best peaches raised in
the Northwest. He is the son of William  and
Mary (Rude) Packard, for whose history see sketch
of the Hon. W. 0. Packard in another part of this
volume. Alfred S. was born in Rensselaer County,
N. Y., September 22, 1834, and was two years old
when the family removed to Ohio, where he grew
up on a farm, assisting his father in his various
duties there and also in the mills. Ile acquired a
good common-school education and taught school
for some time. IHe removed to Allegan County,
Mich., in 1859 and was associated in business with
his father and brother until 1877, when he withdrew from the firm and has since carried on his
operations alone. IHe now owns two sawmills, and
deals in lumber, wood and bark, both at Covert
and South Haven. He was the owner at one time
of twenty-five hundred acres of land and still
retains about fifteen hundred acres.
Mr. Packard has been married three times, his
first wife being Laura A., daughter of Iram  and
Cynthia Packard, to whom he was united May 1,
1859. She was a native of Plainfield, Mass., and
died April 10, 1870. They were the parents of
one son, who was born April 2, 1870, and died
five months later. On June 22, 1871, Mr. Pack

ard was married to Mary E., daughter of Nelson
T. and Emily C. Burnham, a native of Middletown, Conn., who was born April 28, 1846, and
removed with her parents to Ohio, where she
resided until her marriage. She died in the spring
of 1881, leaving no children. The present wife of
Mr. Packard was Clara O. Atkinson, to whom  he
was united May 2, 1882. Mr. Packard affiliates
with the Republican party, but takes little interest
in political affairs, except to vote for the best men
on the ticket. lie is an active and earnest member
of the Congregational Church, in which he is a
Deacon and is also Superintendent of the Sabbathschool. lie was one of the organizers of the
church at Covert and is numbered among its most
liberal supporters. I-e stands high in the regard
of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Packard is engaged
also in growing and shipping choice peaches,
having three large orchards of one thousand trees
each, containing twenty-five varieties of this fruit,
which is shipped direct from the trees, carefully
graded and packed, to Chicago and other large
markets. Iie also owns six hundred and eighty
acres in the counties of Charlevoix and Mecosta.
ARIUS MARBLE gives his attention to
the cultivation of his farm on section 24,
Cheshire Township, Allegan County. He
was born in Dunham  Township, Canada
East, November 13, 1830. He is the son of Sidney Marble, a native of New York, who was taken
to Vermont when four years of age, and in 1810
went to Canada. The father was a farmer and
born in 1790. The maiden name of our subject's
mother was Parmelia Harvey, and she was born in
Vermont in 1795, and accompanied her parents on
their removal to the Dominion when young. Her
father was Samuel Harvey. Grandfather Marble
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
The parents of Darius Marble were married in
Canada in 1815, and on coming to New York
State located on a farm in St. Lawrence County.
In 1854 they came to Illinois and located in McHenry County, where the father died the next
year. The mother came to Michigan in 1861.




280


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


They reared a family of five children, three of
whom are now living, viz: Mrs. John Smith, our
subject, and Mrs. Elmer Kidder. One son died in
Cheshire Township, October 13, 1891, leaving four
children. Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Marble are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which
body the father was Class-leader. In politics he
was an Abolitionist.
Our subject was ten years of age when his
parents came to New York State. He was given
a fair education and remained at home assisting
his father until reaching his majority. He was
married in 1854 to Jane J. Phelps, a native of
Vermont, her birth occurring March 10, 1833.
Her parents later removed to Canada, where she
was reared to womanhood, but afterward removed
to St. Lawrence County, N. Y. After his marriage Mr. Marble rented a farm in McHenry
County, Ill., whence he removed to Kane County,
and later, December 28, 1861, came to Michigan
and made his home in Cheshire Township with a
brother.
August 2, 1862, Mr. Marble enlisted in the War
of the Rebellion, and joined Company B, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, being mustered in as a
private. He was later promoted to be Corporal
and with his regiment was sent to Cincinnati,
where they remained four weeks, and then went
to Tennessee under Gen. Granger. He participated in the battle of Thompson's Station, where
he was captured by the enemy. He was confined
in Libby Prison nine days when he was paroled
and later exchanged. He joined his regiment in
June, 1863, and engaged in the fight at Resaca,
Dallas Wood, and all through the Atlanta campaign. He was also with Sherman on his
march to the sea, and was present at the surrender
of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in North Carolina.
He participated in the Grand Review at Washington, and on that occasion was one of the Color
Guards. Duringhis service of two years and ten
months, Mr. Marble was never in the hospital, and
with the exception of a very few days, was always
on active duty. He was discharged May 10, 1865,
and reached home the last of June.
On returning to his home after the close of the
war, Mr. Marble located on what is now his excel

lent farm, but which was then little more than a
wilderness. His estate numbers eighty acres, sixty
of which are under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Marble have three children living: Eveline L., who is
the wife of Myron Belden, lives in Trowbridge
Township, Allegan County, and has one child;
Sidney E. married Nora B. Dellinger and lives in
Cheshire Township, same county, with his father;
Herbert E. married Mary Curtis and also lives in Allegan County. Mrs. Marble died in 1882, firm in the
faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which
body her husband is also a member. Their daughter, Eveline E., taught ten terms of school, having, with her brothers, been given a good education.
Mr. Marble has been a member of the School
Board for three years, and is connected with C. J.
Bassett Post, at Allegan, of the Grand Army of
the Republic. In politics he is a Republican. The
home farm is carried on by his son, Sidney E.
c —  l*^^*^    *   *,       r+ ++++
A R TI N     VAN BUREN      McALPINE.
Among the many prominent residents of
Monterey Township, Ailegan   County,
none are more highly esteemed than is Mr.
McAlpine. I-e makes his home on section 22,
where he owns a fine one hundred and twentyacre tract, and also eighty acres on section 27. His
property is all highly improved and under most
excellent cultivation. He has erected good buildings on his estate, which is thus classed among the
finest in the township.
Our subject is the son of James M. and Lucinda
(Granger) McAlpine, natives of Wayne County,
N. Y. Martin was born in Monroe County, the same
State, June 23, 1843. Two years later his parents
removed to Michigan and settled in Allegan
County where they have since resided. Hie was
given a good education and remained under the
parental roof assisting his father until reaching his
majority.
December 23, 1865, Martin McAlpine was joined
in marriage with the estimable lady who so gracefully presides over his household and who bore the
maiden name of Ellen M. Kibby. Her parents




I




N i
N




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


283


were George and Emily Kibby, natives of Monroe
County, N. Y., who came to Allegan County
in an early day. Our subject and his wife have
become the parents of three children: Edna, who
is married to Frank E. Berry, resides in Monterey
Township, Allegan County; Martin B., born February 5, 1868, received a good education in the
Allegan schools and is now employed in the
Grange store in Allegan; Belle M., born October
8, 1875, is attending school.
Mr. McAlpine has always taken an interest in
educational matters and taught two terms of
schools. He is President of the Kent, Allegan and
Ottawa Counties Mutual Fire Insurance Company,
and a stockholder in the Grange store at Allegan,
and has been President of the association for fourteen years. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat
and has been honored with the offices of Justice of
the Peace, Township Treasurer and various other
positions of responsibility.
The mother of Mrs. McAlpine resides in the
same house with her daughter and has attained to
the ripe age of seventy years. She was the mother
of twelve children, ten of whom are living; thirty-one grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Every Christmas she receives a visit from
her children and their children's children and we
hope that she may live to enjoy that pleasure for
many years to come.


died April 14, 1880. Their family consisted of
Charlotte Isabel, Mary Eliza, David S., Martha
Sanders, Henry Goss and Jennie Clark. Two
children survive: Henry, who is book-keeper for
the Standard Oil Company, and Jennie, who is
married and resides in Kalamazoo. Mary E. married John Dwight, of Chicago, where she died;
Charlotte and Martha passed away at the ages of
ten and five years; David S. died at Leroy, this
State, when forty-two years old.
The union of Mr. Gilbert with Mrs. Myra Chapman, the widow of Henry Chapman, of Three
Rivers, took place May 18, 1881. Mr. Gilbert
came to Kalamazoo (then called Bronson) September 2, 1835, and was employed on the Statesman
for one year, in connection with Albert Chandler,
now of Coldwater. In the fall of 1836 the name
of the paper was changed to the Gazette. That
paper enjoyed the distinction of being the only
one published between Detroit and Chicage, and
north of Ft. Wayne, Ind.
It was through accident only that Mr. Gilbert
located in Kalamazoo. In 1834, he was en route
for Chicago, and passing through White Pigeon in
the stage, lie looked around the village and among
other places visited the office of Mr. De Fries,
whom he bought out in a few minutes, and discontinued his journey. IHe staid there a year, then
came to Kalamazoo. He soon became identified
with the progress of the place, serving as Township
Clerk in 1836,Justice of the Peace in 1841, County
Treasurer and Receiver of Public Moneys for the
Western District of Michigan. He served at various times as Trustee and President of the village,
and for many years was Trustee of the Michigan
Female Seminary. He had the contract for manufacturing furniture in the State Prison for twenty
years, and in that capacity employed seventy-five
convicts.
With reference to the establishment of the Statesman the History of Kalamazoo County, says: "The
Michigan Statesman and St. Joseph Chronicle was
established in White Pigeon in 1833, by John De
Fries. In June, 1834, it was purchased by Henry
Gilbert, who continued its publication at White Pigeon until September, 1835, when he brought his
printing establishment to Kalamazoo, and the first


\   8~8 -a


J


I ------ /
,
----—  — -----------
f


ENRY      GILBERT.    Almost every public
measure of material interest to Kalamazoo
l  has received the personal and active cooperation of Mr. Gilbert, who is recognized
as one of the early men of the city. He was born
in Ontario (now Yates) County, N. Y., April 12,
1810, and is a son of David and Martha (Sanders)
Gilbert. The parental family comprised five members, Henry being the eldest. Mary Ann died in
New York, Simeon, in Steuben County, Ind., and
Isaac at Salem, Ore. The youngest child, Martha
N., is now Mrs. Leslie, of Kalamazoo.
September 25, 1833, Mr. Gilbert was married to
Miss Charlotte Case, of Canandaigua, N. Y., who






284


PORT~RAI[T AND BIOGRAPHI~CAL RECORD.


8I


paper under the name of the Michigan Statesman
was printed October 2, 1835. In 1836 the material
was sold and removed to Indiana. Mr. Gilbert
went East and purchased a new outfit, and January
23, 1837, the first issue of the Kalamazoo Gazette,
came from the press. It soon became an important
factor, under the management of Mr. Gilbert, who
was assisted at times by Samuel York, at Lee, and
O. S. Case."
His first Presidential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson, and he has continued to be a
stanch Democrat ever since, and for more than half
a century has exercised a potent influence in the
ranks of his party in Michigan. A lithographic
portrait of Mr. Gilbert appears in this connection.
V;ILLIAM   M. ROGERS. That persistent
industry and good judgment almost invariably bring success is a fact whose
truth hasnever been disputed, and upon the possessor of these traits of character, fortune usually
showers her blessings.  The traveler through
various portions of the township will almost
always pause to view the pleasant home of Mr.
Rogers, which is located on section 2, Ganges
Township, Allegan County.
William M. Rogers was born in Rochester, N. Y.,
in 1839, and is the son of Ezra and Matilda Rogers.
The father was born in Connecticut in 1806 and
passed his boyhood days in the village of Carthage.
When a lad, he, with the assistance of an older
brother, built a vessel on Lake Ontario. He sailed
on the lakes for thirty-two years, during that
period owning and commanding his own vessels.
He often landed where the city of Detroit now
stands, when only a few houses marked the site.
In that early day there were no lighthouses on the
lakes. Mr. Rogers on one of his voyages lost a
vessel near the above-named city, and thus was
compelled to spend the winter with the Indians,
undergoing many hardships from the intense
cold.
In 1837 Ezra Rogers met and married Miss
Matilda, daughter of Annias and Lucretia Duncan,
and to them was born one child, a son, our sub

ject. His good wife died when William M. was an
infant of twelve months and his father married
Cordelia Boyce, daughter of David Boyce. Their
union resulted in the birth of two children, only
one of whom, Albert, is yet living.  After Ezra
Rogers quit the lakes he removed with his family
to Rochester, N. Y., where he spent his last days.
In politics, he was a strong Democrat.
When our subject was only two years old, he
was taken into the home of his maternal grandparents, where he received a careful training and
remained there until reaching his twenty-second
year. In 1862 he went to Rochester, where he
married Charlotte R., daughter of Thomas and
Charlotte Baines.  They have been granted a
family of four children: May, Mrs. Charles Cole;
Anna, wife of Fred Mills; Hattie, wife of W. J.
Wagner, and Charles.
In 1863 Mr. Rogers of this sketch was appointed
express agent at Fennville for the American Express Company, remaining with that company for
three years. Then in 1866 he came to Ganges
Township, and the following year purchased his
present farm of eighty acres.  IIis farm  was all
heavily wooded but has later been improved and
forty acres set out in an orchard. In connection
with his farming interests, our subject built a vessel, which proved very disastrous financially. He
has also been engaged in various businesses in
Fennville, handling fruit and produce for the
past thirteen years. He erected the first warehouse
in that village, and otherwise has aided greatly in
the development of the village. Politically, Mr.
Rogers is a stanch Democrat. HIe is prominent in
his community and has often been called upon to
hold positions of responsibility and trust in his
township.
r  c -~- / ---t~~:\._~
OLLISTER F. MARSH is a dealer in real
estate and is also engaged in the insurance and loan business, which he established
in Allegan in 1870. Heisa native of New
York City, being born there on the 6th of March,
1837, and is the son of Hollister F. and Jennie
(Moorehouse) Marsh, natives of Massachusetts and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


285


New York, respectively. His father spent the early
part of his life in the mercantile business in Massachusetts and New York City, coming to Michigan
in 1853, where he first located at Allegan, afterward removing to Manlius Township, Allegan
County, where he purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of land and was engaged in farming until
his death, which took place in 1889 when he was
eighty-one years old. He was a magnificent specimen of manhood, being six feet two inches high
and weighing two hundred pounds. Hte was of
English descent, tracing his ancestry to one of
three brothers, who came over in the "Mayflower"
and settled in the Eastern States. Two of these
remained in Massachusetts, while the other one returned to England. Mr. Marsh was a Presbyterian
and a Deacon in that church for many years. Ile
was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity.
The present family consisted of three children,
two of whom are now living, Maria (Mrs. Popperwell) of California, and our subject. The latter
received his education at Rockville, Conn., being
graduated from the seminary there when sixteen
years old. Ile then went to New York City where
he clerked for some time, and when nineteen years
old opened a grocery store which le carried on
for two years; he then sold out and removed to
Chicago. Here he became interested in the lumber
business, carrying on sawmills in Michigan where
he owned a large amount of pine lands. He continued in this business until 1870, when he sold
out and removed to Allegan. Since coming to
Allegan he has erected seven brick blocks and has
done much toward the improvement and development of the place. Mr. Marsh owns many thousand acres of land in this and other counties in
Michigan and has aided in establishing many enterprises in the county and State. He does alarge
business in loans, as well as in real estate and is
looked upon as one of the most substantial and
enterprisng business men in the county.
Mr. Marsh was married in October, 1858, to Miss
Maria E. Regan, of New York, a daughter of the
Hon. James G. Regan, who was a member of one
of the noble families of England. To our subject
and his wife has been born one son, Arthur F.,who
married Miss Caroline E. Smith, of Rockport, N. Y.,


and is associated with his father in business. Mr.
Marsh is a member of the Republican party, and
socially belongs to the Odd Fellows and Knights
of the Maccabees. He and his wife are members
of the Congregational Church and are highly respected in the community.
OIIN  -I. MADDEN, editor of the Enterprise
at Plainwell, Allegan County, was born at
Whitehall,Washington County, N. Y., March
30, 1844. lIe is the son of John and Julia
S. (Closson) Madden, natives of Troy, N. Y., the
father a carpenter by trade but for many years
employed in the ticket office of the New York
Central Railroad Company in the State of New
York. He came to Michigan in 1884 and died at
Plainwell in 1886, at the age of sixty-six years.
The mother of our subject departed this life in
1862.
Mr. Madden was the only child of his parents
and was reared in the city of New York until nine
years old, attending the public schools in that
place. At the age of seventeen he entered the
employ of the Government and the United States
Arsenal at West Troy, N. Y.,where he remained for
one year. Hle was then employed in the general
freight office of the Hudson River Railroad Company, where he spent one year. The Civil War
breaking out, Mr. Madden enlisted, in the fall of
1864, in the Twenty-first New York Cavalry. He
spent almost a year in the service, receiving his
discharge at HTart Island, in New York Harbor, in
May, 1865. Ile then worked for the National Express Company of Troy until 1866, when he removed to Plainwell, this State, where he has resided. ever since. lie then engaged in the printing
business, and in 1886 established the Plainwell
Enterprise, which is a six-column quarto. This
paper is admirably conducted, has a large circulation and has a good reputation as a family and
local newspaper. Mr. Madden is an intelligent man
and thoroughly understands the business in which
he is engaged and is popular with his patrons.
The marriage of our subject to Miss Emma Hopkins, a native of Troy, N. Y., took place in 1865.




286


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,


They have become the parents of nine children:
John S., who is associated with his father in the
newspaper; Effie, the wife of Arthur Duncan, a
farmer in Otsego Township; Francis H., Elizabeth
S., Russell E., William H., Alfred E., Mary B. and
Lena G. In politics, our subject is a Republican
and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.
His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
OSEPH LINDSEY, who was at one time in
the army during the Civil War, is connected
with the agricultural interests of Allegan
County as the fortunate proprietor of one
of its many valuable farms, the one that he owns
being pleasantly located in Otsego Township. He
came here without means, but by his persistent and
well-directed labors has acquired a competency
ample for all his wants, and is now living in retirement from active business.
Mr. Lindsey was born in Chemungo County, N.
Y., April 14, 1839. His father, Lucius L. Lindsey,
was a native of Massachusetts, but had gone to
New York when a boy with his parents. Ile was
of mingled Scotch and Irish blood. He worked in
a papermill, rose to be foreman in the same, and
occupied that responsible position for some time.
He afterward turned his attention to farming, and
in 1841 came to Michigan to avail himself of the
cheap lands and many superior advantages afforded
to a wide-awake farmer in this then newly-settled
country. He located at Plainwell, where he took
up Government land, and he cleared a fine farm
in Gun Plain Township. In 1853 he purchased a
farm in Otsego Township, upon which he passed
the remainder of his life, which was brought to a
close in March, 1889, in his eighty-fifth year. His
memory will be cherished as one of the early
pioneers of the county, and as a man and a citizen
whose long and honorable life record was worthy
of respect. His second wife, the mother of our
subject, died five weeks before he did. They had
lived together over fifty years, and death did not
long divide them. Her maiden name was Elizabeth
Newton, and she was a native of Pennsylvania.




I


I


She was the mother of seven children, all of whom
are living, as are the three children of her husband's first marriage.
Our subject is the eldest child born to his mother,
and as he was scarcely two years old when the family came to Michigan, he was reared in Allegan
County under pioneer influences. He remembers
well the primitive wilderness of the country in
his boyhood, and can recall the time when Indians
were plentiful around his father's pioneer home.
He obtained his education in the common schools,
and on the old homestead learned lessons in agriculture that were of benefit to him in after life.
He continued to be an inmate of the parental
household until he attained his majority, and then
went out to work by the month. The following
year the war broke out, and in September, 1861,
he threw aside his work to enter the army, as he
longed to be of service to his country. His name
was enrolled as a member of Company I, Second
Michigan Calvary, and he was sent with his regimient to Missouri. The following winter he and
his comrades were on duty at St. Louis.   He
finally succumbed to the hardships of army life
-ear Madrid, and lay in a hospital suffering from
a tedious sickness about four months. Even then
he was incapacitated for duty, and he was honorably discharged.
As soon as he was able, after his return to Michigan, Mr. Lindsey began to fit himself for a carpenter, and was engaged at that trade until some
fifteen years ago, when he took up farming instead.
He has one hundred and thirty-five acres of choice
farming land on sections 27 and 35, Otsego Township, which is a substantially improved farm. He
lived thereon until April, 1891, and then retired
to his present comfortable home in the village of
Otsego. He is now a man of means, but he started
out in life empty-handed. He owes his good fortune to the fact that he is well endowed with tenacity of purpose, is possessed of good, roundabout
common sense and steady judgment, and has the
faculty of doing whatever he undertakes to do in
a skillful manner. His fellow-citizens think highly
of him as a true, manly, upright man, and a loyal
and law-abiding citizen. They have called him to
public positions, and he has responded by faithful






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


287


service. He has been Highway Commissioner and
a member of the Board of Review, and he has always earnestly favored all things that would tend
in any way to advance the interests of township
or county. He has been a Mason for over twenty
years, and he is also a member of the Grand Army
of the Republic.
Mr. Lindsey was married in 1873 to Miss Mary
Eldridge, of Streetsboro, Ohio, in whom he has
a most estimable wife. She is a Christian, a woman
of many fine attributes, and in her the Methodist
Episcopal Church has one of its most consistent
members.  Her marriage with our subject has
brought them four children, whom they have named
Fredericka, Lucius D., Ethel L. and George B.


ILLIAM H. WILCOX is residing on section 23, South Haven Township, Van
V  Buren County. His farm consists of eighty
acres of improved land, including a peach orchard of five acres, an apple orchard of twelve acres,
as well as pears and the smaller fruits; besides
which he owns a forty-acre tract. He has been
very prosperous in life and is ranked among the
well-to-do farmers of the township.
William H. Wilcox was born in Lempster, Sullivan County, N. II., November 12, 1840. Iis
grandfather, Comfort Wilcox, accompanied by two
brothers, came from England and settled in Connecticut prior to the independence of the Colonists.  He subsequently removed to Lempster,
N. H., where John B. Wilcox, the father of our
subject, was born June 21, 1805. The mother of
our subject was Betsey Howe and her marriage
with Mr. Wilcox occurred April 8, 1835. She was
born in Newport, Sullivan County, N. II., October
24, 1811.
The parents of him of whom we write resided on
the Wilcox homestead until 1874, when they came
to Michigan to pass their declining years near
their children. The father died in South Haven
Township, in 1886, and the mother, surviving
him a few years, passed away in Geneva Township, October 4, 1891. They had become the parents of eight children, seven of whom lived to


attain their majority, and of whom we make the
following mention: Sarah Ann, born December
27, 1835, married a Mr. R. Richardson, and died
in Massachusetts; Maria B. was born June 16,
1837, became Mrs. Gilman Rowel, and died July
11, 1869, at Gilsom, N. H.; Fanny J. was born
January 22, 1839, and became Mrs. A. C. Sargeant, and was a graduate of Michigan University; they were both school teachers and taught
after coming to Michigan. Mr. Sargeant died at
Marshall, Mich., and his wife then married John
N. Foster, who became Superintendent of the State
Public School at Coldwater, in which she, the
wife, also held a position, and died at Coldwater,
this State. Our subject was the next in order of
birth.  John E., born June 13, 1845, resides in
Geneva Township, Allegan County; George W.,
born April 14, 1847, is a teacher and resides at
Aberdeen, S. Dak.; Orion J., born August 3, 1852,
is a hardware merchant at Ludington, Mich.
Our subject was reared on a farm, attended
school, and as soon as he reached his teens hired
out as a farm laborer. In 1862, he offered his
services to the Union as a soldier, and on the
19th of August was mustered into Company G,
Ninth New Hampshire Infantry. The company
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and
September 14 participated in the battle of South
Mountain, which was closely followed by Antietam and Fredericksburg. The regiment was then
transferred to the Army of the West and fought
at Vicksburg, Jackson and Knoxville, when they
were again placed in the Army of the Potomac
and took part in the battles of the Wilderness,
Spottsylvania, Cold Iarbor and Petersburg, besides numerous skirmishes. At Petersburg Mr.
Wilcox lost the index finger of his right hand,
after which he was on provost-guard duty at
Washington, D. C., and was serving in that capacity during the Grand Review.
At the close of the war, Mr. Wilcox was mustered out of the service July 1, 1865. He stopped
for a short time in his native State. and after a
short stay at Marshall, came to South Haven. In
the fail of 1866, he purchased eighty acres of land,
on which lie still resides. When the land came
into his possession it was as nature bad left it



288


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


covered with an unbroken forest of heavy timber.
He now has it all cleared and improved with a
good set of farm buildings. For some years he
has given his attention largely to fruit-growing,
and does a splendid and profitable business in that
line.
November 20, 1872, was the date of our subject's marriage with Miss Edna A. Raymond. Mrs.
Wilcox was a native of Steuben County, N. Y.,
where her birth occurred Novem )er 11, 1851. She
was the daughter of Milo and Catherine Raymond, who came to Michigan in 1861, and resided in Lenawee County until 1867, when they
made their home in South Haven Township, Van
Buren County. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have been
blest with a family of seven children: Fannie
Ella (known by the name of Nellie), born August 19, 1873; William Raymond, born February
23, 1875; Ernest Albright, August 10, 1877; Carlotta, July 17, 1879; Harry and Hattie, twins,
October 15, 1881; and Cecil, February 17, 1888.
Mr. Wilcox is a Republican in politics, and for
many years has held the office of Commissioner
of Highways. He is a member of Zach Chandler
Post, G. A. R. Mrs. Wilcox is a member in good
standing of the Congregational Church.  Our
subject, with the assistance of his faithful wife,
has attained his present financial position solely
through their united efforts, as he commenced in life
with nothing but his strong hand and a determination to succeed. Mrs. Wilcox and her sister
Ella, who died at the age of eighteen years, were
the only children of their parents.
P    RANK H. MILHAM. This sterling and
leading young business man of Allegan
County is President of the Village Board,
of Otsego. IHe is 'a stockholder in the Bardeen Paper Company, which is one of the leading industries in the State. He also owns a beautiful tract
of land, comprising one hundred and nine acres
near Kalamazoo, which is improved with all the
buildings which make of it a first-class estate.
Frank H. Milham is a native of the Wolverine
State, his birth occurring April 25, 1864, in Kala

mazoo. He is descended from a very prominent
family in this section, his father being the Hon.
John Milham, who was well known and highly
esteemed personally throughout the State. The
elder Mr. Milham was born in Columbia County,
N. Y., May 24, 1805, and emigrated to Kalamazoo
as early as 1840. Ile made the journey overland
from Detroit, and was one of the earliest settlers
in this section.
At the time of his coming hither, the Hon. John
Milham purchased a tract of two hundred acres of
land, two and a half miles south of Kalamazoo,
which he brought to a high degree of cultivation,
and to which he added by subsequent purchase,
until, at the time of his decease, in 1884, he had an
estate of four hundred and forty-six acres. IHe
was a very successful farmer, and established an
enviable reputation in agricultural circles. While
a resident of New York, he was a member of the
New York Regiment of Militiamen, and was well
versed in military tactics. lIe was one of the company who were detailed to guard the carriage of
Gen. La Fayette during his visit to this country in
1824. I-e was elected on the Democratic ticket to
represent his district in the State Legislature for
two terms, while in New York.
After his removal to Kalamazoo, the Hon. John
Milham held various local offices, to which he was
elected by the Democratic party. The family were
of German ancestry. The mother of our subject
was born in Kalamazoo, and was known in her
maiden (lays as Eliza Anderson. She passed from
this life in 1868, greatly respected by all who knew
her.
Frank H. Milham, of whom we write, was given
an excellent education, attending first the Kalamazoo Baptist College, and later was graduated from
Parsons' Business College at the above-named city,
in March, 1883. After leaving school, our subject
went to farming, and cultivated the soil for four
years. Then, in August, 1887, he came to Otsego
and became a member of the Bardeen Paper Company, with which he is still connected, having
charge of the stock department.
October 20, 1885, our subject and Miss Elizabeth
Bryant were united in marriage. Mrs. Milham was
born in Fitchburg, Mass., and by her union with




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


289


our subject, has become the mother of two beautiful children,.Frances and Norah. They occupy a
pretty home, and have a large and admiring circle
of acquaintances, being leaders in social circles in
Otsego.
In his political belief, Mr. Milham, following in
the steps of his illustrious father, is a Iemocrat.
H-e has filled the position of Village Trustee for
two years, and is now holding the responsible
office of President of the Board. Socially, he is a
prominent Mason and a Knight of Pythias.
I IMEON STARING is engaged in cultivating a fine tract of land on section 4, Ganges
Township, Allegan County. I-e was born
near Philadelphia, Pa., in 1828, and is the
son of Henry and Judah Staring, the father being
born in New York State about 1800. The elder
Mr. Staring was reared on the farm of his grandparents, and received a fair education. EIe was
one of fourteen children, and began life by working on a canal.
The parents of our subject were married in
1826, the maiden name of Mrs. Staring being
Judah Mosier. Her parents were natives of Holland. Simeon Staring was the eldest of the six
children born to his parents, the others being
respectively: Edward, who died in the Union
army; Peter, Henry, John; and Mary, who died
when young. Mr. Staring and his five sons were
all soldiers in the late war.
In 1835 Mr. Henry Staring moved to Michigan
with his family, and located in Washtenaw County,
where he continued to reside for five years. Later,
in 1840, he came to Allegan County, where he
and his wife spent their last (lays, the father dying
in 1876 and the mother in 1886. Mr. Staring
served in the Mexican War under Gen. Twiggs.
During the late war, as he was too old to be
accepted in general service, he enlisted as engineer
and machinist under Gen. Sigel. Our subject's
father was an Ancient, Free and Accepted Mason
previous to Morgan's time, but later dropped all
connection with the order. The paternal grand

parents of the gentleman of whom we write were
George and Catherine Staring, natives of Germany.
They were early settlers of the Wolverine State
where they died at a good old age.
In 1840 Simeon Staring commenced the battle
of life on his own responsibility, and ten years
later located on his present farm, which was then
little more than a wilderness. His first home was
built of logs, and contained but one room. It has
long since given way to a commodious and convenient residence. For several years Mr. Staring
worked in the lumber woods until he was able to
realize a living from his farm. Provisions had to
be carried from Saugatuck to Allegan, twenty-five
miles distant. IIe labored for many years without
even the aid of a team, but his industry has been
rewarded, as he now has one hundred acres of
excellent land, twenty-five of which is in fruit.
Iis first purchase, however, consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, which he bought in partnership with his brother.
Miss Mary A., daughter of Ebenezer and Betsey
(Steele) Slayton, became Mrs. Simeon Staring in
1855.  They have been granted five children:
Andrew J., Henry, Lucy, Dora A., and Nellie.
Mr. Staring enlisted during the late war in Company I, Seventeenth Michigan Infantry, and saw
much hard fighting. The last engagement in
which he participated was at Petersburg. He is a
member of Jacob Fry Post, No. 46, G. A. R., and
in lpolitics is a Democrat. In an early day our
subject relates that he cut maple wood at twentyfive cents per cord and bought corn meal at $2.50
per hundred pounds.
AMES R. ROCKWELL.          This prominent
citizen of Aliegan has done much toward
beautifying the village, as he is a first-class
builder and architect.  His parents were
Roswell and Hannah (Foster) Rockwell and his
birth occurred August 11, 1833, in Seneca County,
Ohio. His father died in 1855, and his mother,
who is still living, makes her home in Trowbridge
Township, Allegan County.
The senior Mr. Rockwell came to Michigan as






290


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


early as 1847 and choosing Trowbridge Township
as his future abiding-place, purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of land from the Government. His
property, which lay on Base Line Lake, where he
was the first settler, was covered with timber,
which he setabout to remove. He erected a log
house, 18 x 36 feet, on his place and helped to organize the first school in the township, of which he
was made one of the Directors. While residing in
Ohio he followed the occupation of a millwright,
but found farming to be more profitable in the new
State of Michigan.
Wild game was plentiful when our subject's
father came to Allegan County and he supported
his family by selling venison and furs until he was
to realize a living from his farm. Of the parental
family of six children, five are now living: Our
subject; Stephen I.; Sarah E., now Mrs. Southward; Cornelie E., Mrs. George Conery; and Caroline L., Mrs. Duval.
James R. Rockwell received a good education
while his parents were residents of the Buckeye
State, at the same time being trained in farm duties.
He continued to make his home under the parental
roof until reaching his majority. Then deciding
to become an architect and builder, our subject, in
1869, devoted his time principally to that line of
business. In 1879, through the earnest solicitations
of Gov. B. Robinson, Mr. Rockwell went, with
his family, to the Ten Mile District, Summit
County, Colorado, and made the drawings for, and
had charge of, the building of the Summit County
Smelting Works.
After the death of Gov. Robinson, Mr. Rockwell
was appointed agent by the administrators of Gov.
Robinson's estate, to look after the business of the
mines. The first-named gentleman was a personal
friend of our subject and ate his last Thanksgiving dinner with him at the village of Robinson,
Colorado. During the five years which Mr. Rockwell spent in Colorado he was made Master Mechanic of the Robinson Consolidated Mining Co.,
which was a very responsible position. In 1882
he became a member of the firm of Ellis, Rockwell
& Smith, mine and real-estate brokers in Robinson,
Ten Mile District, carrying on that business for
two years,


After returning to his home in Allegan County,
Mr. Rockwell visited Southern California and
other States and Territories He now resides in a
most beautiful home on Seminary Hill. He has
built some of the finest houses in Allegan, among
which are the March Block, Peck Block, Sherwood
& Griswold Block, and the Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches.
James R. Rockwell was married in 1855 to Miss
Salvia A Kent, daughter of J. W. Kent, of Allegan.
Their union has been blest by the birth of three
sons: Edgar, who married Miss Lillie Kinkaid,
and has a son, James E. Edgar and family make
their home in Trowbridge Township; William R.
married Carrie C. Close of Tekamah, Nebraska.
ITe died March 10, 1891, and his widow still resides
on the farm in Nebraska. John W., who is a printer.
Our subject is a stanch Republican and socially a
prominent Mason. lIe is ranked among the wellto-do citizens of Allegan County and besides his
real-estate interests in Allegan owns mining property in Colorado.
- c     -1*^4*^*^*^^'^\ * +>+++ +
T)EV. A. CLARK MERRITT. Among the
prominent and prosperous fruit-growers of
Michigan may be mentioned the name of
\  our subject, who owns a beautiful farm
of sixty acres on section 36, Casco Township, Allegan County, which he devotes principally to the
raising of peaches and grapes. He is an enterprising man, and finds that the best methods
and latest improvements bring him in the largest
returns.
Mr. Merritt was born in Niagara County, N. Y.,
in 1830, being the son of Thomas Wilson and
Hannah Merritt. The father was born in the
northern part of New Jersey, in 1792, where he
received a good education in the common schools
of Elizabeth, N. J. While still a youth, the elder
Mr. Merritt emigrated to Seneca County, N. Y.,
with his parents, where they located on a farm
known as the "Old Orchard Farm."   There he
learned the trade of a brick and stone mason,
which occupation he followed a few years, erecting some of the finest and largest buildings in the












WEMI&






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


293


city of Buffalo at that time. He later purchased a
farm on the old Holland Purchase in Niagara
County, and there remained for forty years.
When twenty-eight years of age, Thomas W.
Merritt married Mrs. Hannah (Denton) Farnum,
the daughter of Reuben and Hannah (Kinney)
Denton. Mrs. Merritt, by her former marriage,
had become the mother of two children: Elijah D.
and Newell. She was a native of Seneca County,
N. Y., where her parents were also born. By her
union with Mr. Merritt, she became the mother of
ten children, viz: Mary A., who is deceased, was
the wife of H. Haight; H. Elizabeth is the widow
of the Rev. C. C. Foote; lHuldah D. first married
David Foote, and later married Gen. W. W. Treadway; Phebe, deceased, was the wife of I. M. Hoag;
Rev. A. C., our subject; Reuben D., deceased;
Jerusha B., also deceased, was the wife of S.
IHoester Root; Thomas W., Jr.; Harriet, Mrs. H. N.
Farnum; and Isaac B.
For many years our subject's father was an
active worker in the Baptist Church, holding the
office of Deacon while in Somerset County, N. Y.
He was a strong Abolitionist politically, and assisted many a runaway slave to reach Canada.
He was a strong temperance man, and by his many
benevolent works greatly benefited his community.
He passed his last days in Michigan, dying in
l)etroit, in 1881.
The original of this sketch received a good education, attending different schools in New York,
and in 1851 was married to M. Angeline Frost,
an adopted daughter of Tolman Frost. She only
lived three years after her marriage, and Mr.
Merritt was then united to Sarah A., daughter of
Silas and Charlotte Sly. To them were born two
children: IIuldah D. and Charles S.
Mr. Merritt, of this sketch, was married a third
time, his present wife bearing the name of Cordelia.
She was the daughter of Joseph and Hannah
(Van Etten) Brearley, the father a native of New
York, and the son of John and Hannah (Hewlett)
Brearley, who were born in Pennsylvania and
Long Island, respectively, and of English descent.
Mrs. Merritt's mother was the daughter of John
and Sara.h (Van Noy) Van Etten, natives of Wayne
County, N. Y., and of Holland descent. John
13


Van Etten was a soldier of the War of 1812. Mrs.
Merritt was one of four children, viz: William H.,
Mrs. Kate B. Ford, and Mrs. Minna B. Richardson.
To our subject and his wife have been granted
a family of six children: Mary A., deceased; Walter H., Ellen, William T., Kate B., and H. Ernest.
Mr. Merritt remained in New York two years after
his marriage to Miss Frost, then came to Wayne
County, and later to Genesee County, Mich. He
resided in Flint, in the latter-named county, for
five years previous to his coming to his present
home. He was a member of the Baptist Church,
and in 1864, while residing in Flint, was ordained
a preacher of that faith, although having officiated
in that capacity a few years previous to hi3 being
ordained. After coming to his home in Casco
Township, Mr. Merritt has occupied the pulpit
more or less, and has taken an active part in the
cause of temperance. In politics, though formerly
a Republican, he is now a Prohibitionist. HIe has
a beautiful home, and one of the finest fruit farms
in Allegan County.


A__


+EEEE+E~EE+.,..


-,
7_. _


OSEPI-I B. CORNELL. This respected citizen of Kalamazoo passed from this life at
his home, August 25, 1877. He was one of
the prominent and successful business men
of the city and a favorite in a large circle of
friends. He possessed those qualities of mind and
heart which made for him warm friends and stanch
adherents, and his loss was deeply felt in his community. He was in his forty-eighth year at the
time of his death and was a man full of enterprise,
business tact and very successful as a manufacturer.
His portrait is presented in connection with this
biographical sketch.
The original of this sketch was born January
25, 1829, in Clinton, N. Y., and was the son of
Dr. Joseph Cornell, who located in Kalamazoo
about 1840. His mother died when he was a child.
He was the only son by his father's first marriage,
his two sisters being Minerva, wife of George Burrell and Abigail, wife of Lewis Starkey. He had
learned the trade of a carriage-maker in his native




294


-PORTRAIT~ AND BIO)GRAPHICAL RECORD.


294  PORTRAI ANDBIORAPHIC


State and after coming to this city did the most
extensive business in that line in the place, and at
a time when most of the work was done by hand.
He built up a splendid trade in this city and at his
death the firm of Cornell Bros. succeeded him in
business.
Mr. Cornell was one of the Trustees of the village and was made Chief of the Fire Department.
He was the recipient of many positions of trust
and responsibility, although he very much disliked
to hold office. IIe was married September 17, 1856,
to Hannah L., the daughter of L. H. and Louisa
(Fay) Trask. Mr. Cornell assisted his brothers to
get a start in life and was kind and charitable to
all who applied to him for assistance. He was a
member of the Presbyterian Church and gave
liberally of his means to its support. Socially, he
was a Mason, having attained the degrees of Knight
Templar and   Scottish Rite.  In politics, he
was a Democrat, always casting his vote and influence in favor of the candidates of that party.
Five years previous to his decease Joseph B.
Cornell was in ill-health, and when at last compelled to give up his business, devoted himself to
the restoration of his health. He visited a famous
establishment in Dansville, N. Y., and after remaining there under treatment for a time, returned
home apparently much better. HIe had attained
an excellent and wide-spread reputation as a business man and the vehicles which bore his name
were justly celebrated for excellence of material
and workmanship.
(.  d      ^^.  i^     JT;
~       '~' --- (1T-r^'  `T3;-Lsa " —> @


tion of Mr. Brackett, of Trowbridge Township, he
is the only man in the county who raises them.
His other specialty is the Berkshire hog, in raising
which he has been particularly successful.
The farm which Mr. Wetmore owns and operates
is located on sections 9 and 10, Allegan Township, and consists of two hundred and forty acres.
When he started out in life for himself, he received
eighty acres as a gift from his father, while the
remaining one hundred and sixty acres have been
gained by unremitting industry, and the exercise
of good judgment. Although for many years a
resident of this State, Mr. Wetmore is not a native
thereof, but was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in
1833. His parents, Chester and Mary (Dumont)
Wetmore, were natives of Connecticut and Westford, N. Y., respectively, and emigrated to Michigan in 1836, when this section of the country was
little more than a wilderness. Their first location
was in Gun Plains Township, Allegan County,
but after sojourning there one year, they removed
to Allegan Township, and settled on section 4.
The father is remembered as one of the most
enterprising and public-spirited of the pioneers of
this county, and his death, in 1872, removed from
the community one who had for years labored for
its upbuilding. He was a consistent member of
the Baptist Church, and a stanch adherent of the
principles of tle Democratic party. His wife
died in March, 1868, and only two of their six
children are now living: our subject and Joseph
D. While the parents were not wealthy, they were
able to give their children excellent school advantages, and our subject, after completing his
studies in the district schools, attended the State
Normal at Ypsilanti, where the education he had
received in the home schools was supplemented by
a systematic course of studies.
At the age of twenty-one years, Mr. Wetmore
received eighty acres from his father, which he at
once commenced to improve, until it is now, with
the additional land he has added thereto, one of
the finest farms of this section of the country.
When twenty-three years old, he visited Kansas,
Nebraska and Iowa on a prospecting tour, but returned feeling more than ever satisfied with the
Wolverine State. In the fall of 1861, he enlisted


7 LBERT D. WETMORE. There will scarcely
be found in the limits of Allegan County
a more pleasant place, or a more highly
(Y     improved farm, than that which is the
home of Mr. Wetmore, and the scene of his active
labors. The attention of the passing traveler will
ho ni1zlvl-r tt..orfel rd t tho.Qlhst.sbant.il hnilllinonr


adapted to their various purposes, the fields of
waving grain, and the pastures filled with grazing
cattle. Mr. Wetmore makes a specialty of the Red
Polled cattle, which are hornless, and somewhat
larger than the Devonshire, and, with the excep



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


295


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


in Company C, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, as
a private, and, being ordered to the South, engaged
in general skirmishes until the severe battle of
Pittsburg Landing. With his regiment, he took
part in seventeen battles and skirmishes, among
them the siege of Corinth, the different engagements on the march to the sea with Gen. Sherman,
at Stone River, Crawford Springs and the siege of
Chattanooga. For meritorious service, he was
promoted to be Sergeant and Lieutenant in 1864,
and was constantly on duty, excepting for four
months, when he was sick in the hospitals at Nashville and Louisville. He fortunately escaped without wounds, and recalls with satisfaction that he
never rode in an ambulance except on one occasion, and then only for one-half mile.
At the close of an honorable service of nearly
four years, Mr. Wetmore was discharged at Louisville, and returned to his home to resume once
more the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. Soon
after the close of the war, he was married, in 1866,
to Miss Elizabeth M. Hudson, the daughter of
Joshua and Louisa (Wilson) Hudson, of Rochester,
N. Y. Three children have been born of this
union: Chester, Mary R. and Bessie It. For
about twelve years, MRI. Wetmore has been connected with a mill in Allegan, which he is operating with success. Many of the official positions
within the gift of his fellow-citizens he has filled
with efficiency, among others, serving as Justice
of the Peace, Commissioner, and in the various
school offices. In his political views, he is a Democrat, while socially, he is identified with the
Masonic fraternity, and is a prominent member of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
~ - ---     'c O^^l..r^^^^^^^    -


size of the paper has been increased since it came
into his possession and is now a six-column
quarto.
This enterprising young business man was born
in Monterey, Allegan County, and is thus more
interested in the welfare and development of the
county than he would be were it otherwise. IIis
birth occurred October 5, 1858. David Woodbeck, the father of our subject, was born in New
York where he followed the pursuits of agriculture. At an early day he emigrated to Allegan County and purchased land in Monterey
Township where he improved a farm. He served
two years on the side of the Union during the
late war and died in 1870, his death being the result of exposures to which he was subjected while
in the army. In his church relations he was a
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and a man greatly respected in his community. His wife, the mother of our subject, was
Mrs. Ursula (Kenyon) Woodbeck, a native of New
York. She is still living and makes her home in
Otsego.
The parental family consisted of four children,
of whom our subject was the youngest in order of
birth. He received his primary education in the
district schools of his neighborhood and later attended two years in the Allegan union schools.
Ile was reared on the farm and remained at home
assisting his father until twenty years of age. At
that time, deciding to make a start in life for himself, he went to Manhattan, Kan., and for the
following two years was engaged in the mercantile business. Later, wishing to see something of
the United States, he joined the Haywood Mastodon Minstrels and with that company visited every
city of any size in the Union.
In 1886, J. D. Woodbeck came to Otsego and
clerked in a drug store for a twelvemon th, when he
purchased the Otsego Union.  Iis extensive travels have made him a delightful conversationalist,
and he has the rare ability of using his pen
with grace as well as strength. Mr. Woodbeck
was married, January 25. 1889, to Ala, daughter
of Hon. J. M. Ballou, for a further notice of whom
the reader is referred to his sketch in another portion of this volume. Mrs. Woodbeck is a very


OHN D. WOODBECK. This gentleman has
been editor of the well-known   Otsego
QIi Union since 1887. The paper was estabkj lished in 1875 by C. H. Harris, who continue(l its publication until it was purchased by our
subject. Mr. Woodbeck has greatly added to the
facilities of the office by enlarging its stock of material. It has a fair circulation and is one of the
brightest and newsiest sheets in the county. The




296


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


accomplished lady, being a graduate from the musical department of the Ypsilanti Normal School.
She has a large class in music in Otsego and has
been organist in the Congregational Church for
some time. Mr. Woodbeck is also greatly interested in that art and is director of the Otsego Band
and Classic Orchestra, a musical combination
known throughout the United States. They have
won several prizes and furnished music at various
Chautauqua Assemblies. The band was organized
in 1865, and re-organized under State charter in
1881.
In politics, Mr. Woodbeck is independent, and
socially, is a Knight of Pythias. He and his excellent and accomplished wife are valuable acquisitions to the society of Otsego where they have
hosts of warm friends. Numerous social gatherings are held at their pleasant home, and they are
doing much to elevate the standard of music in
their community. Mr. Woodbeck is ambitious and
progressive, and aspires to the highest type of
journalism.
)REWSTER PEABODY. This well-known
farmer of Allegan Township is a native of
this county, his birth occurring April 26,
1848. He is at present cultivating one
hundred and eighty acres of land on sections 15
16, and 21, and he is making a success of his calling. Mr. Peabody is the son of Jonathan and Ada
(Brewster) Peabody, natives of Jefferson County,
N. Y., where they were reared and married. The
father came to Michigan in 1836, where he purchased forty acres of Government land on section
15, Allegan Township. When establishing a home
for his family on the new land, he returned East
and brought them to Michigan. After clearing
and improving his purchase, Jonathan Peabody
added eighty acres more to his possessions, and
later increased the same by forty acres on section
16. He erected good frame buildings on each of
his farms, and placed them under excellent cultivation.
The parents of our subject continued to reside
upon their farm until their death, the father pass

ing away in 1882, and the mother many years
before, in 1859. Mr. Peabody was very prominent
in local affairs, and was always interested in every
good work. He aided in the erection of all the
schoolhouses of his district, and was one of the
founders of the Baptist Church in his vicinity, of
which denomination he was Deacon for a number of years. The parental family included ten
children, six of whom are now living, viz: Antoinette, Mrs. Pound; Julia, Mrs. Cook; Louisa,
Mrs. Way; our subject; Josephine, also a Mrs.
Pound; and Ethelbert.
Brewster Peabody received an excellent education in the Allegan High School, and, when nineteen years of age, started out in life for himself,
being engaged in the lumber business. IIe was
thus employed but a short time, when, renting his
father's farm, he superintended its cultivation for
five years, and then purchased seventy acres on
section 13 in Allegan Township, and forty acres
on section 23. He made his home on the latter
tract, where he resided for twelve years. His
place bore all the improvements which are to be
seen on first-class estates, and netted him a comfortable income. He sold his property on section
23, and took up his abode on section 15, which
was the old homestead. He came to his present
place in 1887. His estate is well stocked with
good grades of cattle and horses, the Jerseys and
Clydesdale being his favorites. He is engaged in
general farming, and is ranked among the well-todo agriculturists of this section.
Our subject and Miss Naomi Davidson, of
Seneca County, N. Y., were united in marriage in
1870. Mrs. Peabody was the daughter of H. W.
and Damarias (Lay) Davidson, also natives of
Seneca County, N. Y. Her father was a farmer,
and came to Michigan in 1864, settling on section
16, Allegan Township, whete he now resides. In
politics, Mr. Davidson is a Democrat. Mrs. Davidson passed from this earth in February, 1892. Mr.
Davidson will spend his declining years with his
daughter, Mrs. Peabody.
To Mr. and Mrs. Peabody have been born three
children: George J., who is a graduate of the
Valley City Business College at Grand Rapids;
Charles H., who died of diphtheria when fifteen




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


297


I --- I — ---- --- --- ----   -      --- ---- --- — I


years of age; and Ethelbert B. In politics, our
subject is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of
the Baptist Church, in which denomination he is
Treasurer and Trustee. He has been Superintendent of the Poor for six years, and is a man greatly
respected in Allegan County. Mr. Peabody has recently purchased eighty acres of Mr. William Bliss,
for which he paid $7,000, and upon which there is
a beautiful building, where lie intends making his
future home. Mrs. Peabody has recently received
forty acres from her father's estate on section 16.
This makes three hundred acres of land in the
Peabody farm, lying within half a mile of Allegan
village, and it is one of the finest farms in Allegan
County. Mr. and Mrs. Peabody may truly be
proud of their estate, which is the result of long
years of toil, energy and enterprise, and their
efforts are crowned with success.
c,- ^^ —j^*^'~~^s~
Ad EORGE McKENZIE. This gentleman came
(  to Michigan in 1857, and located on section
35, Geneva Township, Van Buren County,
where he has since made his home. He was born
in what was then Middlesex, but is now Elgin
County, Canada, in 1823, and was the son of Donald and Catherine (Clunas) McKenzie, both of
whom were born and married in Scotland. They
emigrated to America in 1812, and locating in
New York, made that State their home only a few
years, when they went to Canada, and there reared
a family of eight children, of whom we make the
following mention: Donald was married and died
in Canada, leaving a family; Mary died when
young; John passed away in the Dominion; Catheline became the wife of John McLauchlin, and resides in Canada; Alexander died single; Jennet
married William Clark, and resides in Canada; our
subject was the youngest but one; Margaret married Jeremiah Moore, and died after coming to
Van Buren County, leaving a family of three children: George W., of Bangor; Alnina, the wife of
Lewis Pinnell, and Donald, of Geneva.
George McKenzie and Miss Jennet McLauchlin
were united in marriage in 1848, and became the


parents of one child. Mrs. McKenzie died in Canada, and in 1854 our subject married his present
wife, Julia A. Cascadden, a native of the Dominion. Her parents were Alexander and Mary (Bruner) Cascadden, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Canada. The Cascadden family hailed
from Ireland, and the Bruners from Holland. Mr.
and Mrs. McKenzie have had born to them seven
children, all of whom'are living with one exception: Josephine became the wife of J. Stewart;
Alexander J. died when nineteen years of age; S.
Marietta is the wile of Thomas Powell, of Indiana;
Byron makes his home in Lake City, this State;
Olive married Robert Brown, of Chicago; Sanford
also resides in Lake City; and Lottie F. is the wife
of William Abbott.
In politics, our subject is a Republican, and has
held the office of Highway Commissioner for twelve
years. He was Justice of the Peace for ten years,
and School Inspector for four. IHe was Harbor
Commissioner at the time the South Haven harbor
was constructed, and occupied that position for
four years. IIe has been very prominent in local
affairs, and is greatly respected by all who know
him.
S OSEPH W. REED, who is engaged in the
wagon-making business at Covert, came to
Van Buren County in 1887, at which date
he settled at South Haven. He was born in
England, June 26, 1839. His parents were Stephen
and Elizabeth (Watson) Reed, the father being a
landowner and farmer in England, who, in about
1841, emigrated with his family to the United States,
settling at Smithfield, Jefferson  County, Ohio,
where the parents soon after died, only five weeks
elapsing between  their deaths.  They were the
parents of thirteen children, of whom the following
are living: Stephen and Joseph W.
After the death of his parents our subject lived
with his sister until about eleven years old, when
he began the battle of life for himself. He learned
the carpenter's trade and gained his education in
the district schools, clerking in stores during the
winter for his board. Hie resided for a time in
Kosciusko County, Ind. In 1862 he enlisted as a




298


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


soldier in the Civil War and was mustered in October 16, as a member of Company F, Forty-eighth
Indiana Infantry, and served till July 15, 1865
His command was in the Pioneer Corps.  After
the war was over, Mr. Reed went to Milford, Ind.,
and worked at his trade for a time, coming from
there to South Haven, this State, and in 1871 settling in Covert. On August 7, 1890, with his son
he purchased a blacksmithing business at Covert
which they conduct in connection with their
wagon work. Mr. Reed was married October 13,
1862, to Mrs. Catherine A. Sherman, a daughter of
Martin and Barbara Kershner. She was born in
Greene County, Ohio, February 6,1833. Her parents were natives of Maryland and Germany, respectively. When she was eighteen months old,
the family removed to Kosciusko County, Ind.,
and there she resided until her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Reed have one child, Christopher
Watson, who is in business with his father and is a
blacksmith by trade. He married Miss Eva Enlow.
Mr. Reed has a good home and as a reward for his
diligence and industry throughout life, is in comfortable circumstances. He affiliates with the Republican party, but takes no very active interest
in political affairs. He and his wife are members
of the Congregational Church and socially he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.,- >    ------- n  lb-.   ----    -
ENRY M. MARVIN, M. D. This gentleman, who is now carrying on a farm on
section 22, Covert Township, Van Buren
County, to which he gives his principal attention, although he does considerable work in the
practice of his profession, became a resident of this
township in 1884, although his settlement in Michigan dates from 1844,and in 1854 he went to Berrien
County. Dr. Marvin was born in Oswego County,
N. Y., October 11, 1834. His parents were Benjamin and Hannah Salina (Gregory) Marvin, natives
of New England.    His paternal and maternal
grandfathers, Benjamin Marvin and Benjamin
Gregory, were both soldiers of the Revolutionary
War, the latter being an officer. His parents removed from Oswego County to Monroe, Mich., in


1844, arriving on the 29th of November. His
father, the Rev. Benjamin Marvin, was, while he
resided in New York, engaged in the milling business, in which he was not very successful, and lost
considerable money. He had received an education preparatory to becoming a minister of the
Presbyterian Church, and when he came to Michigan, it was in the capacity of a missionary. He
remained at Monroe a short time and then went to
Saline, and afterward to Pinckney, Livingston
County, where he remained for four years. He
then removed to Unadilla, where he took charge of
a Scotch Presbyterian Church. He there died, November 14, 1855. His birth took place December
22, 1789. The mother of our subject was born
February 22, 1790, her death occurring some years
after that of her husband, at the home of her
daughter, at Roscoe, Ohio.
The parents of our subject had a large family of
children, as follows: John Lorenzo, born December
30, 1811, resides in Coloma, Mich.; Benjamin G.,
born July 4, 1813, died in New York City, N. Y.
He was a very eminent lawyer. Salina Sarah Ann,
who was born June 4, 1815, was married to Joab
Agnew and died in Roscoe, Ohio; Salina Hannah,
born January 27, 1817, married Gen. R. M. Ford,
and resides at Corunna, Shiawassee County, this
State; George, born February 17, 1819, died October 16, 1820; George A., born December 29, 1820,
and died March 14, 1827; and Ruth Darrow, who
was born October 24, 1822, became the wife of
George Bagwell, and resides in Newcomerstown,
Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Three children died in
infancy. James, born April 5, 1828, is mail agent
on the West Michigan Railroad, which position he
has held ever since the route was first organized.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the
parental family and was ten years old when his
parents removed to Michigan. He attended the
common schools in his boyhood and then learned
the trade of a wagon-maker, at which he worked
for a time, and also taught school and read medicine. At the age of nineteen he passed examinations in the medical department of the State University of Michigan, but his diploma was withheld
because he was not of age. He, however, entered
upon the practice of his profession, in which he




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


299


continued until 1869, being located at Coloma.
He then entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago,
and was graduated in the Class of '70. He resumed his profession at Coloma, and continued in
practice as long as his healtl would permit, but in
1884 was obliged to give it up, and concluded to
try the effects of an outdoor life upon a farm. He
accordingly purchased the land on which he now
resides, and where he has made numerous valuable
improvements. He now owns one hundred and
twenty acres of land on which are a first-class set
of buildings, and every convenience necessary to
carry on the farm in a profitable manner.
During the Civil War Dr. Marvin was for a time
in active service, being commissioned on March 4,
1864, as Surgeon of the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, and served as such until September 24 of
the same year, when he passed the examinations,
and was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of Volunteers, but was not mustered in, as his commission
as Surgeon of the Twelfth Michigan Regiment
would not be accepted. His health, however, was
so poor at this time that he decided to return
home.
Dr. Marvin was married May 26, 1856, to Helen
Maria, daughter of Archibald and Eliza Ann (Tanner) Stewart. For a more extended sketch of her
parents, see that of Capt.W. E. Stewart. Mrs. Marvin
was born in the State of New York, May 29, 1836,
coming to Michigan with her parents, her marriage
taking place at Paw Paw. The children born to
our subject and his wife are as follows: Benjamin,
born August 14, 1858, is a mechanic residing in
Chicago; Anna M., born April 11, 1860, died June
8, 1864; James E., born June 24, 1862; Archie,
born September 15, 1865, died March 30, 1866;
Albert, born April 15, 1867; Frank Stewart, November 16, 1869; Charles R., August 20, 1872;
Helen M., August 24, 1875, and Flora L., August
28, 1878. They have also an adopted daughter,
Viola E., the date of whose birth is October 18,
1853.
Dr. Marvin is rather conservative in his views
and does not belong to any political party, using
his own judgment in casting his ballot and voting
as he deems best for the interests of his county and
State. He has never sought public offices, although


he has filled several local positions and was the
first Postmaster at Coloma, in 1856. He is a member of Coloma Lodge, No. 162, A. F. & A. M., of
which he was Master for several years, and is also
a member of Calvin Britton Chapter, No. 72,
R. A. M. He is a charter member of Garfield
Post, G. A. R., at Coloma, of which he has been
Surgeon. He and his wife are faithful members of
the Congregational Church at Coloma, and are
amongst its most liberal supporters. Dr. Marvin
is somewhat of a literary turn of mind and has
contributed articles to the different medical journals. I-le is a member of the Berrien County
Medical Society. Besides his present property he
also owns his old home at Coloma..  ATHANIEL JEWETT, whose success in
J) general farming and raising blooded stock
has placed him among the most prosperous
men of his class in Allegan Township, where his
farming interests are located on section 8, has
cleared from the forests that stood here when he
first came to this region one of the finest and bestimproved farms within the borders of Allegan
County.
Mr. Jewett was born in the town of Alna, Lincoln County, Me., March 8, 1827. He comes of
sturdy New England stock, and his parents, Nathaniel and Ellis (Erskin) Jewett, were also natives
of the Pine Tree State, and lived and died amid
the pleasant scenes of their birth. The father was
an intelligent, practical farmer, and had a good,
well-equipped farm. In their comfortable home
he and his good wife reared five children: Nathaniel, George E., Laura, Sarah A., and John A. The
father was an old-line Whig in politics, and he had
an excellent record as a soldier in the War of 1812.
His parents were James and Lydia (Hilton) Jewett,
and they, too, were farmers.
Our subject received a sound, practical education in the village school at Alna, and a no less
useful training in all kinds of farm work on his
father's farm. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty years old, and he then




300


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


began life on his own account by working in a
sawmill, in which he was employed two years. He
was ambitious to try his fortunes in what was
then considered the "Far West," and in 1850 he
came to Michigan, with a good equipment of brain
and brawn for the struggle that lay before him
ere he could hope to secure a competency. For
five years he was engaged in a sawmill at Saugatuck, and at the expiration of that time lie invested a part of his hard-earned money in the
tract of timber land on section 8, Allegan Township, from which he has since evolved the choice
farm upon which he is so pleasantly passing his
life. Hard pioneer labor was required in clearing
off the timber, fencing it into convenient fields,
placing the soil under cultivation, and in erecting
suitable buildings, but the task has been well done,
and as a result Mr. Jewett has a farm complete in
its appointments-a fine residence, commodious
and well-arranged barns, granaries, etc., adorning
the place, the largest barn being 84x58 feet in
dimensions.  A good orchard of the choicest
fruit trees adds to its value. Mr. Jewett devotes
his farm, which comprises one hundred and eighty
acres of land, to general farming, and has some
registered stock among his fine herd of Durhams,
and has beautiful Morgan and Clydesdale horses.
Our subject was married in 1859 to Miss Laura
Shead, of Ganges, Allegan County, and to her devoted assistance he is greatly indebted for the success that has come to him in his career as an active,
independent farmer. To them have been born
two children: Edith S., now Mrs. H-. D. Lane; and
Mildred E. Mrs. Jewett is a daughter of one of
the early pioneer families of this county. Her
parents were Orra and Nancy (Shipman) Shead,
natives of Vermont. Her father was engaged in
farming and milling in his native State, where lie
was married. He removed to St. Lawrence County,
N. Y., where he lived until 1836, when he came to
Michigan on a prospecting tour with a view to
settling in the wilderness of this State, which was
then a Territory. He entered land in Ganges
Township, Allegan County, and then started on
his return to his home in the East. But lie was
never destined to see again the hills and valleys of
Vermont, as the boat on which he was voyaging


across the waters of Lake Erie was burned, and he
perished with it. His family came to Michigan in
1846, and settled on the land that the father had
taken in Ganges Township, and there the mother
died in 1850. Of her eight children, six are living: Cornelia, Mrs. Goodrich; Mary, Mrs. Sage;
Louis; Daniel; Rhoda, Mrs. Wade; and Mrs.
Jewett.
As a man of sound understanding, of sagacious
and prompt business methods, and known to be
thoroughly honorable and reliable, Mr. Jewett has
been influential in the public life of his township,
which he has served in various responsible offices.
He has been Assessor, and he was Superintendent
of the Poor for seven years. In politics, he is a
Republican, stanch and true to the principles of
his party.
5   HOMAS STEWART, one of the prominent
business men of Allegan, is a manufacturer
of plows and castings, having a large foundry in which he does a wholesale and retail business. He is a native of Monroe County, Ohio,
born October 14, 1854. His parents, Uriah and
Elizabeth (Atkins) Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, came to Allegan in 1868.
His father was a farmer by occupation, but after
his removal to the West lived a retired life until
his death in 1877. The mother departed this life
in 1887. The paternal grandfather of our subject
was a native of Pennsylvania, where he farmed
extensively, and reared a large family. His maternal grandfather was Ashel Atkins, who married
Miss Redwood, and they were natives of Vermont
and Ohio, respectively. He was employed on the
Ohio Rive  wer, where he was also engaged in selling
wood, having a large wood-yard there. lie was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War, and an old-line
Whig. He was a member of the United Brethren
Church, and reared a large family of children.
The parents of our subject had a family of seven
children, of whom he is the only one living. -He
was educated in Ohio and West Virginia, and
reared upon a farm, where he remained until
fifteen years old. He then learned the machine








A@, AdL^z^




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


303


and foundry business at Allegan, afterward going
to Grand Rapids and Muskegon, where he worked
at his trade. In 1891 he returned to Allegan to
carry on the business of his brother, W. Stewart,
who was accidentally killed the previous year.
The circumstances of his death were very distressing. He was in a buggy in which were two guns,
and while driving through a creek one of the
wheels struck a log, and, one of the guns being
about to fall out, Mr. Stewart took hold of it and
was drawing it in when the trigger caught and it
accidentally went off, shooting him through the
heart, killing him instantly. He was the owner'of
the Eagle Foundry Works, which our subject has
since been operating. He left a wife and four
children.
The subject of this sketch was married in 1877
to Miss Lucy Gilbert, of Otsego, Allegan County,
a daughter of J. W. Gilbert. Five children have
been born to them, namely: Claudie W., James F.,
Charles W.. Thomas G., and Lula M. Mr. Stewart
is a stanch Republican, and he and his wife are
members of the Baptist Church.   Socially, he
belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. He owns
a pleasant home in Allegan, and has a farm in
Pine Plains. He is one of the industrious and
enterprising men of the village and is highly
esteemed as such.
ON. WILSON C. EDSELL. Nothing is of
deeper interest to a student of human
nature and human events than to trace the
career of one who has fought his way up
to a position of prominence and financial success.
Mr. Edsell, by dint of his own pluck, push and
perseverance, has, notwithstanding the struggles
of his earlier years, maintained a well-earned reputation for probity and for a just consideration of
the rights of others.
The gentleman whose portrait appears on the
opposite page, was born in Pike Township, Bradford County, Pa., July 8, 1814. His father, Jesse
Edsell, a native of Orange County, N. Y., while a
young man, moved to Bradford County, Pa., where
he carried on farming, and died in 1856, aged


seventy-four years. The grandfather of our subject died when Jesse Edsell was quite young. The
family was of German descent. The mother of
our subject was Polly (Canfield) Edsell, a native
of Connecticut. She passed from this life in 1881,
having reached the good old age of ninety-four
years. She came from a very hardy race of people,
noted for their longevity, and was descended from
one of three brothers who came from Ireland to
America prior to the Revolutionary War. Nearly
all of that family lived to be eighty, and some
even ninety-six, years old.
The parental family included thirteen children,
eight of whom lived to reach mature years, and
four are still living. Our subject was the sixth in
order of birth, and was given but a limited education. He remained on the farm until reaching his
seventeenth year, when he apprenticed himself to
learn the carpenter's trade. Ile continued to work
at that trade until reaching his majority, when he
came West to Ohio, and at Sandusky engaged in
millwrighting.
The lion. W. C. Edsell was united in marriage
in 1840 to Miss Julia A. Clock, a most estimable
lady. Mrs. Edsell was a native of Pennsylvania
and of German descent. After their marriage they
removed to Oberlin, Ohio, where they both attended
college for a few years, our subject working at his
trade during vacations in order to pay their tuition.
In 1844 John J. Shepard, the founder of Oberlin
College, formed a colony, and migrating to Michigan founded Olivet College. Mr. Edsell with his
family joined the colony and helped to organize
the college, of which lie was made one of its Trustees, Secretary and Treasurer, holding those responsible positions for more than five years. While
in Olivet, Mr. Edseli assisted in building gristmills, etc., and became one of the prominent citizens.
In September, 1849, our subject came to Allegan
County, and, locating in Otsego, purchased large
tracts of land. His superior executive ability was
soon recognized by his fellow-townsmen and he was
elected Justice of the Peace, and. opening an office
did a collection business. During the interim he
applied himself diligently to the study of law and in
1856 was admitted to the Bar. He held the posi



301


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


tion of Justice of the Peace for sixteen years,
carrying on, in connection with that position, the
practice of law.
In company with his son-in-law, Herbert N. Peck,
Mr. Edsell organized the first bank in Otsego. It
was a private bank and was opened in 1869. In
1879, however, Mr. Peck withdrew from the business and Charles W. Edsell, a son of our subject,
took an interest in the project. Our subject, in
connection with his other interests, has been extensively engaged in dealing in real estate, owning
at the present time two hundred acres of valuable
land surrounding the village of Otsego. At one
time his possessions numbered one thousand acres,
but he has since disposed of the greater portion of
his land. He also owned one thousand acres in
another part of the county. He owns stock in the
Otsego Chair Company, which is one of the largest
business enterprises in this section, and has large
interests in business and residence property in
Otsego.
The Hon. W. C. Edsell was elected to represent
the people of his district in the State Senate in
1865-77-81. While in that body he served on
the Committee on Banks and Corporations, and
was Chairman of the Committee on Benevolence.
He was Chairman, in 1881, of the Educational
Committee, who revised the whole system of school
laws. He aftiliated with the Republican party until 1881, since which time he has been a stanch
Prohibitionist. Ile helped to organize the Republican party, and acted as delegate to many State
conventions. Mr. Edsell was appointed by Gov.
Blair Trustee for the Kalamazoo Insane Asylum,
serving in that position for two years. He has
always been an ardent temperance man and has
done much toward forwarding the cause of prohibition in his community. He was instrumental
in securing the paper mill for Otsego, one of the
turning points in the matter being the fact that
there were no saloons in Otsego.
Mrs. Esdell passed from this life in 1866, leaving
four children: Alice, Helen and Sarah, who are deceased, and Charles W. Our subject was married
a second time, in 1867, to Miss Clara Hughes, who
was a native of Peekskill, N. Y. To them  has
been born one daughter, Esther, who is the wife


of Herbert I. Martindale, of Otsego. Mr. and
Mrs. Edsell are influential members of the Congregational Church, with which denomination our
subject has been connected since 1840. He is active
in church work and has served his congregation
as Trustee, Treasurer and Secretary, each in turn
for many years. He has always been a liberal and
cheerful giver to all charitable purposes, and his
wise course when attempting to bring about any
worthy object is well known to those who are
acquainted with the history of the State. He is
one of those cultured and enterprising citizens
who favor progress, and he possesses that cordial,
kindly spirit which makes warm friends and stanch
adherents. He and his excellent wife fully appreciate the value of a knowledge of books and their
beautiful home is adorned with a well-selected
library which stamps them as people of culture
and education. We are pleased to present in our
list of the best citizens of Allegan County, a
sketch of the Hon. W. C. Edsell.
/         — +_        lX
GDEN TOMLINSON. This gentleman, who
holds the position of Postmaster at Plainwell, and at the same time carries on his
profession of a lawyer, is one of the prominent
men of that place and highly esteemed for his integrity of character. IIe is a native of LeRoy,
Genesee County, N. Y., his birth having taken
place January 17, 1840.
The father of our subject, John Tomlinson, was
a native of Connecticut, born in 1796. HIe removed
to Genesee County, N. Y., where he followed the
trade of a millwright, building and owning a mill
at that place. In 1856 he removed to Port Washington, Wis., where he became interested in milling
for a time. In 1862, he returned to New York,
locating at Le Roy, where he gave up active business and lived a retired life until his death, which
took place in 1869, when he was seventy-eight
years old. He was a soldier in the War of 1812,
and has held the office of a Supervisor. He was a
member of the Universalist Church, and was a
well-known and prominent man in the community




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


305


where he resided. Hc was three times married,
having five children by his first wife. His second
wife, the mother of our subject, whose maiden
name was Dorothy Hitchcock, was a native of
Monroe County, N. Y. Her death took place in
1861. She was the mother of four children, of
whom  our subject is the only one living. No
children were born of the third marriage.
Ogden Tomlinson received his elementary education in the common schools, supplemented by a
short course in Lima (N. Y.) University, his
father at that time removing to Wisconsin with
his family. While in Wisconsin, he did general
work in the mills for a short time. He then returned to New York and clerked in a store for his
brother, at Pavilion, for about two years. The
store was burned and our subject returned to
Wisconsin.
This was about the time when the call to arms
was heard throughout the country, and on September 17, 1861, Mr. Tomlinson enlisted in the Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry. So intensely loyal
was he, that he left his home when his mother was
at the point of death and a sister was seriously ill.
He served until the close of the war, receiving his
discharge at Louisville, Ky., June 26, 1865. The
first battle in which he was engaged was at
Corinth. He spent most of the year of 1862 in the
Oxford campaign, where some lively skirmishing
was experienced. His command was stationed at
Lake Provence during the siege of Vicksburg, and
held an outpost, twelve miles south of there, during
the winter of 1862 and 1863. He joined Sherman's
army in Tennessee and was in all the noted battles
around and including that at Atlanta, and was one
who took that famous march to the sea. At the
expiration of the three years for which he enlisted,
he veteranized and re-enlisted.
After his return from the army, our subject engaged in the grocery business for a short time at
Le Roy, N. Y., but eventually closed that out and
went to Wisconsin. He then decided to go to
Kansas and take up a homestead. Ile located in
Marion County, that State, where he remained
about four years and proved up a quarter section
which he afterwards sold. HIe then came to Allegan, Mich., where he became a student in the law


office of Williams, Arnold & Padgham. In 1874,
after being admitted to the bar, he entered the
practice of law with Mr. Padgham. In 1875, he
came to Plainwell and formed a partnership with
Silas Stafford. In 1880, he entered into partnership with A. H. Fenn, at Allegan, but retained his
residence at Plainwell. I-e served as Prosecuting
Attorney at Allegan, after which he was made
Register of Probate for the same county. He was
appointed Postmaster at Plainwell, April 1, 1891,
and is at present filling that office to the satisfaction of the public. In politics, he is a Republican,
and has been a delegate to State conventions.
Socially, he is a member of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen, The Knights of the Maccabees,
the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic, in the latter of which he is Commander of
the Post at Plainwell. He served as President of
the Village Board for two years.
Mr. Tomlinson was married August 31, 1865, to
Mary E. Wareham, a native of Oswego County,
N. Y., and they are the parents of two children:
John and Cleo.
W     ARREN    A. WOODWORTHI, who is a
prominent attorney-at-law in the village
of Saugatuck, Allegan County, is a son of
Augustus W. and Violetta (Bowker) Woodworth,
natives of New York. His birth took place in Allegany County, N. Y., May 26, 1836, where he was
reared to the life of a farmer boy. At the age of
fourteen,finding this occupation entirely too monotonous for his active mind, he determined to see
something of the world for himself, and accordingly started out to make his fortune. He engaged
in various occupations, among the rest becoming a
school teacher for eleven years, and for two years
lecturing on phrenology and temperance. He acquired his education by his own efforts, reading
the best books and using his power of observation
to good advantage. He finally became a student
in the Baptist Theological Seminary, and afterward in the Law School at Ann Arbor, during the
years 1862 and 1863. He then opened an office in
Ganges,owning a farm in the township by that name,






306


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


on which he resided until about fifteen years ago
when he removed to Saugatuck where he has been
actively engaged in the practice of his profession
ever since. In 1890 he took in Charles N. Thew
as a partner, and their businessis increasing and
proving very satisfactory.
Mr. Woodworth was married in 1864 to Mary
A. Miller, a laughter of Jesse Miller, and a native
of New York. Three children have blessed this
union, namely: Charles H., who died when ten
years old; Nellie S. who married William L. Naughtin and resides in Chicago; Saburna G., who is yet
at home. In April, 1891, this happy household
met with a great grief in the loss of the beloved
wife and mother. She was a most estimable woman and highly esteemed by all who knew her.
Mr. Woodworth started in life a poor boy and
deserves great credit for the industry and perseverance by which he has won his way to his present position. He now owns a fine farm in Ganges
and also in Saugatuck, where he raises large quantities of the fine fruit for which this State is famous. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist, carrying
out his views in practice as well as principle. He
has held various local offices and has been Circuit
Court Commissioner and School Superintendent.
He and his family are members of the Congregational Church and are foremost in all good works.
Mr. Woodworth's great-grandfather was a soldier
in the Revolutionary War and his maternal grandfather in the War of 1812.
ALTER MEREDITH is one of the leading
farmers and stock-raisers, and an extensive lumber  manufacturer of Allegan
County, and is one of the most enterprising and
successful business men of this section. He has a
beautiful home on his large and well-appointed
farm on section 5, Martin Township, and has besides other valuable landed interests in different
places.
Mr. Meredith is a native of Genesee County, N.
Y., his birth occurring in Alexander Township,
September 14, 1840. His father, David Meredith,
who was a pioneer of Southern Michigan, was born






in Chester County, Pa., and is a son of John Meredith, who is also supposed to have been aPennsylvanian by birth. The father of our subject was
reared in his native State by a Quaker farmer. He
went to New York in early manhood, and was
married there to Mary, daughter of H-enry Hawkins. Her father is supposed to have been a native of New York, and to have been of Welsh descent. She was born in Genesee County, and there
she and her husband located after marriage. Her
death occurred at the age of forty-eight years.
She was the mother of five children all of whom
are living, as follows: Evans, a resident of Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County; Marion, a
resident of Wayland Township; Walter and Warren, the latter of whom is a twin brother of our
subject, and lives on the old Meredith homestead
in Portage Township; and Maggie, wife of Eugene
Beckwith, of Pavilion Township. In 1843 the
father of our subject removed with his family to
Kalamazoo County, and became actively identified
with its pioneers. He first selected a tract of land
in the wood on the present site of Pavilion Township, cleared a space upon which to build a log
house, 18 x 24 feet in dimensions, and during his
ten years' residence on that place put considerable of the land under cultivation. At the expiration of that time, he removed to Portage Township,
with whose development and farming interests he
was identified until his death, at the age of sixtyfive years.
Walter Meredith was three years old when his
parents came to Michigan to found a new home in
the forest wilds of Kalamazoo County. His character was moulded and strengthened by pioneer
influences, and he early manifested the sturdy selfreliance, independence of thought and act, and
ability to plan and carry out his schemes wisely
that have had so important a bearing on his success in life. He laid the foundation of his education in a primitive log schoolhouse in Pavilion
Township, and completed it in the public schools
of the town of Portage. He had quite a talent for
mechanics, and at the age of sixteen commenced to
work at the trade of a carpenter, and was employed
at that until he was twenty-five years old, having
in the meantime assisted in the erection of many




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


307


buildings in Kalamazoo County. He was married
in December 31, 1866, and remained in Kalamazoo
two years after that event, and then located where
he now resides in Martin Township, he having
previously purchased this farm, one hundred and
twenty acres of it being cleared before   he
moved onto it.  He built a small frame house,
in which he and his family lived until 1883, when
he erected his present handsome residence, at the
cost of $4,000, building it himself, and it is one
of the finest houses in the county. It is of a modern and tasteful style of architecture, is handsomely furnished, and the rooms are beautifully
finished in different kinds of woods, such as cherry,
oak, black walnut, etc. Good barns and other
building complete the appointments of a model
farm. Besides this homestead of three hundred
acres of land, which he has improved himself, Mr.
Meredith has a great deal of other valuable property, he being one of the wealthy men of the
county.
He has one hundred and eighty acres of land on
the Gun River Flats, and one hundred and fortyfour acres in Wayland Township, the most of
which is improved, making his landed possessions
mount up to six hundred and twenty-four acres. He
owns a sawmill, with a capacity of fifteen thousand
feet per day,for making railway ties and does a large
business in that line, besides carrying on farming
and stock-raising extensively, employing four or
five men on his farm all the time besides those at
work in the mill. Hie has his farm well stocked
with fine blooded horses, with high-grade cattle,
and with swine and sheep of the best breeds.
Mr. Meredith was married December 31, 1866,
in Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County, by
Clarke Kellogg, to Melvina, the first daughter and
second child of Burton and Charlana (Adams)
Johnson.  Mrs. Meredith was born in Portage
Township, Kalamazoo County, October 16, 1843,
and was there reared. -Her father, a well-known pioneer of that section, was a native of Vermont, and
he lived among the green hills of that State until
he was sixteen years old, when he went to New
York. He came thence to Michigan in 1839, and
in time improved a farm in Kalamazoo County.
He afterward came to Allegan County, and his


last days were spent in Wayland Township, where
he died at the age of seventy-two years. His
wife, who survives him and makes her home with
her daughter and son-in-law of whom we write,
was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., March 23,
1816.  Mr. and Mrs. Meredith have had seven
children, three sons and four daughters, namely:
Walter Burton, who resides at home; Cora, wife of
James Keith, a cable-car conductor on the North
Side of Chicago; David Warren, who was drowned
in a well at the age of six years; Jennie, who died
at the age of six months; and Josephine, who is
ten years old; John who is eight years old, and
Marian, who is six years old.
Our subject enjoys a high personal standing
throughout the county and wherever known, not
only as a man of honor and sound financial integrity, whose business acumen, rare judgment and
far-seeing enterprise have been of great service in
extending the interests of this section; but he is
also popular on account of genial qualities, warm
heart and true generosity, which have drawn to
him many friends from a large circle of acquaintances. Ite is public spirited, and liberal in expending his means to further all feasible projects for internal improvements, or in his contributions towards all worthy objects that come under his
notice.
AN RENSLAER WADSWORTH is a well/to-do farmer residing on section 34, Saugatuck Township, Allegan County. His farm
comprises sixty acres of excellent land, which is
under most thorough cultivation, and is devoted
largely to fruit-growing. Our subject is the son
of James and Maluncy (Philips) Wadsworth, and
the grandson of Theodore Wadsworth, who was a
native of Connecticut.
The gentleman of whom we write was born in
Montgomery (now Felton) County, N. Y., February 16, 1825. He was reared on a farm, remaining at home assisting his father until reaching his
majority. When starting out in life for himself,
he purchased what is now known as the McVae
farm in Ganges Township. He cleared his prop



308


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


erty of the forest, and put it in excellent condition; then becoming somewhat restless, he disposed
of that fine property in 1865, and removed to Missouri. There he bought a tract of four hundred
acres, but only remained there about eight months,
when he sold and returned to Michigan, poorer in
pocket, hut richer in experience. At that time he
purchased the farm on which he at present resides.
It was in its primitive condition when it came into
his possession, but under his wise management it
has been made to yield a generous increase, and is
now one of the finest farms in the township.
James W. Wadsworth, the father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was the third
settler in Ganges Township, Allegan County, to
which place he came in 1838. Our subject at that
time was only thirteen years of age, and well remembers the privations and hardships which the
family endured at that early day. There were no
roads laid out, and the nearest market was at Allegan, twenty miles distant. There were no stores,
schools or churches, the first Methodist Episcopal
Church being erected in 1844. Mr. Wadsworth,
of this sketch, became identified with the society
at that time, and has ever since been a liberal contributor to its support.
Our subject was united in marriage with Maria
Collins, a daughter of Joseph Collins, and a
native of the Empire State. Mrs. Wadsworth was
born in New York, September 23, 1825, and the
ceremony which united her with our subject occurred April 7, 1850. That union has been blessed
with eight children: Leonidas D., born in 1851, is
married to Emma Derby, and resides in Ganges
Township, Allegan County; Mary A., born February 27, 1853, married Edward Hutchins, and also
makes her home in Ganges Township; Lucius, born
May 20, 1855, died February 13, 1861; Emma M.,
born February 18, 1857, died February 10, 1861;
Alice, born December 21, 1859, died March 12,
1861; Melissa, born September 27, 1860, died in
June, 1861; Willie, born April 23,1862, is married
to Cora Smith, and resides in Saugatuck Township,
Allegan County; Hettie M. was born November
14, 1864, and is married to Henry Lamb; she makes
her home with her parents.
In politics, Mr. Wadsworth is a Greenbacker, and


takes great interest in the workings of that partyHe has held offices of public trust in the township,
and is greatly esteemed personally for his many
good qualities of mind and heart. His good wife
is a very intelligent and capable lady, and is noted
for her skill as a housewife and caretaker. We are
pleased to be able to place before our readers a
sketch of so worthy a couple. Our subject, wife
and youngest daughter, are members of the Methdist Episcopal Church.
1 ---. —
/     ON. JOHN KOLVOORD. This prominent
citizen of Otsego was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent the people of
Allegan County in the State Legislature
in 1890. While a member of that body he served
on many important committees, such as the Committee on Public Schools, Rivers, Harbors and
Manufacturing. He gave entire satisfaction to
his constituents, performing all the duties which
lay before him in a capable manner.
The Hon. John Kolvoord was born in Holland
Township, Ottawa County, this State, September
2, 1852, and being a native of the State, his interests more naturally center here than they otherwise would.   His direct progenitor was John
Kolvoord, a native of the Province of Overisel,
Holland, where he followed the occupation of a
wood-turner.  In 1847 he decided to make his
home in the New World, and, emigrating hither,
came directly to Michigan. He and A. C. Van
Ralte came to this country at the head of a colony,
the company remaining in Milwaukee until the
two gentlemen prospected for a location. They
finally determined to settle in Ottawa County, and
thus originated the town of Holland.
The colony which laid out the town of Holland
were the first settlers in that region, and entered
from the Government large tracts of land which
they set about to clear and improve into good
farms. Our subject's father, in addition to his
farm, erected a flouring mill, which was the first
of its kind between Allegan and Grand Rapids.
The mill was run by water power, and while Mr.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


309


Kolvoord worked at his trade in Allegan, his wife
managed the mill, grinding from  fifty to sixty
bushels of corn or wheat per week. The father
died in 1855, when only about forty years of age.
Previous to coming to the United States, he had
served in the Holland army for three years, during
the Belgian War. He was very proninent in
business circles, and much respected for his honest
and upright life. In his church relations he was
a zealous member of the Dutch Reformed Church,
and, being a gifted speaker, took an active part in
the work of that body.
The mother of Mr. Kolvoord was Grietie
(Blink) Kolvoord, and, upon the death of her
husband, was left with the care of four children.
Only a few acres of their farm were cleared at that
time and the hardships which they endured have
made a lasting impression upon the mind of our
subject. He was the second of the four sons, and
only three years old when his father died. At the
early age of eleven years, he began to earn his own
living by working out on a farm for his board.
The next year he received $20 for his labors. He
was to have lhad three months' schooling during
the year, but six weeks after entering upon his
duties his employer was taken sick so that his
advantages in obtaining an education have been
very limited.
Our subject worked out for others for three
years, when, with an elder brother, he returned
home, carrying their trunk for twelve miles.
Our subject remained at home caring for his
mother until reaching his seventeenth year. He
then went to Saugatuck, where he worked during
the summer in a shingle mill; then, becoming fireman, he held that position for four years. At the
expiration of that time, he again returned home,
and remained with his mother a twelvemonth,
when he launched out into the hardware business.
He carried on his trade in that line with good
success for eighteen months at Overisel, when he
disposed of his stock of goods, and, going to
Hamilton, Allegan County, engaged in the drygoods and grocery business. He remained there
for two and one-half years, when, in the spring of
1881, he sold his interests to his youngest brother
and purchased the sawmill which he operates at


the present time. Mr. Kolvoord is also much
interested in real estate in Otsego, where he has
lately erected a beautiful residence. His home
bears all the modern improvements and conveniences which make of it a model dwelling.
In the fall of 1877, the IHon. John Kolvoord was
married to Gezina Teravest, a native of Holland.
She accompanied her parents on their removal to
the New World in 1870. Mrs. Kolvoord passed
from this life June 16, 1884, beloved by all who
knew her. She bore her husband two children,
Jennie and John. Our subject was again married,
in August, 1885, to Jennie Ackersock, a native of
Illinois, and to them have been born one child,
Florence.
In his political affiliation, Mr. Kolvoord casts his
vote and influence in favor of the candidates of
the Democratic party. He has represented his
party to the county, district and State conventions
and has taken a very active part in politics. He
keeps himself thoroughly posted on the political
issues of the day, and is well-read on current
events. Although the Democratic party was in
the minority in Allegan County when our subject
was elected to the Legislature, yet he received a
handsome majority over his opponent.
Persistent industry and economy will claim
their reward, as has been fully illustrated in the
life of Mr. Kolvoord. He commenced life with no
assistance whatever, and to-day ranks among the
prominent and wealthy citizens of Allegan County.
He has had much to overcome, and can relate
many an interesting tale of pioneer experiences.
He did not own a pair of leather shoes until after
he was twelve years old, and earned them for himself. It is with much pride that he now views his
possessions, knowing that they are the result of his
own labors.
o OBERT G. WINN. This fine old gentle' man, who has been a successful farmer, is
one of the prominent men in Ganges Town-,ship, Allegan County. He was born in
Toronto, Canada, in 1816, and is the son of Joshua
and Martha Winn. His father, who was born in






310


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Vermont, in 1792, was there reared on a farm and
received a good common-school education.
Joshua Winn remained with his parents until his
marriage, in 1810, with Martha Griffin. To them
were born five children, all of whom are deceased,
with the exception of our subject. After the death
of his wife, the elder Mr. Winn married Mary
Wakefield, and by her became the father of three
children who are yet living: Stephen, Laura and
Theopholus. Joshua Winn and his wife were Quakers, as were also the paternal grandparents of our
subject, Jacob and Phebe Winn, natives of England, who emigrated to the United States when
young.
Robert G. Winn was given a good commonschool education, and when starting out in life on
his own account learned the carpenter's trade,
which he followed for seven years. When twenty
years of age, he came West to Michigan, and, locating in Detroit, remained there a short time, when
he went to Kalamazoo. In that city he prosecuted
his trade of carpenter for five years, previous to
his coming to Manlius Townshlp, Allegan County.
In the above-named township, Mr. Winn purchased
one hundred acres of unimproved land, which he
lived upon until 1855, when he disposed of that
tract and bought a farm in Ganges Township,
which was at that time partlyimproved. In 1871,
our subject purchased his present home place,
where he has since been a continuous resident. lIe
has given the greater portion of his estate to his children, reserving only thirty acres for himself. That
amount he has in fruit, thlus making it a most delightful place in which to spend the summer
months.
The original of this sketch was married, in 1839,
to Deborah Carey, and to them were born a family
of seven children, three of whom are yet living:
Ralph, Lyda (Mrs. Arthur McCarthy), and Susan,
the widow of Delancy Collins. After the death of
Mrs. Winn, our subject was married to Sophia,
daughter of David and Sally Hutchins. Their
union was blessed by the birth of a daughter,
Mary, who is now the wife of Henry Piper. Mrs.
Sophia Winn passed from this life in 1871, when
our subject was a third time married, his present
wife being Mrs. Ruth (Moore) Stilson. Mrs. Winn


became the mother of eleven children by her first
marriage, nine of whom are living.
The political creed of our subject is found in the
tenets of the Republican party. He is popular in
his township, and has often been called upon to
represent his townsmen in public office. In religious
matters he is a worthy member of the Baptist
Church. In his younger days, Mr. Winn was in
the Canadian rebellion known as Patrick's Rebellion. It was on account of the position that he
took in that affair that he was compelled to come
to the United States.
OHN L. WHEELER. The gentleman whose
name we place at the head of this biographical sketch has for a number of years been
engaged in settling disputes, and is the
present Justice of the Peace at Plainwell. Iis
parents were Cyrus and Elizabeth (Snyder)Wheeler,
the father born in Berkshire County, Mass., November 20, 1791. Our subject's birth occurred in
Marion, Wayne County, N. Y., July 15, 1824.
Moses Wheeler, the grandfather of our subject,
came to the United States with two brothers, who
located in Massachusetts. He followed the ocean
prior to his marriage with Mary D. Brainard, who
came of a noted family during the early days in Connecticut, many members of whom were ministers.
Cyrus Wheeler, the father of John L., removed to
New York after his marriage, where he made his
home on a farm until his decease, in 1852. He
helped to survey a great portion of Wayne County
and thus became familiar with all the corner-stones
of that section. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and often had services held
in his home. Our subject's mother was a native of
New Jersey and passed away in 1860, when in her
seventy-eighth year, firm in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their family of thirteen children only two are living: our subject and
his brother Benjamin P., who makes his home in
Kalamazoo.
John L. Wheeler was reared on his father'sfarm
and received his education in the schoolhouse which
stood on a portion of his parental estate. When:t








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313


- I -------------- I --
- - -----— -II- ------ ---— c --- —- ----llI ----I --- —  --- —- ---I' --- I --- —------- ------


eighteen years of age, his father gave the management of the farm to him, the operations of which
were admirably and successfully conducted. He
continued thus engaged until the death of his parents, when he came to Michigan and located in
Martin Township, Allegan County, where he purchased a farm. In 1884, Mr. Wheeler retired from
the active life of an agriculturist and removed to
Plainwell, where he makes his home at the present
time. The marriage ceremony which united Mr.
Wheeler and Miss Elizabeth A. Miller was performed in 1858. Mrs. Wheeler was a native of
New York and the daughter of Bartholomew and
Elizabeth (Dennis) Miller, natives respectively of
Sing Sing and Troy, N. Y. The father was a silversmith and was working at his trade in New
York City at the time of his marriage. The young
couple soon emigrated to this State and settled in
Plainwell when there was nothing more than a
few scattering houses where that flourishing village stands. Mr. Miller is now in his eightieth
year, his wife being seventy-seven. Mrs. Wheeler
is their only child and received good educational
advantages. Her parents have lived together for
fifty-seven years and are among the oldest settlers
of this section.
Our subject and his estimable wife have one
daughter, Adella, who makes her home with her
parents. She has been given a good education and
is an intelligent and cultured young lady. She is
now on a trip to Florida for the improvement of
her health. In politics, Mr. Wheeler votes with the
Republican party and on that ticket was elected
Justice of the Peace when only twenty-two years
of age, in New York. After coming to Michigan
he served two terms in that position in Martin
Township. He is the present incumbent of that
office in Plainwell.
The original of this sketch owns one hundred
and twenty acres near the village of Martin, which
he has greatly improved since locating upon it in
1869. He is at present residing at his beautiful
home on North Main Street, where he, with his
family, entertains hosts of friends. The maternal
grandparents of Mr.Wheeler, Peter and Mary(Larrisom) Snyder, were natives of New Jersey. They
later removed to Pennsylvania and settled on the


banks of the Susquehanna River, where they resided until their death. The grandfather was one
of the pioneers of that section and was very wealthy,
owning large tracts of land. He also owned a tannery and carried on an extensive business in the
manufacture of leather. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder became the parents of five sons and three daughters,
all of whom became very wealthy and are residing
in different parts of the States. Mr. Wheeler is a
constant worker, and it is the prayer of all his
friends that he and his good wife may long be
spared to shed abroad their beneficent influence.
RANK LITTLE, of Kalamazoo, eldest son
of Henry and Ruth (Fuller) Little, was
born at St. Johnsbury, Vt., September 29,
1823. The family emigrated, in October, 1831,
to the then Territory of Michigan, which had recently been purchased by the United States Government of the Indians, surveyed and offered for
sale. The pioneer family settled upon a large
prairie farm in Richland, Kalamazoo County.
During boyhood, Mr. Little assisted his father
on the farm, acquiring in the meantime a practical
education. Leaving home in September, 1844, he
engaged in merchandising at Grand Rapids, Richland and Kalamazoo, and conducted the business
successfully nearly ten years.
November 21, 1846, Mr. Little was married to
Miss Cornelia Elizabeth, only daughter of Deacon
Rockwell and Celestia E. (May) Rockwell, natives
of Sandisfield, Mass. Two children were born of
the union: Isabelle May, wife of John A. Weeks,
a merchant of Yankton, S. Dak.; and Frances E.,
wife of Dr. Clarence A. Dolson, of Atlantic, Iowa.
There are now three   grand-children: John R.,
Fleta May and Gordon A. Weeks.
Mr. Little's public life commenced with his
election as Clerk of Richland Township in 1850
and Notary Public the previous year. He also
served as Deputy Postmaster, School Inspector and
Director, and since 1853 has held public offices
with scarcely any interruption. In 1856-57 he
was Superintendent of the Kalamazoo Public


14




-~~-~~ — -:-~~-:


314


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Schools; from 1859 to 1872 member of the Board
of Education; during the entire period Secretary
of the Board and Librarian of the Public Library.
Other positions occupied by Mr. Little are as follows: In 1862-63, he was appointed by Gov. Blair
Draft Comnlissioner of Kalamazoo County; in 1864,
Secretary of the State Sanitary Fair for the relief of
soldiers in the war; 1867-68, Clerk of Kalamazoo
Township, and Village Clerk, four years; 1883,memnber of the Sewer Conmission one term; in the
spring of 1883, prominently connected with and
instrumental in securing a city charter for Kalamazoo and in drafting the bill for enactment.
Commencing in 1857, Mr. Little was for nearly
thirty years the very popular and efficient Secretary of the Kalamazoo County Agricultural Society;
eleven years First Assistant Secretary of Michigan
State Agricultural Society; seven years Secretary
of the Michigan State Association of Agricultural
Societies, an association largely of his creation;
also connected with the Kalamazoo National Park
Horse Association of earlier times. During all
that long period, in connection with other duties,
Mr. Little was an indefatigable and voluminous
writer for the press and his numerous treatises,
essays and public addresses upon various subjects
attracted much attention and were extensively
quoted in public documents and elsewhere.
Mr. Little was chosen Secretary of the Millers'
National Association of the United States at its first
annual convention in Chicago, in January, 1874,
and re-elected annually thereafter until May, 1879.
The Miller, of London, England, paid Mr. Little
the voluntary high compliment of publishing a
sketch of his life, with a portrait as frontispiece.
Speaking of his connection with the National Association as Secretary and his retirement from
office, it said: "There can be no doubt that no inconsiderable share of the success that has attended
the Association is due to Mr. Little's efficiency as
Secretary, a position for which he was eminently
qualified both by general and special intelligence.
The association was exceedingly fortunate in having the services of such an official during the first
and trying period of its existence. He is a thoroughly capable man and our trust is that he may
long have the privilege of aiding and promoting


the interests of the community of which he is such
a worthy member."
Some few years since, Mr. Little was chosen
Secretary and Treasurer of the Michigan Millers'
State Association. In November, 1887, the American Miller, at Chicago, published an extended
sketch and portrait of him, and paid him this glowing tribute: "As a writer for the press, Mr. Little
is especially happy. His style is bold, terse and
pointed. His reports, papers and addresses read
before various societies have always been regarded
as models of clearness and accuracy. His writings
are eminently practical. As an agricultural authority he cannot be surpassed. On all subjects,
politics included, his views are sensible, sound and
forcible; he is pre-eminently a man of and for the
times, devoting his life to furthering the usefulness, happiness and improvement of the human
race.
For many years Mr. Little has been prominently
connected with the County Pioneer Society and is
at present its efficient president. In the campaign
of 1888 he was the Democratic candidate for Representative in the First District, but was defeated,
the district being largely Republican. He has been
Chief Correspondent and Statistical Crop Reporter to the Agricultural Department in Washington,
for Kalamazoo County, fully thirty years, and
still fills that position. A recent article of his on
"Celery Culture in Kalamazoo" was published in
the annual volume of the Department for 1886.
In the "Biographical Sketches of Eminent Selfmade Men of Michigan," the editor gives the following just estimate of Mr. Little's character: "In
all the various positions assigned, Mr. Little has
shown the strictest integrity and faithfulness, a
capacity for business details of no common order,
an energy and force of character truly remarkable,
discharging every trust to the entire satisfaction
of all concerned. He is methodical, thorough and
painstaking in business matters, a man of very
sound judgment, rare power of mind, of much
reading and general intelligence.  For quite a
number   of years he    has  been  a frequent
contributor to the local press, treating various
questions of public interest with such signal
ability as to give direction to popular thought,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


315


and call.forth commendations from  persons of
high culture and intelligence."  The editor further says: "Mr. Little has marked personal characteristics. He regards every subject with exactitude and precision. His logic is irresistible, his
methods conscientious and exhaustive, his operations minute and accurate. More clearly than
most men he sees things as they are. This trait
of mental truthfulness pervades his whole moral
and religious nature. In business and social relations his rectitude is proverbial, his word stands
unquestioned by all. Like all men of genuine
merit he is unostentatious, never placing himself
in the foreground. Too conscientious to resort to
questionable modes of political preferment, he has
in consequence never sought those higher positions
of honor and trust in the Commonwealth for which
his superior qualities so eminently fit him."
In connection with this biographical notice, the
attention of the reader is invited to a lithographic
portrait of Mr. Little.
-ie.     _ j:e.  C* —
ETER G. IOAG. This pleasant and benevl) ent gentleman is the proprietor of a grist
mill in Otsego. He was born February 20,
1829, in Dutchess County, N. Y., and is a
son of Peter loag, also a native of the Empire
State. The father carried on farming and died in
December, 1828. The IHoag family were Quakers
and several generations back came from Wales.
The mother of Peter G. was known in her maiden
days as Abigail Mott. She was a native of the
same State as were her husband and son, and passed
from this life in 1850.
Peter G. Hoag, whose name heads this sketch,
was the youngest of eight children, his birth occurring two months after his father's decease. The
mother kept her little family together and remained in Dutchess County until 1835, when they
removed to Wayne County, same State. In 1844
Mrs. I-oag with her children, with the exception
of the eldest son, who remained in New York,
came West as far as Michigan and located on a
farm in Jackson County.
Our subject was given a fair education in the


common schools, which was supplemented by attendance at an academy and by two terms at the
Olivet College. Thus he was fortified to battle
more successfully with life. In the fall of 1845
lie went to Marengo, Calhoun County, this State,
where he engaged to learn the wagon-maker's trade.
He remained there, working at that business for
five years, and the following winter visited New
York State. Returning to Michigan, he spent a
twelvemonth in St. Joseph, and in 1852 started
with a party from St. Joe to California, taking the
overland route with ox-teams. They were five
months making the trip, leaving home March 11
and arriving in the Golden State, August 11.
While there our subject was engaged in mining
and carpentering, but did not remain long, however, as in the spring of 1856 he returned to Michgan, via the Isthmus and New York. For the
succeeding fifteen months, he worked at his trade
in Albion. He has always made a success of whatever he undertook.
Miss Amy A. Pierce became the wife of Mr. Hoag,
their marriage being celebrated January 1, 1857.
She was a native of New York and is a most excellent lady, having hosts of warm friends throughout
this county. After his marriage our subject located on a tract of land in Marengo Township, Calhoun County, where he continued to cultivate the
soil for sixteen years. In the spring of 1874, deciding to leave the farm, he came to Allegan
County, and in Otsego purchased a gristmill,
which he has operated with signal success since
that time.
Mrs. Amy A. Hoag is the daughter of Nathan
and Amy (Aldrich) Pierce, natives respectively
of Berkshire County, Mass., and Rhode Island.
The parents were married in Manchester, N. Y., in
1817, and reared a family of seven children, six of
whom are still living. Mr. Pierce was a farmer,
and on coming to Michigan in 1832, settled on'a
tract of land in Washtenaw County, which the
father had purchased from the Government. It
was in a perfectly wild state when it came into his
possession, but with his characteristic thrift and
industry he brought it to a high degree of cultivation and at his death, in 1861, it was in a most
excellent condition. ' His good wife preceded him




%    - %  --  --,,, m  %,  -.,  I

31.6


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.






to the better land in 1860. Mr. Pierce's patriotism was manifested by his service in the War of
1812, and his interest in the county's welfare made
of him a good citizen. Mrs. Pierce was reared in
the Quaker faith.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoag, of this sketch, have had no
children. Mrs. Hoag is noted for het skill as a
housewife and caretaker and is a very capable and
lovable woman. Our subject was reared a Whig
in politics, but on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks and is now a strong Prohibitionist. His superior executive ability was recognized by his fellow-townsmen and he was elected
Justice of the Peace while residing in Marengo
Township, Calhoun County. Since coming to
Otsego, he has been President and Trustee of the
village for several terms. He is a member of the
Good Templars and is doing much toward forwarding the cause of temperance in this township.
His good wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is an active member of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union and also of
the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society.
ARRIS S. HAIGHT. To this gentleman
and his associates in the farming commun(   ity of Otsego Township, Allegan County
is much indebted for what they have accomplished in redeeming this section from the
wilderness and developing it into a finely improved
agricultural center. Mr. Haight was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., August 26, 1838. His
parents were Israel and Sallie M. (Hutton) Haight,
who were also natives of New York, the father having been born in 1802, and the mother July 7,1804.
In September, 1862, they left their old home in New
York to found a new one in Michigan, and settled
in Allegan Township, where the father continued
his occupation as a farmer. He lived to be a very
old man, and died April 3, 1887, aged eighty-five,
thus closing a long and honorable life. He was
strict in his religious views, and was a Close-Communion Baptist, his wife, who survives him, also
belonging to that church. She is a welcome inmate of the home of her son of whom we write,


and is passing her declining years surrounded by
every comfort filial love can devise. Of her fourteen children nine are living.
Our subject was reared to the life of a farmer,
and remained at home with his parents until he
was nineteen years old. In 1857 he resolved to
see something of life in the Western States and
started for Illinois. He found employment after
his arrival in that State in Hancock County. A few
months later he returned to New York, and in
1860 came to Michigan, but at that time only
spent a few months here in Allegan, going back in
the fall of the year to his old home. In 1863 he
came to Michigan, this time with a view to permanently settling in this State. He at first farmed
on shares in Allegan Township for six years. In
1867 he purchased his present farm in Otsego
Township, and located on it in 1869. When it
came into his possession it was entirely covered
with timber, and it is only by patient pioneer
labor that he has brought it to its present fine condition, which places it among the most desirable
farms in the township in every respect. He at first
built a small frame house for a dwelling, but has
replaced it by a more commodious residence, and
has substantial buildings for every purpose on his
place. He has seventy-eight acres of land in all,
and his fields are under a high state of cultivation.
He raises all kinds of stock, and from that source
obtains a goodly income. He has all the most approved modern machinery for farming purposes,
and for several years he made a business of threshing grain for others. He started out in life without any means, and that he is now well-to-do is
owing to his capacity for work, his excellent judgment in all matters pertaining to his calling, and
to his careful management of his affairs. High
principles of probity and honor have guided his
life from the outset, and he has kept the record unblotted by keeping to the right in all his dealings.
He is exemplary in his habits, has always been a
strong advocate of temperance, which he carries
into politics, and is closely identified with the
Prohibition party. In his social relations, he is a
Mason. He was Highway Commissioner four years,
and has always done his best to promote internal
improvements in his adopted township.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


317


-- --


Mr. Haight's marriage with Miss Melissa Patten,
of New York, March 14, 1854, has contributed in
no small degree to his well-being. Mrs. Haight is
a superior woman, of fine character and amiable
disposition, and is indeed a true homemaker, being
a model housekeeper, and looking closely to the
comfort of her household. To her and our subject
have been born two children: Emma, wife of
Frank Town, a farmer of this township; and Effie,
wife of John Q. Adams, also a farmer of this township.
ILLIAM WV. JOHNSTON owns a farm on
section 15, Casco Township, Allegan
County, and is one of the most prominent
and prosperous farmers of the township. He was
born in Indiana, in 1824, being a native of Fayette
County. John Johnston is the name of the father
of our subject and he was born in New Jersey, in
1784. His early life was spent on a farm if his
native State.  He served an apprenticeship of
seven years to learn the trade of a carpenter and
followed his trade most of his life in connection
with his farming duties. An instance of his early
life, which he liked to repeat, was that he worked
on the first sawmill that was ever heard of. He
married, in New Jersey, Miss Mary Gifford. who
became the mother of our subject. She was a
daughter of A. Gifford, a native of New Jersey.
After their marriage, they emigrated to New York
State and thence down the Ohio River to Indiana
and located where our subject was born. There he
purchased land of the Government and lived the
remainder of his days.  He was one of Fayette County's earliest pioneers, settling in the
woods among the Indians. He and his wife were
members of the Baptist Church and their home
was blessed by the advent of thirteen children,
twelve of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and nine still survive. In politics, John
Johnston was a Whig. He was a son of William
Johnston, an Englishman by birth. On the mother's side, our subject is descended from Irish
stock.
At the age of twenty-one years, our subject be

gan for himself. He first commenced by working
on farms for other people. His first purchase of
land was in his native State, which he bought from
the Government. It was a part of the Miami
Indian Reservation. In 1864 our subject came to
Allegan County, this State, and purchased the
tract on which his farm is situated in Casco Township. He came here with team and wagon, spending six days on the way and was obliged to hew
out a road to his own farm in order to get there.
It then consisted of one hundred and sixty acres.
Of this he now has one hundred and twenty acres,
which is in a fine condition.
The lady who became the wife of our subject
was in her maiden days Mary Overhiser, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Overhiser. Their
marriage took place November 10, 1851. Their
fireside has been blessed by the birth of seven
children, all living except one, who died in infancy.
Those living are named John C., Amanda, Charles
M., Adelbert, Theron and Marion. In politics,
Mr. Johnston is a member of the Third Party, having voted with the Prohibitionists.  He has
often been called upon to hold different local offices of his township. When he first came to this
county, his nearest express office was twenty-eight
miles away, and his postoffice was at Glenn, this
county. Mr. Johnston now resides in Lacota, Van
Buren County.
HARLES C. SPEAR. This gentleman, who
is one of the prominent merchants of Allegan, was born in Charlotte Township, Chittenden County, Vt., August 23, 1828. His parents
were Francis and Sophia (Felch) Spear, also natives
of the Green Mountain State. They came to
Michigan in 1834, and settled in Gull Prairie, remaining there for eighteen months, when they came
to Allegan County. Here the mother died in December, 1844. Her husband then made Ottawa
County, this State, his home for a few years; then
returning to Allegan County he resided here a
short time and afterward went to live with a
daughter in Kalamazoo County.  His daughter
had married W. J. Humphrey, and with     her




318


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Francis Spear made his home until accidentally
drowned in 1876. He was an Abolitionist and
greatly esteemed by his neighbors and acquaintances.
Charles C. Spear was one of a family of eight
children, seven of whom are living: Almira, Electa,
Mary, Charles C., Henry F., and Lucy L. Our
subject was reared on his father's farm in Allegan
County, and when reaching his sixteenth year
started out for himself, being variously engaged.
He worked first in the lumber woods, then on
rafts and steamboats on the Grand River, and later
as driver of a stage coach. He came to Allegan
County in 1852 and engaged to work in a sawmill.
He launched out in the livery business for his
next occupation. Iis marriage taking place about
that time, he with his family took a Western trip,
but not liking the country returned to Allegan
where Mr. Spear worked at the carpenter's trade.
He afterward clerked in the Grange store with A.
Stageman for three years and four months and
went into the produce business, which he followed
successfully until establishing in his present profitable business,
Miss Mary Jeffs, a native of Northamptonshire,
England, became the wife of our subject in 1856,
their marriage being celebrated at Allegan. The
parents of Mrs. Spear were Charles and Rebecca
(Hanger) Jeffs, also natives of England.  The
mother died in her native country in 1843, and
after her decease Mr. Jeffs came to America il 1850
with his five children and settled in Allegan
County, this State. The parental family included
Harriet, Mrs. John Reynolds, who died in Chicago,
Ill.; Emma, Mrs. Samuel Clipson of Allegan County,
who is now  deceased; Thomas who died in the
above-named county; Mary, the wife of our subject,
and Eliza, Mrs. F. R. Sowersby, of Chicago, Ill.
Mr. Jeffs was a tailor by trade and carried on the
business in Allegan for some time.  Later he purchased a farm two and one-quarter miles east of
Allegan, which he improved and resided on until
his decease, in 1880.
To Mr. and Mrs. Spears have been born five children: Emma L., Francis L., Rebecca E., Charles J.
and Harriet E. Francis L. is at Flag Staff, Arizona, where he is engaged in a wholesale and re

tail grocery store; Rebecca E. is a teacher in Clyde
Township, Allegan County. Socially, Mr. Speare
is an Odd Fellow, and is one of the enterprising
and well-to-do merchants of Allegan.
i ^- -7-iE- ^^^^.l~il '  7' lv^-.- >  -
O   OTT HEWITT. A worthy place among
the pioneers of Michigan was held by this
gentleman, who came hither when the
country was new and comparatively unsettled,
and, during the latter part of his life, made his
home in Kalamazoo until he died at a good old
age. His birthplace was in Lenox, Madison County,
N. Y., and the date of his birth, July 23, 1811, his
parents being Palmer and Mercy (Kimball) Iewitt.
His early years were passed upon the old homestead until his father's second marriage, when the
family became separated and were never afterward
reunited.
When ready to establish a home of his own, Mr.
Hewitt was married September 8, 1837, to Miss
Phebe, daughter of William and Mehetable (Johnson) Paddock;   She was a native of Herkimer
County, and at the time of her marriage was twenty
years old. The young couple remained on a rented
farm for two years, and, in 1839, came thence to
Jackson County, Mich., securing new land and improving a farm of one hundred and forty acres.
After embellishing it with substantial buildings,
and bringing it to a high cultivation, they sold it
and removed to another farm, in 1859.
The date of the arrival of Mr. Hewitt in Kalamazoo was 1868, and two years after his advent,
he opened a grocery store and continued thus engaged until his death, December 31, 1887. However, ill health had precluded attention to business
for six years prior to his demise. A man of stirring activities and deep interest in public measures, he found a political home within the Republican party, to which he always adhered. His
nature was retiring, and those who knew him best
were most tenderly devoted to him and most
thoroughly appreciated the depth of his nature
and warmth of his affections.
The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt is Bertrand
Palmer Hewitt, who received his education in Kal



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


319


amazoo College and at the Baptist Theological
Seminary, Chicago. Having decided to enter upon
the ministry, he was ordained at Kendall, Van
Buren County, as a minister of the Baptist Church,
and at once took charge of the church at Galesburg. His present home is in Hammond, Ind.,
where he is officiating as pastor of the church and
occupies a high place in the esteem of his congregation. The daughter of our subject is Melone
C., wife of T. A. Palmer, a farmer in Van Buren
County, whose sketch will be found elsewhere.
At present Homer Spurgeon, son of Rev. B. P.
Hewitt, an intelligent lad of sixteen, is making
his home with his grandmother and attending
the Kalamazoo College. His brother, Paul, five
years younger than himself, is with his parents
in Hammond. Mrs. Hewitt is a lady of great
charity and kindness of heart, to whom the destitute never appeal in vain, and whose benevolent
disposition finds abundant exercise in the various
lines of philanthropic work in which she is engaged.
ILLIAM G. ROWE owns and operates a
good farm of one hundred and twenty
acres on section 25, Cheshire Township,
Allegan County, of which ninety acres are under
a high state of cultivation and yield him a
golden tribute. In connection with the well-tilled
fields many improvements indicate the enterprise
and thrift of the owner. He also pays some attention to the raising of farm stock, making a specialty
of horses and now has in his possession the fine
horse, "Wilkes," four years old. He also owned at
one time "Black Iawk." In his business career he
has been quite successful and is now numbered
among the substantial citizens of the community.
Mr. Rowe was born in Cazenovia Township,
Madison County, N. Y., and is a son of William
C. Rowe, a New York farmer, born in Cortland
County. His paternal grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, who served for seven years in the
War for Independence.   W. C. Rowe wedded
Mary Andrews, a native of Madison County, N.
Y., and a daughter of William G. Andrews, who
was a Drum Major in the War of 1812. He came


to Michigan in 1841, locating in Monroe County.
For some time he served as Deacon in the Baptist
Church and was an honorable, upright man, respected by all who knew him. The parents of our
subject came to Michigan in 1844. They located
in Allegan, which was then a small hamlet, containing only a few dwellings and one store. Mr.
Rowe operated a sawmill for Justin Ely for four
years and then removed to an unimproved farm in
Watson Township. His nearest neighbor in one
direction was a mile away, and in the opposite
direction was four miles distant. The work of
progress and civilization seemed scarcely begun in
the county, and the usual hardships of pioneer life
fell to the lot of the family. The mother, who
was a consistent member of the Baptist Church,
died in 1852, and Mr. Rowe afterwards married
Nancy Martin, who is still living. His death occurred February 7, 1889, at the age of seventythree years and thirty days. He was a stanch Republican in politics. Ile served as Treasurer of Watson Township and was Highway Commissioner for
many years. His many excellencies of character
won him high regard, and his death proved a loss
to the entire community. Seven children were
born unto William and Mary Rowe, of whom four
are yet living: William G., Charles Henry, Mary
Jane, wife of W. Feek, and Alex. H. Two of the
sons served in the Civil War. Charles H., a member of the Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry, wore
the blue for nine months and was then discharged
on account of disability.
We now take up the personal history of our subject, who was born October 17, 1837, and was
therefore only seven years old when he came to
this county. Amid the wild scenes of pioneer life
he was reared to manhood and was early inured to
the hard labors of the farm. Like a dutiful son,
he remained at home until twenty years of age,
and then began life for himself, working at chopping and logging for $13 per month. In eight
months he lost only two days' time, and for over
two years was employed by Ira Chaffee in the lumber woods.
In August, 1862,Mr. Rowe donned the blue and
joined Company I,of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry,
but before mustered into the United States service,






320


IPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


— ~I


was transferred to Company L, Fourth Michigan
Cavalry, which was organized at Detroit. He enlisted as a private, but was promoted to Corporal
and served three years. The regiment went into
camp at Jeffersonville, Ind., then proceeded to Leebanon, Ky., after Gen. Morgan. There Mr. Rowe
was taken sick and sent to the hospital in Louisville, Ky. He rejoined his regiment at Murfreesboro, Tenn., and afterwards went on a fourteen
days' scouting expedition.  Later, typhoid-pneumonia again confined him to the hospital, and for
two months he lost his voice and was sent back to
Michigan. On his recovery he rejoined his regiment in Huntsville, Ala., and reported at the Provost-Marshal's office, in Stevenson.  He served
under Gen. Stanley McCook and took part in the
Wilson raid. For fourteen days he was in the
front skirmish line before Atlanta and then went
to the rear of the city, cutting the roads through
to Jonesboro, under Gen. Kilpatrick. The troops
made a desperate charge through the enemy's lines,
and later, under Gen. Stoneman, proceeded as far
as Stone Mountain, where they were surrounded
by the enemy and again broke through the ranks.
They saw much hard fighting and skirmishing and
did effective service.  They took Selmna, Ala.,
capturing three thousand prisoners and took possession of Snake Creek Gap. With five companions,
Mr. Rowe ran into a company of two hundred
rebels, who shot his horse through the neck, while
a ball burned his own cheek. By a rebel Captain
he was ordered to surrender, or his brains would
be blown out, but our subject refused. The Captain then struck him in the head with his revolver
and again made a rush at him, but was struck
down by Mr. Rowe, who escaped. His regiment
had the honor of capturing Jeff Davis. When
the war was over, and the country no longer
needed his services, he was honorably discharged,
and returned to his home.
On again coming North, Mr. Rowe turned his
attention to farming. He was married on the
28th of June, 1866, to Alice L. Barbero, daughter
of Edward and Rachel (Baldwin) Barbero, who
came to Michigan in 1853 and settled at Ohio Corners in Hopkins Township upon a raw farm. Her
father was a cooper by trade, and died in 1859.


Mrs. Barbero afterwards became the wife of Daniel
Leggett, now deceased, and she is still living at
the age of sixty years. Mrs. Rowe, who was born
in 1849, was one of three children, and by her
marriage has become the mother of three children:
Cora, Eddie and Shirley. The eldest is the wife
of John Weihner, and they have two children.
In December, 1860, Mr. Rowe settled upon the
farm which he still operates, and, although it was
then a raw tract of land, his industry and unceasing labors soon made it one of fertility. In his social relations he is a member of the Grand Army
Post B. F. Chapin, No. 287, and has been an officeholder since its organization. He exercises his
right of franchise in support of the Republican
party. He has served as member of the School
Board for nine years and has been Treasurer of the
township for six years. His retention in office
indicates the faithfulness with which he discharges
his duty and the confidence reposed in him by his
fellow-townsmen.
L         ENRY  L. MILLER, M. D.  Among the
[( prominent and most influential members of
professional and social circles of Otsego, is
the gentleman whose name we place at the
head of this sketch. Although young in years, he
has gained a breadth of view and soundness of
judgment, which, added to his naturally keen
abilities and thorough course of study, have made
him a man among men, worthy of the respect and
admiration of the people among whom he lives.
Dr. Henry L. Miller is a native of Canada, having been born, June 16,'1859, in Hamilton, Ontario. He is the son of John J. Miller, who was born
in 1830, near Berlin, Germany. The father came
to America when eighteen years of age and located near Rochester, N. Y. He remained there
for some time and later went to Hamilton, Ontario,
where he met and married the mother of our subject, and was employed in railroad business, being
connected with the construction of a portion of
the Great Western Road.
In 1862, Mr. John J. Miller came to the United










F     eSaW






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


323




States and, locating in Michigan, was given the
position of Trackmaster on the Michigan Central
Railroad from Detroit to Jackson. At the present
time he is Trackmaster for the Grand River Valley
Railroad, having held that responsible position for
the past sixteen years. He makes his home at
Hastings. The maiden name of Dr. Miller's mother
was Sophia Strophigan, a native of Germany. She
bore her husband two children, of whom the Doctor is the younger.
Our subject accompanied his parents on their
removal to the Wolverine State when he was a lad
of three years. He was given good educational
advantages, and was graduated when seventeen
years old from the seminary at Ypsilanti. Deciding to turn his attention to the practice of medicine, Dr. Miller entered the Medical Department
of the University of Michigan in 1878, and was
graduated therefrom in 1881. When receiving his
degree of Doctor of Medicine, our subject opened an
office for the practice of his profession in Hastings,
Berry County, where he remained only a twelvemonth. In 1882, he came to Otsego, where he has
since resided, and has built up a reputation as a
physician which is second to none in Allegan
County. He is well known in professional circles
and keeps thoroughly posted on all new theories
advanced by the fraternity.
Dr. Miller and Miss Mabel Yeckley were united
in marriage, December 3, 1884. Mrs. Miller was
born in Otsego, and is the daughter of E. D. and
Lydia Yeckley, a native of New  York.   Her
mother was known in her maidenhood as
Lydia Wing. She was also born in New York and
passed from this life in 1891, greatly mourned by
all who knew her. Mrs. Miller was the only child
of her parents, and received Lhe best training and
educational advantages which lay in their power
to bestow. She is a very accomplished lady and
enjoys a wide circle of acquaintance in Allegan
County. To the Doctor and his excellent wife
have been born one son, Paul, his birth occurring
February 17, 1888.
The gentleman of whom we write is independent in politics, reserving his right to vote for the
best man, regardless of party. He is, and always
has been, an ardent temperance man and has done


much toward furthering the cause of prohibition
in his community. His interest in educational matters is manifested by the fact that he served for
two terms as Moderator of the School Board. He
is a member of the Southwestern Michigan Medical Association and occupies the honored position
of Vice-president of that body. Socially, he is a
Knight of Pythias, was Chancellor Commander for
two terms and is now acting as Deputy Grand
Chancellor for Allegan County.
Dr. Miller writes a great deal for medical journals, and has recently completed a work on "Domestic Medicine." His book contains about four
hundred pages and is destined to become very
popular in the profession. Both the Doctor and
his wife are active and influential members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body our
subject is a member of the Official Board. They
are both very popular members of society in this
section and have hosts of admiring friends.
HARLES BILSBORROW, of Paw' Paw, was
born in Lancashire, England, January 25,
1809, and is the son of Robert and Esther
Bilsborrow. He was the next to the youngest in a
tamily comprising ten children, and was early
orphaned, his mother dying when he was a mere
infant and his father passing away some twelve
years later. His boyhood days were passed in his
native land, and, prior to emigrating, he gained a
common-school education and also acquired a
thorough, practical knowledge of farming pursuits.
At the age of sixteen years, our subject emigrated to this country and in the city of New York
learned the trade of a hatter, which he followed
until he was about twenty-one. He then returned
to the Mother Country and visited the scenes of
his childhood for nine months. Returning once
more to New York, he farmed two years on rented
land and then purchased one hundred and twenty.
seven and one-half acres in Ontario County, where
he remained fifteen years. Afterward he sold that
place and bought property in Niagara County.
May 22, 1844, Mr. Bilsborrow was married in
Niagara County to Miss Caroline, daughter of




324


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Jonathan and Fannie (Hubbard) Moss. Mrs. M.
Bilsborrow was born in New York, December 4,
1816, and closed her eyes to the scenes of earth
February 2, 1879. She was a lady of estimable
character and was sincerely mourned by her large
circle of acquaintances but especially by those who
knew her best. Four of her five children still
survive, namely: Edward F., who was born in
1852, and is now engaged in farming pursuits in
Antwerp Township; Louise; George, who is farming in Albion, this State; and Fred, a hardware
dealer of Paw Paw. William, the eldest child, was
born in 1846 and died in 1882, leaving two children.
In 1860 our subject sold out his interests in New
York and removed to Michigan, settling near Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, and purchasing one hundred acres of cultivated farm land. In 1866 he
came to Van Buren County, where he has since
owned three farms, at different times, and he still
retains in his possession some farming land in
Bloomingdale Township. In 1882 he removed to his
present home in the village of Paw Paw, where he
is quietly passing his declining years. Politically,
he was originally a Whig and voted for the Presidential candidate of that party in 1844. He was
always opposed to slavery and cast his ballot for
John C. Fremont, since which time he has been connected with the Republican party. For a number
of years he has been a member of the Presbyterian
Church, and as an upright citizen and generous
neighbor and friend, he is held in universal esteem.
A. lithographic portrait of Mr. Bilsborrow is presented in this connection.
BENEZER WILDER.         Now retired from
life's active duties, Mr. Wilder is passing
his declining years in the enjoyment of
the comforts which, through a long period of
hardship, he struggled to obtain. Since 1849, he
has been identified with the farming interests of
Allegan County, where he owns a fine farm  on
section 18, Martin Township, and as one of those
who have aided in the development of the county,
he is worthy of representation in this volume. New
York is his native State, and he was born in Sandy


Creek Township, Oswego County, January    23,
1817.
The father of our subject, Clark W. Wilder, was
a native either of Massachusetts or Vermont, and
removed at an early day to New York, where he
was married to Miss Pede Robins, a lady of New
Hampshire birth. She had, when fourteen years
old, removed to New York with her parents, and
there located on a farm, where her father died at
eighty-two and her mother when seventy-nine.
Clark W. Wilder and his wife had a family of ten
children, six sons and four daughters, and all but
one grew to manhood and womanhood. The twin
sister of Ebenezer died in infancy.
Until twenty-one years of age, the subject of
this sketch remained with his father, and upon
starting out for himself, he worked at various
pursuits and came to Michigan in 1849, locating
in Martin Township, Allegan County. Two years
later he was married, December 23, 1851, to Belinda, the oldest child of Mumford and Jane (Whittaker) Eldred. Mrs. Wilder was born in Catskill,
Greene County, N. Y., December 21, 1823.  Her
father was a native of Vermont, and her mother,
of Ulster County, N. Y. They were married in
Catskill and removed thence to Michigan, in 1834,
locating first in Kalamazoo, and coming from there
to Allegan County in 1836. They were the first
white family in Martin Township, where Mr.
Eldred took up forty acres of land and erected a
small log house. His death occurred when he was
four-score and four years old, in Martin's Corners,
while the mottler died when one month less than
seventy-nine years old. To them were born nine
children, seven of whom are living.  Mr. Eldred,
by a previous marriage, to Miss Ruth Carpenter,
had five children, all of whom are dead.
Mrs. Wilder was a young girl when she accompanied her parents to this county, and here she
grew to womanhood in a sparsely settled community. For nine months after settling in Martin
Township, theirs was the only white family, and
the Indian neighbors were by no means sociable,
trying to drive them away.  The nearest neighbors were in Gun Plain Township and they experienced all the privations incident to frontier
life in a new country. After th e marriage of Mr.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


325


OR        AN BIORAPICA  RECORD.325


and Mrs. Wilder, they located on section 17, on an
unimproved place of one hundred and sixty acres,
and he at once built a small log house, 18x24,
which was their home for some time.
Six children comprise the family of our subject
and hisexcellent wife, namely: Helen C., wife of
John Burgess, of Martin Township; George W.,
who is at home, asis also Albert C.; Wirt E., a
resident of California; Mary B. and Minnie A.,
who remain under the parental roof.  The farm
which our subject owns comprises seventy-eight
and one-half acres of land and is actively managed
by George W., the eldest son. Mr. Wilder is a Prohibitionist, and was at one time a member of the
Sons of Temperance in New     York, and the
Independent Order of Good Templars of Michigan.  He has served as Township Treasurer
and School Director, and in the Methodist Church,
of which he is an active member, is filling
the position of Trustee.  Mrs. Wilder is also
identified with that Church and is a lady of
great worth of character.
Mrs. Wilder is the oldest in a family of nine
children, the others being: Rev. Andrew J. Eldred,
a Methodist minister and now Chaplain of the
Ionia State Reform School; Elizabeth, deceased,
formerly the wife of James Henika, of Big Rapids,
Mich.; Stephen, a resident of Bellaire, Antrim
County, Mich.; Catherine, deceased, formerly the
wife of Dr. Ilubbard, of California; Samuel, the
first white child born in the township of Martin
(born December 10, 1836) and now a resident of
this township; Emma J., the wife of J. Youngs,
whose home is in Martin Township; Mary, now
Mrs. Charles Smith, of Allegan City; and Frankie,
who married L. L. Blair, of Big Rapids, this State.
Of Mr. Eldred's second marriage, Norman died
in Prairie Du Chien, Wis., in 1840; Mumford died
in California, leaving two children; Cornelia
married Chauncey W. Calkins, of Allegan City,
Mich., who died leaving three children; Belinda
died in Vermont; Margaret married Harmon
Myers and died leaving six daughters.
Of the brothers and sisters of our subject,
Joanna and Dexter are deceased; Leavitt makes
his home in California; Adoniram J. is a resident
of Sandy Creek, N. Y.; John lives on the old


homestead in Sandy Creek Township, Oswego
County, N. Y.; Ruth is the wife of George Cole,
of Sandy Creek, N. Y.; Ursula is now Mrs. C. M.
Totlnan, and resides in Adams, N.Y.; and Milton,
the youngest member of the family, died in Sandy
Creek, N. Y.,March 4, 1892.
j   EVI KRAUSE. Many years have passed
(  since this gentleman was called from the
A  scenes of time to eternity, but there are still
living tlose in whose memory he dwells, who
revere his uprightness, honor and devotion to the
community. Hle aided greatly in the upbuilding
of Kalamazoo and although he was taken from
earth ere the village had become a city or gained
its present fame among the other cities of the
State, he contributed his efforts to effect this desirable. result.
Born in Allentown, Pa., Mr. Krause there passed
his early years, with few advantages in the way of
an education save what could be obtained from
observation and experience. In 1836 he removed
to the great unsettled West, making his home' in
Kalamazoo from that time until the day of his
death. Four years after locating here, he was
married, October 1, 1840, in Townsend, Vt., to Miss
Mary L. Holbrook, an estimable lady, who was his
helpmate throughout his entire life and who now
survives him at an advanced age.
Mrs. Krause was born April 11, 1814, in Townsend, Vt., and spent her early years in her native
State. In the fall of 1838, she accompanied the
family of Isaiah Goodrich to Kalamazoo, where
she made her home with the wife of Maj. Ransom,
who was her mother's consin. She returned to
her old home to be married, and then accompanied
her husband to their new home in Kalamazoo.
Mr. Krause was a carpenter by trade and erected
many of the first structures of the village, where
he made his home until lie died, March 30, 1857, at
the early age of thirty-nine years.
The first planing mill in Kalamazoo was started
as the result of the efforts of Mr. Krause and he
also built and ran a sawmill at Wayland. The




326


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- - -I


cozy residence in which his widow has for fifty
years made her home was erected by him in 1841,
and he worked extensively as a contractor and
builder. He built the first Episcopal Church in
Kalamazoo-St. Luke's, erected in 1843-and was
identified with it as long as he lived. Mrs. Krause
has been a faithful member of the same church for
fifty years, being numbered among its first members and taking an active part in all society and
benevolent work.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Krause comprised
the following children: Ustick 0., who is manager for N. K. Fairbank in Montreal, Canada;
Wallace H., who is an engraver; Francis A., who
is a dealer in agricultural implements at Kalamazoo, and Fannie, who became the wife of Scott L.
Waterbury, a native of Steuben County, N. Y., and
a resident of Kalamazoo until his death July 12,
1878. Mrs. Waterbury now makes her home with
her widowed mother. A sincere Christian, Mrs.
Krause is much loved and highly respected by her
extensive circle of friends.
-. r.-..
IRIN S. HOAG is one of the representative
farmers of Geneva Township, Van Buren
County. He is at present engaged in cultivating a portion of the soil on section 12, and is
making a signal success of his calling. He was.
born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 1831, and came
to the above-named township in 1852, where he
located his present farm.
The parents of our subject were John and Elizabeth (Le Munyan) Hoag. The father was born
near Utica, N. Y., and located at an early day in
Ohio. He was of Holland-Dutch ancestry and the
mother of our subject was descended from French
stock. Orin S. Hoag and Miss Laura A. Brott were
united in marriage in 1854 and have become the
parents of four children: Watson resides in Kalamazoo; Louella is the wife of D. Robinson and
makes her home in Woodville, this State; Wilbur
and Reynolds reside at home.
In February, 1864, Mr. Hoag enlisted in the
Third Michigan Cavalry and going directly to
Arkansas remained with his regiment until the


close of hostilities. He then returned home and
has since given his entire time and attention to the
cultivation of his farm. When first coming to Van
Buren County, he experienced all the hardships incident to life in a new country. All his marketing
was done at South Haven and Breedsville and
his mail came to Lawrence which was fifteen
miles distant. Mrs. Hoag was a woman of refinement and culture and taught school one year prior
to her marriage. She died November 19, 1889.
In politics, he of whom we write is a stanch Republican and is a member of the Zach Chandler
Post No. 35, G. A. R., at South Haven.
RED    T. WARD, member of the firmi of
Henderson & Ward, publishers of the AlleA     gan Journal, was born in Newark, N. J.,
November 3, 1849, and is a descendant of the four
Ward brothers, who were among the first settlers
of that city.  After attaining a common-school
education, he entered the office of the Red Bank
(N. J.) Standard, published by an older brother, as
an apprentice, working there two years. Later he
finished learning his trade in large offices in Newark, N. J., and Worcester, Mass. At the age of
twenty-one years, he removed to Galva, Ill.,
where he purchased the Galva Journal. That paper he published six years and then sold it to form
a partnership with his brother, W. J. Ward, who
had moved to Wenona, now West Bay City, this
State.
The partnership thus formed continued in Wenona for seven years, when the brothers removed to
Flint and started a daily paper. This venture
proving disastrous, they sold out, and our subject
then took up the foremanship of the Flint Globe,
and afterward of the Flint Citizen, relinquishing
the latter to purchase a one-third interest in the
Allegan Journal and Tribune, in the spring of 1885.
At that time the firm was composed of Messrs.
Henderson, Bailey & Ward, but two years afterward it became Henderson & Ward (Mr. Bailey
selling his interest to his two partners), and has so
continued to the present time.
On June 9, 1879, Mr. Ward was married to Miss




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


327..


Kate E. Cooper, who was then a teacher in the
schools of West Bay City, and who has aided her
husband greatly by her talents as a writer and her
reportorial abilities. These abilities have brought
her recognition among the newspaper women of
the State, and she is now Vice-president of their
Women's Press Association. In politics, Mr.Ward
has always been a stanch Republican, and his active participation in political movements has given
him a wide acquaintance among the leading men
of the State. He is also an active worker in secret
society circles, being a member of the Masonic, Odd
Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Knights of Honor
societies, at this time holding the offices of Chancellor, Commander of the Knights of Pythias and
Dictator of the Knights of Honor.


~ —+ —*
+EEE4E~
ll ~   -+.\








LANSON LILLY. The gentleman whose
name we place at tie head of this sketch,
11and who is one of the prominent agriculturists of Allegan County, is farming
one hundred and twenty acres of land on section
16, Allegan Township. He was born in Franklin
County, Mass.. December 12, 1817, and is the son of
Austin and Roxana (Sears) Lilly, natives of the
Nutmeg State, where the father carried on farming.
The parents of our subject moved to Cuyahoga
County, Ohio, in 1832, where they engaged in
farming and resided until their death. The elder
Mr. Lilly was prominent in local affairs, and was
Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee of the
town of Dover, Ohio. While a resident of Massachusetts, he was Selectman. His parents were
Bethnel and Hannah (Smith) Lilly, also farmers,
who lived and died in Ashfield, Mass., after having
reared a large family of thirteen children. They
were members of the Episcopal Church. His father,
the great-grandfather of our subject, was a soldier
in the Revolutionary War, and also that of 1812.
He was of Scotch descent.
The maternal grandparents of our subject were
Roland and Jedidiah (Counant) Sears, natives of
New England, where they were farmers, and lived


and died. Their family included eight children.'
The family of Austin and Roxana Lilly numbered
ten children, four of whom are still living: our
subject, Albertus, Fayette and Smith.
Alanson Lilly was educated in the schools of
Massachusetts and Ohio, and remained at home
assisting in the duties upon the farm until reaching his majority. He was then engaged working
by the month for four years, when he purchased
a farm in Olmstead Township, Cuyahoga County,
Ohio, which he cultivated for eight years. Then,
disposing of his property, he came to Michigan in
1852, and located on a wild tract of land, which
is his present home. He applied himself industriously to clearing and improving his land, erecting for his family a board shanty, which later gave
way to a comfortable and modern residence.
In 1843 Miss Emily Miles, a native of Ashfield,
Mass., became Mrs. Alanson Lilly. She was the
daughter of Ezekiel and Sarah (Vincent) Miles,
also natives of Massachusetts, where they were
farmers and lived and died. Their family included seven children, only two of whom are living: Mrs. Huldah Smith, now aged eighty-six years,
and Mrs. Lilly.
Our subject is a member of the Presbyterian
Church, and his wife is an Episcopalian. They
have only one child, a daughter, Florana, now
Mrs. A. W. Lutts, who has a son, Harry. They
reside in the village of Allegan.
AMES H. JOHNSON, an Attorney-at-Law
at South Haven, Van Buren County, is engaged in the practice of his profession, and
is also one of the firm of Johnson & Sisson,
dealers in evaporated fruit and manufacturers of
ciders and jellies. He has always been an active
business man, and is meeting with the success which
his industry and perseverance deserve. Mr. Johnson was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., June 29,
1849, his parents being William C. and Sarah
(Brooker) Johnson. The paternal grandfather of
our subject, Peter Johnson, was born in New York
in 1795, and is still living in Onondaga County,
in that State. He has followed the occupation of






328


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD



r


r


a farmer most of his life, and at one time was engaged on the Erie Canal.
The father of our subject was born in New York,
about 1820, and still resides in his native State,
where he carries on farming. The mother of our
subject died when he was quite young, leaving a
family of three children: Peter W., a resident of Port
Orange, Fla.; our subject; and Rosalie (Mrs. Mills),
who lives in Allegan County, this State. Tile
father was married a second time, and of that union
two children were born: Albertus B., a resident of
Livingston County, N. Y.; and Sylvester P., who
lives in Monroe County, the same State.
Our subject was reared upon the farm, and received his early education in the common schools,
afterward becoming a student in the Normal School
at Oswego, N. Y. IIe resided in his native State
until twenty-two years of age, during that time
engaging in teaching school for two years. In 1871
he came West, reaching Chicago just after that city
had been destroyed by fire. He went from  there
to Sharon, Walworth County, Wis., where he
worked on a farm for one year. He then came to
South Haven, being engaged in farm work and as
a teamster for S. M. Trowbridge. After one year
spent in this way, he clerked in a store for about
the same length of time, and then went to Kalamazoo, where ie read law in the office of Severens,
Boudeman & Turner for four years, when he was
admitted to the Bar. Mr. Johnson then located at
South Haven, where he has since been engaged in
the practice of law, also carrying on the insurance and real-cstate business. He owns a tract
of three hundred acres near South Haven, and also
a quantity of land in Dakota and Nebraska.
Our subject was married in 1882 to Miss Emma
C. Williams, a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of David B. and Clara Williams, of South Haven.
One child has been born to them, but is now deceased. Mr. Johnson has held several important
offices, having been Circuit Court Commissioner,
and President of the Village Board for three terms;
he is-now Chairman of the Board of Water-works
of South Haven. He is a Republican in politics,
but is not a member of any religious or civic society. Mr. Johnson had the misfortune to have
his office destroyed by fire in July, 1891, during


I


his absence, thereby losing his fine library and all
his records. He has always been an earnest, active
business man, making his own way in the, world,
and is deserving of the success which has attended
his efforts.
r    RANCIS M. STORMS, President of the
r    l  Village  Board  of Plainwell, Allegan
/ L" County, is also carrying on an extensive
hardware establishment, and is known as a successful business man. He is a native of Michigan, being born in Otsego, January 25, 1845. His parents
were Adam D. and Martha E. (Nichols) Storms,
the former a native of New York and the latter of
Canada. They were married at Otsego, having
come to this State in 1838. Here they lived for
two years and then took up Government land in
Prairieville Township, Barry County, this State,
where the father is still living at the age of seventy-four years. The mother died in 1884 when
sixty-two years old. Of their family of five children, four are living.
Our subject was reared on the old home farm
and there received his early education. When
eighteen years old, his father gave him his time,
and he began farming for himself one mile west of
Prairieville. Iere he remained for about nineteen
years. In 1882 he came to Plainwell and engaged
in the hardware business and two years later sold
his farm. He started on a small scale, but through
his industry and perseverance he made it a success
and in 1885 was able to build his present fine brick
storeroom in which he now carries a large and
complete stock of general hardware and has an excellent trade.
Mr. Storms was married in 1864 to Miss Bessie
Mason, a native of Ricliland Township, Kalamazoo
County. She is a daughter of Edward and Clarissa
(Johnson) Mason, natives of Connecticut, who
came to Kalamazoo County, in 1838, settling in
Richland Township. The father is now living at
the advanced age of eighty-eight years, and the
mother died in 1890. Our subject and his wife
have only one child, Bernice, who was born March
10, 1872, and is a fine musician.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


329


Mr. Storms is a Democrat and lhas been a delegate
to State, county and district conventions. HIe has
been Treasurer of the Union Agricultural Society,
of Plainwell, for several years, and is now serving
his fourth term as President of the village. IHe
also served as Village Treasurer for one year.
Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows' and
the Masonic fraternities.
IFRED B. TAYLOR. One of the oldest
and most reliable merchants in Saugatuck
/Ais Alfred B. Taylor. lie does a thriving
business, and keeps a complete line of
general merchandise and by his honest and courteous treatment of customers is greatly respected
and receives a good patronage. Hle is the son of
J. Rice and Henrietta (Leonard) Taylor, natives
of New York State and England, respectively.
The maternal grandfather of our subject is a prominent merchant in Amsterdam.
Alfred B. Taylor was born in Milan, Erie
County, Ohio, October 8, 1846, and received a fair
education in the schools of his neighorhood. Iis
father was an Episcopalian minister and for a fuller
account of his history the reader is referred to his
sketch in another part of this volume. When attaining his fifteenth year, our subject began the
battle of life on his own account and went to
clerk in a general store in Allegan. That was
in 1861, and in the spring of 1868, he came to
Saugatuck and was employed by H. D. Moore. A
few years later he was taken into the firm and they
operated, under the style of H. D. Moore & Co.
Our subject continued thus engaged until 1873,
when he went into business with D. L. Barber, the
firm name being Taylor & Barber. Since January
1, 1879, however, Mr. Taylor has continued alone
and is doing a very profitable business.
In December, 1874, the gentleman of whom we
write was united in marriage with Miss Julia B.
Russell. Mrs. Taylor was the daughter of Ralph
Russell, a pioneer of Chautauqua County, N. Y.,
and by her union with our subject has become the
mother of three children: Russell Rice, who was
born January 15, 1877; Bessie H., born May 11,


1879 and Alfred B., Jr., born August 13, 1882.
Russell is attending the Kenyon Military Academy
at Ganbier, Ohio. The two younger children are
being given good educations in the home schools.
Our subject, although no politician, casts his
vote and influence in favor of the Republican
party. I-e has held many of the offices within the
gift of the people to bestow and is greatly respected as a man of honor and integrity. The
members of his family are all Episcopalians. He
is identified with Saugatuck Lodge, No. 328, A. F.
& A. M., and is also an Odd Fellow, having been
Past Grand Master in that order in 1880. William W. Taylor, a brother of our subject, is a prominent minister in the Episcopal Church in Philadelphia..L - jr<, —..
i  ENRY HIBBARD STIMSON, M. D. This
)! prominent gentleman is one of the leading
/  physicians of Saugatuck as well as one of
(i9  the pioneers of Allegan County. IHe is the
son of Ephraim and Mary (Hibbard) Stimson, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Vermont.
They removed to New York State many years ago,
where the Doctor was born July 2, 1826. He had
the misfortune to lose his parents when he was a
lad of six years and at that early age was thrown
upon the cold charities of the world.
After the death of his parents our subject went
to Vermont to make his home with his grandparents. In 1834, however, he came West to Ohio and
was employed as a farm hand for two years, and
in 1836 came to the then Territory of MIichigan
when he was only ten years of age. IHe located
in Allegan County, which was then a part of
Kalamazoo County, and lived for six years at what
is now Plainwell, being engaged in whatever he
could find to do. At the age of sixteen, our young
hero conceived the idea of becoming a physician,
but being without money he realized that he would
have to put forth great effort to attain to his desired
ambition.
Our subject began teaching school in the old pioneer log school-house, which occupation he followed for four years, when he began reading med



330


PORTRAIT AND BI[OGRAPHICAL RECORD.


33  P


icine under Dr. E. N. Upjohn. Previous to this,
however, he had devoted all his leisure moments
to the study of physiology and anatomy. On attaining his twenty-fifth year he had acquired sufficient skill and knowledge of the medical profession
to begin its practice, which he did in Allegan
County. In 1858, Dr. Stimson came to Saugatuck
which he has made his home ever since that
time. In 1868 he attended tile Bennett Medical
College in Chicago, from which he received the
degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Dr. Stimson was married to Miss Mary Forbes in
1852. Mrs. Stimson was the daughter of John
Forbes, of Plainwell. She has proved a great aid
to her worthy husband in attaining to his present
high standing among the profession, and to her he
gives due credit. Their marriage has been blest
by the birth of four children, all of whom are
deceased. Their eldest son, Charles F., died at the
age of twenty-five; William Henry died in infancy;
Alice Mary died when eighteen years old, and William Hibbard met his death by drowning, aged
nineteen years.
Our worthy subject came to Allegan County
when it bore little resemblance to its present condition. He has done much for the development
of the county and as a man of principle and integrity his influence is as powerful in an unconscious
way as it is helpful by intent. Politically, Dr.
Stimson is identified with the Democratic party.
His popularity in his community is manifested by
the fact that he has been the recipient of all the
township offices within the gift of the people.
Socially, he is a member of Lodge No. 328, A. F.
& A. M., and is also an Odd Fellow. The family
are all members of the Episcopal Church, and are
highly esteemed in this section.
ARWIN E. WHITE, who is a highly respected citizen of Plainwell, Allegan
County, where he carries on a general
blacksmith shop, was born in Climax, Kalamazoo County, this State, November 25, 1844.
His father, who bore the same name as himself,
died when our subject was only three years old. He


came from Pennsylvania to Michigan in an early
day, and followed the business of a clothier. His
mother, whose maiden name was Aurinda M. Newman, also a native of Pennsylvania, is still living,
as are four of the six children born to her.
Our subject gained his early education in the
district schools, and at sixteen years of age commenced learning the blacksmith trade in Otsego,
where he served an apprenticeship of three years.
In the fall of 1863, he enlisted in Company K,
First Michigan Cavalry, under the command of
Col. Charles Towne. He joined his regiment at
Washington, D. C., and spent the following winter
in camp at Culpeper, Va. The first fight in which
he took part was the battle of the Wilderness.
Following this were the engagements at Five Forks,
Trevilian Station, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and
one near Petersburg. Mr. White had the good
fortune to be present at the surrender of Gen. Lee,
which practically terminated the war. He also witnessed the Grand Review of the troops at Washington. His regiment was then ordered to Texas,
but only got as far as St. Louis, being then sent to
Leavenworth and from there across the plains to
Salt Lake City. Mr. White received his discharge
at Salt Lake City November 10, 1865. He enlisted
as a blacksmith and shod horses for some time, but
was afterward promoted and was mustered out as a
Quartermaster-Sergeant. During the fight at Mill
Run, Va., lie had a horse shot from under him and
his spine was severely injured, from which he was
laid up in the hospital for about three weeks.
After the close of the war, Mr. White returned
to Otsego and worked at his trade for a short time.
He then purchased a half interest in a shop at
Wayland, and carried on the business for several
years. In 1876 he removed to Plainwell where he
has since carried on his trade, in 1885 purchasing
his present shop. The marriage of our subject
took place December 25, 1866, when he was united
to Miss Lydia A. Stearns, who is a native of New
York. She is the daughter of Henry W. and Jane
(Bruce) Stearns, who came from their native State
to Michigan, settling in Gun Plains Township,
where they carried on a farm. They are now living in Plainwell.
Mr. and Mrs. White are the parents of three




I






I


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


333


children: Izora B., the wife of Harry D. Gilmore,
who is employed in the office of the Rock Island
& Pacific Railroad Company. He is the son of
Gen. Gilmore, who was formerly Postmaster at
Chicago. Ray L. and Eva are both at home. All
the children have received good educations, and
Ray L. is a graduate of the public school. Mr.
White is a Republican in politics, and has been a
member of the village Board. IIe has been associated with the Masonic fraternity, and is at present
Master of the lodge at Plainwell, in which capacity
he has served for six years. He is Assistant Chief
of the Plainwell Fire Company, and belongs also
to the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. White is a popular man and is highly respected, not only on account of his honesty and
integrity, but for his record as a gallant soldier.
EORGE B. NICHOLS, M. D., of Martin,
was born in Naples Township, Ontario
County, N. Y., June 12, 1827. His father,
Alfred, was a native of Hartford, Conn., where he
was boin in 1802, and, being orphaned at an early
age, was thrown upon his own resources when still
quite young. He learned the trade of a wagonmaker, which he carried on in Naples, N. Y., prior
to his removal to Michigan. During his residence
in Naples he was married to Miss Angeline Lyon,
who was born and reared in Naples, N. Y., and
died in this State in 1873. Her father, Simeon
Lyon, was a native of the Green Mountain State,
and had the distinction of being the first settler
on the Holland Purchase in Naples, N. Y. Our
subject's great aunt, on his mother's side, was the
first white woman who settled in the village of
Naples.
The parents of our subject removed to this
State in 1864, and the father, who still survives
and makes his home with the Doctor, has the
honor of being the oldest resident of Martin
Township. Our subject, who was the oldest member of the family, is the only one now surviving,
the others, William and John M., having passed
away in New York. George B. Nichols was reared


in his native place, and remained with his father
until he reached his majority, in the meantime receiving his first schooling in Naples, where he also
finished his education. At the age of twenty-one
he commenced to read medicine with his uncle,
Lester Sprague, of Naples, and spent five years in
studying with him and attending the medical college at Geneva. He was graduated in 1852 from
Castleton College, of Vermont.
After completing his medical course, the young
Doctor formed a partnership with his uncle at Naples as a practicing physician, and continued thus
connected until 1858, when he came to Allegan
County, and located where he now resides, in
Martin Township. At the time of his removal
hither, he was so poor that he had only $1 to pay
on the house where he now lives, but notwithstanding his poverty, he worked industriously and
without discouragement until lie now has a competency of this world's goods. In 1853 he was
married in Naples, N. Y., to Eunice M. Watkins,
who was born in that place November 1, 1832.
Her parents, Bingham and Mary Watkins, came to
Miclhigan at an early day, and remained in this
State until called hence by death, the father passing away in Calhoun County, and the mother in
St. Joseph County.
Dr. Nichols and his wife are the parents of seven
children, as follows: Mary A., the wife of J. B.
Watkins, of Grand Rapids; Cora E., who is at
home; Lillian M., who graduated as a trained
nurse, and is now residing in Grand Rapids; Nettie M., who is with her parents; George B.,Jr.,who
married Mary Noble, and resides in Martin; Grace,
who is at home; and Jessie, who died when one
and one-half years old. The Doctor has been in
practice in Martin for the past thirty-four years,
and is well known in the county as one of its foremost practitioners and public-spirited citizens. IIe
is a member of the board of Pension Examiners
and goes to Allegan every Wednesday to examine
pension-seekers.
The Doctor cast his first ballot for Van Buren
and Adams, in 1818, and since the organization
of the Republican party, has been a firm adherent
of its principles. He has served as School Inspector, Town   Clerk, Superintendent of the






334


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-- — I ---


Schools of Martin Township, and was Postmaster
of Martin for four years, during the administration of President Garfield. Since the year of his
arrival in this county, he has been in school offices
and is now Director of the High School, and one
of the most prominent men in educational work.
He a Mason and a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, while during the late war
he belonged to the Union League. Although he
is not connected with any church, he is liberal in
his contributions toward all denominations and
has aided them often and generously in a financial
way.
Accompanying this personal sketch may be
found a portrait of Dr. Nichols.
OSEPH W. HICKS. Among the most prominent business men of Plainwell, Allegan
County, may be mentioned the gentleman
whose name heads this sketch, and who is a
member of the well-known firm of Soule & Iicks,
owners and managers of the Plainwell Exchange
Bank.   Mr. Hicks has been very successful in his
business enterprises and has acquired an enviable
reputation for integrity and honesty in all his
dealings.  He is a native of Nassau Township,
Rensselaer County, N. Y., his birth taking place
April 15, 1836. His father, John Hicks, was born
in the same county in 1808.
Joseph Hicks, grandfather of our subject, was
also a native of New York, and was a relative of
the famous Elias Hicks, founder of the IHicksite
branch of the Quaker sect. The Hicks family
came from England in the early history of this
country and were prominent people in the section
where they live. Joseph Iicks was a farmer by
occupation and was at one time Sheriff of Rensselaer County. He died in 1812. John Hicks, the
father of our subject, was reared by an uncle, his
father having died when he was but four years old.
He married in his native county and lived upon a
farm until 1836. In the fall of, that year, he came
with his family to Michigan, settling in Rome
Township, Lenawee County. The country at that
time was almost a wilderness and our subject re

members when a boy going after the cows and seeing many deer, and also occasionally meeting with
wolves and bears. Mr. Hicks, Sr., was for many
years an active member of the Baptist Church, and
was one who helped to organize the first church in
this part of the State, soon after his arrival here.
He died in 1881, when seventy-three years old.
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was
Jane Winegar, was a native of Rensselaer County,
N. Y., and of German descent. Like her husband,
she was a consistent member of the Baptist
Church. She died in 1880 at the age of sixty-eight
years.
Mr. Hicks is the second of the three children in
the parental family, all of whom are living. He
had the same meager opportunities for education
as other boys of that time, attending school in the
old fashioned log schoolhouse, with its primitive
seats and desks made out of slabs, his schooling being gained at times when he was not otherwise engaged. Much of his studying was done at night
by the light of the fire of logs.  The life of a
farmer's boy, with its hard work, long days and
little recompense, did not satisfy his ambitious disposition, and he was anxious to fit himself for
teaching, so that he could earn some money by the
time he became of age. His father did not look
with favor upon his plans but he finally, by the
help of his mother, succeeded in getting his father's
consent to attend school. The father, however,
imposed the condition on him, that if he gave him
his time he should not expect any farther help
from home. On the morning of August 26, 1853,
the boy left his home to try his fortune in the
world. His father gave him $16, with the parting
words, "Joe, that is your portion; make your way
and your mark in life and do not call on me for
a dollar," and he kept his word. It was not on account of any harshness on his part, but he thought
the boy would soon get tired of his new life and
come back to the farm.
Our subject came direct to Kalamazoo, this
State, and entered the college at that place and he
remembers the first few weeks as being the longest
he ever spent. I-e worked his way through college, doing various things to raise money-in the
vacations teaching, etc, He received his room rent




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


335




and incidental expenses in exchange for instructions in vocal music, hehaving acquired a knowledge of that branch in country singing-schools at
his old home. IHe entered the Junior preparatory
department and completed a six years' course in
four years and eight weeks, making up the extra
time. His hobby was mathematics and while he was
still pursuing his other studies in a preparatory
course, he was engaged in teaching his branch in
the Sophomore classes. He was graduated in June,
1859. He then taught music and singing-school
for some time and subsequently entered the office
of the County Clerk of Kalamazoo County as Deputy, remaining there for one year. He then spent
a year in the office of the lion. Charles S. May,
Lieutenant-Governor of Michigan, studying law.
His health failed and by the advice of a physician
he sought outdoor exercise.
In the spring of 1863, Mr. Hicks came to Plainwell and purchased a farm in Gun Plain Township,
comprising one hundred acres. In the fall of the
same year, he was called to fill the chair of Mathematics in Kalamazoo College, made vacant by the
resignation of Prof. Edward Olney. Ie filled this
position for one year, when he returned to his
farm, where he remained until 1866, when he sold
the place, having made off of it in three years as
much as he paid for it. In the fall of 1866, he
located in Plainfield where he was nominated on
the Republican ticket for County Surveyor without his knowledge. He was elected and served for
six successive terms, comprising twelve years. In
1876 he purchased an interest in the Plainwell
Exchange Bank with which he has since been connected.
Mr. Hicks was married in 1860 to Miss Helen
Davis, a native of Seneca Falls, N. Y. She came
to Michigan  with  her parents in 1838, they
settling near Galesburg, Kalamazoo County. The
father died in 1855 and the mother is still living
at the age of seventy-eight years. Mr. Hicks has
always been a Republican and has taken a great
interest in all matters concerning the welfare of
his county and State. lie has held many prominent offices and is intimately connected with the
history of the town in which lie resides. In 1869
the village of Plainwell was incorporated and Mr.


Iicks was chosen  Chairman of the Committee
which drafted the first charter. H-e was elected the
first President of the village and served seven years.
He has been connected with the management of
its affairs either as President or member of the
Council for fourteen years. He has been a frequentdelegate to State and county conventions
and when his present term has expired will have
been a member of the School Board for twenty-two
years. He is also one of the Trustees of Kalamazoo College. He was one of the Directors of the
Kalamazoo and Allegan Railroad at the time that
road was built. It is now known as the Lake
Shore. Hle is a stock-holder in the Michigan Paper
Company and is Vice-president of the corporation.
Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge
and Encampment.
Mr. Hicks and his wife are both active members
of the Baptist Church and respond liberally to
all calls made upon their time and purse. They
are held in the highest estimation by all classes of
society.
S  ETH W. LOVERIDGE. This owner and
resident, located on the fine farm on section 3, Ganges Township, Allegan County,
was born in Monroe County, N. Y., December 20, 1824. His tract of one hundred and
forty acres is under excellent improvement, twenty
acres of it being in fruit. At the time it came
into his possession, it was entirely covered with
hard-wood timber, but by persistent industry and
good judgment he has brought it to a high degree
of cultivation.
The parents of our subject were Caleb and Mary
Loveridge.  The father was born in Deerfield,
Mass., in 1792, and received a thorough training
in farm duties. He remained at home until reaching his majority, in the meantime serving an apprenticeship at the cooper's trade, which occupation he followed through life. While in the
Nutmeg State, Caleb Loveridge met and married
the mother of our subject, whose maiden name was
Mary, daughter of Jacob and Matilda Loomis,
both of whom were natives of Connecticut.






336


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


336  PORTRI    N


Soon after their marriage the parents of Seth
W. removed to Monroe County, N. Y., where they
located on a farm and spent the remainder of their
days. They became the parents of six children,
whose record follows: Lucretia, who is deceased;
Alfred; Seth W., our subject; Mary A. and Hubbell, both deceased; and Louisa. In politics, Mr.
Loveridge was a Jacksonian Democrat and was a
very prominent man in his community. He was a
patriot in the War of 1812.
Seth W. Loveridge made his home with his parents until reaching his majority, when he went to
work on a farm, being thus engaged for three
years. While in New York he was married, in
1849, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Joseph and
Mehitable Collins. Soon after that event, they
emigrated to Oakland County, this State, where
they located on a farm and remained for three
years.  Then, in 1852, Mr. Loveridge went to
California, and worked in the gold mines for three
years. He was very successful in that venture,
and returning to Michigan, located with his family in Allegan County, where he purchased his present farm of one hundred and forty acres, which
was then a dense wilderness. He at once erected
a "shanty" and commenced the improvement of
his estate. He has lately erected a beautiful residence on his property and is ranked among the
progressive and intelligent citizens of Ganges
Township.
To our subject and his first wife were born two
children: Judson, who died at the age of eleven
years, and Frank, now residing in Saugatuck
Township, Allegan County. After the death of
his wife, Mr. Loveridge married Charlotte Collins,
a sister of his former companion, and to them
have been born a daughter, May. Both our subject and his wife are members of the Baptist
Church, and in politics, Mr. Loveridge is a Republican, though in early life he supported Democratic principles.
In 1864, our subject entered the service 'of his
country by enlisting in Company H, Thirteenth
Michigan Infantry. He was under the command
of Gen. Sherman, and with his regiment participated in the famous march to the sea and the battles fought at Savannah and Bentonville. He


took part in the Grand Review at Washington,
and received his honorable discharge at Detroit,
June 20, 1865. Socially, our subject is a member
of Jacob Fry Post, No. 46, G. A. R., of Ganges.
Mr. Loveridge, besides his home farm, owns
forty acres in Saugatuck Township, twenty acres
of which is in peaches, five acres in apples and
one acre in grapes. He is a man whose cordial,
kindly spirit has made him warm friends, and we
are pleased to present his sketch to our readers.
WILLIAM WHITE is a prosperous farmer
who resides on section 15, Monterey Township, Allegan County, where he owns one
hundred acres of finely improved land, and also
forty acres on section 11. He is the son of Josiah
and Fannie (Mann) White, natives of Pennsylvania
and Connecticut, respectively. Iis father was one
of the pioneers of Ashtabula County, where he
settled about 1810, when all that section was a
wilderness. Hie was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Both his grandfather and great-grandfather took
part in the War of the Revolution.
The subject of this sketch was born in Ashtabula
County, Ohio, May 3, 1829, and was reared upon
his father's farm, remaining there until he was
twenty-one years of age, when he went to the
lumber woods in Bay County, Mich. After spending about eighteen months there, he came, in 1853,
to Allegan County and took up the land of which
his father had obtained the land-warrant in 1812.
On March 4, 1861, Mr. White was united in marriage with Adelia C. Cady, a native of Ohio. Her
father was a native of Canada, and her mother a
native of Ohio; they now reside in Allegan County.
Mr. and Mis. White are the parents of four children: Orvis W., who married May Simmons and
resides in Antrim County, Mich.; George E., who
is engaged in lumbering in Idaho; Perry, who died
at the age of fourteen months, and Lee C., who is
at home and attending school. They also adopted
a daughter, Mary, who is still at home with them.
In 1864, Mr. White enlisted in Company B,
Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, serving until the








li t




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


339.


close of the war, and being with Sherman in his
celebrated march to the sea. He was discharged
August 6, 1865. In 1879 he purchased the farm
on which he now resides, and which is highly cultivated, giving evidence of the careful management and personal supervision of its owner. Mr.
White is a man of energy and enterprise, and is
highly esteemed as a public-spirited citizen. He
is a member of Harlow Briggs Post, No. 80, G. A.
R., and was its first Commander. He belongs to
Monterey Grange, No 247, of which he has been
Master.  Politically, he is a Democrat and an
ardent advocate of the principles of that party.
His popularity is shown by the fact that he has
been Supervisor of Monterey Township for nine
terms, although there is a large Republican majority in the township. He has also held the offices
of Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace and member
of the School Board.
J   AMES M. GRAY. In a volume of a biographical nature, prominent mention should
certainly be made of Mr. Gray, who is a
leading and wealthy citizen of Van Buren
County. In his life is exemplified the results of
enterprise and determination, and the example
which he furnishes to the young is well worthy of
emulation. A personal acquaintance with him reveals the fact that while he devotes the closest attention to his business enterprises, he nevertheless
is greatly interested in all measures having for
their object the promotion of the community, socially or morally. lie is particularly interested in
the development of the resources of Breedsville,
where he has resided for many years. His portrait
appears in connection with this biographical notice.
Among the brave soldiers who served in the
War of 1812, was James Gray, Sr., father of our
subject. He was a mere lad at the time of the conflict, havingbeen born July 5, 1795. In his youth,
he learned the trade of a millwright in his native
State, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to New
York in his early manhood, and was there married
to Miss Jane Haynes. This lady was born in the
Empire State, August 23, 1798, and became the


mother of seven children, namely: Valina, Joseph
H., Thomas F., Elias O., James M., Mary E. and
W. R. Mrs. Jane Gray died October 15, 1847.
She was a sincere member of the Presbyterian
Church, a devoted wife and a loving mother, and
her noble traits of character placed her in high esteem in the community where she resided.
About 1832, the father of our subject removed
from New York to Ohio, where for one year
he operated a sawmill, which he built on the Maumee River. Later he came to Michigan, where he
managed a gristmill and sawmill for more than
one year, and then, in the fall of 1835, came to
Lawrence Township, Van Buren County. Purchasing a farm of eighty acres he at once set to work
to effect its improvement, and meanwhile also
worked at his trade. In 1853, he sold his property
and removed to Breedsville, but after a sojourn of
three years in that city, returned to Lawrence
Township, where he died, July 28, 1873. Throughout this portion of the State, he was quite well
known, and his labors as a pioneer and pubiicspirited citizen increased his popularity and influence. He served in various township offices and
was a Democrat in politics.
After the death of his first wife, Mr. Gray, Sr.,
was married to Miss Mary Skelton, a native of
England, and some time after her demise was
united to Mrs. Laura Orr. Two children were born
to them, Ella and Rilla. Mrs. Laura Gray still
survives and makes her home in Lawrence Township. The subject of this sketch was born December 9, 1828, and was reared on a farm, receiving
the advantages of a common-school education.
When four years old, he accompanied his parents
in their removal from his native place in Lakeville, Livingston County, N. Y., to the Buckeye
State, and from there to Michigan a short time
afterward. In his youth he aided his father on the
home farm, and when twenty-four engaged as a
clerk in a store at Breedsville.
In 1857, Mr. Gray entered into business with
his father-in-law, and the partnership thus formed
continued until 1867, when our subject purchased
the stock and operated it alone until the spring of
1888. Since 1882, he has owned and managed a
gristmill at Lawrence, and has been successful in






340


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIHICAL RECORD.


— I


his milling operations. He takes considerable interest in local political affairs, and has served as
Clerk of Columbia Township for three years, as
well as Supervisor. In his political sympathies, he
adheres to the principles of the Democratic party,
and socially is identified with the Knights of
Pythias.
The marriage of Mr. Gray, July 1, 1858, united
him with Miss Mary A. Painter, who was born in
Cass County, Mich., August 5, 1841, and is a
daughter of Lorenzo and Betsey Painter. Mr. and
Mrs. Gray became the parents of two children:
Lillian J.,wife of George W. Fisher, and Rosamond,
now Mrs. Byron J. Robertson. Mr. Robertson is
Mr. Gray's successor in the mercantile business at
Breedsville, which he has conducted with success
since he assumed control in 1888. The death of
Mrs. Gray, May 11, 1868, removed one from earth
who had been an efficient helpmate to her husband,
a devoted mother, and worthily filled her sphere
in life. Mr. Gray is well known as a man of strict
integrity and has received the reward of his meritorious life in the good-will of his numerous
friends.
OHN C. WHEELER. During the period of
almost fifty years in which Mr. Wheeler has
made his home in Allegan County, he has
become well known to its citizens as a kindhearted and generous man, of unflinching integrity
and upright life. He is especially popular in Martin Township, where he has resided the greater
portion of his life, and where he owns his father's
old homestead of one hundred and twenty-five
acres. However, he is not engaged in agricultural
pursuits, but rents his farm and devotes his time
to hunting and fishing. He is a devoted follower
of Isaac Walton and an expert both with the gun
and the fishing rod.
A native of this State, Mr. Wheeler was born in
Fairfield Township, Lenawee County, May 31,
1840. William S., his father, was a native of New
York, and was born in Marion Township, Wayne
County, in 1810. At a very early day he emigrated
to this State, where he resided in Lenawee County


several years, removing thence to Wayne County,
N. Y., and there sojourning about four years. In
1844, he came direct to Allegan County, locating
on section 8, Martin Township, and commenced
the improvement of the tract of land which he had
purchased. In the spring of 1845, he built a small
log house, into which he moved when only half of
the roof had been placed thereon. There he remained until he died, at the age of seventy-six
years.
A prominent man of this community, William
S. Wheeler was well known, first as a Whig and
later as a Republican. He served as Supervisor of
his township, Justice of the Peace for twelve years,
Town Clerk, and in other official positions of trust
and responsibility. The mother of our subject,
whose maiden name was Mary M. Cook, was born
in Palmyra Township, Ontario County, N. Y., in
1815, and is still living at the age of seventy-six.
Her father, John Cook, was a native of Dorset, Vt.,
and removed first to New York and later to Michigan, locating, in 1844, in Martin Township.
The family of which our subject was a member
comprised two children. Cyrus B., the elder son,
enlisted in the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry and
was wounded in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain,
dying in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn. John C.,
the younger son, was four and one-half years old
when he came with his parents to Martin Township,
and his schooling was received in a log building
near his father's home. He was married, September
30, 1862, to Mary J., the daughter of Charles and
Margaret Benson, and with his young wife located
on section 8, Martin Township, where he operated
as a farmer and made his home in a small frame
house. In 1876, he removed to the place where
he now resides, a fine farm, which has first-class
improvements and a substantial set of buildings.
Mr. Wheeler has been deeply bereaved, for he
has been called to mourn the death of his four
children, and on September 24, 1890, his loving
and faithful wife passed from earth and her body
now lies buried in the Martin Cemetery. Mr.
Wheeler took for his second wife Miss Katie Wall,
daughter of Edward and Agnes (Peel) Wall, natives of England. Mrs. Wheeler was born in Martin Township, September 11, 1866. Her marriage






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


341


with our subject took place at the home of her
parents, on the 30th of March, 1892.
Politically, Mr. Wheeler is a strong Republican,
and devoted to the measures which will benefit his
community. At one time he was elected Justice
of the Peace, but did not qualify; he also served
as Constable for six years, and in other positions
of local responsibility and importance. He has a
host of warm  personal friends in the township
where he has lived for so many years and is universally esteemed and respected.
RSON G. VAHUE. This gentleman, who is a
member of the firm of Vahue & Brand, proprietors of the City Meat Market at Allegan,
is one of the substantial business men of Allegan
County. His parents, Philip and Arminda A.
(Gillett) Vahue, were natives of Vermont, whence
they came to Michigan as early as 1854, settling
in Allegan, Allegan Township. Here the father,
who was a farmer by occupation, operated an extensive tract of land and was also engaged in the
lumber business. When the Civil War broke out,
his patriotism  was aroused and, although over
fifty years of age, he enlisted in the Sixth Mlichigan
Infantry, but was not allowed to muster in on account of his defective teeth, he being unable to
bite off the end of a cartridge. HI was, however,
not to be discouraged in this way, but tried again,
and finally succeeded in becoming a member of
the Third Michigan Artillery, as Baggage Master.
He was in the service fourteen months, when he
was taken ill and sent home, being discharged on
account of disability and dying a few years afterward.
Mr. Vahue was a strong Republican and intensely
loyal to the Union, having a detestation of the
men who were in sympathy with the seceders, as
well as those who were actively engaged in seeking
to procure the disruption of the Union. He was a
man of excellent habits, never used tobacco or
spirituous liquors and, with his wife, was a devoted
member of the Baptist Church, in which they took
a prominent and influential part. This worthy






couple were the parents of seven children, of whom
three are now living: Mrs. Phidelia L. Peet, of
Allegan; Charles S., a farmer of Allegan Township;
and our subject.
Orson G. Vahue was educated in the district
schools of Allegan Township, afterward attending
for two years the High School in Allegan. He was
reared upon the farm and remained with his parents
until their death. He now owns a part of the old
homestead, to which he has made large additions,
and has one of the finest and best conducted farms
in the county, comprising one hundred and sixty
acres. On this he has excellent buildings, a handsome residence costing $3,000, and numerous horse
and other barns, the former costing $1,000. In
addition to his farming operations, he has made a
specialty of raising fine draft horses, and has excellent stock of other kinds. The firm of Vahue &
Brand owns a good brick block in the centerof
the village, where they carry on their business, and
also nine acres of land, which they also use in
their butchering operations.
Mr. Vahue was married, November 2, 1869, to
Miss Ella Nichols, a daughter of John S. Nichols,
of Spencerport, N. Y. Three sons have been born
to them: Frank, Ray P. and Earl. Mr. Vahue belongs to the Democratic party and has held various
responsible positions in the village, having been a
member of the School Board and President of the
Ailegan County Agricultural Society, ex-President
of the Village Board and one of its members at
the present time. He has also been Chairman of
the Financial Committee and one of the Street
Committee. He is looked upon as one of the substantial men of his community, who may be counted
upon to assist in every laudable undertaking.
ILLIAM M. KENNEY. This gentleman is
one of the pioneer settlers of Covert Township, Van Buren County, having taken up
his residence here in the fall of 1860. He was
born in Halton County, Canada, April 10, 1824.
His father, Samuel D. Kenney, was a native of
Pennsylvania, where he was born April 4, 1797.
He married Lucy Robbins, who was a native of




342


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Massachusetts, the date of her birth being November 13, 1802. Their marriage took place in Canada, to which place their respective families had
moved just after the War of 1812. The father of
our subject was a blacksmith, and during the War
of 1812 was in the employ of the British Government, from which he received two hundred acres
of land in Halton County in return for his services, and on which he settled after his marriage.
Here he passed his remaining years, dying at-the
age of eighty-two. His wife departed this life
October 17, 1860.   They were the parents of
twelve children as follows: Timothy C., William
M., Elizabeth Ann, Rebecca M., Samuel W., John
S., David R., Lucyntha, Ruth Emily, Nathan C.,
George C. and Joseph F.
Our subject was reared upon his father's farm,
and March 10, 1846, was married to Miss Mary
Sherburne who was born in Canada, in Halton
County, May 24, 1825. Mr. Kenney followed
farming for some years and later engaged in the
nursery business, but the climate proving too cold
for him he came to Michigan and settled in Covert
Township,then known as Deerfield Township. The
country was at that time wild and entirely unimproved, the place which he purchased being covered
with timber. This, with much labor, he cleared off
and cultivated, making of it a fine farm of forty
acres, where lie has ever since resided. Our subject
and his wife are the parents of the following
children: James W., a merchant at Covert and
South Haven; Mary J. (Mrs. George E. Sherbourne),
of South Haven; Lucy A., the wife of Lyman Carpenter of Covert; Samuel D., a merchant at Covert;
Cynthia A. (Mrs. Frank Reed), of Chicago; Lottie
E. (Mrs. E. G. Allen) and Emma, wife of Beuna
Marvin, both of whom reside at Chicago, and William M.
In politics, Mr. Kenney is a Republican and has
held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Supervisor, both however, to fill vacancies, as he has no
taste for public life and prefers to devote his attention to his home and business. TIe was formerly
connected with the Methodist Episcopal and also
with the Congregational Church and although now
not a member of either, leads an upright Christian
life. He is paying considerable attention to the rais

ing of fruit and has been very successful in grafting
trees, of which he does considerable for other
parties. He and his family are well known throughout the county, and stand high in the estimation
of all who come in contact with them.
C-' -   |S++++/. *~+~*+++?,
( ETH K. TANNER, who is a prominent
farmer and breeder of standard bred horses,
1)3   resides on section 22, Monterey Township,
Allegan County, where he owns one hundred and fifty acres of fine land, highly cultivated
and well improved with good buildings. He is a
son of Joseph and Lydia (Kenyon) Tanner, natives of the State of New York, where the subject
of this sketch was born in Washington County,
March 17, 1836.
The father of our subject came to Allegan
County when the latter was but nine years of age
and located upon the farm now owned by his son.
There were only about twenty-eight acres cleared,
and the young man assisted his father in the hard
labor necessary to make a comfortable home, and
continued in this occupation until twenty-one
years of age, in the meantime acquiring his education at the district schools. In 1862, Mr. Tanner
was happily married to Mary Brown, a daughter
of Watson Brown, also a native of the Empire State,
but who removed to Massachusetts some years
after his daughter was born. Four children have
been born to our subject and his wife, two of whom
survive: Ella M., who is at home with her parents
and Joseph Roy, who is attending the business
college at Kalamazoo.
Mr. Tanner has made his own way in the world
starting out at the age of twenty-one with $50 in
cash and a yoke of steers. He was successful in his
various undertakings and after his father's death
in 1871 he bought out the other heirs and took
possession of the old homestead.  Ilere he is
busily engaged in operating his farm and also in
breeding horses, of which he has now about twentyfive head. Ile inherited his love for this animal
from his father and takes great interest in raising
the grade of the animals used in this country.
Among his horses is "Cellery King" No. 13,506, a












I
I ; e




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


345


---— I ---


three-year-old of great promise. He also owns another fine stallion, "Magna Wilkes" by name, which
for beauty has not an equal in the county and from
his breeding and build will make a fine record
among the fast horses on the turf. Our subject has
several other fine colts that promise great results in
the future; among them is a fine three-year-old inbred "Black Hawk." lHe also has a fine line of Jersey
cattle in which lie takes great pride. I-e has long
been engaged in breeding horses and cattle. He
thoroughly understands the business and fully
realizes the fact that it is just as cheap to raise a
fine animalas it is to raise a scrub. Mr. White has
two good dwelling-houses on his farm and is enjoying life as only an independent farmer can.
Politically, he is a Republican, and has held various local offices. He and his family are highly esteemed in their community.
E DWARD J. LANE, of Arlington Township,
a prosperous farmer of Van Buren County,
has a noble military record for valor and
fidelity to the Union cause during the late war,
that contributed to the high reputation of one of
Michigan's most gallant cavalry regiments. Mr.
Lane was born in the year 1831, in Lewis County,
N. Y. His parents were Zebina and Polly (Sykes)
Lane, who were natives of Hartford, Conn. His
paternal grandfather, who was born in England,
but came to America early in life, was a brave
soldier in the ranks of the Continental Army during the revolution that freed the American colonies
from British rule.
Our subject is the youngest of eight children,
as follows: Horace,a resident of Jefferson County,
N. Y.; Juliette, who married John Bailey, and
with her husband died in Lewis County, N. Y.;
Zebina, Jr., who lives in that county; Betsy A.,
wife of Truman P. Greene, of Lewis County, N.Y.;
Francis, deceased; Emeline, who became the wife
of Jacob Ausman, of Lawrence, Mich.; James, who
served in the army and gave up his life for his
country during the war, and Edward J.
Our subject spent his early life amid the pleasant
scenes of his birth, and after attaining manhood


married and settled in his native county. In 1855
he determined to avail himself of the many excellent advantages offered to a practical, wide-awake
farmer by the rich soil and cheap lands of Van
Buren County, in the State of Michigan, and, with
the exception of the time that he spent in the
South helping to fight his country's battles, he has
lived here ever since, and has won a place among
our most useful citizens in the township of Arlington. Iis farm contains one hundred acres of fine
farming land, which has been rendered very productive by judicious cultivation, and the place is
amply supplied with suitable buildings, and the
various kinds of modern machinery for facilitating
agricultural operations, besides being well stocked
with cattle, horses and hogs.
In 1862 Mr. Lane responded to the call of the
Government for more troops, enlisting in Company C, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and in the ensuing years of hard and bitter warfare, displayed
a true soldierly spirit and devotion to his country,
which merited and gained him the confidence of
his commanders. H-is regiment was with Rosecrans
while he was in command, and remained with the
same department throughout the war, and our subject and his comrades took an active part in many
engagements with the enemy. They were at the
front in the fight at Bowling Green, Ky., won
added laurels at Stone River, and did gallant service in the Atlanta campaign; while their last encounter with the Confederate forces was at Selma,
Ala., shortly before the close of the Rebellion.
Our subject did not go through the war unscathed, but succumbed to the terrible hardships
of a soldier's life in the summer of '63, was taken
home on a sick furlough, and for some weeks lay
at the point of death. His hardy constitution
triumphed, and with undaunted patriotism he rejoined his regiment as soon as he was sufficiently
recovered to do duty, and served faithfully until
the close of the war. He then quietly resumed
his occupation as a farmer, which he has since so
successfully pursued. The Republican party had
his earnest support on the battlefields of the South,
where lie fought for its principles, he having been
with it from the first, casting his vote for Gen.
Fremont, and lie is still to be found in its ranks.






346


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Mr. Lane was first married in his native county
to Miss Eliza Johnson, who died in 1866, leaving
one son, J. J., a resident of Michigan City, Ind.
In 1868 Mr. Lane was married to Miss Eliza Gates,
and to them was born one daughter, Hattie P.,
now the wife of W. W. Temple. Mr. Lane was
married to his present wife, formerly Mrs. Maria
(Stearns) Lamphear, in October, 1876,and to them
have been born two children: Gertie E. and Glen
E. Mr. Lane is a member of Wadswortlh Post, No.
49, G. A. R., at Lawrence.
The attention of the reader is invited to the
lithographic portrait of Mr. Lane, presented on
another page.
q.~+ ---   - __~ —~ --- —-+ 7
HARLES H. PRENTISS, who has an art store
at Otsego, is one of the representative business and public men of this part of Allegan
County, and is also well known in political and
social circles, and he has, too, a good military
record as an able and patriotic soldier during the
late war. Mr. Prentiss is a native of the city of
New York, born October 1, 1830, the second son
and fourth child of his parents. When a small
child he was taken by his grandparents, and was
reared by them until he was ten years old. At
that youthful age he became self-supporting, going
to work in a store for an uncle. At the age of
sixteen he hired out to a farmer at $8 per month,
with the privilege of attending school during the
winter months, and was enabled to do so one season. Up to that time he had had no chance of
obtaining an education, for which he longed. In
1850 he began an apprenticeship to a marble cutter,
but after working at that four years, he was obliged
to give it up, as he found the work did not agree
with him.
At that point in his life our subject took an important step by coming Westward to Michigan,
and the ensuing six years he was engaged in the
lumber business, in this State. In 1860 he removed
to Otsego and located on a farm in this township,
and was devoting himself to its improvement when
the rebellion broke out. He watched its course


with interest, and in 1862 arranged his affairs so
that he might take his part in defending the Government. lie enlisted, August 11, in Company B,
Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, commanded by
Col. 1. C. Gilbert, and went with his regiment to
the front. After nearly a year's service, during
which he had participated in several engagements
with the enemy, he and a number of his comrades
were taken prisoners at the battle of Brentwood
Station, by Gen. Forest and his raiders, on the 24th
of March, 1864. They were marched one hundred
and thirty-five miles in fifty-four hours, without
a morsel to eat and with their clothing freezing on
them, through having  to wade streams. They
finally arrived at Richmond, more dead than
alive. There our subject had a month's experience
of life in Libby Prison, but fortunately at the end
of that time he was exchanged.
After a short furlough at home, on the expiration of his imprisonment, Mr. Prentiss returned
to the field, but owing to ill health, he was not able
to do active duty at the front, and his Colonel exerted himself to obtain a post for him as Assistant
Topographical Engineer, in the Department Headquarters of Gen. Thomas. I-Ie served in that
capacity with entire satisfaction until the war was
over, he and others of the party occasionally encountering the enemy while surveying, and he
was wounded in some of the skirmishes that
resulted. He was mustered out, June 25, 1865, at
Nashville, Tenn., and returned Northward with a
well-earned reputation for efficient and gallant
service.
After leaving the army, Mr. Prentiss built a
planing mill at Otsego, and operated it with good
success twenty-two years. In 1881 his mill was
burned, but he rebuilt and operated it six years
longer, when he sold it. He has since conducted
an art store in a building which he owns, and is
doing well financially in catering to the aesthetic
tastes of an intelligent public, which patronizes
him extensively.
Our subject was married, July 4,1859, to Miss Roenna C. Clark, a native of New York. They have one
of the attractive homes of the village, which is
tastefully fitted up, and is the seat of a warm hospitality, which is often enjoyed by the many friends




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


347


that they have gathered around them during their
many years' residence at Otsego. Mr. Prentiss is a
self-educated man of much culture, who by experience, observation and reading, has gathered a rare
fund of information, and can converse intelligently
on all topics of general interest. He is genial,
courteous and obliging in his intercourse with
others, and stands high in the business world as
regards his credit. Socially, he is a Royal Templar
of Temperance and a Grand Army man, while in
in politics, he is a Republican. He has held various local offices, has been a member of the Village
Board, and at the spring election of 1892 was reelected to the office of Village and Township Treasurer. A true public spirit has characterized his
official record.
4  ACOB HOEK, Master-mechanic at the Bar| deen Paper Mills at Otsego, and one of the
original stockholders of the company, is a
J     very competent man, and has contributed
in no small degree to the successful operation of
the mill, with which he is connected. He is a
native of the Netherlands, born in the Kingdom
of Holland, August 1, 1843. John and Martha
Hoek, his parents, were natives of the same
province where he had his birth. In 1850 the
family emigrated to America, and soon after their
arrival in a strange land, were overwhelmed by a
sad bereavement in the death of the father from
cholera, eight days later, at Kalamazoo. He had
been a brave soldier in his native country, serving
in the army of Holland nine years, and taking
part in the war between that kingdom and Belgium.
His wife survived him many years, her death occurring in August, 1887, at the venerable age of
seventy-seven years. Both were sincere Christians,
clinging to the faith of the Reformed Church, of
which they were devout members. Seven children
accompanied them in their migration to the New
World, of whom three are yet living.
Our subject is the fourth child of the family.
His principal schooling was obtained in the winter
seasons, up to the time when he was twelve years
old, partly in Holland and partly in the schools of


Michigan, he being a lad of seven years when his
parents brought him to the United States. At
the former age, the independent, ambitious, keenwitted boy began his struggles with the world
single-handed. He found employment on a farm
in Kalamazoo County, where he received at first
$1.50 a week, in payment for his services. He
continued as a farm laborer until he was twenty
years old, and then entered into an apprenticeship to learn carpentering. Ile is gifted with a
decided mechanical genius, and became a thorough
master of his calling in every detail. He served
three years, and then was employed at that, or at
other things, as he chose, and he gradually picked up
a practical knowledge of the trade of a millwright,
which he has engaged in the most of the time
since. In 1867 he accepted a situation with the
Kalamazoo Paper Co., and remained with that as
Master-mechanic sixteen years.  He was subsequently engaged in the bending works and sawmill at Kalamazoo.
In 1887 Mr. Hoek engaged with Messrs. Bardeen,
Hodges & Bryant in the organization of the Bardeen Paper Co., of which he thus became one of
the original stockholders, and, accepting the position of Master-mechanic, he came to Otsego to
oversee the erection of the largest paper mill in
the State of Michigan, with which he has ever
since been connected in the office indicated. He
is finely fitted for this responsible position by his
wide experience, accurate knowledge of mechanics,
and remarkable skill in handling any and all
kinds of machinery, to say nothing of his devotion to his business. He is one of the solid men
of the village, financially speaking, having accumulated a handsome property, and among other
possessions, he has a fine brick residence, built in
1888, of a pleasing style of architecture, and
modern in its appointments. Mr. Hoek is a Democrat, and has an intelligent knowledge of politics,
as every loyal citizen should have, whether a
native of the country or of foreign birth.
Much of his success and happiness in life has
come to our subject through his amiable wife, to
whom he was married in 1871, and the son and
daughter born of their union, John J. and Jennie,
who complete their pleasant home circle. Mrs.




348


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


IHoek, whose maiden name was Catrina Ossewarda,
is a native of Ottawa County, Zeeland Township,
this State, and a daughter of William and Jennie
Ossewarda, who were both natives of Holland.
They both came to this country in 1848, and were
among the first settlers of Ottawa County in this
State. The father died in 1876, and the mother in
1872. They were the parents of ten children, of
whom only three are living.
~-.
C     ALVIN WHITNEY is one of the enterprising farmers of Saugatuck Township, Allegan County. He makes his home on ten acres
of beautiful land on section 10, and owns besides
that property a tract of two hundred and forty
acres on sections 2 and 11, forty-seven of which
are covered with timber. He is the son of Robert
and Sarah (Harris) Whitney, natives of New York
State. His parents came to the Wolverine State
before their marriage.
Robert Whitney was twice married, our subject
being the eldest son by his second marriage. He
was given the advantages of a common-school
education and at the early age of fourteen started
to carve out his own fortune. That his industry
has been rewarded can be answered by viewing his
fine estate. He worked at brick-laying, however,
until the outbreak of the Civil War, when, August
28, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third Michigan Cavalry. His regiment was sent to Missouri
and did good service under Gen. Fremont. The
first engagement in which he participated was at
New Madrid, Mo., and at that time he was only
seventeen years old. His regiment was discharged
at San Antonio, Tex., in February, 1865. He saw
three years' service and veteranized at La Grange,
Tenn. His regiment was under the command of
Fremont, Pope and Grant at different periods and
our subject was one of the very few fortunate
ones who fought in the army, as he was never
taken prisoner or received a wound.
After his discharge from the army, Calvin Whitney went to Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Bryant
& Stratton's Business College. On finishing his


course, he came to Saugatuck where he engaged as
"mine host" of the Saugatuck Hotel for about six
years. In May, 1874, he was happily married to
Miss Johanna C. Burns, daughter of John Burns, a
native of Prussia. Her parents emigrated to America about 1854 and Mrs. Whitney was born in
Baltimore, February 5, 1855.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney of this sketch have a
beautiful home adjoining the village of Saugatuck,
where they entertain a large circle of friends. Mr.
Whitney is very prominent in business circles and
is at the head of the firm of C. Whitney & Co. In
politics, he is a stalwart Republican and has been
honored by being elected Justice of the Peace. His
father lives on a farm  adjoining; his mother
died in 1891. Mr. Whitney is one of the wealthy
men of Saugatuck Township, where he and his
family are greatly respected.
ORTON P.KELLOGG. Among the malny
I  gallant soldiers who went from the State
l   of New York, and served faithfully during
the late Civil War, may be mentioned the subject
of this sketch, who can recount many a story
of the battlefield, and the hard experiences of the
boys in blue. Like a majority of the volunteer
soldiers, when the need for their services was over,
he returned to the peaceful walks of life and has
become one of the prominent and respected citizens of Plainwell, Allegan County, Mich.
Mr. Kellogg was born in Marion, Wayne County,
N. Y., February 2, 1841. His father, Rodney K.
Kellogg, was also a native of New York, and was a
farmer and butcher by occupation, and for several
years carried on a meat market in Marion. He
came to Michigan in 1871, and died in March,
1873, when sixty-five years old. Both he and his
wife were members of the Christian Church. The
mother of our subject, whose maiden name was
Harriet M. Bailey, was also a native of New York,
and died while on a visit to her old home in that
State, in 1882.
Our subiect is the second born in a family of
five children, of whom four are now living.  He received his early education in the district schools,




PORTRAIT ANID BIIOGRAPHICA~r L RECORD.


349


_PORTRAIT AN B  RECORD. 9.


completing it at the Collegiate Institute in Marion,
where he was a student for some time. When sixteen years old, he began teaching, which occupation
he followed for some time. On the breaking out
of the Civil War, lie deemed it his duty to volunteer in his country's defence and in September, 1861,
lie enlisted in Company I, Ninety-eighth New York
Infantry, under Col. Dutton. He began his active
service in the Peninsula, under Gen. McClellan.
I-e took part in the battles of Yorkstown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, and Fair Oaks. He was
taken prisoner on June 29, 1862, just before the
battle of Malvern till, and was exchanged and returned to his regiment December 13, 1862. He
rejoined his regiment at Yorktown, it being sent,
December 25, to re-inforce Gen. Foster in North
Carolina, where it remained only about two weeks,
and was then ordered to South Carolina to join an
expedition that Gen. Hunter was fitting out
against Charleston. He remained in South Carolina until that expedition proved a failure, when
he returned to North Carolina in April, 1863, and
spent the summer near Newbern. In the fall, they
were transferred to the Army of the James, under
Gen. Ben Butler. In the winter of 1863 and 1864,
his regiment was stationed at Pongo Bridge, thirty
miles south of Norfolk, to guard that bridge. In
the spring of 1864, Butler concentrated all his
forces at Yorktown, and reorganized the army of
the James. He landed them at City Point and began operations against Petersburg, destroying the
railroad communications, etc. Early in May a battle was fought at Swift's Creek, and the 13th, 14th,
and 15th of the same month at Drury's Bluff. They
were sent from there down the James and up the
York and Pamunkey Rivers, and fought a battle
at Cold Harbor, where our subject saw ten thousand men stretched upon the ground in a few minutes. The part of the army with which our subject
was connected returned to Bermuda Landing on
the morning of the 15th of June, and crossing the
Appomattox River took the Heights of Petersburg
on the evening of the same day. From that time
on they had continuous fighting for some time.
Mr. Kellogg was wounded on June 24th, while
in front of Petersburg, by a shell, but was only
laid up for a short time. On the 3d of July, he


was in the fight at the mine explosion, on Cemetery Hill. September 29, they charged upon and
took Ft. Harrison on New Market Heights, and on
October 22, was in the battle of Fair Oaks. Mr.
Kellogg started out as a private soldier, but was
promoted to be Second Lieutenant on October
12, 1864, in reward for his gallant services in several battles. On the 27th of October, he again
showed his bravery on the field of battle, and on
the following day was recommended for promotion as First Lieutenant, and was given that position on the 25th of November, 1864. In December of the same year he was sent under Gen. Butler to Ft. Fisher, N. C., but was soon sent back under
Alfred H. Terry, who assaulted the works at
Ft. Fisher on the 13th of January 1865, and captured them.  Our subject assisted in the capture at Wilmington, N. C., on the 27th of February, 1865, and remained there under command
of Sherman, being in the department of this celebrated General until the surrender of Johnson,
after which he was sent back to Wilmington, and
was Assistant Provost-Marshal of that city until
his discharge in October, 1865.
At the close of the war, Mr. Kellogg returned to
his home in Marion Township, and for three years
was engaged in manufacturing tinware. In the
spring of 1869, he came to Plainwell, where he
taught school for three terms, and was also engaged in various milling enterprises. In May, 1877,
he entered the employ of the Merrill Milling Company, and las worked his way up until he became
the manager of the mills, which position lie has
held since July 10, 1882. These mills are finely
equipped and have a capacity of two hundred barrels a day. Their products are sent to all parts of
the country, including the New England and
Southern States.
In the fall of 1867, Mr. Kellogg was married to
Miss L. S. Sanders, a native of Rochester, N. Y.
They have one child named Fay. He and his wife
are members of the Presbyterian Church in which
they take an active part. In politics, Mr. Kellogg
is a Republican, and is interested in all affairs relating to the Government, both local and National,
using his influence on the side of right and justice. He has held several local offices, has been a






350


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPM-ECAL RECORD..


350 O T  A


member of the School Board for several years and
is at present Moderator of the same and a member of the City Council. Socially, he belongs to
the Grand Army of the Republic, Ancient Order
of United Workmen, and the Odd Fellows. In the
Presbyterian Church, he holds the office of an
Elder, and is also a Trustee and the Treasurer of
the Society.
AMES W. KENNEY. One of the most wideawake and successful business men in Western Michigan is the gentleman whose name
heads this sketch, and who is carrying on
two stores, one at Covert where he resides, the other
at South Haven. He was born in Halton County,
Canada, August 5, 1847, his parents being William M. and Mary (Sherburne) Kenney. The family
came to Michigan, and settled in Van Buren County
in 1861, where the father purchased unimproved
land which he cleared up and devoted himself to
the culture of fruit. Our subject attended school
in Canada, which was no laughing matter to the
boys of those days, there being only one week's
vacation throughout the entire year and but one
day, the Queen's birthday, on which there was on
school. He also attended school after coming to
Van Buren County, and acquired a good business
education.
The father of our subject was limited in means,
and at the age of eighteen years James W. agreed
to pay him $250 for his time until he was of age,
and then prepared to paddle his own canoe in the
voyage of life. He was for a time engaged in
lumbering and also dealing in land, and for eight
years owned and operated a stage route between
South Haven and Watervliet. When the West
Michigan Railroad was being built he took a contract to grade a portion of the road, and cleared
$3,000 by the operatiou. This was a good start
for the young man but he was exceedingly liberal
with his newly acquired wealth and gave a goodly
portion of it to his relatives.
In 1884 Mr. Kenney, with a capital of $800, embarked in the mercantile business at Covert, in
which he was very successful. Four years later he




I


removed from his rented storeroom into a large
and convenient building of his own and his business
annually increased, people coming many miles
and passing through other towns to "trade with
Kenney," whose name became familiar to all. In
1890 he decided to enlarge his operations, and accordingly made arrangements to open a store in
South Haven. For this purpose a building was
erected by the Hon. C. J. Monroe, and here, on
February 10, 1892, he opened a large store, carrying all classes of goods. He visits all the principal markets of the East semi-annually, and purchasing his goods for cash and selling in the same way,
he is enabled to compete with any one in the
surrounding country.
Mr. Kenney was married, December 1, 1874, to
Miss Hattie Wynn, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Wynn. Of this marriage three children have
been born, Lena, Eva and Wynn. Mr. Kenney
votes the Republican ticket, but has not time to
trouble himself about the politics of the country.
He is a very energetic, enterprising man, whose success is due to his own efforts and he, with his wife
and family, holds a prominent place in the community in which they reside.
O   RIN J. WOODARD, who resides in Plainwell, Allegan County, was born in Saratoga
County, N. Y., March 16, 1833. His father,
Jonathan Woodard, was a native of Washington
County, the same State, and was born February
12, 1801. In his early life he was a manufacturer
of reeds for weavers' looms, but later became a
farmer. He removed to Michigan in 1847, and
located in Kalamazoo County, buying a farm in
Cooper Township. His land was partially cleared
and he carried on its cultivation until 1863, when
he removed to Kalamazoo, where his death took
place in 1877. He was a man of prominence in
his community, holding various local offices and
being Justice of the Peace and Supervisor of
Cooper Township during the time he lived
there. He was Second Lieutenant in a company
of State Militia in New York, and, during his resi



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


351


deuce in that State, was a member of the Baptist Church. On first coming to Michigan, he
united with the Congregational Church, but on removing to Kalamazoo, returned again to the Baptist faith. lie was a School Trustee for several
years. The grandfather of our subject, Abram
Woodard, was also a native of New York, born
December 10, 1773, and dying August 20, 1820, at
forty-eight years of age. The Woodard family
emigrated from England about two hundred years
ago. The mother of our subject, Nancy (Hart)
Woodard, was a native of Saratoga County, N. Y.,
her birth taking place February 10, 1805, and her
death in December, 1855. Four of her family of six
children are now living, of whom our subject is the
third and eldest son.
Mr. Woodard was reared on a farm  until the
age of twenty-one years, receiving a district
school education. Hle came to Michigan with his
father's family in 1847, and at the age of nineteen
began teaching school, which business he followed
four terms. In spite of his early disadvantages in
the way of schooling, he has always been a hard
student, embracing every opportunity to add to
his knowledge of books, and is emphatically a
self-made man. On reaching his majority, he
worked for one year on the farm for his father,
and in the spring of 1855 engaged in the mercantile business at Cooper. Two years later he purchased a farm which he operated until the spring
of 1861, when he again entered the mercantile
business at Cooper. Here he remained until 1866,
when he removed to Plainwell and resumed his
business here. He again sold out in the spring
of 1870, and purchased a farm in Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County, in 1877, which is now
operated by a tenant.
Mr. Woodard was agent for the American Express Company for eight years; also during that
time being engaged in the insurance and real-estate business. Since giving up his express business, he has devoted almost his entire time to insurance, real estate, conveyancing, etc. He has
an excellent knowledge of law, and is often asked
to give advice in difficult cases. Although he
makes no pretense of practicing law, he is everywhere recognized as a safe counselor. He repre

sents the following insurance companies: Hartford, Continental, Phoenix; Fire Association, of
Philadelphia; Commercial; Union, of London; and
Boylston, of Boston.
Our subject was married April 26, 1857, to Miss
Melissa E. Stratton, who is a native of Portage
County, Ohio. Of this union one child has been
born, Mary C., wife of the Rev. C. W. Barber, pastor of the Baptist Church of Battle Creek, Mich.
The Rev. Mr. Barber is a native of Quincy, Mich.,
and a graduate of Kalamazoo College, and Morgan Park Theological Seminary of Chicago, finishing his course in the latter college in 1882. He
was pastor of the Baptist Church at Fenton, Mich.,
for eight years, and was then called to the church
at Battle Creek. Mrs. Barber was graduated in
1880 from  Kalamazoo College, completing the
Latin and scientific course. She is a life member
of the Woman's Baptist Foreign Missionary Society of the West, and is engaged in teaching
Bible study and Christian doctrine for missionary
can:didates-young ladies who are preparing thenselves for missionaries. Mr. and Mrs. Barber are
the parents of two children, Mabel and Ethel.
The parents of Mrs. Woodard were Joseph B.
and Ruth (Olin) Stratton. The father was a native of Vermont, removing from there to Portage
County, Ohio, where he purchased a farm, and
where he lived until his death, in 1887, when
eighty-seven years old. Her mother died in 1881.
Slhe was a member of the famous Olin family, and
eleven of her twelve children are living. She was
an excellent woman, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Woodard was a nember of the Republican
party until 1884, since which time he has voted
with the Prohibitionists. He has held a number
of local offices, having been Constable one year,
Township Treasurer two years, Justice of the
Peace eight years, Township Clerk two years
School Inspector two years, and President of
the Village two years. He has been a member of   the School Board   for twenty-three
years. Both he and his wife belong to the
Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an
Elder for sixteen years, and also one of the Trustees. He has been a member of the Masonic fra



352


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


ternity for thirty years. Mr. Woodard is a man
of prominence in this locality, and his estimable
wife shares with him in the esteem and confidence
of all with whom they are associated. Mr. Woodard always being a great reader is now compelled
to forego that pleasure, his eyesight having failed
him to that extent that he must depend upon
others to read for him.
ICERO M. STUCK, M. 1). This gentleman,
although young in years, is regarded as the
leading physician in Plainwell, Allegan
County, where he has built up an excellent practice
by strict attention to his business, and has acquired
the confidence of the people by his thorough
knowledge of the profession which he has adopted
as his life work. Dr. Stuck was born in Otsego,
Allegan County, November 12, 1854. His father,
Henry D. Stuck, a native of Seneca County, N. Y.,
emigrated to Michigan and located in Ypsilanti in
1832. He there learned the carpenter's trade, remaining until twenty-one years of age in that
place, when in 1854 he removed to Otsego, where
he lived until his death in 1889, at the age of sixtynine years. Ile had taken up land two miles west
of Otsego, which he cultivated and made into a
good farm. His wife, whose maiden name was
Sarah Pratt, was born at Brattleboro, Vt., and came
to Michigan with her parents in 1837. She died
in 1872 when forty-five years old. Of their family
eleven children are living, our subject being the
sixth in order of birth, there being fourteen children, thirteen boys and one girl.
Dr. Stuck received a good education, being
graduated from the Otsego High School in 1870.
He learned the trade of a tinner and followed that
until he began reading medicine, subsequently entering the Michigan University at Ann Arbor in
1878, where he spent one year. Hle then entered
the Bennett Eclectic Medical College in Chicago,
from which he was graduated in 1881. He located
first at Hopkins, this State, where he remained for
eighteen months, from there removing to Kent
County, where he resided for five years. On December 17, 1886, he came to Plainwell where he


has since resided, enjoying a good practice and occupying a prominent position in the community.
Dr. Stuck was married in 1878 to Miss Ella
Engles, of Otsego, and of this union two children
have been born, Olin and Ora. In politics, our
subject is a Democrat and while in Otsego was a
member of the School Board. He has been a member of the Village Board of this place for two years
and was a candidate for County Commissioner.
Socially, he belongs to the Odd Fellows and the
Knights of the Maccabees. Hie belongs to the State
and National Eclectic Societies, the Kalamazoo
Academy of Medicine and the Grand River Valley
Medical Association.
AMUEL P. WILSON, who is the manager
of George Hannahs' real-estate and lumber
business in South Haven, is a pioneer resident of this county, having come here in
October, 1854. H-e was born in Seneca County,
N. Y., July 15, 1835. Iis parents were Hugh and
Jeanie (McMaster) Wilson, the father being a native of Ireland where he was born near Belfast in
January, 1800. He was reared a farmer and also
learned the trade of a stone mason. His wife was
also a native of Ireland but of Scotch descent. In
1834 this couple came to the United States and
first settled in Seneca County, N. Y., removing in
1843 or 1844 to Wayne County, the same State,
where he died in July, 1881, his wife having
passed away in 1872. They reared a family of
twelve children, nine of whom lived to years of
maturity. These are: Hugh, Jane, John, James,
Samuel P., Rosanna, Elinor, Elizabeth and Israel.
Our subject was rea red upon a farm an d attended
the district school until the age of seventeen, when
he commenced teaching, which occupation he followed for thirteen terms, three of those being in
New York, two in Illinois and eight in Michigan.
In the spring of 1854, he came to this State, first
settling in South Haven where he followed teaching. He also taught school in Winnebago County,
Ill., and resided in Lee and Ogle Counties, Ill. In
1863, Mr. Wilson quit teaching and engaged in
the wood and bark trade at South Haven; he served




I




 f




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


355


as Township Treasurer four years, Supervisor
eight years, and in the fall of 1882 was elected
County Recorder, serving four years in that office.
Since 1887 he has been in the employ of the IHon.
George Iannahs.
Mr. Wilson was married in December, 1868, to
Alice M. Brown, daughter of Samuel and Angelina
Brown. She was a native of Winnebago County,
Ill., where she was born May 17, 1842, in which
county her father was among the early pioneers of
1834, and was one of its most substantial farmers.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have three children, Jeanie,
Samuel II., and Angelina. Mr. Wilson is a stanch
Republican and actively interested in everything
which tends to the upbuilding of his town and
county. Ile is a Royal Arch Mason, having served
as High Priest of the Chapter for two years. IHe
is a Director of the First State Bank of South
Haven and a stockholder in the West Michigan
Savings Bank at Bangor.
Mr. Wilson and his family hold a prominent
place in the community, in which he bears the
reputation of a good business man and a publicspirited citizen.
e,      I+*+**++*/^____ *'+ +i _. _e
APT. JAMES S. DONAIUE. No more
popular man can be found in this part of
Michigan than the gentleman whose name
heads this sketch, and whose portrait is shown on
the opposite page. As keeper of the lighthouse at
South Haven, he has distinguished himself for bravcry and besides has an enviable record as a gallant
soldier throughout the late war. A short sketch
of his life will prove interesting, not only to those
who are acquainted with him but to others who
find pleasure in pursuing the history of noble
deeds.
Capt. Donahue is a native of Addison County,
Vt., and was born March 18, 1840. His parents,
Manday and Nellie (Loan) Donahue, were natives
of Ireland, where their marriage took place. Upon
coming to the United States they settled in Addison County, Vt., where they died at the ages of
sixty-five and sixty-four years respectively. Of
their family of seven children six grew to matur16


ity, namely: Katie, who married James McMann,
and resides in Middlebury, Vt.; John, a locomotive
engineer in California; Nellie, who married John
McNulty, and died in Worcester, Mass.; Edward, a
resident of South Haven; James S. and Henry, a
horse dealer at Wichita, Kan.
When twelve years old, our subject went on
board a whaling vessel, sailing from Greenport,
L. I., via Cape Horn, to the Pacific and Arctic
Oceans, and other points. Returning after a voyage of forty-four months, he worked for three
years in a machine shop in Lowell, Mass., after
which he came West to Detroit. About that time
the Civil War broke out and he enlisted in June,
1861, as a private of Company A, Eightl Michigan
Infantry, serving at different intervals during the
war with Companies A, B and K, of that regiment.
Their first engagement was at IHilton's Head, S. C.,
followed by those of Broad River, Ft. Pulaski,
Wilmington Island, Bufort Island, Tybee Island,
and James Island. In the last-named battle he
was wounded in the shoulder by a grape shot weighing one pound and five ounces, which caused his
confinement in the hospital on David's Island,
N. Y., for several weeks.
When he rejoined his regiment, Capt. Donahue
participated in the battles of Santilla, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, campaign of Vicksburg, Jackson, Crab Orchard, Cumberland Gap,
Louden, Blaine's Cross-roads Bull's Gap, Strawberry Plains, Knoxville, Brandy  Station  and
the battle of the Wilderness. May 6, 1864, his
left leg was pierced by a minie ball and had to be
amputated at the thigh, thus disabling him from
further service.  -ie then resigned and returned to
Detroit. Entering the service as a private, Capt.
Donahue was promoted from time to time and in
1862 was commissioned Captain of Company A,
with which rank he retired.
After leaving the service Capt. Donahue remained in Detroit for some time and then removed
to Gratiot County, whence in 1874 lie came to
South Haven to accept the appointment of lighthouse keeper, which he has since retained and in
which he has made an excellent record. During
these years he has passed eighty-eight nights in the
lighthouse, but of all these, one in October, 1882,






356


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- I


was the worst he ever experienced. On that night
the Alpena was lost with one hundred and one
souls on board. Every sea that struck the pier
went over the top of the lighthouse and every instant its keeper expected to be his last. His faithful wife sat by the window of their house all night
long, watching the light and the form of her husband inside the tower, and his brother walked the
shore. It was an awful night never to be forgotten.
Keeping the light has not been all of his work,
for until 1887 there was no life-saving station at
South Haven, and Capt. Donahue was the means
of rescuing fifteen persons from drowning. For
this the United States Government presented him
with a silver medal on one side of which is inscribed,
"United States of America, act of Congress June
20, 1874," and on the reverse side, "To Capt. James
S. Donahue, for bravely rescuing several persons
from drowning in 1875-1889."    Surrounding
this is the inscription, "In Testimony of Heroic
Deeds in Saving Lives from the Perils of the Sea."
On the evening of his forty-sixth birthday, Capt.
Donahue was called upon by fifty-two seamen who
presented him a gold medal inscribed on one side,
"Presented to Capt.James S.Donahue by the seamen
of South Haven, March 18, 1885," on the reverse
side is an engraving of the lighthouse of South
Haven. He also has a personal letter from the
late Secretary Windom, saying although there was
no law to give him a gold medal yet he should
have one. Capt. Donahue also has charge of the
signal station at South Haven and owns a fleet of
the very best row boats, some twenty in number.
His residence, which is furnished him by the Government, is located on the lake shore and there is
no pleasanter home in South Haven. He owns
considerable property in the town.
Politically, Capt. Donahue is a Republican and
has served two terms as President of the Village
Board of South Haven, and also as Township
Treasurer of Seville, Gratiot County, Mich. He is
a member of the Society of "Comrades of the Battle
Field," or "Ninety Days Under Fire," and very few
soldiers have a better record entitling them to
membership in such a society. Socially, he is a
member of Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council in


the Masonic fraternity, in which bodies he has held
important offices. He is Post Commander of M. J.
Dickinson Post, No. 345, G. A. R., and a member of
the Enterprise Club of South Haven.
Capt. Donahue has been twice married, his first
union taking place June 17, 1872, to Sophia, daughter of Adam Oberlin, who was born in Wayne
County, Ohio, in 1845, and at the time of his marriage resided in Gratiot County, Mich. She died
July 3, 1875, leaving one son, Edward M., born
March 17, 1875, who is now on the United States
Government Boat "Hancock."  The second wife
of Capt. Donahue, to whom he was married April
19, 1876, was Ann Kyme, daughter of Thomas and
Ann Kyme, who was born in Oswego County, N.
Y., April 29, 1854, coming to South Haven from
Pennsylvania in 1874, and residing with a brother.
The parents of Mrs. Donahue were natives of
England; the father was born in Hull and the
mother in Rounds, Northamptonshire. The mother
came with her grandparents to this country, landing in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., in 1827. The
father was mate on the same vessel that brought
them over, and in that way became acquainted
with his future wife. To the captain and his wife
five sons have been born, namely: Walter L., John
Bagley, Calvin C., James M., and Watson B.
Capt. Donahue is exceedingly popular, being a
genial, warm-hearted man whose many excellencies
draw about him a large circle of friends.
N.     4.  4./t


/   +5+ —+


N\


ILLIAM ORR, a prominent and prosperous
farmer, residing on section 26, Ganges
Township, Allegan County, was born in
1826, on board the Brig "Trusty," of London, on
the Atlantic Ocean. He is a son of Samuel Orr,
a native of Bath, Ireland, where he was born in
1802. There he was reared on a farm and
studied three years for the ministry of the Church
of England, but he dropped his profession and
learned the trade of a shoemaker. While on the
farm he was married to Sarah McCaeice, a daughter
of Patrick and Mary (Camson) McCaeice, and the
mother of our Subject. Patrick McCaeice was an






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


357


innkeeper in Ireland and well known in the vicinity. The parents of Samuel Orr were William and
Rachel (Wright) Orr, of Ireland, and lived on a
farm.
In a few years after the marriage of the parents
of our subject, they emigrated to America and
were fourteen weeks on the water in a sailing
vessel. The boat drifted north among icebergs,
and south to the Torrid Zone. All on board
nearly starved to death before they reached land.
On landing, Mr. Orr located in New York State
and two years later came to Michigan, locating
first in Eaton County. In 1838 he came to Allegan County and settled in Gun Plains Township,
but finally went to Saugatuck Township, where he
died at the age of seventy-one years. When a
young man, this gentleman enlisted in the Scotch
Grays in the English Army. The mother died in
1886, at the age of eighty-three years.
Our subject is one of six children, one of whom
died in infancy. The others are John, Margaret,
James, deceased, and Mathew. Our subject received
all his education before ten years of age, but his wide
range of reading has fitted him to battle with the
world. He was nothing but a mere lad when his
father removed to this county, and since then lie
has cared for himself. He ran away from home
when fourteen years old and went upon the lakes,
and for nine years he sailed in the summers and
worked in the lumber woods in the winters.
In 1850 Mr. Orr was married to Lucy M. Hale,
one of four children born to James C. and Martha
Hale. They are Mrs. Orr, William, Julia R. and
James. Ten children have blessed the fireside of
our subject and his estimable wife. Three died in
infancy. William, James and Thomas died before
reaching manhood. Edward P.; Mathew S.; Lucy
S., wife of William Chart, and Julia, wife of Andrew Morris, are still living. The mother of this
family was called from earth in 1873. Our subject was a second time married, taking as his wife
Jane Mosey. Our subject's first location was on a
farm in Saugatuck Township, this county. In
1858 he purchased a small farm on section 17,
Ganges Township, which he improved and, in
1875, traded it for the farm where he now lives.
This gentleman enlisted in teho defence of his


country in 1863, in the Third Michigan Cavalry,
Company E, and was attached to the Army of the
West. He fought in many of the most important
battles of the war, the last one being at Mabel.
He was very fortunate in never being wounded
or taken prisoner. He had three brothers besides
himself who fought for the old flag, and James was
the only one wounded, he dying from this injury
afew years afterward. Our subject is a member
of the Jacob Fry Post, No. 196, G. A. R., at Ganges,
and in politics, is a stanch Democrat.
He has probably cleared, by his own labor and
money, as much land as any man in Allegan
County. In the last ten years he has cleared five
hundred acres and has also taken contracts and
built many of the roads. Ite is known far and
wide as a reputable and well-to-do farmer.
C  HARLES S. MILLS. This prominent farmer
and fruit-grower of Casco Township, Allegan County, is residing on sections 19 and
24, where he has an excellent farm of seventy-four
acres, twenty-five of which he devotes to fruitraising. He was born in Livingston County, N.
Y., in 1848, and is the son of Philo P. and Sarah
(Justin) Mills. The father of our subject died
when Charles was but five years of age, and he was
doubly orphaned the following year by the death
of his mother. He was then taken into the home
of his maternal grandparents, the Rev. Ira and
Sally Justin, who were natives of Connecticut.
Charles S. Mills remained with his grandparents
until ten years of age, when he went to live with
Samuel Fuller, of Livingston County, N. Y., where
he remained two years, then returned to his grandparents, where he remained one season. He went
to the family of Danford Stover, in Genesee County,
and remained with them until reaching his majority. Mr. Mills was very ambitious to obtain a
good education, and went to school winters after
reaching his twelfth year, walking a distance of
many miles.
Our subject chose the occupation of a farmer
when starting out in life on his own account,
having been }eiared to that vocation? of which he




858


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


has made a signal success. When establishing a
home of his own, he was married January 31, 1872,
to Miss Rosalia, daughter of William C. and Mary
A. (Brooker) Johnson, also natives of the Empire
State. A few years after their marriage the young
couple came to Michigan, locating in Clinton
County, where they remained a twelvemonth. In
1882 they came to their present home in Allegan
County, where Mr. Mills purchased seventy-four
acres of land, most of which was improved when
it came into his possession.
To Mr. and Mrs. Mills of this sketch have been
born four children: William C., James A., Charles
J. and Ira Juston. Socially, our subject is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which order he is a charter member, and
has been its first Master Workman. Politically, he
is a stanch Republican and has represented his
township in the office of Treasurer. He has also
held many other positions of responsibility, acquitting himself in a satisfactory manner. He and his
excellent wife are members in good standing of
the Baptist Church, and are greatly respected in
their community.
ILLIAM PRATT had nearly attained his
majority when he enlisted in a Michigan
regiment, and soon went to the front to
help fight his country's battles. He won an excellent military record for good soldiership, and
since those trying times has shown himself an
equally good citizen. Allegan is his native county,
and on his farm on section 15, Martin Township,
he is conducting a general farming business.
Our subject was born in the village of Plainwell,
March 5, 1843, the sixth child of Hubbard and
Martha (McBride) Pratt, of whom further reference
will be found in the sketch of our subject's brother
Daniel. Our subject had the misfortune to lose
his mother, her untimely death occurring when he
was but four years old. He continued to live with his
father until he was sixteen, and at that age he began life on his own account, his brain and muscle
his only capital. He worked out by the month on a
farm in Grand Prairie, Kalamazoo County, for five


summers, and in the winter seasons devoted his
time to completing his education in the public
schools. At the expiration of that time, he worked
six months in a rake factory at Plainwell. lie
watched the course of the war with patriotic interest, and in 1864, the year that he became of
age, he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Michigan
Cavalry. IHis regiment was at Jackson one month
after it was recruited, and was then dispatched to
Nicholasville, Ky., to assist in military operations
in that region. Six weeks later it was sent to do
duty at Pulaski, Tenn., from there went to take
part in the battle of Nashville, and was again active
in a skirmish at Columbus. At the expiration of
his term of enlistment for ten months, our subject
was honorably discharged from the army at Pulaski, Tenn., and was mustered out at Nashville.
After his exciting experiences of the war, our
subject returned to his home in Martin Township,
and settled down to the life to which he had been
reared, buying a tract of land on section 15, which
was the first farm that he owned here. IIe put up
a small house, and entered vigorously upon the
work before him of placing his land under cultivation. He lived upon it until 1887, and made
of it a line place. He then removed to the farm
upon which he now makes his home. Hle has here
two hundred acres of valuable land, of which one
hundred and twenty acres are under tillage, and
he devotes it to general farming purposes, keeping
from fifteen to twenty head of cattle, seventy-five
sheep, and other stock in proportion, all of good
breeds.
Mr. Pratt was married in Trowbridge Township,
this county, March 30, 1869, to Emma Eliza, the
only daughter of William and Caroline (Bradley)
Buchannan. She was born in Wayland Township,
January 21, 1851. Her parents were natives of
New   York, and pioneers of Allegan County.
When she was two and a half years old, her father
went to California, and she was reared by her
grandparents, Dr. David and Eliza Bradley. The
Doctor was a very prominent man in the township
of Wayland, and was the first Postmaster at the
village of that name. He kept a hotel on his farm
at the time the stage ran on the road from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids, Mrs. Pratt remained








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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


361


with her grandparents until ten years old, and then,
her mother marrying Allen Wells, she went to live
with them. I-er marriage with our subject has
been hallowed by the birth of two sons and one
daughter: Frank A., who is attending school at
Valparaiso; Glen W., also attending school; and
baby Rubia.
Our subject is well endowed with those attributes
that are necessary to success in any walk of life,
and these have won him the cordial good-will and
trust of his fellow-citizens. lHe has been prominent
in school matters, always evincing a decided interest in education, and has held the offices of School
Treasurer and School Director. Iis politics are of
the Republican order. Socially, he is an active
member of the Wheeler Post G:. A. R., at Martin;
religiously, he is identified with the Methodist
Episcopal Church of that village as one of its most
conscientious members, and lie is well known for
his generosity in contributing to the support of all
good causes that will in any way enhance the welfare of the community.
- _OIN W. BRIG-IAM, an influential citizen
of Plainwell, was born in Boston, Mass., May
27, 1822. His ancestors for many years resided in New England, and were of English
extraction.  Lyscom  Brigham, his grandfather,
was a farmer in his native place, Westboro Township, Franklin County, Mass., and there died at the
age of seventy-seven. Curtis, father of our subject, was the eldest among five children, and was
a native of Franklin County, his birth occurring
May 21, 1793. His school advantages were very
meager, and he left his home in 1812 to seek employment in Boston. In order to reach the city,
he was compelled to walk ninety miles, and shortly
after his arrival secured a position on a ship that
made trips between Boston and the coast of Maine.
During the third voyage made, the ship was
fired on and captured by a British gunboat; the
cargo was taken, and all the men with one exception were put in a leaky boat and set adrift. For
twenty-four hours they were on the ocean without


food, and one man was kept busy all the time at
the pumps in order to keep the boat from sinking.
Finally the exhausted castaways reached Bath, Me.,
and were rescued from  threatened death. Mr.
Brigham returned to Boston, where he soon opened
a small shoe-shop and was successful at his trade.
About that time he was married, August 14, 1817,
to Lydia Woodbury, a native of Salem, Mass.
In 1833, Mr. Brigham determined to come West
to Michigan, and, proceeding by way of the lakes
to Detroit, walked from that city to Gull Prairie,
Kalamazoo County, to prospect for a location.
The outlook was so favorable that lie returned
East, and on October 30, 1834, started with his
wife and ten children for their future home in
Western Michigan. The journey was made overland in a covered wagon drawn by three horses,
and, crossing Canada, the little party arrived at
Gull Prairie, December 10. Their first home was
in a log cabin containing only one room, but the
spring following their arrival, they removed to
Gun Plain, Allegan County, where they made their
home in a 16x20-foot house. That was the first
frame building put up in the vicinity, and the
lumber was fastened in place with wooden pegs.
Within, the furniture was meager, consisting mainly
of a table and two home-made chairs.
The father rented eighty acres of land until the
fall of 1835, when he entered one hundred and
sixty acres of heavily timbered Government land
situated in Gun Plain Township. During the summer of the following year, he moved into a log
house on that place, and in the midst of a thickly
wooded country, where Indians and wild animals
were numerous, the succeeding years were passed
in arduous toil. A zealous Christian, Mr. Brigham
had been licensed to preach prior to leaving the
East, and, upon coming to Allegan County, found
that no religious meetings had been held here up
to that time. Accordingly, he invited his neighbors to meet in the little log schoolhouse on March
8, 1835. At the appointed time five persons were
present and listened to a sermon from Mr. Brigham. On May 10, of the same year, a Sunday-school
was organized with fourteen members. Through
his efforts the first Baptist society in the county
was organized, December 26, 1835.






362


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Through all the years of his pioneer life, Mr.
Brigham continued to do everything in his power
for the good of his fellow-men, and was widely
known and respected. When the first church was
erected in the county, he was invited to preach
the dedicatory sermon; he also officiated at many
funerals. His death in 1872, at the age of seventynine years, was sincerely mourned and called forth
testimonies of regard from his large circle of acquaintances. His wife, who was also a devoted
member of the Baptist Church, survived until the
fall of 1877, and attained to the good old age of
eighty-seven years.
Our subject was the third in a family of ten children, seven of whom are now living. He remained
at home until he was twenty-three, and in the
meantime received a meager education, his entire
schooling covering a period of not more than nineteen months. Upon starting out for himself, he
bought a tract of land six miles north of Plainwell,
and built a log cabin, 10x15 feet, upon the place.
Two years after settling there, he built a more
commodious structure, where his sister kept house
for him about two years. Working out by the day,
he accumulated enough money to buy five calves
and twenty lambs, and thus a beginning was made.
After spending four years in improving his farm,
he sold it and cultivated his father's place on
shares.
Two years after taking charge of his father's estate, he purchased forty acres of it and added
thereto, until, when he sold it in 1868 for $100 per
acre, he owned sixty acres. His farm was one of
the best improved in the county, and he introduced all modern improvements in its cultivation;
he also sowed and raised the first red clover in the
county. He removed to Plainwell in 1868, where
he built his present commodious residence. He
has been administrator for a large number of estates, among them that of his brother-in-law, the
settlement of which required six years.
In 1849, our subject was married to Mary Ann
Fox, who was born in Sussex, England, July 8,
1825, and came to America in 1846, in company
with a cousin. Mr. and Mrs. Brigham have traveled extensively, and spent about one year in California, going there in June, 1875, and returning


i
I
i




home in April of the following year. In his politics, Mr. Brigham has always been a strong Republican. He served as Highway Commissioner for
twelve years, Notary Public for eight years, and
has filled the various school offices. He and his
estimable wife are identified with the Baptist
Church, in which he has served as Deacon for
forty years, and as Superintendent of the Sundayschool for twenty-six years.
In this connection the reader will notice a lithographic portrait of Mr. Brigham.
V6% _hlw  Va%


J OHN P. WADE. Education may do much
for a man, but it is an old saying that wit
and gumption are the most important factors in making a man. He of whom we
write is not lacking in these qualities, and by virtue
of these he has made his way in the world and
attained to his present prominent and enviable
position. He is truly the architect of his own
fortune and is a self-made man, both in education
and financial standing. Beginning at the foot of
the ladder, he is now one of the most popular,
prominent and enterprising men in Ganges Township, Allegan County. He has a fine farm on section 11, which he devotes largely to the raising of
fruit, of which he has some splendid varieties.
John P. Wade was born on the Atlantic coast
in Massachusetts in 1822 and is the son of Snell
and Deborah Wade. His father, who was also a
native of the Bay State, was the son of a
sea captain.  Snell Wade learned the cooper's
trade, which occupation he followed the greater
portion of his life. His father dying when he
was quite young, he was compelled to support his
mother, so that his educational advantages were
limited. He worked at his trade in different parts
of Massachusetts and finally purchased a farm
near Lancaster, where he was very prominent in
local affairs.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Deborah R., a daughter of Richmond and Leafy
Jacobs, and by her union with Mr. Wade she became
the mother of five children, one of whom died
when young. The remainder of the family were




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


363


=




named Perez; Leafy, now deceased; Snell O.,
and John P., our subject. Snell Wade stood very
high in the order of Masonry and in politics was
a Whig. The latter years of his life were spent at
his old home on the coast.
The original of this sketch was given an excellent education in his native State, and, appreciating
the value of a knowledge of books, made the best
of his opportunities, and is to-day a cultured and
intelligent gentleman. He began in life on his
own responsibility when nineteen years of age, by
acting as clerk in a dry-goods store in Lancaster,
Mass. He followed that occupation for several
years in different parts of the Bay State, previous
to which, however, he worked in a shingle mill for
his father a few years.
In 1844 John P. Wade came to Allegan, where
there were only two stores on the site of that now
thriving village. Iie then went to the mouth of
the Kalamazoo River, where he was engaged in
selling goods, but for the first six months did not
realize much from his labors, as the firm he was
working for became bankrupt. Our subject was
then employed in different stores of Saugatuck for
the succeeding ten years, at the end of which time
he engaged in business on his own account, under
the style of J. P. Wade & Co., doing a general
merchandise business.
After disposing of his mercantile interests, Mr.
Wade, in 1858, bought a seventy-two-acre tract of
wild land in Ganges Township on which he lives
at the present time. He erected a plank house on
his property, 16x24 feet in dimensions, which later
gave way to the commodious and pleasant dwelling
which ranks among the best in the township. All
the improvemlents on his place have been the result
of his own perseverance and good judgment. The
first few years of life on his new farm, Mr. Wade
was engaged as book-keeper for a firm in Kalamazoo. He also taught school in his township, at one
time having five of his own children among the
pupils.
When twenty-four years of age, he of whom we
write was married to Sarah A., daughter of Ezekiel
Gilman, and of their union one child, a daughter,
Lottie, has been born. After the death of Mrs.
Wade, our subject married Sarah S. Barnes, the




daughter of John and Melissa (Parish) Barnes.
Nine children have been granted to them, who bear
the respective names of Viola, Linda, Willard,
Theodosia, Sarah, Leafy; Mary, deceased; Josephine, and John P., Jr.
Mr. Wade, of this sketch, is a member of several
different social orders, among which are the Free
and Accepted Masons, of which he has attained to
the Royal Arch Degree of Allegan Lodge, No. 50;
he also belongs to Blue Lodge, No. 193, of Douglas,
where he is a charter member; the Odd Fellows of
Fennville and the Patrons of Industry.    He
belongs to several temperance societies and in politics is independent in local affairs but in National
elections casts his vote for the Republican candidates. Mr. Wade is very popular in his township
and has been called upon to serve in numerous
responsible positions. We are pleased to be able
to present to our readers a sketch of so worthy a
gentleman.
_.  %
ADISON MILLER, who is carrying on
general farming on sections 16 and 22,
Monterey   Township, Allegan  County,
where he owns one hundred and seventeen acres of highly improved tlnd, is an early
settler of Michigan, of which his parents were
pioneers. He is a son of Ira and Lydia (Graves)
Miller, who were natives of the State of New York.
They came to Michigan in the '20s, and located in
Macomb County, where our subject was born January 5, 1832. After residing in this State for a
short time, they returned to New York State, thence
coming to Illinois, and in 1845 to this county,
where the father took up one hundred and sixty
acres of Government land on section 14, Monterey
Township.
The subject of this sketch had a very limited
education, but he was quick and bright, and had a
natural turn for business affairs, which he used to
good advantage, and has made a success of whatever he has engaged in. He has spent almost his
entire life upon a farm, and is now enjoying the
results of his industry and perseverance.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage, December 18,


I




364


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1859, with Elizabeth Porter, a daughter of Eliphalet
Porter, who was a native of the Empire State, but
removed to New Hampshire where Mrs. Miller was
born. Three children have been born to our subject and his wife, as follows: Delora, who married
Tell Myers and died May 24, 1888, at the age of
twenty-nine years; she left one daughter, May,
who resides with her grandparents. Georgia, who
resides at home, has been carefully educated in the
district and the Allegan High Schools; Guy was
born September 2, 1868, and married Miss Cora
Bishop. He also was educated in the Allegan
High School, and lives upon the home farm, assisting his father in carrying on the same. Mr. Miller
affiliates with the Republican party, but has never
aspired to any political honors, his time being
fully occupied in looking after his own affairs.
The family are highly respected and esteemed and
have a large circle of friends.
LANNIBAL    HART.    The subject of this
sketch, who holds the position of Prosecuting Attorney for Allegan County, is
a prominent citizen of Allegan, who is held
in high esteem for his personal qualities and also
for his excellent record as a gallant soldier during
the late war. Ile was born in the Province of
Quebec, July 3, 1839, and is a son of Nathaniel and
Almira (Pierce) Hart, natives of New Hampshire
and Canada, respectively. His father was a farmer and lumberman by trade, who came to Michigan in 1839, settling in Otsego Township, Allegan
County, of which he was a pioneer. He purchased
wild land, which he cleared off and on which lhe
lived during the remainder of his life.  Ile held
the office of Assessor of Otsego Township, and
was a prominent man in his section of the country.
In his early days he was a Democrat, but was bitterly opposed to human slavery and joined the
Abolition party, later becoming a Republican. He
and his wife were the parents of seven children, of
whom four are living, namely: Hannibal; Mrs.
Andrew Thornton, of Otsego, this county; Milo, a
farmer in Otsego Township; Willard, a resident


of Hart, Oceana County, this State. The grandfather of our subject was a native of New Hampshire and was an old Revolutionary soldier who
served throughout the war. Later he became a
farmer in Canada, where he lived and died, having
reared a large family.
Our subject was educated in the district and
High Schools of Otsego Township, and afterward
taught one term at Trowbridge. He remained upon
his father's farm until twenty-two years of age. He
then read law for one year with Judge Williams,
of Allegan, after which the Civil War breaking
out, his patriotism overpowered every other
consideration and in August, 1862, he enlisted in
Company I, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, for three years,
or during the War. His command was mustered
in at Detroit, whence they were sent to Washington and became a part of the Army of the Potomac.
Mr. Iart was made Commissary-Sergeant while
at Detroit. His regiment was in the Custer Brigade and Kilpatrick Divison (Cavalry) and took
part in twenty different battles. The first engagement in which Mir. Hart took part was at Hanover,
Pa., June 30, 1863, and the second at Gettysburg,
July 3, of the same year. He afterwards participated in the following battles: Montgomery,
Hagerstown, Williamsport, Boonsboro, Snicker's
Gap, Ashby Gap, Newbury Cross Roads, Culpeper
Courthouse, Brandy Station, and Bucklin Mills.
At the latter place he was wounded by a shell,
which broke his left arm, and he was in the hospital for three months at Washington, being discharged from there the 15th of January, 1864.
At the close of his service in the army, Mr. Hart
returned home and became a student in the Law
Department of the University of Michigan, from
which he was graduated in 1866, and the same
year was admitted to practice in the State Supreme
Court and later in the United States Court. After
his graduation he was elected County Clerk, serving two terms of two years each. IIe then formed
a law partnership with F. J. Littlejohn, under the
firm name of Littlejohn & Hart, which continued
for some years. He was afterward associated
with A. H. Fenn, the firm being known by the
name of Fenn & Hart and later as Pope & Hart,
which latter partnership existed for some twelve




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


367


years. Mr. Iart was a member of the School Board
for some years and also served as President of the
village of Allegan. He was elected to his present
office in 1890 and has filled it with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public.
Mr. Hartwas married in April, 1866, to Miss
Priscilla M. Parsons, of Wayne County, N. Y. They
have one child, Grace. who is a graduate of the
HIigh School. Mr. Hart has a fine farm, two and
one-half miles from town, and a beautiful home on
Crescent Street, which is the resort of a large circle
of friends, who are most hospitably entertained by
his estimable wife and daughter. All the family
are members of the Episcopal Church in which
they hold an influential place.  In politics, Mr.
Hart is a Democrat and socially, he belongs to the
Masons, Knights of Pythias, and Grand Army of
the Republic,
-"E M 1 -<- 3-: --— E
K    UFUS  AM. BROWN. The gentleman whose
ti   life sketch and portrait we here present has
been for many years a resident of Bloomingdale, where he is honored as one of its
representative citizens. He comes of old English
stock, who early emigrated to this country and to
whose record hle can point with pride, his immedic
ate ancestors being brave soldiers in tie War of
the Revolution. IIe has also, himself, proved his
valor upon the field of battle, and is a worthy descendant of his patriotic forefathers.
The grandfather of our subject, Thomas Brown,
who was the son of James Brown, was born in
England, and came to Massachusetts with his father in the early Colonial days. He served during
the Revolutionary War, and was a Sergeant under
Ethan Allen at the battle of Ticonderoga. lHe was
a wheelwright by trade. He married Jane McNett,
who was born in Scotland, and of their union five
sons and four daughters were born. He afterward
removed to Seneca County, N. Y., arriving there
January 1, 1800, and settled upon a soldier's claim,
which he cleared and improved, and where he lived
until his death at the age of sixty-four. His wife
survived until seventy-eight years of age. They
were members of the Baptist Church, and a most


worthy couple. He held the office of Justice of the
Peace for some time.
Rufus Brown, the father of our subject, was born
in Rutland, Vt., January 17, 1787, and lived in
Seneca County, N. Y., until the summer of 1844
when he removed to Michigan, settling in Ypsilanti, where he died in 1854. His wife, who was
born February 23, 1797, died in June, 1881. The
father was a millwright by trade, and served as
a drummer in the War of 1812. He held the office of Justice of the Peace and other minor positions. In religion he was a Universalist, while his
wife was a Baptist. They had a family of nine
children, of whom two sons and five daughters
grew to maturity, namely: Rufus M.; Charles, who
served in the late war as Sergeant in Company A,
Third Michigan Cavalry; Ruby, Margaret, Susan,
Eliza and Mary. The mother of our subject was
born in Cayuga County, N. Y. Her parents were
Thomas and Margaret (McKinney) O'Dell, her
father being a native of Holland, and the mother,
of Ireland. Mr. O'Dell was a farmer by occupation and served in the War of 1812.
The subject of this sketch was born May 13,
1816, in Fayette, Seneca County, N. Y.  He received a common-school education, and learned the
trade of a wheelwright with his father. When
twenty-three years old, he began working for himself, following his trade until 1856 where he removed to Michigan, settling in Bloomingdale in
1854, when he bought eighty acres of land in section 16, and cut down the first tree ever felled
where the village now stands. He has sold all of
his land but six lots. In 1855 he built a sawmill
here which he operated for six years. He was elected Justice of the Peace in the spring of 1855 and
served twenty-one years. When the war broke
out, Mr. Brown enlisted in Company A, Third
Michigan Cavalry, being elected First Lieutenant,
but resigned about two months later.
Mr. Brown married Lucretia Melvin, a daughter
of John Melvin, and a native of Burton, Ohio. Of
the union four children were born: George, who
died when twenty-eight years of age; Mathias, who
died at eight years; Alice, wife of Milfred Gilbert,
and Eddie, who also died when eight years old.
The mother of these children who was a most esti



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.




mable woman, and a member of the Disciple Church,
died in November, 1875. Mr. Brown has served as
Notary Public for twelve years, is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and a stanch Democrat. He
relates some interesting stories of his life in the
early days of Bloomingdale. In 1856 he put up a
store which was the first one erected in the place,
and there sold the first yard of calico and the first
pound of tea ever sold in the village. Indians were
still living in the vicinity and he carried on quite
an extensive trade with them. He witnessed the
ceremony which united in marriage the son of
Chief Bear of the Pottawattomie tribe and the
daughter of Chief Kinewhip, of Canada.
\j OHN C. FOX, who has a beautiful home on
his farm on section 17, Allegan Township,
is entitled to a high place among the pioneers
of Central Michigan, of which he was a resident several years prior to settling in Allegan
County. He was born in the town of Byron, Genesee County, N. Y., in 1820. His parents were Dr.
Chauncey D. and Rosanna (Lenox) Fox, who were
natives of Onondaga County, N. Y. His father
was a physician of some repute, and was also a
farmer. In 1842 he removed with his family to
Michigan, and settled among the pioneers of the
township of Burns, in Shiawassee County, where
he followed his profession and farmed until his
death deprived his community of one of its most
valued and honored citizens. He was a man of
large public spirit, and, notwithstanding his professional labors and the care of his farm occupied
a great deal of his time, he accepted the office of
Highway Commissioner, and was instrumental in
the improvement of the traveling facilities of his
section. IIe and his wife reared a family of eleven
children to maturity, eight of whom are now living, namely: Charles L., Robert L., Sarah, our subject, George, Lucy, Albert and Mary.
John C. Fox, of this biographical review, received
a sound education in the schools of his native
county, and taught school one term after he came
to Michigan. He was reared on a farm, early became expert in agricultural pursuits, and at the age


of sixteen, desiring to be independent and to make
his own way in the world, he sought a situation as
a farm hand, and worked out until he came to
Michigan in 1842, in the month of October. He
spent the ensuing six years in Shiawassee County,
and then he purchased timber land, comprising
three different farms, that he opened up and afterward sold at a good price. He subsequently went
to Clinton County, and bought forty-five acres of
land, to which he added forty acres adjoining at a
later period, buying it of the Government. He
cleared thirty-five acres of the whole tract, and
then disposed of it at a good advance on the original cost. His next move was to an eighty-acre
tract, three miles distant, two acres of which were
cleared. He cut off sixty-eight acres of timber on
that farm, and in the comfortable home that he
built up there lived thirty-five years. In 1883 he
sold that place and purchased his present farm in
Allegan Township. This comprises one hundred
and four acres of valuable farming land, and, with
its fine set of farm buildings, and all the modern
appliances for carrying on agriculture, is one of
the model farms of this locality. Mr. Fox has
given his son charge of the farm, and has built
for himself another dwelling upon it, which is a
handsome residence, standing nearer the street than
the farmhouse.
Mr. Fox was united in marriage in 1849, to Miss
Caroline M. Richmond, of Green Bush, Clinton
County. She was born at Leroy, N. Y., a daughter
of Preserved and Mary (Luther) Richmond, who
had nine children, of whom she is the only survivor.
She is a lady of rare culture and literary attainments, and was formerly engaged in the profession
of teaching in this State. She and our subject
have a family of four children: Franklin B., who
married Miss Lizzie Cook, and they have one child,
Palmer J.; Frances L., who has one son, Clifford;
Milton A., who married Miss Celia Judd, and has
two children, Grace and Clare; and Florence E.
Our subject possesses an independent, energetic,
decisive character, and has always been a force in
any community where he has lived. He has
actively assisted in the administration of public
affairs as an incumbent of various responsible
offices, such as that of Supervisor and School In



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


369


spector, and has always thrown the weight of his
influence to secure local improvements. He is a
member of the Grange, and is deeply interested in
its advancement. Politically, he is a prominent
Democrat of the township.
-++++        + 3 l ++++ _      '
ARSHALL      BUGDEN, a representative
farmer on section 15, Casco Township,
I  Allegan County, is a native of the Mother
Country. He was born March 11, 1839,
near Sutton, Kent County, England, to John and
Mary (Crisp) Bugden, both natives of the same
place as their son. The father was reared in his
native place on a farm, and to him and his wife
were born ten children, our subject being the
youngest. Marshall Bugden remained in the place
of his birth until nineteen years of age, when he
came to the Un ited States and located in Kosciusko
County, Ind., where he worked until the breaking
out of the war.
Our subject enlisted in the defense of his
adopted country in 1861, in Company B, Fortyfourth Indiana Infantry. He was with the Army
of the Cumberland, and fought in many of the
most important battles, namely: Pittsburg Landing, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Ft. Donelson, Stone River and Chickamauga. This gentleman
was fortunate in never having received a wound
nor was he taken prisoner during his service. He
re-enlisted in 1863 in the same company, and
served gallantly until the close of the war.
On returning from the war, Mr. Bugden purchased eighty acres of land in Ganges Township,
this county. The land was covered with a dense
forest and he at once set to work and improved a
portion of it. In 1870 he sold it and purchased
eighty acres of his present farm, and afterward
purchased one hundred and twenty acres on section 1 of this township. His farm was all unimproved when he settled on it, and by his own
industrious labor he has ninety acres under the plow,
besides ten acres which are set in fruit. He has
gained his farm and all that he possesses by his
own hands, for when he arrived in the United
States he had but a few dollars in his pocket, and
he might well be termed a self-made man.


I


I


In 1866 Mr. Bugden married Helen Chaplin, a
daughter of M. P. and Sarah A. (Morris) Chaplin,
natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, and
very early pioneers in Kosciusko County, Ind.,
locating there before their marriage in 1830.
To this worthy couple six children have been born,
one dying in infancy: Edith, Rose, Bert, Marian
and Jennie. Edith died when fourteen years old.
Our subject is a member of Zach Chandler Post,
G. A. R., and is also a member of the Patrons of
Husbandry. He and his wife have been members
of the Grange for eighteen years. Mr. Bugden was
Supervisor of his township for six years, and has
held many responsible and minor offices of his township. He was also Assessor of his School District
fifteen years. Himself and family are prominent
in the social circles of the community.
+E5:-+-EE+




+EaE+]EE+~       7


ENRY BIRD, Postmaster of Douglas, Allegan
County, is one of the leading citizens and
business men of the place. Besides his
duties as Postmaster, he gives his attention
to conducting a drug store which is one of the
best in the village. Henry Bird was born in Washtenaw  County, this State, January 7, 1843. His
parents were Henry and Desiah (Van House) Bird,
natives of New York State.
Our subject was two years of age when his
parents went to Wheaton, Ill., where he grew to
manhood and received a good education in the
common schools, and at Wheaton College.   In
1866 he came to Allegan County, and in 1878
entered into the drug business, and at the present
time is a registered pharmacist.
November 10, 1869, Henry Bird was happily
married to Ellen S. Collins, a native of Lockport,
Ill. That union has been blest by the birth of six
children: Frederick H., Edith, Harold; Helen, who
is deceased; Leon and Kenneth M. In his political
relations, our subject is a thorough Republican,
and socially is a member of the Knights of Honor
and Van Arsdale Post, No. 148, G. A. R. In May,
1863, he responded to his country's call and enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-first






370


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Illinois Infantry. His regiment formed a part of
the Army of the Tennessee, and our subject en(lured all the hardships and privations of war
until 1865, when he received his honorable discharge. lie is very prominent in local affairs in
his township, and is Secretary of the Pomological
Society, in which position he has served for three
years. He is one of the enterprising fruit growers
of this section, and in all his undertakings has
been more than ordinarily successful.
OVETT EAMES. The early life of this
pioneer of Kalamazoo was a struggle against
Jl.  adverse circumstances, but with indomitable
will and unfaltering trust, he kept the even tenor
of his way, and his last years were brightened by
the consciousness of a well-spent life, with something done for humanity.
Born in Rutland, Jefferson County, N. Y., April
22, 1810, our subject was the son of Daniel and
Mollie (Wight) Eames, members of old New England families, whose ancestors settled at Dedham,
Mass., at an early day. The first representative
of the Eames family in America was Thomas Eames,
who emigrated from   England in 1620, settling
in Dedham ten years later, and building a house
there which was burned by the Indians during
King Philip's war.
Lovett Eames was the thirteenth and youngest
child in the parental family, and his youthful days
were passed in the Empire State. In 1833 lie came
to Michigan, spending one year in Jackson County,
and then settling in Grand Prairie, Kalamazoo
County, where he continued farming operations
four years. He was married, June 23, 1835, in
Adams, N. Y., to Miss Lucy C. Morgan, who was
born in Watertown, N. Y., June 22, 1811. Her
parents were the Rev. Elisha and Polly (Babcock)
Morgan, natives of Connecticut, and descendants
of three brothers who emigrated from Wales and
settled in different parts of the United States.
In 1834 Mrs. Eames came to Ann Arbor to visit
her brother, E. W. Morgan, and while teaching
there met the gentleman whom she soon afterward
married. After residing four years on their farm,


the young couple located in Kalamazoo and purchased the place where the widow now resides, No.
775 W. South Street. The first work of Mr. Eames
was the manufacture of wooden pumps, in connection with which he conducted a chair and bedstead
factory.
Having naturally a mechanical mind, Mr. Eames
turned his attention to the invention of appliances,
and his first one was a mortising machine for hubs.
Ile also invented an engine for use in raising water,
and a grain meter for measuring grain passing
through elevators. While he neither sold nor manufactured his patents, he was constantly perfecting
some machine, and continued in that line until his
death, September 6, 1863, when he was fifty-three
years old. lie had also purchased considerable
real estate, and sold town lots, the college standing
on a part of his original tract.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Eames are as
follows: Elisha )., of Watertown, N. Y.; Lucia A.,
who married 1T. F. Blount, of Washington, D.C.;
Fred W., deceased; Wilfred, a manufacturer of
pumps in Ypsilanti, this State; Judson M., who
died when ten years old; Gardner T., who is a
manufacturer at Chattanooga, Tenn.; Charles B.,
who is conducting a loan and collection agency at
St. Louis, Mo., and Nellie D., who is the wife of
C. 1)eGraff, of Evansville, Ind.
Mrs. Eames still occupies the old homestead.
She has been active ili ladies' societies and attends
the Presbyterian Church, of which she has been a
liberal supporter. Since the organization of the
Ladies' Library Association, she has been actively
identified with its growth, and has never shirked
when duty called for her assistance. Every enterprise where woman's brain and hands have been
necessary has found in her a champion, and she
is to-day a lovely, cultured lady, whom it is a
pleasure to know.
The children have been imbued with much of
the inventive genius which characterized their
father, and all but one of the sons have been
granted letters-patent for some labor-saving invention. Fred W., whose inventive genius carried him back to the old homestead in New York,
became interested in patents covering safety brakes
for railway service, and was connected with their


*




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


371


manufacture and sale. I-e met with much opposition from monied corporations, whose products
were infringements upon his patents, and struggled
unceasingly to perpetuate his rights.  lie was
killed in 1883, at the early age of thirty-nine, by
a man who had formerly been befriended by him
but who was endeavoring to wrest from him the
products of energy and toil. During the Civil
War he had enlisted under the gallant Capt. May,
for service, and was the second man in Kalamazoo
who enlisted.
YER C. PUTNAM. This honored gentleman is one of the leading merchants in
the thriving little village of Douglas,
Allegan County. lie launched out in his
present business in 1866 and since that time has
made a signal success of his undertaking, being
gentlemanly and courteous in all his dealings. Iis
parents were Dyer and Lucy (Conger) Putnam,
natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively.
The subject of this sketch is a native of the
Empire State, having been born in Oswego County,
December 20, 1843. Young Dyer was only eight
years old when his parents removed to South Bend,
Ind. There his father died, and lie remained with
his mother, caring for her until reaching his majority. The limited circumstances of the family prevented him from being given many advantages in
the way of an education, but he was very bright
and quick to learn and is to-day intelligent and
well read.
In 1865 Dyer C. Putnam came to Douglas, Allegan County, and the succeeding year started in
business in the same building which he occupies at
the present time. Ite was very popular among his
fellow-townsmen and was honored with the position of Postmaster, being the first in the village,
which office he held for twenty years. His marriage with Catherine J. Enoch took place in 1872.
Mrs. Putnam was born near Rockford, Ill., and was
the daughter of -Ion. A. J. and Catherine (Davis)
Enoch. Her union with our subject has been
blessed with the birth of four children: Ralph E.,


Ethel, Dyer C., Jr., and Hazel G., all of whom are
at home with their parents and are receiving the
training which will make of them good and useful
citizens.
The gentleman of whom we write has been very
active in the development of various enterprises in
Douglas and is a stock-holder in the Douglas Manufacturing Company, also acting in the capacity
of Treasurer of that company. In politics he casts
his vote and influence for Republican candidates,
and socially is a member of Dutchess Lodge, A. F.
& A.A M., No. 193. At the present writing he is
Worshipful Master in that order, and a Trustee of
the Congregational Church, in which he and his
family are active members, from the date of its organization. IIis interest in education is manifested
by the fact that he has been on the School Board for
fifteen years; lie has also been connected with the
Village Board and held the various town offices.
All in all, he is one of the leading citizens of Douglas and we are pleased to be able to present his
sketch to our readers.
- __,                 ___-)
ARRY A. WALKER. It gives us pleasure to
inscribe on these pages the life record of
this venerable pioneer of Allegan County,
) who settled here when Michigan was a Territory, and when Nature had full sway in the trackless forests and on the lonely prairies of this region, and who labored hard with his fellow-pioneers
to redeem the rich virgin soil of this part of the
country from its original wildness. Our subject
was one of the first to settle in Martin Township,
locating on section 22, where he cleared a fine
farm from the woods, and is now comfortably passing the sunset of life, living retired from active
business in the pleasant home that he built upon it
when he was in the prime of manhood.
Mr. Walker was born in the town of Highgate,
Franklin County, Vt., May 6, 1811. His father,
John Walker, was also a native of the Green
Mountain State. He was a son of James Walker,
who was of Scotch birth and antecedents. He
came to America when a young man, and during






372


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


3T      NAR
_..- - - -


the'Revolution cast in his lot with his fellow-colonists to free his adopted country from British oppression. He enlisted in the Continental army as
a private, and was promoted for meritorious conduct in battle to the rank of Corporal. In one of
the battles in which he was engaged he was
wounded in the hip by a musket ball. The old
hero lived to be seventy years old. He was a
prominent man in his time in that part of Vermont
where he settled. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Jeremiah Brewer, was also a brave soldier
in the Revolutionary War, and he sacrificed his life
for the cause, dying from the effects of a wound
caused by a ball from an enemy's musket, while
he was fighting at the front in one of the hotlycontested battles of that war.
At the age of twenty-one, John Walker left the
hills and valleys of his native State and betook
himself to Quebec, Canada, where he worked in a
ship-yard some three years. Returning to Vermont at the end of that time, he began business as
a general farmer. He married Hannah Brewer,
who was also a native of that State, and they removed to Lower Canada, locating in the town of
Stanbridge, in the District of Montreal, where he
bought a farm, and gave his attention to its cultivation the ensuing fourteen years. His next move
was to New York, where he died at the age of
sixty-five. His wife died at the same age and at
the same place. He was a man of strong intelligence and of broad views of life. In politics, he
was a Whig until the Republican party came into
existence, and then his allegiance was transferred
to that party, as he was heartily in sympathy with
the object of its formation. Religiously, he was
a Universalist. To him and his wife were born
six children, two sons and four daughters, all of
whom grew to maturity, namely: Harry, Ferdinand, a resident of Wisconsin; Miranda, deceased;
Laura, widow of James Haskin, and a resident of
Ionia, Mich.; Abigail is still single; Teressa
widow of James Wood, and a resident of Saranac
lonia County.
The subject of this biographical review was seven
years old when his parents went to Canada, and he
remained with them until he attained his majority.
He then set out in the world empty-handed, but


with a brave heart, to try life for himself. He found
employment on a farm and in a sawmill, working
by the month, and was thus engaged for about
two years. He then bought his father's farm in
the town of Stanbridge, District of Montreal, Canada, and carried on general farming thereon the
ensuing two years. He then sold that place and
came directly to Allegan County, and bought
eighty acres of the farm where he now resides.
Michigan was then under territorial government,
and this part of it was but very little settled.
Iis land being in the midst of the primeval forests
he had to find his way to it by marked trees. His
first work was to clear a space upon which to
erect a dwelling, and of the logs thus cut down he
built a house, 16x26 feet in dimensions. The flourishing city of Kalamazoo at that time contained
only about six houses, and but very little had been
done in the way of making roads, except for some
that were almost impassable in certain seasons of
the year. No wagons were in use here, but sleds,
drawn by oxen, took their places summer and winter.
Our subject's was the second family to settle in
the township, and his nearest neighbor was four
miles away. He worked diligently to develop
his farm and put it in good order, and has succeeded in making it a valuable place, with excellent improvements, and all the appointments that
go to make a good farm. He has increased its
original size by the addition of twenty more acres
of subsequent purchase, and now has one hundred
acres of choice land. He has retired from its management, and it is now under the charge of his son,
who keeps it up to a high standard. Our subject's
fellow-citizens have always held him in high regard, and have desired him to take part in local
affairs, electing him to offices, but he would never
serve. His first Presidential vote was cast in favor
of Andrew Jackson. He voted the Democratic
ticket but once, and ever since the Republican
party was organized he has stood firmly by that.
Mr. Walker's first marriage, which took place in
his native State, was with Miss Louisa Cory, who
was also a native of Vermont. She departed this
life in 1846, leaving two children: John W.,aresident of Martin Township; and Laura, wife of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


373


Michael McDonough, of Martin Township. Our
subject's second marriage was with Miss Jane
Pratt, and they have had two children: Berton A.,
who lives with his father; and Teressa, wife of
Hiram Babcock, who is a jeweler, and is now in
Minnesota.


I   I  - r E,- O ft  0 — q 4q  -l


TEPIIEN ODELL, a veteran of the late
war, is engaged in general farming on section 29, Trowbridge Township, Allegan
County,   Iis father, B. W. Odell, was a
native of Seneca County, N. Y., and married Caroline Smith, who was also born in the Empire State.
In 1850 he brought his family to Michigan, locating on section 22, Trowbridge Township, where
from the wilderness he developed a good farm.
His wife died in 1846 and he married Wealthy
Odell, who is still living at the age of fifty-eight
years. Seven children were born of his first marriage, six now living, and there are also six survivors among the children of the second union.
Two of the sons served in the Civil War. Mr.
Odell was a member of the Baptist Church, and in
politics was first a Whig and then a Republican.
He died in 1877.
Our subject was born in Seneca County, N. Y.,
April 30, 1835, and when a young lad went with
his parents to Iuron County, Ohio. When about
fifteen years of age, he came to Michigan and three
years later began life for himself, working as a
farm hand by the month, but when the late war
broke out he offered his services to his country,
enlisting in September, 1861, as a member of Company A, Third Michigan Cavalry. From Corporal
he was promoted to Sergeant and performed the
duties of Orderly-Sergeant. The regiment was organized at Grand Rapid, under Col. Misner and
was sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis. Our subject
took part in the raid after Dick Thompson, the battles of New Madrid, Corinth, Holly Springs, Tallahatchee River, Jackson, Miss., and more than fifty
skirmishes. Then proceeding to Pittsburg Landing the following battles were afterward fought:
Iuka, Mobile and Baton Rouge. The regiment
then went up the Red River into Texas, where,


after serving for four years and seven months,
Mr. Odell received his discharge. He was one of
sixty-four men who crossed the Tennessee River
at midnight and made a raid on Clifton, capturing
the town, destroying a large amount of supplies
and taking eighty-seven prisoners. Mr. Odell was
never off duty except during two months of sickness but was always found at his post and participated in all the engagements of the regiment.
It was in 1864 that the marriage of Mr. Odell
and Martha J. Fairchild was celebrated. Her parents, Asa and Elizabeth (Lockhart) Fairchild, were
both natives of Ohio, the former born in 1817, the
latter in 1822. The father was a mechanic by trade
and died in Iowa. The mother is still living at
the age of sixty-eight years. Of their seven children only two survive: Andrew J., and Mrs.
Odell. The brother was a soldier of the Eightysecond Ohio Infantry, served throughout the war
and with Sherman marched to the sea. He now
resides in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Mrs.
Odell was born June 6, 1842, in Ashland County,
Ohio, and came to Michigan in 1863. By the marriage of our subject and his wife, ten children were
born, nine yet living: Maylon V., born in 1865;
Caroline E., in 1866; Arthur U., in 1868; Ella
M., in 1869; Delia May, in 1871; Flora Blanche, in
1873; Johnnie Tully, in 1875; Nina Vivian, in
1884; and Ernest Leroy, in 1887. Jesse, born August
12, 1878, died September 12, following.
Mr. and Mrs. Odell began their domestic life
upon an unimproved farm on section 29, Trowbridge Township, of which he cleared fifty acres.
Subsequently they removed to another farm of
one hundred and sixty acres in the same township
and of this he placed thirty acres under cultivation. Afterward he cleared and improved twenty
acres on section 31, then removed to Allegan,
where he resided for four years. At the expiration
of that time he took up his residence on the farm
which is yet his home and made many improvements thereon. Hie now has one hundred and nine
and one-half acres, of which one hundred yields
tribute to his care and cultivation. He built his
pleasant dwelling, his barns, and made other improvements which bespeak the thrift and enterprise
of the owner,




374


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Mr. Odell is a warm friend of the cause of education and has given his children excellent advantages in this line. Caroline, Arthur and Delia
have all engaged in teaching and the first-named
is now studying medicine in Detroit. In politics,
our subject is a stanch Republican and has served
as Township Treasurer, Commissioner of HighWays, Assessor, Road Supervisor and School Director. Socially, he is a member of C. J. Bassett
G. A. R. Post of Allegan and of the Grange;
his wife is a member of the Methodist Church and
has been a teacher in the Sunday-school, and both
are members of the Pioneer Society of Allegan
County. This worthy couple are held in the highest esteem by all who know them and have a wide
circle of friends and acquaintance throughout the
community. Their home is a hospitable one and
cheery greeting and good-will always welcome
their guests.
k -                   ~~ ---,. gfeCL1 ag-.w=B^ —  s
TEPHEN I). ROCKWELL is a prominent
farmer residing on section 32, Trowbridge
Township, Allegan County. His father,
Roswell Rockwell, was born in Vermont
in' 1809, and was a farmer by occupation. His fataer was James Rockwell, and a native of Connecticut. The maiden name of our subject's mother
was Iannah Foster, and she was born in Danby
County, N. Y., in 1812. She was the daughter of
Stephen and Sarah (Dunham) Foster, farmers and
early settlers of Seneca County, Ohio, whither they
removed in 1825. They are deceased and were
the parents of six children, only two of whom are
living.
The parents of our subject were married, in
1832, in Seneca County, Ohio, where they resided
until 1847. They then came to Michigan and made
their home on one hundred and one acres of wild
land, which the father had taken up from the Government. Neighbors were few and far between in
that early day, there being only two families between their home and Paw Paw, fourteen miles
distant. Wild animals were plentiful, as were also
Indians. There were no roads laid out and Mr.
Rockwell assisted greatly in preparing the coun

try for those who should come after. He died in
1855 and his wife was again married; she is now a
widow.
Eight children were included iln the parental
family of our subject, five of whom are living:
James R., Stephen D.; Sarah E., who is now Mrs.
Southward; Cornelia E., Mrs. Connery, and Caroline L., Mrs. Henry. The elder Mr. Rockwell was
an active Whig in politics and greatly interested
in school matters, helping to organize many of the
school districts. Ite was a first-class farmer and
devoted most of his time and attention to the cultivation of his land.
Stephen D. Rockwell was born January 19, 1835,
in Seneca County, Ohio, and was ten years of age
when his parents came to the Wolverine State. lie
was given a good education in the district schools
and remained at home until reaching his twentieth
year. H-e then learned the carpenter's trade, and
after the death of his father carried on the home
farm. He was engaged for five years in Allegan,
manufacturing shingles and following his trade.
He of whom we write was married, in 1857, to
Hannah Sophia, daughter of Charles and Mary
Ann Wentworth. Her parents removed from New
York to Maryland in an early day, and in 1857
came to Michigan and settled in Trowbridge
Township, where the father died in 1885; the
mother is still living and married to Mitchell
Brown, and lives on the old farm. She became the
mother of five children. Mrs. Rockwell was born
in 1840, in New York State, where she was given
an excellent education, and taught school several
years before her marriage to our subject.
Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell have become the parents
of three children: Ida M.,who is the wife of Martin
C. Brest, lives in Trowbridge Township, and has
one child; Effie M. and Edith Floy. They have all
been given good educations, and Ida has taught
school. They are all good performers on the
piano and are much sought after in the society of
Trowbridge Township. Mr. Rockwell is a member
of the Grange, in which body he has been Secretary and Treasurer, holding the latter office for
four years. He has always taken great interest in
educational matters and has been on the School
Board for a number of years. He has also been




I




ALVIN CHAPMAN




I


MRS. ALVIN CHAPMAN






I: I i,::~ ': i...,  ~  ~,~,  ~  ~  0 f ~,,~~,,  ~~,,,~ ~,  ~  i,i




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


379


Township Treasurer for four years and is greatly
respected in his community.  In politics, he is
independent.
Our subject owns thirty-eight acres of land,
and carries on a general farming business. His
place is stocked with good grades of horses, cattle and sheep, and is embellished with a flourishing pear and apple orchard. His aged mother
makes her home with him.
LVIN CHAPMAN, who resides in Arlingl ing Township, Van Buren County, is desI  cended from  Robert Chapman, a native
of England, whose name is found in history as one of the first settlers of Saybrook, Conn.
The family was a prominent one in those days,
and its members have a good record as men of
sterling integrity, who in the Colonial days did
much to aid in building up the great Common.
wealth of Connecticut, always so prominent in
New England history.
Robert Chapman emigrated from   England in
1635, and located in Boston, where he remained
but a short time, afterward settling in Saybrook.
From this sturdy pioneer and his family of seven
children, have sprung many of the enterprising
and progressive spirits, who, leaving their native
mountains, have founded   for themselves new
homesin the prairies of the West, and have been
instrumental in building up these States, as their
forefathers were those of New England.   The
children of Robert Chapman were John, Robert,
Anna, Hannah, Nathaniel, Mary and Sarah.
Our subject's paternal grandfather, William
Chapman, was born in Westbrook, Conn., and
served during the Revolutionary War, and in after years related many stories of that terrible
struggle. He was at one time cooking for the
officers of a division of the army, when an eighteenpound cannon ball passed through the house,
alarming the inmates, but doing no serious damage.
Our subject was the son of William and Anna
(Kelsey) Chapman, and the parental family consisted of six children: Willirnm, Elihu, Emily, Al17


vin, Benjamin, and Susan. The latter is still residing at Westbrook, Conn.
Alvin Chapman was born in May, 1824, at Westbrook, where he grew to mature years, receiving
a good common-school education    and being
trained to habits of industry and application. In
1850, he was married to Miss Laura Wright, and in
a few years after the young couple decided to see
what life might hold for them in the far West,
whereland was more plentiful and opportunities
for making money much greater than in. the New
England States. Accordingly, in 1855 Mr. Chapman, with his wife and one child, removed to
Michigan, settling in Van Buren County, where he
hins ever since resided. Here he purchased a farm,
which was wild land on which a furrow had never
been turned, but which now, under his industrious
hands and careful management, has been metamorphosized into a fertile farm of two hundred
acres.
In 1864 Mr. Chapman enlisted in Company I,
Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, serving until the
close of the war, and marching with Sherman's
command from Chattanooga to Washington.
Since that time he has devoted most of his attention to agricultural pursuits, being very successful
in all his enterprises. When the West Michigan
Savings Bank was organized at Bangor, Mr. Chapman was made Vice-president, which position he
has held ever since, also being the owner of the
building and fixtures of the bank.  This institution is doinga good business, for which it is indebted to the wise counsel and correct judgment
of its officers.
The wife of our subject departed this life
in 1877.  She was a devoted wife and tender
mother and her loss was irreparable. Not only
in her own home is she greatly missed but in
the many social relations in which she took such an
active part and which benefited by her precepts and
example. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were the parents
of seven children, as follows:  Flora, wife of
Theodore Reynolds; Eva, who married George
Reynolds and is now deceased; Mary, wife of Prof.
Allen Redding, of Findlay, Ohio; William who
lives at the old homestead, and Abbie, a teacher,
also residing in Findlay, Ohio.




380


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


In connection with this sketch will be noticed
lithographic portraits of Mr. Chapman and his deceased wife.  He is noted for his benevolence,
having been liberal almost to a fault in the aid of
every worthy enterprise which has been projected
for the advancement of the community in which
he resides, and his many kind deeds will be remembered long after he shall have passed away
from earth. He has been an extensive traveler, and
during his many journeyings has made a large collection of curios, relics of various kinds and valuable bric-a-brac, which he prizes highly and which
aid in the decoration of his beautiful home. His
library is made up of choice books, works of the
most noted authors of this and other countries and
one can gain a fair estimate of the character of the
man by noticing the class of literature in which
he is most interested. He has a fine residence one
and a half miles from the town of Bangor, which
is a model of comfort and convenience, and in
which he is happily spending the latter years of
his life. His children have been well educated and
well trained, and are occupying enviable positions
in society. Mr. Chapman is a through-going Republican and socially, is a prominent Mason, havingtaken the Thirty-second Degree and is now
Commander of the A. Lincoln Post, No. 9, G.
A. R.
GILES A. PIPER, D. D. S. This well-known
and highly respected resident of Allegan is
one of the finest dentists in the county. He
is the son of Dr. William A. Piper, and was born
in Boston, Mass., November 25, 1840. His father,
although a native of New York State, lived in
Massachusetts, where he successfully followed the
profession of a dentist. The parental family included two children: Dr. Piper, of this sketch,
and Lotta, now Mrs. William Boice, of Chicago.
Dr. William A. Piper removed from Massachusetts to Chicago, Ill., where he remained a short
time, and then came to Kalamazoo County, Mich.
There he was engaged in dental surgery until 1851,
the date of his coming to Allegan. He was actively engaged in practice until his death, which
occurred in 1877. His partner in business, after


coming to Allegan, was Dr. Streeter, and they soon
established a reputation for doing some of the
finest work in the county.
Our subject was given an excellent education,
being a graduate of the Allegan High School.
After finishing his studies, he clerked in a store,
and, when deciding to choose a life work, learned
the dental business in his father's office. On the
outbreak of the Civil War, our subject, together
with his father, enlisted in Company I, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, and was under the command of Gen.
Custer. His father was wounded in the battle of
Gettysburg, and received an honorable discharge,
with the rank of Sergeant. Giles A. served his
country three years, and was wounded three times,
first in the battle at Yellow Tavern, where he was
shot in the ankle; then at Cold Harbor, where
he was wounded in the side, and the third time at
Morton Ford, receiving a wound in the collar-bone. He was taken prisoner on the 11th of
June, in the battle of Trevilian Station, Va., and
was kept in captivity for six months and eleven
days, being in Libby, Belle Island, Andersonville,
Florence and Charleston prisons. Ile suffered
greatly during his confinement in those vile dens,
weighing one hundred and sixty-five pounds when
taken prisoner and when released, only eightyfive pounds.  When in Andersonville, his rations consisted of one pint of corn and cob
per day, put in water, and one spoonful of salt
per week.  The soldiers were so frantic for
water that they would dig down in the ground
seventy-three feet, and our subject, among
others, went down that distance without the well
being curbed or stoned up.
Dr. Piper received an honorable discharge from
the army the 3d of July, 1865.  After his return
home his health was so shattered that he lay a
month, not being able to recognize any of his
friends.  When fully recuperated, he began the
practice of his profession at Allegan, in which
he has been successfully engaged since that time.
Dr. Giles A. Piper and Miss Ida Campbell were
married in Allegan, October 9, 1884. She was the
daughter of John and Mary (McDuffee) Campbell,
natives of New York State.  Her parents came
to Allegan County in 1872, where the father en



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


381.I.
-------- ~ ~~~~ I__~~ _  _   e ~ _  _____ _ _~_~_ _ ~_ ___ _ _~ 1 _. _ _ _ l _ l _ __~__


gaged as a boot and shoe merchant. IIe followed
that business until his death in 1887. The mother
is still a resident of this county and has become
the mother of two children: Mrs. Dr. Piper, and
Jennie. In politics, Mr. Campbell was a Republican.
Our subject is an active and influential member
of the Republican party, and is identified with the
Grand Army of the Republic. Dr. Piper is a very
prominent man in his profession, and is the center
of a wide circle of friends, meriting the esteem
and confidence which is accorded him on every
side.
G. SHEFFER. This old pioneer, who is
one of the sturdy representatives of the
agricultural community,was born in Oneida
County, N. Y., in 1823. He is at present
residing on a beautiful farm on section 36, Casco
Township, Allegan County, and is the son of
George and Polly Sheffer. The father was born in
Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1800, where he spent
his early life on a farm. His parents were pioneers
of the above named county, and were well-to-do
people.
George Sheffer, when eighteen years of age, met
with a serious accident by cutting his knee, and
for several years he was very lame. IIe was a selfmade man in the truest sense of the word, for while
his school days were very limited, he was an intelligent and well-read man. The elder Mr. Sheffer remailed at home until his marriage, which occurred
when he was about nineteen years of age,
Miss Hester Vaughn becoming his wife. Their
union resulted in the birth of two children, William and Maria, both of whom are deceased.
After the death of his first wife, the father of
our subject was married to Polly Chamberlain, of
Oneida County, N. Y., where he had previously
gone. Mrs. Polly Sheffer was the mother of the
original of this sketch, and was the daughter of
Nicholas and Sarah (Gates) Chamberlain. Her
parents were of Puritan stock, and natives of Massachusetts; Mrs. Sheffer was born in Oneida County,
N. Y., in 1799, on the spot which is the present
site of Clinton College. IHer parents were the first
white settlers in that county, anl her playmates


were the Indian children, whose language she could
speak as well as her own.
The parents of our subject had born to them ten
children: S. G., our subject; Sarah, who is the
wife of E. K. McLouth; Clark; Mary, Mrs. D. Marlatte; Lowell; Clara, the widow of Albert Smith;
Martha, Mrs. Charles Lee; John, deceased; and two
who died when young, one of whom was a twin of
our subject. Soon after his second marriage, the
father of our subject learned the trades of tanner
and shoemaker, which he followed the remainder
of his life. In 1840 he came West to Washtenaw
County, where he was among the earliest pioneers.
His last days were spent at the home of a daughter
in Lenawee County, this State, his death occurring
in 1864. His wife had preceded him to the better
land by ten years. IHe had united with the Free
and Accepted Masons while a young man residing
in Schloharie County, N. Y., in which order he became Master Mason. Ile was a Baptist in his early
years, but his later life was spent as a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having united
with that denomination because there was no Baptist Church in his vicinity. His wife was a Presbyterian. In politics, he was first a Jacksonian
Democrat, but later joined the Whig party.
The grandfather of our subject was John Sheffer,
a native of New York. His father was a Baron in
Germany, and in the early part of the seventeenth
century emigrated to America and purchased the
Township of Sharon, in Schoharie County, N. Y.
Ihe named the township in honor of the rose of
Sharon, found in Germany. Both the paternal and
maternal grandfather of our subject fought in the
Revolutionary War.
S. G. Sheffer, of this sketch, was given a good
education,attending an academy in Cayuga County,
N. Y., until reaching the age of fifteen. He then
engaged to work on a farm by the month, and continued so employed until his marriage in 1848. The
lady who became his wife, bore the name of Lavina
M., daughter of Henry P. Snyder. Mrs. Sheffer
was a native of Columbia County, N. Y. and came
of German descent. A few years prior to his marriage, Mr. Sheffer had come to Michigan, locating
in Lenawee County.
In 1851, the original of this sketch came to Alle





382


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


gan County, and in November of that year located
on his present farm in Casco Township. HIere he
purchased eighty acres of land from a Mr. Fowler,
who had entered the tract from  the Government.
The township was but thinly settled at the time of
his locating here, and our subject has done valuable service in helping to lay out roads, erect
schoolhouses, and otherwise open up the country
for those who would follow. The mail was brought
to the settlers twice a week, sometimes by a boy,
but oftener by a neighbor who happened to be
passing the postoffice.
The first house of our subject was a board
"shanty," 12x14 feet in dimensions, which served
only to keep the sun out, for when it rained everything inside was "soaked." The cabin has given
way to a comfortable and commodious residence,
in which our subject and his family make their
home. Mr. and Mrs. Sheffer have been granted
four children: Charles W., residing in Casco Township; Agnes V., who is a teacher in Washington;
Sarah, Mrs. A. E. Briggs, and Byron, also residing in Casco Township.
Mr. Sheffer is a member of the Free and Accepted
Masons, belonging to the Blue Lodge of South
Haven; he has attained to the Royal Arch Degree.
He is also a Knight of the Red Cross, a Knight of
Malta and a Knight Templar, of Kalamazoo. In
politics, he is non-partisan, although he was sent
as a delegate to the first National Republican Convention, in 1858. He also served in a like position
to the first National Greenback Convention, at Toledo, Ohio. The following is an original poem,
read by S. G. Sheffer at the Allegan County Pioneer Society, August 19, 1891:
"Another year, and here we meet
To clasp the hand of friendship true;
And welcome to our hearts our friends,
Our social friendships to renew.
"We've met to-day to welcome those
Who sought the wilderness long ago,
To grapple with those lofty trees,
And have their lofty tops laid low.
"And to live o'er those wondrous scenes
That crowd around our cabin door,
When howl of wolf at night was heard,
And red men slept on our cabin floor.




I


"Our neighbors few and far between,
Yet always true in time of need,
And joyously we welcomed them
T'o our cabin by the mead.
"And when the day of work was done
And we sat around the frugal board,
With pleasant sounds our memory stirred
When at the door our friends were heard.
"And when strong arms and hearts of steel
Have conquered the forest there
And broad rich fields and barns well stored,
And homes are seen both rich and rare.
"When we o'er the wild domain,
That years ago was (ine wild wood,
That's planted now with tree and vine,
We enjoy just as we should.
"Though storms arise, and troubles come,
With patience strong we stand the test,
Nor think of aught but pleasure good
That fills the home that we love best.
"And as old age creeps on apace,
Time's hoary hand is on us laid,
Yet smiling still our work pursue
And cheerful meet what change has made.
"We like to cast a backward thought
To those rude days of early years,
And live again in memory dear,
Those days when we were pioneers."
7 ONATHAN M. HOWARD. This gentleman,
who has resided on his present farm on section 34, Cheshire Township, Allegan County,
for more than a quarter of a century, is the
present amiable Treasurer of his township, serving
his fifth year in that office. He was born, March
17, 1836, in Monroe Countv, N. Y., being the
youngest of two children born to his parents. His
sister, Adeline B., is the wife of Willard A. Cooley,
a resident of Monroe County, N. Y. Our subject was reared to farm pursuits and has
always followed this as his life vocation. When
fourteen years old, he commenced to work out for
others, receiving but small recompense for his
labors.
Jonathan M. Howard came to Michigan in the
fall of 1854 with his parents and assisted his fa



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


383


ther in clearing his farm and here has ever since remained. He was married, April 18, 1866, to Sarah
C. Moore, who was born July 6, 1844, in Monroe
County, N. Y., and there received a good education. She has become the mother of two children,
named Emma and Arthur. He has added forty
acres to his estate and now has a hundred acres.
Eighty acres are highly tilled, with splendid buildings thereon, and general farming and stock-raising
is carried on. Mr. Howard is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bloomingdale, VanBuren County, this State, and has passed
all the chairs in the lodge. He is a member of the
Grange, of which he was Grand Master. The office of School Director was his, and the office of
Assessor of the district has been held by him
twenty years, and he is at present Treasurer of his
township. His political influence is cast with the
Republican party. He is well liked by every one
with whom he comes in contact. The parents of
Mrs. Howard were William C. and Julia (Johnson)
Moore, natives of New York, who came from that
Commonwealth to Michigan about 1845, and settled in VanBuren County. The mother passed
from this life in 1856, while the father survived
until 1884.
Jonathan Howard, the father of the gentleman
of whom we write this history, was a native of
Rome, N. Y., and was born May 19, 1808. He
was a son of Timothy Howard, and followed the
vocation of a farmer. His good wife, the mother
of our subject, bore the maiden name of Sophia
Johnson, a native of Monroe County, N. Y., she
having been born in April, 1813. Her father was
Ransom Johnson: a native of Connecticut, who
followed farming. Her mother was Hannah (Bennett) Johnson, also a native of Connecticut, who
bore her husband thirteen children, only two of
whom  yet survive. The father of our subject
died in 1849, and the mother passed away the
year following. They were married in January,
1839, and located on a farm in Monroe County,
N. Y. They lived five years in Orleans County,
when they returned to Monroe County and resided
until 1854, in which year they came to Michigan.
In the spring of 1855, they settled on their farm,
erected a log house and commenced to hew down


the immense forest. They at first had but forty
acres, and lived to see the place wonderfully improved and a good house erected. He died Januuary 10, 1883, the mother passing away January 20,
1892. She was a member of the Baptist Church,
while her husband was a Whig in politics and later joined the Republican party. He was Postmaster at Cheshire for six years and was a welleducated man.
V      +   + --   -   ^
x.                         X
OHN NIES is one of the class of Holland
citizens who have done so much to aid in
the upbuilding of the Western States, where
their industrious habits and perseverance
have been rewarded by the acquirement of comfortable fortunes and an honored record in the history
of their adopted country. Mr. Nies is a prominent hardware merchant of Saugatuck, where he is
also engaged in the pension business. THe is a son of
Derk and Ikien (Niewenhuis) Nies, natives of Holland, where the subject of this sketch was born in
Groningden, February 29, 1836. Mr. Nies is one
of the few people who can celebrate their birthday
but once in four years.
The parents of our subject emigrated to America
in 1854, when he was sixteen years oldand located
in Fillmore Township, Allegan County, where he
was reared upon a farm and there remained until
the breaking out of the rebellion. On September
10, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Second Michigan Cavalry, being assigned to the Armv of the
Cumberland, under the command of Gen. Sheridan.
This regiment participated in the one hundred
engagements which are the subject of a book
r7ritten by Lieut. Thatcher, entitled "One Hundred
Battles."  Mr. Nies was never absent from duty
during his service of three years and forty-two
days, and narrowly escaped death several times,
on one occasion, at Marietta, Ga., having his
horse'shot from under him.
He was discharged October 22, 1864, and at once
returned to Michigan where he was occupied at
farming until 1865, at that time becoming interested
in the hardware business which he carried on by




384


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-


himself until 1887. At that time he took as his
partner John Koning, who had been a trusted employe for thirteen years, and in 1888 he began to
solicit pensions, in which he has been highly sucessful.
Mr. Nies was married December 15, 1864, to
Johanna Kruisenga, a daughter of Everhardus
Kruisenga, also a native of Holland. Thirteen
children have been born of this union; those living
are as follows: Ida, Mrs. Fred Wade, residing in
Saugatuck; Kate, Mrs. Harry D. Moore, who resides
in Montana where her husband is an attorney-atlaw; Eva married Rev. C. East, who resides in St.
Louis, this State; John, Ray, Harry, Edwy, Florence
and William. John is attending the Agricultural
College at Lansing in the civil and mechanical department. Mr. Nies is a stalwart Republican and
has been frequently called to serve his fellow-citizens in various offices. He has been Supervisor
for five terms, School Director and a member of
the Village Board. His family are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church and are popular
in their community. His mother is still living at
the age of eighty years, in possession of all her
mental faculties.
ILLIAM L. O'BRIEN is very prominent in
local affairs in Cheshire Township, Allegan County, having held the office of Supervisor for three years and Assessor of the
School Dictrict for twenty-two years. He is at present residing on section 21, and carries on general
farming. He was born May 19, 1839, in County
Roscommon, Ireland. His parents were William
L. and Sarah (Devnish) O'Brien. The father died
July 3, 1888, when seventy-five years of age; the
mother still survives at the age of seventy-two
years. They came to America in 1850, and located in Lorain County, Ohio. In the fall of
1859 they emigrated to Michigan and located on
section 28, Cheshire Township, Allegan County,
when it was raw land. They reared a family of
eight children, all of whom are living, with one
exception. They were members of the Episcopal
Church, and in politics Mr. O'Brien was a Republi

can and a strong temperance mall. He held the
position of Highway Commissioner of this township.
William L. O'Brien of this sketch was the eldest
of the parental family and was eleven years of age
when crossing the Atlantic. He was given a good
education and remained at home until twenty-two
years of age. When starting out for himself, he
purchased a farm on section 21, from the Government, and immediately cleared and improved
twenty-five acres. April 20, 1870, he was united
in marriage with Miss Lizzie Smith of Bloomington, Ill., and a native of New York State, her
birth occurring in 1844. Mrs. O'Brien was the
daughter of James and Jael Smith, who came to
the Wolverine State in 1858 and located in Bloomingdale Township, Van Buren County, where they
died. They were the parents of eight children,
four of whom are now living.
Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have been granted two
children: Ethel and Alice J. Our subject has
eighty-four acres of land, forty of which are under
the plow. His daughter Ethel has been a student
at Hope College at Holland, this State, and has
taught school for three years. The family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church where
the father has been Steward, Class-leader and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Our subject
and his wife are both members of the Grange and
in polities Mr. O'Brien is a Republican. He has
been Clerk of Cheshire Township for twenty-one
years and is the present incumbent of the office.
NDREW J. MUNGER, deceased. In the
death of this gentleman, Casco Township,
Allegan County, lost one of her most prosperous and respected citizens. He was
born in New York, Niagara County, December 28,
1828, and was reared in his native State on a farm,
attending no educational institution excepting the
common schools. IIe had always been a very close
reader and was conversant with all the topics of
the day.
The gentleman of whom we write was the son
of Clark and Minerva (Sylvester) Munger, both




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


385


natives of New York. They were the worthy parents of eight children, of whom  our subject was
the seventh in order of birth. IIe remained with
his parents on the farm  until he was nearly
eighteen years old when he came to Michigan, settling in Cass County. He there worked on a farm
a few years and after his marriage rented a farm
until 1860. In the last named year, Mr. Munger
decided to make his home in Allegan County, and
purchased forty acres of land on section 7. A
part of this was improved, and after breaking the
remaider, he added to this eighty acres more,
making in all one hundred and twenty acres, all
of which is now under the best of cultivation, the
greater part being done by his own strong
hand. Twenty-five acres of this estate are devoted
to the raising of fruit, both small and large. He
also erected a very beautiful and spacious residence
in which his family now reside.
While in Cass County, Mich., Mr. Munger was
married to Eliza J. Boyd, a native of New York
City and a daughter of Robert and Jane Boyd,
who were also natives of New York State. The
father was a sea captain by occupation and roamed
over the waters from his early youth until his
death, which occurred when Mrs. Munger was but
three years old. The good wife and mother was
also taken away at the same time and she went to
live with an aunt residing in Cass County.
She received a good education in the common
schools of New York, completing it at a boarding
school at Staten Island.
The home of our subject and his wife has been
blessed by the birth of two children, one of whom
died in infancy. The other, Robert C., makes his
home with his mother. He married Etta S. Smith
and they are the parents of two children: Ida M.
and Oran A. In September, 1864, our subject
entered the late war, enlisting in Company F,
Twelfth Michigan Infantry. He served in the
Mississippi Department, but a few months after
entering the service was taken sick which necessitated his going to the hospital, where he remained until nearly the close of the war. He was
honorably discharged at Little Rock, Ark., for
physical disability. He contracted a disease in the
war from which he never recovered and from


which he died, April 18, 1888. His memory still
lives and his honorable and successful career
stands forth as a fitting example of what can be
done by earnest and constant effort. He was a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Jacob
Fry Post, and he was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of which his wife and
son are still consistent members.
OHN W. IUMPHREY is the proprietor of
the Model Peach Farm, at South Haven. He
is a native of Ireland, having been born in
County Antrim, April 13, 1832, and is
the son of Hugh Humphrey. His father was born
near Belfast and was a nail-maker, a trade also
followed by his father. Hugh Iumphrey married Jane McAllister, a native of Scotland, and in
1832 emigrated to Canada and resided at Durham. Soon, however, they came to the States and
located at Malone, Franklin County, N. Y., where
they carried on farming.
The father of our subject received an injury
which resulted in his death four years later. He
was fifty-six years old at that time. His good wife
survived him many years and died at the age of
eighty-five years. They reared a family of eight
children: Margaret, who married John K. Graham
and resides in Franklin County, N. Y.; our subject, who was the second in order of birth; James,
who died in Berrien County, Mich.; Robert, who resides in Van Buren County; Mary, who married L
H. Mayott, a merchant of Springfield, Mass.; Eliza,
who is Mrs. J. B. Moore, of Manchester, N. H.;
William, who died in Franklin County, N. Y.; and
Joseph, who makes his home in the above-named
county. Our subject's father had seven brothers,
two of whom came to America: John, who was
married and died in Canada, and Thomas, who
was a resident of Franklin County, N. Y.
John W. Humphrey was but eleven weeks old
when his parents removed to Canada, his boyhood
being passed upon the farm in Franklin County,
N. Y. When fourteen years of age, he commenced
to work in a sawmill, and when reaching his ma



386


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


—  --- —`-I ----- ----— I-` ---- ---


jority came to Michigan, first stopping at Plymouth, Wayne County, where he was engaged in
an agricultural implement factory. In 1855, he
married Mary, adopted daughter of the Hon. T.
T. Lyon, whose sketch will be found on another
page in this volume.
Our subject was a resident of Plymouth for
eight years, and then went to Berrien County
with his brother James and E. E. IHendrick,
where they were occupied in the manufacture of
staves. He was in business only a twelvemonth,
however, when his factory was destroyed by fire.
The succeeding two years were spent in Grand
Rapids, and he again engaged in the manufacture
of staves in St. Joseph. He remained so occupied
for three years, at the same time purchasing five
acres of land, which he laid out as a peach orchard. He then returned to Plymouth and was engaged in farming and fruit-growing until 1877,
when he came to South Haven. After locating
here, he purchased the property of the West Lake
Shore Nursery Association, and conducted the
same for five years, in connection with T. T.
Lyon. He then owned one hundred and seven
acres of land, but much of it was swamp land and
covered with stumps and logs. He cleared his
property, drained it and prepared the land for
cultivation.  Fruit-growers said he was very
foolish to set out peach trees on such ground,
but, notwithstanding the advice given him, he
planted trees, and now has an orchard of three
thousand bearing trees, to which the name of the
Model Fruit Farm Has been very appropriately
given.
The original of this sketch now owns sixty-six
acres of land within the city limits of South Haven,
and, besides his fine peach orchard, raises many of
the smaller fruits. In 1891 he built a handsome
residence, which is one of the attractive homes of
the village. It is located on Paw Paw Street, in
the southern part of the town. Mr. and Mrs.
Humphrey have a family of six children: Carrie E., who is the wife of Arthur D. Wright;
Charles G.; James A., who died at the interesting
age of twenty years, while attending the Commercial College at Detroit; William L., Frank;
and Marilla, who died aged four years.


In his religious matters, Mr. Humphrey is a
Baptist, holding the position of Deacon in that
society. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has passed all
the chairs in that order. The Republican party
numbers him as one of its most active workers.
He is a life member of the State Horticultural Society, from which he has obtained many premiums
for fine fruit exhibitions. He is also a member of
the West Michigan Horticultural Society and
South Haven Pomological Society.   Mr. Humphrey's health has been poor for several years, and
the winter of 1887-88 he passed in California.
He had no sooner reached the Golden State than
a position was offered him to superintend the
work in a nursery, which he did. In 1861 lie
offered his services to the Union, but was not accepted. He is one of the enterprising and prosperous residents of South Haven Township, and is
greatly respected in the county.
EVI MORSE is at present residing on section 7, Ganges Township, Allegan County,
where he is engaged in the cultivation of
his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He
was born December 8,1813, in Washington County,
Vt., and is the son of Levi and Louisa (Miller)
Morse. His father was the first white child born
in what is now Washington County, Vt., and the
first male child born in that portion of the State.
To add to that honor, the State gave him a large
tract of land.
The education of Levi Morse was received in the
common schools, and he remained at home assisting his father until reaching his twenty-fourth
year. About that time he was married to the mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Louisa
Miller, the daughter of Robert and Amy Miller.
Mr. and Mrs. Morse after their union immediately
located upon their tract of one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Washington County, where they
made their home until their death. The father
served his country as a volunteer in the War of
1812.
Levi Morse, Sr., was the son of John Morse, a








AdC/t^ c/^t^^
^   /c e~ i^ ^  0% ^^ I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


389


native of England, who, with two brothers, emigrated to the United States, two locating in Massachusetts, and John, the grandfather of our subject, settling in Vermont. They were all three in
the Revolutionary War, Benjamin fighting at
Bunker Hill. The maternal grandfather of Levi
Morse, Jr., was also in the Revolutionary War and
held an official position.
The subject of this sketch with his seven brothers
and sisters received a good education in the common schools of the Green Mountain State. When
eighteen years of age, he began to make his own
way in the world by working out for other parties
on farms. In 1837 he was married to Lyda,
daughter of Isaiah and Ruth (Stockwell) Preston.
To them   have been  granted  seven children:
Louisa, wife of the Rev. William Russell, of the
Free-will Baptist Church; Sarah, who married A.
Harris; Emma, who became Mrs. Gilman Harris;
Joseph, Benjamin, Levi and Nellie, now Mrs. Orrin Norcross.
After his marriage, Mr. Morse bought a farm in
Vermont and there lived for about thirty years,
when, in 1866, he came with his family to Allegan
County and purchased sixty-nine acres of his present one hundred and sixty-acre tract. It was
then in its primitive condition and beautifully located on the banks of Hutchins Lake. He has put
his property under good cultivation and finds that
the best methods and latest improvements in the
way of machinery net the largest returns. In
politics, he is a stanch Democrat.
ON. RICHARD      FERRIS, who is engaged
in general farming on section 17, Cheshire
/X, Township, is one of the prominent citizens of Allegan County. IIe has a wide
acquaintance in this community, also throughout
surrounding counties, and his friends will notice
with especial interest his life sketch and portrait.
He was born in the town of Butler,Wayne County,
N. Y., August 7, 1822, and is the seventh in a family of nine children, whose parents were Leonard
and Elizabeth (Ryan) Ferris. His father was a
native of the Highlands of New York and a farmer


by occupation. For a few years after his marriage
lie resided in Cayuga County, N. Y., and then removed to Wayne County, where he hewed out a
farm in the midst of the forest. His wife died at
the age of eighty-three years and he reached the
advanced age of ninety-three. Mrs. Ferris was a
member of the Catholic Church. Of their six sons
and three daughters, six are now living. The family was represented in the late war by John A.,
who served in an Indiana regiment.
Upon his father's farm our subject was rearead to
manhood, and in the district schools of New York
partially acquired his education. Empty-handed,
he began life for himself at the age of eighteen,
and two years later sought a home in the West.
In Mishawaka, Ind., he worked in a sawmill yard
and afterward was employed at harvesting. Subsequently he spent eight months as a farm hand in
Cass County, then returned to Mishawaka, where
lie attended a select school during the winter. In
the spring he again went to work in the mill-yard
for $20 per month and boarded himself. He did
the work of two men and his employer, William
Milburn, seeing his usefulness, made him a sawyer,
and he was afterwards given entire charge of the
mill, being there employed from  the spring of
1845 until 1851,with the exception of ten months
in 1848-49, when lie was a student at Notre Dame
(Ind.) University. The year 1850 witnessed his arrival in Michigan, and for one summer he was employed in a mill in Lawrence, Van Buren County,
after which he there taught school in the winter of
1850-51.  The following spring lie returned to
Mishawaka and bought a one-eighth interest in a
new steam sawmill, having charge of the saw department.
About this time, on the 19th of April, 1851, Mr.
Ferris wedded Hannah Milburn, sister of his
former employer. She was born in England, January 1, 1826, and in 1848 came to America with
her brother William, making her home in Mishawaka. In August, succeeding their marriage, Mr.
Ferris sold out and removed to Lawrence, Mich.,
where he bought a third interest in a mill,
helped to rebuild it and followed that business until 1854. He then again sold, and removed to his
present farm in December of that year, having






390


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


here resided since. The home has been blessed by
the presence of four children: William M., who
married Minnie Wood, and is now living in
Waldo, Kan.; Mary E., wife of Robert C. O'Brien,
of Cheshire Township, by whom she has four
children; Marcus A., a farmer of the same township, who married Florence Motter, by whom he
has one child; and Joseph G., who died at the age
of nineteen years.
Mr. Ferris settled upon a four hundred and
eighty-acre tract of wild land, eleven miles from
Allegan, and built a double log cabin. Indians
were still frequent visitors in the neighborhood,
few roads had been cut through and the work of
development and progress seemed scarcely begun.
In May, 1855, Mr. Ferris began building a sawmill, which he operated for a number of years,
when it was totally destroyed by fire. He then
built about eighty rods from the old site, but the
water afterward failed and he discontinued its
operation and began improving his farm. Since
then he has given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits and now has three hundred and eighteen acres of valuable land, two hundred and forty
of which are highly cultivated. I-e has cleared and
fenced his farm himself, and added greatly to its
value and attractive appearance by many improvements. He pays considerable attention to the raising of fine grades of sheep and draft and coach
horses. H-is home, which was erected in 1860, is
the finest residence in the township and is the
abode of hospitality. The members of the family
hold a high position in the social world and their
friends throughout the community are many.
Mr. Ferris is member of the Catholic Church.
His wife belonged to the Congregational Church
in England, but of late years has been an active
worker in the Methodist Church.  With school
interests he has been actively identified, has given
his children good advantages, and two have been
teachers. So efficient was he as member of the
Board, that those who first opposed him were afterward vociferous in their entreaties for him to continue in office. He cast his first Presidential vote
for Henry Clay and supported the Whig party
until the organization of the Republican party,
with which he has since been identified. He is one




of the prominent Republicans in this community
and has fought many hard practical battles, especially in trying to get the party to embody temperance principles. He served as Clerk in Lawrence Township, Van Buren County, was also
School Inspector, and in 1855 was elected Clerk of
Cheshire Township. He held the office of School
Inspector here until the organization of the school
districts.
Elected as Representative from his district, Mr.
Ferris served in the Legislature in 1871 and 1872,
when he declined a re-nomination. During that
time, he helped elect Thomas W. Ferry to the
United States Senate, was Chairman of the Lumber
Committee, a member of the Committee on State
Prisons and also of the joint committee to visit the
penal and reformatory institutions of the State.
The cause of temperance ever found in him a
stanch advocate, and all social, educational and
moral interests receive his hearty support. His
public and private life are above reproach. Ile
has been a faithful public officer and a valued citizen of the community, who has done much for the
upbuilding of the county during his many years
of residence here. IHe has the respect of his many
acquaintances and the warm regard of a large
circle of friends.
T  ANIEL PRATT, who is a son of one of the
pioneer families of Allegan County, was
reared under the primitive influences that
prevailed in the early years of the settlement of
this region, and has taken his place among the
busy, practical farmers of Martin Township, where
most of his life has been passed since he was
brought here in childhood from his native State.
He is a son of IHubbard Pratt, and was born in
Seneca County, N. Y., June 27, 1830, Phelps
Township being his birthplace. His father was a
native of Vermont, but was reared in New York,
and was married in Seneca County, that State, to
Miss Marth McBride, who was born and reared in
that Commonwealth. He was a farmer by occupation, and after marriage he located on a rented






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


391


farm. He and his wife removed to Ohio in 1834,
and the following year came to Michigan, coming direct to Allegan County,being among the first settlers
in Martin Township, where the father selected a
tract of land on section 15. He built a typical
pioneer abode of logs for the shelter of his family,
and then entered upon the hard labor required to
fell the timber with which his place was covered.
In time he hewed out a good farm from the forests, and lived thereon in comfort and contentment the remaining years of his life, which was
brought to a close at a ripe old age in 1880. IIe
was a sturdy Democrat in his politics, and was in
every way a good pioneer citizen, who was useful
in developing the agriculture of this county. He
was a son of William Pratt, a soldier in the War
of 1812, and he came of good old New England
stock, as did his wife's people also. She died some
years after the family came to Michigan. She
was the mother of eight children, three daughters
and five sons, all of whom grew to manhood and
womanhood, except one that died in infancy.
The others are Lewis, a resident of Wayland; Daniel; Jane, wife of Henry Walker; Mary, who married John Corning, both of whom are now dead;
Alonzo, a resident of Martin Township; William,
who also lives in that township; and Martha, who
married William Chapman, and is now dead.
Daniel Pratt is the second son of the family. He
was five years old when the family came to Michigan. He obtained his entire education in a little
log schoolhouse, on section 22, Martin Township.
He early became familiar with the details of farming, through having to assist his father on the old
homestead, helping him to clear and improve the
farm until he was twenty-one years old, when he
began life on his own account. He worked out by
the month until his marriage, which took place January 24,1855,to Miss Sarah Spooner,a native of New
York. In her, he had a helpmate kind and true, a
veritable homemaker,who looked carefully after the
comfort of her household, and was a wise and tender
mother to her children. She died August 27, 1891,
leaving behind her the record of a life well spent.
Three children were born to our subject by his
marriage, namely: Harriet, who married Moses
Ward, and has a little girl, Jessie May, eight years


old; Willis, a resident of Martin Township, who
married Miss Eva Burnham, and had two children:
Bert, and Mabel, who is deceased; and George,
who died at the age of sixteen months.
Mr. Pratt and his wife began their married life
in a house that he built of logs, on his present farm,
which at tlat time formed a part of the forest that
prevailed here. Only five acres of it were cleared
when it came into his possession, and he cut the
logs for his dwelling, which he built 16x24 feet in
dimensions. ITe now lias the sixty acres comprising his homestead under fine tillage, and amply
provided with all the necessary improvements for
carrying on agriculture conveniently. He does a
general farming business, and raises a good class
of stock.
Mr. Pratt is a man of excellent sense and sound
understanding, whose career as a farmer reflects
credit on his township, in whose development as
a prosperous and wealthy agricultural center, he
has been an important factor. In him the Republican party finds a steadfast adherent.


QQ              ~ICG=       C r-;


(3


ANIEL D. HARRIS, Postmaster and general merchant at Shelbyville Station, is
classed among the active and enterprising
young business men of Allegan County, who are
so potent in sustaining and extending its commercial and other interests. He is a native of Southern Michigan, born in the town of Galesburg, May
5, 1859. His father, D. Harris, and his grandfather, James Iarris, who were both natives of
New York, the former born in Otsego County in
1825, were both early pioneers of Kalamazoo
County, where they settled in 1834. The grandfather was one of the first to settle in Charlestown
Township, that county, where hle took up a tract
of land from the Government. He was a son of
an Englishman who came to America when a
young man and made his home in the Empire
State.
The father of our subject was but a boy when
his parents settled in the forest wilds of Kalamazoo
County, and in after years he was there married
to Miss Adeline Ralph, a native of that county.






392


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.




=


Her parents, George and Hettie Ralph, who are
natives of England, are honored in the annals of
that county as pioneers of Charleston, where they
settled in 1835. They have attained the venerable
ages of ninety-one and eighty-nine years respectively, and have enjoyed an unusually long wedded
life of sixty-nine years. The parents of our subject
have four children, three sons and one daughter.
Their son Willard died at the age of seven months;
their son Jay is clerking for his brother Daniel, and
their daughter Cora is also with him.
D. D. Harris is the second child and the second
son of the family. He passed his boyhood in his
native town, and was well educated in its schools.
He gained his first experience of the mercantile
business as a clerk in the store of Messrs. Schroder
& Olin, of Galesburg, with whom   he remained
eighteen months. He then went north to Keweenaw
County, where he clerked in a general store a like
length of time. Returning to this part of Michigan, he located where he now resides, and formed
a partnership with Mr. Schroder, Jr., to conduct a
general store. They were together two years and
nine months, and then Mr. Harris bought his partner's interest in the concern, which he has since
carried on alone. He has a neat and well-arranged
establishment, which is completely stocked with a
fine assortment of dry-goods, groceries, crockery,
paints, oils, etc. He has built up an extensive and
profitable trade on a solid basis,as he has a thorough
understanding of his business, gives it his undivided
attention, has a keen comprehension of what is best
suited to the wants and tastes of his patrons, who
always find him courteous and obliging, and strictly
reliable in all his transactions, his credit standing
high in financial circles. Mr. Harris, as before
mentioned, adds the duties of Postmaster to his
other business, having been appointed to that position in 1889. He began life with but little means,
and though still in the prime of early manhood
has already won an assured place among the monied men of this section of the county.  He is
popular socially, and is a member of Prairie Lodge,
No. 92, A. F. & A. M., at Galesburg. He was at
one time Justice of the Peace. In his political
relations he stands with the Republican party.
Mr. Harris was married in his native town in




April, 1882, to Miss Louise, a daughter of Luke
Keith, of that place. They have established one
of the coziest homes at Shelbyville Station, and
their pleasant household is completed by their
three children: Lavern, Floyd and Leone. Their
little son Jay died at the age of four years.
C,*4 -_N\^- W, -C.  S) g>
T NDREW    PYL, a resident of Kalamazoo
City, where he makes his home at No. 842
South Burdick Street, is a native of the
land across the sea. He was born in Holland, February 2, 1826, and is a son of Benjamin
Pyl, who was a mason by trade. Our subject became a mason also, by trade, but in the winters
made wooden shoes, continuing in this until he
came to the United States in 1855.
Upon coming to the United States, Mr. Pyl came
direct to Kalamazoo, and began working at his
trades until 1370, the last five years of that time
being employed in masonry at the asylum, under Dr.
Van Dusen. The year 1870 he was engaged quite
extensively in making soap with Mr. Franzee. They
sold out and engaged in the grocery business for
some sixteen years very successfully, on South
Burdick Street, at the corner of Alcott. Since
that time, Mr. Pyl has not been engaged in any
active labor. Hfe is living retired in a pleasant and
happy home, surrounded with all the comforts of
life. His daughter and son reside in adjoining
houses which he has built.
The date of the marriage of our subject to Miss
Synthia Wagemaker was December 16, 1858, at
Kalamazoo City. Mrs. Pyl was also a native of
Holland, coming to this country two years after
Mr. Pyl did. She was called from her home and
children April 9, 1888. She bore her husband the
following named children: Benjamin, Jennie
(who died at the age of four and one-half years),
Jennie and John.  Benjamin is a graduate of
the State University, and is practicing medicine at
Grand Rapids, where he has a lucrative practice.
Jennie is the wife of Sirk Wykkel, of Kalamazoo.
John is a jeweler in company with his brother-inlaw, Mr. Wykkel. Mr. Pyl was a second time
married, June 10, 1889, to Mrs. Johanna Mariah


J






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


393


DeRoo, of Roseland, Chicago, and the widow of
Hiram Vanderbilt, to whom she was married in
Keokuk, Iowa. Mrs. Pyl was born in Holland, and
is the mother of two daughters by her first husband, Johanna and Jennie Vanderbilt, both residing at Roseland.
Our subject and his wife are both members of
the Dutch Reformed Church, and have been very active in church work, he holding the offices of Elder
of the church, and Superintendent of the Sundayschool for twenty-six years.  Mr. Pyl, of this
sketch, has been a successful man in his business
undertakings, crediting his prosperity to strict attention to business. For the last twenty years he
has occasionally dealt in real estate, and has likewise built several houses in the city of Kalamazoo, which he has sold. HIe has gained a competency and is now living a retired respected life.
He and his good wife are held in the highest esteem by the people of the community.
ACOB GUNSAUL is the popular Postmaster
at Covert, and also holds the office of Supervisor of Covert Township, Van Buren
County. His residence in the place dates
from November, 1871, he being one of the earliest
settlers of that town. He was born in Guilford
Township, Medina County, Ohio, October 10, 1840,
and is a son of Benjamin and Catherine (Long)
Gunsaul, natives of Pennsylvania.  His parents
were married in their native State and removed to
Miami County, Ohio, where they were among the
early pioneers. There they bought a tract of unimproved land which they cleared up and improved into a fine farm, where the father died
at the age of sixty-three. The mother is still living at Chatham, Ohio. They reared a family of
thirteen children, of whom our subject is the ninth
in order of birth.
The early life of Mr. Gunsaul was passed upon
a farm, and his school advantages were very limited, as he was able to give but very little time to
attendance at the common school. He has, however, made up for any deficiency in this respect by
careful reading and study since arriving at man

hood and has thus acquired a good business education. In 1861, Mr. Gunsaul emigrated to Michigan and for a short time was engaged in cutting
cordwood in Ganges Township, Allegan County.
IHe was married, August 9,1862, to Miss Harriet J.
Bostwick, daughter of William R. and Eliza Bostwick, who was born in Edinburg, Portage County,
Ohio, August 20, 1842. The War of the Rebellion
was at that time being waged, and two days after
his marriage, on August 11, Mr. Gunsaul left his
young bride and enlisted on the side of the Union
in that great struggle. He was mustered into the
service in Company B, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, going at once to Cincinnati and from
there marching through Kentucky to Chattanooga.
The cry was then, "On to Richmond," and with
his command he took part in the battle of Spring
Hill, March 4, 1863. The brigade was captured,
our subject being among the number; he was held
a prisoner for one month, being in Libby Prison
for nine days at that time. He was at the time
Corporal of his company. After being released
from prison he went to Camp Chase, Ohio, and
was for thirteen days at home, when he was called
back, soon afterward taking part in the campaigns
from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and participating in
most of the skirmishes and battles incident to that
campaign. He marched with Gen. Sherman to the
sea, and from thence to Washington, where lie witnessed the Grand Review. During his service in
the army, he was in thirteen regular engagements,
besides numerous skirmishes, etc.
On his discharge from the army, June 10, 1865,
Mr. Gunsaul returned to Allegan County, Mich.,
and purchasing land engaged in farming. In 1871,
he removed to Covert and was in the employ of
the Packard Lumber Company for some three years.
At the end of this time he again went on a farm,
where he remained until 1889, when he sold out
and purchased property in Covert, where he was
soon after appointed Postmaster. He also carries
on the grocery business and is one of the leading
men of the place. lie has one child, a son, Charles,
who was born August 20, 1867. In politics, Mr.
Gunsaul is a Republican. He was Treasurer of
Covert for two years and is now serving his fourth
term as member of the Board of Supervisors. He






394


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- --------


is a member of George Allen Post, No. 351, G. A.
R., of which he is Post-Commander. Ile also belongs to the Independent Order of Good Templars,
in which he has been an active member. He is active in temperance work and is a member of the
Temperance Club, which is an organization formed
for the purpose of enforcing the laws controlling
the liquor traffic. Mr. Gunsaul is a man of great
force of character and believes that whatever is
worth doing at all is worth doing well.
AMUEL    IIADAWAY, a representative
farmer residing on section 8, Casco Township, Allegan County, was born in Kent
County, England, on December 17, 1830.
He is a son of John and Sarah Hadaway. The
father was also born in Kent County in 1791, and
was reared to farming pursuits, which he followed
all his life.  His education was very limited.
When quite a young man he married Sarah S artup.
To this couple were born eight children, three of
whom died when young in life. Those who grew
to years of maturity are John, of England; Sarah;
William, now deceased; James and Samuel.
Our subject, like many others of his day in
England, began to make a portion of his living
when a mere child, going to work for twopence
a day. His school days were few, for from the
time he was large enough to do anything, he had
to work. Thus he struggled along until nearly
reaching his majority, when there came a financial
panic in his country, and he could not get anything to do. He became entirely destitute, and
was compelled to go to the poorhouse. He succeeded in borrowing $50 to pay his passage to the
United States, and landed in New York in 1849
with but one shilling. He soon found work, which
was quite encouraging to the young man. He
located in Wayne County, N. Y., where he worked
on a farm four years. Thus he was enabled to
return the borrowed money during his first eight
months' residence here.
While a resident of Wayne County, N. Y., Mr.
Hadaway was married to Elizabeth Goodwin, September 6, 1853. This union has been blessed by


the birth of eight children, four of whom died
when young: Sarah J.; Julia, deceased; Martha.
deceased; John, Grace, and Dwight A.; Edward and
William, twins, deceased. In 1856 our subject removed with his family to Kosciusko County, Ind.,
where he remained on a farm several years, and
in 1863 moved to Michigan, locating at once in
Casco Township, on his present farm. But instead
of a beautiful farm of one hundred acres, with
nice buildings, etc., which it now is, it was naught
but a wilderness, with a small board shanty, as
crude as a barn. Mrs. Hadaway died in September,
1878, and our subject was married to Mrs. Rachel
A. Fowler, the widow of John Fowler, and
daughter of Benjamin and Maria (Lee) Ostrander.
She was the mother of one child by her first union.
Mr. and Mrs. Hadaway are valued members of the
United Brethren Church, and politically, the husband is a Republican.
Ls~_  X  - a S,-,


YRON A. POWELL. We are pleased to
present to the consideration of our readers
a citizen of Monterey Township, Allegan
County, who stands high in the estimation
of his neighbors and is justly locked upon as one
of the most prominent men in the county. He is
a progressive and successful farmer and stockbreeder, whose beautiful estate of two hundred and
ninety-three acres lies on section 16. He is one of
the most extensive horsemen in this county and
breeds fine standard and thorougbred animals, devoting one hundred acres of his estate to the
horse farm. He is an excellent judge of horseflesh and has in his stables some very valuable animals. In his farming operations he finds that the
best methods and latest improvements bring him in
the largest returns.
Myron A. Powell is the son of William and
Catherine (Wright) Powell, the father a native of
New York State and the mother born in Stuttgart,
which is the capital of Wurtemberg, Germany.
Our subject was born May 8, 1838, in Defiance
County, Ohio, where his father was the second man
in Farmer Township. He was reared on a farm
and came to Monterey Township, Allegan County,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


395


in 1858. After his arrival here he went to work
in the lumber woods, continuing in that line of
work until 1862, when he enlisted in Company I,
Fifth Michigan Cavalry and was attached to the
Army of the Potomac. I-e served under Gens.
Sherman, Custer and Kilpatrick, and participated
with his company in the various engagements in
the Shenandoah Valley. At the close of hostilities,
he received an honorable discharge and returned
to Michigan.
The gentleman whose name we place at the head
of this sketch was married in 1859 to Mary E.
Dalrymple, and to them were born four children:
Annie, who became Mrs. Martin Stineman, resides
in Grand Rapids; Carrie married James Schuler
and makes her home in South Bend, Ind.; Gertrude
is unmarried and teaching in the Monterey schools.
She has been given a fine education, being a graduate of Holden College, at Holden, Mo., and Alma
College, in Michigan. Charles, the fourth child,
was accidentally killed on the railroad when a lad
of sixteen. Mrs. Powell is the daughter of Samuel
Dalrymple, a native of New York State.
In politics, our subject is a true-blue Republican
and is an active member of Post No. 180, G. A. R.,
at Monterey. IIe has been honored by his fellow-citizens by being elected to the various
township offices and has been Justice of the Peace
for a period of over twenty years. His fine estate
is truly the work of his own hands, as he started
out in life without a dollar. His place is now
stocked with thirty head of fine horses, in which
branch of farming he is very successful. Ite is a
lover of horses and thus finds it no very great task
to care for them.
*-.*i- Xi~         w     TICEMAN A. FOWLER is a prosperous farmer
residing on section 18, Casco Township,
Allegan County, and was born in Waldo,
Me., in 1824. His parents were George and
Sarah (Ward) Fowler, natives of Maine, where the
father was reared on a farm. He remained with
his parents until about twenty-five years old, at
which time he was married to the mother of our
subject. They reared a family of seven children,


named as follows: Sarah, wife of Josiah Ward;
Heman A.; Martha, who is now deceased; Nathan,
Hosea, Joseph, and Jennie, the wife of J. K. Plummer. After the marriage of the parents -of our
subject, they settled on a farm in Waldo County,
Me., and on this farm of seventy acres the father
lived until his death. lie fought bravely in the
War of 1812. The grandparents of our subject
were Mathew and Sarah (Ward) Fowler, the former
a native of Ireland, who with a brother came to
America in the eighteenth century. After arriving in this country, the brother was never heard
from. Matthew served in the Revolutionary conflict.
IIeman A. Fowler lived with his parents until
eighteen years of age when he started in the world
for himself by working in the lumber woods in the
winters and in the sawmills in the summers. This
labor he continued until the age of twenty-five
years when he was married. Hle chose as his life
companion Caroline Leighton, whose parents were
Smithson and Eliza Leighton, natives of the State
of Maine. After the marriage of Mr. Fowler, he
remained with his parents for some years and then
engaged in the general merchandising business at
Lewiston, Me. In the year 1859, he came to Otsego, Allegan County, where he rented and carried on a farm for three years. He then came to
Casco Township where he purchased his present
estate of one hundred and sixty acres of land in
the wilderness. HIe at once put forth his persistent
efforts and cleared away enough brush to build a
small board house. Thus lie began with limited
means in a new country and by his own industrious labors and sagacious judgment, united with
economy and good business qualifications, he has
secured a competency and is now living in the enjoyment of the comforts and luxuries wealth
affords. IIe has placed upon his farm the beautiful buildings we now see to-day; he also has a fine
orchard of forty acres.
The union of our subject and his estimable wife
has been blessed by the birth of seven children,
five now living, and all of whom are now married:
Llewellyn; Clarence; Lillie, wife of Willis Baker;
Arthur; and Addie who married M. Bower. Mr.
and Mrs. Fowler are worthy members of the Meth



396


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


odist Episcopal Church and politically Mr. Fowler
is a stanch Republican and has been called upon to
hold different local offices in his township. Our
subject and his family move among the best social
circles of the township and are held in the highest
esteem by all who know them.
AYETTE L. HOLLISTER. This prominent
resident of Casco  Township, Allegan
County, was born in Cattaraugus County,
N. Y., in 1840. He is at present residing on section 24, where he is engaged in tilling the soil in a
most profitable manner. His parents were Andrew
and Mary Hollister; the father was born in Genesee
County, in 1806.
Andrew Hollister was reared on a farm, and
when quite young, went to live with a family by
the name of Smith. He remained with them until
becoming of age, at which time he commenced the
battle of life on his own account by teaching
school. He afterward learned the trade of a carpenter, which occupation he successfully followed
the remainder of his life. The maiden name of
our subject's mother was Mary, daughter of George
Dunlap. In 1842 she accompanied her husband to
Michigan, where they located on Silver Creek, Allegan County. There the father purchased a farm,
which he continued to reside upon and improve
until 1849, when he moved to Blummerville, Ganges Township, same county. He made another
move, however, in 1852, at which time he came to
the farm  which is owned by our subject, and
which contained one hundred acres of wild land.
The first work of the senior Mr. Hollister on
coming to Casco Township was to erect a cabin for
his family. He then worked out by the day in
order to obtain the necessities of life. He soon,
however, traded his farm on Silver Creek for a
yoke of oxen and a cow, and thus began the cultivation of his property. He was very industrious
and lived to see the greater portion of his estate
placed under good cultivation.
Four children were born to our subject's parents,
viz: Emmaranda, now deceased, was the wife of
John Kennedy; Harland, deceased; Anna, who be

came the second wife of John Kennedy, and our
subject. The father of these children died February
8, 1883, and the mother, December 23, 1871. Fayette L. Iollister remained with his parents until
their death, taking charge of the farm and caring
for them. He now owns seventy-five acres of the
old homestead, which is highly improved, twentyfive acres being devoted to fruit-raising.
In 1869 our subject was married to Caroline
Kennedy, the daughter of Erick and Matilda (Larkin) Kennedy, natives of New York. Mrs. Hollister was born in Wisconsin and was one of nine
children born to her parents. To Mr. and Mrs.
Hollister have been granted five children: Edith,
Mrs. Byron Hopkins; Cora R., Mable, who died in
1891, aged fourteen years, Claud and Eula. Mr.
IIollister is a member of the Township and County
Grange and is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at South Iaven, and the
Patrons of Industry. In politics he is a Republican.
AMSON FOX, a resident of section 5, Casco
Township, Allegan County, was a native
of the Mother Country, where he was born
in Sussex, in 1831. His father was Thomas
Fox, a native of the same place as his son, where he
was reared on a farm, gaining but a limited education. When he was yet quite a young man, he was
married to Elizabeth Dan, a daughter of Thomas
Dan, of Sussex, England. They had born to them
four children: Samson, our subject; William, deceased; Richard, of this township; and Thomas, a
resident of England. The father of this family
was called to the other world when our subject was
quite young and his mother was again married to
James Ridley and to them were born six children:
One who died in infancy, James, Henry, Joseph,
Daniel and Ellen.
When the subject of this sketch was but ten
years of age, he had to make his own living by
working on a farm for six cents a day and pay his
own board. His early life in England had many
trials and he had to struggle hard to keep soul and
body together. In 1856 he set sail for the United








,I ~ii


de


4




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


399


States and located in the western part of New
York State where he was quite successful in farming and remained there eight years. While there
he was married to Emily Ashdown and to them
were born two children, both of whom died in infancy.
In 1864, our subject and his wife started for
Michigan and on reaching this place located on his
present farm of forty acres. It was then an unbroken and wild piece of land, and his first house
consisted of a board cabin, 12x14 feet, with only
one room. In this humble abode and new country the young couple settled, but the wife becoming a little dissatisfied returned to her people in
New York. Mr. Fox was married again, takingas
his wife Margaret Patterson. This home has been
blessed with no children, but their home and hearts
have been thrown open to Maggie Gibney, daughter of Samuel and Martha Gibney and a niece of
Mrs. Fox. Our subject is a most worthy member
of the United Brethren Church, while his wife is a
consistent and faithful member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Fox is a stanch
Republican and he and his estimable wife are held
in high esteem in the community.
When Mr. Fox first came to Michigan, he had no
money except $1 in silver. But he had a strong
hand and a willing heart and he was determined
to make a success. By his own persistent efforts
and sagacious judgment, he has brought his estate
to what it now is to-day-a fertile and attractive
place, with good and substantial buildings erected
thereon.
ON. ALEXANDER B. COPLEY, a prominent citizen of Decatur, is also widely
and favorably known    throughout Van
B) uren and surrounding counties. Considering what lie has done for the community and his
influence therein, his life sketch and portrait are
valuable additions to this work. He was born in
Champion, Jefferson County, N. Y., March 11,
1822. Ils father, Alexander Copley, Sr., was born
in Grundy, Hartford County, Conn., November 22,
1790, and was the youngest of seven children,
18




I


The grandfather came from England in the early
part of the eighteenth century. His wife died,
leaving him with five sons and two daughters, the
eldest, eighteen years of age and the youngest a lad
of six summers. The father, however, managed
to eke out a living for his family with the assistance of thirty acres of poor land and the income
from a quarter interest in a gristmill and a half
interest in a sawmill, where there was little to saw
and less to grind. H-owever, he kept his children
together, and provided for their support until they
were able to care for themselves. In April, 1851,
the oldest brother sold the property in Connecticut
and removed the family to Worcester, Otsego
County, N. Y.
There young Copley, father of our subject, attended the district schools until fifteen years of
age and at home studied surveying. In 1810, lie
was apprenticed to his brother William to learn the
carpenter's trade in Jefferson County, N. Y., and
from 1811 until 1814, worked with his brothel as
a journeyman. On the 25th of September of the
latter year, he married Esther Nott, in Champion,
N. Y., where he followed his trade with varied success until June, 1822. In 1817, however, when
work was scarce, he made a trip through Western
New York and as far as Cleveland, Ohio, looking
for employment, and spent part of the summer
working in Fredonia, N. Y., but bettering his condition little. In 1822, he removed to Hartford,
N. Y., where his brother William had located, and
spent two years in the manufacture of cotton machinery for companies located in New York Mills.
In 1824, with his brother, Mr. Copley, Sr., removed to Waldron on the Hudson, where the succeeding two years of his life were passed in the
manufacture of machinery for spinning and weaving. In 1826 he went to Matteawan, N. Y., accepting a position as superintendent of the machine
shops, which he filled for three years. On September 12, 1829, he left for the West, intending to locate near Lafayette, Ind., but instead went to
Dayton, Ohio, arriving on the 18th of November.
There he put into operation the machinery in the
first cotton mill at that place and, purchasing fifteen
acres of timber land near the city, experimented in
the culture of silk. Coming to Michigan in 1832,








400


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- -----------— - ---- - --- —-- -----


he located land on which Nicholsville, Cass County,
is now situated. Returning, he spent the winter in
preparations for removal and on June 9, 1833,
started with two wagons, three yoke of oxen, one
span of horses, four cows, poultry, etc. The horses
were disabled in the Swamp of St. Marys and he
then bought a yoke of oxen, arriving at Little
Prairie Round, July 1, 1833. He traveled two
hundred and thirty-five miles in twenty-one days.
With the exception of one night spent in a deserted cabin on Sugar Hill in the Elkhart bottoms,
the family was compelled to camp along the wayside and the trip was a hard one.
Mr. Copley built the sawmill in Nicholsville, the
first in the township, beginning its operations December 20, 1835, and afterward added a turning shop for the manufacture of chairs, tables,
etc. He had brought with him from Ohio two fine
Durham cattle, the casting for three sizes'of Wood's
plows, Isabella grape vines and pie plant. He thus
introduced several important articles into the
county and he experimented with new varieties of
crops and modes of culture. Hearing a revolving
hay rake described, he made one.
In politics, Mr. Copley was not ambitious but
served as Road Commissioner and Assessor, and
with Dr. Thomas and A. E. Bull acted as commissioner in laying out the State road from Schoolcraft to St. Joseph, in 1839. I-e built the first
schoolhouse in his district at his own expense. At
the age of twenty-two, he joined the Free Masons
and was an active member of the Swedenborgian
Church. For the last three years of his life his
health was very poor and he died of consumption,
January 6, 1842. No man did more for the county
in its early history than did Mr. Copley, and his
death proved a great loss to the community. One
of nature's noble men, he lived an upright, honorable life and was highly respected by all. He left
three sons and six daughters and his widow survived him until May 12, 1852.
On his father's death, our subject, then twenty
years of age, was left with a widowed mother, one
brother and five younger sisters to care for. For
many years he continued the head of the family
and manager of affairs. In his youth he attended
the  district schools but his education  was


mostly of the kind that a man acquires from contact with the world when he is forced to make his
own way in life. The resources of his nature were
thus developed and industry, enterprise and faithfulness characterized all he did. He was practical, and became a successful farmer, and followed
that pursuit in Volinia Township, Cass County,
until 1874, wh(n he removed to Decatur, where he
has since made his home. He was one of the
original stockholders of the First National Bank
and served as its President for the greater part of
its time until,its charter expiring in 1890, it was succeeded by the State Bank of Decatur, of which
Mr. Copley is President. IHe is also interested in
farming and owns a prairie farm of two hundred
and fifty-nine acres of valuable land which yields
him a good income.
In 1850, Mr. Copley was married to Miss Jane
IHelen, sister of B. Hathaway, of Cass County, and
unto them have been born two sons: Edwin B., the
elder, who married Esther McKain, operates his
father's farm in Cass County; A. W. married
Miss Minnie Morse and is now pursuing a course
of law study in Ann Arbor University. The
mother was called to her final rest September 20,
1890, and interred in the cemetery in Volinia
Township, Cass County. She was a lady whose
many excellencies of character made her beloved
by all. February 29, 1892, Mr. Copley was again
married, his wife being Mrs. Emma W. Pritchard,
of Cherry Valley, Ill., a sister of his former wife.
Mr. Copley is a member of the Swedenborgian
Church and in politics, is a Republican. He takes
an active interest in political affairs and has been
called upon to fill many offices. For six years he
was a member of the Board of Supervisors of Cass
County and in 1865 he represented the Northern
District of that county in the State Legislature,
and again was its Representative in 1871 and 1872.
In 1875 he represented the Eastern District of Van
Buren County, and was re-elected in 1881. He
proved a competent member of the General Assembly and made many friends among the most
prominent men of the State. Much of his time has
been devoted to public improvement. He was instrumental in constructing the main road across the
swamp Qu.th eastt of D)ecatur and is now laboring




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


401


for the drainage and reclaiming of the Dowagiac
Swamp. What he has done for Decatur and the
county cannot be estimated but his labors will live
after him and make him honored long after he
shall have passed away. His life has indeed been
well and worthily spent and both his public and
private career are alike above reproach. lie possesses a genial manner, a benevolent and philanthropic spirit and the high regard of all who know
him.
Ie _*.L  7_A   Io  LA


J


+++ L"


- — a3......I.... I, EORGE W. GRIFFIN. Among the push(     ing, energetic and successful farmers and
fruit-growers of Allegan County is the
subject of this biographical notice. He is the possessor of one of the finest fruit farms in the
county, which contains fifty-three acres, and is
located on section 25. Ile was born in 1848, in
Dane County, Wis., and is the son of HIiram and
Helen Griffin. The father was born in Connecticut in 1809, but his parents removing to New
York, his boyhood days were passed on a farm in
Chautauqua County.
Mr. Hiram Griffin was an agriculturist, and in
1840 emigrated to LaPorte County,Ind., where he
cultivated the soil for four years. Later, with an
ox-team, he moved his family and household
goods to Dane County, Wis., when neighbors were
few and far between. Ie there purchased from
the Government one hundred and sixty acres of
land, paying therefor $1.25 per acre. He at once
began the improvement of his land, and for ten
years hauled his grain to Milwaukee to market,
which was ninety miles distant.
In 1868, the father of our subject came to
Michigan and located near what is now the present
home of George W. He bought a small peach
farm, and turned his attention to raising fruit
until his decease. When twenty-seven years of
age, he was married to our subject's mother, who
bore the maiden name of Ielen McCall. Their
union resulted in the birth of five children, viz:
Emily, now Mrs. J. L. Colby; Judith E., Mrs. B.
L. Wood; Horace E.; Mary; our subject. They
were both members of the United Brethren Church,
and in politics Mr. Griffin was a Republican. He


was prominent in township affairs, and was the
recipient of many public offices.
When twenty-one years of age, out subject purchased a portion of his present farm, and took
unto himself a wife and helpmate in the person of
Emma J., daughter of Washington and Martha
Potter, pioneers of Casco Townshilp, now  residing in South Haven. To Mr. and Mrs. Griffin
have been granted three children: Iarry M., Roy
S., and Ruth.
George W. Griffin began for himself in life by
working his father's farm on shares. IHe now is
the proud possessor of one of the finest fruit farms
in the county, and which nets him a handsome
income. Mrs. Griffin was one of four children
born to her parents: John H., Eva M., and one
who died in infancy. Mr. Griffin's mother resides
on the old homestead, at the age of seventy-five
years.
Socially, our subject is a member of Lodge No.
140, A. O. U. W., at South Haven, and has served
acceptably in the offices of Township Supervisor
and Treasurer. HIe is a Prohibitionist politically,
and has done much toward furthering the cause
of temperance in his community. H-e and his
wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church at South Haven. They
have two sons who are also connected with that
denomination. The family are greatly respected
in this county, and have a large circle of friends
among its residents.
J OlIN M. HEATH. Among the prominent
citizens of Allegan, who by their enterprise
and public spirit have done so much for the
development of this town and county, is
the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and
who is the proprietor of the Allegan Iron Works.
lie is one of the old settlers of Allegan County,
coming here with his parents, James M. and Susannah (White) Heath, in 1845. They were natives
of Cayuga County, N. Y., in which State our subject was born, his birth taking place November
17, 1823, in Nunda Valley, Livingston County.




402


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


~ —I


His father was by trade a carpenter and joiner,
learning the business in Cayuga County, whence
he removed, in 1819, to Livingston County, and
helped to build a gristmill and sawmill. Hie also
took up land in Nunda Valley, two miles from the
place where the mills were built, and was the first
settler in that valley. Here he purchased two
hundred acres, on which he built, but later sold the
property and moved four miles south, where he
again engaged in farming. Later he returned to
Nunda Valley and built the Eagle Hotel which he
rented and continued working at his trade. He
lived there until 1839, when he sold his interest in
the hotel and came to Michigan, purchasing two
hundred and forty acres of land one and a half
miles from Flint, Genesee County. lie then returned to New York, trading his farm at Flint for
a farm on Oak Hill, Mt. Morris, Livingston County,
where he settled and remained until 1842. In the
latter year he again sold and removed to West
Almond Center, Allegany County, N. Y., where
he bought a farm and lived on it until 1845.
At this time, Mr. Heath again concluded to try
his fortunes in the West, and, coming to Allegan,
this State, bought four hundred acres of land four
miles northwest from the village. It was all wild
land, and he was the first settler in that county.
He petitioned the Legislature to set off a portion
of the township which belonged to Allegan Township, and the act was passed, it being named for
him, Heath Township. He lived there for a number of years, being an eye-witness to the settlement
of the land and its conversion from a wilderness
to fertile fields and thriving villages. He afterward removed to Allegan, in which he spent his
last days, dying there in August, 1865, at the age
of seventy-two. The mother died on the farm
when sixty-eight years of age. During the whole
time Mr. Heath resided in Heath Township, he was
Justice of the Peace, being appointed by the State
and being the first one given that office in that section of country. He also held the office of Supervisor
and various other local positions. He was a stanch
Democrat and a soldier the War of 1812. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity.
The Heath family are of Scotch descent, and the
grandfather of our subject, Daniel Heath, was a


native of Vermont. He was a soldier during the
Revolutionary War and was severely wounded.
He removed to Massachusetts, afterwardowning a
farm in Cayuga County, N. Y., and thence removing to Buffalo when there were only three houses
where that flourishing city now stands. Later he
came to Indiana and lived in Rising Sun Township,
Ohio County, until his death.
The parental family consisted of ten children,
of whom five are living, namely: Horace B., a merchant of Melbourne, Australia; John M.; Amanda,
M., who lives in Illinois; Orra L. (Mrs. Davis), residing in Holland, Mich.; and Martin N.,of Cadillac, Mich., who is a broker.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the
Kalamazoo branch of the University of Michigan,
and remained upon his father's farm until twentyone years of age. lie then purchased land in Heath
Township, on which he farmed two years. This
life, however, proved too monotonous and affairs
moved too slowly to satisfy his ambitious disposition. When a boy he would take his rule and
measure the corn morning and evening, but as it
did not grow fast enough, he determined to engage in something which would bring in returns
more quickly. He therefore engaged in the lumber business, purchasing timber land in  leath
Township, from which he cut the logs and floated
them down the Kalamazoo River to Saugatuck,
where he readily found a market. IHe also bought
a sawmill four miles from Allegan, which he carried on for eight years, when lie sold out in 1865
and bought the machine shop and foundry which
he has been operating since that time. lie employs
from three to fifteen men and is doing a flourishing business. He also deals in real estate and operates a sawmill five miles west of the town. In
addition to this, he raises peaches, having a halfinterest in twelve thousand peach trees.  For
twenty years he has also been attorney for procuring patents for inventors.
Mr. Heath was married to Mrs. Delia G. Atkins, of
Allegan, their union taking place in August, 1872.
By a former marriage Mr. Heath had three children; Ellen (Mrs. Capt. Turnbull); Nellie (Mrs.
Wright), and James M. Annabel is the only child
by the second marriage.
(Jd ULU Vdl~dU~A CIILLIrn




Missing




0 rMN
0 rm


d)
F4




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


405


Mr. Heath is a Democrat in his political views
and has held all the township offices except that of
Treasurer. He has been Justice of the Peace for
nine years, Supervisor and one of the Village Trustees for two years. He has a beautiful home, which
is one of the finest residences in the city. Here he
leads a happy life, surrounded by his family, and
finding time in spite of all his numerous business
enterprises to indulge in his love of reading and
investigation. He is an original thinker and has
a genius for inventing. The family occupy a
prominent position in the social circles of Allegan.
APT. JOHN H. McKENZIE, keeper of the
United States Life Saving Station at South
Haven, is a man of cool judgment, great
courage and decided executive ability, traits of
character which stand him in good stead in the
responsible position which he so ably fills. He was
born on the Island of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia,
January 28, 1851, and is a son of Alexander and
Mary(McLean)McKenzie, natives of Scotland, born
in 1824 and 1825,respectively. They emigrated to
Cape Breton in about 1850, the paternal grandfather of our subject also coming to that place.
The father of our subject was a seaman and removed from Cape Breton to Bruce County, Canada West, and one year later to Goderich, in Huron
County.   In connection with his father and
brother-in-law, Alexander McKenzie, he owned a
boat and followed fishing off the coast of Nova
Scotia, marketing his fish in Boston. When residing at Goderich, much of his time was employed in sailing on the lakes. Ile also owned a
farm but gave most of his attention to his other
pursuits. The parental family consisted of ten
children, of whom four grew to maturity, namely:
John HI., Kate A., and Johanna, who are at home;
and Isaac, who is a tailor by trade and resides in
South Haven.
Capt. McKenzie was but a boy when the family
settled in Goderich. His parents were limited in
means but they were willing to give their son a
good education. He, however, was more ambitious
to become a sailor than a scholar, and thus at the


age of fourteen he came to Michigan and engaged as a sailor and fisherman on the lakes, also
being employed one season in the life saving station on Thunder Bay Islands. In 1881 he came
to South Haven, where he was employed as a
fisherman on Lake Michigan, and for one summer
worked for George Hanna in the lumber business.
In October, 1884, he went to Muskegon and for ten
months was employed in the life saving station at
that place. March 7, 1887, he was commissioned
keeper of the station at North Manitou Islands,
where he was in charge until January, 1888, when
he received the appointment of keeper of the station at South Haven.
Capt. McKenzie was married, March 17, 1880,
to Marcie, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Stover)
Thomas, the latter being a native of England.
She was born in Chatham, Ontario, September 7,
1868. They have been the parents of five children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are Alexander Thomas, Mary Adelaide, Henry
Woods and Nancy Emma. Our subject became
a naturalized citizen soon after he came to his majority and for two years voted with the Democratic party, since which time he has supported
the Republican ticket in national matters, but in
local affairs votes for the best man. HIe resides at
the station, which is cozily furnished and finely
equipped with all the apparatus necessary for the
saving of life. Besides the keeper, there is a crew
of seven men who are constantly on hand to assist
in the rescue of wrecked vessels. Capt. McKenzie
owns two cottages and five lots in South Haven.
He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of both
the subordinate and encampment lodges of the
Odd Fellows and also belongs to the Ancient Order
of United Workmen and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is very popular with his associates, has
a large circle of friends, and no better man could
have been chosen for the position which he fills.
In connection with this sketch his portrait is presented to our readers.
A short record of the transactions of the South
Haven Life Saving Station since its establishment
may be of interest to our readers. This station
was founded in the spring of 1887 with B. A.
Cross as keeper, and is equipped with all the ap





406


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-  --- —-—  --- LIII_ —  _ __ I


paratus necessary for any lake station. It has a
crew of eight men, including the keeper in charge.
The first service rendered was on June 20, 1887,
when the steam yacht "Myrtle McClure" sank in
the river. No lives were endangered. July 3,
1887,a sloop was being dismasted two miles out
and was towed into the harbor with two men on
board. August 10, 1887, the "Lillie Emiot" was
water-logged and sank in the harbor. September
10, 1887, the schooner"W. H. Hawkins" was waterlogged fifteen miles out and was towed into harbor. October 3, 1887, the "City of Green Bay" went
ashore near the harbor, loaded with iron ore, and
of the crew of seven men only one was saved,
Albert Slater. October 12, 1887, four persons
were rescued with a surf boat.
In January, 1888, Capt. McKenzie succeeded B.
A. Cross as keeper and took charge of the property, and under his command the crew was first
called upon July 11, 1888, to assist the "Cora
Belle."  September 11, 1888, they assisted the
"Libby Carter,"  and October 29, the "HI. W.
Williams." November 30, 1888, the "Magdalena"
called for their aid, and April 5, 1889, the schooner
"Daisy" stranded and sank in the harbor. May 6,
they assisted the "II. W. Williams" in getting out
of the harbor. July 20, 1889, the steamer "Joseph
Farnam" was discovered on fire twenty miles from
shore. The life saving crew was towed out by the
steamer "Glenn," and the entire crew of the
"Farnam," consisting of eleven men and one
woman, the captain's wife, was rescued. June 6,
the same year, they assisted the "Charles J. Smith,"
and October 12, the schooner "Rambler."  January
16, 1890, the schooner "Cora" went ashore, and a
crew of three men was saved. October 14, the
"Charles J. Smith" went ashore. Its crew of three
men was also saved.  June 7,1891, an unnamed
boat went out on a pleasure trip and could not
get back and was assisted by the life saving crew.
July 3, a schooner was helped ashore. July 4, a
man was capsized in a row boat and rescued by the
life saving crew. July 6, the yacht "Spray" lost
her spar, and was brought into port with two men
and three women on board. August 14, the
schooner "Phantom" was in distress and her crew
of two men were rescued. November 18, the


schooner "Rockaway," loaded with lumber, waterlogged eight miles from port. There was a heavy
sea and the weather was cold. The crew of five
men were saved in a surf boat. The "Rockaway"
sank soon afterward and was a total loss.
ILLARD E. GILKEY, a prominent horsebreeder of Plainwell, was born in Prairieville, Barry County, this State, March 24,
1854. William Y. Gilkey was his father, and was
born in Vermont, June 10, 1805. He remained in
his native State until nineteen years of age, when
he went to Boston, spending eight years at various
pursuits.
The father of our subject came to Michigan in
1832, making the long jourmey from New England
overland with horse and cutter. His brother, Foster Gilkey, had preceded him to the State and
settled on Gull Prairie, in Kalamazoo County.
The brothers entered into partnership in cultivating their land and remained together until the
death of our subject's father, January 13, 1868.
They were pioneers on Gull Prairie, and became
very wealthy, owning large tracts of land in Kalamazoo, Barry and Allegan Counties. Mr. Gilkey
also engaged extensively in stock-raising and was
one of the prominent and influential men of his
locality.  Among   his personal characteristics
were those of love of truth, justice and progress,
and a cordial, kindly spirit which made warm
friends and stanch adherents. Ile was an active
member of the Republican party and a zealous
member of the Baptist Church.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject
was Lydia Brigham. She was a native of the Bay
State, her birth occurring January 11, 1820. She
was a most capable and worthy lady and respected
alike by neighbors and friends. Her death occurred August 27, 1891. She was a life-long Baptist. An extended notice of her parents will be
found elsewhere in this volume.
The family of which our subject is a member included four sons and two daughters, of whom
five are still living. Mr. Gilkey was reared on a
farm and attended the common schools of his




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


407


=


neighborhood until reaching his fifteenth year,
after which he entered the Plainwell High School.
He has kept up his studies and systematic reading,
and is to-day one of the cultured and educated
gentlemen of the county.
When about twenty years of age, Mr. Gilkey and
his brother, C. O., engaged in the boot and shoe
business in Plainwell. They continued together
in that line for two years when they disposed of
their stock and opened up a hardware store. A
twelvemonth later they sold out their business and
our subject turned his attention to farming, owning at that time a farm  near Albion, this State.
He subsequently purchased a small farm within
the corporate limits of Plainwell, and gave his
time and attention to the improvement of that
beautiful tract of land. He erected on his place,
in 1884, a handsome frame dwelling which is supplied with all the modern improvements and conveniences and is one of the finest in the county.
He also built at the same time a large stable with
comfortable quarters for his horses, of which he
has some fine specimens.
For the past few years Mr. Gilkey has given his
attention to the breeding of standard-bred horses,
having at the head of his excellent stud of twenty
animals, "President Garfield". He is the first
horse bred and raised in Michigan that, at the age
of nine years, had one of his get trot in 2:20.
"Star Lillie," the mare accomplishing this feat, is
now owned by C. I. Iood, the great sarsaparilla manufacturer, who paid $9,000 for her. Mr.
Gilkey has several very valuable animals and his
success thus far in breeding them has been very
flattering.
In 1878 our subject was married to Miss Lizzie
Waldo, a native of the Wyoming County, N. Y.
Mrs. Gilkey is the daughter of S. S. Waldo, who
for a number of years was a woolen manufacturer
in the Empire State.  Both of her parents are residing in Plainwell, where the father has been engaged successfully in the grocery business for
several years. They now reside at Ganges, where
Mr. Waldo is engaged in fruit-raising.
Our subject and his most estimable wife have
adopted a little girl, Marguerite, who is being
trained by them in all those accomplishments that


i
I
i


I


will make her a cultured woman. Mr. Gilkey has
forty-four acres of excellent land in his home
place, also owning forty acres south of Plainwell
and two hundred acres in Prairieville Township,
Barry County. He is also a stockholder in the
Michigan Paper Company in Plainwell, where he
is rated as one of the prominent and influential
citizens. With his estimable wife, he is a member
in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, to
the support of which body he is a liberal contributor. In politics, he votes with the Republican
party.
COHN F. HALE, of Otsego, who has been
variously identified with the interests of
Southern Michigan for many years, and is
now associated with the agriculturists of
Allegan County, is a fine representative of our
self-educated and self-made men, as he has a high
personal standing wherever known, and is honored for his exemplary, upright life, and for the
wholesome influence he has exerted upon the religion and morality of his community by his earnest work in the church in behalf of temperance
and other reform movements.
Mr. Hale is of New England birth and breeding,
born in the historic town of Bennington, Vt., June
25, 1824. For ancestral history see sketch of C.
P. Hale. His parents were Zedock and Hannah
(Chapin) Hale, natives of Massachusetts, the
mother born in Franklin County. She died in
1833, while yet in the prime of life. The father,
who was a carpenter, removed to the West, and
lived in Wisconsin several years. He died in
1866 at a ripe age.
Our subject was the fifth child of his father's
first marriage. He was reared on a farm until he
was fourteen years old, his mother having died
when he was nine years old, at which time he had
gone to live with others away from his father's
home.   The little education that he secured in
those years was obtained in the common district
schools. At the age mentioned, he went to work
in a woolen factory in Roe, Mass., and, anbltious
to have more learning, he worked nights to pay his


i






408


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I-   - - - - - -~~~ - - - - - - - - - i


board and went to school in the day time. During the seven years that he was employed in that
factory his wages ranged from $5 to $9 a month.
At the expiration of that time he went to North
Adams, and was similarly employed in a factory
in that place. He was frugal and of steady liabits, and in 1849 he was enabled to establish himself in business. Accordingly, he returned to his
native town among the hills of Vermont, and for
three years successfully operated a factory on his
own account, manufacturing the cloth at so much
per yard.
Actuated, perhaps, by a spirit of adventure as
well as by a desire for more rapid gain, our subject settled up his affairs at Bennington in order
to embark for the gold fields of California in
1852. He proceeded to his destination in a steamer
crossing the Isthmus, by the Nicaragua route.
The steamer was wrecked on the Mexican coast,
causing a delay of two months before the voyage
was at last completed. Mr. Hale engaged in mining in the Golden State two years, and in 1854 returned home with his gains by the way of Nicaragua. The ensuing three years lie spent in a
woolen factory in North Adams, Mass. In April,
1856, he sought a new home in this State, locating
on Gull Prairie, in the township of Richland, Kalamazoo County, on a tract of three hundred and
twenty acres of unimproved land that he had purchased twelve years before. HIe at once actively
entered upon the pioneer task of clearing and preparing it for civilization, and had brought it to a
fine condition when he disposed of it at a good
advance on the original price, in the fall of 1870.
He then came to Otsego Township, where he was
variously engaged the ensuing two years. In
1872 he entered into partnership with the Stewarts, and built a large chair factory. The firm
employed from thirty to fifty men, and did a good
business. At the end of five years Mr. Hale sold
his interest in that factory, and became connected
with a flour manufactory at Hastings. He retained
his interest in that nearly three years, and his
next move was to buy a farm in Otsego Township. In the summer of 1883, he visited the West,
spending the principal part of his time in Montana, and after his return he purchased a farm of


two hundred and forty acres on section 4, Otsego
Township, upon which he lived until the fall of
1890, when he removed to Otsego, where he is
very pleasantly situated, and is enjoying the handsome compentency that he has accumulated by industry and good business management, he having
begun life with no other capital than a sane mind
in a sound body.
January 21, 1854, is the date of an important
event in the life of our subject, as he was then
united, in what has been a true marriage, to
Miss Charity D. Ioskins, of Middletown, Vt. Her
parents, Ezra and Phebe (Grandy) Hoskins, removed from the Green Mountain State to Wisconsin, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Hale have
been blessed in their marriage by five children,
namely: - Ada, wife of William De Forest; Lillie,
wife of Clarence Anderson, a clerk in the Postoffice at Helena, Mont.; Hattie, wife of William
Healy, of Otsego; Allie, wife of John Andrew, a
business man of Elkhorn, Mont.; and Irving B.,
who is married and lives on the home place.
Mr. Iale is a man of a deeply religious nature,
whose life is that of a consistent Christian. He
has always taken a deep interest in whatsoever
would benefit his fellow-men, and all righteous
causes find in him an earnest chaimpion. Especially has lie been active in temperance work,
throwing the weight of his influence on the side
of Prohibition, thinking that to be the best means
of dealing with this monstrous evil-the drinking
habit. He was reared as a Whig of the Abolitionist type. Consequently upon the birth of the Republican party, while he was a resident of Massachusetts, he found himself in sympathy with its
tenets, and gave it his hearty support for many
years, until he identified himself with Prohibitionists. He has held various offices of trust, and always discharged the duties thus incumbent upon
him with an eye single to the good of the community. He was Justice of the Peace for eight years
during his residence in Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, and held that position four years
in Otsego Township. In 1878 he was elected a
member of the Allegan County Board of Supervisors, and is distinguished as being the first candidate of that office elected on the Prohibition






I




i/,A X




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


411


ticket, his party winning a signal triumph over
the combined tickets of the Democrats and Republicans. He has been Drain Commissioner for five
years. Our subject and his family are among the
leading members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. lHe and his wife have been connected
with that denomination thirty-five years, and have
contributed greatly to its upbuilding wherever
they have resided, and Mr. Hale has held all the
church offices.
'  ~   _. — '.~ [~.         r 'A~..__^  ~
G    YRUS H. LEWIS, who has a fine farm on
section 31, Covert Township, has been a resident of Van Buren County since 1868. He
comes of old Revolutionary stock and has proved
that he inherited the patriotic sentiments of his
ancestors by his gallant service during the late
Civil War. Mr. Lewis was born in Troy Township, Geauga County, Ohio, August 6, 1838, and
was a son of Samuel C. and Mlartha (Roberts)
Lewis, natives respectively of New York and Plymouth, Windsor County, Vt. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Nathan Lewis, was a native
of New York, and emigrated to Ohio, where he
settled in the forest and cleared up a farm being
one of the pioneers of Geauga County. Here he
spent his life and died in 1840. He reared a
family of six sons and one daughter, namely: Roland, Lent, Samuel, DeWitt C., Harvey W., George
W. and Susan.
Samuel C. Lewis, the father of our subject, was
born in New York, February 26, 1804. He was a
small boy when his parents emigrated to Ohio,
where he grew to manhood, and September 4,1832,
was married to Martha Roberts. She was born in
Plymouth, Windsor County, Vt., June 8, 1804,
and was the daughter of Giles and Catharine
(Knight) Roberts. Giles Roberts resided in Vermont and for seven years served as a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, four of his brothers also being
soldiers during the same war. He was the father
of twelve children, two of his sons serving in the
War of 1812. He died in Vermont, and his wife
in Massachusetts in 1819. The mother of our
subject emigrated to Ohio with her brother Lyman


in 1831 and the following year was married to
Samuel C. Lewis.
After their marriage, the parents of our subject
settled on a new farm in the forest in Troy Township, Geauga County, Ohio, which they improved
into a finely cultivated place and one of the best
farms in that section of the country.  Mr. Lewis
cultivated a fine growth of maple trees on the
place and it is still known as Maple Grove Farm.
In 1849 he sold out and removed to Defiance
County, Ohio, where he purchased another farm,
operating it until 1857. IHe then removed to
Hillsdale County, Mich., where he again purchased
new land and improved another farm. He had
the genuine pioneer instincts which led him to
take up unimproved land and use his best and
endeavors to leave it in fine shape for those who
came after him. In 1873 he emigrated to Kansas,
settling in Wabaunsee County, where he resided
with a son until 1875, when lie returned to Michigan
and died in Covert Township, Van Burcn County,
May 23, 1876. The mother of our subject is still
living and resides with him.
The parental family consisted of four children
as follows: Jane, who was born April 27, 1834,
married John Barker and resides in Cassville,
Barry County, Mo.; Cyrus II.; Eben M., born May
4, 1840, resides in Morley, Mecosta County, this
State; Nathan B., born June 2, 1842, is a resident
of the same county. All of the sons were soldiers
in the Civil War, Eben M. being a member of
Company K, Tenth Michigan Infantry, serving
from the spring of 1862 till the close of the war.
Nathan B. enlisted in the spring of 1863, being a
member of the Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry, and served throughout the war.  He was
wounded in the leg by a gunshot and in consequence receives a pension from the Government.
Cyrus H. Lewis, the subject of this sketch, passed
his early life upon the farm, remaining under the
parental roof until the Civil War broke out, when
on July 13,1861, he enlisted and in September was
mustered into service as a member of Company A,
Bissel Engineer Regiment of the West. They were
sent first to St. Louis, Mo., and thence to La Mine
River, which they bridged and there built Ft. La
Mine. They also cut a channel around Island No. 10,






412


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I


and opened the Mississippi River to Vicksburg.  wh
They then completed the Nashville & Northeastern  ma
Railroad, building block-houses at every trestle  tur
along the line of the road. They then went on the  pre
Atlanta Campaign and thence to the sea, participat-  a fi
ing in all the engagements incident thereto. They  one
also accompanied the army to Washington, and   Lev
participated in the Grand Review. During their  par
service, they were in every confederate State ex-  tow
cept Texas. Mr. Lewis took part in the following  of (
battles, New Madrid, Mo.; Island No. 10, the two  mei
battles at Corinth, Jonesboro, and in all the skirm-  om
ishes and marches in which his command partici-  ter
pated. He had his ankle injured in a railroad  oce
wreck but otherwise escaped injury during his four  are
years of service.
Returning to Michigan, Mr. Lewis resumed     pan
farming. August 13, 1865, he was married to
Louisa Holmes, the daughter of Chauncy and Lucy
A. (Slocum) Holmes.  She was born in Ashtabula
County, Ohio, November 5, 1843. Her father was
a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., born Janu- (
ary 25, 1814. He married Lucy Slocum, who was
born in Otsego, N. Y., October 8, 1813. To them  the
were born six children: Edwin C., born May 27,  eflic
1837, enlisted in August, 1861, in the Twenth-  well
ninth Ohio Infantry, and was taken prisoner at  som
Winchester, afterward being exchanged and dis-   0
charged on account of physical disability. He  Pa.,
subsequently re-enlisted in the Twenth-seventh  D.
Michigan Regiment and was killed at the Battle of  ban,
the Wilderness. Herman O., born September 20,  man
1839, was a member of Company B, Twenty-ninth  man
Ohio Infantry, and (lied while in the service; Car-  late:
oline L., born October 1, 1841, married George  ing
Allen and resides at Austin, Minn.; H1. Louisa is  mov
the wife of our subject; Seymour G., who was born  Gun
September 9, 1846, resides in Lake County, S. Dak.;  pure
and Levi D., who was born February 1, 1853, is a  new
resident of Austin, Minn. The birth of all these  tion
children took place in Ashtabula County, Ohio.  upoi
The father died in May, 1870; the mother is still  also
living and resides in Austin, Minn.            thro
After his marriage, our subject resided in Hills-  acce
dale County until 1868 when he came to Van Buren  186.
County and settled in Geneva Township, where     J
he improved a farm. Here he lived until 1872   subj


en he went to Wabaunsee County, Kan., reining there until the fall of 1875 when lie re'ned to Michigan and has since resided at his
sent place where he has cleared up and improved
ne farm of fifty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have
e adopted child, Stephen S. In politics, Mr.
wis is a Republican but does not take an active
~t in political affairs. -le was Supervisor of his
vnship for two years. He is a charter member
George Allen Post, No. 351, G. A. R., and forrly belonged to Garfield Post, No. 30, of Cola, Berrien County, Mich., of which he is a charmember and was Adjutant. He and his wife
upy a prominent place in the community and
highly esteemed by their fellow-citizens.
l lithographic portrait of Mr. Lewis accomiies this brief mention of his life.
LIVER E. GOLDSMITH. This prominent
citizen is the proprietor of the Plainwell
/ Hambletonian Stables. He is counted among
old settlers of the county and has been very
*ient in the upbuilding of the village of Plain1. He is a good judge of horseflesh and keeps
e very valuable animals in his stables.
)liver Goldsmith was born in Tioga County,
October 23, 1837, and is the son of Abraham
Goldsmith, whose birthplace was Berne, Aly County, N. Y.    The latter-named gentlei went to Tioga County, Pa., when a young
i and engaged in lumbering and farming. He
r made the Empire State his home by locatin Steuben County in 1843, whence he rered to Monroe County. In 1845 he came to
1 Plain Township, Allegan County, where he
chased a tract of land. The country was very
at that time, and the hardships and privas which he endured made a lasting impression
n his mind. Indians were plentiful, as were
wild animals, thus the dangers were great
ugh which they passed in making the country
ssible to those who came after. Ile died in
5, when in his fifty-fifth year.
oshua R. Goldsmith, the grandfather of our
ect, was a native of Long Island, and was a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


413


man of fine education, having taught school for
forty years. He was the author of a book and
contributed many able articles to the newspapers.
He was a patriot in the War of 1812, and died in
Jackson County, this State, at the advanced age
of ninety-three years. IHe remembered shaking
hands with Gen. Washington when a schoolboy.
The great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. The early settlers of this family came
from England. Our subject's mother was Henrietta (Krusen) Goldsmith, and she was born in New
Jersey, January 13, 1816. She was married to
Mr. Goldsmith in New York. Our subject is the
only one of their six children now living. The
mother of our subject died on the 8th of March,
1892, at the home of our subject, aged seventysix years, one month and twenty-one days.
Oliver E. Goldsmith was eight years of age at
the time his parents removed to Michigan and
located in Gun Plain Township. He attended
school in a little log schoolhouse with slab seats
and stationary desks around the wall. So anxious
was he to obtain a good education that he walked
three miles to and fro daily in attending school,
and there acquired a good elementary education,
which he has later supplemented with judicious
reading.
Our subject assisted his father in the work of
clearing the farm from  timber and underbrush.
He often drew logs to the sawmill in winters and
applied himself industriously to whatever he was
called upon to do. Mr. Goldsmith was very fond
of hunting, and, indeed, in those early days, when
wild animals were so plentiful, he had many opportunities for showing his skill as a marksman.
He could kill a deer running as well as standing
still, and was considered a good shot. Indians
often came to their home begging for food, and
many times staid all night with the family, sleeping upon the floor in front of the fire.
After attaining his majority, the gentleman of
whom we write worked at lumbering, having
charge of a gang of men in Allegan County.
tle later farmed one hundred and twenty acres of
land in Gun Plain Township for awhile, and
then had charge of a gang of men in the grading
of the Michigan & Ohio Railroad. In August,


1879, he exchanged his farm property for property in Piainwell, where he has a cherry orchard
of about three hundred bearing trees. He began
in his present business by breeding horses, his
first standard-bred being "Countersign."  Ile has
since handled such horses as "Thatcher Hambletonian," "Great Western," "American    Boy,"
"Tramp, Jr.," "Goldfoil," and "Alger," all noted
sires.
Miss Caroline Davis became Mrs. Oliver E.
Goldsmith in 1875. She was a native of Maine
and came to Michigan with her parents. They
have no children of their own, but are performing the part of parents to an adopted son, John
D. In politics, Mr. Goldsmith is a Democrat, and
socially, is identified with the Masonic order.
Mrs. Goldsmith is a consistent member of the
Presbyterian Church.
Our subject las been Secretary of the Plainwell
Fair Association, and is given the credit of being
the pioneer horsebreeder in Allegan County..P}-J       *-e *-+. _-v
fJ  AMES S. IIUI)SON. Among the prominent
residents of Ganges Township, Allegan
County, who are living retired from the acti) ive duties of life, we are pleased to mention
James Hfudson. lIe makes his home on his fine
fruit farm of forty acres, on section 14, but through
the industry of earlier years has accumulated a
competency, and is now enabled to spend his latter
days in peace and quiet.
Our subject was born October 16. 1831, in Saratoga County, N. Y., and is the son of Polodore
and Harriet Hudson. The father was born in
Williamstown, Mass., October 2, 1797, and by his
studious habits was enabled to educate himself, as
his father died when he was quite young, and he
was thus compelled to do for himself. He went to
work on a farm when fifteen years of age, and continued in that line of work until reaching his majority.
When twenty-two years of age, Polodore Hudson
was married to the mother of our subject, whose
maiden name was HIarriet G. Morehouse. Mrs.
Hudson was born August 17, 1799, and was the






414


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-- -- -—  —` --- —-




daughter of Aaron and Parthena Morehouse. Her
father was a tanner and shoemaker by trade, and
during the War of 1812 he contracted with the
Government to furnish the soldiers with shoes.
Mr. and Mrs. Morehouse reared a family of nine
children.
After their marriage the parents of our subject
came to the Wolverine State, and located in Battle
Creek, where were but two houses where that
prosperous city now stands. He was the first Justice of the Peace in the above-named city, and
married the first couple in Calhoun County. The
following seven children were the brothers and
sisters of our subject: Aaron G., Charles D., -Ion.
Bradley P., Sarah P., Sophia; Hiram, who married
Ann Billings; and Andrew K., now deceased. All
of the above-named children, with the exception of
Aaron G. and Hiram, are deceased. In politics,
Mr. Hudson was a Whig, and later a Republican.
In religious matters he, with his wife, was a Presbyterian.
Our subject is a truly self-made man, as he never
attended school but three months in his life, and
is to-day thoroughly conversant upon all topics of
general interest, having acquired a fund of information by systematic reading. Like his father, he
started out in life at the age of fifteen years, working for $5 a month. Several years of his life were
spent in railroading on the Michigan Central Railroad. So capable was he in performing the duties
assigned him, that, within a twelvemonth after
entering the service of the company, he was promoted to the position of fireman. IHe remained
thus only three months, when he was given an engine, which he ran for seven years.
After abandoning the railroad, Mr. Hudson located eighty acres of land on section 14, Ganges
Township. In 1856 he moved to his present place,
where, instead of the beautiful house and pleasant
surroundings which the traveler may now see, was
nothing but a log cabin, set in the midst of an unbroken wilderness. He began thus in life with
but fifty cents in his pocket, and is to-day one of
the well-to-do citizens of his township. Mr. Hudson was quite a musician, and taught that art during the winter months, giving his attention to his
farm in the summer. After taking a course in


i
i


music, he accepted a position to travel with a concert company, and was thus engaged for several
years. IHe is the author of many beautiful vocal
compositions, and was much sought after in musical
circles in his earlier years.
Mr. Hudson became general traveling agent for
Walter Wood, who was engaged in the binder and
mower business, his territory lying in ten different
States. He was married to Miss Rebecca J. French,
January 1, 1853, and of their union were born
seven children: Stella M., Edith M.; Minnie M.,
deceased; Herbert D., Victor, Roy C. and James,
Jr., the latter two at home. Mrs. Hudson died
June 23, 1879, and our subject was a second time
married to Susan H. Wilson.
A-7
AMES D. GRAHAM, a representative farmer residing on section 13, Cheshire Township, Allegan County, was born April 8,
1830, in County Sligo, Ireland. The family came to America in 1847, and settled in Canada,
our subject being then seventeen years old. In
1849 he went to the State of New York and commenced working on his own account in a sawmill
where he remained employed for eight years.
Mr. Graham was married, in 1853, to Miss Catherine Fuller, a native of New York who was born
in 1838. Six years after their marriage they
came to Michigan and settled in this county and
township, and the next year settled upon his present farm. lie has added to his original purchase and
now has one hundred and ninety acres, one hundred of which are under fine cultivation. On this
place general farming is carried on, and Mr.
Graham himself has done all the clearing. He
erected his present residence about twelve years
ago and one barn, 30x45, with a wing 12x15; he
had also erected two other barns. He has a fine
orchard of four acres of apple trees. When he
first settled here there were no roads at all and the
place was in an entirely wild state. He erected a
board house in which he and his family lived for
some time.
The gentleman of whom we write and his wife
have been blessed by the birth of nine children,






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


415






=


all now living, namely: John B.; Julia Ann (Mrs.
Iorace Eldred); George G.; Alice I. (Mrs. L. Huntley); James D.; Andrew F.; Laura A. (Mrs. C.
Hillman); Charles D.; and Bertie II. The parents
are members of the Baptist Church in good standing and Mr. Graham is a Deacon and also a Trustee.
He has taken an active part il the Sundayschool, having been a teacher and Superintendent
in the same. Ite has given all his children a good
schooling, and five of them are now married and
have homes of their own. The office of Assessor
of the School District has been his for twelve
years; in politics he affiliates with the Republican party. tie has served as Drain Commissioner
of Cheshire four years and had the township
drained, but little having been done before this.
His son, John B., is engaged in  breeding fine
draft horses.
%-,     vts — -' V__r
AMES P. FITCH, a resident farmer on
section 6, Casco Township, Allegan County,
was born in 1818, his birthplace being Lima
Township, Livingston County, N..     Y.  e is
a son of Elias and Frances Fitch. Elias Fitch was
born about 1790 in Columbia County, N. Y., and
was reared in the village of Cooperstown, where he
attended school with James Fenimore Cooper. His
education was limited to the common schools, yet
his wide range of reading extended over most of
the current topics of the day. When eighteen
years old, he moved to Rhode Island and soon
went upon the high seas, sailing for three years,
visiting many of the different parts of the world.
While at Spain, one time, he witnessed the battle between the French and English. During the
War of 1812, his vessel was captured while in British waters, and the crew were all taken prisoners
and were not released until after the close of the
war. Previous to this incident, the ship was cap:
tured by pirates, but the crew soon overpowered
them and got away.
After his return from the sea the father of our
subject went back to his home in New York and
was married to Frances Davison, a daughter of




Paul and Sarah (Gould) Davison, both of whom
were natives of Connecticut. Mr. Davison served
seven years in the Revolutionary War as a musician. In 1819, Elias Fitch with his small family
settled in Wyoming County, N. Y., being one of
the earliest pioneers there. He located in a vast
wilderness on an unimproved farm. To him and
his wife were born nine children, named as follows:
James P., Norman D., Rouenna, deceased; William;
John, deceased; Sarah, wife of the Rev. Linus
Bathrick; Frederick, deceased; Mary, and Charles,
a member of the Twenty-fourth New York Light
Artillery,who died in Andersonville Prison, in 1864.
Politically, Elias Fitch was a strong Democrat. He
was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons and stood by his order during the stormy
times of the Morgan trouble. IIe and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile
died at the homestead in Wyoming County, in
1876, his good wife surviving him several years.
The grandfather of our subject was Paul Fitch,
who married Eliza Preston, both natives of Connecticut. The maternal grandfather Preston was
in the Revolutionary War. He fought at the battle of Bunker Iill, having seventeen rounds of ammunition, and also at Stony Point, where the British garrison was captured.
The subject of this sketch was reared and received his education in Wyoming County, N. Y.,
remaining under the parental roof until twentyfour years old. At this age he went to Wisconsin
and squatted on one hundred and sixty acres of
Indian land before it was surveyed. IIe remained
in that State about twenty-five years, carrying on
farming, and in the winters lumbering for a number of years. He returned to New York State, in
1852, and on October 7 was married to Lorinda
Hampton, a daughter of Robert Hampton. The
couple returned to Wisconsin, but the privations
and trials were too severe for Mrs. Fitch and she
soon died. In 1861, Mr. Fitch was married to Rosetta.Hampton, a sister of his first wife. To them
have been born five children. Two died when
quite young. Those living are Charles L., Rosa
B. and Mary, the wife of John McCarty. Mr.
Fitch came to Michigan in 1870 and settled on his
present estate of forty acres of splendidly Im

I






416


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


proved land on which he has erected a convenient
and attractive residence. Iere a gracious hospitality is dispensed and the family are held in
high esteem by their many friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Fitch entered the service of his country in
1864, enlisting in Company K, Eighth Wisconsin
Infantry. Iis regiment was attached to the Army
of the Potomac, and he participated in the battles
of Hatehies Run, Petersburg, and Ft. Sedgwick.
lie was honorably discharged at Washington, June
2, 1865. He is now one of the leading members of
Zach Chandler Post, No. 35, G. A. R. Mr. and
Mrs. Fitch are consistent and valued members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
F ILES FOSTER, who is engaged in general
farming on section 20, Trowbridge Township, Allegan County, was born in the
Buckeye State, his birth occurring in Lorain County, June 15, 1833. Iis father, Archibald Foster, a native of New York, was born in
November, 1799, and by-trade was a shoemaker,
but in later life followed farming. When a boy he
went to Ohio, where he became acquainted with
and married Eliza Mann, daughter of Enos Mann,
a soldier of the War of 1812. Her death occurred
when our subject was four years old, being caused
by a stroke of lightning. Four children were born
of that union, of whom two sons and a daughter
are now living: J. M. is now a resident of Battle
Creek, Mich.; G. M. is now deceased; Miles is the
next younger, and Eliza Ann is the wife of Robert Emmons, of Trowbridge Township. After the
death of his first wife, Mr. Foster was again married. He came to Michigan in the spring of 1854,
and for a time lived with his children, but afterward removed to a small farm of his own. lIe
died and was laid to rest in Mallery Cemetery.
As before stated, our subject lost his mother
when but a young lad, contrary to the general opinion in regard to stepmothers,he found in his,a tender
and loving protector, who manifested no difference
in her feeling between her own children and those
of the first marriage. As the father was in limited


circumstances, his educational advantages were necessarily meager. In 1853, with his brother George,
he came to Michigan and worked for William
Porter for a year, receiving $20 per month as a
compensation for his services. lie then worked in
the pineries one winter, after which one season
was spent in the employ of Daniel Foster, and the
next as fireman to Wells & Johnson's mill at Saugatuck. He then settled upon his present farm,
comprising eighty acres, that was almost in its
primitive condition. A heavily timbered tracts hut
off all view, and his neighbors were few and far
between. Only one living in this community at that
time yet abides. A log cabin was built upon Mr.
Foster's farm, and he at once began clearing away
the timber and improving his land, and in a short
time, owing to his industry and energy, the light
of day shone upon fifty acres of cleared land.
In the year 1857, Mr. Foster was united in
marriage with Miss Henrietta, the daughter of
Thomas and Jane (Lamunyan) Brown, who came
to Michigan in 1854 and settled upon the farm
which is now the home of our subject. The father
died in 1886, and the mother passed away in 1890.
Mrs. Foster was born in February, 1838, and died
in 1877, respected by all who knew her. In January, 1880, our subject was again married, his second union being with Frances Schuyler, daughter
of John and Catherine Schuyler, and one of a
family of five children yet living. ITer parents
came to Michigan in 1856, and are now residents
of Kalamazoo County. Mrs. Foster was born September 9, 1853. By her marriage she became the
mother of four children, three of whom are yet
living: Schuyler G., Florence and Lura.
The home of this excellent family is a valuable farm of eighty-eight acres, which was cleared
and improved by Mr. Foster. He now has nearly
the entire amount under cultivation, and besides
his own farm has cleared over one hundred acres
additional. The buildings were all erected by himself, and stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. To general farming he devotes his entire
attention, and to the raising of Durham cattle. He
is recognized as one of the practical and representative farmers of the community, and is also numbered among the public-spirited and progressive






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


417


citizens. He and his wife are members of the
Grange, and in politics, he is independent and has
held the office of Moderator of his district for
three years. Interests calculated to benefit the
community have ever received his hearty support
and co-operation. He gave the site for the schoolhouse and put up the building himself. His chief
ambition now is to give his children good educational advantages, thus fitting them for the practical duties of life and he has lived to see them
become useful men and women.
_   _-, 1++++,S'd,++i,
M SA C. GOODRICH, M. D. This honored
and respected citizen of Ganges Township, Allegan County, is residing upon
his tract of ninety-two acres on section 2,
twenty acres of which is in fruit. le thoroughly
understands his calling and finds that the best methods and latest improvements in agriculture bring
him the largest returns.
Dr. Goodrich was born in 1834, in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and is the son of Chauncy
and Hannah Goodrich. His father was born in
Connecticut in 1786 and was there reared on a
farm. In his youth he learned the trade of a
shoemaker, tanner and currier, serving an apprenticeship of seven years. When a young man
he moved to New York and there met and married
the mother of our subject, whose maiden name
was Hannah Brayton. Fourteen chiidren were
born of their union, two of whom died in infancy.
The remaining twelve were named Ienry C.;
George A.; Dr. Chauncy B., deceased; Charles L.;
James R.; our subject; Wesley; Dr. Lewis and Elizabeth C., deceased; Sarah; Lucy; and Eveline.
The father of our subject emigrated to the WolverineState in 1855 with his family, locating on
the present farm of Dr. Asa, which then consisted
of fifty-two acres. There he built a plank house
and commenced the work of clearing and improving his farm. Two years after locating here, his
good wife died and he was again married, this time
to Mrs. Jane Lemon. To them was born one son,
Hiram, our subject's father at that time being seventy-two years old. In politics, Chauncy Goodrich was


a Whig. He passed from this life in 1864, aged
seventy-eight years.
Asa C. Goodrich was given a good education
and early began the study of medicine at Battle
Creek, this State. lIe completed his course in the
Michigan University in 1865, and, returning to
what is now his present home, and which he had
purchased some time previously, he practiced his
profession for twelve years. He superintended
the work on the farm during that period, and although he was flatteringly successful in his practice, at the expiration of twelve years, he gave
his entire time and attention to the cultivation of
his property. His place is supplied with all the
buildings which best serve the purposes of an
agriculturist and, all in all, he is one of the well-todo citizens of Ganges Township.
In 1865 our subject and Miss Emily, daughter
of Joseph K. and Esther Iill, were united in marriage. To them have been born three children,
one of whom died in infancy. Maude is the wife
of George Sinclair, of New York City, and with
her husband is a graduate of the Peter Cooper Institute of that city. Mildred L. is attending
school at Valparaiso, Ind. Mrs. Emily Goodrich
passed from this life in 1872, greatly respected by
all who knew her.
Asa C. Goodrich was a second time married, in
1877, to Miss Florence Loomis, daughter of Levi
and Sally Loomis, whose sketch appears on another
page in this volume. In politics, Mr. Goodrich is
a Prohibitionist and has done much to aid the
cause of temperance in this section. I-e and his
wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and have a large circle of warm
friends in Ganges Township.


/


+E- E+E -i4.  /


OSEPH CROW, who is residing on section
25, Casco Township, Allegan County, was
born in Burlington County, N. J., October
4, 1822. He is the son of George and
Susan Crow. The father was born in Germany in
1786, emigrating to America with his parents when
twelve years old. lie was given a good education






418


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


----- `-"                                                         - --— I


in the model schools of his native country and
after coming to the United States mastered the
English language at the schools in New Jersey.
Soon after making this country their home, the
father of George Crow bound him out to John
Dobbins, with whom he remained until reaching
his majority. He was treated very much as the
slaves were in the South and soon after leaving
his taskmaster learned the trades of a brickmaker
and woolen weaver. He was married at the age of
twenty-five to Susannah Johnson, who was a native
of New Jersey. In 1834 they moved to Wayne
County, Ind., where they remained a tweivemonth
and then went to Randolph County, the same
State, where they located on a tract of forty acres.
He was soon enabled to add forty acres more to
his purchase, all of which he brought to a good
degree of cultivation. IIe was a pioneer of that
region and when emigrating thither was five weeks
making the journey.
The nine children comprising the parental
family were named as follows: Elizabeth, Mary;
John and William deceased; George; our subject;
Anna deceased; Susan and Rachel. The father of
our subject was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his mother was identified with
the Society of Friends. In politics, the elder Mr.
Crow was first a Free-soiler and later a Whig. His
death occurred July 24, 1849, at which time he was
accidentally killed by a runaway team.
The education of our subject was quite limited,
as the family located in the wilderness in Indiana
where schools were considered more of a luxury
than a necessity. When reaching his majority, he
commenced to earn money by working out on
farms by the month. A few years later he was
married to Asenath, daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Woody, natives of North Carolina, and
Quakers in religion. The parents of Mrs. Crow
were early pioneers of the Hoosier State and had
born to them a family of eleven children, three of
whom died in infancy. The remaining eight
were: Joshua and Anthony now deceased; Mary,
Harriet, Alson G., Zenoah, Aaron and Louis.
After his marriage Joseph Crow took charge of
his father's estate for a number of years, after
which he made various removals in Indiana until




1870, when he came to Allegan County. Iis first
purchase of land here was twenty acres of what is
now his splendid farm, but which was then in its
primitive condition. He has since added forty
acres more to his possessions and by a proper
rotation of crops reaps a fine income.
To Mr. and Mrs. Crow of this sketch have been
born eleven children, three of whom  died in
infancy. Martin L. is residing in Kansas; Soplhronia A., is the wife of D. E. Pallmer, of Missouri;
George H. and Hattie A., who is the wife of Charles
H. Crary, are deceased; John C. F., who makes his
home in Casco Township; Mary, Mrs. S. Camblin;
Anna, the second wife of C. H. Crary, and William
H., residing in Casco Township. Our subject and
his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and in politics he is a strong Republican.
(~ ----
( ARNUM   H. DILLEY.    This progressive
buiness man of Lacota is engaged in charcoal burning and also buys and ships grain.
IHe is very successful in his undertaking and is
highly esteemed in his community as an upright
and honest citizen. He was born in Nottingham,
Ohio, in 1856,and was eight years of age when his
parents came to Michigan and located in Geneva
Township, Van Buren County.
Our subject is the son of Varnum D. and Margaret J. (Eddy) Dilley. The father is a native of
the Buckeye State, where his birth occurred in
1824, and tie mother hailed from New York. The
elder Mr. Dilley was one in a family of seven
children, of whom we give the following: T.
Charles died in Andersonville prison during the
late war; Varnum D. was the second in order of
birth; Harris is deceased; Darwin resides in Cleveland, Ohio; Clay makes his home in Chicago;
Corwin died in the army, and Caroline is Mrs.
Nathan Lord and resides in Euclid, Ohio.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were
Asa and Mary (Johnson) Dilley, who were among
the early settlers of Cayuga County, Ohio.  The
original of this sketch was reared on a farm and
received a common school education.    When
reaching his sixteenth year, he attended school for






I










MxW.D. SMITH.




W. D. S MITH.
t1




i_
i




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


423


c ---- —^ --- — -----II  ----  -------—  — —  —
-1 —--1-1 — —` -




=


a twelvemonth near Cleveland. Later he clerked
a few years for a Mr. Adam White of Lacota and
managed his store for a period after his death. At
the end of that time he engaged in business for
himself, but soon sold out his interests in that
direction and established himself in the charcoal
business, in connection with E. Graves, also buying
and shipping grain on his own account.  He is
wide-awake and progressive and is making a success of his undertaking.
Mr. Dilley of this sketch was married in 1880 to
Miss Hattie White, a very intelligent and estimable
lady. Carrie Dilley, a sister of our subject, became
the wife of William Burlingame and is now deceased. His twin brother, Marshall, is residing in
Lacota. Socially, he of whom we write is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at
Lacota, and in politics is a strong Republican.
ILLIAM     I). SMITH. Among the prominent and influential citizens of Kalamazoo
County, we are pleased to mention the
subject of this sketch, who is residing on an excellent farm on section 4, Portage Township. His
estate is embellished with all needful farm buildings, and Mr. Smith believes that the latest improvements and best methods in agriculture bring
him in the largest returns.
Northumberland County, Pa., was the native
place of our subject, his birth occurring September
18, 1824. He is the son of Daniel and Catherine
(Ditzler) Smith, the father a native of the same
State and county as was his son, and the mother,
born in Wurtemberg, Germany. Mrs. Smith died
in Northumberland County, Pa., after having become the mother of eight children, of whom William D. was the eldest.
The latter was reared upon the home farm, and
remained in the Keystone State until 1860, at
which time he came to St. Joseph County, and located near Constantine, where he resided until
after the Civil War. Then, selling his farm, he returned to Pennsylvania, and after a year spent in
his old home, again came to Michigan, this time
purchasing property in Prairie Ronde Township,




this county. There lie operated a farm for some
ten years, when he sold and located on his present
estate which comprises two hundred and forty
acres.
October 3, 1871, Mr. Smith and Miss Cordelia
Childs were united in marriage in Northumberland
County, Pa. Mrs. Smith was born in what is now
Montour County, that State, December 9, 1831.
She was the daughter of James and Rachel (Appleman) Childs, both of whom died in the abovenamed county. Our subject has always devoted
his time and attention to the cultivation of the soil,
and ranks among the wealthy and progressive agriculturists of the county. With his wife, he is a
member in good standing of the Presbyterian
Church, in which body he has been Deacon and
Elder.
The attention of the reader is directed to the
lithographic portraits of Mr. Smith and his estimable wife, which are presented.in this connection.
S HIIADRACII H. HAMLIN. On section 7,
Casco Township, Allegan County, may be
seen a beautiful farm of one hundred and
eighty-six acres, which is the property of
Mr. Hamlin, of this sketch. Twenty-five acres of
his estate is in fruit, of which he has some splendid
varieties. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, in
1832, and is the son of James E. and Matilda
(Jones) Hamlin.
The father of our subject was also born in Stark
County, Ohio, in 1808, but his mother was a native
of Virginia. The elder Mr. Hamlin spent his early
years upon a farm and in attendance at the common schools. IHe made the best of his limited opportunities for an education, and became an intelligent and well-read man. When reaching his
majority he established a hearthstone of his own,
and married Matilda, daughter of Jordan Jones.
The mother of Mrs. -Iamlin died when she was an
infant, and she was taken into the home of an
aunt and given a good education.
James E. tamnlin was very economical, and with
the $90 which his father gave him soon after starting


19






424


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


--------- ----— 
 --- —--- ----- -I ---- -— I --- --—  --- —--------


out in life, was enabled to purchase eighty acres of
land in Stark Coun ty, Ohio, which was the last Government land bought in Lexington Township. The
parents continued to live upon that farm until 1861,
when the father traded the property for one hunhundred and sixty acres on section 31, Ganges
Township, Allegan County. They made that farm
their home until reaching an advanced age, and
then resided with one of their children. The
father died May 28, 1885. His wife survived him
until May, 1890. In politics, he was first a Whig
and later a Republican. The father of our subject
was the son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Feltz) IHamlin, natives of Eastern Virginia. Stephen Hamlin was born in 1776, and fought in the War of
1812, for which action his name was dropped from
the roll in the Quaker Church. Previous to that
time, however, joining a company of forty-seven
emigrants to Ohio, he located in Stark County,
where our subject was born.
Shadrach H. Hamlin was the oldest but one of
the eight sons that were born to his parents, viz.:
Stephen M., our subject, Jordan J., Henry J., Robinson C.; Alva J., deceased, as was also John B.; and
Robert E. At the age of twenty, our subject went
to work on a farm in his native county, but soon
after learning the carpenter's trade from his brother,
followed that occupation for six years. In 1865
he came back to the Wolverine State, and purchased thirty-five acres of land on the lake shore
in Casco Township. In the fall he went back to
Ohio, where he remained a twelvemonth, and then
returning to Michigan, purchased forty acres of
what is now his present farm. From time to time
he has added to his tract, until he now is the proud
proprietor of one hundred and eighty-six and a half
acres. It bears all the improvements of a first-class
estate, its owner ranking among the well-to-do
agriculturists of Casco Township. His success is
due entirely to his own efforts and economy, for,
with the exception of the little assistance which
his father gave him when starting out on his own
account, his fine estate has been accumulated by
his own labors.
In September, 1861, our subject and Harriet,
daughter of William and Emeline (Davison) Brush,
were married. Mrs. Hamlin had five sisters who


bore the names of Susan, Amy; Sarah E., deceased;
Fanny and Mary E., also deceased. To our subject
and his wife have also come five children, three of
whom died in infancy. Oscar A. died after reaching mature years. Carrie M. is the only one living.
Mr. Hamlin enlisted in the Civil War September
6, 1864, joining Company F, Twelfth Michigan
Infantry. HIe was assigned to the Trans-Mississippi Department, and with his regiment saw much
active service.
He received his honorable discharge at the close
of the war, being mustered out at Little Rock,
Ark., September 9, 1865. On March 22, he was
allowed a pension by the Government. In politics,
our subject is a Republican, and, with his wife, is a
member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church
of Casco.
B-~-HOMIAS E. FRENCH. This worthy citi/  zen of Otsego is the present Supervisor of
~ Otsego Township. He enlisted in the War
of the Rebellion, December 6, 1861, and a grateful
nation will ever hold in honor those who, in times
of peril, offered themselves upon their country's
altar and faced death on many a bloody battlefield. In their memory will poems and songs be
written, anniversaries remembered with flags and
banners flying in the air, and patriotism be exalted
in a million, throbbing hearts.
Upon the battlefield of life, where patriotism is
called for no less than when facing ghastly death
at the cannon's mouth, Mr. French has made an
honorable record. A native of Ohio, he was born
in MahoningCounty, March 28, 1844. Ite is the
son of Thomas French, a native of the Keystone
State. He was a shoemaker in his early life, but
when emigrating to Ohio he became a farmer. He
died in 1846, when fifty-two years old, firm in the
Quaker faith. His father, the grandfather of our
subject, was born in Massachusetts.
The mother of our subject was Martha Bryant,
a native of New Jersey.  She was reared near
Mount Holly Bridge and died in 1873. With her
family she was a member of the Society of Friends.
Thomas E, French received his primary education




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


425


in the common schools and atteided two terms at
the Westminster College in Lawrence County, Pa.
After reaching his thirteenth year, he began to
earn his own living, and apprenticed himself to
learn the carpenter's trade, receiving as his first
wages $7 per month.
When seventeen years of age, Thomas E. French
enlisted in Company L, Sixth Ohio Cavalry, under
Col. Loyd. With his company he was sent to the
front and participated in the following engagements: Woodstock,Va., July 1, 1862; Mt. Jackson,
July 3, 1862; Cross Keys, Va., July 8, 1862, which
was the last battle before Gen. Fremont was relicved; Luray, Va., July 28, 1862; Cedar Mountains, August 8, 1862; the Second Battle of Bull
Run, August 29, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va., November 9, 1862; Kelly's Ford, Va., March 17, 1863.
In the last-named battle our subject had his horse
shot from under him. From July 9 to November,
1862, he served as Orderly to Gen. Sigel, performing
duties in his private office and doing some scouting
for the General, twice getting inside the rebel lines.
lte then fought in the second battle of Kelly's
Ford, April 20, 1863; Chancellorsville, May 4,
1863; Brandy Station, June 9, 1863; Aldie, Va.,
June 17,1863; Middleburg, Va., June 19, 1863;
Upperville, Va., June 21, 1863; Mt. Jackson,
Md., July 4, 1863; Smithburg, July 5, 1863;
ITagarstown, July 6, 1863; Boonsboro, July 8,
1863; Jones Cross Roads, July 10, 11, 12 and 13,
1863; Culpeper, Va., September 13, 1863; Rapidan Station, September 14, 1863; Barbers Cross
Roads, Va., September 1, 1863; Sulphur Springs,
October 12, 1863; Auburn Mills, Va., October 14,
1863; Bristol Station, Va., October 15, 1863; Mine
Run, Va., November 29, 1863; Custer's Raid,
February 28, 1864; Todd's Tavern, May 5, 6, 7
and 8,1864; Richmond Raid, from May 9 to the
25th, It64; Enon Church, Va., May 28, 1864;
Travilian raid, from May 6th to June 29, 1864;
at St. Mary's Church he had a horse shot from under
him, June 24. 1864; Malvern Hills, June 28, 1864;
the second battle of Malvern Hill, in 1864; Weldon Railroad, July 21, 1864; Davis, October 1,
1864; Boyton Plank Road, September 30, 1864;
Boyton Plank Road, number two, Va., October 27,
1864; Stony Creek Station, Va., December 2, 1864


Hatchie's Run, Va., December 9 and 10, 1864;
Muckneck Bridge, Va., February 5, 1865; Hatchie's
Run, Va., February 6, 1865.  He participated in
the battle at Dinwiddie Courthouse, April 6, 1865,
where another horse was shot which lie was riding.
Jeterville, April 4; Jones Cross Roads, April 5;
Harper's Farm, April 6;Farmville, April 7, 1865.
I-e was at Appomattox Courthouse, April 9, 1865,
and saw the white flag when it was first raised.
Not only did Mr. French serve with valor in
the many hard-fought engagements above enumerated, but his efficiency received merited recognition and while he entered the service in the ranks
he was honorably discharged at the close of the
war as Commissary-Sergeant. After peace was declared, our subject served three months in the
Freedmen's Bureau and on returning to Ohio and
resuming his trade, found that his hard service
had unfitted him for carpenter work.  Ile then
turned his attention  to learning the harnessmaker's trade which he followed for the succeeding fifteen years, most of the time being employed
by the Goshen Ohio Harness Company. He came
to Otsego in March, 1883, and located on a farm
in Otsego Township. IHe has recently moved to
the village but still superintends the operation of
his fine tract of land.
Thomas E. French was married, April 6, 1870,
to Miss Esther C. Shreve, of Ohio.  She died in
1877, leaving a family of four children: Alice who
is deceased; Enoch J., Albert M. and Carrie M.
Our subject was a second time married, his wife
on that occasion being Delora Otto, a native of
this State and the daughter of George D. and Gertrude Otto, both of whom were natives of New
York. IIer parents came to Michigan in 1844
and located in Otsego Township, Allegan County,
purchasing a wild farm. The family walked all
the way from Saugatuck. The father died in 1879,
when seventy-six years old; the mother is still
living. By that marriage were born four children.
They were among the early pioneers coming into
the wilderness and did their share toward giving
to posterity the broad acres which now  blossom
like the rose.
In politics our subject is a stanch Republican
and is a prominent member of the Grand Army of




426


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


the Republic. He was elected Supervisor of Otsego
Township in 1891 and is efficiently filling that
responsible position. Socially, he is a Mason and
has been a member of the Society of Friends for
the past thirty years. Mr. French owns a good
farm in Trowbridge Township, this county, and is
a gentleman whose love of truth and justice has
made for him warm and stanch friends in this
community.
THOMAS BENTON DUTCHER.              This en(0 terprising gentleman was a member of the
BL    firm of Moore & Dutcher, proprietors of a
gristmill, which was destroyed by fire in July,
1891. Their mill was located at Douglas, Allegan
County, and since the above date our subject has
been engaged in closing up his extensive business
interests. Mr. Dutcher has done an immense lumber business for the past thirty years, residing at
different times in Muskegon; Dennison, Tex., and
Chicago. In 1880 he came to Douglas, where he
established a gristmill. The firm did a prosperous business, their grade of flour being in demand
throughout the county.
Mr. Dutcher of this sketch was the son of Will
iam F. and Lucinda (Detrich) Dutcher, natives of
Pike County, Pa., where our subject was born
December 5, 1836. When he was sixteen years of
age, he accompanied his parents on their removal to
Chicago and two years later came to Allegan
County, where the father engaged in the lumber
business. Young Thomas assisted his parents in
various enterprises until starting out in life to do
for himself. He attributes to his estimable wife,
to whom he was married, August 20, 1857, a large
share of his success in life. Her maiden name
was Rebecca, daughter of Samuel and Sarah A.
(Steward) Cline, natives respectively of Ohio and
Pennsylvania.
To our subject and his amiable wife has been
born a family of three children: George L., who
was born May 31, 1859, is married to Ada E. Porter, and resides in Douglas, where he is a member
of the firm of Dutcher & Son; he has two children:
Florence I. and Thomas Benton.  Florence May,


the second child, was born November 17, 1864.
Leah Bell was born August 3, 1871. Both daughters remain at home with their parents.
As hlas before been mentioned, our subject has
been engaged in the lumber business for the past
thirty years and is ranked among the well-to-do
and respected citizens of Allegan County. In
politics he is a stanch Republican, and socially is a
member of Dutchess Lodge, No. 193, A. F. & A. M.,
in which he has been Past Worshipful Master. He
is also a member of Allegan Chapter, R. A. M.,and
with his family is a regular attendant at the Congregational Church. We are pleased to be able to
present the sketch of so worthy a citizen of the
county as the gentleman whose name we place at
the head of this biography.
IMON HARNDEN, a farmer on section 7,
Allegan Township, Allegan County, is the
possessor of forty acres of good land. IIe
came to Michigan in 1852, and stopped
for a short time in Ionia County; he lived in
Hillsdale County two years and then came to
this county, living in Pine Plains for awhile and,
in 1866, came to this township and purchased his
present farm. He was born in Cayuga County,
N. Y., October 3, 1818. Samuel and Asenath
(Highley) Harnden, natives of New York, were the
parents of our subject. The father was a boot and
shoemaker and lived and died in New York. He
was a Democrat in politics, held the office of Postmaster, and was, in religion, a member of the Universalist Church. He was the parent of five children. Enos and our subject are now living.
Simon Harnden received his education in his
native county and learned the trade of a shoemaker,
which he followed for a number of years in the
East and also since coming to Michigan. He was
Trustee of the village of Port Byron, in his native
county. He was married, in 1841, to Manetta Harrington, the daughter of Ebenezer and Emily
(Mentor) Harrington, natives of Massachusetts.
Mr. Harrington was a carriagemaker, and later in
life removed to Cayuga County, N. Y., where he
followed his trade until death. His good wife




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


427


bore hui five children: Almira (Mrs. Harnden)
and Calista (Mrs. Storey) are now living. Hie was
a Whig in politics.
Our subject and his wife are the happy parents
of eight children, all living, whose record is as
follows: Almira, now Mrs. George Whitney, is the
mother of two children, Laura and Glenn; Romain
married Mary Peet and is the father of two sons,
Lester and Clarence; Lucy married Robert Mc
Queen and they have eight children, John, Willie,
Alice, James, Grover, Nellie, Martin and Charles;
Sophia, Mrs. Howard Powers, has become the
mother of two daughters, Belle and Mina; Lester
married Carrie Rich, and two children have been
born to them, Rich, and Elma; Alice, Mrs. Bliss,
has two children, Roy and Rhoda; Charles is in the
grocery business at Battle Creek, his brother-inlaw, Mr. Bliss being his partner, under the firm
name of Bliss & Harnden; Emily, Mrs. August
Swedberg, is the mother of one child, Alice. Mr.
Swedberg is an editor at Battle Creek. Mr. Harnden, of whom we write, has a fine home with all
modern conveniences and does a general farming
business on his place, in which he is quite successful. He belongs to the Democratic party.
_' _ -..           __- J - v.
>iEV. SAMUEL M. FOWLER, a minister of
the Christian Church,residing at No. 507 Elm
\, Street, Kalamazoo, was born in Riga, Monroe County, N. Y., July 17, 1817. Iis parents were Abel and Mary (Eddy) Fowler, the
former a native of South Kingston, R. I., and the
latter of Wallingford, Vt., where their marriage
was celebrated. By occupation he was a farmer,
and served in the War of 1812, participating in
the battle of Plattsburg. The family is of English
lineage and descended from Guy Fawkes, of English history. Prof. O. S. Fowler, the celebrated
phrenologist, was also of the same family, and Commodore Perry was a second cousin to Abel Fowler.
Our subject was the fourth of six children, five
of whom are yet living. One, Mrs. Wooster resides
in this State. Until the age of twenty-two our
subject remained at home. His mother died when


he was ten years old but her Christian teachings
have never been forgotten. In winter seasons he
attended school until eighteen years of age, and
the following year he began teaching, which he
followed through four winter terms. He afterward
attended a private school and by home study made
himself a well-educated man. At the age of eighteen he joined the church and read a number of
theological works. He seemed drawn to the work
of the ministry and at the age of twenty-two began preaching. Failing health led him to visit a
brother living in Wheatland, Hillsdale County,
Mich., and, attending meeting the Sunday after his
arrival when the Class-leader announced that the
minister was absent, Mr. Fowler seemed called
upon to speak. Taking for his text, "What shall it
profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose
his own soul," he spoke earnestly and eloquently
and was again called upon to preach several times
before returning to New York. Here lie formed
the determination to make his life work that of
the ministry and several times told the gospel
message in the old stone church in Sweden and
Ogden, of which the parents of Frances E. Willard were members. Subsequently, he again engaged in teaching and then after another serious
illness he attended the Whitesboro Academy, his
preceptor being the noted Abolitionist, Beriah
Green. The following year he began preaching,
and for six months afterward received $25 per
month. He took charge of the church in Lester, Livingston County, N. Y., and was ordained pastor of
the Christian Church in October, 1841, Elder Joseph
Badger preaching the ordination sermon, while
Elder C. A. Morrison, Jesse E. Church, Stephen
Fellows and S. L. Pervier were the ordination
council.
Rev. Mr. Fowler was married in Lester, July 10,
1842, to Miss Rosetta, eldest child of Jonathan
and Eunice (Bowman) Tainter. Unto them have
been born the following children: S. Mills, a medical practitioner, of Gainesville, Tex.; Samuel, who
served through the war; Abel B., who was also in
the service, and Eunice Rosalia, wife of James B.
Moore, of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. They now
reside in Kalamazoo.
After a Near's labor in Lester, Rev. Mr. Fowler






428


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


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


engaged in preaching in Niagara County, and his
next location was in Pekin, after which he spent
two years in Ontario County, and a year in Barry,
Orleans County, holding successful revivals at
those places. He then engaged to come to Michigan as a missionary and in October, 1849, joined
Elder J. S. White in Centerville, St. Joseph County,
who had been sent out two years before. He
worked with him one year and then came to Brady
Township, Kalamazoo County, where Dr. Ezra
Smith, a preacher and medical practitioner, was
located. IHe held a number of revival services
and in July, 1850, located in Brady Township,
where he organized a church. The next winter he
went to Leroy, where he preached for two years,
and in 1853 removed to Grand Prairie, where
another church was organized. In 1854 lie removed to the city of Jackson and preached there
two years. He returned in the fall of 1855 to his
farm in Grand Prairie, and resided there a year.
In December, 1856, Rev. Mr. Fowler went to Newmarket, Canada, where lie preached for two years
and also held protracted meetings. On his return
to Michigan, owing to earnest solicitation, he became the financial agent of the Michigan Central
College at Spring Arbor, and his wife became matron of the ladies' department. They were connected with the school for a year, during which
time Mr. Fowler was continually preaching, and
then returned to the old farm on Grand Prairie in
the fall of 1860. Sickness soon afterward prostrated him and for two or three years he was not
able to either read or study. About 1863 he had
a charge at Watson, Allegan County, where he
preached every two weeks for about four years.
His two sons had joined the country's service and
hence the heavy burden devolved upon his wife.
In 1869 he returned to Oshawa, Ontario County,
Canada, where he again preached for two and a
half years and then went back to his old church in
Newmarket. We find him in Kalamazoo in the
fall of 1872 and the following spring he purchased
his present home but returned to Oshawa, Canada,
once more assuming the duties as minister of the
church at that place. Subsequently, lie spent one
winter in Florida, then for some time had no regular work until September, 1890, when a few fam

ilies were organized into the Christian Church at
Kalamazoo, Rev. Mr. Chase, now Governor of Indiana, assisting in the work. In April, 1891, the
church was organized and Mr. Fowler preached
part of the time until August, 1891, when he was
given full charge. There is now a membership of
sixty and the church is in a flourishing condition.
Rev. Mr. Fowler was identified with the first Christian Church organized in the county and was a
member of the Washingtonian Society, the first
temperance organization.  He lectured on that
subject and also against slavery, of which he was
a bitter opponent. Although now well advanced
in years, Mr. Fowler yet labors on. He is tall and
of fine address, his sermons show much thought
and his earnest work is resulting in much good. A
noble, upright life has he led and the confidence
and high regard of the entire community are given
him.
* -^-^   M       i^ —ARS. MARY V. FORBES.         This highlyrespected and intelligent old lady is an
early settler of Allegan County, and can
relate many an interesting tale of pioneer
life, as its hardships as well as adventures have
made a lasting impression upon her mind. She has
a very pleasant home in Plainwell, and her daughter, Mrs. Capt. Dyckman, resides with her.
The maiden name of our subject was Mary
Yokle, and her native place, Hampshire, England,
where her birth occurred August 31, 1812. Her
parents were natives of England, and bore the
names of Edward and Mary (Vick) Voke. They
came to America in 1832, the voyage across the
Atlantic occupying seven long weeks. They first
located at Rochester, N. Y., where the father followed his trade of a boat-builder. Later, however,
he turned his attention to the cultivation of the
soil, farming near Hartland, about sixty miles from
Rochester. He died at the home of his son in
Chili, N. Y., in 1874, after having passed his eightyfourth birthday; his wife passed away at the same
place and same year, when eighty-six years of age.
They had nine children, five of whom are living
at the present time.
Mrs. Forbes, of this sketch, was given a good




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


429


education, attending the schools of Portsmouth,
England. She married, January 1, 1836, John
Robinson, a native of Massachusetts, where he was
born December 19, 1805. When about nineteen
years of age, Mr. Robinson removed to Rochester,
N. Y., where he worked at his trade of a woodturner. In 1836, soon after their marriage, the
young couple came West to Michigan, and located
in Allegan, Allegan County, when there were only
a few shanties scattered about. He put up a turning lathe in Streeter's sawmill, and worked there
the following summer, but later exchanged his
property for a farm in Gun Plain, whither he removed.   The improvements on his place were
meager, but with his characteristic industry, he
soon brought it to an excellent state of cultivation, and made his home there for nine years. He
then returned to Rochester, N. Y., remaining there
for three years, when he came back to the Plains,
and in 1850 removed to Kalamazoo County, where
he lived until his death, which sad event occurred
in 1854.
To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were born three children: John V., who was born June 30, 1837,and died
May 26, 1874, leaving a widow and two children;
George J., who is in a bank at Petoskey, this State,
and Mary A., who resides with her mother in Allegan. Julia A. was born March 4, 1840, married
David Wing, November 6, 1861, and died May 25,
1867, leaving two daughters, Mary E. and Minnie
M., both of whom are deceased, Mary dying May
16, 1865, and the latter daughter, March 7, 1866.
George B. Robinson was born January 28, 1848,
and passed from this life November 29, 1880. He
was a finely-cultured gentleman, having been educated in the Kalamazoo High School, and later
took a course in the Business College of Detroit.
IHe was Cashier in the bank at Allegan, of which
he was the founder, and served as clerk in the
County Recorder's office at Kalamazoo. In 1878
he went to Colorado, and was engaged in building
stores at Leadville. He was elected LieutenantGovernor of Colorado on the Republican ticket in
1880, but was accidentally shot before qualifying.
In 1856 the subject of our sketch was married to
John Forbes, a native of Scotland, who emigrated


to America in 1834. He located in Gun Plain at
an early day, where he cleared and improved a
valuable tract of land, and later removed to Kalamazoo. They removed from Kalamazoo to Plainwell in 1866, where they were residing at the time
of the death of Mr. Forbes, which occurred February 2, 1889. Mrs. Forbes is a member of the
Presbyterian Church, and is a lady greatly esteemed
for her many good qualities of mind and heart,
Mrs. Julia A. (Robinson) Wing, the second child
of our subject, and the widow of David Wing, was
married, January 14, 1879, to Capt. B. H. Dyckman, who was a native of New York. He came to
Michigan many years ago, and made his home for
some time in Iowa; he also resided at South Haven
for twenty-five years. THe died November 19,1889.
During the Cival War he was Captain of Company
A, Third Michigan Cavalry, enlisting in 1861, and
serving until 1864, during which time he engaged
in many hard-fought battles. His death was the
result of the exposures to which he was subjected
while in the army. Mrs. Dyckman is a very cultured lady, and is a graduate of the Phipps' Female
Seminary, at Albion, N. Y., where, in addition to
other studies, she took a thorough course in literature and music, and is thus highly accomplished.
She makes her home with her mother, where they
entertain a large circle of admiring friends.
l AMES GARDNER. In presenting the biographical notice of the career of one of the
leading men of Ganges Township, Allegan
County, and a gentleman who is thoroughly
representative of its progressive element, we deem
it our duty to first briefly advert to the life of
those from whom he draws his origin. He is the
son of Mathew and Euphemia (Dalzell) Gardner,
both natives of Scotland. The father was there
reared on a farm and followed agriculture all his
life being also Land Agent in that country. He was
married when quite young to Euphemia Dalzell,
a dlaughter of Robert Dalzell, a descendant of the
noted Dalzells of Scotland. Mr. Gardner was a
widely-known mall and held the responsible position of Land Valuator. He died at the ripe old




430


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


age of ninety years. His life companion passed
away some years previous to his death.
Our subject is a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland,
born in 1830, and is one of fifteen children born
to his parents, all of whom have died but our subject and his brother Alexander, a minister and a
resident of Scotland. At the early age of sixteen
years, James Gardner was graduated from the High
School and Academy at Carodiss. He was after
this bound to a Land Agent four years. He then
went to England, where he was Land Agent over
large estates eleven years. In 1859 he set sail for
America and landed in Canada, at Port I-ope,
where he was engaged in the lumber business eight
years. In 1865 he came to the United States, coming direct to this township, where he has since remained.   IIaving $5,000 when coming to this
country enabled him to make a good start in
life. Ile was engaged in lumbering for many
years in Kalamazoo and now owns nearly a fourth
interest in the Douglas Basket Factory. In real
estate, our subject owns six hundred acres of land
in Ganges Townsllip, three hundred of which are
improved and about sixty acres in fruit. Ile also
owns over two hundred acres in Canada.
While residing in England, at the age of twentyeight years, Mr. Gardner was married to Vera
Susan Russell, of Scotland.. Mrs Gardner is a
daughter of William and Margaret Russell and was
one of three children born to them. Mrs. Gardner
is a descendant of one of the oldest families in
Upper Ward, of Lanarkshire, Scotland, and is a second cousin of the IIon. William E. Gladstone, of
England. She is a graduate of the High School
and the Ladies' Normal, of Glasgow. To Mr. and
Mrs. Gardner have come eight children, five of
whom are living: Three died in infancy. The
living are named William R., Vera S. R., Jane E.
R., Robert D. and George F. A. Mr. Gardner has
taken great pride in giving his children good educations. Vera is a graduate of the Toronto High
School and studied art one year in Scotland;
Robert D. is a law student in Allegan, and George
is a student of the Douglas High Schools. Our
subject and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, of Douglas. Politically, he votes
for the man, irrespective of party principles. He


belongs to the Douglas Lodge, No. 196, F. & A. M.
Mr. Gardner and family are the only kinsmen to
his brother's large estate in-Scbtland and Mrs.
Gardner will soon come into possession of a large
estate, also in Scotland. The late James Alexander
Gardner was a nephew of our subject and at the
time of his death was an advocate in Edinburgh.
His death was mourned all over England and Scotland and sympathy from many of the best families of England and Scotland were sent to his aged
father. Mr. Gardner is a man widely-known for
his integrity, honesty and uprightness, always
contributing liberally to every good cause and
ever striving for a suppression of evil.
RANK J. CLARK. Many of the business
men of Lacota are natives of the Wolverine State, who have taken their training and
education here and are thoroughly in sympathy
with the institutions, past history and future greatness of Michigan. They take pride in their State
which it is scarcely possible for one who is an alien
by birth to feel, and they are willing to work for
its upbuilding and prosperity. Among such we
find the gentleman whose name appears at the
head of this sketch, and who was born in Geneva
Township, Van Buren County, in 1859.
The parents of our subject are Benjamin R. and
Julia E. (Bliss) Clark, natives respectively of Lincolnshire, England, and New York State. They
came to Michigan in 1854, and located west of
what is now Lacota, where the father started in
the merchandise business. He continued thus for
five years, and then moved into Lacota and established in the same line of business, and which is
now conducted by our subject, the transfer having
been made in 1883. His business has been steadily
increasing and he is ranked among the progressive
and well-to-do merchants of Lacota. In 1891 he
added the undertaking business to his other interests.
Socially, Mr. Clark of this sketch is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is
very high in that order. lie has two brothers:










'WVH1IW WVI IIM


A




PORTRAIT AND BIO()GRAPHICAL RECORD.


433


Herman D., who resides in Geneva, this county,
and Roy Y. The paternal grandfather of our
subject died in England, while the' grandmother
came to America and passed her last days in (eneva. In politics Mr. Clark is a true-blue Republican, and is warmly interested in all movements
that have for their object the upbuilding of the
community in which he makes his home.
ILLIAM MILItAM. Among the prosperous and respected farmers and stock-raisers
of Kalamazoo County, we may mention
the gentleman whose portrait accompanies this
biography and who is a resident of sections 11 and
12, Portage Township. His father, the late John Milham, was born in Columbia County, N. Y., and
took as his wife Eva Poucher, also a native of
Columbia County where she died in 1831. In the
year 1845, the father came to Kalamazoo County
and settled in Kalamazoo Township, where he resided until his death in February, 1886. They had
by their marriage four children, all sons, of whom
our subject was the eldest. The second wife of
John Milham, the father of our subject, was Almira
Rathbone, who was a native of York State, and
bore her husband three sons and two daughters.
She died in this county in 1848. The father was
again married, in Kalamazoo County, to Louisa
Anderson, by whom he had seven children, four
sons and three daughters. She passed away in
November, 1866.
William  Milham had his birth in Claverack,
Columbia County, N. Y., September 5, 1824. He
accompanied his father to this county and continued to live with him until the fall of 1849, when
he settled in Portage Township, where he has since
made his home. Our subject was married in his
native town in April, 1849, to Miss Ann Elizabeth
IHam, a native of the same place. She was called
from earth in this township and county in May,
1862, leaving one child, Anna E.
The next marriage of our subject united him
with Marietta Root in this county in June, 1864,
and in August, 1866, Mr. Milham was again bereft
of his wife. By that union one child was born who




died in infancy. The third marriage of Mr. Milham took place October 27, 1868, the lady being
Miss Emma Scudder, a native of Newton, Fairfield
County, Conn. One child was born of this union
to whom they gave the name of Flora E. Mrs.
Milham died in Portage Township, March 27,1876.
Mr. Milham has made splendid improvementson
his farm and owns between four hundred and five
hundred acres of fertile land. IHe has always followed farming and stock-raising and makes a
specialty of cattle and sheep, of which he keeps the
best grades, Religiously, Mr. Milham  has been
connected with the Presbyterian Church for twenty
years.
OIIN CRISPE is one of the well-known and
highly popular citizens of Gun Plain Townsllip, Allegan County, of which he has been
Supervisor for five years. Ie is the pioneer
druggist of Plain well and bears also an enviable
record as a gallant soldier during the late war.
Mr. Crispe is a native of.England, being born in
Sutton Valance, Kent County, June 4, 1839. He
was the son of Edward and Elizabeth Crispe, natives of England, where the father was a farmer
and also a miller. He carried on a bakery in connection with his mills for a time. He emigrated
with his family to America, February 25, 1851, locating at first in Cleveland, Ohio. In November,
1854, he came to Plainwell, where his death occurred August 21, 1888, when he was eighty-seven
years old. The mother died January 7, 1884, at
the age of eighty years.
Our subject is one of a family of nine children,
six of whom are now living. I-le was twelve years
old when he crossed the ocean with his parents,
the voyage occupying thirty days. He had attended school before leaving England and was
also a student while residing in Cleveland, Olio.
At the age of fifteen he began learning the milling
business at Otsego, Mich., following it for three
years and nine months. When the Civil War broke
out, he was the first man in the township to enroll
his name, but was rejected on account of a defect
in his eyesight. In 1863, however, in December,






434


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


he enlisted in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry under
Col. Stockton. He was enrolled as a private, but
was promoted to be Second Duty Sergeant before
leaving the State. He served all during the celebrated Morgan Raid, traveling night and day, for
five hundred and seventy-eight miles, after that
wily rebel, and was greatly pleased to be present at
his capture and to see him  disarmed. He took
part in the battle at Hickman's Bridge, in the
evening of the same day, having a lively skirmish
at Treflets Bridge and defeating Morgan at Buffington's Island. He was at the siege of Knoxville
under Burnside, and followed Longstreet to Bull's
Gap. They were then ordered back to Knoxville,
where they left their horses and footed it back
across the mountains to Camp Nelson, Ky. Here
they were mounted again and sent back to Chattanooga and from there went South and came up
with Sherman's army at Resaca. They accompanied Sherman to Atlanta and were in the engagement at Jonesboro, after which they were
under Thomas in the battles of Columbia and
Flanklin. Mr. Crispe was discharged at Nashville,
Tenn., September 22, 1865, being mustered out as
First Sergeant of his company. He played the
part of a gallant soldier during the entire war, and
looks back with much pleasure to his interesting
experiences while fighting for his adopted country.
When his services were no longer needed in the
field, Mr. Crispe returned to the pursuits of peace,
and coming to Plainwell engaged for a short time
in the livery business. In February, 1867, he
started the first drug store established in Plainwell,
and has been engaged in that business ever since.
He was married, February 7,1867, to Miss Amanda
Mesick, a native of Columbiaville, N. Y., who came
to Michigan in 1857. Three children have been
born to them: Minnie, Guy and Cherry, all of whom
are deceased.
Mr. Crispe is a stanch Republican and cast his
first vote for Lincoln. He has been a delegate to
district and congressional conventions, and also
to the Republican National Convention in 1888.
He was Treasurer of his township for five years,
and in January, 1877, was appointed Postmaster,
serving for ten years and three months. In April,
1886, he was elected Supervisor, which office he


has held ever since. He has also served as County
Commissioner and was a member of the committee
under whose supervision the new courthouse was
built. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army
of the Republic. He occupies a fine residence and
holds an influential position in the community.
X   ILLIAM *D. HALL. Among the farmers
A/ and representative men of Casco TownV'    ship, Allegan County, we are gratified to
present the subject of this sketch. He is the possessor of forty acres of very highly improved land
on section 22, and its fertile soil yields him in return for his labors abundant harvests. We find
him, at the early age of ten years, starting out for
himself in the world. Ile remained three years
with a brother-in-law, assisting on the farm, then
learned the cabinet-maker's trade, but not liking
that occupation soon gave it up. The next fourteen years he worked at cigar-making at Iligginsville, Oneida County, N. Y., and he then worked
for the same length of time on the Erie Canal,
between Buffalo aind New York City.
While yet in his native county, in 1862, our
subject married Miss Mary E. Blackman, a daughter of Samuel T. and Elizabeth (Belscher) Blackman. Mr. Blackman was a native of England, who
was born November 28,1802,and accidentally killed
while clearing a part of his farm, August 22,
1845. His good wife was born in New York
State, August 1, 1808, and died March 14, 1884.
Mrs. I-all is one of three children born to her parents, the other two being named William 1-. (deceased) and Ann M. To Mr. and Mrs. Iall three
children have been born: Cora, wife of Judson
Bailey; Alasco H., and Elbridge W.
In 1862, Mr. Hall enlisted in the late war, in
Company H, One Hundred and Seventeenth New
York Infantry, and was in the Army of the Potomac. He was soon afterward discharged for disability, but in 1863 re-enlisted in Company E,
One Hundred and Seventy-sixth New York Infantry. He was in the Reserve Corps at Wheeling,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


435


W. Va., and there, in 1865, was honorably discharged. He is a member of Zach Chandler Post,
No. 35, G. A. R., at South Haven, Van Buren
County, and is also a member of the Masonic lodge,
of South Haven. Politically, he is an adherent of
the Republican party, and he and his estimable
wife are worthy members of the United Brethren
Church.
The parents of the gentleman of whom we write
were George F. and Catherine Hall. The former
was born near Quebec, Canada, June 26, 1806, and
the latter is a native of the same place, born in
1807. George F. tall passed his boyhood days
in the city of Quebec, as his father was a hatter
and ran a large store in connection with his manufactory. On October 15, 1832, Mr. Hall was
united in marriage with the mother of our subject,
whose maiden name was Catherine Lilliott, but in
about two years he had to flee to the United States,
as he took part with the United States in a Government difficulty. IIe at once located at Boonville, N. Y., and took a contract to build a portion
of the Black River Canal. In three years his
family joined him in Boonville; they now reside
in Madison County, N. Y. IIe was engaged in
farming, but now is retired from active labor.
Politically, he was a Republican, and religiously, a
member of the Episcopal Church. IIe is a son of
George F. Hall, a native of England, who emigrated to Canada, in an early daty.
D   ELOS W. HARE. No member of the Grand
) Amy of the Republic has a nobler record
for patriotic devotion to his country during
the late war, and for true bravery and excellent
soldiership, than Delos W. Hare, a prominent citizen of Otsego Township. He is one of the foremost farmers and stock-raisers of Allegan County,
and is especially distinguished in the annals of the
rise and progress of agriculture in this region for
the great influence he has exercised in shaping the
course of sheep-breeding, not only here but elsewhere, by the introduction of a superior breed of
that animal, the Delaine-Merino, which is famous
throughout the country.


Mr. tare was born in   Schoharie Township,
Schoharie County, N. Y., October 30, 1837.
Steven and Elizabeth (Caniff) Hare, natives respectively of New York and Canada, were his parents. His father was a farmer by occupation, and,
coming to Michigan in 1853, was thereafter a resident of Otsego Township until his death in 1871,
at the age of seventy years. In early manhood
he had been prominent in the New York State
Militia, and held both a major's and lieutenantcolonel's commission in the regiment to which he
belonged. tie was a prominent and influential
citizen of his county, and was a Justice of the
Peace. During the latter part of his life he joined
the Methodist Episcopal Chlurch, and died strong
in the faith. The Iare family originated in Germany. William Hare, the paternal grandfather of
our subject, a native of Dutchess County, N. Y.,
where he carried on farming, and eventually died,
served in the War of 1812 with two of his sons.
The mother of our subject died in 1868, aged fortyeight years.
Our subject is the eldest of the children born to
his parents, all of whom are living.  He was
reared in the city of Rochester from  the time he
was eight years old until he was fifteen and was
educated in its schools. When he was thirteen
years old, lie began to work in one of the
nurseries of Rochester during the summer, continuing his education in the winters. He was
sixteen years old when he accompanied the family
in their removal to this State, and after coming
here he worked on a farm mostly until 1861. In
the summer of that year, lie enlisted in the Second
Michigan Infantry. IIe again enlisted in May,
1863, becoming a member of the Second Michigan
Cavalry, but the following September he was discharged a second time for the same cause that had
first obliged him to abandon military life. Nothing daunted by what he had previously gone
through, he again enlisted, June 10, 1864, in the
Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and this time saw the
war through, serving with fidelity until after its
close, receiving his final discharge June 9, 1865.
He gave proof of his courage and other good soldierly qualities in several engagements with the
enemy, the skirmish, in which his regiment partici



436


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


pated, at Rocky Face, Ga., being his first encounter
with the Confederates.  He and his comrades
fought bravely at Altoona and Atlanta, and did
good service when their regiment was detached
from Sherman's Army and sent back to confront
Hood at Huntsville, Ala.  They followed that
noted rebel leader on the opposite side of the
river down to Savannah, where he crossed the
stream, and they did their duty nobly in the battle that ensued at Henrysville, although eventually obliged to fall back before the heavy fire of
the enemy, until re-enforcements finally came to
their assistance. After that our subject and his
fellow-soldiers were under fire for twenty-one days,
during which time they helped fight the battles of
Columbia, Duck River Ford, Spring Hill, Franklin
and Nashville. Mr. Hare was wounded in the
right side with buckshot and ball at the engagement at Spring Hill, November 22, 1864. His
horse was shot from  under him a few minutes
afterward, and, falling on him in his disabled condition, caused the fracture of his right hip. His
comrades secured another horse for him, and he
remained on the field until the battle was over, enduring his pain with characteristic stoicism. lie
was subsequently left at Bowling Green, Ky., until
lie should be able to take his place in the ranks
again, and he remained there until the following
February. He was so badly injured that it was
thought that he could not recover, and, indeed, he.was reported as dead at one time. He was sent
home in April, 1865, and it was three years before
he was able to walk, even with the aid of cane and
crutches. He still carries two buckshots in his side.
While in the service, he was commissioned Quartermaster in Georgia, but was so far from headquarters he was never mustered in according to
regulations. He, however, acted in that capacity
until sent to Nashville.
Mr. Hare had purchased his present farm in Otsego Township in 1859, and had worked out by
the month to pay for it. As soon as able, after his
return from the South, he resumed farming, and
now has his land, which comprises one hundred
and fifty-four acres on sections 17 and 7, in a fine
condition. He devotes his farm to stock-raising
purposes. His cattle are of the Short-horn breed,


while among his horses are to be found fine specimens of the Messenger, Mambrino and Clydesdale
families. But Mr. HIare is more generally known
among the agriculturists of the country for his
success as a breeder of the Delaine-Merino sheep,
which is thought by many to be the best breed of
sheep ever introduced into Michigan.
Soon after he began farming, Mr. Hare made up
his mind that the American-Merino sheep was
best adapted to this section of the country, and he
determined to use his efforts for their introduction.
Hle believed that in time he would be able to produce a sheep of Merino blood free from numerous
wrinkles, such as that variety is subject to, and with
long fine wool free from grease. Hie began by
breeding from the best selections that could be
made, and thus we have the Delaine-Merinos, a
new family, formed by a cross of the Spanish and
Blacktop-Merino breeds. It is larger than the
Spanish or Blacktop-Merino, is smooth-bodied,
well-formed, compactly-built, and has a mutton carcass, such as in the early days of sheep-breeding
would not have been expected in fine-wool sheep.
The fleece is dense, fine, clean and white, and of a
length of three or four inches at one year's growth.
A weight of one hundred and seventy-five to two
hundred pounds for rams and of one hundred and
twenty to one hundred and fifty pounds for ewes
is claimed at maturity. Being a pioneer in the
breeding of this famous sheep, Mr. Hare has become widely known among wool-dealers, who anxiously seek his annual clippings, the wool being
easily recognized among thousands of others by
the manufacturers of the East. Hle has sold specimens from his flock, for breeding purposes, to
many sheep-breeders throughout the country, and
they can be found in almost every Northern and
Western State. He annually receives a large n umber of premiums at the various fairs wherever his
sheep are on exhibition.
Mr. Hare was married, in 1866, to Miss Rachel
White, of Gun Plain Township.     Her father,
Calvin C. White, a native of Vermont, was an
early pioneer of Southern Michigan, coming hither
in 1829, and locating first in Kalamazoo County.
In 1831 he removed to Gun Plain Township,
and was one of the very first to settle in this




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


437


=


county. I-e took up land from  the Government.
and improved a farm. He (lied in the fall of 1880,
aged seventy-seven years old. His wife died in
the fall of 1874. Botl were stanch members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Iare is
their only surviving child.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hare have been born eight children, as follows: Delos L., William C., Frank G.,
R. L., Stephen M., Sarah S., Elmer J. and Rachel.
Mr. Hare is a devoted Republican, and has been
ever since the days when he cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. He is a prominent
member of the Grand Army of the Republic, has
filled every chair in his post, and has been Inspector on the staff of the Department Commander.
PANIEL FALCONER, most generally known
as a fruit-grower and nurseryman in Saugatuck Township, Allegan County, is also engaged in farming. His landed possessions include
sixty acres, which are beautifully located on section 10. He is making a success of life and is
ranked among the well-to-do citizens of his township.
Daniel Falconer is the son of Duncan and Ann
(McGlashin) Falconer, natives of Perthshire, Scotland, where the subject of this sketch was born in
April, 1831. His father was a practical mechanic
and was in the employ of the British Government
for many years in the armory. He was commissioned to go to Canada in 1842, and was given
charge of the Ordinance Department at Toronto.
Daniel was reared in Toronto and given an excellent education in the city schools. He remained
under the parental roof until reaching his majority
when he started out to battle with life on his own
account.
In 1850 our subject was married to Miss Mary
Ann Baker, by whom he had three children, one
of whom is living, Duncan, who now resides in
Nevada. Mrs. Falconer died October 31, 1860.
Our subject was again married, this time to Agnes
Sutherland, May 1, 1861, by whom he had four
children: John, William, Anna M. and David. His


I
I


I


second wife passed from this earth September 10,
1870.
March 12, 1873, our subject was married to
Mary A. F. Foster, daughter of John R. and Mary
(Patterson) Foster, natives respectively of Ireland
and Canada. Mrs. Falconer was born in Canada,
February 28, 1852. Their union has been blessed
with two children: James A., who was born in February, 1876 and Allen L., in 1879. They are both
at home with their parents.
In his political creed, he believes in the tenets
of the Democratic party. He has never been an
office-seeker, but has frequently been called upon
by his fellow-townsmen torepresent them in offices
of public trust. He has served efficiently on the
School Board as Trustee, was Highway and
Drain Commissioner and is the present Supervisor
of Saugatuck Township. He was also Pathmaster
for several years. In his church relations, he is
connected with the Congregational Society. Socially, he is a member of the Free and Accepted
Masons and Saugatuck Lodge, No. 196, I. 0. O. F.,
in which order he is Noble Grand.
The father of our subject died in 1864 and his
mother passed away a few years later, dying in
1879. Mrs. Falconer's father died in May, 1888.
Her mother is still living in North Branch, Lapeer County, this State.
ANUEL EMETERIO, who is at the present time operating a fine farm  on section 30, Casco Township, Allegan County,
was   born  in  Santander, Spain, in
1848. He is the son of Narcisco and Juliana
Emeterio.  His parents were also natives of
Spain, the father born about 1820. The elder
Mr. Emeterio was reared to farm pursuits and
when quite young went to Santander and served
an apprenticeship of four years to a baker. When
establishing in business for himself, he at once began in that line of work and made it his life occupation.
Six children were born to the parents of our
subject, four of whom are living in the United
States. In 1876, the original of this sketch sent




438


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


for his parents to join him at Brooklyni, N. Y. The
mother died a few years after locating here, but
the father survived to make his home with our
subject in Michigan, where he died in 1883. The
first stopping-place of Manuel was in Havana,
Cuba, he having crossed the Atlantic when only
thirteen years of age. In that city he apprenticed
himself for three years to learn the cigarmaker's
trade. He later canie to Brooklyn, N. Y., where
he followed the cigar trade for a number of years,
doing a large business.
In 1881 our subject came to Casco Township,
Allegan County, where he purchased twenty acres
of his present farm. I-e later added sixty acres
more, and by industry and economy has become
the owner of a beautiful estate. Although Mr.
Emeterio is a Republican in National politics, he
reserves the right to vote for the man whom he
thinks will best fill the office in local affairs. Ice
is greatly interested in educational matters and
has held numerous offices on the School Board.
While in Brooklyn, N. Y., our subject and Miss
Alice Lewis, daughter of Charles and Phebe (fuluse)
Lewis, were united in marriage. The parents of
Mrs. Emeterio were born in New York, where the
father followed the trade of a carpenter; he died
when sixty years of age. The mother is still living and makes her home with her daughter. Mrs.
Emeterio was one of a family of five children,
three of whom are living. By her marriage with
our subject she has become the mother of two sons
and a daughter, namely: Frank M., Alice L. and
Manuel P.
r-                    - ~
A    WALLACE B. GRIFFIN is one of the representative business men of Allegan County,
being engaged extensively and successfully in the fruit-growing business. IIe is the
senior member of the firm of Griffin & Henry, extensive lumber dealers, and is also the manager of
the Fruit Shippers' Packet Line, operating between
Chicago and Saugatuck. He is the fortunate possessor of four hundred and twenty acres of fine
land on section 1, Saugatuck Township, eighty


acres of which he has planted in peaches, which
yield him a profitable income. The past season he
shipped thirty thousand baskets of this luscious
fruit. He has certainly demonstrated what a man
can do who is industrious, honest and capable.
Wallace Griffin is a son of Edward and Hannah
(Wallace) Griffin, natives of the State of New
York and Virginia, respectively.  The parents
moved to Canada after their marriage, where the
subject of this sketch was born, January 8, 1842.
The father was a mechanic and was somewhat inclined to move from place to place, going from
Canada to New York State when Wallace was but
an infant and in the year 1851 he came to the State
of Michigan and settled at Niles. At Buchanan,
this State, Wallace wans apprenticed to learn the
trade of machinist, under the supervision of Capt.
Richards, who was well known as a practical machinist and scientific engineer.
The marriage of our subject took place August
1, 1861, to the estimable woman who has presided
over his home for over thirty years. HIer maiden
name was Mary A. Post, a daughter of John N.
Post, of Buchanan, Mich. This union was blessed
with three children, only one of whom survivesAnna B., who is married to C. W. Wade and resides
in Allegan County. A bright and promising boy,
Willie, died at the age of twelve years and the
other child died in infancy. In 1866 Mr. Griffin
removed to Saugatuck and for ten years was in
the employ of Stockbridge & Co. At the end of
that time, he was admitted as a partner in their
extensive lumber business and finally bought out
Senator Stockbridge's interest in the firm.
Mr. Griffin has accumulated a fair share of this
world's goods by industry and perseverance and,
besides his farming and fruit-growing operations,
lie pays much attention to the breeding of fine
horses. Socially, he is a member of Lodge, No.
328, A. F. & A. M. of which he is Past Master. Mr.
Griffin is a man of genial disposition who makes
many friends and is one of the most popular citizens in the community.
Mr. Griffin is a Democrat in politics but he
refers with pleasure to his long business connection with Senator Frank B. Stockbridge (who has
since been elected U. S. Senator), and is proud of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


439


his relations with this distinguished gentleman,
who was ever a gentleman of the strictest integrity, broad not only in his political but in his
business views and worthily represents his State
in the census of the nation.
EV. JOHN FLETCHER, who for twentyj].o seven years has been pastor of the Baptist
c \/ Church at Plainwell, is a man of high attainments. Of a finely and delicately balanced
nature, spiritually  and morally, he has always
taken the highest stand. A man of good education
and address, he is fitted as an orator to perfect the good work that his example as a Christian
sets before his people. lie was born in Worcestershire, England, in 1832 and is the son of William
and Elizabeth (Miles) Fletcher, also natives of England.
The father of Mr. Fletcher of this sketch followed farming and gardening, and with his family
emigrated to America in 1850, locating near Detroit where he was engaged as an agriculturist.
The mother died soon after conling to the New
World.   She with her husband was a devoted
member of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Fletcher was a Deacon, and, although never ordained,
often filled the pulpit in England. They became
the parents of a large family of ten children, of
whom six are living, our subject being the oldest
but one.
The early education of Mr. Fletcher was somewhat limited, as his studies were confined to such
schools as were maintained by the Baptist Church
at that time. Later, however, he took a course in
Birminghan, England. He was in his eighteenth
year when he accompanied his parents on their removal to America, and even after coming to this
country hle found progress in an educational way
rather difficult as he was soon after attacked with
chills and fever.  When deciding to become a
minister, he studied a great deal alone and in 1859
was ordained in the Baptist Church.
The first charge of our subject was at Ceresco,
this State, where he remained one year, going
from that place to Sturgis and later to Edwards

burg and was engaged in pastoral work at that
place when he enlisted as Chaplain in the Ninth
Michigan Cavalry, in August, 1864. He saw a
year's hard service in the Army, marching with
his regiment to the sea and through the Carolinas.
Our subject was under the command of Gen.
Kilpatrick on the march to sea, and' relates that
when within four miles of Savannah, Gen. Kilpatrick, under the direction of Sherman, was sent
to open communication with the fleet and notify
them that the army had arrived. On this occasion
the Ninth Michigan Cavalry was selected to accompany the General.    Mr. Fletcher remained
with his regiment a few months after hostilities
ceased and received his final discharge at Jackson,
Michigan, in August, 1865.
After the war, the Rev. Mr. Fletcher accepted, a
call to Plainwell and has been the pastor of the
Baptist society here since that time. A small
church was in the course of construction at the
time of his coming here and services were held in
the upper room of a schoolhouse. The society has
greatly prospered under his care and has increased
until it is now one of the strongest to be found in
any village of like size in the State. He has recently entered upon his twenty-seventh year as
pastor and during that long period has been exceedingly faithful to the discharge of every duty and
is greatly beloved by his congregation.
Our subject filled the pulpit for a short time in
the "E" Street Church in Washington, D. C., whither he had received a call to act as pastor and
while considering the matter the people of Plainwell called a public meeting and presented to
Mr. Fletcher a petition, bearing the names of all
the prominent citizens, regardless of religious
creed, beseeching him to remain with them, which
he did. Since first entering upon his work here,
he has preached seventy-nine hundred and
seventy regular sermons, officiated at eleven hundred and seventy-three funerals, performed four
hundred and three marriage ceremonies and baptized three hundred and eighteen persons.
Besides his duties as pastor, the Rev. Mr. Fletcher devotes considerable attention to the publication of leaflets and pamphlets.  He was first
married, in 1858, to Miss Alla H. Ladd, who died






440 ~


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


----- -----— I
1_1_ --- -~__ 1_ ~_-_   ___ _ _ _ _ _ ____~_ ___1_1__ _1__ __.   - _ - _ ~_I


at Plainwell, January 2, 1886, at the nge of fortyeight years. She was the daughter of Henry W.
and Celinda S. Iadd. She was an exemplary and
faithful Christian and whatever she did it was a
lifelong principle with her to do well. She was
endowed with superior social qualities and her
presence in the sick-room was always an inspiration and a comfort.
January 14, 1887, our subject was married to
Elizabeth Taylor, who was born near Bristol, England. She was the daughter of William  S. and
Christina Taylor. Her father died in England and
the mother with her family emigrated to America
in 1852, locating near Ceresco, Calhoun County,
this State.  She is still living, and makes her
home in Lansing. Mrs. Fletcher was educated at
Battle Creek and later became a compositor in the
office of her brother who was publisher of a paper
at Charlotte, this State. She went to Battle Creek
and worked four years as a compositor in the
Journal office and later for thirteen years filled
a like position in the office of the Lansing Republican.
In 1873, in company with her mother, Mrs.
Fletcher visited England and in 1886 made a trip
to the West and California. The Rev. Mr. Fletcher is a life member of the Baptist State Convention, of Michigan, and in politics has favored Republicans, but is now inclined to support the best
men.
~       -j++++  ~++++         ----
W,ILLIAM ENGLISH. On section 24, South
Haven Township, may be seen a beautiful
farm adorned with a handsome residence
and first-class farm buildings. There are also to
be seen a beautiful orchard and small fruits of the
finest grade on the place which is the property of
the gentleman whose name we have just given, and
who came to Van Buren County in June, 1865. In
the fall of the following year he located on his
present farm.
William English was born in Buffalo, N. Y.,
May 27, 1837, and is a son of Robert and Margaret (Workman) English, natives of Ireland. His
grandfather, William English, was born in County
Monaghan where he reared a family, and came to


the United States some time in the '20s. IHe located in Canada East and there passed the remainder of his life. He was a farmer and attained
to the advanced age of ninety years. The family
included six children:  John, Margaret, Sarah,
William, Robert and Mary.
Robert English, the father of our subject, came
to the United States where he met and married his
wife. He was a hard worker and by economy
saved $2,000, with which he intended to purchase
a farm at Black Rock, Mich., but before he could
make a payment the money which he held became
worthless. He then removed to Canada and received assistance from his father who was a wellto-do linen manufacturer. His father purchased
one hundred and fifty acres of land in Canada
which he sold and in 1850 removed to Wellington County, Canada,and invested in farm and town
property. He died at that place January 14, 1889,
at the advanced age of eighty-two years.  The
mother of our subject died January 17, 1856, aged
forty-five years.
The parental family included seven children, besides our subject: Mary Ann, who married Robert
Workman and resides in Wellington County, Canada; Elizabeth, who became Mrs. William Rafter
and also resides in Canada as does Lucy, Mrs.
Thomas Rafter, and Richard.   George died at
South Haven; Hannah became Mrs. George Cook
of this State and Sarah J. is the wife of John Boyle,
of Ontario, Canada.
William English was a small boy when his parents removed to Canada, and there he received excellent school advantages and a thorough training
upon his father's farm. IHe continued to make
his home in the Dominion until 1865, when he
came to the States, and on coming to Michigan
worked for Davis Ball, whose farm  was located
just one mile north of Kalamazoo. He was similarly engaged for other people until he came to
South Haven, in 1865. In 1868 he purchased his
present forty-acre tract which he has brought to a
high degree of cultivation and in 1891 erected a
beautiful residence, improved with all modern conveniences. He also carries on a good business in
fruit-growing.
February 10, 1874, Miss Ella Moore, daughter of








TOBIAS BYERS




JAN ETT M.BYERS




0~,~~ O                      -: —   1   7 -



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


445


Robert and Jane Moore, became Mrs. William English. She was born in County Simcoe, Canada,
and by her union with our subject has become
the mother of two children: Alvin J. and Maude
B. In politics, Mr. English is a Democrat and socially is a member of the Star of the Lake Lodge,
No. 18, at South Haven. Ile is an Orangeman,
his ancestors being all Protestants. In the spring
of 1889, our subject rented his farm and removed to
Sturgis where he resided for two years and farmed
on twenty acres of land which had been given him
by his uncle.
(~IOBIAS BYERS, one of the oldest settlers of
/  Keeler Township, Van Buren County, was
born in Center County, Pa., in February,
1808, and is one in a family of twelve children,all
of whom grew to maturity. Their parents, Jacob
and Fannie (Zimmerman) Byers, were natives of
Pennsylvania and descendants of Germany. Our
subject's father served as a Revolutionary soldier
and died in New York, where he had removed
when pur subject was but four years old. He grew
to manhood in Livingston County and in February, 1835, came to Keeler Township, where at the
time there were but two other white men in the
township-two brothers by the name of Nesbitt,
who soon left, thus leaving him the only one in
the place at that time.
In the year 1856, Mr. Byers was married to
Janett M. Wilson, who was a native of.Allegan
County, N. Y., and in 1855, came to Keeler Township. Of the five children born to them but one
is now living-Frank B., who is married and a resident oftthis county. Politically, Mr. Byers. is a
Democrat and has been a much respected citizen of
the county.
In 1851, Mr. Byers erected a watermill on Mill
Creek, which he ran nearly fifteen years and sawed
an immense amount of lumber. But farming has
been his main business, although he has engaged in
other lines of business, and was for some time interested in the manufacture of grain drills at
Dowagiac. He assisted in the organization of the
20


First National Bank in 1870, at Decatur and when
its charter expired it was rechartered as a State
Bank and our subject has been a stockholder and
Director for many years. IHe is the owner of seven
hundred and seventeen acres of valuable land in
the county, on which he carries on general farming
and where he resides on section 13.
The attention of the reader is invited to the
lithographic portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Byers. They
are well known throughout the community for
their great worth of character, benevolent nature,
and nobility of life, and their friends wish for
them many years of continued happiness and
well-doing.
I;     RANK L. DEAL. One of the prominent
business men of Lacota, who have been
active in encouraging industries of intrinsic worth to the city, is the gentleman whose
name we place at the head of this sketch. The
place of his nativity was Kalamazoo County, this
State, and his natal day, February 25, 1858. He
grew to mature years in that county, and was
given a good education. He is the son of Peter
E. and Sarah (Belcher) Deal, the father born in
1835 in Pennsylvania, and the mother in New
Jersey.
The elder Mr. Deal came to Michigan in 1856,
where he took up a farm from the Government.
In 1857, he returned East, and was married to the
mother of our subject. The young couple came
at once to the new farm in the Wolverine State,
where they reared their two sons: our subject,
and Fred, who makes his home in Oregon. Mrs.
Sarah Deal died in 1862, and the father afterward
married Mrs Eliza Deal, daughter of P. D. Beck.
with. Six children were born of that union.
Frank L. Deal grew to mature years in Kalamazoo, and about 1880, came to Lacota and engaged in merchandising. He carries a full and
complete stock of dry-goods, and is doing the
largest business in the village. -le is courteous
and gentlemanly in his treatment of customers,
and his trade is rapidly increasing. In 1882 he
was married to Flora, daughter of D, C. Bennett,






446


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-
- ` --- ---- ---  ----- -` --- —----------- ----


and to them have been granted four children:
Minnie, Ralph, Perley, and Baby, who died unnamed.
In politics, our subject is a Prohibitionist, and
has done much toward aiding the cause of temperance in his community. Socially, he is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is
highly esteemed in Van Buren County, as a man
of push and energy.
OHN S. CURTIS is probably one of the
best-known men in Allegan County, where
he was born in November, 1845. -Ie is
now living retired from the active duties
of life in Allegan. John and Mary (Pierce) Curtis, the parents of our subject, were natives of New
York and England, respectively. The father was
one of the first settlers in Allegan, where he was
the leading blacksmith for a number of years.
Conveniences for traveling were not as we have
them now, and at one time he walked to Kalamazoo and carried home with him a piece of iron
to make a sledge-hammer. For a number of years,
the elder Mr. Curtis was not able to get enough
money to pay his taxes, as everything was bought
and sold by barter. The mother died in Allegan,
but the father, about twenty years ago, removed
to Greenville, Montcalm County, where he passed
his last days.
Only two children of the parental family of six,
are now living: Albert W., who is a blacksmith at
Muskegon, and our subject. John S. Curtis was
given a fair education in the village schools of
Allegan, and received a thorough training in farm
pursuits. At the early age of fourteen, he started
out to earn money for himself, and engaged as a
farm hand. When he became of age, our subject
commenced farming in Trowbridge Township,
Allegan County, on shares, continuing thus until
1891.
In 1863, Mr. Curtis enlisted in the Third Michigan Battery in the nineteen-months' service.
He was taken sick when first starting, catching
the measles at Coldwater. He was sick for six


months, but remained with the battery until discharged il 1865. He superintended the operations
of his farm for a time, while residing in the village
of Allegan and carrying on blacksmithing. His life
on the farm, all told, numbered fifteen years, and
during that time he was engaged in breeding fine
Percheron and Hambletonian horses. He also had
on his estate, numbers of Southdown and Shropshire
sheep, and Holstein, Durham and Jersey cattle.
He was one of the wealthy farmers of Allegan
County, and always found that the best methods
and latest improvements brought him the largest
returns. Mr. Curtis has in his possession at the
present time a fine Hambletonian, named "Booby,"
whose record is 2:40.
John S. Curtis and Miss Amanda Lynes were
united in marriage in 1862. Mrs. Curtis is the
daughter of Samuel and Cynthia Lynes, old
settlers of this county. To our subject and his
most estimable wife, one child has been born:
Mary, who is now Mrs. Marble. They moved to the
village of Allegan in 1891, and are now residing
in a beautiful home on Seminary Hill. The old
homestead contains eighty acres, in addition to
which, he owns forty acres in Hopkins Township,
Van Buren County. He is engaged in dqing a
profitable business in real estate and money loaning, and is one of the wide-awake and highly
esteemed men of the county. In politics, he is a
Republican, and socially, is an Odd Fellow, and a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic. The
family all attend the Baptist Church.
HARLES P. HALE. This prominent busi(    ness man of Otsego came here in 1890 and
_'. is engaged in buying and shipping all kinds
of grain, lumber, coal, lime, etc. He is doing much
toward forwarding the interests and developing
the resources of this section, and his persistent industry has been well rewarded, as he is one of the
well-to-do citizens of the county.
Mr. Hale was born in Massachusetts, his birth
occurring in Bernardston, Franklin County, January 30, 1828. He is a son of Zedock IIale, whose




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


447


native place was Massachusetts. The father learned
the trade of a carpenter when a young man, but
when removing to Wisconsin,in 1850, and locating at Hudson, he engaged in farming. In 1860
he came to Michigan, and died in Richland, Kalamazoo County.
The grandfather of our subject was Israel ITale,
a native of Connecticut. Later in life he removed
to Massachusetts, where he was engaged in farm
pursuits. He was known as Lieut. Hale, having
been Lieutenant of a company during the Revolutionary War. He passed his last days in Massachusetts. The great-grandfather of Mr. Hale of this
sketch came to America with his two brothers prior
to the Revolutionary War. One located in New
Hampshire, one in Connecticut and the third in
New York. They were known as Capt. John,
Lieut. Samuel, and Lieut. Israel, the latter being
the one from  whom   our subject is descended.
Israel Hale was one of the prominent members of
the Unitarian Church in Bernardston, Mass., where
lie was one of the representative citizens. Our
subject made his home with him after reaching his
sixth year.
The maiden name of our subject's mother
was Annie Tuttle, a native of the same State
and county as was our subject. She died in 1834
in Jefferson County, N. Y., after having become
the mother of a family of seven children, four
sons and three daughters, only two of whom are
living. Edwin D., one of the sons, was starved to
death in Libby Prison, during the Civil War. Our
subject was the fifth in order of birth and was but
six years of age at the time of his motler's death.
He was then taken into the home of his grandparents, with whom he remained until reaching his
eighteenth year. He received his education in the
district school and was reared on a farm in the
famous Connecticut Valley.
After reaching his eighteenth year, Mr. Hale began work in a woolen factory, 'where he remained
for five years, being assigned to the finishing and
coloring department. He and a brother afterward
opened a factory at Bennington, Vt., where they
carried on a successful business. Disposing of
their factory, our subject went to Meriden, Conn.,
and entered a cutlery establishment, In the fall


of 1851, however, he went to California, going by
the Nicaragua route and spent two years in that
delightful climate, mining on the south fork of the
American River. On returning to the East, he
again entered the cutlery establishment in Meriden
and remained for one and a half years.
In the fall of 1856, Mr. Hale removed with his
family to Michigan, and, locating at Cooper, Kalamazoo County, purchased land and engaged in
farming. His tract at the time it came into his
possession was in its primitive condition and our
subject erected his own house which was about
three miles north of Kalamazoo. lie remained
upon that tract for nine years, in the meantime
clearing it and bringing the land to a good state
of cultivation. After disposing of that tract,
he purchased a farm in Richland Township,
Kalamazoo County, which he still owns and
upon which he made his home until 1883,
when he removed to Plainwell and engaged in the
grain business. In the fall of 1890 he sold out his
interests in that place and came to Otsego, where
he purchased an elevator and is now doing a most
profitable business in buying and shipping grain.
Charles P. Hale and Miss Frances L. Pardew
were united in marriage in the fall of 1854. Mrs.
Hale is a native of Connecticut, and is the daughter
of Henry and Eliza Pardew, the father a native of
England and the mother of Connecticut. Her
father passed from earth when she was quite young
and her mother died in 1890, when eighty-seven
years of age. The four children born to our subject and his excellent wife are: Charles F., who is
in partnership with his father in Otsego, is married
and has one child. IHenry A., also married, is residing on the old farm in Richland Township, and
has four boys. Lewis 11. is living in Shelby, Oceana
County, and is engaged in the fruit business; he
also owns a sheep ranch near Sidney, Neb., where
he spends a great deal of his time; he also is married. Nettie A. is the wife of James Jackson, and
makes her home in Otsego. All of the children
were given excellent educations, and were graduates of the Kalamazoo Iigh School. Charles F.
attended the Olivet College and is his father's
efficient assistant.
In his political predilection, Mr. Hale is a Repub







448


PO1RTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,


--


lican and is in favor of prohibition. He has been
honored by being elected to many positions of responsibility and trust, but the office has always
sought him, as he has never been a politician. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Hale, in their church relations, are
identified with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, of which body Mr. Hale has been Steward for
many years.
Our worthy subject in addition to his extensive
business interests in Otsego has two hundred acres
of beautiful land in Richland Township. He formerly owned five hundred acres, but has since disposed of a greater portion of his estate. His farm
is one of the best cultivated in the county and is
made to yield handsome returns by a proper rotation of crops. Our subject is a truly self-made
man, as he commenced in life by working out at
$8 a month. Industry will always be rewarded
and the gentleman whose name we place at the
head of this sketch is a striking example of what
persistent effort will accomplish.
I ENRY BARTON has a high reputation as
) an able farmer who fully understands his
business, and has a well-managed, finely
equipped farm in Otsego Township that is
classed with the best in Allcgan County. Mr.
Barton was born in Sussex, England, December 1,
1830. Iis parents, John and Catherine (Keely)
Barton, were English too, and spent their lives on
a farm in their native land, the mother dying in
1854 and the father, in 1867. Our subject is the
youngest of seven children, four of whom are living. His education was confined to the common
schools, which he attended for only a short time.
He has, however, learned much in the school of
experience that has stood him in good stead. At
the age of eleven, he became general chore-boy on
a farm, the first four years receiving a sixpence a
day for his service in that capacity, boarding
with his parents. The year he was sixteen, he
boarded with his employer, and was given a shilling a week for his work. The next year he obtained seven shillings a week, and boarded himself.
The two ensuing years his wages were increased to


eight shillings a week. It may be surmised that
he was not getting very rich on such a pittance as
that, and when he was in his twentieth year he
wisely concluded that he would emigrate to the
United States, where he supposed his pay would be
more in accordance with the amount of his labors,
and, as he has been so prospered in this country,
he has probably seen but little, if any, cause of regret for the change then made. He set sail from
Old England March 15, 1850, and after the voyage
across the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which lasted
almost six weeks, he landed safe and sound in
New York City, with three solid English sovereigns
in his pocket with which to begin life in the New
World. He made his way to Monroe County, in
the same State, and worked there on a farm for
about three years.
In the fall of 1853, our subject took another
important step in life whereby he became a resident of Michigan. He first located in the township of Watson, Allegan County, purchasing
a tract of eighty acres of land lying in the woods.
IIe busied himself in clearing his land and putting it under cultivation until ten years had
passed by, and he then sold it, in 1863, and
bought the farm in Otsego Township, that he has
ever since occupied. On his first place a new log
house had just been erected when he took possession of it, but it was incomplete. The surrounding
country was very wild, and was yet full of game.
He has seen as many as seven deer on his clearing
at one time, but he never indulged in the pleasures
of the hunt. His second farm was partly improved
when he bought it, and he has completed the improvements, which are all first-class. He replaced
the humble log house that originally stood on the
place by a substantial frame residence, and has
erected good barns and other buildings in accordance. He has ninety acres of land in his homestead on section 11, and has another forty acres of
fine land in the same section.
Mr. Barton was married, October 19, 1853, to
Miss Ellen Smith, in whom he has had a valuable assistant in the upbuilding of a home. Mrs. Barton is
a native of Wheatland, Monroe County, N. Y., and
a daughter of Martin and Amie Ann (Goodhuc)
Smith, who were natives respectively of Massachu



PORTRAIT AN) BIOGRIAPHICAL RECORD.


setts and New York. Her father was a farmer, and
he and his wife spent their last days on their farm
in Monroe County. These are the names of the
nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Barton: Winfield; John and Jane, deceased; James H.; John,
deceased; Anna, Ella M., Jacob M. and George.
Mr. Barton returned to England four years ago
on a visit, and came back in about two months,
satisfied with his choice of Michigan for a home.
Our subject's life record is an honor to himself
and to his adopted township, with whose interests
his own have been so closely intertwined for
nearly three decades, and in whose improvements
he has borne an important part. He has especially
interested himself in educational matters, has held
the various school offices, and has been Treasurer
of his School District twelve years. Politically,
lie is a stalwart Republican.
OAEI BRYANT. This prominent resident
of Allegan County is Superintendent of
the Bardeen Paper Mills, located at Ostego.
IHe is a man full of push and enterprise and is well
fitted to occupy his responsible position. He is a
native of England and was born January 15,1839,
in Alton, Hampshire. He received his elementary
education in the common schools of his native
country, making the best of his limited advantages.
Ire is thoroughly familiar with all the detail of
work to be done in a papermill, for at the early
age of eleven years he apprenticed himself to learn
that business in Hamper Mills, England. lie remained in one mill for three years, receiving eleven
cents a day for eleven hours' work. He then entered a mill in Wrexham, North Wales, also as an
apprentice, but only remained there a twelvemonth. At the expiration of that time he went to
Maidstone, in County Kent, where he worked for
three years at paper-making, and then returning
to Alton and spending a few months at his old
home, he determined to set sail for the United
States. Ile was only eighteen years old when he
landed on American soil, which was in 1857. His
excellent knowledge of paper-hanging found him


immediate employment in a mill in East Hartford,
Connm  Leaving the Nutmeg State he went to Troy,
N. Y., and operated a machine in a mill there for
about a year. He then returned to Connecticut,
and, after spending a few months in working in a
mill, went to Roysford, Pa., and thence later to
Philadelphia, where he had charge of a machine it
a mill.
While in Philadelphia, the rebel army invaded
the Keystone State, and a regiment of threemonths' men was raised to guard the State. Our
subject enlisted in the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania
Infantry, Company I, serving his term of enlistment. His next place of residence was Fitchburg,
Mass.,where lie was employed by Crocker, Burbank
& Co., in their papermill. His excellent knowledge
of the business was appreciated by his employers,
and he was made Superintendent of two large
mills, which responsible position he filled most satisfactorily for eleven years. Coming farther West,
he was engaged in the extensive mills of Chatfield
& Woods, at Cincinnati, but only remained there
for about a twelvemonth, when he returned to
Connecticut and followed his business at Turner's
Falls.
In 1873, the gentleman of whom we write came
to Kalamazoo County, this State, and for fourteen
years had charge of the Kalamazoo Paper Mills.
In 1887, when the Bardeen Paper Company was
organized, lie became a stockholder in the company
and was made one of its directors. Coming to Otsego, he took charge of the mills as its Superintendent and is now managing the largest paper
mill in the State. The firm manufacture book,
lithograph, plate and map-paper of a high grade,
the mill having a capacity of one hundred and
fifty tons a week. Their business increased sorapidly that in 1891 they were compelled to erect
another large establishment, which turns out from
sixty to seventy tons a week, of about the same
grade of paper. Mr. Bryant has charge of both of
these mills and is recognized by his fellow-townsmen as a man who most thoroughly understands his
business and he is meeting with unbounded success
in his calling.
Miss Elizabeth Wilmont became the wife of our
subject, their marriage taking place in 1865, in




450


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Fitchburg, Mass. Mrs. Bryant is a native of England. She is a most estimable lady, well fitted to be
the companion of her worthy husband. They have
had born to them three children: Elizabeth, who
is the wife of Frank Milham, also a member of the
Bardeen Paper Company, and who is acting in the
capacity of book-keeper; Priscilla and George, the
latter of whom is deceased.
Although our subject always casts his vote for
the candidates of the Republican party, he does
not take an active part in politics, preferring to
let those fill offices who have not such extensive
business interests to occupy them. Socially, he is
a prominent Mason. Mrs. Bryant, in her church
relations, is connected with the Baptist Church.
They have a most beautiful home, where they entertain their hosts of friends in a-most charming
and hospitable manner.
OREN F. CLARK, who is at present serving
his second term as Supervisor of Cheshire
Township, Allegan County. is a resident of
section 8. He was born April 26, 1844, in Le Roy
Township, Calhoun County, tills State. His father
was Philander Clark and his mother Clarissa (Lawrence) Clark, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively. They came to Michigan in
1840, and settled in Kalamazoo County, remaining
there about three years, and then went to Calhoun
County. They remained on this farm until 1861,
Improving the place. Barry County was the destination of their next move, and they made a second move in that same county, where the father
died in 1876, the mother surviving until July,
1884. She bore her husband eight children, five
now living.
Loren received but a limited education, as his
parents were very poor and he started out on his
own account, finding work in a sawmill and finally
learning the trade of a carpenter and joiner. In
1872 he was married to Ellen Schramling, a dauglhter of John and Polly (Gile) Schramling, natives
of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. They
settled in Kalamazoo County, Mich., in 1859, the
father being a blacksmith by occupation. They


are both still surviving and reside on a peach farm
in Saugatuck Township, on the lake shore, where
they have more than three thousand peach treeJ.
Mrs. Clark is one of three children born to her
parents, her birth occurring January 15, 1854, in
Ashtabula County, Ohio. She received a good
common-school education and after her marriage
lived in the village of Climax, Kalamazoo County.
In 1879 they came to this township and settled on
their present farm of eighty acres, practically a
raw farm, where they have cleared sixty acres,
fenced it and have it under the most thorough cultivation. Two years ago Mr. Clark erected his neat
residence, and all the other modest and commodious buildings on the place. Ile and his wife have
had born to them three children: John P., born in
1875; Daisy C., in 1878; and James, in 1881, who
died when eight months old. They are being
well educated. The family attend and help support the United Brethren Church. Socially, Mr.
Clark is a member of the Masonic order and has
held the offices of Senior and Junior Warden and
also Senior Deacon. lie is a member of the Patrons
of Industry and he and his wife are members of the
Grange, of which he has been Master and Overseer. Mr. Clark takes quite an active part in politics and gives his influence to the Industrial party
at present but he has heretofore been a Democrat.
He is Moderator of School District No. 7, and was
elected Supervisor of this township in 1890, and
is now serving his second term.  I-e was elected
on the Democratic ticket in a township where the
Republicans have more than one hundred majority, but both times he carried a large majority.
LEXANl)ER    BENDER     is a highly respected member of that part of the farming community of Allegan County whose
agricultural interests lie in the township
of Martin, where lie has a fertile farm that is well
supplied with improvements of a good class. Mr.
Bender comes of the pioneer stock of the neighboring State of Ohio, of which lie is a native,
Springfield Township his birthplace, and September 3, 1835, the date of his advent into the family




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


451


circle of Alexander and Permclia (Crosier) Bender.
His father was born in Somerset County, Pa., in
1799, and was a son of Andrew J. Bender, who was
also a native of that State, but the family originated in Germany. The mother of our subject
was of Scotch origin.
The Benders were among the early settlers of
Ohio, and there the father was reared to a stalwart
manhood. He became a blacksmith, and followed
that trade many years until his eyesight failed him.
He died in Summit County, Ohio, at the age of
seventy-two. He was a faithful follower of the
Democrat party, and at one time held the office of
Constable and also of Justice of the Peace. Iie was
a Christian of the truest type, and a devoted member of the Disciples Church. He was always interested in church work, and when there was no
church of his denomination for him to attend, he
used to go to the Methodist Episcopal Church and
take part in its work as a Class-leader, etc. The
nother of our subject is a daughter of one of the
old pioneer families of Ohio, where she was born;
she is still living, having attained the venerable age
of eighty-four years, and makes her home in Carson, Mich. Ten children were born of her marriage, five sons and five daughters, eight of whom
grew to maturity: Harriet, Mary, DanielAlexander, James and Elizabeth (twins), Julia, John, Janette and Andrew.
Alexander Bender, of whom this sketch is written, is the second son and the fourth child of the
family. Iie was reared in his native town amid
pioneer surroundings, and completed his education in the primitive local schools of those days.
IHe worked on his father's farm until he attained
his majority, and there learned lessons which have
been beneficial to him in his after career as an independent farmer. At the age mentioned, he
started out empty-handed into the world, but he
had good capital in a clear brain and strong muscles that enabled him to make his way readily. His
first employment, after leaving home, was on a
dairy farm, where he worked by the month, and
was thus employed some four years. He was frugal and industrious, and in no long time had
money enough laid by to enable him to marry,
and thus obtained a helpmate to assist him in the




I


upbuilding of a home  Miss Flora Blakely became
his bride, and their union was celebrated September 9, 1860, in her native county, Summit,
Ohio, where she was born August 27, 1841. Her
father, Lyman Blakely, was also a native of the
Buckeye State, born in the Township of Tallmadge,
Summit County, in 1812, and a son of one of the
oldest pioneer families of that vicinity. Hle became
a farmer after reaching mature years and plied his
calling in his native State for many years. In 1876
he came to Allegan County, and spent his remaining days in Gun Plain Township, where he
died at the age of seventy-one. He was four times
married. The maiden name of Mrs. Bender's
mother was Mary Hollister, and she was a native
of New York. She died when only thirty-two years
old, having had three children: Mrs. Bender, the
eldest, and two sons: Vening and Milton, both of
whom are dead. Mr. Blakely's third wife was Mary
J. Tibbles, and to them  two children were born;
Lutie, wife of Delbert Olds, of Gun Plain; and
Frank, a resident of the same place. Mr. Blakely's
fourth marriage was with Mrs. Sarah Beedle, who
survives hiui and is living at Plainwell.  One son
was born to them, Lewis, who died at the age of
three weeks. After marriage our subject went to
Peoria County, Ill., where he remained six months.
He then returned to Ohio and located in Pike
Township, Fulton County, whence he removed,
first to York Township, next to Clinton, in the
same county, and from the latter place came to
Michigan in 1880. He has since made his home
in Martin Township, on his farm on sections 23
and 27, which comprises one hundred and sixty
acres of valuable land. which he has improved in
many ways, but he has it only partly cleared. He
does a general farming business, and derives therefrom a comfortable income.
Mr. and Mrs. Bender have been blessed in their
wedded life with these three children: Mary, wife
of Greeley Losure, of Martin Township; Cora, wife
of Ulric Brown, of Martin Township; and Lyman,
who resides at home with his parents. Our subject
and his wite are thorough-going Christians and
conscientious church members, he being identified with the Christian Church, while she belongs
to the Disciples Church, and both hold a warm








452


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


place in the hearts of their neighbors, who know
them to be friendly and obliging, and always willing to help others who may need their assistance.
In his political views, Mr. Bendel is a decided Republican.
M ILEY GRANGER. One of the first pioneers
i    to break  road and ground in Allegan
l\    County, spying out the country as did his
predecessor of Kentucky fame, was Riley
Granger. He is one of the very few early settlers
who are now remaining to tell the hardships and
privations which they endured in making the country accessible to those who came after. He is a
native of the Empire State, having been born in
Rochester, October 20, 1820. Iis parents were
Moses and Ruth (Cooper) Granger, natives respectively of Vermont and New York.
The direct progenitor of our subject was a carpenter, who followed that trade most of his life in
Rochester. He died in 1826, his good wife surviving him many years, her decease occurring in
1860. Riley Granger was the youngest of the
twelve children born to his parents, and is the
only one now living of that large family. Iis
father dying when he was quite young, leaving the family straightened in circumstances, our
subject was given but very limited advantages as
regards an education. He has been fully alive,
however, to the value of knowledge, and by persistent and systematic reading has become one of the
intelligent, educated gentleman of his county.
When fifteen years of age, our subject accompanied by the rest of the family came to Michigan,
the journey hither taking place in 1836. They came
overland from Detroit and our subject amusingly
relates how they had to carry poles with which to
pry the wagon out of the mud for about forty
miles. His mother and one brother had preceded
the family in March, taking an overland route
through Canada, and, when located in what is now
Trowbridge Township, Allegan County, entered
two hundred and forty acres from the Government.
They erected a log house for the family and then
industriously set about clearing and improving


their tract of land. The hardships and adventures
which were theirs at that time made a lasting impression upon the mind of our subject. White
settlers were very few and far between, but Indians
and wild animals were very plentiful indeed, and,
although the market for their products was some
miles distant, yet their table was always supplied
with choice wild meats, which could be had for
the shooting.
Riley Granger remained on the farm for thirty-five years and in 1871 came to Plainwell
and engaged in lumber business. He is at the present time at the head of the Plainwell Lumbering
Company, which is one of the most successful enterprises of this section. His industry and good
judgment in business matters have invariably
brought him success, a fact whose truth has never
been disputed, as fortune usually showers her blessings upon the possessor of these traits of character.
In 1846 Mr. Granger was married to Mary E.,
daughter of Hezekiah and Lucia (Johnson) Johnson, natives of New  York. Mrs. Granger was
born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and accompanied her mother to Michigan, where they located
in Alma, Kalamazoo County, where she passed her
last days. The father was born May 15, 1794,
and died March 31, 1833, in New York State,
while his good wife was born May 14, 1805, and
died August 7, 1852.
The family which   has been granted to our
subject and his estimable wife are Charles A.,
who is married and associated with his father in
business; Philinda, who is the wife of Klass Wildeboor and lives in Pueblo County, Col.; Marion
It., who is married and is engaged in the hardware
business in Kendallville, Ind., and Burton E., who
is also married and carrying on a thriving grocery
business in Plainwell.
In his political predilections, our subject is a
thorough Republican, finding in the tenets and
doctrines of that party the balance of what is
truest and best in his political life. He has represented his party as a delegate to county, district
and State conventions, and is one of the most enthusiastic workers. Mr. Granger, in addition to
his business interests in I'lainwell, owns a fine




I




VI


JAMES CAMPBELL.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


455


---  -   ----                                                                                                -  -


farm of eighty acres in Trowbridge Township
Allegan County. It bears all the improvements
of a first-class estate and he has refused the
offer of $100 an acre for it. His beautiful home
in Plainwell indicates that its inmates are people
of refinement and culture. It is presided over by his
worthy wife, who is much beloved by all who know
her.
The lumber company in which Mr. Granger is
interested carries a large stock of lumber, coal, lime,
etc., and does an extensive business in this section.
Upright and honest in all his dealings Mr. Granger
is highly esteemed personally. For three years he
kept a large store in Hamilton. Mich., but has since
disposed of it. Ile was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for many years, owning and running
a sawmill. Mr. Granger relates that when in his
sixteenth year he was sent on horseback twentyfive miles distant to obtain some peach trees. He
returned the same day, bringing with him sixteen
trees, which were the first planted in Trowbridge
Township, Allegan County.
The high standing to which Mr. Granger has attained in a financial way in his county has been
the direct result of his persistent industry, assisted
by the good judgment and economy of his worthy
wife. lie now ranks among the wealthy citizens
of this section, and it is witli special pleasure that
we place this sketch in the hands of our readers.
^-           ~ - 5~?/r,:* -: ~^) (^),(;' -  '~'
1 AMES CAMPBELL. Among the representative farmers of Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, we are pleased to name the
j   original of the portrait presented on the opposite page, and the owner of a pleasant home and
excellent farm on section 14. His father, Iugh
Campbell, was born in Ireland, and his mother was
Elizabeth Finley, born in County Down, Ireland.
They both died in their native country.  Ten
children were born to them, our subject being
among the first born.
James Campbell had his birth in County Down,
Ireland, June 29, 1808, where he was reared to
manhood. lie was employed on a farm until lie was
about eighteen years old, when lie was apprenticed


to learn the shoemaker's trade. At the end of three
years'apprenticeship, he commenced to work at his
trade, which he continued till he was twenty-three
years old. At this age he emigrated to America
to see what this new country held in store for him.
IHe landed in Quebec, and started up the St. Lawrence River, but, it being the year the cholera raged
so, he was obliged to stop at Kingston, Ontario, and
the times being very dull he was compelled to do
whatever lie could to obtain a livelihood. lie remained in Kingston a few months and finally went
to Elba, Genesee County, N. Y., and for a short
time there followed his trade, and then engaged
in farming by the month, for a time of four years,
or until 1836.
While yet in Genesee County, Mr. Campbell was
married to the lady of his choice, Ann Cash, in
September, 1835. Mrs. Campbell was a native of New
York State, and in the spring of 1836 the newlymarried couple journeyed to this county and State,
and located in Pavilion Township. Here Mr. Campbell purchased eighty acres of Government land,
on which he lived but a short time, when he sold
and rented a home in Kalamazoo Township, and
for a period of three years was employed at farming and various occupations.
In the fall of 1840 Mr. Campbell settled on section 14, Portage Township, on a tract of forty
acres which he purchased. He at once erected a
small house and set about in true pioneer style to
improve and cultivate the place, and on this estate
he is yet making his home. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had born to them two children, namely: David
who died in Portage Township when forty-eight
years old, and James, who died in this township at
the age of eleven years. The good wife and
mother was called from earth October 22, 1849.
Mr. Campbell took as his second wife, July 7, 1850,
Mrs. Ada Sherman, the widow of Nathaniel Sherman, and a daughter of Rufus and Elizabeth Aldrich. Mrs. Campbell was born in New York State,
April 12, 1816, and by her union with our subject,
two children were born: Willie, who died when
eleven months old, and Charles R., who married
Miss Carrie L. Ames, a daughter of ht. C. Ames of
this township, February 1, 1888.  This couple
have one child: Rutl E. Mrs. Ada Campbell




456


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


passed from this life to her everlasting rest in September, 1881.
The old house which Mr. Campbell first erected
has given way to a comfortable residence, and a
nice and substantial set of farm buildings adorn
the estate of three hundred and sixty acres, on
which general farming and stock-raising are carried
on with more than ordinary success. Mr. Campbell has been honored by his fellow-citizens with
the township offices of Supervisor, which office he
has held four years in succession; Justice of the
Peace, three terms, and Highway Commissioner
one year. The duties of these responsible offices he discharged faithfully and conscientiously,
and with satisfaction to all. In politics, his vote
is cast with the Democratic party


E


r.    _


N,GEORGE H. BARKER, a substantial farmer
residing on section 22, Covert Township,
Van Buren County, settled here in the fall
of 1863, although he had been in the county some
ten years previous. He was born in Madison
County, N. Y., August 12, 1832, his parents being
Lucius B. and Lucinda (Bly) Barker, natives of
Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather of our
subject, Russel Barker, removed from Massachusetts to New York, and died in Madison County.
The father of our subject was a child when the
family came to New York, where he learned the
trade of a blacksmith, was married, and in 1836
emigrated to Michigan, settling first in Washtenaw
County, and later in Livingston County, where he
carried on a farm. He died there in the fall of
1861, in the sixty-first year of his age. The mother
of our subject is still living and resides with her
daughter in Genesee County, this State. This
worthy couple were the parents of ten children,
namely: Mary, Mrs. Bush, resides in Washtenaw
County; Russell N., lives in Flint; Ellen married
Elisha Root, and died in Flint; George H.; Angeline, Mrs. Todd, of Genesee County, Mich.; Jane,
Mrs. Hawkins, lives in Detroit; Nancy, Mrs. Todd,
resides in Genesee County; Frank M. lives in
Washtenaw; Philander, who was a member of the


Third Michigan Cavalry, and died while in the
service; and Sarah, who became the wife of Ed
Wicks, and died in Flint.
Our subject was a boy when his father's family
came to Michigan. There were many children,
and each one did what he could to assist the father
in gaining a living. George H. attended the common schools, and at times worked with his father
at his trade of a blacksmith, but, disliking the
business very much, when sixteen years old he
went to live with a sister, and was employed upon
the farm until he reached his majority. In 1853, Mr.
Barker came to Van Buren County, and worked in
the lumber woods. Three years later he went to
New York, where he remained one year, and then returned to Van Buren County. In the fall of 1861,
he removed to Livingston County; here on January 15, 1862, he was married to Sarah C. De Wolf,
and in 1863 settled in Covert Township, where he
had purchased land some years previous. Here he
cleared up and improved a farm, and now owns
one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which
ninety acres are under cultivation. On these he
has a good set of farm buildings, and all the many
conveniences so necessary to a farmer.
Mrs. Barker is the daughter of Jason and Elizabeth (Near) De Wolf, and her birth took place in
Livingston County, Mich., June 5, 1841. Her
parents were natives of New York, and were pioneers of Livingston County, where they resided
until the death of the father, at the age of eightytwo years, and the mother, when seven ty-nine years
of age. Daniel De Wolf, the grandfather of Mrs.
Barker, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War,
and was at Valley Forge with Gen. Washington.
Mr. and Mrs. De Wolf had five children: Ann, wife
of Henry Done; Hiram J., a resident of Livingston
County; Mrs. Barker; Mary L., wife of Thomas J.
Winegar, of Howell, this State; and Wesley H.,
also a resident of Livingston County. Our subject
and his wife have also had five children, namely:
Hiram D., who died in childhood; Zilpha Y., and
Grace A., living at home; Cecil, who was accidentally shot and killed in January, 1891, when eighteen years old; and Ernest H.
Mr. Barker belongs to the Republican party. He
has held several local offices, and has 'een Town



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


457


-I-~~~~-I


ship Supervisor for several years. He is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and
also the Patrons of Husbandry, being Master of the
Bee Hive Lodge for many years. The family are
well known and highly esteemed by their neighbors and friends.
/.
ON. SANFORD IH. CORBYN. This gentleman is one of the prominent pioneers
of Michigan who can look back over many
years of hardship and toil to the early
days when this now flourishing land was a wilderness of prairie and forest, given over to the savage and the wild beasts. He can trace with pleasure and pride the rapid advance of the State in
civilization, and his stories of the olden time are
exceedingly interesting to those of the present
generation who have the good fortune to listen
to them.
Mr. Corbyn was born in Windom County, Conn.,
September 13, 1807. Although a mere child at
the time, he well remembers hearing the cannonading during the War of 1812. Joseph B. Corbyn, his father, who is also a native of Windom
County, was born October 7, 1773. He was a
farrier by trade and also carried on a blacksmith's shop, at the same time operating a gristmill. In 1815, ie removed to Monroe County,
N. Y., where he settled upon a farm. The country was then new and unbroken, and much labor
was required to establish a comfortable home.
Here lie remained until 1846, when he came to
Michigan, settling in Macomb County, where he
died in 1848. He was an excellent man and a
life-long member of the Baptist Church. His ancestors came from England and settled in Massachusetts at an early day. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Polly I-oward, was
a native of Connecticut, whose decease occurred
in the same month and year as that of her husband. This worthy couple were the parents of
eight children, of whom  three sons and one
daughter survive, our subject being the fourth in
order of birth and tle eldest of the sons.
Mr. Corbyn received his elementary education


in the district school, that being the best that
could be obtained at that time, most of the schoolhouses being of log and the teaching generally
corresponding to the primitive style of the
building. lie afterward, however, attended an
academy at Henrietta, N. Y. Until the age of
twenty-one, he remained at home with his father,
assisting him in his various duties and also teaching school during the winters of 1828-29-30-31.
In the spring of 1831, lie came to Michigan, landing at Detroit and spending his first night on the
docks. Going from there to Macomb County, he
took up a good tract of land in what is now Armada Township. It was almost an unbroken wilderness, there being no one living within three
miles of his place. *
In this wild region our subject began life in
earnest, his first work being to assist his uncle in
putting up a log cabin. They had no lack of
company, for Indians were all about them, and
wolves and bears made very unwelcome visitors.
Their larder was well supplied with wild game,
and there was much in the new experience that
was interesting. In company with his uncle, Mr.
Corbyn built an old-fashioned sawmill; in this
they manufactured some boards with which he
built a very primitive frame shanty in the following manner: IHe nailed his boards to trees,
which answered for posts, afterward sawing the
trees off at the proper height and roofing it over.
In one corner of this house he piled a lot of stones
for a fire-place and made a hole in the roof to allow the smoke to escape. In this rude structure
he remained until the following fall, when he replaced it by a better one with a more artistic fireplace and a stick chimney. In this lie lived until
he had cleared and partially improved his farm,
and in 1848 he built a good and substantial
house.
In 1866, Mr. Corbyn sold out his first farm and
came to Plainwell, where he purchased a half-interest in a sawmill, the following year adding a
gristmill, and one year afterward selling out both
mills. For about a year lie did not engage in any
business, at which time the mills were thrown
back upon his hands. A division of the property
was made, in which Mr. Corbyn took the sawmill






458


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


 —11--1-- ----- — `-` —I- --- —I

--


I


--- ~ ~   ~  _ — -  I --- — _ — -._.   _


as his portion. This he operated for fifteen years,  twenty yea
when he sold out to the Michigan Paper Company,  office in wl
taking the amount due him in stock in that con-  a promine:
pany, but has since disposed of it. Our subject  Church for
was twice married, his first union to Miss Delia  that church
T. Pierson, a native of Madison County, N. Y.,  most exemn
taking place in September, 1834. Mrs. Corbyn    cate of ter
was born December 20, 1809, and departad this   years Mr. (
life December 26, 1874. Of this marriage three  spent, feeli
children were born: Martha R., Knowlton P. and  given on th
Arthur H. Martha R. became the wife of Charles  has ever he
Millspaugh, a native of Genesee County, N. Y.   his fellow-c
He came to Michigan in 1834, at the age of two  more intim:
years, with his parents, who settled in Macomb
County, where they both died. IHe became a             ~resident of Plainwell in December, 1872, where he
has since resided. He and his wife are the par-   M! ILTO
ents of two children, Almon and Ella.                   fro]
Knowlton P. became a Civil Engineer and went  /]   X lon
to Texas, where he followed his profession for  '       hoi
several years. He was one of the contractors who  been cultiv.
put in the water works at Hyde Park, Chicago.   people of c
tHe lost his life while out at the crib at work,  rank reinfo
when a gale swept himself and several companions  popular esti
into the lake.  He was married and had one      we find a di
daughter, Marcia, who resides in Chicago. Arthur  forefathers,
H. is married and lives on a farm   at Alamo,   deeds; and
Kalamazoo County. He has two children. Mr.      cited to emi
Corbyn after the death of his first wife was again  Dr. Chase
married, May 4, 1876, to Mrs. Betsey (Hakes)    ence in the
Hitchcock, a native of New York, whose death    prominent
took place April 6, 1891.                       He keeps th
Mr. Corbyn has been a life-long Democrat, cast-  theories adv
ing his first vote, in 1828, for Gen. Jackson. He  tion to popu
has been a delegate to various State and county  selected boo
conventions. In the fall of 1850, he was elected  the culture
State Representative of Macomb County, attend-  family. Th
ing the regular session of the Legislature dur-  and has don
ing the following winter and an extra session   hibition in.
in June. He served on several important con-       Dr. Chase
mittees and on a special committee pertaining   State, Septei
to the Indian question. He was elected one of   Chase, a nat
the three County   Commissioners who formed     The father
the first board ever elected in Macomb County    1832, where
serving for two years. He also filled the offices  In 1838 he E
of Justice of the Peace, School Inspector, and  Wis., where
numerous others, being in active service for over  But upon al


rs. Ile was never nominated for any
hich he failed of election. HIe has been
nt and active member of the Baptist
over sixty years, helping to organize
in Macomb County. He has led a
plary life, and has been a warm advomperance reforms.   In his declining
Corbyn can look back over a life well
ing that his influence has ever been
ie side of justice and right and that he
Id an honorable place in the esteem of
itizens and the warm affection of his
ate friends and associates.
ON CHASE, M.1). To be descended
m honorable and able progenitors has
g since been considered a source of
iest pride. Yet this feeling has not
ated in this country as it is among the
)ther nations, where the heritage of
)rces the heritage of character in the
mation. Still, among our best families,
isposition to remember the acts of our
and to encourage the recital of their
in remembering their worth, we are inulate their lives., of this sketch, has had a wide experimedical profession, and is one of the
and successful physicians of Otsego.
oroughly posted in regard to all the
ranced by the profession, and, in addiilar medical works, has a library of well)ks, the contents of which fully attest
and literary standing of himself and
e Doctor is a strong temperance man,
e much to advance the cause of proAllegan County.
e was born in Monroe County, this
mber 1, 1837, and is the son of Warren
ive of Cornish, Sullivan County, N. H.
emigrated to Monroe County about
he engaged in the mercantile business.
sent a stock of dry-good to Kenosha,
he intended opening up in business.
rriving in that place, he found that




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


459


his goods had not arrived, so he was without
money and without goods. HIe immediately set
to work to repair his lost fortune, and remained
in that place for five years. Later he moved to
Ceresco, where he organized the Wisconsin Phalanx
on the Fourier plan of co-operative association.
Warren Chase was a very prominent man in
politics, and became a noted Free-soiler.  Ile
was a member of the first State, and last Territorial, Legislature of Wisconsin. He was candidate in 1846 for Governor of Wisconsin on the
Free-soil ticket, carrying his own town and county,
but was defeated. Mr. Chase went to California,
and there his fellow-townsmen, recognizing his
superior executive ability, elected him to represent
them in the Legislature, his election taking place
from Santa Barbara on the Greenback ticket. He
was a radical politician, being first a Free-soiler,
then an Anti-Slavery man, later a Republican and
finally a Greenbacker. He lived in various States,
and had a national reputation as a lecturer on
spiritualism, being in the field for forty years.
He died at Cobden in 1888, when seventy-seven
years of age. lIe was a man of culture and education, and although studying law when a young
man, never practiced.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Mary P. White, a native of Newport, Sullivan
County, N. H-.  She died in   1881, leaving a
family, of whom three grew to maturity. Milton
Chase, of this sketch, received his primary education in the schools of Ceresco, Wis. His father
had donated the land on which to erect the Brockaway College, and in that institution Dr. Chase
took a course of study. On entering the Ann
Arbor High School, he intended to follow a literary life, but later adopted the profession of medicine as his life calling, and in order to perfect
himself in his studies, entered the medical department of the University of Michigan in 1858, and
received his degree as Doctor of Medicine in 1861.
The August following his graduation, Dr. Chase
enlisted as a private in Company A, Sixth Michigan Infantry, under Col. Curtenius, of Kalamazoo.
With his regiment he was sent to Baltimore. He
had only one day's duty as a private, and that
was before he left Kalamazoo. As soon as his


regiment arrived at Baltimore, the Assistant Surgeon, Simon S. S. French, was detached, and our
subject was appointed to fill the vacancy. lie
performed the duties of that position on the pay
of a private soldier, receiving only $13 per month.
January 1, 1862, he was appointed Hospital Steward, and in October, 1862, he received a commission
as Assistant Surgeon, to date back to July 20, 1862.
EIe continued in that capacity with his regiment
until August 8, 1864, when he resigned and returned home. Dr. Chase was one of the most
reliable and conscientious surgeons, as regarded
his professional duties, in the Department of the
Gulf, being always ready and willing to perform
any work assigned him. IIis regiment suffered
greatly from sickness, his department being assigned to the Gulf, where it was very unhealthy.
During the three years of his enlistment, he only
lost one day on account of sickness, which is a
most remarkable record, and perhaps can be accounted for, to some extent, by stating that he
never used liquor or tobacco in any of its forms.
December 7,1864, Dr. Chase and Miss Elizabeth P.
Moore, of Ypsilanti, were made man and wife. Mrs.
Chaseis the daughter of Lewis and Sarah Moore,
the former of whom was the original inventor
and patentee of the grain drill. He was a Quaker,
and a native of Lancaster County, Pa., being a
native of the Salisbury Church in that county,
which was the first Quaker Church organized in
the United States. Mrs. Chase is also a birth-right
member of that church. Her father died about
1876, but her mother is still living at the age of
eighty-five years.
After his marriage, Dr. Chase, in January, 1865,
located in Kalamazoo, where he practiced his profession for two years. He than came to Otsego,
where he has since lived. He is now the oldest
physician in this place, and is much looked up to by
all the fraternity. The family of the Doctor and
his amiable wife comprises seven children: Sarah
T.; Warren P. and Mary P., twins; Zantippe, Zada,
Alta, Milton. Sarah T. took a four years' course
in the Ypsilanti IHigh School, and is at present
teaching Latin and English grammar in the High
School at Traverse City, this State; Warren is in the
employ of the paper mill at Otsego, while Mary is




460


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


teaching school in Otsego; the remaining four
children are at home with their parents, where
they are receiving excellent training. Dr. Chase
was identified with the Republican party until
about six years ago, when he allied himself on
the side of Prohibition, and has been Chairman
of the Central Committee for the past four years.
Like his illustrious father, Dr. Chase has been
very prominent in local affairs, and by occupying
the office of Justice of the Peace for seven years,
has shown himself to be capable of close application to the duties which the office involves, and,
by his judicious decisions and wise course, has
been of untold value to the community. IHe has
been fearless in executing the law in regard to the
sale of intoxicating liquors in Otsego, and by so
doing has endeared himself to all law-abiding citizens. He has done more, perhaps, than any other
man toward breaking the liquor "ring" in the
towns, and, to his honor be it said, there is not a
licensed saloon in the place.
Dr. Chase is a member of the Grand Army of
the Republic, is a Patron of Husbandry, and a
Royal Templar of Temperance. lIe is a member of
the State Medical Society, and at the present time
is a member of the Board of Pension Examiners
in the county. In church relations, Mrs. Chase is
a conscientious member of the Congregational
Society. The Doctor holds the offices of Secretary
and Treasurer in the Episcopal Mission, located at
Otsego. All in all, Dr. Chase is one of the prominent physicians of the county, and we are gratified
to be able to place in the hands of our readers, a
sketch of so worthy a gentleman.. ~ —0 —,
OHN BRASON, a self-made man who is now
practically living a retired life on section
-|| 17, Cheshire Township, Allegan County, is
a native of the Empire State. He was born
December 21, 1826, in Monroe County, and is a
son of James and Jane (Love) Brason, who were
natives of the Emerald Isle. The father emigrated
to Canada in 1820, and there married Miss Love.
The following year he removed to Monroe County,


N. Y., where he resided upon a farm but afterwards
sold out and took up his residence upon an unimproved farm   in Cattaraugus County. After
partially clearing this, he removed to Allegany
County. In 1851, the horses which he was driving
to a threshing machine ran away and he thus met
his death. His wife survived him until 1864.
They were parents of two sons and a daughter.
The latter died in 1846, and the brother, who went
to California in 1849, is probably also deceased.
In the usual manner of farmer lads, John Brason
spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and his
services were given to his father until he attained
his majority. His educational privilege was limited
to a few terms' attendance at a district school. His
parents were poor and he often had nothing to
take for his lunch but johnny-cake with "pumpkin sass" on it. Beginning life for himself, he
worked as a farm hand, receiving from $11 to $15
per month, and was in the employ of one man for
four years. We thus see that his life was not an
easy one, but perseverance and industry overcame
the difficulties of those early years.
In 1850, Mr. Brason was united in marriage
with Miss Susanna Pierson, who was born in Livingston County, N. Y., April 15, 1831, and is a
daughter of Jesse and Hannah (Slussar) Pierson,
both natives of the Empire State, the former born
in 1804, the latter in 1810. Mr. Pierson was a
farmer and died in 1865. Iis widow still survives
him and makes her home with Mrs. Brason. In
the family were four children, three of whom are
now living. One son, Egbert B., was a member of
the Fourth New York Heavy Artillery in the late
war and gave his life in defense of his country.
He was stationed near Ft. Ethan Allen, near Washington, D. C., and died in the hospital at City
Point, Va., August 21, 1864.
After their marriage, Mr. Brason and his wife
resided in Allegany County, N. Y., until 1860,
when they bade good-by t') their old home and
emigrated to Michigan, locating on section 16,
Cheshire Township. A wild and timbered tract
of land constituted their farm, upon which not a
furrow had been turned or an improvement made,
but with characteristic energy Mr. Brason began
its development. Selling out in 1869, he re



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


461


moved to another farm, upon which he built a residence, barns and fences, and cleared fifty acres.
In 1873 he sold it for $4,000. His present home,
lie erected in 1869, at a cost of $2,800. His farm
he purchased from an Indian family, and he now
has sixty acres under a high state of cultivation,
leaving only twenty acres unimproved. With Mr.
and Mrs. Brason reside their adopted daughter,
Eva Rose, and her family. Shle was born in Cheshire Township, in 1859, and is now the wife of
De Witt C. Smith, by whom she has five children.
Mr. and Mrs. Brason hold membership with the
Methodist Church, in which he has been Steward
and Trustee and in Sunday-school work they also
take an active part, Mrs. Brason having served
both as teacher and Superintendent. They have
lived upright lives, worthy the esteem and confidence of all and have thereby won many friends.
In his political views, Mr. Brason was formerly a
Republican but is now independent. IHe has held
a number of official positions, having served as
Highway Commissioner from   1862 until 1867, as
Supervisor of Cheshire Township from 1865 until
1868, and has been connected with the School Board
during almost his entire residence here. We see
in our subject a self-made man who, though tie began life with nothing, has steadily worked his
way upward, overcoming the difficulties in his path,
until he has reached a position of affluence. Great
credit does he deserve for his success.
C —   =- |~~++++  ~++++i ~      -' --- — *AMUEL R. ARTIHURS. This gentleman
is a resident of Covert, where he has been
carrying on a hardware store for the last
two years.   IIe was born in Portage
County, Ohio, September 19, 1849, and is a son of
John R. and Francis (Rogers) Arthurs, natives of
Clarion County, Pa., and Portage County, Ohio,
respectively. John R. Arthurs emigrated to Ohio,
when eighteen years old, and worked at his trade,
that of a carpenter, in Portage County, where
he was married and resided until 1855, when
he purchased a small farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He died in that
county, October 5, 1859, when fifty-two years old.


His wife departed this life, January 16, 1860, when
thirty-seven years of age. Their family comprised
four children as follows: William II., who is a
carpenter and resides in Ridgway, Elk County,
Pa.; Philonzo, who died October 4, 1861, in Portage County, Ohio, at the age of fifteen years; our
subject, and Mary J., who first married Charles C.
Lincoln and is now Mrs. Alonzo B. Smith and who
resides in Covert Township.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a
native of Scotland who came to Pennsylvania
when a young man and there married. John Arthurs, the grandfather of our subject, was born in
Pennsylvania, was a farmer by occupation and
was a soldier in the War of 1812. The subject of
this sketch passed his boyhood on his father's farm
where he attended the district school until fourteen years of age, at that time going to the oil regions of Pennsylvania and clerking in a store for
one year. He then returned to Ohio, and attended
a select school until the following spring, when
he went to Jefferson County, Pa., and took charge
of a general store for an uncle, coniducting the
business for four years.  At the expiration of
that time, he went into the lumber regions of
Pennsylvania and for one year had charge of a
sawmill owned by his uncle.
In June,'1869, Mr. Arthurs again returned home
to take care of his father who was very ill and
with whom he remained until his death. He afterward worked on a farm   until his marriage,
January 1, 1873, to Miss Nettie M. Bostwick.
This lady was born in Portage County, Ohio, May
14, 1848 and was the daughter of Agur and Mary
C. Bostwick. Of this marriage two children have
been born: Benton P., born November 5, 1874,
and Leroy E., August 2, 1880. After his marriage
Mr. Arthurs engaged in the live-stock business one
year, and then went on the road with a wholesale
notion wagon for Leek, Doring & Co., of Cleveland, which business he followed for four years.
HIe afterward traveled for the same firm three
years more and then entered the employ of Isom
& Foote, traveling for them six months, when the
firm changed hands and he remained with their
successors for the rest of the year.  He was then
employed for one year in the same capacity with




462


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Alcott Sager & Co., and for the same length of
time with Joseph Horn & Co., of Pittsburg. On
account of his health, he was obliged to quit the
road and became superintendent of a stock-farm
for A. A. Kitzmiller, which position he held for
eighteen months when the farm was sold.
Mr. Arthurs now rented and conducted a large
farm in Portage County for one year, when he
went to Kentucky to again take charge of the stockfarm for Mr. Kitzmiller, but only remained two
months, his family not being satisfied with the
climate. He then came to Covert and purchased
a farm which he cultivated for eighteen months,
when he sold out and purchased his present store.
Mr. Arthurs is an active member of the Republican party and is Chairman of the Republican
Township Committee and always ready to assist in
whatever promises to be for the welfare of his
community. He has been frequently solicited to
become a candidate for office, but cares nothing
about public life. He is a member of the Odd
Fellows, in which society he has passed all the degrees.
ILLIAM CRISPE, V. S. This prominent
business man of Plainwell, in addition to
his duties as a veterinary surgeon, is engaged in carrying on a thriving business, speculating in horses. He is the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Munn) Crispe, natives of England, as was
also our subject, his birth taking place September
3, 1834 in Kent County.
The elder Mr. Crispe was a miller by trade, but
engaged to some extent in farming. In 1851 he
emigrated with his family to America, his first
stopping-place being Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained for about four years, and in 1855 came to
Plainwell, Allegan County, when there was little
more than a mere settlement where that now
flourishing city is located. He died August 21,
1888, when in his eighty-seventh year.
Our subject is one of a family of nine children,
six of whom are living. His boyhood days in
England were mostly spent qn the farm and his
educational advantages limited to the common
schools. He accompanied his parents to America
in 1851, since which time he has been his own


master. He worked at various occupations in
Cleveland, Ohio, and after coming to Plainwell
learned milling in the first flouring mill built at
this place. HIe later was employed in mills in
Battle Creek for about one year and previous to
that time went to Minnesota, where he was engaged in a like manner; he was likewise engaged in the miller's trade in Wisconsin, and at
Prairie Du Clien he conducted a livery for about
one year.
In 1 866 William Crispe purchased a livery stable
in Plainwell and continued successfully in that
line of business until 1885, owning a 'bus line and
carrying the mail in Plainwell for about seventeen
years. Since disposing of his livery stock, he has
maintained a feed barn, and sells buggies, horses,
etc. Mr. Crispe, after engaging in the livery business, gave some attention to the diseases of horses
and made a study of various authentic works on
that subject. He has for years been recognized as
a most reliable and intelligent veterinary surgeon,
although not a graduate of any veterinary college.
His judgment in that line is considered second to
that of no man in this section of the country.
Our subject and Miss Nellie Smith were married
April 3, 1864. Mrs. Crispe is a native of Caledonia, N. Y., a daughter of Martin and Margaret
(Campbell) Smith, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of one child, a daughter, Katie, a most excellent and intelligent young
lady and a graduate of the Plainwell High School.
In his political predilection, our subject is a thorough   Democrat, finding  in the tenets and
doctrines of that party the balance of what is
truest and best in political life. He was honored
by his townsmen by being elected to an office on
the Village Board for a term of two years. In
social matters, he is a Mason.
Besides property in Plainwell, Mr. Crispe owns
a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres west of
town in Otsego Township. He began life with no
means, whatever, and is now recognized as one of
the wealthy men of the township, a position which
he has attained by hard work and good management. IHe is a self-made man in the truest sense
of that term, his success being due to his close and
intelligent application to business.




I






C. *. 












4




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


467


ILLIAM  G. KIRBY stands among the
foremost of the farmers who have been so
largely instrumental in the upbuilding of
Kalamazoo County, and his name will forever be
associated with its substantial growth. HIe is a
large landholder and an extensive dealer in stock,
and has acquired wealth by his enterprise and business tact. His handsome residence on his farm
on section 5, Charleston Township, is a model
country home, of a pleasing style of architecture,
and well fitted up, and here he and his amiable
wife enjoy all the comforts and luxuries of life,
and dispense a pleasant hospitality to the friend or
stranger within their gate.
Mr. Kirby was born in Columbia County, N. Y.,
August 22, 1822, the sixth child and third son of
John and Freelove (Lyon) Kirby, whose history is
given in the sketch of the I-on. John W. Kirby,
brother of our subject. William G. Kirby passed
his early years in his native place, obtaining his
education in the local schools, and acquiring a
thorough familiarity with the routine of farm
work on his father's farm, which was his birthplace.
September 15, 1846, he was united in marriage
to Miss Rhoda, the second daughter of David
and Pamelia (Howland) Swetland. She was born
in Saratoga County, N. Y., January 26, 1829, and
was ten years old when she accompanied her family to Michigan. When she was but five years old,
her father died. She remained in this State until
she was sixteen years old, and then returned to
her native place, where she was subsequently
wedded to our subject. They spent the first four
years of their married life in Columbia County on
a farm, and then went to Saratoga County, in the
same State, where Mr. Kirby farmed two years. At
the expiration of that time, lie turned his attention
to the mercantile business, and for eight years conducted a hardware store in Crescent City.
In 1858, Mr. Kirby disposed of his business in
New York, settled up his affairs, and came to
Michigan to make his home for the future in Kalamazoo County, taking up his residence where he
now resides, in Charleston Township. But little
attempt at improvement had been made, and the
family moved into a log house that stood on the
place. Mr. Kirby has since substituted for that


humble abode an elegant two-story frame dwelling, built in 1872, and he now has everything to
make a first-class farm. In 1871, he erected one of
the largest barns in the county, 50x75 feet in dimensions, with a fine basement, and cupola crowning the building, sixty-two feet from the ground
floor, the barn having ample room for two hundred tons of hay and a thousand bushels of wheat,
besides plenty of space for a large amount of
stock.
Our subject has handled a great deal of stock,
having had as many as fifteen hundred head at
one time. He used to ship extensively to Buffalo
and other points, and for several years he and his
son William carried on a large business in that
line together. His son is still so engaged, and he
keeps thirty blooded brood mares for him. Mr.
Kirby has two hundred and eight acres of land in
the home place; three hundred and ninety acres in
Ross Township; eighty acres on section 11, Charleston Township; twelve acres of valuable real estate on Prospect Hill, in the best residence part
of the city of Kalamazoo, and he has two hundred
acres of partly improved land in St. Joseph
County.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirby have two daughters and
one son: Millie, widow of Dr. Henry Upjohn,
and a resident of Kalamazoo; William S., of whom
a biography appears in this volume; and Mary S.,
who resides with her parents. Silas S. died at the
age of four years, and Pamelia died at the age of
two years.
Perhaps no man is more widely known throughout this and adjoining counties than William G.
Kirby, his extensive operations in the past having
brought him into contact with many people, who
regard him highly, both as to his personal qualities and as to his standing as an honorable business man, who has made his money through legitimate channels of trade; and he is known by his
neighbors and friends to be considerate and just,
high-minded and open-handed. The duties of citizenship have met with a ready response from him,
and he has shared the responsibilities of public life
with his fellow-men. For eight years he looked
closely after the interests of Charleston Township
as it3 representative on the Kalamazoo County
Board of Supervisors, and he has interested himself


21


K






468


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


in educational matters as an incumbent of various
school offices. He is familiar with the ins and outs
of politics, and is an advocate of the Democratic
party. See portraits of this honored citizen and
his estimable wife.
e.~T_._-.-. —x     - -. 'X:
ON. CHARLES SEDGWICK MAY, of Kalamazoo was born in Sandisfield, Mass.,
March 22, 1830. When he was about four
years old, his parents removed to a farm in
this county, where he spent his boyhood. Upon
completing an academic education at the Kalamazoo branch of the University of Michigan, he studied law at Bennington, Vt., and at Battle Creek,
near his home, and he was admitted to the Bar in
Kalamazoo, in 1857. He immediately began practice at the latter place but continued little over a
year, when he became associate editor of the Detroit Tribune. In this capacity and that of Washington correspondent to the same paper, lie remained until 1856, when he again resumed his profession at Kalamazoo.
The office of County Attorney, which Mr. May
was occupying, he resigned in 1861, and raised
Company K, Second Michigan Infantry, which was
the first volunteer company from Kalamazoo. One
week after the first gun was fired on Ft. Sumter,
they were sent to the seat of war. Mr. May participated in all the preliminary experiences and
hardships of the campaign, never shirking any
duty, although suffering from ill health and overexertion. He led his company with honor in the
battles of Blackburn's Ford and Bull Run, commanding the advance picket guard, which was two
miles before the main army, on the night before
the last-named battle. He was trusted and commended by his superiors, and was the first officer
of his regiment to be recommended by Gen. Richardson for promotion, but continued ill-health
compelled him, at the close of the campaign, to
leave the service, when his resignation was duly
accepted and he was honorably discharged from
the army.
Upon his return home, Mr. May resumed professional practice. However, he was not long allowed


to remain in retirement, for the eye of the State
was upon him, and in 1863, while still a young
man, he was elected Lieutenant-Governor by a
large majority. In that capacity he presided over
three sessions of the Senate with marked ability,
although he was the youngest man in that body.
His reputation as a speaker soon became a National
one, and his address to the Senate, February 9,1863,
in favor of upholding the war, was printed and
widely circulated throughout the Northwest, while
an address, entitled "Union, Victory and Freedom,"
made by the unanimous request of both branches
of the Legislature, was printed in pamphlet form
and copied in the Republican journals of the entire
West.
Our subject was soon actively engaged as speaker
for the Republican cause, and in 1866 presided
over the State Convention of that party at Detroit.
Giving his support in 1872 to the liberal Republican candidate, Horace Greeley, he was nominated
for Presidential Elector-at-Large for the State, and
although prevented by ill-health from taking an
active part in the campaign, he delivered at his
home an address which was largely used as a campaign document throughout the country. His
speech for Tilden and Hendricks, delivered at
Cleveland, Ohio, was widely published by the entire Democratic press. In 1880, he stumped Michigan and Indiana for Gen. Hancock, and in the latter State made a speech which was also used as a
campaign document throughout the entire party.
The years 1882-84 found Mr. May on the stump,
but again ill-health prevented him from engaging
actively in the campaign of the latter year. For
his valuable services, he has twice received the
votes of the Democratic members of the Legislature for United States Senator, and twice been
urged to accept the nomination for Congress in his
district, but declined the latter honor on both occasions. Yet it is hardly in the field of political
life that lie has become most widely known; although devoting every energy to a cause, when
once espoused, he is not in the strictest sense a
partisan. With an unswerving regard for principle, a pronounced independence, and an unyielding moral courage, he has never made himself subservient to any party, and has ever kept himself




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


469


----- -- - - -  -   -- I- - - - l- - ---  - -- - - -- - -


aloof from the mere machine politicians that so
largely constitute our political organizations of the
present day; rather as a professional and popular
orator has Mr. May gained a reputation which las
become truly national.
His arguments in the famous Pierce will case,
and in other important jury trials, and in the SupremeCourt to compel the Regents of the University of Michigan, by mandamus, to establish a
chair of Homeopathy in pursuance of an act of
the Legislature, and an address before the law department of the University, entitled "Trial by
Jury," have given him a standing as an advocate
second to few in the Northwest, while his eulogy
upon Charles Sumner. his Centennial Address upon Patrick Henry, and many other efforts of equal
power, have entitled him to a place in the front
rank of American orators. In 1863, a series of
addresses, made in Montreal, Toronto, Portland and
Boston, in connection with an excursion of Western Boards of Trade, and in 1887 another series
for the legal suppression of intemperance, under
the auspices of the National Prohibition Bureau,
delivered in Toronto, Baltimore, New York City
and different places in New York State and Massachusetts, were highly commended by Eastern journals, and have greatly extended his reputation
throughout the East. As a speaker, lie is forcible
and earnest, his diction at all times pure and flowing, his manner self-possessed, and as lie advances
with his subject, he warms to a glow of oratory
that charms all who hear him. Though unobtrusive in demeanor, he is recognized as a thoroughly
independent thinker, and an affable, scholarly, cultivated gentleman.
He has been a resident of Kalamazoo City since
first coming here when but a lad, with the exception of the years 1876-79, when he resided in Detroit. While there, he engaged in the practice of
his profession and for many years afterward was
intrusted with cases of great moment, both in the
State and Federal Courts. Many of his professional
addresses have been embodied in works of jurisprudence throughout the country.   Nor is he
without honor in other connections, for he was for
a number of years Vice-president of the National
Unitarian Conference, and in 1870, upon   the


death of the Hon. Thomas D. Elliott, of Massachusetts, was chosen to fill the vacancy in the office of
President. lie has delivered four addresses during
the last twenty years before the Pioneer Society
of Kalamazoo County, which were greatly appreciated by the pioneers.
In 1888, on account of failing health, Gov. May
retired from the active practice of his profession
and erected a country home on the banks of Gull
Lake, about twelve miles from Kalamazoo, where
with his family lie spends the summer months amid
the beautiful scenery of that popular summer
resort. This place, called Island View, comprises
five acres on the banks of the lake, and commands
a wide prospect of land and water. IHe has a home
in Kalamazoo, where lie spends his winters, and
latterly has been engaged in literary pursuits and
lecturing. Ile married Miss Edna Eliza Dailey,
of Battle Creek, and they liave three children, two
sons and one daughter, who are well educated and
occupy good positions in society.
K IUTILLIAM  II. LITTLE was born in KalaIv   mazoo County, September 28, 1837, and
is at present residing on section 20, Richland Township. He was a son of Henry and Ruth
(Fuller) Little, who came to the Wolverine State
with their family in 1831. They made their
home for a few months in Comstock Township.
when they came to Richland Township and located on section 14, which was a new tract of
land. Mr. Little's father was one of the first
men in that township, and has been an eye-witness of the wonderful development of that section.
Henry Little died in Kalamazoo, in May, 1890.
IIe was the parent of six children, three of whom
survive: Frank, William H. and Albert. When
our subject's father was a lad, his mother died
and he was bound out to strangers, and worked in
that way until reaching his majority. lie was a
very prominent man and served as Justice of the
Peace in Richland Township. He was a carpenter
and joiner by occupation, following that trade
for a number of years. He was also a millwright,
and did a great deal of that kind of work in the




470


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


county. With his wife, he was a member of the
Congregational Church in the East, but later in
life joined the First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo County. In politics, he voted the Republican ticket. He was born in 1797, and was in his
ninety-second year when he died. His wife, who
died in 1887, was eighty years old.
The original of this sketch was reared to man's
estate in Kalamazoo County, and has devoted his
entire life to the calling of an agriculturist. Our
subject has done his full share of pioneer work in
the county, as the farm upon which he is at present residing was little more than a wilderness
when his father located upon it. Mr. Little receiveld is primary education in the district schools
of his neighborhood, which was supplemented by
attendance at the Prairie Seminary, in Richland,
this State. He made the most of his opportunities,
and at the present time is an intelligent and cultured gentleman.
January 1, 1867, our subject was married to
Miss Charlotte Brown, also a native of Kalamazoo County, and whose birth occurred Marel 18,
1841. Mrs. Little was the daughter of Charles B.
Brown, a son of Deacon Samuel Brown, who was
an early pioneer of Richland Township.   The
maiden name of her mother was Marietta Mills.
Her father, in company with her grandfather,
Deacon Samuel Brown, came to Kalamazoo County
in 1831, and, locating in Richland Township, there
passed his last days, dying in 1861. Ile was the
father of six children, of whom the following
survive: Mrs. Little, Samuel, Chester; Lucy, Mrs.
George Knappen; and Lizzie, the wife of Eugene
Knappen. Charles is deceased.   Mrs. Marietta
Brown died in January, 1873.
To our subject and his wife have been granted
four children: Charles H., George E., Lucy E. and
William F. For several years Mr. Little has been
Township Commissioner, and is a Republican in
politics. With his wife, he is identified with the
Presbyterian Church, in which body Mrs. Little
is a member of the Missionary and Ladies' Aid
Society. Mr. Little has been Ruling Elder in the
congregation for a number of years, and is a man
who is highly esteemed by all who know him.
The Little homestead comprises two hundred


and ten acres of excellent land, of which our subject is now the owner. He enjoys the confidence
of the business men of the community, who consider his word as good as his bond.
ORNELIUS BARKENBUS, who is now prac(  tically living a retired life in Kalamazoo,
was born on the 18th of July, 1845, in
Iolland, and is a son of John and Johanna
(Molesta) Barkenbus. When he was a lad of nine
summers, his parents emigrated to America, locating first in New Jersey, from whence they came to
Kalamazoo, Mich., two years later.  Here the
father died on the 4th of March, 1884, at the age
of seventy-six years, and his wife passed away in
April, 1887, at the age of seventy-four.
Under the parental roof, our subject was reared
to manhood, and the common schools afforded him
his educational privileges. At the age of eighteen,
he began learning the general blacksmith and
carriage-making trade with Mr. Cornell, in whose
employ he remained for nine years, becoming an
expert and proficient workman. He then became
a member of the firm of Bevins & Barkenbus on
North Burdick Street. They employed forty men,
who were engaged in carriage-making. He sold
out his interest in the business in 1891, and since
that time has had a shop near his home, where lie
yet continues to work, not from necessity, but
from choice, as indolence and idleness are utterly
foreign to his nature, and he prefers to engage in
some labor. For fifteen years he has also had
an apiary, and now owns some one hundred colonies of Italian bees.
An important event in the life of Mr. Barkenbus
occurred on the 8th of November, 1874, in Big
Rapids, Mich., when he was united in marriage
to Miss Emily Day, a native of Norfolk, England, who was brought to Canada when only a
year old, and came to Kalamazoo three years prior
to her marriage. She is a lady of intelligence and
one favorably known throughout the community.
By this union have been born three children: Lee
Thomas, now fourteen years of age; Maud, a




I<




r
W.\
%,\
It
llaj
Lq




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


473,-,   -  - -- -, — -   ----—, ----- -- -- ~ -~ — -- -~~~~- -~- I-  -~ ~ --- ---   -


maiden of ten summers; and Arthur E., the youngest. The parents are both members of the Unitarian Church, and take considerable interest in its
work. They have an elegant and pleasant home
at 723 West Vine Street, where hospitality abounds,
and good cheer reigns supreme.   Their many
friends are always sure of a hearty welcome, and
they have the entree into the best society, where
true worth is received as tle passport. Mr. Barkenbus is a friend of temperance, in politics is a
stalwart advocate of the Derocratic party, and as
a citizen is public-spirited and progressive, doing
all in his power to advance the interest of the
community in which lie resides. A sagacious and
far-sighted business man, lie has won success, and
now enjoys the fruits of his former toil, and is resting after many years of labor. Of decided convictions, all know tllat when Mr. Bairkenbus has
made up his mind that hle is in the right, nothing
can change his purpose.
-' 7'6 —" ---- ',,   RADLEY M. TIIOMAS. This gentleman
is at present holding the responsible office
of Supervisor of Kalamazoo Township, and
is one of the well-known citizens of Kalamazoo County.   lie was born in Rush, Monroe
County, N. Y., September 24, 1828, to Christle
Thomas, a native of Pennsylvania, who removed
with his parents to New York in an early (lay. The
grandfather was Christle Thomas, a native of the
Keystone State and of German descent. He reared
a family of four sons and two daughters. Farming was his vocation in life and lie espoused the
faith of the Lutheran Church.
The father of our subject was born in 1790, on
New Year's Day; grew to manhood in Monroe
County, N. Y., and married Sarah Martin, a native of that county.  Her parents were from
Pennsylvania and were descended from German
ancestors. The father and mother of our subject
reared one daughter and four sons to womanhood
and manhood. Mrs. Sarah Thomas died in 1834,
when our subject was but six years old, and the father was afterward married to Catherine Myers,
wlho bore him two children. Ile was in the War


of 1812 and held township offices in Monroe
County. He was a Baptist in religion, and died in
New York in 1865.
In his boyhood, our subject received a good education in his native State. In 1854, he was married in Monroe County to Sarah Stanwood, a native
of Connecticut, and a daughter of the Rev. H. and
Sarah Stanwood, natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively. They reared two daughters
and came to Michigan from Rush, N. Y., in 1855.
The mother passed away in 1860 and the father
in 1883.
In 1855, Mr. Thomas came to Kalamazoo County
and settled on a farm in Kalamazoo Township. In
1866, he bought forty acres of land, and now is the
possessor of one hundred acres, the most of which
he has cleared and cultivated. lie has erected
good buildings and embellished his place with
modern improvements. He is a Republican in his
political views, and while residing in Monroe
County, N. Y., served as Superintendent of Schools.
Since coming to Kalamazoo County, he has been
Township Treasurer for three terms and Justice of
the Peace for several years. Ile was elected to his
present office of Supervisor in 1891, and is discharging the duties thereof to universal satisfaction. HIe and his wife are members of the First
Kalamazoo Baptist Church and lie is at present
holding the office of Deacon.
On another page will be found a lithographic
portrait of this progressive citizen.
'_-_ ^<
t(->II EODOREI PIERCE SHELDON, who is
(i(   one of the pronminent and wealthy bankers
k.     of Kalamazoo, was born at Remsen, Oneida
County, N. Y., April 15, 1810. Iis father, Thomas
M. Sheldon, was a native of Providence, R. I., and
the first ancestor of that name came from England,
about 1670, and settled in Rhode Island. The
father of our subject, after removing to New
York, became proprietor of an hotel at Remsen,
N. Y. He passed his last years in Kalamazoo, passing away in his eighty-ninth year. His father,
James Sheldon, died in the Empire State.
Tle maiden name of our subject's mother was










474


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Martha Bull, of English descent, and probably
born in Canada. Later she became a resident of
Sandy Hill, N. Y. The original of this sketch was
the elder of the two sons born to his parents. His
brother, Charles A., is now a retired commission
merchant in Detroit. The mother of our subject
dying when he was a lad of four years, his father
was a second time married, and by that union became the parent of six children.
Theodore P. Sheldon remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, when he
came to Michigan, landing in Detroit as early as
1831. He later went to White Pigeon, where a
cousin of his father, Thomas C. Sheldon, was Receiver ill the Land Office. Our subject entered
the office as his deputy, and remained in White
Pigeon until 1834, when the Land Office was removed to Kalamazoo. lie accompanied it hither,
and upon him devolved the main duties of the
position until 1842, when, owing to a change in
the administration, a new set of officers took hold.
Our subject then did a general collection and
agency business for Eastern parties, paying taxes,
etc.
In 1837, on the failure of the Michigan Bank,
Mr. Sheldon was appointed to close up the business of its Kalamazoo branch by President C. C.
Trowbridge, of Detroit. This led him into the
banking business, and in 1850 the firm of T. P.
Sheldon & Co. was organized as private bankers,
Horace Mower being the company until his death,
in 1861. Since that time the vacancy has been
filled by Henry Brees, the firm continuing as T.
P. Sheldon & Co. until the organization of the
present bank-the Kalamazoo Savings Bank. Our
subject has platted many lands, and has dealt extensively in real estate from the start.
The family of our subject is identified with
the St. Luke's Episcopal Church, with which body
Mr. Sheldon has been a member for upwards of
fifty-five years. He is a liberal contributor to
many of the educational institutions in the city,
and ranks among the progressive and successful
business men of the county.  In early years a
Democrat, Mr. Sheldon now votes the Republican
ticket.
Hannah Chase, a native of Lanesboro, Mass., be

came the wife of our subject in 1834. She passed
from this life in 1857, and Mr. Sheldon later married Cornelia R. Stockbridge, a sister of Senator
Stockbridge, and who was a native of Bath, Me.
By his first marriage, the original of this sketch
became the parent of four daughters, viz: Martha,
who died when ten years of age; Sarahll, Mrs. Oscar
Cornell, of Kalamazoo; Mary, Mrs. C. T. Fletcher,
of Detroit; and Eliza, the wife of R. F. White,
of Bay City, also deceased. The one daughter
born of the second marriage, Cornelia, is at home
with her parents.
Mrs. Sheldon, although a very retiring and unassuming lady, is identified with every effort to
advance the social, moral and intellectual interests
of the city, and is held in high esteem by all
with whom she comes in contact. Theodore P.
Sheldon has been familiar with the people of
Western Michigan over sixty-one years. He is
shrewd and far-seeing in business affairs, and in
financial matters his judgment and decision carry
great weight. Ile has given close attention to
business details, and every effort of his successful
career has met with satisfactory results.
R   OBERT P. JAIES, a popular and successful dentist of Kalamazoo, has been engaged
in the practice of his profession at this
place since 1872, and has won a well-merited
success. He is deserving of representation in this
volume and it is with pleasure that we present his
sketch to our readers. A native of New York, he
was born in Potter, Yates County, July 18, 1833,
and is tie eldest of five children. His grandfather
James was of Welsh descent. His father, Waterman James, was a farmer by occupation and was
also employed in a woolen factory. He married
Hannah Treat, daughter of Henry Treat, who
came of a family of English origin.
Our subject had a limited education, as he attended school only until twelve years of age, when
he started out to fight life's battles. He began to
earn his livelihood by working upon a farm and was
afterward employed in a sawmill, running a stationary engine until twenty-one years of age. On




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


475


attaining his majority, he determined to see if the
West did not furnish better opportunities for
young men than the older States of the East, and
in 1859 arrived in Michigan. For two years he
engaged in farming near Battle Creek, after which
he came to Kalamazoo County, where he was again
employed upon a farm until August, 1862.
It was at that time that Mr. James entered his
country's service, becoming a member of Company L, Sixth Michigan Cavalry under Col. Gray.
The regiment was assigned to the Army of the
Potomac and joined the brigade under Gen. Custer. Mr. James, with his command, participated
in eighteen different engagements, and at Trevilian Station, Va., in 1864, was captured by the
enemy. For ten days he was incarcerated in Libby
Prison, was then sent to I)anville, Va., amid afterward was for three months confined in Andersonville Prison. On being transferred to Savannah, Ga.,
he was there held captive for three weeks, then
transferred to Millen, where lie remained two
months and at length was paroled at Savannah.
Mr. James then went to Annapolis, Md., where he
received medical treatment, and was granted a
thirty days' furlough, the need for which was occasloned by his prison life. On his return South, he was
detailed to act as nurse in the hospital of Annapolis, but after a time was taken sick and at length
received his discharge on account of disability in
January, 1865, after serving two years and nine
months. His army experience was a hard one,
owing to his prison life, but he proved himself a
faithful soldier, being always found at his post of
duty.
In the following September, Mr. James returned
to his home and family. Ile had been married in
May, 1854, to Miss Hattie M. I)ikeman, of Oak
Orchard, Orleans County, N. Y.. and a daughter of
George I)ikeman. They have no children of their
own, bult have an adopted daughter, Dora L.
After the war they resided for some time inl South
Haven, where Mr. James engaged in farming for
seven years, or until 1871. The following year he
came to Kalamazoo, and began the practice of
dentistry with Dr. Bannister. In 1873, he opened
an office for himself and has since been engaged in
the prosecution of his chosen profession. For al

most twenty years, he has practiced dentistry
and his skill and ability have gained him an
enviable reputation. He has a liberal patronage,
which is justly deserved, and thereby reaps a good
income. Socially, he is a Knight Templar Mason,
belonging to Kalamazoo Lodge, No. 22, A. F. &
A. M.; Kalamazoo Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M.; and
Peninsular Commandery, No. 8, K. T. He also holds
membership with the Grand Army Post, of which
he is an honored comrade. Those who know Dr.
James find in him a pleasant and courteous gentleman as well as a skilled dentist.
i 'ILLIAM RITCIIE, a well-known contrac\\ tor and builder and prominent business man
has been engaged in his present line of trade
in Kalamazoo for fifteen years and erected many of
the most important buildings in this locality. He
makes a specialty of schoolhouses and churches
and has also put up many dwellings. He erected
a foundry at Battle Creek and has now a fine
church in plrocess of construction in Schoolcraft.
HIe employs flom twelve to twenty-five men and
does business to the amount of about $30,000 ann ually.
Mr. Ritchie was born in the County Armagh,
Ireland, twenty-five miles from Belfast, March 4,
1839, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Adair)
Ritchie. The days of his boyhood were spent underthe parental roof and at the  e e of sixteen he
entered the postoffice as assistant, being thus employed for three and a half years, or until he had
determined to come to America. Bidding good-by
to the Emerald Isle, he sailed from Liverpool in
April, 1851, and on the 6th of June, landed at New
York. Three days later he reached Kalamazoo,
Mich., where he had an uncle living, Samuel McFadan, who came to the county in 1844, at a time
when the Michigan Central Railroad extended no
farther than Marshall. For twenty-five years he
was connected with the railroad but for some time
lived a retired life. He is now deceased.
Mr. Ritchie had no regular employment for about
a year, after which he went to another uncle, William Adair, a resident of Michigan City, who was






476 ~


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


--— ' --- —-----—  --- —------- ------------------— - - ---1 --- —— -11 — - --— 


Master Carpenter for the New Albany Railroad.
With him our subject learned his trade and began
working at bridge building and repairing railroads
in Southern Indiana during the war. In April, 1864,
however, lie returned to Kalamazoo and for seven
years was employed by the firm of Bush & Patterson. H-e then embarked in business for himself
and has met with excellent success in his undertaking. Among the structures that stand as monuments to his thrift and industry is the building
on Main Street now occupied by the Gazette, which
he has since sold. He also built the City Water
Works and the Catholic Ieanery, and the Richardson Block on East Main Street.
On the 28th of January, 1864, in Kalamazoo,
Mr. Ritchie was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss May Moore, also a native of the
Emerald Isle. Their union has been blessed with
three children: Jennie Elizabeth, now the wife of
William M. Bryant, a boot and shoe merchant of
Kalamazoo; Jessie Ann; George William who holds
a position in the First National Bank; and Moore
Adair who died at the age of seven years. The
three older children are all graduates of the high
school and Mrs. Bryant was for two years a teacher
in the Vine Street School. Mr. Ritchie is a genial,
pleasant gentleman, successful in business and in
his political affiliations is a Democrat.,,.____


brought their family to the United States, locating
on a farm in Van Buren County, this State, where
they lived eight years. The father had conducted
an hotel and was Government Postmaster in Germany before coming to this country. Iii 1860, he
moved to Milwaukee, when Otto, at the age of
fourteen, was apprenticed to a blank-book manufacturer, and, in 1869, when twenty-two years old,
he started for himself in Kalamazoo with no capital
whatever of his own. His brother Reinhold became a
member of the firm about 1872, and the business
was carried on under the name of Ihllng Bros.
From  1870 to 1873, the business was known as
Chaplin & Ihling Bros. and during this time they
published the Michiqan Free Jfason. The Rev. W.
J. Chaplin continued to edit the paper, which was
published by this firm for twelve years. In 1887,
II. II. Everard became a member of tile firm, and the
business has since been conducted under the firm
style of Ihling Bros. & Everard. In the last-named
year, the firm erected their present handsome brick
block at Nos. 237 & 239 East Main Street, which
is four stories high and in size is 38x100 feet.
This firm occupies the entire building and gives
employment to seventy-five persons. It is a fully
equipped establishment, taking large contracts for
the State besides their regular work. This firm
turns out many thousands of books annually.
They publish a number of specialties for banks,
hotels, and for county officials, and have an extended sale all over the United States.
In the year 1880, when Kalamazoo was but a
village, our worthy subject was elected one of its
Trustees for two years, and in 1884 lie was made
Alderman of the Fourth Ward two years. The
honorable position of Mayor of the city was given
him by his fellow-citizens in 1888, and in 1889 he
was re-elected for a second term of office, so well
did he fulfill the duties of the first. April 14,
1892, our subject was nominated by the Republican Convention held at Detroit as Presidential
Elector for the Third Congressional District of
Michigan.
Socially, Mr. Ihling is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and of Peninsular Commandery, No.
8, K. T., and also of the Knights of Pythias. In
the year 1874, Mr. Ihling and brother, in com

/ ImY Fz.m


N.


TTO) IHILING. Among the many large and
prosperous business firms of the State of
Michigan stands that of Ihling Bros. &
Everard, which is doing an extensive stationery,
blank-book mianufacturing, and printing business
at Kalamazoo. The gentleman of whom we write
is the efficient ex-Mayor of the city, which position he held not only with credit to the city but
to himself. He is a thorough business man and
has strong principles of right and justice, to which
he adheres closely.
This gentleman is a native of the land across
the sea, having had his birth December 3, 1846,
in Germany. His parents were William and Charlotte (Sesemann) Ihling, who in the year 1852




,!




I'9~'1
".:
i<           H


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I-:



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


479


pany with L. B. Kendall, then Postmaster and
owner of the Telegraph, L. M. Gates, George M.
Buck and Arthur Brown, organized the Kalamazoo Publishing Company, and combined this with
the bindery business.  Three years later Iiiling
Bros. purchased the blank-book business from this
company, and the business was again conducted
under the old firm name.
The date of the marriage of the subject of this
notice with Miss Maggie Claesgens was February
25, 1873. They had born to them five children:
Eddie, who died when twelve years old, in 1885,
of diphtheria; Bruno, who died in 1887, when
four years old, also of diphltheria; Estella, who
died when an infant of one and one-half years;
Elsa, who is now twelve years old, and Otto R.,
aged four.
S-  AMUEL A. BROWNE. This noted breeder
of fine trotting horses at Kalamazoo was
born near Belfast, Ireland, September 18,
1834, and is the son of William and Ann
Jane (Meglade) Browne. The father acquired considerable prominence as a breeder of fine horses and
the son, who always admired a good horse, longed
in his childhood for the time to come when he
could own one. Ile remained in his native land
until he was eighteen, meanwhile attending the
common school and academy near his home, and
then emigrated to the United States, landing in
New York and proceeding thence to Chicago.
Mr. Browne entered the office of J. W. Duncan &
Co., lumber manufacturers and dealers,Chicago, and
remained in their employ two years, later engaging
with W. C. I umaston as business and general manager of his lumber yards for two years. At the expiration of that time, he removed to Macomb, Ill.,
where he engaged in the lumber business for a
number of years, and then, selling out, proceeded
to St. Louis, Mo., where he followed the produce
business for two years. Next he formed a partnership with John C. Maxwell and J. Potter Iart,
and purchasing a sawmill in Muskegon, Mich., did
business under the firm name of Hart, Maxwell &


Browne for two years, their specialty being the
manufacture of pine lumber.
The senior member of the firm selling out to Mr.
Browne, he formed a partnership with William B.
Phillips, of Chicago, and continued in that connection from 1867 until 1883, conducting the sawmill business on an extensive scale. Disposing of
his Chicago and Michigan lumber interests in 1883,
Mr. Browne came to Kalamazoo in company with
Senator Stockbridge, purchasing a farm two miles
from the city, where he commenced the breeding
of trotters and has raised some of the most valuable horses in the State. He sold "Anteeo" for
$60,000, and his noted "Bell Boy" for $35,000, the
latter having cost $5,000 when two years old.
Kalamazoo Farm is justly renowned for its illustrious band of fashionably-bred trotting broodmares as well as for the great Wilkes stallion, "Ambassador," who has a record of 2:21-, and for
which they refused an offer of $50,000. Their
mares all trace to great producing dams or granddams, sucll as "Abbess," "Alley," "Alma Mater,"
"Annie Eastin," "Belle," "Belle Brandon," "Black
Rose," "Columbine," "Lady Carr," "May," "Mayflower," "Minerva," "Miss Russell," "Santa Claus,"
"Dolly," "Favorite," "Green Mountain Maid,"
"Gretchen," "Soprano," "Tackey," "Waterwitch"
and "Woodbine."
Mr. Browne keeps on his farm forty-five or fifty
of the best bred mares in the United States and has
from ninety to a hundred head of horses all the
time. Many are sold and sent to the different
States, so that his reputation as a famous breeder
is constantly growing. He is the able and efficiient President of the Michigan Breeders' Trotting
Association and Vice-president of the Northwestern
Breeders' Trotting Association, which organizations are influential and prominent. He is a Director in the National Breeders' Association and
the Trotting Register Association. In the spring
of 1892, he was elected Alderman by a large majority to represent the Second Ward in Kalamazoo,
and takes an active interest in political affairs as
a member of the Republican party. He was also
Presidential elector on the Republican ticket, from
the Ninth District, when James A. Garfield was
elected in 1880.




480


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


The pleasant home of Mr. Browne is located at
No. 455 Stuart Avenue, and is a beautiful brick
structure. Within, it is brightened by the presence
of the wife and four children: William H., Samuel
A., Jr., Margaret J. and Charles F. In her maidenhood, Mrs. Browne was known as Jane Hanna.
She was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, where
she was married to Mr. Browne in 1856. A lady
of amiable and hospitable disposition, she is regarded with esteem by the people of Kalamazoo,
and with Mr. Browne occupies a prominent position in social circles.
EORGE E. CURTISS. This gentleman, who
is one of the prominent and successful business men of Kalamazoo, is Secretary and
Treasurer of the Citizens' Mutual Insurance Conpany of Kalamazoo County, having his office in
the courthouse. He was born May 26, 1832, in
Genesee, N. Y., and was the son of Medad and Miranda C. (Thayer) Curtiss, natives of Connecticut.
The elder Mr. Curtiss was a builder and mason,
and for a number of years was foreman for a Mr.
Rathburn, of Buffalo, who was an extensive contractor and builder. The latter-named gentleman,
being convicted of forgery, was sentenced to the
penitentiary, and thus Mr. Curtiss lost several
thousand dollars which were due him. He sought
to repair his shattered fortunes by coming West to
Michigan, which he did in 1838, and, securing a
tract of land three miles east of Ypsilanti, began
cultivating the soil. He suffered all the privations
and hardships incident to the settlement of a new
country and life in the woods, but worked bravely
on, and after spending twelve years on the farm,
removed with his family into the then village of
Ypsilanti. There both parents spent the remainder of their lives.
Young Curtiss, of this sketch, learned the tinner's trade, at which he worked until after attaining his majority. He then accepted the position
of clerk for the Michigan Central Railroad at Niles
and remained with the company in that capacity
for about six years. His services being appreciated,
he was made inspector of wood and ties over an


extended division of the road,.and after holding
that position for a twelvemonth, he was appointed agent for the road at Lake Station, filling the duties of that office two and a half years.
He was then promoted to the office at Kalamazoo,
entering upon his duties here in July, 1864. When
the Kalamazoo & South Haven Road passed into
the hands of the Michigan Central, Mr. Curtiss was
appointed Division Superintendent, with headquarters at Kalamazoo. While in that position, he
completed the building of the last seven miles of
the road, reaching to South Haven. He devoted
his attention wholly to the interests of his division, and held a high place in the estimation of the
officers and employes of the road.
When General Superintendent Sergeant was deposed from the position he had filled so long, Mr.
Curtiss left the employ of the road and sought
more favorable fields elsewhere. Having become
attached to Kalamazoo and her people, he determined to remain here, and soon formed a partnership with J. F. Cowgill, doing a general fire insurance business, and thus has become so familiar with
the details of the business that his services are
exceedingly valuable to the company he is now
identified with.
After some years spent in the insurance business,
our subject disposed of his interests in that line,
and became connected with a bakery establishment
which proved a very successful venture. He had
given his advice and support to the Citizens' Mutual Company some time before becoming its Director.  The position of Secretary becoming
vacant about six years ago, and the business demanding a man of ability, with a knowledge of the
details of risk-taking, policy-writing, the adjustment of claims and book-keeping, Mr. Curtiss
was unanimously selected, and at once assumed the
duties of office.
The Citizen's Mutual Insurance Company, of
Kalamazoo, was organized January 26, 1874, and
in its seventeenth annual report, issued January 1,
1892, shows $1,311,907 insurance in force on its
books. Its losses in 1891 were eight in number,
and aggregated only $247.90, showing the cost to
the insured as being infinitesimally small. Its gain
in business since Mr. Curtiss became its Secretary




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


481


— I- --       --— " — ---     ~              -~-'~ I — I-   ~ - --   - - - - — I


is $354,700 insurance in force. Its Directors are
E. O. Humphrey, President; George E. Curtiss, Secretary and Treasurer; J. B. Cobb, George Prinville,
A. M. Stearns, D. 0. Roberts and Charles Strong.
The business of the company is confined mainly
to village risks, and its economy of management,
honest adjustment of losses and careful selection of
risks, make it a popular and desirable company.
It is one of the institutions of Kalamazoo, of whose
record and prosperity the citizens may well be
proud. Mr. Curtiss is the nanager-in-chief, and it
is to him that its present prosperous condition
and brilliant future are due.
Mrs. Curtis, formerly Miss L. Cornelia Tompkins,
is a lady of rare culture, and one who stands high
in church and social circles, being, with her husband, a member of the Baptist Church. Their three
children are Carrie J., who married Lyman S.
Monroe, Cashier of the First State Bank of South
Haven; Ida Kate, who married Wallace I. Becraft,
store-keeper of the asylum at Kalamazoo; and
George R., a student in Olivet College.
----— ^3f ---      ---
[   ENRY MARHOFF, residing on his wellequipped farm on section 17, Charleston
Township, has made Kalamazoo County his
home since 1880, and has been potent not
only in forwarding its agricultural interests but in
raising the standard of morality and religion in his
community. lie is a native of Herkimer County,
N. Y., born in the township of Norway, March 14,
1836. His father, who bore the name of John H.
Marhoff, was born November 3, 1801, in Germany
and came to this country and settled in Herkimer
County, N. Y., in 1834. He was a poor man, his
only capital when he landed at New York being a
shilling, and he worked by the month to earn
money to get a good start. I-e came to Michigan
in 1841, performing the entire journey to his
destination in Berrien County with a span of
horses. He continued to reside in that county, of
which he was a pioneer, until 1865, when he removed to Walton Township, Eaton County, and
lived there on a farm some three years. In the
fall of 1868, lie returned to Berrien County to live


with his sonI of whom we write, and is still making
his home with him. surrounded by every comfort
filial affection can devise. He has attained the
venerable age of ninety years. The maiden name
of the mother of our subject was Mary E. Hauscman. She was born in 1805 in the same place as
her husband, and there they were married. She
rounded out her life at the age of eighty-three
years.
Our subject and his sister, Maria L., wife of B.
L. Ward, of Ithaca, Gratiot County, are the only
children born to their parents, he being the elder
of the two. He was five years old when the family
came to Michigan, and he remained with his parents until his marriage in the spring of 1860. IIe
then took his bride to live on a farm in Bertrand
Township, and he was there profitably engaged in
general farming until 1865, when he took up his
residence in the city of Buchanan, and turned his
attention to the manufacture of doors, blinds, etc.,
employing from ten to fifteen men, and doing a
thriving business. Seven years later, he sold that
business and bought a farm in Hanover Township
Jackson County, and made that his home until
January 1, 1880, the date of his location on his
present farm on sections 17 and 20, Charleston
Township. Ile has here two hundred acres of land
of exceeding fertility, amply supplied with all the
modern improvements that go to make a good
farm, and well stocked with cattle, horses, etc., of
good breeds. Our subject buys and ships grain,
besides doing a general farming business, and he
displays marked enterprise in his dealings. He is
accurate in his judgment in money matters, and is
prudent and calculating, as well as prompt in taking advantage of any opportunity to make a profitable trade. He is well-informed, having received
a very good education, and in 1875 he taught
school two terms, proving himself to be an instructor of no mean order. In politics, he has
always stood firmly by the Republican party. In
public affairs, he has done good service to his
township as Highway Commissioner, and as School
Inspector. Religiously, he was formerly connected
with the Presbyterian Church and was an Elder in
the same twenty years. He is now a prominent
member and Deacon of the Congregational Church,




482


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


and be has been Superintendent of the Sundayschool.
Mr. Marhoff was married, March 14, 1860, to
Mary B., the youngest daughter and one of the
five children of Martin and Huldah W. (Warner)
Heydenburk. Her father was born on Long Island,
N. Y., and lived there until he was three years old.
He remained with his father until he was twelve
years old, and then began life for himself. In due
time, he became a carpenter and joiner. He was a
young man of a deeply religious turn of mind,
and in 1824 he went to Mackinaw as a missionary,
under the auspices of the American Board of Missions. He established a mission at that point
among the Indians, and waited until it was well
grown and in a thriving condition before he left
it in 1833 and removed to White Pigeon, where
he worked at his trade. In 1834, he took up his
residence in the then small village of Kalamazoo,
and did a good business there as a builder and
contractor, erecting the land office at that point,
the first Presbyterian Church, and other buildings.
He was thus engaged seven years, and then went
to farming, taking up a quarter of a section of
Government land that is now included within the
city limits, and there his remaining years were
pleasantly passed. He was a Presbyterian, firm in
the faith, an active supporter of the church, and
an Elder for many years. He was also a zealous
worker in the Sunday School. He was a wellknown and prominent man in the county, and his
memory is venerated as one of our early pioneers.
His wife was a native of Herkiner County, N. Y.,
her parents going there from their native Connecticut. Her family originated in Wales. Mrs.
Marhoff is distinguished in the annals of Kalamazoo County as being the first white child born in
the city of Kalamazoo, her birth taking place in
one of its pioneer homes July 7, 1834. She was
there reared, and was given the advantages of a
thorough education. which was begun in the city
schools and finished in the Normal School at Ypsilanti. She engaged in the teacher's profession,
and taught eleven terms of school, teaching at one
time in what is now Allegan City, although the
most of her experience as a teacher was in the
schools of her native city. Mr. and Mrs. Marhoff


have had six sons, of whom the following is recorded: Edward M. is in business at Galesburg;
Charles Ii. is a millwright at Kalamazoo; Alfred
L. is a civil engineer of Battle Creek; Walter E. is
at home with his parents; Jesse is a student at
Olivet College, where he is pursuing a full course
of study; Herbert E. died at the age of eleven
years.
R ---/RANK P. FORD, the popular photographer
of Kalamazoo, has the finest gallery in the
city. He is a gentleman whose ability,
energy and enterprise have made him prominent
and prosperous, and there is probably no one
whose record is more worthy of our pen than he
whose name we have just given. Mr. Ford, in
addition to turning out most excellent work in
his line, makes a specialty of picture frames, handling all grades, from  the cheapest to the most
expensive. He is a most pleasant and affable gentleman, and has built up for himself a profitable
and pleasant business.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Troy,
N. Y., his natal day being September 4, 1845. He
is the youngest of three sons born to Dr. Lorenzo
D. and Sarah M. (Redfield) Ford, natives of New
York State. In 1853, the elder Mr. Ford, with
his family, came to Adrian, this State, where he
is residing at the present time, enjoying a fine
practice.
Frank P. Ford was given a good education in
the schools at Adrian, and early in life learned
the art of photography under the supervision of
J. W. Morris. lie remained in the above-named
city for eighteen years, and then removed to Kendallville, Ind., where he built up a splendid trade.
In 1887, however, he came to Kalamazoo and established in his present business, purchasing the
gallery and good-will of Mr. A. Van Sickle. Iis
studio is located at No. 119 South Burdick Street,
and contains all the latest improvements known
to the photographic art, and where he is able to
take pictures from the smallest card to life-size
figures.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


483


Miss Emma E. Alsbaugh became the wife of
our subject in 1869. She is the daughter of Mark
and Hannah (Kimble) Alsbaugh, and is a most
intelligent and refined lady, presiding over their
beautiful home, at No. 511 Locust Street, in a
most graceful and hospitable manner.
IIARLES F. JANNASCH, insurance and emigration agent, residing in Kalamazoo, is of
German birth, and the oldest son of William and Augusta (Sickritz) Jannasch. The father
was a general inspector of the army, and spent his
entire life in the Fatherland. Charles was born in
Meisen, Saxony, March 21, 1819, and attended the
common schools of his native land, after which he
entered tie gymnasium school, and while there also
took a medical course. Later he was detailed to
take charge of the guns at the arsenal, and in his
twentieth year he entered the army, serving for
eighteen months in a mounted artillery. Later he
was transferred to the infantry, and his army service covered a period of four years.
Having attained to man's estate, he chose as a
companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss
Emily Beuzhel, of Saxony, Germany. The wedding was celebrated in May, 1847, and their union
lhas been blessed with six children: Anna E., wife
of Fred Slortt; Oscar D., Fedinuno O.; Ella, wife
of Charles S. Henderson, Circuit Judge, residing
in Elkhart, Ind.; Fannie 0., wife of Hubbard Myers, station agent at Constantine, Mich., on the Michigan Southern & Lake Shore Railroad; Bertha L.,
wife of Warren Lauria.
On account of his revolutionary principles, in
May, 1849, Mr. Jannasch bade good-by to his native land, which he also wished to leave on account
of the Revolution then going on, and with his family sailed for New York. In due time, he arrived
at his destination, and entered the Wright Institute of New York City, where he practiced the art
of engraving, working at all kinds of engraving,
including the making of the plates for the printing of paper money. At length cholera broke out
in that city, and he came to the West, first locating
in Detroit, Mich. In June, 1850, we find him a


resident of Kalamazoo, where he has since made his
home. For some time lie engaged in the manufacture of guns and small fire-arms, having made over
twenty-six hundred guns since he here located. He
still works at the business to a limited extent, preferring to be thus engaged, rather than to remain idle.
He also acts as agent for some fire insurance companies and agent for the steamships of the Hamburg and Baltimore lines.  He has been called
upon to fill public offices, having since 1856 served
in the position of Notary. He was also elected Justice of the Peace, and, during his term of four years,
decided some noted cases, which were appealed to
a higher court, but his decisions were confirmed.
In politics, he is a supporter of Republican principles, and a warm advocate of that party. His public and private life are alike above reproach. He
has been true to every trust reposed in him, and
his sterling worth and iiglh principles have won
him the esteem of all with whom   he has been
brought in contact.
eULLEN C. PACKARD. Now in the meridian of his life and his business success, he
of whom we write is one of the most prominent citizens of Kalamazoo. Ile is engaged in the
manufacture of brass goods, and is building up a
good fortune for himself. He was born in Cummington, Hampshire County, Mass., October 2,
1840, and was the second son of Royal L. and
Mercy H. (Hersey) Packard.
The father of our subject was also a native of
the Bay State, and was the son of Philander Packard, of Scotch descent. The former gentleman was
a cabinet-maker, and well-to-do in life. Mrs. Royal
Packard was the daughter of Daniel Hersey, and
was married in Massachusetts where she and her
husband passed their last days. The original of
this sketch remained in his native place, attending
the common schools until reaching his twelfth
year. Three years later he engaged as clerk in a
store, which position he held for four years. He
later studied dentistry, and followed that profession for a like period.
On the outbreak of the Civil War, Cullen C.




484


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD....- -"  i l --- —-— 7 7`-.... --— _I `-, —` `- -- -  - -— ~-.,..,.. -.............


I


Packard entered the service of his country, in
41862, and joined Company H, Tenth Massachusetts Infantry, under Col. Eustace, and with his
regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac.
Very soon, however, he was appointed Adjutant's
Clerk, a position he held during his term of service.
He received his discharge June 1, 1864, at Springfield, Mass. A year later he came West to this
State, and opened a photograph gallery at Kalamazoo, in which business he was successfully engaged until 1891, when he disposed of his interests
in that line and became a manufacturer of brass
goods. lIe is building up for himself an excellent
reputation in that branch of work, and is bound to
stand at the head among the manufacturers in this
section. His factory is located on Portage Street,
and covers a space of ten thousand feet. HIe does
an immense business, and gives constant employment to from twenty to thirty men.
Mr. Packard was married, in 1872, to Miss Mary
H. Caryl, of this city, but a native of Massachusetts. Mrs. Packard was the daughter of J. C. and
Abbie (Turner) Caryl, early settlers of Kalamazoo.
To our subject and his wife have been born two
children, namely: Belle C. and William C. They
occupy a pleasant home at No. 232 Cedar Street.
OSEPH    OWEN SEELY is in the eighth
generation of the descendants of Robert
Seely, the ancestor of a family now spread
through the country.    Robert came with
the Winthrop colony in 1630, and was a surveyor
in the vicinity of Boston for a time, but afterward
became one of the founders of the New Haven
Colony. In the War of the Revolution, Gideon
Seely, the great-grandfather of the subject of
this sketch, was Captain, and, being in Westchester,
N. Y., served along the lines between the contending armies.
Gideon Seely, Jr., then a mere lad, was a member of Col. Jameson's regiment and was on picket
duty at the time Maj. Andre was brought into
camp, who was afterward convicted and executed
as a British spy. He used to tell how he was
dressed and how he looked when brought out to be


I
I


I.. —......-......-. —  - I.- ---- --  -.... --- — --......


shot, and often described Gen. Washington, as he
once saw him on horseback. Some time after the
close of the war, the State acquired a portion of the
lands belongingto the tribe of Onondaga Indians,
and Gideon, Jr., went with the State authorities to
assist in the survey. Those newly acquired lands,
which at that time were in the far West, offered an
attractive home for a courageous pioneer, and this
member of the surveying party chose in the dense
woods a home that seemed the most attractive of
any he had seen. When the duties of the survey
were done, he returned to that spot, and after
making some preliminary improvements, brought
thither his young family.
The location of the land was then ten miles
from what is now the city of Syracuse, N. Y., and
the region of the family residence was long known
as Seely's Flats. The youngest son in the household was Joseph Owen who was given a liberal
education, and was a man of most excellent principles, widely known as such. His wife Susan was
of a stalwart family named Stearns, of Bennington,
Vt. They reared a family of eight children on
the paternal farm, all of whom attended district
school and one after another became pupils in the
academy in the town and thence went to higher
institutions.
Joseph Owen Seely, Jr., their eldest son, was
born May 7, 1823. He taught school in his native
State and in Mississippi for a time. October 18,
1849, he was married to Miss Harriet A. Johnson,
and came to Kalamazoo in April, 1854, when
he engaged as clerk in a banking house. After
two years he established a private bank of his own
for eight years. Then for a period he owned and
occupied what was known as the Heydenburg
place, in the southern part of the then village.
Afterward he bought a part of the Axtell place and
laid out Seely's Addition to the village of Kalamazoo. One of his brothers, Prof. Henry M., has
for a long time been professor in Middlebury College, Vt., which college has furnished to Kalamazoo
among her graduates such men as Rev. Dr. J. A.
B. Stone, Rev. Dr. J. A. Ranney, Rev. Milton Bradley, Hon. N. A. Balch, and Judge H. S. Severance.
In politics, Mr. Seely is a Republican. He is a
member of the Congregational Church, in which




I,e






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


485


I -- - -1 ---  I ----- I —, --- -,-  - - --  --  - --, --,-                                                                                                                                - -,- -- -  ------ --  -1 1


he has been an officer a long series of years. He
has long taken an active interest in the Sundayschool work of the county, in the various benevolences of the city, and Bible distribution of the
town, having sometimes served as President of the
County Bible Society and the County Sundayschool Association.
Harriet A. J. Seely, the fifth in a family of seven
children, was born May 17, 1825, in Onondaga
N. Y. Her parents moved thence when she was
quite young, first to East Bloomfield, and subsequently to Canandaigua, N. Y. Her father, Col.
Russell Butler Johnson, was a man of considerable
note, a farmer, lawyer, and for twenty years Justice
of the Peace. Her mother, Betsey (Seely) Johnson,
was a woman of more than ordinary capacity and
like her husband was born of New England Revolutionary origin. Harriet attended the district
school and afterward entered the neighboring
academy,  finishing  her school days  at the
Cananadaigua  Seminary, then and for a long
period under the principalship of Miss Hannah
Upham.   She learned   very  early in life to
place interests  which are unseen and eternal
above those which pertain to this mortal existence.
When fifteen years old, she united with the Congregational Church and esteems the heart qualifications for such membership above every other
gift.
After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Seely, they
resided in the house and on the tract of land given
him by his grandfather, until they moved to Kalamazoo in 1854. Afterward Mrs. Seely assisted
her husband in the banking business for eight
years, as before her marriage she had helped her
father in a similar business. For a series of years,
both Mr. and Mrs. Seely have taken delight in
furnishing for publication newspaper and magazine articles, mostly on literary and scientific subjects. January 10, 1857, Mrs. Seely was elected
Secretary of the Ladies' Library Association of
Kalamazoo, although acting in that capacity for
some time previously, and has been annually elected, and has served continuously ever since.
The Ladies' Library Association of Kalamazoo
is a unique and highly valued organization which
was founded by a large-hearted, noble-minded


woman in   1852 and claims to be the oldest
institution of its kind in the State.  It has
given individuality to Kalamazoo and has had
a marked influence on her people.  Its object
was to furnish good books for circulation before any public library system in Michigan was
inaugurated, also lectures and social pleasures
of an elevating nature. Although now the free
circulating library is in vogue, it still maintains
usefulness in this regard, and has about five thousand volumes, also possessing a nucleus of an art
collection, valued at $2,500, and a choice museum,
containing valuable specimens of the Indian arts,
work of the Aztecs, Pueblos and Northern Indians.
The Association has fine grounds and a building of its own, valued at $20,000. The building
was erected in 1879, and besides its library and
museum, it has a pleasant, homelike auditorium
above, equipped with a stage, grand piano, etc.
The most important work now carried on by. the
Association is the Ladies's Library Club, in which
some two hundred ladies take active interest. The
members pursue studies in the various branches of
culture, the leading departments being in charge of
committees, directed by competent chairmen, and
having their respective days in rotation for the
presentation of papers, exercises, etc., pertaining
to their several fields. The Club has done a great
work in promoting the intelligence and culture of
the city. Its example las stimulated other like
efforts far and wide, and it is a very popular institution at home.
ATHAM HULL, deceased. The family of
this gentleman make their home at No. 435
West South Street, Kalamazoo City, where
they have everything that comfort demands. Our
subject was born at North Stonington, Conn., October 28, 1812, being a son of Latham and Elizabeth (Browning) Hull. The grandfather was also
Latham, and was an early settler of Connecticut,
where the old farm is still in the hands of his descendants.
The father of our subject was a prominent and
successful business man in his day, and became


I




486


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,


— I


eminent in public life. He died in Stonington,
and his widow spent her last days in Kalamazoo
with her son, our subject, dying at the age of nearly
ninety-three years. Our subject was the eldest of
two brothers, and William still lives in Stonington
and is President of a bank at Westerly, Rhode Island. Latham Hull taught school when a young
man, and also engaged in the dry-goods business
at Stonington, and later became a stock-dealer,
dealing especially in mules, which he bought in
Missouri, driving them to New Haven, and shipping them to the West Indies.  This lie continued some years, when he came to Kalamazoo
and started a private bank, which was converted
into the First National Bank, he becoming its
President from the start. This responsible office
was his up to the time of his death, with the
exception of three years. In his political views,
he was a Democrat, but never entered public
life, as he was too great a lover of his family and
home.
The honored subject of this sketch was called
from his home and friends on the 20th of November, 1887, after an active life of seventy-five years.
He was united in the bonds of wedlock, on the
30th of March, 1836, in Lebanon, Conn., to Miss
Hannah T. Arnold. Mrs. Hull died in Kalamazoo
June 16, 1877, and our subject was subsequently
married, May 5, 1881, to Fannie M. Abbott, daughter of George and Hannah (Brownell) Abbott, natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively.
The present Mrs. Hull was a resident of Sugar
Grove, Warren County, Pa., where she first met
Mr. Hull. She came to Kalamazoo in 1868, with
her parents, who both died about two years after
their coming here.
The original of this notice had three children by
his first wife: Charles Arnold, who was born January 24, 1837, and died December 20,1886; Edgar,
who was born September 2, 1846, and died April
14, 1886; and Elizabeth, who was born March 28,
1852, and is the wife of William S. Duncan, an attorney-at-law, now residing in Independence, Kan.
Charles was a banker at Blair, Neb., and died
while on a business trip to New York.   His
remains are interred in Kalamazoo. Edgar was
killed in a cyclone at Sauk Rapids, Minn., April


14, 1886. Ile was a banker at St. Cloud, Minn.,
and was buried in Kalamazoo. Our subject was a
consistent member of the Congregational Church,
and Mrs. Hull is likewise a member of the Congregational Church, and active in church societies.
She is at present President of the Bethesda
Home for unfortunate women, and is a leading
member of the Foreign Mission Board.     She
gives a good share of her time and attention
to the Bethesda Home, and its success is largely
due to her untiring efforts. The organization has
been in existence about two years only. Mrs. Hull
is a lady of refinement and culture, and a very unostentatious and modest woman.
Mr. IIull was a careful, practical and methodical
business man, a shrewd financier, but not a schemer,
and was not in sympathy with the modern practical political methods. He was straightforward and
upright, and demanded the same qualities in others,
especially those with whom he dealt.
— i    __ —^E --- —^
E7  DWIN CHAPIN TAYLOR, M. D. The
young professional men of Kalamazoo are
an element in the development of this fine
city, and are a centralizing force in drawing within
its boundaries the best people in this section. By
their character and repute they are adding to the
reputation of the city, and give it a high standing
among other corporations in this State. None is
more thoroughly respected for skill and character
than lie of whom we now write.
George H. Taylor was the father of our subject,
and Nancy (Breese) Taylor, his mother, to whom
he owes much for his early training and education. They were both natives of New York, where
the father was a teacher and farmer for many years
in Chemung County. Dr. E. C. Taylor was born
January 4, 1858, in Chemung County, N. Y., where
he passed his early boyhood, and attended the common schools. He later attended the Horse Head
Academy at Heads, now known as North Elmira,
also the city schools in Buffalo. In the latternamed city our subject entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, from which he
was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medi



I




vs


T**




PORTRAIT ANDU`C BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,


489


POTRI AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD                             489 --- —---— ~


cine in 1879. I-e then took a special course in the
hospital in that city, and commenced the practice
of his profession in Chemung County, where he
built up a lucrative practice.
In the spring of 1886, Dr. Taylor came West to
Kalamazoo, where he has an enviable reputation as
a physician, and ranks among the prominent practitioners of the city. In addition to his general
practice, he is surgeon for the Kalamazoo Division
of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. He is
a member of the National Association of Railroad
Surgeons, and is also connected with the State
Medical Society, and is an ex-member of the Chemung County Medical Society, and the Medical
Society of the State of New York. The local Academy of Medicine in Kalamazoo numbers our subject among its respected members.
Dr. Taylor was married, March 27, 1879, to Elvira, daughter of Dr. Corbett Peebles. Mrs. Taylor was born in Chemung County, N. Y., where
her father was one of the oldest and most respected practitioners. He is now deceased. Dr.
Taylor is personally one of the most agreeable of
men, and makes friends wherever he goes. With
his estimable wife, he occupies a high position in
the social circles of the city, and their name will
be long held in remembrance after they have been
gathered to their fathers. Politically, he is a Republican. Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
IRAM ARNOLD.       The gentleman whose
portrait and life sketch form a valuable
feature of this work has been identified
with the business interests of Kalamazoo
for more than a half-century and is yet living in
this beautiful city. A full sketch of his business
career is presented in the Christmas edition, 1888,
of the Kalamazoo Telegraph, and its perusal is both
interesting and profitable.
The parents of our subject, Edward and Judith
(Ellis) Arnold, emigrated at an early day from
Rhode Island to the vicinity of the St. Lawrence
River, where they were pioneer settlers. He was
22             K


a soldier in the War of 1812. While they resided
in Brownsville, Jefferson County, N. Y., their son
Hiram was born, July 14, 1808. HIe grew to manhood in the parental home, where he remained until
he was twenty years old. At the age of fifteen, he
engaged as clerk in a store to learn the mercantile
business and continued in that capacity until 1836,
meanwhile saving $1,000 from his earnings.
Thinking he could improve his financial condition in a new country, Mr. Arnold joined the tide
of emigrants who were seeking homes in the West
and chanced to locate in Kalamazoo, where he engaged in the mercantile business for some twenty
years, being in partnership with various gentlemen
at different times. In 1855, lie commenced in the
banking business and continued in that position
until 1859. Meanwhile he erected the house afterward occupied by the Hon. Charles E. Stuart for
many years and now the home of Samuel A.
Browne.
In 1859, Mr. Arnold purchased a farm known as
"Brookside," on the old plank road two miles north
of the city and built a beautiful home where he resided until 1884, coming thence to No. 432 North
Stuart Avenue, Kalamazoo, where he now makes
his home. October 16,1831, he was united in marriage to Miss Betsey Woodbury, daughter of
Edward Massey, of Brownsville, N. Y., who died
when she was a child. She was a prominent member of social circles of Kalamazoo, and actively
identified with St. Luke's Church, which she aided
in organizing. She passed from earth, August 17,
1879.
They were parents of eight children, namely:
Amelia, who is at home; Byron, deceased; Emily,
Delavan, Jessie; Jennie, who is at home, and two
that died in infancy. Byron married Miss Starr, of
Kalamazoo and died in July, 1884, at the age of fifty
years. Emily is the wife of Edwin Sleight, now
of Minneapolis, Minn. Delavan was a soldier in
the late war. Jessie was first married to Charles A.
Massey, who died in 1884. Afterward, she became the wife of J. H. Horsey, manager of a
branch of the Dominion Bank at Toronto, Canada.
In politics, Mr. Arnold cast his first vote for
Andrew Jackson and has never failed since that
time to vote at a Presidential election, uniformly




490


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


supporting the Democratic party. IHe was instrumental in the erection of St. Luke's Church at
Kalamazoo, in which he has served as Trustee and
has been a stanch supporter. He is public-spirited
and has always been identified with any interest that
had a tendency to advance the prosperity of the
community. Now full of years, he enjoys the respect of his associates and reviews with pride and
pleasure the events of his active and useful life.
LFRED S. FROST, an attorney at law of
Kalamazoo, claims the honor of being a
native of the county, his birth having occurred in Wakeshnma Township, August
27, 1858. He is the youngest of four sons born
unto Calvin and Catherine (Kelley) Frost. The
father was a native of Tioga County, N. Y., and for
many years was a railroad contractor. The mother
was a native of the Green Isle of Erin, and in
Canada became the wife of Mr. Frost. Soon afterward they removed to Kalamazoo County, Mich.,
locating on a farm in October, 1854, and were
among the early settlers of the community.
Mr. Frost devoted his energies to farming and
stock-raising, and continued to reside at his
first location until his death, which occurred on
the 7th of June, 1883, in his seventy-fifth year.
He was a stanch Republican in politics, a valued
citizen and one held in high regard throughout
the neighborhood. His widow is still living on
the old homestead.
In the usual manner of farmer lads, our subject
spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm and
in the winter season attended the common schools.
He later pursued his studies in the State Normal
School at Ypsilanti, completing his literary educacation by a three-termed course. He then engaged
in teaching, which profession he followed for two
years but it was his desire to engage in the practice
of law and to this end, in the spring of 1886, he
entered the law office of Frank E. Knappen, of Kalamazoo. The succeeding autumn he entered the
law department of the University of Michigan,
from which he was graduated in June, 1888. In
November following, he was elected Circuit Court


Commissioner for a term of two years. In 1889,
he formed a partnership with Frank E. Knapp and
a year later Col. E. M. Irish was taken into the
firm and the business style of Irish, Knappen &
Frost was assumed. The connection continued
until the 1st of June, when Mr. Frost withdrew
from the partnership and opened his present office
in rooms at No. 214 West Main Street. In 1890, he
was re-elected as Circuit Court Commissioner, which
office he still holds. He does a general law practice in local and higher courts and has been eminently successful in his career as a legal practitioner. There are many who have had long years
of experience who might well envy him his success
and the excellent reputation he has gained. He can
makes his patron's interest his own for the time
being and if labor and skill will win a case his
will never be lost.
In his local relations, Mr. Frost is a Mason and
an Odd Fellow, holding membership with Anchor
Lodge, No. 87, A. F. and A. M., and Peninsular
Commandery, No. 8, K. T. He also belongs to Burr
Oak Lodge, No. 270, I. 0. O. F., in which he has
filled all the offices. He is a genial, courteous
gentleman, widely and favorably known throughout this community where his entire life ]las been
passed and it is with pleasure that we present this
brief record of his life to our readers.
IADELBERT    D. HARRIS, who is Circuit
Court Commissioner of Kalamazoo, was
born in Oshtemo Township, this county,
October 21, 1861. He is the second son
and third child born to Henry and Sarah M. (Pierson) Harris. The father was a native of England
and came to the United States when twenty years
of age, and to Kalamazoo County in 1847. Soon
after locating here, lie went overland to California,
where lie spent three years, mining and brickmaking, in which lie was quite successful. Returning
to this county, he located permanently on his fine
farm in Oshtemo Township, where he carries on
general farming.
The mother of our subject was a native of Kalamazoo County and was the daughter of David J.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


491


Pierson, who came to the county as early as 1832.
Adelbert D. Harris passed his days on his father's
farm and in attendance at the district school. He
later attended the Baptist College at Kalamazoo.
He tlhen took a business course in Parsons' Business
College, after which he commenced the study of
law in the office of Breese & Stearns. He was admitted to the Bar October 3, 1887, after which lie
spent about three years in a probate office at Kalamazoo. Mr. Harris commenced the practice of
law alone in 1890, and is building up a fine practice. He was elected first Circuit Court Commissioner in 1888 for a period of two years and was
re-elected the following term, being the present
incumbent of the office.
In October, 1891, Miss Blanche Vincent. of Kalamazoo, became the wife of our subject. She was
the daughter of Edward B. and Emma (Thomas)
Vincent. Their pleasant home is located at No.
415 West Walnut Street, Kalamazoo.
$ AMUEL KNICKERBOCKER.          This gentleman is an honored pioneer citizen of
l      Kalamazoo County, and makes his residence
on section 32, Richland Township, where
he is carrying on general farming prosperously.
He was born to John and Anne (Lloyd) Knickerbocker, both natives of New York State. The
Knickerkocker family is of Holland origin.
When but a boy our subject lost his father by
death, and he remained at home with his mother
until becoming of age, assisting in the support of
the family. He received but a common school education not having the advantage offered to the
youth of to-day. The year 1840 is the date our
subject took as his life companion and helpmate
Matilda Whitney, and they have had two children:
John, who is married and lives in Kalamazoo and
Ellen. The last-named child is now deceased. In
1849, Mr. Knickerbocker came with his wife to
Kalamazoo County and settled on his present farm
which he has developed and made a fertile and attractive estate. When he first settled here he
erected a crude log house in which he lived for
several years, but he was enabled to build the pres

ent convenient and spacious dwelling in which the
family now make their home.     Mrs. Matilda
Knickerbocker was called from this life in 1858,
and on September 6, 1860, our subject was married
to Eliza Stone, who was born in Monroe County,
N. Y., March 26, 1818. She is a daughter of
Orange and Sallie (West) Stone, natives of Massachusetts, the father being of English ancestry. He
was a soldier in the War of 1812. When but eleven
months old, Mrs. Knickerbocker lost her mother and
when twenty-one years old her father died. The
year after this last sad event she came to Michigan
and has lived here since that time. Mr. Knickerbocker is the fortunate possessor of eighty acres of
rich and productive land, all of which is under splendid cultivation. The Republican party receives the
vote of this gentleman on all occasions and he approves of every movement which tends to elevate
the prosperity of the place.
The original of this biography had his birth August 27, 1820, in Dutchess County, N. Y., and has
been an industrious and economical man all his
life time and by this has made for himself a competence and is now enjoying the fruits of his early
labors. The family commands the good-will of
the many friends and acquaintances.
X     ON. JULIUS C. BURROWS, member of
Congress from  the Fourth Congressional
District of Michigan, is not only one of the
most popular citizens of Kalamazoo, but is
also prominent in the councils of his country. An
able Legislator, a man of great force of character,
a lover of progress, his influence is potent for the
welfare of his fellow-citizens. A pure patriot, above
bribery, he has repeatedly been called to public
offices of honor and responsibility. Equally the
friend of rich and poor, his efforts have won the
attention and commendation of the humble laborer,
whose interests lie makes his own, and by his legislative efforts he has brought honor upon himself,
and been a source of pride and credit to his district and to the State, giving the closest attention
to the progress and growing wants of his district.
He has so gained the marked approval of his con



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492


PORTRAIT AND IBIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-— I --- —--- — i-I
- ----- -I --- —- ---  --- —-—  — --- —-— 

stituency that he has been repeatedly re-elected,
and that, too, in a district containing many able and
ambitious men of his own and adverse party, who
would not have declined the honors accorded him.
At the same time, while representing the manifold
interests of his own district with distinguished
ability, he has so grasped great questions of National import that in the House of Representatives
he ranks among the foremost.
Mr. Burrows was born at North Erie, Erie
County, Pa., January 9, 1837, and is the son of
William and Maria Burrows, natives of New
England, of sturdy English ancestry. Like many
other men, he was not "born within the purple,"
or reared in luxury. While the sons of other and
more wealthy parents were receiving the best advantages of study and travel, he was helping in
the hum-drum duties of the home, and attending
the common school of the district whenever he
could be spared. Upon coming West as far as Ohio,
he entered Kingsville Academy and applied himself
to his studies with unflagging assiduity, and subsequently, at the Grand River Institute, at Austinburg, Ashtabula County, where lie strove to fully
avail himself of the high advantages offered by
that college.
Commencing the study of the law, for which lie
seemed eminently adapted, he was admitted to the
Bar at Jefferson, Ohio, in 1859, and during the following winter engaged in teaching. In 1860, he
came to Richland, this State, where, for a year, lie
occupied the position of Principal of the Richland
Seminary. The next year found him located in
Kalamazoo, where he commenced the practice of
his profession. He was always especially strong and
convincing as an advocate.
In 1862, Mr. Burrows raised a company for the
Seventeenth Regiment of Michigan Infantry, and
served as Captain, participating ini the battles of
South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Jackson and Knoxville, and had the esteem
and affection of both officers and privates. At the
expiration of his term of enlistment, he returned
to Kalamazoo and resumed his legal practice, in
which he was afterward engaged until called to
higher trusts and more pressing public duties.
In 1866, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of


Kalamazoo County, serving one term, when he was
re-elected, but declined to serve a second term.
Progressing politically and in the esteem of his
fellow-citizens, and while still comparatively a
young man, he was elected, in 1872, to his first
term in Congress, and in 1878 elected to a second
term. Since that time he has served as a member
of every Congress except the Forty-eighth and
was nominated by acclamation of the Republican
Convention, and elected by an overwhelming majority to the Fiftieth Congress. In 1868, le received the appointment of Supervisor of Internal
Revenue for Michigan and Wisconsin, from President Grant, and in 1884 was appointed Solicitor
of the Treasury by President Arthur, both of which
appointments he declined. He was Delegate-atLarge from the State of Michigan to the National
Republican Convention in 1880.
Mr. Burrows was married, in 1856, to Miss Jennie S. Hubbard, of Ashtabula County, Ohio, a lady
held in high esteem by all who know her. She
died in Kalamazoo in 1864. One daughter was born
to them, now the wife of George McNeir, Esq., a
brilliant, rising young man of Minneapolis, Minn.
Shortly after our subject's return from his country's service in 1865, his marriage to Miss Frances
S. Peck, of Kalamazoo, took place. Mrs. Burrows
is a lady of rare culture and endowments.
Mr. Burrows is a man of strong and independdent convictions, and has the courage to declare
them with fidelity and boldness, firm in his loyalty
to his country, his constituency and his friends.
He has a whole-souled and magnetic geniality in
his intercourse with all, and there is undoubtedly
no citizen of Kalamazoo or Michigan or in Congress more popular than he. He has been most
successful in securing Governmental appropriations much needed in his district. That for the
postoffice building at Kalamazoo was largely owing
to his persistent efforts. To continue the history
of his political career: He served in the Fiftieth
Congress on the important Committee on Ways
and Means. In August, 1888, he was renominated
by acclamation as member of the Fifty-first Congress, and at the ensuing elction was chosen by a
plurality of four thousand one hundred and
eighty-five votes. In that Congress he is also




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


493


serving as member of the Ways and Means Committee. ELe has been appointed speaker, pro tem,
on numerous occasions, and showed ability as a
presiding officer and parliamentarian.
His ability displayed in treating grave and momentous questions of public interest, his capacity to
deal with national affairs, and his rapid growth in
national esteem and reputation give promise of
still higher honor.,  _   ___i^ —t_
%ILLIAM BOVIE, M. D. Among the skillful and respected physicians of Kalamazoo
wv    County who are represented in this volume, we take pleasure in presenting to our readers
a few important events in the life career of Dr.
Bovie, of Ross Township. A native of Monroe
County, N. Y., he was born February 3, 1829, and
is a son of John E. and Amy Bovie. Early orphaned by the death of his father, when he was
three years old, and the loss of his mother six
years later, he was deprived of the parental training which is of such advantage in molding the
character and elevating the ambition of the young.
The excellent education which our subject
gained by attendance at the common schools and
later at the Macedon Academy, he utilized by engaging for many years as a teacher in the schools
of New York and Michigan, he holding a State
certificate, dated November 4, 1850, entitling him
to teach any school in the State. lie has held
various positions of responsibility in his profession, among them serving as Principal of Portage
(N. Y.) Union Schools and Principal of Richland
(Micl.) Seminary.
While engaging as a teacher, our subject began
the study of medicine during his leisure hours and
afterward studied for about three years under Dr.
Bly, of Rochester, N. Y. Subsequently, lie entered
the medical department of the State University at
Ann Arbor, and after studying there for three
years, graduated with a good record as a medical
student and with a thorough knowledge of the
latest investigations in the science.
For several years the young Doctor followed his
profession at Iickory Corners, thence removed to


I
I
I
I!Augusta, where he practiced a number of years,
and gained an enviable reputation as a skillful
practitioner. After residing three years in Kansas,
lie settled on a farm  of one hundred and fifty
acres in Ross Township, which lie still cultivates in
connection with his practice. Although commencing in life without capital, he has been successful,
and in the honest pursuit of his profession has
acquired a competence.
September 19, 1876, Dr. Bovie was married to
Miss Henrietta Barnes, of Yorkville, Mich., and
they are the parents of five children, namely:
Grace, Zella, William T., Addie, and Clarence. A
Democrat in his political belief and a gentleman
of deep learning and wide information, the Doctor
enjoys the confidence of his acquaintances, and he
and his wife are well known for their hospitality.
LFRED ALDRICH. In the death of this
gentleman, Kalamazoo County lost one of
its best pioneer, and Ross Township one
of its most public-spirited citizens.  He
was born in Ontario County, N. Y., August 27,
1819, and is said to have been a descendant of
English ancestors.  Iis parents, Peter and Pethene (Finch) Aldrich, removed in 1829, to Macomb County, this State, where they settled in the
woods, seven miles from the nearest neighbor.
Amid those primeval surroundings, Mr. Aldrich was reared to manhood, having meager advantages for obtaining an education, and spending
his boyhood principally in farm work, varied occasionally by the sport of hunting the wild game
which abounded. A natural mechanic, he learned
the trade of a carpenter and joiner and, when
opportuniity afforded, was engaged at building.
June 1, 1845, he was united in marriage to
Clarissa J., daughter of Stephen and Clarissa Frisbie, natives, respectively, of Vermont and Connecticut.
A native of Ontario County, N. Y., Mrs. Aldrich was born May 3, 1824, and when three years
old was orphaned by the death of her father; ten
years later ler mother also passed away. In the




494


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


fall of 1837, she came with her sister and brotherin-law, Mr. and Mrs. P. Spencer, to Macomb County,
Mich., where they made settlement in the woods
of Armada Township.    Prior to her marriage,
she successfully engaged as a teacher for two terms
and was an efficient instructor of the young.
Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich are the parents of eight
children, six of whom survive, namely:  Almiron
A. and Clarkson C., who reside in Barry County;
Joan, wife of Lewis Moon, of Ross Township;
Theron A. and Harry C., who also make their home
in Ross Township, and Althier, who is at home.
The two deceased are Frank and Inez.
From Macomb County, Mr. Aldrich came in
1850 to Kalamazoo County, where he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres in Ross Township,
and made his home in a log cabin some three years.
Then he built a portion of the house in which his
widow now resides, and later added other improvements to the place. His residence constitutes
a comfortable and pleasant home, while the barns
are substantial and complete.  He added to his
original purchase until at his death he owned two
hundred and seventy-three acres of finely-cultivated land.
As a Democrat, Mr. Aldrich took an active interest in local politics, but refused to accept official
honors even when solicited to do so by his fellow-citizens, for he preferred the amenities of home
life. A man of sterling integrity, he attained success and the confidence of his fellow men, so that
when his death occurred, August 18, 1881, he was
sincerely mourned by all who knew him.
EORGE McCREARY. The history of a nation is the history of its people. It is the
character of the individual that gives
strength to a country and confers value even upon its soil. In every village and city there are
large numbers of prosperous intelligent citizens,who
are contributing to the advancement of the community in which they reside thus promoting the welfare of the entire nation. Among this desirable class
of citizens is Mr.McCreary,whose home is an elegant
brick residence at Schoolcraft.  As the owner of a


splendid farm of two hundred acres and valuable
village property, he is closely identified with the
interests of Kalamazoo County.
The McCreary family originated in Scotland,
whence at an early day representatives of the family came to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subject, William
McCreary, passed his entire life in the Keystone
State, where Preston J. was born. He grew to maturity in his native State and was married to Christiana,
daughter of George Middleton,who was born in New
Jersey, December 2, 1807. The first home of the
young couple was in Washington County, Pa.,
whence in 1830 they emigrated to Michigan and set
tied in Prairie Ronde Township. In the home they
there established the mother died December 7,1868;
the father survived a number of years, his death
occurring in Schoolcraft, October 30, 1885.
The parental family included  five children,
namely: Samuel S., George, John, Adeline and
Springer. The second son, who is the subject of
this sketch, was born in Washington, Pa., March 7,
1830, and was only six months old when his parents came to Michigan. He grew to manhood in
Prairie Ronde Township and has always been engaged in farming pursuits, of which he has a
thorough, practical knowledge.  He continued
to make his home in Prairie Ronde Township
until February, 1884, when he removed to Schoolcraft and erected the attractive residence where
he has since lived.  lie supervises the cultivation
of his farm, which comprises two hundred acres,
although he no longer tills the soil.
June 19, 1856, Mr. McCreary and Miss Sarah A.
Fanckboner were united in marriage in Prairie
Ronde Township. Mrs. McCreary is the daughter
of William and Elizabeth (Crose)Fanckboner, the
former born near Belvidere, N. J., April 17, 1803.
and the latterin Warren County, N. J., June 14,
1807. The grandfather of Mrs. McCreary was
Daniel Fanckboner, probably a native of New Jersey, whose father emigrated from Germany at an
early day and made settlement in New Jersey.
William Fanckboner and his wife emigrated from
that State to Michigan and settled in Prairie
Ronde Township in 1837, making their home on a
farm until called hence by death. He passed away




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


495


April 13,1883, and her death occurred August 15,
1888.  They were the parents of seven children,
namely: George, John, Abram, Sarah A., Ann
Matilda, William, and Mary E.
Born in Warren County, N. J., January 11, 1835,
Mrs. McCreary was a mere child     when her
parents removed to this State. She is the mother
of twochildren: Ada E. and Willis G., who are
at home.   Although not an office-seeker, Mr.
McCreary has held some of the school offices in
Prairie Ronde Township and is a Democrat in his
political belief. Ie land his wife are highly esteemed both in Schoolcraft and the surrounding
country, and their hospitality and kindness of
heart endear them to all with whom they meet.
ELSON B. BEERS is one of the wealthy
and progressive agriculturists of Richland
Township, Kalamazoo County. HIis beautiful tract of land is pleasantly located on section
5, and his estate is improved with all the buildings
and machinery which best subserve the interests of
a first-class farmer.
Mr. Beers was born December 3, 1839, in New
Haven County, Conn., and was the son of Joseph
and Rebecca (Smith) Beers, also natives of the
Nutmeg State. The parents removed to Wisconsin when Nelson B. was about seven years old,
and there resided for a number of years. Our
subject made the best of the opportunities afforded
him for an education, although being able to attend only the district school. He was reared on
his father's farm  and thus early in life became
thoroughly acquainted with all the details connected with that line of work.
In 1864, the original of this sketch came to
Kalamazoo County and located in Richland Township, about one-half mile from his present residence.
He is the possessor of three hundred and fortyseven acres of land, which is one of the most
beautiful and attractive estates in the county. Mr.
Beers is pardonably proud of his property, as it
has been the result of his industry and good management. IHe is a gentleman among whose personal characteristics are those of a love of truth,


justice, progress, and a cordial, kindly spirit which
makes warm friends and stanch adherents.
March 13, 1866, our subject was married to
Miss Lucy G. Hoyt. who was born in this county,
January 18, 1847. Mrs. Beers was a daughter of
Seymour and Lucretia I-oyt, natives, respectively,
of Vermont and Connecticut, the former of whom
is deceased and the latter is residing in Richland
Township. IHer mother came to the county when
thirteen years of age and by her union with Mr.
Hoyt became the parent of the following children:
Mary J. is the wife of Abram Stanley;Douglas,Frank
II.; AmandaM., the wife of Daniel Middaugh; Mrs.
Beers, Cynthia A., Mrs. Frederick Church, Reuben
and William S. Mr. Hoyt passed away in October, 1881. Her mother, who is in her seventysixth year, is one of the pioneer women of the
county and is highly esteemed for her many good
qualities of mind and heart. She is a devoted
member of the Christian Church.
The five children born to our subject and his
wife are Nelson B.; Lewis A., who married Rose A.
Pennock; Ernest B., Mary D. and Frank H. The
two latter are deceased. In politics, he of whom
we write is a stanch I)emocrat and is a gentleman
who stands high in financial circles in Kalamazoo
County.
e-    _4..++ Q-%+i+++4         7
c-      1i{{3~~9~~'^; s*3^3'~*~~3i1
SI AMUEL SEWART McCREARY. The location of Kalamazoo County in the midst of a
fertile farming country favors the accumulation of an abundance of this world's
goods by its citizens. Accordingly, we find that
many of its residents, and especially is this true of
its farmers, are prosperous and thrifty, possessing
large estates and known even in other portions of
Michigan as public-spirited and wealthy citizens.
On section eleven, Prairie Ronde Township, is a
splendid farm, comprising three hundred and sixty
acres, the home of Mr. McCreary and his family.
He has resided in Kalamazoo County since as a child
of two years he was brought hither by his parents
in 1830. The parental history is given in the
sketch of his brother George, which appears elsewlhere in this volume. A native of Pennsylvania,




496                    PORTR.


AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


~ --- — - ----- ---


he was born in Erie, Washington County, Novem-  his
bcr 15, 1828, and grew to manhood  in Prairie  ing
Ronde Township, where the most of his active life  an
has been passed.                               in t
January 1, 1857, Mr. McCreary was married in  yea
thistownship to Miss Ann Matilda Fanckboner,   Sen
a sister of Mrs. George McCreary, of whom      afte
see sketch. Mrs. McCreary was born in New Jer-  leis
sey, September 18, 1836, and was about ten months  ent(
old when her father and mother located in Kala-  yea
mazoo County. She passed the years of her girl-  C
hood in Prairie Ronde Township, where she gained a  the
good education in the common schools and became  An]
prepared for the duties which came to her in later  uati
years.                                         pra,
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. McCreary lo-  whe
cated at once on section 11, Prairie Ronde Town-  and
ship, where they have since resided. Four children  mai
have been born to them, namely: William, who   just
married Susie Hemmelwright and is a farmer in  edg
this township; Albert, Burton and Libbie, who are  diffi
at home with their parents. Mr. McCreary has al-  I
ways been an active worker and an industrious  to
man, and the result of his industry is apparent in  (Bu
the possession of a large estate, which he has grad-  Roy
ually acquired from his original sixty acres.  The  14,
public affairs of the county and nation awaken  this
his deepest interest and he adheres with firmness  sev4
to the platform of the Democratic party, believing  lanc
its principles best adapted to the welfare of the  Dr.
people.                                        of t
Anr
-.......-..-. -.
<8                      ated
chai
RRIN F. BURROUGHS, M. D., of Galesburg,      ten(
was born in Monroe County, N. Y., March   Uni
14, 1827. His father, Daniel B., was born  F
in Vermont in 1800, and came to Michigan about  in t
1850, locating on a farm  near Silver Creek and  of v
spending his last days in Comstock Township,   con:
where he died when seventy-two years old. The  pub
mother of our subject, Sally (Scofield) Burroughs,  vari
was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and died   of tl
when her son, our subject, was quite young.    is n,
The family to which our subject belongs com-  offil
prises five children, two of whom now survive,  for
Luther and O. F. The last-named was reared by  vill


maternal grandparents and became self-supportat the age of fourteen, working on a farm for
uncle during the summer and attending school;he winter until he was nineteen. For three
rs he was a student in the Genesee Wesleyan
ninary, when he completed his literary education,,r which he taught school and employed his
ure hours in the study of medicine. Before
ering the Genesee Seminary, he had studied one
r in the College at Brockport, N. Y.
/oming to Michigan in 1851, our subject entered
medical department of the State University at
n Arb)or, which he attended for two years, grading in the spring of 1854. He located for the
ctice of his profession at Henrietta, N. Y.,
ence one year later he returned to Michigan,
settled in Galesburg, where he has since rened busily employed in his profession. He is;ly known as a skillful physician, whose knowle of therapeutics is extended and his skill in
icult cases is everywhere acknowledged.
n 1857, the Doctor was married in Galesburg,
Hiss Olive, daughter of Reuben and Louise
Lckley) Cash. Mrs. Burroughs was born in Le
r Township, Genesee County, N. Y., November
1831, and accompanied her parents to Flint,
State, where her father died at the age of
enty-three. Her mother passed away at Clevei when eighty-two years old. The marriage of
and Mrs. Burroughs has been blest by the birth
hree sons: 0. Frank, a physician, who attended
n Arbor University for three years and gradui from Rush Medical College; Frank C., a mernt of Galesburg, and Arthur P., who is now atling the medical department of the State
versity.
'or thiry-five years, Dr. Burroughs has engaged
he practice of his profession, during a portion
which time he has also operated a drug store in
nection therewith. In his politics; he is a Relican, and has served his fellow-citizens in
ious official capacities. He was Superintendent
hle poor of Kalamazoo County for twelve years,
ow County Physician, has held all the school
'es, and served as President of the School Board
many years. He was the first Treasurer of the
age of Galesburg after it was incorporated, was




Misin




Missing
Page




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPI-IICAL RECORD.


499


elected President of the village in 1864 and reelected for the following term. He is at present
holding that office.
Socially, the Doctor is a prominent Mason and
belongs to Kalamazoo Lodge, No 8, and the Chapter and Blue Lodge of Galesburg, in which he has
been High Priest. His skill as a physician, added
to his integrity as a citizen, has won for him the
confidence of his fellow-citizens and the esteem of
all whom he meets.
W<,ILLIAM G. KNIGHT. He that has no
regard for the record of the past, no interest in the present and no anxiety for the
future, is scarcely to be named a citizen of this
world. Few can look back to the history of their
own lives, family and ancestry, and not discover
elements which have shaped their destiny. Like
produces like in the moral as well as in the spiritnal world.
The original of this sketch, who is one of the
plrominent and wealthy agriculturiste of Kalamazoo County, is at present residing on his beautiful
estate, which is located on section 30, Schooleraft
Township. He is a son of the late Godfrey Knight,
who was born in Ireland, May 26, 1786. He was
married in 1823, previous to emigrating to America, to Miss Ann Kinney, also a native of the Emerald Isle.  The young couple thought to try
their fortunes in the New World, and came hither
in 1831. After a few weeks spent in the Empire
State, they came West to Michigan and located in
section  30, Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo
County, where they lived until their death, the
mother passing away March 7, 1863, and the father, February 20, 1887. At the time of his death,
Mr. Knight was the oldest citizen of the county,
and was greatly respected by all who knew him.
Godfrey Knight was employed, as were all the
pioneers of that early day, in subduing nature,
building cabins, clearing land, breaking prairie,
etc., but with all that labor, was social and happy,
having a care for the morals and education of his
growing family. His industry and perseverance




I


were rewarded, and he was enabled to pass his last
days in peace and quietness.
William G. Knight was one of a family of nine
children born lo his parents, the three eldest dying
when quite young. James K., who was Circuit
Judge in St. Louis, Mo., was the incumbent of
that position at his death, which occurred November 25, 1876; Mary Ann is the widow of Albert
Wood. The remaining children are, William  G.,
our subject; John T., Jeremiah H., and Godfrey E.
Our subject was born in Ontario County, N. Y.,
September 18, 1831. He grew to manhood on his
father's farm in Schoolcraft Township, and passed
onward in the rugged pathway of time. Disciplined
in the stern school of experience, he was prepared
to meet every emergency with a steady and ready
hand.   He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, devoting considerable time and
attention to the breeding of fine stock. He is the
owner of several valuable horses, and has a fine
track on his farm on which to speed his animals.
He possesses seventeen hundred acres of land,
seven hundred and forty of which are in Prairie
Ronde and Schoolcraft Townships, Kalamazoo
County. His estate is supplied with the very best
buildings and farm machinery, for he believes that
the best improvements bring him in the largest returns. He is very progressive and wide-awake,
and is listed among the wealthy and prominent
farmers of this county.
Mr. Knight was married in Schoolcraft Township, May 9, 1874, to Miss Grace Lawther, daughter of Thomas and Ann (Donnie) Lawther, who
was born in County Down, Ireland, March 8,
1837. Our subject has taken an active part in
political affairs, and is a member of the Democratic party. The Hon. Godfrey E. Knight, the
youngest brother of our subject, was born September 15, 1838. Ile was reared on a farm, prosecuting
his primary studies in the common schools. He later entered the Michigan University, and was graduated from the literary department of that institution with the Class of '60. He then studied law
for about a year and a half, and two years thereafter was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Subsequently he established in the mercantile business
in Schoolcraft, and was thus employed for seven




500


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


or eight years, during which time he was elected
President of the village. He was also elected
Justice of the Peace, serving for a short time,
when, in the fall of 1874, he was elected to the
Legislature, serving one term. He later operated
as "mine host" of the Oliver House at South Bend,
Ind., in company with his brother Jeremiah H.,
and was fairly successful in the undertaking.
Since returning to Schooleraft Township, he has
made his home with our subject.
There are few homes in the county more comfortable or beautiful than that occupied by Mr.
Knight, and we are pleased to present a view of it
on another page, as well as a portrait of its owner
and occupant.;    ENRY H. BOEKELOO, is a well-known
grocery merchant of Kalamazoo, located at
the corner of Portage and Vine Streets,
where he has been engaged in business for
many years, and, by his fair dealing and courteous treatment, has won a liberal patronage.
A native of Holland, he was born December 5,
1838, and was the youngest of nine children,
his parents being Hendricks and Ann (Slager)
Boekeloo. His father was a butcher by trade, and
for a time also engaged in the manufacture of
brushes. In the spring of 1854, in company with
his family, he crossed the Atlantic in a sailing
vessel, and landed at New York City, from whence
he came directly to Kalamazoo, Mich. Here he
made his home until his death, which occurred in
1868. His wife died in 1872, leaving five children,
three sons and two daughters, all of whom yet
survive. One sister is living in Holland, the other
in Kalamazoo.
The subject of this sketch passed his youth in
his native country, where he received limited educational advantages, leaving school at the age of
thirteen. On accompanying his parents to Kalamazoo, he first secured employment in a paint shop
and, finding thebusiness pleasant, followed it for a
period of ten years. Having acquired some capital in the meantime, he then embarked in the
grocery business in a small way on Portage Street,:


on the present site of his new store. In the spring
of 1870, he was elected Constable, which office he
held continuously for a period of twenty years,
and during that time he also acted as Deputy
Sheriff, and with his son Peter carried on a private
detective office in Kalamazoo.
On the 19th of March, 1869, Mr. Boekeloo led to
the marriage altar Miss Cornelia Naber, of Kalamazoo, a native of Holland and the eldest daughter
of Peter and Catherine (Nienhuis) Naber, who
came to the United States six years before Mr.
Boekeloo's family crossed the water. They settled
iu Ottawa County, Township of Holland, Mich.
Mrs. Boekeloo came from Holland, Mich., to Kalamazoo, in 1854. By their union have been born
twelve children, namely: Otto A., Peter H. (deceased), Henry H., Katie, Richlard, John H., Jacob,
Anna L., George and Minnie. Mary and the first
child died in infancy.
For five years Mr. Boekeloo was a merchant police of Kalamazoo, having control of five blocks,
during which time he ar ested nineteen men,
nearly all of whom were tried, convicted and sent
to States prison. He was also tlme originator of the
Holland Working Men's Association, was its first
President and filled that office for seven years.
Himself and wife are members of the Holland
Christian Reformed Churcl. In his business career,
he has met with signal success, and is one of the
leading grocers of the city, having acquired a liberal patronage which is justly deserved. Long experience has made him familiar with the wants of
the public, and it is ever his earnest desire and
effort to please his patrons.
A-REDERICK W. MYERS is connected with
one of the leading industries of Kalamazoo, being President and Manager of the
Kalamazoo Wagon Company. The plant of this
company is situated on Ransom street and covers
an acre and a half. They employ one hundred
and fifty men, $150,000 is invested in the business
and the annual product of the factory amounts to
$300,000. Mr. Myers was one of four gentlemen




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


501


to establish the company in -1881. Within two
years, lie purchased the interests of his partners and
from 1883 to 1890 he was the sole proprietor. It
was then incorporated under the name of the
Kalamazoo Wagon Company, with a capital stock
of $100,000. They make a specialty of surreys,
)haetons, pleasure wagons and spring wagons, together with fine sleighs and cutters and have a
large and constantly increasing trade.
Mr. Myers is a native of New York, Cortland
being the place of his birth and the date February
11, 1850. At the age of twenty years, he took
charge of the shipping department of the Cortland Wagon Company, which position he filled
for about nine years, or until 1881, when he came
to Kalamazoo and established  the Kalamazoo
Wagon Company. Ile had had thorough mechanical training witl his father, John F. Myers, who
was an architect and builder, also his long continuance with the Cortland Wagon Company made
him well fitted for the work he undertook. On
January 19, 1881, before leaving for the West, he
was united in marriage to Miss Florence Smith and
their union has been blessed with one son, George
Boyd.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Myers is a Republican and his wife is a member of the Episcopal
Church. He is now building a handsome stone
residence at No. 203 Woodward Avenue and when
completed it will be among the finest dwellings in
Kalamazoo and will compare favorably with many
of the fine homes in Chicago. The success of the
Kalamazoo Wagon Company has been almost phenomenal. It has had an advancing and progressive
growth, its history being one of development along
lines laid down by its founders, whose original idea
was to have a plant erected that could turn out
one thousand jobs per year. If this was done, they
thought their fondest hopes would be realized.
The success of the company was assured from the
start, as the output the first year was in excess of
the amount stated. Its business has been increasing until its proportions have outgrown any anticipations of its originators and the output is eight
thousand jobs annually. The entire part of the
successful business can be attributed to the personal oversight and management of Mr. Myers,


who has given undivided attention to the business
and has labored earnestly for its interests. The
standard of the work turned out is the highest.
Only the best material is used and everything is
done in first-class style. In his home, Mr. Myers is
a gentleman of fine social tastes who enjoys a good
joke or story and delights to entertain his friends,
who are many.
ON W. A. BLAKE. This respected resident
of Galesburg was born in Livingston
County, N. Y., April 13, 1832, and is the
son of Ira Blake, also a native of the same
place as was our subject. The father married Miss
Adeline Campbell in the above-named county and
soon after that event the young couple moved to
Genesee County, where Mr. Blake died.    His
father, the grandfather of our subject, was named
Ruel Blake and was a native of Connecticut. He
was also a patriot in the War of 1812.
The paternal family of our subject numbered
four children, of whom all are living with one exception.  W. A. was the youngest child   and
was only six years of age when his father died.
He made his home with his grandfather Blake until reaching his fifteenth year, when he started
ont to earn his own living. In 1851,when eighteen years old, he came to Michigan, locating in
Galesburg, where he worked out by the day.
In May, 1865, the gentleman of whom.we write
was married to Louisa Burdick, a native of Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County, her birth occurring August 11, 1839. Her parents were Sandford and Caroline (Tobey) Burdick, natives of
New York. The father came to Michigan in 1833,
and entered a tract of land from the Government
in Charleston. Mr. Blake was engaged in the
hardware and implement business for a time in
Galesburg, but at the present time owns one hundred and fifty acres where he lives in Comstock
Township, and five hundred and fifty acres of land
in Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County, nearly
all of which is under excellent cultivation. iHe
gives his attention to general farming and stockraising and is making a success of his calling.




502                  PORT~RA


LIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,..
an. 5. __


=


The three sons born to our subject and his wife
are Ruel W., Sherman J. and James L. Mr. Blake
held the office of Township Treasurer when a
young man and has ever since been quite prominent in local affairs. He was Justice of the Peace
one term and Supervisor for three years. He was
elected to the Legislature from the Second District
of Kalamazoo County, in 1890, and gave perfect
satisfaction to his constituents. In politics, he is
a Democrat and held the office of Postmaster under
Buchanan. He is a Mason, belonging to Prairie
Lodge, No. 92, at Galesburg.
i RTHUR LONGMAN did noble service for
his adopted country during the great Rebellion, and won a high reputation for
coolness and undaunted courage in the
face of the enemy, for promptness in action, and
other soldierly qualities that gained him the commendation of his superiors, and reflected credit
on his regiment, although when he enlisted he was
but eighteen years old. He has since proved himself equally as valuable in the part that he has
played in developing the agricultural resources of
Wakeshma Township, as one of its most progressive and sensible farmers, his farm, lying on section
21, comparing favorably in point of cultivation
and improvement with the other fine farms for
which Kalamazoo County is particularly noted.
Our subject was born in Yorkshire, England,
October 6, 1845, and is a son of John Longman, who is a well-known, prosperous farmer of
this part of Michigan. The latter is also a native
of Yorkshire, born December 25, 1818, and he in
turn is a son of Joseph Longman, who was also
born in Yorkshire, and was there engaged as a farmer until his death in middle life. He was married in his native country, and came from thence
with his family in 1853. The tedium of the long
ocean voyage, which occupied seven weeks and
two days, was somewhat interrupted by a collision
in mid-sea with another boat, he and the captain
being the only ones on deck at the time.  After
landing he located in Brooklyn, N. Y., where lie
was employed in a linseed mill two years.  In


I


I


I

1855, he determined to try life in Michigan, and
located at Climax. He had nothing to start with,
as le had no means and was ten dollars in debt
when hearrived there, but he found employment
by the day or month, and his unremitting labors,
frugality and close calculation bore good fruit, so
that in 1857 he was enabled to buy eighty acres of
land in the woods. He built a log house thereon,
developed that farm, bought additional land, and
now has one hundred and eighty acres of choice
farming land. He has erected a large. frame house,
of a good style of architecture, and large frame
barns, and is not only out of debt, but loans some
money. He has been a hard-working man in his
time, and is still so, his labors entitling him to a
high place among the pioneers of this section. He
has always taken a keen interest in the politics of
this country since he became one of its citizens,
and is quite an active Republican. He was married to Jane Fenwick in Yorkshire, of which she
is also a native. She was born in that part of
England in November, 1818. They reared seven
of their eight children, as follows: Rebecca F.,
Arthur, William, John (deceased), Jennie, Mary,
John and Sarah E. The mother is an earnest
Christian. She comes of a sea-faring family, both
her father, Thomas Fenwick, and her grandfather
having been captains of vessels.
Our subject attended school in England one
year, and at the age of seven accompanied his
parents to this country, remembering well the incidents of the voyage, and of the pioneer life that
the family led after coming to Kalamazoo County.
He can recollect the wild appearance of the country, when they first set their feet here, when the
deer, wolves, and even some bears, still lingered
here. He spent two years in the city schools of
Brooklyn, and after coming here attended school
in a primitive log house, with rude home-made
furnishings, the school conducted on the rate-bill
system, the teacher boarding around, and each
scholar had to furnish a certain share of wood to
heat the building. Our subject was early set to
work on the home farm and in clearings, and
from the time he was twelve years old, he worked
out summers by the month, his wages at first being
only four dollars a month, and he was so employed




I






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


503


until he was twenty-four years old. lIe worked
several summers at the carpenter's trade.  He
bought ht eighty acres of his present farm November
8, 1866. It was a mere tract of timber, surrounded
by woods, and the nearest road was half a mile
from it. He made some clearing, and after his marriage, in 1869, settled upon it, building a plank
house for a residence in 1870. HIe has since converted it into a finely improved farm, and now
has a quarter-section of land, of which one hundred acres are cleared, and he is profitably engaged in mixed farming, having his farm completely stocked with Durham cattle, and some fine
Cleveland Bay, and Norman and Percheron horses.
August 19, 1864, our subject, with all the patriotic ardor of a native-born citizen of this Republic, enlisted to serve under its banners. becoming a
member of Company H, Seventh Michigan Cavalry.
THe was mustered in at Jackson, Mich., and joined
his regiment in the valley of the Shenandoah, in
Virginia. One month from the time he left home,
he had his first experience of a battle, and he was
present at all the engagements in which his regiment bore a conspicuous part, except Cedar Creek.
The principal battles in which he fought were those
at Winchester, Bucktown Ford, Front Royal, and
Waynesboro,   where Gen. Earl's forces were
captured.  He also took an active part in all
the battles from Petersburg to Appomattox.  He
witnessed the heaviest fighting at Saler's Creek,
and on the South Side Railway, and he and his
comrades never unsaddled their horses until
Lee's surrender. He was kicked badly by a horse,
but such was his fortitude that he never left his
post, although suffering greatly. At the charge
at Saler's Creek, he won distinction by capturing
two prisoners single-handed, one of the prisoners
having a loaded gun. He was in sight of Appomattox when General Lee surrendered. He was
mustered out July 18, 1865, and returned to his
old home well worn with the privations and hardships he had experienced. He now has a pension
of twelve dollars a month in consideration of the
sufferings that lie underwent as a soldier.
Mr. Longman was married, December 25, 1869,
to Miss Sarah M. Wisner, whose intelligent and
cheerful co-operation has greatly aided him in


making life a success. She is a native of this
State, born in Athens, Calhoun County, February
26, 1852, and a descendant of its pioneer stock.
Her parents, Alpheus and Julia (Morrow) Wisner,
are natives of New York, the father being born in
1825, and the mother in 1828. His parents came to
this State in 1840, and settled in Lenawee County,
while her's came in the early thirties and located
in Washltenaw County. They are now living on
a farm in St. Joseph County. He was a soldier in
the Twentieth Michigan Infantry during the war.
He and his wife have reared a family of eight children, seven of whom  are living. Her father has
been a Baptist minister for thirty-seven years.
Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Longman, five are living. George A. is the one that
died. The others are Minnie S., Gratia A., Robert
E., Frank C., and Arthur R. The oldest daughter,
who completed her education at the Baptist College at Kalamazoo, which she attended four terms,
is a very bright and successful teacher, entering
that profession at the age of seventeen, and is
now teaching her third term in Brady Township.
Our subject and his wife are very highly thought
of by the entire community, who appreciate them
for their pleasant social qualities and rare worth
of character. Both are active church members, he
of the Methodist and she of the Baptist Church
In politics, he is a Republican with strong Prohibition proclivities. His war record is commemorated by his membership in Post Joseph Smith,
No. 215, G. A. R., at Fulton.
K         z: —  ==+
EN ENRY W. BUSH, Superintendent of the
ID) Poor for Kalamazoo County, Mich., has
L   resided in this State fifty-six years, whither
he came from New York, the State of his
nativity. He was born in Onondaga County, October 15, 1817, and is a son of Orra Bush, who was
born in the Bay State, and was of English descent.
The grandfather, Benjamin Bush, was a Revolutionary soldier, and removed from Massachusetts
to Onondaga County in 1800. The mother of our
subject, whose maiden name was Sophia Mudge,




504               PORTRAIT AN


qD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


---
- —I- — ---------— 

was born in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1793, her
parents being Stephen A. and Nancy Mudge. Her
people were mostly millwrights by trade. She removed with the family to Onondaga County, N.
Y., and in the Empire State became the wife of
Orra Bush, who, with his family, emigrated Westward to Calhoun County, Mich., in 1836, locating
about seven miles from Marshall. Five years later,
we find them residents of Kalamazoo County, residing upon a farm in the town of Charleston,
where Mr. Bush made his home for twenty-five
years and then sold, removing to the village of
Kalamazoo, where he died in March, 1887, in his
ninety-third year. His wife died while they were
living on a farm, at the age of seventy-two years.
In the family were three children,but Henry is the
only survivor. Harry died in Chicago in 1883,
leaving a wife and five children; Nancy died in
1849, and left one daughter, Sarah S., who is now
the wife of George W. Imus, of Pentwater, Mich.
We now take up the personal history of our subject, who spent the first nineteen years of his life
in Oswego County, N. Y., where he attended the
common schools and the Oswego Academy. Accompanying the family to Michigan, he engaged in
farming in Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties, in
company with his father, until thirty years of age.
In 1866, he was elected Register of Deeds for a
term of two years, and removed to Kalamazoo.
On the expiration of the first term, he was again
elected, filling the position for four years in all.
Again he was called to public office, serving for
five years as Supervisor of the village and township of Kalamazoo, being re-elected each year. In
1879, he was appointed Superintendent of the
Poor, which position he has held continuously
since, or for thirteen consecutive years, a fact which
well indicates his efficiency and faithful service.
Mr. Bush has been twice married. In January,
1849, he wedded Miss Sabra A. Imus, of Kent
County, Mich., but after a short wedded life of
two years she died, leaving a son, Harvey M., of
Kansas City. At his second union, Mr. Bush wedded Mrs. Harriet S. Parker, nee Powers, a native of
the Green Mountain State, and unto them have
been born four children: Harvey W., Benjamin O.,
Frank (deceased), and Fred J. By her former hus

band, Mrs. Bush also had one son, Wilbur C. Parker,
now a resident of California.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Bush is a Republican, and takes a warm interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the party, and also gives
his support and co-operation to every enterprise
calculated to prove of benefit to the community.
He has proved a faithful public officer, and has won
the confidence and esteem of the entire community
by his prompt discharge of duty.
\y   ENRY C. AMES. The older residents of a
community are doubly entitled to the respect and esteem of their neighbors when
their long lives have been replete with acts
of kindness and their whole career marked by integrity and uprightness. The honored and respected
gentleman whose name appears at the head of this
sketch makes his home on section 23, Portage
Township, Kalamazoo County. His native home
was in Alexander, Genesee County, N. Y., where
he was born October 10, 1825. His father. Austin
Ames, died in Genesee County, N. Y., and the
mother, Harriet Houghton, also passed from this life
in Genesee County.   They had eight children
born to them, of whom our subject was the fourth
in order of birth.
The early life of our subject was spent on a
farm and in attending the common school in
Genesee County, and lie remained with his parents
until about twenty-five years old.  When quite a
boy, he spent two years with his sister in Milwaukee, Wis. In the summer of 1850, he crossed the
Isthmus to California in search of the precious
metal which so many were eager to find, and
was thus engaged four years. In 1854, he returned
to Genesee County, N. Y., and spent one summer,
when he moved to Wisconsin and remained in
Milwaukee and Walworth County three years.
After tills he was engaged in the drug business at
Troy, Wis., for something over one year. It was in
1858 that Mr. Ames concluded to come to Kalamazoo with his wife and settled in Portage Township
for about two years when he removed to Pavilion
Township, and, engaging in farming, remained




i


4




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


505


there five years. While in the latter-named place,
Mr. Ames purchased a farm in Portage Township,
where he now lives and where he settled in the
spring of 1865. He has made splendid improvements on this place which is composed of one hundred and twenty finely-cultivated acres.
The marriage of our subject took place in Genesee County, N. Y., July 1, 1857, to Miss Ellen
Squiers, who was born in Alexander, Genesee
County, N. Y., May 2, 1834.   Her father was
Edward T. Squiers, who died in New York, and
her mother Eliza Hawkins, who also died in New
York. These parents had eight children, of whom
Mrs. Ames is the fourth-born. Our subject and
his wife have two children born to them:  Carrie
L., who is the wife of Charles R. Campbell, of Portage Township, and Charles G. Mr. Ames held the
office of Township Clerk in Pavilion Township
and in this township has held the offices of
Township Treasurer for two years, Highway
Commissioner three years and all the   school
offices. He is at the present time serving as Supervisor of his township, which office he has held
for four years and, in fact, has beeP elected to all
the offices of the township, with the exception of
Constable. T:e has been connected with the Republican and Greenback parties, but at the present time acts with the Democracy. This couple
are intelligent people and command the respect
and esteem of the entire community in which they
reside.:IIOMAS P. GLEASON. - Much of the success of the Kalamazoo Publishing Company
has resulted from its careful and efficient
business management. It prides itself upon the
high standard of its work, which cannot be excelled
for westhetic taste and artistic effect by any establishment in the State. Its facilities for turning
out large jobs are unexcelled, and it has taken a
front rank among the many successful institutions
of this beautiful city of Kalamazoo.
For four years thl position of Secretary and
Business Manager of this company has been held
by Mr. Gleason. A native of Ireland, he was born


in County Limerick, December 23, 1851, and is the
son of Thomas and Alice (Finn) Gleason, natives
of the Counties of Tipperary and Limerick, respectively. They emigrated to the United States
in the year 1852, settling in New York State
and afterward going to Canada, where they located in Montreal. The mother died in January,
1857, in that city, which is still the home of the
father.
In company with his sister Ellen,our subject came
to London, Ontario, in 1859,where he remained until
early in the '60s, when he removed to Detroit, and
learned type-setting on the Detroit Post, afterward
working as a journeyman printer. Prior to coming to Kalamazoo, he was employed on the Times,
Eagle and Democrat, of Grand Rapids, and, after
locating here in 1873, he was connected with the
Kalamazoo Publishing Company, then just organized. With the exception of eight years with Ihling
Bros., he has been with this company ever since,
and has been successively promoted until he is now
manager.
Since September, 1888, when the Telegraph was
sold, the business of the company has been blankbook and general stationery work. They have a
capital stock of $25,000, and give employment to
thirty hands, the annual output being $50,000.
They make a specialty of a small Acme ledger that
is sold all over the United States, and they contol
the entire patent.
In the spriifg of 1890, Mr. Gleason was elected
Alderman and served as Chairman of the Electric
Lighting Committee. He is now President of the
Kalamazoo Building and Loan Association, which
position he is now filling for the third successive
term. It has existed five years and is now issuing
the third series of stock,with about $175,000 loaned.
This pioneer organization of the kind is the only
local association in Kalamazoo and the first series
will mature in 1893.
Mr. Gleason was married, May 10, 1876, in Kalamazoo, to Miss Agnes E. Mallon, who was born in
Buffalo, N. Y., and they have established a cozy
home at No. 606 Woodward Avenue. Their family comprises three children: Nellie, Thomas and
Neil. Religiously, they hold membership in the
St. Augustine Catholic Church.




506


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


The business of the publishing company is in  of I
suitable hands as long as Mr. Gleason remains its  thai
business manager. A thorough mechanic, he is   in 1
familiar with every detail of the establishment,  Nor
and his long experience, coupled with the neces-  for
sary special training, eminently fits him to discharge  I
his duties systematically and thoroughly.      Mat
kee
++++                            of
of t
/  ENRY E. HOYT is numbered among the       of t
)  prominent citizens of Kalamazoo, and is  zoo
X  particularly well known in connection with  gen
(  the educational interests of the city. His  P.,
connection with theBoard of Education extends  in S
over a period of fifteen years, during the last six  Hoy
of which he has served as Secretary.           is tl
Born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., February  thei
26, 1828, our subject is a son of the Rev. Ova and  trib
Mary (Clark) Hoyt. His father was the son of   Mr.
Judge Ezra Hoyt, of New Haven, Vt., and was de-  of t:
scended from a sturdy line of English ancestors.  of t]
After graduating from Middlebury College, Ova
Hoyt was ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, and for many years was pastor of
the church in Kalamazoo, where he died in 1866.
When a lad of about twelve years, in the spring
of 1840, Henry E. Hoyt accompanied his parents to
Kalamazoo,whither his father had come the previous
fall to select a location for the family. He is the second son among five children, three'of whom-two  182;
daughters and our subject-still survive. Prior  Ben
to removing to this State, he had studied in the  rear
schools at Utica, N. Y., and Cleveland, Ohio, and  fron
after coming to Kalamazoo he was a student in the  was
branch school of the Michigan University.      the
Upon leaving school, Mr. Hoyt embarked in the  R
mercantile business with his brother, William C.,  Can
at Hastings, this State, where he conducted a gen-  the.
eral store about five years. While residing in  183'
Hastings, he was elected Clerk of Barry County,  and
and, at the expiration of his term of office, was re-  tive
elected, serving altogether six years. Returning  185'
to Kalamazoo, he entered into the clothing business  maz
and later engaged in manufacturing staves, head-  Chri
ings and lumber at Kendall, continuing in this about  uarj
six years. Soon afterward he was elected Supervisor  bett


Kalamazoo Township and village, serving in
t capacity until the adoption of the city charter
1881. For three years he was loan agent of the:thwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
the State of Michigan.
n January, 1851, Mr. Hoyt was married to Miss
ry M., daughter of Hon. William Lewis, of YanSprings, Barry County, this State, and a native
New York. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt are the parents
hiree children, namely: William C., a member
ihe firm of Bragg & Co., nuserymen of Kalama-; Henry B., who is engaged as a dealer in
ts' furnishing goods at Kalamazoo; and Louis
a music teacher of Chicago and organist;t. Mark's Church. The pleasant home of Mr.
rt and his wife at No. 530 S. Rose Street
ie center of a gracious hospitality extended to
r hosts of friends.  They are generous conutors to all benevolent measures. Politically,
Hoyt is in active sympathy with the doctrines
he Democratic party. Mrs. Hoyt is a member
Ihe Presbyterian Church.,N


) OBERT BENNETT is a prominent farmer
' and stock-raiser on section 15, Richland
Township, Kalamazoo County.    He was
_,born in Ontario, Canada, November 22,
3, and was the son of Joseph and Helena (Read)
nett, natives of Ireland.  Our subject was
ed to man's estate in his native county, and
n his youth has been engaged in farming. He
given a common-school education and made
best of his opportunities.
obert Bennett was married, April 10, 1855, in
ada, to Miss Ann J. Newell, also a native of
Dominion where her birth occurred August 11,
7. Mrs. Bennett was the daughter of Alfred
Harriet (Ryan) Newell, her father being a naof England and her mother of Ireland. In
7, her parents left Canada and came to Kalaoo County, this State, and in 1880, moved to
istian County, Ill., where Mr. Newell died Jany 4, 1887. The mother followed him to the
er land, December 25, 1891.




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


509


-~
The parental family of Mrs. Bennett included
twelve children, eight of whom are living: Robert, William A., Thomas; Maggie, the wife of
James Essick; Bessie, tile wife of James Limer;
Julia, Mrs. J. G. Murdock; Eva, now the widow of
Preston W. Smith; and four dead. Of the eight children born to our subject and his good wife, the
six living bear the respective names of William H.;
Harriet E., the wife of C. F. Brown; Martha M.,
Albert; Grace, Mrs. Iarry Hulett, and Olive.
In the fall of 1857, Mr. Bennett with his family
came to Kalamazoo County and located in Richland Township. He located on his present farm in
1879, where he has since been a continuous resident.  His estate includes eighty acres, all of
which is under the best of cultivation. Mr. Bennett is a purely self-made man, as he commenced at
the bottom of the ladder and now occupies a good
position in the agricultural community. With his
wife, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in
which body he occupies the position of Deacon.
Mrs. Bennett is a member of the Foreign Missionary and Ladies' Aid Society. They are both
highly esteemed in their community and we are
pleased to be able to here present their sketch.
I~, ENRY BREES, Vice-President of the Kalai( i) mazoo Savings Bank, is now living retired
at No. 112 E. South Street. His beautiful
(i)  residence, in which his declining years are
quietly passed, is a brick structure, three stories in
height, and reflecting in its interior furnishings
the refined tastes of its inmates. This home and
the other property owned by Mr. Brees have not
come to him through fortuitous circumstances, but
are the result of unceasing toil in a frontier country
and amid discouraging surroundings. His life,
therefore, is well worthy the emulation of the
young, and as a representative citizen his portrait
is a valued addition to this volume.
The parents of our subject, John and Judith
(Hopkins) Brees, were natives, respectively, of
Pennsylvania and Rhode Island and were of English and Welsh extraction. After their marriage,
they settled in Otsego County, N. Y., where were
23             K


born unto them seven children. The father died
in the home there established but the mother passed
her last years in Michigan. ~ Two children survive:
our subject and his brother, Richard F., who was
born in Otsego County, in 1813, and resides in St.
Joseph County, this State. Henry was born in
Otsego County. February 1, 1808, and was reared
on his father's farm until he was eighteen years of
age.
Upon starting out in life for himself, Mr. Brees
went to Greene County, N. Y., where he engaged
in business as a tanner for three years. Afterward,
under contract with some New York pa lties, he
agreed to carry on a tannery in Mexico. Taking
passage on a steamer at New York, he proceeded
to Matamoras, but upon carefully looking over the
ground, he decided that the scheme was not feasible, so it was concluded to embark in the mercantile business. Under the firm name of Bange &
Co. and with our subject as a partner in the enterprise, a store was conducted at Matamoras, in the
State of New Leon, for seventeen years, when it
was sold out and Mr. Brees returned to the United
States. The enterprise was profitable and proved
the business ability of the firm.
While en route to his former home, Mr. Brees
stopped at New Orleans and also visited one
month in Cincinnati, Ohio. In the fall of 1847,
he came to Kalamazoo, spending the following
winter with his brother Richard and going in the
spring to Schoolcraft, where he bought a farm and
for a number of years was engaged in agricultural
pursuits, also operating as a merchant and distiller.
Finally selling out, he came to Kalamazoo in 1862
and opened a-private bank with Theo. P. Sheldon,
the firm name being T. P. Sheldon & Co. When
the private bank was merged into the Kalamazoo
Savings Bank, the senior member of the old firm
sold his interest and Mr. Brees was offered the
position of Vice-President, which he still holds.
In 1848, Mr. Brees was married to Miss Susan
Bangs, who was a native of Fredericksburg, Va.,
but at the time of her marriage resided in Cincinnati, Ohio. Of their family of five children, four
are now living, and they are occupying worthy
and honorable places in the business and social
world. The devoted wife and mother passed away




510


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


z


in Kalamazoo in 1884 and her death was mourned
in her home, by her friends and in the church of
which she had for rdany years been a faithful
member. Mr. Brees is identified with St. Luke's
Episcopal Church, having for a long time served
as its Warden, and aiding in all its good works.
Politically, he is a stanch Republican.
OBERT E. MILlIAM. This prosperous and intelligent farmer of section 35, Kalamazoo
Township, Kalamazoo County, had his birth
September 19,1854. His father was John Milham, a native of Columbia County, N. Y., where he
was born May 24, 1805, and there grew to manhood
and married. His first wife died and he was a
second time married and became the father of
three sons and two daughters. He was always a
farmer and in the year 1845 came to Michigan
and settled on the farm his son, our subject, now
owns, which then comprised one hundred and
sixty acres. He also owned land in other parts of
this State, his possessions in all being fifteen hundred acres. The second wife died soon after coiming to Michigan and Mr. Milham was then married
to Louisa Anderson, a native of Michigan and a
daughter of Eli and Abigail Anderson, early
settlers of Kalamazoo County. This third union
was blessed by the birth of six sons and four daughters, and the mother died in 1866. Samantha Anderson then became his wife and on the 7th of
February, 1885, he was called from this earth.
The widow is now living in Otsego, Mich. At the
time of his death, Mr. Milham owned four hundred and forty-six acres in this township and also
had some stock in a paper-mill in Kalamazoo.
He held a number of very prominent offices and
was a Democrat, and after coming to this State,
held most of the township offices here. In religion he belonged to the Reformed Episcopal
Church. Socially, he was President of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company for about fifteen
years and was one of the organizers of the County
Insurance Association and served as its first President, and was also a member of the Grange.
Our subject assisted his father on the home




farm until attaining his majority, when he took
charge of it for himself. He was married, October
4, 1888, to C. Clemana Pomeroy, a native of Pavilion Township, this county, having been born
October 15, 1862. Mrs. Milham is a daughter of
Norton Pomeroy, of New York, who in turn is a
son of Jabez Pomeroy, a native of Connecticut.
He was reared in New York and at the age of
twenty-two came to Michigan with his parents,
settling in Pavilion Township on one hundred and
sixty acres of land where he continued to reside
for twenty years.
Mr. Pomeroy came to Michigan and purchased
one hundred and thirty-five acres, which is a part
of his present estate. To this he has added from
time to time until he is now the fortunate possessor of two hundred and eighty-four acres of finely
cultivated land, all in a body. In 1889, he erected
his present handsome residence, has all the modern
improvements on his place and is one of the pioneers of the county. His son, Willis N., is a manufacturer of windmills, in partnership with Kirk A.
Smith, of Kalamazoo City. In politics, Mr. Poineroy is a stanch Republican and was Township
Clerk of Pavilion Township for twelve consecutive years. Mrs. Pomeroy is a consistent member
of the Episcopal Church, while her children belong to the Presbyterian Church.
ILLIAM BAKER. Biographies of successful men furnish interesting and instructive reading for the young, and especially
so, when, as in the career of Mr. Baker, one has
been compelled to battle with adverse circumstances.
It was through severe training in the school of
poverty that Mr. Baker in his youth learned the
useful lessons which were of incalculable benefit
to him in after life.
For many years Mr. Baker has resided in Kalamazoo County, where he is one of the most prominent citizens of Ross Township, and operates a
good farm in section 14. He was born in Connecticut, December 10, 1819, and is the son of
Michael and Penelope (Taft) Baker, natives re





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


511


--- --- -—   ----  ----


spectively of Vermont and Rhode Island. When
one year old, he was taken by his parents to Saratoga County, N.Y., where they lived for eight
years, when they went to Warren County, N. Y.;
they there remained seven years, when they returned to Saratoga County, N. Y., living there
until 1847.
In his youth Mr. Baker assisted his father who
was a sawmill owner and lumberman, meanwhile
receiving such advantages as the schools of the
district afforded.  February 27, 1842, he was
married in New York to Miss Anna Griggs, who
was born in Saratoga County, September 5, 1823.
Her parents, Nathaniel and Sallie (Kennicutt)
Griggs, were natives of Schoharie and Saratoga
Counties, N. Y., respectively, and had a family of
six children, two of whom survive: Mrs. Baker, and
Sarah, wife of Lyle T. Terwillegar.
Mr. Baker and his estimable wife became the parents of three children, one now living, Fayette L.,
who married Adeline Towner, and became the father of five children: George L., Fred E., F. Clyde,
William C., and Edith P. A daughter of our subject, Francelia, married Charles Palmiter and died,
leaving one child, Carrie E.
In the spring of 1847, Mr. Baker, accompanied
by his family, removed to Kalamazoo County and
settled upon his present farm, his home for a number of years being in a log cabin with frontier
surroundings. Afterward, he built the residence
where he and his wife are passing their declining
years in comfort. They have seen much of pioneer life, having endured numberless hardships,
but having their reward in the ownership of one
hundred and fifty-seven and one-half acres of
land, and, what is even better, the esteem of their
neighbors. He keeps on an average sixty hives
of bees, in the care of which he finds employment
which is pleasant and profitable.
Politically, Mr. Baker is a Republican. lie has
served as Justice of the Peace, Highway Commissioner and other positions of trust, to which he has
been called by his fellow-citizens. His interest in
public measures is active and warm, while the
projects which tend to the advancement of the
agricultural interests of the community are sure
of his hearty co-operation. At the wedding of


Mr. and Mrs. Baker, thirty invited guests participated in the merriments of the occasion, of whom
four alone survive. The golden wedding of this
happy couple was passed in an appropriate manner, February 27, 1892, and it is the wish of their
many friends that they may be spared in health
and strength for years to come. Their granddaughter, Carrle E., has made her home with her grandparents since childhood.
NOCH HOPKINS, a successful farmer in
Alamo Township, Kalamazoo County, was
born in Washington County, N. Y., November 3, 1829. He was the son of Martin Hopkins,
also a native of New York where he carried on
farming. The elder Mr. Hopkins came to Michigan
in 1854 and located on a farm in Kalamazoo County
where he was engaged in cultivating the soil until
his death, in 1866. The Hopkins fanily trace their
ancestry back to Wales. The paternal grandfather
of our subject was a native of Rhode Island. When
establishing in life for himself he went to New
York and cleared and improved a tract of land.
Sabrina Green, the mother of our subject, was
born in Vermont and died in 1873, when seventynine years of age. Enoch Hopkins was one of four
children born to his parents, all of whom are living,
with one exception. His father had been married
previous to his union with Miss Green and five
children were born to him, only one of whom is
living. He of whom we write was given a districtschool education and began in life for himself at
the age of nineteen, learning the carpenter's trade.
Enoch Hopkins came to Kalamazoo County, this
State, in 1841, and after working at his trade a
short time, did contract work on his own account.
He later entered into partnership with a halfbrother and they continued together for a number
of years. When they came to Kalamazoo it contained only a few houses and Mr. Hopkins was engaged for a number of years in erecting some of
the substantial storehouses and dwellings in that
now flourishing city.
In 1858 our subject purchased a tract of land in
Alamo Township, whither lie removed and began






512


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


the work of improving his wild land, together with
carrying on his trade. He was married in 1852 to
Miss Sarah Dickerson, a native of Pennsylvania
and the daughter of Aaron and Susan Dickerson
who were born in New Jersey. Mr. Dickerson was
a farmer and came to Michigan while it was yet a
Territory, in 1836, and made his Jhome in Livingston County for five years. He later removed to
Kalamazoo County, where he died in 1868; his
good wife survived him a number of years and
passed away in 1882. They were the parents of
seven children.
Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins have become the parents
of two children: Hattie and Alice, both of whom
have been given excellent educations, Miss Hattie
having taught several terms of school. Our subject owns a tract of two hundred and forty acres,
located on sections 32 and 29. His estate is under
the most thorough cultivation, Mr. Hopkins believing that the best methods and improvements
bring him in the largest returns. He has erected
thereon all the buildings which best subserve the
interests of the first-class agriculturist and,in addition to raising the cereals, gives a great deal of attention to the breeding of good stock. He is a
purely self-made man and is justly proud of his
beautiful estate, which has been the work of his
own hands.
In politics, Mr. Hopkins is a Republican and his
wife in religious matters is a Congregationalist.
ONATHAN     BABCOCK.     This venerable
gentleman is the oldest citizen of Kalamazoo
County, and one of its earliest pioneers,
who settled on section 4, Comstock Township, more than fifty-seven years ago, and is now
passing the sunset of life in the comfortable home
that he built up here by his energetic and persevering labors when in manhood's prime. Here he
enjoys the high respect and esteem of the people
among whom he has lived so many years, due to
his age and worth.
Mr. Babcock was born in the town of Petersburg, Rensselaer County, N. Y., August 1, 1802.
His father, who bore the same name as himself, is


supposed to have been born in the State of New
York, his people going there to settle from Rhode
Island. He married Nancy Sweet, who is thought
to have been a native of New York. They were
the parents of four children, one son and three
daughters, our subject being the oldest and the
only surviving member of the family. His paternal
grandmother lived to be ninety-six years old, and
was one of a long-lived race.
Our subject lived in his native place until lie
was ten years old, and then went to Massachusetts
to live with his maternal grandparents. He was a
resident of the old Bay State from that time until
1834. In that year, in the full flush of a vigorous,
self-reliant manhood, he came to Michigan, coming
directly to Kalamazoo County, bringing with him
the young wife whom he had previously married
in New York in 1831. Her maiden name was Almira Prindle, and she was a native of the western
part of New York, born in Genesee County, in
1807. They began their new life here on his present homestead on section 4, Comstock Township,
in a little log shanty, that was 16x20 feet in dimensions, and Mr. Babcock constructed the furniture with his own hands, making a bedstead, table,
chairs, stools, etc. He found the country in all its
original wildness, with but few evidences of civilization, and he and his wife had to sacrifice much,
to contend with many hardships and to be content
to dispense with many things that they had previously regarded as necessary to their comfort.
But they bore themselves cheerfully under the
pioneer regime, and in due season fell upon better
times. Mr. Babcock toiled hard to clear and cultivate his land, and finally brought it to a fine state
of tillage and improvement, supplying it with all
needed buildings and good farming machinery for
carrying on agriculture, and now has as good a
farm as is to be found in the neighborhood.
March 25, 1882, death took from our subject his
beloved wife, who had encouraged and assisted
him in every way possible for more than half a
century. She was a woman of most excellent disposition, kindly, pleasant and hospitable, a good
wife and wise mother. On this farm, where she
had come in early womanhood to help her husband
found a home, is her last resting place, near the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


513


mortal remains of her father and mother. Six
children, five daughters and one son, were born to
our subject and his wife. Two of them, Harriet
E. and Clarissa J., died in infancy; Jane died at
the age of thirty-five; IHenry resides with his
father and assists him in the management of the
farm; Julia is the wife of M. Carrier, and lives
with her father; Louisa is the wife of A. D. Oatman, of Richland Township.
Mr. Babcock cast his first ballot for Andrew
Jackson for President. He voted for Abraham
Lincoln, and gave his support to the Republican
party for a while, but he is now a Democrat. He
has held school offices, and has always manifested
a deep interest in the progress of his adopted
township, in both educational and religious matters, contributing liberally towards the churches.
\r"OCKWELL MAY. This venerable citizen
and early pioneer of Kalamazoo County
was born in Sheffield, Mass., June 20, 1799.
He came from the best New England Puritan stock, the book of family genealogy and history
showing him to be a descendant in the seventh
generation from John May, who came from Sussex,
England, and settled in Roxbury, Mass., in 1640.
At fourteen years of age, Mr. May removed to
Sandisfield, Berkshire County, Mass., where he
lived until he came to Michigan in 1834. When
twenty-two, he was married to Celestia Underwood, of like Puritan stock, a direct descendant of
John Rogers, the martyr, and a woman of great
energy and force of character, who was his faithful
wife for sixty-eight years, until her death Decemnber 2, 1889, in her ninetieth year.
In 1834, as before stated, Mr. May, accompanied
by his wife and five children, came to Michigan
and settled in Richland Township, Kalamazoo
County, on the east end of Gull Prairie, having
the year previous visited this section and purchased
three hundred and forty acres of fine prairie and
opening land, besides one hundred and twenty
acres of pine land in Allegan and Kent Counties.
The journey hither was made in his own convey

ance, his household goods being sent by way of
the canal and Lake Erie. So long a trip was a
great undertaking in those early days before railroads and the conveniences of modern travel were
known.
For fifteen years, Mr. May lived on his farm, enduring the early hardships and sickness, building his
home, clearing and cultivating his fields, interesting
himself with his pioneer neighbors in the temporal
and religious welfare of the young community, and
holding various offices of trust in the church and
township. He had been an officer in the Massachusetts militia, holding a commission from Gov.
Levi Lincoln, and from his military habit and bearing was nearly always chosen to serve as "Marshal
of the day" in the early 4th of July celebrations.
Meanwhile, he was rearing his family of four sons
and one daughter in the good old Puritan virtues
of industry, sobriety and integrity, sending them
to the district schools, to the branch of the University at Kalamazoo and the eldest son to the
State University at Ann Arbor.
In 1849, Mr. May sold his farm and stock,
bought a house and built a store at Richland, a
mile distant, where, in company with his son-inlaw, Frank Little, he entered into a general country merchandise trade, following the business with
good success until the summer of 1855, when the
firm sold out and removed to Kalamazoo, engaging
in the dry-goods business on Main Street, west of
the Burdick Iouse, under the firm name of Rockwell May & Co. The store building being burned
down, he at once built a substantial brick block on
the site, which he lhad previously purchased.
In his home, corner of West and Walnut Streets,
Mr. May has resided for nearly forty years, retired
from all active business, and enjoying a comfortable competence as a reward for good judgment
and honest industry in early life. But, though retired, and never forward or self-asserting, Mr. May
has taken, in his modest, quiet way, a deep interest during all these years in the affairs of church
and State, and in all the private duties of good
neighborhood and good citizenship. From young
manhood up, a period of more than seventy years,
he has been a member of the Old New England
Orthodox Church, and has through all his long life,




514                     PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHI
until very recently, when prevented by the grow-  Republ
ing infirmities of old age, been a regular and  and pa
constant attendant, and an active worker in    son w]
church affairs.  In Kalamazoo, his connection  IIe toe
has been ever with the First Congregational    ing t]
Church, in which he was for many years an offi-  voted
cer, and where, in rain or shine, until nearly  mont 1
ninety years of age, he could always be found at  was in
his post. No matter what the storm or weather  but he
outside, the minister at the Sunday services, the  his for
weekly prayerl meeting, or other meetings of the  for th(
church, could always see Deacon May in his pew.  In r
He was elected Deacon by the church in 1866,   indepe
and Emeritus Deacon, or for life, in December,  petent
1880.                                          round,
Very naturally from his Puritan origin and re-  have d
ligious principles, Mr. May was one of the earliest  neighb
in the temperance and anti-slavery movements.  watchi
At the great Washingtonian Temperance Celebra-  dren, -
tion, held in Kalamazoo in May, 1842, he came as  gradua
Marshal of the vast delegation from the northern  recentl
and eastern portions of the county. He main-   able in
tained the pledge and never failed to set an exam-  long-li
pie of the strictest sobriety before the family and  causes
in the community. His first Presidential vote was  his fou
for James Monroe, at his second election in 1820.  of age
He voted with the Whig party for John Quincy   to his
Adams, Henry Clay and Gen. Harrison in 1840.   things
In the memorable Tippecanoe celebration at     Wha
Kalamazoo, July 4, 1840, Mr. May marshalled a  tobace
great Whig procession from   his part of the   longin
county, which filled all the Richland roads,   can cla
and rode at its head on a powerful bay horse   touche
with a broad axe on his shoulder, cutting down  abstaii
the forest trees and hauling them with ox-teams  toxica
to build the famous log cabin where the Clhase  very t
Block now stands and    under whose founda-    he has
tion the excited Whigs that day buried thous..  honest
ands of "wild cat" bills.                      truly a
Harrison was elected, inaugurated, and died-  was a
the Whig craze was over, and now Deacon May,   and ch
true to-serious principle, and. as a matter of con-  pathet
science and patriotism, courageously joined the  were r
small and despised political Abolition, or liberty  tress.
party, and voted for James G. Birney, its Presiden-  Am(
tial candidate in 1844, keeping pace with that  known
party until 1854, when it was merged in the new  and gj


-1~,~tI


CAL RECORD.
lican party, he being one of that earnest
itriotic assemblage under the oaks of Jackhen that great organization was founded.
)k a quiet but deep interest in its course durhe anti-slavery and war period, and has
for all its Presidential candidates from Freto Harrison. When the war broke out, he
the sixties, and too old to take the field,
had the satisfaction of seeing every one of
ir sons in the army, doing honorable service
eir country in its hour of peril.
ecent years, Mr. May has lived quietly and
undently in his own house, with a very ccmhousekeeper to attend to all his wants, sured by every comfort which his simple tastes
lemanded, enjoying the calls of friends and
)ors, and having near him constantly the
ful and filial interest and society of his chilwho reside in Kalamazoo. He has yielded very
ally to the encroachments of time and only
ly has his memory begun to show the inevitnpairment of extreme old age. He came of a
ived family. His father died from accidental
but his mother reached a venerable age an'd
ir brothers lived to be beyond eighty years.Still his great age is doubtless due in part
simple habits and uniform temperance in all
atever preservative properties whiskey and
o may be supposed by some to have in prog human life, it is very certain that they
aim no credit in his case. Ile has never
Id tobacco in any form, and has constantly
led, during a long life, from the use of inting drinks. In fact, he has always been
emperate in both eating and drinking, and
not only been temperate, but frugal and
and just. It was in his nature to speak
and do right, and wish everybody well. He
good neighbor, and always spoke kindly
laritably of his fellow-men. He was a symic and tender-hearted man, and his feelings
eadily enlisted for all in suffering and dlsong his characteristics, which all who have
ihim will at once recognize, was a quick wit
reat love of humor.  With his somewhat




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


515


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


abrupt and impulsive speech, his friends will long
remember his keen and witty sayings and repartees
which came spontaneously from his love of jokes
and banter, but never had any sting of malice in
them.
In conclusion, it can be said that there is a
moral lesson in the life and character of this venerable citizen and pioneer. In all his long life,
beginning half a year before Washington died,
and spanning nearly the whole century, he has
illustrated again the value of character; for, seeking no high place and filling only a private station, he has thrown a steady and constant influence on the side of right and justice and temperance and good order, and he will die with goodwill towards all men, and without leaving an honest debt or an enemy in the world.
Besides his wife, Mr. May's family consisted
of the following children, in the order of their
ages: Gen. Dwight May, Rev. Frank W. May,
Cornelia Elizabeth May (Mrs. Frank Little), Hon.
Charles S. May, all of Kalamazoo; and Col. Gordon
A. May, of Chicago. Gen. May and Rev. F. W.
May, the two elder sons, died in Kalamazoo in the
year 1880.
OLIN  C. BLAKE, a successful farmer of
Comstock Township, Kalamazoo County,
was born in Livingston County, N. Y., April
13, 1829. lis father Ira, was born in 1802
in the same county and followed the occupation of
a farmer until lie died in 1838, his death occurring
in the house in which he had been born.
The mother of our subject, whose maiden
name was Adaline Campbell, was born in Livingston County, N. Y., of Scotch ancestry and by her
union with Ira Blake became the mother of four
children, namely: Lydia Ann, deceased; Eunice
Jane, who resides in Michigan; John C., of this
sketch; and William A., whose sketch will be found
in another portion of this volume.
As soon as our subject was old enough, he became self-supporting and earned his first money
by working out on a farm. In 1848, he came to
Michigan, settling in Comstock Township, Kala

mazoo County, and at the time of his arrival had
a capital of $45, which he loaned at ten per cent.
interest. His first employment was selling pumps,
which he followed one year ili the employ of another, then bought out his employer and conducted
the business himself for two years.
The next venture of Mr. Blake was as a merchant,
embarking in the dry-goods business at Galesburg
and continuing in that way for fifteen months,
when he sold out and bought one hundred and sixty
acres of land, paying $500 therefor. March 14,
1855, he was united in marriage with Frances M.,
daughter of John and Jane (Havens) Thomas,who
was born in Groveland, Livingston County, N. Y.,
April 9, 1831. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of New York, Mrs. Blake
being the second of their twelve children.
After his marriage, Mr. Blake located at once
upon the farm where he now resides, which he
cleared and embellished with a beautiful and attractive residence, one of the largest in the county,
and among the most conveniently arranged and
cozily furnished of the dwellings in this section of
Michigan. Four hundred and ninety-two acres
are comprised in the home farm, most of which is
under cultivation, and he has besides eighty acres
in Pavilion Township and considerable real estate
in Galesburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Blake are the parents of six children, as follows: Fannie J., born January 15, 1856,
and the wife of Porter C. Hall, of Kansas; William
I., born July 22, 1858, and the owner of two hundred and twenty acres in Pavilion Township, although his residence is in Comstock Township;
Jane A., who was born October 1, 1860, and is the
wife of H. W. Sherwood, 'of Pavilion Township;
Adaline C., born December 24, 1862, and the wife
of F. C. Burroughs, a grocer of Galesburg; John R.,
born April 28, 1866, and Blanche L., February 16,
1872, both at home.
Mr. Blake and his sons are the largest importers
of fine sheep in the county, owning two hundred
and twenty-five head of Shropshire sheep and
thirteen hundred head altogether. They engage
in shipping sheep, cattle, and hogs and do a general
farming business in addition, raising during the
season of 1891, three thousand seven hundred




516


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


bushels of wheat, three thousand six hundred of
oats, and seven thousand of potatoes, besides other
cereals and vegetables.
A stanch Democrat, Mr. Blake has voted at every
election since he was old enough to cast his ballot.
He was Postmaster four years in Galesburg,also
Justice of the Peace four years, and for many years
has been connected with the Masonic fraternity.
He is justly esteemed as one of the most enterprising, upright and successful men of Kalamazoo
County, and as such we are pleased to represent him
in this volume, dedicated to the public-spirited
citizens of the county.
OHN HOLTENHOUSE.        This gentleman,
who was formerly identified with the business interests of Kalamazoo, but is now deceased, was born in Ft. Plain, Montgomery
County, N. Y., in 1816, and died October 24, 1884.
His father, Henry Holtenhouse, was born in Saxe
Coburg, in Germany, and his mother, whose maiden
name was Mary Sheffer, was born and reared in
New York near the Hudson River, her ancestors
having originated in Holland. The son John was
orphaned by the death of his father when only ten
years old, and early became self-supporting.
At the desire of the late United States Treasurer
Spinner, Mr. Holtenhouse left the position in the
dry-goods store, where he had been from boyhood,
to accept the position of confidential clerk for Mr.
Spinner,who had a contract for building the Insane
Asylum at Utica, N. Y. That was prior to his first
trip to the South. About the time he completed
his engagement with Mr. Spinner, he met a merchant from New Orleans who offered him a position
in his establishment and he was thus engaged acceptably for three years.
Returning to the Empire State, Mr. Holtenhouse
engaged in the mercantile business on his own account for more than five years at Richfield Springs,
and then went to Ft. Plain, the city of his birth,
and formed a partnership with a Frenchman
named Tobey, a contractor for building locks on
the Erie Canal. The partnership was dissolved in
a few years, after which Mr. Holtenhouse proceeded


to Ft. Washtenaw in the Indian Territory, where
he carried on a sutler's and post-trader's store, in
partnership with Samuel Humes, a cousin of exPresident Buchanan. The business proved to be
very profitable and the firm conducted a large trade
with the Indians.
The post-trader's store was carried on for fourteen years, after which Mr. Holtenhouse came to
Michigan and located on a farm in Pittsford
Township, Hillsdale County, where he followed
general farming and stock-raising for six years.
In the spring of 1861, he came to Kalamazoo, and,
buying a half-interest in the lumber business with
I. Kellogg, manufactured lumber, sash and blinds
and operated several mills in the pineries. Mr.
Kellogg selling out to Fred Bush, the title of the
firm was changed to Holtenhouse & Co., under which
name they continued to manufacture and deal in
lumber for some years and also operated a planing
mill. On account of ill-health, Mr. Holtenhouse
was compelled to retire from business in 1880.
September 14, 1852, Mr. Holtenhouse was united
in marriage with Sarah C., daughter of Moses and
Maria (Loomis) Shaw, of Pittsford, Mich. They
became the parents of four children, namely:
John H.,who resides in Salt Lake City, Utah; Lizzie
M., at home; Harriet, wife of Bernard L. Stayner,
of Pocatello, Idaho; and Edward P., who lives in
Evanston, Wyo. The home of Mr. Holtenhouse
was at No. 622 South Burdick Street, where his
family still reside. He was a prosperous citizen,
sympathizing with the poor, and in politics, a
stanch Democrat prior to the war, but cast his vote
for Lincoln and Grant for the Presidency and continued to vote the Republican ticket until his
death. He was held in high esteem by all who
knew him, and his estimable wife and children
command the respect of the community.
G  EORGE A. BARBER makes his home at
the present time in section 23, Richland
Township, Kalamazoo County, where lie is
profitably engaged in cultivating the soil of a valuable estate. He was born in Erie County, Pa.,
November 7, 1839, and was the son of Alpheus




I




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


519


and Betsey (Dennis) Barber, natives, respectively
of Massachusetts and Maine. He was seven years
of age when his parents came West to this county,
they making the journey overland by team from
Pennsylvania, and stopping en route for one year
in Ohio. On arriving in this county they located
in Prairie Ronde Township, where they resided
for about two years, and then came to Richland
Township. They continued to reside there for a
number of years, and then the parents moved to
Berry County, where they both died.
The parental family of our subject included
nine children, of whom the following survive:
Newell, Philip, John and our subject. The latter
was reared to man's estate amid the pioneer scenes
of this locality, and did his full share in redeeming the home-farm from  the wilderness. Houses
were few and far between in that early day, but
Indians and wild animals were very numerous.
Our subject was given but limited advantages in
the way of a schooling, but by persistent study
and systematic reading, he now ranks among the
intelligent residents of the county.
April 21, 1862, Mr. Barber was united in marriage to Miss Anna Peake, who was born in Vermont, April 21, 1842. Mrs. Barber was the daughter of Ira and Sarah (Miller) Peake, her father a
native of Vermont, and her mother born in Connecticut. She was in her third year when her parents came to this county, where they located in
Richland Township on a farm. They there made
their home for a number of years, when the parents
moved into the village, and there Mr. Peake died
in 1887. Mrs. Peake died when Mrs. Barber was
in her seventeenth year. Her father had been
twice married, and of the seven children born to
him, five now survive: Mrs. Barber, Oliver, Ira,
Francis and Mary.
The following named seven children have been
granted our subject and his wife, namely: Oliver
L., Frances, Sarah, Carrie, Edith, Bertha and Allie.
Mr. Barber owns three hundred and sixteen acres
of valuable improved land, which has been the
result of his persistent industry and good management.   In politics, lie is a Republican, and his
wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Socially, our subject is an Odd Fellow at Richland,


and has always been in favor of all measures that
would elevate the society. He is progressive and
public-spirited, and, in addition to raising the cereals, devotes a great deal of time and attention
to stock-raising.
The father of Mrs. Barber was very prominent
in local affairs, and held many of the local offices
of his township.
EONARD G. BRAGG. In years of experience, Mr. Bragg is one of the old business
men of Kalamazoo. In 1857, he established
the Union Nursery office which is now at the
corner of Elm  and West Main Streets and for
several years carried on business alone, but has now
associated with him W. C. Hoyt, under the firm
name of L. G. Bragg & Co. From a small beginning, he has constantly increased his business until
it has assumed extensive proportions as the result
of his enterprise and well-directed effort.
Mr. Bragg was born in Monroe County, N. Y.,
August 19, 1830. His parents were Leonard and
Philinda (Gilmore) Bragg. The father was an
agriculturist, and upon his farm our subject spent
the days of his boyhood and youth, their home being principally in Orleans County, N. Y., whither
the family had removed when Leonard was a
young lad. The public schools afforded him his
educational privileges.
In the East, Mr. Bragg remained until after he
had attained to man's estate, the year 1857 witnessing his arrival in Michigan. He made his first location in Paw Paw, this State, where he remained
for twelve years and where he embarked in the
nursery business. In 1869, he came to Kalamazoo
and established a nursery a mile and a half south
of the city where he grows fruit trees and shrubs
which he sells through the agency of others in the
different States. He makes a specialty of apples
and pears and has some fine varieties of these trees
on hand. From the beginning, he has met with
good success in his undertakings and has worked
up an excellent trade. About five years ago, he
formed a partnership with W. C. Hoyt, and the
firm name of L. G. Bragg & Co. was assumed.






520


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I


In 1853, Mr. Bragg was joined ill wedlock with
Miss Mary Sherwood, of Orleans County, N. Y.,
and a daughter of Anson Sherwood. Their union
has been blessed with one daughter, Lena, now
the wife of Charles A. Burton, of Chicago. In
addition to their pleasant and beautiful residence
situated on the corner of Elm  and West Main
Streets, Mr. Bragg owns a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres which is under a high state
of cultivation and well improved with good barns
and outbuildings, and there he raises fine grades of
horses, mostly of the Clydesdale breed, for use in
his nursery business and also for sale. His energy,
industry and enterprise stood him instead of capital
when he started out in life for himself and have
been important factors in his success. By close
application to business and attention to all its details, he has acquired a competence and by his
courteous treatment of his customers has secured a
liberal patronage. He ranks high in business circles and is one of the favorably known citizens of
Kalamazoo. His portrait is presented in connection with this sketch.
ICHAEL GEORGE is well worthy of recognition as one of the pioneers of Kalamazoo County, as during his many years'
residence here he has reclaimed one of the
finest farms in all Brady Township from the forest
wilds, and is one of the most prosperous farmers
of this section. Mr. George was born in Prusssia,
Germany, September 29, 1828, a son of Nicholas
George, who was also a Prussian by birth. The
father of the latter, Francis George, a native of
Prussia, was a veterinary surgeon. He lived to be
an old man, dying at the age of seventy-six. The
father of our subject was a carpenter. In accordance with the laws of his land, he served in the
army and was under Napoleon in the wars of
1811. He died when he was sixty-five years old.
He was a devout Roman Catholic in his religious
belief.  His wife, Elizabeth Calenburg in her
maiden days, and also a Prussian, died in middle
life. They reared four children, namely: Michael,


Elizabeth, John and Anna. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Calenburg, was a carpenter and contractor and builder.  He lived to
be eighty years old.
He of whom this biographical sketch is written
passed his early life in the land of his nativity,
and in its excellent schools, which he attended
until he was fourteen years old, he obtained a good
practical education. He learned the trade of a
carpenter, becoming very skillful at that calling,
and in the opening years of a stalwart manhood,
at the age of twenty-six years, he turned his face
towards America as the country where his hopes
and ambitions for a happy and prosperous life
would be sure of fulfilment he thought, if he once
established himself here. It was in the year 1854
that he sailed away from his old home with all its
pleasant associations, and thirty-five days later he
stepped ashore at New York.  He stayed there
three months, and the third day after landing
had secured a job at carpentering at $30 per
month. He then came here and worked in this
township in a shingle factory. After that lie was
employed at grubbing, and he also worked at his
trade some months. His next move was to obtain
a situation as a farm hand, at which he labored by
the month the ensuing foulryears. At the end of
that time, he became more independent, and rented
his employer's farm one year.  He then bought
forty acres of land in the woods, made some improvements, and sold it at a good advance on the
original price. Having disposed of that place, he
bought eighty acres of the farm that he now owns
on section 15, Brady Township.   Only twelve
acres of it were cleared, and a log house constituted
the only attempts at improvement.  Its isolation
and wildness are shown by the fact that deer and
other game roamed over his farm at their will
when it first came into his possession, and he had
hard pioneer labor to perform before he transformed his land into its present fine condition.
He now owns one hundred and ten acres of choice
farming land, ninety acres in his homestead, and
twenty acres one mile north of it.  In 1873, he
built the roomy and fine looking frame house in
which he and his wife are so comfortably situated.
In 1865, he erected a large frame barn.  He has




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


521




other necessary outbuildings, and his whole place
is indicative of the good care he takes of it, and
also shows that he is an intelligent, thrifty farmer,
who has a good understanding of the best methods
of carrying on his calling. He has his farm well
stocked, and has a fine herd of Durham cattle, as
he is engaged in mixed farming, and does quite a
dairy business, from which he derives a good profit.
He is one of our self-made, moneyed men. When
lie came to this country, he not only had nothing
with which to start his new life, but he was $30
in debt.  He has met with more than ordinary success, and is now a capitalist, loaning
money at a good rate of interest. He has always
been generous in the use of his means, and has
often lent a helping hand to others, and his neighbors know him to be very kind, sympathetic and
obliging in his disposition, and ever genial and
cheerful. He is quick-sighted, far-seeing and judicious in money matters, but is never grasping or
over-reaching, and his word is as good as a bond.
In politics, he is a sturdy, steadfast Republican.
Among the other blessings that our subject has
won in this country is a good wife in the person
of Miss Mary Brown, to whom   lie was wedded
September 24, 1858.  Mrs. George was born in
Warrensville, Ohio, near Cleveland, December 3,
1835. Her parental history will be found in the
sketch of her brother, Charles Brown. Mrs. George
is a member of the Congregational society, and is
an exemplary Christian. After Mr. George came
to this country, he carefully saved up his earnings
until he had $150 and he then generously sent
that sum to his sister to pay her passage to this
country. She embarked on the voyage with pleasant anticipations of seeing her brother, but she
was not destined to land on these shores as she
died on the way and found an ocean burial.
1 OOHN M. BARRETT is one of the representative pioneers of Richland Township, Kalamazoo County. IHe was born in New York
State, March 7, 1828, and is the son of Hildah and Betsey A. (Cummings) Barrett. In 1831,
when three years of age, he was brought to this


State by his parents, they locating for a time in
Jackson County. In 1834, they came to this
county, and, locating in Richland Township, began
clearing a home from the wilderness. The elder
Mr. Barrett was among the very earliest settlers of
this locality, and endured all the hardships and
privations which are known to the pioneer.
The parental family of our subject included
eight children, three of whom survive, namely:
Eliza, who is the wife of Newell Barber; John M.,
and Rev. Wright L., who is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Barrett died just previous to the opening of the Civil War; his good
wife, surviving him many years, died in 1867.
They were very prominent people among the early
residents of this section, and in their death the
county lost two of her best citizens. In coming
to the Wolverine State, they made the journey by
way of the lakes to Detroit, coming to Jackson
County overland with teams, where they remained
for a short time and then came to Kalamazoo
County.
John M. Barrett was reared amid the pioneer
scenes of Michigan, and has done his full share in
clearing and improving this section, having redeemed about two hundred and fifty acres from
the timber. His education was gained, mainly,
in the primitive log schoolhouse, and, his advantages being thus very limited, he may most truly
be called self-made.
May 22, 1853, our subject and Miss Lydia Green
were united in marriage. Mrs. Barrett is a native
of Washtenaw County, this State, her natal day
being November 30, 1830. She was the daughter
of Harvey and Hettie (Peterson) Green, natives
of the Empire State and who emigrated to the
Territory of Michigan as early as 1828, locating
in the above-named county, where they were married a year later. Mr. and Mrs. Green later came
to Kalamazoo County, where they spent their last
days. Mrs. Barrett was one of a large family of
children, eight of whom survive, namely: Mrs.
Barrett, Myron, Owen, Orrin, Olive A.; Hettie,
now the widow of John Wells; Victoria, the wife
of John Irons; and Maria, Mrs. David Hizer.
To Mr. and Mrs. Barrett have been granted the
following-named five children: Mary L., Arthur J.,






522


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Ida M., Edwin G. and Carman M. Mr. Barrett has
always been actively interested in the cause of
education, and has been School Director of his district for a number of years. He is a Prohibitionist
in politics, and has done much toward furthering
the cause of temperance in his locality. He belongs
to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for years
has been greatly interested in Sunday-school work,
having organized many schools in this township.
The landed estate of our subject includes eighty
acres of valuable property, all of which is the result of his persistent industry and good management. Mrs. Barrett taught school in an early day
in Richland Township. Mr. Barrett is highly esteemed in the social and business circles of his
community where his word is considered as good
as his bond.
(k.L;IM  J _


LifT -


I


ON. JOHN W. KIRBY, a prominent citizen of Charleston Township, has been a
resident of Kalamazoo County for nearly a
quarter of a century, and during that time
has built up one of its most attractive homes, improved a choice farm, and has made for himself a
high place in its industrial and civic life. He is a
native of Columbia County, N. Y., the township
of New Lebanon the place of his birth, October
24, 1824, the date thereof.
The father of our subject, John Kirby, was born
in Rhode Island in 1787, and when a young boy
was taken by his parents to Easton Township,
Washington County, N.Y., where lie grew to manhood. He then went to Columbia County, in the
same State, and there spent the rest of his days,
dying in 1870 at a good old age. He was in early
manhood when the War of 1812 broke out, and at
some period of its progress he enlisted in a New
York regiment. He accompanied his regiment to
Albany, where it was stationed two or three weeks,
and then, as their services were not required, he
and his comrades were honorably discharged. He
was one of the foremost men in his community,
held the offices of Supervisor and Justice of the
Peace, was an ardent Democrat in politics, and, In




religion, was a stanch Methodist, and for many
years was an officer in the church of which he was
a member. His father, Elihu Kirby, was a native
of Rhode Island, his parents coming to this country in Colonial times. The mother of our subject
bore the maiden name of Freelove Lyon, and she
was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1793. She
died at the age of eighty-four years. Her father,
Thomas Lyon, a soldier in the War of 1812, was
an extensive merchant and a pioneer business man
in Columbia County. Of the eleven children of
the parents of our subject, four daughters and
seven sons, all grew to maturity but two, and these
five are still living: Patience, a resident of Kalamazoo County, and the widow of Lewis Haight;
William G.; John W., Adam C., who lives on the
old homestead in Columbia County, N. Y., where
the family was born; and Catherine, wife of Dr.
H. D. Jones, of Duluth, Minn.
He of whom we write is the sixth child and the
fourth son of the family. He passed his boyhood
amid the pleasant scenes of his native place, and
finished his education in the local district schools.
He continued to live on the old farm  where he
first opened his eyes to the light of the world until
he came to Michigan in 1868. In the meantime
he had taken unto himself a wife, marrying Miss
Mary Howland, in Saratoga County, N. Y., Janu:.ry
28, 1852. Mrs. Kirby was born and reared in
Saratoga County, her birth taking place July 28,
1830. By her devotion to her husband's interests
she has contributed in no small degree to his success in life. Their pleasant wedded life has brought
to them two sons and four daughters, namely:
Arzelia, wife of 0. S. Spier, of Kalamazoo; Irving,
who died in March, 1859; Minnie F., at home with
her parents; Harriet, who died October 13, 1863;
Alice, wife of Dr. William Ely, Ocheyedan, Iowa;
and Elbert L.. who is attending school at Galesburg.
Ever since coming to Michigan, our subject has
lived on the farm that lie has developed in Charleston Township, which, under his superior management, has become one of the best ordered and
finest equipped farms in this part of the county,
its improvements, which are all first-class, being
the work of his own hands. He Ihas put up roomy,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


523


conveniently arranged barns and other out-buildings for every needed purpose, and, in 1873, he
erected a handsome, well-built residence at a cost
of $4,000  One hundred and twenty.acres of his
land lies in Charleston Township, and forty acres
in Ross Township. The soil is tilled after the best
modes of cultivation, and yields abundant harvests, and fine stock is raised on the farm.
Mr. Kirby has an evenly-balanced mind, is well
dowered with firmness and activity of purpose, is
sensible, clear-headed and sharp-sighted in money
matters, bearing a high reputation in financial
circles for honorableness and perfect reliability in
all his transactions. His fellow-citizens, placing a
high estimation upon his personal character and
his ability, selected him for one of the highest
offices within their gift, that of Representative to
the State Legislature from  the Second District,
which position he held with distinction for two
years, 1888 and 1889. He is given to encouraging
all enterprises that will in any way forward the
growth of township or county, and he is a liberal
contributor to the support of churches, although
he is not identified with any religious organization,
but whatsoever will enhance the well-being of the
community is sure of his good-will and material
help. He has well-defined views in regard to politics, in which he is much interested, and the Republican party since the days of the war, when he
voted for Abraham Lincoln, is the party of his
choice.
DGAR W. GILKEY is a native of Kalamazoo County, his natal day having been November 24, 1841. He is at present residing
in Richland, where he is classed among the progressive and well-to-do business men of that village. His parents were John F. and Mary M.
(Lovell) Gilkey, natives of Vermont. His ancestors on his father's side are said to have been Irish,
while those on the maternal side were Scotch.
The father of our subject came to Kalamazoo
County as early as 1831 and entered a tract of
Government land northwest of the village of
Richland. Indeed, at that early period the land


was not in the market. His property was mostly oak
opening lands, on which he located and endured
the hardships which usually fell to the lot of the
early settler. He died August 8, 1878, his good
wife preceding him to the better land some years
before. They were the parents of four children:
Edgar W., Patrick H., George L. and Julian F.
In his death Kalamazoo County lost one of her
early pioneers and representative citizens. In his
latter years he voted the Democratic ticket and
left a good estate to his family, having been very
successful in life.
Edgar W. Gilkey, of this sketch, was reared on
the new farm in the then thinly-settled country
and the privations and hardships of those times
have made a lasting impression on his mind. Although he was engaged in the grain business in
Richland for a time, Mr. Gilkey has devoted the
most of his life to farming pursuits. He is a truly
self-made man, as the only education he received
was in the primitive log schoolhouse of that
period.
The original of this sketch and Miss Anna
Tompkins were united in marriage June 5, 1874.
Mrs. Gilkey was a native of Barry County, this
State, and was the daughter of Leonard and Millie
Tompkins, also natives of the above-named
county. To our subject and his wife have been
born three children, two of whom are living:
Grace M. and Clarence F. Edgar F. is deceased.
Mr. Gilkey owns two hundred and forty acres of
valuable land which bears all the improvements in
the way of machinery and buildings to be found
on the estate of a first-class agriculturist. In politics, he is a Democrat, and enjoys the full confidence of the business men of his community, who
consider his word as good as his bond.
E    VAN ERWINE. This gentleman is one of
the enterprising and thrifty farmers of section 22, Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo
County, and is a native of Columbia County, Pa.,
having had his birth August 31, 1840. The father,
Abram Erwine, was a native of Pennsylvania and
in turn a son of Abram, a native of the Mother




524


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.




Country, who came to America in the prime of
life and settled on a farm in Pennsylvania, where
he died when seventy-five years old.
The father of our subject owned one hundred
and sixty acres in Columbia County, Pa., but sold
out and came to this county in 1860. In 1882, he
sold and moved to Mills County, Iowa, where he
farmed until quite recently, now living a retired
life. He has been a hard worker all his life. He
married Rebecca Mostler. who became the mother
of our subject. She reared five children: Evan,
Henry, Mary F., Sarah J., and Josiah. The good
mother is still living.
Evan Erwine was reared on a farm and educated
in the district schools. He came here when twenty
years old with his parents and began for himself
when twenty-one. He enlisted in the War of the
Rebellion, in August, 1862, in Company F, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry and was a part of the
Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Gilbert. He
was wounded in the battle of Spring Hill, March
5, 1863, in the left thigh. He was in the Louisville and the St. Marie Hospitals, the latter at
Detroit, from which he was honorably discharged
in September, 1863, and is now the recipient of a
pension of $10 a month. After this he drove a
team from Schoolcraft to Three Rivers and to Kalamazoo for three years. The following two years
he worked on a farm by the month, and rented
farms for thirteen years. By this lie got a start
and bought one hundred and twenty-four acres of
the present farm in 1881. He has made innumerable improvements here and has now one hundred
and eighty-three acres, one hundred and fifty being
under splendid cultivation. He is an exceedingly
hard worker and a good manager. He has a fine
large frame residence and two large and commodious barns and all necessary outbuildings, granaries, sheds, etc., five in all. Mixed farming is here
carried on, and splendid harvests are reaped.
Stock-raising is also an important forte with Mr.
Erwine and some of the best Merino sheep, Durham cattle and various breeds of horses are thereon
raised.
Adelia Wright is the name of the amiable lady
who became the wife of our subject, March 5,1867,
and to them have come three children: Ada, Stella,


and Russell, all of whom are at home. Mrs. Erwine is a native of Columbia County, Pa., where
she was born March 2, 1846. She is a valued
member of the Methodist Church, where her husband attends. Mr. Erwine is a true-blue Republican and never swerves from his party's principles.
EVI A. BEADLE. The gentleman whose
name we place at the head of this sketch
is ex-Supervisor and a prominent resident
of Ross Township, Kalamazoo County. He is at
present residing on a beautiful tract of land, pleasantly located on section 36, and which bears all
the improvements to be found on the estate of a
well-to-do agriculturist.
Mr. Beadle is a native of Monroe County, N. Y.,
where his birth occurred September 27, 1818. He
was the son of John and Abigail (Bentley) Beadle,
the father, a native of New Hampshire, and the
mother of Rhode Island, although she was taken
to Massachusetts by her parents when an infant of
twelve months. Two of the maternal uncles of
Mr. Beadle, of this sketch, were patriots in the
War of 1812.
He of whom we write grew to manhood in his
native State, and was given a good education in
the common and select schools of the neighborhood.
He was married, December 31, 1844, to Miss Charlotte Richardson, who was born April 24, 1823, in
Essex, Vt. Mrs. Beadle was the daughter of Caleb
and Sarah (Hart) Richardson, natives, respectively,
of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
To our subject and his wife has been born one
son, L. Arthur, who married Mary Sterling, by
whom he became the father of one daughter, Florence A. In 1853, our subject came with his family to Kalamazoo, County, and settled on the farm
which is his present abiding place and which originally included one hundred and eighty-eight
acres. He has since, however, given eighty acres
to his son.
Mr. Beadle has been very prominent in local affairs, and has served his fellow-townsmen as Highway Commissioner for a number of years. He was




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


525


=


made Supervisor during the war and gave perfect
satisfaction to all concerned. With his wife, he
is a member of the Congregational Church at Augusta, in which society he has been Deacon and active in Sunday-school work. In politics, Mr.
Beadle casts his vote and influence with the Republican party, and is a gentleman who favors every
movement which has for its object the upbuilding
of his community. Mr. and Mrs. Beadle are members of the Ross and Charleston Farmers' Club,
which was organized a number of years ago at
their home. He stands high in agricultural and
social circles and we are pleased to be able to place
his sketch before our readers.
'REEMAN     W. FORD.     This gentleman,
who is one of the progressive and influential agriculturists of Kalamazoo County, is
at present residing in section 4, Ross Township.
His estate is well improved with all the necessary
buildings and farm machinery, and is classed among
the most productive and well-regulated farms in
this section. Mr. Ford is a native of the Empire
State, having been born in Genesee County, January 4, 1840. His parents, William  and Almira
(Barber) Ford, were natives of New York and
Massachusetts, respectively. His paternal ancestors
are said to have been German, and very well-to-do
people.
The original of this sketch was reared to man's
estate in his native county, and was early trained
to all the duties pertaining to farm life. Although
he had not the advantages for obtaining an education which is offered the youth of to-day, Mr. Ford
was studious and apt, and acquired a good education in the common schools. December 30, 1858,
he was married to Eliza Armstrong, who was born
in Orleans County, N. Y., August 28, 1837. Mrs.
Ford was the daughter of John and Lucina (Aldrich) Armstrong, natives of the above-named State.
Mr. Armstrong still survives, and makes his home
in Augusta village, being in his seventy-fifth year;
his wife passed from this life in 1885. Mrs. Ford
was one of a family of four children, only one of


I


I


I


whom, besides herself, is living: Helen, who is Mrs.
Augusta Willis.
Of the parental family of our subject the following survive: John W.; Sarah, Mrs. George McDaniels; Laura, the wife of Ozro Gould; Mary, who
married Andrew Allen; Nancy, Mrs. Colby Dibble;
Charlotte; Douglas; Phebe, Mrs. Orin Allen and
Orin. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Ford, only one survives: Charlie, who married Nellie Fisk; they have one daughter, Elsie.
Our subject and his wife came to Michigan in
1869, and resided for a time in Comstock Township, Kalamazoo County, whence they came later
to Ross Township, where they are residing on their
original home in section 4. Nine years ago his
residence was destroyed by fire, but he lost no time
in erecting his present beautiful brick dwelling,
which bears all the modern improvements in the
way of heating, etc., and which is an ornament to
this section. Mr. Ford has a productive apple
orchard on his place, which consists of four acres.
In local affairs, Mr. Ford has served four terms
as Supervisor of Ross Township. In politics, he is a
strong Republican. In addition to raising the
cereals, our subject gives considerable attention to
the breeding of Shropshire sheep and English Shire
horses. His landed estate consists of two hundred
and eight acres of land, which is under most excellent cultivation. We are pleased to be able to
present to our readers the sketch of so worthy a
gentleman as our subject, who is one of the prominent and representative men of the county.
w-salt-y n' \ELSON BOYLES. Among the prominent,
L1    Lpioneers of Kalamazoo County, we take
pleasure in introducing to our readers the subject
of this sketch. He is a native of Richland Township, where he was born on section 28, February 2,
1840. His parents were the Rev. Samuel and Rebecca (Boyer) Boyles, natives of Pennsylvania, the
father a descendant of Irish stock and the mother
of German. The Rev. Samuel Boyles came with
his family to Michigan, settling in this county
early in the '30s, and after living in two or three




526i


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-- - --- —-'



townships, became an early settler in Richland
Township, and died here in October, 1885. He
was the father of seven children, of whom the following survive: John Andrew, Lewis, Nelson and
Watson. He became one of the early ministers in
the Wesleyan Methodist Church. In his politics,
he affiliated with the Republican party. The beloved mother of our subject died in the same year
as did her husband but some months previous. In
their death the county lost two of her best pioneer
citizens.
Nelson Boyles was reared in the scenes of pioneer life. He obtained his education in the old log
schoolhouse and is mainly self-educated, having
been a reader all his life and of a very observing
disposition. He was married, June 19, 1859, to
Emma Bresee, a native of Schoharie County, N. Y.,
born February 14,1842. Mrs. Boyles is a daughter
of Cornelius and Betsey Bresee, natives of the
Empire State. Mrs. Boyles came to this State with
her father when she was fifteen years old and settled in this township, where her father died. He
had been twice married and of his ten children
nine survive.
To our subject and his estimable wife five children have been born, namely: Hattie, deceased;
Katie, wife of Milo Snow; Libby, the wife of De
Witt Olin; Charley and George. Mr. Boyles is
the happy possessor of three hundred and thirtysix acres of good land which he has cleared and
cultivated himself. Politically, he is a Democrat,
and is in favor of anything to elevate society and
improve the county. Socially, he is a member of
the Masonic order at Richland. He has watched
the county grow from its wild and primitive state
to what it is to-day and has done his share toward
its enhancement.




I


--
----— _-_ ____________._______________


grandfather, Nehemiah, was a farmer in Connecticut, where he died at the good old age of ninety.
William Judson, the father of our subject, was
likewise born in the Nutmeg State, whence in
1826, he removed to Ulster County, N. Y., and
engaged in farming.
In June, 1837, William Judson removed from
the Empire State to Michigan, the journey being
made via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and from there
to Detroit by boat, whence an ox-team conveyed
the family and household goods to Schoolcraft
Township, Kalamazoo County. After developing
a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and becoming well-known as an upright and enterprising
citizen, the father died at the age of sixty-eight.
His wife, Johanna Brinsmaid, who was also a native of Connecticut, survived until she was seventy-three, and the mortal remains of both lie buried
in the cemetery at Schoolcraft. The mother was a
member of the Methodist Church, in which she
took an active interest.
The subject of this biographical notice is one of
a family of seven children, namely: Albert B.,
Fannie, Josiah, Willis, William, Eliza and Maria.
He attended school in Connecticut and New York,
and, at the age of eighteen, accompanied his parents
to Michigan. Few settlers had at that early day
ventured so far beyond the confines of civilization,
but Indians were numerous, and, as they were
friendly, our subject was on intimate terms with
many of them. He also saw many deer, wolves
and bears.
At the age of twenty-four, Mr. Judson was married, and established a home of his own on a
rented farm of prairie land, comprising fifty-three
acres. From that humble beginning, he has, by indefatigable energy, accumulated landed possessions
amounting to four hundred and thirty-six acres,
and is widely known as a successful man. He
placed splendid improvements on his farm, among
them a fine residence and several capacious
barns. In connection with farming, he is engaged as a stock-raiser, in which he met with success. In 1889, he removed from the old homestead to Vicksburg, where he expects to spend the
remainder of his days.
January 10, 1843, Mr. Judson was married to


7 LBERT    B. JUDSON.      The possessor of
large wealth, representing the result of his
industrious efforts, Mr. Judson is now living retired from business in a beautiful


residence in Vicksburg, and is enjoying the fruits
of former years of toil. He is a native of Connecticut, and was born August 8, 1819. His paternal








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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


531


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRPHICA RECO.                  531.,._..


Mary Finley, who was born in Nova Scotia, July 15,
1820. Her parents, Hugh and Jane (Boyd) Finley,
were born in Ireland, of Scotch descent, and settled, in 1834, in Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo
County. Although Mr. Finley was a carpenter by
trade, he here engaged exclusively in farming pursuits, and developed a good farm of eighty acres.
When he died, at the age of seventy-five, lie was
a man of considerable wealth and the owner of
three hundred acres. His wife, who was the mother
of ten children, had died many years before, when
only forty-seven years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Judson are the parents of seven
children, as follows: Jane, Mrs. Martin Adams;
Joanna, the wife of William Stewart; Isabel; Mary
F., who married William Sidler; Albert; James and
Esther, Mrs. Strong. The pleasant home of the
family is an elegant brick residence, the property
of Mr. Judson, and was erected in 1887. This
worthy couple are identified with the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and contribute liberally of their
means to charitable measures. A Republican in
politics, he takes great interest in national issues,
and has been prominently connected with local affairs, politically, educationally and morally.
SAAC COX. Throughout Kalamazoo County
this gentleman enjoys an enviable reputation
as a reliable citizen and upright man. Formerly
a prominent farmer, he is now retired from active
duties and makes his home on section 11, Portage
Township. With regard to his ancestry, it is learned
from reliable authority that a family by the name
of Cox settled on Long Island in 1659, from whom
he is descended. His parents, Jesse and Rachel
(Weeks) Cox, natives of Westchester County, N. Y.,
died when he was only three years old. The parents and a sister died within eight weeks of one
another, leaving our subject, who was born in July,
1822, the only surviving member of the family.
Thus sadly orphaned, Isaac Cox was taken into
the home of his paternal grandparents at Yorktown, Westchester County, N. Y., with whom he
lived until he was about twelve years old. At that


age, he went to Wheatland, Monroe County, N. Y.,
and was in the employ of different individuals
until he attained his majority. During the most
of that time he was engaged in farming operations,
but also worked at carpentering and thoroughly
learned that trade.
At the age of twenty-one years, Mr. Cox was
married in Monroe County, N. Y., to Miss Celinda
S. Sykes, a native of Ontario County, N. Y., where
she was born September 28, 1818. The ceremony
occurred August 29, 1843, and soon after this the
young couple came to Kalamazoo County and
settled on land in Portage Township, where he
commenced tilling the soil. They have since resided here, with the exception of twelve years in
Kalamazoo. Mrs. Celinda Cox died in Kalamazoo,
January 12, 1871. Our subject was again married,
June 24, 1874, this time to Mrs. Nancy Boynton,
nee Cahill, who is a native of this county, born
August 15, 1837. She is a daughter of the late
Daniel Cahill, who was an early settler of Kalamazoo County.
Since coming to this county, Mr. Cox has given
his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, and by
his own industry and perseverance, has made a
splendid competency that enables him to enjoy the
fruits of his early labors in peace and contentment.
Mr. Cox has held a number of the township offices,
among them being that of Highway Commissioner
for many years in succession. He was one of the
charter members who organized the Kalamazoo
County Mutual Insurance Company, and for several years was one of the directors of the company, which has been in successful operation for
many years. He formerly took quite an active
part in political affairs and affiliated with the Democratic party, but is now independent, choosing to
vote for the man, irrespective of party principles.
In connection with this biographical notice, we
are pleased to present a lithographic portrait of
Mr. Cox. In regard to his religious views, his ancestors for generations back were Quakers of the
Hicksite order, to which sect lie now belongs, although he differs somewhat from their religious
opinions and is independent, recognizing no
adopted creed, but living in accordance with what
seems right and reasonable. Ile is what may be


24


K






532


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


termed a radical temperance man and claims that
the true way to stop the liquor traffic and close
the saloons is to keep away from them. As he
does not believe that force is reformatory, he is
not a Prohibitionist. At the age of three-score and
ten, he can truthfully say, what but few persons
can, that he never drank any kind of liquor
during his entire life nor has lie used tobacco in
any form. This he owes to his early educational
instruction, precepts and examples as taught by
those whose memory has ever been dear to him.
R     EV. MILTON    BRADLEY.     Among   the
venerable, time-honored and esteemed octogenarians of Kalamazoo County, we   are
pleased to be able to present in this work
the gentleman whose name we place at the head
of this sketch. He is an old resident of Richland
and a minister of the Presbyterian Church. A native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., his natal day
was March 13, 1812. His parents, Truman and
Sarah (Smith) Bradley, were natives of Connecticut, and his grandfather Bradley was a soldier in
the Revolutionary War. The paternal ancestors
of our subject are said to have been English.
Milton Bradley was reared to mature years in
his native county and received his primary education in the St. Lawrence Academy at Pottsdam,
N. Y. He latertook a four-years' course in the
Middlebury (Vt.) College, from which institution
he was graduated in 1835. For two years thereafter, he was Principal of the Ft. Covington Academy in Franklin County, N. Y., and then became
a student in the Theological Seminary at Auburn,
N. Y. He subsequently began preaching, holding
a charge at Parishville, N. Y., for five years. In
the fall of 1843, with his family lie came to Kalamazoo County and located in Richland Township
which has since been his home.
The original of this sketch was the projector of
the Prairie Seminary at Richland and for years was
Trustee of that once far-famed temple of learning.
From 1844 to 1877, the Rev. Milton Bradley was
minister of the Presbyterian Church at Richland
and was greatly beloved for his moral and upright


life. He was married, September 5, 1838, in New
York State, to Miss Sarah Jones, by whom lie became the parent of four children: Sarah A., Mary,
Milton S., and James, the latter two of whom are
deceased.
The devoted wife of our subject, who had been
his helpmate and counselor for so many years, died
September 13, 1871, mourned by all who knew her.
In 1867, Mr. Bradley was appointed one of two
delegates from his district to the constitutional
convention held at Lansing with a view to revising the constitution. In politics, he is a strong
Republican, and is active in all good works that
have for their object the elevation of society. He
is a man who bears the esteem and good-will of
all who have the honor of his acquaintance, and
his many friends join with the biographer in hoping that he may be spared many years of usefulness.
AVID D. HENION. Perhaps no citizens of
Kalamazoo County are more enterprising
or successful in their business transactions
than the natives of New York. Among those who
have emigrated to the rapidly growing West and
established homes in tilis county, conspicuous meintion belongs to Mr Henion, who is a farmer in
section 10, Ross Township. He was born in Seneca County, N. Y., March 1, 1814, and is a son of
Henry D. and Jane (Bakorn) Henion, natives of
New Jersey, the father being a descendant of English-Dutch ancestors and the mother's family of
Swiss origin.
Various members of the Henion family have
been noted in the annals of our country as patriotic and brave defenders of our country's rights.
One, Henry Henion, great-uncle of our subject,
was a British soldier in the Revolutionary War,
while another great-uncle, Tunis Henion, was
Captain in the War of 1812. Two other members
of the family served with valor during the War of
the Revolution, and its representatives have always been noted for their patriotism.
In the common schools of Orleans County, N.
Y., David D. Henion received his education, mean



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


533


- - - - - - - - - - - -               I


while aiding his father on the farm and gaining
a limited knowledge of carpentry, which he has
followed to some extent since, though only for
himself. After he had taught school for a time in
Orleans County, he was married, August 22, 1837,
to Miss Hannah T. Jennings, who was born July
4, 1819, in the county where she was married some
eighteen years afterward.  Mrs. Henion is the
daughter of Stephen F. and Mary (Ward) Jennings, natives of New York and New Jersey, respectively, and is a lady of refinement, highly esteemed in the community where she resides.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Henion are
as follows: Louisa, wife of A. A. Blakeman; Florence, who married G. N. Scudder; William  H.;
Antoinette, who is the wife of Avery Sabin; Daniel; Elias; and Ethel G. Another son, Joseph W.,
was a soldier in the Civil War, and was taken
prisoner by the Confederates, dying January 9,
1865, while in prison.
In 1851, Mr. Henion with his family came to
Kalamazoo County, and for several years lived in
Comstock Township, whence, in 1866, he removed
to Ross Township, and bought the farm which he
still owns and occupies. He owns eighty acres of
land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.  His property has been accumulating
through his unaided exertions, and his success is
worthy the emulation of the young. Politically,
he is a Republican, and has served as Justice of
the Peace, as well as in other positions of honor.
W     ALLACE    FRAKES, a native-born citizen of Kalamazoo County, is now a resident in section 14, Schooleraft Township,
where he was born September 22, 1835. He is ason
of Joseph Frakes, a native of Ohio, where he was
born December 25, 1799, and a grandson of Robert Frakes, a native of Maryland, and of Welsh
descent, who was married to Ellen Griffith, a native of Wales, in Maryland.
The grandfather of our subject was an overseer
of slaves in Kentucky, and came to Michigan in
1830. He took up land from the Government and
settled on the banks of Rawsen Lake, then called


Frakes Lake. He was a great huntsman, and has
killed many a wildcat, deer, bear and fox on horseback. Robert Frakes went to Missouri in 1848,
and there died. The father of our subject was
married in Ohio, and came on his wedding tour,
with ox-team, to Cass County, Mich., coming to
this place and settling in 1830. He located one
hundred and sixty acres of Government land in
section 14, this township. The Indians were very
friendly and hospitable, and he became quite a fluent speaker in their language. It was a three or
four days' journey to mill, and by hard work he
finally developed his farm. He died in 1880, and
was politically first a Whig, and later a Republican. The good mother of our subject bore the
maiden name of Oscilla Downs, born in New Jersey in 1804, and she reared a family of six children. She was the first time married to a Mr.
Parker, by whom she had two children. She spent
her last days in Vicksburg, this county, dying in
1886. Her father came to Michigan about 1830,
and died   ten years later.  He was of Scotch
descent. Her mother was Elizabeth Green.
Our subject attended the old primitive log
schoolhouse, with its slab benches, puncheon floor
and greased paper for windows, and the opportunity of attending was only afforded in the winter,
as he had to assist his father on the farm during
the summer months. He did the greater part of
the marketing and milling, driving an ox-team.
The Indians were very plentiful, and he played
with them a great deal, learning their games and
language. Pecox, the Chief of the tribe, would
tell the family when Indians were on a spree so
they could look out for them and protect themselves.
When a boy, our subject worked out at twentyfive cents a day for a short time, and remained at
home on the farm until twenty-four years old, when
he was married and moved to his present farm in
the same section as the home estate.
The lady of his choice bore the maiden name of
Mary Ellen Boughn, to whom Mr. Frakes was married in January, 1859. She was born in Wales,
and came to America in her sixth year, with her
uncle Richard Lewis, an early settler of this county.
This worthy couple have had born to them five
children: Mary E. (Mrs. Martin), Colonel E., Jer





534


PO0RTRAIT ANT) BIIOGIRAPHIT.TCAL RECORD.


53               PORTR- i  AND —' —I-   BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 1~ —   1-' --- —1 —'~I- I


ry W., Joseph M. and Nellie B. The good wife
and mother passed from this life April 18, 1890.
Mr. Frakes is engaged in mixed farming on his
finely cultivated place of two hundred acres, and
also keeps good grades of all kind of stock. He
has made all the improvements on the place himself, and erected his beautiful, commodious house
in 1860, and is one of the intelligent, systematic
pioneers of this county, where he is well known
and respected by all with whom he comes in contact. Mr. Frakes is a stanch Republican in politics, and was elected to the office of Drain Commissioner of his township, but failed to qualify.
W       ILLIAM H. BALDWIN. The earliest recollections of this gentleman are associated
with the pioneer surroundings of Brady
Township, Kalamazoo County, where he was boln,
September 12, 1836. In his childhood, Indians
and wild animals were more numerous than the
white settlers, and few improvements had been
made in the vast tracts of timber land. He has
witnessed the constant growth of the county and
contributed not a little to effect this highly desirable result. Although he still retains an interest in
the old homestead, he resides on section 6, Cooper
Township, where he has eighty acres of well-cultivated land.
At a very early day, Phineas H. Baldwin, father
of our subject, emigrated from Champaign County,
Ohio, to Michigan, where he settled in Brady
Township, Kalamazoo, County. He also resided
for a few years in Prairie Ronde Township, near
Schoolcraft, and, in 1849, located in Cooper Township, where he purchased a farm and remained until his death, three years later. His wife, Jane C.
Patterson, was born in Virginia in 1810 and died
in 1885. They had a family of seven children,
five of whom are now (1892) living, our subject
being the eldest.
When William H. was fifteen years old, his father died and two years later he took charge of
the farm, retaining its management until 1869,
when he purchased his present place. January
5, 1860, he was married to Rachel Brownell, who


died January 26, 1865, leaving one child, Arthur,
now deceased. Mr. Baldwin was again married,
October 8, 1868, this time to Celeste S. Grover, a
native of Maine and a most estimable and refined
lady.
A member of the Republican party,Mr. Baldwin
is prominent in local affairs and has served as Justice of the Peace two terms and Highway Commissioner two terms. -le and his wife are faithful
members of the Congregational Church and active
in all Christian work. In connection with farming,
lie devotes considerable attention to stock-raising
and has a flock of fine sheep, besides other stock of
good grades. A practical farmer and good business
man, he has secured a goodly amount of this
world's goods as the reward of his industry and
energy.
+ E3:==    ^  _+ y


ARTHA (CEHANDLER) HOPKINS, widow
f   of Robert Hopkins and a daughter of one
1of the early pioneer families of Southern
Michigan, has lived for many years on her
well-appointed farm  on section  11, Charleston
Township, enjoying the respect and esteem due to
her character and position. She is a native of this
State, the township of Sharon, Washtenaw County,
her native place, and November 20, 1834, the date
of her birth. She comes of a long line of New
England ancestry, being descended from William
and Annis Chandler, who settled in Roxbury,
Mass., in 1637. Next in line was William Chandler, Jr., of Ipswich, Mass., and his wife, Mary Dane.
After them came Joseph and Mehitable (Russell)
Chandler, of Andover, Mass. They were succeeded by Joseph Chandler, Jr., and his wife, Sarah
Richardson, who took up their abode in Vermont.
Their son John followed in the line of succession,
and he married Elizabeth Esty and settled in
Greensburg, Vt.
The father of our subject, Joel Chandler, was
born in Burlington, Vt., March 29, 1799, and was
reared amid his native hills. He learned the trade
of tanner and currier at Wells River, and was subsequently engaged in the butchering business at




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


535


Lockport and Batavia, N. Y. In 1833, he determined to turn his attention to farming on the virgin soil of the Territory of Michigan, and, making
his way into the wilderness in Washtenaw County,
lie became a pioneer of Sharon Township, where lie
procedede to open up a farm. In 1849, he removed
to Bedford Township, Calhoun County, and located on a farm. Ile afterward came to Charlestown Township, and died here December 16, 1863.
He was a man of good parts, was greatly esteemed
by his fellow-citizens, and he was active in public
matters. He was Justice of the Peace and held
other offices, discharging his duties with fidelity
and due regard to the welfare of township and
county. He was truly pious and a member in high
standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
early manhood, lie favored the Democratic party,
but when the Republican party was organized he
fell into the ranks, as lie was in full sympathy with
its founders on questions of national importance.
Mr. Chandler was married, in New York, January 24, 1830, to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Joshua
and Lydia Morse. She was born April 7, 1805, in
New York. She was the mother of eight children,
four sons and four daughters: Lyman, who was
born in Batavia, N. Y., June 11, 1831, and is now
a resident of Minnesota; Jane, who was born at
Batavia, December 15, 1832, and died at the age of
ten years; Martha, our subject, and her twin sister
Mary, now the wife of John Pye, of Battle Creek;
Lydia Ann, born January 10, 1837, in Washtenaw
County, marrying and subsequently dying at Chicago, September 16, 1857; William, born May 7,
1839, and dying February 2, 1875, at Parsons,
Kan.; Norris, who was born September 5, 1844, and
is now a resident of Parsons, Kan.; and Norman, the
next to the youngest, who was born August 22,
1842, and died at the age of two years.
Mrs. Hopkins is the third child of the family
and she was fifteen years old when they removed
to Calhoun County. She was there married to
Robert Hopkins, January 1, 1855. Mr. Hopkins was
a native of Mentz, N. Y., and December 30, 1830,
the date of his birth. He was a son of Henry and
Mary E. (Casey) Hopkins and a grandson of David
and Hannah (Parrish) Iopkins.   His laternal
great-grandparents were Robert and Jennie (Polk)


Hopkins. Robert Hopkins is supposed to have
come from Ireland, and his son David was one of
the first Governors of Vermont. George Casey, the
maternal grandfather of our subject, was a very
prominent man in politics.
Mr. lopkins went to California in 1852 to join
the gold-seekers, and in 1854, having had sufficient
experience of frontier life, he returned home with
his gains. On going to California by way of the
Isthmus and Graytown, lie was sixty days on the
water from the Istlhm us to San Francisco. On his
return he located at once on the place where his
family now reside, and soon became an important
member of the farming community of Charleston
Township. There were no improvements and his
first work was to build a house, and he afterward
labored hard to develop the land, his toil being
well repaid by the exceeding fertility of the soil,
and by the fine condition into which he brought
his farm. -le erected buildings of a good class for
various purposes, and in 1864 put up a commodious, well-built, two-story frame house, at a cost
of $3,000.
While yet lie was in the prime of life, with
seemingly many more years of usefulness before
him, his successful career was brought to an untimely end by his death, October 20, 1366, and the
whole community mourned his loss with his bereaved wife and children. lie was well known
and was popular with his associates, as he was a
whole-souled, warm-hearted, manly man, pleasant
in manner and speech, and he was greatly missed
by his many friends. IHe was also missed as a valued
citizen who was an important agent in building up
the interests of the township as he was a man of considerable enterprise, with a good head to plan and
sufficient will to execute his schemes, and he was
always alive to the welfare of township or county,
doing all in his power to promote their well-being.
I-e was an unswerving Democrat in his politics,
and in religion he was a sound Methodist, belonging to the church and throwing himself earnestly
into its every good work.
Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins were blessed in their marriage by the birtlt of seven children, three daughters and four sons, as follows: Carrie, who died at
the age of six weeks; Joel C.,a prominent attorney




536


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


of Battle Creek, who was educated at Ann Arbor;
R. Henry, who manages the farm; Mary L., who
died at the age of four years; Albert E.; John W.,
a telegraph operator who has charge of the Ashland Avenue Station at Chicago; and Ida May, a
talented artist and the wife of John W. De Emory,
of Chicago.
Robert Henry, our subject's third child, was born
January 25, 1859, on the farm where he now lives
with his mother in Charleston Township. He is
well educated, and after leaving school taught one
term. He was four years in the northern part of
the State in the agency business. He returned home
to take charge of the farm, and has shown a decided aptitude for agricultural pursuits. He makes
a specialty of potatoes, raising from fifteen hundred to two thousand bushels a year, and lie also
has the farm well stocked with cattle, horses, etc.
He brings a thoughtful, well-trained mind to his
work, is prompt in adopting new methods of agriculture if they are adapted to the soil and environments of the place, and he is looked up to by the
community, who regard him as a bright and sagacious counselor and often go to him for advice.
He is prominent in local politics as an ardent Democrat.
UGH   McCALL.     This prominent   and
wealthy agriculturist of Alamo Township,
Kalamazoo County, owns two hundred and
forty acres of excellent land on sections 33
and 34. He has an elegant residence on his estate
and operates his farm in a most thorough and intelligent manner. His estate bears all the modern
improvements in the way of buildings and machinery, and by a proper rotation of crops the
land is made to yield handsome returns.
Hugh McCall was born in St. Lawrence County,
N. Y., January 17, 1829, and is the son of Dougal
McCall, a native of New York. The father emigrated with the family to this State in 1839, and
located on Genesee Prairie, Kalamazoo County,
where he purchased a tract of wild land. There
he erected a small frame house for the family, and
began the work of clearing his farm of the timber


and placing it under cultivation. He died in
1848. The paternal grandfather of our subject,
also named Hugh, emigrated from Scotland and
located in New York, where he became a tiller of
the soil. He died in the '50s, at an advanced
age.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Jane McCall, also a native of the Empire State.
She died in 1886, and was of Scottish ancestry.
Mr. McCall, of this sketch, was the eldest of the
parental family of eight children, all of whom are
living, with one exception. He was ten years old
when his parents came to Michigan, and he vividly remembers many of the incidents connected
with the long journey hither from Detroit. He
attended the common schools for a short period,
but his advantages for obtaining an education
were very limited.
He of whom we write remained with his parents
until reaching his twenty-fourth year. After his
marriage, lie purchased a portion of his home farm
on section 34, Alamo Township, and located on it,
his residence here dating from the spring of 1854.
December 22, 1853, was the date Miss Elizabeth A.
Pierson became Mrs. McCall. She was born in
this State, and was the daughter of David J. and
Ellen (Burhardt) Pierson, natives respectively
of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs.
Pierson came to Branch County, this State, in
1831, from Litchfield County, Conn., and kept a
tavern in Brunson Prairie. Mrs. Pierson died in
1854, and he was again married.  lie removed
to Kalamazoo Couruty and settled on section 24,
Oshtemo Township.   A year or two later he
purchased land in Kalamazoo Township. He
entered on first coming to Michigan twenty lots
of eighty acres each in Kalamazoo County. He died
in 1887 at the age of eighty-four years. He was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
had a family of ten children.
Mr. and Mrs. McCall have been granted a family of seven children: Herbert H. married Annie
Tallman, and resides in Alamo Township; Byron
A. is deceased; Frank L. married Ada Wheeler, and
they make their home in Hickory Corners, Barry
County, this State; Hattie E. is Mrs. J. Travis, and
lives in Plainwell; Milo L. married Mattie Tallman,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


537


— 7=- - - - 1 --- - ~ --- - - - ~ - - --- --- -- - - - - - - - - - I- -


and resides near the old homestead; Bert A. married Essie Tallman, and also resides in Hickory
Corners; Fred J. married Mary Adams, and they
make their home in this townsnip.
In politics our subject is a Democrat. Ile has a
beautiful residence on his estate, and makes a specialty of wheat-raising, reaping as much as thirtytwo hundred and fifty bushels to the hundredacre. Mr. McCall is a self-made man in the truest
sense of that term, as he started out in life with no
means whatever, and now ranks among the wealthy
and progressive agriculturists of this section of the
State.
OSEPH ANDERSON, who has improved a
fine farm on section 23, Charleston Township, is one of the oldest pioneers of Kalamazoo County, now living within its borders. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, November 8, 1816, a son of Samuel Anderson, who
was born in the same place as himself, and there
died in the course of time. He was an industrious
farmer, and was well thought of by all who knew
him. He married Elizabeth Wylie, who was also a
native of County Antrim, and they were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, seven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood.
The subject of this biographical record is the
second child and second son of the family. In his
youth he worked on a farm, and he also learned to
weave linen. He remained on his native isle
until 1846, and then, in the full flush and strength
of a stalwart manhood, he emigrated to America.
He landed in New York, and worked there by the
month until he came to Michigan in 1849. He
made Kalamazoo County the objective point of
his journey, and he found it still in the hands of
the pioneers, with the greater part of it in a wilderness, where deer, bears, wolves and other wild animals that have since left the country abounded.
Mr. Anderson began life here by working by the
month, continuing as a laborer two years. At the
expiration of that time he bought the place on
which he has since resided. HIe has here ninety
acres of land, which he has transformed into a


farm that compares favorably in point of cultivation and improvement with the many other valuable farms in Charleston Township. It is wellstocked, and it is furnished with buildings for
every needed purpose,and with modern machinery for carrying on farming operations. It is now
under the capable management of the eldest son of
our subject. Mr. Alnderson has been a hard-working man in his day, and is now deservedly enjoying life, more at leisure than when he was accumulating his property. He is sound in heart and
head, is conscientious and straightforward in his
acts, and the entire community regard him with
good will and high esteem. He is truly religious,
and is a valued member of the Baptist Church.
Politically, he is a true Republican.
Mr. Anderson was not married until after he
came to Michigan. His wedding with Miss Elizabeth Bradley took place in 1856. She, too, was a
native of Ireland, born in that country near Londonderry. She was a capable woman, of a warm,
kindly disposition, and was devoted heart and
soul to her family. IHer death, in 1885, was a sad
blow to those who knew and loved her. She was
laid to rest in the cemetery in Charleston Township. Five children blessed the marriage of our
subject, four sons and one daughter, namely:
William, who was born in Charleston Township,
on the farm where he now lives with his father,
and which is under his management; Samuel, a
resident of Three Rivers; Elizabeth, wife of William McWilliams, of Sanilac County; Andrew, a
resident of the village of Climax; and Alpheus,
who lives in Minnesota. William married Miss
Minnie Martin, a native of Charleston Township.
She died July 26, 1891, leaving two children,
Lewis E. and Vollia E.
Z    ARDIS SANFORD is one of the prominent
farmers of Alamo Township, Kalamazoo
County.  He was born in Cattaraugus
County, N. Y., June 13, 1829, and is the son of
Tilly Sanford, a native of Massachusetts. The father went on foot to Western New York when a
young man, and was one of the earliest settlers in






538


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-                                           -I — - - - - - - - - - — I


Wyoming County, locating near Silver Lake. He
continued to reside in that State until 1838, when
he made a prospecting tour to Michigan, and was
so favorably impressed with the prospects of future
success in the new State, that he purchased a farm
in Alamo Township, Kalamazoo County. In 1843,
he removed his family hither, they making the
trip overland with horse-team, which journey
consumed three weeks. Here Mr. Sanford erected
a log house and lived until his death, in 1853,
when fifty-nine years old.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject
was Nancy Stetson, who was born in Brookfield,
N. Y., April 12, 1804. She is still living, and has
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
all her life; her husband was also connected with
that body. The parental family included five children, two of whom are deceased. The eldest son,
Albert, went to California in 1850 and died there
ten years later; Edwin passed from this life in
1852; Ariston, the second child, resides in Van
Buren County, this State; Adeline J. is the widow
of Wilson Henry, and makes her home in Howard
City, this State.  Our subject was the third child
in order of birth.
Zadis Sanford was fourteen years of age when
his parents came to Kalamazoo County, and he had
to walk three miles to school in that early day. He
aided his father greatly in clearing and improving
the new home farm, and as he was very fond of
hunting, has killed many a deer in the neighborhood. He has a fine pair of antlers from a deer
which lie killed in 1848. In 1851, Mr. Sanford
started for the Golden State, leaving home October 6. Sailing from New York, he crossed the
Isthmus of Panama, and arrived in San Francisco,
January 14, 1852. He at once engaged in mining
and was fairly successful in his operations. April
5, 1859, he started on the homeward-bound voyage, and set his foot on the soil of the Wolverine
State, May 20 of that year. His brother having
died a short time after his return, Mr. Sanford was
compelled to again visit California and settle up
his estate, spending from February 7 to July 4,
1861, in that Western country.
In 1860, Mr. Sanford was married to Miss Frances
Bachelder, a native of Perry, N. Y. Her parents


were pioneers of Michigan, having come hither at
quite an early day. Seven children have been
born to our subject and his wife: Lillette married
George Hammond; Wilby E. is married and resides
in Almon; Clark is also married; Louella, Mrs.
Wilbery Snow, resides in Alamo Township; Addie
and Fred are deceased; and Newman resides at
home.
The original of this sketch owns one hundred
and sixty acres of land on section 8, and eighty
acres on section 17, Alamo Township. He gives
his attention to mixed farming, and is very successful in his calling. He is a Republican in politics, and has represented his party as a delegate to
various conventions. He is quite prominent in
local affairs, and is warmly interested in all progressive measures that will benefit his community.
EVI B. FISHER. The annals of the poor
| ( boys who have become rich men are to be
found everywhere in America and nowhere
more than in the rich and fertile West, for here it
is that the virgin soil gave of her wealth to the
sturdy seeker after success. Our subject is one of
the prominent farmers of Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County. His farm is one of the finest in
the county and has lately been embellished by the
erection thereon of a substantial brick residence.
Good buildings adorn the place and all the farm
machinery which is to be found on first-class
estates.
Levi B. Fisher was born in Lexington, Stark
County, Ohio, August 17, 1825, and is the son of
Reuben Fisher, a farmer from Pennsylvania. The
grandfather, father of our subject, was Lanta Fisher,
who came from England in an early day and located on the banks of the James Rivet, in Virginia.
He later removed to Crawford County, Pa. Reuben
Fisher went to Stark County, Ohio, after his marriage, where he was one of the early settlers. rThere
he cleared and improved a farm upon which he
resided until his removal to Macomb County, this
State, in 1840. His decease occurred in the abovenamed county in 1851..*








f




^           I
/Wa     Ad,'//
arce       h




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


541


The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Lovina Knox, a granddaughter of Gen. Henry
Knox, the first Secretary of War in the United
States. Her father was John Knox. By her marriage with Reuben Fisher eight children were born.
After the death of her husband she was married a
second time and passed from this life in Kalamazoo
in 1858.
The original of this sketch was given a good
district-school education and left home when fifteen years of age and learned the carpenter's trade,
at which he worked until lie came to Michigan in
1846. In February of the following year he purchased his farm in Cooper Township, Kalamazoo
County, which was then little more than a wilderness.
Our subject was united in marriage in 1851 to
Miss Louisa Chamberlain, who was born in Lewistown, Niagara County, N, Y. in 1830. Mrs. Fisher
was the daughter of Luther Chamberlain, a native
of the Bay State. Her mother was born in 1807
in Canada and bore the maiden name of Martha
Bemer. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain came to Michigan in 1835, soon after their marriage, and first
located in Niles. In the fall of that year, however,
they came to Kalamazoo County and in Cooper
Township, entered a tract of wild land from the
Government. They passed from this life, aged respectively eighty-six and sixty-two years.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Levi B. Fisher: Waldo L., deceased; Ida A., who is
the wife of Jay Skinner, and Frank B., who is married and resides near our subject. That persistent
industry and good judgment almost invariably win
success is a fact whose truth has never been disputed, and upon the possessor of these traits of
character fortune usually showers her choicest
blessings. Mr. Fisher located upon his now beautiful farm when it bore no improvement,whatever,
but by a proper rotation of crops the land has been
brought to a high degree of cultivation.
Mr. Fisher was reared a Whig politically and on
the organization of the Republican party joined
its ranks. Since 1884, however, he has voted with the
Prohibitionists. He has served his township as Highway Commissioner and was elected to the office of
Justice of the Peace but did not qualify. He has


been connected with the Congregational Church as
an active and influential member for the past thirtyfive years, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school at Cooper Center for twenty years, a
fact which speaks well for his Christian life. He
has also acted as Superintendent of other Sundayschools for several years. He is now a member of
the County Sunday-school Executive Committee
and is always very active in all good works. He
has been Deacon of the Church of his preference
for more than twenty years; Mrs. Fisher is also
connected with the Congregational society.
Our subject owns ninety acres of land on section
19 and forty on section 18, Cooper Township. In
addition to that property, he is the owner of an
eighty-acre tract in Van Buren County. He has
been engaged in buying and shipping stock and has
followed the trade of a butcher for a short time
in Kalamazoo, Englewood and Chicago.     Mr.
Fisher is a self-made man in the truest sense of
that term, as he started out to make his own way
in the world when fifteen years of age, receiving no
aid whatever from father or friends.
Mr. Fisher has been the nominee for Representative, First District Kalamazoo County, on the Prohibition ticket, also Chairman of the County Committee.
W     ILLIAM A. GIBBS. It gives us pleasure
to chronicle the events in the career of a
man whose tendencies have always been in
an upward direction.  We frequently associate
chance with success, but the etymology of the
word allows of no such association.   Success
is that which crowns achievement and there
must be vigor and force to achieve. He whose
name heads this sketch, and whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is a successful man
not only in a business way, but by rising to the best
ideal that we have of manliness.
William A. Gibbs is at present residing on his
excellent farm, located on section 6, Portage Township, Kalamazoo County. He is the son of John
and Miranda (Kinne) Gibbs, the former born in
Otsego County, N, Y., July 3, 1796, and the latter






542 -

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIICAL RECORD.


=


born in Braintrim, Pa., March 25, 1805. The parents came from New York State to this county as
early as 1832 and in October of that year located
in Kalamazoo Township, where the father purchased a tract of land upon which they made their
home until their decease, the mother passing away
in August, 1871, and the father in October, 1881.
The parental family of our subject included
thirteen children, of whom le was the eldest son
and third child. His birth occurred in Rochester,
Monroe County, N. Y., October 4, 1828, hence he
was a lad of four years at the time his parents came
hither.  He attained man's estate in Genesee
Prairie and remained at home until reaching his
majority. In the spring of 1850, in company with
his father and a number of other gentlemen, Mr.
Gibbs crossed the plains to California. They made
the trip with horses, starting from home in the
middle of March and reaching their destination
about the middle of the eighth month. On reaching
the Golden State, he engaged in mining, in which
occupation he was very successful. He returned
home, however, in January, 1853, and in the spring
of that year purchased his present property on
section 6, which comprises two hundred and forty
acres of valuable land, which he has placed under
most thorough cultivation.
In Trowbridge, Allegan County, this State, Mr.
Gibbs was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette,
E., daughter of Leander S. and Almira (Crandall)
Prouty, the date thereof being May 10, 1854. Mr.
Prouty was born in DeKalb, January 27, 1811,
while his good wife, who was a native of Vermont,
first saw the light October 3, 1809. They made
the trip to Michigan in the spring of 1834, locating in Allegan County. Two years later, they removed to Trowbridge Township, where they passed
the remaining years of their life, the father dying
February 21, 1883, and the mother January 18,
1886. Mrs. Gibbs was the eldest but one of their
family of eight children, her birth occurring in
Otsego, Allegan County, October 6, 1834.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have been granted a
family of five children, viz: Helen F., Gilbert P.,
Harvey B., Leon, and one who died in infancy.
The eldest daughter is the widow of Morris Weed;
Gilbert married Leonora Longwell, and is farming: —: —''                             " '- '




I


in this county. Our subject, although not a politician in the sense that he is an office-seeker, casts
his vote for Republican and Prohibition candidates. He is liberal in his religious views and is
greatly respected by all who know him.
He of whom we write is the possessor of two
hundred and ninety acres of land and is thus
ranked among the wealthy and influential citizens
of the county. Mrs. Gibbs was the first white
child born in Allegan County. She is a very estimable lady, and has aided her worthy husband
greatly in attaining his present position.
IOHN HARTMAN, an old settler of Wakeshma Township, whose name is closely intertwined with the history of its growth,
has borne an important part in developing
the agricultural resources of Kalamazoo County,
and is numbered among its most substantial and
well-to-do citizens. He was born in Germany, on
the banks of the beautiful River Rhine, near the
village of Newburk, May 12, 1830. Simon IHartman, his father was a native of the same place, and
was a farmer by occupation. He married Margaret
Noel, and they reared four sons and one daughter,
namely: Peter, Thomas, Hans, John and Margaret
(Mrs. Steinart). The parents lived to be quite
aged, both dying in the Fatherland, the father at
the age of eighty years, and the mother when
seventy-five years old. They were Lutherans in
religion, and were true Christians.
Our subject passed his boyhoood on a farm. He
learned the trade of a baker, but never worked at
it after coming to this country. He was ambitious
to try his fortunes in America, and, as he had no
means of his own, he borrowed money to bring
him hither, and at the age of twenty-one he and
his brother Simon, who now lives in Ohio, ventured forth from their old home into the untried
world, and crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel arrived at their destination after a voyage of sixty-six
days. They made their way to Medina County,
Olhio, and there our subject hired out on the farm
by the month, and worked as a laborer the ensuing
four years, at wages varying from ten to thirteen




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


543


---------- I —


dollars a month. In 1855 he came to Michigan,
and to Kalamazoo County, and for some time
worked in a sawmill. He did well as a faithful
hard-working man, who frugally saved his money,
and in time he took a share in the mill, thus getting a good start. He found the country hereabouts still very wild when he came here, Indians
inhabiting the forests and openings, and deer and
other game were very plentiful.
Mr. Hartman was connected with the mill for
about twelve years, In the meantime, he bought
fifty-two acres of his present farm, in 1860. Fifteen
acres were cleared and a plank house constituted
the only improvement. All the rest that make
it so valuable is the work of his own hand.  He
has added to his original purchase, and has one
hundred and seventy acres of fine farming land,
of which one hundred and forty-five acres are
under the best of tillage, In 1873, he erected a
handsome, roomy, frame residence, which is the
seat of true comfort and a never-failing, cheerful
hospitality. Two large red barns add to the attractiveness of the neat and well-kept place. The
older one, builtin 1869, was the first large barn
erected in this neighborhood.  The other was
built in 1888. Our subject has met with more
than ordinary success in carrying on his business
as ar general farmer and a raiser of all kinds of
high graded stock, and he has not only acquired a
handsome competency, amply satisfying all his
personal wants, but he loans considerable sums of
money, and is a shrewd and able financier.  He
was poor when lie came here, but a good capacity
for down-right hard work, a resolute will, and a
natural faculty for handling his affairs to the best
advantage have led him to wealth.
Mr. Hartman was united in marriage with Miss
Orro C. Scott September 11, 1865, and he thereby
secured one of life's choicest blessings, a true wife,
who has been of material assistance to him in the
making of their home. She is a woman of culture,
marked force of character, and possesses much native ability. She was born in the town of Fountain Green, Hancock County, Ill., on the 18th
of February, 1840, coming of the early pioneer
stock of that part of the country. Her parents
were Augustus R. and Elvira L. (Hadley) Scott.


IHer father was born near Cavendish, Vt., and her
mother in Centreville, Allegany County, N. Y.
They were married in Illinois, of which he was an
early settler as well as she. In 1842 they came to
Michigan, and located in Schoolcraft Township,
Kalamazoo County, where they lived one year.
In the fall of 1843, they came to Wakeshma Township, and their's was the second family to settle in
this township. Mr. Scott had to cut his road
into his land. He had to go to Kalamazoo to trade
and to Battle Creek or to Marshall to mill.  He
took up from the Government eighty acres of
land on section 15, and built a log cabin in the
forests to shelter his family. He was a famous
hunter, and the meagre bill of fare that the housekeepers of those days were able to offer to the
hungry ones around the family board was often
supplemented at his home by the game he killed.
Their situation was lonely, and at night the
wolves used to howl around their cabin, and the
beasts were so troublesome that Mr. Scott had to
keep his sheep in a high pen and have a good dog
to guard them.  The Indians came about the
cabin frequently and traded venison and other
things. Mr. Scott became prominent among his
fellow-pioneers, who looked to him for advice and
guidance, and called him to the highest local
offices, such as those of Supervisor and clerk of
the township, and whatever he did he did well.
His death in 1863, when only forty-eight years old,
was a sore loss to the community, but his memory
is cherished as one of our noble pioneers.  His
wife survived him until 1886, when she too
passed away, at the age of sixty-six years. They
were the parents of six children, and their daughter, the wife of Postmaster Griggs at Fulton, was
the first white child born within the borders of
Wakeshma Township.
Mrs. Hartman was well educated, and was successfully engaged as a teacher ten terms before
her marriage, teaching in this township, in Mendon
and Leonidas Townships, in St. Joseph County,
and in Athens, Calhoun County. She attended
the first school ever taught in Wakeshma Township, which was conducted in a primitive log
building at what is known as Gardner's Corners
and was furnished with rude home-made slab






544 -

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


--
--




benches that had wooden pins for legs. The
school, which was carried on lby the rate-bill system, was taught by Jane Barman, of Calhoun
County, and thirteen children were in attendance.
Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have four children living,
as follows: Eva L., wife of Abram V. Striker, a
farmer of Sherwood Township, Branch County;
Nellie M., Simon and Lyna B., the latter three of
whom are at home with their parents. Mrs. Hartman is a member of the Restitution Church, or
Church of God, while Mr. Hartman inclines to the
Lutheran faith, to which his fathers held.  Both
are conscientious, upright Christians. In politics,
he is a sound Democrat, but he voted for Abraham
Lincoln, whose memory all men honor, irrespective of party.
X ASPER P. WARNER, who is engaged in the
lumbering business, operating a sawmill in
Decatur, has spent almost his entire life in
this community and is a representative of
one of its pioneer families. His father, Joseph
Warner, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., May
10, 1812, and was a son of Josiah and Achsah
(Eastman) Warner, natives respectively of Massachusetts. By trade Josiah Warner was a mechanic.
lie removed to North Amherst, Mass., and in
the old training days served in the militia.  He
was a great athlete, being six feet high and weighing one hundred and eighty pounds. He was of a
roving disposition and his liberality was proverbial. He would give away his last cent rather
than see any one suffer.
Joseph Warner was only two years old when his
parents went to North Amherst, Mass. At the age
of seventeen years, he went to Ohio, where he
worked at various things until twenty-three years
of age. In 1834, he came to Michigan, locating in
Volinia Township, Cass County, where he operated
a sawmill and carried on other business until 1849,
when he purchased a farm of forty acres, to which
he afterward added until one hundred and twenty
acres of land yielded him a golden tribute. In 1843,
he lost his right leg, which was cut off by a threshing




I


I-        I`- - '   - I-~ -   -~- - - - '


machine, but this did not prevent him from working. He was one of the earliest settlers of Cass
County, coming to Michigan when the Indians
were more numerous than the white settlers. There
was one old Indian called Shave Head, wlo was
the terror of all the white people near. It was
said that he had ninety-nine scalps and wanted
one more. One day while Mr. Warner was away
from home, he came to the cabin and demanded
bread. Mrs. Warner said she had none, but just
then the wind blew the curtain from before the
cupboard, displaying one loaf. Old Shave Head
made for it, but Mrs. Warner was there before him
and secured it. They contested over that last loaf
for some time, when some other Indians came in
and took Shave Head away. The mother of our
subject was Miss Eliza Ann Fox, daughter of James
and Susan Fox, who were natives of New Jersey,
from whence they removed to Pennsylvania and
afterward to Ohio, where Miss Fox became acquainted with Mr. Warner. They were married
March 20, 1836, and lived to celebrate their fiftieth
anniversary, the festivities being participated in
by a large concourse of friends and relatives. The
death of Mr. Warner occurred May 10, 1888, and
he was laid to rest in the Pioneer Cemetery of
Volinia Township. In politics, he was a Whig
and afterward a Republican and lie filled many
township offices with credit to himself and to the
satisfaction of his constituents.  He was a great
reader and was always well informed on the current events of the day. For about forty years, he
was a member of the Christian Church and took an
active part in its upbuilding. He was a man of
great strength of character and unswerving integrity, and method marked every thing he did. He
believed in having a place for every thing and
every thing in its place. His widow, a mcst
estimable lady, is still living on the old homestead,
five miles south of Decatur. They were the parents of seven sons and three daughters, and, with
the exception of one daughter, all grew to mature
years, while eight are yet living, namely: Jasper
P.; Josiah S., of Decatur Township; Mary, wife of
C. W. Wilson, of Decatur; Louisa J., who lives on
the old homestead; Milton F., also residing there;
Lucian E., a farmer of Nebraska; Albert C., a resit




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


545


dent of Volinia Township, Cass County; Asa A., of
Dowagiac; Frank, who died in early manhood, and
Ada A., who died at the age of two and a half
years.
Jasper Warner, whose name heads this record,
was born in Volinia Township, Cass County, November 3, 1837, being one of the first white children
born in that locality. Under the parental roof, he
remained until his marriage, on the 29th of November, 1860, when Miss Zerilda Goble became his
wife. She is a daughter of Elijah Goble, who was
the first white settler on Little Prairie Ronde and
his sketch appears elsewhere in this work. The
young couple began their domestic life upon a
farm which Mr. Warner rented of his father-in-law,
and after a year he purchased eighty acres in
Volinia Township, where he spent a year and a
half. Three months were spent in Decatur, after
which he operated a rented farm for six months.
We later find him in Charleston, and afterward in
Johnsonville, where lie ran a sawmill for six
months. Next he purchased a farm adjoining his
father's in Cass County, which he operated for two
years, when lie came to Decatur, where for half a
year he again carried on a sawmill and gristmill.
In  other places, he carried on sawmills and
ultimately returned to the old homestead upon
which he was born. He there passed two years,
when he removed to Dowagiac, where he engaged
in the manufacture of farming implements with
excellent success for ten years and also carried on
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near the
city. IIe has owned at various times about twelve
hundred acres of land in Volinia Township. While
in Dowagiac, he made several inventions which
have since become quite valuable. On discontinuing manufacturing interests, Mr. Warner came to
Decatur, where he has since carried on the milling
and lumbering business. He was also proprietor
of a grocery store for some time and is recognized
as one of the leading business men of the community.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Warner was blessed
with seven children: Ada C., born October 19, 1861,
is the wife of F. W. Van Antwerp, of Dowagiac;
Lorin V., born March 3, 1863, resides in Decatur;
Minnie E., born November 20, 1866, is the wife of


Prof. William Jessup, Principal of the schools of
Eau Claire, Mich.; Carl W., born December 16,
1868, Paul C., March 10, 1872, and Roe P., September 27, 1874, are still at home. One child died
in infancy.
In connection with his other business interests,
Mr. Warner owns forty-two acres of land in Decatur Township, where he raises mint and manufactures peppermint oil. He is a sagacious and
far-sighted business man who is now enjoying a
lucrative trade that he has secured through his ow-n
efforts and his fair and honest dealing. In politics,
he is a Prohibitionist, has served as a member of
the Village Council as Treasurer, has been a member of the School Board and Director of the school
district. He belongs to the Legion of Honor and
is a member of the Christian Church, in which he
is a prominent and faithful worker. While in
Dowagiac, he was instrumental in building a
church at that place and has also done much for
the same cause in Decatur. For sixty-eight days,
he was upon the grounds, personally supervising
the building of the house of worship in Decatur.
For about nineteen years, lie has served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and in his labors
in the Master's vineyard is untiring. His integrity
is above question and his honorable, upright life is
well worthy of emulation.
NSON WOODING. This old pioneer and
prominent citizen of Ross Township, Kalamazoo County, was born in Tioga County,
N. Y., June 7, 1820, and was the son of
Edmund A. and Elizabeth (Green) Wooding, natives of Connecticut. His ancestors on both sides
of the houses are English and the Greens trace
their genealogy back to Denmark, in the thirteenth
century, where our subject is the seventh generation as traced back in the "Winslow Memorial."
The Wooding family originated in America from
four brothers who emigrated hither in an early
day. They bore the respective names of John,
Aner, Cyrus and Calvin.
The mother of our subject having died when he
was four years of age, the father returned to Con





546


X-VXN.IRA.IT   ANDn BIOG R PHICAL; RECORD,


546               POiTRAIT AND BIOGRA7PHICAL RECORD.


necticut, and Anson made his home with his paternal grandmother until reaching his fourteenth
year. He then started out in life on his own account, working out on farms during the summer
and attending school in the winter. He continued
thus until seventeen years old and then was engaged as a mercantile traveler, visiting in a business way some thirteen States. He went to New
York City three years later and established in the
mercantile business on his own account, having a
splendid retail trade for a number of years. He
later, in partnership with W. A. Pigot, engaged in
manufacturing brushes in New York City, and also
dealt in paints, oils, etc. They continued prosperously together until 1857.
Anson Wooding was married, May 8, 1842, to
Martha Heamstead, a native of New York City,
her natal day being December 14, 1819. Mrs.
Wooding was the daughter of Henry H. and Jane
E. Heamstead, her father a native of Holland and
her mother born in England. Her parents dying
when she was quite young, Mrs. Wooding was
taken into the home of an older sister and received
a good education. To our subject and his wife
have been granted three children, viz: Mary E.,
who is the wife of W. L. Curtis, of Petoskey, this
State; Edmund A., at home, and Ella A., Mrs.
Morris Krickl, who makes her home in New York
City.
The original of this sketch obtained a good education in the common schools, although he did not
enjoy the advantages which are offered the youth
of the present day. He has been a systematic and
judicious.reader and is a gentleman who is thoroughly informed upon all the leading topics of
the day. In 1857, he came to Kalamazoo County,
purchasing a farm on section 8, Ross Township,
whither he brought his family a year later. His
tract was little more than a wilderness when he located upon it, but by persistent industry he soon
put it under thorough cultivation. The family
made their home in a log cabin for a time, but that
little house soon gave way to a more commodious
and comfortable residence. Mr. and Mrs. Wooding have endured their share of the privations and
hardships which fell to the lot of the pioneer and
are now reaping the reward of their early toil, ro

tired from the active duties of life. In 1884, they
removed to a pleasant home in Augusta village,
where they are still residing.
Mr. Wooding owns two hundred and twentyseven acres of land in Ross Township and also one
hundred and sixty acres in Climax Township,
Kalamazoo County. He is a self-made man in the
truest sense of that term but gives all due credit
of his present standing in the financial world to
the counsel and good management of his excellent
wife. In politics, he is a Democrat and served as
President of the Village Board of Augusta for six
years. With his wife, he is an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and, socially, is a Mason. Mrs. Wooding is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society and is interested in
all good works.
f OHN LATTA, deceased. The sketch here
given is that of a former citizen of Niagara
County, N. Y. He was born in New York
State in 1794, and was a tanner by trade,
running the first mill in Niagara County, N. Y.,
with his father James, a native of the Emerald
Isle. The father was an influential man and came
to this country with considerable money and
erected a number of gristmills. Our subject had
a number of these under his management until he
was fifty years old. He then engaged in farming
until the year 1854, when he came to visit Albert
Latta, his son, and passed from this life on his
way home on the steamer "Mayflower."
Our subject was a hero of the War of 1812, and
had his tannery and all his property burnt and
destroyed at the time the frontier was burned.
He just escaped with his family by the soldiers
holding the British at bay until he got his household effects loaded on a sled. When coming back
from their place of refuge they found they were
entirely destitute. The Government remunerated
them somewhat for their loss. His wife's name was
Pomelia Smith, a native of Vermont and a descendant of old Yankee stock. They had ten children
born to them, two girls and eight boys. Two are
now living besides Albert. Benjamin, now en



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


547


gaged in farming in Wisconsin, is quite well-to-do
and has a family of six boys and four girls, all of
whom are well educated, the boys all being either
doctors of medicine or doctors of law.  Walter
is engaged in farming in New York State, and has
eleven children, all of whom have grown to years
of maturity.
Albert Latta started out in life for himself when
twenty-one years old, but previous to this time
had become familiar with all the details of farm
life on the home estate. He at first worked a farm
in New York on shares and finally purchased a
small farm of his own, and after working it a
short time sold out and came to Michigan, settling
in Oshtemo Township on Grand Prairie,three miles
from the city of Kalamazoo, in 1853. He purchased a part of this place at the same time Senator
Stockbridge bought his stock farm, the two places
being adjacent. He has fine brick buildings, and
splendid hedge fences, etc., and the place consisted
of two hundred acres at the time of purchasing.
He since added another one hundred. Mr. Latta,
however, divided his farm last winter, giving two
of his sons, Myron 0. and Addison J., each eighty
acres.
In the year 1847, Lois Orton became the wife of
Albert Latta. Mrs. Latta is a daughter of Dr.
Orton, of Niagara County, N. Y. Seven children
have been born of this union, five boys and two
girls, namely: Willard A. is married and lives in
Nebraska; Myron 0. is also married and lives at
home; Almeda married William    Montague, of
whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this
RECORD; DeLacey A. is married and living in
Florida; Walter is a resident of Minnesota and is
married; Addison J. married Miss Luella Washburn
and is at home; Clara is also yet a resident at home.
The family are well respected by the entire community in which they reside.
TEPHEN    V. R. EARL, an enterprising
merchant and Postmaster at Cooper, was
'     born in Providence, Saratoga County, N.
Y., March 24, 1824. His parents, David
and Selima A. (Fuller) Earl, were natives, respec

tively, of Rhode Island and New York, and were
married in the latter State. In 1855, they emigrated to Michigan, settling in Cooper Township,
Kalamazoo County, where they died April 19 and
20, 1864, respectively, and were buried at the same
time in the cemetery in Cooper Township.
The parents of our subject moved to Orleans
County when he was but eight months old, where
he spent his early years, and attended the district school until he was thirteen and also two
winter terms afterward, besides being a student in
Nunda Institute about five months. However, his
education has been mainly self-acquired and is
the result of reading and observation. March 20,
1838, he commenced to work at a salary of $6
per month, being employed in a machine shop for
several years and engaged in wagon-making.
On account of ill health, Mr. Earl, in 1853, discontinued work at his trade and began to clerk in
a store, where he remained for three years. In
1856, he came to Cooper Township and for nine
years was employed as a carpenter, later buying a
farm in the township of Ross where he moved in
1864. In 1883, he returned to the village of
Cooper and purchased the store which he still carries on with success. He has a stock of dry-goods,
groceries, etc., and by his uniformly fair dealing
with his customers has won the approbation and
favor of the people.
The first marriage of Mr. Earl united him with
Miss Lydia M. Fishell, of New York, who died
about two years after their union. December 16,
1863, he was again married this time to Miss Nancy
E. Delano, sister of Mrs. Henry V. Skinner, who is
represented elsewhere in this volume. For her
family history the reader is referred to that
sketch. Mrs. Earl was born on section 17, Cooper
Township, in 1836, and has spent the greater
portion of her life in this community.   She
has one surviving child, S. Vene R. Sandford
D., who was born September 19, 1871, died March
31, 1876. Mrs. Earl is a devoted member of the
Congregational Church, to the support of which
our subject is a generous contributor.
In his social connections, Mr. Earl has been a
Mason for thirty years and an Odd Fellow since
1847, having first joined Bloomingdale Lodge, No.
I     u1 v iui I1rlLS1-lr   V 6)  LV




548


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD;


182, in New  York City. He belongs to the
Grange, No. 24, in Ross Township, and the Sons
of Temperance. He is a firm  upholder of the
principles of the Republican party, and has served
as Township. Clerk for two years, Supervisor two
years, Justice of the Peace one term and Notary
Public since 1862. While in Ross Township, he
was Supervisor for ten years, and served as Chairman of the County Board during two years of
that time. In 1883, he was appointed Postmaster
at Cooper and has since held that position, discharging its duties with great efficiency and excellent judgment.
-+  =-  +-~n     ---
r-USTAVUS M. GATES, a successful farmer
(f of Comstock Township, Kalamazoo County,
35 was born in Monroe County, N. Y., on
Christmas Day, 1841. His father, Reynold M.,
was born in Ontario County, N. Y., January 25,
1807, and in early manhood located upon a farm in
Monroe County, where he remained until his death
December 16, 1891. A prominent man in public
affairs, he served as Supervisor six years, and was
known as a stanch Republican. A member of the
Presbyterian Church, he was active in its support,
and held offices for a number of years.
Clarissa Parmelee, as the mother of our subject
was known in maidenhood, was born in Ontario
County, N. Y., in 1809, and died May 24, 1852.
She was the mother of four children, one of whom,
a daughter, died in infancy. The survivors are:
Lyman M., Curtis M. and Gustavus M. The lastnamed was reared in his native place, and finished
his schooling in Galesburg, this State. He enlisted
in 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Eighth
New York Infantry, under Capt. Andrews, and
was wounded in the battle of Antietam, which so
disabled him that he received his discharge soon
after.
In 1864, Mr. Gates was united in marriage to
Miss Frances O. Birdsell, who died in Kalamazoo,
September 15, 1875. She was the mother of three
children, namely: Lyman M., who died at the age
of two years; Marvin B., of Galesburg; and Clar

issa M., who resides with her father. Mr. Gates
contracted a second matrimonial alliance, June 24,
1877, choosing as his wife Alice M. Byington, who
was born in Bristol, Conn., August 8, 1851. Her
father, Randall Byington, a native of Connecticut,
who followed the trade of a carpenter, died when
eighty years old. Her mother, Mary (Scott) Byington, makes her home in Galesburg.
When five years old, Mrs. Gates came to Galesburg, where she was reared to womanhood. She
is an amiable, cultured lady, and the mother of one
child, Alma, who was born in Kalamazoo in 1879.
Mr. Gates came to Michigan in 1865, and located
in Eaton County, where he bought a farm of one
hundred and thirty acres, and remained two years.
Selling that place, he bought a sawmill near Hastings, Bariy County, and carried on the business
about two years, until he purchased a farm in
Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, and commenced the improvement of its one hundred acres.
One and one-half years after settling upon that
farm, Mr. Gates removed to Kalamazoo where he
was Deputy Sheriff and Marshal of the city, or
Chief of the Police, for fourteen years. Then purchasing one hundred and ten acres where he now
resides, he began a general farming business, which
he has since conducted. He is a stanch Republican,
politically, and now represents his township on the
County Board of Supervisors, which position he
has held for three years. He was Constable of
Portage Township, and has been officially connected
with the schools of the township for seven years.
Socially, he is a Mason and a Knight Templar, belonging to Kalamazoo Lodge, No. 8, also a member
of Orcutt Post, G. A. R., at Kalamazoo. He and
his wife are identified with the Congregational
Church of Galesburg, in which lie was Trustee for
some time.,;ORMAN S. WHITNEY is the present popular and efficient Supervisor of Richland
II    Township, Kalamazoo County. He is at
present residing in the Village of Richland, where
he ranks among the well-to-do and respected citi







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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


553


 ------—  — - —I --- —- —  ---  --- ——  — ---- -----— 1 -11 --- — --- —1 —` —


zens of the place. HIe is a native of Windsor
County, Vt., his natal day being December 28,
1836. His parents, Norman K. and Mary (Pratt)
Whitney, were natives of New England and on
both sides of the house our subject is of English
descen t.
The original of this sketch was reared to the age
of nineteen in his native State, and in 1855 came
to Kalamazoo County, where he has been a continuous resident and whither his parents had removed some time previous. Of the five children
comprising the parental family, three are living,
namely: Daniel R., William, and our subject.
Mr. Whitney received his primary education in the
public schools, which was later supplemented by an
attendance at the academy in Springfield, Vt.
Our subject has been engaged in agricultural
pursuits during the greater part of his life, although he has at different times branched out into
other lines of business. In 1889, he formed a
partnership with George A. Knappen, they operating under the firm name of Knappen & Whitney,
and did an extensive business in grain, produce
and wool.
Norman S. Whitney was married, September 3,
1861, to Augusta, daughter of Alfred and Cynthia
(Morse) Nevins. Mrs. Whitney was born in Vermont, August 28, 1842, and is the sister of Mrs. C.
W. Jones, of Richland Township, this county. She
was in her second year when her parents emigrated to this State, and was given a splendid education, attending the Prairie Seminary at Richland.
By her union with our subject have been born four
children, viz: Mary C., who is the wife of W. H.
Bennett; Rose M., Mrs. H. A. Lamb; Wilber C.;
and Emma M.
The landed possessions of our subject include
two hundred acres of valuable property, which is
under most excellent cultivation and improved
with all necessary buildings and machinery. In
politics, Mr. Whitney is a Republican and has
served his fellow-townsmen as Treasurer of Richland Township for two years. He is at the present time serving his sixth year as Supervisor, performing all the duties of that responsible position
in a most efficient and satisfactory manner. Mrs.
Whitney is a member in good standing of the Pres25             K


byterian Church and is active in all good works.
Our subject, socially, is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a gentleman
whose progressive ideas lead him to take a prominent position in all measures which tend to elevate the society of his community.
Two brothers of Mr. Whitney were soldiers in
the late Civil War. Cyrus lost his life in the
battle of the Wilderness and Henry Whitney had
his right arm shot off at the siege of Petersburg.
The maternal ancestors of our subject trace their
lineage back to the "Mayflower."  Mr. Whitney is
well and favorably known to this section and we
are pleased to be able to present his sketch to our
readers.
e +++"+ +++V-+ +,
++++      ++++I        '
EWIS S. BURDICK, a prominent resident
(of Texas Township, is well known through_  out Kalamazoo County as one of its successful farmers and representative citizens. His highly
cultivated farm on section 27 consists of two hundred and forty-eight acres, conveniently divided
into pastures and fields set off with neat fencing.
Machinery containing the latest improvements has
been introduced to aid in the cultivation of the
place, and substantial buildings indicate the owner's prosperity.
Among the early settlers of Kalamazoo County,
were Sanford and Abigail (Lee) Burdick, natives
respectively of Rhode Island and Connecticut,
who after their marriage in Connecticut moved
to Madison County, N. Y., came to Michigan in
1834, and settled on a farm in Charleston Township. They remained there until called hence by
death, she in 1835 and he three years later. They
had a family of six children, and Lewis S., who
is third, was born in Madison County, N. Y., February 11, 1820.
When about fourteen years old, Mr. Burdick
came with his parents to Charleston Township,
where his boyhood days were passed. He was
married in Texas Township, December 11, 1842,
to Miss Aby, daughter of Albert G. and Lucinda






554


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


(Douglass) Towers, old settlers of the township,
having come hither in 1836 and remained here
until their death. Mrs. Burdick was born in Chittenden, Vt., February   11, 1826, and was a
small child when she came with her parents to this
county, where she grew to womanhood and under
the careful training of her parents became a refined and accomplished lady.  Religiously, Mrs.
Burdick was a strong Spiritualist. Mrs. Aby Burdick departed this life September 8, 1881.
Mr. and Mrs. Burdick were not blessed with
children of their own, but adopted four, two,
having died in childhood; upon the remaining
two, who are now in homes of their own they
have bestowed the most careful attention. Fitz
H. married Miss Ella Clapp, and Agnes J. is the
wife of William J. Campbell. While Mr. Burdick resided in Charleston Township, he was engaged in the manufacture of lime for about four
years, but with that exception lie always followed
farming pursuits.
Mr. Burdick was again married, April 15, 1882,
Mrs. Laura M. Voke becoming his wife. She was
born in Genesee County, N. Y., April 18, 1826.
and is the daughter of William Tanner, a native of
New York, now deceased. Mrs. Burdick was a
resident of Paw Paw, Van Buren County, for nearly
forty years, and has resided in Kalamazoo County
only during the last ten years. Throughout the
community where she resides, she is highly esteemed
and we take pleasure in presenting her portrait,
together with that of Mr. Burdick.
With the public life of the community, Mr. Burdick has for years been closely identified and has
represented Texas Township on the County Board
of Supervisors and also served as Justice of the
Peace for about thirty years. He has filled almost
every position within the gift of his fellow-townsmen, and, in connection with the Republican and
Greenback parties, has taken an active part in
political affairs. A man of deep thought and extensive reading, he is a close investigator of all
modern phases of belief and his studies have resulted in an ardent belief in spiritualism, in which
his wife also joins. He was formerly connected
with the State Association of Spiritualists and
was President of the organization for two years.


He was also President of the Southwestern Michigan Spiritualists' Association for a period of
twelve years, and contributed greatly to the success of that organization.
AlARTIN VAN DUZER. A life of industry
I   and energy almost invariably brings its
reward in the possession of a goodly
amount of this world's goods as well as
in the confidence of those among whom one's lot
may have been cast. In his agricultural enterprises, Mr. Van Duzer has been especially fortunate
and is now the owner of four hundred and forty
acres of land, most of which is under cultivation.
The residence and barns are among the most substantial and conveniently arranged of any in the
community, and the entire estate indicates the
thrift of the proprietor.
The father of our subject, Alonzo, was probably
born in Ohio; his mother, whose maiden name was
Ann Higgins, was a native of England, who emigrated directly from her native land to Kalamazoo
County. Here they were married and afterward
settled in the northern part of Prairie Ronde
Township, where they remained for a number of
years. Mr. Van Duzer, Sr., was called from  the
busy scenes of earth in the fall of 1845, while he
was still in life's prime. The mother survived
until about 1861, when she, too, passed away.
The next to the oldest among five children,
Martin Van Duzer was born on the old homestead in Prairie Ronde Township, November 11,
1838. He has always resided in the place of his
birth, with the exception of two years, during
which he was a resident of New York. He attended the common schools near his home, there
laying the foundation of the broad and liberal
education which lie has since acquired by observation and reading.
May 3, 1863, Mr. Van Duzer was married in
Prairie Ronde Township to Miss Harriet A., daughter of Dr. Bazzel and Almira (Abbey) Harrison
(See sketch of Dr. B. Harrison elsewhere in this
volume). The second among eight children, Mrs.
Van Duzer was born in Prairie Ronde Township,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


555


f

January 3, 1839, and had always made her home
in this township, where she received her education
in childhood and was fitted to discharge the duties
which afterward came to her as wife and mother.
The home is blessed by the presence of three
children who remain to brighten their parents'
hearts and lives: Alonzo, Jesse M. and Harriet
Ann.
A man of retiring disposition, Mr. Van Duzer
has attended strictly to his farming pursuits and
has sought neither the honors nor the emoluments
of public position. His fellow-citizens have called
upon him to serve in official capacities upon different occasions and he has served efficiently as
H ighway Commissioner, also in other local positions. He belongs to the Masonic order and with
his family is a welcome guest at the social gatherings of the neighborhood.
HARLES W. JONES, who is the possessor
of a fine farm of one hundred and thirty
acres on section 23, Richland Township,
Kalamazoo County, is one of the well-to-do and
progressive citizens of this section. In addition
to raising the cereals, he devotes a great deal of
time and attention to the breeding of fine stock, of
which he has some fine specimens.
Mr. Jones, of this sketch, is a native of Kingsborough, Fulton County N. Y., his natal day being
March 1, 1825. His parents, Ephraim  and Desire
(Williams) Jones, were also natives of the Empire
State, where our subject was reared to mature years.
In 1847, he emigrated to Kalamazoo County and,
locating in Richland Township, has since made this
place his home. Mr. Jones has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life, with which occupation
for a number of years he added that of buying
and selling stock, in which business he was very
successful.
For over thirty years the original of this sketch
has been agent for a large firm in Lowell, Mass.,
buying wool for them, and for a period of twenty
years he has been their State agent. He of whom
we write and Miss Eunice M. Nevins were united
in marriage April 5, 1848. Mrs. Jones was a na

tive of Orange County, Vt., her birth occurring
August 4, 1830. She was the daughter of Alfred
and Cynthia (Morse) Nevins, natives of New
England. In 1844, Miss Eunice accompanied her
parents on their removal to this county, locating
in Richland Township, where the father died in
1858. Mrs Nevins survived her husband for a
number of years, and passed away in 1883. The
parental family included nine children, of whom
the following survive: Cynthia O., who is the wife
of S. W. Hale, of Bedford, this State; her first husband was E. P. Webster, by whom she had two
children. Mrs. Jones; Sarah M., who married
Eben Knappen, who died, and she became the
wife of Marcus Riker, of Hastings, Mich.; and
Augusta M., Mrs. Stebbins Whitney, of Richland.
To our subject and his wife five children have
been granted, three of whom are living: Alfred W.,
who resides in St. Paul, Minn.; Charles E., who
makes his home in Richland Township; and
Cynthia D. Mrs. Jones is an active member of the
Presbyterian Church. Our subject served   as
Treasurer of Richland Township for two terms and
socially is identified with the Masonic order in
Richland. He is a man whose word is considered
as good as his bond and is one of the progressive
and liberal citizens of the county where he is so
well and widely known. Mr. Jones received his
education in the academies at Kingsborough and
Johnstown, N. Y., and for five years taught school
in those villages.
YMAN QUA. One by one the aged citizens
of Kalamazoo County are passing away,
leaving to their descendants the heritage
won by years of toil and privations amid dangers
seen and unseen. Among those who have gone to
their last rest is Mr. Qua, who was formerly identified with the farming community of Comstock
Township. The fine farm which he gained by industry and economy is now ably managed by his
widow, who is a lady of executive ability and excellent judgment. She hires the work done, but
personally oversees the one hundred and twenty
acres comprising the estate, and, in connection with




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


general farming, owns one hundred and seventeen
head of sheep and other stock.
Born in Washington County, N. Y., July 17,
1816, Mr. Qua was the son of Robert and Anna
(Powell) Qua, the latter a native of Washington
County, N. Y., and the former probably a native
of the same place.  The seventh child in their
family, Lyman, was reared in the Empire State,
whence he removed to Michigan in the year 1869,
locating upon the place where his widow now resides. From the age of seventeen, he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served
as Trustee, and to the maintenance of which he
gave as he was prospered. Throughout the county
he was well known as a sincere Christian, a strong
Republican, and a public-spirited  citizen.  His
death occurred January 1, 1883, and his remains
now lie buried in Oak Cemetery, Comstock Township.
Martha Jane Getty, as Mrs. Qua was known in
maidenhood, was bcrn in Sandy Hill, Washington
County, N. Y., July 18, 1818. Her father, John
Getty, was likewise a native of Washington County,
and was a grocer at Sandy Iill, also Sheriff of the
county. He served during the War of 1812. Mrs.
Qua's grandfather, Robert Getty, was a native of
Massachusetts, but was reared in New York, while
Great-grandfather Getty was a native of Scotland,
and settled in Massachusetts at an early day. On
her mother's side, Mrs. Qua is descended from
Scotch ancestors, who emigrated to Massachusetts.
Her mother, Maria (McWhorter) Getty, was born
in Washington County.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Getty numbered six, four of whom are now living, three sisters and one brother. Anna is the wife of George
Hale; Sarah, the widow of Alex McWhorter, lives
in Colorado; John A. resides in Brockport, N. Y.
Mrs. Qua, the eldest child in the family, was reared
in Sandy Hill, and remained in that village after
her marriage to Mr. Qua, which took place February 1, 1838. Some years afterward they removed to Brockport, N. Y., and later located in
Kalamazoo County.
Mr. and Mrs. Qua became the parents of six
children, as follows: Anna, deceased; Emma, the
widow of Prof. E. D. Blakesley, and a teacher in


Oshkosh, Wis.; Amelia, of Chicago, who is City
Missionary for Dr. Gunsaulus, of the Plymouth
Congregational Church; Jane, who is married and
resides in Galesburg; Nettie, who is with her sister
in Chicago; Julia, who is at home with her mother,
and is a teacher in the Galesburg schools. For
many years Mrs. Qua has been a member of the
Congregational Church, an active worker in the
cause of religion, and a generous contributor to
all worthy enterprises.
/A   EORGE TELFER, a prominent Scotch-American citizen, and a resident of section 26,
\J4 Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, is
a native of the Lowlands of Scotland, where he
was born November 17, 1827, to John and Ellen
(Scott) Telfer, natives of the same place as their
son. The Telfers for generations back were shepherds by occupation, and our subject was reared to
man's estate in his native country, also learning
this occupation. His father died when lie was but
a small boy, and consequently he was thrown early
upon his own resources. lie remained with his
mother, supporting her for years. ite received a
fair education in Scotland, but had not the advantages afforded the youth of to-day, but, by reading
and observation mainly, educated himself.
George Telfer was first married in Scotland, to
Elizabeth Redpeth, who bore him five children,
four yet living: John, Robert R., James and Allie
(the wife of Edward DeWolf). With his wife and
one child, in 1855, our subject emigrated to America, taking passage at Liverpool on a sailer, the
"Richard Robinson," and after a voyage of from
the 1st of May until the middle of June, landed in
New York City. HTe came direct to Michigan, and
stopped for a short time in Allegan County, but
not liking it there, made his way to this township
and county, and for about two years worked out
by the day and month, gaining in this way his
start. As soon as he iad saved enough money, he
purchased forty acres of land, and has added to it
from time to time until he now owns an area of
two hundred and ninety-two acres. He has also




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


557


given one of Ihis sons one hundred and twenty
acres; another forty acres, and assisted his daughter, by giving her a start in life. Mr. Telfer was
married to his present wife, EIliza Currall, in 1864.
She was born in Soniersetshire, England, February
14, 1815, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Currail, also natives of England. Early in the '50s
she came to America and stopped in New York
State.
Mr. and Mrs. Telfer are respected members of
the Presbyterian Church of Richland, and Mr. Telfer cast his vote with the Republican party. Ile
is a splendid agriculturist, and he and his family
are held in the highest repute by the entire community in which they reside.
ORNELIUS VAN HOESEN. A prominent
citizen of Portage Township, Kalamazoo
County, he whose name is at the head of
this sketch has the interest of the community at
heart, not only because lie is an integral part of
that community, but, from  a humanitarian and
sectional standpoint, taking pride in everything
that shall redound to the honor of the people with
whom Inis lot is cast. Ite is an owner and resident upon section 27, where he has an excellent
farm.
The original of this sketch is the son of Garret
Van Hoesen, who was born in Athens, Greene
County, N.Y., November 21, 1798. His mother,
whose maiden name was Hannah Provost, was also
born in that county, her natal day being March
13, 1801. After their marriage they located in
Cortland County, N. Y., where they made their
home until 1831, when they removed to Pike,
Wyoming County, same State. There they passed
their last days, the father dying July 13, 1865,
and the mother June 22, 1862.
Of the eight children comprising the parental
family, our subject was the fourth in order of
birth. Preble, Cortland County, N. Y., was the
place of his nativity and the date thereof September 19, 1825. When a lad of six years, his parents
removed to Wyoming County, where lie grew to
manhood, attending tile common school and being


trained to the life of a farmer. In 1855, desiring
to see something of the West, of whose fame he
had so often heard, and especially that of Michigan, our subject came to Kalamazoo County and
made his home for a, twelvemonth with his brother
Jacob.
December 11, 1856, Mr. Van Iloesen was married,
in Portage Township, to Miss Hannah, daughter
of Orange and Lois (Willis) Pike, for a further
history of whom the reader is referred to the sketch
of E. Pike, found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs.
Van HEoesen was the third child of the parental
family, and was born in Perry, Wyoming County,
N. Y., September 3, 1835. The first year after his
marriage, our subject lived in Richland Township,
this county, but later moved across the line into
Portage 'Township, which  has since been his
abiding place.
Ite of whom we write devotes his entire time
and attention to cultivating the soil and is the
owner of an estate comprising one hundred and
four acres, on which he has erected good and substantial buildings. Ile ranks among the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of this section
and is proud of the fact that his possessions are the
result of his own persistent industry and good
judgment.
Our subject and his wife have been granted a
family of three children: Ida V., Herbert L. and
Belle E. Tlie latter is the wife of James R. Gray,
of Kalamazoo. Mr. Van Hoesen casts his vote in
favor of Democratic candidates, and is greatly
esteemed by all who know him.
l  jILLIAM  JENKINSON. Among the re\ presentative farmers of Brady Township,
Kalamazoo County, we are pleased   to
present a sketch of the gentleman whose name
appears at the head of this paragraph, and whose
pleasant home and excellent farm are to be found
on section 20. His father, William Jenkinson,
was a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, and a
farmer of Scotch descent, so far as known. He
came to America about 1826, and landed and
lived in Halifax, N. S., two years. He then lived






558


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


two years at Boston and two years at Baltimore.
He was a rebel and was arrested during the Patriot
War and kept in jail six months. He came to
Michigan in 1840 and died six months later. He
was married to Lucy McGuire, a native of Ireland,
who reared nine children of her family of ten.
She died here at sixty-five years of age.
Our subject was reared on a farm and educated
in the common schools. He began to learn the
machinist trade and was an apprentice at eighteen
years of age. Our subject came here in 1839 before the family came. The journey was made
across the lake from Buffalo to Chicago, and there
he bought an ox-team and drove here. IHe preempted his present one hundred and sixty acre tract,
which was a part of the Indian Reservation. He
did trading at Schoolcraft, Milling, Flourfield and
Kalamazoo. There were plenty of wild animals of
all kinds but our subject did not hunt very much.
He was here a year and a half, when he went to
Louisiana and worked on a plantation two years.
He returned home and in 1852 started with a
party of twenty-seven across the plains to California. They were one hundred days on the way
and they lost nearly all their cattle and were met
with the cholera from which a number died. Our
subject made some money in the mines in Oregon
and Montana and then engaged in the lumber
business at Humboldt two years. Mr. Jenkinson
returned home by water and cholera was very bad
on the vessel. He lived here until 1862, when he
went to Virginia City, Idaho, by team across the
plains, and after remaining there eight months he
returned to Michigan.
Our subject was married, in 1851, to Lucinda
Grout, a native of Schoolcraft Township, this
county, and who only survived a short time after
marriage. They had no children of their own,
but our subject has reared a boy from seven years
of age. He now has two hundred and eighty
acres which he has cleared and improved himself.
and on it carried on mixed farming, raising wheat,
cattle, hogs and sheep. He has bought and sold
lots of stock. The present residence was erected
in 1864, and has large and fine barns which were
built later. Mr. Jenkinson is a stanch Democrat
in politics, and has been Clerk, Treasurer and Tax


Collector for eighteen or twenty years. He is a
member of the Masonic order, No. 208, at Vicksburg. He says he came here a pauper but is now
quite well-to-do and is very industrious and of a
fine judgment and is well thought of by his friends,
of whom he has many. He is exceedingly generous
and has helped many a poor man to get a start in
life and at present loans a great deal of money.
This gentleman had his birth in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1816, and came to this country
with his parents in 1826.
i         ^ --- --- —--       ~
H-IOMAS GOOI)RICI. Few now survive of
the pioneers who were identified with the
early history of Kalamazoo County and
whose labors in behalf of its development entitle
them to an imperishable name.  In that class Mr.
Goodrich deserves an important position, for he
has been a resident of Cooper Township since 1837,
when lie bought forty acres of land and commenced
its improvement. He now owns eighty acres
on section 32, but advancing years preclude the
active labors and heavy cares which once claimed
his attention.
The son of Jared and Eve (Henika) Goodrich, natives of New York, and the latter of German extraction, our subject was born in Genesee County,
N. Y., April 2, 1815. He was the youngest of
nine children, three of whom survive, a sister.and
brother. At an early age lie become a member of
the household of his uncle, with whom he remained until he became of age, in the meantime
attending the district school. When twenty-two
years of age, lie commenced the battle of life on
his own account, but prior to that time removed,
in 1833, from New York to Michigan, the journey
being made via the lakes to Detroit and from
there overland to the western part of the State.
After remaining in the vicinity of Jackson for
about two years, Mr. Goodrich removed to Kalamazoo County in 1835, and for a time engaged in
hunting. Wild game was so plentiful that after
killing sixty deer he ceased to keep account of the
victims of his rifle. The land which he purchased
in Cooper Township in 1837 was on the east side




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


559


I — - - — ~ -   I-   -~ - -— I — ~I


of the river and contained no improvements. He
erected a log house, said to be the best in the
township at that time, and remained on the farm
until 1844, when lie sold and purchased another
tract on the west side of the river.
In 1866, Mr. Goodrich bought the farm where
he now resides, and its highly cultivated soil and
first-class buildings bear evidence of his thrift.
For fifty years (lacking only fourteen days), he
was blest by the affection and assistance of his wife,
who passed away April 23, 1891. Eliza Skinner,
as she was known in maidenhood, was born in
Providence Township, Saratoga County, N. Y.,
February 9, 1815, and became the wife of Mr.
Goodrich May 6, 1841. She was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church from  the age of
fifteen until the time of her decease and aided in
the organization of that church in Cooper.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich became the parents of
four children, as follows: Charles I., who is married and lives in Kalamazoo; Maria, deceased; Jarvis, who is a resident of Kalamazoo; and Caroline,
the wife of William Stoddard. A supporter of the
principles of the Democratic party, Mr. Goodrich
cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson,
and has voted at every national election since
that time. For many years he has been a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is
Trustee. Socially, he belongs to Cooper Lodge,
No. 149, F. & A. M., and has held its various
chairs. Iis fellow-citizens have called upon him
to fill various local positions, and he has served as
Collector of Taxes and in other official capacities.
IIHOMAS T. HALLOCK, a farmer of high
standing in Kalamazoo County, is the proprietor of a large and finely improved farm
on section 26, Charleston Township.  le is a native of (enesee County, N. Y., born March 12,
1829, and is the son of one of the early pioneers of this part of Michigan, Augustus V. C.
Hallock, a man    who was well known     and
greatly respected in the community in his day.
He, too, was a native of New York, born in Dutchess County, in the latter part of the eighteenth


century. When he was nearly eighteen years old,
he enlisted in the American army and served
through the War of 1812 as a fife major, he being
a musician of no mean ability. Later in life lie
drew a pension from the Government. In 1835,
le came to Michigan and, settling in the wilderness of Kalamazoo County on an eighty-acre tract
on section 35, Charleston Township, lie proceeded
to open up a farm, removing with his family into
a small log house that stood on the place and constituted its only improvement. He dwelt on that
farm until 1860, and then located on another east
of that, which remained his home until he closed
his eyes in death at the ripe age of eighty-one
years. He was twice married, and by the firstmarriage he had one son, Charles, who died at the age
of twenty-five years. Iis second marriage was
with the mother of our subject, Catherine O'Neil
a native of New York, who is living at the venerable age of eighty years. She is the mother of
seven daughters and one son, all of whom grew to
maturity, married and had families, and these are
still living: Mrs. Mary Whipple, of Minnesota;
Mrs. Martha Roof, of Charleston Township; Mrs.
Arvilla Chipman,of Battle Creek; and Thomas T.,
our subject.
lie of whom this biographical review is written
is the second child and only son of his mother.
lie was a little lad of six years when his parents
brought him to Michigan, and he grew to man's
estate under the invigorating influences of pioneer
life. lie obtained his firstschooling in Charleston
Township and here he completed his education. He
remained with his father and mother until he was
twenty-seven years old, assisting in the support of
the family, and lie continued to reside on the parental homestead one year after his marriage in
the spring of 1855. He then bought a farm on
section 23, Charleston Township, on which he lived
two years. His next move was to Mendon, St.
Joseph County, where he bought a farm and he was
actively engaged in its cultivation the ensuing six
years. At the end of that time, he disposed of that
place at a good price, and since then he has owned
and occupied a farm on section 26, Charleston
Township. There are here three hundred and six
acres of land, all cleared  and under cultiva



560


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


tion but thirty acres, and amply supplied with
buildings of a good class and everything needful
in the way of machinery. Mr. Hallock rents the
most of his land and devotes his time to raising
sheep of standard breeds, having one hundred and
fifty head at the present time, and he handles them
so as to make a goodly profit.
The marriage of Mr. Hallock with Judith K.,
the second daughter of Jesse and Abigail (Kimball) Munn, was duly solemnized in the month of
April, 1855. Mrs. Hallock was born August 10,
1827, in the town of Hartland, near the city of
Rochester, Monroe County, N. Y. When she was
six years old, her parents removed to Batavia,
Genesee County, N. Y., where she lived until she
came to Michigan in 1854. Sorrow has been experienced by our subject and his wife in an otherwise happy wedded life in the death of their children; the only one born to them died in infancy, and their adopted son, Albert, upon whom
they lavished every affection and care, taking him
to their home and hearts when he was two years
old, died when he was ten years old
Mr. Hallock is a man of fine characteristics,
whom to know is to trust and respect, as throughout his career he has kept his name unblemished
by any dishonorable act, and true manliness, an
earnest religious nature, and moral habits are
among his most conspicuous traits. He is one of
the leaders in the Methodist Episcopal Church at
Climax, of which lie has long been a member, and
he has served it as Trustee and Steward. He is a
strong temperance man, using neither liquor nor
tobacco in any form, but he is not a Third Party
man, being a stanch Republican.
*'<*%=^   - w       c=  *i C^=- (S^Ch
ATRICK H. GILKEY, who is the leading
merchant of Richland, is conducting a successful business in  general merchandise.
The main department of his bulding is
26 x60 feetin dimensions, and the rear portion
40 x 26 feet. Mr. Gilkey has been in business in
Richland since 1878. His first partner was G. M.
Evers, they operating under the firm name of G. M.
Evers & Co. After dissolving his partnership with


Mr. Evers, our subject became interested with a
Mr. Parker and did a successful business under the
firm title of Parker & Gilkey.
The original of this sketch launched out in business on his own account in 1886. That he lhas
been eminently successful is easily proven by a
visit to his splendid establishment. He carries a
full stock of goods which are usually found in a
first-class store and by his courteous treatment of
customers has the greater portion of the trade in
this section.
Our subject is a native of Kalamazoo County,
his natal day being November 15, 1843. His parents were John F. and Mary (Lovell) Gilkey. His
father came to Michigan as early as 1830, settling
in Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, where
he purchased land from  the Government.   Our
subject has always made his home in his native
county, and previous to engaging in his present
business was an agriculturist. He was given an
excellent education, his primary studies in the common schools being supplemented by attendance at
the Prairie Seminary at Richland. Ile later took
a business course at the Eastman Business College
in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which institution
he was graduated in the spring of 1865.
Patrick H. Gilkey was united in marriage to
Miss Della, daughter of Amasa S. and Celestia
Parker, also natives of Kalamazoo County. The
father is deceased and the mother is living in
Kalamazoo. By her union with our subject, Mrs.
Gilkey has become the mother of two children:
Mary L. and Ilarold P. Socially, he of whom we
write is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge at Richland, and in politics,
he is a stanch Democrat. In religious matters, lie
is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.
In addition to the splendid business of which
our subject is the proprietor in Richland, he also
owns a valuable stock farm, located on sections 4 and
9, Richland Township. His estate embraces three
hundred and forty-five acres, all of which is under
excellent cultivation. He raises a fine grade of
trotting horses on his farm, having at the head of
his stables tle stallion "Bay Ambassador," which
is registered as No. 13,474. He was sired by
"Ambassador," No. 1496, whose record was 2:211,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


561


--- --- ----------- ---—  --- —- ------ -----------------— 
-----— I- ---—  --- —---— 


and who in turn was sired by "George Wilkes,"
whose record was 2:22. The dam of "Bay Ambassador" was by "Masterlode," No. 595, who was the
sire of twenty-four colts whose records were 2:30
and better. The second dam was sired by "Magna
Charta," who was a very fine and valuable animal.
Mr. Gilkey by the close application of the duties
which lay before him has become one of the wealthy men of the county, and, as a citizen, his thorough
integrity, enterprise and intelligence are highly
prized in Richland.
4  OHN   H. PALMER. Among the many
prominent and prosperous farmers of Alamo Township, Kalamazoo County, stands
the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph. He is a native of Columbia County, N. Y.,
born August 1, 1840. His father, Paul Palmer,
was born in 1813, in New York, and was a carpenter and joiner during the early period of his life.
Later he became a farmer. He came to Michigan
and located in Alamo Township, this county,
where he purchased an unimproved farm, and
cleared and cultivated it. He also improved two
other small farms, and erected a number of buildings in this vicinity. He died in April, 1883,
when seventy years old. His good wife bore the
maiden name of Nancy M. Tifft, and was born in
New York, in 1821. She is still living and makes
her home in Alamo Township. She is the mother
of two children, our subject and Joseph T., who
lives in Kalamazoo.
John 11. was sixteen years old when he came
with his parents to Michigan. IIe at first attended
the district schools. He remained at home until
1867, assisting his father in clearing the farm, and
did a great deal of hard labor. In the year just
mentioned, he began to do for himself, and began
on a farm, which he now owns and resides on.
I-e has brought it to a high state, and has now
one of the finest farms in the county. Our subject was married, March 25, 1868, to Miss Emma
R. Becker, of Erie County, N. Y. Mrs. Palmer is


a daughter of Christian and Sarah (Schuyler)
Becker, and the father died about fifteen years
ago, in New York, his native State. Her mother
came to Michigan, and died in 1887. Mrs. Palmer
is the seventh of the eight children living. Tile
grandfather, Adam Becker, was from New York,
and of German descent.
Four sons have been born to our subject and his
amiable wife: Walter, a graduate of the Plainwell
High School in 1889, and who is now a teacher;
Charles, who graduated from the same High
School in 1891, is teaching his first term, and is
only seventeen years old; he is also a graduate
of Parsons' Business College of Kalamazoo; Raymond and Irving, both of whom are at home and attending school. Our subject has eighty acres of
land on section 11, and also forty acres on section
2. IHe has substantial buildings, a fine residence,
and a finely cultivated farm. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer
have traveled quite extensively, and have visited
several States and many prominent cities, and
have left home for some distant place' for several
years past. At their pleasant home they dispense
a gracious hospitality, and their many friends
and acquaintances are always made welcome.
They stand among the best circles of the county,
and are well-liked and respected by all. In politics, Mr. Palmer is a stanch Republican.
f2r  ATHAN    M. THOMAS, M. D. A volume
dedicated to the pioneers of Kalamazoo
)County would be incomplete were no mention made of the late Dr. Thomas, whose memory
is revered in the hearts of those with whom he
was associated in years gone by. Not only did
he enjoy the distinction of having been the first
physician in Kalamazoo County, and one of its
earliest settlers, but he was also known, throughout
the entire period of his residence here, as a man of
prominence and fortitude, whose unaffected and
beautiful character won the confidence of all with
whom he came in contact.
Born in Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio,
January 2, 1803, our subject was reared in the
home of his birth. After receiving a good literary






562


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


education, he entered the Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1827. With
a thorough theoretical knowledge of therapeutics,
he located for the practice of his profession in Columbiana County, Ohio, where he remained one
year. However, feeling that the West offered a
splendid field for the professions, lie decided to
come hither and accordingly, in June, 1830, he settled in Kalamazoo County, in (now) Prairie Ronde
Township, where he continued to practice about
three years.
From there Dr. Thomas came to the village of
Schoolcraft, where lie was the first physician, as
well as the first practitioner, in the county. His
ride covered a large tract of country and he was
known for miles around, where his skill as a physician and genial courtesy won the friendship of
all with whom hie met. He was married in Schoolcraft, March 17, 1840, to Miss Pamela S. Brown.
This lady is a native of Vermont and was born in
Plymouth, Windsor County, September 11, 1816.
She remained in the Green Mountain State until
1833, when she accompanied her elder sister, Mrs.
James Smith, to Schoolcraft, and resided there
eighteen months. Afterward, she returned to her
native State, when, in 1839, she once more came to
Schoolcraft, and resided with her brother, Hon. E.
Lakin Brown, who is well known throughout
Michigan.
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas became the parents of four
children: Avis married Hon. John J. Hopkins, of
Marion County, Ohio, and died while visiting her
parents at Schoolcraft, June 29, 1870; Stanton B.
is a merchant at Cassopolis, this State; Ella at
home; Malcolm P. is engaged in farming pursuits
here. Dr. Thomas was a strong anti-slavery man
and took an active part in public affairs during
the late war, hundreds of fugitives receiving the
most tender care from him. During the latter
part of his life he was largely interested in the
Woman's Suffrage movement and was ever a firm
adherent of temperance.
Success crowned the efforts of Dr. Thomas and
at one time he was the owner of two thousand or
more acres of land, which lie afterward sold. Reared
in the Quaker faith, he remained a Quaker during his entire life, and his simple, kindly manners




and unfailing courtesy were the secret of his wide
popularity. His death, which occurred April 7,
1887, removed from the scenes of his usefulness
one who had ever been interested in the progress
of the county and who had been instrumental in
the promotion of many worthy enterprises for the
welfare of his fellow-citizens. The three younger
children living are graduates of the University of
Michigan.




EORGE W. HALL, who is a native of New
York State, is at present residing in the
pleasant village of Augusta. IIs birth occurred February 28, 1829, and his parents were
George R. and Celinda L. (Hubbard) Hall, the
father a native of Connecticut and the mother of
the Empire State. His paternal ancestors were English and were well-to-do people in that country.
George W. Hall was nine years of age when his
parents removed to Erie County, Pa., where they
made their home for a twelvemonth and then
moved farther West to Medina County, Ohio. Our
subject went to Wisconsin when nineteen years of
age and spent some time in the Badger State. In
1853, he came to Kalamazoo County, and, locating
on section 14, Ross Township, began the work of
clearing a farm  from the wilderness.  His first
purchase consisted of forty acres, ten of which
were partially improved. He subsequently added
to his acreage, until at the present time his possessions include one hundred and two acres of excellent land, which bear all the improvements and
machinery which best subserve his interests.
The original of this sketch obtained a good
education in the district school, and, making the
best of his opportunities, is to-day a well-read and
intelligent gentleman. He is self-made in the correct sense of that term and is justly proud that his
possessions are the result of his industry and perseverance. Miss Mary Hanney became the wife of
Mr. Hall in 1854. One daughter was born to them,
Mary, who is now deceased. Mrs. Hall died in
1855, and in 1857, our subject was married to
Laura Finlay, who was born in Allegany County,
N. Y., August 14, 1837. She was a daughter of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


563


George and Rachel (Cole) Finlay, the father a
native of Scotland, who emigrated to America
when sixteen years old and located in New York
State. Her mother was a native of the abovenamed State and of Holland descent.
Mrs. Laura Hall was five years of age when her
parents came to this county. They located upon
a farm in Oshtemo Township, where they were
among the early settlers. Of the large family of
children born to her parents, five are living, namely:
David, John, Elizabeth, Mrs. Hall, and Ebenezer.
To our subject and his wife have been born three
children, one of whom is deceased. Ada E. is the
wife of Ozro Smith, and Claude H. is at home;
May died in 1877.
In 1887, Mr. Hall, with his family, moved into
the village of Augusta. With his wife he has endured many of the hardships of life in a new
country and is now prepared to enjoy the comforts
which his early toil has made possible. The parents of our subject reside in Medina County, Ohio,
his father being in his ninety-fourth year and his
mother in her ninetieth. They were married in
1820, and have thus spent over seventy years together. They are remarkably healthy and active
and are still keeping house and do their own work.
The father of Mrs. Hall was a soldier in the War
of 1812, and was a pensioner of the Government.
In politics, the original of this sketch is a Democrat
and is progressive and active in all good works.
A —   -— -       An- -
 ALTER S. HUNTINGTON, whose name is
associated with our most enterprising and
sagacious farmers and stockmen of Kalamazoo County, has a valuable and well-ordered
farm on section 6, Comstock Township, besides
other land, and is managing his agricultural interests with marked success. A native of Genesee
County, N. Y., Mr. Huntington was born July 7,
1831,on his father's farm in Batavia Township.
The latter, Abner Huntington, was born in Massachusetts, but was reared in Vermont, whither he
was carried when a small child by his parents. He
was bred to the life of a farmer, and when he attained his majority he went to New York and lo

cated on a farm in Batavia Township. He spent
the remaining years in Genesee County industriously engaged at his calling, and there his life
was rounded out at the age of sixty years. He was
a stanch Republican in politics, and was a most
excellent citizen.  He was twice married.  The
mother of our subject was Sarah Storing, and she
was born and reared in Herkimer County, N. Y.
She died at the age of fifty-eight years.  Our subject and one daughter were born of that marriage,
the daughter Mary being the wife of Daniel Sprague
of Alexander, Genesee County, N. Y. Mary
Helmer was the maiden name of the second wife of
the father of our subject; she bore him one son,
Henry, now a resident of Batavia, N. Y.
HIe of whom write is the second child and only
son of the first marriage of his father.  He remained with his father until he was twenty-two
years old, and during his boyhood obtained an
education in a little log schoolhouse not far from
his home. In 1852, he left the parental home to try
life for himself on the rich virgin soil of Kalamazoo County. After his arrival, he bought eighty
acres of land on section 13, Comstock Township.
He built a house and barn on the place, but did
not locate on it. Ile worked for Lorain Fox the
ensuing eleven years, working by the month, but
cleared his land whenever opportunity offered.
After his marriage in 1873, he settled on the farm
that he still occupies on section 6, Comstock Township, and energetically devoted himself to its improvement. He has here one hundred and fortythree and one-half acres of land of exceptional
fertility, and on section 13 he has forty acres
more. He employs a good system of cultivation
adapted to the soil, and has his land under fine tillage. HIe has a good set of buildings for all farming purposes, and a commodious brick house, of a
tasteful style of architecture, two stories in
height, and finely furnished within with all the
modern luxuries that contribute so much to the
pleasures of living. Mr. Huntington has his farm
stocked with first-class stock, and has a fine herd
of Durham and Jersey cows. Besides managing
his farm, he does a flourishing business as a collector, for which he is admirably adapted, and he
has been in the employ of various firms in Kalama



564


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


zoo in that capacity for the last twelve years. He
is a live man, with a good deal of push and energy
about him, independent in thought and action,
generous-minded and warm of heart, bears a good
reputation for veracity and probity, and is greatly
liked by his neighbors and associates. He gives
freely to churches and other worthy objects, although not a member of any church. In politics,
he is a sturdy Republican.
Mr. Huntington was married, in 1873, to Miss
Ida Hunt, who was born and reared in Comstock
Township. She is a most estimable lady, who understands how to make home a pleasant abiding
place, and who looks well to the comfort of her
household.  Her marriage with our subject has
brought them three daughters, whom they have
named Sarah, Fanny and Anna, respectively.
They are being given the best educational advantages, the eldest now attending school in Kalamazoo City, and all are talented musicians, playing
well on the fine piano their father has given them.
ILLIAM S. KIRBY. This gentleman, who
is widely and favorably known throughout Michigan as one of the most extensive
stock-breeders, is the proprietor of the Valley
Stock Farm, which is located in Galesburg, in the
fertile valley of the Kalamazoo River. It is situated on the main line of the Miclligan Central
Railroad and only nine miles from the city of Kalamazoo. Mr. Kirby, in company with M. F.Prouty of
Chicago, gives his entire attention to the breeding
of standard and fashionably-bred horses. They
have on their farm some of the finest and most valuable animals to be found in this section and thus
occupy a high position among the stockbreeders
of the Northwest.
William S. Kirby was born at East Chatham,
Columbia County, N. Y., November 25, 1857. His
father, William G. Kirby, was also a native of the
Empire State and a farmer by occupation. lIe
came to Michigan in 1857, and located on a farm
in Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County, where
he still makes his home at the age of seventy years.


i


The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Rhoda Swetland, a native of New York; she is
still living, being in her sixty-fourth year. They
were the parents of a son and two daughters: Millie K. is the widow of Dr. H1. Upjohn, of Kalamazoo;
Mary makes her home with her parents.
The original of this sketch was three months
old when his parents came to the Wolverine State.
I-e was given an excellent education, his primary
studies in the district school being supplemented
by a course in the Kalamazoo Hihll School. He remained with his parents, managing the operation
of the home farm, until reaching his thirty-second
year. He then, in 1886, began raising stock on
his father's farm, his stock in trade being at that
time the famous horse "Harry Noble," which lie
had raised from a colt and whose record in 1890
was 2:171. That animal is now seven years old.
He keeps thirty head of standard-bred animals on
his farm and has the best half-mile track for speeding his animals in the State. He also has the largest training stable in Michigan and is the owner of
the pacer "Albatross," whose record is 2:184.
His stables also include "Apollo Wilkes," whose
record is 2:291. "Emma Balch," whose record is
2:201, has won more races than any other horse in
tie State, having won first money in thirteen out
of fifteen races last season. His next best animals
are "Highland Tom," whose record is 2:281, and
"Prince Phil" with a record of 2:30.
Mr. Kirby trained twenty-one horses last season
and has eighteen track horses under his supervision
at the present time (March, 1891). Our subject
drove over one hundred and twelve races in 1891,
and while training his animals would drive from
sixty to seventy miles per day. Horses are sent
him to train from all over the country, and at the
present time he has two from St. Louis, Mo., and
others from Nashville, Tenn., and Chicago.
The original of this sketch is a self-made man
and his business has proved profitable through his
persistent industry and good management. He is
very popular in this section and his cordial and
kindly manners have made for him warm friends
and stanch adherents. In 1876, he was united in
marriage to Miss Alice, daughter of Dr. George R.
and Mary (Crandall) Wightman, and to them




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


565


have been granted four children: William G.,
George W., Harold and Nina. In politics, Mr.
Kirby is a stanch Democrat.
The Valley Stock Farm is known throughout
this portion of the country and we are pleased to
be able to present to our readers the sketch of its
worthy and progressive proprietor.


AMES HAZARD, an old and honored resident of Wakeshma Township, in whose upbuilding he has played an important part,
is numbered among the wealthy farmers
and stock-raisers of Kalamazoo County. He is a
representative of the sturdy pioneer stock of the
sister State of Ohio, born April 22, 1822, in Wayne
County and reared amid the primitive environments
of the early years of its settlement. John Hazard,
his father, was a prominent pioneer settler of that
region and was famous as one of the early Methodist preachers in that part of the country who was
very influential in the spread of the Gospel and in
promoting the growth of the church.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was
Steward Hazard. He was a sawyer and cloth fuller,
and( was one of the brave soldiers of the Revolution.
His death occurred at the venerable age of eightysix. His son, John, was born in Connecticut. When
he was eight years old, the family moved to the
State of New York, and while still a boy he carried
the mail for some years. He then taught school
steadily for twenty-one years in New York and
Pennsylvania, residing in the latter State for a
few years. In 1818, he sought a new home in the
wilds of Wayne County, Ohio, settling in Jackson
Township, now Congress Township. He was one
of the first to locate there, and there were scarcely
enough settlers in the whole township to raise a
cabin. He had to cut his own road to his place
through the woods. He developed a one hundred
and sixty acre farn. Deer and bears were very
numerous and lie occasionally supplied the family
larder with game. Indians still lived in that region during the early days of his settlement there.
He (lied at the advanced age of ninety years, six
months and some days, and left behind him  a


menory that is revered by all who knew him
among the large circle of acquaintances and friends.
He was a Whig in politics. I-e is remembered for
what he did for the church as for sixty-five years
lie was a Methodist preacher, and, when too old to
have charge of a parish, he used to visit the sick
and to preach locally.
He was first married in New York to Roxanna
Wood, by whom he had three children: Elizabeth,
Alfred and Densy. The maiden name of his second wife, mother of our subject, to whom he was
married in Pennsylvania, her native State, was
Mary Vincent. Her father, Daniel Vincent, was
of French descent, but was born in America, for
aught that is known to the contrary. He operated
a water gristmill in Northumberland County, Pa.,
and was a man of much means, reputed to have
been worth $40,000. He was taken prisoner by
the Indians during the Revolutionary War and
they left him tied to a tree naked. The mosquitos nearly ate him up, but he was finally rescued from his agonizing position by friends. He
lived to a good old age. The mother of our subject took an active interest in the Methodist
Church to which she belonged, and used to go
long distances for the sake of attending it. When
her son of whom we write was a baby of six months
old, she took him with her on horseback to Pennsylvania, a journey of three hundred and fifty
miles, to visit her people. She used to carry butter in a cedar pail on horseback to market eighteen miles. Calicoes were then sixty-two and one
half cents a yard, and were considered very fine,
homespun clothes being largely worn. The mother
of our subject was eighty-six years old when she departed this life. By her marriage six children
were born, three boys and three girls: John V.,
Mary K., Daniel V., James, Phebe P. and Lydia V.
Our subject was carefully reared by pious parents, and those high Christian principles that
have been his guide throughout his long and honorable life were early instilled into his mind. As
he grew up on his father's farm, he acquired a
thorough, practical knowledge of agriculture. The
first school that he attended was taught by his
mother in their home, there being no schoolhouse
or church in the county. He subsequently went






566


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


to the first schoolhouse that was erected thereabouts, which was built of logs, and the school
was conducted on the rate-bill system. He began
for himself at twenty-one years of age, and for
two years was engaged in chopping cord wood,
scoring timber and clearing land. For chopping
wood he was paid twenty-five cents a cord and his
board given him, or if he boarded himself lie got
thirty-one cents a cord. After that he teamed for
two years, and then bought thirty acres of land
and a sawmill, for which he went into debt for the
sum of $1,400. He ran the mill eighteen years,
and at the end of that time sold out, and found
his capital to consist of $1,250 and a team  and
wagon. With his team lie started for this State,
and in the fall of 1865 landed in Wakeshma
Township. He purchased a quarter of section 23,
of which thirty-three acres were cleared and fenced.
There was an old decayed log house on the place
which he fixed up, and the family lived in it seven
years. In 1872, he replaced it with a large and
well-built frame residence. But before that he
put up a good-sized barn, and has a good set of
out-buildings. His first work was to pay off the
debt of $1,400 that he had incurred in purchasing
his homestead. He has one hundred acres of his
land cleared, well drained and finely cultivated,
and he raises a good many sheep and hogs.
Mr. Hazard was wedded to Miss Mary Gable
May 1, 1849, and for more than forty years they
have shared life's joys and sorrows, and their union has proved a true marriage in every sense of that
term. Mrs. Hazard was born in Franklin County,
Pa., January 12, 1831, a daughter of William and
Nancy (Swisher) Gable, who were also natives of
Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Wayne
County, Ohio, in 1839. Mr. Gable developed a
small farm, and worked at shoemaking, a trade at
which he was engaged all his life. He died in
Ashland County, Ohio, at the age of fifty. His
wife lived to be seventy-live years old. Both were
members of the Church of God, and he was a Whig
in politics. They were the parents of five sons
and five daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Hazard have
had eleven children, five of whom grew to maturity, namely: Mathias B., who is engaged in selling
agricultural implements in this township; Thomas


M., who is in the motor car business at Ashtabula,
Ohio; Jesse WV., a graduate of the scientific course
in the Ypsilanti State Normal, who is a teacher of
the school at Fulton, and is Supervisor of this
township; James G.. a teacher in St. Joseph County;
and Mary N., Mrs. I-Holcomb, a resident of Vicksburg. Mr. Hazard has taken great interest in educating his children, as he is a thorough believer
in training the minds as well as the physical faculties, and they are thus provided with a capital of
stable value.
Our subject is of an earnest, thoughtful turn of
mind, and is noted for his zealous religious spirit
and fidelity to the Christian faith. He is a man
of honor in every sense of the word, and truthfulness and honesty are conspicuous traits of his character. He and his wife are valued members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has belonged for fifty-one years, and she ever since she
was eighteen years old. In his political views, he
was originally a Whig, but for many years he has
been a stanch advocate of the Republican party.
He has held the various school offices, and has always taken a hearty interest in whatever concerned
the township where he has spent so many pleasant
years.
=- * -a~ --- —--------— sr0-~=- *~
ENRY P. SMITH, Justice of the Peace, is
numbered among the old settlers of Schoolcraft, whose efforts in behalf of the village
have been unceasing. His father, Thaddeus,
who is remembered as one of the pioneers of Kalamazoo County, was born in Cavendish, Vt., in August, 1796, and remained in his native village
until about 1820. He then proceeded South to Virginia, where he was employed for three years as
clerk in a store at Richmond, and also operated as
a merchant in Petersburg for the same length of
time.
In 1828, Thaddeus Smith made a tour of the
West in search of a location, and, being greatly
pleased with the prospects of Kalamazoo County,
returned East, and, in 1830, brought his family to
Schoolcraft, where for several years lie engaged in
merchandising. He then sold out his stock of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


567


goods and engaged in farming until his old
age, when he retired from active labors. For some
twenty years lie was Justice of the Peace, and also
filled other positions of honor. His death occurred in April, 1876, after having lived to see
the wonderful progress made by the county, and
its development from the wilderness.
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name
was Eliza Parker, was born in Cavendish, Vt., in
1804, and died in Schoolcraft, February 6, 1888.
She was the mother of four children, three daughters and one son, our subject being the eldest.
The father and mother were people of integrity
and industry, and are remembered as worthy pioneers of the county. He had the first stock of
goods which was ever brought into Schoolcraft,
and in other ways was connected with its development.
During the residence of his parents at Petersburg, Va., our subject was born May 15, 1826.
When quite young, he accompanied his parents to
Schoolcraft, where lie was reared to manhood amid
surroundings of a primitive character. In farm
work and school studies, lie passed his youth until
he entered a store at Schoolcraft as clerk; he also
followed the same occupation in Seneca Falls, N.
Y., and at other places.
June 5, 1854, Mr. Smith was married at White
Pigeon, this State, to Miss Harriet A., daughter of
Rev. W. G. and Elizabeth (Lamson) Johnson. Mrs.
Smith was early orphaned by the death of her
mother at Lanesborough, Mass., when she was only
two years old; her fathelr, who was a Baptist minister, died in Rochester, N. Y., while on a visit to
his daughter, his home being in Mason City, Ill.,
at the time of his decease. Mrs. Smith, who was
the next to the youngest among six children, was
born in Williamstown, Mass., May 5, 1832, and resided with her father until her marriage.
About three years after their marriage, Mr. and
Mrs. Smith removed to Vernon County, Mo.,
where he engaged in farming some five years, and
also followed the profession of a teacher. He mingled in the political life of the county, and held
the office of County Judge for a few years. He
was also appointed Probate Judge, but, immediately after his appointment, received a communi



cation stating that should he accept, he would be
summarily dealt with. For his own good and
that of his family, he decided to leave the county.
Accordingly, in the fall of 1862, Mr. Smith returned to Schoolcraft, where now, in connection
with his son, he operates about one hundred acres
of land, devoting considerable attention to the
dairy business. For a quarter of a century, he has
served as Justice of the Peace, to the satisfaction
of his fellow-citizens. He has also filled the positions of Townsliip Clerk, Constable and various
school offices. A strong Republican politically, he
takes an active part in public affairs, and maintains a decided stand in the cause of temperance.
He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging
to Blue Lodge, No. 118, at Schoolcraft, and Chapter, No. 54. Ile and his wife have three children:
Isa H., who is a music teacher; Walter F., who is
assistant leader of the Marine Band at Washington;
and Henry W., who is assisting his father in his
farming operations.


/    WILLIAM   F. MONTAGUE. The worthy
subject of this brief life notice was born
August 6, 1849, in Hadley, Mass., and is
now making his home in Kalamazoo Township,
Kalamazoo County. Hie is the son of Stephen S.
Montague, he having been born December 8,1818,
in Hadley, Mass. He there kept a store a short
time and then engaged in farming, from which he
went to railroading and was baggageman and conductor on the Albany & Northern Railroad. He left
railroading and came to Michigan, and settled in
Kalamazoo Township, buying a farm on the town
line of Oshtemo and Kalamazoo. In his politics, he was a strong Democrat and a man well
liked by all who knew him. He died June 6,
1887, aged sixty-nine years. He was married in
Massachusetts, his wife being also a native of the
same place as himself. One child was born to
their union, William F., the subject of this sketch.
Giles C. Kellogg, the grandfather on the mother's
side, was also an early settler in Hadley, and for
twenty-seven years was Registrar of Deeds in that
town. Our subject was eight years of age when
his parents moved to Michigan, and he attended




568


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


school at Kalamazoo, and also took a business
course in Parsons' Business College when it was
first organized. Our subject was married, in 1878,
to Miss Susan A. Latta. Mrs. Montague was a
daughter of Albert and Lois Latta, of Oshtemo Township, and of whom   a sketch will be
found on another page of this volume. Three
children have come to bless the home of this
couple: Lucy, aged nine years; Charles F., two
years, and Ida, one year. Our subject's father
bought forty acres on his first coming here, paying
$2,800 for it, and our subject has since added sixty
acres to it, and now has on his place a large and
handsome residence with good and substantial
outbuildings. He has been a prominent and active
man since his coming here and has run a number
of times for township offices. He was appointed
Deputy Sheriff in 1875 under Charles Gibbs, and
served two years; in 1882, he was appointed Under
Sheriff under John Galligan, and served three
years; was Assistant Postmaster of Kalamazoo
one year, and was elected Sheriff in 1886, serving
in this office two years. Mr. Montague moved'
to Kalamazoo City in 1882, and in 1889 returned
to his farm,and that same year was elected Town
Treasurer and the next year was made Supervisor.
All of these offices he has held with satisfaction
to all concerned.  He was, however, defeated
for Legislature in 1890, by John Lusk. He was
elected Supervisor of his town in the spring of
1892.
V ILLIAM  H. SNYDER, Postmaster at
Schoolcraft. is one of the brave soldiers,
who, during the late war, enlisted in the
defense  of the stars and stripes, and served
with valor on many a hard-fought battlefield.
For a number of years he has been engaged
in the clothing and gents' furnishing business at
Schoolcraft, and in connection with the management of his extensive trade has served as Postmaster since July, 1889.
Born in Lewisburg, Union County, Pa., August
7, 1841, our subject is the son of Reuben and
Julia (Swartz) Snyder. His education was gained
in the common schools of the village where he was




I


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


born, after which lie entered Bucknell University
and prosecuted his studies with ardor under proficient instructors. His school days completed, he
became salesman in a general store at Bloomsburg,
Pa., and there remained until the opening of the
Civil War.
Although only twenty years old at the time, Mr.
Snyder enlisted July 17, 1861, in Company A,
Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves, and served three
years, participating in some of the most importtant engagements of the war as well as in many
skirmishes, where, although the results were not so
serious, the danger to life was even greater. He
took part in the battles of Drainsville, Bull Run,
South Mountain and Antietam, and during the
last engagement was seriously wounded by a ball
which penetrated his body. When he recovered
from the effects of the wound, he served on detached duty until the expiration of his term of
enlistment and was then honorably discharged.
On his return from the front, Mr. Snyder engaged as clerk in a store at Jeanesville, Luzerne
County, Pa., and remained in that connection until the spring of 1866. Coming to Schoolcraft at
that time, he entered a general store as salesman
and followed that occupation four years, after
which he embarked in a general mercantile business under the firm name of Snyder, Underwood
& Co., the partnership being dissolved after ten
years' connection. Mr. Snyder then bought a
stock of gents' furnishing goods and commenced
the business which still engages his attention.
Being greatly interested in educational matters,
Mr. Snyder has served with efficiency on the School
Board as well as in other local positions and
takes an active part in political affairs, his sympathies being with the Republican party. He is prominently identified with Burson Post, No. 303,
G. A. R., and is also a member of the order of
Maccabees and the Knights of Pythias. His home
in Schoolcraft is presided over by his amiable wife,
formerly Miss Alice Underwood, who was born in
the village where she still resides. Their marriage took place December 31, 1867, and they are
the parents of five sons: Charles R., Roy W.,
Harry W. George D. and Theodore U., intelligent
and genial young men, whose prospects for future
honors are most flattering.


I








- a I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


571.....


HARLES L. BARRETT. The portrait on
the opposite page represents a leading official of Allegan County, who occupies the
position of County Clerk, discharging its various
duties with much ability. His father, Marvin Barrett, was a native of New York State, and was one
of the oldest pioneers in Kalamazoo County, Mich.,
to which he came in 1832. He carried on a farm
in Richland Township during the remainder of his
life, dying in 1884. His wife, whose maiden name
was Helen M. Dolson, was also a native of New
York and still lives at Richland, aged sixty-one
years.
Born in the State of New York, Marvin Barrett
was reared upon a farm and resided, until he was
twenty-seven years old,with his parents, Hildah and
Elizabeth (Cummings) Barrett, who were natives
of New York, and farmers by occupation. They
came to Michigan in 1832 and settled in Kalamazoo County, where they died. Hildah Barrett was
one of the organizers of the Presbyterian Church
at Richland and loaned the money to erect the
church building, at that time being one of the
wealthy men of the county. He and his wife were
devoted Presbyterians and reared a family of eight
children. The father of our subject was formerly
an Abolitionist and later a Republican, and occupied many prominent offices in his township. He
and his wife were members of the Presbyterian
Church at Richland in which he held many responsible offices.
The parental family consisted of nine children,
six of whom are now living, as follows: Our subject, Mrs. Emma Little, James, Frank W., William
E. and George M. The maternal grandfather of
our subject, John H. Dolson, was a native of New
York City, of which he was one of the early settlers.
He was a Revolutionary soldier, serving throughout the war. He was married three times and became the father of twenty-seven children, seven
sons and two daughters by each wife. He was a
farmer through life and came to Michigan in an
early day, settling where Battle Creek now stands
and where he is buried.
In Kalamazoo County, this State, Charles L.
Barrett was born August 2, 1848. He received his
education at the seminary at Richland and the
26


Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill. After
leaving school he taught for several winters, also
following farming at Richland. He came to Allegan County in 1876 and engaged in the mercantile
business at Mill Grove, which he followed for some
four years. Afterward he purchased a farm in Pine
Plains Township, where he has since lived and
which is located three miles from the village of
Allegan. He has held the office of Township
Clerk for four years and has been Director in the
schools for some time, always taking a deep interest in educational matters. Mr. Barrett was elected
to his present position as County Clerk in the fall
of 1886 and is now serving his third term, which
proves his popularity with the people.
The marriage of Mr. Barrett, October 15, 1872,
united him with Miss Emma Crosby, of Richland,
a daughter of Randall and Elizabeth (Miles)
Crosby, natives of New York, who came West at
an early day and settled on a farm in Richland
Township. The father died on the old homestead;
the mother passed away in Allegan. To our subject and his wife were born seven children, as follows: Randall M., Carl H., Florence B., Hattie C.,
Margery N., Florine M., and an infant unnamed.
In politics, Mr. Barrett affiliates with the Republican party and socially is a member of the Knights
of Pythias and the United Workmen.
----— N-~3-^ —
ZRA A. PALMER, M. D. The profession
which represents the beneficent healing art
has many noble members, whose lives are
filled with acts of goodness and whose most strenuous efforts are to attain that skill which is necessary in saving life and restoring health. Such a
life work raises a man above the sordid motives
which actuate many people and gives to life a
meaning which more mercenary callings cannot
grant. We are therefore always gratified to be
able to introduce to our readers the physicians who
have won for themselves a high place in the profession in Van Buren County.
Dr. Palmer, of Hartford, is one of the prominent
physicians in the county and has a lucrative practice. He was born in Orleans County, N. Y., in




572


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-- --


1850, and was brought by his parents to Paw Paw,
this State, when three years old. EIe is the son of
Henry R. and Margaret (Plantz) Palmer. The
father was born in 1815 in New York and was the
son of Samuel Palmer. Our subject was the only
son of his parents, but had three sisters, namely:
Lucretia, who is the wife of Harvey Clarke; Nancy
A. and Lovella.
Dr. Palmer grew to mature years in Van Buren
County and began the study of medicine while
teaching school, which profession he followed five
years. He entered the medical department of the
Michigan University in 1874 and, when graduating
from that institution, at once began the practice of
his profession in Hartford. In 1886 Dr. Palmer
took a post-graduate course in the Chicago Medical College and bears a wide reputation in this
section as a skillful and progressive physican.
Socially, he is a Mason and in political matters
votes with the Republican party.,/vf  RS. ELIZABETH JOYCE, widow of H. D.
//  Joyce, is a woman of marked capability
Land excellent business qualifications, and
she is managing her well-ordered farm on
section 25, Charleston Township, with the best of
success. She is a native of Rush Township, Monroe County, N. Y., her birth occurring February 9,
1828. Her father was Joseph Fishell, a son of
Henry Fishell, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, and were of German descent. Mrs. Joyce's
father was born near Pittsburg, but when he was
young his parents removed to Monroe County, N.
Y., and there he grew to man's estate. He adopted
the calling of a farmer, and in 1846 took up his
residence in Genesee County, N. Y., where he engaged at his occupation the remainder of his life,
becoming one of the largest farmers of his community, and one of its foremost citizens. He died
at the age of seventy-two years. He was a Democrat until 1840 when he voted for the grandfather of our present President, and on the formation of the Republican party he gave it his
allegiance. The maiden name of the mother of
our subject was Amelia Leiter. She was born in


Maryland, and lived in that State until she was
twenty years old. She then went to Monroe
County, N. Y., where she was married. After the
death of her husband, she came to Michigan, and
spent her last days with her daughter, of whom we
write, dying at the age of ninety-one years.  She
was the mother of nine children, four daughters
and five sons, one of whom died at the age of
eleven years, and these five are yet living: Henry,
a resident of New York; Elizabeth; Eveline, wife
of Dr. E. Cobb, of Perry; Susan, wife of Martin
Amidon, of New York; and Joseph, a resident of
Ionia County.
Mrs. Joyce is the fourth child and second daughter of the family. She was well trained in her
home and became an excellent housewife.  She
was eighteen years old when her parents removed
to Genesee County, N. Y., and there her marriage
with Mr. H. D. Joyce took place February 11,
1858.
Mr. Joyce was born in Herkimer County, N. Y.,
February 14, 1826. He was a son of John J.
Joyce, a miller who plied his trade in Herkimer
County until his removal to Genesee County in
1840, his death subsequently occurring in that
county. He married Mary Smith, a native of
New York. Mr. Joyce was the oldest of their
five children. After marriage, he and his wife came
to Michigan to build up a home in Kalamazoo
County, casting in their fortunes with the pioneers
of Charleston Township, where they at first settled on section 26. They lived there about seventeen years, and then took up their residence on the
farm on section 25, adjoining on the east, where
Mrs. Joyce still makes her home.
September 14, 1887, Mr. Joyce was killed by his
team running away, and all that is mortal of him
now lies in the cemetery in Charleston Township.
Dying thus in the midst of a busy career, which
had been alike honorable to himself and to his
adopted township, he was greatly missed in this
part of the county where he had lived so long and
had labored to such a good purpose in developing
its resources, and his memory is warmly cherished
by the entire community by whom he was so well
known and so highly regarded for those sterling
qualities that marked him in all his relations with




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


573


---- -I ---  — --- —-------
-- I --- —I --- —



others. He was always greatly interested in whatever concerned the township and county, and took
pleasure in their advancement, contributing liberally to all feasible plans for internal improvements or for other purposes. Politically, he was
a good Democrat, and stood firmly by his party.
After her husband's death, Mrs. Joyce bought
the interest of the other heirs in the estate, and
has ever since had charge of the farm, giving it
her personal supervision, looking carefully after
every detail, and there is no better managed farm
in the vicinity than hers. She is an indefatigable
worker, requiring no assistance in the management
of her household affairs, which receive due attention, notwithstanding her multiplicity of cares.
She has always done her own housework, never
having had a girl work for her but for three weeks
while her husband lived. She hires a man to attend
to the farm the year round, and during the busy
seasons has extra men working for her. She is a
general farmer and stock-raiser, having her farm
well supplied with standard stock, and deriving a
comfortable income from her business.
Il^ --- —---
O-IN B. SHERED. The gentleman whom
we herre represent is one who enjoys the
confidence of te business community, where
his word is considered as good as his bond.
He may be classed among the thrifty and intelligent
citizens of Waverly Township,Van Buren County,
and both he and his excellent wife are highly esteemed members of society. He is a native of
Venango, Crawford County, Pa., and was born
February 28, 1832. His father was Jacob Shered,
a son of Andrew Shored, whose father came from
Germany and settled in Pennsylvania during the
Colonial days.
The grandfather of our subject was born in
Whitley County, Pa., in 1772, and was a currier in
his early days, but afterward became a farmer. His
death occurred in 1855, at the age of eighty-two
years, in Crawford County, Pa., whither he had
removed. He was a member of the Democratic
party, and a firm believer in the tenets of the Re



formed Church. The maiden name of the grandmother of our subject was Elizabeth Mower. She
bore her husband a family of eighteen children,
and died also in her eighty-second year.
Jacob Shered's birth also occurred in Whitley
County, Pa., his natal day being August 22, 1800.
He was two years of age when his parents removed
to Crawford County, where his decease occurred
in August, 1891. He was a member of the Lutheran
Church and a man greatly respected in his community. The mother of our subject was Mrs. Mary
(Braden) Shered. The following are the names of
the parental family of thirteen children: William,
Lucy, Josiah, Mary A., Hiram, Simon, John B.,
Andrew, George T., Elizabeth, Jacob, Susan R.
and Hannah A. Mrs. Jacob Shered died in 1889,
in Pennsylvania, in her eighty-sixth year. She
was of Irish origin.
The gentleman whose name we have placed at
the head of this sketch was given limited school
advantages, but made the most of his opportunities, and to-day ranks among the intelligent agriculturists of Waverly Township. He was reared
on a farm and when twenty years of age began life
for himself by working out at $14 per month. He
continued in that line of work for two years,when
he was married, and was variously employed for
the succeeding few years, the greater part of his
time, however, being devoted to his trade of a mason. In 1861, he felt that he could better his condition in the oil regions, and thus began drilling
wells, at which he engaged for a twelvemonth.
He then abandoned his occupation and began
teaming, making $7,000 in eighteen months. He
was so unfortunate, however, as to lose half of his
hard earnings by speculating in an oil well.
In April, 1865, Mr. Shered came to Michigan, his
possessions at that time including $2,000 in money
and forty acres of land in Paw Paw Township, this
county, on section 16. In August, 1867, he removed to that farm, which he made his home until
1876, having added twenty-two acres thereto. He
then traded that tract for ninety acres on section
16, in Waverly Township, the same county,
where he now resides. Together with his son, he
added fifty acres to his ninety, and his son besides
that owns forty acres in his own right.


i




574


FORIP~RAIT AND BIOG~RAPHICAL RECORD.


5                      AND BIGAP.A _ECORD_


Mr. Shered has been Drain Commissioner and
takes an active interest in the welfare of his township. The Democratic party numbers him among
its influential members, with which body he always
casts his vote.
February 21, 1856, our subject was married to
Rebecca Larkin, who was born in Erie, Pa., and is
the daughter of John and Mary Ann (Corigan)
Larkin, natives of Sussex, England. The parents
were married in Montreal, Canada,where the father
followed the trade of a brick-mason. He died in
Meadville, Pa. Mr. Larkin was twice married,
becoming the father of four boys and three girls
by his first marriage. His second wife was Mrs.
Mary A. (Hemler), McFarlin, who bore him two
sons and two daughters. In religious matters, he
was a Unitarian.
To our subject and his estimable wife have been
born one child, a son, Milton J., who married Miss
Isadora, daughter of Theodore and Mary A. (Skinner) Snell. They have one child, named Glen E.
Mr. and Mrs. Shered were formerly Baptists in religion, but are now identified with the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
ENRY J. KELLOGG is a prominent farmer
in Porter Township, Van Buren County,
the tract which he operates being located
on section 33. He is a son of Joseph and
Sarah (Voris) Kellogg, natives respectively of
Massachusetts and New Jersey. After their marriage, the parents of our subject became residents
of Otsego County, N. Y., where the father was a
mechanic. He was born January 12, 1778, and
the mother November 28, 1786.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Silas
Kellogg, served in the War of 1812. and died in
his eighty-sixth year. James Voris, his maternal
grandfather, served in the War of 1812, and died
at Fenton, N. J., when sixty years of age. Mr.
and Mrs. Joseph Kellogg are deceased, the mother
dying March 30, 1858, and the father passing
away September 30, 1863. They became the parents of thirteen children, only three of whom are
living. Our subject and his brother, William J.,


served in the Civil War in the same regiment.
William J. was Captain of Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-second New York Infantry, and
during the three years he was in the army saw
much hard fighting.
Henry J. Kellogg was born September 15, 1827,
in New Lisbon Township, Otsego County, N. Y.,
and received a common and high school education.
He acted in the capacity of pedagogue for ninetynine terms, beginning to teach when only fifteen
years of age, in New York State. He was married,
October 3, 1854, to Emma M., daughter of Peter
and Rachel (Johnson) Bower, who resided in
Tompkins County, N. Y. On the paternal side of
the house, Mrs. Kellogg is of Dutch ancestry. Mr.
Bower died February 13,1865, and his wife passed
away April 30, 1882, when in her seventy-ninth
year.
Mrs. Emma M. Kellogg was born September 12,
1826, in Genoa, Cayuga County, N. Y. August
26, 1862, our subject enlisted in Company H, One
Hundred and Fifty-second New York Infantry,
and was Hospital Steward of his regiment, serving
until April 3, 1864. His duties were principally
in Lincoln and Emory Hospitals at Washington,
D. C. After his return from the army, Mr. Kellogg
was sick for nearly two years. When able to work
again, he began teaching, which occupation he followed until he came to Michigan, April 12, 1867,
and settled on one hundred acres which is his
present home. When it came into his possession
it was in a perfectly wild state. He immediately
set about clearing and improving his tract, erecting
thereon a comfortable residence and all the necessary outbuildings. His large barn has a good
basement under it and is 30x50 feet in dimensions.
He also has two fine orchards on his place and
raises various kinds of fruits.
Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg of this sketch have had
born to them  two children: Ella E., who is the
wife of George Fuller, has two children: Clyde G.
and Earl K., and resides in Porter Township. Cora
A. resides at home with her parents. Mr. Kellogg
has given his children excellent educations, the
eldest having been a teacher for some time. Our
subject and his wife are active workers in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which denomina.




11 ---- 11 11




1-2






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


577


tion Mr. Kellogg has been a Class-leader and Superintendent of the Sunday-schpol for a number of
years. While in New York State he was Superintendent of a Sunday-school which numbered over
two hundred pupils; he has also acted in that capacity at Marcellus.
He of whom we write has been op the School
Board of his district for a number of terms and
is a Grand Army man, belonging to the post at
Marcellus, of which he was Commander for two
years. He is now serving his seventh year as
Chaplain of the same. In politics, he is a stanch
Republican, and is a friend of temperance. He
has been Justice of the Peace and in 1871-72-73,
served as County Superintendent of Schools in
Van Buren County. He has been Notary Public
nearly all his life, and is a very prominent man in
this locality.
AUL H. SCHUH, a resident of Wayland, is
well known as a good citizen who has the
best interests of his community at heart, and
whose influence is always cast on the side
of right. Therefore his biography and portrait
are valuable additions to this volume. His parents, David and Elizabeth (Schenabarger) Schuh,
were natives of Germany and Maryland, respectively. They settled in Richland County, Ohio,
where our subject was born April 20, 1826, being
the third in a family of five children. He was
given the advantages of a common-school education, but, by observation and careful reading, has
become a well-informed man. His father was a
minister of the Lutheran Church, but he decided
to learn a trade, and, at the age of fifteen years,
learned the harness business at Medina County,
Ohio, serving two and one-half years, and then
securing employment at job work by himself about
three years.
Having determined to enter in business for himself, Mr. Schuh located at Spencer, Medina County,
Ohio, where he remained for four years. Thence
he removed to Akron, where he resided four years,
and then returned to Medina, where he remained
for six years. November 30, 1866, he came to


Wayland, where he has since been engaged in the
harness and saddlery business. He now makes a
specialty of manufacturing a patent neck-yoke.
As a business man, his uprightness and judicious
management are universally recognized.
Mr. Schuh was married May 1, 1850, to Margaret
E. Blanot, of Medina, Ohio, and they are the parents of three children: Maurice, deceased; William
H., and one that died in infancy. William H.
Schuh is a partner with his father, having been
connected with him since his majority, and is now
operating a fruit farm. He married Nenah Lillie,
of Kalamazoo, and they have two children, George
and Norris. Mr. Schuh belongs to the Prohibition party, has held the office of Alderman for a
number of terms, and has also been a member of
the School Board. He and his wife are members
of the Congregational Church, and are active in
all good works. They are among the substantial
residents of Wayland, and are highly esteemed by
a large circle of friends.
ENRY S. ROCKWELL. The pleasant farm
located on section 33, Portage Township,
Kalamazoo County, is the home of our subject. He has placed his estate under excellent cultivation, and by a proper rotation of crops,
reaps a fine income. He is honest and upright in
all his dealings with his fellowmen, and is held in
high esteem by his neighbors and acquaintances.
He of whom we write is the son of the late Nathaniel and Maria (Van Hoesen) Rockwell. The
father was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., and the
mother in New York. They made the journey to
this State in the fall of 1852, coming hither from
Wyoming County and locating in Portage Township. They made this place their home until the
death of Mr. Rockwell, which occurred in January, 1865. The mother still survives and makes
her home with a daughter in Hinsdale, Ill.
Of the parental family of four sons and four
daughters, Henry S. was the fifth child, his birth
occurring in Wyoming County, N. Y., June 8,
1837. He accompanied his parents on their re



578


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


moval to this State, and grew to manhood on the
farm in Portage Township. August 4, 1864, he
was married in Kalamazoo to Miss Florence Brown,
who was born in Schoolcraft Township, this county,
and by whom he has become the father of two children, Lena M. and Floyd N.
Mr. Rockwell has been Township Treasurer for a
period of two years, and, in politics, is an active
and earnest Democrat. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and owns at the
present time one hundred and fifty-nine acres of
improved property.
/   IYLVANUS N. PIKE. The varied experiences of a half century have given to this
gentleman a broad knowledge of human
nature on the one hand, and a goodly
amount of this world's possessions as well. He resides in the village of Martin, where he and his
family have established an attractive home and enjoy an acquaintance among the best people of the
community. The business which chiefly engages
his attention is the buying and selling of cattle,
and his ventures in that direction have been financially remunerative. He rents his splendid farm,
which consists of one hundred and twenty acres on
section 23, Watson Township.
The Green Mountain State was the early home
of Sylvanus and Almira (Streeter) Pike, parents
of our subject, and both were born in Whitingham,
Windham County, Vt., the father June 23, 1811,
and the mother in 1807. They passed their early
married life in Vermont, but removed thence to
New York and later came to Michigan, where the
mother died May 23, 1869. The father still survives at an advanced age and makes his home in
section 23, Watson Township. They were the parents of five children, only two of whom are now
living: the subject of this notice, and James L.,
who resides in Trowbridge Township.
At the age of seven, our subject accompanied his
parents from his native home in Whitingham, Vt.,
where he was born April 18, 1842, to the State of
New York.    After remaining in St. Lawrence
County one year, he accompanied his father to


Jefferson County, the same State, and there sojourned four years. Later he went back to Vermont and after spending one winter there, returned
to the Empire State and from  there proceeded
westward to Lenawee County, this State, where he
located on a farm. He engaged in agricultural
pursuits in that county for five years and then
came to Allegan County in 1860, locating where
he now resides and at once commencing the work
of improvement.
On April 18, 1869, Mr. Pike was married in
Otsego, this State, to Martha L. (Wilson) Kent, the
widow of James Kent. Mrs. Pike was born in
Ontario County, Canada, August 6, 1840, and her
union with Mr. Pike has brought to them four children, as follows: Almira S., Sylvanvs S., Sarah A.
and Linton A., all of whom are now at home with
their parents. By her first marriage, Mrs. Pike became the mother of two children: Alice J., the wife
of Lewis Holmes, of Kalamazoo; and Mary E., who
is Mrs. John Russell, and resides in Martin. The
farm of one hundred and twenty acres which Mr.
Pike owns is well improved and contains a good
set of buildings.
In former years Mr. Pike was a firm Republican
but he is now a Prohibitionist in principle and
casts his ballot for the candidate whom he believes
best qualified for the office. He has served with
efficiency as Pathmaster, and was School Director
six years. He is a member of the Grange of Watson Township, and has for years been an active
worker in the Church of God, where he is now
Deacon and has been Secretary for ten years. His
influence as an upright citizen has been extensive,
and his long life of integrity has won for him the
universal esteem of his fellow-townsmen.
'TILES S. RATHBUN, who has engaged in
flJ the grocery business in Decatur since 1878,
Al    was born on the 26th of March, 1821, in
Cayuga County, N. Y., and is one of eleven children whose parents were Joshua and Diadama
Rathbun. His father was a native of the Green
Mountain State and by occupation was a farmer.
Removing to New York, he located in Cayuga




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


579


County, where he followed agricultural pursuits.
His death occurred in Allegany County, N. Y., in
1826, and his wife followed him to the grave within a month. Of their children all grew to mature
years and the average age of the five yet living is
over seventy-five.
Niles Rathbun was left an orphan when a lad
of five summers. He was then taken care of by
his brother Edward, with whom he remained until
lie had attained his majority, when he began work
as a farm hand and was thus employed for two
years. At the expiration of that period, he commenced buying and selling horses, cattle and
sheep and soon afterward purchased a farm in
Cayuga County, which he operated in connection
with his stock business. At the age of thirty-one,
he left the county of his nativity and going to
Allegany County began carrying on a hotel. He also operated a livery stable and while there residing
was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he
held for eight years. In 1867, he determined to
try his fortune in the West and located in Oak
Claim City, Wis., where he engaged in loaning
money. He had resided there only a year when
he was elected Justice of the Peace, serving as
such for eight years. Healso carried on the grocery and lumber business until a decade had passed
when he came to Decatur. His fitness for the office of Justice seems evident, for during the first
year of his residence here he was elected and served
for four ye, rs.
In 1852, in Allegany County, N. Y., Mr. Rathbun and Miss Lucy Cheesbro, a native of that
county, were married. Unto them were born two
children but the elder died at the age of nine
years. Their son, Edwin N., who was born in
1859, is one of Decatur's rising young business men.
I-e is now engaged in the real-estate business, is
Notary Public, counselor at law and correspondent for several of the city newspapers.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Rathbun is a
Republican and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.  He embarked in the grocery
business in Decatur in 1878, and has continued it
uninterruptedly since. He is a successful business man and one who is highly respected for his
integrity and just dealings. He carries an excellent


and complete line of goods, and the liberal patronage which is now accorded him is well merited as
the result of his industrious and enterprising efforts. The people repose in him the utmost
confidence and their trust has never been misplaced.
EPHAS S. KENT. Tle citizens of Michigan
who have come from New York have almost invariably brought with them such
traits and habits of life as have rendered them of
value in their new home. Their industry and
frugality and their rugged perseverance have
helped them to attain such a degree of success as
enchances the prosperity of their neighbors. Such
a one we find in the man before us.
Cephas S. Kent was born in Oswego County, N.
Y., March 31, 1839, and was the son of Ahira and
Tryphosa (Tuckerman) Kent, natives of Vermont
and New York, respectively. The paternal ancestors of our subject were English and this grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812. The
Kent family also figured prominently in the
Revolutionary struggle. Our subject was fifteen
years of age when his parents came to this State, he
with an older brother coming overland by the
way of Canada and with the family located in
Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County.  Their
mother died September 18, 1891; the father still
makes his home on the old farm and is past fourscore years of age.
He of whom we write was reared to man's estate
on his father's farm and after attaining his majority
engaged for four years in the merchandising business in Augllsta. He was given a good education,
supplementing his primary studies at the common
schools by a course at the Albion College.  May
19, 1864, he was married to Miss Harriet C. Woodward, a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., her
natal day being September 24, 1840. Mrs. Kent
was the daughter of John and Sarah (Eddy)
Woodward, who were natives of the Empire State.
Her parents were of English descent and Grandfather Woodward was a patriot in the Revolutionary War. In 1853, Miss Harriet accompanied her




580


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


parents on their removal to Michigan, where they
located in Richland Township, Kalamazoo County.
They passed their last days in Augusta village.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kent have been born the following four children: Albert; Mary, who is a
teacherin the public school; Glenn, who is also
a teacher, and Richard. Mr. Kent owns one hundred and ten acres of cultivated land, upon which
he has made all the improvements which stamp it
as a first-class estate. Mrs. Kent is identified with
the Ladies' Library Association of Augusta and also with the Ladies' Aid Society. In politics, our
subject is a Republican.
_.11 xc\ 9. IxCfE__


ETH VROMAN is a highly respected citizen
of Kalamazoo County, where he has acquired a comfortable property by his farming operations, although he has had much
to contend with since he settled in Brady Township, and began to build a home and improve a
farm on section 21. He was born in the town of
Aurora, Erie County, N. Y., June 19, 1841. Lewis
Vroman, his father, was also a native of New York,
and was born October 10, 1807. His parents came
from Germany, and died when he was only eight
years old. lie was a cooper in early life, and also
engaged in shoemaking and in farming after marriage. He came to Michigan in 1858, journeying
by Lake Erie to Detroit, and from there by wagon
to this county. He settled in Brady Township,
but a year and a half later he went to Kansas in a
covered wagon, and was five months on the way
there and back, as he did not make a very long
stay in that then troublous Territory. Returning
to Brady Township, he located on a farm here, and
a year later bought forty acres of the farm now
belonging to our subject. He died on his homestead,
April 16, 1875, and thus rounded out a useful and
honorable life of sixty-seven years, six months and
six days. His faithful wife did not long survive
him, but died September 14, 1876. Her name
was Sarah Tripp, and she was born in Vermont,
August 3, 1810. Both she and her husband were
conscientious, consistent Christians, and members
of the Congregational Church. They reared six


=~ -                       '-' — ' ~   --
out of their seven children, namely: George, Lucius H., Seth, Augusta M., Jane E., and Charles H.
The ancestors on the mother's side of the house were
genuine New    England Yankees. Grandfather
Tripp was a farmer. He lived to be nearly a hundred years old. His wife died December 18, 1856,
aged seventy-nine years and two days. They had
seven children.
The early life of our subject was much as that
of other farmers' boys. He attended the district
school, which was taught under the rate-bill system, and on his father's farm gained a good insight into farming. He came to this county with
his parents in his eighteenth year, and also accompanied them in their journey to and from Kansas.
The country in this region was then but sparsely
settled, with here and there a cabin in the woods.
Deer were plentiful, and our subject occasionally secured some venison with his trusty rifle,
when he found time to hunt. At the age of twentyone he began life for himself, having worked out
by the month for several seasons before he attained
his majority. He bought forty acres of land and
still continued an inmate of the parental home
while he farmed it. April 6, 1865, he cast aside
his work to enlist, and became a member of Company K, Twelfth Michigan Infantry. He was
mustered in at Kalamazoo, and sent to the regiment at Devall's Bluff, Ark., where he and his
comrades engaged in some skirmishes with the rebels. Army life did not agree with him and he was
taken sick. He was placed in the hospital at that
point and remained there about three weeks. His
military career was brought to a close by his honorable discharge, at Little Rock, July, 1865. He
contracted a chronic disease while at the front,
which entitles him to a pension of fourteen dollars
a month.
Mr. Vroman returned to Brady Township when
he left the army, and settled here permanently.
He has a good farm of one hundred and forty
acres, the most of which is under a high state of
cultivation, and buildings of a commodious, substantial order adorn the place. He erected his
residence in 1886, and has a roomy, pleasant dwelling, supplied with every comfort and convenience,
and he has several barns and other outhouses.








frAW4 J U




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


583


He engages in general farming, and raises Percheron horses, cattle of good grades, and both fine
and coarse wooled sheep, and has some of the former variety that he procured in Pennsylvania,
that are registered. Mr. Vroman stands with the
Republicans in politics, yet, notwithstanding that
fact, he has held the offices of Treasurer and Highway Commissioner several terms, although the
township is largely democratic. He is popular
among his fellow-citizens, who recognize his fitness for public life, and have sensibly elected him
to responsible positions, regardless of party ties,
as they know him to be a man of sound, roundabout sense, of clear discernment and good business
habits. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge,
No. 194, at Vicksburg. It is Mr. Vroman's pride
that all that he has he has made himself, never having as much as a cent given to him, nor receiving
outside aid in any shape. He has met with several
reverses. Atone time he lost $1,000 on his wheat
by storing it and another man's selling it, which
left him penniless.
Our subject was married, January 25, 1865, to
Miss Ella Blair, who was born in this township, in
1846; she died without issue in 1879. Mr. Vroman was a second time married, February 18, 1880,
Miss Mary J. Guyer becoming his wife. She was
born in Pennsylvania, February 18, 1863. Three
children are the fruit of this union, named Pearl,
Erma and Minnie.
e 1++++ +Th++++l
- --— 1~  ~~~l++\++w             -
ARRISON HUTCHINS. This worthy old
pioneer, whose portrait is shown on the
opposite page, is at present residing on
'   section  1, Ganges Township, Allegan
County. He was born in Rutland County, Vt., in
1815, and is a son of David and Sally Hutchins.
The father was born on a farm in the Green Mountain State and received a very limited education,
as when quite young he was engaged in lumbering
on the St. Lawrence River.
Our subject's mother was Sally, daughter of
Samuel Burnel, a native of Connecticut, who spent
most of his life in Vermont. Mr. Burnel was a
farmer, and during the Revolutionary War served


his country from the beginning to the close of hostilities. He was very prominent in political affairs
in his community and served several terms in the
Vermont Legislature, finally declining further
office on account of his advanced years.
Harrison Hutchins was one of a family of eleven
children, born to his parents, only four of whom are
living. Two died in infancy, and the remaining
nine bore the names of Sophia, Adeline, Alvin,
Louisa, Samuel, David, Harrison, Cynthia, and
Sarah. David Hutchins, on removing to New
York, first located in St. Law ence County, where
he was engaged in running a sawmill. His next
removal was to Jefferson County, where he followed
the occupation of a farmer. Fourteen years later
he came to Allegan County with his family, where
he lived until his death. He was a prominent
member of the Masonic fraternity, and stood by
his order during the strong excitement of the
Morgan episode.
Although his school days were few, our subject
was diligent in prosecuting his studies at home,
and thus acquired a good fund of information.
On attaining his eleventh year, he went to work
in a factory, and three years later migrated to
Canada, where he was employed in a brickyard.
He came to Michigan when twenty years of age
and, in 1838, located in Ganges Township, Allegan
County, where he was the first settler. His pioneer life is well described in the following poem,
written by his wife and read at an Old Settlers'
meeting in Allegan a few years ago. It is only a
small portion of the poem, and the sturdy youth
referred to is her husband:
"No rushing cars in noisy haste
At Fennville depot called,
No logs from out the pinery
To Fennville e'er were hauled.
"The Indian built his wigwam then
Beside the lake so fair,
And feasted on the shining bass,
The muskrat and the bear.
"The houses then in Allegan
Were numbered by the scoreUpon its public square, my friends,
The pine trees numbered more.






i


584


PORTRAITj~ AXD I BIOG~EkP~rCC~ RECORnD.


~~~84~~- PO-AI  NDtO —PIIALRCOD


"The rippling waves of Hutchins' Lake
The unbroken green encased,
And where you now view verdant fields
There lay a wooded waste.
"McCormick, the first pioneer,
Tile emerald surface broke,
And from his clayey chimney
First arose the white man's smoke.
"And next there came a sturdy youth
His future home to make,
And cut a path and built a house
Beside the shining lake.
"His step, so firm and buoyant then,
Is not as lithe to-day;
His forehead bald, his raven locks
Old Time has turned to gray.
"As time rolled on new neighbors came,
A handful, three or four,
And while they much of hardship saw,
They'd courage to endure.
"O'er rooty road from Allegan
The oxen drew their food,
And pumpkin dumplings in those days
Were 'reckoned pretty good."'
On coming to Ganges Township, Mr, Hutchins
purchased the one hundred and thirty acres of
land which is his present home. Here he built a
log cabin which contained but one room, and commenced the work of improvement. To day his estate is made more valuable by the erection thereon
of all the buildings which best subserve the purposes
of an agriculturist. The pride which he feels when
viewing his broad acres is justifiable when we learn
that his present standing in the farming community has been brought about solely by his own efforts,
seconded by the wise judgment and economy of
his good wife.
Mr. Hutchins has been a member of the Baptist
Church for the past thirty years, in which body
he has filled the office of Deacon. He built the
first Baptist Church in Ganges Township, and
has always been a warm supporter of that faith.
In politics, he is a Republican.
Miss Laura C. daughter of Milo L. Hudson, became the wife of our subject, June 8, 1847. Mr.
Hudson was born October 15, 1791, in Goshen,
Conn., and was the son of David Hudson, born February 17, 1761. The latter named gentleman is a


descendant of the discoverer of the Hudson River,
as is proved by the following: Hendrick Hudson,
who discovered the Hudson River in 1609, named
his youngest son David, who in turn named his
youngest son David. Thus the name of David was
carried down for seven generations. The grandfather of Mrs. Hutchins was the sixth of that line,
being born in Blanford, Conn., February 17, 1761.
The paternal grandmother of Mrs. Hutchins was
Anna M. Norton, and after her marriage with David
Hudson they resided in Goshen, Conn. In 1799,
they moved to Summit County, Ohio, with their
six children, one child having died prior to their
removal. It was there, in a one-roomed log house
in the midst of an unbroken forest, that the eighth
child was born, October 22, 1800, who was the first
white child born in Summit County, Ohio. In
1805, another son, David, was added to the household. Our subject's wife was afterward born in
the same house, on the same farm, which was
afterward sold to the noted John Brown. The
house has since been carried away in pieces by tourists, who visited that historic place.
Mrs. Hutchins' parents died when she was very
young, and she was then taken into the home of
her grandparents. Her grandfather was one of the
patriots in the Revolutionery War and her greataunt was the second wife of Ethan Allen. Her
grandfather, Constant Rogers, was a lineal descendant of John Rogers, the martyr of Smithfield. Mrs.
Hutchins taught the first school in the Union District. The happy married life of our subject and
his wife is shown forth in the following lines,
which were written, and read at the fortieth anniversary of their marriage, by their daughter, Mrs.
Emily H. Hafford, June 8, 1887:
"'Twas fifty years ago or more,
A youth with earnest, honest air,
Departed from the Empire State
And sought the Western forests fair
"Some brave resolves were in his thoughts,
And braver still his hardy heart,
From out the great wild wilderness
He'd carve himself a humble part.
"His bank account was principle,
His stock in trade a sturdy armWith outfit strapped upon his back
He sought in Michigan a farm.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORb.


585


"From far Detroit to Allegan,
Along the weary, winding way,
Through many forests green he trod
Where beasts were free and birds were gay.
"His father traveled by his side,
All other friends were left behindLike ZEneas, of ancient lore,
The youth possessed a filial mind.
"The muse would fain pursue him close
Through all the scenes of daily life,
Describe how brave with poverty
He waged a hardly hopeful strife.
"How ofl at night, 'neath branching tree,
He laid his weary form to rest
Where lonely hoot and dismal screech
Proclaimed him an unwelcome guest.
"Marked trees were oft his only guide
While traveling through the lonely wood,
And flesh of bear and venison
Made pioneer a wholesome food.
"Hle said he would not catch a bird
Without a cage to put her in.
If, then, the bird must sure be caught
To build the nest he must begin.
"To toil no stranger lad was he.
HTe gloried in his muscle strongWhat wonder that he owned a farm
With house and barn and team ere long?
"The broadening acres dressed in green
Proclaimed the spring from year to year,
And garners stored with yellow corn
Awaited winter's lonely cleer.
"A loving sister followed soon
And sat beside his cabin hearth;
She baked his bread, prepared his meal,
And kindly proved a sister's worth.
"About the home with feeble tread
His mother's step ere long was heard;
The cage was done, the nest was built.
Had he forgot to catch the bird?
"A maiden taught the village school,
The youth had seen her gentle worth,
And soon the bird was in the cage;
He took her to his heart and hearth.
"'Twas forty years ago to-day,
The man beside the maiden stood,
And their two lives united were
For weal or woe, for ill or good.


"The years came on, the years went by,
With much of trial, much of care.
God gave to them prosperity,
The orchards bloomed, the fields were fair,
"And infants sweet from time to time
Found shelter in that glad home nest,
And each one found a welcome place,
Till eight the happy parents blessed.
"The muse could tell of washing days,
Of logging fires and harvest times,
Could picture maple-sugar camps,
Or tell of childish pranks and crimes,
"But time goes by on restless wings:
The children grew to thoughtful years,
And each in turn forgot their toys,
Their childish pleasures, joys and fears.
"Two forms are missing from our bandTwo faces still remembered well,
Our darling Mary early slept,
And our beloved Samuel.
"And some have left the dear home nest;
Like roving birds on restless wing,
Soon far away the fledglings flit,
And for themselves they build and sing.
"But we have all come home to-day
To wish our parents happy cheer,
And we do foudly hope and pray
That they may reach the 'golden year.'"
V  ILLIAM H. PUGSLEY, a very prominent
farmer and stock-raiser on section 3, Paw
Paw Township, Van Buren County, is the
owner of eighty acres of land in a splendid condition. He was born November 21,1844, in Devonshire, England, and came to this place when ten
years of age. Here he was reared on a farm and
received a common-school education, making the
best of his opportunities. He began to do for himself when about twenty-one years old. He cleared
land for his father a year or two and then worked
by the month for him a year or more, making considerable money.
Mr. Pugsley was married December 25, 1869, to
Miss Sarah A. Harris, of Paw Paw Township and a
daughter of Schuyler and Hannah (Sherman)




586


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.




=


Harris. Mrs. Pugsley was born in Jackson County,
Mich., May 31, 1850, and received a fair education
in the district schools. In 1871, our subject removed to Mishawaka, Ind., and worked in the Milburn Wagon Factory, in the woodwork department.
He stayed there two years, returning to Paw Paw
where he rented a farm for four years. In 1877, he
purchased his present home, the greater part of
which was in heavy timber and no buildings on it.
He set to work with a will and now has nearly all
of it cleared and splendid buildings upon his place.
Three children have been born to our subject
and his estimable wife: Verne, born in Mishawaka,
Ind., on June 21, 1874, was educated in the
country schools and attended one term of three
months in the Paw Paw schools. She was able to
get a certificate to teach at the age of sixteen years,
and in teaching is more than ordinarily successful. May, the second child, had her birth September 9, 1876; Clarence Ray was born in Paw Paw
Township, February 12, 1883. Mr. Pugsley is a
Democrat in politics and is a member of the Freewill Baptist Church, to which his wife also belongs.
ARREN F. FRENCH, the present efficient
Supervisor of Almena Township, Van
v     Buren County, is a capable farmer, having
his residence on section 23. His parents were
Ezra and Phoebe (Taylor) French, both natives of
Rutland, Vt., where they were married and resided eight or nine years. The father was a
farmer, and served in the War of 1812. In 1827,
they settled in Franklin County, N. Y., on a new
farm, and the father died at the advanced age of
ninety-three years and seven months, while the
mother died April 11, 1890, aged ninety-one.
They lived for sixty-two years on their farm in
New York, and also spent a happy married life
together for seventy-two years. He was Justice
of the Peace for many years, and held other
township offices. They were both Baptists in
good standing, and took an active part in church
matters. They were the parents of ten children,
six of whom grew to maturity and four are now
living. All the children received good educa



I


I - -


tions, and the youngest son, Hiram T., was a
student at Middlebury College, and served in the
Civil War. Ile is now the Cashier of the People's
National Bank, at Malone, N. Y.
Our subject is the first-born of his father's family
and had his birth, September 8, 1819, in Rutland
County, Vt. He was reared to farm pursuits, and
obtained a great deal of experience in clearing
up heavy timber. He remained at home until
twenty-one, when he began at his trade of a carpenter and joiner. He was married, December 9,
1841, to Sarah A. Eager, a daughter of Benjamin
and Sallie (Brigham) Eager, both natives of Massachusetts. They lived in Vermont for many
years, and finally made their home in Franklin
County, N. Y., on a wild farm, where the mother
died in 1832, and the father in 1853, in Allegan
County, Mich., where he had come in 1836. They
were the parents of fourteen children, five now
living. Mrs. French was born June 2, 1819, at St.
Albans, Vt., and received her education in a log
schoolhouse.
After his marriage, our subject lived in Franklin County, N. Y., until he came to Michigan in
1846, and settled on this farm. The road which
passes his place is an old Territorial one, laid out
by an Indian trail. He erected a frame house,
16x20 feet, and began clearing, etc. He also
worked at his trade for forty years, and has put
up a large number of buildings in the township.
This couple had nine children born to them, six
of whom are living: Mary J.. the wife of Levi A.
Brown, of this township; Henry A., who married
Charlotte Crofoot, resides in Mecosta County;
Ella married W. C. Edgerly, of Montcalm County;
Walter F. lives in Wyoming on a stock ranch;
Phoebe, who is the wife of George Langden, lives
in Almena Township, and Hiram P., who married
Carrie C. French, lives in Oregon. He is Professor of Agriculture in a college there, and is a
graduate of the Michigan Agricultural College, as
is also his wife. Our subject gave all his children
good educational advantages.
Mr. French and his wife have been members of
the Grange, of which he was Master and Secretary. He helped to organize the school district
here, and was Director for over twenty years.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGR~APHICAL R;ECORD.


587


PORTAITAND IOGAPHIAL  ECOR.58


In politics, he is a Democrat, and held the office
of Township Clerk for ten years, and was Treasurer of the same one year. He is at present the
incumbent of the office of Supervisor, which he
has held for ten years past, and the duties of
which he is discharging faithfully and conscientiously.  He has been a candidate for county
offices a number of times. His farm consists of
twenty-one acres, all under the best improvements,
and which is carried on by himself.
UGUSTINE B. CHASE. This gentleman,
who holds the responsible position of
Cashier of the West Michigan Savings
Bank at Bangor, was born near Galena,
Ill., and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to a
merchant at Savannah, where he remained a little
more than two years. At the expiration of this
time, he entered Cornell College, and attended
school there one year, improving his advantages
and fitting himself for mercantile life.  He was
afterwards employed in a general store at Elizabeth,
and then in one at Hanover, Ill., as clerk and bookkeeper, being so engaged in these two towns for
four years. In 1870, Mr. Chase went to California
where he remained only one year, coming from
there to this State and locating at South Haven
where he opened a book and news store, and also
served as Deputy Postmaster from 1871 to 1877.
He also held the office of Town Clerk for seven
years.
The marriage of Mr. Chase took place at South
Haven January 14, 1872, at which time he was
united to Miss Julia, daughter of the late S. B.
Moorehouse, one of the pioneer settlers and prominent merchants of South Haven. Of this union
two children have been born: Albert B. and Hattie
M. In October, 1878, Mr. Chase came to Bangor
and operated a general store for one year, at the
end of which time he sold out and accepted the
position which he now holds.
Mr. Chase inherits much of his sterling integrity
of character and correct notions of right and wrong
from  the training received from  his adopted
parents, Augustine and Lavina (Pudly) Chase, the


former of whom was a native of Vermont and the
latter of England. His great-grandfather took an
active part in the Colonial Army and assisted in
establishing the Union. Our subject and his family
are highly esteemed members of society and consistent members of the Disciples Church. He is giving
his children every advantage in the way of education and his son Albert is a senior in the Michigan Agricultural College. Politically, Mr. Chase
is a strong Republican and now holds the position
of Secretary of the Soldier's Relief Commission of
Van Buren County, receiving his appointment
from the Probate Judge. Socially, Mr. Chase is a
member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to
the chapter at Bangor. He is Secretary of the
Chapter and Blue Lodge. He has held the office
of Master of Coffinbury Lodge, A. F. & A. M., for
three years. He has been a member of the High
School Board twelve years, President of the village, and is now a member of the common council of the village.
— ' 1'a' PM  rt *     d- ^.- &q4-ir L
UAN McKEYES. Among the leading merchants of Lawton may be classed this gentleman, who carries a fine stock of goods
and commands an extensive trade. He is a
native of this State, being born in Berrien County,
August 26, 1842. He is a son of Samuel and Roxy
(Taylor) McKeyes, both natives of Connecticut,
from which State the father came to Michigan in
1832 and settled in Berrien County. He there followed the occupation of a farmer and was married
in Kalamazoo County. Our subject was the only
child born of this union. His parents had both been
previously married, the father having five children
by his first marriage and the mother three. Samuel
McKeyes was the first Supervisor of Bainbridge
Township on its organization. He died in August,
1853, and the mother the following year.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm
and educated principally in the district schools of
Kalamazoo County. For four years he held the
position of Civil Engineer with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. In 1865 he
built a large flour mill at Lawton which he oper



; Z


588


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


=




ated some ten years; he then sold out and engaged
in the drug business in the same place in which he
was engaged from 1875 until 1887. Ie then sold
his drug store, and in 1888 entered into the mercantile business in Lawton in partnership with T.
R. Smith, which he is still carrying on. He has a
fine stock of goods valued at $7,000. Mr. McKeyes
was married in Kalamazoo, February 2, 1865, to
Miss Maria E. Cowgill. She is a native of Kalamazoo County, her birth taking place August 4,
1846. She is the daughter of James and Eliza
(Smith) Cowgill, early settlers of this State. Of this
union two children have been born: Frank H., his
birth taking place in June, 1867, and Grace in
June, 1875, Mr. McKeyes held the office of Supervisor of Antwerp Township for five years and
has served as Village Trustee and Village President.
EONARD S. EVANS makes his home at
the present time in Galesburgh. He was
i L\ born in Chatham    Township, Columbia
County, N. Y., December 24, 1818. He is the son
of Oliver Evans, a native of Dutchess County,
N. Y., and a farmer by occupation who came
to Michigan in 1848 and located in Richland
Township, Kalamazoo County. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Sallie Davis. She was born in Columbia County,
N. Y., and died in her seventy-fourth year. The
parental family included three children, of whom
our subject is the youngest and only one now living. In 1824, he accompanied his parents on their
removal to Yates County, N. Y., where they remained until 1831 and then made their home in
Wayne County. In 1837-38 they made another
removal, this time making Orleans County their
abiding place, until 1848 when they came West to
Michigan.
Leonard S. Evans remained with his parents until reaching his majority, having been given a good
education at Lyman, N. Y. Previous to coming to
Michigan, he had been married, in 1840, in New


I
I


York to Emily Brown, also a native of the Empire
State. The young couple located upon a farm in
Orleans County where they made their home until
1848, the date of their coining to Michigan. Mr.
Evans purchased one hundred and eleven acres of
land in Richland Township, Kalamazoo County,
which was partially improved, and there made his
home until 1853. At that date he sold his property
and purchased another farm in Kalamazoo Township which is now within the corporate limits of
Kalamazoo and is the race track of Mr. Brown, an
extensive stockman. He made that tract his home
for five years, when he disposed of the estate and
purchased property in Richland Township, which
consisted of one hundred acres. He there gave his
attention to general farming until 1863, when he
sold and purchased another farm in Charleston
Township, which included two hundred acres of
improved land. Mr. Evans is now living retired
from active business in Galesburgh.
The original of this sketch was married twice,
having six children by his first wife, namely:
Youngs A. B., residing in Marshall, this State;
Palmer S., a groceryman at Battle Creek; Vivian,
is the wife of Park Burdick, who is engaged in the
grocery business in Kalamazoo; Oliver L. is a
grocer in Galesburgh; Charles B. is a photographer
in Kalamazoo; and Clara M. is the wife of William
Caywood, of Comstock Township. Mrs. Emily
Evans died January 10, 1871, and our subject was
then married to Athaline Hunt, a native of New
York.
In politics, Mr. Evans is a Democrat and has been
Supervisor of Richmond and Charleston Townships. He has also been on the School Board in
Galesburgh and is greatly respected in his community.,~ ^^,~. ~         ~.^....____1
ON. ORVILLE H. FELLOWS. This gentleman has shown himself capable of close
application to the duties which lie before
him and his judicious decisions when attempting to bring about a worthy object are well
known to those who are acquainted with the history of the State. He is an old settler in this re

I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


589


gion and is at present residing on section  36
Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County.
The father of our subject, Abial Fellows, was born
in Litchfield County, Conn., while his mother,
whose maiden name was Dorcas Hopkins, was a
native of Luzerne County, Pa. They came to
Michigan in October, 1829, where they pre-empted
one hundred and sixty acres of land and also
bought a like amount in Prairie Ronde Township.
They continued to make their residence on section
36 until their death, the father dying in 1833 and
the mother in 1866.  Of the thirteen children
comprising their household, our subject was the
tenth in order of birth, his natal day being July
24, 1820.
Our subject accompanied his parents hither when
a lad of nine years and grew to manhood in this
township which has since been his home, with the
exception of one year spent in California, and one
year in Iowa. For three years he was engaged in the
mercantile business and in manufacturing plows.
He is the possessor of two hundred and forty acres of
excellent land which his industry and good judgment have placed under the best cultivation. His
estate bears all the modern improvements in the
way of machinery and buildings and is so managed
as to bring him in a fine income.
Orville I. Fellows was married, May 17, 1846,
to Miss Sarah, daughter of Cornelius and Lucy
(Clark) Van Camp, natives of New York, where
they passed their last days. Mrs. Fellows was born
in Buffalo, N. Y., July 24, 1822, and by her union
with our subject has become the mother of six
children: Lucy E., who is the wife of Bishop Andrews; Alice E., Mrs. Wilbur Hackett; Orra I., who
married S. C. Carpenter; Anna L.; Maude L., who
is the wife of L. Augustus Aspinwall. One daughter, Sarah, died in November, 1881, when twenty
years of age.
In the fall of 1862, the original of this sketch
was elected to the Michigan Legislature and so
well and faithfully did he fulfill the duties of that
honorable position that he was re-elected in 1864
and again was the incumbent of that office in 1866,
serving three terms. For four years he served
Prairie Ronde Township acceptably as its Supervisor and was elected Justice of the Peace but re



I


fused to qualify. IHe has always taken an active
part in political affairs and has been identified
with the Republican party since its organization.
lie has always been greatly interested in educational affairs and served as a member of the School
Board for a number of years. Mr. Fellows is a
Mason socially, being connected with Schoolcraft
Chapter and Blue Lodge. There are very few
more cultured or enterprising residents of Kalamazoo County than our subject, who is one of the
popular and prominent men in his community.
The maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Fellows,
Dr. Samuel Hopkins, was a Presbyterian clergyman
of Great Barrington, Mass.
ILLIAM PHILLIPS, whose farming interests are centered in Paw Paw Township,
is one of the progressive and enterprising
farmers and stockmen of this section, whose practical knowledge of agriculture and sound business
methods have contributed largely to the substantial
growth and enduring prosperity of Van Buren
County.
Mr. Phillips was born at Waterford, Upper Canada, August 12, 1848. Ile comes of good old New
England and Revolutionary stock, and is a member of a family that was well represented in the
Union army during the late war. His parents were
Aaron and Tryphena (Chapin) Phillips, the former
a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of Canada, born respectively, December 27, 1801, and
July 16, 1812. The maternal grandfather of our
subject, Gordon Chapin, served throughout the
War of 1812, and won a good military record.
Our subject's maternal great-grandfather, Isaac
Whitney, was a brave soldier in the Continental
army, devoting himself to the patriotic duty of
helping to gain his country's freedom until the
triumphal close of the Revolution, and he was in
Washington's army during that terrible winter of
encampment at Valley Forge when the troops suffered so dreadfully.
Aaron Phillips was a self-made man, and his entire career was such as to command the respect of
all who knew him. He received a common-school






590


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


education, and learned the trade of a shoemaker in
his youth, working at it as long as he was able. He
was also a farmer. The early part of his wedded
life was passed in Canada, but when his son of
whom we write was about four years old, he removed with his family to La Grange County, Ind.,
where he bought land, which he cultivated until
1860, when he sold it, and then sought a new home
in Decatur Township, this county. He bought fifty
acres of wild land, a part of which he cleared, and
he lived thereon comfortably for several years.
His last days were spent in Arlington Township,
and he passed away, October 3, 1889, at a ripe old
age. He was a Democrat, and a good citizen, but
did not care much for politics.
William Phillips, the subject of this biographical
review, is the eleventh in order of birth of a family of twelve children, of whom ten are still living,
and the following is recorded of his brothers and
sisters: Amasa H., the eldest, is a resident of Vandalia, Ill., is married and has two children; Charles
A., a farmer of Arlington Township, is married and
has three children; Horace A., a farmer in Noble
County, Ind., is married and has six children;
Mary Ann married Joseph Edmonds, a hardware
merchant at Goshen, Ind., and has one child; Adeline married Monroe Selby, a farmer of Branch
County, and has five children; Aaron, a dealer in
horses at La Grange, Ind., is married and has four
children; Isaac W. died, leaving a family of four
children; Cordelia is the wife of Erastus Cash;
Eliza Jane is the wife of Frank Wood, and the
mother of two sons; Alexander, a farmer in Arlington Township, is married and has four children.
Three of our subject's brothers did honorable service in the late war; Amasa served three years as
veterinary surgeon; Aaron was also in the army
three years, saw much hard service, whereby he
lost his health, and had to lie in the hospitals a
good deal. He has never fully recovered from the
effects of the hardships and privations that he underwent, and now gets a pension of $12 a month
from the Government as part payment for what he
suffered for the old flag; Isaac W. went as a substitute, but was only gone about three months, and
never was in a battle.
Our subject was educated in the public schools


of Indiana. He was a stirring, wide-awake lad, actively interested in the various labors of the farm,
in which he early became very proficient, and as
he had a natural aptitude for farming, he adopted
that calling for his life work. Well equipped for
life's battle, he entered into the arena to fight it
out on his own account at the age of twenty-one.
Soon after his marriage, he settled on a tract of
one hundred and twenty acres of land on section
9, Paw Paw Township, which his bride had inherited. But little of it was under cultivation, and
he bent his energies to the severe pioneer task of
redeeming it from  its natural wildness, and as a
result of his labors, he now has under his control
one of the most valuable farms in this vicinity,
supplied with all the modern improvements that
go to make up a model farm, including a substantial set of buildings, and it is completely stocked
with cattle, horses and sheep of high grades. In
1888, he met with a loss in the destruction by fire
of a fine large barn, which was filled to the roof
with the products of the harvest. He has since
replaced it with another, which is still more roomy
and is very conveniently arranged. Mr. Phillips
deals quite extensively in stock. He handles sheep,
which he feeds for the market, and he also deals in
horses, formerly in heavy draft horses, but of recent years he has turned his attention more particularly to fine roadsters. He is meeting with
marked success in his stock ventures, as he is thoroughly familiar with all the good points of horses
and sheep, is a good judge of those animals, is
quick to take advantage of all good opportunities
to make a fair sale, and is prompt and clear-sighted
in all matters pertaining to his line of business. He
maintains a high standing in financial circles, and
is one of our most substantial men. He is a sound
Republican, but his personal affairs absorb too
much of his attention to allow him time to dabble
in politics.
Mr. Phillips was married, February 22, 1860, to
Miss Elizabeth Markley, of Paw Paw Township,
who has ably and cheerfully co-operated with him
in the upbuilding of their attractive home. They
have three sons, of whom the following is recorded:
Frank, born October 2, 1872, was well educated at
the school at Paw Paw, and is now in the under







.


r,
1
4.




M. B.W. COLBURN.








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


595


taking business; Charles M. was born in Paw Paw
Township, September 16, 1875; Edwin J. was born
in Paw Paw Township, June 8, 1877. Mrs. Phillips
is a native of Monroe County, N. Y., born October
27, 1848, the only child of John and Eunice (Tupper) Markley. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, December 19, 1809, and was of Dutch antecedents. Her mother was born in Monroe County,
N. Y., April 5, 1812. The marriage of her parents
took place at Churchville, N. Y., January 29, 1839.
They continued to live on a farm in Monroe County
some fourteen years, and then sold and removed
to Churchville, in the same county, where Mr.
Markley worked in a furnace until 1865, when
they came to Micligan. Mr. Markley bought one
hundred and twenty acres of land in Paw Paw
Township, the same on which his son-in-law of
whom we write is now living. He cleared a small
parl of it, our subject clearing the most of it, and
he carried on farming to some extent, although he
was by trade a carpelter and joiner, of great mechanical genius, besides being a natural machinist,
and his principal work was in his mechanical capacity. He died March 14, 1888, and thus rounded
out a long and honorable life, and his township
mourned the loss of a valuable citizen. His wife
had departed this life but a few months after his
death, she dying October 7, 1889.
)ENJAMIN W. COLBURN. The State of
Michigan has her various occupations,
many of which are thriving, but her farm.
ing interests stand among the head, and
among those actively interested in this latter
named pursuit, we mention the gentleman whose
name initiates this sketch. He owns a splendid
farm of eighty acres on section 31, Allegan Township, Allegan County, and one of forty acres in
Trowbridge Township, which is finely improved
and adorned with excellent buildings.  He is
carrying on mixed farming and gives a great deal
of his attention to the raising of fine graded stock,
the Holsteins being among his favorite breeds of
cattle.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born
27


in Hollis, Hillsboro County, N.H., October 5, 1813.
He is a son of Robert and Keziah (Wright) Colburn, natives of New Hampshire, where they were
reared and married. The father was a farmer by
occupation and spent the last days of his life in
Massachusetts. He was a participant in the War
of the Revolution and an old-line Whig in politics.
He was the father of a family of seven sons and
daughters, our subject and his sister Sarah A.
(Mrs. Powers), of Hollis, N. H., being the only living ones.
Our subject received his education at Hollis,
N. 1H., and was reared to the occupation of a farmer
and cooper. Ile left New Hampshire when eighteen
years old and removed to Monroe County, N. Y.,
where he remained four years, engaged in the
cooper business. He was married, in 1833, to Miss
Almira Sargeant, the daughter of Ebenezer Sargeant,
a native of New Hampshire. The father was a
cabinet-maker early in life and later followed
farming. Our subject came to Michigan in 1836,
with his wife, journeying in the old primitive
way by wagon, and passing through Canada on
his way to this county. He located in Allegan
Village through the summer and the following
winter, and in the early spring moved to Trowbridge Township on section 7, and cut the first
tree cut by a white man. He purchased eighty
acres of land from the Government and erected
a log house eighteen feet square, cleared off
the land and lived on the place over forty
years. At the end of this time he sold his estate
and came where he now lives. Ite has also improved this place and erected good and substantial
buildings thereon. He is engaged in mixed farming and has some fine Holstein cattle, and some of
the finest breeds of swine.
Mr. Colburn was the first Constable of Trowbridge Township and was also Overseer of the
Highways. He taught singing school while in
Trowbridge Township. Mrs. Colburn passed from
this life in 1850. She was the mother of five children, only one of whom is yet surviving: Sarah
E. (Mrs. Austin), who is the mother of three children: George A., Benjamin B., and Frederick P.
Our subject was again married, this time, in 1850, to
Elizabeth R. Wright, of Hollis, N. H., and six chil



596


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


dren came to bless their home, two now living:
Lucy A. married William II. McCarn, and two
children have been born to them; Lillie A. and
Floyd E. Ettie E. is the name of the other daughter. The beloved wife and mother was called
away by death in 1891.
Our subject is a Prohibitionist in politics, and a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church with
which he has been connected for more than thirty
years. He is a very prominent man in the 'township and has always been foremost in church matters. He has superintended the Sunday-school,
been Class-leader and Steward and at present is
Trustee. He is seventy-eight years old. He was
chorister for twenty years, andd takes an active
interest in everything that will suppress evil.
For almost forty years Mr. and Mrs. Colburn
struggled side by side, sharing their joys and sorrows, and we are pleased to present their portraits
and life sketches in order that their example and
influence, as well as their kindly lineaments, may
be perpetuated for coming generations.  It may
truly be said of them that the world is better for
their having lived in it.
O    HARLES HATHAWAY        has one hundred
and forty-eight acres of land on section 19,
Lawrence Township, Van Buren County,
where he is engeged as a farmer and stock-raiser.
He also has a fine apple orchard of three hundred
and twenty-five trees, and a peach orchard of fifteen hundred trees. Mr. Hathaway was born in
Argyle Township, Washington County, N. Y.,
October 16, 1825. He is the son of Elisha and
Susannah (Wilcox) Hathaway, the father a native
of Connecticut, of Yankee parents, while the
mother was born in New York, and is of Irish descent.
The elder Mr. Hathaway was a farmer, and removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio, when our subject was eleven years of age. There the father
purchased a farm; upon which he resided until his
death, which occurred in 1879, at the advanced
age of eighty-five years. Our subject grew to


manhood in the Buckeye State, and received a
good common-school education. He began to
earn his own money when a lad of eleven years,
and soon after reaching his majority rented a
farm  which was furnished with all the necessary
machinery. The drouth that season caused the
hay crop to be very short, so that in order to winter his dairy cows he ran in debt $150. That unfortunate event was the year succeeding his marriage with Miss Caroline Cramer, of Ashtabula
County.
Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway have been granted a
family of six children, four of whom are still living. Mr. Hathaway did better il his farming operations after his first effort, buying a small farm
which he sold and made a snug little sum. In
December, 1854, he'came to Lawrence Township,
Van Buren County, and purchased eighty-eight
acres of land, which was all in timber, and which
forms a part of his present beautiful estate. He
erected a log house for his family in which they
made their home for three years, when he was enabled to build a frame dwelling, which is still
standing upon the farm. Mr. Hathaway has embellished his estate by the erection thereon of a
commodious and convenient residence, which bears
all the modern improvements. His farm is further
improved with all the needful buildings and machinery, and ranks among the first-class estates of
Van Buren County.
Mrs. Caroline Hathaway died February 18, 1886,
and of their five children, Caroline married Edwin Geer; they have four children, and reside
upon a portion of her father's farm. George is a
farmer in Pennsylvania, is married and has one
child; Elisha is married, has two children, and
makes his home in Vermont, where he is employed
in making carpenters' squares; Lottie died in infancy; and William C. lives at home. He gave
his children every possible advantage for an education, and George taught school for a number of
years, beginning when nineteen.
January 27, 1892, our subject was married to
Mrs. Henrietta Stafford, nee McNutt. Mrs. Hathaway was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, November 5, 1842. She was married September 7, 1860,
to Jonathan Stafford, of Erie County,, Pa., by




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


597


-— ` --- —-— - -lc --- —— '- ----- -I --- -— I --- —-----------------------


=


whom she became the mother of one child, John
C., who was born June 11, 1866, in Ashtabula
County, Ohio. The son is married and operates a
portion of our subject's farm. Mr. Stafford was
accidentally killed by the cars at Girard, Pa., March
14, 1868.
Mr. Hathaway in early life was an old-line
Whig. In 1852, he voted for Clay, and in 1856
for Fremont. He supported the Republican party
some years, but now votes the independent ticket.
He has never been an office-seeker, but has been
Commissioner of Highways of his township for
seven years. Our subject has traveled extensively,
having visited the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. He has also been a
great hunter, especially of pigeons, and has netted
those birds when they were so thick that they
could carry off the net. In that business he
cleared $450 in five weeks and two days. Mr.
Hathaway is a member of the Christian Church,
and also of the Grange.
After the death of her first husband, Mrs. HIathaway carried on the millinery business in which
he had been engaged, and at the present time owns
a millinery store in Lawrence, which is ranked
among the flourishing business enterprises of the
place.
-- 1~++++9);,3jB*++++l    -—. _
ACOB LEMON. Among the worthy pioneer residents of Brady Township, Kalamazoo County, we gladly mention the gentleman, whose brief history we here give. He
is a native of Orange County, N. Y., born April 8,
1815. Samuel was the name of his father, who
was a native of London, England, and is supposed
to have been the victim of a conspiracy. When
seven years old, he was kidnapped and taken on
board a man-of-war, and sailed on the waters
until twenty years old. He then settled in Orange
County, N. Y., and commenced to learn the trade
of a stone mason. In 1831, he started on a journey to New York City, but never reached there,
having been drowned in a squall which upset the
sloop. Samuel Lemon was a man of intelligence
and was well liked by all. In his political views


I
I


I


------ —  ---

he was a Democrat. Iie married Almira Rockman,
a native of New Jersey, who bore him eleven
children, all of whom grew to be men and women,
named as follows: J. Nelson, Samuel, Jane (Mrs.
Reed), Rachel (Mrs. Piper), Jacob, William, Mary
(Mrs. Wood), Joseph, George, Cinthia and Mason.
Four of this family yet survive: Nelson, our subject, William and Mason. The good mother died
in her seventy-fifth year, and was a consistent
member of the Methodist Church. The maternal
grandfather of our subject was of Irish desetnt
and a farmer by occupation; he died when about
sixty-five years old.
Our subject was reared on a farm in his native
county, where he was also educated in the district
schools, conducted on the rate-bill system. In May,
1831, when sixteen years old, our subject moved
to Chemung County, and two weeks later his
father was drowned. The date of his coming to
the Wolverine State was April, 1835. From Palmyra he journeyed to Buffalo on a canal boat; to
Dunkirk on foot, a distance of forty miles; by
steerage passage to Detroit across the lake and finally reached Ann Arbor after another tedious journey on foot. His financial possessions were composed of only one cent, but he was so fortunate as
to here meet a man living in Jackson County,
who hired him to work on his farm for $11 a month.
This was Saturday evening, and our subject walked
the distance of forty-one miles, arrivinig at the
farm Monday night. He had had nothing to eat
on his journey excepting one cookie. On July 1,
Jacob Lemon left the employ of this gentleman
and walked back to Ann Arbor and worked there
until fall. With the savings he had laid by, he
was enabled to purchase forty acres of land near
Grass Lake, Jackson County, and in December,
1835, he hired to Platt, Hughes & Gillas, a new
stage firm, to carry mail and passengers from Detroit to Chicago and intermediate points. He remained with this firm until the fall of 1836, when
he spent the winter with his mother in Washtenaw
County.
The following spring, Mr. Lemon became an
agent for the stage company of Frink & Walker,
of Chicago, buying grain, horses, etc., and driving
to Springfield and Central Illinois. He formed the








598


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln and Douglas at
Springfield. In 1840, our subject came to this
county, and after a stay of three years, went first
to St. Louis, Mo., and later to Burlington, Iowa.
While at the latter place, he was engaged with a
stage firm for a few months, driving to Rushville,
Mo. The City of New Orleans attracted his attention, and he there drove a public hack until
May, 1844, at which time he returned to this
county. In the meantime, he had pre-empted
eighty acres of his present tract, which belonged to
the Pottawattomie Indian Reservation. Here he
built a log house in the woods and was surrounded
by Indians, deer, bears and, in fact, all kinds of
wild animals. The land was a vast wilderness, and
with ax in hand and a willing heart, he set about
to clear away the forest and convert the place into
productive and attractive acres. He is the oldest
living settler in Brady Township and has been influential in enhancing the prosperity of the township, having been its efficient Supervisor. The
present fine estate is composed of four hundred
and thirteen broad acres, the most of which is under splendid cultivation, and three hundred acres
of it have been improved by himself. He carries on
mixed farming with success, raising grain and stock
of all kinds. He attributes his success to industrious, persistent and economical habits, and, being
possessed of a sagacious judgment, he has gained
his full quota of this world's goods. Mr. Lemon
has bought and sold a great deal of stock from
time to time. The fine large, capacious dwellinghouse was erected in 1860 and forms the main attraction of the estate. It is surrounded by beautiful evergreen trees and shrubbery of different
kinds, and on the place is a fine large chestnut tree
which he set out himself and which is now two feet
in diameter. All necessary barns and outbuildings
are to be found here, which from their neatness
show with what management the place is conducted.
The honorable gentleman whose name heads
this sketch has been twice married. His first wife
bore the maiden name of Amy Spicer, and the
ceremony took place January 1, 1838.     Mrs.
Lemon was born in Livingston County, N. Y.,
April 28, 1831, and bore her husband four chil

dren. Mary (Mrs. Worthington) and Mercy (Mrs.
Moore) now survive. The good wife and beloved
mother died February 6, 1843. Mr. Lemon was
again married, October 18, 1847, this time to
Hannah Spicer, a sister of his first wife.  She
was also born in Livingston County, N. Y., May
13, 1827. She came to this State with her parents in 1849.  By this union our subject became the father of twelve children, seven of whom
grew to years of maturity: Nora (Mrs. Richardson), Sarah (Mrs. Persil, now deceased), Eva (Mrs.
Tillitson), Charles, Fred, Sanford and Frank. The
worthy parents of this family are members of the
Church of God, and have been for many years.
In politics, Mr. Lemon is a stanch Republican, but
has too much business to attend much to politics.
He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to
Lodge No. 208, at Vicksburg. He and his estimable wife are people who command the esteem and
respect of the entire community in which they
live.


+EEE+EEE4


f  + -.0-+


N

TERNE L. RIPLEY, deceased, was a pioneer of Van Buren County, and one of
the most highly esteemed residents of
Bangor Township, with whose agricultural
growth he had been closely identified for almost a
quarter of a century. In the meantime he had developed a choice farm, located on section 28, from
the wilderness that he found when he came here,
and placed it under substantial improvements.
Our subject was born in Livingston County,
N. Y., October 31, 1821, in which place he passed
his youth and received a good education. Deciding
it was not good for man to live alone, he married,
in 1845, Miss Mary C. Stedman, who was a
native of the same county as himself, having been
born in 1825. In the fall of the same year as their
marriage, they came to Bangor Township, this
county, and buying a farm began in true pioneer
style to clear and improve it, and by strict integrity
and economy he succeeded in making of it a valuable estate, and on this place resided until the
breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the
defense of his country's honor. He took up arms




I








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


601


with the Third Michigan Artillery and served with
them until 1863, when he died at St. Louis, Mo.
His death was greatly mourned throughout this
vicinity as by it the township and county lost an
honest, reliable and worthy citizen.
Mr. Ripley was the eldest in a family of four
children born to his parents, namely. Sterne L.;
Maria J., who married M. S. Hawley,'of Bangor;
Curtis, now a resident of Terre Haute, Ind.; and
George F., also a resident of Terre Haute. The
parents of this family bore the names of PyramB.
and Harriet (Blake) Ripley, both of whom belonged
to the leading families in Livingston County, N. Y.
After the death of Mr. Ripley, his widow married
Mr. Matthew Olk, of this county and township.
Mrs. Olk is a member of a family of nine children:
Fidelia, Henrietta, Sibyl, Mrs. Olk, Elcanah, Esther
and three who died in infancy. Our subject and
his wife became the parents of one daughter, whom
they named Hattie E., and who is now the wife of
Lawrence Drake, of Bangor, and lives on the old
homestead.
(~.. ___ —=s        -_ _  ( j_
ILLIAM T. FINCH, who for a number of
years filled wisely, judiciously and conscientiously the office of Sheriff of Allegan
County, came to Plainwell in 1865, which, late as
it may seem to a resident in an older State and
county, showed very few of the present improvements. Mr. Finch was born in Kalamazoo County,
January 26, 1838, and is the son of Samuel and
Elizabeth (Cornell) Finch, natives of New York.
The parents of our subject came to Kalamazoo
County as early as 1833, and at the time of locating here were among the very earliest settlers of
the county. Grandfather Finch also came at that
date, and entered from the Government an eightyacre tract of land for each of his nine children.
He was a native of New York, but passed his last
days in Kalamazoo County. Samuel Finch cleared
and improved the tract of land which fell to his
share, and made his home thereon until his death,
which occurred in June, 1871. His wife followed
him to the better land in 1884, a firm believer in
the tenets of the Baptist Church.




f


The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs, and whose portrait is presented on the
opposite page, was the third child and eldest son
of his parents' family, and received a fair education, such as was given the youth of his day.
When reaching his majority, he started out to
battle with life on his own account by learning
the carpenter's trade. He came to Plainwell in
1865, and continued to work at his trade, many of
the best residences of the village being erected
under his supervision.
Mr. Finch took for his wife Miss Eliza Woodard,
their marriage being celebrated in 1864. Mrs.
Finch was a native of Cooper, Kalamazoo County,
and died two years after her marriage, July 19.
Our subject was married a second time, January
14, 1869, his bride being Lois Lillie, also a native
of Cooper, and the daughter of Joel and Hester
(Downs) Lillie, who were natives of Vermont and
Ohio, respectively. They were farmers by occupation, and have since died. Mr. and Mrs. Finch
are the parents of two children: Freddie, who is
deceased, and Cora.
Soon after his second marriage, Mr. Finch took
to farming, and continued thus engaged for three
years, at the end of that time returning to Plainwell, where he is residing at the present time. In
politics, he was a Republican until 1872, when he
became identified with the Democratic party. He
is a very prominent man in his township, and for
two years was a member of the village council, and
while in that position used his influence in promoting the best welfare of his community. For
one term he occupied the responsible office of
Treasurer of Gun Plain Township, and was
elected Sheriff of Allegan County in the fall of
1886 on a fusion ticket. His majority over his
Republican opponent at that time was about two
hundred and fifty votes, which fully illustrates the
high estimation placed upon him as an efficient
public officer. He was a candidate for re-election
in 1888, but was defeated by a few votes. Mr.
Finch proved himself capable of close application
to the duties which lay before him as an officer,
and his wise counsel when attempting to bring
about any worthy object is well known to those
who are acquainted with the history of the State.




602


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


He had always been diligent in the discharge of
his duty, and all violators of the law met with
speedy arrest, and no doubt his watchfulness had
a tendency to defeat him for re-election.
He is a prominent member of the Masonic-order,
and has been for over thirty years, and has represented his party as a delegate to county and State
conventions. The Ancient Order of United Workmen claim him as one of their influential working members, and he is also a Knight of the
Maccabees. Mrs. Finch is a most excellent lady,
and is a regular attendant at the Presbyterian
Church, of which denomination she is a member.
Mr. Finch is still engaged in the carpenter work,
and has erected many of the pretty residences in
the village of Plainwell. He may be considered
one of the prominent citizens of the place, and we
are thus pleased to be able to place his sketch in
our RECORD.
C HARLES GIBSON is an extensive fruitgrower of South Haven, his pleasant home
being located on the lake shore, within three
miles of that thriving village. His farm comprises
seventy-three acres on the northwest quarter of
section 23, his residence here dating from  1854.
He is a native of Michigan, being born in Oakland
County, May 8, 1827.
The father of our subject, Henry Gibson, was
born in Yorkshire, England, where he was reared
on a farm and united in marriage with Elizabeth
Green. They came to the United States in 1817,
and resided in Philadelphia, Pa., some five years.
They then migrated to Canada, whence they came
to Michigan and settled in Troy Township, Oakland County. They there improved a good farm
and resided on it until their removal to Farmington Township, Oakland, where they cleared and
cultivated a second tract of land. The father
died in 1837, being about seventy years of age.
The mother then removed to Hudson, Lenawee
County, where she died about 1848.
The parental family of eight children were,
besides our subject:  Thomas, who was born
in England, March 13, 1808, died in Troy, Oak

land County,.this State; John, who was born in
England, April 2, 1809, resides in Livingston
County, this State; Henry F., born in England, July
2, 1812, died in the above-named county; George,
also born in England, January 26, 1814, resides
with our subject; William, born in England, April
27, 1816, died in Oakland County, this State; Hannah, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., died in infancy; Elizabeth,who was born in Philadelphia, Pa.,
January 27, 1820, died in Oakland County, this
State.
Charles Gibson of this sketch, who was the only
member of the family born in Michigan, passed his
boyhood days on the farm and in the district
school. Ile was but ten years old when his father
died, when he was obliged to assist in the work on
the home farm. About 1847 he removed with his
mother to Hudson, Lenawee County, and in 1854
came to Van Buren County. Here with his brother
George he purchased a tract of three hundred and
twenty acres of timber land, and, boarding with
some neighbors they commenced clearing their
acreage.
Miss Sarah Leisenring became Mrs. Charles Gibson, in May, 1855. She was born April 23, 1834,
in Seneca County, N. Y., and was the daughter of David and Sarah (Christopher) Leisenring,
who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and
New Jersey. Her parents were married in New
York State, and in October, 1849, came to Michigan,
and settled on a farm near Hudson where their decease occurred.  Their family included eight sons
and three daughters.
After his marriage our subject located on his
land and commenced the work of clearing and im
proving it. On the outbreak of the Civil War he
enlisted as a private but was rejected by the medical examiners. In 1864, he was drafted and entered the service in Company H, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and participated in all the battles
with his company until discharged, July 16, 1865.
Returning home he resumed work on his farm and
during the past fifteen years has given considerable
attention to fruit-growing, his peach orchard including thirty-five acres. His farm embraces one
hundred and thirty-three acres and boasts of firstclass improvements. In politics, Mr. Gibson is a




PORTRAIT AND B EIOGRAPHICAL RECORD)


603


PORTRAIT. —        AND. BIOGAPHICA RECORD.....  _0....
S..   A _   _..

true-blue Republican and is a member in good
standing of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr.
and Mrs. Gibson have a daughter-Eliza E., who
was born November 3, 1852. She is the wife of
David Leisenring and has two children: Ora E.,
born March 7, 1883, and Charles D., born August
21, 1888.
7 UDSON J. MOSES, who is numbered among
the thrifty farmers of Van Buren County,
owns and operates a fine farm of eighty
acres in Arlington Township. Splendid
improvements have been made upon the place,
and good buildings have been erected for the storage of grain and the shelter of stock. The family
residence is a commodious dwelling, neatly finished without and tastily furnished within, while
the surroundings indicate the careful supervision
of the proprietor. The farm  was purchased by
Mr. Moses in April, 1866, and has by him been
brought to its present development. I-e had, however, been a resident of the county for ten years
prior to the purchase of the place, and is well
known as one of the early settlers of the township.
Mr. Moses was only fifteen years old when he
removed from the county of his birth-Genesee
County, N. Y.-to this State, his birth having
occurred in 1841. Hie was a stalwart youth of
twenty years, when in the fall of 1861 he enlisted
in Company C, Third Michigan Cavalry, and
served eleven months with distinguished valor.
At the end of that time he was disabled on account
of measles, and was confined to his room for fourteen months; even after he was able to engage in
active labors, it was many years before he entirely
recovered from the effects of his illness.
In 1862, Mr. Moses was married to Miss Sophia
Prater, the daughter of William  and Sophia
Prater, and unto them have been born six children, whose names are, Minnie, Andrew, Maud,
May, Arthur and Allen. Minnie is the wife of
Wesley Nicholas, of Arlington Township, and the
other children still remain under the parental roof,
where they are receiving careful training in all


that will make them honorable and upright men
and women. In his political belief, Mr. Moses is
liberal and votes for those candidates whom he
considers best fitted for the office in question. He
belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is identified with the G. A. R. Post at Lawrence.
The family of which Mr. Moses is a member
comprised eight children who were born to Seth and
Sophia (Pease) Moses, named as follows: George,
Hiram, Martha, Seth, Judson J., Andrew, Mary
and Lydia. Andrew enlisted in 1861 (at the same
time that our subject became a member of the United
States Army), and died in May, 1862, at Hamburg
Landing, Tenn. The father of our subject, who
was born in 1804, was one of six children, viz.:
Augustus, Laura D., Seth, Elnathan, Alonzo and
Eliza, who were born of the marriage of Rufus
and Lydia (Ramsdale) Moses.
From Rufus Moses we trace the family ancestry
back through Elnathan to Benoni Moses, who was
a Revolutionary soldier and a carpenter by trade,
being a man of considerable prominence in his
community. His father, John, lived in Simsbury,
Conn., and was married in 1705. Before him was
another John Moses, who came from England to
New England, and located at Plymouth between
the years 1630 and 1640. The great grandfather
of our subject, Elnathan, removed at an early day
from the parish of Simsbury to Rutland, Vt., where
it is probable he spent the remaining years of his
life.3               ^         _
ILLIAM     H. SPAYDE is a leading merchant and druggist of Bloomingdale, Van
Buren County, where he has acquired a
reputation as an enterprising, thorough-going business man, and, in consequence, is succeeding admirably in his present occupation. He is a native
of Ohio, being born in Scott Township, Sandusky
County, December 6, 1856. He is the son of
George and Catherine (Peck) Spayde, who were
born in Pennsylvania and New York, respectively.
The grandfather of our subject was William
Spayde, who was of Dutch origin. George Spayde
was a blacksmith and manufacturer of lumber, and






604


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


--— I


being desirous to more rapidly increase his fortune, he went to California, where he died. The
mother was born in Albany, New York. She was
an active member of the United Brethren Church.
The parental family consisted of two children:
Mary, who became Mrs. Tice, and is now deceased,
and who left a son and daughter, and William H.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm,
and his education was received in the public
schools of his native place and at Fostoria and
Westerville, Ohio. At the age of fifteen he began
teaching, continuing this occupation for five
years. When twenty years old, he began the study
of medicine and chemistry at Gibsonburg, first
engaging in the drug business at Helena, Ohio.
In 1882 he came to Kalamazoo, where he established a drug store under the firm name of Spayde
& Cookson. In August, 1884, he came to Bloomingdale, where he was engaged in the drug and
grocery business until May, 1889, when he formed
a partnership with William H. Harrison, and now
operates a general store in connection with the drug
store. This is one of the largest, best conducted
stores in the county, having an extensive trade,
and carrying about $12,000 in stock.
Mr. Spayde was married, December 20, 1877, to
Miss Mollie Marvin, daughter of J. W. and Martha
Marvin, of Sandusky County, Ohio. They are
the parents of one child, Emerson D. Mr. Spayde
is an active Republican, and uses his influence for
the best interest of his town and county. He is a
representative business man, and has been the
architect of his own fortune. He is a leading
and honored member of the Masonic fraternity and
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
IXLEY JUDSON. Kalamazoo County furnishes a fitting arena for tile exercise of
energy and industry, which bring their reward in prosperity and often in wealth.
Among the popular citizens of Comstock Township
is Mr. Judson, who resides on section 12, and is
spending the twilight of his useful life undisturbed
by the perplexing cares of poverty and toil. He is
retired from  the active work of tilling the soil


which, engaged his close attention through many
years and the estate which he accumulated is now
conducted by his son.
Born in Oneida County, N. Y., January 23, 1811,
Mr. Judson is the son of Ephraim and Polly (Curtis) Judson, natives of Connecticut. His parents
were married in their native State, and thence removed to New York, where the father died a few
years afterward. Orphaned at the early age of
six, our subject was thrown upon his own resources
in childhood and has been self-supporting almost
from his earliest recollections. Not only did he
support himself, but he also aided in maintaining
his younger brothers.
At the age of twenty years, Mr. Judson removed
to Seneca Falls, N. Y., where he worked a short
time and thence went to Auburn, the same State.
In 1833 he came West to Michigan and located in
Monroe County, returning, however, in a short
time to Auburn, where he was married. His second journey to Michigan was made in the fall of
1834, at which time he located in Charlestown
Township, Kalamazoo County, and took up eighty
acres of land, paying for the property from his
earnings. A log house, 20x23, was one of the
first improvements placed upon the farm, and
other buildings were erected and the soil cultivated
for a number of years.
About 1846, Mr. Judson sold his farm   and
moved to Climax, where he remained one year,
and afterward settled upon his present homestead.
February 26, 1883, he was deeply bereaved by the
death of his devoted helpmate, whose maiden name
was Polly Ann Johnson. They were the parents
of six children, namely: Mary E., who keeps house
for her father and has always been tenderly devoted to his welfare; William E., whose home is
in Petoskey, this State; Charles L., who resides in
Comstock Township; Lucretia L., the wife of S. E.
Blanchard, of Hillsdale, this State; Edgar L., who
has never married but resides with his father; and
George R., deceased.
The farm of seventy acres which Mr. Judson
owns is operated by his son who is enterprising
and ambitious. He is a Republican and voted for
Gen. Jackson the second time he was elected President. In various positions to which he has been










Nrv214i2$/




Ii_






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


607


called by his fellow-citizens, he has ably discharged
the varied duties of the offices and won the confidence of others, irrespective of party. Since 1833,
he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and has served as Trustee and Steward for
many years and contributed generously for church
and charitable purposes.
USSEL    B. FENNER.     This prominent
farmer is one of the old settlers of Allegan
County, as he came here in 1844. Iie is at
present making his home on eighty acres of
land located on sections 4 and 5, Gun Plain Township. In addition to the cultivation of his tract of
land, he has followed threshing for the past eleven
years, and raises on his place all kinds of stock.
Mr. Fenner was born in Pompey, Onondaga
County, N. Y., February 19, 1814, and is the son of
James L. Fenner, a native of Long Island. The
father served in the War of 1812, and was a
farmer and millwright by occupation. HIe was very
prominent in his community, having held many of
the local offices. lIe died when seventy-four years
old. Our subject's mother bore the maiden name of
Betsey Perry, a native of Massachusetts, and a
cousin of Commodore Perry. She died several
years before her husband, passing away at the age
of sixty-eight years. In her church relations she
was a Baptist.
Russel B. Fenner is the fifth child of the six sons
and three daughters born to his parents. HIe received a common-school education and remained
under the parental roof assisting his father on the
farm  until reaching his majority. He then decided to learn the carpenter's trade and with that
in mind apprenticed himself to learn the business.
TIe soon abandoned the idea, however, as he was
called upon to manage his father's farm, which he
did in a most profitable and satisfactory manner.
Mr. Fenner was married, in 1837, to Miss Hannah
V. Schenck, a native of the s-me county and State
as our subject. She was the daughter of Rulef
and Elsie (Baird) Schenck, natives of New Jersey
and the parents of a large family of eleven children, only three of whom are living at the present


time. The father of Mrs. Fenner was a 'mason
and farmer and a man very much respected in his
community. She, herself, was a member in good
standing of the Congregational Church, and died
when seventy-two years of age; her husband passed
away at the age of seventy-six years.
After his marriage, our subject continued to cultivate the soil until the fall of 1844, when he decided to come West to Michigan. Bringing his
family hither, they made the journey via the lakes
to Detroit, thence by rail to Marshall and by team
to Martin Township, Allegan County, where he
located on land, which his father had previously
purchased. Before a suitable home could be provided for the family, he was compelled to haul
the lumber and other material from the nearest
town. They arrived in the township, October 10,
and December 5 took up their abode in their new
home. The dwelling was 20x34 in dimensions and
although not fitted up with all the conveniences
with which their later home was provided, they
were very happy. Game was plentiful and thus
their table was always supplied with choice meats.
Indians made frequent visits to their home and
often spent the night on the floor in front of the
fire.
Three years after coming here, our subject, with
his brother Darius, erected a sawmill in Martin
Township, which was run by the water power
from  a creek.  This was the first mill in the
township and they operated it very successfully
for a number of years. In 1855 our subject traded
his farm in Martin Township for his present estate
in Gun Plain, which bore but few improvements
when it came into his possession. By a proper rotation of crops, the land has been brought to a high
degree of cultivation, while he has erected the various buildings which best subserve the purposes of
a first-class agriculturist. The family of Mr. and
Mrs. Fenner includes five children: Byron R.,
Eliza E., William P., Rulef James and Franklin M.
Byron married Miss Caroline Nash, and they have
three children, Byron, Jennie and Nina; Eliza E.
is the wife of Henry Scott, of Plainwell, and they
have a family of seven children; William P. married MissThornberg and they have six children;
James took to wife Miss Mary Case and they have




608


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIICAL RECORD.


one child; Franklin M. married    Hannah I.
Honeysett and has four children.
In his political affiliation, our subject is a firm
Democrat, casting his first vote for Andrew Jackson
for President. Mr. Fenner has shown himself capable of close application to the duties which lay
before him, and his judicious decisions and wise
course during the twelve years he was Justice of
the Peace are well known to those who are
acquainted with the history of the Township. He
has also been Highway and Drain Commissioner,
and, as a representative citizen, we are glad to
present his portrait and biographical sketch to our
readers.
" EORGE P. REDPATH is a good farmer of
much practical experience, who is doing his
part in carrying forward the agricultural
interests of Comstock Township, where his farming
interests lie, and also of Kalamazoo County, of
which he has been a well-known resident for more
than thirty years. He is of Scottish birth and antecedents, born in the shire of Roxburg, October
30, 1835. His father, Robert Redpath, was also a
native of Scotland, and he died in the Old Country.
His wife, whose maiden name was Christina Purves,
came to America and died in Riclland Township,
Kalamazoo County. She was the mother of eight
children, three daughters and five sons, all of
whom grew to maturity, and seven are still living.
Our subject was the third child born to his parents. His home was on his native heath until
1858, and in its invigorating air lie grew strong
and active and was well fitted to cope with the
vicissitudes of life, when he came to fight its battles on his own account. He learned the trade of
a carpenter and worked at it in the old country
until the year mentioned, when he emigrated to
America. He came directly to Michigan after
landing on these shores, and located in Richland
Township, where he lived for several years.
After his marriage, in 1871, he came to his present
farm on section 5, Comstock Township, which under his wise management has become one of the
most desirable pieces of property in this locality.


It is well supplied with good buildings and fine
machinery, and its one hundred and forty acres
are very productive under his system of cultivation. He has a fine herd of cattle of good grades,
besides other well-bred stock. The neat and wellbuilt residence in which he lives was erected by
him at a cost of $2,000. Besides attending to the
improvement of his farm for fourteen years, Mr.
Redpath did a good business in operating a threshing machine in different parts of the county. He
possesses in a full measure many of the best traits
of his race and has proved an invaluable citizen
since he took up his residence in Comstock Township, being always ready to help on any public
improvements. In politics, lie is a Republican of
no uncertain tone. Religiously, lie is a member of
the Presbyterian Church, as is his wife also, and
both are active in helping forward any good work
in which it may be engaged.
In March, 1871, our subject took unto himself a
wife in the person of Miss Eliza Chapman, a daughter of James and Mary (Wilson) Chapman, natives
of England, and pioneers of this county, and his
success in after-life is partly attributable to her
cheerful and capable co-operation. Mrs. Redpnth
is a native of this county, a daughter of one of
its pioneer families, and she was born March 9,
1846, in Richland Township. Her marriage with
our subject has brought them four children, two
sons and two daughters: Robert, who died at the
age of three years; James, who is a student in the
business college at Kalamazoo; Mary and Christina, at home with their parents.
'N.ATHAN SLAWSON, Justice of the Peace,
J resides on section 10, Ross Township, Kalamazoo County. His farm, although not
so large as some estates in the community, is nevertheless made to yield the very largest results possible, through a careful fertilization of the soil and
proper rotation of the crops; its eighty acres are
divided into fields of convenient size, while the
latest improvements in farm machinery have been
introduced.
Mr. Slawson was born in Yates County, N. Y.,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


609


~L_-_ --- --- —-^l _
 _ I-_ ---


April 28, 1832. He comes of Scotch-Irish descent
and his paternal ancestors located in Rhode Island
in 1630, ten years after the first settlement had
been made in that State. Both his paternal and
maternal grandfather were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, and his father, Rufus, served in the
War of 1812. A brother, Ira M., who is now deceased, was a valiant soldier in the defense of the
Union during the Civil War, so that it will be seen
that our subject belongs to a patriotic family.
The parents of our subject, Rufus and Clarissa
(Jump) Slawson, were natives of Orange County,
N. Y., and were people of great worth of character.
Nathan was reared in his native county, where,
working in connection with his father, he becamne
familiar with farming pursuits. After completing
the course of study in the common schools of Yates
County, he attended Rushville, N. Y., Academy
for a short time, and subsequently engaged as a
primary teacher during the winter season.
November 22, 1855, Mr. Slawson was married to
Jane Cairns, who was born in Seneca County,
N. Y., and came of Scotch extraction. Three children were born of the union, all of whom are deceased, and the wife and mother passed away October 20, 1886. A few years after his marriage, Mr.
Slawson removed to Barry County, this State, and
located near Hickory Corners in 1866, engaging
there in farming pursuits for a number of years.
In 1877, he came to Kalamazoo County and settled
on his present farm, where he has since resided, with
the exception of two years when he was engaged
in publishing a weekly paper at Augusta.
The union of Mr. Slawson to his present estimable wife took place April 2, 1889. Mrs. Slawson
was born in Country Antrim, Ireland, May 3, 1845,
and is the daughter of William  and Margaret
Crawford, natives of the North of Ireland. When
about seventeen years old, she emigrated to America and was married in New York to Peter Redmond, becoming the mother of two children:
James and Peter. After his death, she became the
wife of John Geer, of Ross Township, Kalamazoo
County, one son being born of the union, William
deceased.
In his religious belief, Mr. Slawson is a member
of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Politically, he


is a Republican and is now serving as Justice of the
Peace in Ross Township, to which office he was
elected five years ago. He is also a Notary Public.
Besides his farm he is the owner of village property
in Augusta, and has his affairs on a sound financial
basis, the result of constant energy and unremitting labor on his part.
C-,+++     ++++ ---- -- -
4  NSON L. RANNEY. A high place in the
/  estimation of the citizens of Kalamazoo
County is held by this gentleman, who
owns a farm of one hundred and fifty-one
acres, pleasantly located on section 30, Comstock
Township. Born in Augusta Township, Oneida
County, N. Y., June 21, 1811, he is the son of
Ebenezer and Almeda (Bartholomew) Ranney,
natives of Massachusetts. His father, who was a
carpenter by trade, followed the occupation of a
farmer in his early life and was a preacher in the
Baptist denomination.
In his yoiing manhood, the father of our subject removed to Oneida County, N. Y., where he
located on a farm. His last days were quietly
passed in Madison County, where he died at the
age of eighty-three years. He was a prominent
man in that section of the State an ( held a number of responsible offices, serving for many years
as Supervisor of Augusta Township. His political
affiliations were with the Whig party and both in
public affairs and in the work of the Baptist Church,
his opinion carried great influence. His wife died
when four-score years of age.
Of a family of eight children, only one survives
besides the subject of this notice: 0. Russell, of
Oneida Township, Madison County, N. Y. After
completing his education in the Madison University of Madison County, N. Y., our subject taught
school for one term near Wilkes Barre, Pa., and
then entered the mercantile business at Stockbridge,
N. Y. He carried on a general store for eleven
years in that place and at the same time operated a
mill and farm.
Selling his property in 1863, our subject came to
Comstock Township, and purchased his present
homestead, then only partially improved. The one






610


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


hundred and fifty-one acres are now well-improved
and embellished with good buildings. In this task,
which has been arduous, Mr. Ranney has received
the cheerful co-operation of his wife, to whom he
was married in Madison County, N. Y., September
27, 1838. Her maiden name was Eleanor T. Murray and she was born in New York. Seven children
were born of the union: Adelle, wife of Eberle
Underwood, of Galesburgh; Orlo, a physician in
Kalamazoo; Maurice M., who has charge of the old
homestead; Ida M. is with her parents; Bernard
D. lives in Kansas, and Estella M. is at home.
Maurice M., who manages the farm, makes a
specialty of celery and is now devising a celerydigger, wlich promises to be very helpful. Our
subject is a Republican, and has served as Highway Commissioner, Supervisor, and in other local
offices. In the Baptist Church at Kalamazoo, of
which he is a faithful member, lie has been Deacon
for a year and is prominent in religious and benevolent enterprises.
O   SCAR F. CAMPBELL, a competent, wellto-do farmer, is now engaged at his vocation in that part of Kalamazoo County
embraced in the rich farming region of Comstock
Township, his farm and home very pleasantly situated on sections 2 and 3. Victor Township, Ontario
County, N. Y., is the native place of our subject,
and November 28, 1822, the date of his birth.
His father was Capt. Charles Campbell, who was
born in Connecticut and reared in Vermont. He
was an officer in the War of 1812, bearing an active part in the principal battles, notably those of
Sackett's Harbor and Plattsburg. He was a prominent man in his community, and lived to the venerable age of eighty-five years. His father, Nathan
Campbell, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, and
came to this country with his parents, who settled
in Connecticut in Colonial days. He was a volunteer at the battle of Bunker Hill, and did good
service during the Revolution as a courageous and
efficient soldier. He was a man of fine physique,
weighing two hundred and fifty-six pounds, and


standing six feet eight inches in height, and so
strong was he that he could take a man in each
hand and hold him out, and could perform other
wonderful feats of strength. He died when fiftyeight years of age.
The mother of our subject was Esther McComber
before her marriage. She was born in Massachusetts, but was reared among the green hills of Vermont. She lived to be eighty-seven years old,
lacking two days. Her father, Jonathan McComber,
is supposed to have been a native of Massachusetts.
He was a regularly enlisted soldier in the continental army during the Revolution, and fought
well in the various battles in which he took part,
until he was finally taken prisoner at the battle of
New York and put on board of a British prison
vessel. He was so reduced and weakened by the
sufferings that he underwent during his imprisonment that his friends thought that he had starved
to death. But they managed to restore him to
consciousness, and he lived to be seventy-seven
years old. He was a pensioner of the Government. His father was a native of Scotland, who
came to this country in Colonial days and was one
of the settlers of Massachusetts.
The parents of our subject were married in Vermont, and made their home in Rutland County, on
the shores of Lake Champlain, until they removed
to Ontario County, N. Y., where they remained
about nine years. They then went to Canada and
spent six years there before they returned to New
York.   Their remaining years were passed in
Evans Township, Erie County. They were the
parents of six daughters and seven sons, and
eleven of their numerous progeny grew to manhood and womanhood, ten of them being alive
when the youngest attained the age of fifty years.
These four of the number still live: Martha, wife
of Orin Dunning. of New York; Harvey, a farmer
in Ingham  County; Cordelia, wife of George
Murray, of New York; and our subject.
Oscar F. Campbell is the ninth child and fifth
son of the family. Ile remained with his parents
until he was twenty-one, and during all that time
he never slept out of the parental home, even for
one night. He received his schooling in the Evans
District School, and he utilized his education by




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


611


teaching three terms. IIe and his brothers afterward farmed together in their native State. He
first came to Michigan in 1845, and lumbered for
one winter in Six Mills, below Grand Rapids on
the Grand River. He then returned to the old
farm in New York, and was with his father until
the following September. In that month, he went
to Ohio with his oldest brother, and built a sawmill. He afterward sold his interest in the mill to
his brother and went back to New York. IHe was
married in Lorain County, Ohio, July 11, 1847, to
Miss Electa Iiggins, and, returning to New York,
he worked his father's farm the ensuing two years.
Going back at the expiration of that time to Lorain County, Ohio, he dwelt there two years. In
the spring of 1851 his wife died, leaving two little children: Ellen, two years old, now deceased;
and Electa, four weeks old, who is now married to
Davis Maze, of Oceana County, Mich. Again he
took up his residence with his parents, and managed the old homestead until the spring of 1857.
In the meantime, he had been West and had bought
a farm in Muscatine County, Iowa, comprising a
quarter of a section near the village of West Liberty. He traded that for one hundred and six
acres in Erie County, N. Y., and the ensuing two
years were spent on that place.
In April, 1859, Mr. Campbell came once more to
Michigan, journeying by water to Detroit, and
from there coming directly to Kalamazoo County
with a team, he having resolved to make his home
here permanently. lie at first located in Cooper
Township, where lie bought forty acres of improved
land. On that place two of his children were
born: Jasper John, April 27, 1860, now living
on the farm on section 3, Comstock Township; and
Maria S., wife of Oliver D. Carson, of Richland
Township. Mr. Campbell sold his Cooper Township farm at the end of three years, and bought
the place where his son resides on section 3, Comstock Township. It comprises one hundred and
forty-four acres of well-improved land, and is one
of the most desirable farms in the locality. The
place on which our subject and his wife reside
comprises twenty-two acres of choice land and is
the property of Mrs. Campbell. They are people
who are looked up to by the entire community on


account of their many pleasant qualities, their
friendliness and consideration in their intercourse
with all who come in contact with them, and for
their trustworthiness in all matters. Mr. Campbell is a man of stable, strong character, firm in his
convictions and outspoken in his views when he
has need to express them. In politics, he is a sturdy
Democrat. He was Master of the Grange for many
years, and in all things has sought to promote the
advancement of his township and county. TIe is
of a robust constitution, coming of fine old stock
and a long-lived race, is temperate in his habits,
and during the thirty-three years that he has been
a resident of Michigan he can boast that he has
never seen a sick day.
Mr. Campbell's second marriage, which occurred
January 31, 1859, was with Harriet, the youngest
daughter of John and Salome (Sawyer) Barrell.
She was born in the town of Evans, Erie County,
N. Y., July 22, 1840, and lived there until her
marriage with our subject. On her father's side
she is descended from the Pilgrims of the "Mayflower," the family being among the colonists of
Plymouth, Mass., who came over in that vessel.
Her mother's people were from Scotland, her maternal grandmother, Mary Dimick, having been
born in that country. Her mother was a very
powerful woman, of strong physique and forcible
character.
X  ILLIAM M. BARNES. This name will be
\  recognized by many of our readers as that
\     of a gentleman who is taking a prominent
part in developing the agricultural resources of
Van Buren County. He owns and operates a farm
comprising seventy acres in Arlington Township,
and his efforts to improve the place have resulted
very satisfactorily, for it is now numbered among
the best improved farms of the township. Although not containing as many acres as some others, yet every spot of ground is made to produce
the very best results, and the entire estate has
been redeemed from the primitive wilderness.
Mr, Barnes traces his ancestry to one of two
brothers, who, soon after the close of the Revolu





612


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


tionary War, emigrated from England and settled  woo
in the State of Connecticut. One of these brothers  10,
was Abel Barnes, the father of Uriel T., and the  by v
grandfather of William M., the subject of this bio-  reacl
graphical sketch. Not long after his settlement in  then
Connecticut, Abel Barnes removed frem that State  Coui
to Schoharie County, N. Y., and a few years later  first
to the town of Floyd, Oneida County, in the same  gage
State. He married Miss Mindwell Roberts, and   bein
they became the parents of eleven sons and three  How
daughters, most, if not all, of whom were born  to se
after their removal to New York.               land
The fourth son of Abel and Mindwell Barns was  whic
named Uriel T., and was born in Schoharie County,  not
N. Y., October 14, 1794. While still a mere child,  sawe
he removed with his parents to Floyd, where, Au-  that
gust 30, 1821, he married Huldah A., daughter of  Di
Zenas and Mary (Merrill) Gibbs, of Broome County,  was
N. Y. The young couple settled in Floyd, where a sp
their daughter Adelia was born. Their eldest son,  imm
Trumas S., was born in Westmoreland, N. Y., and  to e
soon afterward Mr. Barnes removed to a small   vaca
farm which he had bought in Oswego County.     land
There were three children born to him and his wife;  pole
William M.. the subject of this sketch, who was  com]
born April 26, 1828; Mary S. and Harlow G.       In
About that time, the father sold his farm with  Albi
the ultimate design of leaving the sterile land and  uary
severe climate of Northern New York to establish  Conu
a better home in the West. However, instead of  is no
coming West at once, he began to work in a saw-  after
mill in Durhamville, and thus engaged during the  $200
winter of 1831-32. In the spring of the latter  lives
year, he was so severely injured by the machinery  went
of the mill that he remained a helpless invalid for  land
months. During the following December, being   the e
unable to perform any manual labor, he commenced  doin,
a grocery business at Whitesboro, N. Y., but soon  year
found he could not prosper in that unless he would  missi
sell ardent spirits. That he would not do. His  the I
principles would not admit of him supporting his  the
family by carrying desolation into the families of  year
others, so he sold his business and left Whitesboro.  the I
During his stay at that place, his daughter Sarah  In
was born, January 2, 1833.                     viole
Having somewhat regained his health, Mr. Barnes  sicial
staid for a time in Geneva, where he chopped   rapid
*:


d for $26 per month and house rent. April
1834, he set out with his family for Michigan,
ray of the Erie Canal and Lake Erie. Upon
hing Detroit, they engaged a man to convey
i and their few household goods to Jackson
onty, where they arrived about May 1. The
settlement was made in Albion, where he enid to work for Tenney Peabody, but his family
g taken sick, his $50 was soon exhausted.
vever, he resolutely clung to his determination
acure a home, and took up some Government. His neighbors aided him in building a cabin
Ch was warm and comfortable, though there was
a pane of glass in it, nor was there a nail or
~d plank or board used in its construction. Into
dwelling the family moved in January, 1835.
uring the entire summer of 1835, Mr. Barnes
sick with the ague, and to add to his troubles
eculator purchased his land and demanded
ediate possession. Being unwilling to proceed
xtreme measures, he paid Mr. Barnes $50 to
tte. This money he invested in fifty acres of, and with the help of his neighbors erected a
cabin upon it. In that cabin the family were
paratively comfortable.
the fall of 1837, Mr. Barnes sold his land near
on for $800 in "wild-cat" money, and in Jan-, 1838, removed to Lawrence, Van   Buren
ity. His family settled in a log house on what
)w the Baker and Richards farm. Not long
ward, he purchased from Eaton Branch, for, the eighty acres on which his son A. U. now
On that land he put up a frame house and
energetically to work to convert the wild
into a productive farm. He cleared almost
rntire eighty acres with his own hands, besides
g a large amount of work for others. In the
following his settlement, he was chosen Comoner of Highways, and was elected Justice of
Peace in 1840, being a member of the Board at
election held at his house in the fall of the
that Gen. Harrison was elected President of
Jnited States.
June, 1853, Mr. Barnes had a sudden and
snt illness, which baffled the skill of the phyns who were called to attend him. He sank
Ily and died on Sunday, July 3. At his fun



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


613


eral, July 4, the Rev. E. S. Dunham preached from
the text "Precious in the sight of the Lord is tlle
death of his saints."  Mrs. Barnes survived her
husband thirteen years and died September 30,
1866. She was respected and beloved by all who
knew her, bearing with patience all the trials of
pioneer life, and her children rise up and call her
blessed. Mr. Barnes was converted in 1820 and
became a member of the Baptist Church.
Our subject grew to mature years in Michigan
and was married, in 1857, to Miss Fannie Gates.
Of that union eight children were born, namely:
Ada, wife of Frank Fuller; Albert married Miss
Mattie Rome; Carrie married Eugene Baughman;
Charles, Frank, Clifford, Lena and Ivan. In the
same year in which his marriage occurred, Mr.
Barnes purchased his farm  and here he has since
resided. Mrs. Barnes is a daughter of Daniel and
Pamelia (Brown) Gates, natives of Vermont and
New York, respectively, who ca.me to Michigan in
1855. Politically, Mr. Barnes is a Republican. During the late war, he was drafted into the army and
went out in Company D, Fourteenth Michigan Infantrv. lie was in the Western Corps and was
present at the time of Johnston's surrender. An
upright, conscientious man, he is highly esteemed
and enjoys the confidence of his large circle of
acquaintances.
4     ORMAN t1. AI)AMS. An excellent examJ ple of the results of industry and enterprise
is to be found in the life of this gentleman,
who is a well-known resident of Breedsville. During the period of thirty years that have elapsed
since he came to this village, he has risen from a
condition of poverty to comfortable circumstances,
and while increasing his personal possessions has
by no means neglected the welfare of the community, but contributed to the advancement of its
interests and the development of its resources. lHe
controls extensive business interests in the village, and is also the owner of a well-improved
farm, comprising seventy acres in Columbia Township, Van Buren County.
The father of our subject, Asa C., was a native


of New York, where he followed the profession of
a teacher, and was also Deputy Sheriff. Ile removed from the Empire State to Massachusetts,
settling near Northampton, Hampden County, and
operating a small farm. His death occurred there
at a good old age. His wife, whose maiden name
was Mary Thorp, was born in Connecticut, and became the mother of four children: Angeline, Norman IH., David and George. The two last-named
died in childhood. Norman H. was born August
22, 1826, in Rensselaerville, Albany County, N. Y.,
and accompanied his parents when they removed
to Massachusetts. The common-school education
which he gleaned from the text-books used in the
district schools was afterward supplemented by a
course of study in the High School.
At the age of fifteen, tile school days of our subject were brought to a close, and he commenced to
earn his own living by working first on a farm, and
later in a tan nery for a Mr. Conklin for abcut three
years. After he removed to Massachusetts, he was
employed in a tannery in West Springfield, and
from that place removed to Brattleboro, Vt., where
he remained four years. In the spring of 1855, he
came West to Michigan, and worked at his trade in
Niles. The early part of the year 1861 marked
his arrival in Breedsville, where he purchased a
one-half interest in the tannery established by
Messrs. Knowles & Barrows. He first conducted
his business in partnership with another gentleman, but after four years spent in that way, a
change was made and he formed another partnership. Since 1876 he has been in business alone,
and has dealt in hides, as well as supervised his
farm.
The political affiliations of Mr. Adams have
brought him in synpathy with the principles of
the Republican party, and prior to its organization
he was a Whig. He served as Supervisor two
years, Justice of the Peace ten years, Notary Public for three years, and is now Township Clerk. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic order. He
was married, May 30, 1847, to Miss Emily Woodford, who was born in Rensselaerville, N. Y., November 20, 1827. Mrs. Adams is the daughter of
William H. and Sarah (Crocker) Woodford, natives
of New York. The father, who was a shoemaker




614


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


by trade, removed to Portland, Me., at an early
day, and from there to Readfield, Me., and thence
to Massachusetts. In January, 1855, he came to
Niles, Mich., where he died April 6, 1883. His
wife passed away August 14, 1878. They were
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
the parents of eight children.
Six children have been born to our subject and
his amiable wife, four of whom are still living,
namely: Wilbert E., Frank A., Charles A. and
Arthur T. For some years Mr. and Mrs. Adams
were identified with the Congregational Church,
but now for a period of thirty years they have been
active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
They are honored and respected wherever known,
and have a host of warm personal friends.
W-     -^-       ran 4 —
E    LIPHALET    S. BRISTOL.   The agricultural element that has been so largely instrumental in the upbuilding of Kalamazoo County is well represented by this gentleman, who is the proprietor of two valuable farms
in this part of Michigan, both of which are wellequipped and stocked with fine breeds of cattle,
horses, etc. One is located in Ross Township, and
the other, the one upon which he makes his home,
is pleasantly situated on section 3, Charleston
Township.
Mr. Bristol was born December 12, 1821, on the
farm that his grandfather, E. Bristol, had hewed
out from the primeval forests of the township of
Cannore, Columbia County, N. Y., that old homestead also being the birthplace of his father, E.
Bristol, where he was reared and died, his age
at the time of his death being eighty-eight years.
He was a prominent farmer in his township, and
was a liberal giver to all good causes. He was a
peaceful, law-abiding citizen, who never sued anyone or was never sued himself, he being universally liked by the entire community where he
spent a life of nearly a century. In politics, he
was a sturdy Democrat. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Connecticut, where he was reared and married. IIe removed to New York in an early day, and took up


the farm on which his son and grandson, of whom
we write, were born. Ile was of English descent.
The mother of our subject, Lucy Cripen, was
born in Columbia County, N. Y. She died when
only forty years of age. She was the mother of
seven children, three sons and four daughters, all
of whom grew to manhood and womanhood; all
married and reared families, and five of them are
living, namely: Albert, a resident of Livingston
County, N. Y.; Benjamin, a resident of Madison
County, N. Y.; Eliphalet S.; Lucy, widow of
James Lockwood, and a resident of California;
and Lydia, wife of E. Stoubelhbaugh, of New York.
The father was married a second time, Laura
Crocker becoming his wife, and from that union
sprang two sons: Horace, who resides on the old
family homestead in Columbia County, N. Y.; and
Abel, now deceased.
Our subject is the youngest child of his father's
first marriage, and remained at home with him until
he attained his majority. After his marriage, in the
winter of 1845, he and his wife began life together
on a farm of one hundred acres that belonged to
him, and was located in his native county. He
carried on a good business as a general farmer on
that place until 1867, when he came to Michigan
and located where he now resides in Charleston
Township. lie has here one hundred and fifty
acres of choice land, mostly under cultivation,
and provided with a good class of buildings. Mr.
Bristol has one hundred acres of land in Ross
Township, which is a fine stock farm and is amply
supplied with all the modern improvements that
are usually found on such a farm.
January 14, 1845, is the date of the marriage of
our subject and Miss Ann M. Janes, the youngest of the ten children of Nathaniel and Achsah
(Barnes) Janes. Her father was a native of Connecticut, who went to New York when he was
seven years old, and in time became a prominent
farmer of Columbia County. The mother was
born and reared in the Empire State. Mis. Bristol
was born in Columbia County, N. Y., November
29, 1819, and there grew to womanhood. Her
brothers and sisters were all teachers, her brother
Elisha being a prominent educator in those parts,
and she, being the youngest, was obliged to stay at




I




::


~I


P
/tZ/Da-z/ycn


IL.   I A.X 1,   i   _ -;; i-p - I 4:s.,  iN+




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


617


home to assist her mother, which was good discipline for her, as she acquired a notable skill in
household affairs. IIer marriage with our subject
has been blessed by the birth of one son, Walter,
who was born in Columbia County, N. Y. He is
a resident of the city of Kalamazoo, where he is
engaged in the grain business. IIe married Miss
Viola Webster, and they have three children:
Morris, Mary and Bertha. Youngl Bristol is a
member of tile Congregational Church, at Kalamazoo, and is a valued worker in the Sunday-school.
Mr. Bristol has a well-poised intellect, is keen
of vision, and is firm and resolute when he is sure
lie is in the right, his many friends and acquaintances always finding him truthful and upright.
His political views are in harmony with the doctrines of the Republican l)arty. Religiously, lie is
a Congregationalist, very influential in church
matters, and a Deacon of his church. HIe and his
wife are ardent workers in the Sundlay school, she
having taught for several years, and ihe acting as
Superintendent for eighteen years.
~          __, __         ).   ENRY    W. BISH(OP. The     farmers and
fruit-raisers of Casco Townshil, Allegan
County, have anmong their number many
(    whose intelligence, activity and enterprise
are a credit alike to themselves and the county
in which they make their home. These help to
give to Allegan County a standing for intelligence, productiveness and business ability, qualities
which enrich every farmer within its bounds.
The gentleman whose portrait appears on tle
opposite page was born in Birmingham, England,
in 1840, and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth
(Babington) Bishop. The father was b)orn in
Birmingham, in 1803, and, when a boy, was apprenticed to a baker, to learn that trade. I-is education was limited to the common schools, but,
nmaking the best of his advantages, he became
thloroughly versed on all topics of general interest. Thomas Bishol followed the baker's trade
in Englaind for over twenty years, and, in 1843,
set sail for the United States, locating at once in


St. Clair County, this State. There he bought an
improved farm, and commenced tilling the soil.
In about five years he disposed of that tract, and,
going to Detroit, opened a boarding house, and
later, a grocery store. A few years thus occupied
ended his city life, and lie again turned his attention to farming pursuits, this timne, however, near
Battle Creek, where lie had bought eighty acres.
Ice continued to live upon that property for some
time, and then removed to Saginaw, where he resided a few years. Ile then lived with his son
Henry for nearly three years, after which lie remained until his deatlh il 1887, with his daughter Alice, in Sanilac County.
Henry W. Bishop had nine brothers and sisters,
viz: Martha, William, Elizabeth, Jane; the last
three namleld are deceased; Thomas; Sarah, deceased; Benjamiin, Mary and Alice. When three
years of age, our subject accompanied his l)arents
on their emigration to Almerica. Iis mother dying the year followin, hle remained at home until
eight years of age, and then went to live with an
elder sister, with whom lie made his home until fifteen years of age. At that age he started out in
the world for himself, hiring out to work by tile
month as a farm hand. During his younger days,
lie attended the common sclools, and, after reaching manhood, took a special course at Ypsilanti,
and prepared himself to teach, which occupation lie
followed, however, only a short time.
On coming to the Wolverine State, our subject
first located in Sanilac County, where he made a
purchase of forty acres of land. eIc improved his
property, and, after making various removals, in
1870 came to Allegan County, and made permanent settlement on his present farm. In 1862, he
enlisted in the War of tlie Rebellion, and joined
Coampany K, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry.
Iis regiment was assigned to the Army of the
Cumberland, and while participating in the battle
of Chickamauga, lie received a gun-shot wound in
his arm, which necessitated its amputation. He
was first taken to the field hospital at Nashville,
and from there was sent to St. Mary's, and later,
Harper's Hospitals, at Detroit. Hle was unable to
retllurn home until June 30, 1865, at which date he
received his honorable discharge.


28




618


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


November 18, 1877, Mr. Bishop and Miss Mary,
daughter of Calvin and Laura Drake, were united
in marriage, in Kewaunee County, Wis. Mrs. Bishop's parents were residents of that place at the
time of her marriage, but were natives of New
York, who, in 1881, removed to Geneva, Van
Buren County, Mich. Our subject is a member
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of
South Haven; also of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the same city. He is a strong Republican,
politically, and represented his township in many
official positions, among which was Township
Treasurer. He and his wife are members in good
standing of the Congregational Church, and are
greatly esteemed in Casco Township.
~._      }- — _* *-,.w ~LIAS B. WILLISON. The village of Augusta is proud to count amoung its citizens
a number of retired farmers, wlo, after
lives of severe toil, have by industry and enterprise accumulated a handsome competency, and
are now taking their comforts in this village.
Among them there is none more honored than
Elias B. Willison, whose sterling integrity and
earnest advocacy of every movement in favor of
morality have given him the respect, and have
earned him the gratitude, of all with whom he
has been associated.
The original of this sketch was born August 22,
1825, in Allegany County, N. Y., and was the son
of Samuel and Eliza (Banks) Willison, natives, respectively, of New York and Connecticut. His
Grandfather Willison was a native of Ireland and
his grandmother was born in Wales; they emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War,
in which conflict the grandfather fought.
Our subject came to Michigan with his parents
as early as 1837, locating in Barry County.
Their new home was in the woods and the nearest
neighbor was three miles distant. On making the
journey to the Wolverine State, the elder Mr. Willlson came overland with two yoke of oxen, camping
out by the wayside at night and being four weeks
making the trip. Elias B. Willison was reared to
man's estate among the pioneer scenes of Michi

gan and has done his full share of redeeming land
from its primeval state. He received his primary
education in the regulation log schoolhouse and
later attended school at Battle Creek.
Mr. Willison, June 15, 1848, was united in marriage to Miss Nancy I-arkness, who was born
March 16, 1830, in Ontario, Canada. Mrs. Willison was the daughter of John and Nancy (Sacksmith) HIarkness, natives of the Empire State.
When six years of age, she accompanied her parents to Kalamazoo County, where they located in
Alamo Township, which place was their home for
three years. They then removed to Barry County,
where Mr. and Mrs. Harkness died, leaving a
family of whom five are living, namely: Mrs.
Margaret Mott, Mrs. William    Willison, Mrs.
Robert Marshall, Mrs. Eiias Willison and Sammuel R.
To our subject and his wife have been born
eight children, seven of whom arc living: Melvin
J., George E.; Agnes, who is the wife of John
Trick; Estclla, Mrs. Charles Noble; Frank L., Wilford E. and Eva D. Mr. Willison is the proud
possessor of two hundred and forty acres of excellent land, which bears all the inlprovements of
a first-class estate. He was Supervisor of Barry
Township, Barry County, for one year and also
served as Road Commissioner in that county.
Mrs. Willison is a member of the Congregational
Church, and in politics our subject is a stanch
Democrat.
iEYMOUR S. CUMMINGS, ex-Postmaster
of Richland and an early settler of that
township, was a native of New    York
State, his birth having occurred in Sclienectady County, March 12, 1830. Iis parents,
Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hamlin) Cummings, were
also natives of the Empire State. His paternal
ancestors were said to have been Scotch, while on
his mother's side he is of English descent.
The father of our subject came to Kalamazoo
County in 1831, several years before thle Territory
was admitted into the Union as a State.  Tile
family joined him in the new home the following




PORTRAIIT AND BIO31GRAPH'ICAL RtECORD.


619


5 O- RTRAI TNBORAHCAE CORD      61


year and located in Richland Township where ihe
had lprepared a home for them. The elder Mr.
Cummings was married twice and became the
father of the following-named children:  Benjanin F., William II.; Julia E., the widow  of
George Watkins; Irene B., Ephraim II. and Seymour S. Ite departed this life in 1848, and in his
death the county lost one of her early pioneers
and well-to-do citizens. Ile was a millwright by
trade and built many of the bridges in this county.
In politics, lie voted the Democratic ticket.
Mr. Cummings of this sketch was reared to
man 's estate amid the pioneer scenes of Kalamazoo
County and was trained to all the pursuits pertaining to a farmer's son. The advantages afforded the youth of that period were not what they
are to-day, but Mr. Cumming-s made the best of
his opportunities and now ranks among the intelligent and well-read citizens of the county.
November 15, 1860, the original of thlis sketch
was married to Martha Cook, who was born in
()neida County, N. Y., September 10, 1838. Mrs.
Cummings was the daughter of Norris and Syrena
A. (Waring) Cook, her parents being natives also
of the Empire State. IIer ancestors on both sides
of the house were well-to-do English lpeople. In
1855, with her parents, she emigrated to this
county, where the family located in Richland
Township. There Mr. Cook died in 1879; his wife
still survives at a good old age, having been born
in 1817. Of the parental family of five children,
all are living with one exception. Mary A., is
the wife of Mory A. Nichols; Martha is Mrs. S. S.
Cummings; Harriet J. married Stephen Wood and
Ellen B. is the wife of George Shean.
Mrs. Cummings is a member of tile Presbyterian
Church and is an active worker in the Ladies' Aid
Society of the same. In 1886, our subject was alp)ointed Postmaster of Richland under President
Cleveland, and served for a period of three years
and eiglt months. lie is a firm Democrat in politics and is highly esteemed as a moral and upright
citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings are very popular
members of society in Richland and contribute
liberally of tlheir mieans for the furtherance of all
good objects. The estate of our subject includes
ninety acres of valuable land.and is located on,


section 28. Although he does not reside upon
his farm, he gives it his personal supervision and
reaps a handsome income therefrom. A sister of
our subject, Irene B. Cummings, makes her home
with him.
GILBIERT      LAMMON. Among the prominent and enterprising citizens of Hartford,
Van Buren County, no one is more worthy
of note than lie whom  we here name, who is
carrying on the furniture business. lie was born
in Jefferson County, N. Y., May 19, 1826, and there
grew to mature years, and married in thle county
of his birth in 18.18. The lady of his choice bore
the maiden name of Ellen Avery.     Tn 1855,
they came to Michigan and located on a farm in
Van Buren County, whichl he cleared and still
owns. The place is situated two miles east of the
village. When lhe came to this county there was
nothing but a wild forest where Hartford now
stands.
Mr. Lamnmon is a son of Noah and Nancy (Gault)
Lammon, natives of New York State, the father being born in Ridgewatcr in June, 1786. Our subject was one of a family of seven children, and to
himself and his worthy wife have been born two
children: Frank and George. The former resides
on the home farm, and the latter, in partnership
with his father, is carrying on the largest busincss
of its kind in thie village. Poltically, our subject
casts his vote and influence witll the Republican
party.  The beloved wife of our subject was
called to the world beyond in August, 1888, and
is mourned by all who knew her.
OSES S. IAWLEY has been a resident of
/  Michigan for many years, and in his early
life here was prominent as an educator.
For the past thirty-five years, he has been
identified with the farming interests of Van Buren
County, and has a good farmn pleasantly situated
in Bangor Township. The birth of our subject took








620


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


----------
-


place in Ontario County, N. Y., in the year 1812,
he being the eldest in the family of eight children
of Daniel and Currant (Blake) Hawley. His father
was born in Connecticut, and was a valiant soldier in the War of 1812. He was a son of Moses
and Mary Hawley, the former of whom was a soldier of Revolutionary fame. The names of the
brother and sisters of our subject are as follows:
Augustus, who was one of the most prominent citizens of Jackson until his death in that city; James
H. and Henry B., twins; Julia A., Mary E., John
C. and Lyman C.
He of whom we write was thoroughly educated
at Hamilton College, in New   York, and early
adopted the profession of teacher, in which he enjoyed a successful career of several years' duration. In 1845, he sought the young and growing
State of Michigan, for a broader field for his labors,
and in a short time attracted notice as an instructor
of more than ordinary talent for imparting knowledge, who was progressive in his modes of teaching, and had his scholars under firm control. His
first experience was at St. Joseph, where he taught
school two years; he then accepted the professorship of the Albion Seminary, which position he
held four years; and after that he was Superintendent of the Ypsilanti schools for a like length of
time. He also taught in other places in this State.
Early in 1856, he began his course as a farmer, on his
present farm, and has displayed an equal adaptation
to this vocation. Energetic and well-directed pioneer labor was required to bring his land to its
present excellent condition, as when it came into
his possession it was in its primeval state, and he
had literally to develop his farm from the wilderness. It is now under good cultivation, is fenced
into convenient fields, whose well-tilled acres yield
abundant harvests, and it is supplied with all the
facilities for conducting agriculture after the most
approved modern methods, besides being stocked
with cattle, horses and hogs to its full capacity.
Mr. Hawley was married while still a resident of
New York, to Miss Maria J. Ripley, a native of
Livingston County, that State, whose devotion to
his interests has been a great help to him in his life.
Of the six children born to them, four are deceased:
WTarwiTe, who died in izfany; Medley S., who


died when a child; Mary S., who married James
Steward, and died in the bloom of early womanhood; and Jennie M., who died when a child. Two
children are spared to bless their declining years,
and to'make their home cheerful: Mills G. and
Hattie B.
Possessing a mind well trained by a liberal edutcation, and balanced by strong common sense, together with other traits that win confidence, our
subject from the first has occupied a high position
in the councils of his fellow-citizens. He has represented Bangor Township on the County Board
of Supervisors, and has held many other responsible offices. He has ever been firm and consistent
in his support of the Democratic party. Religiously, he and his family are Presbyterians, and
they are among our best people, socially. The
wife and mother departed this life, January 11,
1892.
V    ILLIAM L. DAVIS. This successful farmer
of Kalamazoo County owns and manages
a farm consisting of about one hundred
and eighty-seven acres, pleasantly located on section 23, Prairie Ronde Township. Although not
one of the early settlers of this county, his residence here of more than thirty years has made him
prominent in the public affairs and well known
among the citizens. Much of his prosperity is due
to the fact that he keeps abreast with the times, is
a practical agriculturist and thoroughly acquainted
with every detail of farm work.
The parents of Mr. Davis were natives of
Pennsylvania and were by name Alexander W.
and Elizabeth B.(Livingston)Davis. After the death
of Mrs. Davis, which occurred in the Keystone
State, lie came West to Illinois and for eight years
made his home in Will County, removing thence
to Kalamazoo County, this State, in 1862. For
twenty years he was identified with the citizens of
Prairie Ronde Township, and his death in 1882
was mourned by a large circle of acquaintances.
The eldest of the family of three children,
William L., was born in Centre County, Pa., l)ecember 20, 1842. lie spent his chilhllod in the
Keystone State and accompanied his father to Will








G~lL/AUX


4,X


JILsm/m A)




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


623


County, Ill., when he was about eleven years old.
In February, 1862, he came to Prairie Ronde
Township, where e he has since resided. A few years
after coming hither, he was married in Lawton,
this State, January 1, 1867, to Miss Mary C., daughter of the late Ransford C. and Harriet (Bair)
Hoyt, whose sketch, together with that of her two
brothers, Owen L. and Jonathan C., appears in another part of this volume. She was born in the
township which is now her home, September 2,
1850, and is highly esteemed by the people among
whom her entire life has been passed.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of two children: Alice L., who is the wife of Clark D. Gilchrist, and Willard H. Mr. Davis has been too
closely occupied with his farming interests to devote any considerable attention to political matters, and is neither an active partisan nor an officeseeker, preferring quiet domestic pleasures to the
excitement and dissatisfaction of public life. He
believes that the platform of the Democratic party
is the best adapted to promote the welfare of the
Government, and therefore favors its principles in
National issues.
Wt     ILLIAM G. PLUMMER. The gentleman
whose lineaments are perpetuated in the
portrait on the opposite page is probably
one of the best-known men in this portion of the
State. He was born in Kalamazoo County, in 1832,
and is at present cultivating the soil of sections
25 and 17, West Casco Township, Allegan County,
where he has a good estate. He is the son of Daniel
A. and Jane Plummer, the father a native of Connecticut.
The father of our subject was reared upon the
farm of his parents, and, on their removal to Ohio,
accompanied them thither, locating in Medina
when that portion of the State was quite new.
The elder Mr. Plummer was a veteran in the Black
Hawk War and located in Kalamazoo County,
Mich., in 1830. He there met and married the
mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name
of Jane Giddings. In 1834 the young couple


removed to Saugatuck, where they were the third
family to settle at the mouth of the Kalamazoo
River. There the father followed ship-carpentering
a few years and later came to Allegan and operated
the old Exchange Hotel, also the Allegan House.
In 1849, Daniel A. Plummer crossed the plains
to California in company with several other gentlemen, they being six months on the road, traveling overland with ox-teams. He engaged in mining at Placerville, Georgetown, and numerous
other places in the State. He was very successful,
but, growing tired of mining, decided to locate in
Oakland, Alameda County, Cal., and there died in
1888.
William G. Plummer was one of three children
born to his parents, his brother and sister being
Charles and Mary, the latter of whom is deceased.
When fourteen years of age our subject began to
earn his own living. He went to work on a farm
in Wisconsin, remaining, however, only a few
months, when he commenced sailing on the lakes.
He was thus engaged for a twelvemonth, when he
returned to his old home in Saugatuck Township,
and went to work in the lumber woods. He later
commenced sawmilling, being so employed for
twenty years.
When twenty-five years of age, our subject and
Miss Susan, daughter of Timothy and Emeline
McDowell, were united in marriage. Their union
has been blessed by the advent of seven children,
viz.: Charles E., living in San Francisco, Cal.;
Alice, deceased; Timothy; Mary J., who is the wife
of E. Holly; Susan, a dressmaker in South Haven;
Lucy, a teacher of South Haven; and William, who
is deceased. Mrs. Susan Plummer died in 1884,
and our subject later married Miss Anna M. Shaw,
a native of Ohio.
The original of this sketch located on his present
beautiful estate in 1864. His home place numbers
ninety acres, which at the time it came into his
possession was an unbroken wilderness. Mr. Plummer can relate many an interesting tale of pioneer
hardships which have made a lasting impression on
his mind. At one time, he relates that, in company with another man, he went to the mouth of
the Black River and made hay a week on the present site of the thriving village of South Haven,








624


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


when there was not a house to mark tlhe spot.
Socially, Mr. Plummer is a Mason, and belongs to
both the township and county Grange. In politics,
he is a stanch Republican. IIis good wife is a
memler of the Congreogational Church at South
Haven and is a very capable and intelligent lady.
E   DWIN A. LOEHR. This enterprising and
industrious citizen is the leading painter
and decorator in South Ilaven.  From
German ancestry lie derives the instincts of
frugality and careful consideration of ways and
means. He is a native of Ohio, having been born
November 2, 1853, in Stark County. Iis paternal
grandparents, John J. and Mary E. (Snider) Loehr,
were natives of Germany, and on coming to the
United States located in Ohio.
The father of our subject, Jacob J. Loehr, was
also born in Wahllhalben Bezirk, Zweibruecken
Canton, Waldfischbach, Rheinkreize Beiern, on the
26th of August, 1814, and was six years old
when his parents came to tile New World. I-e grew
to manhood in the Buckeye State, and became a
wheelwright by trade. On June 15, 1857, lie established a home of his own by his marriage with
Catherine Shearer. HIe continued to follow his
trade, and tilled a farm which he owned, until his
death on April 4, 1888. His wife died December
30, 1891, at her home in Stark County, Ohio.
We make the following mention of the parental
family of our subject, wlhch  included nine
sons and one daughter: Josiah is a farmer in Columbia Township, this county: Washington was a
member of Company B, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Infantry, and fills a soldier's grave at
Mapleton, Stark County, Ohio; Henry S. is residing at Paris, Stark County, Ohio; Reuben died in
childhood; John J. resides in Stark County, Ohio;
our subject was the next in order of birth; Charles
makes his home in Carroll County, Ohio; George
died in childhood; Lincoln resides in Stark County,
Ohio, as does also Caroline, who is the widow of
H. B. Singer.
Edwin A. Loehr passed his early life attending
school and engaged in farm pursuits. When quite


young, lie began earning money for himself by selling sewing maclines, and wlen twenty-two comnmenced work at painting. Our subject came to
Michigan in 1876, and, locating in Bloomingdale
Township, followed his trade for about eight years,
when, on account of ill-health, lie purchased a farm
in Cheshire Township, Allegan County, and for
four years tilled the soil. At tlle end of that time,
in 1888, he came to Soutl IHIaven, and since locating
here, has been engaged as painter, decrtoar, and
hard wood finisher, being a contractor in tllese lines.
Miss Callie Van Voorhees and Edwin A. Loehr
were united in marriage in 1876. Mrs. Loehr was
the daughter of John and Christina (Kenney) Van
Voorhees, prominent farmers in  Stark County,
Olio. Their union has been blessed by the birth of
two children: Della B. and Charles S. Politically,
Mr. Loehr is independent, and in religious matters
is an active member of the Congregational Church.
IHe is an Odd Fellow, and has filled all the chairs
in that order. He is also a member of the National Union, in which he is and has been Secretary, from the founding of the order in South
Haven, known as South Haven Council, No. 82.
Mr. Loehr erected his pleasant residence in 1891,
and it ranks among the very best in South Haven.
I-e is an industrious and respected citizen, and one
wlhose word is considered as good as his bond.
John Van Voorhees, our subject's father-in-law,
was born in Osnaburgh, Stark County, Ohio, September 19, 1824; Christina Van Voorhees, nee
Kenney, was born in Canton, Stark County, Ohio,
September 27, 1827.
W     ILLIAM   W. BROWNELL.       The representative of a family that has been notable in the annals of the history of Vermont
and Michigan, our subject is now in the enjoyment
of rural life on his fine farm, situated on section 5, Portage Township, Kalamazoo County.
Ile is the son of Giles Brownell, who was probably
a native of Vermont, while his mother, who bore
the maiden name of Lydia Baker, passed her last
days in Kalamazoo, this State.
The original of this sketch was the youngest of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


625


--- - ------------—  --- —----- --- --


the parental family of four children, his birth occurring in Pownal, Vt., December 9, 1819. ITe
was but nine months old when his father died and
his mother married John Nichols, with whom she
removed to Pennsylvania and settled in Warren
County where our subject grew to manhood. lie
passed his early years in farm work in }he summer
and lumbering in the winter, continuing to reside
with his mother until April, 1855.
William W. Brownell was married, August 30,
1842, to Miss Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Baker) Sellens, natives of England. The
mother died in Warren County, Pa., while the father, who came West, passed his last days at the
residence of our subject. She was the eldest of
the two children born to her parents, her natal day
and birthplace being November 16, 1825, Sussex,
England. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Brownell
was engaged in agricultural pursuits in the Keystone State, but in April, 1855, came to Michigan
and located on a tract of land in Kalamazoo Township, this county, where he made his home for nine
years. He then removed to his present residence
on section 5, where he has a very productive and
valuable estate.  His possessions aggregate one
hundred and seventy-eight acres, which is provided
with a good and substantial set of buildings, not
the least among which is his comfortable brick
residence.
Mrs. Brownell is a most estimable lady and is
noted throughout the county as being a model
housewife and caretaker. By her union with our
subject have been born eight children, viz: Thomas
G., who is engaged in the railroad business in Kansas City, Mo.; William I., enlisted in the Union
Army and joined Company E, Eleventh Michigan
Cavalry, and was killed near King's Salt Works in
Virginia by bushwhackers; Clarence is a merchant
in St. Mary's, Kan.; John V. is a manufacturer of
windmills; Alfred W. is also engaged in the same
business; Marion J. is a farmer; Mary is now Mrs.
G. DeLong and Francis E. is a farmer in this township.
The subject of this sketch has been the incumbent of many of the minor offices of his township,
serving twelve years as Justice of the Peace and
six years as Highway Commissioner. In politics,




he votes the straight Republican ticket and takes a
great interest in all matters pertaining to his community. With his good wife, he is a member of
the First Presbyterian Churcll and gives liberally
of his means to the support of all good works. He
has been a great worker in the Sunday-school and
has done efficient service as Superintendent in that
body. The friends of Mr. Brownell are as numerous as his acquaintances and he bears the good-will
of all who know him.
J OHN KELLOGG, a representative farmer
and stock-raiser of Richland Township,
Kalamazoo County, makes his home on
section 12. He is a native of Livingston
County, N. Y., and was born December 14, 1833,
to Justin and Julia (Loomis) Kellogg, natives of
Connecticut. In the spring of 1844, our subject
accompanied his parents to Michigan, they becoming early settlers of Washtenaw County, where
they both died. They were blessed by the birth
of six children, three still surviving: John, George
and Richard.
Our subject was reared to manhood in Washtenaw County, and has been a lifelong farmer. He
attended the district schools when a boy and later
attended tlhe old Ypsilanti Michigan Seminary two
years. Mr. Kellogg was married, October 14, 1861,
to Jane Pearson, a native of Washtenaw County,
having been born June 19, 1839. Mrs. Kellogg is
a daughter of James and Jane (Muir) Pearson,
who were natives of Scotland. Her mother died
in Washtenaw County, and the father in Ottawa
County, Mich.; they had six children, three now
living: Ezekiel, Andrew and Mrs. Kellogg.
One son, Andrew J., and one daughter, Carrie
J., who died at the age of twenty-three years, have
come to bless the home of our subject and his
worthy wife. The son is in business in Chicago,
Ill., at No. 4309 Berkeley Avenue, where he deals
in electric bells, speaking tubes, does locksmithing
and repairing of bicycles, locks, wringers, guns,
trunks, carpet sweepers, umbrellas, etc. In 1862,
our subject went to Barry County, where he resided until 1864, at which time he came to this


I








626


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


township and county and with tile exception of
four years llas lived here since. He now owns
one hundred and one-quarter acres of land and is
a self-made man in the strictest sense of the word.
He affiliates with tle D)emocratic party in politics.
The Masonic order at Richland claims him as one of
its members, and lie and his wife are active in the
society circles of the township. Mrs. Kellogg's
sister, Maggie Pearson, made ler home with our
subject for many years and (lied there in June,
1890.
<vj  I)VWARD P. HERSEY lhas been a resident
of Wayland Townshil, Allegan County, for!  Inmore than twenty-five years, and is considered one of its substantial and representative
farmers. He was born in Chester, Geauga County,
Ohio, February 21, 1840. Iis parents were l)aniel
T. and Mary (Hobart) Hersey, his father being a
native of Northampton, Iamlshire County, Mass.
and his mother of Cattaraugus County, N. Y.
His father was by trade a carpenter, but also carried on farming, to which occupation our subject
was reared.
Better facilities for acquiring an education were
given our subject than were granted to the majority of boys in that day. He attended the common schools for several years and for two terms
was a student at Chester Seminary in Ohio. He
remained at home until nineteen years of age,
when he went to Wisconsin, and for two years followed farming. At the age of twenty-one years, he
returned home, and was married, January 1, 1862,
to Harriet M. Morton, of Russell, Geauga County,
Olio. By this marriage, four children have been
born, namely: Minnie C., Fred D., Mary L. and
Zora B., all living.
After his marriage, Mr. Hersey resided in Ohio
for three years, coming to Michigan January 1,
1865, and locating in the township where lie now
resides. He took up a place in the unbroken forest and began the hard work of clearing it and
preparing it for cultivation. He now has a fine
farm of eighty acres, on which lie has placed excellent improvements and which amply repays, by


its abundant liarvests, tlhe care tlhat has been bestowed upon it. Besides general farming, lie carries on stock-raising, and during one year was
engaged in the manufacture of cheese. In 1885,
lie erected a large two-story frame residence on
his place, a view of wliich is presented in this volume, and wlhicll forms a comfortable, convenielnt
and delightful hlome.
Mr. Hersey is a Republican in politics and takes
great interest in everything connected witl the
welfare and progress of his township and county.
He is especially interested in educational matters
and brings his influence to bear in tlhe matter of
employing competent teachers and building good
schoolhouses. He has held thle oflice of )rainage
Commissioner. He and his wife are members of
tlhe Congregational Church at Wayland, and are
foremost in every good work. His son Fred is a
student in the medical institute at Indianapolis,
preparing himself for the profession of a physician.
Mary is engaged as a stenographer at Grand Rapids. All the children hlave received excellent educations and have been engaged in teaching school.
The family is one of the prominent and highly
esteemed of Wayland Township.
ILLIAM      A. CHENEY     is a prominent
farmer on section 5, Allegan Townslip,
where he operates ninety-eight and a half
acres of excellent land. He is a native of Canada,
having been born March 19, 1833, and is the son
of John L. and Eliza (Thornton) Cheney, natives
respectively of Connecticut and Canada. The father was engaged extensively in tlle lumber business, and continued to reside in the I)ominion
until his death. The parental family included
three children: our subject; Mary, Mrs. J. Lucas;
and Eliza, Mrs. H. Robinson.
William A. Cheney received a good education
in the schools of Ohio, whither he went when quite
young. He worked in the mills near Cleveland,
that State, until reaching his seventeenth year,
and then came to Michigan and located in Branch
County, where lie remained for two years. At the
end of that time, lie came to Allegan County,




FiESIDENCE OF WILLIAM A. CHENEY, 5EC. 5.JALLEGAN TfPALLEGAN CO.,MICH.


'RE5IDENCE OF ANDREW A. PLUMMER SEC. 8.,GANGE5 TRALLLGAN CO.,MICH.
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RESIDENCE OF E..P. HERSEY, SEC. S.,WAYLAND TFP,ALLEGAN CO. MICH.




......



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


629


which was in February, 1854, and, locating' in Allegan Townslhipl, engIfged to clear seventy-four
acres of heavy timber land, in company with Gilbert Stone. Ile tlen worked in a sawmill in Allegan for three years, and il 1858, having Lpurchased a farm of forty acres in section 7, lie conmenced its improvement. ITe erected a frame
house on his place, and continued to make tllat
his home until the outbreak of the Civil War.
Our sulject enlisted in  Company A, Third
Michigan Cavalry, as a private. Iis company
went to Grand Rapids, where lie was detained for
three months; then they were sent to St. Louis,
Mo., where they remained for a like    period.
Going down the "Father of Waters," the first battle
in which they participated was at Farmington,
Miss. lte later took part in many important battles and skirmishes, and was under command of
Gens. Rosecrans and Sherman at different times.
Mr. Clleney was mustered out with the title of
Sergeant, receiving his honorable discharge at
Brownsville, Ark. He saw three years and two
months of hard fighting, and during that time was
only in the hospital for eleven weeks.
On returning home, Mr. Cheney began farming
in Martin Township, Allegan County, where he
remained for two years, and then, selling his property, purchased another tract in section 5. Ile
made that his home for two years, when lie disposed of his farm  and accepted a position as
Overseer of the Poor Farm. I-Ie continued in that
capacity for eleven years, and gave the most complete satisfaction to both the inmates and the town
authorities. During the time lie was the incumbent of that office, his wife died, September 16,
1882, two children having preceded her to the
better land. In 1881, Mr. Cheney purchased tile
place on which he resides at tle present time, and
tlhe same year his wife died he moved hither. His
estate is embellished by a beautiful residence, a
view of which is presented on another page, and
is in every way fitted to be the home of an enterprising and progressive gentleman, suclh as is Mr.
Cheney.
He of whom we write was married, in 1857, to
Miss Sarah, daughter of Harvey and Sarah (Brown)
Howe, natives of Vermont, who came here at an


early' day and located in Heatl Township, Allegan County. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney became the
parents of three children: Alice, Charles H. and
Elmer, all of whom are deceased. Our subject,
who has been engaged in mixed farming, is extremely successful in his calling. In politics, he is
a Republican, and is a member of the Grand Army
of tile Republic. ITe is also identified with the
Odd Fellows, and is one of the prominent men in
tlhe county. He served his fellow-townsmen as
Justice of the Peace for a term, with entire satisfaction to all concerned.
N I)NREW      PLIMMER. This well-known
I and respected citizen of Ganges Township,
Allegan County, is making a success of
( agriculture on sections 8 and 17, where he
owns one hundred and two acres of land. His
property bears all the improvements which are to
be found on a first-class estate, and lie las twentyfive acres devoted to the raising of fruit.
Andrew Plummer was born in Saugatuck in 1835,
being the first white child born in the township.
Hiis parents were Benjamin and Elvira Plummer,
the father born in October, 1812, in Maine. The
grandparents of our subject removed to Wayne
County, Ohio, in an early day. Benjamin Plummer accompanied them hither and received a fair
education in the sclools of his neighborhood. His
father dying when he was yet in his teens, lie was
thrown upon his own resources, but being strong
and willing, he soon made a home for himself.
The parents of our subject were married in
Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1834 came to Michigan, locating at Saugatuck. They were transported
down the Kalamazoo River on a raft -which the
father constructed and on arriving at their destination made themselves comfortable in the little
log cabin which had been prepared for them. The
elder Mr. Plummer erected the first sawmill in this
locality and, in addition to superintending its oper
tion, cleared the land which he had purchased
from  the Government. In 1850, he purchased
property in Ganges Township, whence he removed
his family, also being the first man to build a saw



X


630


rM.11TRAITA NDh' BlIOGRAPHIPWCAL RECORD.

63 — RATADBIGAHCA           EOD


mill tlerle. The parental family included the
following-named seven children: Frederick, Andrew, William H., Lucinda, Elnora, Mary J., and
Sarah, the latter four deceased.
Andrew Plummer thought to try his fortunes in
the State of Minnesota, whither he went after
reaching his twenty-second year. Ie there purchased land from the Government, but being dissatisfied with his venture, went South to Mississippi
and Texas, in 1860, and was compelled to remain
until the close of the war. On his return home, in
1865, he was married to Caroline, daughter of Cyrus and Cynthia (Bigsby) Jerrels. To them have
been born four children: Otis, who died at the age
of twenty years; Elmer, Lewis and Benjamin.
Our subject purchased the forty acres included
in his present home farm in 1870. His estate now
aggregates one hundred and two acres, which bears
all the modern improvements in the way of buildings and machinery.   In connection with this
sketch will be noticed a view of this pleasant rural
abode. In politics, Mr. Plummer casts his vote
always with the Republican party. A sketch of
his brother, William H. Plummer, will be found on
another page in this volume.
'=]ON. GILBERT E. READ. This prominent
i)and respected gentleman has been a resi/ i' dent of Richland, Kalamazoo County, since
1842. He is a native of Windsor County,
Vt., his natal day being May 6, 1822. His parents
were Rufus and Rhoda K. (Dean) Read, the former
a native of Connecticut and the latter of Massachusetts.  The Read family traces its ancestry
back to the seventeenth century, when the ancestors were residents of the Bay State. On the paternal side of the house, our subject is of English descent. His maternal great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, being a Captain,
and was killed at New Haven, Conn.
Gilbert E. Read was fifteen years of age when
his parents removed to Claremont, N. H., and there
they made their home until coming to Kalamazoo
County, in 1842. The family made settlement in


Riclhland Township, and there our subject received
his primary education. IIe later attended different
academies in the State, and for five winters was engaged in teaching. Mr. Read has been a great
student all his life and is a gentleman who is well
informed on all current topics.
The original of this sketch was the second son
in the paternal family and was reared to manhood
on the home farm. March 6, 1856, the Hon. Gilbert E. Read was married to Mary A. Daniels, who
was born October 7, 1831.   Mrs. Read was the
daughter of David H. and Mary H. (Brown) Daniels, the former now residing in Galesburgh, this
State, in his eighty-seventh year. He was a native
of Rhode Island, while his wife hailed from Massachusetts. Mrs. Read accompanied her parents to
Richland Township, this county, in 1832, they being among the very earliest settlers here. Her
grandfather, Deacon Samuel Brown, came to Richland Township in 1831.
Mrs. Mary A. Read was educated in the public
schools and what is now known as the Old Branch
Seminary and for two terms thereafter was engaged
in teaching. By her union with our subject, five
children have been born, four of whom are living,
namely: Harriet, who is the wife of Justin Cook,
of Homer, this State; Charles F., living in Traverse City, this State; Clayton A. and Fannie K. are
graduates of the Michigan University, Miss Fannie
being engaged in teaching at the present time;
Minnie R., another daughter, is deceased.
For a number of years, Mr. Read served as Supervisor of Richland Township, and while an incumbent of that position acted as Chairman of the
Board. He has also been Township Clerk and
SchoolInspector. Ite was elected in 1860 to the
Lower House of the Michigan State Legislature and
was successfully re-elected in 1862-64, serving in
six sessions, there having been three extra sessions,
owing to the war excitement. During his third
term, the Hon. Mr. Read was elected Speaker of the
House, during which time he established for himself a State reputation and is ranked among the
prominent and influential citizens of this section.
During his first term in the Legislature, Mr. Read
was made Chairman of the Committee of Reform
Schools and also served on the Committee on




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


631


Banks, Incorporations, etc.  I)uring hlis second
session, lie served as Cllairman of the Committee
on State Affairs and the State Prison and was instrumental in passing the bill for the granting of
the Grand Rapids & Ildiana Railroad. lie was a
very active member of tlle Legislature and it was
largely througll his influence tliat the appropriation was made for establishing tlhe Insane Asylum
at Kalamazoo.
In 1876, tlle Hon. Gilbert E. Read was elected
State Senator, serving one term witl credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Four
years later, lie acted as Deputy United States Marslhal, his duty being to take the census for the
eastern portion of the county. Mr. Read has been
successful financially, and owns large tracts of
land in this vicinity. With his estimable wife, lie
is a member of the Presbyterian Church, where
they arc active in all good works and are greatly respected. Hie has been Superintendent of tile Sunday-school and gives liberally and cheerfully of his
means to the support of the church.
Socially, our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in politics is a
stanch Republican. He has 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 tlose who are acquainted
with tle history of the State.
y 1-ELSON P. WOODRUFF, a representative
| )JJ farmer, residing on section 6, Pine (Grove
iJL Township, Van Buren County, is a native
of Monroe County, N. Y., born December 7, 1838.
His father was Birdsey Woodruff, a native of New
York, born in 1796, a soldier in tlhe War of 1812,
and a farmer by occupation. The mother of our
subject bore the maiden name of Sarah Bovee,
also a native of New York. She died in 1839. The
father married again, his second wife being Eunice
Bennett, who died in 1884. He came to Michigan
in 1858, and settled in Hillsdale County, on a
partly improved tract of land, where lie died in
1887, at the age of ninety-one years. By the first




marriage nine cilildren. were born, five now living:
Mrs. A. IIynes, James B., Sarah R., Louisa M., and
our subject.  The parents were members of the
Free-will Baptist Church.
At the age of eiglhteen, our subject became independent, conmmencing to work on a farm. He was
married, November 12, 1866, to Frances Sweet, a
daugllter of William and Anna C. (Mensch) Sweet,
both of New York State. They removed to Michigan in 1848, and located in Marshall, Calhoun
County, and for years he carried the mail from
Detroit to Marshall, following the Indian trails.
lie lived in Hillsdale County awliile, when he
came to thllis county, and lived in Hartford,
and finally located in Gobleville, and thence back
to Hartford. lie died in June, 1887, and his wife
in March, 1885. Six of their seven children survive: Mrs. Weston, Mrs. Woodruff, Franklin B.,
Celia Redmond, William W. and Willoughby W.
They are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
The wife of our subject was born December 7,
1844, in New York, and received a district-school
education. Our subject came to Michigan in
1860, and, in 1862, enlisted in Company F, Eighteenth Michigan Infantry. They were sent to
Kentucky, and fought tlhe guerrillas through tllat
State. The regiment took part in the following
battles: Perrysville, Athena, Fawn Springs, twodays' fight at Decatur, Ala., and in a number of
skirmishes. HIe was honorably discharged in 1865,
after serving a full term of three years.
On his return from the army, Mr. Woodruff settled in Hillsdale County, and worked his father's
farm three years. In 1869, he removed to Allegan
County, and bought a small farm in Allegan
Township, where he lived nine years. At the expiration of that time, lie sold and came to this county,
and settled on a farm in Bloomingdale Township one year. The next year Mr. Woodruff came
to his present farm in Pine Grove Township,
which was a raw tract of fifty acres. Thirty of
tilis is well cleared, and all the present substantial
buildings lie has himself erected.
Mr. and MIrs. Woodruff are the parents of four
children: Lester, born November 12, 1868;Bessie, May 15, 1882, now living. They are members




632


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are active
in the same, Mr. Woodruff being one of the
building committee. He is giving his children excellent school advantages. The Grand Army of
the Republic claim  him as one of their leading
members, and he is at present Sergeant-Major. tle
belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and in politics
is a stanch Republican. He and his wife are
friends of the temperance cause.
EVI ACKLEY, the owner and occupant of
a finely improved farm  on section 30,
Columbia Township, is one of the best
known and most highly esteemed citizens of Van
Buren Coulnty. He traces his ancestry back through
several generations to Sterling Ackley, a resident
of Vermont, who was descended from   English
stock. The son of Sterling was Calvin, a native
of the Green Mountain State, who, at the age of
sixteen, enlisted in the War of Independence.
Afterward he removed to Schoharie County, N.
Y., of which he became a very early settler, and
about 1819 removed thence to Licking County,
Ohio, engaging in farming there until his death at
the age of ninety-four. Politically he was a
stanch Democrat.
The wife of Calvin Ackley was known in maidenhood as Phebe Sillick, and was the mother of
twelve children, eleven of whom attained to maturity, viz: Levi, Clarissa, Ezra, Whitfield, Walgrave, Leman, Julia, Eliza, Philetus, Emily and
Chester. The member of the family in whom we
are particular interested is Whitfield, who was
born in Schoharie County, N. Y., May 7, 1805, and
accompanied his parents to Ohio when fourteen.
He was a well-informed man, but his education
was mainly self-acquired. lie served as Justice of
the Peace and in other official capacities in the
Buckeye State.
In 1836, Whitfield Ackley removed to Putnam
County, Ohio, where he entered a tract of eighty
acres and for many years devoted his attention to
its improvement. In 1854, he came West to Lagrange, Ind., where he was bereaved by the death
of his wife, an estimable lady, known in maiden

hood as Mary Chambers. She was born in Washington County, Pa., and was the daughter of James
and Jane (Wharrey) Chambers, who emigrated
from County Down, Ireland, to the United States,
prior to the War of 1812. Their first home was
in Pennsylvania. and from that State they removed to Ohio, settling in Licking County. They
reared a family of six sons and five daughters.
Mr. Chambers, who participated in the War of
1812 as a private, followed the trade of a farmer
and weaver. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Eight children were born to Whitfield and Mary
Ackley, namely: Levi, our subject; James H.;
Alexis and Martha J., who died at the ages respectively of nineteen and thirty-two years; Demetrius; Edwin R., who died in childhood; William
W., who passed away when twenty-four; and Homera Robbins. Whitfield  Ackley removed    to
Michigan in 1867, and made his home with his
children until his second marriage, in May, 1871,
when he was united with Mrs. i-illiard, of Berrien
County. lIe died in that county, in January,
1890. He was a man of upright character and unflinching integrity, and, in his religious views,
was identified with the Presbyterian Church.
Our subject was born July 27, 1828, his birthplace one and one-half miles north of Newark, in
Licking County, Ohio. He received a good education and remained at home until he attained to
his majority, when he began for himself. He was
engaged in farming during the summer seasons,
and followed the profession of a teacher for fifteen
winters. He accompanied his father to Putnam
County, Ohio, whence, in 1867, he came to Van
Buren County, and resided in Arlington and Bangor until Janury, 1870. He then purchased and
removed to his present farm, where he has since
made his home. As a member of the Republican
party, lie takes considerable interest in local politics, and both in Ohio and Michigan has filled various official positions. He has served his township as Treasurer, Supervisor, and Superintendent
of schools for six years.
In October, 1862, Mr. Ackley enlisted in Company K, Twenty-first Ohio Infantry, and after serving for nine months was honorably discharged at




POIRTRAIT ANJD BIOOGRAPMCAC L RECORD.


633


P TD IG


tile expiration of his term of enlistment. Several
years prior to his war service, he was married,
April 4, 1854, to Eliza Tweedale, who was born
in County Antrim, Ireland, April 11, 1835. HIer
parents, Robert and Isabelle (McIntyre) Tweedale,
were likewise natives of County Antrim, who emigrated to the United States in 1838, settling in
Juniata County, Pa., where the father secured
employment as a blacksmith. In the spring of
1845, he removed to Pandora, Putnam County,
Ohio, where he died November, 1854, at the age
of fifty-five. His wife survived until October,
1871, when she passed away at Bloomingdale,
Mich.
The family to which Mrs. Ackley belongs comprised six children: William, Alexander, Eliza,
Jane, John and Robert. John entered Company
E, Twenty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and fell in the
battle of Gettysburg; Robert enlisted in company
A, First Ohio Cavalry, and was taken prisoner
after the battle of Gettysburg. lHe died while in
prison at Jacksonville, Fla., April 25, 1864. Our
subject and his excellent wife have had six children, namely: Mary I., who died when four
years old; Wallace, of Mitchell, S. Dak.; Leman, also
a resident of South Dakota; Jane, the wife of
George L. Abbott; Emma and John, who still remain at home.
LIJAH     WARNER     was born in Orleans
County, N. Y., November 27, 1828, and is
at present residing on a beautiful farm on
section 4, Porter Township, Van Buren County.
His parents were Leonard and Lovina (Thurston)
Warner, natives of the Empire State, where the
father, who was a farmer and lumberman. died in
1847, his good wife passing away in 1886. They
were the parents of nine children, six of whom are
living.
Elizah Warner was reared on his father's farm
and received a district-school education. He remained at home until reaching his twentieth year,
and in 1851 went to California by way of the
Isthmus, buying what he supposed to be a through


ticket. It proved to be good only as far as the
Isthmus of Panama and he was thus detained in
that place for two weeks. An English bark coming in, the five hundred passengers, who had also
been imposed upon, chartered the vessel and with
provisions for sixty days started out on the Pacific.
In about five weeks they found themselves to be
within one degree of the equator, and in three weeks
more were obliged to be put on half rations. They
were becalmed under the equator for two weeks,
when the crew began to get sick and the rations
were again cut down. After about two months
spent in sailing around, they had reached fourteen
degrees north latitude.  Their rations at that
time were a half-pint of water and a little rice
which were portioned out every twenty-four
hours.
On that perilous voyage to the Golden State,
fifty of the passengers died from thirst and starvation, and, when within five hundred miles of
land, they had only three days' provisions, at the
lowest possible rate per day. That night a wind
sprang up and in three days they were landed in
Mansinillo, Mexico, and went into port with five
gallons of water on board. During that period
our subject lost fifty pounds of flesh. The party
was still fifteen hundred miles from California, in
a strange country without money or friends. They
were provided with food by the Mexican authorities for six weeks, and at the end of that time they
waited upon the American Consul at San Blas.
That gentleman said he could not give them aid, as
they were gold hunters. They then applied to the
English Consul, who, upon learning that they had
five hundred tons of stone coal upon their vessel,
which was very valuable at that time, agreed to
see them safely to their destination. The Consul
disposed of the coal to the Pacific Steamship Company at Acapulco and with the )proceeds chartered
another vessel and sent the party on their way rejoicing. The vessel was provisioned and filled
with leaky water casks. They again started out
for a voyage of tlirty-two days and after two
weeks were put upon short rations. In four weeks
one-half of the contents of the water casks had
leaked out, when a guard was placed over the casks
and provisions. After sailing for three weeks they




634


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


were within three days' voyage of the Sandwich
Islands, and after being out sixty-five days passed
through the Golden Gate and entered San Francisco. They anchored beside a clipper ship which
was ready to start for Australia. The captain
rolled up fifteen barrels of crackers and told the
starving passengers to help themselves.
When landing on the shores of California, Mr.
Warner could not walk more than two rods at a
time. Accepting the offer of a captain of a boat
bound for Sacramento to take as many of the passengers to that city as wanted to go, our subject
made one of the company. On arriving there, he
was taken sick and for two weeks lay in an hotel,
where he received kind treatment from the landlord.  From  Sacramento, Mr. Warner went to
Marysville and then to Park's Bar, where he borrowed a pick and pan from a miner. He was obliged to beg his dinner after the first day's labor,
and then went down the river again to Marysville.
For some time he was unable to find employment,
but finally was engaged to wheel clay up out of a
bed in a brickyard. His poor health would not
allow him to continue in that line of work and lie
was then occupied turning over bricks in the yard.
He worked thus for three weeks.
After leaving the brickyard, Mr. Warner went
to Hangtown and upon arriving there had $10 in
his pocket. He was so fortunate as to fall in with
an old acquaintance, who owned a ranch, and found
employment with him for a time. HIe later met a
friend who gave him $30, with which to procure
some better clothing. tie paid $10 of that amount
to get his hair cut, for a shave, bath and shampoo,
and $15 for a vest, two shirts, hat and necktie. IIe
was employed nine months as tail sawyer in a sawmill, working half of the day and night, for which he
received *75 and his board. On one occasion, when
returning from the mill at midnight, lie was met
byan Indian who began to string his bow and
pick out an arrow. Mr. Warner drew his revolver
when the red man immediately "made off."
After spending about a year in the Golden
State, our subject had regained his former vigor
and strength and had saved $1,000. At that
time, in company with two other men, he purchased a sawmill which they operated in partner

ship about twelve months, then moving it sixty
miles into the mountain region, continued to
work together for four years. At the time they
began in the sawmill business, lumber was selling
at $300 per thousand feet, and the amount of
work which they turned out soon reduced the price
to $100 per thousand. For the first two years they
did a business amounting to $100,000. Selling
out his interest in the mill, Mr. Warner again began mining, this time in Blue Canyon and for four
years was very successful in his undertaking, at
one time operating twenty claims and his assessments running as high as $700 per week.
Mr. Warner had a fine house cat in his camp, when
all of a sudden it "turned up" missing. A few
days later, in company with several of his companions, he was invited to a Chinese dinner, which repast he enjoyed very much. A short time after,
he was told by an old Clinamlan that he had helped
eat his cat himself. Ite got even with the Chinaman, however, by giving him a very old hawk for
a chicken.
On leaving Blue Canyon our subject went to
D)utch Flat and engaged in hydraulic mining for
two years. In the meantime, a brother lad joined
him in the Western country and they made their
home in a log cabin with a canvas roof. A short
time after arriving there, the brother was taken seriotusly ill and Mr. Warner went nine miles over
rough mountainous roads for a doctor, crossing a
river three times on a dark night. Two California
lions had been killed on that road only a short
time before. The doctor on arriving at their rude
home ordered the sick man to be removed from
the shanty, and our subject carried his brother on
his back to an empty house, half a mile distant.
The doctor's fee on that occasion was $50.
The mining operations of Mr. Warner at Dutch
Flat were very successful. IIe was made President
of a camp which had a capital of $250,000 and
superintended the damming of the middle fork of
the American River. Ite completed the work
within five hundred feet of the flume, the damn
being twenty feet wide and four feet deep. In
1862 our subject returned home to New York after
an absence of eleven years. l)uring his residence
in California, he was sent as delegate to the State




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


635


I


Democratic Convention in 1856, and was also
Lieutenant of a volunteer company of California
State Militia. With his partner, he erected the
first hotel in Dutch Flat, Cal.
After returning to New York, lie of whom we
write, together with a brother, built a canal boat
named the "L. R. Herrick," which they operated for
year on the Erie Canal; then taking their vessel to
Washington, D. C., it was put into the Government service as a transport. IIe ran it a year and
during that time sailed on all the prominent rivers
in Virginia. Gen. Sherman crossed a river with all
his troops on the deck of this little boat. Selling
his boat, our subject returned home and was engaged to press hay for the United States Government and, while thus employed, crushed his right
hand and was not able to work for two years.
In July, 1866, Mr. Warner and Miss Frances M.
Phipps, of New York State, were united in marriage. Mrs. Warner was a daughter of Aaron and
Judith (Pratt) Phipps. of Oneida County, N. Y.
The Phipps Union Seminary, of Albion, N. Y., was
founded by an aunt of Mrs. Warner, in which institution, she with a sister, was a teacher. Miss
Frances was born April 12, 1836, and received an
excellent education in the above-named seminary,
making a specialty of music.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Warner came
to Michigan and located on their present farm
where they have since resided. The estate includes fifty acres, all well improved. They have
adopted two children —Hattie, who is now the wife
of George Hubbard, lives in Paw Paw and has
three children; Chester is fourteen years of age
and is attending school. They were both taken into
the home of our subject when infants. Mrs. Warner
is a member of the Baptist Church and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school; MAr. Warner is
also a member of that society and has filled the
office of Treasurer. I-e has been a member of the
Masonic order for thirty years, being influenced to
join that society by seeing the care taken of the
Masonic passengers when on his trip to California.
He is Treasurer of his lodge. IIe is also a member
of the chapter at Paw Paw and las been Master of
the G(range for the past ten years. His wife was
Secretary, Flora and Treasurer of the same order.




Mr. Warner has been an active Democrat and has
been sent as a delegate to every county convention
since coming to Michigan. lie has been Highway
Commissioner for two terms and Supervisor of Porter Township for four terms, although the township
is strongly Republican. He was candidate for Representative to the State Legislature, but was defeated by the Republicans. Tie is interested in the
Lawton Co-operative Packing Factory and has
been a Director in that company every since its
organ ization.
OIIN M. WILSON, a well-to-do farmer and
an old resident, living on his finely equipped
farm on section 29, Climax Township, will
always hold an honorable place in the
history of Kalamazoo County as one who has materially aided in the development of its rich agricultural resources. Bradford County, Pa., is his
native place, and July 24, 1837, the date of his
birth. His father, John Wilson, was born in England, but he was only a year old when his parents
brought him to this country. They settled in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, and lie became a manufacturer of furniture, manufacturing
the wood screw bedstead for a long time, both in
Pennsylvania and Kentucky.   I-e moved from
Kentucky to Indiana and located at Huntington
when he was fifty years old. He was deeply religious, a preacher in the Methodist Church, and he
followed a circuit in Pennsylvania for some years,
afterwards preaching locally during his residence
in Kentucky and Indiana. lie was a Whig in politics. Mr. Wilson married Isabella Cole, a native
of Pennsylvania. She, too, was quite active in the
work of the Methodist Chnrch, of which she was a
member until her invalidism in later life prevented
her plarticip)ating in the work. She was forty-five
years old when she died.. She and her husband
reared five children, named respectively: Elisha,
Helen, John M., Leroy and Elizabeth.
Our subject lived in Pcnnsylvania until lie was
eiglit years old, and the next few years of his life
were plassed in Springville, Ky., where the family
remained until he was thirteen years of age. IIe there


I






636


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


attended the village school, and also went to school
in Huntington after the removal of his parents to
that Indiana town, where he lived until their death.
His education was completed after he came to this
county at Flourfield. He was only thirteen years
old when he began te earn his own living by
working out by the month in summer, his winters
being devoted to schooling. November 20, 1854,
marks an important era in his life, as on that date
he came to Kalamazoo County, and bought forty
acres of woodland that is included in his home in
Climax Township. IIe thus became a pioneer of
this section, which was still in a very wild condition when lie came here on that fall day nearly
forty years ago. There were not a great many settlers here, and those had made but little headway
against the forces of nature. There were no roads,
and but few evidences of the approaching civilization that would so change the face of the country.
Our subject was unmarried at that time. and lie
boarded with his brother while he sought diligently
to reclaim his land. He has added to his original
purchase, and has one hundred and twenty-two
acres of choice land, one hundred acres of which
are under substantial improvement, lie having developed his farm hinself, and he devotes it to
mixed farming, raising grain and stock, and keeping
many sheep and horses. In 1881, he erected a frame
house, commodious in size, and lie has a large
frame barn, a part of which was built in 1866, and
tle remainder in 1890, his buildings all being firstclass. Mr. Wilson is highly thought of in his
township, and his fellow-citizens have solicited
him to take public office, but he has always refused,
preferring the comfort of his cozy fireside to the
turmoil of civic life. In his political sentiments,
lie is a Republican. His social relations are with
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. at Climax
Village. Our subject has accumulated his property
by sheer force of diligent and well-directed labor,
seconded by excellent judgment and wise economy.
Fifty cents was his sole capital when he started
out in the world, and he only had the small sum
of one hundred and fifty dollars left him from his
father's estate.
Mr. Wilson was married, September 26, 1860, to
Miss Fanny Wolcott, a good woman and true, who


has been to him a helpmate in every sense of the
word. Mrs. Wilson was born in the village of
Scotts, February 2, 1840, into the pioneer home of
Hiram and Mary (Campbell) Wolcott, who were
natives respectively of New York and Ireland.
They came to Michigan in 1836, and settled on
land, on a part of which the village of Scotts now
stands, buying it from the Government. Mr. Wolcott was one of the leading pioneers of the county,
developing several farms, and becoming a man of
wealth. Iis death occurred April 29, 1879.  Mr.
and Mrs. Wilson have had four children, three of
whom are living: Mary, wife of Edgar Cheney;
Lillie, at home with her parents: and Jennie, wife
of Owen Hass.
ILAS DE LONG, President of the village of
Bangor, one of the many patriotic citizens
of Michigan who bravely fought for the
old flag, is a native of Clinton County, N.
Y., being born in 1840, and where he lived until
1855. In his early youth, lie was brought to Michigan by his parents, who settled in Bangor, Van
Buren County, where ie has since made his home.
I-e was reared on the farm and accustomed to
hard labor, receiving a liberal education in the
common schools of this county.
Early in the year of 1862, this gentleman enlisted in Company G, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, and at the battle of Spring Iill, Tenn., was
captured and detained in Libby Prison about one
month, at which time lie was paroled and returned
home. IHe soon joined Shermain's army in its carnpaigns of the South, and in front of Atlanta, Ga.,
was wounded in the leg, which caused himl to be
an inmate of the hospital for a year, and has crippled hinm: for life.
At the close of the war, lie engaged in the merclandise business, and with the exception of four
years, from 1868 to 1872, has been continuously in
business, and is an eminently successful man. lie
gives attention to every department of his business, and is a thorough and sagacious man.
In the year 1872, he was united in marriage to
Miss Lissie Landon, an excellent Christian woman.




fA




F
6 -(./      Y   f,   A.  LI




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


639


I.  f


They are both valued members of the Disciples
Church, and give of their means most liberally to
the support of the church. Silas De Long has a
brother, Henry, living in this city, who is a prominent furniture dealer, and who also served as a
soldier in the late war to preserve the Union. Ile
enlisted in 1864, and served until the close of the
war.
The parents of our subject are Allen and Lydia
(Boynton) De Long, the former born on Grand
Isle in Lake Champlain in 1801, and the latter
probably a native of New York State. The father
was a son of Francis De Long, who was born probably in North Carolina in 1758, and served in the
War of the Revolution. He lived to be over one
hundred and two years old, dying inl this county
in 1860. While a soldier, he was captured and
taken prisoner to Jamaica Island, where he was
kept in prison seven years.
__ v xTw o


L   ENRY URIAH UPJOIIN, M. D., was born
) in Richland Township, Kalamazoo County,
j/ July 22, 1843, and died after an illness of
(' two weeks, January 2, 1887, at his home
on South Street, Kalamazoo. For many years he
was prominently connected with the growth of the
city, and was one of its most popular citizens. At
the organization of the Upjohn Pill and Granule
Company he became an equal partner in that institution, and gave it much of his attention, contributing to make it one of the most successful
and lucrative enterprises of the State.
At Richland Seminary, Dr. Upjohn prepared
himself for college. In his early life he applied
himself to mechanics, and having an inventive
mind, during his leisure moments he devised a
number of agricultural implements, the most important of which was a corn-planter, with which
much acreage in Richland was planted. He also
constructed a feed cutter, which had an extensive
manufacture, and later secured a patent for a selfbinder with self-tying-knot attachment; also made
a self-rake attachment to the Kirby Reaper. Meanwhile he read medicine with his father, Dr. Uriah
Upjohn, a successful practitioner in Richland.
29


His connection with the Kirby Reaper took our
subject to Buffalo, N. Y., where he engaged in the
drug trade. Returning to Michigan, he and his
sisters and brothers went to Ann Arbor, making
their home in that city and entering the State
University. Prior to commencing his collegiate
course, however, he engaged for a time in the
hardware business, and while thus employed perfected a machine for rolling tinware. Ite had decided to take up the study of medicine, and, accordingly, entered the medical department of the
University, from which he graduated in 1871.
Immediately after graduating, the young Doctor opened an office for practice at Kalamazoo, and
for eight years resided on South Burdick Street,
adjacent to the Merrill Block. Ite then erected a
store building, with a frontage of eighty-six feet,
including four stores. He also secured a tract
of celery land in the northern part of the village,
and became a somewhat extensive grower, as well
as one of the first shippers of the place, his enterprise netting a fair income. Having a powerful
physique and robust health, he felt that he could
endure an extraordinary amount of hard work,
and consequently devoted himself with such assiduity to the demands of his practice and his various
business enterprises, that hie was stricken with typhoid fever, which terminated fatally.
The Doctor had given much thought to economical subjects, and especially to those matters relating to the benefit of the poor, and was revolving
an idea that would result in their securing cheap
and suitable homes, as well as constant work. lHe
was a member of the various medical societies, and
llis death was greatly mourned by those organizations, as well as the general public. On all points
relating to his profession, he was thoroughly read
and had the greatest faith in the future of the
pill and granule business, a faith which has seen
its fulfillment in the practical issues of the present.
December 18, 1872, Dr. Upjohn was married to
Miss Millie, daughter of W. G. Kirby, of Charleston Township, and a native of Saratoga County,
N. Y. To the Doctor and his wife were born six
children, viz: Lawrence N.; Ida Rowena, who
(lied when eight years old; William  Kirby, U.








640


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Carl, Hubert S. and Donald Henry. Lawrence N.
is a graduate of the High School, and he and the
otler sons reside with their motler at No. 617
South Park Street. Mrs. Upjohn, who is a lady of
superior culture and education, graduated from
Mt. Holyoke Seminary in 1871, and after her marriage commenced the study of medicine, graduating
in 1875, at thle State University of Michigan, and
afterward assisted her husband in his practice.
Slle is a member of the Metlodist Church and a
sincere Christian.
A strictly temperate man, Dr. Upjohn not only
did not use tobacco, liquor or profane language,
but lie greatly objected to the prescribing of whiskey for Ills patients. During his later years he
voted with the Prohibition party. I-is portlait is
presented in connection with this sketch of his life.
ILLiAM S. DELANO. In presenting to
our readers the biographical sketches of
prominent pioneers of Kalamazoo County,
conspicuous mention belongs to Mr. D)elano, who
is engaged as a farmer on section 28, Cooper
Township. His father, Stephen B., was born in
Providence, Mass., September 29, 1795, and in his
early  manhood   studied medlcine, which  he
practiced during the remainder of his life.  The
family of which he was a member came of FrenchEnglish extraction, and his father, Jonathan, was
in early life a sea-captain, and later followed the
calling of a farmer, until his death, about 1825.
Themother of our subject, Lydia Smith, was
born in Oneida County, N. IH., November 16, 1799,
and was orphaned when quite young. After the
death of Dr, Delano, which occurred May 20,
1827, she was married to Gilbert Benedict, becoming by that union the mother of three children.
She and her first husband were the parents of three
children, two of whom  are living. At the advanced age of three-score and three years, she passed
away, July 28, 1862.
In Wayne County, N. Y., the subject of our
sketch was born December 17, 1819. He was the
eldest in the little family, and was only a small
child when he was orphaned by the death of his


father, after which lie went to make his home with
llis uncle, Ichabod Hart, remaining witll him until
he was of age. In the meantime, lie attended tlle
district school until he was seventeen,and, in 1838,
accompanied his uncle to Michigan, settling in
Cooper Township), Kalamazoo County.
In the fall of 1843, Mr. Delano purcllaseld his
Ipresent farm, of which eight acres had been partly
cleared, and, upon making it his home, lie built a
log house and commenced to cultivate tlhe soil.
lie was married, May 5, 1841, to Louisa C. Skinnler,
who was born in Providence, Saratoga County, N.
Y., December 17, 1818, and died July 1, 1853.
HIer parents were Henry and D1eborah Skinner, tlle
former born in Rutland County, Vt., October 27,
1717. Mrs. Delano was a teacher during the early
days of this county, and was identified witli tlle
Methodist Episcopal Church for many years prior
to her death.
Four of the six children in the family of Mr.
I)elano and his first wife attained to maturity.
Stephen, who was born September 4, 1842, died
September 1, 1862, at TuscIumbia, Ala., after havingserved for one year in the Third Michigan
Cavalry. Joseph E., who was born July 5, 1844, is
married, and makes his home in Barry County,
Hiram A., who was born July 12, 1847, resides in
Allegan, where lie is a prominent banker. Louisa
C., born November 3, 1849, is the wife of Peter Bell,
a farmer of Tuscola County. The children received good educations, and were formerly teachers.
January 18, 1854, Mr. Delano and Miss Iannall
M. Blanchard were united in marriage. This lady
was born in Persia, Cattaraugus County, N. Y.,
January 12, 1826, and died March 22, 1888. lIer
parents, Herman and Betsey M. (Taylor) Blancllard, natives, respectively, of New Hampshire and
New York, came to Michigan about 1842, and settled in Cooper Township, where they cleared and
improved a farm. The father died May 3, 1883, and
the mother passed away January 23, 1885. Prior
to her marriage, Mrs. Delano was a successfll
teacher, and as she was a refined lady and kindhearted friend and neighbor, she occupied a high
place in the confidence of all whom she met.
The following is the record of the children born
of the second marriage of Mr. Delano: Herman




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


641


B., wlo was born July 10, 1855, died October 24,
1874; George E., born August 5, 1857, is engaged
in the grocery business in Allegan County; Albert W., born September 22, 1859, is married and
resides in Cooper Township; Fred S., whose birth
occurred December 20, 1861, also makes his home
in Cooper Township; Lydia M., who was born
November 10,1863, is the wife of Ienry Clark, and
lives in Cooper Township; Laura J., born April 19,
1866, and Arlyn J., born May 3, 1868, are at home.
Stephen B., of whom previous mention has been
made, enlisted November 1, 1861, in Company F.,
Third Michigan Cavalry, and served with distinguished courage and valor at the battles of New
Madrid, Farmington, and the sieges of Island No.
10 and Corinth, besides other engagements of
minor importance. His death occurred September
1, 1862, in a hospital.
Mr. Delano has served as Township Treasurer
two terms, Supervisor, one term, and is a member
of the Democratic party. Ie is a Mason, and for
many years has belonged to Cooper Lodge, No. 149.
In the Congregational Church, of which he has long
been a member, he has served as Deacon for a number of years. Ile now owns one hundred and
twenty acres on section 28, and has recently sold
two farms of over one hundred acres each. Success
has crowned his efforts, and while he has been
prospered financially, he has also won the confidence of his fellow-citizens by his unflinching integrity.
i     ON. MILAN WIGGINS, a representative
) and prominent citizen   of Van   Buren
County, was born April 29, 1847, in Independence, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and
was a son of Nahum and Phoebe (Dunham) Wiggins. His grandfather, Ezra Wiggins, was born in
Vermont, where lie was a farmer, and came to
Ohio about 1820. Hle died in Newburgh, that
State, at the age of seventy, his wife surviving
until she was over ninety years of age. The
father of our subject was born near Montpelier,
Vt., came with his parents to Ohio, and died at Independence about 1851, aged forty-two years. IHe


left a widow and two children, Milan and Cullin
Ii. He was a very active and progressive citizen
and was engaged in farming and merchandising.
IIe was an old-line Whig and a member of the Odd
Fellows. The mother of our subject was born in
Ohio and was the daughter of John and Elizabeth
(IHungerford) Dunham. IHer father served in the
War of 1812 as a musician, and removed from
New York to Ohio, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. He reared a family of seven
sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to a
ripe old age, none dying under seventy years.
After the death of our subject's father, his mother
married E. W. Thompson, and of this union two
children were born, Lizzie and Asa.
After his father's death, Milan Wiggins resided
with his uncle, J. H. Dunham, until eighteen years
of age. He received his elementary education in
the district schools, supplementing it by a course
at Oberlin College. He spent four years teaching
in the common schools of Ohio, Iowa and Michigan, and at twenty began his business life as a
salesman in a store in Cleveland, Olio. Two years
later, he commenced operations on his own account
and continued in the business for five years, being
engaged one year in a commission line. In 1876,
he came to Bloomingdale, Van Buren County,
where he purchased one hundred and twenty
acres on  section 9, and has since been engaged in operating a dairy. He also owns another
farm of eighty acres. In 1878, he established a
cheese factory, which he is still carrying on. In
1880, he formed a partnership with Warren Haven
in the mercantile business in Bloomingdale, and in
1888 associated himself with F. W. Hubbard, carrying a large stock of dry goods. IHe also has an
interest in the gristmill in Bloomingdale. Mr.
Wiggins has a most estimable wife, whose maiden
name was Marie Hubbard, and they are the parents
of four children: Hattie, Nellie, Luvern and Arthur B. Mr. Wiggins is an active and leading
Republican and takes a lively interest in political
affairs. He attends both State and National Conventions and uses his influence in selecting the best
men on the ticket. Hle has served in various township offices and has represented his county in the
State Legislature for two terms. He is a promi



642


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


nent member of tile Masonic fraternity. Mr.
Wiggins has made his own way in the world, and
is now, with his wife and fiamily, enjoying a colnfortable home and the esteem of their many friends
in the community.
-— ^ — ^~ ---^ ---II     ENRY V. SKINNER.    The oldest settler
l ow living in Cooper Townslhip, Kalamazoo County, witl the exception of one
other, is tllis intelligent and progressive
farmer, wlo owns.and operates one hIundred and
twenty acres on sections 21 and 22. His commodiouls residence was built in 1868, while othler
structures for the storage of grain and sllelter of
stock have been added when needed.
The father of our subject, Joseph Skinner, was
born in Saratoga County, N. Y., April 28, 1801,
and always followed the calling of a farmer. In
October, 1833, he removed with his family to
Michigan, coming via Erie Canal and Lake Erie
to Detroit, and proceeding thence to Washtenaw
County, where he settled two miles southwest of
Ann Arbor. He purchased a tract of land, and
settled upon it, but in April, 1835, removed to
Kalamazoo County, and settled in Cooper Township.
The journey hither was made in a wagon drawn
by two yoke of oxen, and loaded witli houshold
goods, and those who walked drove the few head
of cattle. The first night spent in Cooper Township, the little party slept on the ground, and
during the night six inches of snow fell, adding
to their discomfort. Mr. Skinner took up two
hundred and forty acres of Government land in
1834, when not a tree had been cut down in the
township, and wild game and Indians were numerous. The following year, two men built shanties
some distance south of his farm, while a few
families of Indians lived one-half mile north.
It was a common occurrence for the Indians to
have green corn dances, upon which occasions as
many as five hundred families passed. the Skinner
homestead, which was near one of the trails. The, patent for Mr. Skinner's land was signed by President Andrew Jackson, and his firs; house was


constructed of logs, about 18x20 feet, although a
more commodious residence was soon erected.
Very soon after lie settled on the land, lie cleared
and broke five acres, wlich lie planted in corn,
potatoes and buckwheat. IIe cleared ten acres
each succeeding year, until tile entire farm  was
brought under cultivation, and upon the improved homestead lie resided until his deatli, in
November, 1885.
A prominent man in the community, Mr. Skinner served as Highway Commissioner and Assessor, and was influential in thle organization of tlle
Methodist Episcopal Church il Cooper Township).
Ile was well and favorably known over a wide
scope of territory, and his deatll was sincerely
mourned. His wife, Nancy Veeder, was born in
Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1805, and was of Holland descent. After her death, whicll occurred in
1845, le married Sophia Lillie, who still survives.
Our subject is the only survivor among the six
children born of tle first union, and one clild of
tihe second marriage is now living.
In Orleans County, N. Y., where lie was born,
June 26, 1827, Mr. Skinner passed tlhe first six
years of his life. From there he accompanied his
parents to Michigan, walking from   Detroit to
Washtenaw County. His educational advantages
were limited to a brief attendance at the district
school, the first school in the township being
taught by Mrs. George Hart, who is still living in
the vicinity. After he was twenty-one, he worked
at the trade of a carpenter for about three years
and also chopped wood, receiving twenty-five cents
per cord. He took great pleasure in hunting deer
and turkeys, many of which fell beneath his unerring rifle. After game became scarce in this
section, he went north each fall for several years
on a hunting expedition.
About 1853, Mr. Skinner commenced to farm
upon his present estate. He was married I)ecember 1, 1852, to Miss Mary M. I)elano, who was
born in Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo County,
April 18, 1835. Her parents, Ephraim   B. and
Nancy (Gillett) Delano, were natives of Saratoga
and Orleans Counties, N. Y., respectively, he
having been born in 1803, and she in 1808. They
came to Micligan in 1832, remaining in Wash



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


643


tenaw County two years, and settling in Cooper
Township in 1835. Here they took up land, and
remained until called hence by death,. the mother
in 1848, and the father in   1872. They were
originally members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. The father died in the faith of the Congregational Church. They were worthy people,
highly esteemed throughout the community, and
devoted to their seven children, whom they trained
for responsible positions in life.
Mr. and Mrs. Skinner are the parents of three
children, namely: Jay J., who was born January 6,
1855, is now married, and has four children; Bert
E., who was born June 23, 1860, lives in Kalamazoo; the third child died in infancy. Politically,
Mr. Skinner is a Democrat. IIe has held many of
the local offices of the township, has been Highway Commissioner for alnost twenty years, and
has also served as delegate to count cconventions.
Hie and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, and contribute genLerously of their
means and influence in behalf of all measures calcullated to benefit the community 'at large or those
in need.
YLVESTER M. IESS. Among the leading business firms of Lawrence, Van Buren
County, stands tllat of S. M. & C. S. I-less,
dealers in general merchandise, and who
have built up an excellent trade by their upright
and honest dealings. The senior member of this
firm was born in Delaware County, N. Y., September 10, 1851, to William C. and Margaret (Myers)
Hess, the father a native of New York, of German
and Englishl ancestors, and the mother also a native
of New York, of GCerman and English ancestry.
The father followed farming, and moved to Wisconsin when our subject was about five years of
age, and l)re-empted land where he made his home.
Thle father of our subject was a soldier in the
late Rebellion, enlisting in Company C, Eighteenth
Wisconsin Inlfanltry, and )participated in the battle
of Pittsburg landinig, wit ith antullmbr o o ther im-'
l)portat conflicts. lie was taken sick and honorably


_


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I
I
I
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1_11-1 ~~11111 ---^1 111_1_ ---1_
___l_i_____l_-__ _II


discharged, when he came home and died about
six months afterward. After this sad event, the
family were scattered, the mother going back to
New York, where she died in a few years; one
brother, George E., remained in Wisconsin, and
the other three, including our subject, came finally
to Michigan. The only sister, Louisa C., married
L. C. Marigold and lives in Muskegon, Mich.
Charles S. is married and lives in Lawrence, being
the partner of our subject. A sketch of the latter
will be found elsewhere in this volume.
Our subject and his brother Charles went to
Indiana to live with an ilncle, on the death of
their father, and remained a year or more. When
our subject was twelve and a half years old, lie
came to Michigan and located at Three Oaks, Berrien County, where lie worked for his board and
went to school. HIe began clerking in a general
store when fifteen and continued in this occupation
two years. IIe worked six months for $8 and
board. When seventeen years old, he began to
work in the freight office of the Michigan Central
Railroad at Three Oaks, and was there about one
year, when he was promoted and sent to Decatur,
and did office work there, obtaining some knowledge of book-keeping. IIe was at this place four
years, and then changed his occupation, working at
a grain elevator for two years. On reaching his
twenty-fifth year, Mr. Iess began the manufacture
of staves and heading at Hartford, Mich., in connection with Albert W. Rogers, which business lie
carried on four years. At the end of tllis time,
Mr. Iess came to Lawrence with his partner, but,
at the end of four years, they dissolved the partnership, and our subject began in his present business
in 1885, in p)artnership with a Mr. Whiteman for
one year. Hle then bought his partner's interest
and carried on tile business until February 1, 1888,
when lie took his brother, Clharles S. Hess, as partner, and they are doing a splendid, lucrative business and are held in the highest respect for their
straightforward business lives.
The original of this sketch was married wlen
twenty-seven years of age in Lawrence, thils county,
on the 28th of August, 1878. The lady of. his
choice' Was Miss Jenni e F. Riblon, of Lawieice.
She was born- in Paw Paw, -Mlill.,- November






644


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


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


30, 1856, to John M. and Sarah M. (Phelps)
Riblon. By this union our subject and his wife
have become the parents of five children: Margie
R., born March 26, 1880; Blanch L., October
13, 1881; E. Lucile, May 18, 1885; J. William,
August 9, 1889; and Hugh C., November 28, 1890.
All these children were born in Lawrence, except
the eldest, she having had her birth in Hartford.
Those who are old enough are attending school
and gaining good educations.
The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in politics, and has been on the Board of Trustees for
the village; served as Township Treasurer; has
always been much interested in good schools, and
has acted as one of the School Board. He was appointed Postmaster of Lawrence during Cleveland's administration and served one and one-half
years. He has been appointed delegate to various
county conventions. Mr. Hess is one of the leading members of the Masonic Lodge at Lawrence,
having now taken his ninth degree. He joined
this order at Decatur.


at which time he was discharged on account of
disability, caused from a wound received at Sturgeon, Mo.
On returning from  the army, Mr. Sutton engaged in farming and carpenter work until 1877,
when lie edited the Hartford Day Spring. He
conducted that paper for five years with signal
success and was identified with that journal
more or less until 1882. The parents of our subject were Orrin and Betsey (Branch) Sutton, the
father born in 1800, in Onondaga County, N.Y.,
and the mother's birth occurring in Vermont, in
August of the same year. They became the parents of five children: Roxy A., who was the wife
of John L. Northrup, of Bangor; our subject, who
was the second in order of birth; Nancy, Mrs.
Benjamin Randall, who is residing in Northwest
Nebraska; Juliet married Nathan De Long, now
deceased; and Ann E. married Maynard Randall,
now deceased.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were
Roswell and Nancy (Atwell) Sutton, natives of
the Green Mountain State, the grandfather being
of Welsh ancestry. In politics, he of whom we
write is a Republican and a member of the Grand
Army Post at Hartford. Socially, he is an Odd
Fellow. His son, Warner Sutton, was appointed
Consul to Northern Mexico in 1878, a position he
has since held with distinction. He received his
appointment under President Hayes and fulfilled
all the duties of that responsible office with credit
to himself and entire satisfaction to all concerned.
He was married in South HIaven, in 1874, to Miss
Mary L. Andrus.
t ---~-t
( G  ON. SIMPSON IHOWLAND. This respected gentleman, who is one of tha prominent and influential citizens of Ross Town) ship, Kalamazoo County, is widely and
favorably known throughout this section as a man
of progressiveness and public spirit. Mr. Howland
is a native of Stillwater, Saratoga County, N. Y.,
his natal day being May 18, 1822.  He is the
son of Edward K. and Margaret (Simpson) Howland, also natives of the Empire State.


UTHER SUTTON, who is at present residing in Hartford, was born in Onondaga
County, N. Y., in 1825. In 1834, his parents removed to Washtenaw County, this State,
and located just east of where the State University
now stands. They remained there two years and
then removed to Lawrence Township, Van Buren
County, and made their home on a farm in the
wilderness, when there were but five log cabins
in the township.
Luther Sutton grew to manhood in the abovenamed county, and was married, January 3,1849,
to Miss Priscilla J. Bancroft, and unto them have
been born three children: Warner P., born in
October, 1849; Ada E., born in April, 1853; and
Eva M., born 1863. Ada is the widow of William
J. Philpot, and Eva is Mrs. Alexander Beeney.
On the outbreak of the Civil War, our subject enlisted in what was known as Birges First Regiment
Western Sharpshooters, which afterward became
the Fourteenth Missouri, and later the Sixtysixth Illinois. Mr. Sutton served until May, 1862,




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I I 1 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


645


Thlle paternal ancestors of our subject are said to
have been English, as the rIowland family traces
its ancestry back to three brothers who   emigrated from England and located in New Bedford
before the Revolutionary  War.    His maternal
ancestors are also said to have been English.  The
original of tils sketch was a lad of thirteen years
when lhls parents came to Kalamazoo County and
located on the tract of land which is his present
home and which is now known as -Iowlandsburg.
Edward K. IIowland was one of the earliest pioneers of Ross Township, having come hither with
lis family in 1836. lIe here made his home until
his death, September 12, 1881.
The larental family of our subject included six
children, only three of whom are living: Simpson,
our subject; Mary, the wife of II. I). Palmer, and
Margaret, Mrs. L. II. Martin. Mr. IHowland was
reared amid the pioneer scenes of this locality,
whose hardships and privations have made a lasting impression on his mind. IIe received his education in the common schools of that period, but,
making the best of his opportunities, became a
well-read and intelligent gentleman.
The lIon. Siml)son Ilowland was married, March!, 1848, to Miss Sarah Berger, a native of New
York State, and to them have been granted a family of three children, one of whom  is deceased.
They bear the respective names of I)ewitt, deceased;
Alice V., Mrs. James Spier; and Albert 0.  The
father of our subject erected tle pioneer gristmill
in this section, which is now the property of the
original of this sketch. lIe also built and operated
a sawmill for a number of years, and was very
prominent in business circles.
Tlie original of this sketch has occupied the
office of Justice of the Peace and for years served
as Supervisor and Treasurer of Ross Township),
Kalamazoo County. He was also Township Assessor and very active in all local affairs. Mr lowland was elected to the State Legislature in 1875
and re-elected in 1877, serving with due credit to
himself and satisfaction to his constituents. While
a member of that body, he officiated as Chairman
on the implortant commnittees of Fisheries and Municil)al Corporations.
Tlhe lion. Simpson Howland is the proprietor of


a large farm in this section and has been more than
ordinarily successful in all his undertakings.  IIe
is virtually a self-made man, as his vast possessions
are the result of his industry and good management. In early life a Whig, our subject now casts
his vote and influence in favor of Republican
candidates. Although not a member of any particular denomination, Mr. -lowland is a liberal and
cheerful contributor to all the various religious
organizations and is in favor of all movements
which have for their object the uplifting and upbuilding of his community.
Mrs. lowland is a daughter of Itenry and
Iannah (King) Berger, prominent pioneers of
Calhoun County, where they bear the reputation
of honest upright people.
NSON D. I'. VAN BUREN. This gentleman, who resides in Galesburgh, is the presL  ent Clerk of Comstock Township, Kalamazoo County, and in addition to the duties of this office he carries on a splendid insurance
business. Mr. Van Buren was born in Kinderhook
Township, Columbia County, N. Y., the date
thereof being April 21, 1822. His father was a
native of the same place as was our subject, and
was a cousin of ex-President Martin Van Buren.
The elder Mr. Van Buren was a farmer by occupation and in 1826 removed from his native place
to Oneida County, N. Y., where lie made his home
until 1836, the date of his coming to Michigan.
I-le located near Battle Creek, in the then Territory, where he entered a tract of land from the
Government. lIe was an active member of the
Presbyterian Church, and a strong temperance
man. He passed from   this life in 1866. The
maiden name of our subject's mother was Olive
Jay, a descendant of Gov. John Jay, of New York.
Mrs. Van Buren was born in Little Falls, N. Y.,
where she grew to womanhood. She met and was
married to the father of our subject in Columbia
County and became the mother of nine children,
four sons and five daughters, all of whom are married and have homes of their own. Mary married
L. 1). Spence and resides in California; Sarah be



646


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRIAPHILCAL RECORD.


64                PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.-~ —


came Mrs. E. Dickinson and died in Chillicothe,  corl
Mo.; Atlanta married George W. Spencer, and    Bat
died at Three Rivers, this State; Eliza, who is de-  Var
ceased, married Benjamin M. King, who was a    Mic
very early settler and prominent man in this State.  witl
Martin came to Michigan in 1836, and is at pres-  teei
ent residing in Cass County; Harriet married Isaac  can
Smith, of Kalamazoo County, and makes her home  Phi
in Charleston Township; Ephraim  also came to  sam
this State in 1836, and for a number of years re-  N
sided in Battle Creek; he now makes his home in  Kal
Allegan County, where he has a fine fruit farm.  gan
Abner J. made this State his home in 1840, but  per
is now residing in Charleston Township, Kalama-  pro
zoo County.                                    He
The original of this sketch is the youngest of  is
the parental family and came to the Wolverine  cou
State with his parents as early as 1836. Hle received his first schooling in Whitestown, N. Y.
He became a teacher in 1838, having charge of a
school in Battle Creek Township, Calhoun County,
this State. I-e occupied that position until 1843,
and then attended for four years a branch of
the Michigan University at Kalamazoo. He later
took a course of study in the Michigan University  nish
at Ann Arbor, from which he finished his studies  Ne"
in 1849. He was then given charge of the Battle  Kee
Creek High School, where he taught one year, and  179
then took charge of the Union school, at the same  witl
place, for one year. IHe organized the first school  181
in Dowagiac, this State, and went South to Miss-  of t
issippi, in 1857, where he was engaged as a peda-  his
gogue in an academy established by the wealthy  N. A
planters of that section.                      til
In 1859, Mr. Van Buren returned to Michigan  son
and wrote a book entitled "Jottings of the South,"  unti
which had a good sale.    Our subject taught  first
his last school in the academy at Climax, this  nati
county.                                        livil
The original of this sketch was married, in 1856,  man
to Mary L. Gilson, of Reading, Pa. The young   ow (
couple then located in Galesburgh, where Mr. Van  pire
Buren engaged in the insurance business, repre-  late
senting several fire insurance companies. He has  were
held the position of Township Clerk for the last  gre,
fifteen years. He has been a correspondent of the  N. 1
Detroit Post now the Detroit Tribune, since its in-  cult


poration. Hie also holds a like position on the
tle Creek Journal and many other papers. Mr.
n Buren is a member of the committee of the
chigan Pioneer Historical Society of this State,
h which body he has been connected for sixn years. He is also a member of the AmeriAcademy of Political and Social Science, of
ladelphia, Pa., and is a correspondent of the
le.
Ir. Van Buren is one of the committee of the
amazoo County Pioneers' Society, in which orization he is a historian. He is a strong temance man and has been an active worker in
moting the cause of prohibition in this section.
is a member of the Congregational Church, and
widely known and highly esteemed in the
nty.
ARWIN McKEE, who follows farming on
)section 24, Decatur Township, is one of the
worthy citizens which New York has furled to Van Buren County. HIe cones of an old
w England family. His father, Chancey Mc-!, was born in Old Hartford, Conn., February 3,
4, and, when a lad of thirteen years, removed
i his parents to Jefferson County, N. Y. In
0, he married a daughter of Judge Edmonds
hat county, and six years later removed with
wife and two children to Niagara County,
r., where lie purchased a farm, operating it un1844. IIe then bought land north of John's Creek, in Niagara County, and there resided
il his death on the 26th of August, 1875. His
wife having died, he married Lucy Loomis, a
ive of Rutland, Vt. Three children, all yet
ng, were born of the first union: Milo, a shoe
lufacturer, of Middleport, N. Y.; Clarissa, widof David Hulbert, and a resident of the Em.
State, and Lewis, who served throughout the
war as one of the boys in blue. Seven sons
e born of the second union, but only three
w to manhood: Edwin, a farmer of Hartland,
i.; 1)arwin, of this notice, and Delos, an agriurist of North Dakota. In early life, the




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


649


father was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, but in later years joined the Wesleyan
Methodist. He lived a devoted Christian life, and
at his death many friends mourned his loss. His
second wife, who was also a member of the church,
died in Royaltown, N. Y., in 1845.
Darwin McKee was born in Royaltown, August
8, 1828, and there acquired his education. At the
age of seventeen, he went with his father to Iartland, Niagara County, and there made his home
until twenty-six years of age, when, in 1855, he
came to Michigan, hoping to better his financial
condition by removing westward. He was accompanied by his wife, having been married some
years previous. The lady of his choice was Adelia
Andrus, who was born in New York, June 29,
1834, and is a daughter of Abel Andrus, of Vermont, who removed to the Empire State in an
early day. On coming to Michigan, Mr. McKee
purchased a tract of land heavily timbered, and it
was no easy task to clear it, but with characteristic energy lie began the work, and in the course
of time where once stood the monarchs of the
forest heaving fields of grain met the eye. A
cabin home sheltered the family until about six
years ago, when a comfortable frame residence
was erected.  Other substantial improvements
have been made, which add to the value and attractive appearance of the place.
The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. McKee numbered six children, of whom five are yet living:
Benjamin Franklin, born January 5, 1856, is now
faming near Lakeside, Mich.; Lebnard Cole, born'
in Royaltown, N. Y., October 31, 1858, aids in the
operation of the home farm; Darwin, born in
HIartland, N. Y., March 8, 1860, resides in Decatur
Township with his wife and two children; Ella
Dell, born February 14, 1862, died May 13, 1865;
hItattie, born January 20, 1866, in Decatur Township, is now the wife of Allison Ives, a resident
farmer of that township; and Sarah Eleanor, born
June 25, 1874, is still under the parental roof.
Mr. McKee is an independent Republican in
politics, las served two years on the ilchool Board,
and the cause of education finds in him a stanch
friend. It has been his earnest desire to give to
his children good educations, thus fitting them for


the practical duties of life, and he has lived to see
them become useful men and women, and respected members of society. His farm comprises
eighty acres, and, in connection with general
farming, he engages in fruit-growing, which adds
not a little to his income. The principal products
which he raises are wheat, corn, oats, potatoes,
grapes and peaches.
-i -Wi i
A. ENGLE, M. D. Probably there is no
more respected citizen of Van Buren
County than the gentleman whose portrait and life-sketch we present to our readers, and
who is practicing his profession in Hartford. He
was born in 1827, in Allegany County, N. Y., and
was the third in order of birth in a family of eight
children, all of whom lived to reach mature years
and become heads of families.
The parents of our subject were John and Sarah
(Alvord) Engle. The father was born in Germantown, Pa., about 1795 and was a son of J. W.
Engle, who served in the Revolutionary War. Iie
was a very prominent gentleman and was elected
many times to represent his district in the State
Legislature. The Engle family came originally
from Germany and the great-grandfather of our
subject participated in the noted Germantown
battle.
IIe of whoim we write grew to mature years in
Allegany County, N. Y., and was graduated from
the University of Alfred of that county. Iie came
to Michigan in 1855, and began the study of medicine in the Michigan University at Ann Arbor,
from which institution he was graduated with the
degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1856. Later he
located in Hartford and began the practice of his
profession. lie is the oldest practicing physician
in the village and his pleasant and genial manners
never fail to make warm friends for him wherever
he goes. He engaged in the drug business about
1875 and now has one of the best stores in Hartford.
)1r. Engle was married in 1863 to Mrs. Emily D.
Woolsey, daughter of Daniel Van Auken, of Bangor.
Mrs. Engle had one son by her former marriage,




650


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Fred F., who is employed in the store of our subject.
Of her union with Dr. Engle have been born two
children: Mary, who is the wife of J. L. Ingalls,
and Manlius A., at Big Rapids. Our subject is
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church
and is a member of the Michigan State Medical
Society in which organization lie is very prominent, being one of its oldest adherents. Dr. Engle
is very talented as a poet and in 1883 had a book
of poems published which has received many commendations. Ile has at present a work of poems
ready for publication. He was Postmaster of Hartford for ten years, being appointed to that position
by President Lincoln. Dr. Engle stands very higb
in professional circles and ranks among the skillful and progressive physicians of Van Buren
County.
H IARLES C. REYNOLDS. This rel)resentative farmer and stock-raiser of Alamo
Township, Kalamazoo County, owns one
lhundred and two acres of land on sections 34 and
35. His estate is embellished with a large and
handsome residence, and all the farm  buildings
which best subserve the interests of an agriculturist. In addition to raising the cereals, Mr. Reynolds devotes a great deal of time and attention
to the breeding of Short-horn cattle and Merino
sheep, raising the latter for breeding pulrposes.
Charles C. Reynolds is a native of the abovenamed township and county, his birth occurring
November 3, 1849. His father was George W.
Reynolds, a native of Niagara County, N. Y., who
came to Michigan as early as 1837. Locating in
Alamo Township, he entered land from  the Government, and was among the very earliest settlers
of the county. Mr. Reynolds was very fond of
hunting, and found many an opportunity to display his talent as a good marksman.   George
W. Reynolds cleared and improved his land, and
died April 12, 1888, in the seventy-first year of
his age.
The mpaiden name of our subject's mother was
Elvira Ford, and her native State, Ohio. She is
still living, and has become the mother of seven


children, five of whom are still living. Our subject was given a common-school education, and
resided under the parental roof, assisting his father
in improving the new farm, until twenty-seven
years of age. H-e purchased his present home
about 1874, and was married two years later to -Hattie Brockaway, a native of this State. Mrs. Hattie
Reynolds died October 7, 1883, and left one daughter, Bessie. Mr. Reynolds was again married in
1888, this time to Christina Rutherford, a native of
Canada. She came to Michigan when quite young,
and was the daughter of James and Christina
(Brockie) Rutherford, natives of Scotland, where
they were married. Mrs. Rutherford died in 1874,
after having become the mother of eight children,
all of whom are living, with one exception. The
father is a farmer in Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County.
Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have two children: Fannie 0. and Charles Raymond. In politics, our shubject is a Republican, and has held many of tile local offices of his township. Ile is well known and
highly esteemed throughout the community, and(
is making a success of his calling, as farmer and
stock-raiser.
-/


( OVEL R. IIOYT. The village of Schoolcraft is the home of a number of gentlemen
J   who are prominently connected with tlhe
agricultural interests of Kalamazoo County, and
are the owners of large and highly improved
farms. The estate which Mr. Ioyt owns and manages is pleasantly situated on section 3, Prairie
Ronde Township, and the two hundred and forty
acres which it coimprises are finely cultivated and
embellisled with good farm buildings. Although
lie supervises its management, his home is in
Schooleraft, where lie occupies a neat and tastily
furnished residence.
Tihe family of which our subject is a member is
one of the best known and most highly respected
in the county, and its members lave aided greatly
in the development of the agricultural resources of
Prairie Ronde Township. Lovel R. is one of a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


651


family numbering thirteen children, whose father,
Ransford C., now passed from the scenes of earth,
was for many years identified with this township.
For further information in regard to the parental
history, the reader is referred to the biography of
R1. C. HIoyt, which is presented elsewhere in this
volume.
In Prairie Ronde Township, where he was born
March 18, 1843, Lovel R. Ioyt passed the years of
his boyhood and youtlhin a somewhat uneventful
manner, his school studies being varied by the usLal childish sports as well as the work incident to
farm life. Having passed his entire life on a farm,
lie is perfectly familiar with agriculture in its various departments, and is a successful and practical
farmer. He and his wife, who was formerly Miss
Eva R. Keen, of Porter Township, Van Buren
County, are tle parents of two bright and talented
children, Lena and Ira, who are at home with their
parents.
EORGE Ii. WEL)IN      is successfully cultivating a portion of the soil on section 3,
A     Porter Township, Van Buren County. Iis
father, Lewis II. Weldin, was born in 1798, in
Tompkins County, N. Y., and was a soldier in the
War of 1812. The maiden name of his mother
was Betsey Merritt, a native of Pennsylvania.
The elder Mr. Weldin went to the Keystone State
when a young man and there met and married the
mother of our subject. They remained there but
a short time, however, and in 1834 came to Michigan and rented the Kidsey farm in Washtenaw
County which lie operated three years.
In the spring of 1837, the parents of our subject
came to Van Buren County and settled on a farm
on section 21, Porter Township, which the father
entered from the Government. His estate, which
consisted of one hundred and seventy acres, was
all wild land and located between Lake Cedar and
Grass Lake. His nearest neighbors on the east and
west at that time were about three miles distant.
Ile cleared and cultivated his farml and continued
to make it his abiding-place for thirteen years,
erecting thereon a frame house which was the first


nice residence in Porter Township. - Ie also built
the first frame barn in that locality and otherwise
greatly improved his farm.
Mr. Weldin, Sr., in 1850 removed to section 8
of the above-named township   and again commenced the work of improving a raw farm. The
frame house which lie erected on the place was
burned, but lie soon replaced it and at the time of
his death had become the owner of a splendid tract
of land. His good wife died in 1850, which broke
into the plans which he had made of moving to
Iowa. Ile survived his companion a number of
years and died in 1865, having become the parent
of eight children, five of whom are living. The
father of Mrs. Weldin was a minister in the Freewill Baptist Church.
George 1-I. Weldin was the sixth child in the
parental family and was born in Washtenaw
County, this State, November 20, 1839; lie was an
infant at the time of his parents' removal to Van
Buren County. He attended the first schoolhouse
in the township, which was built of logs, until
reaching his fifteenth year. He was very ambitious
to become a well-educated man, however, and,
making his home with an uncle in Wisconsin, he
sawed wood to pay for his tuition. He later made
quite a trip in company with his father through
the Western States and then returned home.
Purchasing a tract of raw land in Pine Grove
Township, Van Buren County, our subject cleared
twenty acres of it and then sold his estate. He
was married, January 26, 1862, to Miss Margery
Turner, a native of England, her birth occurring
in February, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Weldin are the
parents of four children, viz: Lewis II., who married Annie Peterson, lives at Lawton; Cora, who
married Henry Mauk, has two children and makes
her l;ome in Porter Township; Nora J., Mrs. J.
Darsey, lives in Michigan City; Merritt resides at
home.
Mr. Weldin rented and operated his father's farm
a twelvemonth, then removed to section 10, where
he remained for several years and then located
permanently on his present farm. Iis possessions
include two hundlred and seventy-three acres of
excellent land, twenty-five of which are inside the
corporate limits of Lawton.  Forty acres of his








652


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


property are devoted to a vineyard, and although
he does a general farming business, he gives a great
deal of attention to fruit culture.
Mrs. Margery Weldin died in 1884 and July 3,
1890, our subject was married to Marilla Smith, a
native of Lake County, Ohio, and the daughter of
G. C. and Elizabeth (Billington) Ray. Her parents had a large family of thirteen. They are both
now deceased. Mrs. Weldin was born August 16,
1839, and with her husband is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church at Lawton, in which
body Mr. Weldin is Steward and Trustee. They
are both active in Sunday-school work and our
subject has been Superintendent of the same.
Socially, lie of whom we write was a member of
the Grange, in which order he was Lecturer for
seven years, and was Steward of the County
Grange. IHe also belongs to the Farmer's Club
and was its first Vice-president. He has been
School Director and Treasurer and was Collector of
rate Bills. In politics, he was in early life a Republican and cast his first vote for Abraham  Lincoln; he now votes the Prohibition ticket and is
Secretary of the County Committee of that body.






 --- —


Col. Thayer. He was Justice of the Peace, and
was closely identified with the progress of the
community until his death, in 1851.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was a
native of Canada, and lived to the great age of
nearly one hundred years. Lavina (Swick) Thayer,
our subject's mother, was born in Canada in
1808, and passed from  earth about 1884. Her
family comprised ten children, six of whom are
living. Cyrus, who was the fifth in order of
birth, was born in Wayne County, Micl., July 4,
1832. After receiving a limited education in the
pioneer log schoolhouse of the district, he started
out for himself in the fall of 1850, and worked on
the Flint & Saginaw plank road, at a time when
there was only one house and barn in East Saginaw.
March 1, 1852, Mr. Thayer came to Kalamazoo
and aided in building the plank road between
Kaluimazoo and Grand Rapids. June 1, of the
following year, he took passage on the ship "Independence" from New York, and while en route
to California was wrecked on the island of Margaretta, in the Pacific Ocean. When the ship was
about four miles from  the island, it struck a
rock and sprang a leak; an effort was made to
reach the island, but within one-half mile of the
port the vessel caught on fire and the passengers
were obliged to jump overboard, about three hundred being drowned.
Leaving his money and clothes on board shil),
Mr. Thayer plunged into the water and a short
time after was rescued by a whaling-vessel. Among
the rescued passengers were about twelve ladies.
For four days and nights they remained on the
island without food or drink, and their sufferings
cannot be described. During the first day a child
was born, and was named Margaretta. When San
Francisco was reached, a purse of $100,000 was
presented to the mother and child, the lhusband
and father having perished with the ship.
For four months, Mr. Thayer remained in the
mines of California, on the north folk of the
American River, after which lhe was employed in
making shingles until lie returned East, at tile expiration of one year. The shipl which lie boarded:
at San Francisco took fire, but the flames were ex

c   1++++:~,Z++++!


G   YRUS   TIIAYER, who represents Cooper
Township on the Board of Supervisors of
Kalamazoo County, is a prominent and
progressive farmer and stock-raiser. His fine farm,
which is valued at about $26,000, comprises two
hundred and fifty acres on sections 15 and 16, besides eighty acres on section 20. While he raises
the various cereals, he makes a specialty of wheat,
of which his average crop is three thousand
bushels. In 1889, he planted ninety-six acres in
wheat, and harvested three thousand bushels, or
over thirty bushels to the acre.
Nahum   P. Thayer, father of our subject, was
born in Canada in 1801, and followed the trade of
a carpenter. In 1827, lie emigrated to Michigan,
settling in what is now  Springwells Township,
Wayne County, where he continued work at his
trade, and also cleared a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres. (n account of service as Colonel in
the Black Hawk War, he was familiarly known as












PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


653


tinguished before serious damage was done. After
lIis return to Kalamazoo County, he settled in
Cooper's Township, where lie has since remained.
About 1873, he purchased Ilis present farm, wliicl
lie has greatly improved.
The marriage of Mr. Thayer to Miss Adeline
M1. Smitl took place July 25, 1852. Mrs. Thayer
was born in Cooper, l)ecember 9, 1836, and is the
daughter of Ira and Ann D. (Stearnes) Smitll, natives respectively of Ohio and New York. They
became early settlers of Cooper Township, where
lie passed away December 3, 1889, at tlhe age of
four-score and one. Mrs. Smithl died October 4,
1887, when sixty-seven years old. They were tlle
parents of seven children, six of wlom survive.
Mr. and Mrs. Thayer are the parents of eight
children, namely: Almira M., wife of Charles
Fisk, railroad agent at Ypsilanti; Ira, who is married and resides on the old homestead; Iva B.,
wife of Frank Lillie, who is with the McCormick
Reaper Company, in Kalamazoo; Ida, who married Frank Fisher, a farmer in Cooper Township;
Ada A., an accomplished pianist and teacher of
instrumental music; Myrtice M., a graduate from
the Kalamazoo High School of the Class of '92;
Charles M. and Edna M., who are at home.
Mr. Thayer is a Democrat politically, and has
served as a delegate to county, district and State
conventions. He was Treasurer two years,alnd is now
serving his third term as Supervisor. For several
years he has been Director in his school district, and
is greatly interested in educational matters. lie has
been a Mason for a quarter of a century, and is
identified with Cooper Lodge, No. 149.    Mrs.
Thayer belongs to the Methodist Episcopal C(hurch,
in the faith of which the children have been
reared.
E    DMOND M. PRESTON. Too much praise
cannot be bestowed upon those brave pioneers, who, during the early days of this
State, came hither and hewed a path for coming
civilization. Much danger fell to their lot and
many hardships had to be endured, ere they could
clear the land and begin the cultivation of the


soil. On every hand they were exposed to perils,
nor were they less in danger from  the insidious
foes-miasma, and fever and ague-caused by the
upturning of the sod, than they were from wild
animals and savages. Many of the early settlers
died before they reaped the rewards of their hard
labor, but, fortunately, some lhave survived to enjoy these days of prosperity, amld among tlle latter
class is Mr. Preston, a farmer of Arlington Township, Van Buren County.
Vermont was the native home of Mr. Preston
and, at White River Junction, lie was born in 1820.
He is one of two children, the otller being Elisha,
who died when fifteen years old. His parents were
Benjamin and Htannalh (Wheeler) Preston, probably
natives of Vermont. Tlle maternal grandparents
of our subject were Jonas IT. and Amy (Parkers)
Wheeler, with wllom our subject remained until lie
was fifteen years old. At that age, he located in
Pennsylvania, sojourning in that State for three
years, whence he removed to New York, where
lie remained seven years. In both States he was
engaged in farming pursuits, but he was not satisfied to remain in the East, when the West offered
such glowing opportunities to the young.
In 1847, Mir. Preston removed to Michigan, settling in Arlington Township, Van 3Buren County
where he lhas since resided. His occupation has
always been that of a farmer, and lie is thoroughly
acquainted with the latest metlhods of developing
tlhe soil and rotating crops so as to produce the
best results. For forty years he has made his home
at his present place and is therefore one of the
oldest settlers of Arlington Township. He was
married in 1849, his bride being Miss Anna E.,
daughter of J. P. and Charlotte (Gray) Fisk, botl
of whom were born in Massachusetts in 1806. Mr.
and Mrs. Fisk reared a family of seven children.
They came to Van Buren County in 1843, and
here both passed away.
Three children came to bless the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Preston, but only one of whom, Orra,
lived to mature years. He married and settled in
New Buffalo. Ile was a conductor on the Chicago
& West Michigan Railroad, and lost his life in the
discharge of his duty. At his death, which occurred in 1886, lie left two children, Ethel M. and




654


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Nina A. Politically, Mr. Preston adheres to the
principles of tie Democratic party and ill is social
connections is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to the lodge at Lawrence.
OSIAII LOEHR, who owns and manages a
farm comprising one hundred and twenty
acres on sections 25 and 26, Columbia
'iTownship, is honored as one of the early
settlers who have developed the resources of Van
Buren County, and as one of the patriotic and
courageous defenders of our Government during
the Civil War. He is descended from German ancestors, his grandparents, John J. and Mary E.
(Snider) Loehr, having emigrated from the Fatherland in 1820 and settled in Pennsylvania. In
1838, Grandfather Loehr removed to Stark County,
Ohio, where he followed the trade of a shoemaker
until his death, at the age of seventy-two. He was
an upright man and a member of the Lutheran
Church.
The grandparents of our subject had a family of
five children, namely: Frederick P., Otilda, Mary
E.; John J., Jr. and Louisa, all of whom were born
in Germany, with the exception of the youngest.
John J. Jr., the father of our subject, was born
August 26, 1814. and accompanied his parents to
the United States. HIe received a common-school
education in P ennsylvania alnd learned the trade of
a wheelwright, his specialty being spinning wheels.
During the latter part of his life, he followed
farming pursuits and was successful in accumulating a modest competency. His death occurred in
Stark County, Ohio, April 4, 1888, when he was
about seventy-four years old.
Catherine (Shearer) Loehr, mother of our subject
was born in Mapleton, Stark County, Ohio, November 14,1819, and died December 30,1891. Ten children were born of her union with Mr. Loehr, Jr.,
viz: Caroline, Josiah, Washington, Reuben, Henry
S., John J., Edwin, Charles, George (who died in infancy), and Lincoln. Washington enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Infantry,
and died at the hospital at Murfreesboro, Tenn.,
November 29, 1863. John J. and Catherine Loehr


were consistent members of the Lutheran Church
and highly esteemed in the community where they
resided. The maternal grandparents of our subject
were Henry and Dorothy (Grimm) Shearer, natives,
respectively, of York and Beaver Counties, Pa.
IIe was a weaver by trade and also engaged in
farming operations during a portion of his life.
Hte and his wife reared three children: George,
Catherine and John.
Ohio was the native State of our subject, and in
Stark County he was born, August 30, 1840. He
was reared to manhood upon a farm and made use
of the common-school education which he received
by following for one term the profession of a
teacher. In August, 1862, lie enlisted in Company
B, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Infantry and
participated in the battles of Smyrna and Murfreesboro, Tenn. In December, 1863, on account of
illness, he was sent to hospital No. 2, at Murfreesboro, and, after regaining his health, was detached
from regular service and remained a nurse in the
hospital until May, 1864. He then rejoined his
regiment and remained at Murfreesboro until
ordered home in 1865, receiving his discharge in
July of that year, at Cleveland, Ohio.
In August, 1865, Mr. Loehr came to Bloomingdale, this State, and bought one hundred and
twenty acres of land on section 26, Columbia
Township, Van Buren County, where he now resides. With the aid of his excellent wife, he has
accumulated a comfortable property and is now
one of the most prosperous farmers of the community. His farm is embellished with a set of good
buildings, and has been brought to a high state of
cultivation. Mr. Loehr was married, January 6,
1867, to Cordelia A. Weaver, who was born in
Canton, Ohio, December 15, 1845. Mrs. Loehr is the
daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Baer) Weaver. I-er
father was born near Johnstown, Pa., and followed his trade of a cabinet-maker and a carpenter
in various portions of the Buckeye State. For
thirteen years he was a resident of Milford, Ind.,
whence he removed to Breedsville, this State, in
1865, and to Kalamazoo in 1844. In the last mentioned place, he engaged in mercantile pursuits
until his death, April 24, 1888, at the age of fourscore and ten. He served with efficiency as Justice






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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


655


of the l'eace and in other local oftices. Mrs. Weaver
still survives, as (lo also tlree of her five cllildlren:
Cordelia A., Zella A. and Josephine.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Loehr has been
blessed by tle birtll of five children, namely: May
E., Iarvey L., Edwin J., Clara L. and Arthur C.
In their religious convictions, Mr. and Mr.,. Loelir
are identified with tlle Lutheran Church. It llas
been by arduous exertion alone that Mr. Loehr has
accumulated his present property, and lhe may
justly be termed a self-made man, as everytiling
he now has represents the toil of his hands and
brain. His farm is one of tile best improved in the
township, and the air of thrift pervading the place
bespeaks the industry and enerlgy of the l)roprietor..r —_3
D   IIILO M. BROWN, one of the representative farmers residing in Pine Grove Township, Van Buren County, is a son of Daniel
B. Brown, a native of Pittsford, Vt., born
August 15, 1800. He was a carpenter and joiner
by trade. The mother was Fannie (Pike) Brown,
a native of Bennington, Vt., born in 1804. They
were married in Vermont, and removed to New
York State, and thence to Warren County, Pa.,
where they resided until 1849, and at tlat time
came to Michigan and settled in Waverly Township, this county, on a wild farm. Neighbors were
very scarce, and the land was all very heavily timbered. IIe worked at his trade and resided there
until 1865, when he decided to come to Pine G-rove
Mills, and remained here the rest of his life, dying
in November, 1886. The mother' died February 9,
1872. They were the parents of twelve children,
five now surviving. Seven of the sons served in
tlhe Civil Wtr, and Erastus was a prisoner at Andersonville. The father gave but little attention
to politics, but always took an interest in good
schools and gave his children good educations.
The mother was a member of the Free-will Baptist
Church.
The subject of tills sketch was the youngest
cllld and was born December 4, 1847, in Warren
County, Pa., and came to Michigan when but two


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years old. lie las always beel a farmer and rernained at home and cared for his parents when
they were old. IIe was married June 26, 1869, to
Amanda M. Myers, a native of this county. He
settled on his present farm of wild and unbroken
h lnd in 1865 and has improved the farm himself.
It consists of seventy-five acres, and adjoins tlhe
village of Pine Grove Mills, his residence being in
tlhe village. Mrs. Brown passed from this life May
3, 1873. Tlhe original of tlliS sketcl was a second
time united in marriage, taking as his wife, April
15, 1875, Miss HIattie Gallon, a native of England,
having been born there in 1850, and come to
America when a child.
Mr. Brown is a member of tllh Knigllts of Pythias
and has hleld all the offices in that lodge, except
Chancellor Commander. He was largely instrumental in laying out Pine Grove Mills, a large part
of which lies on his farm. In politics, he is a
stanch Republican, but las never had any desire
for official positions. Mr. Brown and his family
are held in the highest esteem by all their neighbors and acquaintances for their sagacious, industrious and honest habits.
/-EORGE S. HOWARD. What are now unii  versally conceded to be the best families of
America are those who through generations have evinced tliose sterling qualities of
manly worth and womanly virtues which have
helped to elevate the general community. Such a
family is that which is represented by our subject,
who is occupying a pleasant home situated on section 6, Portage Townshil, Kalamazoo County.
George S. Howard was the youngest of six
children comprising the family of Stephen and
Eliza (Payne) Howard, his birth occurring on tile
old homestead on section 6, December 21, 1848.
He was there reared to man's estate, attending tile
common schools and performing such duties upon
the farm as fall to the lot of a farmer's son.
Miss Pearly L. Prouty became the wife of Mr.
Howard, the date of their marriage being December 21, 1871. Mrs. Howard was the daughter of
Leander S. and Almira (Crandall) Prouty, and the




656


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


sister of the wife of William A. Gibbs. Her lbirth
occurred in Allegan, October 16, 1852.  By her
union with our subject have been born three children: Stephen J., Alice M, and George L. S. Mr.
Howard has always been actively interested in all
measures that have for their object the upbuilding
and development of his community and is quite
prominent in local affairs. Politically, lie casts his
vote and influence in favor of Republican candidates. lie is liberal in his religious views and
socially is a member of Kalamazoo Lodge, No. 22,
F. &A. M.
Mr. Howard has always devoted his time and
attention to agricultural pursuits and at present is
the possessor of an estate including one hundred
acres, which is thoroughly cultivated so as to bring
the best returns to its owner.
-,-L ---~               ----— ~T~^~CI
RS. LUCINDA        (HINSDALE) STONE.
This venerable lady is not only esteemed
by the citizens of Kalamazoo, but occupies
a warm place in the affection of many of
the foremost men and women of the State. She
was born in Iinesburgh, Vt., September 30, 1814,
and is the daughter of Aaron and Lucinda (Mitchell) -Iinsdale. Her earliest recollection is of her
father's death, which occurred when she was two
and one-half years old; the death-bed scene, the
agony of her mother's face, the tears of her sisters,
have come back to her often in her life and encouraged the belief that no experience of life can be
entirely lost, but some alchemy of nature will
bring it back to our clear vision.
This father whom Mrs. Stone so early lost was
a man of great kindness of heart, kind and generous to the needy, sympathetic with those in distress, humane to the dumb animals, and inclined to'
the belief of the Universalists. The mother, who
after his death was left to provide for twelve children and carry on a large farm, was a benevolent
woman, who would cheerfully have divided the
last loaf of bread with a needy neighbor, and
whose contributions to the church were regular and
liberal.
Hinesburgh is a little inland town, east from


Lake Champlain about eighlt miles, and midway
between the two great colleges of the State, Middlebury College being twenty miles south and Vermont University, at Burlington, fourteen miles
north. It was in advance of surrounding villages
in the intellectual tastes of the people, its advantages for education and the uncommon interest
taken in schools by its people. Mrs. Stone lived
a mile and one-half from the village, but the district school had the reputation of being quite as
good as that in the village. which was the result,
principally, of the ambition  of the Hinsdale
family.
After completing the course of study in the district school, Mrs. Stone, at the age of twelve years,
entered Hinesburgh Academy, one of the best of
New England schools, where many young men
were fitted for college. A library connected with
the Lyceum was her inspiration, and became her
model for the founding of many of the Ladies'
Libraries which she was afterward consulted about
and helped to form in this State. Books were rare
and precious in those days, and were carefully
kept.
It was the custom then for girls of fourteen
and fifteen to read and analyze Milton's poems,
as well as those of Byron, Scott, Wordsworth,
Coleridge and Shakespeare.  When more than
thirty years afterward Mrs. Stone found herself
able to visit the Lake District in England, it
was the interest in scenes awakened by those early
discussions that made Wordsworth's home, his
name and Coleridge's and John Wilson's carved
on the face of a rock, Mrs. Heman's "Dove's Nest,"
which travelers were permitted to visit more freely
then than they are now, seem nothing less than
bits of heaven to her.
The great event of the year was to go to commencement at Middlebury or Burlington, and these
celebrations constituted formative influences in the
life of Mrs. Stone and kindled an interest in education which she has retained to this, the seventyeighth year of her life. She finished the course at
the academy and then attended the Middlebury
Female Seminary, where she remained one year.
While planning to enter Mrs. Willard's Seminary,
in Troy, she was advised by her minister to return








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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


661


to the academy and take the course with the young
men who were fitting for college. This she did,
studying Latin, Greek and mathematics with them,
besides carrying on extra studies alone.
From the academy, Lucinda HIinsdale went out
as a teacher, following the profession in Burlington
Female Seminary and going thence to Natchez,
Miss., where she remained three years. She loved
teaching, and never wore out or broke down under
the labor incident to it. In 1840, she was married
to Dr. J. A. B. Stone, of whom it was often said
that "he was a natural-born teacher."  He came to
Kalamazoo in 1843, to take charge of a Branch, so
called, of the university located at Kalamazoo, and
at the same time had charge of the small Baptist
Church in the place.
Upon coming to Kalamazoo, Mrs. Stone soon
took charge of the Ladies' Department of the
Branch of the State University, which for many
years was very flourishing and from which have
gone out noble women, now well known in various
professions. The branch was subsequently discontinued, and in its place was revived the Baptist
Institute, the oldest literary institution in the
State. Through Dr. Stone's efforts, this institute
was developed into Kalamazoo College, for which
lie obtained a charter. He was appointed its first
President and continued so for nearly twenty
years, during which time Mrs. Stone was Principal
of the IJadies' Department of the same. Dr. Stone
was a warm advocate of the highest education of
women and for co-education in all our colleges.
He believed it would come, he often said, as much
as he believed the next morning's sun would rise.
He also believed that equal suffrage would be
adopted. After the abolition of slavery, of which
he was an advocate even when it was very unpopular to be an Abolitionist, he often said that the
granting of suffrage to women was the next
progressive step that he wanted to see taken, and
he believed that it would come-it must come. The
whole trend of the age was toward it, and it was
the inevitable evolution of the Declaration of Independence.
In those first years of abolition, the residence of
Dr. Stone was the home of lecturers on that subject, as it was a little later of lecturers on woman
30


suffrage. Thus they entertained nearly all the
great leaders of advanced thought: Emerson, Alcott, Wendell Phillips, Fred Douglass, Mrs. Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Mary Livermore, Lucy
Stone and a host of others. Dr. Stone was very
anxious that the Republican party should right itself on the subject of woman suffrage. It had
been the party of progress, and he was anxious to
see it fulfill its earlier promise.
In November, 1864, Mrs. Stone laid down the
work in Kalamazoo College, where she had taught
for nearly twenty years with little reward, except
what she had found in teaching and in seeing the
intellectual and spiritual development of her pupils. Into the building up of Kalamazoo College
she and her husband put the strength and vigor
of their lives and sacrificed property that would
have secured them an easy competence all their
lives.
Leaving the college threw Mrs. Stone into another line of educational work, that of the formation of Women's Clubs for the education of
women. Spending some weeks in Boston, just
after the formation of the New England Woman's
Club, she came home to transmute what had been
her historical classes into a Woman's Club, the first
in the State. She has also taken many classes
of young ladies abroad for the study of history
and art, thus visiting the countries of Europe,
Egypt and Palestine, and seeing the places with
which, through books, she had long been familiar.
Thus even in her old age she continues her studies, so that she will, as she believes, go fully panoplied and equipped to continue the highest learning
of this world in the next.
Dr. and Mrs. Stone were the parents of three
sons. Clement Walker was educated at Kalamazoo
College, and on the breaking out of the Civil War
enlisted in the Second Michigan Infantry. He
served first as Quartermaster and was subsequently
promoted to the rank of Captain, serving with
valor for four years, at the expiration of which
time he returned home with enfeebled health.
Prior to entering the army, he was married to Miss
Carrie Moore, of Mooreville, Mich., and they had
two children.  His death occurred October 3,
1887. The second son, Horatiol Hackett, was edu

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F"(JATRAIT AND BIOGRAPHITI ICAL R~ECORECD,


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cated at Kalamazoo College anld died in 1884.
Both tlhe brothers were newspaper men and for
several years engaged in publishling the Kalamazoo
Teleyraph. James II. Stone, who also received his
education at Kalamazoo College, was for many
years manager of the Detroit Tribune, and now resides in D)etroit. IIe Imarried Miss Margaret Webster, of Plymouth, N. II., and they have three
chilldren.
+E-^      _ *      X C_ CI -,I CEM'. JAMES A. B. STONE, was born in
Piermont, N. II., October 28, 1810. lie was
e(lucated in the district school of his native
village and fitted for college in Royal ton,
Vt. In 1834, he graduated from Middlebury (Vt.)
College, having sustained through his college
course a high reputation for scholarship and character, and graduating with high honors. IIe was
made tutor in the same institution immediately
after completing the course. From Middlebury,
he accepted the position of Principal of Ilinesburgh
Academy, which flourished greatly under him for
two years. IIe was a natural teacher, and in teach
ing lost sight of everything in promoting the best
interest and progress of his pupils. No one under
his instruction ever forgot him or the benefit they
received therefrom.
Mr. Stone possessed the remarkable faculty of
kindling in his pupils a desire to know, an enthusiasm for study. There were few dullards in
a school of which lie was teacher. lie knew personally every pupil in his school and everyone
knew him,and he contrived to find out some way
in which a love for the study of some thing could
be awakened in the dullest.  lis influence in this
respect will never be forgotton in tile town of
Hinesburgh, while one remains who there came in
personal contact with him.
From Hinesburgh, Dr. Stone went to Andover Theological Seminary, where lie remained
for three years, and a year after his graduation
acted as Librarian and taught at intervals in
Philip's Academy in Andover.   His first settlementas a minister was at Gloucester, Mass., which
place he left to fill the professorship of Biblical


Literature and Interpretation for Dr. Horatio B.
Iackett, during his absence for a year or two in
Europe, for tlhe purpose of study in tile Gerlman
universities. This he did withl great accel)tance
to students, trustees and l)r. IHackett hlimself.
Dr. Stone was married,.lune 10, 1840, at Grand
Rapids, Micli., to Miss Lucinda IIinsdale, of linesburgh, Vt. She accompanied him to (Gloucester,
where he fully entered into lis work as a minister,
especially what might be considered the educational work in his society. In 1849, Dr. Stone
received a call from  a small Baptist Church ill
Kalamazoo, and also to    take   charge of tlle
"Brancl" of the Michigan University, located
tllere. There were eight of these Branches in thle
State, which, when they were established as feeders
for tle University, or schools preparatory to tlle
University course, it was supposed were to b1e as
permanent as the University itself. But after a
few years, tlle State funds not proving sufficient to
sustain these Branches, they were cut off, and tlie
State appropriations ceased to be made to them.
Very early after the first settlement of KIalamazoo, the Baptist Convention of    Michigan had
founded there the first literary institution in tlie
State, called the "Baptist Institute."  This liad
been suspended when a "Branch" of the lUniversity had been located in Kalamazoo, upon a promise made to the Trustees of the "Institute" that
if they would suspend instruction in their school,
the Baptists might nominate the principals of tile
Branch. But when the Bran ches were cut off from
tlhe University, there was no longer any lealsol
for suspending instruction in the Institute, whiclh
was therefore revived and mainly througlh )r.
Stone's efforts, this Institute was converted into
Kalamazoo College, for which lie was instrumental
in obtaining a charter from the Legislature and of
which he was made President and continued to be
so for nearly twenty years.
To this work Dr. and Mrs. Stone gave tlme best
years of their lives in service as arduous, unremitting and unselfish as was ever performed. No
thought of self ever came between them and their
educational work. There was also connected with
Kalamazoo College a theological seminary, at thle
head of which Dr. Stone was placed. So flourish



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


668


=


ing was this college under Dr. Stone's administration that it sometimes numbered four hundred and
fifty students. None of the local colleges stood
higher as to number of students or grade of
scholarship. From this standard there was a great
falling off upon Ir. Stone's resignation, which
occurred in 1864.
We copy the following from a volume issued
upon the occasion of the "Reunior of the former
pupils of Dr. and Mrs. Stone" in 1885:
While Dr. Stone has employed the larger part of
his life in teaching, he has found time to bestow considerable hard work upon other pursuits. His experience as a journalist commenced more than fifty
years ago, and it will be recollected that he was for
several years editor and publisher of the Kalamazoo
Daily and Weekly Telegraph. IIe was also Postmaster at Kalamazoo four years during President
Grant's administration. Ile was at one time President of the Michigan State Teachers' Association
and afterward President of the Michigan Publishers' Association. Several of his sermons, lectures and
addresses, and numerous letters from Europe and
the Orient, have been published from time to time.
He has visited the Eastern Continents twice, spending at one time several months in different Mohammedan countries, including Egypt, Arabia, Palestine, Asia Minor, and visiting Troy, Constantinople and Greece.
Although now seventy-five years old, his health
is good, far better than during a part of tile last
twenty-five years, and he does not himself believe
that his vital activities are yet exhausted. He is
now engaged in preparing a volume of "Pleasant
Memories," made up of reminiscences of notable
men and events that have come under his observation during a long life, devoting about equal
parts to what he has seen in New Hampshire,
Vermont, Massachusetts, Michigan  and foreign
countries.
Dr. Stone was eminently a public-spirited
man, and in all the educational, intellectual
and benevolent interests of Kalamazoo and the
State he took a deep interest, giving to them
time, labor and money, according to his utmost
means. The arduous labors of his life told seriously upon his health in the last five or six years
of his life, during which he was subject to paroxysms of terrible suffering, which he bore with great
patience and cheerfulness, often regaining  his
breath after one of them with a look of death upon
his face, but with a joke so characteristic as to pro

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voke irresistible laughter in those watching with
intense anxiety to see if a heart-beat or the suspended breath would ever come again. But as
soon as breath was restored, his book, a newspaper
or writing was resumed and scarcely an allusion
was ever made to any suffering endured.
He died instantly, seized with one of those
paroxysms of pain to which he had long been subject, while on a visit to his son, Janles H. Stone,
of Detroit, May 19, 1888. He left the memory of
a good and just man. In his literary tastes he was
a great lover of the old classics, especially Homer,
whom he read up to the last days of his life, sometimes inviting in the young people to read Homer
to them, explaining to them passages in the wonderful Iliad and Odyssey and showing them how
Schliemann's excavations, in which he always took
great interest, had corroborated Iomer's story.
So thumbed and marked are his Bryant's translations of those great poems, which he greatly admired and which he closely compared with other
translations and with the original Greek, that it
would seem, as has been remarked by persons coming into his library, as if "1)Dr. Stone might speak
from either of these volumes."
Dr. Stone had the spirit of a true reformer. He
never asked, who had embraced this opinion or
that, or Is it popular? but rather, Is it true or right?
Thus, though brought up in the Congregational
faith, educated in a Congregational college and
theological seminary, convinced from his own
study of the scriptures that immersion was scripture baptism, to the great astonishment and disappointment of his fellow-students in Andover, he
was baptized and joined a little Baptist Church,
a most unpopular act in that stronghold of Congregational orthodoxy. So, too, with the most
unpopular anti-slavery doctrine among Andover
students, he avowed his cordial acceptance of it,
his firm belief in it, and his belief in its ultimate
triumph. He would go down to Boston from Andover to hear Garrison and Wendell Phillips, in
days when anti-slavery sentiments were very unpopular among the students, when Garrison was
lead through the streets of Boston, hooted and
stoned by the mob, with a tarred rope around his
neck. But from the first utterance of anti-slavery








664


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


sentiments in tile seminary, Dr. Stone said: "This,
my brothers, is the true Gospel; the infidelity is
on tile other side; no man can believe in the fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, accept
Christ's teachings in tlle Sermon on the Mount,
and believe in the righteousness of slavery at the
same time. Tllis new trutl is God's truth and it
is sure to prevail."
It was tlle same wllen tile question of Woman
Suffrage came before the public. lie said; "Tllis
is right; it is the natural, and must be the inevitable,evolution of the Declaration of Independence.
Taxation and representation are inseparable-must
he in a true Republic."  From this opinion he
never swerved, always expressing it on any occasion when his opinion or vote was called for. Ite
always said that Mary Woolstoncraft struck the
keynote in this subject nearly one hundred years
ago, when she based woman's rights on hIluman
rights-woman suffrage   on  the rights of all
suffrage and the rights of human beings.
Dr. Stone was a believer in co-education and did
more than any man in the State to secure the admission of women to our State University. Iie
thought they had a right to all its privileges, and
it was for them to decide what they wanted to
study. Men could not judge for women, any
more than women for men, as to wlat tastes they
might indulge, or what they were to do in life.
IHe was not a fanatic in anything, but never made
any compromises with expediency. lie was an
honest and sincere Baptist, but much of the
trouble which caused his resignation from the Presidency of Kalamazoo College arose out of his insisting upon an open, rather than purely Baptist
corporation for the college. Hle said he saw tlle
day of purely denominational colleges waning,
and thought that the great good of such colleges
was that they might appeal to many persons for
their support, who would not otherwise be led to
give anything for educational purposes.    He
wanted Kalamazoo College to be an educational
institution, not merely a Baptist College. As
such he wanted it to take hold of the people of the
city and State, and be a moral and intellectual
influence here. It is now plain to be seen, that,
had such counsels been regarded, its condition to

day would have been very different from wlhat it
is now.
No one ever more freely or magncanimouisly
forgave a most cruel injury attempted against limself, or more deeply lamented tile harm done to
the college by the wild fanatical persecultion of
himself and wife, carried on by falsehoods, forgeries and p)erjuries, than did tle l)octor, alnd
when, some years after his resignation, lie learned
tlat a President of the college llad p)ermitted tlle
portraits of himself and wife, which were tlhe gift
to the college of private individuals and were
hanging on the walls of tlle college chapel when
lie and his wife resigned, to be taken down, banished to the wood cellar of the college, wlere tley
were found, turned face to tile wall and jammed
in between the stone foundations and floor above,
covered with dirt and cobwebs, as a spite to the
originals, who had really built the college and
rendered it most faithful service during twenty
years; when he was told of this attempted insult,
he turned very pale, his lips trembled for a moment
and the tears started, but the cloud quickly passed;
lie smiled and said: "God forgive those who iave
done this, is all I have to say; those better than
we and who have made greater sacrifices for tile
good of tie world, lave suffered more ignominious treatment from the hands of their enemies
than this. God forgive them. IIe knows that I
would not harm a hair of the head of one of them
if I could."  Revenge or implacability was not iil
llis nature or heart. Of no man who ever lived
could it be more truly written as an epitaph upon
his tomb: "With malice toward none and goodwill toward all, lived and died this man."
The portrait of Dr. Stone presented on another
page perpetuates his lineaments for those to whom
his fame ias extended, as well as those who in
future years will learn of his life and deeds.
OLIVER R. SCHUYLER. This gentleman is
thle owner and occupant of a productive
tract of land on section 21, Columbia Township, Van Buren County, a part of which lie purchased, and has had in his possession for two de



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


665


cades or more. The farm consists of one hundred
and twenty acres, bears the usual improvements,
and is so managed as to bring forth abundant crops
of good quality.
Our subject comes of a good family, being a son
of Ransom and Catherine E. (Dow) Schuyler, who
were natives of the Empire State. The father was
a son of I)avid Schulyer, who, in turn, was a son
of George Schuyler, born in Germany, and a
brother of Gen. Schuyler of Revolutionary fame,
who came to America in 1755 and settled in New
York State. IIe was a brother-in-law of Gen. IIerkimer, and was killed in the battle of Riskeney.
The grandfather of our subject was born in New
York, and married Mehitable Smith, who bore him
thirteen children, of whom they reared two sons
and six daughlters. lIe was a cooper by trade and
(lied in Madison County, N. Y.
Ransom Schuyler was a farmer, born in Oneida
County, N. Y., September 9, 1814, and moved to
()Ohio about 1838, settling in Georgia. Ini 1844, lie
came to Lawrence, Van Buren County, conling
here by the old, primitive mode of travel-by
wagon and ox-teamn. Iie at first bought only
seven acres, which lie subsequently sold and purchased forty acres. Some years later, about 1851,
lie came to this township and settled on section
22, and entered forty acres which lie later traded
for a like number near Paw Paw. lie tlhence
moved to D)ecatur Township. In 1858, lie located
in Ottawa for one year, then returned to Bloomingdale, and finally spent his last years in Colulmbia Township, dying August 17, 1877.
Tihe parents of our subject had eight children:
William, who died at the age of twenty-eight
years; Amanda; Susan, who died when six years
old; Mary, Oliver IR. Richard, Franklin and
(eorge. The father was a member of the United
Bretlren Church, and the mother of the Metlodist
Episcopal. The mother of our subject was a
daughter of James and Elizabeth (Jay) Dow, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively.
Mr. Schuyler was reared upon the farm and obtained his education in the common schools, and
at thle age of fourteen years commenced to nake
his own w'ay in tle world. At the age of twenty- I
one years,.le begla working out by the month,


and in this manner spent three years, when he
learned the carpenter's trade, which he has ever
since followed. In 1870, he bought forty acres of
land where lie now resides and cleared and inproved it. In 1878, he added eighty acres more,
upon which he has also placed good improvements.
HIe has a fine orchard, covering forty acres, principally of peach trees, although hle raises all kinds
of fruit.
Mr. Schuyler was married, July 4, 1871, to Nettie Gilbert, a native of Ontario County, N. Y.,
and a daughter of D)aniel P. and Fannie M. (Peper)
Gilbert, who were born at Ontario, and Wayne
County, N. Y., respectively. Mr. Gilbert, who was a
son of Daniel and Anna (Knapp) (ilbert, was a
shoemaker by trade and removed from New York
to Portage County, Ohio. In tile spring of 1865,
they came to Columbia Township, and purchased
twenty acres of land on section 13, where lie resided
until his death, October 5, 1876. Mr. and Mrs.
Glilbert had six children, of whom three are now
living: Milford M., Lelahl E. and Nettie, wife of
our subject. Mr. Gilbert was a member of the Order of Odd Fellows.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of five
children: Gilbert R., Charles M., Clara M., Cleveland and Maude. Mr. Schuyler is an honored and
respected member of tile Masonic fraternity and
is highly esteemed as an intelligent and worthy
citizen, who has made a place for himself in the
world by his own energy and industry.
>ILLIAM COO'PER. Having the full confidence and esteem of the people among
V  whom he has passed his entire life, the
career of Mr. Cooper furnishes an excellent illustration of the success which rewards painstaking and
energetic efforts. One of the most enterprising
merchants of Schoolcraft, in fact, prominent among
the dealers of Kalamazoo County, his facilities for
doing business are complete and everything connected therewith bears the mark of order and system. The thorotugh knowledge of business tactics
wvlich lie possesses and the fine stock of goods'






666


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


which he carries have made his store the popular  Revolut
place for trade among the citizens.            land.
The parents of our subject were Justin and Low.  bought
ville (Hazzard) Cooper, natives of Seneca and  acre in
Washington Counties, N. Y., respectively. They  Abigail
removed to St. Joseph County, this State, in 1831,  father c
and three years later came to Schoolcraft, where  death (
they have since resided. Their family comprised  old, and
seven children, William being the fifth in order of  same ag
birth. He was born in Schoolcraft Township, Sep-  ment fo
tember 28, 1842, and was reared on his father's  The f:
farm, his education being gained in the common  in Cayu
~        schools of the district and the public school in  He own
Kalamazoo.                                     in his n:
About 1870 Mr. Cooper left the parental home  political
and settled on a farm iln Schoolcraft Township,  a native
where he resided for two years. IIe then came to  children
the village, and was for three years employed as a  mother
clerk in a store, after which he embarked in business  this tim
as a merchant. As above indicated, he carries a fine  whom s
stock of goods and is the leading merchant of the  She diec
place, being widely known as a successful business  Craft, tl
man and public-spirited citizen. Ile owns six hun-  a Scotch
dred acres of land in South Dakota, and also is the  Ie died
owner of considerable property in Schooleraft, the  Our s
value of which is constantly increasing.       obtained
December 7, 1869, Mr. Cooper was united in   school.
marriage, in Schoolraft Township, with Miss Re-  years ol
becca Bogardus, a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., and  father u
an estimable lady whose position in social circles  started i
is prominent. Mr. Cooper has always stood aloof  1837, an
from political affairs, preferring the pleasures of  making
home in his leisure hours to the excitement of  crossing
political contests.                            team. ]
house, v
_.......__-_.  /all kind;
SN             1841, an
by the n
EANDER CANNON. Upon section 7, Brady          pense o:
Township, Kalamazoo County, resides Mr.  settlers i
Cannon, one of the representative agricul-  ness, inf
turists of this county, and a gentleman who is well  he was v
and favorably known. He is an old resident of  a great (
this place, and a native of Cayuga County, N. Y.,  When
where he was born August 8, 1830, to Thomas and  old, he \
Amelia (Craft) Cannon, natives of New York     was but
State. The grandfather, Thomas Cannon, was a   he comn;ionary hero, and a native of Dublin, IreHe came to America in early life and
land of the Government at a sixpence an
Cayuga County, N. Y. He was married to
Slot, a native of Germany, and became the
)f a family of four boys and five girls. His
)ccurred when he was about ninety years
I that of his good wife when about the
'e. He drew a pension from the Govern-,r his services in the Revolutionary War.
ather of our subject was a farmer, Wvho died
iga County, when about sixty years of age.
ed a place of one hundred and twenty acres
ative State. Socially he was a Mason, and
lly a Democrat. He married Amelia Craft,
e of New York, and by their union two
i were born: Leander and Adaline. The
of our subject was a second time married,
ie becoming the wife of James Wilson. by
he had two children, Mortimer and Laura.
I at the age of forty. Her father, William
ie maternal grandfather of our subject, was
iman by birth, and a shoemaker by trade.
when past his three-score years and ten.
ubject was reared on the home farm, and
I his rudimentary education in, the district
His father died when he was but four
d, and he lived with his mother and stepntil reaching his eighteenth year, when he.n life for himself. IHe came to this State in
d located at West Le Roy, Calhoun County,
the journey by horse-team to Buffalo,
Lake Michigan, and finishing the trip by
He settled in the forest and built a log
there he was surrounded by wild animals of
s. Mr. Cannon came to this county in
id settled with his father-in-law, working
nonth for half a year, receiving a recomf $6 per month. There were but very few
here then, it being little but a vast wilderFested by wild animals of all kinds, and as
very fond of hunting, he was enabled to do
deal of it.
he of whom we write was twenty years
purchased seventy-five acres of land whicl
little improved. tie had nothing when
nenced for himself but is now the posses



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


667


sor of two hundred and twenty broad and fertile
acres in Brady Township, and eighty acres in
Wakeshma Township, making three hundred acres
in all. He keeps a good grade of stock, and makes
a specialty of wheat growing and the raising of
swine. The present fine brick residence of our
subject was erected in 1861, at a cost of $5,000.
Splendid buildings of all kinds adorn the place,
including three neat barns, wlich have been erected
at different times.
The worthy gentleman of whom we write was
united in marriage, February 11, 1853, to Miss
Charlotte M. Boughton. Mrs. Cannon was born
in Batavia, N. Y., December 25, 1836, and by her
union with our sul)ject has become tle mother of
five children: Mtabel (Mrs. Gleason), Thomas E.,
Warren B., (Gertrude, and Claude. Miss Glertrude
has a very fine talent for piano playing which she
exercises beautifully and also engages in teaching
music. She does very fine oil painting, of which
elefgant work is to be found in the home. Mr.
Cannon ini his political views at present affiliates
with the Farmers' Alliance, but was formerly a
l)eiocrat. Socially, lie is one of the leading memhecrs of the Masonic Lodge, No. 340, Portatge
Township.
s |4~*>*+++         4~-        -
<-          — ~- ~+.~'.-  _~_-.+....... > '


Jennie E., John, James I-., Ella, William T. and
Louis, all of whom are residents of Van Buren
County. Our subject served as Postmaster of
Hartford during Cleveland's administration and
in 1889 engaged with Iorace M. Olney, under the
style of H. M. Olney & Co., in buying and shipping
grain, seeds, and wool. They also handle coal and
are ranked among the progressive and successful
young business men of the place. Mr. Finley has
never miarried. In politics, he casts his vote and
influence in favor of Democratic candidates.
1 ONATHAN    C. HIOYT. A prominent part
in the upbuilding of Kalamazoo County has
been borne by IMr. IIoyt, an influential
farmer on section 23, Prairie Ronde Township. Having been engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his entire active life, he is thoroughly familiar with the best methods of cultivating a farm, and has been very successful in his
chosen calling. lIe owns and operates two hundred and sixty acres of fertile land, which he has
acquired through his unaided exertions.
For information in regard to the parents of Mr.
Ioyt, the reader is referred to the sketch ot Ransford C. Ioyt, which appears in another portion of
this volume. Jonathan C.was born in Prairie Ronde
Township, December 2, 1848, and was reared on
the homestead, which lie now owns. His boyhood
was passed in the somewhat uneventful manner of
a farmer's son, his winters being slent in the common schools and the summer seasons being devoted
to the tilling of the soil.
April 9, 1874, Mr. Iloyt was married to Miss
Vienna Smith, who was born in Prairie Ronde
Township, May 12, 1853. ITer larents, John and
Catherine (Ennis) Smith, came to this township
in 1852 and have since resided here, being kindly,
generous people, who stand high in the esteem
of their neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt are the
parents of six children, namely: Monroe R., Vere
C., Vinson, Lee W., Jessie and G-race. The children are at home with their parents, with tihe exception of Vinson, who died in childhood.


D)WAVlRD) FINLEY. This enterprising and
J    energetic business man of Ilartford is very
popular inl this section for his thorough
and honest way of dealing with his fellow-men.
lie was born in Palmyra, N. Y., in 1853, and was
a son of Patrick and Bridget (Kaley) Finley, natives of County Carlow, Ireland, where they were
married and had one child born to them.
In June, 1851, the elder Mr. Finley emigrated
with lhis family to the New World and located at
East Walworth, N. Y. Three years later, they
came West to Van Buren County, this State, moving hither when our subject was an infant. They
located on section 35, Bangor Township and the
old home farm still remains the property of the
family.
Edward Finley was one of a family of eight
children born to his parents, viz: Mary, Edward,




I


668


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


There is no measure proposed for the develop-  came to A
ment of Prairie Ronde Township, or the advance-  Hudson R
ment of its interests, which fails to receive the  married ai
most hearty sympathy and co-operation of Mr.   he carried
Hoyt, who has contributed his quota to the growth  children:
of the community, alike in its educational and  ine, Char
agricultural interests. He believes that the welfare  was born,
of the Government is best promoted by the prin-  After thei
ciples of the Democratic party, and accordingly  Greene Cc
he advocates its platform and upholds its candi-  bers of his
dates. Realizing his peculiar fitness for official po-  Thomas, E
sitions, his fellow-citizens have called upon him to  Willis, Sal
represent them in various public posts of duty and  in Prattsv
responsibility, and he las served as School Direc-  he had nel
tor, Drain Commissioner and Township Treasurer  tensive bu
with efficiency. In his social affiliations, he is a  ject when
member of the Masonic fraternity and the Order of  in the sho
Maccabees.                                     good mec
trade and,'=__~        E.[  ~.   -       Henry I
married, i
G    EORGE A. MYERS, proprietor of Fruitland  years late
Summer Resort. This beautiful hotel is  traveled fe
located on the lake shore, in the south-  moved to]
western portion of the village of South Haven, in  St. Joseph
the midst of four acres of ground. In October,  trade. Hi
1890, the land was as nature had left it. It was  Wolverine
then that Mr. Myers conceived the idea of pur-  They wer
chasing the land for the purpose of making a resort  Kansas; GE
where the many summer visitors to South Haven  lia, the wif
could be creditably entertained. Iie at once corn-  the wife o:
menced grading the ground and building. On     Charles E.
another page will be found a view of the hotel,  the wife o:
which is 100x28 feet, with wing 24x32 feet, and is  In 1856
three stories in Iheight. His forty sleeping rooms,  Schoolcraf
large, airy reception, dining and other rooms, are  lowed his t
all well furnished. He has also a bowling-alley,  Haven to
billiard rooms, tennis court and bath houses. The  has been i
grounds are embellished with fountains, fish ponds,  received a
etc., with a fine view of the village and surround-  attained hi
ing fruit country. It borders the lake and is sixty  craft, whic
feet above the lake level.                    til 1889, M
Mr. Myers was born in Plattsville. Greene    purchased
juntjy iew York, February 16, 1843.. His greatr  and engag
greagandfather was born in Germany, near the   out in the
if ye Rhine,  here lie was married and reared a  Mr. Mly
family 4im awh Op                   t r auirs  thpn  1i 6 SM


Linerica and located on the banks of the
iver, in New York. His son, Stephen,
id resided in Schoharie County, where
on farming and reared a family of seven
Stephen, Harmonus, John, Jacob, Catharity and Eliza. Of that family, Jacob
in 1789, and married Caroline Becker.
r marriage, they resided in Prattsville,
unty, N. Y., where he died. The memfamily were named Henry B., Katie A.,
hliza, William, John, Addison, Rosalia,
)ina and Caroline. Henry B. was born
ille, June 26, 1813. Iis father, although
ver learned the trade, carried on an exsiness in making wagons, etc. Our subonly ten years old commenced to work
Ups and, like his father, was naturally a
'hanic. He learned the cabinetmakers'
became a general wood-worker.
3. Myers, the father of our subject, was
in 1839, to Mary Ann Randall. Ten
r, he left the family in New York and
or nine years. In 1851, the family reMichigan, and first settled in Flowerfield,
County, where the father worked at his
is wife died soon after coming to the
State, leaving a family of six children.
'e Helen, the wife of John C. Dale, of
eorge A., the subject of this sketch; Rosafe of Jesse Earl, of California; Mary Ann,
f Jesse M. Crose, of Kalamazoo County;, also of Kalamazoo County, and Harriet,
f F. D. Cobb, of California., the father of our subject removed to
t, this State, where he resided and folLrade until 1891, when he came to South
make his home with our subject. He
narried four times. George A. Myers
good business education and when he
s majority engaged in business in Schoolch he carried on with marked success unvhen he came to South Haven. Here he
a farm of forty acres, which he still owns,
led in its cultivation until launching
hotel business.
1rs, of this sketch, has been twice mnarried.
lias Celio Walsh, of Ithaca, N?..,. bcame




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_~_i~
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;:~:e:~~
" 'i'


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~~:i;::r -'-, -_.:::::;


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UI-h:~::;~:.T::a


1A


1*                                                                    ~:I..~. —,~ _: I
u;;i:~
-';:~5~:1:";~-~~;i
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I I  11


II-~0'


'151


"FRUITLAND RESORT" PROPERTY OF GEORGE A. MYERS,SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN.




I I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


671


11_ 1~1- _   _ _ - __1_ _ 1 1__ 1__ - _ _1_- 1__   I ~ — ~- _~_~  — ^ ---* ---- ---   - - ~ - - - - - - — f


his wife; she died in 1870, and was the mother of
one child, who died in infancy. In 1871, our
subject was married to Ida Shannon, a native of
Friendship, N. Y., and by that union Mr. Myers
has become the father of two children: Ienry B.
and Olive G. In politics, he is a firm Democrat,
and in his religions belief is a member of the Baptist Church.
(       CO — _r<: f ^ r *^ '"'
ARLEN S. SMITH, M. D. The profession
of medicine invariably attracts to its practice men of learning, whose scientific researches have contributed to its advancement. Among this number may be mentioned Dr.
Smith, a prominent and successful physician of
Schoolcraft, who ranks among the foremost men
of his profession in the county. Ile is identified
with the Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine and
various local organizations, taking an active interest in all medical investigations and keeping
abreast with the latest discoveries in therapeutics.
The family of which our subject is a member
traces its origin to England, and one of its first
representatives in this country was Stephen Smith,
who died in New York State. His son, IIezekiah,
made his home in the western part of the Empire
State, where, at an advanced age, his life was
brought to a close. The next in line of descent
was Stephen, who was born in New York, where he
was a farmer and merchant. During the late war
lie came to Michigan and settled in Schoolcraft
Township, where he has since engaged in farming
pursuits. I-e married Iarriet Smith, a native of
New York, who still survives.
The eldest of the four children born to Stephen
and Harriet Smith was Harlen S., the subject of
this sketch, who was born in Cattaraugus County,
N. Y., April 7, 1844. I-e grew to a robust manhood
in his native State, receiving his education in the
common schools and Griffith Institute, after which
he commenced to read medicine. At the age of
nineteen years, lie entered the employ of the Government, being connected with the War l)epartment, and was thus ellgaged until the fall of 1867.
M eafawil pe cpntinuu d his medical studies and


was a student in the medical department of the
Georgetown Medical College, where he graduated
in 1867.
Resigning his position with the Government
during the following year, the young doctor traveled through the West in search of a location.
Failing to find one which he considered suitable,
he returned to New York and opened an office for
practice in Ellicottsville, remaining there about
thirteen years and becoming known as a skillful
physician. In 1879, he came to Michigan, and,
after a sojourn of one year in Kalamazoo, located
in SchooJcraft, where lie has since resided in the
enjoyment of an extensive and lucrative practice.
The marriage of Dr. Smith, at Ellicottsville, N.
Y., united him with Miss Sophie M. Skinner, a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and they are the
parents of three children: Florens V. Z., Leslie G.,
and Stephen H. The Doctor is identified with the
Masonic fraternity and the Republican party, extending his influence in aid of those public measures which he considers calculated to promote the
welfare of the people.
EORGE C. FANCKBONER. This popular
\( 7  citizen of Schoolcraft was born in Belvidere,
j.    a Warren County, N. J., June 11, 1829.
When eight years old, he accompanied his parents
to Kalanmazoo County, settling in Prairie Ronde
Township, and growing to manhood upon his
father's farm. Possessing an industrious disposition, he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter when about eighteen and served an apprenticeship of three years, meanwhile remaining with his
father.
For twelve years, Mr. Fanckboner followed the
trade of a carpenter and met with considerable
success in the plursuit of the trade, being engaged
principally in the vicinity of Schoolcraft. For
two years of that time, he also operated a farm,
after which he followed the vocation of a farmer
for twelve seasons, meanwhile running a threshing
machine for neighbors. In February, 1867, he removed to Schoolcraft where for another twelve
years he fpllowed the trade of a butcher nd4 at




672


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


the same time sold agricultural implements and
managed his farm.
The next business to which Mr. Fanckboner
devoted his attention was the manufacture and
sale of monuments and gravestones, in which he
continued some three years. Ile owns a splendid
farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres, besides village property of considerable value, and
since 1881 has engaged exclusively in farming.
Hie still supervises the place, although a tenant resides upon it and cultivates the land. Although
his personal affairs have required his almost undivided thought, he is a keen observer of men
and things and contributes his quota to public
enterprises. Especially has he maintained close
interest in the County Fair and was largely instrumental in securing the location of the Fair
Grounds at Schoolcraft.
November 15, 1855, AMr. Fanckboner was united
in marriage in Prairie Ronde Township, to Miss
Adeline McCreary, the sister of G(eorge McCreary,
whose sketch may bo found elsewhere in this volume.   Mrs. Fanckboner was born in Prairie
Ronde Townshi)p, March 29, 1835, and was educated in the public schools of the community. A
lady of great amiability and culture, she has been
especially active in temperance work, having
signed a pledge when she was young and kept it
sacred ever since. She has belonged to almost
every temperance society which has been organized
in the vicinity of her home, having been identified
with the Sons and Daughters of Temperance, Good
Termplars, Crusade Society, White Ribbon, Blue
Ribbon, Prohibition and Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and in all of which she has held
offices of trust and honor.
Mr. and Mrs. Fanckboner are the parents of
three children, namely: Lottie A., wlo married
Frank Drummond, and died October 15, 1888;
Preston W., who chose as his wife Miss Anna Macklin, and Hattie E., who is also greatly interested
in temperance work and is an active member of
the Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
She is connected with the Methodist Church, of
which she is organist. Mr. Fanckboner has served as
a member of the Village Board and was its President
for four terms. While residing in Prairie Ronde


Township, he filled the position of Constable and
takes considerable interest in public matters; although he is independent in his political affiliations.
Ile contributes to the support of the Methodist
Church, of which his wife is an active memnber,
and as old settlers and prominent citizens, both
are highly esteemed by their acquaintances.
f ---
E -! I)WIN VOSBURG-II. In all his enterprises
S this (entleman las met with marked sucL  cess, and is now one of the solid business
men of Kalamazoo County, having for many years
successfully engaged in farming pnursuits on section
24, Ross Township. IIe owns one hundred and
sixty acres of good farming land, one hulndred aind
twenty of which comprise his home place, and lie
occupies a beautiful residence, erected in 1891.
Wayne County, N. Y., is the native place of Mr.
Vosburgh, who was born December 7, 1835. Iis
plarents, David and Sophronia (Loomis) Vosburgh,
were natives of New York, and he was reared upon
a farm there, meanwhile gaining such schooling as
was possible at that day. In 1847, lie accompanied
his parents to Michigan and located with them in
Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County, where
he was a witness of the development of the county.
In tlhe home there established, his parents spent
their remaining years, and at their death were
survived by five children: Alonzo, Edwin, John,
Milford and Susan.
The hardships of pioneer life, the clearing of
land, removing brush and stumps, turning the first
furrows in the soil-all this work was participated
in by Mr. Vosburgh. Soon after commencing for
himself, he was married to Miss Jane Romans, and
five children were born of the union, three of whoml
still survive,. namely: Marshall, who married Cora
Foard; Sarah, wife of Benjamin Piper, and Ella,
who became the wife of Josepl IHudson.
The second matrimonial alliance which was contracted by Mr. Vosburgh brought to his home a
bride whose maiden lnamne was Ellen Romans, and
who is an estimable lady of great kindness of heart.
They are the parents of seven children, namely:




PORTRAIT AND BIOGCRAPItCAL RECORD.


673


Cora, now Mrs. Charles Stratton; Dennis, who is
living in Washington State; Manley, David, Susan,
Walter and Bertha. About the time of the close
of the Civil War, Mr. Vosburgh settled upon his
present farm, where he has since remained, engaging in agricultural pursuits with success.
The Democratic party llas a stanch adherent in
Mr. Vosburgh, who uses his influence and ballot
for its principles and candidates. No measure is
presented of public importance which fails to receive his hearty sympathy and active assistance.
His life has been such as to win the confidence of
all with whom business or social relations have
brought him in contact, and his success is the result of the sterling traits of character which he possesses.
/l ICHAEL C. CRONIN, M. D., one of the
most prominent physicians of Van Buren
/       [V County, resides in Bangor, where, in the
few years since lie came to that place, he
las built up an extensive practice, and has secured
hosts of friends, not only through his successful
treatment of the " ills which flesh is heir to," but
by his affable manners and courteous treatment of
every one with whom he comes in contact.
Ir. Cronin is a native of Indiana, his birth taking place at Muncie, September 9, 1806. At the
age of eight years, he 'accomlpanied his parents to
Hartford City, Ind., where he was educated at
Ridgeville College. IIe afterward taught school
for five terms and then began reading medicine.
In 1878, lie entered the medical department of the
Butler University, in his native State, from which
he was graduated in 1881. Ile followed the practice of his profession at Hartford for a short time,
and then located at South Haven, Mich., where lie
practiced for nearly two years in partnersliip with
W. C. Ransom. In the fall of 1882, he came to
Bangor, where he has since resided, and has been
eminently successful. He has always been a close
student and has kept abreast of the times in scientific discoveries and in everything which would aid
in the better knowledge of the human system and
the effects of drugs. In the fall of 1887, Dr. Cronin


went to New York and took a post-graduate course
in Bellevue Hospital and College, thus adding
greatly to his practical experience in both medicine and surgery.
The parents of our subject, John and Mary
(Trant) Cronin, were natives of the Emerald Isle,
but emigrated to America early in life.   The
father is still living at Hartford City, Ind., where
he has four sons in business, one being a physician,
another in the medical college, the third a merchant, and the remaining son interested in buying
and selling land.
Dr. Cronin was married in May, 1889, to Miss
Emma Willison, of Van Buren County. Politically,
the Doctor is a D)emocrat and strongly attached to
his party, which lie believes holds the correct
views on national government. He has a beautiful
residence and a fine office, in which may be found
a well-selected library of books, the majority of
which treat especially on the subjects connected
with his profession. Dr. Cronin is a man who has
lived a busy and useful life, is liberal and generous
to all demands made upon his time or purse, and
who counts his friends by the score.
AFERT SLOTMAN. The gentleman whose
name heads this sketch has attained considerable prominence in agricultural circles,
by reason of his intelligence and l)rogressive tendencies ant also by his genial and frank ways. IIe is
at present residing on his comfortable farm on section 21, Overisel Township, Allegan County, where
he gives his time and attention to the cultivation
of tile soil, and by a proper rotation of crops his
land has been brought to a high degree of cultivation and made to yield handsome returns.
Mr. Slotman is a son of Lafert and Johanna
Slotman and was born March 4, 1848, in Syracuse,
N. Y.   EIe was an infant when his parents removed to this State and located in Overisel Township, where he has since made his home. He was
given a fair education in thle schools of his neighborhood and when eighteen years of age started
out to do for himself, by working out by the
month as a farm laborer.




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FFIOTRAIT ANUD BIOGRAPHFICAL 'RECORD.~


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674 ~    l~l___L —          - POTRI  AN  BIGRPHCA  RECOR. ~ —I_~ ---_~Alic Waner ecae th wie of subect


Alice Wagner became the wife of -our subject,
their marriage taking place in Overisel Township.
Mrs. Slotman is a native of Holland and is the
daughter of Cornelius Wagner, also a native of
Holland. She was brought to Grand Haven, this
State, when a child of seven years and was given
a good education in the common schools of her
neighborhood. Her father died in Muskegon,
where her mother is now residing at the advanced
age of eighty-two years.
Seven children have come to bless the home of
our subject and his wife, six of whom are living
at the present writing (1892). They bear the
names respectively of Johanna, Katie, Willie, Lena
Flora and Lawrence. One child died in infancy.
Mr. Slotman is the owner of eighty acres of excellent land which has been brought to its present
prosperous condition by his own hands, as it was
in its primitive state when he purchased it. IIe
has erected good and convenient buildings on his
farm and everything about the prenises bears the
marks of the industry and good management of
the owner.
Mr. Slotman has occupied the responsible position of Township Treasurer, occupying the oflice
for two years, and during tlat period giving entire
satisfaction. In politics, he is a firm adherent of
Democratic principles. He, with his family, is a
member of the Reformed Church aied is highly esteemed as a valuable addition to the farming community with which lie has been identified for so
many years.
'  AMES BALE, who is one of the prominent
I and representative farmers of Antwelr
Township,'Van Buren County, resides on section 3, where lie has a finely cultivated place.
lie is a native of England, having been born in
1)evonshire, February 27, 1827. Iis parents, Willian and Mary (Lettaby) Bale, were natives of the
same shire, wlere the father was a house-builder by
occupation. Both parents died in their native
land, the father in 1834 and the mother in 1844.


They were consistent members of the Episcopal
Church.
Our subject received a good common-school education in Devonshire, and at the age of sixteen
learned the carpenter's trade which he followed
until 1849. In this year, on April 1, he was married to Miss Eliza Pugsley. She also was a native
of England and born in 1822. Five children were
born to these parents, of whom four are living:
Mary, wife of Albert Mosher, who has two children,
Lena and Roy; Jennie E., who is at home; Waldin
J. married Miss Clara B. Sheldon, and they
have one daughter named Beatrice; llenrietta,
wife of E. II. Babbitt, resides in St. Louis, Mo.,
and they have two children, James B. and an infant, William Dean; Eva died in 1853 at the age
of two years.
In 1849, Mr. Bale emigrated from   England
to the United States, coming at once to Michigan
aind settling on a farm in Paw Paw, this county,
where lie worked at his trade until the spring of
1859 when lie removed onto a farm one mile from
Paw Paw. lere lie lived for several years, when
he sold that farm and moved onto the place where
he now lives, which consists of two hundred and
fifteen acres. Here his wife died, February 22,
1881. She was an excellent woman and a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Mr. Bale
was again narried, December 2, 1882, this time to
Mrs. Isabella (McBain) Chesebro. She is a native
of Albany, N. Y., born February 19, 1840.  Mlr.
Chesebro was a native of New York, born October 5,
1830, and was principal of the High School at
(rand Rapids, Mich., for a number of years and
also held the office of School Inspector. lie was a
Union soldier in the late war, serving from 1863
until the latter lart of 1864, when he was taken
ill and died in April 1865. lIe united witl the
Methodist Episcopal Church when a simall boy, and
lived an upright Christian life. This couple were
the parents of three children: Crombie S., who
lives in Des Moines, Iowa; Grant, who was born
June 10, 1860, died February 13, 1888, leaving one
son; Jennie, born August 29, 1857, is the wife of
Francis E. Everts, and resides at (Grand Rapids,
Mich.
Mrs. Bale is the daughter of William and








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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


677


Helen (Cowie) MeABain. tHer parents were natives
of Scotland. where'the father was a harness-maker
by trade, which occupation lie followed in tlhe
early pait of life. In 1859, he emigrated to Michigan, settling in Grand Rapids, and engaging in
farming wlichl lie followed until his death, whichll
occurred July 4, 1889. The mother died Februlary
13, 1880. They were the parents of five children:
Ellen, wife of Even Ilendershot, a resident near
GCrand IRapids;,Tessie, wife of Philip Jewett, residing in Grand Rapids, Micll., William.Janie, (lcceased; and Isabella. They were both mnembers of
the Congregational Church.
Mr. Bale is the only child living of tlie parental
family, nine in number. Of his marriage with hlis
last wife, he has no children. In  1849, Mr. Bale
joined the Methodist Episcopal Clurch, in which
lie las borne an active part ever since, having
been Steward, Trustee and Class-leader in tile Paw
Paw Chuirchlfor a number of years. His wife is a
member of the same church and they are active
in every good work
TIARLES S. MAYNARD, M. D. There is,
perhaps, no physician and surgeon in Paw
Paw more skillful and progressive than the
gentleman whose name we place at the head of this
sketch, and whose portrait on the opposite page
perpetuates his lineaments. I-e was born in Batavia, N. Y., April 1, 1830, and is the son of William
S. and Lovina (Stuart) Maynard, the father born
in Sudbury, Mass., in 1803, and of Scotch-Irish
ancestry; the mother was born in Morrisville, N. Y.
The parents of our subject removed to Forestville, Chautauqua County, N. Y., when lie was an
infant, to Buffalo when he was eight years old, and
to Girard, Erie County, Pa., when he was thirteen.
They remained in the latter place until Charles S.
reached his majority. lHe was given an excellent
education, being graduated from the academy at
Girard when thirteen years of age. IIe took a
thorough course in Latin, French and German, and
became a fluent speaker in both the latter languages. I-e was a great lover of music and at the
early age of twelve years received training in that


art, studying botl vocal and instrumental music.
lie also taulght music in tlle old-fasllioned singingschools and can relate many an interesting tale of
his experience in that line.
From his earliest boyhood, Dr. Maynard had determined to study medicine, but as lie had to make
his own way in the world, it was not until lie
reacled his twentv-fifth year, tllat lie was enab)led
to carry his resolution into effect. Our subject on
reaching lis majority was married in Pennsylvania
to Miss Cynthia Ann Weed. He attended the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, in
1858-59, being graduated in the spring of the
latter year. lie tlien came to Paw Paw, where he
alls since resided, and has luilt up an enviable
reputation.
I)r. Maynard was commissioned Assistant Surgeon in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry during the
late war, by Gov. Blair, but did not accept the
position, as lie was needed at home. Had he
obeyed his inclinations, lie would have entered the
service, but professional duty forbade him to do
so, and lie contented himself with aiding to raise
companies. He was at one time offered a Lieuten
ant's commission. The Doctor was a Republican
in politics in early life, having been reared a Whig
le supported Hayes in 1876, but shortly after
joined the Greenback party, who placed him on
their ticket as a candidate for Representative.
In the spring of 1878, Dr. Maynard was elected
President of Paw Paw and served most acceptably
for one term. One year intervening, he was again
elected to that responsible position, holding tlle
office for four years, which was two and a half
times as long as any other incumbent; he declined
to serve a sixth term. Dr. Maynard was also
Township School Inspector for two years. Hle is
the present Health Officer of Paw Paw Township, having held that office for the past ten years.
I-e has been Director of the Paw Paw Schools
since 1882, and has devoted a great deal of his
time and influence to building up the schools here,
and may well be proud of the result of his labors,
as the city has as good institutions of learning as
are to be found in Michigan.
In 1884, Dr. Maynard became a Democrat and
supported Cleveland. In 1888, he received the.




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


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D)emocratic nomination for Congress from  the  to c:
Fourtl I)istrict, and, although that section was  unti
strongly Republican, he ran ahead of his ticket by  whei
several hundred votes. The Doctor is very prom-  here
inent in political affairs, and has been a delegate  supF
to various conventions, helping to nominate the  ging
successful ticket at Grand Rapids, in 1890.   was
Our subject, althlough reared a Methodist, is now  and
a member of the Christian Church. The four clil-  Va.
dren born to the Doctor and his wife are: Ella,  Tenl
widow of Sidney Lewis, who has a daughter, Miss  was
Nellie Lewis; Kate, who married James E. Ander-  and
son, has four children; IIattie, who is a teacher of  tranm
penmanslip and book-keeping in the Paw Paw    Rive
public school; and William S., the youngest child,  they
who was drowned at the age of sixteen.        1862
turec
C     1* ++* glg~tb*3~|i --- —----  --— 2 t
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final
' ):~ENJAMIN F. IIECKERT, attorney-at-law   In M
and Probate Judge of Paw Paw, Van Buren  r1 gir
(-j    County, was born in Wayne County, Ohio,  fall
March 29, 1840, to John D. and Saloma   Jack
(HIersh) leckert. The father was anative of Vir-  at v
ginia and died on a farm in Ohio, in 1844. The  to F
mother was born in Pennsylvania and died in 1877.  Apri
Our subject remained on the farm in Wayne     re-in
County until eighteen, when he took a course at  dam
Canaan Academy, and began teaching at nineteen.  and
HIe taught two terms, the last one the winter be-  Morg
fore the war.                                 that
On April 18, 1861, three days after the Presi-  he w
dent's proclamation for seventy-five thousand  out.
men, our subject enlisted in Company K, Six-  schoi
teenth Ohio Infantry. He was in the first engage-  year
ment of the war, at Philippi, also Rich Mountain  at A
and Carrick's Ford. At the end of three months,  partr
August, 1861, he helped to get up a company     Th
among his old schoolmates and neighbors. In that  the I
company he was appointed Orderly-Sergeant, and  ven 1
in February, 1862,was promoted to be Second Lieu-  Cour
tenant. They went into camp at Camp Tiffil,   Barr,
Wayne County, Ohio, and then at Camp Dennison,  rolin,
where they remained a month and then went to  rian i
Lexington, Ky. January   1, 1862, they were   six y
ordered to Mill Springs, and from there to Cum-  tice (
berland Ford, and in June of that year they helped  Coml


apture Cumberlanld Gap. Here they remained
1 August, and then went to Tazewell, Tenn.,
re they fought Kirby Smith's command. From
they retreated to the Ohio River,on account of
)lies being short. They had to live by fora-, on the country, mostly for green corn which
grated and baked. They refitted at Gallipolis
went up the Kanahwa Valley to Charleston, W.
From Portland they started for Memphis,
n., and there went into camp. From Memphis
organized the expedition against Vicksburg,
the regiment was under Sherman. They took
sports to Johnson's Landing on the Yazoo
1, where, after skirmishing two or three days,
charged the enemy's works on December 29,?, and were repulsed. Our subject was capd at this place and held prisoner five months
Vicksburg, Jackson,  Mobile, Atlanta, and
lyat Libby Prison, two months of the time.
lay, 1863, lie was exchanged and joined his
nent in front of Vicksburg. He was at the
of Vicksburg and then went with Sherman to
son, Miss., and fought Johnson. After a while
arious places in the South, the regiment went
't. Esperanza, Tex., and remained there till
1, 1864. They then went up the Red River to
force Gen. Banks, and his regiment helped to
the river and float the federal gunboats over
down the rapids. They went into camp at
ganza Bend, on the Mississippi River, and
fall, his term  of enlistment having expired,
as ordered to Columbus, Ohio, to be mustered
In the spring of 1865, he began to attend
ol at Hayesville, Ohio, where he remained a
and a half. He then entered the University
Inn Arbor, Mich., studying in the Law Denent in the fall of 1867.
le subject of this sketch was graduated from
Tniversity in 1869, and located at South Hato practice law. IHe was married in Wayne
ity, Ohio, April 30, 1868, to Miss Emily M.,a daughter of the Rev. Thomas IH. and Cae (Metcalf) Barr. Her father is a Presbyteminister. Our subject lived at South Haven
ears, where he was Village Attorney and Jus)f the Peace, and was elected Circuit Court
missioner in 1872. In July, 1874, he was ap











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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


679


pointedl Prosecuting Attorney for the coulnty, and
ill October, 1875, lie located in Paw Paw. Mr.
Ieckert was three times elected Prosecuting' Attorney after tlat. IIe began his practice here,
and, in 1888, was elected Judge of Probate Court,
the duties of which office lie is faithfully (ischarging. ITe llas also been Village Attorney a number of years. In the fall of 1886, lie went to IKansas City, b)lt remained there only a few monthls,
when he returned. In politics, tills gentlemlan is
a stalwart Republican.
ORI) B. CUMMINGS, deceased. In the
I (  eatli of this gentleman, Richland Townslip),
~     I' Kalamazoo County, was deprived of one of
its active and representative citizens who had long
been an honored and influential resident of this
place. The State of his birth was New York, wlere
lie was born Febru'ary 19, 1826. Iis parents were
Benjamin and Elizabeth Cummings, and lie was a
brother of S. S. Cummings, ex-Postmaster of Richlllan d.
Mr. Cummings was a mere lad when he journeyed to this county with his parents and was here
reared to man's estate. Iis early youth was spent
on the farm, assisting his father and attending tile
common schools. He took as his life companion,
July 2, 1859, Miss Emily Stewart, a native of Portage County, Ohio, having had her birth August
6, 1838. Mrs. Cummings is a daughter of Thomnas
and Sybila (Waller) Stewart, the father coming
fromn Ireland and the mother from Connecticut.
They came to this county about 1845, and located
land in Richland Township, where the father
passed away in 1850 and the mother in 1872.
They had born to them ten children, of whom the
following-named survive: Waller; Mrs. Cummings;
Betsey, the wife of Alexander Philow, and Julia,
wife of George Mason.
For a time, our subject engaged in tlhe grocery
business at Chicago, Ill., and after his marriage
settled on the farm where his good widow now resides. He cultivated this place and did general


farming until his deatli, whlicl occurred December
3, 1888. Whllen lie took tlle place, it was but a
wilderness and lie made a splendid estate of it,
erected good substantial buildings of all kinds and
effected excellent improvements. He was a hard
worker and paid close attention to hiis business. He
took an active part in school matters and served
on the School Board of his district and was always in favor of anything that would better the
condition of the schools and the township. ile
was a kind and loving father and husband and
an obliging neighbor and not only is lie mourned
by his family but by tle whole comimunity.
Tlhe gentleman of whom we write and his estimable wife lhad born to them two children, whom
they named Harriet and Nettie. They are botl
first-class teachers in the public schools of this
county. Mrs. Cummings resides on and has the
supervision of the homestead of one hundred and
five acres and the place sliows her sagacious judgment and business ability. She is a lady much
liked and respected, as are also her two daughters
who are active members of tile best society in the
township. Mrs. Cummings is a consistent andii
vhalue(l meimber of tile Presbyterian Church.
J   ESSE S. BARTON, a prominent citizen of
|Paw Paw, was born in Waslitenaw County
this State, July 17, 1838, and is the son of
W/illiam an(d Charity (Stevens) Barton,
natives of New York, who removed to Van Buren
County whenl Jesse S. was a youth of fourteen.
Ile received a common-school education and was
reared on a farm. When about eighteen, lie commenced in life for himself and bought a tract of
wild land, comprising eighty acres in Almena
Township, which lie cleared and afterward sold.
He now owns one hundred and sixty acres in Almena Township, and is prominently connected
with the business interests of the community.
January 23, 1866, Mr. Barton was married to
Miss Anna Swick, who was borll at Big Flats, N.
Y., October 26, 1842.  Her father, Rev. B. R.
Swick, was born in New York January 2, 1808,






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PORTRAIT AND BI OG RAPM~CAL RECORD.


680- --— PR        A     B     -IOGAPHCA RECORD.


and was a well-known Baptist clergyman of Western New York. Ile was united in marnrage with
Hila Ann Armstrong, born in New York State,
July 15, 1805, and the union was blest by the birth
of ten children, seven of whom attained to mature
years. They now reside in Michigan with the exception of Mrs. Mary Burnett, whose home is in
Lisbon, Dak. The mother of the family died in
Bath, N. Y., in April, 1850, but the father survived
until August, 1370, when he passed away, mourned
by all who knew him.
By a course of study in the common schools and
the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y., Mrs.
Barton prepared herself for the profession of a
teacher, which she entered upon at the early age of
seventeen, teaching some five terms in New York.
She came to Michigan in October, 1862, and commenced to teach, continuing to follow that profession until she was married to Mr. Barton. At the age
of thirteen, she was converted and became a member of the Baptist Church.  When quite young,
she began to write for publication, her first poems
being published when she was seventeen.
At that time Mrs. Barton had no thought of
ever collecting her writings, but in later years,
when her health failed, she interested herself in
collecting her various poems, which she published
in 1882 in an, edition entitled "For Friendship's
Sake."  As a writer, her style is pleasing, clear
and flowing, while the sentiment of her productions is lofty and noble. However, she is equally
well known through her ministerial work, which
probably had its origin in the spring of 1874, when
she was requested by the Sunday-school Superintendent at Waverly to take charge of the Young
People's Bible Class. With great reluctance, she
accepted that responsible position, which she retained for three years, when the class became so
large that she was compelled to divide it.
As the reward of her consecrated efforts, Mrs.
Barton saw her husband profess Christ in 1876, as
well as the majority of the members of her class,
numbering more than fifty. During the absence
of the pastor, Rev. B. L. Prescott, at the Centennial, she was requested to read a sermon, which
she did, and afterward aided her pastor in revival
services. The following winter she was called to


be pastor of a newly organized church at Gliddenhburg, six miles west of Paw Paw, and accepted
the charge, remaining there for one year.  She
then accepted a call from her home church at
Waverly, where she remained two years.
On account of nervous prostration, Mrs. Barton
was compelled to cease from the ministry for perhaps three years, and upon recovering her health
she commenced evangelizing in various places.
Afterward she remained for a few months as pastor of the church at Gliddenburg, and from there
going to Oshtemo, where she was pastor of the
church for one year. In the winter of 1886-87,
she assisted in revival work at Paw Paw, and
during the following spring accepted a call to the
Free Baptist Church here, where she has since labored with excellent results. In December, 1886,
she was ordained to the ministry, and will doubtless devote her energies to her chosen work so
long as life shall last.
In her home, the Rev. Anna Barton is a devoted
wife and loving mother; as a friend, she is faithful, and as a neighbor unselfish and generous. Her
life is an exemplification of her Christian belief,
and in all her actions and writings she is actuated
by an overwhelming desire to win mankind to
Christ. Her labors have been blest and through
ler ministration of the Word many have professed Christianity. She has ever been a tender
and wise mother and counsellor to the three children that have blest her union. Of her family,
the youngest child alone remains under the parental roof, the others ha ving established homes of
their own.
The only daughter, Minnie, who was born in
Almena Township, November 14, 1864, graduated
from the Paw Paw High School in 1888 and after
teaching for a few years was married, August 19,
1891, to Elmer Aseltine, a native of Vermont and
a teacher in the schools of Gobleville.  William
B., who was born in Almena Township, September
27, 1866, now resides in Dowagiac, this State. He
was married, March 11, 1867, to Miss Anna Snyder,
and they have one child, Leta. Phineas Almond,
was born in Almena Township, April 29, 1871,
and expects to follow the calling of a farmer. He
is not married.




A




e-11,.
4.0,
7
10                            %- --            I               f




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


683


O   LIVER A LACRONE, M. I). This prominent and successful physician of Kalamazoo
has an office at No. 127 South Burdick
Street. His practice is confined to the treatment
of diseases of the eye, ear and throat, in which he
has been eminently successful. His suite of rooms
is supplied with a complete assortment of medical
equipments which modern science render necessary
to the successful practice of medicine, and his exclusive attention and best efforts are devoted to
his chosen calling.
Dr. LaCrone, whose portrait accompanies this
sketch, was born in Springfield, Ohio, December
21, 1859.   His father, Peter, and his mother,
Sarah (Evans) LaCrone, were natives of Pennsylvania, where also they were united in marriage.
Soon afterward they removed to Richland County,
Ohio, where the father followed his trade of a tailor
and remained a few years, going thence to Springfield, the same State. A man of strict integrity and
persevering energy, he was sincerely mourned
when, in 1860, he passed from the scenes of his former activities. His widow survived fifteen years
and died in Wooster, Ohio.
The youngest of eight children, seven sons and
one daughter, our subject passed his boyhood days
in his native place, where he gleaned a good education in the public schools  Later he entered
Oberlin University, at Westerville, Ohio, and there
took advantage of the excellent opportunities
granted him for the extending of his knowledge by
becoming familiar with history and science.  He
came to this State soon after completing his course
in college, and for a time was engaged in teaching
a country school near Berrien Center.
The profession of medicine early attracted the
attention of Dr. LaCrone, who resolved to choose
it for his life work and accordingly entered the
medical department of the State University at Ann
Arbor, where he graduated in 1886. He returned
to Berrien Center and opened an office for general
practice, continuing in that place until he received
the appointment of Assistant Professor in the
practice of medicine at the University of Michigan, where he was engaged during 1889-90. That
appointment attests the high opinion in which
lie was held by the faculty of the University. In


June, 1890, he located in Kalamazoo, where he
has since remained in the enjoyment of an extensive and lucrative practice.
December 27, 1883, Dr. LaCrone was united in
marriage with Miss Imogene, daughter of Hon.
Thomas Mars, of Berrien Center, this State. Mrs.
LaCrone, who was a refined and cultured lady of
great nobility of character, died in Kalamazoo,
March 12, 1891, leaving two sons, Mars and Frank
Wood. The Doctor is a member of the Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine, of which he is Secretary.
He is also identified with the State Medical Society
and the Washtenaw County Medical Society, and
has contributed greatly to the success of these various medical organizations.  Socially, he is a
prominent Mason, having attained the rank of
Knight Templar, and, politically, he is a stanch
Republican. In the Capital Building and Loan
Association he is deeply interested and is at present
its efficient Secretary.
G    EORGE S. NYE. The history of any com- munity is the history of the individuals
V.A composing it, and, in proportion as the latter are thrifty or indolent, will the former progress
or decay. Kalamazoo County has been fortunate
in the class of people who hlave, in mature years,
sought a home within its limits, as well as those
who have here passed their entire lives. Since Mr.
Nye came to this county in 1874, he has contributed largely to the development of its resources
and is now one of its most highly-respected citizens.
The eighty-acre farm which Mr. Nye owns and
operates is located on section 25, Comstock Township, and through his efforts las been brought to a
high state of cultivation.  Born in  Portage,
County, Ohio, near the village of Kent, October 20,
1844, he is the son of Joshua and Mary A. (Olin)
Nye, natives, respectively, of Chester Township,
Hampden County, Mass., and Shaftsbury, Vt. The
father, whose birth occurred April 13, 1808, was
reared in his native township, whence, at the age
of twenty-five, he removed to Ohio. He spent
the greater part of his life on the Western Reserve,


31


K








684


PORTR~AIT AND BIOGRAPHICALI RECORD..


684  OG


but, in 1876, sold his property there and came to
Galesburgh, this State, where he died three years
afterward.
During the early days in the history of the Baptist Church in Ohio, Mr. Nye, Sr., was one of its
prominent members, and, politically, he was identified with the Whig party. Iis wife, who was born
May 12, 1812, remained in Vermont until she was
twelve years old, and then accompanied her parents
to New York. She died in Ohio in 1856. On the
paternal side, our subject traces his ancestry to
England, while through his mother he is of Welsh
origin. In 1678, John Olin emigrated from Wales
to America, settling in Rhode Island when it was a
province of Great Britain, and became the founder
of the Olin family in this country. It is supposed
that there are fifty tlousand members of that family now living.
The parents of our subject had a family of five
children, namely: Ezra 0., who was born January
17, 1839; Ruth A., born August 13, 1841 and died
February 13, 1854; George S.; James S., born July
12, 1847; J. B.. born March 13, 1852 and died September 17, 1856. George S., the third child in the
family, was twelve years old when his mother died,
after which he went to live with Arvin Olin.
There he remained until he was of age, meanwhile
attending school at Earlville and the Business College at Cleveland. He followed the profession of
a teacher for some time, teaching five terms in
Ohio and four in Michigan.
In September, 1876, in company with his brothers, he went on a prospecting tour to Southwestern
Missouri, thence to Kansas, where lie bought a farm
in Butler County. Thereafter he spent his winters teaching in New York and the summers on his
Kansas farm until 1879, when he traded his land
for the home he now owns. However, he had resided in Kalamazoo County prior to the purchase
of the farm, having come hither in the fall of 1874,
teaching school in Richland Township the following winter.
February 17, 1875, Mr. Nye was married to
Celia, only daughter of Bela and Patsy (Fisher)
Wright, of Augusta Township. Mrs. Nye was
born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., April 4, 1850,
and is the mother of five children, namely: Fannie


A., born January 31, 1875, and now a pupil of the
Galesburgh school; Flora M., born July 2, 1876,
also a student in the school at Galesburgh; William
B., horn June 27,1883; Mary A., August 3, 1885;
Nellie A., October 12, 1887, all of whom are at
home.
A strong Republican politically, Mr. Nye has
served as School Inspector and Town Clerk.  In
Galesburghl Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M., of
which he is a member, lie has held the principal
offices. Together with his family, he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
which he is Steward and Recording Secretary, and
has been a faithful worker from the time of his
identification therewith. At present, he is the
teacher of the Bible Class in the Sunday-school.
Hee is now historian of the Olin family, which
numbers its representatives in almost every portion of the Union and has increased over one
thousand one hundred during the past hundred
years.
AVID VAN WOERT, residing on section
16, Comstock Township, is one of the experienced, prosperous farmers of Kalamazoo County, and is highly thought of by
the people among whom lie has passed so many
pleasant years. He was born in Oneonta Township, Otsego County, N. Y., May 29, 1819. His
father, Adrian Van Woert, was born in Albany, N.
Y., and was there reared. At the age of twentyone, he left his early home, and in the course of
years established another in Otsego County. In
1850, le came to Michigan, and, locating on section
16, Comstock Township, on an eighty-acre farm,
spent his remaining years in this county, dying at
the age of seventy-six. His farm was but little developed when he took possession of it, moving
into a log house, 16x24 feet, that stood thereon,
and he and his sons worked hard to prepare the
land for cultivation, and make needed improvements. He was a man of upright habits and character, and worthy of all regard. In politics, he
favored the Republican party. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Jacob Van Woert, was born in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


685


Albany, N. Y., of Dutch parents. The mother of
our subject, who bore the maiden name of Betsy
Young, was born and reared in the beautiful Mohawk Valley in New York. She was a daughterof
David Young, who was a soldier in the War of
1812, and was captured by the Indians. The parents of our subject had four sons and six daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, except the eldest child, and two daughters
and three sons are yet living: Jacob, David, Sarah,
Rachel and Andrew.
David Van Woert is the second son and second
child of the family. He obtained his schooling in his
native place, and resided there until he attained his
majority. Ile assisted his father on the farm, and
never was separated from him as long as the latter
lived, with the exception of three years, having the
care of him in his old age. He was in the prime of
early manhood when he came to Michigan to settle
permanently, arriving in Kalamazoo County, October 20, 1853, and locating with his father on section 16, Comstock Township. He remained with
him until he died, and settled on his present farm
in 1878, after the death of his parents. He had at
one time one hundred and ninety-three acres, but
disposed'of several acres at a good price, and thus
reduced the area of his homestead to one hundred
and thirteen acres. He cleared the most of it, his
son doing some of the work, and he has it well
tilled, and the improvements upon it are of a substantial class. Mr. Van Woert raises good stock,
of high grade, and makes his harvest fields profitable by his intelligent mode of cultivation. He
has secured for himself an assured position among
the moneyed men of the township, and his fellowcitizens find him a good man to deal with, as he is
just and fair in his bargains, and never attempts to
over-reach others. His political views accord with
the doctrines of the Republican party, to which he
gives his hearty support.
Mr. Van Woert was married in his county to
Miss Mary Wescott, the marriage taking place in
Milford Township, the home of the bride, in April,
1842. Mrs. Van Woert was born in that township, November 19, 1823, the seventh child of Randolph and Maria (Barr) Wescott, who were natives,
respectively, of Milford Township and New York


City. The father died in his native town, and the
mother died in Michigan. In their pleasant wedded life six children have been born to our subject
and his wife, namely: Emma N., wife of John
Woodhouse, of Van Buren County; Albert W., a
resident of Comstock Township; James R., who resides at Grand Rapids; Mary E., wife of Nathan
Newton, a farmer of Charleston Township; Joseph,
deceased; and David E., who married John Ralph,
and has two children, Mabel and Blanche. Mr.
and Mrs. Newton also have two children, namely:
Sarah A., wife of Robert Crossgrove, of Galesburg;
and Addie M., at home with her parents. They
also have an adopted son, George J. Newton..pY -. _I hp-^^^ i*      ' i f i f \
G     EORGE P. STUART. Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo County, is the home of
many enterprising and successful farmers,
among whom we are pleased to mention the subject of this sketch, who owns a beautiful farm on
section 21. For a full history of his parents, the
reader is referred to the sketch of William Stuart,
found on another page in this volume.
Our subject was the third in order of birth of
the parental family of seven children, his natal day
being October 8, 1832, and the place of his nativity
New York City. He accompanied his parents on
their removal to Michigan in 1837, they settling
in Schoolcraft, where lie grew to mature years and
where he has always resided. Our subject has always followed agricultural pursuits and has made
a signal success of his calling.
George P. Stuart was married in Schoolcraft
Township, March 7, 1861, to Miss Sophia, an
adopted daughter of Elisha and Sarah (Barnard)
Simmons. Mrs. Stuart was born in Ohio, September 4, 1837, and was brought to this township when
quite young by her parents. They have been
granted two children: William G., who married
Nena Hayden, and Bertie G. In politics, Mr. Stuart
votes the Republican ticket, but is not an officeseeker, preferring to let others hold public positions who have more time to give. His wife is an
active worker in all religious affairs.
The original of this sketch is the proprietor of






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-------... I  -— ~-   -


an estate which numbers two hundred and eighty
acres, upon which he has placed all the modern
improvements, believing that the best methods and
latest inventions bring him in the largest returns.
The parents of our subject, George and Elizabeth
(Haig) Stuart, were married March 26, 1827. The
father was born in August, 1805, in County Berwick, Scotland, where his mother's birth occurred
in August, 1808.
\A ARTIN   BACON. One of the men who
have been prominently interested in the
development of Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, is this gentleman. He
was born near Lincoln, England, on the 28th
of February, 1827, and there passed the early
years of his life and remained until he was twentyfour years of age. He was engaged as a shepherd
from the time he was fifteen years old until
twenty-four, having the care of sheep and cattle.
In the spring of 1851, Mr. Bacon came to America and lived in Medina, Orleans County, N. Y.,
for two years, being employed on a farm. At the
expiration of this time lie came to Kalamazoo
County to look for land, and located on eighty
acres in Portage Township, which he purchased
with the money he had saved from time to time.
This land is located on sections 13 and 14. He
built a small house on his farm in 1860 and in
1875 erected the fine residence which he now occupies, and a view of which may be found elsewhere.
The parents of our subject came to this country
at the same time he did and located in Kalamazoo
County in 1835. Mr. Bacon was married on the
9th of March, 1861, in Oshtemo Township, to Lutitia Harris, a native of England. By this union
three children have been born: Elmer, who died
when about seven years old; Ellsworth and David
H. Mrs. Bacon was called to the world unknown
December 21, 1884, and our subject was again
married in September, 1885, choosing as his wife
Mrs. Lydia J. Snow, nee Powers, widow of Nelson
Snow, who died in Portage Township. Mrs.


Bacon is the mother of two children by her first
husband: Mary I., who is the wife of Frank L.
Luce, and Henry.
Mr. Bacon has erected a first-class set of buildings
on his place which comprises three hundred and
three acres, the most of which is located in Portage Township. He has taken quite an active part
in political affairs and is a stanch Republican. Of
a very generous disposition, he has given liberally
of his means toward erecting churches. I-Ie took
an active part in the late war in raising men
and furnishing means for the soldiers. He and his
worthy wife are honored in the community as
straightforward, honest and upright Christian
people.
I RA D. MATTESON. He of whom we shall
attempt to give a short biographical sketch in
outline is one of the prominent agriculturists
of Kalamazoo County. He is at present residing
on a fine farm, situated on section 15, Portage
Township, which is embellished with a good residence and all necessary outbuildings. A view of
the place, which ranks among the finest in the
community, is presented on another page.
Mr. Matteson is the son of Allen G. and Maria
(Maxson) Matteson, natives of New York. They
came to Michigan as early as 1847, settling in
Branch County, where the father died about six
years later. The mother passed from this life in
Kansas, after having married for her second husband Henry 11. Haner. They had seven children, of
whom Ira D., who was born in Bennington, Wyoming County, N. Y., April 29, 1839, was the
fourth. Soon after the death of the husband and
father, Mrs. Matteson removed to Kalamazoo
County with her family, locating in this township,
where our subject has since been a resident.
The original of this sketch gives his time and
attention to cultivating his farm and raising stock,
of which he has some fine specimens. His estate
comprises one hundred and seventy acres of choice
land, which le operates so as to bring in the
largest returns. Miss Estella Lanning became the
wife of our subject, January 24, 1881, their mar



MATTE5ON, SEC. 15., PORTAGE TP, KAL


OF JACOB CLINE,SEC 2G.,I EXAS TI.,KALAMAZOO CO.,MICH.




i
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f




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


689


riage being celebrated in Schoolcraft. Mrs. Matteson was the daughter of Samuel B. and Jane Lanning, residents of Portage, Kalamazoo County,
this State.
Mr. Matteson has been very prominent in local
affairs and served one term  as Justice of the
Peace. Ie has always taken an active part in local politics, and in all the country there is no
more ardent or consistent Republican, no man of
better iml)ulses and stricter integrity. Socially,
he is a Mason, being a charter member of Portage
Lodge, No. 340, of which body he has been
Master. He is also identified with Portage Grange,
No. 16, and stands high in that order. Mr. atteson is liberal in his religious views, and his influence in the community is always for good.
ACOB CLINE. Many well-cultivated farms
may be found in Kalamazoo County, bearing every indication of the thrift and prosperity of the proprietor. Among them is a
fine estate on section 26, Texas Township, which
comprises two hundred acres and is embellished
with a substantial set of farm buildings, including
a commodious residence, a view of which is shown
on another page. It is the property of Mr. Cline,
who has here resided since 1883, although his home
had been in the county for many years prior to
the purchase of this property.
The parents of our subject, John and Sarah
(Thorn) Cline, were natives, respectively, of
Dutchess County, N. Y. and Virginia. After their
marriage, they sojourned for a time in Licking
County, Ohio; afterward resided a few years in
Union County, the same State, and thence in 1835
came to Kalamazoo, where they lived one year.
From that city they removed to Richland Township, where they remained on a farm  one year.
The father died in Cooper Township, December
24, 1873. The mother survived until February
3, 1889, when she passed away at her home in
Texas Township.
It was during their residence in Licking County,
Ohio, that Jacob, the eldest of their five children,
was born, June 6, 1826. He was about nine years


old when he accompanied his parents to Kalamazoo County, where he grew to manhood, enjoying
such educational advantages as the schools of
those days afforded. The hardships of pioneer life
fell to his lot, but he was not only a witness to the
development of the county, but aided its progress by clearing the land, turning the first furrow in the soil and carrying on its cultivation.
In 1852, following the tide of emigration to
California, Mr. Cline crossed the plains overland
and for five years remained on the Pacific Coast,
engaged in mining and other pursuits with fair
success. Returning to his former home with a
large stock of experience and a little of the golden
ore, he commenced to farm in Cooper Township,
and quietly followed his chosen occupation until
the spring of 1874, when he rented the farm and
came to Kalamazoo. During the following year
he once more visited the Pacific Slope and spent a
few months in that delightful climate.
After having resided in Kalamazoo for three
years, Mr. Cline returned to his farm in Cooper
Township, whence, in April, 1883, he again
moved to the city, having disposed of his property
to an advantage. One year later, he purchased the
farm where he now resides and immediately located on the place, which already bore many improvements. He has given his attention almost
exclusively to his farming interests and prefers a
quiet domestic life to the excitement of official
position. I-He has been in active sympathy with
the Republican party since its organization "under
the oaks," and has been elected by his fellowcitizens to positions of trust, in whicl he has
served with zeal and ability.
Shortly after his return from California, Mr.
Cline was married, in Kalamazoo, November 16,
1858, to Miss Permelia, daughter of John J. and
Helen (Clipp) Hogeboom, the latter having been
the wife of William Miller prior to her union with
Mr. Hogeboom. The first home of Mr. and Mrs.
Hogeboom was in Columbia County, N. Y., whence
they removed to Allegan County, this State, in
1838, and seven years later settled in Kalamazoo,
then a small village. After residing there five
years, they bought a farm in Oshtemo Township
and made it their home for twenty years. When






690


PORTRAIT AND 1310GRAPHICAL RECORD.


690   PRRI AND BO A


they retired from active life, they came to Kalamazoo, where they died at advanced ages.
The second of their three children was Permelia,
who was born in Columbia County, April 18, 1836.
She was only two years old when she was brought
to this State by her parents and grew to womanhood in Allegan and Kalamazoo County. She is
the mother of four children: Elmer T., who graduated from the High School of Kalamazoo in 1879,
after having completed the course of modern languages; Wilbur; Lizzie, wife of Mark D. Crane;
and Edward. The various members of the family
are held in the highest esteem in the community
where they reside and are prominent in social circles.
8      ILAS F. WORDEN. The citizens of Kalamazoo and adjoining counties represented
in this work will be pleased to see on its pages
an account of the life of Silas F. Worden, a
farmer of Wakeshma Township, and one of the
old settlers of this part of the State, who is well
and favorably known. He was born in Jefferson
County, N. Y., August 14, 1826, and is a son of
Russell Worden, who was born near Rochester, N.
Y., and was one of the earliest pioneers of Wakeshma Township.   Our subject's paternal grandfather was a native of New England, and was a
Revolutionary soldier, serving throughout the
war. He died in the State of New York at a ripe
old age.
Russell Worden was reared on a farnl, and in
early manhood bought one of his own in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. In April, 1844, he disposed
of his property in New York, in order to emigrate
to Michigan. He came hither by the way of the Erie
Canal and Lake Erie to Detroit, thence by rail to
Marshall, and from there to this section with a
team.  He spent the first summer on Nottawa
Prairie, his family meeting him in October, and
the same month he removed from there to this
point, where he bought eighty acres of land on section 32, lying in the woods, and built thereon a
log house, 20 x 26 feet, which is still standing on
the place as a relic of pioneer times. His was the


fourth family to settle in the south half of Wakeshma Township, and he had to endure the usual
hardships and privations of life in a newly settled
country. He lived on his farm for some years,
and devoted himself untiringly to its improvement. He was past fifty years old when he died.
He began life poor, but by diligence acquired a
comfortable competency.  He left behind him a
worthy record as a hard-working pioneer and an
upright man. He was a Democrat, and took an
active part in local politics.
The mother of our subject was Polly Fairbanks,
and she, too, was a native of the Empire State. Her
father was Silas Fairbanks, who was also born in
New York. He was a cabinet-maker who had a
natural mechanical talent, and a secretary made
by him when he was eighty-five years old is in the
possession of our subject. He enjoyed an active
old age, living to be nearly a hundred. He had a
son, Reuben G. Fairbanks, who inherited his mechanical talent, and was regarded as one of the
greatest civil engineers in the world. He built
railways both in America and Russia, the Czar of
the Russian Empire sending for him to survey and
construct a railway in that country. The parents
of our subject had these children:  Charlotte
(Mrs. Charles Carver), who with her husband is
deceased; Adolphus, deceased; Silas F., Charles,
and one that died.
Silas Worden attended a school in his native
State that was conducted under the rate bill system. lIe was eighteen years old when he came
with his parents to their new home in Michigan, in
1844, and he faithfully shared with them the hardships and tribulations of life in a wild, sparsely
settled country. Indians were plentiful at that
time, and as many as seven visited his father's
cabin a short time after the family arrived and
spent the night with them. They became familiar
with their habits and customs, and learned to
speak some of their language. Wild animals were
numerous in the wilderness, and the howls of the
wolves prowling around the cabin after nightfall
would often disturb the slumbers of the inmates.
There were many deer and wild hogs, and some
used to shoot the hogs and skin and eat them.
The family was in poor circumstances, and had but




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


691


$10 with which to begin the    new life here.
Nearly all of them were sick on their arrival,
which was a serious matter taken in connection
with the lack of means, and our subject had to
work out to support the family. They lived in a
primitive style in a typical pioneer home, a board
serving as a table, stools for seats, and pole bedsteads completing the rough furniture of the humble abode. The meat of the wild hog and venison
from many a deer shot by our subject often added
a welcome variety to the scant bill of fare that the
family was otherwise obliged to subsist upon. When
flour was needed, he had to go to a mill five miles
away for it. There wasno money in the country to
speak of, and our subject once split five hundred
and fourteen rails for fifty cents, a rare sum for
him to possess. One time his father was sick and
he went for the doctor, whom he found building a
dam. The doctor agreed to go to see the sick man
and administer medicine if Mr. Worden would exchange work with him, wheeling dirt for him while
he was away, and on his return he called the debt
square. Mr. Worden helped to lay out some of the
roads, felling many trees while doing so, and he
helped to build some of the first bridges in the
township.
Mr. Worden lived at home until his fatlher's
death. After that he resided with his brother
Charles D., with whom he was in partnership until
eighteen years ago. They were counted the best
wheat cradlers in the country, and could cradle
twelve acres a day, so proficient and rapid were
they in the performance of their work. Ile settled on his present farm on section 34, Wakeshma
Township, in 1866, he and his brother owning it
together until hebought his brother's share of it.
He has one hundred and ten acres of choice land,
one hundred acres under the plow, and he has
made improvements of a substantial character that
compare with the best in this part of Kalamazoo
County. He has a fine large frame residence and
frame barn, and has everything needful to carry
on farming profitably. I-e engages in mixed husbandry, and has good grades of cattle and other
stock.
Our subject was first married March 31, 1872,
to Julia (Meers) Hlouse.  She was a native of


Canada, and came here with her parents in 1850.
She was a sincere Christian, a firm believer in the
doctrines of Methodism, and was true in all the
relations that she sustained toward others. Her
death, June 3, 1879, was a sad blow to her husband,
and to their two children, Oakley D. and Gracia
J. Mr. Worden was married in 1885 to his present
estimable wife, formerly Miss Cordelia Hand, a
native of St. Joseph County.
Mr. Worden is distinguished in the lumber trade,
building the first steam sawmill in this part of
the country in partnership with Andrew Kellicott.
He operated it two years with that gentleman, and
then sold him his interest in the concern. He has
witnessed nearly the entire growth of the county,
and it may well be his pride that he has had a hand
in bringing about the great change that has been
wrought by patient and persistent industry, transforming a wilderness into a blooming garden. He
attended the first election held in the township, at
which there were eighteen voters present, nearly
every one going to tile meeting place with guns
on their backs. A dinner of bear's meat was served
to them by Mrs. Gardner, at Gardner's Corners,
where the first house in the township was erected.
Our subject was a Constable here at an early day,
and he has held the office of Commissioner of Highways. He was for a long time one of the leading
spirits of the Democratic party of this vicinity,
and was honored by his fellow-Democrats at two
different times placing him on their ticket for the
offices of Supervisor and Treasurer, but the Republicans being so largely in majority, he was defeated. He was at one time an earnest advocate
of the Greenback party, but he is now independent
in politics.
AMES W. ELLWOOD. 'The improvements
which have been placed upon the farm  of
one hundred acres, on section 30, Comstock._j) Township, Kalamazoo County, are the results of the labors of Mr. Ellwood, the owner and
occupant. Not only has he erected a commodious
residence to replace the log house, 10x12 feet in
dimensions —the first home of the family-but lie




692


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


has also placed the soil under good cultivation,
erected substantial buildings, introduced the latest
improvements in farm machinery, and planted out
orchards.
Thirty-one miles east of Utica, on a farm in
Minden Township, Montgomery County, N. Y.,
Mr. Ellwood was born, May 10, 1822. His father,
Gen. Isaac Ellwood, was a native of the same
county as himself, and served as Colonel in the
War of 1812, being under Jacob Brown at Sackett's Harbor, and afterward appointed General.
The last five years of his life were spent in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and his death occurred at
Morristown, at the age of fifty-five years. A
prominent man in the community, he served on
the Board of Supervisors, and was Justice of the
Peace.
One of the brave soldiers who fought for independence during the War of the Revolution, was
Isaac Ellwood, Sr., grandfather of our subject,
who was wounded by a rifle ball in his shoulder.
He was the son of an Englishman, who emigrated
from his native county, Kent, to America, in company with two brothers, at the time of the French
Revolution, and located in New York State. Annie
(Wilson) Ellwood, mother of our subject, was
born in New York, of Scotch ancestry, and was
married in Montgomery County, N. Y., becoming
the wife of Isaac Ellwood.
The family of which our subject is a member
comprises three sons and four daughters, and he
was the fourth in order of birth. At the age of
thirteen, he accompanied his parents from Montgomery to St. Lawrence County, where his father
died when he was eighteen. December 14, 1848,
he was married in Jefferson County, N. Y., to
Nancy Ann Strough, who was there born, March
27, 1825. She was the fifth child of Daniel and
Anna (Wiswell) Strough, natives, respectively, of
New York and Vermont. Only three of their ten
children are still living, and the parents are also
deceased. They passed away in Jefferson County,
and were buried in Orleans Township.
After his marriage, our subject remained on the
old homestead until 1850. He came to Michigan
in 1854, settling on the place where he now resides. He and his wife endured all the vicissi

tudes of pioneer life, but gained a comfortable
home after a few years. They had a family of
three daughters and Ihree sons, namely: Joseph
M., of Kalamazoo; Mary C., who is at home; Dehuron B., a resident of Kalamazoo Township; Gibson S., Helen A., and Estella I., who are still with
their parents. Mr. Ellwood cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay, in 1844, and his last for
Benjamin Harrison. In his political faith, he has
always upheld the principles of the Republican
party, and has served as Pathmaster, and in other
positions of trust.
---       0 K-      cc- =^ACOB A. CODDINGTON. For many years
this gentleman  was identified with the
growth of Kalamazoo County, and especially
with the progress of Ross Township, where
he owned a fine farm on section 9. He was born
in New York, March 7, 1812, and was a son of
Jacob and Sallie Coddington, who emigrated to
Macomb County, this State, when he was quite
small. There hegrew to a rugged and vigorous
manhood and became familiar with agricultural
pursuits, aiding his father to clear and improve a
farm.
January 4, 1838, Mr. Coddington was united in
marriage to Mary, daughter of James and Lucy
(Davis) Eldridge. This estimable lady was born
in Rhode Island, February 3, 1815, and was about
ten years old when she moved with her parents to
Genesee County, N. Y., where she remained until
she was nineteen. She then came with her uncle,
Charles Davis, to Macomb County, this State,
where her marriage took place.
Mr. and Mrs. Coddington became the parents of
five children, of whom two only survive: Adalaide, wife of W. F. Becraft, and Manley J. In the
spring of 1849, Mr. Coddington, accompanied by
his family, came to Kalamazoo County and settled
in Ross Township, upon the farm  which is still
the home of the widow. During the first season
he broke twenty acres, which he sowed to wheat,
and afterward built a dwelling house for his
family.
In all his enterprises, Mr. Coddington was nobly




IL
II    ~














PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


695


aided by his efficient wife, who for more than fifty
years spun and wove various kinds of cloth, and
for a long time furnished all the garments necessary for family use. When about sixty-four
years old, Mr. Coddington passed from earth June
10, 1876, and it is said that his funeral was the
largest ever held in Ross Township, being attended by friends far and near, who wished to pay
this last tribute of respect to a beloved citizen.
He had been a member of the Masonic fraternity
and was buried with the honors of that order.
The farm  which Mr. Coddington left to his
widow, and which comprises eighty acres, represents the efforts of his life and the reward of his
industry. While he had neither time nor inclination for public affairs, he was a firm  Republican
and in every relation of his life discharged his
duty in the face of obstacles. lie is remembered
with affection, not only by his widow and children,
but by a large circle of warm personal friends,
who justly esteemed the noble qualities which he
possessed.
L  ON. FREDERICK BUSH. When the sad
news of the death of the Mayor of Kalamazoo, January 9, 1892, was announced to
the citizens in whose esteem he held so
prominent a place and whose confidence had been
his during a long and influential business career, it
was felt that there had passed from earth a gentleman, kind, noble-hearted and upright, who had
contributed largely to the prosperity of the city
and maintained its interests even at a personal
sacrifice. For three or four months prior to his
demise, he was very ill with a cancerous affection,
which had refused to yield to any known remedy,
but as the attending physician felt hopeful, his
death was a shock to the community.
Born in Ashwick, England, February 18, 1838,
our subject was the son of John Bush. Few incidents of a striking nature occurred in his youth,
which was devoted to his studies and boyish sports.
In 1844, he came to Kalamazoo and entered the
store of W. A. Tomlinson, where he clerked for a
year or more. Then going to New York City,


he there formed an intimate acquaintance with
Thomas Paterson, and together they came to
Kalamazoo in 1856, associating as builders.
The first building constructed in Kalamazoo by
the firm of Bush & Paterson was a residence on
Asylum Avenue, now owned by the Chapin estate.
Upon its completion, the firm opened a small shop
in which they transacted their business, which constantly increased until they became the most prominent firm in this portion of the State, giving constant occupation to a large number of employes
and erecting many substantial and elegant structures. Among the buildings which still stand as
monuments of their architectural skill may be
mentioned the Academy of Music, First Presbyterian Church, Grand Rapids and Indiana Railway Depot, Michigan Central Depot, the new Government building, many blocks in the business
portion of Kalamazoo, and the Grand Rapids and
Indiana Railroad general offices in Grand Rapids.
From the time of his arrival in Kalamazoo, no
citizen has been more closely identified with its
progress than Mr. Bush, who on many occasions
hazarded his private fortune to procure some enterprise which would benefit his fellow-citizens.
Through his individual efforts, the Kalamazoo
Electric Company was established, and he was its
President at the time of his death. During the
first discussion of the street railway, he was foremost in encouraging the project, for he foresaw
that it would prove of incalculable benefit to the
city. He served efficiently as the President of the
road, but never received an adequate remuneration
for his personal expenditure in its behalf.
Realizing that another railroad would greatly
enhance the value of Kalamazoo property, Mr.
Bush was foremost in offering a large contribution
to secure the road from Kalamazoo to Hastings.
As one of the Directors and President of the Kalamazoo & Hastings Construction Company, he
pushed the measure vigorously and had the genuine satisfaction of witnessing its completion, after
which it was turned over to the Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw Railroad Company. His former
service in its behalf, together with his executive
ability, secured for him the position of General
Manager of the road.




696


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Under the old village government, Mr. Bush
served as Trustee for two terms, and at the time
of his death was serving as Mayor, to which position he was elected on the Republican ticket. His
administration was characterized by a strenuous
exertion to maintain municipal reforms, and in all
public decisions he displayed excellent judgment.
November 4, 1858, Mr. Bush was married to
Miss Abbie Louisa Hindes, of Oshtemo, this State,
daughter of Neil Hindes. The widow now survives him, together with four children: Benjamin
A. and Frank A., of Kalamazoo; Mrs. William H.
Stout and Mrs. Mary Woolsey, of New York. Not
alone in the immediate family circle is his death
mourned,although it falls heaviest there, but it is
also a sourse of sincere personal sorrow to the residents of the city, where he was so well and favorably known.
The lithographic portrait of Mr. Bush accompanies this sketch.
OSCAR F. SEELEY, M. D., of Climax, a representative physician, is second to none in
his profession in learning and skill in Kalamazoo County, or, indeed, in Southern Michigan,
over thirty years of successful practice placing
him in the front ranks of the medical fraternity.
The Doctor was born near Rochester, N. Y., June
12, 1832. His father, Elisha B. Seeley, was also a
native of the Empire State, born in the year 1808,
and he was of English and French descent. He
was engaged at his occupation as a farmer in New
York until he came to Michigan in 1835, journeying to his future home in the wilderness by water
to Detroit, and by ox-team from that city into the
interior of the Territory. He entered a tract of
Government land near Plainwell, in Allegan
County, and was one of the early settlers of that
section. Some five years later, he came to this
county and joined the pioneers of Cooper Township, settling on a tract of new land on section
16. He made a good farm, and then took up his
residence near Galesburg. He lived there some
time, and after that went to Calhoun County,


where he remained until 1867. He then spent
two years in Battle Creek, after which he went
to Eaton County, and there passed the rest of his
days on a farm, comprising one hundred and
twenty acres of finely tilled and well-improved
land. He was sixty-six years old when he died.
He was a man of superior character, an earnest,
practical Christian, with a gift for preaching, and
for twenty years lie served the Baptist denomination as a local minister, who was instrumental in
building up the church of which he was a member.
He was largely a self-educated man, his native
ability surmounting obstacles that stood in the
way of his thirst for knowledge. In politics, he
was a Republican.
The mother of our subject, who was born in
Pennsylvania in 1813, was Sarah Halstead in her
maiden days. She was brought up and married
in her native State. She was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and carefully nurtured
her children in that faith. This good mother died
at the age of fifty-seven years. Four sons and two
daughters were born of her marriage: Emeline,
Oscar F., Miles H., Harley M. and Ruel E. The
maternal grandfather of our subject, who was of
German antecedents, was an early settler of that
part of Pennsylvania in which he lived, and he
had a full experience of the Indian wars that were
waged there.
Dr. Seeley was about three years old when the
family emigrated to Michigan. The preliminaries
of his education were obtained in a typical pioneer schoolhouse, that was built of logs, heated by
an open fireplace, and furnished with slab benches,
a board against the wall serving as a desk for the
elder pupils to write upon. There were then no
free public schools, but they were conducted on
the rate-bill plan. The Doctor became familiar
with pioneer life, in which the people had to sacrifice much that they had formerly deemed necessary and live in a primitive style. The house
in which he and his parents dwelt was made of
logs, had a puncheon floor, and the furniture was
most of it home-made, the chairs having barrel
stave backs. This house was situated on the banks
of the Kalamazoo River, near the present village
of Plainwell, Alleganl County, and the first night




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


697


--


that it was occupied blankets were hung up in the
doorway and openings for the windows, which
had not been put in, and our subject can well remember how the wolves made the night hideous
by their howls. That was in the time of the Indians, and every day some of them would paddle
by the house on the river in their canoes, and
frequently would stop to trade.
Our subject was early set to work helping on the
farm, and by the time he was nineteen years old,
he had a pretty good knowledge of agriculture.
He was of a bright, studious turn of mind, and at
that age he had an opportunity of furthering his
education by attending the old Branch School at
Kalamazoo, under the charge of Dr. Stone, and
lie gladly embraced it. Soon after the Baptist
College was completed, he spent two years in
study in that institution with both pleasure and
profit. He then gave his attention to teaching and taught five winters, having charge of a
school in the village of Schoolcraft two years,
and during that time he was busy reading medicine, as lie had decided to become a physician. He
then took a course of lectures in Cincinnati, and
entered upon his professional career at Eden, Fayeyette County, Iowa, where he remained three
years, and was at Princeton, Ind., one year. In
the spring of 1861, he returned to this county,
opened an office at Climax, and has ever since
made his home here.
In the winter of 1868-69, the Doctor, wishing
to still further prepare himself for his beloved
calling, took a course of studies at Rush Medical
College, Chicago, and was graduated from that
institution. Returning to Climax, he has lived
here continuously since, and has built up a large
and lucrative general practice, winning a high
reputation for the skillful treatment of dangerous and complicated forms of disease, and gaining
the confidence and esteem of the people among
whom he has lived so long, and to whose ills he
has administered, in a rare degree, as he is all that
a true physician should be, intellectually, socially
and morally. le keeps well abreast of the times
in his profession, and is a valued member of the
State Medical Association, of the United States
Medical Association, and of the Kalamazoo Acad

emy of Medicine. He also belongs to the Masonic
order and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Climax. He is a Republican in politics,
and has a splendid equipment for public office,
but has not cared in his busy life to burden himself with additional duties. Our subject has shown
himself to be a practical business man, investing
his money judiciously, and he has acquired a
handsome property. He has a well-improved farm
of one hundred and sixty acres in Charleston
Township, which is under the management of his
son. He has a neat frame residence and a frame
store building in Climax, and is one of the substantial men of the village financially.
Dr. Seeley was united in marriage to Miss Mercy
L. Sinclair March 12, 1857, and in her he has a
wife who is devoted to his interests, is a congenial
companion, and to their children is all that a
wise and loving mother can be. She is imbued
with a true Christian spirit, and is an active working member of the Methodist Church. Our subject and his wile have been blessed in their wedded
life with five children, one son and four daughters, namely: Ida C. (Mrs. Dickey), Frank L., Nellie,
Mary and Hattie.
I LLIAM       McCLARYand his son, Oliver F. McClary, are two valued citizens
of Charleston Township.  The former,
who is now living retired, was one of the early
pioneer farmers of Kalamazoo County, and the
latter, one of its native-born citizens, who is actively aiding in carrying on its great agricultural
in terests.
William McClary was born in Kingwood Township, Hunterdon County, N. J., on the 27th of
July, 1812. His father was James McClary, and
he was also a native of New Jersey.  He in
turn was a son of Andrew McClary, who was
born and reared in Connecticut, and, when a
young man, settled in New Jersey, where he spent
the remainder of his life. In 1824, the father of
our subject removed to Seneca County, N. Y., and
located on a farm in Romulus Township, that he
bought. In 1834, he came from there to Kalama



698


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


zoo County, and became one of the early settlers
of what is now Charleston Township, taking up
his residence on the same section on which his son
now lives, making his home in a little log house,
and here he dwelt to a good old age, performing
his part as an industrious pioneer, making improvements, and building a good frame house, in
which he died. In early manhood he had taken
unto himself a wife, in the person of Miss Gertrude Van Horn, a native of New Jersey, in which
State they were married. They were the parents
of six daughters and two sons, all of whom grew
to maturity, and these four are still living: Charlotte, the widow of Andrew Gray, and a resident
of Detroit; Mary, wife of Thomas Sackrider, of
Sandstone Township, Jackson County; Lydia, the
widow of Lewis Barben; and our subject. Eliza,
Cornelia, Martha and Andrew are deceased.
William  McClary is the second child and first
son of his parents. He was twelve years old when
they removed to Seneca County, N. Y., and was
twenty-two when he came to Michigan. He was
first married in Seneca County, N. Y., to Miss
Phebe Rowland, who was born in that part of the
Empire State, and their marriage was solemnized
May 29, 1834. She died July 26, 1856, and was
laid to her last rest in the Galesburg cemetery.
Of that union four sons and two daughters were
born: James, a resident of Galesburg; Catherine,
wife of William Quick, of Jackson; Newton, deceased; William  H., a heroic soldier of the late
war, who yielded his life for his country, starving
to death in Andersonville Prison; Oliver; and
Mary E., wife of Homer Barnes, of Galesburg.
The second marriage of our subject, which took
place December 3, 1857, was with Mrs. Maryett
Williams, widow of Washington G. Williams and
a daughter of James and Betsy (Waters) Andrews.
Mrs. McClary was born in Homer, Cortland
County, N. Y., December 17, 1812. She had three
children by her first marriage: Susan H., deceased;
Mary, wife of Horace Hulbert, of Lansing; and
George F., deceased.
When Mr. McClary came to Michigan, he was a
stalwart, active young man, well fitted for the
pioneer life before him. He lived with his parents
a year, and then, with his wife, took up his abode


in a small log house on the place where he still
resides, and in that humble dwelling he reared his
family. He has erected suitable buildings, and is
now very comfortably situated, in repayment for
his years of hard work as a general farmer. Ile
formerly owned a quarter of a section of land,
but he has given it all to his children but forty
acres. He has retired from active business, having
an income ample for all his wants. He is a man of
scrupulous honesty, who has always dealt fairly
and generously by all, and no one stands higher
in the estimation of the community than lie, who
is honored as one of the best types of our pioneers.
He is a strict Republican in politics, and has held
public offices with credit. He was at one time
Justice of the Peace, and was for some years
Highway Commissioner. He is a truly religious
man, and for many years has been identified with
the Congregational Church, being a member of
that denomination at Galesburg, and he has helped
to build three churches. He now holds the office
of Deacon of his church. He gave liberally towards the founding of the Baptist Seminary at
Kalamazoo, and always cheerfully does what he
can to promote education and morals in the community.
Oliver F. McClary, who resides on section 17,
Charleston Township, was born here November 11,
1845, and is the fourth son of William McClary. Pioneer influences surrounded his childhood, and he
laid the foundation of an excellent education in
the primitive schools of the early years of the settlement of Michigan, and subsequently pursued
a course of study in Olivet College, in Eaton
County. lie engaged in the profession of teacher
some twelve terms in the district schools, with
marked success, and spent his summers in farming.
Soon after marriage, he located on his present
farm  in Charleston Township, and has been
equally as successful since he devoted himself
wholly to agricultural pursuits. He has his place
under admirable management, has it well stocked,
and has a neat set of buildings. His residence,
which is well built and conveniently arranged,
was erected in 1879.
Mr. Oliver McClary was married, December 27,
1879, to Miss Saloma Kuhn, the third child and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


699


second daughter of Frederick and Barbara (Ernest) Kuhn. She was born in the town of Galen,
Wayne County, N. Y., August 19, 1846, and was
in her twelfth year when she came to Michigan
with her parents. She and her husband have no
children of their own, but in the kindness of their
hearts they have adopted two, Lillie and John,
who are given the best of homes and the most
tender care.
Our subject's fellow-citizens, among whom  he
has always lived, have shown their thorough appreciation of his character and ability by electing
him to responsible offices, and he has always discharged the duties thus incumbent upon him with
true public spirit, ever seeking to advance the interests of his native township and county. He
was Township Clerk seven years, School Inspector three years, and for five years he represented Charleston Township on the County Board
of Supervisors. Socially, he is a Mason, a member
of Prairie Lodge, No. 92, and, religiously, he is a
member of the Congregational Church, in which
he has been an earnest worker, holding the various
church offices, and for three years he was Superintendent of the Sunday-school. In his political belief, he is a straightforward Republican.
IOMAS SHERWOOD. This former prominent citizen of Kalamazoo was born June
15, 1815, his native place being in Salisbury, Herkimer County, N. Y. His parents, Thomas
and Anna (Hall) Sherwood, were natives of Connecticut and claimed descent from English ancestry. They removed at an early day to the Empire
State, where they passed the remainder of their
lives. The father was an industrious farmer and a
Deacon in the church of which Grover Cleveland's
father was pastor.
When fourteen years old, our subject removed to
Syracuse, Onondaga County, N.Y., where he aided
his father until he was married, in 1841, to Miss
Emily Brown, of Herkimer County. The following year the young couple removed to the vicinity
of Rochester, where the wife died in 1850. Our subject soon returned to his former home in Onondaga


County and purchased a farm near Camillus, where
lie successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.
February 12, 1851, Mr. Sherwood was again
married, choosing as his wife Miss Frances S. Baker.
After that important event, lie prosecuted farming
operations in the Empire State for a number of
years, until 1865, when he came to Kalamazoo
County and bought a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres, two miles east of Kalamazoo. There
also he engaged in tilling the soil, planting the
various cereals adapted to this section of country,
and harvesting the grain, which yielded a bountiful return for his care and cultivation.
After a busy and active business life, Mr. Sherwood came to Kalamazoo in November, 1874, and
thereafter lived retired until his death, October 15,
1887, which resulted from a stroke of paralysis. A
successful farmer, lie was largely interested in agricultural associations and although not connected
particularly with public affairs, affiliated first with
the Whigs and later with the Republicans. He was
a member of the Presbyterian Church, and faithful
in his attendance at the various church services.
Mrs. Sherwood was born on "The Pinnacle,"
at Pompey Hill, N. Y. Her father, Samuel Baker,
was a merchant in that place before Syracuse was
started, and her grandfather, who was a native of
Long Island, was one of the earliest settlers of that
portion of the State. Her mother, Philena Hascall, was a native of Connecticut and the daughter
of Joseph Hascall, a soldier in the War of 1812.
An uncle of Mrs. Sherwood, Rev. David Hascall,
was the founder of the old Baptist College of New
York, and a cousin, Frank Stetson, was a partner
of Grover Cleveland in the law.
It will thus be seen that Mrs. Sherwood belongs
to an old, patriotic and well-known family. Prior
to her marriage, she taught for a time in district
schools and also in an academy. Her family comprises two children: Frances, wife of Gen. G. N.
Harrington, a traveling salesman of Chicago and a
valiant soldier during tle late war; and Byron B.,
of Kalamazoo. In the various benevolent organizations of the city, Mrs. Sherwood is deeply interested and contributes liberally both of her time
and means to tie promotion of those projects
which she believes will tend to the advancement




700


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


of the community. She occupies a warm place in
the affections of her large circle of acquaintances
and is recognized as one of the most estimable
residents of Kalamazoo.
ENJAMIN S. WAIT. It is with pleasure
that we represent in this volume one of the
pioneers of Kalamazoo County, who for
many years was closely connected with the
progress of Ross Township. Though now gone to
his final rest, he lives in the memory of his associates of former years, as well as in the gratitude
of all who love their country and esteem its enterprising citizens.
Born in London, England, Mr. Wait passed his
youth in the metropolis of the world, whence, at
the age of twenty-five, he emigrated to America.
His marriage occurred in New York July 1, 1834,
the bride being Mary, the daughter of John and
Silva (Anthony) Wilber. Mrs. Wait was born
near Saratoga Springs, N. Y., July 9, 1815, and
was only twenty months old when sle was orphaned
by the death of her father. Soon after that sad
event she was taken into the family of A. D. Cory,
of Onondaga County, N. Y., and there reared to
womanhood, her education being received in the
public schools of that district.
Mr. and Mrs. Wait became the parents of twelve
children, of whom six now survive, namely: Aaron
S., Adin, Henry, Benjamin, Charles, and Carrie,
wife of Loyal Manning. At a very early day in
the history of Kalamazoo County, Mr. Wait brought
his family hither and settled in Ross Township,
their first home being in a log cabin. Soon afterward a more commodious frame residence was
built, and gradually the land was cleared and cultivated, farm buildings were put up, neat fencing
subdivided the land into fields of convenient
size, and the comforts of civilization were introduced.
The death of Mr. Wait, which occurred February
1, 1883, removed from the scenes of his usefulness
one of tile most highly esteemed citizens of the
community and especially was the loss deeply felt


in his immediate home circle, for by his death the
wife was bereaved of an affectionate husband and
the children lost a wise and considerate father. A
man of extensive information and especially interested in educational matters, he exerted great
influence throughout the township, and was a
Democrat in politics.
In the accumulation of his property, Mr. Wait
always received the assistance of his helpmate and
counselor, who is now one of the oldest surviving
pioneers of Ross Township and holds in her possession the old homestead of eighty acres. She
oversees the management of the place and in her
declining years enjoys good health and a comfortable income. Among her neighbors she is esteemed
as a kind friend and lady of great benevolence,
who aids the poor and needy and is tenderly devoted to the welfare of her children.
I^    LIJAH 0. HUMPHREY, a resident farmer
on section 12, Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo County, is a native of Livingston
County, N. Y., born August 1, 1821. He is a son
of Elijah Humphrey, a native of Goshen, Litchfield County, Conn., born November 23, 1789, and
was married June 14, 1813, to Ann Dickenson, a
native of Litchfield County, Conn., and to them
were born three sons and three daughters.  The
father moved to New York in 1811 and located on
a farm in Livingston County, where he died September 12, 1843. IHe was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The grandfather, Noah Humphrey, was born in Connecticut and was of English descent. His brothers were in the Revolutionary War. The grandfather on the mother's side,
John Dickenson, was also from Connecticut and
located in New York in an early day, where he
spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1845.
He was a Colonel in the New York State Militia.
In his early days, he was a harness and saddle
maker and finally settled down to farming.
The subject of this sketch is the fourth child of
his father's family and was reared to farming
pursuits, remaining at home until twenty-two




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


701


--


I


years old. Mr. Humphrey was married in Livingston County, N. Y., to Janet Cameron, a native of
the same place as himself and the ceremony took
place at the home of the bride's parents. She is a
daughter of Ewen Cameron, a native of Scotland,
who was an early settler in New York State, and
who married Catherine McCall, also from  Scotland. They had a family born to them of seven
sons and four daughters. The father passed away
in Livingston County in 1844.
To our subject and his worthy wife no children
have been born. Mrs. Humphrey died in April,
1888. Mr. lTumphrey took for his second wife
Miss Frances Cameron, the ceremony being performed November 25,1891, at the home of her father,
D. E. Cameron. Our subject lived for three years
each in Monroe and Genesee Counties, N. Y., and
in 1854 came to Michigan and settled on a farm
in Richland Township, this county.  He resided
on his farm eight years, when he purchased his
present place of residence, which comprises one
hundred acres and where he has erected a fine residence and good outbuildings. Besides this place,
Mr. Humphrey owns two other farms, one of one
hundred and twenty acres and another of four
hundred and twenty-eight. On his place general
farming is carried on successfully and Mr. Humphrey has always been a very industrious man,
as is shown by the condition of his estate.
The original of this notice was a Director of
the First National Bank of Kalamazoo for twenty
years and President of the same for about two
years. He is now one of tile Directors of the Kalamazoo National Bank and has been for a term  of
six years. He is executor of the Bates estates and
President of the Kalamazoo Citizens' Insurance
Company, which latter position he has held for
eight years. The office of President of the Kalamazoo Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company was his
and he was also Trustee of the Insane Asylum for
six years previous to 1885. Our subject is a stanch
Republican and has been since the existence of
that party. The honorable position of Supervisor
of Richland Township was given him by his
fellow-citizens and he was elected to the State
Senate in 1863, which office he held for two years.
The duties of all these offices he discharged faith



fully and conscientiously and with satisfaction to
all concerned. He was once a poor boy but he is
now known far and wide as an honorable and wellto-do farmer.
e   - ++++        ++++
J   AMES M. SIMONS. It gives us great pleasure to place on the pages of this volume
the record of the life and work of this
venerable pioneer of Kalamazoo County,
who was one of the early settlers of Charleston
Township, where he has carried on farming for more
than half a century, and he is the only man now living in the township who obtained the deed of his
land directly from the Government.
Mr. Simons was born in Mayfield Township,
Fulton County, N. Y., January 24, 1814.  His
father, John Simons, was a native of Vermont.
He in turn was a son of John Simons, a native of
Vermont, born of one of its earliest families, and
a colonel in the Continental Army during the
Revolution. The junior John Simons left his native State when twenty years old, and, after a
sojourn in Connecticut, made his way to New
York, where he located on a farm.  Some twelve
years later, he came from there to Michigan, in the
year 1827, and settled in Salem Township, Washtenaw County, where he took up an eighty-acre
tract of land. He was among the first to settle
there, and he and his family made their home in
a log house that lie built on his homestead, living
there nine years. The next move was to Calhoun
County, and Mr. Simmons purchased a quarter
section of land from the Government in Battle
Creek Township. IIe developed it into a good
farm, which he sold in later years, and passed the
last part of his life in the city of Battle Creek,
where he died at the ripe old age of eighty-eight
years. He was a prominent man in his day, whose
counsel was often sought by his fellow-citizens.
He was not a church member, but gave freely to
the support of churches, and of all tilings that he
thought would be beneficial to the township.  In
his politics, he was an unswerving Republican.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Catherine Deal, and she was born and reared in


I






702


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


New York. Her death occurred when she was
sixty-eight years old.  She was a daughter of
Peter Deal, who was a native of Canada and
served in the British Army during the American
Revolution.  He subsequently settled in New
York. The parents of our subject were married
in New York, and thirteen children were born
unto them, eleven of whom grew to maturity,
and all were living when the eldest had attained
the age of forty-seven years, while four are still
living, as follows: James; Nancy, the widow of
Lewis R. Davis, and a resident of Kalamazoo
Township; Cordelia, widow of C. Sweetland, of
Kalamazoo; and Jasper, a resident of Portage
Township.
Our subject is the sixth child and third son of
the family in order of birth.  He was thirteen
years old when he came to Michigan with his
parents, and he remained with them until he was
twenty years old. The first work that he did
was to cut four cords of wood to pay for an axe, said
axe being the first bit of personal property that
he ever owned. In his youth he used to work by
the job at anything that he could do to earn an
honest penny. During that period he, in company
with others, made a memorable journey into the
wilderness, of which he has kindly given us a short
account, and we gladly incorporate it in this
sketch.
"In the fall of 1830 Isaac Thomas, James Conway, Mr. Shauf, Frank Thomas and myself started
from Dixboro, Washtenaw County, which was settled in 1827, for Goguac Prairie.  At that time
there was but one house this side of Jackson,
which was occupied by a man named Robinson.
On the way we overtook two men, Hall and his
nephew, who joined our company and were with us
when we arrived on the prairie.  We cut logs
and put up a house (the one you speak of as being
burned down), cut ten or twelve tons of hay,
plowed two acres of land, and sowed the same to
wheat.
"I was then a boy of about sixteen years of age,
and was employed as a teamster.  I drove two
yokes of oxen through from Jackson, and drove
them to plow the land and drag in the wheat,
which Uncle Isaac said was the first plowing done


in the county, and the house the first one built
within its borders. He and Conway had ridden
all through the country during the summer, and
had selected Goguac Prairie as their future home.
They intended to return with their families the
same fall to settle there, but the burning of the
house and hay put an end to that plan. The fire
that destroyed their property is supposed to have
been the result of the Indians' habit of burning
the prairie. The only mark there was at Marshfield was a blazed tree, with "Blashfield" written on
it. Mr. Blashfield called on us that fall."
In early manhood our subject located in Battle
Creek Township, on a farm now belonging to
Abram Minges. He sold that place the same
year, and in 1836 bought where he now resides on
section 1, Charleston Township, buying his land
of the Government, he being the first to take up a
homestead in this vicinity. His first work was to
erect a log house, with a mud and stick chimney,
cutting the logs and putting up the house himself.
In after years, he cleared his land, of which he has
a quarter of a section, and has greatly increased
its value by the substantial improvements he has
made, so that it is a well-equipped farm, and from
its cultivation he has accumulated a competency,
that enables him to pass the declining years of a
busy, honorable life in comfort and free from the
necessity of hard labor.  He has not only witnessed with pleasure the gradual growth of Kalamazoo County from all its original wildness, but
he may well be proud of the fact that he has had
a handin making it what it is to-day, with its
many beautiful farms and pleasant homes. He was
atone time H-igllway Commissioner, and helped
to lay out all the roads in the neighborhood, and
made the first road to Battle Creek from his farm.
He drove the first team from Ann Arbor to Battle
Creek and helped to build the first house in Calhoun County, as we have seen. He favors the Republican party in politics, but in local affairs he
always votes for the man best fitted for the office.
He was Pathmaster for fourteen years, and in
other ways he has helped in public improvements.
He was once elected Justice of the Peace, but
would not serve, although elected by a large majority.








e   J CCC C g t 2  CZ /?1 -




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


705


Mr. Simons was first married in December, 1835.
to Miss Parthena Thomas, a native of New York
and they are supposed to have been the first couple
married in Battle Creek Township. Mrs. Simnons
died in 1843, and her mortal remains were deposited in Reece Cemetery, Calhoun County.
Two children were the result of that marriage:
Anson D., who was born in Charleston Township
in 1838, and William Lewis, who makes his home
with his father; he is a teacher by profession, and
has taught several years in the township schools.
The second marriage of our subject, which took
place March 25, 1849, was with Sarah Betterley,
fifth daughter of William and Phebe (Hayford)
Betterley. Mrs. Simons was born November 1,
1827, in Tompkins County, N. Y., where she lived
until she was ten years old, when the family came
to Michigan.   Mr. and Mrs. Simons have one
daughter, Parthena, wife of Robert N. Wakefield,
of Charleston Township.
I CHOLAS BEUMANN. No location in the
State excels that of Kalamazoo for the encouragement offered to business enterprises
in supplying the means for their success. The incentives to energy and rewards of industry are unsurpassed, and examples of success are not wanting.
Among those who have sought a home within its
limits and have built up a substantial fortune in
the honorable discharge of private duties, may be
mentioned the subject of this biographical notice.
Many years ago there lived in Bavaria, Germany, a successful business man and upright citizen whose name was Anton Knogle Beumann. He
was Superintendent of a large manufacturing business and had in his employ ninety skilled hands,
continuing thus engaged during his active life.
Unto him and his wife, Julia, were born two sons
and two daughters, in the youngest of whom,
Nicholas, we are particularly interested. He was
born in Schinestock, January 27,1828, and attended
school in his native place between the ages of six
and twelve years.
After leaving school, Mr. Beumann served an
32             K


apprenticeship of three years at the trade of a silk
weaver. Later he went to West Baden and learned
the trade of a machinist, to which he was apprenticed for three years. In 1849, lie emigrated
to the United States, embarking on the vessel "Little Belvidere," and, after a voyage of sixty-two
days, landed in New York City. Thence he went
directly to Rochester, N. Y., and was in the employ
of a lumbering firm until he went to Pennsylvania
and engaged in the lumbering business on his own
account in the Alleghany Mountains.
The year 1856 marked the arrival of Mr. Beumann in Kalamazoo, where lie at once built what
is known as the Steam  Brewery and established
himself in the brewing business. For fifteen years,
he continued successfully as a manufacturer of ale
and beer, at the expiration of which time he sold
out for $42,000 and retired from business as a
brewer. In 1872, he became interested in the realestate and loan business, in which he has continued
up to the present time. A man of great enterprise
and business sagacity, success has rewarded his efforts and he has became known as one of the prominent citizens of Kalamazoo. He has built fifteen
stores in Kalamazoo, from the rental of which he
derives a handsome income.
In 1851, Mr. Beumann was married to Miss
Catharine Horn, a native of Bavaria, Germany,
who at the time of her marriage.resided in Rochester, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Beumann have two
sons living: Frank, a boot and shoe merchant of
Kalamazoo, and James, who is engaged in the realestate and loan business in Chicago. Mr. Beumann
occupies very comfortable apartments in his block
on the corner of Water and Burdick Streets and
has gained a competency, although commencing
with limited means. Mrs. Beumann passed from
this life, September 28, 1889, leaving her husband
and children to mourn her loss and leaving a
vacant place in their home and hearts which can
never be filled.
Mr. Beumann is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and the Working Men's
Association. In politics, lie is a stanch Democrat
and takes an active part in local and national
politics.  He served one term  as Alderman of
Kalamazoo, was Chief Engineer of the city for






706


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


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-I --- —--—  --- —' —-I ---1- -- --— I I —-- -------— I — —- ----'

eight years and Street Commissioner for two
years, and in whatever position he has been placed,
has served with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens.
ON. JOHN     WALKER. Although many
) years have passed away since this gentleA~/  man closed his eyes to the scenes of time,
() hle still lives in the affectionate regard of
his friends. He was born in Deerfield Township,
Oneida County, N. Y., May 12, 1818, and died at
his home in Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County,
February 21, 1878. Ils father, Alexander, was
born in Scotland, whence he emigrated to America
in his young manhood and located in New York,
where he married Ann McKercher, a native of that
State.
Soon after his marriage, AlexanderWalker rode
through the woods to Utica, N. Y., where he
worked in a glass factory, while his wife conducted
the farm. He became well-to-do and died about
1850, at a ripe old age. His wife lived to the
good old age of four-score years, and reared a family of thirteen children, four of whom still survive.
One of that family was our subject, who was
reared on the home farm and attended the district
school and the academy at Fairfield. His health
failing while he was in New York, it was thought
advisable for him to come West and accordingly,
in the spring of 1836, when eighteen years old, he
removed to Michigan in company with his brother
Daniel. At Detroit he was taken ill, and compelled to remain a few months, but as soon as able
he came to Kalamazoo. His brother, becoming homesick, returned from Detroit to New York.
In Kalamazoo, Mr. Walker secured a position as
clerk for Willard & Company, grocers, which position he filled for some time. Later, lie taught
school in the winter and worked on farms during
the summer seasons, until he accumulated money
enough to purchase a place. In 1840, lie bought
one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 8,
Cooper Township, and at once commenced to
clear and improve the soil. In 1842, lihe built a
log cabin which unfortunately was burned be

fore it was occupied. The following winter he
spent at his home in Oneida County, N. Y., but
returning West in the spring of 1843, he was married to Miss Phoebe Doolittle, a native of the Empire State. Their wedded life was of brief duration, and was terminated by the death of the wife
in 1850.
Near the home which Mr. Walker established,
deer and other wild game as well as Indians roamed
at will, while white neighbors were few. In 1852,
he was married to Miss Octavia Cunningham, who
was born in Madison, Lake County, Ohio, November 17, 1820. Her parents, Cyrus and Mary W.
(Crary) Cunningham, were natives of Massachusetts, who early located in Lake County, Ohio, and
there sojourned until their death at the ages, respectively, of seventy-one and seventy-five. The
father was a finely educated man, a former student at
Williams College in Massachusetts, and prominent
and highly respected in Lake County. During the
War of 1812, he served in the defense of his
country. He was a zealous member of the Congregational Church and a sincere Christian.
Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham had a family of five
children-one son who died young, and four
daughters, two of whom are living: Mrs. Walker
and her sister, Mrs. Ardelia King, who lives on
the old Cunningham homestead in Lake County,
(hio. Mrs. Walker received her education in the
common schools of Ohio and the Kirkland Normal
School, and for several years prior to her marriage
followed the profession of a teacher. Mr. and Mrs.
Walker became the parents of two children: Mary,
wife of J. M. Travis, of Plainwell, this State; and
Cyrus A., who married Miss Lydia Earl, and has
two children: John and Leon.   Both children
were highly educated, the daughter in the Michigan Female Seminary at Kalamazoo and the son
at Parsons' Business College.
In his religious convictions, Mr. Walker was a
Congregationalist, and a faithful member of the
church at Cooper, in which he was one of the pillars. Ile was a Republican in politics, and held
various offices. For many years lie was Supervisor
and in the fall of 1869 was elected on the Republican ticket as Representative from  Kalamazoo
County to the Legislature, where he served three




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


707


terms as one-of its most active members. He was
Chairman of the Committee on Roads and Bridges
and a member of several other important committees.
Mr. Walker was eminently a self-made man, as
he started in life without means, and by his integrity and enterprise gained a high place in the estimation of all who knew him. At the time of his
decease, he owned one hundred and seventy acres
of land, the most of which had been cleared by his
own labor. In connection with general farming,
he was a stock-raiser, meeting with success in raising the various grades of stock. IHe was active in the
organization of the Grange, which lie served for
some time as Master.
A strong advocate of temperance, Mr. Walker
threw his whole influence against the evil effects
of alcohol; he also had the reputation of being
very kind to the poor. Since his death his estate
has been managed by his son, who maintains the
high class of improvements.   Mrs. Walker is
greatly interested in church matters, and is identified with the Congregational denomination at
Cooper, contributing liberally of her means and
influence in its behalf.
Wi    ILLIAM R. SOUTHWORTH is prominent
not only as one of the leading public officials of Brady Township, but also as one
of the most enlightened and enterprising farmers
of this section of Kalamazoo County. He comes of
notable New England ancestry and of sterling
pioneer stock of Hillsdale County, this State, of
which he is a native, born in the town of Litchfield,
June 3, 1850. His father, Roscius Southwortll,was
born in Connecticut, and was a son of Royal
Southworth, who was also a native of New England, and traced his ancestry back to the Pilgrims
of "Mayflower" fame to one Widow Southworth,
who came from England on that vessel, and was afterward married to Gov. Bradford, the second ruler
of the Plymouth Colony. Royal Southworth married Phebe Gleason, who was also of New England
birth. From Connecticut they subsequently moved
to Massachusetts, and thence to Oswego County,


N. Y., where they located in the town of Mexico,
and there the grandfather of our subject was engaged as a machinist, living there many years.
They finally followed their children to Michigan,
where the father died in Allen Township, Hillsdale County, at the home of their son Roscius,
at the age of eighty-four years. The mother died
later at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William
Porter, in Allegan County, aged eighty years.
Roscius Southworth worked in his youth in a
cotton-mill at Mendon, Worcester County, Mass.
He was afterward employed in a cotton-mill in
Oswego County, N. Y., until 1836. In that year,
helaccompanied the family to Michigan, and a few
years later lie became a contractor on the Lake
Shore Railway and its branches, and was so engaged
for many years. In the meantime, he invested
his spare money in land in Litchfield and Alien
Townships, Hillsdale County, carrying on its cultivation in connection with his other business.
He was first married in Litchfield Township, in
1837, to Miss Lucinda Murdock, a native of Os
wego County, N. Y. She died one year later, leaving a son, John, who is now practicing law in
Clarendon, Tex. Mr. Southworthl was married a
second time, in Litchfield Township, August 10,
1841, Miss Lucinda Wight becoming his wife. She
was born in Hope, Cayuga County, N. Y., November 20, 1819, and is now the oldest resident of
HIillsdale County. She is the mother of five children: Abby (Mrs. Parish), a resident of Hillsdale
County; Thaddeus Monroe, a farmer in Hillsdale
County; Royal A., who is editing a paper at Denver, Colo., known as The Ranch; William W. (deceased), and William R.
William R. Southworth's maternal grandparents
were Thaddeus and Lucinda (Washburn) Wight,
both of New England -birth and parentage. The
former was born in Vermont, June 8, 1788; the
latter was born August 9, 1792, and it is thought
that Massachusetts was her native State. After
marriage they took up their residence in Vermont,
whence a few years later they betook themselves
to Saratoga County, N. Y. Sometime after that
they removed to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and
from there came to Michigan in the spring of 1830.
They settled among the pioneers of Hillsdale






708


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


--   ` --- ~   --- ---


County, near Jonesville, where the grandmother
of our subject died, September 7, 1832. His grandfather continued to farm there and in Litchfield
Township until the infirmities of old age necessitated his abandoning active labors, and llis remaining years were spent tranquilly with the mother of
our subject until he rounded out his life, July 28,
1859. He was the father of nine children, six
daughters and three sons, five of whom are yet living. His father was Jacob Wight, who was a native of New England. IHe was of English descent,
and the family came to this country in the "Mayflower" in 1620. IHe was a Revolutionary soldier,
and by occupation was a farmer.  He died at a
good old age in the State of New York.
The subject of this review passed his boyhood
on his father's farm in Hillsdale County, attending
the local district school whenever opportunity
offered, and at the age of sixteen became a student
at the Hillsdale school, which lie attended a short
time. At the age of seventeen, lie went to Illinois,
and for a year and a half worked by the month for
his brother Thaddeus. Retur ning to his native State
and county, he carried on the home farm for two
years. At the end of that time, he came to Kalamazoo County, and bought the farm on section 20,
Brady Township, April 8, 1871, which he has since
transformed into a very attractive home in this
vicinity. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres,
of which only sixty acres were improved when lie
took possession of the place; now he has it all but
ten acres under the best of cultivation, and he has
the most of it well drained, having put in over
two miles of tile. A part of the land thus treated
was marshy and was considered worthless, but is
now his most productive land. He engages in
mixed farming, raising grain and other produce
and stock, and has his farm well stocked with fine
wool sheep, with horses of standard breeds, and
with Durham cattle. He finds the culture of mint
very profitable on his lowlands, and in the season
of '91 he planted fifty acres of it and made $30 an
acre on an average. He has placed substantial
improvements on his farm, and in 1884 he erected
a commodious frame residence, which is of a good
style of architecture, and is well appointed within.
Mr. Southworth was first married, July 4, 1869,


to Miss Elnory Todd. She was born in Litchfield
Township, September 9, 1850, and she died October 26, 1884. Three children were born of that
marriage, of whom two are living, Claude W. and
Horace. The second marriage of our subject,which
took place January 31, 1886, was with Miss Cannarissa C. Guyer, and to them has been born one child,
whom they have named Roscius G. Mrs. Southworth is a native of Clarion County, Pa., born in
the township of Porter, March 10, 1865.
Our subject is a generous, high-minded man, of
an active temperament and quick brain, and his
fellow-citizens, knowing well that he is worthy of
all confidence, have called him to the responsible position of Township Treasurer, and lie is also Township Clerk,which office he has held for three years.
Ile was elected Justice of the Peace, but would no'.
qualify. He stands high among tie working Republicans of this section, and has been delegate to
county conventions several times..., -J- "
ACOB VAN HOESEN. Among the promiinent and influential citizens of Kalamazoo
County, we are pleased to include the biographical sketch of this estimable resident
of Portage Township. He is at present residing
on section 8, where he has an excellent farm under the most improved methods of cultivation,
and which, he is proud to remember, is the result
of his persistent industry and good judgment.
The original of this sketch is the son of Garret
and Hannah Van Hoesen, the father being born in
Greene County, N. Y. When a boy, his parents
removed to Cortland County, where he grew to
man's estate, and was married to Miss Hannah
Provost. The young couple made their home in
the latter-named county until 1830, when they removed to what is now Wyoming County, N. Y.,
and resided until their death. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Jacob was the eldest, but one.
Jacob Van Hoesen was born in Cortland County,
N. Y., August 6, 1819, where he passed the first
eleven years of his life. He grew to man's estate




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


709


in Wyoming County, where he made his home
until 1850, the date of his coming to the Wolverine State. He at once made his home in Portage
on the property which i  s hls present abiding place.
Miss Maria T.. Martin, who was born in Genesee County, N. Y., February 5, 1828, became the
wife of our subject, the ceremony being performed
in that county, August 27, 1845. The parents of
Mrs. Van EIoesen were George E. and Catherine
(Mercer) Martin, her mother being born in Eastern New York, and dying in Genesee County in
1839. The father had been an officer in the War
of 1812, and, on the death of his wife, came to
Kalamazoo County, and passed his last days in the
liome of our subject. Twelve children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, of whom Mrs. Van Hoesen
was the ninth.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of the
following named children: Charles, who married
Helen Carleton; Celia, who is the wife of C. H.
Nesbitt; Nellie, Mrs. Dr. II. Schaberg, of Kalamazoo; Adell, who married Jay White; and John B.,
who is at home. Mr. Van    lIoesen has never
sought for political preference, choosing rather
to give his time and attention to agricultural duties, of which he has made so signal a success.
His possessions include two hundred and thirty acres
of choice land, upon which he has erected a firstclass set of farm buildings. A view of this place
is shown on another page. Mr. Van Hoesen votes
the Democratic ticket, and in his religious views
is liberal. lie is ranked among the influential and
progressive farmers of this locality, and it is with
pleasure that we here give his sketch.
MA RS. MARGARET MI. TOBEY, widow of
the late 1H. D. Tobey, owns and controls
a well-equipped, orderly farm on section
16, Charleston Township, and as an able,
energetic woman is an important factor in carrying
forward the agricultural interests of Kalamazoo
County and in sustaining its prosperity. She is a
native of Southern Michigan, born in Battle Creek,
Calhoun County, February 12, 1841, a daughter
of one of its pioneers, Alfred Mason.


The father of our subject was born and reared
among the green hills of Vermont, and when a
young man lie left his native State, and for a
number of years lived in Boston, Mass. Pioneer
life had attractions for him, and he thought that
in one of the new towns of the Territory of Michigan lie could build up a good trade at his calling
as a wagon-maker, and lie came hither and settled
in Battle Creek, which was then in its infancy.
lie carried on business there as a wagon manufacturer for many years, his business growing
with the growth of the village, and he was much
prospered. He lived to see the county well developed, and was known and held in high estimation by everybody in that section. He was a Republican in his political views, and was unswerving in his fidelity to his party. Dying at the age
of eighty years, he left behind him a golden memory of a long life well spent.
The mother of our subject was Catherine Goodrich prior to her marriage. She was a native of
New York, whence she came to Michigan when she
was only fifteen years old with an uncle, who was
an early pioneer of the State. She was only twentyeight years old when she died, and left four children, two daughters and two sons, motherless.
They are all living, and of them the following is
recorded: Maria is the wife of C. H. Iiodskin, of
Manistee; Margaret M., our subject, is the next in
order of birth; William H. is Postmaster at Battle
Creek; Charles S. is also a resident of that city.
Mrs. Tobey is the second child of the family.
She was educated in the Battle Creek schools, and
grew up to a true womanhood under good home
influences.  )ecember 27, 1862, she was united in
marriage with H. D. Tobey. Ile was a native of
New York, born July 6, 1840. He came to Michigan with his parents, Benjamin and Louisa (Wood)
Tobey, when he was but four years old. They
were pioneer settlers of Charleston Township, locating on section 16, where the father opened up
a good farm, upon which he spent his remaining
days.
Mr. Tobey was the third child born to his parents. His education was begun in the local district schools and completed at Kalamazoo. He
was trained to the life of a farmer and adopted




710


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,


--


that calling when he arrived at years of discretion.
After marriage, he and his bride settled on section
21, Charleston Township, on a tract of land that
had been but little improved. He devoted himself to its further devolopment, and continued to
reside thereon some twelve years. At the expiration of that time, he bought the farm upon which
his family is still living, and here, surrounded by
every comfort, the fruit of the joint labors of
himself and wife, and tenderly ministered to by
wife and children, he passed from life to death on
the 1st of June, 1890, the re-awakening of Nature in all her beauty at that season speaking to
his sorrowing friends of immortality. In the quiet
cemetery of Charleston Township, he now lies
sleeping his last sleep. He led a busy, full life,
yet was by no means an old man when he died.
He made his mark as an able, ingenious farmer,
who had a complete understanding of agriculture
in all its branches, and he left his farm of two
hundred and fifty-seven acres in a fine condition,
nearly all the land under a high state of cultivation, buildings of a good class adorning the place,
and everything needful to carry on farming. Mr.
Tobey's reputation as a man and a citizen was of
the highest, and he was favorably known throughout the county. In politics, he was a right royal
Republican. He held some of the township offices,
and in every way did what he could to advance
public interests. Mr. and Mrs. Tobey had two
children, a son and a daughter: Charles, who assists his mother in the management of the farm,
and Nina M., an accomplished young lady, who
was graduated from the Battle Creek High School,
afterward attended the State University at Ann
Arbor two years, and is now teaching in the public schools of Battle Creek. Mrs. Tobey was appointed administrator of her husband's estate
after his death, and she has since had charge of
the farm. She has shown herself fully equal to
the arduous duties thus devolving upon her, and
keeps the place up to the same highly improved
state it had attained under Mr. Tobey's fostering
care. She is conducting a general farming business, and her stock compares with the finest in the
neighborhood in point of excellence in breed and
in good keeping. Our subject is regarded as a


woman of rare worth, who combines business energy with tact, a kind, friendly spirit and a true
womanly nature, which traits have won for her a
warm place in the hearts of all who come under
her influence.
ARRISON GRAY. The record of the develI   opment of Kalamazoo County forms a his-.   ' tory which is interesting but not unique,
(kH) the other portions of the State having with
equal rapidity evolved a populous community
from a wilderness. Among the brave pioneers to
whom praise belongs for the part taken in the
progress of the county, especial mention belongs
to Mr. Gray, who passed from earth January 29,
1889, and whose mortal remains now lie buried in
Maple Grove Cemetery.
For many years prior to his decease, Mr. Gray
was closely connected with the history of Comstock Townslip, where he owned an eighty-acre
farm on section 32. Born in Massachusetts, April
7, 1817, he was the eldest son of Mathew and
Delilah Gray. When he was only two years old,
he accompanied his parents to Niagara County,
N. Y., where he was reared to manhood. In 1838,
he came to Kalamazoo County, locating in Cornstock County and purchasing a tract of land from
Mr. Pomeroy. The place bore no improvement
save a log house, and it required arduous exertions and unremitting labor to develop a fine
farm from the unpromising surroundings.
In the public affairs of the county, Mr. Gray
retained great interest and was a prominent Republican, and was well known throughout the
community as a generous supporter of all benevolent and public measures. EIe was of Irish
descent, his grandfather having emigrated from
that country to America at an early day. The
qualities of perseverance and enterprise, for which
the natives of the Emerald Isle have long been
famous, descended to our subject and were prominent traits of his character.
Mr. Gray's widow still survives, an estimable lady, who was born in Lake County, Ohio,
July 12, 1825. Her father, Edward N. Williams,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


711


was born and reared in Connecticut, and after
coming to Ohio was married to Elizabeth Freer, a
native of New York. After their marriage, which
took place September 24, 1819, the young couple
located on a farm in Lake County, and lived
happily together until the death of the husband,
November 2, 1829. The wife survived until
October 7, 1876, when at a good old age she
passed away.
The family of which Mrs. Gray is a member
comprised five children, two of whom are now
living. Mortimer died at the age of nineteen
years; Eliza Jane, who married and became the
mother of four children, died February 16, 1849;
Martha C. is now the widow of our subject;
Edwin is deceased; Theodore resides in Dakota.
When thirteen years old, Mrs. Gray accompanied
her widowed mother to Michigan, where she became the wife of Harrison Gray, December 25,
1844, in Pavilion Township, Kalamazoo County.
Twelve children were born of the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Gray, namely: J. Myron; Henry D., of
Hull, Iowa; Mary J., who died when ten years old;
Emma J., who passed away when two years of
age; Delia E., wife of Alonzo Annabel, of Van
Buren County, this State; Theodore A., of Dakota;
Ada A., who is at home with her mother; Evett E.
and Emmett E. (twins), who are in Dakota; Edward H. and Arthur G., who are at home and cultivate the farm; and Jennie M., who remains with
her mother and is a teacher in the district schools.
M    AJOR B. WESTON, who was for many years
a prominent contractor and business man
of Essex County, N. Y., of which he is a
native, came to Kalamazoo County with
the intention of retiring from business, and has since
resided on section 7, Comstock Township. Hle was
born in Chesterfield Township, in the county mentioned, November 7, 1820. His ancestors were
English people, and three brothers of the name coming from the old country in 1656 or 1660 were the
founders of the family in America. The father of our
subject, James Weston, was born in the same place
as his son, and was a prominent man in that part


of the country. He took part in the War of 1812,
and was present at the battle of Plattsburg. He
was one of the leading business men of his place,
and his untimely death at the age of fifty-three
was a serious blow to its interests. His father, who
bore the same name as himself, was a native of Connecticut, a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War,
and in after years drew a pension for his services. He
was the father of fifteen children, eleven of whom
grew to maturity. Iis wife bore the maiden name
of Sally Witheral, and she too was a native of Connecticut. She was buried in the same grave with
her husband, their grandson of whom we write
closing their eyes in 1839. The mother of our subject
was Melinda Mace in her maiden days. She was
a native of Vermont, born on Lhe banks of the Connecticut River, in the county of Windom.  Her
father was Charles Mace, a native of Massachusetts.
She lived to be seventy-tlree years old, and then
died and was buried by the side of her husband in
Evergreen Cemetery, Keeseville, Clinton County,
N. Y.
They were the parents of eight children, two
daughters and six sons, as follows: Amasa, the eldest, died at the age of five years; Emily, the wife
of Dr. F. I-. Chase; Major B.; Winslow, who lived
in California twenty years, was married at the age
of forty-eight years, and was finally killed in Essex County, N. Y.; Sylvester W., who lives on the
old family homestead in Chesterfield, N. Y.;
Charles W.,a speculator, farmer, builder and manufacturer, of Keeseville, N. Y.; Amanda M., now deceased, who was the wife of Rufus Prescott, a
large manufacturer in Keeseville, N. Y.
Our subject is the third child and second son of
the family. He was reared in his native place, and
after the death of his father took charge of his immense business and carried it on successfully with
the assistance of his mother, who was a notable
business woman. Ile farmed, manufactured lumber,
contracted to build roads, etc. Ile employed from
twenty-five to two hundred men, and constructed
the plank road from Blackbrook to Franklin Falls
on the Saranac River, a distance of fourteen miles
through the woods, and had three or four hundred
men working under him. He began it by the 1st
of July and finished it by the middle of November,




712


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


in the year 1851, receiving the sum of $1,200
a mile for his work, the road being made of fourinch hemlock planks, eight feet in' length. Mr.
Weston was also engaged in burning charcoal, and
furnished four hundred and four thousand bushels
in two years to one firm, having from fifty to two
hundred men employed in that occupation.  He
was also extensively engaged in the lumber business, and he continued to carry on all these various enterprises until 1865, when he sold out all his
interests in New York and came to Michigan with
a view to retiring from business altogether.  He
took up his residence on section 7, Comstock Township, and has ever since made it his home.
Mr. Weston was first married in Addison County,
Vt., May 16, 1844, to Miss Abigail M. Clark, a
native of that county. They lived happily together
for nearly forty-six years, and then the good wife
and kind mother was taken from her loved ones by
death, January 27, 1890. She was the mother of
eleven children, foul sons and seven daughters,
namely: Charles J., who was born in Vermont, May
1, 1845, and when last heard from was in San
Francisco, Cal.; Emily, wife of Chester A. Dunbar,
clerk in the postofficeat Kalamazoo; Royal S., who
is in the grocery, lumber and real-estate business at
Olympia, Wash.; Alice, wife of Edgar Hawley, a
contractor, working for the city of Kalamazoo,
where he resides; Major B., Jr., a farmer of Comstock
Township; Etta, wife of William Blake, a resident
of Comstock Townslip, who also owns a farm in
Pavilion Township; J. T., a traveling man, residing at Kalamazoo; Hattie H., wife of James Crooks,
a resident of Kalamazoo, and a traveling man in
the employ of Dewing & Sons, lumbermen; Ellen,
who died at the age of five years; Jane, who died
at the age of nine months; and Lelia, who died
when seven months old.  All the children were
born in Clintonville, Clinton County, N. Y. Our
subject has seventeen grandchildren, all living,
Mr. Weston married for his second wife Philura F. Weston, the widow of William B. Weston,
of Burlington, Vt., and she devotes herself to his
interests.
Mr. Weston has mingled much in public life and
has always been active in political matters. The
Republican party has had in him a faithful and


stanch supporter from the start  He was one of
the immortal seven who cast the first Republican
ballots in Au Sable Township, Clinton County,
N. Y. in 1857. At Clinton, in his native county;
he was a leading civic official, holding the offices
of Justice of the Peace, Highway Commissioner
and School Director. He has also been prominent
in educational affairs since he settled here, acting
as School Director in Comstock Township nine
years, and it was largely through his instrumentality that the schoolhouse was built on section 5,
in District No. 5. HIe was at one time a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was
Past Grand Master. He was formerly a member in
high standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
RANCIS CARSON. One of the representative farmers of Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, whose financial growth has
been synonymous with the growth and history of
the county, is the gentleman whose name is at the
head of this sketch, and who is so intimately connected with many of her interests. He owns a
good farm in section 30, which is embellished with
good buildings, the most noticeable among which
is his substantial residence, a view of which will
be noticed on another page.
Francis Carson is the son of Oliver and Mary E.
(Curley) Carson, natives of Canada. They came
to Michigan from New York, and settled near
Blissfield, Lenawee County, where the father died.
The parental family included nine children, of
whom our subject was the fourth, his birth occurring in Chili, Monroe County, N. Y., in June, 1850.
When a young man he came West to Illinois, and
engaged in the retail grocery business at Chicago
for about fifteen years.
In 1885, Mr. Carson purchased his present farm
in Portage Township, where lie now makes his
home. His landed estate comprises three hu. -
dred and ninety acres of as fine land as is to be
found in Kalamazoo County. He has placed the
entire amount under good cultivation and ranks
among the wealthy and progressive farmers of this




`RE51DENCE OF FRANCIS CRON, SEC. 3O., PORTAGE TP? KALAMAZOO CO.jiMICH.-t


RESIDENCE OF BILLINGS


RESIDNCE F BILINGSCRANEI,SEC.9.) COOPER 1TP,KALAMAZOC OMCN.7 -
) C!17 M  I CH.. i




I
I
1i
I
I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


715


section. He votes the Democratic ticket, but is
not otherwise interested in political affairs. He
takes an active part in educational matters, and is
a strong and influential temperance worker, being
a member of the Good Templars.
The original of this sketch has been a member
of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and
while residing in Chicago was connected with the
Third Presbyterian Church, on Ashland Avenue.
Since locating in this township, he has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school, also holding the
position of Secretary and Treasurer, at different
times. Mr. Carson is a very intelligent and cultured gentleman, and is held in the greatest esteem
by his neighbors.
+ H-._._. he.. X.@.._.. o'2
AMUEL VIRGO. Among the many prosperous farmers of Kalamazoo County, we
may mention the gentleman whose name
stands at the head of this sketch and who is successfully cultivating his land on section 30, Texas
Township. His father was the late Richard Virgo,
was born in England and married Esther Hill.
This couple lived for a time both in Wayne and
Monroe Counties, N. Y., whence, in 1854, they
came to this county and State. They settled on
section 30, Texas Township and resided  there
until their death, the father dying in 1868, and the
mother surviving until 1885.
The third in order of birth among seven children, Samuel Virgo was born in Gloucestershire,
England, June 2, 1831, and came with his parents
to the United States in 1841. He resided with
his parents in New York State until 1854, and
came to this county at the same time they did.
He was here married, March 10, 1868, to Mrs.
Lydia J. Jeffries, the widow of Ulysses Jeffries and
a daughter of Richard Stevens. Mrs. Virgo was
born near Auburn in Cayuga County, N. Y., October 12, 1836, and is the mother of five children,
who are as follows: Anna, the wife of Clarence
Cronk; Samuel B.; Frederick W.; Joseph C.; and
Jennie. By her first marriage two children were
born, James and Herbert.


While living in New York State, Mr. Virgo was
actively engaged in the blacksmithing business,
(his father having also followed that trade) fa.rming, and boating on the canal. Since coming to
this State, he has given his undivided attention to
the pursuit of agriculture, now owning four hundred and seventy-nine splendidly cultivated acres,
which he has improved. Good buildings stand on
this place, which he has erected, and a view of the
family residence is shown on another page.
Mr. Virgo has served his township as Constable
and also on the Board of Review, but has never
been an aspirant to public office. He is a trueblue Republican in politics and is always in favor
of anything that will improve the condition of
both township and county. He and his family are
well thought of in the community in which they
reside.
B ILLINGS CRANE. Among the many enterprising farmers that distinguish Cooper
Township as one of the most progressive in
the Kalamazoo County sisterhood, there is
no sturdier son of toil. than he whose name is at
the head of this sketch, and who is one of the old
settlers of the county. He has an elegant residence
on his estate, together with all the buildings that
best subserve the interests of the agriculturist.
Billings Crane was born in Genesce County, N.
Y., May 30, 1828, and was the son of Lewis A.
Crane, also born in the Empire State, in 1797. The
latter-named gentleman worked as a carpenter in
his native State until 1834, at which time he came
to Michigan. His family, which then consisted of
a wife and three children, came by the way of the
lakes from Buffalo to Detroit. He purchased an
ox-team in the City of the Straits, and made the
journey overland to Kalamazoo County with
great difficulty, as the country was a vast wilderness. They arrived in Kalamazoo, which then
bore the name of Brunson, October 15, 1834, and
there Mr. Crane worked at his trade until June,
1836. In the meantime he entered one hundred
and ten acres of land from the Government, located on section 2, Cooper Township.
The father of our subject located on the above



716


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


named farm in June, 1836.   He erected a log
shanty in which the family lived until the fall of
that year, when it was replaced by a better house,
the lumber for which was cut in Kalamazoo and
floated down the river to his new home.  Cooper
Township was organized that year and Mr. Crane
was very prominent in its affairs. Deer and wild
animals were very numerous and often the Indians
camped near the Crane homestead. With the assistance of his son, our subject, the father began
the work of clearing and improving his new purchase. Iie served in the War of 1812 and for
several years was Supervisor of Cooper Township.
He was the first Justice of the Peace and was widely
known as Squire Crane. He died April 9, 1870.
When arriving in Kalamazoo, the father of our
subject found himself in a new and unsettled
country with but $15 in his pocket and, on investigation, $10 of that was found to be counterfeit.
The hardships and privations of those early times
have made a lasting impression upon the mind of
our subject, who was then quite a lad. The mother
of Billings Crane bore the maiden name of Sarah
Klady, a native of New York, and whose birth occurred in 1802. She died March 19, 1889, at the
home of our subject. She was a very intelligent
and estimable lady, and her loss was greatly felt
in the community. With her husband, she was
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Of the parental family of six children, three are
living. Mr. Crane, of this sketch, was an only
son, and was six years of age when his parents
came to Michigan. He obtained his education in
the primitive log schoolhouse of the district and
made the very best of his limited advantages. He
aided his father in the duties on the farm until a
year before the latter's death. Our subject has
made his home on section 2, Cooper Township, for
over fifty years.
The original of this sketcll was married, February 17, 1863, to Miss Jane E. Deming, who
was born on section 2, of the above-named township, August 16, 1836. Mrs. Crane has always
lived on that section, and was the daughter of
David E. Deming, who was the first settler in
Cooper Township. He was very prominent in
local affairs and one of the well-to-do and intelli



gent agriculturists of that section.  Mr. Deming
was born in New Hampshire June 14, 1796, and
when a young man studied medicine under Dr.
Cole. In 1821, he attended a course of lectures at
the medical college, at Castleton, Vt., and a year
later entered the medical department of the State
University at Burlington. He was graduated in
1822 and began the practice of his profession at
Hinesburg, Vt. June 22, 1823, Dr. Deming was
married to Miss Electa L. Eldridge. May 27, 1833,
he left the Green Mountain State, with his family,
bound for the territory of Michigan.
Dr. Deming located in Gull Prairie, Kalamazoo
County, where he made his home until 1834,
when he removed to section 2, Cooper Township,
where he had taken up a large tract of Government land. He was the very first man to settle
in this locality and at that time turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, his health preventing
him from following his practice. In 1870, Dr.
Deming removed to Plainwell, where he died,
September 5, 1879. He was a very active man in
local affairs and was the first Supervisor in Cooper
Township. Iie was elected to the State Senate in
1840 and served two years. He was greatly interested in church affairs and although in early
life a Congregationalist, on moving to Plainwell
joined the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He
was Superintendent of the Sunday-school for many
years, and widely known and highly esteemed
throughout Kalamazoo County.    Mrs. Deming
died in 1884. She bore her husband six children,
four of whom are living. She was also a life-long
Christian.
To our subject and his wife two children have
been born: Jay D., July 28, 1868, married Fannie
Munn and they have one child, Julian.  Sarah
E. was born March 8, 1878, and resides with her
parents. In politics, Mr. Crane is a Republican
and has been delegate to county, district and State
conventions. He was elected to the responsible
position of Constable when twenty-one years of
age. He also served his fellow-townsmen as Treasurer, Highway Commissioner, and was Supervisor
for nine years in succession. He was Chairman of
the County Board one year, during which time
the county courthouse was built.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


717


Mr. Crane has three hundred and twenty acres
of excellent land which bear all the improvements which best subserve the interests of a firstclass agriculturist. He gives a great deal of his
attention to the raising of fine grades of stock and,
all in all, has one of the finest farms in this section
of country. He erected a large and commodious
frame house in 1885, which bears all the modern
improvements and conveniences, and a view of
which accompanies this biographical notice.
_                ____Ij*?


ELVIN L. ROBINSON, residing on section
/  31, Pavilion Township, on the farm which
is his birthplace, is one of the brightest and
most progressive of the native-born men of
Kalamazoo County. He is not only prominently
identified with its interests as a farmer of more
than ordinary enterprise and practical ability, but
he is one of its leading officials, representing his
township as a member of the Board of Supervisors
for six successive terms, being the youngest man
ever elected on the Board of Supervisors of the
county and the only man born in the township
who has ever represented the township on the
Board. He was born October 11, 1856, and is a
son of H. J. Robinson, a former honored and wellknown citizen of this place. The father was born
in Allegany County, N. Y., April 7, 1814, and was
a son of James B. Robinson, who was born in the
vicinity of Cape Cod, Mass., November 21, 1780,
and he in turn was a son of Ezra Robinson. The
latter was born and reared near Dublin, and was
married to Mehitabel Butler, who was a sister of
James Butler, a prominent lawyer of Iublin. The
grandfather of our subject was a preacher of the
Puritan type. He died in Sanilac County at the
age of ninety-two years. His wife was Anna Jones,
and she died at a good old age. They had a family of six boys and four girls.
The father of our subject was reared on a farm
and was married in his native state. He owned a
farm there, which he sold,and, August 31, 1852, he
arrived in this county with his large family, intending to found a new home here. He had made a


part of the journey on Lake Erie on the ship "Mayflower." He found the country hereabouts but little settled and in a wild condition, with plenty of
deer, which he used to kill occasionally to supply
the family board, which at first was a door laid on
stools and answering for a table. He had located
on a rented farm in a log house, and for a while
had a hard time of it in his pioneer environments.
October 8, 1859, he bought the farm on section 31,
Pavilion Township, now owned by his son of whom
we write. There was not a stick of timber cut, or
a furrow turned, and it was a hard task to clear it
and prepare the soil for cultivation. Mr. Robinson made many improvements, and worked hard to
fully develop his farm, until death stayed his
hand, August 15, 1876, and he rested from his toils.
He had won a warm place in the hearts of the people about him, so genial and kindly was his nature
and generous his disposition. He was very free
with his means, and suffered financially for his liberality. His house was the seat of an ever abiding
hospitality, a home for everybody, no one ever
appealing in vain to him for shelter or help. He
gave to churches and to all causes that would
in any way benefit the community whenever he
had money in his pocket. He was a stanch Republican in his political views. Mr. Robinson's
first wife died, leaving him with five children, and
he subsequently married Mrs. Irene (Hopkins)
Thurber, widow of Loren Thurber, who had five
daughters by her previous marriage, namely: Hannah Strough, Elizabeth Briggs, Maria Osborne,
Huldah Webber, and Wealthy F. Thurber, deceased.
She was a native of Steuben County, N. Y., born
June 8, 1816. By her second marriage she was the
mother of four daughters and one son, our subject.  His sisters are Mrs. Frances Axtell, Mrs.
Permela Axtell, Mrs. Ella Bliss, and Mrs. Joanna
Deem, deceased.
Melvin L. Robinson was born and reared on the
farm that is still his home.  He first attended
school in an old frame building which he afterward bought and now uses for a granary. He was
a quick, apt scholar, and was very desirous of
obtaining an education. He attended the public
school in Vicksburg, five miles from his home, for
two terms of the three that he had an opportunity,




718


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


going to cut corn at night and do other work
that his father might spare him. At the age of
nineteen, when his father died, lie began the struggle of life for himself, which was made doubly
hard by the death of his mother eleven months
later, as the chief care of the family then devolved
upon him. But he proved equal to the occasion,
he and his two sisters, Joanna and Ella, living on
the old homestead together the ensuing seven years,
and during that time he had, by downright, persistent hard work, secured enough to buy the interests of the other heirs in the place. He has a fine
farm of one hundred and eighty acres of land, one
hundred and five acres being under cultivation. He
is a tireless worker, and scarcely rests day or night
when he desires to accomplish anything. One year
he sowed fifty-seven acres of wheat, and not only
did he work by day, but he still continued his work
by the light of a lantern. The wheat returned him
a manifold profit in repayment for his toil at the
harvest-time, as he sold it at the rate of $1. 34 a
bushel, and with the proceeds assisted in paying off
a debt of $3,800, at ten per cent. interest. Besides
being of remarkable energy, our subject when
he was somewhat younger was a noted athlete,
famed for his strength and quickness and for his
fleetness of foot. At the Kalamazoo fair in 1876,
he won a race in which he ran a hundred yards in
nine and three-fourths seconds, a wonderful record.
Our subject is rarely endowed with those pleasant traits of character and with those sterner attributes that win popularity and command respect and
confidence. He has a quick, keen intellect, is farseeing, accurate and prompt in business matters,
and is in every way fitted for public trusts. He
was Township Clerk three years, from 1882 to 1885,
Justice of the Peace from 1885 until 1887, and has
been School Director twelve years. He was elected
Supervisor in 1887, and has been a member of the
County Board ever since, the hold that he has upon
his fellow-citizens being evinced by the fact that
he was re-elected without any opposition whatever
in 1888, and in 1890 he triumphed over a fusion
ticket of the Democrats and Alliance men by
eighty-four votes. In 1892, he was again re-elected
by a handsome majority. In politics, he is a decided
Republican. In his social relations he is a member


of Lodge No. 212, I. O. O. F., at Vicksburg, and he
and his wife belong to Rebecca Lodge, No. 13, in
that village.
Mr. Robinson was married, December 25, 1883,
to Miss Mary Martin. She is an amiable woman,
understands the art of making a home cozy and
attractive, and has been an aid and an inspiration
to her husband in his work.  In her the Presbyterian Church finds a consistent member. Mrs. Robinson was born in Preston, Ontario, Canada, June
17, 1857. To her and our subject have come two
children: Err M., born March 4, 1887, and Glen H.,
born March 27, 1885, and died March 2, 1886.
c-.-^^++++  ++.   o --->
E  N OS T. LOVELL is one of Kalamazoo
County's most distinguished citizens, who
is widely known throughout the State for
his conspicuous service in public life, wherein he
has displayed rare statesmanship, and for his position as one of our foremost farmers and stockmen,
whose large farm on section 1, Climax Township,
is a model in its appointments, and one of the best
managed in all particulars in this part of Michigan.
Mr. Lovell is of New England birth, born in the
town of Grafton, Windham County, Vt., January
22, 1821. His family history will be found in the
biography of his brother, L. W. Lovell. His education was partly obtained in a district school near
his early home. His first years were passed on a farm
amid his native hills, and he was fourteen when the
family came to Michigan, that momentous and evermemorable journey being made in the month of
May, 1835, in a wagon to Schenectady, N. Y.,
thence by Erie Canal to Buffalo, from there by
boat to Detroit, whence our subject trudged on foot
through the wilderness to the new home here. He
subsequently had a good opportunity to extend his
education, and eagerly embraced it, as he was a
thoughtful, ambitious lad. I-e attended the local
school, and in 1838 and 1839, he was a student in
the Kalamazoo Institute, a branch of the State
University, where he pursued a good course in
mathematics and in the English branches. His father dying in 1839, our subject entered upon the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


719


-   I-   ----   -   --  ----   -   -."-   - -1 — -  1 —  ---  _  _  ------- --- _ _ --   -_ 1 1 — l-1 — -   I —.-,-_1__ I   I I --   _ --   -   -   I   ---  -  -


stern realities of life, helping the other members of
the family to farm the old homestead until 1851,
when he and his brother George bought the interest of the other heirs in the estate, and divided it
between themselves. HIe has a choice farm of four
hundred and fifty-five acres, three hundred and
thirty-five acres lying together around his home,and
nearly all of it improved. In 1852, he built a large
brick residence in one of the loveliest spots on his
farm,amid a beautiful grove of oaks of a native
growth; and he has erected three roomy barns
and smaller outbuildings. The place is well kept
up, everything in perfect order, betokening the
presence of a master mind and hand, and all the
operations of mixed husbandry are conducted after
the most approved methods of modern times. Mr.
Lovell has his farm fully stocked with fine stock,
including high-grade Short-horn cattle and fullblooded Merino sheep.
Mr. Lovell was married, June 9, 1851, to Miss
Eliza A. Spencer, and theirs has been a true marriage, wherein each has contributed to the other's
well-being.  Mrs. Lovell was born in Orleans
County, N. Y., October 26, 1826. She is a woman
of rare worth, and has long been a devoted member of the Episcopal Church. Three sons have been
born to her and our subject: Willard G., Preston S.
and Rawson T. The eldest and youngest are residents of Climax, and the other son is engaged in
the business of raising rice in Louisiana. He was
formerly traveling agent for the Advance Threshing Machine Co., of Battle Creek.
Our subject is a man of strong characteristics
and of more than ordinary ability and business
tact, possessing a thoughtful, cultured, well-trained
mind, and those personal traits that win at once
the full confidence and regard of all with whom
he comes in contact, and he is gifted with an aptitude for affairs that has made him an invaluable
public servitor. His fellow-citizens have delighted
to do him honor by placing him in high civic
offices. Thus for sixteen years he represented his
township as a member of the Kalamazoo County
Board of Supervisors. In fact, this office may be
said to have been in the hands of the family most
of the time since the township was organized, his
father being the first one to represent the town

shipl and the brother of our subject was a member
of the Board eighteen years. In 1867, and again
in 1869, Mr. Lovell was chosen to a seat in the
State Legislature from this district, and he took an
important part in the proceedings of that honorable body, introducing some bills and using his
influence to forward all measures for the promotion of the interests of the State. In 1881, he was
elected to the State Senate, and during the session
lie took an active part in the legislation as a member of various committees. He was Chairman of
the Committee of the House of Correction at Ionia,
and belonged to the Committee of Ways and
Means, and to several minor committees. Mr.
Lovell was County Treasurer from 1876 to 1880,
and lived in Kalamazoo during his incumbency of
that office, removing thither in 1875. In politics,
he is an uncompromising Republican. He is generous and public-spirited, contributing largely of
his means to foster public enterprises, and giving
liberally towards the support of churches, and all
things that will in any way elevate the community. He encouraged the construction of the Peninsular Railway, now the Grand Trunk, by purchasing stock, which he afterward sold.
AMES GAY is a farmer and stock-raiser on
section 5, Richland Township, Kalamazoo
County. He is a native of Somersetshire,
England, his birth occurring March 8, 1838,
and is the son of Isaac and Hester (Currell) Gay,
also natives of England. When nine years of age,
our subject accompanied his parents on their removal to the United States, taking passage at
Liverpool, and were some four weeks en route.
Landing in New York City, the family made their
home in the Empire State for a time, and in the
'50s came to Kalamazoo County, this State, locating at Gull Prairie. There the father and mother
died, leaving a family of four children.
The brothers of Mr. Gay were William and Francis. Our subject was reared to man's estate in Richland Township and saw much of pioneer life in this
locality. He made the best of his limited advantages
for an education and is to-day a well-read and edu





720


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


cated gentleman. James Gay was married, November 29, 1860, to Julia A. Baxter, who was born in
Ottawa County, this State, November 9, 1844. Mrs.
Gay was the daughter of Jonathan and Ann (McFarland) Baxter, natives of New York State. They
emigrated to Ottawa County, this State, in an early
day, when the inhabitants consisted chiefly of Indians. Her father died in the above-named county
in 1839, but her mother passed her last days in
Allegan County. Of the six children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Baxter, four are living: John, George,
Henry and Mrs. Gay.
Mr. Gay, of this sketch, owns one hundred and
seventy-four acres of tillable land and ranks among
the well-to-do agriculturists of this county. In
politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body he
officiates as Class-Leader. He is also Steward in
that denomination. Mr. Gay is a very progressive
citizen and favors every movement which tends to
elevate and benefit his community. Mr. and Mrs.
Gay are the parents of five children, four living:
Franklin A., Emma C., James H., George L. and
William D. The eldest son died March 20, 1889,
leaving a wife but no children.
OHANNES N. LE FEVRE.        It gives us
pleasure to place on these pages the life
record of this venerable pioneer, one of the
early settlers of Kalamazoo County, who has
made a name and a place for himself in its history
as one of its most capable farmers, who has acquired wealth while assisting in the development
of the agricultural resources of this region, and is
still active in its interests, supervising the management of his valuable and well-improved farm on
section 10, Climax Township.
Mr. Le Fevre is a native of New Paltz, Ulster
County, N. Y., his birth occurring there July 25,
1811. His father, whose given name was Nathaniel
J., was born in the same place, as were also his
grandfather, Johannes, and his great-grandfather,
Andres Le Fevre. Le Fevre is a French name, and
the family originated in France, whence, being of


Huguenot blood, they were driven to Holland by
the Edict of Nantes. From the latter country there
came one of the name to America six generations
ago, and settled near Kingston, N. Y., early in its
Colonial history. The Le Fevres have been mostly
farmers, although some of them have been doctors
and lawyers, and a few of them merchants. Grandfather Le Fevre was a teamster in the employ of
the Continental army during the Revolution, hauling ammunition, provisions, etc., for the soldiers.
He was of a long-lived race, his father living to be
ninety years old, and he was eighty-five when he
closed his eyes in death. The religion of the family has been that of the Reformed Church.
The father of our subject was a farmer in Ulster
County, and, like his father before him, he spent
his entire life on the farm which was his birthplace,
said farm comprising four hundred acres of rich
farming land. He departed this life in his eightyfourth year. His wife, whose maiden name was
Magdeline Hornbeek, was also a native of Ulster
County. She was seventy-five years old when she
died. To her and her husband were born ten children who grew to maturity.
The subject of this sketch grew to a stalwart
manhood on the old farm that had so long been in
the family, and, as soon as old enough, assisted in
tilling the soil when not attending the district
school where he obtained his education. He married in his native State, and after the birth of one
child came to Michigan to upbuild a new home in
its forest wilds, the journey thither being made by
water to Detroit, and thence by wagon to this
township, all their effects being conveyed in that
wagon. Mr. Le Fevre's father-in-law accompanied
them there. Mr. Le Fevre bought the land on which
he settled and has ever since lived. The country was
very new, the new pioneer settlers that had preceded
them having made but little headway against the
forces of nature, and the forests were filled with
wild game, while the Indians still dwelt here.
Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, then mere hamlets,
were the nearest trading posts.
Mr. Le Fevre devoted himself to his work of
developing his farm, and his efforts have been
well rewarded. He has two hundred acres of fertile farming land, with improvements of the best




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


721


description, including a well-built, roomy, modern
frame house, which takes the place of the original
structure of logs in which the family first lived,
and there are good-sized frame barns on the place,
everything about being neat, and orderly. Our
subject does a general farming business, and has
made it a practice to raise none but good stock of
standard breeds.  Although he has passed the
milestone that marks a long life of eighty years, he
still retains much of his old-time vigor and is a
fine specimen of a green and hale old age, with his
fine physique and his towering heiglt of six feet
and three inches. He has always borne a high reputation as a man of a candid,fair mind and sound
principles, who has led a moral, blameless life, is
kind in his domestic relations, and neighborly,
hospitable and accommodating with his associates,
and the many friends that he has gathered about
him in a residence of more than half a century in
this county, whose growth he has witnessed and
promoted as a wise farmer and a loyal citizen.
In his religious views, he has a leaning towards the
faith of the Dutch Reformed Church. His political affliations are with the Republicans. He has
held some of the township offices, and has never
let an opportunity pass to materially help along all
feasible plans for public improvement.
December 5, 1835, more than fifty-six years ago,
Mr. Le Fevre and Miss Rachel Schoonmaker united
their lives and fortunes in a true marriage, and the
tie that bound them was not broken until the
death of the beloved wife in 1873. Mrs. Le Fevre
was born in Ulster County, N. Y., May 28, 1813.
Her union with our subject was blessed to them
by the birth of three daughters, whom they named
respectively, Sarah, Magdaline and Ella.
'-/ =- -*'      4'':  -1-'-,.
LBERN KEYSER. Among the prosperous
and  respected  citizens of Kalamazoo
County, we take pleasure in writing the
life history of this gentleman, who is
making his home on section 10, Oshtemo Township. Conrad Keyser is the name of the father,
and he was a native of Pennsylvania, where he
was born about 1795. His father came from Ger

many and participated in the Revolutionary War.
He died when Conrad was seven years of age, and
the lad was then bound out.  After serving his
employer one year, the neighbors took him away
on account of ill treatment. He then worked out
until 1812, when he enlisted in the war of that
year, going as a substitute, and after serving his
time lie re-enlisted. He was taken prisoner by
the British at Charlotte, on Lake Ontario, but was
soon exchanged. From the army he went into
Canada and worked in the woods. He was married to Miss Mary Partlow, a daughter of the Rev.
Mr. Partlow, a Connecticut minister. The wife died
when eighty-four years old, in 1884. She had a
wonderful memory and could read well at eighty
years of age. Mr Keyser did not remain in Canada long, but moved back to New York State and,
settling in the western part, located on one hundred and twenty acres of timbered land and lived
in that place until 1829, when he removed to the
town of Cambria, Niagara County. He lived there
a number of years, but previous to his death,
which occurred in 1875, when he was eighty years
old, he sold out and moved fifteen miles north of
Detroit, Mich.
The subject of this sketch was born October 29,
1819, in Niagara County, N. Y.,and was one of a
family of four sisters and six brothers. When twentyone years old, he left the parental roof and started
out in life on his own account. September 20, 1840,
in Niagara County, N. Y., Mr. Keyser was married
to Hannah M. Lusk, a sister of John J. Lusk, of whom
a sketch is written elsewhere in this book.  He
farmed in New York at first, but, in the year 1855,
came to Michigan and, arriving here June 6,
located in Texas Township, Kalamazoo County,
on section 5. Finally he moved to his present
location in Oshtemo Township on one hundred
and sixty acres of land on section 10; he also owns
twenty acres on section 14, in Almena Township,
Van Buren County.
Five children have been born to our subject and
his estimable wife, only one of whom is now living:
Edward James, aged thirty-three years, is married
to Rosa E. Engel, a daughter of John and Amelia
Engel, farmers of this township. George W. was
the name of the oldest son, who lost his life while




722


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


engaged in his country's service. He enlisted in
the Eighth Michigan Cavalry in 1862 and participated in a large number of battles, the most noted
being Knoxville. HIe had a horse shot from under
him at Pulaski and was consequently taken prisoner,
but while on parole the war closed. He then went
to work in the mills and lost his life by straining
himself in lifting, causing hemorrhage of the lungs.
Arabelle and Isabelle (twins) came next, and
Charles. The second-named died in infancy; Arabelle was married, and died at the age of thirty-three
years, leaving three children, who were reared by
their grandparents and were Ida May, who married
Mr. Parmalee and resides in Alamo; Maud and
Claude (twins), aged fifteen years, and now living
with their grandparents. Charles died when three
years of age.
E    ASTON TALLMAN, a prominent farmer
and stock-raiser of Alamo Township, Kalamazoo County, is a native of Ontario
County, N. Y., where he was born June 10, 1827.
His father was James Tallman, of whom mention
will be made in the sketch of Henry Tallman. Our
subject is the third in a family of six children, and
was ten years old when his parents brought him to
Michigan. They stopped in Washtenaw County
two years, and then came to this county by team
and wagon, and settled in Alamo Township. Our
subject well remembers when wild game was plentiful, and he was very fond of hunting. Indians
were also very numerous, and he used to visit them
frequently. There were no schools here then, and
the first one he attended was at Alamo Center,
where his opportunity for going was only during
the winter months. His boyhood days were spent
in assisting his father with his farm labors.
Our subject began life on his own account when
lie was twenty-one. He purchased land on section
16, this township, and about two years later he removed to his present farm on section 17, erected a
one-story house and commenced at once to clear
his place. He was married, in 1855, to Miss Helen
S. Tarbell, a native of New York. She came to


Michigan with her parents, John G. and Louisa
Tarbell, in an early day in 1841, and settled in this
township and county, where both parents died.
Mrs. Tallman died in April, 1884. She bore her
husband five children: John, Nellie (deceased),
Mary, Fannie and Esther.
Mr. Tallman is a Republican in politics. He
owns one hundred and sixty acres of choice land,
and has erected a fine large house and good substantial outbuildings. He raises all kinds of stock
and buys and ships to Chicago and Boston. He is
truly a self-made man, having had nothing when
he started, but a determined will and a strong hand.
He is a sagacious business man, and is reliable at
all times, and has made a thorough success of his
farming pursuits.
-—. --- —-.-          -
OHN A. KENDALL. The farm located on
section 17, Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo County, is owned by the gentleman
whose name is at the head of this sketch.
He has been one of the most prominent and influential farmers and stock-raisers of the county, but
is now retired from all manual labor. He is a native of Windsor, Vt., born March 5, 1821, to
Ebenezer and Sarah Kendall, of Windsor, Vt. The
father was a farmer and died in his native State,
at the age of nearly four-score years. He was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as
was also his good wife, who passed away in 1844.
Three of their eight children are now living.
Our subject spent his early days on his father's
farm and in the district school. He was married,
in 1843, to Eliza M. Taylor, of Windsor, Vt. In
the spring of 1843, lie started for Michigan, coming via the lakes to Detroit, and thence by rail to
Jackson and from there by stage to Kalamazoo.
He bought eighty acres of land on section 17, in
this township, on what is known as Grand Prairie.
It was only partly cleared and improved. He
built a small house and settled down to hard work.
He has resided on this place for nearly fifty years.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of five children: Linsley C. is married and lives on the old
homestead; Emma, Walter and Ella, deceased, and








r


, /,el






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


725


Hattie. The parents of Mrs. Kendall were Simeon
and Abigail (Robinson) Taylor, both of Vermont.
They came to Michigan in an early day, where the
father died in 1855; the mother survived thirteen
years longer. Three of their eight children are
living.
Our subject was reared a Whig, but on the birth
of the Republican party he cast his vote with it.
He has held some local offices. He united with
the Masons when quite a young man. He is now
the fortunate possessor of one hundred and forty
acres of fine land and is engaged in raising all
kinds of stock of the best grades.
OL. STEPHEN H. WATTLES, one of the
most prominent citizens of Kalamazoo, was
born in Silver Creek, Chautauqua County,
N. Y., July 29, 1824. His father was Nathaniel
Wattles, a native of the Empire State, who died of
cholera, in Buffalo, in 1834. He married Prudence
Howard, whose father, John E. Howard, settled on
Dry Prairie, in Portage Township, Kalamazoo
County, Mich., in 1832. Three years later, Mrs.
Wattles and her three sons came here; Stephen H.
and George joined their mother in this county.
She entered over three hundred acres of land in
Portage and Texas Townships, from which she developed a farm, making it her home until her death,
which occurred about a year ago, when past the
age of ninety years. The boys cleared and developed the land, and two brothers are still living
in the county.
Our subject remained with his mother until he
was twenty-three years of age, when he married
Miss Juliett E. Cobb, also a native of Chautauqua
County, N. Y., her father coming to Michigan
about 1848. In 1855, Col. Wattles and his wife
started for Kansas, which was then just beginning
to see troublous times, but as the boat landed at
Leavenworth, crowds of armed men gathered
around and threw a printing-press over into the
muddy waters of the Missouri. Mrs. Wattles objected to living among such a class of people, and
they concluded to proceed up the river. By inquiries, they found that the capital of Nebraska
33             K


had been located in Bellevue, a few miles below
Omaha, and there they located, Mr. Wattles making investments in real estate. He purchased a
half-section of land, now covered by a portion of
the progIessive suburb of South Omaha. He engaged in the livery business and secured contracts
for carrying the United States mails to various internal points, and was also interested in mercantile affairs.
At this juncture, Nebraska was in need of able
men, and the Colonel was such as the times demanded. He soon became identified with its public interests and his name ere long was familiar
throughout the nation as one possessing great
shrewdness as a manager and a politician. The
principles of the new Republican party found in
him a stanch advocate and he assisted in its organization in Nebraska, and as its Territory Secretary
issued the call for the first Republican Convention,
which was held in a schoolhouse in Bellevue.
There he helped to nominate Samuel G. Daly for
Congress. He was seated after a hotly contested
election. At the next election, J. Sterling Morton,
the Democrlatic candidate, was given a certificate of
election, but Mr. Wattles, knowing of election
frauds, undertook the task of returning Daly to
Congress. He placed the matter in its strongest
light before Gov. Black, who was a Democrat but
disliked his party's candidate, and issued a second
and later certificate of election to Daly, who, with
the Colonel, proceeded to Washington and at the
opening of Congress, when the member from
Nebraska was called for, Daly arose, presented his
certificate and was sworn in before his astonished
opponent had rallied his wits enough to object.
This clever outgeneraling of the Democrats drew
the attention of politicians to the man who carried
the ruse through so successfully, and in 1858,
when Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by the venerable Mr. Cook, of Chicago, was making a Western
tour, he sought out Mr. Wattles, who piloted them
during a several days' journey through Eastern
Nebraska, which resulted in Lincoln making investments in land which is now the site of the
Union Depot in Council Bluffs.
After Lincoln's election to the Presidency,
needing able men to organize his forces, he issued






726


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


— I — --- - --- —-----—  -I- -------
I- -- --- 1__1_1_1_ -_ —_- __-___il _ ----.- --- —-. ___


a commission to our subject as Lieutenant-Colo-  7,
nel. Mr. Wattles was at that time serving as    m:
Sheriff of Sarpy County, but accepted and, in con- up
nection with Col. R. W. Furness, proceeded to Cof-  ba
fey County, Kan., where large numbers of refugees  w:
from  Missouri, Arkansas and Indian Territory   cc
were found, and in eleven days after opening the  mn
list he had enrolled a full regiment and two or  m
three extra companies. His soldiers were a mix-  in
ture of Cherokee and Creek Indians, planters from
Arkansas, loyal Missourians and negroes. This   ar
was the first attempt to enlist Indians as Federal  at
soldiers, and the regiment was called the First Ind-  b(
ian Home Guard. Gen. Blunt was in command       be
of the division and Col. Furness was ordered to ol
report to him at Ft. Scott, Kan., but the Colonel  Sc
was sick and Col. Wattles was ordered to proceed  cc
against the Confederates stationed at Locust G rove,  d
within the limits of the Cherokee Nation, where  or
Cols. Stanwaite and Clarkson were in command   ut
of a large force of Indian soldiers who had espoused  ru
the Confederate cause. They were stationed in w,
Locust Grove, on a commanding eminence with     pl
almost precipitous sides.                       Su
Col. Wattles led his raw brigade troops forward,  th
and up the hill they rushed, following close after  hi
their valiant leader, who was fearful lest the first
volley of the enemy should cause a precipitate re-  hi
treat of his recruits. His enthusiasm can only be  tu
imagined when he saw a white flag displayed and  in
realized that the battle was over. They captured  la:
nearly all of the enemy, and the bravery of his  at
men was attested as well as their attachment to their  ot
leader. With a command made up of many classes  la:
and conditions of men, who were undrilled and un-  lai
tried, the Colonel won his first battle with slight  ail
loss. His superior officer having resigned, he was  mi
at once promoted to the colonelcy and soon after-  co
ward captured  Ft. Gibson, where lie was then   he
stationed, it being his headquarters. He acted  ne
with Gen. Blunt and his successor, Gen. Thayer,  wC
throughout the war and took part in nearly all  ha
the actions of moment in that part of the country.  a
He succeeded in capturing Ft. Smith but was re-  of
lieved of his command by Gen. Thayer and with-  viy
drew to Ft. Gibson. His troops played a leading  arr
part at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., December, hi:


1862, in assisting Gen. Huron. After a hard
arch of fifteen miles, his batteries opened fire
)on the enemy in a ravine, and the latter soon fell
eck to a more protected position. This, however,
as the opening break that finally resulted in the
)mplete rout of the Confederates. Gen. Blunt
ade special mention of Col. Wattles and his comand in his official reports of the service rendered
this battle.
Our subject recruited large numbers of men
nong the Indians and refugees and much of his
tention was given to the guerrilla warfare of the
)rder as carried on by Quantrill, and it frequently
ecame necessary to use drastic measures to keep
pen communication with his base of supplies at Ft.
oott. On one occasion, the supply train being
instantly harassed along the line, he sent out
etachments to destroy the country and for miles
1 each side of the trail the heavens were lighted
p by the fires of burning farm houses, and the
iins to this day may be seen. These measures
ere necessitated by the times and afforded no
easure to the officers who issued the orders.
irely no more tender-hearted man could be found
an our subject and many a poor wretch owed
s life to his intervention.
After Lee's surrender, Col. Wattles disbanded
s forces at Ft. Gibson in June, 1865, and rerned to Kalamazoo, whither his family had come
1862. He soon afterward sold his Nebraska
nds and purchased Kalamazoo property and his
tention has been given to his commercial and
her business interests in this city. He has dealt
rgely in real estate, erected several business blocks,
id out an addition to the city, and in other ways
ded in the advancement of Kalamazoo. His
ilitary training and official bravery make him a
nspicuous figure and naturally placed him at the:ad of a police force, with which he was conected for a year after its organization. Many a
arm friend he made among the Indians, who
yve repeatedly solicited him to return to them as
citizen and have even offered to make him chief
their nation. But though he has several times
sited them  and has secured property interests
long them, he has never permanently identified
mself with those people.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


727


Col. Wattles purchased his own headquarters at
Ft. Smith, Ark., where his daughter now resides.
His life has been a varied and interesting one and
he has had various hair-breadth escapes. At one
time he was captured by the famous Gen. Cooper
and would doubtless have been executed but for
the interposition of Capt. Moore in the rebel camp,
a man with whom he had served in the Nebraska
Legislature. Thus he was given an opportunity
to escape and was not slow to take advantage of it.
He slept in ill-fated Lawrence only the night before the terrible massacre at that place. He was
an intimate friend of Gen. Schofield, who fully
realized the dangers and hardships of guerrilla
warfare.
The family of Colonel and Mrs. Wattles numbered
the following children: Ella, who became the wife
of H. 1). Kelsey, a Chicago attorney and died eight
years ago; Mrs. Lula Spinks, of Ft. Smith, Ark.,
and I. N., an attorney of Kalamazoo.
The Colonel is a great admirer of fine stock and
raises Hambletonian horses, also has a fine herd of
Jersey cattle. Iishome is an attractive residence,
known as "Idlewild," on Asylum Avenue, Kalamazoo, where he keeps open house all the year
around. Of strong social tastes, he is hospitable
and pleasant in manner, entertaining, and his
many friends delight to gather at his home. His
life has been well and worthily spent in the interest of his friends, his family and his country, and
all esteem and honor him for what he has done.
His many friends will be pleased to see his pleasant
countenance when they open the pages of this
volume.
AMES M. WHITE, who was born May 22,
1815, in Massachusetts, is a resident farmer
on section 33, Kalamazoo Township, Kalamllazoo County. His father was Jonathan
White, a native of Massachusetts, and the grandfather also bore the name of Jonathan White, while
the great-grandfather was William, a descendant
of Perrigren White, the first white male child born
in America. The parents of Perrigren came over
in the "Mayflower," and were natives of England.


The grandfather of our subject was a Quaker, as
were his immediate ancestors and descendants.
The father of our subject went to New York
State in 1816 with his wife, Mary Wait, whom he
had married in Massachusetts, and to them were
born twelve children, three sons and nine daughters. He had three brothers, who each reared
twelve children. The father located a farm in
Cayuga County, N. Y., of one hundred and fifty
acres, where he lived and died in 1846. The mother
died in 1828.
The original of this notice was brought up on
the farm in New York, and, after the death of his
father, operated it and resided there altogether
forty-nine years. He was married to Fannie M.
Pickard on the 22d of March, 1837. Mrs. White
was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in December,
1813. She is a daughter of Abram Pickard, a native of the same place as herself, where he resided
until about six years previous to his death, when
lie came to live with his daughter. He died in
1851, and was a farmer by occupation, and quite a
prominent man. He was a Baptist, and a Deacon
i' the church. His mother and himself were captured by the Indians, and taken to the Indian
camp. There they were recognized by Col. Brandt,
who rescued them and sent them home. This was
during the War of the Revolution.
To our subject and wife six children have been
born: George C. died in 1864; Albert R., who is at
home; Henry L. died at the age of two years; Ida
is now the wife of Delevan Arnold; Effie, who died
in 1882; and Jay M., who is a farmer in Kalamazoo Township. It was in 1863 that our subject
came to Michigan and bought one hundred and
seventy-six acres of land, one hundred and fortysix of which he still owns. He has cleared the most
of his land, and now has a fine farm.
In politics, Mr. White is a stanch Republican,
and socially, he belongs to the Blue Lodge, and
also to the Royal Arch Masons and Odd Fellows
of Kalamazoo.  The eldest son of our subject,
George C., was a prosperous lawyer in Kalamazoo for about four years, and up to the time of
his death. He was admitted to the Bar in Syracuse,
N. Y., at the early age of twenty-one and was educated in Aurora Academy, on Cayuga Lake, N. Y.




I


728


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- -- ---- --- -


Mr. White has in his possession an ivory-headed
cane made of a whale tooth, with silver mountings.
The stick is of bamboo from East India, and was
made by George Cadman, the father of the greatgreat-grandmother of our subject, and has his name
and the date of September 3, 1698, put on it by
himself.
j    AFAYETTE     W. LOVELL, M. D., a retired physician, living at Climax, is a rep/l  resentative of a prominent pioneer family,
and is one of the influential and honored citizens
of Kalamazoo County, with whose highest interests his name has been closely associated for more
than forty years, not only as a physician of great
repute, but as a business man of more than ordinary ability who has done invaluable service both
as a public officer and in his private capacity.
Dr. Lovell was born amid the beautiful scenery
of Windham County, Vt., in the town of Grafton,
May 27, 1823. His ancestors on both sides were
people of distinguished characteristics and great
natural ability, so that he came into a goodly inheritance, both mentally and physically. His father,
Willard Lovell, was born in the town of Rockingham, in the same Vermont county as himself,
March 7, 1782, being the date of his birth. He in
turn was a son of Enos Lovell, who was a native
of Massachusetts, and was of English descent. He
went to Windham    County, Vt., when a young
man, and became one of its most prosperous farmers, owning one of the finest farms in that part of
Vermont. He was widely known as "Squire Lovell," and was greatly honored. In politics, he was
a Whig. In his old age he joined the Congregational Church. Hle rounded out a long life of
ninety-five years. He came of a long-lived race,
and two of his brothers lived to be over ninety
years old. His wife lived to the age of seventy.
They reared six sons and three daughters.
The father of our subject passed his boyhood on
the Vermont farm where he was born. In 1833,
he visited Michigan, then a Territory, in order to
take up some Government land. He selected a
suitable site in Kalamazoo County, in what is now


Climax Township, and then returned to his old
home in Vermont on horseback. In the month
of May, 1835, two of his sons, George and Enos,
came hither, traveling over the mountains in a
sleigl, then proceeding on their journey by the
Erie Canal to Buffalo, whence they embarked on a
boat to Detroit, and from the latter city they
made their way through the wilderness on foot to
this point. In July of the same year, they were
joined by the remainder of the family. The father bought six hundred and forty acres of land,
and here he and his wife and children began
their new life in the primitive style necessitated
by their surroundings, their home consisting of a
rude log house, 18x22 feet in dimensions, with a
log gable and a stake roof held on by logs, while
the floor was made of puncheon and the door of
plain boards, with a wooden latch and hinges, not
a nail being used in the construction of the building, which was heated by an open fire-place that
had a mud hearth and a mud and stick chimney.
A ladder in one corner of the lower room led to
the low loft above, where were beds on the floor,
as the roof tree prevented their being placed
higher. The roof was by no means air-tight, and
in the winter time the snow would drift in and
lie thickly on the beds. In the early settlement
of the country, the family suffered a great deal
from ague.
In 1839, they met with a sad loss in the death
of the father, at the age of fifty-seven years. tIe
was a strong, robust man, who had never been sick a
day in his life until that fatal illness deprived his
wife of a kind and considerate husband, his children of a wise father, his neighbors of a true friend,
and the county at large of one of its most prominent and highly esteemed pioneers, his death being a great blow to its interest, of which he was
an active promoter. He was greatly interested in
politics, and sided with the Whig party. The
mother of our subject, Zerviah Taft in her maiden
days,was born at Uxbridge, Mass., in 1780.  She
came of a distinguished family, and was an aunt to
the late Judge Alfonzo Taft, of Cincinnati, who was
Attorney-General during Grant's administration.
The mother was an expert in the art of weaving
and spinning, making all the bedding and cloth



PORTRAIT AND) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


729


ing used by her family, and after she was seventy
years old she spun and wove each of her children a
quilt. She was a true Christian, and a Baptist in
her religious belief. She passed away at the age
of seventy-two.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, Aaron
Taft, was a native of Massachusetts, and a farmer.
He was also a learned man, and a graduate of Yale
College. Hle married Rhoda Rawson, a descendant of Edward Rawson, who came from England
to America in the early part of the seventeenth
century, and was Secretary of the Plynouth Colony, Mass. He was a man of great talent. The
grandmother of our subject is spoken of in the
genealogy of the Rawson family as a woman of
large ability. She and her husband lived to old
age-ihe dying in 1808, and she in June, 1827.
They reared eleven children.
Our subject was in his thirteenth year when the
family came to Michigan. H-e had previously attended school in Vermont, and there too he had
gaimed his first experience in farm work. Hle went
to school some after coming here, and during the
winters of 1837-38 and 1840-41 lie went to school
in Kalamazoo. lIc taught two winters in this county
when the schools were conducted under the ratebill system. At the age of twenty-one, he began
life on his own account. He was ambitious to enter the medical profession, and, selling his interest
in his father's estate, lie entered upon his studies
under the instruction of Dr. Thayer, and, when
this gentleman removed to Battle Creek, he accompanied him, and continued his studies with
the firm of Cox, Campbell & Thayer, with whom
he read medicine three years. He then attended
two courses of lectures at Rush Medical College,
Chicago, in the spring of 1847. After that he
spent a year in the city hospital, and in the eye
and ear infirmary in New York City. Thus well
equipped for his professional duties, he opened an
office in Otsego, Allegan County, where he remained two years. In the fall of 1849, he returned
to Kalamazoo County, and was in active practice
here until 1865, when he retired from his profession to devote his time more exclusively to looking after his landed interests. lHe at one time
owned six hundred acres of valuable realty, and


still has three hundred and eighty acres in his possession, the rental of which is the source of a good
income. He has a delightful home in the village,
a fine large frame residence, attractively fitted up
and very pleasantly situated on an eminence that
commands a charming view.
Dr. Lovell was married in March, 1848, to Miss
Catherine Eldred, who fills in a perfect measure
her position of wife, mother and friend.  She
was born February 6, 1824, in Otsego County,
N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1832 with her parents, who were pioneers of this county. The
Doctor and his wife have a son and a daughter
living: George L., a banker at Monticello, Iowa;
and Mary M. (Mrs. Smith). Their daughter Fannie (Mrs. Coleman) died at the age of thirty-four
years. She was a very accomplished lady, a graduate of Vassar College, of the Class of '71, and
she taught in the Kalamazoo High School and in
the Baptist College of that city, winning a high
reputation as an educator.
Our subject is a gentleman of broad culture and
liberal mind, possessing a wide range of knowledge, as he has ever been a close student, an intelligent observer and a great reader, with a large and
well-selected library from which to cull the choicest blossoms of literature, and he has a wonderfully retentive memory. He is endowed with a
fine personality and pleasing social attributes, is
always genial, courteous and considerate in his
intercourse with others, a true friend to the many
who seek his counsel and guidance, is sympathizing and generous toward the suffering and needy,
and is regarded with the highest respect and affection by the entire community with whom he has
dwelt so long.  The people have delighted to
honor him by election to important offices, and in
the various civic positions he has held he has always acted with the strictest fidelity to the trusts
imposed upon him, and with due regard to the
best interests of the public. For eighteen years he
was a member of the Kalamazoo County Board.of
Supervisors, as a representative of Climax Township, his brother, the Hon. Enos Lovell, having held
that office for a number of years. In 1856, the
Doctor was Senator from this district to the Michigan State Legislature. For twelve years he was




730


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Inspector of State Prisons, appointed first by Gov.
Baldwin in 1871, and re-appointed by Govs.
Bagley and Croswell. In politics, he is a Republican.  Socially, his relations are with the
Masonic fraternity as a Charter member of Lodge
No. 59, at Climax.
ATRICK    O'BRIEN   is a well-to-do and
successful farmer, who makes his home on
section 5, Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo
County. He is a native of County Clare,
Ireland, born March 11, 1836. His parents were
Michael and Catherine (Fannery) O'Brien, both
born in Ireland. The father died in 1837.  The
mother re-married a few years afterward and emigrated to America in 1848. She lived in New
York State one year and then removed to Illinois,
where she died in 1852. She was married three
times and bore three children by her first marriage;
our subject is the only child of the second union,
and four children were born of the third.
Our subject's early boyhood days were spent in
Ireland. When five years old he went to live
with an uncle with whom he remained three years.
He came to America in 1848 and landed at Quebec,
from whence he went to New York City and finally
located in Ulster County for three years.  He
worked on a farm one year for $5 a month and
the next two years drove a private carriage for a
gentleman. In the fall of 1852, he went to La Salle
County, Ill., and while there worked on the Rock
Island and Illinois Central Railroad. In the fall of
1852,he came to this county and engaged as teamster
for three years. He then worked for D. B. Merrill in
a flouring mill and subsequently spent one year in
Kentucky. Mr. O'Brien in February, 1866, purchased his present farm on section 5, where he settled down to farming. It was all new and wild
land. He has cleared nearly four hundred acres
which were covered with heavy timber.
Mr. O'Brien was married February 23, 1862, to
Catherine A. Tierney, a native of New York City,
who was born December 3, 1841.   Her parents
were from Ireland and came to America after their
marriage. They lived for a time in New York


City and in Scranton, Pa., whence they came to Kalamazoo County in the '50s. The good mother
died in 1875 and the father in 1890. The estimable wife of our subject was called from this earth
January 8, 1892. She bore her husband nine children: Charles, Mary, Catharine, Frances, Anna,
Edward, William and two who died in infancy.
Both were members of the Catholic Church and, in
politics, Mr. O'Brien is a stanch Democrat.
The present homestead of our subject consists of
ninety-four acres on section 5, in this township,
and ninety acres just opposite, but in Cooper
Township. He also owns some good property in
Kalamazoo. He resides in a large two-story brick
dwelling which he erected in 1885. He also has
large and substantial barns for all purposes on his
place. He started in life with no capital excepting
a strong right hand and has worked himself up
the ladder until now he is at the top. He and, his
family command the respect and esteem of the entire community.
< OHN   LONG. A    thorough exponent of
those enduring principles of honor which,
alone form the basis of permanent prosperity, Mr. Long has enjoyed a long and honorable business career, and through reliable dealings has won the full confidence of the citizens of
Vicksburg and the surrounding country.    lie
owns a substantial brick building on Main Street,
where he carries a complete line of groceries, drugs,
books, stationery, paints and oils, window-shades,
glass and crockery, and, in fact, all the requisites of
a first-class store. I-Ie has been located on the present site since 1868 and prior to that time was for
three years in business on the corner of Main and
Prairie Streets.
Mr. Long was born in Nova Scotia, on the
26th of June, 1834, and is the son of John and
Mary (Gatins) Long, natives of County Clare,
Ireland. His parents emigrated to Canada in 1833,
and one year later removed to New York City,
where they remained until called hence by death,
both passing away when about sixty-five years old.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


731


' --- —~-   I —~ --- ~       -— ~ --- ---  ----   -— ll - ----  "-~`-f


They were Catholics in their religions belief and,
politically, the father was a Democrat. Our subject is the only surviving member in the family,
which comprised three children, his sisters, Mary
and Catherine, being deceased. Hte spent his boyhood days in the city of New York, where he attended school and worked in a grocery.
In 1851, Mr. Long came to Michigan via Buffalo and Detroit to Vicksburg. For the five years
which succeeded his arrival, he was employed on
the farm of Richard Lewis, in Schoolcraft Township, and well remembers the time when settlers
were few and deer plentiful. After leaving the
farm, he clerked for Russell Bishop in a general
store for one year and later bought out the establishment. When he started in business for himself,
he had no capital, but was trusted for goods by
Messrs. John and G. W. Parker, of Kalamazoo. His
real-estate speculations were especially fortunate
and displayed the exercise of rare judgment. One
year after buying a lot on the corner of Maain and
Prairie Streets for $1,200, he sold it for $3,000.
I-e built a small house at a cost of $800, which
he sold twelve months later for $1,800 and then
erected a small store building which he soon sold
at an advance of $1,000.
These instances serve to show the qualities of
thrift and prudence which Mr. Long possesses to
an unusual degree, and he is fortunate in having
fora helpmate one who is not only amiable and
kind-hearted, but who also exercises business abilities of an unusual order. Mrs. Long has assisted
her husband in every enterprise, clerking in the
store and aiding him by her counsel and sympathy.
Prior to marriage, she was Miss Louisa Tisdell and
was born in Kalamazoo, July 12, 1836. ter parents, Erastus and Hannah (Blancher) Tisdell, were
natives of Vermont, who emigrated to Michigan
in 1830 and 1831, respectively, being among the
first settlers on Godenac Prairie, where they spent
the remainder of their lives.
Mr. and Mrs. Long were united in marriage December, 31, 1863, and are the parents of one surviving child, Nora V., who is a graduate of the
seminary at Kalamazoo and the State Normal at
Ypsilanti. For a time, sle taught in the deaf and
dumb school at Flint and has recently returned


from an extensive trip through Europe.  Ernest,
the only son, died when ten months old.  Mr.
Long has a charming home on Union Street,
erected at a cost of $6,000 and one of the
most elegant brick residences in Vicksburg.  Since
the organization of the Congregational Church in
this city, he has been an active member thereof
and his wife is likewise identified with it.
In his political belief, Mr. Long is a firm Republican. Ile has served as President of the village
several terms and in other local offices. besides being a member of the Republican County Central
Committee. HIe is a member of Lodge No. 208, A.
F. & A. M., and has been identified with the order
of the Maccabees since its organization in Vicksburg. As a business man, he is widely known for
reliability and integrity and, socially, ihe numbers
his friends among the best and the worthiest.
A    ---      --— 4
AW\ OSES B. ODELL. A grateful nation will
always hold in honor those who, in times
of peril, offered themselves upon their
country's altar and faced death on many a
bloody battlefield: On Decoration Day we pay
our tributes of love to the honored soldier dead,
while those who survive are objects of our highest
esteem. Upon the battlefield of life, where heroism is called for no less than when facing ghastly
death at the cannon's mouth, Mr. Odell has made
an honorable record.
Moses B. Odell was born in Auburn, N. Y., November 1, 1830, and was the son of Hiram and
Abbie (Benedict) Odell, natives of Herkimer
County, Conn. The parents removed after their
marriage to the Empire State where they were farmers. The mother died in 1882, when eightythree years old, and the father passed away in
Iowa, in his fifty-fourth year. Our subject was
the third in order of birth in the parental family
of seven children, six of whom  are living.  His
opportunities for attending school were very limited and lie studied at home in the evening by the
light afforded by the old fashioned fire-place.
In 1850, our subject and Miss Mary Ann Mahannah were united in marriage. That year the






732


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


young couple went toIowa where Mr. Odell purchased eighty acres of land in Jackson County.
They remained there a short time, however, and
on returning to Michigan located in Oshtemo
Township, Kalamazoo County. Later he removed to
Alamo Township, which has been his abiding place
for over thirty years. The parents of Mr. Odell
came to the Wolverine State in October, 1840,
and located in Oshtemo Township. At that early
period the country was thinly settled and our subject has run many a foot race with Indian boys
where the city of Kalamazoo now stands.
On the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Odell enlisted, July 30, 1862, in Company -I, Twentyfifth Michigan Infantry, under Col. O. H. Moore.
They joined their regiment in Kentucky and our
subject was detailed to provost duty soon after arriving there. He was accidentally wounded by
having a bayonet thrust into his stomach by one
of his comrades who was also on duty.  He was
comfined to the hospital some time and has never
fully recovered his health. He received his honorable discharge for disability March 2, 1863, and
returning home resumed the peaceful pursuits of
farming.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Moses B. Odell: Charles, Violetta, Vienna and
Nelson, all of whom are deceased.  In political
matters, he of whom we write is a stanch Republican, casting his first Presidential vote for Gen.
Fremont. He is a member of the Grand Army
Post in Kalamazoo and is highly esteemed as a man
of enterprise and push. Ile owns forty-five acres
of good land on section 35 and sixty-six acres on
section 27, Alamo Township.
HILIP E. GOODRICH. The pleasant homestead which is owned and occupied by this
gentleman is one of the most finely-improved
in Kalamazoo County, and is located on
section 32, Comstock Township. It comprises
eighty acres and is embellished with numerous
farm buildings and a commodious residence, built
in 1886 at a cost of about $2,000, a view of which
appears on another page. In addition to that es

tate, Mr. Goodrich is the owner of a third interest
of one hundred and sixty acres on section 33, and
is numbered among the progressive and successful
farmers of the community.
As early as 1831, Philip Goodrich, father of our
subject, emigrated from  his native State, New
York, to Michigan, and settled in Kalamazoo
Township, this County. Returning East, in 1832,
he brought his family back to the farm he had
purchased here, and devoted the ensuing years to
the improvement of the place. He died in Galesburgh, at the age of seventy-five years. He was
a prominent man in the community where he resided and a Democrat in his political sympathies.
There were born to Philip and Nancy (Meade)
Goodrich  nine children, all of whom grew to
man's and woman's estate, as follows: Hannah M.,
wife of Richard Milham, of Berrien County, this
State; Charlotte A., deceased; Francis M., a resident of Kalamazoo Township; Clarinda, deceased;
Phebe J., wife of Z. B. Durkee, of Charleston
Township; Philip E., of this sketch; Joseph J., of
Comstock Township; James J., deceased; and Dorr
N., a resident of Comstock Township. The mother,
who was a native of New York, died at the age of
sixty-four.
The sixth child in the family is Philip E., who
was born in Kalamazoo Township, October 21,
1842. He finished his schooling in Comstock
Township, and remained with his father until he
became of age. February 24, 1876, he was married to Ellen S. Bacon, who was born in Kalamazoo
County, October 26, 1847. Mrs. Goodrich is
the daughter of Alvin and Julia A. (Stratton)
Bacon, natives of New York, who came to Michigan at an early day and settled in Kalamazoo
County. Their eight children grew to maturity,
and six are living at the present time (1892).
At once after his marriage, Mr. Goodrich located
where he now resides, and here he and his wife
have established an attractive home, brightened by
the presence of their two children: Bessie, born
April 17, 1879, and Carl, born October 29, 1883.
Mr. Goodrich is a stanch Democrat, but by no
means an active partisan or an office-seeker. Upon
the solicitation of his fellow;citizens, he served as
Pathmaster at one time, and has filled other local




:: C \:I




...-n.,,,-sallJ?4


RESIDENCE OF GEO. E. KILGORE,,SEC.3., PORTAGE TP, KALAMAZOO CO., MICH.


RESIDEttCE OF P. E.GOODRIGCH,SEC.32.,COMSTOCK TFP.KALAMAZOO CO.?MICH.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


735


positions of trust. Generous, upright and industrious, he is an excellent type of the highest form
of Western culture and energy, in whom the people may, with good reason, repose the utmost confidence.
EORGE A. SUTHERLAND is at present
residing on a fine farm, situated on section
5, Portage Township, Kalamazoo County.
His estate, a view of which is presented on another
page, is embellished with substantial buildings and
is in a condition to bring its owner handsome returns. David and Rachel (Atwater) Sutherland
were natives of New York, and, coming to Michigan as early as 1837, located on Genesee Prairie,
Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County. They later removed to Berrien County, where they ended
their days.
Mr. Sutherland, of this sketch, was the youngest
but one in the parental family of thirteen children,
his birth occurring in Barker, Broome County, N.
Y., March 11, 1835. He was brought hither by
his parents on their removal to the Wolverine
State and was a lad of seven years at the death of
his father. He was then taken into the home of
his brother-in-law, Thomas W. Barnard, with whom
he remained until reaching his twenty-second
year.
March 2, 1857, Miss Marcia B., daughter of Joseph and Clarissa (Sweetland) Beckley, became the
wife of our subject. For a further sketch of the
parents, the reader is referred to the sketch of Joseph Beckley, found on another page in this volume. Mrs. Sutherland was born in Portage Township, August 29, 1839, and after her marriage with
our subject, the young couple made their home in
Barry County for the succeeding ten years. At
the expiration of that time, coming to this township, they purchased property on section 5, which
has since been their place of residence, and where
they own one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land. The estate has been thoroughly cultivated and Mr. Sutherland has erected thereon all
the necessary outbuildings.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have been granted


a family of five children: Frederick, who died
when in his thirty-second year; George, whose
decease occurred at the age of three years; Nellie,
who died aged eighteen months; William P. and
Roy.   Our subject has been the incumbent of
many positions of public trust, having been Township Treasurer and a member of the Board of Review. He takes a warm interest in local affairs
and politically votes with the Democratic party.
Socially, he is a member of the Alliance and occupies a high standing in the agricultural community.
G EORGE E. KILGORE. Among the pleasant homes in Portage Township, Kalamazoo
County, is the one which is jointly presided
over by Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore, whose intelligence
and affability create about them a delightful atmosphere of hospitality and genuine enjoyment.
The fine farm of our subject, which is situated on
section 3, is embellished with a substantial set of
buildings, the most noticeable among which is his
comfortable and substantial residence, a view of
which is presented elsewhere in this volume.
John Kilgore, the direct progenitor of our subject, was born in Ireland, while his mothel, whose
maiden name was Catherine Martin, was a native
of Genesee County, N. Y. They were married and
settled in the above-named county until 1836,
when they decided to try their fortunes in Michigan. A year later they made Kalamazoo County
their home, where the father had purchased land,
and where they continued to reside for several
years. Later they removed to section 3, Portage
Township, where the father operated a farm until
his death, when in his sixty-seventh year. Mrs.
Kilgore died, December 3, 1882, aged sixty-three
years.
Of the four sons and two daughters comprising
the parental family, our subject was the youngest.
HIis birth occurred in Portage Township, February
11, 1848, on the farm which is his present home.
He was given a fair education in the common
schools and received thorough training in farm
duties. His present estate includes one hundred




736


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


and seventy-four acres under tie most thorough
cultivation.
December 15, 1880, Miss Rosina J., daughter of
Jackson and Emma (Adams) Baker, became the
wife of our subject. Their marriage was celebrated
in Hopkins Township, Allegan County, and Mrs.
Kilgore was the third child of a family of six. Her
birth occurred March 17, 1858, in the above-named
township. Her union with our subject has resulted
in the birth of four children: John J., George H.,
Emma C. and Melvin F. Mr. Kilgore has always
been actively interested in local affairs and casts
his vote in favor of Democratic candidates.
OHN R. MILLIMAN. In the death of John
R. Milliman, Kalamazoo County lost an
honored citizen, whose industry and practical ability as a farmer had contributed in
no small degree to its prosperity. His name will
always be closely associated with the agricultural
development of Climax Township, of which he
was a resident for many years, passing the latter
part of his life in one of the pleasantest homes in
the village of Climax, which is still occupied by
his widow and only daughter.
Mr. Milliman was born in the town of Avon,
Livingston County, N. Y., October 15, 1818. His
father, whose given name was Joseph, was born in
Berkshire County, Mass., October 2, 1799, and was
a son of John Milliinan, who was born in Rhode
Island, September 19, 1773. He was of English
descent, three brothers leaving the ancestral home
of the Millimans in England and settling in the
Eastern States in Colonial times. The grandfather
of our subject was a farmer, and spent the greater
part of his life in Livingston County, N.Y., although
he lived in Massachusetts for a time, and had two
children born there. Eleven others were born to
him in his home in Livington County, where he
died March 12, 1846, at a ripe old age.
The father of our subject was the eldest of thirteen children, and he was reared to the life of a
farmer on his father's farm in Livingston County.
In 1854, he came to this county, and purchased a
farm near the village of Scotts, and there he passed




I


-------— I ----I --- —--
--------


the rest of his days, dying September 18, 1880.
He was a man of many sterling traits, and was a
Universalist in his religious belief. He was twice
married, and had twelve children. He first-married Betsy Wilson, the mother of our subject, who
was born in New York March 12, 1799, and died
in her native State in August, 1831, leaving four
children. Mr. Milliman's second wife was Melissa
Smith, and she bore him eight children.
The early life of our subject was spent on a
farm. He was twelve years old when his mother
died, and he then went to live with his grandfather Milliman. At the age of sixteen, the independent, self-reliant lad began life for himself as
a farm hand, later buying a part of his grandfather's farm and attending to its cultivation. He
continued to live in his native State for a time after
marriage, but in May, 1855, he and his wife came
to Michigan and he bought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres now owned by her on section
16, Climax Township. The improvements are of
a substantial character, and are nearly all the result
of his hard and persevering labor. He engaged
in mixed farming, and kept standard grades of
stock. He made all his money himself, as he had
nothing to begin with, and he became one of the
solid men of his adopted township, his good business habits, capacity for continuous and wisely
directed labor, and soundness of judgment being
tributary to his success. In 1870, lie removed with
his family to the village of Climax, and in 1873
erected a fine, large frame residence, which was his
home until his death, August 10, 1888. Ile was a
broad-gauged man, of marked stability of character, generous in his sympathies, whole-souled and
open-handed, possessing in a rare degree those
pleasant personal traits that win confidence and
friendship, and his friends were many, tried and
true. Religiously, he was a Universalist. Politically, he was a Republican. His first vote was cast
for William H. Harrison for the Presidency. lIe
was a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and he was buried according to the rites
of that organization.
To the wife who contributed so large a measure
to his success in life, Mr. Milliman was married
November 24, 1853. Theirs was a felicitous union,






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


737


and brought to them one daughter, Lizzie M., who
is with her mother. Mrs. Milliman's former name
was Julia E. Howard, and she was born in Clarendon,-Orleans County, N. Y., March 13, 1831. She
was reared in the village of Moscow, where she
was educated in the public schools, and she remained there until her marriage. Her parents
were Hartson and Marane (Smith) Howard, who
were both natives of New York, he being born in
Steventown, near Albany, January 24, 1807, and
she born August 15, 1815. He was a farmer in
early life, but in 1840 he turned his attention to
manufacturing fanning mills at Moscow, N. Y.
In 1883, he and his wife-removed to Chicago, where
they both died in 1884, her death occurring February 10, and his October 2. They were people of
genuine worth, and were held in honor and esteem
wherever known. They reared four children to
maturity.
Mrs. Milliman has displayed business ability and
tact of no mean order since her husband's estate
fell to her care, and she manages her interests with
great skill. She rents the farm, though still
having it under her general supervision. She is
endowed with a clear intellect, with much force
of character and with those womanly traits that
are the index of an even disposition, a kind heart
and a wholesome nature. Her views on religious
subjects are in accordance with the Universalist
faith.
ARZILLA SNOW, ex-County Treasurer of
Kalamazoo, is one of the most prominent
and respected citizens of the county. At
the present time lie is quite extensively engaged in farming, owning one hundred and twentysix acres of land on sections 4 and 5, Climax Township and eighty acres on sections 33 and 34, Alamo
Township. He was born in Genesee County, N.
Y., October 11, 1832, and was the son of Lebeus
Snow, who was born in Bridgewater, Mass., in 1787.
The latter-named gentleman followed the sea for
about twenty years and on emigrating to New
York located in Genesee County, where he became


a farmer. He belonged to the State Militia and
saw much hard fighting during the War of 1812,
being wounded in the battle of Oswego.
In 1832, the father of our subject removed to
Crawford County, Pa., where he farmed for four
years and then went to Holmes County, Ohio. His
wife, whose maiden name was Mercy Ann Smith,
was born in Ballston, Saratoga County, N. Y., in
1799, and died in 1842, while a resident of Holmes
County, Ohio. The father then made his home
with his children until his death, which occurred
in 1871, in his eighty-fourth year. Of the ten
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lebeus Snow,
eight are living, the eldest being born in 1817 and
the youngest in 1837.
Barzilla Snow received his primary education in
the common schools, which was supplemented by
attendance of a year and a half at the schools in
Sandusky, Ohio. In 1849. when seventeen years of
age, he came to Michigan and for four years worked
as a farm hand in Kalamazoo County. Then joining a company of eight men with three teams, Mr.
Snow crossed the plains to California, starting
March 16, 1853, and arriving in the Golden State
August 10. They crossed the Missouri River at
Council Bluffs on the 3d of May, and where the
flourishing city of Omalla now stands they observed
only a few Indians sitting on the river bank smoking. Mr. Snow was quite a fine marksman and
during their journey killed many deer. They arrived in Salt Lake City, June 24, and while crossing the mountains our subject walked over immense snow drifts in his bare feet.
When in the Golden State Mr. Snow spent the
most of his time in Placer mines in which he was
fairly successful. He returned home after an absence of four years, by way of the Isthmus. On
again reaching Michigan, our subject.purchased
eighty acres of land in Alamo Township, which
bore no improvement, whatever. But his persistent industry and good judgment have been rewarded, and he is now the owner of as fine an
estate as will be found in the county.
July 28, 1858, Mr. Snow and Miss Jane P. Hill
were united in marriage. Mrs. Snow was born in
Cayuga County, N. Y., February 24, 1839. Her
parents were also natives of the Empire State and




738


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


came to Michigan as early as 1845; the father is
now living in Kansas. Of the four children born
to our subject and his wife only two are living:
Walter H. who is married and resides on a farm
adjoining the old homestead, and Wilber B. who
lives on the home farm.
The original of this sketch, who has been quite
prominent in local politics, votes with the Republican party. He has served as Justice of the Peace
for several years and for seven consecutive years
was Supervisor. During that period he went over
the township eight times, on one occasion being
Census-taker. Mr. Snow has been Chairman of the
County Board one year, during which time an appropriation was made for the building of the courthouse. He was elected to the responsible office of
County Treasurer in the fall of '84 and so efficiently did he fulfill the duties of the office that he
was re-elected in '86, receiving a greatly increased
majority. Socially, he is a prominent Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 22 at Kalamazoo.
--— f ----^tE ---4 ---
HARLES H. McKAIN, M. D. There is no
member of the medical profession in Kalamazoo County who enjoys a more extensive
practice or a more enviable reputation as a skillful
practitioner than Dr. McKain, of Vicksburg. In
the department of medical research and investigation, he keeps thoroughly abreast with the times,
and is not only a successful physician but also a
surgeon of great ability, and in the removal of
tumors and the amputation of limbs has performed
many successful operations. He has prepared and
read several papers before State medical societies,
among them an article on "Apoplexy" and another
on "Inflammation Unaccompanied with Fever,"and
his writings have enlisted the favorable notice of
the press and profession.
Dr. McKain is the descendant in the fourth generation of a gentleman of that name who was born
in Scotland of Scotch descent, but emigrated to
America from the North of Ireland at an early day
and engaged in farming pursuits in New York.
During the Revolutionary War, he served as a brave
officer, and his skill in the use of his sword brought


him into conspicuous notice. His political affiliations were with the Whig party, and he was a Protestant in religion. When quite old, he removed
to Michigan, where he died in Sandstone, Jackson
County.
The grandfather of our subject, Abel, was a native of York State, where he engaged as a niller
at Alexandria until his death at the age of forty.
He was the father of two sons, one of whom, Allen,
was born in Alexandria, June 14, 1827, and was
only five years old when lie was orphaned. One
year later, he was brought to Michigan by his uncle,
Martin McKain, his guardian, who sold the mill
belonging to Abel McKain and invested the proceeds in Michigan land. At that early day, deer
were plentiful and bears were so bold that it was
necessary to keep pigs and calves in pens to protect them from their daring enemies.
At the age of eighteen, Allen McKain commenced
for himself, clearing a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres and following agriculture until 1880,
when he retired. He is now living in Pavilion
Township, where he is a prominent Republican
and has held some local offices. His wife, Laura
Willson, was born in the State of Vermont, on
the 24th of December, 1826, and came to Michigan when nine years of age. Her father, Amos
Willson, was probably a native of Vermont and
early settled in Michigan, where he lived two years
in Oakland County and afterward cleared one hundred and twenty acrts in Pavilion Township, this
county. He died at Galesburgh when sixty-two
years old.
Seven children comprised the family of which
our subject is a member: Adeline W.; Louisa A.;
Amos, Edwin, and Willie, deceased; Ernest and
Charles H. The last-named was born in Pavilion
Township, November 17, 1851, and gained the
rudiments of his education in the district schools.
When twenty years old, he entered the Baptist
College at Kalamazoo, where he studied two years.
April 1, 1875, he commenced to study medicine
under Dr. Malcom Hill, of Vicksburg, and October
1, of the following year, entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, where he
was graduated March 27, 1878. After practicing
for one year with Dr. Hill, he went to Kansas,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.          739


where he was examined and entered the United
States Army as Surgeon, remaining in that capacity until December 8, 1881, and being stationed at
Fts. Elliott and Supply, Ind. Ter.
In 1881, the young Doctor entered Bellevue
Hospital, New York City, where lie received his
degree March 15, of the ensuing year. lie made
a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear in that
department of the Manhattan Hospital, where lie
was actively engaged until May 1, 1882. Since
that time he has resided in Vicksburg, where lle
has a lucrative and extensive practice. His attractive residence, a commodious frame house on Prairie Street, was erected in 1885, and is presided over
by his charming wife, to whom he was married,
September 5,1882. Mrs. McKain bore the maiden
name of Nellie J. Dorrance, and was born in Pavilion Township, May 16, 1856.
In his political affiliations, Dr. McKain is a strong
Republican, and is serving as a member of the Village School Board. While not belonging to any
church, he is a liberal supporter of the Methodist
Church, and, in fact, gives generously of his means
to aid all worthy enterprises. He belongs to Hope
Lodge, No. 36, K. P., the Kalamazoo Academy of
Medicine and the State Medical Society. Hte has
represented  the last-named association in the
American  Medical Society at Cincinnati and
Nashville.  In  the fall of 1887, lie and his
wife crossed the Atlantic, and Mrs. McKain
remained in Paris while lie spent eight months in
traveling through Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, England, Ireland and Scotland.
mf^     --    -l _. ---,,,WILLIAM TOBEY, who is now living retired
in his beautiful home at Climax, was formerly actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Kalmazoo County, and is one of its selfmade men, who, in shaping their own fortunes,
have been instrumental in forwarding the material
interests of their community. Mr. Tobey was born
in Genesee County, N. Y., April 14, 1826, and is a
son of Silas Tobey, who was a native of Massachusetts. In his youth, the father of our subject
learned the trade of shoemaker, and, removing to


New York when a young man, he plied his calling
at York. He subsequently removed to Genesee
County, and engaged in making shoes there until
1858, when he came to Kalamazoo County, where
he still continued to carry on his trade to some extent. He lived to the good old age of seventyfive years, and then death rounded out his life. He
was a quiet man, of great intrinsic worth, and was
greatly liked by his neighbors and all who knew
him personally. His wife, whose maiden name was
Julia A. Harding, was born in New York. She
was sixty-five years old at the time of her death,
and in her demise the Methodist Episcopal Church
lost one of its most zealous members. She bore
nine children, eight of whom grew to maturity,
namely: William, Timothy, John B., Mary A. (Mrs.
Bealey), Harriet H., Samuel H., Silas (deceased),
and Olcha.
William Tobcy was reared on a farm, and was
educated in the district school, which was conducted on the rate-bill plan, and was held in a log
house, that was heated by means of an open fireplace, and furnished with slab benches. After he
was thirteen years old, the lad became self-supporting, working out by the month for $4.50 per
month as wages, and was thus engaged until he
was thirty years old. In the month of December,
1854, he took an important step in life, coming
then to Michigan, and in the spring of 1855, he
took up his residence in Kalamazoo County. He
rented land some eight or nine years, and in 1863,
bought eighty acres in Climax Township, which
was mostly improved. He subsequently sold that
and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of
land in Le Roy Township, Calhoun County, and
lived thereon from 1869 to 1872. In the latter
year. he came back to Climax Township with his
family, and, settling on his father-in-law's farm on
section 3, Climax Township, after the death of Mr.
Lawrence, lie bought the interest of the heirs in
the place, and still owns it. He rents it at a good
sum of money yearly, and has retired from active
business. He built, in 1890, a large and handsome
residence, which is conveniently arranged and
nicely furnished, and he and his wife make it one
of the most hospitable and cozy homes of the village. Mr. Tobey is classed among the shrewd, far





740


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


sighted, methodical and successful men of the
county, who have become prosperous by reason of
their close attention to business and complete understanding of their calling. He had no other
capital to begin with than the traits just mentioned, but these have made him well-off from a
financial point of view. He is a Republican of the
true stamp, in politics. He has held some of the
township offices, and we find him always willing to
do his share in all schemes for public advancement.
The subject of this biographical review was married, September 22, 1858, to Miss Mary Lawrence.
She was born in Ulster County, N. Y., May 12, 1834,
and is a daughter of Daniei and Amy (Eldred)
Lawrence, who were both natives of the State of
New York, the former born in Ulster County, May
27, 1793, and the latter in Otsego County, February 25, 1804. They were among the early pioneers of Kalamazoo County, coiing here in 1834,
in Territorial days, journeying hither by the Erie
Canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to Detroit, and
from there by team to their destination. They
were among the early settlers of Climax Township,
being the sixth family to locate within its borders,
and the nearest neighbors southwest of them were
at Vicksburg, eighteen miles away. They had to
do their trading at Detroit and White Pigeon, and
to go seventy-five miles to mill. Indians were
numerous and frequently visited their cabin. Wild
beasts lurked in the forests, and used often to disturb them, a wolf one night carrying of the pigs
from the pen. Mr. Lawrence bought land near the
village of Climax, owning at one time two hundred and forty acres, and he cleared a fine farm
from the wilderness. His death occurred in 1880,
at the venerable age of eighty-seven years, and his
memory will always be cherished as that of one of
our useful and honored pioneers, who early appeared on the field of labor and was instrumental,
in as far as his power lay, in bringing about a wondrous change in the face of the country. He was
of a truly religious nature, and was a birthright
member of the Quaker Church. The mother of
Mrs. Tobey diedl in 1887, at the age of eighty-three
years. She joined the Baptist Church in her girlhood, and was always a faithful member. She


reared five out of her six children, namely: Blackman E.; Caleb V., now deceased; Mary, Thomas S.,
George W. and John H1. (deceased). Mrs. Tobey
was six months old when her parents brought her
to Michigan. The humble primitive dwelling in
which she was reared was so small, being only
15x15 feet in dimensions, that she did not have
room to creep on the floor when she was a baby,
and so learned to walk at the age of ten months.
Our subject and his wife have experienced a great
sorrow in an otherwise happy wedded life, in the
death of their two children: Noah W., who died at
the age of two and one-half years; and Willie G.,
who, in his twenty-first year, was just entering a
promising manhood.
",ILLIAM H. SHELDON was born January
13, 1860, and is a son of George Sheldon,
who was a leading pioneer of this part of
the State, and was one of its wealthiest and most
honored citizens at the time of his death. He was
a native of Connecticut, born near the city of
Hartford, and was a son of Eli Sheldon, who was
of New England birth and breeding. His last
years were spent in the State of New York, where
he died at a good old age.
The father of our subject went to New York
with his parents when a boy, and from his father,
who was a farmer, learned how to manage a farm
in his youth. He began life for himself in Cayuga
County, and became very prosperous as a farmer,
owning one farm in that county and one of two
hundred acres in Yates County. He accumulated
his property by the sheer force of persistent and
well-directed labor, having no capital but his
brains and muscle and a resolute will with which
to commence the hard struggle against poverty.
He had his mother to support, and surrounded her
with every comfort as long as she lived. In 1845,
he came to Michigan and bought the farm on section 2, Climax Township, near the village of Climax, which is in possession of his sons. He was
a hard worker, laboring day and night, and he was,
besides, thrifty, far-seeing, accurate in judgment,
and was successful in all his undertakings, becom



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


741


ing very wealthy, and owning among other possessions a whole section of land, nearly all lying
around the village. He was greatly liked by the
entire community on account of his kind heart,
ready sympathy and genial, obliging disposition.
He was religious, having been converted in his
youth, and, although never belonging to any
church, lie gave abundantly of his wealth to the
support of churches. He inclined to Methodism
in his views. Politically, he was a Republican.
Mary J. Lemmon was the maiden name of the
mother of our subject, and Brown County, N. Y.,
the place of her birth. Her age at the time of
her death was forty-six years. She was an active
and earnest Christian member of the Methodist
Church, with which she was connected nearly all
her life. She and her husband lie side by side in
the Baptist Cemetery south of the village of Climax. They were the parents of these five children: Charlotte, wife of Julius Thompson, a
wealthy attorney and owner of extensive mining
interests, located in Salt Lake City, Utah; Eli, who
married Miss May French (daughter of Prof.
Elizabeth J. French, a noted physician of Philadelphia), and is now in London, England, with
the Jarvis-Conklin Loan and Mortgage Company;
Edgar, who died at the age of nineteen years;
George, a jeweler at Rico, Col., and William H.
Our subject's life has been passed on the farm on
which he resides. He obtained his primary education in the village school at Climax, and subsequently entered the Agricultuial College at Lansing for the purpose of securing a scientific training in the vocation that Horace Greeley called
the "noblest of professions," as he has a decided
taste for farming. He studied there two years
with much profit, and then was obliged to leave
on account of failing eyesight. April 3, 1879, he
entered upon his successful career as a farmer, he
and his brother George renting the old homestead
on that date, and, their father suddenly dying
three days later, they bought out the interest of
the other heirs, and now own the farm jointly,
our subject having exclusive control of its management, as his brother resides in Colorado. It
comprised four hundred and eighty-five acres
when it first came into their possession, but they


have sold some of it in acreage and village lots,
retaining four hundred and fifteen acres. The
farm is well equipled with modern improvements
and with every facility for carrying on general
farming, to which Mr. Sheldon devotes it. He
makes a specialty of raising cattle and sheep, and
from  1880 until 1887, he bought and shipped
stock to Buffalo, Detroit and Chicago.
Our subject was married, October 12, 1882, to
Miss Jennie T. Retallick, who is also a native of
Climax Township, born here November 30, 1860,
and a daughter of John T. Retallick, of whom a
biography appears in this work. Her marriage
with our subject has brought them one child, Lottie,
who is eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon
stand high socially, and are both members of the
Methodist Church. Mr. Sheldon gives his allegiance to the Republican party in political matters.
He is clear-brained, bright and thoughtful, and
has a mind well stored with useful information, as
lie is, besides being a good observer, a lover of
good books, and has a fine library of the best
authors of this and other countries. In his travels he has collected relics of the mountain cliff
dwellers, gathering them principally in Colorado,
and he has the best collection of Indian relics in
Kalamazoo County.
George Sheldon gave to the Methodist Church
the ground upon which it is located and was very
liberal in the support of that organization. He
also donated the site upon which the public school
of Climax is located.
MITH II. CARLTON, a successful farmer of
Kalamazoo County, owns and operates a
finely-improved farm on section 29, Comstock Township. Although much of his life has
been passed in this State, he is a native of New
York, where he was born in Wyoming County,
May 3, 1847. His parents, Albert and Betsy (Ingersoll) Carlton, were natives, respectively, of Vermont and New York.
While yet a boy, Albert Carlton emigrated to
New York, where he followed the occupation of a






742


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


farmer. In 1850, he came to Comstock Township,
and settled on section 29 where he remained until
his death at the age of eighty-four years. He was
a stalwart Republican and a devoted member of
the Methodist Protestant Church from his early
manhood, always taking an active part in its work
and  holding office during much of the time.
Throughout this country he was well known and a
universal favorite among all classes of people.
The parents of our subject had a family of six
sons and one adopted daughter, all of whom are
living, namely: Gordon, a resident of Hillsdale,
this State; Ira, whose home is in Portage; David,
a farmer on section 34, Comstock Township; Oscar,
who also follows farming in this township; Courtland, of Kansas City, who enlisted in the Sixth
Michigan Infantry, was wounded at the siege of
Port Hudson and remained in his country's service
for three years; Smith H., of this sketch; and Helen.
the wife of Charles Van Husen, of Portage Township, Kalamazoo County.
When about three years old, our subject was
brought to Michigan by his parents, with whom he
remained until he was sixteen, in the meantime
attending the district school. He then enlisted in
the Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry, under Capt.
John Mclvor, at Kalamazoo, and went to New York
City, thence to Fortress Monroe by water, and from
that place to Richmond, afterward returning to
the fort. The most of his active service was in
North Carolina, and at the expiration of one year
-his term of enlistment-he was discharged. Unfortunately, he contracted smallpox and upon his
return home the other members of the family took
the disease, the doctor's bills amounting to more
than the pay he received from the Government.
After the close of the war, Mr. Carlton taught
school in the winter and farmed during the summer until he was married, June 19, 1869, at Comstock, to Isabel J. Vose. Mrs. Carlton was born in
Massachusetts, August 6, 1850, and was but a child
when she came to Michigan with her parents, Isaac
and Betsey (Beckwith) Vose, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont, respectively. Immediately
after his marriage, Mr. Carlton located upon his
present farm, where he remained until 1879. He
then removed to Harvey County, Kan., and en9.  *i,


gaged in teaching school about eight months, when
he returned to his former home. Prior to 1888, he
taught school in addition to his work on the farm,
but now confines his attention exclusively to agriculture.
Mr. and Mrs. Carlton have one son, Warren H.,
who is at home. A Republican in his political belief, Mr. Carlton has served as Supervisor, School
Inspector, School Director, Highway Commissioner and as a member of the Board of Review.
Religiously, he is a Methodist and active in Sundayschool work. He belongs to the Grand Army of
the Republic and the Union Veterans' Union, and
is interested in all public measures for the advantage of the people.
ILLIAM STUART. The biography of an
industrious, energetic and successful man
furnishes an example which may with profit
be studied, admired and.imitated, and which never
ceases to exercise an elevating influence, fortifying
our hopes and elevating our ambitions. The success which has been gained by Mr. Stuart has come
to him, not through fortuitous circumstances, but
as the result of assiduous perseverance and painstaking energy. His early advantages were few and
his education was gained mainly in the school of
experience, where toil and hardship were the severe
but efficient teachers.  Notwithstanding adverse
circumstances, he has arisen to a foremost position
among the successful citizens of Schoolcraft and
the popular residents of Kalamazoo County.
The parents of our subject, George and Elizabeth (Hague) Stuart, were born near Edinburgh,
Scotland, whence, after their marriage, they emigrated to America and settled in New York City,
where for several years the father followed his trade
of a millwright. From that city they removed
about 1836 to Detroit, this State, and thence came
to Kalamazoo County, locating on a farm in Schoolcraft Township. Being an excellent workman, the
father was employed to go to Australia and erect
a mill, after the completion of which he returned
to the United States and remained on his farm in




I




. ~.
(,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


745


Schoolcraft Township until his death, July 3, 1851.
His widow survived him many years, passing away
June 23, 1890.
The sixth in order of birth among the nine children born to George and Elizabeth Stuart is William, who was born in Schoolcraft Township, March
6,1840. Here he grew to manhood amid the pioneer
scenes of a newly-settled country. For six years
he was engaged in the dry-goods business in Schoolcraft, in connection with which he operated a farm
and engaged in stock-raising. His principal occupation has been agriculture and he now owns
about eight hundred acres, most of which is under
cultivation.
November 23, 1868, Mr. Stuart was united in
marriage to Miss Joanna B., daughter of Albert
B. Judson, of Vicksburg, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Stuart was born in
Schoolcraft Township, September 12, 1846, and has
here passed the most of her life. Three children
have been born of the union: Mary Belle, a student
in Ypsilanti College; George H. and William J., who
are with their parents. In religious belief, Mrs.
Stuart is actively engaged in Christian work as a
member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Stuart
adheres to the principles of the Republican party,
but has never been an aspirant for office, his time
being taken up in attending to his large interests.
W       ILLIAM B. SOUTHARD, M. D., was born
in Clyde, Wayne County, N. Y., August
10, 1822, and is the son of Henry and
Susan (Carle) Southard, natives of New Jersey.
We have in our subject a representative of a family that has produced many Illustrious sons. The
family is Scotch, the patronymic having formerly
been spelled Southworth, and at an early period in
Colonial history became identified with the history
of Long Island, where the Hon. Henry Southard,
M. C., was born in 1749. The father of the latternamed gentleman removed to Basking Ridge, N. J.,
in 1757, where Henry died, June 2, 1842. He was
a patriot in the War of 1812, served nine years in
the Legislature and was a member of Congress
from 1801 to 1811, and from 1815 to 1821. He
34             K


possessed a remarkable memory and until he
passed into his ninetieth year, he neither wore
glasses nor used a cane.
Lott, the son of the Hon. Henry Southard, was
born in Basking Ridge, N. J., and was the father of
Henry Southard, Jr., the father of our subject.
Another son, Samuel Lewis Southard, L. L. D., was
graduated from Princeton College, in 1804, and
was admitted to the Bar in Virginia. He became
Law Reporter for New Jersey in 1814, and a year
later was Associate Justice of the State Supreme
Court. He was Presidential Elector in 1820, and
was United States Senator for two years, dating
from 1821, on the Whig ticket. In the abovenamed year, he met his father on a joint committee, and they voted together on the Missouri Compromise. In 1823, he was made Secretary of the
Navy in the President's Cabinet, holding that position until March 23, 1829. During that period,
he also served as Secretary of the Treasury for a
few months, and for a time as Secretary of War.
In 1829, lie became Attorney-General of New Jersey, in 1832 was elected Governor, and the following year was re-elected to the Senate, severing his
connection with that body May 3, 1842. His
death occurred at Fredericksburg, Va., June 26,
1842. When Vice-president Tyler succeeded to
the Presidential Chair, Senator Southard became
President of the Senate. The degree of LL. D.
was conferred upon him by the University of Pennsylvania, in 1833. He published "Reports of the
Supreme Court of New Jersey," "'Washington's
Centennial Address," in 1832, and a "Discourse
on William Wirt." Another distinguished member of the family was his son, Samuel Lewis Southard, who graduated from Princeton College in
1836, was a prominent minister in the Methodist
Episcopal Church and was well known as the
author of "The Mystery of Godliness."
William B. Southard was the youngest of the
parental family of four children, of whom one
brother, Lott Southard, of Leadville, Col., is living. His mother dying when he was very young,
William B. was taken into the home of a friend
named Blakeman, although he was not really
adopted by them. His father died when he was
five years of age, and he remained in the above



746


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-" ---- ^1 — - ~   --— ~~- — ~-'-  --- -1~ —~ --- - 1-   ' — — 1-   ~ I-I


named family until attaining his sixteenth year,  gusta
when, feeling able to care for himself, he left the  City;
friends who had done so much for him, and went  of K:
to New York, expecting to find employment as   McKe
clerk in a store. He soon after visited his grand-  Medii
father, who lived in Basking Ridge, N. J., and at  skillf
his solicitation entered an academy, where he made  Thi
rapid progress in his studies for a year and a half.  Chur<
He then entered a store at Elizabethtown, and  of th
after being thus employed for eighteen months,  Soutl
decided to visit the friends and scenes of his  ber o:
earlier days, and accordingly returned to Clyde,  party
N. Y., where he commenced the study of medicine  physi
in the office of N. P. Colvin & Son. He attended  and i
lectures at the Geneva Medical College, and later  genia
entered the medical department of the University  fortu
of Buffalo, from which institution lie was graduated  cess.
in 1850.A l
The year that our subject received his degree as  necti<
Doctor of Medicine, he settled at Angola, Ind.,
where he practiced his profession three years. He
then came to Albion, this State, and after a residence there of five years, returned East to Newark, N. J., where he remained for four years,
building up an extensive and lucrative practice.
At the end of that time, his health suffering from
the excess of salt in the atmosphere, he decided to
return to his Western home, and accordingly came  tlema:
to Kalamazoo and in a short time regained his us-  is the
ual sturdy health.                             craft
Dr. William B. Southard is very prominent in  the no
the medical fraternity, and is an active member,  his bi
and now President, of the Academy of Medicine.  Wort]
He is also a member of the order of Chosen     and v
Friends, where he is Past Counselor, Treasurer and  our si
Medical Examiner. Dr. Southard owns consider-  in 18(
able real estate in this locality, being the proprie-  of wlj
tor of a valuable farm three miles from Kalamazoo,  Amer:
where he has a fine apiary, to the extent of sev-  years.
enty-five to two hundred colonies. He is also en-  1836,
gaged extensively in fruit-growing, having a fine  renter
pear, peach and apple orchard on his farm; also  erated
an excellent vineyard.                         count
March 26, 1845, Miss Hulda A. Jones became   they l
the wife of our subject. She was born in Wayne  he has
County, N. Y., April 23, 1826, and has borne her  land.
husband the following-named four children: Au-  Chure


H., now Mrs. John C. Bloom, of Kalamazoo
Mary E., who married Dr. O. B. Ranney, also
alamazoo City, as is also Ida D., Mrs. John
ee, Jr. Eugene C. was graduated from Rush
cal College, Chicago, in 1880, and is a very
ul and popular physician in this city.
e Doctor and his wife attend the Baptist
ch, where Mrs. Southard is an active member.e local societies. In early life a Whig, Dr.
lard votes the Republican ticket, being a memf the mass-meeting at Jackson, where the
was organized, "Under the Oaks."  As a
cian, he is constant, patient and sympathetic
such a mind as his, stored as it is, and the
1 disposition and temperament which it is his
ne to possess, can only yield the fruits of sucportrait of the Doctor will be noticed in cono1 with this sketch.
A R K   WORTHINGTON.       Among    the
prosperous and enterprising farmers and
stock-raisers of Kalamazoo County we are
pleased to mention the name of the genn whose life narrative we here give, and who
possessor of a fine farm on section 22, SchoolTownship. St. Lawrence County, N. Y., is
ative home of Mr. Worthington, where he had
irth April 14, 1841. He is a son of William
hington, who came from Yorkshire, England,
vas born August 13, 1810. The mother of
ibject was Mary Playforth, born in Yorkshire,
)7. She bore her husband ten children, three
lorn were born in England before coming to
ica. Five of this number grew to mature
The journey to this country was made in
and on landing, the parents of our subject
I a farm in New York State, which they opl until 1842, at which time they came to this
y, locating at Vicksburg. Some time later,
ocated on a farm in Brady Township, where
s one hundred and fifty-six acres of fine
The father is a member of the Methodist
h and a member of the Republican party,




RE1SIDENCE OF EPHRAIM WESTBROOIKSEC.1.- BRADEJYTP, KALAMAZOO CO-MlCH-.


ENCE OF F.J.& JANE E.DR~AKE,,5E.C.I13.,Q5TEMo TF,KAL-AMAZOO






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a
k:




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


747


having first been connected with the Democracy.
The mother of our subject passed from this life in
the faith of the Methodist Church in 1858. The
father was married to Phoebe Carbin, but this
union has not been blessed with any children.
When Mark Worthington came to Michigan,
this place was a vast wilderness, with numerous wild and ferocious animals. Tlue old primitive
log schoolhouse was where he obtained his education, and to which he had to go three miles both
morning and evening. His primary studies were
supplemented by three months' attendance at the
Crawford High School.
When choosing an occupation for himself, Mr.
Worthington, when seventeen years of age, learned
the blacksmith's trade, serving an apprenticeship
of three years. On the outbreak of the Civil
War, he enlisted in the Union Army, May 26, 1861,
joining Company C, Seventieth New York Infantry, and was mustered into service at Staten
Island.  Owing to a misunderstanding between
the Michigan officers, trouble arose, and our subject's company was transferred to the Seventieth
New York Regiment, the city of Paw Paw raising
$1,150 to pay their fare to Staten Island. The
regiment was engaged in skirmishing in Virginia
and participated in the siege of Yorktown, later at
Williamsburg, Va., where Mr. Worthington received a slight wound on the index finger of his
right hand. He also took part in the engagement
at Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines, June 5, 1862, and on
the 25th of that month fought at Oak Grove. At
the latter-named place, he of whom we write was
wounded in the left foot and was confined in David's Island Hospital until September 18, 1862,
when he received his honorable discharge and returned home. He is awarded a pension of $17 a
month on account of the wound spoken of above
and a sunstroke which he received August 8,1861,
while marching on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington.
The original of this sketch engaged in blacksmithing on his return from the war, opening
a shop in Vicksburg, and two years later enlarged
his building and carried on an extensive business
until 1882. He also handled agricultural implements. In the spring of 1884, he located on his


father-in-law's farm in St. Joseph County, which
he operated until the spring of 1889.  On the
death of that gentleman, lie was appointed administrator of the estate. He located upon his present
farm  of one hundred and ninety-five acres in
1890. He has placed it all under the most excellent cultivation with the exception of three acres
which is in timber.
August 23, 1863, Mark Worthington was married to Lucy C. Fellows, who was born in St. Joseph
County, this State. They have become the parents
of seven children, all of whom are living, with
one exception, viz.: Sarah M. (Mrs. Shaw), William
A., Oliver M., Herley M., Jennie L., and John M.
Mrs. Worthington died October 29, 1875, and two
years later our subject was married to Margaret
Hower, a native of St. Joseph County.
Our subject gives his attention to general farming and stock-raising, having his place stocked
with good grades of cattle and sheep. Mrs. Worthington is a member of the Methodist Church, and
in politics, our subject is a Republican. His home
is well and comfortably furnished and contains a
good library. In public affairs, he served as Township Treasurer, and was a member of the School
Board and Trustee of the village.
E — iPHRAIM VWESTBROOK is a representative
of one of the early pioneer families of
Kalamazoo County, and has resided longer
in that part of it embraced in Brady Township
than any other living person.  When he came
here more than half a century ago, the Indians
were still in possession of a good share of this
section, and nature had full sway. It has therefore been his privilege to watch the gradual reclamation of the forests, swamps and openings, until to-day this is as fine a farming country as can
be found. Our subject has helped along the good
work by developing a choice farm and supplying
it with neat and conveniently arranged modern improvements.
Mr. Westbrook was born to a pioneer heritage
in the wilds of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where his
birth occurred June 22, 1820. His father, Peter




.748


PORTRAIT' AND 113TOGRAPHTCAL1 REC ORD.


748POTRITAN BOGAPICAL- RECORD


Westbrook by name, was an early settler of that
county. He was born in New Jersey, September
30, 1797, and was of German descent. He was bred
to the life of a farmer, and when young accompanied his parents to New York State, where, in
1815, he married Miss Fannie Marble, a native of
that Commonwealth, born March 20, 1801. They
moved to Ohio, and, after living there several
years, came to Michigan in 1837, the year that it
was admitted into the Union. The journey was
made by wagon, and, Ifter their arrival, Mr. Westbrook redempted land which formed a part of the
Pottawattamie Indian  Reservation, and lay on
section 2, of Brady Township. He developed a
farm of ninety acres, and made it his dwelling
place until his untimely death, January 8, 1851,
deprived his community of one who had an admirable record as a practical pioneer, and was revered
for his worth as a man. In politics, he was a
Democrat; in religion, he was a Methodist, as was
his wife also. She died May 15, 1849, at the age
of fifty years. Five of their eight children grew
to maturity: Amanda, Ephraim, Benjamin, Ethan
and William.
Our subject was in his seventeenth year when he
came to Brady Township with his parents. He
attended the pioneer district schools of Ohio before coming here, and the pioneer school of his
home district after settling here. This was taught
in a primitive log house, provided with slab benches that were supported by wooden pins, and it was
the first school opened anywhere near here. In his
youth he teamed considerably between this point
and Detroit, and had to go to Kalamazoo and
Battle Creek to do trading and milling. lie sometimes went to the latter place, twenty-two miles distant, on foot for groceries. At first there were
more Indians here than whites, and they were frequent visitors at his father's. There wee ee a good
many deer and some bears and wolves, the latter
occasionally disturbing the slumber of the family
by howling in the woods near by, or in the clearing. Our subject knew how to handle a rifle well
and many a deer he has shot, besides killing one
bear. He worked out by the month on a farm and
in sawmills after he began life on his own account,
but he remained an inmate of the parental home


until his marriage in 1850. HIe then bought a
part of the old homestead, and farmed it until
1869, when he traded it for this farm upon which
he is living in Brady Township. It lies on section
1, and was but half improved when it came into
his hands. By his well-directed  toil he has
wrought a great change, whereby it has become one
of the best developed farms in the neighborhood.
The log house which stood on the place when he
purchased it has given way to a neat and finelooking modern residence, which Mr. Westbrook
built in 1880. ITe has also erected a commodious
frame barn, painting it red, so that it is a conspicuous feature in the landscape. This was put
up in 1880. Mr. Westbrook devotes his farm to
general farming purposes and has it well stocked.
Sixty of its seventy-nine acres are cleared and
under admirable tillage.
The marriage cf Mr. Westbrook with Miss Jane
Tando, January 13, 1850, has been one of mutual
happiness, and has brought them six children, as
follows: Fannie; Italy, deceased; Andrew; John;
Jane, Mrs. Hubbard; and Lucy, deceased. Mrs.
Westbrook is, like her husband, a native of Ohio,
born in that State January 8, 1834. Her father,
Charles Tando, was born in Connecticut, March
29, 1804, and was married. September 13, 1826, to
Sally Trumbull, who was born March 10, 1806, in
the same State as was her husband. After their
marriage, they removed to Ohio, where they lived
until 1835, and then settled in this county on
section 2, Brady Township. Mr. Tando purchased,
or pre-empted, one hundred and forty-four acres
of the Indian Reservation on section 2, Brady
Township. He and his family lived on it three or
four years, and then they took up their residence
on Gourdneck Prairie, Schoolcraft Township. But
four years later they moved back here and settled
on section 3, where Mr. Tando improved an eightyacre farm. He was a pioneer and did his share in
the hard work of redeeming the soil. He lived to
be seventy-two years old, his death occurring June
10, 1877. I-e was a Democrat originally, but during the war became a Republican. His good wife
was a Methodist in religion. She died May 25,
1871.  They reared seven children:   Charles,
Nancy, Julia, Jane, Catherine, Loren and William.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


749


Our subject and his amiable wife are universally
esteemed for their fine personal traits of character,
which have gained them   a warm place in the
hearts of the people among whom they have spent
the greater part of their lives. They are both
members of the Methodist Church, and have been
zealous in its upbuilding. In political matters,
Mr. Westbrook gives undivided allegiance to the
Republican party.
a-                 C ----  6 )++++t.
I++++ —    ++++         '
< W ILLIAM W. SCOTT, President of the Village of Vicksburg, was born in Racine
County, Wis., January 30, 1844. His ancestors originally came from Scotland, where the
great-grandfathler of our subject, John Scott, was
born. The grandfather, John, Jr., was a native of
Yorkshire, England, where lie was interested in
woolen manufactories. HIe was an instructor in
music on various instruments and was leader in the
church choir at Huddersfield, England, where he
died when more than seventy years old. He was
a member of the Episcopal Church, where he had
charge of the singing, and received a salary from
the State.
James Scott, father of our subject, was born in
Yorkshire, England, February 20, 1815, and engaged as a woolen nanufacturer, being foreman in
the large mills of John Brooks & Sons at Berry
Brow, where about two thousand hands were constantly employed. The firm is still in active business and is run under the original name by the
grandsons of the first proprietors.  James Scott
came to America in April, 1842, the voyage occupyilig nine weeks, and after landing he proceeded
to Racine, Wis., where he entered Government
land. He spent about six years in clearing the
farm, and afterward set up woolen-mill machinery
at various places, later working in woolen mills.
In 1857, James Scott bought woolen mills at Ontario, Lagrange County, Ind., which he operated
until 1874. From that time until 1882,he engaged
in farming near Red Oak, Iowa, after which he located in Vicksburg and lived retired until his decease, November 20, 1891. He was a member of
the Congregational Church and took an active part


ill religious affairs during his entire life. Politically he was first a strong Republican and an Abolitionist. In 1884, lie joined the Prohibition party
and was a strong advocate of its principles during
the remainder of his life.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Sarah Woodlled and was born in Yorkshire,
England, in 1820. She still survives and makes
her home in Vicksburg, where four years ago she
and her husband celebrated their golden wedding.
She reared four sons and four daughters, namely:
Emma, John D., William W., Helen, Joseph, Elizabeth (deceased), J. Walter, and Jennie. William
W., of this sketch, was born in Racine County,
Wis., as above stated, and removed thence to Ohio,
where he sojourned two years. Ie then settled in
Lagrange County, Ind., where lie was a student in
the Institute at Lagrange between the ages of thirteen and twenty.
September 20, 1864, Mr. Scott enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-second Indiana
Infantry, at Indianapolis, as private but was soon
elected First Duty Sergeant and later was elected
Second Lieutenant of his company, which office
he held at the close of the war; he was first assigned to the Twentieth Corps under Gen. Sherman.
After leaving Atlanta, he was transferred with his
brigade to the Fourth Corps, Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Thomas, and participated in the
battles of Nashville, Franklin, and other engagements. Ile was mostly engaged in detached duty,
guarding railroad trains and hospitals, and was
mustered out in July, 1865, at Indianapolis. As a
partial compensation for injuries received while in
service, he was granted a pension of $4 per month.
While engaging in mercantile pursuits in Ontario, Ind., Mr. Scott studied dentistry under Dr.
Hampshire, of Lagrange, where he began the practice of his profession in 1874. In April, 1876 he
removed to Vicksburg, where he enjoys a large
and lucrative practice (in fact, the largest in Kalamazoo County) and is foremost among the dentists in this section of the country. Dr. Scott was
married, September 20, 1866, to Maria Decker, who
was born in Branch County, this State, July 22,
1844, and they have two children, namely: Clinton R., a graduate of the dental department in the




750


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


University of Ann Arbor, and now in practice at
Schoolcraft; and Clara M., who is at home.
The Doctor has a fine collection of rock specimens, collected from Yellowstone Park and other
portions of the United States. He also has many
relics, among them a flute used by his grandfather
and now more than one hundred years old; a large
collection of curious coins; a sword captured at the
battle of Nashville; and a snuff box used by Gen.
Francis Marion in the Revolutionary War. He and
his estimable wife are active members of the Congregational Church, where he has been Sundayschool Superintendent for many years; he is also
President of the Brady Township Sunday-school
Association.
Politically, the Doctor is a Republican with Prohibition proclivities. As President of the village,
lie adopts every measure calculated to advance the
interests of the people; he has also served as Township Clerk for a number of years. Socially, he is
a member of the order of Maccabees, and Post No.
220, G. A. R. As a crayon artist, he possesses considerable ability, which he uses in the interests of
the Sunday-schools of this State and Indiana. Besides his comfortable residence on North Main
street, he is the owner of a cooper shop in the village and has a one-third interest in the creamery.
His life has been such as to bring to him the full
confidence of a host of warm personal friends and
with his family he stands high in social circles.


born in the county of Albany, N. Y., in 1801. He
followed the trade of a shoemaker until lie was
fifty years old, and then farmed in St. Lawrence
County, his native State, until his death in his
seventy-sixth year. He was a sound Methodist in
his religious views and was very active in the
church. In early life, lie was what was called a
"Loco-foco" in politics, but he afterward joined the
Republicans. The mother of our subject, whose
maiden name was Mary Hodge, was born near Albany, N. Y., in 1800. She, too, was a true Methodist and a good Christian woman. She departed
this life in her fifty-ninth year. Eight of her nine
children grew up and five are yet living. The
names of the entire nine are Ellen, James, Timothy, William, Alexander, Mary A., Catherine,
Charles and Maria, respectively.
When the subject of this sketch was six months
old, his parents returned to their native State and
settled on a farm in St. Lawrence County, and there
his boyhood was spent in assisting his father when
he became old enough to be of use, and in attending
the district school. At the early age of thirteen
years, the battle of life began for him in earnest
and after that he earned his own living, working
out by the month for $2 a month and board, his
father collecting his wages. He was employed as
a laborer by the month or year the ensuing fourteen years, and for five years worked for one man
steadily. In the fall of 1854, he went to Rockford,
11., and passed the following winter there, hiring
out to a man to drill wells. After that, he came
to Michigan and was engaged on a farm in Calhoun County one year. In 1856, he came to this
county and worked on a farm here the next three
years, and during that time there happened to him
perhaps the most important event of his life, as he
not only won the favor of his employer, but secured the heart and hand of his employer's fair
daughter, Catherine R. Arnold, to whom he was
wedded November 25, 1857. No children have
been born to them, but they are rearing an adopted
son, Charlie by name, upon whom   they lavish
every possible care and kindness.
Mrs. Wickwire is a native of this State, born in
Macomb County, March 19, 1839, a daughter of
one of its earliest pioneer families. Her parents,


_ _


V ~ =+-+




— /




ILLIAM      WICKWIRE, who is a man of
wealth and high standing in his community, is prominently known in connection
with the agricultural interests of Kalamazoo
County as the proprietor of a large and handsomely appointed farm on section 8, Climax Township, which has been improved by himself, and is
an evidence of his executive ability and practical
intelligence as a farmer.
Mr. Wickwire is a Canadian by birth, born in
the British Dominion, September 26, 1829, his
birthplace lying just over the line from the State
of New York. His father, John Wickwire, was




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


751




Horace and Evelina A.(Purdy) Arnold,were natives
of New York, the former born in 1816 and the latter in 1821. Mr. Arnold came to Michigan with
his father, Edward Arnold, in 1824. The latter
was among the first settlers of Macomb County, his
nearest neighbor being three miles away. Mrs.
Wickwire's mother came to Michigan in 1837 and
was married in Macomb County. She and her husband reared five children, namely: Catherine R.,
Edward, Olive, George and Mary. The Arnolds
came to Kalamazoo Countyin 1853 and purchased
a farm in Charleston Township, and after residing
there a number of years removed to Decatur, Mich.,
and spent the remainder of their days, both dying
at the age of sixty-eight years.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Wickwire was
Edward Arnold, a farmer, who was born in 1789,
in Massachusetts. He became a resident of New
York and lived near Rochester. In 1824, he
brought his family to the Territory of Michigan,
and in time transformed a portion of the wilderness in Macomb County into a fair and goodly
farm. He lived to the venerable age of seventyfive years. His father, whose name was William,
was a native of Rhode Island and was of English
descent. He lived for a time in Massachusetts,
whence he went to New York, where he carried on
his occupation of farming for many years. In 1830,
he came to Michigan and died here at the advanced
age of eighty-five years.
Mr. Wickwire bought his homestead in Climax
Township in 1859. Forty acres of it were cleared,
and there was a log house and a log barn in the
shape of improvements. HIe has created a wondrous
change by the force of persistent and intelligent
labor, and has three hundred and ninety-four acres
of as fine land as can be found in the county, all
cleared except forty-four acres. In 1880, he built
one of the finest residences of the township, a large
frame house, of a tasteful style of architecture and
well fitted up. He has also a large frame barn and
several smaller ones for various purposes. He carries on general farming, wheat being his principal
grain crop, and he raises standard horses, cattle
and sheep.
Our subject is an excellent type of our self-made
men,who, in molding their own fortunes, have been




important agents in establishing Kalamazoo County
on a firm basis of enduring prosperity. He has
displayed throughout his career a strong mind, an
earnest purpose, and an unbending will in carrying out his plans, seconded by far-seeing enterprise
and good business traits that have been the means
of acquiring riches, which place him among the
most wealthy men of his community. For thirtyfive years he has been prominently identified with
the Masonic order as a member of the lodge at
Climax. In politics, lihe is a true Democrat, unswerving in his fealty to his party.
ERI)INAND V. COLLINS, a wealthy pioneer farmer of Pavilion Township, and one
of the oldest residents living within its
borders, has met with more than ordinary success
in agricultural pursuits, and stands among the foremost of the men who have had the making of Kalamazoo County, his home being among the most
costly and elegant of the country residences of
this section, and his farm one of the best in its appointments of any in its vicinity.
The town of Barre, Orleans County, N. Y., is the
native place of our subject, and December 29,
1827, the date of his birth into the household of
William G. and Caroline (Clark) Collins. His father was born in Rutland County, Vt., August 8,
1802; and his mother in Canandaigua, N. Y., November 14, 1806. She lived to the venerable age
of eighty-four years, dying January 24, 1891. She
was an eminently sensible, practical woman, of a
fine disposition, and in her religious views she held
to the doctrines of the Universalist faith. She was
the mother of seven children: Huldah M., Ferdinand V., Eliza A., Hoxie L., Benjamin C., Janette
and Charles J.
The great-great-great-grandfather of our subject
on his father's side came to this country from Ireland, and was an early settler of Vermont. The
father of our subject was reared on a farm amid
the green hills of that State, until he was six years
old, when the family removed to Monroe County,
N. Y. In later years he married there, and immediately settled in Orleans County, which at that








752'


yJOwJ'%RTAIT AND B lB OCGRAPHICA L RECORD.,


7                P         A


time was nearly all wilderness. He evolved a farm
from the forests, and after living there a few years,
took up his residence in Wayne County, whence he
came to Michigan in 1846, journeying from Rochester to Buffalo on the Erie Canal, from that city to
Detroit by lake, and thence to Galesburg on the
Michigan Central Railway. He bought a part of
the farm now owned by our subject, and took possession of the log house that stood upon it. He
was one of the most energetic and hardworking of
the pioneers that opened up this country, and in
the years of steady toil that followed his settlement here, he made many valuable improvements.
He has attained the venerable age of ninety years,
and now makes his home with his son, of whom we
write. He has always been a stanch advocate of
the Democratic party, in his political views. He
has taken part in the administration of public
affairs, and as Highway Commissioner in by-gone
years, he helped to lay out and construct some of
the roads made here in early times.
Ferdinand Collins was eighteen years old when
he came here with his parents, forty-five years ago.
He had received his education in the district school
in his native State, and after he ca.me here he began the hard work of clearing the land and preparing it for cultivation, and was of great assistance to his father in the improvement of a farm.
He now has three hundred acres of fine farming
land, of which two hundred and forty acres are
under the best of tillage. The place is well supplied with buildings for every needed purpose,
there being several frame barns, built at different
times, and a large brick residence, of a handsome
style of architecture, and fitted up with every modern convenience, including a furnace to heat the
whole house. Our subject and his son carry on an
extensive business in mixed farming, and make a
specialty of fine wool sheep and Durham cattle.
Mr. Collins was married, December 20, 1857, to
Miss Harriet Weston, who was born in the State of
New York, May 13, 1835. They have one son,
Willie L., who married Miss Jennie Milham, and
has one son, Glen T., which makes four generations living on the farm. As one of the wealthy
citizens of the township who has risen to prominence, not because of his money, but by the quiet


force of character and native ability, our subject
wields a marked influence in his township, and has
been conspicuous in the management of public
affairs in various official capacities. He has been
Township Treasurer four times, was Township
Clerk one year, and Overseer of Highways many
years. In politics, he gives his fealty to the Dcmocratic party.
RS. ABBY M. CADY. Women farmers are
no longer a rarity in our country, and although they are not as plentiful in the
older settled regions as they are in the
Western country, yet many of them have proved
their efficiency and their ability to manage a large
farm and to build up a business which is both
pleasant and profitable to the proprietor. The
lady of whom we now write, whose excellent farm
fell to her upon the death of her husband, resides
upon section 29, Portage.Township, Kalamazoo
County.
Mrs. Cady is the daughter of the late Jacob and
Lyons, Jane Ann (Pope) Mitchell, her father born in
Wayne County, N. Y., of which place her mother
was also a native. They came West to Kalamazoo
County during the latter part of the '70s and located in Kalamazoo, where they made their home
until their death. Mrs. Cady was the eldest of
their children, her birth occurring in Lyons, Wayne
County, N. Y., December 7, 1838. There she
grew to womanhood and was married, December
26, 1854, to Edward P. Cady, who was also a native of that county, being born April 6, 1834.
Mr. and Mrs. Cady continued to reside in their
native county until 1876, when, desiring to see
and know something of the Western country, they
came to Kalamazoo and made their home in that
city for a year and a half. Later they came to
Portage Township, where the death of Mr. Cady
occurred April 28, 1889. He was a progressive and
wealthy agriculturist, and at his decease left a valuable estate of two hundred and twenty acres, which
bore all the improvements which best subserve the
interests of a first-class farmer. Mrs. Cady has
since superintended the operation of the home



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I






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


755


stead and has illustrated her talent as a business
woman.
Anna J. is the only child born to Mr. and Mrs.
Cady. She is now the wife of Henry Vanderbilt,
and makes her home in this township. Mr. Cady
was a very prominent and influential citizen, and
held the office of Justice of the Peace for a number
of years. Socially, he was a Mason, standing high
in that order. His death was keenly felt by all his
friends, who were quite as numerous as his acquaintances. He was a gentleman who possessed
those traits of character which make stanch adherents. The home farm is one of the most beautiful
in the county and we are pleased to be able to
place before our readers a life sketch of its enterprising proprietoress, as well as a view of her comfortable home.
LLIOTT IH. BARKER.       The village of
Vicksburg is the home of a number of retired farmers who, after accumulating a
considerable amount of this world's goods, have
ceased from active labors and are passing the declining years of their lives surrounded by the
comforts which have resulted from their arduous
exertions. Although still in life's prime, Mr.
Barker is numbered among the oldest settlers of
Kalamazoo County and has been a witness of its
growth from a sparsely-settled community to one
of the most highly cultivated portions of the
State. Until recently, he has been engaged in
agricultural pursuits, but at present rents his land
and is living retired.
Elisaph Barker, father of our subject, was a native of New York, where lie was reared to manhood and learned the trade of a carpenter. In
1843, he removed to Michigan,locating in Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo County, and here dying two years later, when only thirty-eight years
old. He was a member of the Congregational
Church and an active temperance man. opposing
whisky in the days when its use was common.
Politically, he was a Whig.
Some years prior to his removal to this State,


Elisaph Barker was married to Maria L. Nutting,
who was born in Massachusetts, August 28, 1814.
She was deeply bereaved by the death, within two
years after she settled in Michigan, of her husband and two of her three children. March 20,
1847, she was married to Nelson Donshee and
survived until April 27, 1882. She was first a
member of the Congregational Church, but in
1847 united with the Methodist Church, with
which she was afterward connected.   She was
faithful in her attendance at church services, and
was a loving wife and devoted mother.
A native of New York, our subject was born August 4, 1840, and was a small child when brought by
his parents to Michigan. IHe remembers the country of that day, its few settlers, herds of deer, and
dense forests untouched by the woodman's axe.
The school which he attended was held in a log
building with slab benches and an open fire-place.
He commenced life for himself at the age of fifteen, when he secured employment by the month
at a salary of $12, working in that way for six
years. He then settled on a farm, which he
worked on shares for one year.
In the fall of 1863, Mr. Barker purchased his
present property and removed into Vicksburg.
He owned eighty acres, which his mother had
bought for him with means left by his father,
and, owing to its proximity to the village, the
land increased rapidly in value. He also pur.
chased, in 1854, one hundred and sixty acres in
Brady Township, which lie cleared from the timber, and half of which he still owns. He was married, November 10, 1861, to Phebe A. Clark, and
they became the parents of three children, viz:
Mary M., who married James Judson, a farmer in
Schoolcraft Township; Charles R., who is now
employed in the insane asylum at Norfolk, Neb.;
and Clara A., who died at the age of two years.
January 31, 1888, Mr. Barker was united in
marriage with his present amiable wife, known in
her maidenhood as Jessie Ainsworth and born in
Brady Township in 1856. Mrs. Barker is a member of the Methodist Church and an active
worker for religious and charitable measures.
Politically, Mr. Baker is a Republican and a
prominent man in local affairs. Of his original






756


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I


eighty acres, he has sold forty acres in town lots,
and now retains the same amount in the village
limits. Besides this, he has one hundred and ten
acres in Sheridan County, Neb., and eighty acres
in Brady Township, five miles east of Vicksburg.
He is well-to-do and, while he has been successful
financially, he has by his honorable life also won
the full confidence of his fellow-citizens.
OHN 0. WILSON, now living in retirement
in the village of Climax, has been variously identified with the interests of Kala^  mazoo County as a practical farmer, a successful hotel-keeper, and an enterprising dealer in
real estate, and he is now numbered among its
moneyed men. Mr. Wilson was born in Livingston County, N. Y., May 30, 1834. His father,
Cyrus Wilson, was also a native of that State, born
in Montgomery County, May 25, 1802. His father,
Jacob Wilson, is likewise supposed to have been a
native of New York. His father was scalped by
the Indians during the Mohawk War, in the presence of his wife, who managed to escape with
three children, traveling for three days through
the forests in a half-starving condition.  The
grandfather of our subject, who was a farmer,
lived to be seventy years old. He married Thankful Merry, a native of New York, and they reared
three girls and one boy. The grandmother was a
religious woman, and a Baptist in faith.
The father of our subject was reared to the life
of a farmer, and followed that occupation in Livingston County, N. Y., for many years. He married Anna Milliman, who was born in Livingston
County, in the town of Avon, September 25, 1804,
their marriage taking place February 22, 1820.
They came to Michigan in 1862, and lived here
retired until death, he dying March 7, 1872, and
she dying November 18, 1882, at the age of seventy-eight years.
Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Wilson were the parents of
a large family of children, of whom the following
is the record: Rachel A. was born December 3,
1820; Mary P., May 5, 1822; Lucina, MIarch 22,
1824; J. Parker, January 9, 1826; Mary P., March


27, 1828; Cyrus C., February 14, 1830; Abigail E.,
February 2, 1832; John O., May 30, 1834; Martha
J., June 27, 1836; Minerva S., August 25, 1838;
Benjamin F., August 25, 1840; George S., January
21, 1843; Francis J., February 26, 1846; Sarah L.,
October 4,1848. Seven of these fourteen children
are living.
Our subject was brought up on a farm, and
early became familiar with all the details of farm
work. His education was obtained in the district
school. He was only eleven years old when he
began to work for others by the month, and was
thus employed until he was twenty-three old, getting a small start in that way. He was married in
New York in the latter part of 1857, and then
came to Michigan, arriving here with but $15 in
his possession, but he was young and strong, endowed with a sound understanding and excellent
business traits, and, as he was ambitious, he was
sure to succeed. At first he farmed on rented
land for some years, but, in 1860, he bought
eighty acres of partly improved land. He soon
sold that. however, and, in 1861, bought another
eighty acres in Climax Township. Three years
later he sold that also, and removed to what is
now known as Wilson's Corners, where he bought a
quarter of a section of land, which he subsequently
disposed of at a good advance on the original
cost, alld, coming back to this point, he purchased
one hundred and twenty acres of land, and then
bought a hotel in Climax, and for the ensuing
twelve years was engaged in its management,
making himself popular in the capacity of "mine
host." At the expiration of that time, he sold
the hotel, and after that did quite a business in
buying and selling land.
Our subject has become wealthy, and has a valuable estate. He has a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres on section 9, Climax Township, which
is replete in all its appointments, besides valuable
property elsewhere. He has lived in the village
since 1882, and has one of its most attractive
homes, owning a large and well-built frame residence, with three acres of ground attached, making it one of the most pleasant places here. Although he has ostensibly retired, still, lie has too
much business enterprise in him to refrain from




PORTRAIT ANDI) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


757


business altogether, and lie still deals considerably
in stock. He attributes his success in life to hard
work and excellent management, particularly the
latter, as he knows well how to handle his affairs
so as to produce the best results, being possessed
of rare judgment, large forethought, and a keen
insight into the best methods of conducting
money matters. He is a sound Democrat, keeping
well posted in political events, and his fellow-citizens, having a high opinion of his qualifications,
have elected him to office in the township, but he
would not accept the honor thrust upon him.
Mr. Wilson was first married, December 3, 1857,
to Miss Sarah M. IHosford. She was born in Livingston County, N. Y., October 2, 1835, and died
March 19, 1891, leaving behind a golden record
as wife, mother, and friend. There were three children by that marriage: Star, born May 4, 1861;
Willie, September 9, 1863; Flora (Mrs. Seeley),
January 20, 1868. Our subject was married to
his present amiable wife, formerly Miss Lizzie
Caldwell, January 13, 1892. Mrs. Wilson is a native of Fremont, Ohio, and was born April 24,
1856.
OHN V. TALLMAN, the subject of this
sketch, is one of the representative farmers
and stock-raisers residing in Alamo TownktJ ship, Kalamazoo County. The name of his
father was James Tallman, born July 27, 1796, in
Montgomery County, N. Y. He worked with his
father until becoming.of age. He received a common-school education, was a man fully up to the
times and prom inent in church affairs, being a Presbyterian by faith. The father of our subject was
married, in 1820, to Elizabeth Vedder, she being
but twenty years of age at the time of her marriage. The father left New York and came to
Michigan in 1837, settling in Washtenaw County,
six miles south of Ann Arbor, where he lived two
years. At the expiration of this time, he moved to
Alamo Township, Kalamazoo County, and settled
on five hundred and sixty acres, for which. he
traded his New York property. This was all wild
land, and he erected a shanty about one hundred


rods west of what is now Alamo Center. The following fall he built a log house and lived in it
seven years, and this was built near what is now
Aaron Tallman's place, where sometime later he
erected the place now occupied by Aaron. Mr.
Tallman cleared one hundred and sixty acres of
this land with the able assistance of his sons.
The father of Mrs. James Tallman, Sr., Aaron
Vedder, was also a native of New York, and a
man much esteemed. James died April 26, 1874,
at the advanced age of seventy-seven years, his
good wife preceding him at the age of sixty-two,
January 15, 1863. She was a benevolent, kindhearted and thoughtful woman who was always
found at the bedside of sick friends, and highly appreciated by all her acquaintances. The father
divided his property among his children before
his death, it consisting of five hundred and sixty
acres in Alamo Township, this county, eighty
acres in Washtenaw County and one hundred and
sixty in Jackson County, which he bought before
moving to Michigan.
William Tallman, the great-grandfather of the
present generation, was an extensive farmer in
New England his property amounting to $12,000. He was drowned at sea. The grandfather
also bore the cognomen of his father and was
reared by one of his aunts. He was married to
Esther Hall, January 26, 1774, and they reared a
family of ten children and owned property to the
amount of $40,000. He acquired all of it by his
own industry and energy, as he did not receive
any of his father's property. He took up land in
Montgomery County, N. Y., immediately after his
marriage, where he lived until seventy years of
age, when he moved to Ontario County, and resided with one of his sons. The Tallmans are descended from Dr. Joseph Tallman, a native of
Germany, who settled and practiced medicine in
New York City.
Thle subject of this sketch was born February 12,
1824, in Ontario County, N. Y. He was married to
Charlotte Piper, a daughter of George and Sarah
Piper, November 3, 1847.  Six children came
to bless their home, namely: Sarah, born August
21, 1848, married Cicero Van Auken; she died in
1879, leaving two children. Horace J. born May




758             I PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


"il --- —- ---------- -- ---
-i --- —--


I


I


13, 1850, died April 27, 1873. Estlher Ellen, born  years.
February 11, 1852, is married to George W. Logan,  was boi
a farmer in Nebraska. Mary C., born May 31,    1795, at
1857, died September 17, 1876. Thomas, born    ploying
December 28, 1860, died in infancy. Our subject  lheengai
built a board shanty on his place at first, which did  acres, w
not cost him over $25, in which he lived four years.  life in 1
He then built a frame house, it being a part of the  seventy
spacious residence now occupied by him. His    nest, sin
first wife died October 4, 1885, and on June 28,  The
1888, Mr. Tallnan was again married, this time to  David I
Lizzie C. Miller, a daughter of Nicholas and Ann  who was
Elizabeth Miller, natives of Germany. These pa-  ing pu]
rents came to this country in 1850, the mother  sixty ac
coming first and dying before her husband's arrival.  ninety-f
The farm of Mr. Tallman consists of two hun-  in Ame
dred broad and fertile acres, all of which are finely  brothers
improved, and on which splendid buildings are  in Rhod
erected. This splendid property is located on sec-  The
tions 16, 20 and 21, Alamo Township. When his  Baker, w
father came here, he had to cut a road through the  N. Y., in
woods in order to get to his property, so wild was  namely:
the country.                                   delia P.
years ol
~- *- H  ^^  0       - - ^ **A ^ 3*f      Rober
County,
^! OBERT BAKER. A very prominent posi-         the distr
p    tion among the business men of Vicksburg  N. Y., fc
\  is occupied by Mr. Baker, who is a dealer  the wint
\Lin drugs, groceries, wall-paper, paints,  he was
crockery and glassware.  His two-story brick   entire at
building contains a complete stock, valued at  some tiD
$7,000, and he transacts a business amounting to  geograph
$15,000 per year. Since he came to this village,  spring o
in 1877, he has been closely identified with its  he clerkc
progress, and used every energy to aid in its  Racine j
development.  Besides his business establishment,  and afte
he owns the foundry building near the depot and  first teac]
also his attractive frame residence on the corner of  where he
Water and Prairie Streets.                       For fo
During Colonial times, members of the Baker  schools c
family emigrated from  England and settled in  teacher,:
Rhode Island, where the grandfather of our sub-  opened E
ject, Reuben, was born. He was reared in the   half mor
Quaker faith and followed farming pursuits in  in which
New York, where he settled when a young man.   down, a
His death occurred at the age of about sixty-five  where he


One of his six boys was Reuben, Jr., who
n in Easton, Washington County, N. Y., in
nd who in early life was a shoemaker, ema number of hands in his shot). Finally
ged in farming on one hundred and twenty
hich lie owned, and after passing his entire
his native township, lie died at the age of
-two years. IIe was a Quaker and an ear-;cere Christian.
maternal grandfather of our subject was
Potter, a Quaker of the orthodox branch,
s born in Rhode Island and followed farmrsuits on his place of one hundred and
res. He attained to the good old age of
ive years. The Potter family originated
rica during Colonial times, when three
came from England and made settlement
le Island.
mother of our subject, Martha (Potter)
mas born in Grandville, Washington County,
i 1801, and reared a family of six children,
Mary, David, Gideon R., Robert, Corand Phebe A. She died when forty-five
d.
t Baker was born in Easton, Washington
N. Y., December 6, 1824. He attended
ict school, later the State Normal at Albany,
>r three terms, and taught school during;er season from the age of nineteen until
twenty-three. After that he devoted his,tention to the profession until 1866. For
ne he taught the new method of local
hy at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and in the
if 1850 came West to Racine, Wis., where.d in a dry-goods store. Then buying the
Lcademy, he conducted it for three years,
r he sold the institution he became the
her in Delavan, Wis., in the graded schools,
remained three years.
)ur years, Mr. Baker taught in the graded
of Darien, Wis., where he was the first
and afterward returned to Delavan and
a book and music store. Two and oneiths after embarking in business, the block
i his store was situated was burned
und he then moved to Oxford, Wis.,
taught school and also managed a farm




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


759


of one hundred and sixty acres, which was occupied by a tenant. He also owned eighty acres of
woodland in that section of country. In the fall
of 1865, he removed to Breedsville, Mich., where
he taught in the graded schools for five terms and
also served as Postmaster from 1866 until 1877, in
connection with the management of his general
mercantile establishment.
In 1847, Mr. Baker was married to Lydia S.
Conger, who was born in Danby, Vt., in September, 1828. They are the parents of four children,
viz.: George R., a druggist in Chicago; Etta M.,
who married Marshall Best, a farmer of Brady
Township; Herbert G. and Herman D. (twins), the
former a druggist and the latter in business with
his father. Mr. Baker was formerly a Republican
but of late years has been independent. He has
been a member of the Village Board and prominent
in local affairs. He aided in organizing the first
Teachers' Association in Wisconsin, and for a
number of years was president of the Marquette
County Teachers' Association, holding a Normal
there each summer for eight or nine years.
During the late war, Mr. Baker enlisted in March,
1864, in Company D, Nineteenth Wisconsin Infantry, which was incorporated with the Army of
the Cumberland. The third day after the regiment
reached Virginia, they participated in an engagement at Ball's Bluff, and for two successive days
suffered defeat. After camping behind ilntrenchments at Bermuda Hundred for some time, they
matched to Petersburg, where Mr. Baker served as
Adjutant Clerk and kept account of the dead and
wounded-a dangerous position when bullets and
shells were flying over the field.
Mr. Baker was promoted to headquarters in the
Eighteenth Army Corps under Gen. Burnside, as
Clerk in the mustering in and (rut office. Becoming ill, he was sent to the general hospital at
Hampton Roads in August, 1864, and when he left
in the following November, he returned to his old
home in New York. His relatives failed to recognize him, as rheumatism  compelled him to use
crutches, and lie was reduced from one hundred
and fifty-five to one hundred and sixteen pounds.
February 17, 1865, lie returned to headquarters,
but was pronounced unfit for duty on reaching


Ft. Monroe.  Gen. Butler then appointed him
Principal of a colored school at Hampton Roads,
where he remained until he was discharged, June
23, 1865.
After the close of the war, Mr. Baker was
almost helpless for some time, but never applied
for a pension until 1878, when he made application and three years later was granted $4 per
month. Later the pension was increased to $6,
then to $12, and he now receives $16, as a partial
compensation for loss of health in the service of
his country.
— I- -.    _ _,. — -- J _  ________ _
OMER N. ELWELL, who spent the opening years of his manhood at the front during the late war, and won a fine record for
bravery and daring while helping fight his
country's battles, is an honor to the citizenship of
Kalamazoo County, of which he is a native. He
stands high in her councils as one of her leading
officials, a member of the Board of Supervisors,
representing Climax Township, and he is classed
among her ablest farmers.
Mr. Elwell was born in Climax Township, May
10, 1842, a son of one of the early settlers, Nehemiah Elwell, who is represented elsewhere in this
volume. Tte grew to man's estate on his father's
farm, adjoining his, and was educated in the district school, having to go through the woods a distance of two and one-half miles to the primitive
pioneer school that he first attended.  As the
country was then quite wild, lie often saw a deer
or some wild turkeys in his walks to and fro. He
has watched the development of this region, and
has had a hand in bringing it to its present fine
condition as one of the best improved and richest
agricultural centers of the State.
He was scarcely more than a boy when the war
broke out, and August 7, 1862, he volunteered in
defense of the Stars and Stripes, becoming a
member of Company E, Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, and was mustered in at Kalamazoo. His
regiment was sent to Louisville, Ky., with the
Army of the Ohio, and formed part of the Twen



76,0


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


--
----— cI- II ----- --- —-




ty-third Corps. It did signal service on a raid
through Kentucky in pursuit of guerrillas in the
fall of 1862 and spring of 1863, and then was
stationed at Louisville from April until June, 1863,
to guard prisoners. After that, our subject and
his comrades held fords and bridges at Tebb's Bend,
on Green River, Ky., having a severe engagement,
which lasted four hours, with the noted rebel
raider, Gen. Morgan, July 4th, 1863, in the beginning of his celebrated raid into Indiana and Ohio.
Their next move was to East Tennessee with Gen.
Burnside, to take part in the campaign that was
carried on there. They were present at the battles
of Kingston and Mossy Creek, and the siege of
Knoxville.
In the spring of 1864, the Twenty-fifth Michigan went with Gen. Sherman on the Atlanta
campaign, and fought at Rocky Face, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Nicajack Creek, Culp's Farm,
Utoy Creek, and at most of the heavy fighting
of the Atlanta campaign, ending at Jonesboro.
Our subject was in several engagements around
Atlanta, and was under fire most of the time for
many months. He displayed his coolness and undaunted courage in the face of danger at one time
by volunteering help, offering to lay a pontoon
bridge across the Chattahoochee River in the face
of heavy firing from the enemy on the opposite
side. After the Atlanta campaign, Mr. Elwell and
his comrades lay at Decatur one month, and when
Hood's army got in their rear and tore up the railway, they pursued the rebel leader to Atlanta and
Dalton, and thence into Alabama, and were then
sent to Gen. Thomas, and took part in the battles of
Franklin and Nashville, and continued the pursuit
of Gen. Hood and his men to the Tennessee
River. From there, in the month of January, 1865,
they were sent to Cincinnati, whence they went
to Washington by rail; from there to Ft. Fisher,
N. C., whence they went on the final campaign of
the war, going by the way of Wilmington and
Kingston, to Goldsboro, where they joined Gen.
Sherman's command, and then   on to Raleigh,
N. C. After the surrender of Johnston, they went
to Greensboro, and from there to Salisbury, N. C.,
where they were mustered out June 24, 1865.
Returning to his native State after he had left




the army, Mr. Elwell worked by the month for
two years, in Climax Township, and then spent
two or three seasons at the trade of a carpenter.
He, however, had more taste for the occupation of
a farmer, to which he had been bred, and, in 1868,
he entered upon his career in that line, buying a
farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land in
Climax Township. He devotes it to mixed farming, and has it well stocked with good grades of
stock, including a flock of fine-wool sheep. He is
possessed of remarkably good judgment in all
pertaining to his vocation and in business matters
in general, and he has plenty of push and enterprise, nor is he lacking in other practical traits
that go to make a live man, strong in purpose and
act, and of an honorable, stable nature. These
characteristics have brought him prominently before the public in various responsible capacities.
He was Township Treasurer three years, Clerk of
the Township nearly seven years, and in the spring
of 1891, he was elected Supervisor, which office he
still holds. He is a member of the Masonic lodge
at Climax, and also of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at that village. In him the Republican party has a loyal and steadfast supporter.
Mr. Elwell was married, December 22, 1869, to
Miss Alice Harvey, who is also a native of this
county, born on Grand Prairie, in Kalamazoo
Township, April 6, 1849. She is a true, womanly
woman, of a sincere Christian character, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Her marriage with our subject has been hallowed
by the birth of four children, of whom these three
are living: Ruth, Susan and Richard.   Their
daughter Bertha died at the age of nineteen.:<4 W ILLIAM BAIR, Vice-President of Vicks\\//  urgh Exchange Bank, is one of the most
YV/ successful and prominent citizens of Kalamazoo County, and is also honored as one of its
earliest settlers, two alone surviving who resided
here prior to his arrival. The prosperity which
has rewarded his efforts he attributes to the exercise of perseverance and economy, combined with
sound judgment in investments. When lie came




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


761


to this county, he was only fourteen years old, and
his playmates were Indian children, with whom he
learned to converse fluently.
Deer were plentiful in herds of twenty or more,
and wolves, bear and wild cats were the frequent
victims of the unerring rifles of our subject and
his brothers. All night long they could hear the
howling of the wolves near their cabin home and
it was a common custom to build pens for tle purpose of catching these unwelcome visitors. The
winter following the arrival of the Bair family in
Kalamazoo County, they made their home in a
rudely constructed log cabin, until a more substantial building, 14x14 feet, was ready for their occupancy.
The father of our subject, Christopher Bair, was
a pioneer in various localities and a man of sturdy
integrity and upright life. He was born in 1769
in Pennsylvania (whither his father emigrated
from Germany), and served during the War of
1812. He removed to Stark County, Ohio, about
1813, later resided for a time in Wayne and Crawford Counties, the same State, and finally, November 22, 1828, made settlement in St. Joseph County,
this State. One year later, he removed to Prairie
Ronde Township, this county, where he developed
a fine farm and remained until his death at the age
of sixty-four years. He was a Jacksonian Democrat, and a Presbyterian in his religious belief.
The family to which our subject belonged comprised fourteen children, of whom thirteen attained
to mature years and two are now living. The
mother, whose maiden name was Susan Baum, was
born in Pennsylvania in 1776 and was of French
descent, the family name being originally La Baum.
Although not a church member, she was a sincere
Christian and lovingly devoted to the welfare of
her husband and children. At the age of seventythree she passed away and now lies buried by the
side of her husband in the cemetery at Harrison
Corners.
William Bair was born in Stark County, Ohio,
January 15, 1815. He retains a vivid recollection
of the journey from Ohio to Michigan, which was
made overland with an   ox-team and occupied
twenty-two days. He had attended school in the
Buckeye State and was a pupil in the first school


--


I


I


I-  - - - - I

ever held in the county, in the winter of 1830-31.
The logs for the building were cut on Mr. Bair's
farm, and when completed the schoolhouse had a
puncheon floor, an open fire-place with a hole in
the roof to allow the smoke to escape, greased
paper for window panes and a slab bench for the
children to sit upon.
When his father died our subject was eighteen
years old, and the responsibility of caring for the
other members of the family fell upon his shoulders. He remained at home until he was twentyfive, when he married and settled on eighty acres
adjoining the old homestead. Afterward he traded
that property for one hundred and sixty acres in
Schoolcraft Township, locating upon it April 6,
1844, when twenty acres of the land had been
broken. He still owns the farm, now finely improved, although since 1884 lie has made his home
in the village of Vicksburg. There is a fine frame
residence on the place and seven or eight substantial barns, while the land is highly cultivated.
For a number of years after locating in Vicksburg, Mr. Bair lived retired from business life, but
in 1891 he, with several other gentlemen, bought
the Exchange Bank, which is known as one of
the solid institutions of the county and of which
lie is Vice-President. He and his wife occupy an
attractive and elegantly furnished brick residence
on Main Street. They are members of the Baptist
Church, but as there is no church of that denomination in Vicksburg they are attendants at the
Congregational Church.
Mr. Bair was married April 21, 1841, to Fannie
M. Wallace, a native of Pennsylvania, who was
brought in infancy to Wyoming County, N. Y.,
and later to Michigan in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Bair
have never had any children of their own, but have
reared from infancy four children, upon whom they
have bestowed every care. Mr. Bair cast his first
vote for Martin Van Buren, later became a Free
Soiler and Abolitionist, and is now a Republican.
He was one of the constituent members at the
organization of the Republican party in Jackson
in 1856 and has always taken great interest in national issues and campaigns. On account of ill
health, he and his wife spent a portion of 1873 on
the Pacific Coast, and passed the summer of 1882




762


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They have
traveled extensively, and, being keen observers of
the beauties of nature and art, have acquired depth
of culture and broadness of views.


^++S C ++r 9 --- 3 e
IDYMUS C. KINNEY. This worthy citizen
of Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo
County, who has proved his worth as a member of society and as a successful farmer, is at present residing on a valuable farm located on section
5. He is the son of Niles H. and Lilly (Spears) Kinney, natives of New York. They accompanied their
respective families to Huron County, Ohio, when
quite young, where they were married and resided
until their emigration to Michigan early in the
winter of 1835. They at once located in the
northern part of Prairie Ronde Township on section 8, where they made their home until their
death, the mother dying in 1847 and the father in
1856.
Our subject was the eldest child of the parental
family of seven. He was born in Milan, then
Huron County, Ohio, October 11, 1823. He accompanied his parents on their removal to this
State and was reared on his father's farm in Prairie
Ronde Township, where he has since been a resident. He enjoyed a fair education in the schools
of that period, and has devoted the greater portion
of his life to agricultural pursuits.- That he has
made a success of his calling, is evident from the
fact that he is the possessor of four hundred and
ninety-six acres of valuable land, which has been
the result of his persistent industry and good
judgment. His estate bears all the modern improvements in the way of machinery and buildings and is so cultivated as to bring its owner
handsome returns.
Mr. Kinney was united in marriage, in Paw Paw,
to Miss Caroline, daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Bailey) Webb, the date thereof being October
22, 1855. Her parents came from New York to
this State in 1851 and located in Washtenaw
County, where they passed their last days. Mrs.
Kinney was the sixth child of her parent's family
of thirteen, her birth occurring in Seneca, Ontario
County, N. Y., June 30, 1833.


Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents of four children, namely: Sarah, who died in
infancy; Frank W., who married Phebe Butler, resides in this township; Elmer D., who married
Addie Locke and died April 26, 1885; Charles is at
home. Mr. Kinney has in no wise been an officeseeker, preferring to give his time and attention
to cultivating the soil, of which he has made a signal success, being ranked among the wealthy and
prosperous land-owners of this county. He always
votes the Republican ticket and takes a warm interest in all measures that will upbuild his community. He is liberal in his religious views and,
socially, is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Mrs. Kinney is a very intelligent and hospitable
lady and is well suited to be the companion of her
worthy husband.
J  AMES CLELAND. This present respected
representative agriculturist, on section 32,
Texas Township, Kalamazoo County, is a
native of County Down, Ireland, where he
had his birth, February 12, 1824. IHe is a son of
William and Jane (Tourney) Cleland, also natives
of County Down. He made his home with his
parents until reaching his twenty-seventh year, at
which time he came to America, in the summer of
1851, and remained in Newburg, N. Y., until 1855.
While living at this place, he was married, April
14, 1853, to Sarah Rea, who was a native of the
same place as himself, and was born November 16,
1830.
It was in October, 1855, that Mr. Cleland and
his wife came to Kalamazoo County and took up
land in Portage Township. On this place he lived
ten years, when he rented his farm and returned
to his native country on a visit. He then returned
to his farm and lived on it about three years
longer, when he sold it and bought land in Texas
Township, on which he now makes his home. Two
hundred and forty-four acres comprise the home
estate, which is handsomely tilled and managed
and neat buildings are erected thereon.
There have been born to our subject and his
estimable wife six children, namely: Margaret E.
(who is the wife of L. A. Mack), Joln W., Anna,
Samuel J., Lizzie, and Rea. In politics, Mr. Cleland
casts his vote and influence with tie Democracy.










i


R,W, TALBOT






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


765


IAL W. TALBOT. Allegan is thle home of
many enterprising men who are architects
\\/  and,builders, prominent among whom for
\) several years was our subject, the late Mr.
Talbot, whose portrait accompanies this sketch.
He was a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., where
his birth occurred in 1831. His parents were Dr.
Alvin and Paulina (Hill) Talbot, the father a native of Pompey Hill, and the mother of Guilford,
Conn.
The senior Mr. Talbot was a physician and surgeon, which profession be followed through life.
He was a graduate of Philadelphia Medical College, and held many positions of trust in his community, being one of the successful and prominent
physicians of the East. His parents, Samuel and
Rebecca (Page) Talbot, were natives, respectively,
of Massachusetts and Maine. Samuel Talbot was a
farmer, and came to Pompey, N. Y., where he prosecuted his calling until his death; he was a man of
wealth, and a member of the Baptist Church.
His wife, the grandmother of our subject, was a
member of the Christian Church. The father of
Samuel Talbot was Peter Talbot, a native of Boston, Mass., and Peter's father came from England.
The parents of our subject had a family of
twelve children, many of whom passed away from
the busy scenes of earth. Rial W. was given a
good education in the academy at Pompey Hill,
N. Y., after which he studied architecture in the
above-named city and Syracuse. After learning
the carpenter's trade, he commenced taking contracts for building, carrying on a good business in
Rochester, N. Y.
Our subject came West in 1882, and engaged in
farming near the village of Allegan. He also
owned property in other portions of the county.
In 1886, he commenced to work at his trade of
architect and builder, in partnership with Alphonso
F. IIowe, whose sketch will be found on another
page in this volume. They took most of the heavy
contract work in this vicinity, and, at the time of
the death of Mr. Talbot, were engaged in building
the High School, which is the finest school building in the county.
In 1866, Mr. Talbot was united in marriage with
Miss Minnie, daughter of Dr. Adams, a native of
35


Fabius Township, Onondaga County, N. Y. They
became the parents of four children: Maude, Mamie, Fannie and Rexford. June 3,1882, Mrs. Minnie Talbot passed from earth. Some years afterward, Mr. Talbot was again married, August 15,
1888, his wife being Miss Sarah Harrison, of Allegan. In his political affiliations, Mr. Talbot was
a Republican, believing the principles of that party
best adapted to the public progress.
March 2, 1892, Mr. Talbot had just returned
from Iowa, whither he had gone to bury his sister
Delia. On the evening of that day, while talking
with his wife about the journey, he was suddenly
stricken with apoplexy, and passed away about ten
minutes afterward, having been unconscious from
the moment of the attack. The whole community
was shocked to learn of his sudden decease, and
many expressions of sympathy were uttered in behalf of his family, on whom the terrible bereavement had so suddenly fallen. He had a large circle of acquaintances, and no citizen of Allegan was
more beloved than he. His family mourn not as
those without hope, but are looking forward to a
happy reunion beyond.
AVID I. FRITZ is a gentleman of prominence and wealth, residing on a beauiful
farm on section 20, Wakeshma Township.
to whose energy, forethought, business
acumen, and marked ability as a farmer, this portion of Kalamazoo County is greatly indebted for
the substantial aid he has afforded in developing
its rich agricultural resources, and promoting its
welfare generally.
Mr. Fritz is of the sturdy pioneer stock that peopled the neighboring State of Ohio, and is himself
a native of that Commonwealth, born in Columbiana County, September 5, 1835. His father was
the late Daniel Fritz, who was born in York County,
Pa., March 9, 1806, and was of German descent.
He was reared there on a farm. In his youth he
began to learn the trade of a hatter, but lie never
completed his apprenticeship, as he liked farming
better. He was married to Esther Nailor, who was






766


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


also a native of York County, born in June, 1810,
and reared there on a farm. They spent the early
years of their married life amid the familiar scenes
of their birth, and then migrated to the more newly
settled State of Ohio, journeying over the intervening mountains with a team, and being among
the first to settle in Columbiana County. They resided there six or seven years, and partially improved a farm. Their next move was into Trumbull County in 1836, and tlere Mr. Fritz developed
a farm of one hundred and forty-four acres. Eleven
years later, he made still another move with his wife
and children, and became a resident of Medina
County, locating on a new farm of one hundred
and thirty-four acres, which he improved finely.
IIe became very prosperous, and though he began
life in poverty, he accumulated a handsome property, consisting principally of several farms in Medina County. In 1866, he came here and, lived retired until his death at Fulton, February 1, 1886,
at a ripe old age, and all that is mortal of him was
deposited in Center Cemetery by the side of his
wife, who had died in 1877.
Our subject was a member of the Reformed
Church, and took a great interest in it. He and
his wife were the parents of fourteen children, of
whom they reared these ten to maturity;: Rebecca
(Mrs. Crotser), Samuel, David I., Frederick, John,
Angeline (Mrs. Mathes), Almira (Mrs. Lance), Catherine (Mrs. Mathes), Sarah (Mrs. Carr), Priscilla
(Mrs. Lance). The maternal grandfather of our
subject was a farmer, born and reared in York
County, Pa. His father was a full-blooded Englishman, native of England, who came to this country
some time during the last century, and settled in
Pennsylvania.
Our subject was drilled in the rudiments of learning in the typical pioneer log schoolhouse. At the
age of eighteen, he began to acquire a knowledge
of the trade of a carpenter, but after he had worked
at it a year, he was obliged to abandon it on account of ill-health. At the age of twenty years,
he commenced life for himself, and soon took a
wife. He worked out by the month the first year,
and then rented the home farm four years. At the
end of that time, he bought seventy-one acres of
land in Medina County, Westfield Township. In




I


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


the spring of 1865, he sold that place in order to
settle in Kalamazoo County. He drove through
from Ohio, arriving here April 14, while his family came by rail. He bought his present farm in
Wakeshima Township, a log house and a log barn
constituting the chief improvements when it came
into his possession. Indeed this part of the county
was very little developed, and was mostly covered
with the primeval forests, in which there were
plenty of deer and wild turkey, and the present
thriving town of Fulton could boast then of but
one house, which was constructed of logs.
In the busy and eventful years that followed his
settlement here, Mr. Fritz cleared and reclaimed
nearly the whole of his land, whiich comprised one
hundred and eighty-six acres, of which he recently
gave his son forty acres. He has his farm fitted
up with all the modern improvements and conveniences for carrying on agriculture, and he has
a fine set of buildings, including a commodious
frame residence of a tasteful style of architecture,
builtin 1870, and a large frame barn. The latter was
erected in 1866, rebuilt and made a basement barn
in 1881. Mr. Fritz has devoted himself to mixed
farming, and has raised a good deal of stock, especially many sheep. He has met with more than
ordinary success, accumulating a handsome property, and is one of the solid moneyed men of Kalamazoo County. Throughout his career, he hlas displayed due caution and care in managing his
affairs, and at the same time has been bold and resolute in financial matters, his good sense, accurate
judgment and cool calculation rarely leading him
astray in any of his transactions.
Our subject is well endowed mentally, is liberal
minded, is of a frank, generous, open nature, and
holds a warm place in the hearts of the entire community, his fellow-citizens valuing his friendship,
and always finding in him a wise and safe counselor. They not only have confidence in his integrity, but in his native ability, and they have
often called him to important offices, which lie has
filled to the satisfaction of all, regardless of party.
Three times he has been a member of the Kalamazoo County Board of Supervisors, representing
Wakeshma Township in the years 1877, 1880 and
1881. Twice he has been Township Treasurer, hold





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


767


ing that responsible position several years, the first
time from 1868 to 1877, and the next time in the
years 1887 and 1888. For the past two years, he has
been a member of the Board of Equalization, and for
nine years he has been local School Director. His
social relations are with the Masonic order at Fulton, with which he has been connected since 1868.
He was a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and
was Master of the Grange here until it ceased to
exist.
Mr. Fritz was reared under the tenets of the
Democratic party, but ever since he has had the
privilege of exercising the right of suffrage, he has
stood faithfully by the Republican party. He has
a war record as a member of the Ohio National
Guards. He was mustered into the ranks May 14,
1864, was despatched with his regiment to Washington, and he and his comrades relieved older
troops by doing guard duty at Arlington Heights.
He was honorably discharged September 7, 1864,
having been of good service and shown excellent
soldiership.  Mr. Fritz and his wife identified
themselves with the religious interests of the community immediately after they came here, connecting themselves with the Methodist Church, and
they are to-day among its most influential members. He is Steward of this district now, and has
been Class-leader and Treasurer. He has given
generously of his means in the upbuilding of the
church, and in extending its usefulness.
Mr. Fritz was married August 5, 1856, to Miss
Mary Stine. She was born in Richland County,
Ohio, November 17, 1838, a daughter of Samuel
and Catherine (Seaman) Stine. Her parents were
natives of Berks County, Pa., the father born April
19, 1811, and the mother June 6, 1812. He was
a farmer by occupation, and went to Ohio in 1836,
going with a team over the mountains, to develop
a farm in the primeval woods of that State. IIe
improved a good-sized tract of land, but afterward
sold it, and, removing to Medina County, came
into possession of a farm in that State. Later, Mr.
Stine took up his residence in Sandusky County,
whence he came to Michigan in 1867. Ile settled
in Wakeshma Township on a farm of eighty acres
that he bought, and here he died March 23, 1890.
His wife is still living in Kent County, this State.




She has been a member of the Evangelical Church
the greater part of her life, as was also her husband. In politics, he was a Republican.
Mr. and Mrs. Fritz have had eight children, of
whom six grew to maturity, namely: Ellen, wife
of John Goldsmith, a farmer in Brady Township;
Catherine, who died at the age of twenty-eight
years; Charlotte, wife of Usual Everett, a farmer
of Wakeshma Township; Franklin,a farmer in the
same township, who married Miss Jennie Crum;
Sherman, a farmer in Wakeshma Township, who
married Miss Annie Goldsmith; Eli, who is managing the home farm, was married, December 27,
1891, to Maud Woodruff, of Leonidas Township,
St. Joseph County.
+=-i      h     i* *I i>-t^- *- f)  >
EORGE H. REMINGTON, the popular
Postmaster of Bangor, is one of the most
active and prominent business men of that
place, where he bears the reputation of a go-ahead,
enterprising man, and also has an enviable record
as a brave soldier during the late war. Mr. Remington is a native of Dutchess County, N. Y.,
where he was born in 1848, but was reared to manhood in Wayne County, the same State. From
this county lie enlisted in 1862, in Company B,
One Hundred and Eleventh New York Infantry,
serving throughout the entire war and enduring
the hardships and suffering of many a hard-fought
battle. Iis command was in the Army of the
Potomac under Col. McDougall, and fought at
Harper's Ferry, where they were taken prisoners,
through the mismanagement of Gen. Miles. They
were afterward paroled and sent to Camp Douglas, at Chicago, where they remained ten months,
and where they were exchanged in time to take part
in the battle of the Wilderness. Succeeding this, our
subject was in all the engagements in which his
regiment participated.
Mr. Remington was married, in 1861, to Mliss
Marian Bixby, and resided in New York until
1873, at which time he came to Bangor, and was
employed by the Bangor Furnace Company, taking charge of the buying of wood, etc., for the
concern, and remaining with them for fifteen suc







768


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


--- — I


cessive years. He then went into business for himself, but at the expiration of one year returned to
the furnace company, working for them one year
longer. He then devoted his attention again to
his store until the election of President Harrison,
when he was appointed Postmaster of Bangor, and
has since held that position. He and his wife are
the parents of two children, Bert and Minnie. The
son is a book-keeper in Chicago. Mr. Remington's
parents, William M. and Ann Jeanette (Hood) Remington, were natives of New York, the Remington
family being of English descent. In politics, Mr.
Remington is a Republican, and takes an active
part in political affairs and in everything in which
the welfare of his town and county is concerned.
Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Bangor; Council Lawrence; Peninsular Commandery,
No. 8, of Kalamazoo, and the Shrine, of Grand
Rapids.
OHN W. FREE, Cashier of the Savings Bank
of Paw Paw, is numbered among the most
prominent men of Southwestern Michigan,
and his life furnishes an instance of the
fact that industry and enterprise, combined with
the exercise of sound business judgment, find in
this section of country a fitting arena for their development, and bring compensation in prosperity,
if not wealth. Although a native of this State, he
is of English parentage, his father, John, having
been born in England, April 19, 1815. His mother,
Ann (Whaley) Free, was born August 16, 1825, in
New York.
When he was about twenty-one, John Free, Sr.,
emigrated from his native land to America, and
some years later was married to Miss Ann Whaley,
the wedding ceremony being solemnized in Kalamazoo.  For further reference to this worthy
couple, who are passing their declining years in
Paw Paw, the reader is referred to the biographical
sketch of John Free, which appears elsewhere in
this volume.
John W. Free was born in Kalamazoo, December


16, 1843, and when three years old was brought
by his parents to Paw Paw, where he grew to a
vigorous manhood. He attended school until he
was fourteen, when he commenced to clerk in a
general store for J. R. Foote, with whom he remained for two years. Later he clerked about
twelve years for the firm of A. Sherman & Co.,
and during that period established a home of
his own. He was married, October 18, 1864, to
Miss Arlette S., daughter of Abram M. and Sarah
(Gilman) Lane, of Antwerp Township, Van Buren
County.
Mr. and Mrs. Free are the parents of one child,
A. Lynn, who was born in Paw Paw, April 9,
1868, and was graduated in the High School when
eighteen years old. He then entered the Agricultural College at Lansing, where he continued for a
time, and then entered the Michigan University
in the literary course, and later entered the law
department, graduating in June, 1891. Afterward
he took a post-graduate course of one year and the
degree of A. M. was conferred upon him. He is a
young man of rare promise, to whose future his
parents and friends look with the expectation of
high honors and influential positions.
In 1872, Mr. Free commenced business for himself as a hardware merchant, which he carried on
first in partnership with E. Martin. He bought
out his partner's interest in 1883 and continued
alone for two years, when he sold the business and
bought the planing and sawmill in which he still
owns a one-half interest. His first connection
with the savings bank was in May, 1886, when the
bank was organized. He then accepted the position of Cashier and he still retains that responsible
position, besides being a stockholder in that institution.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Free was originally a Democrat, but is now identified with the
Prohibition party. He has served as Supervisor
of the township for about three years, also as Recorder, President of the village and member of the
Board of Trustees of the village. He has been a
candidate for Representative on the Prohibition
ticket a number of times, and has always made a
strong canvass, although with no expectation of
being elected. In 1876, he became a member of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


769


the Presbyterian Church, of which he is now Elder.
He has been closely identified with Sunday-school
work, having been Superintendent since 1877, and
President of the County Sunday-school Association
since 1884. His estimable wife also finds a religious home in the Presbyterian Church, of which
she is a faithful member and active worker.
_ —~
\vJyRANCIS GAY is a prominent farmer and
stock-raiser. and resides in Richland Vil-,'A   lage, Kalamazoo County. He is a native
of Somersetshire, England, his birth occurring
June 19, 1842. His parents, Isaac and Hester
(Currell) Gay, were also natives of England, and
when our subject was six years of age emigrated
to America, locating in Onondaga County, N. Y.
They were four weeks en route to the New World,
having embarked at Liverpool in a sailing vessel.
After remaining about five years in the Empire
State, the elder Mr. Gay came West to Kalamazoo
County, and, locating in Richland Township, there
spent his last days, his death occurring March
19, 1872. Mrs. Gay survived her husband several
years, passing away September 2, 1886.
Our subject had two brothers and a sister, James,
William and Rhoda (Mrs. Selway). Francis aided
his father in clearing the farm from the wilderness
and has done his full share of pioneer work. His
education was received in the schools of that period,
and has later been supplemented by a thorough
course of reading. He is to-day thoroughly informed upon all the current events, and is an interesting conversationalist.
December 23, 1877, was the date our subject was
married to Miss Frances M. Young, who was born
in Van Buren County, this State, May 18, 1858.
Mrs. Gay was the daughter of John and Sarnh
(Clark) Young, natives of England. The father
emigrated to the New World about 1850, the
mother joining him in this country some years
later. Mr. and Mrs. Young settled in the woods in
Van Buren County and reared a large family of
ten children, only one of whom is deceased. Emma
is tile wife of John Laverty; Louisa is Mrs. Robert


Grenough; Mrs. Gay was the third in order of
birth; Susan married Mark Shepherd; Carrie is the
wife of William Myers; Lillie is Mrs. William
Maxon; George, Minnie and William.
Mr. and Mrs. Gay have had born to them five
children, who are named respectively: Isaac, Ettie,
Jessie M., Herbert L. and Wayne E. The estate of
our subject includes one hundred and fifty acres,
which bear all the improvements in the way of
buildings and machinery which are to be found
upon first-class estates. He is self-made in the correct use of that term, as his possessions are the direct result of his industry and good management.
In politics, he is a Prohibitionist and is active and
progressive in all beneficial measures.
OHN WILSON, farmer and stock-raiser on
section 8, Paw Paw Township, served his
adopted country with true patriotism  during the late war, making a very creditable
record as a valiant and capable soldier. He is of
English birth and breeding, born in Cambridgeshire,
October 6, 1842, one of a family of ten children of
Francis and Rebecca (Seakons) Wilson. His father
was a laboring man. Four of the family came to
this country. William came when our subject did,
and is now a prosperous farmer in Huron County,
where he has a pleasant home with a wife and two
children; Francis, a successful farmer of Tuscola
County, is married and has four children; Elizabeth married William Nichols, and lives in Huron
County. Four of the family are still living in
Cambridgeshire, England: James and three sisters,
Rebecca, Margaret and Martha. Rebecca is the
wife of George Kinightel.
Our subject was a hard-working boy, whose
chances for an education were exceedingly limited,
as he had to begin the battle of life early. He thus
became sturdy and self-reliant, and was a manly,
active lad, when he sought the United States for a
broader field for his energies, hoping to be better
paid for his labors than in his native land. He located in Wood County, Ohio, and was residing
there whenr he made up his mind to enter the army
to fight for the Government, under whose institu





770


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


i


tions he had come to make a home. He enlisted
in the Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry in 1863, and
had a full and bitter experience of a soldier's life,
but showed through it all true valor and an undaunted front in the face of the foe, and every ill
that befell him. While taking part in the pursuit
of Morgan, the bold rebel raider, he was hit on the
cheek with a bullet from an enemy's rifle. When
he was on picket duty near Cumberland Gap, he
was taken prisoner in the night, but he managed to
effect his escape after being held six days. At one
time he had an attack of typhoid fever, complicated with asthma, and was sick ten weeks. After
thirteen months' hard service, he was honorably
discharged in 1864, and is now in receipt of a pension of $12 a month as a recognition of what he
did and suffered on Southern battlefields.
Mr. Wilson returned to Ohio after he retired
from the army, and in the spring of 1866 came to
Michigan. He located first in Van Buren County,
but subsequently removed to Tuscola County,
where he bought a quarter-section of land, upon
which he lived and labored for nine years with all
the zeal of a pioneer. He had cleared off sixty acres,
had erected suitable buildings, and was very comfortably situated, when the great forest fires that
devastated that region nearly caused his ruin, and
during a whole week of peril and suffering, he
had to fight the flames to save his property, aided
by his brave wife. His fences were burned, his
house caught fire three times, and his barn twice,
and it was only by the uttermost exertions that
they were saved from destruction, while forty acres
of the timber on his place was burned. When the
fire broke out near them, Mrs. Wilson took the four
children, and, with the flames shooting above their
heads on both sides of the road, ran with them for
shelter to a neighbor's, and then returned to assist her husband.
Three days after the fire, Mr. Wilson gladly disposed of his property in Tuscola County, and re
turned to Van Buren County. He bought eighty
acres of land, and lived upon it a few years, but
soon after the death of his wife, in the spring of
1886. he sold that place and purchased his present
farm in Paw Paw Township. This comprises eighty
acres of fine farming land, with an abundant sup



=


ply of pure well and spring water, a good barn and
outbuildings, and a beautiful location for a house.
Mr. Wilson was married in this county, January
12, 1871, to Miss Charlotte Moden, in whom  he
had a devoted wife. She died March 9, 1886,
leaving four children, of whom the following is
the record: George E., was born October 8, 1873;
Anna Rebecca, February 7, 1875; James Frederic,
June 29, 1877; and John, June 19, 1879. Francis
Edwin, the eldest child, died when five months;
Mary L. died when ten months old. The birthplace
of all was in Tuscola County. Our subject was
married to his present amiable wife, formerly Miss
Ellen Hylmes, March 9, 1888. She was born in Porter
Township, August 31, 1863, and is descended from
some of the original pioneer stock of Van Buren
County. She is a daughter of Alonzo and Melissa
(Stillwell) IIymes, natives, respectively, of New
York and Porter Township, this county. Mr. Wilson is as stanch in his allegiance to the Republican
party as in the days when he helped to make its
policy triumphant on the battlefields of the South.
His worth as a solid, reliable citizen has also been
proven since those trying days, by his work as a
practical farmer. He is a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and does all that he can to
further the interests of the Post with which he is
connected.
E    MORY S. BRIGGS, member of the firm
of Briggs & Co., of Paw Paw, was born in
Arlington Township, Van Buren County,
this State, January 30, 1864, and is the son of
Emory 0. and Susan (Stanley) Briggs, natives of
New York.   His father, who was a prominent
farmer, was also the owner of extensive milling
property and engaged in the real-estate business.
About 1866, he removed to Paw Paw, where he
accepted the position of Cashier of the First National Bank and attained prominence among his
fellow-citizens as a man of the utmost probity and
great enterprise.
The life of Emory O. Briggs affords another
illustration of the power of energy and integrity
to overcome poverty and adverse circumstances.






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


771




When he and his brother moved from New York
to Michigan, they were almost penniless, their
only possession being a horse which they owned
in partnership. By the exercise of shrewd judgment, he became well-to-do and at his death,
February 14, 1885, left a competency to his family.  In political circles, he was well known as
an adherent to the principles of the Democratic
party, which he served in various official positions.
For many years he was Supervisor, and was also
Treasurer and Register of Deeds for two terms.
Our subject was the youngest in a family of six
children. His sister Hattie married Charles Hogmire and lives in Edwardsburg, this State, where
he is engaged as a manufacturer of fanning mills.
Mattie was twice married and by her first union
became the mother of one son, E. O. Nash. She is
now the wife of Charles Beatley, a traveling salesman of Jacksonville, ll. George A. was a graduate of the Paw Paw HIigh School and completed
the course in the literary department of the University of Michigan in 1876. For one year he
was Superintendent of the Paw Paw Iigh School,
after which he visited Europe and took a literary
and scientific course at Leipsic. After traveling
extensively over the Continent, he returned to
Paw Paw, and accepted the position of Superintendent of the city schools. On account of ill
health, he resigned his position and entered the
mercantile business in Marcellus. IHe afterward
sold out and returned to Paw Paw, where he died
December 13, 1881.
The best advantages of the schools of Paw Paw
were offered our subject, who completed the course
of study here as far as the senior year, when he
entered the Agricultural College at Lansing. One
year later, his school studies were ended by the
death of his brother, George A., after which he
returned home and took charge of the mill, in
which he owns one half interest. He was married
May 2, 1888, to Miss Mabel, daughter of Emanuel
and Lurilla (Field) Neff.
Mrs. Briggs was born in Buffalo, N. Y., April 17,
1865, and at the time of her marriage was residing
in Paw Paw. One child has been granted to Mr.
Briggs and his estimable wife-Carrie, who was
born July 31, 1889. In his political affiliations, lie




is a strong Democrat and is now a member of the
Board of Trustees of Paw Paw. A man of force
of character and strength of mind, he is influential
in the business circles of this section of country,
and his opinion has considerable weight in the
community.
J  OHN RINE. This prominent member of the
farming community is at present residing
on his excellent farm  located on section 24, Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo
County. He was born in what was then Union County, Pa., but which was afterward divided and is now Snyder County, October 31,
1830. He spent the first twenty years of his life
in his native county and then came West to Ohio,
spending the succeeding five years in Sandusky
and Seneca Counties, where he was employed at
his trade of a carpenter.
On leaving the Buckeye State, John Rine went
to Elkhart County, Ind., where he was engaged in
farming for about ten years. Selling out at the
end of that time, he came to Joseph County, this
State, where lie purchased a tract of land in Park
Township.  He made his home there for eight
years and then came to his present abiding-place,
where he owns a tract of one hundred and forty
acres, which is under good tillage.
John Rine was married in Snyder County, Pa.,
Feb. 23, 1854, to Matilda Arbogast, who was a
native of that county. They have become the
parents of six children, of whom the eldest died
in infancy. Sarah is the wife of Allen Welthy;
George died, aged twenty-four years; Catherine is
the wife of Jerome Eastman; Elizabeth died when
in her second year and Margaret is Mrs. Firman
Chapin.
The original of this sketch has held many of the
minor offices of his township and in politics votes
the Republican ticket. Mrs. Rine died in Schoolcraft Township, February 12,1885. With her husband, she was a devoted and conscientious member
of the Lutheran Church. Our subject is the possessor of one hundred acres of land in Allegan
County, and one hundred and eighty-four acres








772


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


in St. Joseph County. He has been very successful in life and is ranked among the wealthy citizens
of Kalamazoo County.
The father of our subject, George Rine, was
born in the Keystone State, where he followed the
occupation of a farmer and passed his last days in
Snyder County. The maiden name of his mother
was Elizabeth Walter, who was also born in Pennsylvania and was the daughter of the Rev. Conrad
Walter, a Lutheran clergyman. The parental family
consisted of four sons and seven daughters, of whom
John was the second ina order of birth. Mrs. John
Rine's father, John Arbogast and her mother, Sarah
(Reimstone) Arbogast, lived and died in Snyder
County, Pa. Mr. Rine, who is one of the representative citizens of his community, is also classed
among its liberal and respected citizens and we
are pleased to be able to place his sketch in the
hands of our readers.
7i    ANNIBAL M. MARSHALL, a dealer in
I ) general merchandise at Lawrence, VanBuren County,was born at Antwerp, Jefferson County, N. Y., on February 22, 1835.
He is a son of Nelson and Elvira (Gibbs) Marshall, both natives of New York. The father was
of Scotch, and the mother of German, ancestry.
The year our subject was born, they moved to Oakland County, Mich., and lived there three years
when they bought land that had been entered by
our subject's maternal grandfather, Dexter Gibbs,
in Lawrence Township.   Our subject's brother,
Jerome B., still owns a part of the original one
hundred aad sixty acres.
Hannibal is the oldest in a family of four children, all still living, the others being Jerome B.,
Isabelle, Walbridge and Adelaide.  Our subject
received a good education at Lawrence, walking to
and from school a distance of two miles. He commenced teaching before he was twenty.  He was
so successful with his school two winters that he
was offered the same place again.  Being somewhat of a natural musician, he used to play the
violin at parties, at which he earned over $500.
He went into the sawmill business after teaching,


and followed that for two years and, in 1859, began to clerk for Dr. Rowe. After clerking about
six months, on December 31, 1859, the store was
burned and soon after our subject bought out the
Doctor and began the business for himself, paying
$500 and giving a mortgage for $1,300. In this
business he has been very prosperous and in 1874
erected a large brick store of three stories, known
as the Marshall Building. In 1875, he built his
present fine residence, which is of the most modern
architecture.
October 11, 1860, is the date on which Mr. Marshall took as his wife Dorleski L. Goodenough, a
daughter of David and Laura (Tryon) Goodenough.
She was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., October 25, 1834. By this union two sons have been
born: Charles C., who is married and clerks for his
father, and Clarence H., who resides in Denver,
Col. Mr. Marshall is a Republican in politics and
cast his first vote for John C. Fremont and has
served on the Board of Trustees and been
Clerk and Treasurer of Lawrence. He was elected
County Clerk in 1876, and served one term, when
he found he could not afford to leave his business.
He has also been delegate to County and State
Conventions and took part in the convention
which nominated Gen. Alger for Governor.  The
Masonic order matriculated him in 1874 and he is
a member of the Chapter and Council.
— ^~ ---~~ ---^-^RVIN OLIN, a prominent and representaL  tive citizen of Kalamazoo County, is a
resident on section 36, of Richland Township. He is a native of Livingston County,
N. Y., born March 25, 1842, and a son of Heman
and Perces (Tuttle) Olin, who were born in Vermont and New York respectively. The Olin family is of Welsh descent and the great-grandfather
is thought to have been a Revolutionary soldier;
the grandfather Tuttle was a soldier in the War
of 1812,
He of whom we write this brief life record was
reared in his native State and when quite young
became engaged in tilling the soil, receiving his
limited schooling in New York State. In 1860,










'472- -l      9




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


775


with his parents, lie emigrated to this county and
State and for a short time resided in Ross Township after which he came to Richland Township
where he purchased his present land. His father
and mother both passed their last days here and
were the parents of seven children, of whom  the
following survive: Cordelia, the widow of William  Doan; Jonathan, Hiram, and Mary, wife of
Isaac Carson.
The marriage of the gentleman of whom we
write took place December 19, 1857, at the home of
the bride's sister in Portage County, Ohio. Mrs.
Olin bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Thompson
and was born October 3, 1842. She is a daughter
of John and Elizabeth Thompson, born in Scotland.
They came to Ohio in 1826, and both died in that
State. To Mr. and Mrs. Olin have been born two
children: Helen and Gertrude, to whom they have
given good educational advantages. Our subject
is a Republican in his political affairs and has been
honored by his fellow-citizens by the gift of the
office of Township Treasurer. He and his estimable wife move in the best circles in the community and are liked by everyone. Mr. Olin is a
member of the lKnights Templar of the Peninsular
Commandery No. 8, at Kalamazoo.
The fine farm on which this gentleman resides
is composed of one hundred and sixty-five acres
which he has under the very best cultivation and
on which mixed farming is successfully conducted.
ON. FOSTER PRATT, M. D., President
of the Board of Trustees of the Michigan
/ Asylum for the'Insane, occupies a leading
J    position among the medical fraternity of
the State. For many years, his home has been in
Kalamazoo and during the period of his residence
here, he has served the city as Mayor and in other
official capacities of honor. The present effective
system of sewerage is largely due to his efforts
while serving as Commissioner of Sewers for three
years, and is not the least of his services in behalf
of his fellow-townsmen.
An able contributor to medical journals and


local papers, the Doctor has exerted a wide influence through his forcible depth of thought and
pleasing style of expression. In 1882, he wrote a
very elaborate and exhaustive review of that portion of the tenth census relating to criminals, paupers, insane, idiots, the blind, deaf and dumb. In
the paper he advocated the idea of which he was
the pioneer-viz: therestriction of the indiscriminate emigration to the United States of objectionable persons, or those having a tendency to debase
society and produce criminals.
Two years after the landing of the Pilgrim
Fathers, three brothers came to America, two of
whom settled in New England and the third in
Baltimore, Md., and they became the founders of
the Pratt family in this country. They were of
English and Welsh extraction. Rev. Bartholomew
F. Pratt, father of our subject, was the eighth generation in descent from the original representatives
in the United States and was a minister in the Presbyterian Church until his death at the age of eightyone years. Susan (1VecNair) Pratt. mother of our
subject, was a native of Livingston County, N. Y.,
and the daughter of Judge Hugh McNair, a surveyor and civil engineer. About the year 1818,
he was made Clerk of Ontario County, at a time
when it included a large extent of territory, and
lie also surveyed many of the lands in Central and
Western New York. Mrs. Susan Pratt died in
Steuben County, N. Y., near the old Indian town
of Painted Post, while her husband passed away in
Kalamazoo at the residence of our subject.
The Doctor, whose portrait and biography we
herewith present, is the only survivor among three
children, his two sisters being deceased.  He was
born in Mt. Morris, Livingston County, N. Y., January 9, 1823, and spent his boyhood days there
and in Wayne, Yates and Steuben Counties.
After completing the course of study in Franklin
Academy, at Prattsburg, he entered the College
Institute on the west shore of Seneca Lake, Yates
County. He then became Principal of Angelica
Academy and held the position until he was, compelled to leave on account of sickness.
In the spring of 1844, our subject went to Virginia to take charge of a private school in Hampshire County and, while there, studied medicine




776                     PORTRAIT AND BIO
with Dr. A. J. Sangster. He afterward spent two
years in the medical department of the University
of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in the
spring of 1849. He then returned to Virginia and
in the following fall was married to Miss Mary L.
Gamble, of Moorefield, Hardy County, W. Va. Mrs.
Prattis the daughter of James Gamble, who for
thirty years was Clerk of Hardy County.
The Doctor continued to practice in the old
Dominion until 1856, when ihe removed to Kalamazoo and has since been in charge of an extensive and lucrative practice. Two years after locating here, he was elected to the State Legislature on
the Democratic ticket, in which he served with distinguished ability. At the opening of the late
war, he was appointed Surgeon of the Thirteenth
Michigan Infantry, with which he remained nearly
four years, his regiment being assigned to duty in
the Southwest and participating in the battle of
Pittsburg Landing, in 1862, also the engagements
of Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and the march to
the sea with Gen. Sherman. He was present at
the surrender of Gen. Joseph Johnson, after which
he participated in the Grand Review at Washington.
Dr. Pratt was Chairman of the State Central
Committee for four years; was district delegate
to the National Democratic Convention at New
York, in 1868; at Baltimore in 1872; and delegate-at-large at Cincinnati in 1880.  For two
years he was Secretary of the Grand Lodge, F. &
A. M.; President of the State Medical Society two
years; member of the American Medical Association for twenty years; and President of the local
Medical Society. Since 1887, he has been a member of the pension examining board, of Kalamazoo.
In 1871, he was elected Mayor of the City of Kalamazoo, where he was effective in introducing
many needed reforms in municipial legislation.
He became a member of the Board of Trustees of
the Insane Asylum in 1882, and is now its President.
As a member of the Democratic party, Dr. Pratt
has taken an active interest in politics, where his
choice diction as a writer and rare eloquence as a
speaker have been made effective. While Secre

GRAPHICAL RECORD.


i


tary of the Grand Lodge of Masons, he was the
author of the present code of Masonic laws for
the Michigan jurisdiction, a task requiring a
thorough knowledge of the fraternity, as well as a
perfect familiarity with its characteristic jurisprudence.
UTHER HUBBARD, who resides on a fine
farm on section 25, Antwerp Township,
Van Buren County, came to tils State
with his father in 1840, and has witnessed the wonderful growth and progress of this section of the
country from an almost unbroken wilderness to a
State second to none in thle Union in its fertility
of soil and enterprise of its people.. r. Hubbard
is a native of Erie County, Ohio, where he was
born August 18, 1831. His father, Roswell Hubbard, who was a native of Connecticut and a shipbuilder by trade, was married in that State to
Emily Bell. He removed from his native State to
Ohio in 1815, where he resided until 1840, at
that time coming to Michigan and buying a large
tract of land, which he farmed quite extensively
for a number of years. He then sold his place and,
going to Indiana, located near South Bend, where
he bought land and farmed   for several years.
Once more he came to Michigan, removing afterward to Iowa, where he lived until his death in
1866. His wife died in 1852. This couple were
the parents of eight children, five sons and three
dauohters, of whom five are now living: Horace J.;
Roswell, Jr.; Eliza,George W. and Luther. Those
deceased were: Polly A., William and Julia A.
Our subject was brought up to the life of a
farmer and was married in 1852 to Miss Minerva
Bell, who died in 1854. One son, William, was
born to them, who is now deceased.  Mr. Hubbard
was afterward married, in 1856, to Miss Amelia
Murray, and of this union six children were born,
four of whom are living: Charles G., Orin W.,
Eleanor N. and John. Minnie B. and Cora are deceased. Mrs. Hubbard died in 1873 and our subject was married to his present wife, April 4, 1875.
She was Mrs. Margaret J. Hosner, the widow of
Philander Hosner, and the mother of two children,




PORTRAnIT AND B EIOGRAPHI-ICAL RIEECORD.


777


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL-RECO


Patrick and Roswell. Mr. Hosner was a farmer
by occupation and died in 1873. Mrs. Hubbard
is a daughter of Jane and Hannah (Remsey) Griffin, natives of Ireland.  When she was quite
young, her parents went, in 1841, from Ireland to
Australia. The first vessel they sailed on was the
"Sir Robert Peel;" from Australia to Van Dieman's
Land they sailed on the "Laura Briggs" and from
there back to Australia on the "Blue Border."
The father died on the vessel "Great Britain"
and was buried at Williamstown, Australia, in
1854. The family came from Liverpool to Philadelphia on the "Westmoreland."   The mother
died in 1864. Mrs. Iubbard was born in New
Bedford, Ireland, October 4, 1841.  Mr. Hubbard
has a fine farm, well improved, and is an industrious
man.
OHN M. VANAUKEN. To the energetic
labors, business acumen, thrift and foresight
of John M. VanAuken and his fellow-pioneers, Van Buren County is greatly indebted
for its high state of development and substantial
prosperity. Our subject's name is intimately associated with the rise and progress of Bangor Township as one of its early settlers and most successful
farmers and stock-raisers, whose farm, literally
hewed out of the forests, is a finely improved and
valuable estate and beautiful home.
The town of Knox, Albany County, N. Y., is
the birthplace of our subject, and there he was
born March 3,1816, into the household of Aaron
and Delena (Sperbeck) Van Auken, one in a family of nine children. His parents were both natives of New York, his father descended from an old
Dutch family, and his mother of German descent.
When their son John was young, they removed to
Montgomery County in the same State, and subsequently settled in Wayne County, when he was
twelve years old. There as the years rolled by, his
character was molded and strengthened for the
work he was to perform in the future as a practical,
wide-awake pioneer, in helping to transform a vast
wilderness in a newly settled country into a wellimproved farming region, and in the spring of


1833 he left the parental home, a courageous, manly
youth of seventeen, to try his fortunes elsewhere.
I-e continued to live and labor in his native State
until the spring of 1846, frugally saving his earn
ings, and he then came to Michigan, as he wisely
foresaw that he could make his money and labor
count for more on this rich virgin soil, when once
he had cleared a farm, than he could in New York.
He immediately invested in a tract of one hundred and fifty acres of timberon section 33, Bangor Township, and from that time to this has been
numbered among our best citizens in Van Buren
County. With characteristic energy, he set about
felling the forest growth, placing the ground under
cultivation after the methods best adapted to its
condition, and erecting a fine class of buildings,
and his farm now stands among the best within a
radius of many miles. It is advantageously located a short distance from Mc Donald, and is in
all respects an attractive place.  Mr. Van Auken
has devoted it to general farming, and besides cultivating grain and other produce, has raised much
choice stock, having a high reputation for his fine
and well-kept cattle.
Mr. Van Auken was married, in 1840 to Miss
Phebe A. Dawley, a native of the town of Lyons,
Wayne County, N. Y., her parents also being natives of the Empire State.  Nine children were
born to our subject by this marriage, five of whom
grew to maturity: John L., a resident of Bangor;
M. Jane, wife of Anson Goss; Caroline, now deceased; Phebe, wife of Stephen Stowe.    The
mother of these children died in November, 1856,
leaving behind her a record of true devotion as wife,
mother, and friend. In 1860, Mr. Van Auken was
asecond time married, taking as his wife Mrs. D.
J. Northrop, nee Kingston, a native of Jefferson
County, N. Y. She was a most estimable woman,
and her death, April 22, 1869, left a sad vacancy
in her husband's household. Mrs. Van Auken's
youngest daughter, Mrs. Stowe, now presides over
his home, and looks carefully after his comfort.
Our subject has a well-poised intellect, a keen
vision in regard to buiness and other matters, and
a resolute will, and his many friends and acquaintances have always found him to be a man of
honor and unswerving rectitude in all the relations








778


PORTRAIT ANT BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


----- -----


-


=


that he has held toward others. He is liberal in
his religion, and has a broad outlook on life,  In
politics, he has always been loyal to the Republican party ever since it sprang into existence.




>


N


EORGE W. SMITH. In the twilight of an
s honored life, this venerable pioneer of Ross
Township is living in tranquil comfort
on his pleasant homestead. Not only is he quite
well known throughout Kalamazoo County but he
is esteemed wherever known and the record of his
useful life merits the confidence of his fellow-men.
His farm  on section 14 comprises eighty-seven
acres, and although he is not at present actively engaged in its cultivation, he still retains its management.
The parents of our subject, Russell and Betsy
(Wiseman) Smith, were natives of Vermont and
were of Scotch and English descent, respectively.
The father served during the War of 1812 and was
a farmer by occupation. George W. was born in
the Green Mountain State, April 24. 1818, and,
when quite small, accompanied his parents to
Niagara County, N. Y., where he resided about
fourteen years. Then, in company with his parents, he removed to Cattaraugus County, the same
State, where he aided in the support of his father's
family. Being the eldest son and the father having poor health, he early became not only self-supporting but was the main dependence of the family.
In October, 1839, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Hannah Whiting, who was born in Allegany County, N. Y., February 12, 1820. Her
parents, James and Esther (Hutchings) Whiting,
are supposed to have been natives of New England,
and her father was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of seven
children, six of whom survive, as follows: Schuyler; Elleanor, wife of Abram Craven; Alvira, who
married Leman Smith; Porter, Ozro; Viola, now
Mrs. Willis Quick. One son, Tyler. is deceased.
Some time during the '50s, Mr. Smith with his
family arrived in Kalamazoo County and settled




I


on the place where he has since resided continuously. It was in the midst of the woods and its
only improvements consisted of a log cabin which
still stands, a landmark of that early civilization.
Later Mr. Smith built the attractive and commodious residence which now adorns his place. In
all his labors he has received the cheerful and active aid of his noble wife, and it was an event of
unusual importance when, October 7, 1889, this
worthy couple celebrated their golden wedding.
Always a Republican, Mr. Smith is proud of the
fact that he cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison
and his last for the grandson of that famous hero.
He has served as Highway Commissioner, and
Treasurer of Ross Grange, No. 24, contributing in
those positions to the progress of the community
which lie has seen transformed from an uncultivated waste to an attractive and highly improved
section, the home of refined people, the site of
thriving villages and the abode of happy families.
AVID CURRY, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section
34, Decatur Township, Van Buren County,
was born in Pennsylvania, December 10,
1807, and is of Irish descent. When he was a boy,
his parents removed to Ohio, and, in 1830, came to
Michigan, locating in Volinia Township, Cass
County, where David made his home for about
two years. In April, 1832, he married Elizabeth
Gard, daughter of Josephus and Sarah Gard, who
were natives of New Jersey. Her father was a
pioneer farmer of Cass County. In the family
were eight children, Elizabeth being the seventh
in order of birth.
After his marriage, David Curry came to Decatur Township, Van Buren County, and purchased
eighty acres of land, also entered one hundred and
sixty acres from the Government on section 34. In
September, 1832, he removed to his farm, cleared
away the timber, and built a log cabin, 18x20 feet,
without windows, doors or floor. Ile hauled lumber from Whitmansville, twelve miles distant, and
had the only "sawed" floor in the township. There
was only one house between his house and Paw Paw,


I-             - - -




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


779


and the only settlers in this locality at that time
were Dolphin and Samuel Morris, George Tittle,
John Eckenberger, Legrand Anderson and H. D.
Swift.  Mr. Curry and his family experienced
the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life,
but succeeded in developing a good farm, upon
which he made his home until his death. In an
early day, he served as Commissioner of Highways,
and was a prominent and well-known citizen of
this community. He died March 20, 1846, and was
buried in the cemetery of Volinia. His wife passed
away June 20, 1878, and was laid by the side of
her husband.
Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, seven of whom reached years of maturity.
Jonathan, who was born on the old homestead,
May 8, 1833, has there spent almost his entire life.
When twenty-one years of age, he took a drove of
cattle to Iowa, and traveled over that State
and Illinois, where, for a period, he engaged in
farming. He has held the office of Highway Commissioner for seven years, has been officially connected with the schools for about twenty years,
and is an influential citizen. In politics, he is a
Democrat, and is a member of the Patrons of Industry. Joseph Q. was born October 6, 1834, on
the old homestead, and has there spent his entire
life. Like his brother, he is a Democrat, and has
served as Constable of his township. Juliet, born
April 4, 1836, died August 11, 1880; David Q.,
born September 25, 1839, like his brothers, has
known no other home than the old farm. He, too,
is a supporter of the Democracy, and has served
as Overseer of Highways and School Director.
During the late war, he enlisted, August 6, 1862,
as a member of Company C, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Franklin, Shelbyville, Nashville, Chickamauga, and the siege of Atlanta. Altogether, he
was in ninety-six battles and skirmishes. He participated in the capture of Jeff Davis, and has a
pair of saddle bags, taken from Gen. Reagan, who
belonged to the Cabinet of Davis. In July, 1865,
he was mustered out after three years of service.
The next member of the Curry family, Elizabeth,
was born March 27, 1841, and is still living on
the old homestead; Mary Jane, born February 20,


1843, is the wife of Jacob High, a resident farmer
of Cass County; Nancy, born March 20, 1844, died
December 20, 1846; John Brookfield, who was
born on the old homestead, November 6, 1846,
died January 2, 1865.
The Curry brothers are numbered among the
leading agriculturists of this community. They
own and operate two hundred and sixty acres of
arable land, which is now under a high state of
cultivation, and well improved, and also have one
hundred and sixty acres elsewhere in this county,
lying near and partially within the corporation
limits of Marseilles. On it is a half-mile track.
The Curry farm is widely known for the fine stock
there raised, including a high grade of horses,
Short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs, while
David also raises dogs, having some of the finest
Shepherd collies in the State. The Curry family
well deserves representation in this volume, for,
since a very early day, its members have been connected with the history of Van Buren County.
[     ON. STEPHEN F. BROWN. In present) ing the biographical notice of one of the
leading men of Kalamazoo County, and a
gentleman who is thoroughly representative
of its progressive element, we deem it our duty to
first briefly advert to the life story of those from
whom lie draws his origin. The parents of our
subject, John and Nancy (McPherson) Brown, were
natives of Loudoun County, Va., where they were
reared, married and continued to reside until their
removal to Michigan in 1830. On locating in this
then Territory, the elder Mr. Brown with his family settled in Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo
County, where they became respected and prominent citizens. They made that place their home
until their death.
The parental family of our subject numbered
seven children, of whom he was the oldest but one.
His birth occurred December 31, 1819, in Loudoun
County, Va., and he was thus a lad of eleven years
when his parents came West to this State. He grew
to manhood in this township, where he received
thorough training in all the duties pertaining to






780


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I


an agriculturist, which occupation he has followed
all his life. His estate bears all the modern improvements in the way of machinery and buildings and Mr. Brown is ranked among the progressive and wealthy citizens of the county.
The original of this sketch was united in marriage in Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County,
July 4, 1841, the lady of his choice being Miss
Maria L. Patrick. The father of Mrs. Brown,.
James Patrick, died in Oneida County, N. Y.,
when she was in her fourteenth year. Her mother,
who bore the maiden name of Harriet Colgrove,
also passed from  this life in the above-named
county when Mrs. Brown was an infant of two
years. Her parents reared a family of five children, of whom she was the youngest, her birth occurring December 15, 1824.
To our subject and his estimable wife have been
granted a family of four children, viz: Franklin
M., Edgar D., Florence and Clarence. Franklin
M. was a soldier during the late Civil War, enlisting in Company L, Fiftll Michigan Cavalry; lie
died at Schooleraft January 11, 1876. Edgar 1).
is following the practice of law at Nelson, Neb.; he
also enlisted in defense of his country and joined
Company C, Sixth Michigan Infantry and after
serving a short time was discharged on account of
physical disability. He re-enlisted, however, in
Company L, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, and was discharged later on account of a wound which he received at Fairfax Courthouse, Va., while on picket
duty. Florence is the wife of Henry Rockwell, and
Clarence is a resident of Schooleraft.
In 1856, Mr. Brown was elected to the Legislature on the Republican ticket and so well and
faithfully did he perform the duties of that position that he was re-elected, in 1858. In 1860, he
was chosen and elected State Senator, which
offilce he again filled in 1864 and in 1884. It is
thus very obvious that the Hon. Mr. Brown must
have always fully availed himself of all the privileges of instruction to which he found access, and a
distinguishing characteristic of his is the possession
of quickness of mind and talent.
Tlhe Hon. Stephen F. Brown was the first Master
of the State Grange of Michigan, of which body he
was Treasurer for a period of ten years. He takes




I


I


a very active part in all political measures and
is a strong Republican, believing that party to
be in the right. In early years, he was a Whig of
the Henry Clay stamp. During campaigns he very
often takes the "stump" but never becomes excited
and acts only after mature deliberation.
He of whom we write is the possessor of a fine
estate of two hundred and twelve acres, on which
he has placed all the modern improvements in the
way of farm machinery and buildings. His property makes one of the most beautiful spots in the
county, and by a proper rotation of crops is made
to yield a handsome increase. Mr. Brown is President of the Pioneer Society of Kalamazoo County
and is regarded as one of the most prominent men
of the county. In the summer of 1885, lie was
presented with a gold-headed cane by the Senate
as a token of the appreciation of his service and
the high esteem in which he was held. Hie was a
colleague of Jay Hubbard and many other prominent and well-known men. It is with pleasure
that we present the sketch of this honored gentleman whose name will be held in reverence long
after he shall have been gathered to his fathers.
ENRY BISHOP. Now in the twilight of his
K1    honored and useful life, Mr. Bishop is liv/  ing retired in his pleasant home at Kalamazoo. None deserves better than he the title of
"self-made," for Ihe commenced the battle of life
under the most adverse circumstances,and, from a
position of poverty, rose to a comfortable competency only after the most arduous struggles on
his part. Successful as a financier, he is no less
fortunate in having gained the confidence and
esteem of his fellow-citizens, who recognize his
force of character, sturdy integrity and mental capabilities.
Dorsetshire, England, was the early home of Mr.
Bishop, and there he was born, November 23,
1813. His father, Joseph Bishop, followed the occupation of miller and farmer, and our subject
found constant employment in his early years, both
in the mill and on the farm. HIis mother, whose






I








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


781


maiden name was Maria Lane, died at the age of
thirty-five, leaving a family of eightchildren, and,
about the same time, his father's affairs became so
entangled that he was called upon to assist in supporting the family, at a time when other boys of
his age were going to school and enjoying the
usual boyish sports.
Between the years of eight and twelve, Mr.
Bishop was mainly employed in the mill, and
from that time till he was seventeen, he aided in
farm work. The custom of the country was to
purchase all the wheat on certain days at the market towns, where the millers and farmers congregated, and where all grain was bought from samples, the price being governed by the weight of the
measured bushel. The flour was sold by the miller himself or by his agent, who went to all the villages and cities in his neighborhood, sold to bakers, and made collections therefor.
In that way, Mr. Bishop found his principal occupation during the last three years of his life in
England, but on account of the Wars of Napoleon,
business was everywhere depressed, and he underwent all the trials generally known only to those
of mature years. Finally, affairs assumed such an
aspect that it was necessary for Mr. Bishop, Sr., either to become hopelessly bankrupt in England, or
try his fortune in a new country with the remnant
left him after satisfying his creditors. He concluded to try the latter, and our subject well remembers how, when he was assisting the plowman to
turn over a furrow on the edge of a deep gully,
he broached the subject of going to America, and
inquired if he would like to go. The reply was,
"I would go anywhere, could we better our condition by so doing."
But little more was said, and in three weeks
from that time, in March, 1830, our subject was
on board ship, riding at anchor in Bristol Channel, and experiencing all the sufferings incident to
sea-sick humanity. Toward the close of the voyage, he recovered somewhat, although it was not
until he was on the Erie Canal that he could appreciate Barry Cornwall's song of the sea: "If the
winds should blow, what matter? what matter? I
can ride and sleep."  On arriving at Buffalo, he
first saw the Indians, also the steamboats "Supe





I


----------— I --- ---- —  --- —— I --- —---


rior" and "Henry Clay," which were objects of
admiration to the citizens, who flocked to the
wharf in large numbers to witness their arrival
and departure.
Mr. Bishop, Sr., purchased a farm near Buffalo, and
shortly afterwards our subject was on his way back
to England alone, in order to bring the rest of the
family to the new home. During the pleasant
voyage of seven weeks, lie acted as cabin boy, and
reached the Mother Country at a very small expense. As soon as the family were ready, the return trip was made with six children younger than
our subject, besides a little boy sent in their company to Buffalo, and a cousin. On the passage, the
steward of the ship met with an accident which
crippled him, and he therefore called upon our
subject to assist him. After a very rough voyage
of seven weeks and four days, by North River and
the Erie Canal, the little party reached their destination.
During his first winter in America, our subject
was employed to haul cordwood to Buffalo, and
the following year removed with his father some
eight miles farther east, to a farm better improved.
However, Mr. Bishop, Sr., failed to succeed in this
country, and he therefore sold his possessions and
returned to his old home, hoping to recover something from the wreck of his fortune there. The
children then became scattered, depending upon
strangers for a home. Henry went into a grocery
and provision store in Buffalo, and clerked for the
firm of N. Willard & Company until he came to
Kalamazoo County, Michigan, in the spring of
1835.
Mr. Bishop worked for the same firm two years
in New Buffalo, selling goods and looking after
their interests as part proprietors of the town. In
the winter of 1838-39, he returned to Buffalo, N. Y.,
and, during the following spring, came West on
business for a former partner. The business accomplished, he engaged to clerk for the firm of F.
& A. Beals, of Schoolcraft, and in August, 1839,
in company with D. L. Kimberly, bought out the
business, which he conducted fifteen years successfully. He came to Kalamazoo in 1862. Here he
engaged in settling estates, and, for a few years, in
selling dry-goods with his son, under the firm name


ol




782


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


of H. Bishop & Son. In June, 1847, he married Mrs.
Sarah M. Hinman, nee Balch, by which union they
had four children, three of whom died in infancy;
the surviving child is Ienry L. Bishop, who devotes his attention to farming. Mrs. Bishop died
July 8,1891. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop both attended the
Unitarian Church. Politically, in the early days,
Mr. Bishop was first a Whig, and he assisted in the
organization of the Republican party in Michigan,
and, during the war, was a staunch Union man.
He was elected Town Clerk in New Buffalo, also in
Schoolcraft, and served the county of Kalamazoo
three years as Superintendent of the Poor, and
four years as one of the Trustees of the village of
Kalamazoo. Mr. Bishop is recognized as an honest, upright citizen, and has the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens.
_e       14t++++             +L ORACE H. PIERCE. Pierce is a familiar
name in the annals of Kalamazoo County,
and has been from  the early days of its
settlement, when Isaac Pierce first came on
the scene and became a conspicuous figure in its
industrial and public life, to the present time, in
which the son of that honored pioneer represents
the family, and is prominent as a farmer of large
ability and much wealth, who controls extensive
farming interests in Climax and Charleston Townships, making his home on section 4 of the former
township.
The subject of this life record was born in Niagara County, N. Y., March 3, 1831, a son of Isaac
Pierce, who was born amid the beautiful hills of
Berkshire County, Mass., July 28, 1803.  His
father's name was Longworth Pierce, and he
was a native of Rhode Island, where some of his
English ancestors had settled in Colonial times.
At some period of his life, he resided in Berkshire
County, Mass., whence he went to Livingston
County, N. Y.. in 1811. He hewed out a farm
from the primeval forests of that region, and, selling it in 1830, removed to Niagara County, in
the same State, and there his life was brought to a
close at a ripe old age.
Isaac Pierce was well trained in farming on his


father's farm, and in early manhood he became
possessed of a partly developed farm in Niagara
County. In 1835, he sold that place in order to
cast in his lot with the pioneers of the Territory
of Michigan. He first visited Kalamazoo County,
to select a suitable location, and bought a quarter
of a section of land, on apart of which the village
of Climax now stands. Returning to New York
for his family, he came back here the following
spring, accompanied by his wife and children, and
made the journey with a wagon and team through
Canada as the most available route, several weeks
being consumed before they arrived at their destination. The land that he had bought was but
very little improved, but there was a log house on
it and into that Mr. Pierce and his family moved.
He then energetically turned his attention to the
making of a farm. He was a man of unusual push,
vigor and enterprise, and with good courage surmounted every obstacle on the road to the fortune
that became his by the sheer force of persistent industry, seconded by rare powers of discrimination,
unerring judgment, and a thorough comprehension of agriculture in all its branches. He was
educated largely in the school of observation and
experience, but he had much natural ability
and very strong mental faculties. He bought and
sold considerable land and dealt quite extensively
in stock. In early times, he drove hogs to Ohio,
and brought back sheep. He passed through every
phase of life from poverty to wealth, and was one
of the richest men in the village at the time of
his death, owning upwards of a thousand acres of
land around and near the village of Climax.
The father of our subject was prominent in the
public and political life of his community. He
was originally an old-line Whig and a strong Abolitionist before and during the war, and so, being
in sympathy with the Republicans, he united his
fortunes with that party, but before his death he
went over to the Democrats. He was elected Justice of the Peace at the first township meeting,
and held that office fora great many years, making
a careful study of law, and conducting a case with
ability. He served as a member of the County
Board of Supervisors several terms and represented
the interests of Climax Township with fidelity.








4zli






~~P?xb —




~PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


785


PRRI AN  BIGAPIA  RCD.       785


Mr. Pierce was twice married. Iis first wife,
the mother of our subject, was born in Canada
in 1801. She died in 1877. Eleven children were
born of that marriage: Polly, Loren, Jeanette, Jeanette (second). Rowland, Orton; Willard and Lucinda, twins; Angeline, Elizabeth, and Horace. By
his second marriage, with Catherine Archer, Mr.
Pierce had four children.
Horace H. Pierce was in his sixth year when the
family came to this county, and he retains a distinct recollection of the pioneer life that obtained
here in his childhood. lie attended school in a
house that was furnished with plank benches that
were supported with wooden pins. The school was
conducted on the rate-bill system, and the teacher
boarded around among the parents of the scholars.
Indians used to come to his home and his mother
often cooked food for them. lHe remembers seeing
a little Indian run up to tile table and snatch a
piece of hot meat from a plate and burn his fingers
with it. There was an abundance of deer and
other game, and wolves often disturbed the slumbers of the settlers by their howls, and even bears
were not uncommon. Detroit was the city to
which the pioneers mostly went for supplies. The
people were principally home-livers, and the skillful hand of the mother of olr subject spun and
wove the clothing worn by himself, his brother
and sisters.
At the age of twenty-four years, our subject entered upon his independent course as a farmer,
coming then to this place, where he has ever since
dwelt. He has always conducted mixed farming,
raising a great deal of grain, and paying much attention to rearing stock of all kinds. He has four
hundred acres of land in all, two hundred and
eighty acres in Climax Township, and the renainder in Charleston Township. He has a model
farm in his homestead, and has it supplied with a
fine class of buildings. In 1868, he erected a frame
house of commodious dimensions, and well fitted
up; and lie has a large frame barn, 40x72 feet in
size, besides a granary and other necessary buildings. He derives a good profit from renting out
a good deal of his land.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Julia E.
Pratt was celebrated September 17, 1854. They
36


have had five children. four of whom are living:
Herbert It., a druggist and grocer in the village
of Climax; Ida E., now Mrs. Best, of Dillon, Mont.;
and Judson W. and Jettie F. at home with their parents. Jessie died at the age of fourteen months.
Mrs. Pierce was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y.,
December 15, 1837, and she came to Michigan in
1852.
Our subject is of a resolute, vigorous, practical
nature, possessing much natural ability, a large
share of common-sense, and the faculty to plan
well and to carry out his schemes in a businesslike manner. He is independent, having a mind
of his own, and is fearless in expressing his opinions. Especially is this true in regard to his political
sentiments, which are of a radical Republican order.
IHe was once elected to the position of Justice of
the Peace, but he refused to accept the honor, as
he cares not for office. IIe is well known in social
circles as a member of the Masonic order at Climax,
and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
ON. EMERY II. SIMPSON, one of the most
J enterprising and thrifty farmers of Hartford Township, Van Buren County, was
born in Orleans County, N. Y., January 17,
1828, and is the eighth in a family of ten children,
eight of whom grew to maturity. His parents were
Asa and Minerva (Fish) Simpson, the father born
in Onondaga County, N. Y., in    1790, and the
mother, probably in Cayuga County, in 1794. Our
subject's paternal grandfather, John Simpson, was
of English descent.
Our subject grew to mature years in his native
county and received his education in the common
schools and on the farm. He was married in Orleans County, January 8, 1854, to Miss Mary A.
Thompson. In the year 1863 he came with his
family to Hartford Township, Van Buren County,
and located on the farm where he has since lived.
lie was soon elected Supervisor of his township,
which office lie held one year, and in the fall of
1872 was elected to the Legislature and re-elected
in the fall of 1886. He has been rather an active
politician, has served as delegate to many conven



786


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


tions, and has the distinction of having held every
office for which he has run.
Mr. Simpson is the possessor of two hundred and
forty acres of finely improved land on sections
24, 13 and 14. He commenced active life at the
age of twenty-one with $100 and all that he now
owns in due to his own industry and business
enterprise. In his political views he casts his vote
and influence with the Republican party. Socially,
he is connected with no secret order at all. He is
a gentleman who is liked by every one who knows
him for his kind and genial manners.
To Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have been born eight
children, six of whom are living: Clara B., Wendell
L., Ada M. (now Mrs. Sherwood), Nathan F., Frank
G. and Fred L. Wendell L. attended the military
school at West Point, from whicli he graduated in
1884. For three years he was on the Western frontier, and for about the same period was military instructor at the Agricultural College, in Lansing, at
the same time serving as Professor of Mathematics
and Mechanics, to which he was elected by the State
Board. He is now First Lieutenant and with his
company is located at Sackett's Harbor.
Not only the present, but coming generations as
well, will be pleased to notice in connection with
this life sketch a lithographic portrait of Mr.
Simpson.




of the Baptist Church, to which lie belonged. His
wife died in Leverett, Mass., August 19, 1857.
Unto them were born seven children: Oliver, Bryant, Lucius, Asa, Harrison, Alden, and Ransom, who
is the only one now living, although six of the
number grew to mature years.
The birth of our subject occurred in Leverett,
Franklin County, October 26, 1818, and in the
public and private schools he acquired his education. We see in him a self-made man, who at the
early age of fifteen years started out in life for
himself, and has since made his own way in the
world. He learned the tanner's and currier's trade
which he followed for about fifteen years in Springfield, Wire Village and Worcester. During that
time, on the 17th of July, 1844, he wedded Mary
T. Stratton, daughter of Samuel Stratton, a prominent Massachusetts farmer, their union beingcelebrated in Gill, Mass. For about five years after
his marriage, Mr. Nutting continued to act as superintendent of a tannery, when his employer
failed, owing him about $1,000. It was in 1853
that lie came to the West with his wife and children, and, locating in Decatur, engaged in the tanning business for himself. For twenty years he
carried on operations in that line, and in his undertakings met with signal success, acquiring thereby
a handsome competence, which now enables him to
rest from all labors.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nutting were born two children: Addie J., the elder, who was born in Leverett, Mass., March 7, 1850, died on the 25th of February, 1865; and Carrie L., born October 14, 1853,
makes her home with her father in Decatur. The
family have here a pleasant residence, supplied with
all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life,
which have been obtained through the well-directed
business efforts of our subject.
Mr. Nutting exercises his right of franchise in
support of the Democratic party, and takes considerable interest in political affairs. For thirteen
years he was Supervisor of Decatur Township, was
a member of the School Board for a number of
years, and served as its Treasurer, and was nominated for Treasurer of the county, but, owing to the
Republican majority, failed of election. During
President Cleveland's administration he was ap

r


N     b ~4 --


/


_- __________;t;::

ANSOM NUTTING, who now lives a retired
life in Decatur, and is classed among its
leading citizens, is a native of the old Bay
State, and comes of an early New England
family of Irish origin, that was founded in America during early Colonial days. His grandfather,
David Nutting, served in the Revolutionary War,
and died August 11, 1818. He was quite wealthy.


Nis son trDenezer, rather ot our subject, was born in
Brimfield, Mass., December 3, 1776, and married
Lucy Bryant, who was born in Plymouth, Mass.,
November 18, 1778, and traced her ancestry back
to the Pilgrim Fathers. Ebenezer Nutting was a
farmer and blacksmith by trade. He died in Franklin County, Mass., September 11, 1847, in the faith






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


787


=


pointed Postmaster of Decatur, and the duties of
that office have never been more faithfully or efficiently discharged than under his administration.
He made a popular officer, and won the commendation of all concerned. He has frequently served as
Chairman of the Democratic County Convention,
and his opinions are received with deference in the
councils of his party. For some years Mr. Nutting
has suffered from asthma, which has beem much
worse of late.
\T) OBERT JICKLING, an eminently worthy
j  citizen of Kalamazoo County, and a prosperous farmer of Comstock Township, residing on section 6, was born in Norfolkshire, England,in the village of Hitcham, September
2, 1821. Robert Jickling, his father, was a native
of the same place, born May 2, 1794. In 1835, he
emigrated with his family to Overbeck, Canada, the
journey across the water and into the interior of
the country being accomplished in seven weeks and
three days. He became an early settler of the
town of Woodstock in Upper Canada, and there
slent the rest of his days at his occupation as a
farmer, dying April 9, 1872, at a good old age.
He was a son of Valentine Jickling, who was an
Englishman, and born in the same shire as himself.
The mother of our subject was Mary Lee in her
maiden days, and she was born in 1788 in the same
English shire as her husband and other members
of the family. She died I)ecember 10, 1831, at
the age of forty-three years. She bore seven children, two of whom died young, one in infancy
and one at the age of seven years. John and
George are residents of Canada; Sarah is the wife of
Abram Bray, who resides near Woodstock, Canada;
Mary is the wife of William Everets of the village
of Mitchell, Canada. After the death of the mother
of our subject, his father married Mary Whitby in
1832. She was born in England, December 30,
1807,and became the mother of ten children, as
follows: William F., who has been on the police
force in Chicago for nineteen years, and who was
a soldier in the Civil War; Elizabeth, wife of Will



iam McClain, of Manitoba; John D., a resident of
Jasper County, Iowa; Susan, wife of William
Wood, of Canada; Thomas, a resident of Canada;
Rowland, deceased; Samuel, who was a member of
the Seventeenth Michigan Infantry during the late
war, and is now at Annapolis; Hannah and Rebecca deceased; Joseph B., a resident of Manitoba.
lie of whom we write is the third son and third
child of his parents. Ile remained at home with
them until the family came to America, and he
was then bound out to David Ford, with whom lie
came to Michigan, and remained with him  until he was twenty-six years old. At that age, he
was married in Galesburgh to Julia Ann, the oldest
child of Fay and Lura (Johnson) Aldrich, the mar' riage ceremony being performed by George Simmons, December 5, 1847. And thus for more than
forty-four years they have lived and labored together in a wedded life that has brought them  as
much joy as usually falls to tile lot of mortals, and
among its attendant blessings are the eleven children born to them, namely: Adeline, born October 1, 1848, and the wife of Frederick Shay, of
Richland  Township; Marquis, born August 2,
1850, now   a farmer of Richland Township;
Lura, born October 3, 1852, and the wife of
Joseph Newell, of Richland Township; Mary, born
October 26, 1854, wife of Gordon B. Briglam, of Richland Township; Sarah, born May
25, 1857, married Ienry Tolhurst, of Richland
Township, and   died May 9, 1888; Ella, born
March 13, 1860, wife of Sabin B. Nichols, of Kalamazoo;Albert, born August 14, 1862, foreman of the
Dewing Manufacturing Company, at Kalamazoo;
Walter W., born September 28, 1864, residing with
his parents; Emma, born June 10, 1867, died May
22, 1889; Clara E., born December 29, 1869, wife
of the Rev. John THumphreys, pastor of the
Congregational Church at Rylander, Wis.; Howard B., born October 20, 1873, a student at the
Business College at Kalamazoo.  The wife of our
subject was born six miles from the town of Angelica, Allegany County, N. Y., and she came to
Michigan with her parents at the age of four years.
The journey was made with an ox-team, and led
through the famous Maumee Swamp. The family
was among the first to settle in Charleston Town

I




788


PO- RTAIT ANTuD BI OGR~APHICAL ~RECORD.,


78  PORIhAIT AND  O A L RECORD.


ship. Mrs. Jickling's father and mother were natives of New York, as was her paternal grandfather,
Abram Aldrich, and he too was an early settler of
Kalamazoo County, coming here in 1833, and
taking up land from the Government.
Mr. Jickling located where he now resides after his
marriage, buying the land of his old employer, Mr.
Ford. There were no improvements on the place
except a small log house, 18 x 20 feet in dimension, and the roof covered with shakes. He and
his wife lived in that humble abode nine years.
All the furniture they had when they set up
housekeeping was just barely sufficient for their
wants-a primitive cook-stove, a chest, that served
asa table, and a few other indispensable articles.
The surrounding country was a wilderness, and
there were no roads or scarcely any evidences of
civilization, and our subject and his wife had to
face many a hardship and to endure many trials
before the land was brought into its present fine
condition, and provided with neat buildings and
everything to facilitate farming. Mr. Jickling has
now a fine farm of one hundred and ninety-two
acres, all of which is under cultivation, but about
twenty acres. One hundred and forty acres of
this land have been cleared by himself. Mr. Jickling has made a name and a place for himself in
his adopted township second to that of no other
man, and he is greatly respected by the people
among whom he has lived for so many years. In
his political relations, he is a Republican. He has
helped forward the cause of education in this locality in his capacity of School Director, which office he has held many terms.
t~g'sX.*


farmer of the Empire State, born of Scotch parentage. John and Sallie Dix became early settlers
of Kalamazoo County, Mich., locating in Schoolcraft where the father engaged in merchandising
and also carried on farming. He likewise kept a
hotel in an early day and built the woolen mills at
Three Rivers. His death occurred at that place in
1843. His wife is still living in her eighty-fourth
year and resides in Schoolcraft.
Our subject has spent almost his entire life in
this county and has been identified with its upbuildingand its history from an early day. His
primary education, acquired in Schoolcraft, was
supplemented by a course of study in Cedar Park
Seminary, a Baptist school, and having thereby
fitted himself for teaching, he pursued that profession through four winter seasons. In 1864, he enlisted in the naval service of his country on board
the United States gunboat "Nymph" on the Mississippi and Red Rivers and took part in several skirmishes. After a year's service, he received his discharge on the 27th of June, 1865, and returned to
the North.
Entering the United States Mail Service, Mr.
Dix devoted his energies to the faithful discharge of
the duties of that position, which he filled for fourteen years, his route lying between Cleveland and
Chicago. For three years, he continued to hold
the position under President Cleveland, but was
then removed on account of being an "offensive
partisan."  lie then took a trip to Salt Lake
City, Utah, and after spending six weeks in travel
returned to the county of his nativity. On the
Republican ticket, lie was nominated for the office
of County Sheriff and, when the election returns
were received, it was found that he was the people's
choice. In January, 1888, he assumed the duties
of the office and by acclamation was nominated
for a second term but this time lost the election by
fifty-one votes, owing to a combination of the
Patrons of Industry and the Democrats. When
his term had expired, lie retired to private life.
Mr. Dix has been twice married.His first union,
celebrated in 1871, was with Miss Ida Burnett of
Schoolcraft, whose death occurred in February,
1875. The lady who now bears the name of Mrs.
Dixwas in her maidenhood Miss Ella Dibble, of


OHN H. DIX, ex-Sheriff of the county, now
residing in Kalamazoo, has the honor of
being a native of the county. HIe was born
(! in Schoolcraft, on the 13th of January,
1842, and is the third in the family of four children whose parents were John and Sallie C.
(Brown) Dix. Both were natives of the Green


Mountain State. The Dix family is of English
descent and the mother of our subject was of
Scotch lineage, her father being Putnam  Brown, a




I




~"I~I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


791'


Sandusky, Ohio, daughter of Daniel Dibble. Their
union has been blessed with two children: Mary C.
and John Wakeman. Socially, Mr. Dix is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Maccabees,
also of Post No. 303, G. A. R., of Schoolcraft. He
is not now actively engaged in business but is a
stockholder in the Kalamazoo Corset Company.
IIis residence in the county covers a period of fifty
years and he has therefore witnessed the greater
part of its growth. IIe has taken a commendable
interest in everything pertaining to its welfare
and advancement and his duties of citizenship
have been ever faithfully performed.
AMES M. DAVIS, Judge of Probate, is one
of the most influential citizens of Kalamazoo.
While his life is quiet and unostentatious,
chiefly occupied by the labors incident to
his profession-that of law-yet it is no exaggeration
to say that few men have effected greater practical good or accomplished larger results for the
well-being of their fellow-citizens.
It is a noteworthy fact that many of the eminent men of this and other States were born and
reared on farms. The biography of Mr. Davis,
whose portrait adorns the opposite page, furnishes
another instance of this kind.  His early years
were passed upon his father's farm in Lake County,
Ind., where he was born September 11, 1842.  Iis
father, Samuel C., was born in Carroll County,
Ohio, in 1816, and married Mary J., daughter of
Joseph McSperren, a Pennsylvania farmer, who
was of Scotch-Irish descent. His occupation was
that of a farmer, and his life, which was an honorable and upright one, proved the possession of
the sturdy principles implanted in a long line of
English ancestors.
In 1840, Samuel C. Davis removed from Ohio
to Lake County, Ind., settling near Crown Point,
the county-seat, and engaging in farming.  His
wife passed from earth in 1866, but he still survives in good health at an advanced age. Of his
five children, James M. was the second in order of
birth. His boyhood days were spent in almost constant attendance in the schools and academies of




his State. After completing a course in the common-schools of Crown Point, lie entered the academy of that town and later was a student in the
Valparaiso Male and Female College. His schooling was finished in the Asbury (now De Pauw's)
University, where he was graduated in 1868.
After teaching school for a short time, Mr,
Davis entered the law department of the University of Michigan, where he studied one year, then,
in the spring of 1870, opened a law office in Kalamazoo and has continued in the practice of his
profession to the present time. In 1872, he was
elected Justice of the Peace, and two years later
was appointed Circuit Court Commissioner for a
term of two years, and, being re-elected, served
four years in all. May 2, 1883, lie received the
appointment of United States Commissioner for
the Western District of Michigan, which office he
still holds. His election as Judge of Probate took
place in 1888 and he assumed the duties of the
office January 1, 1889, for a term of four years.
March 22, 1867, Judge Davis was married to
Miss Estella, daughter of Thomas B. Eldred, of
Climax,this State, and they are the parents of
three children, namely: Dora, Thomas E. and
Percy L. The Judge and his estimable wife have
a pleasant home at No. 136 Thompson Street,
wherein they entertain their many friends with
gracious hospitality. They are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held
various offices. Ile has also served as President of
the County Sunday-school Association for two
years. His first Presidential vote was cast for
Abraham Lincoln and he has continued ever since
a stanch adherent of the principles of the Republican party.
~ -~
^'' ^^ __________ _ 5. 5 _ s_ _)
_ ANIEL SPICER. One of the most successful groceries in this section of country
is carried on by D. Spicer & Co., of Paw
Paw, who have been conducting a prosperous business since 1881. Possessing a thorough appreciation of the demands of the trade, and making
a careful study of the markets in order to place


I






792


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.. I




I




before customers the choicest goods obtainable, it  he el
is not strange that Mr. Spicer has built up an ex-  finall
tensive business and is known as a reliable mer-  iness,
chant.                                         Repu
Mr. Spicel was born in Orleans, N. Y., Septem-  ing 1
ber 26, 1840, and is the son of Darius H. and  years
Dorcas (Pratt) Spicer, natives of New York and  longs
Vermont, respectively. HIe was reared on a farm  Fello
in his native county until he was eighteen, in the  is no
meantime receiving a common-school education,  of th
and then came West to this State, locating in  elect(
Plymouth, Wayne County, and engaging to work
on a farm. In February, 1860, he commenced to
travel for a firm dealing in fanning mills and
safes, and making general collections on outstanding indebtedness, until 1863.
After visiting Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and  p
Wisconsin in the interest of his business, Mr. Spicer  They
came to Van Buren County, where he began re-   one
cruiting for the army. Ile enlisted in July, 1864,  Plain
joining the Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry in  zoo,'
Company C. He saw service in the First Division,  Mills
Second Brigade, Twenty-third Army Corps, was in  Marc
the battles of Nashville, Alexandria, and others of  whic
minor importance. At the battle of Kingston,   are s
March 8, 1865, he was wounded in the right wrist  capa
and was confined in a hospital from that time until  annu
the close of the war. He commenced service as a  Tl
private but later received the commission of Sec-  prese
ond Lieutenant, and now on account of injuries  Mill.
sustained, he receives a pension of $24 per month.  of tl
After the close of the war, Mr. Spicer once more  Plait
engaged as a traveling man and for five years sold  first
farming machinery, etc. During that period, he  conti
was married, November 29 (Thanksgiving Day),   assoc
1866, to Miss Araminta, daughter of Thomas A.  At tl
and Julia Granger, whose sketch may be found in  mem
another portion of this volume. Mr. and Mrs.     Da
Spicer are the parents of one child, Harry, who was  Corn
born in Lawton, September 23, 1879. After his  the s
marriage, Mr. Spicer resided in Lawton until April,  nativ
1880, where he clerked and also engaged in buying  your
and selling produce.                           of wl
Mr. Spicer owns one hundred and eighty acres  their
in Lawton, of which forty-four acres are planted in  was i
fruit trees, thirty-two being in grapes and ten in  terms
peaches and cherries. After locating in Paw Paw,  age a;,li


ngaged for a time in shipping apples, and
y, in 1881, commenced in the grocery bus-, which he still continues. Politically, he is a
blican and has filled various local offices, havbeen a member of the Village Board for six, besides serving in other capacities. He be-, socially to the Independent Order of Odd
ws, and the Grand Army of the Republic, and
w serving as Assistant Quartermaster-Generel
ie Department of Michigan, to which he was
ed in Muskegon in 1891.
AVID B1. MERRILL, who is one of the most
extensive manufacturers in the State, is President of the Merrill Milling Company.
have four mills, two located at Kalamazoo,
three miles south of Kalamazoo and one at
iwell, which bear the names of "Kalama'"Cold Stream," "Eagle," and "Plainwell
i," respectively. The company began business,
Ih 1,1887, with a capital stock of $100,000, all of
h was invested in the business. Their mills
supplied with the roller process and hiave a
city of six hundred barrels per day, or an
al capacity of one hundred thousand barrels.
Ie original of this sketch started out in his
nt business in 1858, buying the Kalamazoo
Three year later, he became the proprietor
ie Cold Stream Mill, in 1872 purchased the
iwell Mill, and in 1876, the Eagle Mill. His
partner was George W. Fish, with whom he
inued for a year and a half, and then became
liated for three years with Francis H. Chase.
ie end of that time, W.  M. cCourtie became a
ber of the firm, continuing as such until 1882.
ivid B. Merrill was born in Peru, Clinton
ity, N. Y., on the 6th of June, 1833, and is
on of Arthur -1. and Rhoda (Stearns) Merrill,
res of Claremont, N. H. Our subject was the
igest in the parental family of nine children,
hom four sons are now living, two making
home in Illinois, and one in Peru, N. Y. I-e
given an academic education, and taught three
s of school, commencing when fifteen years of
t Peru. Later he taught two terms at Long Is



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


793


__- _i ---~- ~~ --- —-- x-_. —_~_...~...__~_______I____~ _____~.._____Ir


land. He then clerked for a twelvemonth in a grocery store in New York City, at the end of which
time he returned to Peru and became bookkeeper
in a mill. I-e occupied that position for two years,
and for a similar period carried on a general merchandise business at Clintonville.
He of whom we write came to Kalamazoo in
April, 1858, and eight years later, in company with
Mr. McCourtie, platted an addition of twelve acres
to the city. In 1865, he purchased a one-half interest in the- Stuart Addition, where he erected a
number of dwelling houses. Later he became the
proprietor of a tract of one hundred and seventytwo acres, twelve of which he platted and sold the
rest in acre lots. For five years, Mr. Merrill was
an extensive stave manufacturer, and success has
crowned his efforts in every branch of work. In
politics, he is a Republican.
Miss Julia Hatch became the wife of our subject
in 1856. She passed from this life in April, 1859,
at Kalamazao, and in 1861, Mr. Merrill was married
to Mrs. Annie La Due, of Milwaukee, Wis. She
was the daughter of S. B. Davis, an old resident of
this city, who ran the first line of stages from
Detroit to Chicago. I-e was well known to all the
people of this vicinity, as his death occurred only
about ten years ago, which sad event was occasioned by his being thrown from a wagon, his head
striking a telegraph pole and killing him instantly. Mrs. Merrill died August 11, 1890, at
Petoskey. She had become the mother of one
daughter, Ida, now the wife of George Winans, a
carriage manufacturer. Mr. Merrill had born to him
one son by his first marriage, Charles B., who died
in 18 76, aged nineteen years.
September 15, 1891, the original of this sketch
was married to Miss Ida L. Rowley, of this city,
and the dauglter of Mrs. J. A. Rowley. Miss Ida
was for five years in the employ of Mr. Merrill as
his stenographer. They are members of the First
Congregational Church, of which society our subject has been Trustee, an influential member and
liberal contributor for thirty years. lie is a Director and heavy stockholder in the First National
Bank of this city and is otherwise interested in
public enterprises.
Mr. Merrill visited Scotland and England dur

ing May and June of 1891. He has one of the
most desirable modern residences in the city, which
is presided over by his refined and intelligent wife.
It is pleasantly located at No. 440 West Lovell
Street.
<-~. (.r 6.. j*. j-b y  I '  -T= )
ILLIAIM    I. CONVERSE, an influential
p/ioneer of Kalamazoo County, Ross Township, residing on section 12, was born in
Cayuga County, N. Y., December 10, 1826. HIe is
a son of Josiah and Betsey (Laberteaux) Converse,
the former a native of New England. With the
exception of two years spent in the milling business, he has spent his entire life in farming pursuits
and is a thorough and practical agriculturist.
In 1853, Mr. Converse came to Kalamazoo
County and at first was employed on different farms,
but one year after settling here, he purchased one
hundred acres of land in Ross Township, which he
still owns. He was married, August 8, 1855, to
Miss Sarah M., daughter of Harvey and Alsamena
(Downing) Cooley, and a native of Wayne County,
N. Y., born August 7, 1834. Her parents, who
were natives of New York, emigrated in 1836, to
Calhoun County, this State, the journey being
made overland to the new home by way of Canada,
by wagon.
When Mr. Cooley settled in Calhoun County,
the nearest neighbor was six miles away, and the
land was covered with a dense forest growth. IHe
entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from
the Government, the price being $1.25 per acre,
and settled in the woods of Bedford Township,
where he cleared and cultivated one of the best
farms of the county. Ile served as Supervisor of
the township, and was in other ways closely identified with the progress of the county. In their
old age, he and his wife removed to Battle Creek,
where, surrounded by the comforts of life, they
passed their closing days.
Through his tireless exertions, Mr. Converse
cleared and improved his farm and is now the
owner of one hundred and forty acres, comprising
one of the best estates of the county. In the ptblic life of the township, he is always interested and






794


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


is known as a firm Republican. He has served as
Highway Commissioner, and is a member of Ross
Grange No. 24, of which he has been Treasurer for
many years. He contributes liberally to the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which
his wife is a member.
Mr. and Mrs. Converse are the parents of five
children, as follows: Eliza, wife of Dr. W. II.
Haughey, of Battle Creek; Henry C.; Minnie, who
married William Greer; William  1I. and Frank.
Mrs. Converse is one of eight children, three of
whom are now living, viz: P. J., of Chicago; Mrs.
Converse, and Cyrus, of Barry County. The position occupied by Mr. Converse and his excellent
wife in the social circles of the community is a
high one, and their influence is felt in moulding
the opinions of others.
AMES C. BENNETT is the senior member
of the firm of James C. Bennett & Son,
dealers in boots and shoes in Kalamazoo,
Mich. The business was established in 1859,
by S. O. Bennett, father of our subject, and carried
on by him, in company with his sons, L. T., J. C.
and John, for several years. IIs death occurred in
1884, in his eightieth year. The following was
given in the History and Directory of Kalamazoo
County, issued in 1869: "S. O. Bennett & Sons,
manufacturers of, and dealers in, boots and shoes
at No. 111 Main Street. The firm began business
under this name in January, 1866. S. 0. Bennett,
however, came here in 1859, and b)egan trade in
the fall of that year. In December, 1867, the store
which he had purchased and fitted up was destroyed by fire, but with characteristic enterprise he
began to rebuild in April, and in August finished
the handsome and commodious brick store now occupied by the firm at No. 111 Main Street, which
is a favorite and popular place for the purchasers
of sole goods of every kind. S. O. Bennett has
been a most valuable citizen, contributing by his
enterprise and liberality to the wealth and beauty
of Kalamazoo. The firm is composed of S. 0. Bennett, father, and James C. and John, sons, gentle

men thoroughly versed in the conduct and requirements of the shoe trade, and citizens of position
and influence."
James C. Bennett, whose name heads this sketch,
is the eldest son of Stephen 0. and Sarah (Callender) Bennett. The father was born near Saratoga
Springs, N. Y., and the mother in New York City.
She was a daughter of William Callender, who was
engaged in the West Indian trade. They were married in New York City, where Mr. Bennett engaged in mercantile pursuits for several years. In
1832, he removed with his family to Lorain County,
Ohio, and afterward to Cleveland. In 1841, he
took up his residence in Racine County, Wis.,
where he carried on general farming and stockraising until 1859, when he came to Kalamazoo and
established the boot and shoe business as above
stated.
Our subject was born in New York City, August
13, 1831, acquired his early education in Ohio, afterward attended the academy at Racine, and comlleted his school life in the University of Wisconsin. He then engaged in teaching for two years,
and afterward in farming in Wisconsin for ten
years, but in 1826 came to Kalamazoo, Mich.,
joining his father in business. Another store was
established in Grand Rapids, and in 1873 James C.
became sole proprietor of the Kalamazoo store,
while the father took the other. lie continued
alone in business until 1884, when he admitted to
partnership his son, Lorenzo T., and the firm name
was changed to James C. Bennett & Son. They
carry a large and complete line, and have a wellordered establishment, which is the oldest concern
of the kind in Kalamazoo County. Their store is
22x100 feet, and three stories in height, and is
built on the site of that which was burned. They
do a strictly cash business, and have a large and
constantly increasing trade, which they have won
through industry, perseverance and the courteous
treatment which marks their intercourse with their
customers.
In 1853, Mr. Bennett wedded Miss Margaret
Thompson, of Racine County, Wis., daughter of
Robert Thompson, a wealthy farmer of that county.
He was for many years superintendent of the Monson Woolen Mills of Monson, Mass., which is the








^et'^ ^ el  0ot
^^^r   "/^




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


797


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


birthplace of Mrs. Bennett. Five children have
been born to our subject and his wife, two sons
and three daughters: Mary E., Lorenzo T., S. Jennie, Isabella G. and Robert S. The parents are both
members of the First Baptist Church, in which Mr.
Bennett has held the office of Deacon since 1867;
also that of Trustee for ten years. I-e was for nine
years Superintendent of the Sunday-school in Rayimond, Wis., and, since coming to Kalamazoo, has
been a teacher in the Sunday-school, and an active
worker in the church here. He was also Superintendent of the public schools in Racine County. He
has led an honorable, upright life, thereby winning
the confidence and regard of all with whom he has
come in contact, and of the citizens of Kalamazoo,
we know none more worthy of representation in
this volume than our subject.


c         +++tM6D-)++++t,..?,PL=;


AJ. WYLLYS      CADWELL     RANSOM,
who is a prominent and influential resident of Kalamazoo, was born at Townshend, Windham   County, Vt., April 28,
1828. His father was Gov. Epaphroditus Ransom,
whose biography will appear on another page in
this volume. His mother bore the maiden name of
Almira Cadwell, daughter of Wyllys Cadwell, a representative citizen and merchant of Montpelier, Vt.,
who was among the first settlers of the new capital after its removal from Vergennes, which had
been the seat of Government since the admission
of the State into the Union.
In 1834, Gov. Ransom emigrated to Michigan,
having been preceded here by his brother and
sister, and, locating in Kalamazoo, began the practice of law. This now prosperous city at that
time was little more than a hamlet, containing
about twenty houses and one hundred inhabitants,
but being founded mostly by New Englanders,
who brought all their usual thrift and enterprise
to the task of building up the infant village, it
rapidly increased in importance and population,
and was soon provided with churches and good
schools. Among the latter was a branch of the
State University where our subject was prepared
to enter the Sophomore class at the main institu

tion at Ann Arbor, in 1845. He was there graduated three years later, and was appointed Private
Secretary to his father in the executive office, in
which capacity he continued to act until the close
of the official term, in 1850.
At the expiration of the time above mentioned,
our subject entered the office of the Auditor-General under Hon. John J. Adam, who was very
prominent among the early officers of the State,
and who was a man of exceptional ability in the discharge of his public duties. Mr. Ransom remained
in his office for two years, when he returned to Kalamazoo, and was here engaged in business pursuits
until 1857, when, having been tendered an important position in the office of the Surveyor-General
of Kansas and Nebraska, he left Michigan for new
fields of duty.
Mr. Ransom reached Kansas in the most critical
period of its history, and although a Democrat in
politics, he at once upon his arrival there joined
the Free State party, and on one or two occasions
narrowly escaped severe consequences from  his
open denunciation of pro-slavery outrages. In
1858, the Surveyor-General's office being removed
to Nebraska City, our subject accompanied it
thither and remained on duty, a portion of the time
as chief clerk, until the fall of 1860, when he went
to Ft. Scott, Kan., in charge of the Register's Department of the United States Land Office for the
Osage District, located at that place. He discharged
the duties of that important office until April,
1861, when, upon the fall of Ft. Sumter, he at
once entered the services of the Union as First
Lieutenant of Company E, Second Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry-a regiment organized for
three-months' service under President Lincoln's
first call. Upon the promotion of his Captain to be
Lieutenant-Colonel, at the organization of the regiment, Mr. Ransom was commissioned to fill the
vacancy.
July follwing, Capt. Ransom was detailed by
Gen. Nathaniel Lyon to raise the Sixth Kansas
Cavalry Regiment, which service he performed in
a brief time, and was commissioned Major of the
same in March, 1862. Almost immediately thereafter, he was given a separate command in the
field, and for nearly two years was engaged in the




798


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


most arduous and perilous service, in pursuing
and fighting the numerous bands of guerrillas
that infested the States of Missouri and Arkansas.
He was present and participated in the battles of
Hickory Grove, Lone Jack, Cedar Creek, and on
the pursuit of the Rebel General, Jo Shelby, upon
the occasion of his raid into Missouri, in 1863.
Our subject was mustered out of the service in
March, 1865, meanwhile serving in the capacity
of Chief of Ordinance of the District of the Frontier, and once as Judge Advocate on the staffs of
Gen. Thomas Ewing, Jr., Gen. Samuel R. Curtis,
Gen. George Sykes and Gen. James G. Blunt. Returning from the army, Maj. Ransom located in
Kansas City, Mo., where he was engaged in the
sale of real estate. Soon, however, he was appionted by Gov. Fletcher, to the position of Clerk
of the Circuit Court of Jackson County. This
was the period of the re-construction of Missouri as
a free State. In July, 1866, he was attacked in
the streets of Kansas City by a party of his old
bushwhacker enemies, who at once fired on him.
After a fight which lasted some minutes, Maj. Ransom fell, severely wounded in three places. He
has never fully recovered from the effect of that
outrageous attack.
During the year 1865, Maj. Ransom was President of the Kansas City & Cameron Railroad Company. Four years later he took up his residence
in Lawrence, Kan., as Auditor and Assistant Treasurer of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston
Railroad Company, where he remained until 1877,
when he accepted the appointment of Auditor of
the Chicago & Lake Huron Railroad Company, of
Michigan, and, returning to Michigan, located at
Port Huron. He made his home in that city until
1881, when he was appointed Deputy-Commissioner
of Railroads of Michigan under the Hon. W. B.
Williams, of Ailegan. He held that position
through five administrations, and retired to private life at the expiration of his term of office, in
1891, and returned to his old home in Kalamazoo,
where he is still residing.
Maj. Ransom, himself a ripe scholar, has always
taken a deep interest in educational affairs, and
was President of the Board of Education for many
years at Lawrence, Kan. In politics, our subject,


though early educated in the Democratic faith, has
voted the Republican ticket since 1860. He was
married, in 1853, to Miss Mary E., eldest daughter
of the late Dr. William Mottram, a prominent physician of Kalamazoo. Mrs. Ransom has shared the
fortunes of her husband through his eventful career, even to camp life, where she became a prime
favorite with the soldiers. Seven children have
been born to them, all of whom are living with the
promise of honorable and useful lives before them.
The portrait of Maj. Ransom appears on another
page of this volume.
Mfy RS. ADELIA L. BRIGHAM.        This honored and esteemed lady of Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, is a native of
the State of Vermont, where she opened
her eyes to the light December 14, 1828. Her parents were William L. and Jerusha (Harris) Granger,
natives also of Vermont. Her paternal ancestors
were of English stock, as is also the ancestry on
the mother's side, and the grandfather Granger was
a hero in the Revolutionary War.
When five years of age, Mrs. Brigham with her
parents removed to Canada, settling near Chatham,
the mother dying soon after their arrival in that
Province. The father survived until the fall of
1886, when he too died. At the age of nine years,
our subject came with her father and family to
Kent County, Mich., and resided in that county
until fifteen years old when the family came to
Kalamazoo County, settled, in Richland Township,
and with the exception of about three years she
has been a resident here since. She attended the
first academy established at Grand Rapids and received a very good education.
The original of this sketch was united in marriage, July 2, 1846, to Barna L. Brigham, a native
of the Bay State. Mr. Brigham was reared in his
native State, was a carpenter and joiner and erected
a number of buildings in Richland Township, and
all the buildings, with the exception of one, on his
farm where his esteemed widow now resides. After
their marriage, this couple settled on their farm in
Richland Township, he having owned the place a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


799


- I- ` ----I —I —
-----------------


number of years previous. Mr. Brigham developed
and cleared it and made of it one of the finest and
most attractive farms in the township and it is today a standing monument to his industry and hard
labor. He saw much pioneer labor and was called
from this life to enjoy the recompense due his long
and useful career in 1876. He was a man highly
esteemed and much honored lor his sterling qualities and honesty and in his death the county lost
one of its influential and intellectual pioneer citizens. Ie was not connected with any church, but
was a man who was a Christian and wanted to be
just in everything.
Mrs. Brighlam resides on the home farm of one
hundred and sixty-one acres and ranks among the
first pioneer women of the township.  To her
and her husband seven children were born: Gor.
don B., Charles H., William L., Frances E., Jennie
J., Adelia L. and Anna M., who are all well liked
by all who know them. The father of this family
was a kind husband and loving father and an
obliging neighbor and enjoyed the confidence of
the business community.
s    ILAS W. KENDALL. One of the men who
has been prominently interested in the development of Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County, is this gentleman. IHe is a
son of Homer S. Kendall, a native of Berkshire
County, Vt., where he was born in 1800. The
father was an only son, and his father was also a
native of New England who died when Homer was
but a young boy, leaving him the care of his mother.
He at first worked by the month, receiving but $8
per month in return for his hard labors. -Ie then
learned and followed the trade of a millwright, in
which he was quite successful. He was married to
Beulah Scott, a native of Windham, Vt., and a
daughter of Rufus Scott, the ceremony taking
place on New Year's Day of 1824, in Allegany
County, N. Y. They came to Michigan in 1856,
bringing five children, our subject being the youngest. The father settled in Oshtemo Township, this
county, in 1857, where he bought eighty acres on


section 34. HIe died October 22, 1891. He was an
active and prominent man in his younger days in
all public movements. His good wife died on the
10th of March, 1872.
Silas W. Kendall, the subject of this sketch, had
his birth in Allegany County, N. Y., September 29,
1846, and there spent his boyhood days attending
the common schools. He came to this State with
his parents and was married, in 1873, to Lucy S.
Drummond, a daughter of Jacob Drummond, an
old settler and one highly esteemed by his many
acquaintances. Mrs. Kendall is a pleasant, sociable
and motherly woman, and is highly spoken of by
all. Our subject is an active man and quite popular and has run for Supervisor of his township a
number of times, but, being in the minority has
failed to secure an election. In his politics, he
affiliates with the Democratic party.
He of whom we write has erected a fine house
on the estate consisting of eighty acres on section
34, and everything around shows the thrift and
energy of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall have
one child, to whom they have given the name of E.
Vernon, who is now nine years old, the pride and
hope of the family. Mr. Kendall has two brothers
and one sister now living. J. W. is living in Kalamazoo City, Smith H. in Pine Grove Township,
and Nancy S. Thompson is a widow living in Kalamazoo. His sister Electa died in Dakota. J. W.
Kendall was a soldier in the Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry in the late war and served his country three years.
( NDREW J. HOLMES, dentist, a member of
the popular firm of Holmes & Moffett, was
'born August 18, 1834, in the vicinity of
Willoughby, Lake County, Ohio. He is
the second son and seventh child in a family of
eight born to Ezra and Maria (Pelton) Holmes.
The father was a native of Connecticut and the
mother of New York, and were married in Livingston County, of the latter-named State.
The parents of our subject came West to Lake
County, Ohio, as early as 1830, where Mr. Holmes
was engaged in general farming and dairying,




800                     PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICi
manufacturing a fine quality of cheese, for which  tion, hon
article he took first premium in the county and  a lady mi
State fairs. He passed from this life in 1861,  of our s
when in his sixty-fourth year. His good wife had  West M
preceded him to the better land many years, her  friends, b
death taking place in 1837, in Lake County, Ohio.  teem.
After the death of his mother, the father of our
subject was a second time married, the lady of.    -=
his choice being Maria Peters, who is now deceased
and who had become the mother of five children.     I IRI
Andrew J. Holmes received his primary educa-, era
tion in the common schools of his native town,       R.
and later attended the Kirtland Academy at Kirt-     Y.
land, Ohio. After being graduated from that in-  back to tl
stltution, he taught school for two years and then  his ancest
began the study of dentistry at Willoughby, Ohio.  settled at
After completing his course in that profession, Dr.  tory of tt
Holmes began the practice of dentistry in the  emigrated
above-named city, where he was more than ordin-  where we:
arily successful in building up a lucrative practice.  W. and
In January, 1869, the original of this sketch  a distant
went to South Haven, this State, where he re-  so that be
mained for two years and then came to Kalamazoo  of the fa
in 1871, where he has since been a resident.   of the Un
Dr. Holmes is quite extensively interested in real  In Octo
estate, and, in addition to the property which he  parents tc
owns in this city, is the proprietor of a good farm  farm in
at Grand Forks, Dak. At one time he was interested  whenever
with P. Poyneer, under the firm name of Poyneer  cation was
& Co., dealing in fanning mills and selling them  tions of h
throughout the Eastern States. He was thus em-  farmer.
ployed during the years of 1883-84, but since that  one, he hi
time gives his attention exclusively to the practice  an agreem
of his profession.                             was paid i
Dr. Holmes was married, in March, 1868, to Miss  the Disco
Marion E. Webster, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mrs.  taught sct
Holmes was born in Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio,  he engage
and was the daughter of Truesdale and Mary     Upper Per
(Peterson) Webster.  Our subject and his wife  clerked in
have become the parents of one son, Frank W.,who  In Mar(
is now a student in the dental department of the  York for 1
Michigan University.                           of one hun
Socially, Dr. Holmes is a Knight of Pythias and  tined port
a member of the Ancient Order of United Work-  ployed by
men. In church matters, with his wife, he belongs  clerk in a
to the Unitarian denomination, in which body he  that place
was a Trustee. Mrs. Holmes now holds that posi-  worked wi


i


AL RECORD.


sever, and the church is presided over by
nister, Mrs. Bartlett. The beautiful home
ubject and his wife is located at No. 703,
ain Street, where they entertain their
by whom they are held in universal esKE W. NOYES, Assistant Adjutant-Genal of the Department of Michigan, G. A.,was born in Leroy, Genesee County, N.,April 22, 1830. He traces his lineage
he time of William the Conqueror, when
ors came from Normandy to England and
Salisbury. At an early day in the hisle colonies, representatives of the family
I hither and located in New Hampshire,
re born the parents of our subject, David
Olive (Allen) Noyes. The mother was
connection of the famous Ethan Alien,
)th as pioneers and patriots the members
mily have labored for the development
ion.
>ber, 1831, our subject was brought by his
this State, where he was reared on a
Macomb County, and attended school
opportunity offered. However, his edu
s principally gained under the instrucis father, who was a teacher as well as a
When he arrived at the age of twentyred out to work by the month, making
ient that he was to receive as much as
by any one in town. Later, he attended
Academy and in the winter of 1851-52
4ool. At the close of his term of school,
d to work on Government surveys in the
linsula, and during the following winter
a country store.
ch, 1853, Mr. Noyes sailed from New
Melbourne, Australia, and, after a voyage
idred and five days, landed at the deson July 4th. For a month he was eman uncle of George Francis Train ns
bonded warehouse, and after quitting
went into the gold mines, where he
ith varying success until February, 1855.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


801......       -- - -1 --- ---- ---- -~ ---- -- --- -                                                                                                                                                                             -     - -- L ---' —,- ---  -7 --- —-— `~


He found at that time he had money enough to
pay his passage home, and, accordingly, he embarked for London, which he reached after one
hundred and forty-two days on the ocean. Among
his fellow-passengers was an uncle of William E.
Gladstone, Charles Ewart by name. It was Derby
Day when he arrived in London, and after making
a short visit in that city, he sailed from Southhampton and landed in New York during June.
From New York, Mr. Noyes proceeded to Boston, thence to the former home of his father in
New Hampshire and from that place to Niagara
Falls. In July, 1855, he returned to his father's
home in Macomb County, this State, and, after visiting at home for a short time, went to Chicago
and entered Bell's Commercial College, from which
he was graduated with second honors in a class of
fifty. In the spring of 1856, he engaged with a
lumber firm, by the name of Adams, Blinn & Co.,
as book-keeper and general manager, and was sent
by them across the lake to South Haven, where he
had charge of their interests, managed their store
and was foreman of their employes at that place.
The panic of 1857 not only bankrupted the firm,
but caused him to lose his entire salary and the
money he had loaned his employers.
About that time, when Mr. Noyes was, perhaps,
suffering more from adverse circumstances than at
any other period of his life, he was married, January 10, 1853, to Mettie L., the daughter of Howe
and Harriet (Lamphear) Covert. At the time of
her marriage, Mrs. Noyes was a resident of South
Haven, but her native place was in Ovid, Seneca
County, N. Y., where she was born March 2, 1839.
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Noyes, one of whom died in infancy. Arthur J.
is engaged on the street railroad in Chicago;
George W., born February 22, 1861, resides in
Mandan, N. Dak., and is one of the foremost taxidermists in the United States; Bertha E. is the wife
of E. J. Harrington, a farmer of Paw Paw Township; David W. lives in Paw Paw, where he is
clerking in the establishment of J. C. Warner; Albert, who is blind from the effect of injury received when ten years old, remains under the parental roof; Ralph G., who is also a taxidermist and
resides in Dakota; Harry S. is a student in the Paw


Paw High School; Joe and Merta remain at home.
In 1859, Mr. Noyes purchased eighty acres of
wild land near South Haven, upon which he located in the spring of the following year. He engaged in cutting wood and averaged a cord each
day during the winter months. On December 2,
1862, he enlisted in Company D, First Michigan
Sharpshooters, and went into camp at Kalamazoo.
During the following month, he went to Dearborn Arsenal, near Detroit, and in July, with his
regiment, marched to Indiana, following the Morgan raiders through that State to the Ohio line
and engaged in several sharp skirmishes. After
doing provost duty in Indianapolis for a time, he
was ordered to Detroit to prevent draft riots.
The regiment received orders in August to
march to Chicago and guard Morgan's men at
Camp Douglas, and thence, March 23, 1864, they
proceeded to Annapolis, Md., to join Burnside's
expedition. They crossed the Rapidan River and
engaged in tile battle of the Wilderness, May 5,
1864, going into action, May 6th, with seven hundred and thirty-eight enlisted men and thirty-six
commissioned officers. They participated in all
the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac and
during the siege of Petersburg occupied the nearest approach to the rebel lines, guarding the mouth
of the mines run under the rebel works. When
the city fell, the regiment planted the first flag
over the ruins.
At Spottsylvania, on May 13th, Mr. Noyes was
wounded in the left arm and, on July 30th, received injuries at the blowing up of the mine. A
shell exploded near him which caused partial paralysis of the right side, deafness in the right ear,
paralysis of the right larynx, and broke two toes
in the left foot. On September 30th, at Peebles farm,
he was again wounded in the left limb above the
knee and was taken prisoner, being kept at Libby
Prison for a few days and thence removed, on October 6th, to Salisbury, where he remained one
month. Together with others, he planned escape,
but the plot being discovered, he was removed to
Danville, Va., where he was held until February
and then returned to Libby Prison.
On February 22, 1865, Mr. Noyes was paroled,
and going to the hospital at Annapolis, soon ob





802


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.




tained a leave of absence and came home. On
April 15th, before he had learned of the assassination of President Lincoln, he was impelled by a
strong inward feeling to return to the army, and
meeting his company, did duty until July 28th,
when he was mustered out and participated in the
Grand Review at Washington. Ile had enlisted
as a private, and by a series of promotions passed
from Orderly Sergeant to First Lieutenant and
Captain. Before receiving his commission for the
latter position, he was appointed Adjutant, in
which capacity he was serving at the time of his
resignation.
Upon returning home, Mr. Noyes began to clear
and improve his farm, on which he resided until
1872. He is a prominent Republican, and, in 1857,
was elected Township Clerk; in 1860, Justice of
the Peace and; in 1862, Supervisor. His first vote
was cast, in 1852, for John P. Hale, and four years
later he supported John C. Fremont. In 1867,he was
elected Supervisor of South Haven, which position he retained until 1870, serving as Chairman
in 1869-70. He served two terms as Register cf
Deeds and has served as Justice of the Peace for
about five years. For a number of years he was manager of a general store in Paw Paw, finally buying
out the stock. In May, 1886, he was appointed assistant book-keeper in the land office at Lansing, and
served in that capacity until May, 1890, when he
was appointed State Trespass Agent. In January,
1891, he resigned that position and the following
March was appointed to his present responsible and
influential position in the Grand Army of the Republic, and has since been appointed by President
Harrison to the position of Postmaster at Paw
Paw.
-- ^  ---  041W^


and Elizabeth (Anderson) Ransom, the Ransom
family being of Irish ancestry. Samuel Ransom,
the grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in
the Revolutionary War and was never heard of
thereafter, it being supposed that lie was killed by
the Indians.
James Ransom, the father of our subject, was
born in Union County, Pa., in 1806, where he
learned the trade of a blacksmith and emigrated to
Ohio. There he married Elizabeth Anderson, a native of Maryland, born near Baltimore, in 1809, and
of Scotch ancestry. They resided in Belmont and
Guernsey Counties, Ohio, until 1836, then removing to what is now Blackford County, Ohio, where
Mr. Ransom cut a road ten miles into the dense
forest and settled down five miles distant from
any other white man. Here he cleared a farm and
made a home. He died in 1862, his wife surviving him until 1873. They had thirteen children,
twelve of whom attained to mature years, married
and reared families.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the
parental family and one of three sons who chose
the medical profession. Two sons became merchants and one a contractor and builder. On attaining his majority, Dr. Ransom worked one year for
a livestock dealer. In 1850, he was seized with
the gold fever and started for California via New
Orleans, Cuba, Mexico and the Sandwich Islands
and thus after a journey of nine months arrived in San Francisco without any money. He
worked one year on a ranch at $125 per month.
He then took a claim on what is now the site of
San Jose, which he sold for $6,000 and deposited
the money in a bank. This failed and lie thus
lost all his hard-earned wealth. He then worked
a few months in the mines, accumulating $1,500,
which he loaned a merchant, but through his dishonesty again lost all his savings. He was not
discouraged, however, in spite of all his hard luck,
and immediately set about retrieving his fortunes,
taking up a new line of work. Hle had never attended school to amount to anything, but in his
boyhood days, during his leisure moments, he was
fond of perusing medical works and when he went
to California carried a number of these with him.
He now entered a private hospital at Sacramento,


W     ILLIAM   CLARK    RANSOM, M. D., located at South Haven in April, 1881, and
has since become one of the leading business men of the place, as well as a popular physician. He is a member of the firm of Hempstead
Bros. & Ransom, clothing merchants, and is also
a dealer in real estate and interested in commerce
on the lakes. Dr. Ransom was born in Belmont
County, Ohio, December 6, 1828, a son of James




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


803


where he worked 'two years, then went with the
Surgeon-General and a company of militia into
Northern California and Oregon, having care
of the sick soldiers for four years. At the end of
this time, he went onto an Indian Reservation in
Del Norte County, Smith River Valley, Cal.
In 1864, Dr. Ransom purchased $400 worth of
drugs and sailed for the Island of Otaheite in the
southern Pacific Ocean. The journey was made on
an American schooner (carrying the Otaheite flag)
to Otaheite. The voyage to China and Africa was
made prior to this on a man-of-war. Ite stopped
at the capital, Papeiti, of the island and cared for
some whale fishers who were there sick. He next
went to the Feejee Islands, New Zealand, and
Australia, where he shipped for Valparaiso, Chill,
landing on the 6th of March, 1865, and remained
until July 16, 1865, there hearing for the first time
of the capture of Richmond and the assassination
of President Lincoln. From Valparaiso, he sailed
to Callao, Peru, where he remained two weeks,
then went to Quiteel, Ecuador, and made a visit to
Quito. IHe then sailed to Panama and from there
to New York and in the fall of 1865 returned to
his old home at Hartford, Ind., and hung out his
shingle as physician and surgeon. Dr. Ransom
now took a course in the Cleveland Medical College and in 1870 was graduated from the Indiana
Medical College, remaining at Hartford until he
came to South Haven.
After his removal to South Haven, Dr. Ransom
practiced his profession and also engaged in dealing in real estate and soon become a prominent
factor in the business of the town. In 1884, he
built a schooner loaded with produce and with his
family on board started for New Orleans to visit the
exposition. The trip required one hundred days
as he hunted and fished along the route. He sold
the cargo and boat at New Orleans. He has since
built three other boats and sold them at the place.
He has built the "Harvey Ransom," which sails on
the lake, and has been interested in other vessels.
Since 1888, the Doctor has been a member of the
firm of Hempstead Bros. & Ransom and has built
several residences in South Haven. Dr. Ransom
was married, January 1, 1866, to Emily Hodson,
daughter of Samuel and Phoebe Hodson. She was


born in Grant County, Ind., November 22, 1848.
They are the parents of one son, Thomas Harvey,
who was born in Hartford, Ind., August 5, 1870,
and was graduated from the Indiana College of
Physicians and Surgeons in 1891, a few days before he was twenty-one years of age. He is now
associated with his father in practice. Dr. Ransom
is a stanch Republican but cannot be called a politician as he takes but little interest in the workings of "the machine," and has never sought
public office. He became a member of the Odd
Fellows in 1855, has passed all the chairs in both
the subordinate and the encampment lodges and
served as Deputy Grand Master in Oregon and in
Indiana. -He is a member of the Scientific, Medical, and Business Societies of South Haven.
----                -— 4 -ILLIAM S. DOWNEY, Sheriff of Kalamazoo County, claims Ireland as the land of
his nativity, and is one of the worthy citizens which that country has furnished to Michigan. His birth occurred in the city of Belfast,
March 2, 1852, and he is the eldest son of William
and Mary (McConnell) Downey. In 1862, his parents crossed the Atlantic to Quebec, and thence
came direct to Michigan, locating on a farm in
Kalamazoo County, where Mr. Downey engaged in
agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred October 6, 1872. He took quite a prominent part in public affairs, and was very active in
the campaign of Seymour and Blair. He was a
strong believer in the doctrines of the Presbyterian
Church, and the views of John Knox. All who
knew him respected him for his honesty of purpose
and fidelity to the right. His wife died in Ireland
in 1861. The family numbered two sons and a
daughter: James A., now of Chicago; Mary, wife
of John Gilmer of the firm of Gilmer Brothers,
dry-goods merchants of Kalamazoo; and William
S., of this sketch.
Our subject was trained in the labors of the farm
and acquired his education in the public schools,
and in the Baptist CoIlege of Kalamazoo, which he
attended for two years. He then began earning. i,
-i- JG_|






804


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


his own livelihood, and for four years was an em-  boast c
ploye in the Michigan State Asylum for the Insane,  life of
after which he took a trip through the West, and  nues ai
spent some time in Leadville and Gunnison City,  constru
Col., remaining away from home for nearly two  archite
years.                                           The
On his return to Kalamazoo, Mr. Downey was   tribute
united in marriage to Miss Maria Grimes, daugh-  to say
ter of John Grimes, an old resident of Schoolcraft,  than t]
Mich. The lady died in 1884, leaving a little  sketch.
daughter, Julia May, then only ten months old. In  contem
June, 1891, Mr. Downey was again married, his  trainin
second union being with Lizzie Cody, of Toledo,  veloped
Ohio, who was born near Howard City, Mich. This  He has
worthy couple are well and favorably known in  intend(
Kalamazoo, and rank high in social circles.    decorat
Under Mr. Montague, Mr. Downey served for    few.
two years as Deputy Sheriff, and was then elected  A na
Constable, serving for three years. He was the  Devons
only one elected on the Democratic ticket, and in  Joseph
1891 he was elected Sheriff of Kalamazoo County,  nine ye
receiving a majority of fifty-one votes in a county  ada, sel
where there is a Republican majority of one thou-  the tra(
sand. This plainly indicates two facts: his great  two, he
personal popularity and the confidence placed in  penter,
his ability. He entered upon the discharge of tile  until tl
duties of the office on the 1st of January, 1892, and  the age
is proving a capable and trustworthy official. He  three y
has always taken quite an active part in local poli-  The
tics, and is a stalwart advocate of Democratic prin-  Williar
ciples. He is connected with several civic soci-  mazoo;
eties, being a member of Kalamazoo Lodge, No. 22,  ard live
A. F. &A.M.; Saladin Temple Nobles of the Mys-  T. H. G
tic Shrine; Deloit Clinton Consistory Ancient Ac-  subject
cepted Scottish Rite; the Knights of Pythias; Burr  thus er
Oak Lodge, No. 270, I. O. O. F; and the Indepen-  kinds c
dent Order of Red Men.                         stone o
men, ai.|@               |the city
Lawren
ILLIAM L. WELSH. The character of a           June
people is displayed in their dwellings and  mazoo
public buildings. Be they educated or   Beverly
ignorant, esthetic or depraved, elevated or de-  Americ
based, the beauty or ugliness of their architecture  her ren
is a sure criterion by which to judge the public  to her 1
taste. No city of its size in the entire country can  some y,


)f so many handsome edifices for the home
its people as has Kalamazoo. Its broad avend boulevards are lined with stately edifices,
icted according to the modern style of
cture in brick, stone and wood.
efforts of many minds and hands have cond to this general grand effect, but it is safe
that no man is entitled to greater credit
he gentleman whose name introduces this
With a natural inclination toward the
plation of mechanical designs, and the early
g in company with his father, he soon ded a taste for architectural ornamentation.
attained a name second to none as a superent and builder, and his interior finish and;ions are surpassed by none, equalled by
itive of England, Mr. Welsh was born in
shire, November 13, 1842, and is a son of
and Eliza (Leathorn) Welsh. When about
ears old, he came with his parents to Canttling at London, where his father followed
de of a carpenter. At the age of twentycame to Kalamazoo and engaged as a carhis connection with his father continuing
he death of the latter, in October, 1879, at
of sixty years. The widowed mother died
ears afterward.
parental family comprises five children,
n L., being the eldest; Thomas resides in KalaJohin makes his home in Colorado; Riches in Montana; Sarah, formerly the wife of
Filbert, died at Leadville, Col. In 1869, our
began as a contractor, and has continued
igaged until the present. He erects all
)f structures, and takes contracts for brick,
r wood. He employs from five to twenty
id has built some of the finest buildings in
7, among them the elegant residence of Mr.
lee.
29, 1868, Mr. Welsh was married at Kalato Miss Isabella Priest, who was born at
y, Canada, and is descended from Scotch and
an ancestors. She resided at Beverly until
noval to Kalamazoo about 1858, and prior
marriage was occupied as a teacher. For
ears past, she has been an invalid and un



I;




......................7il 7 ~......


(




PORTRA1[T AND BIOGRAPHICAL REECORID.


807


P    T IA BGC.     8


able to give much attention to either literary or
church work, althlough she is a member of the
Methodist Church. She has two children: Frederick Charles, a fresco painter of Kalamazoo; and
Cora Pauline, a young lady of rare beauty of face
and mind, and at present a student in the High
School. The family residence at No. 115 W. Dutton Street is a model house throughout, and possesses all the essentials of modern comfort on an extensive scale.
'. '     * —.:}- — '.   i~
E LDER JAMES HENRY HAMMOND, pastor of the Christian Church of Decatur,
was born in Greene County, N. Y., April 1,
1847, and is of English descent. His grandfather
was Jonathan Hammond and his father bore the
name of Nathaniel. The latter was born in Eastern New York, October 15, 1815, and married
Caroline Sears, also a native of the Empire State.
By trade he was a cabinet-maker and followed
that occupation during the greater part of his
life. He died in Ulster County, N. Y., in 1856,
and the death of his wife occurred in Delaware
County, N. Y., in 1883, whither the family had
removed after the death of the father.
All of their eight children grew to mature years
and five are still living: R. S. is a resident of
Delaware County, N. Y.; Nancy Jane, widow of
John Merchant, resides in Delaware County; Frank
died in that county in 1883; Daniel F. and David
F., twins; the former died in 1882, and the latter resides in Delaware County; Herbert S. makes his
homein Dakota; and Hector N. died in Delaware
County, in 1879.
When only seventeen years of age, James II.
Hammond enlisted for the late war as a member
of Company M, Fifteenth    New  York Heavy
Artillery, on the 8th of February, 1864.  The
regiment was sent to join Grant in his campaign
and participated in all the important engagements
until the close of the war. Our subject was wounded in the capture of the Weldon Railroad, August
18, 1864, by a minie ball, which passed through
his right side. He was then sent to the hospital
at City Point, and afterward to Lincoln Hospital
37


at Washington, where the surgeon said that had
the ball gone one-sixteenth of an inch farther, it
would have caused his death. As it is, he has
never yet fully recovered from  his wound.  He
was honorably discharged on the 22d of August,
1865.
When the country no longer needed his services,
Mr. Hammond returned to Delaware County, N.
Y., where for a time he worked on a farm and
then entered Stamford Seminary to prepare himself for teaching, which profession - he afterward
followed for a number of years. On leaving New
York, he emigrated to Ogle County, Ill., and afterward engaged in teaching for two terms in Rock
Island County, that State. It was there that he
united with the Christian Church and formed the
resolve to devote himself to the ministry.  He
entered the Bible College connected with Kentucky University, a school of the Christian Church,
and after a time engaged in preaching for one
year in Dubuque, Iowa.   Iie then returned to
school and was graduated from Bible College in
Lexington on the 14th of June, 1877, and carried
off second honors in his class. His first call, subsequent to that time, was from the church in Midway, Ky., where he remained a year and then
went to Pompey Hill, N. Y., the former home of
Horatio Seymour. lIis next charge was at Grand
Rapids, where he remained four years, during
which time he did effective work in that place and
was largely instrumental in building up the church.
January 1, 1883, Elder Hammond was united in
marriage, in Paw Paw, Van Buren County, to
Mary Grace, daughter of Le Grand R. Anderson,
one of the earliest settlers of this county.  Unto
them have been born three children: Mary Grace,
born February 27, 1887; Clara Susie, born January 21, 1889; and Le Grand A., born April 6,
1891.
On leaving Grand Rapids, Mr. Hammond became pastor of the church in Painesville, Ohio,
where he labored a year and then accepted the
position of State Evangelist of Michigan. A year
later he took charge of his father-in-law's farm.
which lie operated for two years and at the same
time filled the pulpit in Bangor for several months
and held a number of revival meetings. His next




808


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


pastorate was at South Bend, Ind., and after about
two years lie went to Mt. Ayr, Iowa, where he
preached one year. In July, 1890, he came to
Decatur and has since been pastor of the church
at this place.  It is a new organization with
about one hundred members and has been greatly
built up by the labors of Elder Hammond. The
first year he devoted part of his time to the church
in Kalamazoo, but now gives his entire time to the
congregation here. He is alike esteemed by his
own members and those outside of the church.
Socially, he is a member of the Grand Army Post
and of the Good Templars' Society. During nearly
his entire residence in Michigan, he has been a
member of the State Board of Missions and is now
President of the Christian Missionary Association
of the State.
In connection with his sketch will be noticed a
lithographic portrait of Mr. Hammond.
C    ARL W. WILLISON, who operates a sawmill in Decatur, was born on the 15th of
April, 1842, in Licking County, Ohio, and
comes of one of the old families of Maryland.
His great-grandfather, Jeremiah Willison, was a
native of Lancaster County, Pa., and married Miss
Sarah Death, by whom he had a large family. He
removed to Maryland, and was Crier of the first
court ever held in Cumberland. The grandfather
of our subject, John Willison, was born in Cumberland, and wedded Miss Sarah Moore, a lady of
Scotch descent. He followed farming in pursuit
of fortune, and died in 1851. The following
children constituted his family: Elitha, Elisha,
Larry, Asbury, Isaiah, Singleton and Abel.
The father of our subject, Abel Willison, was
born in Flintstone, Md., August 15, 1802, and his
marriage to Melinda Castile, a native of Bedford
County, Pa., was celebrated in 1833. He made his
home in the city of Cumberland, and engaged in
farming. He died in the faith of the Methodist
Church, November 22, 1867, having survived his
wife only eight days. She, too, was a member of
the Methodist Church.   Seven children graced


their union, all of whom grew to mature years:
Thomas J., of Illinois; Eliza M., wife of Robert
Holvie, of Wabash County, Ind.; John W., of Preble County, Ohio; Mary E., who died in early
womanhood; David L., a resident farmer of South
Dakota; and Martha E., wife of James Acton, of
Preble County, Ohio.
In the Buckeye State, Carl Willison spent the
days of his boyhood and youth, his educational
advantages being limited to the privileges of the
common schools. At the age of eighteen, he started
out to earn his own livelihood, and in the fall of
1860, with his brother J. W., went to Illinois,
where lie was employed as a farm hand until the
spring of 1861. Prompted by patriotic impulses,
lie responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company B, Eighth Missouri Infantry,
under Capt. D. P. Greer. The troops were first
sent to Cape Girardeau, Mo., and thence to Kentucky, where they took part in the battles of Ft.
Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth and of Vicksburg, and the battles of Memphis, Holly Springs
and Jackson. At the latter place, Mr. Willison
was taken sick and sent to the hospital. On account of disability, he was discharged at Paducah,
Ky., in July, 1863, and went to his brother's home
in Indiana. Subsequently, lie went on a visit to
his parents in Ohio, after which he re-enlisted, joining Company B, First Indiana Heavy Artillery.
He participated in the siege and capture of Ft.
Morgan, in August, 1864, and the capture of Spanish
Fort. After the close of the war, lie was discharged
in January, 1866.
Mr. Willison then returned to his home in Indiana, whither his parents had removed in the meantime, and in October of that year he came to
Michigan, locating in Cass County, where for one
year he worked in a sawmill. We next find him
employed in a similar manner in Decatur Township, where he remained until 1872. On the 16th
of April of that year, his mill was destroyed by
fire, and he went to Howard City, Mich., where lie
engaged in the manufacture of shingles for one
year. He then again carried on a sawmill, and engaged in the mill business in Cass County for a
year, when he removed to Dowagiac, Mich., where
he operated a sawmill, and was employed in a fac



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


809


=


tory for eight years. At the expiration of that
time, lie came to Decatur, where he has since resided. Again his mill was burned, on the 6th of
October, 1891, but with characteristic energy he
rebuilt and the new mill was fitted out with all
the modern improvements and machinery. IHe is
now enjoying a good business, which is constantly
increasing.
Mr. Willison and Miss Mary E. Warner were
married in June, 1870. The lady is a native
of Decatur Township, and a daughter of Joseph
Warner, one of the early settlers of the county.
Their union has been blessed with two children:
Mabel, born October 25, 1872; and Mollie, born
August 19, 1881.
Mr. Willison takes considerable interest in civic
societies, holding membership with the Masons, the
Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and Grand
Army Post, and has filled all the offices in the
second-named organization. He is a stanch advocate of Republican principles, taking a deep interest in the growth and success of his party, but has
never been an office-seeker. Although lie has met
with reverses, he is now doing a lucrative business,
and by his industry, enterprise and good management, has acquired the competence which places
him among the substantial citizens of the community.
J OHN MALLOW, one of the prosperous and
well-to-do farmers of section 1, Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo County, is a
v    native of Alsace, France, now a part of
Germany, where he had his birth September 25,
1825. His father, a farmer who bore the name
of Peter, came to America in 1841, being fortytwo days on the ocean.  He settled near Burr
Oaks, Mich., and died there four months later,
when sixty years of age.   He and his good
wife, Christina Mallow, were members of the
Lutheran Church and the parents of six children,
namely: Catherine, Sarah, Peter, George, Christena, and John.
Our subject is the only member of the family
now living, and he came to America with his fa



ther when about fifteen years old. He had studied
both German and French in his native schools,
and soon learned the English language after coming here. After the death of the father, our subject lived with a brother one winter, when he
started out for himself, working ten years by the
month. He at first received $6 a month, and
finally received $12 a month. He worked in LaGrange County, Ind., three years, and, as soon as
lie had saved sufficient money, he purchased
eighty acres of his present farm in 1845. Seven
acres were cleared, and a plank house already stood
on the place.
Mr. Mallow was married and settled here in
1852, the wedding taking place May 18, to Miss
Mary E. Davis, a native of Ohio. By this union
they became the parents of five children, four of
whom grew up: Iomer, Sarah (now     deceased),
Effie R. and Clara. Mrs. Mallow died in 1864,
and in November of the following year, our subject
took as his second wife Catherine Clipfell, a native of the Empire State. By this union three
children have been born: Charles (deceased), Fred
and Mary. Mrs. Mallow is an estimable lady and
has taken great pains to educate her children,
helping and encouraging them in every way possible. She has been a true helpmate to her husband, and much of their success is due to her discretion and intelligence.
When Mr. Mallow settled here, there was not
much development. Deer and bears roamed at
will in the forests, and the former were so tame
that they used to come into his garden. Hle has
always been a very industrious man, and is now
the deserving possessor of five hundred and
eighty acres in different parts of this and St. Joseph Counties. Two hundred acres compose the
home farm, where he carried on mixed farming,
raising quantities of grain, and has fed a great
many cattle.  Ile is now  retired from  active
life and is enjoying the fruits of his early labors and the comforts and luxuries wealth affords.
In the year 1860, Mr. Mallow erected his present fine frame residence, and also several large
barns. He is inclined to the Congregational
faith, to which church his wife belongs, and he is. e






810


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


---------------— II --- —------— _._____ ______ __.___
— ~ --- — -------- ------— i- ---__________. _________ —_-.______. ___ ._ _.. ___.____.._.___ _...________.___


a stanch supporter of the same.  He assisted in  three ye
building both the Congregational and Methodist  to Midc
Churches at Vicksburg. Politically, he is a Demo-  opposit
crat, and has been a member of the Board of Re-  merly
view a number of times. He attributes his success  proved.
in life mainly to close attention to business af-  seventy
fairs, economical habits and sagacious judgment,  the Mel
and by these has not only made for himself a    and is i
splendid competency, but has gained the respect  of his e
and esteem of tile entire community.            this life
year.
A ---      m> = -— =                    years a
pal Chl
G    HARLES STRATTON, a soldier in the             Ours
Union Army, who served his country nobly  born to
during the late war, is a native of Otsego  obtaine
Township, born of one of its earliest pioneer farm-  schoolh.
ilies, and is to-day one of the foremost of the skill-  influenc
ful and enlightened farmers and stock-raisers who  the farr
are carrying on the large agricultural interests of  of the T
this part of Allegan County.                    nineteer
Mr. Stratton was born October 23, 1842, and is  listed Se
a son of Thomas Stratton, who was one of the first  Michiga
settlers in Otsego Township west of Pine Creek,  three yc
and is still an honored resident of this county,  that bra
whose entire development he lIas witnessed, bear-  adjunct
ing his part in promoting its growth and solid pros-  one batt
perity. He underwent all the hardships and pri-  other di
vations incident to pioneer life while improving  importa
his farm, but with it all he found many compen-  bridges,
sations, among which was the fine opportunity   Mr. Stra
that the forests, swamps and prairies, in their  and har
original wildness, afforded him for hunting, in  sick list
which he took a keen delight, as he was an expert  he had i
marksman and many a deer has fallen at his un-  with his
erring aim, as he has been known to shoot three  ious wa
in one day.                                     nected v
A native of the Green Mountain State, Mr. Strat-  discharg
ton, Sr., went to live in Wayne County, N. Y., in  to his re
his boyhood, and remained there until 1832, when  on that
he set out for the forest wilds of the Territory of  After
Michigan. He was without means, but he was en-  home in
dowed with health, strength and a good capacity  1865.
for labor. He worked out for some months at     it all hi]
first, but soon took up a tract of Government   acres of
land in Otsego Township, which he sold ere long,  all Otset
and returned to New York. He remained two or    section


ears in that State, and then, coming back
iigan, took up a fine piece of land on the
e side of the line from where he was forlocated. This farm he cleared and im-,and is still living upon it, at the age of
-nine years. IHe has been a Steward in
thodist Episcopal Church for many years
in exemplary Christian. The companion
arly manhood and later years has departed
e, dying in June, 1886, in her eightieth
She was a faithful Christian, and for many
devoted member of the Methodist Episcourch.
subject is the second of the four children
his parents, all of whom are living.  He
d his education in an old-fashioned log
ouse, and grew up surrounded by pioneer
oes. In his youth he assisted his father on
n, and also worked out. The breaking out
var excited his patriotism, and, though but
n,nay only eighteen, years of age, he eneptember 13, 1861, as a member of the First
in Engineers and Mechanics.   He served
Mars, and proved a very useful soldier in
inch of service, which was such a necessary
of the army. He took direct part in only
tle, that at Lavergne, Tenn., as his duty lay in
rections. His regiment was employed in the,nt work of preparing roads, constructing
etc., for the convenience of the troops.
atton succumbed to the effects of exposure
rdship and May 1, 1863, was placed on the
of hospital No. 1, at Nashville.  Before
recovered sufficiently to go on duty again
3 regiment, he made himself useful in varys about the hospital, and was finally conwith the commissary department. He was
ced in October, 1864, after he had returned
egiment, as his term of enlistment expired
date.
the war, our subject returned to his old
i Michigan, and bought his present farm in
It was heavily timbered, but he has cleared
mself, and has one hundred and twenty
as fine farming land as can be found in
go Township. It is beautifully located on
31, and is fully supplied with modern im



IRE..5DLNCE 0' DAN I EWHI, 5EC. 9.,ALLEGANt TF.,ALLEGAN (CO.,MICH.


THE OLD HOMESTEAD PROPERTY OF O.3.SCHORNO,SEC. 26. FILMORETP,ALLEGAN CO.)MICH.


RESIDENCE OF CHARLES STRATTON,SEC.31.!OTSEGO TP,ALLEGAN CO.,MICH.








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


813


provements, including a good set of buildings and
the fine frame residence that lie erected in 1889,
which is complete in all its appointments and a
view of which is shown in connection with this
sketch.
Our subject was married to the wife who presides
over this pleasant home in 1865. To them  have
been born two children, Wilford C. and Harvey
N., to whom they have given good educational advantages. Mrs. Stratton, who bore the maiden name
of Mary E. Sebring, is a native of Wayne County,
N. Y., but she was reared mostly in Michigan, as
her parents brought her here when she was only
seven years old.
Mr. Stratton has always fulfilled his duties as a
citizen, and, although lie has never aspired to
official honors, is Justice of the Peace of this
township, having been elected to this office two
years ago. His strong temperance principles have led
him to abandon the Republican party to identify
himself with the Prohibitionists. Both he and his
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, of which lie has been Steward almost
every year since 1865, and lie has been a power
for much good in the upbuilding of his church.


dren, eight sons and five daughters, one of whom
died in infancy.  They made the trip to the
United States in 1835, and, after spending one
winter in New York, came to Michigan and were
among the first settlers at Singapore, where the
father helped to erect a sawmill and the first lighthouse.  He then purchased   land in Fillmore
Township, on whicll our subject makes his home.
Anton Schorno worked in Saugatuck, Allegan
County, for four years, in the employ of Wells &
Johnson and othets in the lumber business, and
hauled lumber from that place to erect his house.
Ile lived six miles from the nearest neighbor
and eleven miles from   market.  His circumstances were such, however, that lie hired a teacher
to come to his home and educate his children, and
in this manner they were enabled to gain a good
knowledge of books, which was more than could
be said of the average pioneer's children. The
mother of our subject died in Fillmore, May 14,
1861. The father passed away March 18, 1879,
and at his death left an estate of two hundred and
seventy-five acres.  His interest in educational
matters is shown by the fact that lie served as
School Director for a number of years. He also rendered his township good service in the capacity of
Township Treasurer, Justice of the Peace and
Highway Commissioner. Although not a member
of any church, he always tried to do to his fellowmen as lie would be done by.    Two brothers
of our subject are in Washington and two in Portland, Ore.
Our subject was reared on the home farm and
at the death of his father lie purchased the interest of some other heirs of the estate and now owns
one hundred and twenty acres of the original
homestead. When a young man, he spent three
years in Kansas, returning thence to the old home.
January 1, 1880, he took unto himself a wife and
helpmate in the person of Miss Amelia Kirschman,
who was born October 26, 1859. Her parents were
Adam and Mary Kirschman, who were of German
descent and early settlers of Ann Arbor. After
coming to Manlius Township, Allegan County,
the mother died, February 7, 1884; the father is
still residing at that place.
Mr. and Mrs. Schorno have become the parents


IE + ~ E 4


/


_ ---

__


O   SCAR S. SCHIORNO. To have the esteem
of one's fellow-men, and especially of those
who know you most intimately in tihe
everyday relation of neighbors, is worth much, and
to gain it is the worthy ambition of any honorable
man.   We may truly say that the gentleman
whose name appears at the head of this sketch has
attained this desideratum, as lie is well spoken of
by all who know him, and has honorably attained
to a broad and true friendship with many.
Mr. Schorno was born in Fillmore Township,
Allegan County, on the farm where lie now resides, October 23, 1846. His parents were Anton
and Mary (Uncks) Schorno. The father was a
native of Switzerland, in which country lie remained until the age of twenty years, when he
went to Germany and there met and married
Mary Uncks. To them were born thirteen chil





814


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


---


of four children, namely: Josephine, Elsie A.,
Ernest 0. and Myrtle, all of whom are living. Mrs.
Schorno died November 2, 1889; she was a lady
held in high esteem by her neighbors and associates. In addition to carrying on general farming, our subject breeds Short-horn cattle, and has
some very fine animals on his place. He is enterprising and energetic and fully deserves the high
estimation in which he is held by his townsmen.
Socially, he is a member of Unity Lodge, No. 191,
F. & A. M. In politics, he is a Democrat, but has
no ambition to hold office, preferring to give his
time and attention to his farm labors. He has a
substantial and convenient residence, a view of
which accompanies this sketch, but for memory's
sake has still standing on the farm the old
"shanty" in which he was born and which was
erected in 1841.  He has the best wishes and
kindest regards of all who know him.
ANIEL WHITE. The estimable gentleman to whom    we would now call the
attention of our readers is one of the
prominent farmers of Allegan Township.
He has accumulated a sufficiency of this world's
goods to enable him to live comfortably on his
beautiful farm of forty acres, on section 9. Ile
was born in Wayne County, N. Y., January 9, 1817,
and is the son of John and Nancy A. (Landon)
White, natives respectively of Connecticut and
Rhode Island.
The parents of our subject were married in
Oneida County, N. Y., but farmed in Wayne
County until their death. Their family of children numbered six, of whom our subject was the
youngest, and is the only one now living. He was
given a good education in the schools of his native
town, and lived at home until reaching his majority, when he combined with his occupation of a
farmer the trade of a boot and shoemaker. He
continued to reside in Wayne County until the
spring of 1854, and for a short time previous to
his locating in Allegan County, engaged in the
mercantile business. His present fine farm bears


excellent improvements and is in every way a
credit to its enterprising proprietor.
Daniel White was married, October 28, 1852, to
Miss Phebe, daughter of Orrin and Elizabeth
(Prosceous) Parsons, natives respectively of Connecticut and New York. Mr. Parsons was in early
life a miller, but passed his later days on a farm in
Wayne County, N. Y. His parents were Joel and
Phebe (Bailles) Parsons, natives of the New England States. They reared a large family, and lived
and died in New York. Mrs. White was one of a
family of twelve children, eight of whom are living and named: David, Paulina, Mrs. White, Sarah,
Wealthy A., Laura E., Edward L. and Priscilla M.,
respectively.
Our subject is not an adherent of any creed, but
believes in science, and is a liberal thinker. IIe
rather inclines to the doctrines advocated by
Robert Ingersoll. In politics, he is a Republican,
and his cordial, kindly spirit makes him warm
friends and stanch adherents. Elsewhere in this
volume will be noticed a view of the pleasant
homestead occupied by Mr. Wlite.
DELBERT C. MARTIN, editor and sole
owner of the True Northerner, is not only
the leading newspaper man in Paw Paw,
but occupies a prominent position among
the journalists of Southwestern Michigan. His
office, which is located in the Masonic Block, contains every convenience for the rapid completion
of work, and steam power is used in driving the
presses. The prominence to which he has attained
in the newspaper arena is the result of his enterprise and perseverance, and from poverty in his
boyhood, he has arisen to a position of influence
and prominence. Aside from the ownership of
the True Northerner, le has a half-interest in the
Hartford Day Spring and the Bangor Advance and
Reflector.
Mr. Martin traces his ancestry to Germany,
whence his great-grandfather emigrated to America. His parents, Lawrence and Amanda (Chatfield) Martin, were natives of Pennsylvania, where
the former operated as a tanner. Misfortunes




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


815


I


caused the loss of his property and when he came
to Michigan in 1856 lie was a poor man, with only
fifty cents in his possession and having no knowledge of any other trade than that of a tanner.
However, he soon became an expert in the use of
the axe, and cleared the fifty acres of land
which he took up. About 1863, lie went into the
army, leaving his wife and two children on the
farm.
In Susquehanna County, Pa., our subject was
born, November 13, 1850, and when about six years
old accompanied his parents to this State. He was
reared to manhood under adverse circumstances
and through his youth fought a constant battle
against poverty. When attending school in Lawton, it was his custom to arise at four o'clock in the
morning and begin his studies for the day, that he
might have time to attend to his work as janitor.
One lesson was always learned while on his way to
school. After he finished the course in the Union
school at Lawton, he engaged as a teacher during
one winter and later was a student at the State
Normal for one year.
On January 4, 1876, Mr. Martin was married to
Miss Cora, daughter of Elisha and Allie (Kilburn)
Durkee, of Lawton. Mrs. Martin was born in Paw
Paw, April 18, 1853, and is a lady of great culture,
familiar with the Latin and German languages, as
well as being an English scholar. Prior to her marriage, she was a teacher in Paw Paw, beginning in
the primary department of the public school and
working in every grade until she was finally elected
Principal of the High School. After her union
with our subject, she aided him in his school work
and for eight years taught with him. For one
term Mr. Martin was engaged as teacher in Whitehall, and for seven succeeding years was Superintendent of the schools of Bangor. Next he returned
to Lawton and for two years was Superintendent
of the school where he had once been janitor.
After continuing as a teacher for about ten
years, Mr. Martin entered the newspaper business
by purchasing a one-half interest in the  True
Northerner and has since followed journalistic work.
Although the duties connected with the successful
management of his paper are large, he still finds
time to look after other matters and has become


thoroughly versed in the German language. IHe
has also spent some time in the study of law and
could be admitted to the bar at any time should he
desire. For five years lie has been a member of
the County Board of School Examiners, of which
he was Secretary three years. When only twentyone, he became identified with the Masons, since
which time he has attained to the Thirty-second
degree. In his political affiliations, he is a stanch
adherent of the Republican party, of which his
paper is the organ.
J  EROME D. HAMILTON, I. D. This prominent physician and surgeon of Paw Paw,
was born at Scotts, Kalamazoo County,
July 9, 1862. He was the son of Monroe
M. and Caroline Hamilton, natives of New York.
The father was a pioneer of Kalamazoo County,
and is at present residing on a farm entered from
the Government by the grandfather of our subject,
Uriah Hamilton.
When only fourteen years of age, our subject
entered Galesburgh High School, about six miles
from  his home. He studied for three years in
that institution, and left just two months before
graduating, in order to enter the medical department of the Michigan University in the fall term
of 1880. He prosecuted his studies there the following two years and then entered the Detroit
Medical College from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the spring of 1884.
Dr. Hamilton was married February 17, 1884,
about two weeks before his graduation.   The
maiden name of his wife was Jennie Newbold,
of Detroit. She was born at Fair Grove, this
State, May 7, 1862. Our subject began the practice of his profession at Martin, Allegan County,
where he built up an enviable reputation as a
physician and remained until 1890. He came to
Paw Paw in April of that year and is ranked
among the eminent and skillful doctors of that
city. He also owns the Wolverine Pharmacy,
which is one of the finest drug stores in this vicinity.
The gentleman of whom we write is a Repub





816


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


lican in politics, but prefers to devote his time to
his profession rather than to public affairs. Although not a member of any Church, Dr. Hamilton is a regular attendant at the Presbyterian
Church, with which denomination his wife is connected. The doctor is a member of the State Medical Society, also of the State Pharmaceutical Society.
SCAR F. COLEMAN. This gentleman, who
is a prominent citizen of Kalamazoo, is successfully engaged in a variety of business,
being a fire, life and accident insurance agent, also
Justice of the Peace, a dealel in real estate and a
money-broker, having his place of business located at No. 114 South Burdick Street. He was
born at Newark, Wayne County, N. Y., June 2,
1827, and is the son of John and Jane (Reury)
Coleman. The father was born in New York and
is of Irish and English descent, while the mother,
who is also a native of the above-named State,
comes of good old German stock.
The father of our subject was a millwright, who
also learned the carpenter's trade. In 1836, he
came to Michigan, and, locating at Jackson, helped
to erect the first mill in that place. In 1838, he
came to Kalamazoo County, and in 1862 removed
to Wayland, Allegan County, where his death occurred five years ago, when in his eighty-first
year. Mr. Coleman built the mill at Homer, this
State, and also the Waldbridge mill at Kalamazoo.
The mother of our subject died the year after locating in Jackson.
Oscar F. Coleman worked at hi's trade of a carpenter for a time and then assisted his father in
building a vessel at the mouth of the Kalamazoo
River. The parties for whom they were working
failing, our subject shipped as cook on a boat for
one summer. The succeeding year, he assisted in
completing the vessel, and on the outbreak of the
Mexican War, he enlisted, in 1847, and raising a
company of volunteers at Kalamazoo, was attached
to Col. Stockton's regiment and joined Gen. Taylor's army at Vera Cruz. They were later stationed at Cordova and Orizaba and participated in


the bombardment of the latter-named place. His
regiment was also engaged in guerrilla warfare and
served in the army until the treaty of peace was
signed, when lie was mustered out at Detroit. He
had asked to be discharged at Vera Cruz, as he
wished to visit the gold region of California, but
his Captain brought him home, together with his
brother John M.
October 9, 1849, Mr. Coleman was united in
marriage to Miss Mary J. Sweezy, of Cooper, this
county.   le continued to work at his trade until
1852, at which time lie went into the employment
of L. D. Strong as head clerk for four years, and
then entered into partnership with Mr. Strong,with
whom he was interested for a number of years. At
the same time, he was elected Township Treasurer.
In 1856, our subject opened a first-class restaurant,
which he conducted successfully until the close of
the late war.
Mr. Coleman being in poor health, it was found
necessary to change his business, and in 1867 he
became proprietor of a general store in Oshtemo.
A short time after locating there, he was made
Postmaster of the village and agent of the Michigan Central Railway; he also had charge of the
American Express of that place. After being thus
occupied for a time, Mr. Coleman returned to his
family, which he had left in Kalamazoo, and again
engaged in the grocery business.
In 1857, the original of this sketch was elected
Township Treasurer for the second time, and was
re-elected to that office again in 1873. In the latter-named year, he defeated the same man who
caused him to lose the office in 1872. In 1875,
Mr. Coleman disposed of his grocery and has since
been doing a general insurance business. HIe was
elected Justice of the Peace in 1889, and re-elected
in 1891, for four years. He also acts as Notary
Public and is one of the most prominent business
men of the city.
The residence of our subject is located at No.
714 West Lovell Street, where he has made his
home since 1850. A Whig in former days, our
subject votes the Republican ticket and is quite
active in campaigns. With his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has
been for the past thirty years. The family of our




 7, 




ll




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


819


subject includes the following children: Amelia A.;
Millie, who is Mrs. R. E. Comfort, her husband being Superintendent of the Mexican Central Railroad and residing at Juarez, Mex., which has been
his home for the past eight years; Eunice, who
married Charles H. Cryle, who keeps a stationery
and book-store at Kalamazoo; Willis A., a wholesale dealer in meats in Kalamazoo, is a member of
the firm of Pierce & Coleman; Minnie I., who is
stenographer in the pension office of Col. Foote;
and Carrie E., who has been a teacher in the Vine
Street School for the past four or five years.
Socially, Mr. Coleman is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No. 22, at Kalamazoo. I-He also belongs to Kalamazoo Chapter, No.
13, and Peninsular Commandery No. 8. -Ie has
been very active in lodge work and has passed all
the chairs in both Chapter and Commandery. He
has attended the National Conclaves and is Senior
Warden in Blue Lodge and Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine. He occupies a high position in Masonic
circles and devotes a great deal of time and attention to the same.
OSEPH H. WHITE. Among the prosperous farmers of Allegan County, a prominent
position is occupied by the gentleman whose
portrait appears on the opposite page, and
who is successfully prosecuting his chosen calling
on section 14, Monterey Township. He is a worthy
representative of a family well known in Scotch
history, his ancestors on the maternal side being
numbered among the first Scotchmen who proclaimed their allegiance to the Calvinistic doctrine,
and were exiled to Ireland in consequence of their
religious views.
The genealogy of the White family is as follows:
(1) Thomas White, born in England in 1599, came
to America about 1625 and settled in Weymouth,
Mass.; (2) Capt. Joseph, born in Weymouth, Mass.,
in 1635, settled at Mendon, Mass.; (3) Thomas,
born in April, 1665, settled in Uxbridge; (4)
Samuel, born in iUxbridge, September 21, 1700;
(5) Paul, born December 1, 1744, was the father
of three sons, namely: Elijah, born February 1,


1769; Calvin, August 30, 1771; and Paul, January
26, 1777 (6) Jonas, born in Salton, Mass., November 19, 1795, the latter being the father of our
subject.
Jonas White was united in marriage with Miss
Sarah, daughter of Lemuel McGregory, a native
of Scotland, and after their marriage the young
couple located in Massachusetts, where Joseph H.
was born October 10, 1821. In 1823, the father
removed from Massachusetts to Portage County,
Ohio, the journey being made with ox-teams, and
occupying six weeks. The various members of
the family have been noted for their intellectual
ability and literary attainments. A sister of our
subject, Emily, was considered the best speller in
that section of Ohio in early days; another sister,
Mary E., who died at the age of thirty-four years,
was for years a prominent teacher in the Cleveland schools; Prof. Emerson E. White, who
resides in Cincinnati, is the author of White's
System of School Publications.
At the time his father removed to Portage
County, Ohio, Joseph 11. White was two years old
and lie resided there until he was thirty. At the
age of twenty-one, lie started out in life for himself, with no capital but his industrious habits and
rugged health. He came to Michigan when he was
thirty years old, settling in Allegan County, where
he has since resided.
On the 24th of December, 1841, our subject
was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Clark,
of Troy, Ohio, and they became the parents of six
children. Frances C. is the wife of Henry W.
George, and resides in Findlay, Ohio; Martha and
Mary are twins, the first-named being the wife of
Enos Smith, of Allegan, and the latter the wife of
Samuel Cummings, also a resident of Allegan;
Charles E. married Nora Gibson, and makes his
home in Allegan; Calvin E. chose as his wife
Molly Gould, and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio;
Orville G. married Katie Baxter, and lives on the
old homestead.
April 14, 1887, Mr. White was again married,
his wife being the widow of Ephraim Jarvis, and
the daughter of Harvey Town. She is the mother
of twelve children, six daughters and six sons,
eight of whom are living. The family residence






820


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I ----I- - I ---


=


is a beautiful rural home on section 14, and the
surroundings are those of plenty and comfort.
The farm includes one hundred and twenty acres
of good land, finely improved, and ranks among
the best estates in the township, toward the development of which Mr. White has rendered effective service. He belongs to the Grange, and is in
sympathy with the principles of the Republican
party.
W      ILLIAM  H1. COBB, Chief of Police in
Kalamazoo, was born at Orwell, Vt., November 1, 1825, and is the son of Horace
and Thankful (Bascomb) Cobb, natives of the
Green Mountain State. He is the second of three
sons, of whom the youngest died in infancy and
the eldest, James B., is represented elsewhere in
this volume. His father was a second time married,
choosing as his wife Abigail Nichols, and by that
union became the father of two children: Jane F.,
who resides in Grand Rapids, and Mary A., who is
deceased.
The father of our subject served as a valiant
soldier in the War of 1812, and afterward received
eighty acres on a soldier's warrant. He removed
from his Vermont home about 1832, making settlement at Brighton, N. Y., where his death occurred
in 1850. At the time of the removal to New York,
our subject was a lad of some seven years and he
grew to manhood in the Empire State, remaining
at home until 1854 and conducting the farming
operations.
In 1853, Mr. Cobb came to Kalamazoo and purchased a farm on the "Indian Fields," four miles
south of the city, upon which he settled in the
spring of the following year. It continued to be
his home until 1886, when he removed to Kalamazoo and established his present home at No. 916
S. West Street. During the past fourteen years, he
engaged in buying wool in connection with his
brother, James B., and handled between four hundred thousand and eight hundred thousand pounds
annually, giving the matter his close attention prior
to the acceptance of his present offlice.
Mr. Cobb has purchased the farm of one hun



dred and thirty acres adjoining his old homestead
and there he conducts farming operations after the
most approved methods. For ten years he has
been President of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance
Company, and for many years served as President
of the Kalamazoo Agricultural Society, it being
largely through his influence that it was revived
and became prosperous. He is also one of the
Directors of the State Agricultural Society, and
chairman of the committee that erected the public
buildings in Detroit and Kalamazoo. He was Alderman for the Third Ward for two years, President of the Council, Chairman of the Committees
on Finance and Streets and Bridges.
In April, 1891, Mr. Cobb was appointed Chief of
Police by the City Council.  At the time, he
was lying at home very ill and the Council waited
a week to see whether he would live or die, but as
his illness took a favorable turn, the appointment
remained in effect. He gives his position his entire attention and keeps the police force up to a
high standard, much of the effectiveness being due
to the direct personal attention and supervision of
the Chief. He is by no means a partisan, but is a
stanch Republican in his political affiliations and
uses his influence for the party of his choice.
The marriage of Mr. Cobb, in 1850, united him
to Miss Laura Ann Wilson, of Brighton, N. Y.,
and their children are named as follows: Horace,
Charles Oscar, James Bascomb and William Henry,
all of whom are deceased; Harriet Thankful, and
Horace E., who is a traveling salesman for a New
York firm. Harriet married C. F. Rude, of the
hardware firm of Foster, Stevens & Company, of
Grand Rapids. Charles married Cla a Pomeroy, of
Kalamazoo, and died at the age of twenty-four.
One child was born of his marriage, Sharley, now
nine years old, who since the death of her mother,
in 1890, has made her home with our subject. Mrs.
Cobb passed from this life March 21, 1892, dying of
bronchial pneumonia.
Mr. Cobb is a Trustee in the First Presbyterian
Church and a man of great benevolence and charity. He is one of the charter members of Portage
Lodge, F. & A. M., and a prominent member of
social circles, where his versatility of talent and
genial disposition render him a valuable acquisi



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


821


tion. He received a diploma from the Kalamazoo
Agricultural Society for having the best-managed
and conducted farm, and a visitor to his place
will sec at a glance that the reward was justly
bestowed.
AMUEL IAWKINS. The oldest resident of
Vicksburg, and one who is highly respected
for his long and self-sacrificing services in
behalf of the place, which he has seen grow
from a hamlet with only a few houses to a prosperous village of fourteen hundred inhabitants, is
the gentleman who is affectionately known as
"'Squire" Hawkins. He was born in Colebrook, Coos
County, N. II., January 7, 1816, and is of English
descent. Tradition says that the family was first
represented in America by a youth of that name,
who was kidnapped and brought to the United
States in the care of the captain of a ship, during
Colonial times. The family name was originally
spelled "Holkins."
Joseph Hawkins, father of our subject, was born
near Hartford, Conn., and at an early day settled
in the northern part of New Hampshire, where he
engaged in farming until 1821. TIe then removed
overland to the Western Reserve, and settled in
Ashtabula County, Ohio, on what is known as the
North Ridge, one and one-half miles from the
shores of Lake Erie. The journey from Buffalo
to Erie, N. Y., was made by sled onl the ice down
Lake Erie. The day before reaching Lake Erie,
the ice thawed and separated so that it was almost
impossible to land. The shore was steep and rugged, but by throwing felled trees across the opening along the shore and throwing a bed cord out,
the members of the family were hauled ashore in
safety.
In Ohio, where he was one of the pioneers, Joseph Hawkins developed a farm, and remained
there until his death-at the age of seventy-eight.
IHis wife was Mahetibel Terry, a native of Connecticut, a lady of extraordinary intelligence and
ability, and noted for her goodness of heart and
watchful care over her family. She reared to ma

turity nine children, six sons and three daughters,
all of whom are deceased except the subject of this
notice, who is the youngest member of the family.
One brother died recently at the age of ninety, and
the mother passed away at a good old age.
Our subject recollects some of the events of the
journey to Ohio, where he was reared in a dense
wilderness of hemlock woods, and educated in the
primitive log schoolhouses of that period, the like
of which, at this enlightened day, would astonish
the youth of our public schools. The schoolhouse
was built of round logs, with large open fireplace,
stick and mud chimney, slab benches, and puncheon floors, and the school was conducted on the
rate-bill plan, the teacher boarding around among
the pupils.
At the age of twenty-three years, Mr. Hawkins
walked from  his Ohio home to Beloit, Wis., and
spent two years in the Rock River country. Returning to Ohio, he was married, and, in the fall
of 1844, came to Michigan in a covered wagon,
spending some months with relatives in St. Joseph
County, this State. He then came to Vicksburg,
and settled on the corner of Main and Prairie
Streets, where now standsa two-story brick block.
A house or two and a sawmill at that day constituted the village, and deer roamed at will about
the country, while bears were not unfrequently
seen.
In 1847, Mr. Hawkins was appointed Postmaster,
a position which he held more than three years.
lHe also kept a tavern and boarding-house for
eight years, and for four years was engaged in
improving a forty-acre farm in Brady Township.
During the second term of President Grant, he
was again appointed Postmaster, acting in that capacity for eleven years, and serving altogether
under eight administrations. He is a stanch Republican, and a man whose judgment and intelligence are everywhere recognized. For twentyfive years he has served as Justice of the Peace,
and, while occupying that position, has decided
many important cases, only one of which has ever
been reversed by a higher court.
November 12, 1840, Mr. Hawkins was married
to Marinda Annis, who was born in Clarendon,
Orleans County, N. Y., February 27, 1819. Her




822


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


parents, Thomas and Sallie (Bruce) Annis, were
natives of New York State,who settled in Ashtabula
County, Ohio, in 1837, and there developed a
farm. They finally removed to St. Joseph County,
this State, and there died, the father when only
forty-seven, and the mother at sixty-four years.
They had a family comprising nine children, one
of whom, a daughter, died in infancy, and the
others, six sons and two daughters, attained to
mature years. Four of the family are now living.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are the parents of three
children: Ellen E., who married H. Foster, of
Missouri, and is now deceased; Joseph E., who married Ida Potter, and is a farmer and celery grower
near the village of Vicksburgh; and Jessie B., who
married B. F. Reed, a clerk in the School Seat Furnishing Company, at Battle Creek. November 12,
1890, our subject and his estimable wife passed
their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Mrs. Hawkins
is a member of the Congregational Church, and
highly esteemed among her neighbors.
During the past five years, Mr. Hawkins has
been cultivating celery on his farm near the vil'age. He there has thirteen acres of celery marsh,
which is said, by experts, to be the best in the
State, and is so arranged as to be conveniently irrigated from springs and ditches. During the
season of 1891, the product was six thousand
dozen, and it is the expectation of Mr. Hawkins to
increase the amount each year. He now ships to
Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington and other prominent markets.
--       - -1+++r+++V
--   DWARD H. DENNISTON has had a hand
in the making of Kalamazoo County and
has built up here one of its many attractive
homes, beautifully located on section 6, Pavilion
Township, where lie has a finely equipped farm,
which he devotes to general agricultural purposes,
having it well stocked with thoroughbred Durham
cattle and Merino sheep. Mr. Denniston was born
in Roscommon County, Ireland, March 2, 1821.
The family for generations lived in the North of
Ireland, and his father, Johni Denniston, was a na

tive of the city of Londonderry. He was reared
to the life of a farrmer, and in 1836 emigrated to
this country. He located first at Northampton,
Hampshire County, Mass., but shortly after he
went South to prospect for a suitable place of settlement. He finally returned northward and bought
a farm on the old Buffalo road, between Batavia and
Alexandria, in Genesee County, N. Y. That was
then a newly settled region, forming a part of the
Holland Purchase. Mr. Denniston settled on his
land in the fall of 1838, and developed the greater
part of it, devoting himself assiduously to the hard
task of cutting trees and placing the soil under
cultivation. In 1857, he removed from that place
to this county, and lived retired in the city until
his death in 1859, at the age of sixty-four years.
He was a sound Democrat in politics, and both lie
and his wife were valued members of the Episcopal
Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Alice
Dowling, and who was also a native of Roscommon County, Ireland, died at the age of seventyfour years, and both are sleeping their last sleep in
Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock Township. They
were the parents of five sons and two daughters:
Edward, William, John, James, Thomas L., Alice
(Mrs. Scott), and Anna (Mrs. Sowden).
Edward Denniston, of this biography, had the
advantages of a liberal education, of which he laid
the foundation at an Episcopal college at Elphin,
Ireland, and after he came to this country with
his parents at the age of fifteen, he attended the
High School at Northampton, Mass. He was thus
equipped for the battle of life, which he began on
his own account when still scarcely more than a
boy, by acting as shipping clerk for his uncle,
James Denniston, a jobber on Williams Street, New
York City. He was engaged in that capacity two
years, and then spent one year with his father in
Genesee County, N. Y. He did not like it there,
however, and as the other boys were old enough
to be helpful, he took his affairs in his own hands
again, and, without his father's knowledge, once
more set his face away from home to enter upon
an independent career. His father at that time
thought him too young to go away by himself, but
he was a high-spirited, venturesome lad, with
plenty of the sturdy, self-reliant traits of his ances



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


823,   ~~~-7 -  -   - - -----   --




-


try to insure his success in whatever lie might undertake. He was without means, so he walked to Buffalo, carrying his bundle of clothes, and in that city
he sold his extra suit to a second-hand dealer for
enough money to pay his passage to Detroit. On
board tle boat he made the acquaintance of a man
who had a load of leather that he was going to take
to Schoolcraft, and he rode to that point with him.
He arrived in this county, June 1, 1840, and thus
saw the country in its primeval wildness, at least
the greater part of it, as it was still in the hands
of the pioneers, and settlements were few and scattering. Kalamazoo was a small village with but one
or two stores and but comparatively little of the
land had been improved.
After his arrival, amid these unaccustomed
scenes, young Denniston lost no time in securing
work, obtaining a situation of Mr. Chaffee on "Indian Fields" at $9 a month. He was so engaged
until he had earned eighty acres of land in payment for twenty months of steady labor, but he
did not settle on it, continuing to hire out by the
month for seven years, until 1847, when he located
on an eighty-acre tract of land on Gourdneck Prairie. He busied himself in improving that place about
eighteen months, and then sold it in order to go
to Terre Haute, Ind., where he obtained a position
as clerk and weigh-master in a pork-packing establishment. HIe was there until the winter of 1849,
when he joined a company bound for the gold
regions of California. He and his companions
journeyed down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, where they diverged from their intended
route on account of the cholera that was then raging, and, hiring an old German with an unsafe boat
to transport them to the mouth of the Rio Grande
River, they crossed Mexico on mules, and finally
arrived at their destination in June, 1849. Our
subject worked some in the mines, but was not successful at that. He next bought into a company
that had been formed for the purpose of turning
the North Fork of the American River to search
for the precious metal in its bed. This enterprise
was prosperous until the floods came and swept the
works away, and Mr. Denniston lost all he had.
Nothing daunted by his misfortune, he went to Sac.
ramento, and, borrowing $500 of a friend, bought.


------------— I- —-` — — --- —--
-— ' - --- --- 11-` ----1 --- —-`-"  -----------


I


four yoke of oxen and a wagon, with which to do
teaming and to carry people to the mines. The first
week he made over $600, and buying another team
commenced to transport goods. tle made a good deal
of money and invested $7,000 in cattle at the head
of the Sacramento River, where he went into partnership with a ranchman. He and his friend were
doing finely when six months later the Indians
swooped down upon them, killed some of their
men, and drove off all their cattle. Mr. Denniston
was thus financially ruined again, but he got a few
more cattle together and started in once more with
the same result, as in less than a month the Indians
made another raid and left him with but a few
straggling cattle, one horse for stock and $1,000
in money. Tiring of his rough, adventurous life
on the frontier, in the summer of 1851, lie retraced
his footsteps eastward, bringing back with him a
sick man to Terre Haute, Ind., and then returned
to this county.
After coming back here, Mr. Denniston went to
Wisconsin to invest in some land and bought two
hundred and forty acres. He soon returned to
marry, in the spring of 1853, and, selling his land
there, located on his present farm in Pavilion
Township, buying one hundred and twenty acres
of it then, of which ten acres were cleared, on
which stood a log house  He now owns a quarter-section of fine farming land, of which one
hundred and forty acres are improved. His farm
is amply provided with buildings, modern in architecture and appointments, including a large frame
residence, built in 1871, and several commodious
and conveniently arranged barns, the first built in
1859, another in 1866, and two in 1883.
Our subject was first married, March 17, 1853,
to Miss Margaret Hawkins, who was born in Genesee County, N. Y., October 7, 1821. Four boys
were born to them, of whom two are dead: George,
and one that died in infancy. The others are Jesse
E. and Edward C. August 2,1871, death removed
the loving wife and tender mother. In October,
1873, Mr. Denniston was again married, this time
to Lydia J. Beckwith, who was born in Washington
County, N. Y., June 4, 1818. She has thoroughly
identified herself with his interests and looks carefully after his comfort. She is a Christian, and a


I








824


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


— `



I


member in high standing of the Methodist Church.
Mr. Denniston is a man of wide experience, and
his life career furnishes another of the numerous
examples that we find in this volume of what our
self-made men have accomplisled by persistent
effort, directed by a good knowledge of men and
affairs, and an accurate judgment in business matters. Wealth has crowned his labors, and at the
same time he has been potent in advancing the
growth of the township, favoring all measures that
would in any way benefit it, and doing it good service as a public official in various capacities. In
politics, he is first, last and always a true Republican. Socially, he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
k    EBEUS CORNELIUS CHAPIN, M. D.
This former prominent physician of Kalamazoo was born in Gilbertsville, Otsego
County, N. Y., July 5, 1823, and (lied in Kalamazoo, November 20, 1885, of heart disease. The
Chapin family has long been identified with the
history of New England. We find that Deacon
Samuel Chapin, who was a native of Wales, settled at
Springfield, Mass., in 1642, and it is probable that
he resided in the United States some years prior
to that time. In 1654, he was made a magistrate,
and assisted in keeping the records pertaining to
the early settlers. His death occurred in 1675.
His descendants to the present (lay have been identified with Springfield.
Josph and Martha Chapin were the grandparents
of our subject, their son Joseph being his father.
He and his wife, Fannie Farnum, were natives of
Pamsa, Mass., and were the parents of nine children, of whom Lebeus was the fourth. When he
was nine years old, he accompanied his parents to
Wattsburg, Erie County, Pa., and settled on a farm,
where his father died in 1844.
When our subject was about seventeen, he engaged in the carpenter's trade, working with his
brothers, and, after a time, found his way back to
the old home in Massachusetts. When nineteen,
he was in the employ of the Howe Truss Works, of
Buffalo, N. Y., and four years afterward went




I


I


South, engaging as a teacher in Mississippi, until
the climate affected his health to such an extent
that he found it necessary to return North. Having a natural aptitude for schoolroom work, he
continued to teach, and was thus engaged at Munson, Mass., after which lie entered Amherst college
in 1848.
When about to enter the junior year, our subject transferred to Yale College, from which he
graduated in 1852. He then resumed the profession of teaching, and for two years was Principal
of Guildford Academy, at Laconia, N. H. Leaving that institution, he accepted a professorshil in
Yale College, succeeding Dr. Olmstead as Professor
of Chemistry and Physics. He was drawn toward
the subject of medicine, and, after acceptably teaching in that great university for five years, he entered its medical department as a student, and
was graduated in 1864.
A surgeon's commission was at once offered
the Doctor by the United  States Government,
which accepting, he was stationed as Hospital
Surgeon, at Beaufort, S. C., and later was transferred to Burlington, Vt., from which place he was
mustered out, in 1865. Ile then engaged in general
practice at his home in New Haven, until he came
West in 1867. The wife of his brother, Rev. Lucius D. Chapin, Professor of Physics in the State
University at Ann Arbor, was formerly a Kalamazoo lady, and our subject was led to locate in this
city through her influence. Before settling here,
however, he traveled over much of the Western
territory, visiting Rockford, Ill., and other cities.
For fourteen years, Dr. Chapin devoted himself
assiduously to the demands of his patrons in Kalamazoo. Having a cheerful disposition, his friendship was sought for and prized, and his attention
to details, and kind solicitude for his patients,
drew him to them, and formed cords of friendship,
severed only by death. In 1871, he became connected with William Lawrence in the manufacture of agricultural implements, and the business
assuming huge proportions, he henceforth devoted
much of his attention to it up to the time of his
death.
The summons came unexpectedly and cast a
shadow over every home in the city. His noble






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


825


traits of character had endeared him to the community, and every one felt his loss as that of a
personal friend. His body was borne to its last
home with the highest civic honors, and various
societies passed earnest resolutions of respect for
his memory.
Though never a politician, the sympathies of
Dr. Chapin were with the Republican party. He
was for a long time closely identified with the
educational interests of the city, being a member
of the School Board. His experience eminently
tended to make him a valuable addition to that
body, where his opinion (formed only after due
deliberation) always had weight. His early training had been in the Presbyterian Church, but during his later life he was Vestryman of St. Luke's
Episcopal Church, the views of which more nearly
coincided with his belief. A thorough student,
he was versed in various literatures and languages,
and wielded the pen with easy grace and purity
of diction.
Lofty in his tastes and elevated in every
thought, the Doctor was a fitting companion to
the wife who survived him  a short time, and the
family of intelligent children whose every impulse
and ambition he was wont to guide, and to whom
lie was a loving father. He was married, April 25,
1859, at Cincinnati, Ohio, to Mrs. Sallie Elliot, the
widow of William H. Elliot, of New Haven, and
whose maiden name was Sawyier. She was born
in Chillicothe, Ohio, December 29, 1829, and died,
May 21, 1889. The children are: Fitz Hlenry,
Fannie. Bell and Maud.




is a brick structure, 52x85 feet, of which they occupy two floors, the remainder being filled with offices, etc.
They also engaged in the lumber business, in
1878, under the name of Sherwood & Griswold,
and manage an extensive business, carrying about
one million feet and being one of the largest lumber firms in the State. The members are directors
and stockholders in the First National Bank of Allegan and have an interest in extensive tracts of
farming and pine lands.
Mr. Sherwood was born in Otsego Township, Allegan County, January 11,1833, being one of the first
male children born in the county. His parents were
Hull and Julia A. (Crittendon) Sherwood, natives of
Western New York. His father was a carpenter and
contractor by trade and was a pioneer of Michigan,
coming here in 1832. The paternal grandfather
was Ilull Sherwood, a native of Massachusetts, who
came to Michigan in 1830, and settled in Otsego
Township, Allegan County. The grandfather was
a farmer by occupation and built the first grist and
sawmill on Pine Creek, which are still known as
Sherwood's Mills. Here he resided until his death.
IIe was a wealthy man and owned a large amount
of land. He had a family of ten children, all of
whom became residents of Michigan. He was a
Whig in politics, and a man of great energy and
intelligence.
The father of our subject remained in Michigan
some fifteen years, then returned to Rochester, N
Y., where his death took place in 1853. His wife
returned to Michigan and is now a resident of Ionia
County. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Sherwood were Chauncy and Olive (Scott) Crittendon,
natives of Massachusetts, where the father was a
large farmer. They removed to New York State
and settled in Brighton, Monroe County, where he
spent the remainder of his life. They were the
parents of six children, of whom three are living:
Alvira A. (Mrs. Sherwood), who is living in Otsego
Township, this county, aged eighty-five years; Julia A., the mother of our subject, who is now
eighty-two years of age, and Wallace W., of Brighton, N. Y., aged seventy-three. Mr. Crittendon
was a Minute-man in the War of 1812, and was
called out, but saw no active service. The Sher

/


— l


M      ARION  C. SHERWOOD.      The firm  of
Sherwood, Griswold & Co. conducts an extensive business at Allegan, and carries a
complete stock of dry-goods, clothing,
boots and shoes, carpets, etc. The firm was established in 1866 and in 1871 removed to their present location on the corner of Locust and Hubbard
Streets. The establishment was destroyed by fire
in 1884 and they then built their present elegant
store, one of the finest in this part of the State. It






826


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


woods are descendants of the English and Scotch.
Our subject's father was a Whig and served as Supervisor of Otsego Township, Allegan County,
being the first one to fill that office in that place.
He had a family of four children, three of whom
grew to maturity: Marion C.; Adaline W. (Mrs.
Crittendon), residing at Lyons, lonia County, and
Nathan B., residing at the same place.
The subject of 'this sketch attended the district
schools in his native township until fourteen
years of age, when he spent some time in the
school at Brighton, N. Y., afterward becoming a
student in the Henrietta Academy, at East Henrietta, in that State. In 1848, he became a clerk in
a store at Rochester, N. Y., where he remained for
nine years, after which he came to Chicago, where
he was engaged in the drug business, on the corner of State and Monroe, which he carried on for two
years and a half, when he sold out and in 1861
came to Michigan.   He spent some two years
clerking in Otsego and Plainwell,then removed to
Allegan, where he was occupied in the same way
for two years more. During the war, lie went
South as a sutler for a regiment, returning from
there in 1865 to Kalamazoo, where he was employed in a dry-goods store. He then came to
Allegan and engaged in business for himself.
The marriage of Mr. Sherwood took place September 19,1866, when he was united to Miss Mary
M. Griswold, a daughter of S. L. Griswold, of Allegan. Three children have been born of this
union: Ruby M., Martha G., and Bernath P. Mr.
Sherwood coincides with the Republican party in
his political views and is a member of the Masonic
fraternity. He is a Trustee of the Congregational
Church, of which he, his wife and eldest daughter
are members. They take an active part in everything conducive to the best interests of the church
and the community in which they live.
In 1888, Mr. Sherwood built in Allegan a residence of which he may truly be proud. Among
the elegant homes that may be found here, it may
be justly said that there is none in which the
architect has reflected greater credit upon himself
or where the proprietor has displayed more correct
idea of the harmonious and beautiful than in this.
The ample grounds are well laid out, with plants


and shrubs to heighten the general effect. The
barns and other outbuildings are in keeping with.
other portions of the estate. The interior arrangements are all that could be desired for beauty and
convenience. The parlors and hall are finished in
oak, the dining-room in cherry, while the floors of
the hall and dining-room are inlaid with colored
woods. The upper story is finished in ash. The
home has all the modern improvements, is elegantly furnished throughout, beautiful pictures
grace its walls, while the articles of vertu and
bric-a-brac give evidence of culture and refinement. Within this lovely home, Mr. and Mrs.
Sherwood welcome their friends and dispense gracious hospitality with a generous hand.
APT. ROLLIN C. DENISON, deceased, was
born at Castleton, Vt., January 29, 1823,
and was the son of Mason N. and Phebe
(Ward) Denison, natives also of the Green Mountain State. lie spent his early life in his native
State, and after removing to Washington County,
N. Y., was married, June 25, 1846, to Miss Caroline
C. Penfield. Mrs. Denison was a native of Pawlet,
Vt., her natal day being October 30, 1825.
The original of this sketch came to Kalamazoo
County, this State, in April, 1844, where he engaged in the mercantile business, and also operated
a flouring mill for three years. Hte then removed
to Barry County, where he again started in the
milling business, at the same time conducting a
grocery store. His next removal was to Dowagiac,
where for nine years he carried on a grocery store.
On the outbreak of the Civil War, our subject organized Company M, First Michigan Cavalry, and
was made its Captain. He led his company in the
fight at Cedar Mountain, and soon after was sent
home to recruit before the battle of Antietam.
His health being so impaired, Capt. Denison was
not able to return to the front, and in 1863 was
made Provost-Marshal, with headquarters at Kalamazoo, and continued as such until the close of
the war.
Capt. Denison, after the cessation of hostilities,
engaged in the livery business.  He was soon,




f A:;
An:
0::S;0:ST?:: 0::0: D: a:
00: Si:t of




-.......




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


829


however, sent to Utah as Deputy Provost-Marshal,
under Provost Marshal Maxwell, for two and a
half years, and, until 1876, he was in the Government employ. His death occurred March 4, 1885,
having been a great sufferer for years. In politics,
he was an active Republican, and during the war,
few men did more toward raising troops than did
Capt. Denison.
Tle family of our subject included Mary,
Mrs. George McDonald, whose husband is a
druggist, and Horace P., assistant bookkeeper for
the Michigan Buggy Company. Socially, the Captain was a Knight Templar, and was a highly
respected citizen and a warm friend. His remains
lie buried in the Mountain Home Cemetery. The
parents of Mrs. Denison were Horace and Caroline
(Chandler) Penfield, natives of Pawlet and Fairfield, Vt. The father was a saddler by Irade and in
1848 came to Michigan, dying in 1864.    His
widow is still living, and makes her lome, at the
age of eighty-seven years, with Mrs. Denison.
The latter-named lady lad two brothers, Guy and
John Penfield, and one sister. John died at Rantoul, Ill., in October, 1888. Guy makes his home
at Berkeley, Cal.
ZEL E. BARTLETT, the humorist, whose
portrait is presented on the opposite page,
was born in IIinsdale, Berkshire County,
Mass., November 27, 1827. His father's
name was Julius Bartlett, of Revolutionary antecedents. T'he family moved in 1832 to Cummington, Mass., a quaint secluded hamlet, since famous
as the birthplace of William  Cullen Bryant. It
was then noted, like many other small towns in
that and adjoining counties, for the odd characteristics of some of its old-time citizens, which left
their impression upon the boyish mind of the
future humorist, and afforded him a never-failing
source from which to draw and picture forth many
of his after "Sketches of New England."   He
moved to Michigan with his father's family at the
age of ten years, afterward going to New York
City to attend school. He went from there to the
Cummington Academy in Massachusetts, where he
38


pursued his studies for awhile, then, armed with a
flattering testimonial from Prof. Gilbert, he went
to Pittsfield, Mass., and clerked in a book-store
there, his brother, Dr. C. E. Bartlett, being at that
time a student in the Berkshire Medical Institute,
and a class-mate of Dr. Holland's.     Dr. John
Todd, the author of the "Students' Manual," and a
noted divine, even in those days, was settled there.
George Oscar Bartlett, the first publisher of The
Mferchants' Magazine, now the famous Hunt's Merchant's Magazine; also Julius L. Bartlett, the talented clergyman, were his brothers. They were
also writers of rare ability.
At the age of about sixteen, young Bartlett went
to Boston to seek his fortune, and fortunately obtained a situation with Crocker & Brewster, at
that time the leading book-sellers of Boston. HIere
he remained for nearly ten years, advancing in a
few years to the position of head salesman of the
house. It was here that he had the opportunity
of meeting most of the famous literary and noted
men of New England. Daniel Webster was a frequent visitor at the store of Crocker & Brewster,
who were his intimate friends, and then our youthful humorist used to visit and "hobnob" with the
"Godlike" Daniel, and amuse him while he might
be waiting the arrival of the firm. He remembers
at one time trying on his hat, which was a large
one; Daniel Webster was noted for the size of his
head, as Grover Cleveland is for the size of his
neck. There were giants in those days. Rufus
Choate, Everett, Emerson, Longfellow, Whittier,
Phillips, Lyman Beecher, Garrison, Holmes, Moses
Stuart, Whipple, Robinson, Lowell, Wood, the botanist and others, since famous in the world of letters, were frequenters of the old store of Crocker
& Brewster.
Fortunate in an early contact and acquaintance
with such as these, it imparted a literary turn of
mind to the subject of our sketch, and having unlimited access to books and an insatiable thirst for
reading, he was storing his mind with material from
which to draw upon in after years. The old firm
of Crocker & Brewster celebrated the seventy-fifth
anniversary of their association together, the oldest firm, where both original partners were living,
in the United States, probably in the world.  Mr.






830             PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


=


Brewster still survives. Horace Greeley's advice
to young men to "Go West" was having its effect
at that time and Mr. Bartlett moved to Detroit
and formed a partnership there with a book-selling
house, and D. M. Ferry, the triple millionaire
"Seed Man" of the world, then a boy, was their
clerk at the time. Mr. Bartlett, at the age of
twenty-six, married Jeannette L. Packard, the
daughter of Prof. Russell Packard, of Albany, N.
Y. From Detroit Mr. Bartlett moved in 1854 to
Kalamazoo, Mich., and engaged in the book and
baazar business for twenty years or more. He was
continuously in the book business for over thirty
years. He was prominent in business and social
circles and ever ready to aid in any enterprise for
the benefit of Kalamazoo and for the interest of
others. Although a stanch Republican, he was not
a partisan in politics and would help to get a politically, or really blind or crippled Democrat to the
polls on election day as readily as though he was
of his own political faith, and, what was stranger
still, would help him home again.
He was a valued contributor to many of the early
Boston newspapers forty years ago. It is only
until lately that lie has begun to make his mark in
the literary world, as many of his writings have remained in manuscript for many years, but whenever brought to the light they have not only attracted the highest commendation from the press
of this country, but have reached England on their
merits and a number of them have been published
by one of the largest book houses and newspapers
in London. As a humorist, he has been compared
most favorably with Irving, Mark Twain, Bill Nye,
Burdette and Will Carleton.
The following are among the best known productions of his pen, some of which have achieved
national popularity: "The Comic Angler," "Humors of the Rod and Gun," "The Frogs of Saginaw,"
"Deacon Bigelow's Struggle with a Gigantic Muskallonge," all of which have been published in England. His Boston lectures at Faneuil Hall on "The
Humors of the Frog," "Legends of Lightning
Bug and Sleepy Hollow," "The Young American
Mustache," "The Snorer," "Iorrible Death of the
Mince-Pie Eater," "The Judge and the Milkmaid,"
"Scauldamann, or, the Tragedy of the Turkish


I
I
I


I


Bath," "A Tale of Constantinople," "Tlle Giant
and the Cake of Yeast," "Sketches of Eccentric
Character of New England," "Wit and Humor of
the Times," and many others, newly revised and
greatly enlarged and illustrated editions of which
are contemplated. A prominent New York magazine has been in correspondence with him, desiring
to make arrangements with him as a regular correspondent and to publish his biography with his
portrait as a frontispiece.
We close this sketch with the following testimonial from  Hon. George Willard, ex-member of
Congress:
"The productions of Mr. A. E. Bartlett, the
gifted humorist, I have read with great interest
and pleasure. Some of his recent books and manuscripts certainly possess rare and conspicuous
merit.
"The writer is fortunate in his remarkable fidelity to nature, in his rich and delicate humor, in
his abounding sympathy with the topics treated,
and in the unwavering felicity of expression apparent in all the products of his pen. These products appear to me to be among the very best
yielded in the field of humorous literature in our
country."
OLOMON S. FOX, present Supervisor of
Wayland Township, Allegan County, is
one of the pioneers of this section of country, where he has occupied a prominent
position and holds an enviable record, not only as
an enterprising and worthy citizen, but as a brave
soldier who did his part in the War of the Rebellion. lie was born in Marlboro Township, Stark
County, Ohio, April 30, 1844. His parents, Samuel
and Catherine (Fox) Fox, were natives of the
same State, his father being a carpenter by trade,
who also operated a mill, and in his later years followed the occupation of a farmer.
Our subject came to this State at the age of
twenty-three years, and engaged in teaching, in
connection with which lie also carried on farming.
He had a good education, having attended the
conmmon schools during his younger days, and also
for a while the Normal School in Ohio. After coming to Michigan, lie taught for twelve terms in the






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


831


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


public schools, making a good record as a teacher.
During this time, he bought a tract of forty acres
of unimproved land, upon which he worked during the summer months, clearing and improving it.
In 1862, he enlisted, August 18, in Company D,
One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Infantry, going
at first to Cincinnati, and being in the Army of
West Virginia for one year. In 1863, with his
regiment, lie was sent South, a part of the time doing mechanic's work, and a part of the time guard
duty. He was in some of the engagements during
Hood's campaign, and was in the pursuit after Gen.
Forrest, and at Murfreesboro. Ile saw much of the
hard part of a soldier's life, being often engaged in
skirmishing with bushwhackers.  He received his
discharge in July, 1865, and remained in Ohio the
following two years, when lie came to Michigan.
Mr. Fox was married, November 1, 1866, to Maggie A. Glass, of Homewortl, Ohio, the daughter of
John Glass, a carpenter and farmer of that place.
By this marriage, nine children have been born:
William H., Minnie R., Grace L., Nora I., Earl J.,
Roy S. S., Lee Verne, Clark L. and Guy, all living.
In 1882, Mr. Fox entered the employ of Mr. Lee
Deuel, of Bradley, as a salesman, in which occupation lhe has continued ever since. During the
years when the law provided for a Township Superintendent of public school, our subject held that
office all the time, with the exception of four
months. Ile has also held the office of School Inspector, and is at present Justice of the Peace and
Township Treasurer of Wayland Township. In
politics, he is a Republican.
Mr. Fox and his family hold a high place in the
estimation of this community, in which they have
so long resided.
ILLIAM BUSKIRK, a self-made man, residing on section 24, Hopkins Township, Allegan County, is a son of Abram Buskirk,
Sr., a native of Preble, Cortland County, N. Y.,
where he was born in 1795. The mother of our
subject was Nancy Garrison, a native of Seneca
County, N. Y., who witli her husband removed to




Ohio, in 1838, settling in Lorain County for a short
time. The father bought a small piece of wild land
in Avon Township, and lived on it three years.
lie then sold this and took up another tract which
lie cleared and sold. His next move was to Michigan in 1853, where lie settled on a farm all wild,
with no improvements whatever. He lived there
until his death, January 14, 1881, at the age of
eighty-five years. His wife died April 18, 1872,
at the age of sixty-seven years.
The parents of our subject had born to them
eleven children, seven of whom now live: Abram;
our subject, Peter, Isaac, Daniel, Jane and Eliphalet. Allan (deceased) and Daniel both served in
the Civil War in a Michigan regiment.
Our subject was born December 4, 1825, in Seneca County, N. Y. He was reared on a farm, and
had but very meager chances for an education
His parents wetre poor, and he stayed at home
assisting them on the farm until twenty years old,
when he went to Ohio and commenced working
out by the month. tie was united in marriage,
July 23, 1847, to Sophia Saddler, a daughter of
Christian and Elizabeth (Root) Saddler, both natives of Erie County, N. Y. They moved to Ohio
in 1836, and settled on a farm in Cuyahoga County,
where theiy made a permanent home. The father
was a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in 1872,
and the mother two years previous. They had
eleven children, nine living. Their daughter, Mrs.
Buskirk, was born April 25, 1826, in New York.
When our subject was married, he bought a piece
of land in Dover Township, Cuyahoga County,
Ohio, and improved and lived on it until 1854,
when he came to Michigan and took up one hundred and sixty acres, where he now lives. It was
all a vast wilderness, and there were but very few
improvements in this locality. He erected a log
house, and considered himself in good circumstances for that day. He now owns one hundred
and thirty acres, and has eighty-two acres cleared
and fenced, and highly improved. I-e erected a
handsome house in 1870, at a cost of $3,000, and
on his place carries on general farming and dairying successfully.
Mr. and Mrs. Buskirk are the parents of seven
children, six living: Thomas C. married Effie Ben

I




832


PORTRAIT ANI) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-- ---


nett, and lives in Kalamazoo County; Alva L. married Celia Richmond, and lives in Wayland Township, this county, and has four children; Henry
F. married Lillian Hoyt, and lives in Wayland
Township, and is the father of one child; Lizzie E.
is the wife of Jay Crabb, of this township, and
they have two children; Clara A; and John D.,
who married Edith Lane, has one child, and
resides at Grand Rapids.  Our subject and his
wife are members of the Congregational Church,
and in politics he has been a Republican, but is
now a stanch Prohibitionist, having always been a
temperate man. He has served on the local School
Board, and has given his children the best of educations, they all having been students of the Iigh
School. Ienry was graduated from the Michigan
Agricultural College in 1877; Thomas C. is a doctor of medicine; and John D. is a veterinary surgeon., HARLES BROTT. This respected citizen of
the farming community of Geneva Township, Van Buren County, is successfully
prosecuting his calling on section 1. lIe is descended from two brothers of that name, who came
from Holland and located in New York City in an
early period of the history of that city. Charles
Brott, grandfather of our subject, came at an early
day to Ohio, and from that State to Michigan,
where he died. The father of our subject, Reynolds
Brott, was born near Syracuse, N. Y., about 1800.
I-e grew to maturity in his native county, and,
when starting out in life for himself, traveled on
foot to Ohio, where he settled on a farm in Lake
County.
The mother of our subject bore the name of Malona Abbott, and by her union with Mr. Brott,
eleven children were born, of whom Charles was
the fourth in order of birth. The original of this
sketch was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in September, 1832, and was reared just across the line
in Lake County. In 1855, he came to Van Buren
County, this State, and purchased a tract of one
hundred and two acres of wild land. A year later,
he was married to Miss Saphronia, daughter of
Hiram Chappell, and to them have been granted


three children: Hiram grew to mature years and
died of consumption in 1883; Sarah married William Myers, and resides in Allegan County, this
State; and Lucy I. was the third in order of birth.
In 1863, Mr. Brott enlisted in the service of the
Union, and in 1864 joined the Third Michigan
Cavalry and served with his regiment until the
close of the war. He was on board the "John Hamilton" when it blew up on Mobile Bay, but escaped
injury. The winter of 1865-66, he spent in camp
at San Antonio, Tex. He enlisted as a blacksmith,
and kept one hundred and ten horses shod. At
the close of the war, Mr. Brott returned to the
peaceful pursuits of farm life, and has since given
his attention to the cultivation of the soil.
In politics, he of whom we write is a trlle-blue
Republican. With his family, he is a member of
the Evangelical Church, and socially is connected
with the Masonic fraternity. Hle also belongs to
Abraham Lincoln Post, No. 19, G. A. R., at Bangor,
and is a gentleman who is highly esteemed in Geneva Township for his upright and honest life.
J   OSIAHI J. MILLER. This gentleman, who
is one of the prosperous and enterprising
farmers of Bloomingdale Township, Van
Buren County, was born, November 10,
1826, in Milford Township, Somerset County, Pa.,
and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Flick) Miller. His grandfather, Henry Miller, was a farmer
and cooper, and passed his entire life in Pennsylvania. He married Miss Elizabeth Kizer, and they
reared a family of five sons and six daughters, all
of whom grew to maturity. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Frederick Flick, a native
of Somerset County, Pa.
John Miller, the father of our subject, was born
in Somerset County, Pa., and, about 1854, removed
to Macon County, Ill., where he located on a farm,
and died about six months later.   His family
had remained behind in Pennsylvania, where the
mother's death took place. She was a good woman,
and a member of the Presbyterian Church. The
family of this worthy couple consisted of three
children: Josiah J., Lydia, and Mary A.




I.  -  ' "7-  -,-I... - ' ---I....  -  -.. I. -.....  I.  I:.:-   I   I   I  I -. I   I  I..4.


~~::
777:.7.77


RE1IDENCE OF CHARLES BROTT,SEC.., GENEVA TP.,VAN BUREN CO.,MICH.


RESIDENCE OF J. J. MILLER, 5EC29., BLOOMINGDALE TP.VAN BUREN CO.,MICH.








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


835


Our subject was reared upon a farm, and had
but few advantages for an education, gaining what
knowledge lie possessed more from reading and
observation, than from the study of text-books.
Hie was early obliged to earn his own living, and
worked upon a farm   until nineteen years old,
when he learned the trade of a cooper. In the
spring of 1856, he came to Michigan and bought
one hundred and sixty acres of land on section
29, Blooming-dale Township, this county, for which
he paid $800, cash. Unfortunately, the man from
whom he bought the land was dishonest and had
given a mortgage on the place, although lie claimed
it was free  from  encumbrance.   Mr. Miller
searched the records but there were no claims to
be found. At the end of four years, the land was
sold in the Court of Chancery as there was no redemption. Mr. Miller then bought it again from
the man who entered it. Hle has cleared and
improved his land, and has it under a high state
of cultivation, and has also erected a fine residence
and barns. He has made his way in the world entirely unassisted, except by his faithful and devoted wife.
Mr. Miller was married, January 5, 1854, to
Catherine Darr. She was born in Somerset County,
Pa., July 24, 1835, the daughter of Philip and
Margaret (Sheinamen) Darr, who were natives of
Somerset County, Pa. The father, who worked at
shoe-making and carding, was a member of the
Lutheran Church. Their children were Elizabeth,
Mollie, Margaret; Henry, who died when twentyone years of age; Mary, Ann M., Sarah, Catherine,
and Philip, who served during the late war, and
died while in the army. The. father of this family died in Pennsylvania in 1868, at the age of
eighty years, and his wife sometime later, when
eighty-seven years old.
The grandfather of Mrs. Miller, Tragut Ferdinand Shenamen, attended school in Germany when
between the ages of seven and fourteen, and later
studied medicine. When about twenty-one years
old, he came to this country, soon after which he
entered the army to serve during the Revolutionary War, and was under Gen. George Washington.
After the war, lie settled in Pennsylvania, where
he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty


acres, and there passed his remaining years. Unto
him and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary
Margaret Faust, were born the following-named
children: Henry, Margaret, Catherine, Sarah, Daniel, Christian, Ferdinand, Frederick, John, and
Benjamin.
Seven children have been born to our subject
and his wife, as follows: Allen, who resides at
LaGrange, Ind.; Margaret, the wife of Charles
Allen, who lives at Defiance, Ohio; Simon; Abel;
Sarah E., who died at the age of three years; Mary;
and J. D., who died when fourteen years old. Mr.
and Mrs. Miller were formerly Lutherans, but are
now members of the Disciples Church. They are
highly esteemed in the community in which they
live, and are among its most popular residents.
A view of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Miller is
shown on another page.
C    IARLES POTTER COY.         In every department of work, whether of a business,
political or social nature, Mr. Coy has for
years been a prominent citizen of Kalamazoo. He
is descended from worthy and patriotic ancestors,
and is the third in line of descent from a Scotchman who removed from the "Land of the Thistle"
and settled in Connecticut.
The grandfather of our subject, David Coy, was
a Revolutionary soldier and fought the battles of
liberty with valor and patriotism. He attained to
a ripe old age, dying when ninety-five years, five
months and teni days old. His son, who was also
named David P., was a prominent man in Byron,
N. Y., where he served as Supervisor for twentyone years and in other positions of honor and
responsibility. He died in that place when in his
sixtieth year.
The second among five children born to David P.
and Hannah (Sprague) Coy was Charles P., who
was born at Byron, N. Y., March 17, 1824. His
youth was spent on his father's farm but when he
became of age, he settled in Stafford Township,
Gencsee County, N. Y., and was married January
11, 1849, in that township, to Miss Martha Kel

I




836


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


logg, a native of New York and the daughter of
Russell and Harriet (Miller) Kellogg.
In 1853, Mr. Coy removed to the vicinity of
Marshall, this State, and purchased a farm comprising about four hundred acres. Later he settled
on a farm near Albion, whence he removed to
Battle Creek and for nine years followed farming
operations near that city. Ite did not locate in
Kalamazoo County, until, after making a tour of
the Southern States, he decided that this county
offered the best prospects for investment.  Accordingly, he bought a large farm on Gull Prairie,
in 1865, and there made a specialty of wheat, in
which he was very successful. HIe disposed of the
farm in 1881 and, moving to the city, has here
since resided.
A Republican in his politics, Mr. Coy has served
his fellow-citizens in various official capacities. He
was Supervisor while at Battle Creek and assisted
in furnishing troops during the war. He is a stockholder in the Kalamazoo National Bank and owns
considerable real estate in the city, the value of
which is constantly increasing. In his religious
preference, he inclines to the belief of the Presbyterian Church, which he and his wife attend. In
every opinion of importance he holds decided
opinions and concedes to others the same right
which he demands for himself-that of liberty of
thought. He and his wife have one daughter:
Marion C., wife of Charles F. Davis, of the firm of
P. C. Davis & Company, of Kalamazoo.
e-   -   i++++     ++++*
RA V. HICKS. There is scarcely any enterprise
in Kalamazoo which contributes more directly
to the prosperity of its citizens than the -Iicks
Carriage Company. The present works were established by our subject in November, 1890, and
since that time he has been successfully engaged
in the manufacture of top and open buggies
and carriages of the latest and most approved
styles.
The carriage manufactory and offices of the company are located in a fine building, 50 x 175 feet in
dimensions, and three stories in height. The
machinery is the latest and most highly improved,


and the vehicles, which are of a superior quality
and finish, are shipped to different points throughout the State as well as to other portions of the
country. Forty skilled elployes are kept throughout the year and the business is growing very satisfactorily.
New York was the native State of Mr. Hicks,
who was born in Tompkins County, July 17, 1834.
David, his father, was also a native of the Empire
State, and engaged as a manufacturer of farm implements. A good business man, of keen foresight
and great force of character, he was prominent in
his community and exerted great influence among
his fellow-citizens. The mother was known in
maidenhood as Jane Van Wager and was born in
New York. James Hicks, grandfather of our subject, was of English descent on his father's side
and through his mother traced his ancestry to Holland.
Ira V., who was the second of four children,
passed his boyhood in the Empire State, receiving
only a common-school education and early assisting his father in his work. When sixteen years
old, he commenced to learn the trade of a carriagemaker, at which he served an apprenticeship of
three years. lie then worked as a journeyman and,
in the prosecution of his trade,wen t to Willoughby,
Ohio, then to Cortland, N. Y., where he was employed by the Cortland Wagon Company, of Cortland, for four years.
In 1881, Mr. Hicks came to Kalamazoo and
aided in the organization of the Kalamazoo Wagon
Company, his partners being F. W. Meyers and
M. HI. Lane. The business of the company was
the manufacture of buggies, in which Mr. Hicks
engaged with great energy and remarkable success
until July, 1890, when he sold out. His private
affairs have engaged his attention so closely that
lie has mingled little in the political life of the
city, although he adheres to the principles of the Republican party and casts his ballot for its candidates.
When at leisure from  his business cares, Mr.
Hicks finds his greatest pleasure in the society of
his wife and children, at their home, No. 507
Stewart Avenue. Mrs. Hicks, who prior to 1854
was known as Sarah Casar, was born and reared




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


837


— '- -----   - -- I-I —~~-~ --- -~'i --- -I-~~- ~ -`-~ — ~ ~   --— ~
-7  1   -- -- ~- -- -I-   -- - - --- -.. ---, — - - - -- --- -- - -- - ------ -,-, - -- --  r  - -


in Tompkins County, N. Y., and is a daughter of
Jacob and Elizabeth (Nottingham) Casar.  She is
a lady of superior attainments, a devoted helpmate, and a tender mother to her three surviving
children:  Henry, assistant manager in the works;
Lloyd and Nettie. Frankie died in 1889.
HIARIES A. BALDWIN, the efficient Postmaster of Vicksburg, is well known throughout this section of country as the editor and
proprietor of the Commercial, a bright and spicy
paper which is independent in politics and devoted to the social and business interests of the
community. In former years, it was published in
Kalamazoo and for six monthis prior to purchasing
it, Mr. Baldwin was local correspondent from  this
place. When he bought it in 1884 and established
the office in Vicksburg, there was another paperthe Monitor-published here, but it soon died,
since which time the Commercial has been the sole
representative of the newspaper interests of the
village.
Not only has Mr. Baldwin a very valuable plant,
but his office is well equipped in every respect and
supplied with Fair Haven power press, as well as
a fine line of job and news type. The work turned
out is of a superior quality and style, while, through
its entrance into hundreds of homes, the paper is
wielding a powerful influence over the opinions of
the people. In June, 1889, Mr. Baldwin was appointed Postmaster at Vicksburg, which was made a
Presidential office April 1, 1891. His previous experience as Postmaster in Arkport, N. Y., enabled
him at once to adopt the best measures for the
conduct of the office, and the mail agents give him
the credit of putting up the mail and keeping his
office in the best order of anyone along the line.
The family of which Mr. Baldwin is a representative traces its ancestry to Scotland, whence at
an early day some of its members emigrated to
this country. Ichabod Baldwin, grandfather of
our subject, was born in the State of New York in
1793 and followed the occupation of a gardener
and farmer until his death in Allegany County, N.
Y., at the age of sixty-four.  Among his five


children was WilliamN., who was born in Allegany
County, October 3,1820, and there was reared on
a farm, receiving his education in the district
schools. When twenty years old, he commenced to
learn the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed
at Franklin and Arkport, N. Y.
For six years William  N. Baldwin served as
Postmaster at Arkport, and, being a man of intelligence and excellent judgment, lhe was frequently
consulted with reference to general political matters
as well as of affairs of local importance. Prior to
the administration of President Buchanan, he was
a Democrat, but afterward joined the Republican
party. In the Presbyterian Church, lie was an
active worker until his death, which occurred in
Arkport, August 26, 1866. 'rTe mother of our subject, Mary B. Jordan, was born in Delaware County,
N. Y., April 1, 1844 and is still living, her home
being in Vicksburg, Mich., where she is known as a
lady of great worth of character and a prominent
member of the Congregational Church. Her parents, Jared W. and Betsey (Jones) Jordan, were
natives of New York and reared ten children,
finally passing away at a good old age.
Mr. Baldwin is one of three children, the others
being Simon S., of Kalamazoo, and Elizabeth, now
Mrs. McMaster. Charles A. was born in Franklin,
Delaware County, N. Y., March 9, 1846, and when
he was one year old was taken by his parents to
Arkport, N. Y., where lhe received his education
in the common schools. At the age of sixteen, he
was examined and given a permlit to act as assistant mail clerk on all the lines of the Eric Railroad. For four years lie performed substitute
duty, and was then appointed regular clerk, serving as such for four years between Dunkirk, N. Y.,
and Jersey City, N. J. I)uring that time, he was
in three railroad accidents and narrowly escaped
being killed.
After the death of his father, Mr. Baldwin received the appointment of Postmaster at Arkport,
and held the office six years, meanwhile engaging
in mercantile pursuits. In the spring of 1872, he
resigned his position, and, selling out his property,
came to Michigan, where he was engaged on the
Schoolcraft Express for a short time.  lie then
opened an office in Vicksburg, blecoming a fire in









838


POWM'IAIT AND B) IOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


838PO TRAI   ANDBIOGAPHIAL RCORD


surance agent, and still acts as agent for seven oldline companies. November 2,1880, he bought a
farm of seventy-seven acres in Brady Township,
fifty acres of which is a huckleberry marsh and
very remunerative.
March 21,1866, Mr. Baldwin was married to Helen
F. Newsom, who was born in Steuben County, N. Y.,
October 12, 1848.  HIer parents, William  and
Elizabeth (Zeliff) Newsom, were natives respectively of England and Germany and reared a family of thirteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin
are the parents of two children: Mary E. and
Charles E. Mrs. Baldwin passed from  this life
January 30, 1892. They are members of the Methodist Church, in which they are earnest workers.
Politically, Mr. Baldwin is a Republican and
has been connected with the. Republican County
Central Committee.  Notwithstanding the fact
that the township of Brady had a majority of
seventy-five Democrats when he was nominated
for the position of Township Clerk, such was his
popularity that he was elected by a majority of
thirty-seven. He is a member of Lodge No. 36,
K. of P., and the Modern Woodmen, in which he
has occupied many of the chairs and exerted considerable influence.
Ecu    +      Jo/


taken sick and died, aged sixty-eight years. His
good wife died in Eaton County, in 1886, at the
age of seventy-five years. They had fourteen
children born to them, eight boys and six girls,
ten of whom are now living. Two of the sons,
Perry and Conrad, enlisted in the army, Perry in
the Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry, serving nine
months. He was injured at the battle of Pittsburg
Landing, and was discharged from the service.
Our subject worked on a farm until fifteen years
of age, when he enlisted in the army on the 16th
of January, 1864, in Company E, Sixth Ohio Cavalry. Ile joined his regiment at Warrenton, Va.,
and did picket duty inside of three months' time.
He was in the campaign of 1864 under Sheridan.
IHe participated in the battle of the Wilderness
and was on Richmond raid, fighting all the time.
He was also in the battles of Todd's Tavern, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Five Forks, Chickahominy,
Malvern Heights, and the second battle of Weldon
Railroad. At the last-named place, they stopped doing picket duty until the spring of 1865, wlien they
broke camp and followed the rebels on retreat and
continued to fight until Lee's surrender. The
regiment then staid at Warrenton on detached
duty for three months, and Mr. Gunn was mustered out, August 7,1865, and honorably discharged
at Cleveland, Ohio, August 7.
On leaving the army, our subject made a short
visit home and then came to Kalamazoo.   He
remained but a short time, however, as he went
to live in Indiana, where lie remained for seven
years.  From there he removed to this township, in 1876, and was married  to Helen C.
Slack, in the same year. Mrs. Gunn was the widow
of John Slack and a daughter of William Alford, a
native of Massachusetts. Her grandfather participated in the Revolutionary War. A fife that was
played by him in the battle of Yorktown and at
the surrender of Cornwallis, and afterward by his
son William Alford, in the War of 1812, is in the
possession of the family. The father of Mrs. Gunn
was married at the age of twenty-nine years, in
Canada, having moved there soon after the War
of 1812. He lived in Guelph, Ontario, but at the
time of the Rebellion in Canada, not wishing to
fight for or against his own country, sold his prop



/        <j*===4*==




em ONRAD CHRISTOPHER GUNN, a resident
of Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County,
was born February 1, 1848, in Ashtabula
County, Ohio. He is a son of WestrellWilloughby
Gunn, a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., where
he was born February 25, 1808. IIe was a graduate of Yale College, in the law department, and
practiced in Lockport, Pa. He was married soon
after leaving college to Betsey Sharp, a native of
New York, and in 1829 left Lockport, Pa., and
settled in Ashtabula County, Ohio, continuing in
the legal business and also engaging somewhat in
farming in connection with droving, being one of
the oldest dealers in cattle in Ohio. Hie drove
cattle to Buffalo until 1867, in which year he
moved to Eaton County, this State. When on a
visit to his daughter in LaPorte, Ind., in1876, he was








(6 Y


^A      '/C

L{c J^




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


841


erty and came to Michigan, taking up land in
Alamo Township, in 1837, where he resided until
his death, which occurred in 1849. His good wife
is still living and makes her home with her son in
Texas Township. She bore her husband fourteen
children and was again married in 1852 and became the mother of one child.
Mrs. Gunn was married to her first husband in
1864. He died March 30, 1875. By this marriage,
one child was born, William, who is now studying
medicine. By her second marriage, Mrs. Gunn has
become the mother of two children: Conrad Glenn,
born June 29, 1888, and Irwin Simpson, born May
10, 1886.
Our subject is a member of Orcutt Post, G. A. R.,
at Kalamazoo. Mrs. Gunn had two brothers in the
late war, William and George.  The latter was
wounded at Port Hudson and died from the effect
of his wounds. He belonged to Company D, Sixth
Michigan Light Artillery.  William was in the
Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, Company F, and
was wounded at Resaca, Ga., was taken prisoner,
March 6, 1863, at Spring Hill, Tenn., and confined
in Libby Prison twenty-seven days.
ELEN M. (UPJOHN) KIRKLAND, M. D.,
of Kalamazoo, the eldest of a family of
twelve children of the venerable pioneer
of medicine, Dr. Uriah Upjohn, was born in Richland, Mich., February 24, 1839. In her girlhood
she received the best educational advantages the
little village afforded in its public schools, and for
several years attended the Prairie Seminary, which
at that time was a flourishing and popular school.
Later, she entered the Baptist College at Kalamazoo, becoming a member of the senior class, but
not graduating.
Subsequently, our subject engaged in the profession of a teacher, and was thus occupied for
three or four years, teaching in Richland, also in
Iowa during the two or three years the family
lived there, excepting that slle returned to Michigan to attend school for one year. Soon after
her father moved back to Michigan for the sake


of better educational advantages for his growing family. After her course at the Baptist College, she taught private classes in French, botany
and drawing, which to her was a very pleasant
pastime, she having a taste for those studies.
Wishing to become proficient in something, she
pursued the study of art for a few years, receiving instruction in Chicago, Kalamazoo, and later
in Ann Arbor. Several years were spent at home,
assisting her mother in the care of her large
family.
In 1869, her father, seeing the necessity of
providing his children with better educational advantages, purchased a large house in Ann Arbor and
sent eight of his older children there at one time.
Helen, being the eldest, took charge and managed
the household of younger brothers and sisters. She
also found time to pursue her painting and attend
Prof. Winchel's lectures on botany and geology.
That year thie doors of the Michigan University
were thrown open to women in all its departments.
Having acquired an interest in her father's pro.
fession and practice, she determined to study medicine, and returned home to read under his instruction, entering the University at Ann Arbor in
1870, and graduating in the medical department
in 1872, being one of a class of six first lady
graduates.
The Doctor at once began an active practice in
Kalamazoo, in connection with her father and
brother, Dr. Henry Upjohn. Six months after
beginning practice, she went to Boston, and there
and in New York was engaged for six months in
hospital work. Returning thence to Kalamazoo,
she at once secured a lucrative and desirable
practice, which she still continues at her office at
No. 619 Main Street. She has evinced great skill
in her practice, stands high in the profession, and
for the past twenty years has practiced with remarkable success, rare faithfulness and conscientiousness. Her practice has been general, and she
is recognized as being able and accurate in the
diagnosis of diseases. She is a member of the
Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine, Michigan State
Medical Society, and American Medical Association, having been a delegate to the latter organization from the local society. Her marriage, which




842


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


occurred November 19, 1875, united her with
Hugh Kirkland.
Dr. Kirkland is a woman of ability, and finds
time beyond the duties of her profession to ally
herself with the advanced thought of the day, and,
while not assuming a leading part in the great
questions affecting woman and woman's work,
her opinion and counsel are sought and respected.
She is a member of the Ladies' Library Association, and is in close sympathy with the advanced
thinkers of the age.
- ORNELIUS VAN ZWALUWENBURG, M.
D., one of the prominent practicing physi] cians of Kalamazoo, was born in the county
which is still his home, November 17, 1862, and is
a son of Ryer and Sarah (Kools) Van Zwaluwenburg, both of whom were natives of Holland (the
Netherlands). When young they came to Kalamazoo County, where they were married, but began
their domestic life on a farm near Holland, Mich.
Early in 1868, the father established a grocery
store in Kalamazoo and continued business in this
line until 1871. He is now residing on a farm in
Ottawa County and is one of the highly respected
citizens of the community. In the family are five
children, the brothers and sisters of our subject being as follows: Abraham, an analytical chemist, and
a graduate of the University of Michigan, now residing in San Luis Potosi, Mexico; James G.,
a student at Hope College; Alice, now the wife of
Dr. Crimers, ex-Mayor of Holland, Mich., and
Anna, wife of Jacob Poppen, a minister of the Reformed Church.
The early boyhood days of our subject were
spent in Holland and its vicinity, and in the common schools of the neighborhood lie acquired his
early education. He then entered Hope College,
where he remained as a student from 1877 until
1880, after which he embarked in the profession of
teaching, which he followed through two winters,
and at the same time, in his leisure hours, he read
medicine, hoping to make its practice his life-work.
To further fit himself for practice in that line, he
entered the medical department of the University


of Michigan, situated in Ann Arbor, and after
pursuing a thorough course of study was graduated from that institution with the class of June,
1885. Being now fitted'to begin his chosen work,
lie opened an office in Kalamazoo, and has since
engaged in the I)ractice of medicine continuously
at this place. The liberal patronage accorded him
attests his ability and skill, and lie has won a place
in the foremost ranks of the medical fraternity in
this county.
On the 6th of April, 1886, the Doctor was
united in marriage to Miss Adrianna Wabeke, of
Zeeland, Ottawa County, and unto them have been
born two children: Mabel and Bertha. Himself and
wife are members of the Second Reformed Church,
of which he has been Deacon since 1886, and in
social circles they rank high, being worthy people,
well deserving the high regard in which they are
held.
The Doctor is an honored member of the Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine, of which organization he was Secretary for some four years, and also
belongs to the State Medical Society, with which
he has been connected since 1888. In April, 1891,
he was made a health officer for the city of Kalamazoo, and has faithfully discharged the duties of
that office, in 1892 being re-elected to the same
office. He is a student of his profession, keeps
abreast with all its discoveries and the high manner in which lie is spoken of by all is proof that
lie is a capable and earnest physician.
W      YMAN  M. GATES is an extensive manufacturer of boilers and engines, and is
President of the C. H. Dutton Company, their
place of business being at No. 826 Grace Street,
Kalamazoo. Of the above-named company, L. M.
Gates is President; E. L. Gates, Secretary and
Treasurer; George F. Dutton. Vice-president, and
Mrs. C. A. Dutton, stockholder. The capital stock
is $20,000. The business w.is established by C. IIH.
Dutton in the fall of 1880, and at his death, January 25, 1891, was in a very prosperous condition.
C. Holstel was a member of the firm until 1885.
The C. H. Dutton Company has just erected a




PORTRAIT ANT) BlIOCGRAPIICAL RECORD.


843


two-story addition, 42x50 feet in  dimensions.
Their plant now covers an acre of ground, with facilities for shipping on the Grand Rapids and Indiana, and the Lake Shore railroads. They give
emplloyment to thirty or forty men, and rank among
the leading manufacturers of the city. George F.
Dutton has occupied the position of foreman of the
shops since their existence.
Lyman M. Gates has been a resident of Kalamazoo since 1855, and for a number of years was engaged in the hardware business at Galesburgh.
Lyman M. Gates lived for one year near La
Grange, Ind., and made his advent into this county
in the spring of 1855, at that time locating five
miles east of this city. There he cleared and improved a farm, and at the same time taught school
in Galesburgh for four years, having attended Genesee College, at Lima, N. Y., for four years.
In 1870, he was elected Sheriff of Kalamazoo
County on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected
to that responsible position in 1872. He later
bought a one-half interest in the Telegraph and
was connected with that paper as its manager a
twelvemonth.
In 1876, Mr. Gates was again elected to the office of Sheriff, and again re-elected in 1878 for the
fourth time. I-e was appointed Postmaster by
President Arthur immediately after Garfield's
death, and faithfully performed the duties of the
office for four years. IHe was elected Chief of Police and Marshal of the city in 1887-88.  Though
not a Prohibitionist as a party man, Mr. Gates is
strongly in favor of temperance, and has done
much toward furthering the interests of that cause
in the city.
He was born in Monroe County, N. Y., January
7, 1833, and is the son of Reynold M. and Clarissa
(Parmelee) Gates, also natives of the Empire State.
I-He was married, March 13, 1854, at Mendon, Monroe County, N. Y., to Miss Mary E. Williams, a native of Newburg, Ohio. They have become the
parents of one son: Albert M., who is City Passenger Agent for the Santa Fe Railway, at Kansas
City, where he has been for the past five years.
Our subject was an exceedingly popular official,
both as Sheriff and Postmaster. He is a shrewd
politician and is considered one of the party lead



=




ers in Kalamazoo and this part of the State, his
judgment on party policy being very sound. He
is very careful in business transactions, and his
personal influence backing any venture will almost
always insure its success. Mr. Gates is of fine, robust physique. He is very prompt and decisive in
action and enjoys a story or a well-timed joke with
his many friends and associates. His handsome
residence is located at No. 625 West Main Street.
Mr. and Mrs. Gates are members of the Congregational Church.
EORGE CHAPMANN. The countries of the
Old World have sent us many young men
j  whose home opportunities were limited,
and who saw in the new country beyond the sea a
chance to win for themselves both name and fortune. These we have welcomed to our shores, and
in due time they have risen to positions of prominence and wealth. One of this class of enterprising young men may be found in the person of our
subject, who came here in 1873 a poor boy, beginning as a clerk in an hotel, from which he entered
the West Michigan Savings Bank, at Bangor, as
bookkeeper, and his industry and intelligence being recognized by those interested, he was promoted to be Assistant Cashier, which responsible
position he now holds.
George Chapman comes of good old English
stock, his grandparents on the paternal side being
Robert and Mary Chapman, and his parents James
and Esther (Bladydon) Chapman, natives of England. Our subject was born at Cambridge, in that
country, November 16, 1859, and was the eldest
of seven children, all of whom remained at the old
home in Cambridge. At the early age of thirteen,
our subject decided to cross the ocean and mark
out a path for himself in the New World. On arriving in the United States, he came to Michigan,
locating first at Paw Paw, where he remained
about three years. He then went to Chrisman, Ill.,
where he spent about the same length of time,
coming from there to Bangor, where he has since
resided.  He became identified with the West


I


11




844


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Michigan Savings Bank in 1881, beginning, as has
been stated, as a bookkeeper, and being promoted
to his present position. He is industrious and energetic and a man of the strictest integrity of
character, and, in consequence, has gained the
esteem and respect of his employers and associates.
Mr. Chapman was married in July, 1883, to Miss
Etta Long, and to them have been born four children: Alfred George, Iarry Grover, Ollie G., and
Una.
AMUEL R     BROCKWAY is one of the
substantial and  well-to-do farmers of
Brady Township, Kalamazoo County. He
was born in Steuben County, N. Y., February 25, 1838, and is a son of Alvin Brockway, a
native of New York, of Yankee descent. He was
a shoemaker by trade and followed farming. He
owned forty acres in Steuben County. The journey was made all the way by team to Michigan in
1845, by way of Ohio. The family located on
the present farm of our subject, which was school
land and entirely covered by woods.   A log
house was erected and the father set about to clear
and improve the place. He died when sixty-eight
years and ten months old. He was a stanch Re,
publican, politically.
The father of our subject married Ruth A.
Ward, a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., and they
reared four boys and one girl: James (deceased),
Samuel R., Albert, George W. and Harriet (decersed). The good wife and mother died when
about sixty years old.
Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm
and came to this State when seven years old. Here
he attended the primitive log school house, with
its slab benches and pin legs, open fireplace, mud
and stick chimney, and conducted on the rate-bill
system. Deer were very plentiful in those days, as
were bears and other wild animals, and at one time
when our subject was hunting for a lost hog, he
jumped up on a log on the other side of whicl
lay a large bear. There were also eighty Indian
wigwams and a great number of Indians on the
bank of the creek near their place. Our subject


was very much afraid of them and in going after
his cows would keep on the watch around their
camp and run like a "whitehead" at the sight of
one.
Samuel R. Brockway remained at home with his
parents until twenty-four years of age. lie then
bought forty acres and lived on it seventeen years,
when he purchased forty more north of it and resided there nine years. Selling this out, eighty
acres were purchased where he lived until 1871,
buying the old homestead, on which place he has
made his home since. He was married, in the year
1852, to Jane Vroman, who was born in New York,
twenty miles from Buffalo, in 1844. They have
had born to them three children: Sardis I., Philip
S. and George M. Sardis is married and a resident
of the State of Washington, where le is teaching
school; he owns a farm there. Philip is married
and resides in this township; George is still at
home. Mr. Brockway carries on mixed farming
and keeps some good Durham cattle and all kinds
of stock in general. Our subject has always been
a Republican with independent proclivities. He is
a member of the Masonic fraternity of Vicksburg,
to which he has belonged for twenty-five years.
Samuel Brockway in the early days had to go to
Flourfield and Kalamazoo with an ox-team to market and has seen this country converted into a fertile region. The first party he attended he took his
girl with an ox-team and wagon. He is now the
fortunate possessor of two hundred broad and fertile acres, most of which are under splendid cultivation.
G   EORGE N. DRAKE, one of the prominent
farmers of Kalamazoo, is making his home
on section 19, Kalamazoo Township. He
is a native-born citizen of this county, having had
his birth in Oshtemo Township, February 7, 1835.
He is a son of Benjamin Drake, a native of New
Jersey, who was born in 1787. This gentleman
made quite a fortune on the Delaware River
in the lumber business, but on the breaking
out of the War of 1812, he lost all his property.
After getting another start in New York, the father




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


845


of our subject moved to Canada, where he was
married, December 29, 1819, to Maria Ogden, a native of the D)ominion. This couple, after residing
in Ohio for two years after their marriage, came
to Michigan and settled in St. Clair County, in
1824, and engaged in the cattle business for six
years. At the expiration of this time, Mr. Drake,
in 1830, came to this county and located in Oshtemo
Township, on section 13, the land still being inhabited by the Indians, who helped him erect a log
house.
The elder Mr. Drake had to walk to White Pigeon to enter his land and on the way passed two
Indians. Paying no attention to them, one grabbed
him and was about to kill him, when he in turn
seized the Indian, and dragged him to the top of the
hill, intending to put an end to him, when a Mr.
Campeau,an Indian trader, happened to come along.
Mr. Campeau talked to the Indians and detained
them until Mr. Drake made his escape. Our subject's
father improved his land, and at his death owned
three hundred and sixty acres of fine land. It is
said to be one of the best farms in the State. In
politics, he was a Republican and was a thorough
business man. The Golden Rule was his religion,
and he always lived up to it, being very kind to
the poor and unfortunate and did much to assist
people in locating here.  Altogether he was an
influential and respected man.  He died at his
home in Oshtemo Township, in September, 1883, in
his ninety-eighth year.
To Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Drake, four sons and
four daughters have been born.   The mother
passed away in 1886, aged eighty-nine years. Our
subject was reared on the home farm and remained
under the parental roof until reaching his majority,
when he engaged in shipping stock in the winter
and farming in the summer. Our subject purchased
two hundred and four acres of his father, where he
now makes his home and on which he has erected
all the buildings and made the splendid improvements.  He has dealt quite largely in stock besides his general farming, in which he is very successful. Mr. Drake, of this sketch, is an adherent
of the Republican party, but is not an aspirant to
local office; socially, he is a Master Mason and a
member of the Kalamazoo Lodge, No. 22. Our


subject was educated in the common schools of Kal.
amazoo and also the Seminary at that place. He was
a member of the State Militia and during the war,
furnished a substitute, as he could not leave here,
as he at that time carried on his own farm and
and that of his father.
The original of this sketch was united in marriage to Nettie Allen, in Oshtemo Township, this
county, December 16, 1892. Mrs. Drake is a native
of Barry County, Mich.. and is a daughter of John
R. Allen, of Oshtemo Township. This couple is
well-liked and respected by the entire community
in which they live.
EORGE P. HOPKINS.            This prominent
attorney of Kalamazoo possesses the legal
acumen, sound common-sense and genial
social qualities, which have won for him the confidence of his fellow-citizens. HIe is well-dowered
with talents of no common order and has conducted himself in the various relations of life in
such a manner as to gain the esteem of all. In the
various official positions which he has held, he is
known for his integrity of character, his careful
examination of all matters coming within the
range of his authority, and his efficient discharge
of his duties.
Mr. Hopkins has passed most of his life within
Kalamazoo, where he was born September 1, 1859.
His father, David S., was a native of New York,
born in Washington County, and was by trade a
carpenter and architect, many of the finest structures in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids having been
designed and constructed under his supervision.
Grandfather Charles C. is still living at the advanced age of ninety-one and resides at Lamnont,
Ottawa County, this State. He was a very early
settler of Kalamazoo, where he settled in about
1843, and cleared a farm near the village.
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name
was Mary A. Eaton, is a native of Allegan County,
and the daughter of A. S. Eaton, who, at the age
of eighty-two, is living on a farm in this county.
The oldest of four children —all sons-George P.
spent his childhood in study at the common schools,




846                     POE


'N-'J"RAIT AND ISI10GRAPHICAL RECORD.


846        01 TRAT AN  BIGRAHICA   REORD


I


alternated with the usual boyish sports. After studying in the academy at Plainwell, Allegan County,
and graduating from the Plainwell High School,
he entered the law department of the University
of Michigan at Ann Arbor, graduating in 1882.
Returning to Kalarazoo, Mr. Hopkins spent
three years in the law office of Dallas Boudeman,
assisting in clerical work and the preparations
of briefs.  Afterward he was elected on the
Republican ticket to the position of Circuit Court
Commissioner, which he filled four years. In the
fall of 1888, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney,
assuming charge of the office January 1, 1889, and
occupying the position for a term of two years.
Resuming his law practice, he opened an office in
the Sebering Block, where he is now occupied in a
general law business and practices in all the courts.
Aside from membership in Anchor Lodge, No.
87, A. F. & A. M., he takes little interest in social
organizations, but confines his attention to the
duties of his profession.
DWARD N. DINGLEY. A foremost position among the journalists of Michigan is
occupied by this gentleman, who is the editor and publisher of the Daily and Weekly Telegraph, of Kalamazoo, the most influential organ of
the Republican party in Southwestern Michigan
and one of the leading newspapers of the State.
The Telegraph has for many years molded the political sentiments of the people and exerted a
powerful influence in advancing the interests of
the county. It is a welcome guest in thousands
of homes, and, being conducted on sound business
principles, has proved financially remunerative.
A native of Maine, Mr. Dingley was born in
Auburn, August 21, 1862, and when one year old
was taken by his parents, Nelson and Salome (McKenney) Dingley, to Lewiston, that State. He
prepared for college in the public schools, and in
the fall of 1879 entered Bates College, at Lewiston,
remaining there for one year. In September,
1880, he entered the Sophomore class of Yale University, where he was graduated in 1883. After
completing his literary course, he began to study


law at the Columbian University, in Washington,
D. C., and in June, 1888. was graduated with the
degree of LL.B. While in the Capitol City, he
acted as newspaper correspondent.
Upon passing his examinations, Mr. Dingley
was admitted to practice at the Bar of the State
of Maine, in September, 1885, but never followed
the legal profession. About that time, he commenced his newspaper career as a member of the
staff of the Lewiston Journal, where he remained
one 5ear. From   September, 1886, until June,
1887, he was employed as a political writer on the
Boston Advertiser & Record, and from October,
1887, to May, 1888, he was one of the editors of
tho Leavenworth (Kan.) Times.
The purchase of the Kalamazoo Daily and
Weekly Telegraph was made in August, 1888, since
which time Mr. Dingley has officiated ably as its
editor and manager. The Weekly Telegraph was
founded in 1844, and is one of the oldest newspapers in the State, while the Daily was established in 1859. Under the management of its
various editors and publishers, the Telegraph has
assisted in developing the resources of the State
and promoted the interests of the city in early
days by attracting hither a good class of settlers,
and aiding in the election of efficient men for
positions of trust.
HARLES W. BARBER is probably one of
the best-known men in Alamo Township,
Kalamazoo County, having held the position of station agent of the Michigan Central Railroad at Alamo since its completion, January 12,
1870. He has held an official position in the township for sixteen consecutive years and is highly
esteemed by all who have the honor of his acquaintance. He owns a beautiful tract of land on section 16, comprising eighty acres and which bears
all the improvements to be found on a first-class
estate. He is a well-educated and pleasant gentleman, and is making a success of his undertakings.
Charles W. Barber was born July 13, 1828, in
Onondaga County, N. Y., and is a son of Uel
Barber, a native of the Green Mountain State,






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


847


where he carried on the trade of a shoemaker. The
elder Mr. Barber removed to New York when a
young man and came West in March, 1844, locating in Alamo Township, where he died in 1852, in
his sixty-second year. In religious matters, he was
a conscientious member of the Presbyterian Church.
His wife, the mother of our subject, was known in
her maiden days as Peninnah Searles, also a native
of Vermont, where her death occurred in 1838.
Our subject is the youngest of a family of four
children, two of whom are deceased. His education was limited to the common schools, but he
made the best of his opportunities and is to-day a
well-informed and intelligent gentleman. He began doing for himself at the early age of fourteen
years, working out by the month. He continued
so employed until reaching his nineteenth year,
receiving as remuneration for his labors $5 per
month, until the last year, when his salary was
raised to the magnificent sum of $9 per month.
le, of whom we write, emigrated to Michigan in
October, 1847, and, locating in Alamo Township,
purchased eighty acres of wild land. He commenced the work of clearing and improving his
tract, and erected thereon a plank shanty. Indians
and wild game were plentiful and the hardships
through which he passed in paving the way for
those who should follow him have made a lasting
impression upon his mind. In 1851, Mr. Barber
was married to Agnes Tallman, the daughter of
James Tallman, whose sketch appears on another
page in this volume. Five children have been
born to our subject and his wife: Elvira, who is the
wife of Daniel Morrison, lives near Paw Paw;
Lizzie is deceased; Stella is Mrs. James I). Ferguson, and resides in Bangor, Van Buren County;
Warren G. is also deceased; and Ora P. is the wife
of Frank M. Long, and makes her home in Alamo
on her father's farm.
The original of this sketch is a Republican in
politics, and has represented his party as a delegate to county, district and State conventions. He
was elected Justice of the Peace il 1854, and
served in that responsible position for several
years. He was Township Clerk six years, and at
different times was Treasurer and Supervisor, lolding the latter office two terms. During the Civil


War, Mr. Barber was enrolling officer for his township. As before mentioned, he has served for
twenty-one years as station agent at Alamo and is
widely known throughout the State of Michigan.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Barber are members of the
Congregational Church. In connection with his
duties as agent, our subject buys grain for Seabreing & Co., of Kalamazoo. Ie is a thoroughgoing business man, and ranks among the well-todo and progressive residents of the county.
E    LI DOUGLASS is one of the oldest residents of Kalamazoo, and also one of the
_  most honored. lie was born on Onion
River, in Chittenden County, Vt., fourteen miles
from Burlington, and is a son of Richard and
Rhoda (Clawson) Douglass.   His father was a
tanner and shoemaker. Under the parental roof,
the days of his childhood and youth were passed,
but at length lie determined to leave home and try
his fortune for himself. In 1833, he bade goodbye to his family and friends and came to Washtenaw County, Mich., residing for two years ten
miles west of Lodi Plains, on the River Raisin. lie
then located Government land near Grass Lake, in
Jackson County, where he developed and improved a small farm. In 1836, we find him a resident of the eastern part of Texas Township, Kalamazoo County, where he cultivated a four hundred acre farm, making it his home for about
thirty years. In 1866, he came to Kalamazoo but
has since spent about ten years on his farm, the
remainder of the time his home being in the city.
In May, 1836, in Jackson County, Mr. Douglass
married Miss Eliza Walker, daughter of Daniel
Walker, a pioneer of Jackson County.  Several
of Mr. Douglass' brothers also came West and settled near him. The parents died a few years later.
Mr. Douglass found in his wife a faithful companion and helpmate, who traveled life's journey
by his side for more than half a century and at
length passed away, November 26, 1888, at the age
of seventy-two years. Unto them were born four
children, the eldest of whom, Maria M., became




848


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


the wife of Moses Longyear, of Grass Lake, Jackson County, who died nineteen years ago. She
is now living with her father and has five children,
as follows: Willis D., who was connected with
the Kalamazoo National Bank until two years ago
and is now teller in a Los Angeles, Cal., bank; Nellie, wife of Albert Barnes, of Kalamazoo, now residing with Mr. Douglass; Byron 0., who died at
the age of thirteen; Marian I., a stenographer and
type writer who graduated from Parsons' Business
College; and Kittie J., who graduated from the high
school in 1891, and is now a teacher in the public
schools. Daniel, the second child, for some years
resided in Western Iowa and Nebraska and is now
in California.  Emily is the widow of Charles
Abbott, of Kalamazoo, and George is a farmer
operating the old homestead.
In politics, Mr. Douglass has been a life-long
Democrat, and has held the office of Supervisor
and Road Commissioner for a number of years.
His integrity is proverbial and he has been frequently chosen as administrator of estates, having
in charge more than thirty, some of them extensive properties, and although many have been
complicated, all have been settled satisfactorily.
He possessed good business ability, was progressive though not venturesome, and by his industry,
perseverance and good management won a handsome competence which surrounds him in his declining years with peace and plenty. He is now
eighty-two years of age, yet is as hale and hearty
as many men of seventy and is easily and quietly
drifting down life's stream. In looking back over
his past life, he need feel no regret for lost opportunity.
J OHN T. RETALLICK      stands among the
foremost of the wise, progressive and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers to whom
Kalamazoo County is largely indebted for
its high standing as one of the richest and best
developed agricultural centers in the State of
Michigan. He has met with unmeasured success
in his farming operations, and has two finely appointed farms lying side by side in Climax Town

ship, his beautiful home being on one of them on
section 2. They are unsurpassed as to fertility of
soil, cultivation and improvement by the best
farms in this part of the county.
John Retallick was born in Pennsylvania, September 11, 1834, a son of Richard Retallick. His
father was a native of England. He was a carpenter and joiner and came to this country when
a young man to seek employment at his trade. Ile
afterward went back to his old home to marry,
and, returning to America with his bride, settled
in Pennsylvania. His career was cut short by his
untimely death when his son of whom we write
was only a babe. But very little is known of him
or of his antecedents.
The mother of our subject, thus bereft of her
husband, was left in very poor circumstances. She
came to Michigan with her child to make her home
in Charleston Township, where she had a brotherin-law, Robert Hawk, who was an itinerant Methodist preacher. As she was so very poor and
scarcely able to support her son, the preacher in
his rounds called on Daniel Eldred and his wife,
who were childless, and asked them if they did not
want to take a boy to raise. They agreed to do so,
went to claim our subject, who was a little ragged
four-year-old, took him to their home and hearts,
and tenderly reared him as if he were of their own
flesh and blood. His mother afterward married a
man by the name of Sherman, and died while yet
young.
Our subject attended school in his boyhood in a
log house which was furnished with slab benches,
and the school was conducted under the rate-bill
system, the teacher boarding around first with one
family and then another. His adopted father died
when he was fourteen years old, and when he was
sixteen, so capable and ambitious and helpful was
he, he took the full management of the farm, and
kept it up finely. His adopted parents left him
one hundred acres of Jand, but the remainder of
his three hundred and thirty-two and one-half
acres have been acquired by himself. He lived on
the old place until 1884, and then moved to the
farm on section 2 upon which he now lives, which
joins the other. It is said that there is not a finer
farm in Climax Township than this. Its improve



*-.L        ' '  S    '.'-' -,II.


I


RESIDENCE OF EDWARD BIGELOW, SEC.52.,ALAMO TFP, KALAMAZOO CO.,MICH.


RSLIDENCE& FARM PROPERTY OF JOHN T. RETALLICK, sEc.2.,CLIMAX T, KALAMAZOO CO.,MICH.




i
i
I
I
I


I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


851


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


ments are modern and first-class, including one of
the largest barns in the township, besides two
others, and a new, handsomely built, and elegantly
furnished frame residence, a view of which appears
on another page. There are two hundred acres of
land in this farm, and the other one comprises the
remainder of Mr. Retallick's landed estate. That
is also amply supplied with good buildings, having a large frame residence, a half mile east of his
present home, and four barns. Our subject raises
both grain and stock. He keeps some of all kinds
of stock, and usually ships a car-load of sheep
every season, keeping about a hundred head on
hand.
Mr. Retallick was married, April 10, 1856, to
Miss Hilinda Newton, who has materially assisted
him in the accumulation of his property by her
cheerful co-operation and careful oversight of
household matters.  She was born in Canada,
October 30, 1837, to Dudley and Deborah (Terry)
Newton, who were natives respectively of Connecticut and New York. They came to this State
in 1836 and were among the pioneers of Kent
County. Mr. Newton was a farmer, and took up
eighty acres of land from the Government. He
lived to be an old man, his death occurring at
eighty-one years of age, while his wife died at the
age of forty-three years. They were the parents
of thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Retallick was their eighth child in order of birth, and one of the six now living. Her
pleasant wedded life with our subject has been
blessed by six children, of whom these five are
living: Newton E., a conductor on the Grand
Trunk Railway, who married Miss Eunice Eldred;
Jennie T., wife of William H. Sheldon, a farmer,
whose estate lies on the edge of the village of
Climax; Milan C., who married Miss Hattie Smith,
of Charleston and resides in Charleston Township,
Kalamazoo County; Eurie B. and Etta M., who are
at home with their parents.
Our subject is wealthy, one of the solid citizens
of the county, owing his good fortune not alone
to the help given him by his foster parents, but in
great part to those characteristics that mark him
as a man of more than average ability, push and
energy, with a masterly talent for business, and a
39


capability of judging matters with discrimination
and accuracy. He is looked up to by his fellowcitizens with confidence and esteem, and they have
shown their appreciation of his character by calling
him to public life. He has held the office of Township Treasurer for a number of years, and other
minor offices. He has been mentioned as candidate
for Supervisor to represent the township on the
County Board, but has refused to allow his name
to be used in a caucus in that connection. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic order in the
village of Climax; and politically, is with the Republicans. He gives liberally to the support of
churches, but is not a member. His wife belongs
to the Methodist Church, and is one of its most
effective workers.
Sak an6_!~~ V:~ -..       -


E    DWARD BIGELOW. This respected and
successful farmer is one of the popular citizens of Alanmo   Township, Kalamazoo
County, where lie is engaged in cultivating one
hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 31
and 32. He was born in Summit County, Ohio,
June 27, 1833, and is the son of Marlin Bigelow
who was born in Massachusetts in 1800. The father came West to Ohio and located in Summit
County in an early day. There he cleared and improved a wild tract of land on the banks of the
Rock River. In 1864, he disposed of his interests
in Ohio and removed to Shelby County, Mo., and
located at Shelbyville, where he was engaged in
farming and also in money loaning to some extent. He was captain of a company of militiamen in Ohio in an early day and at his death,
which occurred while on a visit to the Buckeye
State, in 1881, lie left a comfortable fortune. -Ie
had also learned the trades of blacksmith and stone
mason, which he followed for some time.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a
native of Massachusetts, where he carried on farming. Mrs. Marlin Bigelow bore the maiden name
of Mabel Sheldon and died in 1852, after having
reared a family of thirteen children, six of whom
are still living. The education of our subject was
limited to three months' attendance at the district






852


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


school. He remained under the parental roof until
reaching his nineteenth year, when he began to
work out by the month. He thus earned money
enough to start out on his own responsibility and
came to Michigan in 1853, working in Kalamazoo
and Allegan Counties until he purchased his present farm in 1860. His property was an unbroken
tract, little more than a wilderness, and there he
erected a board shanty, 16x22 feet in dimensions.
He endured bravely and uncomplainingly the hardships and privations of pioneer life and the result
of his labors is seen in his beautiful home farm, a
view of which accompanies this sketch. Soon after
he had paid for his place, he was drafted into the
army in 1863 and was compelled to hire a substitute, whom he paid $300. In order to procure the
money, he was compelled to mortgage his farm.
In the spring of 1861, Edward Bigelow was married to Miss Louisa Alchin, who was born in
Kent, England, December 26, 1838. Mrs. Bigelow
was the daughter of Richard and Ann Alchin, natives of England, where the father was engaged for
a time in the boot and shoe business. Mr. and Mrs.
Alchin came to America in 1849 and spent a month
in New York. At the end of that time, they came
to Washtenaw County, this State, and located in
Pittsfield Township, where Mr. Alchin engaged in
farming. He died in 1883 when eighty-three years
old; the mother survived her husband a number of
years and died in 1889, in her eighty-third year.
They reared a family of seven children, five of
whom are living. In religious affairs, they were
members of the Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Bigelow was given a common-school education and after attaining her fifteenth year, as her
parents were unable to send her to school, she
worked out and earned a sufficient sum of money
to pay her tuition. She taught her first school
when seventeen years of age and followed the life
of a teacher for several terms. She fully appreciated the value which a knowledge of books
gives to men and women and, making the best of
her opportunities, is to-day a well-educated and
intelligent lady.
Four of the five daughters born to our subject
and his estimable wife have followed in their
mother's footsteps and have been school teachers.


Cora N. died in Vicksburg, this county, while teaching; Olive married Charles H. Hoyt and is living
in Rutland Township, Barry County, this State;
she was also a school teacher as were also Lizzie
and Mabel. Edith is the youngest of the family.
The Prohibition party claims our subject as one
of its warm adherents. With his wife he is a
member of the Congregational Church. He deserves a great deal of credit for the success he has
made in his chosen calling, for, as we have stated,
it has been the result of his industry and good
management, together with the aid and counsel of
his good wife.
UDGE JAY     RANDOLPH     MONROE, deceased. This honored and respected pioneer of Van Buren County was born in
1806, in Surrey, N. Y. He died in South
Haven, October 30, 1876, when seventy years old.
When a boy, he accompanied his father's family
on their removal to New York, where they located in Madison County. He there grew to a
vigorous manhood, and, when starting out for
himself, thinking that the Western country afforded better opportunities for young men, he
came to Michigan in 1826 or 1827. He made his
home in Detroit for a few years, where he was employed by the late Gen. Cass and a Mr. Campeau
in the location of lands. He then returned to
New York, where lie made his home for the following two years, but in 1830 or 1831 came again
to Michigan, and made his headquarters at Prairie
Ronde.
Mr. Monroe was the first white man to explore
the region of what is now Van Buren County, and
in 1833 or 1834 entered the land which is now the
site of South Haven, and erected the first house in
this locality, which until recently was standing a
tenantless ruin near the shore of the lake. He
opened the first road from South Haven to Prairie
Ronde, and in 1836 was married to Miss Fannie
Rawson, who still survives. The year following,
the young couple located on section 2, Lawrence
Township, where all their children were born, and
where three died. There Mr. Monroe made his




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPH-ICAL RECORD.


853


PORTRAIT- AND ---           BIGAPIA      RECRD                 853 —


home for the remainder of his life, and became one
of the largest landowners in the county. Hie became a trusted confidant and advisor of the inhabitants for miles around, and was called upon to
take an active part in all public matters. He was
greatly interested in educational affairs, and did
much toward organizing the schools of his district.
For twenty-five years he was Commissioner of the
Poor, and served most satisfactorily in the office
of Judge.
The subject of fairs enlisted much of the attention of our subject, and he, with others, was the
first to inaugurate the State Agricultural Society,
and subsequently was one of the originators of
the County Society. He always attended and
placed his products on exhibition at such times,
not that he might get the prize, but for the purpose of stimulating others and creating a mutual
interest in improvements of all kinds and elevating the character of society in intelligence, refinement and morals.
When the Centennial Exposition was talked of,
Mr. Monroe was very anxious to take his family
to Philadelphia that they might gain a wider
knowledge of the growth and grandeur of our nation during the first century. While returning
from the fair held in Grand Rapids, Mr. Monroe
received an injury from which he never recovered, although he attended to his business and
took a deep interest in all passing events. Our subject being one of the oldest, if not the oldest, pioneer in Van Buren County, was greatly interested
in the formation of the Pioneer Association, and
upon its organization was made its President.
Mr. Monroe, with his family and a few friends,
went to Philadelphia to attend the Centennial.
But, upon arriving in that city, he was taken sick
and was enabled to attend the fair but one day,
and then only for a few hours. His heart turned
at once to his home in beloved Michigan, and although watched over and cared for by his loving
wife and children, they at once hastened home,
where his death occurred at the residence of his
daughter, Mrs. Eunice Moore.
Judge Monroe was a man of strict integrity of
character, just and upright. He possessed a cordial,
kindly spirit which made him warm friends and


stanch adherents. His death was keenly felt by
all who knew him, and a vacant place was left in
the many enterprises which lie cherished so warmly
while he lived.
Vt WILLIAM E. UPJOHN, M. D. Of the various industrial establishments of Kalamazoo,
none has a more extended influence or
contributes more effectively to the advancement
of mankind than the Upjohn Pill & Granule Company. This manufacturing plant stands unique
and alone. Its products are found in every clime
where efforts are made to alleviate human ills, and
its promulgators and proprietors are justly entitled
to great credit as public benefactors.
The needs of the medical fraternity had long
been felt and endless efforts had been made to produce a medicated pill that would always be in a condition to receive prompt action by the gastric
juice of the stomach and would not with age become hard and unsuited for use. Nothing better
had been found than the old form of paste pill
with all its imperfections, until Dr. Upjohn turned
his attention to the production of the desired article. Having in view the idea of what he wished
to produce, he devoted many anxious hours and
days to the process and finally was rewarded with
success.
The Doctor at once secured letters-patent on
the machinery he had invented and began in a
small way to manufacture the long-sought globule.
He had succeeded in making a friable pill that
would pulverize under any atmospheric condition
with slight pressure and that would not lose its
friability by long age. His letters-patent covered
three principal machines for shaping, coating and
counting the pills. No excipient is used and hence
pills do not dry out or become hard and insoluble.
The foundation of what has proved an immense
establishment was laid by Dr. Upjohn in connection
with his brother, Dr. Henry U., in 1886. The beginnings were of course on a limited scale but met
with such a cordial reception at once from the
medical profession and the trade that in one year










854


PORnTRAIT AND~ BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


8 5 4 P O R T R A IT ----   AND  BIGR PHCA   RECORD. --- —---- I-~ --- —--- I --- —~~ —I~ ---

the present company was incorporated with a capital stock of $60,000 and arrangements perfected
to increase many times the capacity of the business.
To the present day, success has crowned every effort.
The plant, consisting of a handsome five-story
brick factory, laboratory, office and salesroom, and
covering a floor space of thirty-two thousand square
feet, was erected at a cost of $20,000. Employment is constantly given to fifty skilled men and
women and $150,000 is now invested in the business. The annual output exceeds $200,000, and
more than two thousand kinds of.pills are made,
of which at least five hundred are kept as staple
articles of the trade.
This institution has the reputation of being the
largest consumer of several standard drugs in the
world. Its use of caffeine, acetanilid, is greatly in
excess of any other, as is its consumption of quinine, which is frequently from twenty thousand to
one hundred thousand ounces per month. While
the main office is in Kalamazoo, the business has
assumed such immense proportions that it was
found necessary to open branch offices at New York,
Berlin and London. Space precludes detailed description of the interior workings. Suffice it to say
that no similar machinery is in use in any other
institution and that the simplicity and novelty of
the machinery, which is patented by Dr. Upjohn,
are simply astounding and are excellent examples
of machines that are so perfect in self-adjustment
that they may almost be said to possess reasoning
powers inherent in themselves.
Dr. William  E. Upjohn, the President of this
great institution, is a native of Kalamazoo County,
born in Richland Township, June 5, 1853. His
father, Dr. Uriah Upjohn, was a pioneer physician
in this section of the State. Our subject at an early
age was induced to commence the study of medicine. He spent some time in the capacity of drug
clerk in Kalamazoo, after which he entered the
medical department of the State University, graduating in the class of '75. He opened an office
for practice at Hastings, where he met with success
a        and where he began to experiment in his later development.
For ten years, Dr. Upjohn continued to practice


at Hastings, until he came to Kalamazoo to establish what is the most successful manufacturing
plant of Western Michigan. He was married,
December 24, 1888, to Miss Rachel, daughter of
Dr. I. J. Babcock, of Kalamazoo, and they are the
parents of three children: Winifred, Harold and
Dorothy.
~.~ —~
OHN W. BUDROW, editor and proprietor
of the Schoolraft Express, is one of the able
and successful young business men of the
village and under his active supervision the
paper is rapidly coming to the front as one of the
most newsy and influential journals of Kalamazoo
County.   Strictly independent in its political
opinions, it invariably supports the best candidates
for official positions and those measures which are
calculated to promote the public welfare.
The father of our subject, John L. Budrow, was
born in Moscow, Livingston County, N. Y., December 24, 1820. His mother, known in maidenhood as Esther Burson, was born in Columbiana
County, Ohio, May 26, 1829, whence she removed
to Schoolcraft with her father, Abner Burson, when
she was one year old. Mr. Budrow, Sr., followed
his trade of a carpenter in Schoolcraft Township,
where he was married and has since made his home.
About 1888, he began to lose his eyesight and has
since that time been nearly blind.
The four sons who complete this family circle
are James, a farmer in Schoolcraft Township;
Frank L., a carpenter in the village; John W., the
subject of this sketch; and Joseph, who is a farmer
in Amenia, N. Dak. John W. was born in Schoolcraft Township, March 4, 1859, and was educated
in the common schools of the district. He entered
the printing-office of V. C. Smith, in Schoolcraft,
when he was about sixteen years old and was employed there for two years. Afterward he was employed in printing-offices at Centreville, Kalamazoo, East Saginaw, Lansing, Detroit and Allegan,
this State.
In January, 1886, Mr. Budrow bought out the
Schoolcraft Express, since which time he has been




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


855


=


editor and proprietor of the paper, which has a circulation of eight hundred and is rapidly taking
place among the solid journals of the county. Mr.
Budrow was united in marriage at Schoolcraft, November 19, 1888, to Miss Lizzie Campbell, who
was born in Kalamazoo County. Mrs. Budrow is
the daughter of the late Hugh Campbell, and is
one of the most highly esteemed ladies in the village. The prosperity of Schoolcraft is ever uppermost in Mr. Budrow's mind, and as a member
of the Village Board, he does all in his power to advance its interests. Socially, he is connected with
the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees.
r MOS H. PALMER.        The farmers who
have played so important a part in the
development and substantial prosperity of
Van Buren County are well represented
by this gentleman, whose valuable farming interests lie on sections 4 and 9, Paw Paw Township,
and who is prominent in political and social circles
in this part of the State. A native of Niagara
County, N. Y., he was born May 7, 1838, to Amos
and Catherine (Herkimer) Palmer, who were both
natives of the Empire State, the father of Oneida
County, and the mother of Otsego County. Both
had been previously married, and the latter had
come to Michigan during the life-time of her first
husband, who died in this State. The father of our
subject, losing his first wife in New York, subsequently came to Michigan on a visit, and here
made the acquaintance of his second wife. He
married her, and took her back to New ' ork, where
our subject, their only child, was born. They lived
there until he was almost eighteen years old, and
then came to Paw Paw, and here passed their remaining years, making their home with their son
the last part of their lives-the father dying in
1866, and the mother October 24, 1877. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was a man
greatly respected for his excellent character.
Our subject had good opportunities to obtain a
sound education, and was not slow to avail himself of the means offered to improve his mind. He




pursued the preparatory course in the college at
Cooperstown, N. Y., and won a good reputation for
scholarship in that excellent institution of learning.
He was thus well prepared for the duties of life,
having had besides a careful training in all that
goes to make an intelligent, prosperous farmer. He
early acquired a taste for that calling which
Horace Greeley so aptly termed "the noblest of
professions," and was giving his attention to agricultural pursuits when the war broke out. His
patriotism was aroused at his country's peril, and
he longed to enter the army to fight for the Union.
He attempted to enlist two or three times, but for
some reason was disqualified and the recruiting
officers would not accept him. But loyal men were
needed at home, and perhaps his services were as
efficient here in the harvest fields as they would
have been on the battlefield, for food was needed
to feed that great army of men, and they needed
strengthening and encouragement in other directions. Our subject has made his mark as a
farmer and stock-raiser, and his fine farm of one
hundred and twenty acres, lying partly on section
9, where he has his home, and the remainder of it
on section 4, compares with the best in Paw Paw
Township in regard to its cultivation and the value
of its improvements. It is well stocked, especially
with Shropshire sheep, of which Mr. Palmer makes
a specialty.
Our subject was happily married, November 28,
1860, to Miss Carrie Mathews, of Marshall, Mich.
Mrs. Palmer is a native of this State, born in the
town of Galesburgh, December 15, 1840, a daughter of a pioneer family of Kalamazoo County. Her
parents, Gideon and Matilda (Mason) Mathews,
were natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and
Vermont. They were married in Cleveland, Ohio,
and came to Michigan in    1837, being among
the early settlers of Galesburgh, where Mr. Mathews
kept a hotel many years, and was a well-known
figure in that region. He died January 21, 1876.
His wife survives him and makes her home with
her daughter and our subject. She has attained
the venerable age of eighty-three years, having
been born August 11, 1808. Mrs. Palmer is the
youngest of three children, of whom one died
young, and the other, Mrs. Essina Streator, is a




856


PORTRAIT AND BI~IOGRAPHE-ICAL RECORD.


856             PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


resident of Antwerp Township. Mrs. Palmer received a good education in the public schools, and
was early instructed how to properly care for a
household, so that she was amply able to preside
over a home of her own when she married. One
son, Elmer A., has been born to her and our subject.
Mr. Palmer is a man of sagacious and thrifty
business habits, a skillful farmer, and a good manager. He is frank and straightforward in his manner, and his dealings are always open and aboveboard. He takes a deep interest in all that concerns the welfare of his township and county, and
is especially alive to the political questions of the
day. He is an ardent Republican, and has been
since he first began to exercise his privilege of
voting by giving his enthusiastic support to
Abraham Lincoln for President. He is a familiar
figure in the councils of his party, frequently serving as delegate to county conventions, of which he
has never missed but one since he cast his first
vote. He is one of the leading members of the
Masonic fraternity in this section, has held all the
offices in the lodge, and is thoroughly informed in
all that pertains to Masonry. His son is also prominent in that order, and has been an incumbent of
the various offices, and is now Worshipful Master.
He, too, is an active worker in the ranks of the
Republican party.
$      ILAS HUBBARD. The hardy frontiersman who ventured into Michigan as early
as 1836, and assisted in developing its
vast resources, justly deserves the honored name of pioneer. Such a one is the gentleman who forms the subject of this biographical
notice, and who, through a long series of years,
has lived honorably and uprightly in the quiet
discharge of his duties as a citizen, friend, neighbor, husband and father.
The ancestors from whom Mr. Hubbard traces
his descent were English people of sturdy character and enterprise. His grandfather, Jonathan
Hubbard, was born in 1732, in Massachusetts,
where he remained until 1800, going then to Cort

land, N. Y., where his last years were passed. In
his removal, he was accompanied by his son James,
who was born in 1782, in the old town of Brimfield, Mass. The mother of our subject, whose
maiden name was Huldah Andrews, was born in
Litchfield County, Conn., in 1780, of English ancestry, and in 1808 became the wife of James
Hubbard.
Settling on a farm in Tompkins County, N. Y.,
the parents of our subject were busily occupied
for many years in agricultural duties and in rearing to usefulness their children, four in number,
viz: Sylvester, Silas, Huldah and Harmon. In
1836, the father, having been bereaved by the
death of his wife six years previous, sold his farm
and moved into the village of Cortland, where he
died at the age of eighty years. He was a man of
sterling virtue and Christian character, whose
influence in the community was always for good.
A native of the Empire State, Silas Hubbard
was born in Groton, Tompkins County, July 29,
1812, and was reared on his father's farm. His
boyhood days were somewhat uneventfully passed
in tilling the soil and attending school whenever
occasion offered. In 1836, he started out for himself, coming to Michigan and settling in Washtenaw County, where he remained two years. May,
1838, witnessed his arrival in Kalamazoo, then
sparsely settled, except by Indians, who abounded
in the surrounding country.
The winter following his arrival, Mr. Hubbard
was employed as the teacher in the village school,
after which he embarked in the business of buying, selling and improving real estate, and loaning money, and continued successfully operating
in that line until 1870. Meanwhile, he witnessed
the growth of the village until it has become one
of the most important cities of the State, foremost
in educational and business interests. The Kalamazoo Paper Company was organized through his
efforts in 1868, and he has ever since been closely
connected with its growth. As a property-holder,
his interests are extensive and remunerative, including interests in the paper mill at Otsego, this
State, besides several valuable farms.
The marriage of Mr. Hubbard to Miss Mary,
daughter of Daniel Loomis, of Hudson, Mich.,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


857


was celebrated in October, 1854, and they are the
parents of three daughters, to whom every advantage for literary and musical culture was given,
and who now preside over homes of their own.
Caroline I. is the wife of Carl G. Kleinstuck, of
Kalamazoo; Mary II. married HI. B. Hoyt, of Kalamazoo; and Frances I. was the wife of R. D.
Kuhn, of Cleveland, Olio. She died February 1,
1892.  The pleasant home at No. 203 West
Lovell Street, where Mr. Hubbard and his amiable wife have resided for many years, is the center of a gracious hospitality often enjoyed by their
large circle of personal friends. The Republican
party finds a stanch adherent in Mr. Iubbard,
who has served his fellow-citizens as Supervisor
and Assessor, and in various other positions of responsibility and honor.
W    BENEZER BARRINGER. This retired gentleman is a resident of section 9, Almena
_     Township, Van Buren County, and was born
January 10, 1807, in Rensselaer County, N. Y. His
parents were Frederick and Martha (Spring) Barringer, natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively. The father was a farmer, and made a
permanent home in his native State, where they
both died.
Our subject is one of four children, and the only
survivor. He was born and reared on a farm, and
his father dying when he was but three and onehalf years old, he commenced for himself in active
life when twelve years old. He lived on a farm
until eighteen, and then clerked in a store for
a short time. The next year he clerked in Troy,
N. Y., and finally bought some groceries and put
them in a room in the tavern owned by Henry
Ensign at Poestenkill, N. Y., and kept store until
1827. He then rented a regular shop and in the
spring of 1828 closed up and started out to seek his
fortune. With Daniel Rhoades, he went to New
York City, and boarded on five shillings a day for a
few days, when our subject bought some goods and
started out to peddle. He traveled along the Hudson River, across a portion of Pennsylvania among


I


I


the Dutch, to Philadelphia, and then to Baltimore.
Ile returned to New York State, and thence went
home and comm-enced to fit himself for teaching.
That same year he went to Pittstown and engaged
to teach school four months for $11 per month.
le soon gave it up, and taught his home district
school eighteen months, when only twenty.
When a little past twenty-three, our subject was
married, the ceremony taking place May 1, 1830.
IHe was united to Miss Jane Sliter, a native of
New York State. He made a trip in 1830, to Michigan, and came fifty miles west of Detroit. He returned home without locating. The young wife
remained with a brother-in-law of her husband's
during his absence. That fall and winter, Mr.
Barringer taught school in Sand Lake Village, N.
Y., for $16 a month. The spring of 1831 found
this gentleman the owner of the same store he had
rented at Poestenkill. Ile also purchased a house
and lot adjoining his store, and lived there. He
was in debt some $1,800, and gave a mortgage on
his property at seven per cent, but after several
years was enabled to pay the debt. In the year
1834, he tended both his store and the tavern,
and remembers well the great snow storm in the
month of May of that year. In 1838, Mr. Barringer gave up his public house, but his purchaser
failed and wanted a release, so he again sold to
another. Our subject remained in the store until
after his children were all born. They are: Charles,
born in 1831; Charlotte in 1834; Albert in 1838;
and Webster in 1840.
Our subject bought a farm in Sand Lake, in
1840, for $800, but three years later gave it up and
purchased eighty-three acres in Monroe County.
IIe sold out his store and also purchased fifty acres
of woodland in the mountains, and subsequently
sold it. In connection with working his farm, he
sold goods, but through misfortune lost them all.
In the spring of 1844, our subject started with his
family by canal to Monroe County, N. Y. In his
old home he served twice as Justice of the Peace.
After twenty years of economy and thrift, he was
enabled to pay for his farm, and remained there
until 1860, when he purchased forty acres more.
He sold out his old farm and purchased twenty
acres, on which lhe made some good improvements,
\IVM~~~~~::.rV ~VIII U




858


8PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


T-: 7 7 _


before disposing of it. In 1870, Mr. Barringer
removed to Michigan, and located in Almena
Township, where he now resides. The farm consisted of one hundred acres, with forty adjoining it
on the south. Considerable improvements have
been made in the way of fencing, clearing and the
erection of necessary buildings. He now has two
hundred acres, one hundred and forty of which are
improved.
After a married life of fifty-three years, his good
wife was called away, January 22, 1884, at the advanced age of eighty-one, and of their family of
four children, one is deceased. The loving mother
was a member of the Baptist Church, to which her
family also belongs. In politics, he was a Whig,
and has voted with the Republican party since its
formation. His first ballot was cast for John Quincy
Adams, and his last vote for Benjamin Harrison.
XAPT. ABNER D. DOUBLEDAY. This gentleman is honored as a valiant soldier of
v the late war and a public-spirited citizen of
Kalamazoo. He was born in Otsego County, N.
Y., March 9, 1829, and is the son of Demas A. and
Sally (Calkins) Doubleday. Love of country is
his inheritance, for his grandfather was a Revolutionary patriot, and with five brothers fought for
his country at Bunker Hill. His cousin, Gen. Abner Doubleday, is famous in the annals of our
country for service at Sumter and Gettysburg.
After attending common schools in his youth,
our subject began to teach at the age of seventeen
and continued thus employed for five years. In
1848, he entered Oberlin College, Ohio, and, after
studying there for some time, returned to the Empire State, where he followed mercantile pursuits in
New York City for seven years. Through the advice of physicians, lie engaged in agricultural pursuits as a means of regaining his health, then somewhat shattered, and so tilled the soil until the outbreak of the war.
When the Civil War broke out, our subject took
care of his mothers and sisters in addition to the
charge of his own family, and his brother, Ulysses
F., entered service as First Lieutenant and, through


the death of his superior officer, received the appointment of Captain, serving in that capacity
until his death at Fredericksburg in 1863. Prior
to that battle, he had participated in a number of
engagements with conspicuous valor.
After his brother's death, Abner D. disposed of
his business affairs and sold his store at Richfield
Springs, N. Y. He then took up the sword that
the brother had carried and enlisted in the Union
service as a member of Company L, Second Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery. After serving
six months as a private, he was promoted for valiant services to be Second Lieutenant, June 10,
1864, at Cold Harbor, Va.  During the continual
fighting at Petersburg, his superior officers being
killed, he acted as Captain and Adjutant on the same
day.
August 15, 1864, Capt. Doubleday was disabled
by sunstroke and sent to the field hospital, afterward being transferred at different times to three
others and being finally sent to Washington, where
the surgeons decided that he was unable to continue
the service. He then resigned, but his resignation
was not accepted until 1865. At the close of the
war, the Captain came to Michigan and located on
a farm in Alamo Township, Kalamazoo County,
which his father had purchased from the Government. Our subject bought the same farm of two
hundred acres in 1853.
Afterward Capt. Doubleday disposed of the farm
and bought a small farm adjacent to Kalamazoo.
In 1883, he divided the place into town lots and
it is now known as Doubleday's Addition to Kalamazoo, being one of the finest subdivisions in the
city and many of the lots are already built upon.
He retains a number of fine lots in his possession.
The public measures of the city and Nation awaken
his deepest interest and he is a labor sympathizer in
that important issue. In Orcutt Post, G. A. R., he
is a prominent member and has occupied the various chairs.
Mr. and Mrs. Doubleday are the parents of four
children, namely: Ward, who lives in Kalamazoo;
Ulysses F., manager of the Bell Telephone Company in Battle Creek, this State; Grace, widow of
C. B. Lieder, of Chicago; and one that died in infancy. The Captain and his estimable wife occupy




e










I ~LKi/tLA~ 4




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


861


a high place in the regard of the citizens of Kalamazoo, to which they are entitled by their nobility
of character and genial social qualities. Politically,
he is an Independent.
*                           -
LBERT S. HASKIN, M. D., a practicing
physician of Lawrence, is a native of Essex County, N. Y., having been born
there, September 15, 1827. His parents
were Samuel R. and Lusetta (Smith) Haskin, both
natives of Vermont. The father returned to Vermont soon after the birth of his son Albert, located
in Brockport when he was seven years old, and
when twelve years of age went to Indiana, coming
from that State to Michigan, and settling in Cass
County about 1848.
Albert Haskin was married,April 9, 1854, to Miss
Olive Pickett, who died nineteen months after her
marriage. Our subject then began the study of
medicine under Dr. William E. Clark, then of
Dowagiac, but now a resident of Chicago. He also
taught school for the sake of getting funds, and in
the fall of 1856 entered the medical department of
the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, where he
studied one year. He then came to Lawrence and
began practicing in 1857.
December 17, 1860, is the date of the second
marriage of our subject, when he took as his wife
Miss Martha J. McKnight, of Lawrence, a daughter of John B. and Mary (Haynes) McKnight. She
was born in Wood County, Ohio, October 29, 1830,
and came with her mother to Lawrence when seven
years old. She received a good common-school
education and has made this her home since first
coming here, They have had no children of their
own, but have reared several, who are now
married.
Our subject is the fifth in order of birth in a
family of ten-two dying in infancy, eight growing to mature years and seven now living.  The
youngest brother, Charles H., is a physician at
Jackson, Mich. Dr. Haskin has been successful as
a practitioner and has a fair share of this world's
goods. He has been especially fortunate in doctoring young children and was called for a great deal


during the epidemic of cerebro-spinal meningitis in 1864. He finally took the disease himself
and was laid up for eleven months.   He is a
pleasant, whole-souled man, admired and respected
by all.
Dr. Haskin is a stalwart Republican and has
stood by the party since its foundation, casting
his first vote for' John C. Fremont, in 1856. He
has served his township in various ways, being
School Inspector, member of the Board nine years,
anda Director for six years of the nine; Coroner
two terms; President of the village two years and
Delegate to County, Congressional and State Conventions. Socially, the Doctor is a member of the
National Bee Union and the Bee Keepers' Association, both the Northwestern and the Michigan
State Associations. He is also a member of the
Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine, in which he
takes an active part.
On another page will be noticed a lithographic
portrait of the Doctor.
ON. JAMES B. COBB. The first representative in America of the family to which this
/  gentleman  belongs was one Sylvanus
Cobb, who emigrated to the United States
somewhere between 1620 and 1630 and soon became identified with the village of Canterbury,
Conn. His son Benjamin was the father of Elkanah, whose son Gideon, born at Canterbury,
July 7, 1716, settled at Pawlet, Vt., where he died
July 24, 1797. The family have since resided at
Pawlet, and the line of descent is through Elkanah,
John and Horace to James B.
A native of Vermont, our subject was born in
Orwell, May 18, 1823, and is a son of Horace and
Thankful (Bascomb) Cobb. When eleven years
old, he removed to Rochester, N. Y., where he attended the Institute and engaged in teaching
during two winter terms. He then became agent
for a paper mill at Fair Haven Vt., and for four
years traveled in its employ through Vermont
and New York. Later he sojourned in Rochester
two years, and then became agent for a flouring
mill at Burlington Vt.




862


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


In 1854, Mr. Cobb came to Michigan and in connection with his brother, William H., bought a
farm in Kalamazoo Township, two and one-half
miles south of Kalamazoo and on that place of
one hundred and fifty acres he resided twenty
years. In 1863, he was elected to the Legislature
and served through three sessions, being re-elected
in 1865. His opponent was Thomas S. Cobb, of
Kalamazoo, recently deceased. While an incumbent of that honorable position, he was Chair man
of the Committee on State Affairs, also member of
the Committees on Asylums and State Prisons.
In 1873, Mr. Cobb was appointed County Treasurer, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the
incumbent, and during his term he engaged in the
wool trade, which lie has continued to the present.
He and his brother William H. have operated in
that way for seventeen years and during 1891
handled six hundred thousand pounds of wool
for a Rhode Island firm.  Since his removal to
the city in 1873, he has served as Supervisor of the
Fourth Ward for nine years, and was a member of
the Board of County Buildings at the time of the
erection of the present Poor House. On his farm
which lie still owns and manages, he keeps a large
flock of thorough-bred Merino sheep and other fine
stock.
The marriage of Mr. Cobb, January 23, 1851,
united him with Miss Helen M. McCall of Rochester, N. Y., and their family comprises the following children: Helen Isabella, who died in infancy;
Anna Louisa, who passed away when fourteen
years old; Maud Mary and Gertrude L. (twins);
Alice Campbell and Carlos M. (twins).  Maud
died December 2, 1889; she was a lovely young
lady and was greatly esteemed by all who knew
her. The surviving children remain with their
parents. Gertrude is an author of more than ordinary ability and her articles have been widely
read and copied. Alice and Carlos, who are graduates of the High School, attend to all the clerical
work for their father, and Carlos is also interested
in the wool business.
The beautiful home of this family is located at
No. 530 S. Burdick Street and was erected in 1887,
Mrs. Cobb supplying the designs. The family
holds membership in the Presbyterian Church and


Mrs. Cobb is a member of various clubs and ladies'
societies. She and daughters have done much to
mold the opinions of their friends and their influence is felt in every home. Every year for the
past seventeen, Mr. Cobb has gone East and frequently visits the scenes of his boyhood.
A man of genial temperament, brimful of good
nature, Mr. Cobb possesses the excellent attributes
of the steadfast friend and congenial companion.
His liberal views have been cultivated by extensive
reading and close observation, and while lie has
decided opinions of his own, lie recognizes the
rights of others to different views. He is scrupulously exacting in every official transaction, believing that public service demands the same exalted talents which one gives to his private business.
As a legislator, Mr. Cobb was painstaking, careful and methodical, and the present fine condition
of many of the State institutions is the result of
the line of policy advocated by him. His judgment is a safe guide, and its influence is felt in
almost every branch of municipal and county
affairs. Ever having a good word for the unfortunate, a helping hand for the needy, his friends
are numbered in every walk of life, and now that
the sorrws of many winters have whitened his
locks, he can look back over a life well spent,
knowing that a warm place is kept for him in the
hearts of his countrymen.
j      AMUEL APPLETON      GIBSON, Superintendent and Manager of the Kalamazoo
I     Paper Company, possesses the confidence
and esteem of his business associates to a
remarkable degree, and his business ability, tact
and judgment are unquestioned. He is a native
of New Hampshire and was born at New Ipswich,
August 17, 1835, his parents being Col. George C.
and Alvira (Appleton) Gibson.
The father of our subject was born in New Ipswich, March 10, 1805, and served in the New
Hampshire State Militia for many years. His wife
belonged to a worthy and distinguished family,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


863


her uncle, John Appleton, having been a prominent
member of the Maine Bar and having served several
terms as Judge of the Supreme Court. After completing the course of study in the schools of Ipswich, Samuel A. entered the Appleton Academy at
New Ipswich, where he finished his education. In
the intervals of study, he aided his father in his
shop,where the manufacture of carriages and sleighs
was carried on.
When twenty years of age, Mr. Gibson entered
the postoffice at Concord, Mass.,where he officiated
in the capacity of clerk for two years, and then
accepted a clerkship in a general store at Ashby,
Mass. Having gained a thorough knowledge of
that line of enterprise, he embarked in business as
a grocer in 1859, the scene of his operations being
Fitchburg, Mass., where he continued successfully
for a number of years. In 1867, he removed to
Kalamazoo, and has since resided in this city.
The Kalamazoo Paper Company was organized
October 1,1866, Mr. Gibson being one of the original stockholders. A mill was built on the Grand
Rapids Branch of the Lake Shore and Michigan
Southern Railroad, two miles south of the city of
Kalamazoo, the plant being valued at $100,000. A
capital of $200,000 was required to conduct the
business, which rapidly grew to its present proportions. Mr. Gibson entered the employ of the company as mechanic and book-keeper, retaining the
latter position until 1870. He then assumed the
management of the business as Superintendent,
which position he still holds.
During the first year of its existence, the company employed about fifty people and was confined to the manufacture of common paper and
extra newspaper. But the mill has since been
greatly enlarged, new material has been added,
and lithograph, music and colored papers are also
made, the specialty being lithograph paper. Among
recent improvements is a water filter, with a capacity of one million gallons daily, through which
what was formerly considered nearly pure water is
passed, and all sediment and other impurities are
drawn. Other equally necessary improvements have
been added to increase the efficiency of the plant
in the output of its justly celebrated finer grades
of paper. Mr. Gibson is thoroughly informed as


to every detail of the immense business and his
personal attention is exclusively given to its management.
In addition, Mr.Gibson is interested in other enterprises. He is Director in the Kalamazoo National
Bank and member of the Board of Trustees of the
Kalamazoo.College. IIe united with the Congregational Church in 1858 and is Trustee in the church.
Politically, he is a firm Republican, although by no
means partisan in his affiliations. His employes
regard him as their warmest friend, and their interests are to him second only to the success of the
institution
October 14, 1860, Mr. Gibson was married to
Mrs. Mary A. Bardeen, daughter of Deacon A.
Farnsworth, of Fitchburg, Mass., and they are the
parents of two children: Alice Gertrude, wife of
F. D. Haskell, and Susan Edith, who married F. M.
Hodge. Both Messrs. Haskell and Hodge are connected with the paper company and reside in Kalamazoo.
ZRO HEALY, a retired farmer now residing in Kalamazoo, is an excellent example
of a self-made man who has achieved success through his own efforts, and his life
might well serve to encourage others who, like
him, have to make their own way in the world.
IIe was born in the town of Shoreham, Addison
County, Vt., January 20, 1814. His father, Joshua
Healy, a native of Massachusetts, removed with
his parents to Vermont when a child. He took
quite a prominent part in public affairs, especially
in politics, serving as County Judge and representing his district in the State Legislature for two
terms. He married Lucy Willson, a native of the
Green Mountain State, and a daughter of William
Willson. Removing to Steuben County, N. Y.,
they settled near the town of Dansville, upon a
farm which continued to be their home throughout the remainder of their lives. They were the
parents of eleven children, ten of whom grew to
manhood and womanhood. Of the seven sons and
four daughters, nine are yet living.
The subject of this sketch attended the district






864


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


schools in Steuben County, N. Y., and remained
upon his father's farm until he had attained his
majority, when he started out in life for himself.
He chose the West as the scene of his future labors,
and in 1835 came to Michigan, where he was first
employed as boss on the Michigan Southern Railroad for $50 per month. In the spring of 1837,
he, having accumulated some money, went to Ohio
and bought nine yoke of oxen. He began breaking prairie and turned the furrows upon fourteen
hundred acres of virgin soil. Next, purchasing
one hundred and sixty acres of land, he cleared
and began its development, placing it under a
high state of cultivation, first sowing it in wheat,
and when the crop was harvested sold his grain
for forty-five cents per bushel delivered at St. Joseph. He lost heavily in this venture, but ere
two years had passed he had paid all indebtedness and again started square with the world.
On the 11th of April, 1839, Mr. Healy was
united in marriage to Miss Eliza, daughter of
Ezekiel and Catherine (Shaw) Everingham. The
lady is a native of Dansville, Steuben County,
N. Y., and by her marriage became the mother of
six children, four of whom are yet living: Wallace died at the age of ten years; Helen was the
wife of William Boardman, and after his death
she wedded Oliver K. Olmsted; Marion died in
infancy; B. J. is Chief of the Fire Department of
Kalamazoo; Charlie A. resides in Kalamazoo; and
Catherine E. is at home. During the time of the
building of the Michigan Central Road, he took a
contract to grade and place the ties on the grade
from the Kalamazoo bridge to one mile east of
the city.
Mr. Healy has taken no active part in political
affairs In his religious views he is a Unitarian.
He owns a fine residence, and has built several
houses in Kalamazoo. Ile also is the owner of a
fine farm situated near the corporation limits, valued at $200 per acre. In politics lie is a sturdy Democrat. Among the honored pioneers of the county is
he numbered, having borne the trials and privations
of pioneer life. In the winter of 1837, he took from
the timber over four hundred thousand feet of lumber, at a time when the snow on the ground lay two
feet in depth. He sold the'logs at $4 per thou

sand feet, and did most of the hauling with nine
yoke of oxen. His first home was a board shanty,
20x20 feet, in which his men slept, and in which
the cooking and eating were done. Overcoming
all obstacles in his path, he worked his way upward and was successful in his undertakings. He
possessed what the Yankees called "grit," and his
enterprise and industry won him prosperity. At
the present time, he is engaged largely in raising
and shipping celery-also dealing in real estate.
In 1889, Mr. Healy was called upon to mourn
the loss of his wife, who died on the 5th of Decemiber, at the age of seventy years, and was
buried in the Mountain Home Cemetery. He is
now well advanced in years, but still retains much
of the vigor of earlier manhood and is a genial,
cordial old gentleman, whose friends are almost as
many as his acquaintances. His sterling worth
has won him high regard, and he is respected by
all..    ARVEY J. EDGELL. This respected gen) tleman, who is the proprietor of Spring
' Hill Fruit Farm, at South Haven, is also
a dealer in real estate. Licking County,
Ohio, was his native place, his birth occurring
August 15, 1835. His great-grandfather was Sir
William Edgell of England. His grandfather was
also born in England, and came to the United
States in company with four brothers. He first
located in Maryland, whence, in 1802, lie removed
to Ohio, where he became a pioneer in Licking
County. He only remained there a short time,
however, when he went to Franklin County, and
later to Shelby County, where he died at the age
of seventy-five years. He was a volunteer soldier
in the War of 1812, and had four sons: James,
William, John and Wilson.
The father of our subject, William Edgell, was
born in Ohio, and, in early life, learned the trade
of a tanner and currier. In 1833, lie was united
in marriage to Sarah Holden. She was the greatgranddaughter of Sir William Parr, who came
to America prior to the Revolution, and during
the struggle for independence aided the Colonists.
That was considered sufficient reason for confiscat



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


865.   -   -   -   I,-, —,  -   -.-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             - - - -  -~~~-~ --- —-   --    -


ing his estate in England, so he did not return but
settled in Licking County, Ohio. His daughter married Lewis Holden, and they became the parents of
Sarah Holden, who married Mr. Edgell.
The elder Mr. and Mrs. Edgell resided in Licking
County until about 1847, where they were engaged
in farming. In 1870, they removed to Chicago,
where the mother died in 1873. The father is still
living in that city. He was a stanch Republican,
and before the organization of that party was a
Whig. The parents were earnest and conscientious
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
reared a family of ten children.
Harvey J. Edgell during his boyhood assisted
his father about the tannery and attended the district school. At the age of thirteen, he became a
clerk in a general store and four years later was
one of the proprietors of a country store at Haven's
Corners, near Columbus, Ohio. He was subsequently engaged in business in Delaware County,
Ohio, and during the Civil War carried on a wholesale notion business. He attended to his duties
closely and worked so hard that in a few years, his
health being impaired, he was obliged to retire
from active life. In accordance with the advice of
his physician, he sought a home near the lake shore
and in May 28, 1869, reached South Haven. Here
he purchased eighty acres of timber land located on
section 11, South Haven Township, locating his
tract with the aid of a compass. He laid out a
road to his place and commenced the arduous task
of clearing it from the timber and underbrush.
His brought his farm to an excellent state of cultivation and in a few years began to grow fruit.
In 1886 our subject received a sunstroke so
that it became necessary for him to give up all outdoor work, for a time at least. He then engaged
in the real-estate business, thinking it a line of
work out of which he would be able to drop at any
time. But business increased so rapidly and has
grown to such an extent that he will no doubt
make it a life work. I-e is wide-awake to the interests of South Haven and has been the leading
spirit in advertising and making it the popular
summer resort which it has become. His fruit farm,
on which he resides, contains forty acres which are
thoroughly and profitable improved.


Mr. Edgell was married in 1858 to Miss Mary,
daughter of William Headley, a pioneer of Franklin County, Ohio, where Mrs. Edgell was born. Our
subject and his estimable wife have been granted a
family of three children: Nellie A.; Mattie, who
died at the age of four years, and Carlos L. Mr.
Edgell is an ardent supporter of the Republican
party and socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
He is also connected prominently with the Enterprise Club. He with his good wife is a member of
the Congregational Church and is most highly
esteemed by all who are acquainted with the history
of this section.
_  _
Bt EINHOLD IHLING, of the firm of Ihling
Bros. & Everard, is one of the prominent
j\   and successful business men of Kalamazoo,
\  and has attained to his enviable position,
financially and socially, through the exercise of indomitable energy and unusual perseverance. The
business in which he is engaged has assumed gigantic proportions and is numbered among the most
successful enterprises of Kalamazoo, its success being mainly due to the energetic management of the
Ihling Bros.
Among the foreigners who have sought homes
in the United States, many have come hither from
Germany and have brought with them qualities of
thrift, perseverance and industry, which, while establishing their own private fortunes, have also promoted the public welfare. Mr. Ihling is a German
by birth and parentage and was born February 11,
1848, When only four years old, he was brought
by his parents to the United States and grew to
manhood in Milwaukee.
When thirteen years old, Mr. Ihling commenced
to learn the trade of a shoemaker and afterward
learned the book-binder's trade in all its branches
at Milwaukee and has since followed this business,
having a complete knowledge of the business in
every detail. He then entered his brother's employ and for eighteen months remained in that
connection, afterward aiding in the establishment






866




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.




of the present business. Ihling Bros. & Everard,
printers, have an assured reputation in Kalamazoo
and vicinity, and the book-binding department is
in charge of our subject, who employs thirty-five
hands and is pushing his branch of the business
with great energy.
The pleasant residence of Mr. Ihling at No. 508
Wood Street is presided over by his wife, to whom
he was married, August 24, 1875, at Racine, Wis.
Miss Alice Schumacher, as Mrs. Ihling was known
in maidenhood, was born at lIartford, Conn., and
was carefully reared under the tuition of efficient
teachers and affectionate parents.  She is the
mother of seven children, viz: Alma, Carl, Arno,
Lillian, Paul, Walter and Alice, bright and intelligent children who are being educated in the
schools of Kalamazoo.
In his social affiliations, Mr. Ihling is identified
with the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge and
Chapter and the Germanic Society. While he has
but little time to devote to public affairs, he adheres to the principles of the Republican party and
advocates those enterprises which will advance the
interests of the community.
O    RRIN SNOW, a retired farmer and one of the
respected citizens of Kalamazoo, claims New
York as the State of his nativity. He was
born in Oswego County, September 27, 1829, and
is a son of Ansel and Arbelia (Wilmouth) Snow,
both of whom were natives of Massachusetts and
came of old New England families of English
origin. In March, 1837, with their children, they
emigrated to Michigan, locating on Grand Prairie,
four miles northwest of Kalamazoo. After two
or three years, they removed to Oshtemo Township.
where one of the daughters had married and settled
the preceding August. The family numbered three
sons and four daughters. They are, Permelia, who
became the wife of Alonzo Wyman, and both are
now deceased; Hannah, Mercy Ann, Cordelia, Orson and Orrin. One brother, Orla, was born after
the family came to this county. In 1866, Orson
and Orla removed to Macon County, Mo., where
they now reside. Hannah became the wife of Sol

omon Forbes and died a number of years ago.
Mercy Ann was the wife of Samuel Johnson, of
Kalamazoo Township, and her death also occurred
many years ago. Cordelia is the wife of Anson
Forbes, of Macon County, Mo. The father of this
family followed farming throughout his entire life.
He secured quite an extensive tract of land and
became well-to-do. His death occurred October
14, 1864, at the age of eighty-one, and his widow
died in August, 1880, at the age of eighty-five
years in Missouri, where she had gone with her
son.
The subject of this sketch came to Michigan
when a lad of eight summers, and amid the wild
seenes of frontier life was reared to manhood. He
remained at home until twenty-four years of age,
when, in 1853, he went to California, making an
overland trip, and for a year and a half was engaged in mining.' On his return, he resumed the
occupation of farming and after a year and a half
chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Catherine, daughter of A. H. and Catherine (Chandler) Hill, now of Plainiwell.  The
mother is deceased. She is a native of New York
and when two years old was brought to Michigan.
Their marriage was celebrated April 16, 1856, and
unto them have been born four children: Milo A.
operates his father's farm; Frank and Fred, who
died in childhood; and Katie, a student in the
High School.
Mr. Snow continued to engage in agricultural
pursuits with marked success until three years ago
when he came to Kalamazoo, where he has since
lived a retired life. He engaged in breeding
short-horn cattle and was very successful in his
business. He still owns five hundred acres of valuable land and is accounted one of the well-to-do
citizens of the community. He certainly deserves
much credit for his success, for itis due entirely to
his own efforts. He has held a number of public
offices, was Township Treasurer, Justice of the
Peace and Supervisor. The Republican party finds
in him a stanch advocate, and he has frequently
attended its State and county conventions. He
has been connected with the Kalamazoo County
Agricultural Society for twenty years and has just
been, for the sixth time, elected to the office of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


867


President. We find in Mr. Snow a typical representative of the honored pioneer, a man in whom
every one has implicit confidence. He is a supporter of all that tends to advance the interests of
the county, is a man of broad views, public-spirited
and progressive. In personal appearance, he is a
large, fine-looking gentleman, and by his pleasant,
genial manner readily wins friends.
e        |*S**S*~^*S*^ g^~S*^*S~~S*|?
cG       )^*^*~$~^~P~P~j~~i'J~^By*S*S~~S**gt.


ALE P. KAUFFER, one of the leading business men of Kalamazoo, is President of the
Page Manufacturing Company, which is an
outgrowth of the factory established in 1873
for the manufacture of handles by Calvin Forbes
and Messrs. Morse, Darrin and Beebe. Hale W.Page,
an uncle of our subject, became a stockholder in the
company which afterward failed. He later resumed
operations,which he carried on until 1881, when the
plant was destroyed by fire. In that year Mr. Kauffer
became associated with him and they rebuilt, since
which time they have done a good and constantlyincreasing business. The plant covers between
three and four acres with the building and lumber, and about $30,000 is invested in the business.
Forty men are employed, most of whom are skilled
workmen. They make a specialty of handles for
feather dusters, which are finished and polished
ready for use, also manufacture agricultural frames,
counters, tables, shelving, etc., and do a business
amounting to $60,000 annually. Mr. Kauffer, who
is President of the company, has full charge of the
business.
Mr. Page, who is now deceased, was born in
Shirley, Mass., and died in May, 1887, at the age
of seventy-one years. He engaged in manufacturing almost his entire life. In Fitchburg, Mass., lie
made all the piano cases for the Hallet & Davis
Company, and during his residence in the Bay
State was twice a member of the Legislature. He
came to Kalamazoo in 1870, and thenceforward
was one of its leading citizens. Forming a partnership with R. F. Lyon, he was engaged in building up a paper mill in Plainwell, which was known
as the Commonwealth Mills, up to the time of his
death. He served as Alderman of Kalamazoo and


was one of the popular and highly respected citizens of the community. He ranked high in both
business and social circles. His wife, whose maiden
name was Sarah Wheeler, survived her husband
about two years. Their daughter became the wife
of the Rev. Kendall Brooks, who for years was
President of Kalamazoo College and is now in
Alma, Mich.
Mr. Kauffer, whose name heads this record, was
born in Methuen, Mass., January 1, 1840, and is a
son of Francis and Eunice (Page) Kauffer. Learning the foundry business, lie for some time had
charge of the Gage Works in Fitchburg, Mass., or
until 1872, which year witnessed his arrival in
Kalamazoo. Ile here became connected with a tin
and sheet-iron company and ran a line of peddler
wagons until 1878. The two succeeding years of
his life were passed in Colorado, and on his return
to Michigan he became connected with his uncle,
Mr. Page, in the factory of which he'is now the
head. lie has bought the entire plant and gives
his attention exclusively to the business.
In 1871, in Manchester, N. H., Mr. Kauffer was
united in marriage to Miss Henrietta St. Clair, a
native of the Green Mountain State, and unto
them has been born a daughter, Nellie, a cultured
young lady who possesses considerable musical and
artistic talent. The family have a pleasant home
at 323 South Rose Street and are well and favorably known throughout the community, their friends
being many in Kalamazoo. Mr. Kauffer is a straightforward, upright, business man and is meeting with
well-merited success. He has worked his way steadily upward and has now a handsome competence.
--   HERON    FRANCIS GIDDINGS, the efficient and honored Clerk of the City of
Kalamazoo, was born December 25, 1843,
in Charleston, this county. He is the eldest of
three children born to Orrin N. and Harriet A
(Cock) Giddings. (See sketch of the father, tobe
found elsewhere in this work.)
In 1853, when ten years old, the father of our
subject brought his family to this city from Au



868


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


gusta, and it was here that he received his education, taking a course finally in the Kalamazoo
College. In 1865, our subject commenced with his
father as assistant in the State Quartermaster's Department of Michigan, in Detroit, and thus became
familiar with the details of the office and made
the acquaintance of a large number of public men
of the State. He had, prior to this, served three
years in the office of the Auditor-General, Emil
Aneke, at Lansing. His knowledge of business
matters and official detail eminently fitted him
for an active business or official career. After
leaving his position in the Quartermaster's office,
he returned to Kalamazoo City, and, having the
desire to "go West," he settled among the people of Kansas and opened a real-estate office at
Topeka, where he remained with varying success
for some time. Not realizing the fond anticipations hope had pictured the Western plains would
develop, he decided to return to Michigan.
Our subject again came to Kalamazoo, and soon
engaged in the mercantile business, adding the
manufacture of saddlery and harness, hardware
and trunks, and, though he had become connected
with the county in an official capacity, he held his
business until 1885. In 1875 he was elected to
the responsible position of Township Treasurer,
and also held other local offices. His temperament was that of a politician, and, being a man of
genal character, and having had a training not
usually found in applicants for public life, he was
chosen, in 1879, County Clerk of Kalamazoo County
by the Republican party. Proving to be an exceedingly popular man and an accommodating official,
he was repeatedly elected and held the office continually for twelve years. In 1890, he declined a
renomination and became a candidate for AuditorGeneral of the State, but, being caught in a Democratic landslide, he was defeated. His services
have been of so valuable a nature that January 1,
1891, he was unanimously chosen by the City
Council as Clerk of the City. No man has ever
filled a clerical position in the county or city administration who was so popular with the people
regardless of his party principles, as is Mr. Giddings.
While he has been an active Republican and an
ardent campaigner, he has not antagonized people


of opposite political affiliations, many of his
warmest friends being members of the Democracy.
On June 1, 1891, Mr. Giddings was appointed
by the United States Comptroller, Receiver of the
National City Bank of Marshall, and he is at
present engaged in closing the affairs of that defunct institution. Possessing an attractive personality that draws friends to him, Mr. Giddings
has become identified with many fraternal associations, and in all he has taken an active part.
He has filled nearly all the chairs in the local
bodies of the Masonic order and is at present
Past Grand High Priest of the High Chapter of
the State. He is also Past Commander of the
Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Giddings was united in marriage on January
4, 1869, at Buffalo, N. Y., to Miss Julia E. D'Arcamble. Mrs. Giddings is a daughter of Charles
S. and Agnes S. D'Arcamble, of Kalamazoo. By
this union, four children have been born, of whom
only one is living, a daughter, Bessie, who is a
lovely young lady of seventeen summers, and a
student of the High School of this city. Mrs. Giddings is an active member of society and is found
prominent in the Ladies' Society and in doing
Christian charitable work.
J   ACOB DOUGHTY, a farmer and stock-raiser
on section 2, Paw Paw Township, Van
Buren County, was born in Dutchess County,
N. Y., June 3, 1826. He is a son of George
and Emeline (Storms) Doughty, both natives of
the Empire State. Our subject lived in New York
State until he was about eighteen years old, receiving a fair common-school education in a Quaker
school, as his grandfather, Thomas Doughty, was
a Quaker. The father of our subject, who was
born April 1, 1800, moved from New York to
Hartford, Ohio, when our subject was eighteen
years old. He only remained in Ohio about five
years when he returned to New York, residing
there but one winter. The family removed to
Michigan in 1849.
Our subject is the oldest in a family of twelve,
the two younger children being born after com



: I






 I    0 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


871


ing to this State.  Eleven of this family are
now living. After the family had been here about
one year, our subject returned to New York and
attended school a year and a half, at a Quaker
school in Washington Hollow. The father at one
time had about three hundred and twenty acres,
of which our subject now owns one hundred and
twelve. He lives in the same house in which his
father lived before him.
Jacob Doughty was united in marriage with
Mrs. Hannah Proal, nee Luce, May 7, 1859. Mrs.
Doughty is a daughter of Henry and Rose (Sheldon) Luce, the father being born on the Mohawk
River of mixed Irish and English ancestry, and
the mother being born in Connecticut of good old
Yankee stock. The wife of our subject was born
in Orleans County, N. Y., December 17, 1826. Her
parents moved to Calhoun County, this State,
when she was but ten years old, and she was
about eighteen when she married John E. Proal, by
whom she had three children, two still living.
Mary, who died when sixteen years old; Alice, the
wife of Ricketson Doughty, the brother of our subject. Her son, Henry Drake Proal, lives in Ludington, Mich. Our subject is the father of two children: Lottie Louise, the wife of John Clapp, lives in
Paw Paw and has one child; Linda married Erastus
L. Moe, who lives in Paw Paw, is a carpenter by
trade and owns eighty acres of land; they have two
boys.
Our subject is a stanch Republican in politics,
but has never been an office-seeker. He is a member of the Free-will Baptist Church, to which his
wife also belongs.
The father of Mrs. Doughty was a soldier in the
War of 1812, and at one time he was gone so long
that the family thought he had been killed, but
an Indian brought word that he was still alive.
Her grandfather, Drake Luce, was a noted and
wealthy man of New York. His marriage took
place in New York, and his wife was a Miss O'Neal.
Her father leased the land for ninety-nine years
years on which Trinity Church now stands. It is
the land about which there is so much litigation and
Mrs. Doughty is one of the heirs. Henry Luce
was a lawer by profession when in New York,
and on coming to Michigan bought a large tract
40


of land. He reared a family of thirteen children,
all of whom came to Michigan. Only two of this
family now survive, Mrs. Doughty, and her brother
Zephaniah, who resides in Albion and is a poultry
fancier.
JEROME T. COBB. Perhaps in no connection is Mr. Cobb so widely know as through
his labors in behalf of the Grange.  For
almost a score of years he occupied the responsibleposition of State Secretary and during
the greater portion of that time lie was editor of
the Grange Visitor. So efficient were his services
in the interest of this organization that, at the
meeting of the State Grange held at Lansing, in
December, 1891, Ex-Gov. Luce presented him
with an elegant gold-headed cane as a token of
the appreciation and esteem in which lie is regarded.
The reader will note with interest his portrait on
the opposite page and the following outlines of a
life of more than ordinary interest.
It is supposed that the family of which our subject is a member originated in Wales.   They
were early residents of Suffleld, Conn., where
Grandfather David Cobb passed his entire life.
His son Nathan was born in Tolland, that State,
whence he emigrated to Michigan, arriving in
Kalamazoo County, September 30, 1830, when
there were but two log cabins in what is now the
city of Kalamazoo. Settling in Schoolcraft Township, fle entered a tract of land northeast of the
village. In his native State, he had engaged as a
manufacturer, but operated as a farmer in Kalamazoo County until his death, which occurred
August 14, 1833. He was a man of sturdy and
honorable character, and although he resided here
only a few years, gained a high place in the esteem of his fellow-pioneers. His wife, who bore
the maiden name of Sally Thompson, was born in
Goshen, Conn., and died in Schoolcraft Township,
February 4, 1865.
The fifth among eight children, Jerome T. was
born in Goshen, Litchfield County, Conn., December 29, 1821. He was a lad of nine years when lme
accompanied his parents to Michigan in the fall of






872


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1830,and grew to manhood upon the farm  which
his father entered from the Government.  It remained his home until he removed to the village
of Schoolcraft in 1865, and here he has since resided. In Schoolcraft Township, lie was engaged
in farming pursuits and also engaged in the manufacturing of staves and heading to some extent
until April, 1873, when lie accepted the responsible position of Secretary of the State Grange.
During the years which intervened until December, 1890, Mr. Cobb gave his attention wholly to
the labors of the Grange, and in 1876 assumed the
editorship of the Grange Visitor, which he conducted with great success for fourteen years. IHe
has also been closely identified with the political
life of the village and county, serving in many
positions of trust and honor. HIe was County
Superintendent of the Poor for a period of about
twenty-five years; Oil Inspector for four years
under Gov. Luce; and County Agent for twelve
years; also Supervisor of Schoolcraft Township
several terms, and occupied other township offices.
He has taken an active interest in politics and casts
his ballot according to his best judgment, being in
reality an independent Republican.
Mr. Cobb was first married in Dutchess County,
N. Y., to Miss Julianne Benton, and they became
the parents of two children, only one of whom
survives: William B., who is now Supervisor of
Schooleraft Township. Mrs. Julianne Cobb died
September 20, 1850, at her home in Schoolcraft
Township. Mr. Cobb contracted a second matrimonial alliance, April 22, 1852, choosing as his
wife Miss Harriet Felt, who was born in Chenango
County, N. Y., April 2, 1829. She is a lady of
noble character, a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and presides over their
beautiful home with gracious hospitality.
ON. WILLIAM J. KIRBY, of Kalamazoo,
was born in Milford, Otsego County, N. Y.,
February 11, 1845. His parents were William and Jane (Dickson) Kirby, both natives of the Empire State. Samuel Dickson, his
mother's great-grandfather, was a pioneer of Cherry
i~.


I


Valley, Otsego County, having settled there as
early as 1745. During the fearful massacres of the
time of the Revolution he and his family were
identified with the community and the old homestead remained in the possession of their descendants until quite recently.
When William Kirby was a mere boy, his parents
returned to Cherry Valley and tie was reared on
the old Dickson homestead. When he reached the
age of fifteen, he entered the engineering department of Yale College and spent some time in perfecting himself in the science of a civil engineer,
after which he was employed some time on railroad
surveys. However? he soon returned to the old
farm at Cherry Valley, it coming into his possession,
and engaged in farming operations there until
1876. Ie then disposed of his extensive interests
and two years later came to Michigan, becoming
identified with his father-in-law, Lewis IIaight, in
Pavilion Townslip.
Assuming the management of Mr. HIaight's extensive estate, Mr. Kirby has since given attention
to the operations of that large farm and has secured
the highly-improved place formerly owned by Senator Waldbridge, consisting of over one thousand
acres. Much of his business attention is devoted
to that estate. He is an extensive breeder of slleep
and a successful grower of wheat. His place is
well adapted to miscellaneous farming and being
well improved with splendidly-equipped buildings,
finely watered and kept in a high state of cultivation, is conceded to be one of the most desirable
farms of the county.
In 1875 Mr. Kirby was married to Miss Sarah
IIaiglt, daughter of Lewis -laight, and the two
families have been closely connected ever since. The
union has been blessed by one son: Lewis Haight,
who was born in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby have
erected a commodious city residence at No. 616 S.
West Street, and much of their time is passed in
this tastefully-furnished and cosy home, although
the farm operations are given personal attention..
The business sagacity and ability of Mr. Kirby
have been recognized by his fellow-townsmen who
elected him Township Supervisor. In 1887 he was
elected as the candidate of the Republican party
for Representative in the Lower House of the State




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


873


Legislature and his service during that session was
marked by a display of good sense and a regard
for the needs of his constituents. He was a member of the Committees on Education and Agricultural Colleges. Iis mind was quick to grasp the
various phases that important questions assumed
and his opponents found in him a keen, ready intellect and a debater whose points were made in a
clear, forcible style, giving due deference to the
honest opinions of others.
Mr. Kirby is not an unyielding partisan, but a
man who recognizes merit wherever it is shown
and holds the position that it is better to yield a
point when the principal features of his measure
can thus be carried, rather than to lose it all by an
obstinate and unreasonable persistency. Ile holds
the confidence and respect of the people of his party
and no citizen of the county is held in higher
estimation by all. He has been active in the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pavilion
and in no work tending to advance his neighborhood has he stood back., FRANKLIN BOWEN.        This gentleman,
)who was born in Oneida County, N. Y.,
May 2, 1819, is engaged in farming and
stock-raising on section 1, Lawrence Township, Van Buren County. Ile is the son of Henry
and Lydia (Snow) Bowen, both of whom were natives of New York. The father died in Utica,
that State, when our subject was but two years
of age. The parental family included three children, of whom H. Franklin was the youngest. The
eldest son, Jared W., died in New York, when
forty-eight years of age, leavinga family  George
W., the third child, is also deceased, passing away
in Oswego County, N. Y.; he too was married.
After the death of her first husband, our subject's
mother was again married, this tinme to E. B. Harris.
H. Franklin made his home with her until reaching
his fifteenth year, when he started out to make
his own way in the world by learning the carpenter's trade. He soon abandoned that occupation,
however, and engaged to work on the Erie Canal,
beginning as driver and ending as a Captain.


August 27, 1843, our subject and Miss Nancy L.
Hicks, of Onondaga County, N. Y., were united
in marriage. Mrs. Bowen was born in the abovenamed county, July 7, 1823, and was the daughter
of Barney and Jane (Dyckman) Hicks. Her father
was a sailor, but it is not known in what State he
was born; the mother was a native of New York.
The maternal uncle of Mrs. Bowen, Evert B. Dyckman, built the Dyckman House in Paw Paw. After
his marriage, our subject followed the canal for a
twelvemonth, and in the spring of 1845 came to
Michigan and purchased eighty acres of land on
section 25, Arlington Township. There they remained for about two years, at the end of which
time they moved to Pine Grove Township, Van
Buren County, where Mr. Bowen was engaged in
lumbering for Judge Dyckman, and was the second voter in that township.
H. Franklin Bowen remained in Pine Grove
Township for five years, having in the meantime
disposed of his farm in Arlington Township. He
then purchased eighty acres of wild land three
miles east of Paw Paw, now known as the Waite
farm. He cleared and improved sixty-five acres
of that tract, erecting a house and barn on the
place, and made it his home for about six
years. HIe then sold out his interests and, returning to New York, located at Syracuse, expecting
to make that his permanent home. One year was
enough of the East, however, and again making
Michigan his abiding place, Mr. Bowen purchased
forty acres of land in Antwerp Township, upon
which he remained a twelvemonth.
In 1860, our subject went to Lawton and opened
up a grocery and meat-market, in which he engaged one year. He then returned 'to the farm,
which he carried on for a like period, and in 1865
moved to South Haven, where he was engaged in
the livery business. For three years he ran a stage
from Lawrence to South Haven, carrying the mails.
Then disposilng of his livery barn, he launched out
in the grocery business, operating a store for one
and one-half years and later trading it for an hotel
in South Haven. He operated as "mine host" for
two years and a half and then traded the hotel
for his present farm of one hundred and thirty-five
acres, which is his present home and on to which






874


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-      ------------- --,              -     -- -
- -      -     -, -   ---- --                 --    --  - ---  -                          -:-                                --             -                  -I ---" --- —,-              -  -                               -: - -           7LI -                             -_ - ,:-,- -: — -     -    - -      -          --       -- --- - _-   - 7     -                            -     — l  -


he moved in 1872. He remained there for the following ten years, when he sold his property and
bought sixty acres in Paw Paw Township, upon
which he lived for a like period and then traded
it for his present farm.
Three children have been granted Mr. and Mrs.
Bowen: Mertice E., who was born in Onondaga
County, N.Y., October 26, 1844, married Allen
Harwick, a farmer of Antwerp Township, Van
Buren County and has three children. George W.
was born in Arlington Township, Van Buren
County, June 25, 1846, is married, has one child
and carries on a farm  near St. Cloud, Minn.
Chauncy L., the third child, was born October
22, 1862; lie married Carrie H., daughter of Erastus and Jennie (Pierson) Cash, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Chauncy L.
Bowen was born in Paw Paw, May 24, 1865, and
has borne her husband two children: Harry,who was
born in Paw Paw, November 18, 1886, and Bessie
M., also born in Paw Paw, December 27, 1887.
Mr. Bowen in early life was a Whig and cast
his first Presidential vote for Gen. Harrison. He
later, however, became a Douglas Democrat, and
still later a Greenbacker and is now a Prohibitionist. In Arlington Township, he served as Highway
Commissioner, and while in Pine Grove Township was elected Justice of the Peace, being one of
the first two elected at Lawton. He has been Constable and Marshal of South Haven and with his
wife has been a member of the Free-will Baptist
Church since 1876, in which body he is a Deacon.
He is a Mason and holds membership at Lawrence.
_ — _.__.-.._..   -.
AM     M. BERRY, a retired real estate
dealer of Kalamazoo, and one of the well
and favorably known citizens of the community, claims New Jersey as the State of
his nativity. He was born March 12, 1820, in
Morris County, and is a son of Martin S. Berry
who was born in New Jersey in 1788. He followed
farming throughout his life and died in 1826. The
paternal grandfather, Samuel Berry, was of Holland descent, about five generations remote, and the


family for long years had resided upon one farm.
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was
Sophia Terhune, was born June 11, 1788, in New
Jersey and her father, Albert Terhune, was also of
Holland lineage. After the death of her husband,
she removed with her family to New York in 1837,
locating in Orleans County upon a farm, where
her death occurred February 1, 1838. The family
numbered seven children, six of whom, three sons
and three daughters, grew to mature years.
Mr. Berry, whose name heads this record, was
the sixth in order of birth. His educational advantages were limited, being only those afforded by
the common schools. His mother and older brother
died within six weeks of each other and the care
of the family then devolved upon him. He operated the farm of two hundred and fifty acres, continuing its cultivation until 1850, when he removed
to the village of Lindenwell, about two and a half
miles from the farm. He there made his home until 1857, when he determined to try his fortune in
the West, and the young but rapidly growing city
of Chicago was chosen as a favorable location.
There he resided for five years, devoting his time
and energies to the real-estate business and money
loaning. We next find him a resident of Joliet,
111., where he continued to reside until the spring
of 1865, when he made a visit to the old home in
the East. It was a pleasant trip, spent in visiting
the scenes of his childhood and renewing acquaintance with many old friends.
In 1859, Mr. Berry was united in marriage to
Miss Sarah McKennan, a native of the Empire
State, born in Richfield Springs, and a daughter of
Ezekiel McKennan. Unto them have been born
six children, three sons and three daughters, of
whom Charles A. and Arthur H. are the only survivors, the latter being yet a student. The family
attend the Presbyterian Church, of which the
mother and her son Arthur are members. Mr.
Berry, although not a member, is a liberal contributor to the church and to all other interests
calculated to benefit or upbuild the community.
The son Charles, who was born in 1860, died in
1885, when a young man of twenty-four years.
At the time of his death he was in the employ of
Burnham & Root, of Chicago.




k






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


875


Mr. Berry returned to the West in the spring of
1866, and this time chose Kalamazoo as the scene
of his future labors. For some time he was engaged in loaning money and the real-estate business but is now living a retired life, having by his
labor in former years acquired a competency which
now enables him to lay aside all business cares. In
1870, lie built his fine residence at No. 416 South
West Street. IIe also owns a three-story brick
block which lie erected in 1880, together with a
good farm of forty acres well improved. His success in business is due to his own enterprise, industry and good management and is therefore well
deserved.
RANK C. MYERS, M. D., of Kalamazoo, is
one of the native-born citizens of this
State, who have contributed their enterprise and business sagacity as well as professional
skill to improve the moral, educational and religious status of mankind and to alleviate the ills to
which humanity is heir. His office is conveniently
located in the Chase Block and consists of a pleasant suite of rooms, well equipped with the various
appliances of the healing art.
The father of our subject was Rev. W. H. H.
Myers, a pioneer minister of Van Buren County,
who settled in Bloomingdale Township as a missionary and preached in the first church erected in
Paw Paw. His death occurred soon after the close
of the Civil War; his widow, whose maiden name
was Betsey Herron, still lives in Gobleville, and at
an advanced age retains full possession of her mental faculties.
In Bloomingdale Township, Van Buren County,
our subject was born April 29, 1856. He is the
sixth of eight children, seven of whom surviveall sons-the most of them residing in Gobleville.
On the homestead of his father, Frank C. was
reared to manhood, meanwhile attending the High
School in Gobleville and assisting in the farm work
during the summer season. Having resolved upon
undertaking a professional career, he read medicine with Dr. A. E. Bulson, of Gobleville, and in
1879, entered the medical department of the State


University. at Ann Arbor, graduating with the
Class of '83. Since that time he has taken a clerical course at the Chicago Polytechnic by his
own efforts-in other words, lie worked his way
through. paying all the expenses of his education
himself, with the exception of $250 received as his
share of the estate.
Besides the regular studies of the course, the
young Doctor devoted special attention to electricity and upon receiving his diploma, located, in
1883, near Ludington, a little town on the Flint
and Pere Marquette Railroad, going thence to
Oshtemo and later to Grand Rapids. He returned
from that city to Oshtemo, where he remained six
years, or until the fall of 1888, when he located in
Kalamazoo. HIe has established an extensive and
lucrative practice, the demands of which are constantly increasing, and in addition he retains many
of his former patients in Oshtemo.
April 20, 1887, the Doctor was married in Oshtemo to Miss Emma, daughter of W. C. and Mary
(Kempsey) Wilde, of Oshtemo, and they are the
parents of two children: Bessie and Rheta. Mrs.
Myers is a lady of superior education and for
about four years followed the profession of a
teacher in the public schools. She is also a musician
of great skill and unusual ability, and has taught
music. Religiously, the membership of the family
is in the Baptist Church. Both the Doctor and his
wife have taken the Chautauqua literary and scientific course, in which they are graduates. Politically, lie is a Republican, and interested in all
public measures for the welfare of the citizens of
Kalamazoo.
E    DWIN W. DEYOE. In all the cities, we
find citizens whose business precepts teach
a conservatism which is too often a clog to
progress, and, on the other hand, we meet with gentlemen whose energies and abilities are directed not
only to the accumulation of individual wealth, but
also to the development of the city's resources, the
welfare of its citizens and the furtherance of its
interests. Among the latter class in the city of






876


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Kalamazoo, prominent mention belongs to Mr.
DeYoe, who has for many years been successfully
engaged in the real-estate, loan, insurance, claims
and collection business.
Born at Waterloo, Seneca County, N. Y., February 2, 1835, our subject is the son of William
and Hetta (Clute) I)eYoe. His father was born
in Balston, Saratoga County,N. Y., in 1796, of
Huguenot ancestry, and his mother was born in
Waterford, Saratoga County, the same State, in
1799, being a descendant of good old Knickerbocker ancestors. Grandfather Gradus Clute, in
company with Stephen VanRensselaer, organized
and conducted successfully the first bank in Albany,
and was also an extensive landowner,
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Israel
DeYoe, resided for many years in Ulster County,
N. Y., and was prominently connected with the
Dutch Reformed Church. Iis wife, Ruth Hall,
was born in Providence, R. I., and came of Puritan stock. It will thus be seen that the blood of
worthy and patriotic ancestors flows in the veins
of Edwin W. DeYoe, wlose life has been such as
to reflect and add lustre on the honored name he
bears and who inherits from his forefathers qualities of thrift, perseverance and integrity.
After attending the common schools of his
native town, our subject entered Waterloo Academy, where his education was still further advanced. Upon starting out to earn his own living
in 1849, he became salesman in a wholesale and retail confectionery establishment, but in the following year he re-entered the academy, where he pursued his preparatory course for H-obert College,
and two years later became a student in the Geneva Grammar School. In the spring of 1863, he
followed the "Star of Empire" as far West as Kalamazoo, arriving here June 1, and on the same
day entered the United States service as DeputyPostmaster under his brother, William H., the
Postmaster.
Upon his retirement from the office, April 1,
1861, Mr. DeYoe established himself in business
as ageneral real-estate, claims, collecting and insurance agent, in which he has become widely and
honorably known. While giving to his business
his close attention, he nevertheless takes consid

erable interest in public affairs and is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Democrat party.
His fellow-citizens have called him to many offices
and he has invariably served with efficiency and to
the satisfaction of all.
In 1861 and 1869, Mr. DeYoe was Township
Clerk; in 1870, Village Clerk; in 1878, Trustee
and Chairman of Committees on Finance and
Claims; in 1883, President of the village; in 1885,
Mayor of the city. This was a town of Republican politics by a large majority, and he was the
favorite nominee of his party-the Democraticand though often beaten, defeat never diminished
his popularity or hurt his feelings. He was defeated for the Legislature, both for Representative
and Senator, although he made a close run each
time, fighting the political battle of the campaign
against superhuman effort and odds, including
barrels of money.  "Ed," as he is familiarly
called by his friend4, is in constant demand in
social circles and has joined all the secret orders
except thle Ku-klux and Sons of Malta.
The marriage of Mr. DeYoe to Miss Harriet P.
Freeman  occurred at Grace Episcopal Church,
Sandusky City, Ohio, January 9, 1862.   Mrs.
DeYoe is the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. L. U,
Freeman, former rector of St. Luke's and St. John's
Churches, Kalamazoo. Two children have been
born of this union, a daughter, Lillian G., and a
son, William M., the latter being a partner in business with his father. Mr. DeYoe is a thorough
believer in the doctrine of the Apostolic Succession,
is an active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church,
and was for about twenty years a Warden and
Vestryman of the old St. John's Church, of Kalalnazoo.
' ONATHAN ELIJAH      GOBLE, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising
on section 34, Decatur Township, is a representative of one of the honored pioneer
families of Van Buren County. In fact, his grandfather, Elijah Goble, was the first white man, as far
as is known, to set foot on Van Buren County
soil. He was born eight miles north of the city of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHTCAL RECORD.


877


Cincinnati, in the year 1805, and was of Holland
lineage, his parents, natives of Holland, having
emigrated to this country in the last century, locating in Morristown, N. J., from  whence they removed to Ohio, in 1801. With their family, they
removed to Preble County, that State, in 1818, and
two years later became residents of Franklin
County, Ind., where Elijah Goble remained until
his emigration to the Territory of Michigan in
1828. Accompanied by Jonathan Goble, he made
a tour of inspection over the State. In the spring
of 1829, lie returned and made a location on Little Prairie Ronde. 'The entire county was then
an unbroken wilderness, but the same year several
other families moved to this locality, and our pioneer was not long left alone. In September, 1834,
lie married Eliza Tittle, who died several years ago.
Mr. Goble kept a hotel at Charleston for twenty
years and did a good business, for Charleston was
a stage station during half of that period. I-e is
still living, his home being in Lawrence Township,
and many thrilling and interesting incidents can
he relate of tle pioneer days of Van Buren County,
when the Indians were far more numerous than
the white settlers, and wild animals made it often
unsafe to venture forth.
Isaac Goble, father of our subject, and a son of
this honored pioneer, was born in Charleston,
Cass County, Mich., and amid thle wild scenes of
frontier life was reared to manhood. When a
young man, he engaged in teaching penmanship,
but made farming lis principal occupation through
life. lie married his cousin, Elizabeth A. Goble,
who still survives hilm, and is residing in Decatur.
Iis death occurred in 1861.
Our subject was the only child born unto this
worthy couple. Ite first opened his eyes to the
light of day on his father's farm, December 14,
1859, and in the usual manner of farmer lads, the
days of his boyhood and youth were passed. lie
began lis education in the common district school,
and completed it by his graduation from  Slhaws
School, in Decatur Township. Until twenty-eight
years of age, he aided in the operation of his father's farm and engaged in running a threshing
machine. tIe now owns a fine farm of eighty
acres, all of whlich is under a high state of cultiva

tion and highly improved, the well-tilled fields
giving evidence of the sulervision of a careful
manager who thoroughly understands his busines
in all its details.
On Christmas I)ay of 1888, Mr. Goble led to tle
marriage altar Miss Gladys Zimmerman, daughter
of John Zimmerman, and a native of Cass County,
Mich. She was born in 1867, and after a short
wedded life of about three months, died on the
25th of March, 1889. IHer remains were laid to
rest in the cemetery at Charleston. Mr. Goble is a
wide-awake and industrious young farmer of good
business ability, and is making his life a successful
one. lie has traveled considerably, especially in
the West. This has lhad its part in making him the
interesting companion and agreeable conversationalist tlat lhe is known to be.
-        1'++'++  -h++++e  -- -
c —     qq.'I'q+~   'q$*3q-3*~  -
EORGE REESE. A life well spent and duties well performed deserve a serene and
happy recess in the afternoon of life, preparatory to the greater activity to begin in the
other dawning. Our subject has retired froim the
active labor of life, having for years been a successful business man in Kalamazoo. Ite has a
beautiful home at No. 430 E. South Street, where
he is enjoying to the full the results of his early
economy and industry.
The original of tis sketch was born in western
Oneida County, N. Y., October 23, 1814, and is
the son of John and Nancy (Wagner) Reese, natives of Montgomery County, N. Y. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a native of
Germany, as was also his paternal grandfather.
George Reese remained in his native county until
reaching his twentieth year, when he went to Onondaga County, and near Syracuse was employed
on a farm for about three years.
When twenty-three years of age, our subject and
Miss Eve Bort were united in marriage. Mrs.
Reese was a native of Montgomery County, and
after marriage resided with her husband on a farm
in Onondaga County which was her property.
They continued to make that their abiding-place
until 1854, wlen they came west to Kalamazoo,




878


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD...... _


where Mr. Reese engaged in the livery business.
After being thus engaged for three years, he sold
out and opened up a restaurant which he conducted for two years. He later engaged to work
in a livery stable by the month, and was so employed two years, when he rented the barn and established a feed business.  He suffered the loss
of his barn by fire two years later, losing all his
earthly possessions.
Mr. Reese entered into partnership with Albert
Boardman in the hack and 'bus business. They operated together for fifteen or sixteen years. At the
end of that time, our subject purchased the interest
of his partner and continued alone until March,
1890, when he sold the "line" in which he had invested $6,500.  Since then he has erected the
Reese Terrace on Pitcher Street. It includes four departments, and cost $5,000. His residence is located at the corner of Pitcher and South Streets and
is furnished throughout in a comfortable manner.
Mrs. Reese died January 14, 1888. Their family
consisted of Margaret, who married Albert Boardman and is now deceased; Nancy C. is living at home
with her father. In politics, our subject is a Democrat, and has held the position of Alderman. He
was one of a family of seven children, two brothers and two sisters of whom are living, but Mr.
Reese is the only one who makes his home in Kalamazoo. Adam Reese, his brother, accompanied
him on his removal to this place, but died a few
years later. Mr. Reese is a well-preserved old
gentleman and takes life easy, having a good
income.
J1    EANDER SIMMONS, a farmer and stockraiser, residing on section 3, Pine Grove
Township, Van Buren County, is a son of
Isaac and Mary (Beeman) Simmons, natives of
New Jersey and Canada, respectively. The father
removed to Canada when a young man, and was
there married. In the fall of 1842, he came to Michigan and settled in Gun Plains Township, and, after remaining there a short time, removed to Cooper
Township, Kalamazoo County, and settled on one


hundred and sixty-six acres of partly improved
land. The father met his death in a tornado, April
6, 1882, aged sixty-eight years. The good mother,
at the age of seventy-seven years, still lives on the
homestead, which is one of the finest farms in the
county. Of her three children, two are now living.
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
in which her husband had served as Steward and
Class-leader.
Our subject is the first-born of the family, having had his birth January 29, 1840, in Canada, coming to Michigan when an infant. He received a
good district-school education, and remained at
home until reaching his majority. He has always
carried on farming, and in April 27, 1863, came to
this county and located on his present farm. It
was then a dense forest, and no roads opened to
his place. He erected a little board shanty, and
was a bachelor for several years. For six long
weeks he never saw a human being. The woods
were infested with wild animals of all kind, and
Indians were plentiful.
October 27, 1866, is the date on which Leander
Simmons took as his life companion Miss Margaret
Hazen, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Gilbert)
Hazen, natives of New Jersey and Canada, respectively. The parents were married in the latter
place, and lived there the remainder of their days,
she dying in 1854, and he in 1857. They were the
parents of ten children, six now living. Mrs. Simmons was born January 28, 1844, in Canada, and
received a district-school education there.
Mr. Simmons has three hundred and eight acres
in this township, and sixty-four in Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County. He has cleared one hundred and sixty, stumped, stoned and fenced it, and
erected his handsome residence in 1887, at a cost
of $3,200. The place is also adorned with sub
stantial and neat outbuildings. IHe carries on
mixed farming, and has interested himself in the
raising of Spanish Merino sheep. He has some fine
specimens now among his one hundred and seventyfive head, and bears a good reputation for fine sheep.
In horses he has some fine roadsters of the Wilkes
and Noble families. The cattle are of the Redpolled and Devonshire breeds.
Our subject and his estimable wife have had








a








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


881


born to them four children: Elgy, Arthur, Elmer
and Mary. The two oldest ones are students at
Parsons' Business College at Kalamazoo. The others are attending the district school here. Mr.
Simmons has been a member of the School Board
nearly all the time he has lived here, and in politics is a stanch Republican. He has served as Highway Commissioner and Township School Inspector.
He has been a candidate for Supervisor repeatedly,
but as there was a Democratic majority in the
township, he was never elected. The grandfather
of Mrs. Simmons, Col. Isaac Gilbert, of the British
army, who was stationed in Norfolk County,
Canada, was connected with military affairs
for over forty years, and was one of the finest drill
masters in the British army. HIe served in the
War of 1812, and died at the age of sixty-two years,
leaving a widow and five children.  The paternal grandfather, Beemer Simmons, died at Lundy's
Lane in the War of 1812. Our subject's father
walked one day from 7 A. M. to 5 P. m., a distance
of seventy-five miles, by the Queen's survey. Next
day he was feeling as well as ever. He was a very
powerful man physically. The maternal greatgrandfather was William Gilbert, his wife being
Mary (Rowland) Gilbert, both natives of England,
who emigrated to Nova Scotia, then Lower Canada,
and their remains lie buried there. The grandmother's people were from Germany.
Dn  URRILL A. OLNEY. For the following
genealogy of the Olney family we are indebted to James H. Olney, of Providence,
R. I. From what has been gathered across
the seas, it appears that the name has a Saxon origin. It was in existence very early in the ninth
century, and was probably derived from the local
surroundings of the place where the family lived.
By others it is claimed that the first bearing the
name was Rogerus, or Richard, DeOlney, who came
from Normandy with William the Conqueror, in
1066, and after the conquest of England, with a
number of others, became permanent occupants of
the soil. The name appears in the Doomsday Book,
which describes the apportionment of land to the


followers of the Conqueror. To some future antiquarian is left the labor of deciding to a certainty
the true origin, the family meanwhile being content
to be descended from the sturdy stock of old
England, whether it be Saxon, Norman, or both.
The first representative of the family in America
was Thomas Olney, who was born in Hertford,
Hertfordshire, England, a city that formed part of
the parish of St. Albans, the seat of one of the
most ancient monasteries and long celebrated in
English history as the center of spiritual influence.
Of his early life nothing is known. He received
a permit to emigrate to New England, April 2,
1635, and came to Salem, Mass., in the ship
"Planter."  He was appointed a surveyor in January, 1636, and granted forty acres of land at Jefferey Creek, now known as Manchester, near Salem.
During the same year, he was made a freeman and
early associated with those who accepted the peculiar views of Roger Williams. With a number of
others, he was excluded from the colony March 12,
1638.
However, prior to that event, Mr. Olney, with
others, visited Narragansett Bay, seeking some
place where they might live outside the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Colony and had decided
upon the west side of the Seekonk river. Accordingly with eleven others, a new settlement was
formed at the head of the bay, which they named
Providence, in remembrance of their deliverance
from their enemies. They thus became the thirteen
original proprietors of Providence, having purchased their rights from the Indians in July, 1639.
His prominence in the colony is shown by the
various duties he was called upon to perform. In
1638, he was chosen the firstTreasurer; in 1647, was
made Commissioner to form a town government;
the following year was appointed Assistant for
Providence and held that office almost continuously
until 1663.  In 1655, with Roger Williams and
Thomas Harris, he was chosen Judge of the Justice's Court, and in the ensuing year was appointed
to treat with Massachusetts Bay about the Pawtuxetlands. In 1663, his name appears among the
grantees of the Royal Charter of Charles II, and
in the same year he was chosen Assistant under the
new charter.




882


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


The next in order was Epenetus, who was. born
in England in 1634, and was, probably less than
one year old when brought to this country. I-e
married Mary, daughter of John Whipple, March
9, 1666, and died June 3, 1698. Though not so
prominent in public matters as his older brother,
yet we find him an active member of the little
colony, taking an active part in the administration
of its affairs, and serving as a member of the Colonial Assembly and of the Town Council.
John, tile next in line of descent, was born in
1678, and married Rachel Coggeshall, August 11,
1699. His home was in Smithfield, R. I., where he
died November 9,1754. Following John, was Nedebiah, born February 10, 1714. He married Nancy or Marcy Davis, and moved to New York
State about 1760 or 1762. Of his children but little
has been learned, although it appears there was a
large family.
The next in order was Nedebiali, who was born
about 1746, married Susan Brown, and died in
1829. With his father, lie went to New York State
as early as 1762 or 1763. With forty others, he
was captured by the Indians, carried to the border
of the Ohio River, and subjected to every torture
from their inhuman captors, such as running the
gauntlet, etc. From their sufferings all perished, except young Olney and one other, and they were
adopted by the Chief's wife. After several years'
captivity, they made their escape and found their
way back through the wilderness to their homes.
While among the Indians, Nedebiah Olney acquired
what was then called the "black art" and in after
years he occasionally gave specimens of the science,
to the great wonder and amusement of his friends.
The lineage is traced next to Davis, who was
born December 7, 1777, and married Olive Rowe,
December 31, 1806. His home was in New York
State, and he died October 14, 1868. Following
him is the subject of this sketch, Burrill A., who
was born February 18, 1812, married Elvira Ely,
August 2, 1827, and died August 26, 1888. He
resided in Hartford, Mich., and was extensively
engaged in the lumber trade, from which he acquired an ample fortune. He was born in the
Township of Rutland, Jefferson County, N. Y., and
made his home with his parents during his youth.


By working out and saving what lie earned, at the
age of twenty-four, lie had bought and paid for
three hundred and twenty acres of land on section
33, in the township of Hartford, this State, at the
Government price of $1.25 per acre.
At that time there was no township of Hartford,
the territory of Keeler and Hartford not having
been divided and all being known as Keeler. When
the division was made, the naming of the new township was left to one Ferdino Olds, who called it
Hartland, but that name was rejected on account
of another township of the same name in tlhe
State. As a compromise, Mr. Olney gave the
township the present name of Hartford. Ile had
trusted the locating of his land to others and did
not know the nature of the property until he came
West to investigate it. I-e arrived March 14, 1837,.
in company with James Spinnings and Thomas
Conklin, but fortune seemed inclined his way, when
he found his land in the midst of a dense wilderness, and it proved to be three hundred and twenty
acres of Southern Michigan's best soil.
With the assistance of Mr. Spinnings, our subject built a log shanty, chopped, cleared and
planted with corn and potatoes six acres, by June
1. HIe returned to the Empire State in the month
of June and remained until his marriage in August,
when lie brought his bride to their future home,
arriving in September. The first year they lived
in a log shanty covered with a bark roof, doing
the cooking without a stove and enduring all the
hardships of pioneer life.  Their finances had
been depleted by their Westward journey, until
Mr. Olney had only $1.25 and his wife about $7,
which, with a little credit, secured the first cow.
The farming was done by hand labor until 1838,
when a pair of oxen was purchased.
During much of the first summer here, Mr. Olney,
with Mr. Spinnings, worked out in Little Prairie
Ronde, twenty miles distant, leaving Mrs. Olney
alone in the little cabin in the woods, and to her
bravery, economy and enterprise, much of their
success was due. At night wolves would howl
about the house and during the day numerous
Indians, of the Pottawatomie tribe, would come to
the windows and look in, but they were friendly
and were never known to commit any depreda



PORTRAIT ANDI) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


883


tions. It required the efforts of men and women
of no small energy to go into such a country and
brave the privations of pioneer life.
Mr. and Mrs. Olney became the parents of five
children, namely: Davis, who resides at Ludington, Mich.; Luman D., who died at the age of
twenty years; Lodema O., wife of D. W. Goodenough, of Ludington; Horace M., of whom mention
is made below; and Isidore, who died at the age
of three years. Mr. Olney lived on his farm until
1862, and at that time had accumulated a handsome property. He was the first Township Clerk
of Hartford, served as Supervisor, and Justice of
the Peace for many years in succession. His counsel was sought by his neighbors and his sound
judgmlent on all questions was remarkable. Up to
1862, his whole energy had been exerted in changing his land from a wilderness into a productive
farm. In the spring of that year, he removed with
his family to Watervliet, Mich., engaging there in
the lumbering and milling business, in company
with I. N. Swain and G. M. Fisher, of Detroit,
under the firm name of Swain, Olnev & Fisher.
Two years thereafter, the firm was succeeded by
Swain, Olney & Co., Mr. Fisher retiring and George
Parsons and W. M. Baldwin entering the new firm.
Mr. Olney still superintended operations on his old
farm, as well as several others which he had acquired, in addition to which he was interested in
an extensive mercantile business and superintended
the manufacture of lumber and flour. In later
years, he was extensively engaged in the purchase
of grain, wool and live stock. IHe made Watervliet his home until 1885, when lie removed to
Chicago and there made a large purchase of real
estate. A short time prior to his decease, lie again
took up his residence at the old farm and thence
quietly passed to the world beyond in 1888, his
wife having preceded him five years.
In the truest sense of the term, Mr. Olney was a
self-made man. He possessed great physical energy
and business ability, had the faculty of making
friends and a lasting impression upon those whom
he met. As may be judged from the accompanying portrait, he was of a fine personal appearance.
He was scrupulously upright in his dealings, and
one of his common sayings was that "he could tell


his money from others as quick as he saw it."  It
is told of him that while in San Francisco, Cal., one
morning as he was taking a stroll along one of
the principal streets, a tramp came along and asked
him for a quarter to get breakfast. Mr. Olney replied, "Go right back on the other side of the
street and work there. I am working this side
myself."
In politics, B. A. Olney was a Democrat, and he
had great sympathy for the Indian and colored
man, one of his last political utterances being,
"The Indians are nearly all gone; the colored man
will be the next. This is the white man's country."
In all legislation, he believed that the interests of
the masses, and not the few, should be protected,
and lie often said that "the rich man is getting too
rich and the poor man too poor." As to foreign
emigration, he expressed it as his opinion that
"this country has been a free country too long
already."
Mr. and Mrs. Olney's last resting place with that
of their two children is in Keeler Cemetery, where a
granite monument of elegant design marks their
last resting place. The names of Burrill and Elvira
Olney will be as lasting in the memory of the inhabitants of Southwestern Michigan as the monument that marks their graves.
Horace M. Olney, the son of our subject, resides
in the village of Hartford, where he has been engaged in various business enterprises for the last
twenty-four years. In company with his brotherin-law, I). W. Goodenough, in 1868, he entered the
mercantile business, and continued in that partnership for two years. Then, in connection with G.
W. Smiley, he built six miles of the Chicago &
West Michigan Railroad, between Bangor and
Hartford. In 1871, he embarked in the drug business at Hartford and after being thus occupied for
seven years, took up his present line of business,
under the firm name of Olds, Olney & Co., with
headquarters at Hartford, engaging in buying and
shipping grain, seeds and wool. He also carried
on a large business at Bangor, Watervliet and Paw
Paw. Mr. Olds retired from the firm in 1884,
after which the business was conducted under the
firm name of B. A. Olney & Son, the father being
a silent partner for two years.






884


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.






=


In 1889, Mr. Olney associated with him Edward
Finley, under the present title of H. M. Olney &
Co. He has worked up a fine trade in Hartford,
and his integrity is shown by the fact that he has
shipped more than sixty thousand bushels of wheat
on orders simply for the wheat, leaving the price
to be fixed by him, and the first complaint has yet
to be made of an overcharge. He has filled village, township and county offices with ability and
credit. While Superintendent of the Poor of Van
Buren County, he originated the first set of blanks
ever used by the Board, which greatly simplified
the business, and have since been adopted throughout the State. Politically, he is a Democrat.
January 3, 1867, Mr. Oiney was married to Miss
Chloe A. Landon, of Hartford, the daughter of
Daniel and Polly (Curtis) Landon, formerly of
Niagara, N. Y. Mrs. Olney is a refined, cultured
lady and by her many graces and kindness of heart
has endeared herself to her large circle of friends.
She especially delights in deeds of charity to the
needy and many a heart has been lightened by her
timely aid and counsel.:   " —"-~r'1.~ ---' —,/J
LVIN P. HOLMES, a resident farmer of
section 36, Almena Township, Van Buren
County, is the son of Rezin and Merinda
AP     (Taylor) Holmes, natives of Pennsylvania
and Connecticut, respectively. The grandfather,
William, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War,
and the grandfather on the mother's side was a
native of Scotland and also a Revolutionary hero.
He was in the British army, but deserted and
joined the American lines. The parents of our
subject were married in Ohio, where they resided
until coming to Michigan in 1830, locating in
Kalamazoo County. In 1836, they came to Van
Buren County and located on section 1, Antwerp
Township, which was little less than a howling wilderness, with plenty of Indians, wolves, deer, bears
and panthers. He settled upon one hundred and
seventy-five acres of Government land and our
subject now has the original deed, signed by President Van Buren. IIe erected a shanty of boards,
in which he lived for a short time, and then erected




I


f


a frame house which was the first in the township.
There is one of the most beautiful springs on this
farm that can be found in Michigan, it giving
forth mineral water. The father resided on that
farm for thirty years and died in August,. 1868,
his good wife passing away in 1857. They were
the worthy parents of six children, two only now
living. Two of their sons grew to maturity and
both served in the Civil War.  The father and
mother were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, the father being Steward and Class-leader.
In his politics lie was first a Whig, and later a stanch
Republican. ie served his fellow-citizens as Justice of the Peace sixteen years and was also Highway Commissioner and was a very prominent man
here. He was a member of the first jury that convened in Kaiamazoo County.
Our subject was born August 2, 1828, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was an infant when
brought to Michigan. He grew to manhood on
the old homestead among the Indian children.
His education was obtained in the little "white
schoolhouse" in this district.  When seventeen
years of age, he began an apprenticeship to a wagon-maker and followed that business until the
breaking out of the Civil War.
Alvin Holmes enlisted, October 5, 1861, in Company II, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry and was a
Sergeant in his company. He took part in the
following  named battles:  Shiloh, Farrington,
Owl Creek, Corinth, Mumfordsville, Perryville,
Danville, Gallatin, Stewart's Creek, Stone River,
Eagleville, Pelharn, Lookout Valley, Mission
Ridge, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Florence, Savannah, Catawba River, Averysboro and Bentonville. He took part in Sherman's
March to the sea. At Bentonville he was wounded
in the left knee by a rifle ball and was in the hospital at New Berne, and gangrene setting in, he was
sent to Detroit and honorably discharged from the
Harper Hospital July 29, 1865, after a service of
three years and nine months, during which he was
continually on duty with his regiment.
Mr. Holmes, after his discharge, returned to his
home in Van Buren County, and on April 19,
1866, was married to Miss Cordelia E. Earl, a
daughter of Jesse and Mary (Clapp) Earl, both




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


885


natives of New York, who came to Michigan before
their marriage in 1832, and with their parents settled in Kalamazoo County.   The father was a
miller and farmer by trade and resides on a farm
in that county where he has lived for fifty-three
years.  His wife died in 1888 and was the
mother of five children. Mrs. Holmes was born
August 1, 1840, on the homestead in Kalamazoo
County and has been a student at High School and
the Seminary at Kalamazoo. She has taught three
years. Mr. Holmes has cleared off and improved
his farm splendidly. The wife is a member of the
Congregational Church at Mattawan. During the
Civil War, she was an active worker of the Sanitary
Commission, and was Secretary of Comstock, Kalamazoo County, and forwarded the supplies to the
front. She served during the existence of the society which was three years. Mr. Holmes is a
member of the G. A. R. Post at Mattawan, and
he and his wife are both connected with the local Grange. He is Lecturer and she is Chaplain.
In his political views, he is Republican and is
at present on the School Board, also serving as the
efficient Justice of the Peace of this township. He
has always been a temperate man in his habits and
he and his wife are well-known and respected
people.
LBERT W. EARL, Postmaster at South
Haven, has been a resident of this place
since 1866. He is a native of Allegan
County, his birth occurring July 22, 1843.
His parents were Henry and Lovina (Weed) Earl,
natives respectively of Genesee County, N.Y., and
Mt. Eaton, Wayne County, Ohio. The parents
were married after coming to Allegan County,
this State.
Henry Earl, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a soldier on an English man-of-war, and
was born in England. The grandfather, Henry
Earl, was born in New York City, and fought in
the War of 1812. In 1840, he came to Allegan
County from New York, and, locating upon a
tract of unimproved land, at once set about its
cultivation. Our subject's father was also a


farmer and died in Van Buren County, August 31,
1881, when sixty-seven years of age. His good
wife survived him until April, 1886, when she,
too, passed away.
The parental family of Albert W. Earl included
nine children, seven of whom lived to reach mature years, and of whom we make the following
mention: Mary E. is now Mrs. Ball, of Cass
County, this State; Albert W. was the second
child; Nathaniel E. died in July, 1891, at his
home in Grand Rapids, where he was a prominent
lawyer; Henry was a teacher in South Haven and
died in 1875; Bertha is now Mrs. Westgate, also
of South Haven; Hattie is Mrs. Marsh and resides in Peoria, Ill.; Charles is a farmer in Lincoln County, Kan.
Albert W. Earl was reared on his father's farm,
and was six years of age when his parents came
to Arlington Township, Van Buren County. In
1861, our subject enlisted in Company K, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and with his regiment
participated in the following-named battles: Corinth, Miss.; Stevenson, Ala.; Perryville, Ky.; Stony
River, Chickamauga, and was with Sherman on
his memorable march to the sea, participating
in all the engagements. He went thence to Washington, D. C., and witnessed the Grand Review.
August 5, 1865, he was mustered out at Louisville with the rank of Sergeant.
After peace was declared, our subject returned
to his home in Van Buren County and aided his
father in clearing his farm in South Haven Township. Miss Eliza Conrad became the wife of Mr.
Earl December 13, 1869.    Mrs. Earl was the
daughter of Adam and Hannah Conrad. She was
born near Phoenix, N. Y., and came with her
family to Michigan in 1855. Our subject continued on the farm until 1887, when he came to
South Haven. In December, 1889, he received
the appointment of Postmaster under President
Harrison.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl have become the parents of
six children: Mabel, Mary, Daniel, John, Nellie
and Benjamin H.; all remain with their parents.
In politics, Mr. Earl is a true-blue Republican,
casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln when
in Kingston, Ga., in 1864. He has been much in



886


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


terested in politics, and has represented his party
as delegate to county conventions. He is prominently connected with the Grand Army of the
Republic, and is a member of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen. He is liberal in his religious
views, and gives liberally to the support of all
good works.
JAMES HENRY       KINNANE, Attorney at
Law in Kalamazoo, was born in Kalamazoo
Township, February 18, 1858, and is the
son of Patrick and Mary (Sullivan) Kinnane, natives of County Clare, Ireland. He was
the eldest in a family of nine children, eight of
whom are now living, and was reared on the farm
where his parents made settlement in 1855, and
which is still their home.
At the age of twenty, Mr. Kinnane commenced
to teach in a district school and afterward attended
Kalamazoo High School, graduating with the Class
of '81. After spending one year in Kalamazoo
College and teaching one term, he entered the law
department of the State University at Ann Arbor
and graduated in 1884. In the literary work
there, he took a conspicuous part, being Society
President one term, and also representing his
society in the inter-society oratorical contest.
In 1883, Mr. Kinnane was admitted to the bar
of Washtenaw County and passed tile summer of
that year in the office of Thomas R. Sherwood, the
Supreme Judge. After graduating in 1884, he
immediately opened an office at Kalamazoo for
practice and continued alone until 1888, when he
formed a partnership with Dorr 0. French, under
the firm name of Kinnane & French. In the fall
of 1884, he was candidate for prosecuting attorney
on the Democratic ticket, but suffered defeat, owing to the large Republican majority. The City
Council, in April, 1889, appointed him City Attorney, which office he filled two years in a very satisfactory way.
For four years Mr. Kinnane was attorney for the
Michigan Board of Pharmacy as prosecutor and
conducted in a skillful manner the prosecution
throughout the State of the violation of the phar.


macy law. He practices in all the courts of the
States and is recognized as one of the foremost
members of his profession. From 1886 until 1890,
he was Chairman of the Democratic County C'ommittee, and has been on the stump during each
Congressional campaign.
September 1, 1887, Mr. Kinnane was married to
Miss Hattie Blaney, of Kalamazoo, the ceremony
being performed by Bishop Borgess, of the Catholic Church. They have one child, Charles J., who
was born in 1889. Mr. Kinnane is a brilliant
young attorney, and one whose opinions are not
hastily formed, but after due consideration and
careful investigation. His mind is characteristically a legal one, and he brings to bear upon legal discussions a fund of general information. He
is an able advocate and is rapidly taking front
rank as a trial lawyer. Coming from the ranks of
the farm, his native talent urged him on to a higher
ambition and no man possesses to a greater degree
the confidence and esteem of his former friends
and childhood associates.
The ability of Mr. Kinnane was early recognized
by Judge Slerwood, whose counsel and assistance
were freely given to assist the rising young attorney. His Democracy is inherited and has since
been confirmed by independent research and comparison. His knowledge of constitutional history
and law is profound and lie possesses to a remarkable degree the power of independent reasoning
from the fundamental law principles. Any case
placed in his hands will not fail for lack of research or able support of its advocate.
A man of broad principle, Mr. Kinnane uses every honorable means to carry his point, but his
exalted scruples will not allow him to stoop to the
petty tricks of the unscrupulous lawyer whose
only thought is to win. He is a fearless advocate.
and in making his plea before Judge and Jury, is
animated by his subject, and his eloquence becomes
the beacon light that indicates the plain way
through the labyrinth of error or the sophistry of
opponents. As Chairman of the County Democratic Committee, he served his party faithfully
and enthusiastically, and much of the success of
his party has been owing to his brilliant leadership
and able counsel.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


887


=


As a public speaker, Mr. Kinnane stands pre-eminent. lie has a pleasing address, is self-contained,
and no matter how rigorous his assailant, he never
loses his self-control, and his arguments, being
based upon the experience of years, are ever given
with an energy and enthusiasm that bring conviction. His happiest efforts are when surrounded
by friends on occasions of social banquets, when
after-dinner speeches are in order. His extemporaneous remarks on those occasions are models of
elegance and diction. His mind is given full scope to
draw upon its fund of humor and pathos, either of
which he handles with dexterity.
Mr. Kinnane is the happy possessor of a magnificent pIlysique, not unlike the great Donnelly, in
common witll whom lie has many other points of
resemblance, such as a poetical temperament, a
remarkable command of lucid language and a
vigorous and forcible manner of expressing his
well-matured thoughts.  His love of truth and
candor are no less, and lie devotes his whole soul
to his principles with no less vigor than cliaracterizes Tgnatius Donnelly.
R. NATHANIEL D. THOMAS, who is extensively engaged in farming and dairying on section 36, Decatur Township, Van
Buren County, was born, March 5, 1826,
in Logan County, Ohio, and is the eldest of eight
children born unto Abel and Rebecca Thomas.
His father was born in North Carolina in 1803,
and was a son of Nathaniel Thomas, also born in
that State. The latter was a prominent Quaker, a
serious, sober-minded man, and a preacher in
the church of his choice. HIe married Dorcas Harris, and unto them were born seven children. They
removed to Ohio when Abel was two years old.
There he acquired an education and learned the
cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed for a few
years. Removing to Logan County, Ohio, he there
engaged in farming for about six years, when he
embarked in merchandising in East Liberty, being
thus employed for eight years, when he went to
Union County. He there operated a gristmill on




the bank of Mill Creek for six years, after which
we find him residing in Plain City, while as a contractor he was engaged in the building of the PanHtandle Railroad through tlat section of country.
On his removal to Columbus, Ohio, he retired from
business. His death occurred in that city, March
20, 1888, and his wife died in Union County, Ohio,
in 1848. Mr. Thomas was a Whig in early life, and
afterward became a Republican and served as Justice of the Peace for many years. His affable,
cordial manner made him quite popular and he had
many friends who esteemed him highly for his
strict integrity and sterling worth.
After his parents left East Liberty, our subject
engaged in teaching, wlhich profession he followed
for twelve winter seasons, and also attended college.
For two terms, he was a student in Ohio Central
College and for two years pursued his studies in
the Ohio Wesleyan University. Wishing to make
the practice of medicine his lifework, he began
acquainting himself with that profession in the
oflice of his uncle, Dr. M. N. Thomas, of Schoolcraft, Mich., and after studying three years attended Starling Medical College, of Columbus,
Ohio, for one year. On his return to Michigan, he
began the practice of his profession in Flowerfield,
St. Joseph County, where le remained for three
years, and during that time was married, on the
24th of October, 1850, to Marcia Smith, daughter
of James Smith, a prominent merchant of Schoolcraft, Mich.
On leaving Flowerfield, Dr. Thomas removed to
Little Prairie Ronde,where he entered upon practice,
continuing the profession at that place until 1879,
when he purchased his present farm, and has since
devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. lHe
own a fine farm of four hundred and twelve acres,
three hundred of which are under cultivation, and
he means to bring it up to a higher state of development by the use of fertilizers. He is also extensively engaged in the dairy business and feeds his
stock with ensilage food. He supplies butter to a
number of private families in Chicago, and the in
come which he derives from the dairy is not a little.
The Doctor possesses industry, perseverance and
an enterprising spirit, characteristics which are essential to success in any line of trade.






888


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


The family of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas numbers five
children: Marcus S., a resident of Volinia, Cass
County, and a graduate of the State Agricultural
College; Jessie, a graduate of the State Normal, now
engaged in teaching in the public schools of Grand
Rapids; Willard L., also a graduate of the State
Agricultural College; Isabella S., a graduate of the
State Normal, who is also a teacher of Grand
Rapids, and May, at home.
In his political affiliations, the Doctor is a Republican, and though he feels an interest in politics,
as every true American citizen should do, has
never sought or desired public office. The family
has a pleasant home which was erected by our subject and is the abode of hospitality. The members
of the household rank high in social circles and
are widely and favorably known throughout the
community.
IMOTHY COOLEY, who is a well-known
farmer in Bloomingdale Township, Van
Buren County, is a self-made man, who is deserving of all the good things of life which he now
enjoys, and also of the high esteem in which he
is held by his fellow-citizens. He was born in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, N. Y., November 14,
1823. His father, Chester Cooley, was the son of
Timothy Cooley, who was the fifth generation
from Scottish ancestry. Timothy Cooley married
Rebecca Smith, and they were the parents of four
sons and three daughters.
Chester Cooley was born in Berkshire, Mass.,
removing to Wyoming County, N. Y., at an early
day. He was a wagonmaker by trade and served
in the War of 1812. He removed in 1828, to
Portage County, Ohio; from there to Eaton, Lorain
County, and about 1850, came to Michigan. He
was born March 29, 1790, and died in Cheshire,
Allegan County, this State, December 24, 1857. He
was a Democrat and a member of the Christian
Church.
Born in Bridgewater, Mass., January 31, 1797,
the mother of our subject was known in maidenhood as Azubah Johnson. She traces her geneal

ogy as follows: Polly Johnson, her mother, was
the daughter of Thomas Johnson, and through
him the ancestry is traced back to Major Isaac,
Capt. David and Isaac, the latter a Captain, Representative, and magistrate, who came to Bridgewater in 1700. On the paternal side, the mother
of our subject is descended from this same Isaac
Johnson, grandson of John Alden of historic fame,
whose estates passed into the possession of the
Johnson family.
The union of Chester Cooley and Azubah Johnson, which was celebrated in 1812, brought to them
ten children, nine of whom were reared to manhood and womanhood, as follows: Chester, Rebecca,
Harrison, Latlrope, Timothy; George, who was a
soldier in the late war; Egbert, Mary and Maria.
The mother of these children, who was also a member of the Christian Church, died in Bloomingdale,
June 8, 1869.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a
farm, and from eight years of age has earned his
own living. His educational advantages were exceedingly limited, as, when thirteen years, old he
was bound out and worked until twenty-one years
old for $100 in money and $50 in stock. During
this time he bought three months of his time so
that he might attend school. He was married
when twenty-three years old, and since that time
has been engaged in farming. He came from
Lorain County, Ohio, to Bloomingdale, in February, 1863, and purchased eighty acres of land,
where lie now resides and which he has mostly
cleared himself. He now owns forty-two acres, on
which he has one of the most delightful homes in
the vicinity. A view of this place is shown elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Cooley was married, January 21, 1846, to
Margaret A. Stone, who was born in New York,
and is a daughter of Daniel and Polly (Bailey)
Stone. Two children were born of this marriage,
Hattie A. and George L., the latter dying October
3, 1865. Mrs. Cooley departed this life July 3,
1873. She was an excellent woman, and had been
a consistent member of the Christian Church from
her fifteenth year. The second wife of our subject,
whose maiden name was Eliza H. Ward, was born
in Sweden Township, Monroe County, N. Y., and




RESIDENCE OF G. G. BOND, 5EC.1.,BRADY TP, KALAMAZOO CO.,MICH.


Fr. I:,-   I - I.     -   % ''  ''.   I:. S;  ";"-  "   -II   I, -.   I;-',   -.-,1   - -   I  -   - "' i; -   1':.1


"EVERGREEN HILL"


LESIDENCL OF' TIMOTHY COOLEY, BLOOMINGDALE, VAN BUREN CO.,MICH.


RESIDENCEOF HORACE COYKENDALL, SEC. 29.,ALAMO TP, KALAMAZOO CO.,MICH.




::




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


891


I'`- ------------- zr —     -- - --
--   -   ------  ~~  - ~ - I-~ ---~~- ~ ~   ----— ~ -— I -` —   ~ -----: '- -   -- --- -   5 ---- 1~- --- — I


is the daughter of John and Betsey (Stone) WVard,
natives of Madison and Monroe Counties, N. Y.,
respectively. Her father was a son of William
Ward, a soldier in the War of 1812, and followed
the occupation of a farmer. Mr. Cooley is a member of the Christian Church and his wife of the
Baptist Church. They are honored and respected
citizens, and foremost in all good works.
ORACE COYKENDALL, who is one of the
well-to-do farmers of Kalamazoo County,
is residing on section 29, Alamo Township.
He was born in Springwater, Livingston
County, N. Y., June 1, 1848, and is the son of
Daniel C. Coykendall, also a native of the Empire
State, who came to Michigan in 1856 and located
in Jackson County. He was a farmer by occupation and died in 1860, when in his forty-fourth
year.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Louisa Strowbridge. She was born in New York
and died in 1874, after having become the mother
of nine children, six of whom are living. Our
subject was given a very limited education, for
during three years of his early life he was crippled
and was thus prevented from walking to school.
He started out to make his own way in the world
when fifteen years of age and received $7 per
month for his first year's wages. He was in the
employ of one man for five years and when reaching his majority had saved a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase a farm. His first property
was located in Jackson County, just six miles east
of Jackson.
In 1869, Horace Coykendall sold his farm in the
above-named county and two years later came to
Kalamazoo County where he purchased eighty
acres on section 29, Alamo Township. Twenty
acres of that tract had been partially improved but
did not boast of either house, barn or fence. He
has since added to his estate until he now has two
hundred and forty acres, and the splendid barn
which he has erected thereon is one of the finest in
41


the township. The farm is under the very best
cultivation and one of which its owner may well
be proud. Miss Laura Putnam, a native of Jackson County, this State, was married to our subject
May 29, 1863. One daughter has been born to
them —Ettie, who is the wife of Foster Deal and
has three children, viz: Linn, Koli II. and Arlie L.
Mr. Coykendall keeps a good grade of stock on
his farm, raising Short-horn cattle and fine-wool
sheep. He started out in life with nothing more
than his strong and willing hands and a determination to succeed, and now ranks among the progressive and thrifty farmers of Alamo Township.
In politics, he is a Republican.
In this connection will be noticed a view of the
attractive residence of Mr. Coykendall, and its
pleasant rural environments.
EORGE G. BOND, a farmer and stock(t-, raiser, owning one of the best equipped
farms in Brady Township, finely located on
section 1, is a native-born citizen of Kalamazoo
County, and is distinguished as being one of the
heroes that represented his State at the front during the trying times of the War of the Rebellion.
He was born March 15, 1843, and is a son of Amos
Bond, who was a pioneer of Brady Township, and
one of its leading citizens during his life.
The father was born in Vermont, in 1790. He
came to Michigan in the '30s, and was an early settler of Oakland County, where he lived until
1840. IIe then came to this county with a team,
and pre-empted the southwest quarter of section 1,
Brady Township, which is now occupied by his
son of whom we write.   It was a part of the
Pottawatomie reservation, and was in its natural
condition.  He built a log house, and, in the
years that followed, cleared forty acres of the
land, and put it under excellent cultivation.  He
died November 21, 1851, and his fellow-citizens
deplored the loss of one who was an active factor
in the great work of redeeming the country from
a wilderness, and one to whom they looked for advice or assistance if they were in doubt or trouble.










892


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


He was a hard worker, and was a very strong man,
of commanding stature, six feet and one inch in
height.
As a soldier of the War of 1812, Amos Bond
made an honorable record, serving throughout the
entire contest between the United States and England as a member of the Twenty-sixth New York
Cavalry. He took an active part in politics, and
was a firm Democrat. While a resident of Oakland
County, he was Sheriff, and afterhis removal here,
he was Postmaster of Brady Township. IIe was a
charter member of the first Masonic lodge in the
county, which was established at Schooleraft. His
wife survived him until 1859, and tlen died atthe
age of forty-eight years. They lad been married
in 1841, at Galesburgh, this county, and she bore
him two children: Anna (Mrs. Canavan), and our
subject. Mrs. Bond was born in Greencastle, Pa.,
February 1, 1811, her maiden name being Nancy A.
Gossard. She was first married in Pennsylvania,
to William Downey, by whom she hlad five children: Rachel, Robert, William, John and Mary.
She and her first husband came to Micligan in
1837, where he died three years later.
Born on the farm which is still his home, our
subject grew up here under the invigorating influences of the pioneer life that prevailed when lie
was a boy. lIe went to school in a primitive log
house, that was furnished with slalb benches, supported by pin legs, the floor being nmade of puncheon; it was heated by the first stove used in
the county. The school was conducted under tile
rate-bill system. HIe attended school winters, and
worked on the farm in the summer time. The war
broke out, and found him thus employed. Ile was
but a boy, but lie was eager to drop the hoe for the
rifle, and his patriotic ambition to be a soldier, that
he might help fight his country's battles, even as
his father had done nearly half a century before,
was gratified by his enlistment, September 15, 1861,
at the age of seventeen.  His name was enrolled
as a member of Company I, First Michigan Cav-alry, which was subsequently consolidated with
Company L.
Although so young, our subject proved to have
the right spirit for a soldier, and he did valiant
service in the sixty-eight battles and skirmishes in


which he met the enemy face to face. The most
prominent of these are as follows: Winchester, Va.;
Orange Court House, Va.; Bull Run, Va.; Gettysburg, Pa., where he had a horse shot from under
him while lie was in the thickest of the fight; tile
battles of the Wilderness, Va.; Beaver Dam, Cold
Harbor, Trevilian's Station, Winchester, Opequan,
Brandy Station, Yellow Tavern, Richmond, Mt.
Crawford, Cedar Creek, Madison Court House,
Five Forks, South Side Railway, Sailor's Creek and
Appomattox Court House, all of the above battles
from that of Gettysburg being fought on Virginia
soil; and at Willow Springs, Dak., lie took part in
a desperate battle with the Indians, he having accompanied his regiment, after the Grand Review
at Washington, across the plains. At Union Mills,
Va., he was thrown from his horse, made senseless
by the fall, and his comrades had a hard time
bringing him to. lie was finally mustered out at
Salt Lake City, Utah, March 10, 1866, after more
than four years' long and arduous service, which
entitles him, in common witl the thousands of other
noble, self-sacrificing soldiers, who gave up tle
best years of their manhood to their country, to
live in peace and happiness under a reunited Government.
When lie retired from the army, Mr. Bond returned to his old home, and was gladly welcomed
back by his many friends, andl ere many montlhs
elapsed, his patriotism and bravery during his military career were well rewarded by the hand of one
of the fair dauglters of his native State, Miss Elizabeth Eberstein, to whom lie was wedded, December
4, 1866. She is a very fine woman, filling in a
perfect measure her position as the home-maker,
tlie true wife and motler. I-er union witl our
subject has brought tlem one son, George Amos.
Mr. and Mrs. Bond celebrated their silver wedding
December 4, 1891, which marked a congenial marriage of a quarter of a century. They had sixtyseven guests from among their hosts of friends,
who gave them many substantial evidences of their
regard, among the numerous presents being a handsome silver set.
Mrs. Bond was born in Calhoun County, Mich.,
November 20, 1841, a daughter of Conrad an(
Lena (Setzler) Eberstein, pioneers of that county,








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


893


and both natives of Germany. Iier father was
born in 1808, and her mother in 1817. lie came to
America in 1829, and she in 1830. IIe landed in Boston, and spent a year in that city, afterward passed
six months in Detroit, whence he went to Sandusky,
Ohio. IIe was there married, his bride liaving settled on a farm at that point with her parents.
That year, 1831, they came to Michigan, and located in Calhoun County, making the journey with
an ox-team, and while swimming the Maumee
River, they came near being drowned. In the
spring of 1840, Mr. Eberstein pre-empted the northeast quarter of the same section on which our subject lives from the Government, it then forming
a part of the Indian reservation. tie developed a
good farm, where he and his good wife dwelt in
comfort and happiness many years. After a married life of fifty-three years, they died in 1890, his
death occurring in February, and hers in April.
They reared eleven children, all of whom are married and living at the present time.
After his marriage, our subject took possession of this part of the old homestead on which lie
has ever since lived. But fifteen acres were under
cultivation, and there was not a building on the
place. With characteristic energy, he entered upon
lis pioneer labors, first building a log house for
himself and his bride, back of the site of his present residence. Hle worked hard to fell the timber
and prepare his land for tillage, and in time brought
it into a fine condition. He has purchased other
realty, and now has a choice farm of one hundred
and nineteen and one-fourth acres, one hundred
of which are finely improved. In 1875, lie erected
a large frame barn, painting it red; in 1891, he
built a handsome frame house, a view of which is
shown on another page, and which is fitted up in
modern style. A neat and attractive set of buildings further embellish the place. H-e conducts a
good business in mixed farming, keeping some fine
Norman horses and roadsters, and has a flock of
fine wool sheep.
Mr. Bond is a man of fine presence, tall, muscular and well formed, has a keen, intelligent eye and
a vigorous, comprehensive mind, and withal, he
has a frank, pleasing personality. He is greatly
interested in National politics, and stands with the


Republicans in regard to the issues of the day. He
has been a member of the Masonic order since 1867,
belonging to Lodge No. 208, at Vicksburg..He is
also a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge,
No. 36, in the same village, and his military life
is commemorated by his membership with the Grand
Army Post at Vicksburg.
" -4 --- —— g 61+q+q.+q?.q+  i
l RA A. RANSOM, President of the Kalamazoo
Gas Light Company, was born in Castleton,
Vt., February 21, 1845, and is the son of Justice
11. and Sarah (Northrop) Ransom, natives of Vermont, and now deceased. Ira A. was the third of
tile four children whom his parents reared to maturity, three being sons and one a daughter.
Amid the picturesque scenery of the Green
Mountain State, and associated with his father in
the cultivation of the farm, the lad grew from boyhood to man's estate, acquiring meanwhile those
sturdy virtues of character and enterprising business qualities, which were carefully developed
through )parental training. The rudiments of his
education were gained in the common school of
the district, and the knowledge there acquired was
later supplemented by a course in the home academy and Flushing Institute.
In 1865, Mr. Ransom came to Michigan, and,
stopping at Kalamazoo to visit a friend, was so
pleased with the place that he concluded to remain.
Soon after lie entered the employ of the Michigan
Central Railroad Company and remained in the
freight and baggage department for two years.
lHe afterward accepted a clerkship in the hlat and
cap store of II.. S. Parker, with whom he was engaged about three years. The business knowledge
which he gained while in the employ of others, he
utilized in a practical manner, and, moving to Marshall, this State, embarked in the boot and shoe
business, which he carried on successfully for nine
months.
Selling out his stock and returning to Kalamazoo, Mr. Ransom became connected with the Kalamazoo Gas Light Company as Superintendent, and
retained that position until the death of Mr.Woodbury, when he succeeded that gentleman to the




894


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


---- I- ----- --------— I-I' —^ --- —-` '-I`-^ -I- —I --- —' --- —`-I ---- - --I-' — -' —'- —I- ---x-- --- —-' —I` --- —-I ----- — —I'-' —
--— ' ---I-I- --- — ----- ` — --


Presidency. The arduous duties of that position
he is ably qualified to discharge through eminent
native abilities and an unusual amount of sound
common-sense. He is one of the principal stockholders of the company, in addition to which he
is largely interested in various public measures.
He is President of the American Playing Card Company, Director of the Phelps and Bigelow Windmill Company, Director in the Upjohn Pill and
Granule Company, stockholder and Director in
the Featherbone Corset Company, and Director in
the Michigan National Bank; also stockholder in
the Kimball Engine Company. Hle is closely connected with some of the most famous and prosperous organizations of Kalamazoo.
In 1869, Mr. Ransom was married to Miss Emma,
the youngest daughter of Ion. J. P. Woodbury,
and they are the parents of one surviving child:
Woodbury, who assists his father in the office.
Allen A. died in infancy. Mr. Ransom and his
cultured wife have established an attractive and
cozy home at No. 204 S. Park Street and are prominent in the social circles of the city. Mr. Ransom
is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity
and is identified with Kalamazoo Lodge No. 22,
where he has occupied the highest clairs.
OHN C. GOODALE, funeral director and
undertaker, is one of the prominent business men of Kalamazoo. lie keeps a full
line of undertaker's goods and has in
stock as fine an assortment as can be found between Detroit and Chicago. A genial gentleman,
his pleasant manner is a part of a sunny disposition, and while his business is one of the most
solemn nature, he is capable of enjoying the good
things of life, and his companionable attributes
partake of no characteristic of a funereal nature.
The store in which Mr. Goodale conducts his
business is a four-story, gray stone front structure,
with a frontage of fifty feet on South Burdick
Street and a depth of two hundred feet. In the
rear is the morgue and the stables for his handsome
outfits. Though coming to Kalamazoo a lad with
dlu-rrr                       vw r.vurruv   MMII


but fifty cents in his possession, and having met
with financial reverses at a time when the furniture
business was depressed, he had that indomitable
perseverance which always wins. By close application to his work, he has made steady financial
advancement and has the satisfaction of knowing
that an honest competence has been gained through
his efforts.
A native of this State, Mr. Goodale was born at
Ann Arbor, July 15, 1838, and is the son of Leonard C. and Phebe F. (Crandall) Goodale, natives
of New York. His father, who was an early settler
in Waslltenaw County, was editor of the Washtenaw Wdiig, and at the time of his death, in 1846,
was serving as County Clerk. When fourteen
years of age, our subject left home and came to
Kalamazoo, where his brother was working as a
cabinet-maker. With him he learned the trade, and
after working in his employ for three years bought
out the business, which he has since continued.
About 1858, Mr. Goodale embarked in the manufacturing business at Battle Creek, but the approach of war decreased the rates to such an extent
tlhat he was forced to abandon the plant. During
the following two years, he was employed at Ann
Arbor, and then returned to Kalamazoo, where he
engaged in the manufacture of show-cases. Afterward he added the undertaker's business, to which
lie finally gave his entire attention and increase(l
it to its present magnitude.
The marriage of Mr. Goodale to Miss Ellen G.
Sterling took place at Kalamazoo, January 24,
1861, and they are the parents of eight living
children, of whom the five youngest-Bert, Pigeon,
Anna, John C., Jr., and Hazel-remain in the parental home, on the corner of South and Burdick
Streets. Nettie married t-. A. McCrary, a ticket
broker of Kansas City; Edward is in the furniture
and undertaking business at Paw Paw; Jennie is
the wife of Clark A. Shaw, who owns a raisin vineyard in Hesperia, Cal.; and Bert is employed in the
Micligan Central Freight Office at Kalamazoo.
Mr. Goodale has excellent business sagacity,
and his ventures in real-estate investments have
proved the correctness of his foresight. He was
instrumental, among others, in securing the present
location for the postoffice, and invested money in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


895


property in that vicinity. With his family, lie
occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellowcitizens, and he and his wife are identified with the
Congregational Churcl. r. Goodale has recently
added to his undertaking business a fine line of
marble and granite cemetery work, at No. 3 Burdick Street, opposite the postoffice.
(. -__ --- —= s         +_-_ II -- 6- ~
i I CHARD A. SYKES, who is Secretary of the
A' Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, of
i t    liKalamazoo County, is one of the worthy
A, citizens that New York has furnished to
Michigan. lie was born in Niagara County, October 17, 1836, and is the only living son of Alanson and Hannah (Strickland) Sykes, the former a
native of Massachusetts, and the latter of the Empire State. In the spring of 1837, the family removed Westward and settled on a farm in Portage
Township, six and a half miles from  the city
of Kalamazoo. The death of the father occurred
in 1857, at tile age of seventy-one years, and his
wife died in 1868, at the age of eighty-two years.
We now take up the personal history of our
subject, who, in the usual manner of farmer lads,
was reared to manhood and remained at home
until the spring of 1870, having charge of the farm
after his father's death. As before stated, he is
the only surviving son. However, he has one sister, Martha, now the widow of Isaac Weeks, of
Kalamazoo. Abandoning the occupation to which
he was reared, in 1870, Mr. Sykes came to Kalamazoo, and for four years was engaged in the agricultural implement business, when he returned to
the farm and there remained for ten years. In
1885, lie became Secretary of the Farmers' Mutual
Insurance Company, which was organized in 1863.
Ie was one of its first one hundred members, and
has since carried insurance with it. On the 1st of
January, 1892, there were one thousand, eight hundred and fifty-five members, and the amount of
the policies was $4,514,350. The percentage of
cost since the organization amounts to.00134 per
annum. The officers of the insurance company at
this writing, are W. II. Cobb, President; Richard
Sykes, Secretary and Treasurer; and   William


i


Strong, David R. Chandler and Malachi Cox,
l)irectors. The original members of the company
were John Millham, Moses Kingsley, Samuel
Crooks, William  Trumlbull, Isaac Cox, Joseph
Beckly and Albert Latta. The three last-named
are still living.
Mr. Sykes has been twice married. In December,
1'865, he wedded Miss Ophielia Harris, of Portage,
dalughter of Thomas and Ann L. (Carpenter) Harris, who settled in Portage in 1856. The parents
were married in New York City, and the mother is
still living with Mr. Sykes. His first wife died
August 26, 1889, and on the 1st of July, 1891, he
wedded Miss Mary C. Ilalleck, of Kalamazoo, a
half-sister of his first wife. She is a lady of culture
Ind refinement and for eleven years was a successful teacher in the city schools.
Aside from his business interests, Mr. Sykes has
found time to devote to public affairs and from
1875 until 1879, inclusive, served as Supervisor.
Ile is a stanch advocate of Republican principles
and does all in his power to promote the interests
of that party, but his father was a Democrat. He
is a maan of great personal influence, popular, and
has an extended acquaintance throughout the
community. His life has been well and worthily
spent, and those who know him respect him for
his sterling worth.
SAAC A. BROWN, one of the well-to-do citizens of Kalamazoo, now living a retired life,
is a native of the Green Mountain State, his
birth having occurred in Windsor County, on the
llth of April, 1817. Iis father, Israel P. Brown,
a native of Massachusetts. was a farmer by occupation and died on the old homestead in Vermont.
where he had lived for sixty-five years. The
grandfather was Adam   Brown, and he was of
Scotch descent. The mother of our subject bore
the maiden name of Sally Briggs. She, also, was a
native of the Green Mountain State, and a daughter of Asa Briggs, who was of English lineage. In
the family were thirteen children, eleven of whom
grew to mature years.
Our subject was the ninth in order of birth.




896


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Upon his father's farm he spent the days of his
boyhood and youth and in the winter season attended the common schools, where he acquired a
good English education. On leaving home he began life for himself as a clerk in a general store,
where he remained for three years, when, having
acquired some experience and a small capital, he
embarked in the mercantile business on his own
account, continuing for three years, when he sold
out. The gold fever was then prevailing in the
county, and to California went Mr. Brown, by way
of the Isthmus of Panama. His friend who accompanied him died soon after their arrival, so
Mr. Brown started back with the remains, which
were taken to Vermont and there interred. The
trip to him proved an expensive one and his health
also became greatly impaired thereby. On his
recovery, he secured employment with the Rutland
& Burlington Railroad Company, having charge of
its store, and also acting as freight and passenger and ticket agent. Thus his time was employed for ten years, and he carried on a successful
business in the interest of the company.
In 1842, Mr. Brown led to the marriage altar
Miss Mary A. Brown, a native of Essex County,
N. Y., where the days of her maidenhood were
passed. Unto them have been born two children:
Rev. Belno A. Brown, D. D., an Episcopal clergyman of Milwaukee, who is also a medical practitioner, having made a specialty of the eye and
ear. Angela died at the age of ten years.
Mrs. Brown, in these later days of her life, has
taken up painting as a recreation and pleasure, and
has exhibited a great deal of skill, and many beautiful landscapes adorn the walls of their home,
painted by her hand. Particularly has her skill
been exhibited in an eminent degree in artistically
arranging the vari-colored sea-moss of the Pacific
ocean into beautiful pictures of mountain and
forest scenes, especially noticeable among w hich is a
representation of Minnehaha Falls.
In 1862, the family came to Kalamazoo, Mich.,
where Mr. Brown engaged in the loan business as
agent for Eastern parties. At the same time, he
built business blocks, which he afterward sold before completed, and dealt in real estate for himself
and others. He carried on a successful business


for some years, and as the result of his industry,
good management and well-directed efforts, has
accumulated considerable property. In politics, lie
is a Republican. At each election he exercises his
right of franchise in support of that party, of
whose principles lie is a stalwart advocate. His
home is a handsome brick residence situated at
No. 427 South Burdick Street, where he is now
living a retired life, surrounded by many comforts
and luxuries, the fruits of his own labor. Mr.
Brown is well deserving of a representation in this
volume for he is one of the prominent citizens of
Kalamazoo, and it is with pleasure that we record
his sketch.
x..     't'- -+~.      f/
OIOHN E. RANKIN, M. D., who is a prominent physician in Bloomingdale, Van Buren
County, was one of the many citizens of
foreign birth who enlisted in the service of
their adopted country during the late war and gallantly fought on the Union side. IHe was born
December 29, 1841, in County Longford, Ireland.
His parents, Robert and Catherine (Govers)Rankin,
were also natives of the Emerald Isle, who came to
the United States in the spring of 1842, settling in
Vandeburg County, Ind., where the father died
about 1845, leaving a widow and two sons, John
E. and James A. The latter is a resident of l)owagiac, this State. lie was also a soldier in the War
of the Rebellion, serving in the Sixteenth New
York Cavalry. The mother of our subject resided
with him until her death, in 1878. She and her
husband were members of the Episcopal Church.
Our subject received his early education in the
public schools -at Buffalo, N. Y., to which place his
mother had removed after her husband's death.
At the age of fifteen, he was employed as clerk in
a store, and, in January, 1858, came to Bloomingdale, where he worked by the month on a farm,
until August 12, 1862, at which date he enlisted in
Company M, Fourth Michigan Cavalry. lie took
part in the battles of Sparta, Tenn., and Lavergne,
at which latter place he was captured and confined
in Libby Prison for three months, being then cx



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


897


changed. lIe was in the battles at Chickamauga
and Mission Ridge. In the spring of 1863, he was
thrown from his horse and fractured his left wrist,
and was sent to Columbia, Tenn., where he remained nine months, most of the time acting as
Steward of Post Ioslital No... Ie then rejoined
his regiment at Nashville, and was in the battles of
Selma, Ala., and at Columbia, GIa., and was with
the party that captured Jeff Davis. lie was discharged at Nashville in July, 1865, and was nmustered out as Corporal
Returning to Bloomingdale, our subject soon
after entered Buffalo Medical University, being
graduated from that college in 1881, and at once
began the practice at Bloom ingdale, where lie has
resided ever since. lie was united in marriage,
June 6, 1867, to Miss Phlibe L. Lane, who was
born in Brockport, N. Y., and was a (laughter of
Samuel and Orrt (Cooley) Lane, natives of New
York. They are the parents of two children,
Vashti and Cora.   )r. Rankin is a Republican in
politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.
IHe enjoys a good practice, and, with his estimable
wife, is highly esteemed in the community.
- -- -d?=^>- 8T^^C- -
-' LARENCE       IERBERT    LINDSLEY, who
owns and operates one hundred and sixty
acres of land on section 6, Decatur Township, is a representative of one of the early families of Van Buren County. His father, tenry Lindsley, was born in Genesee County, N.Y., October 7,
1818, and was a son of Elihu Lindsley, who emigrated from New York to New Jersey, where he
lived to a ripe old age. Henry Lindsley came to
Michigan in an early day, locating in Washtenaw
County, where he was reared to manhood. In
April, 1853, he came to Van Buren County, locating on section 6, Decatur Township, where lie
bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres.
Of this anount, he himself cleared eighty acres,
and he also cleared a part of the farm  on which
our subject resides.
In 1847, Mr. Lindsley married Irvena N. Brown,
a native of tllis State, who died in 1857. He was
again married in 1859, his second union being


with Mrs. Helen M. Wilcox, who was born in New
York, and at the time of her marriage resided in
Decatur T'ownshitp. Mr. Lindsley followed farming throughout his entire life, and was very successful in his business dealings. Ile was a selfeducated man, a great reader and student, and
was much better informed than many who had
good school privileges. Hle plrovided his children
wvith good educational advantages. His speech
was free from all profanity, his life was free fronm
wrong-doing, and the friends whom he won were
many. lie died March 1, 1888, and was buried in
Decatur Cemetery.  The second wife still survives him.
In the Lindsley famlily were seven children,
six of whom grew to manhood and womanhood,
anld are still living: Clarence II., of this sketch;
James II., born September 22, 1850, now a farmer
of Texas; Frank E., born April 7, 1855, is a school
teacher of Decatur Township; William G., born
October 14, 1863; Nellie S., born August 8, 1865,
now the wife of Albert Bidlack, of Hamilton
Township; Charles, who died at the age of two
years; and Mabel, who was born June 20, 1875.
We now take up the personal history of our
subject, who has spent nearly his entire life in
Van Buren County. lie was born in Saline,
Wayne County, February    14, 1849, and was
therefore only four years of age when lie became
a resident of Decatur Township. In the usual
manner of farmer lads, lie was reared to manhood,
and remained under the parental roof until he had
attained his majority, when lie left home on a
visit to the Eastern part of Michigan. Returning at the end of two months, lie continued to
aid his father until August, when hle hired out as
a farm hand. In November following, he took a
contract for clearing land, to which he devoted
his energies during the winter.
An important event in the life of Mr. Lindsley
occurred December 18, 1873, when was celebrated
his marriage with Miss Jennie McWilliams, daughter of Archibald and Ann McWilliams. The following spring they removed to the farm which is
still their home. It first comprised only forty
acres, which our subject had purchased of his father, but, from time to time, as his financial re





898


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


sources increased, he extended its boundaries,
until it now comprises one hundred and sixty
acres that yield a golden tribute to his care and
cultivation. In his farming operations he is quite
successful. The past year his yield of wheat was
eleven hundred bushels. In connection with general farming, he engages to some extent in stockraising, keeping on hand good grades of horses,
cattle and hogs.
The cause of temperance has ever found in Mr.
Lindsley a stanch advocate and the liquor traffic
a bitter opponent. His views on the question have
led him to affiliate with the Prohibition party,
which he now supports by his ballot. He is a
member of the Equitable Aid Union and belongs
to the Presbyterian Church of Decatur, in which
he holds the office of Elder. In the Master's vineyard he is an active worker, having labored long
in both church and Sunday-school. The Lindsley
household is the abode of hospitality, and our subject and his wife rank high in social circles.
Unto this worthy couple have been born six
children: Blanche Gertrude, born June 12, 1875;
Charles Herbert, September 17, 1876; Bessie Irvena, June 8, 1879; James Ward, April 26, 1882;
Lora Louisa, June 3, 1885; and Grace Hardenia,
December 1, 1888.
iLPHONSO F. HOWTE is a member,f the
firm of Talbot & Howe, contractors and
builders in Allegan. This partnership has
been formed during the last three years,
and they have been engaged in erecting some of
the finest residences and business blocks in the
city. At the present time, they are erecting the
High School Building, which will cost $20,000,
and which will be the finest in the county. They
give employment to a number of men, and in addition to the business of contractor and builder,
Mr. Howe is the proprietor of a brickyard on the
Paw Paw road, which he established seven years
ago. He is thus enabled to furnish the best grade
of brick for the buildings in this vicinity, the
High School spoken of above requiring four hundred thousand. Mr. Howe was given the charge






of the building of the Grand Plank Hotel, at
Mackinac, this State, which is the largest hotel in
the State. IIe also superintended the erection of
the Michigan Buggy Company building at Kalamazoo.
Mr. Howe, of this *sketch, was born in Oneida
County, N. Y., in 1838. He is the son of Joseph
and Sally A. (Miller) Howe, natives respectively
of New York and Connecticut. IHis father was a
distiller and died in 1839 in Paris, Oneida County,
N. Y. His mother came to Michigan, where her
decease occurred in Grand Rapids. Joseph Howe
was a Captain in the State Militia, holding that office at the time of his decease. Two of the four
children comprising the parental family are still
living: our subject and Joseph, Jr.
The original of this sketch was educated in
the Michigan schools, and early in life learned the
carpenter's trade, which he followed until twenty
years ago, when he combined with it the business
of an architect. Ile purchased a farm on the Paw
Paw Road, within the corporate limits of that city,
where he has a good home. He manufactures
brick and drain tile upon his place, for which he
has a ready and ever-increasing sale.
Mr. Howe was married, in 1860, to Miss Candace
E., the daughter of James Caskey. To them have
been born three children: William J., Kate M. and
Nellie L. In politics, our subject is a Democrat,
and has held the offices of Township Treasurer and
Clerk, and has also served in the village council.
Socially, he is an Odd Fellow, a Mason, and a
Knight of Pythias.  Mr. Howe is one of the
wide-awake, enterprising, business men of Allegan
County, and we are pleased to be able to give a
brief outline of his history, as well as a view of his
place.
E  DWIN T. CRUSE. The British-American
citizens of Michigan are a fine class of sturdy,
l   stalwart men of pluck and principle and
among them we find the gentleman whose name
appears at the head of this sketch. He is doing a
fine business, dealing in corn, oats, wheat, clover
seed, baled hay, etc. Edwin T. Cruse was born in




.RESiDEIfCE & ELEVATFOR OF E.T. CRUSEALLEGAN, IilICHiGAN.


1


RESiDEilCE OF PARKER 5. TRUAX, SEC.11., HOPKIN5 T., ALLEGAN CO, MICH.
— ~~~~..I -- I I -L:-._~


RFSIDENCE OF A. F. HOWE, ALLEGAN, MICHIGAN.




I


11I




PORTRAIT AND BI(GRAPHICAL RECORD.


901


~  L   ~   __                                            -  _ ___- ____~___ --- —-f


the Parish of Stokeclimsland, County of Cornwall,
England, January 6, 1842, and is the son of William and Mary (Falley) Cruse, also natives of England.
The father of our subject was an engineer, and
emigrated to America nineteen years ago. Coming directly to Michigan, he settled in the Upper
Peninsula, where he followed the occupation of an
engineer until 1888, the date of his advent into Allegan County. He is now engaged in running the
engine in the elevator of his son, our subject.
The grandparents of our subject were John
and Mary (Cruse) Cruse, who lived and died in
their native England. William Cruse was reared
on a farm until twenty-three years of age. When
starting out for himself, he worked in a mine for
twenty years, then engaged in running a stationary engine until coming to America, nineteen
years ago. The mother of our subject died about
1875, while the family were living on Lake Superior.
Edwin T. Cruse received a good education in
his native land, after which he commenced mining,
which occupation he followed until coning to
America in 1864. Landing in New York on the
6th of June, he came West immediately to the Lake
Superior regions where he was engaged in mining
for three years, after which lie clerked in a general
store at the Central Mine at Central Michigan. He
later clerked in the store in the Atlantic Mine and
then with North & Briggs at the IIackley Mines.
Wishing to fit himself for mercantile life, Mr.
Cruse went to Kalamazoo and took a course in the
business college in that city. He also took a
twelvemonths' course in tile Theological Seminary
in Chicago, aftel which he came to Allegan, the
date thereof being August 6, 1877. Soon after
locating here, he purchased of H. B. Peck the only
elevator in the place, and now carries on a large
business, shipping grain over three different railroads. His elevator has a capacity of over twenty
thousand bushels of grain and is supplied with a
twelve-horse power engine.
Our subject was married, in 1886, to Miss Nellie,
daughter of William B. Jenner. She is a most
estimable and cultured lady and presides with
grace and dignity over their beautiful home, a


view of which appears in this connection. Our
subject is a Republican in politics, and a member
of the Masonic fraternity. He has four brothers
and one sister: James, William, John, Alfred, and
Hannah, now Mrs. Thomas.
D ARKER S. TRUAX is at present engaged
in cultivating a beautiful tract of land on
section 11, Hopkins Township, Allegan
L    County, of which he is the proprietor.
Iis father, Andrew Truax, was a native of Canada
and a farmer, although in early life he ran a sawmill for twelve years. His mother was known in
her maidenhood as Edith Fordyce and was born in
New Brunswick; she died in 1854. Andrew Truax
was again married and at the present time is living with his third wife in Canada, being over
eighty years of age. By his first marriage, he became the father of six children, three of whom are
living.
Our subject was the fifth child of his parents, his
birth occurring July 27, 1844, in Canada. He was
given a limited schooling and remained with his
father, aiding in the development of the farm, until reaching his nineteenth year. At that time he
bought his time of his father and as he was anxious
to come to the States, in 1863 made his advent into
Michigan and engaged to work out in Martin
Township, Allegan County. He enlisted in the
Union Army in the spring of 1864, and was mustered into Company H, First Regiment of Michigan Engineers and Mechanics. He joined his
regiment at Cartersville, Ga., where they were engaged in building bridges. He then went to Atlanta, a portion of his regiment in the meantime
having been sent up the Chattahoochie River where
they were occupied in bridge-building for four
weeks. ITe later started with his regiment for
Savannah under Gen. Sherman and, when one day's
march from that city, his regiment was ordered
back and sent by boat to Beaufort, in order that
they might rest up.
Previously, however, while at Savannah, Mr.
Truax had been detailed on five foraging expedi





902


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


tions, each occupying about three days. When
leaving Savannah, the regiment of which our subject was a member was in advance of the army under Gen. Sherman. The enemy il the city were
prepared for them and they were iired upon from
batteries placed on flat cars. One solid shot struck
the file of men in which Mr. Truax was marching,
knocking him down, and one of his comrades, who
was marching near him, was thrown thirty feet in
the air and instantly killed. Our subject refused
to be taken to the hospital, although quite severely injured, and remained with his company until fully restored.
The Michigan regiment, in company with a company of Missouri Engineers, built a road five miles
and three-quarters in length through a deep swamp.
They existed sometimes on very short rations and
often their meal consisted of rice which they picked
from the fields. They remained at Savannah for
two or three weeks and then left with the army for
North Carolina and were about thirty miles from
Raleigh, N. C., when Gen. Johnston's army surrendered to Sherman. Mr. Truax later took part
in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., was
mustered out a few days later and received his discharge at Jackson, this State, in June, 1865.
After the close of the war, Mr. Truax came to
Martin Township, Allegan County, and as he was
unable to do any kind of work went to his home
in Canada and spent $500 in doctor's bills. When
fully recuperated, he returned to Michigan and
plurchased his present property, which then was in
its primitive condition. Ile paid $300 down on
his land and began industriously the work of clearing and improving it.
In April, 1877, Mr. Truax and Miss Eveline D.,
daughter of Russell and Charity (Dymon) Gaylor,
were united in marriage. The parents of Mrs.
Truax were early settlers of Allegan County, where
the father died in 1889; the mother is still residing
in Otsego Township.
Mrs. Truax was born July 16, 1856, in Otsego
Township, and by her union with our subject has
become the mother of six children, viz: Jessie L.,
Leonard A., Edith Augusta, Orville G., George
Olin and an infant not yet named. Mr. Truax
has sixty acres of his estate under excellent im

provements and is ranked among the intelligent
farmers of this locality. A view of his homestead
appears on another page. He is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic and is also a Patron
of Industry. In politics, he is a Republican and
has been Road Overseer of his township.
OHIN W. IOOVER is the proprietor of a
general meat market, located at No. 524
Oak Street, Kalamazoo, where he is doing a
very profitable business. He is a native of
Canada, having been born in Welland County,
May 16, 1842. His parents were David and Mary
E. (Pew) Ioover, the father a native of Canada
where lie carried on farming. I-e continued to
reside in the Dominion until 1866, at which tnme
he emigrated to the States with his family and located in Allegan County, on a farm. He continued to cultivate the soil until his death in the
spring of 1888, his wife passing away on the same
farm in the fall of 1888.
John W. Hoover was reared on the home farm
until eighteen years of age; in the meantime attending the district school. I-e then learned the
trade of a butcher. In 1865, he also came to this
State, and, locating at Ganges, Allegan County,
opened a meat market and was fairly successful in
his undertaking. In 1882, he came to Kalamazoo
where he established a market on Potter Street,
and prosecuted his business there for four years.
He later removed to his present location, where lie
has erected a building suitable for the proper
carrying-on of his line of business. He has one of
the finest markets in the city, and keeps constantly on hand a splendid assortment of choice
meats, making his own sausage, lard, etc. Hle contracts for most of his supplies from Chicago parties
and his patrons are thus assured that they will
receive the very best the market affords.
He was married to Miss Emily A. Kitchen,in June,
1866, and to them have been born one daughter:
Mary C., who is the wife of Delno Henshaw, of
Morgan Park, Ill. Mr. Hoover commenced at the
bottom of the ladder in starting out in life and
now has one of the finest businesses in his line




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


903


in Kalamazoo. Ite owns a pleasant residence located at No. 522 Oak Street, and is so situated
that lie is enjoying a handsome income. Socially,
he is an Odd Fellow, and, with his wife, is a member of the First Baptist Church. Politically, he is a
Prohibitionist.
++ — I-~+++
_       ~++++~_    ++++o
AMES GARNER CLARK, one of the prominent business men of Gobleville, Van
| Buren County, is a prosperous merch ant and
0   is also engaged in carrying on a gristmill.
His father was Benjamin Clark, a native of England,
where he was born in 1800, and was a miller by
occupation.  The mother was Elizabeth Motley
in her maidenhood, and also a native of England,
born in 1808. They were married in England and
came to America in 1830, and settled in Monroe
County, N. Y., where the father carried on farming until his death which occurred in 1854. The
good wife and mother died in Michigan in 1869.
They were the worthy parents of eleven children,
those surviving bearing the names of Benjamin
R., Mary E. (Mrs. II. T. HIerron), Thomas M.,
Eliza S., James G. and Marian Z. The deceased
are Rebecca A., Hiram A., Joseph A., Henry and
Louisa. The family came to Michigan in 1857,
and settled in the "north woods" of Van Buren
County.
Our subject was born September 10, 1846, in
Monroe County, N. Y., and was eleven years old
when lie came to this State. His education was
obtained in the district schools and at Hillsdale
College, after which he taught three terms. In
1868, he embarked in the merchandise business in
Geneva Township, and two years later came to
Gobleville and put up the first store here.  The
building is now occupied by W. S. Crosby & Co.
This he carried on ten years,selling dry goods, boots
and shoes, groceries and hardware. In 1882, he
Iurchased his mill which was then a small gristmill, with a portable engine. IIe has remodeled
it completely and now has a full roller system with
a large elevator. ie buys and handles all the wheat
that is offered here. The capacity of the mill is
fifty barrels per day. It is run all the year round


and does a general milling business. From three
to four lhands are employed in the place all the
time and flour of all grades, feed, and buckwheat
flour are manfactured.  His market is mostly
local trade, but he sends some to New York City
and Baltimore.
In addition to his mill, Mr. Clark has a grocery,
boot and shoe store. IHe will erect a good brick
building the coming spring for mercantile purpose.
Mr. Clark was married in May, 1875, to Hattie A.
Goble, a daughter of Warren and Cordelia (Wafle)
Goble, now residents of Gobleville.  Mrs. Clark
was born in Erie County, N. Y., March 24, 1855,
and to her has been born two children:  Pearl J.
and Ruby, born July 25, 1876, and November 14,
1887, respectively. The eldest daughter is attending the High School department of the Gobleville
graded schools. Mr. Clark and his daughter Pearl
are members of the Free-will Baptist Church and
he has been Trustee and Clerk of the same and also
took charge of the erection of the present church
here.  He was Superintendent of the Sundayschool until his hearing was affected. Mr. Clark
has taken a prominent part in school affairs and
has been on the School Board. When in Geneva
Township, he served as Township Clerk on the
Republican ticket, but the last few years he has
cast his influence with the Prohibition party, having always been a strong temperance man. He
built his fine residence in 1875 and has also put
up one other residence, two stores and his mill.
The church and parsonage were erected mainly
through his efforts and support. For several years
Mr. Clark was interested in bee culture. He is a
thorough business man and is a good example for
young men just starting in active life to follow.
ENRY SHERMAN PARKER, deceased, was
one of the prominent and successful business men of Kalamazoo. IHe was born in
Waterbury, Conn., April 2, 1823, and was
the son of Charles and Deborah Isabella Parker,
the father a manufacturer of hats and trunks in
Tarrytown, N. Y.   Our subject's mother was a






904


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


native of Connecticut and of English descent.
The family later removed to Medina, N. Y., where
they made their home until coming to Battle
Creek, this State, in 1857. Our subject came to
Kalamazoo during the same year, and here the
elder Mr. Parker started a trunk factory, in which
business he continued until his death, in 1878.
He was of Scotch and English extraction and stood
high in financial circles in his community.
He of whom we write was the eldest of the parental family of twelve children and passed his boyhood
days in Medina, N. Y. His primary studies were
conducted in the common schools, which were later
supplemented by attendance at the Medina Academy. He engaged to work in a hat factory when
twelve years of age and while thus employed met
with a serious accident by having his hand caught
in the machinery, which caused him to lose that
member.
The father of our subject having met with financial reverses, Henry S. was early in life thrown
upon his own resources. His pluck and energy,
however, won him success wherever he went, which
was greatly needed as lie had to care for the falmily for a time. In 1844, Henry S. Parker was married to Rachel Gregory, of Ontario County, N. Y.
She was the eldest daughter of Philo and Rachel
(Card) Gregory and soon after her marriage located with her husband in Medina, Orleans County,
N. Y., where Mr. Parker was engaged as a hatter
and furrier.
The original of this sketch came to Michigan in
1857, and made his home in Kalamazoo, where he
was successfully engaged in business until his
death, February 5, 1885. The following children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Parker, viz: Sarah
E., Mrs. A. A. Hazzard of this city; Henry P., deceased; Villa C. who resides with her mother;
Frances V., also at home; Charles M., Julia L. and
Ella L. Two children died in infancy.
In religious matters, Mr. Parker was a devoted
member of the Christian Church, and in politics, a
stanch Republican. HIe was always a liberal and
cheerful contributor to all charitable enterprises
and a man greatly respected in his community.
His family make their home in a comfortable and
pleasant residence, located at No. 435 Woodward


Avenue. Few men have done more for Kalamazoo
than our subject. He built four stores and several
houses and was always keenly alive to everything
that tended to the upbuilding of his community,
and we can truly say the world was better for his
having lived. The father of Mrs. Gregory made
his home with our subject until 1884, when lie died
in his ninety-second year. IIe was a Class-leader
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which body
lie had been a member for fifty-seven years. His
remains were laid to rest in Mountain HIome Cemetery.
ILBUR F. REED. This gentleman, who
is one of the prominent citizens of Kalamazoo, is Chief Engineer and Superintendent of the Water Works. Iis beautiful home
is located at No. 1026 South Park Street, and i5
presided over by his amiable wife. He was born
at Grass Lake, Jackson County, this State, August
8, 1851, and was the son of Mulford and Laura
(Jackson) Reed. The father, who was a native of
the Empire State, came to this city in 1866, where
lie died in 1872; his wife still makes her home
here.
When eighteen years of age, our subject began
to learn the trade of a machinist, and was thus
employed in different places in this State, at one
time being foreman of the Kalamazoo Foundry &
Machine Company. In July, 1890, lie became
Assistant Engineer, and April 20, 1891, was appointed Chief Engineer and Superintendent of
the Water Works, succeeding George H. Chandler. He gives his entire time and attention to his
position, and gives satisfaction to all concerned.
April 25, 1875, Wilbur F. Reed was united in
marriage to Miss Ella L. Jacobs, of Kalamazoo.
They have become the parents of two sons: Ernest
and Arthur. Socially, our subject is an Odd Fellow and a Free and Accepted Mason. Mr. Reed
is a thorough master of his trade, as is evidenced
by the condition and systematic arrangement of
everything connected with the engine house. IIe
had naturally a mechanical mind and never was
more at home than when at work on some piece
of machinery. Being thoroughly versed in the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


905


technical systems of mechanical engineering, ais
well as on the practical side of the question, he
makes a most desirable man as Superintendent of
such an important plant as the water system of
the city of Kalamazoo.
Mr. Reed has strong social proclivities and is a
"hail fellow well met," and no more popular man
can be found in the city. Kalamazoo is supplied
with over thirty miles of water main and the cost
of maintaining the department is $10,000 per annum. The number of gallons pumped is two hundred millions per day. They use the direct system, with no reservoir or stand-pipes, and have
four engines-a Holly Quadruplex of one million
capacity, a Worthington Duplex of two millions,
and two Gaskill Compound engines of three millions each.
{I HUBAEL AUSTIN LINCOLN, of Kalamazoo, was born near Chelsea, Vt., May 5,
) 1805, which was the fifth day of the fifth
month of the fifth year in the nineteenth
century, and he is the fifth child in a family of
twelve children. Two brothers of the name of
Lincoln came from England to America and were
the founders of the family in this country. One
settled in Connecticut, the other in Kentucky, and
from the latter Abraham Lincoln was descended.
Shlubael Lincoln, father of our subject, was born
on the 6th of March, 1770, in Connecticut and
spent his boyhood on his father's farm. He became an expert mechanic, and, in the year 1825,
emigrated to the Western Reserve in Ohio, locating in Lake County, where he made his home until his death. He was killed by the fall of a tree
in Ashtabula County, January 30, 1835. His wife,
whose maiden name was Mary Ellis, was born in
New Hampshire, April 25, 1775, and when a young
maiden went with her family to near Chelsea, Vt.
Some years after her marriage, March 21, 1793, they
removed to Grand Isle County, Vt. She survived
her husband some years and died in Kalamazoo,
September 19, 1854, her remains being interred in
Mt. Hope Cemetery.
The subject of this sketch remained under the


parental roof until he attained his majority, and
in connection with his father built and operated
a mill near Chariton, Ohio. He is numbered among
the pioneers of Kalamazoo of 1838. After locating here, lie carried on a store for about three years
as a partner of his brother Horatio, when lie became Deputy Sheriff under John Parker and for
two years had charge of the jail. We next find
him engaged in keeping a hotel and the stage station in Texas Township,where he purchased a farm,
making his home thereon for two years. Returning on the expiration of that period to Kalamazoo,
he formed a partnership with David Burrell in the
manufacture of wagons, in which line of trade lie
continued for eight years, after which lie turned
his attention to the real-estate business and also
built a store on Church Street.   The grocery
trade also engrossed his time and attention for
some years, and lie again served as Deputy Sheriff
under George Rix.   In 1874, lie purchllased his
home, which is situated on a four-acre tract of
ground on a hill near the asylum and commands
a fine view of the entire city. In connection with
this, he also owns a fine fruit farm of nine acres
and a number of houses which he rents. *
In Chariton, Ohio. June 15, 1824, Mr. Lincoln
was united in marriage to Janet Starr, who died
ten years later, and, September 14, 1846, in New
Castle, Pa., he married Mrs. Cynthia Somerville, nee
Brown. She was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio,
and for more than forty-five years they have traveled life's journey together. By his first marriage
three children were born: Horatio, now residing
in California; Julia, who became the wife of James
Kelly, died in Piersons, Mich., in 1887; and.Carlos
D., telegraph operator and station agent at Pottersville, Mich. The children of the second marriage
are Ellen, Emily, Marietta and Austin, all of whom
are yet at home.
Formerly, Mr. Lincoln was a Whig in political
sentiment and cast his first Presidential vote for
John Q. Adams but since the organization of the
Republican party has been one of its stanch supporters. Ile is a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln, whom he met white making a speech in Kalazoo. Religiously, he belongs to the Congregational
Church, which he joined in 1842. Mr. Lincoln is






906


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


a genial gentleman and an entertaining conversationalist. He and his family are well and favorably known throughout the community where they
have resided for so many years, he having been a
resident of Kalamazoo City and county for a half
century.
+:zzz:+r=z4+   /:
-




_ +E__+=___




E    PHRAIM T. MILLS, Treasurer of the Kalamazoo Publishing Company, was born in
Ann Arbor, this State, February 13, 1830.
His father, SylvesterW., removed in 1826 from his
home in New York to Ann Arbor, and five years
later came to Kalamazoo County and engaged in
the mercantile business at Richland. A partnership formed with Mumford Eldred continued until 1839, when he removed to Verona, Calhoun
County, and was in a mercantile business there
with Jeremiah Teed until 1.841, when he went back
to Richland and from there to Galesburgh, March 1,
1843. In 1844, he built a gristmill with David Ford
and under the firm name of S. W. Mills & Sons,
engaged in merchandising. -Removing in 1859 to
Chicago, he was foreman in a machine shop until
his death, in 1863, at the age of fifty-four.
The marriage of Sylvester W. Mills and Louisa
Terry took place in Ann Arbor, in 1828. The
bride, who was a native of Connecticut, accompanied her parents to Michigan at an early day
and spent the greater part of her life in the State,
dying at Benton Harbor, at her daughter's home,
in 1886, at the advanced age of seventy-seven.
Her mortalremains lie in the cemetery at Galesburgh, by the side of her husband's. Two of their
five children died in infancy. The youngest sister,
Ellen L., married N. J. Eldred, of Benton Harbor,
where she now resides.
William T., only brother of our subject, and now
a resident of Benton Harbor, enlisted during the
late war in the first company from Kalamazoo,
under Colonel Dwight May, and was discharged
for disability but soon after re-enlisted in the Sixteenth Regimental Band and served througout the
entire war. He was struck with paralysis and for
two years was unable to sit up, but finally re

covered. IIe became blind through injuries received while in service.
Our subject, as soon as he was old enough to be
of assistance to his father, clerked in his store, becoming a partner when he was twenty-one and
continuing in that connection until 1859. In 1860,
he was elected County Registrar at a special election (the regular candidate having died of heart
disease) and was twice re-elected, serving for six
years. In 1867, in company with L. B. Kendall,
lie bought a milling business at Kendall Station,
twenty miles from Kalamazoo, and together they
operated a sawmill and stave factory for three years
with great success.
In 1869, Mr. Mills went to Kansas City and was
connected with A. L. Mason, formerly of Galesburgh, in a steam cracker factory, which, unfortunately, was burned ten days after being established
but was rebuilt at once. In 1873, lie became Assistant Cashier and Paymaster of the Leavenworth,
Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, with headquarters
at Lawrence, Kan., and held the position until he
returned to Kalamazoo in 1875. Here lie became
connected with tile Kalamazoo Publishing Company, and for seven years was Assistant Postmaster
under L. B. Kendall, having entire charge of the
postoflice on account of Mr. Kendall's absence
from the city a good deal of the time. The office
under his supervision had the reputation of being
the best managed of any in the State.
November 28, 1854, Mr. Mills was married to
Miss Helen L.. daughter of Roswell Ransom, and a
niece of the ex-Governor. Mrs. Mills was born in
1836, at Galesburgh, where her father settled in
1831, and was the third of seven children, six of
whom survive. Her father, a native of Vermont,
was a merchant and miller of Galesburgh, and died
there in November, 1877, aged seventy-five. Icer
mother, whose maiden name was Loretta Shafter,
was a daughter of Gen. William R. Shafter, an exmember of the Vermont Legislature, and is now
making her home with a daughter, Mrs. A. J.
Burdick, at Kalamazoo.
A brother of Mrs. Ransom, Hon. Oscar L. Shafter, was Judge of the Supreme Court of California,
and when the two brothers were together had
ninety thousand acres of land and the largest dairy




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


907


in the world, owning four thousand cows. Another
brother, Judge James M. M., is a wealthy ranchman, of San Francisco.  He has twelve hundred
milch cows and has twenty-six thousand acres in his
ranch.
Mr. and Mrs. Mills are the parents of six children,
three of whom grew to maturity. Glen W. resides
at Jackson, and is one of the firm in the music
house of S. B. Smith & Company; Frank R., an
actor in the Alcazar Stock Company Theater at
San Francisco, promises to be a future star of the
stage, and has already received many flattering
press notices; Mamie E., the only daughter, resides
at home.
Although a Republican, Mr. Mills is not a partisan. Ile  was reared  in the  Congregational
Church, but is not now connected with any religious organization, although his belief tends to that
of the Unitarian Church.
-, —"-4(~      fS/ ' ---,
) ORACE M. PECK. We are pleased to give
f   in our list of the best citizens of Kalama7  zoo the old pioneers and prominent business men, and we therefore take special
pleasure in presenting to our readers the name of
Horace M. Peck. He was born      in Litchfield
County, Conn., in the town of Watertown, August
7, 1814, and is the second in order of birth of a
family of three children born to Benjamin M. and
Salima (Atwood)Peck, also natives of Connecticut.
Deacon Benjamin Peck was a very prominent
agriculturist in the Nutmeg State and for several
years took second premium for his neat and wellcultivated estate. The Pecks were of Scotch descent and the parents of our subject were members
of the Congregational Church. The original of
this sketch attended the common schools of his
native town and assisted his father in clearing and
improving the home ftirm until reaching his majority.
Horace M. Peck came to Michigan in 1836
where he remained for a short time and then returned to Connecticut. In the spring of 1838, he
again made the Wolverine State his hole, this
time locating in the village of Yorkville. I-e later


improved a good farm where he made his home
for the live succeeding years and then came to
Richland Township and carried on general farming. Iie made a specialty of sheep-raising and
assisted other farmers in starting their flocks. Mr.
Peck has done a great deal of pioneer work in
this county. HIe also carried on a brokerage business. His home place consisted of two hundred
acres which he placed under most excellent cultivation and improved with all the buildings necessary for the carrying on of a first-class farm. He
continued to cultivate his farm until October, 1869
when he moved into the then village of Kalamazoo, where he has since made his home.
Mr. Peck, in company with Charles Dayton, C.
H. Hall and Col. F. W. Cortenius organized the
Kalamazoo Savings Bank. Ile was made its Vicepresident, which position lie continued to hold until 1889, when his failing health caused him to
sever his connection with the institution. He
still owns his beautiful farm in Richland Township,
which nets him a fine income.
July 4, 1838, he of whom  we write and Miss
Amelia B. Barnes, of Yorkville, Mich., were united
in marriage. Mrs. Peck is the daughter of Tillotson and Clarissa (Byington) Barnes, natives of
Litchfield County, Conn. Mrs. Peck was born in
Camden, Oneida County, N.Y. By her union with
our subject six children have been born, four sons
and two daughters, namely: Susan C.; Iorace B.;
Frances S., who is the wife of J. C. Burrows, present
member of Congress from this district; Herbert, a
capitalist, of Minneapolis, Minn.; Charles A., Vicepresident of the City National Bank at Kalamazoo; and Benjamin M., who died in 1876, at
the age of eighteen years.
Mr. Peck has accumulated a large property, having been interested in many of the successful enterprises of the city. He is very liberal with his
means and contributes cheerfully to the support
of churches and all worthy objects. He donated
$1,000 to the Children's Home in this city and
also the large bell on the Presbyterian Church.
He is a large stockholder in the City National
Bank and ranks among the wealthy citizens of the
county. His beautiful residence, which is located
at No. 219 West Cedar Street, is a handsome frame




908


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


structure, tastefully furnished throughout and
bears evidence of the refinement and culture of its
inmates. The kindly nature of Mr. and Mrs. Peck
leads them to make life pleasant for others, and
their influence in the community is always for
good.
NAMES E. SELKIRK, who resides upon his
farm on section  13, Hopkins Township,
Allegan County, is a representative of one
of the most prominent pioneer families of
this locality and one that has been identified with
the history of the county since its earliest days.
His grandfather, Jereumiah Selkirg (for such was
the original spelling of the name), was a native of
New York and served in the Revolutionary War
as Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Gen. Washington.
He died at the age of ninety-seven years, six
months and eleven days and was buried in the
family cemetery at Selkirk Lake.
The father of our subject, James Selkirk, Sr.,
was born in New York in 1790, and married Hannah Gunn, who was born in Connecticut, in October, 1806. By trade he was a cabinet-maker. In
early life, he made long voyages on the Atlantic,
visiting England and Scotland, and in the latter
country took the Thirty-third Degree of Masonry.
He served with Napoleon on the high seas and participated in several naval engagements. He was
an ordained minister of the Methodist Church, but
in later life changed his views and was ordained
an Episcopal clergyman by Bishop Onderdonk, of
New York. In 1835, he emigrated to Niles, Mich.,
where he served as pastor for three years. The
church was too poor to afford an organ, so he set to
work to make one, constructing pipes and all, and
tuned it.
Subsequently, the Rev. Mr. Selkirk was appointed
missionary to the Ottawa Indians and located
ground on what is now the banks of Selkirk Lake,
in Wayland Township, Allegan County. The Indians were then under their chief, Sagenaw. He
labored with them for twenty-one years, and to
support his family carried on farming. His life
was one of sacrifice, but the world is surely better


for his having lived. In politics, he was a stanch
l)emocrat and was a prominent Mason, belonging to
Carson Lodge, of Detroit. He had studied medicine and practiced considerably in an early day
here.
The name of Rev. Mr. Selkirk is inseparably connected with the history of this county, for he was
among its honored founders. He died October 5,
1877, and his remains were interred in the family
cemetery. His wife passed away May 24, 1890.
By his first marriage, he had three children, two of
whom are now living. Four children were born
of the second union, but our subject is the only
one who now survives. One brother, Jeremiah,
was killed by an Indian, at Crow Wing, Minn., in
1858, at the age of twenty-four.
The yongest brother, Charles C., acquired a superior education and partially fitted himself for
the Episcopal ministry. He is said to have been
the most proficient Indian interpreter in the
United States. He was thoroughly acquainted
with several Indian tongues, and at the age of sixteen was interpreter to J. L. Breck, missionary
among the Ojipawa Indians in Minnesota. While
there a plan was formed to murder him and the missionaries. The Indian chief, Hail-in-the-Day, sent
two braves to commit the deed, but a sub-chief,
Crow Feather, informed the white traders, who thus
interfered. While among the Leach Lake Indians,
James E. and Charles E. Selkirk were attacked.
One Indian stood over the brother with uplifted
tomahawk, but our subject stood with a revolver,
which intimidated the Indian and he thus saved
his brother's life. Charles C. returned to his home
in Michigan and died while teaching an Indian
school at Point Water, November 19, 1860, at the
age of twenty-two years and eleven months. On
another occasion aside from those already mentioned, a band of one hundred and fifty Indians
passed the night in the Selkirk log cabin.
The subject of this sketch was born March 4,
1832, in Pompey Township, Onondaga County, N.
Y. Few have had the wild experience, which was
his lot in early life. The Indians were his playmates in boyhood, and he made such use of their
language that his father had to send him to school
in Kalamazoo to re-learn the English tongue. At






77777I, -:   77
SELf~IRK'S CLOCK<
PUM PING MOTOR.


(T 2 — &




I.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  11                        I.    I    ..                                                                                                                                                I


OLD GRISWOLD M 1551ION PROPrERTY OF JAMES E.3ELKIRK, SEC..eg,\NAYLAND7P, ALLLGAN CO.,.1
M ICH IGAN.


-.                                                      it




Will


RESIDENCE OF J. B. BREEDSEC.8.,ALMENA TR )VAN BU REN CO.JM.ICH.




-    - I -.- I -  - - I   I I  -




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


911


twenty years, he left home, going to New York,
where he learned the process of making daguerreotypes. IIe then carried on a gallery in Tappantown, N. Y., one summer, after which lie returned
to Kalamazoo, Mich., where lie worked at his trade
for Schuyler Baldwin. He then traveled in Mlinnesota until his marriage and was taking views in
the neighborhood of Lake Itasca when that event
occurred,
The marriage of Mr. Selkirk and Miss Henrietta
E. Legg was celebrated in July, 1860. She was
born in New York, September 4, 1839, and is a
daughter of Alfred and Maria (Manley) Legg, of
the Empire State. The death of her father occurred in 1842, and her mother died in 1869, at
the age of fifty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Selkirk
began their domestic life upon the old homestead
on the mission grounds, there residing until about
eight years ago, when he purchased eighty acres of
land on section 13, Hopkins Township, his present
farm. IHowever, he still owns one hundred and
sixty-six acres of the old homestead. Ile carried
on general farming until two years ago, since which
time he has been constructing an invention which
embodies tile idea of pumping water from wells
without the use of windmills. IIe has just completed the machine, which is called the Clock Pumping Motor, has had it patented and expects to
place it on the market in the spring of 1892. It
has many admirable qualities and will doubtless
have a ready sale. A view of this motor and also of
the residence of Mr. Selkirk will be noticed on another page.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Selkirk were born three children: Addie B., now the wife of B. McDermott,
who resides in Elmira, Mich., with his wife and
child; Charles E,, who operates the old homestead,
married Jennie Kelley, by whom lie has two sons;
Lulu is the youngest of the family. The parents
are well and favorably known throughout this
community and rank high in social circles, while
their own home is the abode of hospitality. Mr.
Selkirk is a Master Mason, and has held nearly all
the offices in the Blue Lodge. He also belongs to
several farmer societies and in politics is a Democrat. A man of more than ordinary ability, he
has won for himself an enviable position and has


the high regard of all with whom he has been
brought in contact. His life has been a varied
one-his childhood spent among the Indians, his
early manhood in travel, his more mature years in
farming and now, in his later life, he has turned
his attention to invention.
I OSIIUA B. BREED. This gentleman is one
of the well-known and representative farmers of Almena    Township, Van Buren
County. The origin of this family in Amerrica is centered in Allan Breed, who came from
Southampton, England, to America in 1630, and
from  him the present family is descended. The
grandfather of our subject, Nathaniel Breed, was
born at Cape Cod, Mass., and a son of Nathaniel,
also of Cape Cod. The former was married to
Elizabeth Whitcomb, and they had eleven children.
The father of our subject was the youngest in
the family circle, and was born'September 10, 1800,
in New Iampshire. The mother of our subject
was Nancy (Bangs) Breed, born April 18, 1806.
They were married in Monroe County, N. Y., in
1825, and the husband was engaged in farming
and mercantile business. They came to Michigan
in 1835 to live, Mr. Breed having been here two
years before. They located in Columbia Township,
where Breedsville now is. There our subject erected
a sawmill and was one of the first settlers. A few
years later, lie moved to Antwerp Township, near
Paw Paw, and settled on a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres. After moving several times, in 1850
he came to Almena Township, and made a permanent home on section 7. He died in 1876.
The parental family included the following five
children: Stillman F., Jonathan II., Joshua B., and
Albert T., Phoebe Ann, deceased. The mother of
this family died in 1839, and the father took for
his second wife, in 1841, Mary Ann Miller, now
deceased. She bore him three children: Nancy M.,
Mary E. and Silas A. The father was a Deacon
for fifty years in the Free-will Baptist Church and
was the main stay in the church. He was a Whig
and afterward a Republican in his political affiliations. He helped to organize the township, and


42




9122


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


was Supervisor for seventeen years, also Supervisor
of Antwerp Township, holding the office of Iighway Commissioner here, and taking a lively interest
in schools. He was a strong temperance man.
Our subject is the fourth child, born July 5,
1835, in Monroe County, N. Y. IHe came to Michigan when a baby with his parents, and received
his education here. Iis brothers, Stillman F. and
Jonathan H., received splendid educations, the
former a graduate of Hillsdale College, studied for
the ministry, also law and medicine. He moved to
California, and is practicing medicine there. Jonathan H. was a student at Hillsdale College, but graduated at the Kalamazoo Business College.
Mr. Breed remained at home until he was twenty-one, and has always been engaged in farming.
He had to begin empty-handed and worked out
on farms for two years. lie then bought a farm
in Waverly Township, in section 12, which he improved. In the year 1858, our subject was married to Hattie Maria Clark, born May 28, 1839, in
Onondaga County, N. Y.    Mrs. Breed is the
daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Skulthorp) Clark,
both natives of England, who came to America in
1836 and settled in New York State. They came
to Michigan in 1848 and settled in this township
on a farm which they improved. She died in 1858,
and he in 1886. Four of their eleven children
arc now living: James, William, Mrs. Breed and
Robert. Mr. Clark, in politics, was a Republican.
Our subject sold out in Waverly Township and
came to this place in 1865 and located on section
17, just across the road from his present farm. Ele
purchased his present farm in 1882, and two years
ago built his present fine brick residence at a cost
of $4,000. The beautiful abode, a view of which
accompanies this sketch, is handsomely finished in
hard-wood and grained; is heated by a furnace and
finished from basement to attic. The exterior of
this palatial residence is adorned with bay windows and balconies, while the interior shows the
taste and culture of the lady who so graciously
presides over it. The chambers are each decorated
in one color, such as blue, red and mahogany. The
artistic staircase and large, fine hallway add greatly
to the attractiveness of the place and contribute
in making it one of the finest homes in the town

ship. Mr. Breed is also the possessor of three
other residences and owns two hundred and eighty
broad acres, of which the most are splendidly improved. He actively carries on his farm himself,
and is a sagacious and enterprising farmer, as his
place testifies.
Mr. and Mrs. Breed are the parents of three children, one deceased. The living are Berdette L.,
born in 1859, married Anna DeLong, and lives on
the home farm. Lester E., born in 1868, resides
at home with his parents. The children have received splendid educations and the father has
been an officer in this school district. I-le is a
member of the Masonic order at Paw Paw, aind
las been for over a quarter of a century. He and his
amiable wife are members of the Paw Paw Grange
and  were formerly    members of the Waverly
Grange. Both have held offices in this society.
In politics, Mr. Breed casts his vote with the
Republican party, and has served his fellow-citizens as Supervisor, Treasurer and Highway Commissioner. HIe helped to establish local option
here. Mr. and Mrs. Breed, with their family, stand
among the best circles in the township, and are
held in respect by all.
ql.@ _ 1- rt


RMSTRONG B. LYSTER.       On the old
Ihomestead in Van Buren County which
his father purchased many years ago, this
gentleman is assiduously performing his
part as one of the thorough-going farmers of
Columbia Townslip. The place comprises a tract
of one hundred and four acres on section 16, and
is embellished with a substantial set of buildings
for the storage of grain and the shelter of stock,
as well as by the commodious residence which
is the abode of the family. As a public-spirited
citizen, obliging neighbor and open-hearted friend,
lie has won a place among the prominent and
representative citizens of the community.
The grandfather of our subject was William J.
Lyster, a Captain in the British army, whose
wife was in maidenhood Miss Martha Hatton, a
daughter of Col. John Hatton, of the British army.
After his marriage, Capt. Lyster settled in his




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


913


native country-Ireland-where he died at the age
of more than four-score. Ile was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church and an upright man.
IHe and his wife had a family of three children,
namely: Armstrong T., father of our subject;
William N., one of the first Episcopal missionaries in Michigan; and Matilda.  The eldest in
the family was born in the Emerald Isle April 3,
1803, and received a splendid education at Trinity College, Ireland. He studied law and engaged
in its practice as well as in the supervision of his
farm of one hundred and seventeen acres.
On October 19, 1848, Armstrong T. Lyster and
his family landed in New York City, having emigrated hither from their native country. They
at once proceeded west to Lenawee County, this
State, where the father purchased one hundred and
forty acres and on the homestead lie there established resided five years. Afterward he sojourned
in Toledo, Ohio, for two years, and was there occupied in the office of the Toledo Blade.  In
March, 1855, he came to Columbia Township, Van
Buren County, and after residing for a few years
on section 16, removed to their present farm, same
section and same township, where he cleared
and improved a farm. His death occurred on
that place September 21, 1876. In religious convictions lie was a member of the Episcopal Church,
while his political belief brought him into affiliation with the Republican party.
The subject of this sketch is one of a large
family of children, of whom the following facts
are noted: Isdell D., who served as First Sergeant
in the Second Michigan Cavalry during the late
war and afterward died in this State; Armstrong
B., who died in Ireland when only six years old;
Gertrude M., now Mrs. Ely; William J., who served
in the First New York Light Artillery and died
in Denver, Col.; Edmund F., now a resident of
Oregon, and who also served in the First New
York Light Artillery; Armstrong B., our subject;
Isabella 11. F., who died when eight; Florence I.,
who passed away at the age of four, and two
others who died in childhood.
The mother of this family bore the maiden
name of Anna Isdell, and was born in County
Mayo, Ireland, while her father was there on duty.


She was one of five children born to Patrick H.
and Anna M. (L'Estrange) Isdell, natives of
County Westmeath, Ireland. Her father was a
Captain in the British army, and the son of
Frank Isdell, a farmer. In County Westmeath,
Ireland, Armstrong B. Lyster was born April 15,
1847, and when little more than one year old
was brought by his parents to the United States.
He passed his youth on the farm where he still
lives, and early gained a practical knowledge of
agriculture. lIe now makes a specialty of peaches
and grapes, in which lie is very successful.
The marriage of Mr Lyster to Miss Mary Isabella Cossar took place February 19, 1871. Mrs.
Lyster was born in Chatham, England, and is the
daughter of Walter and Kate (Lyster) Cossar,
natives, respectively, of Berwickshire, Scotland,
and County Wexford, Ireland. Mr. Cossar entered the British army at nineteen and served in
the Royal Marines as Captain. In 1865, he emigrated to Montreal, Canada, and two years later
came to Chicago, where the family have since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Lyster are the parents of
twelve children, as follows: Martha K., Bessie G.,
Anna F., Edmund B., Mary A., Walter I., Gertrude E., Lizzie E., Florence I., Nona M., Winifred F., and Rowland J. C. The members of the
family find a religious home in the Episcopal
Church and enjoy the esteem of their large circle
of warm personal friends.
G EORGE N. MASON. A beautiful and taste(  ful home, placed in attractive surroundings
and furnished according to the dictates of
a cultured mind, is an educative power in any
community. The "new education" of which we
hear so much nowadays teaches that we learn
through the eye, and that a lesson which is agreeably taught has double force. For that reason we
hold to the truth with which we open this paragraph.
Mr. Mason operates a fine farm on section 32,
Portage Township, Kalamazoo County. He is the
son of John L. and Ruth (Wright) Mason, natives,
respectively, of Massachusetts  and  Schoharie






914


"V71"RTRAIT ANUD BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD,


91      POTATAD  IGAHCA  EOD


County, N. Y. The father was sixteen years of
age when he migrated to Wayne County, N. Y.,
where he met and married the mother of our
subject. He was born in 1800, and died in Marion,
N. Y., in his seventieth year. Mrs. Mason, who was
born in 1804, still survives at an advanced age.
Of the parental family of four sons and seven
daughters, George N. was the seventh child, his
birth occurring in Marion, Wayne County, N. Y.,
January 5, 1836. He was reared on a farm and
given a good education in the common schools of
the neighborhood. When reaching his eighteenth
year, he came West to this county, and in Cooper
Township was engaged in farming and stock-raising for a period of twenty-two years. His first
marriage occurred November 23, 1858, in Cooper
Township, at which time Miss Ellen Delano became
his wife. Mrs. Mason was born in that township,
August 28, 1840, and became the mother of the
following-named four children: Etta, who was the
wife of Frank Young, died in Cooper Township,
August 7, 1888, when twenty-nine years of age;
Jennie, who died when four years of age; Hattie
and Carl. Mrs. Ellen Mason died February 1,
1882.
George N. Mason was a second time married, November 25, 1884, this time to Mrs. Mellissa Nash,
the widow of Horace Nash, who died in Williamson,
Wayne County, N. Y., November 26, 1873. She
had become the mother of one daughter by that
marriage, Jennie E. The maiden name of Mrs.
Mason was Melissa Cogswell, the daughter of William and Eliza Cogswell, residents of Marion, N. Y.,
where she was born, June 14, 1840.
Our subject made his home in Cooper Township
for four years and then removed to Hopkins, Allegan County, in which place lie resided for nineteen months. HIe next removed to Pavilion Township, and after a stay of two years there, came to
Climax Township, this county, where he lived for
three years. Later lie returned to Cooper Township and after making this place his home for
eighteen years, went to Charleston Township. Six
months thereafter, he made the city of Kalamazoo
his abiding place, where he was a resident two
years, at the end of which time he spent a year
and a half in Charleston Township. Again retuln

ing to Kalamazoo, he enjoyed life there for another
six months and, in 1887, settled in Portage Township.
Mr. Mason was the first man to engage in the
wholesale meat business in Kalamazoo. He has
always taken an active part in political affairs, and
is a strong Republican. Socially, he is a Mason,
and for a number of years has been Chairman of
the Township Committee. He has taken an active
part in educational affairs and for fifteen years was
a member of the School Board. Mr. Mason has
always been engaged in farming and stock-raislng
and ranks among the wealthy members of the agricultural community. He owns one hundred and
eighty acres of excellent land which is under thorough cultivation. -He is liberal in his religious
views and, with his estimable wife, is highly esteemed in his community for his excellent qualities
of mind and heart.
OSCAR D. MARTIN is a well-to-do farmer
and stock-raiser on section 36, Lawrence
Township, Van Buren County. His place
consists of eighty acres which he cultivates in a
most profitable manner. He was born in New
York, August 16, 1838, and is the son of 1larry
and Emily (Hungerford) Martin, both of whom
were natives of New York.
Our subject was fifteen years of age when his
parents came West to Michigan, at which time
they located in Waverly Township, Van Buren
County, where the father purchased sixty acres of
land. September 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company
C, Third Michigan Cavalry and joined the Army
of the West. HIe participated in the battles of
New Madrid, Island No. 10, luka, Hudsonville,
Holly Springs, Hopkins Mills, Tallahatchie, Oxford and Coffeeville. He took an active part in all
the battles in which his regiment was engaged and
received his honorable discharge at Arkansas in
October, 1864. He was in the hospital at Hamburg
Landing and at Cincinnati for a short period.
The gentleman of whom we write was married,
April 12, 1865, to Miss Henrietta Smith, of Paw










PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


915


Paw. She was born in Orleans County, N. Y.,
February 6, 1843, and came to Michigan in 1864
from Lorain County, Ohio, whither the family had
removed in 1861. IHer parents were Amos and
Orcelia (Sheldon) Smith, natives of New York.
Mr. Smith died in Ohio in 1861. After his marriage, our subject rented a piece of land and farmed
for about four years, when he took charge of the
old homestead until the death of his parents. IIe
then bought out the heirs and operated the home
farm, which lie sold a few years later and purchased his present estate, moving here in April,
1883.
Our subject and his wife have become the parents of two children: IIarry A., who was born
on the old homestead, December 2,1865, is married
and has two children; Nellie was also born on the
old homestead, May 9, 1866. The son has been
given a fine education, being graduated from the
Lawrence High School and the Agricultural College, receiving his diploma from the latter institution in 1889. He is now engaged in teaching.
The daughter has also been a teacher, having been
employed in Paw Paw.
In politics, Mr. Martin is a Democrat and a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic at
Lawrence.
C     ARRIS B. OSBORNE, M. D., was born in
Sherman, Chautauqua County, N. Y., August 11, 1841. His parents, Platt S. and
(  l Mary A. (Platt) Osborne, were natives of
Kingsbury, Washington County, of the same State.
His maternal grandfather was Nehemiah Platt, for
whom our subject's father was named, he being
an old friend of David Osborne. The Osborne
family traces its ancestry back to the old Norse
conqueror who spelled Iis name "Asjourn." Three
brothers who had emigrated to Alnerica at an early
day were driven from  Long Island and" their
property confiscated on account of their joining
the ranks of the Colonists.
Platt Osborne was a musician in the War of 1812,
and lived to the advanced age of eighty-four years.
He was a merchant and manufacturing tanner.


Our subject worked in his father's tannery until
reaching his sixteenth year, when he started out
as a peddlerof musical instruments and Yankee
notions through Ohio and Illinois, and finally located in Kane County, the latter State. After three
years spent there, lie began the study of medicine
under )Dr. Samuel McNair, of Blackberry, Ill., attending school at Elgin and Aurora until 1861,
when lie entered the State University of Michigan.
After attending there for a period, lie enlisted in
the Third Board of Trade Regiment, at Chicago,
serving in the field in Mississippi and Tennessee.
He passed examination before the Army Board,
and was commissioned Surgeon at Vicksburg, May
9, 1863, and after the fall of that.city was made
Post Surgeon and health officer at that place. Ile
occupied that position until October, 1866, when
the city was turned over to the civil authorities.
In 1866-67, our subject was graduated from
the medical department of the Bellevue Hospital,
New York, and began the practice of his profession
at his old home in Sherman, New York, remaining
there until 1880. In 1874, Dr. Osborne took a
post-graduate course at the New Yoirk College of
Physicians & Surgeons, and, in 1880, came to Ki:lamazoo, thinking the climate would prove beneficial to him as lie was a great sufferer from asthma.
Dr. Osborne enjoys a lucrative practice, and
stands high in the profession. Ile is a member of
the State Medical Society of New York, the American  Medical Association, the  State  Medical
Association of Michigan, and the Association of
Railroad Surgeons of the United States. He is at the
present time Surgeon of the Kalamazoo Division of
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and
is President of the Borgess Hospital Staff. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a stockholder in various manufacturing and business enterprises in
the city.
October 29, 1878, Dr. Osborne was married to
Miss Nettie J. Ames, a native of Rutland, Vt.
She was a teacher in Kaneville, Kane County, Ill.,
at the time of her marriage. The Doctor is a Free
and Accepted Mason, belonging to both Chapter
and Council. I-e was for a number of years member of the Pension Board of Examiners. He is a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He






916


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


has been President of the Chautauqua County
Medical Society. With his wife, he is a member
of the Congregational Church. They make their
home at No. 122 East Lovell Street, where the
Doctor has erected a handsome, modern brick residence.
}    LON. A. J. SHAKESPEARE.       Foremost
among the newspapers of Southern Michigan stands the Kalamazoo Gazette, which
is one of the most popular and influential
journals in this section of the country. Not only
is it a welcome guest to many homes, but it has
always been effective in molding public sentiment
and advancing the interests of the city, politically
and socially. When any measure is brought forward which is calculated to promote the welfare of
the community, it finds a stanch friend in the editor of the Gazette, who is alike courageous in battling against unjust and illegal measures, and firm
in advocating what is right and true.
Mr. Shakespeare, who is owner and editor of
the Gazette, is f native of Ohio and was born in
Paris Township, Portage County, January 13, 1839.
When about four years old, he was brought by his
parents to Michigan, remaining for two years in
Yorkville, Kalamazoo County, and then accompanying the family to a wild, unimproved farm
in Richland Township. In 1848, a final removal
was made to what was then the unimportant village of Kalamazoo, and here, within a week after
the arrival of the family, the father was taken ill
and died.
At the age of thirteen, our subject entered the
office of the Gazette as an apprentice, serving four
years, and later, working during the summer as a
journeyman and attending college in winter. For
one year he was employed on the Chicago morning papers and in 1860 returned to Kalamazoo to
take charge of the Gazette, while the proprietor
spent the year in Europe. He then purchased the
Niles Democrat which he conducted for nine and
one-half years with marked success. In 1870, he
bought the Gazette which he still owns and publishes. During the more than twenty years in


which he has been proprietor of this paper, he has
increased its size from a four-page to a twelve-page
weekly, and has also established an eight-page
daily, which is one of the leading organs of the
Democratic party in Michigan.
For more than thirty years, our subject has
served as delegate to almost every county, Congressional and State convention, and was also delegate to the Democratic National Convention held
in Cincinnati in 1880. In 1885, he was appointed
Postmaster of Kalamazoo, and held that responsible position for four years and six months, until a
change in the administration was made. HIis
course in life, both as a business man and citizen,
has been such as to command the respect of all with
whom he has been brought in contact, and while
he stands especially high in the regard of those of
his own political belief, yet he maintains to a
marked degree the esteem of those whose political
affiliations are not the same as his own.
H A R L E S CARROLL CURTENIUS, the
present capable Street Commissioner of
Kalamazoo, is a native of Glenn Falls, Warren County, N. Y., where he had his birth November 23, 1835. He is the second-born of his father's
first family. He received his education in the district school and the Baptist College of Kalamazoo.
IIe remained on his father's old farm in Kalamazoo Township, and in the year 1864 came into possession of the farm  himself. It is situated three
miles northwest of the city of Kalamazoo, on the
Grand Prairie. One hundred and ten acres comprise the estate on which Mr. Curtenius carried on
farming until April, 1889, when he removed to
the city of Kalamazoo.
The worthy subject of this notice was married,
January 28, 1862, to Miss Phebe Smith, a daughter of C. B. and Ellen (Bour) Smith. She is a
native of England, where her parents were farmers.
Her father died in Kalamazoo in 1889. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Curtenius:
Edward F., and Elizabeth E. who resides with her
parents. Edward is carrying on the farm.
Mr. Curtenius was elected Supervisor of Kala



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


917


mazoo Township in 1885 and served until 1889.
He has held many other township offices, and is
now Street Commissioner of the city, appointed in
the spring of 1891. The most of his attention is
given to the supervision of his farm. In his political views, lie affiliates with the Republican party
and is quite active in conventions. Mr. and Mrs.
Curtenius have a pleasant home at No. 436 West
Dutton Street, where the family command the respect of the entire community.
IT9 DWIN MARTIN. This well-known citizen
of Kalamazoo was born in Castile, Gene- ~    see County(now part of Wyoming County),
N. Y., November 24, 1828. Iis parents, Zala and
Lucretia (Harwood) Martin, were natives respectively of New York and Connecticut, the father
being engaged as a manufacturer of plows in the
Empire State, also managing a hotel and conducting farming operations. In 1837, he removed to
Virginia and several years afterward died at
Forestville, Md.
In 1860, the widow and orphaned children returned to New York, where Edwin engaged in the
mercantile business at Hindsburg, Orleans County,
until 1865. During the following year, he came
to Michigan and with his mother located at Paw
Paw. He was also accompanied by his sister Charlotte M., the widow of Horace Nichols, formerly
of Forestville, Md.  She now resides in Detroit, the mother having died in Paw Paw about
1880.
For some years Mr. Martin engaged in the sawmill business fourteen miles north of Paw Paw; lie
also conducted a meat market in the village and
later carried on a hardware store for fourteen
years under the firm name of Free & Martin  This
firm owned one-third interest in the Toledo &
South Haven Railroad, being among its incorporators, and Mr. Martin being Treasurer of the Company. The firm also purchased the old Paw Paw
Railroad of four miles and changed it to a narrow
gauge road, incorporating it with the Toledo &
South Haven Railroad.
In 1886, Mr. Martin disposed of both his rail

road and hardware interests and one year later
removed to Kalamazoo, where he has a pleasant
home at No. 325 S. Burdick Street. He was married, October 14, 1851, at Murray, N. Y., to Miss
Mary G. Thomas, who died in Paw Paw, February
5, 1884. She had two children, one of whom died
in infancy; the other, Clara M., is now Mrs.
George G. Bogue, of Detroit. Mr. Martin contracted a second alliance, choosing as his wife the
widow of Alexander Buell, whose maiden name
was Cornelia M. Granger.
Mrs. Martin is the daughter of David and Lucy
(Canfield) Granger, natives of Sandisfield, Mass.,
and is of English descent, her grandfather, Elihu
Granger, having emigrated from Sheffield to this
country. Her parents took up Government land
in Jefferson County. N. Y., and there resided
forty years. January 23, 1850, Cornelia was married to Charles M. Curtis, a merchant at Sackett's
Harbor, who in 1857 embarked inl the mercantile
business at Paw Paw. One year later, he engaged
as a nurseryman, in which he continued until his
death in April, 1863.
October 28, 1869, the widow was married to
Alexander Buell. whose death entailed upon her
extensive business interests.  She is a shrewd,
careful, business woman. She became thle wife of
Mr. Martin, September 6, 1887, and in their pleasant home, amid happy surroundings, they are
wont to entertain their extensive circle of friends.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Martin have a large development of social qualities and are welcome guests in
gatherings where sparkling wit and easy repartee
are found. Politically, Mr. Martin is a Democrat.
Mrs. Martin is a member of St. Luke's Episcopal
Church.
1 OIIN ANDERSON CAMPBELL, a resident
at No. 322 Henrietta Street, Kalamazoo, is
by trade a contractor and builder. He was
born in Glasgow, Scotland, November 11,
1833, to Henry and Mary (Anderson) Campbell.
Our subject served some time with a firm of ship
builders on the Clyde and after a short time went
to Ireland, where he was married in Belfast, Au





918


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


gust 15, 1854, to Miss Jane Miller, a native of the
same place as our subject. She was born September 30, 1834, to John and Jane (Smith) Miller, and
had moved to Ireland with her parents four years
before her marriage. Mr. Miller was in the nursery business at Belfast.
The day of the marriage of our subject, the
young couple set sail for America from Liverpool,
and after a voyage of twenty-eight days' duration
they landed in New York City. A brother of Mrs.
Campbell came with them, and a Maj. Sanford, of
Durhamville, Oneida County, N. Y., a tanner, hired
them all, and with him they remained a year. From
there they went to Toronto, Canada, and after a
stay of one y(ar at that place journeyed to near
Gait and cleared a farm, residing thereon until
1873.
In the last year given, our subject and his family came to Kalamazoo County. Another brother
of Mrs. Campbell had located here and engaged in
carriage manufacturing. Our subject had expected
to go South, but instead was engaged as carpenter
in the manufactory, where he worked only one
year, at the expiration of which time he journeyed
to Austin, Tex. Mr. Campbell remained in the
Lone Star State only one winter, when he decided
to return to Kalamazoo and remain here. Iis work
since that time has been contracting and building on
his own account, and he has in his employ from ten
to thirty men nearly all the time. Hle has erected
a number of large schoolhouses and the better class
of dwellings, store-houses, etc. His business at
times ranges from $30,000 to $50,000 annually,
and besides his contracting business he is interested
to some extent in real estate. In his political
views, Mr. Campbell votes for the man, irrespective of party, in the local elections, but in National
affairs is a stanch Democrat. The Presbyterian
faith was that in which he was reared, but he is
now associated with that of the Congregationalists.
To Mr. Campbell and his estimable wife the followingchildren have been born: Marion, Mrs. D.
N. White, whose husband    is a merchant at
Petoskey; Jane married Anthony Taylor, of Kalamazoo; Henry is a ranchman on the Upper Elk
River, in Routt County, Col.; William is a salesman for a Chicago House; Isabelle is at home;


Elizabeth, who is a graduate of the High School,
is a teacher in the Lake Street public school; Mary
is an artist and resides at home; James is with the
Gilmore Bros., merchants of Kalamazoo; and Jessie, who is attending the High School, lives at
home. The honored parents of these children are
popular, pleasant and upright people and in their
comfortable home a gracious hospitality is dis-'
pensed.
O///   ORNELIUS MASON, a representative pioneer of Kalamazoo County, has been a resident here since 1825, at which time lie
accompanied his parents to Richland Township,
coming from Connecticut by lake and canal to Detroit, and making the remainder of the journey
by ox-team and wagon. Our subject is a son of
Edwin and Clarissa (Johnson) Mason, natives of
Connecticut. The paternal grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and he was also born in Connecticu t.
The father settled in this township and county
in the year above mentioned and took up land
which was only partly covered with timber, the
rest being natural prairie. The family, of course,
had to endure the usual hardships and privations
common to pioneer life. Four of the family of
children born to the parents of our subject are still
living: Maria, the wife of John Nevins; Betsey,
the wife of Frank Storms; Cornelia, who married
Martin Olmstead, and our subject, Cornelius. The
father is among the venerable and honored pioneers of Richland Township, and is now in his
eighty-ninth year.
The subject of this notice is a native of Litchfield County, Conn., where he was born, September
29, 1822. He was reared and educated in this
county amid scenes of pioneer life, choosing farming as his life vocation. He has seen this county
converted into flourishing cities and fertile farms
and he himself has cleared over two hundred
acres of timber land, on which he carries on general
farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Mason was united in marriage, in 1851, to




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RESIDENCE OF CORNELIUS MASON, SEC. 3,RICHLAND TP,KALAMAZOO CO., MICH.
f^- ^ 1 - 1:? ^ ^*l~l*j                     l.. ^^


i


RESI DENCE & FARM PROPERTY OF MARION MEAD, SEC.l., CHARLESTON TF.,KALAMAZOO CO.,MICH.




4






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


921


Frances Slater who bore him six children, of whom
five survive, namely: Grace, the wife of Conrad
Miller; Ida, the wife of Oscar Barnes; Edwin S.;
Bertie, and Edith, who is the wife of Charles
Granger. Minnie is the name of the deceased
child. Mr. Mason's second marriage took place January 13, 1885, this wife being Mrs. Margaret
Gibson, the widow of II. A. Gibson, of Kalamazoo
County. She was born in this county, April 30,
1850, and is a daughter of Alexander (deceased)
and Eva Jackson.   The mother now resides in
Barry County, and is a native of Ohio; the father
was a native of Vermont. When about eight years
old, Mrs. Mason's father died and the mother was
married to William Scott, who is also deceased.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Mason has been blessed
by the advent of one son, Bruce, who is attending
school.
Mr. Mason is a member of the Presbyterian
Church, while the faith of his wife is in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are active members of society. In politics, the vote of Mr. Mason
is cast with the Republican body. tie is known
as one of the most skillful hunters in this part of
the State, and has hunted more or less during his
whole life. Hie killed many deer when he first
came here near his own door, but now has to go
to Northern Michigan to find game. Ile is also
very fond of fishing.
On another page of this volume appears a view
of the homestead of Mr. Mason.
/    ARION MEAl), coming of the old pioneer
stock of Kalamazoo County, and belonging
/  to one of its well-known families, has himself materially contributed to its growth,
and is to-day one of the most successful and
wealthy farmers. He has large farming interests
here and elsewhere, besides other valuable property,
and his home on his farm on section 1, Charleston Township, is a very pleasant abode, the center
of true comfort and genuine hospitality.
Mr. Mead is one of the native-born sons of
Michigan, his birth taking place May 6, 1836, near
Grass Lake, in Washtenaw County. His father,


Thomas Mead, who was born in 1804, came to
Michigan in 1833, when in the full flush of early
manhood, and took up Government land in Washtenaw County. Three years later, he sold that
place, and, coming to Kalamazoo County, he purchased one hundred and forty-eight acres of land
in Charleston Township, and was among the first
settlers of this vicinity. He moved with his family
into a log cabin that he had erected, and while lihe
dwelt here he did good pioneer work, and was
greatly respected as a man and as a citizen. His
last days were passed in Battle Creek Township,
where he died in May, 1878. HIe was a well-known
figure in the early history of this county. He
kept a breaking team, and he broke land where the
city of Battle Creek now stands. HI-e was a sound
Democrat, and was well posted in political matters.
IHe was also well informed in history, and was as
conversant with the Bible as many a minister, although he was not a church member. He had a
broad, tolerant mind, and was liberal in his religious views, and generous in contributing of his
means to churches, or to anything that would in
any way prove beneficial to the public.
The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden
name of Fanny Bloom, was a native of Tompkins
County, N. Y. She was reared within six miles of
Ithaca, and died in 1886. Four sons and four daughters were born of her marriage, all but one of whom
grew to maturity, and six of whom are now living:
Christina, the widow of Henry Eberstein, and a
resident of Battle Creek; Marion; William, who
resides on section 1, Charleston Township; George
W., a resident of Battle Creek; Mary, the wife of
James McDonald, of Kalamazoo; and Almira, a
resident of Battle Creek. IHenry B. and Almeda
are the names of those deceased.
Marion Mead, of whom we write, is the second
son and third child of the family. He was two
years old when his parents came from Washtenaw
County to this county. His first schooling was
obtained in Bedford Township, Calhoun County,
in a private house. The next school that he attended was partly in Kalamazoo County and partly
in Calhoun County, and his education was completed in Bedford Township. He remained an inmate of the parental home until he attained his




922


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


majority, and in the meantime was thoroughly
grounded in all that pertains to agriculture. He
was only ten years old when he began to drive
oxen to help his father break sod. At the age of
twenty-one, he started out for himself, and worked
four years with a threshing machine. He had no
money, but he had a better capital in his strength,
capability for work and clear brain.
After his marriage, in the summer of 1860, Mr.
Mead took up his residence on the northeast corner of Charleston Township, and entered actively
upon the pioneer task of developing a farm, building the first house and barn on the place, and
otherwise improving it during the fifteen years
that he stayed thereon. At the end of that time,
he removed to the farm that he now occupies on
the same section. This comprises one hundred
and eighty-eight acres of very fertile land, which
is under fine cultivation, is neatly fenced, well
drained, and supplied with all the modern improvements and machinery necessary to carry on
agriculture in a proper manner. In 1875, he erected,
at a cost of $3,000, a commodious residence, two
stories in height, a view  of which accompanies
this sketch. He has roomy, conven iently arranged
barns, and in all respects his farm is a model. He
still retains his first farnl on this section, which
contains one hundred and twenty acres, and is
provided with a good dwelling house, a barn and
other necessary buildings. He also has a valuable
farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Battle
Creek Township, which he bought eight years ago,
and on which is a neat house and two good barns.
Besides this, he has valuable property in the city of
Battle Creek, and he is numbered among our most
substantial citizens.
A resident of this county for more than half a
century, the name of Mr. Mead is indissolubly
connected with the history of its growth. He is a
fine type of our self-made men, his steadfast courage, persistent industry, and far-seeing business
tact, together with his adherence to right principles and correct habits, making his life a success,
where a man of less stamina might have failed. As
a good citizen should, he takes an intelligent interest in politics, having a clear understanding of the
various issues of the day, and favors the Demo

cratic party, but does not let that interfere with
his voting for the candidate whom he considers
best fitted for the office, without regard to party
ties. He has mingled in the public life of the
township as an incumbent of various local offices.
Our subject went to New York for his bride,
and was there married, in Ontario County, June 27,
1860, to Miss Electa Roy, the second daughter and
fourth child of William and Harriet (Harris) Roy.
Mrs. Mead was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario
County, N. Y., August 28, 1842. Her father was
a native of that county, while her mother was born
in Dutchess County, the same State. The father
of Mr. Harris was from Scotland, and the father
of Mrs. Harris was a native of Dutchess
County.   Mrs. Mead was reared in her native
place, and besides receiving a careful home training, was given a good education at Lyons, in
Wayne County, her native State. She was thus
early fitted for the profession of teacher, and
taught from the time she was fifteen years old until
her marriage. Her marriage with our subject has
been a congenial union,and has brought them two
children: Estella, wife of E. R. Cowles, a traveling
man, with his residence at Battle Creek; and Mabel, who is attending school at Battle Creek.
''    * —2             ~ — *  H'-b
MASA M. BROWN. By means of perseverance and energy, Mr. Brown has become
well known as one of the most successful
(      farmers of Columbia Township, Van Buren
County. He owns and operates a fine tract of
land, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, and
upon his farm has an attractive residence, besides
the numerous farm buildings necessary to the
proper management of the place. His upright life
not only sustains, but even advances, the honorable
name made by his forefathers, who were early settlers of Michigan and contributed not a little to
the development of its vast resources.
The grandfather of our subject, Amos Brown,
was for many years a farmer in his native State,
Vermont, whence he removed to Monroe County,
N. Y., and later came West to Van Buren County,
this State, in 1835. He settled on section 32, Co



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIHICAL RECORD.


923


-- -----—  —` --- —I- -^- ---1 --- 111 --- —---
--


lumbia Township, entering from the Government
one hundred and sixty acres and residing upon
that place until death called him hence. Of his
first marriage eight children were born, namely:
Amasa M., a physician in Vermont; Amos S., Jesse
R., Lyman, Wells G., Eliza, Sarah and Minerva, all
of whom married and reared families. The second
marriage of Grandfather Brown was childless.
Vermont was the native State of Wells G. Brown,
father of our subject, and thence he accompanied
his parents to New York, later coming with them
to Michigan. The journey hither was made by
way of the lakes to St. Joseph, from which place
they came overland to Columbia Township. Although lle had no money with which to gain a
start in life, he possessed abundant courage, unremitting industry and a seemingly inexhaustible
fund of energy, and with these qualifications for
capital, it is not strange that success crowned his
efforts. The greater part of his life was passed in
Columbia Township, where he died September 2,
1879. His father's estate had been divided among
the heirs in 1860, and the one hundred and sixty
acres which he received for his share was traded
for a body of land of the same size, located on
section 32.
Besides cultivating that place, Mr. Brown, Sr.,
supervised a mill in Breedsville, which lie built in
company with George IHannsih, and in which he
owned a one-half interest. lie possessed the various qualifications which adapt one for public offices,
and his fellow-citizens, realizing that fact, called
upon him to fill various local positions. He was
an adherent to the principles of the Republican
party and cast his influence and ballot in behalf of
its candidates. After his death, the mother of our
subject was united in marriage with Abram Cramer,
and still survives, making her home in Breeds.
ville.
Amasa M. Brown was born October 8, 1845, upon
the old homestead where his grandfather and father
so long resided. His educational advantages were
limited to a brief attendance at the common
schools of this district and at an early age he began to assist his father on the farm. Ile now resides on section 32, and,with his mother, owns the
old homestead. From the time he was twenty-six


until he was thirty-six years old, he served as Supervisor of Columbia Township, and was instrumental in advancing the interests of his fellowcitizens. He is an active worker in the ranks of
the Republican party, and a leading member in the
Masonic order, having attained to the Thirty-second Degree.
On November 14, 1867, Mr. Brown was married
to Miss Elizabeth A., the daughter of Alexander
and Jemima Laferty, and a native of Albion, N. Y.
Mr. Laferty, who was a farmer, came to Michigan
about 1860, and is now deceased. One child has
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, a son, Wells G.
In the social circles of the community, they possess
marked influence and are welcome guests in the
best homes of this vicinity.
SIILEY CLAPP, Commissioner of Schools
in Kalamazoo County, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., September 1, 1844,and is the
son of Thomas J. and Almira (Rose) Clapp,
natives of Vermont and Connecticut, respectively.
The father,who was a carpenter by trade, died when
Ashley was but four years of age; the mother
still survives and makes her home in Fairport,
N. Y.
Ten children in the parental family lived to
manhood and womanhood and five still survive,
one sister, Mrs. C. It. Belles, being a resident of
Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County. The
eighth in order of birth was the subject of this
biographical notice, who received a fair education
in the district schools, supplemented by a course in
an academy at Mexico, N. Y. In July, 1864, he
enlisted at Oswego, N. Y., in Company H, One
Hundred and Eighty-fourth New York Infantry,
and served in the Virginia Campaign of 1864,
taking part in various actions around Richmond
and Petersburg. At the time of the final surrender of Gen. Lee, he was stationed at City
Point.
After a service of one year, Mr. Clapp received
his honorable discharge at Syracuse, in July, 186.5,
and then came West to Kalamazoo County, where
for one year he worked at the trade of a carpenter.






I

924


9  PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I-" --- — --- —---
--— -11~1_


I


Later he found employment in a store, where he
clerked for oneyear, and then engaged in school
work, first teaching in Oshtemo Township and
then pursuing a course of study at Kalamazoo College. Next he assumed control of the graded
schools at Vicksburg and filled that position with
marked success for a period of six years.
Prof. Clapp early became connected with the
school system of this county officially, serving as
Superintendent of Oshtemo Township for six
years, and being identified with the Board of Education as one of its most active members for eleven
years. He is now (1892) in the seventeenth year
of his connection with the examination of teachers.
For ten years he was County Secretary of Schools
and was elected to the position of School Commissioner (the office that succeeds County Secretary)
by the Board of Supervisors, Juite 22, 1891.
The present high position in educational circles
which is held by Prof. Clapp is largely dependent
upon his native talent and will power, and his education has been acquired by actual teaching and
independent methods of   study. Although his
special talent is in the direction of mathematics,
his mastery of their intricacies being comparatively easy, he is accomplished in other branches of
literary and scientific study. He is an all-around
man, well read in all fields, and conversant with
the classics, science and philosophy.
As a teacher, Prof. Clapp stands high among
educators in the State and his administration of
the schools over which he has presided has been
characterized by firmness and tact in management,
excellence of discipline and the thoroughness of
knowledge attained by his pupils. Realizing the
benefits of independent study and investigation,
he has ever attempted to have his pupils secure a
thoroughly-grounded knowledge of the fundamental principles, rather than a superficial polish
for the purpose of display or exhibition.
Thoroughly detesting superficiality himself, his
most earnest efforts have been toward eradicating
surface display and sham in all school work, and
the teacher who is unable to reach the basis of
all education, or understand the difference between
education and knowledge, finds in him  a weak
support, but the conscientious and hard-working


I
I


I


teacher has in him a friend and advisor. Recognized on all sides as an earnest educator, he was selected as instructor in Kalamazoo College during
a course when the expected teachers were not
available,
Kalamazoo County schools are among the best
in Michigan and no small part of their present efficiency is due to the personal efforts of Prof. Clapp.
The schools have been placed under a regular
system or course of study, prepared by a committee
of County Secretaries, of whom Prof. Clapp was
one. The regular work has been largely advanced
and much more rapid and systematic work is thus
accomplished. Reading circles are established, to
which each active, progressive teacher is attached.
Two local teachers' associations have been organized
meeting each month, and a county association
meeting once in two months. Prof. Clapp was
also one of the committee that prepared a course of
reading for the State Reading Circle.
No more painstaking or kindly official can be
found in the State or one who has the advancement of the school system more at heart than Prof.
Clapp. In politics, he is a Republican, and socially, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Orcutt
Post, G. A. R. He has a cosy home at No. 820
Oak Street, presided over by his cultured wife,
to whom he was married in Oshtemo, September 19,
1869.  She was formerly known as Miss Frances V. I)Drummond. Their children are: Mina, a
student in Parsons' Business College; Bert, who is
clerk in the Michigan National Bank; Wesley and
Leah, who are attending the Kalamazoo schools.
r1ILLIAM ELISHA JOHNSON, Superintend\\/  ent of Construction at the Insane Asylum,
/ has for about thirty-seven years been connected with this work. IIe was born in Erie
County, Pa., April 25, 1834, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Murray) Johnson, the former a
native of the Keystone State and the latter of
Maryland. His father was a farmer and in the
usual manner of farmer lads our subject spent his


 ---- --- —------




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


925


boyhood days until seventeen years of age. Wishing, however, to engage in other pursuits than that
to which he was reared, he then began learning the
trade of a carpenter, serving an apprenticeship of
three years with B. R. Tuttle, in the county of his
nativity. In 1854, at the age of twenty, he came
to Kalamazoo, believing that in this new city on
the Western frontier he would have better advantages than in the older and more thickly populated
cities of the East. For some time he worked by
the day for various partners. On the expiration
of that time, Mr. Johnson accepted a position at the
Asylum, where he remained for five and a half
years, when the financial panic of 1857 deterred
the continuance of the work there for about five
years. When lie first went to the Asylum, the main
building was only partially completed and lie was
the first carpenter employed after the foreman.
He assisted in building the Kalamazoo House in
1861, and subsequently spent three and a half
years in the employ of Kellogg & Co., operating
the machinery in their sash, door and blind factory. A year later, we find him engaged in business
for himself and in March, 1866, he resumed work
on the Asylum, and for almost eight years was employed as a journeyman.
On the 1st of January, 1861, in Kalamazoo, Mr.
Johnson formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss
Alice E. Pershall, daughter of William W. Pershall,
who came from Lockport, N. Y., to Kalamazoo,
where he engaged in the harness business and made
his home until his death.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born the
following children: Anna, the wife of F. P.
Johnson, of Kalamazoo, who is conn&ted with
the B. S. Williams Manufacturing Company. The
lady was for seven years employed as teacher of elocution in the public schools, and of her Prof. French
said, "It is impossible to fill her place." She still
occasionally gives private readings. Edward is
connected with the Continental Clothing House, of
Omaha, Neb.; Laura E. shows a decided talent in
painting, and the house is adorned with many
splendid specimens of her handiwork; William A.,
who is also in Omaha, and Kate Isabel, who graduated from the High School in the Class of '91.
After eight years' labor as a journeyman, Mr.


Johnson was made foreman of construction at the
Asylum, which position he still fills. During this
time many of the buildings have been completed.
He oversees the entire work from foundation to
garret. -Ie has also constructed the buildings on
the Asylum dairy farm, two miles north of Kalamazoo, and all of the details of the architectural
work are prepared by himself. In politics, he votes
with the Republican party on all questions of National importance but at local elections votes for
the man whom lie thinks best qualified for the position, regardles of party affiliations. In his religious views, he is a Congregationalist. We find in
Mr. Johnson a companionable and agreeable gentleman, thoroughly an optimist, for he is ever looking on the bright instead of the dark side of things.
I-e is conscientious in the discharge of all his obligations and is regarded as an upright, straightforward business man.
G    EORGE FULLER, senior member of the
I(   firm of Fuller & Son, proprietors of a livery,
d Jhack and 'busline in Kalamazoo, established
business in this way some twenty years since and
has since continued his operations. He is one of
the well-known citizens of the community and it
is with pleasure that we present his sketch to our
readers. Mr. Fuller is a native of New York. He
was born in the village of Whitehall, January 28,
1834, and is a son of Henry and Dorcas Fuller.
When he was only two years of age, his parents
removed to Cayuga County, N. Y., where he grew
to manhood. His education was acquired in the
common schools of the neighborhood, and he began to earn his own livelihood by working as a
farm hand, which he followed until twenty years
of age.
Believing that the West furnished young men
better opportunities than the older and more
thickly populated States of the East, Mr. Fuller
bade good-by to his New York home, in 1854, and
emigrated to Michigan, locating first in Kalamazoo
County. He worked both in this county and in
Van Buren County as a farm hand for a time, and
then went to the city of Kalamazoo, where he en



926


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


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

gaged in the coopering business for five years,
manufacturing flour barrels. At the same time, lie
carried on farming. He then began buying grain
and produce and carried on the shipping business.
He was quite successful in this undertaking but
in June, 1874, again changed his line of work and
embarked in the livery business, in connection
with which he runs a hack and 'bus line. He also
began buying and selling horses, cattle, sheep and
hogs, shipping to the Eastern markets, and this
yields to him a considerable income.
At the age of nineteen years, Mr. Fuller was
married to Hester Slack, of Wayne County, N. Y.,
daughter of James Slack. By their union have
been born two children, sons: James Hudson and
Horace J., the latter the junior member of the firm
of Fuller & Son. The family is well known
throughout this community where they have so
long resided. Mr. Fuller has represented his ward
in the City Council, being elected to that office by
the Republican party. IIe is a member of the
Fraternal Alliance, of Philadelphia, Pa. In his
business, he has met with good success, and although
he began life empty-handed, has now a comfortable
competence and is enjoying a lucrative patronage.
His barn is fitted up in modern style and he has
all the appurtenances of a first-class livery. Willing and anxious to please his patrons, he has secured many customers and his success in business
is well deserved.
V  ON. JOSIAH   L. HAWES. The brilliant
attainments and legal erudition whiclh
have characterized the entire professional
() career of Judge Hawes have made him notable among the citizens of Kalamazoo and conspicuous among the eminent men of Michigan.
For a number of years, he served efficiently and
honorably as Judge of the Ninth Judicial District
and has filled other positions with credit to himself and the party which he represents.
Some time during the last century, there was
born in the town of Lyme, Conn., of English
ancestry, a child to whom was given the name of
Lyman Hawes. He married and became the father


I


of a son, Lawrence, who was born at Kinderhook,
N. Y. The latter, who was reared to agricultural
pursuits, married Ursula Lord, who was born at
Lyme, Conn., January 8, 1792 and was the daughter of Marvin and Emily (Wolcott) Lord. After
their marriage, the young couple settled in Schoharie County, N. Y., where three children were born
to them: Josiah L.; Mary E., now deceased, and
Emily, who now lives in Nebraska.
After residing for a number of years in Schoharie County, the parents of our subject removed to
Kalamazoo County and located upon a farm in the
town of Comstock, where the father died, January
8, 1884, aged eighty-six years. The mother had
preceded him to her final rest, dying June 8, 1871.
The oldest son, Josiah L., was born in Schoharie
County, N. Y., October 12, 1823, and passed his
boyhood in his native county, where he attended
the district schools. Later he entered the academy
of Gallupville and afterward studied at Syracuse,
N. Y.
His literary education completed, our subject
commenced the study of law and entered the office
of Hon. J. Miller, of Schoharie County, with whom
lie continued to read for some time. His studies
were completed at Unadilla, N. Y., and he was
admitted to the Bar, in 1847, during the session of
the Supreme Court at Cooperstown, N. Y. For
several years, he continued his practice alone in
Unadilla, then, returning to his native county,
there followed his profession at Cobleskill in 1852.
Thence removing to Kalamazoo, our subject associated himself in partnership with Thomas R.
Sherwood, a former member of the Supreme Court,
and continued in partnership with that gentleman
for several years. lie took an active part in politics, first as a Whig and afterward as a Democrat.
He was appointed by Gov. Bagley, wlio was a
stanch Republican, to fill the unexpired term as
Circuit Judge, which was caused by the resignation
of Hon. Charles Brown. At the expiration of that
term, he was elected to the same office for the term
of six years and while acting in that capacity
gained the cordial esteem of members of the Bar
and his constituents. On retiring from the Bench,
he resumed his practice, which he has since conducted.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPH'CAL RECORD.


927


June 3, 1850, Judge Htawes was married to
Lucia R., daughter of Ichabod C. Foote, of Franklin, N. Y. She was born in 1820 and died September 8, 1880, leaving one daughter, Maria W.,
wife of Thomas A. Soaker, who resides at Halifax,
Nova Scotia. October 24, 1883, the Judge was
united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth C. Edgerton, of Delhi, N. Y., the daughter of Sheldon
Griswold. By her previous marriage to Thomas
Edgerton, Mrs. Hawes became the mother of two
children. She is an active member of the Episcopal Church, the Judge, being an attendant of the
same, and both are prominent in the social circles
of the city.
L   ON. ALEXANDER CAMERON. This venerable citizen of Kalamazoo was born in
A17! Deerfield, Oneida County, N. Y., Septem() ber 20, 1813, and is the second son of Daniel and Jennette (MeVain) Cameron, who were
born in Scotland in 1779 and 1784, respectively.
The mother, who belonged to an aristocratic family, accompanied her brother to Canada and married Mr. Cameron, Sr., against the wishes of her
relatives. They removed from New York to Minnesota about 1854, settling in a little hamlet opposite La Crosse, where both died, the father September 3, 1860, and the mother April 23, 1865.
After completing his education and engaging
for a few months as a teacher, our subject came to
Michigan in 1834, and after landing at Detroit,
started afoot and alone for the interior of Michigan.
In due time, he arrived at Kalamazoo (then known
as Bronson),and engaged as clerk in the Land Office
for a time. Ile was married, March 14, 1838, to
Miss Sarah Paul, whom  he had known in New
York, and who had removed to Barry County
with her step-father, Squire Leonard. Mrs. Cameron was the first school teacher in Barry County,
and their marriage was the first celebrated there.
To the home in Kalamazoo which he had al.
ready prepared, Mr. Cameron brought his bride,
and that house is still standing, within a few
rods of where it was first erected.  Afterward
they, removed to a new house, which contained


greater conveniences and was more commodious than the first home.   From  the first, Mr.
Cameron prospered, and held a position among his
neighbors to which lie was entitled by his abilities,
his decision of character and practical good sense.
The gold excitement of 1849 led him to take a
trip across the plains to California, whence he returned home with a large experience and little of
the precious ore.
Upon his return, Mr. Cameron embarked in buying and shipping stock, a business with which lihe
has since been identified. IHe owns a fine farm, a
convenient distance from the city, and is carrying
on farming operations with success. In 1835, he
was elected School Inspector, and in 1854 was a
candidate for the Legislature, his successful opponent being Gov. Ransom. In 1869, he was elected to the State Legislature and continued to
serve his district in that body until 1873. He had
been present at the organization of the Republican
party at Jackson, in 1854, and always took a lively interest in political matters-first as a Whig and
later as a Republican.
To Mr. Cameron is due much of the credit for
the advanced position taken by Michigan upon the
subject of the education of women. lie introduced
and strongly advocated a bill to institute a university for the education of women, separate from
the State University, but being unsuccessful in securing its passage, he, in conjunction with Col.
Phillips, in the Senate, secured the adoption of a
resolution opening the University to educate the
women, and this became the first movement towards the popularity of the University. He had
the satisfaction of seeing the first fruits of his
efforts, in the matriculation of the first lady student
in the University-Mrs. Adeline Stockton, of Kalamazoo.
For more than forty-five years, Mr. Cameron has
been a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows at Kalamazoo, and has filled all offices
with credit to himself and benefit to the order, being repeatedly elected to the Grand Lodge. He is
also a charter member of the Kalamazoo County
Pioneer Society. In his religious belief, he is liberal, although inclined to the belief of the Presbyterian Church, and has been Chairman of the






928


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Board of Trustees of the society for a long time.
In every position to which he has been called, he
has discharged his duties with intelligence and fidelity, winning the praise of all. lie has served
as Supervisor of Kalamazoo. At a meeting of the
Ladies' Library Association, lleld at their rooms
November 1, 1855, he was elected an honorary
member for valuable services in behalf of the association.
Mr. and Mrs. Cameron are the parents of five
children, namely: Janet E, wife of James B. Ayres;
Don Carlos; Isabelle, now  Mrs. Arthur Brown;
Douglass and Emma, who married Heber C. Reed.
The family circle, which has never been broken by
death, is a happy one and, surrounded by loving
children, affectionate friends and all the comforts
of life, the aged couple are passing their declining
years.  Their golden  wedding was celebrated
March 14, 1888, but owing to the illness of Mrs.
Cameron, only the immediate members of the family circle were present.  An unusual interest,
however, was felt by all in the happy event, on
account of their long residence in Kalamazoo, and
the high esteem in which they have always been
held. Congratulation and presents were numerous, and many wishes were expressed that the
pair might enjoy life for years to come.
Gi      l ++++     ++++      F
(/   EORGE    W. PARKER.     This gentleman,
who is one of the active business men of
\a    Kalamazoo, is at present engaged in conducting a fine meat market, located at No. 222
West Main Street. He is a native of this county,
his natal day being April 24, 1845. His father,
Isaac M. Parker, was a native of Ohio.
In 1832, the elder Mr. Parker came to Kalamazoo and was married to the mother of our subject,
who bore the maiden name of Catherine Patterson. She was a native of Virginia, and the
daughter of a Mr. Patterson, who, with his family,
emigrated to Kalamazoo County in 1833, where
they were among the earliest pioneers. After his
marriage, Isaac M. Parker located on a farm two
and a half miles north of Kalamazoo, now occupied by the Insane Asylum, wher l he carried on


general farming up to the time of his death,
which occurred in 1882, when in his seventieth
year. His wife preceded him to the better land
several years, her death occurring in 1852. They
were the parents of two children, one of whom
died in infancy.
George W. Parker was reared on his father's
farm and attended the district school, remaining
under the parental roof until reaching his majority, when he began to learn the trade of a butcher,
being in the employ of Thomas Richardson, in the
then village of Kalamazoo. Two years later, our
subject worked for Wicks & Tyrrell, in the same
line of business, being thus engaged for three succeeding years. He then launched out in the meat
business on his own account, in partnership with
C. Miller, their market being located on Burdick
Street. They continued together for two years,
when the stock was divided, and Mr. Parker continued alone at the old stand for fourteen years.
At the expiration of that time, he removed to
his present location, where he has a neat and conveniently arranged market, which is fitted up with
all the appliances of a first-class establishment. Mr.
Parker packs all of his own meats and manufactures his own sausage, which is of a superior quality. He carries constantly a large supply of the
choicest meats, and is doing one of the finest businesses in the city. He is a practical butcher, and
his long and varied experience in that line gives
him the advantage over many of his competitors.
In 1866, the original of this Sketch and Miss
Laura A. Norton, of this city, and the daughter of
Thomas Norton, were united in marriage. They
have become the parents of a son: Herbert, who is
a bookkeeper in the City National Bank, having
held that position for the past seven years.
Socially, our subject is a member of Lodge
No. 22, F. & A. M., also Chapter No. 8, and the
Kalamazoo Commandery, Knight Templars. Ile
is also an Odd Fellow and stands high in that order. In addition to the fine business already mentioned, Mr. Parker owns a splendid farm of one
hundred acres in Cooper Township, Kalamazoo
County, which is under his supervision. The
pleasant home of our subject is located at No. 119
Dutton Street.










I


CAPT. B, VOSI3URG.








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


931


APT. BARNARD      VOSBURG, an     officer
in the late war, whose military services
were valuable to the Union, was during his
life a well-known farmer of Comstock Township,
and his death was felt as a loss to the interests of
Kalamazoo County. Ile was born in Columbia
County, N. Y., near the town of Hillsdale, January
18, 1827. His father was Richard Vosburg, and
he was a native of the same place. Hle was there
married to Caroline Van Dusen, who was likewise
born there. They became the parents of six children, of whom our subject was the fourth in order
of birth.
Capt. Vosburg passed his early life in his native
county and obtained a good practical education in
its schools. IHe was married in his native place,
and a year or two afterwards he and his young
wife came to Michigan to upbuild a home on the
virgin soil of Kalamazoo County, where, as an
able-bodied, alert and enterprising young farmer,
with a comprehensive knowledge of agriculture, he
rightly thought that lie could pursue his vocation
more profitably than elsewhere. Ile selected a
suitable site on section 1, Comstock Township,
which is the place still occupied by his family, and
here as the years passed by, with the active cooperation of his wife, where she could assist, and
with the aid of the sons that grew up around
them in the home that they established, he evolved
a fine farm, that is complete in all its appointments,
provided with good buildings, and everything
about it kept in an orderly condition, although
the master mind that planned it all is at rest. The
farm contains two hundred and eighty acres of
choi e farming land, that is under a good state of
cultivation, and its rich harvest fields afford a
comfortable income.
Mr. Vosburg was a sturdy Democrat in his political views, and was also a strong Union man during those trying ante-bellum days that tested the
patriotism  of the citizens of this Republic. He
was a prominent man in his township and when
the war broke out, he used his influence to stir up
the loyalty of his fellow-citizens to the Government. He threw aside all personal considerations
to work for the cause, enlisting in defense of the
Stars and Stripes as a member of Company A,
43             K


Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, of which he was
commissioned Captain, and he was instrumental in
raising a company at Kalamazoo. He went to the
front with it, and during his year's hard and trying service on Southern battle-fields, proved himself a true soldier and an intelligent, capable
officer. When the Grand Army of the Republic
was organized after the close of the war, he became one of its leading members in this section,
and his name will ever be associated with the
Bronson Post, for whose successful establishment
he did much.
Our subject's life record was brought to a close
by his untimely death December 21, 1887. He was
buried in the cemetery at Galesburg with military
honors, the solemn and impressive funeral rites of
the Grand Army for its dead being conducted by
the Bronson and Kalamazoo Posts. He was a man
of rare merit, of exceptional integrity and standing, always true and tender in his domestic relations, friendly and obliging with his neighbors
and others, and none knew him but to respect
him for those qualities of head and heart that distinguished him as a manly man and a good citizen.
His portrait is presented on an accompanying page
and perpetuates for future generations the lineaments of a brave soldier and uptight man.
December 26, 1850, Mr. Vosburg was married to
Miss Laura, daughter of Cornelius and Catherine
(Whitbeck) Vosburg, who were natives of Columbia County, N. Y. Mrs. Vosburg was their fifth
child and second daughter of a family of nine
children. She was born in the town of Hillsdale,
Columbia County, N. Y.. July 10, 1828, and was
there carefully reared in the home of her parents,
with whom she remained until her marriage. She
developed into a capable woman and an excellent
housewife, and her husband found her a devoted
helpmate, to whom he owed much of his success in
life. Their early home in this county was a log
house, and they had to undergo many privations
and hardships of a pioneer nature when they first
lived here, all of which she bore cheerfully and
willingly for the sake of husband and children.
She is the mother of five sons, of whom the following is the record: Richard H., a resident of
Dakota, was born May 9, 1854; Victor A., a






932


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I


farmer of Comstock Township, was born March
22, 1856; Frank B., at home with his mother, was
born September 8, 1859; John W., a teacher in the
district schools of Comstock Township, was born
March 9,1864; Harry D., at home with his mother,
was born July 8, 1867. The old homestead was
the birthplace of these five sons, and three of them
assist their mother in its management.
In ENJAMIN M. AUSTIN. This gentleman,
Kalamazoo County, is one of the prominent
retired farmers of this county. He was
born in Colbrook, Conn., May 7, 1818. Moses
Austin, his father, was a shoemaker early in life in
Connecticut and emigrated to Western New York
in 1820, where he carried on his business. In 1833,
he located in Portage Township, this county. Here
he located good land and was among the first settlers in that section. He lived there about a quarter of a century, clearing and improving the place.
He spent his last days in Kalamazoo and died in
1864, when seventy-four years old. He was Sheriff
of Genesee County, N. Y. and served as Justice of
the Peace several years after coming here. He
was a Whig in politics. The Austin family comes
from old New England stock and the mother was
Sarah Gaylord, of Middletown, Conn.; she died in
1867.
Our subject is the youngest of two children and
the only one living. William G., his brother, who
died in 1844, was Clerk of Kalamazoo County at
the time of his death. Our subject came here with
his parents May 7,1833. The trip to Detroit was
by lake and thence by team to Kalamazoo. He attended the common schools in Genesee County, N.
Y., but did not get to attend after coming
here. At the age of sixteen years, he came to
Kalamazoo to learn the coppersmith and the tin
trades. A short time afterward, he began to learn
the trade of a watchmaker. He worked at this
for a while and then engaged in the dry-goods
business for seven years. In the fall of 1852, he
began the manufacture of the Jackson wagons, un

der the firm name of Davis, Austin & Co. He was
connected with the firm for several years following.
In the '50s, Mr. Austin purchased a farm of one
hundred and fifty acres of land, and engaged in
farming for several years. HIe has now given up
his work and is enjoying the fruits of his early
labors. In politics, he is a Republican. Our subject was married, in 1840, to Angeline Fitch, a native of Genesee County, N. Y. They have lived
together fifty-two years and are highly respected
in the community. They were blessed by the birth
of three children, who are now their comfort and
consolation: Frances A., who is now the widow
of E. A. Webster, of Jackson, Mich.; Amelia T.,
who married D. D. Streeter, and is now living with
her parents; and W. G., who is carrying on the paint
and oil business at Kalamazoo. Mrs. Austin is a
consistent member of the Presbyterian Church at
Kalamazoo. The home of our subject is just outside
the corporation of the city, wlhere he makes his
home with his daughter, and the residence is one
of the finest in the county and was built some
years ago.
iSAAC S. DEAN, deceased, was born in Mayfield, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, May 2, 1830.
He was the son of Samuel and Laura (Sherman) Dean, natives of Massachusetts. Mrs. Dean
was a cousin of Gen. William T. Sherman. Our
subject was reared on a farm, remaining with his
parents until reaching his twentieth year, when lihe
went to Boston, and was a partner of the firm of
Cutter, Tower & Co. for about eight years.
Our subject was married, January 11, 1859, at
Perry, N. Y., to Miss Almira Bolton, a native of that
place. Mrs. Dean was the daughter of James H.
and Alvira (Warren) Bolton. The following year
the young couple came to Kalamazoo County,
where Mr. Dean had purchased a farm in Oshtemo
Township. They made their home there for some
fifteen years, and in 1875 came to Kalamazoo,
where he engaged in business, at the same time
superintending the operations of his farm.
Mr. Dean was active in local affairs, and for a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


933


number of years served his fellow-townsmen as
Clerk of Oshtemo Township. In politics, he was
a Democrat. Our subject passed from this life
January 15, 1890. He dealt quite extensively in
real estate, and nine years ago erected a beautiful
residence. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Dean are:
Nellie B., who taught school at Little Rock, Ark.,
and also in this city; she is now at home. Carrie
W., also at home; Ida H., at present a teacher in
the State School for the blind, at Little Rock, Ark.,
and Lilly A., who is attending the city schools.
Mr. Dean was very successful as a farmer, and
after removing to the city of Kalamazoo, still continued his connection with the people of Oshtemo
Township, who held him in high regard. He was
greatly devoted to his home and family, and while
he did not aspire to public prominence, lie was
suitably fitted, by education and business training,
to fill acceptably any position within the gift of
the people to bestow. The daughters of our subject are finely educated and cultured ladies, and
are greatly interested in music, art and literature.
iP]  RANCIS W. CLARK, a retired farmer, very
pleasantly situated in one of the attractive
homes of the village of Climax, where he
has business interests and valuable property, is one
of the old settlers of Southern Michigan. The
town of Elba, Genesee County, N. Y., is his native
place, and May 4, 1820, the date of his birth.
His father, Lyman Clark, was a native of Massachusetts. In early life, he settled in Genesee
County, and followed carpentering and farming
in that section several years. In August, 1836, he
crossed the lake and located in Calhoun County,
this State, of which he was a pioneer. Ile had
traded land in New York State for a quarter of a
section in Le Roy Township, and by years of persistent labor he developed it into a fine farm,
which was his home until his demise at the age of
sixty-one. He was a thoroughly good man, whom
none knew but to respect. His political views
were in accord with the tenets of the Whig party.
He married Jezida Topper, a native of Connecti

cut, who died young, leaving him with one child,
our subject.
He of whom we write was educated in the district schools, and at the age of twenty began to
fight life's battles on his own responsibility with a
good equipment of brain and muscle. In 1836,
he came to Michigan, and walked from Detroit to
Flint, obtaining employment in shingle and sawmills, in which he worked until June, 1837. He
then made his way to Calhoun County to join his
father. He resided on the old homestead in Le
Roy Township for many years after it came into
his possession by the death of his father, and devoted himself so assiduously to agricultural pursuits that he became one of the moneyed men of
his township. In 1866, lie sold the farm and the
ensuing two years he spent in Battle Creek. He
then moved back to the old place, and buying ten
acres of land in that township, lived there until
1885. He then disposed of his property there
and removed to the village of Climax, where he
has a financial interest with one of his sons in the
store. The same year that he came here, he built
a commodious house and barn, the residence being
well fitted up and in it he has made his home ever
since. It has been Mr. Clark's privilege to witness
almost the entire development of Southern Michigan during his residence here of more than fiftyfive years, and it may well be his pride that his
work has contributed to its steady growth and continual prosperity.  Indians still lived in these
parts during his early life here, and deer, wolves
and bears were numerous. While he was a resident
of Calhoun County, he was prominently identified
with its public life and was regarded as a valuable
civic official, as he carried the same shrewd, keen
common-sense, discrimination and thrift into the
management of the duties of his public positions
as in conducting his own private interests. He
was a member of the Calhoun County Board of
Supervisors three years, representing Le Roy
Township, and he was Justice of the Peace many
years. In politics, he is true in his allegiance to
the Republican party.
March 29, 1840, is the date of the marriage of
our subject to Miss Ann Wilson and for fifty-two
years they have enjoyed life together. They have




934                    pi


'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I

had/six children, of whom these four are living:
Lydia (Mrs. Seeley); Jerome F. and Lyman T.,
who are in the mercantile business together in
Climax; and Sidney W., a farmer in this township.
George W. died at the age of twenty-four, and
Eliza died aged forty-four years. Mrs. Clark was
born September 3, 1828, in Cayuga County, N. Y.,
and came to Michigan in 1836.
J   OSEPH DUNKLEY, one of the well-known
citizens of Kalamazoo, is proprietor of floral
nurseries in that place, and is also extensively engaged in the growing of celery for
the home and foreign markets. He claims England as the land of his birth, being born in Somersetshire. He first opened his eyes to the light of
day on the 6th of October, 1836. His parents
were George and Elizabeth (Knight) Dunkley,
who emigrated to America and located in London,
Canada, where the father followed contracting
and building during the remainder of his life.
His wife also spent her last days in that locality.
Our subject was the ninth in order of birth in
a family of twelve children, five sons and seven
daughters. Under the parental roof, his early
boyhood days were passed, and he began his school
life in his native land. At the age of seventeen,
wishing to try his fortune in the New World, he
crossed the broad Atlantic and settled in London,
Canada, where he completed his education. There
he was married, in 1859, to Miss Mary Wilson, a
native of Ireland. Two years previous, he had
come to Kalamazoo and worked at gardening for
himself and other parties, and in 1866 lie commenced the growing of celery on a small scale, for
he had not then the railroad facilities to aid him
in sending it to foreign markets. However, the
demand increased, and he has also increased the
space allotted to its growth until lie now has sixty
acres planted in celery.
In 1880, Mr. Dunkley began shipping to different towns and cities along the road, his chief market being in the East and Southern Ohio, but he
also shipped as far south as Florida. iHe raises
two varieties —the White Plume and IIartwell Per

fection. Kalamazoo celery has almost a worldwide reputation, and that raised by Mr. Dunkley
is equal to any put on the market. When he began selling, it brought seventy-five cents per
dozen, and was then prepared by the purchaser,
but he now sells it at from eighteen to twenty-five
cents per dozen, this of a very superior quality,
and packed and boxed ready for shipment. He
sold six car-loads during the past season. At one
time he also raised cucumbers in great quantities
for the local trade and shipping. In 1811, he established his floral nursery, and his hot houses
now cover an area of 25,000 feet, are heated by
steam and kept up in the most approved style of
the art.
Mr. Dunkley has been twice married. His first
wife died in 1877, leaving two sons: Robert J.,
a resident of Pekin, Ill.; and Samuel J., who is
engaged in the manufacture of celery candy in
Kalamazoo. In 1878, Mr. Dunkley wedded Miss
Agnes Whillis, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich.,
and a daughter of James and Isabella (Thompson)
Whillis, who were born in Scotland. Emigrating
to America, they beccame residents of Grand
Rapids in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Dunkley have five
children: Myra A., Clara A., Laura I., Charles
and Benjamin, all of whom are with their parents
in their pleasant home at No. 622 Pearl Street,
and in the community where they reside are held
in high regard for their many excellent qualities
and their sterling worth.
OSEPHI J. GOODRICH. The farming interests of Kalamazoo County are worthily
represented by Mr. Goodrich, who is engaged in theagricultural and stock-raising
business on section 32, Comstock Township. iHe
has passed his entire life in this township, where
he was born May 9, 1845, and is closely identified
with the progress of this section of country. I-e
is a brother of P. G. Goodrich, to whose sketch
the reader is referred for further information in regard to the family history.
Until he was twenty-three years of age, our subject remained with his parents, Philip and Nancy




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RESIDENCE OF J. J. GOODRICH, SEC. 32.,GOMSTOCK. TP.,KALAMAZOO CO.,MICH.


~-i --- —--------------------     Oi —


ALAMAZOO FLORALNURSERY-JOSEPH DUNKLEY, PROPR.COR. PEARL& DUTTON ST5. KALAMAZOO,MICHIGAN..




9


I%




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


937


---


(Meade) Goodrich, in the meantime gaining a
good education in the schools of the district and
acquiring a practical knowledge of agriculture.
May 3, 1877, he was married to Catherine, the oldest daughter of Timothy and Mary (Carey) Burke.
Her father was born in Ireland, whence he emigrated to this country. He was married in New
York, where, in Oswego County, Mrs. Goodrich was
born, August 22, 1851. She was about ten years
old when she accompanied her parents to this
State and her education was acquired in the schools
of this community. She is an amiable lady of
pleasant disposition and hospitable manners, and
occupies a high place in the estimation of her
neighbors.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich have no children of
their own but have adopted a daughter, Margaret,
who was born in Kalamazoo County, February 3,
1872. On the homestead where he was born our
subject is carrying on general farming and stockraising. He owns a third interest of one hundred
and sixty acres on section 33 and eighty acres on
32. The buildings are first class, some of which
were erected by our subject's father and others by
himself. He is not particularly interested in political affairs, but believes in the principles of the
Democratic party and served at one time as Pathmaster. His fellow-citizens have the highest opinion of his integrity and uprightness, and recognize
the high order of business talents which have
brought him success. In another page of this volume will be noticed a view of the Goodrich homestead.
s  OM   WILLIAMS is the proprietor of the
Star Flouring Mills on section 11, Kalamazoo
i  Township, Kalamazoo County. The capacity of this mill is two barrels per hour and he has
been the owner of it since 1876. It is one of the
best in the county and has a complete roller system
and all the latest improvements.
Our subject was born in England, November 29,
1838, to Richard and Emily Williams, also of England. The parents came to America in 1850, and
settled in New York State, where the mother died.


The father is now making his home in Cayuga
County on a farm. IHe is a Presbyterian in religion and the mother, although not a member of any
church, died a Christian woman. The parents of
the mother of our subject were William and Emily
Barrett, natives of England, who both died there.
The father was a shoe-maker and school teacher.
Our subject is the second child of seven now living. He grew to manhood on a farm in Cayuga
County, N. Y., and remained with his parents until becoming of age. He learned the milling business and came to this county, but had been at
Battle Creek about six months previous to his
coming here.
Mr. Williams was married in this county to
Julia E. Evitts, a native of this county, the ceremony taking place in 1866. To them  two children have been born: Nellie, who is at home, and
Iattie, attending school at Kalamazoo.   The
father of Mrs. Williams is Ranseler Evitts, a jeweler of Kalamazoo and an early settler of this
place, where his wife died. Mr. and Mrs. Williams
are Baptists in religion and our subject is a Prohibitionist in politics. He started out a poor boy with
no capital excepting a strong hand and a willing
heart and by his push, pluck and perseverance he
has made a splendid competency and to-day is enjoying the fruits of his early labors.
4- - ~
AVID O. COLEMAN.         This gentleman
of whom we write is one of the worthy
and respected citizens of Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County.   The father,
William H. Coleman, was born December 9, 1813,
in Orange County, N. Y., and came to Michigan
with his parents when twenty years old in the
year 1832. The family settled in Ann Arbor and
one year later came to Kalamazoo County and located on a farm southeast of the city on Government land. The father of our subject drove a
stage from Detroit to Kalamazoo and helped draw
wire for a telegraph from Chicago to Detroit on
the old Territorial Road-the Michigan Centralwhich is not in use now. He was Class-leader in




I


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Kalamazoo. In 1835, William H. Coleman moved to Oshtemo Township, but four years later went to Kalamazoo City in crder to educate his children. He
was married to Amanda Owen April 13, 1839.
Mrs. Coleman was a native of Bethel, Vt., and
bore her husband six children, namely: Eunice
H., the wife of Henry Buckhout, who now resides
in this township; Sarah E., is the wife of Charles
Hope, and they are residents of Texas Township;
David 0., our subject; Henry A., who is living in
Toledo; Elvira, who died in March, 1870; Frank,
living on the old homestead. The father of the
family died September 9, 1886, and the mother
February 13, 1887.
The subject of this notice was born November
20, 1843, in Oshtemo Township, and attended the
district school. He worked on the farm  during
the summers until eighteen years old, when he enlisted in 1862 in Company H, the Twenty-fifth
Michigan Infantry. His first battle was at Mossy
Creek, Tenn., and some of the engagements in
which he took part were Rocky Face, Buzzard's
Roost, and Resaca. He was on the skirmish line
continuously and was wounded on the 28th of
May, 1864, near Altoona, Ga., by a minie ball
entering his left thigh. He was sent to the hospital at Knoxville and gangrene setting in, he had
a serious time of eight months' duration.  Four
weeks of this time he was home on a furlough.
After his honorable discharge from the hospital, he
went back to his regiment, joining it at Washington. From there they went to Ft. Fisher, Raleigh,
Salisbury, at the last place being mustered out, June
24, 1865, and discharged on the 13th of July, at
Jackson, Mich. He came home and went to work
on his father's farm and the next year rented the
farm in connection with his brother -Ienry.
The date of the marriage of Mr. Coleman with
Miss Mary E. Sheldon was November 20, 1866.
Mrs. Coleman is a daughter of Nathan M. Sheldon,
of Texas Township. After their marriage our
subject purchased the place where he now lives,
which consists of eighty acres on section 30 and
twenty acres in Almena Township. To him and his
wife six children have been born, named as follows:
Cora, aged twenty-four, is married to William


Browne, of Alamo Township; Sheldon, aged twentyone years, is attending college at Ann Arbor; Elvira, aged eighteen, is at home, but engaged in
teaching school a part of the time; Kate aged fifteen, Owen aged fourteen, and Pearl aged eleven
are all at home with their parents. Mr. Coleman
is a member of Orcutt Post, G. A. R., of Kalamazoo.
c^ --- -— __-S —   <^^.
AMES M. NEASMITH is one of the largest
and most well-to-do farmers and stockraisers in Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo
(    County, where he has always been a very
prominent man. He has held many honorable
and responsible offices, such as County Treasurer,
State Representative and Commissioner of State
Lands.
The subject of this sketch was born in Manchester, England, September 26, 1823, and his father,
James, was a native of Edinburg, Scotland. The
grandfather also bore the name of James, and was
a Scotchman, and a shoemaker by trade. When
quite an old man, he came to America and lived
among his children and died at Warsaw, N. Y.,
when seventy-five years old. The father of our
subject came to America with his family in 1827.
lIe was a cloth-dresser by trade, and worked both in
Manchester, England, and in Genesee County, N.
Y., at this business. He was of a somewhat roving
disposition and enlisted and served through the
entire Mexican War, participating in all the battles,
under Gens. Taylor and Scott. He went on several whaling expeditions, was shipwrecked and set
adrift in mid-ocean but was rescued and, after an
absence of three years, returned home. He finally
enlisted in the United States Navy and went
abroad, since which time nothing has ever been
heard from him and it is presumed that he is dead.
Sarah Killer, the mother of our subject, was
born in Manchester, England, and reared a family
of two boys, James and John; the latter is now
Deputy-Sheriff at Batavia, N. Y. The mother died
at the age of eighty four years, at the home of our
subject. She was a conscientious Methodist in
religion and took a great interest in religious matters. Her father, John Killer, was overseer in a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


939


I


large cotton factory in England. Our subject was
in his fifth year when he came to this country
with his parents. The first year was spent in New
York City and the second in Philadelphia, and
finally the family located at Batavia, N. Y.
The subject of this notice was educated in the
district schools, and when he became of age spent
five months in the Carey Collegiate Institute, at
Oakfield, Gencsee County, N. Y. He subsequently
taught school two years. The following year he
made flour barrels. Mr. Neasmith kept a hotel at
East Pembroke three years, and then took a halfinterest in a general merchandising store at East
Pembroke with John A. Willett, and continued
this until 1853, when he sold out and came here
in the fall. He bought two hundred and eighty
acres of land, a part of his present estate, which
was but partially improved.
Mr. Neasmith was married July 1, 1847, to Susan
E. Dykeman, an amiable woman, who was born in
Canajoharrie, N. Y., September 20, 1824, and by
this union three children have been born: Ella A.
(Mrs. Charles S. Cooley), George E. and Fred W.
They have a very fine house and their many friends
and acquaintances are always made welcome. Mr.
Neasmith has five hundred and thirty acres of land,
all in one body. Three hundred and fifty of these
are well improved. Trlis he now rents out and,
aside from overseeing it, lives a retired life. He
has carried on mixed farming, raising grain and
stock and keeps some of the finest Durham cattle,
Merino sheep and Percheron horses. He sold $1,400
worth of horses in the last two years. Their residence was erected in 1867, and numerous barns
and sheds adorn the place, such as corn-house, toolhouse, ice-house, etc., fully half an acre under roof.
The gentleman of whom we write is a strong
Republican in his political views, and was elected
to the State Senate in the fall of 1870, and reelected in 1872, and served during the winters of
1871-72 and  1873-74. He introduced several
bills, among which was one to do away with the
rule to exclude a man from acting on the jury
where he had previously read of a case in a paper.
The bill was passed. He also introduced a bill
exempting personal property from taxation to the
extent of one's indebtedness. He served as Chair

man of Committees on Prisons and Asylums in
1871 and on Committees on Public Lands and
Asylums in 1873. Mr. Neasmith was Commissioner
of the State Land Office from 1878 to 1882 and
made some reforms in that office. When he took the
office there were fifteen clerks and he reduced the
force to eight persons and it has remained so ever
since. Eight years' time was occupied as Trustee
of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Flint, Genesee
County. He took this position against his will,
but at the express solicitation of Gov. Croswell,
who, to use the Governor's language, was dissatisfied with its management and desired to "infuse
new blood into it." Our subject inaugurated reformatory measures, making some radical changes
in its management and methods of conducting
business. He is now Commissioner of Corrections
and Charities. The office of Treasurer of Kalamazoo County was his from 1862 to 1868, and of
Treasurer of Kalamazoo City in 1867. Our subject
is President of the Vicksburgh & Bellevue Bank.
He has never solicited these offices, but the offices
sought him. He is a man of much influence and
wealth, and began active life a very poor boy but
has grown up to be a man of remarkable judgment
and foresight.
c    1~~+++++

ON. JOHN J. LUSK. This representative
farmer and resident of Oshtemo Township,
Kalamazoo County, had his birth in Green
) County, N. Y., October 30, 1828. He is a
son of George W. Lusk, of Ontario County, where
he was born December 28, 1799, and followed
the trade of a blacksmith. The Lusk family originates from Ireland, prior to the Revolutionary
War, and the grandfather, it is thought, was born in
New York. The last-named had six sons and one
daughter, and of them Solomon, Elizur, Sylvester
and George served in the War of 1812. The
father of our subject enlisted when but eleven
years old as a musician for five years, and served
the full term. About 1848, he received a land
bounty for one hundred and sixty acres. He
worked at his trade until fifty-eight years old, and
came to Michigan in the spring of 1854, locating






940             PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I


I


in Kalamazoo, three-quarters of a mile from where
he purchased a farm.    After three years, he
moved to Oshtemo and here he lived for nearly
two years, removing to Texas Township. In June,
1865, he moved to California and died there June
9, 1866. He held local offices both in New York
and Michigan.
The mother of our subject was Maria Schermerhorn, a native of Hudson, N. Y., born May 14, 1804.
She died in Texas Township, this county, December 29, 1863. Her ancestors came from Holland.
Mr. Lusk is the fourth in order of birth of seven
children, four of whom survive. He received a
common district-school education and attended
school four years in a log schoolhouse. He remained with his father until the spring of 1857,
and in the summer season he worked on his
father's farm, taught school during the winter
months for eleven seasons, and had schools both in
New York and Michigan and one term in Benton
County, Ore.
John Lusk came to Michigan with his father in
the spring of 1854. and subseque  ntly went to California via the Isthmus. He spent nearly two
years' time on the Pacific Coast on a cattle ranch.
In July, 1858, our subject with two companions
started for Frazier, British Columbia, as at that
time there was a great excitement over the discovery of gold in that region. They only went as
far as Corvallis, Ore., and it was while in that
vicinity that he taught school. In the year 1859,
he returned to San Francisco and took passage for
New York City, reaching home April 7, 1859. He
subsequently purchased his present farm on section 15, Oshtemo Township, and now has one of
the finest farms in the township, consisting of two
hundred acres, a part of which lies on section 10.
The land was but partially cleared and le has
since extensively improved and cultivated the
place. Durham cattle is what he takes the greatest pride in and he keeps the best grades. He started
in life empty-handed, and is now one of the most
successful farmers in the county.
The -Ion. Mr. Lusk was married, May 9,1861,
to Miss Lydia Talmage, a native of Erie County,
Pa. Mrs. Lusk is a daughter of James and Delilah
(Jefferds) Talmage, natives of Pennsylvania and


I


New York, respectively.  The father, a farmer,
came.to Michigan in 1853 and located in this township and county. Both father and mother are still
living. Our subject and his wife have become the
parents of three children: Ada F., the wife of
Ernest Blakesley, a farmer in this township; Minnie,
the wife of Lewis Buell, a farmer in this township;
and Clarence J., who is yet under the parental
roof. All have had a splendid schooling.
The original of this notice is a Republican, joining their ranks on the organization of the party,
and previously he was a Whig. He has served as
delegate to county, district and State conventions, and was School Inspector four terms. He
was the incumbent of the office of Supervisor
during 1863 and 1864 and has served eight terms
since, making ten in all. The position of Chairman of the County Board was his one term, and
the Courthouse was built during his term  of service. Mr. Lusk was elected State Representative
on the Republican ticket in 1888, and was reelected in the fall of 1890. During the first term he
served on the Committee of Supplies and Expenditures and also served on the same committee during the next term. He has been a Mason since
1857 and one of the oldest members of Lodge No.
22 in Kalamazoo. Mrs. Lusk is a consistent member of the Congregational Church at Kalamazoo.
Mr. and Mrs. Lusk move among the best circles of
the township and are honored and respected
people.


I




Z   -F-~5 --- —_-/


/ +.  _


N\


W       ILLIAM WILLIAMS. Located on section
11, Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo
County, we find a beautiful farm which is
the property of our subject. It is supplied with
substantial buildings, a comfortable residence and
all that goes to make up a first-class estate. He is
the son of the late Erastus Williams, who was born
in New York State in July, 1809. The elder Mr.
Williams came to Kalamazoo County in the fall of
1832 and was later married to Miss Fanny Reed.
The young couple located in Prairie Ronde Township, where Mrs. Williams died after having become
the mother of five children. The father of our








I




Y)?*CC/Z/d




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


943


subject was again married, this time to Philanda
Hamilton, also a native of the Empire State and
the widow of Ira Hamilton. She was a sister of
the first wife of Mr. Williams and became the
mother of four children: Hiram P.; Anna E. married George G. Crose, and died in this township;
William and Eveline.
William Williams was born November 19, 1849,
in Prairie Ronde Township. He has made this place
his home ever since with the exception of ten years
spent in Texas Township. His landed estate includes one hundred and twenty acres, and he has
always given his attention to agricultural pursuits.
August 27, 1871, Miss Mary, daughter of Return
and Minerva (Burson) Mack, became the wife of
our subject. The parental falily included four
children, viz: Mary, Lillan L., Nellie H. and
Charles. Mr. Mack died in Grand Rapids in 1887.
Mrs. Williams was born September 2, 1853, in this
township and by her union with our subject has
become the parent of two children: Raymond L.
and Walter R.
In politics, our subject votes the straight Republican ticket. He is very progressive, public spirited
and liberal and is highly esteemed in his community.
AMUEL CARSON. Among the many pretty
and attractive residences which adorn the
village of Galesburg, the passing stranger
is wont to notice with special admiration
the tasteful home of Mr. Carson, which he erected
at a cost of $2,800. In addition to his valuable
property in the village, he owns seven hundred and
sixteen acres of farming land in this State and one
hundred and sixty acres of pine land in Perry
County, Miss., all of which he has accumulated
through the exercise of industry and economy.
The birthplace of Mr. Carson, whose portrait is
shown on the opposite page, was on the banks of
the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania and the
date of his birth, February 15, 1823. His father,
John, was born in the Keystone State in 1781 and
was a farmer by occupation, although he laid down
the implements of his peaceful calling to take up


the weapons of warfare in 1812. He learned the
trade of a blacksmith, but did not follow  it
much of his time, being mainly engaged in tilling tle soil. Politically, he was a Democrat. The
paternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Carson,
Sr., was a native of Ireland, and came to America
in his early manhood.
The mother of our subject was known in maidenhood as Catherine Wentz and was a native of
Pennsylvania, born October 5, 1785. She was the
daughter of Jacob Wentz, a native of France and
a man who attained considerable reputation as a
violinist. Her death occurred October 6, 1852.
Her marriage, which occurred in the Keystone
State, was an event of unusual importance, for she
was compelled to walk twenty-one miles in order
to have the ceremony performed.
The family of which our subject is a member
comprised thirteen children, of whom eleven grew
to maturity. Samuel, who was the tenth child in
order of birth, grew to manhood beneath the
parental roof. In 1823 he was taken by his parents
to Westmoreland, Pa., and nine years afterward
settled in Trumbull County, Ohio. March 28,
1844, he was married to Elizabeth J. Mott, who was
born in Portage County, Ohio, March 15, 1824, and
is the daughter of Jechonias and Rebecca (Cox)
Mott, natives of Pennsylvania. She was the third
child among eleven children, of whom five daughters now survive.
Mr. and Mrs. Carson are the parents of fourteen
children, as follows: Isaac, a resident of Galesburg;
Melinda, wife of William Schroder, of Galesburg;
Lucretia, who married W. W. Olin; Martha, who
died March 21, 1885; Josephine, wife of S. E. Olin,
of Ross Township; Samuel J., of Kalamazoo;
Franklin B., of Newaygo, Mich.; Alonzo, who died
November 23, 1889: Alida B., wife of L.K. Townsend, of Galesburg; Lottie, who married G. A.
Townsend, of Richland Township; Willie C., a resident of Ross Township; Minnie, wife of L. J. Strait,
of Kalamazoo; Lettie, widow of II. K. Clark and
mother of one son, Harris K.; and one that died
unnamed.
After his marriage, Mr. Carson located in what
is now Trumbull County, Ohio, whencein 1853 he
removed to Ross Township, Kalamazoo County,






944


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIPHICAL RECORD.


9AIA


and bought a farm of three hundred and eighty
acres. He remained on the place until 1882, meanwhile greatly improving it and erecting a number
of substantial farm buildings. His course in life
has been such as to win the confidence of his associates and he is highly esteemed by his host of
warm personal friends. In politics, he is a Republican.
OYAL T. BALCH, the subject of this sketch,
was born on a farm purchased by his grandfather, Samuel Balch, at Athens, Vt., December 17, 1817. He was one of twelve children, all of whom reached maturity save the
youngest, who died at the age of three years. As
a family they were strong and robust, imbibing
into their very natures the ruggedness of their
native hills. And dearly they loved to recall
their feats of strength and daring adventure as
well as the old-time merry-making. But it was
not all merry-making, for from early childhood
each must bear a share of the burdens incident to a
poor man's lot, so our subject was early taught the
habits of industry and frugality, working on the
farm summers and attending the district school
three months during the winter. But being a
lover of books, he attained a fair education and
taught several terms of school successfully.
Royal Balch was married, July 4, 1844, to Ruthana G. Davis, a daughter of Capt. Amos Davis, of
Athens, Vt. She was born in the latter place
October 26, 1826. This union proved a happy
one, for she was a true wife and faithful
mother, ever ready to do her part of life's work,
working early and late, deeming no sacrifice too
great if it added to the comfort or the happiness
of her family. Truly it may be said of her, "Her
children rise up and call her blessed, her husband
also, and he praises her." They remained on the
farm at Athens until the fall of 1850, when they
came to Michigan, where his brothers, Nathaniel
and Samuel, had preceded him. Their household
goods and all of their belongings were carried by
teams over the mountains to Troy, N. Y., thence
by canal to Buffalo, crossing Lake Erie in a severe
storm, taking thirty-six hours for the passage to


Detroit. They took the cars to Kalamazoo, but it
being at the time of much trouble from train
wreckers, it was not a pleasure trip. The entire
journey occupied three weeks.
Mr. Balch soon after purchased a farm three
miles south of Kalamazoo City, where he remained
until May, 1854, when he moved to Oshtemo
Township, having purchased a farm of John Hascall on section36, this township, which property
he improved and added to until he owned one
hundred and sixty acres. This property is now
occupied by three of his children. From very
small beginnings, by industry and frugality, Mr.
Balch was enabled to support a large family and
rear them, giving all liberal educations, three being
graduates. From a boy, he loathed intoxicants
and tobacco in any form, and was one of the prime
movers in the Red Ribbon Club and a stanch Prohibitionist, and was ever interested in that which
would elevate his fellow-men. In the year 1860,
he gave his heart and hand to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Oshtemo and was ever after a
prominent member, and for years was Trustee,
Steward, Class-leader or Sunday-school Superintendent, giving liberally of time and means for its
support, in which he was ably seconded by his wife.
There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Balch seven
children, named as follows: Jane M., born in Vermont, September 18, 1845, married Albert S.
Kellogg, who was a member of the Twenty-fifth
Michigan Infantry and now a resident of Helena,
Mont.; Augusta, a native of Vermont, where she
was born, September 12, 1847, is living on the old
homestead; Sarah L. had her birth November 29,
1849, in Vermont and is also residing on the old
homestead, and is following teaching; Abbie A.,
born in Kalamazoo, July 16, 1852, is married to
Frank C. Hall, a farmer in Kalamazoo Township;
Royal C., born at Oshtemo, April 26, 1856, is making his home on the farm; Emma M., born August
21,1858, is the wife of S. E. Combs, an agent at
Kalamazoo. Ernest A., born June 23, 1867, is a
graduate of the Kalamazoo College and a postgraduate of Michigan University, now Professor of
English Literature in the High School at Owosso,
Mich.; R. C. Balch was married, in 1880, to Nellie
A. Wild of English descent, and to them  have




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


945


- I


been born five children: Clarence Leigh, J. Vincent, Elwyn Curtis, William  E., and Ruth A.
The original of this life notice was called from
this earth September 12, 1884, and his good wife
followed him to the better land September 28,
1889. They were loved and respected by all who
knew them, and eternity alone can reveal the
blessed influence of their lives in the community
in which they lived.
/     ANFRED HILL. The old and well-known
business establishment belonging to this
gentleman has been located on the corner
of Main and Prairie Streets, in Vicksburg,
since 1880, and contains a full line of groceries.
In point of time, Mr. Hill is the second oldest
business man in the village and from his early
youth has been identified with its growth and development. As a merchant, his uniformly genial
manners and gentlemanly dealings with his customers, as well as the superiority of his stock, have
brought to him an enviable reputation and financial success, while in social circles he is equally respected.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a
native of Connecticut and removed thence to New
York, where he operated as a farmer. During the
War of 1812, he enlisted, but saw little active service. The closing years of his life were passed in
Genesee County, N. Y., where he died when about
ninety-four. Norman A., father of our subject,
was born in the State of New York in 1812, and
passed his boyhood days in the place of his birth.
Thence he removed in 1835 to Michigan, making
the journey hither across the lake to Detroit, and
from there by hired conveyance to St. Joseph
County, where lie bought forty acres in Burr Oak
Township.
In the fall of 1841, Norman A. Hill removed
from St. Joseph County to Brady Township, Kalamazoo County, where he purchased a forty-acre
tract of land, and later bought a sawmill on Bear
Creek,which he ran until it burned down a few years
afterward. Selling his place, he bought another


farm, located his family in a log house, and commenced the work of clearing the land and cultivating the soil. Several years were thus spent,
when, in 1853, he moved into Vicksburg and there
resided until his death in 1881. A man of considerable natural ability, he was well and favorably
known throughout the surrounding country. During his residence in St. Joseph County, he commenced the study of medicine, which he practiced
with success for nearly thirty years in Vicksburg.
In 1841, Dr. Hill was married to Lucy A. Backus,
who was born in New York State in 1819, and
came to Michigan in 1841, settling in St. Joseph
County. Her father, Tartellus Backus, was born
near Montpelier, Vt., in 1787, and when twelve
years old accompanied his parents to the vicinity
of Albany, N. Y. In his early manhood, he settled
on the Holland Purchase near Batavia, N. Y., and
cleared a farm. Ie left his family there in 1825
and went on a prospecting tour through Ohio, but,
unfortunately becoming sick, was absent from
home for two years, during which time he lost all
of his property.
Mr. Backus died very shortly after his removal to
Michigan in 1841. His widow, Lucy Jones,was who
born in New York in 1789, survived to the age of
seventy-five. The Backus family is of Welsh descent and was first represented in America by three
brothers who emigrated hither during Colonial
times. The mother of our subject, who is one of
ten children, is a lady of estimable character and
makes her home with her son Manfred.
There were five children in the family of which
our subject is a member, the others being Malcom,
Julia (now Mrs. Martin), Lucy and Mottram. Manfred was born in Brady Township, Kalamazoo
County, March 20, 1847, and in November, 1854,
accompanied his parents to Vicksburg, where he
has since resided. While very young, he commenced to earn his own way in the world, and in
the year 1874 began in business for himself, buying
out Louis and James E. Kimball and conducting a
grocery on the opposite corner from his present
location. He transacts an extensive and prosperous business and is well known as a reliable merchant.
In the public affairs of Vicksburg, Mr. Hill has




946              PORTRAIT A


kND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-. _..


I


always maintained great interest and adheres to the
principles of the Democratic party. He has served
as Village Treasurer about ten years and occupied
other positions of local importance. Socially, he
is identified with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the order of the Maccabees. He and
his widowed mother occupy a large and comfortable brick residence, pleasantly located and attractively furnished, and they are numbered among
the most highly respected residents of Vicksburg.
J     EV. NORMAN    ABBOTT, a     prominent
citizen of Richland Township, Kalamazoo
County, is residing on a beautiful tract of
land, located on section 36. He is a native
of Grafton County, N. H. His natal day was
August 24, 1817. He was a son of William  and
Patience (Burbank) Abbott, natives, respectively,
of New Hampshire and Vermont. Both his paternal and maternal ancestry came from England.
In 1827, the original of this sketch accompanied
his parents to Michigan, coming by way of the
Lakes to Detroit, and from there to Romeo, where
they resided for a number of years, and where his
parents died.
Our subject received a primary education in
the schools of Romeo, this State, and was later
graduated from Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1844.
His course in that institution comprised seven
years, being two years in the Preparatory Department, four years in the Classical; and one year in
the Theological.
For eight years Rev. Norman Abbott occupied
the chair of Professor of Mathematics in Albion
College. Mr. Abbot has been an ordained Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church since
1845. He belonged to the Michigan Conference of
the same church for sixteen years, and has since
done more or less ministerial work. In the fall of
1861, he came to Kalamazoo County and located
on his present farm in Richland Township, where
he has since been a continuous resident.  His
landed estate consists of one hundred and twentysix acres which have received many improvements which go to make up a first-class farm. Mr.




I


I

Abbott is a self-made man in the truest sense of
the word-having worked his way through the college.  He is favorable known  and has many
friends throughout the county.
In 1846, Mr. Abbott married Miss Lydia Atkins,
who died about one year afterward, leaving an
infant daughter, Lydia HI., who is now the wife
of Hiram Millspaugh. Mr. Abbott married Miss
Lovina Burret, in 1849, by whom he had four
children, namely:  Emma, who is the wife of
Frank S. Abbott, of Lansing; Mary, the wife of
Robert Telfer, of Richland; Edward I, the eldest
son, born September 20, 1862, received a primary
education in the Galesburg Union School, and in
1890-91, graduated from Tellar's Business College,
in Kalamazoo, and is at present at home. Lewis F.
was born January 14, 1866, also received a primary education at the Galesburg Union School,
and then took a full classical course at Albion
College, graduating June, 1891, and is now at home
engaged in the work of the farm.
The maiden name of the present wife of Rev.
Norman Abbott was Lou L. Stevens, daughter of
Alva T. and Lucy (Hubbard) Stevens. She is an
intelligent and cultured lady, who had been a
successful teacher for years prior to her marriage.
She is a native of Van Buren County, Mich., and
with her husband is interested in every good
work in the locality where they reside. In politics, Mr. Abbott is a Prohibition Republican, and
favors every public measure which tends to the
moral, social, and financial improvement of the
county.
r-,1*..*= '.,
ILLIAM A. BORDEN is a native of Rochester, N. Y.  He was born October 21,
1834, and is the son of William W. and
Caroline (Clark) Borden, the father having been
born in Herkimer County, N. Y., June 21, 1801,
and the mother in Monroe County, N. Y., November 5, 1816. The lived in New York State until
1854, when they journeyed to Decatur, Van Buren
County, Mich., and kept an hotel there one year.
They then settled in Texas Township, where the
father died, March 17, 1867. Previous to the mar




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


947


riage with the mother of our subject, William W.
Borden married Sally Angel, of New York, and who
died in Monroe County, N. Y. She bore her husband one child that lived.
Our subject is the first-born in a family of six
children born to his parents. One daughter, Alice,
born in 1845, was a graduate of Kalamazoo Baptist College and married Henry Morgan and died
in Lamar, Mo., August 26, 1877. William A. Borden accompanied his parents to Michigan in 1854,
since which time he has been a resident of Texas
Township, Kalamazoo County, where he makes
his home on section 11, and here he carries on
general farming successfully on two hundred and
thirty-four broad and fertile acres and it is by his
push, pluck and perseverance that the place is what
it is to-day.
Mr. Borden took as his wife Miss Mary Nash,
who was born in Otsego, N. Y., and who bore her
husband one child, Charles Fremont, born July 31,
1857. This son is married to Miss Hattie Rickard,
the ceremony having taken place January 29, 1879.
Mrs. Hattie Borden was born in Oshtemo Township, this county, November 16, 1856. The good
wife of our subject passed away May 15, 1873, and
in her death the community lost a splendid neighbor and a beloved friend. Our subject has held
the offices of Notary Public and School Inspector
and Director. He is always in favor of anything
that will enhance the prosperity of the community
and always gives it his hearty support. Politically,
he casts his vote always with the Republican
party. Socially, Mr. Borden is a member of the
Masonic fraternity and has taken the Thirty-second degree. He is a public-spirited and liberal
man in his views and is well liked by all with
whom he has come in contact.
1-7J --            C     __I
RADLEY S. WILLIAMS, a resident at No.
718 Burdick Street, Kalamazoo City, was
born in Genesee County, N. Y., April 26,
1815. His father was William Williams, a
native of Canandaigua, N. Y., who took as his wife
Sally Reed, also of Connecticut, who became the
mother of our subject. The grandfather, Ebenezer


Williams, was among the early settlers of Canandaigua, N. Y., and of Welsh descent. The father
of our subject was in the War of 1812. In 1821,
he moved to Ohio, but spent the later years of his
life at Richland, this county, dying in his seventyfourth year.
Our subject is the third born of seven children,
all living to mature years, but two only are now
living, our subject and the youngest brother, William Williams, a resident of Brady Township, this
county. The eldest brother died in Ohio last
February, and Burton D., a doctor of medicine, also
died near Tiffin, the same State. Mr. Williams remained under the parental roof until twenty years
old, teaching some and clerking in a store at Monroeville, Ohio, until 1835. In this year, he came
to Kalamazoo County and expected to engage
in clerking, but instead worked on a farm at
Prairie Ronde and ran a sawmill for Elias Rawson until 1837. In 1835, Mr. Williams located
on section 5, Brady Township, on the Indian Reservation, and in the spring of 1839 he was married, and, building a log cabin, moved on the land,
and two years later his title was perfected under
the pre-emption law. He then devoted his attention to his land, improving it for twenty years.
Of all the men that lived on the prairie when
he first settled, not one is now living.
In 1859, Mr. Williams moved to Kalamazoo
with his children, his wife having previously died,
and there engaged handling sheep, letting out
over two thousand of the Merino breed through
the different counties. Since that time he has
continued to engage in this business in which he
meets with great success, and his sheep are registered in the American National Union Association register. At county fairs, lie always has a
splendid exhibition.  Mr. Williams is also a
breeder of Chester White hogs. This gentleman
is the possessor of three splendid farms in this
county, and, in 1866, he began to grow fruit in
Douglas, Allegan County, and once had a peach
orchard of ten thousand trees,the largest one on the
lake. He has continued in fruit-growing, having
peaches, pears and apples,and having two farms
of one hundred acres each, on which he is now
raising pears. In this lie has made a study of






948


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


pruning, grafting, growing, shipping, etc., and has
been very prosperous in it. Luther and Malcom,
his sons, also give their assistance to this work.
Our worthy subject has been a resident of this
city since 1859, and here erected his beautiful and
commodious residence nearly twenty years ago.
A company was organized in Kalamazoo, of which
our subject was one, for handling windmills, and
fixtures and pumps, and for some three years
made the Sterns Mill, paying a royalty, but soon
changed and began the Manville Mill, which is
still continued. Our subject is the only man to
remain continuously in the business. The firm
has changed a number of times but our subject still
remains a member of it. They started without
one dollar of capital stock, but the business grew
up on its own right and every man who has been
identified with it has made money. Mr. Williams
for about two years engaged in the pine lumber
business at Everett, Osceola County, and conducted a sawmill at Everett till the mill was
blown up and his partner was killed by the
bursting of the boiler. He immediately closed out
the business. The handling of farm land has been
a profitable business with Mr. Williams, and he
now has his farm of two hundred acres, worth
$100 per acre, which is carried on by hired help,
under his sagacious supervision.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Williams was formerly a Whig and an Abolitionist,and was Supervisor of his township at the time the Republican
party was organized.  He is well-read in law and
keeps up with all the public topics of the day.
Mr. Williams was married, April 2, 1838, to Lydia,
a daughter of Eli Harrison. The wife died on
the old farm in Brady Township, January 29,
1857, and Mr. Williams was again married, March
29, 1860, this time to Mrs. Cordelia (Page) Kurtz,
a native and resident of Genesee County, N. Y.,
and a sister of Mrs. Kirk Smith.
The children born of the first marriage of Mr.
Williams are as follows: Melvin, a resident near
San Francisco, Cal.; Vina, whose husband is a
manufacturer of windmills; Owen deceased; Malcom B., in the windmill factory, and Manford
E. One child has been born to the present union,
Dora Irene, who is now Mrs. Walter E. Buckingham




I


and resides at home. Her husband is in the paper
mill here. Manford is an attorney and stockman
at Pierre, S. Dak. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams
are members of the Unitarian Church and are liberal in their church views. Our subject is a member of the Masonic order at Kalamazoo and also
of the Blue Lodge Chapter and Commandery.
LEMENT B. GUCHESS, the popular Postmaster at Climax, Justice of the Peace, and
an old settler of Kalamazoo County, is
identified with the agricultural interests of this
section of the country, as the proprietor of a tract
of finely-improved farming land, from the rental
of which he derives a good income. Mr. Guchess
was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., August 12,
1835, a son of David G:uchess, who was also a
native of New York, and was of Dutch descent.
His father, who was a farmer of New York State,
his farming interests lying in Dutchess County,
was a soldier in the War of 1812. tIe died at the
age of sixty-five years. His ancestors had come
to this country in Colonial times.
The father of our subject was a shoemaker and
a farmer. He carried on his occupations in Cayuga
County, in his native State, until he came to
Michigan in 1851. He located among the early
settlers of Climax, where he followed his trade as
a shoemaker. He owned land in Ionia County,
but did not farm after coming to this State. He
died at the age of seventy-two years, and left behind him the record of a life well spent. Ile was
a Christian in the true sense, and a devoted memrber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was
a Republican in politics. During the last ten or
fifteen years of his life, he resided at Athens, and
was buried there. His wife, whose maiden name
was Maria Emerson, and who was a native of New
York State, died at the age of sixty-eight. She,
too, was a consistent member of the Methodist
Church. She was the mother of eight children,
as follows: Cinderella, deceased; Martin, deceased;
John, Clement B., Sallie M., David, Harriet A., and
Sheldon, deceased.






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


949


I


Our subject passed his early life on a farm in his
native State. When very young, he began to
work on the farm and made himself very useful,
as he was a quick, bright lad, and early learned
how to do all kinds of farm work. He attended
the district school as opportunity offered when he
was a little boy, but at the youthful age of ten, he
had to begin life in earnest as a driver on the Erie
Canal, and he followed the tow-path or steered a
boat until he was eighteen years old. One year
then was spent at carpentering, and at the expiration of that time he came to Kalamazoo County
to build himself up a home. He continued to
pursue his trade as a builder until he enlisted in
Company F, First Michigan Engineers, December
26, 1863. He was mustered in at Kalamazoo, and
was sent with his regiment to Nashville, Tenn.,
where lie and his comrades were engaged in constructing block houses and bridges, their operations extending through Tennessee, Georgia and
Alabama. They accompanied Shernan's forces on
the famous "March to the Sea," and by their good
work contributed not a little to the success of the
expedition. They also did some fighting, taking
an active part in a skirmish at Savannah, and in
the battle of Bentonville, N. C., which was the last
one in which Gen. Sherman's army engaged. Our
subject was in a hospital at Cartersville, Ga., six
weeks, his health giving way under the hardships
that he had to undergo in the performance of his
duties. The Michigan Engineers built block houses
until after the fall of Atlanta, and after that their
work was confined to erecting railway bridges.
They participated in the review of Sherman's
army at Washington, and September 25, 1865,
were honorably discharged, having nobly carried
on the important work entrusted to them in the
face of every danger and in spite of every obstacle, winning encomiums from their leaders for the
help they afforded in enabling the army to move
more rapidly from point to point by their engineering skill.
After his bitter experience of life in the army,
Mr. Guchess returned to his old home in the village of Climax, well pleased to resume his business
as a carpenter, which he has pursued ever since.
He is very skillful in his line, and has worked on


nearly all the buildings in this region. He has
accumulated a goodly amount of this world's
goods, and is one of the independent moneyed
men of the community. He has one hundred and
seventy acres of land in this township, three acres
south of here, and a lot and a house in the village.
He was appointed Postmaster May 6, 1889, and
still holds the position to the general satisfaction
of all who are interested. He has been Justice of
the Peace ever since 1863, with the exception of
two years. His knowledge of law and his experience in applying it to cases that come under his
jurisdiction make him one of the best qualified
officials for the position now serving in that capacity in the county. The wisdom and justice of his
decisions in the many cases tried before him are
shown by the fact that never has one been reversed
or changed by court. Mr. Guchess has also held
other important offices, such as that of Township
Clerk, of which he was an incumbent three years,
and that of Treasurer for one year. He is a member of the Grand Army Post at Galesburg, and of
the Odd Fellows' lodge in this village. In politics, he is a decided Republican.
Our subject was married, February 26, 1853, to
Miss Jane Pierce, a native of Niagara, N. Y. They
have four children living and one deceased, Fillie.
The others are, Celia A., William T. S., Bertha M.
and Rosa. Mr. and Mrs. Guchess are open-hearted,
frank and sincere, stafid high socially, and are well
liked by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
EHEMIAH ELWELL is one of the oldest of
the original settlers of Kalamazoo County
now living within its precincts, who figures
in its pioneer history as one who early braved the
dangers and hardships of life in the wilderness of
Southern Michigan, for the sake of founding a
home, and has been a valuable assistant in reclaiming the soil. He is now quietly passing his later
years on his farm on section 15, Climax Township,
which he purchased from the Government, and
upon which he has lived and labored for more
than half a century.






950                  PORT]


RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- ---






Mr. Elwell was born in the town of Burns, Albany County, N. Y., October 31, 1811. His father,
who bore the same name as himself, was a native
of Connecticut. Grandfather Elwell died young,
and nothing is known of his life or ancestry. The
family is of Welsh descent, and it is four generations since it was first established in America. The
father of our subject was a shoemaker all his life.
During the War of 1812, there were two drafts in his
town, but he was not drafted to serve in the army.
He came to Michigan in 1836, and was a pioneer
of this county, owning a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres, and devoting his time partly to farming and partly to making shoes, until his death at
the age of sixty years. He was a devoted member
of the Baptist Church, taking an active interest in
its welfare, and in politics he was a Whig, having
been an Anti-Mason in early life. He married
Martha Babcock, a native of Connecticut, and they
reared a family of six children: Nehemiah, Robert
B., Selina, Edward, George and Isaac. The mother
died at the age of seventy-three years. She, too,
was an earnest Baptist, and she and her husband
were the first members of that church in this community. The maternal grandfather of our subject,
Robert Babcock, is supposed to have been a native
of Connecticut. He was a carpenter. When young,
he went to live in Allegany County, N. Y., whence
he subsequently went to Albany County, and later
to Schoharie County, where he died at the age of
ninety years.
Our subject is the only survivor of his father's
family. He was educated in the district schools of
his native State, and early learned to work on a
farm. In the fall of 1835, he took an important
step in life, determining to avail himself of the
numerous advantages offered by the cheap lands
and fertile soil of the then Territory of Michigan
for a young farmer to gain a living. He bought
his farm in Climax Township, on which he is still
living, and then went back to his old home. In
the spring of 1836, he returned, driving through
Canada with an ox-team, and being nearly three
weeks on his way. There were but few families
here then, and everything looked wild and desolate. Indians of the Pottawattamie tribe were here,
and as they often came to his house to trade venison,
-- /:-fi'f', 1


I


-


-— 


Mr. Elwell learned to speak their language. He
killed many a deer himself and wild turkeys, too.
At night he would frequently go to the door and
listen to the howls of the wolves, and occasionally
when the moon shone, he would take down his rifle
to shoot at them. IHe did some of his trading at
Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, and made one trip to
Detroit through the forests, and was gone a week,
the traveling being so bad.
Buying his land from the Government, our subject had to fell the forest trees to clear it for cultivation, his first work being to build a log house,
18x24 feet in dimensions, which is still standing
He has since made many substantial improvements,
has his land under excellent tillage, and has a fine
farm of eighty acres, which he rents to his son on
shares, his son carrying on a lucrative business in
mixed farming.
Mr. Elwell and Miss Ruth Whitford united their
lives in what has been a true marriage, September
15, 1840, and, in the corresponding month of 1890,
they celebrated their golden wedding, their children and their old friends and neighbors meeting
together to offer their congratulations and good
wishes, and having a very enjoyable time. They
have been blessed by six children, of whom five
are living: Homer N., Maria (Mrs. Nerber), Warren, Louisa and Huber. Their little son Byron
died at the age of fourteen months. Mrs. Elwell
was born in Otsego County, N. Y., March 14, 1818,
to Eli and Nancy (Sims) Whitford, who were natives of Connecticut. Mrs. Whitford was of Scottish descent, her father having been born in Scotland. The Whitfords were pioneers of Southern
Michigan, coming here in 1836, making the journey across Lake Erie, and then by team to their
destination. Mr. Whitford took up Government
land and developed a farm, and after living in
Battle Creek for a time, went to Utah, and died
there after reaching an old age.
Mr. Elwell first voted the Anti-Mason ticket,
then the Whig, next the Free-Soil, and after that
the Republican, and he still stands stanchly by that
party. He cast the first ballot ever voted in Climax Township in 1837, being one of three voters,
and just fifty years from that very day, he cast the
first one at the opening of the polls. He has al





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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


957


— ~-~~~~ —~ ---I   --   I — ___ _~~_      _ —_ _ ---- I____ _ ~   _ —__- __-I-   -


Lucretia  Sperry, pioneers of Hudson, Gillett
County, Ohio. Her grandfather fought in the
War of the Revolution and died in the hospital.
She had three brothers in the War of the Rebellion, and one of them, Alfred, was a prisoner in
Libby Prison for three months, and died from the
effects of his confinement. The brother, Frank
Sperry, is living in Ogden, Mich., and is a prominent man there.
Our subject is now one of the representative
men of his township and county, having something to do with all movements in the township
that tend towards its betterment.  He was the
first Deputy of Oshtemo Township, and held the
office six years. He is a sagacious business man
and is now engaged in keeping a general store, a
meat-market, hotel, hostelry and drug-store. lie
and his estimable wife have four children: Effie
Elvira, who married Mr. Drummond, a telegraph
operator; Pearly is married and living in Otsego,
Mich., where her husband is connected with the
overall factory; Minnie is single and living at
home, and Elmer is also at home and assisting his
father in the store.
Both Mr. Clapp and his congenial wife have
had serious accidents and are suffeing somewhat
from  the effects of them. Mr. Clapp fell from
the top of a house on which he was working, and
Mrs. Clapp is crippled from  a fall from  a tree
while picking cherries.  Nevertheless, both are
cheerful and pleasant people, and honored and
respected by everyone. Mr. Clapp has been   a
delegate to county conventions a number of
times, and has twice served as delegate to State
conventions.
" AMES NES131'rITT. Nothing  is of deeper
interest to tlhe student of human nature
and human events than to trace the career
of one who has fought his way up to a
position of prominence and financial success by
dint of his own pluck, push and perseverance, and
who has, notwithstanding the temptations and
struggles of his earlier years, maintained a wellearned reputation for probity and for a just con

sideration of the rights of others. Such a study
do we find in the life of him whose name we have
just quoted.
The splendid farm  of Mr. Nesbitt, which is
situated on section 3, Prairie Ronde Township,
Kalamazoo County4 is well worthy of a visit from
any one who admires a finely-tilled farm. He
occupies a very prominent position in his community, being Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of thle county. HIe is a genial, hospitable
gentleman, and one who has as many friends as
acquaintances. His good wife is a model homekeeper, and they are both regarded as among the
best citizens of their community.
James Nesbitt was the youngest in the parental
family of three children, and was born May 28,
1847, in Prairie Ronde Township. His parents
were George and Susan (IIuxtable) Nesbitt, for a
fuller history of whose life the reader is referred
to their sketch, to be found on another page in
this volume. Our subject grew to manhood on
his father's farm, being trained to all the duties
which are essential to be performed by a first-class
agriculturist. He has always devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, and ranks among
the well-to-do business men of the township.
January 14, 1875, Mr. Nesbitt was united in
marriage to Miss Lena, daughter of James and
Judith (H-arris) Watkins. H-er parents came to
Kalamazoo County in an early day, and vere
natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Ohio.
After coming to the Wolverine State, they resided
in Van Buren County, where they passed their last
days. Mrs. Nesbitt was one of a family of nine
children, her birth occurring in the above-named
county, April 18, 1850.
To our subject and his estimable wife have been
born one daughter, Katie M. Mr. Nesbitt was
elected Supervisor of Prairie Ronde Township in
the spring of 1883, filling that position acceptably
several terms. In the spring of 1891, ie was elected
Chairman of that body at a special meeting. In
politics, Mr. Nesbitt has always voted the straiglht
Republican ticket, and has been very prominent in
all local affairs. His landed estate comprises one
hundred and sixty acres, eighty of which bear
fine improvements.




958


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the
township, the following resolution, referring to
our subject, was offered by Mr. Robinson, and the
same was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the thanks of this Board are
hereby tendered to the Chairman for the impartial
manner in which he has presided over the deliberations of this Board, and we hereby take this
opportunity to renew our obligation to him for
the uniform courtesy he has extended to each and
every member of this body on all occasions.,ARIUS W. FIELD.        Among the most
l  thrifty and intelligent agriculturists of
Kalamazoo County, we are glad to mention the gentleman whose name initiates
this sketch and who has been more than ordinarily
successful in his business career. He is at present
residing on a fine farm on section 24, Kalamazoo
Township, a view of which accompanies this biography. He is a native of Steuben County, N. Y.,
born April 26, 1831. His father, Darius Field, a
native of Vermont, took as his wife Saloma Clark
and to themn were born four sons and seven
daughters. This couple in an early day m.oved to
New York and located in Steuben County where
the children were mostly reared. Farming was
his life vocation and he saw many of the hardships and trials incident to such a life.
In 1845 the elder Mr. Field came to the State of
Michigan, locating in St. Joseph County, where he
resided but ashort time, after which he went to
Cass County and purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Porter Township. For about one
year before his death, which took place in 1876,
heresided with a daughter in St. Joseph County.
The good wife and mother died some years previous, in 1863. In politics, he was first a Whig and
then a Republican, and he and his estimable wife
belonged to the Methodist Church, in which he
held most of the offices connected with that body.
He lost his property in New York and was a very
poor man when he came to Michigan, his capital
then consisting of three horses and $10 in cash.
At his death he was worth $3,500.
The grandfather of our subject, George Field,


was a brave soldier in the Revolutionary War and
his son, the father of our subject, was Major in the
State militia. George Field was probably born of
English parents who were farmers, which vocation
he also followed. He of whom we write remained
at home until of age, when soon afterward he was
married to Sarah Ray, a native of Cattaraugus
County, N. Y., having been born April 21, 1828.
Her father was Joseph Ray and his wife bore the
maiden name of Eliza Hewlett and to them were
born four sons and four daughters. He was a
farmer and came to Michigan in 1835, settling in
Cass County and after a four years' residence there
moved to St. Joseph County, where he died in
1852. The mother survived until 1871.
Three children have come to bless the home of
our subject: Loren, who is at home; Daton, a
farmer in St. Joseph County; and Carrie, the wife
of George H. Young, of Kalamazoo. Our subject
was fourteen years old when he came to Michigan
and lived in St. Joscpli and Cass Counties until
1865, when he came to Kalamazoo County and located in Kalamazoo Township, where he resided on
one farm eleven years. At the time of his coming
here, he owned a farm of nine hundred acres. Soon
after he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in
the township of Cooper, which he sold about twelve
years afterward, and bought the two hundred and
fifty-five acres which comprise his present farm.
Mr. Field has improved his land and erected a
complete set of buildings. The place is located
within one-half mile of the city of Kalamazoo and
is devoted to general farming, which is conducted
profitably.
By his push, pluck and perseverance, Mr. Field
has accumulated a splendid competency and can
now enjoy the fruit of his early labors.  At one
time he owned three hundred and sixty acres of
fine land in St. Joseph County, which he gave to
his two sons equally divided, with a team, tools
and stock of all kinds to commence in life. IHe
has given to his daughter two lots embellished
with good buildings. Besides his farm, he owns
two houses and lots in the city on Kalamazoo Avenue which he has had for a number of years. He
is also the possessor of eighty acres in Van Buren
County, excellently improved and with substantial




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


957


— ~-~~~~ —~ ---I   --   I — ___ _~~_      _ —_ _ ---- I____ _ ~   _ —__- __-I-   -


Lucretia  Sperry, pioneers of Hudson, Gillett
County, Ohio. Her grandfather fought in the
War of the Revolution and died in the hospital.
She had three brothers in the War of the Rebellion, and one of them, Alfred, was a prisoner in
Libby Prison for three months, and died from the
effects of his confinement. The brother, Frank
Sperry, is living in Ogden, Mich., and is a prominent man there.
Our subject is now one of the representative
men of his township and county, having something to do with all movements in the township
that tend towards its betterment.  He was the
first Deputy of Oshtemo Township, and held the
office six years. He is a sagacious business man
and is now engaged in keeping a general store, a
meat-market, hotel, hostelry and drug-store. lie
and his estimable wife have four children: Effie
Elvira, who married Mr. Drummond, a telegraph
operator; Pearly is married and living in Otsego,
Mich., where her husband is connected with the
overall factory; Minnie is single and living at
home, and Elmer is also at home and assisting his
father in the store.
Both Mr. Clapp and his congenial wife have
had serious accidents and are suffeing somewhat
from  the effects of them. Mr. Clapp fell from
the top of a house on which he was working, and
Mrs. Clapp is crippled from  a fall from  a tree
while picking cherries.  Nevertheless, both are
cheerful and pleasant people, and honored and
respected by everyone. Mr. Clapp has been   a
delegate to county conventions a number of
times, and has twice served as delegate to State
conventions.
" AMES NES131'rITT. Nothing  is of deeper
interest to tlhe student of human nature
and human events than to trace the career
of one who has fought his way up to a
position of prominence and financial success by
dint of his own pluck, push and perseverance, and
who has, notwithstanding the temptations and
struggles of his earlier years, maintained a wellearned reputation for probity and for a just con

sideration of the rights of others. Such a study
do we find in the life of him whose name we have
just quoted.
The splendid farm  of Mr. Nesbitt, which is
situated on section 3, Prairie Ronde Township,
Kalamazoo County4 is well worthy of a visit from
any one who admires a finely-tilled farm. He
occupies a very prominent position in his community, being Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of thle county. HIe is a genial, hospitable
gentleman, and one who has as many friends as
acquaintances. His good wife is a model homekeeper, and they are both regarded as among the
best citizens of their community.
James Nesbitt was the youngest in the parental
family of three children, and was born May 28,
1847, in Prairie Ronde Township. His parents
were George and Susan (IIuxtable) Nesbitt, for a
fuller history of whose life the reader is referred
to their sketch, to be found on another page in
this volume. Our subject grew to manhood on
his father's farm, being trained to all the duties
which are essential to be performed by a first-class
agriculturist. He has always devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, and ranks among
the well-to-do business men of the township.
January 14, 1875, Mr. Nesbitt was united in
marriage to Miss Lena, daughter of James and
Judith (H-arris) Watkins. H-er parents came to
Kalamazoo County in an early day, and vere
natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Ohio.
After coming to the Wolverine State, they resided
in Van Buren County, where they passed their last
days. Mrs. Nesbitt was one of a family of nine
children, her birth occurring in the above-named
county, April 18, 1850.
To our subject and his estimable wife have been
born one daughter, Katie M. Mr. Nesbitt was
elected Supervisor of Prairie Ronde Township in
the spring of 1883, filling that position acceptably
several terms. In the spring of 1891, ie was elected
Chairman of that body at a special meeting. In
politics, Mr. Nesbitt has always voted the straiglht
Republican ticket, and has been very prominent in
all local affairs. His landed estate comprises one
hundred and sixty acres, eighty of which bear
fine improvements.




958


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the
township, the following resolution, referring to
our subject, was offered by Mr. Robinson, and the
same was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the thanks of this Board are
hereby tendered to the Chairman for the impartial
manner in which lie has presided over the deliberations of this Board, and we hereby take this
opportunity to renew our obligation to him for
the uniform courtesy he has extended to each and
every member of this body on all occasions.
DARIUS W. FIELD.        Among the most
l   thrifty and intelligent agriculturists of
Kalamazoo County, we are glad to mention the gentleman whose name initiates
this sketch and who has been more than ordinarily
successful in his business career. He is at present
residing on a fine farm on section 24, Kalamazoo
Township, a view of which accompanies this biography. He is a native of Steuben County, N. Y.,
born April 26, 1831. His father, Darius Field, a
native of Vermont, took as his wife Saloma Clark
and to themn were born four sons and seven
daughters. This couple in an early day mr.oved to
New York and located in Steuben County where
the children were mostly reared. Farming was
his life vocation and he saw many of the hardships and trials incident to such a life.
In 1845 the elder Mr. Field came to the State of
Michigan, locating in St. Joseph County, where he
resided but a short time, after which he went to
Cass County and purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Porter Township. For about one
year before his death, which took place in 1876,
he resided with a daughter in St. Joseph County.
The good wife and mother died some years previous, in 1863. In politics, he was first a Whig and
then a Republican, and he and his estimable wife
belonged to the Methodist Church, in which he
held most of the offices connected with that body.
He lost his property in New York and was a very
poor man when he came to Michigan, his capital
then consisting of three horses and $10 in cash.
At his death he was worth $3,500.
The grandfather of our subject, George Field,


was a brave soldier in the Revolutionary War and
his son, the father of our subject, was Major in the
State militia. George Field was probably born of
English parents who were farmers, which vocation
he also followed. He of whom we write remained
at home until of age, when soon afterward he was
married to Sarah Ray, a native of Cattaraugus
County, N. Y., having been born April 21, 1828.
Her father was Joseph Ray and his wife bore the
maiden name of Eliza Hewlett and to them were
born four sons and four daughters. He was a
farmer and came to Michigan in 1835, settling in
Cass County and after a four years' residence there
moved to St. Joseph County, where he died in
1852. The mother survived until 1871.
Three children have come to bless the home of
our subject: Loren, who is at home; Daton, a
farmer in St. Joseph County; and Carrie, the wife
of George H. Young, of Kalamazoo. Our subject
was fourteen years old when lie came to Michigan
and lived in St. Josepli and Cass Counties until
1865, when he came to Kalamazoo County and located in Kalamazoo Township, where he resided on
one farm eleven years. At the time of his coming
here, he owned a farm of nine hundred acres. Soon
after he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in
the township of Cooper, which he sold about twelve
years afterward, and bought the two hundred and
fifty-five acres which comprise his present farm.
Mr. Field has improved his land and erected a
complete set of buildings. The place is located
within one-half mile of the city of Kalamazoo and
is devoted to general farming, which is conducted
profitably.
By his push, pluck and perseverance, Mr. Field
has accumulated a splendid competency and can
now enjoy the fruit of his early labors.  At one
time he owned three hundred and sixty acres of
fine land in St. Joseph County, which he gave to
his two sons equally divided, with a team, tools
and stock of all kinds to commence in life. IHe
has given to his daughter two lots embellished
with good buildings. Besides his farm, lie owns
two houses and lots in the city on Kalamazoo Avenue which lie has had for a number of years. He
is also the possessor of eighty acres in Van Buren
County, excellently improved and with substantial




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RESIDENCE OF DARIUS W. FI ELD,5EC. 24., KALAMAZOO TP, KALAMAZOO CO.,MICH.




l;i_
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


961


buildings erected thereon.  His life furnishes a
splendid illustration of what may be accomplished
by an energetic, determined and economical man.
In his politics, he is a stanch Republican, but is not
an aspirant to office of any kind, preferring the
quietude of his home to the turmoil of public
life.
s TEPHEN ELDRED is one of the oldest
residents of Kalamazoo County, of which
he and his father and brothers were among
the leading pioneers in the early days of
its settlement. His finely appointed farm in Climax Township, half a mile east of the village of
Climax, was bought by him from the Government
more than half a century ago, and here he has
lived and labored these many years, and is now
serenely passing his old age in one of the pleasantest homes of this locality, with his good wife, both
enjoying the love and confidence of all who come
under their benign influence.
Mr. Eldred was born in the town of Lawrence,
Otsego County, N. Y., March 28, 1810. He is a
son of Caleb Eldred, an account of whom will be
found in the sketch of our subject's brother,
Thomas B. Our subject grew to manhood on a
farm, and was educated in the local district school,
when the rate-bill system was in operation and the
teacher boarded with the parents of the pupils.
He himself taught school one winter. At the age
of nineteen, he studied surveying, and when he was
twenty years old lie floated down the Susquehanna
River a distance of two hundred miles, with a view
of getting a job of surveying for a canal, for
which Pennsylvania had made an appropriation.
He failed to obtain the desired job, and had to
walk back to his home the entire two hundred
miles. That ended his surveying. May 9, 1831,
he and his brother Thomas and sisters, Louisa and
Phebe, started for the Territory of Michigan,
whither their father had preceded them the year
before. They went to Utica in a wagon and loaded
their goods on a boat which took them on the
Erie Canal to Buffalo, where they were met by
their father. From there they proceeded to De

troit by boat, and then were six days getting by
wagon and team   to Comstock, where the father
had entered land. He built the first sawmill in
the county, and the next year erected the first
flouring mill in the county, which our subject
helped him to operate.
In 1832, our subject raised sixty acres of corn
on this prairie, and put in eighty acres of wheat.
He and his sisters came over here to be near the
harvest field and lived in a cabin near where the
Baptist church now stands. In this then wild and
sparsely settled region, Indians were numerous,
and Mr. Eldred has slept by the fireside with them
more than   once. He knew    their habits and
customs well and could talk their language some.
At one time lie had some trouble with them on account of killing some of their dogs, which had
destroyed some of his property. They demanded
payment for them, and threatened to kill his stock
if he refused. He scared them off by threatening
to report them to the Government. Each year
the wolves used to kill $20 or $30 worth of his
stock, and in turn, lie killed many wolves. Deer
and wild cats were very plentiful, and though our
subject did not care much to hunt, he once shot a
deer in his wheat field. He used to drive to Detroit
once or twice a year for provisions, and it would
take him two weeks to make the journey, such was
the condition of the roads.
Mr. Eldred has been very successful in farming.
His land, which was entered in his name from the
Government, is highly productive, and all but
eighty, of three hundred and fifteen acres, are improved. The handsome, large brick residence that
he occupies was built in 1867, at a cost of $6,000,
and he has a number of large frame barns and
other out-buildings, and every appliance of a
model farm. Thlus lie not only witnessed almost
the whole growth of Kalamazoo County, but has
been an important factor in its development. He
can remember when there was scarcely a farm
throughout this region, and when there were only
three log cabins on the present site of the handsome and thriving city of Kalamazoo. IHe has
been very liberal in the support of religious and
educational interests, and has warmly encouraged
all enterprises calculated to build up the county.




962


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIPHICAL RECORD.


He gave $1,500 to the Baptist College in Kalamazoo. He also gave $1,000 to the railway when it
came through here, and lost $2,000 in helping to
construct it. He and his wife are Baptists in belief, but are not church members. They are generous, warm-hearted and exceedingly  charitable,
and have done a great deal of good in an unostentatious manner.
October 24, 1836, is the date of the marriage of
our subject to Miss Emily Spencer, and though
more than fifty-five years have passed since that
important event in their lives, they are still living
happily together, he in his eighty-third year and
she in her seventy-sixth. Mrs. Eldred was born
in Weston, N. Y., February 28, 1817. She is the
mother of five children, namely: Gustavus A.,
who died at the age of seven years; Octavius W.,
who is engaged in the hardware business at Colfax,
Ind.; Alfonso B., who lived to rear a family, and
had become quite prominent in the village, when
his untimely death, at the age of thirty-four, occurred in 1878; Harriet G., now Mrs. Sager, who
lives on a farm in this township; and Charles L.
(     ULBERT   SHERWOOD. This highly esteemed pioneer of Kalamazoo County resides upon his farm  which comprises two
hundred and twenty acres on sections 28
and 29, Cooper Township. He is a native of New
York and was born in Brighton Township, Monroe
County, February 11, 1822. His father, Labearce,
was the son of Hull Sherwood and was born in
Otsego County, N. Y. He emigrated from  New
York to Michigan in the spring of 1833 and
settled in Allegan County, where hle died two
years afterward.
Grandfather Hull Sherwood was a farmer and
miller in New York and also in this State, whither
he removed in 1831, settling on Pine Creek in
Otsego Township, Allegan County, and building
the first gristmill ever seen in that county. Later
he built a sawmill and engaged as a miller until
his death in 1836. At the time of his arrival, the
Government was engaged in surveying the land in
Southern Michigan, which had very few white


settlers and was entirely unimproved. The land
which he cleared was Government land and was
in the primeval condition of nature at the time of
its purchase.
The mother of our subject, Sophia Noble, a native of New York, long survived her husband and
passed awayin Allegan County, about 1857. Five
of her eight children are now living. Hulbert, of
this sketch, was reared on a farm in New York,
until he was about eleven years old, when he
accompanied his parents to Michigan in the spring
of 1833 and assisted his father in clearing a farm.
His education was received in the old-fashioned
log schoolhouse with its rude furnishings, and after
his removal to Michigan he had few opportunities
for study.
The trip from New York was made by canal to
Buffalo, thence by lake to Detroit, where ox-teams
were purchased and the journey completed overland. Deer and Indians were plentiful and the
howl of the wolf was frequently heard. After his
father's death, our subject aided his two elder
brothers in clearing and improving the land which
had been entered, and at the age of twenty-two
commenced farming for himself three and onehalf miles west of the village of Otsego. Some
time before, he had purchased one hundred and
twenty acres of wild land upon which he built a
log house and there he remained until 1849.
During that year, Mr. Sherwood sold his farm
and removed to his present estate in Cooper Township, which he purchased in  1852. When he
settled here, only ten acres had been cleared of its
forest growth and during the more than forty
years of his residence here, he has not only cleared
the remaining acres, but placed them under fine
improvement, and has also replaced the old log
cabin with an attractive frame dwelling. In 1844,
he was married to Miss Philanda Drew, a native
of Canada, who died in 1847. He contracted a
second matrimonial alliance in 1849, choosing as
his wife Miss Annie Crawford, of Canada.
Mrs. Sherwood was born July 25, 1822, and is
the daughter of Robert and Cynthia (Brown) Crawford, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and
New York. Mr. Crawford, who followed the calling
of a farmer, removed at an early day to Canada and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


963


located just across the line from Vermont. Afterward he settled in Lawrence, N. Y., and from there
came to Michigan in 1849. He died when fifty
years old and his wife passed away at the age of
fifty-two in Cooper Township. Only two of their
nine children now survive.
Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood are the parents of three
children: Viola married Charles Newton, a farmer
of Trowbridge Township, and they have two
children, Archer and Robert. Caliste is the wife of
John Travis, of Ann Arbor, and they have one
child, D. Hull. Curtis married Nettie McGregory,
and they have one child, Lloyd; they live on the
old homestead. Politically, Mr. Sherwood is a
Democrat, although by no means an active partisan. He and his estimable wife are identified
with the Congregational Church at Cooper, and
are prominently connected with the best social
circles of the community. For twenty-five years
he has been a Mason and is now a member of
Cooper Lodge, No. 149.
OHN H. HOBDEN, who is a well-known
and prominent farmer and stock-raiser of
Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County,
was born in Rochester, N. Y., September 4,
1833. The father of our subject was sent from
England to America by his father, who furnished
him with funds to engage in the fur trade.  This
was in 1807 and he was extensively engaged both
in Canada and the United States. His health became affected from the great exposures and he suffered much. He finally settled at Rochester, N. Y.,
where he married and engaged in the mercantile trade. His health after a time failed and he
spent a year on the ocean in the hope of regaining
it. He died in 1843, a few months after his voyage, at the age of sixty-seven years. During the
War of 1812, the father of our subject spent a few
months during the winter of 1813 with the troops
at Batavia, N. Y. The mother of our subject,
Ann Bohannah, was a native of Massachusetts, of
Scotch descent.  She was a relative of Daniel
Webster and was reared among the pioneers of
Western New York. Before her marriage, she car

ried the United States mail once a month from Canandaigua to Ft. Niagara, fording the Genesee
River at Rochester. She was among the Indians
a great deal and could speak their language fluently. She and her husband both died in the Episcopal faith.
Our subject is the oldest of five children.  The
first school he attended was on the site known as
Brown's Square at Rochester, where the Niagara
Falls Freight Depot now stands.  When eleven
years old, he went to live with Sylvester Tracy, a
good Presbyterian deacon, with whom he remained
about two years, going to school and doing chores
for his board. After working on the farm some
time, he became traveling salesman for J. W. Colman, a merchant of Rochester, working for him fifteen months. He again tried work on the farm
for two years.
In the year 1852, our subject came to Michigan,
and stopped at Battle Creek, where he was with J.
N. Merritt in business. The following spring, Mr.
Hobden returned East and bought a nursery stock
and shipped it to Oshtemo, this county, where he
started a nursery. He attended to his business
during the summers and taught school during the
winters.
Miss Laura J. Love became the companion of
Mr. Hobden in 1857, and she wasa native of Kalamazoo County.   Her parents came from New
York in 1831. Our subject then bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild land on section 26,
Oshtemo Township, erected a small house and
turned his entire attention to farming.  He is
now the possessor of one hundred and ninety acres
in one body, all in a high state of cultivation.
Ten children have come to the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Hobden: Adella (deceased), Stephen L.,
Ulysses H., Sarah J., Lillie M., John B., Hattie (deceased), Alvernon, Perry and Geneva.  His two
oldest sons received good commercial educations,
and one is now in the mercantile business in Idaho.
Two daughters became excellent teachers.
During the summer of 1891, Mr. Hobden began
business in Oshtemo Village and has a general
store. He has excellent stock on his farm and
does a fruit, grain and produce business. Merino
sheep are his favorite breed, and also Durham




964                     PORTRAIT AND BIO(
cattle. His principal crop is wheat. He has excellent buildings upon his place and all that he
now has he has made himself by his perseverance
and industry. In politics, he is a Democrat and
takes pride in local school matters, although he
has never been an aspirant to office. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the
Farmers' Alliance. He and his family are well
liked and respected.
" -  I -.. a
FH 0 M AS RUSSELL. This honored and
respected old gentleman, who is in his
a  eighty-fifth year, is residing on an excellent farm on section 35, Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County. He is yet very hale and hearty
and is an interesting conversationalist, being able to
relate many incidents connected with the War of
1812 and of pioneer life in this State.
The honorable lineage of our subject is a matter
of just pride in the family. His father, Roderick
Russell, was born in Connecticut and followed the
seas for many years. He, however, settled down
to life on erra firma in 1814, locating in Chautauqua County about 1814, where he was among
the earliest settlers of that county. The maiden
name of our subject's mother was Laura Goodrich,
a native of Connecticut. She passed away some
years before her honored husband and was a true
and conscientious member of the Presbyterian
Church.
Thomas Russell was the thiFd child in order of
birth of his parents' family of twelve, only four
of whom are living. He spent his boyhood days
on the home farm and attended the district school.
At the time his parents removed to Chautauqua
County, the War of 1812 was in progress and lie
remembers when meeting the army that his parents
got out of their wagon and went to see Gen. Scott,
who had just been wounded.
Our subject began life on his own account when
eighteen years of age, by working in the lumber
woods of his native county. He continued thus
employed until reaching his twenty-fifth year and
then began farming in Chautauqua County. After
a few years, he disposed of his farm and kept an


GRAPHICAL RECORD.


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


hotel at Ripley, in the above-named county, operating as "mine host" for live years. Ite emigrated
with his family to this State in 1857, and located
in Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County, where he
had purchased a farm. There he erected a rude
plank house, in which the family made their home
until the land had been cleared and began to yield
an increase. Wild animals were very numerous
and Mr. Russell remembers seeing deer feeding in
his orchard not twenty rods from his house. The
change which he has witnessed in the development
and progress of the county has been great indeed,
and he has done his full share of hard work in
paving the way for those who should coire after.
Our subject was born in Weatherfield, Conn.,
July 24, 1807, and was married to Eliza Durby, of
Pittsford, Vt., in September, 1834. Mrs. Russell
died on her birthday, July 3, 1890, in her seventyeighth year. She was a very lovely and lovable old
lady at the time of her decease, and had been mar
ried to our subject for over half a century. Their
eight children were Ellen, Adelaide F., Roderick
D., Charles H., Hardin D., Frank W., George W.
and Eugene J. Ellen married Hiram Rose, and
makes her home in Ada, Kent County, this State,
where Mr. Rose is a large farmer; they have two
children: Maudanie E. and Annie L. Adelaide F.
is Mrs. George Bradenburg, and resides in Omaha,
Neb.; her husband is a large landowner and they
have one child, George. Roderick D. died June 6,
1885; he had been married to Miss Carrie Kech, of
Waterloo, N. Y. Charles H. married Miss Mary J.
Bigelow, and makes his home in Kalamazoo County.
Hardin D. married Brigetta McLaughlin, a native
of Monroe County, N. Y., and he lives on the old
homestead. The three remaining sons are single.
Roderick served three years in the Civil War, cnlisting as Assistant Quartermaster. He was mustered out with the rank of Lieutenant. After the
war, he became interested in the Gordon Binder
and assisted in securing patents and aided in perfecting the fiist machine manufactured. The machine was afterward purchased by the Osborn Company of New York and Mr. Russell traveled for
that company, visiting South America and Europe.
He was finally given charge of the Western department with headquarters at Minneapolis, where his




/


I




0~
rI




p


^.J^CI~l\_x




PORTRAIT AND TBIOGRAPITICAL RECORD.


967


death occurred three years later. The children of
our subject were all given excellent educations and
the eldest daughter, previous to her marriage,
taught school for a number of years.
Mr. Russell of this sketch cast his first vote for
President Jackson in 1828 and has always been a
stanch Democrat. Ile was personally acquainted
with Horace Greeley, who was born and reared in
Chautauqua County, near the home of our subject.
The splendid estate of Mr. Russell includes one
hundred and ninety-four acres and is under fine
cultivation, as he believes that the best methods
and latest improvements bring about the largest
returns. Iis estate has been managed for the past
fifteen years by his son, Hlardin D.
D ETER F. ALEXANDER. Many beautiful
homesteads are to be found in Kalamazoo
4      County, and among them that of Mr. Alex
ander on section 8, Prairie Ronde Township, deserves especial mention. The farm, which
comprises eighty acres, has been brought to a high
state of cultivation through his tireless efforts and
is embellished with commodious buildings well
adapted to their varied uses. The family residence
is attractive and neat, the barns substantial, and
the other outbuildings conveniently located.
The parents of our subject, George and Margaret (Shaver) Alexander, were born in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively, and made
their home in Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., until
his death. The widowed mother afterward came
to Kalamazoo about 1835 and resided in Prairie
Ronde Township until her death. The sixth of
their family of nine children is Peter F., who was
born in Lyons, N. Y., July 6, 1816. HI-e is deservedly recognized as one of the pioneers of Prairie
Ronde Township, for, after growing to manhood in
his native place, he came hither as early as 1832.
At that early day few improvements had been
made in Kalamazoo County, which was inhabited
principally by Indians and wild animals, white
settlers being very few and at remote distances
from one another. Undaunted by the hardships


I of pioneer life, Mr. Alexander commenced to clear
his farm, which he continued until the entire
estate was placed under cultivation and a neat set
of buildings had been erected.
After working a few years alone, Mr. Alexander
brought to his home a bride, to whom he was married in Leonidas, St. Joseph County, Mich., October
6, 1840. Her maiden name was Sabra Auton, and
her parents, James and Harriet (Harvey) Auton,
resided in St. Joseph County until their demise.
Mrs. Alexander was born near Utica, N. Y., February 25, 1820, but grew to womanhood in this State.
She became the mother of six children, of whom
one only survives. Harriet, who was the wife of
Asa Newman, died when nineteen years old. Cassius enlisted in Company G, Thirteenth Michigan
Infantry, but was discharged for disability. Afterward he enlisted in Company I, First Michigan
Cavalry, and during the engagement at Trevilian
Station, Va., August 11, 1864, was missed while in
action and never afterward heard from. Undoubtedly lie fell while defending his country's flag.
Luce died when four years old; Lydia M. and
Antoinette died in infancy.
The only surviving child of this family is Luce
T., who was born in Prairie Ronde Township,
March 17, 1856. tie was reared to a vigorous
manhood on his father's farm, where he has always resided, with the exception of four years
during which lie was engaged in business at Schoolcraft. Ihe was there married, November 7, 1877,
to Miss Emma, daughter of Daniel J. and Sarah
J. (Fisher) Morrison, natives respectively of New
York and Schoolcraft, this State. Mrs. Alexander,
who was born in St. Joseph County, August 6,
1858, is the mother of one son, Rush C., who was
born August 26, 1883.
After a happy wedded life of almost fifty years,
Mrs. Sabra Alexander passed from earth February
20, 1890, mourned not only by her immediate
family circle but by all who knew her. Mr. Alexander has always taken a deep interest in public
matters as a member of the Republican party, and
has served as Justice of the Peace for eight years,
as well as in other positions of trust. His principal occupation has been that of a farmer, although
when a young man he followed the trade of a car



968


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


penter to some extent, and for four years was engaged as mail carrier between La Grange, Cass
County, and Battle Creek, Calhoun County. His
portrait accompanies this sketch. He has become
well-to-do and in his declining years is surrounded
by all the comforts of life.
G    EORGE SHEAN. This gentleman, who, for
two years, was the popular and efficient
Supervisor of Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, is at present residing on his splendid
estate, located on section 22. He is a native of
the Pine Tree State, his natal day having been
January 23, 1842. He was the son of William
and Julia (Lovitt) Shean, both of whom  were
natives of Ireland and who emigrated to America.
The original of this sketch was brought to Barry
County, this State, by his parents in 1846, who
came hither by way of Lake Erie to Detroit, and
then overland to the above-named county. They
were among the very earliest settlers in that locality, and braved many dangers and hardships to
prepare the way for those who should follow. Of
the parental family of nine children, seven still
survive, and are respectively, Mary, who is the
wife of Elijah Daley, of Calhoun County, this
State; Catherine, Mrs. William Taggart, also living in Calhoun County; Daniel, who makes his
home in Texas; George, our subject; Melissa, who
married Alexander Rhodes, is residing in Calhoun
County, and John and Frank, who make their
home in Nebraska.
The elder Mr. Shean located in the woods on
his arrival in Barry County, his first purchase consisting of fifty acres. Before his death, however,
his estate included four hundred acres of prime
land, he having been very successful in his undertakings, and a good financier.
George Shean grew to manhood on the home
farm in Barry County, and assisted his father
greatly in clearing and improving the estate. His
education was obtained in the district school of
that period, which has later been supplemented by
systematic and judicious reading. Miss Ellen
Cook became the wife of our subject, their mar

riage being celebrated March 19, 1866. Mrs. Shean
was born in Oneida, N. Y., and was the daughter
of Noris Cook, now deceased. Her parents came
hither when Miss Ellen was eleven years of age.
To our subject and his wife have been granted
a family of five children: Leslie F., Charles, Mabel,
Bertha and Kate. In 1884, Mr. Shean settled on
his present farm, which numbers one hundred and
twenty acres. It is highly cultivated, and by a
proper rotation of crops is made to produce a
handsome increase. In 1886, the original of this
sketch was elected Supervisor of Richland Township, and served two terms in succession.  In
politics, he is a Democrat, and, socially, is a member
of the Masonic fraternity. I-e is progressive and
public-spirited and actively interested in local
affairs. He is classed among the successful and
prosperous residents of Kalamazoo County, and
in business circles his word is considered as good
as his bond.
LBERT CARPENTER is at present residing on a good farm situated on section 9,
Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County, where he gives his entire time and
attention to cultivating the soil. He is a son of
the late Ira Carpenter, who was greatly respected
in this community. The parents were married
in Ashtabula County, Ohio, after which they removed to Illinois, where they made their home for
a twelvemonth. In June, 1833, they came to
what is now Prairie Ronde Township, where they
resided for twenty-two or twenty-three years and
then emigrated to Wisconsin, settling in Juneau
County, where they passed their last days. They
had become the heads of a family of five sons and
two daughters, of whom our subject was the eldest.
Albert Carpenter was born in Ashtabula County,
Ohio, January 4, 1830. He accompanied his parents on their removal to this township, where he
attended the common schools and acquired a good
education. He grew to manhood on his father's
farm and has always given his attention to agri



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


969


cultural pursuits. October 17, 1852, he was united
in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Munger, the daughter of Russell and Eliza F. (Spearrs) Munger. The
parents of Mrs. Carpenter were married in the
Buckeye State, where they lived in Huron County.
In 1835, they came to Kalamazoo County, and, locating in Prairie Ronde Township, made this place
their home until their death. Mrs. Carpenter was
the eldest of the parental family of twelve children, her natal day being January 16, 1831. By
her marriage with our subject she has become the
mother of two children: Crowel E., who married
Miss Elizabeth Young, and Irving A., who married
Miss Harriet E. Thompson.
Mr. Carpenter owns one hundred and eighty
acres of excellent land which lie devotes to general agriculture and has been very successful in
his undertaking. Ite has been a prominent man
in local affairs and served his township as Treasurer
for a number of years. Since 1889, he has filled
the office of Justice of the Peace and is actively
interested in all measures which have for their
object the upbuilding of the community. He is
an ardent member of the grand old Republican
party and, socially, is a Mason, being identified
with Schoolcraft Chapter and the Three Rivers
Comman dery.


one hundred and twenty acres were wholly unimproved, thirty acres had been partially cleared,
while an old frame structure was the family residence. Afterward he erected a fine frame house;
a grain and cattle barn, 36x57, with a shed at right
angles, 44 feet long, a stable 36x40, and in addition
cleared all the land,with the exception of ten acres
of timber. He added to the estate by the purchase
of an adjoining eighty acres, making a homestead
of two hundred and forty acres.
In Cummington, Hampshire County, Mass.,which
has long been famous as the birthplace of William
Cullen Bryant, Mr. Daniels was born August 27,
1824. Iis father, Barney, also a native of that
place, was born July 27, 1798 of Scotch descent,
and in his boyhood days was a schoolmate of the
famous poet. At the age of twenty-one lie commenced to learn the trade of a shoemaker, which
he followed for a few years. In the fall of 1832,
he traded his property for wild land in Medina
County, Ohio, whither, in October of the same
year, he removed overland to Albany, from there
on Erie Canal to Buffalo, by lake to Fairport and
by team to Chatham Township, where were only
four settlers.
At that early day deer and wolves were numerous and bears were occasionally seen. Mr. Daniels
settled in the woods and built a log cabin, people
coming from miles away to assist him in raising
it. He cleared his farm of one hundred and twentyfour acres, where he is now living at the age of
ninety-four years in remarkably good health. Politically, he is a Democrat and such is his popularity
that, although the county is largely Republican,
he was elected County Treasurer, and also served
as the first Supervisor and Treasurer of his township. Such has ever been his generosity that lihe
has been known in early days to divide his only
peck of meal with a poor neighbor. He aided in
organizing the first Congregational Church in his
community and was one of its Trustees.
The mother of our subject, Mahetable Lincoln,
was born in Massachusetts, February 18, 1794, and
reared a family of six children, viz: John H., Henry
J., Lincoln B., Mary (deceased), Susan (Mrs. Whitman) and Emerson. She passed away in February,
1873. The subject of our sketch was a lad of about


_.
~

AE=^-=- =


- A


ENRY J. DANIELS. On the banks of Sunset Lake, in the village of Vicksburg, stands
a beautiful and commodious frame residence, which is occupied by Mr. Daniels
and was erected under his supervision in 1887.
The passing stranger is quite sure to glance with
admiration at the attractive home with its prevailing air of comfort and picturesque surroundings.
Mr. Daniels is here living in quiet retirement from
active duties, although as a money loaner and
property holder he still finds considerable to occupy his attention.
Prior to removing to Vicksburg, Mr. Daniels resided for fifteen years on a farm comprising one
hundred and sixty acres in Wakeslnma Township,
Kalamazoo County. When he first located there,




970


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


nine years when he accompanied his parents to
Ohio, and retains a vivid recollection of the eventful journey. He had no school advantages for
two years after settling in the new location, and
then attended an old-fashioned school held in a
primitive "temple of learning." At the age of
nineteen, he commenced to teach, and followed that
profession for three winter seasons.
At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Daniels commenced to work for $11 per month, and afterward
learned the trade of a carpenter aad joiner, which
he followed the most of the time until he was
thirty-five years old. In his early manhood he
invested his earnings in fifty-six acres of land, to
which he added until he was the owner of one
hundred and sixteen and one-half acres. Having
relatives in Kalamazoo County, lie came hither on
a visit and was so delighted with the climate and
prospects that he removed here in May, 1864,
and bought one hundred and sixty acres in
Wakeshma Township, where he made his home for
fifteen years. He has bought and sold a number
of farms and handled considerable real estate. At
present he owns one hundred and sixty acres in
Schoolcraft Township, situated eighty rods south
of Vicksburg.
July 3, 1849, Mr. Daniels was married to Eunice
M. Hall, who was born in New York State, December 10, 1827. Her father, George R., was born in
Columbia, Windham County, Conn., April 16,
1798, and her mother, Celinda L. (Hubbard) Hall,
was born at Burlington Flats (now called Cherry
Valley), N. Y., January 6, 1802. They were married December 24, 1820, and had a family of seven
children, namely: Homeras I., Jared, Eunice M.,
George W., Henry D., Franklin B. and Mary E.
They are now living in Chatham Township, Medina County, Ohio, in the seventy-second year of
their wedded life. Mr. Hall has always been a
farmer and has resided in Medina County since
1832. He is remarkably well preserved, retaining
fully his mental and physical faculties, and has
never worn glasses.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniels are the parents of four
children, namely: Albert E., William H., Ida E.
(Mrs. Kimball) and Frank D. Mr. Daniels is a
Democrat, has been Supervisor of Wakeshma Town



ship three terms, Justice of the Peace about five
terms, Councilman, a member of the School Board
and President of the village, and holds the latter
position at the present time. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic order and with his family occupies a prominent position in the community.
UGH KIRKLAND, who is one of the few
r) surviving pioneers of Western Michigan,
/'/ has assisted in the development of Kalamazoo County, where he has been a resident
for over half a century. By his industry, he has
reached a position of well-merited ease, comforted
by the presence of a congenial wife and numerous
friends and is in the enjoyment of a handsome
com petency.
Hugh Kirkland was born at Sorn, Ayrshire,
Scotland, August 9, 1814. His parents, James and
Anna (McCracken) Kirkland, were also natives of
Scotland, where the father was a farmer and a limeburner. In the fall of 1834, the elder Mr. Kirkland emigrated to the New World with his little
family, and, coming direct to Michigan, secured a
tract of land in Gull Prairie, this county, where he
made his home only a short time, as he died the
year after locating here; his wife survived him a
a few years. Our subject, in company with a
younger brother, Thomas, improved and cultivated
the farm and was the main support of the family.
They bravely put their shoulder to the wheel to
build up a name and a fortune for themselves.
They added from time to time to the original purchase until they had acquired an extensive and
valuable tract of land. Our subject, in connection
with his brother, is the owner of the old homestead, which consists of five hundred acres, besides
another farm in Martin Township, Kalamazoo
County. The brothers continued together for a
number of years, when Thomas took up his residence in Petoskey, where he still makes his home.
About sixteen years ago, Hugh Kirkland became
a resident of Kalamazoo, where he has a pleasant
home on West Main Street. Of the early settlers
of Gull Prairie, only two, besides our subject, survive-Deacon Mason, of Richland, and Samuel




I




NW,






200c;'f




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


973


Brown, of this city. When starting out for himself, Mr. Kirkland determined to make a success of
life, and at all times and under all circumstances,
he remained at his post of duty, while others would
become discouraged and move on to more inviting
fields.
He was married, when twenty-three years of age,
to Janet Flockhart, also a native of Scotland, and
who became a resident of Kalamazoo County two
years after our subject located here. Mrs. Kiikland died in 1871, leaving a family of two sons,
James and Henry. James is a graduate of Cornell
University, and later took a course in the Union
Theological Seminary at New York. He was ordained a minister of the Gospel of the Presbyterian
Church, and now holds a charge at Edwardsburg,
Cass County, this State. Henry is a farmer near
Petoskey. In politics, our subject has always been
a Republican, and during the war was a stanch
Union man.
November 19, 1875, Mr. Kirkland.was married to
Helen Maria Upjohn, daughter of Dr. Uriah Upjohn. A sketch will be found of Mrs. Kirkland
elsewhere in this volume. Reared by strict Scotch
Presbyterian parents, our subject early became a
member of that denonination and is one whose
daily life has shown him to be a man to be relied
upon under all circumstances.
ILON. ALBERT L. LAKEY, a member of the
firm of Lakey & Bigelow, manufacturers of
mixed paints and dealers in paints, brushes
and all kinds of painter's materials, is one
of the most prominent citizens of Kalamazoo and
has a wide acquaintance throughout the surrounding country as well. Having taken a leading part
in public affairs, he has become well known in all
circles and is held in the highest regard.
On the opposite page appears a portrait of Mr.
Lakey, who was born in Uxbridge, Mass., March
25, 1846, and is the son of Luther and Asenath
(Taylor) Lakey. Iis parents were also natives of
the old Bay State, where his father followed the
occupation of farming.  When our subject was
only two years old, the family removed to Cayuga


County, N. Y., where he resided until thirteen
years of age and then accompanied his father and
mother to Pennsylvania. He began his education
in the common schools, completing it in a select
school. When in his sixteenth year, prompted by
patriotic impulses, he enlisted in the service of his
country as a member of Company A, First Battalion of Pennsylvania. The command was assigned
to the Army of the Potomac and took part in several engagements, including the battles of Gettysburg, Appomattox Court House and others of importance. He was once captured by the Confederates bil succeeded in making his escape.  In
1862, he was taken to the hospital on account of
illness and for some time was confined in Center
Hospital, of Harrisburg, Pa.  After four years,
seven months and sixteen days of service, he was
honorably discharged in the fall of 1865. He had
enlisted as a private but was promoted to the office
of Sergeant and afterwards to that of Second
Lieutenant. Ever faithful to his duty, he was a
valiant soldier and made for himself an army
record of which he may well be proud.
When the country no longer needed his services,
Mr. Lakey returned to Almira, N. Y.,and in 1866,
came to Battle Creek, Mich., where he spent a
short time, after which we find him a resident of
Kalamazoo. His first work in this place was at
contracting and building which he followed until
1874, when he embarked in the roofing and painting business and afterwards organized what is now
known as the Kalamazoo Paint and Roofing
Works, located at No. 226 and 228 North Burdick
Street. Mr. Lakey became general manager of the
company.   He continued in that business until
1881 alone, when he admitted to partnership
George W. Bigelow, under the firm name of Lakey
& Bigelow. The firm manufactures ready-mixed
paints and colors, which they sell direct to dealers,
and make some special brands of paint for inside
and decorative work. Their paints are of a superior quality, made from well selected materials,
and the firm finds a ready market for its produce
having now a large and constantly increasing
trade.
In 1869, Mr. Lakey was united in marriage to
Miss Katie House, of Ironton, Mo., daughter of




974


7PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Richard House, Esq. The lady is a native of the
Empire State.  Two children grace this union:
Bertine L. and Harry.  The family reside at No.
231 West Cedar Street, their home being the abode
of hospitality, and the members of the household
rank high in social circles.
Mr. Lakey has taken a very active part in political affairs and is a stanch advocate of Republican
principles. He has served three terms as a member
of the City Council und in 1887 was elected to
the State Legislature, where he ably represented
his district. His public duties have ever been
promptly and faithfully discharged, winning him
the commendation of all concerned.  For four
years he has served as Secretary of the Michigan
Sportsmen's Association, which has headquarters
at Lansing, and is President of the Kalamazoo
Fish, Game and Protective Association. His public and private life are alike above reproach and
all who know respect Albert Lakey.
(771HOMAS B. ELDRED. The Eldred family
/  has been conspicuously identified with the
Y   rise and growth of Kalamazoo County
from the early days of its settlement, being thefirst to locate on Climax Prairie.  Thomas B.
Eldred, of whom we write, is one of the wealthiest
farmers within its borders, having large and valuable farming and  landed interests in Climax
Township, where he has a beautiful home on section
10, and he wields a powerful influence in his community, his name being associated with much that
has enhanced its welfare in various directions.
The town of Lawrence, Otsego County, N. Y.,
is the native place of our subject, and February 26,
1816, the date of his birth. Caleb Eldred, his
father, was born in Bennington County, Vt., in
1781. He was a farmer and stock drover in his
native State after he attained manhood, and lie
used to drive cattle into every port from Portland,
Me., to Rhode Island. IIe later moved to Otsego
County, N. Y., and rented land for farming purposes. He was unfortunate and lost all his property. Wishing to retrieve his fallen fortunes, he
f


4


I


came to Michigan in 1830, and laid claim to land
on which the village of Comstock now stands. IIe
gave a man $10 to erect the frame of a log
house so that lie could hold his claim, as the land
had not been offered for sale by the Government.
He then returned home, and in January, 1831, he
and his eldest son came back here by the way of
Canada with a team. On their way they made two
sleds, as the snow fell and went off twice during the
journey. In May, Mr. Eldred went to Buffalo to
meet his sons, Stephen and our subject, and his
daughters, Phebe and Louisa, his wife not coming
until fall. When he returned to his claim in January, he found that it had been "jumped," to
quote the vernacular of the pioneers, by two other
men, and he accordingly took the one opposite.
He built thereon a log house and the first sawmill
in the county, and by September, 1831, was sawing boards. He began the first thing to manufacture lumber for a gristmill, and by the next
summer he had the first flourmill in the county in
full operation. He was a man of marked enterprise, who possessed great weight and influence in
the township, and was universally known as Judge
Eldred. When the Commissioners passed through
the State in 1831 to select the sites for county
seats, as was then the custom, Comstock Village
having the best water power, and being nearer the
geographical center of the county than Bronson,
as Kalamazoo was formerly called, would undoubtedly have been chosen as county seat if Mr.
Eldred had indicated a desire to have it so. But
he was averse to it because it would benefit the
men who had stolen his first claim.
June 13, 1831, the land in Climax Township
was auctioned off by the Government, by order of
President Jackson, at White Pigeon, and the senior
Eldred bought six hundred and forty acres near
and around where the village of Climax now
stands. He did not locate here at that time, however, but continued to run his mills at Comstock
for several years before he sold them and removed
to this place. tie farmed extensively here for a
time, and in 1832 sowed one hundred and two
acres of wheat, from which he reaped a large crop.
The Indians used to steal about half of his corn.
In 1833, he erected a large frame barn, 40x80 feet




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


975


in dimensions, in which to store his crops. His
fellow-citizens put great trust in him, looking to
him for counsel and aid, as he was a man of strong
faculties, of great natural ability, and of a warm
and tender heart. He took an active part in the
administration of public affairs, and he represented Kalamazoo County in the State Legislature
for two terms in the years 1837 and 1838. HIe was
a life-long Baptist, and was the instigator and
stimulus of the Baptist College at Kalamazoo.
Politically, he was a Democrat. Hie lived to be
ninety-five years and three months old, dying
July, 1876, and thus passed away one of our most
venerated and useful pioneers.
The mother of our subject was Phebe Brownell
in her maiden days, and she was born in Pownal,
Bennington County, Vt., in January, 1783. She
bore twelve children, and eleven of them grew to
maturity. She died April 11, 1853, leaving behind her a good record as a saintly, Christian
woman, and a faithful member of the Baptist
Church from her girlhood until her death.
Thomas B. Eldred was fifteen years old when
he came here on that spring day lying back in the
past seventy years, and the development of the
country from a wilderness has gone on under his
very eyes. It has been his privilege, too, to foster
its growth by his work as a practical farmer of rare
business judgment, who has been more than ordinarily fortunate in the pursuit of his calling. He
laid the foundation of his education in his native
State, and he also attended school about six weeks
after lie came here. His father's farm was within
two miles of the Pottawattamie Indian Reservation,
and he used to see a good deal of the redskins, and
became somewhat conversant with their language.
He hunted some when he had leisure, as game was
abundant. The wolves were very numerous, and in
1844 an old one killed thirteen of his sheep in one
night. He and a number of his neighbors tracked
the bold depredator for two days and then shot
him.
Our subject staid with his father until his marriage. Hle had had land set off for him, and had improved it to some extent. He has since become a
large land-owner, having at one time eight hundred acres hereabouts, and he still has nearly seven


hundred acres, although he has given some away.
He has a fine set of buildings, a large and well-appointed brick residence and four or five large
frame barns, besides numerous other outhouses
for various purposes. Mr. Eldred is a man of fine
personality, possessing a calm, judicial mind, and
a genial, frank, generous disposition, and the
people among whom he lives, who hold him in the
highest respect and esteem, often look to him for
advice and guidance in matters of importance and
always find him a sound and sagacious counselor.
His character is above reproach, as are his habits,
and, though not a church member, he is very liberal in giving of his wealth in support of the church
or of any good cause that he believes will benefit
the community. He was a Democrat until 1884,
when he transferred his allegiance to the Prohibition party, and has remained with it ever since.
He served eight years as Justice of the Peace, and
has held other offices.
Mr. Eldred and Miss Eliza Bonney were united
in marriage, September 24, 1840, and for more
than half a century they have lived a true wedded
life, she doing her part as the home-maker, the
ready helper and cheerful companion, and lie his
as a kind and considerate husband. Mrs. Eldred
was born in Genesee County, N. Y., March 2,1818.
Ten children are the fruit of her marriage with
our subject, of whom two died in infancy. The
others are Lewis S.; Estella; Thomas D.; Julia;
Leoda, deceased; Mary C., Mrs. Bushnell, deceased;
Caleb; and Nellie.
P-* rJ --- —--— rF. BARNES, D. D., pastor of the First
Methodist Episcopal Church of Kalamazoo,
was born in Vergennes, Vt., November 22,
1833. His father, Jesse G., was a native
of Connecticut, and the son of Benjamin Barnes,
of English descent. His mother, who was known
in maidenhood as Mary Barron, was a native of
Canada, and came of Scotch-Irish extraction, ler
father having served as captain in the British
army for a number of years.
After their marriage, Jesse and Mary Barnes remained in the Green Mountain State for a few




976


PORTIIRAIT AND BIOGRAYMCNIAL RECORD,;


7  OA GL


years, thence removed to Indiana and located in
Monticello. Their family comprised seven sons
and two daughters, our subject being the fourth of
the children. He was thirteen years old when he
accompanied his parents to Indiana, and his education, which had been commenced in his native
State, was advanced in the common schools of
Monticello, after which lie entered Washington
College, at Crawfordsville, Ind., where he remained
four years.
Eighteen months spent as teacher in the schools
of Monticello were followed by the entrance of
Mr. Barnes into the ministry of the Metlhodist
Episcopal Church, his first charge being at New
Carlisle, Ind. He was admitted to the Northwestern Indiana Conference, held at Valparaiso, Ind.,
in 1858 and presided over by Bishop Ames, where
he remained eight years. After concluding his pastorate at New Carlisle, he accepted the ministry of
the church at Rolling Prairie, InN., and afterward
at Danville, that State, two years. Iis following
charges were at Attica, Greencastle and Albion,
Mich., after which he served as Presiding Elder of
the lonia district four years.
By a transfer of appointments, Mr. Barnes became Presiding Elder of the Grand Rapids Dis.
trict, which position lie occupied for four years.
After remaining witl the Division Street Church
at Grand Rapids two years, he was appointed to
the pastorate of the church at Battle Creek, and
subsequently to Coldwater, thence to Kalamazoo.
Here he served as Presiding Elder for six years,
and is now pastor of the First Methodist Church.
He has served in three General Conferences-in
1876, at Baltimore, Md., in 1884, at Philadelphia,
and at New York in 1888.
In addition to the above-mentioned positions of
honor, Mr. Barnes served on the General Missionary Committee four years; the Board of Church Extension four years; General Book Committee on
Publications, and received the degree of D. 1).
from  Du Paw University, Ind.   In the various
places of duty in which he has been placed, his
marked abilities have been called into active use,
and his influence is not local only, but extends
among the clergy of the United States.
July 3, 1859, the Rev. Mr. Barnes and Miss Lu

cinda Raymond were united in marriage. Mrs.
Barnes is the daughter of Isaac Raymond, of Waverly, N. Y., and her union with Mr. Barnes has
been blessed by the birth of foul children, namely:
Frances; Emma R., the wife of C. S. llartman, of
Grand Rapids; Albert R.; and Flora Gale, Professor of Languages in West Michigan College, at
Grand Rapids. The parsonage is a pleasant residence at No. 442 W. Walnut Street, whither the
parishioners delight to gather and pass pleasant
and helpful hours in the society of their minister
and his estimable wife.
G   EORGE DEMING, an extensive farmer of
7 Kalamazoo County, owns and operates a
finely-improved place on section 2, Cooper
Township. He is a native of the townshil which
is still his home and was born November 30, 1845,
being the youngest son of Dr. David E. Deming,
one of the first settlers of the county, mention of
whom will be found elsewhere.
The boyhood days of our subject were passed
upon a farm, where he early acquired a practical
knowledge of agriculture and gained his education
in tile district school. He remained at home until
after heattained to his majority and, in 1868,visited
Kansas on a prospecting tour, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in Osage County. After sojourning in Kansas for a few months, he returned
to Michigan and engaged in farming on the old
homestead which he purchased.
The marriage of Mr. Deming to Miss Mary J.
Machin, a native of Lincolnshire, England, took
place in 1875. Mrs. Deming is the daughter of Stephen and Fannie (Gilbert) Machin, natives of England, where Mr. Machin was a farmer. In 1851, they
emigrated to America, stopping for a few years in
New York and removing thence, in 1865, to Michigan, where they made settlement in Walton Township, Eaton County. Mr. Machin died in December, 1887, at the age of sixty-nine years; the
mother still survives and makes her home at Walton. They reared a family of seven children, all
of whom are living
Mr. and Mrs. Deming are the parents of three




RESIDENCEOF JAMES POI......


A


I ~,


ii   I' QL,  IV -Wo  'IrM


~~': ~  _ -


t-WULI KLAVI LU UU muH








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD


979




children, namely: Lucy M., Ada Belle, and Fannie Electa, who are at home. Mrs. Deming is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church and is
a lady who enjoys the esteem of her large circle
of acquaintances. She has been the cheerful helpmate of her husband in all his enterprises and
his present possessions have been gained largely
through her assistance.
Mr. Deming owns a productive farm of three
hundred and forty-five acres, on sections 2, 10 and
11, and the place is well supplied with all modern
conveniences. On another page will be found a
view of the commodious frame residence which
has been erected upon the estate, also the ample
barns and other outbuildings. Mr. Deming is regarded as one of the successful farmers of the
community and through his indefatigable labors
has become well-to-do.
-— f-^ —^-f-c
> UNCAN D. McVEAN is at present residing
on section 20, Schoolcraft Township, KalaJ t     mazoo County, where lie has a pleasant farm.
He was born in Caledonia, Livihgston County,
N. Y., in June, 1816, the next to the youngest in a
family of seven children. He received his education in the district and select schools of Caledonia,
and for a few months was a student at Lima Seminary. His life work has been agriculture, which
he followed in his native State until he came to
Michigan in the fall of 1878, and, settling in
Schoolcraft Township, has since made this his
home.
Our subject was married, in his native town, to
Miss Margaret Sinclair, the date of that event
being April 15, 1851. Mrs. McVean was also born
in Caledonia County, N. Y., her natal day being
January 18, 1828. By her marriage with our subject she has become the mother of eight children,
namely: Daniel (deceased), Cathariie, Mary, James,
John S. (deceased), Jean A., Robert (deceased), and
Margaret.
The father of our subject, Daniel D. MeVean,
was born in what is now Fulton County, N. Y.,
while his mother, whose maiden name was Catherine MCLarfn, was a native of Scotland. The
elder Mr. Me Vedan  as a farmer and spent his last
45             K


days in Caledonia, N. Y., where he settled in
1799. The paternal grandfather of our subject,
also named Daniel, was born in Perthshire, Scotland.
Although of a retiring nature, with neither time
nor inclination for public positions, Mr. McVean
has always been interested in progressive movements. His homestead bears all the improvements
which best subserve the interests of a first-class
farmer, and his persistent industry and good judgment have won him success. His farm was the first
place settled upon in Schooleraft Township, J.
Armstrong having located there in 1829. On
another page will be found a view of the comfortable residence, with its attractive rural surroundings. It is one of the finest estates in the community, and the buildings are substantial and
adapted to their varied uses. In politics, Mr. McVean is a Republican. He and his wife were consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church
in Caledonia, and ihe lends his sympathy and support to the Presbyterian denomination of Schoolcraft. Among his personal characteristics are those
of a love of truth and progress, and a cordial and
kindly spirit which makes him warm friends and
stanch adherents. We are pleased to give his name
in our list of the best citizens of Schoolcraft
Township.
AMES A. POMEROY. Having borne an
honorable part in the public affairs of Kalamazoo County for many years and aided
in its upbuilding, Mr. Pomeroy is justly
considered one of the representative citizens of the
county. On sections 10, 14, 15 and 16, Prairie
Ronde Township, he owns and operates two hundred and three acres of fine land, upon which he
has erected substantial and commodious buildings,
adapted to the various needs of a farm. The residence, a view of which is presented on another
page, is a neat and attractive dwelling, tastefully
furnished and the abode of a happy family.
In 1843, Alonzo and Nancy M. (Carpenter) Pomeroy removed from  their home in New York to
Van Buren County, this State, and settled in Mattawan, where they sojourned for six years. From
there they removed to Prairie Ronde Township,
and resided on a farm until they passed to their
final rest. They reared three children, the eldest




980


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.




of whom, James A., was born in Renssalaer County,
N. Y., April 16, 1840. He was only three years
old when he was brought to this State by his parents, and has resided in Prairie Ronde Township
since lie was a lad of ten years.
The educational advantages afforded our subject
were limited to the district schools of this township, and his attention was principally devoted to
farm work. He remained with his parents until
he was married, November 29, 1866, to Miss Marion, daughter of Abram I. and Sarah (Bishop)
Shaver. Her parents were natives, respectively, of
New York and Ohio, and thence removed to Prairie
Ronde Township, in December, 1828; there being
only one other family in the township prior to
their arrival. They aided in the development of
the community and were hospitable, kindly people,
endeavoring to fulfil their duties as Christians and
citizens. Mrs. Pomeroy was the youngest of their
eight children who lived to mature years and she
was born in Prairie Ronde Township, August 3,
1837.
After their marriage, our subject and his estimable wife located on the farm where they still reside
and they are now the parents of two children: Elmer B. and Elza A. In his religous views, Mr.
Pomeroy is liberal and in politics, independent,
using his influence and casting his ballot for the
measures and men that he considers best qualified
or adapted to the welfare of the people. Ever
since he attained manhood's estate, he has been
prominent in local political affairs, and has held
the offices of Township Treasurer, Highway Commissioner, School Inspector and Township Clerk,
discharging the varied duties of these positions
with tact and ability.
8      ERTHIER W. BECKWITH was a pioneer
of Kalamazoo County, and was for many
years a resident of Charleston Township,
with whose highest interests he was closely
identified as a practical farmer, and as a publicspirited and valuable citizen, and in the death of
one so eminently trustworthy, this community
met with a serious loss. He was born in New


York, November 15, 1820, and was about nineteen
years of age when he came to Michigan with his
father and mother, who were pioneer settlers of
Charleston Township, locating on section 16, on a
track of Government land.
Mr. Beckwith was married in the spring of 1847,
and with his bride he located where his family
still continues to reside. But six acres of the
land was cleared and under cultivation, the remainder being in its natural wildness. Our subject was a hard worker, and in the years that
followed, he transformed his land into a highly
productive farm, with finely tilled fields, with an
ample set of modern farm buildings, and well
supplied with everything essential to conducting
agriculture in the best possible manner. The farm
comprises two hundred and ten acres of land,
nearly all of which are improved. Mr. Beckwith
was a thoughtful, systematic, well-skilled farmer,
and he was prospered accordingly. He was one of
the leading men in his community, his fellowcitizens looking to him for advice and help, and
always sure of ready and hearty response. He
was Justice of the Peace in an early day, but his
poor eyesight did not permit him to take any
further active part in public affairs. In politics,
he was a sterling Republican. He was a truly religious man, and one of the first members of the
Congregational Church at Galesburg. ApJil 28,
1887, he passed to the life immortal through the
portals of death, and his body was tenderly laid
to rest in the cemetery at Augusta.
Mr. Beckwith was eminently happy in his domestic relations, as by his marriage with Miss Jane
Chichester, March 15, 1847, he secured a wife who
was devoted to his interests and understood well
the art of making home a pleasant and comfortable abiding place. Mrs. Beckwith was born in
New Jersey, October 23, 1827. Her father, Samuel
Chichester, is thought to have been a native of
New Jersey, where he was reared, and from there
went to New York with his wife and six children,
where he remained fourteen years. From the Empire State, he came to Michigan in 1840, and
took up his residence on section 19, Charleston
Township. Two years later, he moved from there
to what is now known as the Seth Henton farm.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


981


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


He lived on that three years, and after that made
his home with his children until his death, at the
age of ninety years, removed one of the pioneers
of Kalamazoo County from the scenes of usefulness. His wife, Elizabeth Fitts in her maiden days,
was also a native of New Jersey, where she was
reared and married. She lived to be eighty-eight
years old, and died in Michigan. She was the
mother of seven children, six of whom grew to
maturity. Sally Ann died at the age of three
years; Julia died when she was seventy-six years
old; Mary (Mrs. Davis) died at the age of seventynine years; James, wlo is now seventy-two years
old, lives in Athens Township; Emeline died at the
age of sixty-nine years; Samuel is still living in
Augusta Township.
Mrs. Beckwith is the youngest child of the
family, and she was fourteen years old when they
came to Michigan. She had already been to school
in New York, and she attended the district school
after coming here. She developed into a capable
woman, and a notable housewife, and when she
married was fully equal to the new cares and
responsibilities thus devolving upon her in looking after a home of her own. She is a consistent
member of the Congregational Church at Galesburg, and possesses in a full degree those Christian
graces that inspire confidence and esteem. Mrs.
Beckwith and her husband began their wedded
life in a small log house, and they cheerfully faced
the hardships of pioneer life that fell to their lot
as pioneers. Three children were born to them,
two daughters and a son, of whom two have
passed away: Anna Bell, at the age of eighteen
years; and George, at the age of nineteen years
and ten months. One daughter, Emma, is left to
be the stay and comfort of her mother, and with
her husband, M. G. Ogden, lives with her on the
farm.
Mr. Ogden was born in Ontario County, N. Y.,
June 2, 1859, but since he was seven years of age
lie has lived in Michigan. He is a wide-awake,
energetic young farmer, well grounded in his calling, and intelligently applying modern methods of
agriculture in conducting his farming operations.
Ile has the management of his mother-in-law's
farm, and is doing a profitable business in general


farming, raising high-graded stock, besides growing the cereals and other products commonly
grown in this climate. Ile and his wife have one
daughter, whom they have named Hazel, and also
have a child whom they have taken to rear, by
name Grace Ogden.
4  ONATIAN DURRIN and his son, William
Durrin, are among the principal farmers of
Charleston Township, where they each have
valuable farms on sections 15 and 22, respectively, and the former is a well-known pioneer
of Kalamazoo County. Jonathan Durrin is of
fine old Revolutionary and New England stock,
and is a native of that part of the country, born in
the town of Farmington, Hartford County, Conn.,
November 16, 1817. His father, Joshua Durrin,
was a native of the same place, and was a shoemaker by trade. EIe died at the age of seventy
years. His father was named Jonathan Durrin,
and he was also born in that Connecticut town,
whence he went forth to do battle for his country
when the Colonists rose in arms against English
oppression, and he did valiant service under
Gen. Washington.   Later in life, he drew a
pension of $96 a year. His father's given
name was Ebenezer, and he, too, was born
in Connecticut in early Colonial times. The
mother of our subject was Eunice Dayton in her
maiden days, and she was a native of the same
New England town as was her husband. She lived
to the ripe age of eighty years. Her father, Elias
Dayton, served throughout the Revolutionary War
under Gen. Washington, as one of his body-guards.
The family was also represented in the War of
1812 by uncles of our subject. His parents had
seven children, of whom lie was the eldest.
Jonathan Durrin lived amid the pleasant scenes
of his birthplace until lie attained his majority,
and from  the age of eight years the lad had
been self-supporting, receiving $3 a month for
his work. In 1838, he left Connecticut to find
a home in the West, as this section of tlhe country
was then called, and for two years lie lived in
Ohio. In 1840, he crossed the border into this






982


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- I -II --- —


State, and located in Shiawassee County, where he
took up forty acres of land. He subsequently returned to Ohio, but three years later he came back
to Shiawassee County, and some three years after
that he came to Kalamazoo County and cast in his
lot with its pioneers. He located on section 22,
Charleston Township, improved a good farm
thereon, and cleared a good deal of land, working
hard to put his place in good shape. He owns
fifty acres of fine farming land where he resides,
and thirty-seven acres on section 10, of the same
township, He is doing a good business as a general farmer, and has accumulated a comfortable
property.
Our subject was married, ill 1836, to Miss Jane
M. Caldwell, who was born in Connecticut in
April, 1818. Their's has been a marriage of unusual duration, as for fifty-six years they have
walked hand in hand, faithfully sharing life's joys,
and comforting each other in its griefs. The
greatest sorrow that has befallen them was in the
death of five of their eight children, four daughters and one son, of diphtheria and scarlet fever, in
1853. They have two children living-William,
who lives on the farm on which his parents first
located in this township, and of whom a sketch is
appended; and Luther, who lives with his parents.
William Durrin was born in Northfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, August 4, 1840, the
second child of his parents. He was three years
old when they settled on the farm in Shiawassee
County that his father once owned there, and he
was eleven years old when the family, after returning to Ohio and then going back to Shiawassee
County, finally settled in Kalamazoo County, and
since then he has always lived on the farm on
section 22, his father giving him eighty acres of
the land when he was married, in the fall of 1862.
He has shown himself to be a very intelligent
farmer, well dowered with the requisite energy,
push and judgment necessary to achieve success,
and his farm compares with the best in point of
cultivation and improvement. He has increased
its area to two hundred and four acres, and lie has
erected a fine set of buildings. Ile built his present neat and conveniently-arranged residence in
1874, at a cost of about $2,000, and he has sub

stantial barns and everything to make a first-class
farm. He carries on general farming, and raises
standard stock, having the breeds of cattle, sheep,
horses, etc., that are best adapted to the climate
and environments of this part of the country.
He is a stalwart Democrat, and is interested in
politics to a certain degree, while his father cares
nothing for them. The latter cast his first vote
for President Harrison in 1840.
William Durrin was married in the village of
Galesburg, November 30, 1862, to Miss Ann A.
Hall, the daughter of William and Jerusha (Moulton) Hall. She is a native of Jackson County, this
State, born in the township of Waterloo, April 3,
1843. These are the six children that have blessed
the marriage of Mr. Durrin and his wife: Frank
E., who is married and is carrying on farming on
a part of his father's farm; one who died in
infancy; Johnnie, who died at the age of fourteen
years; and Jamie and Jerusha who are at home
with their parents.
'     LBERT WAGAR is probably one of the
best known men in Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County. He is a general
farmer and the owner of a valuable and
productive estate, located on section 1. His parents,
Hector and Sarah (Bailey) Wagar, natives of New
York State, came to Michigan as early as 1834, and
located on section 1 of the above-named township. They made this place their home until called
hence, the father dying in April, 1870, and the
mother nine years later.
Our subject was the ninth in order of birth of
the parental family of ten children, his natal day
being August 27, 1837. He grew to manhood on
the home farm and was given a good education in
the district schools. August 22, 1862, he enlisted
in Company H, Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry,
and served in the Union Army for two years and
three months. In November, 1864, he was honorably discharged for disability. During his experience in the army, Mr. Wagar participated in the
battle at Resaca, Ga., Buzzard's Roost, Lost Mountain and Big Shanty.




f




0
7




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


985


Returning from the war, he of whom we write
again made his home in this township and April
2, 1869, was married, in Lawton, to Miss Ann,
daughter of Christian and Mary (Coddington)
Munger, natives of New York State. They came
hither from Ohio in 1854, and passed their last
days in Prairie Ronde Township, the mother dying
November 18, 1869, and the father June 30, 1870.
Mrs. Wagar was the ninth in order of birth of the
parental family of eleven children. She was born
in Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio, June 2,
1841.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of the
following-named six children: Nellie, Daisy, May,
Lawrence, Sophronia and Don. Daisy died when
one year old. Mr. Wagar has been the incumbent
of many of the township offices, being at one time
Supervisor and for eight years was Township
Treasurer. He has always voted the Republican
ticket and is an active worker in political affairs.
He is liberal in his religious views, and is in favor of
all measures which tend to benefit his community.
Socially, our subject is a- Mason. His landed interests include one hundred and twenty acres which
are improved with all the machinery and buildings
which best subserve the interests of an agriculturist.
Indeed, there are very few prettier farms in the
county than that belonging to Albert Wagar.
EROY     HACKETT.     Among the young
men of push and energy who are contributing to the development of Kalamazoo
County and bringing it to a front rank among
the other counties of the State, prominent mention
belongs to Mr. Hackett, whose portrait accompanies this sketch and who is a successful farmer
and stock-raiser on section 14, Prairie Ronde Township. His splendid farm comprises one hundred
and ten acres, upon which first-class improvements
have been placed, including a commodious residence, substantial barns and other necessary
buildings.  In the breeding of fine horses, of
which he makes a specialty, he has been uniformly
successful and is now numbered among the most
successful stock-raisers of the county.


January 2, 1830, occurred the marriage of
Samuel Hackett, who was born in Vermont in 1802,
and Lydia Wood, a native of Ohio. In an early
period of the settlement of Michigan, the couple
came hither and located in Prairie Ronde Township, where the wife died, leaving two children:
Lucinda and Martin. The former became the wife
of La Fayette Atwood, and died June 13, 1886.
Afterward Samuel Hackett contracted another
matrimonial alliance, and August 13, 1849, at
Schoolcraft, this State, was united in marriage
with the widow of Richard W. McNair, who was
known in maidenhood as Deborah A. Smith.
By her former marriage, Mrs. Deborah Hackett
had two children: Emily and Charles, who reside
in Hamilton County, Ill. Emily married Elias
Chase and died in Southern Illinois about 1873.
Of the second marriage, four children were born,
namely: Wilber, Stanley(who died December 24,
1883), Leroy and Wallace. The mother of the
family was born in Luzerne County, Pa., November 16, 1818, and makes her home with our subject. The father died at his home in Prairie
Ronde Township, February 16, 1871, and is still
remembered with affection by his large circle of
warm personal friends. He was a prominent man
in the community and maintained a deep interest
in local affairs.
Born in Prairie Ronde Township, July 17,
1858, Leroy Hackett, the subject of this biographical notice, has always resided in his native place.
After receiving his education in the common
schools, he commenced to operate as a farmer and
has devoted his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. So closely is he occupied with his
private affairs, that he can give little time or
thought to public matters, although he is wellinformed on the issues of the day. Politically, he
affiliates with the Republican party, and in his
social connections is identified with the order of
Maccabees and Farmers' Alliance.
The marriage of Mr. Hackett to Miss Ida E.
Hoyt took place in Constantine, this State, July
9, 1876, and they are the parents of two children:
Rush and Lena A. Mrs. Hackett, who is a most
estimable and amiable lady, was born in Prairie
Ronde Township, February 14, 1860, and is the




986


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


daughter of Ransford C. and Harriet (Bair) Hoyt,
whose sketch will be found on another page.  In
their pleasant home, Mr. and Mrs. Hackett are accustomed to entertain their many friends, who
enjoy the hospitality of their gracious hostess and
genial host.
J  O-IN H. McKIBBIN, M. D., who has his
office in the Chase Block, Kalamazoo, was
born in Wentworth County, Canada, October 16, 1848. His parents, William  and
Mary (Sterling) McKibbin, 'were natives of Scotland, where they were married. They soon after
emigrated to America, locating in Canada, where
the father owned and operated a farm.  There
young McKibbin remained until reaching his
nineteenth year, in the meantime acquiring a good
education in the Toronto Normal School.  After
being graduated from that institution, he was
made Principal of the graded school at Norwich,
Ontario, holding that and similiar positions for
nine years and during that time became actively
identified with all efforts to advance the methods
of teaching and the standard of qualifications for
teachers.
During the time in which our subject was engaged as a pedagogue, he took up the study of
pharmacy and later matriculated in the Ontario
College of Pharmacy at Toronto, from which institution he was graduated in the Class of '77. He
at once engaged in the drug trade at St. Thomas,
Ontario, at the same time continuing reading medicine, which lie had begun and kept up for years
while teaching.  lie subsequently entered the
Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis and received his degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Dr. McKibbin had taken a regular course in
Ontario previous to entering the Medical College
of Indiana, but having been a sufferer from rheumatism, he decided to continue his studies in a
warmer climate. After entering into active practice and desiring to familiarize himself with the
latest thought and practice as conducted in the
most advanced clinics, Dr. McKibbin took a course
at the Post-graduate College at New York. After


an extended and successful practice at Marion,
Ind., he decided to locate in Kalamazoo, which he
did in the early part of 1889 and at once entered
into a practice that has constantly increased, until
at the present time he stands in the front rank
among the skillful physicians of this section.
Being thoroughly versed in all the latest methods
and advanced ideas, he is master of his profession
and possesses the qualities which make his presence
in the sick room desirable. He is a close student
and keeps thoroughly informed on all the leading
theughts of the brightest minds in his profession.
He was identified for a time with Dr. A. D. Lake,
who is completing his studies in Europe.
Dr. McKibbin was married, December 25, 1871, at
Springford, Ontario, to Miss Sarah M. Hall, a native
of Oxford County, Ontario. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. McKibbin is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society, the
Ladies' Library Club, etc. She is a lady of refinement and education and is popular in the social
circles in which she moves.
Z     ECHARIAH FLETCHER. No measure of
public utility is proposed  in Kalamazoo
County which does not receive the enthusiastic support of Mr. Fletcher, and there is perhaps no citizen of Prairie Ronde Township who is
more closely identified with its progress than he.
This will be readily understood by mention of the
official positions which he has held: Coroner of the
county; Township Clerk for ten years; Township
Treasurer for six years; Constable five years; Justice of the Peace twenty-four years; School Director for three years; and Notary Public for
twenty-five years.
The parents of our subject were George Fletcher,
who was born near Harrisburg, Pa., October
18, 1783, and Elizabeth (Millison) Fletcher, who
was born in Hampshire County, Va., in 1784. After marriage, they settled in the county where the
bride had resided during her entire life, and from
there removed to Kalamazoo County as early as October, 1832, when settlers were few and the coun



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


987


try was mainly inhabited by Indians and wild
animals. They reached Schoolcraft the first day
of that month, having occupied about four weeks
in making the journey from the Old Dominion.
The first home of the Fletcher family was in
Prairie Ronde Township, one and one-half miles
from the village of Schoolcraft, and there they remained four years. They next located on section
2, on the banks of Harrison Lake, where they sojourned many years. The father was a devoted
Christian and served as Class-leader in the Methodist Church for forty consecutive years, bearing an excellent reputation among all who knew
him. He was twice married, his first wife being
the mother of ten children. She died at their
home in Prairie Ronde Township, January 16,
1837, while the father passed away at the home of
our subject, January 30, 1870, when eighty-six
years and three months old.
Of a famlily of ten children, our subject was the
youngest. IHe was born near Rumney, IHampshire
County, W. Va., January 7, 1828, and was four
years old when he accompanied his parents to Kalamazoo County. He grew to manhood in Prairie
Ronde Township, of which he has always been a
resident. Agricultural pursuits have mainly engaged his attention, and for many years he was
especially interested in shipping stock and selling
farm machinery. His farm on section 11 comprises one hundred and ninety-five acres, the improvements having been placed there principally
since its purchase by him.
The marriage of Mr. Fletcher occurred at the
residence of his father on section 2, Prairie Ronde
Township, July 18, 1849, the bride being Miss
Malansy, daughter of Moses and Harriett (Wade)
Monroe, and a sister of Ebenezer W. Monroe, whose
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Monroe, who was a cousin of the President of that
name, was born in New Hampshire in March, 1804,
and his wife, who was related to Benjamin Wade,
was born in Massaclusetts, December 14, 1806.
Their first home after marriage was in Cayuga
County, N. Y.; later they spent four years in
Huron County, Ohio, and from   there came to
Michigan in January, 1838, settling  in Porter
Township, Van Buren County, where Mr. Monroe


died suddenly in November, 1874. Mrs. Monroe
passed away in Buchanan, Mich., November, 1881.
Mrs. Fletcher, who is one of the twelve children in the Monroe family, was born in Cayuga
County, N. Y.,June 5,1830, and accompanied her
parents first to Ohio and later to this State, where
she was reared to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs.
Fletcher are the parents of five children, namely:
Ora A.,wife of George Harrison; Alice J., who
married Byron Carney; Harriet E., now Mrs.
Frank Taylor; Walker E., who married Miss Alta
Howard; and Clara M., the wife of Lewis Johnson.
Especially in educational matters, Mr. Fletcher
maintains a deep interest and has aided the
schools of the district in every way possible. Mrs.
Fletcher is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Politically, our subject is a stanch Republican. In addition to the offices already mentioned,
he served for four years with marked efficiency as
Deputy Sheriff and there, as in every position to
which his fellow-citizens have called him, lie has
proved the possession of great executive ability
and a warm interest in the public welfare.
ENRY A. TALLMAN. The owner of the
farm on section 20, Alamo Township, KalaI    mazoo County, is one of the prominent
and influential citizens of this district.
His career has been identified for many years with
the growth of the agricultural district wherein lie
lives. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y.,
November 2, 1833, and is the son of James Tallman, also a native of the Empire State, his birth
having occurred July 27, 1796. The grandfather
of our subject was born in 1754, and was a farmer
by calling.
James Tallman came to Michigan in 1837, and,
locating in Lodi Plains, Waslltenaw County, made
his homne there for two years. He then came to
Alamo Township, this county, where he had previously purchased five hundred and sixty acres of
land. A few families had located here in that
early day, but the country was little more than a
wilderness, and Mr. Tallman had to cut the road




988


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


through in order to reach his tract. He erected a
board shanty, and began the work of clearing and
improving his land. The forests abounded in
deer and wild animals, and Indians were very
numerous indeed.
The trip to the new State of Michigan was made
overland, the parental family, which included six
children, occupying the wagon, which also contained the household effects. James Tallman died,
April 26, 1874, and left to his family a handsome property. He was a regular attendant at the
Congregational Church. His wife, the mother of
our subject, was known in her maidenhood as
Elizabeth Vedder, and was born in New York, in
1800; she died January 15, 1863.
Henry A. Tallman was the youngest of his
parents' children, and was given a common-school
education, attending school, which was conducted
on the rate-bill system, in an old tamarack log
school house. He remained at home, assisting his
father, until reaching his majority, and then began
farming for himself, having purchased his present
estate. Only a small portion of his farm was
cleared at that time, and he set himself industriously to work to improve his entire purchase. He has
been a resident on his present farm for thirty-seven
years, and his estate ranks among the very best
found in Kalamazoo County. In the early days,
Mr. Tallman was very fond of hunting, and has
killed many deer and bears.
Miss Phebe Vanarsdale became Mrs. Tallman
February 26, 1854. She was born in Auburn
County, N. Y., and was the daughter of Garret
and Phebe Vanarsdale, also natives of the Empire
State, where the mother passed away in 1847. The
father came to Michigan in 1851, and located in
Washtenaw County, where he died four years
later. He married again after the death of his
first wife, and prior to his coming to the Wolverine
State. Mr. and Mrs. Tallman have three children,
viz: JamesG. marriel Miss Jennie De Waten, and
is farming in Kalamazoo County; Lizzie G., now
Mrs. Charles Holmes, lives in Dubuque, Iowa;
and Martha W., Mrs. Milo McCall, of Kalamazoo
County.
In politics, the original of this sketch is a Republican, and has been sent as a delegate to county,








district and State conventions. Ile served his
fellow-townsmen six years as Treasurer, and Supervisor for six years. In 1869, he erected a handsome dwelling on his estate, which bears all the
modern conveniences. lie devotes a great deal of
time to raising good grades of stock, and, all in
all, is one of the progressive and well-to-do agriculturists of Kalamazoo County. Mrs. Tallman is
a very intelligent and cultured lady, and has
aided her husband greatly in attaining his present
high standing in the community.


OHN F. CHAPIN, M. D. The best biography
of every successful business man is sure to
be his own works; they record all that has
j     t/ happened to him, and all that produced a
permanent effect upon his mind and heart. Knowing them, the personality of names, places and
dates is important only as it enables the reader to
place one step of his mental growth before or after
another.
The well-known and skillful physician whose
name introduces this sketch enjoys an extended
reputation, both professionally and socially. lie
is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in
Huntington Valley, Luzerne County, June 2,1838.
His parents, Ammi and Mary (Blish) Chapin, were
born, reared and passed their entire lives in the
Keystone State, where now they lie buried. John
F. was reared to manhood in his native place,
receiving a good education in the common schools
of the village, and later attending the New Columbus Academy, after which he at once commenced
the study of his profession.
After taking a course of lectures in the University of Pennsylvania, our subject entered the
University of Vermont, from which he graduated
in 1862. He at once opened an office for the
practice of his profession at Cambra, Pa., with his
former preceptor, William Barrett, now deceased,
in which place and in Benton, the same State, he
was located for eighteen years, acquiring an extensive practice and an established reputation for
professional skill. In May, 1880, he came West
to Schooleraft, of which he is now the oldest






I
I








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


991


surviving practitioner. His reputation extends
throughout the county, and his practice is large
and lucrative.
The demands of his profession are such that he
can give little attention to political affairs, although the welfare of his fellow-citizens is a matter of deep interest to him. He is identified with
the Masonic fraternity, and one of the members of
the Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine. IHe was
united in marriage in Bloomsburg, Columbia
County, Pa., December 26, 1865, with Miss Mary
Bidleman, and they have one son, Claudius B.,
now a student in the Agricultural College at Lansing, and an intelligent young man. The social
position occupied by the family is the highest, and
they are esteemed wherever known.
(OSEPH A. EDMONDS, JR., a resident of
Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County, is a
son of Joseph Edmonds, who was born in
I 1780, in the State of Massachusetts, and
when twenty years old went to the western part of
New York, where he engaged in hunting and trapping and had many narrow escapes. He bought
Goverment land in what is now the town of New
Berlin and died there in 1856. Ile was married to
Miss Phebe Wilbur, of old English-Quaker descent,
and who became the mother of our subject. The
grandfather of our subject was a Revolutionary
soldier.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
February 26, 1825, in Chenango County, N.Y.. e
lived at home until twenty-four years of age, wlen
he began life on his own responsibility, but prior
to that time he had taken charge of the affairs at
home on account of his parents' old age. He was
married when twenty-four to Miss Matilda Chapman in Oxford, N. Y. They lived in the town of
Norwich, Chenango County, until the fall of 1861,
when he enlisted in the service of his country in
Company IT, Eighth New York Cavalry, and served
for three years. HIe participated in fifteen different battles, the first being at Winchester and the
last at Gettysburg. tte was then detailed to the
Commissary Department, serving in that until


he was discharged in 1864. He was among the
few fortunate ones, never having to be off duty on
account of sickness or disability.
After leaving the service of the Union, Mr. Edmonds came to Michigan and settled in Oshtemo
Township, Kalamazoo County, where he has a
splendid farm of one hundred and ten acres on
sections 3 and 10. He is a prosperous farmer, and
shows great sagaciousness in the management of his
estate. Mr. Edmonds is the father of two children:
Rosabelle, who married George Jones, a farmer,
and Ella Matilda, the wife of William Kammerer,
who is working the place for Mr. Edmonds. Mr.
and Mrs. Kammerer have one child, a bright boy
three years of age.  Our subject is a strong
Republican in his political views and was a
Whig before the organization of that party
Religiously, he is a consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. His good wife died
August 25, 1890, at the age of sixty years, and
is truly mourned by her husband and family.
The attention of the reader is invited to the
lithographic portrait of Mr. Edmonds, which is
presented on another page.
e  HARLES BARNARD. One of the most
valuable and highly improved farms of
Kalamazoo County is owned and cultivated
by the gentleman whose name heads this sketch.
IHe is a resident of section 29, of Kalamazoo
Township, and was born in this county, May 8,
1843. His father, Thomas W. Barnard, a native
of Rockingham County, N. H., was born October
14, 1810, and his father in turn, Moses Barnard,
was a native of the same State as his son. The
Barnard family is of English descent. In an early
day, the grandfather of our subject went to Alleghany County, N. Y., and in 1832 came to this
State, where he resided with a daughter in Berrien
County until his death. Ite was an active Democrat in politics.
The father of our subject was fourteen years of
age when he went to New York with his parents
and twenty-two when he journeyed to this county.
He was a poor man but was enabled to locate one




992


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


hundred and sixty acres of land, and engaged in
buying and selling land, and at one time owned
five hundred acres. At the time of his death,
March 15, 1876, he bequeathed to his children
that measure of prosperity which they now enjoy,
and, what they value far more highly, the heritage
of an honest name.
At the time of the decease of Mr. Barnard, the
Kalamazoo Telegraph published the following
obituary notice: Thomas Wilson Barnard, was
one of the early settlers of Kalamazoo Township,
and a citizen known to nearly all the early pioneers of Western Michigan. He came to this place
from New York in 1832, and settled on a farm
near Wood's Lake in the southwest portion of the
township, where he has ever since lived. He was a
man of marked character and sterling integrity.
He was selected in the early days to bear a prominent part in the opening of roads and in organizing town affairs, and, as a Highway Commissioner, nearly all the first roads were laid out
and worked under his jurisdiction.
Mr. Barnard was an excellent farmer and one
of the most industrious of men and secured indepen dence, but his latter years were clouded by a painful disease, which finally terminated his life in his
sixty-sixth year.
Lazetta Sutherland, the wife of our subject,
was born in Broome County, N. Y., October 8,
1815, and came to Michigan, in 1837. Their marriage took place April 8, 1838. She did not possess the physical constitution needed for the endurance of the hardships of pioneer life, but by her
frugality did her full share in the accumulation of
the property that went to provide homes for their
children. She survived her husband about two
years and nine months, dying December 30, 1878.
Eight children were born to them, four of whom are
living, Marion, Charles, Harriet (wife of C. G.
Weed), and Jessie (wife of Wesley French).
The boyhood days of our subject were passed
upon a farm, and he remained under the parental
roof until reaching his majority, when he started
out in life with one hundred and sixty-four acres
of good land, on which he placed fine buildings.
At present he owns an area of one hundred and
forty-three acres, on which he is conducting general farming and stock-raising.  February 23,
1870, he was married to Miss Laura R., only
daughter of Daniel W. Finch, who is of English

Scotch descent, and was born July 13, 1851, in
Jackson County, Mich.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnard have no children of their
own, but have a foster son, Morris D., born August
6, 1877, in Kalamazoo County,whom they took into
their home at the age of two and one-half years and
who is now a bright boy of fifteen. This worthy
couple are refined and well educated, Mr. Barnard
having attended the Kalamazoo Baptist College
and his wife receiving her education in the Kalamazoo High School. They are active members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and occupy a
high place in the regard of their friends.
— +-         --- F
A LFRED B. DORRANCE is distinguished
QL    in the present annals of Kalamazoo County
as the oldest resident in the township of
Pavilion, of which he was an early pioneer, and is to-day numbered among its wealthiest
farmers. He is of New England birth, born in the
city of Providence, R. I., July 27, 1814, coming
of fine old Revolutionary stock that was originally
derived from  the Huguenots of France, three
brothers of that race by the name of Dorrance
coming to this country in the seventeenth century,
and thus founding the family in New England.
Our subject's grandfather D)orrance was one of
Washington 's captains during the Revolution, and
was with him at Valley Forge during the terrible
winter of the encampment of the Continental soldiers at that place. His brave soldierly spirit descended to his son George, the father of our subject, who was the youngest of twelve children, and
he, too, became a captain of American troops, fighting against the British in the War of 1812.
George Dorrance was born in Rhode Island.
He was a jeweler and carried on his business in his
native State until his removal to Orleans County,
N. Y., where he was similarly engaged. Ile was a
man of singular probity and of correct habits, advanced in his religious views, an exemplary Christian and a Deacon in the Universalist Church. He
died in New York State at the age of fifty-four,
and his death was greatly mourned in his community. His wife died at the age of forty-two years.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


993


She is supposed to have been of German descent,
and her name was Nancy A. Warner. She was a
native of Massachusetts. In her the Methodist
Episcopal Church had one of its most consistent
members. Her father and her brothers were sailors
and were lost at sea. But very little is known of
the family.
Our subject is the third in a family of eleven
children, of whom three are living. He was but
two years old when his parents removed from their
old home in New England to Orleans County,N. Y.,
where he was reared in the small town of Albion.
He obtained a good education in the district
school and in Phipp's Seminary in his native
town. When he became self-supporting, he worked
out by the month on a farm and also chopped wood
at twenty-five cents a cord, and with the money
thus earned he bought eighty acres of land. lie
came to the State of Michigan in the fall of 1835,
and after working a month at Grand Rapids came
to Kalamazoo County and was engaged as a laborer
by the month for some time. He bought eighty
acres of land in December, 1835, and the deed
signed by Martin Van Buren is still in his possession. There were no houses nearer than six miles
when he bought his place, and it was wild and
desolate. He did not settle there then but worked
out by the month for three years at the trade of a
carpenter, and at the expiration of that time married his employer's daughter. They rented a shanty
at first in which to begin housekeeping, but he soon
built a cabin in which they lived two years.
Mr. Dorrance worked away from home and his
wife was left alone for several days at a time,
when she would see no human face, and the loneliness of her situation at night was emphasized by
the howling of the wolves in the forest near by.
She and her husband had a full experience of the
trials and privations of pioneer life, but they bore
themselves bravely, and with unfailing courage
faced the difficulties before them in the upbuilding
of a home. Money was very scarce in those days,
especially in the era of wild-cat financiering, when
Mr. D)orance could hardly get enough to pay his
taxes. He h:ad to pay $8 a barrel for salt, and sometimes was obliged to exchange produce for it and
for provisions. Notwithstanding all that he had to


contend with, he prospered, and now has as good
a farm as is to be found in Pavilion Township,
consisting of two hundred and forty acres of land
on section 36, mostly cleared up by his own hand,
and amply supplied with good buildings. In 1882,
he erected a large frame residence and has three
large barns, a granary and other necessary outbuildings. lie devotes his farm to mixed farming,
having it stocked with a good class of stock, and
hires his work done, although he superintends it.
Our subject and his good wife have lived together more than half a century in an enjoyable
wedded life, upon which they entered July 8, 1838.
Mrs. Dorrance was born in Erie County, Pa., August 31, 1820, her maiden name being Lucinda C.
Stone. She is the mother of fifteen children, of
whom she has reared eleven, who are yet living, as
follows: Mary J., Jay B., Delia B.,Wart T., Esther
E., Frank B., Nellie J., Charles E., Fred A., Allie
A. and William H. Two live in Nebraska, one in
Dakota, two in Tennessee, one in Virginia, one in
Northern Michigan and two are here.
A residence in this county of nearly fifty-four
years constitutes Mr. Dorrance one of our most
venerable pioneers, and his life work here places
him among our most valued citizens, who has
greatly aided in reclaiming the country from the
forest wilds. His record shows him to be a man
of spotless reputation and exemplary habits, who
is always to be found on the side of right. He is a
strong Republican, and was a fiery Abolitionist
before and during the war. His fellow-citizens,
appreciating his merits, have elected him to public
offices, but he would never qualify, as lie had no
taste for civic life.
N ENRY SPRINGER. Although now in his
eightieth year (1892), this gentleman is
very vigorous in mind and body, and, re) spected and honored by all who know him,
is passing the twilight of his life retired from
active labor on his farm within the corporate
limits of Vicksburgh. His residence, which was
erected in 1871, is an attractive frame building,






994


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- ------
--------  --- —------


=


and the lawn is surrounded by a neatly-trimmed
evergreen hedge, making the place one of the
prettiest in the village. For the past twenty years
he has rented the farm and derives a good income
from its cultivation.
Mr. Springer was born in Union County, Pa.,
March 28, 1813, and is of German descent. His
father, Henry, who was a native of Bucks County,
Pa., was a chair-maker by trade and also made
many spinning wheels. As time advanced and
spinning wheels went out of date in Pennsylvania,
he learned of a place, St. Catharines, in Canada,
where they were extensively used, and accordingly
moved there and followed his trade until his
death at eighty-four years of age. He was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church and a
Democrat in politics.
The mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Swartzlener) Springer, was born in Bucks County, Pa.,
of German descent, her grandfather having emigrated to America from Germany. She attained
to the great old age of ninety-six years and seven
months, and reared a family of eight children,
viz: Samuel, John, Henry Charles, Levi, Aaron,
Eve and Eliza. Five members of the family still
survive, all of whom are past the prime of life.
Henry Springer, our subject, resided in Pennsylvania until he was twenty-one, in the meantime
working at various occupations and on the farm.
Although he worked to some extent at his father's
trade, he had no taste for it and sought more
congenial pursuits.
After he was twenty years old, Mr. Springer
learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed more or less for thirty years. He assisted
in building the canal at Lock Haven, Pa. In
1835, he moved to Livingston County, N. Y.,
where he worked at his trade until 1848, and in
October of that year came to Michigan, the journey from Buffalo to Detroit being made by boat,
and from Detroit to Kalamazoo by rail. He had
been advised by a friend to come to Vicksburgh
and open up a cabinet-maker's shop, and he finally
reached this place in a wagon.
When he came here, Mr. Springer was very
poor, lacking $15 of having enough money to
pay the freight on his household goods, and be

I


I




sides having a wife and five children dependent upon his exertions. After working at his
trade for a short time, our subject bought six
acres of land and built a small house at an
actual expense of only fifty cents. The newlysettled country proved very unhealthy and the
family suffered greatly with the ague until,
through sickness and other misfortunes, Mr.
Springer was involved to the extent of $300. But
with strong hands and willing brain he pulled
through and paid every dollar of his indebtedness.
In 1854, Mr. Springer bought eighty acres of
his present farm, then heavily wooded and containing no improvements.   Deer, wild turkeys
and bears were still to be seen and the surroundings were primitive. It required an enormous
amount of hard work to clear the land and bring
it to a high state of cultivation, but this he accomplished, building also a frame house and adding forty-four acres to his original purchase. He
is now the owner of one hundred and twenty-one
acres, forty of which lie in the village. Three
acres were sold to the Grand Rapids and Indiana
Railroad, which runs past his residence.
The marriage of Mr. Springer to Miss Rosanna
Dorry took place October 9, 1835. Mrs. Springer
was born in Springfield, Mass., January 19, 1815,
and is the daughter of William and Louisa (Lindsley) Dorry, who were, so far as known, natives of
Massachusetts. By trade Mr. Dorry was a shoemaker and settled in Livingston County, N. Y.,
where he died when eighty-four. His wife passed
away at the age of seventy-seven. Mr. and Mrs.
Springer have six children, all but one of whom
attained to maturity, viz: William, a farmer and
stock-raiser in Chase County, Kan.; Warren, who
is a resident of Chicago; Emily, formerly the wife
of John Reed, of Missouri, but now deceased;
Mary J., Mrs. Cotton, who resides in Luddington,
this State; and Harriet H., whose home is in
Vicksburg. The second son, Warren, is engaged
in the real-estate business in Chicago and is worth
about $2,000,000, his annual rents amounting to
over $200,000. He began after the fire by picking up old iron and selling it, and from that
humble position has arisen to wealth.




i




p_anawa,,~'BTSliFSFTYfl -I

E ]to}
if-                  /'o L - -^lp z?
^^8^^cL/^</./ -r'^, I




PORTRAIT AND BIO1GRA~PHICAL RECORD.


997


PORTRAI AN  BIOG A  R.  9


Being of an inventive turn   of mind, Mr.
Springer has contrived a number of practical inventions, and has patents on a spring-tooth cultivator, milk pail and grass sower. He is a Republican in politics, and has voted at every Presidential election since the first term of Jackson.
Mrs. Springer has been an active member of the
Methodist Church for many years, and he has
contributed generously to its support, as well as to
every charitable measure appealing to his aid. His
life has been an industrious one and he is still
quite active, notwithstanding his advanced age.
It is the wish of their hosts of friends that he and
his estimable wife may be spared for many years,
in the enjoyment of health and prosperity.
/d EORGE C. PEASE, M. D., of Fulton, is one
of the most popular and distinguished physicians in Kalamazoo County, and is also
numbered among its wealthy citizens, as he is gifted
with keen business acumen as well as with professional talent. Although the most of his life has been
passed in Michigan, Ohio is his native State, his
birthplace in Troy, and the date of his birth January 15, 1847. He is a son of John B. Pease, a
well-known and highly respected citizen of this
county.
John B. Pease was born in Lyons, N. Y., November 7, 1818, and is of mingled English and Scotch
blood. He went to Ohio when young, and began
life there as a pioneer farmer near Columbus. He
was subsequently married at Norwalk to Miss
Cyntha Burr, who is a native of Canandaigua, N.
Y., born March 14, 1823, and is of Scotch descent.
She is an earnest, pure-hearted Christian, and one
of the most active working members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this place. To her and
her husband have been born four children, namely:
George C.; Julia L., wife of Ira W. McIntyre, a
wagon manufacturer at Petoskey; Mary L., Mrs.
Green, now deceased; Aurrilla, wife of Ephraim
Frost, a farmer in this vicinity.
After marriage Mr. Pease located in Lorain
County, and was exceedingly prospered in his calling, opening up several new farms, and becoming


one of the substantial, well-to-do citizens of that
part of Ohio. He finally disposed of his property
there and came to Michigan, arriving in this county
November 7, 1858, having traveled hither with his
family in a covered wagon. He bought fifty acres
of timber land a half mile south of Fulton, erected
a log house with a shake roof, and then actively
devoted himself to the pioneer labors of clearing
his land and developing a farm. In the busy years
that followed, he put his place under substantial
improvement, and is still living upon it in one of
the most comfortable of homes. He is a person of
strong sense, of a clear, well-balanced mind, and is
said to be one of the kindest-hearted men that ever
lived. In church matters, he is a Unitarian. In
politics, he is a Republican.
Dr. Pease lived on a farm in Huron County,
Ohio, the first twelve years of his life, and there
laid the foundation of a liberal education in a district school that was taught under the old rate-bill
system, an old "elementary speller "and "McGuffey's
Reader" constituting his text-books. The country
roundabout his early home as well as in the vicinity of the new home after the removal of the family to this county was in a wild and sparsely settled condition, and he can well remember when
deer and other wild game were plentiful in his
boyhood days. He attended school in Wakeshma
Township soon after coming here. He was ambitious to become a physician, and at the age of
twenty lie began studying medicine at home, reading up on anatomy and physiology every spare
moment, devoting himself night and day to his
studies when not working on the farm. He was
desirous of earning money to pursue his studies at
a medical institution, and he took jobs at chopping
wood, clearing in that manner fifty-two acres of
timber. In the spring of 1872, after two years of
study in the office of Dr. Eli H. Coller and Dr.
Oscar F. Sealey, at Climax, he entered the medical
department of the University at Ann Arbor, and
was graduated with honor March 24, 1875.
Upon leaving college, Dr. Pease returned to Fulton with no definite purpose of settling here to
practice, but he was at once called into service,
and has never doffed his professional harness.
From the very beginning he showed himself to be




-        ' -7~'-   1,,, I,-.. -.  I I - - I -   I, -1  I., -


998


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


peculiarly skillful in performing difficult surgical
operations, and critical cases seem to be his forte,
so successful is he in their treatment. The first
thing that he had to do when he began to practice
was to ligate a dorsalis pedis-artery, and the next
was to ligate a posterior occipital artery, and he at
once dropped into a big practice, which is the
largest of any physician for many miles around.
He keeps well abreast of the times in medical knowledge, and besides having a large and valuable
library in which are the best medical works of the
century, lie takes seven medical journals. He is
also an active and interested member of various
medical societies, whose meetings he attends regularly. He is a member of the Academy of Medicine at Kalamazoo, the State Medical Society, the
American Medical Association, and also prominent
in other social organizations. He belongs to the
Odd Fellow lodges at Fulton and Mendon; is a
member of Lodge No. 36, K. of P., at Vicksburg;
and of Lodge No. 254, A. F. & A. M., at Fulton,
which is one of the best lodges in this part of the
country; also a member of Galesburg Chapter and
Peninsular Commandery No. 8, of Kalamazoo. He
takes a great interest in these various lodges, and
has one of the finest swords in the State used in
Masonic Commandery work, and also an elegant
suit and regalia of the Knight Templar Rank. In
his political views he is a decided Republican, but,
although he has been solicited to take office, he is
too busy to devote any time to political and public matters.
The Doctor has shown himself in his career to
be a wide-awake business man, as he entered upon
it rich only in ambition, energy and a well-trained
brain to do his bidding, and, with no more capital,
he has become wealthy. He has a valuable property
at Fulton, consisting of fourteen lots besides other
land, and a handsome, large frame residence, finely
furnished, which he built in 1879. He has considerable money invested in horses, of which he is
a dear lover, and has some fine roadsters that he
can drive fourteen miles an hour. He has a Sussex
colt that is said to be as fine as any in the State.
To the lady who presides so graciously over his
home and cordially unites with him in extending
a charming hospitality to any who cross its thres

hold, Dr. Pease was married December 24, 1871.
Mrs. Pease, formerly Phebe M. Smith, is a native
of this State, born at Saline, in Washtenaw County,
October 19, 1853.
See accompanying portrait of Dr. Pease.
OBERT ROOF. No man has played a more
important part in promoting the rise and
growth of the agricultural interests of Kalamazoo County than Robert Roof, who is
honored as one of its pioneers, and is one of its
most extensive farmers and stock-raisers, and its
largest land-holder, and he has built up a beautiful
home on section 35, Charleston Township.
Mr. Roof was born in Stillwater Township,
Sussex County, N. J., May 11, 1822. Iis father,
Jacob Roof, was a native of the same town and
was a life-long resident of the place. Iis business
was that of a farmer, in which he was extensively
engaged, having a large and finely improved farm.
He married Phebe Morris, a native of Hampton
Township, Sussex County, N. J.    Her father,
Moses Morris, was a large farmer in that township. The parents of our subject were married in
their birthplace, and there died, his death occurring at the age of seventy-seven, and her's at the
age of eighty-two years. They had six children,
five sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to
maturity. The father was the first to die, and
since then the mother and four of the children
have gone. The three remaining are: Christopher,
a resident of New Jeisey; Mary, widow of Henry
Whittaker, and a resident of Newark, N. J.; and
Robert, of whom we write.
The subject of this biography is the fourth
child and fourth son of the family. He grew up
in his native place to a vigorous, and self-reliant
manhood. He staid with his father until lie was
twenty-six years old, helping him in the management of his large farming interests.  Ie obtained
a very good education in the district schools,
which he attended whenever an opportunity offered. In 1848, at the age mentioned, he came to
Kalamazoo County, to try life here among the pioneers, and to join his fortune with theirs. For




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


999


four years, he worked by the month for Hiram
Moore, in Charleston Township, that gentleman
being the one who took up the land which our
subject now owns. From 1852 until 1855, he was
engaged in buying and shipping grain and horses,
and did a thriving business in that line, making
his headquarters a part of the time in Kankakee,
1ll., though still having his home in Michigan. In
1855, lie invested in sixty-three acres of land on
section 36, Charleston Township, and located on
the same that year. There were no buildings on the
place when it came into his possession, and lie
rented a hlouse to live in while he developed his
land. Four years later, he added one hundred and
thirty three acres to his farm on the same section,
the latter purchase having house and barns.
Mr. Roof traded his first farm  for his present
homestead, which comprises three hundred and
fifty acres of exceptionally fine farming land. He
subsequently purchased seventy acres of land on
section 27, of the same township, another seventyacre tract on section 26, one hundred and fortyacres on the same section joining it, one hundred
and sixty-six acres in Comstock Township, ninety
acres in Calhoun County, forty acres on section 22,
Kalamazoo Township, and in all he has purchased
eleven hundred and fifty acres in Michigan. He
has given his son-in-law one hundred and sixtysix acres in Comstock Township, which is still in
his name, however, he retaining the title as long
as he lives. He has given his son Morris one hundred and thirty-six acres of land and has sold
some. IHe also gave his son $3,000 in cash. His
extensive landed possessions make him the largest
landed proprietor in the county, and lie is also extensively interested in stock-raising and dealing. He
has sold as much as $9,000 worth at one sale, and
has stock valued at that on hand now, besides having sold $3,200 worth this year. He is a man of
more than ordinary business enterprise and keenness in money matters. His judgment in regard to
stock is remarkably accurate, and his opinion is
greatly valued and much sought for by his neighbors and others of his numerous acquaintance. Our
subject has literally been "the architect of his own
fortune," as $15 was his sole capital when he entered upon the responsibilities of life on his own




account. From that small beginning, lie has
amassed, wealth and is one of the richest men in the
county. Eis home place is one of the most attractive in this locality, the land under a high state of
cultivation, a handsome set of building adorning
it, and everything well kept and orderly. He
erected his first house at a cost of $5,000, and in
six months it was destroyed by fire. The next
year, he built his present elegant, handsomely appointed residence at the same cost. It is a commodious, two-story brick structure, of a pleasing
style of architecture, convenient and comfortable
in its interior arrangements, and well furnished.
Our subject was married, in 1855, to Miss Martha Hallock, who presides graciously over their
home, and unites with him in welcoming with a
kindly and courteous hospitality whosoever may
cross their threshold. Mrs. Roof was born in New
York, a daughter of V. C. and Catherine (O'Neal)
Hallock, with whom she came to Michigan. Her
mother is still living, aged eighty-two years, and
is a welcome inmate of her home. Mr. and Mrs.
Roof are the parents of five children, two of whom
died in infancy. The others are Minnie, wife of
John Struble, of Comstock Township; Morris J.,
a resident of Climax, and George, who is at home
with his parents. Mr. Roof is a man of resources,
has a well-poised intellect, is quick to think and
prompt to act, and lie is independent in all things.
I-e is a true Democrat in politics, but he exercises
his right to vote for whom  he pleases in local
affairs, and the best man for the office is sure of
his support, regardless of party. He is well known
as a Mason, having been a member of the order
for thirty-five years, and his social relations are
with the lodge of the village of Climax.
ATHAN S. KINNEY, the present efficient
Supervisor of Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County, was born on the 9th of
March, 1844, in Prairie Ronde Township, this
county. He is a son of Niles Hartwell Kinney, a
native of New York, born in the year 1800, and
an early settler in Michigan. He took land from
the Government on Prairie Ronde, one of the








1000


PORTRAI[T AND BIOGRA13HI CAL RECORD.


1000          PORTRMT-1 AND BIOGRAP —iCAL RECORD.

handsomest parts of the country in this section,
and cleared two hundred acres. He was Justice of
the Peace and a well-known and influential man.
His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Speers,
she being a native of Ohio, and was married to
the father of our subject in Huron County, her
native State. To her were born six children,
our subject being the youngest. Four others are
now living: D. C., the eldest, residing on the old
homestead; Mrs. P. H. Sayles makes her home in
the northern part of Oceana County, Mich., her
husband going there as an Indian trader, and
being a well-known and prominent public man
until his death, which occurred in 1891; William
is making his home in Nebraska; and Niles I-. is a
resident of Iowa. The fourth child in order of
birth met with an untimely death, being burnt
when eleven years of age in the house owned by
Elder Marck on Prairie Ronde in which was conducted a private school. Four other children
perished at the same time. The good mother, an
estimable and hard-working woman, was called to
her rest in 1850, when our subject was a lad of
six years, and his father died six years later.
Our subiect was partly reared by his eldest
brother, D. C. Kinney, and was taught farming
during the summer months, during the winters
attending the district schools. He enlisted in the
late war in 1861, at the age of seventeen, under
Capt. Johnson, in Company Hi, Twelfth Michigan
Infantry, and served his country faithfully until
he was honorably discharged, four years and five
months later. He participated in a number of
important engagements, among them being Shiloh,
Metamora, Middlesburg, siege of Vicksburg, siege
of Little Rock, Ark., Clarendon and Gregory's
Landing. He was unusually fortunate in never
receiving a wound in all his engagements, but he
endured all the hardships of war and was sick in
the hospital three different times from measles,
lung fever and general disability. He also had
his arm broken in being thrown from a horse in
Van Buren, Tenn. The date on which Mr. Kinney was mustered out of the service with his
regiment was February, 1866, at Camden, Ark.
On returning to the life of a civilian, Mr. Kinney engaged in farming on Prairie Ronde, which


he continued until 1869. In this last-named year he
chose as his companion in life Miss Mary McKain,
a daughter of Thomas and Jane McKain. Both
of her parents are still living, and are old settlers
of Decatur Township, Van Buren County. After
his marriage, our subject and his estimable wife
moved to Oshtemo Township, where they now reside on one hundred and forty acres on sections
31 and 32, and are also the possessors of forty
acres in Antwerp Township, Van Buren County.
This estate is well improved and a good set of
farm buildings are to be seen on it. He works as
he fought-faithfully and steadily, and, with the
able assistance of his amiable and catable wife, he
has gained a splendid competency, and they are
now living a peaceful and happy life, well liked
by all their neighbors and many friends.
Mr. Kinney is heartily in favor of any movement that tends to enhance the prosperity of the
community at large, and in politics is a stanch Republican. He served as Justice of the Peace of
his township for a number of years and was elected
Supervisor in 1888, and is now serving his fourth
term, giving satisfaction to all concerned. He
and his worthy wife are the parents of four children: Ethel, D. C., Thomas Hartwell and Hal.
J    H N DEN BLEYKER. This progressive
farmer, residing on section 12, Kalamazoo
Township, Kalamazoo County, is a native
/  of Holland, and was born September 5,1839.
Hie is a son of Paulus den Bleyker, also a native of
Holland, where lie was born December 23, 1804.
The father was married four times, and his last
wife, Sarah W. Lyle, a native of England, is now
living in Kalamazoo City.
The father of our subject was orphaned when
nine years old, and was adopted by a friend who
lived in a country town. He was given a cominonschool education, and at the age of eighteen went
into the regular army, serving nine years, after
which he followed farming, and in partnership
with others, was engaged in diking in land reclaimed from the sea.  At one time, lie owned
several hundred acres of fine land, but in 1850 dis



RESIDENCE OF EDWIN CLARK, SEC. 1., PRAIRIE RONDETP.,KALAMAZOO CO.,MICH.


RESIDENCE OF JOHN dEN BLEYKER, SEC.12.,KALAMAZOO TP., KALAMAZOO CO., MICHIGAN.
RESIENCEOFJOHNdENBLEYERAEC.1.,X




II
rlI




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1003


posed of all his property and sailed for America,
bringing his family direct to Kalamazoo County,
this State. He at once purchased the Judge Wells
place of three hundred and sixty acres in Texas
Township, and the next week bought the Gov.
Ransom farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
which included the best of South Kalamazoo. He
platted this land, sold the lots, became an extensive dealer in real-estate, and also loaned a great
deal of money. After a year's residence in Kalamazoo, he was induced by a friend to go to Holland, Mich., and erect a gristand sawmill, but after
two years, returned to Kalamazoo to attend to his
business. Ile was conservative in politics, voting
for the best man. Ile adhered to the faith of the
Dutch Reformed Church, and was a kind-hearted
and generous man, always ready to aid the poor
and needy. He died April 8, 1872, in Kalamazoo,
leaving a wife, two sons and one daughter.
Our subject is the first-born of his father's family, and was eleven years old when his parents
came to this country. He attended the common
schools while in his native country, and in Michigan was a student in the Baptist College and the
Commercial College at Kalamazoo, graduating from
the latter institution in 1856, and from Gregory's
Commercial College in 1859. He then clerked for
Clark & Gilbert, and later for William B. Clark.
He was also employed for two years in the Register
Office under Ephraim Mills.
October 25, 1864, Mr. den Bleyker was married
to H. Amna Balch, who was born July 12, 1840,
a daughter of the Hon. Nathaniel A. Balch, a native of Athens, Vt., and of Welsh descent. Mr.
Balch, who was a highly educated man, came to
Kalamazoo in 1837, and opened a school, known
as the Branch, afterward converted into Kalamazoo College, and at the same time studied
law.  He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of
Barry County, also held the same office in Kalamazoo County, and in 1847 was elected to the
State Senate.  He was a very prominent man
in this part of the State, and was married to
Sarah M. Chapill, a daughter of the Rev. Walter
Chapin, of Woodstock, Vt.
To our subject and his wife nine children have
been born: Paul is at home; Sarah is a graduate of
46             K


the Michigan Female Seminary, of Kalamazoo and
Ypsilanti, and holds a State license; she is now
taking a special course in the science of mathematics at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor,
and has taught for two years or more. Gertrude,
who finished her education in the Michigan Female
Seminary, has great artistic ability, and some fine
paintings executed by herself adorn their home;
John died at the age of two years and nine months;
Harry, who is eighteen years old, is a graduate of
Kalamazoo High School; Walter, now fifteen years
of age (1892), is a student in the High School;
Mattie died when eight years old; Annie is ten
years old, and a pupil in the Kalamazoo school.
Our subject is now the possessor of one hundred
and eighty-five acres of fine land. He breeds Holstein and Jersey cattle and registered sheep, which
he buys and ships, and his cattle have taken the
first premiums at the State Fairs. He is a great
lover of horses, and buys and sells a good many.
He is one of the Directors of the Kalamazoo National Bank, and a stockholder in the same, and
he is interested in various undertakings connected
with the interest of the public growth of the town.
He has devoted some time to real-estate dealing, and
he and his sister now own the old homestead on
Burdick Street, in Kalamazoo. In politics, he is a
Democrat, and was Notary Public for sixteen
years. The members of his family are identified
with the Presbyterian Church, and he is one of its
principal supporters.
The attention of the reader is invited to the view
of Mr. den Bleyker's homestead, which appears on
another page.
E      DWIN CLARK is the son of Joel Clark,
who was one of the early settlers of Prairie
Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County, coming here as early as 1830, from Huron County,
Ohio. The maiden name of his mother was Parmelia Lee; she was born in Massachusetts, June 23,
1784, Her husband's birth occurred at Belchertown, Mass., June 24, 1786. They were married
in the Bay State, June 9, 1808, removing from
there to Huron County, Ohio, which place they
made their home until their emigration to Michi



1004


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


gan.  They at once located in Prairie Ronde
Township, and continued to make that their abiding-place until their decease, the mother dying
August 2, 1839, and the father October 7, 1845.
The parental family included seven children, of
whom our subject was the youngest. His birth
occurred in Lyme, Huron County, Ohio, September
19, 1825; hence, he was but five years of age at the
time of his parents' removal to this county. He
grew to manhood in Prairie Ronde Township.
and gave his undivided attention to agricultural
pursuits, being a resident on section 1, of the abovenamed township.
March 16, 1850, Edwin Clark was united in marriage to Miss Ora J. Watkins, whose birth occurred in Branch County, this State, in 1828.
Her union with our subject has been blest by the
birth of three children: Celia J., who is the wife of
Clark Weed, makes her home in Texas Township;
J. W. married Alice Bates, and resides in this
township; Justin married Frenda Overton, and is
a merchant in Schoolcraft.  Mrs. Ora J. Clark
died in August, 1861, and our subject was a second time married, in Portage Township, December
25, 1875, this time to Mary J. Crooks. Mrs. Clark
was born in Ontario County, N. Y., April 20, 1831.
She was the daughter of Samuel and Abigail R.
(Short) Crooks, who removed from Ontario County,
N. Y., to this county, in 1839. They located in Portage Township, where the father died in 1881; the
mother resides at Kalamazoo, at an advanced age.
Mr. Clark always takes an active part in all local
affairs, and has voted with the Republican party
since its organization. He is liberal in his religious
views, and contributes cheerfully of his means
towards every worthy object. He is one of the
prominent and progressive citizens of the county.
Joel Clark was twice married, his second wife being
Eliza Brown. Two children were the result of
this union, Jerome and Asa.
E    BENEZER    W. MONROE.      An honored
veteran of the late war and an enterprising
farmer of Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County, Mr. Monroe stands deservedly high
in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. By his in

dustry, nobility and patriotism, he is adding lustre
to a name already imperishably connected with the
annals of our country. His father, Moses Monroe,
was a cousin of the fifth President of the United
States, and his mother was a cousin of Benjamin
Wade, of national fame, so that his connections
have contributed added renown to our country.
Moses Monroe was born in New Hampshire, in
March, 1804, and in early manhood married Harriet Wade, who was born in Massachusetts, December 14, 1806. After their marriage, the young
couple settled in Cayuga County, N. Y., whence
several years afterward they removed to Huron
County, Ohio and sojourned in the Buckeye State
four years. In January, 1838, they cast their lot
with the pioneers of Michigan, settling in Porter
Township, Van Buren County and identifying
themselves with the development of its agricultural resources. They became the parents of twelve
children, and at advanced ages passed away, he in
November, 1874 and she seven years afterward.
It was during the residence of this worthy couple
in Porter Township, Van Buren County, that a
son was born to them, March 9, 1840, whom they
named Ebenezer W. He was reared to manhood
on his father's farm and when he reached his majority, enlisted in the defense of the Union, September 17, 1861, as a member of Company C, Third
Michigan Cavalry. For three years, he served
with courage and at the expiration of his term of
enlistment, in October, 1864, was mustered out at
Brownsville, Ark.
Returning to Porter Township, Mr. Monroe engaged in farming for two years, and from there
removed to Washtenaw County, where he continued to follow agricultural pursuits with success
until the fall of 1878. At that time, he sold out
his interests in Washtenaw County and, coming to
Prairie Ronde Township, located on section 7,
where he has since resided. Farming has been his
chief occupation although he has engaged to some
extent in lumbering.
December 5, 1869, Mr. Monroe was united in
marriage to Miss Escalala Shaffer, a native of
Wasltenaw County and a most estimable lady.
They are the parents of three children: Eliza,
Minnie and Bertha, who are at home. In politics,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1005


-----
--




Mr. Monroe firmly adheres to the principles of the
Republican party, and has served his fellow-citizens in various official capacities, among them holding the office of Highway Commissioner. As might
be expected, he takes great interest in Grand Army
affairs, and is a member of Benson Post, No. 303,
G. A. R. His energy and ability are proved by
the possession of his fine farm, which comprises
one hundred and ninety acres and is embellished
with all first-class improvements, making it one of
the best in the community.
ENRY S. OGDEN, a thoughtful, practical,
progressive man, who is considered one of
our best citizens, is identified with the agricultural interests of Kalamazoo County as
the proprietor of a good farm on section 9, Charleston Township, the rental of which returns him a
profitable income. He comes of good old Connecticut stock, and was born in that State, in the town
of Kent, Litchfield County, December 13, 1811.
IHis father, Robert Ogden, is supposed to have been
a native of Wyoming Flats, Pa., whither the family had emigrated. He was born in 1777, and was
a son of one of the victims of the cruel Indian
massacre at Wyoming. He was married to Miss
Warden, in the Connecticut town mentioned as the
birthplace of his son, his wife being a native of
that State. They settled in said town, and there
reared their four children. After the death of his
first wife, the father of our subject was married to
Anna Stewart, who became the mother of our subject, and of four other children, Henry being the
eldest.
Our subject spent the early years of his life in
the pretty New England town of his birth, and for
five years before he attained his majority, he
worked for his father for $50 a year. After he was
twenty-one, he was employed by his brother-inlaw for a little more than a year, at the same rate
of wages. After his second marriage, he located on
his father's farm in his native State, buying the
farm and operating it some three years. Selling
that place, he then bought a farm in Ontario


County, N. Y., whence he came to Michigan in 1869.
He immediately settled on the farm on section 9,
Charleston Township, which has ever since remained his home, with the exception of the six
years that he and his family spent in Battle Creek
for the sake of educating their children. He has a
fine farm of two hundred and ten acres of highly
productive and carefully tilled soil, with substantial improvements in the way of good buildings
and everything necessary to make it a first-class
farm. Mr. Ogden has retired from its active management, renting the land instead, as he has accumulated a sufficient amount of property to permit him to enjoy life at his leisure.
Mr. Ogden was first married at Dover, in Dutchess County, N. Y., to Miss Sally Ann Griffin, who
died two years after marriage, leaving one daughter, Sarah, now the wife of George Barlow, their
residence being near Hamilton, Mo. Our subject
was a second time married in New York, Miss
Amanda Brown, a native of the eastern part of
that State, becoming his wife, and for many years
they have lived together in contentment and happiness. They are the parents of eleven children,
six daughters and five sons, all of whom are living
but Edith. Mary is the wife of the Rev. J. H.
Perry, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
lives in Albion; Stuart resides with his parents;
Charley is a resident of Allegan; George lives in
Hamilton, Mo.; Murray is a resident of Charleston
Township; Fanny is the wife of A. P. Simpson, of
Charleston Township; Estella is the wife of G. A.
Merrill, of Minnesota; Elizabeth is the wife of W.
A. Brown, of Chicago; Ida married W. B. Dunnell,
of Minneapolis; Arthur is attending school at Albion.
Our venerable subject has enjoyed a long and
honorable career, and his life-record marks him as
an honest, truthful man, conscientious and straightforward in all matters pertaining to business, benevolent and charitable and of an affable disposition, and he is looked up to by all who know him
as an exemplary Christian. He united with the
Methodist Episcopal Church many years ago, and.
while in New York, he was Steward of the church
with which he was then connected. Since his residence here, he has used his influence in the upbuild





1006


FE10IR-TRAIT AN'D BIOGRRAPHlCAL RECORD,


100      PRTRITANDBIGRAHIAL ECRD


ing of the church of that denomination in this
township, in which he and his fellow-members and
their pastor hold divine services, and he has
worked earnestly to elevate the moral and religious
status of the community. In his political affiliations, lie is a true Republican. His sons, however,
vote the Prohibition ticket. He, too, advocates temperance, but he is not in favor of a third party., HARLES A. MORSE, a young man of ex((  cellent understanding and much natural
/ ability, now serving his sixth term as Supervisor of Brady Township, Kalamazoo County, was
born in Will County, Ill., June 1, 1857. His worthy
father is George Morse, born in New York, January 10, 1833 and now a resident of section 4, this
township; he is a prominent farmer of large business experience and quite widely known.
Our subject came with his parents to this county
in 1857 when only six weeks old, and has consequently been identified with the township and
county nearly all his life. He was here reared and
educated on a farm and in the district schools,
commencing in life for himself when twenty-two
years old. He was married, February 20, 1879, to
Miss Mary C. Platt, a native of Clarion County, Pa.,
where she had her birth, April 23, 1856. Her parents, Samuel and Lavina (Gilbert) Platt, both natives of Pennsylvania, located on a farm in this
township in 1864, where they resided until the
death of the mother in 1890. Since this sad event,
the father has lived a retired life in Vicksburg.
The wife of our subject is a most estimable and
cultured woman and is now the mother of one
child, Mollie Belle.
Charles A. Morse has resided on two different
farms in this township; the first one of eighty
acres he resided on until 1883 and on it he
made marked improvements. That same year, he
purchased his present farm, which comprises eighty
acres, and has it under a splendid state of fertility,
on which he carries on general farming, raising
stock and grain. He owns twenty-four head of
full-blooded Shropshire sheep which he breeds and
sells. The original of this sketch erected his pre

sent commodious residence in 1884, which is a
model of neatness and convenience. Two large
frame barns adorn the place, one built in 1890 and
the other remodeled in 1884. Mrs. Morse is a
valued and consistent member of the Lutheran
Church. In his political views, Mr. Morse affiliates
with the Democracy. He has served as HIlghway
Commissioner in 1885 and was elected to the responsible position of Supervisor in the spring of
1886 and has served continuously ever since. He
has taken a very active part in county legislation
of the board, serving on many committees and acting as chairman of the board during 1890. Socially, he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the
Knights of Pythias at Vicksburg.
~__ ~, --- —- f.~ —~__,,
-
C     HARLES E. HOPE. Among the prominent and successful agriculturists of Texas
Township, Kalamazoo County, we take
pleasure in introducing to our readers the worthy
subject of this sketch. I-Ie is a son of Edward and
Amelia (Stevens) Hope, the father having been
born in England, and the mother in New York
State. They were among the early settlers of
Kalamazoo County, and were here married. A
few years after their marriage, they settled in
Texas Township, and here lived until the latter
part of the '80s, when they removed to Montcalm County, Mich., where the father died in August, 1890. They had fiye children, of whom our
subject was the oldest.
The gentleman whose name initiates this life
notice was born in Oshtemo Township, this
county, October 25, 1840, and was about twelve
years old when his parents moved to Texas Township, where he grew to manhood and has made his
permanent home. Sarah E. Coleman is the name
of the lady who became the wife of our subject, in
Oshtemo Township, in November, 1866. She is a
daughter of William  H. and Amanda (Owen)
Coleman. Her parents were early settlers of Oshtemo Township, where they died. Mrs. Hope was
born in this county, February 4, 1842, and is now
the mother of two children, Fred H. and Bertha A.




I




A.N. LE FEVRE.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1009


The offices of Township Treasurer and Justice of
the Peace have been given to Mr. Hope, and he
not only discharged the duties of the same with
credit to the township but to himself. Ile is a
stalwart Republican, politically.
Mr. Hope enlisted in October, 1861, in Company I, Second Michigan Cavalry, to fight in
the defense of his country's honor, and served
over three years. While in a cavalry engagement
near Knoxville, Tenn., he was shot through the
right arm. He is now a member of the Orcutt
Post, G. A. R., of Kalamazoo. This gentleman has
always been a tiller of the soil, and owns a place
consisting of one hundred and ten acres, on which
are to be found the modern improvements. He
and his amiable wife are held in high repute by
their neighbors and friends.
NDRIES N. LE FEVRE. This old settler
\ ~of Kalamazoo County has made a fortune
by his operations as a farmer.  He is a
man of sound understanding and wide experience, more than ordinarily successful in his
calling, and his extensive and valuable farming
interests are comprised in three farms, all lying in
Climax Township, where lie has made his home
these many years.
Mr. Le Fevre, whose portrait is shown on the
opposite page, was born in the town of New Paltz,
Ulster County, N. Y., May 28, 1820. His ancestral history will be found in the sketch of his
brother Johannes. His education was conducted
in the district schools and in the New Haven Academy, New Haven, Conn., which he attended six
months. He early became familiar with all kinds
of farm work, as he was reared on a farm. At the
age of twenty-one, in 1841, he left his old home
to go out into the world to see what life held for
him in the wilds of Southern Michigan, where the
cheapness of the land and the fertility of the virgin soil were inducements for an active, wideawake young farmer to settle. He journeyed by
Erie Canal to Buffalo, where he embarked on a
steamer for Detroit, whence he went by the cars
to Ann Arbor, and from there by stage to Battle


Creek. In the spring of 1842, he bought the
southwest quarter of section 4, Climax Township,
upon which is his residence. This land was plains,
and about thirty acres of it were under cultivation,
with a log house standing on the place.
Our subject did not settle here until 1843, but
made his home with his brother Johannes.  February 2, of that year, he was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth Potts, a daughter of a pioneer family that had settled in Charleston Township in
1837. She was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego
County, N. Y., March 19, 1823. For more than
forty years she lived in true wedded happiness
with our subject, faithfully performing her duties
as wife, mother, neighbor and friend, and her death,
October 11, 1886, was greatly mourned by her
household and by all beyond its circle who had
known and esteemed her in life. By her marriage
with our subject these four children were born:
Nathaniel, a farmer in Mankato, Minn.; Louis K.,
a farmer in Climax Township; Nellie, at home
with her father; and Mary, who married Fred
Riley, who lives here and is a clerk in a store at
Climax. They have one child, Clayton, who is
our subject's only grandson.
Our subject and his wife took up their residence
on the homestead in Climax Township, and here
he has made his home ever since, with the exception of four years, from 1849 to 1853, when he removed with his family to Decatur, Van Buren
County. He went there as agent for Sherwood
& Biers, who owned in that region nine sections
of land, through which the Michigan Central Railway ran. Mr. Le Fevre laid out the village of
Decatur and sold most of the property for
the gentlemen named.    When   he began life
here he had only a capital of $1,000, but by his
judicious investments and thrifty and energetic management, he has increased that sum
many fold and is a rich man. He has five hundred
and forty acres of land,having had at one time seven
hundred acres of realty, but he gave a quartersection to his son some ten years ago. All the land is
in Climax Township, three-fourths of it being improved, and it is divided into three good farms.
In 1853, he built a large frame residence on his
home farm, and has here two barns, besides others






1010


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


on the other farms, which are amply supplied with
a good class of buildings. Our subject carries on
mixed farming, but has made the most of his
money out of wheat, raising it in large quantities,
having had twenty-one hundred bushels the past
year, his harvest fields yielding  twenty-five
bushels to the acre, and he has raised an average of
thirty bushels to the acre on the place.  He has
his farm well stocked with Norman horses, Shorthorn cattle, Merino sheep and Poland-China hogs.
Mr. Le Fevre is a man of noticeably fine
physique, six feet in stature, well proportioned,
and carries himself with true dignity. He is
also possessed of pleasant personal attributes, is
frank, whole-souled and warm-hearted, and always
friendly and neighborly in his intercourse with
the people among whom he has lived so many
years, and who know him so well. He is a Republican of earnest convictions in his political views,
and has held various public offices. In 1854, he
represented Climax Township on the Kalamazoo
County Board of Supervisors, and since then has
been Highway Commissioner and Township Treasurer. He has witnessed almost the entire growth
of the county, and as one who has been of material assistance in promoting its rise and progress
is entitled to all honor as a pioneer.
O   RVIN M. GATES. Our subject's name is
recorded in the archives of his country as
one of her patriotic and devoted defenders
in the darkest hour of her history when rebellion threatened the Union. He is one of the leading Grand Army men of Kalamazoo County,
Commander of his post, and is a prominent and
well-known  citizen  of Wakeshma   Township,
where he has one of the pleasantest and most attractive homes on section 3.
Jonathan Gates was born in Litchfield County,
Conn., in 1739, and was reared on a farm owned
by his father, who came from England to Connecticut about 1700, and lived to be one hundred
and two years old. Jonathan Gates had five children: Nehemiah, Samuel, James, Stephen and


Lydia. Ile was in the War of the Revolution
and served under his cousin, Gen. Horatio Gates,
in the battles which resulted in the capture of
Gen. Burgoyne's army, which took place not very
far from his home in Connecticut.
James Gates, the third son, was born June 29,
1776. He was reared on the farm until 1800,
when he was married to Ann Keeler. The same
year he and his wife, accompanied by his two
older brothers, moved into the wilderness of
Onondaga County, N. Y. They purchased land
of the Government and cleared up farms near
where Syracuse now stands. James Gates' wife
died and he married Eunice Thomas March 14,
1807. She was born in Connecticut October 11,
1776. They had eight children: Truman, Lewis
M., Charles, James, Jr., Daniel, Hiram, Lucy and
Morrilla. James Gates served a short time in the
War of 1812.
Truman Gates, the eldest son, was born in
Onondaga County, N. Y., June 6, 1808. When a
young man he worked out by the month for the
neighboring farmers at $10 per month, and married
Jane Shuart August 20, 1835. She was born on
Onondaga Hill, October 22, 1812. Her parents,
Joseph and Elizabeth (Conkling) Shuart, were
born in New York City, and were married in
1795. They moved to Onondaga County in 1804.
Mrs. Shuart died in 1824, and Mr. Shuart in
1849.
Shortly after their marriage, Truman Gates
and his wife went by Erie Canal to Buffalo, and
by steamer on Lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio. He
bought a farm of eighty-five acres in the woods for
$6 per acre, twelve miles east of Cleveland, in
Mayfield, Cuyahoga County, near his brother
Lewis M., who came the year before. There were no
roads in Mayfield at that time. His father came
with the rest of the family the next year, drove
through with horses and wagon and settled on a
farm in the adjoining township of Orange, where
he remained until his death, in July, 1845, his
wife dying the next year. Truman Gates and
his wife had five children: George D., Orvin M.,
Corrill T., Mary E. and Albert.
Orvin M. Gates, the second son and principal
subject of this sketch, was born in a log cabin in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1011


Mayfield, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, January 31,
1839. He attended the district schools when a
boy, and at the age of sixteen went to school at
the Mayfield Academy, which was built at that
time on the corner of hiss father's farm. He attended school theie six terms, and afterward attended school one year in Geauga Seminary, in
Chester, Geauga County, Ohio. I-e taught school
two winters, in 1859 and 1860.
In August, 1862, Mr. Gates enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Third Ohio Infantry,
and was mustered into the United States service
at Ft. Mitchell, Ky., across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, September 8, 1862. At this time, Gen.
Kirby Smith's Confederate army was near there,
threatening an attack. IHe spent nearly a year in
Kentucky, marching, skirmishing, raiding, drilling, etc.
On the 18th of August, 1863, about ten thousand troops, Gen. Burnside in command, started
from Danville, Ky., over the mountains for East
Tennessee. He was with his regiment during all
of its marching and skirmishing, including the
battles of Spring Hill, Armstrong's Hill, siege of
Knoxville, Dandridge, and on the 4th of May,
1864, crossed the State line into Georgia and
joined Gen. Sherman's army for the Atlanta campaign and was put into the Twenty-third Army
Corps, Gen. Schofield in command. On the 14th
of May, 1864, he was wounded in the side of
the right heel while charging the enemy at the
battle of Resaca, Ga., for which he receives a pension. He was under fire over one hundred days
until the capture of Atlanta, was promoted to be
Corporal in the fall of 1862, and Sergeant in 1863.
October 4, 1864, Mr. Gates was detailed as Commissary Sergeant at Gen. Schofield's headquarters,
where he remained until the close of the war. He
was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and
after the latter marched to the Tennessee River
near where it crosses into Mississippi. He took
steamer down the river to Cairo, Ill., then up the
Ohio River to Cincinnati, Ohio, and proceeded by
railroad to Washington, D. C. He took steamer
at Alexandria, Va., down the Potomac River, out
on the Atlantic Ocean, and after being on the
boat nine days landed at Ft. Fisher, N. C., and


was at Raleigh, N. C., when the war closed, after
which he came home and was mustered out June
23, 1865.
The marriage of Mr. Gates to Bell Miner took
place September 13, 1865. She was born in Portland, Middlesex County, Conn., July 8, 1838.
Her father, Harvey S. Miner, married Anna Shepard, who, like himself, was born in Connecticut,
and they moved to Mayfield, Ohio, in 1840. Orvin
M. Gates came to Wakeshma, Kalamazoo County,
Mich., a few days after his marriage and bought a
farm of seventy acres, upon which, in the spring
of 1866, he and his wife located. The township
was nearly all woods and the houses built of logs
at that time. They have had two children: Walter F., born July 20, 1866, and Anna B., December 5, 1868. They are both living at home.
Orvin M. Gates taught the winter school in his
district at Gardner's Corners in the winter of
1869-70, and again in 1870-71. He bought forty
additional acres adjoining his farm in the spring
of 1874.  His father and mother, having sold
their farm, came to Michigan at this time and settled near them in the village of Fulton, where they
now reside. Orvin M. Gates and family moved
to Vicksburg, Mich., in March, 1885, for the purpose of educating their children. He was a charter member of Smith Post, No. 215, G. A. R.,
located at Fulton, Mich., and is its present
Commander. He attended the Grand Army of
the Republic National Encampment held at San
Francisco, Cal., in August, 1886.  In returning, went by steamer on the Pacific Ocean to Portland, Ore., from there home via the Northern Pacific Railroad. He moved from Vicksburg back to
the farm in March, 1887.
Mr. Gates has been a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church since 1875, and his wife has
been a member of the same church since she was
fourteen years old. lIe is a Republican in politics and has held the township offices of School
Inspector and Commissioner of Highways. He
has followed a course of mixed farming, but in
the way of stock has made a specialty of fine
wool sheep. He has cleared up his farm and built
a good set of farm buildings. He has been successful in farming, and is in easy circumstances.






1012


1PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- — ---- -- --
--


He has been on both the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans, in Canada and in nearly every State and
Territory in the Union. He has generally enjoyed good health, except for rheumatism, which
has troubled him of late years.
-  4~.++++    l..t*f + +
PETER OMAN. After an active and honor) able career as a farmer of Kalamazoo County,
Mr. Oman is now living retired at his home
on section 25, Prairie Ronde Township. As
a neighbor and friend, he has ever been considerate and thoughtful; as a farmer, thrifty and practical, and in his domestic relations, affectionate and
wise. It is not strange, therefore, that he occupies
a high place in the esteem of the community and
is honored wherever known. As an example of
the reward of integrity and enterprise, his life is
worthy the emulation of the young.
Born in Columbia County, Pa., March 3, 1813,
our subject is the son of Peter and Susanna (Hilburn) Oman. His mother died in Columbia County,
after which father and son came West, in the latter
part of the '40s, and located in Prairie Ronde
Township, during the early days of its settlement.
Peter Oman, Sr., remained here until he was called
hence by death at a good old age. Prominently
connected with the affairs of the community, he
was well and favorably known as a man of honor
and industry. He and his wife were the parents
of eight children, our subject being the sixth in
order of birth.
During his youth, Peter Oman worked at different occupations by the day or month and contributed his earnings to the support of the parental
family. October 3, 1833, he was married in Columbia County, Pa., to Miss Sarah Cunningham,
who was born in Belvidere, N. J., October 7, 1808.
The young couple settled on the Oman homestead
and took care of his parents until they died. On
coming to Kalamazoo County, they settled on the
farm where they have since resided, in the southeastern part of Prairie Ronde Township. They
lived there happily until the death of the wife,
March 14, 1884.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Oman,


namely: Mary, wife of John Adams; Margaret,
who married Andrew Berkhimer; Jane, wife of
James Jones; Cyrus, who chose as his wife Miss
Adelaide Davidson, resided in St. Joseph County
until his death, which occurred September 6,1883;
Elmira, wife of William McIaughlen, was twice
married, her first husband being Thomas Ward;
Susanna and Martha. In his political belief, Mr.
Oman is a Democrat and in his younger years was
officially connected with the growth of the township. His wife was a consistent member of the
Methodist Church, and he has always been a generous contributor to religious and charitable enterprises. For some years he has been retired from
active business cares, although he still retains the
ownership of the one hundred and sixty-six acres
which constitute his homestead.
>   ORACE 11. KINNEY, a resident farmer on
section 8, Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County, is the son of Uriah Kinney,
a native of New York. The mother of
our subject bore the maiden name of Eunice Colvin, and was born in Ohio. She and her husband
emigrated from Sandusky County, Ohio, to Van Buren County, this State, and settled in Porter Township in 1836, when this State was yet a Territory.
They settled on land, where they remained until
their deaths, in 1851 and 1879, respectively.
There were born to the parents of our subject
six children, of whom he is the fifth in order of
birth. He was born January 3, 1837, in Porter
Township, Van Buren County, where he was
reared to a man's estate. Mr. Kinney was married, May 14, 1857, to Miss Susan Abbott, a
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Auxtable)
Abbott, and a sister of W. H. Abbott, of whom
more is spoken in the sketch of his parents. Mrs.
Kinney was born in England, June 14, 1839.
Our subject and his worthy wife settled in
Porter Township, and there remained until February, of 1866, when they settled where they now
live in Prairie Ronde Township. Farming has
been Mr. Kinney's chief aim in life, and he is
now the owner of one hundred and forty acres of




I




nC\
u
~




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1015


I - --- —


splendidly tilled land, on which he has erected a
nice set of farm buildings. This couple are the
parents of two children: Lilla G. and Lena J. Mr.
Kinney has held the office of Highway Commissioner of his township and also a number of the
school offices. In his political views, lie affiliates
with the Republican party, in which he has been
quite active. He is quite liberal in his religious
views. Socially, Mr. Kinney is one of the leading
members of the Masonic fraternity at Schoolcraft, and also belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. He is an energetic and thrifty farmer and
a public-spirited and whole-souled man, well liked
by all with whom he comes in contact.
OL. BENJAMIN        FRANKLIN     ORCUTT,
deceased, was a native of Vermont, having
been born February 9, 1815, in Washington
County. He was the son of Capt. Samuel Orcutt,
and received a good education in the common
schools of his native town, and at the Randolph
Academy, in Orange County, Vt. He came West
to this State as early as 1834, stopping first at Detroit for a few months. The succeeding year he
spent in Chicago, and subsequently made his home
in Allegan for about the same length of time, when
he came to Kalamazoo. He commenced his political career while yet a young man, being elected
Constable in 1841, in which capacity he served several years. He also held the position of Deputy
United States Marshal for a number of years.
On the outbreak of the Mexican War, Mr. Orcutt enlisted in Company A, First Michigan Infantry, and served during his term of enlistment as
Sergeant, faithfully and ably fulfilling the duties
of his office. IIe was elected Sheriff of Kalamazoo
County in 1854, and was the incumbent of that
position for four years; he had previously served
several terms as Deputy Sheriff. In 1861, he enlisted in the Union Army by joining the Twentyfifth Michigan Infantry, being mustered in as Lieutenant-Colonel, and served from September 24,
1862, until the close of the war.
In 1866, Col. Orcutt was a third time elected to
the office of Sheriff, which he continued to hold


until his unfortunate death in December, 1867.
The following particulars are from facts furnished
by Mrs. Orcutt, and newspaper accounts published
at that time: The tragedy occurred before the erection of the new jail. The old jail was known to
be very insecure, and it required the utmost vigilance to prevent the escape of prisoners. There
were among the number of prisoners confined in
the jail at that time two most desperate characters,
burglars, who belonged to a gang in Chicago, and
who, the Colonel knew, would make an attempt to
get out, and was consequently on constant guard.
On the morning of December 3d, at about three
o'clock, the Colonel, having been on the alert during the greater part of the night, had fallen into
an uneasy slumber, when he was aroused by a slight
noise. Springing from the bed, he seized a revolver and rushed out of the door and around the
building, to a point beneath one of the jail windows, whence the noise seemed to proceed. There
he saw two men, who ran as he approached, and,
not heeding his orders to halt, gave chase, firing as
he ran. When they reached the street, they separated, one going north and the other crossed the
street and took refuge behind a big burr oak tree
in an alley in the rear of Bartlett's bookstore. As
the Colonel came rapidly up, the man fired upon
him, when he fell, calling for help. The firing had
aroused the inmates of a boarding-house, the Old
St. Nicholas, and David Fisher was the first man
to come to his assistance, although by that time he
was on his feet, and was staggering to reach his
dwelling. Mrs. Orcutt, who had in the meantime
aroused the men in the house, met him at the gate,
but in the dim light of the early morning did not
perceive his desperate condition, but supposed his
heavy breathing to be the result of the unusual excitement, and running after the men.
The alarm had spread, and by this time the people had begun to collect. David Fisher and George
W. Taylor came up about the time the Colonel
reached the gate. Notwithstanding his dangerous
wound, he insisted upon going around to the corner of the jail, where he supposed some of the prisoners had escaped, and actually did so, neither his
wife nor those about him knowing that he was
seriously hurt. When satisfied that the crowd




1016


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


_ _


would prevent any more from escaping, he was,
willing to go into the house. At this time, his wife,
thinking of his firing, asked him if he supposed he
had killed the man, when he replied: "No, but I
think he has killed me." Then, for the first time,
she became aware that he was seriously wounded.
He was assisted to the house, physicians sent for,
and the wound examined, when his condition was
found to be very precarious, though there was a
faint hope that he might recover. It was found
that the bullet had entered near the right collar
bone, coming out near the left shoulder blade, in
its course grazing a large artery.
The discovery of a jack-screw, tarred rope, and
a kit of burglar's tools in the alley, soon satisfied
the people that the men fired upon by Col. Orcutt
were an outside party, who had attempted to rescue the prisoners. A number of tools were also found
in the jail, but none of the prisoners had escaped.
It was supposed that the Sheriff's fire had wounded
one of the burglars, as blood was found.
The excitement among the people when the facts
became known was most intense, and there was a
strong determination among a large number to
lynch some of the prisoners, but better counsels
finally prevailed. A mass meeting of the citizens
assembled early in the day, at which Gen. Dwight
May presided. Remarks were made by several
speakers, and on motion of Capt. Burrows, a committee of five persons was appointed to take every
possible measure for the arrest of the guilty parties.
The committee consisted of John Baker, T. C.
Brownell, M. O'Brien, David Fisher and George
H. Gale. Telegrams were sent in all directions,
and every means was employed to sift the matter
to the bottom. Detectives from Chicago were employed to assist the local officers, and after several
months succeeded in capturing one Hugh Darraugh, who was tried and convicted as an accomplice, and sentenced to the State's prison for six
years, where he died. The other man, the murderer, Stephen Boyle, was, about eighteen months
afterward, traced by Pinkerton's detectives to New
York City, where, after being shadowed for three
months, he was caught in the act of burglary, by
New York officers. He was hurried before a city
court, where he was tried and convicted, and al

though at this juncture our Sheriff made his appearance with a requisition for his custody, they
would not give him up, he being an old offender
in that city, and proceeded to sentence him for
forty years.
Col. Orcutt lingered until Thursday, December
12, when he quietly passed away at nine o'clock in
the evening. The nature of the wound was such
that, had it healed, the sloughing of a large artery
would have eventually produced a fatal result.
Everything was done to minister to him and preserve his life, but without avail. His death cast
a shadow over the whole community, for everybody took it as a personal bereavement. The
courthouse was appropriately draped in mourning,
and at a soldiers' meeting, presided over by Gen.
Dwight May, appropriate resolutions were passed,
and committees appointed to arrange for the funeral. The committees consisted of Col G. E.
Dunbar, Gen. Charles E. Smith, Capt. J. C. Burrows, Col. D. Philips, Maj. R. F. Judson, Maj. F.
Pratt, Lieut. Charles H. Brown, Sergt. G. M. Buck,
Gen. George S. Acker and Capt. John H. Wells.
The funeral was very solemn and imposing, a vast
concourse of people turning out to pay respect to
one who had been for so many years an honored
and valuable citizen, and conspicuous both as a
civilian and soldier. The remains were interred
in Mountain Home Cemetery, and the funeral expenses were defrayed by the county. The appropriate monument erected over his remains was the
gift of the citizens of Kalamazoo, one individual
contributing $200, its total cost being $600. There
was a strong endeavor made by a few friends to
procure some recognition of his services in the way
of some substantial token to his family. The Legislature passed an act authorizing the county to
levy a tax of $2,000 toward their maintenance and
the education of his children. The question was
repeatedly discussed by the Supervisors, but when
the proposition to raise $2,000 came to a vote, it
resulted in a tie, which equals a negative. A
member of the Board, Silas Hubbard, Supervisor of
the township and the then village of Kalamazoo,
was getting enraged at the turn the affair had taken
and denounced the proceedings in terms decidedly
forcible. He then went to Mrs. Orcutt, advising




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1017


her how matters stood, saying he thought he could
secure $1,000 by vote, which she declined to have
done, feeling the sum asked for was small enough,
and the offer of less would be but an insult to the
memory of one who gave his life in the performance of his duty to the county, and who, but for
mistaken economy in the erection of public buildings, might have been an honored and living citizen for many years.
Col. Orcutt left a wife, a woman of rare good
sense and great courage in the presence of misfortune; and three sons who have since grown to
manhood. His wife, to whom he was married October 4, 1856, bore the maiden name of Emily A.
Swadel, daughter of Samuel W. Swadel, of Galesburg, this State. The eldest son, William, is in
the hardware business at Roscommon, this State;
Benjamin is a real-estate dealer at Butte City, Mont.,
and his twin brother, Frank, resides in Kalamazoo with his mother, where he is Assistant Postmaster, having been in that office for eleven years.
For eight years he had charge of the free delivery
system under four Postmasters: Kendall, Gates,
Shakespeare and Monroe. He is well educated,
having graduated from the High School, and also
attended Kalamazoo College two years. Mrs. Orcutt for many years has been President of the Orcutt Woman's Relief Corps. The family are members of the Congregational Church, in which society they are active and influential workers.
A lithographic portrait of Col. Orcutt on an accompanying page perpetuates the lineaments of
one whose history is inseparably connected with
that of the county.
Ax LDEN J. DAVIS is successfully pursuing
l  farming on section 2, Charleston Township, and is thus contributing to the general
prosperity of Kalamazoo County. He was
born in Otsego County, N. Y., September 7, 1832,
his birthplace being near the town of Lisbon. His
father, whose given name was Lester, was also
born and reared in Otsego County. He was a
farmer by occupation, and in 1844 came to Michigan to prosecute his calling on the fertile virgin


soil of Kalamazoo County. He located on section
10, Charleston Township, and there the remaining
years of his long and useful life were spent, his
death occurring at the venerable age of eightyfour. He was a familiar figure in the county, and
occupied a high place among its pioneers. He was
a faithful supporter of the Democratic party, and
never missed a vote.  His wife, Polly Wing in
her maiden days, and a native of the same county
as himself, died at the age of seventy-two years.
They were the parents of ten children, eight of
whom grew to maturity, and four daughters and
two sons are still living, namely: Maria, widow
of Robert Conner, and a resident of North Plains
Township, Ionia County; Almira, wife of Marshal
Babcock, of Charleston Township; Alden J.;
Alceste, wife of Harrison Moulton, of Atchison,
Kan.; Lee, a resident of El Dorado, Kan.; and
Elvira, wife of Sidney Terry, and a resident of
Augusta.
The subject of this biographical sketch is the
fifth child of his parents. Twelve years had passed
over his head when his parents established their
pioneer home in the forest wilds of Kalamazoo
County. He had already attended the district
school in his native place, and his education was
completed in a primitive little log house in
Charleston Township, tlhe building standing on
land owned by Aaron Watts, and the school was
taught by Porter Whitford. Our subject continued
to assist his father in the development and care of
his farm until he married and established a home
of his own in the autumn of 1860. He had previously built his house, and he and his bride took
possession of it immediately after the wedding
ceremony that made them one. At that time, his
land was in its primeval condition, with the old
forest trees still standing on it.- His untiring industry has turned it into a valuable, well-tilled
farm, supplied with all the modern improvements
in the way of good buildings, and its sixty-six
acres are the source of a never-failing income. Mr.
Davis devotes them to general farming, and he
raises a good class of stock.
One of the most important events in the life of
our subject was his marriage, November 22, 1860,
with Miss Caroline Morey, the seventh child and




1018


1PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


second daughter of John and Mary (Helsley)
Morey. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and pioneers of Mahoning County, Ohio,
where she was born August 12, 1837. She has
been an invaluable helpmate to our subject, and
their marriage has brought them much happiness.
A child has been adopted by them, Winifred,
whose birth occurred September 3,1869. Mr. Davis
is a man of excellent standing in his community,
is prompt in meeting his obligations, is openhanded and free-hearted in his relations with his
neighbors, and is always willing to do all in his
power to promote the general good. He has interested himself in educational matters, and has
served acceptably on the School Board, as well as
in other public offices. In politics, he is a loyal
adherent of the Democratic party.
st   ON. ELI R. MILLER.     This gentleman,
who is very prominent and influential in
the business and social circles of Kalamazoo County, is an ex-member of the Michigan Legislature. He was born October 12, 1818,
in Middleton, Litchfield County, Conn., and is the
son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Richards) Miller, also
natives of the Nutmeg State. The Miller family
are said to have been of Welsh origin, and, emigrating to this country, settled in Connecticut in a
very early day, many of the name participating in
the War of 1812.
The original of this sketch spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native State, attending
the common and academic schools of the neighborhood. With his parents, he emigrated, in 1834, to
Richland, this county, where the father was among
the pioneers of this locality. In early life Mr.
Miller was a lawyer, but later drifted into farming.
After locating in this county, our subject attended
an academy at Ann Arbor at the time the State
University was being located there. He is a gentleman who is thoroughly posted on all the leading
current topics and is a very interesting conversationalist.
The Hon. Eli R. Miller was married, in 1838, to


Arthusa Mills, and they became the parents of
four children: Mary, who is the wife of H. C.
Jewett, James S., Thomas J. and Charles M. Mrs.
Miller died in 1852, and a year later our subject
married his present wife, who was an old schoolmate in Connecticut. She bore the maiden name
of Harriet Cook and was born in Litchfield County,
Conn., May 29, 1818. Her parents were Reuben
and Ruth (Shepard) Cook, also natives of Connecticut. Mrs. Miller came to Michigan in 1853, which
State has since been her home.
He of whom we write has served his fellowtownsmen as Township Clerk and Justice of the
Peace. His first Presidential vote was cast for
William Henry Harrison, and he was a member of
the convention which organized the Republican
party "under the oaks" in Jackson, this State. Mr.
Miller was first elected to the Lower House in the
Michigan Legislature in 1871, and so well did he
fulfill all the duties of that position that he was
re-elected the following term. He was very active
while a member of that body and during his second term introduced the bill creating the fish commission. At that time lie was also Chairman of
the Committee on Fisheries, and subsequently was
President of the State Board of Fish Commissioners for several years, serving without any compensation whatever.
The Hon. Mr. Miller is the possessor of a large
and valuable farm in Richland, which bears all the
improvements in the way of buildings and machinery which best subserve the interests of an agriculturist. For many years, lie has been an extensive
wool producer and dealer and in every undertaking of life is eminently successful, having accumulated a handsome fortune. He is self-made in
the truest sense of that term and ranks among the
wealthy and progressive citizens of Kalamazoo
County.
With his wife, our subject is identified with the
Presbyterian Church, having held the office of
Elder in that body for many years. Mr. Miller has
the honor of being called the "father" of the Fish
Commission of the State, and for a number of years
was President of the Kalamazoo Agricultural Society. The Republican party numbers him among its
most active and influential members and the good








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PORTRAIT AND BIOGTRAP~HIICALRECORtD.


1021


PBR
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judgment which he has displayed in all his undertakings has won him the regard and esteem of all.
Mr. Miller is a man of principle and integrity,
whose influence is as powerful in an unconscious
way as it is helpful by intent. The name of this
active and honored citizen of Kalamazoo County
will be held in remembrance long after he has been
gathered to his fathers.
W     ILLIAM   I. OVEREIOLT. All honor is
due to the men of brain and action who,
as trained farmers, have made Kalamazoo
County a rich agricultural center with many farms
and beautiful homes, where thirty years ago the
wilderness prevailed. The gentleman whose portrait accompanies this biography is one of these men
to whom we have just referred and is among the
most thrifty and well-to-do of his class in Wakcshma Township, where he has a valuable farm on
sections 13 and 24.
A native of the neighboring State of Ohio, Mr.
Overholt was born in one of its pioneer homes in
Medina County, December 9, 1837. His father,
Joseph K. Overholt, was born in Bucks County,
Pa., in 1804, and was a son of William Overholt,
who was also a native of Pennsylvania and was of
German descent. He was a farmer, and the good and
pious man was also a preacher in the Mennonite
Church near his home. His people had cast lots
~for a preacher and he was chosen, much to their
joy. In his old age, he went to Ohio to live with
his children and died in Medina County, aged seventy-five years. He was a Whig in politics. His
wife, Barbara Culp in her maiden days, died at the
age of seventy and more years. She was the mother
of four boys and four girls.
Joseph K. Overholt spent his early years on a
farm, and when a young man went to Philadelphia
to learn the trade of a shoemaker, which occupation he followed until his marriage., and then
abandoned it on account of ill-health. After his
marriage, lie and his young wife journeyed by team
and wagon across the mountains into Ohio, a distance of six hundred miles, and in 1834 became
pioneers of Medina County, where they resolved


to build their home in the forests. He bought forty
acres of timber land and settled far from other inhabitants. He and his wife experienced all the
hardships of pioneer life in a new country, but he
prospered and developed several farms in the
course of years. He had to take his produce to
Cleveland, thirty-five miles distant, with a team,
over rough roads. He finally located on one of
his farms that contained one hundred and twenty
acres of land, and lived thereon many years. When
eighty years old, he sold that place and divided
his money among his children, going to make his
home with one of them. He came to Wakeshma
Township on a visit and died here at the ripe
old age of eighty-four years. He was a man of
much ability, highly regarded by all who knew
him, was an active member of the Mennonite
Church, and did much for its upbuilding. In politics, he was a Whig until the formation of the
Republican party, and then transferred his allegiance to it.
The maiden name of his wife was Margaret
Anglemyers, and she, too, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the year 1807.  Her death
occurred when she was seventy-five years of
age. She was a Christian and a zealous member of the Mennonite Church.   The children
born of this marriage are: Hannah (Mrs. Culp),
Mary (Mrs. Histant), William  H., Susan (Mrs.
Hide), Maggie (Mrs. Miller), Joseph, John, Emelia
(Mrs. Guysinger), Amanda (Mrs. Capp). The maternal grandparents of our subject were natives of
Pennsylvania, and the- grandfather was a farmer.
The grandmother, who was of German descent,
was twice married, and had two boys and three
girls by her first marriage and one boy by her second. She died at the age of seventy-five.
The subject of- this biographical review was well
drilled in all that pertains to farming on his father'sestate in his native county. He attended the
district school and did farm work, and thus laid a
solid foundation for his subsequent education at
the Normal School at Medina, which he entered at
the age of eighteen years, and where he pursued a
liberal course of study for three years. He was finely
fitted for a teacher and entered that profession,
teaching ten terms of school in his native county




1022


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


and in this county. He was married in his own
State, and in the fall of 1862 he came to Wakeshma
Township to set up a home, buying eighty acres
of land, included in his present farm, for which he
paid $1,000. Only eight acres of it were cleared,
and a one-story frame house, 16x32 feet, was the
only attempt that had been made towards improvements. The surrounding country was still wild
and sparsely inhabited, with plenty of deer, wild
turkey and other game, and our subject used to
kill turkeys in the woods on his way to and from
the school that he taught that winter at Fulton.
He kept school here six terms after he settled in
this township and was very highly thought of as a
teacher by the people, not only on account of his
learning and readiness in imparting knowledge,
but for the good order that he maintained among
a rough set of boys. He also taught a writingschool, which was well patronized, as he was a good
penman, and at one time he had eighty scholars at
Fulton.
Mr. Overholt devoted his energies when not engaged in teaching to clearing his land, and also
operated a small shingle mill on his farm, and
manufactured many shingles. He has added to his
original purchase and has one hundred and forty
acres of land, one hundred and twenty of which
are cleared and under admirable tillage. In 1870, he
built a fine frame house and in 1881 put up another
good sized barn, having built the first one in 1866.
He has his place supplied with first-class buildings,
and has a model farm which he devotes to mixed
farming, raising a great deal of wheat and keeping
a good grade of Durham cattle and Merino sheep.
Mr. Overholt was married, December 23, 1860,
to Miss Maria Swartz, a native of Butler County,
Pa., born December 4, 1837. She has cheerfully
co-operated with him in the making of their beautiful home, and it is due in a great measure to her
careful oversight that it is so cozy and comfortable. Her union with our subject has been hallowed
to them by the birth of eight children, as follows:
Elmer E., Curtis (deceased), Forest, Lester, Edwin
C., Lottie, Maggie and Austin, all of whom have
been given a very liberal education.
From the very first, our subject las been a conspicuous figure in the public, social and political


life of this part of Kalamazoo County, the people
regarding a man of his education and ability as a
decided acquisition to the citizenship of the community. He began life with no capital, but has
become wealthy by the exercise of those traits of
character that insure success in their possessor, and
in all his transactions he has maintained his honor
unsullied and his financial integrity unshaken. By
his public spirit, he has pushed forward many
schemes that have been beneficial to the community,
and by his generous use of his means shows that
no selfish aims have actuated him in gathering together his property. He was elected Treasurer of
the township when lie came and held that position
a long time, besides being Road Commissioner,
School Inspector and Superintendent of the Schools
of the township, his work being to examine those
applying for position as teachers.
Socially, Mr. Overholt is a member of the Masonic order at Fulton, and of the Farmers' Alliance. He was a Republican until Greeley ran for
the Presidency, and since that time he has been
identified with the Democrats. No man has done
more to awaken and keep alive the religious life
of the community than he as one of the leading
members of the Reformed Church. He has been
Deacon and Trustee of the same and has been very
active in the interests of tile Sunday-school, of
which he has been Superintendent. He has been
Vice-president of the County Sunday-school Convention, always makes it a point to attend the
conventions, and gives freely to the support of
both church and Sunday-school.
/; -     OG —71 3"1*t -K ---'
ALVIN B. MITCHELL. This prosperous
farmei of Kalamazoo County has for more
than twenty years resided on section 29,
Comstock Township, where he owns a farm of
forty-five acres. Although small, it is well-improved, and every acre is made to yield bountiful
harvests as the result of proper rotation of crops
and fertilization of the soil. In former years, Mr.
Mitchell owned a considerable amount of land,
but has gradually sold off much of his property,
and now retains only his pleasant homestead.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1023


--- — 
--- ----—  —  --- —--- --


Henrietta Township, Monroe County, N. Y.,
was the birthplace of our subject, and April 29,
1829, the date of his birth. Iis father, Judah S.,
was born and reared in Connecticut, and became a
local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
having a circuit in New York. IIe married in
Connecticut, and thence moved to Henrietta,
and later to Niagara County, where he resided
until lie passed away, at the age of seventy-six.
Asa Mitchell, grandfather of our subject, was a
native of Connecticut, and followed his occupation of a miller there and in Niagara County, N.
Y., where he died at the age of seventy-five.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was
Calvin Brainerd, a native of Connecticut, of English ancestry, and in later life a resident of Monroe
County, N. Y., where he died. His daughter, Ursula,
was born and reared in Connecticut, where she
became the wife of Mr. Mitchell, Sr. Their union
was.blessed by the birth of five children, four of
whom are living.   Minerva died when small;
Calvin B. is the subject of this notice; Sarah C. is
the wife of John Orton, of Girard, this State;
Olive, the widow of G. W. Kittinger, resides in
Lockport, N. Y.; and Gilbert is Supervisor of
Geneva Township, Van     Buren County.   The
mother of this family died at the age of eightyone years.
When one year old, our subject was taken by
his parents to Niagara County, N. Y., where he
grew to manhood, meanwhile finishing his education at Lima College. March 2, 1850, he was
married to Martha A., the eldest daughter of
Stephen and Nancy M. (Valentine) Dutcher, natives of New York. Mrs. Mitchell was one among
eight children, three of whom  now survive-a
brother, J. C., of Kalamazoo, and a sister, Emma J.,
wife of George W. Pringle, of Orleans County,
N. Y. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Yates Township,
Orleans County, N. Y., February 6, 1828, and
there resided from the time of her marriage until
1860.
Coming to Michigan in the above-mentioned
year, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell purchased a tract of
land on section 30, Comstock Township, which
they afterward sold and located on section 31. In
1871, they purchased their present property on


section 29, and have resided here since. Their
family comprises four children: J. Chadsey, a farmer of Grand Ledge, this State; Nancy, wife of
Wesley Stowell, a farmer and gardener of Petoskey;
Ormsby E., who resides at home with his parents;
and Fred W., who married May Kendall and
makes his home in Kalamazoo.
Politically, Mr. Mitchell adheres to the views of
the Republican party. He was elected Supervisor
in 1868, serving one year, and has also filled the
position of Justice of the Peace for eight years,
refusing to serve longer. He is now Highway
Commissioner and has occupied the various school
offices. He is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Kalamazoo, to which his estimable
wife has also belonged since she was twenty years
old.
g T_.
BENEZER       PIKE, the ex-Supervisor of
Portage Township, Kalamazoo County,
is a respected resident of section 27. His
father was Orange Pike, who was born in Oneida
County, N. Y., July 21, 1801, and took as his wife
Lois Willis, who became the mother of our subject.
They came from Wyoming County, N. Y., in 1854,
to this county, and settled in Portage Township,
and it was here that the good wife and mother
was called to her everlasting rest, January 21,
1892, when upwards of ninety years of age. She
was born December 5; 1801, and was married February 12, 1828, in Oneida County, N. Y., and unto
her were born three daughters and one son, our
subject, he being the first-born. The father followed the occupation of a farmer.
He of whom we write this life record was born
in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., January 27, 1830.
He was reared in his native place and followed
agricultural pursuits. He was married, in Eagle
Township, Wyoming County, November 21, 1854,
to Mary A. Thompson, who was born in Wyoming
County, March 5, 1836. Immediately after their
marriage, the young couple started for Kalamazoo
County and settled in Portage Township where
they have since been residents, on land which was
purchased a few months previously.  This first






1024


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


purchase was of one hundred and nine acres, but,
by adding to it from time to time, he now owns
one hundred and fifty-three finely cultivated
acres, on which are erected good and substantial
farm buildings. Since coming to this county, he
has given his undivided attention to his farming,
in which he has met with more than ordinary success, doing a general business.
Our subject and his estimable wife are the worthy parents of five children, namely: Nettie, who
is the widow of J. A. Taylor, who died in Kansas,
January 16, 1892; Nellie E., who is the wife of
Fred E. Van Hoesen; Minnie D., who married Andrew Barley; Elmer E., who married Miss Myrta
Hallock, and is now a resident of Lyons, Kan., and
Katie A. Mr. Pike held the office of Supervisor of
Portage Township with satisfaction to every one,
for nearly four years, and takes a fairly active
part in local affairs. His political affiliations are
with the Republican party. Religiously, he is
very liberal in his views and is not connected with
any church.
G OHN N. RANSOM. We are pleased to present to our readers a life sketch of a citizen
of Alamo Township, Kalamazoo County,
ii _ who stands high in the estimation of his
neighbors, and is justly considered one of the most
prominent men in the county. He is a progressive
and successful farmer, whose splendid estate of
eleven hundred and sixty acres lies on section 11,
and his beautiful residence is admired as one of
the greatest ornaments of the agricultural portion
of Kalamazoo County. Mr. Ransom is very systematic in the conduct of his farm, and does well
what he undertakes. The family is very hospitable
and is widely known and highly esteemed throughout the county.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is
a native of this county, his birth occurring March
2, 1840. He is the son of Dr. Fletcher Ransom,
who was born in Vermont in 1800. The latternamed gentleman was a man of fine education, being graduated from the Williams College in New
York. He read medicine with Dr. Adams Allen,


of Vermont, and began the practice of his profession at Glens Falls, on the banks of the Hudson
River, in New York. He there remained for a few
years, and in 1835 came to Michigan, and made
settlement in Kalamazoo, where lie followed his
profession for about seven years. In the meantime he had entered from the Government a tract
of land in Alamo Township, upon which lie located.
His estate numbered three hundred and twenty
acres, upon which lie resided until his death in
1867. Dr. Ransom was a very prominent man in
his county, and was a member of the Legislature
during the years 1842-43, being elected on the Republican ticket. He was a brother of ex-Gov. Ransom, and was a man of high standing and prominence throughout the State. He also served his
townsmen as Justice of the Peace.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Elizabeth Noyes, also a native of the Green Mountain State. She died in Kalamazoo, in October,
1840. Two children were born of her union with
Dr. Ransom: our subject, and Charles, who lives
at Plainwell. John N. Ransom received a good
education in the common and High Schools of
Kalamazoo. He remained at home aiding his father in clearing his new farm until attaining his
majority, at which time he formed a partnership
with his brother Charles in the farming business.
They operated together until 1876, when our subject purchased the interest of his partner and prosecuted the business alone.
John N. Ransom was married, in 1869, to Caroline Hydorn, a native of Alamo Township. Mrs.
Ransom was a daughter of William and Susannah
Hydorn, natives of New Jersey, and who came to
the Wolverine State in an early day; they both
died in this township. Our subject and his wife
have been granted a family of four children:
Fletcher C. is attending the Art Institute in Chicago, having exhibited decided talent as an artist;
Fannie E. is attending school in Kalamazoo; and
will graduate in June, 1892; John W. and Larkin
N. are at home.
The original of this sketch is a stockholder in
the City National Bank, and is otherwise greatly
interested in the business life of the county. He
is an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, having




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPICAL RECORD.


1029


some very fine animals on his estate. lie is highly
esteemed, and among his personal characteristics
is tllat of a love of truth and justice which makes
him warm friends and stanch adherents.
_ ~      ~.qq —1* qS* 5.  q.~
AVII R. STUART.       Although removed
by death Whlen scarcely yet in life's prime,
and when tile future with its bright vistas
of promise stretched alluringly ahead,
Mr. Stuart had already become known as a man of
steadfastness, integrity and indefatigable industry.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1886, the day
upon whicll it had been his pleasant anticipation
to meet his relatives at a happy family reunion, he
closed his eyes upon the scenes of earth, to open
them in a land where family circles, broken here,
are united forever.
The parental history of Mr. Stuart, whose portrait accompanies this life sketch, may be found in
the biographical sketches of his brothers, William
and George P., which appear on another page.
David R. was born in Schooleraft Township, May
5, 1851, and passed his boybood on the farm which
his father there owned. At the age of fifteen, he
came to the village of Schoolcraft, where lie was
employed as clerk in the dry-goods house of Stuart
& Gainsley. His education was gained principally
by reading and observation, rather tlan by attendance at scliool, but by self-culture lie became well
in formed.
November 16, 1871, Mr. Stuart was united in
marriage at Schoolcraft to Miss Carrie L., daughter of Oscar R. and Eliza F. (Bishop) Hatch, natives respectively of Vermont and England. At an
early day Mr. and Mrs. Hatch settled in Schoolcraft,
where lie was elngaged in the drug, business for a
long time.  IHe was a man of great firmness of
character and painstaking industry, and his death
in the latter part of the '60s was widely mourned
His widow still survives. They were the parents
of four children, and Mrs. Stuart, who was the
eldest, was born in Schooleraft Township.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart resided in the village for a short time, and from  there
removed to a farm where they. resided five years.
47              K


Returning to Schooleraft, Mr. Stuart accepted the
position of Postmaster and also engaged in the
drug business until his deatl. IHe was highly respectedand honored in the community where he
lived, and during the ten years in which he served
as Postmaster (having been appointed to that position February 15, 1877), he served the interests
of the people with such fidelity and energy that he
won the praise of all. IHe took an active part in
all public affairs and held many local offices of
trust.
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart became the parents of three
children, as follows: Edith R., who is a student
in the Ypsilanti College; Maynard H., who is at
home; and Florence E., who died when nine months
old. In her religious connections, Mrs. Stuart is
connected with the Episcopal Church as one of its
most active and devoted members, and is a lady of
sincere Christian character. She rents the splendid
farm of three hundred and twenty acres which was
a part of her husband's estate and derives from its
rental a fair income.
-J ILBE'RT STUART. This honorable citizen
f   of Schoolcraft  Township,   Kalamazoo.  County, whose portrait and life sketch we
present to our readers, passed from tllis life at his
home on section 20, April 7, 1887. He was a wellto-do farmer and at his death left a valuable estate
of one hundred and sixty acres, which bore all
the improvements which stamp it as the property
of a tlhrifty and progressive gentleman.
The father of our subject was born in County Berwick, Scotland, in August, 1805, in which country
his mother was also born, her natal day being in
August, 1808. In the parental family of seven
children, Gilbert was the second in order of birth
and the oldest son, his natal day being May 25,
1830, the place of his nativity being New Vernon,
N. J. His parents removing to Schoolcraft, this
county, when he was a lad of seven years, he accompanied them thither and has been a resident of
this township ever since.
Gilbert Stuart was married, October 9, 1855, to




1030


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


---


=


Miss Alice, a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Smith)
Hendricks, who were natives of Ohio. They came
to Schoolcraft Township in an early day, where
they made their homes until their death.  Mrs.
Stuart was the youngest of four children born to
her parents, her natal day being January 19, 1833.
To our subject and his good wife were granted
the following-named children: Elizabeth N., who
is the wife of Henry Heckman; Arthur, Frank,
Charles E. and Lena A.
During his life our subject took' an active part
in township affairs and was very prominent in his
locality. In many instances lie showed himself capable of close application to the duties which lay
before him and his loss was greatly felt in the community. He always interested himself in the po -
litical questions of the day and was a stalwart Republican.
E    BEN  N. DAVIS, the "Farmer Poet" of
Kalamazoo County, is not only possessed of
/     great practical ability as an agriculturist, as
is evinced by his successful management of his extensive and valuable farming and stock interests
on section 1, Climax Township, of which he is an
old resident, but he is a man of rare literary merit
and poetical talent, whose products are well known
to the readers of the leading papers of this and
adjacent counties.
Mr. Davis is a native of Niagara County, N. Y.,
born in the town of Wilson, January 4, 1833. His
father, Isaac Davis, was born in Gorham, Me., June
11, 1793. The originators of the Davis family in
America were three brothers of the name, one of
whom was the grandfather of our subject, who
came to this country from the Isle of Man and
settled in Maine in Colonial times. The grandfather of our subject died in his New England
home at a ripe old age.
Isaac Davis was a blacksmith. He went to the
State of New York when he was twenty-one years
old and located among the pioneers of Niagara
County.  He opened a smithy there, and also
bought a farm of fifty acres of the Holland Purchase Company in 1816. In 1834, he made an



I




other migration, having decided to found a home
in the then Territory of Michigan. The momentous journey through the wilderness intervening
was made with two yoke of cattle and a wagon,
and the family arrived at their destination, after
three weeks' travel, a few days before Christmas.
Mr. Davis bought the homestead now occupied by
his son of whom   we write directly from  the
Government, and proceeded to erect a house of
white wood logs, which was one of the finest dwellings in this region for many a year. It was 25x25
feet in dimensions, and was made of white wood
logs, that were five feet through and were hewed
down, the trees from which they were taken having
formed a part of the primeval forest. Part of the
farm was known as Willow Plains, and the remainder consisted of heavy oak openings. Mr.
Davis soon became known among his fellow-pioneers for his skill as a blacksmith, which trade he
pursued for ten years after his settlement, and
people came fifteen miles to get him to do their
work in that line. He transformed his land into a
fine farm, and here he dwelt in peace and comfort,
like the patriarchs of old, until death came to him
at a venerable age in 1886. The faithful companion, who shared life's joys and sorrows with him
for more than half a century, preceded him to the
silent land, dying in 1882.  Her name in her
maiden days was Priscilla Rumrery, and she too
was a native of the Pine Tree State, born August
27, 1795. They reared five children: Sarah Jane,
Amanda and Miranda (twins), Ezra L. and Eben
N. They were all well educated, and the most of
them taught school, the daughters being among
the early pioneer teachers of this section, Sarah
teaching twenty terms.
The subject of this biographical review hlas
known no other home than Michigan, as he was
too young when the family came to Kalamazoo
County, being only a year and a half old, to remember the place of his birth, and here he was
reared under pioneer influences to a thoughtful,
self-reliant, active manhood. His first experience
in attending school was in a primitive log house,
a mile and a half southeast of his home, that was
heated by an open fireplace with a mud and stick
chimney, and furnished with loQugh slab benches,




r








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1031


-


Iwith the bark side down, and supported by pin
legs. The school was conducted under the ratebill system, and the teacher boarded round among
the pupils. In those early days, the country was
very sparsely settled and there were ten Indians
to one white. Our subject often played with the
Indians when he was a boy, and used to shoot at a
mark with them. There were many wolves and
deer here, and the latter roamed over the plain
constituting a part of his farm like sheep in droves.
When he was twenty-one and twenty-two years
old, Mr. Davis taught school two winters in Allegan County, and one winter in Eaton County. IHe
had previously been fitted for the profession at
Olivet College, which he attended two winters
when seventeen and eighteen years old. But his
preference was for farming, which Horace Greeley
called "The noblest of professions," and he has
prospered greatly. Ile has three hundred and
eighty acres of land all lying in a body, two hundred acres of which are cleared and under admirable tillage. The buildings are roomy, substantial
and well arranged, and consist of a commodious
frame dwelling, four barns and other outhouses
for various purposes. Mr. Davis is much interested
in stock of various kinds, and has been extensively
engaged in that branch of business, raising many
fine Percheron-Norman draft horses, Merino fine
wool sheep and Short-horn Durham cattle.
Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss
Eliza Brown, January 17, 1867, and the home that
they have established is the centre of a refined and
gracious liospitality. Mrs. Davis was born in
Saratoga County, N. Y., June 25,1839. She came
to this county in 1865, with her parents, James
and Mary (Powers) Brown. Her union with our
subject has brought them five children, namely:
Frank G., Edwin F., Isaac L., Deland A. and Elzie
M. Edwin and Deland are attending Krug's Business College at Battle Creek.
Our subject is a man of high personal character
and standing, a gentleman of honor and a scholar
gifted with fine mental endowments. He has a
decided taste for literary pursuits, has cultivated
his powers in that direction, and wields a facile
pen. He is the author of several well-known
poems, which have been published in the Kalama

zoo and Battle Creek papers, among which we may
mention "Heaven, Its Surroundings;" "Life and
Its Seasons;" "Epitaphs of Living Men;" "The
Deacon's Wife;" "A Dream of Creation, Sin and
Hell"-a forty-page pamphlet, and numerous
other poems of note have been published by him.
Mr. Davis keeps himself well informed as to the
political issues of the day, and is a steadfast Republican. He has held various township offices,
and is always ready to help forward any movement that will in any way promote progress and
prosperity. His social relations are with the Odd
Fellows' Lodge at Climax.
LONELY MUSINGS.
[W ritten for the Tele graph ]
Today, deep in this lifeless wood,
I've wandered in disconsolate mood;
The pure white snow on which I tread
Has hid the graves of Nature's dead.
I feel, within this silent wood,
A creeping sense of solitude.
Through leafless trees no breeze is blown
To hint that I am not alone.
These sombre limbs laced overhead,
So still and silent, all seem dead;
No earthly sound comes through the air;
The world around me seems to wear
A look of peaceful loneliness,
Remembering the soft caress
Of summer winds when robed in flowers,
With music measuring the hours
Of bud, and grass, and warm rain wet,
And April's early violet;
The fallen leaves, the faded flowers
That garlanded those festal hours;
The joy of growth, the teeming life
That woke a thronging pulseless strife,
Has gone, together with the glow
That filled my young life long ago;
A question, in a doubting way,
Will aught again no more be gay,
Or blossom bloom along life's way?
I start. A voice within doth say,
"Yea, doubter, yea. The summer flower
Again shall bloom to grace your bower.
Again the hawthorn shall supply
The garland youth delights to tie.
The lambs again will skip and bound;
And wild birds carol all around;
And youth may frolic light as they
In sport the live-long summer day;
And this dull, lifeless, sombre scene
Will robe itself in lovely green






1032


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


When gentle spring asserts her powers,
And sends forth warm refreshing showers."
Haste lovely spring! Haste on thy way!
Some sign reveal I humbly pray.
The air seems milder overhead,
The snow has softened where I tread;
But, hark! Along the frozen ground,
I catch a muffled, liquid sound,
A voice that sings of Paradise,
Low murm'ring in the walls of ice;
A melody that seeks to run
To find again the truant sun.
I hear the fettered pulses stir
Of winter's happy prisoner,
Whose merry sound and laughter bring
A thought of the returning spring.
This is indeed the dawn of spring,
For wild geese now are on the wing,
Their course is northward to prepare
To welcome spring's mild, balmy air.
I'll watch their course and see their flight,
My soul is stirred with keen delightA nameless rapture akin to painDelightful spring will come again!
Yet a shadow seems to lie
On dreary earth from dreary sky;
A rayless laden pall that gloomed
O'er nature's loveliness entombed;
No sunny ray, no gleam of grace
Brightens the landscape's soulless face.
Those wild birds' notes, sad monotone,
Is all I hear while here alone.
I hear the wild birds' homeless cry,
High in the air I see them fly,
And feel a touch of sympathy
(Which stirs the chords of memory)
With Nature in her sullen moods;
Yet my sad thoughts I clothe in words.
"Oh, weary, weary world!" I sighed,
"Oh, thwarted aims and needs denied;
Is this the pitiful end that waits
Our toils, our gains, our loves, our hates?
We bud and blossom as the leaf,
Are gathered as the ripened sheaf;
The summer past, the harvest o'er,
We sleep, and do we wake no more?
I've asked the question o'er and o'er,
Do we sleep on forevermore?"
Just then my listless glance espied
A mossy boulder, low and wide,
Close by a branching oak, that spread
Its sombre tracery overhead,
And, nestling at its gnarled feet,
Safe sheltered in her warm retreat,
I found a fragile creeping thing;
Close to the oak its tendrils cling,
The shy arbutus folding up




=




Its shining leaf and waxen cup;
Ambrosial balm and spicery,
The soul of all the sweets that be,
With all its flowery flagons, tipped
And blooming, I pressed it to my lips;
Each downy sprig, each groping shoot,
Read me a lesson wise but mute;
On glossy leaf and pinken bell,
A warm tear, flashing, downward fell;
I thought how wise has been His plan,
And should we doubt His love for man,
When God so guards this humble flower
While north winds rave, and tempests lower?
Shall we, the creatures of His care,
Arraign His mercy, or despair?
Witl tender touch and soft caress,
Full of remorseful tenderness,
I placed about her mossy eaves
With reverent hands the sod and leaves,
And then with pensive footsteps turned
Where one pale gleam of sunset burned.
A voice now cheers my lonely way,
And to my troubled soul doth say,
"Oh doubting heart! oh wavering faith!
Just trust His love, in life, in death.
Is there no lamp to guide and save,
Hung on the blank walls of the grave?
Will not His tenderness unbar
Or set some hidden door ajar?
Some shrouded window in the gloom,
Beyond the silence of the tomb,
Through which His sheltering hand may fall
On crumbling clay and mold'ring pall
And nurse the seed immortal hid
Beneath the nameless coffin lid?
Both flee before His quickening breath,
The winter and the night of death;
When wide the summoning angels fling
The Gateway of Eternal Spring."
EBEN N. DAVIS.
LFRED F. COX was a native of Scottsville, N. Y., where he was born October
L   15, 1826. He was there reared on a farm
and grew to manhood. He finally left
his native county and journeyed to Orleans
County, where he was engaged in the grocery business for a short time, and, about the year 1852,
he came to Kalamazoo County and purchased a
tract of land in Portage Township.
Our subject was married in Beloit, Wis., September 14, 1853, to Mary M. Graham, a native of




I




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1035


Orleans County, N. Y., where she was born October 26, 1826. The couple settled on their homestead in Portage Township, and remained there
until the death of the husband, our subject, January
10, 1872, while his good wife survived him until
October 11, 1882. He was brought up   in the
Quaker faith, while she was a member of the Baptist Church. They had born unto them six children, as follows: Levi Fred, who married Julia L.
Smith, and is a resident of Kalamazoo City;
Alfred F. married Flora J. Duncan, and resides in
Portage Township; Charles J. took as his wife Ada
E. Bevier, and they make their home in Kalamazoo City; Wellington G., Elmer S., and Ada M.
remain on the old homestead. Mr. Cox erected a
good substantial set of farm buildings on his estate of two hundred and sixty acres, and the son,
Wellington, now resides on the homestead, which
he is carrying on successfully.
E ROY CAHILL, the proprietor of the Cahlill Manufacturing Company at Kalamazoo,
established in business here about fifteen
years ago. The plant covers a frontage a full
block in length between Rose and Church Streets,
on the Michigan Central Railroad, and one-half
block in depth. The company give constant employment to thirty men in the shops and keep
fifty-four salesmen, forty-eight of whom are supplied with teams and outfits, and sell directly to
the farmer at factory prices.
The above company manufacture the Cahill
Plow Sulky, the superior quality of which is demonstrated in the fact that their annual sales
amount to seven or eight thousand sulkies, which
bring them  in an income of $250,000.  Their
manufacture has found a market in Maine, New
Hampshire, North and South Carolina, Georgia,
Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, and they
have over seventy-five thousand in use at the
present time.
LeRoy Cahill was born in Portage Township,
Kalamazoo County, this State, August 22, 1841,
and is the son of Daniel and Cornelia (Hascall)
Cahill, the father a native of Ohio. I-Ie came to


this county about sixty-five years ago in company
with a brother, Abraham, and, locating in Portage
Township, held the office of County Clerk for eight
or twelve years. He was very prominent in local
affairs, and in politics was first a Whig and later a
Republican. He died in 1879, aged seventy-two
years. His wife had preceded him to the better
land when our subject was a boy. 'he parental
family included one daughter and four sons.
Our subject was in attendance at the Baptist College on the outbreak of the Civil War.  In 1862,
he enlisted in Company F, Nineteenth Michigan
Infantry as (rderly Sergeant. He was promoted
through the honors quickly until he was made
Captain of Company A, and was under Sherman's
command on the march to the sea. After having
served through the entire period of the war, he
was mustered out at Detroit. Ile was wounded at
Franklin, Tenn., by being shot in the arm, and
again in the right hand, by the explosion of a shell
at Dallas Woods, Mo., and also in the shoulder
at Peachtree Creek.
Returning again to the peaceful pursuits of life,
Mr. Cahill engaged in the grocery trade at Kalamazoo, carrying on a prosperous business for five or
six years. He then became interested in a stock
company in that city handling agricultural implements, and he became manager of the salesroom.
After four or five years thus engaged, Mr. Cahill
invented and patented the Sulky Plow.   From
the very first, he has met with success in his
business. I-He is also interested in the St. Johns
Plow  Company, of which he is Treasurer, and
the Cone Coupler Carriage Company, both of
which are known throughout the State as being
extensive manufacturing enterprises.  The original of this sketch is President of the Electric
Light Company and is one of the Directors of the
Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw Railway Company.
He is also identified with the Zoa Phora Medicine
Company and is a Director in the First National
Bank.
Mr. Cahill owns a sixteen hundred acre ranch
near Hays City, Kan., which bears fine improvements and is well stocked with horses and cattle.
He is the proprietor of the old family homestead
in Portage Township which is a valuable piece of




1036


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.






real estate. Miss Elma Lee, of Dowagiac, this State,
became the wife of our subject, June 1, 1883. They
have become the parents of two children: Lee
Hascall and Margaret.
Mr. and Mrs. Cahill are members of the First
Congregational Church, in which he is Trustee and
toward the support of which he has ever been a
generous contributor. He was Chairman of the
Building Committee, through whose efforts has
recently been finished the most beautiful church in
Kalamazoo, with a seating capacity of eighteen
hundred, and erected after the most modern style
of architecture.
In politics, he of whom we write is a Republican
and socially is a Master Mason. Probably the
name of no other man engaged in the manufacture
of agricultural implements is so widely known to
the farmers of the United States as that of Le Roy
Cahill.  He has contributed extensively to the
wants of the agricultural community, and, like McCormick, John Deer and J. I. Case, his name has
become a household word.
Our subject is an esteemed citizen-one who recognizes merit in other institutions and who is
abreast of the times in every instance. Ile possesses
a genial nature and is fond of social pastimes. His
home is one of the most desirable and beautiful in
the city.
J  OHN S. HARRISON. The gentleman whose
name we place at the head of this sketch is
a typical American, having arisen to his
)present high standing in the agricultural
community through his own persistent efforts. He
is at present residing on his beautiful estate, located on section 2, Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County.
The original of this sketch is the son of Judge
Bazzel Harrison, who was born in Maryland, March
15, 1771. When a young man, the elder Mr. Harrison removed to Pennsylvania, where he was
married to Martha Stilwell, whose birth occurred
February 4, 1774. They made their home in
the Keystone State until 1810, at which time they
removed to Kentucky, where they resided for two


years and then returned to their old home in
Pennsylvania. They later emigrated to Ohio,
and in the fall of 1827 came to Michigan, locating on section 2, Prairie Ronde Township. Mr.
Harrison was very popular in the community
and served his fellow-townsmen as Justice of
the Peace for many years. He died August
30, 1874, having been preceded to the better
land by his wife, whose death occurred June 7,
1857.
The parental family of our subject included
seventeen children, of whom ten lived to reach
mature years. John S. Harrison was born in
Clarke County, Ohio, March 9, 1820, and was
brought by his parents to their new home in this
State in 1827. He grew to manhood on the
home farm in Prairie Ronde Township, and received but a limited education in the district
school. He never attended college, but, being of
studious habits and a close observer, he obtained
a practical knowledge that has served him to good
purpose.
He of whom we write was married in Schoolcraft Township, November 22, 1842, to Maria E.,
daughter of James and Nancy (Stilwell) Baker,
natives, respectively, of Virginia and Pennsylvanlia.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Baker located
in Ohio, where they continued to reside until the
death of the father, some time in the '40s. Mrs.
Baker then came to Kalamazoo County, where
she died in the fall of 1843, in Climax Prairie.
Their family included thirteen children, of whom
Mrs. Harrison was the eldest but two. Her birth occurred in Champaign County, Ohio, February 18,
1827.
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, of this sketch, are the
parents of eleven children, namely: Nancy J., who
died in childhood; William W., who is a farmer
in Texas Township; Martha, the wife of William
C. Wooley; Ellen, Mrs. William Young; Esther,
Mrs. L. B. Kinney, of Kansas; James B., who married Nellie Mack, is a farmer in Prairie Ronde
Township; Sarah is Mrs. J. C. E. Davis, and resides in Kansas; Emma married Loren Longwell,
and also makes his home in this township; Owen
is with his father. Two children died in infancy.
Mr. Harrison has always taken an interest ill




PORTRAIT ANPUD BIO CGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1037


PORT T AD BA  R


local affairs and has been an active worker in the
Republican party since its organization. His wife
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and is quite prominent in that society. Our subject has always devoted his attention to the cultivation of the soil and owns two hundred acres of
valuable land. His estate bears the very best of
improvements, and Mr. Harrison is classed among
the wealthy and progressive citizens of Kalamazoo County.
O   WEN L. HOYT. Although scarcely yet in
the prime of his useful and successful life,
Mr. Hoyt is well and favorably known as
one of the progressive citizens of Kalamazoo
County. For a number of years he has been actively connected with the agricultural interests of
Prairie Ronde Township, where he owns and manages a finely-improved farm of one hundred and
ten acres on section 24. The place has been embellished with a substantial set of buildings,
adapted to the needs of a large estate; modern
machinery and farm implements are used in the
tilling of the soil, which by fertilization and systematic rotation of crops is made to yield large
harvests of golden grain.
A complete account of the parental history will
be found in the sketch of Ransford C. Hoyt,
which is presented elsewhere in this volume.
Owen L. was born in Prairie Ronde Township,
March 18, 1858, and gained a good commonschool education in the schools of the district. The
information thus obtained has been supplemented
by a course of general reading and the exercise of
his mental faculties, until now he is a well-informed man, familiar with general topics of importance and acquainted with the issues of the
day. He has also had the advantage of a course
of study in the Business College of Kalamazoo.
The marriage of Owen L. Hoyt and Miss Mollie
Bell took place in Schoolcraft, at the residence
of the bride's parents, April 17, 1883. The parents of Mrs. Hoyt, Porter and Hannah (Porter)
Bell, were born in Cambridgeshire, England, where
they were married May 5, 1841. About twelve


years later they emigrated to the United States
and settled in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County,
where Mr. Bell died in February, 1878. The mother still survives, her home being in Schoolcraft.
The youngest among a large family of children,
Mrs. Hoyt was born in Schoolcraft, February 3,
1862, and under the careful supervision of her
parents was reared to a cultured womanhood. Mr.
and Mrs. Hoyt have a family of three children:
Roy F., Jay R. and Bessie B., bright and interesting children, in whose education and training
their parents are taking great care and pride. As
a member of the Democratic party and a publicspirited citizen, Mr. Hoyt is devoting considerable
attention to the questions of the day, and is especially active in local affairs.
OHIN EARL. Doubtless no citizen of Schoolcraft has been more closely identified with
its progress than the gentleman whose name
introduces this biographical notice, and
who is now carrying on business as a grain-buyer.
Born in Benton, Yates County, N. Y., September
17, 1820, lie is the son of Jesse and Jane (Hooper)
Earl. A short time after his parents removed from
the Empire State to Kalamazoo County, he followed them hither, in 1838, and drove twenty-five
cattle overland.
It was during the Patriot War that our subject
made the journey to Michigan, and he was obliged
to get passports in order to cross the country, his
movements being closely watched. He crossed the
Niagara River into Canada and intended to proceed across Ontario to the Detroit River, crossing
there into Detroit.  However, having been advised to go further north and cross the St. Clair
River at Port Huron, he proceeded hither and
found troops patrolling the river. Being furnished with passports, he anticipated no trouble,
but was surprised when the officer in charge refused to permit him to pass until his papers had
been forwarded to Maiden, Ontario and inspected
by the regular officers. Consequently, he was detained at that point for eight days before the pass



1038


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


ports were returned and he was allowed to complete his journey, after having been en route six
weeks.
The farm upon which our subject's parents had
located was situated on section 34, Comstock
Township, and it remained their home until they
died, he in 1849, and she eight years later. Our
subject located with them  upon the farm and assisted in its cultivation until the fall of 1841, when
he returned to New York State and for two years
was in the employ of his uncle. Coming back to
Kalamazoo County, he worked for his father a
short time, and then, in November, 1843, removed
to Paw Paw, where he was engaged to put a distillery in operation for I. W. Willard, lie having
had experience in that line while with his uncle.
After remaining with Mr. Willard  for nine
months, Mr. Earl returned to the old homestead
and remained there until the spring of 1850, when
he went to Kalamazoo and put in operation a distillery for Isaac Moffatt & Co., remaining in their
employ until the following November. Then going to Paw Paw, he engaged to put in a distillery
for A. Sherman & Co. October 15, 1851, he came
to Schoolcraft for the purpose of erecting a distillery for M. R. Cobb & Co., which he afterward
leased and operated for five years.
Mr. Earl also embarked in the mercantile business as a member of the firm of M. N. Duncan &
Co. and continued in that connection until 1858,
when the death of Mr. Duncan caused the company to re-organize under the firm name of I. W.
Pursel & Co. In 1864, they relinquished the
distillery business, but continued merchandising
and, in 1865, added a general grocery and produce
department to their trade. In 1868, they erected
a flouring-mill at Schoolcraft, which was destroyed
by fire in June, 1878.
About 1871, the withdrawal of one of the members from the firm caused it to be changed to Pursel, Earl & Co., under which title it continued in
business until 1878, when the connection was discontinued. In the spring of 1887, Mr. Earl took
charge of the business of J. L. Sebring & Co., of
Kalamazoo, and has been engaged since then as a
grain-buyer. He is highly esteemed in the community and is regarded as a man of probity and


honor, stanch in his devotion to the right and active in the promotion of the welfare of his fellowcitizens. Ile is deeply interested in educational
matters and has belonged to the School Board for
eighteen years. Politically, he is a Republican,
and, socially, lie is allied with the Masonic fraternity.
September 27, 1845, Mr. Earl was married in
New York to Miss Mary Pembroke, and they laad
one child, Jesse P., who is a resident of Stockton,
Cal. Some time after the death of Mrs. Mary Earl,
our subject was again married in Potter, Yates
County, N. Y., the bride being Miss Orissa Lane,
who died in Paw Paw, this State. IHe was again
married near Mattawan, this State, in April, 1854,
his wife being Miss Sally A. Hunt, a lady of culture and great amiability. They are the parents
of four children: Mollie, the wife of Addison Ml
Brown; Frank H., who is in business at Schoolcraft; Bessie and Alice, who are at home.
/ILLIAM W. HARRISON. This prosper/ ous agriculturist is a respected resident of
V  section 15, Texas Township, Kalamazoo
County, and is a son of John S. and Eliza (Baker)
Harrison, and of whom a more complete history
will be given in the sketch of John S. IHarrison,
of Prairie Ronde Township. Of a family of eight
cliildren, our subject is the eldest, and he was born
in Prairie Ronde Township, this county, January
9, 1847. lie remained under the parental roof
until reaching his twenty-first year, receiving his
education in the common schools.
Mr. William  Ilarrison, of whom we write this
sketch, was united in the happy bonds of wedlock,
October 17, 1867, in Kalamazoo City, to Margaret
Long. Mrs. Harrison is a daughter of Daniel and
Sophia (Dabler) Long, both natives of Pennsylvania, where the father died. The mother is yet
living. Mrs. Harrison is the fourth child born to
her parents, having had her birth, November 14,
1849, in Snyder County, Pa.
Immediately after the marriage of our subject,
he settled in Texas Township, where he has since
been a resident, and has always been engaged in












PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1041


f- -


farming. IHe is now the possessor of one hundred
broad acres, on which are to be found numerous
substantial buildings, and splendid improvements,
which have been brought about by his own energy
and thrift.
The subject of this sketch and his estimable
wife have become the parents of three clildren,
namely: Carrie L., who died when three years
and seven months old; Frank and Nellie M. Mr.
larrison has been honored by his fellow-citizens
by the gift of the offices of Township Treasurer,
which he held in 1880 and 1884, Highway Commissioner and Constable. He has always taken a
somewhat active part in local affairs, and is an
advocate of the Republican party.
ON. JAMES MONROE, Postmaster at Kal) amazoo, was appointed to that position in
February, 1890, and on March 12 commenced the duties of his new office. He is
one of the most popular and active men in the
city, and is well liked by everyone whom he meets,
and the publishers, therefore, take great pleasure
in presenting his portrait and biographical sketch
in this volume.
Mr. Monroe was born in Monroe County, N. Y.,
December 25, 1819, his parents being Stephen and
Susan Monroe, natives of Massachusetts and New
York, respectively. The father was an old Revolutionary soldier and attained the age of ninety
years. He emigrated to New York from his native
State in 1804, and was there married to the mother
of our subject. The Monroe family originates
from the three traditional brothers who came from
Scotland to this country in an early day and one
settled in Massachusetts. James, the grandfather of
our subject, was a soldier in the battle of Bunker
Hill, and his musket is kept in the family as an
heirloom. He reached the advanced age of ninety
years. Our subject has a brother, A. C. Monroe,
who is now eighty years old and a resident of
Chicago.
The parental family consisted of eight sons and
one daughter, only three now living, and James
the only one in Michigan. At the age of sixteen


years, our subject left the parental roof and learned
the trade of a molder and furnace-maker at Roanoke, Genesee County, N. Y. He followed that
trade from 1835 to 1867, and worked as a journeyman for some years. In 1837, he left Roanoke
and came to Michigan and engaged in a foundry
at Jackson, where a brother, Stephen, was working.
HIe worked here until 1846, when he built a machine shop and foundry at Albion, Calhoun County,
carrying on the business there until 1867. The
business grew to be very large, and included the
manufacture of farming implements of all kinds,
threshing machines, etc.
In 1867, our subject sold out and moved to
South Haven, on Lake Michigan, and engaged in
the manufacture of lumber, and, building a mill,
ran that until 1874. Ile remained there until October, 1883, at which time he removed to Kalamazoo, and is here engaged in the same business,
handling all kinds of hardwood finishings. His
operations extend over a wide field, and he is one
of the largest dealers in Western Michigan, having
at times as many as thirty portable mills at work
at one time. He gives to his business his personal
attention.
Mr. Monroe was elected Sheriff of Calhoun
County by the Whigs in 1850, and was in that
office two years. He was an attendant at the
gathering that organized the Republican party at
Jackson in 1854, "under the oaks," and was honorably elected as a representative of the Albion
District to the Legislature in 1857-59, serving
three sessions, one being an extra one. IHis attention was given mainly to the local legislation to
secure land grants made in 1856-57 to the Amboy,
Lansing & Traverse Bay Railroad, Flint & Pere
Marquette, and Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroads.
A company was formed to secure the franchise of
the former railway and he was active and successful in securing the grant. Mr. Monroe was one
of the company that graded the railway from
Owosso to Lansing, and from Jonesville to Eaton
Rapids. In 1861,at the outbreak of the Civil War,
he was appointed Provost-Marshal at Albion, by
President Lincoln, and after some months resigned.
At the death of John Parker, of Kalamazoo,






1042


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


--
-- --


United States Marshal for the Western District of
Michigan, Mr. Monroe was appointed to that position by President Arthur, and discharged the
duties of his office faithfully until March 1, 1885,
when he resigned four days before Cleveland was
inaugurated, but held the position until November
before his successor was appointed. IHe was appointed by President Harrison Postmaster at Kalamazoo, and has proved an efficient and capable
officer. Originally he was a Whig in politics, and
since the organization of the Republican party,
has been recognized as one of its strong and potential factors in Michigan, and his judgment is
frequently brought into requisition by leaders of
his party. He has a fine farm  of four hundred
acres of fertile land, four miles northeast of Kalamazoo, which is under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Monroe was united in marriage at Jackson,
Mich., in November, 1843, to Miss Harriet Valentine, a native of Genesee County, N. Y. Mrs.
Monroe's parents have been residents of Michigan
since 1837. To this worthy couple have been born
the following children: Harriet, Mary and Bettie.
Harriet is the wife of James H. McCall, of Kalamazoo. Mary married M. S. Hovey and resides in
Chicago. Bettie is now Mrs. John Wolf, of Kaiamazoo. Mr. Monroe is a lover of fine trotters and
not infrequently pulls the lines over one of the
best in the county. He has always been very successful in business matters which is the result of
his push, pluck and perseverance. He and his
family hold a high place in the social circles of
Kalamazoo and command the respect of all.
e -- -- Sa *|**|*S**{wS******| --- - =- *
9TEPHEN P. MARSH, whose distinguished
career as an officer in the Union army during the Civil War added  lustre to the
military record of the Michigan regiments
that took part in the great conflict, is now a
farmer of much prominence in Kalamazoo County,
his farm' lying on section 19, Wakeshma Township. He is a native of Yates County, N. Y.,
born January 8, 1823, into the pioneer home of
Stephen and Mary (Arnold) Marsh, who were na

tives of Windsor County, Vt. The father was
born August 20, 1795, and the mother, January 1,
1796. The paternal grandfather of our subject
was John Marsh, who was born in New England,
Rhode Island, it is thought, being his native State.
The head of the Marsh family in America was one
of three brothers, who came here in Colonial times.
One of them returned to England, and one of
them died not long after settling in this country.
Grandfather Marsh was a farmer. Some of his
brothers fought valiantly in the Revolution, but
it is not known whether he served or not in that
war. He was, however, a sturdy supporter of the
new Government, and was a Whig in politics.
The father of our subject was brought up on a
Vermont farm, and was married, and had one child,
Sophia Ann, before he removed from his native
hills to Yates County, N. Y., in 1816. That was
then a newly settled and sparsely inhabited country, and he drove through the intervening wilderness with all his possessions in a one-horse wagon.
He developed a farm there of fifty acres, and
dwelt thereon until 1826, when he went to Chautauqua County, in the same State, to live. Five
years later, he took up his abode in Erie County,
Pa., in the year 1831, and bought fifty acres of
land in the depths of the forest, so that he had to
mark trees to guide him to his property. He entered actively upon the business before him, of
opening up a farm, and had accomplished a great
deal when death closed his career, while he was
yet in the prime of life, his demise occurring July
5, 1837. He was a Whig in politics, and, in religion, a member of the Free-will Baptist Church, in
which he always took a great interest, as in all
things tending to raise the standard of morality
and piety in his community. His good wife, who
was reared on a farm among the pleasant scenes of
her native Vermont, survived him many years,
her death not occurring until December 22, 1867.
She was for many years an active member of the
Free-will Baptist Church, but later in life, as there
was no church of that denomination near her, she
connected herself with the United Presbyterian
Church, of which she was a faithful member until
she died. She was the mother of these eleven
children, all of whom grew to maturity: Sophia




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1043


A., Elvira, Mary, William D., Stephen P., Sylvanus,
James B., Clarissa, John, Lucy and Louis.
Our subject attended the local district schools
in his boyhood, and was early set to work to learn
the wool-dying trade. He was employed in the
woolen mills for nearly eighteen years, in Pennsylvania, Vermont and Massachusetts. As his parents had a large family to support, he left home
when he was only eleven years old, and was first
employed in Pennsylvania. At the age of sixteen,
he started for Vermont, and while on the way
stopped a short time to work on the Erie Canal.
He was in the woolen mills at Chester, Vt., and then
worked at Templeton, Worcester County, Mass.,
where he learned the dyer's trade. He was subsequently promoted to take charge of a dye-house at
Dalton, Mass., and retained that situation until
1851, when he had to abandon it on account of
ill health. He then learned the trade of a mason,
and worked at that summers, and in the paper
mills in the winter seasons. In the spring of 1855,
he came to Michigan, and lived for a short time
in Calhoun County. After that he located at
Leonidas, in St. Joseph County, and was working
there at his trade when the war broke out.
Our subject determined to throw in his fortunes with the brave boys in blue, who were rallying to the support of the Union, and as soon
as he could arrange his affairs, after placing
his family in the care of his father-in-law, he enlisted, August 24, 1861, in Company A, Eleventh
Michigan Infantry. He was immediately appointed Corporal of his company, and the following winter was made Sergeant. From time to
time he was promoted to higher and more responsible positions, as his unflinching courage, daring
and able execution of the orders of his superiors,
even in the heat of the most exciting battle, won
him the confidence of his commanders, and showed
that he was a man to be trusted in emergencies, as
in all cases. In February, 1863, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and in 1864, was promoted to be First Lieutenant of his company. He
took an active part in the skirmishes with the celebrated Gen. Morgan, when he was making his
raids in Tennessee, in 1862. He assisted in the
attack on Nashville, supporting a battery with his


company that did great execution in the rebel
works. At the battle of Stone River, he showed of
what metal he was made, by his gallant fighting.
He did Provost-guard duty at Murfreesboro,
Tenn., until June, 1863, and then assisted Gen.
Rosecrans in his attack on the Confederate forces
at Duck River, and later on met the rebels at
Davis Crossroads, in Chickamauga Valley, near
Pigeon Mountain. There our subject was provided with a strong field-glass, and stationed in
the tops of the highest trees for two days to watch
the movements of the rebels and report them to
Gen. Stanley. He was the first to do scout duty
among the mountains.
During the battle of Chickamauga, one of the
hardest contests of the war, Mr. Marsh was ill Gen.
Thomas' corps. He was hit on one of the bones
of the spinal column, and was badly bruised by a
spent ball, but was not laid up by the injury. He
was hit by three different balls, but fortunately was
not wounded either time. After the disastrous
engagement at Chickamauga, our subject and his
command held Rossville Gap, notwithstanding
they were under heavy fire all the next day, and
they moved off at night in good order, under
muffled artillery, retreating to Chattanooga, and
were there during the siege of that city, and an
eye-witness to the famous battle on Lookout
Mountain. On the following day he was an active participant in the battle of Mission Ridge,
and when the Confederates had been driven from
their stronghold by the daring and desperate assault of the Union forces, he and his regiment
were among the pursuers of the retreating foe, attacked their rear guard in the dead of night, and
captured their battery and a lot of men. Mr.
Marsh was sent back with his company to guard
seventy-five prisoners to Chattanooga. In the
winter of 1863-64, he did out-post duty at Rossville, Ga., and he subsequently accompanied Gen.
Sherman on his Atlanta campaign. He fought in
the battles of Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, New Hope
Church, Kenesaw and Ruff Station, Ga. At the
latter point he was taken sick, and was sent to the
officers' hospital on Lookout Mountain, where he
remained forty days, before he was sufficiently recovered to rejoin his regiment at Chattanooga. He






1044


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-  — --- —-----— I —1 —1-1 ---1-


soon after came home with his regiment, receiving
his discharge papers, September 30, 1864, at Sturgis, Micl. His health was broken down by all
that he had had to endure. He went out from his
home a strong man, weighing one hundred and
eighty pounds. He returned with his weight reduced to one hundred and twenty-five pounds,
and with his originally fine constitution much impaired by the vicissitudes of war. He now receives
from the Government, that he so nobly helped to
save, a pension of $30 a month. His military record is commemorated by his membership with the
Joseph Smith Post. No. 215, G. A. R., at Fulton.
He is a charter member of Lodge No. 254, A. F. &
A. M., at Fulton. In politics, he is a Republican,
tried and true. He has held the township offices of
Highway and Drain Commissioners, and has served
as Justice of the Peace two years.
In December, 1864, Mr. Marsh bought forty
acres of his present farm in Wakeshma Township,
which was then a wooded tract, entirely surrounded by forests. He built a log house, into
which he moved his family in February, 1865.
Not a stick of the timber on his land was cut when
he took possession of it, but he has improved it
into one of the most desirable farms in this locality, adding to its original purchase until he has
eighty acres of valuable land, of which sixty acres
are cleared, and lie devotes it to general farming.
He has erected a commodious class of buildings,
replacing the original log dwelling by a large
brick residence in 1884, and otherwise embellishing the place.
Mr. Marsh was first married, February 11, 1844,
to Miss Harriet Smith, at Dalton, Mass. She was
a native of that State, born March 2, 1829, and
her death occurred September 2, 1852. Four children were born of that union: Mary, wife of Almon Latham, of Chicago; Rosa Belle, wife of
Charles D. Llewellyn, of Vicksburg; Lovica, who
married Edward Howarth, who is now  deceased;
and John, a resident of Kalamazoo. April 19,
1857, our subject was wedded to Miss Lucretia A.
Barker, who was born in Yates County, N. Y.,
March 1, 1830. She departed this life November
4, 1889. These three children were born of this
marriage: Harriet, wife of Frank E. Rutledge, of


Iowaglac; Stephen N., a resident of Kalamazoo,
who married Miss Carra E. Camp; and James E., a
resident of the township of Brady, who married
Miss Clara M. Burdick. February 3, 1892, Mr.
Marsh was again married, taking, this time, for his
wife Miss Ida Clark, of Leonidas, Mich.
(      HOMAS PATTERSON is well deserving of
representation in this volume, for he has
'    long been identified with the business interests of Kalamazoo as a member of the firm of
Bush & Patterson, contractors, builders and manufacturers. Mr. Patterson is a native of New York
City and is the sixth in order of birth in a family of nine children, whose parents were Thomas
and Isabella (Wilson) Patterson, both of whom
were natives of Scotland. His father was a carpenter and was in moderate circumstances.
Our subject acquired his education in the schools
of his native city, and at an early age was thrown
upon his own resources. When he was a lad of
eleven years, he began doing odd jobs, anything
that would bring in a little money, and also worked
in an attorney's office for $1 per week. He was
afterward employed as an errand boy at small
wages, and at the age of sixteen he began learning the trade of a carpenter and builder. He
worked for different parties for some time, and
while employed in a certain shop in New York
City made the acquaintance of Fred Bush. A
warm  friendship sprang up between the two
young men, which lasted until the death of Mr.
Bush. The tie between them was as close as that
of brothers, and in all the years of their acquaintance their relations, both business and social,
were of the most pleasant.
Mr. Patterson came to Kalamazoo in 1856, and,
forming a partnership with Mr. Bush, began contracting and building. They put up many of the
nlost substantial buildings of this city and county,
and, in addition to this, did an extensive business
in manufacturing building material. Although
he began life empty-handed, Mr. Patterson possessed industry and enterprise, and has steadily








C ~tr\r-1~




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1047


worked his way upward until he is now possessed
of a handsome property and is considered one of
the well-to-do residents of Kalamazoo. He has
never married, but makes his home in the family
of Mr. Bush, where he is treated as a dearly beloved brother. With a brother's tenderness and
care, he watched over Mr. Bush in his last illness,
and since his death has taken fufl control of the
business and managed it for the widow of his
friend. As a citizen, he is public spirited and
progressive, taking an active interest in all that
pertains to the welfare of the community, and is
held in high regard by all who know him. Politically, he is a Democrat.
t  ILLIAM A. FORBES, Clerk of Kalamazoo
County, is a man of genuine public spirit,
who interests himself in everything that
will in any way conduce to the prosperity of the
community and contributes liberally toward all
improvements of a public nature.  His standing
throughout the county is that of an honorable
official, a reliable citizen and high-minded man,
who lives not for himself alone but is devoted to
the welfare of his fellow-citizens.  His portrait
and biography are therefore valuable additions to
the RECORD.
Born in the village of Kalamazoo, January 12,
1853, our subject is the son of James P. and
AmandaE. (Bennett) Forbes, natives of Vermont
and New York State, respectively.  Elisha Bennett, grandfather of our subject, was one of the
earliest settlers of Kalamazoo, whither lie removed
from New York, contributing his efforts during the
latter part of his life to the developing and upbuilding of this section of Michigan.
In 1837, James P. Forbes removed to this State,
where he has since followed the occupation of a
contractor and builder at Kalamazoo.  Upright
and honorable,.he holds a high place in the esteem of the residents of Kalamazoo.  The third
child in his family of six was William A., who received his education in the village schools and the
High School of Kalamazoo. His first employment
after arriving at his majority was secured with J.


L. Sebring as bookkeeper, and he remained in that
capacity for seven years.
Under the firm name of A. Webster & Company,
our subject formed a partnership in the grain business with A. Webster, the connection continuing
until Mr. Forbes was nominated and elected
County Clerk in the fall of 1890, assuming the
control of the office January 1, 1891.  For four
years prior to that election, he served as Supervisor of the Second Ward and is a prominent Republican, believing the principles of that party
best adapted to the promotion of the welfare of
our Government.
Although devoted to his public interests, Mr.
Forbes finds his greatest pleasure at his home, in
the society of his wife and two children: Waldo
A. and Hazel M. He belongs to Kalamazoo Lodge,
No. 87, F. & A. M., but otherwise is not identified
with the various social organizations of the city.
IHis attractive and cozy residence is located at No.
601 Douglas Avenue, and is the centre of a
gracious hospitality extended to a host of friends.
Mrs. Forbes was, prior to her marriage, in 1875,
Miss Ad-ella V., dautghter of John Sebring, of Kalamazoo, and is a lady of refinement and culture,
affable disposition and generous heart.
OIIN SILBURN, whose proud record as a
brave veteran of the Civil War is unsurpassed by that of any of the old soldiers of, this section, is a farmer and stockman who is
conspicuous for the able manner in which he has
handled his extensive interests so as to become one
of the wealthiest residents in Kalamazoo County,
and the proprietor of one of its finest equipped
and most valuable farms, beautifully located on sections 33 and 34, Climax Township.
Mr. Silburn was born April 25, 1836, in one of
the pioneer homes of Mayfield Townsllip, Cuyahoga
County, Ohio. His father, James Silburn, was
born in Yorkshire, England, January 1, 1800. In
1827, six months after his marriage, he came with
his bride to this country, and as the ship in which
they sailed went off its course, they were twentyone weeks on the ocean. After they landed on




1048


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


these shores, they lived one year in Rochester, N.
Y., and then cast in their lot with the pioneers of
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, settling in the wilderness
in Mayfield Township, where by years of patient
toil, Mr. Silburn reclaimed a good farm from the
forests. He first erected a log cabin, and tried to
prepare his land for cultivation, but he was obliged
to go away to obtain work to support his family
before he could complete his task, as he was without means, having had only $27 when he disembarked at New York City. He worked away from
home a year, and then resumed his labors on his
own place, and in the course of time became quite
well off, as he was remarkably industrious. He
lived on his homestead until 1870, and then, retiring from active business, he removed to Ligonier,
Ind., and spent his remaining years with his children, dying there at a venerable age, March 23,
1885. His life record of eighty-five years' existence was that of a good and true man, who kept
himself free from vice, and was sincerely respected
for his meritorious conduct in all the affairs of
life. From boyhood he was a consistent member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  In.polities,
he was a Republican.
The mother of our subject, who died at the age
of fifty-seven years, bore the maiden name of
Hannah Milner, and she was born in Yorkshire,
Englaid, in 1806. Seven of her eight children
grew to maturity, namely: William, now deceased;
James, John, Peter, Martha, Hannah (Mrs. Trusdell), Elizabeth (Mrs. Evans). Alice died at the
age of three years. The mother was a woman of
many virtues, and was nearly all her life a devout
member of the Methodist Church.
Our subject was brought up on a farm, and was
educated in the district school of his native place,the
school being conducted under the rate-bill system.
Even when a boy, he worked out a great deal, as
he was an active, independent lad, and at eighteen
years of age his father gave him his time, as he
did his other sons. For twelve years thereafter, he
worked by the day and month. He was thus employed when the war broke out, and from August
11, 1862, the date of his enlistment, until June
23, 1865, his services were dedicated to his country in helping to fight the battles for the preserva

tion of the Union. He joined Company E, One
Hundred and Third Ohio Infantry, and was
mustered in at Camp Nelson, Ky. He and his
comrades did some hard fighting at Covington,
in that State, and did more or less skirmishing
with the enemy there until the fall of 1863, when
they were sent to Knoxville, Tenn., and assisted Gen. Burnside in his East Tennessee campaign.  Our subject was sick while at Camp
Nelson for three months with typhoid fever, and
at one time was left at the mercy of the rebels,
who did not take him as they thought that he was
nearly dead. Recovering from his illness, lie
crossed the mountains to rejoin his regiment, and
fought in the battle at Dandridge, Ky. The men
had a hard time of it at that point, having to
draw the artillery through the mud with ropes.
The One Hundred and Third Ohio, after a short
stay at Knoxville, assisted in driving the Confederates to the Virginia line, destroying railways and burning bridges on the way. It then
joined Sherman's army at Buzzard's Roost, and
was very active in the Atlanta campaign. It
was at the battle of Resaca that our subject
distinguished himself by a gallant act that reflected credit on himself and his company, and
showed  that lie was possessed of more than
ordinary nerve and coolness in the face of
danger. Every one of eight color bearers was
killed and wounded in that engagement, and it
was very difficult to get any one to carry the
colors of the regiment. After four men had been
detailed for that purpose and had refused to serve,
John Silburn courageously offered to act as color
bearer, and for two years he did his duty in that
responsible office with unswerving fidelity and unflinching courage, being under heavy fire nearly
every day for four months while about Atlanta,
and always greatly exposed to the shots of the
enemy at every battle.
After the Atlanta campaign, Mr. Silburn and
his fellow-soldiers went with Gen. Thomas in
pursuit of Gen. Hood, and routed him at Nashville, Tenn., driving him to Clifton, where the
army was entirely routed. Going then to Washington, they were sent to Ft. Fisher, and from
there to Ft, Anderson to take part in the boln



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1049


P   TIC-OR


bardment of that fort.  The next battles in which
they bore a conspicuous part were those of Kingston, Goldsborough and Raleigh, N. C. It was at
the latter place that they learned of the assassination of Lincoln, and so great was the indignation
and sorrow of the veterans at the murder of the
beloved President, that they could hardly be restrained from destroying the capitol.
Our subject and others of his regiment were
mustered out of the service at Raleigh after the
close of the war, and he returned to his old home
in Ohio, whence he came to this county shortly
after with a view of settling here, and in September lie bought eighty acres of his present farm in
Climax Township. Going back to Ohio, he was
married January 1, 1866, to Miss Laura A. Jenks,
who was a native of the same township as himself,
coming of one of its pioneer families, her birth
occurring January 21, 1840. March 31, 1866, Mr.
Silburn brought his bride to the place that he had
previously purchased in Kalamazoo County, and
here she has helped him in the making of a
home. Twenty acres of his land were cleared and
an old log house constituted the only improvements that had been attempted. He and his young
wife found it rather hard to begin life here in
poverty in that humble cabin, which was so illy
made that there were large chinks through which
one could look out, and which admitted the air
rather too freely for comfort some times. But
they faced the situation bravely, toiled with a
good will, and are among the wealthiest people in
the neighborhood as the result of their hard labors
and superior management. There are two hundred and forty acres of land in the farm, all cleared
except thirty acres, and amply supplied with modern improvements.
In 1870, Mr. Silburn built a commodious frame
residence, having previously erected a large frame
barn in 1868, and in 1881, he built smaller barns
and sheds. In 1884, he put up a large frame
house and in 1886, a large frame barn across the
street from his residence, and he has every convenience for carrying on agriculture.  He engages
in mixed husbandry, and raises and fattens a great
many cattle, making quite a business of selling
stock, and he also raises horses and sheep. He grows


considerable wheat, often as much as fourteen
hundred bushels a year, harvesting a thousand
bushels last season (1891). EHe is a man of large enterprise, is a shrewd manipulator, possessing more
than usual keenness in money matters, making
wise investments and loaning considerable money.
lie bears a high name in financial circles, as he
always kept his credit good and his reputation unsullied by dishonorable acts. In him the Methodist Episcopal Church has a worthy member. In
politics, he is a Republican, with strong Prohibition proclivities, though no believer in the Third
Party movement. He has been Road Commissioner of his Township, and has always encouraged all schemes to advance the interests of this
part of the county, in whose upbuilding he has
played no unimportant part.
ALTER COE. Kalamazoo is excellently
adapted to stock-raising purposes, and
many of its citizens, in connection with
general farming, have become prosperous and wellto-do through the raising and selling of fine stock.
Mr. Coe, who owns three hundred and sixty acres
of well-improved land on section 29, Comstock
Township, belongs to the class of agriculturists
who are successful both as farmers and stock-raisers. While he has various kinds of stock on his
place, he makes a specialty of Percheron horses,
Poland-China hogs and Hereford cattle.
Although prosperous in his undertakings, Mr.
Coe has met with reverses during his business career. In 1888, his fine barn, one of the best in the
county, was burned down, entailing a loss of $10,000, including hay, grain and farming machinery.
Not only is the farm the largest in the township,
but it is universally conceded by his fellow-citizens that no other estate has been bought to a
higher cultivation or embellished with a finer set
of buildings.
A native of New York, Mr. Coe was born in Le
Roy Township, Genesee County, June 11, 1827.
His father, Edward, was born and reared in Dutchess County, whence he removed to Michigan, in
1836, and settled in Kalamazoo County. At the






1050


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


time of his removal hither, his entire capital consisted of $10 and a team of horses, but such was
his industry and enterprise, that he became wealthy
within a few years after coming here. He owned
a farm in Charlestown Township, where he passed
away, and was buried at Climax Corners. Politically, he was a Democrat. His ancestors were from
Wales, three brothers first representing the family
in America.
The mother of our subject, Naomi (Hosheer)
Coe, was born in New York, and died in Michigan,
her mortal remains now lying by the side of her
husband's. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living, with the exception of
one that died when three years old. Our subject,
the oldest son, was nine years old wlen lie accompanied his parents to Michigan and settled in
Kalamazoo County. His education, which was
commenced in the Empire State, was completed in
Kalamazoo, after which he started out for himself
at the age of sixteen, and for ten years lie was employed as stage driver and mail carrier with B.
Humphrey & Company.
In 1850, Mr. Coe made an overland trip to California via Salt Lake City, Ft. Laramie, Carson
City and Sacramento to San Francisco, where he
engaged in mining, buying mules, and driving a
stage coach over the mountains from Marysville to
Sacramento. In 1855, he returned to Kalamazoo
County, coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama
and New York. At once after his return, he purchased the place where he now resides, then unimproved and surrounded by a sparsely settled tract
of land.
November 30, 1856, Mr. Coe was married to
Charlotte A. Goodrich, who was born in 1834, and
was the daughter of Philip and Nancy Goodrich.
She died February 21, 1873, having become the
mother of six children: Eugene II., Louis Anson,
Don Merritt, Edward Elmer, Charles L. and Olive
Jane. Mr. Coe afterward contracted a second matrimonial alliance, his wife being Miss Rachel B.,
daughter of John Thomas and Jane (Havens)
Thomas, natives of New York. Mrs. Coe was born
in Sparta, Livingston County, N. Y., June 4, 1837,
and accompanied her parents to Michigan in an
early day. She is the mother of two children,


Naomi May and James Horace. Mr. Coe was at
one time a Whig, and is now a Democrat in National issues, but in local elections votes for the
best man, regardless of party affiliations.
C   ARLES PARKER. Among tile honored
representative pioneers of Kalamazoo County, we take pleasure in sketching the life of
this venerable gentleman who is a resident of section 3, Richland Township. His birth occurred
September 13, 1813, in Litchfield County, Conn.,
he being the son of Justus and Patty J. (Burwell)
Parker, natives of Connecticut, and the mother of
English origin.
Our subject is the youngest son in his father's
family and was reared to man's estate in his native
county, and from his youth up has engaged in
farming. His early education was received in the
log schoolhouse and for a short time he attended an
academy. Being somewhat of a reader all his life,
he has kept himself posted on the current topics
of the day. In 1835, Mr. Parker emigrated to
Kalamazoo County and settled on his present farm
in the early period of the Civil War, but has made
his home in this county since his first coming here.
He has done a great deal of pioneer work in this
county and has been a witness to the many
changes.
Mr. Parker took as his life companion, November
19, 1839, Sarah J. Johnson, who was born January
2, 1815, in Litchfield, Conn. Mrs. Parker is a
daughter of Amos and Sallie (Merchant) Johnson,
natives of Connecticut. When twenty-three years
old, with her sister, Mrs. Edwin Mason, Mrs. Parker came to this county and has since resided in
this township and stands among the pioneer women
of. the place. By this union our subject and his
wife have become the parents of one son, Walter
J., who married Emma Flansburgh, and by her has
become the father of five children: Lillian E., Ernest, Clayton A., Mabel M. and Floyd.
In connection with his farming pursuits, Mr.
Parker also raises fine wool sheep of the Merino
breed and other good graded stock. Ile has served




CcFQ
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1053


as Highway Commissioner of this township for a
number of years, and was Justice of the Peace for
several years. He is a member of the Kalamazoo
County Pioneer Society, and lie and his amiable
wife have traveled the road of life together for
over half a century, sharing its joys and sorrows.
They are now contentedly and peacefully enjoying
the blessed fruits of their early libors and of a life
well spent in usefulness and well-doing. They are
both consistent members of the Presbyterian Church
and Mr. Parker has served as Trustee and Elder in
the clurch. This couple are well known and respected in their locality and their honorable and
successful careers stand forth as a fitting example
of what can be done by earnest and constant
efforts.
William Parker, a brother of our subject, who
was a soldier in the Civil War for over three years,
is now living with our subject. He had ranked as
sergeant but was shifted from one duty to another, principally in the departments of the Commissary and Quartermaster. He had three sons in
the Union service and was himself fourteen months
in the recruiting service. He came to Kalamazoo
County first in the spring of 1833 and remained
a short time. He affiliates with the Republican
party politically. tie has visited California twice.
l     AWRENCE N. BURKE, Prosecuting Attorney for Kalamazoo County, belongs to
that prominent and influential class of
American citizens who have sought homes in this
country, whither they emigrated from  foreign
lands. As a representative citizen, his portrait
and biography are of especial value. A native of
Ireland, he was born November 7, 1850, and was
the fifth child in the family of James and Johanna
Burke.
When a child of five years, our subject accompanied his parents from the land of his birth to
the United States and with them settled near
Homer, Cortland County, N. Y.   There and in
Onondaga County, he grew to a stalwart manhood,
acquiring a good education in the common schools
of the district, and in Cortland Academy at Homer,
48             K


At the age of eighteen years, he became self-supporting, engaging in the profession of a teacher,
for which   his excellent education  eminently
qualified him.
In 1869, Mr. Burke came West with a view to
finding a permanent home and so well satisfied
was lie with the prospects and appearance of thrift
which characterized Kalamazoo and its citizens,
that he determined to locate in the village. For a
time, he engaged as an employe in the Michigan
Insane Asylum, and by carefully saving his earnings lie was enabled, two years after locating here,
to enter Parsons' Business College, where he completed the regular course of study.
Having resolved to enter the legal profession,
Mr. Burke entered the office of J. W. Breese, of
Kalamazoo and read law with hin until he was
admitted to the Bar in 1873. Soon afterward he
formed a partnership with W. W. Peck, now Judge
of the Recorder's Court at Kalamazoo. The partnership was dissolved in the winter of 1875-76,
when our subject traveled for his health and spent
several months amid the orange groves and flowers
of the "Sunny South."  The trip proved beneficial
and he returned to Kalamazoo in improved health.
Resuming his practice alone, Mr. Burke continued to follow his profession actively until 1877,
when lie was elected Justice of the Peace and
remained in that capacity for six years.    In
1884, when Kalamazoo became a city, lie was
elected  Judge of the Recorder's Court for a
term  of four years, after which lie resumed his
practice. In 1890, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Kalamazoo County and assumed the
duties of that office, January 1, 1891, for a term
of two years. It is needless to say that in this
position, as in the others which lie has so efficiently
filled, he is winning the admiration of his fellowcitizens by his deep insight into the intricacies of
the law, his eminent qualifications as a pleader and
his legal acumen.
In 1877, Mr. Burke was married to Miss Mary,
daughter of John Webster, of Detroit, and a native
of Pennsylvania. Three children have been born
to them: Lawrence N., James Webster and Leah.
Mr. Burke is a member of Kalamazoo Lodge, No. 7,
I. 0. O. F., where he has occupied all the chairs, and




I


1054


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


I


he has also served as a member of the Grand Lodge
of Michigan for some time. In 1884, he was elected
Grand Master of the State of Michigan, and was a
representative from  Michigan to the Sovereign
Grand Lodge in Baltimore and Boston in 1885-86.
He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias
and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically, lie is an ardent Democrat and influential in
the party. Hle is Director and Attorney for the
Kalamazoo Building and Loan Association, one
of the most prominent organizations of the city.
HOMAS F. MILLER. The gentleman whose
name we place at the head of this sketch
occupies a front rank among the well-to do
and progressive farmers of Kalamazoo County.
He is at present residing on section 6, Richland
Township, where he gives his time and attention to
the cultivation of the soil, of which he is making
a signal success.
Mr. Miller was born in Ontario, Canada, November 29, 1841, and is the son of Adam and Margaret (Wood) Miller. The parents of Mrs. Miller
were natives of Ireland. Our subjec;t came to Kalamazoo County with his parents when sixteen
years of age, his father making settlement on the
tract of land which is the present home of Thomas
F. Adam Miller died November 5,1870, his good
wife surviving him until August 13, 1882. They
were the parents of nine children, five of whom are
still surviving, viz: Charlie, John, Thomas F.,
William H. and Eliza (Mrs. C. H. Smith).
Our subject has seen much of pioneer life in
Kalamazoo County, as the country was thinly populated at the time his parents came hither. He assisted his father in clearing and improving the new
farm, putting the property under most thorough
cultivation. Mr. Miller did not have the advantages for obtaining an education which are offered
the youth of the present day, but, making the best
of his opportunities, is to-day a well-read and intelligent gentleman.
Thomas F. Miller and Miss Harriet Ryan were
united in marriage, March 22, 1866. They became
the parents of three children, namely: Frances L.,


Harriet E. and Charles P. Mrs. Miller died October 29, 1876, and our subject married Mary A.
Eaves, October 13, 1880. The latter-named lady
was a native of England, her birth occurring August 14, 1852. She was the daughter of John and
Mary A. Eaves, the former of whom is deceased,
and the latter is at present residing in Texas Township, Kalamazoo County. She was two years of age
when her parents emigrated to America, they coming directly to Kalamazoo County and settling in
Texas Township. The three children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Miller are Maude L., Arthur E. and Eben,
the latter deceased.
Mrs. Mary Miller was one of a family of seven
children, four of whom are living, as follows:
John, Mrs. Miller, Ebenezer and Ruth (Mrs. Frank
Perry). Our subject owns over two hundred acres
of excellent land, which, by a proper rotation of
crops, is made to yield a handsome increase. At
the present time he is serving on the Board of
Review of Richland Township, and in politics
votes the Republican ticket. He has always been
interested in educational affairs, and was a member
of the School Board for a number of years. So
cially, he is an Odd Fellow and is a man of prominence and influence in his community.
ANIEL WATERBURY. The following obituary is from the Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph
of Saturday evening, January 11, 1891:
"Death came into the city yesterday and carried
off one of Kalamazoo' s time-honored citizens, Mr.
Daniel Waterbury. His health in late years has
been failing and Friday at 4 o'clock, p. M., he
passed away.
"Mr. Waterbury was born at Mt. Morris, Livingston County, N. Y., June 19, 1822. In his early
life, he was engaged in the tannery business in
different parts of New York. At the age of
twenty-one, he was married to Miss Rachel Head,
after which he engaged in the lumbering business.
He came to Kalamazoo in 1867, in the month of
April, since which time he has resided at his home
on Burdick Street, with the exception of one year.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1055


"Mr. Waturbury engaged in several business
ventures: that of butchering, selling liquors, and
finally lie embarked in the manufacture of springtooth harrows. Iis business ventures were all successful. Ite was a l)olitician of considerable ability
and reputation and was once elected Alderman on
the Democratic ticket in the Fourth Ward of this
city.
"The deceased leaves no children, three sons
having died between the ages of twenty and twentysix. His widow, his two brothers, Aaron M. and
Joel, and one sister (Mrs. Myron Powers), still survive him. The familiar figure of Mr. Waterbury
will be missed in Kalamazoo. Ile was a good citizen and a noble man, his conduct being upright
and true. A community can ill afford to lose such
men."
1     ANIEL PUTNAM. As a splendid example
of what may be accomplished by an energetic, determined and economical man,
we point to Mr. Putnam, who is a prosp)erous farmer of Kalamazoo County, at present making his home on section 14, Kalamazoo Township.
lIe is a native of New York State, having been
born in Batavia, October 23, 1809. His father bore
the name of Franklin Putnam, who was born in
Connecticut, September 18, 1782, and was but a
lad when his parents moved to Onondaga County,
N. Y. IIe there grew to manhood and was married to Phoebe Burroughs, of New York State, and
to them were born five sons and one daughter.
In 1804, the young couple moved to Batavia, and
there lived and died, the father passing away at
forty-four years of age and the good mother some
years later in her seventy-second year. They were
both members of the Free-will Baptist Church.
The father was always a farmer and cleared about
three hundred broad acres of land.
The grandfather of our subject was Peter Putnam, a resident of Onondaga County who spent
his last days at Batavia, Genesee County, N. Y.
He was the fatler of ten children and a relative of
Gen. Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. Farming
was also his life occupation which lie carried on on
a very large scale and with great success. Our sub

ject was reared in Genesee County, N. Y., on a
farm, assisting on the old homestead until after becoming of age. Laura Jolls became the wife of
him of whom we write in 1833, and three children
have come to bless their hearth and fireside, two
sons and one daughter: Franklin was killed at
Malvern Ilill in the late war; Lyman died in Harwood Hospital at Washington, D. C., while in the
service of his country; Emily is the only child
living. She is the wife of Dr. L. L. Tozier. The
wife of our subject passed from this life in Batavia,
N. Y., in 1866, and he was married to Dolly
1). Ensign in 1869. Mrs. Putnam was born in New
York in 1845, and is a daughter of Amos Ensign
and of French descent. To our subject and his
present wife has been born one daughter, Laura,
who is at hone and in the Senior Class of the
Kalamazoo High School. In 1869, Mr. Putnam
came to Michigan and resided in the city of Kalamazoo for two years and then bought the farm of
thirty-six acres which he now owns situated one
mile east of the city. I-e has cleared the land and
put it under splendid cultivation and has erected
all the necessary outbuildings. In politics, Mr.
Putnam is a Republican of the deepest dye, but
before the birth of that party he cast his vote with
the Whigs. The daughter of our subject and his
amiable wife are mcmbers of thle First Congregational Church of Kalamazoo.
C~   ==:*++++Q:R++++ -4- -,' *~
1 OIN R. CULP. As an experienced, enterprising farmer, thoroughly conversant with
his calling, sagacious and prudent in the
J management of his affails, and possessing
an excellent capacity for business, this gentleman
is materially contributing to the enduring prosperity of Kalamazoo County. Iis agricultural interests comprise a fine farm on section 24, Wakeshmla Township, which is supplied with everything necessary to conduct farming operations after
the most approved modern methods.
Mr. Culp was born in Bucks County, Pa., October 5, 1842. David Culp, his father, was born in
the same State, in 1816, and was of German destent, JHe grew up on on a farm, and besides be



1056


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


----


coming familiar with all kinds of farm work, he
learned the trade of a blacksmith. In 1844, he removed to Medina County, Ohio, and, opening a
smithy, engaged at his calling, and also gave some
attention to tilling the soil, as he bought a sixtyacre farm. He was scarcely past the prime of early
manhood when his death occurred in 1850, and
not only did his family suffer a sad loss, but his
community was deprived of one of its most reliable and trusty citizens. tie was an upright, Godfearing man, and was a leading member of the Reformed Church, contributing freely of his means
to its support, his wife also belonging to that
church, and taking an active part in its work. He
was a Whig in politics, until the Republican party
was organized, and from that time he was a Republican. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah Rice, and was a native of Pennsylvania. She
was forty-eight years old at the time of her death
in 1868. Four boys and one girl were born to the
parents of our subject: Samuel, Sobina, John, Will
and Dave.
He of whom we write was two years old when
the family went to Ohio to live, and he was reared
there under wholesome pioneer influences, that still
prevailed there in his boyhood. The first school
that he attended was taught in a log house that
was heated by an open fire-place, and furnished
with rough slab benches. The school was conducted under the old-fashioned rate-bill system. When
he was fourteen years old, our subject came to
Kalamazoo County with his uncle, S. R. Culp, in
1855, and worked for him in a sawmill in this township, where he now lives for seven years. He saved
some money, and in 1860, he invested in one hundred and forty acres of wild land, which constitutes his present farm. He built a comfortable
home and settled on it, and has ever since devoted
his energies to the reclamation of his land, with
the exception of six years, during which time he
was engaged in the stock business, at Athens,
Mich. He has it nearly all under a high state of
cultivation, and is constantly making improvements.  He erected a fine large frame barn in
1871, and has other suitable buildings. He contemplates replacing his present dwelling by a brick
house next year. Everything about the place is


kept in good order, and indicates constant care and
attention to details, so important in the management of a farm.
When he first settled here, Mr. Culp had a good
opportunity to indulge in his taste for the hunt, as
in the then wild condition of the country, deer
and other game were very abundant. There were
a few wolves and some wild hogs, and our subject
killed many a wild turkey. The first time he went
out to hunt, he was troubled, as inexperienced
hunters oftentimes are, with "buck fever," so that
he shot wide of the mark when he attempted to
bring down his first deer, shooting into a beechtree away to the side of the animal. He was so disgusted at his poor marksmanship, that he went
home without making another attempt to shoot at
anything. The next day, with renewed ambition,
he went forth in search of deer, and shot one within an hour. He killed the last deer seen in this
section of Whe country.
Mr. Culp was married, December 24, 1862, to
Miss Ellen Sherman, and in her he has the best of
wives and helpmates. Five children have been
born of their union: Perry, Maggie (deceased),
Eugene, Charles and Grace. Mrs. Culp is a native
of the town of Mayfield, Cuyahoga County, Ohio,
born October 24, 1843. Her parents, Welcome and
Belinda (Keesler) Sherman, came to this township
in 1860, and Mr. Sherman subsequently improved
a good farm in this locality. He died February 7,
1874, and his wife departed this life March 6,
1863. They were the parents of four girls.
In 1885, Mr. Culp left his farm with his family,
and the ensuing six years they resided at Athens,
in Calhoun County, returning to his homestead in
August, 1891. While in Athens, he had a meatmarket, and he also engaged in buying and shipping stock to Detroit, Buffalo and Chicago.
Our subject is a man of good mental endowments, is well informed, and is a ready conversationalist. His fine personal traits give him weight
and influence in the community, and he has figured
in its public life in various responsible offices. He
was elected a member of the Kalamazoo County
Board of Supervisors to represent Wakeshma Township in 1885, and served until the fall of the year,
when he resigned on acoqiunt of lhis removal to




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1059


--


Athens. In 1883 and 1884, he was Treasurer of
the township. In politics, he is a loyal Democrat.
Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows'
lodge, at Fulton, and of the Knights of the Maccabees, at Athens. His religious affiliations are
with the Reformed Church at Fulton, of which lie
is a member.
^_     +=Z+     _ —
OHN O. LEE. In the life of Mr. Lee, whose
portrait and life sketch are presented to our
readers, we find an excellent example for
young men just embarking in the field of
active life, of what may be accomplished by a man
beginning poor, but honest, prudent and industrious. In early life he enjoyed but few advantages;
his school days were limited nor had he wealth or
position to aid him in starting in life. He relied
solely upon his own efforts and his own conduct
to win for him success, and that he has succeeded
is evidenced by the standing which he occupies in
his community. He is the possessor of a valuable
estate located on section 16, Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County, where he is at present residing.
The parents of our subject, John and Maria
(Smith) Lee,were natives respectively of Wyoming
County, Pa., and Rhode Island. After their marriage they emigrated, in May, 1844, to this county,
locating on Gourdneck Prairie, where Mr. Lee died
December 20, 1845. The mother survived a few
years and passed away in Porter Township, Van
Buren County, March 17, 1850. They had become
the parents of seven children, of whom our subject
was the third in order of birth.
John O. Lee was born in McKean County, Pa.,
May 21, 1833. He accompanied his parents on
their removal to the Wolverine State and, with the
exception of four years spent in the California
gold mines, has always resided in Kalamazoo
County. April 29, 1858, he was married in Prairie
Ronde Township, to Miss Harriet, daughter of
Jonathan and Ann (Wall) Wood, natives respectively of Ohio and England. They were married
in the Buckeye State and came to Michigan in


1845, locating in the above-named township, where
Mr. Wood died in 1856 and his wife followed him
to the better land November 11, 1881. They were
the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Lee was
the eldest but one. She was born in Little York,
Ohio, November 5, 1843. Jonathan Wood was
twice married and of his first union, one child,
Horace, now survives.
To our subject and his wife have been granted
a family of five children: Franklin J., who married Kate Reiter; Justin H. died in childhood;
Charles H. married Sarah Schrum; John D. and
Hattie C. He has held many local offices, the duties of which lie faithfully and conscientiously discharged. He has been Drainage Commissioner of
his township and in politics is a stanch Democrat.
Having always followed agricultural pursuits,
by energy and perseverance, united with economy and good business qualifications, Mr. Lee has
secured a competency and is now living in the enjoyment of the luxuries which wealth affords. He
is the possessor of four hundred and eighty acres
of land, the records showing him to be one of the
heaviest tax-payers in the township. Socially, he
is a Mason and is also a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows.
A      HARLES BROWN. Among the enterprising farmers of Kalamazoo County, we may
name the gentleman whose name heads
this sketch, who is located on section 23, Brady
Township. He was born in this township and
county September 3, 1846, to Charles and Nancy
(Doyle) Brown, natives of County Down, Ireland.
The grandfather of our subject, James Brown, was
also a native of County Down, but of Scotch descent, his father having been born in Scotland.
The grandfather was a farmer and linen weaver
and died when past four-score years, and was a
very prominent man in his day.
The father of our subject was reared a farmer
and linen weaver. He was married to Nancy
Doyle, and came to America in 1825, locating at
Saranac, N. Y., for a short time.  He then came
to Newberg, Ohio, residing there until 1835, when




1060


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.






I


he came to Kalamazoo, then called Bronson, this
county and lived in a log hut until 1837 or 1838,
when he "squatted" on his present farm, which
was a part of the Pottawattamie Indian Reservation. This place was nothing but a wilderness,
with droves of wild animals about and plenty of
Indians. Kalamazoo was the nearest marketing
place and he had to go there to mill with an oxteam. On one occasion he secured some pork and
in coinng home at night it was scented by wolves
which followed him. He was compelled to cut the
meat into pieces and throw  it to them  to save
himself.  For the first three years here, Mr.
Brown never had more than $1 in cash at a time,
but he made considerable maple sugar and exchanged it for goods. He worked in the harvest
fields for fifty and seventy-five cents per day and
took wheat in exchange for his labors. Mr. Brown
was always very industrious; he came to America
very poor and at the time of his death owned five
hundred and sixty acres of rich land.  IIe was
reared a Presbyterian and, in politics, was a Republican. He was Supervisor of this township for
a number of years and Justice of the Peace for
eighteen consecutive years. His death occurred
June 29, 1879, and that of his wife June 1, 1883.
They were the parents of twelve children, six of
whom grew to mature years: Livingston, Washington, Mary, Jefferson, Marian and Charles.
Our subject received a primitive school education in the log schoolhouse which we have so
many times described, which was run on the ratebill system. He was reared a farmer's lad and began teaching school when eighteen years old, following it for thirteen winters in this and Wakeshma Townships, carrying on his farming during the summer. Mr. Brown was married, February 24, 1883, to Phoebe Notley, a native of Vicksburg, Mich., where she was born August 16, 1855.
They have one child: Charles F., born November
8, 1887.
Mr. Brown has an estate of two hundred acres,
all in one body. He is one of the sagacious and
industrious men of the township and by his push,
pluck and perseverance has brought his place to
what it is to-day-one. of the finest and best managed farms in the county. He carries on mixed








farming and also raises good grades of all kinds
of stock.
Mr. Brown has been honored by his fellow-citizens with a number of responsible township offices.
-Ie is a stanch Republican and was Township Treasurer in 1879 and 1880; Supervisor in 1882 and held
that office three years; elected Representative of
this, the Second District, in 1882, and served two
terms in the Legislature as Chairman of Committee
on State Normal School and was one of the Committee of the State Schools for the Blind and also
on Elections and State Roads and Bridges.  lIe
introduced bills as follows: To amend Act No. 10
of School Law of 1881, making the number of
Trustees five instead of six and thus preventing
deadlocks which were common in electing teachers. This was carried. Another was to repeal an
act in regard to Pathmasters giving receipts for
road work to apply as part of general tax.  This
was also carried.  Several others were passed
affecting the penal code. A bill to forfeit the
land grant made to the Menominee River Railway
Company became a law the following session. Mr.
Brown has quite a library. Although the township is Democratic by sixty-five votes, our subject
carried it from thirty-three to forty-five Republican. tie is a member of the Masonic order at
Vicksburg, Brady Lodge, No. 208, K. of P., Hope
Lodge, No. 36, and the Maccabees, Oak Island
Tent, No. 58.
RRtIN    N. GIDDINGS. This venerable citizen of Kalamazoo is a worthy representative of one of the old Colonial families,
whose strict integrity, undaunted perseverance and
unceasing energy were such potent factors in effecting the advancement of the country. The family
was first represented in America in 1635, when
George Giddings and his wife Jane came to New
England from St. Albans, Hertfordshire, and settled at Ipswich. They made the voyage to America in "The Planter," and on board the same
vessel was Sir Henry Vane, fourth Governor of
Massachusetts.
William Giddings, grandfather of our subject,






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1061


was born in Lyme, Conn., in 1737. He served as
Captain of a company during the French and Indian War, and also was an active participant in the
Revolutionary War, in the capacity of Captain.
His wife was Lydia, daughter of Deacon Daniel
Noble. They were early settlers of Fairfield County,
Conn., where their son Buell, father of our subject,
was born. The mother of our subject bore the
maiden name of Sarah Reasoner, and was born in
Dutchess County, N. Y., of Dutch descent.
Orrin N. Giddings was the third in a family consisting of four sons and one daughter, three of
whom still survive. He began life for himself at
the age of thirteen, and was engaged as a clerk until 1836. When twenty-two years old, lie left the
parental roof, and at Auburn was married, May 11,
1836, to Harriet A., daughter of the late Ambrose
Cock, and a native of Cayuga County, N. Y. In
1836, Mr. Giddings removed to Michigan, and settled in Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County,
being accompanied hither by his father-in-law and
family. After locating here, he erected a store
building in company with his brother-in-law, and
carried on a general mercantile business combined
with farming until 1840, from which date until
1847, he was engaged in agricultural operations.
Then removing to Augusta, he was proprietor of a
store in that place until 1849, when he leased the
Augusta Mills. In January, 1853, he removed to
Kalamazoo, where he still resides (1892).
During his residence in Michigan, Mr. Giddings
has been active in politics-in early days a stanch
Whig, and afterward one of the organizers of the
Republican party "under the oaks" at Jackson.
While a resident of Charleston Township, he served
as Justice of the Peace for eight years; Supervisor
for several terms, and in 1847 was elected Representative of Kalamazoo County in the State Legislature, serving one term. In 1847, he removed to
Ross Township, as above stated, and there served
as Supervisor several terms, and was Postmaster at
Augusta under President Fillmore. In 1852, he was
elected County Treasurer, and served in that position four successive terms with marked ability. In
1865, he was appointed by Gov. Crapo Quartermaster-General of the State, and served in that
capacity at Detroit for nearly four years. In his


private and official life, he has always stood high,
and probably none of the citizens of Kalamazoo
County, are better or more favorably known than
he.
Some fourteen years ago, Mr. Giddings was bereaved by the death of his devoted wife, and a few
years later his daughter Nina passed away at the
age of twenty-two years. IHis son, Theron F., is
one of the most influential citizens of Kalamazoo,
and is represented by a sketch on another page.
The remaining member of the family who was
reared to mature years is Francis N.
1m ARNARD MATHES has been among the
foremost in redeeming that part of Kalamazoo County embraced in Wakeshma
'   Township from  the wilderness, since he
settled here more than a quarter of a century ago
on a tract of forest-covered land, which he has
transformed into a beautiful farm and an attractive
home. Ite has borne his share of the public responsibilities as a loyal citizen should, by his incumbency of various civic offices. But above all,
he has been very influential in raising the standard
of morality and religion in his community, not
only by tie silent but eloquent force of a pure,
exemplary life, but by his zealous and untiring
efforts to promote the highest interests of his fellow-men.
Barnard Mathes was born in Alsace, Germany,
January 22, 1837. His father, whose given name
was Martin, was also a native of that province, and
was born in 1805. His parents were likewise born
and reared in Alsace, and there they spent their
entire lives, he dying at the age of seventy-eight,
and the mother at the venerable age of eighty-six
years. They ieared a family of eight children.
Both were members of the Reformed Church. The
father was a wagonmaker, and he also owned a
farm.
The father of our subject was brought up on his
father's farm, and early learned to do all sorts of
farm work, besides working at the manufacture of
wagons somewhat. He was ambitious to better his
condition and to provide for his growing family




1062


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


in a more suitable manner than was possible for
him in his old home, so he emigrated with his wife
and children to America, leaving the old country
April 5, 1844, and landing in Wayne County on
the 8th of the following August, having had a
pleasant journey. He bought eighty acres of land
in Canaan Township, and, in the years of busy toil
that came after, he developed a good farm, which
was his home until death rounded out his long and
honorable life at the age of seventy-eight years.
He was a truly pious man, giving cheerfully and
liberally of his means to the support of the Reformed Church, of which he was a devout member, and which he regularly attended. He was a
great Bible student, and could argue well concerning the meaning of certain disputed passages of
Scripture. He was independent in politics, but
generally voted with the Democrats. His faithful
wife who had crossed the waters with him to found
a new home in a strange land survived him some
years, and finally died at the venerable age of
eighty-six. Her birth occurred in the same year
that his did, and in the same province, and her
maiden name was Margaret Rhodt. She, too, was
a member of the Reformed Church, and was a
saintly woman, very devoted to her family.
Barnard Mathes was a child of seven years when
his parents brought him to this country, and he
has some recollection of the home that he left behind, and of the long journey hither, and remembers well the incidents of pioneer life in the new
home. He had attended school one term in Alsace, and, after coming to this country, his education was further advanced in the district school
nearest his home. He subsequently took an excellent course of study in the Seville (Ohio) Academy, in which he spent four months. At the age
of nineteen, he entered upon an apprenticeship of
three years to learn the trade of a carpenter. He
afterwards worked in the threshing machine works
at Wooster, Ohio, from 1862 until 1865, and there
he made his start financially, saving up during those three years the tidy sum of $1,400.
With this capital he determined to put into
execution his long-cherished ambition of becoming a farmer, for which calling he had a decided taste. Accordingly, he came to Kalamazoo


County, and invested in an eighty-acre tract of
wild land on section 26, Wakeshma Township,
which formed the nucleus of his present farm. At
that time the country round about still retained
much of its original wildness, and deer, wild turkeys and other game were abundant. Thus it was
our subject began life here as a pioneer. His first
work was to build a plank house for a dwelling,
which he replaced, in 1876, by the large and wellappointed residence in which he and his family
now live. In 1868, he built a good-sized frame
barn, and he has other necessary buildings. He
has increased the area of his farm to one hundred
and forty acres, nearly all of which are under tillage. He gives his attention to mixed farming,
and has raised all kinds of stock. He has a valuable herd of full-blooded Durham cattle, and he
has a choice flock of fine wool sheep, which are a
profitable source of income.
Mr. Mathes and Miss Angeline Elgenfritz were
united in marriage January 9, 1862. Theirs has
been a truly felicitous and congenial union, which
has been hallowed to them by the birth of three
children: Charles Frederic, who died at the age
of fourteen years; Edward Tildon, President of
the Wichita (Kan.) University, and Nevin B., a
student at Heidelburg College, Tiffin, Ohio. Edward is a graduate of Heidelburg College and
carried away the highest honors for scholarship in
the graduating prize. He was elected to his present position as the head of a flourishing Western
college at the age of twenty-five, and he is the
youngest man acting in that capacity in the United
States.
The wife of our subject is a native of Ohio, born
in Trumbull County, December 31, 1842. Her
parents were Daniel and Esther (Nailor) Elgenfritz,
both of whom were born and reared on Pennsylvania farms, and were farmers by occupation. He
was in his eightieth year, and she, in her sixty-sixth
year, when they died. He was brought up in the
Lutheran faith, but later in life joined the Reformed Church, to which his wife also belonged.
They were of German descent, and were the parents of fourteen children, ten of whom grew to
maturity.
Mr. Mathes is widely known for his strong religi







/r




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Al.


1065


ous proclivities and his active work in church and
Sunday-school. To his indefatigable zeal in this
line is due more than to any other man the high
status of morality in Wakeshma Township. In 1866,
he and thirteen others, including C. C. Crotser and
wife, Henry Hess and wife, Anthony Crotser, and
others, organized a Reformed Church at Fulton.
From this small beginning the church has grown
and pr(ospered, and it now has a membership of
one hundred and forty. Besides devoting his energies to the upbuilding of the church, Mr. Mathes
has also been instrumental in establishing a Sundayschool, which was organized in 1870. He was its
first Superintendent, holding that position several
years, and three years ago he was again elected
to the office, which he still holds. His whole soul
and heart are enlisted in the work.
In his political views, Mr. Mathes is sound, and
the Democratic party finds in him one of its truest
supporters. He has been Justice of the Peace, and
for two years he represented Wakeshma Township,
as a member of the Kalamazoo County Board of
Supervisors, although the township is Republican
by at least fifty majority. He is a man of large
heart and generous disposition, giving freely of
his means to all worthy objects, and his contributions to sustain the church are very liberal, as also
his gifts to the college.
PHILIP D. MILLER. This retired banker of
Schoolcraft was born in Lycoming County,
Pa., February 11, 1838, and is the son of
Enos and Christiana M. (Frazier) Miller,
natives of Montour County, Pa. The father died
in Schoolcraft Township and the mother in Kansas. The eldest in a large family of children, Philip
D. was quite young when he removed with his
parents to Danville, Pa., and there he passed his
youth, receiving his education in the common and
High Schools of that city.
After completing his education, Mr. Miller took
up civil engineering and, when fifteen years old,
joined a corps of civil engineers and assisted in
building a railroad in Schuylkill County, Pa. For


three years he followed that occupation, and then
learning telegraphy at Danville, was thus engaged
for about three years, during the last half of which
he was chief operator in Philadelphia for the Susquehanna Telegraph Company.
In the spring of 1858, Mr. Miller came to Schoolcraft with his father and engaged in farming near
the village until August, 1862, when he enlisted
in Company L, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, from
which, three weeks later, he was transferred to the
Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry as Hospital Steward. He marched with his regiment to the front,
and served until the close of the war in the capacity of Hospital Steward, Second Lieutenant and
Assistant Surgeon. Having served in Kentucky,
he marched with Gen. Burnside into East Tennessee, and served under Gen. Sherman in Georgia
until after the capture of Atlanta. Under Gen.
Thomas he followed the Confederates back to
Nashville and was in the two-days' fight at that
place, after which he was transferred to the East
at Ft. Fisher. He was at Wilmington and Raleigh,
and at the surrender of Johnson's army, being absent
from his regiment only nine days on a furlough.
In July, 1865, he was mustered out of service, having gained a record as a courageous soldier. His
brother, Daniel F., also enlisted in the defense of
the Union and was killed in front of Richmond
while with Gen. Sheridan on his raid.
Prior to his enlistment, Mr. Miller had been
clerk in a drug store at Schoolcraft and had
gained a practical knowledge of the business. Thus
equipped, upon his return from the battlefields, he
bought a one-half interest in a drug store with
Oscar R. Hatch, the firm name being Hatch & Miller. Upon the death of Mr. Hatch in 1870, our
subject formed a connection with Franklin Barnhart, the title of the firm being P. D. Miller & Co.
The firm disposed of the business in 1879, and two
years later, in January, 1882, he entered the banking business with Thomas Nesbitt, under the firm
name of Nesbitt &z Miller.
The connection thus entered into continued
successfully until January 1, 1890; then, concluding to retire from the banking business, they disposed of the same, since which time Mr. Miller has
mingled very little in active business affairs. His




1066


PORTRAIT AND~ BIOGRAPHICAL RIRECORD.


TIO


life, however, is by no means an idle one, but in
the supervision of his farm in Schoolcraft Township, in the discharge of his duties as a citizen, in
his social connections, and in the various interests
which he still retains, he finds ample exercise for
his energies.
August 23, 1870, Mr. Miller was married in
Schoolcraft to Miss E. Sophronia, daughter of the
late William and Mary (Mercer) Fisher, natives of
Pennsylvan ia and New York State,respectively. Mr.
Fisher was an early settler of Schoolcraft Township, having located here in 1835. His wife
came two years later and still resides in the place
where her entire wedded life was passed. Mrs.
Miller was born in Schoolcraft, and is a graduate
of Hillsdale College. For a number of years she
engaged in teaching at Schoolcraft and was an
efficient and successful instructor of the young.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Miller, the eldest of whonT, Mary S., died when
sixteen years old; the others, Agnes C., Fanny,
Philip F. and George E., are at home with their
parents.
A strong Republican, Mr. Miller has taken an
active part in local political affairs and has held
some of the offices of the township. He has also
taken an active part in religious affairs and, with his
wife, is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He
has assisted in the settlement of many estates and
his work in that line has been eminently satisfactory. In his social connections he is a Mason, belonging to Schoolcraft Lodge, No. 118, Prairie
Ronde Chapter, No. 54 and Peninsular Commandery, No. 8, of Kalamazoo, and Burson Post, No.
303, G. A. R., at Schoolcraft.
On an accompanying page will be found a portrait of Mr. Miller.


ous among which is thle beautiful residence, built
in 1863, at a cost of $7,000, and one of the finest
houses in the county. It is a brick structure, finished with a quiet elegance without, while the interior is tastily and comfortably furnished.
As an honored pioneer of the county, Mr. Comings occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was born in Plainfield Township,
Washington County, Vt., September 20, 1817, and
is the son of Sherman and Betsey (Smart) Comings, natives, respectively, of New Hampshire and
Vermont. The father, after marriage, located in
the village of Plainfield, where he engaged in
merchandising and also followed the trade of a
tanner and currier. Afterward he located in the
northern part of the State, whence he removed in
1830 to Michigan, settling in Comstock Township,
Kalamazoo County, upon the farm where our subject now resides. There the mother passed away
in 1834, and the father in 1845.
The parental family comprised twelve children,
seven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and only one now survives besides our subject. Harriet, who was the wife of George Towndson, lived to be eighty-four years old; Catherine,
who married R. Stors, attained to the age of eightytwo; Eveline, the widow of Dr. Nichols, resides in
Muskegon. Our subject was the only son who
lived to manhood, and he was fourteen years old
when he accompanied his parents to Comstock
Township. Prior to removing to this State he
gained the rudiments of his education in the
schools of Vermont and afterward studied in the
schools of this district.
The family arrived in Comstock Township on
December 3, 1830, and put up a house in seven
days for the protection of the children. The building was destitute of doors and windows, a buffalo
robe being used as a substitute for the former. In
order to keep out the cold, stuffed straw was placed
between the logs, and within that little home,
18x20 feet in dimensions, the family, numbering
twelve persons, passed the coldest winter in the
history of Michigan. At times the snow was two
feet deep and intercourse with the outer world was
impossible.
In 1831, the first wheat on the place was raised,


AMES RIPLEY COMINGS. In all Kalamazoo County it would be difficult to find
a more attractive homestead than that belonging to Mr. Comings. On section 14,
Comstock Township, he owns two hundred and
twenty-eight acres in a high state of cultivation
and embellished with first-class buildings, conspicu



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1067


for which ten shillings per bushel was received. By
degrees the soil was placed under cultivation and
the family were more comfortably domiciled. Our
subject remained with his parents until his marriage,
in January, 1840, to Miss Lucy J. Kingsley, a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Comings became
the parents of three children: Florence, deceased,
formerly the wife of Frank Hodgman; Sherman,
who resides on the old homestead; and Katie, deceased. Some time after the death of Mrs. Lucy
Comings, our subject was married, March 11, 1874,
to Emma, daughter of Deacon W. Mills, of whom
see sketch in another portion of this volume. This
union has been fruitful of one clild, a bright little
girl, whom they call Mary M.
With the support and work of the Congregational Church Mr. and Mrs. Comings have long
been closely connected, and he has served as
Trustee, also as chorister for more than thirty years.
In his political belief, he is a Republican and has
filled the various school offices, besides serving
efficiently as Road Commissioner and occupying
other positions of trust and honor.
LBERT S. DUNHAM. One of the most
finely improved estates of Cooper Township, Kalamazoo  County, is the farm
owned and occupied by this gentleman
and comprising one hundred and ten acres on section 17. Here careful attention is devoted both to
general farming and stock-raising, in which he
has been successful. In connection with his farm
duties, he has acted as agent for several leading
agricultural companies, having gained considerable experience in that line while in Kalamazoo in
the agricultural implement business for three
years.
Among the officers who accompanied Gen.
Wolfe in his expedition against Quebec was the
great-grandfather of our subject, whose family consisted of eight sons, four of whom served as patriots and four as Tories during the Revolutionary
War. Grandfather Edward Dunham, who was
born near Albany, was a Captain during the War
of the Revolution and guarded the northern


frontier against the hostile Tories. During the
War of 1812 he was too infirm and aged to enlist,
but his commodious house was always open to
soldiers and refugees, and lie gave his entire crop
of wheat, amounting to eight hundred bushels,
for the benefit of the Colonies. For some years
he conducted an extensive lumber business, but
after his marriage, cleared a large farm in Monroe
County, N. Y., where he died at the great age of
ninety-eight years.
The father of our subject, Seneca Dunham, was
born in Ontario County, N. Y., where he received
a good education and graduated from the Monroe
High School. Ile studied law for a time but owing
to ill health gave up his practice. In 1864, he
emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Cooper
Township, Kalamazoo County, where he purchased
a tract of land and operated a farm until his death
in 1878, at the age of seventy-one years. Ile was
Captain of a company in Monroe County, which
was ordered out at the time of the Patriot War by
Gen. Scott. He took an active part in politics in
New York, and was a strong anti-slavery man, as
well as an adherent of the principles of the Republican party, which he aided in organizing.
In a family of two children, our subject was the
elder and was born in Monroe County, N. Y., August 30, 1837. His mother, whose maiden name
was Tirza Daniels, was born in Ontario County,
N. Y., and died at the age of eighty years. She
was a pious woman, a devoted member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and endeavored to
train her son and daughter for honorable positions
in life. The daughter, Cornelia, is the wife of Alonzo Montgomery and lives in Kansas.
After receiving his education in the common
schools of the district and spending a few terms
at Albion Academy, Mr. Dunham came to Michigan with his parents in 1864, and commenced to
operate a farm. When ready to establish a home
of his own, he was married, in 1865, to Amelia
Dunham, who died two years later, leaving one
child, Sophia, now with her father. In 1868, Mr.
Dunham was again married, choosing as his wife
Miss Sarah Montgomery, who died in 1884. She
was the mother of four children: Kirk, Fay, Clinton, and Mary, deceased. The present wife of Mr.




1068


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,


"


=


Dunham, to whom he was married in 1886, bore
the maiden name of Jennie Wyner, and is a lady
of superior culture.
In his political sympathies, Mr. Dunham is a
Republican and cast his first Presidential vote for
Abraham  Lincoln. He has served as Highway
Commissioner one term and also filled other local
positions of trust. He is identified with Cooper
Lodge, No. 149, F. & A. M., and is prominent in
the order. His wife belongs to the Congregational
Church, and both are earnest in their advocacy of
measures which will uplift the community.
-. —
C. BUSH, deceased, was a native of New
York State, his natal day being March 1,
1831. His parents were Abram and Sarah
Bush, who emigrated to Barry County, this State,
when our subject was a lad of fifteen years. There
the latter died December 15, 1880, greatly mourned
by all who knew him. For many years, he had
been engaged in the mercantile business at Iickory Corners, and was quite prominent in local
affairs.
The original of this sketch and Miss Helen M.
Smith were united in marriage, November 6, 1857.
Mrs. Bush was born February 1, 1834, in Montgomery County, N. Y., and was the daughter of
Samuel W. and Charlotte H. (Mills) Smith. Her
father was a native of Vermont and her mother of
New York. Mr. Smith was a manufacturer of
furniture, sash, doors, blinds, etc. on the Genesee
River and is now deceased. He was the father of
a family of six children, four of whom survive,
namely: Mrs. Bush; Adeline, who is the wife of
C. A. Crosby; Mary F., Mrs. H. F. Bellinger, and
Cordelia, who married Edwin Bissell. After the
death of her husband, the mother of Mrs. Bush was
married to Fredrick S. Bellinger and by that union
was born one daughter, Lillian, who is the wife
of Aylmer Morford.
Mrs. Bush was reared to womanhood in her native State, where she was given a good education
in the public schools. When nineteen years of age,
she went to Grant County, Wis., where she taught


I


Ii




school for two years. She then came to Barry
County, this State, where she was engaged in the
same occupation for a number of terms. In 1853,
her mother and step-father came to Barry County,
where Mr. Bellinger died in 1870. As has already
been stated, Miss Smith and our subject were married in 1857, and had born to them two children:
Ernest W. and Howard, both of whom are deceased.
Our subject was a member of the Baptist Church,
in which society he held the position of Deacon.
He was an enterprising business man and in favor
of every measure which would benefit his community. In politics, he voted the Republican
ticket and his wife was a member of the Baptist
Church and an active worker in the Ladies' Aid
Society and the Ladies' Library Association in
Richland. Mrs. Bush resided for four years in
Kalamazoo previous to her coming to Richland,
where she makes her present home. She is a very
intelligent and cultured lady and is a leader in
social circles in the place.
AVID R. CHANDLER is at present residing on his fine farm on section 23, Richland Township, Kalamazoo County. He
was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Dccember 2, 1834, and was the son of Michael and
Fannie (Shepard) Chandler, natives, respectively,
of New York and Connecticut. When fifteen years
of age, our subject accompanied his parents on their
removal to Kalamazoo County, where they located
on section 29, Richland Township. There his father died during the war; the mother died March
10, 1892, in Richland Township,where she was living with her daughter, Mrs. William Simons; she
had reached the advanced age of eighty years.
David R. Chandler was reared to man's estate in
this county, and was early trained to perform all
the duties pertaining to life on the farm. He received his primary education in the schools of Marcellus, N. Y., and for a time after coming to this
State, attended the house of learning in his district. October 26, 1865, Adeline J., daughter of
Ira and Sarah Peake, became the wife of our sub



I










62o fIeoo~


I c




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1071


ject, and by their union four children have been
born, namely: Seth P., Hull N., Ruby A. and Fannie L.
In 1869, the original of this sketch located upon
his present farm of two hundred acres. His property has been placed under thorough cultivation,
and, by a proper rotation of crops, is made to give
a handsome increase. In politics, Mr. Chandler is
a Democrat, and has served his fellow-townsmen as
Justice of the Peace for eight years. Socially, he
is a member of the Masonic order. Mrs. Adeline
Chandlr passed from this life June 28, 1881,
greatly mourned by her family and friends. Mr.
Chandler is well known in this locality, and is held
in high esteem for his upright and honest life.
<-   -  iv3Ei+   3 ++++I     +  '
7 ARON TALLMAN. The attractive home
of this gentleman is one of the pleasant
sights which is seen by the traveler along
the highways of Alamo Township, Kalamazoo County. Near his comfortable residence
are excellent barns which shelter his crops and
stock. He has made a success of agriculture and
gives llis attention largely to the breeding of
standard-bred horses, of which he has some fine
animals.
Mr. Tallman, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, was born in Seneca County, N. Y.,
September 26, 1830. Iis father, James Tallman,
came to Michigan in the spring of 1837 and resided
for two years in Washtenaw County. At the end
of that time he came to Kalamazoo County and
located on five hundred and sixty acres of land on
sections 20 and 21, for which he had traded his
farm in New York. He was among the first settlers of the township and was obliged to cut a road
to reach his purchase. He erected a board shanty,
in which the family lived during the summer, and
in the fall built a log house in which they lived a
number of years. Later he erected a substantial
frame house where he lived until his death, when
seventy-seven years of age. He was a very prominent man in his community and held many of the
township offices. In religious matters he was a
Presbyterian.


The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Elizabeth Vedder, who was born in New York in
1800. She passed away when sixty-three years
old, firm in the Presbyterian faith. Mr. Tallman
was six years of age when his parents came to
Michigan. He was educated in the old log schoolhouse of his district, which was built in the most
primitive manner, containing a fireplace at one end
of the room, and slabs set on wooden pins serving
as desks for the scholars.
Our subject aided his father in clearing and improving the old home farm and on attaining his majority operated the same and cared for his parents
until their death. He was married, October 23,
1852, to Miss Sarah Piper, a native of England.
Mrs. Tallman was brought to America by her
mother when two years old. He union with our
subject has been blessed by the birth of two children: Carrie is the wife of C. D. Grannis, and resides
in Manistee; Annie married Herbert McCall and
makes her home in Alamo Township.
In early life a Whig, Mr. Tallman now votes the
Republican ticket and with his wife is a member of
the Congregational Church. His possessions number three hundred and ninety-three acres of land
on sections 20, 21 and 26. As before mentioned,
he breeds standard-bred horses, and also raises a
good grade of cattle and sheep. For the past
twenty-five years he has been engaged successfully
in the lumber business, buying all the oak lumber
he can get, which he sells. He is one of the representative farmers of Alamo Township.


/ 6  ~ -.+-P


-'N


AMES H. KENT is entitled to a high place
in the agricultural community of Kalamazoo County, as he is a farmer and stockman of progressive ideas, bringing to his
work an educated brain and skillful hand, and his
farm on sections 3 and 4, Charleston Township,
is equipped and bordered after the best modern
methods. Mr. Kent was born in the township of
Hannibal, Oswego County, N. Y., January 12,
1844, a son of Ahira and Tryphosa (Tuckerman)
Kent, who were natives, respectively, of Dorset,




1072


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.


Vt., and Richfield, N. Y., the former born in 1808
and the latter in 1811. The mother's parents were
natives of Vermont.
When the father of our subject was eight years
old, his parents removed to Hannibal Township,
Oswego County, in 1816.   Cephas and Rhoda
(Field) Kent thus became pioneers of that region,
settling on a farm, which the husband paid for by
working by the day for others. The father of our
subject grew to manhood in his new home, and in
1829 married and established a home of his own
in that township, where he remained until 1854,
when he came to Michigan. He is still living with
his son of whom we write, and has attained a venerable age. He and his wife were the parents of
seven children, five sons and two daughters, four
of whom grew to maturity, and are all living,
namely: Albert G., a resident of Barry County;
Cephas S., a resident of Ross Township; James H.;
and Benjamin T., a resident of Battle Creek.
Our subject is the third of the children living,
and he was a lad of ten years when he came to
Michigan with the family. His first schooling had
been obtained in his native place, and in Olivet
College lie completed a liberal education. He was
thus well prepared for any walk in life that he
might choose to follow. He decided upon ngriculture, in which he was well grounded, having
had much experience in that line while he remained with his father, and at once after his marriage, in the winter of 1866, moved into the parental home and located on his farm on section 3,
Charleston Township, which he has since so successfully managed, He has energetically and systematically carried out his plans for its improvement,
and as a result it ranks to-day among the most desirable farms in this part of Kalamazoo County, its
fine fields well tilled and neatly fenced, the drainage first-class, the buildings well ordered, and
everything about the place indicating the best of
care. The most of the two hundred and ninetyfive acres comprised in this farm are under cultivation, and the farm is well adapted to stock-raising
purposes, to which Mr. Kent devotes a part of it.
He keeps two hundred and fifty sheep, besides
cattle, horses and hogs of standard grades, and from
this source derives a very profitable income. Mr.


Kent is a fine business man, and is quick to take
advantage of the markets when good prices are
the order, is a good judge of all kinds of stock,
and isclear-sighted in regard to money matters.
He is a man of genuine public spirit and likes to
do what lie came to promote the progress of township and county. Politically, he is a Republican of
the true type.
Mr. Kent was married, January 23, 1866, in
Ozaukee County, Wis., to Miss Ellen C., the daughter of Isaac V. and Eliza (Skelton) Dudley, and
their's is a pleasant home life.  Mrs. Kent was
born in Wisconsin, May 16, 1846, and she there
grew to womanhood. Two sons have been born
to her and our subject: Edwin D., at home with
them; and Frank F., who married Miss Emma
Bradley, and resides on section 4, Charleston
Township.
-3- =                     ------
OSEA COX. Too much honor cannot be
given to the early pioneers of Kalamazoo
/  County. They were men of strong principles and wonderful energy. They endured
hardships that are unknown to their children, and
the least that their posterity can do is to think of
them with due respect while they enjoy the advantages of that education and society which their
father's industry and integrity secured for them.
Hosea Cox owns an excellent farm on section 17,
Schoolcraft Townslip, where lie is passing the remaining years of his life in peace and quiet. Ile
is the son of Malachi and Olive (Robinson) Cox,
the father born August 2, 1798, in Vermont,where
the mother was also born, her natal day being
January 21, 1801. They were married, January
2, 1820, in their native State, where they resided
until their removal to New York, when they located near Syracuse. There the father passed his
last days. The mother came to Kalamazoo County
and died in Schoolcraft Township, August 16,
1879. They were the parents of nine children, of
whom Hosea was the sixth in order of birth.
The original of this sketch was born in Shaftsbury, Vt., March 22, 1835. He grew to manhood
in Onondaga County, N. Y., where he was given a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIICAL RECORD.


1073


fair education in the schools of that period. He
was married in the above-named county, September
15, 1858, to Miss Ruth A. McHuron, by whom he
became the father of two children: Belle, and John,
who married Fannie Kinney and makes his home
in this county. Mrs. Ruth A. Cox died November
30, 1862, and four years later our subject came to
Kalamazoo County and located in Schoolcraft
Township, where he has made his permanent home.
He was married a second time, October 15, 1868,
to Harriet S. Carman, who was a native of this
township, her birth occurring February 19, 1851.
She was a daughter of John W. Carman, whose
sketch will be found on another page in this volume.
Mr. and Mrs. Cox became the parents of three
children, viz: Ralph R., Grace E. and Charles H.
The wife and mother passed from this life November 15, 1388. The original of this sketch has held
many of the minor offices of the township. He has
taken an active part in political affairs and votes
the Republican ticket. He has followed farming
all his life, and his present estate includes one
hundred and sixty acres of valuable land which he
has placed under the best of cultivation. His farm
is improved with all the necessary buildings, and he
finds that the best methods and the latest improvements in agriculture bring him in the largest returns.
Mr. Cox has held many of the offices of the
Grange and is a Patron of Husbandry. We are
always pleased to present to our readers a sketch
of the old citizens of the county, who, like our
subject, have aided so materially in its upbuilding
and development.
ILLIAM       W. MEAD.     The native-born
sons of Kalamazoo County are many of
them among her -most enterprising business men and best citizens. To this class belongs
William W. Mead, of whom this biographical review is written. He is an extensive and successful farmer and stockman, who owns three valuable farms, making his home'on one of them on
section 1, Charleston Township. He was born in
the early years of the settlement of this part of




the county, in said township, May 16, 1838, being
the date of his birth, and he was the third son and
fourth child of Thomas Mead.
Our subject was very welleducated, laying the
foundation of his learning in a district school in
Battle Creek Township, Calhoun County, and finishing his education in Bedford Township, the
same county. He was twenty years old when he
began life on his own accountby farming a piece
of land, still continuing, however, to occupy his
place in the parental household. After his marriage in the latter part of 1861, he lived a year
in Battle Creek, and then came to this county, and
for eight months was a resident of Ross Township.
At the expiration of that time, he located on the
farm in Charleston Township that he is still occupying. There were then but few improvements
on the place, but with characteristic energy he set
about his proposed plans of cultivation and improvement, and to-day it is well equipped and is
amply supplied with all the modern conveniences
for conducting agriculture after the most approved methods. He has erected a comfortable
and substantially built residence, good barns and
other necessary buildings, and everything about
the place is orderly and well kept.  Besides this
farm of ninety-two acres, he has a good farm of
eighty acres in Ross Township, and another of one
hundred and eighty-one acres in the same township, making in all three hundred and fifty-three
acres of land, each farm, which Mr. Mead manages
himself, being supplied with necessary buildings.
His farms are well stocked with cattle, horses,
sheep and hogs of standard breeds. He has a fine
herd of twenty-five cattle and two hundred and
eighty sheep. Mr. Mead is a live man, with a
good head for business, and a clear understanding
of the principles of agriculture. Stability and decision of character are among his more marked
traits, and he has the courage of his convictions
on all subjects with which he is familiar.  Especially is this true in regard to his political views,
and the Democratic party finds in him one of its
solid supporters.
Mr. Mead was first married in Kalamazoo
County, December 25, 1861, to Miss Wealthy Talbot, a native of New York, who came to Michigan




1074


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-


with her parents when a small child. She died in
1864, leaving two children: Georgia, who lives at
home with her father; and Nellie, who died at the
age of four years. Our subject was again married,
in 1866, this time to Miss Augusta Wood, the third
daughter of Silas and Mary (Fowler) Wood. She
was born in Oswego County, N. Y., December 12,
1834, and lived there until she was twenty-nine
years old, when she came to Michigan.  Her marriage with Mr. Mead has brought them two children, a daughter and a son: Martha, who died at
the age of twenty months; and Guy C., who is at
home with his parents.
^ --- --          ---
A    HARLES H. CHANDLER, who has been
for more than four decades a prominent
factor in the development of Kalamazoo
County, has resided in Richland Township since
1850. He is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y.,
and was there born April 18,1838, to Michael (deceased) and Fannie (Shephard) Chandler. The
mother is a native of Massachusetts, and made her
home in Richland Township, with her daughter,
until her death March 10, 1892, in her eightieth
year. In the year 1850, our subject was brought
by his parents to this State, coming by the lakes
and canal to Detroit, whence they came hither by
ox-team, which was the mode of travel in that day.
They settled in Richland Township, where our
subject now resides, the father being called away
in 1862. He was the parent of four children:
David R., Charles H., Jesse, and Frances, who is
the wife of William Simons. The elder Mr. Chandler was a Democrat in politics and was comparatively a poor man.
He of whom we write grew to man's estate on
the home farm and has himself been a life-long
farmer and virtually has made of his farm what it
is to-day, one of the finest in the township. His
beautiful and convenient residence was erected by
him in 1887, and is surrounded by an estate of
one hundred and twenty acres of splendidly tilled
land. This gentleman was married December 30,
1860, to Arzavilla Parmalee, a native of Cooper
Township, this county. She is a daughter of Jasen


and Emily (Newman) Parmalee, and was born
March 8, 1840. Her parents came to this State
from New York, their native place, and located in
Cooper Township, where they settled in the woods.
The father passed away in December, 1876, and
the beloved mother survived until November,
1888. They had born to them ten children, four
of whom   are deceased.  The living are: Mrs.
Chandler, Mrs. A. B. Crosby, Chester, Aurinda,
Peter, and Orville. Mrs. Chandler is the mother
of five children: Ira B., Frances A., Peter E., and
Katie M.; Charles R., deceased. Her husband has
served as Treasurer of Rutland Township two
years, and is a Democrat in politics. He and his
wife are highly respected members of social circles
of the township, and our subject is a member of
the Masonic order at Richland, and has officiated
as Junior Warden and Treasurer of the lodge.
LEXANDER BUELL, deceased. Among
the valuable men who came to this county
from  Connecticut, none were more esteemed in Kalamazoo County than the
gentleman whose name we have now given, and
his death, which took place April 17, 1885, was felt
as a real loss to the community.
Mr. Buell was born at Clinton, Middlesex County,
Conn., in December, 1807. He early learned the
shoemaker's trade and when he came to Kalamazoo
County, in 1834, he embarked in the manufacture
of boots and shoes. He soon engaged in locating
land and did a general real-estate business, having
been quite active in locating lands both for himself and others. Having acquired some capital by
judicious management, he kept it carefully invested
and soon we find him doing an extensive business as
a money-broker, in which he continued upwards of
forty years and until his death,which occurred when
he was seventy-eight years old. At that time he
was the oldest living pioneer in Kalamazoo except
T. P. Sheldon and Alexander Cameron, and was
always closely identified with the commercial prosperity of Western Michigan, and was ever ready
to put his shoulder to the wheel whenever it was
deemed necessary. He was a well-known figure on








MRS. JULUis HAcKLEY




JULUIS HACKLEY






I:
t




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1079


~ --- — --— ~I


the streets of the city, and, possessing a happy nature, he made friends with every one and few men
were more widely or more favorably known. His
death left a weight upon each heart and to each
one it was the loss of a dear friend. Politically, lie
was a stanch Democrat and was frequently honored
by the gift of public oflices, both in municipal and
county affairs. Ile was a clear-headed, calm, calculating man, and his judgment was seldon wrong.
The present handsome residence on South Burdick
Street was erected by him in the year 1861, and at
that time it was the most modern residence in the
city.
The subject of this biography was three times
married, his first wife being Mary Loomis, who
lived but a short time after her marriage. Mr.
Buell was again married, this time to Miss Maria
Bunce, of Marshall, Mich., who died in 1864 after
a companionship extending over thirteen years.
The ceremony was solemnized October 26, 1869,
that made Cornelia M. Curtis his wife. She is the
present wife of Edwin Martin, of whom a more.
extended mention is made on another page of this
RECORD.
] ULIUS IIACKLEY. This respected resident
of Kalamazoo County has the honor of being the first man to "take up" Government
land in Alamo Township. He has resided
on his estate since 1835, and has accumulated a
handsome fortune. He is now eighty-four years
of age, and his genial and cordial manners have
won for him friends all over the county.
Our subject was born in Vermont, September 8,
1808, and was the son of Roger and Eunice (Preston) Hackley, natives. respectively, of Massachusetts and Connecticut. His parents, after their
marriage, emigrated to the Green Mountain State,
where the father was a farmer. He later removed
to Otsego County, N. Y., and afterward made his
home for a time in Cortland County, that State.
They both passed their last years in Livingston
County.
Mr. Hackley, of this sketch, is the eldest of the
parental family of six children, only three of
49             K


whom are living. He was given a fair education,
and remained at home until nearly attaining his
majority, his father giving him his time six months
before becoming of age. He began work at $5' per
month, and was variously occupied for a number
of years, selling goods on the road for three years.
In 1835, lie walked to Buffalo, and came by the
way of the lakes to Detroit. He then walked to
Ann Arbor, where he met Judge Rumsey, who gave
him some good advice concerning the country. He
came to Kalamazoo. or Brunson, as it was then
called, when there were only a few settlers in the
locality.
May 5, 1835, Mr. Hackley located his present
property in Alamo Township, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres on section 17. IIe cleared
that tract, which was covered with a thick growth
of timber, and added three hundred and sixty acres
to his possessions, the latter estate, which he later
disposed of at a handsome profit, being located
near New Buffalo.   He purchased at different
times various amounts of land until he owned over
a section.
When first locating in his new home, our subject erected a log shanty, 14x22 feet in dimensions,
and there made his home until he cleared his farm.
He was often visited by the Indians, whom he considered his best friends, they often camping in
front of his house. Ox-teams were used in that
early day where we now employ horses, so that
the work of cultivating the land was much more
tedious.
In 1837, Mr. Hackley returned to his old home
in New York, and was married, September 13. of
that year, to Dorothy Fox. The young couple immediately came to their home in the woods, Mrs.
Hackley riding in a wagon drawn by a yoke of cattle which her husband had purchased in Detroit.
Four children have been born to them: Edwin
lives with his father; Preston is married, and resides in Kalamazoo; Gustavus is deceased; and
Annette married Jarvis Skinner, and resides in
Cooper Township. Mrs. Dorothy Hackley died
June 24, 1890, in her eighty-first year. She was
a member of the Congregational Church, as is
also her husband, who held the office of Deacon for
a number of years.




1080


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD..


In early life a Whig, on the organization of the
Republican party, Mr. Iackley joined its ranks.
He has been very prominent in local affairs, and
served his fellow-townsmen as Justice of the Peace
and Treasurer of the township. The portraits of
Mr. and Mrs. Hackley are presented to the readers
of the RECORD.
HADDEUS S. CLAPP. Among the nativeborn citizens of Kalamazoo County who
have been prominently connected with its
progress, may be mentioned this popular citizen of
Galesburg, who was born in Comstock Township,
January 13, 1846. His father, Edwin M., was born
in Onondaga County, N. Y., February 27, 1805,
and was reared in the Empire State, coming to
Michigan in 1831, and settling upon Government
land in Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County.
A prominent man in the community, Mr. Clapp,
Sr., was first a Whig and later a Republican. For
many years he served as Supervisor. He was
elected County Commissioner in 1838, re-elected
in 1839, and elected Assessor in 1834 and Town
Clerk the following year. He was prominent in
the Congregational Church and Trustee for a long
time.  The grandfather of our subject, Rufus
Clapp, was born in Massachusetts, where he engaged as a farmer and hotel-keeper. He died at a
good old age and his mortal remains lie by the
side of his son in Oak Grove Cemetery.
On May 30, 1630, Roger Clapp arrived at Nantucket on the good ship "Mary and John," and became one of the first settlers of Dorchester, Mass.,
being the first representative of the Clapp family
in America. The mother of our subject, Mary J.
Steadman, was born in Livingston County, N. Y.,
in 1812 and died in 1889. She had a family of
five children, one of whom died at the age of three
years. The others are: Harriet A., of Kalamazoo;
Edwin M., Jr., also of Kalamazoo; Thaddeus S., of
this sketch; and Mary J., the wife of F. M. Sibley,
of Detroit.
After completing the course of study at the
Kalamazoo Union Schools, our subject entered the
business college at Poughkeepsie, N, Y., where he


remained one term. Next he became clerk for
the firm of Lay & Delano, grocers of Kalamazoo,
and one year after entering their employ, returned
to the old homestead in Comstock Township, in
1867. However, he did not purchase the place
until 1880. He now owns three hundred and
twenty acres in Comstock Township, and one hundred and sixty in Pavilion Township, the most of
which are under cultivation.
February 18, 1875, Mr. Clapp was united in
marriage to Mary L., daughter of Cyrus G. and
Maria (Williams) Sherwood, natives respectively
of Saratoga County, N. Y., and Berkshire County,
Mass.  Mrs. Clapp was born in    Montgomery
County, Md., July 12, 1852, and is the second
among six children, two sons and four daughters.
Her father died in 1877, but her mother still survives and makes her home in Kalamazoo.
While Mr. Clapp makes his home in Galesburg,
he still carries on the farm, doing a general farming and stock-raising business. He has at present
about five hundred and fifty head of sheep and
other stock of good grade, in raising which he has
met with success. He and his wife are the parents
of three sons, Edwin S., Carl C., and Paul T., who
are at home. In his political affiliations he is a
Republican, although by no means a partisan.
ARON H. CARR, of Galesburg, is well
known throughout Kalamazoo County as
a man of much enterprise, a sagacious,
practical farmer, whose chief business is
raising and dealing in stock.  He was born in
Laurens Township, Otsego County, N. Y., January 29, 1830. His father, whose given name was
Arnold, was also a native of that township, and
there he spent his entire life, carrying on business
as a farmer and a blacksmith. He was a son of
James Carr, who was born in Rhode Island, and
when a young man removed to Otsego County,
and there passed his remaining days. He was a descendant of one of three brothers, who were of
English birth and came to this country in the
early years of the settlement of Rhode Island,
where they ever after made their home,   The




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1081


-  F — -


mother of our subject was Eliza Eldred prior to
her marriage, and she was a native of Otsego
County. Her father, Henry N. Eldred, was a native of Vermont, and one of the first settlers of
Otsego County, and was known throughout the
county as such.  Three sons and two daughters
were born to the parents of our subject, namely:
Asenath, who is dead; Aaron H.; Alfred, a resident of Minnesota; Arnold, a resident of Otsego
County, N. Y.; and Abigail M., wife of E. Fields,
of Otsego County.
Our subject is the second child of the family,
and the eldest son. He attained his majority in
his native place, finishing his education in a select
school in the village of Jacksonville, N. Y.  At
the age of twenty-one, lie started out in the world
to find what life held for him away from his familiar surroundings. He walked to Herkimer County,
traveling a distance of forty miles, and obtained a
situation as a clerk in a grocery store, which was
called the "Four Mile Grocery," it being situated
on the canal. In 1851, he became the proprietor
of the grocery, but after running it some eight
months,he sold it, and went to New York City,
where he clerked for a grocer.  He remained in
the metropolis three years, and the last year was
with the Hudson River Railway Co. In the spring
of 1835, he made a visit to Chicago, and returned
to Wyoming County, N. Y., by the way of the
lakes. After that he was a clerk in a general store
at Gainsville Creek, where he remained three years.
Returning to Otsego County at the end of that
time, he gave his attention to farming on its fertile soil, and was thus employed two years.  His
next engagement was as a clerk for Strong & Dean
in the village of Laurens, with whom he staid one
year.
In the fall of 1861, Mr. Carr went to Howard
County, Iowa, whence he went a year later to
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, in the same State, and
from there to Bloomington, Ill., where lie clerked
in a dry-goods house a year and a half. In 1865,
he returned to Iowa, going to Osage, where he established a grocery store, which he operated one
year. In 1866, he came to Kalamazoo County
from Iowa, and located on a farm of eighty-six
acres, onsection 1, Comstock Township.  Three




years later, he sold that place and bought eighty
acres of land on section 36, Richland Township,
which he retained in his possession three years before he sold it. He next turned his attention to
buying and selling stock, and also engaged at his
old occupation as a clerk. In 1878, he purchased
the place where he now resides in the village of
Galesburg, still keeping his farm, which is one of
the best in point of equipment in the neighborhood.  He makes a specialty of feeding sheep,
and has a fine herd of two hundred at the present
time. IIekeeps nothing but good stock, and derives a good yearly income from his shipments.
He is a man of wide experience, possesses a clear,
well-trained intellect, bears a high reputation as
regards his credit in money matters and his veracity in all things. Iis fellow-townsmen appreciating his merits, and knowing his value as a
civic officer, honored him by electing him to represent Comstock on the County Board of Supervisors, but he declined to serve. He has, however,
been Superintendent of the Poor for nine years.
In his political views, he is decidedly a Republican.
Mr. Carr was first married in 1866 to Miss Henrietta Harrington, who died in 1872 without issue.
The maiden name of his present wife was Ida L.
Allerton, a native of New York.  One daughter
completes their pleasant home circle, Ella M.
T ANSFORD C. HOYT. Throughout Prairie
Ronde Township, it was the universal testimony of the citizens that the death of this
early settler and esteemed man removed
from the scenes of his activity one who had ever
been foremost in good works and whose reputation
had long been established for probity, uprightness
and energy. Mr. Hoyt was born in Logan County,
Ohio, May 14, 1808, the son of Steven and Mary
(Carter) Hoyt, the father a native of Vermont. In
1828, the parents came to Michigan and settled in
Prairie Ronde Township, where they remained until death.
When his parents removed to Kalamazoo County,
Ransford C. accompanied them   hither, and ws


I










1082


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL R;ECORD.,


1082            PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


accordingly indentified with the pioneer history of the county.  In  1832, he was married in Schoolcraft Township to Miss Mary
Hanson, and they became the parents of three
children, only one of whom is now living, Helen,
the wife of John Hartman. After the death of his
first wife, Mr. Hoyt was united in marriage to
Harriet, daughter of Christopher and Susanna
(Baum) Bair, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and
Mrs. Bair emigrated to Michigan in 1829, and settled in Prairie Ronde TowInship, where they spent
their remaining years. They had a family of fourteen children, of whom Harriet was the next to
the youngest in order of birth. She was born in
Wayne County, Ohio, September 15, 1820.
Fourteen children were born of the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Hoyt, seven of whom attained to mature
years, namely: Lovel R., Thomas E., Jonathan C.,
Mary C., D. M., Owen L. and IdaE. Thomas died
in 1871, when twenty-six years old; Mary C. is the
wife of William L. Davis, and Ida E. is Mrs. Leroy
Hackett. Mr. Hoyt held several of the township
offices and took an active part in political affairs.
He was an earnest member of the Methodist Church
and was always interested in church work. He
followed agricultural pursuits with marked success
and at one time was the owner of several hundred
acres of good land. His death, which occurred
September 13, 1874, was widely mourned. His
widow, who survives him, is a sincere Christian,
and although age has come upon her, takes the
same delight in religious affairs as when a girl.
-^ --- —^ ----t- -*
LARENCE J. VANDERBILT. Among the
progressive agriculturists of Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County, our subject stands
in the foremost rank. He is residing on his good
farm on section 25, and gives his attention to cultivating the soil. He was born in Lyons, Wayne
County, N. Y., May 19, 1849, and was the son of
John Vanderbilt, also a native of the same county
as was our subject. His father, Michael Vanderbilt, was a second cousin to Commodore Vanderbilt.
The father of our subject came to Michigan in


1869, and located in Cooper Township, where he
had previously purchased land. He died in 1889,
aged seventy-two years, being captain of a company
of militia at that time. Religiously he was a Presbyterian. His wife, the mother of our subject, was
Rachel Jennings, a native of Connecticut; she is
still living. Of the parental family of eight children, five are living.
Clarence J. Vanderbilt received a district school
and academic education, attending the latter institution at Sodus, N. Y. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Michigan and was married, in 1875, to Miss Emily Bradenburg. Her parents were Philo and Alice (Owen) Bradenburg.
The father was a native of Dutchess County, N. Y.,
and the mother a native of Vermont, who emigrated to Michigan in an early day. The father
cleared and improved the land where our subject
now makes his home and died in 1888, aged eightythree years. The mother still lives in Oshtemo
Township, this county, aged seventy-four.
The original of this sketch is a Democrat in politics and with his good wife is a member of the
Congregational Church. His estate comprises one
hundred and six acres of as fine land as is to be
found in the county and which is located on section 25. He has a fine brick house on his place,
which bears all modern conveniences and improvements.
7 ~AZEL    HARRISON, M. D., a prominent
citizen of Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County, was born near Frankford, Ky.,
March 31, 1814, and accompanied his father,
the late Judge Iarrison, to Michigan, becoming
one of its earliest settlers and influential citizens.
In his early manhood he studied medicine but did
not graduate. His specialty has been the treatment of cancers, in which he has met with success.
In Van Buren County, this State, Dr. Harrison
was married, May 12, 1838, to Almira Abbey, who
was born in Connecticut, August 28, 1818. After
their marriage, the young couple settled in Prairie
Ronde Township, where Mrs. Harrison died, They








BENJ. DRAKE.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1085




had a family of eight children, three of whom,
Cynthia, Christia A., and Bazel, were struck by
lightning and instantly killed; Almira died in infancy; George F. is a farmer in Prairie Ronde
Township, where John S. is also engaged in agricultural pursuits; Harriet is the wife of Martin Van
Duzer, of whom see sketch elsewhere in this volume; Mary L. completes the list of children in the
family.
Dr. Harrison was a second time married, choosing as his wife Eliza J. Nessmith, who was born in
Virginia, and died in Chicago, October 19, 1890.
The farm which the Doctor owns consists of one
hundred and twenty acres, seventy of which have
been brought under fine improvements and embellished with a first-class set of farm buildings.
In his political belief, he has acted in conjunction
with the Republican party and has held various
official positions, the most important having been
that of Justice of the Peace. Religiously, he is
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church as
one of its faithful members.
B      ENJAMIN DRAKE. The gentleman whose
portrait appears on the opposite page was
an honored pioneer farmer of Kalamazoo
County, where he resided on a farm three
miles from the city of Kalamazoo. He was born
in Sussex County, N. J., January 10, 1787, and on
reaching his majority started out in life for himself. Going to the head waters of the Delaware
River, he engaged in the lumber business for nine
years and was quite successful in making what in
those days was considered a fortune.
The War of 1812 came on and our subject invested largely in real estate, which rose rapidly,
but at the close of the war decreased in value so
that his fortune was swept away. The year 1817
was spent in traveling through the West, at the
expiration of which time he returned to his home
and worked out for others until he again obtained
a start. Moving to Ohio in 1820 with his wife
and children, he settled on one hundred and sixty
acres of land ten miles from Sandusky, where are
now located the Sandusky plaster beds.  The lo

cality proving unhealthy, Mr. Drake sold out and
removed to Newport, St. Clair County, Mich.,
where he resided for six years, engaged in buying
and selling cattle and working a farm on shares.
It was the 1st of September, 1830, that Mr.
Benjamin Drake arrived in this county and settled
on section 13, Oshtemo Township. The land was
not in the market at the time and was still inhabited by the Indians, but the following year the
Government offered the land for sale, and, with
the assistance of some Indians, our subject erected
a crude log house, the first white habitation on
Grand Prairie. The Indians were considered very
friendly, but about that time Mr. Drake had the
following adventure on his way to White Pigeon
to enter his land: He met two Indians, paid no
attention to them, and had nearly passed by, when
one of them suddenly seized him by the shoulder
and tried to draw his knife, the only weapon he
had. The other Indian carried a gun. Mr. Drake
caught his antagonist by the wrist and, being very
strong, held him so tightly he could do nothing at
all. Walking backward, keeping his enemy between himself and the other Indian with the gun,
he reached the brow of a little hill, where he had
intended to knock the Indian down the incline
with a hickory cane he carried, when at that moment a Mr. Campeau appeared on the scene. The
gentleman, who was an Indian trader at Grand
Rapids, immediately commenced talking with the
Indians, who knew him, and while thus detaining
them, Mr. Drake made his escape.  Our subject
learned afterward that the Indians had been
offended by a white man and were going to be
avenged on the first white man they met, and, unfortunately, Mr. Drake was that man. Had it not
been for the interference of Mr. Campeau, he certainly would have lost his life.
The splendid farm on which Mr. Drake resided
until his death consisted of three hundred and
sixty acres and is now considered one of the best
farms in the country. He lived through all the
changes that took place in and around the city,
and was an active participant in many of them.
December 19, 1819, was the date of his marriage
to Miss Maria Ogden, who was born February 22,
1799, in Ontario. By this union have been born






1086


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


- -- -- - --
-  --- —I --- —


to them the following children: Frances, Elizabeth,
Benjamin, George N., Jane, Maria, and F. James.
Three of this number are now living: Jane, who
resides on the old homestead; George N., and F.
James. Benjamin died previous to the death of
his father and mother; Frances died in 1890, in
California; Maria became the wife of Mr. Doir
Waterman, and passed from this life, August 22,
1881. The brother Fitch, who assisted in the
carrying on of the farm, is now incapacitated from
further manual labor and makes his home with his
sister Jane.
Three hundred and sixty acres are left of the
original farm, which is superintended by the
daughter Jane, a capable and intelligent lady. A
handsome brick residence, and substantial and
neat buildings adorn the estate and a specialty of
raising horses is made, they now having thirty
fine colts of the best breeds.
Throughout his entire life, Mr. Drake was a
straightforward business man, independent, selfreliant, and thoroughly competent in all matters
pertaining to the line of pursuit he had chosen as
his life vocation. In his death, which occurred
Monday, September 3, 1883, at the advanced age
of ninety-six years, the county lost one of its most
respected and influential citizens.  His estimable
wife followed him to the better land, November
21, 1886, at the age of eighty-four years. She was
highly esteemed by her many friends and neighbors and beloved by her children.
PRANK HENDERSON, manufacturer of regalias and society goods and one of the
leading men of Kalamazoo, established
business in this line in 1873, and from a small beginning it has constantly increased to splendid
proportions. The proprietor, who ranks among
the prominent citizens, is a native of the Empire
State. He was born near the city of Syracuse,
October 8, 1841, and is a son of L. S. Henderson, a
farmer and mason of New York. His mother in
her maidenhood was Clarissa Amidon, daughter of
Jacob Amidon. In 1855, the father removed with
his family to Dowagiac, Mich., and, settling on a


farm near that place, there spent the remainder of
his life. His wife was also there living when
called to her final rest.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest son
in a family of three sons and two daughters. His
early boyhood days were spent in New York State
and when thirteen, he accompanied his parents on
their removal to Michigan. In the schools near
his home, he acquired his literary education and
his business training was received while serving as
salesman in a dry-goods store.   He afterwards
served in the same capacity in a hardware store,
there remaining until twenty-three years of age,
when he embarked in business for himself. In
1864, as a member of the firm of Brown & Henderson, he opened a saddlery and trunk manufactory and the connection continued three years,
when Mr. Henderson bought out his partner's interest. He was then alone for three years, when
lie admitted to partnership T. F. Giddings, the firm
being known as Henderson & Giddings. After
another three years had gone by, this connection
was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Giddings
taking the saddlery and trunks and our subject
the regalia and society goods, the manufacture of
which had been begun in the meantime.  He has
since been alone and the splendid success that has
crowned his efforts attests his close attention to
business and the exercise of its correct principles.
As before stated, he began in a small way, but ere
several years had passed, his sales had increased to
over $100,000, while the orders are received too
rapidly to be filled.  He makes all kinds of
uniforms and regalia for societies of whatever
country or class. His establishment is located at
Nos. 206 and 208 East Main Street; the building has a frontage of forty-eight feet, is one hundred in depth and the entire four floors and basement are used, while present indications foretell a
further enlargement of quarters in the near future.
He has forty employes, ten men and thirty girls.
When he started, he had only one boy and did most
of the work himself.
Mr. Henderson led to the marriage altar, May
27, 1868, Miss Mary G. Taylor, daughter of James
Taylor, one of the pioneers of Kalamazoo and
their union has been blessed with five children, a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1087




son and four daughters: James T., who is employed
in the wholesale house of Marshall Field & Co. of
Chicago; Libbie,wife of Charles M. Stevens, of Kalamazoo; Kate, Clara and Fannie. The family is
one widely known throughout this community and
ranks high in social circles.
For two terms, Mr. Henderson has served as
Trustee of the city and is now serving his third
term as a member of the Board of Education. He
takes considerable interest in civic societies, being
a Thirty-third degree mason.  He holds membership with Anchor Lodge, No. 87, A. F. & A. M.;
Kalamazoo Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M.; Peninsular
Commandery, No. 8, K. T.; De Witt Clinton
Consistory of Scottish Rite Masons of Grand
Rapids; and also belongs to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias,
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the
National Union. For his success in business life,
Mr. Henderson certainly deserves much credit,
having by his own efforts worked his way upward
and become one of the wealthy men in the city.
lie possesses energy, enterprise, sagacity, and the
result of well-directed efforts is seen in the abundant fruits of his labors.  It is with pleasure we
present his sketch to our readers, many of whom
are personally acquainted with the worthy gentleman.
HOMAS ANDERTON.            This gentleman,
who is one of the early settlers of Ross
Township, Kalamazoo County, is widely
and favorably known throughout this section.
He is a man whose cordial and kindly spirit makes
for him warm friends and stanch adherents. He
is at present residing on section 30, where his fine
farm is pleasantly located. He is progressive and
public-spirited and is in favor of every measure
which will benefit his community.
Mr. Anderton was born April 7, 1823, in Lancashire, England, and was the son of William and
Ann (Sunner) Anderton, also natives of England.
He grew to mature years in his native country
and learned the trade of bleaching cotton goods,
serving an apprenticeship of seven years, and thus


thoroughly mastering the business. He followed
that line of work for seven years, at the end of
which time he came to America, having heard
much of the advantages which the New World offered to young men.
Our subject was given a good education and
took passage on an American-bound steamer at
Liverpool in 1844. He landed in New York City,
but soon went to Rhode Island where he spent
seven years working at his trade. In 1852, Mr.
Anderton came West to Kalamazoo County, this
State, having previously purchased a tract of one
hundred acres of wild land, a few acres of which had
been improved. He erected a small frame house on
his property and made his home there for a number
of years. The little house, however, has long since
given way to a comfortable and commodious residence, and his estate now includes four hundred
and thirty-seven acres, which is under the most
improved methods of cultivation. All the necessary buildings have been erected which best subserve the interests of the first-class agriculturist,
and Mr. Anderton occupies the front rank among
the wealthy farmers of the county.
April 16, 1849, he of whom we write and Miss
Ann Craven were united in marriage. Mrs. Anderton was born October 20, 1823, in Lancashire,
England, and was the daughter of Thomas and
Anna (Thorp) Craven, also natives of the Mother
Country. She emigrated to America the same
year as did our subject who met and married her
while residing in Rhode Island. By their union
they have become the parents of five children,
only three of whom are living: Mary A., the wife
of W. H. Brewer; Esther, Mrs. William Robinson,
and Anna, who is the wife of Matthew Gunton.
The two deceased children are William and John.
Mr. Anderton is very prominent in local affairs
and for three terms has served his fellow-townsmen
as Highway Commissioner. He has been Road Overseer of this district for over thirty years, which
speaks well for the discharge of the duties which
lay before him in that position. In politics, Mr.
Anderton rather inclines toward Republican principles, but votes for the man whom he considers
will best fill the position, regardless of party. Our
subject has visited his Mother Country twice since






1088


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


--




leaving, once in 1859 and again in 1882, when his
wife went with him. The beautiful brick residence
in which our subject makes his home was erected
in 1885, and is looked upon with pride by the surrounding community.
ILLIAM L. McBETH, M. D., of Galesburg,
was born in Bradford, South Simcoe
County, Canada, August 25, 1841. His
father, Andrew, was born in Scotland, in 1795,
and emigrated thence about 1815 to Canada, taking up land in Manitoba and remaining there
eighteen months. Thence he proceeded to Toronto
and from that city to Bradford, where he followed
his occupation as a farmer. His death occurred
in 1864, at Bradford, where his widow still makes
her home. She was known in maidenhood as Jane
Lang and was born in Scotland, August 13, 1807.
In the parental family of seven children, six
grew to years of maturity and three are still living
besides our subject: Barbara, wife of Dr. Sutherland, of Saginaw; James, a resident of Sanilac
County, and Andrew, whose home is in Bradford,
Canada. William L. is the eldest child of his
father's second marriage, and was reared in his
native place, where he completed his education in
the grammar school. Meanwhile, he aided his
father on the farm until he entered the Victoria
Medical College of Toronto, from which he graduated in 1870.
Immediately after his graduation, the young
doctor came to Michigan, where for one year he
practiced in Sherwood, Branch County, as the partner of Dr. Fraser. Afterward he located in Prairieville, Barry County, and was there for five years as
a medical practitioner. In 1876, he located in Galesburg where he has since been in continuous practice. The reputation which he has gained is that
of a skillful physician, one who keeps abreast with
the latest investigations and discoveries in the
medical world, and his practice is extensive and
lucrative.
September 17, 1871, Dr. McBeth was united in
marriage to Miss Jennie R. Gwin, of Branch




I


--


County. She is the daughter of James and Julia
(Hedger) Gwin, early settlers of Branch County,
and highly respected citizens thereof. Dr. and
Mrs. McBeth are the parents of two children: Nellie J., born in Prairieville, August 6, 1872. and
a babe who died unnamed. In his political views,
the Doctor is liberal and while in Canada was identified with the Reform party. He is a member of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Independent Order -f Odd Fellows, the Knights of the
Maccabees, and Galesburg Lodge, No. 92, F. &
A. M.
— r -— ^3 ----      -      '
EORGE NESBITT. Perhaps none of the
(  citizens of Kalamazoo County have been
more closely connected with its development from its primeval condition to the abode of
prosperous farmers and the site of flourishing
cities, than he with whose name this sketch is intaioduced. A native of County Antrim, Ireland,
and born September 22, 1805, he resided in the
Emerald Isle until lie attained to manhood. He
came to America in 1830, and in July of that
year arrived in Kalamazoo County, settling in
what is now Prairie Ronde Township, of which
lie has since been a resident.
Mr. Nesbitt was married in Prairie Ronde
Township, January 16, 1841, to Miss Susan Huxtable, a native of Devonshire, England, and they
had three children: Ellen M., John and James.
John is a farmer in Portage Township, and James,
whose sketch is presented on another page, follows agricultural pursuits in Prairie Ronde Township. Mrs. Susan Nesbitt passed from earth July
26, 1850.
Since the organization of the Republican party,
Mr. Nesbitt has been in deep sympathy with its
principles, and has always used his influence and
cast his ballot in its behalf. He has filled the majority of the township offices, serving as Supervisor for several terms, and as Justice of the
Peace for about forty years. For some four or
five years he followed the occupation of a millwright, but, with that exception, he was engaged
in agricultural pursuits until about 1876, when,




0




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11.                                                       0




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1091


on account of old age, he was unable longer to
actively engage in the work incident to farm
life, and therefore retired from the arduous labors
which had formerly occupied his attention. As
one of the oldest settlers, most upright citizens,
generous friend and kind-hearted neighbor, he
deservedly receives the esteem of all with whom
a long and active existence has brought him in
contact.
OHN W. JAMES.      This honored pioneer
resident of Alamo Township, Kalamazoo
County, is a native of Monroe County, N.
Y., where he was born July 12, 1822. The
father, Uriah L. James, a native of New York and
a farmer by occupation, came to Michigan in
1837, from Orleans County, N. Y., and located in
Alamo Township, this county, entering land on
the condition that he was to clear so much of it
in a limited time. He was one of the first to settle in this township, and Indians were then very
numerous and friendly. He died in his seventyseventh year, in 1863. He was a soldier in the
War of 1812, and drew a pension for his services.
The great-grandfather of our subject came from
England, and both his grandfathers were soldiers
in the Revolutionary War.
The beloved mother of our subject bore the
maiden name of Lucinda Frink, a native of New
York. She died in 1861, when sixty-six years old.
She was married on the day when she was sixteen
and died on her birthday. She bore her husband
seven children, four sons and three daughters, four
of whom are now living. Our subject attended
the primitive log schoolhouse, with its slab seats
and puncheon floor, and accompanied his mother
and the other members of the family to Michigan
in 1839, two years after his father's coming, the
trip being made via canal and lake. He was seventeen then and remained at home two years afterward. He worked out for some time, making roads
in the township. In 1844, he purchased forty acres
of land where he now lives. He paid $200 for a
pair of steers, a cow, and one bed-quilt, and was in
debt to the amount of $85. After two years' time,


he went on the Kalamazoo River, boating for
seventy-five cents a day, and in the fall had the
money to take up his mortgage on the land. He
started from his own door and went twenty-two
miles to Schoolcraft to work in the harvest field at
$1 a day, taking in exchange for his labor a bolt
(thirty yards) of cotton cloth. The second year
he received money, and worked in that way three
years.
Our subject purchased forty acres adjoining the
original purchase for $200, paying $25 down.
He worked for $10 a month in a livery stable in
Kalamazoo, and continued in that place five
years, each year receiving $2 a month advance,
and the sixth year received $200 for the whole
year. By economy, he was enabled to pay the
balance on his land and have some money left,
with which he bought sixty acres. Later he commenced to drive a stage for $16 a month between
Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, and was thus employed thirteen years. In November, 1859, he
returned to his farm, and has since been a tiller of
the soil.
Through the exercise of good judgment and economy, Mr. James is now the fortunate possessor of
two hundred and twenty acres of land on section 12,
where he carries on general farming, and raises all
the best kinds of stock. IIe began to work out
when only fifteen years old, and earned money to
help support his mother and family two years before coming to Michigan. He has probably seen
more deer in one herd than any other man in the
State, thirty-two having crossed the road one day
near his house. Ite is the only one of the few
original boatmen living in this county. In years
gone by, he cut eighteen-inch stove-wood, drew it
six miles to Otsego, and put it in the woodshed
for fifty cents a cord, earning money that way to
buy his clothes. At another time he cut one hundred cords of four-foot wood in Otsego Township,
for $25. His portrait on another page presents
the features of one of the self-made men of the
county, who, by push, pluck and perseverance,
gained his full quota of this world's goods.
Mr. James was married in Chautauqua County,
N. Y.,in 1859,to Laura Ann Russell, who was there
born. Her parents were natives of the Empire






1092


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.






I


State, where they spent their lives. To our subject and his estimable wife four children have been
born: John R., deceased; Charles W., Earl and
Grace, who are at home. In his political views,
Mr. James is a stanch Prohibitionist, and at all
times on the side of temperance. He and his
worthy wife are highly respected by their many
friends and acquaintances.
USTIN COOPER.      Retired from  the agricultural labors which formerly occupied his
time and engaged his attention, Mr. Cooper
is now a resident of the village of Schoolcraft, where he is known and honored as an upright and public-spirited citizen. He was born in
Lodi, Seneca County, N. Y., March 27, 1806, and
there passed the early years of his life. He
learned the trade of wool-carding and clothdressing, which he followed until 1830, during
which year he came to Michigan and traveled
over a portion of the State on a prospecting tour.
After pre-empting three hundred and twenty acres
in Nottawa Township, St. Joseph County, he returned to Lodi.
In the spring of 1831, Mr. Cooper again came
to Michigan and, settling on land which he had
purchased in St. Joseph County, engaged in cultivating the soil until the spring of 1834, when he
sold out and removed to Kalamazoo County, locating on section 29, Schoolcraft Township. This
farm, which he had purchased prior to his removal hither, continued to be his home for many
years until, on account of the infirmities of age,
he rented the place and retired to Schoolcraft
Village. He derives a good income from his one
hundred and twenty acres, and is surrounded by
the comforts which he accumulated by arduous
labors in his younger days.
November 17, 1832, Mr. Cooper was married,
in Nottawa Township, St. Joseph County, to Miss
Lowville Hazzard, who was born in Washington
County, N. Y., April 6, 1811. She came with her
widowed mother and brothers and sisters to Wayne
County, Mich., in 1817, and after the death of
the mother, which occurred in that county, the




I


I

children were separated. Lowville came to Nottawa Township with her brother and his family,
and there met and married Mr. Cooper.
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are the parents of eight
children, namely: Silas; Emma, the wife of Albert
Dunavan; Caroline, who married James Dunavan; Celeste, who died in childhood; William, a sketch of whose life is presented elsewhere;
Jennie, the wife of Joseph Fisher; Marlin and
Jesse. In their religious belief, Mr. Cooper and
his estimable wife are identified with the Methodist Church, and are regarded with respect and
love by the people among whom they have lived
for more than half a century.
O RSEMUS BURNHAM. The representative of
an early pioneer family of Kalamazoo
County, and growing to manhood amid the
primitive scenes of the opening years of its settlement, Mr. Burnham now stands among its leading
citizens, as an able and progressive farmer and
stock-raiser, who is also known for the good influence that he exerts on the community by the force
of a strong, earnest character, and by his exemplary conduct in all the relations that he sustains
toward others.
Mr. Burnham was born in Pendleton Township,
Niagara County, N. Y., November 13, 1830. His
father, H. O. Burnham, was a native of Otsego, N.
Y., and was a son of Jacob 0. Burnham, a native
of Connecticut. The father of our subject was a
young man when he removed from the county of
his nativity to Niagara County. He located on the
land of the Holland Purchase Company, and farmed
until he came to Michigan in 1841. He came directly to Kalamazoo County, and settled on a tract
of land on section 23, Charleston Township, moving into the log house that stood on the place and
wlich constituted about the only improvement
that had been attempted. He developed a goodly
farm and made it his home until death rounded
out his long and useful life at the ripe age of eightythree years. He was always interested in politics,
and gave his allegiance to the Republican party
after its organization, having previously been a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1093


Whig. Caroline Robinson was the maiden name
of the mother of our subject. She was a daughter
of Richard Robinson, who is supposed to have
been born in Connecticut, which was her native
State. She was there reared and, when a young
lady, went to Otsego County, N. Y. Of the nine
children born of her marriage, five daughters and
four sons, one died young, the others attained
maturity and six are yet living.
Our subject is the second child of the family.
He was eleven years old when he came to Michigan
with his parents. He had previously been to school in
his native town, and he attended school after coming
here, being a pupil in the first log schoolhouse built
in the district. He remained with his parents until
he was twenty-one years old, and then went to
work by the month as a farm laborer, and in due
time he had saved up enough money to warrant
him in becoming an independent land-holder, and
lie bought a part of his present farm, on section
23, Charleston Township. He now has a quartersection of very fine farming land, which he devotes to raising grain and other products of the
soil and to raising stock. He has placed his farm
under the highest improvement, and everything
is neat and orderly. The buildings are well-built,
modern structures, and his residence, which was
erected at a cost of $4,000, is one of the handsomest
and most completely appointed dwellings in the
township.
Mr. Burnham was married, November 8, 1865,
to Miss Margaret Smith, a native of Genesee
County, N. Y. She was a woman whose true
womanliness and pleasing traits of character endeared her to all who came under her influence,
and her untimely death, in 1877, caused great sorrow to her husband, children and friends, in whose
hearts her memory is tenderly cherished. By his
marriage, Mr. Burnham had four sons: Smith, who
is in the senior class at Albion College; Philip
S., who is also a student at that institution of learning; Ernest, who is teaching at No. 5, Charleston
Township; and Fred, who died at the age of one
year.
Our subject is a man of high and honorable
principles, is well endowed with firmness, activity,
and sound business qualifications, and his straight

forward, frank, considerate manner inspires confidence in his unswerving probity in his associates
and all who have dealings with him. Politically,
he is a Republican, and he is now a member of the
Board of Review. He is a man of true religious
nature, who has ever been foremost to help build
up the church and elevate the moral status of the
community. He is one of the leading members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Climax, in
which he holds the offices of Steward, Class-leader
and Trustee, and he is also prominent in the Sunday-school as teacher and Treasurer, his youngest
son being Superintendent of the same. His sons are
all church members and active workers therein.
EWIS HAIGHT was born in New Lebanon,
Columbia County, N. Y., January 29,1818,
and died March 4, 1885. IHis father, Jonathan Haight, was born in Durham County, N. Y.,
in January, 1796, and survived his son one year,
passing away in June, 1886, in his ninety-first
year. The first representative of the Haight family in America came to this country in the "Mayflower" and our subject is of the ninth generation
in direct descent.
January 19, 1847, Mr. Haight was married to
Miss Patience Kirby, of New Lebanon, N. Y., and
they became the parents of four children, namely:
Clara; Sarah, the wife of William Kirby; Jonathan,
who died at the age of eleven; and one that died
in infancy. Miss Clara is a lady of refinement
and education, and is identified with the Isabella
Club and Ladies' Literary Society. She is a welcome guest in the most select circles of society,
where her brilliant conversation and pleasant
greetings are appreciated by all.
In 1860, Mr. Haight became interested in Kalamazoo County property, by making extensive
loans, and he gradually added to his investments
here, coming to this county almost every year
until he decided to remove hither.  In 1879, he
located in Pavilion Township,and from that time,
was one of the county's most energetic and enterprising business men, until death removed him
from the scenes of his usefulness.  His life has




1094


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


been an active one in whatever he saw fit to give
his attention, and, having a great business talent,
his adventures and undertakings were always fortunate. -He was a Republican, and was frequently
honored by his compeers with public positions of
trust and responsibility.
J   OHN W. CARMAN. A witness of the many
wonderful changes which arduous pioneer
labor has wrought in the aspect of Kalamazoo County, Mr. Carman justly deserves
the honored name of pioneer, for he has contributed the efforts of his best years to advance the
interests of the county, and especially of Schoolcraft Township, where he resides.
The son of David and Mary (Haight) Carman,
natives of New Milford, Litchfield County, Conn.,
and Stanford, Dutchess County, N. Y., respectively,
our subject was born in Stanford, N. Y., February
21, 1815, the fourth in a family of nine children.
He remained in his native place until he was about
nineteen, and then for the three following years
traveled in the western part of New York and in
Michigan. Being afflicted with the ague, he returned to Dutchess County, where he engaged in
teaching for two winters.
October 9, 1839, Mr. Carman was married to
Miss Mary Ann Turner, the ceremony being performed in Broome County, N. Y.   Mrs. Carman
was born in Rensselaerville, Albany County, N. Y.,
July 18, 1819, the eldest in a family of six children.  Her parents, James and   Sarah (Case)
Turner, were residents of New York and died in
Broome County. After their marriage, Mr. and
Mrs. Carman settled in Broome County, whence
in the spring of 1844 they removed to Michigan,
and, one year later, located in Schoolcraft, where
they have since resided. During the winter season for thirteen years, he followed the profession
of a teacher in New York State and Michigan, but
his life work has been agriculture, in which he has
displayed great energy and perseverance.  His
farm consists of forty acres, on which a first-class
set of buildings have been erected and the various


improvements made which indicate the thrift of
the proprietor.
Mr. and Mrs. Carman are the parents of eight
children, as follows: Minerva, the widow of Peter
Gardner; Sarah, who is the wife of Henry C.
Rawson; Edwin, who chose as his wife Mary R.
Fuller; Charles J., who married Miss Libbie Squire
and operates the home farm; Harriet, formerly
the wife of Hosea Cox, died in Schoolcraft Township; Ida, the wife of Mark McCoy; Mary; and
Julia, who married James B. Thornton.    Mr.
Carman was reared a Quaker, and has always adhered to their principles. He has taken an active
interest in the Grange and held official positions
in that organization.
'    ARREN MEREDITH. This respected ag\/ riculturist of section 1, Portage Town\  ship, Kalamazoo County, is a son of
David Meredith, a native of Pennsylvania.  The
mother of our subject bore the maiden name of
Mary Hawkins, who was born in Genesee County,
N. Y., and she and her husband came to Kalamazoo County in the year 1843, and settled in Pavilion Township, where they resided some six or
seven years. They then settled on section 1, Portage Township, and there remained until called
from this earth, the father in February, 1883, and
the mother in December, 1861.
Fivechildren were born to the parents of our
subject, four sons and one daughter, who are
named respectively, Evans, Marion,Warren, Walter,
and Margaret. Our subject is a twin brother of
Walter and was born in Genesee County, N. Y.,
September 14, 1840. He was three years old when
his parents came to this county and it was here
that he grew to years of maturity. His education
was received in the common and district schools
of this county and on his father's farm he was
taught all the details of farming. Ile now has a
splendid farm of two hundred and fourteen acres,
on which he carries on general farming and has
erected a fine set of outbuildings, especially commodious barns.




I




j" -PIt;Io


y-p




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1097


Warren Meredith was married in Kalamazoo
City on the 5th of March, 1873, to Lucy Rosier,
who is a native of that city. By this union five
children have been born: Grace M., Myrtle, Margaret, Eugene and a babe. Mr. Meredith is not
by any means an office-seeker, but takes an active
part in politics and is always in favor of anything
that tends to develop the township and county.
In his political views he votes with the Republicans.
_6_ _   By --- 8
IHOMIAS NESBITT.    Within no residence
at Schooleraft do evidences of culture prevail to a greater extent than in the beautiful
home owned and occupied by Mr. Nesbitt, and
his fine brick dwelling, which was erected in 1884,
is invariably pointed out to the visitor as one of
the most elegant abodes in the village. From an
humble beginning as a poor Irish lad in a strange
land, Mr. Nesbitt has arisen to a position of prominence not only among the people of Schooleraft,
but throughout this section of the State. His portrait and life sketch perpetuate the lineaments and
history of one whose example is worthy the emulation of the young.
Ten miles from Belfast, in County Antrim, Ireland, at the beginning of the present century,
lived one George Nesbitt, who there followed his
calling of a farmer. Among his children was
Thomas, who was born January 1, 1818, and spent
the first twelve years of his life on the old homestead. He then accompanied his father to America, arriving at Schoolcraft in July, 1830, after
having journeyed from Detroit with an ox-team.
In Schoolcraft Township, he grew to manhood,
aiding his father in his agricultural pursuits and
gaining a good knowledge of farming. He hauled
from Prairie Ronde Township to Kalamazoo the
first load of lumber for the first frame building
erected in the village, now one of the beautiful
cities of Michigan.
April 24, 1845, in Prairie Ronde Township,
Thomas Nesbitt was united in marriage with Miss
Hannah Wilson, and the young couple settled on
the old homestead and engaged in farming. The
farm comprised six hundred acre] and was his home


until the fall of 1880, when he removed to Schoolcraft and has here since resided. However, for
ten years before removing to the village, he was
not actively engaged in farming pursuits, but
rented the estate to suitable tenants.
Mrs. Hannah Nesbitt died in Prairie Ronde
Township, September 17, 1879, leaving two children: Thomas H., who is a farmer in Prairie
Ronde Township, and Charles E., who likewise
follows agricultural pursuits. Two sons and one
daughter died in infancy. The marriage of Mr.
Nesbitt to Miss Addie, daughter of George and
Sophia L. (La Rue) Griffin, of Canada, occurred
in St. Joseph, this State, September 17, 1881, and
this refined and accomplished lady is well known
and highly esteemed in the village.
In January, 1881, Mr. Nesbitt formed a partnership with P. D. Miller, and engaged in the
banking business at Schoolcraft, under the firm
name of Nesbitt & Miller, a connection which continued until January 1, 1890, when the bank was
sold. Since that time Mr. Nesbitt has been retired
from active business cares, although in the management of his extensive moneyed and landed interests he finds sufficient occupation.  He is a
believer in the doctrines promulgated by the
Spiritualists. The public welfare is a matter of
deepest interest to him and he identifies himself with the Republican party, believing its principles conducive to national progress. He has
served as President of the Village Board and in
other positions of honor, where his keen insight,
perceptive qualities and firmness of character,have
been instrumental on the side of right and justice.
EACON WILLARD MILLS, of Galesburg,
was born in Chenango County, N. Y.,
March 25, 1808. His father, Asa Mills,
who was probably born in Connecticut,
was there reared and married, his wife being
Arthusa Phelps. In 1812, they removed to Chenango County, N. Y., and from  there went to
Genesee County, the same State, where they made
settlement in the woods of the Holland Purchase.
The father, with the assistance of the sons, cleared




1098


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


and improved the farm, which was their home
until the mother died, leaving twelve children.
The family circle being thus broken, the children soon became separated and our subject, together with his father and another brother, went
to Buffalo, N. Y., where the two sons were bound
out to learn the tailor's trade until twenty-one
years old. At the expiration of his apprenticeship, in 1829, our subject worked one month for
$18, then came to Michigan and settled in Ann
Arbor, where eight of his brothers and sisters, as
well as his father, resided. They were closely connected in thought and opinions, all voting the
same ticket, belonging to the same church, and
singing in the same choir, of which the eldest
brother was leader.
The most prominent trait in the Mills family
was love of music, and one brother was a drummer
boy in the War of 1812. They formed a band in
Ann Arbor for the purpose of escorting the first
Governor of Michigan to the capital city. While
in Buffalo, our subject was a member of a band
which escorted the three Thayer brothers to the
gallows, where they were hanged for the murder
of a peddler. The same band went to meet Gen.
La Fayette, and not only saw the hero of the Revolution but also shook hands with him. It is probable that Mr. Mills is the only man now living to
whom that honor was granted.
Together with his brother, our subject started
the first tailor shop in Ann Arbor, where at the
time there was only one store.  One year after
settling in Michigan, Mr. Mills returned to New
York, where he was married, in Buffalo, in 1830,
to Miss Maria Root. The young couple came at
once to Michigan and located in Ann Arbor, where
they remained until 1831. Then coming to Kalamazoo County, they located on Gull Prairie at the
time the land came into the market.  Mr. Mills
built the first frame store in the county, using the
second story for his home, and was the first merchant in this portion of the State who went to
New York to buy goods.
In February, 1833, Mr. Mills bought a lot in
what is now the city of Grand Rapids, and, hauling lumber to that place, built a house in seven
days. He then tooi his family to the new home;


they were the only people in that section of the
country, and their house was the only building
except the French trading-post. He was engaged
in business as a tailor and rented one-half his
house, which was 18x24 feet in dimensions, to a family from Vermont. After a short sojourn in Grand
Rapids, he removed to Grandville,where he worked
at his trade, and later moved to Ann Arbor, buying a horse and working as a teamster. Next lie
settled in Waterloo, where he was the first Postmaster, tailor and merchant, organized the first
church and built the first house.
Mr. Mills returned to Gull Prairie in 1841 and
worked at his trade in Galesburg, where he has
since resided. Of his first marriage twelve children were born: Edward, Delia, Lucy, Henrietta, Sarah, Charlotte, Emily, Harriet, Willard and
Elihu; Edward (second) and Julia died in infancy.
A few years after they had celebrated their golden
wedding, Mr. Mills was bereaved by the death of
his wife, in 1882. HIe was afterward married to
Mrs. Susan (Tompkins) Fisher, who was born in
New York in 1818. A member of the Congregational Church, he has always been active in religious matters, serving as Deacon for more than
fifty years and also filling the position of Sundayschool Superintendent.
AMUEL C. ROSENBERRY, a popular and
well-known citizen of Wakeshma Township, in whose upbuilding he has taken an
active part, is associated with the industrial interests of Kalamazoo County as a practical
farmer and a skillful carpenter. He is one of the
noble band of veterans who survived the terrible
hardships of the late war, he having been a boy
when he entered the army, but doing a man's duty
during those trying years in which he served his
country with unfaltering loyalty.
Mr. Rosenberry was born in Medina County, in
the neighboring State of Ohio, February 27, 1846.
His father, who was also named Samuel, was born
in Montgomery County, Pa., in 1809, and was of
German descent. He was bred to the life of a
*




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1099


I


farmer, and, in 1838, he crossed the mountains and
made his way into the wilderness of Ohio for the
purpose of opening up a farm. He located in the
woods of Medina County, and hewed out a farm
of fifty acres. He lived there until his death in
1871, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a devout Christian and took an active interest in the
affairs of the Mennonite Church, of which he was a
member. He was a Republican to the backbone
and a strong Abolitionist. IIe married Sarah Bartlett, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, and
was born March 18, 1818, a daughter of a Pennsylvania farmer and of German descent. She died
in 1861, leaving behind her a worthy life record.
She was a working member in the Mennonite
Church. The parents of our subject reared nine
children, eight of whom are living: Jacob, Mary
(Mrs. Mapes), Eliza (Mrs. Walton), Sarah (Mrs.
Kindig), Alvin J., Abram B., Harvey and Samuel C.
Our subject passed his boyhood on his father's
farm in his native county and obtained his education in the district school. With patriotic ardor, he watched the course of the rebellion after
it broke out, and wished that he might take up
arms in defense of the old flag. The following
summer his wish was gratified, and he was permitted to enlist, August 21, 1862, in Company I,
One Hundred and Third Ohio Infantry. He was
at that time only sixteen years old, but, as he was
very large of his age, weighing one hundred and
seventy-five pounds, he was not questioned as to
his age. He was mustered in at Ft. Mitchell, Ky.,
his regiment joining the Army of the Ohio under
Gen. A. J. Smith, then under Gen. Burnside and
afterward under Gen. Schofield. His first experience of war was in a skirmish at Ft. Mitchell as
soon as he was mustered into the army. In August,
1863, his regiment went from  Kentucky to Eastern Tennessee, and was with Gen. Burnside at
Knoxville and did conspicuous service in the following engagements in that part of the country:
the battles of Knoxville, Blue Springs, Dandridge,
Blaine's Cross Roads and Jonesboro. From there our
subject and his fellow-soldiers were dispatched to
Georgia on the Atlanta campaign with Gen. Sherman, and he took part il most of the engagements
that followed, notably at Resaca.  Returning to


Tennessee with his command, he fought in the
battles of Franklin, Nashville and Spring Hill,
and in minor engagements. He and his comrades then went to Washington, D. C., from
there to Wilmington, N. C., and then joined
Sherman at Goldsboro.  They were mustered out
of the service at Raleigh, N. C., June 12, 1865.
Our subject was never wounded or taken prisoner,
but lie succumbed to typhoid fever brought on by
drinking stagnant water, and was in the hospital at
Lexington, Ky., from November, 1862, until March,
1863. Nine hundred out of one thousand men
were sick from the same cause, and ten weeks after
the regiment arrived in Kentucky there were only
a hundred men able to do duty.    Our subject
never fully recovered from  the sufferings and
privations of his soldier's life, and now gets a pension of $12 a month from the Government on
account of his disabilities.
Returning to his native county in Ohio, when
he left the army, Mr. Rosenberry learned the trade
of a carpenter, and has worked at it almost continuously since, when able to do so. He has also interested himself in agricultural pursuits, coming
to Michigan and buying eighty acres of his present place October 14, 1868, only fifteen or twenty
acres of the timber then being cut on the place.
He has added more land to his original purchase,
and now has one hundred and forty acres, of
which one hundred and twenty acres are well improved. He superintends the management of his
farm, but leaves the working of it to his son and
hired man, as he is unable to follow the plow, or
do other hard labor in the field. He carries on
mixed farming and does quite a dairy business,
milking about eighteen cows; besides making five
tons of cheese this year (1891), he has made considerable butter. Mr. Rosenberry has built many
of the buildings in this township, and does a good
business as a builder. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church, with which they
have been identified since they came to Wakeshma
Township. He is a Republican in politics, and
has been prominent in the management of local
public matters for years. He was Township Clerk
one year, was Justice of the Peace four years,
School Inspector six years, and has been Director




1100


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


and Assessor in his School district for more than
half the time since he took up his residence here.
Hie is a member of the Grand Army Post, No. 215,
at Fulton, and belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees in the same village. Mr. Rosenberry has become well off financially, although he had nothing to begin with. When he selected Wakeshma
Township as the site of his future home, it was
nearly all woods, and it has been his pleasure to
witness its development and to help forward its
growth.
Our subject was married September 30, 1866, to
Miss Mary Hitchcock, who was born in the same
county as himself, November 24, 1845. They
are blessed with eight children, namely: Marvin,
Alice, Bertha, Erva, Ada, Lloyd, Walter and
David.
F          s6 * "- = f- g- *
e HARLES J. CORY, Deputy Sheriff of Kalamazoo County, is an influential and popular citizen of Galesburg. He was born in
Saratoga County, N. Y., September 6, 1833. His
father, Joseph, was a native of Rhode Island, and
was engaged in business as a boot and shoe dealer.
Coming to Michigan in 1836, he located in Galesburg, where he now resides, at the ripe old age of
ninety-two years. He is a man of sterling worth
of character, and, notwithstanding his advanced
years, is hale and hearty, enjoying the full possession of his mental faculties.
The grandfather of our subject, Joseph Cory,
was born in Rhode Island, and was a son of one of
three brothers, who emigrated from England and
settled in Rhode Island. IHe was for many years a
sea captain, and made frequent voyages to Africa,
but when his children began to grow up around
llim, he ceased his marine occupation, and, going
to New York, engaged in agricultural pursuits.
The mother of our subject was known in maidenhood as Gracie Whitney, and was born in Rhode
Island, but was married in Saratoga County, N.
Y. She died in Michigan when about fifty-four
years old.
The family to which our subject belongs consisted of nine children, of whom three sons and four


daughters grew to maturity. Two sons and two
daughters now survive, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth
Smith, of Des Moines, Iowa; Lucinda, wife of Dr.
W. A. Burdick, of Galesburg; Truman, a resident
of Linn, Mo.; and Charles J., of this sketch. The
last-named was three years old when he was
brought by his parents to Kalamazoo County, and
his schooling was obtained in Comstock Township.
At the age of sixteen years, our subject began
working for a railroad company, and later worked
at carpentry in Galesburg for six months. Afterward he was employed in the car shops at Princeton, Ill., where le learned the business of car
building, and remained eighteen months. Returning to Galesburg, he built a house, and had it paid
for before he was twenty-one years old. One year
later, he went to Houston, Tex., where he engaged
with the Texas & New Orleans Railroad Company
in car building, and worked for ten months in
that capacity. He was then put in charge of the
bridge-building and car-building department, and
continued in that way until the late war broke
out.
Returning to his old home, in June, 1861, Mr.
Cory thence went to Montana, where, at that time,
only two or three hundred people lived.  He
proceeded up the Missouri River as far as Ft.
Benton, and thence journeyed overland to the vicinity of Helena. For two years he engaged in
mining with some success, and, once more returning to Galesburg, went from there to Rochester,
N. Y., where he enlisted in the Ninety-fourth New
York Infantry, but was discharged on account of
the close of the war.
In the spring of 1866, Mr. Cory returned to
Helena, Mont., where he engaged in putting up
quartz mills. In 1868, he went to Ft. Shaw, and
built the first bridge on the Sun River, going from
Ft. Benton to White Pine, Nev., on horseback, a
distance of one thousand three hundred miles. At
White Pine he took the stage to Elko, Nev., and
from there came by cars to Chicago. He remained
about one year in Michigan, then, in 1870, once
more proceeded to Helena, Mont., where he remained fourteen months. Afterward he engaged
in business in Detroitfor two years, and in 1874,








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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1103


-------—  --- —----------------------- -----------—  --- —II --
----- -- ---


proceeded to the Black Hills, where Deadwood
now stands, then containing one solitary log
house, and remained three months. His next
place of operations was Virginia City, Nev., thence,
one year later, to Mono County, Cal., and from
there returned to Virginia City, where lie had left
his little girl, only one year old, whose mother
had died in that city.
In 1879, Mr. Cory made another trip West, going to Denver, thence to Leadville, where he
worked at the carpenter's trade seven months, and
engaged in business about three years. Since his
return to Galesburg, he has been looking after his
extensive moneyed and real-estate interests, which
occupy his attention closely. He was married in
Denver, in 1870, to Lucia Robertson, who died in
Virginia City, in 1871, leaving a daughter, Lulo,
who resides with her father. Politically, Mr. Cory
is a Democrat, and has served in various official
positions, among them Trustee of the Village and
Deputy Sheriff.
ON. WILLIAM E. HILL, manufacturer of
saw and shingle mill machinery at Kalamazoo, was born in Owego, N. Y., January 31,
1835. His ancestors emigrated at an early
day from England to Massachusetts, where Harvey
Iill, grandfather of our subject, was born and
reared. He served in the War of 1812 and removed afterward to the Empire State, where his
son, Orin D., was born in Owego.
The mother of our subject was Harriet M.,
daughter of John Arnts, a native of Connecticut.
She was born in New York in 1811, and after her
marriage settled in Tioga County, where Mr. Hill,
Sr., followed his trade of a contractor.  They
reared a family of two sons and one daughter, two
of whom survive. The only surviving son, our
subject, was born in Owego, N. Y., January 31,
1835, and passed his youthful days uneventfully
in his father's home, pursuing the usual course of
study in the village schools and aiding his father
in the intervals of study.
In 1862, Mr. Hill was married to Miss Sarah,
daughter of Anthony Saltsman, of Farrandsville,
50             K


Pa., and they are the parents of two children:
Anthony S., who assists his father, and Eva, the
wife of D. A. Sheppardson, of Kalamazoo. Prior
to his marriage, Mr. Hill engaged in building mills
(having had charge of the construction of a sawmill when but fourteen), railroading and the lumber business.  It was while he was located in
Whetham, Pa., engaged in milling, that he built
the first "nigger," and he is now famous as the
inventor of that invaluable apparatus for turning
logs. The occasion which called it into existence
was the difficulty in handling logs from  which
gun boat decking for the Government was being
sawed.
This "nigger" was used continuously until St.
Patrick's Day, 1865, when Mr. Hill lost everything
he had by a flood, $65,000 worth of lumber, dams,
etc., going down stream. In 1868, he closed up his
Pennsylvania lumber business and about the same
time built an inclined plane for taking coal cars up
and down the mountain near Renovo.  For three
years thereafter he was employed with Stearns,
Clark & Co., of Erie, Pa., sawmill machinery manufacturers, having charge of the sales department.
In 1871, the firm was changed to Stearns, Hill &
Co., our subject becoming a partner. Three years
afterward, the present title of the Stearns Manufacturing Co. was adopted, the members of the
old: firm taking all the stock.
In 1875, Mr. Hill sold his stock in the Erie establishment, and, coming to Miclhigan, commenced
the manufacture of sawmill machinery at Big
Rapids. During that year and in that city the
first-steam "nigger" was invented, which was put
on the market as "Hill's steam log turner."  However, it is usually known as a "nigger," perhaps
from the fact that in the South it is the work of
the negroes to turn the logs. At the present day,
the necessity of the "nigger" is everywhere admitted and constant improvements are being
made at every possible point in its mechanism.
William E. Hill & Co. manufacture a great variety of steam contrivances, sending out thirty
specialties and constantly increasing the capacity
of the works. A large building has recently been
erected and soon an extensive foundry will be
added, so that the enterprise, in which the citizens




1104


0PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


of Kalamazoo take great pride, shows every indication of prosperity.
While his time is closely occupied by his personal affairs, Mr. Hill is a man of intense public
spirit and devoted to the welfalre of the city
which has been his home for many years.  The
confidence reposed in him by his fellow-citizens is
indicated by his election, in 1890, to the highest
position within their gift-the Mayoralty.  In
January, 1892, Mr. Hill was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mayor Bush. In the
spring of 1892, he was again elected to the office
of Mayor by an overwhelming majority. While
an incumbent of that office he has been distinguished by his efforts in behalf of municipal reforms and his support of the institutions of the
city, as well as the interests of the citizens.  His
political affiliations are with the Republican party.
His residence at No. 916 Kalamazoo Avenue is
one of the most beautiful in the city and is a brick
structure of modern style of architecture.
The publishers are pleased to present his portrait, for as a citizen, he is true and worthy, and
receives the respect of all.
AUL T. BUTLER, M. D.      The standing
of a right-minded and skillful physician
in an intelligent community is one of
great honor and repute, but it is one which
must be attained through years of hard labor and
conscientious pursuit of the work which comes to
hand. No one more than a physician knows
how true it is that a man who would obtain a good
standing in his profession must work hard and devote himself unflinchingly to duty through all the
years of his career. Negligence in such a one is
criminal, and is justly considered unprofessional,
while the devotion of his best knowledge and highest powers in every case which comes to his hands
is only his duty. Such a devotion has brought
Dr. Butler to the foremost rank among the physicians of Kalamazoo County. He is at present residing in Alamo Center and has a very lucrative
practice.
Our subject was born in Crawford County, Pa.,


December 11, 1858, and is the son of the Hon.
Hiram Butler, who was a general merchant at
Springboro, Crawford County, Pa. He died in
1863, in his fifty-fourth year. During the war, the
elder Mr. Butler was commissioned Colonel, but
wes prevented from entering the service by his
mother. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1858 on the Republican ticket and reelected in 1860. He was a very prominent antislavery man, and made many speeches against its
practice. He was a self-made man in the truest
sense of that term, as he was only given the advantages of the common schools for an education.
Grandfather Walter Butler haled, it is thought,
from New York. He married Eunice Greeley, a sister
of Horace Greeley's father. The Butler family
came originally from  Ireland.  Our subject's
mother is a native of the Keystone State and is
still living. By her marriage with Hiram Butler,
three children were born, of whom Dr. Paul T. was
the second in order of birth. The father of our
subject, by a previous marriage, had six children,
five of whom are living.
Dr. Paul T. Butler was educated in the common
schools, his education being further supplemented
by a course in the High School at Hastings, whither
his mother had removed in 1867. He later entered
the scientific department of the State Normal at
Valparaiso, Ind., in 1876, and was taken sick just
six weeks before graduating. Deciding to follow
the calling of a physician, Mr. Butler entered the
Eclectic Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which
he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in
1881. He immediately removed to Manchester,
Delaware County, Iowa, in January of that year,
but remained there only a twelvemontl, however,
when he returned to Michigan and located at
Alamo, where he has since made his home. When
in Iowa, Dr. Butler taught natural science in the
academy at Manchester.
Miss Rose Hyatt, of Illinois, became the wife of
our subject in 1887. Three children have been born
to them: May, who is deceased, Ben and Boby. Dr.
Butler is an active worker in the Prohibition party
and exerts a strong influence in favor of that party
in his community. He has been Secretary of the Prohibition Congressional Committee and also Secre



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1105


tary of the County Committee. He was a delegate
to the Prohibition National Convention at Indianapolis in 1888, and has served his party as delegate to various State Conventions. Socially, our
subject is a Mason and belongs to the Kalamazoo
Academy of Medicine. Dr. Butler has a pleasant
home, which is adorned with a valuable and conplete medical library.  -le is very fond of collecting Indian relics and has some very fine specimens.
C OMMODORE      PERRY    SAYLES, M. D.,
Secretary and Treasurer of the Kalamazoo
Medicine Company, has the honor of being
a native citizen of Michigan. Ile was born in
Keene, Ionia County, on the 1st of April, 1858.
Iis grandfather, Ahab Sayles, was a native of
Cayuga County, N. Y., and had a family of four
sons and eight daughters, all of whom reached the
age of eighty years, while most of the number are
yet living. His wife was a native of Scotland.
The parents of our subject were Cyrenius Chapin
and Eliza (Gardner) Sayles, the former a native of
Cayuga County, N. Y., and the latter of St. Thomas,
Canada. They became residents of Ionia County
in 1840 and are still living on the old homestead.
The family numbers fifteen children, ten sons and
five daughters, all of whom are yet living and four
of the sons are medical practitioners.'
Dr. Sayles spent his boyhood days on his
father's farm, and at the age of sixteen years entered
the Union College at Lowell, from which he was
graduated three years later. He was then a student
for a year in the Ionia Union School and studied
medicine with Dr. J. W. Webb, of Lowell, now of
Chicago. He further fitted himself for practice in
his chosen profession by a two-years' course of
study in the medical department of the University
of Michigan and was afterward graduated from the
Michigan College of Medicine at Detroit in the
Class of '84.  He also took a special course in
chemistry and then located at Burnips' Corners,
Allegan County, the same year.
On the 31st of August, 1888, we find the Doctor
in Kalamazoo, where he opened an office and has


since engaged in general practice. The following
spring he also opened a drug store, in which he
carries a complete assortment of drugs and medicines and is doing an excellent trade in that line.
Iis specialty in medicine is the asthma cure and in
the last three years he has been tlie means of restoring to health nearly two hundred afflicted with
that disease. He is a close student of his profession, keeps well abreast with all its discoveries and
is acknowledged to be one of the leading practitioners of this community.
On the 20th of September, 1882, in Keene, Ionia
County, Dr. Sayles was joined in wedlock to
Miss Juliette, daughter of Alpheus Bowen, and a
native of that city. She is a lady of culture and
refinement and has engaged both in teaching
school and music. IHer friends throughout the
community are many, having been won through
her many estimable traits of character. The Doctor
is a Republican but is not an active politician.
Unobtrusive in his manner, he is a man who wins
and holds friends. On first meeting him, it is
thought that he is of a retiring disposition, but no
sooner is his acquaintance made than lie involuntarily wins tile respect of him whom hle has met.
lie is a leading member of some of the fraternal
associations; is a Mason, having attained the degree of Knight Templar, and is also a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Iis success
in life has been such as to number him among the
well-to-do citizens of the community.
0P — ^P —ft-%R^         ----— I —6
TEPIHEN DOUGLAS O'BRIEN, M. D.,
who is one of the rising young men in the
medical profession, has his office at No.
102 West Main Street. I-e is a native of
this city, his natal day being November 12, 1860,
and is the son of Michael O'Brien. His father was
a carpenter by trade and came to Kalamazoo in
1843 and to the United States when a young man,
being a native of County Kildare, Ireland. He
had made his home in the Wolverine State some
time, however, before coming to this city.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Jane Talbot; she was born in County Kilkenny,




1106i


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Ireland, and married Michael O'Brien at Pokagon,
Cass County, this State, February 1, 1846. She
had emigrated to Michigan when ten or eleven
years of age and died in Kalamazoo in July 28,
1886. The parental family included five boys and
two girls. Those living are: William, foreman
in the Wisconsin Railway shops at Waukesha,
Wis.; George, who was the second in order of
birth; Mary, who is carrying on a millinery and
dressmaking establishment in Kalamazoo; Kate,
who remains at home with her father; Stephen,
our subject; Edward, who is Assistant Commercial
Agent of the Southern Pacific Railway at San Antonia, Tex.,and Charles who resides in Kalamazoo.
The original of this sketch was graduated from
the High School in 1878, and then entered a drug
store.
From his boyhood our subject was always desirous of becoming a physician and kept that object in view during his school days. After leaving school, he believed the best foundation for a
medical training would be a thorough knowledge
of pharmacy, and, securing a position in a drug
store, applied himself as diligently as possible
to all sources from which he could acquire information. Being as economical as possible, at the end
of six or seven years he found himself in possession
of sufficient means to enter the Detroit College of
Medicine from which he graduated in 1886. He
located and commenced the practice of his profession at Burlington, Calhoun County, this State,
where he remained about one year, and then chose
Kalamazoo as his permanent abiding place.
Dr. O'Brien is very active and prominent in societies of his fraternity and is a member of the
Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine. In the short time
in which he has been a resident of the city, he
has built up a lucrative and extensive practice and
ranks among the skillful physicians and surgeons of
this section. He makes his home with his father,
their pleasant residence being located at No. 331
Spring Street. Dr. O'Brien is Secretary of the
Medical Staff of the Borgess Hospital, which consists of seven members, having held that position
since its organization. His brethren on the staff
are Drs. Osborn (Dean), Hochstein, Simpson, Ranney, Schaberg and La Crone. Dr. Mottram, of


whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this
volume, was the first President, or Dean, of the
Hospital.
The subject of this sketch is a young man of
pleasant address and impresses one favorably from
the first. He is very popular with the citizens of
Kalamazoo, who look upon him as one of the rising
physicians of Western Michigan.
TEPHEN HOWARD. This venerable citizen of Portage Township, Kalamazoo
County, is known and honored as one of
its first settlers and most upright men.
Coining hither in the days when the whole country was unimproved, and inhabited mainly by Indians and wild animals, he commenced the pioneer
task of evolving a farm from the wilderness primeval. So successful was he in his undertaking
that his farm on section 6 became one of the most
highly cultivated in the township. It remained
his home until 1859, when he built the substantial
and attractive residence on section 7, where he
has since resided.
The son of John E. and Lydia (King) Howard,
our subject was born in Hanover, Chautauqua
County, N. Y., January 1, 1808. He was reared to
manhood in his native place, whence the father removed to Michigan in the fall of 1830, and settled
in the northwest part of Portage Township. The
other members of the family came hither in the
following August, and aided in the pioneer work
commenced by the father. The family consisted
of eight children, our subject being the sixth. As
above stated, he came to Michigan in August, 1831,
and has since made his home in Kalamazoo
County.
In Portage Township, on New Year's Day, 1837,
the ceremony was performed which united in marriage Stephen Howard and Catherine E. Payne.
Mrs. Howard was born in New York, and removed
from Livingston County, that State, to Kalama
zoo County, about 1836. They had a family of
six children, namely: one that died in infancy;
Harriet F., the widow of Henry E. Brooks; Amanda
M.; Cecilia, the wife of Frederick Buckhout; Jay,




I. I
**'




4


IZt




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1109


who died in childhood, and George S., whose
sketch is presented on another page. Mrs. Catherine E. Howard died in Portage Township, on
Christmas Day, 1890, mourned not alone by an affectionate husband and loving children, but by all
who loved her for her worth of character, and
recognized the womanly and refined nature which
endeared her to her associates. Mr. Howard has
been a Republican since the organization of the
party, and has occupied several of the township
offices. In his religious views he is liberal.
UClUS V. LYON, whose residence is on his
farm on section 24, Brady Township, is Justice of the Peace, Notary Public and Pension Agent, with his office on Prairie Street, Vicksburg. IIe is a representative of a distinguished
pioneer fami y of this part of Michigan, and is
a native of Kalamazoo County, born in the village of Schoolcraft, on the 6th of March, 1837,
and is consequently one of the oldest residents now
living within its borders. He was an officer in the
late war, and won military honors that reflected
additional fame on the Michigan troops that bore
so conspicuous a part in quelling the rebellion,
and saving the nation.
The father of our subject, Ira Lyon, was born in
Vermont in 1801. There is a tradition as to the'
origin of the Lyon family in America, to the effect
that two brothers, Gashem and Elisha, were the
first to come to this country, and that they cane
from England in Colonial times, and settled in the
New England States. The father of our subject
was married in Rochester, N. Y., and some time after came to Michigan, making the journey through
the wilderness from Detroit to this county in 1828,
with a wagon drawn by oxen. His brother Lucius
had come here previously to conduct the Government survey of the then Territory of Michigan.
He had early become prominent among his fellowpioneers, who sought his counsel on all occasions,
and at a later date he represented the State in Congress as its first Senator after its organization and
admission into the Union.
Ira Lyon took up two hundred and forty acres


i
I


Ii


I


of Government land on the prairie near Schoolcraft, and made a number of improvements on it
ere his untimely death in 1841, when in the very
prime of life, whereby the county lost one of its
most energetic and capable pioneers, as he was a
man of much natural ability, possessing considerable executive talent, and was greatly interested
in the development of the country. He was a man
of true Christian piety, and was very zealous in
promoting the Baptist faith, actively aiding in organizing the first Baptist Church established in
this region. His wife was also an earnest worker
in that church, of which she was likewise a charter
member. Her maiden name was Anna Lewis, and
she was born in New York, in 1802. She died in
1873. She bore her husband nine children: Electa
A., Charlotte A., Worthington S., Anderson I.,
Sarah A., Lucinda W., Louisa, Lucius V. and Cordelia, seven of whom are living.
Our subject had a full experience of pioneer life
in his boyhood, and has a distinct recollection of
the times when Indians were no unusual visitors at
his early home, and when deer, wolves and even
bears were frequently seen in the forests near by.
He obtained the rudiments of learning in the local
district school that was conducted under the rate-'
bill system, and though the death of his father was
the cause of his having to go to work when only a
boy, with his brothers and sisters, to contribute to
the general support of the family, while his mother
busily plied herself at the loom, he managed to secure a higher education at the Baptist Seminary,
where, like the immortal Garfield, he paid his way
by performing the janitorial duties of ringing the
bell, sweeping, and building fires, and he spent a
number of years pleasantly and profitably in that
excellent institution.
Mr. Lyon was married at the age of twenty, but
continued working out until his enlistment, August 20, 1862, when he cast aside all personal aims
and ambitions to join the brave boys in blue at the
front, and the ensuing three years he devoted his
energies to the defense of the stars and stripes on
many a hotly contested battlefield. He was a member of Company C, Sixth Michigan Infantry,
which formed a part of the Nineteenth Corps of
the Army of the Gulf, commanded by Gen. B. F.




1110


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


=. r A;


Butler, and he was in close and active service until
mustered out at New Orleans, September 22, 1865.
His regiment was started for Washington, but
was detained at Baltimore until April, 1863, to do
guard duty. While there, the Sixth Michigan and
the Twenty-first Indiana were detailed to quell
rebel disturbances along the Virginia border, where
several spirited engagements took place, and several forts were captured from the enemy in the
face of continuous firing. In April, 1863, our subject and his comrades joined Butler's forces to go
with him on his expedition to New Orleans, and
thirty. five hundred men were packed on board one
steamer that passed around Ship Island, and thence
up the Mississippi River to the Crescent City, the
ascent being accompanied with much opposition
from the rebel batteries along the shore, and the
rebel gunboats, sixty of which were captured at
New Orleans. Mr. Lyon witnessed the execution
of the rebel Mumford, by the order of Gen. Butler,
for pulling down the American flag from the Government building and trampling it in the dust. A
rope was made from the flag which he had insulted,
and the traitor was hanged with it from the front of
the porch of the Government mint, as a warning
to all others who were disposed to traitorous acts.
Mr. Lyon's regiment was next sent up the river
to Baton Rouge, thence to Port Hudson, and from
there to Mobile, Ala., where the capture of forts
and engagements with the Confederates of Gen.
Breckenridge's army furnished active employment
for some time. The climate being unhealthful,
many soldiers sickened and died, and the Dead
March was continually resounding in the cars of
the survivors, as a reminder of what their fate
might be. When on the Red River expedition, the
boat in which our subject was was fired upon from
secluded batteries and totally destroyed. Many of
the soldiers were shot down on board, or sank with
the boat, while others jumped into the water and
were shot while swimming. Mr. Lyon and eight
others managed to get ashore and escape. After
traveling a long way, they were directed by an old
negro to a Union man's house, where they were
fed and secreted, and then during the night they
were rowed across the river, and started in the
right direction for the Union lines. They had to


steal through four different rebel picket lines, and
were obliged to kill one picket-guard, in order to
get by without being exposed. They finally came
across a Union foraging party, and were safely conducted to the lines at Alexandria. After that their
regiment was broken up and converted into a
heavy artillery regiment to man batteries.
After undergoing a rigid examination, our subject was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the
Seventy-third Colored Regiment of New Orleans,
which, while under him, did some hard fighting
on the banks of the Red River, at Pleasant Hill
and other points. Going down the Mississippi after these exploits, he and his men were ordered to
Mobile, and with six boats they latrolled the Alabama River and confiscated twelve boat-loads of
cotton, which they took to Mobile. Returning to
Port Hudson, Mr. Lyon and his soldiers did detailed guard duty. In August, 1864, he was commissioned First Lieutenant of the same regiment
with which he had previously been acting, as it
was found that he handled the colored troops with
great tact and wisdom, and was a firm discillinarian. He was also sent North that year to do
recruiting, and did admirable service in that line.
He continued with his command for some time after the war closed, but was finally mustered out at
New Orleans, September 22, 1865, and returned
home with the laurels so dearly won. From exposure and privation he contracted a chronic disease,
and for that now gets a pension of $30 a month
from  the Government for which he so gallantly
fought.
After leaving the army, Mr. Lyon purchased his
present farm of sixty-four acres in Brady Township. It was then covered with wood, but is now
a well-improved and valuable property. Much of
his time is now devoted to his public duties. He
has been Justice of the Peace for ten years, and has
control of nearly all the legal business hereabouts,
as his many friends and neighbors have great confidence in his knowledge of law, and in the fairness of his decisions, and it is a fact that but very
few of his verdicts liave been reversed by the
higher courts. He is a student, and keeps himself
well informed as to the common law. Ile has been
pension claim agent for ten years, and has met with




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1111


success in the most of the claims that he has presented. In politics, he is a Republican, takes great
interest in the issues of the day, generally looking
sharply after the political fences in the township
as one of the party leaders, and his counsel is valued at county conventions, which he frequently
attends as a delegate. He has many friends and
acquaintances, all of whom think highly of him,
and as a man of strong personality, much culture,
and unblemished character, exerts a wholesome influence on his community. The attention of the
reader is invited to his portrait on an accompanying page. In his religious belief, he inclines to the
Baptist faith, while his-wife has a leaning towards
Methodism.
Mr. Lyon was happily married, in September,
1857, to Miss Julia Ainsworth, a lady of superior
merit, who is entirely devoted to his interests and
those of their children, two sons and two daughters: Orvil C., Charles L., Mertie J. and Mary B.
Mrs. Lyon is a native of New York, and was born
October 13, 1836.,-.^       __^ j^~, - - ~^.
V    HARLES A. FLETCHER, M. D., of Kalamazoo, is one of the native-born citizens in
whose prosperity and enterprise the county
takes just pride. lie was born at Comstock, September 16, 1861, the only son of Charles M. and
Phoebe (Cox) Fletcler. His father, who was a native of Vermont, born November 12, 1822, is still
living and makes his home in Kalamazoo, quietly
passing his declining years in retirement from
his former occupation of a farmer. His mother,
who was born on the Hudson River, October 4,
1824, also survives.
The Fletcher family comes of English ancestry,
tracing its descent through a long line of sturdy
and patriotic citizens of the United States. The
ninth grandfather, Robert Fletcher, came from
England to the United States in 1630, and settled
in what is now Lowell, Mass. The father of our
subject early removed from his Vermont home,
and, settling in Livingston County, N. Y., there
followed the occupation of a farmer until 1844,


when he settled in Lenawee County, Mich., and, in
1846, removed to Kent County, this State. Three
years later, in June, 1849, he located in Comstock
Township, Kalamazoo County, but did not make
it his permanent home, for, in 1866, he moved to
Dowagiac, Cass County, and in March, 1892, returned to the village of Kalamazoo.
At the time of his father's removal to Kalamazoo,
Charles A. was a lad of eleven years and his education was principally gained in the.High School
and College of the city. His opportunities for
acquiring an education were improved to their utmost, and upon completing his schooling, he utilized his excellent and thorough training by following the profession of a teacher in Branch
County. Afterward he served as Superintendent
of the schools of Decatur, in which position he
was instrumental in advancing the educational interests of the city and discharged his duties to the
satisfaction of all concerned.
Having resolved upon entering the profession of
medicine, our subject became a student of the University of Michigan in 1885, taking a thorough
and practical course in the department of pharmacy
and medicine, and graduating in 1888, after which
he took a post-graduate course in Chicago. He
commenced his professional career in Browntown,
Green County, Wis., where he remained one year
and gained an excellent reputation for his painstaking skill and profound knowledge. His abilities, however, could not be confined to the limits
of such a small town and lie accordingly sought a
wider field of practice. December 12, 1889, he
came to Kalamazoo, where he has since conducted
a general practice, devoting some attention to
surgery, and making a specialty of diseases of the
throat, nose and lungs.
The pleasant home which the Doctor has established at No. 516 Oak Street is presided over by
the lady to whom he was married September 13,
1888, and who is Alice M., daughter of Peter
Albert, of Aurora, Ill. Highly esteemed by all who
enjoy their friendship, of genial manners and
great benevolence, Dr. and Mrs. Fletcher are numbered among the most prominent residents of Kalamazoo. He is Examining Surgeon of the Knights
of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America, the




1112


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-----------


=


National Mutual Benefit Association of Chicago,
and also of the Friends' Society of New York. He
is a member of the National Council of Modern
Woodinen of America, also of the Masonic lodge,
and, in politics, is a strong Republican. In the
Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine his abilities have
contributed greatly to the well-being of thle organization and his influence is apparent for its good.
ON. FREDERICK W. CURTENIUS was
S  born in New York City, September 30,
V 1806. His father, Gen. Peter Curtenius,
commanded the State troops quartered in
that city during the War of 1812. He was subsequently Marshal of the State for a number of years
and in such capacity arrested Aaron Burr, then
charged with treason. He was also a prominent
member of the Legislature, and the intimate friend
of DeWitt Clinton, Martin Van Buren, and many
other leading men and prominent politicians.
Both grandfathers of Mr. Curtenius were military
men, and served with distinction in the Revolutionary War.
F. W. Curtenius was a graduate of Hamilton
College, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1823, and soon
afterward commenced the study of law, but, inheriting the taste for military life, he gave up the
profession after three months' study, to join the
South American patriots under Bolivar. Procuring credentials from the Consul-General at New
York, he, at the age of eighteen years, embarked
for South America in 1824, and on his arrival,
was commissioned Lieutenant in the New Granadian Army, with which he served until the close of
the war, honorably distinguishing himself, and being slightly wounded. He returned to New York,
and in 1831 was commissioned colonel of a regiment of State militia.
In 1835, Col. Curtenius removed to Michigan and
settled as a farmer on Grand Prairie. In 1842, he
was appointed a member of the Visiting Board at
West Point. In 1847, he raised at Kalamazoo a
company of infantry, which formed a part of the
first regiment of Michigan volunteers under command of Col. Thomas B. W. Stockton, and accom



I


I —


panied it to Mexico, where lie remained till the
close of the war, when, with his comrades, he returned to Michigan.
In 1855, Col. Curtenius was appointed AdjutantGeneral of the State, which position he filled until
1861, wllen, upon the breaking out of the Rebellion,
he recruited the Sixth Regiment of Michigan
Infantry, with which he proceeded to Baltimore,
Md. Subsequently the Sixth composed a portion
of Gen. B. F. Butler's expedition against New Orleans, and when that city was captured, took possession of the United States mint. The regiment
remained in this city for about twelve days, when
Col. Curtenius, in command of a brigade composed
of his own and two other Western regiments, was
ordered to Vicksburg, but that place being found
too strong to be successfully attacked by a small
force, the command was ordered to return to
Baton Rouge, where it was placed in charge of
United States property.
At this latter point, an incident led to the
withdrawal of Col. Curtenius from the army. A
number of slaves ihad taken refuge within his lines,
and the general commanding ordered Col. Curtenius to deliver them to their masters, which order
he refused to obey, taking the ground that he was
not commissioned by the State of Michigan to return runaway slaves. For this lie was arrested,
when, feeling keenly the injustice of such treatment, lie resigned and returned home. The State
authorities honorably sustained him in his course,
and administered a rebuke to the general who ordered his arrest.
Col. Curtenius was elected to thle State Senate in
1856, and again in 1867. In 1868, he was appointed by the President of the United States Collector of Internal Revenue for the Fourth Congressional District, which office he held for two
years. For many years he served as Treasurer of
the Michigan Asylum for the insane.
In 1856, he was elected President of the Kalamazoo City Bank. He was a prominent member
of the Presbyterian Church. He held many offices
in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, including that of delegate to the Grand Lodge.
Col. Curtenius was twice married.  His first
wife, whom he married in 1826, was Elizabeth








ii
'       -,0- -......
^-^ (XI




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1115


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

Fowler, of New York City, who died in 1867, leaving two children. In 1868, he married a daughter
of J. P. Woodbury, of Kalamazoo, who has five
daughters and one son.
f   ERMAN H. SCHABERG, M. D. This successful physician, whose portrait accompanies this sketch of his life, has an extensive
(    practice in Kalamazoo and vicinity. Being a Hollander, he has an immense practice among
the people of that nationality and is very popular
among all classes. IHe has met with success in his
profession and is in such demand that his health
has been much impaired by his constant and persistent attention to his calls. A man of large
heart and kindness of disposition, so long as body
will stand the strain he will perform his part. His
education is extensive in the various departments
of knowledge and he is much sought after in society as well as in political and scientific gatherings.
Born at Rotterdam, Holland, May 16, 1848, Dr.
Schaberg is the son of Herman H. and Mary (Van
Oversteeg) Schaberg, natives of the same country
as himself. He was a mere lad when lie accompanied his parents to America and settled with
them in Kalamazoo, where his father engaged first
as a baker and later in the grocery business until
his death in 1874. Our subject was a pupil in the
schools of Kalamazoo, and the academy at Holland,
this State; he afterward attended Hope College and
also studied for a time in Kalamazoo College.
Upon leaving school, our subject aided his
father by clerking in his grocery store for four years,
then entered a drug store, acquiring a practical
knowledge of pharmacy and remaining in that
position eight years. Having resolved upon entering upon the practice of medicine, he commenced
with Dr. Logie and afterward entered Detroit Medical College, from which he graduated March 5,
1878. He opened an office for practice in Kalamazoo, where he has since remained in the discharge
of his duties as an extensive and successful prac.
titioner.
May 31, 1881, the Doctor was married to Miss


Nellie Van Heusen, and they are the parents of
one child, Edith. Dr. Schaberg is identified with
the Democratic party in his political affiliations,
but his time is so closely occupied by his professional duties that he is unable to accept public positions. He takes great interest in the various associations for the advancement of medical science
throughout the country, and is prominently connected with the Academy of Medicine and the
American Medical Association. He served efficiently as Health Officer of the city for one year,
and of the township five years, and has the welfare of his fellow-citizens closely at heart.
HARLES MOULTON.           Among the pioneers who laid the foundation of Kalamazoo County's present prosperity, and were
intimately connected with its interests, was
Charles Moulton, of this biographical review, who
was well known in Climax Township, where he
lived half a century, and elsewhere, and was regarded with great esteem by the entire community.
Mr. Moulton was born in Genesee County, N.
Y., in February, 1820, a son of Joseph Moulton,
who was a native of Connecticut, coming of good
old New England stock, he in turn being the son
of another Joseph Moulton, who was likewise born
in Connecticut, and was a soldier in the Revolution. The father of our subject grew up on a farm,
and in early life took to the sea as a marine soldier
on board a merchant convoy, under Commodore
Prebble, during the piracy troubles in the opening years of this century, serving three years
on the ship " Essex."  When he returned home
lie did not settle permanently in his native State,
but removed to New York, where he bought a
tract of land of the Holland Purchase Company,
and tried to farm. But times were hard, money
was scarce, and as he was not able to pay for his
homestead in full, it reverted to the company.
He was a little past sixty-eight years old when he
died, leaving behind him the memory of a good
and true man. His politics were of the Whig
order. The maiden name of his wife was Esther






1116


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Bugbee, and she, too, was a native of Connecticut.
Her death occurred at the ripe age of seventy-two
years. Of the six boys and two girls born to these
worthy people, these grew to maturity: Lorenzo,
William, Triona, Stephen, Sally, Laura, Charles
and Joseph, and three of them are yet living.
Our subject's boyhood was passed on his father's
farm, and he was educated in the district school,
which was conducted under the rate-bill system,
and was taught in a log house that was heated by
an open fire-place, and furnished with slab benches.
At the age of twenty-one, he began life for himself
by working out some, and in the following fall
took unto himself a wife. Four days later, he and
his bride bade good.bye to their friends and to
their old home, and setting their faces toward the
untried wilderness of Southern Michigan, journeyed hither to found for themselves a new dwelling
place in the primeval forests of Kalamazoo County.
They came in twenty-one days, arriving at their
destination October 23, 1841, traveling with wagon
and team under inauspicious circumstances, as it
was very stormy nearly all the way, there being
only three pleasant days during the whole of that
memorable journey. But their hearts were light,
their hopes high, and their courage was not dampened by the state of the weather.
After his arrival, Mr. Moulton exchanged his
team for land on section 29, Climax Township,
and after buying half an interest in an ox-team
and cow, had twenty shillings left with which to
begin the new life. He and his young wife experienced all the bitter trials and privations to
which the pioneers of this region were subject.
Their home was a primitive log house, 16x20 feet
in size, made of round logs, the crevices being
chinked with clay, the roof of shakes, and an open
fire-place, with a mud and slick chimney on the
outside of the house, heated the building. The
surrounding country was a wilderness, with but
few habitations; woods were all around them, in
which there were plenty of deer and wild turkeys, and some bears and wolves. Deer and wild
turkeys, of which our subject killed many, furnished
a welcome addition to their limited fare.
After building his cabin, Mr. Moulton cleared
an acre and a half of land of the standing timber,


and planted it in corn the first year, and he rented
land three miles west and put in another crop, besides working out to obtain money to live on.
He labored hard, his good wife actively co-operating with him in his toil, and by their united efforts
they accumulated a competency and enjoyed life
in a home replete with comfort. The home farm
consisted of ninety-two acres of highly cultivated
and very productive land, amply provided with
buildings of a good class and everything needful
to carry on farming. Here they lived fifty years,
which is also the duration of their wedded life
which passed the golden milestone that marks a
half-century of married life in the month of
September, 1891. A few months after that happy
event, Mr. Moulton passed from earth, February
15, 1892. He was a man of sterling merit, and his
kindly manners and other pleasing attributes endeared him to the entire community. He always
manifested a deep interest in whatever concerned
his adopted township, and mingled in its public
life as an incumbent of some of its most important offices. He was at one time Road Commissioner, was Justice of the Peace two terms, and
Treasurer three years. IIe was ever friendly to
education, assisted in organizing the first school
district in the township, and was Director for a
number of years. The first school in this region
was held in an old log house east of his place.
The maiden name of the wife of our subject was
Lucinda Johnson, and she was born in Orleans
County, N. Y., May 26, 1824. Her union with
our subject brought them three children, named
Esther A., Nancy S. and Laura M., respectively.
C44, ___   MA'B'iMV  AA-L M-\__414 0


I


i Iarb l liC rlrl3)riiii


OSEPH BECKLEY.      This pioneer farmer
of Portage Township, Kalamazoo County,
was born in Le Roy, Genesee County, N. Y.
February 13, 1813. When he was ten years
old, his parents removed to Chautauqua County,
where he grew to manhood, and made his home
the most of the time until he removed to Michigan. He had established a home of his own, when
in 1836, he decided to remove Westward, and, accompanied by his wife and child, came to Michigan.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1117


He settled in Portage Township, where he has since
resided, improving his farm and placing it under
good cultivation.
In Stafford, Genesee County, N. Y., Mr. Beckley
was married, December 11, 1834, to Clarissa Sweetland, who was born in that place March 22, 1815.
Mr. and Mrs. Beckley became the parents of eleven
children, eight of whom lived to mature years, as
follows: Emily, the widow of William  Hadlock;
Fanny, who married George Pike; Marcia B., the
wife of George A. Sutherland, of whom see sketch
elsewhere in this volume; Lucius H., who married
Mattie Austin; Mary, the wife of George Cronkite;
Charles H., who married Miss Marilla Weeks; Jennie C., the wife of Henry Buckland; and Joseph,
Jr., who married Stella Whipple, and resides on the
old homestead, with his wife and two children,
Hazel E. and Nellie F., one, Lizzie M., having died
at the age of nineteen months. Mr. Beckley has
served as Justice of the Peace, and occupied other
positions of honor and responsibility, discharging
the duties of the offices with efficiency and fidelity.
ALLACE W. DEWEY        is a prominent
farmer and stock-raiser residing on section
17, Richland   Township,   Kalamazoo
County. He is a native of this county, his birth
having occurred July 11, 1854, and is the son of
Ezekiel and Jeanette (Walker) Dewey, natives of
New York State. The father came to the county
in the '30s and located in Richland Township,
where he was among the earliest settlers. TIe met
his death by the overturning of a load of lumber
several years after making his home here.
The parental family included five children, all
of whom are living with one exception: W. E.;
Wallace; Estella, who is the wife of C. W. Backus;
and Clifford C. Phebe is deceased. On the death
of her husband, Mrs. Dewey was left with four
children, the youngest being only nine months
old. She worked industriously and kept her little
family together until they grew to mature years.
She was injured in a railroad accident at Kent,
Ohio, September 30, 1891, having been one of the
Ohio excursionists. She is a member of the First


Presbyterian Church of Richland, and a lady
greatly respected by her many friends and acquain tances.
Our subject has been engaged in agricultural
pursuits from his youth and received his education
in the district school and at Prairie Seminary at
Richland. He was married, March 28, 1878, to
Mary P. Travis, who was born in this county.
Mrs. Dewey is the daughter of William C. and
Sarah J. (Daubney) Travis.   Her grandfather,
William Daubney, was a Methodist minister and
one of the early settlers of Richland Township.
The father of Mrs. Dewey settled in Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County, at a very early day and
her mother died when she was only twelve years of
age. She has one sister, Emma J., the wife of
Freeman Stratton.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wallace W. Dewey one daughter was born, February 5, 1879. Mrs. Dewey is a
member of the First Presbyterian Church of Richland; her mother was a member of the Methodist
Church. Our subject is a Republican in politics
and has been since the organization of the party.
The grandfather of Mrs. Dewey, the Rev. William
Daubney, was an Englishman and one of the early
pioneers of Richland Township, where he died in
October, 1878. He was the father of a large
family, five of whom are living: John, Wilson,
George, Elizabeth and Ellen.


+c+EE


/,-~ ~2 -

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-


ILLIAM H. PATRICK, a prominent and
prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, resid
ing on section 2, Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, is a native of Hampshire County,
Mass., having had his birth there March 3, 1830.
He is a son of William J. and Lucy (Smith) Patrick,
natives of the same State as their son.  The
great-grandfather was of English descent and the
maternal grandfather is said to have been a Captain in the Revolutionary War.
It was in the year 1857 that our subject came
with his parents to Michigan and resided several
yearsin Ionia County and in the spring of 1862,
they came to Kalamazoo County, settled in this






1118


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


— I
---------






township, and located a short distance east of the
village of Richland. The parents resided there until
1873, when they went to California, where the
father died in January of 1874. The good wife
and mother survived until 1886. She bore her
husband five children, all but one of whom survive:
Mary R., the wife of George H. Bliss; Benjamin S.;
William H.; Lucy S., who is now the widow of C.
A. Henry. - Mariah L. is the name of the deceased
child. The father while a resident of Massachusetts served his township as Supervisor, Clerk and
Treasurer and was quite a prominent politician in
the East.
Our subject obtained his education in the public
and High Schools of his native State and has been a
life-long farmer, with the exception of about five
years spent in a gristmill in Ionia County, this
State. He was married in 1869, on November 10,
to Elva A. Spaulding, a native of Barry County,
Mich., and a daughter of Benjamin F. and Esther
(Dailey) Spaulding. Her parents now reside in
Richland village. Of the five children who have
come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick
four survive: B. Frank, born September 24, 1870;
Lulu T., February 22, 1873; Ada, November 8,
1876; and William J., September 24, 1889. One
child died in infancy.
In the fall of 1881, our subject settled on his
present farm and has made his home here since.
He is the possessor of one hundred and twentytwo acres, which he has cleared and cultivated
himself. Mr. Patrick has served his township as
School Director and is a stanch Republican in his
political views and is always in favor of everything which tends to promote the prosperity of his
township and county.
E. DEAL. This veteran of the late war,
who is residing in Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County, has passed through varied
experiences whose recital, as it falls from
his lips, is very interesting. The limits of this
volume forbid the biographical writer doing much
more than outlining his life, leaving the reader
the task of filling in the details.




I


-- ---- --


John I)eal, the father of our subject, was born
in Lehigh County, Pa., April 18, 1784, and participated in the War of 1812, being present at Philadelphia at the time of its surrender to the British.
He organized a company in his native State and
was ordered to Bunker Hill, arriving there on the
evening previous to that famous battle, in which
he took an active part. He was married to Polly
Nillieme, by whom he became the father of three
children; she departed this life, June 17, 1815.
The lady who became the second wife of Mr.
Deal was Barbara Grover, and to them were
granted a family of thirteen children, seven of
whom are still living. In early life, the elder Mr.
Deal followed the trade of a tailor and weaver,
and later, removing to New York State, engaged
in farming. He died there in 1861, when in his
eighty-first year.
The gentleman of whom    we write was born
December 6. 1827, in Livingston County, N. Y.,
and remained under the parental roof until twentyfive years of age, when, in the fall of 1850, he
came to Michigan and located on one hundred
and twenty acres of land in Oshtemo Township.
He later added two hundred and sixty acres to
his original tract, which he cleared and placed
under good tillage.
Mr. Deal and Miss Sarah E. Belcher were united
in marriage and became the parents of two children: Fred, who now lives in Oregon, and Frank,
who is engaged in the merchantile business in Van
Buren County, this State. Mrs. Deal died in
1862, and our subject later married Mrs. Eliza A.
Deal, the widow of his brother, Simon F. She departed this life December 1, 1887, when fifty-one
years of age, and the lady to whom our subject
was married February 13, 1891, bore the name of
Dorcas Waters.
The original of this sketch enlisted, August 7,
1862, in the Union army, as a member of Company
H, Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, and, going
from Kalamazoo to Louisville, Ky., was on guard
duty there for some time. He was then sent, with a
number of his comrades, to protect an important
railroad which it was feared Morgan would destroy, and later captured Elizabethtown, Ky., and
thence going to Bowling Green, went into winter




I





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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1121.....


quarters. In the spring of 1863, Mr. Deal went to
Lebanon and from there to Louisville, guarding
prisoners, and was then transferred to the Veteran
Reserve Corps, on account of ill health resulting
from the measles. Being sent to Camp Douglas,
he was on guard duty there until the close of the
war and received his honorable discharge at
Springfield, Ill., July 14, 1865. When enlisting
in the army, our subject sold a portion of his
personal property, but rented his farm, well
stocked. When returning, he found, through the
bad management of his tenants, that he was
greatly the loser, as his estate was much run
down, his stock had disappeared, as also had the
farm machinery and tools. I-e was not discouraged, however, and immediately set to work to
repair the damage, and now has one of the best
estates in the county.
APT. JOHN DUDGEON, an honored pioneer and one of the most prominent citizens of Kalamazoo, now deceased, was born
in Stewartstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, January 10, 1821, of Scotch-Irish parentage. His father was for years a magistrate in the northern
part of the Emerald Isle and reared a large family, of whom a- sister, still living in Ireland, is the
only survivor. When a young man, our subject
crossed the Atlantic to America, and, locating in
Detroit, engaged in the drug business and grain
trade with a brother. IIe was at that time seventeen years of age. lie also commenced the study
of medicine, but the horrors of the dissectingroom caused him to relinquish his idea of engaging in medical practice.
About 1842, Mr. Dudgeon returned to the land
of his nativity, where he remained for five years,
during which time the great famine occurred. In
1847, we again find him in Detroit, and in 1848
he came to Kalamazoo as agent for the firm of
Brewster & Dudgeon, the latter, his brother, buying grain and flour. He soon afterward here embarked in business on his own account, and also
operated with Munger & Kellogg, the first commission men of Kalamazoo. His warehouse was


burned down, after which he engaged in the same
line of trade in Decatur for a year. He then returned to Kalamazoo, and subsequently formed a
partnership with Charles L. Cobb, under the firm
name of Dudgeon & Cobb. These gentlemen purchased a tract of land and laid off the Dudgeon
& Cobb Addition to Kalamazoo, north of the
Michigan Central Railroad, much of which they
improved and sold. For long years their connection was continued with mutual pleasantness and
profit until 1883, when Mr. Cobb retired, but Mr.
Dudgeon continued as a grain merchant until his
death. The firm also extensively engaged in handling wool, buying at various points. Mr. Dudgeon also became agent of the first express company doing business in Kalamazoo.
On the 29th of March, 1850, the Captain wedded
Miss Cornelia, daughter of the Hon. Samuel Clark,
a graduate of Hamilton College, who served as a
member of Congress from   New York for two
terms during the Presidency of Martin Van Buren.
He studied law in the office of Judge Hurlburt
with the Hon. William H. Seward, Joshua Spencer
and Gov. Troop, of New York. The last-named
afterward settled in Michigan, three miles from
Kalamazoo, on the Spring Brook Farm, but a
number of years later returned to New York. Mr.
Clark came to Kalamazoo in 1842, and formed a
partnership with N. A. Balch. IIe was also a member of Congress from Michigan during Buchanan's
administration. His death occurred in Kalamazoo,
October 2, 1870, at the age of sixty-seven years,
and the Bar of the city passed resolutions of respect concerning him who had been an honored
citizen in their midst. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dudgeon were born: Frank, who for some years was a
traveling salesman, and is now settling up his father's business, and Bessie, at home.
In early life, Capt. Dudgeon was an old-line
Whig, but afterwards became a stalwart Democrat.
He served as Trustee of Kalamazoo in 1857 and
1858, and in 1876 was President of the village, the waterworks being constructed under
his supervision. His title was received during
his service with the Light Guards.    He belonged to the old Brady Guards, of Detroit, and
was one of the original members of the Detroit




1122


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-I


=


Fire Department. He was a charter member of
the Masonic lodge and a generous, noble-minded
man, who had the high regard of all. His portrait accompanies this sketch of his life. He was
exceedingly popular and greatly enjoyed social intercourse. During the last weeks of his life, he
bore terrible suffering, but his genial disposition
never forsook him. He passed away January 7,
1891, and was laid to rest January 10, on his
seventieth birthday. His widow is a lady of refinement and culture, who ranks high in Kalamazoo society. The following resolutions of respect and regret were passed:
To the Hon. the Mayor and City Council:
GENTLEMEN:-Your committee appointed for the
purpose of reporting suitable resolutions to your
body, covering the matter of the death of our fellow-townsman, John Dudgeon, beg to submit the
following for your consideration and action:
Whereas, This body has official knowledge of
the death of one of Kalamazoo's most distinguished
citizens, the Hon. Jolln Dudgeon, which occurred
on the 7th of January, and
Whereas, He has occupied most important positions in the public trust, and in all instances discharged the public duties imposed, not only in a
manner entirely satisfactory to our citizens, but
such as reflected great honor upon himself for unswerving fidelity to the interests of the city, and
untiring zeal manifested by him in municipal affairs at all times. With a mind free from prejudice
and having business judgment of a superior character, he has always retained the respect and high
consideration of all our citizens, without regard to
rank or position, and, whether in his public or
private life, his acts have always evinced courage
and consistency, together with an honest purpose
of doing whatever he believed to be right. His
record is one of which we, as a community,
feel proud. A careful and trustworthy legislator,
an active and enterprising business man and a
loyal and fearless citizen.
Resolved, That this council, in body assembled,
do deeply regret the death of so worthy a citizen,
and deplore his loss as being one irreparable to
the interests of the city for which he has done so
much in former years. Further,
Resolved, That this council do most sincerely
sympathize with the family of the deceased in
their bereavement, and desire in this public manner to testify their high appreciation of him who
has been taken away, both as a citizen and as a
friend.




I




Resolved, That, as a token of the esteem of the
decease, these resolutions be spread upon the records of the city, and that an engrossed copy of the
same, together with the official proceedings had
thereon, be presented to the widow of the deceased
by the City Clerk forthwith.
FRED CELLEM,
THOS. P. GLEASON,
JAMES A. TAYLOR,
Committee on Resolutions.
KALAMAZOO, Mich., January 13, 1891.
J LOHN ALBERTSON. Doubtless no farmer
of Kalamazoo County is more widely and
favorably known than this honorable and
intelligent gentleman, who owns and operates a splendid farm of eighty acres on section
23, Cooper Township. Besides thoroughly understanding every detail of agriculture, he has a good
knowledge of the law and is a successful civil engineer. To indicate his popularity among his fellow-citizens it is only necessary to state that he
has served as Justice of the Peace since 1860, and
has been urged to allow his name to be used for
other positions, but has always refused.
The Albertson family was originally represented
in America by two brothers who emigrated to the
Colonies from Holland at the time. when the city
of New York was known as New Amsterdam. Joseph
Albertson, grandfather of our subject, was probably a native of New York, where he died in
Monroe County at an advanced age. He was a
Quaker minister and was widely known.
Daniel Albertson, father of our subject, was born
in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1806, and followed
agricultural pursuits both in New York and in
Kalamazoo County, this State, where he settled in
1856. He remained for two years near Climax,
then purchased three hundred and twenty acres in
Cooper Township, and located upon it in 1858,
making his home there until his death, May 16,
1876, at the age of seventy years. While a resident of New York, he was associated with others in
the importation of Short-horn cattle from England,
and brought his herd with him when he removed
to this State.




PORTRAIT AND BI OG-RAPHICAL RECORD.


1123


PORTRAIT AND BIOGR-hICAL RECORD.   112


To Daniel Albertson belongs the honor of having been the first to introduce Short-horn cattle
and full-blooded Merino sheep into Kalamazoo
County.   I-e experienced great difficulty in inducing the people to adopt better breeds, but afte l he had succeeded, it was universally acknowledged that lie had aided greatly in the progress of
the country by introducing blooded stock. Like
his father, he was a strict Quaker and stood high in
the estimation of all. A man of strict integrity,
he always paid one hundred cents on every dollar
of his indebtedness and at the time of his death
was well-to-do.
It was the universal testimony of his acquaintances that Daniel Albertson was a good neighbor
and honest man, sympathetic and helpful in his
association with others, remarkably gentle and affectionate as a husband and father. By example
and precept, lie prepared his children for the responsibilities of worthy citizenship.  I-is wife,
Maria Peters, was born in New York, December 18,
1805, of Spanish ancestry, and died April 28, 1878.
Their family coin prised four sons and one daughter.
In Dutchess County, N. Y., where our subject
was born, November 3, 1830, he was reared and
educated. He remained in New York until he
was of age, at which time lie accompanied his parents to Michigan and remained with them  until
their death. He had an especial talent for mathematics and engineering, and assisted in locating
the Kalamazoo, Allegan & Grand Rapids Railroad,
acting as solicitor. Ile also aided in the building
of other railroads.
About two years after coming to Michigan, Mr.
Albertson commenced the study of law with Gov.
Throop and Joseph Miller, both eminent men, and
gained such a thorough knowledge of law that lie
could have been admitted to the Bar, had lie so desired. His legal ability was everywhere acknowledged and while his friends sought his counsel
every day, lie did not attempt to practice and
never accepted a fee for advice.
The marriage of Mr. Albertson to Miss Annette
Tift, a native of Kalamazoo, took place in 1858,
and they are the parents of two children: Ian J.
and Ida, who died in 1876. The only surviving
child is a young man of great promise and is one


of the foremost civil engineers in the State. He
assists his father on the farm, although much of
his attention is devoted to engineering, and he is a
prominent member of the Association of Civil Engineers.
In political matters, Mr. Albertson is independent. During the war, he was commissioned by
Gov. Blair to receive enlistments for all volunteers
in the Fourth Congressional District, for the purpose of seeing that they were justly treated. He
has served as executor for many estates and aided
in their settlement. For about thirty years, he
has been Secretary of the lodge in Kalamazoo,
Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is one of
the oldest members. The impression he leaves
on those whom he meets is that of an affable,
courteous and intellectual gentleman.,OBERT GREER. Many of the most successful citizens of Kalamazoo County have
emigrated to this country from   foreign
lands, and among the number may be mentioned Mr. Greer, who resides on section 10, Ross
Township. A native of the North of Ireland, he
was born September 15, 1825, and is a son of James
and Sarah (Laird)Greer, natives of the same country as himself.  His maternal grandfather was an
Englishman, but his other connections are of Irish
birth.
Few events of importance occurred in the boyhood of our subject, who passed the somewhat
monotonous life of a farmer's son.  In his early
manhood, he decided that America offered better
opportunities than his native land for the accumulation of property and the gaining of a competence, so he determined to seek a home across the
ocean. In 1848, he took passage at Belfast in a
sailing vessel, and landed in New York City after
a voyage of six weeks or more.
The first home of Mr. Greer in this country was
in Livingston County, N. Y., where he was married, January 2, 1855, to Miss Jane Courtney, who
was born in the North of Ireland, June 8, 1834.
IHer parents, James and Hannah (Skilton) Courtney, were natives of the Emerald Isle, and were






1124


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.




descended from Scotch ancestors. When she was
fourteen years old, she came to America with her
brother James, and resided in New York City for
six years. Her union to Mr. Greer has brought
them five children, namely: Adelaide J., now the
wife of George A. Mowry; James F.; William;
Mary, who is a teacher in the public schools; and
Llewellyn.
Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Greer with
his wife, sought a home in Michigan, and after a
sojourn in Lenawee County, settled permanently
in Ross Township. At that time the farm which
he now owns was in a wild state of nature, and for
several years thereafter he used oxen in breaking
up the land. Gradually his efforts were rewarded
by increased crops, and as the years passed he
added such improvements as modern agriculture
suggested. Thus from an humble beginning, working as a farm  hand at $150 per year, for seven
years, he has arisen to the possession of one hundred and forty acres of fine farming land.
A public-spirited, intelligent and observing man,
Mr. Greer casts his influence on the side of the
Republican principles, and takes an especial interest in educational matters, having served as School
Director for eight years. He and his wife were
reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church,
and are sincere, generous Christians, aiming to do
all in their power for the benefit of humanity.
D. POOL.      This progressive and enterprising gentleman, who is the leading merchant in Augusta, is successfully dealing in
dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, lumber,
shingles, brick, coal, etc. His store is in fact a
veritable emporium of all kinds of goods usually
found in a first-class mercantile establishment.
His place of business is a two-story brick building,
24x100 feet in dimensions, and the proprietor
carries an average stock of goods valued at $7,000
in the mercantile line. His annual sales, including
his lumber, brick and coal interests, aggregate
$30,000. He does a very prosperous business and
keeps two clerks the year round.
Mr. Pool of this sketch is a native of Ohio, his


birth occurring in Geauga County, July 13, 1842.
He is the son of Abijah and Lucy Pool, and when
five years of age came to Michigan with his parents, who resided for several years in Kent County.
In 1854, they removed to Kalamazoo County, tle
family locating in Augusta, where the father died
in 1868; his wife survived him a number of years,
passing away in 1876.
He of whom we write was reared to man's estate
in Kalamazoo County, and received a good education in the district schools. In his twentieth
year, he began in the mercantile business by clerking for T. C. Wood, of Augusta. He continued to
work for that gentleman several years, and subsequently for a year and a half acted as his partner,
the firm operating under the style of Wood, Pool
& Co. He later became a member of the firm of
Wood, Pool & North, the connection lasting for
three years.
Mr. Pool started out in business on his own account in April, 1873, and has made a signal success of his undertaking, being now the popular
merchant of Augusta. He keeps everything in
his store which will be needed in the city or country household and by his courteous and honest
treatment of customers does an extensive business.
Our subject has taken quite an active part in
local affairs, having served as Treasurer and Trustee
of the Village Board for several years. He was
married to Eliza Barney in 1868, and to them
has been born one daughter, Helen G. In politics, Mr. Pool is a Republican and is in favor of
all measures which have for their object the upbuilding of his community. Socially, he is a Mason and greatly esteemed throughout this section.
EUBEN SPENCER, the former popular and
efficient Treasurer of Kalamazoo County,
makes his home at the present time on section 11, Richland Township. IHe was born
in Chautauqua County, N. Y., December 12, 1825,
and is a son of John and Betsey (Crosby) Spencer,
natives of Connecticut, His grandfather, Reuben




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POW'RAIT AND BIO0GRAPHICAL RECORD.


1127


PORTRAIT AN IOGRAPHICA RECO.1


Spencer, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War,
and his father did brave service in the War of
1812, being eighteen years old when he joined tlle
army.
He of whom we write grew to mature years in
his native State, and received a thorough training in agricultural pursuits. His education was
obtained in the primitive log schoolhouse of that
period, but not having the advantages offered the
youth of the present day, the knowledge gained
therein was very limited. In 1848, Mr. Spencer
came West to Barry County, this State, where he
made his home until 1850, then went overland to
the Golden State, leaving Richland on April 15 of
that year and arriving in IIangtown on the 28th
of August. He made his home in California
until January, 1855, when he returned home by
way of the Isthmus, and immediately taking up
his abode in Kalamazoo County, spent two years
in the city of that name, which was then little
more than a village. At the end of that time, he
received the appointment as clerk in the Contract
Department of the Post-office at Washington,
D. C., where he was employed for over four years,
starting in with a salary of $1,200 per year, and
receiving during the last twelve months $1,400.
When again devoting his attention to farming
pursuits, Mr. Spencer returned to Kalamazoo
County and located on what is now his present
farm in Richland Township, where he has a pleasant home and is well known throughout the
county. The lady to whom he was married, May
10, 1855, was Miss Lucy, daughter of Salmon C.
and Eliza (Cook) Hall, natives of Connecticut.
Mrs. Spencer was a most estimable lady and was
born in the Nutmeg State, February 2, 1836.
When but a few months old, she was brought by
her parents to Kalamazoo County, this State; they
located in the woods of Richland Township, where
they were numbered among the pioneer families.
Mr. Hall is still living, making his home in Massachusetts, while his good wife departed this life
in December, 1888.
To Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have been born a family of two children: Harry and Alice, the latter
of whom is the wife of H. A. Hodge. The parents are active members of the Unitarian Church,


of Kalamazoo, and in social matters our subject is
a Mason and also a Knight Templar. In his political relations, he is ranked with the Democrats,
and enjoys the confidence of the people of his
community to the fullest extent. His estate aggregates one hundred and seventy-five and onehalf acres which, by industry and good management, he has placed under thorough tillage and by
a proper rotation reaps a handsome income. Ile
has been prominent in local affairs and served his
fellow-townsmen as Supervisor for one year.
Salmon C. Hall, the father of Mrs. Spencer,
served one term in the Michigan State Legislature
from Barry County, and, being a prominent man
in his community, was elected to the offices of
Registrar of Deeds and Treasurer. He casts a
Democratic vote and possesses the universal esteem
of a large circle of acquaintances.
LYSSES D. WHEATON. There is perhaps no architect of greater prominence or
ability in Kalamazoo than this gentleman,
who has an attractive residence at No. 531 W.
Ransom Street. He was born in Madison, Lake
County, Ohio, June 6, 1831, and is the son of
Warren and Betsey (Follet) Wheaton, natives of
Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively. The
father learned his trade in New Haven, Conn., and
subsequently settled on the Western  Reserve,
Oliio, when twenty-six years old. Soon afterward
he was married and for some time followed the
business of wagon and carriage making and millwrighting, afterward cabinet-making, and latterly
house carpentery.
The mother of our subject was of French descent,
the family name being originally La Fillette, while
the father was descended from English forefathers,
who early settled in Connecticut. In 1845, the
family removed to Angola, Steuben County, Ind.,
and there Ulysses D. remained until twenty-three
years old. Under the careful supervision of his
father, who was a practical carpenter, wagon and
carriage maker and millwright, he learned the
trade of a carpenter and also the milling business,
which he carried on successfully at his home.


51


K






1128


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.




Having a cousin, James I. Follet, in Kalamazoo,
Mr. Wheaton was induced to come hither and enter his employ, remaining in that connection for
three years. August 15, 1862, he enlisted in his
country's defense, as a member of Company E,
Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, at Galesburgh,
and was with his regiment in detached service on
patrol duty at Louisville, and other portions of the
Blue Grass State. He was discharged March 31,
1863, for disability, and returned home to die, as
his friends thought, having been in the hospital
much of the time prior to his discharge.
However, his hardy constitution successfully
fought the inroads of disease, and he was after a
time enabled to resume work at his trade. For
about twelve years he was in the employ of Messrs.
Bush & Paterson, contractors, after which he embarked in business on his own account. Since 1875,
he has been alone, and in his business employs
about fifteen skilled hands, the annual amount of
work accomplished aggregating about $60,000
worth. His entire attention is given to his trade,
and he is now in charge of the building of the
Public Library, which when completed will be one
of the most elegant and substantial structures in the
city.
The first marriage of Mr. Wheaton took place
October 9, 1856, in Cooper Township, the bride
being Miss Sarah A. Traverse, who died eight years
after their union.  Their children are named:
Abbie J., Fred R. and William U. The older son
is in the United States Mail Service at Kalamazoo
and the younger son is in business at Rochester,
N. Y. Mr. Wheaton was again married, June 10,
1865, choosing as his wife Miss Olive C. Armstrong, who was born in Hillsdale County, this
State. They are the parents of five children,
namely: Nydia Alice, Katie B., Jennie Clara,
George S., and Glenn Cornell. Nydia, who was a
graduate of the Kalamazoo High School and a
teacher by profession, died August 4, 1890, at the
age of twenty-two. The remaining children are at
home.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Wheaton is in
sympathy with the principles of the Prohibition
party. Since 1855, he has been identified with the
Baptist Church, in which he is Deacon and Trus

tee. He assisted in the organization of the Portage Mission, and he and his wife were Sundayschool teachers there as well as liberal supporters
of the church. In his social connections he is a
member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Grand Army of the Republic, and is
prominent in both organizations. A man of great
intelligence, his leisure hours are often passed in
his extensive library, which contains all the standard works, and by his deep interest in all public
measures, he is prepared to aid in the progress of
all benevolent enterprises. His portrait appears
in connection with this sketch.
AMES A. CRANE. Many of the successful farmers of Kalamazoo County have removed hither from the Empire State and
have sought homes within its borders.
Among this class is the enterprising farmer and
stock-raiser who owns a splendid farm on section
22, Ross Township, and is numbered among the
successful citizens of the county. The two hundred acres of land which he owns and operates
have, through his exertions, been brought to a high
state of cultivation, and yield bountiful harvests
of the various cereals.
The family of which Mr. Crane is a member
traces its ancestry to England, whence at an early
(lay its first representatives in this country emigrated hither. The son of Amza L. and Nancy
(Crosby) Crane, natives, respectively, of New Jersey and New York, our subject was born in Seneca
County, N. Y., April 24, 1828. Upon his father's
farm he passed his early days and when not engaged with his studies in school he was aiding in
the work at home.
In 1861, Mr. Crane came to Michigan and settled on his present farm, where he has since remained. July 5, 1869, he was married to Miss
Flora E. Forbes, who was born January 20, 1845.
Her parents, Nathan and Laura (Willmoth) Forbes,
were natives of New Hampshire and New York, respectively, and removed at an early day to Kalamazoo County, residing for a time in Oshtemo and
Alamo Townships. Some time during the '60s




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1129


they located in Ross Township, where they remained until death. Mr. Forbes was a Deacon
in the Baptist Church, to which his wife also belonged.
Mrs. Crane is one of the three children: Francis M., Benjamin F. and Flora E. She was reared
in Kalamazoo County and after completing her
education, taught two terms of school in Alamo
Township. She has an adopted son, George E.,
upon whom she and her husband are bestowing
great care, and preparing him, both by home training and education in the best schools, for a position of responsibility in the business world. In
her religious belief, Mrs. Crane is identified with
the Baptist Church and is an active member of social circles.
When Mr. Crane first located in Kalamazoo
County, he purchased one hundred and fifteen
acres, to which he has since added until he now
owns two hundred acres.  In connection with
farming, he raises a good grade of stock, and is
known as a reliable farmer, obliging neighbor and
representative citizen.
G)       <-'g  JL  Lf'^ I — Q ____ ___
SYDNEY HAYS is a representative of
one of the honored pioneer families of
Kalamazoo County of 1832. His grandfather, John A. Hays, a native of Virginia,
came to Kalamazoo in 1832, finding here only a
mere trading post, and of the-first court held in the
city he was a member. His son, Algernon S. Hays,
accompanied him  and amid the wild scenes of
frontier life grew to manhood. He learned the
trade of a mason and builder, which he followed
many years, and was a useful man in the early
days of the new country. It was he who erected
nearly all of the large buildings in Kalamazoo that
were built prior to the time of his death. On the
5th of January, 1840, he married Sarah K. Waite,
who was born in Waterford, Saratoga County,
N. Y., August 27, 1821, and was a daughter of
George Waite.
Mr. Hays continued contracting and building
and employing a large number of men during the
busy season. I-e died very suddenly of pneumonia,


January 9, 1862, at the age of forty-seven years,
his birth having occurred in Wilmington, Ohio,
June 6, 1815. In politics, he was a stanch Democrat and a warm admirer of Stephen A. Douglas.
In his early life he held membership with the Congregational Church, but afterward united with the
Presbyterian Church, to which Mrs. Hays also belonged. She passed away May 4, 1887. They
were the parents of nine children, but only four
are now living: William E., a resident of Louisville, Ky.; Mary E., widow of O. H. Sheldon;
Charles B., an insurance and real-estate agent of
Kalamazoo; and our subject.
Mr. Hays, whose name heads this record, was educated in the city schools and a select school, after
which he began his business career as clerk. Subsequently lie became an accountant, but his health
failed him and he had to give up that work. In
his twenty-second year he engaged in the newspaper business. Again failing in health and suffering with a side and back trouble, lie went to the
Indianapolis Medical Institute for treatment, returning after several months, much improved. He
resumed book-keeping, and was engaged in that
capacity by Thomas Dorgan, proprietor of a plumbing, gas and steam-fitting establishment.
After a number of years, failing health again
forced Mr. Hays to retire, and he left the service of
Mr. Dorgan in 1878. The following year he was
elected to the office of Township Clerk, and at each
succeeding election was again called to that position, which he filled for five years. Although a
Democrat in politics, he received large majorities
which indicated his popularity among the people
and his wide circle of friends. While serving as
Township Clerk he was also book-keeper for Daniel Waterbury & Co. In 1882, he was made Deputy
Township Treasurer, which position he filled for
two years, and in 1884 was elected the first City
Treasurer of Kalamazoo, receivng the re-election
in 1885. In the two succeeding years he was manager of the American Celery Company of Kalamazoo, and in 1889, was again elected City Treasurer,
A nomination was once more given him in the
spring of 1890, but he was defeated by a small majority. In March, 1887, Mr. IIays had purchased
the Walter F, Bleasley real-estate and insurance




11~30


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


business but soon afterward sold a half interest to
his brother, C. B. Hays. Hie is now Secretary of
the Union Endowment Society, the main office
of which is in Boston. He is also Secretary and
Treasurer of the North and South Building and
Loan Association of Chicago, and a real-estate and
insurance brokerage.
On account of his health again failing him, Mr.
Hays was urged by his friends to take a trip
abroad, and on July 29, 1890, in company with
Rev. J. F. Loba and Rev. J. A. Johnson, he sailed
for Europe in the hope of benefiting his health.
Landing at Liverpool, he visited London and several other places of interest in England, Germany,
France and Switzerland, enjoying a climb up the
Alps and the benefits of the exhilarating atmosphere of their snow-capped heights, the home of
the beautiful and lovely eidelweis.
On his return to this country, Mr. Hays remained
for some time in the New England States, after
which he returned to his home. In the winter of
1891, he received two severe injuries which
greatly impaired his health and little hope is entertained of a complete recovery. He occupies the
old homestead erected by his father at 209 West
Lovell Street, to which place the family removed
in a very early day, when it was yet in the woods.
Mr. Hays has been a life-long resident of Kalamazoo, and no man in the community is held in
higher regard or is more deserving of the esteem
of his fellow-citizens../+      +


while his mother, Polly (Hazelton) Mowry, was
born in Vermont of English ancestry. Augustus
Mowry inherited the substantial traits which characterized his English forefathers, and proved his
loyalty to America by serving in the defense of
the Colonies during the War of 1812. He and his
wife settled at an early day in Madison County,
N. Y., where, June 3, 1818, their son Allen was
born.
From infancy our subject has been familiar with
rural life, and acquired a practical knowledge of
farming while still young. Although his educational advantages were limited, he has gained extensive information concerning all topics of historical and general interest through systematic
reading and self-culture. November 15, 1840, he
was married in New York to Miss Emma E. Slade,
and they became the parents of eight children,
seven of whom are living, namely: Edward S.,
Cassius M., George A., Rhoda A. (Mrs. Clark Aldrich), Porter A., Emma (Mrs. William  Giddings),
and Celia B. (Mrs. Theron Aldrich); Charles H. is
deceased.
In 1846, accompanied by his wife and two children who had been born to them in New York,
our subject came to Michigan, and for several
years resided in Barry County. In 1852, he removed to the farm in Ross Township, where he has
since resided. The farms which he purchased both
in Barry and Kalamazoo Counties were almost
wholly unimproved, and the environments were
similar to all frontier countries, but through the
exercise of abundant energy and unremitting toil
he has not only cleared the places, but greatly improved them.
A deep bereavement came to this devoted and
affectionate family when, July 17, 1883, the loving wife and tender mother was called hence by
death. She was a sincere Christian, a member of
the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and was a lady
of great benevolence, who would willingly have
shared her last loaf with a neighbor in distress. Mr.
Mowry is also identified with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and is prominent in religious circles.
His fellow-citizens have called upon him to fill
various positions of responsibility and he has
served acceptably as Highway Commissioner of


f                           Tv.


N


LLEN MOWRY. It affords no little pleasure to chronicle the principal events in
the life of this venerable resident of Kalmazoo County, who now, in his old age,
is enjoying the fruits ot a life well spent, and is
surrounded with every comfort which can contribute to his happiness.  His homestead includes
eighty acres of good land in section 15, Ross
Township, and has been brought to its present high
cultivation through his efforts in former years.
The father of our subject, Augustus Mowry, is
supposed to have been a native of Rhode Island,


l






I




t4 1'tot




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1133


Ross Township and Treasurer of Barry Township.
Although he has never been an active partisan, he
believes in the principles of the Republican party,
and uses hisinfluence in its behalf.
RED HOTOP, proprietor of the American
Hotel, and one of the self-made men of
Kalamazoo, was born in Holstein, near
Hamburg, Germany, October 20, 1837, the son of
Christian and Elizabeth (Henderson) Hotop. His
father, who was a miller and at one time owned
two good mills in Germany, died in the Fatherland when Fred was a lad of eight years. -He was
then bound out to a farmer, with whom he remained until fifteen years old, after which he continued to work as a farm hand until he was
nineteen.
In the spring of 1857, with a desire to try his
fortune in the New World, Mr. Hotop crossed the
Atlantic, landing at Castle Garden, N. Y., and,
coming West, after seven days of travel,he reached
Sheboygan, Wis. He had the misfortune to have
his trunk stolen, containing all his wearing apparel
and valuables, and leaving him with only $5 in his
pocket. He commenced to work near Sheboygan,
receiving $100 per year for his services, and after
saving his earnings for nearly two years, sent a
check for $140 to his mother to aid in defraying
her expenses, as well as those of three brothers
and one sister, in the voyage to America. He had
a half-brother in Kalamazoo, who had agreed to
send as much money as he for this purpose.
The year 1859 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Hotop
in Kalamazoo, penniless and without even a coat
on his back. He continued to work as a farm
hand for a year, receiving $12 per month. Later,
he was employed for two years in the livery stable
of the Burdick House, and received $12 a month.
Subsequently, in company with his brother Henry,
he established a boarding and feed stable, which
they ran successfully for four years.
After his marriage, which occurred in 1865, and
united him  to Miss Sarah Christy, Mr. Hotop
sold out his business and traveled through the
West seeking a location for an hotel, but not find

ing a favorable opening, he commenced to work
for the American Express Co., in Chicago, for $65
per month. On his return to Kalamazoo, he once
more, in connection with his brother, opened a
boarding and feed stable. In the spring of 1869,
with his brother George, he purchased the old
American Hotel property, at that time in ashes,
having burned to the ground in 1867. They built
a small house, and, July 3, 1869, opened the hotel
to the public. Together they continued business
until 1884, when Mr. Hotop bought out his
brother's interest for $12,000.
In 1878, an addition was built, a three-story
brick structure, with a dining-room 40x64, and a
kitchen 28x70. Mr. Hotop afterward bought to
the east a lot 80x320 feet, running through from
Main to Water Street, costing $7,800, and also
purchased another lot, 80x320 feet, west of the
hotel in 1885, the price being $10,000, and thus
his hotel is surrounded by a beautiful lawn. The
hotel and grounds are worth $100,000. The American Hotel is deservedly popular with the traveling
public. It has well-furnished rooms, supplied with
all modern conveniences; on the table are found all
the delicacies of the season, and all the appointments are complete. Mr. Hotop, whose portrait
accompanies this sketch, is very popular as "mine
host" and his guests appreciate his kindly disposition and courteous manners.
While residing in Chicago, Mrs. Sarah Hotop
died, leaving one daughter, Sarah Theresa, who
died in childhood. Mr. Hotop was afterward
married to Miss Louisa, daughter of Mathias Mergenthaler, of Kalamazoo, and the only child born
of the union, Kitty Bell, died when six years old.
In politics, Mr. Hotop is a Democrat, has served as
Alderman of the First Ward for two terms, and
was nominated on his party ticket for Mayor in
1889. Socially, he is a Thirty-second Degree Mason,
an honored member of the fraternity. For the
past two years, he has been President of the Kalamazoo Humane Society.
We cannot close this sketch without emphasizing
the fact that honesty, industry, economy and pluck
are the true roads to wealth. Success seldom favors
those that are "to the manor born" and reared in
the lap of luxury, but her hands are ever open to




1184


iPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


those who would win by honest industry. When
Mr. Hotop reached Kalamazoo, he had in his pocket
$140 with which he purchased a draft to send to
his relatives across the water, leaving not a cent
for himself. He had no coat to wear and his only
baggage was a shirt, wrapped in a red handkerchief, which he carried under his arm. The first
Sunday he went to Kalamazoo, he borrowed a
horse of his employer and five cents from his
brother, in order to pay toll on the plank road.
To-day, although but in middle life, he stands at
the head of his business in his beautiful city and
has enough of this world's goods to enable him to
spend his declining years in comfort, as well as
leave something for those who have been less fortunate than he.
f- ~-"7;21~Y.~-~ti~'~-~"~v~l~.~-5,'7. - -L- --  -/
OHN W. MIDDLETON. This gentleman
who is the present popular Treasurer of
Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, is a
successful agriculturist, making his home in
section 30. His estate bears all the modern improvements and ranks among the first-class farms
in the township.
George H. Middleton, the father of our subject,
was born in Washington County, Pa., while his
mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Drake,
haled from Virginia. The elder Mr. Middleton
came to Kalamazoo County in 1832; Miss Drake
made her advent in this locality four years later.
They were married in this county, after which
event they located in Portage Township, where
they resided until their death, the father dying
November 11, 1886, and the mother, April 24,
1891. By their union they became the parents
of four children, three of whom lived to attain
mature years, namely: John W., Charles H. and
Ella E. Charles married Jennie Haynes, and Ella
is the wife of Charles L. Bowles.
Previous to his marriage with the mother of our
subject, George H1. Middleton had married Rebecca
Bishop, who died in 1853. By that union he became the father of eight children, viz: George,
Nathan, Willis, William, Samuel, Hannah, Sarah
and Clarissa. John W. Middleton, the subject of


this sketch, was born in Portage Township, July
6, 1854. He was reared on the old homestead and
educated in the common schools of his locality.
He resided under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred June 25, 1876, at which time
Miss Sarah E., daughter of Daniel and Sophia (Dabler) Long, became his wife. The parents of Mrs.
Middleton were natives of the Keystone State,
and were the heads of a family of thirteen children. Miss Sarah was born in Snyder County,
of the above-named State, March 13, 1856.
Mr. and Mrs. Middleton of this sketch have
been granted three children, namely: Ida M., Bernice S. and Maggie E. Our subject has been a
member of the Board of Review of Portage Township for several years. He was elected Treasurer
of this township in the spring of 1891, and most
faithfully and conscientiously performs the duties
of that honored position. He takes an active interest in all local affairs, and, politically, votes the
Democratic ticket. He has always been engaged
in agricultural pursuits, and in company with his
brother, Clarles H., owns the old homestead of two
hundred and ten acres. The place is embellished
with good, substantial buildings, which best subserve the interests of a farmer, and nets its owner a
handsome income. Mrs. Middleton is an excellent
lady, and her hospitality is known throughout
the township.
1OHN P. CAMPBELL is one of the most'
thrifty, clear-sighted and capable farmers
and stock-raisers of Kalamazoo County, and
he has been an important agent in its development these many years. He is an extensive
land-holder,the proprietor of one of the largest
and best managed farms in Comstock Township,
besides owning valuable real estate in Newago
County. He is a native of Scotland, born the first
Monday in the month of March, 1812, and is derived from one of the famous Scottish clans of the
olden days. He can trace his ancestry back many
generations, even beyond one Peter Campbell, his
great-great-great-great-grandfather. The next in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1135


---— I


line of descent was Alexander; after him came'
Donald; then another Peter, who was succeeded by
another Donald, and his successor was a third
Peter, who was the father of our subject.
The last Peter Campbell mentioned was a farmer
and also a cabinet-maker. He farmed as a renter
on some nobleman's estate, and had to pay ~200
per annum for his farm. He departed this life in
his native place at the age of fifty years. Our subject's uncle, John Campbell, was a captain in a
British regiment during the American Revolution,
being sent over here by his government to help
subdue the rebel Colonists. The mother of our
subject was Elizabeth McArthur, and she was a native of Perthshire, Scotland. Her father, Duncan
McArthur, was born in the same place as herself,
and he taught school in his native shire. His
father, Robert McArthur, who was also born in the
same town, was a large farmer and drover. The
parents of our subject reared six of a family of
seven children to maturity, namely: Donald, who
died at the age of eighty-four years; Grace, who
died at the age of seventy-eight; Duncan, whose
death occurred at the age of seventy-six; Catherine,
who was seventy-seven years old when she died;
Christina, whose death occurred at the age of
seventy-six years; and John P. the fifth child in
order of birth, and the only survivor of the family.
Our subject passed his boyhood in the place of
his birth, and when fourteen years old he went to
live with an uncle. At the age of twenty, he went
into business on his own account by driving, buying and selling cattle, and the enterprising young
fellow rented two farms as a further venture. He
continued engaged in the cattle business in his native land until 1850, when he came to America.
His first year or two on this continent was spent
at Montreal. He then, in 1852, removed to Caledonia, N. Y., and resided there some three years.
His next move was to this State and county, where
he has ever since made his home, locating on his
farm on section 4, Comstock Township. He has
here four hundred and ninety-three acres of well
improved land, of which he has cleared all but about
sixty acres. Hle has his farm fully stocked with
horses, cattle and sheep of the finest breeds. Besides this farm, he has one hundred and sixty acres


of choice land in Sheriden Township, Newago
County. Mr. Campbell is a fine type of our selfmade men, as all that he has and all that he is he
owes principally to his own exertions, ably seconded by his wife's ready co-operation. He inherited in a full degree the characteristics of his
race, and his most prominent traits are forethought,
prudence, strength of will and purpose, cool calculation and methodical business habits. He is a
Republican in politics, and a Presbyterian in religion. He is a liberal giver to all good causes, and
is in every way a good citizen.
Mr. Campbell was married in Richland Township, December 29, 1862, to Jenette, daughter of
Robert and Christina (Purvis) Redpath. She was
born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, July 27, 1840, and
is the third daughter and sixth child of her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been blessed with two
children, a daughter and a son: Elizabeth R.,
who was born in 1863, and is at home with her
parents; and Peter J., who was born in 1871, and
is attending school.
ILLIAM      H. ABBOTT. Prairie Ronde
Township, which is located in the southwestern part of Kalamazoo County, has
many beautiful farms, but none has been better
managed than that located on section 7, belonging
to the gentleman whose name we have just quoted.
He was the son of William and Elizabeth (Huxtable) Abbott, natives of Devonshire, England.
They were married and lived for a time in that
place, and then emigrated to Canada, making
their home for a twelvemonth in the Dominion.
On coming to Kalamazoo County, they located in
Prairie Ronde Township, where the mother died
in September, 1854. The elder Mr. Abbott survived many years, and passed away in May,
1880.
The parental family of our subject included
three children, of whom  he was the eldest, his
birth occurring in Devonshire, England, February
19, 1835. He was six years of age when his parents came to this county, where he has since lived,
with the exception of three years spent in Van






11 86


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC~AL RECORD.


1136PORTAIT ND IO~RPH1CL REORD


Buren County.    Mr. Abbott and Miss Martha
Johnson were united in marriage in Paw Paw,
this State, March 27, 1857. Mrs. Abbott was the
daughter of Nathan and Maria (Free Darland)
Johnson, natives of New York State. The parents
were married in Kalamazoo, and located in Cooper
Township, where they resided for several years.
They then removed to Prairie Ronde Township,
and later to Van Buren County, where the father
died in July, 1879; the mother still survives.
Mrs. Abbott was born in Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County, September 14, 1838, and was the
eldest of the parental family of eight children.
Her marriage with our subject has resulted in the
birth of four children, viz: Edward H., who married Alice Babcock; she died in this township,
April 25, 1888. Herbert E., who married Emma
Mayhard; Nathan W. married Fannie Maxwell,
and Victor H. is at home.
Mr. Abbott was a Republican, and gave liberally
of his means for the furtherance of all worthy objects. Socially, he was a Mason and stood high in
the fraternity. He passed his life in agricultural
pursuits and was the proprietor of one hundred
and eighty acres of valuable land. He died March
31, 1892.
9 OLOMON        SHIMMEL.     The  gratifying
success which has crowned the efforts of
our subject is the more noticeable and
praiseworthy because of the few opportunities afforded him in the earlier days. He is one
of that class of whom many worthy representitives are found in the West, who are, perhaps, best
designated by the term self-made. He is retired
from the active duties of life, and makes his home
in the pleasant village of Schoolcraft.
The subject of this sketch was born in Pamelia,
Jefferson County, N. Y., May 15, 1825. He is a
son of Richard and Susan (Auysbury) Shimmel,
natives of New York, who came to Michigan in
1844 and settled in Nottawa Township, St. Joseph
County. There they passed their last days, and
at their death had become the parents of five sons
and four daughters. Solomon was the fourth in
L\:;


order of birth, and continued to make his home
in the above-named county until 1869, in the fall
of which year he removed to Van Buren County,
where he resided until December, 1883. He then
came to Kalamazoo County, selecting Schoolcraft
as his future abiding-place. He followed agricultural pursuits prior to his coming hither, and
owns one hundred acres of excellent land in Porter Township, Van Buren County. He has made
a success of his calling and is now able to enjoy
the fruits of his early toil and perseverance.
Solomon Shimmel was married January 20,1852,
in St. Joseph County, to Miss Kate, daughter of
William and Phebe (Vincent) Busler, both of
whom died in Jefferson County N. Y. Mrs. Shimmel was born in Pamelia, Jefferson County, N. Y.,
February 2, 1832, where, it will be remembered,
our subject was also born. They have one daughter living, Villetta L., who is the wife of Warren
C. Wood, a prominent resident of Van Buren
County. They have buried three children, two
of whom died in infancy, and Anna E., whose
death occurred when two and a half years old.
Mr. Shimmel has taken an active part in Grange
affairs, and, with his estimable wife, is a member
in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He is also connected with the Masonic
fraternity, and is a member of Blue Lodge, No.
216, of Lawton this State, and of the Paw Paw
Chapter. The family occupy a pleasant and commodious residence in the village, where they are
held in high regard, Mr. Shimmel being one of the
leading citizens of the place.
ON. ALLEN POTTER.      This beloved and
respected resident of Kalamazoo died at his
residence at No. 718 South Street, May 8,
1885. He was born in Saratoga County,N.Y.,
October 2, 1818, and was the son of Elisha and Maria
(Allen) Potter, being their only child who grew to
mature years. His maternal grandfather, Nathaniel
Allen, died at the advanced age of eighty-seven
years.  His paternal grandfather, Dr. Otheniel
Potter, was a prominent and benevolent man in




IT
I0
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1137......


his community. The father, by signing notes for
friends, lost all his handsome property, and when
only thirteen years of age, our subject was compelled to start out in life on his own account and
served a seven-years' apprenticeship at the tinner's
trade.
Our subject received a common-school education,
but, making the best of his opportunities, became
an intelligent and well-read gentleman. His parents removing to Tecumseh, this State, he worked
as a journeyman there and at Adrian. He later
took charge of the hardware department in the
general merchandise establishment of Letts &
Weatherwax, at Homer, where he remained a couple of years and then went to Jonesville, and after
the death of Deacon Nortl carried on his business
until the spring of 1845. At the end of that time,
he came to Kalamazoo and opened a hardware
store, where he did a successful business for several years.
Mr. Potter, in September of the above-named
year, went East, and on the 13th of that month
was united in marriage, at Lockport, N. Y., to Miss
Charity P. Letts, daughter of Abraham and Eliza
(Smith) Letts. The young couple returned to Kalamazoo, where Mr. Potter engaged in handling
furnaces, in partnership with J. P. Woodbury.
They continued in that line for some years, when
our subject disposed of his interest to his partner
and continued in the hardware business, taking in
as his co-worker G. H. Gale, who had learned the
business under him. Later, in company with J. P.
Woodbury and William A. Wood, Mr. Potter engaged in a private banking business which was subsequently organized as the Michigan National Bank
and was a leading stockholder and director in the
same. For three years, he was President of the South
Haven Railroad during the construction of their
tracks, and has otherwise been very prominent in
public positions. He assisted in organizing the
Kalamazoo Paper Mill, and was for several years
a stockholder. Subsequently, he sold his interest
to Silas Hubbard.
Originally a Republican, Mr. Potter was nominated on the Democratic ticket for Representative
to the Forty-fourth Congress, and, being a popular
man, was elected. Although not a public speaker,


he was noted for his unusual business abilities and
served on many important committees while a
member of that body. The Hon. Allen Potter was
elected the first Mayor of Kalamazoo and was always very active where the interests of the community were concerned. On the formation of the
first hook and ladder company, in 1846, he was
chosen its foreman, and when the village decided
to purchase its first fire engine, our subject was
sent East to investigate, and by his recommendation their purchase was made in Rochester. He was
called upon to occupy many positions in the village
and city, alike in social, political, church and business affairs, filling them with great acceptance,
but never of his own seeking. In 1856, he was
elected Supervisor and was President of the Village Board several times. In 1884, he was elected
Mayor. In 1867, he was made a member of the
Board of Education, and two years later was
elected President of the Board. In 1872, he was
one of the Board of Water Commissioners, and in
1878 was elected to Congress, and for a number of
years was Treasurer of the Michigan Asylum for
the Insane at Kalamazoo.
The Hon. Allen Potter has been largely interested in real estate, and in company with Mr.
Woodbury and James A. Walter, purchased the gas
plant, to which he gave his personal attention and
which the family continue to be interested in.
Although not a member of any church organization,
our subject was a liberal and cheerful contributor
to all denominations. He was one of the incorporators of Mt. Holyoke College, to the support of
which he was a cheerful giver.
Mrs. Potter was the daughter of Abraham Letts,
who came to Calhoun County, this State, in 1835,
where he was the owner of six hundred acres of
valuable land. He later became interested in the
general merchandise business, and with his partners
erected a gristmill, doing an immense business.
He returned to Lockport, N. Y., in 1844, and in
1856 bought his farm, which was located three
miles from Kalamazoo, his death occurring in 1873,
in the city of Kalamazoo. The family of Mr. and
Mrs. Potter included the following-named children:
May, who married John K. Knight, who is cashier
and director in the Oakland National Bank, in




1138


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.






I


Chicago; Mrs. Lillie Gardner; and Allen, who died
April 17, 1883, when in his twenty-sixth year; he
was married and left one son, who takes his grandfather's name. Mrs. Potter is a member of the
Unitarian Church and a Director in the Ladies'
Library Association in this city. She is a very
refined and cultured lady, a leader in the social
circles of Kalamazoo. Their beautiful home was
erected twenty years ago and elegantly furnished
throughout.
Of the subject of this sketch, it is but the simple
truth to say that he was beloved by thousands and
esteemed and respected by the entire community.
He was thoroughly devoted to his family, and his
kindness of heart pervaded like a ray of sunshine
the sacred precincts of his home, and the happiest
hours of his life were those spent in the society of
his wife and children. Better gift can no man
have than to be held, as was Mr. Potter, in universal regard.
O    LIVER IRVING. This well-known resident
of Kalamazoo County owns and operates a
fine farm in section 9, Ross Township. It
comprises seventy acres, which, through his untiring exertions, have been brought to a high cultivation, and embellished with a substantial set of farm
buildings. Conmmencing in life with no advantages of fortune or education, he achieved success
through his exercise of the habits of industry and
economy which were instilled into his character
during his early years.
August 11, 1820, Mr. Irving was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., and is a son of Andrew and
Jane (Martin) Irving, natives of New Jersey. His
paternal ancestors originally came from  Ireland,
and his grandfather Irving served during the Revolutionary War on the side of the Colonies. Until he was eighteen years old, he remained in his
native State, and then in company with his parents
came West to Kalamazoo County, and settled in
the woods of Ross Township.
The father of our subject was a millwright by
trade, and followed that occupation until he died
in May, 1863, sincerely mourned by his early as

sociates in the work of clearing and improving
the township. Oliver, the only surviving child in
a family of nine, aided his father on the farm, and
also gleaned a common-school education in the intervals of work. In his early manhood he was
married to Julia Whitcomb, and they became the
parents of two children, one of whom, Addie, now
survives.
The marriage of Mr. Irving to his present amiable wife took place March 15, 1862. Mrs. Irving,
who was known in maidenhood as Edna Bonnell,
was born in Wayne County, N. Y., January 15,
1836, and is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Willson) Bonnell. Her father, who was a native of
New Jersey, was of English-Quaker descent, and
was a man of sterling worth of character. Since
his death, his widow has resided in Grayling, this
State. When Mrs. Irving was twelve years old,
she accompanied her parents to Calhoun County,
Mich., and settled with them in Bedford Township.
She is one of ten children, five of whom survive,
namely: Mrs. Irving; Eliza, wife of Edward Hume;
Charles; Margaret, who married Charles Hume; and
George. Mr. and Mrs. Irving are the parents of
two children: Mary, who is engaged in teaching,
and Charles H.
In the spring of 1869, Mr. Irving located upon
his present farm, where he has since resided. He
has witnessed the development of the county and
has aided in perfecting its resources. In their religious connections, he and his wife are members
of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and are respected members of society. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has served his fellow-citizens in official
capacities of honor and trust.
MA\ ATHIAS L. MILHAM.        This successful
farmer of Comstock Township, Kalamazoo County, was born in Chatham Township, Columbia County, N. Y., January 9,
1837. His father, John, was born in New York in
1805, and was a farmer by occupation, being thus
engaged in his native State as well as in Kalamazoo County, whither he removed in 1845. He
traded his farm in the Empire State for land in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1139. -            z I. 1 -.


Michigan, and at one time owned over one thousand acres in Kalamazoo County, besides land in
Jackson and Branch Counties.
The last days of John Milham were spent in
Kalamazoo Township, this county, where he died
at the age of eighty-one. Politically, he was a
Democrat and was a prominent man in the community. In New York he held various offices, and
also served as Supervisor of Kalamazoo Township.
For many years he was President of the Farmers'
Mutual Insurance Company, and was identified
with the most progressive measures of the county.
His wife, whose maiden name was Almira Rathbone, was probably a native of Delaware County,
N. Y., and died at the early age of thirty-three
years, leaving six children.
The brothers and sisters of our subject are: Martin; Marilla, wife of P. Griswold, of Allegan; Oliver, a dentist in Chicago; Mary Jane, who married
Henry Beckwirth, of Kalamazoo, and one that died
in childhood. Our subject, who was the third
child of the family circle, was about nine years old
when he removed with his father to Michigan. At
the age of twenty-one, he was given $1,000 by his
father and invested the money in the purchase of
the farm which he now owns and occupies.
May 17, 1859, Mr. Milham was married to Miss
Azuba Chadwick, who was born in Orleans County,
N. Y., December 30, 1837, and was one of four
children born to Calvin and Lydia (Foster) Chadwick, natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Milham are the parents of five children, viz: Mary E.,
wife of J. W. Knapp, a ranchman of Tom Green
County, Tex., who, with his partner, owns over
sixteen thousand acres of land; Ray and Jay, twins,
who died when two years old; Jessie M., at home,
and Warren a teacher in the schools at Galesburg.
Mr. Milham owns eighty acres of land in section
36, upon which is an attractive residence built at a
cost of about $2,000. When he located here, only
four acres had been cleared and a small house
stood in the clearing, but gradually he brought the
land to its present splendid condition. A carpenter by trade, he not only erected his own residence
but has built many of the best houses in the county
besides twenty-seven barns. During the war he
worked for a contractor in Western Tennessee,


and aided in bridge-building in that part of the
State. He is a Democrat, and his estimable wife
is identified with the Congregational Church at
Galesburg. For eleven years he has been a Mason
and belongs to the Kalamazoo Commandery, in the
work of which he has been quite active.
EORGE W. MILLER, President of the Kalamazoo Railroad, Velocipede & Car Co.,
was born in Canton, St. Lawrence County,
N. Y., February 20, 1851, the son of Samuel B. and
Caroline (Randall) Miller, natives of New York. At
sixteen years of age, he accepted a position as assistant to his uncle, Hiram B. Miller, in his bank,
the National Exchange, at Troy, N. Y. That gentleman was a man of wide influence and great
prominence, and was President of several banks, but
is now living retired at Kalamazoo.
For about two years our subject remained in the
bank in a clerical capacity, and having a naturally
bright intellect, acquired proficiency as a bookkeeper. When eighteen, he entered the employ
of E. W. Boughton & Co., wholesale hatters and
furriers at Troy, where he held the position of
book-keeper and had charge of their cash department. It was an extensive establishment, their
business exceeding $300,000 per annum, and our
subject acquired useful knowledge of general business methods, as well as a special knowledge of
their particular line of business.
When in his twenty-first year, Mr. Miller decided to open a similar business on his own responsibility. He purchased an old stand where others
had failed to succeed and, against the protests of
friends, embarked in business. His success was assured from the first and he found himself on the
highroad to a financial prosperity. There being
twenty-two dealers in hats and furs, he found
ample competition and saw many of his competitors close their doors and retire from the struggle.
But his fine quality of stock and obliging manner
brought trade, and he continued to prosper during
the six years that he remained in Troy.
In August, 1878, Mr. Miller came to Kalamazoo
and opened an establishment of similar nature to








1140


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.




his old business. Having ideas that required development in a more ambitious field, he disposed
of his business in one year and turned his attention
to manufacturing. Always from a boy noted for
his mechanical ideas, he had evolved from  the
brain-matter of a well-balanced head the idea that
he put into a tangible form in the shape of the agricultural implement, embracing a combination of
harrow and seeder, upon which he was granted letters patent, and which he began to manufacture
and sell. Giving his entire attention and financial
standing to the business, he soon made a success of
it and saw his small beginnings assume extensive
proportions, his establishment turning out over one
thousand complete implements per year.
Other somewhat similar devices coming into general use, after three years Mr. Miller disconnected
himself with this institution and made another
bold stroke in the realms of practical mechanics,
that a man of less courage would never have contemplated. Realizing the advantage that railroad
velocipedes had to railroad management, and foreseeing their future utility and various applications,
he secured a half-interest in patents covering them,
and February 1, 1883, engaged in their manufacture. His original articles were crude in many
particulars and he turned his attention to their
perfection, and has since made many improvements
which are covered by patents. The machinery
that is now turned out for the trade bears but little resemblance to the earlier manufactures.
Letters have been granted Mr. Miller on twentyfour different articles or improvements. Thirtyfive varieties of light cars are manufactured by
the firm, including velocipedes, hand-cars, pushcars, hand and steam inspection cars and construction cars. H. G. Haines is associated with Mr. Miller in the business. They have about $100,000 invested and employ from forty to seventy-five men,
their annual output exceeding four thousand separate cars and articles. The Kalamazoo Wood Split
Pulley Works, with a capital of $35,000, and employing forty men, are also under the management
of Mr. Miller as President. These two establishments have contributed largely to the interests of
Kalamazoo and are important factors when its annual products are estimated.


In 1891, Mr. Miller established the well-known
Crescent Stock Farm, situated four miles east of
Kalamazoo, and one mile west of Galesburg. He
is the owner of the famous stallion, Count Wilkes,
a son of the mighty George Wilkes. Count Wilkes
is sire of Georgette, 2:19+, and Bald Wilkes, 2:30,
and, with the prestige he has established, he will
soon take front rank among the many great sons
of George Wilkes Little Jay is also a coming
horse at Crescent Farm.
March 16, 1875, Mr. Miller was married to Miss
Susie Jones, of Plattsburg, N. Y., and they are the
parents of two children,Lou and Edith. Politically,
Mr. Miller is a Republican, and, socially, is a Knight
Templar.
U LI U S C. MATTESON. That persistent
industry and good judgment almost invariably win success is a fact whose truth has
never been disputed, and upon the possessor of those traits of character, fortune usually
showers her blessings. It is only through longcontinued effort that Mr. Matteson attained his
present position, where he can reflect upon the
past with satisfaction, and look forward to a future spent in the enjoyment of a comfortable competency. His fine farm on section 21 comprises
two hundred and sixty-two acres, and is embellished
with a substantial set of buildings, the most noticeable among them being his comfortable residence,
wherein he and his estimable wife dispense a generous hospitality.
Julius C. Matteson is the son of Allen G. and
Maria (Maxson) Matterson. The parents were natives of New York, and emigrated to Michigan in
1847, choosing as their abiding-place  Branch
County. Six years after locating there, the father
died, soon after which event the family came to
Kalamazoo County and made their home in Portage Township. There the mother resided many
years, and was subsequently married to Henry H.
Haner; she died in Kansas. Our subject had three
brothers and three sisters, and was born April 12,
1837, in Wyoming County, N. Y.




PORTRAIT AND BIO9GRAP-HICAL RECORD.


1141


P A


He of whom we write was a lad of ten years
when his parents came to this State, and, with the
exception of six years spent in Bangor, has been
a resident of Portage Township since that time.
tie has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which he has been very successful. Our
subject was married to Ella Porter, March 9, 1870.
Mrs. Matteson was born in St. Johns, New Brunswick, February 17, 1848, and was the daughter of
David and Mary Ann (Kelly) Porter, who were
natives of England. She was the seventh in order
of birth of the parental family of nine children,
and was given a good education in her native
place.
Mr. and Mrs. Matteson have become the parents of three children: Allen G., who died in infancy; Porter H. and Percy L. Our subject, although not an office-seeker, has been the incumbent
of many of the minor offices, and for a number of
years served on the School Board. He has cast
a Republican vote, but is not otherwise interested
in political affairs. He is liberal in his religious
views, and is a member socially of the Masonic
fraternity, being identified with Blue Lodge, No.
340, and has the honor of being one of tie original members of that body. He occupies a high
position among his fellow-citizens, who consider
his word as good as his bond.


years of his death, when he accompanied our subject to Michigan and died in his eighty-third
year.
He of whom we write was born in Chemung
County, N. Y., February 25, 1818 and, in 1840,
came West to Barry County, where he made his
home for a short time and then located on a quarter section of land in Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County. Mr. Root is now the only old settler
living on the Pottsville Road and has done his
full share in bringing this county to its present
state of development. Fair dealing and hard work
have brought him success and to-day he ranks
among the well-to-do citizens, while his reputation
is that of an honest and industrious man.
The parental family of our subject included
seven sons and two daughters, the latter of whom
are still living in Pennsylvania and our subject is
the only survivor of the sons. He was married
when twenty-six years of age to Miss D. B. Hardy,
the ceremony being performed in 1843 in Pennsylvania. When taking up his abode in Barry
County, Mr. Root lived between three tribes of
Indians with whom he has gone on many a hunting expedition. Deer were very plentiful in that
early day, and on one occasion while going after
the cows he killed nine of these animals.
To Mr. and Mrs. Root have been born ten children, only three of whom are living, namely:
Mrs. Amy Brewster who makes her home in Otsego;
Henry Delbert residing in Kansas, and Henrietta
A., who lives at home. Their son, Amos, enlisted
in the Union Army in 1863, when nineteen years
of age, as a member of Company A, Thirteenth
Michigan Infantry, which formed a part of the
Fourteenth Corps, First Division and Second
Brigade, under Sherman, and participated in the
battles of Florence, (Ala)., Perryville, (N. C)., and
Savannah, in which latter battle he was taken sick
and carried off the field by his comrade, Henry
Eastman. He died on a Government transport,
May 7, 1865, and was buried in the National
Cemetery at Philadelphia, Pa.
Mrs. Root departed this life in 1858 and the
lady to whom our subject was then married was
Mrs. Henrietta Brewster, a sister of his first wife.
He is the possessor of a large property, owning


~Ilrpll3Lh~JCII L1(a - ___a calm S ~


USTUS L. ROOT.       A pleasantly located
farm in Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo
County, is the home of this well-known
farmer, who is engaged in raising such crops
as are adapted to the soil and climate and meet the
demands of the market. He is the son of William
Root, who was born in New York near Long Island,
which was also the birthplace of the mother. The
elder Mr. Root was a farmer by occupation, and,
in 1827, removed from the Empire State to Pennsylvania, where he purchased land in Liberty
Township, Tioga County. He was a soldier in the
War of 1812, in which conflict his brother, Iarvey
Root, also did valuable service.  William  Root
made his home in Pennsylvania until within three








1142


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


-I


eighty acres on section 3, forty acres on section 10,
Oshtemo Township; one hundred acres in Adams
Township and one hundred and sixty acres in
Wexford County, this State. Our subject in order
to gain an education walked to school barefooted
during the winter months, his parents being too
poor to provide him with shoes. He has been the
subject of two serious mishaps in his life, at one
time falling from a scaffolding, when he was picked
up for dead, and in the summer of 1890 he was
run over by a self-binding machine. He had three
brothers who participated in the War of the Rebellion, who bore the respective names of David
H., Truman and Lanson.
OSEPH    BERT   SMILEY, publisher and
proprietor of Smiley's Kalamazoo County
Enteiprise at Galesburg, is one of the rising
young poets of Michigan, whose reputation
will undoubtedly become national ere many years
have elapsed. He was born in Anoka, Minn., October 8, 1864, the eldest child and only son of
George and Nora E. Smiley. His father was a
miller in Minnesota, but after coming to Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1866, engaged as a grain buyer and
merchant.
So backward was our subject in his physical development, that he did not walk until almost four
years old; but while his physical powers were of
slow growth, his intellect, from earliest childhood,
was characterized by unusual brightness. Possessing a remarkable memory and quick perceptive
abilities, he usually stood at the head of his class,
although he was not a diligent student. He was
graduated from the Kalamazoo High School with
the Class of '84, of which he was President. During the fall of the same year, he entered the State
University at Ann Arbor, but was compelled to
leave in December following, on account of ill
health.
His father being unsuccessful in business, our
subject was thrown on his own resources. He
commenced to work for M. E. Brown at Battle
Creek, this State, in May, 1885, as a reporter, but
remained in that connection only three months.


He next took charge of the theatre program sheet
of the Academy of Music, in Kalamazoo, and for a
few months worked as reporter for the Kalamazoo
Herald, now defunct. He published his first book,
"Meditations," in October, 1886, and sold two
thousand copies by personal canvass throughout
the State. Afterward he published a third thousand, the most of which he also sold.
In 1887, Mr. Smiley commenced to work as reporter and solicitor for the Ottawa (Ill.) Free
Trader, but withdrew from that connection in the
early part of 1888. He then published his second
boom, "A Basket of Chips," after which he went
on the road again and enjoyed his usual success.
He prepared a lecture, entitled "Geese and Ducks"
(entirely in verse), and, by treatment with a Cincinnati physician, overcame the stammering which
had always hindered him in his work. By persistent voice drill, he has become a clear, easy speaker
on the rostrum, and his eloquence and wit are the
delight of his audiences.
January 4, 1889, Mr. Smiley once more commenced to sell books, and reaching Joliet, Ill., secured a position on the Jollet News as poet and
humorist. In every position he had held prior to
that time, his employers had always made the same
complaint, viz: that he was dreaming over his
poetry all the time and did not attend to local
work. In Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and Ottawa,
he lost positions where he was receiving a salary
of $6, $9 and $15, respectively, all because of "too
much poetry." In Joliet he received $20 per
week for writing poetry, and published a poem
every day in the News from March 1, 1889, until
July 10, 1890. At that time the editor tried to
save his salary during the (lull season, by forcing
him to take a long vacation at his own expense, so
he resigned his position.
Our subject started Smiley's Weekly in Kalamazoo, in July, 1890, and, on October 25th, of the
same year, bought the Kalamazoo County Enterprise, at Galesburgh, of which he is publisher and
proprietor. The purchasing price was $1,200, and
he now values the business and plant at $6,000. Although only twenty-seven years old, he has published over one thousand five hundred poems,
probably a greater number than any one of his




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


1143


_       _:


age in the United States. His verse flows with a
clear, rythmic sound, which proves the possession
of the "divine afflatus" on the part of the writer. A
delicate touch of humor pervades his writings,
while the sentiment is always lofty and elevating.
J AMES DOYLE.    One of the conspicuous
figures among the business men of Kalamazoo is that of the gentleman above named,
who has long since risen to a position of
prominence among the contractors and builders of
this place, while as a private citizen his conduct
and character have given him an extended influence. EIe is a native of this city, his birth occurring
August 18, 1855, and therefore takes great interest
in the growth and advancement of his community.
Tlhe father of our subject was born in Ireland
and emigrated to the United States in 1850. The
lady to whom he was married bore the maiden
name of Catherine Dinliam  and also had her
birth in the same county as did her husband. Mr.
and Mrs. Doyle came West to Michigan in 1851, and
located in Kalamazoo, where the father followed his
trade of a stone mason until his decease, which occurred in 1888; his wife is still living, making her
home in this city.
James Doyle was educated in the schools of Kalamazoo and when reaching his thirteenth year
learned the trade of a stone mason, which occupation he followed until reaching mature years. He
then formed a partnership in the same line of work
with his brother, William A. Doyle, under the firm
name of Doyle Bros., which connection lasted for
the following five years. Our subject then conducted the business on his own account, contracting for and building many of the finest edifices
in this county, making a specialty of blocks,
churches and public buildings, among the most
notable of which were the Court-house, Armory,
and American Cart Factory; he also aided in the
erection of the Doyle Block. In 1891, he was engaged to build a lage block in Three Rivers, Mich.
July 9, 1882, Miss Catherine H. Owen and our
subject were united in marriage and to them have


been born a family of four children. The parents
of Mrs Doyle located in Kalamazoo in 1871, and
in 1882 removed to Jackson County, where they
are at present residing. In church matters, our
subject and his wife are members of the St. Augustine Catholic Church, in which body Mr. Doyle is
one of the Trustees. In politics, he is conservative,
but always keeps informed regarding party issues.
His residence is located at No. 609 Kalamazoo
Avenue and is a handsome brick structure, built in
the latest style of architecture and furnished and
finished in a manner which indicates the culture
and good taste of its inmates.
LIAS W. BOWMAN. This name will be at
once recognized as belonging to one of the
leading and influential citizens of Schoolcraft, who is at present occupying the prominent
position of Cashier of the Kalamazoo County
Bank. By his ready tact and sound common sense
he has showed his capability for the trust reposed
in him, and has thus won many friends who esteem
him highly for his sterling worth.
A native of Ohio, our subject was born February
14, 1847, in Cincinnati, in which city he attended
the common school until ten years of age, when
his father removed to Hamilton County and located on a farm. There he prosecuted his studies
for five years and at the end of that time was
given the position of bookkeeper in the firm of
Bowman & Co. for five years. The company,
which was composed of our subject's father and
cousin, later became H. P. Bowman & Sons, and did
an extensive pork-packing business, and were thus
employed in Cincinnati for about ten years, when
our subject withdrew from the firm, and, going to
Benton County, Ind., was engaged in the grain
business until 1887. In December, 1889, he was
appointed to his present position and by following
a thoroughly conscientious and upright course is
greatly respected by all about him.
Elias W. Bowman and Miss Hattie R., daughter
of John W. Kennedy, were united in marriage at
Pleasant Ridge, Hamilton County, Ohio.   Mr.




1144


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Kennedy, who was a prominent farmer in that section, died in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have
had a family of three children, viz: Carrie E.,
Henry C., who died when ten years of age, and
Ethel M. With their children they are memn

bers of the Presbyterian Church, in which denomination our subject is Treasurer.
In politics, Mr. Bowman casts his vote and influence in favor of the Democratic candidates and, socially, is a Mason and Knight of Pythias.


I






F N-!'-  iII
ME..,,ffmm.- -_  -  - -  _  _ m __m


p


M


BIOG F?}1I61.


A
Abbott, Rev. Norman........946
Abbott, W. H............1135
Ackley, Levi................. 632
Adams, John.................23
Adams, John Q..............39
Adams, N. H...............613
Albertson, John............1122
Aldrich, Alfred............... 493
Alexander, P. F..............967
Alger, Russell A..............173
Ames, H. C................504
Anderson, Joseph............537
Anderton, Thomas..........1087
Andrews, William B.........193
Arnold, Hiram...............489
Arthur, Chester A......... 99
Arthurs, S. R................461
Austin, Benjamin M.........932
B
Babcock, Jonathan..........512
Bacon, Martin...............686
Bagley, John J..............157
Bailey, L. H.........       199
Bair, William..........760
Baker, Robert...............758
Baker, William............510
Balch, R. T.................. 944
Baldwin, Charles A..........837
Baldwin, Henry P............153
Baldwin, William H..........534
Bale, James.................674
Barber, C. W.................846
Barber, George A............516
Barkenbus, Cornelius........470
Barker, E. H............... 755
Barker, G. H................456
Barnard, Charles............991
Barnes, Rev. D. F............975
Barnes, William M...........611
Barrett, Charles L...........571


Barrett, John M..............521
Barringer, Ebenezer.........857
Barry, John S................113
Bartlett, A. E................829
Barton, Henry...............448
Barton, Jesse S.............679
Beadle, Levi A...............524
Beckley, Joseph...........1116
Beckwith, B. W..............980
Beers, Nelson B..............495
Begole, Josiah W............169
Bender, Alexander..........450
Bennett, J. C.................794
Bennett, Robert..............506
Bentley, S. A................195
Berry, S. M..................874
Beumann, Nicholas..........705
Bigelow, Edward...........851
Bigelow, Samuel............269
Bilsborrow, Charles........323
Bingham, Kinsley S.......    137
Bird, Henry.................369
Bishop, Henry.............. 780
Bishop, H. W.....617
Blake, J..............515
Blake, Hon. W. A........     501
Blair, Austin.................145
Bleyker, John den..........1000
Boekeloo, H. H...............500
Bond, G. G.................891
Borden, William A........     946
Bovie, William, M. D........493
Bowen, H. F................873
Bowman, E. W..............1143
Boyles, Nelson...............525
Bradley, Rev. Milton........532
Bragg, L. G.................519
Brason, John................460
Breed, J. B.................911
Brees, Henry.................509
Briggs, E. S................770
Brigham, Mrs. A. L..........798
Brigham, J. W...............361
Bristol, E. S................614
Brockway, S. R..............844
Brott, Charles................832
Brown, A. M................922
Brown, Charles.............1059
Brown, Isaac A...............89
Brown, Philo M...............655
Brown, R. M.................367


Brown, Hon. S. F............779
Browne, Samuel A...........479
Brownell, W. W..............624
Bryant, Noah................449
Buchanan, James............ 75
Budrow, J. W................854
Buell, Alexander............1074
Bugden, Marshall............369
Burdick, L. S................553
Burke, L. N................1053
Burnham, Orsemus......... 1092
Burroughs, O. F., M. D.......496
Burrows, Hon. J. C...........491
Bush, C. C...................1068
Bush, Hon. Frederick........ 695
Bush, Henry W..............503
Buskirk, William............831
Butler, P. T., M. D..........1104
Byers, Tobias................445
C
Cady, Mrs. A. M.............752
Cahill, LeRoy...............1035
Cameron, Hon. Alexander...927
Campbell, James...........455
Campbell, J. A..............917
Campbell, J. P..............1134
Campbell,. F..............610
Cannon, Leander............666
Carlton, S. H.................741
Carman, John W...........1094
Carpenter, Albert............ 968
Carr, A. H................... 1080
Carson, Francis..............712
Carson, Samuel..............943
Chaddock, A. P..............213
Chandler, C. H.............1074
Chandler, D. R..............1068
Chapin, J. F., M. D..........988
Chapin, L. C., M. D..........824
Chapman, Alvin............. 379
Chapman, George............843
Chase, A. B.................587
Chase, Milton, M. D..........458
Cheney, William A..........626
Clapp, Ashley...............923


Clapp, Charles H.............956
Clapp, T. S.................1080
Clark, Edwin................1003
Clark, F. J...................430
Clark, F. W................. 933
Clark, J. G...................903
Clark, L. F...................450
Cleland, James.............762
Cleveland, S. Grover.........103
Cline, Jacob.................689
Cobb, Hon. J. B..............861
Cobb, J. T....................871
Cobb, W. H.................. 820
Coddington, Jacob A........692
Coe, Walter................ 1049
Colburn, B. W...............595
Coleman, D................937
Coleman, 0. F................816
Collins, F. V................. 751
Comings, J. R............... 1066
Converse, W. H.............793
Cooley, Timothy............. 888
Cooper, Justin..............1092
Cooper, William.............665
Copley, Hon. A. B............399
Corbyn, Hon. S. H............457
Cornell, J. B................. 293
Cory, Charles J.............1100
Cory, W. H..................242
Cox, A. F.................. 1032
Cox, Hosea.................1072
Cox, Isaac...................531
Coy, C. P.....................835
Coykendall, Horace..........891
Crane, Billings...............715
Crane, James A............1128
Crapo, Henry H..............149
Crispe, John..................433
Crispe, William.............462
Cronin, M. C., M. D..........673
Croswell, Charles M.........161
Crow, Joseph................417
Cruse, Edwin T..............898
Culp, John R................1055
Cummings, L. B.............679
Cummings, S. S.............618
Curry, David.................778
Curtenius, Charles C........916
Curtenius, Hon. F. W....... 1112
Curtis, John S................446
Curtiss, George E............480.f




INDEX.


L--


-


D
Daniels, H. J................969
Davis, Alden J..............1017
Davis, E. N................1030
Davis, J. M...................791
Davis. William L...........  620
Deal, Frank L................445
Deal, P. E.................1118
Dean, I. S..................932
Dean, Rev. R...............243
Delano, W. S................640
De Long, Silas...............636
Deming, George..............976
Denison, Capt. R. C.........826
Denniston, E. H..............822
Dewey,W. W...............1117
De Yoe, E. W...............87
Dilley, V. HL..............418
Dingley, E. N................846
Dix, J. H...................788
Dorance, A. B..............992
Donahue, Capt. J. S.........355
Doubleday, Capt. A. D.......858
Doughty, Jacob..............868
Douglass, Eli................847
Downey, W    S...............803
Doyle, James................1143
Drake, Benjamin............1085
Drake, G. N..................844
Dudgeon, Capt. John........1121
Dunham, A. S...............1067
Dunkley, Joseph.............934
Durrin, Jonathan............981
Durrin, William..............981
Dutcher, Capt. George N....202
Dutcher, Thomas B.........426


I....a




=


I


Felch, Alpheus..............117
Fellows, Hon. Q. H...........588
Fenner, R. B.................607
Ferris, Hon. R...............389
Field, D. W..................958
Fillmore, Millard.......      67
Finch, William T............01
Finley, Edward........      667
Fisher, Levi B................538
Fitch, J. P....................415
Fletcher, Calvin H..........236
Fletcher, C. A., M. D.......1111
Fletcher, Rev. John.........439
Fletcher, Zechariah........986
Forbes, Mrs. M. V............428
Forbes, W. A...............1047
Ford, F. P....................482
Ford, F. W..................525
Ford, Henry..................193
Ford, William..............256
Foster, Miles...............416
Fowler, H. A.................395
Fowler, Rev. S. M..........427
Fox, John C.............     368
Fox, Samson........ 396
Fox, Solomon S..............830
Frakes, Wallace.......... 533
Free, J. W................768
Freeman, Frank............ 270
French, Thomas E..........424
French, W. F..............86
Fritz, David I...............765
Frost, A. S................... 490
Fuller, George...........925
G


I:;:  L:    =


I.

i


Greenly, William L......... 121
Greer, Robert...............1123
Griffln, G. W.................01
Griffin, W. B.................438
Guchess, C. B................948
Gunn, C. C...................838
Gunsaul, Jacob..............393
H
Hackett, Leroy..............985
Hackley, Julius.............1079
Hadaway, Samuel...........394
Haight, Lewis..............1093
Haight, P. S..................316
Hale, C. P....................446
Hale, J. F....................407
Hall, George W..............62
Hall, W. D...................434
Hallock, T. T.................559
Hamilton, J. D., M. D........815
Hamlin, S. H.................423
Hammond, J. H..............807
Hare, D. W..................435
Harnden, Simon.............426
Harris, A. D..................490
Harris, D. D.................391
Harrison, Bazel, M. D.......1082
Harrison, Benjamin F.......107
Harrison, Joseph............ 955
Harrison, J. S...............1036
Harrison, William Henry.... 51
Harrison, W. W............1038
Hart, Hannibal.............364
Hartman, John...............542
Haskin, A. S., M. D..........861
Hathaway, Charles..........596
Hawes, Hon. J. L...........926
Hawkins, Samuel............821
Hawley, Moses S.............619
Hayes, Rutherford B........ 91
Hays, A. S..................1129
Hazard, James...............565
Healy, Azro..................863
Heath, John M...............401
Heckert, B. F................678
Henderson, Frank.......... 1086
Hendrick, A. W., M. D.......227
Henion, David D.............532
Hersey, E. P.................626
Hess, S. M....................643
Hewitt, Lott.................318
Hicks, I. V................   83
Hicks,J. W.................334
Hill, Giles H................. 229
Hill, Manfred.................945
Hill, Hon. William E....... 1103
Hilton, Robert...............234
Hoag, O. S..................326
Hoag, Peter G...............315
Hobden, John H.............963
Hoek, Jacob...............347       |
Hollister, F. L.............  396
Holmes, A. J.................799
Holmes, A. P.................884
Holtenhouse, John..........516




Hoover, J. W...............902
Hope, Charles E...........1006
Hopkins, Enoch.............11
Hopkins, G. P................845
Hopkins, Mrs. Martha.......534
Hotop, Fred............    1133
House, W. A............     191
Howard, G. S................655
Howard, J. M...............882
Howard, Stephen.......... 1106
Howe, A. F..................898
Howland, Hon. S.............644
Hoyt, H. E...................06
Hoyt, J. C....................667
Hoyt, L. R.........650
Hoyt, O. L..................1037
Hoyt, R. C.................1081
Hubbard, Luther..........776
Hubbard, Silas........... 856
Hudson, J. S..............41
Hull, Latham...............485
Humphrey, E.............700
Humphrey, J. W.............385
Huntington, W. S............563
Hutchins, Harrison......... 583
I
Ihling, Otto................476
Ihling, Reinhold............865
Irving, Oliver...............1138
J
Jackson, Andrew............ 43
James, John W.............1091
James, R. P.................474
Jannasch, C. F...............483
Jefferson, Thoas........... 27
Jenkinson, William..........557
Jerome, David H.............165
Jewett, Nathaniel............299
Jickling, Robert............ 787
Johnson, Andrew........... 83
Johnson, J. H...............327
Johnson, W. E..............9
Johnston, William W........317
Jones, C. W..................555
Joyce, Mrs. Elizabeth......572
Judson, A. B.......526
Judson, Pixley...............604
K
Kauffer, H. P...............867
Kellogg, H. J..........     574
Kellogg, John....625
Kellogg, N. P.................348
Kendall, John A..............722






Gardner, James..............429
E                    Garfield, James A............95
Gates, G. M.................548
Gates, L. M...............842
tames, Lovett..............370    Gates, 0. M...............1010
Earl, A. W................... 88  Gay, Francis...............769
Earl, John................. 1037   Gay, James..................719
Earl, S. V. R................547  George, Michael............520
Edgell, H. J..................864  Gibbs, William A............541
Edmonds, Joseph A., Jr....991     Gibson, Charles.....    602
Edsell, Hon. W. C............303   Gibson, S. A..................862
Eldred, Stephen..............961  Giddings,. N............1060
Eldred, T. B................974    Giddings, T. F................867
ElUwood, J. W............691  Gilbert, Henry..............283
Elell, H. N................759   Gilkey, E. W...............523
Eiwell, Nehemiah............949    Gilkey, P. H f............560
Emeterio, Manuel..........487  Gilkey, W. E................406
Kngle, W. A., M. D...........649   Gleason, Thomas P..........505
English, William............440   Goble, J. E...................876
Erwine, Evan...............53     Goldsmith, 0. E..............412
Evans, Leonard S............588   Goodale, J. C.................894
Everest, D. O................212  Goodrich, A. C., M. D........417
Goodrich, J. J...........  934
Goodrich, P. E...............732
F                    Goodrich, Thomas...... 558
Graham, J. D................414
Granger, Riley...............452
Grant, Ulysses S.......... 87
Falconer, Daniel..........37    Gray, Harrison.............710
Fanckboner, G. C...........671    Gray, James M..............339


i
I




INDEX.


f                                                                     I                                                                                       f


Kendall, S. W................799
Kenney, J. W................350
Kenney, W. M................341
Kent, C. S....................579
Kent, James H..............1071
Keyser, Albern..............721
Kilgore, George E............35
Kinnane, J. H..............886
Kinney, D. C............... 762
Kinney, H. H..............1012
Kinney, N. S.................999
Kirby, Hon. John W........522
Kirby, William G............467
Kirby, Hon. W. J...........  872
Kirby, W. S................564
Kirkland, Helen M., M. D...841
Kirkland, Hugh.............970
Knickerbocker, Samuel......491
Knight, William G...........499
Kolvoord, Hon. John........308
Krause, Levi................ 325
L
LaCrone, O. A., M. D........683
Lakey, Hon. A. L............973
Lammon, Gilbert............619
Lane, E. J.................. 345
Latta, John................. 546
Lay, John M.................268
Lee, John 0.................1059
Le Fevre, A. N..............1009
Le Fevre, J N................720
Lemon, Jacob...............597
Lewis, C. H................. 411
Lilly, Alanson................327
Lincoln, Abraham.......... 79
Lincoln, S. A.................905
Lindsey, Joseph............286
Lindsley, C. H.............. 897
Little, Frank.................313
Little, Henry.............. 197
Little, W. H..................469
Loehr, Edwin A..............624
Loehr, Josiah..............654
Long, John......... 730
Longman, Arthur............502
Loomis, Levi................ 27
Lovell, E. T..................718
Lovell, L. W., M. D..728
Loveridge, S. W.............335
Luce, Cyrus Gray............177
Lusk, John J.................939
Lyon, L. V.................1109
Lyon, Hon. T. T..............273
Lyster, A. B..................912
M
Madden, J. H................285
Madison, James............. 31
Mallow, John................809


Marble, Darius...............279
Margeson, Edward..........192
Marhoff, Henry..............481
Marsh, H. F................. 284
Marsh, S. P................. 1042
Marshall, H. M..............772
Martin, A. C..................814
Martin, Edwin...............917
Martin, O. D................ 914
Marvin, H. M., M. D.........298
Mason, Cornelius............918
Mason, G. N..................913
Mason, Stephen T............105
Mathes, Barnard............1061
Matteson, I. D...............686
Matteson, J. C..............1140
May, Hon. Charles S.........468
May, Rockwell...............513
Maynard, C. S., M. D........ 677
McAlpine, James M..........275
McAlpine, M. V. B...........280
McBeth, W. L., M. D......   1088
McBride, John...............258
McCall, Hugh.................536
McClary, William............ 697
McClelland, Robert..........129
McCreary, George........491
McCreary, S. S...............495
McDowell, Mortimer........ 277
McKain, C. H., M. D.......738
McKee, Darwin..............646
McKenzie, George...........297
McKenzie, Capt. J. H........405
McKeyes, Juan..............587
McKibbin, J. H., M. D........986'
McLin, Jacob............      257
McVean, D. D............979
Meachen, Lafayette........ 194
Mead, Marion................921
Mead, William W...........1073
Meredith, Walter............306
Meredith, Warren..........1094
M errill, D. B.................. 792
Merritt, Rev. A. C............290
Middleton, J. W.............1131
Milham, Ambrose............235
Milham, F. H................288
Milham, M. L...............1138
Milham, R. E................510
Milham, William.............433
Miller, Hon. E. R..........1018
Miller, G. W................. 1139
4liller, H. L., M. D............320
Miller, J. G..................244
Miller, Josiah J..............832
Miller, Madison..............363
Miller, P. D................. 1065
Miller, Thomas F............1054
Millham, William............433
Milliman, John R............736
Mills, Charles S..............3i7
Mills, Deacon W............1097
Mills, E. T....................906
Mitchell, C. B...............1022
Mix, Gen. Elisha.............211
Monroe, E. W...............1004
Monroe, James............. 35
Monroe, Hon. James.......1041
Monroe, Joel 1)...............219
Monroe, J. R................852


Montague, W, F.............567
Morse, Charles A............1006
Morse, Levi..................386
Moses, J. J................... 603
Mottram, William, M. D.....267
Moulton, Charles............1115
Mowry, Allen...............1130
Munger, A. J.................384
Myers, F. C., M. D............875
Myers, F. W..................500
Myers, G. A..................668
N
Neasmith, James M.......... 938
Nesbitt, George.............1088
Nesbitt, James...............957
Nesbitt, Thomas...........1097
Newcomb, L. A.............   251
Nicholas, Philip..............230
Nichols, G. B., M. D.........333
Nies, John...................383
Noyes, K. W..................800
Nutting, Ransom............786
Nye, George S.............. 683
0
O'Brien, Patrick............. 730
O'Brien, S. D., M. D.........1105
O'Brien, William L..........381
Odell, M. B...................731
Odell, Stephen.............. 373
Ogden, Henry S.............1005
Olin, Arvin................. 772
Olney, B.A.................881
Oman, Peter................1012
Orcutt, Col. B. F............1015
Orr, Robert.................240
Orr, William................. 356
Osborne, H. B., M. D.........915
Overhiser, Henry...........278
Overholt, William H........021
P
Packard, A. S................279
Packard, C. C................483
Palmer, A. H...............855
Palmer, E. A., M. D..........571
Palmer, John H..............561
Palmer, Theo A..............198
Parker, Charles.............1050
Parker, G. W................928
Parser, H. S..................903
Parker, Orrin................228
Parsons, Andrew............ 133
Patrick, William H.........1117


Patterson, Thomas..........1044
Peabody, Brewster..........296
Pease, George C., M. D......997
Peck, H. M.................907
Peet, William................245
Phillips, William.............589
Pierce, Franklin............. 71
Pierce, H. H..................782
Pike, Ebenezer..............1023
Pike, S. N...................578
Piper, G. A., D. D. S..........380
Plopper, M. H................199
Plummer, Andrew........... 629
Plummer, W. G.............623
Polk, James K................5
Pomeroy, J. A................979
Pool, H. D...................1124
Potter, Hon. Allen.......... 1136
Potts, James M..............207
Powell, M. A..................394
Pratt, Daniel................390
Pratt, Hon. Foster...........775
Pratt, William..............358
Prentiss, C. H................346
Preston, E. M............ 653
Pugsley, W. H............5...585
Putnam, Daniel.............1055
Putnam, D. C................371
Putney, C. A.................264
Pyl, Andrew..................392
Q
Qua, Lyman..............555
R
Rankin, J. E., M. D..........896
Ranney, A. L.................609
Ransom, Epaphroditus......125
Ransom, Ira A...............893
Ransom, John N............1024
Ransom, Maj. W. C..........797
Ransom, W. C., M......802
Rathbun, N. S.....  578
Read, Hon. G. E.............630
Redpath, George P..........608
Reed, Joseph W.....          297
Reed, W. F................904
Reese, George................877
Reese, J. H..................201
Remington, G. H.............  77
Retallick, J. T................848
Reynolds, C. C...............650
Rine, John.................771
Ripley, S. L..................598
Ritchie, William.............475
Robinson, M. L............717
Rockwell, H. S...............577
Rockwell, James R..........289
Rockwell, S. D...............374
Rogers, W. M...........,...284








INDEX.


I          I

Roof, Robert.................998
Root, J. L................. 1141
Rosenberry, S.,tC..        1098
Rowe, W. G.................319
Rowland,O. W...............196
Russell, Thomas........... 964
S
Sanford, Zardis.............537
Sayles, C. P., M. D..........1105
Schaberg, H. H., M.D..... 1115
Schorno, O. S..813
Schuh, P. H...............577
Schuyler,. R...............664
Scott, William W........... 749
Sebring, John................252
Seely, Joseph 0..............484
Seeley, 0. F., M. D........
Selkirk, James E..........  908
Shakespeare, Hon. A. J......916
Shean, George...............968
Sheffer, S. G..................381
Sheldon, T. P................473
Sheldon, W. H...............740
Shepard, E. S...........    214
Shered, John B...........   573
Sherrod, J. A................214
Sherwood, Hulbert...........962
Sherwood, M. C..............825
Sherwood, Thomas..........699
Shimmel, Solomon..........1136
Sias, D. W...............    23
Silburn, John...............1047
Sill, Joseph, M. D............ 255
Simmons, Leander...........878
Simons, James M............701
Simpson, Hon. E. H..........785
Skinner, H. V................ 642
Slawson, Nathan.............608
Slotman, L...................673
Smiley, J. B............... 1142
Smith, G. W..................778
Smith, H. P..................566
Smith, H. S., M.D........... 671
Smith, W. D...............423
Snow, Barzilla,..............737
Snow, Orrin..................866
Snyder, William H...........568




Southard, W. B., M. D........745
Southworth, William R......707
Spayde, W. H................603
Spear, Charles C............. 317
Spencer, Reuben........... 1124
Spicer, Daniel...............791
Springer, Henry.............993
Staring, Simeon..............289
Stewart, Thomas.............300
Stimson, H. H., M. D.........329
Stockbridge, Hon. F. B......249
Stone, Rev. J. A. B...........662
Stone, Mrs. L. H.............656
Storms, F. M.................328
Stratton, Charles............810
Stuart, Hon. C. E............205
Stuart, D. H.................1029
Stuart, G. D..............  223
Stuart, George P.............685
Stuart, Gilbert.............1029
Stuart, William.............742
Stuck, U. M., M. D............352
Sutton, Luther..............614
Sutherland, G. A.............735
Sykes, R. A..................895
T
Talbot, R. W............... 765
Tallman, Aaron.............1071
Tallman, Easton.............722
Tallman, H. A................987
Tallman, J. V...............757
Tanner, A..................208
Tanner, Seth K...............342
Taylor, A. B............... 329
Taylor, E. C., M. D...........486
Taylor, Zachary.......... 63
Telfer, George................556
Thayer, Cyrus..............652
Thomas, A. P................218
Thomas, B. M..............473
Thomas, N. D., M. D......... 887
Thomas, N. M., M. D.........561
Tobey, Mrs. M. M.........709
Tobey, William..............739
Tomkins, John B..........268
Tomlinson, Ogden............304
Trask, L. H..............239


Truax, P. S..................901
Tyler, John.................. 55
U
Upham, E. S.................221
Upjohn, H. U., M. D..........639
Upjohn, Uriah, M. D..........261
Upjohn, W. E., M. D.........853
V
Vahue, O. G..................341
Van Auken, J. M............. 777
Van Buren, A. D. P..........645
Van Buren, Martin......... 47
Vanderbilt, C. J............1082
Van Dusen, S. M..............206
Van Duzer, Martin...........554
Van Hise, W. K..............224
Van Hoesen, Cornelius......557
Van Hoesen, Jacob..........708
Van Woert, David........... 684
Van Zwaluwenburg, C., M. D.842
Virgo, Samuel................715
Vosburg, Capt. Barnard....931
Vosburgh, Edwin............672
Vroman, Seth................580
W
Wade, John P................362
Wadsworth, V. R............307
Wagar, Albert............982
Wait, B. S.................. 700
Walker, H. A...............371
Walker, Hon. John..........706
Ward, F. T...................326
Warner, Elijah..............633
Warner, J. P.................544
Washington, George......... 19


Waterbury, Daniel.......... 1054
Wattles, Col. S. H............725
Webster, William............222
Weldin, George H............51
Welsh, W. L.................804
Westbrook, Ephraim........747
Weston, M. B...............711
Wetherall, William..........244
Wetmore, A. D...............294
Wheaton, U. D..............1127
Wheeler, J. C................340
Wheeler, John L.............310
White, Daniel................ 1
White, D. E..................330
White, James M.............727
White, Joseph H............819
White, William..............336
Whitney, Calvin............348
Whitney, N. S..............548
Wickwire, William..........750
Wiggins, Hon. Milan........641
Wilder, Ebenezer............324
Williams, B. S................947
Williams, Tom...............937
Williams, Hon. William B...217
Williams, William...........910
Willison, C. W...............808
Willison, E. B................618
Wilson, John................769
Wilson, J. M.................635
Wilson, John 0..............756
Wilson, S. P..................352
Winans, Edwin B............181
Winn, R. G...................309
Wisner, Moses................141
Woodard, O. J................350
Woodbeck, J. D..............295
Woodbridge, William........ 109
Woodbury, J. P..............233
Wooding, Anson............515
Woodruff, N   P..............631
Woodworth, W. A........... 305
Worden, S. F.................690
Worthington, Mark..........746
Y
Young, P.M.................241


a




INDEX.


— '-, -~,~,~v,-T
~^eQ _E..)Cs '_ h~       ~~  _
'*a  j=  _^~^ ^Of-^^^


A  -, ', '


W


A,.-.., r.V,.


Adams, John................. 22
Adams, John Q.............. 38
Alger, Russell A..............172
Alexander, P. F........... 966
Arnold, Hiram...............488
Arthur, Chester A............ 98
Bagley, John J...............15 6
Baldwin, Henry P..........152
Barrett, Charles L...........570
Barry, John S................ 112
Bartlett, A. E................828
Begole, Josiah W...........168
Beumann, N..................701
Bilsborrow, Charles........322
Bingham, Kinsley S..........136
Bishop, H. W................616
Blair, Austin.............144
Bragg, L. G..................518
Brees, Henry................508
Brigham, John W............360
Browne, S. A.................478
Buchanan, James....           74
Burdick, L. S..............550
Burdick, Mrs. Laura V......551
Bush, Hon. Frederick........694
Byers, Tobias................442
Byers, Mrs. T.............. 443
Cahill, LeRoy...............1034
Campbell James............454
Carson, Samuel...............942
Chapman, Alvin.............376
Chapman, Mrs. A............377
Cleveland, S. Grover.........102
Cobb,J. T....................870
Colburn, B. W...............592
Colburn, Mrs. B. W..........593
Copley, Hon. A. B............398
Cornell, J. B..................292


Cox, Isaac....................528
Cox, Mrs. Nancy.............529
Crapo, Henry H..............148
Croswell, Charles M.......... 160
Cummings, L. B.............678
Davis, J. M..................790
Donahue, Capt. J. S..........354
Drake, Benjamin............1084.
Dudgeon, Capt. John.......1120
Edsell, Hon. W. C............302
Edmonds, J. A...............990
Engle, W. A., M. D...........648
Felch, Alpheus............... 116
Fenner, R. B................606
Ferris, Hon. Richard........388
Fillmore, Millard............. 66
Finch, W. T.................600
Forbes, W. A................1046
Garfield, J. A................. 94
Gibbs, William A............540
Gilbert, Henry...............282
Grant, U. S................... 86
Gray, J. M.................338
Greenly, William L........120
Haokett, Leroy..............984
Hackley, Julius.............1077
Hackley, Mrs. J............1076
Hammond, J. H..............806
Harrison, Benjamin.........106
Harrison, Joseph............952
Harrison, Mrs. Jennie B.....953
Harrison, W. H.............. 50
Haskin, A. S., M. D..........860
Hayes, R. B................... 90
Hendrick, A. W., M. D.......226
Hill, Hon. William E........1102
Hotop, Fred.................1132
House, W. A.................190


Hutchins, Harrison..........582
Jackson, Andrew............ 42
James, John W.............1090
Jefferson, Thomas........... 26
Jerome, David H.............164
Johnson, Andrew........... 82
Kirby, W. G..................465
Kirby, Mrs. Rhoda S.........464
Kirkland, Helen M., M. D... 840
LaCrone, 0. A., M. D.........682
Lakey, Hon. A. L............972
Lane, E. J...................344
Lee, John 0.................1058
LeFevre, A. N...............1008
Lewis, C. H..................410
Lincoln, Abraham........... 78
Little, Frank.................312
Luce, Cyrus Gray............176
Lyon, Lucius V.............1108
Lyon, Hon. T. T..............272
Madison, James.............. 30
Mason, Stephen T..........104
Maynard, C. S., M. D.........676
McClelland, Robert..........128
Milham, William.............432
Miller, P. D..................1061
Mix, Gen. Elisha.............210
Monroe, Hon. James........1040
Monroe, James...............
Mottram, William, M. D.....266
Nesbitt, Thomas............ 1096
Nichols, G. B., M. D.........332
Olney, B A.................88 0
Orcutt, Col. B. F............1014
Overholt, W. H..............1020
Parsons, Andrew...........132
Pease, George C., M. D.......996
Pierce, Franklin............. 70


Plummer, W. G..............622
Polk, J. K...................  58
Potter, Allen................1136
Pratt, Hon. Foster........... 774
Ransom, Epaphroditus..... 124
Ransom, Maj. W. C..........796
Schaberg, H. H., M. D......1114
Schuh, Paul H................576
Sill, Joseph, M. D............254
Simpson, Hon. E. H..........784
Smith, W. D..................421
Smith, Mrs. W. D............420
Southard, W. B., M. D.......744
Stockbridge, Hon. F. B......248
Stone, Rev. J. A. B.,.........658
Stone, Mrs. L. H........... 659
Stuart, Hon. C. E............204
Stuart, D. R.................1026
Stuart, Gilbert..............1027
Talbot, R. W................. 764
Tallman, Aaron.............1070
Taylor, Zachary............. 62
Thomas, B. M................472
Trask, L. H..................238
Tyler, John.................. 54
Upjohn, H. U., M. D........638
Upjohn, Uriah, M. D.........260
Van Buren, Martin.......... 46
Vosburg, Capt. Barnard.....930
Washington, George......... ]8
Wattles, Col. S. H........... 724
Wheaton, U. D..............1126
White, Joseph H.............818
Williams, Hon. W. B.........216
Winans, Edwin B...........180
Wisner, Moses..............140
Woodbridge, William........108
Woodbury, J. P..............232


0Cir~s


Bacon, Martin...............687
Bigelow, Edward.............849
Bleyker, John den..........1001
Bond, G. G.................. 889
Breed, J. B...................909
Brott, Charles................833
Cady, Abby M................753
Carson, Francis.............713
Cheney, William A..........627
Clark, Edwin................1001
Cline, Jacob.................687


Cooley, Timothy............. 889
Coykendall, Horace..........889
Crane, Billings...............713
Cruse, E. T..................899
Deming, George.............977
Drake, Jane E. and F. J...... 747
Dunkley, Joseph........... 935
Field, D. W..................959
Goodrich, J. J................935
Goodrich, P. E..............733
Hersey, E. P................627


Howe, A. F...................899
Kilgore, George E............733
Loehr, Josiah................655
Mason, Cornelius............919
Matteson, Ira D..............687
McVean, D. D................977
Mead, Marion................919
Miller, J. J..................833
Myers, G. A..................669
Plummer, Andrew..,,......... 627


Pomeroy, James.............977
Retallick, J. T................849
Schorno, 0. S................811
Selkirk, James E............909
Stratton, Charles...........811
Sutherland, G. A.............733
Truax, P. S...................899
Virgo, Samuel................713
Westbrook, Ephraim........747
White, Daniel.,,,...........,811






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