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 ^OI^Tr^AITS AND BlOGl^APHIGAIi Sl^ETGHES 
 pfoniinent and I^eppB^8i|tatiVB Citizei]^ of t^e [lountij, 
 
 TOGETHER WITH PORTRAITS AXD BrOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERXORS OF MICHIOA X 
 AXD OF THE PRESIDEXTS Of 7 HE UXITED STATES. 
 
 ALSO CONTAINING A COMPLETE IlISTOKV OK THE COL'NTV, IISOM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT 
 
 TO THE PRESENT TIME. 
 
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 E HAVE completed our labors in writing and compiling the Tor trait and Biogr.aph- 
 , :CAL Album of Midland Countv, and wish, in presenting it to its patrons, to speak 
 .efly of the importance of local works of this nature. It is certainly the duly 
 ". oi the present to commemorate the past, to perpeiuatethe names of the pioneers, 
 to furnish a record of their early settlement, and to relate the storj- of their progress. 
 The civilization of our day, the enlightemnent of the age, and this solemn duty which 
 - • ^ '^ men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity 
 demand that a record of their lives and deeds should be made. In local historj- 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 region from its 
 primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly the noble men who in their prime entered 
 the wild forests of Midland and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to 
 their graves. The number remaining who can relate the history of the first days of settlement is 
 becoming small indeed, so that an actual necessit)- exists for the collection and preservation of his- 
 torical matter without delay, before the settlers of the wilderness are cut down by time. Not only 
 is it of the greatest importance to render history of pioneer times full and accurate, but it is also essen" 
 tial that the history- of the count)-, from its settlement to the present day, should be treated through its various 
 phases, so that a record, complete and impartial, may be handed down to the future. The present the age 
 of progress, is reviewed, standing out in bold relief over the quiet, unostentatious olden times ; it is abrilliant 
 record, which is destined to live in the future; the good works of men, their magnificent enterprises, their 
 lives, whether commercial or militarj", do not sink into oblivion, but, on the contrar}-, grow brighter with age, 
 and contribute to build up a record which carries with it precedents and principles that will be advanced and 
 observed when the acts of soulless men will be forgotten, and their very names hidden in obscurity. 
 
 In the preparation of the personal sketches contained in this volume, unusual care and pains were 
 taken to have them accurate, even in the smallest detail. Indeed, nothing was passed lightly over or treated 
 indifferently, and we flatter ourselves that it is one of the most accurate works of its nature ever published. 
 As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the portraits of numerous representa- 
 tive citizens. It has been our aim to have the prominent men of to-day. as well as the pioneers, represented 
 in this department ; and we congratulate ourselves on the uniformly high character of the gentlemen whose 
 portraits we present. They are in the strictest sense representative men, and are selected from all the call- 
 inss and professions worthy to be represented. There are others, it is true, who claim equal prominence with 
 those presented, but of course it was impossible for us to give portraits of all the leading men and pioneers 
 of the county. We are under great obligation to many of the noble and generous people of Midland 
 County for kindly and material assistance in the preparation of this Albcm. 
 
 CHAPMAN BROTHERS. 
 Chicago, S€pUmbfr, 1884. 
 
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 HE Father of our Country was 
 ^ born in Westmorland Co., Va., 
 ^ Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
 were Augustine and Mary 
 (Ball) Washington. The family 
 to which he belonged has not 
 been satisfactorily traced in 
 England. His great-grand- 
 father, John Washington, em- 
 igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
 and became a prosperous 
 planter. He had two sons, 
 Lawrence and John. The 
 former married Mildred Warner 
 and had three children, John. 
 Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
 tine, the father of George, first 
 married Jane Butler, who bore 
 him four children, two of whom, 
 Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
 maturity. Of six children by his 
 second marriage, George was the 
 eldest, the others being Betty, 
 Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
 and Mildred. 
 Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
 in 1743, 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, fair- 
 ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 
 
 When George was i4years 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 e.xperience which afterwards proved very 
 essential to him. In 175 i, though only 19 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 Lidians. 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 Dinwiddle, as Lieuten- 
 ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
 reorganized, and the province divided into four niili- 
 tar)' districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
 Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
 a vet)' perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
 cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
 ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
 western 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 
 
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 GEORGE WASHIXGlOy 
 
 
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 trip was a perilous one, and several limes 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 cxmu- 
 mand of Col. Joshua Fn". and Major Washington was 
 commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Acuve war was 
 then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
 NVashington took a most imfonani part. In the 
 memorable event of Jaly 9, 1755. known as Brad- 
 dcx:k"3 defeat, Washington was sJmost the onlyoflScer 
 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 iield. In a letter 
 to hb brother he sa)-s : " 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 bom to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
 direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
 him. 
 
 .•\fter having been five years in the military semce, 
 and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
 look advantage erf the fall of Fort Duqcesne and the 
 expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
 to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
 Lesislaf.:re. where, although not a leader, he took an 
 active and important part. January 17. 1759, he 
 married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Cusris, the wealthy 
 widow of John Parke Cusris. 
 
 \\"hen the British Parliament had closed the port 
 of Boston, the cry went up thtougboat the provinces 
 that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
 It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
 gress of all the colonies was called xo meet at Phfla- 
 del •;>hia,Sept. 5, r774.tosecuretheircommonliberties, 
 peaceablv if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
 ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
 Conjres^ re-assembled, when the hostile intentions erf 
 England were plainly apparent. The battles of Coi>- 
 cord 3u»d Lexington had been fought, .\inong the 
 first acK of this Congress was the election of a com- 
 mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
 lesponsTole ofiBce was conferred upon Washington, 
 who was still a memberof the Congress. He accepted 
 it on Tune 19, bat upon the express condition that be 
 receive no salary. He would keep an exact accoant 
 of expenses and expect Congress 10 pay them and 
 nothing mote. 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 countir 
 were so long confided. The w.\r was conducted hf 
 him under every" possible d!5adv.-j.ntage. and while his 
 forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
 otetade, and after seven )-e3rs of heroic devotion 
 and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
 nation of earth. On Dec 23, rySs, Washington, in 
 .\ ranins address <rf suroassing beautv. 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, r 7 89, Washington was uiuuiiniously 
 elected President. In his presidential career he was 
 subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
 government : trials dom lack of confidence on the pan 
 of other governments; trials from want of haimcHiT 
 between the different sections of our own country : 
 trials £rom the impoverished cc»>dition of the country, 
 owing to the war and want of credit; trials fiom the 
 b^nnin^ of party strife. He was ik> partisan. His 
 clear judgment could discern the golden mean ; aiMi 
 while perhaps this alone kept our government £rom 
 sinldng at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
 attacks from both sides, which were often biner and 
 very anrmring. 
 
 .\t the exiMration of his first term he was unani- 
 mously re-elected. At the eixi of this term many 
 were anxious that he be re-elected, but he abscdutely 
 refused a third nomination. On the fourth of Match, 
 1797, at the ex^raton of his second term as Presi- 
 dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
 his few remaining years free fitHn the annoyances of 
 public life. Later in the year, however, his rep(Ke 
 seemed likely to be interrupted by war with FraiK^e. 
 .\t the prospect of such a war be was again urged to 
 take ct»nmand of the anaies. He chose tuis sab- 
 ordtnate cheers and left xo them the charge of mat- 
 ters in the field, which be superintecded from his 
 home. In accepting the command he made the 
 reservation that he was not to be in the field nntD 
 it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
 h<s life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2. he took 
 a severe cold fiom a ride in the rain, which, settling 
 in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
 fatallv on the night <rf the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
 teenth hb body was borne with military honors to its 
 final resting place, and int^ied in the family vault at 
 Mount Vemcm. 
 
 Of the character of Washington it b impossible to 
 speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
 miration. The more we see of the operations of 
 oar 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 tal- 
 ent and character, which have been able ro challenge 
 the ieverei>ce of all parties, and principles, and na- 
 tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limiis 
 of the globe, and which we cannot bot bdieve will 
 be as lasting as the existmoe of man. 
 
 The person of Washington was unosally tall, erect 
 and well proportioned. Hb moscalar strength was 
 great. Hb features were of a beantifal symmetry. 
 He commanded respect witboot any appearance of 
 ha airiness, and ever soioas withoat bang duIL 
 
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 SECOXn PRESJDEXT. 
 
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 JOHN ABAMS. ""*'■' 
 
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 OHX ADAMS, the second 
 -President and the first Vice- 
 " President of the United States. 
 was bona in Braintree ( now 
 Quincy \Mass., and about ten 
 ,^3- -a - miles from Boston. Oct. lo. 
 - -' ^'~_;;_c 1735. His greai-grandtather, Heniy 
 .\dams, emigrated from England 
 about 1 640, with a family of eight 
 sons, and settled at Braiutiee. The 
 parents of John were John and 
 Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
 father was a fanner of limited 
 means, to which he added the bus- 
 ^sSk iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
 '"*?■ eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
 tion at Harvaid College. John 
 graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
 school in Worcester. Mass. This he fouiMl but a 
 "■ school of afSictJon." 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 coun- 
 cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,"' 
 of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
 his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
 profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
 ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
 tive powers. He graduaUy gained practice, amd in 
 1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
 and a lady of saperior intelligence. Shordy after his 
 marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
 tion turned him from law to politics. He toct initial 
 steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu- 
 
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 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 1 7 68, and became one of the most courageous 
 and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and 
 was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
 lislature) in 1770. 
 
 Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
 fnxu Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
 which inet in 1774. Here he distinguished himself 
 by his capadt)- fot business and for debate, and ad- = 
 vocated the movement for independence against the ^ 
 majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved = 
 and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
 should assume the duties of self-government. He 
 was a prominent member of the committee of five 
 appointed June it. to prepare a declaration of inde- 
 pendence. This article was drawn by 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 jxjissed, whfle his soul was yet warm with the 
 glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letrer tc 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 will 
 be decided among men. A resolution w as passed 
 without one dissenting colony, " that these United 
 States are, and of tight ought to be, free and inde- 
 pendent states.' The day is piassed. The fourth of 
 July. 1776. will be a memorable epoch in the historj- 
 of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
 by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
 festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
 deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to .Almi^ty 
 God. It ought to l>e solemnized with pomp, showi 
 
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 JOHN ADAMS. 
 
 games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
 from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
 time forward for ever. You will think me transported 
 with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
 the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
 maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
 these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
 rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
 worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
 will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
 hope we shall not." 
 
 In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
 delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin 
 Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
 the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
 from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
 to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
 compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
 posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
 ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
 1779. In September of the same year he was again 
 chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
 ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
 with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
 might lae found willing to listen to such pvoposels. 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 con- 
 tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
 was advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
 Bath. While in England, still drooping anddespond- 
 ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
 urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
 negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
 delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
 5torni, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip. 
 
 February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams 
 envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
 to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
 garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
 condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
 States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
 plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
 his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 
 
 When Washington was first chosen President, John 
 Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
 home and abroad, was chosen Vice President, .\gain 
 at the second election of Washington as President, 
 Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
 ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
 elected President.though not without much ojjposition. 
 Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by 
 Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 
 
 While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 
 
 French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
 and it was upon this point which he was at issue with 
 the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
 Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
 in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
 power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
 classof atheist [ihilosophers who he claimed caused it. 
 On tiie other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
 enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
 iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
 men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- 
 ized, .'\dams 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 oi 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 strenj,th 
 of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
 emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
 good fortime to witness the complete success of the 
 institution which he had lieen so active in creating and 
 supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
 to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the higliest 
 station in the gift of the people. 
 
 The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
 century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
 signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
 earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
 well known, on that day two of these finished their 
 earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
 to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
 Adams had lieen rapidly failing, and on the morning 
 of the fourth he found hmiself too weak to rise from 
 his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
 customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
 dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
 in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
 he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
 what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
 ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
 In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
 glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
 "Jefferson s\irvives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
 signed his spirit into the hands of his God. 
 
 The i)ersonal appearance and manners of Mr. 
 .'Vdams 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 yracefulness which marked 
 the manners and address of jeffersoi. 
 
 
 
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 THIRD PRESIDEXT. 
 
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 HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
 •orn April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
 well, Albermarle county, Va. 
 
 His parents were Peter and 
 Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
 the former a native of Wales, 
 and the latter bom in Lon- 
 don. To them were bom six 
 daughters and two sons, of 
 whom Thomas was the elder. 
 When 14 years of age his 
 ^ father died. He received a 
 most liberal education, hav- 
 ing been kept diligently at school 
 from the time he was five years of 
 age. In 1760 he entered William 
 and Marj- College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
 of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion 
 aad splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
 years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
 horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
 ^ was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
 able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
 such influences, that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
 ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
 explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
 society, and even his favorite violin. 10 which he had 
 . previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
 J hours a day to haid study, allowing himself for ex- 
 ercise only a nm in the evening twilight of a mile out 
 of the city and back again. He thus attained ver)- 
 v/ high intellectual culture, alike e.xcellence in philoso- 
 ^ phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
 \^ Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
 7* scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls ; and 
 
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 there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
 more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 
 
 Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
 study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
 practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
 guished himself by his energ)- and accuteness as a 
 lawjer. But the times called for greater action. 
 The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
 resistance of the -\nierican Colonies, and the enlarged 
 views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
 him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
 a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 
 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
 ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow. 
 
 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 m.msion of modest yet 
 elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vemon, 
 became the most distinguished reson in our land. 
 
 I" '775 h^ 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 appwinted for the draw- 
 ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
 mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
 Benjamin Franklin, Roger Shemian and Robert R. 
 Livingston. Jefterson, as chainnan, was appointed 
 to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
 a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
 gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
 in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
 4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that 
 
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 THOMAS JEFFERSON. 
 
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 man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
 who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
 laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
 America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
 soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
 markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
 of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
 sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 
 
 In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
 Patrick Henry, i.s 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 tlie hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
 ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
 sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
 very good, was much injured by tiiis excitement, and 
 in the summer of 1782 she died. 
 
 Mr. JetTerson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
 Two yeirs later he was apiwinted Minister Plenipo- 
 tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
 in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
 in Washington's cabinet. Tliis position he resigned 
 Jan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
 dent, and four years later was elected President over 
 Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
 1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
 and George Clinton, Vice President. 
 
 The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
 tion was disturbed by an event wliicli threatened the 
 tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
 spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
 to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an \inprincipled 
 ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
 military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
 southwestern frontier, for tlie purpose of forming there 
 a 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 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
 which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
 to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
 forty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
 lic, and all that time had lieen employed in offices of 
 the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
 voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
 country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
 declining years required, and uiK>n the organization of 
 the new administration, in March, rSog, he bid fare- 
 well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 
 
 Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
 families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
 fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
 nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
 Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
 fashionable watering-place. 
 
 The fourth of July, 1S26, being the fiftieth anniver- 
 
 sary of the Declaration of American Independence 
 great preparations were made in every part of the 
 Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
 the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
 of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer, 
 and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
 tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
 ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
 had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
 decline the invitation. 
 
 On the second of July, the disease under which 
 he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
 state that his medical attendants, entertained no 
 hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
 sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
 diiy, 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 expresjed 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 for- 
 ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
 life ! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
 the day which his own name and his own act had 
 rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
 festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
 as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
 was all that was wanting to till up the record his life. 
 
 Almost at the same hour of his death, tlie kin- 
 dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
 him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
 Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
 freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
 ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
 animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
 century they had labored together for tlie 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 silver)'; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
 head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
 thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
 well as personal courage ; and his command of tem- 
 per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
 never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
 His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
 affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
 all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
 sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and 
 his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
 was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
 discernable the care with which he formed his style 
 upon the best models of antiqiiity. 
 
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 FOURTH PR f SI DENT. 
 
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 31 
 
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 ^\ AMES MADISON, "Father 
 g) of the Constitution," and fourth 
 President of tlie United States, 
 was born March 16, 1757, and 
 died at his home in Virginia, 
 "^'' June 28, 1836. The name of 
 Tames Madison is inseparably con- 
 nected with most of the im[X)rtant 
 events in that heroic period of our 
 country during which the founda- 
 tions of this great repubUc were 
 laid. He was the last of the founders 
 of the Constitution of the United 
 States to be called to his eternal 
 reward. 
 
 The Madison family were among 
 the early emigrants to the New World, 
 landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
 peake but 15 years after the settle- 
 ment of Jamestown. The father of 
 James Madison was an opulent 
 planter, residing upon a very fine es- 
 tate called " Montpelier," Orange Co., 
 Va. The mansion was situated in 
 the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
 esque and romantic, on the west side 
 of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
 Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
 Jefferson at Monticello. Tlie 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 
 18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
 Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 
 
 prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three 
 hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
 seriously impaired that lie 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 subse- 
 quent career. 
 
 Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
 law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
 This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
 which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
 ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
 love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of 
 a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
 mind, and his frail health leading liim to think that 
 his life was not to be long, he diiected especial atten- 
 tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind 
 singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
 almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
 all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
 until his faith became so established as never to 
 be shaken. 
 
 In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
 was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
 frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
 (1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
 He refused to treat the whisky-loving voters, and 
 consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
 witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
 modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
 and he was appointed to the Executive Council. 
 
 Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
 Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
 member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 
 
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 JAMES MADISON. 
 
 
 intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
 a little to his subseiiuent eminence. In the year 
 1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
 Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
 our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
 the most conspicuous jwsitions among them. 
 
 For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
 gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
 In the year 17 84, his term having expired, he was 
 elected a member of the \'irginia Legislature. 
 
 No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
 utter inetticiency ot the old confederacy, with no na- 
 tional government, with no iwwer 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 etticient national government 
 must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
 carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
 Virginia, inviting the other States to apjioint commis- 
 sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
 this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
 convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
 by Mr. Madison, urgmg all the States to send their 
 delegates to Pliiladelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
 a Constitution tor the United States, to take the place 
 of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
 the time apix)inted. F,very State but Rhode Island 
 was represented, tieorge Washington was chosen 
 president of the convention ; and the (iresent Consti- 
 tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
 There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
 tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
 and the pen of James Madison. 
 
 The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
 to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
 But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
 we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
 States, with but little [wwer at home and little respect 
 abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by tlie conven- 
 tion to draw up an address to the people of the Lhiited 
 States, exix)unding the principles of the Constitution, 
 and urging its adoption. There was great opixjsition 
 to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
 went into effect in 1789. 
 
 Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
 sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
 avowed leader of the Republican partv. While in 
 New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
 young widow of remarkable ix)wer of fascination, 
 whom he married. She was in person and character 
 queenly, and probably no l.ndy 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- ot State under 
 Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
 was chosen President. \x this time the encroach- 
 ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. 
 
 British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
 
 our flag was e.xiwsed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
 was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
 in his disi»sition, 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 sliip brought 
 to, u[x)n the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
 A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
 crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
 ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
 designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
 ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
 deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
 battles of England. This right of search and im- 
 pressment, no efforts of our Ciovernment could induce 
 the British cabinet to relinquish. 
 
 On the 1 8th of June. 1S12, 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, 1S13, w'as re-elected by a large m.-ijority, 
 and entered ui>on his second term of office. This is 
 not the place to describe the various adventures of 
 this war on the land and on the water. Our infant 
 navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
 pling with the most formidable power which ever 
 swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
 by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 
 1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
 coast of the LTnited States under blockade. 
 
 The Emperor of Russia offered his services as nie 
 ditator. -America accepted ; England refused. .4 Brit- 
 ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
 of the Patu.vet River, near its entrance into Ches.a- 
 peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
 burg, upon Washington. 
 
 The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
 into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
 at Kladensburg 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 dr.awn up at the door to 
 aw.iit 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, 18 15, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
 office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
 to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
 tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
 mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
 age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
 son died July 12, 1849. 
 
 
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FIFTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 PEQES n]OI?^OE. 
 
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 AMES MONROE, the fifth 
 residentof The United States, 
 i^^was born in Westmoreland Co., 
 Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
 , .^ ^ life was passed at the place of 
 U"^.-'--^./ nativity. His ancestors had for 
 -/'lv,_L^ many years resided in the prov- 
 ince in which he was born. When, 
 at 17 years of age, in the process 
 )Si hi ^ of completing his education at 
 }^pM ^\ illiam and Mary College, the Co- 
 lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
 
 delphia to deliberate u[K)n the un- 
 just and manifold oppressions of 
 Great Britian, declared the separa- 
 tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
 gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
 dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
 probable that he would have been one of the signers 
 of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
 school and enlisted among the patriots. 
 
 He joined the army when ever\'thing looked hope- 
 less 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 con- 
 
 f> tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
 I to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
 Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
 difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
 jwlitical emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
 v-- 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 \\'hite 
 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 charg- 
 ing ujx)n the enemy he received a wound in the left 
 shoulder. 
 
 As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was jjro- 
 moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered 
 from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
 receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
 officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- 
 paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy- 
 wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
 aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
 position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
 regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
 owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
 this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
 that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
 ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
 entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag ; 
 but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun- 
 teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 
 
 In 1782, he was elected from King George county, 
 a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that 
 body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
 Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
 of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
 at this early period displayed some of that ability 
 and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
 employed with unremitting energy for the public good, 
 
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 JAMES MONROE. 
 
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 he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
 the Congress of the United States. 
 
 DeeplylisMr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old 
 Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
 thinking, with many others of the Republican parly, 
 that it gave too much iX)Wcr to tlie Central Government, 
 and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
 tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
 supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
 secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
 of the United States Senate ; which office he held for 
 four years. Ever)- month the line of distinction be- 
 tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
 the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
 distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
 arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
 sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
 strict construction of tlie Constitution as to give the 
 Central Government as little power, and the State 
 Governments as much [wwer. as the Constitution would 
 warrant. The Federalists symjiathized with England, 
 and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
 stitution, which would give as much jxjwer to the 
 Central Crovernment 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 
 lames Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
 building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
 to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
 bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
 light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
 nounced as almost a demon. 
 
 Washington was then President. England had es- 
 poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
 ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
 into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
 Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
 tween these contending jKiwers. France had helped 
 us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
 of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
 froni escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
 than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more 
 magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
 whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
 their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
 and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
 ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
 magnanimity. 
 
 Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
 developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
 by apiiointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
 nouncing the {X)licy of the Government, as the minister 
 of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
 Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
 in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 
 
 Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
 roe w'as elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
 office for three years. He was again sent to France to 
 co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
 the vast territor)' then known as the Province of 
 Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
 tained from Spain. Their united efibrts were suc- 
 cessful. For the comparatively small svmi of fifteen 
 millions of dollars, the entire territorj' of Orleans and 
 district of Louisiana were added to the L'nited States. 
 This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
 which was ever made in all the history of the world 
 
 From F'rance Mr. Monroe w^ent to England to ob- 
 tain from that countrj- some recognition of out- 
 rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
 odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
 land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
 land on the same mission, but could receive no 
 redress. He returned to his home and was again 
 chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
 to accept the jwsition of Secretary of State under 
 Madison. While in this office w-ar w-ith England was 
 declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
 these trying times, the duties of the War Department 
 were also put uix)n him. He was truly the armor- 
 bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
 business man in his cabinet. LTjwn the return of 
 peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
 tinued in the office of Secretar>- of State until the ex- 
 \)iration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- 
 tion held the pres'ious autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
 been chosen President with but little opixjsilion, and 
 \\[x>n March 4, 1S17, was inaugurated. Four years 
 later he was elected for a second term. 
 
 .Vmong the important measures of his Presidency 
 were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
 Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine."' 
 
 This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
 doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
 time the United States had recognized the independ- 
 ence of the South American states, and did not wish 
 to have European powers longer attempting to sub- 
 due jwrtions of the .\merican Continent. The doctrine 
 is as follows: "'That we should consider any attempt 
 on the part of Eurojiean powers to extend their sys- 
 tem to any jKirtion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
 to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
 view any interjxjsition for the purjwse of oppressing 
 or controlling American governments or provinces in 
 any other light than as a manifestation by European 
 ix)wers of an unfriendly disj^sition toward the l'nited 
 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 tenn Mr. Monroe retired 
 to his home in Virginia, where he lived until iSjio. 
 when he went to New Vork to live with his son-in- 
 law. In that city he died,on the 4th of July, 1S31. 
 
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 SIXTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
 sixth President of the United 
 States, was born in the rural 
 home of his honored father, 
 Jolm Adams, in Quincy, Mass., 
 on the I uh cf July, 1767. His 
 mother, a woman of exahed 
 worth, watched over his childhood 
 during the ahiiost constant ab- 
 sence of his father. When but 
 eight years of age, he stood with 
 his mother on an eminence, listen- 
 iig to the booming of the great bat- 
 tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
 upon the smoke and flames billow- 
 ing up from the conflagration of 
 Charlestown. 
 
 When but eleven years old he 
 took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
 to sail with his father for Europe, 
 through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
 animated boy 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 distinguislied 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 
 John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
 applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
 to study; then accompained his father to Holland, 
 where he entered, first a school in .\msterdani, then 
 the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
 time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
 JoN years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
 I ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 
 
 f* In this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
 
 culture he sftent 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 
 V,^ his studies, under a priv.Tte tutor, at Hague. Thence, 
 
 in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to 
 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. After 
 a 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 familiar with the etiquette of courts, a 
 residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
 cumstances, must have been extremely attractive; 
 but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
 ferred 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, be- 
 ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
 pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
 Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
 London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
 ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
 assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
 Great Britian. After thus spending a fortnight in 
 London, he proceeded to the Hague. 
 
 In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
 minister i)lenipotentiary. 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. \\hile waiting he was mairied to an 
 American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
 gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter 
 of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London; 
 a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- 
 lilishment which eminently fitted her to move in the 
 elevated sphere for which she was destined. 
 
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 /C^TV^ QUINCY ADAMS. 
 
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 He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797; 
 where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
 filled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his 
 recall. 
 
 Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
 the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
 was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
 from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
 ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
 among the most prominent and influential members 
 of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
 ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
 ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
 sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
 familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
 these points, and no one more resolved to present 
 a firm resistance. 
 
 In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
 idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
 Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
 ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
 at Boston, in August, 1809. 
 
 While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
 dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
 history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
 European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
 the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
 kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
 Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
 more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
 All through life the Bible constituted an important 
 part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
 chapters every day. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
 Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. 
 Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
 erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
 sailed in June, 1819, 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. Mon- 
 roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
 of State. 
 
 Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
 term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
 for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
 forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
 Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
 sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
 ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
 William H. Crawford, forty-one ; Henry Clay, thirty- 
 ■^even. As there was no choice by the people, tlie 
 question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
 Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
 he was elected. 
 
 The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
 combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
 Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
 the past history of our country than the abuse which 
 
 was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
 high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
 an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
 scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
 try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
 haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
 lously and outrageously assailed. 
 
 Mr. Adams was, to a very remaricable degree, ab- 
 stemious 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, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
 from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew 
 Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
 dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
 ixjrtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
 Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
 abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
 main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
 elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
 years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
 sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
 do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
 " the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
 the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
 self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
 member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
 the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
 leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
 be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The 
 battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
 the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
 in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
 presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
 was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
 with expulsion from the House, with assassination; 
 but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
 triumph was complete. 
 
 It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
 body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
 fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
 child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
 he slept, the pra}er which his mother taught him in 
 his infant years. 
 
 On the 2 1 St of February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
 of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
 speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by jiaraly- 
 sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
 For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
 the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
 ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
 said " This is Ike end of earth ;"\.\\t\\ after a moment's 
 pause he added, " I a>/i eonteitt" These were the 
 last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 
 
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 ANDRE ]V JACKSON. 
 
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 sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 
 
 Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
 cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
 Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
 Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose 
 second term of office was then expiring, delivered his 
 last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
 complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
 did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
 twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
 say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
 " wise, firm and patriotic." 
 
 Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
 Senate in 1797, 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 18 12 with Great Britian com- 
 menced, 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 con- 
 ferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
 offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
 volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
 were assembled at Nashville. 
 
 As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
 tack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was 
 in command, lie was ordered to descend the river 
 with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
 expedition reached Natchez; and afteradelay of sev- 
 eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
 the men were ordered 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 set- 
 tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
 cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
 his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
 a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
 tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
 army to rendezvous at FayettesviUe, Alabama. 
 
 The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
 one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, near the cen- 
 ter 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 37th of March. 1814. The bend 
 
 of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
 tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
 neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- 
 work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
 with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 
 
 The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
 perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
 bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
 deavored to spare their lives. From ten in. the morn- 
 ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
 awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
 river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
 they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
 rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
 the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
 ix)wer 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 caine to the camp, begging for peace. 
 
 This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
 centrate 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 Molnle, 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 men- 
 tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
 he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
 successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
 for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
 assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
 the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
 his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
 perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
 her death he never recovered. 
 
 His administration was one of the most memorable 
 in the annals of our country; applauded by one party, 
 condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
 enemies or warmer friends. ,'\t the expiration of his 
 two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
 he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
 son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 
 
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 EIGHTH PRESIDEXT. 
 
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 ^ ' ARTIN VAX BUREN", the 
 
 eighth President of the 
 
 United States, was born at 
 
 Kinderhook, N". Y., Dec 5, 
 
 17S2. He died at the same 
 
 place, July 24, 1S62. His 
 
 body rests in the cemetery 
 
 at Kinderhook. Above it is 
 
 .^^^K, ~ pliin granite shaft nfteen feet 
 
 ^A^ high, bearing a simple inscription 
 
 K about half way up on one face. 
 
 V The lot is unfenced. unbordered 
 
 or unbounded by shrub or flower. 
 
 There b but little in the life of Martin Van Buren 
 of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
 in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
 political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
 signal victories, his da)-s passed uneventful in those 
 incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
 cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
 and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
 to 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 intel- 
 ligence and e-\emplary piety. 
 
 He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
 usual acrivity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
 age of founeen, 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 pur- 
 sued 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 1S03, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of 
 age, commenced the practice of law in his native \-il- 
 lage. The great conflict lietneen the Federal and 
 Republican part)- 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 
 fathers hoteL He was in cordial svmpathy with 
 JeflFerson, and eamesdy and eloquendy espoused the 
 cause of State Rights ; though at that time the Fed- 
 eral 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, the 
 county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years, 
 constandy gaining strength by contending in the 
 courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
 the bar of his State. 
 
 Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson. Mr. 
 Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
 beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
 years she sank into the grave, the \-ictim of consump- 
 tion, leaN-ing her husband and four sons to weep over 
 her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
 an earnest, successftil. assiduous lawyer. The record 
 of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
 In tSi 2. when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
 the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to 
 Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1S15, he was ap- 
 pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
 to Albany, the capital of the State. 
 
 AMiile he was acknowledged as one of the most 
 prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 
 
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 MARTIN VAN BUR EN. 
 
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 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 ever)- 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 182 1 he was elected a member of the United 
 States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
 in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
 native State. His course in this convention secured 
 the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
 doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
 interests of all classes in the community. In the 
 Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
 conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 
 
 In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
 Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
 the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
 termined opposer of the .\dministration, 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 Govemorof 
 the State of Xew York, and accordingly resigned his 
 seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
 States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
 Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
 Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
 entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
 garded throughout the United States as one of the 
 most skillful, sagacious and cunning of 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 ix)wers it is said that he outv.atted Mr. Adams, 
 Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
 few thought then could be accomplished. 
 
 When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
 api)ointed Mr. Van Buren Secretarj' of State. This 
 position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
 appointed Minister to England, where he went the 
 same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
 refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 
 
 home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice 
 President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
 of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
 frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
 Senate which had refused to confimi his nomination 
 as ambassador. 
 
 His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
 President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
 ite; and this, probably 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 re- 
 ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
 Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
 elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
 retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
 canvass," says Mr. 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 jxjwer to appoint a successor." 
 
 His administration was filled with exciting events. 
 The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in- 
 volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
 of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
 cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
 trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
 tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
 and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
 failed of re-election. 
 
 With the exception of being nominated for the 
 Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
 Mr. Van Buren lived quietly uiX)n 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 countr)-, se- 
 cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
 the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
 4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
 the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald^ 
 he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
 of the countn,-. From this time until his death, on 
 the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
 resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
 culture and of wealth ; enjoying in a healthy old 
 age, probably far more happiness than he had before 
 experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 
 
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ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
 SON, the ninth President ol 
 the Linited States, was liorn 
 at Bcrkele) , Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
 His tathei, Benjamin Harri- 
 son, was in comparatively op- 
 ulent circumstances, and was 
 one of the most distinguished 
 men of his day. He was an 
 intimate friend of George 
 Washington, was early elected 
 a member of the Continental 
 Congress, and was conspicuous 
 among the patriots of Virginia in 
 resisting the encroachments of the 
 British crown. In the celebrated 
 Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
 rison and John Hancock were 
 both candidates for the office of 
 speaker. 
 
 Mr Harrison was subsequently 
 chosen Ciovernor of Virginia, and 
 was twice re-elected. His son, 
 I William Henry, of course enjoyed 
 
 in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
 intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
 ing 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 Philadeliihia 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 not- 
 withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he 
 abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
 having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 
 
 dent Washington. He was then but rg 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 ap- 
 pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
 Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
 Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
 position. 
 
 In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
 was divided liy Congress into two portions. The 
 eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
 in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
 north-wesl 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- 
 ixjinted by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
 Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
 Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
 extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He 
 was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
 vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now 
 rapidly increasing white population. The abilitv 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 Presi- 
 dent Madison. 
 
 \Vhenhe began his adminstration there were but 
 three white settlementsin 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. Harrison 
 reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About 
 
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 WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 
 
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 '<) 
 
 the year 1806, two extraordinary mer, twin brothers, 
 of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
 these was called Tccumseh, or " The Crouching 
 Panther;" the other, Olliwaclieca, or "The Prophet. " 
 TecLimseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
 of great sagacity, far-reaching foresights and indomit- 
 able perseverance in any enterprise m which lie might 
 engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
 and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
 the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
 grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
 anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
 Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
 they dwelt. 
 
 But the Prophet was not merely anorator: he was, 
 in the suiierstitious 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 Tippe- 
 canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
 October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When 
 near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
 their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
 approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
 short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
 ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 
 
 But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
 the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
 tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
 campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
 His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
 upon their arms. 
 
 The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
 rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
 loaded musket liy his side.and his bayonet fixed. The 
 wakeful Governor, lietween three and four o'clock in 
 the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
 tion 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 possi- 
 ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
 the desperation which superstition and passion most 
 highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
 little army. The savages had been amply provided 
 with guns and ammunition liy the English. Their 
 war-whoop was accompained liy a shower of bullets. 
 
 The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
 light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
 ous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubtir.g 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 he- 
 fore them, and completely routing the foe. 
 
 ^^^^ 
 
 r^T 
 
 <m^ 
 
 Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
 to the utmost. The British descending from theCan- 
 adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
 with their savage allies, rusliing like wolves from the 
 forest, searching out every remote farm-house, binn- 
 ing, plundering, scaljjing, torturing, the wide frontier 
 was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
 the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
 The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
 forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
 tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
 the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
 Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison 
 was appointed i)y President Madison commander-in- 
 chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
 Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 
 
 It would be difficidt to place a man in a situation 
 demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
 (ieneral 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 1 8 16, 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 tlie Senate of 
 Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
 of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
 same year he was chosen to the I'nited States Senate. 
 
 In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
 forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
 Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
 Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nominated by his 
 party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
 by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice Presidency. 
 The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave 
 all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
 his triumph was signal. 
 
 The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
 at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
 brilliant with which anv President had ever been 
 surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
 istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
 more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
 joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
 pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
 ness, died on the 4th of April; just one month after 
 his inauguration as President of the United States. 
 
 
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 HX TYLER. lie a-Hh 
 
 Co. Va^ MjuKk 29. i79(v He 
 «»£ the farnxed cUd of af- 
 Aitc M ut and M^ sodbl po- 
 silnn. At t^ eiriy a^e ol 
 twehre. loin emieKd WaibM 
 aad ^iarr CoB^fe aad god- 
 3ui»d vKk ^»ck koaor viKa 
 batagi g aa ccai yeaisqid. Aices- 
 he devoted yi»- 
 _ xsadiBKT o the 
 of lav. ponlif «iA hib 
 .xad pis^with FidM»ri 
 
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 not 
 
 KaBdoiph.oneol the moss <ii3Db- 
 gashed lawvss oe Vl^taa. 
 
 Ai iMi B Ut-L-i a ye^is nf agt, ^ 
 
 comaeaced ihe pracike of la«. 
 
 Hs sacoKS wxs apod aad ^aoe- 
 
 •sai^. b j$ Slid dtu duee 
 
 .-i«fe had was. iia^sed ere thoe 
 
 «v£s scuoehr a caee o* ike dttcfc- 
 
 e: of ihe oont m which he wxs 
 
 WhcD b«E rveatr-iMe veus of .^e. he 
 
 «3s afasKt vKunocdtr dfected ■» a seat ia t&e Sfcue 
 
 LegElajDBe. He coeaected hiiKelf nh ike IXano- 
 
 cranc parn^. — ^)t advocaaed ^he Measwes of 
 
 "^ jkfeisoK ar::- _;_:::- For five SMOc^sh^ Tcais he 
 
 wasclectBd loihe LepsSaisK;. leoars^ -aesi^r :^ 
 saoMMoi^ TDK or hts aG<- ' 
 
 WWoiInc tweMn^'SixTe—: :. .^^ he was dened 
 a 1 ■?>! I of Co^ge^ Heie he acBed caiBSsH- aiad 
 Aly»iAthe DriyTOiir panr. ojipoeang a iwfinwal 
 >. h^L BBamal iMj—m m\ nt br t^ Geoexsl Goveim- 
 
 
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 MCK. a pMiiecirne canC and adxtocanag a snia ooo- 
 aUMU B U M of die GoiasncaiKn, ajad the nost cxie£al 
 T^fawse <»rer Scase lights. Hk labois ia CoDgiess 
 ««K so aidaoss that hefixe the cfase of his secoMl 
 tenaheiiauid s Dee:'-- -^'sis^ juad leobe » hts 
 
 esxaee ia Ckades-dti ^-cnrii hib beakh. He, 
 
 ho«ev>er, soob after coetsessid to takae h«s seat ia the 
 State Le^i^ame. where his iadaence was pa wetfi J 
 in fownring jieblac woiks of gteat stStr. With a 
 repottatiaM thxs ciassaadr iacreass^. he was chosee 
 br a veiT lariie ^AiicxitT of xces;. Goveioor of las 
 aaiire Ssue. His nlwiiii iimiwi was ^nallr a soc- 
 oesakloae. Hk mpdbtin- aecaied ^ le-deaaon. 
 
 Joha Kiwdnlpk. a brSKaBt. enaiic. halikiaxed 
 laan. dkes lepresencsd Vusiaxa ia the S^iate of 1^ 
 Uoiaed Scales. A pcnaoa of the Bkemociazic piarnr 
 was dbpfeased widt Mr. Raadolph's wavwud coeise. 
 and baoE^K kxwaid John TTkr ^ te opponewt, 
 o»a(feti^ ya the otdr saaia Vn^xacaof safideM 
 popdbikr s> sacceed agaiast tke ie-j--a— •e- . — ;^«Tr « 
 Rnaanhf Mx. T^fer wasthe vktc- 
 
 la aoondaace w^ hb prnfesicr - ^ bjs 
 
 seat ia the Seaate. he joined the lar ■ - 70s- 
 
 tiaau He opposed die taiif; he s . ::st and 
 
 ToiedagaiB3tti»elitaak.£S ^ S3ie<::>- 
 
 3ai^r opposed all tessriv - . ;• . lesst- 
 
 iag all pnfec^ of intetaal iaapKmenegtts b^ the Gea- 
 eral Gov^xaoMBt. aad avowed his snapathr wi^ Ms. 
 Calhceas new of aaJKcanoa: hededared t^ai Gea. 
 Jaefcaoa, b*r kts oppoawioa ao the aalS&exs, had 
 ^Ehaiadcaed she piSBdples of tbe Deaaociadc paKr. 
 S jch WIS Mi Tjr^er s leootd is Co^wss. — a lecoHi 
 dosdaace wkh the piwiptes which he 
 - i-powed. 
 
 Kecaiaiag ao Vii^i^^ be jesaaied Iks' rnrtire of 
 his paofesaoak. There wis i -Tfe ^- :>« T^sEOcriik 
 
 
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 ■^^7^nm^i>t^ 
 
 -#^5(^V,^^; 
 
 JOHAT TYLER. 
 
 party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
 fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
 ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
 forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
 sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
 vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
 not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
 of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
 tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
 for the better education of his children ; and he again 
 took his scat in the Legislature of Virginia. 
 
 By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
 convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
 1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
 rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment ot 
 the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
 ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
 convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
 ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
 thy with the Whig jiarty in the Noith : but the Vice 
 President has but very little power in the Govern- 
 ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
 side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
 pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
 Democratic Vice President were chosen. 
 
 In 1 84 1, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
 dent of the United States. In one short month from 
 that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
 thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of 
 the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
 chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
 institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
 country that such an event had occured. Mr. Fyler 
 was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
 une.vpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
 son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
 April was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
 office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
 delicacy and difficulty. All his longlife he had been 
 opposed to the main principles of the party which had 
 brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
 sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. 
 Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
 he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
 sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
 on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
 which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
 mony with himself, and which would op|)Ose all those 
 views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
 lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
 vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
 selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
 day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
 bless us. 
 
 The Whigs carried through Congress a hill for the 
 incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
 The President, after ten days' delay, returned it witli 
 his veto. He suggested, however, that he would 
 
 approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
 proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
 privately submitted to iiim. He gave it his approval. 
 It "A-as passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
 with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
 It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
 ure [)y a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
 Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
 touched the pride of the President. 
 
 The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
 dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
 denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
 cabinet, excejiting Mr. Webster, resigned. The \Vhigs 
 of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
 meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
 United States, proclaiming tliat all iwlitical 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 administra- 
 tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
 land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
 and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
 however, he brought himseli into sympathy with his 
 old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
 he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
 Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
 harassments of office, tothe regret of neither party, and 
 probably to his own unspeakable lelief. 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 i)ersonal and intellectual accomplishments. 
 
 The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
 in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
 est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
 his manners, richly furnished with information from 
 books and experience in the world, and jxissessing 
 brilliant powers of conversation, his fr.mily circle was 
 the scene of unusual attractions. AVitli suffic-ient 
 moans 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. Cal- 
 houn had inaugurated. President Tyler renounced his 
 allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
 erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
 and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by 
 force of arms, the Government over which he had 
 once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 
 
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 -i^^C(®vM 
 
 ^'Z^' VENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 AMES Hv. PDIK 
 
 
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 '■f-~ 
 
 ANtES K. POLK, the eleventh 
 
 ?n:' 
 
 fiia President of the United States, 
 s born in Mecklenburg Co., 
 C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
 ents were Samuel and Jane 
 (Knox) Polk, the former a son 
 of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
 at the above place, as one of the 
 first pioneers, in 1735. 
 
 In the year 1S06, with his wife 
 and cliildren, and soon after fol- 
 lowed by most of the members of 
 tlie Polk farnly, Samiitl Polk emi- 
 grated some two or three hundred 
 miles farther west, to the rich valley 
 of the Duck River. Here in the 
 midst of the wilderness, in a region 
 which was subsequently called Mau- 
 ry Co., they reared their log huls, 
 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 pur- 
 suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
 gradually increased in wealth until 
 he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
 mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
 '^ sense and earnest piety. 
 
 Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
 ,: reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
 ^^ a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
 MV him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
 uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
 principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
 
 father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 
 
 sedentary life, got a situation for him behind tlie 
 counter, hojjing to fit him for commercial pursuits. 
 
 This was to James a bitter disapixjintment. 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 jirosecute his studies. Soon 
 after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. ^Vith 
 ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
 forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
 years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
 class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
 Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
 scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
 himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
 service. 
 
 He graduated in 1S18, witli tlie highest honors, be- 
 ing deemed the best scholar of his cbss, both in 
 mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
 three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
 time much impaired by the assiduity with 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 iMr. 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 politi- 
 cal faith. He was a jxipular public sjieaker, and was 
 constantly called u]X)n to address the meetings of his 
 party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
 he was popularly called the Naiwleon of the stump. 
 He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 
 
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 ^' 
 
 ^¥^(s^J^ 
 
6o 
 
 JAMES K. POLK. 
 
 rr 
 
 -*%?@s 
 
 
 §§ 
 
 ^) 
 
 courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
 nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave 
 him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
 to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
 strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
 Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 
 
 In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
 Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
 altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
 ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
 member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
 to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
 for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
 tinued ill that office. He then voluntaril)- withdrew, 
 only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
 of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
 member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
 always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
 he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
 ambitious rhetorical display. 
 
 During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
 Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
 and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
 formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
 tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
 passed by the House as he withdrew on tlie 4th of 
 March, 1839. 
 
 In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
 candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
 elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
 ber, 1839, look the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
 his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
 didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
 ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
 the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
 its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
 administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
 nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
 3d of March, approving of tlie 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 re- 
 ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
 other States. In the meantime. Gen. Taylor was sent 
 
 Sl'\®))«^#- 
 
 A<^I1!1 
 
 with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
 sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
 western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
 two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
 where he erected batteries which commanded the 
 Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
 the western banks. 
 
 The anticipated collision soon took place, and war 
 was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
 war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
 with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
 called one of "observation," then of '"occupation," 
 then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
 feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
 and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
 alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
 It v.'as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
 that the war was brought on. 
 
 ' To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
 prostrate before us. Her capital was in our liands. 
 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 Cal- 
 ifornia. Tins new demand embraced, exclusive of 
 Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
 was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
 size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
 majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
 some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
 others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
 of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
 more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
 money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 
 
 On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
 office, having served one term. The next day was 
 Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
 as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in tlie 
 same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
 ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
 Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
 He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
 and his health was good \Vith an ample fortune, 
 a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
 of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long vears 
 of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the 
 cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
 the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
 and died on the 15th of June, 1S49, in the fifty-fourth 
 year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 
 
 v^ 
 
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 i 
 

TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 63 
 
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 ACHARV TAYLOR, iwcltih 
 President of the United States, 
 was born on tiie 24111 of Nov., 
 1784, in ( )range Co., Va. His 
 father, Colonel Taylor, was 
 Yy a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
 '■] tinguished [latriot and soldier of 
 the Revolution. When Zathary 
 was an infant, his father with his 
 wife and two children, emigrated 
 to Kentuck) , where he settled in 
 the pathless wilderness, a few 
 miles from Louisville. In this front- 
 ier home, away from civilization and 
 all its refinements, young Zachary 
 could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
 tages. When six years ot age he attended a common 
 school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
 rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
 acter 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 1 80S, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
 the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
 army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
 at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
 this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
 from one of the first families of Maryland. 
 
 Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
 land, in 18 1 2, 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 wilder- 
 ness 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 
 
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 ^i&s- 
 
 companyol intantry numbenn.n fifty men, many of 
 whom were sick. 
 
 Early in the autumn of 181 j, the Indians, stealthily, 
 and in large numbers, moved ujwn the fort. Their 
 approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
 soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
 made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
 pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
 forty painted and plimied 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 cap- 
 ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
 ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
 conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
 ceeded in setting lire 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 witli rage, retired. Capt. 
 Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
 rank of major by brevet. 
 
 Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor 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- 
 
 % 
 
 
ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 
 > 
 
 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 1S36, he was sent to Florida to com])el 
 the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
 tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
 had promised they should do. Tiie services rendered 
 here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
 the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
 to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
 after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
 mand of the United States troops in Florida. 
 
 After two years of such wearisome employment 
 amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor 
 obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
 and was stationed over the Department of the South- 
 west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
 Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headcpiarters 
 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, (jen. T;iylor was sent to guard the land 
 between the Nueces and Rio Grande, tlie 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 Ijrilliant victories over the 
 Mexicans. The rank of major-general by isrevet 
 was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
 was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
 the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
 Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
 forces much larger than he commanded. 
 
 His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
 simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
 \.\\^ sohriquet of "Old Rougli 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 li|)s. The 
 Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
 ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
 lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
 Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
 nouncement, and for a time would not listen toit; de- 
 claring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
 office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
 for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
 without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
 who had been long rears in the iniblic service found 
 their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 
 
 had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
 Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
 Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
 marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 
 
 Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
 writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
 pared such few communications as it was needful 
 should be presented to the public. Thepoi)ularity of 
 the successful warrior swe[jt the land. He was tri- 
 umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
 Gen. Cass and Kx-President Martin Van Buren. 
 Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
 old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
 and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
 His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
 tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
 was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- 
 tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
 pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
 stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
 the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
 trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
 Indians. 
 
 In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, 
 after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
 over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
 but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850. 
 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, un- 
 pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
 affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
 mented his death. 
 
 Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acipiainted with 
 Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
 description of his character: — " With a good store of 
 common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
 larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
 with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
 quence. The frontiers and sm:ill military posts had 
 been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
 rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
 plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
 dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
 tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
 chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
 a little on one side of his head ; or an officer to leave 
 a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
 side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
 offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
 whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
 ' touch with a pair of -tongs." 
 
 "Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
 worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
 sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
 unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, 
 few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor- 
 saving contempt for learning of every kind." 
 
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 THFRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 MILLARn FILLMORE-'^ 
 
 
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 ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
 ty teenth President of the United 
 ^' States, was born at Summer 
 Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
 the 7th of January, 1800. His 
 father was a farmer, and ow- 
 ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
 cumstances. Of his mother, the 
 daughter of Dr. .\biathar Millard, 
 of PittsfieUi, Mass., it has been 
 said that she possessed an intellect 
 of very high order, united with much 
 ])ersonal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
 position, graceful manners and ex- 
 quisite sensibilities. She died in 
 1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
 young man of distinguished prom- 
 ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
 dignity which he finally attained. 
 
 In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
 means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
 vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
 mon schools, ivhich he occasionally attended were 
 very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
 and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
 acter to indicate the brilliant career 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 
 Livin<;ston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
 
 Neai the mill there was a small villiage, where some 
 
 enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
 village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
 to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
 ing. .Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
 books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate; 
 and the selections which he made were continually 
 more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
 biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
 kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
 than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
 coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
 educated man. 
 
 The young clothier had now attained the age of 
 nineteen years, and was of fine personal 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 ap- 
 pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
 ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
 attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
 trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
 young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
 r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
 tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
 so much confidence in him that he kindly ofTered 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. .\ young man is supposed to 
 be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
 lege. But many a boy loiters through university halls 
 and then enters a law office, who is bv no means as 
 
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 MILLARD FILLMORE. 
 
 well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
 Millard Fillmore when he graduated at tire clothing- 
 mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
 which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
 tense mental culture. 
 
 In 1S2J, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as 
 admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He tlien 
 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 hi fame. 
 Here, in the year icS26, 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 industiy, 
 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 1.S29, 
 he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of tlie 
 State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
 County. Though he had never taken a very active 
 part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
 the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
 and lie 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 degree the respect of his associates. 
 
 In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
 the United States Congress. He entered that troubled 
 arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
 national history. The great conflict respecting the 
 national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
 then raging. 
 
 His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
 his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
 utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
 he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re- 
 elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
 rience as a representative gave 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 ener- 
 gies were brought to bear upon the juiblic good. Every 
 measure received his impress. 
 
 Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
 his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
 he was elected Comptroller of the State. 
 
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 Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
 years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
 Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- p>^ 
 siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
 find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
 dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
 waters of tlie 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 
 j)rocIaiined in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
 it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
 ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 
 
 Under the influence of these considerations, the 
 namesofZachary 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 LTnited 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 Con- 
 stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
 dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
 the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 
 
 Mr. 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 Soutli felt 
 the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. 
 The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
 creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
 evitable that the power of the Government should 
 soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
 famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
 I'illmore's adminstration, and the Japan Ex[)edition "J/ 
 was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
 more, having served one term, retired. 
 
 In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
 idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
 by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
 retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
 he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
 his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
 deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
 Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
 cordial words of cheer to the one 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. 
 
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 FOURTEENTH FRESIDEAiT. 
 
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 ^FHflNKLIN FIERCE.^ ^C 
 
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 RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
 fourteenth President of the 
 ' L'nited States, was born in 
 Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
 23, 1804. His father was a 
 Revolutionary soldier, who, 
 with his own strong arm, 
 hewed out a liome in the 
 wilderness. He was a man 
 of inflexible integrity ; of 
 strong, though uncultivated 
 mind, and an unconipromis- 
 Democrat. The mother of 
 Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
 could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
 dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
 an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 
 
 Franklin was a very liright and handsome Ijoy, gen- 
 erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
 love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
 oved him. His teachers loved him. The neighiwrs 
 looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
 by instinct a gentleman; alwaj s speaking kind words, 
 doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
 which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
 veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
 devotion to books, he was a good scholar ; in body, 
 in mind, in affections, a finely-develoi)ed boy. 
 
 When sixteen years of age, in the year 1S20, he 
 entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me. He was 
 one of the most pojiular 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 de- 
 gree 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 tlie most distinguished lawyers of 
 tlie 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 tlie brilliant 
 political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
 tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
 nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
 the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. 
 Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
 practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
 to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
 he served for four years. The last two years he was 
 chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 
 
 In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
 a nieml)er 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 1S37, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
 he was elected to tlie Senate of the United States; 
 taking liis seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
 his administration. He was the youngest memberin 
 the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
 Means .Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
 plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
 station with waich her husband was honoiod. Of the 
 
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 I 
 
 FRANKLIN PIERCE. 
 
 three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
 their parents in the grave. 
 
 In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
 and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
 residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
 President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
 Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States ; but 
 the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
 professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
 state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
 same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
 Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
 Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
 brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
 troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
 He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
 self a brave and true soldier. 
 
 When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
 State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
 cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
 nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
 very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
 tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
 wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
 measures met cordially with his approval; and he 
 strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
 mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
 sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
 guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
 The strong partisans of slaver)' in the South conse- 
 quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
 safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 
 
 On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
 tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
 Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
 and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
 two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
 for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
 brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
 more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
 gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
 received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
 other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
 the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
 great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
 sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
 electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
 was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
 States on the 4lh of March, 1853. 
 
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 His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
 country had ever experienced. The controversy be- 
 tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its i!^= 
 culminating point. It became evident that there was ] 
 an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that ito, 
 this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
 free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
 ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
 the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
 year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
 of tlie Union were borne to the North on every South- 
 ern breeze. 
 
 Such was the condition of affairs when President 
 Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
 of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
 ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
 by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
 the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
 Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
 ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
 unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
 cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
 proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
 rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
 able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
 him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
 tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
 had died, and his only surviving child had been 
 killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his 
 wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
 ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
 hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
 alone in the world, without wife or child. 
 
 When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
 vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
 Pierce remained steadfast in tlie principles which he 
 had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
 that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
 allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
 or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
 ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
 the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
 1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
 men, an honored communicant of the F^piscopal 
 Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
 erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
 leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
 people were often gladened by his material bounty 
 
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 FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 1 '^'i' gi'^'?'a':^^'ga'5:5itij^'^'^'^'^'^' ''^' J. :> ■ 'i v>Vt^'<^^Ji^S3t»^>^Sir:?.Jt^tg'JPi'-. ■■ •. 'i -. 'i -. 
 
 
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 AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
 teenth President of the United 
 Stntcs, was born in a small 
 frontier town, at the foot of the 
 eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
 nies, in Franklin Co., Penn.,on 
 
 1 
 
 S 
 
 r: -s^Xs the 23d ot April, 1791. The place 
 
 where the humble cabin of his 
 father stood was called Stony 
 Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
 mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- 
 tains, with towering summits rising 
 grandly all around. His father 
 was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
 a poor man, who had emigrated in 
 1783, 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 wilder- 
 ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
 clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
 form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
 cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
 for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
 advantages. When James was eight years of age, his 
 father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
 ^ his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
 I course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
 
 J progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
 I entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
 
 ' ^K ^''^'ops'i 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- 
 
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 abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with 
 facility. 
 
 In the year 1S09, 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 .inimal 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 suc- 
 cessfully defended before the State Senate one of the 
 judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of 
 impeachment. .'X.t the age of thirty it was generally 
 admitted that he stood at the he.-id of the bar; and 
 there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
 crative 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 1831, he retired 
 altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
 quired an ample fortune. 
 
 Gen. Jackson, uixjn his elevation to the I'residency, 
 appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
 duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
 gave satisfaction to all parties. Ujwn 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 making repri- 
 
 
 
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76 
 
 ■ev^itm^nDr^r^ 
 
 
 JAMES BUCHANAN. 
 
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 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 oftice of those wlio were not the sup- 
 porters of iiis administration. Upon this cpiestion he 
 was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
 He also, witli voice and vote, advocated expunging 
 from tlie journal of the Senate the vole 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 advo- 
 cated that they should \>e respectfully received; and 
 that tlie 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 tlie 
 States where it now e.xists." 
 
 Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
 Buchanan jjecame 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 Cirande into that territory was a declaration 
 of war. No candid man can read with pleasure tlie 
 account of the course our Covernment pursued in tliat 
 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 1850, 
 which included tlie 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 conven- 
 tion nominated ^Ir. Buchanan for tlie Presidency. The 
 political conllict was one of the most severe in which 
 our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
 slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
 striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
 mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
 ceived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
 174, and was elected. The popular vote stood 
 1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for lUichanan. On 
 March 4th, 1S57, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
 years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
 ten. His own friends, those with whom he liad been 
 allied in political jirinciples 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 lie- 
 ■wildered. 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 repub- 
 lic. He therefore did nothing. 
 
 The op|)onents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
 nominaled Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
 in the next Presidential canvass.. The pro-slaverv 
 party declared, that if he were elected, and (he con- 
 trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
 hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
 with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
 Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
 the United States. 
 
 VIr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
 party was such, that he iiad been willing to offerthem 
 far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
 South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
 intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
 chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
 operation of the Government to defend and extend 
 the institution. 
 
 As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
 claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
 ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
 the most pitial)le exhibitions of governmental im- 
 becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
 declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
 laws in any .State which h;id withdrawn, or which 
 was attempting to withdraw from tlie Union. This 
 was not tlie doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
 his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exchiimed, " The 
 Union must and shall be preserved!" 
 
 South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly 
 three months before the inauguration of President 
 Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
 The reljel flag was raised in Charleston • Fort Sumpter 
 was besieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
 were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- 
 dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
 appropriated by the rebels. 
 
 The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
 Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
 on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
 and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
 ness Atlength the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
 ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
 scepter. 
 
 The administration of President Buchanan was 
 certainly the most calamitous our countiy has ex- 
 perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
 pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
 that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
 of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
 from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's 
 lianner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion. 
 He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. 
 
 
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 SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 \M LINCOLN, tlie 
 th rresident of the 
 iiiied States, was born in 
 lardiii Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
 1S09. .\bout the year 17 So, a 
 man by the name of .Vbraliani 
 Lincobi left \'iiginia with liis 
 taniily and rnoved into the then 
 wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
 after this emigration, still a young 
 man, while working one day in a 
 tield, was stealthily approached by 
 an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
 was left in extreme [wverty with the 
 ittle 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 tlie most [irominent 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 [xjor. 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 
 hhiiself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
 starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
 less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
 self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
 laborer in the fields of others. 
 
 \\'hen twenty-eight years of age he buill a log- 
 cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
 daughter of anotiier family of ])oor Kentucky emi- 
 .^ grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
 second child was .\braham 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. 
 0^ "All that I am, or hope to be," e.xclaims the grate- 
 u* ful son "I owe to my angel-mother. 
 >- \\hen he was eight years of age, his father sold his 
 
 cabin and small farm, and moved to Indi.ma. Where 
 (wo vears later his mother died. 
 
 -■Xbrahum soon became the sciibe 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 ; init tliese he read 
 and re-read until they were almost committed to 
 memory. 
 
 As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
 was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and 
 griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister 
 Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
 ried when a child of but fourteen vears of age, and 
 soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
 Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1S30, 
 and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
 With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
 another log-cabin, .\braham worked diligently at this 
 until lie saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
 small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
 he announced to his father his intention to leave 
 home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
 tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
 liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
 education, and was intensel)' earnest to improve his 
 mind to the utmost of his ix)wer. He saw the ruin 
 which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
 strictly temperate; refusing to allow a dro|i of intoxi- 
 cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
 God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the 
 Lord thy (Jod 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. 
 
 Voung .\braham worked for a time as a hired laborer 
 among the fanners. 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 dowii 
 the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
 sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham I,in- 
 coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
 great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven- 
 
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 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
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 ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
 his return tiiey placed a store and mill under liis care. 
 
 In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
 enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
 returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
 years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
 was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
 Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, 
 His only post-office was his hat. .\11 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 1834 he again became a 
 candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
 Stuart, of Springlield, 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 as- 
 sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
 one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
 1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
 was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
 moved 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 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
 Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
 In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
 in 1856, 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 con- 
 test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
 notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
 slavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
 the Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
 created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
 test, but won a far higher prize. 
 
 The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
 on the i6ih ot June, i860. The delegates and 
 strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
 five thousand. An immense building called "The 
 Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
 tion. 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 tlie 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 as little did he dream that he was to render services 
 to his country, which would fi.x upon him the eyes of 
 the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
 a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
 only, if second, to that of W'ashington. 
 
 Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
 electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
 constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
 The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 
 
 and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
 greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
 higli position. In February, 1S61, Mr. Lincoln started 
 for Washington, stop[)ing in all the large cities on his 
 way making speeches. The whole journey was froughl 
 witii much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
 already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
 were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
 more 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 plol. .A secret and special train was provided to 
 take him from Harrist-urg, through Baltimore, at an 
 une.xpected liour of the night. The train started at 
 half-past ten ; and to ])revent any jiossible communi- 
 cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
 federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
 started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
 reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
 although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 
 
 In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
 to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
 prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
 important positions. 
 
 During no other administration ha\e the duties 
 devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
 the resix)nsibilities 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 witli, the difficulties, he 
 learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
 determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
 trials, bo'h 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 
 reliel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
 with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
 had left Springfield, in 1861, however, j^lans had been 
 made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
 to one of them, April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
 was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
 was announced that they would t.e present. Gen. 
 Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
 ing, witn 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 plav 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 country- 
 men being unable to decide which is the greater. 
 
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 SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
 teenth President of the United 
 States. The early life of 
 Andrew Johnson contains but 
 , the record of poverty, destitu- 
 
 :, 7 tion and friendlessness. He 
 7 was born December 29, 1808, 
 in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
 belonging to tlie class of the 
 "poor whites " of the South, were 
 in such circumstances, that they 
 could not confer even the slight- 
 est advantages of education upon 
 their child. When Andrew was five 
 years of age, his father accidentally 
 lost his life while heiorically endeavoring to save a 
 friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
 was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the 
 labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
 her own hands. 
 
 He then, having never attended a school one day, 
 and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
 prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
 was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
 ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
 read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
 r len. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
 than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
 in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
 was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 
 
 He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
 with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
 learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
 man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner. 
 
 pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book, 
 but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
 into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on- 
 ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
 at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
 and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
 reading. 
 
 He went to Tennessee in 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 1830 elected liim mayor, which 
 position he held three years. 
 
 He now began to take a lively interest in political 
 affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
 to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
 member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
 see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
 He became a very active member of the legislature, 
 gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
 1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
 Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those 
 of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
 readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
 his reputation. 
 
 In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
 was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
 elections, held that important post for ten years. In 
 1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
 was re-elected in 1855. In all these resi)onsible posi- 
 tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abil- 
 
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 ANDRF. IV JOHNSON. 
 
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 ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
 ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
 United States Senator. 
 
 Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
 the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
 reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
 ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
 sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
 and become merged in a population congenial to 
 themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
 promise measures, the two essential features of whicli 
 were, that the white people of the Territories should 
 be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
 would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
 the free States of the North should return to the 
 South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 
 
 Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin: 
 on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
 he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
 said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
 that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
 was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
 ior was the son of a carpenter." 
 
 In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i860, he 
 was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
 Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
 ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
 stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
 must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
 cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
 imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
 Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
 Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
 pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
 established the most stringent military rule. His 
 numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 
 
 1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
 States, and upon the death of Mr. Lmcoln, April 15, 
 
 1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
 he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
 they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
 must be punished ; that the Government will not 
 always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
 only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
 must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
 crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
 administration, the history of which is so well known, 
 was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent 
 
 oppositiori to, the principles laid down in that speech. 
 
 In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
 amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- 
 acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
 defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
 the beginnirig of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
 and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
 removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
 ure of Office .\ct, articles of impeachment were pre- 
 ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 
 
 It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
 months. .\ test article of the impeachment was at 
 length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
 certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
 would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
 the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
 sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
 quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
 him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
 side would have sustained the impeachment. 
 
 The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
 but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, 
 his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
 think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
 dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
 alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
 of Gen. (irant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
 The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
 President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
 there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
 mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
 nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
 in Gree«ville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
 politics until 1875. ^" J'^"' -''• '^ft<2r an exciting 
 struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
 nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
 gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
 session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
 March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
 made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
 Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
 apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
 ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
 stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
 He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
 2 A. M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
 eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
 with every demonstration of respect. 
 
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 EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 
 
 SSES S. GRANT, the 
 hteenth President of the 
 ^^•- United States, was born on 
 the 29th of April, 1822, of 
 Christian parents, in a hnnible 
 home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
 banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
 his father moved to George- 
 town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
 mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
 received a common-school edu- 
 cation. At the age of seven- 
 teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
 the Military Academy at West 
 Point. Here he was regarded as a 
 solid, sensible \oung 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 in- 
 fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
 souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
 solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
 Indians. 
 
 The war with Mexico came. Lieut, (jranl 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, liis second battle. .\t the battle 
 of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
 he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
 horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
 munition. A messenger must be. sent for more, along 
 a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
 Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
 grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
 side of the animal, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 
 
 From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
 to aid tien. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
 preparation for the march to tlie city of Mexico, he 
 was appointed quartermaster of his regiinent. At the 
 battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
 first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
 pultepec. 
 
 At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
 turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
 sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
 discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
 tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
 Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
 Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
 migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
 Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
 States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
 tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
 little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
 munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
 the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
 lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
 of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
 of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
 ■'LTncle Sam has educated me for the army; though 
 I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
 I have yet repaid thedebt. I am still ready to discharge 
 my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
 and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 
 
 He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
 unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
 the capital of the 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 
 
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 UL YSSES S. GRA NT. 
 
 June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
 Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
 unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
 had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
 that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
 General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
 rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
 of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
 peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
 rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
 stripes were unfurled in its stead. 
 
 He entered the service with great determination 
 and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
 ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
 he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
 effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
 prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
 won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
 at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
 victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
 immediately made a M.njor-General, and the military 
 district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 
 
 Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
 to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
 pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
 terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
 siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
 unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
 thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
 non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
 severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
 and opened up the .Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 
 
 Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
 Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
 ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
 his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
 was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
 of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Cliattanooga, and 
 by a wonderful series of strategic and tactical meas- 
 ures put the Union army in fighting condition. Then 
 followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
 Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
 were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
 bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
 ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
 general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
 He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
 and enter upon the duties of his new office. 
 
 Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
 the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
 troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
 capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
 stroy the rebel arnries which would be promptly as- 
 sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
 continent seemed to tremble under the trampof these 
 majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
 Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
 were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
 plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
 campaigns, which were e.xecuted with remarkable en- 
 ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
 render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 
 
 The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
 almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
 Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
 vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
 the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
 Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 
 
 At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, 
 May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
 Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
 majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
 electoral votes. 
 
 The National Convention of the Republican party 
 which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
 placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second tenii 
 by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
 cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
 electoral votes being cast for him. 
 
 Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. tirant 
 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. It 
 is not too much to say that his modest, courteous, and 
 dignified demeanor in the presence of the most dis- 
 tinguished men in the different nations in the world, 
 reflected honor upon the Reixiblic which he so long 
 and so faithfully served. The country felt a great 
 pride in his reception. Upon his arrival in San Fran- 
 cisco, Sept. 20, 1879, the city authorities gave him a 
 fine reception. After lingering in the Golden State 
 for a while, he began his tour through the States, 
 which extended North and South, everywhere mark- 
 ed by great acclamation and splendid ovations. 
 
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 NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 RUTHERi:ORD B. HAYES. 
 
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 UTHERFORD B. HAVKS, 
 the nineteenth President of 
 l^'^the United States, was born in 
 Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
 most three months after the 
 "-^ deatli of liis father, Rutherford 
 Hayes. His ancestry on both 
 the paternal and maternal sides, 
 was of the most honorable char- 
 acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
 as farb.ackas i:!8o, when Hayes and 
 Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
 tains, fighting side by side with 
 Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
 Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
 nobility, owned extensive estates, 
 and had a large following. Misfor- 
 tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left .Scot- 
 land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
 George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
 during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
 ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
 riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
 son of Daniel, was Ijorn in 1724, and was a manufac- 
 turerof scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
 son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
 born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
 blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
 Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
 where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
 erford Hayes, the father of President Hayes, was 
 
 born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia 
 Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
 grated thither from Connecticut, they having beeri 
 among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
 Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
 1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
 of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
 in the Revolutionary War. 
 
 The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
 frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
 chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
 ing, or do almost anything else tliat he choose to 
 undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
 in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
 ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
 the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
 to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 
 
 The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
 when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
 was a very serious affair, k tour of inspection was 
 first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter- 
 mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
 in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
 fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
 son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
 reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
 her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
 household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
 mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
 some time before as an act of charity. 
 
 Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 
 
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 RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 
 
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 subject of this sketch was so feeble at birtli tluU he 
 was not expected to Hve beyond a month ur two at 
 most. As the months went by lie grew weaker and 
 weaker, so iluit the neighliors were in the habit of in- 
 iHiiringfrom time to time '" if Mrs. Hayes' baliy died 
 last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
 famihar terms with tlie family, after alluding to tiie 
 boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
 him, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to 
 him. Vou 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 1 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 1S25, 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 disix)- 
 /S sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
 a 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 ini- 
 ° proved, and he was making good progress in his 
 studies, he proiX)sed to send liim to college. His pre- 
 
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 paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
 was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
 Wesleyan Lhiiversity, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
 tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
 and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 
 
 Immediately after his graduation he began the 
 study of law in the oPRce of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
 in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
 Columbus somewhat limiteil, he deterniintd to enter 
 the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
 mained two years. 
 
 In 1845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
 admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
 afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
 with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
 mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
 and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
 fession. 
 
 In 1841) he moved to Cincmnati, where his ambi- 
 tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
 ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
 this period, had a (wwerful intluence u[K)n his subse- 
 quent life. One of these was his niarrage with Miss 
 Lucy W.ire Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
 Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
 cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
 members 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 
 ever) body knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
 Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
 and beloved than was Mrs. 11 ayes, and no one did 
 more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- 
 hood. The Literary Club brought .Mr. Hayes into 
 constant association with )oung men of high char- 
 acter and noble aims, and lured him lo display the 
 qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and 
 modesty. 
 
 In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of 
 the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
 cept the nomination. Two years later, the ofifice of 
 city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
 elected him for the unexpired term. 
 
 In 1 86 1, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
 the zenith of his jirofessional life. His rank at the 
 bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
 attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up 
 arms for tlie defense of his country. 
 
 His military record was bright arid illustrious. In 
 October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
 in August, 1S62, ))ronioted Colonel of the 79tli 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-tieneral, and placed 
 in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
 and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
 of Winchester, Fisher's Hill anil Cedar Creek, he was 
 promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
 Majur-General, "forgalfant and distirguished Fcrvices 
 during the campaigns of 1S64, 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, (len. Haves was elected to Congress, from 
 the .Second Ohio District, whicli had long been Dem- 
 ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
 and after his election was inqiortuned to resign liis 
 commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " 1 
 shall never come to Washington until 1 can come by 
 the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 
 
 In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
 over Hon. .\llen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat. 
 In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
 He was elected Governor for the third term in 1873. 
 
 In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
 lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
 hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
 augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
 full term, not, however, with satisfaction to his party, 
 but his administratior, was an average one 
 
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 TWENTIETH PRESIDENT. 
 
 
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 ^ES A. GARFIELD, twen- 
 ;th President of the United 
 States, was born Nov. 19, 
 1 83 1, in the woods of Orange, 
 Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
 "* ents were Abram and Eliza 
 --,, y c, (Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
 England ancestry- and from fami- 
 lies well known in the early his- 
 ;*M? '- 'OT of that section of our coun- 
 trj-, but had moved to the Western 
 Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
 ment. 
 
 The house in which James A. was 
 born was not unlike the houses of 
 poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
 was about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
 tween the logs filled witli clay. His father was a 
 hard 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 
 their four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and 
 James. In May, 1S23, the father, from a cold con- 
 tracted 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 
 tell how much James was indebted to his biother's 
 toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
 ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly verj- 
 much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
 ters live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 
 
 The early educational advantages young Garfield 
 enjoyed were verv limited, yet he made the most of 
 them. He labored at f.-'.rm work for others, did car- 
 penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
 would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
 mother in her struggles to keep the little family to- 
 
 gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
 origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
 gling childhood, youlh and manhood, neither did they 
 ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
 the humblest friend of his boyhood was as kindly 
 greeted as ever. 'I'he ]worest laborer was sure of the 
 sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
 of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
 sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
 modest gentleman. 
 
 The highest ambition of young Garfield until he 
 was about si.xteen years old was to be a captain of 
 a vessel on Lake Eiie. He was anxious to go aboard 
 a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
 finall)- consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
 understanding, however, that he should tr)- to obtain 
 some other kind of employment. He waliced 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 re- 
 mained at this work but a short time when he went 
 home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
 about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
 Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
 the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
 was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
 which churcli he was then a member. He became 
 janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his wav. 
 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 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
 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 mem- 
 ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
 he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
 Yale College, savs of him in reference to his relision : 
 
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96 
 
 JAMES A. GARFIELD. 
 
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 " 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 benig, 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 sig- 
 nificance they step upward from one degree to 
 another in some of the many types of fashionable 
 Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
 church of his mother, tlie church in which he was 
 trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
 evangelist, and yet witli the largest and most unsec- 
 tarian charity for all 'who loveourLord in sincerity.'" 
 
 Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
 Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 11, 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 s[)eeches in 1856, 
 in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
 years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
 ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
 was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
 Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
 and in 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 re- 
 ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
 second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
 14, 1861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
 vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
 was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
 and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
 work of driving out of his native State the officer 
 (Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
 those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
 to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
 ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
 ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
 Brigadier-General, Jan. lo, 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 ShiloJi, 
 in its operations around Corinth and its marcli through 
 Alabama. He was tlien detailed as a member of the 
 General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
 Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
 crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of Staff." 
 
 The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with 
 
 
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 his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
 the stars 01 the Major-General. 
 
 Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was 
 elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
 Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
 had been represented in Congress for si.xty years 
 mainly by two men — Elisha Wliittlesey and Joshua 
 R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
 resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
 tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
 body. There he remained by successive re- 
 elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
 Of his labors in Congress .Senator Hoar says : "Since 
 the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
 has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
 tribunel of the American people, in regard to which 
 you will not find, if you wish nistruction, the argu- 
 ment on one side stated, in almost evefy instance 
 better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
 the House of Representatives or on the hustings 1 
 Mr. Garfield." 
 
 Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
 the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
 same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
 party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
 He was elected in the following November, and on 
 March 4, i88i, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
 ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
 auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
 day it grew in favo; with the peo]3le, and by tlie first 
 of July he had comiileted all the initiatory and pre- 
 liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
 ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
 College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
 pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
 him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
 The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
 assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
 left coat sleeve of his victim, but inilicting 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 oc- 
 curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
 for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
 ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
 was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
 days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
 he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
 master of himself till the last, and bv his magnificent 
 bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
 noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
 very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
 ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept, 
 19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of the 
 ocean, wliere he had been taken shortly previous. The 
 world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
 death of any other man wlio had ever lived upon it. 
 The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
 cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. 
 
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 TWENTY.FIRST PRESIDENT. 
 
 
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 HESTER A. ARTHUR, 
 
 ^i_,__^twenty-first President of the 
 
 United States, was born in 
 
 Franklin County, Vermont, on 
 
 ^ !o thefifthof October, 18^0, andis 
 
 ?/ the oldest of a family of two 
 
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 sons and five daughters. His 
 
 father was the Rev. Dr. William 
 
 Arthur, a Baptist clergyman, who 
 
 emigrated to this countr)' from 
 
 the county Antrim, Ireland, in 
 
 his i8th year, and died in 1875, in 
 
 Newtonville, near Albany, after a 
 
 long and successful ministry. 
 
 Young Arthur was educated at 
 Union College, Schenectady, where 
 he excelled in all his studies. .\f- 
 ter his graduation he taught school 
 in Vermont for two years, and at 
 the e.vpiration of that time came to 
 New York, with $500 in his jxjcket, 
 and entered the office of ex-Judge 
 E. D. Culver as student, .\fter 
 1 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 married the daughter of Lieutenant 
 
 Hemdon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
 sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
 recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
 sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
 nommation to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
 children. 
 
 Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
 in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
 brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
 been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
 Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon- 
 athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
 his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
 they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
 that they could not be held by the owner under the 
 Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
 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. 
 
 .\nother great service was rendered by General 
 Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
 a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
 Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
 General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
 verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
 ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
 on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 
 
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 CHESTER A 
 
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 followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
 nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
 sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 
 
 General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
 at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
 Previous to the war he was Judge- Advocate of the 
 Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
 ernor Morgan, of that State, apjwinted hnii Engineer- 
 in-Chief of his staff. In i86i, he was made Inspec- 
 tor General, and soon afterward became (Quartermas- 
 ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
 great service to the Government during the war. At 
 the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
 practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
 Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
 of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
 tice of tliis well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
 tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
 lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
 not indeed one of national extent. 
 
 He always took a leading part in State and city 
 politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
 New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 , 1872, to suc- 
 ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
 20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 
 
 Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
 ticket, with Gen. James A. (iarfield, at the famous 
 National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
 June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
 convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
 was composed of the leading politicians of the Re- 
 pubHcan party, all alile men, and each stood firm and 
 fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
 respective candidates that were before the conven- 
 tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
 ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
 for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
 was one of the most animated known in the history of 
 our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
 the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
 party made a valiant fight for his election. 
 
 Finally the election came and the country's choice 
 was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
 March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
 A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
 President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
 came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
 anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 
 
 tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
 covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
 able patience that he manifested during those hours 
 and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
 fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
 seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
 like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
 Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
 credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
 desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
 serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
 ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
 in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
 honored jxjsition in tlie world was at any moment 
 likely to fall to him. 
 
 At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
 field from further suffering, and the world, as never 
 before in its history over the death of any other 
 man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
 the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of 
 the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
 Sept. 20, 1881. The 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 se- 
 lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
 greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
 and many imix)rtant measures were to be immediately 
 decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him lie 
 did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
 became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
 this point. I'^nder these trying circumstances President 
 Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own 
 hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
 affairs, he has happily surprised the Nation, acting so 
 justly, so wisely, so well, that but few have criticised 
 his administration. Should he continue during the 
 remainder of his term to pursue the wise policy he 
 has followed thus far, we believe President Arthur's 
 administration will go down in history as one of the 
 wisest and most satisfactory our country has ever 
 enjoyed. His highest ambition seems to be to do his 
 duty to the whole Nation, even to the sacrifice of his 
 warmest personal friends. With the good of the 
 people at heart, and guided by the wisdom already 
 displayed, he will surprise his opponents, gratify his 
 friends, and bless the .\merican Republic, during 
 the years he occupies the Presidential chair. 
 
 
 
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GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
 
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 TEPHEN T. MASON, the 
 
 first (.Governor of Michigan, was 
 a son of Clen. John T. Mason, 
 of Kentucky, but was born in 
 Virginia, in 1812. At the age 
 '^ of 19 he was appointed Secre- 
 tary of Michigan Territory, and 
 served in that capacity during the 
 administration of Gov. George B. 
 Porter. Upon the death of Gov. 
 Porter, which occurred on the 6th of 
 July, 1834, Mr. Mason became Act- 
 ing Governor. In October, 1835, he 
 was elected Governor under the State 
 organization, and immediately en- 
 tered upon the performance of the 
 duties of the olifice, 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, 1843. The principal event during 
 Governor Mason's official career, was that arising from 
 the disputed southern boundary of the State. 
 
 Michigan claimed for her southern boundary aline 
 
 running east across the peninsula from the extreme 
 
 southern point of Lake Michigan, extending through 
 
 Lake Erie, to the Pennsylvania line. This she 
 
 claimed as a vested right — a right accruing to her by 
 
 (q^ compact. This compact was the ordinance of 1787, 
 
 [ the parties to which were the original 13 States, and 
 
 |<^ the territory northwest of the Ohio ; and, by the suc- 
 
 t cession of parties under statutory amendments to the 
 ordinance and laws of Congress — the United States on 
 ^^ the one part, and each Territory northwest of the 
 Ohio, as far as affected by their provisions, on the 
 
 
 other. Michigan, therefore, claimed it under the prior 
 grant, or assignation of boundary. 
 
 Ohio, on the other hand, claimed that the ordmance 
 had l)een superseded by the Constitution of the 
 United States, and that Congress had a right to regu- 
 late the boundary. It was also claimed that the 
 Constitution of the State of Ohio having described a 
 different line, and Congress having admitted the State 
 under that Constitution, without mentioning the sub- 
 ject of the line in dispute, Congress had thereby given 
 its consent to the line as laid down by the Constitu- 
 tion of Ohio. This claim was urged by Ohio at 
 some periods of the controversy, but at others she ap- 
 peared to regard the question unsettled, by the fact 
 that she insisted upon Congress taking action in re- 
 gard to the boundary. Accordingly, we find that, in 
 1812, Congress authorized the 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 1S18. 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 question 
 remained 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 north- 
 ern 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," 
 
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 STEPHEN T. MASON. 
 
 
 \\ from the names of the surveyors. The territory' was 
 valuable for its ricli agricultural lands; but the chief 
 value consisted in the fact that the harbor on the 
 Mauinee 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, 1S35, the Legislature of Ohio passed 
 an act extending the jurisdiction of the State over 
 the territory in question; erected townships and 
 directed them to liold elections in April following. It 
 also directed Governor Lucus to apjxjint three com- 
 missioners to survey and re-mark the Harris line ; and 
 named the first of April as the day to cominence the 
 survey. Acting Governor Mason, however, anticipated 
 this action on the part of the Ohio Legislature, sent 
 a special message to the Legislative Council, appris- 
 ing it of ("Tovernor Lucas' message, and advised imme- 
 diate action by that body to anticipate and counteract 
 the proceedings of Ohio. Accordingly, on the 1 2th 
 of February, the council passed an act making it a 
 crimmal offence, punishable by a heavy fine, or im- 
 ^ prisonment, for any one to attempt to exercise any 
 f^ official functions, or accept any office within the juris- 
 diction of Michigan, under or by virture of any au- 
 thority not derived from the Territory, or the United 
 States. On the 9th of March, Governor Mason wrote 
 General Brown, then in command of the Michigan 
 militia, directing him to hold himself in readiness to 
 meet the enemy in the field in case any attempt was 
 made on the part of Ohio to carry out the provisions 
 of that act of the Legislature. On the 31st of March, 
 Governor Lucus, with his commissioners, arrived at 
 Perrysburgh, on their way to commence re-surveying 
 the Harris line. He was accompanied by General 
 Bell and staff, of the Ohio Militia, who proceeded to 
 muster a volunteer force of about 600 men. This 
 was soon accomplished, and the force fully armed and 
 equipped. The force then went into camp at Fort 
 Miami, to await the Governor's orders. 
 
 In the meantime. Governor Mason, with General 
 Brown and staff, had raised a force 800 to 1200 
 strong, and were in possession of Toledo. General 
 Brown's Staff consisted of Captain Henry Smith, of 
 Monroe, Inspector; Major J. J. Ullman, of Con- 
 stantine, Quartermaster ; William E. Broadman, of 
 Detroit, and Alpheus Fekh, of Monroe, Aids-de- 
 camp. When Governor Lucas observed the deter- 
 mined bearing of the Michigan braves, and took note 
 
 i»v®))«^ti- 
 
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 of their nmiiber, he found it convenient to content 
 himself for a time with " watching over the border." 
 Several days were passed in this exhilarating employ- 
 ment, and just as Governor Lucas had made up his 
 mind to do something rash, two commissioners ar- 
 rived from Washington on a mission of peace. They 
 remonstrated with Gov. Lucus, and reminded him of 
 the consequences to himself and his State if he per- 
 sisted in his attempt to gain possessionof the disputed 
 territory by force. After several conferences with 
 both governors, the connitissioners submitted proix)si- 
 tions for their consideration. 
 
 Governor Lucas at once accepted the propositions, 
 and disbanded his forces. Governor Mason, on the 
 other hand, refused to accede to the arrangement, and 
 declined to compromise the rights of his people by a 
 surrender of jxissession and jurisdiction. When Gov- 
 ernor Lucus disbanded his forces, however. Governor 
 Mason partially followed suit, but still held himself 
 in readiness to meet any emergency that might arise. 
 
 Governor Lucus now supjxssed that his way was 
 clear, and that he could re-mark the Harris line with- 
 out being molested, and ordered the commissioners 
 to proceed with their work. 
 
 In the meantime, Governor Mason kept a watch- 
 ful eye upon the proceedings. General Brown sent 
 scouts through the woods to watch their movements, 
 and re[X)rt when operations were commenced. When 
 the surveying party got within the county of Lena- 
 wee, the under-sheriff of that county, armed with a 
 warrant, and accompanied by a posse, suddenly made 
 his appearance, and succeeded in arresting a portion 
 of the party. The rest, including the commissioners, 
 took to their heels, and were soon beyond the dis- 
 puted territory. They reached Perrysburgh the fol- 
 lowing day in a highly demoralized condition, and 
 reported they had been attacked by an overwhelm- 
 ing force of Michigan malitia, under command of 
 General Brown. 
 
 This summary breaking up of the surveying party 
 produced the most tremendous excitement throughout 
 Ohio. Governor Lucas called an extra session of the 
 Legislature. But little remains to be said in reference 
 to the "war." The question continued for some time 
 to agitate the minds of the opposing parties ; and the 
 action of Congress was impatiently awaited. Michigan 
 was admitted into the Union on the condition that 
 she give to Ohio the disputed territon', and accept 
 in return the Northern Peninsula, which she did. 
 
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 SECOND GO VERNOR OF MICHIGAN. 
 
 S., 
 
 
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 1^ ILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, 
 jg» second (iovernor of Michigan, 
 % was l)orn at Norwich, Conn., 
 r Aut;. 20, 1780, and died at 
 Detroit Oct. 20, 1861. He 
 
 9t» 
 
 • ,j\ was of a family of three brothers 
 '' 1 and two sisters. His father, 
 Dudley Woodbridge, removed to 
 \ Marietta, Ohio, about 1790. The 
 I life of Wm. ^Voodbridge, by Chas. 
 ^ Lauman, from which this sketch 
 is largely compiled, mentions noth- 
 ing concerning his early education 
 beyond the fact that it was such as 
 was afforded by the average school 
 of the time, except a year with the 
 French colonists at Gallipolis, 
 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 1806. In June, 1806, he married, at Hartford, Con- 
 necticut, Juleanna, daughter of John Trumbell, a 
 distinguished author and judge ; and author of the 
 
 peom McFingal, which, during a dark period of the 
 Revolution, wrought such a magic change upon the 
 spirits of the colonists. He was happy in his domes ■ 
 tic relations until the death of Mrs. W., Feb. 2, ig, i860. 
 
 Our written biographies necessarily speak more 
 tuUy of men, because of their active particijiation 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. en- 
 joyed the best means of early education that the 
 country afforded, and her intellectual genius enabled 
 her to improve her advantages. During her life, side 
 by side with the highest 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 1807, 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 ai> 
 pointment, during the time the office of Prosecuting 
 Attorney for his county. He took a leading part in 
 the Legislature, and in 181 2 drew up a declaration and 
 resolutions, which passed the two houses unamiuously 
 
 o 
 
 9 
 
 
 ^ 
 
WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE. 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 :^ 
 
 Q^ 
 
 I 
 
 and attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest 
 and most emphatic terms, the war measures of Presi- 
 dent Madison. Daring the period from 1804 to 1814 
 the two law students, Woodbridge and t'ass, had be- 
 come widely sei)arated. The latter was Governor of 
 the Territot}- of Michigan vmderthe historic "Governor 
 and Judges" plan, with the indis|)ensable renuisite of a 
 Secretary of the Territorry. '{"his latter jK)sition was, 
 in 18 14, without solicitation on his part, tendered to 
 Mr. \V. He accepted the position with some hesita- 
 tion, and entered upon its duties as soon as he could 
 make the necessary arrangements for leaving Ohio. 
 The office of Secretary involved also the duties of 
 collectorof customs at the port of Detroit, and during 
 the frequent absences of the Governor, the dischargeof 
 of his duties, also including those of Superintendent 
 of Indian Affairs. Mr. W. officiated as Governor for 
 about two years out of the eight years that he held the 
 office of Secretary Under the administration of "Gov- 
 ernor and Judges," which the people of the Territory 
 preferred for economical reasons, to continue some time 
 after their numbers entitled them to a more popular 
 representative system, they were allowed no delegate 
 in Congress. Mr. W., as a sort of informal agent of 
 the people, by correspondence and also by a visit to 
 the National capital, so clearly set forth the demand 
 for representation by a delegate, that an act was 
 passedin Congress in iSigauthorizingone to be chosen. 
 Under this act Mr. W. was elected by the concurrence 
 of all parties. His first action in Congress was to secure 
 the passage of a bill recognizing and confirming the 
 old French land titles in the Territory according to 
 the terms of the treaty of peace with Great Britain 
 at the close of the Revolution ; and another for the 
 construction of a Government road through the "black 
 swamps" from the Miami River to Detroit, thus open- 
 ing a means of land transit between Ohio and Mich- 
 igan. He was influential in securing the passage of 
 bills for the construction of Government roads from 
 Detroit to Chicago, and Detroit to Fort Gratiot, and 
 for the improvement of La Plaisance Bay. The ex- 
 pedition for the exploration of the country around 
 Lake Superior and in the valley of the Upper Mis- 
 sissippi, projected by Governor Cass, was set on foot 
 by means of representations made to the head of the 
 department by Mr. W. While in Congress he stren- 
 uously maintained the right of Michigan to the strip 
 of territory now forming the northern boundary of 
 Ohio, which formed the subject of such grave dispute 
 between Ohio and Michigan at the time of the ad- 
 mission of the latter into the Union. He served 
 but • one term as delegate to Congress, de- 
 clining further service on account of personal and 
 family considerations. Mr. W. continued to discharge 
 the duties of Secretary of the Territory up to the time 
 its Government passed into the "second grade." 
 
 In 1824, he was appointed one of a board of 
 commissioners for adjusting private land claims in 
 
 the Territory, and was engaged also in the practice of 
 his profession, having the best law library in the Ter- 
 ritory. In 1828, upon the recommendation of the 
 Governor, Judges and others, he was appointed by the 
 President, J. t^. Adams, to succeed Hon. James With- 
 erell, who had resigned as a Judge of what is conven- 
 tionally called the "Supreme Court" of the Territory. 
 This court was a|)parently a continuation of the Terri- 
 torial Court, under the "first grade" or "Governor and 
 Judges" system, .\lthough it was supreme in its ju- 
 dicial functions within the Territory, its powers and 
 duties were of a very general character. 
 
 In 1832, the term of his appointment as Judge ex- 
 piring. President Jackson appointed a successor, it is 
 supposed on political grounds, much to the disappoint- 
 ment of the pubhc 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 becom- 
 ing very sliarply drawn, he identified himself with 
 the Whigs and was elected a member of the Conven- 
 tion of 1835, which formed the first State Constitution. 
 In 1837 he was elected a member of tie 'rotate Senate. 
 
 This sketch has purposely dealt somewhat in detail 
 with what may be called Judge W's. earlier career, 
 because it is closely identified with the early his- 
 tory of the State, and the development of its politi- 
 cal system. Since the organization of the State Gov- 
 ernment the history of Michigan is more familiar, and 
 hence no review of Judge W's career as Governor 
 and Senator will be attempted. He was elected Gov- 
 ernor in 1839, under a popular impression that the 
 affairs of the State had not been prudently adminis- 
 tered by the Democrats. He served as Governor but 
 little more than a year, when he was elected to the 
 Senate of the United States. 
 
 His term in the Senate practically closed his polit- 
 ical life, although he was strongly urged by many 
 prominent men for the Whig nomination for Vice 
 President in 1848. 
 
 Soon after his appointment as Judge in 182S, Gov- 
 ernor W. took up his residence on a tract of land 
 which he owned in the township of Spring Wells, a 
 short distance below what v/as then the corporate lim- 
 its of Detroit, where he resided during the remainder 
 of his life. Both in his public papers and private 
 communications, Governor W. shows himself a mas- 
 ter of language; he is fruitful in simile and illustra- 
 tion, logical in arrangement, happy in the choice and 
 treatment of topics, and terse and vigorous in expres- 
 sion. Judge W. was aCongregationalist. His opinions 
 on all subjects were decided; he was earnest and 
 energetic, courteous and dignified, and at times ex- 
 hibited a vein of fine humor that was the more at- 
 tractive because not too often allowed to come to the 
 surface. His letters and addresses show a deep and 
 earnest affection not only for his ancestral home, but 
 the home of his adoptiim and for friends and family. 
 
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 a_xJOHNS. BARRY 
 
 
 OHN STEWARD BARRY, 
 J Governor of Michigan from 
 Jan. 3, 1842, to Jan. 5, 1846, 
 and from Jan. 7, ,850, to Jan. 
 I, 1852, was born at Amherst, 
 N. H., Jan. 29, 1802. His par- 
 ents, John and Ellen (Steward) 
 Barry, early removed to Rocking- 
 ham, Vt., where he remained until 
 I'ebecameofage, working on his 
 father's fami, and pursuing his 
 studies at the same time. He mar- 
 ried Mary Kidder, of Grafton, Vt., 
 and in 1824 went to Georgia, Vt.' 
 where he had charge of an academy 
 for two years, meanwhile studying 
 ,, . c- '''''''■ "'^ afterward practiced law in 
 
 hat State. Wh.le he was in Georgia he was for some 
 t.me a member of the Governors staff, with the title 
 of Governors Aid, and at a somewhat earlier period 
 was Captamof a company of State militia In ,8^r 
 he removed to Michigan, and settled at White Pigeo'n 
 where lie engaged in mercantile business with I w' 
 Willard. 
 
 Four years after, ,834, Mr. Barry removed to Con- 
 
 stantme and continued his mercantile pursuits. He 
 became Justice of the Peace at White Pigeon, Mich , 
 >" 1831, and held the office until the year 183^ 
 Mr Barry s first public office was that of a member 
 of the first constitutional convention, which assembled 
 and framed the constitution upon which Michigm 
 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 lie should head the State 
 ticket at the following election. Accordingly he re 
 ceived the nomination for Governor at the hands 
 o his party assembled in convention. He was 
 elected and so popular was his administration that in 
 1842, he was again elected. During these years 
 M chigan was embarrassed by great financial diffi- 
 culties, and it was through his wisdom and sound judg- 
 ment that the State was finally placed upon a solfd 
 nnancial basis. 
 
 During the first year of Gov. Barry's first term, the 
 University at Ann Arbor was opened for the reception 
 
 1=1 
 
 1=3 
 
 
^^^ 
 
 JOHN STEWARD BARRY. 
 
 ^^^^ 
 
 > 
 1 
 
 of students. The Michigan Central and Michigan 
 Southern railroads were being rapidly constructed, and 
 general progress was everywhere noticeable. In 1842, 
 the number of pupils reported as attending the public 
 schools was nearly fifty-eight thousand. In 1843, a 
 State land office was established at Marshall, which 
 was invested with the charge and disposition of all 
 the lands belonging to the State. In 1844, the tax- 
 able property of the State was found to be over 
 twenty-eight millions of dollars, the tax being at the 
 rate of two mills on the dollar. The expenses of the 
 State were only seventy thousand dollars, while the 
 income from the railroads was nearly three hundred 
 thousand dollars. At this time the University of 
 Michigan had become so prosperous that its income 
 was ample to pay the interest on the University debt ; 
 and the amount of money which the State was able 
 to loan the several progressing railroads was one 
 hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Efforts were 
 made to increase the efficiency of the common schools 
 with good results In 1845, when Gov. Barry's sec- 
 ond term expired, the population of the State was 
 more than three hundred thousand. 
 
 The constitution of the State forbade more than two 
 consecutive terms, but he was called upon to fill the 
 position again in 1850 — -the only instance of the kind 
 in the history of the State. He was a member of the 
 Territorial Legislature, of the Constitutional Conven- 
 tion, and afterward of the State House of Represent- 
 atives. 
 
 During Mr. Barry's third term as Governor the Nor- 
 mal School was established at Ypsilanti, which was 
 endowed with lands and placed in charge of a board 
 of education consisting of six persons. A new con- 
 stitution for the government of the State was also 
 adopted and the " 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 r85o. 
 
 At a setting of the grand jury of Wayne County, 
 April 24, 185 1, 37 men of the 50 under arrest for this 
 crime were indicted. May 20, following, the accused 
 parties appeared at the Circuit Court of \Vayne, of 
 which Warner Wing was resident judge. The Rail- 
 road Company employed ten eminent lawyers, in- 
 cluding David Stuart, John Van Arman, James A. 
 Van Dyke, Jacob M. Howard, Alex. D. Fraser, Dan- 
 iel Goodwin and William Gray. The defendants were 
 represented by six members of the State bar, led by 
 William H. Seward, of New York. The trial occupied 
 four months, during which time the plaintiffs exam- 
 ined 246 witnesses in 27 days, and the defendants 
 249 in 40 days. Mr. Van Dyke addressed the jury 
 for the prosecution ; William H. Seward for the 
 defense. 
 
 The great lawyer was convinced of the innocence 
 
 of his clients, nor did the verdict of that jury and the 
 sentence of that judge remove his firm belief that his 
 clients were the victims of purchased treachery, 
 rather than so many sacrifices to justice. 
 
 The verdict of " guilty " was rendered at 9 o'clock 
 V. M., .Sept. 25, 1851. On the 26th the prisoners were 
 l)ut forward to receive sentence, when many of them 
 protested their entire innocence, after which the pre- 
 siding judge condemned 12 of the number to the fol- 
 lowing terms of imprisonment, with hard labor, within 
 the State's prison, situate in their county : Ammi 
 Filley, ten years; Orlando L. Williams, ten years; 
 Aaron Mount, eight years; .Andrew J. Freeland, eight 
 years; Eben Farnham, eight years; William Corvin, 
 eight years; Richard Price, eight years; Evan Price, 
 eight years; Lyman Cliamplin, five years; Willard 
 W. Cliamplin, five years; Erastus Champlin, five 
 years; Erastus Smith, five years. 
 
 In 1840, Gov. Barry became deeply interested in 
 the cultivation of the sugar beet, and visited Europe 
 to obtain information in reference to its culture. 
 
 He was twice Presidential Elector, and his last 
 public service was that of a delegate to the National 
 Democratic Convention held in Chicago in 1864. 
 
 He was a man who, throughout life, maintained a 
 liigh 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 tlie most thorough 
 investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong con- 
 victions and outspoken honesty made it impossible for 
 him to take an undefined jx)sition wlien a principle 
 was involved. His attachments and prejudices were 
 strong, yet he was never accused of favoritism in his 
 administration of public affairs. As a speaker he was 
 not remarkable. Solidity, rather than brilliancy, char- 
 acterized his oratory, wliich is described as argument- 
 ative and instructive, but cold, hard, and entirely 
 wanting in rhetorical ornament. He was never elo- 
 quent, seldom humorous or sarcastic, and in manner 
 rather awkward. 
 
 Although Mr. Barry's educational advantages were 
 so limited, he was a life-long student. He mastered 
 lioth ancient and modern languages, and acquired a 
 thorough knowledge of history. No man owed less 
 to political intrigue as a means of gaining posi- 
 tion. He was a true statesman, and gained public es- 
 teem by his solid worth. His political connections 
 were always with the Democjatic party, and his opin- 
 ions were usually extreme. 
 
 Mr. Barry retired to private life after the beginning 
 of the ascendency of the Republican party, and car- 
 ried on his mercantile business at Constantine. He 
 died Jan. r4, 1870, his wife's death having occurred a 
 year previous, March 30, r869. They left no children. 
 
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 GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 LPHEUS FELCH, the third 
 (iovernor of Michigan, was 
 born in Limerick, Maine, Sep- 
 tember 28, 1806. His grand- 
 father, Abijah Felch, was a sol- 
 dier in the Revolution ; and 
 when a young man, having with 
 others obtained a grant of land be- 
 tween the Great and Little Ossipee 
 Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re- 
 gion when it was yet a wilderness. 
 The father of Mr. Felch enil)arked in 
 mercantile life at Limerick. He was 
 the first to engage in that business in 
 that section, and continued it until 
 his death. The death of the father, 
 followed within a year by the death of 
 the mother, left the subject of this sketch, then three 
 years old, to the care of relatives, and he found a 
 home with his paternal grandfather, where he re- 
 mained until his death. Mr Felch received his early 
 education in the district school and a neighboring 
 academy. In 1821 he became a student at Phillips 
 Exter Academy, and, subsequently, entered Bowdoin 
 College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at 
 once began tlie study of law and was admitted to 
 practice at Bangor, Me., in 1830. 
 
 He began the practice of his profession at Houlton, 
 Me., where he remained until 1833. The severity 
 of the climate impaired his health, never very good, 
 and he found it necessary to seek a change of climate. 
 He disposed of his library and started to seek 
 a new home. His intention was to join liis triend. 
 
 Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Miss., but on his 
 arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Felch was attacked by 
 cholera, and when he had recovdred 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 Miclii- 
 gan. He first began to practice in this State at Mon- 
 roe, where he continued until 1S43, when he removed 
 to Ann .\rbor. He was elected to the State Legisla- 
 ture in 1S35, and continued a member of that body 
 during the years 1836 and 1837. While he held this 
 office, the general banking law of the Stale was enact- 
 ed, 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 embarrass- 
 ment. 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 Legisla- 
 ture, raised a dissenting voice, and but two voted with 
 him in opposition to the bill. Early in 1838, he was 
 appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the 
 State, and held that office for more than a year. Dur- 
 ing this time, the new banking law had given birth to 
 that numerous progeny known as "wild-cat" banks. 
 Almost every village had its bank. The country was 
 flooded with depressed "wild-cat" money. The ex- 
 aminations of the Bank Commissioners brought to 
 liL^ht frauds at every jwint, which were fearlessly re- 
 
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 ALPHEUS FELCH. 
 
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 ported to the Legislature, and were followed by crim- 
 inal prosecutions of the guilty parties, and the closing 
 ^ of many of their institutions. Tlie duties of the of- 
 fice were most laborious, and in 1839 Mr. Felch re- 
 signed. The chartered right of almost every bank 
 had, in the meantime, been declared forfeited and 
 the law repealed. It was subsequently decided to 
 be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the State. 
 In the year 1842 Governor Felch was appointed 
 to the office of Auditor General of the State; but 
 after holding the office only a few weeks, was com- 
 missioned by the Governor as one of the Judges of the 
 Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- 
 nation of Judge Fletcher. In January-, 1843, he was 
 elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired 
 term. In 1S45 he was elected Governor of Michigan, 
 , ) and entered ui)on his duties at the commencement of 
 ^ the next year. In 1847 he was elected a Senator 
 ^ in Congress for six years ; and at once retired from 
 the office of Governor, by resignation, which took 
 effect March 4, 1847, wlien his Senatorial term com- 
 menced. While a member of the Senate he acted on 
 the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years 
 was its Chairman. He filled the honorable position 
 of Senator with becoming dignity, and with great 
 credit to the State of Michigan. 
 
 During Governor Felch 's administration the two 
 railroads belonging to the State were sold to private 
 corporations, — the Central for $2,000,000, and the 
 Southern for $500,000. The 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 18,528 tons, the whole giving em- 
 ployment to 18,000 seamen In 1847, there were 39 
 counties in the State, containing 435 townships ; and 
 275 of these townships were supplied with good libra- 
 ries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes. 
 At the close of his Senatorial term, in March, 1853, 
 ^ Mr. Felch was apjx)inted, by President Pierce, one of 
 the Commissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish 
 
 
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 and Mexican land claims in California, under the 
 
 treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress 
 passed for that ]niri)ose. He went to California in 
 May, 1853, and was made President of the Commis- 
 sion. The duties of this office were of the most im- 
 portant and delicate character. The interest of the 
 new State, and the fortunes of many of its citizens, 
 both the native Mexican jxipulation and the recent 
 American immigration ; the riglit of the Pueblos to 
 their common lands, and of the Catholic Church to 
 the lands of the Missions, — the most valuable of the 
 State, — wereinvolved in the adjudicationsof this Com- 
 mission. In March, 1856, their labors were brought 
 to a close by the final disposition of all tlie claims 
 wliich were presented. The record of their proceed- 
 ings, — the testimony which was given in each case, 
 and the decision of the Commissioners tliereon, — 
 consisting of some forty large volumes, was deposited 
 in the Department of the Interior at Washington. 
 
 In June of that year, Governor Felch returned to 
 Ann Arbor, where he has since been engaged piinci- 
 pally in legal business. Since his return he has 
 been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Sen- 
 ator, and twice for Judge of the Supreme Court. But 
 tiie Democratic parly, lo which he lias always been 
 attached, being in the minority, he failed of an elec- 
 tion. 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 liis 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 ap|)ointed 
 Tappan Professor of Law in the snme. Mr. Felch is 
 the oldest surviving member of the Legislature from 
 Monroe Co., the oldest and only surviving Bank Com- 
 missioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor 
 General of the State, the oldest surviving Governorof 
 the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme 
 Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United 
 States Senator from the State of Michigan. 
 
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 LLIAM L. GREENLY 
 '^Crovernor of Michigan for the 
 year T847, was born at Hamil- 
 ton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 
 8,1813. He graduated at Un- 
 ion College, Schenectady, in 
 1 83 1, studied law and was ad- 
 mitted to the bar in 1834. In 
 1836, having removed to Michi- 
 gan, he settled in Adrian, where 
 he has since resided. The year 
 following his arrival in- Michigan 
 he was elected State Senator and 
 served in that capacity until 1839. 
 In 1845 he was elected Lieut. Gov- 
 ernor and became acting Governor 
 by the resignation of Gov. Felch, 
 who was elected to the United 
 States Senate. 
 
 The war with Mexico was brought 
 to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly 's 
 administration. We regret to say that there are only 
 few records e.xtant of the action of Michigan troops 
 in the Mexican war. That many went there and 
 fought well are points conceded ; but their names and 
 nativity are hidden away in United States archives 
 
 and where it is almost impossible to find them. 
 
 The soldiers of this State deserve much of the 
 credit of the memorable achievements of Co. K, 3d 
 Dragoons, and Cos. A, E, and G of the U. S. Inf. 
 The two former of these companies, recruited in this 
 State, were reduced to one-third their original num- 
 ber. 
 
 In May, 1846, the Governor of Michigan was noti- 
 fied by the War Department of the United States to 
 enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readi- 
 ness for service whenever demanded. At his sum- 
 mons 13 independent volunteer companies, 1 1 of 
 infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of 
 the infantry four companies were from Detroit, bear- 
 ing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette, 
 Scott and Brady upon their banners. Of the re- 
 mainder Monroe tendered two, Lenawee County three, 
 St. Clair, Berrien and Hillsdale each one, and Wayne 
 County an additional company. Of these alone the 
 veteran Bradys were accepted and ordered into ser- 
 vice. In addition to them ten companies, making the 
 First Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, springing 
 from various parts of the State, but embodying to a 
 great degree the material of which the first volunteers 
 was formed, were not called for until October follow- 
 ing. This regiment was soon in readiness and pro- 
 ceeded by orders from Government to the seat of war. 
 
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 HE HON. EPAPHRODI- 
 TUS RANSOM, the Seventh 
 "^^ Oovernor of Michigan, was a 
 native of Massachusetts. In 
 ' that State he received a col- 
 legiate education, studied law, 
 and was admitted to the bar. 
 \)i{^^^}k Removing to Michigan about 
 ^M Iw ' '^*^ \\xm of its admission to the 
 t\ \y \^ Union, he took up his residence 
 at Kalamazoo. 
 
 Mr. Ransom served with marked 
 ability for a number of years in the 
 State Legislature, and in 1837 he was appointed As- 
 sociate Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1843 he 
 was promoted to Chief Justice, which office he re- 
 tained 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 wliich he had accumulated by years 
 of toil and industry. 
 
 Mr. Ransom became Governor of the State of 
 Michigan in the fall of 1847, and served during one 
 term, performing the duties of the office in a truly 
 statesmanlike manner. He subsequently became 
 President of the Michigan Agricultural Society, in 
 which ix)sition he displayed the same ability that 
 
 shone forth so prominently in his acts as Governor. 
 He iield the office of Regent of the Michigan Univer- 
 sity several times, and ever advocated a liberal f»licy 
 in its management. 
 
 Subsequently he was a|)[)ointed receiver of the 
 land office in one of the districts in Kansas, by Pres- 
 ident 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 un- 
 der 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 1849 for the deaf and 
 dumb and blind amounted to $81,500. On the first 
 of March, 1848, the first telegraph line was com- 
 pleted from New York to Detroit, and the first dis- 
 patch transmitted on that day. The followmg figures 
 show the progress in agriculture : The land reported 
 as under cultivation in 1848 was 1,437,460 acres; of 
 wheat there were produced 4,749,300 Ijushels; other 
 grains, 8,197,767 bushels; wool, 1,645,756 pounds; 
 maple sugar, 1,774,369 pounds; horses, 52,305; cat- 
 tle, 210,268; 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 were im- 
 mediately erected, at a cost of $12,450. 
 
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 GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 OBERT McClelland, 
 
 i'pCiovernor of Michigan from 
 Jan. I, 1852,10 March 8, 1853, 
 was born at Greencastle, Frank- 
 ■;@ lin Co., Penn., Aug. i, 1S07. 
 Among his ancestors were several 
 officers of rank in tlie Revohition- 
 ary war, and some of his family con- 
 riections were distinguished in the 
 war of 1812, and that with Mexico. 
 His father was an eminent physician 
 and surgeon who studied under Dr. 
 Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and 
 liracticed his profession successfully 
 until si.\ months before his death, at 
 the age of 84 years. Although Mr. 
 McClelland's family had lieen in good circum- 
 stances, when he was 17 years old he was thrown 
 upon his own resources. After taking the usual pre- 
 liminary studies, and teaching school to obtain the 
 means, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, 
 Penn., from which he graduated among the first in 
 his class, iii 1S29. 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 1833, Mr. McClelland removed to Monroe, in 
 
 the Territory of Michigan, where, after a severe ex- 
 amination, he became a member of the bar of Michi- 
 gan, and engaged in practice with bright prospect of 
 success. In 1835, a convention was called to frame 
 a constitution for the proposed State of Michigan, of 
 which Mr. McClelland was elected a member. He 
 took a prominent part in its deliberations and ranked 
 among its ablest debaters. He was appointed the 
 first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Gov. Mason, 
 and received an offer of the Attorney Generalship, but 
 declined both of these offices in order to attend to his 
 professional duties. 
 
 In 1838, .Mr. McClelland was elected to the State 
 Legislature, in which he soon became distinguished 
 as tlie head of several imix)rtant committees. Speaker 
 pro tempore, and as an active, zealous and efficient 
 member. In 1840, Gen. Harrison, as a candidate for 
 the Presidency, swept the country with an overwhelm- 
 ing majority, and at the same time the State of Michi- 
 gan was carried by the Whigs under the popular cry 
 of " Woodbrtdge and reform " against the Democratic 
 liarty. At this time Mr. McClelland stood among the 
 acknowledged leaders of the latter organization ; was 
 elected a member of the State House of Representa- 
 tives, and with others adopted a plan to regain a lost 
 authority and prestige. 
 
 This party soon came again into power in the State, 
 and having been returned to the State Legislature Mr. 
 McClelland's leadership was acknowledged by his 
 election as Speaker of the House of Representatives 
 
 
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in 1843. Down to this time Michigan had consti- 
 tuted one congressional district. The late Hon. Jacob 
 M. Howard had been elected against Hon. Alpheus 
 Felch by a strong majority ; but, in 1 843, so thoroughly 
 , had the Democratic party recovered from its defeat 
 (S/ of 1840 that Mr McClelhmd, as a candidate for Con- 
 gress, carried Detroit district by a majority of about 
 2,500. Mr. McClelland soon took a prominent posi- 
 tion in Congress among the veterans of that body 
 During his first term he was placed on Committee on 
 Commerce, and organized and carried through what 
 were known as the " Harbor bills." The continued 
 confidence of his constituency was manifested in his 
 election to the 29th Congress. At the opening of this 
 session he had acquired a National reputation, and so 
 favorably was he known as a parlimentarian that his 
 name was mentioned for Speaker of the House of Rep- 
 resentatives He declined the offer in favor of J. ^^^ 
 Davis, of Indiana, who was elected. During this term 
 he became Chairman of Committee on Commerce, in 
 which position his reports and advocacy of important 
 measures at once attracted public attention. The 
 members of this committee, as an evidence of the es- 
 teem ill which they held his services and of their 
 personal regard for him, presented him with a cane 
 which he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of 
 his labors in Congress. 
 
 In 1847, M"" McClelland was re-elected to Con- 
 gress, and at the opening of the 3olh Congress be- 
 came a member of the Committee on Foreign Rela- 
 tions. While acting in this capacity, what was known 
 as the " French Spoliation Bill" came under his spe- 
 cial charge, and his management of the same was such 
 as to command universal approbation. While in 
 Congress, Mr McClelland was an advocate of the 
 right of petition as maintained by John Q Adams, 
 when the petition, was clothed in decorous language 
 and presented in the proper manner. This he re- 
 garded as the citizens'constitutional right which should 
 not be impaired by any doctrines of temporary expe- 
 diency. He also voted for the adoption of Mr. Gid- 
 dings's bill for the abolishing of slavery in the District 
 of Columbia Mr McClelland was one of the few 
 Democrats associated with David Wilmot, of Penn- 
 sylvania, in bringing forward the celebrated "Wilmot 
 Proviso,'* with a view to prevent further extension of 
 slavery in new terrilorv which might be acquired by 
 the United States. He and Mr Wilmot were to- 
 gether at the time in Washington, and on intimate 
 and confidential terms Mr McClelland was in sev- 
 eral National conventions and in the Baltimore con- 
 vention, which nominated Gen. Cass for President, 
 in 1848, doing valiant service that year for the elec- 
 tion of that distinguished statesman. On leaving 
 Congress, in 1848, Mr. McClelland returned to the 
 practice of his profession at Monroe. In 1850 a 
 r-^ convention of the State of Michigan was called to 
 ^ revise the State constitution. He was elected a 
 
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 member and was regarded therein as among the ablest 
 and most experienced leaders. His clear judgment 
 and wise moderation were conspicuous, both in the 
 committee room and on the floorp in debate. In 1850, 
 he was President of the Democratic State convention 
 which adopted resolutions in supix)rt of Henry Clay's 
 famous compromise measures, of which Mr ^IcClel- 
 land was a strong advocate. He was a member of 
 the Democratic National convention in 1852, and in 
 that year, in company with Gen Cass and Governor 
 Felch he made a thorough canvass of the State. 
 He continued earnestly to advocate the Clay com- 
 promise measures, and took an active part in the 
 canvass which resulted in the election of Gen Pierce 
 to the Presidency. 
 
 In 185 t, the new Stats constitution took effect and 
 it was necessary that a Governor should be elected 
 for one year in order to prevent an interregnum, and 
 to bring the State Government into operation undei 
 the new constitution Mr INIcClelland was elected 
 Governor, and in the fall of 1852 was re-elected for 
 a term of two years, from Jan. i, 1853. His admin- 
 istration was regarded as wise, prudent and concilia- 
 tor)-, and was as popular as could be expected at a 
 time when party spirit ran high There was really 
 no opix)sitioii,and when he resigned, in March, 1853, 
 the State Treasury was well filled, and the State 
 otherwise prosperous. So widely and favorably had 
 Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that on 
 the organization of thecabinet by President Pierce, in 
 March, 1853, he was made Secretary of the Interior, in 
 which capacity he served most creditably during four 
 years of the Pierce administration He thoroughly 
 re-organized his department and reduced the expend- 
 itures. He adopted a course with the Indians which 
 relieved them from the impositions and annoyances 
 of the traders, and produced harmony and civilization 
 among them. During his administration there was 
 neither complaint from the tribes nor corruption among 
 agents, and he left the department in perfect order 
 and system In 1867, Michigan again called a con- 
 vention to revise the State constitution, Mr. McClel- 
 land was a member and here again his long experi- 
 ence made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser, a 
 sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he was 
 terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and im- 
 pressive in his addresses to the jury. His sincerity 
 and earnestness, with which was occasionally mingled 
 a pleasant humor, made him an able and effective 
 advocate. In speaking before the people on political 
 subjects he was especially forcible and happy. In 
 1870 he made the tour of Europe, which, through his 
 extensive personal acquaintance with European dip- 
 lomates, he was enabled to enjoy much more than 
 most travelers 
 
 Mr. McClelland married, in 1837, Miss Sarah 
 E. Sabin, of Williamstown, Mass. They have had 
 six children two of whom now survive. 
 
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 GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 ANDREW PARSONS. 
 
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 NDRP:\V parsons, Gover- 
 nor of Michinan from March 
 8, 1853 to Jan. 3, 1855, was 
 liorn in the town of Hoosick, 
 County of Rensselaer, and 
 State of New York, on the 22d 
 day of July, 1817, and died June 
 6, 1855, at the early age of 38 
 years. He was the son of John 
 Parsons, born at Newburyport, 
 (Mass., Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the 
 sonof Andrew Parsons, a Revolutionary 
 soldier, who was the son of Phineas 
 Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons, 
 a descendant of Walter Parsons, born 
 in Ireland in 1290. 
 Of this name and family, some one hundred and 
 thirty years ago, Bishop Gilson remarked in his edi- 
 ^ nion of Camden's Britannia: "The honorable family 
 Cjp of Parsons have been advanced to the dignity of 
 Viscotints and more lately Earls of Ross." 
 
 The following are descendants of these families : 
 Sir John Parsons, born 1 481, was Mayor of Hereford; 
 Robert Parsons, born in 1546, lived near Bridgewater, 
 England. He was educated at Ballial College, Ox- 
 ford, and was a noted writer and defender of the 
 Romish faith. He established an English College at 
 Rome and another at Valladolia. Frances Parsons, 
 born in 1556, was Vicar of Rothwell, in Notingham; 
 Bartholomew Parsons, born in 1618, was another 
 ^ noted member of the family. In 1634, Thomas Parsons 
 was knighted by Charles i. Joseph and Benjamin, 
 ^ brothers, were born in Great Torrington, England, 
 
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 and accompanied their father and others lo New 
 England about 1630. Samuel Parsons, born at Salis- 
 bury, Mass., in 1707, graduated at Harvard College in 
 1730, ordained at Rye, N. H.,Nov. 3, 1736, married 
 Mary Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Boston, 
 Oct. 9, 1739, died Jan. 4, 1789, at the age of 82, in 
 the 53rd year of his ministry. The grandfatherof Mary 
 Jones was Capt. John Adams, of Boston, grandson 
 of Henry, of Braintree, who was among the first set- 
 tlers of Massachusetts, and from whom a numerous 
 race of the name are descended, including two Presi- 
 dents of the United States. The Parsons have be- 
 come very numerous and are found throughout New 
 England, and many of the descedants are scattered 
 in all parts of the United States, and especially in 
 the Middle and Western States. Governor Andrew 
 Parsons came to Michigan in 1835, at the age of 17 
 years, and spent the first summer at Lower Ann 
 Arbor, where for a few months he taught school which 
 lie was compelled to abandon from ill health 
 
 He was one of the large number of men of sterling 
 worth, who came from the East to Michigan when it 
 was an infant State, or, even prior to its assuming 
 the dignity of a State, and who, by their wisdom, 
 enterprise and energy, have developed its wonderful 
 natural resources, until to-day it ranks with the [)roud- 
 est States of the Union. These brave men came to 
 Michigan with nothing to aid them in the conquest 
 of the wilderness save courageous hearts and strong 
 and willing hands. They gloriously conquered, how- 
 ever, 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 Commonweallh. 
 
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 ANDREW PARSONS 
 
 In the fall of 1835, he explored the Grand River 
 Valley in a frail canoe, the whole lengtli of tlie river, 
 ^» from Jackson to Lake Michigan, and spent tlie 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, wlien he went to Shia- 
 w"asseCounty,then with Clinton County, and an almost 
 unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized 
 township. In r837 this territory was organized into 
 a county and, at the age of only 19 years, he (An- 
 drew) was elected County Clerk. In 1840, he was 
 elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1842, and 
 also in 1844. In 1S46, he was elected to the .State 
 Senate, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in T848, 
 and elected Regent of the University in 1851, and 
 () Lieutenant (Governor, and became acting Oovernor, 
 ^ in 1853, elected again to tlie Legislature in 1854, and, 
 A^ overcome by debilitated health, hard labor and the 
 =3 responsibilities of his office and cares of his business, 
 ^ retired to his farm, wliere he died soon after. 
 ?^ He was a fluent and persuasive speaker and well 
 jC calculated to make friends of his acquantances. He 
 [( -^ was always true to liis triist, and the whole world 
 could not persuade nor drive liim to do what he con- 
 ceived to be wrong. When Governor, a most power- 
 ful railroad influence was brought to bear ujxjn him, 
 to induce him to call an extra session of the Legisla- 
 ture. 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 1 eyond 
 measure. Fearing that all these influences might 
 fail to induce him to call the e.\tra session, a large 
 sum of money was sent him, and liberal offers ten- 
 dered him if he would gratify the railroad interest of 
 the State and call the e.xtra session, but, immovable, 
 he returned the money and refused to receive 
 any favois, whether from any party who would at- 
 tempt to corrupt him by laudations, liberal offers, or 
 
 (f) 
 
 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 
 "e.vtraordinary," 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 hii? course. One of 
 his greatest enemies said, after a long acquaintance: 
 "though not always coinciding with his views 1 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 [lolitcal op- 
 ponent is just in its conception and creditable to its 
 author: "Gov. Parsons was a politician of the Dem- 
 ocratic school, a man of pure moral character, fixed 
 and exemplary 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 ex- 
 ecutive officer firm, constant and reliable." The 
 highest commendations we can pay the deceased is 
 to give his just record, — that of being an honest man. 
 In the spring of 1854, during the administration of 
 Governor Parsons, the Republican party, at least 
 as a .State organization, was first formed in the Ihiited 
 States " under the oaks " at Jackson, by anti-slavery 
 men of both the old parties. Great excitement pre- 
 vailed at this time, occasioned by the settling of 
 Kansas, and the issue thereby brought u|), whether 
 slavery should exist there. For the purpose of permit- 
 ting slavery there, the " Missouri compromise " (which 
 limited slavery to the south of 36" 30) was re- 
 repealed, under the leadership of Stephen .X, Douglas, 
 riiis was repealed by a bill admitting Kansas and 
 Nebraska into the Union, as Territories, and those who 
 were opposed to this repeal measure were in short 
 called "anti-Nebraska" men. The epithets, "Ne- 
 braska" and "anti-Nebraska," were temporally em- 
 ployed to designate the slavery and anti-slavery 
 parties, pending the desolution of the old Democratic 
 and Whig parties and the organization of the new 
 Democratic and Republican parties of the present. 
 
 9 
 
 
 
I 
 
^^/^^^^^ 
 
 i 
 
 ^ 
 
 GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
 % — — ^ 
 
 M KiNSLRY S. BlNOHAM. 
 
 
 1 
 1=3 
 
 t 
 
 iNSLEY s. binc;ham, 
 
 : W Governor of Michigan from 
 ■ "" 1855 to 1859, and United 
 States Senator, was born in 
 Camilhis, Onondaga County, 
 N. v., Dec. 16, 1808. His 
 father was a farmer, and his own 
 early Hfe was consequently de- 
 voted to agricultural pursuits, but 
 notwithstanding the disadvan- 
 tages related to the acquisition 
 \ '^ of knowledge in the life of a farmer 
 he managed to secure a good aca- 
 demic education in his native State 
 and studied law in the office of 
 Gen. James R. Lawrence, now of 
 Syracuse, N. Y. In the spring of 
 1833, he married an estimable lady 
 who had recentl\- arrived from Scot- 
 land, and obeying the impulse of a 
 naturally enterprising disposition, 
 he emigrated to Michigan and 
 purchased a new farm in company 
 with his brother-in-law, Mr. Robert 
 Worden, in Green Oak, Livingston County. Here, on 
 the border of civilization, buried in the primeval for- 
 est, our late student commenced the arduous task of 
 preparing a future home, clearing and fencing, put- 
 ting up buildings, etc., at such a rate that the land 
 
 chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation. 
 
 Becoming deservedly prominent, Mr. Bingham was 
 elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and Post- 
 master under the Territorial government, and was the 
 first Probate Judge in the county. In the year 1836, 
 when Michigan became a State, he was elected to the 
 first Legislature. He was four times re-elected, and 
 Speaker of the House of Representatives three years. 
 In 1S46 he was elected on the Democratic ticket, Re[> 
 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 opiX)sed 
 to the introduction of " Wood's Patent Cast Iron 
 Plow " which he completely prevented. He was re- 
 elected to Congress in r848, during which time he 
 strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the 
 territory of the United States and was committed to 
 and voted for the Wilmot Proviso. 
 
 In r854, at the first organization of the Republican 
 party, in conse(iuence of his record in Congress as a 
 Free Soil Democrat, Mr. Bingham was nominated 
 and elected Governor of the State, and re-elected in 
 1856. Still faithful to the memory of his own former 
 occupation, he did not forget the farmers during his 
 administration, and among other profits of his zeal in 
 their behalf, he became mainly instrumental in the 
 establishment of the Agricultural College at Lansing. 
 
 In 1^59, Governor Bingham was elected Senator in 
 Congress and took an active part in the stormy cam- 
 paign in the election of Abraham Lincoln. He wit- 
 
 i 
 
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 <^Dii$^iin^ 
 
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 §^^(®y" 
 
KINSLEY S. BINGHAM. 
 
 
 1 
 
 nessed the commencement of the civil war while a 
 member of the United States Senate. After a com- 
 paratively short life of remarkable promise and pub- 
 lic activity he was attacked with appoplexy and died 
 suddenly at his residence, in Green Oak, Oct. 5, 1861. 
 
 The most noticable event in Governor Bingham's 
 first term was the completion of the ship canal, at the 
 Falls of St. Mary. In 1852, August 26, an act of 
 Congress was approved, granting to the Slate of Mich- 
 igan seven hundred and litty thousand acres of land 
 for the purpose of constructing a ship canal between 
 Lakes Huron and Superior. In 1853, the Legislature 
 accepted the grant, and provided tor the appointment 
 of commissioners to select the donated lands, and to 
 arrange for building the canal. A company of enter- 
 prising men was formed, and a contract was entered 
 into by which it was arranged that the canal should 
 be finished in two years, and the work was pushed 
 rapidly forward. Every article of consumption, ma- 
 chinery, working implements and materials, timber 
 for the gates, stones for the locks, as well as men and 
 supplies, had to be transported to the site of the canal 
 from Detroit, Cleveland, and other lake ports. The 
 rapids which had to be surmounted have a fall of 
 seventeen feet and are about one mile long. The 
 length of the canal is less than one mile, its width one 
 hundred feet, depth twelve feet and it has two locks 
 of solid masonary. In May, 1855, the work was com- 
 pleted, accepted by the commissioners, and formally 
 delivered to the State authorities. 
 
 The disbursements on account of the construction 
 of the canal and selecting the lands amounted to one 
 million of dollars ; while the lands which were as- 
 signed to the company, and selected through the 
 agency at the Sault, as well as certain lands in the 
 Upper and Lower Peninsulas, filled to an acre the 
 Government grant. The opening of the canal was 
 an important event in the history of the improvement 
 of the State. It was a valuable link in the chain of 
 lake commerce, and particularly important to the 
 interests of the LTpper Peninsula. 
 
 There were several educational, charitable and re- 
 formatory institutions inaugurated and opened during 
 Gov. Bingham's administrations. The Michigan Ag- 
 ricultural College owes its establishment to a provision 
 of the State Constitution of 1850. Article 13 says, 
 " The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, pro- 
 vide for the establishment of an agricultural school." 
 For the purpose of carving into practice this provision, 
 legislation was commenced in 1855, and the act re- 
 quired that the school should be within ten miles of 
 Lansing, and that not more than $15 an acre should 
 be paid for the farm and college grounds. The col- 
 lege was opened to students in May, 1857, the first of 
 existing argricultural colleges in the United States, 
 Until the spring of 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 
 
 @! 
 
 
 }f\®^^^^ 
 
 ■A^DIl^Olli^ 
 
 of .\griculture, which was created for that purpose. 
 
 In its essential features, of combining study and 
 labor, and of uniting general and professional studies 
 in its course, the college has remained virtually un- 
 changed from the first. It has a steady growth in 
 number of students, in means of illustration and 
 efficiency of instruction. 
 
 The Agricultural College is three miles east of 
 Lansing, comprising several fine buildings; and there 
 are also very beautiful, substantial residences for the 
 professors. There are also an extensive, well-filled 
 green-house, a very large and well-equipped chemical 
 laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the 
 United States, a general museum, a meseuni of me- 
 chanical inventions, another of vegetable products, 
 extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., in fine trim for 
 the purposes designed. The farm consists of 676 
 acres, of which about 300 are undei" cultivation in a 
 systematic rotation of crops. 
 
 Adrian College was established by the Wesleyan 
 Methodists in 1859, now under the control of the 
 Methodist Church. The grounds contain about 20 
 acres. There are four buildings, capable of accom- 
 modating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875 
 was 179; total number of graduates for previous year, 
 121 ; ten professors and teachers are enqiloyed. Ex- 
 clusive of the endowment fund ($80,000), the assets 
 of the institution, including grounds, buildings, furni- 
 ture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands, 
 etc., amount to more than $137,000. 
 
 Hillsdale College was established in 1855 by the 
 Free Baptists. The Michigan Central College, at 
 Spring Arbor, was incorporated in 1845 It was kept 
 in operation until it was merged into the present 
 Hillsdale College. The site comprises 25 acres, 
 beautifully situated on an eminence in the western 
 part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and impos- 
 ing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire 
 in 1874, and in its place five buildings of a more 
 modern style have been erected. They are of brick, 
 three stories with basement, arranged on three sides 
 of a quadrangle. The size is, respectively, 80 by 80, 
 48 by 7 2, 48 by 7 2, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they con- 
 tain one-half more room than the original buildmg. 
 The State Reform School. This was established 
 at Lansing in 1855, in the northeastern ]X)rtionof the 
 city, as the House of Correction for Juvenile Of- 
 fenders, having about it many of the features of a 
 prison. In 1859 the name was changed to the State 
 Reform School. The government and dicipline, have 
 undergone many and radical changes, until all the 
 prison features have been removed except those that 
 remain in the walls of the original structure, and 
 which remain only as monuments of instructive his- 
 tory. No bolts, bars or guards are employed. The 
 inmates are necessarily kept under the surveillance of 
 officers, but the attempts at escape are much fewer 
 than under the more rigid regime of former days. 
 
 
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 OSES WISNER. Governor of 
 
 '-'^_^ Michigan from 185910 1861, 
 I ,:)f'\vas horn in Springport, Cayu- 
 gJ] ga Co., N Y., June 3, 1815. 
 ^^Sli His early education was only 
 what could be obtained at a 
 ^common school. .Agricultural labor 
 and frugality of his parents gave 
 him a physical constitution of unus- 
 h ual strength and endurance, which 
 Swas ever preserved by temperate hab- 
 its. In 1837 he emigrated to Michi- 
 an and purchased a farm in Lapeer 
 County It was new land and he at 
 $,-k once set to work to clear il and i)lant 
 ■* crops. He labored diligently at his 
 task for two years, when he gave up 
 the idea of neing a farmer, and removed to Pontiac, 
 Oakland Co. Here he commenced the study of law 
 in the office of his brother, George \V. 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 at- 
 tained in the profession. He remained at Lapeer but 
 a short time, renroving 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 anti- 
 slaver) bias. His practice becoming extensive, he 
 
 took little part in politics until after the election of 
 Mr. Pierce to the Presidency in 1S52, wlien lie took an 
 active part against slavery. As a lawyer he was a 
 man of great ability, but relied less upon mere book 
 learning than upon his native good sense. Liberal 
 and courteous, was he yet devoted to the interest of 
 his client, and no facts escaped his attention or his 
 memory which bore upon the case. He was no friend 
 of trickei)' or artifice in conducting a case As an ad- 
 vocate he had few equals. When fully aroused by the 
 merits of his subject his eloquence was at once grace- 
 ful and powerful. His fancies supplied the most 
 original, the most ix)inted illustrations, and his logic 
 became a battling giant under whose heavy blows the 
 adversary shrank and withered. Nature had be- 
 stowed upon him rare qualities, and his powers as a 
 ]X)pular orator were of a high order. 
 
 On the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 
 1854, reiiealing the Missouri compromise andoiiening 
 the Territories to slavery, he was among the foremost 
 in Michigan to denounce the shamful scheme. He 
 actively participated in organizing and consolidating 
 the elements opposed to it in that State, and was a 
 member of the popular gathering at Jackson, in July, 
 1854, which was the first formal Republican Conven- 
 tion held in the United States. At this meeting the 
 name " Republican " was adopted as a designation of 
 the new party consisting of Anti-slavery, Whigs, 
 Liberty men. Free Soil Democrats and all others dp- 
 posed 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 
 acceyrt the nomination for Attorney General of the 
 
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 MOSF.S n'JSNF.R. 
 
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 V 
 
 
 
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 State, but declined. An entire State ticket was nom- 
 inated and at the annual election in November was 
 elected 1>\ an average majority ol nearly 10,000. 
 Mr. \\'. 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 slave- 
 holders would have to be overthrown before quiet 
 could be secured to the country. In the Presidential 
 canvass of 1856 he supported the Fremont, or Re- 
 publican, ticket. At the session of the Legislature of 
 1857 he was a candidate for United States Senator, 
 and as such received a very handsome svipport. 
 
 In 1858, he was nominated for Governor of the 
 State by the Republican convention that met at De- 
 troit, and at the subsequent November election was 
 chosen by a very large majority. Before the day of 
 the election he had addressed tlie people of almost 
 every county and his majority was greater even than 
 that of his popular predecessor, Hon. K. S. Bingham. 
 He served as Clovernor two years, from Jan. i, 1859, 
 to ]ax\. I, 1 86 1. 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 en- 
 lightened State policy, that had its view of the rapid 
 settlement of our uncultivated lands and the devel- 
 opment of our immense agricultural and mineral re- 
 sources. It was a dotument that retlecled the higliest 
 credit upon the author. 
 
 His term having expired Ian. i, 186 [, he returned 
 to his home in Pontiac, and to the practice of his 
 profession. There were those in the State who 
 counselled the sending of delegates to the peace con- 
 ference at Washington, but Mr. VV. was opposed to all 
 such tentporizing expedients. His counsel was to 
 send no delegate, but to prepare to fight. 
 
 After Congress had met and passed the necessary 
 legislation he resolved to take part in the war. In 
 the spring and summer of 1862 he set to work to 
 raise a regiment of infantry, chiefly in Oakland 
 County, where he resided. His regiment, the 22d 
 Michigan, was armed and equipped and ready to 
 march in September, a regiment whose solid quali- 
 ties were afterwards proven on many a bloody field. 
 Col. Ws. commission bore the date of Sept. 8, 1 862. 
 Before parting with his family he made his will. His 
 regiment was sent to Kentucky and quartered at 
 
 Camp Wallace. He had at the breaking out of the 
 war turned his attention to military studies .uui Ije- 
 came proficient in tlie ordinary rules and discipline. 
 His entire attention was now devoted to his duties. 
 His treatment of his men was kind, thougji his disci- 
 pline was rigid. He possessed in an eminent degree 
 the spirit of command, and had he lived he would 
 no doubt liave distinguished himself as a good 
 officer. He was impatient of delay and chafed at 
 l)eing kept in Kentucky where there was so little 
 prospect of getting at the enemy. Hut life in cam 
 so different from the one he had been leading, and 
 his incessant labors, coupled with that impatience 
 which was so natural and so general among the vol- 
 unteers in the early |>art 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 dis- 
 ciplining his men and urging them to be prepared for 
 an encounter with the enemy, enlarging upon the jus- 
 tice of their cause and the necessity of their crush- 
 ing the Rebellion. But the source of his most poig- 
 nant gnet was the jirospect 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 bafiled all medical treat- 
 ment, and on the 5th day of Jan., 1S63, he breathed 
 his last. His remanis were removed to Michigan and 
 interred in the cemetery at Pontiac, where they rest 
 by the side of the brave (ien. Richardson, who re- 
 ceived his mortal wound at tlie 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 
 Ctcu. 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, gen- 
 erous and brave, and like thousands of others he 
 sleeps the sleep of the martyr for his country. 
 
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 GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 \r^P2)''"-'^--'*'--'^'"^«-'*'--'l^'-'^'''-'fe"t>d-».tv;K-A . 
 
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 USTIN ULAIR, Governor 
 of Micliigan from Jan. 2, 
 i86r, to Jan. 4, 1865, and 
 kown as the War (iovernor, is 
 and illustration of the benifi- 
 cent influence of republican in- 
 stitutions, having inherited neith- 
 er fortune nor fame. He was born 
 in a log caliin at Caroline, Tomp- 
 kins Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 181 8. 
 His ancestors came from Scot- 
 land in the time of Ceorge I, and 
 for many generations followed the 
 W pursuit of agriculture. His father, 
 I George Blair, settled in Tompkins 
 County in i8og, and felled the trees and erected the 
 first cabin in the county. The last 60 of the four- 
 sc'ore years of his life were spent on that spot. He 
 married Rhoda Beackman, who now sleeps with him 
 in the soil of the old homestead. The first 17 years 
 of Mr. Blair's life were spent there, rendering his 
 father what aid he could upon the farm. He then 
 spent a year and a half in Cazenovia Seminary pre- 
 paring for college; entered Hamilton College, in 
 Clinton, prosecuted his studies initil the middle of 
 the junior year, when, attracted by the fame of Dr. 
 Nott, he changed to Union College, from whicli he 
 graduated in the class of 1839. Upon leaving col- 
 lege Mr. Blair read law two years in the office of Sweet 
 & Davis, Oswego, N Y., and was admitted to practice 
 
 in 1841, and the same year moved to Michigan, locat 
 
 ^^$^#« ^ ^T-. Q^^m w^'^>^^^ 
 
 ing in Jackson. During a temporary residence in 
 Eaton Rapids, in 1842, he was elected Clerk of Eaton 
 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. Hewas 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 gen- 
 eral statutes ; also made an able supix)rt in favor of 
 abolishing the color distinction in relation to the elec- 
 tive franchise, and at the same session was active in 
 securing tlie abolition of capital punishment. In 1848 
 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. 
 UiX)n the birth of the Republican party at Jackson, 
 in 1854, by the coalition of the Whig and Free-soil 
 elements, Mr. Blair was in full sympathy with the 
 movement, and acted as a memlierof the Committee 
 on Platform. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney 
 of Jackson County in 1852 ; was chosen State Senator 
 two years later, taking his seat with the incoming Re- 
 pulilican administration of 1855, and holding the 
 imsition 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 re- 
 elected in 1862, faithfully and honorably discharging 
 the nrdunns dutio= nf the office during that most mo- 
 
 
 
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 X 
 
 
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 r2^^^^ 
 
 -4^^ 
 
 A [/ST/AT BLAIR. 
 
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 (5) 
 
 ineiUous and stoniiy period nt ilie Nation's life. (lov. 
 Blair jjossessed u clear comprehension of tlie perilous 
 situation from the inception of tlie Rebellion, and his 
 inaugural address foreshadowed the prompt executive 
 policy and the administrative ability which charac- 
 terized his gubernatorial career. 
 
 Never perhaps in the history of a nation has a 
 brighter example been laid down, or a greater sacri- 
 fice been made, than that which distinguished Mich- 
 igan durini; the civil war. .Ml, froni the "War (lov- 
 ernor." down to the poorest citizen of the State, were 
 animated with a patriotic ardor at once magniticicntly 
 sublime and wisely directed. 
 
 Very early in \%(i\ the coming struggle cast its 
 shadow over the Nation. Governor Blair, in his mes- 
 sage to the Legislature in January of that year, dwelt 
 very forcibly uiwn the sad prospects of civil war; and 
 as fonibly pledged the State to support tlie iirinciples 
 of the Ropulihi:. After .1 review of the conditions 
 of the .State, he passed on to a consideration of the 
 relations between the free and slave Slates of the 
 Republic, saying: " Wliile we arecitizensof the State 
 of Michigan, and as such deeply devoted to her in- 
 terests 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 tpiarters of the globe, where the iiames of 
 the States are unknown, the flag of the great Republic, 
 the banner of the stars and stripes, honor and protect 
 her citizens. In wliatever concerns the honor, the 
 prosperity and tlie perpetuity of this great (lovern- 
 ment, we are deeply interested. The people of Mich- 
 igan are loyal to that (Government — faithful to its con- 
 stitution and its laws. Under it they have had peace 
 and prosperity; ami under it tliey mean to abide to 
 the end. Feeling a just pride in the glorious history 
 of the past, they will not renounce the eciually glo- 
 rious hopes of the future, lint they will rally around 
 the standards of the Nation and defend its integrity 
 and its constitution, with fidelity." The final para- 
 graph being: 
 
 " I recommend you at ,in early day to make mani- 
 
 fest to the gentlemen wiio represent this State in the 
 two Houses of Congress, and to tlie country, that 
 Michigan is loyal to the Union, the Constitution, and 
 the laws and will defend tlieni to the uttermost; and 
 to proffer to the President of the United States, the 
 whole military power of tlie .State for that |jur[X)se. 
 ( )h, for tlie lirni, 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 res]x)nded to by the 
 pcopli' of Michigan will be seen by the statement 
 that the State furnished 88,1 11 men during the war. 
 Money, men, clothing and food were freely and abun- 
 dantly supplied by this .State during all these years of 
 darkness anti blooil shed. No State won a briuliter ;. 
 record for her devotion to our country tliaii the I'en- ^ 
 insula State, and to Gov. Blair, more than to any ,«a» 
 
 .... . . . 'A 
 
 other individual is due the credit for its untiring zeal = 
 and labors in the Nation's behalf, ami for the heroism ^S 
 manifested in its defense. < 
 
 (kiv. Blair was elected Representative to the ( 
 Fortieth Congress, and twice re-elected, to the Forty- 
 first and Forty-second Congress, from the Third Dis- 
 trict of Michigan. While a member of that bodv he 
 was a strong supporter of reconstruction measures, 
 and sternly opposed every form of repudiation. His 
 speech ujxjn the national finances, delivered on the 
 lloor of the House March 21, 186S, was a clear and 
 convincing argument. Since his retirement from Con- 
 gress, Mr. Blair has been busily occupied with his ex- 
 tensive law practiie. Mr. Blair married Sarah L. 
 I'ord, of Seneca County N. V., in Februarv, 1849- 
 Their family consists of 4 sons — George H., a law (^ 
 partner of \. J. Gould ; Charles .\., a law partner with 
 hir father, and Fred. J. and Austin T. Blair, at home. 
 Governor Blair's religion is of the broad type, and 
 centers in the "Golden Rule." In 1883, Gov. Blair 
 was nominated for Justice of the Supreme Court 
 of the State by the Republican party, but was defeated. 
 
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 GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 HENRY K. CBilPO.. 
 
 
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 ENRY ROWLAND CRAPO, 
 
 (lovcrnor of Michigan from 
 ';4S"'iS65 to 1869, was born May 
 
 24, 1804, at Dartmouth, Bris- 
 ~i~. tol C"o., Mass., and died at 
 Flint, Mich., July 22, 1869. 
 He was the eldest son of Jesse 
 and Phctlie (Rowland) Crapo. 
 His fatlier was of French descent 
 and was very poor, sustaining his 
 family by tlie cultivation of a farm in 
 Dartmouth township, which yielded 
 nothing beyond a mere livelihood. 
 His early life was consequently one 
 (5if3 of toil and devoid of advantages for 
 i intellectual culture, but his desire for 
 an education seemed to know no bounds. The in- 
 cessant toil for a mere subsistence upon a compara- 
 tively sterile farm, had no charm for him ; and, longing 
 for greater usefulness and better things, he looked for 
 ihem 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 liecame an ardent student and 
 worker from his boyhood, though the means of carry- 
 ing on his studies were e.xceedingly limited. He 
 sorely felt the need of a dictionary; and, neither having 
 money wherewith to purchase it, nor being able to 
 |)rocure one in his neighliorliood, 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 
 an<i bnoks, which came into his hands, from the 
 
 context, would then record the definition. Whenever 
 unable otherwise to olitain tlie signification of a word 
 in which he liad become interested he would walk 
 from Dartmoutli to New Bedford for tliat purpose 
 alone, and after referring to tlie books at the library 
 and satisfynig himself thorouglily as to itsdeiinition, 
 would walk back, a distance of about seven miles, 
 the same night. This was no unusual circumstance. 
 Under such difticulties and in this manner lie com- 
 piled (piite an extensive dictionary in manuscript 
 which is believed to be still in' existence. 
 
 Ever in pursuit of knowledge, he obtained jxDsses- 
 sion of a book upon surveying, and applying himself 
 diligently to its study Ijecame familiar with this art, 
 which lie soon had an opportunity to practice. Tlie 
 services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was 
 called upon, but had no compass and no money with 
 which to purchase one. A compass, however, he 
 must and would have, and going to a blacksmith shop 
 near at hand, uixin the forge, with such tools as he 
 could find in the shop, wliile the smith was at dinner, 
 he constructed the compass and commenced life as a 
 surveyor. Still continuing his studies, he fitted him- 
 self for teaching, and took charge of the village school 
 at Dartmouth. When, in the course of time and un- 
 der the pressure of law, a high school was to be 
 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. ( )ne evening, after con- 
 cluding his day's labor of teaching, he traveled on foot 
 to New Bedford, some seven or eight miles, called 
 upon the preceptor of Friend's Academy and passed 
 
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 HENRY ROWLAND CRAPO. 
 
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 a severe examination. Receiving a certificate that 
 lie was qualified, he walked back to his home the 
 same night, highly elated in being possessed of the 
 acquirements and requirements of a master of the 
 high school. 
 
 In 1832, at the age of 28 years, he left his native 
 town and went to reside at New Bedford, where he 
 followed the occupation of land surveyor, and oc- 
 casionally acted as an auctioneer. Soon after becom- 
 ing a citizen of this place, he was elected Town Clerk, 
 Treasurer, and Collector of ta.xes, which office he held 
 until the municipal government was changed, — about 
 fifteen years, — when,- upon the inauguration of the city 
 government, he was elected Treasurer and Collector 
 of taxes, a position which he held two or three years. 
 He was also Justice of the Peace for many years. 
 He was elected Alderman of New Bedford ; was 
 Chairman of Council Committee on Education, and 
 as such prepared a report ujwn 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 lil.irary in Massachusetts, if 
 not in the world. The Boston Free Library was es- 
 tablished, however, soon afterwards. While a resident 
 in New Bedford, he was much interested in horticul- 
 ture, and to obtain the land necessary for carrying out 
 his ideas he drained and reclaimed several acres of 
 rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Here 
 he started a nursery, which he filled with almost every 
 description of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, 
 flowers, etc. In this he was very successful and took 
 great pride. He was a regularcontributorto the New 
 England Horticultural Journal, a position he filled 
 as long as he lived in Massachusetts. As an indica- 
 tion of the wide reputation he acipiired 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 Philadeliihia, in iS^g. During his resi- 
 dence in New Bedford, Mr. Crapo was also engaged 
 in the whaling business. .\ fine barque built at Dart- 
 mouth, of which he was part owner, was named tlie 
 "H. H. Crapo" in compliment to him. 
 
 Mr. C. also took [)art 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 Conmiercial Insurance Company in New 
 Bedford; and while an officer of the municipal gov- 
 ernment hecompiled and published, between the years 
 1S36 and 1845, fi^*^ numbers of the New Bedford 
 Directory, the first work of the kind ever published 
 there. 
 
 Mr. C. removed to Michigan in 1856, having been 
 induced to do so by investments made principallv in 
 pine lands, first in 1837 and subsequently in 1856. 
 He took up his residence in the city of Flint, and en- 
 
 gaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber 
 at Flint, Kentonville, 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 iSLayor of that city after he had been 
 a resident of the [ilace only five cr six years. Li 
 1862 he was elected Stale Senator. In the fall of 
 1864 he received the nomination on the Republican 
 ticket forCioveriior of the State, and was elected by a 
 large majority. He was re-elected in 1866, holding 
 the office two terms, and retiring in January, 1869, 
 having given the greatest satisfaction to all parties. 
 
 While serving his last term he was attacked with a 
 disease which terminated his life within one year 
 afterwards. During much of this time he was an in- 
 tense sufferer, yet often while in great pain gave his 
 attention to jiublic matters. A few weeks previous 
 to his death a successful surgical operation was jier- 
 formed which seemed rapidly to restore him, but he 
 overestimated his strength, and by too much exertion 
 in business matters and State affairs suffered arelapse 
 from which there was no rebound, and he died July 
 il., 1869. 
 
 Li the early part of his life. Gov. Crapo affiliated 
 with the \Vhig party in politics, Init 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, 1S25, Mary A. Slocum, 
 of Dartmouth. His marriage took place soon after 
 he had attained his majority, and before his struggles 
 with fortune had lieen rewarded with any great meas- 
 ure of success. But his wife was a woman of great 
 strength of character and possessed of courage, hope- 
 fulness and devotion, qualities which sustained and 
 encouraged h.er husband in the various pursuits of 
 his early years. For several years after his marriage 
 he was engaged in teaching school, his wife living 
 with her parents at the time, at whose home his two 
 older children were born. While thus situated he 
 was accustomed to walk home on Saturday to see 
 his family, returning on Sunday in order to be ready 
 for school Monday morning. As the walk for a good 
 part of the time was 20 miles each way, it is evident 
 that at that period of his life no common obstacles 
 deterred him from performing what he regarded 
 as. a duty. His wife was none the less consci- 
 entious in her sphere, and with added responsibilities 
 and increasing reipiirements she labored faithfully 
 in the perfonnance of all her duties. They had 
 ten children, one son and nine daughters. His son, 
 Hon. \\m. W. Crapo, of New Bedford, is now an 
 honored Representative to Congress from the First 
 Congressional District of Massachusetts. 
 
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GO VF.RNGRS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
 
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 ENRY P. BALDWIN, Gov- 
 ernor of Michigan from Jan. 
 1869, to Jan. I, 1873, is a 
 lineal descendant of Nathan- 
 iel Baldwin, a Puritan, of Buck- 
 inghamshire, England, who set- 
 tled at Milford, Conn., in 1639. 
 His father was John Baldwin, 
 a graduate of Dartmouth Col- 
 lege. He died at North Provi- 
 dence, R. I., in 1826. His 
 paternal grandfather was Rev. 
 Moses Baldwin, a graduate of 
 Princeton College, in 1757, and the 
 first who received collegiate hon- 
 ors at that ancient and honored institution. He died 
 at Parma, Mass., in 1813, where for more than 50 
 years he had been pastor of the Presbyterian Church. 
 On his mother's side Governor B. is descended from 
 Robert Williams, also a Puritan, who settled in Rox- 
 l)ury, Mass., about 1638. His mother was a daughter 
 of Rev. Nehemiah Williams, a graduate of Harvard 
 College, who died at Brimfield, Mass., in 1796, where 
 tor 21 years he was pastor of the Congregationalist 
 Church. The subject of this sketch was born at 
 Coventry, R. I., Feb. 22, 18 14. He received a New 
 England common-school education until the age of 
 12 years, when, both his parents having died, he be- 
 came a clerk in a mercantile establishment. He re- 
 mained there, employing his leisure hours in studv, 
 ^ until 20 years of age. 
 
 "1 At this early period Mr. B. engaged in business on 
 
 }.^ his own account. He made a visit to the West, in 
 ;^) 1837) 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 
 
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 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. 
 .\n Episcopalian in religious belief, he has been 
 prominent in home matters connected with that de- 
 nomination. The large and flourishing parish of St. 
 John, Detroit, originated with Governor Baldwin, who 
 gave the lot on which the parish edifice stands, and 
 also contributed the larger share of the cost of their 
 erection. Governor B. was one of the foremost in 
 the establishment of St. Luke's Hospital, and has 
 always been a liberal contributor to moral and relig- 
 ious enterprises whether connected with his own 
 Church or not. There have been, in fact, but few 
 public and social improvements of Detroit during the 
 past 40 years with which Governor B.'s name is not 
 in some way connected. He was a director in the 
 Michigan State Bank until the expiration of its char- 
 ter, and has been President of the Second National 
 Bank since its organization. 
 
 In 1S60, Mr. Baldwin was elected to the State 
 Senate, of Michigan ; during the years of iS6i-'2 he 
 was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a 
 member of Committee on Banks and Incorporations, 
 Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the two 
 Houses for the investigation of the Treasury Depart- 
 ment and the official acts of the Treasurer, and of 
 the letting of the contract for the improvement f>f 
 Sault St. Marie Ship Canal. He was first elected 
 Governor in 1868 and was re-elected in 1870, serving 
 from 1S69 to 1872, inclusive. It is no undeserved 
 eulogy to say that Governor B.'s happy faculty of es- 
 timating the necessary means to an end — the knowing 
 of how much effort or attention to bestow upon the 
 thing in hand, has been the secret of the uniform 
 
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 success that has attended his efforts in all relations 
 of life. The same industry and accuracy that dis- 
 tinguished him prior to this term as Governor was 
 manifest in his career as the chief magistrate of the 
 State, and while his influence appears in all things 
 with which he has had to do, it is more noticeable in 
 the most prominent position to which he was called. 
 With rare exceptions the important commendations 
 of Governor B. received the sanction of the Legislat- 
 ure. During his administration marked improve- 
 ments were made in the charitable, penal and reforma- 
 tory institutions of the State. The State Public School 
 for dependent cliildren 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;j,e of 1873. The new State C'apitol also owes 
 its origen to him. The appropriation for its erection 
 was made u])on 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 per- 
 mit a more equitable compensation to State officers 
 and judges. Thelaw of 1869, and prior also, permitting 
 municipalities to vote aid toward the construc- 
 tion of railroads was, in 1870, declared unconstitu- 
 tional by the Supreme Court. Many of the munici- 
 palities having in the meantime issued and sold their 
 bonds in good faith. Governor B. felt that the lionor 
 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 tlie hands of hona- 
 fidc holders. In his special message he says : "The 
 credit of no State stands liigher than that of Michigan, 
 and the people can not afford, and I trust will not 
 consent, to have her good name tarnished by the repu- 
 diation of either legal or moral obligations." A spe- 
 cial session was called in March, 1872, principally for 
 the division of the State into congressional districts. 
 A number of other important suggestions were made, 
 however, and as an evidence of the Governor's la- 
 borious and thoughtful care for the financial condition 
 
 of the State, a series of tables was prepared and sub- 
 mitted by him showing, in detail, estimates of receipts, 
 expenditures and appropriations for the years 1872 to 
 1878, inclusive. Memorable of Governor B.'s admin- 
 istration were the devastating fires which swept over 
 many portions of the Northwest in the fall of 187 i. 
 A large part of the city of Chicago having been re- 
 duced to ashes, Governor B. promptly issued a proc- 
 lamation calling ufjon 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 suf- 
 fering people of Michigan. The contributions for 
 these objects were prompt and most liberal, more than 
 :«!7oo,ooo having been received in money and supplies 
 lor the relief of Michigan alone. So ample were 
 these contributions during the sliort period of about 
 3 months, that the Ciovernor issued a proclamation 
 expressing in behalf of the people of the State grate- 
 ful acknowldgment, and announcing that further 
 aid was unnecessary. 
 
 Governor B. has traveled extensively in his own 
 country and has also made several visits to Europe 
 and other portions of the Old World. He was a pas- 
 senger on the Steamer Arill, which was captured and 
 bonded in the Carribean Sea, in December, 1862, by 
 Capt. Semmes, and wrote a full and interesting ac- 
 count of the transaction. The following estimate of 
 Governor B. on his retirement from office, by a leading 
 news])aper, is not overdrawn: "The retiring message 
 of Governor B., will be read with interest. It is 
 a characteristic document and possesses the lucid 
 statement, strong, and clear practical sense, which 
 have been marked features of all preceding documents 
 from the same source. Governor B. retired to private 
 life after four years of unusually successful adminis- 
 tration amid plaudits that are universal throughout the 
 State. For many years eminent and capable men 
 have filled the executive chair of this State, but in 
 painstaking vigilance, in stern good sense, in genuine 
 public spirit, in thorough integrity and in practical 
 capacity, Henry P. Baldwin has shown himself to be 
 the peer of any or all of them. The State has been un- 
 usually prosperous during his two terms, and the State 
 administration has fully ke|;)t pace with the needs of 
 the times. The retiring Governor has fully earned 
 the pubhc gratitude and confidence which he to-day 
 possesses to such remarkable degree." 
 
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 OHN JUDSON BAGLEY, 
 ■^^ Governor of Michigan from 
 if^7 3 to 1877, was born in 
 Medina, Orleans Co., N. V., 
 July 24, 1832. His father, John 
 Bagley, was a native of New 
 Hampshire, his motiier, Mary M. 
 Bagley, of Connecticut. He at- 
 tended the district school of Lock- 
 ' *^ port, N. Y., until he was eight years 
 old, at which time his father moved 
 to Constantine, Mich., and he at- 
 tended the common schools of that 
 village. His early experience was 
 like that of many country boys whose 
 parents removed from Eastern States 
 to the newer portion of the West. 
 His father being in very poor circum- 
 stances, Mr. B. was obliged to work 
 JuMu as soon as he was able to do so. 
 wij( Leaving school when 13 years of age 
 he entered a country store in Constan- 
 j?j tine as clerk. His father tjien re- 
 Lj,|) moved toOwosso, 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 [X)sition for about five years. 
 
 In 1853, he began business for himself in the man- 
 ufacturing of tobacco. His establishment has become 
 
 one of the largest of the kind in the West. Mr. B. 
 has also been greatly interested in other manufactur- 
 ing enterprises, as well as in mining, banking and in- 
 surance corporations. He was President of the 
 Detroit Safe Company for several years. He was one 
 of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insur- 
 ance Company of Detroit, and was its President from 
 1867 to 1872. He was a director of the Amer- 
 ican National Bank for many years, and a stock- 
 holder and director in various other corporations. 
 Mr. B. was a member of the Board of Education two 
 years, and of the Detroit Common Council the same 
 length of time. In 1865 he was appointed by Gover- 
 nor Crapo one of the first commissioners of the 
 Metropolitian police force of the city of Detroit, serv- 
 ing six years. In November, 1872, he was elected 
 Governor of Michigan, and two years later was re- 
 elected to the same office, retiring in January, 1877. 
 He was an active worker in the Republican party, and 
 for many years was Chairman of the Republican 
 State Central committee. 
 
 Governor Bagley was quite liberal in his religious 
 views and was an attendant of the Unitarian Church. 
 He aimed to be able to hear and consider any new 
 thought, from whatever source itmay come, but was not 
 bound by any religious creed or formula. He held 
 in respect all religious opinions, believing that no one 
 can be injured by a firm adherence to a faith or de- 
 nomination. He was married at Dubuque, Iowa, Jan. 
 16, 1855, to Frances E. Newberry, daughter of Rev. 
 Samuel Newberry, a pioneer missionary of Michigan, 
 who took an active part in the early educational mat- 
 ters of the State and in the establishment of its ex- 
 cellent system of education. It was principally 
 
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 JOHN J. BAGLEY. 
 
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 through his exertions that the State University was 
 founded. Mr. B.'s family consists of seven children. 
 
 As Governor his administration was charac- 
 terized by several important features, chief among 
 which were his efforts to improve and make popular 
 the educational agencies of the State by increasing 
 the faculty of the University for more thorough in- 
 struction in technicalstudies,by strengthening the liold 
 of the Agricultural ("ollege uix)n the public good will 
 and making the general change which has manifested 
 itself in many scattered primary districts. Among 
 others were an almost complete revolution in the 
 management of the penal and charitable institutions 
 of the State; the passage of the liipior-ta.x law, taking 
 the place of the dead letter of prohibition; the estab- 
 lishing of the system of dealing with juvenile offend- 
 ers through county agents, which has proved of great 
 good in turning the young back from crime and plac- 
 ing the State in the attitude of a moral agent; in se- 
 curing for the militia the first time in the history of 
 Michigan a systematized organization uix)n a service- 
 able footing. It was ujxDn 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 uf Gov. B.'s adminis- 
 tration. 
 
 As Governor, he felt that he represented the State 
 — not in a narrow, egotistical way, but in the same 
 sense that a faithful, trusted, confidential agent rep- 
 resents his employer, and as the Executive of the 
 State he was her " attorney in fact." And his intelli- 
 gent, thoughtful care will long continue the pride of 
 the people he so much loved. He was ambitious — 
 ambitious for place and power, as every noble mind 
 is ambitious, because these give opportunity. How- 
 ever strong the mind and powerful the will, if there 
 be no ambition, life is a failure. He was not blind to 
 the fact that the more we have the more is required 
 of us. He accepted it in its fullest meaning. He 
 had great hopes for his State and his country. He had 
 liis ideas of what they should be. \\'ith 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. 
 
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 His whole life was a battle for others; nnd lie entered- \' 
 tlie conflict eagerly and hopefully. ^ 
 
 His State papers were models of compact, busi- ^« 
 ness-like statements, bold, original, and brimful of T 
 practical suggestions, and liis administrations will long t6) 
 be considered as among tlie ablest in this or any 
 other State. 
 
 His noble, generous nature made his innumerable 
 benefactions a source of continuous pleasure. Liter- 
 ally, to him it was " more blessed to give than to 
 receive." 
 
 His greatest enjoyment was in witnessing the com- 
 fort and happiness of others. Not a tithe of his char- 
 ities were known to his most intimate friends, or even 
 to his family. Many a needy one has been the recipi- 
 ent of aid at an opportune moment, who never knew 
 the hand that gave. 
 
 At one time a friend had witnessed his ready re- 
 sponse to some charitable request, and said to him : 
 "Governor, you give away a large sum of money ; about 
 how much does your charities amount to in a year?" 
 He turned at once and said: " I do not know, sir; I 
 do not allow myself to know. I hope I gave more 
 this year than I did last, and hope I shall give more 
 next year than I have this." This expressed his idea == 
 of charity, that the giving should at all times be free '^ 
 and spontaneous. 
 
 During his leasure hours from early life, and espe- ( 
 cially during the last few years, he devoted much time 
 to becoming acquainted with the best authors. Biog- 
 ra])hy was his delight; the last he read was the "Life 
 and Work 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 
 liis elegant home was a study and a pleasure (^ 
 to his many friends, who always found there a | 
 hearty welcome. At Christmas time he would spend %,^ 
 days doing the work of Santa Claus. Every Christmas 7X 
 eve he gathered his children about him and, taking \l^ 
 the youngest on his lap, told some Ciiristmas story, ^ 
 closing the entertainment with "The Night Before ^J 
 Christmas," or Dickens's " Christmas Carol." ^L 
 
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 GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
 ^m CHARLES M. CROSAVELE, 
 
 
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 HARLES M. CROSWELL, 
 I') (lovernor of Michigan from 
 "Jan. 3, 1877 to Jan. i, 1881, 
 was born at Newburg, Orange 
 County, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1825. 
 He is the only son of John and 
 Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. His 
 father, who was of Scotch-Irish 
 extraction, was a paper-maker, 
 and carried on business in New 
 York City. His ancestors on 
 his mother's side were of Knicker- 
 bocker descent. The Croswell 
 family may be found connected 
 with prominent events, in New York 
 and Connecticut, in the early exis- 
 tence of the Republic. Harry Cros- 
 well, during the administration of 
 I't] President Jefferson, published a pa- 
 per called the Balance^ and was 
 w®' prosecuted for libeling the President 
 7iM under the obnoxious Sedition Law. 
 'w' He was defended by the celebrated 
 I Alexander Hamilton, and the decis- 
 ion of the case establised the important ruling that 
 the truth might Ije shown in cases of libel. Another 
 member of the family was Edwin Croswell, tlie fam- 
 ous editor of the Albany Ar^iis ; 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 preced- 
 ing 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 car- 
 penter's trade, and worked at it very diligently for 
 four years, maintaining himself, and devoting his spare 
 time to reading and the acquirement of knowledge. 
 In 1846, he began the study of law, and was ap- 
 pointed 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, betook i)art in the first movements 
 for the formation of the Republican party, and was a 
 member and Secretary of the convetion held at Jack- 
 son in that year, which put in the field the first Re- 
 publican State ticket in Michigan. In 1855, he 
 formed a law partnership with the present Chief-Jus- 
 tice Cooley, which continued until the removal of 
 Judge Cooley to Ann Arbor. 
 
 In 1862, Mr. Croswell was appointed City Attorney 
 of .'\drian. 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 1866, during each term filling the posi- 
 tions 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 de- 
 livered an elaborate speech in favor of the Proclama- 
 
 
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 162 
 
 CHARLES M. CROSWELL. 
 
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 tion of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln, 
 and of his general [Xjlicy in the prosecution of the 
 war. This, at the request of his Reiniblican associ- 
 ates, was afterwards published. In 1S67, he was 
 elected a member (>( the Constitutional Convention, 
 and chosen its presiding officer. This convention 
 was composed of an able body of men ; and though, 
 in the general distrust of constitutional changes 
 which for some years had been taking possession of 
 the people, their labors were not accepted by the pop- 
 ular vote, it was always conceded that the constitu- 
 tion they proixjsed had been prepared with great care 
 and skill. 
 
 In 1868, Mr. Croswell was chosen an Elector on 
 the Republican Presidential ticket; in 1872, was 
 elected a Representative to the State Legislature 
 from Lenawee County, and was chosen !^peaker of 
 the House of Representatives. At the close of the 
 session of that tody his abilities as a parliamentarian, 
 and the fairness of his rulings were freely and form- 
 ally acknowledged by his associates ; and he was pre- 
 sented with a superb collection of their portraits 
 handsomely framed. He was, also, for several years, 
 Secretary of the State Board for the general supervis- 
 ion of the charitable and penal institutions of Michi- 
 gan; in which position, his propositions for the amel- 
 ioration of the condition of the unfortunate, and the 
 reformation of the criminal classes, signalize the be- 
 nevolence of his nature, and the practical character 
 of his mind. 
 
 In 1876, the general voice of the Republicans of 
 the State indicted Mr. Croswell as their choice for 
 Governor; and, at the State Convention of the party 
 in .\ugust of the same year, he was put in nomination 
 by acclamation, without the formality of a ballot. .At 
 the election in November following, he was chosen to 
 the high position for which he had been nominated, 
 by a very large majority over all opposing candidates. 
 His inaugural message was received with general 
 favor; and his career as Governor was marked with 
 the same qualities of head and heart that have ever 
 distinguished him, both as a citizen and statesman. 
 
 Governor Groswell has always prepared his ad- 
 dresses with care ; and, as his diction is terse, clear, 
 and strong, without e.xcess of ornament, and his de- 
 liver)- 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 .\drain. .\t the formal 
 opening of the Central School building in that city, 
 ou the 24th day of April, 1869, he gave, in a public 
 address, an " Historical Sketch of the Adrian Public 
 Schools." 
 
 In his private life. Governor Croswell has been as 
 exemplary as in his public career he has been suc- 
 cessful and useful. In February, 1S52, he was mar- 
 ried to a daughter of Morton Eddy, Lucy M. Eddy, 
 a lady of many amiable and sunny qualities. She 
 suddenly died, March 19, 1868, leaving two daugh- 
 ters and a sou. Ciovernor Croswell is not a member 
 of any religious body, but generally attends the Pres- 
 byterian Church. He pursues the profession of law, 
 but of late has been occupied mainly in the care of his 
 own interests, and the quiet duties of advice in 
 business difficulties, for which his unfailing pru- 
 dence and sound judgment eminently fit him. Gov- 
 ernor Croswell is truly jiopular, not only with those of 
 like political faith with himself, but with those who 
 differ from him in this regard. 
 
 During Gov. Croswell's administration the public 
 debt was greatly reduced ; a policy adopted requiring 
 the State institutions to keep within the limit of ap- 
 propriations; laws enacted to provide more effectually 
 for the punishment of corruption and bribrery in elec- 
 tions; the State House of Correction at Ionia and the 
 Eastern Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac were opened, 
 and the new capital at Lansing was completed and 
 occupied. The first act of his second term was to pre- 
 side at the dedication of this buildiiig The great riot 
 at Jackson occured during his administration, and it 
 was only bv his promptness that great distruction of 
 both life and properly ^ .<= invented at tha" time. 
 
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 GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 DAVID H. JEROME, Gover- 
 
 Ifoiior of from Jan. i, 1881, to 
 Jan. I, 1883, was born at De- 
 troit, Mich., Nov. 17, 1829. 
 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 tlie time of his 
 death were grown up sons, the off- 
 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 1834, 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 ster- 
 ling integrity that have been so characteristic of tlie 
 man in the active duties of life. He was sent to the 
 district school, and in the acquisition of tlie funda- 
 mental branches of learning he displayed a precocity 
 and an application which won for him the admiration 
 of his teachers, and always placed him at the head 
 of his classes. In the meantime he did chores on 
 the farm, and was always ready with a cheerful heart 
 and willing hand to assist his widowed mother. The 
 heavy labor of the farm was carried on by his two 
 
 
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 older brothers, Timothy and Cieorge, and when 13 
 years of age David received his mother's permission to 
 attend school at the St. Clair Academy. While attend- 
 ing there he lived with Marcus H. Miles, now de- 
 ceased, 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 Sena- 
 tor Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, a rival candidate 
 before the gubernatorial convention in 18S0. He 
 completed his education in the fall of his i6th year, 
 and the following winter assisted his brother Timothy 
 Ml hauling logs in the pine woods. The next summer 
 he rafted logs down the St. Clair River to Algonac. 
 
 In 1847, M. H. Miles being Clerk in St. Clair Coun- 
 ty, and Volney A. Ripley Register of Deeds, David 
 H. Jerome was appointed Deputy to each, remaining 
 as such during 1848-49, and receiving much ])raise 
 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 i84g-'5o, he abandoned office work, and for the 
 proper development of liis physical system spent 
 several months hauling logs. In the spring of 1850, 
 his brother "Tiff" and himself chartered the steamer 
 "Chautauqua," and "Young Dave" became her mas- 
 ter. 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 
 
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 £>A VID H. JEROME. 
 
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 vessels could carry only about 10,000 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 sum- 
 mer's work, but subsequently lost it all on a contract 
 to raise the "(len. 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 i , he was clerk and acting master of the 
 steamers "Franklin Moore" and "Ruby," plying be- 
 tween Detroit and Port Huron and Goderich. The 
 following year he was clerk of the propeller "Prince- 
 ton." running l)etween Detroit and Buffalo. 
 
 In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California, 
 by way of the Isthmus, and enjoyed extraordinary 
 success in selling goods in a new place of his selec- 
 tion, among the mountains near Marysville He re- 
 mained there during the sunnner, and located the 
 Live Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded 
 millions to its owners, and is still a paying investment. 
 He planned and put a tunnel 600 feet into tlie 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 liome in St. Clair County, 
 about a year 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 Black- 
 mer & 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 ex- 
 tensively 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 Repub- 
 lican 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 com- 
 missioned by Gov. Austin Blair to raise one of the 
 
 six regiments apportioned to the State of Michigan. 
 Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held 
 meetings at various points. The zeal and enthusiasm 
 displayed by this advocate of the Union awakened a 
 feeling of patriotic interest in the breasts of many 
 brave men, and in a short space of time the 23d 
 Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Infantry was placed 
 in the field, and subsequently gained for itself a liril- 
 liant 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 op- 
 ponent. The contest was very exciting, and resulted 
 in tlie triumphant election of Mr. Jerome. He was 
 twice renominated and elected both times l)y in- 
 creased majorities, defeating George Lord, of Bay 
 City, and Dr. Cheseman, of Gratiot County. On tak- 
 ing his seat in the Senate, he was appointed Chair- 
 man of the Committee on .State Affairs, and was ac- 
 tive 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 1865 was appointed a member of the State 
 Military Board, and served as its President for eight 
 consecutive years. In 1873, 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 1S75, Mr. Jerome was appointed a memberof 
 the Board of Indian Commissioners. In I876 he was 
 Chairman of a commission to visit Chief Joseph, the 
 Nez Perce Indian, to arrange an amicable settlement 
 of all existing difficulties. The commission went to 
 Portland, Oregon, thence to the Blue Hills, in Idaho, 
 a distance of 600 miles up the Columbia River. 
 
 At the Republican State Convention, convened at 
 Jackson in August, 1880, Mr. Jerome was placed in 
 the field for nomination, and on the 5 th day of the 
 month received the highest, honor the convention 
 could confer on any one. His opponent was Freder- 
 ick M. Holloway, of Hillsdale County, who was sup- 
 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 within their gift. 
 
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 GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN 
 
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 OSIAH \V. BEGOLE, the 
 ;jj» present (1883), Clovenior of 
 ^ Michigan was born in Living- 
 ston, County, N. V., Jan. 20, 
 18 15. His ancestors were of 
 French descent, and settled at 
 an early period in the State of 
 Maryland. His grandfather, Capt. 
 i BoUes, of that State, was an offi- 
 
 'Xfy\ cer in the American army durinjj 
 ' \^ the war of the Revolution. 
 
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 M the beginnmg of the present cent- 
 ury both his grandparents, liaving 
 become dissatisfied with the insti- 
 tution of slavery, although slave- 
 \'f holders themselves, emigrated to 
 \ 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 18 12. 
 Mr. B. received his early education in a log school- 
 house, and subsequently attended the Temple Hill 
 Academy, at Geneseo, N. Y. Being tlie eldest of a 
 family of ten children, whose parents were in moder- 
 ate though comfortable circumstances, he was early 
 taught habits of industry, and when 2 1 years of age, 
 being ambitious to better his condition in life, he re- 
 solved to seek his fortune in the far West, as it was 
 
 then called. In August, 1836, he left the parental 
 roof to seek a home in tlie Territory of Michigan 
 then an almost unbroken wilderness. He settled in 
 Genesee County, and aided with his own hands in 
 luiilding some of the early residences in what is now 
 known as tlie city of Flint. There were but four or 
 five houses where this flourishing city now stands 
 when he selected it as his home. 
 
 Li 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 en- 
 joy with him the comforts of an honestly earned com- 
 petence, Mr. Begole ascribes largely his success in 
 life. Immediately after his marriage he commenced 
 work on an unimproved farm, where, by his perse- 
 verance and energy, he soon established a good home, 
 and at the end of eighteen years was the owner of a 
 well improved farm of five hundred acres. 
 
 Mr. Begole being an anti-slavery man, became a 
 member of the Republican party at its organization. 
 He served his toivnsmen in various offices, and was 
 in 1856, elected County Treasurer, which office he 
 held for eight years. 
 
 .\t the breaking out of the Rebellion he did not 
 carry a musket to the front, but his many friends will 
 bear witness that he took an active part in recruiting 
 and furnishing supplies for the army, and in looking 
 after the interests of soldiers' families at home. The 
 death of his eldest son near .\tlanta, Ga., by a Confed- 
 rate bullet, in 1864, was the greatest sorrow of his life. 
 When a few years later he was a member in Congress 
 
 
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T<>DIl^;DDr1>v 
 
 170 
 
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 JOSIAH W. BEGOLE. 
 
 Gov. Begole voted and worked for the soldiers' 
 bounty equalization bill, an act doing justice to the 
 soldier who bore the burden and heat of the day, and 
 who should fare equally with him who came in at the 
 eleventh hour. That bill was defeated in the House 
 on account of the large appropriation that would be 
 required to pay the same. 
 
 In 1870, Gov. Begole was nominated by acclama- 
 tion for the office of State Senator, and elected by a 
 large majority. In that body he served on the Com- 
 mittees of Finance and Railroads, and was Chairman 
 of the Committee on the Institute for the Deaf and 
 Dumb and Blind. He took a liberal and public- 
 spirited view of the importance of a new capitol 
 building worthy of the State, and was an active mem- 
 ber of the Committee that drafted the bill for the 
 same He was a delegate to the National Republi- 
 can Convention held at Philadelphia in 1872, and 
 was the chosen member of that delegation to go to 
 Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator 
 Wilson of their nominations. It was while at that 
 convention that, by the express wish of his many 
 friends, he was induced to offer himself a can- 
 didate for the nomination of member to tlie 43d Con- 
 gress, in which he was successful, after competing for 
 the nomination with several of the most worthy, able 
 and experienced men in the Sixth Congressional Dis- 
 trict, and was elected by a very large 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 ap- 
 pointed by that committee to draft the most impor- 
 tant report made by that committee, and upon the 
 only subject recommended by the President in his 
 message, which he did and the 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 Gubernatorip.l election of 1882, Mr. Begole 
 was the candidate of both the Greenback and Dem- 
 ocratic parties, and was elected by a vote of 154,269, 
 the Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome, 
 
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 receiving 149,697 votes. Mr. Begole, in entering 
 upon his duties as Governor, has manifested a spirit 
 that has already won him many friends, and bids fair 
 to make his administration both successful and pop- 
 ular. 
 
 The very best indications of what a man is, is what 
 his own townsmen think of him. We give the fol- 
 lowing extract from the Flint Globe, the leading Re- 
 publican paper m Gov. Begole's own county, and it, 
 too, written during the heat of a political campaign, 
 which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his ster- 
 ling worth : 
 
 " So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the 
 ticket, is concerned, there is nothing detrimental to 
 his character that can be alleged against him. He 
 has sometimes changed his mind in politics, but for 
 sincerity of his beliefs and the earnestness of his pur- 
 pose nobody who knows him entertains a doubt. He 
 is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bit- 
 terest [wlitical 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 signif- 
 icant of a man's character than words There are 
 many scores of men in all parts of the State where 
 Mr. Begole is acquainted, who have had practical 
 demonstrations of these facts, and who are liable to 
 step outside of party lines to show that they do not 
 forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he 
 was a leader in what would not necessarily prove a 
 forlorn hope. But the Republican party in Michigan 
 is too strong to be beaten by a combination of Demo- 
 crats and Greenbackers, even if it is marshaled by so 
 good a man as Mr. Begole." 
 
 This sketch would be imperfect without referring 
 to the action of Mr. B. at the time of the great calamity 
 that in 1881 overtook the people of Northeastern 
 Michigan, in a few hours desolating whole counties 
 by fire and destroying the results and accumulations 
 of such hard work as only falls to the lot of pioneers. 
 While the Port Huron and Detroit committees were 
 quarrehng over the distribution of funds, Mr. Begole 
 wrote to an agent in the "|bumt 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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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 HE value of history lies, in 
 a great degree, in the biog- 
 raphy of the personages con- 
 cerned therein. The annals 
 of the settlers delineate the 
 pioneer period, while those of the 
 later residents exhibit the progress 
 of the country and the status of 
 the present generation. Midland 
 County gives a vivid illustration 
 of these statements ; but its won- 
 derful pioneer era laps upon its 
 present period in a manner so grad- 
 ual that there is really no dis- 
 tinctive line of demarcation. Many 
 of those whose efforts gave the 
 country its earliest impetus may still be seen upon 
 its thoroughfares ; many of the characters in the day 
 of its first things are still on the stage, and watch 
 with keen-eyed alertness the manipulations, successes 
 and reverses of the present day, still jealous for the 
 reputation of the county and eagerly solicitous for 
 her substantial and permanent progress. 
 
 The compilers of these records strive to establish 
 their claim for biographical integrity, preparing the 
 matter from the stand-point of no man's prejudice. 
 The full scope of the personal record here is to 
 demonstrate the exact relation of every individual 
 
 #>#- 
 
 C^ 
 
 represented to the generations of the past and of the 
 present. 
 
 Succeeding ages sweep away the debris of human 
 errors and perpetuate the real greatness of a com- 
 munity. Character stands out statuesque, and 
 events cluster about individuals, forming the grandest 
 and truest historical structure of which any age is 
 capable. Only biography can fitly represent the 
 foundation, progress and idtimatujti of local history, 
 and portray with perfect justice the precise attitude 
 and relation of men to events and conditions. 
 
 Midland County is justly proud of her pioneer 
 record, and, so far as possible, the publishers have 
 endeavored to honor the representatives of that pe- 
 riod as well as those of to-day. Labor and suffering, 
 undergone in the light of hope and the earnestness 
 of honest effort and toil, established this county in 
 permanent prosperity, and is rounding up a period of 
 glorious completeness. Her villages are creditable, 
 and her agricultural community is composed of the 
 best classes. 
 
 In collecting the following sketches the purpose 
 has been to collect the main points of personal 
 record, through which the enterprise of decades to 
 follow may complete a perfect and continuous histori- 
 cal outline from the earliest settlement of the county 
 to the present time. 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 \\(m. HENRY HART, Judge 
 of the 2 1 St Judicial Cir- 
 cuit of Michigan, resident 
 at Midland, was born May 
 13, 1840, in China, St. 
 i<>j-^. ,. . ^-..n.- . -^^^' Clair Co., Mich. His line 
 ''^Nr^ ' ^ °^ descent is purely Anier- 
 
 ©j'-^pK" ican, the ancestors of iiis parents 
 ^'j|^ having been born in the State of 
 6\^|@^ New York. His father, Silas S. Hart, 
 ^' was a native of Long Island, and was 
 
 born July 20, 1804. His mother, 
 Maria (Hart) Hart, was born July 
 27, 1807, in the western part of the 
 Empire State. Her demise occurred 
 in June, 1875. The death of the 
 father took place in September, 1870. 
 
 Not long after the event of their marriage the 
 parents of Judge Hart settled in St. Clair Co., Mich. 
 The Peninsular State was then in its Territorial 
 days, and they were among the pioneer element 
 whose labors and efforts established the prosperity 
 and rank of one of the best sections of Michigan. 
 They located in primeval forest, built a humble 
 home and devoted tlje strength of their lives to tlie 
 progress and advancement of the place of their 
 choice, and the community of which they were a 
 
 part, which they lived to see in a condition that 
 creditably rivaled the old-settled places in the East. 
 They reared their family of five children in the pur- 
 suit of labor on the farm, which was alternated by 
 attendance at the common schools. 
 
 At the age of 15 years Judge Hart went to Mt. 
 Clemens and became a member of the household of 
 R. P. Eldridge, attorney. He remained there about 
 20 months, engaged in alternate labor and study. 
 He became respectably proficient in scholarship and 
 engaged in teacliing a district school in the winter 
 prior to his reaching the age of 18 years. He pur- 
 sued that calling six winters, spending the remainder 
 of the years in the pursuit of agriculture, save one 
 summer' when he attended school at St. Clair. He 
 determined upon the profession of an attorney and 
 returned to Mt. Clemens, where he read law under 
 the direction of Mr. Eldridge, and in the fall of 
 1863 he matriculated in the Law Department of the 
 University of Michigan, where he was graduated 
 in the spring of 1865 with the degree of B. LL. In 
 July following he fixed his residence at Midland, 
 where he entered upon his career as an attorney and 
 in a brief time secured a substantial practice and a 
 firm hold on the confidence of the community, to 
 which he proved a valuable accession. 
 
 Judge Hart was married Feb. 4, 1869, to Maria 
 Parsons. She was born April 17, 1844, in China, 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 and is the daughter of William and Lavinia (Weeks) 
 Parsons. Two children, Ray and Mary, constitute 
 the issue of this marriage, the one born April 21, 
 1872, the other Feb. 27, 1876, at Midland. 
 
 His public life commenced in the fall of 1866, 
 when he was appointed Justice of the Peace to fill 
 an unexpired term. In the fall of 1866 he was 
 elected Prosecuting Attorney of Midland County, 
 and in 1868 was re-elected to the same position. In 
 the fall of 1870 he was elected Circuit-Court Com- 
 missioner, and two years later was his own successor 
 by re-election. He was elected Representative 
 from his district in the autumn of 1874 and dis- 
 charged the duties of the position through the 
 session of the winter of 1874-5. His personal service 
 in the Legislature included the Chairmanship on the 
 Committee on Municipal Corporations, and he 
 officiated as a member of the Committee on Enroll- 
 ment and Engrossing of Bills. 
 
 In the spring of 1875 he resigned his post as 
 Representative to render himself eligible to the posi- 
 tion of Circuit Judge, which he has since held con- 
 tinuously. His circuit includes the counties of 
 Midland, Isabella, Clare, Gladwin and Gratiot. 
 
 The character and career of Judge Hart afford a 
 lesson of intense significance to the aspirants of the 
 times. The traits by which he is characterized have 
 won for him his unwavering popularity, and substan- 
 tiated his position in public life from the outset. His 
 course has been marked by no comet-like brilliancy 
 or spasmodic prominence. He has kept the even 
 temper of a man of inflexible principle, sound judg- 
 ment and manly dignity. The two latter character- 
 istics make him eminent on the Bench. His bearing 
 is always compatible with the character of the posi- 
 tion he occupies, and his perfect self-poise secures 
 the utmost degree of harmony in the sessions over 
 which he presides. The advocates who plead in his 
 courts acknowledge the power and the influence of 
 his unwavering demeanor ; and his entire official 
 record is marked by the traits which distinguish him. 
 His deliberation amounts nearly to dilatoriness, but 
 the character of his decisions is evident from the 
 favor they meet in the higher tribunals. He is an 
 excellent jurist, an impartial judge and an admirable 
 exponent of law. The rectitude of his private 
 character, his dignified solicitude for the faithful dis- 
 charge of the trusts confided to him, his manner and 
 
 methods in the management of his judicial obliga- 
 tions and connections, render him conspicuous. His 
 official position sought him out at the threshold of 
 his prime, and his character and acts have made his 
 subsequent career one of credit to himself, and re- 
 flects honor upon his constituency. 
 
 1'^! pf'||t'nstice C. Perry, mechanic and farmer, sec- 
 yit^^iu" tion 20, Lee Township, was born in Chau- 
 l^''^ • t^'"l"a Co., N. Y., July 18, 1827 ; when he 
 ^ gharri ved at the age of nine years, the family 
 It moved to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and in that 
 S county, when of age, he married Miss Eliza A. 
 Herrick, who was born in Hampshire, Mass., Dec. 
 14, 1829, and whose parents were New Englanders, 
 of English ancestry. At the age of ten years she 
 was taken by her parents, changing residence, into 
 Berkshire County, same State, afterward to Ashta- 
 bula Co., Ohio, where she remained with them until her 
 marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Perry are now the parents 
 of six children, all living and married, and residing in 
 this and Isabella Counties. Their names are Theo- 
 dore, Flora, Charlotte, Charles, Medora and Ellen. 
 
 After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Perry settled in 
 Colebrook, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where Mr. P. fol- 
 lowed his trade as carpenter, which he had learned 
 as a regular apprentice when a youth. During the 
 war he enlisted for the Union, in Co. E, 6th Ohio 
 Cav., in the Army of the Potomac, his company being 
 commanded by Capt. Wm. J. Gray. He was in the 
 service 27 months, the whole time as Sergeant, being 
 in all the engagements of that division of the army 
 until he was wounded at Aldie, Va. His horse being 
 shot under him, he fell and his right hip was put out 
 of joint. Shortly afterward, Jan. 15, 1865, he was dis- 
 charged for disability. 
 
 Returning from the war he located again at Cole- 
 brook, where he remained until the spring of 18S0, 
 when he came to this county and settled upon a 
 quarter of section 20, where he now resides, which he 
 had purchased in 1875. Here he has made con- 
 siderable improvement, and deeded most of the place 
 to his children. He and his wife are members of the 
 Old-School Baptist Church, he j# a Republican in his 
 political views, and he has held the minor offices of 
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 ^I^^L,, achariah N. Hewitt, deceased, was born 
 gj^^r Sept. 1 1, 1 834, at Prattsburg, N. Y., and was 
 ■I'lip^'^ a son of William A. and Hannah C. (Hyatt) 
 •7|w^ Hewitt. His father was born Nov. 25, 18 12, 
 ^iv. at Saratoga, N. Y., a lawyer by profession, and 
 
 I one of the first settlers of Clinton Co., this 
 State; he moved to this State when Zachariah was 
 about 18 months old. and here died, Feb. 12, 1863. 
 The mother, who was bom March 15, 1813, in 
 Orange Co., N. Y., was married a second time, to the 
 youngest brother of her deceased husband, and is at 
 present living at Maple Rapids, Clinton Co., this 
 State. Their daughter, Mrs. Fannie M. Brown, was 
 the first white child born in Clinton County. 
 
 Zachariah remained at home until 17 years of age, 
 when he went forth upon the sea of time to battle 
 against the elements of disappointment and ad- 
 versity alone. He engaged in "driving" logs on the 
 Muskegon River for a time, and then wor'ked at his 
 trade, blacksmithing, which he had learned pre- 
 viously. He continued to work at his trade, lumber- 
 ing more or less during winters, until 1856. Jan. 17 
 of that year he was united in marriage to Miss 
 America L., daughter of Theodore P. and Abigail 
 A. (Bristol) Hoyt. She was born May r7, 1837, in 
 Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., and is the mother, to 
 Mr. Hewitt, of two children, namely : Ambrose T., 
 born Jan. 4, 1857, in Maple Rapids, Clinton Co., this 
 State, and Ion N., born Feb. 16, 1869, in the same 
 place. The father of Mrs. Hewitt was a native of 
 Hooperstown, in the Empire State, born Aug. 25, 
 1816, and died July 2, 1873. The mother was born 
 Feb. 28, 18 17, at Smith ville, Chenango Co., N. Y. 
 
 After marriage Mr. Hewitt worked his father's 
 farm for a year, then engaged in a grocery store at 
 Maple Rapids, and continued the business for about 
 two years, until 1859, when he sold the same. 
 April 22, of the latter date, he started overland for 
 the land of gold. His intention on leaving home 
 was to go to Pike's Peak, but en route he heard so 
 many discouraging reports of that place that he 
 changed his mind, and meeting with some friends 
 from Gratiot County on the way to California, he 
 accompanied them. On arriving at the latter place 
 he engaged in mining, and followed the same for 
 
 some three years and nine months, when he returned 
 home by water. On his arrival home he rented a 
 grist-mill, which he ran for a short time and then 
 purchased an interest in the same and continued to 
 o|)erate it for about three years. At the expiration 
 of the latter date, he rented the mill and went to 
 Pike's Peak, was gone less than a year, and return- 
 ing, ran his mill for a time, then sold it and pur- 
 chased a saw-mill in Maple Rapids. He ran the 
 saw-mill for two years, then sold it and purchased a 
 grocery in Maple Rapids; conducted that business 
 for about a year, when he sold it to the party who 
 owned the building. His next move was to Ten- 
 nessee, when he came home and engaged in the 
 brick business near Maple Rapids for a season. 
 
 May I, 1878, Mr. H. moved to Gratiot County, 
 and located in Bethany Township. It was on a 
 wild, unimproved piece of land, and he erected a 
 frame house and commenced clearing and improving 
 the land. He remained on that place three years, 
 then exchanged it for a stock of goods in Brecken- 
 ridge, Gratiot County. He conducted the mercan- 
 tile business at that point for about 18 months, when 
 he moved his stock of goods and family to Button- 
 ville, this County, where his f;imily are at present 
 residing. He came to Buttonville Nov. i, 1S82, and 
 soon after arriving was taken sick. His sickness 
 affected his mind, and on June 7, the following year, 
 he left home and wandered into the woods, since 
 which time nothing has been seen of or heard from 
 him. Diligent search was made, and he was tracked 
 to the woods, but there all trace of him was lost, 
 and his grave is supposed to be under the shade of 
 the pines. 
 
 '; 1^1^ ohn Frederick Rose, farmer, section i6, 
 '■ifv^'j Geneva Township, was born near Berlin, 
 vi'V'"'*^ Prussia, March 20, 1836, and is a son of 
 h& John and Mary (Spencer) Rose, both the latter 
 ^P of whom died in their native land, Prussia. 
 
 l"^ The subject of this sketch landed at New 
 York city April 20, 1873, went to Welland, Canada, 
 and followed farming, most of the time on rented 
 ground, then came to this county, arriving at North 
 Bradley March i, 1880, where he settled on a quar- 
 ter-section of unimproved land, which he had pur- 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 chased the previous February on a visit here. Of 
 this tract he has since deeded 40 acres to his son, 
 August, and has about 20 acres cleared. 
 
 Nov. 2, 1862, Mr. Rose married Miss Mary Ann, 
 daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Wolf) Hoffman. 
 Her mother died about 40 years ago, and her father 
 about seven years ago, in Germany. Mrs. Rose was 
 born Oct. 25, 1835, near Berlin, Prussia; and the 
 children born to her and Mr. Rose are : August, 
 born March i, 1863; Charles W., April 26, 1870; 
 Otto Arndt, Dec. 7, 1872; May Ann, Feb. 11, 1875 ; 
 John Frederick, Dec. 25, i860, died, near Berlin, his 
 native place, Oct. 30, 1866 ; and Anna, born June 22, 
 1865, near Berlin, died May 25, 1870. The first 
 three above mentioned were born at the old Prussian 
 home, and May Ann was born in Canada. 
 
 Mr. Rose was in the war of 1866 between Austria 
 and Prussia 16 weeks, but in no battles ; was also in 
 the Franco-German war of 1 870-1, engaging in the 
 battles of Metz, Strasburg and Sedan, and was sta- 
 tioned at Chalons, guarding prisoners. He was in 
 the last war about nine months. 
 
 In his views of American politics, Mr. Rose main- 
 tains the platform of the Republican party; is now 
 holding the office of School Moderator, and both 
 himself and wife are members of the German Epis- 
 copal Church. 
 
 illiam Mixer, residing at Midland City, is 
 a son of William and Fanny (Dickerson) 
 jj^^/^'^' Mixer; and was born in Ellisburg Town- 
 j|^> ship, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1821. 
 His minority was passed on a farm, attend- 
 ing school in the winter seasons. Attaining his 
 majority, he left home, and having learned the ship 
 carpenter's trade near Sackett's Harbor, he followed 
 this for a number of years. About 1854 he came to 
 Marine City, St. Clair County, this State, where he 
 was similarly engaged for two years. At the expira- 
 tion of this time he rented a farm a mile and a half 
 north of Midland City, but was soon after burned 
 out, losing his household goods and clothing and part 
 of his crops. In the fall of 1865 he came to Mid- 
 land City and built a residence on Larkin Street, 
 with four lots, where he still lives. He followed 
 
 teaming for three or four years, then was appointed 
 
 Deputy Sheriff, which office he held several years, 
 and he is now Constable. For the last two years he 
 has been chiefly occupied in training horses, in which 
 he is very successful. 
 
 He was married in Jefferson Co., N. Y., to Miss 
 Adeline Read, daughter of Samuel and Sally Read, 
 and a native of Jefferson County. Three daughters 
 have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mixer. Hattie is 
 now the wife of Rev. Benjamin Reeve, pastor of 
 what is known as the Penoyer Farm Church (M. E.) 
 at Saginaw. Addie is the wife of William Cook, a 
 fanner of Midland Township. Blanche, who is still 
 at home, is a teacher in the city schools. 
 
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 Syron Bureh, attorney, at Midland, was 
 |£ born Oct. 12, 1850, in London, Canada. 
 
 His father, Lewis Burch, was born in the ( N 
 State of New York, Aug. 8, 1825. He was a 
 farmer and bridge-builder, and died Nov. 26, /A^ 
 i860. The mother, Julia (Freeman) Burch, a 
 was born Aug. 15, 1826, and is yet living, in London, ^» 
 Canada. ^ 
 
 Mr. Burch came to St. Clair Co., Mich , in his boy- 
 hood on a -visit to friends, and several repetitions of 
 his visit awakened in him a liking for the regulations 
 and customs in that section of the Peninsular Slate, 
 and he finally came to Brockway and engaged one 
 year in teaching in the vicinity. He taught one 
 winter near Lakeport in the same county, and went 
 thence to Ypsilanti, for the purpose of obtaining the 
 advantages of the State Normal School. He studied 
 there three terms, alternating each with teaching. 
 He went next to Amadore, Sanilac County, where he 
 taught school one year. He also operated in a like 
 capacity at Ruby, St. Clair County, and returned to 
 Amadore, teaching a year at each place. As oppor- 
 tunity had served, he had passed considerable time 
 in reading law with Messrs. Devine & Wexon, of 
 Lexington, and also at Port Huron. In the fall of 
 1875 he went to Ann Arbor, where he entered the ^G) 
 Law Department of the University and completed 1 
 the required course of study. He came to Midland ti^ 
 in the spring of 1876 and became associated with ^ 
 M. H. Stanford, with whom he remained until the J^ 
 fall of 1877, when he opened his present office. (vTj 
 Meanwhile, in September, 1876, he was admitted to ^ 
 
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 practice in the State Courts of Michigan at Port 
 Huron. His legal practice is extended and pros- 
 perous, and he combines therewith transactions in 
 real estate and operates as an insurance agent, rep- 
 resenting the following companies : Fire Associa- 
 tion and Insurance Company of North America at 
 Philadelphia, Traders' of Chicago, Northern Insur- 
 ance and Norwich Union of England, and the Grand 
 Rapids Insurance Company. Associated with Dr. 
 W. E. Burtless, he owns upwards of 2,000 acres of 
 land in Larkin Township, and has other heavy real- 
 estate interests. In 1878 he acted as Attorney and 
 Clerk of the village of Midland. He is a member of 
 the Masonic Order. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Burch to Lena Cline occurred 
 June 15, 1872, at Port Huron. The three children 
 which constituted the issue of this marriage were 
 born as follows: Lewis, June 6, 1874, at Amadore; 
 Floyd, June 8, 1876; Edna was born Jan. 8, 1881, 
 and died .Sept. i, 1882. The two youngest were 
 born at Midland. 
 
 ! f B. Simons, farmer, merchant and shingle 
 
 Si manufacturer, residing at Coleman, Warren 
 r ^ Township, was born Oct. ig, 1846, in Ayl- 
 
 mer, Onl. 
 
 The father of Mr. Simons, John K. Simons, 
 
 was born Oct. 19, 1810, in West Flamboro, 
 Can., and died in Aylmer, Ont., in June, 1868, and 
 was of Scotch descent. The mother, Margaret 
 (Hopkins) Simons, was born June 22, 1812, in East 
 Flamboro, and is of English and German descent. 
 Slie is living with her son, the subject of this notice, 
 with whom slie has resided for seven years. The 
 father's family consisted of eight children, all of 
 whom lived to the age of maturity e-xcept two. One 
 died at the age of four years and the other in in- 
 fancy. 
 
 T. B. Simons, the subject of this biographical 
 notice, remained under the parental roof-tree until 
 he attamed the age of 17 years, when he came to 
 this State, but shortly afterward, on the death of his 
 father, returned to Canada and assisted Iiis mother 
 in conducting a bakery, which his father had left, 
 for a few years. 
 
 In 1870 he came back to this county, and with 
 
 the exception of one year has resided here ever 
 since. He was united in marriage July 3, 1876, to 
 Miss Mary E., daughter of S. W. and Lorinda (Ben- 
 nett) Hubbell. Her father's family were the second 
 to locate on the present site of Coleman, this county, 
 Ira Adams and his family being the first, and only 
 settling three days previous to Mr. Hubbell. The 
 railroad was not completed to Coleman when Mrs. 
 Simons' parents settled there, and the hand of im- 
 IJrovement was hardly visible. He (Mr. Hubbell) 
 brought the first shingle mill to that place (Mr. Ira 
 Adams the first saw-mill), and the family of Mr. 
 Hubbell underwent all the trials of pioneer life. 
 They lived in a tent for six weeks, and during the 
 entire time were not discommoded by rain. Mr. 
 Hubbell's family consisted of 15 children. He 
 lived in Coleman for seven years and then moved to 
 Tuscola Co., this State, where he is engaged in 
 farming. 
 
 Mr. Simons was born June 11, 1857, in "Big 
 Flats," Chemung Co., N. Y. She has borne four 
 children to her husband, two ot whom are deceased. 
 The living are Frank Wm., born Feb. 19, 1882, in 
 Coleman, and an infant, born Feb. 29, 1884, at Cole- 
 man. The deceased are Gertrude, born April 6, 
 1877, and died Feb. 14, 1879; and Leonard, born 
 Sept. II, 1880, and died Sept. 17, 1882. 
 
 After his marriage to Miss Hubbell, Mr. Simons 
 took his bride to Saginaw and was there engaged in 
 buying and selling shingles and in conducting the 
 running of a shingle-mill as employe for about a 
 year. He then returned to Coleman, in 1877, and 
 took charge of the mill his father-in-law, Mr. Hub- 
 bell, had erected at that place, and lived in the same 
 house his father-in-law had vacated. He soon after- 
 ward purchased the mill property and ran it for his 
 own profit. 
 
 Mr. Simons is a true representative, in a financial 
 point of view, of what energy and perseverance, 
 backed by good judgment, can accomplish. He 
 started life's journey with comparatively nothing, 
 and by energetic effort has banished want from the 
 household, and content sits in the lap of plenty 
 around the family hearthstone. He owns a shingle 
 mill three miles north of Coleman, and store build- 
 ing stocked with goods. His landed interests in- 
 clude some 1,700 acres, 600 of which is pine timber 
 land, and 1,100 acres hard wood. It is calcu|ated 
 there is some six or seven million feet of pine lumber 
 
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 on his 600 acres, and he is constantly engaged — the 
 year round — in converting this timber into lumber. 
 The capacity of his shingle-mill per day is 45,000 
 feet, which average it has maintained for the last 
 three years; and Mr. Simons contemplates the utiliz- 
 ation of the most of his timber in that way. 
 
 Mr. Simons has been Township Treasurer for two 
 terms, and was Highway Commissioner last year. 
 He belongs to that class of citizens who are regarded 
 as a benefit rather than a hindrance to the com- 
 munity in which they live, and is identified with the 
 moving, advancing element residing in his township. 
 
 tohn Carrow, farmer, section 33, Homer 
 |p Township, was born Sept. 3, 1850, in Nor- 
 ^ folk Co., Ont. He is the son of Joseph 
 
 and Margaret (Smith) Carrow, both of whom 
 are natives of Canada, and of mixed French, 
 English and German extraction. They now 
 reside with their son in Homer Township. Their 
 family comprised two sons and four daughters. 
 
 Mr. Carrow is the fourth child of his parents in 
 order of birth, and is the second son. He came to 
 Michigan in 187 1, and purchased 40 acres of land 
 on section t,t,. It was in heavy timber, and he now 
 owns 100 acres additional, which he has since pur- 
 chased. He has cleared and finely improved 75 
 acres, and has built a fine large stock and grain 
 barn and a good residence. In political connection 
 he is a Democrat. 
 
 [;-f"(iCohn Sias, lumberman and farmer, resident 
 
 ■^ML^ at Midland, was born Dec. 23, 1S30, at 
 
 .^J^F*^ Dover, Maine. He is the son of Samuel 
 
 and Ann (McLean) Sias. His father was born 
 
 in New Hampshire and followed the double 
 
 occupation of a farmer and lumberman, to 
 
 which he was reared. Mr. Sias owned a fine, farm of 
 
 75 acres about three miles from Dover. He was 
 
 married May 15, 1S53, at Dover, to Catherine O. 
 
 Maddox, a native of Ellsworth, Hancock Co., Me., 
 
 and a daughter of John H. and Eliza Maddox. Of 
 
 this union ten children have been born — five sons 
 
 and five daughters. One son is deceased They 
 
 were born in the following order: Warren L., a 
 merchant at Midland; Frank; John, a farmer in the 
 township of Midland; Freddie, Ada B., Maud H., 
 George A. and Lottie. 
 
 In the fall of i860 Mr. Sias removed from Maine 
 to Michigan and at once engaged in lumbering at 
 Midland. In company with his brother, Samuel Sias, 
 he bought extensive tracts of pine land, and after 
 conducting their affairs jointly three years, they dis- 
 solved. In 1866 Mr. Sias formed a business relation 
 with Fred Babcock, which existed three years. On 
 its termination, he continued the management of his 
 business alone. His real estate includes 3,000 acres 
 of pine land and a farm of 500 acres on sections ig, 
 20 and 21. This includes 300 acres cleared and 
 improved, and in first-class farming condition. It is 
 largely devoted to stock-rearing. The herds on the 
 place comprise a fine lot of graded Durhams and 
 about a dozen thoroughbreds of the same breed, also 
 some fine Southdown sheep. The place ranks among 
 the most valuable and best conducted in the county. 
 The buildings, orchards and farm fixtures generally 
 give evidence of the character of management that 
 has placed the property in its present most creditable 
 condition. In his lumber interests Mr. Sias employs 
 about IOC men. He is a stockholder in the Salt & 
 Bromide Company at Midland. 
 
 ^-^^^^^-v^ — I- 
 
 a Kflp?enry W. Goold, farmer, section 24, Inger- 
 ^.jp^r^^i soil Township, is a son of Cruth and Eliza 
 i^ Goold, natives of Canada, who came to Mid- 
 
 T^ land County in 1868, settling in this township. 
 
 \ In the forest fires of 1871 it is supposed that 
 his father lost his life, as nothing has since been 
 heard of him. His mother resides in Saginaw 
 County. 
 
 He was born in the county of Simcoe, Ont., April 
 10, 1849. In the spring of 1865 he came to Mich- 
 igan and for 14 years has been mostly engaged in 
 lumbering, in connection with farming. In 1870 he 
 purchased 40 acres of land on section 23, Ingersoll 
 Township, and in 1872 he added 40 acres to his 
 possessions, half of which is cleared. A substantial 
 and well equipped home is in prospect, under the 
 good management of Mr. Goold. 
 
 In this county, Oct. 10, 1876, Mr. Goold was mar- 
 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 ried to Miss Adelaide D., daughter of Sylvester and 
 Lydia Holbert, who were natives of New York State 
 and now reside in Midland Township. Mrs. G. was 
 born in New York State, April 5, 1856. One child, 
 Freddie H., was born June 2, 18S1, to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Goold. 
 
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 j|;enjamin Dean, deceased, a former resi- 
 J|p dent of Midland City, was born March 
 '"^ 17, 1806, at New Ashford, Berkshiie Co., 
 Mass. He was of unmistakable Yankee ex- 
 traction, his parents, Isaac and Rhoby (Mar- 
 tin) Dean, having been born in New England 
 and descended from parentage of the same nativity. 
 He attained to manhood in the Bay State and re- 
 ceived an excellent English education. The pre- 
 dominating traits of his character became manifest 
 in early life, and made him prominent through their 
 strength and peculiarity. He was a keen and 
 shrewd observer, reading voraciously and with wide 
 scope, but reducing his ideas by reflection to the 
 basis of utility. He was inherently honest ; he rec- 
 ognized the principles of the golden rule in all his 
 dealings with mankind, and shaped all his operations 
 in accordance with his understanding of the obliga- 
 tions to which every man is the heir by natural 
 entail. He acquired a fund of information which is 
 justly characterized only by the term marvelous, and 
 his mental resources were the obedient servants of 
 his demands. He was as familiar with classical 
 literature as though he had completed the curriculum 
 of the schools, and it would be difficult to convince 
 many who knew him intimately that he was not 
 college-bred. His versatility of thought and ex- 
 pression was equalled only by the scope of his intel- 
 lectual acquisitions. Had he chosen literature as a 
 profession he would have been among its leaders. 
 The kingdom of his mind was so vast that he either 
 knew not its bounds or was indifferent to the possi- 
 bilities It afforded, through "embarrassment of riches." 
 Versificatioa and rhyme were as involuntary as his 
 breath, and just as practical. They were so far from 
 theory that beyond their accidental use they were 
 independent of technical prosody. 
 
 He hated and abhorred all shams with the strength 
 of his strong, just nature, which admitted no sem- 
 blance of falsehood or hypocrisy. Liberal, just and 
 
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 humane, he was the adherent of no " ism " and the 
 harborer of no vague Will-o'-the-wisp ideas, in which 
 the past half century has been so prolific. His 
 habit of maturing conclusions detained him from 
 identifying himself with movements of seeming im- 
 portance; hence he never retrograded. 
 
 He was a Spiritualist in the sense in which the 
 term is accepted by Victor Cousin and other phil- 
 osoi)hers who delve amid the phenomena of the 
 immaterial with pure hearts. Who shall say how 
 far short of Christianity are such minds, albeit they 
 do not discover the touchstone which reveals the 
 dependence of the human upon the divine? He 
 passed through a long and arduous business career, 
 and experienced the vacillations in results common 
 to men of extensive and varied interests. In all his 
 operations with his fellows he never swerved from 
 his fundamental principle of giving due weight to 
 the just claims of others. This sometimes involved 
 disaster, which brought to the front the trait which 
 is most reverently cherished in the memories of his 
 sons. He counted no loss as absolute unless no 
 one was benefited. If no good arose from his 
 adversity, he mourned as did the Roman emperor 
 who bewailed as lost the day in which the recording 
 angel had registered no good deed on the credit side 
 of his account with immortality. 
 
 The best exposition of his character and views 
 and the ([uality of his intellect may be gleaned from 
 the extracts from his writings which are herein in- 
 corporated. He wrote much, — any current event 
 that met his views in a peculiar manner or conflicted 
 with the theories he had adopted, seeming as an in- 
 centive for his prolific pen, and his efforts were 
 always in demand by the local press wherever he 
 lived. The poetry he wrote would fill a volume, but 
 he was entirely without self-consciousness in its pro- 
 duction, and never had an idea of a collective pub- 
 lication of his literary work. Though it found ready 
 local appreciation and publicity, even that was be- 
 yond his ambition for notoriety. His sole delight in 
 his gift existed in giving formative expression to his 
 thoughts. He read all poetical literature with avid- 
 ity, but centered his tastes upon Pope's '' Essay on 
 Man," which was ever the source of unlimited grati- 
 fication. 
 
 In 1859 he published the longest poem he ever 
 wrote, which was named " Man in the 19th Century : 
 
 V^ 
 
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 *0' 
 
 
-^v4>illi:^|]iiv->-rT 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -^Sf^ 
 
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 <^. 
 
 
 'an Unsolved Problem for Classical Experts, with 
 Quotations and Questions for Ecclesiastic Theorists, 
 
 ,M. D's, D. D's, LL. D's, Elders, Scribes or Pharisees 
 to Solve at their Leisure." From first to last it is a 
 scathing rebuke to those who pervert God's manifest 
 laws to the accomplishment of their own selfish 
 ends and purposes. It has the merit of equalized 
 strength in every line, and quotations as samples are 
 therefore inadequate, as it is a complete mosaic of 
 the principles it advocates. Several are given, which 
 are their own exponents : 
 
 Fie! gentlemen; don t be alarmed ; 
 
 Don't cry " Rebellion," " Infidel ;" 
 I AM will see there's nothing harmed : 
 
 Who made the world will rule it well. 
 
 Were principalities and powers 
 
 In chaos, where they all belong, 
 Refreshing pentecostal showers 
 
 Might substitute for legal wrong. 
 
 To close this problem, I would say 
 
 The author's universal plan 
 (Though Scribes and Elders go astray) 
 
 Will make a peer of every man. 
 
 Or girt, or beam, or brick, or brace. 
 
 However humble or conceited, 
 Lo! all will find their proper place. 
 
 And find the structure all completed — 
 
 Where Nature's clock its final blow 
 Will strike, and time will be no more. 
 
 Where such immortal ideas flow 
 As mortals never heard before. 
 
 Willi these ideas I'll close my song. 
 
 Not claiming for them aught that's new; 
 
 However old, they may be wrong. 
 However young, they may be true. 
 
 The following lines afford a complete example of 
 the versatility of his mind and the readiness with 
 which Ills faculties obeyed his summons : 
 
 the annual message of president lincoln. 
 (anticipated.) 
 
 Gentlemen of a republic distracted, 
 
 We sit on a trembling throne, 
 Reaping the fruit of the scenes we enacted, 
 . The fruit of the seed we have sown. 
 
 Our foreign relations all look very bad. 
 
 Too gloomy to put into writing ; 
 The lion and frog call us foolish and mad. 
 
 And laugh in their sleeves at our fighting. 
 
 The millions we've spent already is more 
 
 Than we shall receive for our game. 
 And rivers of blood stain the sea and tlie shore. 
 
 Alas! what blind zeal for a name! ^* 
 
 (■> 
 
 Our army and navy are potent, alas ! 1 
 
 To return a poor fugitive slave ; yo) 
 
 But too big a load broke the back of the ass 
 When freedom wilh us found a grave. 
 
 By pandering too long to the genius of cotton, 
 
 We've written our doom in the mud. 
 And proved to the world our system is rotten. 
 
 And cannot be saved but by blood. 
 
 All the wisdom you've got, and as much again more. 
 
 Won't save us, I fear, from our trouble ; 
 Our eagle is plucked, and our ensign is tore, 
 
 And we're all passing off like a bubble. 
 
 I trust you will bring all your wits now to bear 
 
 To sustain the original plan : 
 Direct your attention to right everywhere. 
 
 And think less of cotton than man. 
 
 In the live Declaration that Jefferson wrote. 
 
 You'll find a sublime text to think on ; 
 Hence, during this session your time you'll devote 
 
 To equalize men, ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 BY TIMOTHY TWIST. 
 
 Lee, Mass., Nov. 23, 1861. 
 
 His abilities and character won for him unqualified 
 respect, and though his incessant promulgation of his 
 views invited criticism they engendered nothing 
 inimical, and he lived an honored, useful life, and his 
 death was sincerely lamented. Although a foe to 
 so-called orthodoxy, he never wrote a word or held 
 to a principle contrary to the acknowledged essence 
 of Christianity; on the contrary, he urged unceasing 
 warfare on the "scribes, Pharisees and hypocrites" of 
 modern times. 
 
 The parents of Mr. Dean removed in the days of 
 his early life to South Adams, Mass., where his 
 father operated as a tanner. On arriving at a suit- 
 able age, the son became an assistant in the business 
 to which he devoted many years. On embarking in 
 that business for himself he combined therewith the 
 manufacture of boots and shoes, according to the 
 New England custom in those days. Subsequently (c^i 
 himself and his brother, Stoel E. Dean, established 
 the same business at a point three miles east of Pitts- 
 field. They continued its management five years, 
 when they converted their works into a paper-mill. 
 Two years later they sold out, and Mr. Dean bought 
 a tannery at Pittsfield, which he conducted four 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 189 
 
 years. In 1850 he went to East Lee, and, in com- 
 pany with May Bros., engaged heavily in the manu- 
 facture of letter-paper, owning three mills. This re- 
 lation existed three years, when Mr. Dean sold his 
 interest to his partners and went to Lee, where he 
 embarked in the manufacture of bank-note paper 
 with a man named Linn. The latter became a his- 
 torical character during the war, through his con- 
 nection with a shipment of his wares to the Soutliern 
 Confederacy aljout the date of the blockade of South- 
 ern ports. He was arrested, but proved that lie re- 
 ceived and filled the order previous to the action of 
 the United States authorities. 
 
 In 1858 Mr. Dean closed his connection in the 
 last-named business and came to Michigan, where 
 he had large landed investments which had come into 
 his possession through securities for his friends who 
 had met reverses. He held about 9,000 acres of 
 wild land, and passed the next ten years alternately 
 in Michigan and Massachusetts, where his family re- 
 sided until 1868, when he established his home at 
 Midland City. 
 
 Mr. Dean was the second in order of birth of seven 
 children. Martin, eldest child, resides in the city of 
 New York; Stoel E. lives at South Adams; Nelson 
 and Alanson, twins, were next in order of birth ; the 
 former is deceased, the latter is a resident of Owego, 
 N. Y. 
 
 Alanson Dean is the maker of several canes of 
 unique workmanship, some of which have attained 
 considerable notoriety. One was presented to Presi- 
 dent Hayes on his inauguration, and also to President 
 Garfield. P. T. Barnum is the owner of one, and 
 the eldest son of Mr. Dean, of this sketch, holds 
 another as an heirloom. It was presented to Mr. 
 Dean by his daughter Alice. The latter is made of 
 Virginia boxwood. The hand-rest is in the exact 
 shape of a sword-hilt. The "stop" is a perfectly 
 carved dog's head. On one side of the thumb rest 
 is an exquisite spray of rose, leaves and bud ; and 
 on the counter side are grapes and foliage, all carved. 
 On the base of the hilt is a lion holding in his 
 mouth and claws a serpent whose fangs are buried in 
 the head of the beast. The spotted length of the 
 snake forms the lower portion of the hilt, and the ex- 
 tremity of the tail twines around the end of the 
 thumb rest. A space of two feet on the shaft is cov- 
 ered with carved lettering. The upper portion, next 
 the hilt, contains the following : 
 
 "March 17, 1806. Benjamin Dean. Midland, 
 Michigan. Dec. 25, 1879. The chief of earthly arts 
 is the art of keeping always young. It is very diffi- 
 cult to grow old gracefully. Compliments of Alice. 
 It is not what you have in your chest, but what you 
 have in your heart, that makes you rich. Family 
 Record: Jerusha Dewey, born Dec. ig, 1816; Benj. 
 Franklin Dean, July 12, 1839; Cecile E. Dean, Feb. 
 12, 1841; Caroline J. Dean, Nov. 4, 1843; Gertrude 
 R. Dean, Sept. i, 1845; Stoel E. Dean, Nov. 4, 
 1847; Alice B. C. Dean, April 29, 1850; Nelson K. 
 Dean, May 12, 1852; Mary A. Dean, March 8, 1854; 
 Jessie F. Dean, June 23, 1856. Revelation 9: 7, 8: 
 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses 
 prepared unto battle, and on their heads were crowns 
 like gold, and their faces were as faces of men, and 
 they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth 
 were as the teeth of lions.'" 
 
 In this there are six hieroglyphics of the locusts, 
 horses, crowns, men, women and lions. The in- 
 scriptions pass around the cane spirally below the 
 family record, the above being in relief The follow- 
 ing is countersunk: "I find the great thing in the 
 world is not so much where we stand as in what 
 direction we are moving." The cane is a marvel of 
 hand-carving, every portion of which was done with 
 a "jack-knife," and represents 50 days of labor of ten 
 hours each. The maker has been for many years a 
 sufferer from a nervous disease, and "whittled" for 
 relief, finally utilizing the specific in the manufacture 
 of canes. The one referred to as being presented to 
 President Hayes was sent to him in 1876. The fol- 
 lowing description is from the pen of the ex-Executive 
 of the United States, a portrait and condensed sketch 
 of whom appears in its assigned order in the first part 
 of this volume : 
 
 Fremont, O., 23 June, 1884. 
 
 The cane referred to is well remembered. It is 
 beautifully carved by a skilled and careful hand. It 
 was from A. P. Dean, Owego, N. Y., in 1876. The 
 head or handle projects at right-angles from the cane 
 and is about six inches long. On the extreme end 
 is carved " A. P. Dean." On one side of the end of 
 the handle is a little girl sitting on a handsome long- 
 haired dog; on the other side is a child resting 
 against a tiger. On the cane at the topis the follow- 
 ing: "1776-1876 — Centennial." Next below it is, 
 " Owego, N. Y." On the side at this point is the 
 coat-of-arms of the United States, — eagle, arrows 
 and stars. On the other side is carved an anchor, and 
 
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 190 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 above it, " Hope." Next below on the outside, "Oct. 4, 
 1822." On the side is the legend, "Temperance is 
 a bridle of gold. He who uses it rightly is more like 
 a God than a man." On the opposite side is, "Ruther- 
 ford B. Hayes, Governor of Ohio." Next below is 
 carved, " Behold, I send you forth as [here are carved 
 three sheep] in the midst of [here are four wolves]. 
 Be ye therefore as wise as [here two serpents] and 
 harmless as [here four doves]." Next below, around 
 the cane, "Matthew 10:16." Next below is carved, 
 " The way to fame is like the way to heaven, — through 
 much tribulation," and by the side begins and runs 
 around the cane spirally the following: "The 
 [here are two foxes] have [here is a fox entering a 
 hole and another hole is near it] and [here are two 
 birds] of the air have [a nest with eggs]; but the [a 
 boy] of [a man sitting] liath not where to lay his [a 
 man's head]. Matthew 8:20." Next around the cane 
 is carved," Mythology," and below, Pegasus [a winged 
 horse], and Nereid [a female figure on a dolphin]. 
 Next below are a sphinx (a lion with a woman's head) 
 and a sea-horse (the figure of a sea horse). The lower 
 end is a handsome silver ferule and the usual point. 
 The foregoing will give you no idea of the appear- 
 ance of the cane, but shows very well the labor and 
 pains taken by Mr. Dean in its workmanship. 
 
 R. B. Haves. 
 
 Mr. Dean was married Dec. 19, 1816, in Lenox, 
 Mass., to Jerusha Dewey, daughter of Erastus and 
 Matilda (Millard) Dewey. The sketches of B. F. 
 Dean, S. E. Dean and N. K. Dean, the tiiree sons 
 born of this marriage, will be found elsewhere in this 
 volume. Cecile E. died Sept. 13, 1865, at 24 years 
 of age, in the full flush of her young and promising 
 life: Gertrude R. married Charles Taylor, of Lee, 
 Mass., and died March 3, 1S70; Alice married G. 
 W. Foole, of Pittsfield, Mass.; Mary A. is Mrs. Wil- 
 liam Plumer (see sketch), of Midland City; Jessie is 
 the wife of George A. Rockwell, also of Midland 
 City. 
 
 Mr. Dean died April 27, iSSo, of a disease of the 
 stomach. The wife and mother died April 17, 1883. 
 Li their portraits, which appear on other pages, are 
 fair types of the element so often found in collecting 
 historical data of the Peninsular State. They came 
 of the stock which established the stability of New 
 England ; they brought their resources to the West 
 and founded their house and home. Passing to the 
 land of the hereafter, they left their honorable name 
 in the keeping of their bons, who are worthily fulfill- 
 ing their trust. 
 
 i!(;enry Stuart, farmer, section 32, Midland 
 
 ^jM^* Township, is a son of Silas and Polly 
 (Kimplin) Stuart, parents natives of the Green 
 Mountain State. He was born in Orleans Co., 
 
 I N. Y., April II, 1836; when 12 years of age he 
 
 ' came to Genesee County, this State, where he 
 remained 16 years, engaged in farming; and in 
 August, 1864, he came to Midland County and 
 bought 80 acres on section 32, Midland Township, 
 where he has since resided and at present has 66 
 acres in a good tillable condition. 
 
 Mr. Stuart was married in Genesee Co., Mich., 
 Aug. 30, 1863, to Sarah A. Richardson, a native of 
 Canada. They have had five children — Lenora B., 
 George D. and an infant, living, and Eugene and an 
 infant, deceased. 
 
 Mr. Stuart has been Overseer of Highways, and 
 was appointed a member of the committee to examine 
 the roll of Supervisors in 1882. Of national issues, 
 Mr. S. maintains Democratic views. 
 
 ^aharles Martindale, farmer, section 29, 
 "jfiB^rS^ Midland Township, is a son of Alpheus 
 
 w]ij< and Eliza (Angell) Martindale, natives of 
 f)L Vermont. He was born in Genesee Co., N. 
 '1^ Y., April 16, 1832. He remained under the 
 parental roof-tree until 20 years of age, as- 
 sisting in the maintenance of the family and attend- 
 ing the common schools. On attaining that age, for 
 four years he was employed in a shingle manufac- 
 tory, and then came to Wayne County, this State. 
 He remained there for about three years and then 
 went to St. Clair County, where he was variously 
 employed for six years. From the latter county he 
 moved to Sanilac County, where he remained until 
 the summer of 1871. During that season he came 
 to this county and purchased 40 acres of wild land 
 on section 29, Midland Township, where he has 
 since resided. He now has good substantial build- 
 ings erected on his land, and about 37 acres under 
 cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Martindale was united in marriage in Sanilac 
 County, Nov. 3, 1S55, to Miss Ann, daughter of 
 Joseph Marshall, a native of Canada. She was 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 191 
 
 born in that county, and was the mother of eight 
 children, five of whom, William, Almeda, Ida, Hay- 
 don and Mary, are living: Demaline (ist) died when 
 three years old ; Demaline (2d) was killed by being 
 run over; and Alden died when one month old. 
 
 The mother and wife died Aug. 14, 1877, and Mr. 
 Martindale was a second time married Nov. 3, 1878, 
 to Miss Ann Valentine, a native of New York. 
 
 Mr. Martindale, politically, is a National. He has 
 held the office of Highway Commissioner three 
 years and School Assessor one year. He enlisted 
 in 1864, in Co. B, loth Mich. Vol. Inf., and 
 served nine months, receiving his discharge at 
 Washington, D. C. He participated in Sherman's 
 march to the sea. 
 
 •<-*^4^->>" 
 
 i elson K. Dean, farmer, section 24, Homer 
 Township, was born in the township of 
 '^ Lee, Berkshire Co., Mass., May 12, 1852. 
 His parents, Benjamin and Jerusha, (Dewey) 
 Dean, were natives of Massachusetts, and in 
 1854 moved their family and interests 'o 
 Becket Township, in the same county. Ten years 
 later they came to Midland, where they resided dur- 
 ing the remainder of their lives. 
 
 Mr. Dean is the seventh of nine children born to 
 his parents, and is the youngest of three sons. He 
 remained a member of the paternal household until 
 his marriage, which occurred Sept. t4, 1875, to 
 Elizabeth S. Stowits, daughter of Henry B. and Car- 
 oline C. (Huff) Stowits. (See sketch of H. B. 
 Stowits ) She was born in Grand Blanc, Genesee 
 Co., Mich., Aug. 13, 1854. Her parents removed to 
 Midland County when she was 13 years old. Later 
 she went back to Genesee County, where she re- 
 mained until 1874, when she returned to Midland 
 County, and during the following year she was 
 married. Mrs. Dean is a woman of decided char- 
 acter and justly appreciated in the community where 
 she resides. After the event of his marriage, Mr. 
 Dean took possession of his farm of 160 acres, which 
 is finely situated at the junction of Chippewa and 
 Pine Rivers. He has improved 90 acres and placed 
 it under a high degree of cultivation. The place is 
 rated among the most valuable in the county. In 
 political connection Mr. Dean is a Republican, and 
 
 he has discharged the duties of his citizenship in 
 the various local township and county and school 
 offices. 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 ijjKSHftlexander Dunn, farmer, section 10, Geneva 
 \ Township, is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, 
 
 where he was born Jan. 12, 1843. 
 
 The parents of Mr. Dunn were George and 
 Agnes (Curry) Dunn, and were of Scotch de- 
 scent. They emigrated to America when Alexander 
 was five years of age, in 1848, and landed at Quebec, 
 Can. The father purchased a farm in Gray Co., 
 Ont., of 50 acres, but soon sold it and purchased an- 
 other consisting of 100 acres and located about six 
 miles distant from the first. 
 
 On the latter named farm Alexander lived and de- 
 veloped into manhood. On attaining his majority he 
 engaged in working on various farms by the month 
 and followed that vocation for four or five years, when 
 he came to this State. 
 
 The first work he engaged at on arriving in this 
 State was for the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad 
 Company, at Linden. He remained in their employ 
 for six or seven months and then went back to Can- 
 ada, on business and pleasure, but soon returned to 
 Birmingham, this State, and engaged in railroading 
 for another season. His next move was to Loomis, 
 Isabella Co., where he worked for the Flint & Pere 
 Marquette Railroad Company one year. After leav- 
 ing tlieir employ, he purchased 80 acres of wild land 
 from a party who had homesteaded it. There was a 
 small shanty on the place and the trees had been 
 cut on a few acres, but no clearing had been done. 
 Mr. Dunn moved on this land, on section 20, Geneva 
 Township, in May, 1875, and has made it his resi- 
 dence ever since. 
 
 June 4, 1873, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to 
 Harriet, daughter of Peter and Eliza (Shell) De 
 Groat. Her father died while serving his country in 
 the late civil war, and the mother is living with her 
 daughter at Buttonville. Mrs. Dunn was born March 
 9, 1855, in Dorchester Co., Quebec. 
 
 The husband and wife are the parents of four 
 children, namely: Agnes E., born Aug. 20, 1874; 
 
 
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 i; 
 
§%-r^:^m^ — 2^^ gV<::IlllS{lil>> 
 
 ) 
 
 
 2 
 
 / 
 
 Charles H., born Feb. 7, 1876; James Alex., born 
 Nov. 9, 1877 ; and Etta May, born Jan. 30, 1881. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Dunn is a Greenbacker. He has 
 lield tlie offices of School Treasurer, and he and his 
 wife are members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 *^^€^'-SP 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 illiam M. Wallace, farmer and lumber- 
 man on section 11, Homer Township, was 
 born in the State of New York, Feb. 29, 
 1840, and when a child his parents moved 
 to Ontario, Can. He lived in that province 
 with his parents until 18 years old, and was 
 then apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade. He 
 served his time, and then worked as a journeyman. 
 In 1872 he came to Michigan, and the ensuing two 
 years he worked in Newaygo County, on the Muske- 
 gon River. In the spring of 1874 he came to Mid- 
 land County, and one year later he purchased ten 
 acres of land on section 11, Homer Township. Here 
 he has since farmed in the summer season, and fol- 
 lowed lumbering in the winters. He is a Republi- 
 can, and has held various school offices. 
 
 He was united in marriage Dec. 25, 1S62, in Ox- 
 ford Co., Ont., to Miss Mary J. Martin, who was 
 born in that county April 12, 1842. Of this mar- 
 riage there have been born three sons and one 
 daughter; one of the former, and the daughter are 
 dead. 
 
 vv^^f-^^S-v^^v-J- 
 
 homas .T. Richardson, farmer, section 35, 
 
 Midland Township, is a son of Thomas and 
 
 Esther D. (Mann) Richardson, the former 
 
 a native of Massachusetts and the latter of 
 
 Canada. Mr. Richardson, Sr., died in that 
 
 Dominion, and his widow came to Midland 
 
 about 1866, and died in January, 1873. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Canada 
 March 26, 1846, and was seven years of age when he 
 came to this State with his mother; at the age of nine 
 he went to live with a farmer in Genesee Co., Mich., 
 until of age, but at the end of four years he left, to 
 work out by the month, which he did for six years. 
 In February, 1863, he came to this county and 
 worked in the woods during the winters and at car- 
 
 pentering in the summer time, until 1873, when he 
 moved upon the farm owned by H. M. Ellsworth, 
 where he has since resided. He has been School 
 Assessor of his district for three years, and in politics 
 is a Republican. 
 
 Mr. R. was married in Midland City, March 26, 
 1872, to Mary E., daughter of H. M. and Rosetta 
 (Whittington) Ellsworth, born in Midland Township 
 July 23, 1S52. Mr. and Mrs. R. are the parents of 
 six children, namely: Marion A., Arthur T., William 
 M., Morley E., Sarah M. and Leo C. 
 
 Mr. Ellsworth was a native of New York State, 
 came to this county in 1850, at first buying 30 acres 
 in Midland Township, to which he added 59 acres 
 by subsequent purchase, and at the time of his death, 
 Sept. 14, 1882, had almost 50 acres under cultiva- 
 tion. He owned also considerable property in Mid- 
 land City. He was County Sheriff four years and 
 Township Treasurer several years. In early times 
 Mr. Ellsworth took considerable delight in the chase. 
 He would often go out in the morning and bring in 
 as many as three deer before nine o'clock. His wife 
 was a native of the Key-stone State. Their chil- 
 dren are, Amanda C, Lois A., Mary E. and Melvina 
 L. Mrs. E. now resides in California. 
 
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 toseph Hooper, farmer, section i, Edenville 
 11^ Township, was born Oct. 20, 1843, in Corn- 
 wall, England, and is the son of Edward 
 and Merrell (Higgins) Hooper. The father 
 died in England; the mother resides in Camp- 
 bellford. Can., and has remarried. 
 Mr. Hooper spent his early life in his native land. 
 He belonged to a class among whom the point of 
 self-sustenance is one of the first prominence in the 
 education of the young. At the age of nine years 
 Mr. Hooper commenced his struggle with life in the 
 capacity of a farm laborer. In r857 he came to 
 America and settled at Coburg, Can., where he was 
 employed by the month as a farm laborer until 1865, 
 when he went to Monroe Co., N. Y., and engaged as 
 assistant on the seed farm of R. W. Wilson, m the ■ ■ 
 vicinity of the city of Rochester. He served in that 
 capacity five years, and in the fall of 1869 he came ^' 
 to Edenville Township, where he bought, in 187 i, an (i,\ 
 unimproved farm of 50 acres, of which he has im- ^ 
 
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 dm-^M^^^^^- 
 
 #t^(®>^ 
 
— yt.-^ 
 
 V 
 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 "i^^isi^fi^ 
 
 #^^c®vii 
 
 193 
 
 ^ 
 
 .'5) 
 
 proved 40 acres. The first two years he passed in 
 Midland County he worked a farm on shares. 
 
 Mr. Hooper was married Oct. 5, 1865, to Isabella, 
 daughter of A. L. and Harriet (Wait) McAllister. 
 Her father was a native of Vermont, and of Scotch 
 descent. He died July i, 1 861, at Vernon ville, Can. 
 The mother was born in Canada, of Welsh parentage, 
 Mrs. Hooper was born Aug. 14, 1841. Mary Emma, 
 eldest child, was born Aug. 12, 1866, in Monroe Co., 
 N. Y. Amelia Belle was born Jidy 16, 1872. Hes- 
 ter Luella was born June 13, 1874. The last 
 named children were born at Edenville, Mich. The 
 parents are members of the Seventh-Day Adventist 
 denomination. Mr. Hooper has been Highway Com- 
 missioner two terms and Township Treasurer one 
 term. 
 
 i 
 
 f olin O. Parker, railroader, residing at But- 
 
 ^^ tonville, Geneva Township, was born in 
 
 -''^^ Greece, Monroe Co., N. Y., April 21, 1839, 
 
 and is a son of Henry and Nancy A. (Norton) 
 
 Parker. 
 
 The father of our subject was born Oct. 28, 
 1804, in New York, and died June 8, 1873, in this 
 county. He was of Welsh, Dutch, French, Danish 
 and Irish descent. The mother was born Feb. 25, 
 1809, in Pennsylvania, and was descended from the 
 English, Scotch and Irish. She is still living, with 
 the subject of this biographical notice. The father 
 and mother moved from New York to Washtenaw Co., 
 this State, in 1847, ^.nd there purchased a farm of 
 160 acres. They lived on that farm for ten years, 
 when they sold it and moved to Oakland County, 
 and purchased another on wliich tliey resided for 
 seven years. 
 
 John O. remained on the farm, assisting the 
 father, until the expiration of the time last men- 
 tioned, and then, for two summers, engaged in farm- 
 ing by the month. He then went to Hampton, 
 Rock Island Co., 111., and purchased 40 acres of land 
 in that viciniry, also some village property. He 
 made Hampton his residence for ten years, and dur- 
 ing that time visited Washington, Oregon and the 
 Indian Territories. 
 
 When the news was flashed across the continent 
 that Sumter had fallen" and the martyr Lincoln 
 
 called for brave hearts and strong arms to battle for 
 the perpetuity of the Nation's flag, Mr. Parker, 
 whose heart beat in unison with the cause of justice, 
 responded. He enlisted in Co. D, Ninth 111. Cav., 
 Col. Harper. His company was attached to the 
 Fifth Division, Second Brigade, and was under com- 
 mand of Gen. Nelson and Gen. Hatch. He partici- 
 pated with his company in the, battles of Chicka- 
 mauga, Nasliville, Corinth, Lookout Mountain, and 
 all through "Sherman's march to the sea." He was 
 in 72 battles and skirmishes, and was wounded only 
 twice during his entire service. His first wound was 
 in the right leg, just below the knee, and was received 
 at Chickamauga. The second wound was a saber 
 cut on the right hand, and was received at the battle 
 of Corinth. Neither of his wounds incapacitated 
 him from service for any considerable length of time, 
 nor was he sent to the hospital. His record as a 
 soldier is certainly a brilliant one, and his escape 
 from death, considering the numerous engagements 
 in which he participated, would seem to be miracu- 
 lous. He was honorably discharged at Springfield, 
 111., having been mustered out at Selma, Dallas Co., 
 Ala., Nov. 18, 1865. 
 
 On receiving his discharge, Mr. Parker returned to 
 his farm near Hampton, Rock Island Co., 111. He 
 remained on the farm for about a year, when he went 
 to Chester, Randolph Co., same State, and engaged 
 in buying wood for the St. Louis market. He re- 
 mained in that business for some eight months and 
 lost over $r, 000 at it. His next move was to Ari- 
 zona, where he engaged in herding cattle, in which 
 vocation he remained until the year 1873, when he 
 returned to Hampton, 111. He only remained at 
 Hampton a short time and then came to Midland, 
 this county. Remaining at Midland three weeks, he 
 went to Averill, and engaged with the Flint and 
 Pere Marquette Railroad Company, laying their 
 track, and continued in its service for 14 months. 
 Oct. 16, 1874, he went to Buttonville, and has re- 
 sided tliere ever since, in charge of a gang of track 
 repairers. 
 
 Mr. Parker was united in marriage. May g, 1874, 
 to Julia A., daughter of Joseph and Julia A. (Hos- 
 kins)Danoe. Her father died when she was five 
 years old, in Canada. Her mother is still living in 
 Sycamore, De Kalb Co., 111., aged 60 years. Mrs. D. 
 was born Aug. 7, 1855, in Lansdowne, Leeds Co., 
 Ontario. She has borne Mr. D. three children — Her- 
 
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 -^^W^ @!AC^fl!]^Iini>i^ 
 
'^f>r^^m^^ 
 
 ^T^M'Mh^-:- 
 
 194 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 bert L., Feb. 15, 1875 ; Luella M., Sept. i, 1877 ; 
 and Ira J., Feb. 26, 1883. 
 
 Mr. Parker is a Republican politically, and is pres- 
 ent Drain Commissioner He and wife are both 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal ChLirch. 
 
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 tmos Braley, farmer, section 35, Midland 
 
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 r-T 
 
 1=3 
 
 ^) 
 
 ij)/3j. J i Township, is a son of Ephraim and Patience 
 (Deranville) Braley, who were natives of Mas- 
 sachusetts, and of American and French de- 
 scent. He was born in Massachusetts Feb. 
 3, 1820, and at the age of three years his parents 
 moved with him to New York State, where he at- 
 tended school and worked on the farm until he came 
 to Michigan. He first lived in Saginaw County 
 awhile, and then, in December, 1854, he came to this 
 county, where he has since resided. After various 
 purchases and sales from time to time, he now owns 
 a tract of 76 acres in Midland Township, 35 acres of 
 which is in a tillable condition. 
 
 Mr. Braley, in political affairs, is a Republican, has 
 held the offices of Assessor and Pathmaster, and, 
 with his wife, belongs to the VVesleyan Methodist 
 Church. He was married in Saginaw County, Nov. 
 15, 1842, to Miss Marilda Foster, who was born in 
 Oakland Co., Mich., Oct. 12, 1827. They have two 
 children, — Emily M. and Oliver A. 
 
 I 
 
 L'ohn J. Watts, farmer on section 14, Eden- 
 ,'- ville, was born Dec. 8, 1844, in Whitby, 
 '■' Can., the son of John and Flora (Pollard) 
 Watts, of English descent. The father died in 
 Bosanquet, Lambton Co., Can., in November, 
 1854. The mother died at the same place 
 19, 1870. Their family included five sons and 
 three daughters, all of whom reached maturity except 
 one, which died in childhood. They are named 
 Grace, Isaac (deceased), Phoebe, Maria (deceased), 
 Jordan (died in childhood), John J., Richard J. and 
 George. 
 
 The subject of this biographical sketch was reared 
 on a farm, and remained vi^ith his father until of age. 
 
 He then followed lumbering in winter and farming in 
 summer until 1870, when he came to Saginaw Coun- 
 ty, this State. There he was similarly engaged for 
 four years, owning a farm of 200 acres. Selling this, 
 he then came to Edenville Township, this county, 
 and bought his present farm of 136 acres. He par- 
 chased of two farmers, and each tract had some im- 
 provements. To the value of these he has greatly 
 added. He is unmarried, and liis sister, a widow 
 lady, keeps house for him. 
 
 Politically, he is a Democrat. He took out his 
 naturalization papers but two years ago. As a 
 farmer and a citizen he stands exceptionally high 
 in his community. 
 
 •'^ami/(S^^~^^^^^:-,-'^®fima^ 
 
 JSiharles Kirtay, farmer, section 10, Geneva 
 j^ Township, was born in the town of Law- 
 rence, Lawrence Co., N. Y., March 7, 1833, 
 and is a son of Charles R. and Ann (Warren) 
 Kirby. His father was a native of New Eng- 
 land, of Puritan stock, and died in Plattsburg, N. Y. 
 Charles' mother was born in the Empire State, of 
 Puritan ancestry, and died also in Plattsburg. 
 
 When the subject of this sketch attained his legal 
 majority he worked in a saw-mill for five years; then, 
 for four years, he ran a stage, on the John Brown 
 tract in Franklin Co., Northern New York, from 
 Martin's Hotel to Keysville; thence he went to Mill 
 Point, Canada, and worked in a mill three or four 
 months; then for a year he followed teaming for 
 Horton & Wisner at Saginaw, Mich.; next, was in a 
 mill again for four years; and finally, about 12 or 14 
 years ago, he came to Midland County and worked 
 around for a time in mills and in lumbering. He 
 then located his present homestead, and about two 
 years afterward purchased it. At first he had 80 
 acres, but he has sold 40 acres, of which 15 are im- 
 proved. 
 
 Mr. Kiri)y is a Republican in his political senti- 
 ments, and he holds the office of Justice of the 
 Peace. 
 
 He was married May 18, 1864, to Miss Harriet E., 
 daughter of Henry and Laura (Tripp) Plew. Her 
 father, a Hollander, was born May 6, 18 16, and her 
 mother April 13, 1823, and they are living at Clio, 
 
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 -I^i^(® 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 1 95 
 
 Genesee Co., Mich. Of the ii children in her 
 father's family all are living, and she is the eldest 
 daughter and second child, and was born Feb. 13, 
 1847, in the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Kirby have had five children, only one of whom is 
 living. Viella E., born March 10, 1865, died Jan. 4, 
 1883; Franklin, born July lo, 1868, died July 5, 
 187 1 ; Freddie, born Sept. 27, 1870, died Nov. 24, 
 following; Etta May, born May 14, 1873, died June 4, 
 following; and Pely C, born May 30, 1877, is living. 
 As no pain is so intense as the loss of a child, the 
 affliction suffered by this family must be beyond all 
 description, if not even beyond all imagination also. 
 
 V 
 
 I 
 
 \ than Taft, farmer, section 20, Midland 
 
 Township, is a son of Jesse and Sabra 
 
 |i<gTjc"w, (A.ldrich) Taft, natives of Rhode Island^ 
 
 ^^ of whose family of four sons and three daugh- 
 
 A ters he was the youngtjjt son. 
 
 He was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., March 
 10, 1830, and at the age of t8 he bought his time, 
 and for 25 years he followed farming in Pennsyl- 
 - J vania, except the nine months he was in the army. 
 He enlisted in August, 1864, in the 207 th Pa. Vol. 
 Inf., and participated in the general engagement at 
 Fort Stedman and the siege of Petersburg. On ac- 
 count of heavy firing, his hearing was partially 
 destroyed. In 1S77 he returned to New York State, 
 and about a year afterward, in July, 1878, he came 
 with his family to Midland County and bought 161 
 acres of land in Midland and Homer Townships. 
 He has since added 88 acres to his estate, and now 
 owns 249 acres. He has about 140 acres in good 
 tillable condition. 
 
 Mr. Taft is member of Dwight May Post, No. 69, 
 G. A. R., at Midland, in politics he acts with the 
 Republican party, and in religion both he and Mrs. 
 T. are in sympathy with the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 In Pennsylvania, July 3, 1852, Mr. Taft married 
 ^ Mary S., a daughter of Prince and Sally King, who 
 /^ were natives of New England. Mrs. T. was born in 
 Pennsylvania, July 27, 1836, and the children of Mr. 
 
 i 
 
 V 
 
 and Mrs. Taft now are Stephen B., Lilis L., Dora A. 
 (who died when little more than two years of age), 
 Jesse P., Ethan E. and Mary R. 
 
 
 illiam C. Plumer is a farmer on section 
 22, Midland Township. His parents, 
 Vf>5»P Joseph and Jemima (Alley) Plumer, were 
 born in New York, moved from Jefferson 
 County, that State, 10 Orleans County, and 
 about 1866 came to Oakland Co., Mich., where the 
 former died, in February, 1879; the latter is still 
 living, a resident of that county. Their children 
 were Moses, John, William C, Elizabeth, Mary and 
 Sarah. 
 
 The youngest son, the subject of this sketch, was 
 born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., May 18, 1840; from the 
 age of 18 to 24 he was in Wisconsin, employed in a 
 hotel and otherwise; and since 1870 he has been a 
 resident of this county. His present farm of 30 
 acres he traded for in 1882. He owns 130 acres in 
 Midland County, and has 20 acres under cultivation. 
 He also owns numerous village lots in the city of 
 Midland. Politically he is in sympathy ivith the 
 Republican party. 
 
 He was married in Midland City, Feb. 5, 1872, to 
 Miss Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and Jerusha 
 (Dewey) Dean. (See sketch of Benjamin Dean.) 
 Mrs. Plumer was born in Lee, Mass., March 8, 1854. 
 Her family now comprises three children, viz.: 
 Cecile A., Alice S. and Arthur D. She is a member 
 of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 EjsH^S^ 
 
 |iiM'i hilip Flock, farmer, residing at Edenville, 
 I ySl£ was born in Hamilton, Can., July 10, 1827, 
 
 Jjifej- ^"'^ '^ '•'^^ *°'^ '^^ Philip and Ellen (Hoff- 
 Jijg "^ man) Flock. The parents were natives of 
 'iv Pennsylvania. The father died in Canada. 
 
 The mother resides in Waterford, in the Dominion, 
 
 and is about 70 years of age. 
 
 Mr. Flock obtained his education in the common 
 
 schools of Canada and was under the guidance of his 
 
 mother until he attained his majority, his father hav- 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 ing died previous to that date. He remained and 
 worked on the lionie place until he was 25 years old. 
 He was married Feb. 5, 1856, to Joanna, daughter 
 of John W. and EUinor (Robbins) Grover. Her 
 parents were natives of Pennsylvania. They died 
 and were buried at Edenville. Mrs. Flock was born 
 June 10, 1836. Following is the record of the three 
 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Flock: Geddes P. 
 was born Nov. 24, 1857, at Fredericksburg, Can., 
 and has been a salesman in the store of Ralph Dun- 
 ton ten years. He has been Township Clerk seven 
 years. Samuel W. was born Aug. 16, 1858, at Wind- 
 ham, Can. Carrie was born May 21, 1868, at Eden- 
 ville. 
 
 Mr. Flock conducted a hotel at Fredericksburg the 
 year following his marriage, and then returned to the 
 old homestead, which he managed two years, after 
 which he engaged in coopering. He employed a 
 force of men to work at the business and continued 
 its management seven years, with satisfactory results. 
 At the end of that time he again spent two years in 
 farming on the family homestead. In 1867 he came 
 to Michigan, arriving at Saginaw on the 15 th day of 
 November. Four days later he came to this-' county 
 and engaged in keeping a hotel at Averill Station. A 
 year after he bought a town lot at Edenville and 
 built a house, where he has since resided. In 1869 
 he bought 40 acres of land on section 13, Edenville, 
 and in February, 1877, he purchased another 40 
 acres, in Tobacco Township, Gladwin County. On 
 each of these pieces of property he has made fine 
 improvements. Mr. Flock has been School Director 
 eight years and Township Treasurer one year. 
 
 j.j VjKaL-j fw 
 
 /Jra0\li;.,ugald C, Mclntyre, farmer on section 31^ 
 ' '^MiSl. Midland, is a son of Jacob and Anna 
 •^ji^ijfy ^ (McCall) Mclntyre, natives of Pennsylva- 
 t)>« nia and Scotland, respectively; and he was 
 ^ born in Elgin Co., Can., Dec. 28, 1840. He 
 * lived in the Dominion until 12 years old, then 
 was employed for three years in a pail and tub fac- 
 tory at Detroit, and from 1855 to 1867 followed the 
 lakes as a sailor. The last seven years of this ])eriod 
 he held the position of mate. In 1870 he came to 
 Oakland Co., this State, where two years later he 
 bought a farm. This he cultivated until 1876, in the 
 
 spring of which year he made an exchange of prop- 
 erty and came to this county, where he has since 
 made his residence. He has a nice farm of 80 acres, 
 half of which is under cultivation. 
 
 Nov. 19, 1 87 1, in Northville, Oakland Co., Mich., 
 he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss 
 Anna, daughter' of George and Barbara Weber. 
 Both parents and daughter were born in Switzerland. 
 Mrs. Mclntyre was born Dec. 25, 1853. Carl A., 
 Barbara L. and Willie S. are the children now grow- 
 ing up under the parental care of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Mclntyre. The father is in political sentiment a 
 Republican, and he has been Deputy Sheriff, Con- 
 stable and School Director (five terms). He is a 
 member of the Masonic Order. Mrs. McI. is a faith- 
 ful member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 ^j #-# y- 
 
 ('^'-toelE. Dean, farmer, section i, Ingersoll 
 i^"^ Township, is a son of Benjamin and 
 ^ ' Jerusha (Dewey) Dean, natives of Massa- 
 
 chusetts, and resided in Berkshire County. 
 His father was extensively engaged in various 
 manufacturing interests until about 1862, when 
 he disposed of his interests there, having come to 
 Michigan and settled in Midland, where he became 
 a prominent citizen, a leader in the interests of the 
 county and a safe counselor in public affairs. He 
 died in this county, April 27, 1880, and his widow 
 April 17, 1883. They had six daughters and three 
 sons, namely: Benj. F., Cecile E., Jerusha C, Ger- 
 trude R., Stoel E., Alice B. C, Nelson K., Mary A. 
 and Jessie F. Carrie died in infancy, and the re- 
 maining children grew up. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Pittsfield, 
 Mass., Nov. 4, 1847. At the age of 22 he purchased 
 a farm in Berkshire County, which he managed about 
 eight years, and in December, 1S77, came with his 
 family to this county and bought 500 acres of land 
 mostly in the "stump," in the vicinity of Coleman. 
 He settled on his father's old place of 150 acres, 
 which he had deeded to him : 140 acres of this is in 
 good tillable condition. He cut annually about 100 
 tons of hay, and keeps 70 head of sheep, 25 head of 
 cattle and 5 head of horses. He also owns 60 acres 
 in Bay County, mostly improved. It is claimed that 
 Mr. Dean has the finest farm in Midland County. 
 
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 *-*-5r7' 
 
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 <>llll^fltl^> 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 Mr. Dean has been Township Supervisor one year, 
 and politically he sides with the "Nationals." 
 
 In Lee, Mass., Nov. 15, 1871, Mr. Dean mariied 
 Lovica A., a daughter of Luke L. and Annis L. 
 (Chapel) Dennison, natives of the Bay State. Her 
 father died in that State, June 4, t86o, and her 
 mother is still living, a resident of this county. In 
 (her family were three children, — Cliarles, Lovica A. 
 and Luke. The daughter was born in Nortii Lee, 
 Berkshire Co., Mass., April 24, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Dean have three children, as follows: Blanche C, 
 born April 13, 1873; Mabel A., born April 26, 1875 ; 
 and Robert B., Oct. 2, 1877. 
 
 ?N 
 
 
 j Y\\ lt)ei't Higgins, farmer, section 36, Midland 
 [^~t':X^ Township, is a son of Harvey and Laura 
 ^I^S* (Whitman) Higgins, who were natives of Con- 
 i]aX necticut. (See sketch of Wm. Higgins.) Al- 
 1 bert was born in New York Oct. 8, 1834, and 
 at 18 years of age started out in life for himself 
 For nearly si.x years he worked out by the month on 
 a farm. In the fall of 1S58 he came to Midland 
 County and purchased 80 acres of land in Midland 
 Township, on section 26, which he afterward disposed 
 of He now owns 40 acres on section 36, where he 
 resides and has about 25 acres finely improved. 
 
 Mr. Higgins was married in this county Aug. 28, 
 1862, to Anna, daughter of William and Nancy 
 (Taylor) Fair, who were natives of Ireland. Mrs. H. 
 was born in Canada West, March 15, 1842. Their 
 family record comprises the following children: 
 William A., Rose J. (deceased), Florence M., 
 George A., Arthur A. and Robert J. (deceased). 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Wesleyan 
 Methodist Church, and in political matters he is 
 counted a Rei)ublican. 
 
 \ ' r Y' enry Rockwell, farmer, section 23, Homer 
 ^-.jft^^tii Township, was born July 7, 1845, in Craw- 
 s' ford Co., Pa. His parents, Darius and Eunice 
 (Herrick) Rockwell, were natives respectively 
 of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. They re- 
 side in Crawford Co., Pa., the father being 67 
 years of age and the mother 64 years old. Of five 
 
 sons and five daughters born to them, four sons and 
 two daughters are living. 
 
 Mr. Rockwell is the eldest son and fourth child of 
 his parents. He spent the first 20 years of his life 
 working on the farm of his father, and was married 
 Oct. 31, 1864, in the county where he was born; to 
 Lydia Fuller. She was born July 28, 1845, '■'' 
 Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of James 
 and Lydia (Garrett) Fuller, both natives of New 
 York. They died in Crawford Co., Pa. The family 
 circle of Mr. Rockwell includes eight children, born 
 as follows: Seymour E., Oct. 18, 1866; William H., 
 Sept. 17, 1868; Ernest E., May 2, 1872; Cora B., 
 Aug. 20, 1875; James D., Nov. 27, 1878; Orpha L., 
 Feb. 5, 1880; Sarah R, March 21, 1882; George E., 
 Oct. 19, 1883. 
 
 Soon after marriage, Mr. Rockwell went to Fayette 
 Co., 111., and engaged one year in farming. They 
 then came to Midland, purchased 40 acres of land 
 in Homer Township, on which they resided two 
 years. At the end of that time they returned to 
 Pennsylvania, where they passed five years in the oil 
 regions. Mr. Rockwell purchased 90 acres of land 
 in Crawford County, where he engaged in farming 
 until December, 1882, when he sold out and returned 
 to Midland Co., Mich., and bought 103 acres of land 
 on the same section on which he had formerly rented. 
 It was under partial improvements, and he has added 
 materially to its value and improved his farm build- 
 ings. He is one of the best farmers in Midland 
 County and is highly esteemed and respected for his 
 fine traits of character and abilities. He is a Re- 
 publican and has held positions of trust in the town- 
 ship where he resides. He and wife are members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 Ky>~'l homas Cunningham, carpenter and joiner, 
 
 ^It^yi residing at North Bradley, was born March 
 
 xif^^ ^ 14! 1834, in Prince Edwards Co., Ont. He 
 
 ^vP^ ^^* ^ ®°'^ '■^^ Robert and Margaret (Tice) 
 
 fc^ Cunningham. The parents both died in Can- 
 
 I ada, the father some 16 and the mother some 
 
 seven or eight years ago. The family of the parents 
 
 comprised ten children, five boys and five girls, and 
 
 Thomas, the subject of this notice, was the third 
 
 from the youngest, or eighth, child. The father was 
 
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 198 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 2 
 
 a carpenter and joiner by trade, but spent the greater 
 portion of his Hfe farming. 
 
 Thomas hved at home until lie attained to the age 
 of manhood. His days, prior to majority, were 
 spent mostly on the farm and his labors contributed 
 toward the maintenance of the family. He spent a 
 portion of his time, under the supervision of his 
 father, in learning his trade, and finished the same 
 shortly after arriving at man's estate. He followed 
 his trade in Canada, jobbing and working by the 
 day, for some time. 
 
 In the spring of 1874 he came to Oakland Co., 
 this State, and in the fall of that year came to North 
 Bradley, this county, where he has since resided, 
 with the exception of one year that he lived in Flint, 
 Genesee County. 
 
 Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage Jan. 10, 
 1856, to Miss Orilla, daughter of Jabez and Mary 
 (Haley) Tripp. The father died in Canada and the 
 mother is living with her son Charles, in Freeland, 
 Saginaw Co , this State. There were eight children 
 in hfr father's family, and she was born in May, 
 1839, in Percy Township, Northumberland Co., Out. 
 She is the mother, to Mr. Cunningham, of seven chi - 
 dren, three of whom are deceased. The living are 
 Dorinda E., Mary E., Sylvester and Eula; and the 
 deceased, Jesse, Jonathan and Emma C. 
 
 Mr Cunningham is independent in politics. He 
 has held the office of Justice of the Peace four 
 years, Highvvay Commissioner two years and Town- 
 ship Treasurer two terms. He and his wife are 
 both members of the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, 
 and are respected and esteemed citizens of their 
 township. 
 
 I 
 
 l^iCohn C. Ostrander, farmer on section 27, 
 ^[1" Midland Township, is a son of Solomon 
 &■'' and Ruth (Childs) Ostrander, natives of the 
 t^ State of New York; and he was born in Gene- 
 IC see County, that State, July 6, 1816. He re- 
 ceived the rudiments of an English education, 
 and remained at home until 14 years of age. He 
 then (1830) Clime to Washtenaw County, this State, 
 where he lived three years, and then removed to 
 St. Clair, which was his home until the spring of 1861. 
 At that date he came to Midland County, and in 
 
 
 1865 he bought 63 acres, where is his present home, 
 40 acres being in a good state of cultivation. 
 
 He was first married in St. Clair, to Miss Annie 
 Brat, a native of Canada. She died July 2, 18^6, 
 leaving seven children— Edward J. (now deceased), 
 Ruth A., Emma J., Ellen A., Alonzo F., Izza M. and 
 Sarah A. Sept. 20, r857, at St. Clair, Mr. O. chose 
 as the partner of his joys and sorrows Miss Ursula S., 
 daugliter of Francis and Polly (Stevens) Green, 
 natives of the State of New York. Mrs. O. was 
 born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., June 14, 1836, and has 
 borne to Mr. O. three children — Dora F., John E. 
 and Effie E. 
 
 Mr. Ostrander is in political sentiment a Republi- 
 can, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist 
 Church. 
 
 •'y*JLQaf®^^'-hi 
 
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 liJl^aniel O'Donnell, farmer, section 13, In. 
 
 |(^Sg^c. gersoll Township, is a son of John and 
 
 ■^W^Mary (McNulty) O'Donnell, natives of County 
 
 A. Mayo, Ireland, who emigrated to Canada in 
 
 i 1831 and passed the remainder of their lives 
 
 there. The father died in December, 1872, and 
 
 mother in May, 1882. 
 
 Their eldest son, the subject of this sketch, was 
 born in Ireland, Oct. 15, 1824, and was about seven 
 years of age when the family moved to Canada. 
 July I, 1855, he married Miss Margaret, daughter of 
 Donald and Christina (Forbes) Mcintosh, natives of 
 Scotland. Mrs. O'Donnell was born in Port Dover, 
 Canada, Oct. 7, 1837. After marriage Mr. O'Don- 
 nell was engaged principally in mercantile business 
 in Canada, for about eight years, and in 1865 he 
 came to Michigan and settled in East Saginaw, 
 engaging in different pursuits for about 13 years. In 
 August, 1878, he came to Midland County and 
 bought 39 acres of land in Ingersoll Township, 
 where he has since resided, and now has about 15 
 acres cleared. 
 
 Mr. O'Donnell is a strong advocate of the princi- 
 ples of the National jxarty and is a zealous anti- 
 monopolist. He formerly held a commission as 
 Lieutenant in the British army, which office he sold, 
 — according to a practice permissible at that time. 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 199 
 
 His father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the British 
 army. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. O'Donnell are the parents of 1 1 
 children, whose names are John M. (who died when 
 eight months old), Mary C, Ignatius D., Margaret 
 E., Eugenia A., Francis J., Teresa C, Charles A., 
 Anna C, Arthur A. and Grace I. 
 
 Parents are members of the Catholic Church. 
 
 ioung Swanton, farmer, section ii, Eden- 
 -iMatt ville Township, was l.iorn Nov. 29, 1S36, in 
 
 Toronto, Can., and is the son of John and 
 Elizabeth Ann (Aikens) Swanton. His father 
 died in Devon's Creek, ("an., in 1S44. His 
 \ mother afterwards married Thomas Gransden, 
 and is living in Edenville Township. After the 
 death of his father, Mr. Swanton went to live with a 
 man named Robert Archibald, but he ran away at 
 the end of a year on account of cruel treatment. He 
 then fell under the care of a Catholic priest, who had 
 charge of him one year, but who did not understand 
 the art of managing other men's children, and he 
 abandoned the plan at the end of the time named. 
 Mr. Swanton tells that one important reason the priest 
 dispensed with his presence, was that he kept two 
 kegs of wine, for sacrament purposes, in the room 
 where Young slept; and the quantity of wine which 
 would under ordinary circumstances last ten years, 
 disappeared in as many weeks. The result was that 
 Young was anxious to whip all the boys in the neigh- 
 borhood. Hecontinued to maintain himself until he ar- 
 rived at man's estate, and was married April 11, 1859, 
 to Lucy J., daughter of Thomas and Ann (Pringle) 
 McConnell. She was born June 15, 1841. Of eight 
 children born of this union, seven are living. Fol- 
 lowing is the record of their births: Etta A. was 
 born March 2, i860; Thomas Y., Oct. 23, 1861; 
 John S., Dec. 25, 1863; George E., Jan. 6, 1865 
 (died July 30, 1866); Lafayette,"-ftdy 7, 1868; Flora 
 B., March 14, 1870; Sidney A., April 12, 1874; 
 Bertha, Nov. 2, 1876. 
 
 Mr. Swanton came to Midland County in the fall 
 of 1864. He spent the winter here, and in the spring 
 of 1865 brought hither his family. He purchased 
 city lots in Midland, on which he netted $1,000. He 
 resided in that place a year, losing $6,000 indirectly 
 
 as the result of Lincoln's assassination, and finally 
 purchased 136 acres of land in Jerome Township. 
 After a residence there of one summer he exchanged rX^ 
 the property for 193 acres of pine land. The farm ^ 
 on which he now resides comprised but five acres of >k 
 chopped land, and he now has 75 acres improved and 
 under tillage and supplied with two good barns. Mr. 
 Swanton is a Republican and has served one term as 
 Highway Commissioner. He has spent many winter 
 seasons of his life in lumbering in his own interests 
 and as foreman of the camps of other parties. 
 
 The first wife of Mr. Swanton died Aug. 7, 1880, 
 and he was a second time married June i, 188 1, to 
 Elizalieth, widow of Alexander Kesler. One child 
 was born of her first marriage. The second Mrs. 
 Swanton died March 12, 1884. 
 
 3'!'i^|:L".,dwiri P. Powers, hotel-keeper at North 
 „;l'\VS'-^i; Bradley, is a son of William Gj and Har- 
 
 0v'sj'^' riet (Elrick) Powers, and was born in 
 "aj^ Franklin, Franklin Co, Vt., Jan. 16, 1833. 
 The father of Edwin was of Welsh descent 
 
 and was born in Castleton, Rutland Co., Vt., 
 and died in Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 
 1880. His (Edwin's) mother was born in Milton, 
 Chittenden Co., Vt., and is at present living with her 
 daughter in Nicholville, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. 
 Her father was from Scotland and her mother a 
 native of the Green Mountain State. 
 
 Edwin's father followed the vocation of lumber- 
 ing all his life. His family consisted of nine chil- 
 dren, five boys and four girls, and all lived to attain 
 the age of maturity except one. At the present 
 writing there are four girls and two boys living. One 
 son died prior to attaining his majority, and two died 
 while serving their country in the late civil war. 
 One of the latter died of a wound received in a bat- 
 tle near Fortress Monroe; he received the wound in 
 his shoulder, which necessitated the amputation of 
 the arm and caused his death after some two weeks 
 of pain and suffering. The other son died of typhoid 
 fever contracted while in the service. 
 
 Edwin P. made his own way in the world from the 
 time he was ten years of age. At that time he went 
 to work for a stipulated amount and contributed of 
 his earnings a sufficiency to pay his way. He soon 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 began working in a saw-n.ill summers, and spent his 
 winters lumbering, giving all his wages, except suffi- 
 cient to clothe himself, to his parents. He also re- 
 quired a fair common-school education in the schools 
 of Vermont and New York, and continued working 
 as an employe in the saw-mills until 1862. 
 
 The late civil war having broken out, and the sym- 
 pathies of Mr. Powers being with the cause of the 
 North, he enlisted in Co. G, nth N. Y. Vol. Cav. 
 (" Scott's 900"), Aug. II, 1862. The company was 
 commanded by Col. James B. Swain. It was 
 ordered to Washington, U. C, and on its arrival was 
 detailed for provost duty. One company (Co. A) 
 was President Lincoln's body guard and were all 
 mounted on black horses. Mr. Powers was on pro- 
 vost duty in Washington 18 months and was then 
 sent to New Orleans to guard plantations and hunt 
 guerrillas. The plantations had been forfeited to 
 the U. S. Government and rented to Northern men 
 for raising cotton, and it was necessary for a time to 
 keep a guard to protect their crops and buildings. 
 From New Orleans he was sent to Memphis, Tenn., 
 and at the latter place received his discharge from 
 the service. 
 
 On receiving his discharge Mr. Powers returned to 
 St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and again engaged in the 
 mill business, which he continued until 1876. Dur- 
 ing that year he located a homestead of 160 acres of 
 land in Wisconsin, and finally traded his homestead 
 for the hotel he is at present conducting in Button- 
 ville, or North Bradley. 
 
 Mr. Powers was united in marriage, Jan. 31, 1858, 
 at Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., to Miss Sarah 
 A. Foote, daughter of Michael and Margaret (Debar) 
 Foote. Her father was of French and English de- 
 scent, a farmer by occupation and was l)orn in Can- 
 ada. His children were 15 in number, i i of wliom 
 grew to the age of maturity, and nine of whom are 
 now living. He died June 16, 1865. The mother 
 is of English descent, and is still living in Canton, 
 St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. 
 
 Mrs. Powers was born April 4, 1836, in VVadding- 
 ton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. She is the mother, to 
 Mr. Powers, of two children, namely : James E., 
 born Jan. 29, 1862, in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence Co., 
 N. Y., was united in marriage with Miss Altha Don- 
 aldson, Nov. I, 1883; and Harriet, born Nov. 3, 
 1859, in Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., died Jan. 
 6, 1 86 1. 
 
 In national affairs Mr. Powers affiliates with the 
 Republican party. Li religion, h'j and wife were 
 both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
 and still incline to that belief. 
 
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 ^ dwin C. 
 
 Berryman, photographer at 
 il^iiij Midland, was born June 27, 1859, in 
 0v^^'' ° Cayuga Co., N. Y. His parents, William 
 and Catherine (Spears) Berryman, removed to 
 Leslie, Ligham Co., Mich., in 1862. His father 
 is a farmer and both parents now reside in 
 Fentonville, Genesee Co., Mich. 
 
 Mr. Berryman spent 17 years in Leslie, engaged 
 in securing a fair common-school education and 
 passing a short period in clerking. In April, 1879, 
 he came to Midland, where he passed three years as 
 a salesman in the mercantile establishment of the 
 Reardon Bros. In 1882 he became proprietor of a 
 photograplier's outfit and traveled some time. In 
 October, 1882, he located at Midland, where he is 
 engaged in a prosperous business. His artistic work 
 includes all varieties of photography, copying, 
 enlarging and portrait-painting, crayon, water colors, 
 etc. He owns his residence, place of business, a 
 village lot and 40 acres of land in Homer Town- 
 ship. 
 
 He was married in Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., 
 Sept. 21, 1 88 1, to Miss Delia Glympse. She is a 
 native of Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich. Mr. Berry- 
 man is a member of the Knights of Maccabees. 
 
 — ^--Kef^f^J.).. 
 
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 |^,r. Andrew J. Bowman, resident at Eden- 
 ville, was born July 11, 1836, in Herkimer 
 '=" Co., N. Y. His parents, William and Polly 
 (Chaffee) Bowman, were born respectively in 
 ^j Vermont and New York. They are both de- 
 ceased and their remains are buried in the 
 cemetery at St. Clair. 
 
 Dr. Bowman was reared to the age of 16 years on 
 his father's farm. He then took the making of his 
 fortunes into his own hands and went to Lakeport on 
 Lake Huron to learn the trade of builder. After two 
 years he returned to St. Clair County, where he 
 tarried but a short time. He went to Detroit, where 
 
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 :^nti;^A^ 
 
MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Stockwell, 
 and afterwards continued his course of reading with 
 Dr. Cornell, of Ionia. He attended two terms of 
 lectures at Ann Arbor, and has been in active prac- 
 tice about 1 6 years. Dr. Bowman is a Republican 
 in political sentiment. He owns a fine place, witli a 
 new house and barn. 
 
 He was married Aug. 15, 1883, to Mizeth, daugh- 
 ter of Edwin and Rhoda (Ellis) Eraser. Her par- 
 ents are natives of Canada and are respectively of 
 Scotch and English descent. Tliey live in Hope 
 Township, Midland County, where they have resided 
 about 12 years. Five years previous to that they re- 
 sided in Lincoln Township. Mrs. Bowman was born 
 April 6, 1864, in Strathroy, Can. 
 
 ^*H^Sifc 
 
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 harles B. Peer, farmer, section 31, Mid- 
 pi?asS land Township, is a son of Abraham and 
 ^ Polly (Ballard) Peer, who were natives of the 
 
 V 
 
 State of New York. He was born in Genesee 
 I County, that State, Feb. 11, 183 1, and wlien 
 14 years old he came to Wayne Co., Mich., where he 
 remained eight years; he then resided in Parke Co., 
 Ind., until 1S70, when he came to Midland County 
 and purchased 5 2 acres of land, where he has since 
 resided, and now has 35 acres under cultivation. 
 He had charge of the County House in 1879 and 
 1883. Mr. P. is a member of the Masonic friternity, 
 and in politics is a Democrat. 
 
 He was married in Indiana, Aug. 8, 1859, to Miss 
 Lucy Fossett, daughter of Jockway Fosset. She 
 was born in the Empire State, June 3. 1836. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Peer are the parents of one child, Frank- 
 lin, who died when about 18 months old. They 
 adopted Otis J. Davis when he was 15 months old, 
 and gave him their own name of Peer. 
 
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 ^lo^lisha S. Day, f;irmer, sections i and 2, 
 Edenville Township, was born Oct. i, 
 1842, at Lyndon Center, Cattaraugus Co., 
 N. Y., and is the son of Thomas and Dorothy 
 (Smart) Day. His parents are natives of Eng- 
 land and became residents of America previous 
 to their marriage. They now reside at Lyndon Center. 
 
 Mr. Day was under the guidance of his father ^ 
 
 until he was 21 years of age. He remained at his 
 work on his father's farm about six weeks after reach- 
 ing the period of his legal freedom, and received 31 
 dollars, with which he set out in the world. His first 
 employ was in cutting cord-wood, at two shillings and 
 si.x pence a cord, and he boarded himself He next 
 engaged as a farm assistant and worked by the 
 month some time, after which he operated in buying 
 and selling stock in his own interest. The field of 
 his operations was chiefly Canada, whence he shipped 
 his purchases to the State of New York. He con- 
 tinued this business several months, after which he 
 returned home and worked a year on his father's 
 farm. In 1866 he came to Romeo, Macomb Co., 
 Mich., and went to work by tlie month. In the 
 spring of 1867 he rented a farm for a year. 
 
 He was married April 2, 1867, to Justina C, 
 daughter of Snover F. and Eliza (Smith) Chrisman. 
 The parents are both living, near Romeo. She was 
 born March 5, 1844, and died Aug. 15, 1877, of ^ 
 consumption. She and a child were buried in one 
 coffin in the cemetery at Romeo. Three children 
 survive, born as follows: Brice, Oct. 24, 1868; 
 Florence E., March 6, 1872; Clyde Evart, March 
 29, 1874. Mr. Day was a second time married, 
 April 2, 1878, to Arilla, daugliter of John W. and 
 Ellen (Robbins) Grover. She was born April 10, 
 1840, in Windham, Norfolk Co., Can. Her parents 
 both died in Edenville, Mich. Mrs. Day was the 
 widow of C. J. Axford. The family of Mr. Day in- 
 cludes an adopted son — Freddie Strong — born May 
 13, 1876, in Massachusetts. 
 
 On the expiration of his lease of the first farm, 
 Mr. Day rented one situated two miles distant, on 
 which he operated two years, when he again rented 
 anotjier farm and continued its management five 
 years. In 1875 he purchased 320 acres of land in 
 Macomb County, and two years later made an addi- 
 tional purchase of 54 acres. He remained resident 
 on the place six years. In 1878 he bought 166 acres 
 of land on sections i and 2, Edenville, where he 
 now resides. He has also kept a hotel for two years 
 at Edenville, but has leased it for five years to L. G. 
 Porter. 
 
 The farm was under partial improvements and has 
 increased greatly in value since it has been under 
 his management. He has erected one of the finest 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -f^^^C(®vSP 
 
 
 
 
 houses and most valuable barns in the township. 
 He made a later purchase of 200 acres, which he 
 improved to some extent, and sold in 1SS3. He 
 now owns 540 acres of land, besides the hotel in 
 the village of Edenville. Among other acts of well- 
 considered and well-directed benevolence which Mr. 
 Day has performed, has been the contribution of 
 $600 to the erection of a church at Romeo, and 
 $200 toward the construction of a church edifice at 
 Edenville. 
 
 Mrs. Day is one of the earliest settlers in Midland 
 County. She came to Edenville in the fall of 1866, 
 with her father, mother and husband, making the 
 route from Saginaw to Midland on the " Belle Sey- 
 mour," a steam tug, and thence to Edenville on a 
 scow, which conveyed the family and their effects. 
 The place then contained a hotel, in which the only 
 store in the vicinity was conducted. They bought ten 
 acres of land and the farm on which the family now 
 reside, moved into a shanty and set up hotel-keep- 
 ing therein, until they were enabled to build a suit- 
 able structure for that purpose. After doing so they 
 continued its management 1 1 years, and then sold 
 it. The principal business of Northern Michigan at 
 the time of their arrival was lumbering, and the 
 hotel was chiefly patronized by the men engaged in 
 the woods. At the dates of opening and closing the 
 lumber season, the resources of the hotel were taxed 
 to the uttermost, as all supplies were transported 
 thither by canoes or scows from Saginaw, there being 
 no roads of any use, and sometimes hundreds of 
 men were entertained in a day. The experiences of 
 Mrs. Day were unusually trying. 
 
 1 mos Turney, carpenter and builder, resi- 
 dent on section 16, Homer Township, was 
 born June 26, 1837, in Northumberland Co., 
 Ontario. At the age of 11 years, he was 
 bound out to Levi Walker, in the State of New 
 York, with whom he resided one year. He returned 
 to his native province and passed his time in various 
 occupations until he was 16 years old, when he placed 
 himself under indentures with David Turney, his 
 cousin, to learn the trade which has since been his 
 vocation. At the age of 18 years he came to 
 St. Clair Co , Mich., where he was engaged chiefly in 
 
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 the pursuit of his trade three years, when he came 
 to Midland County. Two years later he returned to 
 Ontario, and spent a year in the en.ployment of the 
 cousin of whom he learned his trade. At the end 
 of that time they formed a partnership and trans- 
 ferred their interests to St. Clair, Mich., where they 
 engaged in an extensive business. Mr. Turney had 
 the core of his father in Ontario, and passed his 
 time alternately in Michigan and in the Dominion 
 until he was married. That event occurred Aug. 22, 
 1867, when Sarah M. Windover became his wife. (See 
 sketch of John Windover.) She was born June 26, 
 1849, in Ontario. Five sons constitute the issue of 
 this marriage. They are William H., George, Amos, 
 Reynold and John W. Mr. Turney is a zealous 
 Republican, and has served as Highway Commis- 
 sioner. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 it ames B. Burtless, farmer, section 24, Mid- 
 land Township, is a son of William and 
 Mary (Petty) Burtless, natives of New 
 Jersey. His father came from that State to 
 Central New York when a boy, and drove a 
 cow the entire distance. Both his parents re- 
 sided in New York State until their death. They had 
 eiglit sons and one daughter. 
 
 Jymes B., the eldest of the children, was born in 
 Seneca Co., N. Y., April 8, 1822. At the age of 21 
 he came to Jackson Co., Mich., and purchased a 
 tract of 103 acres. After improving about 18 acres 
 he sold the place, and a year afterward returned to 
 New York Stale and worked a farm on shares for 
 four years, when he came again to Michigan and 
 lived one year in Lenawee County. During this 
 time he bought a farm in Branch Co., Mich., and 
 lived upon it almost ten years, when he again sold 
 out, and in February, 1864, enlisted for the Union in 
 the First Michigan Light Artillery, serving till the 
 close of the war. He then bought a farm in Bay Co., 
 Mich., and occupied it till January, 1881, when he 
 sold and came to Midland City, lived with his son, 
 Dr. Burtless, two years, and a few months later he 
 bought 40 acres of land in Midland Township, on 
 which he built a residence and where he still lives. 
 He was first married in Lenawee Co., Mich , 
 Feb. 25, 1846,10 Susanna Cairnes, a native of New 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 York State. Their children were William E., Hattie 
 and Charlie. Mrs. B. died Dec. 30, 1859, and Mr. 
 B. married Jeannette Cameron Fray, in Sanilac 
 County, Aug. 19, 1874. Latona A. and Erie were 
 the children by this marriage. The latter died when 
 nearly three years old, and the mother in November, 
 1879. Sept. 19, 1SS2, Mr. B. married, for his present 
 wife, Mrs. Sarah A., daughter of John and Wilhel- 
 mina Fleming and widow of David Stephens, who 
 died Feb. 19, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Burtless, a Republican, has been Highway 
 Commissioner in Bay County, and both himself and 
 wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 . — ^~;-4 — o<s«ilB)>-^^c — g>-H- — 
 
 ohn Haywood, farmer on section 13, 
 Homer Township, was born in St. John's, 
 ■>"*^' Can., Oct. 22, 1843, and lived with his 
 parents until 16 years old. During this time 
 they removed to Prince Edwards Island ; and 
 later they went to the State of Maine, where 
 both parents died, the father in i860 and the mother 
 in 1868. 
 
 Commencing as a common laborer at tlie age men- 
 tioned, he found employment at ti.nes in the lumber 
 woods and on the river, and at other times worked at 
 farming. He was thus engaged, in the State of 
 Maine, until the spring of 1865, when he came to 
 Michigan. Here he worked in the woods and on the 
 river until 1877, when he settled on 40 acres in 
 Homer Township which he had purchased in 1869. 
 He has since devoted his time mostly to farming, 
 and has now 25 acres improved, a fair residence and 
 -a good stock and grain barn. 
 
 June 29, 1874, at Midland, he was joined in wed- 
 lock with Miss Nettie Fisk, daughter of Mark H. 
 and Mary (Cronnnett) Fisk, natives of Maine, and 
 of Welsh and English descent, respectively. Mrs. 
 Fisk now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Haywood. 
 She is a lineal descendant of Oliver Cromwell, some 
 one of her ancestors having changed the name to 
 Crommett. Mr. Fisk died in the Pine Tree State 
 June 18, 1858. Mrs. Haywood was born May 14, 
 1854, in Levant, Penobscot Co., Me.. Losing her 
 father wlien four years old, she was under her 
 mother's care until 20 years old. At that age she 
 came to this State and county, where she was shortly 
 after married. 
 
 The family includes two children — Ernest G., 
 born Feb. 5, 1874, and Herbert A., Feb. 11, 1882. 
 Mr. H. has held the offices of Drain Commissioner 
 and Constable, and is in political opinion a Repub- 
 lican. 
 
 -vSs- — 
 
 illiam O- Burtless, M. D., medical prac- 
 titioner at Midland, was born near the 
 »<^''(~s city of Jackson, Mich. His parents, 
 'Ire*^ James B. and Susan (Carnes) Burtless, set- 
 tled soon after their marriage in Seneca 
 County, N. Y., where they were members of the 
 agricultural class of society. They came to Michi- 
 gan about the year 1845, and in 1847 returned to 
 Seneca County, where they resided three years, re- 
 turning at the end of that time to Michigan. They 
 settled near Coldwater and maintained their resi- 
 dence there a number of years. The mother died 
 about the year 1856. The father is still living, and 
 resides in Midland Township, this county. 
 
 Dr. Burtless attained to man's estate in Branch 
 County, and passed the years of his early youth ob- 
 taining his elementary education and alternately as- 
 sisting on the farm of his father. He became inter- 
 ested in the progress and issues of the Civil War, 
 and at last decided in risking the fate of the soldier. 
 He enlisted Jan. 10, 1864, in Co. M, nth Mich. 
 Cav., under Capt. Frisby. The regiment was as- 
 signed to the Western Army, and was in active ser- 
 vice, chiefly among the guerrillas of North and South 
 Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Vir- 
 ginia. Dr. Burtless was wounded in a skirmish in 
 Kentucky, April 12, 1864, and during the attack on 
 Saltville, W. Va., he received a minie-ball wound 
 in his left foot, and soon afterward the leg was shat- 
 tered by a bursting shell. He was taken prisoner 
 and placed in a rebel hospital, located opposite the 
 notorious Libby Prison at Richmond. He was in 
 vigorous health at the time and weighed 168 pounds. 
 After being wounded he lay three days on the field, 
 without food or drink, and suffered the loss of a large 
 amount of blood. His privations after he was cap- 
 tured were after the pattern that have stamped the 
 Southern character of that period with an ineffaceable 
 stigma, and which he was only enabled to withstand 
 Ijy his splendid powers of physical endurance. He 
 
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 -^4^^j(@y^i 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 was paroled at the end of three weeks and weighed 
 93 pounds. Three months before his discharge from 
 the service of the United Stales, he rejoined his regi- 
 ment and served during the remainder of his period 
 of enHstnient in the capacity of Corporal. 
 
 On being mustered out, he came to Tecumseh, 
 Lenawee Co., Mich., and became a stiident in the 
 union school at that place. He completed a course 
 of study, a''ter which he passed a year in the Baptist 
 College at Kalamazoo. In the fall of 187 i, he ma- 
 triculated in the Literary Department of the Uni- 
 versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He withdrew 
 from the University at the end of his Sophomore 
 year, in the spring of 1873. Soon after, he embarked 
 in a mercantile enterprise at Auburn, Bay County, 
 a;ssociated with L-a Swart. The relation terminated 
 at the end of two years. While attending school at 
 Tecumseh, he gave some attention to the study of 
 medicine, and in the fall of 1876 he entered the 
 Medical Department of the University, where he was 
 graduated in the spring of 1878, in medicine and 
 surgery. In July of the same year, he initiated his 
 practice at Midland, where he has since continued its 
 prosecution and leads his profession. His business 
 in the department of surgery is especially extensive, 
 and includes a wide-spread territory. He belongs to 
 the State Medical Society, also the American Medi- 
 cal Association. 
 
 Dr. Burtless owns a fine residence and grounds in 
 Midland, several building lots variously situated in 
 the village, and 155 acres of farming land adjoining 
 the corporation. He holds a third interest in 2,000 
 acres of timber lands in Larkin Township, and has 
 the same claim in 130 acres of land located adjoin- 
 ing his farm, before named. He is also a member 
 of the Star Flouring Company at Midland. 
 
 Dr. Burtless was married in 1874, at Tecumseh, 
 Mich., to Sarah, daughter of Dr. J. S. and Sarah 
 Hainilton. She died in Jajiuary, 1875, leaving a 
 son — Earl — who died when 1 1 months old. Dr. 
 Burtless was a second time married, June 22, 1877, 
 to Emma C. Blodget, daughter of Charles S. and 
 Laura P. Blodget. The only child of this marriage 
 • — Hattie — died at the age of 1 1 months. 
 
 Charles S. Blodget was born in Vermont, Jan. 3, 
 18 1 8, and was the son of ("harles and Content 
 (Waite) Blodget. A few years after his birth his 
 parents removed to Brownhelm, Lorain Co., Ohio, 
 
 where they passed their remaining years. In 1864 
 they celebrated their golden wedding. The father 
 died at the age of 93 years. The mother died in 
 1877, at 90 years of age. 
 
 Mr. Blodget received a careful elementary educa- 
 tion at the district schools and afterward at Oberlin, 
 Ohio. He was married in 7840, to Laura P. Graves, 
 a lady of rare personal and mental traits. Slie was 
 born July 31, 1824, in Camden, Ohio. The husband 
 was employed in the lake service during a few sea- 
 sons, where he bought a saw-mill and farm at Brown- 
 helm. The mill was burned and replaced by another, 
 which was also burned, and the proprietor in 1852 
 sold his agricultural interests and removed to Mich- 
 igan, settling in Midland Township on a tract of un- 
 improved land, where he once more began his con- 
 test with the world. He entered vigorously into the 
 work of wresting success through persistent effort 
 from the wilderness of woods, and he prosecuted the 
 business of lumbering in connection with that of agri- 
 culture. He was a man of earnest Christian char- 
 acter, and exerted his influence as such in every 
 possible avenue. 
 
 The population of Midland Township was chiefly 
 composed of unlettered people, whom circumstances 
 compelled to exert every faculty to the acquisition of 
 a livelihood, and to whom the Sabbath brought only 
 respite from arduous toil and was spent in such re- 
 creation as the place afforded, consisting mainly of 
 hunting and fishing. Through the eftbrts of Mr. 
 Blodget, ably seconded by his wife and the few Chris- 
 tian people in the vicinity, a Sunday-school was in- 
 stituted and the services of a minister secured. His 
 house was the center of hospitable entertainment and 
 the headquarters of chance travelers, clergymen and 
 Indian missionaries. He was keenly alive to the 
 portentous issues of the times in which he lived. 
 
 Patriotic and loyal, as he was, to the dignity and 
 claims of the standard of the United States, the in- 
 solent attack upon the Federal authority at Fort 
 Sumter aroused in him all the indignation of one 
 whose dearest and best is ruthlessly assaulted, and 
 he was deterred from joining the defenders of the 
 Union only by the feeble health of his wife. But, as 
 events progressed and the reverses of 1862 involved 
 the hopes of the North in seeming ruin, he responded 
 to the appeals of the Executive for aid and succor in 
 the most trying hour of the nation's peril. He be- 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 came a soldier Oct. 17, 1862, enlisting in Co. H, 
 27th Mich. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Bingham. He 
 went to the field as a Sergeant and was in active ser- 
 vice nearly two years. In March, 1864, he was 
 seized with camp diarrhea, resulting from the fatigue 
 and exposure of a forced march of several days' con- 
 tinuance. He was placed in an ambulance prepara- 
 tory to removal to the hospital at Knoxville, Tenn., 
 becoming unconscious during the transfer. He re- 
 mained insensible and died a few hours later. His 
 demise occurred March 12, 1864. 
 
 His widow was left with seven young children, 
 all daughters except the youngest. She was in frail 
 health, but rallied to the double responsibilities 
 thrown upon her by the death of her husband. She 
 devoted herself to the education and rearing of her 
 children, assuming control of the property and so 
 managing her resources as to secure the object of her 
 efforts. She died March 8, 1873, of consumption 
 from which she suffered three years. She was warmly 
 regarded beyond the limits of her own family, having 
 proved invaluable among the friends and neighbors 
 of her sphere, who found in her a sympathetic friend 
 and assistant in tlie emergencies of life. 
 
 The portrait of Dr. Burtless appears on another 
 page. It is presented with peculiar satisfaction, as 
 that of an able practitioner, a conscientious man, and 
 one who is ever sensible of the claims of his genera- 
 tion. 
 
 (^ 
 
 lanson Marey, farmer, section 35, Inger- 
 
 aj^'aTX-^ soil Township, is a son of Stephen and 
 
 '5^1^ Achsy (Howe) Marcy, natives of Vermont, and 
 
 jk^ was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1807. 
 
 'j Coming to this State, he first lived several 
 
 years in Lapeer County, and in March, 1856, he 
 
 came to Midland County and purchased 80 acres of 
 
 section 25, Ingersoll Township, where he settled and 
 
 lived till the fall of i8S3,when he sold this farm and 
 
 bought a house and small tract of land on section 
 
 35, his present residence. 
 
 He was first married in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., to 
 Mary Bowen, a native of New York, and they had 
 six children, viz.: Almira, Charles F., Harriet H., 
 William H., Martha A. and Susan D. Almira and 
 Martha are deceased, and their mother died Ti"ie 21, 
 
 1S5T. Mr. M. was again married Sept. 2, 1853, in 
 Oakland Co., Mich., to Mary A., daughter of William 
 and Phebe (Herrimon) Upton, natives of the State 
 of New York, and of the eight children by this mar- 
 riage four survive, viz.: Achsy O., Polly R., Seth N. 
 and Orrin J. The deceased were Phebe, Tillie A., 
 Lydia J. and Ira E. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Marcy belong to the Wesleyan 
 Methodist Church. In regard to national ejuestions 
 Mr. M. votes with the Republican party. 
 
 j::^ 
 
 M^m 
 
 [Ivin Marsh, farmer, section i, Edenville 
 C Township, was born Oct. 13, 1823, in Mc- 
 Lean village, Tompkins Co., N. Y., and is 
 V?jlja^ the son of Joseph and Mary (Bailey) Marsh, 
 '1^ both of whom were natives of Vermont. The 
 ; mother was of genuine Yankee extraction, and 
 is deceased. The father was born Dec. 29, 1795, 
 and died at the home of his son Aug. 22, 1865. 
 
 Mr. Marsh was the third son of four children born 
 to his parents, and when he was seven years old, ac- 
 companied them in their removal to Allegany Co., 
 N. Y. The township was named New Hudson and 
 the immediate vicinity was known as the Marsh set- 
 tlement. He was reared to the profession of a farmer 
 and remained on his father's farm until he attained 
 his majority. In company with his father and two 
 brothers, he owned an equal share in 200 acres of 
 land and a saw-mill, and in 1S53 he came to Mich- 
 igan to prospect for a location. He returned and 
 sold his claim, and in October, 1854, settled in Sagi- 
 naw County. He understood the trade of a builder, 
 and he was occupied in the pursuit of that business 
 several years. In 1857 he removed to Saginaw City 
 and two years later, in the fall of 1859, he settled in 
 Midland County. Motile residing at Saginaw he 
 bought 160 acres of land in Hope Township, which 
 he exchanged for the farm on which he is at present 
 established, which includes 160 acres. It comprised 
 30 acres of cleared land, and was supplied with a 
 log house and a log barn. He now owns 120 acres 
 of his original purchase, having sold 40 acres. Eighty 
 acres ot the homestead are under creditable and 
 valuable improvements. Mr. Marsh is a Republican 
 in political faith, and has been Supervisor of his 
 township two terms. Mr. Marsh built, in the autumn 
 
 gllll<>V=* 
 
 ^5 
 
rrv4i(lD^:iiIlri>v-e ■:^&^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 ^. 
 
 ^SjS5 
 
 i® 
 
 ^m^ 
 
 <) 
 
 <^ 
 
 of 1855, the first frame structure, at Midland City, 
 for John Larkin. He is quite a successful Nimrod, 
 having killed up to date 142 bears, 200 wolves, and 
 from 1,200 to 1,500 deer. For some years he made 
 quite a handsome income by working at his trade in 
 the summers, and trapping in the woods winters. 
 
 He was married at Rushford, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1846, 
 to Laura Ann Holmes, who was born March 17, 
 1826, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. Her father, Jeremiah 
 Holmes, was born July 7, 1800, in Herkimer Co., N. 
 Y., and died Oct. 19, i85S. He was of English 
 origin. The mother, Laura (Smith) Holmes, is a 
 native of Massachusetts, of English descent, and is 
 living with William Magee. Emily Adelaide, the 
 eldest of two children of Mr. and Mrs. Marsh, was 
 born in New Hudson, Allegany Co., N. Y., Sept. 30, 
 1847, and became the wife of Gilbert B. Goff, of 
 Edenville Township, April 10, 1866. John Owen 
 Marsh was born July 10, 1853, in New Hudson. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Marsh are members of the Church of 
 Seventh-Day Adventists. 
 
 I illiam A. Greenleaf, farmer, section 33, 
 Midland Township, is a son of Thomas 
 and Mary (Young) Greenleaf, natives of 
 Maine. He was born in Mercer, that State, 
 ^ June 9, 1835, attended school until iS years 
 of age, and then learned the trade of carriage- 
 making. He then worked at his trade five years in 
 South Carolina. Returning to his native State, he en- 
 listed, April 18, i86i,in the Sixth Maine Volunteers, 
 and served until the close of the war. During the 
 first three years of his service he was in 23 general 
 engagements. 
 
 After the war he returned to Maine, and two 
 months afterward he came to Michigan. The first 
 winter he worked in the woods, and in May, 1866, 
 he came to Midland City, where he was employed 
 two summers in carpentry, but continued in the lum- 
 (9^ ber woods during the intervening winters. About 
 186S he purchased 80 acres of land where he now 
 resides; but from 1870 to r88i he lived in Midland 
 ^ City, continuing at carpentry and lumbering, accord- 
 ^ ing to the season, as above mentioned. He now has 
 (^ 25 acres under cultivation. 
 ^ Mr. G. was married in Oakland Co., Mich., in 
 
 September, 1866, to Mrs. Julia, daughter of Lambson 
 and Roxy Livermore and widow of Amos Witter, 
 who died in the army. She had by her first marriage 
 one child, Alice by name, and by her present mar- 
 riage one child, Ro.xy M., born Aug. 21, 1868. 
 
 In general politics, Mr. Greenleaf votes with the 
 Republicans. 
 
 i 
 
 0S«5«;«t#«"»-lf^ 
 
 illiam McKay, farmer, section 32, Mid- 
 land Township, is a son of James and 
 J^^f^O Jessie (Mcllrath) McKay, natives of Scot- 
 4?^ land, who. shortly after their marriage, emi- 
 |Y grated to New York city. Here, Mr. James 
 
 -> McKay engaged in mercantile pursuits for a 
 while, then in Paris, Ont., for three years ; then sold 
 out and established himself in agricultural pursuits 
 for five years ; next he exchanged his property for a 
 distillery, which he ran for ten years, and finally pur- 
 chased the farm where he now resides. His wife 
 died in 1853. They were the parents of seven chil- 
 dren, of whom the subject of this sketch was the 
 second. 
 
 The latter was born on "Scotia's Isle," Feb. 15, 
 1840, and was therefore but an infant when his par- 
 ents emigrated with him to this country. When r6 
 years of age he started out in the world for himself, 
 in the pursuit of agriculture. In September, 1859, 
 he returned to Scotland and remained until May, 
 1861. He received his education mostly in the 
 common schools of Ontario, and he also attended 
 the academy at Dumfries, Scotland, near the home 
 of the poet Burns. He returned to Canada in 186 r, 
 and for two years was engaged in the live-stock 
 business. He had previously purchased a farm in 
 Norfolk Co., Ont., on which he settled at this time, 
 and remained there till he came to Midland County, 
 in June, 1865. On his arrival here he purchased 40 
 acres of unimproved land, to which he has since 
 added ten acres, and he now has the entire place 
 under fine cultivation. 
 
 Mr. McKay was married in Midland City, May 
 25, 1867, to Julia, daughter of Joseph and Abigail 
 (Taylor) Smith, who were natives of New York. She 
 also was born in that State, in Onondaga County, 
 Oct. 5, 1839. James D., born May 25, 1871, is the 
 only child born to Mr. and Mrs. McKay. 
 
 V&^ 
 
 
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 rzi^P^sr — ^=r7^':UU^PU>-:>v 
 
 
 ) 
 
 :-§ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 The subject of this biographical sketch has held 
 the offices of Higliway Commissioner, Justice of the 
 Peace and School Director, in his political sentiments 
 is a National, and, with his wife, is in sympathy with 
 the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 cries Kelly, farmer, section 26, Homer 
 
 Township, was born in this township 
 
 '^ Oct. 24, i860, and is the son of William 
 
 '^^^ and Elizabeth (Barton) Kelly. His parents 
 
 are residents of the village of Midland. 
 
 The leading event of the life of Mr. Kelly 
 thus fa.r was his marriage to Mary McDermott. 
 She was born in Homer Township, March 12, 1865, 
 and is the daughter of Clement and Ellen (O'Con- 
 nell) McDermott. Her parents were natives of New 
 York, of Irish descent. Laroy is the only child yet 
 born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly. They reside on the 
 family homestead, and Mr. Kelly owns 80 acres on 
 section 30, of this township, 30 acres of which are 
 under the plow. 
 
 •'x*£ai2»©iC-^— l§|^^^&^^i- 
 
 •^^^msrm^ 
 
 ri^CS:^ 
 
 illiam Simmons, farmer, section 28, Mid- 
 land Township, is a son of Nicholas and 
 „ Sabine Simmons, who were natives of 
 '' Germany and emigrants to America in the 
 summer of 1847, settling in St. Clair Co.^ 
 Mich. Mother died in Port Huron. 
 . William was born in Germany, Aug. lo, 1839, and 
 was eight years old when he came with his parents 
 to this countr)' ; attended school two years in his 
 native land, and several terms in Midland. At the 
 age of 13 he left home, and three months afterward 
 was apprenticed for three years to learn the black- 
 smith's trade, which he followed until rS6i, when he 
 enlisted in the Fifth Mich. Cav. and served three 
 years. He was the first to enlist from Midland 
 Township. At the battle of Gettysburg he was 
 taken prisoner and conveyed to Belle Island ; four 
 months afterward he was paroled. Excepting his 
 time in the army he has resided in this county since 
 1858. 
 
 In i860 he bought 38 acres of land in Midland 
 
 Township, to which he has since added 80 acres, 
 and he has almost 70 acres under cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Simmons was married in Midland City, May 
 r, 1865, to Phebe E., daughter of Jeremiah and 
 Laura E. (Smith) Holmes, and widow of M. E. 
 Goodrich, who died Dec. 20, i860. Mrs. S. was 
 born in Allegany Co., N. Y., July 11, 1840. By her 
 first marriage there was one child, which died in in- 
 fancy. By her second there have been three chil- 
 dren, viz : Avis V., William R. and Ernest H. — the 
 last of whom died when eight years old. 
 
 Mr. S. has been Township Treasurer one year. 
 Highway Commissioner three years (re-elected in 
 18S4), and has held the various school offices. In 
 political matters he votes with the Republican party. 
 Mrs. Simmons is a Seventh-Day Adventist. 
 
 * R'C"J;-.',avid Berthune, farmer, section n, Geneva 
 C^\{[}/rf'' . . . ^ 
 
 ': "iP..^J'- Township, was born in the Province of 
 
 Quebec, Can., May g, 1847. He is a son 
 of Louis and Shia (Be Dor) Berthune. His 
 father was a native of Canada, of French 
 'S descent, and was born in 1815. He owned 
 
 a small farm (33 acres) in the Dominion, and fol- 
 lowed farming and buying and selling stock for a 
 livelihood, and died in September, 1857. The mother 
 of David was a native of Canada, of English and 
 French descent, born in 1826 and died in the Do- 
 minion in January, 1876. 
 
 David left home when 12 years of age and worked 
 in the lumber woods winters, and on the rivers sum- 
 mers, running logs, until 187 I. In the summer of 
 that year he came to Saginaw, this State. He 
 engaged as employe to a Mr. Peter McCarthy, and 
 worked in the woods in that gentleman's interest 
 until he came to this county. 
 
 June 23, 18S0, he purchased his present farm on 
 section 9, Geneva Township, and moved on it in 
 March, 1882. 
 
 March 12, 1873, Mr. Berthune was united in mar- 
 riage to Miss Salina, daughter of Louis and Mercy 
 (Brandow) Bresan. Her mother died in the summer 
 of 1 88 1, in Mecosta County, this State, and her 
 father still resides in that county. -She was born 
 Jan. 6, 1850, and departed this life Feb. 11, 1858, 
 leaving to the care of her husband two children. 
 
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 .1 
 
 )^€- 
 
 %®- 
 
 -©TK^iingntif^^^^ — ^«^ 
 
 -est 
 
 ^^^^ 
 
!2?Ti,J?^C" 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 I 
 t 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 
 / 
 
 t 
 
 
 namely. Louis Edward, bom Feb. 15, 1874; and 
 Mercy, born Feb. i, 1S7S, died April 6, 1S7S. One 
 child preceded the mother to the better land, namely, 
 Sophia, bom Jan. 8, 1S76, and died Oct. 13. TS77. 
 
 March 26, 1SS2, he was again married, to Miss 
 Jennie M., daughter of Hiram and Maria Bartlett. 
 Her father was a native of Maine, of English 
 descent, followed the occupation of lumberman, was 
 bora March 16, 1829, and died March 6, 1S82. Her 
 mother is of English and Irish descent, and is living 
 with her son in Buttonville. Mrs. Berthune was 
 born Aug 28, i860. She is the mother to Mr. B. of 
 one child, David Edwin, bom June 2, 18S3. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Berthune is a believer in the doc- 
 trines of the Republican party. He is a quiet, un- 
 ostentatious farmer and a respected and esteemed 
 citizen of his township. 
 
 i eter Skym, farmer, section 2,2,, Homer 
 : Township, was born June 27, 1836, in 
 Albany, N. V. His parents, John and 
 S"^ Susan (Thoroughgood) Skym, were natives of 
 ' |!^ London, Eng., and of mixed Welsh and Eng- 
 lish extraction. The father was employed as an as- 
 sistant in a silk factor)- in London, and emigrated to 
 America some years ago. He settled with his 
 family in r84o in Ashtabula O)., Ohio, where he fol- 
 lowed farming until his death, which occurred 
 Jan. 4, 187S. The mother died Nov. 3, 1S74, in the 
 same countj\ 
 
 Mr. Skym was a small child when his parents 
 settled in Ohio, and he remained under the direction 
 of his father until he was 22 years old, when he 
 engaged as a farm assistant in the ^-icinity where he 
 had grown to manhood. He was married Feb. 23, 
 1S65, to Celia Miller. She was bom in Ashtabula 
 Co., Ohio. Oct. 30, 1S39, and is the daughter of Jus- 
 tus and Laura (Holbrooks) Miller. Her parents were 
 bora in Ohio, and her father died there about the 
 year 1S70. Her mother is yet living in the Buckeye 
 State, and is aged 78 years. Frank E., Stella E., 
 Clinton J. and Arthur are the names of the children 
 bom to Mr. and Mrs. Skym. The latter is deceased. 
 After their mani.ige they remained in Ashtabula 
 Count)' until the fall of 1879 and were engaged in 
 farming. In the year named they removed to the 
 
 count)- and township in which they ha%-e since re- 
 sided. Mr Skym bought 80 acres in a wholly un- 
 improved condition, which he has cleared and greatly 
 increased in value. He is a Republican in his politi- 
 cal views. 
 
 X^ 
 
 ■- - -- - « 
 
 1 
 
 %^%j^^^^^t^«-ii-i- 
 
 •ajnthony Dagle, farmer, section 10, Midland 
 
 J^S^^ Township, is a son of .\nthony Dagle, a 
 
 £ ^:^ native of Lower Canada, who died in Detroit, 
 *- ft 
 '-.i^ Mich., about 1856. Of the mother of the 
 
 i subject of this sketch very little is known, as 
 
 she died when he was a child. 
 
 Anthony. Jr., was born in Lower Canada, July 4, 
 1S36, and spent the first 12 years of his life in the 
 Dominion. He then came to Detroit, Mich., and six 
 years later to East Saginaw, where for five years he 
 was employed ;is engineer on the river, for John Lar- 
 kin. He first came to Midland County- in the fall 
 of 1859, since which date he has most of the time 
 resided here. In 1S6S he purchased 40 acres of land 
 in Midland Township, where he now lives. Since 
 then he has added 20 acres to his original purchase, 
 and of the total he now has 30 acres in good culti- 
 vation. For nearly 20 years his residence was in the 
 village of Midland, and at one rime he owned valua- 
 ble land within the village limits. He has also been 
 employed in a saw-mill for many years. 
 
 Mr. Dagle was married in Midland, Dec 25, 1S5S, 
 to Esther, daughter of Thomas and Jane McCartney, 
 who was bom in Canada Oct. 12, 1838. She is a 
 member of the Presbyterian Church. The children 
 of Mr. and Mrs. D. have been, Olivia L^ Orville 
 (who died when iS months old) and Omiille. 
 
 In general politics, Mr. Dagle is in sympathy with 
 the Republican party. 
 
 alph Dunton, Postmaster and merchant at 
 Edenviile. and farmer on section 2, Eden- 
 '°' ville Township, was bom in Onondaga Co., 
 X. v., Oct. 9, 1S30. He is the son of Ruel 
 K. and Phebe M. 0^'eeks) Dunton. The 
 mother died in St. Clair Co. Mich. The 
 father is an inmate of the home of his son. 
 
 Mr. Dunton remained under his parental guidance 
 
 
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 m 
 
 'Vl)«^^-»- 
 
 ■^^^y=^ — ^^-D!i:<^ODv>^ 
 
 -t^^fiy-^ 
 
 ^1 
 

 
 ■^^y^rr 
 
 
 IV- 
 
 MIDLAND 
 
 W^> 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
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 until the age of f 7 years, devoting his time to the 
 assistance of his father in his farm labors. After 
 that period he engaged as a laborer on farms during 
 the agricultural seasons, and spent the winters in 
 the lumber woods. He operated thus about ten 
 years. He made several trips to Midland County, 
 and in January, 1S65, he came here to make a per- 
 manent location. He managed a saloon during the 
 first year thereafter and then bought 1 14 acres of 
 wholly unimproved land, on which he went vigor- 
 ously to work. Two years later he bought out the 
 mercantile interests of his father-in-law, and since 
 that time has combined the two callings. He has 
 conducted the postoffice at Edenville for 13 years. 
 Mr. Dunton has persistently declined public ofl&ce. 
 He is a Republican in political faith. 
 
 He was married Dec. 24, 1868, to Alice, daughter 
 of Henrj- and Esther (Bowman) Church. She was 
 born Dec. i, TS4S. Maud M., born Nov. 23, 1S69, 
 and Edith, bom June S, 1S77, are the only children 
 of Mr. and Mrs. D. 
 
 ^ylvester B. Halbert. farmer, section 22, 
 Midland Township, is a son of Seth and 
 Sally (.\lden, descendant of a Mayflower 
 Pilgrim) Halbert. The former was a native of 
 Massachusetts and was of Irish descent. 
 They settled in Cortland Co., N. Y., where 
 they lived until their death. She died in June, 1S28, 
 and he in September, 1882. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was bom in Cortland 
 -Co., N. Y., April 22, 1828. When nearly 18 years 
 of age he went to Rochester, that State, and worked 
 by the month there and at other places, mostly at 
 farming, for about five years. For a while he was 
 engaged in boating wood to Rochester. Returning 
 to Cortland County, he purchased a farm, which he 
 managed about two years, when, in 1850, he was 
 robbed by an iron-clad mortgage. He then spent a 
 year in this count)-, engaged in lumbering in the 
 winter. In the spring, in company with John Lar- 
 kin and Elihu G. Battles, he commenced farming, 
 and clearing 50 acres, which they "took up" in part- 
 nership, Mr. Larkin securing the tax title. After- 
 ward Mr. Battles bought the original tide. 
 
 He taught school several months, and in Decem- 
 
 . ^^^^^ — ^t^m • 
 
 ber, r856, he moved his family from New York to 
 their new home in what was then a wild forest, in 
 this county. He first rented a farm for about two 
 years, and then bought a brick-yard in Midland, 
 where he followed brick-making for 16 years. Mean- 
 while he bought 40 acres on section 22, where, after 
 quitting the former business, he has since followed 
 farming. By subsequent purchase he has added to 
 his landed estate, so that at present he owns an ag- 
 gregate of 123 acres, about 40 of which is in good 
 cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Halbert has spent three years of his life in 
 the army, enlisting Aug. 2S, 1S61, in the Second 
 Mich. Cav. Most of the time he was militar)- store- 
 keeper at Detroit, Mich.; about six months he was in 
 Tennessee, or. detached ser\nce. He was discharged 
 Sept. 25, 1864, at Louisville, Ky., and returned to 
 Midland, where he has since lived. Politically, he 
 is a National and an anti-monopolist. 
 
 He was married in Cortland Co., N. Y., July 4, 
 1854, to Lydia, daughter of Abel and Emeline 
 (Chaniplain) Sanders, who were natives of Vermont 
 and Rhode Island. Mrs. H. was bom in Chenango 
 Co., N. Y., Oct. 27, r834. Mr. and Mrs*. H. are the 
 parents of five children, viz.: Adelaide D., Edward, 
 Willie, Seth and Duane B. Edward, WiUie and 
 Seth are deceased. 
 
 ames Major, farmer, section 35, Midland 
 Township, is a son of Timothy and Esther 
 (Bennett) Major, who were natives of Bris- 
 tol, England. In their family were seven 
 jC children : Eliza, James, John, Charles, George, 
 \ Emma and Matilda. 
 
 The eldest son, the subject of this biographical 
 sketch, was bom in Bristol, June 18, 1828. At the 
 early age of 10I3 years he was bound out for five 
 years to a ship owner, who was a resident of the 
 island of Jersey. 
 
 Young James served his time, and received his 
 license to command a sailing vessel. He then went 
 on a trip to the East Indies as a common sailor, and 
 made various voyages, until he was 19 years old, 
 when he took command of a Dublin brig to Ham- 
 burg, Germany, thence to the White Sea, and re- 
 turned to Dublin. This trip required si.x months of 
 time. Then, in 1847, he sailed under the United 
 
 I 
 
 
 
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 T 
 
 <>[iD§ii(i;> 
 
 ^^ 
 
 [(^vm" 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 >: 
 
 States flag and came to America. He was on the 
 sea for ii years, on the lakes three years. In Octo- 
 ber, 1851, he came to Midland County and bought 
 54 acres of land, in Midland Township, where he 
 has since resided. He has since added 40 acres, in 
 IngersoU Township, to his original purchase, and has 
 now about 65 acres in cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Major has been honored with the offices of 
 Township Treasurer one year, Township Clerk one 
 year, Justice of the Peace four terms (still holding 
 this office), and School Director 23 years. He votes 
 the Republican ticket. 
 
 Mr. Major was married in Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 12, 
 1850, to Martha, daughter of William and Kittie 
 (Beatty) Glass, natives of Ireland and of English 
 and Scotch ancestry, who settled in Londonderry, 
 Ireland, where she died in 1845 • he afterward came 
 to America, and died in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1852. 
 Mrs. Major was born in Londonderry, Dec. 12, 1833, 
 and the record of the children in Mr. and Mrs. M.'s 
 family is as follows: Ada A., born July 29, 185 1; 
 William G., Oct. 8, 1853; Ehza J., Feb. 20, 1856; 
 James E., Sept. 21, 1863 ; Bently A., .\pril 18, 1870; 
 and Kittie £., March 10, 1873. 
 
 Mrs. Major is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church. 
 
 "^'' Ibert M. Button, farmer on section 12, 
 Geneva Township, was born in Ashtabula 
 Co., Ohio, Jan. 7, 1853. He is a son of 
 Wm. R. and Sarah Jane (Harris) Button, the 
 former a native of Ithaca, Tompkins Co., N. 
 Y., and the latter of Ohio. His father left 
 Tompkins County in 1840 and went to Ashtabula 
 Co., Ohio. He was a ship-builder and carpenter by 
 trade, and spent 25 years of his life on the " bosom 
 of the deep," being engaged 1 2 years of that time as 
 master of a vessel. He also had five brothers who 
 followed the same vocation. He cleared a small 
 farm (40 acres) in Ashtabula County, then sold it 
 and purchased another some six miles distant from 
 the first. On this latter farm his family lived and he 
 followed his vocation on the waters summers and re- 
 mained at home winters. In 1869 he came with his 
 family to this State and county. At that time there 
 was but little improvement here. The railroad 
 through Geneva Township was being graded and 
 
 tied, but was not finished until the June following. 
 Having faith in the future development of the county, 
 he, in company with four others, purchased all of 
 section 12, Geneva Township, except 120 acres. 
 
 Albert M. Button, the subject of our biographical 
 notice, remained on the parental homestead, with the 
 exception of four years, until he attained his 
 majority. \ portion of the four years he was 
 engaged in railroading, and one summer of the time 
 sailed on the brig " E. N. Peck." During his latter 
 service, while on the brig, he was taken sick with 
 typhoid fever and went home to recuperate. On 
 arriving at the age of majority his father gave him a 
 saw-mill. The mill was given on condition that the 
 son would give up railroading and accepted on that 
 condition. He ran the mill for some time, when it 
 was burned, and in about 60 days his father had an- 
 other built and running, near the depot. It was a 
 planing, shingle, lath and circular saw-mill. He ran 
 this mill for his father with signal success for three 
 or four years, and then ran a mill on Harrison 
 Branch, called the " Button Mill," and belonging to 
 his father, for two years. At the expiration of the 
 latter date he brought the machinery from the latter 
 named mill to Buttonville and started an upright 
 saw-mill. He ran this for five months and then 
 moved it three miles below, where he again ran it 
 for about three months, and then sold it, reserving 
 the "power." He then engaged for about ten 
 months in railroading for the Flint & Pere Marquette 
 Railroad Company, when he returned home and 
 purchased a circular saw-mill and again engaged at 
 his former occupation, which, together with that of 
 making shingles, he has continuously followed to the 
 present time. May 28, 1884, his mill was burned, 
 and at this writing he is re-building. 
 
 Mr. Button was united in marriage Aug. 5, 1875, 
 to Miss Mary, daughter of James and Mary (Welsh) 
 Martin. Her father was of Irish descent, a native 
 of the Empire State, and died in Canada when the 
 daughter was only eight months old. The mother 
 was born in Canada, and is of Irish descent. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Button have two children, namely, Minnie 
 Rose, born March 25, 1877, and Willie Burt, born 
 Sept. 20, 1878, both in Buttonville. 
 
 Mr. Button has a farm of 80 acres, on 30 acres ot 
 which he has chopped the trees, and he has cleared 
 15 acres. He has no buildings erected on his land, 
 
 9 
 
 '-V- 
 
 ( 
 
 P 
 
 %/ 
 
 1 
 
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 X S 
 
 
 :a5 
 
 O 
 
 (-) 
 
 •^^ 
 
 mmm> 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 but contemplates the erection of a house and barn 
 this summer. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Button is a believer in and sup- 
 porter of the principles of the Republican party. 
 He has held the office of School Commissioner, and 
 is an esteemed and respected citizen of his township. 
 Religiously, he is a member of no Ciuirch. Mrs. 
 Button belongs to the Catholic t'hurch. 
 
 / 
 
 . ohn Currie, farmer on section 31, Mid- 
 land Township, is a son of John and Mary 
 (McDonald) Currie, natives of Scotland; 
 and he also was born in that country, June 15, 
 1847. When two years old he was brought by 
 his parents to Canada, where they lived till 
 r86o. He then came to this county, which has 
 since been his home. In 1867 he purchased 80 
 acres of wild land where he now resides, to which he 
 has added eight acres by purchase. Of the whole, 
 55 acres are under cultivation. 
 
 April 23, 1868, in Midland Township, he was 
 united in marriage with Miss Jane, daughter of 
 Archibald and Annie (Nesbitt) Yule. Parents and 
 daughter were natives of Scotland, where the latter 
 was born May 20, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. C. have one 
 son, John. They incline to the Presbyterian faith, 
 and Mr. C. is politically independent. 
 
 -.f — «^/\/V; 
 
 •- I ( - ,>! enjamin Lee, farmer and builder, section 
 '\ L-1^,- 13, Edenville Township, was born March 
 
 5ft» 
 
 iv{p, His parents were natives of the Emerald 
 
 cyi^ ' 16, 1843, in County VVicklow, Ireland. 
 
 '4? 
 
 Isle, and came to Canada in 1852. They 
 settled in the county of Victoria, and in the 
 town of Omemee, an Indian name signifying pigeon. 
 His father was a miner and was employed on the 
 railroad. 
 
 When Mr. Lee was 14 years old his mother died, 
 and he was apprenticed for five years by his father 
 to learn the wagon-maker's trade, but the indentures 
 were broken at the end of the first year by his em- 
 ployer's abandoning the business in consequence of 
 falling heir to a considerable property. Mr. Lee 
 then turned his attention to farming, to which he 
 
 devoted himself one year, after which he went to 
 learn the trade of builder. He was a natural me- 
 chanic, and soon acquired sufficient technical knowl- 
 edge of the use of tools to operate in his own in- 
 terest, and he has pursued the same vocation to the 
 present time. He came to Edenville Oct. 17, 187 i, 
 and after working as a builder for a year he bought 
 ten acres of unimproved land. He has placed the 
 entire property under cultivation, with good house, 
 barn, well and orchard. He is a Republican and 
 has served four years as Justice of the Peace. 
 
 He was married Aug. 29, 1867, at Bobcaygeon, 
 Can., to Mary Ann, daughter of John P. and Mary 
 Ann (Reith) Patterson. The mother of Mrs. Lee 
 died in Ireland at her birth. The father died in 
 Hope Township, in 1883. Both parents were natives 
 of County Antrim, Ireland. The children of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Lee are named and were born as follows: 
 Eldward, Sept. 6, 1869; John P., June 29, 1873; 
 George D., Jan. 26, 1876; Martha Jane, Aug. 9, 1882. 
 
 ■^^ 
 
 
 V V 
 
 E>- 
 
 Wnk illiam W. Allen, farmer, section 24, Mid- 
 
 iti 
 
 i 
 
 ^ 
 
 \^ 
 
 1>. 
 
 A^i^^^ 
 
 land Township, is a son of Ashab^l and 
 \yv-'ya'- Catherine (Baldridge) Allen, natives of 
 
 '> Vermont. The latter, after marriage, resided 
 awhile in their native State, then removed 
 
 to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., then to Oneida 
 County, same State, and finally to Geauga Co., Ohio. 
 He was a blacksmith, and died at Akron, Ohio. 
 After his death, his widow continued for some time 
 to reside in Geauga County, and then removed to 
 Eaton, Lorain Co., Ohio, where she died March 20, 
 1862. In their family were three sons and one 
 daughter, viz.: Matilda S., born May 16, 1831. 
 Ethan P., born in 1834, enlisted in Co. G, 12th Ohio 
 Cav., and died at Lexington, Ky., in July, 1864; 
 William W., the subject of this sketch, born Feb. 28, 
 1837 ; and Henry N., Dec. 31, 1839. 
 
 Mr. Allen remained at home, farming and attend- 
 ing school, until 18 years of age, and then for six 
 years he worked by the month at farming, and taught 
 school during the winter seasons. In 1858 he at- 
 tended school one term at the Hiram Institute, when 
 the late President Garfield was Principal, and Mr. 
 Allen was in his class, in analysis and mathematics. 
 The next year he attended the Baldwin University, 
 
 
 0) 
 
MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 ■55SiC^?!Sr 
 
 I 
 
 f 
 
 .0 
 
 >J 
 
 V 
 
 at Berea, Ohio, one term, and the following year, 
 i860, he attended one term of the High School at 
 Elyria, Ohio. 
 
 He was married in 1861, and went to Henry Co., 
 Ohio, and bought a farm, where he lived a year and 
 a half. In October, 1S63, he enlisted in the 12th 
 Ohio Cav., for the cause of the Union, and served to 
 the close of tlie great life-and-deaih struggle of this 
 nation. Most of the time he was in Kentucky, in 
 scout and border service. The principal battles in 
 which he was engaged were Mount Sterling, Ky., 
 and Cumberland Gap. 
 
 After the close of his military service he returned 
 to his home in Lorain County. Having disposed of 
 his farm in Henry County, he bought a farm, which 
 he carried on 11 years, and then sold and came to 
 Bay City, Mich., wliere he remained two years. In 
 February, 1879, he came to Midhmd Connty and 
 settled on an 80-acre tract of land in Midland Town- 
 ship, which he had bought in 1876, and where he has 
 since resided. He now h?s about 25 acres under 
 cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Allen, in religion, is a member of the Presby- 
 terian Church; in politics, of the Republican party; 
 in social affairs, of the G. A. R., Dwight May Post, 
 No. 69. In August, 1883, he was elected a County 
 Examiner on the School Board ; has been School 
 Moderator two years. School Director, and Road 
 Master four years. In the spring of r884 he was 
 elected Treasurer of Midland Township. 
 
 July 3, 1861, at Eaton, Lorain Co., Ohio, Mr. Allen 
 married Miss Mary, daughter of James and Sarah A. 
 (Fleming) Burns, — the latter, natives of Pennsylvania. 
 Mr. B. died in Pittsburg, Pa., in September, 1844, 
 and Mrs. B. came to this county in 1880, and is now 
 tlie wife of James B. Burtless, residing in Midland 
 Township. Mrs. Allen was born in Pittsburg, Pa., 
 Jan. 23, 1845, is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, and is the mother of three children, 
 namely. Bert E., Charles H. and Mabel M. 
 
 ill J. Shepherd, farmer, section 2, Edenville 
 ^^^a|j Township, was born Nov. 11, 1844, in the 
 town of Scruple, Oswego Co., N. Y. He is the 
 son of Peter D. and Laura (Hoffcaling) Shep- 
 herd. His parents were natives of New York, 
 and descended from Holland Dutch ancestry. 
 His mother resides in Tobacco Township, Gladwin 
 
 Co., Mich. In 1857 they emigrated to Wayne Co., 
 Mich., where they settled on a farm and resided five 
 years. The father died and the family removed to 
 East Saginaw, where they remained five years. 
 
 Mr. Shepherd came to Midland County several 
 times previous to his final settlement, which he made 
 about the year 1868. He engaged in the liquor busi- 
 ness at Edenville, in which he was occupied about 
 four years. He went thence to Clare, where he re- 
 mained nearly one year. He bought the farm where 
 he now resides in 1873. 
 
 He was married July 20, 1872, to Eleanor R., 
 daughter of William and Adelia Idella (Belote) 
 Mitchell. Her parents live in Vernon Township, 
 Isabella County, and are members of the farming 
 community. They are natives of New York, and the 
 father is of Irish parentage. The mother is of un- 
 mixed Yankee descent. The children of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Shepherd were born in the following order: 
 Carrie Agnes, Oct. 4, 1873; Laura Adelia, Dec. i, 
 1875; William Case, Aug. 18, 1877; Edna May, 
 March 23, 1879; George Presley, April 3, 1883. Mr. 
 Shepherd is a Democrat in political faith. 
 
 "giskJK' 
 
 I^V®^(^#- 
 
 j^S|i ylvester Leonard, farmer, section 9, Mid- 
 
 ^^P~ land Township, is a son of Robert and 
 
 ^"> Susan Leonard, natives of the Empire 
 
 State. He was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., April 
 
 22, 1827, in which State he remained, engaged 
 
 n farming and lumbering, until about 1864; 
 
 then was in Lapeer County, this State, about two 
 
 years, managing a farm of his own; then sold, and 
 
 bought a farm in Saginaw County, where he lived 
 
 until the fall of 1870; then, for six years, he followed 
 
 teaming at Midland City, during which period he 
 
 bought his present place, of 40 acres, and since about 
 
 1876 this has been his residence. Thirty acres are 
 
 improved. 
 
 Mr. Leonard was first married in Tioga Co., N. Y., 
 to Miss Samantha Butler, a native of that State, and 
 by this marriage were three children, — Robert, de- 
 ceased, Oliver and Sidney. Mrs. L. died about 1862, 
 and Mr. L. was again married, June 23, 1868, in 
 Genesee Co , Mich., to Mrs. Argina Allen Alger, 
 widow of George W. Alger, who died in the army in 
 1862. She had by her first marriage five children: 
 
 T 
 
 f 
 
 ( 
 
 < 
 
 A 
 
 ¥. 
 
 
 f 
 
 ^. 
 
Mn^^^^ 
 
 -c^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -««^?^ 
 
 f.^ - 
 
 Vf David, Eugene, Leonard, Sophia and Virginia. Mrs. 
 
 'R L. was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., April 30, 1826; is 
 
 . '\ a member of tbe Methodist Episcopal Church. Her 
 
 f grandfather was one of the first American soldiers to 
 
 \ enlist in the Revolutionary war. 
 
 On national questions Mr. Leonard is a Repub- 
 lican. 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 V 
 
 /n f^'Tfi C oseph D. Short, farmer, section 12, Mid- 
 '^iSMiitT I'lnd Township, is a son of William and 
 • , ,i "^ Elizabeth (Dolamore) Short, who were na- 
 ''^ tives of England and came to this county in 
 1878. Father died March 28, 1882, and 
 mother survives, aged 73, and resides in Mid- 
 land. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Lorain Co. 
 Ohio, Aug. 15, 1844, and has resided in this county 
 since the immigration of the family. His father 
 bought 400 acres of land on his arrival here, and at 
 his death 120 acres were left to Joseph. Of this 
 tract, 40 acres have since been disposed of, and a 
 small portion of the remaining 80 is cleared. 
 
 Mr. Short was married in Jackson, Mich., Oct. 27, 
 1872, to Miss Elizabeth Lester, who was a native of 
 Sturgis, this State. 
 
 In regard to political affairs, Mr. Short is counted 
 a Republican. 
 
 Tteaar©-^* 
 
 
 javid Burton, retired farmer, section 12, 
 „,. Edenville Township, was born in Fairfield, 
 Somerset Co., Me., Sept. 13, 1801. His 
 tW parents, John and Peace (Bowman) Burton, 
 were Quakers and of English origin, born re- 
 spectively in Maine and Massachusetts. 
 They died at Dexter, ALiine, and are buried in the 
 cemetery in that place. The father was a black- 
 smith by trade, and sometimes pursued it to a limited 
 extent in connection with his chief occupation as a 
 
 farmer. 
 
 Mr. Burton passed the entire period of his minority 
 
 with his parents, and on reaching the age of 21 he 
 
 bought 80 acres of land in the adjoining township of 
 
 Garland, and went to work by the month to obtain 
 
 money to pay for it. He remained three years in the 
 employment of one man, and at the end of that time 
 he had saved $200, the amount he required to dis- 
 charge his indebtedness for his land During his 
 first year of service he received S9.50 per month for 
 eight months ; during the second year of labor he 
 was paid monthly $10.80, and during the last year 
 about $r I for the same time. He attended school 
 winters and did chores for his board. At the end of 
 three years he entered upon the work of improving 
 his farm, and erected a frame house and frame barn. 
 He was married Nov. 22, 1830, to Sarah. R. daughter, 
 of Isaac and Hannah (Bartletl) Copeland, by whom 
 he had two children : Hannah, born Aug. 13, 1831, 
 and an unnamed infant, who died a month after 
 birth. The mother died at Dexter, Maine. 
 
 Mr. Burton was a second time married Oct. 29, 
 1834, to Enieline Copeland, a cousin of his first wife. 
 She was born Aug. 24, 1815, and died in April, 1881. 
 Eight children were born of this marriage, as follows: 
 Elizabeth L., Sept. 29, 1835; Edwin N., June 20, 
 1837 (see sketch); Augusta A., June 4, 1839; Fran- 
 ces E , April 17, 1841: Caroline A., Oct. 15. 1843; 
 Frank S , July 17, 1845 ; Frederick M., April 3, 1847 ; 
 Lillian A., May 14, 1859. Elizabeth married George 
 Jacobs, of Midland, and died in child-birth, July 6, 
 1863. Her babe died a few days later. Frances 
 married Daniel Judge, of Osceola County, and died in 
 child-birth, Feb. 21, i860. The life which was the 
 price of the young mother's existence was preserved, 
 the child — Walter Judge — being brought up by his 
 maternal grandfather. He is married and resides in 
 Edenville Township. 
 
 Mr. Burton resided on his farm four years, sold out 
 and went to his father's homestead to take care of 
 his parents and a younger brother, but matters did 
 not progress smoothly, and Mr. Burton purchased 
 too acres of his father's farm, on which he resided 
 four years. At the end of that time he sold again, 
 and bought 80 acres of land, where he resided until 
 1 85 1. In that year he came to Washtenaw Co., 
 Mich., and bought 80 acres. Three years later he 
 sold out and went to East Saginaw, where he left his 
 family through the winter and came to this county 
 and managed a lumber camp, where Midland is now 
 situated, as he had done the previous winter. In 
 March, 1855, he removed his family and interests to 
 Edenville Township, where he became the proprietor 
 by purchase of 160 acres of land, paying therefor 50 
 
 i 
 
 -i 
 
 rp 
 
 # 
 
 ^^D^>^ 
 
 4^^C@>i 
 
2l6 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -^^^ -#^«®V^ 
 
 cents an acre. He removed hither on the last day 
 of March, transporting his effects on the ice in two 
 sleigh loads. The family moved into a log house 
 which had been used for a camp the previous winter. 
 Mr. Burton took charge of the men in the woods, and 
 proceeded to chop and clear in the interests of Tift 
 Jerome, in order to raise food to supply the camp the 
 coming winter. He also cleared two acres of his own 
 property, and planted it with turnips and potatoes. 
 In the fall he built a log house and took possession 
 of it with his family, commencing his pioneer life. 
 He has resided on the place ever since, and has been 
 identified with the interests and progress of his town- 
 ship. He is a Democrat in political connection, and 
 was the first Supervisor after the organization of the 
 township. He was Town Clerk several years, and 
 has served as Township Treasurer. 
 
 i,harles H. L. Hubbell, farmer, section 9 
 H| Midland Township, is a son of Charles 
 
 W^ B. and Anna A. (Metier) Hubbell, the 
 Mp former a native of Connecticut and the latter 
 
 ^ of New Jersey. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in 
 Bridgeport, Conn., Oct. 31, 1840. At the age of 19 
 he came to Oakland Co., Mich., and for two years, 
 worked out by the month, at Rose. Aug. to, 1861, 
 he enlisted in the Seventh Midi. Inf, and served 
 until Jan. 8, 1863, when, on account of having re- 
 ceived a severe wound, he was honorably discharged. 
 His left leg was broken by a musket ball, in the bat- 
 tle of Antietam. He also participated in the battles 
 of Winchester, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, 
 White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Bull Run (2d), 
 South Mountain, etc. • 
 
 On leaving the army, he returned to Oakland Co., 
 Mich., and resided there till the spring of 1872, 
 when he came to Midland County and purchased 60 
 acres of land, in Midland Township, where he has 
 since resided. He now has half this tract under 
 cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Hubbell was married in Fentonville, Genesee 
 Co., Mich., July 2, 1863, to Miss Angeline, daughter 
 of Nicholas and Nancy (Hall) Yorton, who were 
 natives of the Empire State. She was born in 
 Holly, Oakland Co., Mich., Oct. 30, 1843. The chil- 
 
 dren of Mr. and Mrs. H. are five in number, namely: 
 George B., Nora A., Fayette S., Myron H. and 
 Anna H. 
 
 Mr. Hubbell has been Overseer of Highways for 
 several years; is a member of the Masonic and 
 Odd Fellows fraternities, and also of the G. A. R., 
 Dwight May Post, No. 69. In politics he is in sym- 
 pathy with the Democratic party. 
 
 eslie F. Babcoek, farmer on section 9, and 
 acting Postmaster at North Bradley, was 
 born May r9, 1855, in Grant Co., Wis., and 
 is the son of William and Angeline R. (Con- 
 /^ verse) Babcoek. His father was born Feb. ri, 
 1818, in the State of New York, of English an- 
 cestry. The mother was born Sept. 10, 1824, in 
 Cayuga Co., N. Y., and comes of the genuine New 
 England Puritan stock, as indicated by her family 
 name of Converse. The family of the senior Bab- 
 coek moved to Wisconsin in 1849, and settled in 
 Grant County. After a residence there of r i years 
 they started, in the spring of r86o, for Pike's Peak, 
 traveling thither in a prairie schooner, in a caravan 
 train. They remained among the mountains six 
 weeks and retraced their steps to Manchester, Del- 
 aware Co., Iowa, where the father opened a shop for 
 the prosecution of his trade of wagon-making. He 
 conducted his interests in that line two years at that 
 place, selling his wagons to farmers. In 1863 he 
 came to Livingston Co., Mich., and spent eight years 
 at Leroy and Fowlerville. While in that county he 
 managed a hotel at Leroy and at a point two miles 
 west of Fowlerville, on the road from Detroit to Lan- 
 sing, before the construction of the railroads through 
 that region. In 1870 he sold out and moved to San- 
 ford, where he operated three years as a hotel-keeper. 
 In 1873 he removed his family to Cedar Rapids, 
 Iowa, where he remained a few months. He bought 
 two two-horse teams, one saddle horse and seven 
 head of cattle, and went to the eastern part of South- 
 ern Iowa, and settled for a winter opposite Nebraska 
 City, where he sold out all his stock except one team, 
 with which he moved back to Michigan. He built a 
 hotel at North Bradley, this county, and the family 
 continued to conduct it until 1878. The father died 
 Dec. 1 9, 1874. His eldest son was the first Post- 
 
 ©) 
 
 v&; 
 
 (5 
 
 0) 
 
 %\®^^&k^ 
 
 -^^^ ^-^<-^D D M ^'i>^ ^^^r- 
 
 -«9S 
 
 |?^(^ 
 
@)$^t#'^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -:^f4)^^sr 
 
 219 
 
 (h 
 
 master at North Bradley, and still retains the position, 
 with his mother as deputy. 
 
 The family included four sons and an adopted 
 daughter: Charles J., born Aug. 2, 1847, died Dec. 
 21, of the same year; William A., born March 10, 
 1849; Franklin M., born Feb. 19, i85i,died May 
 12, 1S62; and Alice (adopted). 
 
 Mr. Babcock is a Republican in political connec- 
 tion and has been active in local official positions. 
 He has served five terms as Supervisor, two terms as 
 Town Clerk, two terms as Treasurer and is now 
 Deputy Sherifir. 
 
 He was married Aug. 9, 1878, to Alice, daughter 
 of Joseph and Rachel (Emlan) Geary. Her father 
 was born in Kent, England, and died Feb. 2, 1879; 
 her mother is of French descent and resides at Cen- 
 tral Lake, Antrim Co., Mich. 
 
 ^'^^~ 
 
 J-vw^-f- 
 
 (0 
 
 t 
 
 eorge W. Covert, of the firm of Haley & 
 Co., lumbermen and agriculturists, and as- 
 sociated with John Haley in the livery 
 business, located at Midland, was born Aug. 
 31, 1844, in Yates Co., N. Y. His father, 
 Isaac Covert, was a farmer and lumberman 
 and died in Penn Yan, N. Y., in 1882. The mother, 
 Margaret (Mitchell) Covert, died in February, 1846, 
 in the State of New York. 
 
 Mr. Covert passed the first 14 years of his life in 
 his native State, the most of that time as canal-driver 
 on the Erie Canal; and in 1859 went to Allegany Co., 
 N. Y., where he operated in the lumber woods three 
 years. He came to Midland March 4, 1865, and 
 entered the employment of .John Larkin, in whose 
 service he continued 14 years, acting as foreman in 
 the lumber woods and on the drive. In 1882 he 
 formed an association with John Haley, and has 
 since operated in lumber jobbing in the interest of 
 various parties. Their outfit includes 26 double 
 horse teams, and they generally employ about 1 25 
 men. In the winter of 1885-4 they put in 15,000,- 
 000 feet of lumber. They own 200 acres of land, 
 known as the Eastman farm, rated as one of the most 
 valuable pieces of property in the county. They also 
 own 160 acres of farming land in Larkin, Midland 
 County. 
 
 Mr. Covert is a Republican in political faith, and 
 
 has served several terms as a member of the Village 
 Board. His marriage to Emma White occurred 
 Oct. I, 1865, in Belvidere, Allegany Co., N. Y. 
 She was born in the township of Amity, Allegany 
 Co., N. Y., Jan. i, 1850, and is the daughter of 
 Henry and Alniira White. Maud, born Sept. i6, 
 1872, Jesse, born Jan. 7, — and George E., born April 
 9, 1883, are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Covert. 
 
 The portrait of Mr. Covert, which appears on the 
 opposite page, is that of a popular and influential 
 citizen of this county. 
 
 Ifames Rocker, farmer, sections 14 and 15, 
 Kdenville Township, was born June 2, 
 ■' 1825, and is the son of Ichabod and Sylvia 
 (Barden) Rooker, both of whom are deceased. 
 His father descended from English parentage, 
 and was by trade a tanner and currier. 
 Mr. Rooker is the eldest of the children born to 
 his parents, and left home when a mere boy, since 
 which time he has taken care of himself. He lived 
 for some time with a Mr. Kendall, of Algonac, St. 
 Clair Co., Mich., and lie passed his time alternately 
 between Canada and Michigan, until he was 23 
 years old. He was married Nov. 23, 1848, to Mary 
 Ann Shier. Her father died in Ireland in her in- 
 fancy, and her mother resides in Dresden, Canada 
 She is 80 years of age. Mrs. Rooker was born Feb. 
 9, 1822, near Limerick, Ireland, and came to Amer- 
 ica with her mother. Of the seven children born of 
 her marriage with Mr. Rooker, five are living — 
 Joseph Augustus, Arthur L., Sarah L , Orlando C. 
 and Cyrus A. William Henry and Caleb James 
 were drowned in the Tittabawassee River, in 1870. 
 The life of Mr. Rooker has been spent in agricul- 
 tural pursuit and in lumbering. In 1870 he removed 
 to Midland County with his family, and purchased 
 40 acres of land in a good state of cultivation. 
 He has since added 260 acres to his purchase, 
 and has improved about 70 acres. He has spent 
 the summers in farming, and devoted the winters to 
 his lumbering interests. His business has met with 
 varying success, and he has twice been tried by sharp 
 misfortune and been obliged to witness the sweeping 
 away of his frugal earnings. In the fall and winter 
 of 1879 and 1880, he lost $r,8oo by an adverse sea- 
 
 m 
 
 •r^• 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 j^ 
 
 M>mmii>^ 
 
VC:ail^lli]s>v 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 % 
 
 ^) 
 
 son, and in the fall of 1880 lie was again overtaken 
 by disaster in the form of fire, which destroyed his 
 house and its contents, involving a loss of $1,200, 
 with no insurance. He immediately rebuilt his 
 house, and two years later increased the value of his 
 property by the erection of ne.v barns. He has 
 been in the employ of the Hon. Amasa Rust, of 
 Saginaw, 12 years, engaged in buying logs. He is a 
 Republican in political sentiment. 
 
 riw i> ougiiei, laiuie 
 
 l^^ft' Township, is a son 1 
 IS?''^ Sugnet, natives resf 
 
 4Ml^ 
 
 ^^^^tt'ohn Sugnet, farmer, section g. Midland 
 
 ~ ■ ' of Louis and Catherine 
 
 spectively of France and 
 
 Switzerland. He was born in Erie Co., N'. Y., 
 
 Sept. 28, 1849, lived in that State until the 
 
 fall of 1867, then three years in this county, 
 
 then a year in his native State, when lie returned to 
 
 Midland County and has since made his residence 
 
 here. 
 
 About 1872 he purchased 40 acres of land, where 
 he now lives. He once sold the place, however, but 
 bought it back. He has about 18 acres improved, 
 and has a prospect of a home ever increasing in 
 value. In his political views, Mr. S. is a Repub- 
 lican. 
 
 Mr. Sugnet was married in Saginaw City, Mich., 
 June 21, 1879, to Philomene, daughter of Frank and 
 Angeline Yott, natives of Canada. She was born on 
 the Island of St. John's, Ont., May 7, 1858. The 
 two living children of Mr. and Mrs. S. are William 
 and Mary L. One died in infancy. 
 
 'VJ'fc?<,-.-|v 
 
 ^t^i^-?i. 
 
 J illiam R. Haskins, farmer, section 9, 
 ^J4 Geneva Township, was born in Starks- 
 ■M^^C' borough Township, Addison Co., Vt., Feb. 
 1^K|' 22, 185 I. His father, Leonard Haskins, was 
 a native also of Vermont, of English ancestry, 
 and died in June, 1869; and his mother, 
 Louisa E., nee Grace, is a native of Maine, and is 
 now living with ht-r three unmarried sons in the 
 above mentioned township in the Green Mountain 
 State. Of the seven children in this family, six are 
 living, and the subject of this sketch is the third. 
 
 The latter worked out by the month from the age 
 of 10 to 21, contributing a part of his wages to the 
 support of his parents. When a grown man he 
 bought a farm in Vermont, but soon sold it, and in 
 1879 came to Midland County, worked a rented 
 farm a year and a half, and then purchased 80 acres 
 of unimproved land, where he has resided since the 
 fall of 1883 and has four acres improved. 
 
 Mr. Haskins was married Dec. 12, r876, to Alzina 
 A., daughter of Alvin H. and Mercy (Eddy) Lilly, 
 in Starksborough, Vt. Her father, a native of Ver- 
 mont and of Scotch descent, died when she was ten 
 years of age ; and her mother, also a native of that 
 State, of immediate American and remote English 
 ancestry, died when she, the daughter, was 20 years 
 old. Mrs. H. was born in Starksborough, Vt., Sept. 
 I, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Haskins have had si.\ chil- 
 dren, three of whom have died. Following is the 
 record: Willie D., born Jan. 6, if 67; Minnie M., 
 July 24, 1S69, and died April 13, 1870; Bertha 
 Anna, born June 6, 1872; Flora A., Oct. 3, 1875; 
 Letta L., April 16, 1878, and died May 29, 1880; 
 an infant unnamed, born in Detroit, Dec. 26, 1880, 
 died May 17, 1881. All except the last one were 
 born in Starksborough, Vt. 
 
 Mr. Haskins is at present a school officer, and in 
 politics is a Republican. 
 
 psk4: 
 
 I 
 
 A 
 
 ca: 
 
 
 l^amuel Wilkinson, farmer, section 11, 
 ^HC Edenville Township, was born Dec. 29, 
 .^' 1832, in Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., Mich, 
 v^ His parents, Samuel and Hannah (Martin) 
 Wilkinson, were born respectively in New York 
 and Ohio. They removed when the son was 
 in early childhood, to Augusta, where they resided 
 1 2 years. His father was a blacksmith by trade, 
 and followed that calling 50 years. In 1845 the 
 family removed to Barry County, where the father 
 bought 120 acres of land in Johnstown Township, 
 and established a shop on his farm for the pursuit of 
 his trade. Later on, the senior Wilkinson removed 
 to Gratiot County, where he bought 160 acres of 
 land and again followed his two-fold calling. 
 
 Mr. Wilkinson is the eldest of eight children born 
 to his parents, with whom he remained until he was 
 23 years of age. His first marriage occurred in 
 
 t 
 
 ^1/ 
 
 I 
 
 r^<^[l!l:^:DDf>^ 
 
MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 221 
 
 
 <^ 
 
 
 V* 
 
 V 
 
 v) 
 
 1 
 
 April, 1861, when Susan Warren, of Clinton County, 
 became his wife. Of this union one child — Mary 
 Elma — was born, March 8, 1862. The daughter is 
 the wife of Jared Roclcford. The second marriage 
 of Mr. Wilkinson, to Margaret Anderson, daughter 
 of James and Elizabeth (Reid) Anderson, took place 
 Jan. 2, 1865. Her parents are natives of Scotland, 
 and are residents of Lapeer County. 
 
 Mr. Wilkinson became a resident of Midland 
 County in 1861, arriving in the township of Eden- 
 ville on the 15th day of November. He spent all 
 the seasons of two years in lumbering, and in 1863 
 he became the proprietor by purchase of 160 acres 
 of unimproved land. On this he made some im- 
 provements and sold the entire tract for the purpose 
 of relieving himself of all other responsibilities, in 
 order to open a blacksmith shop at Edenville. He 
 conducted that business three years, sold out and 
 bought 40 acres of land in Hope Townshi]), on 
 which he repeated his former experience of slightly 
 improving and selling. Later, he bought 15 acres 
 of land under improvements and fair cultivation, 
 which he sold after a brief ownership and bought his 
 present homestead, which includes 80 acres. Of 
 this, r2 acres are improved, and the place is made 
 more valuable and avai able by a good house and 
 barn. 
 
 -13= 
 
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 &- 
 
 atson Harris, farmer, sec. 28, Hope Tp., 
 ^ was born in Tora Tp., Oxford Co., Can., 
 iP July 2, 1838, the son of Alanson and Polly 
 (Halleck) Harris. Mr. H., Sr., came to La- 
 peer County, this State, in 1842, and died 
 within a month of his wife, at Matamora, that county. 
 Their son Watson was reared on the farm until 16 
 years of age, when he learned the blacksmith trade. 
 This he followed in Lapeer County for 18 years. He 
 bought his farm in tliis county in 1878, and first lived 
 in a log house just below his present frame house.' 
 He first bought 80 acres, but has since added 60 
 acres. Of this estate he has 75 acres improved. 
 
 Feb. 12, 1882, was the date of his marriage to 
 Miss Ada Thomi.ison, daughter of Howley and Betsey 
 (Gooder) Thompson. Mr. T. died in Marcli, 1872, 
 aged 52, and Mrs. T. lives at Midland. Mrs. Harris 
 
 was born Aug. 28, 1841, in Ray Township, Macomb 
 Co., Mich. By a former marriage, Mr. T. has two 
 daughters, Ella E., born June 13, i860, married Feb. 
 12, 1S79, to John J. Ryan, of Midland; and Miiiiue 
 B., born Dec. 3, 1862, married Jan. i, 1S79, to Carl 
 Tower, of Roscommon Tp., Roscommon County. 
 
 L |ffl|k illiam Higgins, farmer, section 26, Mid- 
 
 ^jfl land Township, is a son of Harvey and 
 
 j|- ><(■"! Laura (Whitman) Higgins, the former a 
 
 V/f&\ native of Connecticut and the latter of Cat- 
 
 '^ taraugus Co., N. Y. They moved to Penn. 
 
 - sylvania, thence to Trumbull Co., Ohio, and 
 two years later, namely, in the fall of 1858, they 
 came to Midland County. He died in the fall of 
 1859, and she Aug. 7, 1875. They had eight chil- 
 dren, named Albert, Alvin, Mary, Henry, Henrietta, 
 William, Lydia J. and Leonard, — all of whom lived 
 to the age of maturity. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Crawford 
 Co., Pa., Aug. I, 1847. In August, 1863, when he 
 was but 16 years of age, he enlisted in the war for 
 the suppression of the great insurrection, in the i6th 
 Mich. Inf., and served three years. He participated 
 in the second battle of Bull Run, and in the battles 
 of Gettysburg, Petersburg, ("hancellorsville, the 
 Wilderness, etc., etc. At the battle of Gettysburg 
 he received a slight wound in the hand. 
 
 Since the war he has resided in this county. He 
 now owns 170 acres of land, 140 of which he has in 
 good cultivation. In regard to political views he is 
 counted among the Republicans. 
 
 =|ge^,— 
 
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 X=I 
 
 1 
 
 I Sylvester Erway, farmer, section 12, Eden- 
 ville Township, was born Nov. 23, 1828, in 
 Catherine Township, Chemung Co., N. Y. 
 His parents, Daniel and Hilah (Clark) Erway, 
 were natives of the State of New York. His 
 father was born Sept. 2, 1807, of Irish and 
 Dutch parentage, and died Sept. 26, 1883. The 
 mother was born Jan. 17, 1807, and is of Dutch 
 descent. 
 
 On attaining his majority, Mr. Erway launclied 
 his boat in the tide of effort, by working by the 
 
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 222 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 month and also engaging in the manufacture of 
 shingles for his own benefit. He was thus occupied 
 five years, and then removed to St. Clair Co., Mich., 
 where he was engaged one year in the management 
 of a shingle mill. At the end of that time he came 
 to Edenville Township, Midland County, arriving 
 during the last days of November, 1854. There was 
 but one settler in the township before him, and his 
 marriage was the first event of the kind within the 
 limits of Midland County. His first business move- 
 ment was to buy 160 acres of land. It was in an 
 unbroken state of nature, and of the 100 acres he 
 now owns he has placed 60 acres under cultivation. 
 He sold 60 acres in 1858 to his brother. 
 
 Mr. Erway was married April 6, 1855, to Julietta, 
 daughter of Daniel and Jane T. (Dempster) Bow- 
 man. The mother was born of Scotch descent in 
 May, 1S20. The father was born of Dutch and 
 French ancestors, Sept. 12, 1819. The birth of 
 Mrs. Erway occurred Sept. 23, 1840, in Gorham, 
 N. Y. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Erway, seven 
 in number, were bora as follows: Highley, May 20, 
 1856, at Saginaw; Dora H., Aug. 6, 1858; a third 
 child was born July 24, i860, without life; Charles 
 W., March 16, 1864, and died Sept. 28, 1865; Wil- 
 lard Lincoln, Feb. 2, 1866; Mandana, Feb. 20, 
 1869; Susan Viola, Feb. 18, 1872; Matilda M., 
 March 23, 1874; Leslie G., June 29, 1878. 
 
 The parents are members of the Seventh-Day 
 Adventist Church. Mr. Erway is a zealous Repub- 
 lican, and during the days of struggle through the 
 civil war was an active member of the committee 
 which regulated war matters in the community to 
 which he belonged. He has been Supervisor a num- 
 ber of years. 
 
 eorge A. Thurber, farmer, section 9, In- 
 gersoll Township, was born in Canada, 
 _ J*- "^ May II, 1845; his parents were Calvin 
 ' Vj? * and Frances (Craig) Thurber, who were also 
 natives of Canada. He was engaged in farm- 
 ing, in his native domain, until March, 1872, 
 when he came to Midland County and purciiased So 
 acres of land, in Ingersoll Township, where he has 
 since resided and has 30 acres under cultivation. He 
 has been School Treasurer nine years. In politics 
 
 Mr. Thurber was married in Ingham Co., Mich., 
 Nov. 2, 1870, to Miss Maria, daughter of Nicholas 
 and Elizabeth (Robinson) Lewis, the latter natives of 
 New York State. Mrs. T. was born in Onondaga 
 Co., N. Y., Jan. 15, 1838. 
 
 ^*H^^ 
 
 he is identified with the Democratic party. 
 
 S 
 
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 V^y 
 
 >?jK" Gter L. Tremper, farmer and real- estate 
 l[^SIs° agent, residing on section 2, Midland Town- 
 J j^"^ ship, is a son of Wilham and Catherine 
 y? ^ (Vanderbogart) Tremper, natives of New York, 
 "iv and of German and English extraction. The 
 parents were married and settled in Rockland Co., 
 N. Y., from which place they came to Oakland 
 County, tliis State, in 1846, where, Nov. 26, 1882, the 
 father died, and in which county the mother is still 
 residing. Their family comprised seven children, 
 namely: Thomas N., John \V., Peter L., Albert D., 
 Sarah C, Mary A., and William I. 
 
 Peter L. Tremper, the third son of his father's 
 family, and the subject of this sketch, was born in 
 Rockland Co., N. Y., Oct. 15, 1842. He received 
 the advantages afforded by the common schools, and 
 at the age of 14 years attended the high school at 
 Port Washington, Wis. He remained at the latter 
 school for about 16 months, when he returned to Oak- 
 land County. He soon afterward, in about four 
 months, began the study of medicine with Dr. F. S. 
 Smith, and continued under his instruction for a year 
 and a half, at the expiration of which time he aban- 
 doned the study, and again returned to Oakland 
 County. 
 
 In April, 1861, Mr. T. enlisted in the sth Mich. 
 Vol. Inf , Co. A, and served eight months. July 26, 
 1862, he re-enlisted in the 2 2d Mich. Vol. Inf., and 
 served for three years and nine months, receiving his 
 discharge at Detroit, Mich. He participated in five 
 regular engagements and numerous skirmishes, and 
 while skirmishing opposite Atlanta, Ga., he re- 
 ceived a flesh wound in his right leg, which however 
 did not incapacitate him from service. 
 
 After receiving his discharge he returned to his 
 home in Oakland County. He remained there for 
 about two months, and then moved to Colorado. 
 His intention was to engage in and continue mining 
 in that State, but he was taken sick with typhoid fe- 
 ver soon after he began mining, and returned to Oak- 
 
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 ■eV<^tlll^llllv>T 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 land County. He remained in the latter county 
 until 1877, and then came to Midland, this county, 
 where he resided for one and a half years, following 
 the carpenter's trade for a livelihood. 
 
 In the spring of 1879 Mr. Tremper purchased 60 
 acres of wild land on section 2, Midland Township, 
 on which he located. He has since added 80 acres 
 to his purchase, and of the total has about 38 acres 
 under improvement. 
 
 Mr. Tremper was married in Oakland County, this 
 State, Nov. 6, 1867, to Miss Mary E., daughter of 
 Robert and Mary (Neat) Crickmore, natives of Eng- 
 land. Mrs. T. was born in Oakland County May 29, 
 1848. She is the mother, by Mr. T., of eight chil- 
 dren, namely: Robert T., William V., Mary C, 
 Harry P., Mabel A., Grace E., Thomas N. and Ger- 
 trude. 
 
 Mr. Tremper has been Moderator of his school 
 district for several years. He is a member of the 
 Masonic Order, and also a member of Dwight May 
 Post, No. 69, G. A. R., of Midland City. He is 
 also an honorary member of three different sports- 
 men's associations, and is President of the Midland 
 Sportsmen's Association. Politically he is a National. 
 He is largely interested in the affairs of this county, 
 and in the fall of 1SS2 ran against Michael Ryan for 
 the office of Sheriff, but was defeated by 151 votes. 
 He is at present a real-estate agent, and has a large 
 number of acres of land entrusted to him for sale. 
 He furnishes abstracts and gives warranty deeds. 
 
 — ^'^^Sf-i^S-^'^'^ — 
 
 -a-feL-^t. 
 
 jilonzo M. Hawley, farmer, section 35, Eden- 
 ^ ville Township, was born April 5, 1846, in 
 Allegany Co., N. Y., and is the son of Daniel 
 '■jjir and Sarah (Huff) Hawley. The father died 
 ] Jan. 28, 1880, in Jerome Township; the 
 mother, now Mrs. William Mattliews, resides in Ros- 
 common County. 
 
 The parents of Mr. Hawley removed to Sanilac 
 County in 1859. After a residence of two years tliey 
 came to Midland County, where the father bought a 
 farm of 80 acres. He soon disposed of the property 
 by sale, and trafficked in lands about ten years, 
 when he settled upon a farm, which included 20 
 acres, wliere he passed the remainder of his life. 
 Mr. Hawley was under the paternal guidance until 
 
 ■nirtis J. Winslow, farmer, section 2, Rich- 
 ^ land Township, Saginaw County, is a son 
 
 Vto) 
 
 he was 17 years old, and worked winters in the lum- S^ 
 ber woods and during the spring seasons on the '^ 
 river. When he reached the age of 21 years he ^, 
 bought 147 acres of land on which he made a small 1" 
 inij)rovement, and sold the place. His ne.xt invest- 
 ment was in I 20 acres, which he retained about six 
 years, removing the lumber from it. He then sold 
 it and bought the farm, which is now his homestead. 
 It contains 72 acres, and at the time of his purchase 
 was under slight improvements. He has placed 22 
 acres in a highly creditable condition, and built a 
 small frame house and a large barn. He is a Re- 
 publican in political connection, and has served in 
 the school offices. 
 
 He was married Oct. 8, 1864, in Midland County, 
 to Alida, daughter of Harrison and Mahala (Fox) 
 Averill. Her father was born April 7, 181 3, and is 
 living at North Bradley. The mother died near 
 London, Can. Mrs. Hawley was born May 15, 1846. 
 Their two children are: Ada M., born Aug. i, 1865, 
 is now the wife of Richard Trim, of Montcalm 
 County; Frank A., born July 23, 1876, died March 13, 
 1880. 
 
 9 
 
 
 of Loring S. and Mary (Brown) Winslow. 
 (See sketch of J. J. Winslow.) He was born 
 in Barnard, Windsor Co., Vt., April 13, 185 1 ; 
 at the age of 15 he came thence to Midland County, 
 with his brothers, J. J. and Loring S., and for about 
 four years he worked at clearing up the land which 
 had been taken up by his father some 20 years pre- 
 viously. He was next employed for about four years 
 in lumbering, in the woods and on the river, and in 
 the spring of 1873 he purchased the small stock of 
 groceries — including a small house — then owned by 
 Levi B. Chamberlain, at Lee's Corners. Two years 
 later he formed a partnership with James A. Cham- 
 berlain, under the firm name of Winslow & Cham- 
 berlain, and thus continued over a year, when 
 Mr. W. bought out the entire stock of goods and 
 continued in business at Lee's Corners until Jan- 
 uary, 1883, when he sold out to his brother 
 Charles. He then went to a point in Saginaw 
 County on the Midland County line and purchased 
 
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 -caij^^ 
 
224 
 
 MTDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -^^^^^\M) 
 
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 t 
 
 74 acres of land; and, on quitting business at 
 Lee's Corners, he at once began to build a fine house 
 of modern style, which he now occupies. Ten acres 
 of his land is cleared and in a good state of cultiva- 
 tion. 
 
 Mr. Winslow has held the office of Supervisor of 
 Ingersoll Township one year, and of Township Clerk 
 four years. In 1S73 he was appointed Postmaster at 
 Lee's Corners, under President Grant, and still holds 
 that commission. By Mr. Winslow's influence, this 
 postoffice was established. Politically, he is a 
 Democrat. 
 
 Mr. Winslow was first married in Ingersoll Town- 
 ship, April, 1873, to Miss Clara A., daughter of Erial 
 and Mary A. Chamberlain, and they had two chil- 
 dren, — Rollin C. and Frank. The latter died in 
 August, 1877. Mrs. W. died April 12, 1875, and Mr. 
 W. was again married, in the same township, Jan. 6, 
 1877, to Miss Eva A., daughter of Solon T. and 
 Joanna (Cooley) Hutchins. (See sketch of S. T. 
 Hutchins.) Mrs. W. was born in Ingersoll Town- 
 ship, Midland County, Jan. 6, i860. By the latter 
 marriage there have been two children, — Susan D. 
 and Cora E. 
 
 homas Brine, farmer, section 12, Midland 
 Township, is a son of James and Ann 
 * (Kehoe) Brine, natives of the Emerald 
 Isle, in which country the subject of this 
 sketch was also born, March 5, 1S47. When 
 he was six years of age the family emigrated 
 to Canada, where he lived till the fall of 1865, when 
 he came to Midland County. Here he has been 
 engaged in the lumber woods during the winters and 
 on the river during the summers. In the summer of 
 1877 he bought 80 acres of land where he now lives, 
 and settled upon it the following year. He now has 
 30 acres of this in a well improved state of cultiva- 
 tion. 
 
 Mr. Brine was married at Port Huron, Mich., May 
 22, 1876, to Miss Maggie Haley, a native of Canada. 
 She was born Jan. 18, 1855. Her father, John 
 Haley, and her mother, Ann (Dolan) Haley, are 
 natives of Ireland, and now reside in this county. 
 The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Brine were born 
 as follows: Annie, June 22, 1877; Thomas, Jan. i. 
 
 1880; Margaret E., Jan. 30, 1883. 
 
 ■)(^f|.3 -^^^L. 
 
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 f 
 
 Thomas died when ig months old. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Brine are members of the Catholic Church, and in 
 politics Mr. B. is a " National." 
 
 ^l^'ohn M. Hall, farmer, section 8, Midland 
 
 §Mm s' Township, is a son of James and Margaret 
 ■* (Ferguson) Hall, who were natives of the 
 State of New York. He was born in Genesee 
 Co., Mich., Feb. 26, 1S39, received a common- 
 school education, and remained at his parental 
 home until he was 27 years of age, engaged in farm- 
 ing and other occupations. 
 
 August II, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 23d Mich. 
 Inf., participated in all the battles in which his regi- 
 ment engaged, — as the siege of Knoxville, Tenn., 
 Duck River, Tenn., siege of Atlanta, etc., — and was 
 discharged in July, 1865. He then lived in Saginaw 
 Co., Mich., until the spring of 1867, when he came 
 to Midland County and purchased 80 acres, where 
 he has lived since 187 i. The intervening time he 
 spent in Midland City, following carpentry. He now 
 has 20 acres of his land in a good state of cultiva- 
 tion. 
 
 March 4, 1866, in Saginaw Co., Mich., Mr. Hall 
 was married to Miss Frances, daughter of William 
 and Margaret (Francis) Hopton, natives of England. 
 She was born in Ireland, Jan. 23, 1839. Their. 
 living children now are, Charles W., Guy E. and 
 Curtis J.; and the deceased, Lewis C, John R. and 
 an unnamed infant. 
 
 Mr. Hall has been constable and Pathmaster since 
 his residence in Midland County. He is a charter 
 member of Dwight May Post, No. 69, G. A. R., of 
 Midland City, and in politics votes with the Demo- 
 cratic party. 
 
 :; — ^. 
 
 " ^^i ott S. Holmes, farmer, section 35, Eden- 
 
 ville Township, was born Jan. 15, 1838, in (o'> 
 V I' Ridgeway, Orleans Co., N. Y., and is the 
 feju son of Jeremiah and Laura (Smith) Holmes. 
 His father was born in 1800, in Herkimer Co., 
 N. Y., where he was brought up to the pro- 
 fession of farmer, and was also taught the trade of 
 carpenter. The mother was born in Bristol Co., 
 
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 <^ii!i^nti;>^@- 
 
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 MIDLAND 
 
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 COUNTY. 
 
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 Mass., Sept. 27, 1S06. They removed with their 
 family to .Allegany Co., N. Y., where the father pur- 
 chased a small farm. In the fall of 1856 they set- 
 tled in Crawford Co., Pa., where they resided until 
 1859, on a rented farm. In the year named, he 
 came to Midland County, whither two children had 
 preceded him. He was accompanied by his wife and 
 three younger children. He remained in Midland 
 Township the winter following his arrival, and in 
 the spring ensuing settled upon 60 acres of land he 
 had purchased in Jerome Township. Its improve- 
 ments consisted of a shanty and a few acres on 
 which the timber had been slashed down. Here he 
 conducted a kind of lumbermen's hotel until the 
 time of his death, Oct. 8, 1868. 
 
 The home of his parents was that of Mr. Holmes 
 until he was 30 years of age, and he was occupied 
 in some of the various departments of lumbering in 
 his own interest and in that of others. He was mar- 
 ried Dec. 27, 1868, to Lucia O., daughter of Angel 
 L. and Harriet (Wait) McAllister. Her father was 
 born of Scotch parentage, in Vermont, Aug. 24, 
 1S04, and died July i, i86i, in Northumberland Co., 
 Can., where the mother was born Dec. 30, 18 12, and 
 descended from Welsh parents. She is a second time 
 married, and resides in Hope Township. Mrs. 
 Holmes was born Sept. 28, 1848. Following is the 
 record of the children born of her marriage to Mr. 
 Holmes: Elbert L. was born Nov. 4, 1869; Jerry 
 W., Oct. 4, 187 1, died Aug. 20, 1882; Eva May, 
 Nov. ir, 1873; Grant, Oct. 5, 1876; Maggie B., 
 Dec. I, 187-. Mr. Holmes has had a reasonably 
 successful career as a lumberman. He is a member 
 of the Republican party in politics, and has been 
 Highway Commissioner two terms. 
 
 ilton M. Boies, farmer, section 9, Mid- 
 land Township, was born in Genesee Co., 
 f^;j^ 1^ Mich., Sept. 19, 1845. His father, Tim- 
 ^^\^ othy Boies, was from the Bay State, and his 
 mother, Martha, /it'e Yorton, was a native of 
 the Empire State. 
 His education was mostly received at the common 
 school and at home, and at the age of 19 he started 
 out in life for himself, working by the month at 
 different kinds of business. Two years he spent in 
 
 Ohio. In the spring of 1869, in company with his 
 uncle, Merritt Yorton, he bought a quarter-section 
 of timber land. After continuing together five years, 
 they divided their land, and Mr. Boies now owns 77 
 acres, about 40 of which is under cultivation, con- 
 stituting a very nice farm. 
 
 Mr. B. was first married in Flint, Mich., Sept. 28, 
 1870, to Miss x\ngeline, daughter of Merritt and 
 Amelia (Taylor) Yorton, who was born in Genesee 
 Co., Mich., in 1850, and died June 22, 1873. Mr. 
 Boies was again married, in Midland Township, Oct. 
 2, 1876, to Miss Eliza R., daughter of Urial and 
 Emily (Babcock) Rockwood, — parents natives of the 
 State of New York. She was born in Chautauqua 
 Co., N. Y., Oct. 23, 1857. By this marriage there is 
 one child, Lucy M. 
 
 Mr. Boies has held the offices of Drain Commis- 
 sioner and Overseer of Highways, and in his politics 
 he is a Republican. Both he and his wife belong to 
 the Baptist Church. 
 
 c^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 yrap^l'^ennis Hawley, farmer, section 35, Eden- 
 |-' y.y/l t ville Township, was born Jan. 14, 1841, in 
 Ijih^^ Canader Township, Allegany Co., N. Y., 
 "jm and is the son of Daniel and Sarah (Huff) 
 ^ Hawley. The parents were natives of the State 
 } of New York, and in 1859 removed to Lexing- 
 ton, Sanilac Co., Mich. The mother is still living, in 
 Roscommon Co., Mich. The father died Jan. 28, 
 18S0. 
 
 Mr. Hawley was the third of 1 1 children born to 
 his parents ; and, at the age of 1 1 years, he began 
 to maintain himself, which he did by working among 
 the farmers until he was of age. In July, i860, he 
 came to Midland County, where he has since been 
 resident. He operated some time as a lumberman, 
 and bought 2 1 acres of land in Jerome Township, 
 which he sold 18 months later, and bought 40 acres 
 adjoining. He retained possession of this about one 
 year, sold out, and bought 50 acres in Kalamazoo 
 County. A year later he again sold out, and then 
 he bought 40 acres of unimproved land not far 
 from Edenville. On this land he erected a house 
 and barn, which he sold a few months later. In the 
 fall of the same year he bought 40 acres in Jerome 
 Township, on which he built a house. He kept the 
 
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 226 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 place one year, sold out and purchased the farm he 
 now owns and occupies, which includes 167 acres, 
 with a small tract under improvements and cultiva- 
 tion. Of this he has now 65 acres improved and 
 tilled. Mr. Hawley is a Republican in political be- 
 lief. 
 
 • He was married Oct. 4, 1862, in Midland City, to 
 Loretta A., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sey- 
 mour) Fowler. The mother died when Mrs. Hawley 
 was six years old, in Branch Co., Ind. All traces of 
 the father are lost. Nine children have been born 
 of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hawley; eight are 
 still living. EUinor J. was born Feb. 15, 1864; 
 Mary B., May 6, 1866; Loretta E., July 6, 1868; 
 Adelbert, Nov. 17, 1870; Freddie G., Oct. 10, 1874; 
 Myrtle L., Sept. 13, 1877; Nora G., Aug. 11, 1879; 
 William Edward, May 14, 1882 ; a daughter, twin 
 with the last named child, died on the day of her 
 birth. 
 
 .^f Mii^harles G. Brown, owning a farm on sec- 
 tlim^Jg tion 25, Larkin, is a son of Henry and 
 
 fJ^ Mary Brown, natives of Germany; and was 
 ^{f also born in " De Faderland," Dec. 25, 1852. 
 He was about 12 years old when he crossed 
 the waters to the United States, and he fol- 
 lowed the occupation of sailor for about 16 years. 
 In 188 1 he came to Midland County and bought 80 
 acres of section 25, in Larkin Township. He is a 
 member of the German Lutheran Church, and is in 
 politics a supporter of Republicanism. 
 
 C. Thompson, dealer in books, stationery 
 M^^sf; Yankee notions, etc., at Midland, was born 
 '§Ps in Canada, and is the son of George and 
 Esther (Ogden) Thompson, the former a native 
 of Ireland, the latter born in New York, of 
 German ancestry. His parents died when he was in 
 early childhood. At the age of five years he accom- 
 panied an uncle by marriage, Coleman Roe, to St. 
 Clair Co., Mich., v/here the latter bought a farm. 
 When Mr. Thompson was ten years old, he engaged 
 , in the lake service as a cabin boy, and continued in 
 
 that employment until he passed several grades of 
 advancement and became first male. In 1859 he 
 became a seaman in the United States Navy, where 
 he remained two years. His next engagement was 
 on a revenue cutter for six months. He next gave 
 his attention to the business of a machinist, and 
 went into the car-shops at Lawrence, Kansas. He 
 went thence to Sedalia, Mo., where he was foreman 
 in the shops of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Rail- 
 road Company. In September, 1872, he came to 
 Midland, where he opened a restaurant and con- 
 fectionery establishment, which he conducted about 
 a twelvemonth. In 1873 he opened the business in 
 which he is at present engaged. His stock averages 
 from $3,000 to S5i°°o '" value, and his trade is pros- 
 perous and popular. His wares include all varieties 
 of merchandise common to similar establishments. 
 He owns considerable valuable property in Midland. 
 His marriage to Miss Eliza J. Bullock occurred 
 March 16, 1863. She was born April 17, 1844, and 
 is the daughter of Shubal and Abigail (Weeks) 
 Thompson. Their children were born in the follow- 
 ing order: Cora J., Charlie, Minnie A., Flora, Eddie, 
 Walter B. and an infant yet unnamed. The oldest 
 daughter was born in St. Clair Co., Mich. The 
 oldest son was born in Ulica, Mo. The third and 
 fourth children were born in Lawrence, Kansas. 
 Eddie was born in Sedalia, and the two youngest in 
 Midland. Mr. T. is a member of the Masonic 
 Order. 
 
 
 **itc4 
 
 Ifred See, farmer, section 32, Midland Town- 
 
 Ijf ship, is a son of Ira and Permelia (Delila) 
 
 ** See, who were natives of New York State. 
 
 Sijft' Mother died in Schenectady Co., N. Y., in 
 
 \\r October, 1841, and father in Grand Rapids, 
 
 1 Mich., in August, 1876. 
 
 Alfred was born in Schenectady Co., N. Y., May 15, 
 1840; at the age of 15 years he began to learn the 
 mason's trade, but in three months he came to 
 Wayne Co., Mich., where he lived a year; then he 
 resided in Hillsdale County awhile, Ottawa County 
 four years, and in i860 went to Illinois, where, in 
 1861, he enhsted in the 15th 111. Vol. Inf. After 
 serving nearly a year, he was discharged on account 
 of disability. He then returned to Ottawa Co., Mich., 
 bought a farm and continued to live there till the 
 
 |P-V®))«^#- 
 
 -K>DIi:<(1tl^>^ 
 
 G>. 
 
 -^^5f 
 
 ^^^^> 
 
 ^ 
 
 (: 
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 ca: 
 
 V 
 
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 ^ 
 
^J^t#* 
 
 ■:a€ ^ O ^ ^^QU^UUr ^v ^' M »^' 
 
 f 
 
 :a5 
 
 V 
 
 > 
 
 ^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 spring of i88r, when he sold out and came to Mid- 
 land County. Here he purchased 80 acres, where he 
 resides and has nearly all his land under cultivation. 
 His farm is in a good productive condition. 
 
 Feb. 28, 1863, in Ottawa Co., Mich., Mr. See mar- 
 ried Mrs. Tane, daughter of Horace and Priscilla 
 (Gray) Goodrich and widow of John Herrinian, who 
 died in 1862. She was born in Columbus, Ohio, 
 May 12, 1842. By her first marriage she had one 
 child, Elizabeth J., and by her present, throe chil- 
 dren, — Delila P., Nathaniel G. and .-^lice P. 
 
 Mr. See is a member of Dwight May Post, No. 6g, 
 G. A. R.,and in politics is a Republican. 
 
 ^<®!-«iiHe>^ 
 
 ^^iSenson B. Bailey, farmer and stock-raiser, 
 ^3 iP section 34, Jasper Township, was born in 
 ^^''^ Stei-.ben Co., N. Y., April 27, 1825. His 
 
 jC® parents, Alson L. and Ann (Benson) Bailey, 
 were natives of New York, were of New Eng- 
 land ancestry and of English descent. His 
 father was a general laborer, and died at the resi- 
 dence of his son, Benson, May 20, 1873, at the age of 
 73 years. His mother died when he was si.x days 
 old, in Steuben Co., N. Y., May 3, 1825. They were 
 the parents of three children, — two sons and one 
 daughter. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, the youngest child in 
 the above family, was nine years old when the family 
 moved to Medina Co., Ohio; five years later they 
 came to Michigan, locating in Seneca Township, 
 Lenawee County, being among the first settlers in 
 that county. When 20 years of age, Mr. Bailey set 
 out as a common laborer on his account, and was 
 thus engaged until his marriage. This event took 
 place at Elkhart, Ind., his choice for life's partner 
 being Miss Mary Ludlow, daughter of Samuel and 
 Elizabeth (Bruglar) Ludlow, natives of New England 
 and of German and English descent. Her father 
 died near Elkhart, Ind., some years ago, and her 
 mother in Pennsylvania, July 28, 1830. Mrs. B. was 
 born March 25, 1829, in Franklin Township, Lycom- 
 ing Co., Pa. Being left an orphan when very young, 
 she was brought up by her relatives, residing at first 
 for a time in Crawford Co, Pa., then at Akron, Ohio, 
 and then at Elkhart, Ind. 
 
 Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bailey 
 settled on a farm in Lenawee Co., Mich., and in 
 
 1864 they came to Midland County, where Mr. B. 
 purchased a quarter of section 34, Jasper Township, 
 being the sixth settler in the township. His land at 
 that time was of course entirely wild, and he had to 
 go to St. John's, a distance of 37 miles, for market 
 goods, paying "war" prices for their provisions. But 
 he kept on industriously at work, and adding to his 
 land property till he now has 465 acres, with 150 im- 
 proved. He has recently erected a large granary, 36 
 by 50 feet, in addition to other important farm build- 
 ings; has also a good residence, besides smaller 
 dwellings on the various divisions of his estate. His 
 specialty in stock-raising is the old Durham breed of 
 cattle. Altogether, he has the largest and best im- 
 proved farm in the township. 
 
 For sixteen winter and four summer seasons Mr. 
 Bailey also followed lumbering e.xtensively, " putting 
 in " two to three million feet of logs in one season. 
 He also built nine miles of the State road, which'runs 
 through the county. 
 
 Mr. Bailey was the first County Drain Commis- 
 sioner of Midland, was Township Treasurer three 
 years, and Road Commissioner for nine consecutive 
 years. In his political views he is a Republican. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. B. have had four children, namely: 
 Lester M., born Oct. 29, 1855; William, born April 
 15, 1857, died Aug. 15, 1872; Ella R., born April i, 
 i860; and Mary E., Sept. 25, 1865. 
 
 #^ 
 
 -{— 
 
 
 A 
 
 
 
 |.olomon Parker, farmer, section 12, Inger- 
 soll Township, is a son of Robert and Sarah 
 |(-i' (Boyd) Parker, natives respectively of Ver- 
 i\^ mont and Canada. The former died in Can- 
 ada, and the latter still survives, residing in 
 this county. 
 
 Mr. Parker, the subject of this biographical notice, 
 was born in the township of Mountain, Ontario, Can- 
 ada, April 21, 1827; when 19 years of age he went 
 upon the lakes as engineer, which vocation he followed 
 several years. He learned the machinists' trade in 
 Lockport, N. Y. After leaving the lakes he followed 
 his trade about 10 years in Canada, and then for one 
 season he ran a tug on Saginaw Bay. In 1S68 he 
 built, for other parties, the first saw and shingle mill 
 north of Midland; he built two mills in this county. 
 In 1862 Mr. Parker purchased a quarter-section of 
 
 5«^# 
 
 ^s^^ — ^T^^DH^nni^^^^^ — ^^^ 
 
 «^^^_ 
 
r<4lll]^llll^>v 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 wild land in IngersoU Township, and continued pur- 
 chasing until he had 578 acres; but he has since dis- 
 posed of all but 140 acres. He now has go acres 
 well improved, equipped with- good buildings, etc. 
 
 In politics Mr. Parker is classed with the Repub- 
 licans, and he has been honored with the offices of 
 Drain Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. 
 
 Mr. Parker was married in Niagara Co., N. Y., 
 Aug. 26, 1847, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Richard 
 and Margaret Ault, who were natives of Canada. 
 Mrs. P. was born also in Canada, April 5, 1833. 
 Their living children are, Edward M., born March 8, 
 1857; Agnes A., born April 21, 1856; Wesley M., 
 Nov. 2, 1859; and Berkley A., born Dec. 25, 1868. 
 The deceased are William F., born Feb. 18, 1854; 
 and two who died in infancy. 
 
 
 J^^mSdi^ 
 
 \ iehard Ashby, farmer, section 29, Midland 
 Township, is a son of William and Jane 
 (Milson) Ashby, natives of England, and 
 Vi^ was born in that country May 10, 1833. 
 When about 25 years old he came to the 
 United States, and soon went to Canada, 
 where he lived until the spring of 1868. He then 
 came to Midland County and bought 80 acres of 
 land on section 29, Midland Township, where he has 
 since made his residence. He has a well cultivated 
 farm of 45 acres. 
 
 Mr. Ashby was married in Canada, Feb. 24, 1865, 
 to Mary A. Davison, who was born in that country. 
 May 2c, 1848. The children of Mr. and Mrs. A. 
 are Jennie, George J., William H. and Gertrude L. 
 One child died in infancy. 
 
 In respect to general political issues, Mr. Ashby is 
 in sympathy with the National party. 
 
 si ' hilip Alguire, farmer on section 36, Mid- 
 land Township, is a son of Henry and 
 
 M 
 
 R3^ Mary (Warner) Alguire, natives of Canada, 
 ■^ where he also was born, Sept. 12, 1S49. He 
 
 V 
 
 11^ resided in the Dominion until 1873, when he 
 selected this county as his home, and has since 
 followed agriculture here. 
 
 iA,®)>^^#- 
 
 He owns a good farm of 
 
 40 acres, all of which is in a creditable state of 
 cultivation. 
 
 He was married in Canada, March 6, 187 1, to 
 Miss Mary J. Thompson, a native of that county. 
 Their only "troubles" have been little ones, and their 
 names are Myrtle and Mary J. O. The former is 
 not living. Politically, Mr. A. is a Republican. 
 
 '■ 1.', f^fi L oseph H. Tripp, farmer, section 18, Jerome 
 ■ '£iiJ.," Township, was born Feb. 16, 1855, and is 
 : ' the son of Joseph and Charlotte (Chatter- 
 
 ton) Tripp. Joseph Tripp, senior, was born 
 April II, 1805, in Perry, Northumberland Co., 
 Can., of English parentage. He died June 27, 
 J 88 1, aged 69 years. He was the first white settler 
 on the line of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad 
 west of Sanford in Midland County. In the spring 
 of 1857 he bought of H. Averill 160 acres of land 
 on the Salt River bottoms, where he built a log cabin 
 and made preparations to till the soil, which occupa- 
 tion he carried on until his death. He was widely 
 known and respected as a hospitable, honorable, in- 
 dustrious pioneer. He was a soldier in the War of 
 the Revolution and received a pension from the 
 American Government for his seven years' service 
 in the struggle for national independence. The 
 eight children included in the family of the sen- 
 ior Tripp are all living, and were born in the follow- 
 ing order: James, Sept. 11, 1839; Charles, March 
 30, 1841 ; Jane, April i, 1844 ; Nancy, Nov. 10, 1846 ; 
 Jacob, Jan. 23, 1849; George, Dec. 9, 185 i ; Joseph 
 (as stated above); Alfred, April 16, 1S57. The 
 mother was born Feb. 14, 1819, and resides in Je- 
 rome Township. 
 
 At the age of 16 years, Mr. Tripp, of this sketch, 
 went to Ogle Co., III., where he engaged by the 
 month as a farm laborer. He remained in the 
 Prairie State seven years, and then came to Michigan 
 and passed two winters in the lumber woods. In 
 1878 he was employed by his father in the manage- 
 ment of the homestead, and the following year he 
 settled on his present place. He was married Feb. 
 27, 1878, to Nancy A., daughter of L. H. and Emily 
 A. (Jacques) Stevens. Her father is living in El- 
 mi ra, Otsego Co., Mich., and is a mason by trade; 
 he is of English descent. Her mother died Oct. 28, 
 
 VS 
 
 
 
 V 
 
 I 
 
^0^r^^m^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -^^ 
 
 mvm^ 
 
 229 
 
 «>:o3 
 
 1876, in East Saginaw. The daughter was born 
 Oct. 31, 1862. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Tripp were born as follows: Joseph Ernest, Jane 24, 
 TS79; Myrtle May, March 13, 1882. 
 
 Mr. Tripp is a Republican in political faith. He 
 owns 40 acres of land, 10 acres of which are im- 
 proved. 
 
 5*H^*^ 
 
 
 V 
 
 :) 
 
 I m. H. Howe, farmer, on section 4, Larkin, 
 is a son of James C. and Fidelia (Go- 
 tham) Howe, natives of the State of New 
 York ; and he was born in Clayton, Jeffer- 
 son Co., N. Y., Aug. 17, 1848. He received 
 a common-school education, and at the age of 
 16 started out to make his own way in life, following 
 the lakes as a common sailor for 11 years. He first 
 came to Midland County about 1868, but remained 
 only a short time. After visiting various sections of 
 the country, he returned the following spring, and 
 has since made his home in this county. In 1878 
 he purchased 53 acres in Larkin Township, where 
 he now lives, and at the present time 16 acres are 
 cleared and under cultivation. 
 
 May 20, 1875, at Loomis, Isabella County, Miss 
 Lucinda M. Wilson became Mrs. Wm. H. Howe. 
 She was born in Beloit, Wis., Jan. 3, 1859, and is the 
 daughter of Wm. C. and Rachel (Wells) Wilson. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Howe have had, as children : Frederick 
 O., Dora A. and Ada E. 
 
 Mr. H. has held the offices of Township Clerk 
 and School Moderator. Politically, he votes the 
 , National ticket. He and wife are members of the 
 Christian Church. 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 % 
 
 He received a common-school education. Since he 
 was 19 he has been employed in the woods, on the 
 river during the spring, and farming. In t88i he 
 bought a tract of 8b acres on Pine River, which he 
 afterward disposed of, and in January, 1882, he pur- 
 chased 132 acres on section 18, where he now re- 
 sides. 
 
 He was married in Homer Township, Midland 
 County, Oct. 16, 1882, to Maloa, daughter of Joseph 
 and Margaret Cariow, the latter natives of (Canada. 
 
 Mr. Barton has been Overseer of Highways one 
 year, and in his political views is a Republican. 
 Mrs. B. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 Ai.vj' 
 
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^•^"^^ 
 
 rank Barton, farmer, section 18, Midland 
 Tovirnshi]), is a son of Anthony and 
 Amelia (Foot) Barton; the latter, natives 
 ^ of New York State, came to Midland about 
 1854, and were therefore among the earliest 
 pioneers. 
 The subject of this sketch, the eldest of the chil- 
 dren in the above family, was liorn in Midland 
 County, March 8, 1855, and from the age of one 
 year to 16 years he lived with his grandmother; she 
 then died and he lived at home until 19 years old. 
 
 ^^^ ^^^ — ^T^^in !i % 
 
 (®j 
 
 f) 
 
 s 
 
 ■^ 
 
 (') 
 
 : I I'^f^f] C ohn Post, farmer and saw and planing mill 
 
 '5'I:l. ^ proprietor, residing at Coleman, Warren 
 ' Township, was born March 19, 1834, in 
 Allegany Co., N. Y. 
 
 The parents of Mr. Post are Peter and Mary =i 
 
 i"* (Reynolds) Post. The father was born April >> 
 6, 1807, in Belfast, Allegany County, and is of Ger- c= 
 man descent. He is at present engaged in the hotel 
 business at Belvidere, his native county, and has fol- 
 lowed that occupation for 30 years. The mother was 
 born Dec. 12, 1808, and was married on her 21st 
 birthday, Dec. 12, 1829. 
 
 The subject of this biographical notice was brought 
 up in his father's hotel, attended the common schools 
 and assisted in the cultivation of a small farm until 
 he attained the age of 21 years. His father's family 
 consisted of nine children, six boys and three girls, 
 who all grew to maturity except one (a girl), who died 
 in infancy. John was the oldest of the boys, and on 
 him a great portion of the labor in the maintenance 
 of the family devolved. 
 
 On arriving at the age of maturity he engaged with 
 his father in the hotel business and in cultivating the 
 f-um. He continued the business for some three 
 years, and then engaged with his father in the grocery 'P^ 
 trade. John managed the business for about two 
 years, when the partnership was dissolved and he con- 
 tinued alone for a year, when he disposed of his stock ( !>' 
 for a farm. The farm was located two miles from 
 Belvidere, and when he made the exchange he did (^ 
 so for the purpose of procuring the tiniber on the ^ 
 
 -m, 
 
 -^m^ ^4^^^^J-^ 
 
zJ^K — 6v<-:nii:<^:iiii^i>v 
 
 4^^5f(svfii 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY . 
 
 ) 
 
 >0 
 
 ;^) 
 
 and. He soon found lie had no outlet in which to 
 get his timber to market, and was compelled to )Kir- 
 
 .-^ chase 60 acres additional in order to procure one. 
 % He moved on this land and engaged in cutting and 
 
 ^ marketing his lumber, in which vocation he met with 
 
 "^ signal success. 
 
 June II, 1863, Mr. Post enlisted in Co., M, 4th 
 N. Y. Heavy Artillery. His company was attached 
 to the 6th Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac, 
 and participated in the battles of Spottsylvania 
 Court-House, Wilderness and others. The 4th N. Y. 
 Heavy Artillery was divided into batteries, and the 
 one to which Mr. Post belonged was known as the 
 3d N. Y. Ind. Light Artillery. It participated in nu- 
 merous engagements up to the date of Lee's surren- 
 der, and holds an honorable place in the history of 
 that campaign, and was honorably mustered out in 
 August, 1865. 
 
 After discharge from his country's service, Mr. 
 Post returned to Belvidere and moved his family, 
 which had remained in Belvidere during his absence 
 in the army, on his farm. He then spent some time 
 in the oil regions, but wisely concluded not to invest, 
 and, returning, purchased a team and engaged in 
 lumbering. 
 
 In 1867 Mr. B. e.xchanged his farm for a stock of 
 merchandise, and for two years conducted the mer- 
 cantile business at Belvidere. He then disposed of 
 his stock and came to this county, leaving his family 
 at that place. He arrived here in the fall of the year 
 and remained until the following spring, when he re- 
 turned to Belvidere and spent about a year in dis- 
 ]K)sing of his property, and then returned with his 
 family to Midland City, this county. He remained 
 in Midland, variously occupied, for about two years, 
 and then moved to Clare, Clare County. In the 
 latter place, he purchased some mill property, and 
 for four years conducted the business until the mill 
 was destroyed by fire. His loss was about $4,500, 
 with no insurance. 
 
 In 1880 Mr. Post came to Coleman, this county. 
 He purchased a mill near Clare, Clare County, moved 
 it here and commenced operations. Soon afterward 
 he erected a store building, and placed a stock of 
 goods in the same, and has lately disposed of the 
 mill, store building and stock. 
 
 Mr. Post was united in marriage Aug. 30, 1856, to 
 Miss Fannie M., daughter of Redding and pAinice 
 
 (Scott) Gleason. Her father was born in Steuben 
 Co., N. Y., June 25, 181 2, and died Sept 12, 1865. 
 He was of Dutch descent. The mother was born 
 May 22, 18 1 9, in Vermont, and is living with her 
 daughter Alice, in Clare, Clare County. There were 
 seven children in her parents' family, all of whom 
 grew to maturity except one who died in infancy. 
 Fannie M., wife of Mr. Post, was lioni Jan. 7-, 1839. 
 
 Mr. Post has 120 acres of hind near Buttonville, 
 on which he has 30 acres cleared and 25 improved. 
 He also owns 200 acres of land in the vicinity of 
 Coleman. His son, Floyd Lewellyn, is a full partner 
 with his father, which relation has existed ever since 
 he became of age. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Post have had three children born 
 to them, all in Belvidere, N. Y., one of whom is 
 deceased The living are: Floyd L., born April 11, 
 1857; Ada May, born July 15, 1861 ; Florence A., 
 born Dec. 6, 185S, was married May 19, 1877, to 
 Josiah Horning, and departed this life Jan. 29, 1879. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Post is a Republican, and is at 
 present a Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Post is an 
 active, working member of the Episcopal Church. 
 
 ^ 
 
 A 
 
 ¥, 
 
 
 gi^lg^SC oseph A. Morrison, manufacturer of shin- 
 
 ll ^all ii" glcSi P'^'l '"i^d tub staves and heads, in 
 
 ll©'''^^ Geneva Township, was born in Armstrong 
 
 iM> ^°'' ^''■' ^^^- -^' '844. His parents, Robeit 
 
 ■|r and Jane (Hill) Morrison, were respectively of 
 
 y Scotch and Irish descent, and were natives of 
 
 New Bethlehem, Armstrong Co., Pa. They also 
 
 died there, the demise of the mother occurring about 
 
 the year 1857, that of the father in 1850. 
 
 Mr. Morrison, in his first contest with the world, 
 which he commenced at the age of 13 years, engaged 
 as a farm laborer by the month, and spent about a 
 year in that capacity. He enlisted Aug. 28, 1861, 
 soon after the disaster of the first battle of Bull 
 Run, enrolling in Co. C, 105th Pa. Vol. Inf., Col. 
 McKnight, his regiment being assigned to the divis- 
 ion of Gens. Heintzelman and Kearney and attached 
 to the Third Army Corps. Mr. Morrison was in 
 active service throughout the entire Peninsular cam- 
 paign under Gen. McClellan. At the battle of Wil- 
 liamsburg he received a slight bayonet wound while 
 sustaining a charge from the enemy in ambush be- 
 
 t 
 I 
 
 ^^^^4- 
 
 
 <^il!i:^:titiv>- 
 
 r*? 
 
 d- 
 
 
 'X-> 
 
 -•<#= 
 
II 
 
 ■I 
 
 
 ,#^ 
 
 tamm 
 
 ^lyia 
 
(b 
 
 > 
 
 >5 
 
 V 
 
 > 
 
 :) 
 
 ^ 
 <> 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 hind a fence. He was in the second battle of Bull 
 Run, and went thence to the hospital at Point Look- 
 out, Md., where he spent a month struggling with 
 typhoid fever. He went thence to the convalescent 
 camp at Alexandria, and was discharged on the sur- 
 geon's certificate. He was mustered out Feb. ii, 
 1863, and returned to his friends at New Bethlehem. 
 After recovery he attended school one year at an 
 academy at Glade Run. He next entered into a 
 ])artnership witli a man named John Shaddock, in 
 the draying business, in which he was interested 
 about eighteen months. On the termination of that 
 relation he engaged in transporting oil from Oil City 
 to Pittsburg, and after a year sold his interest to his 
 partner. He next engaged in drilling oil-wells, which 
 he followed in Pennsylvania two years ; after this 
 he went to the oil regions of Canada and was simi- 
 larly interested there one year. His next change of 
 base was to Detroit, where he entered into a contract 
 to get out 150 cords of last timber, at $4 per cord. 
 He came to the Saginaw Valley to fulfill the obliga- 
 tions of his contract, and has since remained chiefly 
 in the territory included under that name. About 
 1867 he bought a wood lot some three miles north- 
 east of Midland, and set himself to the task of con- 
 verting it into a farm; but the stumps appeared too 
 formidable for the short period allotted to man, and 
 after spending one summer in tlie pursuit of his 
 project, he returned to Saginaw and followed the 
 business of a drajman one summer. He then came 
 back to Midland and formed a partnership with a 
 Mr. Fletcher, and built a shingle mill, but the enter- 
 prise was not feasible, and he disposed of his interest 
 to his partner. He then engaged to manage a mill 
 above Freeland, where he operated one season, 
 at the termination of which he went to Freeland and 
 spent two years in the shingle business, getting out 
 that commodity by the thousand. He went thence 
 to Sanders' Point, Delta Co., Upper Peninsula, where 
 he spent two years running a mill in the interests of 
 Whitney Bros., of Cincinnati. He returned to Free- 
 land and managed a mill there about one year, when 
 it was destroyed by fire. He went next to Averill 
 and rented a mill, which he devoted to shingle man- 
 ufacture, and operated a year, going thence to 
 Loomis, where he engaged by the day, in the shingle 
 business, and remained two years. 
 
 He came to his present location in 1877. The 
 first year he ran a shingle-mill on shares, and during 
 
 the two years following he was interested in lumber- 
 ing. In 1880 he established the business which he 
 has since prosecuted with satisfactory results, 
 although two years after the purchase of his mill 
 his property was burned without insurance. He 
 immediately rebuilt his works, and has been prosper- 
 ously engaged since. He has owned a fine farm of 
 So acres, with 60 acres under cultivation. On this 
 he resided one year and sold it in 1883, The aggre- 
 gate of his business interests is about $100 per day. 
 
 Mr. Morrison was married in August, 1865, to 
 Ellen Foote. She was born May 18, 1843, at Can- 
 ton, N. Y., and is the daughter of Mitchell and 
 Margaret (De Bar) Foote. Her father was a soldier 
 of the Union army, and died June 5, 1865. He 
 was made a prisoner and was confined in Libby 
 Prison three months, was released on parole, and 
 returned home, but died before he was exchanged. 
 Her mother is 78 years old, and lives at Canton, St. 
 Lawrence Co., N. Y. Nellie May, born Feb. 8, 
 1869, and Harrison Allen, born April r, 1874, are 
 the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Morrison. 
 The latter died in 1876. 
 
 Mr. Morrison belongs to the National Greenback 
 party, and has officiated one term as Town Clerk. 
 
 — -'^^^i"^^'v/>^ 
 
 'tlyil'. xl. I.I 
 
 e 
 
 ohn A. Whitman, farmer, section i, Inger- 
 '^^ soil Township, is a son of John and Dor. 
 
 '■O ' 
 
 cas (Davis) Whitman, natives of New 
 
 ®:^^^^ 
 
 Hampshire, who lived 30 years in Rutland Co. 
 Vt., then in Genesee Co., N. Y., Livingston 
 County, same State, Saginaw County, this State, 
 five years, and finally IngersoU Township, this county, 
 where they died, — the former in April, 1865, and the 
 latter in the fall of 1862. 
 
 Of their family of five sons and three daughters, 
 John A., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest son, 
 being born Jan. 18, T814, in the township of Tin- 
 mouth, Rutland Co., Vt. On arriving at 21 years of 
 age he went to Crawford Co., Pa.; three years after- 
 ward to New York State, and finally to Michigan. 
 On coming to Saginaw County he followed land- 
 clearing for five years; cleared 100 acres for Jis. 
 Fracier, then known as the Bloomfield farm, now 
 owned by A. B. Payn ; then he purchased a tract of 
 600 acres, in Midland and Saginaw Counties, settled 
 
 
 ••f^• 
 
 ^? 
 
«34 
 
 ^^89- 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -#^c®vl 
 
 ) 
 
 
 V 
 
 in this county, in Ingersoll Township, on the Titta- 
 bawassee River, building a log house and commen- 
 cing to clear his land. This was in 1844. In 1872 
 he built the house which he now occupies. He has 
 since disposed of all his land but 250 acres, 200 of 
 which he h.as in a fine state of cultivation. He 
 keeps about 300 head of sheep, 10 head of cattle 
 and seven head of horses. Mr. Whitman was the 
 first settler in Ingersoll Township and the first per- 
 manent settler in Midland County. His eldest 
 daughter, Jane, who is now the wife of Joseph Bar- 
 ton, of Mt. Haley Township, was the second white 
 child born in Midland County, and the first in Inger- 
 soll Township. 
 
 Mr. Whitman was first married in Livingston Co., 
 N. Y., in June, 1833, to Lucinda Cogswell, a native 
 of that State, and they had four children, namely : 
 John, James, Mary and Jane. John died when 
 about 14 years old. Mrs. W. died in 1848, and Mr. 
 W. was again married, June, 1850, in Saginaw 
 County, to Joanna Moran, a native of Waterford, 
 Ireland, and by this marriage there have been nine 
 children, seven of whom are living, viz.; George W., 
 Daniel W., Ellen, Ellis, Frank, John and Laura. 
 The two deceased were named John and Kate. 
 
 Mr. Whitman has held the office of Township 
 Treasurer, in Saginaw County, for five years. Justice 
 of the Peace, in this county, before the township of 
 Ingersoll was organized, six years, and was the first 
 Treasurer of the county, being appointed at its or- 
 ganization by the County Board. Also, before the 
 county was organized, he was Highway Commissioi:er 
 two years, and has been School Director several 
 years. With reference to national issues he is a Re- 
 publican. 
 
 The portrait of Mr. Whitman may be found on 
 another [lage of this work. 
 
 ^Sf'i.J'ial Roekwood, deceased, was a resident 
 PSM of Midland Township from 1874 until his 
 His parents, Reuben and Polly 
 
 Ig^ ' death 
 
 Roekwood, were natives of the Bay .Slate. 
 He was born in Erie Co.,N. Y., March i, 1820 
 and lived in his native State, following the vo- 
 cation of agriculture, until March, 1867, when he 
 came with his family lo Saginaw Co., Mich., and 
 bought 80 acres of land at Freeland, which he sold 
 
 seven years afterward and, in the spring of 1874, 
 came to Midland County and bought 40 acres in 
 Midland Township. Here he lived until his death, 
 which occurred Feb. 19, 1884. He was an active 
 temperance worker and a worthy citizen. 
 
 He was married in Erie Co., N. Y., May 25, 1856, 
 to Emily, daughter of Orin and Rowena (Ross) Bab- 
 cock, parents natives respectively of Otsego Co., 
 N. Y., and Massachusetts. She was born in Erie 
 Co., N. Y., May 27, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. R. had 
 three children, viz.: Eliza R., Frank H. and Emma 
 A. The first named married Milton M. Boies, whose 
 sketch is given elsewhere in this Album. Mrs. R. 
 is a member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 -13= 
 
 ifWdfiM. M. V. Chambers, farmer on section 
 ^-aaL 34, Hope Township, was the first male 
 
 white born in the city of Milwaukee, 
 -Jlfs^^ ^Vis. He was born Nov. 2, 1843, the son of 
 
 M/"' Robert and Eliza Ann (Stevens) Chambers. 
 
 t Mr. Chambers, Sr., was of English and German 
 descent, was born near Hamilton, Ont., and was a 
 pioneer in the State of Wisconsin. He owned 80 
 acres in Kilbourn Township, now the heart of the 
 city of Milwaukee; and after selling this, bought a 
 farm ten miles north of the Cream City, on the 
 Green Bay road. He shortly sold this, and bought a 
 place near Sheboygan, where he lived eight years. 
 He then came to St Clair Co., Mich., where he cul- 
 tivated five or six years a farm rented of a widow 
 by the name of House, before his death, at the age 
 of 72. His wife was 62 years old at her death, in 
 
 1875' 
 The subject of this biograhy left home in his 13th 
 
 year, and commenced to earn his own livelihood, 
 
 working at whatever employment offered. He came 
 
 to Saginaw in 1857, and was a fireman on a river 
 
 steamer for three years, then engineer two years. 
 
 Nov. 24, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 28th Bat. 
 Mich. Vol. Inf., which was incorporated with the 
 27 th, under Col. Fox. The regimer.t was assigned 
 to the 9th Army Corps, and contained two of Mr. 
 Chamber's brothers, Joseph and Robert. He was 
 discharged at Ypsilanti, on account of disability, in 
 March, 1863, betbre his command left for the front. 
 
 Coming to Edenville, this county, the following 
 
 »^ 
 
 
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 ca: 
 
 
 
 
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 ■^T^<:^D!l^nni>^ ^5€^^ 
 
©■?i^tf^« 
 
 vC:llIl^DIlr^-? 
 
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 O 
 
 'O 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 autumn, he engaged in lumbering in the winter and 
 driving logs in the summer. He bought his present 
 farm of 38 acres in 1872, and moved upon it in 
 1878. He has worked in the woods every winter 
 but two. Previous to making hi-s location here, he 
 owned 40 acres in Edenville Township, which he 
 sold. He bought 80 acres in Minnesota, but sold 
 this also, and returned to Midland County. He also 
 made a start in Gladwin County. 
 
 He was married March 9, 1878, to Miss Almira 
 Holden, daughter of Augustus Holden, who resides 
 seven miles east of Clio, Genesee County. Mrs. 
 Chambers was born March 9, 1853, and is the mother 
 of one daughter, Laura Ann, born June 20, 1879, in 
 Hope Township. 
 
 Mr. C. is politically a Greenbacker. 
 
 "leiieiz/®^^— i| 
 
 -^^yzrawn. 
 
 -^ 
 
 «/9 
 
 r 
 
 t" ames Odell, farmer, section 7, Jerome Town- 
 ^ ship, was born April 16, 1844, in Onondaga 
 Co., N. Y., and is the son of Palmer and 
 JemimaOdell. The father was drowned in 1855 
 in Jack Rift's River, Onondaga County. The 
 mother is living at Fremont, Steuben Co., N. Y. 
 She married a second time, and is again widowed. 
 Both parents were natives of the Empire State, and 
 the mother is of mixed German and English descent. 
 The family included si.x children, all of whom are 
 dead but two. Susan Ann (Odell) Monroe, sister of 
 Mr. Odell, survives. Jacob, a brother, became a 
 soldier for the Union, and was twice wounded at the 
 battle of Pittsburg Landing, and was taken to 
 'Mound City Hospital, where he died. 
 
 Mr. Odell came to the township of Orrin, Branch 
 Co., Mich., when he was 17 years old, and has since 
 been a residentof the Peninsular State, with the excep- 
 tion of one year, which he spent in Onondaga County. 
 While he remained in Branch County he labored by 
 the month as a farm assistant. In the spring of 
 1869 he came to Lansing and spent a summer in 
 Ingham County. In the fall of that year he bought 
 80 acres of land in Jerome Township, three miles 
 from his present location, for whicli he paid one- 
 fourth of the purchase money. He retained its 
 ownership about five years, sold out and bought 10 
 acres, for which he paid and entered upon the work 
 
 80 acres of Charles Cochrane, — with the privilege of 
 paying for it at his own convenience, — on ivhich he 
 remained about 15 months. He decided tliat he 
 should not be able to pay for it, and he returned to 
 his lo-acre farm, to whicir he has added eight acres 
 additional. He also owns 80 acres on the same sec- 
 tion, but not adjoining. Fifteen acres of his property 
 is in tillage. Mr. Odell was married Dec. 25, 1869, 
 at Midland, to Charlotte M. Lavier. She was born 
 Jan. i8, 1854, in Canada, and is the daughter of 
 Charles and Philadelphia (Parks) Lavier. Her 
 mother was of English descent, and died in 1873, in 
 Jerome Township. Her father is residing in Cana- 
 da. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Odell are 
 recorded as follows: Reuben J., born Jan. 24, 1871 ; 
 an infant, born June 10, 1872, died the same day ; 
 Mabel J., June 23, 1873; Cora A., May 4, 1876; 
 Clare M., July 7, 1877 ; Pearl VV., Nov. 21, 1881. 
 
 Mr. Odell is a Republican in political sentiment 
 and action, and has been in public life to considera- 
 ble extent in the township where he resides. He has 
 served two years as Justice of the Peace, and has 
 filled the school offices. He is a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 (5) 
 
 --»5- 
 
 
 avid E. Thurber, farmer, sec' ion 9, Inger- 
 soil Township, is a son of Calvin and 
 ■'i.^Jiy ^ Frances (Craig) Thurber, natives of Can- 
 '^^)<v ada, and was born in the county of Megantic, 
 
 0) 
 
 Lower Canada, Feb. 28, 1844; in 1864 he came 
 
 of improvement. The following spring he bought 
 
 X 
 
 4 to Monroe Co., Mich., and in a short time he 
 went to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he remained 
 about si.\ months. After spending a short time in 
 Canada, he returned to Michigan, resided in Wash- 
 tenaw County almost six months, in Ingham County 
 about a year and a half, in Saginaw County a year 
 and a half, and in the fall of 1868 he came to Mid- 
 land County, resided in Midland City about three 
 years, being engaged for a year and a half by Geo. 
 F. Keep as a foreman on his farm, and in lumbering. 
 
 In 1873 he purchased 80 acres of land in Ingersoll 
 Township, where he has since resided, and has now 
 about 55 acres under cultivation. In political mat- 
 ters Mr. T. is a " National," and in his community 
 he has been honored with the office of Township 
 Treasurer one year. 
 
 Mr. Thurber was married in Mason, Ingham Co., 
 
 •S^ 
 
|)^fi^^#®^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Mich., to Miss Rebecca J., daugliter of William and 
 Eleanor (Wilson) Horton. Slie was born in Dela- 
 ware Co., N. Y., July IS, 1S43. To Mr. and Mrs. 
 T. have been born three children, naiii^jly : Calvin 
 E., Laney B. and David H. 
 
 ■ ■>. 
 
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 w-c J>-5<- 
 
 '■ f^P f^f'j ichael E. Kane, farmer, section 9, Mid- 
 '■iiiiliMaf land Township, is a son of Lawrence and 
 ; .'^■.' "'^ Esther (Fox) Kane, parents natives re- 
 y ^^'\ speclively of Ireland and Canada. He was 
 '•'^ also born in Canada, Ai)nl 29, 185 1, went to 
 common school and worked on the farm until 
 187 I ; then spent three summers in Washtenaw Co., 
 Mich., working in the woods during the winter; next, 
 he bought a farm in Lenawee Co., Mich., where he 
 lived until the spring of 187 8, when he exchanged 
 this farm for 90 acres of land where he now resides, 
 and has 20 acres in cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Kane was married in Flint, Genesee Co., 
 Mich.. July i, 1879, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Alson 
 and Alice (Butler) Sanborn, ihe latter natives of 
 Canada: she is a native of the Peninsular State. 
 Mr. and Mrs. K. are members of the Catholic 
 Church. They have had three children, namely : 
 Lawrence, Michael, who died when about a year 
 and a half old, and James Alson. 
 
 On national questions Mr. Kane holds the views 
 of the "National" party. 
 
 ^"ohn Swanton, farmer, section i2,Edenville 
 Ijl^ Township, was born Feb. 24, 1842, in To- 
 '"^^^*^ ronto, Can., and is the son of John and 
 Elizabeth Ann (Aikens) Swanton. His father 
 was born in Ireland, in 1S07, and died in Pick- 
 ering, Can., in March, 1847. His mother was 
 born in Ireland, and is now the wife of Thomas 
 Gransden, Sr., of Edenville Townshii). The parents 
 emigrated to Canada in 1819, and the father made 
 the first brick used in the construction of tlie cele- 
 brated Gore bank building at Toronto. 
 
 On the death of his father, Mr. Swanton became 
 an inmate of the family of Augustus Simons, with 
 whom he remained until he was 11 years old. They 
 removed to Erie Co., Pa. Mr. Simons was a man of 
 unsteady habits and finally abandoned his family. 
 
 and Mr. Swanton was placed under the charge of a 
 farmer in Erie County, named John Melhorn, with 
 whom he resided until the age of 18 years. In i860 
 he went to the township of Walsingham, Can., where 
 he worked one year as a farm assistant. At the end 
 of that time he returned to Pennsylvania and spent 
 several months of the year 1862, in the employ of 
 Mr. Melhorn, with whom he had previously resided. 
 
 He became interested in the issues of the civil war 
 and determined to risk the fate of a soldier. He en- 
 listed .\ug. 15, 1862, in Co. A, i4Sth Pa. Vol. Inf., 
 Col. H. L. Ihown, and was mustered out of the 
 United States service Aug. 9, 1865, at Baltimore. 
 The command was assigned to the Second Army 
 Corps, First Division, and was attached to several 
 brigades. It was a part of the Army of the Potomac, 
 during the engagements at Antietam, Fredericksburg, 
 Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In the fall of 1863 
 Mr. Swanton was wounded near Bristow Station, dur- 
 ing the retreat from the Rapidan. He became dis- 
 abled by a wound in the hip from a fragment of shell, 
 was captured by the rebels and sent to Belle Isle. 
 After five months he effected his escape by strategy, 
 and made his way to Annapolis. He rejoined his 
 command at Cold Harbor and continued in active 
 service until June 16, 1864, when he was wounded 
 by a grape shot, in an attempt to capture a rebel 
 battery near Petersburg. He was sent to Lincoln 
 Hospital at Washington, D. C, and two months later 
 was transferred to the Haddington Hospital at Phil- 
 adelphia. In the spring of I S65 he was transferred 
 to the Invalid Corps, and sent on duty to Jarvis 
 Hospital, Baltimore, where he was mustered out of 
 service. 
 
 He returned to Erie, Pa., and went to work for his 
 former em[iloyer, Mr. Melhorn, with whom he re- 
 mained until April, iS67,when he came to Edenville 
 Township, in Midland County. He worked during 
 the summer on a farm and through the winter in the 
 lumber woods. He returned to Fairview Township, 
 Erie Co., Pa., and was married June 9, 1868, to 
 Catherine, daughter of Christian and Catherine (Fry) 
 Brown, a native of Wirtemburg, Germany. Her par- 
 ents were also born and died there, and at the age 
 of 13 years, accompanied by a sister three years 
 older, she emigrated to America, and joined two 
 brothers in Erie Co., Pa. They landed in the city of 
 New York, in 1S57. The children of Mr. and Mrs. 
 
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 _N:rT-. ,-'T"-»\<'T^_ 
 
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 ■ry 
 
 Tdm'Mh^T 
 
 >s^~^W 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 f 
 
 Swanton were born in Edenville Township, as fol- 
 lows: Ida May, Aug. 7, 1869; Alma Edith, July 12, 
 1872; Otto C. B., May 12, 1878; Katie Mercedes, 
 July 14, 1881. 
 
 Mr. Swanton has served his townsmen five terms 
 as Township ("lerk. 
 
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 1 
 
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 I 
 
 '.[iKffll i ra B. Cronkright, farmer, resident on sec- 
 •^i|^3i t'on 26, Jasper Township, was born Jan. 12 
 ;V|^T 1841, in Midland Township. He is the 
 C a son of Charles and Lydia (Snyder) Cronkright^ 
 /^ and is the second white male born in Midland 
 County. He grew to manhood on the Michigan 
 frontier, his first e.xperiences in life being those of the 
 l)iuneers. He remained with his parents until he was 
 27 years old, working on the farm summers and in 
 the lumber woods winters, after he attained suitable 
 age and strength. After tlial he operated as a lum- 
 berman until his marriage, which took ])Iace Nov. 9, 
 1867, in Homer Townshij), Midland County. His 
 wife was Adriana V. Adams, daughter of Ransom 
 and Sarah J. (Westbrook) Adams, formerly residents 
 of Oakland Co., Ont., wlierc the daughter was born 
 Jan. 30, 184S. She came to Michigan when she was 
 13 years old witii her grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Cronkright have had eight children, six of whom are 
 living: William, Minnie A., Edna A., R. B. Hayes, 
 Clyde E. and Eftie P. The deceased were named 
 Edward and Arthur. Mr. C. is a Republican in 
 political faith and has held various local offices. 
 
 ^»hJh*^ 
 
 oseph C. Townseud, Midland. One of the 
 most familiar faces in Midland County is 
 that of the man whose name heads this 
 sketch. From Saginaw to tlie northern frontier 
 everyone knows " Uncle Jo," as he is famil- 
 iarly called. Reared within the corporation of 
 Midland, and living here continuously for more than 
 30 years, he is possessed of an intimate acquaint- 
 ance with the growth and prosperity of the county 
 he loves so well. The historian is under special ob- 
 ligations to him for information upon many subjects. 
 He is the youngest of 1 1 children, of whom three 
 survive. His parents, Joseph and Polly (Cronkright) 
 
 Townsend, emigrated from Mt. Morris, Livingston 
 Co., N. Y., in 1842, and after residing a short time in 
 Saginaw County, settled near the "Forks," now Mid- 
 land City. Joseph was a lad 12 years old when 
 his parents came to Midland, and his schooling in 
 New York to that date was very limited. When 
 Henry Ashman taught the first school in the county 
 Joseph was one of the first scholars, nearly all of 
 whom were Indians. In fact, for several years after 
 coming here, Indian children were the only play- 
 mates the Townsend children had. Together they 
 hunted, fished, swam the rivers and played hide-and- 
 seek among the bushes; but a mere handful of the 
 race yet remain that were the friends of his boyhood. 
 Joseph w^as a great lover of the chase, and a number 
 of his exploits are related in another part of this 
 work. 
 
 As he grew to manhood, he wooed and married 
 Miss Evaline Patterson, the daughter of Henry W. 
 and Harriet Patterson. The former is one of the 
 most influential and worthy citizens of Midland, who 
 still resides near his daughter, and is fully satisfied 
 with Midland County as a place in which to spend 
 his declining years. The marriage of Mr. Townsend 
 and Miss Patterson was celebrated in 1856, by Chas. 
 Fitzhugh, Esq., who for many years was a resident 
 of the township and one of its first settlers. Joseph 
 and his wife have lived happily together for more 
 than a quarter of a century, and have been the par- 
 ents of II children. Harriet, the eldest daughter, 
 wedded George Pick, and now resides at To.iawanda, 
 N. Y. lantha is the wife of Albert Sidelinker, and 
 Angelina married John Bancroft. Both the latter 
 live in Midland City, and the younger children, 
 Chester, Sophronia and Geneva, are with their par- 
 ents, thus forming an almost unbroken family circle. 
 Five children are buried beneath tlie trees in the 
 village cemetery, which is thus made the dearest 
 spot on earth to the parents who loved them so 
 dearly. 
 
 Joseph is a radical Republican, but the Greenback 
 and Independent parties have maintained him in 
 office for a long term of years. Gov. Jerome ap- 
 pointed him a Notary Public, and Gov. Begole, 
 County Agent of the State Board of Charities, which 
 office he has filled acceptably for many years. He 
 has been for 14 years Superintendent of the Poor, 
 and County Coroner for 12 years. 
 
 i^. 
 
 I 
 
 
 
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 ^m^m^ 
 
 .^^^i- 
 
 -S'-^' 
 
 -<§S5^ 
 
MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
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 <^. 
 
 :« 
 
 
 i^ 
 
 Owning a dray line, and having a comfortable 
 home in the suburbs, his days are passed in compar- 
 ative ease and comfort. He is always the same 
 jolly, good fellow, an honest man, a courteous neigh- 
 bor and an upright Mason. 
 
 \ illiam E. Hewitt, lumberman on section 
 a^ L 8, Larkin Township, is a son ot Benjamm 
 Jj^^n ' ^' ^"*^ Sarali (Westcott) Hewitt, natives 
 ^' of Vermont, and was born in that State 
 '^'' Aug. i8, 185 1. He came to Midland 
 County in 187 i, and has since made his home 
 here. In October, 1883, he purchased a shingle mill 
 on section 8, Larkin, where he is now doing a thriv- 
 ing business. He emplnys seven men, and his mill 
 has a capacity for turnitg out 25,000 shingles daily. 
 He was first married in TJncoln Township, March 
 8, 1873. to Miss Christina J. Howe, daughter of 
 James Howe, of Larkin Township. Mrs. H. died 
 Oct. 24, 1883, leaving two daughters, Sarah E. and 
 Phebe £.;_ and Feb. 22, 1884, he chose for his 
 present wife Miss Viola Howe, a sister of the first 
 Mrs. Hewitt. Politically, Mr. H. is a Democrat. 
 
 ^+- 
 
 section 27, Hope 
 
 jV^A Mi illiam Mills, farmer, 
 
 j ['•-^VO'! ^ Township, was born Sept. 29, 1851, in 
 
 '' Ontario, Can., and is the son of Samuel 
 
 ' and Sarah (Filmore) Mills. The parents are 
 
 of English descent and were born' in Nova 
 
 Scotia. The family moved to Ontario in 1849, 
 
 where they remained until their removal to Midland 
 
 County in i86r. 
 
 Mr. Mills, of this sketch, was si.K years old when 
 he made his first acquaintance with the Peninsular 
 State, and grew to man's estate in the township in 
 which he now resides. He is the proprietor of 70 
 acres of land, which includes 30 acres inipioved and 
 cultivated. 
 
 His marriage to Annie Oslrander occurred June 11, 
 1877. She was born March 8, 1859, in St. Clair Co., 
 Mich., and is the daughter of John C. and Anna 
 (Pratt) Ostrander. The mother of Mrs. Mills died 
 
 before she was three years old, and, her father marry- 
 ing soon afterward, she grew to womanhood under 
 the care of a step-mother. Following is the record 
 of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mills : Ernest 
 W., Nov. 19, 1878; Estella R., Nov. 10, 1880; Clay- 
 ton D. \V., .\iig. 2, 1883. They were born in Hope 
 Township. 
 
 Mr. Mills has been Township Clerk two terms, 
 and is now discharging the duties of Treasurer for 
 the second time. 
 
 j'f S^Jjenjamin G. Beden, farmer, section 25^ 
 
 ^iEi^iJ^- Iniiersoll Township, is a son of Sinithfield 
 
 ^j'jg^ "^ and Rebecca (Melvin) Beden, the former 
 
 'Ito '^ native of the Green Mountain State and 
 
 the latter of the old Granite State. Their 
 
 residence was first in Wyoming Co., N. Y., 
 
 then in Wayne County, same State, and finally, in 
 
 1836, they emigrated to Lapeer Co., Mich., where he 
 
 died Feb. 26, 1853. She afterward lived with her 
 
 daughter in Genesee Co., Mich., and died Feb. 10, 
 
 1874. In their family were ten children : Walter M., 
 
 Calista, Diana, Benjamin G., William, Seth N., 
 
 Amanda, Laura, William (2d) and Susan. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne Co. 
 N. Y., Feb. iS, 1822; was 14 years old when his 
 parents came to Lapeer Co., Mich., and lived at 
 home witli them until 20 years of age, assisting on 
 the farm and attending school. At the age men- 
 tioned he started out in the world for himself, at first 
 working by the month for a few years. He then 
 learned the cooper's trade, which he followed about 
 two years ; then for about 16 months he worked at 
 farming and as clerk in a store. Then he purchased 
 a farm in Hadley, Lapeer Co., Mich., where he lived 
 from 1848 to 1858; he then sold out, and in the fol- 
 lowing February he came to Midland County and 
 settled on 120 acres of land in Ingersoll Township, 
 which he had bought the previous year. He has 
 since added 40 acres by purchase, and he now has 
 about 60 acres in a good state of cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Beden has been Justice of the Peace si.x years. 
 Deputy Clerk several years and Township Treasurer 
 one year. He was once elected Coroner, but did not 
 accept the office. In his political views he is a Re- 
 publican. In 1873 he joined the Patrons of Hus- 
 bandr)\ 
 
 VS 
 
 9 
 
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 ^ 
 
 ®))^^|- 
 
 -:^^^i^ 
 
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 <^n 
 
 :^ni]f>^^9- 
 
 4^^ 
 
\^}S^^^^^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 ^^efv^ 
 
 239 
 
 At the time of the Revolutionary war, his grand- 
 mother was met by some American soldiers who de- 
 sired some flannel for making cartridges. She gave 
 them her petticoat, which they hung on a pole, and 
 
 X around this they cheered and vowed they would die 
 
 ^^ rather than suffer defeat. 
 
 Mr. Beden was married in Oakland Co., Mich., 
 March 16, 1853, to Harriet P., daughter of Harvey 
 C. and Melinda (Compton) Mills. (See sketch of 
 David A. Mills.) Mrs. Beden was born in Pose, 
 Wayne Co., N. Y., Oct. 12, 1836. They iiave one 
 child, Rodney A., born April 24, 1858. 
 
 V 
 
 ^ 
 
 (l> 
 
 I 
 
 i'homas Moore, farmer and proprietor of 
 L^ I Moore's Hotel at Edenville, was born Aug. 
 ^ 18, 1839, in Dundas C"o., Can., and is the 
 ^d^ son of Michael and Alice (O'Connor) Moore. 
 Tlie parents were natives of Ireland, and are 
 deceased. They emigrated to Canada respect- 
 ively in 1828 and in 1830. 
 
 Mr. Moore spent the first 14 years of his life on a 
 farm and at school. He had a natural taste and 
 aptitude for books, and at the age of 14 years he be- 
 gan teaching in the Dominion. At the age of 17 
 years he went to Syracuse, N. Y., and spent some 
 time as a farm laborer. He then entered a drug 
 store, in which he operated four years, when he re- 
 turned to Canada and engaged in rafting one season 
 on the river Trent. The season following he spent 
 in assisting his father on the farm, when he returned 
 to his former employment as a raftsman. In the fall 
 of that year (1862) he came to Ann Arbor, and after 
 working there three months as a farm assistant, he 
 went to East Saginaw with the intention of engaging 
 in lumbering; but happening to meet his former em- 
 ployer from Syracuse he entered his store at Saginaw 
 as a salesman. He served in that capacity three years. 
 On terminating that connection he engaged ni hand- 
 ling dairy products, and in si.x months netted $1,000. 
 Associated with two partners, he purchased a mer- 
 cantile establishment at Chesaning, Saginaw Co., 
 Mich., and four months later sold his interest to his 
 partners. He then engaged in hotel life at Chesan- 
 ing, and conducted the Chesaning House one year. 
 
 At the expiration of that time he came to Edenville, 
 and engaged in the same business in which he has 
 since continued, wi'.h the exception of six months. 
 Eight years after establishing himself in the business, 
 his hotel was destroyed by fire. At that time he had 
 $3,200 in cash and a well-stocked farm of 200 acres. 
 After the fire he felt disposed to try fortune in a more 
 extended sphere, and went to Saginaw, where he 
 bought the Franklin House. Six months later he 
 had tested the abiding qualities of all his ready money 
 and S400 besides, and found the climate not adapted 
 to his abilities. He swallowed his losses and ex- 
 periences, and returned to his farm at Edenville. In 
 one year he made $800, and built a part of the hotel 
 he is now managing. He has continued in the same 
 business ever since, with various degrees of success. 
 
 He was married at Saginaw June 21, 1S64, to Caro- 
 line E., daughter of .Mexander and Harriet N. (Bab- 
 cock) Ladow. Her parents are natives of the State 
 of New York, and are residing in Tama Co., Iowa. 
 Her father is a minister of the Baptist Church. Mrs. 
 Moore was born Aug. 19, 1838, in Camden, Lorain 
 Co., Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had one daugh- 
 ter, — Georgiana, born Jan. 16, 1866, and died March 
 16, 1872. 
 
 Mr. Moore is a Democrat, and is serving his third 
 term as Supervisor of Edenville Township. 
 
 ^imeon Kent, farmer, section 22, Midland 
 1^ Township, is a son of James A. and 
 Rachel (Crane) Kent, natives of New 
 York State, who emigrated thence to Midland 
 County, in 1S54, settling in Midland Town- 
 ship, where ihey Iiave since resided. Of their 
 five children, three grew up to maturity, namely: 
 Harriet, Catherine and Simeon. The two deceased 
 were Eliza J. and an infant. 
 
 Simeon was born in Saginaw County, Oct. 21, 1840. 
 In February, 1864, he enlisted in the cause of the 
 Union, in the ist Mich. Cav., and while engaged in 
 the battle of Winchester, ^'a., Sejjt. 19, 1864, he 
 received a bullet wound in his right arm, which 
 necessitated an amputation. He was discharged in 
 June, 1865. Is now a member of the Dwight May 
 Post, No. 69, G. A. R., and concerning political 
 questions takes generally Republican views. 
 
 % 
 
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 9 
 
 i 
 
 11 
 
 sniif^A^ 
 
<^llIlSlln^>: 
 
 240 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 >5 
 
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 rS^ 
 
 Mr. Kent was married in Saginaw Co., Mich., 
 /^ Sept. 12, 1869, to Sarah E., daughter of Wilham and 
 S^ Amanda (Holt) Morrison, natives of Pennsylvania. 
 \ Mrs. K. was born in Armstrong Co., Pa., Maj- i, 
 J 1852. To Mr. and Mrs. Kent have been born five 
 Y children, namely : James A., Amanda J., George L., 
 Gertrude R. and Hattie I. 
 
 — -^ ^^£ii ~ 
 
 aniel Wilcox, farmer, section 28, Midland 
 ,.-. Township, is a son of Henry and Cath- 
 kcTi ^ erine (Collins) Wilco.x, who were natives 
 JPS" of the Empire State. 
 
 He was born in Erie County, that State, 
 Feb. 5, 1822, followed farming a portion of 
 the time, and for 12 years was employed in a hotel 
 and on the lakes as "berth-maker." Four months 
 of the above period, however, were spent in Wiscon- 
 sin. In the fall of 1852 he came to Midland 
 County and purchased 80 acres of unimproved land 
 where he has since resided. He is therefore one of 
 the oldest pioneers of the county. He has sold si.x 
 and a half acres of his first purchase, and of the re- 
 mainder he has about 60 acres well improved. His 
 is a fine farm. 
 
 Mr. Wilcox was married in Buffalo, N. Y., to Mar- 
 garet Derig, a native of Ireland, who came to 
 America when a young child. 
 
 Mr. W. has been School Assessor in his district. 
 In politics he is a Reiniblican. Mrs. \\ . is a mem- 
 ber of the Catholic Church. 
 
 .ames Whitman, farmer and lumberman, 
 section 9, Porter Township, was born in 
 Saginaw Co., Mich., May 31, 1843, and is 
 a son of John A. and Lucinda (Cogswell) 
 ^Vhitman. (See sketch.) The parents moved 
 into Midland County when their son was but a 
 year old, being among the first settlers in the county, 
 locating in IngersoU Township, where he, the father, 
 now resides. James' mother is deceased. 
 
 The subject of this biographical notice remained 
 at home until 2r, when he set out for himself, pur- 
 chasing a piece of land in Homer Township, which 
 he managed for a year and then lumbered one season 
 
 for Horace Jerome, after which he merged into the 
 lumber business with his father. Thus they operated 
 together two years, furnishing railroad lumber and 
 supplies. Then for some time he prosecuted a simi- 
 lar business in comiiany with Mr. Gordon, of Mid- 
 land, then in connection with the Saginaw Boom 
 Company for about seven years. 
 
 On leaving them, in the fall of 1880, he settled on 
 a quarter of section 9, Porter Township, which tract 
 he had purchased two years previously. Here he 
 has improved 40 acres and built a good, large barn, 
 a comfortable residence, etc. He is not married. 
 
 Mr. W. is a Republican in his jx)litical principles, 
 and has held the minor offices of his township. 
 
 'ir^^:i=rts 
 
 *t#rt-r5- 
 
 ^^i dwin N. Burton, farmer, section 12, Eden- 
 ^^K ville Township, was born June 20, rS37, 
 ??j^^° in Dexter, Me., and is the son of David 
 j)^ and Emeline (Copeland) Burton. The parents 
 i were born respectively in Maine and Massa- 
 chusetts, and removed in 1851 to Dexter, 
 Washtenaw Co., Mich. In 1854 the family went to 
 East Saginaw and remained one winter, the father 
 operating as foreman of a lumber camp in the em- 
 ploy of one of the heaviest firms of Saginaw. In 
 the spring of 1855 they settled in Midland County, 
 where he completed the period of his minority. He 
 obtained his education wholly in Maine and Wash- 
 tenaw Co., Mich., and, after coming to Midland 
 County, devoted his increasing strength to clearing 
 and improving the homestead and contributing to 
 the support of the family. 
 
 When he was 22 years old he enlisted in Co. D, 
 1 6th Mich. Vol. Inf., under Col. Stockton, of Flint. 
 The date of his enrollment as a soldier in the 
 service of the United States was Aug. t, 1S61. The 
 regiment was assigned to Butterfield's Brigade, Fitz 
 John Porter's Division, of the Army of the Potomac. 
 Tlie first service of any importance in which Mr. 
 Burton was engaged was the siege of Yorktown. 
 During the Peninsular Campaign under Gen. Mc 
 Ctellan, while the army was lying in the swamps of 
 the Chickahominy River, he was seized with illness, 
 and June 27, 1862, he was sent to the Highgee Hos- 
 pital at Fortress Monroe. Three weeks later he was 
 removed to Long Island (N. Y.) Hospital. He was 
 
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 MIDLAND COU.VTY. 
 
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 241 
 
 discharged thence Oct. 20, 1862, on a surgeon's cer- 
 tificate, by the orderof Gen. Brown. On leaving the 
 hospital he made his way to Rochester, Oakland Co., 
 Mich., where lie remained six weeks with his sister, 
 being too weak to proceed further. At the end of 
 that time his father came for him and removed him 
 to his home. His disease was of a malarial charac- 
 ter, contracted in the deadly miasmas which laid 
 thousands of Northern soldiers under the sods of the 
 valley in that murderous, fruitless waiting for move- 
 ment, and which was more disastrous to the cause of 
 the Union and resulted in a greater loss of life than 
 active service on the field could have done. Three 
 years elapsed before Mr. Burton recovered his nor- 
 mal strength and endurance. He belongs to the 
 type of politicians distinguished as "War Demo- 
 crats," and has served his generation in many promi- 
 nent and responsible positions. He has been Super- 
 visor two terms, Treasurer five years, Clerk three 
 years, and has been recently elected Justice of the 
 Peace. 
 
 Mr. Burton was married Nov. 8, 1868, to Mary M., 
 daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (McConnell) 
 Willis. Her father was born Nov. iS, 1816, in 
 Ireland, and is yet resident in Edenville Township. 
 Her mother was born Nov. 18,1833, in Canada, and 
 died Oct. 14, 1863. Mrs. Burton was born April 3, 
 1853, in Sparta, Elgin ("o.. Can. Following is the 
 record of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Burton: 
 Frank E., born Feb. i, 1870; Willis A., April 10, 
 1 87 2, died Jan. 9, 1880; Bessie, March 20, 1874, 
 died Jan. 11, 1880; Emeline A., March 5, 1876; 
 Winfield Scott, Sept. 30, 1880. All the children 
 were born in Edenville Township. Tliose deceased 
 died within two days of each other, of diphtheria. 
 
 I rancis L. O. Banks, farmer, section 27, 
 -Midland Township, is a son of Wright and 
 Ann (Brotherton) Banks, who were natives 
 of Connecticut. He was born in Sherman, 
 Fairfield Co., Conn., Aug. 31, 1830, coming to 
 Oakland Co., Mich., with his parents when 11 
 years of age. He attended the High School at Pon- 
 tiac. At 18 years of age he began and worked out 
 by the month for five years. In 185 1 he came to 
 Midland County and settled on 43 acres of land in 
 
 Midland Township, which he had bought three years 
 previously, and where he has since resided. To the 
 original purchase he has added 64 acres, and now 
 has about 75 acres in a good state of cultivation. He 
 has held the offices of School Director and Con- 
 stable, and in regard to political questions he votes 
 with the Republicans. He and his wife are mem- 
 bers of the Baptist Church. 
 
 Mr. Banks was married in Saginaw Co., Mich., 
 March 16, 1854, to Miss Margaret E. Lire, a native 
 of Massachusetts, and of Scotch parentage. They 
 have had five children, viz.: Charles, Adelbert R., 
 Clara F., Frederick and William U. Charles and 
 Frederick are deceased. 
 
 ■»>«ec£r!S^S-«— tj^^ 
 
 oel A. 
 
 .^^^3OTSv 
 
 ,, _^, — — Brewer, farmer and lumberman, 
 Sft^ resident on section 27, Homer Township, 
 was born Aug. 4, 1844, in Allegany Co.. 
 N. Y. His parents, Daniel and Julia A. (Bas- 
 sett) Brewer, were natives of the State of New 
 York, where the former still resides, aged 78 
 years. The mother died in .Mlegany Co., N. Y., 
 March 17, 1876. Their family comprised nine chil- 
 dren, three of whom are deceased. 
 
 Mr. Brewer is the eighth child of his parents in 
 the order of birth, and is the fourth son. He is the 
 only one of the family who has left his native State. 
 He received a fair common-school education, and 
 when he was 17 years old he went South in the em- 
 ployment of the Government. He was present at 
 four of the important battles of the Army of the 
 Cumberland. He was at Nashville the day of Lin- 
 coln's re-election, and heard a speech by Andrew 
 Johnson. 
 
 He returned to his liome in the State of New 
 York, where he remained but a brief period, going 
 thence to Pennsylvania, where he engaged as a mill 
 assistant for some months. He returned home for a 
 time and again went to Pennsylvania and interested 
 himself in the chances of the oil regions. In 1867 
 he went back to Allegany Co., N. Y., where, July 15 
 of that year, he was married to Julia F., daughter of 
 John and Sophia Wirt. Her paren?^ were natives 
 of Canada, of French descent. They became resi- 
 dents of the Empire State in early life, where they 
 married and have since resided. The daughter was 
 
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 ■^ijfig^^ 
 
 €# 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 ^m^^®vm 
 
 'born June 21, 1849, near Rochester. The family re- 
 moved in 185 1 to Allegany County. Grant S., born 
 rjuly 4, 1868, and P'rank J., born May 18, 187 i, are 
 the names of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
 
 ^ Brewer. 
 
 (Oj 
 
 Mr. Brewer pursued tlie calliut; of a fnrmcr in 
 Allegany County until the fall of 18S0, wlien he 
 came to Midland Co., Mich., spent one winter as a 
 lumberman, and then purchased his present property 
 of 160 acres, which was all in heavy timber. He 
 has engaged in lumbering every season, and em- 
 ployed the remainder of his time in iminoving his 
 land. He has cleared and placed 20 acres under 
 tillage. Mr. Brewet is a Republican in political 
 sentiment. He lias just entered uix)n his second 
 term as Supervisor, and is also Justice of the Peace. 
 Tlie fiimily attend the Methodist F,|)iscopal Church. 
 
 feugh MeWilliams, fanner on section 22, 
 ^» Hope Township, was born in (ilasgow, Scot- 
 land, Aug. 24, 1832, the son of William and 
 Jane (Kissick) MeWilliams, natives of Ireland. 
 The father emigrated with his family to Mon- 
 s, Ireal, Can., in 1844. After a six-months' stay there, 
 employed at his trade of stone mason, he went to 
 Kingston, where he was similady employed a little 
 over a year. He was then accidentally drowned in 
 the Napanee River. Hugh remained with his mother 
 until her death, seven years later, and remained in 
 the vicinity two years longer, working at lumbering, 
 fanning, etc. 
 
 He then came to this State, and after stopping a 
 few months with William McCrary, in Ingham 
 County, he came on to Midland County. Here he 
 worked a winter in the woods, next spent a summer 
 in a saw-mill at Saginaw, and then settled perma- 
 nently in Midland County. He helped Mr. McCrary 
 build his first log shanty, and of him he l)ought 50 
 acres of land, about i860. He has now 40 acres of 
 this in cultivation, and has a good barn and a small 
 frame house. 
 
 March 23, 1862, he married Miss Milly J. Weaver, 
 daughter of Zenas and Eli/abeth (Sears) Weaver. 
 Mr. W., one of the jiioneers of Hope Township, 
 died in Roscommon County, March 30, i88i,and 
 was brought to Hope Townshi)) for burial. Mrs. Mc- 
 
 h 
 
 Williams was born Sept. 15, 1845, in Norwich, Can., 
 and has been the mother of seven children, six of 
 whom are living. Following is the record : Ada M., 
 born May 2, 187 i ; Eva Lizzie, Oct. 27, 1874; Mary 
 Alta, Jan. 23, 1876; Thelbert H., March 21, 1878; 
 I-ydia Ann, Dec. 20, 1879; Sadie R., Sept. 9, 1881 ; 
 Willie F., Feb. 24, 1883. All were liorn in Hope 
 Township. 
 
 Mr. McW. has been Justice of the Pe.ice two 
 terms, and votes the Republican ticket. 
 
 «s-- 
 
 srthur Hickling, farmer, section 14, Mid- 
 ji^^^k land Township, is a son of John and Ma- 
 
 i^ tilda (Wooaj Hickling, natives of England, 
 
 Jr where they were reared, lived, married, labored 
 (" and died. 
 
 .\rthur was born in Nottingham, England, 
 April 28, 1833. He lived in that country until 1861, 
 engaged in the butcher business, and then came to 
 Canada. He settled in Guelph, Wellington Co., 
 Out., where he followed the same business at which 
 he was engaged in the old country. 
 
 In the summer of 1872 Mr. Hickling came to Mid- 
 land City, this county, and opened a meat market, 
 which business he continued for three years, when 
 he was burned" out. He immediately rebuilt and 
 followed the same business until May, 28, 1876, 
 when the same destroying element swept away his 
 property for the second time. Not discouraged, and 
 possessing an abundance of pluck, he again re -built 
 and continued in the same business until June, 1877, 
 when he disposed of it. 
 
 Mr. Hickling has been twice married. His first 
 union was with Miss Anna .\daiiis, a native of Eng- 
 land, and occurred in that country. One son, John 
 A., born iMarch 28, 1861, was the only offspring of 
 this marriage. His second marriage was to Mrs. 
 Margaret Warner (//(V Highfield), daughter of George 
 and Martha (Foster) Highfield, and was solemnized 
 June 16, 1877, in Midland City, this county. She 
 was born in Lancashire, England, in 1832. Her 
 first marriage was to Mr. Samuel Warner, who died 
 Feb II, 1875. She is the owner of 80 acres of land, 
 on which the family reside, and has 50 acres of the 
 same under a good state of cultivation. Religiously, 
 
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MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 she is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
 H. is a Democrat in politics, and has held the posi- 
 tion of Fire Police in Midland City for about a year, 
 as well as a local position in his township. 
 
 ■•<-^^4##'^- 
 
 ^Jj-Uc'>^ 
 
 Kp (5;0;, loyd L. Post, attorney, Coleman, was born 
 
 ij'KSj'lp April 1 1, 1857, at Belvidere, Allegany Co., 
 
 l''^'^^ N. Y., and is a son of John and Fannie M. 
 
 m" (Gleason) Post, both of whom are yet livinij;. 
 
 ^1^ In their family were one son and two daugh- 
 ters, one of the latter being now deceased. 
 
 Mr. Post had a common-school education, read law 
 in the office of Wheaton & Perry at Clare, Mich., for 
 two years, and also at home, and was admitted to the 
 Bar at Harrison, Clare Co., Mich., in March, 1882, 
 since which time he has practiced his profession, 
 being in company with his father in his business 
 matters. Together they own about 240 acres of land, 
 of which 45 are improved. Mr. P. has been Super- 
 visor one year. Clerk of Grant Township, Clare 
 County, one year, and of Warren Townshi[), this 
 county, one year, and Village Clerk one year. Polit- 
 ically he belongs to the Republican party. 
 
 March 22, 1S84, Mr. Post was married to Miss Isa- 
 i)ella v., daughter of Miciiael Doherty, who is now 
 living on a farm in Belfast, Allegany Co., N. Y. Mrs. 
 Post is a graduate of that place, is a school and music 
 teacher and is a member of the Catholic Church. 
 She was born in Belfast, Feb. 17, 1859. 
 
 ustus B. Johnson, fanner on section 36, 
 _^|jt" Midland Township, is a son of John A. 
 ^'^ and Sally (Barden) Johnson, natives of 
 
 New Jersey and Massachusetts respectively; 
 the former died in Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1859, 
 and the latter in Midland Township, this 
 county, at the home of the subject of this sketch, 
 Aug. 18, 1872. Their family included nine children 
 — four sons and five daughters. 
 
 The third son, Justus, was born in Monroe Co., N. 
 Y., May 8, 1820, and lived at home until 17 years of 
 age, receiving a good, common education. He 
 learned the cooper's trade, which he followed most 
 of the time until 1869. In the fall of that year he 
 
 came to Midland County, and purchased 80 acres of 
 wild land, where he has made his home since the 
 fall of 187 I, when his family moved upon the place. 
 He has purchased 160 acres additional, and has now 
 about 60 acres under the plow. 
 
 April 4, 1846, in Erie ("o., N. Y., occurred his 
 nuptials with Hiss Margaret, daughter of William and 
 Elizabeth (Vanderbilt) Wyckoff, natives of the State 
 of New York. Mrs. Wyckoff was a cousin of Cor- 
 nelius Vanderbilt, father of the present railroad 
 magnate. Mrs. Johnson was born in the Empire 
 State, Nov. 17, 1817, and died in Erie Co., N. Y., 
 Aug. 21, 1870, having been the mother of five chil- 
 dren — Charles A., Myron J., Alphonso (died when 
 four months old), Elizabeth S. and Alice S. 
 
 Mr. J. is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist 
 Church, in politics is a Republican, and has been 
 Overseer of Highways for three years. 
 
 SllpWra' .rederick M. Burton, favnier, section 12, 
 xJibsSJ'j Edenville Townshi[), was born April 3, 
 Kp^""" 1849, in Dexter, Penobscot Co., Me. His 
 ^p parents, David and Emeline (Copeland) Bur- 
 -'l^ ton, were natives of Maine and of English de- 
 l scent. The father was born in September, 
 1 80 1. The mother was born Aug. 14, 1815, and 
 died April 20, 1881, in Edenville Township. The 
 family removed to Webster, Washtenaw Co., Mich., 
 in November, 1851, and there resided until 1854, 
 when they made another transfer to East Sagi- 
 naw, where they passed the winter of 1854-5. 
 The father owned a farm in Washtenaw County 
 during the three years in which he was a resi- 
 dent there, and was foreman of a lumber camp at 
 Saginaw for Tift Jerome the winter previous to his 
 removal. Meanwhile he took advantage of an oppor- 
 tunity which presented of buying the farm on which 
 he has since resided, in Edenville Township, paying 
 therefor 50 cents per acre. 
 
 Mr. Burton was not cpiite seven years of age when 
 liis parents settled in Eden Township, and he grew 
 to manhood and obtained a common-school educa- 
 tion under his father's care and supervision. He 
 spent some years in his employ after he was 21, re- 
 maining at home until his marriage. On the occur- 
 rence of that event he purchased 30 acres of unim- 
 
 
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 Zu:^ 
 
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 '^^^^iVS 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 ' proved land of his father, on which he has since 
 resided, and he now has 15 acres under cuhivation. 
 Mr. Burton belongs to the National Greenback party 
 I in political affiliation. He has held the oftice of 
 X Drain C'ommissioner, and has been re-elected for an- 
 other term. 
 
 He was married jNIay 13, 1873, to Lizzie P., daugh- 
 ter of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann (Aikens) Grans- 
 den. Her parents reside in Edenville and are 
 respectively of English and Irish descent. Her 
 mother was born Nov. 18, 1814, in Ireland, and her 
 father was born in England, Feb. 14, iS'io. Mrs. 
 Burton was born Nov. 27, 1852. Three children 
 have been born of her marriage, as follows : David 
 C, July 30, 1874; Stephen L., Feb. 15, 1876; Mary 
 Rosa, April 14, 1878. Mr. Burton is a UniversaUst 
 in religious belief; his wife is a Roman Catholic. 
 
 -tSs. — 
 
 Jx -if^^l^gbert Bradley, farmer, sec. 27, Midland, is 
 ■^- ej irMili)' son of Joseph and Mary (Emmons) Bradley, 
 =1 (0^^^ the former a native of Connecticut ar.d the 
 •^ °^i£ latter of New York, who emigrated to this 
 =1 t' State in 1842, setthng in Livnigston County, 
 'J* 1 where she died, in June, 1844. He afterward 
 removed to Ionia Co., Mich., where he died, Sept. 
 : ) 19, 1880. 
 
 Egbert was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., July 30, 
 1829, and was about 13 years of age when he came 
 to Michigan with his parents. He started out for 
 himself in the world when about 20 years of age, first 
 finding employment in a saw-mill at Port Huron for 
 about six months; then ten months in a mill in the 
 Upper Peninsula: then returned to Livingston 
 County ; then followed lumbering and blacksmith- 
 ing about four years in Genesee County. Next, 
 in i860, he went to Colorado in search of gold, 
 meeting with some success, earning the coveted 
 metal by farming, mining and milling; was tliere six 
 years. He returned to Ionia County, and in the fall 
 (aS of 1867 came to this county, where he has since re- 
 I sided. He now owns 177 acres of land, in Midland 
 Township, besides village property in Midland; has 
 50 acres of his farm land in a good state of cultiva- 
 tion. 
 
 He has held the office of Highway Commissioner 
 two years; is a member of the Masonic Order; in 
 
 politics, is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential 
 vote for (ien. Winfield Scott. 
 
 Mr. Bradley was married in Ionia Co., Mich., Nov. 
 17, 1867, to Mrs. Hannah, widow of Darius P. 
 Thompson and daughter of John and Hannah Steers, 
 who was born in Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., Dec. 15, 
 1845. She had by her first husband one child, named 
 Darius P. Thompson, Jr., and by her jjresent mar- 
 riage has had two children, namely, Mary F^. and 
 Joseph R. Mrs. Bradley's father died when she was 
 a child, and her mother resides with the suliject of 
 this sketch. She is 76 years old, and blind. 
 
 'irSJ^^o^v 
 
 ?C^i>»T-i^ 
 
 j^aniel E. Grover, farmer and lumberman, 
 
 residing at Edenville, was born March 22, 
 
 -^fi^" 1843, in Detroit, this State. His parents 
 
 Tjfi, were James C. and Catherine M. (Hough) 
 ^ Grover. The father was a cari>enter and joiner 
 
 % by trade, and died at Bay ('Ity, Bay County, 
 this State, .\pril 5, 1877, in the 59th year of his age. 
 He descended from that class of Puritans who were 
 known as "Independents," who established the first 
 colony at Plymouth. His family consisted of seven 
 children: three boys and four girls. The mother 
 was born at St. Catherine's, Can., and was of German 
 descent. The family moved from Detroit to Shia- 
 wassee County, this State, where the father followed 
 his trade for three years, and then removed to Port 
 Huron, St. Clair Co., and there followed his trade for 
 two or three years. From Port Huron he went to 
 Point aux Barques, where he remained for two years. 
 During his stay at the latter place he built a saw- 
 mill and was engaged for some time in running the 
 same. His next move was to East Saginaw, where 
 he engaged in the grocery business and worked at 
 his trade for about three years. F"rom East Saginaw 
 he moved to Bay City, where he died, as before 
 stated. 
 
 Daniel E. Grover, the subject of this biographical 
 notice, was the fourth child of his father's family. 
 He lived at home under the care of his parents, 
 assisting in the maintenance of the family, and 
 develo|)ed into manhood. On arriving at the age of 
 maturity he set forth upon the road of adversity to 
 battle against the trials of hfe. He engaged in 
 lumbering and running on the rivers for a time, when 
 
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MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and worked on the 
 Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad for two years. From 
 Cleveland he went to Pittsburg, Pa., and worked on 
 the railroad for a time, when he obtained a position 
 on the police force, and served on that for two years 
 and ten months. From Pittsburg he moved to West 
 Bay City, this State, where he remained for two 
 years, and during a part of that time he was Marshal 
 of the City. His ne.\t move was to Edenville, this 
 county, where he built a house and where he now 
 resides. He has a farm of 80 acres, which he culti- 
 vates during the summer, and he follows the voca- 
 tion of " lumbering " winters. 
 
 Mr. Grover was united in marriage Dec. 25, 1865, 
 to Miss Kate, daughter of John W. and Ellen 
 Grover. Both her parents were of German de- 
 scent, and died in Edenville, her father at the 
 age of 89 years. Mrs. Kate Grover, wife of the sub- 
 ject of this notice, was born in Norfolk Co., Can., May 
 16, 1844. She is the mother, to Mr. Grover, of seven 
 children, four of whom are deceased. The living 
 are Daisy, James Henry, Samuel L. and Catherine 
 M. The deceased are John Worthington, Geddes 
 and Daniel. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Grover is a Democrat. He has 
 held the office of Justice of the Peace, and socially 
 is a genial-hearted citizen and an ardent worker for 
 the interests of the community in which he resides. 
 
 eorge Miller, farmer and mill proprietor, 
 ^j. residing on section 29, \Varren Township, 
 ^^i and one of the representative as well as self- 
 made men of the county, was born Sept. 20, 
 I 1845, in Hagerstown, Wayne Co., Ind. He is 
 a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Sexton) Miller. 
 The father of Mr. Miller went to California when 
 George was only four years of age, in 1849, during 
 the great overland rush to that country. He was 
 ambitious to secure a competency, and, tliough limited 
 in education, possessed that faculty of push and de- 
 termination which seldom fails to overthrow and con- 
 cpier all obstacles. He learned the trade of black- 
 smith and followed the same for a while in the "land 
 of gold," but soon abandoned it and went to San 
 Francisco and Sacramento. He was very successful 
 in California, and sent his family some $3,500; but 
 
 before he had secured a sufficiency he was taken sick 
 and died. His death occurred in 1858, some eight 
 years after he arrived in the " Golden State," and 
 none of his family saw him from the time of his de- 
 parture from his home in Indiana. 
 
 George Miller, the subject of our biographical 
 notice, remained with his mother in Wayne County, 
 assisting in the maintenance of the family and attend- 
 ing the common schools, until he attained the age of 
 18 years. On arriving at that age, he learned the 
 painter's trade and followed it for five years. He 
 then engaged as an employee in a saw-mill at New 
 Lisbon, owned by his brother. He remained with his 
 brother in the mill for three years, and in the fall of 
 1869 came to this county. 
 
 He and his brother erected a steam mill on the 
 Tittabawassee River just below Sanford, and he was 
 actively engaged in operating it for two years. He 
 sold the mill at the expiration of the time mentioned, 
 to Benj. Dean, and went to Coleman. 
 
 In 187 I, Mr. Miller purchased a portable mill and 
 erected it at Coleman, in this county. He added to 
 its capacity nearly every year until Oct. ir, 1883, 
 when it was destroyed by fire. The mill property 
 was worth about $6,000, and was insured for only 
 $2,700, causing a net loss in its destruction of $3,300. 
 
 In the winter of 1883, Mr. Miller erected another, 
 larger and more costly mill than the one destroyed 
 by fire. He runs about seven months during each 
 year, and his mill has the capacity to produce about 
 $4,000 worth of stock per month. It is a saw-mill, 
 shingle-mill and hoop-mill. The saw-mill has a ca- 
 pacity of about 1,000 feet an hour; the shingle-mill 
 40,000 shingles every 1 1 hours, and the hoop-mill 
 12,000 hoops every 11 hours. 
 
 The mother of Mr. Miller died in Bloomington, 
 111., in June, 1863. She was the mother of ri chil- 
 dren, eight boys and three girls, all of whom, except 
 one, lived until they attained the age of manhood 
 and womanhood. Two died while fighting for their 
 country's flag in the late civil war. One son was 
 wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 
 1863, and died on the 21st of the same month. An- 
 other son died, after leaving the army, from disease 
 contracted while on duty. 
 
 Mr. Miller was united in marriage Oct. 31, 1870, 
 to Miss Catherine Adella, daughter of Charles C. and 
 Eliza B. (Burton) Sanford. Her father is still living, 
 
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 348 
 
 >ii5%ar''^ 
 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 at Sanford, and has attained the venerable age of 65 
 years. The motlier died some six years ago. Mrs. 
 Miller was born Dec. 24, 1S51, at Geneva, Ashtabula 
 Co., Ohio. The husband and wife were the parents 
 of two children : George Ora was born Aug. 31, 187 i, 
 in ('oleman, this county, and died at Sanford Nov. 22, 
 1874, of scarlet rash. Cora was born Junes, 1874, 
 in Sanford, and died Oct. 29, 1879, at Coleman. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Miller is a ijclicver in and sup- 
 |X)rter of the princi[)les of the Republican party. He 
 has been Justice of the Peace four years, Supervisor 
 three terms. Township Treasurer one term and Higli- 
 way Commissioner two terms. He was a Democrat 
 until the tariff question was introduced into politics, 
 and then joined the Republican party. Socially, Mr. 
 Miller holds a high posilton in tiie estimation of the 
 citizens ot his township. He possesses that push 
 about him which adds to the development and pros- 
 perity of the community in which he resides and 
 makes many warm and true friends. 
 
 He owns the three farms in Warren Township ad- 
 joining the village of Coleman, comprising 330 acres. 
 He has 170 acres of this land improved, 40 acres in 
 wheat and 60 in meadow. Mr. Miller was the first 
 man to manufacture shingles and hoops in the town- 
 shij), and has done much to advance the interests of 
 the same. 
 
 The jwrtrait of Mr. Miller, which a])pears on an- 
 other iiage, is a fitting addition to the Biogr.mmiicai. 
 
 AND POUTRAIT Al.lUIM OF MlDI.ANU CoU.N IV. He 
 
 has been prominent in the best interests of his town- 
 ship and county since he became resident therein, 
 and has contributed his inllncnce and effort to the 
 snlislanti.d progress of bolii. 
 
 -^-3-E-<^- 
 
 -^— 
 
 "'"indrew Fransen, farmer, section 34, Jerome 
 rownshi|), was born Jan. 10, 1844, in Ring- 
 ster, Denmark. His parents, Nels and Anna 
 (Hansen) Fransen, are naiivesof Denmark, and 
 emigrated to America in 1869. They made 
 their first location al IMoomfield, Saginaw Co., Midi., 
 where they remained one year, and in 1870 settled 
 in Jerome Township. Tlie fatlicr died May 2, 18S4, 
 and the mother survives. 
 
 In that year Mr. Fransen entered a homestead 
 claim of So acres, of which he took [wssession in tiie 
 
 spring. The entire tract was in a wild condition, 
 and he has improved about 30 acres. Mr. Fransen 
 is a Lutheran in his religious connections; is now 
 serving as Justice of the Peace. 
 
 He was married Dec. 15, 1877, in Midland, to 
 Helen, dangiiter of Samuel and Maiy Ann (Nugent) 
 Winters. The mollier was born at Rockville, Md. 
 The fatlier was born May 5, 1S09, al Emmettsburg, 
 Frederick Co., Md. Mrs. Fransen was born April 
 14, 1852, at the last named place. The children 
 horn of her marriage are recorded as follows: Mary 
 Ann was born Jan. 21, 1881 ; John Thomas was 
 born May 31, 1882. An unnamed infant died a week 
 after birth. 
 
 genjamin F. Slough, farmer, section 32, 
 Porter Township, was born May 23, 1828, 
 in Lycoming Co., Pa. Benjamin and Es- 
 ther (Smith) Slough, his (larents, were natives 
 of the Keystone State, of German ancestry. 
 Tiiey belonged to the agricultural class and 
 died in their native State, — the one in 1862, tlie otlier 
 in 1849. Their family comprised seven sons and two 
 daughters. Two of the former are deceased. 
 
 Mr. Slough is the sixth child of his parents, and 
 accompanied them, when he was six years old, to 
 Snyder Co , Pa., where he passed the years of liis 
 minority in obtaining his education in the common 
 schools. On attaining to the period of his legal 
 freedom, he went to work as a canal-boat builder, in 
 which he was employed five years. For some time 
 thenceforward he operated as a carpenter and joiner 
 at Freeport, Illinois, and he traveled at odd times 
 ihruugh 15 States. In 1854, he vvent to Summit Co., 
 Ohio, and again engaged in the construction of canal 
 boats on the Ohio ("anal. He came to Midland Co., 
 Mich., in 1S56, and at once entered a homestead 
 claim of ifio acres in Porter Townsliip, where he was 
 the Inst permanent settler. Tliere was not a single 
 tiioroughfave in its whole extent, and when Mr. 
 Slc)iigli built his liouse, which was the first within the 
 township limits, he was under the severe necessity ol 
 obtaining all supplies from St. Louis, Gratiot County, 
 a distance of 1 2 miles, and of paying for them at 
 extravagant rates. The route, was made by water 
 and over Indian trails. This kind of life continued 
 six years before they could obtain a team. On set- 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 tling on his estate he abandoned his trade and has 
 since given his attention wholly to the improvement 
 of his property. He claims one of the best farms in 
 the township, on which he has improved 40 acres and 
 erected suitable and creditable farm buildings. 
 
 Mr. Slough was married March 29, 1859, at Free- 
 port, 111., to Sarah J. Holmes, who was lx)rn in Car- 
 roll Co., Ohio, Oct 13, 1832. She went in her child- 
 hood with her parents to Seneca County, where she 
 was educated and reared to womanhood. Her par- 
 ents still reside there, aged respectively 75 and 76 
 years. One child bom of her marriage is living, — 
 Mrs. Ida .S. Kirne. (.See sketch of J. W. Kime.) She 
 was bom Nov. 27, 1862. Lillie D. (Slough) Kime 
 was born Aug. 17, i860, and died Sept. 4, 1880. 
 
 Mr. Slough is independent in political views, and 
 has been Township Treasurer, besides having held 
 the minor local offices. 
 
 ieary Baymond, fanner on section 15, Hope 
 Township, was bom at Port Huron, St. Clair 
 Co., Mich., April 11, 1840, the son of Nicholas 
 and Sophia (Lavier) Raymond. The father, a 
 blacksmith by occupation, died when Henry 
 was 12 years old. The mother still lives at 
 Port Huron. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, 
 and left home to make his own way in life when 15 
 years old. He commenced by working by the month 
 as a farm laborer. He has been in this county since 
 May 3, i860. Shortly after coming, and before he 
 was 21, he bought 40 acres of Willjam McCrary. He 
 afterwards sold this and bought 58 acres of Amasa 
 Rust, in what is now Exienville Township, which he 
 at once set about improving. In 1867, he settled on 
 his present place of 80 acres in Hope Township. 
 
 Jan. 31, 1864, in Jerome (now Exienville) Town- 
 ship, he was united in wedlock with Miss Rosaltha 
 Erway, daughter of Daniel and Hilah (Clark) Erway. 
 i£r. E. is dead; Mrs. E. resides with her son Sylves- 
 ter. Mrs. Raymond was bom Aug. 9, 1846, in the 
 State of New York. 
 
 Of this marriage six children are living, and three 
 deceased. Ettoile I^., bom Nov. 13, 1864, died Aug. 
 19, 1866; Effa V. was bom Jan. 14, 1868; Sophia 
 L., Dec. 13, 1869; William Isaac, July 5, 1872; next 
 
 in order, two infants died when two days old ; Hilah 
 R. was born March 24, 1878; Henry Garfield, Oct. 
 10, 1880; and Jesse H., Nov. 6, 1882. 
 
 Mr. R. is a Republican, and has been Highway 
 Commissioner. 
 
 ll^harleB Overton, farmer, section 14, Mid- 
 land Township, is a son of Thomas and 
 Elizaljeth A. (Temple) Overton, natives of 
 England and America respectively. 
 Charles Overton, the subject of this sketch, 
 was bom in Onondaga Co., N. Y., June 26, 1846. 
 He lived in his native State, where he followed the 
 occupation of fanner, until 1866, when, in November 
 of that year, he came to Midland City, this county, 
 and for three years engaged as an employe in the 
 lumber woods. After that he was variously em- 
 ployed in Midland City, unril 1878, when he moved 
 upon the farm of 40 acres on section 24, Midland 
 Township, which he had purchased when he was 
 18 years old, and on which he at present resides, 
 and of which he has about 20 acres improved. 
 
 Mr. Overton was married July 2, 1876, to Sarah 
 A., daughter of George and Harriet Morgan, natives 
 of England, in which countrj- the daughter was bom, 
 Sept. 22, 1847. Religiously, she is a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. O. is 
 a believer in and supporter of the Republican party. 
 
 ■Sr^-^fi^- 
 
 .IK-lexander J. Baymond, farmer on section 
 f^^ff^^, 14, Hoi^ Township, was bom in Wayne 
 t »S Co., Mich., March 4, 1837, the son of Nicho- 
 '*(il las and Sophia (Lavier) Raymond. Mr. R., 
 i' Sr., was killed in Kimball Township, St. Clair 
 Co., Mich , about 1850, by the falling of a limb of a 
 tree. His widow was subsequently married to David 
 Moore, and now lives just outside the corporation 
 limits of the city of Port Huron. Her living chil- 
 dren by Mr. Raymond are named Henry, Sylvester, 
 Richard, Julia and Joseph D.; and by Mr. Moore, 
 Eber B., Louisa and Elvira. 
 
 Although his father was by occupation a black- 
 smith. Alexander worked while a boy on a farm. At 
 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 the age of 1 6 he set out for himself. In September, 
 1854, he came to Edenville Township, this county, 
 and commenced working in tlie woods for Tift 
 Jerome, in wliosc employ he remained most of the 
 time for 15 years. He was in Edenville from Sep- 
 tember to March, then in St. Clair County during the 
 summer, returning to this county in the fall. The 
 ensuing three years he traveled througli a number of 
 the Western States, working at lumbering, farming, 
 etc., after which he worked two years at lumbering 
 in this county, and on the river. 
 
 In the spring of i860 he bought So acres of land 
 under the Graduation Act, paying 25 cents per acre. 
 He built a shanty and commenced to improve his 
 place, but in this he was interrupted by the breaking 
 out of the civil war. Aug. 13, i85i, he enlisted in 
 Co. D. 1 6th Mich. \'ol. Inf, under Col. Stockton and 
 Capt. Benj. Fisher. He was assigned to the Third 
 Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, under 
 Cien. Fitz John Porter. With the exception of three 
 months in hospital, from a wound, he served entirely 
 throughout the war. He was wounded at Gaines' 
 Hill, June 27, 1862, in the left middle finger, which 
 was amputated just below the middle joint. He 
 participated in McClellan's Peninsular campaign, 
 and was with Porter when the latter was ordered to 
 assist Pope, at the second Bull Run, but disobeyed 
 orders, resulting in his dismissal from the army. He 
 fought in the Fifth Corps, under Gen. Warren, from 
 the battle of the Wilderness to the surrender of Lee ; 
 fought at Gettysburg, Antietam and Fredericksburg; 
 and was mustered out July 25, 1865, when he re- 
 turned to his farm in Edenville. Thence he subse- 
 quently removed to Hope Township. He now owns 
 72ji$ acres in the latter townshi)), of which 25 are 
 improved. 
 
 February 14, 1864, while home on a veteran fur- 
 lough, he was married to Miss Carrie A. Burton, 
 daughter of David and Emeline (Copeland) Burton. 
 Mr. B. is living on a part of the old homestead with 
 his son Edwin. Mrs. B. is deceased. Mrs. Ray- 
 mond was born Oct. 13, 1844, in Penobscot Co., 
 Me. She is the mother of nine children, as follows: 
 Ada E., born Nov. 12, 1865; Alfred J., Oct. 26, 
 1866; Nelson E., June 18, i86g; David N., April 6, 
 1870; Joseph A., April 26, 1872; Clyde W., May 
 25, 1874; Guy M., March 21, 1876; Royal J., May 
 5, 1878; Julia A., June 25, 18S1. The first four 
 
 were born in Edenville, the last five in Hope Town- 
 ship. 
 
 Mr. Raymond has been Supervisor three years, 
 and Township Treasurer an e(iual period; also 
 Highway Commissioner between two and three years. 
 In political sentiment he is a Republican. 
 
 He was the sixth wiiite man to settle in what is 
 now F.deiiville Township, the five before him coming 
 in the following order: Abraham Egbert, Jacob 
 Hagar, John Hoose, Daniel Bowman, Zenas Weaver. 
 
 ►^ ^^^-i^S'v> J— ^ 
 
 11^2*; hilip Woodcock, farmer, section 32, Mid- 
 ; latSi'''', land Township, is a son of Isaac and Nancy 
 j\^ (Seeves) Woodcock, who were natives of 
 Sjj^ Canada. He too, was born in that country 
 )!§^ July 10, 1846, and lived there until October, 
 1868, when he came to Midland County and pur- 
 chased 60 acres where he has since lived and now 
 has almost 45 acres in a fine state of cultivation. 
 
 Mr. W. was first married, in Midland City, May 9, 
 1S70, to Elizabeth Smith, who was a native of Homer 
 Township, and they had two children, Elda and Wil- 
 liam, the latter dying when an infant. Mrs. W. died 
 July 26, 1872, and Mr. Woodcock was again mar- 
 ried, in Midland City, May 12, 1883, to Eunice, 
 daughter of William and Elsie Jose. 
 
 Mr. W. has been School Moderator, and in politics 
 is a National. 
 
 Ibyn L. Bellinger, farmer, section 36, Lee 
 .^^^i Township, was born in St. Lawrence Co., 
 |1^^ N. Y., July 17, 1845. The parents of Mr. 
 'S-^ Bellinger were Christopher and Clarissa, na- 
 il^ tives of the Mohawk Valley, N. Y., and de- 
 1 scendants of the early German settlers of that 
 valley. The father followed the blacksmith's trade 
 for a livelihood and he and his wife both died in St. 
 Lawrence County. 
 
 Albyn L. Bellinger, the subject of our 'uiographical 
 notice, is the only living son and the youngest child 
 of his father's family of nine children, si.x boys having 
 died previous to the birth of our subject. He lived 
 on the parental homestead, assisting his father and 
 attending the common schools, until he attained the 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 age of 17, with the exception of two years. During 
 the latter period he attended the academy in Gouve- 
 nour, the same county. 
 
 At this period in his Hfe, the nation was startled 
 from her peaceful sleep of years by the firing on 
 Sumter, and our martyr President calling for brave 
 hearts and strong arms to defend the cause of justice, 
 Mr. Bellinger resiwnded. He enlisted in Co. B, 
 1 06th N. Y. Vol. Inf, which was attached to the 
 Army of the Potomac, Sixth Corps, whicli was com- 
 manded by Gens. Sedgwick and Wright respectively. 
 He participated in a large number of active engage- 
 ments and was in some of the most hotiy contested 
 battles of the war. Among the engagements in 
 which he took part were the battles of Belmont, 
 Martinsburg, Culpeper, Kelly's Ford, Locust Grove, 
 Cedar Creek, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg 
 and Monocacy. At the latter engagement he was 
 taken prisoner and sent to Danville, Va., and from 
 there was removed to Libby Prison. He was incar- 
 cerated in these two prisons for seven months, when 
 he was paroled and joined his regiment in time to 
 witness Lee s surrender. After the latter event, he 
 participated with his regiment in the pursuit of John- 
 son until his army surrendered, when his regiment 
 returned to Washington, D. C, and June 29, 1865, 
 Mr. B., with the rest of his companions in arms, re- 
 ceived an honorable discharge from his country's 
 service. 
 
 Mr. Bellinger then returned to his native home 
 and shortly afterward, July 5, 1865, at Ogdensburg, 
 St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., he was united in marriage 
 with Miss Hannah Davison. She was a daughter of 
 Samuel and Rebecca (White) Davison. The parents 
 were of Scotch descent and nativity, and emigrated 
 to Canada at an early day, where they were married 
 and where the daughter was born, Feb. 17, 1845. 
 Mrs. B. lived in Canada until 18 years old, and then 
 went to St. Lawrence County, two years previous to 
 her union with Mr. B. 
 
 After marriage, Mr. Bellinger followed the occupa- 
 tion of farming, in St. Lawrence County, for six years, 
 when, with his family, he went to Ontario. He re- 
 mained at the latter place about two years, when he 
 removed to Porter Township, this county and State, 
 and purchased 90 acres of land. He made consider- 
 able improvement on this place, then sold it and 
 moved to Jasper Township. He lived in the latter 
 
 ^J^^^s:i&« ^^^^ 9-^^^ DO 
 
 for some time, during which period he spent two 
 years lumbering on the Chipjjewa River, and at vari- 
 ous other occupations, and then removed to Lee 
 Township, where he is at present residing. He has 
 a well improved farm of 80 acres on section 36, and 
 in addition to its cultivation he devotes his winters 
 to lumbering. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bellinger are the parents of two chil- 
 dren, Rutledge R., born Oct. 15, rS66; and Gertrude, 
 born Aug. 8, 1873. 
 
 Politically, Mr. B. is a staunch Republican; and 
 he has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Deputy 
 Sheriff, Superintendent of Schools and is at present a 
 Supervisor. Socially, he is a member of the L O. O. 
 P., of Lindsay, Ont , and is identified with the edu- 
 cational interests of his community. 
 
 illiam Dunning, farmer on section 22, 
 Hope Township, was born at Saginaw, 
 „ Mich., April 15, 185 i, the son of Ransom 
 
 i> and Christina (McDonald) Dunning. Mr. 
 ^^ Dunning, Sr., was a native of Connecticut, 
 and died at Midland City Nov. 19, 1880. The 
 mother was born in Scotland, and died six miles from 
 Saginaw, in Jamestown Township, June 16, 1868. 
 Malcolm, John and William are the names of their 
 three sons. 
 
 Their third son, William, was reared on a farm until 
 15 years old, then followed lumbering in the winters 
 and worked on the river in summers, until Dec. 2, 
 1880, when he arrived in Hope Township, this 
 county. Here he has since made his home. He 
 moved into the house of his father, the latter having 
 died the month previous, and is now living in the 
 oldest log house in Hope Township, his father having 
 bought it of Zenas Weaver. While Mr. Weaver was 
 building this house, a wolf came to the window hole, 
 put his feet on the sill, looked in quietly and went 
 away. Mr. Dunning bought 40 acres of land of Mr. 
 Weaver, and 60 of James Riggs. 
 
 He was married July 3, 1875, to Lizzie McPeak, 
 daughter of Richard and ^fargaret (Cane) McPeak. 
 Mr. McP. died Aug. 14, 1869, at Saginaw, and Mrs. 
 McP. is now living at Saginaw, on the old Pennoyer 
 farm, which has been cut into lots. Mrs. Dunning 
 
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 Af ID LAND COUNTY 
 
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 was botEi Feb. 12, 1858, near London, Can., and was 
 the third of eight children, named John, Mary A., 
 Lizzie, Maggie, Teresa, Rosa M.. AmeHa (deceased) 
 and Richard. 
 
 Three children have been born to Mr. and -Mrs. 
 D., as follows: Frankic, May 5, 1876, in Saginaw 
 City; Clissie, ^Llrch iS, 1S78, in Saginaw City; and 
 Lydia, (.>ct. 15, 1882, in Hope Township. 
 
 Mr. D. has been Township Treasurer for two 
 terms. 
 
 '''Sirthur W. Dorr, farmer and lumberman^ 
 ^^ resident on section 3, Porter Township, was 
 ^1^ born Jan. 9, 182S, in Piscataquis Co., Me. 
 '•lisr His parents, M. D. and Eliza (Lowe) Dorr, 
 were natives of Maine and belonged to the 
 agricultural class. Their family included 1 1 
 children, four of whom are deceased. The father 
 now resides at Dover, Me., and is 84 years old. The 
 mother died when she was 7 i years of age. 
 
 Mr. Dorr is the second son and fourth child of his 
 parents. He followed the pursuits common to his 
 native county, working on his father's fiirm and in 
 the lumber woods until he was 23 years old, when 
 he went to California. He made the journey by sea 
 and was five months and 20 days en rouU, landing 
 at San Francisco April 20, 1S53. He went to Eldo- 
 rado County, in the Golden State, where he engaged 
 in placer-mining. He e.xperienced the vicissitudes 
 of the miner's life with results which enabled liim to 
 embark in the lumber business, which he did in the 
 same county, and also managed a hotel three years. 
 He was occupied in his various enterprises in Eldo- 
 r.ado County until the fall of 1869, when he went to 
 Soloma County, in the same State, where he spent 
 three years as a carpenter and builder. Returning 
 to Eldor.ado County, he remained there until the fall 
 of 1873, when he returned to his native State. After 
 a short stay there he came to Michigan and engaged 
 in lumbering on the Pine River in the interests of 
 his brother-in-law, S. L. Wiggins, of East Saginaw. 
 In 1875 he bought the farm he now owns and man- 
 ages, consisting of 240 acres of stump land, on which 
 he at once began the work of improvement. He has 
 65 acres under the plow, a comfortable residence and 
 one of the most commodious and conveniently 
 arranged barns in this section. In political affilia- 
 
 tion Mr. Dorr is a Republican. He has been Town- 
 sin'p Clerk six years, and in 1879 was appointed 
 Postmaster at tlie i)lace now known as Bradford. 
 
 Tlie first marriage of Mr. Dorr occurred May 16, 
 1863, at Genoa, Nev., to Eliza Brown, a native of 
 Ijsndon, Eng. She came to California from her 
 native land when she was 23 years old. She died in 
 California, Nov. 28, 1S72, aged t,t, years, 6 months 
 and 16 days. Four children survive her — Ella M., 
 born M.ty 20, 1864; Arthur D., June 20, 1366; 
 Frances M., March 28, 186S, and Harry R., July 22, 
 187 I. Mr. Dorr was a second time . married July 9, 
 1875, in Saginaw Co., Mich., to Mrs. Sarah E. (Ful- 
 ler) Hart. She was born Dec. 23, 1827, at Free- 
 dom, Me. Her parents removed to Dover, Me., 
 where she grew to womanhood and became the wife 
 of Peleg Hart, who died in February, 187 i, leaving 
 one child — Edna M., born May 15, 1865. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Dorr are members of the Congregational 
 Church. 
 
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 Konathan Pierce, "mine host" of the Ex- 
 |||^■ change Hotel in Coleman, was born Feb. 
 ^** 19, 1 82 1, in Oswego Co., N. Y. He was a 
 son of Benjamin B. and Polly (French) Pierce. 
 His father was born in August, 17S5, and died 
 Jan. 10, 1875. Jonathan's grandfather was 
 one of tlie early settlers in the Wyoming Valley, 
 Luzerne Co., Pa., and his wife and three children 
 were among the 300 who in July, 1778, were massa- 
 cred by the Tories and Indians. The family of 
 Jonathan's father embraced five children, of whom 
 our subject was the third child from the eldest. He 
 lived at home and assisted on the farm during the 
 summer months, and occupied his time winters in 
 lumbering and teaching school, until he was 27 
 years old. He was also engaged in the lumbering 
 and wood business in Oswego County until 1869. 
 The following year, 1870, Jonathan came to Midland 
 City, this county. He engaged in partnership with 
 a gentleman in the milling business at that place, 
 but in the Hill of the same year he went to Coleman 
 and erected a steam saw-mill, which was destroyed 
 by fire in 1874. It was supjiosed to have been the 
 work of an incendiary. His fiimily did not arrive 
 until the fall of 1S71. While the station house was 
 being built at Coleman he boarded the railroad men. 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 his wife doing the cooking and sending the meals to 
 the hands. 
 
 Mr. Pierce was united in marriage April 13, 1848, 
 in Cortland Co., K. Y., to Miss Celista, daughter of 
 James and \j)\s (Johnson) Burnhara. Her parents 
 died in Cortland County. She was bom Dec. 9, 
 1824, in Cortland Co., N. Y. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of four chil- 
 dren living, and one deceased. The li«ng are Lois 
 A., bom Oct. 13, 1849; Priscilla A., Feb. 13, 1854: 
 aifion J., Dec. 25, 1858; Effie C, March 2, 1861 ; 
 Leila B., Jan. 20, 1870, died Feb. 5, 1881. 
 
 JSHGMfe^ 
 
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 1 1 ester M. Bailey, lumberman, section 34, 
 __^^ Jasj^r Township, is a son of Benson B. 
 >;-^T and Mary (Ludlow) Bailey. (See sketch 
 of Benson B. Bailey.) He was bom in Seneca 
 Township, Lenawee Co., Mich., Oct. 29, 1856, 
 \ and was eight years old when he came with his 
 parents to this county, where he now resides. Here 
 he grew up, assisting on the farm and attending 
 school. After he became of age he commenced 
 lumbering on Pine River, and has followed the busi- 
 ness ever since. At his home he has a very fine 
 frtece of projjerty, owning 80 acres on section 34 and 
 440 acres in Montcalm Co., Mich. Fifty acres of 
 the former place is in 2 good state of cultiv^on. 
 
 In his political views, Mr. Bailey is a zealous Re- 
 publican. He is a member of Lodge No. 144, 
 I. O. O. F., at St. Louis. 
 
 Feb. 2, 1880, Mr. B. married Miss Sarah P., a 
 daughter of John and Julia (Dcpue) Fields, resident 
 at S;. Louis. She was bom May 23, 1859, in Isa- 
 bella Co., Mich., and when a young woman accom- 
 panied her parents in change of residence to St. 
 Louis. 
 
 ' &^6' °^^ ■**" Chamberlain, fanne^ section 36, 
 
 ■ „^H Ingersoll Township, is a son of Eriel. and 
 
 •'■ Marj- A. (Barnes) Chamberlain, and was 
 
 - y born in Saginaw Co., Mich., May 8, 1848. 
 
 % When he was 15 years old bis father enlisted 
 
 y in the war, and consequently the cares of the 
 
 homestead devolved upon him at so early a time in 
 
 his youth. He was thus employed for three years. 
 
 Although farming has been his life business, he has 
 been employed considerably in the lumber woods 
 and on the river. 
 
 In the spring of 1866 he bouaht 30 acres of land in 
 section 36, where he now resides. When he came to 
 it there was very little im]>rovement there, but by in- 
 dustry, guided by good judgment, he has added 30 
 acres to his estate and has now 38 acres in a well 
 cultivated condirion. 
 
 OflScially, Mr. C. has been Justice of the Peace 
 two years; politically, he prefers the "National" 
 party ; and religiously, both himself and wife belong 
 to the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 He was inarried in Saginaw City, Mich., July 2. 
 1867, to Miss Ann J., daughter of Da\-id and Paulina 
 (Wood) Cromton, who were natives of VermonL Mrs. 
 C. was bom in Hadley, Lapeer Co., Mich., June 20, 
 1850, and came with her parents to Midland County 
 when three years old. The children of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Chamberlain are, Daniel C, .■^da B., Clarence E. 
 (deceased), Oliver R., Claude D. and Bennie A. 
 
 4 
 
 Peter Baymond, farmer on section 15, 
 Hope Township, was bom in Detroit, Mich., 
 -y,p- "^ June 15, 1828, the son of Peter and Char- 
 ts lotte (Boullar) Raymond, of French descent. 
 ^ The father died of small-pox at Windsor, Can., 
 y when J. P. was but four years old. The 
 mother, a native of Canada, has married again, and 
 lives in Wayne Co., Mich., three miles from Rock- 
 wood Station. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm 
 and remained at home until of age. His first em- 
 ployment after attaining his majority was in the lum- 
 ber woods in the winter seasons and in saw-mills in 
 the summers. He came to Michigan in 1852, stop- 
 ping in St. Oair County. Here he lived for 16 
 years, working at various things — in the woods, at 
 farming, or anything else which could yield a liveli- 
 hood. In the fall of 1868 he came to Midland 
 County and bought his present fami of 80 acres in 
 Hope (then Lincoln) Township. To this he has 
 added 40 acres. It was then in its primitive state 
 of wild forest. He has now 55 acres under the plow, 
 and several acres more chopped. 
 
 Mr. Raymond enlisted July 18, 1862, in Co. E, 
 
 
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 22d Mich. Vol. Inf. His company was commanded 
 first by Capt. Henry Carlton, and afterwards by 
 Capt. H. P. Wands. His first Colonel was Moses 
 M. Wisner, and his second Eber Le Favour. He 
 was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, 
 15th Reserve Corps. At the battle of Chickamauga> 
 he was attached to tlie brigade known as the "Iron 
 Brigade," commanded by Gen. Whittaker. Here he 
 was taken prisoner and sent to Richmond. 
 
 He was for two months confined in the Pemberton 
 House Prison, and then he was in the Danville 
 Prison until the spring of 1864. Next, he spent six 
 months in that iniquitous pen, Andersonville, after 
 which he was at Florence, S. C, then at Charleston, 
 S. C, and Wilmington, N. C, at which latter place he 
 was paroled. He was taken with the camp fever the 
 next day after arriving within the Union lines, and 
 was for four or five weeks confined in the hospital at 
 Indianapolis. He then received a furlough of 30 
 days, with orders to report at Camp Chase. At De- 
 troit he received another order to return home and 
 await his discharge. This he did, and soon came 
 the welcome notice to report at Detroit, where he 
 was finally mustered out of the military service of 
 the United States June 7, 1865. 
 
 He was reduced to a skeleton by his sufferings in 
 rebeldom, and he was so weak mentally and bodily, 
 and so changed by his terrible experience, that his 
 neighbors did not recognize him when he returned 
 from his three years' absence. 
 
 Mr. Raymond was married in Clyde (now Kimball) 
 Township, St. Clair Co., Mich., Jan. 18, 1855, to 
 Sarah E. Wheaton, daughter of George M. and Har- 
 riet (Bartlett) Wheaton. Mr. W. was a native of 
 Canada, and died at Victoria, in that country, when 
 Sarah was eight years old. Mrs. W., a native of New 
 York State, died a year after her husband. Her 
 father, Christopher Bartlett, was one of the first set- 
 tlers of St. Clair County. He was the great wolf 
 hunter of that section and literally cleared the 
 county of wolves. Mrs. Raymond was born in Lon- 
 don, Can., Jan. 17, 1840, and is the mother of nine 
 children, seven of whom are living. 
 
 Following is the record : George W. was born Dec. 
 22, 1S55, in Kendall Township, St. Clair Co., Mich., 
 and was married at Midland, April 15, 1884, to Anna 
 Grice ; Chancy B. was born Oct. 4, 1857, in St. Clair 
 County, and was married Sept. 25, 1883, to Delia R 
 
 Wright; Collins E. was born Dec. 3, 1859, in same 
 county; Wallace L. was born Dec. 28, 1861, in same 
 county; Elmer E. was born March 8, 1867, and 
 died April 16 following, in same county; Lillian E. 
 was born Oct. 28, 1868, in Lincoln (now Hope) 
 Township, this county; Almond J. was born July 22, 
 1871, in same township, and died May 2, 1872; 
 Alden N. was born Jan. 4, 1876, in same township; 
 Shirley C. was born Aug. 8, 1879, in same township. 
 Mr. R. is in political sentiment a Republican. He 
 has been Highway Commissioner one term and 
 Sciiool Inspector two years. 
 
 ^{ I^Sharles Smith, farmer, lumberman and 
 ^iW.^s^ blacksmith, resident on section 34, Homer 
 y^ Township, was born Dec. 9, 1842, in On- 
 
 PJM tario. Can. His parents, Charles and Mary 
 
 I (Labreche) Smith, are natives of Ontario, 
 and are respectively of Irish and French extraction. 
 They yet reside in the Dominion and are 64 and 74 
 years old. Of 13 children born to them 12 are 
 living. 
 
 Mr. Smith is the third child and eldest son of his 
 parents, and resided at home until he was 1 4 years 
 old, when he went into the lumber woods. He con- 
 tinued to operate as a lumberman in his native prov- 
 ince until he was 24 years old, when he came to 
 Bay Co., Mich., and was similarly engaged on the 
 Rifle River six years. In 1869 he made another 
 transfer to Midland County, and spent two years 
 lumbering on the Pine River. He then bought 40 
 acres of land in the township of Homer, on which he 
 settled and began the work of clearing and improv- 
 ing. He remained thereon about 18 months, when 
 he went to Midland and remained nine years, opera- 
 ting as a farmer summers and as a lumberman win- 
 ters. At the end of the period named he returned to 
 liis farm, to which he had added 123 acres, and now 
 has one of the most valuable and desirable farms on 
 the Pine River. He has 63 acres under advanced 
 cultivation, with good residence and barns. In poli- 
 tics he is a Republican. 
 
 Mr. Smith was first married March i, 1871, in 
 Midland County, to Delilah Stevenson. She was 
 one of the first white children born in the county 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 and died June 8, 1876, in Midland village. She 
 left two children: Charles, born March 4, 1873, and 
 George, born July 3, 1S75. Mr. Smith was again 
 
 married Feb. 
 
 1S79, in Porter Township, to 
 
 Charity, daughter of Daniel and Phebe (McCall) 
 Walsh. Her parents are natives of Ontario, Can., 
 and are respectively of Scotch and Irish descent. 
 The daughter is the eldest of nine children born to 
 her parents, and is a native of Norfolk Co., Can. 
 She was born Nov. 28, 1S58, and accompanied her 
 parents to Michigan when she was 19 years old. 
 They have since returned to their native province. 
 She has been the mother of three children: William, 
 born Jan. 2, 1S82, and an infant daughter, May 21, 
 1884; Freddie, born April 4, 1880, died July 25, 
 1881. 
 
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 -''S'H^iilamuel Mills, farmer and manufacturer of 
 \ k-'b^'f lumber and shingles on section 26, Hope 
 •(]!iw>^'^ Township, was born in Nova Scotia, Aug. 
 >lw^ 24, 1820, the son of Peter and Phebe (Williams) 
 Mills. The father was born about 1795 in 
 Nova Scotia, and died in Southwould, Can., 
 Nov. 17, 1856. The mother was born in the Prov- 
 ince of Nova Scotia in 1799, and di6d also in South- 
 would, Can. Samuel's grandparents, who were of 
 the same surname but no connection, were natives 
 of the State of New York. 
 
 The subject of this narrative came to Southwould, 
 Ont., in 1870 — one year later than his parents. 
 There he rented a farm, which he cultivated on 
 shares. In 1857 he came to Macomb Co., Mich., 
 where for four years he was similarly engaged ; and 
 then he came to Midland County, arriving Oct. 5, 
 1861. For a few months he lived in a shanty near 
 his present farm, while he erected a good log house 
 and made a little clearing. There were then no 
 regularly laid out roads, and he made his way to his 
 new home over an old lumber trail. He first home- 
 steaded 40 acres ; but he has since added by pur- 
 chase two forties on the east, one on the west and 
 one on the south, making a fine farm of 200 acres, 
 of which 70 are improved. He operates also a saw 
 and shnigle mill, with a circular saw, and is able to 
 cut 10,000 feet of luniber and 25,000 to 30,000 shin^ 
 
 gles per day. He has dealt considerably in real 
 estate at different times. 
 
 Jan. 9, 1849, in Nova Scotia, he formed a life part- 
 nership with Miss Sarah Fillmore, daughter of Will- 
 iam and Sarah (Hollis) Fillmore. Mr. and Mrs. 
 F. were of English descent, natives of the Province 
 of Nova Scotia, and died in Southwould, Ont., the 
 former in November, i88r, and the latter Sept. 12, 
 18S1. Mrs. Mills was born in Nova Scotia, Feb. 26, 
 1827, and is the mother of 11 children. Three are 
 deceased, and five sons and three daughters survive. 
 Following is the record: Josiah, born Oct. 5, 1849, 
 in Nova Scotia; William H., Sept. 27, 185 1, in Can- 
 ada; Stephen, June 20, 1853, in Canada; Welling- 
 ton, Aug. 20, 1855, in Canada; Burton, April 9, 
 1857, in Canada; Sarah M., July 8, i860, in Ma- 
 comb Co., Mich.; Edwin, Nov. 22, 1863, in Lincoln 
 (now Hope) Township; Phebe A., Feb. 22, 1866, in 
 the same township; Priscilla R., May 22, 187 1, 
 in Hope Township. Freeman, an infant, died when 
 nine months old, and an unnamed infant died two 
 days after birth. 
 
 The parents were formerly members of the Chris- 
 tian Church. Mr. Mills is politically a Greenbacker, 
 and has been Township Clerk three terms, Justice 
 of the Peace two terms, or eight years. Township 
 Treasurer one term, and Highway Commissioner 
 two terms. 
 
 For four or five years after settling in this county, 
 he obtained but fecv of his supplies at Midland, go- 
 ing to Saginaw for most of them. He would go to 
 Edenville, and then go in a canoe down the Tittaba- 
 wassee. Loading up with his purchases, he then 
 poled back. When night overtook him, he hitched 
 his boat and camped out. Arrived at Edenville, his 
 supplies were transported in whatever manner was 
 most convenient, over lumber trails, to his home. 
 
 ^[^^fcacob Hager, farmer, section t,t„ Lincoln 
 jj^^t? Township, was born Feb. 29, 1820, in Erie 
 
 i^T ^^■' ^^"' ^""^ ^^ ''■ ^°" °^ George Hager. 
 '^s£ His mother is deceased and his father resides 
 
 ^U with a son in the Keystone State. The pa- 
 \ rents were natives of that State, and about the 
 year 1832 the father received an injury which ren- 
 dered him unable to support his family for a time, 
 
 
 
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 and their maintenance absorbed the earninj^s of the 
 son until he was 21 years of age. 
 
 On the arrival of that period he engaged in farm- 
 ing and bought a tract of land half a mile from his 
 father's location, where he maintained his own do- 
 mestic affairs after the method commonly styled 
 "keeping bachelor's hall," until he was 25 years old ; 
 then he sold his farm and came to Milford, Mich., 
 where he remained two months, assisting in the con- 
 struction of a grist-mill, for which he hewed the 
 timbers. He then came to the Saginaw Valley, 
 where he spent two years with the Indians, engaged 
 in their pursuits — hunting, fishing and trapping. He 
 succeeded in securing a livelihood, which was the 
 extent of his success. He then engaged in lumber- 
 ing in the winter, and began to prepare for better for- 
 tunes by the purchase of 21 acres of Government 
 land, five miles above his present location, upon 
 which he spent the summer seasons in clearing. He 
 afterwards added 24, 44 and 74 acres by successive 
 purchases, and ke|)t |the property about ten years, 
 when he came to the place where he has since been 
 located, and bought 64 acres, to which he afterward 
 added 40 acres. He is the proprietor of the tract 
 still, and has cleared 60 acres. Mr. Hager came to 
 the county of Midland in 1847, and believes himself 
 to be the first permanent white settler now living in 
 the county. 
 
 He has been married three times. His first wife 
 was Mena Titmore, to whom he was married May i, 
 1856. One daughter, Anna, was born by this union, 
 Feb. 4, 1857, who is now living in California. He 
 was a second time married in September, 1857, to 
 Louisa Snyder, who died June 10, 1877. Albert, 
 only issue of this marriage, was born March 28, 1858. 
 Mr. Hager was again married July 8, 1878, to Gene- 
 vieve Hecht, widow of George Hecht, who died 
 Aug. 25, 187 1, in Homer Township, Midland County. 
 She was born Dec. 18, 1822, in Austria. 
 
 / \) ;'\).;^uncan Wayne, farmer, and Supervisor of 
 
 
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 Mt. Haley Township, resident on section 
 4, was born in Simcoe, Norfolk Co., Ont., 
 pi» Jan. 7, 1858. His father, John Wayne, was 
 ^ born in England and was a distiller by voca- 
 \ tion. The mother, Elizabeth (Wilson) Wayne, 
 
 was a native of Ontario, Can. The fatlier died Jan. 
 
 20, 1859, in Ontario. The mother is 58 years of age 
 and resides with her son in Mt. Haley Township. 
 She is now Mrs. Vanderburg. 
 
 In 1868, accompanied by his mother and step- 
 father, Mr. Wayne came to Michigan, settling first at 
 St. Charles, Saginaw County. Later on, they went 
 to the city of Saginaw, returning thence to St. Charles. 
 In the spring of 1872 he located on Pine River in 
 Homer Township, and in the spring following they 
 purchased So acres of land in Mt. Haley Township. 
 It was all in heavy timber, and the estate now in- 
 cludes 120 acres, with 70 acres improved and culti- 
 vated. Its value is greatly increased by the erection 
 of a fine barn 34 by 50 feet, and a good convenient 
 residence, which latter is now in process of construc- 
 tion. Mr. Wayne has yet to consummate the most 
 important epoch of his life, and is securing the fairest 
 prospects by his correct habits and stable character- 
 He is a zealous Republican of wide influence, and 
 has held the position of School Director since April, 
 1S80. He has recently l)een elected School Inspector 
 and Township Supervisor. 
 
 (K^M#5 illiam Vance, farmer, section 20, Midland 
 i LjyM' Township, is a son of William and Mar- 
 _ * gs^ret (Gordon) Vance, who were of Irish 
 '^> ancestry. He was born in Monroe Co., N. 
 Y., Jan. 22, 1836; when 13 years of age he 
 came to Saginaw County and about three years 
 later to Midland County. He has been engaged in 
 various occupations for several years, principally lum- 
 bering on the river and farming. In 1859 he pur- 
 chased a quarter-section of land, which he afterward 
 sold; and lie has since bought and sold several tracts 
 of land. In 1866 he purchased 40 acres, on which 
 he has since resided. He has sold ten acres of this 
 place, and all the remainder is in a good state of cul- 
 tivation. 
 
 Mr. ^'ance was married in Midland, March 21, 
 1855, to Lucy M., daughter of John and Sarah (Sny- 
 der) Wyman, the former of whom was a native of 
 Vermont and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mrs. \'. 
 was born in Midland City, Dec. 14, 1839. The 
 children of Mr. and Mrs. Vance are, Charles H., 
 John B., Emma L., Lillie M., Frederick E. and Mar- 
 garet J. 
 
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 257 
 
 Mr. Vance and his wife are niembers of tiie Baptist 
 Church, and on national issues Mr. V. is in sympathy 
 witli the National party. 
 
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 ^i pg^-h^i'l^" S- Brown, general farmer, section 
 2 1, Jasper Township, and acting Post- 
 master of Pleasant Valley, was born in Sidney 
 Township, Hastings Co., Ont., Feb. 28, 1819. 
 His ftither, John Brown, was a native of New 
 England, and his mother, Anna (Myers) 
 Brown, was born on the " Genesee Flats," near the 
 Mohawk River, in New York, of New England an- 
 cestry. His father was a miller by occupation, and 
 died in Belleville, Ont., in 1831 ; and his mother in 
 Murray Township, Ont., in 1862. In their family 
 were four sons and two daughters; two of the former 
 died in Ontario, after they were married. They were 
 all natives of Canada, and the living are still residing 
 in the Dominion, except the subject of this sketch, 
 and one sister, now living at Rochester, N. Y. 
 
 Charles S., the third child and second son, was 12 
 years old when his father died, and he had to help 
 support the bereft family by working at farm labor. 
 May 30, 1848, in his native county, he was married 
 to Hester A. Lott, second daughter and third child of 
 George and Hannah (Barager) Lott, both deceased, 
 in Sidney Township, Ont., their native place, — the 
 former in i86g, aged 74, and the latter in 1871, aged 
 66. In their family were three sons and four daugh- 
 ters ; two of the former and one of the latter are de- 
 ceased. Mrs. Brown was born in Sidney Township, 
 April 25, 1825. The following are the three children 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Brown: John E., born July 29, 
 1850, married, Nov. 24, 1873, Miss Louisa Christ- 
 man, a native of Gratiot County., Mich., and has one 
 child, James C; George N., born Dec. 7, 1852, mar- 
 ried, in Jasper Township, June i, 1873, Miss Mary 
 A.'Turner, a native of Wisconsin (see sketch of Sam- 
 uel Turner); and Nancy M., born Oct. 29, 1862, 
 married, Nov. 7, 1883, Clayton A. Davis, a native of 
 Hillsdale Co., Mich., and resides in Coe Township, 
 Isabella Co., Mich. All the above mentioned belong 
 to the farming community, — John E. and George N. 
 Brown in Jasper Township. 
 
 After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. B. lived in 
 Hastings Co., Out., until 1869, then two years in 
 
 
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 Saginaw City, Mich., and since that time in this 
 county, settling on a quarter-section of land. In 
 connection with his son, he now has 240 acres. He 
 has dealt considerably in real estate, having bought 
 and sold i,ooo acres of land. Although not a stick 
 had been cut when he first located here, he now has 
 a good farm of 75 acres of well improved land. Many 
 wearisome seasons, too, has he had to contend with 
 the disagreeable features of a swampy county, — 
 water, mud and mosquitoes. The latter were so nu- 
 merous and noisy at times tha' they had to be 
 smoked away from the premises by " smudges," so 
 that the people of the house could hear the tinkling 
 of the cow-bells in the roads not far distant. Even 
 the Sunday-schools, held in the primitive log school- 
 house by pioneers, had to be guarded by " pillars of 
 smoke" by day, to keep off the ''pesky critters" 
 SLifficiently to enable the teachers an'd children to 
 proceed with any degree of progress. 
 
 March 5, 1875, when the family were all absent, 
 a fire consumed Mr. Brotvn's dwelling, with all its 
 contents, leaving not even a second suit of clothing 
 for any of the family, and entailing a loss of about 
 feoo. 
 
 Mr. Brown is a staunch Republican in his political ^ 
 views, and he has been Township Treasurer four «^ 
 years. Highway Commissioner three years, and has *^ 
 held other offices. He and his wife have been zeal- ( .] 
 ous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 
 the last five years. 
 
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 f ndrew J. Davis, general farmer and lum- 
 berman, section 14, Lee Township, was 
 "■ born in Chenango Co., N. Y., March 3, 
 1849. His parents, Washington and Adaline 
 (Shepherd) Davis, were also natives of the 
 Empire State, but of New England ancestry. 
 They are both still living, in charge of their sons, 
 the former in Illinois and the latter in New York, 
 aged respectively 65 and 67. The father came to 
 this country in 1873, and after three years went to 
 Illinois. 
 
 When 22 years of age, Andrew J. enlisted in the 
 Union army, Sept. 15, 1861, and served over three 
 years, participating in the battles of Corinth, Shiloh 
 and Atlanta, and was discharged in November, 1864- 
 
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 During the next n.onth he came to Michigan and 
 bought .-i i|u;irlcr of scclion 14, I,ec Township, 
 where he has since lived, followin}^ Uimbeiing to a 
 considerable extent, especially during the winter 
 seasons. Of his farm he has inii)roved 60 acres, 
 adding the necessary buildings. 
 
 Mr. Davis has just closed his third term as Super- 
 visor of his Township, has been School Inspector, 
 and is now Drain Commissioner, Justice of the Peace 
 and Township Treasurer. In res[)ect to national 
 affairs he votes witli the Republicans. 
 
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 ndrew J. Martin, general farmer, section 
 ^^^Ji .3°> J'isper Township, of which township he 
 ^7 is at i)resent also Supervisor, was born in Port- 
 r age Co., Ohio, July 22, 1839. His father, 
 Thomas Martin, a native of Ohio, was of 
 .}^ I-higlisli-Irish descent, a farmer by vocation, lived in 
 r— r Ohio until 1860, when he came to this county and 
 y^ took 240 acres of land under the Pre-emption .'\cl, 
 CT on section 30, Jasper Township, where he has ever 
 S/^ since resided. He was one of the first settlers in 
 > this township. He is 79 years of age, yet hale and 
 active. Andrew's mother, Mary, nee Craig, was born 
 on the Atlantic Ocean wliile her parents were on 
 their way to this country from Ireland. They located 
 in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in which county Mrs. M. 
 died, in 1849, aged 37. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the first son and 
 second child in the above family of five children ; 
 until of age he was engaged on his father's farm in 
 his native county. Oct. 6, 18C0, in Sliaron, Pa., he 
 married Miss Alvira Waterman, who was born in 
 Warren, Ohio, Sept. 13, 1837, of New England 
 parentage and of English and German ancestry. 
 She lived at home, and ten years with Rev. Isaac 
 Errett, who preached President (jarfield's funeral 
 sermon. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Martin are: 
 Robert, Charles, Alice, John and Lucy, besides Mary, 
 Addison and Lottie, deceased. 
 ^ One year after marriage, Mr. Martin enlisted in 
 
 W/ Co. I, Sixth Ohio Vol. Cav., of the Army of the 
 Cumberland, commanded by Gen. Pope. He was 
 discharged May 30, 1862, before he had partici[)ated 
 in any action on the field; but April 27, 1864, he re- 
 
 enlisted in the 17 ist Ohio National Guards, and took 
 
 part in several engagements. He was captured by 
 John Morgan, at Cynthiana, Ky., July 11, 1864, but 
 was sh(jrtly afterward paroled. He then served on 
 guard duty until the expiration of his enlistment. 
 
 Honorably discharged Aug. 20, 1864, he returned 
 to Warren, Ohio, where he served as engineer until 
 March, 1866, when he came to this county and set- 
 tled on 80 acres of section 30, Jasper Township, 
 which he had purchased three years previously and 
 where he still resides. Here he has improved 35 
 acres and erected all necessary farm buildings. He 
 is at present Supervisor, which office he has held 
 every year since 1873, excepting the year 1877. He 
 has also been Highway Commissioner three years, 
 1868-72, Townshi[) Clerk, and has held all the 
 minor offices. He maintains the Republican plat- 
 form with regard to national affairs. 
 
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 mained with him for about six months, when b.e again 
 returned home and once more went to work in the 
 mill. 
 
 January 8, i860, Mr. Simons was united in mar- 
 riage to Miss Ursula, daughter of Caleb and Pris- 
 cilla (Roberts) Ray. Her father was of English 
 descent and died June 6, 1853, in Middleton, Can., 
 and lier mother is living in Bad Axe, Huron ('ounty, 
 this State. She was married a second time and is 
 now living with her second husband, Mr. Joseph 
 Watson, at the jilace named. 
 
 Mrs. Simons was born Dec. 15, 1842, and is one 
 of six children of her father's family, all of whom 
 
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 ;p^!ii^dwin Simons, residing in Coleman, War- ° 
 1 4^";.; rcn 'I'ownship, was born near Grand Rap- ^ 
 •■'''' ids, this State, Oct. 22, 1838. = 
 
 His parents were John K. and Margaret (Hop- 
 kins) Simons. (See sketch of T. B. Simons). 
 Edwin was brought up under the parental 
 roof-tree, in Canada, and worked on his father's farm 
 and in saw and shingle mills until he attained the 
 age of 19 years, when he went forth to fight the bat- 
 tles of life single-handed and alone. He engaged 
 to learn the mason's trade, but did not remain long 
 at it. He returned home and worked in the mill for 
 a while, and then went to London, Can., where he 
 engaged with a brother-in-law in a bakery. He re- 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 are living. She is the mother, to Mr. Simons, of 
 eiglit children The living are: John K., born 
 Jan. i8, 1861, in Walsingham, Can.; Mary A., born 
 June 26, 1865, in Walsingham; Walter William, 
 born Jnne 30, 1868, in \Valsingham ; Thomas L., 
 born Aug. 22, 1877, in Coleman, this Slate; Edwin, 
 born June 15, 1881, in Coleman. The deceased are 
 Mattie S., born July 22, 1870, and died Nov. 30, 
 1872; Norton F., born July 3, 1863. died March 7, 
 1883; and an infant twin sister of Edwin died when 
 II hours old. 
 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Simons were members of thfj 
 Methodist Episcopal Churcli while residents of Can- 
 ada, but have not united, since coming to this State, 
 with the Church. 
 
 Mr. Simons, politically, is a Republican, and 
 socially is a member of the Masonic Order, being a 
 Master Mason. 
 
 lOses B. Marsh, farmer, section 26, Homer 
 Townshi|), was born April 20, 1830, in 
 Chautauqua County, N. Y. His parents, 
 ■\ Mason and Lavinia (Creel) Marsh, were na- 
 'i^' tives of New England, of English ancestors, 
 and were among the earliest settlers in Chau- 
 tauqua County. Tire family descent is traced to two 
 brothers who came to the New World in the "good 
 old colony times." The father was a General during 
 the Florida War of 1S3S. They removed in 1842 to 
 Crawford Co., Pa., and two years later went to Ashta- 
 bula Co., Ohio, where the mother died in 1854, and 
 the father in 1856. 
 
 Mr. Marsh remained with his parents as long as 
 they lived, and managed the homestead property 
 until the fall of 1868, when he purchased 120 acres 
 of land where he now resides. It was all in a wild, 
 unbroken condition, and in the midst of a wilderness. 
 The exact condition of things may be apprehended 
 from the fact that soon after their arrival a daughter 
 of Mr. Marsh, aged 13 years, killed a deer which 
 had been chased by a dog upon the drive in the 
 river. The animal could not run over the logs, and 
 she followed it with an ax, with which she killed it by 
 a blow on the head. 
 
 Mr. Marsh has now 35 acres of his farm under 
 cultivation. In the year 1883 he conducted the 
 
 Desermia House at Ithaca. He has held the offices 
 of Justice of the Peace for eight years, has been 
 Township Clerk three years, and Highway Com- 
 missioner two terms, besides holding the minor local 
 offices. He is a Republican in ])olilical connection. 
 
 Mr. Marsh was married July 30, 1855, in Ashta- 
 bula Co., Ohio, to Nancy, daughter of James and 
 Almira (Herrick) Sargent. She was born May 18, 
 1836, in Pittsfield, Mass. Her parents removed, 
 when she was about 18 months old, to Erie Co., Pa. 
 and later to Ashtabula Co., Ohio. She was at that 
 time 13 years old and obtained the greater part of 
 her education in the Buckeye State. Following is 
 the record of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Marsh: Adell was born Jan. 26, 1S59, and was mar- 
 ried Sept. 24, 1877, to George Freeland, a native of 
 Saginaw Co., Mich., and a farmer of Homer Town- 
 ship, by whom she has become the mother of one 
 child — Pearl — born July 21, 1878. Lavinia was 
 born March 21, 1863, and was married in November, 
 1883, to William Fox, now resident at St. Louis, this 
 State. Louis was born March 22, 1867; May Belle, 
 Aug. 30, 1870; James L., Dec. 18, 1876. == 
 
 The ijortraits of Mr. and Mrs. Marsh form valua- ^» 
 ble additions to the collection of likenesses of promi- = 
 nent personages in Midland County, and are given Si/ 
 on pages in proximity to this sketch. 
 
 
 (^ 
 
 f=L!23d±ii3_ 
 
 If: ewis Rogers, farmer, section 17, Warren 
 li Township, was born in Saginaw Co., Mich.^ 
 ■ Iflp^ Sept. 18, 1854, and is a son of Henry D. 
 and Rebecca (Ellsworth) Rogers. His father 
 \ was born in Litciifield Co., Conn., June 20, 
 1817, and died March 7, 1875. His ancestry 
 was English. Lewis' mother was born March 1, 
 1818, in the town of Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y. 
 (calls herself a " Yankee "), and came to Midland 
 County in 1862. She is now living with her daugh- 
 ter, Nettie, in this county, but she visits around 
 among her children. She has had 14 children, — 
 four at one birth, which, however, died before they 
 were a month old. 
 
 Mr. Rogers, the subject of this sketch, remained 
 at home until of age, when, Jan. i, 1876, he married 
 Miss Lucy L., daughter of Samuel and Martha 
 (Putnam) Ellsworth. Mr. E., a Yankee of Puritan 
 
 <^I]!]^[|tl<^ 
 
MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 <®vi 
 
 <h 
 
 slo-k, died in r862; and Mrs. E.,of (ierman descent, 
 died at the age of 37, when licr daughter was very 
 young. In tlieir family were seven children, besides 
 two half brothers. Mrs. R. was born March 25, 
 1854. The children of Mr. and Mrs. R. are: 11. 
 Lee, born Nov. 3, 1876, in Midland; Clifffird Iv, 
 horn Dec. 26, 1879, died May 10, 1880; and Lewis 
 Alton, born Sept. 5, 1881, in Coleman. 
 
 Mr. R. in politics is a Republican, and he has 
 held the oflicc of Highway Commissioner one term. 
 
 -•^-^ 
 
 "\ 
 
 1=2 
 
 eorge O. Rockwell, lumberman and 
 dealer in real estate, resident at Midl.uul 
 ■^vT" City, was born Aug. 29, 1848, at Cam- 
 ^J' bridge, Crawford Co., Pa. His father, n.irius 
 '.\ Rockwell, was also a farmer by o;;cupition, a 
 ' native of the Key-stone State, and was barn 
 . June 28, 1816. l";ieazer, father of Darius Rockwell, 
 
 /\ was born in the State of New York, was a man o 
 active business habits and took a dee[) interest in the 
 issues of the jieriod in which he lived. Me was a 
 soldier of 1S12, and i)articipated in the battles at 
 Erie, and at Waterford, N. Y. He was of English 
 parentage, and oi)eratcd heavily in lumber and as an 
 
 (\\ agriculturist, being the jiroprietor of 800 acres of 
 
 ^ land. Darius Rockwell married lumice Herrick, who 
 was born in Tiltsfield, Mass., Aug. 17, 1821. 
 
 Cieorge Rockwell attained to the age of 16 years 
 in his native place, passing the seasons in alternate 
 attendance at school and in farm labor. The locality 
 where he lived and the circumstances by which he 
 was s\irrounded, awakened and kept alive his interest 
 in the progress of public affairs after the Southern 
 Rebellion had become a substantial fact. He was a 
 mere boy wlien the re-echoes of the first shot at 
 Sumter n)useil the natives of the earth to a conscious- 
 ness that the death-knell of property in man was 
 sounding, and the sensation he experienced only be- 
 came more intense as the fruitless months succeeded 
 
 ';^' each other, and the Nation seemed in the throes of 
 dissolution. Mr. Rockwell became a soldier for the 
 Union in his sixteenth year, Feb. 25, 1864, enlisting 
 in Co. E, Second Pa. Cav., Capt. Swartz. The com- 
 mand, under Col. Briton, was assigned to the Second 
 Brigade, Second Division, Army of the I'olomac, 
 Maj.-Gen. Gregge commanding. He was in the 
 
 service until he received honorable discharge, July 
 26, 1865, at Philadelphia, and was a personal partic- 
 i[)ant in the following battles: Ashland Station, 
 May II, 1864; before Richmond, May 12; Hanover 
 Ferry, May 28; Old Cluirch Tavern, May 30; Cold 
 Harbor, June 2; Franklin Station, June 11 and 12; 
 Prosjiecl Hill, June 21, 1864; Jerusalem Plank Road, 
 July 12; Malvern Hill, July 28; Lee's Mills, July 
 30; White-Oak Swamii, Aug. 14 and 15 ; Deep Bot- 
 tom, Aug. 15 and 16; Charles City Cross-Roads, 
 Aug. 18; Reams' Station, A\ig. 23 and 25; VVyatt 
 House, Sept. 29 and Oct. i ; Boydtown Plank Road, 
 Oct. 27; Stony Creek, Dec. i; and Hatcher's Run, 
 l'"eb. 6, 1865. During the week succeeding the last 
 named engagement his regiment was detailed to take 
 pari in the raid on the VVeldon Railroad, in which 30 
 miles of track were destroyed and the bridge burned 
 across the Roanoke River. Mr. Rockwell was in 
 the final fight before Petersburg. After the last 
 battle his regiment was on provost duty until it was 
 mustered out of the United States service. 
 
 He returned home and passed the nine months in 
 forced inaction from disability, resulting from priva- 
 tions and exposure. After regaining his health to 
 some extent he attended school one winter, and in 
 the following summer, that of 1866, he joined his 
 brother-in-law, Daniel Herrick, in Ashtabula Co., 
 f)hio. He remained there until the following Octo- 
 ber, when, in company with a cousin, Charles Her- 
 rick, he made an overland trip to Midland City, 
 making the journey hither with a two-horse team. 
 He was ill two weeks after his arrival, and on recov- 
 ery found employment so scarce as to admit of no 
 choice. He took advantage of the first thing that 
 presented, and for a fortnight struggled with a hod, 
 endeavoring to accomplish his duties with skill and 
 courage. At the expiration of 14 days he engaged 
 as a lumlierman with Ceorge I'rost and remained in 
 his eui|)loynient until spring. About that time the 
 educational |)rojcct of ('ornell became matter of 
 newspaper comment, and Mr. Rockwell proceeded to 
 Ithaca, N. Y., to make personal a|)plication for a 
 situation in the manual-labor dcpartnienl, whereby a 
 scholarship might be secured. lUit he was preceded 
 by a retinue of applicants, much greater than could 
 be accommodated, and soon after he returned to 
 Michigan. He engaged in the lumber woods in the 
 employment of John Sias (see sketch), where he 
 
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 ^^^^^ ^^<:[I !l'^'DIlf>^^ ^^^ 
 
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 TSr-7<^^DD^im^^v^^ :^^»sr 
 
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 r^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 265 
 
 operated until the spring of 1868. At that date he 
 began to take contracts in the lumber business and 
 to conduct matters in liis own interest. Later on he 
 became a clerk in the sloic of Dr. Whitehouse, and 
 during thai period lie bought aloton Ellsworth Street 
 and built a dwelling. He sold the property and 
 engaged in tjie grocery and provision trade, in which 
 he was interested about three months. He disposed 
 of that business and embarked in the manufacture 
 of shingles, in which he operated nearly five years. 
 In 1.S73 he sold out and bought 165 acres of land in 
 Homer 'I'ownship, which he occui)ied and managed 
 until 1.S76. In that year, associated with James 
 Herrick and John R. Evans, he built the first grist- 
 mill in Midland County, and named after Midland 
 C'ity, where it is located. Two years later he and 
 Mr. Herrick became sole projirietors by puvchasiug 
 the interest of Mr. Evans. They continued its 
 management one year, when the business finn of 
 James Herrick & Co. was formed. 
 
 The concern sunk a salt well and built a salt block. 
 The relation existed until March, 1881, when Mr. 
 Rockwell sold his claim and bought 180 acres of 
 land in the township of Ingersoll. He retained the 
 l)roperty until the spring of 1S82, when he sold and 
 embarked in real-estate and lumber business. In 
 political mailers Mr. Rockwell is a Rejiublican of 
 decided principles. His marriage to Jessie F. Dean 
 occurred Dec. 20, 1.S7 i. She w,is born June 23, 1856, 
 in Herkshire Co., Mass., and is the daughter of Ben- 
 jamin and Jerusha Dean (see sketch of Benjamin 
 Dean). T-enora Iv, eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Rockwell, was born Sc)jI. 27, ICS74, and died July 
 20, 1876; Dewey Dean was born Sept. 20, 1876; 
 liennie D. was born March 15, 1880, and died July 
 15 of the same year. 
 
 "'|<3^> ilas E. Wright, farmer on section 34, Hope 
 
 ^^m\ Township, was born in Gramme, Ont., Oct. 
 k^-" 7> '836, the son of Ebeii and Lucy (Mc 
 \^^ Allister) Wright. (See sketch of Eben Wright.) 
 I He came with his parents to this State in 1855, 
 and lived for three and a half years in St. 
 Clair County, on a rented farm. From St. Clair 
 County they came to this County in 1858. After 
 one year in what is now Edenville Township, they 
 
 settled on the present homestead, where Mr. Wright '^ 
 has since lived. /^ 
 
 He was married Se[)t. 30, i860, to I^ouisa Erway, ^^^ 
 daughter of Daniel and Hilah (Clark) Erway. Mr. % 
 Fj. is deceased, and Mrs. E., 78 years old, and nearly Jk 
 blind, lives with her son Sylvester. Mrs. Wright was 
 born Oct. 25, 1843, in Steuben Co., N. Y. She is the 
 mother of 11 children, as follows: Sibyl .\., born 
 April 25, 1861 ; Delia R., Oct. 16, 1862; I<:dgar L., 
 Dec. 14, 1864; Cierlrude A., March 31, 1867; Eben 
 D., Feb. 8, 1869: Walter M., July 16, 187 i ; Bertha 
 Kate, Sejit. 6, 1873; Albert, March 10, 1876; I'klna 
 A., -Sept. 23, 1878; Elsie R., Dec. 8, 1S80; Clara M., 
 Feb. 27, 1883. They were all born in Ho|ie Townslii|). 
 
 Mr. W. is in political matters a suppoiterof the 
 Republican party. He has been Justice of the Peace 
 several years, and Highway Commissioner three 
 years. He and wife are members of the Christian 
 C'liurch. 
 
 J 
 
 :< 
 
 O. Mcrarland, merchant at Averill, and 
 
 propiielor of the Hamilton House, was 
 
 liiun [uly 9, 1856, in Hancock C'o., Me. He 
 
 A-.'" is the son of Charles and Mary Eli/.aljeth (Hig- 
 
 ^^ gins) McFarland. His father is a sea captain 
 
 and resides in the I'ine-Tree State. His 
 
 mother died in i 860, in the county of Hancock in 
 
 that State. 
 
 Mr. McFarland was but four years old when his 
 mother died, and he went to live with his grand- 
 parents, in whose charge he remained until he was 
 15 years of age. In 1861 he went to Ellsworth in 
 his native State, where he continued about one year, 
 officiating as a clerk in a mercantile establishment. 
 He was again employed in a similar manner in tlie 
 same place, and a few months afterward went to 
 Bangor, where he served ujjwards of a year as a 
 clerk, going thence to Boston, Mass., where he 
 became connected with the Oriental Tea Store as 
 traveling salesman. Less than a year later he termi- fp) 
 nated that connection and returned to EUswoith, I 
 Me., and passed a year in the caijacity of a sales- tih 
 man. His next remove was to Kingsfield, Franklin 
 Co., Me., where he spent one winter in the lumber ^- 
 woods. In 1876 he came to Midland (Jounly, where 
 he has since resided. The first winter he passed in 
 
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 ^mm^ 
 
 A^. 
 
 ^ 
 
<^I1I1^IjD^>' 
 
 j66 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 the lumber woods and the two succeeding he engaged 
 in teaching. He was occupied [Kirt of tlie time 
 summers in a store at Midland, and the remainder of 
 the time he followed the river. On the first day of 
 May, 1 88 1, he went into business with Messrs. 
 Wright & Ketchum, and has since been associated 
 with them as an employe. He is a Republican in 
 political sentiment and is serving his second year as 
 Township Clerk ; he also holds the [wsition of Justice 
 of the Peace. 
 
 Mr. McFarland was married Aug. i, 1883, at 
 Toledo, Ohio, to Clara A.,, daughter of Caleb J. and 
 Cynthia A. (Blakely) Mallory. Her parents reside 
 at Smith's Creek, St. Clair Co., Mich. 
 
 -(OS — 
 
 f^Pf^ben Wright, retired farmer on section 17, 
 ^:iL5^^ Hope Township, was born May 14, 1800, 
 ^j^p in Addison, Addison Co., Vt., the son of 
 Ebenezer and Polly (Warren) Wright. Ebenezer 
 Wright was of English descent, was born about 
 1776, and hved most of his life in Vermont, in 
 the pursuit of agriculture. He died at Bredport, Vt., 
 aged 68. His first wife was of English descent, and 
 died about 1807. He had by this marriage two 
 daughters, and by a subsequent marriage he was the 
 father of two daughters and a son. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the eldest of his 
 father's firmily, was reared on the paternal farm, and 
 at the age of 18 went forth into the world to seek his 
 fortune. He first lived for a few years in Canton, 
 N. Y., with his uncle Caleb. Marrying, he bought 
 50 acres in Canton, where lie lived five years. He 
 then sold and moved to t'anada, where he rented a 
 farm and also worked in a saw-mill for seven or eight 
 years. At the end of this time he came to St. Clair 
 Co., Mich., and worked a farm on shares, with George 
 Bowman, for four years. 
 
 In the spring of 1858 he came to Midland County 
 and settled on the Tittabawssee River in what is now 
 Edenville Township. He remained there with his 
 family one year, working on land belonging to Mr. 
 Egbert. The next year he moved on the same place 
 where he now resides. At that time, he tells, there 
 were at Midland City two dwellings and one store. 
 The latter was kept by James Eastman, who lived in 
 one house, while John Larkin's residence was in the 
 
 other. Mr. Wright purchased 160 acres, at the rate 
 of 50 cents per acre. His deed was signed by Presi- 
 dent James Buchanan. He retained 40 acres of this 
 tract, having given the remainder to his son. He has 
 improved 30 acres. 
 
 He was first married in Canton, N. Y., Jan. 9, 
 1820, to Rowena Abbott, who was born Sept. 12, 
 r8oo, and died June 6, 1825, leaving two daughters. 
 One of these is yet living, at Gramme, Can. He was 
 again married in Canton, Feb. 8, 1827, to Lucy Mc- 
 Allister, who was born .\ug. 17, 1796, and died Feb. 
 23, 1863, leaving two children. One of these is Silas 
 E. Wright, and the other died in 1884. He was 
 married the last time Feb. 23, 1865, to Mrs. Mc- 
 Allister. She was born Dec. 12, 1S12, and was first 
 married in November, 1835, to L. McAllister, who 
 was born Aug. 24, 1804, and died July i, 1861. 
 Eight children resulted from this union, and si.\ of 
 them are now living. 
 
 Mr. Wright's children were born as follows : Ame- 
 lia M., March 5, r822; Sarah E., Dec. ra, 1823; Lu- 
 cinda R., Dec. 21, 1827; Emily I., Jan. i, 1832: 
 Silas E., Oct. 7, 1836. Mrs. Wright's children, by 
 her first marriage, were born as follows : David W., 
 Dec. 22, 1837; Isabella, Aug. 14, 1841 ; Mandana, 
 July 18, 1843; Emma A., April 13, 1845; Judith, 
 Oct. I, 1846; Lucia O., Sept. 28, 184S; Lena, July 
 1,1852. 
 
 Mr. Wright commenced chewing tobacco when 21, 
 and left off at 83, having been addicted to the habit 
 for 62 years. He stopped because the injurious 
 effects were becoming too apparent. He was afflicted 
 with hiccoughing and with pains in the stomach. It 
 is 1 1 years since he has performed a full day's work; 
 and he has not labored at all for si.K years. 
 
 1 illiam Phelan, farmer, section 26, Porter 
 ^J9 Township, was born June 1, 1840, in the 
 4|y^,0 vicinity- of the city of Toronto, Can. At 
 the age of 15 years he entered upon life in 
 his own interest as a common laborer on a farm 
 near Hamilton, Can., and remained in tlie same 
 employment ten years. At the end of that time he 
 came to Micliigan, where he remained but a short 
 time; proceeding lo Tazewell Co., Ill, he there 
 entered tlie service of G. W. Morris, with wliom he 
 
 &•) 
 
 C' 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 267 
 
 remained two years and seven months. He next 
 made a tour through Missouri and Kansas, when he 
 returned to Canada for two months. Coming then 
 again to Michigan for a permanent settlement, he 
 entered a homestead claim for 160 acres in Porter 
 Township, Midland County, on which he has since 
 expended his energies, clearing and improving 40 
 acres and erecting good and suitable farm buildings. 
 
 Mr. Phelan is a Democrat in his political views, 
 and he has held all the school offices in his district. 
 He is at present School Inspector and has been 
 Town Clerk three years. 
 
 The first marriage of Mr. Phelan occurred Nov. 
 17, 1868, when he became the husband of Eliza J. 
 Adams, of Brantford, Ontario. She was born in 1840 
 and became the mother of one child, Thomas J., who 
 died in infancy. The mother died in Saginaw, Aug. 
 16, 187c. Mr. Phelan was a second time married 
 July 8, 1872, in Canada, to Rachel Oliver, daughter 
 of Francis Oliver. She was born July 2, 1854. Of 
 her marriage five children have been born, who are 
 all living except John, the second in order of birth, 
 who died Oct. 17, 1880, aged five years, three months 
 and three days. Ann Rachel, Joseph and Francis 
 are the survivors. The family are communicants of 
 the Roman Catholic Church. 
 
 — '«■.- 
 
 ■r9{- 
 
 •5:harles Mills, farmer on section 26, Hojie 
 'ii^^Sij Township, was born March 3, 1847, in 
 PjjS' Goose Township, Cumberland Co., Nova 
 dtf Scotia, and is the son of William and Sarah 
 m Mills. The father died when Charles was a 
 child, and the mother died in i860, in South- 
 would, Can. When Charles was six years old, he 
 went to live with his uncle, Harding Mills, by whom 
 he was reared and with whom he lived until he 
 entered the military service of the United States. 
 
 He enlisted Nov. 28, 1862, in Co. H, 27th Mich. 
 Vol. Inf., was assigned to the First Division, Ninth 
 Army Corps, and was mustered out Feb. 1 1, 1865, at 
 Mt. Pleasant Hospital, Washington, D. C, on ac- 
 count of a wound in the arm by a minie ball, received 
 in front of Petersburg, July 30, 1864. He returned 
 to the house of his uncle, and for some time worked 
 either for him or for other parties. In 1870 he lo- 
 
 cated on 40 acres where he now resides. He has 20 
 acres improved. 
 
 Sept. 4, 187 1, he was married to Susanna How- 
 land, daughter of Robert G. and Mary (Davidson) 
 Howland. Mr. H. was born in Canada, May 5, 1810, 
 of English descent; and the mother in Canada, Nov. 
 14, 1814, of Scotch and American parentage. They 
 reside on a farm in Norfolk Co., Ont. Mrs. Mills 
 was born June 29, 1848, in Ontario, (Jan. In politi- 
 cal faith, Mr. Mills is a Greenbacker. 
 
 evi B. Chamberlain, merchant, Lee's Cor- 
 ners, Ingersoll Township, is a son of Erial 
 
 V 
 
 r and Mary A. (Barnes) Chamberlain, the 
 J ' former a native of the Empire State and the 
 latter of Ohio. After marriage the parents 
 lived in .Saginaw County 15 years, and then 
 located in Ingersoll Township, this county. He 
 enlisted in the i6th Mich. Inf, and was in the ser- 
 vice almost a year when he was stricken down with 
 typhoid fever, and died Nov. i, 1864. His widow is 
 now a resident of Saginaw City. In their family 
 were five sons and three daughters. 
 
 Levi B., the second son, was born in Saginaw 
 County, March 30, 1843, and was 13 years old when 
 the family emigrated to this county, cutting their way 
 through the wild forest to their new home. Aug. 13, 
 i86t, when 18 years old, he enlisted in the service 
 of his country, in Co. D, i6lh Mich. Inf., and was in 
 the army more than four years. Among the numer- 
 ous engagements in which he participated were the 
 battles of Hanover Court-House, (iaines' Mill, Mal- 
 vern Hill, etc. After serving about a year he was 
 transferred, on account of disability, to the Veteran 
 Reserve Corps, where he remained until his discharge. 
 Then for five years he mostly followed painting in 
 Pennsylvania. In 1 870 he came to Lee's Corners, and 
 in 1872 opened the first store at that place, which 
 derived its name from his cognomen of " Lee." He 
 afterward sold out that store to C. J. Winslow, and 
 during the years 1873-4 he lived in Pennsylvania, 
 employed at painting. Returning to the "Corners," 
 he purchased a tract of land on section 35, Ingersoll 
 Township, where he has since resided. In May, 
 1883, he opened the store where he is at present 
 prosperously engaged. Since 1879 he has carried 
 
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 'tf^* 
 
 rr 
 
 f;^ 
 
 ■vc» 
 
 (A; 
 
 268 
 
 ro 
 
 V 
 
 4 
 
 (^ 
 
 1 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY 
 
 -4^@^(®V|| 
 
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 the mail between Lee's Corners and Midland City. 
 
 He has held the office of Township Clerk four 
 years, Constable three years and School Moderator 
 three years, and has been Notary Public since March, 
 1883. He is a member of Dvvight May Post, No. 
 69, of Midland City. He maintains Republican 
 views of national policy. 
 
 Mr. Chamberlain was married in Northampton 
 Co., Pa., Nov. 8, 1864, to Emma C, daughter of 
 George and Clara Schwab, the latter being natives 
 resjiectively of Germany and Pennsylvania. She 
 was born in the above county, July 25, 1S45. Mr. 
 and Mrs. C. are the parents of three children, 
 namely: Anna C, Mary E. and John J. S. 
 
 tt fWit- rank J. Holman, farmer, section 20, War- 
 % ^SI |C ren Township, was born in Susquehanna 
 ''^^ '\\ Co., Pa., Dec. 22, 1835. He is a son of 
 r^ Sumner and Rebecca (Ellsworth) Holman. 
 •^^ His father was pushed from a running train 
 i some 15 years ago and was instantly killed. It 
 is supposed the party or parties who committed the 
 murder did it to procure his money and insurance, 
 but they were never identified or convicted. His 
 mother is living in Midland City. She married a 
 Mr. Henry D. Rogers, after the death of her first 
 husband, and he also is deceased, and she is now 
 again a widow. She moved to Ontario, Co., N. Y., 
 after the death of her first husband, where she con- 
 tracted her second marriage with Mr. Rogers. He 
 was a farmer by occupation, and Frank was brought 
 up on the farm and remained with him until 21 years 
 of age. In the spring of 1850 tlie stepfather moved 
 to Saginaw, this .State, and purchased 40 acres of 
 land within nine miles of that city. Frank accom- 
 panied him and remained with him on the land until 
 the stepfather came to Midland City. 
 
 Jan. 25, 1862, Mr. Holman was united in marriage 
 to Julia A., daughter of William C. and Barbara M. 
 (Curavo) Spicer. Her father was a native of New 
 York and her mother of Vermont. 
 
 Mrs. Holman was born June 26, 1845, in Ticon- 
 derflga, Essex Co., N. Y. She is the mother, by Mr. 
 Holman, of six children, one of whcmi is deceased. 
 The living are Mable B., born Feb. iS, 1863, mar- 
 ried May 22, 1881, to Otto S. Lewis; Maremna, born 
 April 29, 1865; Frankie S., born Sept. 25, 1873; 
 
 Maud S., born Oct. 11, 1875; Murray C, born Dec. 
 4, t88o. Berdie, born June 2, 1868, died May 3, 1875. 
 Politically, Mr. Holman is a believer in and suj)- 
 porter of the principles of the Republican party. In 
 religious affairs he and his wife are members of the 
 Seventh-Day Advent Church. 
 
 '«%^'<- :loij;jo;o;oj/;l:-:>fr^ 
 
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 acob W. Kime, farmer, section 32, Porter 
 I'ownship, was born Aug. 8, 1854, in Ing- 
 , u^ ham Co., Mich. His parents, John and 
 
 '^' Martha (Minick) Kime, are residents of Wheel- 
 er Township, Gratiot County. They removed 
 in i860 to Livingston County, where Mr. Kime, 
 of this sketch, resided until he was 22 years old, 
 when they settled in Gratiot County. 
 
 In 1878 he settled on 80 acres of land in Porter 
 Township, where he has since devoted his time and 
 energies to the improvement of his estate. He has 
 placed 20 acres under tillage, and has erected a good 
 residence thereon. He is a skillful and progressive 
 farmer, and in all his management displays good 
 sense and correct judgment. 
 
 His marriage to Ida Slough occurred Dec. 6, 1882. 
 She was born in Ohio iii 1862, and came to Midland 
 ('ounty when five years old, and resided with her 
 parents until her marriage. Of her marriage one 
 child has been born — Carl R., June 10, 1S83. 
 
 H.m 
 
 fira p\l'^.^ougald Currie, larnier, section 35, Midland 
 ;, i-^.-W/'l j' Township, was born June 6, 1853, in Hal- 
 5i*'i^ ^" dimand, Can., in the county of the same 
 "v'jK name. He is the third son of John and Mary 
 ^ (McDonald) Currie, who were natives of Scot- 
 \ land. The parents came to Canada two years 
 after their marriage, settled in the county above 
 named, where all their children save one were born. 
 (See sketch of (iilbert Currie.) In i860 they re- 
 moved to Michigan and settled on a tract of unim- 
 proved land in Midland Township, where the father 
 died, April 2, 1875. 
 
 Mr. Currie was a lad of seven years when his 
 parents became residents of Midland. He obtained 
 a common-school education and was reared to the 
 calling of his father. On the death of the latter he 
 
 
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 % 
 
 '9 
 
 MIDLAND 
 
 no^^T 
 
 f 
 
 became the iX)Ssessor of 123 acres of the family 
 homestead, to wliich he has since added 43 acres, 
 and the farm now includes 140 acres of finely culti- 
 vated land. He is a substantial citizen of Midland 
 County, is a Republican of decided type, and, to- 
 gether witli his wife, belongs to tlie Presbyterian 
 Church. 
 
 He was married in Canada, Dec. iS, 1S78, to 
 Flora, daughter of James and Sarah (McDonald) 
 Cress. The i)arents of Mrs. Currie were natives of 
 Scotland, and came to Eramosa Township, Welling- 
 ton Co., Can., where she was born, March 14, 1855. 
 Mary, born Oct. 5, 1879, and Gilbert, born Sept. 20, 
 1882, are the names of the two children of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Currie. 
 
 ?lrS S^braham Fraser, farmer, section 2, Warren 
 tk Township, was born in Ontario, Can., Dec. 
 27, 1814, and is a son of Donald and Martha 
 
 (Kilbreth) Fraser. 
 
 The father of Abraham was born in West 
 Troy, N. Y. He was a loyalist in 1777, and when 16 
 years of age joined Gen. Burgoyne's army on its re- 
 treat to Canada. He afterward located in Canada 
 and followed the vocation of farming until the time 
 of his death. 
 
 Abraham remained at home until he attained the 
 age of 16 years, when he commenced to learn the 
 carpenter's trade. He successfully finished his ap- 
 prenticeship, and has followed his trade, more or less, 
 all his life. He also owned a farm in Canada, which 
 he cultivated in addition to working at his trade. 
 
 In the fall of 1866 he moved to Saginaw City, this 
 State, rented a house and worked at his trade for 
 three and one-half years. From that place he 
 moved to Coleman, this county. In the summer of 
 1870 he purchased a large lot in Coleman and 
 erected a house on it. During the building of his 
 house, he had no place for himself and family to stay 
 in except a little, old establishment covered with hem- 
 lock boards. The first rain that came was in the 
 night time, and it poured down on their beds to such 
 an extent that they were compelled to sit up all night 
 and hold over them umbrellas, which they were ex- 
 tremely lucky to have. 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Fraser purchased a farm of 40 acres adjoining 
 the corporation of Coleman, and has 25 acres of it 
 improved. He is one of the earliest living settlers 
 of Coleman, and experienced many of the hardships 
 of pioneer life. 
 
 In September, 1841, he was united in marriage to 
 Eliza, daughter of John and Hanna Piatt. Her par- 
 ents are both dead. She also died, about a year 
 after marriage, leaving an infant child to the care of 
 the father, but who soon followed the mother to the 
 better land. About 13 months after the death of his 
 wife Mr. Fraser was married to Miss Mary Pratt, a 
 sister of his former wife. She was of German de- 
 scent, and departed this life in 1866, leaving to the 
 care of her husband seven children, namely : Clarissa, 
 Helen, Abraham, Sophia, Edward, Jane and William. 
 
 In March, 1867, Mr. Fraser was married a third 
 time, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth, 
 daughter of Isaac and Harriet (Brock) Frazer. Her 
 parents were of Scotch descent. Her father is living 
 in Ontario, Can., and her mother died there. 
 
 Mr. Fraser is independent in politics. He has 
 held the office of Town Clerk one term. Highway 
 Commissioner four terms. Justice of the Peace two 
 terms. School Inspector two terms, and was Poor 
 Master when that office existed. 
 
 Mrs. Fraser is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, and both are respected and esteemed 
 citizens of the township. 
 
 ^»^-*« 
 
 ^' W. Crissey, editor and owner of the Mid- 
 and Ri-ptiblican, was born in New Canaan, 
 
 Whdn 
 
 Tglpjri '''* Fairfield Co., Conn., Oct. 5, 1843. 
 
 rii'A^ he was less than two years of age, Theodore 
 
 Crissey, his father, removed with the family to 
 Michigan, the trip occupying about two weeks. 
 After a few months spent in Hillsdale County, pur- 
 chases of wild land were made in Barry County, and 
 pioneer family life was entered upon. The home was 
 for 18 years or more in Johnstown, of that County. 
 Some schooling was obtained in the little red school- 
 house, and at 18 or 19 years of age the subject of this 
 sketch spent a few months in the public school ot 
 Battle Creek. 
 
 At 18 he began teaching, in which occupation 
 several winters were spent. The winter of 1864-5 
 
 V^' 
 
 
 
 
 ^^^<^j^'mi 
 
MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -#^§5fs^/:|p 
 
 ) 
 
 
 was passed in Little Rock, Ark., in the employment 
 of " Uncle Sam." Subsequent years were largely 
 occupied in teaching, alternated with attendance at 
 the State Agricultural College and the State Normal 
 School, at the latter of which he graduated in the 
 classical course in rS72. For the next three years 
 he was employed in the public schools of Detroit as 
 I'rincipal of large grammar schools. This position 
 was resigned at the close of the school year, in June, 
 1875, to accept the position of Superintendent of 
 Public Schools of Flint, then a city of about 9,000 
 inhabitants. This position was held for five years, 
 at the end of which time a re-appointment for the 
 sixth year was declined. In the summer and autumn 
 of 1880, several weeks were spent in conducting and 
 giving instructions in teachers' institutes in different 
 parts of the State. In December, 1880, he pur- 
 chased the Midland Independent, having decided to 
 undertake a line of work which for some time he 
 had desired to engage in. Changing the name of 
 the paper to The Republican, he began its publica- 
 tion with the year i88i,and has continued it until 
 the present writing (July, 18S4), without the omission 
 of a single issue, making it the leading paper of the 
 county. It is now permanently located in the large 
 and convenient rooms on the second floor of the 
 new postofifice block. The proprietor has fully iden- 
 tified himself with the interests of Midland, having 
 all that he possesses invested here. 
 
 -•?3- 
 
 ^ 
 
 1^ Lillet P. Embury, general merchant at Cole- 
 Stj^^Mg man, was born in Grand Blanc, Mich., Jan. 
 ''^f ' 13, 1856, and is a son of David and Mar- 
 tha (Morse) Embury, still resident at that 
 place, on a farm. His father was born Dec. 7, 
 1817, in'the town of Avon, N. Y., of Irish and 
 German descent. EUet's mother, a relative of the 
 great S. F. B. Morse, the founder of telegraphy, was 
 born Jan. 12, i8i8, in the town of Eaton, Madison 
 Co., N. Y., of Puritan stock. 
 
 The subject of this sketch remained at home, as- 
 sisting on the farm until he was about 25 years of 
 age, attending school in his younger days and teach- 
 ing three winter terms after he was of age; also, 
 clerking some in a store at Grand Blanc and Judd's 
 Corners ; then worked his father's farm one year, and 
 
 finally, in 1883, came to Midland County and bought 
 out J. & F. L. Post, and Dec. 22 opened out in his 
 present business, in which he is succeeding satis- 
 factorily. He is a Democrat in his political princi- 
 ples, is a Justice of the Peace, and a member of the 
 Congregational Church. 
 
 Mr. Embury was married Dec. 31, 1879, to Miss 
 Addie M., daughter of Benj. M. and Margaret 
 (Dumigan) Knapp, who reside in Eaton, N. Y. Mr. 
 K., of American descent, is a No. i carpenter and 
 joiner. Mrs. E. was born at the last mentioned 
 place, June 1 2, 1863. 
 
 ®^^m^^ 
 
 ^m 
 
 ^yfWW^' "^- ^- Button, farmer and saw-mill pro- 
 
 ^'^^J^l? prietor, residing on section 12, Geneva 
 
 "^S?^ Township, and one of the representative 
 
 |i^> as well as self-made men of the county, was 
 
 born Feb. 18, r828, in Tompkins Co., N. Y., 
 
 and is a son of Amos and Catherine (Baham) 
 
 Button. 
 
 The grandfather of Mr. Button was a Revolu- 
 tionary soldier, was seven feet in height, with a foot 
 16 inches from heel to toe, and a boot seven inches 
 wide on the ball of the foot. The father of our sub- 
 ject was a native of Vermont. He raised a family 
 of six boys and five girls, who all grew to manhood 
 and womanhood before his demise, which occurred 
 March 7, 1880. The mother of our subject was a 
 native of the Green Mountain State, and was a de- 
 scendant, as well as the entire family, of the old 
 Puritan stock. She died in December, 1849. 
 
 Wm. R. Button, the subject of our biographical 
 notice, remained at home assisting in the mainte- 
 nance of the family until he attained the age of 17 
 years. On arriving at that age he engaged during 
 the summer seasons in sailing on the lakes, and 
 spent his winters at home attending school. His 
 father moved from Tompkins County to Stockton, 
 Chautauqua Co., N. Y., where he purchased a small 
 farm on which the family lived for five years, when 
 he sold it and moved with his family, in 1840, to 
 Ashtabula Co., Ohio. 
 
 Wm. R. purchased six months of his time, prior 
 to his attaining the age of maturity, from his father, 
 for $50, and also contributed liberally from his earn- 
 ings on the lakes to aid the father in purchasing a 
 farm. He also purchased a farm of 50 acres, four 
 
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 A 
 
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 ^>I1(1^I1D>^' 
 
 V' u 
 
 4^^^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 6 
 
 
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 V 
 
 miles from Geneva, and paid for it from his earn- 
 'ngs. He continued to follow the vocation of a 
 sailor, and became commander of a vessel. His 
 earnings increasing, he hired a man to clear and im- 
 prove his farm, and continued his vocation until the 
 late civil war. He then went on his farm, and rent- 
 ing some additional land near his own, engaged in 
 the dairy business. He kept some 35 cows and con- 
 ducted the business in such a manner as to meet 
 with signal success. He subsequently sold his farm 
 and purchased another containing 50 acres just out- 
 side the village of Geneva. On this farm he erected 
 a fine house in 1864, at a cost of $3,500. 
 
 In 1868, ATr. Button rented his farm and came 
 with his family to what is nov/ Buttonville, this 
 county. He was quick to see the advantages which 
 the county afforded to men of industry and judgment 
 for the making of money, and, having faith in its fu- 
 ture development, he engaged with four others, un- 
 der the firm name of Button, Mason & Co., and pur- 
 chased all of section 12, Geneva Township, less 120 
 acres. The firm erected a saw-mill on their land, 
 which was destroyed by fire Thanksgiving night, 
 Dec. 14, 1873. Inside of 60 days they had another, 
 larger than the old one, erected and running. It 
 consisted of one planing, two shingle, one lath and a 
 circular-saw mill, and is yet standing, although in 
 poor condition, as a monument of the past. Ma- 
 son & Co. held their interest in the property only for 
 about a year, when Mr. Button purchased it just pre- 
 vious to the fire above mentioned. He now owns 50 
 acres of land and 50 village lots in Buttonville. 
 
 Mr. Button was united in marriage Sept. 16, 1849, 
 in Geneva, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, to Sarah Jane, 
 daughter of Henry and Farilla (Wood) Harris. The 
 parents were natives of New York, of Puritan de- 
 scent, and died in Geneva, Ohio. Mrs. Button was 
 born in the State of New York, Dec. 10, 1829, and 
 accompanied her parents to Madison, Ashtabula Co., 
 Ohio, when she was six months old, where she lived 
 until her marriage. She is the mother of the follow- 
 ing children to Mr. Button: Albert M , born Jan. 7, 
 1853, in Geneva, Ohio (see sketch); Fred William, 
 born in Geneva, Ohio, April 9, 1861, and the present 
 owner of 4 acres of land, in Geneva Township, this 
 county. (See also sketch of the latter.) 
 
 Politically, Mr. Button is a Republican. He has 
 held the office of Justice of the Peace two terms. 
 
 Supervisor part of a term, and the different school 
 offices. The subject of this sketch experienced all 
 the trials incident to immigration and settlement in 
 a new country, when he came with his family to this 
 State. He moved from Cleveland to Detroit by 
 steamboat, then by wagons to Saginaw. On arriving 
 at the latter place he disposed of a span of his 
 horses for $500, and came on to tliis county in his 
 wagons. While at Saginaw, Albert, their oldest boy, 
 was taken with the measles, and Mr. Button sent his 
 wife and two children by " rail " to "Red Keg," now 
 Averill. Mrs. B. arrived at the hotel at Averill and 
 the next morning was told by the " host " "she must 
 move out, as the boarders would not remain unless 
 she and her children left." In the meantime Mr. 
 Button arrived with his teams from Saginaw, and 
 took his wife and children to Sanford, where he left 
 them in a log house belonging to Charles Sanford, 
 his family having moved out a few days previously. 
 There happened to be an old stove and an old straw 
 tick left in the house, and the mother, with her two 
 sick children, the youngest child having taken the 
 measles also, remained there all alone and unpro- 
 tected for an entire week. The father went on his 
 land, where Buttonville now stands, and entered on 
 its improvement and made occasional trips to his 
 family. The last time he went home (or rather to the 
 log house), to see his family, he was taken with the 
 measles, and on his recovery he removed his family 
 to the camp located on the present site of Button- 
 ville. These were only a few of the trials he 
 encountered, yet, being endowed with that spirit of 
 determination which, when backed by energy and 
 perseverance, conipiers all obstacles, he succeeded. 
 
 I rville B. Hosner, a farmer residing on sec- 
 tion 28, Hope Township, was born in Mon- 
 roe Co., N. Y., July 4, 1836, the son of 
 Hugh and Elia (Sutfan) Hosner, natives of 
 New York, and of English-German and Dutch 
 extraction, respectively. The father was a 
 farmer and mechanic, and died in Thornville, Lapeer 
 Co., Mich., Jan. 29, 18S1, aged 68. The mother is 
 yet living, on the old homestead in Lapeer County, 
 her son Oliver renting the same. Two sons and five 
 
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 -^^^ ^V<^^tlII§PIl^>T 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
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 V 
 
 daughters were included in their family, and of these 
 Orville is the second. 
 
 He was three years old when the family came lo 
 Oakland County, this State, where they lived ten 
 years on a new farm of 90 acres, four and a half miles 
 west of Romeo. His father then sold this place, and 
 purchased another two and a half miles north of 
 Romeo, where the children all grew to maturity. Or- 
 ville was 24 years old when he married and came to 
 Midland County. 
 
 He arrived in Hope Township May 3, t86o, with 
 but $5 in ready money, and purchased 160 acres un- 
 der the Graduation Act on section 24, township 16 
 north, I east, at a cost of 25 cents per acre. He 
 afterwards bought 80 acres adjoining, at the same 
 price. He had visited this county the fall before his 
 removal, and with his brother-in-law, Charles In- 
 man, made the selection. When he came here to 
 stay, he came with his wife and Charles Inman in 
 a wagon, through Flint, the journey occupying si.x 
 days. The team belonged to Mr. Inman, who sent it 
 back to Oakland County by his step-son, David M. 
 Wilcox, while he remained and boarded with Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hosner. His wife boarded with Nelson Fraser 
 while he built a shanty. The roof was covered with 
 basswood bark, and the floor was made of split bass- 
 wood logs. The erection of this occupied him about 
 one week, and he was assisted by Charles Inman, 
 Nelson Fraser and William McCrary. In this shanty 
 Mr. H. lived four years. He then sold his place to 
 Francis Green, returned to Romeo and lived one 
 winter with his father. 
 
 The following spring he came again to Midland, 
 leased the lot opposite John Larkin's store, and built 
 a store and dwelling. Here for three years he dealt 
 in groceries, and then he exchanged his lease and 
 goods for a farm of 60 acres three miles up the Titta- 
 bawassee River, then in Midland, but now in Homer 
 Township. After seven years he sold this and re- 
 moved to the farm where Mr. Stanford now lives. 
 This he purchased of John Larkin, and 40 acres ad- 
 ditional he bought of Sidney Gould, and 80 acres of 
 a Mr. McCune. Here he resided four years and a 
 half, and then, Feb. 16, 1877, he sold and moved to 
 his present farm of 100 acres. At that time 50 acres 
 were improved, but now he has 90 acres subdued. 
 
 He followed lumbering and camped out in Hope 
 Township one winter 16 years ago. He has been in 
 
 lumbering business altogether 15 winters, sometimes 
 gaiiiing and at other times losing; but on the whole 
 he has come out ahead. He is one of the substan- 
 tial farmers of Hope Township. 
 
 His marriage occurred Nov. i, 1S59, and the lady 
 of his choice was Miss .Anna E. Green, daughter of 
 Francis and Polly (Stevens) Green. Mr. G. was 
 born Nov. 19, 1800, was in early life a preacher of 
 the Baptist denomination, and later a farmer, and 
 now resides in Lincoln Township, at the venerable 
 age of 84. Mrs. Green died at the residence of her 
 daughter, Melvina Inman, March 4, 1S80. Their 
 daughter, Mrs. Hosner, was born May 12, 1S43, in 
 Fort Ann, N. Y. 
 
 The three children born of this marriage are all 
 living: Orville Clyde was born Feb. 17, 1S61, in 
 Lincoln (now Hope) Township; Ara E., born Oct. 
 23, 1S63, in same township, married Feb. 2, 1884, to 
 George E. Guinan; Mary Irene, Jan. i, iS76,in Mid- 
 land Township. 
 
 Mr. H. has been Township Clerk two yeais, and 
 Supervisor of Homer Township one year. He is 
 politically a Republican. 
 
 jjl obert Potter, farmer, section 26, Porter 
 Township, was born Oct. 8, 1839, in York 
 Co., Ont. His parents, Alexander and 
 Letitia Potter, were Scotch by descent and 
 were born in Ontario. The father died about 
 the year 1874; the demise of the mother oc- 
 curred in 1872. Their children numbered five sons 
 and three daughters, and are all living. 
 
 Mr. Potter is the only son of his parents whose 
 feet have wandered from his native soil. He resided 
 at home and assisted on his father's farm, attending 
 the common schools until he was 18 years old. At 
 that age he became a Laborer on the farms of his na- 
 tive place, and passed two years in that manner 
 when he settled on Lake Erie in Norfolk Co., Ont., 
 where he engaged as a sawyer in a mill on Otter 
 River. He remained thus employed one year, and 
 at the end of that period he traveled through Indiana 
 and Illinois, stopping at Elgin in the Prairie State, 
 where he spent some time as a farm assistant. He 
 returned to Saginaw City, Mich , by way of Wash- 
 tenaw County, and engaged as an engineer in a saw- 
 
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 <^DII§IIIl^t>-^ 
 
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 m 
 
 YIt^^ 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 
 V 
 
 J 
 
 t 
 
 •• • 
 
 ^^M'iim^T 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 z^-^Mf^^ 
 
 273 
 
 mill. He spent seven j'ears in that occupation, and 
 meanwhile secured a homestead claim of 160 acres 
 of land in Porter Township, this county, filing his 
 first claim in 1870. Later, in that year, he built a 
 shanty thereon, and secured a man and his wife to 
 keep his house. In the spring of 1873 the shanty, 
 with its contents, was destroyed by fire. Undaunted, 
 he erected another place of shelter, and April 7, 
 1875, he was marrried at St. Louis, Gratiot Co., 
 Mich., to Alice, daughter of Andrew and Sophia 
 (Hannah) Hannah. Her parents are natives of 
 Ontario and Scotland, and are now living. Alice 
 was bom in Haldimand Co., Ont., April 24, 1858. 
 Her parents removed to East Saginaw when she was 
 nine years old, and later came to the county of Mid- 
 land. Four children have been bom to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Potter, one of whom is deceased. Arthur W. 
 was born March 14, 1876; Charles, Nov. 22, 1880; 
 Laura, Jan. 20, 18S3. \ child died in infancy, un- 
 named. 
 
 Since his marriage Mr. Potter has resided with his 
 family on his homestead, which he has improved and 
 greatly increased in value. Among other farm fix- 
 tures of a most creditable character, is a commodious 
 and practical farm house. The family attend the 
 Presbyterian Church. Mr. Potter is a Republican 
 of inflexible principles and wide influence. In 1876 
 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has served 
 eight years in that oflice; is still the incumbent of the 
 position. He has been Highway Commissioner one 
 year, and during the years 1878-81 he served as 
 Supervisor, officiating as Chairman of the Board in 
 the two last years named. He has been Township 
 Treasurer two years, and is at present School 
 Director, which office he has held five years. 
 
 #-^ ^ 
 
 Charles H. Winslow, merchant, Lee's Cor- 
 jPg^ ners, is a son of Loring S. and Mar)' 
 
 ri^ (Brown) Winslow, the former a native of Ver- 
 
 ^[2 
 
 \ 
 
 mont and the latter of the State of New York. 
 He was bom in the Green Mountain State, 
 April 7, 1846; in the spring of 1867, when 21 
 years of age, he came to Midland Count}-, where he 
 has since resided most of the time, engaged in the 
 woods and on the river. In January, 1883, he bought 
 out the store and stock of his brother, C. J. Winslow, 
 
 ^KS^^m^ ^^^ — ^-=<^D a 
 
 and has since been carrying on a very successful 
 trade. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Ulnslow is a Democrat in his 
 views and voting. He was Constable one year in 
 Saginaw County. 
 
 He was married in IngersoU Township, Sept. 13, 
 1874, to Miss Harriet F., daughter of Job and Sarah 
 E. (Mann) Chase, natives of New York State. She 
 was bom in Lapeer Co., Mich., .\pril 4, 1849. The 
 children of Mr. and Mrs. W. are Laura H., Loring 
 S., Charles H., John W. and Julia F. 
 
 1 evi Fulmer, carpenter and joiner, and 
 Z farmer on section 10, Homer Township, 
 ijS? 1 *^s bom May 23, 1830, in Sterling, Cayuga 
 ^tj^ Co., N. Y. His father, Jacob Fulmer, was a 
 Aj native of the State of New York and was of 
 \^ Dutch descent. He died at 63 years of age, in 
 St. Joseph Co., Ind. Polly (Stockwell) Fulmer, his 
 mother, was a native of the Empire State, &f New 
 England parentage, and died in St. Joseph Co., Ind., 
 aged 68 years. Of their family of eight children, but 
 two are living. 
 
 Mr. Fulmer is the fourth child and son in the 
 order of birth. He remained under the home roof 
 until he was 22 years of age, when he apprenticed 
 himself to learn the occupation of builder. He 
 served two years, and then operated as a journeyman 
 carp)enter until the date of his enrollment as a soldier 
 of the Union. He enlisted in August, 1863, in the 
 97 th N. Y. VoL Inf., in Co. H. The command was 
 under Gen. Warren, in the Army of the Potomac. 
 He was in several important actions, and was also 
 on several occasions detailed for special duty. With 
 the exception of the fatigue and privations common 
 to army life, he ebcaf>ed without injurj', and was hon- 
 orably discharged July 18, 1865. He went to Os- 
 wego Co., N. Y., on being released from military 
 service, and soon after came to Midland County, 
 where he purchased the section of land on which he 
 has since pursued the occupation of farming. His 
 land was in primeval forest, and he experienced all 
 the perplexities which never fail to annoy and render 
 severe the days of pioneer existence. But he pur- 
 sued the work of improving and culrivaring his farm 
 until he has placed it in creditable condition. He is 
 
 
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 i'J 
 
 ^- 
 
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 I 
 
 » 
 
<^DD^DD^>■T 
 
 274 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 a member of the Republican party and has served 
 five years as Township Clerk, three years as Treas- 
 urer and four years as Justice of the Peace. 
 
 His marriage to Rhoda Fineout occurred Nov. 4, 
 (hi 1855, in Oswego, N. Y., where she was Dorn, June 3, 
 1830. Her parents died when she was about 20 
 years of age. She had resided with them and after 
 their death she made her home with her sister. Two 
 children have been born of her marriage, as follows : 
 Anna, Dec. 15, 1856, and Mary A., Feb. 4, 1861. 
 The parents are members of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, in which Mr. Fulmer has been active 
 since his connection therewith. He is at present 
 Class- Leader. 
 
 illiam T. Depue, general farmer, section 
 
 > 
 ') 
 
 31, Jas|)er Township, was born in Trum- 
 Jf^^r^ bull Co., Ohio, Dec. 16, 1.S30, tlie eldest 
 lujjJ'' of three children, all of wliom are yet living. 
 4br His brother is Marsiiall S,, whose sketch 
 appears elsewhere in this volume, and his sister 
 is Mrs. Julia Fields, of St. Louis, Mich. Their par- 
 ents were tlie first settlers in the west half of Mid- 
 land County, their father building the first house, a 
 log cabin, in the first part of April, 1856, which still 
 stands as a monument of pioneer pains and pleas- 
 ures. Originally its floor was made of puncheons, 
 and there was not a sawed board in the whole 
 structure. The door and table were also made of 
 what might be called " split and hewed boards." The 
 latch and hinges were all wood, and the roof was 
 made of "shakes," held on with "shake-poles." Mr. 
 Depue, Sr., with his two sons, Marshall S. and VVm. 
 Tracy, purchased the whole of section 31, Jasper 
 Township. 
 
 When 19 years of age the subject of this sketch 
 left home and his native county for Illinois; a year 
 afterward he returned home; in the fall of 1854 he 
 went to Iowa, and in the fall of 1855 he came to 
 C§' Midland County, engaging in the trade of carpenter 
 and joiner, which he had learned while in Ohio and 
 Iowa. At Freeland Station, Saginaw ("ounty, he 
 built the five-ton boat wliich carried the provisions 
 donated to " starving Gratiot " during that memorable 
 period by the cities of Detroit and Saginaw. Tliese 
 articles of food were so eagerly received that they 
 
 were all delivered from the boat within a few hours 
 after its landing. 
 
 For three years after his arrival here, Mr. Depue 
 was variously engaged, on Pine and Chippewa Rivers. 
 He and Joseph Miser built the first school-house on 
 the Indian reservation in Isabella County. In July, 
 1859, he returned to Ohio, and on the 14th of that 
 month, in Trumbull Co., Ohio, he married Miss Sarah 
 C. Martin, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Craig) 
 Martin. She was born in Portage Co., Ohio, June i, 
 1836, the eldest of five children, — two sons and 
 three daughters. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Depue are: Ida, born April 17, i860, in Jasper 
 Township, and married in Coe Township, Isabella 
 County, Aug. 16, 1881, to VVm. H. Ney, a farmer of 
 Jasper Township, this county; and Lucy, born Oct. 
 18, 1862, also in Jasper Township, and Nov. 10, 
 1880, married Eli E. Oswald, also a firmer in the 
 same township. 
 
 Directly after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Depue com- 
 menced house-keeping at his home in this county, 
 where he now owns 180 acres of good land, with 80 
 acres well improved, with the necessary farm build- 
 ings, etc. 
 
 Mr. D. secured the organization of Jasper Town- 
 ship, in i860, then six miles wide east and west, and 
 eighteen miles long north and south. He was elected 
 Supervisor, and served four years. He has also held 
 the offices of Townshi]) Clerk and Justice of the 
 Peace, as well as the less important offices of his 
 township. In his political views he sympathizes with 
 the National Greenback party. He has seen military 
 life, enlisting for the Union Dec. 20, 1864, in (!!o. A, 
 15th Mich. Inf., Army of the Cumberland, and being 
 discharged Sept. 9, 1865, after a service of nine 
 months. 
 
 'ames Hughes, general farmer, section 2, 
 
 Porter Township, was born in England, 
 
 vj^ - April 7, 1839, and when he was a year old 
 
 the family emigrated to America, and lived in 
 
 Licking Co., Ohio, on a farm, until the parents 
 
 died, in 187 1-2. 
 
 The subject of this sketch lived in that county 
 
 until he was 23 years of age, when he was married, 
 
 and shortly afterward went into the army to serve 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 for the Government, enlisting in Co. E, i3Sth Ohio 
 Vol. Inf., in the Army of the Cumberland. He was 
 in the service four months, engaging in the battle of 
 Harper's Ferry, and was also a member of the Ohio 
 National Guard for five years. 
 
 Returning to Licking County, he followed agricul- 
 ture upon his farm of i6o acres until recently, when 
 he sold out, purchased 280 acres on sections r and 2, 
 Porter Township, all heavily timbered land. 
 
 In his political action Mr. Hughes votes inde- 
 pendently. 
 
 Oct 8, 1863, in Licking Co., O., Mr. Hughes mar- 
 ried Miss Sarah \nn Shaw, a native of that county, 
 born Feb. 11, 1843. To Mr. and Mrs. H. have been 
 born nine children, as follows: John E., Frank, 
 William W., Lillie, George, Mary B., Charley A., 
 Nellie G. and James A. (deceased). 
 
 IllRjjhineas Swift, farmer, section T,Tiy Homer 
 ii^Sli<°, Township, was born March 27, 1826, in 
 J'llisj. Livingston Co., N. Y. He had the train- 
 
 I'll 
 
 ■)t 
 
 |Mii ing and education of a farmer's son, and was 
 under his father's guidance until he reached 
 his majority. He was married Jan. i, 1847, to Caro- 
 line Stone, a native of Connecticut, born in 1829. 
 Four sons and five daughters have been born of this 
 marriage: three of the latter are dead. The mother 
 died at her home in Mecosta County, Sept. g, 1875. 
 In 1850 the family removed to Fair Plains, Mont- 
 calm Co., Mich., where they resided until the second 
 year of the war, when the husband and father be- 
 came a soldier of the Union. He enlisted Aug. 15, 
 1862, in the 21st Mich. Vol. Inf, enrolling in Co. F. 
 The command was assigned to the Army of the 
 Cumberland. He became disabled soon after reach- 
 ing the field, and was discharged, on a surgeon's 
 certificate, April 11, 1863. He had contracted a 
 pulmonary disease from his exposure and he was 
 wholly incapacitated a year after his discharge. 
 
 On recovery, he came to Midland County and 
 bought 160 acres on section 4, Homer Township, 
 which he e.xchanged two years later for 200 acres in 
 the same township. Later on he sold this and went 
 to Mecosta County on account of the ill-health of 
 his wife. He located near Big Rapids. The change 
 
 proved futile for the purpose sought, as the wife and 
 
 mother died about one year after the removal. In 
 1880 Mr. Swift bought 80 acres of land in Kent 
 County, which he sold the same year, and in 1881 
 he bought 64 acres where he has since resided. He 
 is a Republican and held the office of Justice of the 
 Peace one year during his first residence here. 
 
 Mr. Swift's likeness may be found on the opposite 
 page. It is tliat of a brave soldier and representa- 
 tive citizen of the State of Michigan as well as of 
 Midland County. 
 
 m^ 
 
 ohn C. Sias, farmer on section 32, Jasper 
 Township, was born at Ann Arbor, Wash- 
 tenaw County, this State, Feb. 16, 1835, 
 and is the son of John and Lucretia (Dudley) 
 Sias, natives of Vermont and New York. The 
 father was of French-Irish descent, followed 
 agriculture, and died at the residence of his son John 
 in the spring of 1876, at the age of nearly 82. The 
 mother lives with Mr. Sias, at the venerable age of 86. 
 The subject of this outline is the fifth son and 
 ninth child of a family of ten — three sons and two 
 daughters of which number are now living. He lived 
 with his parents in his native town until 15 years 
 old, at which age he was apprenticed to learn the 
 trade of millwright, under a Mr. Waite, of Ann Arbor. 
 He remained with him but one year, and then for 
 three and a half years was employed as a cabinet- 
 maker at Dexter, Mich. Going to Wapawma, Wis., 
 he worked there one year, and then visited Minne- 
 sota, Iowa and Dakota. 
 
 While in Iowa, Oct. 15, 1 861, he enlisted in Co. C, 
 14th Iowa Vol. Inf., and was assigned to the com- 
 mand of George H. Wolf, in the Army of the North- 
 west. He was discharged in February, 1864, having 
 been employed in the frontier forts. On the 26th of 
 the same month he re-enlisted in the same company, 
 which was made Co. M, 7th Iowa Vol. Cav. He 
 served till the conclusion of the war, and was honor- 
 ably discharged in June, 1866, having lived nearly 
 five years in the army. He fought at Deer Moun- 
 tain, and the Bad Lands of the Little Missouri River. 
 He then traveled through Minnesota and Wiscon- 
 sin to Michigan, arriving in Midland County in Oc- 
 tober, 1867. He located a land warrant of 160 acres 
 on sections 32, 33 and 28, Jasper, and proceeded to 
 
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 278 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 make a home. In December, 1868, at St. Louis, he 
 was joined in wedlock with Mrs. Mary Small (jicc 
 Sias) daughter of Solomon and Emily (Copeland) 
 Sias. Her father was of French descent, a native of 
 Ontario, and died in Pine River Township, Gratiot 
 County, in February, 1884. Her mother was of Eng- 
 lish lineage, was a native of the State of New York, 
 and died in that State in 1855. 
 
 By her first marriage, Mrs. Sias has a daughter, 
 Cora; and by her second she is the mother of three 
 children, Jessie, Edgar and Ashley. 
 
 Mr. Sias has improved 40 acres of his place, and 
 has sold 40. He has held the office of Supervisor 
 from 1868 to 1870, inclusive, and also in 1876. He 
 has been Township Treasurer two years, and has 
 filled minor positions of trust. In political belief, he 
 is a Republican. 
 
 Vm\ obert D. Cody, farmer on section 2=;, Lar- 
 ■^~%; km Township, is a son of Alonzo and 
 """ Fanny (Fullmer) Cody, natives respectively 
 of New York State and Ohio; and was born 
 ill Buffalo, N.Y., June 10,1861. His parents re- 
 moved to this State when he was one year old, 
 and he has resided since in Michigan, e.xcept 10 years 
 in Iowa. He came to Midland County in the fall of 
 1879, and has now 20 acres of an So-acre tract im- 
 proved. 
 
 April r, 18S3, in Midland City, Miss Florence Per- 
 kins, a native of New York State, changed by mar- 
 riage her last name to Cody. In political sentiment 
 Mr. C. is a Republican. 
 
 ^"^ oxiis Riefenberg, farmer, section 34, Inger- 
 soll Township, is a son of Christopher 
 t^U"-^^ Riefenberg, a native of Germany, who passed 
 6j(;p" his entire life in that country. He was born in 
 Germany June 6, 1830; from the age of 14 to 
 22 he attended bar; he then came to America 
 and for three years followed farming in Pennsyl- 
 vania; in May, 1856, he came and bought 80 acres 
 of unimproved land in Ingersoll Township, wliere he 
 still resides. Sinc# his first purchase he bought 80 
 
 acres more, and he now has about 100 acres under 
 cultivation and in good condition. 
 
 He is School Assessor of District No. i, and was 
 elected Township Clerk last spring (1884). Politi- 
 cally he belongs to the National party. 
 
 Mr. R. was married in Pennsylvania Feb. 16, 1862, 
 to Margaret, daughter of Balsar and Elizabeth Hil- 
 debrand, who were natives of Germany. Mrs. R. 
 was born also in that country, Jan. 27, 1844. The 
 children in her family are, Louis H., Joh.n G., Sarah 
 E., William L., Mary E. and Minnie A. 
 
 :h': 
 
 ^mf% 
 
 -1~ 
 
 I 
 
 V p- )' I } arshall S. Depue, general farmer, section 
 
 - .,'"". - ' .'.T; .f 31, Jasper Township, was born in Trum- 
 
 ^^^ bull Co., Ohio, June 12, 1833. His parents, 
 
 ' Nicholas and Charlotte (Allen) Depue, were 
 
 \^ 
 
 
 
 ( 
 
 natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, ( " 
 and of French and Yankee ancestry. Mrs. 
 D.'s father was one of the first settlers in the State 
 of Ohio. Mr. Nicholas Depue died, it is supposed, 
 somewhere in the State of Michigan, the time and 
 place being unknown ; and his widow died at the 
 residence of her daughter, Mrs. Fields, at St. Louis, 
 Sept. 25, 1883. The old log cabin erected by Nicho- 
 las Depue, thr first built in the township, is still 
 standing. Formerly it had not a sawed board in it. 
 It is preserved in memory of the first days of Mid- 
 land. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was brought up on the 
 farm, to the vocation of his father, and was married 
 March 8, 1859, in Milton, Mahoning Co., Ohio, to 
 Miss Lois R. Baldwin, who was born in that county 
 April 27, 1S33, and before her marriage taught ten 
 terms of school. The children by this marriage are : 
 Charles C, William B., Lottie M. and Scott (de- 
 ceased). Mrs. D. died at her home in this town- 
 ship, Nov. 4, 1883, leaving a large circle of friends 
 to mourn the loss. Slie was exceptionally a kind and 
 loving wife, mother and member of society. Ever 
 since she was 15 years of age she had been an active 'p) 
 member of the Presbyterian Church. I 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. D. started immediately for c'-.. 
 Michigan, and located on a quarter of section 31, iM 
 where he has since made his home. He was one of ^ 
 the first settlers of the township. On his estate of (g\ 
 
 one of ^ 
 
 \®^ 
 
 
 225 acres, he has i 25 acres finely improved 
 
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 4>iin^iiii>i>T 
 
 
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 ^^ 
 
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 ■ev 
 
 MIDLAND 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 4^^ 
 
 279 
 
 the best farms in the county He also has recently 
 erected a residence which compares favorably with 
 the best in the county. 
 
 JMr. Depue is a staunch Republican, and has been 
 honored wilh the offices of Supervisor and Treasurer. 
 He helped to organize the township. 
 
 ^i l&flvJhnrles F. Marcy, farmer, section 26, In- 
 4''— ^^.j nersoll Township, is a son of Alanson and 
 Mary A. (Bowen) Marcy, who were natives of 
 New York State. (See sketch of Alanson 
 Marcy.) 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in 
 Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1836, and was seven 
 years old when the family came to Oakland Co., 
 Mich. In 1856, at the age of 20, lie came to this 
 county, wliere he has since resided. In 1857 he pur- 
 chased 80 acres of unimproved land in IngersoU 
 Township, on section 26, and at present has about 
 45 acres under good cultivation. 
 
 In political action Mr. Marcy works for Republican 
 principles, and lie has officiated as Township Clerk 
 one year. 
 
 He was first married in Lapeer Co., Mich., Dec. 
 31, 1872, to Clista J., daughter of Harrison and 
 Philinda Young, residents of IngersoU Township. 
 She was born in Henrietta, N. Y.,Nov. 8, 1851. The 
 children of Mr. and Mrs. Marcy are: Philinda E. 
 and Henry H. Mrs. M. died Jan. 5, 1880, and Mr. 
 M. was married April 14, i88r, to Mrs. Harriet A. 
 (Wilsey) Pangburn, widow of George W. Pangburn, a 
 native of Vermont, who died in Saginaw, April 16, 
 1 87 3. She had by her first marriage two children, — 
 Viola H. and George J. Mrs. M. was born in Lucas 
 Co , Ohio, Jan. 24, 1847. 
 
 ^•^MilH^xtE 
 
 H. Peck, station agent and telegraph oper- 
 ^ ator at Sanford, was born Dec. 17, 1853 
 in Fair Haven, Mass. He is a son of 
 'J^^s Joseph N. and Lydia C. (Blaisdell) Peck. 
 His father was a native of the State of Rhode 
 Island and was of English parentage. He was a 
 cooper by trade, and passed the greater portion of 
 his life in that and in farming, except five years. 
 
 ^ 
 
 when he was engaged in mercantile business. He 
 died May 25, 1865, in New Bedford, Mass. The 
 mother was born in September, 1813, in Maine, of 
 Scotch ancestors, and is yet living, at Fairhaven, 
 Mass. Seven children born to the parents reached 
 maturity. 
 
 In May, 1878, Mr. Peck came West and engaged 
 in farming in Ortonville, Oakland Co., Mich., where 
 he spent about four months. He then went to Sag- 
 inaw and spent three months as an assistant in a saw 
 mill. At the end of that time he engaged as a brake- 
 man on the F. & P. M. Railroad, and not long after 
 met with an accident which crippled him for life. 
 He fell from a wood rack and received an injury to 
 his left leg, whicli caused tlie loss of the foot below 
 the ankle. The raihoad tompany took entire charge 
 of him during his ilbiess, and on his recovery he 
 came to Sanford, where he fitted himself for the 
 duties of the position he now occupies. He has had 
 full and entire charge of the office since September, Oj 
 1882. He was married Dec. 24, 1882, to Victoria ^ 
 Wallace. 
 
 'iL^i&tsSi 
 
 i 
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 ^^^ 
 
 J^::-^. 
 
 mmmo 
 
 l^aron Havens, farmer, section 27, Hope Tp., •<• 
 ^ifs^sSS.- was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., June i, * 
 S-li^S? 1826, the son of Samuel and Amy (Bennett) , !" 
 "■^ Havens. His father was of Scotch descent, 
 1'' was born in New Jersey, moved to Wayne Co., 
 
 N. Y., thence to Hartland, Niagara Co., same 
 State, thence to Seneca Township, Seneca Co., same 
 State, and finally to Lenawee Co., Mich., where he 
 died, aged about 60. Mrs. Havens, Aaron's mother, 
 was a native of New Jersey, and died in Wayne Co., 
 N. Y., having been the mother of three sons and one 
 daughter, all of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Ha- 
 vens, senior, married for his second wife Miss Sarah 
 Ann Tubbs, in Wayne Co., N. Y. 
 
 The subject of this biography was ten years old 
 when his father came to the Peninsular State, and he 
 lived at home with his father and stepmother until of 
 age, assisting on the farm. He then worked as a 'W 
 farm laborer by the month for two years in Niagara 
 Co., N. Y., and three years in St. Clair Co., Mich. 
 
 March 23, 1854, he was married to Miss Mary Jane 
 Ellsworth, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Hewett) 
 Ellsworth. Her father died at Johnson's Creek, (f^^ 
 Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1839; and her mother in St. ^ 
 
T 
 
 mvm^^' 
 
 V 
 
 ^^,mm\mi 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Il 
 
 M' Clair Co., Mich., in 1856. Mrs. Havens was born 
 
 Ai June 10, 1836, in Hartland, Niagara Co., N. Y. Fol- 
 
 .:^ lowing is the record of the eiglit children born to Mr. 
 
 ? and Mrs. Havens: Sarah, born Aug. 28, 1856, at 
 
 ^ Saginaw, Mich.; George, Dec. 2, 1857, in Edenville 
 
 Township, this county; Florence A., Jan. 22, i860, 
 
 in same townshij); Lewis, April 23, 1862, in Hope 
 
 Township; Ella, July 6, 1864, in same townshij); 
 
 Hiram W., Oct. 31, 1868, in same township; Samuel 
 
 Wallace, Aug. 13, 1870, in same township; William 
 
 / Clarence, April 17, 1875, in same township, and died 
 
 ik, Dec. 9, 1878. 
 
 For one year after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Havens 
 lived in St. Clair County. They then settled in this 
 county, first in Edenville Townshii), and later on 
 their present farm in Hope. Mrs. Havens relates 
 that her children, Sarah and (ieorgc, lost themselves 
 one day, when aged respectively four and two and a- 
 half years, and were out all night, in a marsh two 
 miles from home, with a cold rain falling all night; 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. H. is a Republican. 
 He and wife are members of the Church of God. 
 
 ) 
 
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 V 
 
 ) 
 
 • f^;f rank S. Burton, editor of the Midland 
 Xi ^aaijjis, ''^I'lh is a son of David and Emeline (Cope- 
 -JLS235 v., \^y^^ Burton, and was born in Dexter, 
 
 Me., July 17, 1846. The father was born in 
 
 ys|-s Garland Township, Penobscot Co., Me., in Sep- 
 tember, 1801 ; has followed farming all his 
 active life, having cleared four farms in his time. He 
 came to Dexter, Mich., in 1851, and settled on a 
 tract of wild land, which he subdued to cultivation ; 
 and in March, 1855, he came up the Saginaw and 
 Tittabawassee Rivers to this county, arriving at Eden- 
 ville on the 31st of that month. He jire-empted 
 160 acres on section 12, in what is now Edenville 
 Township, and by industry and perseverance made 
 it one of the finest farms in the county. After losing 
 his wife, he sold, and he now resides alternately with 
 his son Edwin D., in I'klenville 'I'ownship. and with 
 Mr. Burton, of this sketch. The njother was born in 
 Coreana Township, Penoliscot Co., Me., in 1815, and 
 died on the farm in F^denville Township, this courity, 
 in April, 1882. Their family included eight children, 
 Frank S. being the sixth. 
 
 The subject of this record lived with his parents 
 
 until 18 years old, attending school in the winter 
 seasons. At that age he taught one, winter term of 
 school. He then entered the State Agricultural Col- 
 lege at Lansing. Here he studied four years, teach- 
 ing during the vacations, and was graduated in 
 November, 1868. After this he taught a select 
 school at Midland, then one term in the city schools 
 of Big Rapids, and then for one summer engaged in 
 farming in Edenville, with his brother Edwin. After 
 studying a term in the Law Department of the State 
 University, and teaching a few months in Edenville, 
 he then, in company with his brother, purchased a 
 small water-jiower saw-mill. This they operated a 
 few months and then sold. Returning to Ann Arbor, 
 he completed his course in law, receiving his dii)loma 
 Ajjril I, 187 I. 
 
 He practiced a few months at East Tawas, Iosco 
 County, and then came to Midland. In December, 
 I 87 I, he purchased a one-tliird interest in the Mid- 
 land y«r/(/('W(v;/ and the Faiwell Rci^isUr, and com- 
 menced his journalistic career. The following month, 
 by the withdrawal of one partner, John Haynes, he 
 became proprietor of a half interest, and before the 
 end of the year he bought the remaining stock of the 
 Register. This he conducted over one year, and 
 then sold, in the fall of 1872, to his brother. In 
 July of the ensuing year he again bought, and re- 
 tained possession until December, 1880. In Febru- 
 ary, 1881, he purchased the Democrat office and 
 founded the Sun, which he is now conducting, his 
 first issue appearing Feb.. 17. He employs three as- 
 sistants, has a good job trade, and his paper has an 
 encouragingly large circulation. 
 
 Ill 1877 he purchased 320 acres of land, a half of 
 section 33, Larkin Township. He now owns 480 
 acres, of which 160 are under cultivation. He takes 
 a deep interest in thorough-bred short-horns, and has 
 the only pure ones in the county (four in number), 
 besides 1 2 to 75 high-graded animals. He resides 
 on his farm, which is located three miles from the 
 court-house. 
 
 June 20, 1873, at Detroit, lie was joined in matri- 
 mony with Miss Vina E. Belknap, daughter of Julius 
 K. and Lydia Place, of St. Clair County. Mrs. Bur- 
 ton was born at Oswego, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1852. 
 
 Mr. B. was nominated in the fall of 1876 for Pro- 
 bate Judge, on the Republican ticket, against William 
 Kelley on the Democratic ticket, and was elected. 
 
 1 
 
 v|) 
 
 C 
 
 '^ 
 
 
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 ')^/^«^>«^#*- 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 •^'.jtfC 
 
 4^t^5fsvii 
 
 281 
 
 He filled the office creditably four years. In the fall 
 of 1882 he was nominated on the Fusion ticket for 
 State Senator, but was defeated by John W. Hance, 
 of Mt. Pleasant. He received a good vote, but his 
 party was not strong enough to win. In the spring 
 of 1884 he was chosen Supervisor of Larkin Town- 
 ship, which office he now holds. Politically, Mr. 
 Burton was a Republican for many years, and con- 
 ducted his paper in the interest of that party until 
 the fall of 1881, when he changed its politics, taking 
 up the banner of the National party. He was for six 
 years Chairman of the Republican County Commit- 
 tee, and since June, 1882, he has held a like position 
 in the National, or Greenback, party. He has been, 
 since .August, 1882, a member of the State Central 
 Committee. He has attended three State Conven- 
 tions of the Republican party, and one (August, 1882, 
 at Grand Rapids) of the organization to which he 
 now Ijelongs. 
 
 Mr. Burton is quite a student, having pierhapB the 
 largest librar)' in the county; and he is in every 
 sense a public-spirited man, taking a deep interest in 
 agricultural and school affairs. 
 
 srael W. Martin, farmer, section 11, Homer 
 
 Township, was lx)m May 18, 1829, in Dum- 
 
 ,' fries Township, Canada West. He resided 
 
 in his native province until he was 15 years 
 
 old, when he went to the State of New York 
 
 and worked for a lumberman on the Erie CanaL 
 
 He relumed to Canada, where he was occupied some 
 
 time as a stage driver. His next venture was as a 
 
 sailor on the lakes, where he operated two years. 
 
 He again engaged in stage-driving, in which he was 
 
 occupied until the year pirevious to that in which he 
 
 came to Michigan. 
 
 He was married March 18, i860, in Canada, to 
 '^ Sarah Wells, who was bom in Ontario in 1833. One 
 I of the two children bom to Mr. and Mrs. Martin is 
 *,'* deceased. Delia L., Ijom Dec. 25, 1868, was mar- 
 ried Dec. 25, 1882, to Alljert Green, a native of Mid- 
 land County, bom June 30, 1861. 
 
 On coming to Michigan Mr. Martin was emploj-ed 
 in the saw-mill of Wright & Co. Late in the same 
 
 f 
 
 
 year they came to Midland County, where he pur- 
 chased 83 acres of land, which has since been his 
 home. He is a Republican, an^ has been Justice of 
 the Peace three years. School Treasurer 15 years, and 
 has served several terms as Highway Commissioner. 
 
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 Sri^<i»- 
 
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 oseph Ii. Campbell, farmer, section 22, 
 
 Jerome Township, was l)om in the town of 
 
 Poland, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Jan. 17, 
 
 1838, and is the son of Jonas and Cynthia (De 
 
 Jane) Campbell. His parents were bom in 
 
 t' Orleans, Genesee Co., N. Y.. and are srill liv- 
 ing, in Chautauqua County, in the Empire State. 
 
 In the paternal line, Mr. Campbell is of .Scotch 
 descent, and ('W his mother's side he comes of French 
 stock. He remained under the paternal roof until 
 he was 23 years old and operated as his father's as- 
 sistant on the farm after, as before, he attained hb 
 majority. 
 
 On the outbreak of the Southern rebellion, he en- 
 listed as a soldier, enrolling .Aug. 28, 1862, in Co. 
 C, 9th N. Y. VoL Cav., and was mustered out Jan. 
 30, 1865, after a long and arduous service. His first 
 fight occurred at Berrj'ville, in the valley of the 
 Shenandoah, four days after he joined the command. 
 His next engagement was at Cob Run, and he next 
 fought at Fredricksburg, under Burnside. On the 
 first of .August, 1863, he fought from the Rappahan- 
 nock and Rapidan through Culpeper, and on the last 
 day of the month he fought the same ground over 
 again, the sharpest contest being at Brandy Station. 
 He was wounded May 8, 1864, at the battle of the 
 Wilderness, receiving an injury from a minie ball in 
 the upper part of the left arm, which necessitated the 
 removal of alx>ut five inches of the bone. The 
 operation was performed at the field hospital, whence 
 he went to Douglas Hospital, Washington, and was 
 transferred to the hcBpital on Blackwell's Island. 
 He was sent thence to Fort .Schuyler Hospital, and '^■ 
 was there discharged. He returned to his home in 
 Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and soon after was placed 
 on the pension list. 
 
 He became the proprietor of a house and lot in 
 the village of Jamestown, Chautauqua County, which ^ 
 he sold in 1875, and reached Midland County on the ^ 
 
 5^ 
 
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 i 
 
 ^M^ 
 
^^/^^i;^m^ 
 
 282 
 
 «: cr-7<^IlIl^nil>>V 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ) 
 
 :^5 
 
 ' 3d day of April of that year. He at once entered a 
 homestead claim of 80 acres in the township of 
 Jerome, and has about 12 acres under the plow, and 
 eight acres chopped ready for clearing. 
 
 Mr. Campbell was married June 21, 1873, to Edsia 
 E., daughter of Eliscom C". and Lucy (Stearns) Rob- 
 inson. Her father is living in Jamestown, Chautau- 
 qua County. Her mother died in 1868, in Poland, 
 in the same county. Both parents were natives of 
 (Chautauqua County, where Mrs. Campbell was born, 
 Nov. 17, 1 85 1. The children of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Campbell were born as follows. Irving, Nov. 19, 
 1S74, at Jamestown, N. Y.; Lucy, Nov. 13, 1876; 
 Frank, Feb. 14, 1879; Joseph L., April 27, 1S81; 
 Edith, April 26, 1883. All but the eldest child were 
 born in Jerome Township. 
 
 Mr. Campbell is independent in [lolitics, and has 
 been elected Justice of the Peace this present year. 
 He has declined all other offices tendered him. 
 
 
 r 'fv:' ames C. Howe, farmer, sec. 4, Larkin Town- 
 (j shi)), is a sou of William and Almira(Ken- 
 
 S<^'^ 
 
 dall) Howe, natives of Jefferson Co.,N. Y., 
 
 I 
 
 and was born in the Dominion of Canada, 
 Marcli II, 1827. He was (juite young when 
 his parents removed to Jefferson Co., N. ¥., 
 where he lived until 23 years old. He then came to 
 Emmett County, this State, where he was engaged 
 principally in fishing for five years. Next he lived a 
 short time in Wisconsin and for a brief period in his 
 native county; and in October, 1870, he came to 
 this county and bought 80 acres in Lincoln Town- 
 ship. After six years' residence there he removed to 
 Larkin Township, and purchased r6o acres. He 
 now owns 53 acres, 30 of which are in cultivation. 
 Nov. 29, 1847, was the date of his marriage in 
 Jefferson Co., N. Y., to Miss Fidelia Gotham. She 
 was born Nov. 3, 1831, the daughter of Solo- 
 mon and Elizabeth E. (King) Gotham, natives of 
 New Hampshire and New York, respectively. Of 12 
 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Howe, the eight sur- 
 vivors are named William H., Phineas, Mary E , 
 Amanda V., Isaac A., Elmer E., John T. and Rachel 
 R. The four deceased were named James B., Plii- 
 lena A., Emma E. and Christiana J. 
 
 Mr. 11. is in political sentiment a National, an 
 
 has been Justice of the Peace and Drain Commis- 
 sioner of Larkin 'i'ownship. In Lincoln Townsliip 
 he was Highway Commissioner and To-.vnsliip Treas- 
 urer. He and wife are members of the Christian 
 Ciuircli. 
 
 ■■=¥^^ 
 
 5fe 
 
 ~^<s> 
 
 4 !;^".^li Hubbard, farmer, section 35, Midland 
 
 : =f Township, is a son of James and Fanny 
 
 J^.L^' l^Pumaville) Hubbard, who were natives re- 
 
 ^ spectively of Massachusetts and Lower Can- 
 
 T ada. After a residence in New York State, 
 
 j they emigrated to Saginaw Co., Mich., in 1835, 
 
 where Mr. 11. died. His widow afterward died in 
 
 (jenesee Co., Mich. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Niagara 
 Co., N. Y., Jan. 6, 1824, and was 1 1 years old when 
 he came to Michigan with his parents, witii whom 
 he remained most of the time until their death, con- 
 tributing to their support. He was married in Gene- 
 see Co., Mich., to Miss Marcia Hurd, a native of the 
 State of New York. The names of their five chil- 
 dren are, John S., James R., Polly, Laura O. and 
 Frances L. The first-mentioned died May 8, 1880, 
 when 33 years of age. Mrs. Hubbard died Nov. 20, 
 1880. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard has held the offices of Highway 
 Commissioner and Constable, and the various school 
 offices of his district. In politics he coincides with 
 the Republican party. He is now the owner of 70 
 acres of land in Midland Townshij), and has about 
 50 acres in a good tillable condition. 
 
 ^l^^jlCoseph R. Cr adit, farmer, section 14, Homer 
 )3^^|t' Township, was born June 4, 185 i, in Che- 
 !!>•''' mung Co., N. Y. He is the son of Sylves- 
 J; '.' ter and Sarah (Trumbull) Cradit. His parents 
 'l[C are natives of the State of New York, of New 
 i England parentage, and descended respectively 
 from German and Scotch ancestors. His father is a 
 skilled blacksmith and farmer, and has been a resi- 
 dent with his family in Homer Township 12 years. 
 They are aged 75 and 76 years, and have been the 
 parents of nine children. 
 
 Mr. Cradit is the youngest of the children born to 
 
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 his parents, and was hut three years old when the 
 family settled in Van Buren Co., Mich. Fourteen 
 years later they became residents in Midland County 
 and settled on a small farm in Homer Township, on 
 which they are yet resident with their son. It is 
 nearly all improved and cultivated. Mr. Cradit is a 
 member of the National Greenback party. 
 
 His marriage to Amy E. Fulmer occurred Oct. 
 i6, 1873, in Midland City. She was born Dec. 15, 
 1856, in Montgomery Co., N. Y., and is the daughter 
 of Levi and Rhoda (Fineout) Fulmer. She removed 
 to this county when she was eight years old, with her 
 parents. The children now included in the family 
 circle are Rhoda, bom Oct. 29, 1878; Fred, June 11, 
 i88r, and Levi, June 6, 1883. The parents are 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
 which Mr. Cradit is Second Steward. 
 
 I illiam McCrary, farmer on section 22, 
 
 Hope Township, was born June 14, 1824, 
 
 in County Antrim, Ireland, the son of 
 
 Robert and Grizzie (Magee) McCrary, and 
 
 came to Clark's Mills, Can_, from the Emerald 
 
 5 Isle, in 1834. His father purchased a farm of 
 
 65 acres, where he lived until death. The mother 
 
 also died on this place. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was one of a family of 
 seven, — six sons and one daughter, — all of whom 
 grew to years of maturity. He lived on the home- 
 stead until 25 years old, and then he bought 160 
 acres of land, which he had commenced to pay for 
 when 22 years of age. March i, 1853, he came to 
 this State ; and for one year he worked a farm on 
 shares in Ingham County. Jan. 12, 1857, he moved 
 to this county with his family, and for one year 
 boarded with David Burton, in what was then Jerome, 
 but is now Edenville Township. During a part of 
 this year he was again in Ingham County, harvesting 
 his wheat sown the year before. The remainder of 
 his time, however, he devoted to building a log house 
 for his family, and clearing his land in Hope Town- 
 ship, which he had secured in the following manner : 
 " Hank " Ashman, a half-breed lawyer of Midland 
 City, told him to go on an even section, settle on a 
 certain tract, and take his chances in buying the land 
 when it came into, market. This happened three 
 
 years later, and he then paid for 160 acres at 50 
 cents per acre. He now has a fine farm, with suit- 
 able farm buildings. 
 
 Nov. 24, 1854, was the date of his marriage to 
 Miss Agnes McWilliams, daughter of William and 
 Jane (Kissick) McWilliams. Her father was drowned 
 in Napanee River, Canada, when Agnes was five 
 years old, and the mother died seven years later, at 
 Clark's Mills. Mrs. McCrary was one of a family of 
 seven, — two sons and five daughters, — and was lx)rn 
 Dec. 2-1, 1838. 
 
 The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. McCrary are 
 as follows: Ida M., Ijorn June 20, 1856, in Ingham 
 Co., Mich., and married May 12, 1878, to Abram L. 
 Wismer; Ferdinand W,,born Jan. zo, i860, in Jerome 
 Township, this county, and married March 6, 1884, 
 Rosa B. Evans; Alice M., born Feb. 23, 1862, in 
 Lincoln (now Hope) Township, married April 14, 
 1878, to Henry Wismer, and died Feb. 10,1884,0! 
 spinal disease; Lydia A , born Aug. 5, 1864, in Lin- 
 coln (now Hope) Township; Ina E., born July 22, 
 1867, in Lincoln (now Hope) Township; William H., 
 born July 6, 1871, in Hoije Township; Elva A., born 
 Oct. 29, 1872, in Hope Township; Almon J., born 
 Feb. 7, 1874, in Hope Township, and died Nov. i, 
 1880. 
 
 Mr. McCrary is in pfjlitical faith a Republican. 
 He has been Highway Commissioner one term, and 
 School Director one year. He and wife were bap- 
 tized in the Church of England. 
 
 kaniel McKinnon, lumberman and farmer 
 on section 12, Homer Township, was bom 
 
 ^^ Aug. 12, 1842, in Scotland. When he was 
 "jNJai three years old he accompanied his parents 
 ■^ to America, and settled in Ontario, Can., whence, 
 
 i after a short residence, they removed with their 
 family to Port Huron, Mich. They are yet residing 
 there, aged respectively 75 and 62 years. 
 
 Mr. McKinnon came to Midland County and en- 
 gaged in lumbering, which has since been his chief 
 occupation. In the spring of 1868 he bought 80 
 acres of land, to which he has added by subsequent 
 purchase until he now owns a tract of 240 acres, of 
 which 70 acres are well improved and cultivated 
 Mr. McKinnon is a Republican in political views. 
 
 
 
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 He was married Dec. 6, 1868, in Midland, to Isa- 
 bella McKinnon. She came to this county the year 
 she was married, and is a native of Canada. Nine 
 children have been born of this marriage, three of 
 whom are deceased. The living are, George, 
 Charles, Daniel, John, Christina M. and Rebecca 
 Ann. Those deceased died in infancy. The family 
 attend the Presbyterian Church. 
 
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 il^ohn W. Ostrander, farmer, section 26, In- 
 \r gersoll Township, is a son of Cornelius and 
 Elizabeth (Van Arsdale) Ostrander, na- 
 tives of New York State. He was born in 
 Dutchess Co., N. Y., Sept. 13, 1829, where he 
 lived till the spring of 1853; then was engaged 
 in farming for ten years in Oakland Co., Mich. In 
 February, 1863, he came to Midland County and 
 settled upon 80 acres of land in IngersoU Township, 
 which he had bought the previous fall. Three years 
 afterward he returned to Oakland County and re- 
 mained there until November, 1871, when he came 
 again to his farm in IngersoU Township, where he 
 has since resided, and has 40 acres improved, and a 
 good farm. He has been Constable two years, and 
 in his views of national affairs is Democratic. 
 
 Mr. Ostrander was married in Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
 May 20, 185 1, to Martha A., daughter of Jacob and 
 Rosanna (Bower) Smith, who were natives of the 
 Empire State. Mrs. O. was born in Cayuga Co., N. 
 Y., May 20, 1834. Their children are, Adrian E., 
 Elbert E., James D., Jacob H., Charles R., Byron R., 
 Carrie R., Lillie J. and Willie C. The last men- 
 tioned died in infancy. 
 
 thbert B. Emory, M. D., section 26, Inger- 
 
 «||^^K soil Township, was born in the county of 
 
 §■-•^5^°''* Holton, Out., June 11, 1849. His parents, 
 
 ^^ Aaron D. and Jane (McVanNorman) Emory, 
 
 \- were natives respectively of New Jersey and 
 
 Canada, and now reside at Hamilton, Out. 
 In his early life Dr. E. attended the common 
 schools and other institutions of. learning, mostly the 
 Homeopathic Hospital College at Cleveland, Ohio, 
 
 where he graduated, in 1881. In 1875 '^^ came to 
 Midland County, settling on a quarter section of 
 land, which was a part of a tract of 700 acres, which 
 had been taken up by his father in 1855. Since 
 that time he has been a resident here, except three 
 years in college, 1878-81. With his own hands he 
 has cleared 50 acres, and put the ground in a good, 
 tillable condition. He has bought a lot at Lee's 
 Corners, oil which he has erected a good residence 
 and where he now resides. Since 1880, with the ex- 
 ception of a few months spent in college, he has 
 practiced medicine, with good success. He has been 
 Justice of the Peace three terms, and is now serving 
 a fourth term. He has also been Health Officer for 
 the past three years. He has also taught school one 
 winter, in IngersoU Township. He is a member of 
 the society of Orangemen, Good Templars and Sons 
 of Temperance, and both himself and wife belong 
 to the Methodist Episcopal Church, where for five 
 years he has been Superintendent of the Sunday- 
 school. Is Chairman of the Republican Township 
 Committee. 
 
 At Burlington, Ont., Feb. 21, 187 1, Dr. Emory 
 married Eliza J., daughter of Capt. William and 
 Matilda (Corey) Hall, who were natives respectively 
 of Ireland and Canada. She was born in the county 
 of Wentworth, Ont., June 11, 1851. Dr. and Mrs. 
 Emory have had five children, namely : Florence 
 M. M. M., Nellie C. L., Dunham W. B., Sarah E. V. 
 and Ethbert B. Dunham died when three years old. 
 
 starding Mills, farmer on section 26, Hope 
 Township, was born in Nova Scotia, Sept. 
 ^1^ 17, 1827, the son of Peter and Phebe (Wil- 
 
 liams) Mills. The father was born in Nova 
 Scotia, about 1795, and the mother in the same 
 Province, in 1799. Both died in Southwould 
 Township, Elgin Co., Can. Of their 14 children, 
 six sons and four daughters grew to maturity. 
 
 On arriving at the age of 21, Harding accepted 
 employment in a ship-yard, where he worked two 
 years. Though he had not served an apprenticeship, 
 he was familiar with the use of tools. At the end 
 of the two years, he followed his parents to Elgin 
 County, and rented farms for seven years. Next, he 
 came to Macomb County, this State, arriving Oct. 5, 
 
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 1^7, vbeie fur three jeais be teated £anns 00 
 shares, and also vodced on gcavd raads. Jan. i, 
 1861, be came to tUs anatj, being five dajs on the 
 vaj. The move was made vitb two doaUe teams 
 of horses and one sing^ He boo^ht 40 acres where 
 be now lives, under the Gtad nation Act; and in 18S4 
 be also bomesteaded 80 acres on sectioo 36. Tbis 
 land was in an entitdj wild state, and now be has 
 nedeemed 73 acres to caUvation, and has good boose 
 and barns. 
 
 He was joined in maniage Majr r5, tSjr.lo Mis 
 Lavinia E. Allen, dangjuerof William and Margaret 
 (Foster) Allen. Mr. and Mis. A- were natives of 
 Nova Sootia, of En^ish and ^iew Errand descent, 
 respectivelf , and leared a £amiljr of two sons and 
 seven dan^btets. Mis. Mills was bora Majr 4, rSjz, 
 n Siova Scotia, and has been tlie motfaerof six ddl- 
 dren, three o( whom are fiving. FoUomne is the 
 record . George UHham was boia Apdl 19. r85z, in 
 El^n Qk, Can^ and died March 29, r 87 2; Melinda 
 L. was bom Fdi. r, t855, in El^in Co., Can^ Me- 
 liUa C. was bora F^, ro, 1S57, in Ef^n Co.. Caau 
 and died Fcit. 25, rS72: Solas H. was bora Jan. 23, 
 i860, in MacombCo., Michu, and died March 8, 1863, 
 in tins ooonty; Henrietta A., was bom Ang. 23, 
 t862, in Hope Towidnp^ this ooonlj; W31aid J. 
 was bora Sept. 6, r867, in the same lownsbipL 
 
 Mr. >L is politicailf a Repabfican. He has been 
 Justice of the Peace two terms, Township Tieasarer 
 several terms, Coontj CorDoer fanr tenms, and was 
 the Census Enoraetator far Ins snb-^tdct in rSSo. 
 He and wife adboe to the Baiidst iaith. 
 
 ^ i"^^.;. aamer, section r r. Homer 
 . >jwnsliip, was bora March 4, 1844, in 
 -J. Canu His parents are still resi- 
 ■-. and aged iespertivd|y 78 and 72 
 When be was 14 years old he was 
 'iTiTxed to learn the trade of a Uadcsaith, 
 be served three 5«ai^afier which he worked 
 as a jviimejnnan. He found it detrimental 
 10 his health and finallf alwndoaed it as a vocation 
 altogether; and has since operated as a fiarmei^ In 
 the fall of r874 be came to Michigan and bou^tt 
 I ro acres of land on section tt. It comprised two 
 farms, one of 40 acres, the other of 70 acres. Of 
 
 this, 40 acres are well imptDved asid supplied with 
 good &rm building The cyclone of Sept. 6, t882, 
 destnojred Ins building and seriooslj damaged bis 
 stocic, but he has re-bmlt and practicaOjr recovered 
 fiom the loss involved. He is a Democrat in hK 
 political Vi&rs. 
 
 Mru Phillips was married March 5, tS74, to Maiy 
 Knorke, ot Kii^ton, Ont. Sbe wa& bora 3ibv. 9, 
 r846. Fonr chatdtea have been Loro of tbis onion, 
 as follows: WUHe, Feb. 7, r875; EmtsL, Fefc. 17, 
 r877; Benjamin, Feb. 2, r88o; Sacah, Aug. 7, 1882. 
 
 eorge Openo, g^Mxal fanner on section 4, 
 
 Lee Towi^np, was bora in Hamburg, 
 
 Cermanj, Kov. 28, r826, and was diree jears 
 
 ^- old whoi Ins farents fmigrated with him to 
 America. After Uvir^ six jears near Kocfaes- 
 ter, N. Y., his fother came to Michigan and located 
 in Milfbtd Townsfaipv Oaldand County, at whidi 
 time only two log bosses had been erected in that 
 town^p: be was therefore the third settled there. 
 Pontiac was oolv a shantr town, and the whole 
 ooon^ was wild. George's parents were Joseph and 
 Mary (Soe) Opeiw.of German nativity and ancestry, 
 who occupied a qnarter-sectioo of land in Oaldand 
 County, where they died, — the former in the winter 
 of 1879, aged 87, and the latter in r869, aged 66. 
 
 Mc Opeco, the sobfect of tfas sketch, remained 
 at his parmtal home until be was 25 years old, when 
 he was married, in Milfoid Townships Oakland 
 County, to Mis Jnfia E., dan^bter of James and 
 Mary (Bddin) WUte, native of the old Granite 
 State and of New En^and ancestry. Mrs. O. was 
 bora in the State of New York, Sept. t8, tSu, and 
 was seven yearsof age when bioa^bt, by removal of 
 the fomily,tD Oaldand Co., Mkh. 
 
 After maniagr. Mr. O. txmtbmed to reside in Oak- 
 land Coonty, engaged in farming, iwtil r879, when 
 he moved to this cxmnty arid purchased 440 acres, 
 on sectioas 4, 5 and 8, Lee Township; but be now 
 owns only 80 acres, trith about 20 i mp m ved. 
 - The children of Mr. Openo by his first marriage 
 are six in number, as follows: Joseph E., bora Ma^ 
 6, r854: Tbeodove U Feb. 26, t%6; Clement J., 
 April 26. r858; Edwin G^OcL 24, r86!»: Hemy T., 
 Jlatdi t6, t863; and Claia A, Ma^ 6, t865. Mrs. 
 
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 286 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Openo died at her home in this townshii) (Lee), 
 Sept. 26, 1882, and Mr. O. was again married, in 
 
 tLee Township, March 27, 1884, to Mrs. Loudema 
 A. Shinn (Reeder), 7iee Kee, a native of Trumbull 
 f^ Co.,01)io, where she was born May g, 1832. She 
 was first married, in that State, to Samuel Shinn, 
 afterward to Draper Reeder, both of Ohio. By her 
 first marriage she had two children, Lorena and 
 Lewis, both of whom are now married. She came 
 to Midland ("ounty in 18S3. Mr. and Mrs. (). are 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is 
 a Democrat, and has held the offices of Drain Com- 
 missioner three years, Juslice of the Peace four 
 years and Treasurer. Is now Juslice of the Peace. 
 
 ohn P. Baleh, farmer, residing on section 
 ^ 20, Jasper Township, was born in the vil- 
 lage of Nunney, in West Somersetshire, 
 Eng., Sept. 8, 1815. Nunney is an old and 
 "^r historical place, and contains a baronial castle 
 'milt by one De La More about 1,100 years 
 ago. It is 66 feet in height, and its walls are from 
 10 to 12 feet thick. Oliver Cromwell's army de- 
 spoiled it and left it in a ruined condition, after a 
 severe bombardment, to render it of no farther use to 
 King Charles. 
 
 In this village Mr. B. attended school for a time; 
 but in 1824 he entered an academy on the road lead- 
 ing to Bath, where he studied seven years. He then 
 returned to help his father (Henry Balch) in the 
 business of butchering pork and dealing in groceries. 
 He shortly afterwards visited London, then was at 
 home for a time, then went to London once more, for 
 business experience. 
 
 He first came to America in the year 1830, with his 
 father, landing at New York June 10; and after 
 traveling in the State of New York till Sept. r, re- 
 turned to England. His fatlier was in good circum- 
 stances, and decided that he could do well enough 
 for John in his native country; so the latter remained 
 with his parents until 32 years old. He was in Lon- 
 don at the time of the proclamation of the queen, 
 and also at her coronation, in 1837. 
 
 At the age mentioned, lie assumed entire manage- 
 ment of the business, and a little later his father died, 
 
 «S5» 
 
 aged 62. A year after, Mr. Balch was married, his 
 choice being a second cousin 17 years old. She was 
 Elizabeth Savage, eldest of 1 1 children ot Richard 
 Savage. The wedding ceremony was performed in 
 Trinity Cathedral, Bristol, Dec. iq, 1848. The fol- 
 lowing year, Mr. B.'s mother died, aged 72. 
 
 He carried on the business "inherited" from his 
 father until November, 1849, when he held a two- 
 days auction to sell out, and started with his wife to 
 seek a permanent home in the United States. They 
 sailed from London Jan. 9, 1850, and arrived at New 
 York Marcli 2. The first year they lived at and near 
 Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and at Youngstown 
 and Coitsville, in the same State. 
 
 April 5, 1S52, Mr. B. set out for California, leaving 
 his wife near Warren with an English family. He 
 arrived at the Golden City May 5, and after a stay 
 of 17 months in California, returned home at the so- 
 licitation of his wife. He came by way of Nicaragua, 
 and the spring following took a farm in Pulaski, 
 Western Pennsylvania, on shares. Leaving this in 
 the fall, he rented another farm in Coitsville, Mahon- 
 ing Co., Ohio, where he remained several years, en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of cheese and butter. He 
 made $900 in two years. 
 
 He then lived for two years at Braceville, between 
 Warren and Cleveland, after which he decided to 
 visit the Peninsular State, with a view to making a 
 permanent home here. When he arrived at St. Louis, 
 Gratiot County (1861), he found five houses and a 
 mill. He located the following year in what is now 
 Jasper Township, in a rough and unsubdued region, 
 and bought 200 acres of land under the Graduation 
 Act, at 25 cents per acre. He resided on this land 
 (section 18 and 19) until he received the deed for his 
 tract, when he exchanged it for his present place on 
 section 20. His wife and five children came the fol- 
 lowing spring. After makmg his location, he took up 
 the trade of shoemaking, without any previous in- 
 struction, and for 16 years he devoted a portion of 
 his time to making boots and shoes, succeeding re- 
 markably well, in consideration of the circumstances. 
 
 For six years after his first settlement, he and his 
 eldest son carried on their backs all their sufjplies, 
 flour, etc., which was tedious work, there being then 
 no chance for "lifts" on the road. He generally 
 carried 45 to 50 pounds of flour at a load, over a dis- 
 tance of nominally eight miles, but which afterward 
 
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 MIDLAXD COUNTY. 
 
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 287 
 
 
 
 
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 proved to be nine or ten. Strict economy was neces- 
 sary to enable the Canuly to secure a comfortable 
 home in this neir country, and all worked hard. They 
 suffered at times from that common afiliction of new 
 comers, fever and ague. Their nearest neighbors 
 were Alson Bailey and his son B. B. Bailey, four 
 miles southeast. Six miles to the north were Thomas 
 Martin, William T, Depue, M. S. Depue and father, 
 Nicholas Depue, engaged in hunting and trapping. 
 When these few neighbors assembled, on rare occa- 
 sions, their pleasure was as great as only pioneers can 
 appreciate. The only others seen by Mr. Balch's 
 family were chance travelers, who were of course like 
 angels' visits, " few and far between." 
 
 He early tried dairying, which he had frJlowed 
 successfully in Ohio. Purchasing five cows, he made 
 cheese as fast as he was able, finding a ready sale 
 for the same at 25 cents i>er pound. He also made 
 a considerable amount of butter. 
 
 Mr. Balch had no team until he reared some 
 steers, and much of the clearing of his land was ac- 
 complished by hand labor. Industry and economy 
 have met their due reward, and Mr. B. b now re- 
 spected as one of the substantial citizens of his town- 
 ship and count}'. He is one of whom the younger 
 generation now growing up can well take lessons. 
 
 The family of Mr. B. numbers nine. Charles, 
 I>aura, Albert, John P. and Henry were bom in Ohio; 
 and Fred R-, Wlliam, Valentine and James B. in 
 this count)'. 
 
 .\t the first election which Mr. B. attended in this 
 county (1865), he was chosen Super^-isor, which 
 office he retained for three successive years. He has 
 also been School Inspector and Treasurer, and is now 
 Justice of the Peace. 
 
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 obert J. Crawford, miller on section 25, 
 Laikin Township, is a son of Daniel and 
 Catherine (Smith) Crawford, natives of 
 . .^ Ireland, and was born in Hamilton, Ont., 
 )y May 10, 1835. He came, in 1855, to Gene- 
 ' see Co., this Stale, where he lived four years, 
 and then he purchased 80 acres in Laikin Township, 
 this county, where he has lived since, with the ex- 
 ception of a year and a half in the West. He is now 
 
 foreman in the saw and shingle mill of D. P. Waldo. 
 July 22, 1861, in Buffalo, N. Y., Miss Carrie V. 
 Cody, a native of Ohio, became Mrs. Crawford, and 
 of thb marriage there is one daughter, Laura. Polit- 
 ically, Mr. C. votes with the National party. 
 
 osepb J. Winslow, farmer, sectbn 35, In- 
 gersoU Township, is a son of Loring S. and 
 Mary (Brown) Winslow, — the former a 
 native of the Empire State, and the latter ol 
 ^JT the Green Mountain State. After marriage 
 
 I they lived in Barnard, Vt., until the fall ot 
 1867, when they came West and settled in Ingersoll 
 Township, on land which he had entered from the 
 Government during the administration of Frankh'n 
 Pierce. He lived in this township until his death, 
 which occurred March 20, 1876. His widow sur- 
 vives, and is a resident of Ingersoll Township. 
 Their seven children were all sons, named Joseoh J., 
 Charles H., Loring -S., Jr., Curtis J. (sketch else- 
 where), John E., William G. and Franklin P. 
 
 The eldest of the foregoing was bom in Barnard, 
 Vt., May 17, 1844, attended the common and high 
 schools of his State to the age of r8 years, when, 
 Sept. 17, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, i6th Vt Regt., 
 as fifer,and served in that capacity till August, 1863, 
 when he was mustered out. After passing nearly a 
 year in Vermont, he re-enlisted in the Ninth Vt. 
 Regt., about .Sept 15, 1864, and served till the close 
 of the war, being one of the first Yankee soldiers to 
 cany a musket into the city of Richmond when that 
 place fell into the hand of the Union forces. During 
 his first term of enlistment he was confined in the 
 hospital about three weeks with lung fever; but dur- 
 ing his second enlistment he was not off duty a 
 single day on account of sickness. He was in the 
 terrible battle of Gettysburg, Pa,, Chajan's Farm, 
 Va., and the last battle before Richmond, on the 
 Williamsburg road. 
 
 After his discharge from the army, he spent a year 
 in his native State, and for nearly a year was engaged 
 with his father on marble worit, lettering gravestones. 
 He came to Midland County in March, 1866, and 
 bought 80 acres of unimproved land in Ingersoll 
 Township, where he has since resided, and has about 
 25 acre^ under gfxxi cultivation. 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 Mr. VVinslow has been Constable three years, 
 Justice of tlie Peace 187 6-80 and 1883 to the present 
 time, Township Supervisor 1880-1 and 1882-3. Al- 
 though liberal in his temperance views, he has been 
 President of the " Red-Ribbon Club." In his politi- 
 cal views he is a Democrat. 
 
 Mr. Winslow was married in Richland, Saginaw 
 County, June 12, 1870, to Miss Mary S., daughter of 
 Gilbert and Dolly (Gibbs) Smith, who were natives 
 of Massachusetts and New York respectively. Mrs. 
 W. was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., May 25, 1851. 
 Mr. and Mrs. W. are the parents of five children, 
 namely: Lena R., Nellie J., Joseph L., Dolly M. 
 and Ida C. 
 
 J:['-I|v'<ndrew J. Shiveiy, farmer, st 
 ' > c j per Township, was born in 
 
 section 30, Jas- 
 Trumbull Co., 
 Ohio, Sept. 13, 1844. His parents were Peter 
 and Hannah (Flick) Shiveiy, still Residents of 
 'j that county. He was brought up, attending 
 the common and select schools and working on his 
 father's farm, until 22 years of age, when, April 4, 
 1 86 1, in Mahoning Co., Ohio, he married Miss Pris- 
 cilla Anthony, a native of that county, born Feb. 26, 
 1839. She became the mother of one child, Ida P., 
 Dec. 9, i86r, and soon afterward died. Sept. 15, 
 1864, in the same county, Mr. S. was again married, 
 to Miss Mary F. Folk, a daughter of John and Mary 
 (Calhoun) Folk, who were among the first of the 
 white race born in Trumbull County, which at that 
 time was twice its present size, including what is now 
 Mahoning County, the present residence of her par- 
 ents. She was born in Southington Township, Trum- 
 bull County, Feb. 19, 1846, and was educated in the 
 schools of lier native place. 
 
 Mr. S. continued in agricultural pursuits in the 
 above county a little more than a year, then moved 
 to Portage County, that State, and followed farming 
 and lumbering two years; then, in Mahoning County, 
 engaged two years in lumber, flax and tow, then he 
 lumbered alone for five years longer, then in farming 
 again for two years, when, in 1879, he came to Mich- 
 igan and purchased 147 acres, on section 30, where 
 he now lives. This tract was then all in heavy tim- 
 ber; and he has since cleared about 35 acres, and 
 put about 20 into good, tillable condition. He has 
 
 on his place a remarkable well. It is 41 feet deep 
 and throws water up four feet above the surface of 
 the ground. 
 
 On national questions Mr. Shiveiy maintains Dem- 
 ocratic views. Mrs. S. is a member of the Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 V^ 
 
 ■S=-=S= 
 
 4- 
 
 r— i.:n 
 
 lj|.olon T. Hutehins, farmer, section 26, In- 
 jersoll Township, is a son of Perley and 
 [l^' Percy (Peake) Hutehins, who were natives 
 of Vermont and passed their lives there. 
 
 Tiie subject of this sketch was born in the 
 Green Mountain State, March i, 1820, lived in 
 his native State until 25 years of age, then ten years 
 in Massachusetts, in various pursuits, then about 
 five years in Vermont again, then three years in 
 Genesee Co., Mich., and in November, 1856, came 
 to Midland County, purchasing 80 acres of unim- 
 proved land in Ingersoll Township, to which he has 
 since added 80 acres, and now has about 45 acres 
 under cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Hutehins was married in Nashville, N. H., 
 May 4, 1S48, to Joanna, daughter of George and 
 Ellen (Blake) Cooley, of finglish ancestry. She was 
 born in Lowell, Mass., May i, 1825. To Mr. and 
 Mrs. H. have been born five children, namely : Al- 
 bert A., George H., Byron R., Edward C. and Eva 
 E. Albert A. died Sept 6, 1865. 
 
 In regard to political affairs, Mr. H. is counted 
 Democrat. 
 
 ^.^J!-J|— ;^.^ 
 
 illiam Magee, farmer, section i, Jerome 
 
 ^.li^SKiyg Township, was born May 16, 1842, in 
 i'^^'ri'^" Canada, and is the son of John and Mar- 
 s' garet (Cronkright) Magee. His parents were 
 born in the State of New York and are de- 
 ceased. 
 
 Mr. Magee was, from the age of six years until he 
 reached mature life, a waif on the tide of humanity, 
 and managed as well as he could to support himself. 
 On arriving at a suitable age, lie engaged in work in 
 the lumber woods, spending the winter seasons in 
 that employment, and farming summers. He also 
 spent one year in a store at Port Rowan, Canada. 
 
 A 
 
 
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 sy 
 
 ^ 
 
 C', 
 
 V 
 
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 I 
 
1 
 
I 
 
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 (!) 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 4^^C(®V::; 
 
 291 
 
 In i860 lie came to Saginaw, and attended school in 
 the winter and worked during the next summer on a 
 farm. After spending a year in Saginaw, he returned 
 to Canada, where he spent five years in the lumber 
 woods, working on a farm and as salesman in a store. 
 In the spring of 1S66 he returned to Michigan and 
 settled in Midland County, where he has since re- 
 sided. He first purchased a farm located two miles 
 from that on which he now resides, of which he re- 
 tained the ownership about one year. He has owned 
 two other farms successively, and in May, 187 1, took 
 
 <|% possession of the place on which he has since lived. 
 
 ^ It was partly improved at the date of his purchase, 
 and at the present 60 acres are in creditable cultiva- 
 tion. Mr. Magee has served tcvo terms as Highway 
 Commissioner, and eight terms as Supervisor, and is 
 still filling the position. 
 
 He was married May 20, 1871, to Frances Etta, 
 daughter of Jeremiah and Laura E. (Smith) Holmes. 
 She was born Sept. 5, 1850. Her father died Oct. 
 19, 1868, in this township. Her mother is yet living, 
 with Mrs. Magee. The three children born of this 
 union are recorded as follows: Georgiana E. was 
 born May ig, 1872 ; Alma A. was born June 9, 1875 ; 
 William A. was born Aug. 30, 1878. 
 
 aniel M. Turner, farmer on section 18^ 
 , Jasper Township, was born in Jefferson 
 
 Co., Wis., Jan. 29, 1854, the son of Samuel 
 and Grace (McLaughlin) Turner, and re- 
 mained at home until 21 years old. At the age 
 of ten, he came with his parents from the Bad- 
 ger State to Lapeer Co., Mich., and a year later to 
 Midland County. On attaining his majority he be- 
 came the possessor of 50 acres on section 18, Jasper, 
 where he has since made his home. 
 
 Jan. I, 1877, he was joined in matrimony with 
 Miss Ellen McCoy, daughter of Gilbert E. and Han- 
 nah (Russell) McCoy. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy were 
 born in Ohio and Connecticut, of Scotch and English 
 ancestry. The fohner now resides in Jasper Town- 
 ship; the latter died in that township, Nov. 15, 1879, 
 aged 51. Mrs. Turner, their daughter, was born in 
 Ingham County, this State, May 11, 1857, and was 
 two years old when her parents removed to Seville 
 Township, Gratiot County, and five years old when 
 
 ®,^^(k^ 
 
 they removed thence to St. John's, Clinton County. 
 Here she lived 12 years, and received her education. 
 In 1873 she came with her parents to this county. 
 The three children born of her marriage to Mr. Tur- 
 ner were born and named as follows': Nelson, Oct. 
 I, 1877; Reuben, April 20, 1879 (died Sept. 17, 
 1879); Gracie, Aug. 22, 1880. 
 
 Mr. T. has about 15 acres of his place improved. 
 He is in political views a Republican, and has held 
 the office of Drain Commissioner four years. 
 
 ilbert Currie, deceased, formerly a resident 
 on section 35, Midland Township, was born 
 
 WF ^ Feb. 20, 1859, in the township of Haldi- 
 mand, in the county of the same name, On- 
 tario. He was the son of John and Mary 
 
 1 (McDonald) Currie, natives of Argyleshire, 
 Scotland. The parents grew to maturity in their 
 native land, where they were married. Two years 
 after that event, in 1848, they came to America and 
 settled in Haldimand, where they were farmers. 
 After a residence there of nearly 13 years, they re- 
 moved with their family to Midland County. They 
 had si.x children, born in the following order : John, 
 June 15, 1847 (see sketch); Margaret, Mrs. Cornelius 
 Howard, Dec. 25, 1849; Gilbert, who died three 
 weeks after .birth; Archibald, April r, 1851, died 
 Feb. 14, 1865; Dougald, June 6, 1853 (see sketch); 
 and Gilbert, of this sketch. 
 
 Mr. Currie, senior, on settling in Midland, bought 
 53 acres of land, which he increased to 123 acres bv 
 two subsequent purchases of 30 and 40 acres re- 
 spectively. It was in an entirely wild condition, and 
 on this farm father and sons labored until the death 
 of the former, which occurred .April 2, 1875, caused 
 by an attack of pleurisy. The mother resides with 
 her son Dougald. 
 
 Gilbert Currie received a common-school education 
 and grew to manhood under the care and training 
 of his parents. He possessed the sterling traits of 
 the race to which he belonged, and had planned a 
 life of usefulness and effort. On the death of his 
 father he came into possession of 40 acres of land, 
 and was engaged in its improvement with every pur- 
 pose of pursuing the vocation to which he had been 
 bred, when he was summoned hence. He died in 
 Saginaw, April 7, i88r, from the resultsof an accident. 
 
 I 
 
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 ^nnsnii>^-^ 
 
 TT" 
 
 (b 
 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 #^e(®^-l^ 
 
 The sudden ending of a strong, young life is a sharp 
 trial for those who liave watched and rejoiced in 
 its promise and development, but the after-thought, 
 though it cannot give sudden healing to the wound, 
 is full of rest and peace. The unsullied soul, the 
 proud, hopeful heart, the aspirations of the ambitious 
 nature, all found perpetual purity, unchanging frui- 
 tion and eternal life in the liome of endless day to 
 which they were called. 
 
 The portrait of Gilbert Currie, which is given on 
 another page, is inserted in this volume by his sister, 
 Mrs. Howard, and his brothers, John and Dougald, 
 as an imperishable memento of tlieir unfaltering love 
 and remembrance of him who has gone just a little 
 before, and awaits them and his mother within the 
 glory and brightness of the spheres. 
 
 .0 
 
 ^i I 
 
 
 ^.J>fi§»lES» 
 
 ■•'l',-'','-JI'^- 
 
 11 
 
 •■■ffxl Pennsylvania-German parentage, born Seiit. 7, 
 1812, and the mother born in Canada, of New 
 
 bram L. Wismer, farmer on section 15, 
 
 _—^^ Hope Township, is a son of Abram and 
 
 '■^1 Isabella (Lincoln) Wismer, the former of 
 
 England parentage, June 25, 1827. The 
 father was by occupation a carpenter and pump 
 manufacturer, and died in Elgin Co., Can., April 27, 
 1876. The mother died in Billings Tp., Gladwin 
 Co., Mich., Nov. 18, 1877. Abram's grandfather 
 lived to the venerable age of 97. 
 
 The subject of this biography was born in Mala- 
 hide Township, Elgin Co., Can., Nov. 9, 1854, and 
 was one of a family of nine — six sons and three 
 daughters. Three of the boys died in infancy. The 
 remainder of the family are yet living. He remained 
 at home until of age, learning his father's trade. He 
 came to this county in 1876, and soon after bought 
 his present farm on section 15, Hope Township. Of 
 this 40 acres he has improved 30, and he lias erected 
 a suitable frame house and barn. 
 
 May 12, 1878, he formed a life partnership with 
 Miss Ida M. McCrary. (See sketch of William Mc- 
 Crary.) The ceremony was performed at Midland 
 City, by Rev. W. H. Osborne. She was born June 
 20, 1856, in Onondaga Township, Ingham Co., Mich. 
 To this marriage have been given two sons: \ViIliam 
 
 H., who was born Jan. 23, 1879; and Adelbert J., 
 April 19, 1882, — both in Hope Township. 
 Politically, Mr. W. is a Republican. 
 
 ^■^^ 
 
 ^— 
 
 ^ 
 
 I eorge Higgins, proprietor of the Sanford 
 House at Sanford, vfa.s born Aug. 24, 1839, 
 
 (S~ ^ in Canada, and is the son of John and 
 ' Jp J Josette (Scheler) Higgins. His father died in 
 Springfield, Can. 
 
 Mr. Higgins began his contest with the 
 world when he was 1 1 years old. He has a natural 
 a|)titude for the use of tools and early in life learned 
 the business of boiler-making and blacksmithing. 
 He went from the Dominion to the State of New 
 York and came thence to Saginaw, Mich., about the 
 first of March, r865. He first found employment in 
 a brick-yard, where he continued five months. His 
 next remove was to Tittabawassee, where he operated 
 between three and four years. He went thence to 
 the city of Saginaw and engaged in keeping a board- 
 ing saloon. Eight months later he bought a hotel at 
 Edenville, Midland County. He continued its man 
 agement between two and three years, when the 
 property was destroyed by fire. The entire loss was 
 between four and five thousand dollars. He held an 
 insurance policy of $2,500, on which he realized 
 $2,000. He then came to Sanford and established 
 himself in the business of hotel-keeping in a frame 
 house on the bank of the river. It was situated on 
 the flat and was subject to the interesting vicissitudes 
 common to high water in this section of Michigan. 
 The lower floor was frequently flooded and business 
 suffered accordingly. In 1875 he bought his present 
 location of Charles Sanford, and moved his effects 
 hither in a scow. On his return the following day, 
 he found tlie water waist deep in the lower story of 
 the house he had left. May 15, 1884, he was again 
 visited l)y the destroying element, fire, and his hotel 
 was burned to the ground, together with a iwrtion of 
 the furniture. It was insured for $2,500, and the 
 furniture was insured for $500. At the present writ- 
 ing he is rebuilding. 1 
 
 Mr. Higgins owns a farm of 187 acres of land on ^K» 
 section 24, of Jerome Township, with 27 acres im- f® 
 proved. He also owns six town lots in Sanford. He 
 has officiated six terms as Highway Commissioner 
 and as Deputy Siieriff eight years. 
 
 
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 •ry 
 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY 
 
 4^^(@V|^ 
 
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 ^ He was married Aug. i6, 1861, to Elizabeth A.- 
 ?p daughter of William Henry and Helen (Hilliard) 
 '■II O'Connell. Her father was born Aug. 15, lySi.iii 
 'i Limerick. Ireland, and died Feb. 5, 1873, in Hamil- 
 i ton, Can. The mother was born June 8, 1796, in the 
 -^ city of Dublin, and died Oct. 20, 1873, in the same 
 place where the demise of her husband occurred. 
 Mrs. Higgins was born in Toronto, Can., Oct. 28, 
 1838. Following is the record of the children born 
 to Mr. and Mrs. Higgins: Henry A. was born Nov. 2, 
 1863, in Springfield, Can., and was married March 
 14, 1883, at Edenville, to Hattie J. Stratton. The 
 marriage ceremony was performed by Daniel Grover, 
 J. P. George T., the child of this marriage, was 
 born April 7, 1884. Helen J. Higgins was born 
 Aug. 10, 1864, at Georgetown, Can., and was mar- 
 ried Aug. 8, 1883, to W. A. Ryan at Sanford, by J. A. 
 Sprague, Presiding Elder at Big Rapids. Anna 
 Belle Higgins was born Aug. 13, 1871, at Edenville, 
 Mich. Albert Higgins was born Aug. 3, 1873, at 
 Sanford. 
 
 atts A. Chatterton, druggist, Coleman, 
 was born Jan. 14, 1856, in Ingham Co., 
 .m^^i^r Mich., and is a son of George A. and Jane 
 j||^> (Thompson) Chatterton, of English and Ger- 
 man descent. His father, a farmer, followed 
 agriculture several years after coming to Mich- 
 igan, sold his farm and removed to Hubbardston, 
 Ionia County, engaging in mercantile business; after 
 a while he sold out to his brother, since which time 
 he has been in the insurance business. 
 
 The subject of this sketch received his education 
 in the common schools of Ingham and Ionia Coun- 
 ties ; was ten years of age when his father removed 
 to Hubbardston, where he assisted him two years in 
 the store. When he became of age he went into 
 mercantile business with his uncle; three years after- 
 ward he sold out his interest to him and engaged in 
 (^ the grocery business at Bancroft ; two years after that 
 I he sold out again and engaged in general merchan- 
 J}^ disc at Leaton, Isabella County, and in two years he 
 "(^ again sold and came to Coleman, purchased a build- 
 -j( ing and set up in the drug trade, including books 
 r^ and sundries, and is doing well. 
 V Feb. 16, 1879, Mr. C. married Miss Eva L., daugh- 
 
 ter of James and Amanda (Haver) Rummer, of Ger- 
 man and French descent. Her father is living on a 
 farm in North Shade Township, Gratiot Co., Mich., 
 and her mother in Shiawassee Co., Mich., in 1865. 
 She (Mrs. C.) was born Dec. 6, 1858, in the last 
 mentioned county. Mr. and .Mrs. C. have one child, 
 Elva L , born March 14, 1884. 
 
 -» 
 
 A A 
 
 7~r 
 
 
 E>- 
 
 ilbert B. Goflf, farmer on section 9, Hope 
 Tp., was born Fel>. 27, 1836, in Licking Co., 
 Ohio, the son of Shadrach and Hannah 
 (Grabiel) Goff. The father was a native of 
 Rutland Co., Vt., and of English descent, and 
 died in I,icking Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1869, 
 at the age of 63. The mother was of German de- 
 scent and died in the same county as her husband. 
 There were th^ee sons and one daughter in their 
 family, all of whom are yet alive. 
 
 The subject of this record remained at home until 
 of age, receiving a common-school education. He then 
 rented a farm for some four years, at the expiration 
 of which time he came to this State and county with 
 a man named Conard and four others, for the pur- 
 pose of hunting and trapping. Conard and Mr. Goff 
 remained, while in a few months the remainder re- 
 turned East. For six years after coming, he boarded 
 with Capt. Marsh, at Midland. He passed four win- 
 ters in hunting and trapping, and devoted the re- 
 mainder of his time to lumbering. 
 
 He was united in wedlock April 10, 1866, with 
 Miss Emily A Marsh, daughter of Alvin and Laura 
 A. (Holmes) Marsh. Mr. M. was born in Tompkins 
 Co., N. Y., and Mrs. M. in Onondaga Co., same 
 State, near Syracuse. They moved to Saginaw Co., 
 this State, in the fall of 1854, and came to Midland 
 County in the fall of 1859. They now reside in 
 Edenville Township. Mrs. Goff, their daughter, was 
 born Sept. 30, 1847, in New Hudson Townshii), 
 Allegany Co., N. Y. 
 
 Mr. Goff and wife settled in the spring of 1867 on 
 his farm, which he had purchased in 1861. At the 
 time they made their home there, but six acres were 
 cleared. He has added no acres to his original 
 purchase of 60 acres. Three children have been 
 added to the family circle: Gilbert B., born Aug. 27, 
 
 9 
 
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^^r®^^9<|- -^^&<^ r--7<inil^liD^> 
 
 294 
 
 V X .HU<C>HU. • V 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY 
 
 
 ) 
 
 1871, in Fveeland, Mich.; Krnest A., born March 24, 
 1873, in Hopo Townshii); and Laura A., Imrii June 
 19, i88i, also in Hope Township. 
 
 Mr, Ci. is poHtically a Rci)ul)Hcan, bul has iini- 
 lorinly dcrhiK'd the official jiosition tendered him. 
 He and wile are members of the Seventh-Pay Ad- 
 venlists. 1 le rememiicrs many interesting inciilenis 
 of tile early years of this county, and regards Mr. 
 John l.arkin with esiiecial gratilviile, for having in 
 i8()j indorsed a note and Ihus helped him to get his 
 first yoke of cattle. 
 
 -v'^l^^l'f osoph E. Opono, farmer on section 5, Lee 
 E- Township, is a son of George Openo, whose 
 11^.* sketch is given elsewhere in this Aii.um. 
 He was born in Oakland ("o., Mich., May 6, 
 1854, and lived at his parental home, assisting 
 on the farm and attending school, until he was 
 25 years of age, when he married Miss Adella E. 
 Taylor, who was born in Milford Township, that 
 county, and one year after their nuirriago they came 
 and settled where he now resides. She died, of con- 
 sumption, at her home, March 19, 18S2, a member 
 of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church. She left one 
 child, ],o/.ada 1,., who was born ^L'ly 7, 18S0. 
 
 Mr. Openo has held the otlice of Township Treas- 
 urer two years, and is now Justice of the I'eace. As 
 to political issues lie voles with the Reiniblican 
 party. 
 
 -5 ■^■^^>^^^^ — 
 
 jai'k E. Turner, farmer on section 51, 
 Ias\ier Township, was born iu I'ulaski 
 '^'iP'Jj^ 'Township, Jackson Co., Mich.. May 1, 
 ylS(^^\ 1S41, the son of Henry and S.im.iiitlia 
 (r>aker) Turner, natives of New York and 
 Massachusetts, and of New I'higland ancestry. 
 The father h.is followed agriculture all his life, came 
 to Jackson County when it was very new and Michi- 
 gan was n Territory, and is now a resident of Jasper 
 Township, this county. The mother tiled in Jacksim 
 County, about 1857. 
 
 The subject of this biography is the seccnd child 
 and second son in a family of four children, and was 
 reared in his father's home in Jackson County. He 
 
 worked for his father until 25 years old, at which age 
 he was married. This event occurred in his n.itive 
 tt)wnship, Jan. 1, 1865, anil the lady of his choice 
 was Miss Mary Huik, daughter of Samuel ami llar- 
 liel (Waller) lUuU, natives of New iMiglaml and of 
 ICnglish descent. Mr. Uuck is now a resident of 
 .1'',tna Township, Mecosta Counly. Mrs. Turner 
 was Inirn in t)rleans Co., N. \'., Jan 17, 1847, anil 
 came with Ikt p.ncnls lo this Stale when seven years 
 of age. 
 
 In A|iril, 1865, Mr. and Mrs. Turner came lo Cra- 
 liol County, remaining l8 months ; then they returneil 
 to Jackson I'ounly for a year, after which they car- 
 rieil on f.irming in h'tna Township, Mecosta County, 
 until 1878. In that year they came to this counly 
 and purchased 80 acres of land in Jasper 'I'ownship. 
 lie has now 35 acres improved. 
 
 Mr. T. is a Republican and has held the minor 
 offices of hivs township. To his family have belonged 
 si.x children, as follows: Kali)h,born Dec. 25, 1S65 ; 
 Fred, June 18, 186S; Eva, May 10,1870; Florence, 
 Aug. 5, 1874 (died Se])t. 26, 1874); Lewis, June 28, 
 1877, and h'slella, July 10, 1880. 
 
 
 
 ■— *w-^-i-Si^-- 
 
 ^W^, 
 
 j-^Ai'^^zra C. Goodapood, farmer, section 32, Tn- 
 c U^^iik iu' gcrsoll Township, was born .April 11, 18141 
 (/||iW^ wheie is now ihe famous Saratoga Springs. 
 *■'' His father, Daniel Cioods[)eed, descended from 
 iMiglish parents, and died in Steuben Co., N. Y., 
 about the year 1.850. His mother died when 
 he was bat four years old. He soon fell under the 
 care of a step-mother, whose treatment of the mother- 
 less chilil awakened the indignation ol the neighbors, 
 by whom his cause was defended and he maile the 
 recipient of their kind orticcs until he was old enough 
 lo coiUenil with the world in his own behalf, lie 
 makes this [lennanent record of the kindness he le- 
 ceived with a graliiude that has increased with the 
 passing years. When he was 14 years old he went 
 to the county of Tyrone, I'a., where he engaged in 
 farm labor and lumbering four years. He went next 
 to I'orlage Co., Ohio, and, two years subsequently, 
 to the city of Milwaukee, where he stayed two years, 
 occupied chiefly as a carpenter. At the end of that 
 time he went to Huron Co., Ohio, and pursued the 
 same vocation. 
 
 (^ 
 
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 i^@§^^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 9 
 
 297 
 
 
 
 V 
 
 (J) 
 
 He was married Dec. 24, 1840, to Cordelia Cain. 
 She was born in Huron County, Nov. 30, 1825, and 
 has been the mother of eleven chilren, five of whom 
 are deceased. Their names are Elijah E., Edwin 
 E., Daniel E., Mary R., Loretta F., Ada M., Willard, 
 Alfonso and Alonzo (twins) William R. and Rosetta. 
 
 The last four are deceased, together with an in- 
 fant, twin child with Willard, the youngest living. 
 
 From 1840 to 1865, Mr. Goodspeed worked at the 
 trade of a builder, and also pursued farming to some 
 extent. In the winter of 1863 he became a soldier 
 for the Union, enlisting in Co. C, 38th Ohio Vol. 
 Inf., his command being assigned to the Army of the 
 Cumberland. He participated in the engagements 
 at Buzzard's Roost and Resaca. At Kenesaw Moun- 
 tain he was taken sick, and was sent home on a fur- 
 lough on account of sickness. At its expiration he 
 returned to tlie hospital, and a week later reported 
 for duty. He was transferred to the Veteran Re- 
 serve Corps, where he remained until he received 
 honorable discharge. Soon after, he came to Michi- 
 gan and pre-empted 1 60 acres of land in IngersoU 
 Township. This has been his home since that time, 
 and he has devoted himself vigorously to the work 
 of improving and increasing the value of his home- 
 stead. He has about 20 acres under cultivation, and 
 in 1883 made an additional purchase of 57 acres of 
 wild land. At the time of the settlement of the 
 family everything was in the most primitive condi- 
 tion. Supplies of all kinds were obtained from East 
 Saginaw, at fabulous prices, and life was exempt from 
 no variety of hardship and privation common to pio- 
 neer settlers. 
 
 In political connections Mr. Goodspeed is a Dem- 
 ocrat. He organized the first school district in his 
 ,township, of which he was Director 1 1 years. He 
 has held numerous local offices. 
 
 thelbert J. Brewster, Postmaster at Mid- 
 land, was born January 31, 1842, near 
 Coburg in Ontario. His father, Johnson 
 -^ Brewster, IS still living in Ontario, where he has 
 passed his life in farming. The mother, Mar- 
 garet (Birney) Brewster, is deceased. 
 Mr. Brewster was bred to the business of farmer 
 until the age of 19 }ears, when he engaged in clerk- 
 
 ing. He moved from the Dominion to the State of 
 New York when he was 21 years old, and subse- 
 quently proceeded to Ohio. In 1864 he came to 
 Michigan and bought 160 acres of land, on section 
 27, in Hope Township, Midland County. It was all 
 in heavy timber, and he devoted his time and ener- 
 gies to placing it under improvements. In 1876 he 
 had 75 acres under good cultivation, and the farm 
 was supplied with creditable farm fixtures. In the 
 fall of that year he was nominated for the office of 
 County Treasurer on the Republican ticket, and 
 prosecuted a successful campaign. On account of 
 his official position he removed to town, and in 1878 
 purchased his present residence. He was re-elected 
 for three terms. After the expiration of his third 
 term he entered into a partnership with John J. 
 Ryan in the sale of hardware and agricultural im- 
 plements. The relation still exists, and their busi- 
 ness has been prosperous from the first. Their 
 stock is valued at about $8,000, and includes all kinds 
 of farming tools, wagons, buggies and carriages of all 
 kinds ; also the different varieties of stationary and 
 portable engines, boilers, etc. Mr. Brewster received 
 his appointment as Postmaster February 4, 1884. 
 He is a member of the Order of Masonry. 
 
 His marriage to Mandana McAllister took place in 
 May, 1865, at East Saginaw. She was borti in the 
 Dominion of Canada, and is the daughter of Angel 
 and Harriet Mc/Vllister. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster 
 have three children, born at Midland — William J., 
 Hettie and Anna. 
 
 Mr. Brewster's portrait appears on the opposite 
 page. 
 
 -— -<^« 
 
 oseph Barton, lumberman and farmer, sec- 
 tion 4, Mt. Haley Township, was born 
 Nov. 30, 1838, at Rochester, N. Y. Five 
 years later his parents went to Genesee, Livings- 
 ^r ton Co., N. Y., where they resided four years. 
 He was nine years old when they came to Alle- 
 gany Co., N. Y. After a residence of seven years 
 the family removed to Midland County, this State, 
 where, in October, 1854, his father located 320 acres 
 of unimproved land, in Homer Township. They died 
 there respectively in 1862 and 1871. 
 
 At the age of 22 years Mr. Barton became a lum- 
 berman, and has been engaged in that branch of 
 
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 9 
 
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 '298 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -^^ 4^^^(®Vl|^ 
 
 business every winter save two since he came to the 
 State. He was married Jan. 14, 1859, to Lucinda 
 J., daughter of John A. and Lucinda (Cogswell) 
 
 "^ Whitman. Her parents were born in Vermont and 
 T New York. Mrs. Barton is the second white child 
 
 (S; born in Midland County, and has lived all her life 
 within its borders. At the time of her birth, the 
 county consisted of one township and was unorgan- 
 ized. Following is the record of 1 1 children born to 
 Mr. and Mrs. Barton : Joseph H., born April 7, i86i ; 
 Julia L., Oct. 6, 1863; Ellen, Nov. 17, 1866; Cath- 
 erine, July 2, 1868; Roseltha, Aug. 23, 1872 ; Maud 
 A., Dec. II, 1876; Floyd, July 2, 1880. Clara, born 
 Feb. 20, 187 I, died Sept. 4, 1873; Cora, born April 
 18, 1S65, died Feb. 10, 1866; two babies died in 
 infancy, one of whom was born Jan. 31, 1882, and 
 died Feb. 25, following. 
 
 After marriage, Mr. Barton managed his father-in- 
 law's farm for a time. He afterwards bought 73 acres 
 \ in Homer Township, where he lived one year and 
 then sold out and followed the lumber business 
 
 /^ solely until February, 1865, when he bought 40 acres 
 of land on wliich he has since resided. In 1S75 he 
 purchased 20 acres additional. It was all covered 
 with primeval forest at the time of settlement, and 
 all supplies were brought hither in boats on the Pine 
 River. He has placed 58 acres under cultivation. 
 
 obert A. Turner, farmer on section i8 
 
 J, jT Jasper Township, was born in Racine Co., 
 
 .jiv^ Wis , Sept. II, 1857, the son of Samuel and 
 
 J'"'' Grace (McLaughlin) Turner. He remained 
 
 with his father in his native county until 12 
 
 years old, then came to Lapeer County, this State, 
 
 for one year, and then, still with his parents, came 
 
 to Jasper Township, this county. 
 
 He lived at home, assisting his father on the farm, 
 until 22 years old, when he was married, at St. Louis, 
 March 29, 1874, to Miss Hattie Keifer, daughter of 
 John Keifer. The latter was by occupation a farmer, 
 and was killed in the late war. His widow now re- 
 sides in Arcada Township, Gratiot County. Mrs. 
 Turner was born near Portland, Mich., in .Ipril, 1852. 
 
 After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. T. settled on his 
 farm of 50 acres on section 18, Jasper Township, of 
 which he became owner on attaining his majority, 
 
 >5 
 
 by gift from his father. He has cleared 30 acres, 
 and 20 acres are in cidtivation. He is politically a 
 Democrat. He has held the offices of Township 
 Clerk (three years), and School Inspector, and is now 
 Township Treasurer. The four children now in- 
 cluded in his family are named Lillie, Lena, Edith 
 and Ethel. The two last named are twins. 
 
 arshall H. Smith, the efficient and gen- 
 tlemanly clerk at the Oscar House, Mid- 
 land City, was born Dec. 19, 1841, in 
 Warren Co., N. J., about five miles from the 
 Delaware River, and is the son of James M. 
 and Mary A. (Mericle) Smith. The former was 
 born in New Jersey, in 1810, and died in 1880, in 
 his native State. The latter was born in 181 2, and 
 died in 1881. 
 
 Mr. Smith was reared on a farm and sustained 
 himself after reaching the age of eight years. The 
 Southern Rebellion broke out before he was 2 i years 
 of age, and just previous to reaching his majority he 
 entered the service of the United States. He en- 
 listed in August, 1862, in Co. B, 31st N. J. Vol. Inf. 
 He was in the army a year and was personally en- 
 gaged in the first battle of Fredericksburg, and the 
 second fight at Chancellorsville, besides being in- 
 volved in numberless skirmishes. He received an 
 honorable discharge, and subsequently passed two 
 years in the pursuit of agriculture in his native State. 
 He then came to Ohio, and passed a year at Fre- 
 mont, after which he came to Michigan. 
 
 He was married Jan. 22, 1868, to Ella Thompson, 
 of Lapeer, Mich. She was born in 1850, and is the 
 daughter of Hawley and Betsey Thompson. Of this 
 marriage two children have been born : Clifford H., 
 who was born Oct. 31, 1869, and died Sept. 16, 1879 ; 
 and Ray, who was born July 18, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Smith came to Midland in 1868, and, in com- 
 pany with his father-in-law, he opened a meat-market, 
 which continued in operation one year. His ne.xt 
 employment was in the shingle-mill of John Larkin, 
 where he remained less than two years. For four 
 years succeeding he operated as a salesman in the 
 mercantile establishment of Mr. Larkin, since which 
 he has acted in the capacity of hotel clerk. He has 
 managed the duties of his position at the Oscar 
 
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 -Kmm^^> 
 
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 T<^Dn^IlU>>r 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 (^ 
 
 House three years, and has secured the confidence 
 of the traveHng pubHc. The guests of the hotel are 
 indebted to his considerate care to a great degree for 
 their comfort and pleasure while availing themselves 
 of its privileges. 
 
 ^'ji^ 1 5 illiam Windover, farmer, stockman and 
 '} llEikl I'' lumberman, resident on section 14, Homer 
 ,, Township, was born Jan. 17, 185 i, in On- 
 5> tario. Can. In 1872 he came with his 
 father to Michigan and located in the village 
 of Midland, where they remained three years, 
 engaged in the lumber business. In 1875, they be- 
 gan the purchase of their now extensive farm in 
 Homer Township, buying 80 acres of fallow land, 
 and not long afterward purchased 80 acres on section 
 15. A short time subsequently they bought another 
 80-acre tract on the same section, and in 1882 a 
 fourth "80 " was purchased, on section 14. On the 
 latter Mr. Windover has recently erected a good res- 
 idence, at a cost of $1,000. In 1883 he bought 40 
 acres more, which swelled the aggregate to 360 acres. 
 Of this a goodly portion is well improved. The 
 place has a large stock and grain barn, and is well 
 stocked with a valuable herd of cattle. Mr. Wind- 
 over is a Re[)ublican in politics, and is present Clerk 
 of Homer Township. He has served two terms as 
 School Treasurer. 
 
 He was married Aug. 16, 1877, in Midland City, 
 to Mattie Starks. She was born March 4, 1854, in 
 the State of New York, and was brought to Michigan 
 by her parents when six months old. Ella, born 
 June 17, 1878; Sophronia, Oct. 16, 1880, and Wil- 
 liam, Feb. 12, 1S83, are the children born of this 
 marriage. 
 
 I illiam H. Mills, farmer on section 27, Hope 
 Township, was born in Ontario, Can.. 
 29, 185 1, the son of Samuel and 
 Sarah (Fillmore) Mills. The parents are of 
 English descent, natives of Nova Scotia, 
 came to Ontario in 1859, and to Midland 
 County in 1861, where they yet reside. Their son 
 William was ten years old when the family came to 
 the Peninsular State, and has since made his home 
 
 in Hope Township. He has now a farm of 70 acres, 
 30 acres being now in cultivation. 
 
 June II, 1877, is the date of his marriage to Miss 
 Annie Ostrander, daughter of John C. and A.nna 
 (Pratt) Ostrander. Mrs. Mills was born in St. Clair 
 Co., Mich., March 8, 1859, and when between two 
 and three years old she lost her mother, and she 
 therefore grew up under the care of her father and a 
 step-mother. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have been blessed 
 with three children: Ernest W., born Nov. 19, 1878; 
 Estella R., Nov. 10, 1880, and Clayton D. W., Aug. 
 2, 1883. All were born in Hope Township. 
 
 Mr. M. has been Township Clerk two terms, and 
 is now serving his third term as Township Treasurer. 
 
 -5 ^^^^^-i^S-V^^- 
 
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 ^t|^|Sfrirain G. Thornton, farmer, section 2, Je- 
 (5)^^^ ronie Township, was born in Monroe, Ash. 
 ^v^ tabula Co., Ohio, April 9, 1840, and is the son 
 \ of Isaac and Rachel A. (Goodsell) Thornton. 
 I The parents were natives of Massachusetts, 
 and the father died in Erie Co., Pa. The mother is 
 living in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. 
 
 When Mr. Thornton was 1 2 years old, the family 
 removed to Erie Co., Pa., and settled in Greene Town- 
 ship, where his father bought 80 acres of land, hav- 
 ing sold his farm of 80 acres in Ohio. On this Mr. 
 Thornton remained until he was of age, when he 
 engaged as a farm laborer by the month. 
 
 Five days after he reached the period of his legal 
 freedom, the assault on Fort Sumter sent a thrill of 
 amazement around the world, and five months later, 
 in September, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, 29th Ohio 
 Vol. Inf., and was mustered out during the last days 
 of December, 1863; within the year he re-enlisted, or 
 veteranized, and was in the service until June, 1865. 
 His first battle was at Winchester, under Gen. Shields, 
 followed by the engagements at Port Republic, Cedar 
 Mountain, Bull Run (2d), South Mountain, Antietam, 
 Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. 
 The regiment was then assigned to the corps of Gen. 
 Hooker, Maj. Gen. Sherman commanding. Mr. 
 Thornton was in the battles of Lookout Mountain 
 and Buzzard's Roost. In the latter engagement he 
 was wounded below the right knee, and, in falling, 
 broke three ribs. He was in the siege of Atlanta and 
 started with Sherman for the sea, but three days later 
 
 I 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 was captured and was held prisoner at Florence 
 until near the close of the war. He was paroled about 
 the time of the surrender of Gen. Johnston, and was 
 kept in the woods about two weeks at Goldsboro, 
 N. C. He went thence to Wilmington, N. C, whence 
 he proceeded to Annapolis, and from there was sent 
 home on a furlough. He was so much emaciated 
 that on leaving Annapolis he was removed from the 
 the boat on a stretcher. On reaching home he be- 
 came ill from small-po.x, which he survived as he 
 had done the privations of prison life. On recovery 
 he returned to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he received 
 his discharge. 
 
 He bought a small farm in Ashtabula County, 
 which he continued to manage five years, and in 
 1874 he removed to Midland County, where he en- 
 tered a homestead claim of So acres in the township 
 of Edenville. On this he resided si.\ years and 
 received his patent from the United States. He 
 then removed to the place known as the "Ox-Bow 
 Farm," which he worked one year, and at the expir- 
 ation of that time he returned to his own property. 
 He now owns 138 acres, with 30 acres improved. Mr. 
 Thornton is a Republican and has served four terms 
 as Township Treasurer. 
 
 He was married about the last of December, 1865, 
 to Tasa M., daughter of J. D. C. and Tasa (Brown) 
 Hinkle. Her father was born Jan. 27, 1803, in 
 Maryland, and died in February, 1 881, in Kentland, 
 Newton Co., Ind. Her mother was born Oct. 5, 
 1809, in Onondaga Co., N. Y., and died in December, 
 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton have become the 
 parents of six children, recorded as follows : George 
 A. was born May 14, 1866; Nettie M., Dec. 31, 
 1867 ; Tasa A., June 27. 1870 (died when three years 
 old); Clare B., Sept. 21, 1S74; Charles D., Oct. 12, 
 1879; Hattie M., Nov. 6, 1882. 
 
 ;';.I'-f[n.f'ohn C. Howley, farmer, section 27, Mt. 
 - Haley Township, was born Dec. 25, 1845^ 
 ■' in Leeds Co., Ont. His parents, Hugh and 
 Catherine (Carey) Howley, were natives of Ire- 
 land and are deceased. 
 
 Mr. Howley left his native province when 
 he was 16 years old and became a lumberman in the 
 woods near Port Austin, Huron Co., Mich, After a 
 
 time he returned to his former home, whence, ' 
 not long after, he returned to Michigan and located 
 at Saginaw, where he resumed his former occupa- 
 tion of lumberman. 
 
 His marriage to Lauretta T. Goodspeed occurred 
 at Saginaw City, March 23, r877. She is the daugh- 
 ter of E. C. and Cordelia (Cain) Goodspeed, natives 
 respectively of New York and Oliio. The father is 
 of New England parentage, the mother of Irish an- 
 cestry. (See sketch of E. C. Goodspeed ) Mr. G. 
 is 70 years old; his wife is 59 years of age. Their 
 family record includes the names of eight sons and 
 three daughters. Four of the former and one of the 
 latter are deceased. Mrs. Howley is the seventh child 
 in order of birth, and second daughter. She was born 
 in Williams Co., Ohio, Jan 22, 1859, and came to 
 Midland County when she was six years old. She 
 was an eager and ambitious scholar, and at the age 
 of r4 years became a teacher, in which avenue she 
 labored until her marriage. Two children have been ( m 
 born to her and her husband. Hugh, only living ^ ' 
 child, was born July 4, T879. An infant died April /S 
 14, 1878. = 
 
 Mr. Howley owns 40 acres of land in Mt. Haley (V>' 
 Township, and has improved 20 acres. In his politi- "^ 
 cal tendencies he is a Democrat and has held the 
 minor local offices in the township. 
 
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 ornelius Howard, farmer, section 31, Mid- 
 ^^ land Township, was born Feb. 16, 1842, 
 
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 in Dryden, Lapeer Co., Mich. He is the son 
 of Nelson and Theresa (Beardsley) Howard. 
 The former was born in 181 7, in Canada, and 
 after his marriage removed to Lapeer Co., 
 Mich., where he reared his family. 
 
 Mr. Howard, of this sketch, grew to manhood on 
 his father's farm and became a soldier during the 
 first year of the war, enlisting in December, i86r, in 
 the Michigan volunteer service. He was on active 
 duty until in August, r862, when he was seized with<^ 
 illness and transferred to the hospital at Keokuk, I 
 Iowa. His father left his home to proceed thither, ^i? 
 going to Detroit to take the cars. When near the @ 
 city the team took fright and ran away. Mr. How- >* 
 ard, senior, was thrown from the wagon, and received ^~ 
 what was supposed to be a slight injury on his head. ^ 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 He boarded the cars as he had planned, and reached 
 Keokuk, two days later, where he died, Sept. 1 1, three 
 days after his arrival and five days after sustaining a 
 seemingly insignificant injury. 
 
 Mr. Howard was discharged two days after his 
 father's death, and returned to Michigan. In the 
 fall of 1864 he removed to the township of Midland. 
 He at once interested himself in the erection of a 
 shingle-mill, the first structure of the kind in Mid- 
 land County, in which he was associated with his 
 uncle, Theodore Howard. They made the first 
 sawed shingles in this county. Mr. Howard is the 
 proprietor of a farm of 40 acres, situated on section 
 31. In political views and connection he is a Re- 
 publican of decided type. He is at present School 
 Director in his district. 
 
 Mr. Howard was married May 19, 1865, to Miss 
 Margaret Currie. She was born Dec. 25, 1848, in 
 Canada, and is the daughter of John and Mary Cur- 
 rie. (See sketch of Gilbert Currie.) Following is the 
 record of the children now included in the family of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Howard : Franklin G. was born March 
 I, 1867; William H., March 14, 1869; Charles W., 
 Sept. 3, 187 1 ; Cornelius, June 22, 1874; Archie, 
 Sept. 22, 1878; Mabel, Jan. i, 1881; James, Jan. 19, 
 1S84. 
 
 acob Henry Wismer, farmer on section 
 
 r 27, Hope Townsliip, was born in Yarmouth, 
 
 Ont., May 9, 1853, the son of Abram and 
 
 Isabella (Lincoln) Wismer, the former of Penn- 
 "^r sylvania-German parentage, born Sept. 7, 181 2, 
 
 and the mother born in Canada, of New Eng- 
 land parentage, June 25, 1827. The father was by 
 occupation a carpenter and pump manufacturer, and 
 died in Elgin Co., Can., April 27, 1876. The mother 
 died in Billings Township, Gladwin County, Nov. 18, 
 1877. Jacob Henry's grandfather lived to the ven- 
 erable age of 97. 
 
 After the death of the father, the family decided to 
 try Michigan as a home, and the three sons, with 
 their sister Almira, settled in Gladwin County, where 
 J. Heniy and Abram L. bought 160 acres in partner- 
 ship, Sept. 15, 1876. Mrs. Wismer followed theni 
 from Canada six months later, but died after six 
 months' residence at her new home. In the spring 
 of 1878, Mr. W. sold his interest in that farm, and 
 
 purchased 40 acres elsewhere. He cleared this 
 place and sold it, and in the meantime he rented 90 / 
 
 acres where he now resides. After four years he 
 bought the same. He has now 72 acres improved, a 
 comfortable home and good farm buildings. 
 
 April 14, 1 87 8, he was married to Miss Alice Mel- 
 vina McCrary, daughter of William and Agnes (Mc- 
 Williams) McCrary. (See sketch of Wm. McCrary.) 
 She was born Feb. 23, 1862, in Lincoln (now Hope) 
 Township, and died Feb. 10, 1S84, of spinal disease, 
 leaving one son to her bereaved husband, — Freder- 
 ick, born Aug. i, 1882, in Hope Township. 
 
 In political opinion, Mr. W. is a Republican. 
 
 ►^HiB-<^ 
 
 1 1 ''I i I '^ ilbur Lanphierd, farmer, section 24, in 
 'IIs^-^Jl the Township of Jerome, was born Oct. 
 
 He is a son 
 
 jK^'p 18, 1843, in Bolton, Canada. 
 
 V) 
 
 ^^Ik^' of Thomas W. and Eliza (Davis) Lanphierd. J 
 ^ His father was born Jan. 9, 1810, in New "jL 
 ^ Hampshire, and died Aug. 7, 1883. ^ 
 
 He was a physician and spent his life in the^ 
 practice of his profession. His mother was born *^ 
 April 12, 1820, and resides with her son, O. S. Lan~=; 
 phierd, in Lincoln Township, Midland County. They 
 parents lived for a number of years in Canada, and 
 went in 1845 ^o Jefferson Co., N. Y., and about a 
 year later went to Livingston Co., Mich., where they 
 remained about two years. At the end of that time 
 they went to Highland, Oakland Co., Mich., and a 
 year later settled at Rose's Corners in the same 
 county. In 1S54 they removed to Genesee Co., 
 Mich. 
 
 The civil war broke out a few months before Mr. 
 Lanphierd was 18 years old, and not long after that 
 period arrived he became a soldier. He enlisted 
 Dec. 9, 1861, in Co. I, loth Mich. Vol. Inf , and was 
 mustered out Feb. 5, 1864. The regiment veteran- 
 ized the following day and was again mustered out 
 July 19, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., ai'ter the close of 
 the war. The command was attached to the West-( 
 em Army. The first battle in which his regiment | 
 was engaged was at Farmington, near Corinth. The-fA. 
 command remained in that position until about the (~ 
 middle of August, and afterwards was stationed on^ 
 the routes and bridges of the railroads running tO/ 
 Nashville. The regiment was cut off from supplies 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -^^K<®VM 
 
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 for two months and foraged for maintenance. It was 
 under Gen. Nagley while stationed near Nashville, 
 and was afterward transferred to the Army of the 
 Cumberland and assigned to the First Brigade, Sec- 
 ond Division, 14th Army Corps, under Gen. Thomas. 
 Mr. Lanphierd was in the action at Stone River, 
 Mission Ridge, and in the campaign under Sherman 
 from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and thence to the sea. 
 He was present at the surrender of Joe Johnston and 
 marched to Washington, where he participated in 
 the Grand Review. 
 
 Leaving the army, he came to South Saginaw, where 
 he worked in a mill for three years, and then he 
 came to Lincoln Township, this county. Home- 
 steading 80 acres of land, he remained there five 
 years. Selecting this place, he lived the five years 
 ensuing in Larkin Township. Since then he has re- 
 sided on section 24, Jerome Township, except a year 
 and a half in Oregon Township, Lapeer county. 
 
 Mr. Lanphierd was married April 3, 1864, to Hes- 
 ter, daughter of William Henry and Lavinia (Cogs- 
 well) Bassett. Her father was born Dec. 28, 1802, 
 and died Jan 24, t88o, in Oregon Township, Lapeer 
 ('o., Mich. The mother was born Feb. 18, 1S04, and 
 died in June, iS6r, in Oregon. Mrs. Lanphierd was 
 born May 1 1, 1 845, at Mt. Morris, Genesee Co., N. Y. 
 Following is the record of the children born to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Lanphierd : Idella E., Dec. 27, 1864; Wm. R., 
 born Aug. i., 1866, died five days later; Alibella, 
 born Aug. 3, 186S, died Aug. 18 of the same year; 
 Charles F., born June 9, 1870, died Sept. 15, 1870; 
 Charles E., born Oct. 27, 1874; Andrew J., born 
 Aug. r3, 1876. Mrs. Lanphierd is a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 ohn Suiter, general farmer on section ig, 
 
 |||" Lee Township, was born in Oneida Co., 
 
 ^^ N. Y., Jan. 19, 1856. His parents, John 
 
 and Caroline Suiter, were natives of Germany, 
 
 |L and are now living in Oneida County, aged re- 
 
 y spectively about 70 and 60 years. His father 
 
 is a farmer. 
 
 Young John set out in the world for himself at the 
 age of ten years, at farm labor. Feb. 10, 1876, lie 
 married Miss Susan E. Higbee, who was born in 
 Lewis Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 1854. By this marriage 
 
 were two children: Burtie J., born Feb. 4, 1877, 
 and died May i, 1880; and Claude, born Feb. 6, 
 1 880. Two years after their marriage they emigrated 
 from the Empire State to this county, and subse- 
 quently purchased 80 acres on section 8, Lee Town- 
 ship. His wife died May 3, 1883, and June 18, fol- 
 lowing, he married Mary E. Wright, daughter of 
 Charles H. and Sarah (Scott) Wright, natives of Can- 
 ada and of Scotch descent. Mrs. S. was born in 
 Leavenworth Co., Kan., July 4, 1868. When she 
 was a year old her parents moved to Ontario, about 
 two years aftenvard to Lapeer Co., Mich., and thence, 
 in 1883, to this county. 
 
 In March, 1884, Mr. Suiter located on section ig, 
 Lee Township, where he owns 40 acres of land and 
 has commenced clearing. 
 
 In his political views Mr. S. is a Republican, and 
 he lias held the office of Township Clerk ever since 
 the organization of the township. He has also been 
 honored with other official positions, and in May, 
 t884, was appointed Postmaster of a new office on 
 section tg. 
 
 'F^^jili ohn McGregor, farmer and lumberman, 
 '\\^£il-~ residing on section 17, Midland Township, 
 V' is a son of William and Ann (Lochead) 
 McGregor, natives of Scotland. They emi- 
 ]L grated to Canada at an early day in the years 
 of their lives, and there married, lived, labored 
 and died. John McGregor, the subject of this 
 sketch, was born in Glengary Co., Ont., Feb. i, i83t. 
 He lived with his parents, assisting in the mainte- 
 nance of the family and attending the common 
 schools until he attained the age of 20 years. On 
 arriving at that age he went forth upon the sea of 
 time to battle against the trials of life alone. He 
 had served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's 
 trade previous to the age of 20, and followed that 
 trade more or less until 186 1, when he came to East 
 Saginaw, this State. He was variously occupied at 
 the latter place until March, 1864, and then came to 
 Midland City. On his arrival he purchased, in part- 
 nership with Alex. Findlater, a hotel, which they con- 
 ducted for about a year together, when Mr. F. pur- 
 chased Mr. McGregor's interest. He then erected a 
 hotel of his own, which was known as the " McGregor 
 Hotel," and continued as " mine host" for about two 
 
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 (i) 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 years, when, Jan. 28, 1867, it was destroyed by fire. 
 He then engaged in lumbering, which business he 
 has since followed. 
 
 Mr. McGregor was married June 24, 185 i, to Miss 
 Jane, daughter of James and Agnes (Miller) Sproul, 
 natives of Scotland. She was born in Stormont Co., 
 Ont., and is the mother of 13 children by Mr. McG. 
 The living are Agnes, William, Mary J., John, Mar- 
 garet A. and Elizabeth J. Those deceased are 
 James S., James, Ellen, Catherine, Daniel, Robinson 
 and Elizabeth. 
 
 In 1875 Mr. McGregor moved to Gladwin County, 
 this State, where he remained for about five years. 
 While residing there he was County Treasurer for 
 two terms, and was the first County Treasurer of the 
 county. He was also Justice of the Peace and held 
 minor offices. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. 
 O. F., and religiously, is a member of the Episcopal 
 Church. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian 
 Church. Politically, Mr. McGregor is a believer in 
 the doctrines of the Democratic party. 
 
 ^aniel L. Chamberlain, lumberman, Inger- 
 
 ,11, soil Township, resides with L. B. Cham- 
 
 bfV-^ berlain. (See sketch of the latter.) He 
 
 ^JSi was born in Midland Co., Mich., July 11, 
 
 C\ 1859; at the age of 16 he went into the 
 
 \ woods, and ever since that time he has been 
 
 engaged in lumbering, either in the woods or on the 
 
 river. 
 
 In his jx)litical views, Mr. Chamberlain is identi- 
 fied with the Republican party. 
 
 '^^^^■^^S'Wv^- 
 
 J-Shristopher Kraniek, farmer on section 17, 
 ^ Jasper Township, was born in Germany, 
 
 iRjJ May 15, 1850, the son of John and Jane 
 JL (Rhodes) Kraniek, natives of Germany. The 
 father is now a resident of Tuscola County, 
 this State; the mother died in her native 
 country. 
 
 When seven years old, Christopher came with his 
 father to America. They stopped for a number of 
 years in New York State, and in i868 came to Mich- 
 
 igan and settled in Fremont Tp., Tuscola County. 
 Here our subject resided until his marriage. This 
 event took place at Colaml)iaville, Lapeer Co., Mich., 
 Oct. 16, 1S75, and the lady of his choice was Miss 
 Sarah McLain, daughter of John and Sarah (Gal- 
 linger) McLain. The parents are of Scotch descent, 
 natives of Scotland and Ontario, respectively, and 
 now reside in Lapeer County. Mrs. K. was born in 
 the Province of Ontario, Feb. 18, 1857, came to La- 
 peer County with her parents when 15 years old, and 
 resided there till marriage. 
 
 Four years after this event, Mr. K. and wife came 
 to this county and settled on 40 acres on section 17, 
 Jasper, 30 acres of which are now inifjroved. They 
 have two children, — Florence, born Nov. i, 1878, 
 and Ernest, born Jan. 22, 1880. In political views, 
 Mr. K. is a Republican. 
 
 illiam Phetteplace, deceased, was a farmer 
 on section 14, IngersoU Township. His 
 parents, Eddy W. and Annie (Wlieeler) 
 l> Phetteplace, were natives of New England. 
 He was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. 
 • 4, 181 8, and lived in his native county until 
 al)0ut 2r years of age, when he taught school four 
 years in Jamestown, Chautauqua County, that State, 
 and one term in Carroll, same county. Next, he 
 taught school three years in Nashville, Tenn., and 
 then spent two years in Oakland Co., Mich., teaching 
 one winter; then for nine months he followed various 
 pursuits in Wyoming Co., N. Y.; then followed farm- 
 ing for five years, with an older brother, at Rushford, 
 Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., teaching two winter terms in 
 that village; next, he followed farming and teaching 
 for four years at Lafayette, McKean Co., Pa.; then 
 farming again for nearly four years in Erie Co., Pa.; 
 finally, in i860, he came to Saginaw County, and in 
 March, 1864, homesteaded 80 acres of Government 
 land on section 14, IngersoU Township, this county, 
 where he settled and lived till his death, which oc- 
 curred Nov. 18, 1883. He had about 25 acres under 
 cultivation. He had previously disposed of 40 acres 
 of his land, and at the time of his death owned but 
 40 acres. 
 
 He had been Supervisor of IngersoU Township 
 
 seven years, Drain Commissioner, Justice of the 
 
 I Peace three terms, one of the County Overseers of 
 
 
 
 Ky 
 
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 a. 
 
 .:^^^f^ 
 
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 '304 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 the Poor two years, and was largely interested in all 
 educational and other public interests of his com- 
 munity. He was a staunch Republican in his views 
 of national affairs. 
 
 Mr. Phetteplace was married in Oakland Co., 
 Mich., May i8, 1844, to Maria Wellmon, who was 
 born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y,, May i, 1823. Mr. 
 and Mrs. P. had seven children, named Eddy W., 
 James W., Minerva, Phebe, Mary A., Sarah and 
 Lizzie E. 
 
 '■lesLsm^r^—hi 
 
 ;|i— «-g|sS)/ZW(r»v. 
 
 ■^: 
 
 
 ohn S. Johnson, farmer on section 20, Lar- 
 ff kin Township, is a son of James and Nancy 
 A. (Sabins) Johnson, natives of New York, 
 and was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Feb. 
 27, 1836. His education was only such as was 
 afforded by the common schools of his neigh- 
 borhood, and he remained in his native State until 
 1873, when he came to St. Clair Co., Mich. Two 
 years later, he came to Midland County ; and in 
 1877 he homesteaded 40 acres in Larkin Township, 
 to which he has since added 40 acres, and has now 
 12 acres improved. 
 
 Feb. 26, 1863, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Miss Sarah 
 J. Van Koughnett became Mrs. Johnson. Her par- 
 ents, Josiah and Elizabeth (Frink) Van Koughnett, 
 were natives of Canada. Mrs. Johnson was born in 
 Ontario Aug. 20, 1837, and is the mother of six chil- 
 dren, named Edwin D. (died when two years of age), 
 Frankie E., Ada M., Melzer E., Mina A. and Cora O. 
 Mr. J. is a supporter of the National party. He 
 has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and School 
 Assessor. He and wife are members of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church. 
 
 -^ 
 
 A A 
 
 T-T" 
 
 
 Cl- 
 
 io^ dwin D. McCune, farmer on section 20, 
 Jasper, is a son of Samuel and Mary 
 (Dennis) McCune, natives of Kentucky, 
 
 i&- and of Irish and Pennsylvania-German de- 
 
 i scent. The former was an agriculturist, and 
 
 died in Stark Co., Lid., March 2, 1883. The 
 
 latter is still a resident of that county. 
 
 JL 
 
 The subject of this biographical sketch was born 
 in Putnam Co., Lid., Aug. 29, 1848, and remained 
 under the parental care until he arrived at the age of 
 manhood. He then went West, and after a time 
 visited Missouri. Li Livingston Co., Mo., Dec. 21, 
 187 I, he married Miss Mary Wallace, who was born 
 in the vicinity of Dubuque, Iowa, Nov. 8, 1849. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. McCune proceeded to Stark Co., 
 Ind., thence after a year to Grand Haven, this State, 
 and one year later they came to Coe Township, Isa- 
 bella County. Here he carried on farming four years, 
 when he purchased 40 acres in Jasper Township, this 
 county. On this place he has since resided, and he 
 now has 15 acres improved. 
 
 Mrs. McCune is a member of the Baptist Church. 
 Mr. McCune is politically a Republican, has been 
 Township Clerk four years, being the present incum- 
 bent, and has filled other local offices. He and wife 
 have four children living — Katie, Charles, Gracie and 
 Mary; and two deceased, — William and Daisy. 
 
 ohn G. Bowers, lumberman and farmer, 
 resident on the northwest quarter of section 
 13, Homer Township, was born April 7, 
 1853, in Rochester, N. Y. He is the son of 
 John M. and Maria (Layton) Bowers, natives 
 of Germany. His father died Oct. 14, 1879, 
 in Bay Co., Mich., at the age of 70 years; and his 
 mother resides in Unionville, Tuscola Co., Mich., 73 
 years old. Their family included eight children — 
 two sons and si.x daughters. Three of the latter are 
 deceased. 
 
 Mr. Bowers is the youngest child of his parents and 
 lived at home in the beautiful city of the Genesee 
 Valley until he was of age. He remained there until 
 he was 25 years old and fitted for the vocation of 
 butcher. He entered into partnership with the man 
 with whom he served his apprenticeship, the relation 
 continuing two years. In the fall of 1878 he came 
 to Huron Co , Mich., where he purchased 200 acres 
 of land and was a farmer there two years. In 1880 
 he went to Bay County and engaged in lumbering 
 some time, when he proceeded to Tuscola. Two 
 years later he went to Saginaw, where he remained 
 one year. In 1881 he came to the county of Mid- 
 land and purchased 115 acres of land known as the 
 
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MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 Rod. Russell farm," where he has since resided and 
 operated as a farmer and lumberman. In the latter 
 calling he has extensive relations, which may be es- 
 timated from one season's work of putting in seven 
 million feet of lumber. When he came to the town- 
 ship of Homer, he owned a team of horses and $45 
 in cash. In July, 1883, he paid for the farm whereon 
 he resides, and has 45 acres improved^ He is the 
 type of man whose efforts and ambition are fast 
 developing Northern Michigan into one of the finest 
 agricultural regions in this country. 
 
 Mr. Bowers was married March 4, 187S, at Roch- 
 ester, N. Y., to Julia A., daughter of Hezekiel and 
 Jane (Stevens) Hull. Her parents were natives of 
 Pennsylvania and of English descent. The daugh- 
 ter was born June 15, 1856, and was left motherless 
 when only si.'c months old. Her father removed 
 when she was but 13 years old to Rochester, N. Y. 
 Mr. Bowers is a Republican in political faith and has 
 occupied the position of Treasurer two years. The 
 family attend the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 lamuel Sias, farmer and lumberman, resi- 
 dent at Midland City, was born July 4, 
 |[|5*'^^ 1822, in Belfast, Maine, and is the son of 
 Samuel and Ann (McLean) Sias. His parents 
 removed in the year of his birth to Dover, 
 Maine, where his father engaged in the two- 
 fold business of farming and lumbering. He became 
 a lumberman at a very early age, going into the 
 woods as a teamster when he was eight years old, 
 and operated in that capacity in his fathers interests 
 several winters. As he grew to maturity he occupied 
 various positions, and at the age of 20 was in charge 
 of a lumber camp. At the age of 24 years he was 
 in business in his own behalf, and has pursued the 
 calling of a lumberman every winter up to the pres- 
 ent time. 
 
 Mr. Sias was married at Dover, Maine, in the year 
 1849, to Eliza Maddox. Samuel W. Sias was the 
 only child born of this marriage. The mother 
 died, and Mr. Sias was married April 10, 1858, to 
 Mary E., daughter of Ahira and Hattie Sinclair, a 
 native of Dover, Maine. Their ten children were 
 
 born as follows : Herbert, Aug. g, 1859, and is a lum- 
 berman in Midland County ; he married Mary E. 
 Emery, and has one child, Arthur; Ella is the wife 
 of Samuel McCravey, a lumberman of Midland ; 
 Hattie was born April 18, 1863, and is a teacher in 
 Midland City; Annie was born March 28, 1865; 
 Lizzie, Feb. 5, 1867; Flora, Nov. 30, 1872; and 
 Edith, Dec. 14, 1877. 
 
 Mr. Sias was the proprietor of a fine farm of 100 
 acres, three miles from Dover, which he sold in 1861, 
 with the intention of seeking a wider field of opera- 
 tion. He came to Michigan and engaged in lumber- 
 ing in the interests of Merrill & Remmick, on the 
 Cass River, in Tuscola County. In June, t86o, he 
 went back to his home in Maine, returning in the 
 winter ensuing to Michigan. This course he repeated 
 until he transferred his family and entire interests to 
 Midland County. He bought out the hotel of John 
 Larkin, which he conducted two years, at the end of 
 which time he sold out and bought 50 acres of land 
 near I he village of Midland, where he passed the 
 summers in farming and the winters in lumbering. 
 Mr. Sias now owns 150 acres on the Chippewa 
 River, which is one of the most desirable places in 
 the section, having 100 acres under first-class culti- 
 vation, with creditable buildings and farm fixtures of 
 every necessary description. A part of his original 
 purchase of land is now included in the village of 
 Midland, which was platted by Mr. Sias and sold in 
 lots. He owns also a farm of 163 acres at the 
 mouth of Pine River in Homer Township. Of this, 
 75 acres are under cultivation, and are devoted to 
 the growth of supplies for his lumber camps. He 
 owns also a tract of 1,000 acres of timber land, where 
 he pursues his lumber interests during the winter 
 seasons, and employs between 100 and 200 men. In 
 the winter of 1883-4 he got out 18,000,000 feet. 
 In 1864 he built a large establishment for milling 
 purposes and the manufacture of lumber and shingles, 
 also as a p'.aning-mill. He managed its various op- 
 erations about si,x years, when it was destroyed by 
 fire, involving a loss of $15,000. He is a stockholder 
 in the Salt & Bromide Company of Midland, and 
 owns a fine residence in that village. 
 
 No more valuable and welcome portraits could be 
 added to this volume than those of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Sias, which may be found on other pages. The name 
 of Sias is one of the most prominent and influential 
 
 
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 ^^^^^^ ^A^DH'SIDi^i^^ ^^^ 
 
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 310 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 in the county, and future generations, including their 
 own sons and daughters, will prize in a peculiar man- 
 ner the pictures of worthy and i)rominent representa- 
 tives of the name. 
 
 "OSiQSJt^^r 
 
 </®|5W3Trav. 
 
 fames F. Timmons, deceased, was a far- 
 mer iind lumberman on section 24, Porter 
 Township. He was born May 4, 1823, in 
 the city of Montreal, Can His father, Noah 
 ^r Timmons, was a native of England and a 
 ' farmer by profession; he died when the son 
 was but ten years of age. His mother, who was 
 born in France, is yet living. 
 
 The son remained with her until the age of 17 
 years, when he entered upon his life of independ- 
 ence.- He spent a year at Mt. Clemens, Mich., and 
 then returned to Ontario, where he engaged in lum- 
 bering until 1867, in which year he made a perma- 
 nent settlement in the State of Michigan. He located 
 with his family at East Saginaw, where they spent 
 one year. In the year following, he came to Porter 
 Township and bought 160 acres of land in a wholly 
 wild condition. He was heavily engaged in lumber- 
 ing from the time of his removal hither until his 
 deatli. On the 17th day of October, 1876, he was 
 engaged in hauling a load of goods from Merrill, and 
 while driving the wneel of his wagon struck a log. 
 The concussion threw him to the ground and he was 
 fatally injured. He did not live to see his home 
 again. His tragic death e.xcited universal and pro- 
 found regret, his character as a man and his estimable 
 traits having won the respect and esteem of the coni- 
 mvinity of which he was a member. He was a man 
 of more than ordinary intelligence and ambition, and 
 left the record of a life of well-directed effort. 
 
 He was a Republican in political principle. The 
 improvements on the property have been increased, 
 and the plate is under the management of Frank 
 Timmons, the second son, who is a young man of 
 correct habits and morals. He was born in Ontario, 
 Can., March 25, 1857. 
 
 Mrs. Hannah (Moo e) Timmons, widow of J. F. 
 Timmons, was born at Eardley, Ont., and is the 
 daughter of Eli and Elizabeth (McCormick) Moore. 
 Her father was a native of Vermont and died at 
 
 Eardley, in April, 1870; her n. other was born in 
 Ireland and died July 4, 1864. The daughter was 
 married in the city of Ottawa, Can., June 11, 1853. 
 Besides the son named, her family includes a daugh- 
 ter, Charlotte A., born April 1 1, 1854, who is the wife 
 of Jolm Pacnod, a resident of Porter Township, and 
 a native of Montreal, Can. Their marriage occurred 
 June 2, 1870. Eight children have been born to 
 them, as follows : John, Frank, Josephine H., Charles, 
 Margaret, Flora and James. Elenora is deceased. 
 
 tlli) #>i|fe.. avid M. Wilcox, farmer on section -j-j, 
 jij i'gMg l Hope Township, was born \w the State of 
 '^Wf''^ New York, Oct. 4. 1845, the son of Stephen 
 '^*)r» A. and Amanda Melvina (Green) Wilcox. 
 \ The father was of English and German descent, 
 < and died of yellow fever wh'le en route to Mex- 
 ico in the Mexican war, leaving two children, David, 
 and a daughter now residing in Gladwin County. 
 The mother, of English descent, re-married and is 
 now living in Lincoln Township, this county. She 
 has had seven children by her second marriage, five 
 of whom are living. 
 
 The subject of this biography was two years old 
 when his father came to Macomb County, this State, 
 and he was reared on the parental farm until the 
 age of 15, wlien he left home to make his own way 
 in life. For three years he worked in the lumber 
 woods; and then, Feb. 28, 1865, under the last call 
 of President Lincoln for volunteers, he enlisted in 
 Co. B, 7th Mich. Vol. Cav., — Custer's old regiment. 
 He was assigned to the Third Brigade, Third Divis- 
 ion, Cavalry (^orps, and during his service fought in 
 one battle, with the Indians near Fort Laramie. He 
 was wounded in the calf of the leg by a minie ball 
 in this engagement. 
 
 After his discharge, Dec. 24, 1865, he worked for 
 a time in the woods, then on a farm, and th^n for a 
 year sold liquor at Midland City. Aug. 2, 1S68, he 
 married Miss Amelia Eraser, daughter of Edwin and 
 Elizabeth (Lewis) Eraser. She was born May 9, 
 1850, in the Dominion of Canada, and is one of a 
 family of ten, eight of whom are living. By her 
 marriage to Mr. W., she is the mother of seven chil- 
 dren, oiie of whom is deceased. The record is as 
 follows: Ora M., born July 23, 1869; Myrtie E., 
 
 Vb 
 
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 «;..'-• 
 
 
 
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 <.;i]!]^:tlt];^>z^^ ^^^ 
 
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 §-r^^^^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 3n 
 
 Jan 26, 1871, and died May 30, 1873; Addie A., 
 Nov. 25, 1872; Alfleda A., Sept. 24, 1874; Claudia 
 R., Aug. 21, 1876; Fannie A., March 31, 1878; and 
 Merrick D., Feb. 16, 1880, all in Hope Township. 
 
 Mr. W. came from Ray Tp., Macomb County, 
 May 20, i860. He now owns 40 acres of land, of 
 which 20 are improved. He has a good residence, 
 and also keeps a general merchandise store, being 
 the only merchant in the township of Hope. He has 
 been Deputy Sheriff 13 years, Highway Commis- 
 sioner one term, Justice of the Peace three years (is 
 present incumbent), and is now School Director and 
 Postmaster. 
 
 E erdinand McCrary, farmer on section 22, 
 Hope Township, is a son of William and 
 Agnes McCrary (see sketch), and was 
 born Jan. 20, i860, in Jerome (now Edenville) 
 Township, this county. He was married March 
 6, 1884, to Rosa B. Evans, daughter of J. R. 
 Evans, of Midland City. She was born Oct. 7, 1864, 
 and is the oldest of ten children. Her father was 
 born Feb. 20, 1841, in Green, Trumbull Co., Ohio, 
 and her mother April 9, 1842, in Coldbrook, Ashta- 
 bula Co., Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. McCrary are just 
 starting out on their voyage of life, and their natural 
 good traits and the good will of their many friends 
 insure them success. 
 
 Ik imon Gleckler, farmer on section 26, Hope 
 Township, was born Oct. 10, 1845, in '^Id.- 
 ||5;'^ honing Co., Ohio, the son of Henry and 
 Catherine (Beauman) Gleckler. The father 
 was a native of Germany, came to this country 
 when eight years old, and died in Columbiana 
 Co., Ohio, Aug. 7, 1883, at the age of 73. The 
 mother, also a native of Germany, is living witli a 
 son and daughter in Columbiana Co., Ohio. The 
 family of 14 included nine sons and five daughters, 
 all of whom are living, and have arrived at years of 
 maturity. All are married but two. 
 
 The subject of this biographical narrative was 
 reared on a farm, but has worked in saw-mills much 
 of the time since he became of age, at which time he 
 
 left home. He worked one year in Mahoning Co., 
 Ohio, and a year in Genesee Co., Mich., and was 
 th.en married. He spent two years more in a mill in 
 the latter county, and neaily an equal period in the 
 former. The five years ensuing he was employed in 
 a mill at Coleman, this county, after which he settled 
 on 40 acres of wild land and where is his present 
 home. He has now eight acres improved. 
 
 His marriage occurred Oct. 3, 1867, in Flint, Mich , 
 to Miss Margaret Ann Denton, daughter of Daniel 
 and Esther A. (Elvis) Denton. Mr. D. died in 
 Catiada in 1867, and Mrs. D. Dec. 7, 187 i. Mrs. G. 
 was born in Rawdon Township, Hastings Co., Can., 
 April 9, 1845, and is one of a family of three sons 
 and three daughters, all living. Mr. and Mrs. G. 
 have two children, born in Genesee Co., this State : 
 Eliza Kate, July 18, 1868 ; and Esther, Oct. 27, i86g. 
 
 Mr. G. is in political views a Greenbacker. He 
 has been Superintendent of Schools three terms, and 
 is now serving his fourth term as Supervisor. He is 
 a member of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 pf^lj-j^ohn Loyer, farmer, section 10, Ingersoll 
 
 m 
 
 ^ 
 
 (^1 
 
 ^^^fl«®- 
 
 ■^mm 
 
 J^ Township, is a son of George and Eva 
 
 y,^''' (McLaughlin) Loyer, natives of Pennsylva- 
 nia. His mother died in that State Sept. 30, 
 1845, when he was an infant; and his father 
 
 " came to Midland County in the fall of 1878, 
 and died in Ingersoll Township, April 20, 1880. 
 
 Mr. Loyer was born in Erie Co., Pa., Sept. 26, 
 1845. In the spring of 1856 he came with his father 
 to Shiawassee Co., Mich., lived there four years, then 
 some time in Livingston County, one year again in 
 Shiawassee County, then in Livingston County again 
 until January, 1863, when he enlisted in the Fifth 
 Mich. Inf and served till the close of the war, par- 
 ticipating in the battles of the Wilderness, siege of 
 Petersburg, etc. May 12, 1864, at the battle of 
 Spottsylvania, he was wounded in the right shoulder, 
 in consequence of which he was in the hospital 
 about nine months. Being then partially able for 
 duty, he made a special request to be returned to his 
 regiment, although really in too feeble a condition to 
 perform the duties that would devolve upon him. 
 
 After his discharge he returned to Livingston Co., 
 Mich., where he remained one year, then spent one 
 
 Si/ 
 
 '?■ 
 
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 -:^^K — ^v<-:ii n ^: mi>-T^ — ^f»^ 
 
 -i^^^^vl 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 season in Shiawassee again, then engaged in farming, 
 and laboring in the woods winters, in Saginaw 
 County, until he first came to Midland County, in 
 1869, and homesteaded 40 acres of land, in Inger- 
 soll Township, where he lived six years. He was 
 then two years in Saginaw County again, nearly one 
 year in Shiawassee County, three years in Saginaw 
 County, and in the spring of 1880 he again came to 
 Midland County. By this time he had disposed of 
 the 40 acres he had homesteaded in 1869, and during 
 the year 1880 he purchased 80 acres of land, some- 
 what improved, where he now resides. He now has 
 about 27 acres under cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Loyer has been School Moderator of his dis- 
 trict, and Path-master. In his political views he is a 
 Republican. 
 
 He was married in Shiawassee County, Nov. 4, 
 1866, to Sarah M., daughter of John and Hannah 
 (Fuller) Anible, natives of New York State. She 
 was born in Genesee Co., Mich., July 27, 1850. 
 They have three children, viz.: George P., Gertie A. 
 and Jennie. 
 
 ^^■---■> >J' 
 
 jj oswell B. Gotham, farmer on section 17, 
 |i^^(: Larkin Township, is a son of Solomon and 
 'l^'^C*'" Elizabeth (King) Gotham, natives respect- 
 ' *W '^^'y °f ^^^ Hampshire and New York; and 
 he was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., May 8, 
 1837. He received a rudimentary English 
 education, but was under the care of his parents 
 only until 11 years old. Losing his father at that 
 age, he was une.xpectedly obliged to make his own 
 way in life. Until 16 years old he worked as cook 
 on a scow on the St. Laurence River. 
 
 Next he passed three years in Canada, learning 
 the cooper's trade ; and then for three years he fol- 
 lowed the lakes as a common sailor. In August, 
 1862, he enlisted in the loth New York Heavy 
 Artillery, in which organization he served nearly 
 three years. April 2, 1865, he was taken prisoner, 
 but on the 9th of the same month (the day of Lee's 
 surrender) he was released. After his discharge 
 from the army he returned to his home in New York 
 State, and there remained until October, 1868. On 
 that date he came to this county, and liomesteaded 
 80 acres in Lincoln Township, which he afterwards 
 
 sold and bought 40 acres in Larkin Township, where 
 he now lives, with 22 acres under cultivation. 
 
 Oct. 29, 1859, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., lie took as 
 the sharer of his name and fortune Miss Julia Far- 
 row, a native of that State. Of 14 children, 11 sur- 
 vive, named Roswell H., Henry E., Lewis A., Caro- 
 line B., Mary E., Byron T., Solomon N., Archibald 
 F., David K., Julia E. and Vlaggie. The three de- 
 ceased were named Bertha M., Violet A. and Leslie D. 
 
 Mr. G. is in political faith aNational, and has held 
 the offices of Township Clerk, Justice of the Peace 
 and School Director. 
 
 j^ eorge W. Frost, farmer and lumberman^ 
 _.. section x. Mt. Haley Township, was born 
 
 #■ May 16, 1818, in Oswego Co., N. Y. His 
 parents, Benjamin and Polly (Sprague) Frost, 
 were natives of New England. His father 
 
 ' died Dec. 25, 1830, in Oswego Co., N. Y., and 
 his mother in April, 1867, in McLean Co., Pa. 
 
 Mr. Frost was about ten years of age when his 
 father died, and upon him devolved the support of 
 his mother, which duty he discharged to the exclu- 
 sion of every other, resigning all chances for an 
 education. In 1840 he was married to Abbie Loops, 
 a native of Pennsylvania. They settled in McLean 
 Co., Pa., and Mr. Frost there engaged in agriculture 
 until 1866, when he came to Midland County. He 
 had been ambitious to interest himself in lumbering, 
 and to that end had previously purchased a pine- 
 lumber tract of 160 acres on Pine River. He set- 
 tled on section 3 of Mt. Haley Township, where he 
 bought 80 acres of unimproved hard-timber land. 
 He has been extensively engaged as a job lumberman, 
 and during winter seasons has put in two million feet 
 of logs on an average. He has also trafficked in 
 real estate to some extent, and his home place now 
 includes 240 acres, with 120 acres under cultivation. 
 He has accomplished the improvements on his farm 
 by the aid of his sons. He has two good barns and 
 three dwellings on his estate. 
 
 Mr. Frost was a second time married. May 14, 
 1865, at Adrian, Mich., to Mrs. Roseltha (Murphy) 
 Marsh. She is the daughter of Palmer and Soloma 
 (Nichols) Marsh, natives respectively of Connecticut 
 and Massachusetts. The latter died in Pennsylva- 
 
 ^ 
 
 
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 i))^€^ 
 
 ':J^K 6V<4t] n *^: n ll^-t>V^e5 :Ji^^ 
 
 -*4?^ 
 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 313 
 
 nia, Jan. 25, 1845. The father resides in tliis town- 
 ship. Mrs. Frost was born June 10, 1841, in Che- 
 nango Co , N. Y., and when she was three years old 
 her parents removed to McLean Co., Pa., where she 
 was married to Jolin Marsh. Ellen, only issue of 
 her first marriage, is deceased. Two children have 
 been born of her second marriage : Freddica, Aug. 6, 
 1876: and Millie, July 26, 1867 (died March 3c, 
 1871). 
 
 Mr. Frost is a Democrat in political connection, 
 and has held the offices of Township Tre.;surer and 
 Road Commissioner several years. 
 
 •^jejeE/©^®^— ^^^^ 
 
 .^^^i^JSVV' 
 
 X-H^.f^ 
 
 |:* rson Cady, farmer on section 30, Larkin 
 Township, is a son of Alpheus and Patty 
 A. (Chambers) Cady, natives of the State of 
 New York. The parents emigrated to this 
 State and settled in Lapeer County, where 
 they died, she in 1844, and he Jan. i, 1864. 
 The subject of this outline was born in Erie Co., 
 N. Y., Aug. 30, 1835, and was but four years old 
 when his porents removed to this State. He lived at 
 home until he attained his majority, and on beginning 
 the career of life for himself went first to Grand 
 Rapids, where he found employment in a livevy and 
 sale stable for four years. He then went to Illinois- 
 and rented a farm for two years, at the expiration of 
 which time he returned to Kent County, this State, 
 where he rented a farm for four years. Thence he 
 went back to Lapeer County, his old home, and 
 there ran a stage line 18 months from Lapeer to 
 Pontiac. Selling this, he removed to Bellevue, Ohio, 
 and opened a livery stable, where he was in business 
 two years. I)is|)osmg of this, he was ne.vt for a year 
 employed in Kentucky by a land and mining com- 
 pany. 
 
 He then spent six months more in Lapeer County, 
 and in May, 1867, he came to Midland City, where 
 he was for 12 years in the employ of John Larkin. 
 In 1879 he bought 120 acres in Larkin Township, 
 where he has since lived, having now about 25 acres 
 im[)roved. 
 
 June 10, t86o, in Ottawa Co, 111., he formed a 
 life partnership with Miss Melissa Moses, a native 
 of New York State. Their children have been three 
 
 in number — Jennie (died when 21 months old), Jessie 
 and one which died in early infancy. 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. Cady is identified with 
 the Republican party. He has held the offices of 
 School Inspector and Township Treasurer. 
 
 I 
 
 ^5!H^<^ 
 
 ,rs. Hannah S. Murray, section 36, In- 
 
 gersoll Township, is the fourth daughter 
 
 . ^ ' of William and Hannah (Ryan) Spellacy, 
 
 » ^ \ who were natives of Ireland and passed 
 their entire lives there. They had four daugh- 
 ters and one son. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland, 
 March 17, 1835 ; when 14 years of age she came to 
 America and lived one year in Boston, Mass.; then 
 lived about a year in Cleveland, Ohio, about two 
 years in .Somerset, Ohio, and finally, in rSsS, she 
 came to Midland County, Ingersoll Township, where 
 she has since resided. 
 
 She was married in Somerset, O., Dec. 25, 1855, to 
 Edward Murray, a native of Ireland. She adopted 
 a half orphan a year and a half old, namely, Sarah 
 E., daughter of John and Sarah (McCuUy) Jelley, 
 whose mother iiad died when she was only 15 
 months old. Thereupon the former took the name 
 of Murray. She was married July 4, 1877, to Ed- 
 ward Davis, a native of Saginaw Co., Mich. She has 
 two children, — Orrie E. and Wilbur R. 
 
 Mrs. Murray has a farm of 42 acres, on section 36, 
 which she superintends and has in a state of good 
 cultivation. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 -i- 
 
 S3 
 
 
 gjlfc^fc ames Hanley, farmer on section 29, Jasper 
 
 ';!'^^|" Township, was born in Ireland June* 4, 
 
 sS'''"'^ 1837, and is the son of Hugh and Mar- 
 
 X<L garet (McLain) Hanley, natives also of the 
 
 'jL Emerald Isle. Tiie father followed farming, 
 
 i| emigrated to America, and just after arriving at 
 
 Hamilton, Ont., died in r838, leaving James a half 
 
 orphan when but one year old. The mother died in 
 
 Port Huron, Mich., in May, 1867. 
 
 Tlieir family number'ed ten, — eight sons and two 
 daughters ; and three of the former and both the 
 latter are yet living. Of the sitrvivors James is the 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
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 youngest. He lived with his mother until 24 years 
 old, and March 14, 1861, in Huron Co., Ont., he 
 was married to Miss Margaret Sharp, daughter of 
 Wilham and Elizabeth (Hunter) Sharp, natives of 
 Scotland and Ontario, and of Scotch and Irish- 
 derman extraction respectively. They are now living 
 in Ontario, both in good health; the father aged 87, 
 the mother 78. Mrs. Hanley was born in Prescott, 
 Ont., March 17, 1843, ''*"'^ '^ the sixth child and 
 second daughter in a family of 13 children, it of 
 whom yet survive. 
 
 For six years after marriage, Mr. Hanley was en- 
 gaged in agriculture in Huron Co., Ont., removing 
 thence to Oakland County, this State. After a stay 
 there of a year and a half, he removed to Lapeer 
 County, and jiurchased 40 acres of wild, heavily 
 timbered land. He lived on this place 14 years, 
 brought it to the best possible farming condition, 
 erected good buildings ar.d started an orchard. He 
 sold the place for nearly eight times what it cost 
 him, and in April, 1881, came to Midland County 
 and purchased 80 acres, mostly timbered, where he 
 has since resided. He has now 20 acres cleaved and 
 16 in cultivation. 
 
 Mr. H. is in political sentiment a Republican. 
 He and wife have been the jiarents of ten children, 
 of whom William, Mary A., .'Mwilda J. and John E. 
 are living; and James (first), James (second), Mar- 
 garet, George, Ettie and two infants are deceased. 
 
 hineas F. Pierce, deceased, was a farmer 
 on section 35, Ingersoll Township, and was 
 ^■1^ the son of Phineas and Mary Pierce. He 
 was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb. 15, 1842; 
 fuv. when quite small he came to Lapeer Co., 
 ^ Mich., and to Midland County in 1S57, buy- 
 ing 40 acres of land in Ingersoll Township. He after- 
 wards bought 160 acres and dis^x)sed of the fust 
 purchase. At the time of his death he occupied 136 
 acres, owned by his wife. With the exception of 
 about six months spent in Nebraska, he lived in this 
 county till his death. 
 
 He was married at Saginaw, Feb. 10, 1862,10 Miss 
 Jane D., daughter of Henry and Melinda Mills, born 
 in Lapeer Co., Mich., Dec. 6, 1846, and they have 
 had seven children, namely: Rena J., born July 24, 
 
 1866; Eugene F., April 7, i868; May E., Jan. 24, 
 1870; Carrie E., Aug. 29, 1871, and died Aug. 12, 
 1880; John W., born Dec. 5, 1873; George H., Aug. 
 S, 1878; and Harriet B., April 28, 1880. All were 
 bom in this county except May E., who was born in 
 Nebraska. 
 
 Mr. Pierce enlisted for the cause of the Union, in 
 the fall of 1861, in the Tenth Mich. Inf., and served 
 four years. He was confined several weeks in the 
 hospital during his enlistment. 
 
 During his life he held the office of Deputy ShcrifT 
 of Midland County, Highway Commissioner, etc. 
 
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 l^harles 
 
 S. Sanford, faruier, section 27, 
 elf^^^ Jerome Township, was born April 27, 
 
 ^p iSi6, in Madison Co., N. Y., and is the son 
 t(f of Peleg P. and Annie (Skiff) Sanford. His 
 
 l^ mother was born in Massachusetts, and his 
 father in the State of New York. They died 
 in Paine.sville, Ohio. 
 
 Mr. Sanford was brought up by his grandi)arents 
 from earliest childhood, and he remained witii tiicm 
 until the death of his grandmother, which occurred 
 when he was 16 years old. His mother was living in 
 Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and at that age he went out 
 in the vicinity and found employment as a farm 
 4al)orer and also was engaged in shoemaking. He 
 went thence to Ashtabula County, where he was em- 
 ployed at his trade about ten years. In 1864 he 
 purchased 1,000 acres of pine land in Midland 
 County, and 213 acres where Sanford is located. He 
 made the purchase of Benj. Dean, and the later tract 
 was then known as the "Salt-Spring Reserve." It is 
 the location of the first salt well in the State, and 
 this is still flowing. Dr. Douglass Houghton, then 
 State Surveyor and Geologist, who was afterward 
 drowned in Lake Superior, superintended the sinking 
 of the shaft. Mr. Sanford located here in May, 1864 
 and has since been resident. The place was named 
 in honor of him as original owner of its site. 
 
 Mr. Sanford is a Republican in political sentiment, 
 and has officiated in the various local offices. He 
 has been Township Clerk four terms. Justice of the 
 Peace 15 years, has held the offices of the school 
 district, and is at present the Moderator. He is the 
 owner of a hay farm of So acres in Jerome Township. 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 The place produces immense quantities of grass, of a 
 coarse quality. 
 
 Mr. Sanford was married April 26, 1840, to Eliza 
 B., daiii^hter of Amos and Catiierine (Bayham) But- 
 ton. Her [)arents were natives of the State of New 
 York and died in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. She was born 
 Oct. 22, 1820. Following are the names of the seven 
 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanford: Sarepta P., 
 .\nsan A., William, Adella, Ida, George and Chailes. 
 
 ohn Windover, farmer and lumberman, 
 ^|fe- resident on section 15, Homer 'I'ownship, 
 ^ ^ was born June 25, 1830, in Ontario, Can. 
 His parents, William and Mary (Peterson) 
 Windover, were born respectively in the State 
 of New York and Province of Ontario. They 
 belonged to the agricultural chiss, and were among 
 the earlier settlers of Ontario. They became possess- 
 ors of 200 acres of land in that province under the 
 special act of the English Parliament known as the 
 Ueloilus Grant, which gave 200 acres of land to 
 every settler of that year and the same amount to 
 every child born within the year of the passage of 
 the act. The parents died in the Dominion, each 
 aged about 80 years. 
 
 Mr. Windover obtained a fair common-school edu- 
 cation, and when he was i8 years old he was a com- 
 petent farmer, having been thoroughly instructed in 
 the duties of that pursuit under the guidance of his 
 father. At the age named he became his own man, 
 and left home to take charge of his own fortunes. 
 He first engaged as a farm laborer, and later became 
 interested in lumbering. He became possessor by 
 jnirchase of 50 acres of land, on which he labored 
 some years, but owing to a flaw in the title he was 
 dispossessed of his estate. He then spent three 
 years on a rented farm. In June, 1873, he came to 
 Midland County, purchased property and remained 
 three years. At the end of that time he purchased 
 160 acres of land, on which he has since resided and 
 operated, and to which he has added by later pur- 
 chase. His place is well improved and greatly in- 
 creased in value by the skill and judgment exercised 
 in its management. Mr. Windover is a Republican 
 in pcjlitical principles. He is justly regarded as one 
 of the solid citizens of Homer 'I'ownship, and holds 
 
 to a large degree the respect and esteem of the com- 
 munity of which he is a member. 
 
 Mr. Windover was married in December, 1848, in 
 Richmond Township, Ontario, to Elizabeth Warner, 
 a native of that province, born Dec. 25, 1828. She 
 is the third of 13 children. Her father died in On- 
 tario, in 1875 '> 'is"" mother still resides there, aged 74 
 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Windover have been born 
 ten children, two of whom are deceased. They were 
 born in the following order: Sarah, June 26, 1849; 
 William, Jan. 17, 185 i; Mary, Nov. 12, 1852; .\nna, 
 June 12, 1854; Wesley and Whitley (twins), July 4, 
 1864: Melissa, Nov. 17, 1865; Minnie, April 18, 
 1867 ; Johnny and .Sophronia. The two last named 
 are not living. The parents are members of the 
 Methodist E|)iscopal Church. 
 
 illiam H. Tice, farmer, section 14, Homei 
 Township, was born in Sullivan Co., N. 
 m\vv-j^>-j Y., Aug. 20, 1840. He was brought up 
 jfe5.> to the peiiod of his legal freedom by his 
 ■A-iV parents, and passed the years of his minor- 
 ity in obtaining an education and working on 
 the home farm. The tide of civil war swept over the 
 land a few months prior to his 21st birthday, and Oct. 
 7, 1861, he became a soldier for the l>nion. He 
 enlisted in Co. I, 56th N. Y. Vol. Inf His com- 
 mand was attaclied to the Army of the Potomac, 
 and he was in action through 12 engagements, be- 
 sides numerous skirmishes. He was discharged for 
 re -enlistment six months before the expiration of his 
 time, and he again enrolled in the same regiment, 
 Feb. 19, 1864, as a veteran. He received his final 
 and honorable discharge in Octo'.)er, 1864. 
 
 He returned home and took charge of his father's 
 farm and business, in whi:h he was occupied urrtil 
 1869. He spent several- years following in his own 
 agricultural interests, and in 1872 came to Michigan 
 and purchased 40 acres, on which he has since re- 
 sided. He has improved ten acres of his farm, and 
 erected a fine stock and grain barn. He is a zealous 
 Republican in political connections, and has been 
 Township Treasurer five years, in which capacity he 
 is still acting. He was recently elected Justice of 
 the Peace, and has served several years as School 
 Inspector, being Chairman of the School Board. Mr. 
 
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MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Tice has been a member of the Methodist Eiiiscopal 
 Church since he was ten years of age, and has offici- 
 ated several years as Steward of the society to which 
 he and his wife belong. 
 
 He was married Feb. 25, 1869, in Ulster Co., N. 
 V Y-. to Artie, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Doolittle) 
 Cudney. The parents were natives of the State of 
 New York, of EnL;lish descent. They died in Sulli- 
 van Co., N. Y. Mrs. Tice was born in that county, 
 April 24, 1845, and resided with her father until her 
 marriage, the mother having died when the daughter 
 was tpiite young. One of the five children born to Mr. 
 and Mrs. Tice is deceased. Following is their record: 
 Orah E. was born April 24, 1870; Lulu C, Marcli 
 10, 1S72; Jennie E., May 27, 1873; Clara M., July 
 5, 1S76. An unnamed infant was born Feb. 4, 1883, 
 and died Feb. 26, following. 
 
 #^-- 
 
 on. James W. Cochrane, ex-Senator from 
 
 Midland County, speculator in real estate, 
 
 'f^' etc., at Midland, is a son of James W. and 
 
 Permelia (McLaughlin) Cochrane, and was 
 
 born in Attica, Wyoming Co., N. Y., June i, 
 
 1838. His father was one of the first settlers 
 
 in the "Holland Purchase." 
 
 Attending school until 12, he then taught a winter 
 term of school in his native county, receiving as com- 
 pensation the attractive salary of $13 per month. 
 Then for three years he studied in the summers at 
 the Rock River University at Mt. Morris, 111., teach- 
 ing school winters. 
 
 Returning then to Warsaw, in his native county, 
 in New York, he entered the law office of Comstock 
 & Healy. After two years of study with that firm, 
 he was in 1S62 admitted to the Bar in Buffalo, N. Y. 
 He practiced one year at Warsaw, and then came to 
 Freeland, Saginaw Co., this State, and followed lum- 
 bering for an equal period of time. In 1864 he 
 opened a law office at Midland, but after three years' 
 practice he again engaged in lumbering, which occu- 
 pied his time until 1880. For two years of this 
 period he was associated with Messrs. Brooks & 
 Adams, of Detroit, in the ownership of extensive 
 tracts of land. In 1870, in company with John 
 Haines, he built the first mill on the line of the Flint 
 & Pere Marquette Railroad west of Midland. This 
 
 was near Averill, and he sold out one year later. 
 Besides these enteritises, he has made several invest- 
 ments on his private account. 
 
 About a mile from the city of Midland is situated 
 his nice farm of about 180 acres, 120 improved. He 
 resided there six years, and in i88t removed to Mid- 
 land, where he is now dealing in real estate and 
 practicing law. 
 
 He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and l)e- 
 longs to the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F. and R. A. 
 Politically, he is a zealous Republican. In the fall 
 of 1878 he was nominated for State Senator, and was 
 elected, his opponents in the canvass being James K. 
 Wright, Democrat, and Henry Smalley, National. 
 He represented the 28th Senatorial District with 
 credit for two years, and was acknowledged to be one 
 of the most able members of the upper branch of 
 Michigan's Legislature. He was Chairman of the 
 Committee on Public Lands, and a member of the 
 Committees on State Prison, Insurance, and Towns 
 and Counties ; and was appointed from the north 
 part of the State on the Special Joint Committee for 
 the Revision of the Tax Laws. The work of this 
 committee was the most important that was brought 
 before that session. He has taken an active part in 
 politics in Midland County, and in 1876 stumped 
 the northern part of the State for Hayes and 
 Wheeler. He has been Chairman of the Republican 
 County Committee, and has held several important 
 local offices, among them Supervisor and Justice of 
 the Peace. 
 
 Aug. 3, 1869, in Wethersfield Springs, Wyoming 
 Co., N. Y , he was joined in wedlock with Miss 
 Helen E. Webster, daughter of Abel and Caroline 
 (Doolittle) Webster. Mrs. Cochrane was born in 
 Wethersfield Springs, April 5, 1844, and was reared 
 in Warsaw, in her native county. She received a 
 normal training, in addition to the usual common- 
 school education, and graduated Jan. 30, 1862. She 
 was the youngest member of her class, and was one 
 of five selected to read at the graduation exercises. 
 See then became a preceptress in the Genesee and 
 Wyoming Seminary at Alexander, Genesee Co., N. 
 Y., where she taught for one school year. The 
 ensuing two years she taught mathematics, in the 
 Cary Collegiate Seminary at Oakfield, N. Y. In 1864 
 and 1865, slie was Vice Principal of Cottage Hill 
 Seminary at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and then for four 
 
 
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 MID LAND COUMTY 
 
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 years she was Vice-Principal and teacher of higher 
 mathematics in the Mary Institute at Carhsle, Pa. 
 She resigned her position in this institution to be- 
 come the bride of Mr. Cochrane, ("harles E. is the 
 only son by this marriage, and was born at Midland, 
 March 20, 1875. 
 
 homas J. Carpenter, dealer in real estate 
 
 i at Midland, was born July 15, 1807, in 
 
 ^ Wheatland (then) Genesee Co., N. Y. He 
 
 is the son of Powell and Lucy (Kellam) Car- 
 penter, and was reared as a farmer's son, obtain- 
 ing his education in the common schools. 
 In 1 83 1 he came to the Peninsular State. He 
 bought 320 acres of "oak openings" in Orion Town- 
 ship, Oakland County, and cleared 200 acres, forming 
 a first-class farm. In 1S55 he bought 400 acres of 
 land in the western part of Midland County, lying 
 on the Chipjiewa river, to which he added by subse- 
 quent purchase until his aggregated real estate 
 amounted to 3,000 acres, of which he still retains 
 about 2,500 acres. In 1S59 he bought a half interest 
 in a saw-mill in the eastern part of the village of 
 Midland, in company with A. W. Thompson. A 
 shingle mill was added to this, and six years later 
 the entire establishment was burned, involving a loss 
 to Mr. Carpenter of $2,000. In 1859 he bought 160 
 acres of land, now included in the site of Midland 
 and constituting the northeastern portion of the 
 village. It was platted in i860, and includes 120 
 acres in extent. In i860 Mr. Carpenter disposed of 
 his property in Oakland Co. He has held numerous 
 township offices, and has been closely identified with 
 school interests since his settlement in the county. 
 
 Mr. Carpenter was married May 7, 183 1, in Mont- 
 gomery County, N. Y., to Juliette Clarke. Siie was 
 born February 10, 1805, in the State of New York, 
 and is the diughter of Samuel Clarke. Of seven 
 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, five are 
 living. Delia, wife of Alfred Owen of Kansas (who 
 died in Kansas, March, 1884), was born Feb. 14, 
 1832; Sylvia P. (Mrs. B. F. Thome, residing at 
 Bay City) was born Jan. 12, 1835 ; Powell, a farmer 
 in Orion, Oakland County, was born Feb. 8, 1837 ; 
 Samuel C.,born June 7, 1839, is a carpenter in Mid- 
 land ; Stephen I., born Dec. 28, 1841, died Dec. 27, 
 
 1842; Juliette C, born Sept. 29, 1844, is the wife of 
 James Van Kleek, of Midland. TJiomas J., born 
 June 26, 1850, died Sept. 19, i854- 'I'he mother 
 died eight days after the death of the youngest child. 
 Mr. Carpenter was a second time married May 26, 
 1856, to Catherine Casamer, daughter of Isaac and 
 Prudence (Buchner) Casamer, born in Greenville, 
 Sussex Co., N. J., Jan. 15, 183 1. Mr. Carpenter has 
 been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
 since 1S27; his wife has been a member of the 
 same religious body since 1847. 
 
 The portrait of Mr. Carpenter, which appears on 
 the opposite page, is that of a pioneer citizen of 
 Midland City and County. 
 
 ^t'rl^ 
 
 Si^^fiC 
 
 rancis J. Barry, proprietor of the Sherwood 
 EJjijP House, Midland, is the son of John and 
 
 f' '^''fS"-!\\ Frances Barry, and was born in County 
 3 Fermanagh, Ireland, April 29, 1842. He 
 
 ^..^ learned the trade of cigar-maker, and wiien 15 
 years old came to Toronto, Can. Tlience he 
 went to Georgian Bay, where he had an uncle on a 
 farm, and two years later returned to Toronto, fol- 
 lowing his trade of cigar-maker. 
 
 In 1865 he came to Detroit, and in 1867 to Sagi- 
 naw City, in this latter place being for seven and a 
 half years foreman in a cigar manufactory. Tlie en- 
 suing three years he was in the same business at 
 Saginaw for his own profit; and in September, 1877, 
 lie came to Midland City and opened a saloon. This 
 he conducted until November, 1881. At that time 
 he began the erection of the Sherwood House in com- 
 pany with William Sherwood, and in April following 
 the house was oi)ened to the public. It is a three- 
 story brick, 50 by 80 feet in size, with cellar 35 by 40 
 feet, containing 21 single apartments and 16 double 
 rooms; and having a large stable attached. A car- 
 riage goes to all trains, carrying passengers to the 
 hotel free, or to any part of the city for 25 cents , and 
 horses are also boarded and sold at this stable. Since 
 May, 1882, Mr. Barry has been alone in the manage- 
 ment of the hotel, wliich has a good reputation, and 
 does a thriving business, all well deserved. 
 
 He was first married in Detroit, April i, 1865, lo 
 Miss Margaret Parrett, a native of Canada. To iliis 
 mairiage were given two cliildrcn : Richard 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 at Detroit, May i, 1866; and Ulysses G., born in 
 Siiginaw C'ity, June 15, 1871. Mrs. B. died in the 
 latter city. He was wedded to his present wife in 
 Mihon, Hohoii Co., Can., May 29, 1877. Her maiden 
 name was Hannah L. Sherwood, and she was born 
 in Holton Townshiii, Holton Co., Can. By this mar- 
 riage Mr. Barry has a daughter, Harriet F., born at 
 Saginaw t'ity. Tidy 25, 1878; and a son, Thompson 
 G., born at Midland, Nov. 13, 1879; and an un- 
 named son born June 20, 1884. 
 
 Mr. Barry owns a liouse and lot in the east part of 
 the village, five lots on Ellsworth Street and two lots 
 and a half near his hotel. He is a member of the 
 Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Maccabees. 
 Politicallv, he is a staunch Republican. 
 
 >WS' 
 
 
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 >r?Yfi<S 
 
 
 ^ohn Roberson, farmer on section 32, Jas- 
 per Township, was born in Washington Co., 
 '" N. v., July 8, 1849. His father, Martin 
 
 Roberson, a native of New Vori<, lived in that 
 ^C^ State all his life, engaged in farming, and died 
 
 Jan. 12, 1872, aged 55. His mother, Sarah J. 
 (Cook) Roberson, was born in Ireland, came to this 
 country when 12 years old, and now resides, in good 
 heahh, at the age of 57, with her son. 
 
 The subject of this biography was reared on a 
 farm, received an academic education, and on ar- 
 riving at his majority began teaching. For five win- 
 ters he had charge of schools in Saratoga and Wash- 
 ington Counties, working on the farm during the sum- 
 mers. In March, 187 8, he left his native county 
 and came to Rose Township, Oakland Co., Mich., 
 and one year later he removed to Springfield Town- 
 ship, same county. In December, [879, he came to 
 this county and purchased So acres of heavily tim- 
 bered land in Jasper Township, where iris mother, 
 two brothers, a sister and himself established their 
 home. He has imjiroved 40 acres, and built the nec- 
 essary farm buildings, and is making creditable prog- 
 ress in developing a fine farm. He has taught two 
 winters in this county. He is in political sentiment 
 a Republican, and has held the offices of Justice of 
 the Peace and School Inspector. His mother is a 
 member of the Baptist Church. He has two sisters 
 
 and two brothers. Mary E. was born May 31, 1852 ; 
 Martha J., Sept. 5, 1857 (now married and residing 
 in Ionia County) ; Martin, Feb. 24, 1859; WilHam 
 C, Nov. 2, 1865. 
 
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 % dward McGowan, farmer, section 26, ivlt. 
 
 ^L' Haley rownshi|), was born May 6, 1841, 
 ft'-t®^"^ in Lanark Co., Ont. His parents, Patrick 
 and Mary (Drummond) McGowan, were na- 
 tives of Ireland and belonged to the race known 
 as Scotch-Irish. They emigrated to the New 
 World with their parents in early life, and married 
 later in the Dominion, where they spent their lives, 
 both dying about 1843. Their family consisted of 
 five sons and two daughters. 
 
 Mr. McGowan is the youngest child of his parents, 
 and was between two and three years of age when 
 they were removed by death. He was taken in 
 charge by a paternal uncle, who cared for him until 
 he was 15 years old. He s|)ent his time at school 
 and as assistant on his uncle's farm. At that age he 
 began life for himself, and set out in his single-handed 
 struggle with the world as a log-driver on the river 
 Tay in Ontario. Later he went to St. Paul, Minn., 
 and thence to Minneapolis. His next destination 
 was Henderson, in the same State, and he spent the 
 ensuing three years at different points in the Minne- 
 sota Valley. He proceeded thence to .\rkansas, 
 where he suffered severe illness from fever. In i860 
 he went to Ohio, and in the fall of the same year he 
 returned to the place of his nativity, where, two years 
 afterward, he was married. The event occurred Aug. 
 18, 1862, when Catherine Carey became his wife. 
 She was born June 29, 1840, in Ontario. To Mr. 
 and Mrs. McGowan, 14 children have been born, five 
 of whom are deceased. Their names are Mary E., 
 Ann E., Edward J., Thomas J., James P. and John 
 J. (twins), Patrick H., William F. and Leo. Peter 
 (ist), James and John (twins), Peter (2d) and P'lor- 
 ence A. are deceased. 
 
 Two years after marriage Mr. and Mrs. McGowan 
 came to East Saginaw, wherejhe worked as a fireman 
 in a saw-mill. In the fall of 1868 he came to Mid- 
 land County and entered a homestead claim of 160 
 acres of wild land on section 26 of this township. 
 He was the first permanent settler in the south half 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 of Mt. Haley. The nearest neighbors were four miles 
 distant, and the "staple product" of the county 
 seemed to lie water, a fact owing to its flat surface. 
 He has cleared and improved 35 acres of his farm. 
 
 The family aie Roman Catholics in religious be- 
 lief. Mr. McClowan is a pronounced Republican in 
 his political views; he has been Township Clerk 
 several years, and in 1S79 was elected Supervisor, 
 which office he has lield ever since, and to which he 
 was once previously elected. 
 
 J;!P^<r^T""ohn A. Wayne, farmer and lumberman 
 .J lf-'^T section 10, Porter Township, was born in 
 '" ( 'harlotteville, Norfolk Co., Ont., Jan. 20) 
 1850. When 17 years old he went to Mil- 
 jr wankee, Wis., ar.d thence to East Saginaw, where 
 \ he engaged to go into the lumber woods of 
 Saginaw County, and he continued in that employ- 
 ment two years, when he came to Midland County 
 and again operated as a lumberman. In March, 
 1880, he purchased a farm of 40 acres situated on 
 Pine River. Of this, 25 acres are now under culti- 
 vation. 
 
 Mr. Wayne is a Republican in political sentiment. 
 He was married Aug. 30, 1874, in Mt. Haley Town- 
 shi|i, to Martha E. Timmons. She was born Aug. 
 23, 1856, ill Macomb Co., Mich. Her parents re- 
 moved to Midland County with their family when 
 she was 1 2 years old, and are both deceased. Of 
 this union live children have been born, four of whom 
 died in infancy. The sole surviving child is named 
 Archie A. Wayne. 
 
 »«e>--- 
 
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 J: ^\i E. Oswald, farmer on section 30, Jasper 
 k 'l'ownshi|), was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, 
 ^fv§^"^ Jan. 25, 1854. His parents, Jonathan and 
 Catharine (Gamber) Oswald, were natives of 
 Oiiio, and respectively of English and Pennsyl- 
 vania-German descent. The father, a farmer 
 and mechanic, died in Ohio, April 14, 1882. The 
 mother died in the same State, Feb. 28, 1884. Their 
 family numbered 12, 1 i of whom are now living. 
 
 The eighth of these, and fourth son, remained at 
 home until 20 years old, and then began work at 
 
 blacksmithing, in which trade he had served a two 
 years' apprenticeship. This occupation not being 
 suited to his health, he abandoned it, and de- 
 voted his time to farming and to carpentry. In 
 August, 1876, he came with his brother to this county 
 and purchased 40 acres on section 19, Jasper. He 
 sold this in the fall of 1880 and established a restau- 
 rant at St. Louis, which he managed six months. He 
 then came back to Jasper Township and purchased 
 40 acres on section 30, where he has since made his 
 home. He has improved ten acres. 
 
 Nov. 10, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss 
 Lucy Depue, daughter of William T. and Sarah C. 
 Depue. She was born in Jasper Township, Oct. 18, 
 1863, and lived at home until her marriage, being 
 educated in the common school, and also at the St. 
 Louis High School. 
 
 Mr. Oswald has been Township Treasurer two 
 years. Highway Commissioner one year, and has 
 served in various minor offices. He votes the Re- C >) 
 publican ticket. 
 
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 'Slj^^Jfndrew Hannah, farmer and lumberman, 
 ■^Kia/WP ijt-Qtion 24, Porter Township, was born Jan. 
 
 I, 18 1 9, in Ayrshire, Scotland. His father, 
 Andrew Hannah, who was a native of the 
 \g same shire, and a spinner and weaver by voca- 
 1 tion, died in 1S22, when he, the son, was but 
 three years of age, and on the death of his father he 
 was taken in charge by his paternal grandfather. He 
 was brought to America by the latter when he was 
 eight years of age, and all trace of his mother is lost. 
 His grandfather died in Ontario, Canada. 
 
 Mr. Hannah went when he was 19 years old to 
 Upper Canada, where he remained until he was 28 
 years old, engaged in the various departments of 
 lumbering. He was first married to Mary A. Han- 
 nah, who was born in the State of New York about 
 the year r828. She afterward went to Upper Cana- 
 da, where she lived until her marriage. She died in 
 September, 1857, in Haldimand Co., Can., and is now /p) 
 survived by four of the six children of whom she 
 was the mother. Mr. Hannah came to East Sagi- 
 naw in 1865, where he was married to Mrs. Sophia 
 (Hannah) Hale, who was boVn Nov. 3, 1834, in Up- 
 per Canada. Her mother died when she was six 
 years old, and she spent her time in self-support and 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 with her father until 1857, when she became the 
 wife of Richard Hale. She was widowed the follow- 
 ing year. Two years after the second marriage of 
 Mr. Hannah, he removed to Midland County and 
 entered a homestead claim of 160 acres of timbered 
 land. Of this he has placed 20 acres under improve- 
 ments, and his farm has proved the wisdom of his 
 choice, as its soil is of the best character. 
 
 Mr. Hannah is a Republican in political principles, 
 and has held the position of Justice of the Peace 
 three years ; has occupied the various school offices. 
 The family are Presbyterians in religious convictions. 
 
 Charles, born March 27, 1867 ; Christenia, Aug. 2, 
 1872; Jennie, Dec. 16, 1875; Frederick, Sept. 24, 
 1877, — are the names of the children born of the 
 second marriace of Mr. and Mrs. Hannah. 
 
 
 ^'ohn Gorman, farmer and blacksmith, resi- 
 J^^Ik" dent on section 36, Mt. Haley Township, 
 swi^'y \vas born in Ireland, July 30, 1832, and 
 emigrated to the New World when he was less 
 than ten years old, brought hither by his par- 
 ents, who made their first location in Ontario, 
 Dominion of Canada. He became the master of his 
 own forcnnes wlien he was 15 years old, and was 
 variously employed until he was 20 years old, when 
 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and found employment 
 in the blacksmith shops of that city, oiierating as as- 
 sistant for five years in that vocation. He then came 
 to Detroit, where he "took a fire " in a shop and re- 
 mained in the position about t2 years. At the ex- 
 piration of that time, he went to East Saginaw and 
 was similarly engaged until 1S76. In that year he 
 came to Midland County and became the proprietor 
 by purchase of 40 acres of partly improved land. Of 
 this, 20 acres are noiv under cultivation. Since his 
 residence in Mt. Haley Township, he has devoted 
 most of the winter seasons to the pursuit of his trade 
 at East Saginaw. 
 
 His marriage to Maria N. Clancy occurred March 
 4, 1862, at Detroit. She is a native of Ireland, and 
 was born Sept. 29, 1837. Her parents came to 
 America when she was ten years old. Of eight chil- 
 dren born of her marriage four survive — Lizzie, John 
 
 H., May and Willie. Mr. Gorman is a Democrat in 
 political connection; the family are members of the 
 Roman Catholic Church. 
 
 eorge W. Van Wegen, farmer on section 
 31, Larkin Townsliip, is a son of Daniel 
 and Mary (C'uykcndall) Van Wegen, na- 
 
 yj^ tives of Cayuga Co., N. Y., and was born in 
 Allegany Co., N. Y., May 22, 1830. He was 
 
 I reared in that State and in Pennsylvania, 
 whither his parents removed, and his home was in 
 the Keystone State until 1880. He then came to 
 Saginaw County, this Slate, where he lived one year; 
 and in January, 1S82, he came to Midland County 
 and purchased 80 acres in Larkin Township. Here 
 he now resides, and he has subdued to cultivation 
 25 acres. 
 
 June 6, 1S54, in Jefferson Co., Pa., he took as the 
 life partner of his sorrows and joys Miss Cinderella 
 Munger, daughter of Charles and Rachel (Cutler) 
 Munger, natives of the State of New York. She was 
 born in Livingston County, that State, Sept. 27, 1837. 
 The six children now belonging to this family are 
 named Willard W., Henry H., Elmer N., Grace D., 
 May B. and Charles N. 
 
 Mr. Yan W. supports the Republican party, and 
 has been School Director. He and wife are mem- 
 bers of the Methodist Ejiiscopal Churcli. 
 
 ;$Jharles M. Parmelee, farmer, section 36, 
 
 ^llifpfa^ Ingersoll Townshii), is a son of Harry 
 
 ^1^ and Elizabeth (Freeman) Parmelee, natives 
 
 m of New Hampshire. The former died in In- 
 
 j gersoU Township, Oct. 29, 1872, and the 
 
 latter in Marshalltown, Iowa, July 30, 1882. 
 
 Charles M. was born in Wayne ("o., Mich., A\n'\\ 
 21, 1837; from 14 to 19 years of age he lived in 
 Windsor, Ont., employed in a machine shop for three 
 years and two years as engineer on the (ireat West- 
 ern Railroad; then for two years he ran nn engine 
 from Rouse's Point in Vermont to White River 
 Tunction. Returning to Michigan, he enlisted, Nov. i , 
 1S61, in the "Brady Sharpshooters," which was made 
 the 11th Company of the 16th Mich. Inf, and he 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 served three years. At the battle of Cold Harbor he 
 was taken prisoner, but remained in the enemy's 
 hands only about eight liours, when he was re-cap- 
 tured by Gen. Custer's forces. He was in 22 engage- 
 ments, prominent among which were the battles of 
 Big Bethel, Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, second Bull 
 Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, siege of 
 Yorktown, Siiarpsburg, etc. He was able for duty 
 every day while in the service. 
 
 After the war he returned to Michigan, but soon 
 went to Chicago, where he had charge of the tele- 
 graph lines from that city to Quincy, 111., for two 
 years. He then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and had 
 charge of the "United States" lines from Chicago to 
 Buffalo for nearly a year. Next, he was employed 
 by the Western Union Telegraph Company about a 
 year, having his headquarters at Dunkirk, N. Y. 
 Then he kei)t a grocery in Saginaw County, this 
 State, almost two years ; sold out and passed a winter 
 in Chicago; disposed of an improved farm which he 
 owned near Mendota, III.; and .finally, in March, 
 1870, he came to Midland County and purchased 80 
 acres of land in Ingersoll Township, where he has 
 since lived, and now has almost 70 acres improved. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Parmelee is independent. 
 
 He was married in Saginaw Co., Mich., July 4, 
 1865,10 Elizabeth, daughter of William and Ann 
 Glover, tiie former a native of Scotland and the latter 
 of Ireland. Mrs. P. was born in Cincinnati, O., 
 Dec. 25, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Parmelee are the 
 parents of five children, namely: Charles H , Chira 
 M., Otis S., Annie I,, and George A. Tlie first two 
 are deceased. 
 
 ohn Salsbury, farmer, section 16, Jasper 
 
 f Township, was born in Camden Township; 
 
 Ontario, July 30, 1845. His parents, Luke 
 
 and Sarah (Lee) Salsluiry, were natives also of 
 ]L the Dominion, and are now deceased, — the 
 former departing this life in 1879, at the age of 
 76, and the latter in 1881, aged 68: father was a 
 farmer. 
 
 In the above family of four sons and five daugh- 
 ters, the subject of this sketch was the eighth. He 
 lived with jiis parents, assisting on the farm and 
 attending the common school, until he was 27 years 
 
 of age, when he was married, in DeKalb Co., 111., 
 May 5, 1873, to Miss Mercy Davis, a daughter of E. 
 R. and Matilda (Huff) Davis, natives of Ontario, 
 and of German and French descent. Mrs. S. was 
 born June 22, t85o. She and Mr. S. are parents of 
 one child. May, born April 2, 1876. 
 
 Directly after marriage Mr. Salsbury came to Bay 
 Co., Mich., and a year later to this county, settling 
 on his present place. Of his original purchase of 
 160 acres he now owns 120 acres, of wiiich 45 is in a 
 good state of cultivation; has also two barns and 
 two dwellings on his place. He is laying well the 
 foundations of a good home. He has held several 
 offices in his township, and in his political principles 
 he is a Republican. 
 
 . 000 . 
 
 oc5o~ 
 
 J soil Township, is a son of Frederick and 
 
 |^(^^ Betsey (Hoisted) Hare, who were natives 
 'Wk, of the Empire State, moved to Lenawee Co., 
 ^ Mich., then to Hillsdale County, where they 
 5 lived the remainder of their days. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Onondaga 
 Co., N. Y., April 15, 1828. In the fall of 1853, when 
 he was 26 years of age, he came to Michigan and 
 purchased a farm in Hillsdale County, and, after 
 cultivating that place two years, he sold out and re- 
 turned to New York State. In April, 1856, he 
 bought 80 acres of unimproved land in Ingersoll 
 Township, on which he settled two years later. He 
 now has about 30 acres in good cultivation. He 
 also purchased 88 acres in Saginaw County, which 
 he afterward disposed of. In the fall of 1882 he 
 bought a saw-mill in Saginaw County, which he 
 operated until May, 1883. 
 
 Mr. Hare has been County Superintendent of the 
 Poor three years, Township Treasurer eight years, 
 Justice of the Peace eight years and School Director 
 three years. He entertains Republican views of 
 national affairs, and both himself and wife belong to 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 In the fall of 1864, Mr. Hare enlisted in the 29th 
 Mich. Inf. and served until he was honorably dis- 
 charged after the close of the war, at Camp Douglas, 
 near Chicago. At the battle of Decatur, Ala., he 
 was taken sick, and was confined in the hospital most 
 
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 eeatur A. Hare, farmer, section ^6, Inger- ( ^ 
 
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 324 
 
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 of the lime afterward until the dale of his discharge. 
 Oct. lo, 1849, in Niagara Co., N. Y., Mr. Hare 
 was married to Miss Jeannette F., daughter of 
 George and Julia (Stebbins) Brown, lier father a na- 
 tive of New Hampshire and her motiier of Con- 
 necticut. She was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Oct. 
 17, 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Hare are the parents of 
 eight children; the four living are Mary J., George 
 F., Asahel M. and Willie S.; and the deceased are 
 Elizabeth A., Willie D., Josejjh C. and an infant. 
 
 -^^-^%-^ 
 
 4',<lv^j, tephen D. Trowbridge, farmer on section 
 ^»'b_ 36, Hojie Township, was born m Arcadia 
 Townsliip, Ontario (now Wayne) Co., N. 
 Y., June 15, 1813, the son of Eli and Anna 
 (Dunwell) Trowbridge. His father was of En- 
 - glish-German descent, and died in Solon, 
 Ohio, aged 84 ; his mother was of mixed English, 
 Scotch and Welsh blood, and died in Warrensville, 
 Ohio, when 69 years old. They were the parents of 
 five children, all of whom are living. Their names 
 are Stephen, Phiebe, Cornelia V., Samuel A. and 
 Lucretia V. Of these Ste|)hen is the eldest. 
 
 He was reared on tlie paternal farm, and lived 
 with his father until of age, moving when 19 years 
 old with his father to Solon, Ohio, where they settled 
 on a farm of roo acres. On atlaiiiing his majority, 
 he endeavored to improve his mind by attending 
 school, teaching in the winter seasons. He attended 
 the academy in Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., for a time, 
 but most of his education was received in the com- 
 mon school. He planned a thorough course of 
 study for himself, but owing to feeble health was 
 forced to abandon this. 
 
 He purchased a farm of 44 acres in Solon, Ohio, 
 soon after he was of age. His wife yet owns 15 
 acres of that same tract. James A. Garfield (late 
 President) gave her $1,000 to build a house on the 
 same. On this farm Mr. Trowbridge kept a small 
 dairy of 15 cows, and dealt in cheese. He was 
 financially unfortunate, and lost all his land except 
 the 15 acres mentioned above. He lived on this 
 place from 1834 to i86i. 
 
 In the year last mentioned he enlisted in Co. K, 
 2d Ohio Vol. Cav. His regiment was on duty near 
 Fort Scott, in Eastern Kansas. He was mustered 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 out at Camp Chase, Ohio, in 1863. His son, Melvin 
 M., was in tlie same com[)any, but was mustered out 
 previous to the close of his term of enlistment, on ac- 
 count of sickness. 
 
 Returning from the army, Mr. T. cultivated for 
 one year the little farm in Solon, and then, in 1864, 
 came to Midland County. Here he filed his claim 
 to a tract of land under the Homestead Act. He 
 then went back to Ohio. Returning to this county 
 in the spring of 1865, he made some maple sugar, 
 and 'then set about makmg a permanent home. He 
 has since resided here, with the exception of occa- 
 sional visits to Ohio. 
 
 July 30, 1837, was the date of his marriage, in 
 .Solon, Ohio, to Miss Mehitabe' B. Garfield, daughter 
 of Abram and Eliza (Ballon) Garfield, and sister of 
 the late martyr President. .She was born Jan. 28, 
 1 82 1, in Independence, Ohio, and was the eldest of 
 four in her father's family, whose names were Mehit- 
 abel, Thomas, Mary and James A. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge have become the parents 
 of four children, as follows : .\nna E., born Sept. 
 12, 1838, in Orange, Ohio; Mary E., March 4, 1840, 
 in Solon, Ohio; Melvin M., Nov. 14, 1845, in .Solon, 
 and died March 9, 1864, in Bridgeport, Ala., having 
 re-enlisted in the ist Mich. Mech. and Eng; Alta 
 Estella, Sept. 11, i860, in Solon, and married to John 
 Hawkins, in December, 1880. 
 
 Mr. Trowbridge is in political faitlr a member of 
 the National patrv. He is very progressive in liis 
 views, and has always taken a brave stand for what 
 lie believed lo be right. He has been Township 
 Clerk and School Inspector, and was elected Justice 
 of the Peace, but did not qualify. He is a memlier 
 of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and his wife 
 of the Disci|)les' Church. Mr. 'I", w.ts tlie tutor of 
 Gen. Garfield when the latler was 16 vears old. 
 
 ,!. ; (?;(] raneis Oliver, farmer, sec. 26, Porter Town- 
 •vikE J, sliii), was born Ai)ril 24, 1820, in Yorkshire, 
 '&S^' " J'^'ia-i where his parents, William and 
 ^i^ Rachel (Hutty) Oliver, were born. They emi- 
 -^'k^ grated to Canada, where the father died, in 
 I 1876, at the age of 84 years. The mother died 
 a few years ago near Port Huron, Mich., aged about 
 80 years. Their family included four daughters and 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 325 
 
 two sons. Two of the former and one of the latter 
 are dead. 
 
 Mr. Oliver was the eldest child of his parents and 
 lived at home assisting on the farm of his father un- 
 til he was of age. On attaining liis majority he 
 came to St. Thomas, Ont., where he became the 
 owner of 100 acres of land and pursued the calling 
 of a farmer until the fall of 1873, when he came to 
 Michigan and purchased 40 acres of land in Porter 
 Township, where he has since devoted liis attention 
 to his interests as an agriculturist. He has improved 
 30 acres and increased the material value of the 
 place by the addition of suitable farm buildings. 
 Mr. Oliver is a Democrat in his political relations, 
 and has been the incumbent of the various offices in 
 his school district. 
 
 He was married in January, 1851, to Ann Maugh- 
 ey. She is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and 
 was born in July, 1827. .She came when in girlhood 
 to Canada with her parents. Ten children have 
 been born of her marriage, named as follows : 
 Catherine, Rachel, Dinah, John, Ellen, Anna, Alice, 
 Mary A., Samuel and Francis. The four last named 
 are dead. The daughters are ail married except 
 Anna. 
 
 illiam L. Stearns, real-estate broker, resi- 
 dent at Midland City, was born March 
 jm:r<r\ 3°> i'^3°> ''i Brunswick, Medina t'o., Ohio, 
 •^kSi, '^"d is a son of Daniel and Mary (Mclntyre) 
 Stearns. His parents were both of New En- 
 ,laiid origin. The former was born Sept. 29, 
 1795, the latter Jan. .S, 1797. They were married 
 Dec. 27, 1826, at Wadsworth, Medina Co., Ohio. 
 The paternal grandparents of Mr. Stearns, John and 
 Lucy Stearns, removed to Medina County vi'ith their 
 family and entered vigorously into pioneer labor in 
 the township of Brunswick, where they were among 
 the firstof the permanent settlers. To that date, previ- 
 ous comers had made their way to their new homes 
 witho.\ teams. The transit of the family and effects of 
 the Stearns household was effected by means of a 
 two-horse team, driven by Daniel Stearns from Cleve- 
 land, where they left the boat, to Medina ('ounty. 
 These were the first horses driven into Medina 
 County. The Mclntyre family were also pioneers of 
 that County. 
 
 The family of John Stearns included six sons and 
 one daughter: John M. and Lucy M., eldest born, 
 were twins; William L., Frank M., David E., Daniel 
 M. and Charles W. are the names of the others, and 
 are all living, except the eldest son, who died in 
 1S61, and the father of Mr. Stearns, whose demise 
 occurred Jan. 2, 1873, at Berea, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 
 whither he had removed with his family in 1844. 
 He was a farmer all his life, but from his tem[)era- 
 ment and abilities was eminently fitted for a pioneer. 
 The mother of Mr. Stearns is yet living. 
 
 The subject of this sketch.was reared on a farm 
 and remained at home as his father's assistant until 
 he was of age. At 21 years old he connected him- 
 self with a construction corps on the Cleveland & 
 Columbus Railroad, and, after its completion, 
 engaged in its service as a fireman. He acted in 
 that capacity on the engine that drew the first pass- 
 enger train over the road. He was in the same 
 employment about two years, during whicji time he 
 received a severe injury. While engaged in firing 
 on the leading engine, which, in connection with an- 
 other, was drawing a heavy freight train into the city 
 ot Cleveland, the boiler of the auxiliary engine burst, 
 killing the engineers on both, and nearly scalping 
 Mr. Stearns. This is believed to be one of the first 
 accidents from a locomotive boiler explosion on 
 record. It occurred in 1846. He was disabled two 
 months. He followed railroading about 12 years, 
 operating chiefly in the capacity of engineer.. 
 
 In 1858 Mr. Stearns embarked in a mercantile 
 enterprise at Berea, in which he was still interested 
 when the culmination of partisan issues, created by 
 the misguided and infuiiated South, merged into civil 
 war. In 1862, when the rebel forces in Kentucky, 
 under Gen. Bragg, threatened the invasion of Cin- 
 cinnati, Gov. Tod made a requisition for volunteers 
 for the defense of the city. One of its results was 
 the organization, of an independent company of 
 sharpshooters, comprising over 100 picked men, 
 under Capt. G. M. Barber. They were designated 
 "Squirrel Hunters," for obvious reasons. (Riflemen 
 understand the technical skill recpiiredin the pastime 
 of squirrel-shooting, which is general in the Buckeye 
 State.) Mr. Stearns left his business to enroll in the 
 company, and on its organization was made Orderly 
 Sergeant. The service continued two weeks, and on 
 its dismemberment Gov. Tod conferred upon each of 
 its members a card, bearing the device of a squirrel 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 and containing his certified statement of his appre- 
 ciation of their action in responding to his summons. 
 In the fall of the same year Mr. Stearns again en- 
 listed, enrolling in the Fifth Ohio Vol. Inf. He was 
 in a company of sharpshooters under his former 
 Captain (Barber), which was detailed as guard at tiie 
 headquarters of Gen. Rosecrans. 
 
 After the engagement at Missionary Ridge, Mr. 
 Stearns was ordered to Cleveland on recruiting 
 service, with a commission as Second Lieutenant. 
 He enlisted 40 recruits for three companies of shar[)- 
 shooters, and organized two full companies. He re- 
 mained in Cleveland until Gen. Burnside was ordered 
 to the Potomac, when he joined his command, re- 
 ceiving a commission as Captain of Co. G, 6oth 
 Ohio Vol., his command and that of the second 
 company which he had enlisted, doing duty as flank 
 [juard. Capt. Stearns took his position April 20, 
 T864, and was a participant in all the engagements 
 until tlie fall of Richmond, when he resigned. He 
 was made Major Aug. 20, 1864, after the battle of 
 Stone Tavern, W. Va. He went through the entire 
 period of his service with but slight injury. During 
 the siege of Petersburg he sustained a slight womid. 
 
 On obtaining his release from the service of the 
 United States, he returned to Ohio and resumed his 
 business, which he continued until 1874. He had 
 merged his commercial relations in the hardware 
 trade, and at the date named he opened an office for 
 traffic in real estate. He continued to conduct his 
 operations in that line until Oct. i, 1883, when he 
 opened his present business at Midland. He had 
 been a heavy land-holder in the county since 1875, 
 when he bought about 6,000 acres of land. He has, 
 since that date, operated heavily in real estate in 
 Midland County, and still owns about 2,000 acres of 
 farming lands, one-half of which is situated in the 
 township of Midland, near the county seat. He is 
 the proprietor of the Mineral Spring property on 
 Larkin Street, and owns in connection therewith the 
 boarding and bath houses. The water is justly cele- 
 brated fot its medicinal properties and enjoys a large 
 patronage. Mr. Stearns handles all kinds of ]irop- 
 erty, personal as well as real estate, and manages an 
 exchange business. He owns three dwellings and 
 several building lots in Berea, Ohio, also a homestead 
 lot and a number of vacant lots at Cleveland. He 
 also owns property in the city of Ft. Wayne, Ind. 
 His residence at Midland is attached to the bath 
 
 house near the springs. He is "a member of the 
 Order of Masonry and of the Odd Fellows. 
 
 Mr. Stearns was married in 1854, in Berea, Ohio, 
 to Sarah Caswell. She died at Wellsville, Ohio, 
 leaving a son, who is now deceased. Mr. Stearns 
 was a second time married, in Wellsville, to Mattie, 
 daughter of John and Ann (Malin) Lawrence. Slie 
 was born in Wellsville, March 31, 1834, and is the 
 mother of one daughter, Minnie. Her parents were 
 early settlers in Jefferson Co., Ohio. 
 
 Iij.javid A. Mills, farmer, section 23, Ingersoll 
 1 Township, is a son of Harvey E. and Me- 
 'M'^^ linda (Crampton) Mills; his father was 
 P** born in Rose, Wayne Co., N. Y., and his 
 ^ mother in Addison, Vt. After marriage they 
 S resided in Wayne County until 1840, when 
 
 they came to Lapeer Co., Mich., where he (the 
 father) died, Oct. 26, 1850. In the fall of 1855 '"^ 
 widowed mother married Alpheus Chapman and 
 settled in Saginaw County, where she died Sept. 30, 
 1866. By her first marriage there were seven chil- 
 dren : Harvey C, Peter A., Harriet P., Emily E.) 
 David A., Jane D. and Harvey C. (2d). 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Hadley, 
 Lapeer Co., Mich., July 15, 1841; attended school 
 only until nine years of age, as then his father died 
 and until 14 years old he had to assist in sup[)orting 
 the family. At the latter age he went to live with 
 an older sister, and about two years afterward his 
 mother bought for him a farm of 80 acres, in Inger- 
 soll Township, where she lived with him until her 
 death in 1866. He then rented a farm in Saginaw 
 County, carried it on two years, and then returned to 
 his farm in this county, where he has since resided, — 
 except six months in Midland. He has sold 20 acres 
 of his place, and now has about 35 acres in a good 
 tillable condition. 
 
 In his district he has been Justice of the Peace, 
 Highway Commissioner, Constable, and is at present 
 Deputy Sheriff. Politically, he is identified with the 
 Republican party. 
 
 Mr. Mills was married in Saginaw County, Aug. 
 14, 1861, to Eliza A., daughter of Phineas F. and 
 Mary (Chase) Pierce. (See sketch of P. F. Pierce.) 
 She was born in Erie Co., N. Y., July 23, 1838. Mr 
 
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 and Mrs. Mills adopted a young child named Anna 
 B. Jelley, to whom was conseciuently given their own 
 name of Mills. She grew ui) in the family and was 
 married, but died three months afterward, at the 
 home of her foster parents. 
 
 eorge W. England, section lo, Lee Town- 
 ship, was born in Hocking Co., Ohio, Nov. 
 '^ 2 1, 1846, and is a son of Titus and Mary 
 
 J. (I)evvhirst) England, natives respectively of 
 Germany and England. The father died be- 
 fore his son was born, and the mother died 
 when he was but seven months old, in Ontario, 
 wliither she had gone just after his birth. The 
 orphan, thus so sadly bereft, was cared for by liis 
 grandparents until he was 13 years old, when he set 
 out in the world for himself. 
 
 First he came to Michigan and began to work for 
 (!!harles Roe, a drover of Detroit ; then for J. J. 
 Baker, of the same place, operating between Ontario 
 and Detroit; afterward he worked a year in Macomb 
 County, when, Jan. 27, 1863, he enlisted for the war, 
 in Co. G, Eighth Mich. Cav., of the Army of 
 the Cumberland, Colonel Mi.x commanding. He 
 was in the battles of Knoxville and Nashville, 
 and two days after the general capture at Millbury 
 Creek he was taken prisoner at that place. Attempt- 
 ing escape from the general capture, he lost his 
 weapons and his horse was drowned in a river, and 
 he was hunted down with Ijlood-hounds. After 
 baffling his pursuers for some lime he was compelled 
 to climb a tree, where he was taken by rebel citizens. 
 He was first taken to Andersonville prison, then to 
 Charleston and Florence, S. C, and was a prisoner 
 of war for a period of six months. At the latter 
 place he was paroled on a 90-days furlough, and he 
 re-jomed his regiment and served till the close of the 
 war, being discharged Sept. 22, 1865, at Nashville, 
 Tenn. 
 
 Returning to Macomb County, he married Miss 
 Martha Jane Knowles, a native of Ontario. She 
 was born May 3, 1846, came to Michigan when 18 
 years old, and was passed 19 when she was married. 
 The children by this marriage were, William, de- 
 ceased, George B. and Margaret. Mrs. E. died on 
 section 2, Lee Township, Sept. 18, 1877, and Mr. E. 
 
 was again married Aug. 28, 1878, in Detroit, Mich., 
 to Miss Alzora Thalcher, who was born in Muske- 
 gon, Mich., April 18, 1853, but was brought u]) prin- 
 cipally in Ontario. 
 
 Mr. England now owns 95 acres on section 2, Lee 
 Township, where he settled in 1875; but he now re- 
 sides with Jacob S. Bisbing, on section 10. Mr. E. 
 is a Re|)ublican in his political preferences, and is 
 now serving his fourth year as Constable. 
 
 -ij£j2j2rE^-«— ^^|<! 
 
 i^|®<OTTO»~ 
 
 "m-m 
 
 ;_ohn Haley, of the firm of Clason & Haley, 
 
 ^'^-'y' ■- liverymen and undertakers at Midland, and 
 . , ' ' ' senior member of the lumber firm of Haley 
 
 .(V & Covert, was born Oct. 24, 1845, in County 
 Wicklow, Ireland. His parents, William and 
 
 1 Elizabeth (Kehoe) Haley, came to this country 
 and settled in Canada, in 1852. They lived on a 
 farm in the Dominion during their residence there, 
 and can)e to Michigan in 1871. He died in Mid- 
 land, March 16, 1879, and his wife at the same place 
 Dec 23, 1879. 
 
 In the winter of 1864-5 '^^ came to Michigan and 
 was employed in the lumber woods of Tuscola Coun- 
 ty during that season. In the winter following he 
 came to Midland County, where he was similarly 
 engaged. In 1870 he was employed by John L.irkin 
 and took charge of his heavy lumber interests in the 
 woods and on the river. He continued the manage- 
 ment of that business about nine years, when he 
 commenced jobbing in his own behalf, and is still 
 engaged in both capacities. In September, 1883, he 
 formed a partnership with G. W. Covert and entered 
 extensively into lumbering interests. In the winter 
 ensuing they put in 15,000,000 feet. They own 200 
 acres of land, known as the Eastman farm, which is 
 considered the best property in the county They 
 employ an average force of 125 men in the woods 
 and about 18 teams. He owns, singly, 120 acres in 
 the township of Larkin. The firm of Clason & . 
 Haley own their stables, office and two lots. They 
 usually keep about 20 horses, and livery equipments 
 as their business demands. 
 
 Mr. Haley has served two years on the Village 
 Board, and was appointed Supervisor in place of R. 
 
 I 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 fo) 
 
 i^^^jjs: ^7K^D!]^Dr>^T9 ^«»^ 
 
 4^?f<2^ 
 
<^:Utl^DIl^>-^ 
 
 >l!5\J5^'t^ 
 
 o 
 
 ^ 
 
 > 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 W. Clason on the election of the latter as County 
 Treasvirer. He was married Jan. i8, 1870, in Sagi- 
 naw City, to Mary, daughter of William B. and 
 Joanna Keeley, a native of Canada. They have 
 three children — Lizzie, born Dec. 7, 1871; William 
 P., torn Jan. 4, 1875 ; and .Vnna, born Jan. 8, 1S77. 
 Politically, Mr. H. affiliates with the Republican 
 I'-arty. 
 
 The jiatrons of this volume will ai)preciate the por- 
 trait of Mr. Haley, wliich appears elsewhere. It is 
 that of a popular and public-spirited citizen of Mid- 
 land County. Its value to the family circle is fully 
 com[)leted by the genial likeness of Mrs. Haley, which 
 accompanies that of her husband. 
 
 ^-^ 
 
 . K^H ^ Idridge S. Gotham, farmer on section 16, 
 
 c: [W^],.-i Larkin 'l'ownshi|), is a son of Solomon and 
 ^i^ Elizabeth (King) C.othani, natives of tlie 
 
 State of New York ; and was born in Jefferson 
 Co., N. Y., June 6, 1840. He came to Mid- 
 land County in the fall of 1S69 and entered 80 
 acres of Government land in Lincoln Township, 
 which he afterward disposed of. Si.x years later he 
 purchased 40 acres in Larkin Townsliip, where he 
 now lives, and has 16 acres improved. 
 
 Dec. 24, i860, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., he was 
 united in marriage with Miss Claia Howe, daughter 
 of William and Almira (Kendall) Howe. She was 
 born in Jefferson Co., N. Y\, .'Vpril 14. 1S44. George 
 E., Eunice E. and Byron F. are the names of the 
 younger members of Mr. and Mrs. Gotham's house- 
 hold. 
 
 Mr. G. is in [xjlitical belief a Republican. He has 
 been Health Officer, Overseer of Highways and 
 School Director. He and wife are members of the 
 Christian Church. 
 
 eorge N. Brown, farmer, section i6, Jas- 
 per Township, was born in Hastings Co., 
 '^ Ont., Dec. 7, 1852. For a sketch of his 
 parents, see biography of Charles S. Brown, in 
 this work. When he was 16 years of age he 
 came with his parents to Michigan, to the 
 where they now reside, where he assisted on 
 
 the farm until his marriage, June i, 1875, to Miss 
 Mary \. Turner. She was born in Madison Co., 
 Wis., Oct 28, 1857, and her parents are Samuel and 
 Grace (McLaughlin) Turner. (See sketch.) When 
 seven years of age she came with her parents to sec- 
 tion 19, Jasper Townshi[). 
 
 Previous to his marriage, Mr. Brown had purchased 
 80 acres of unimproved land on section i6, Jasper 
 Townshiji, and since his marriage has resided on 
 that place. He has added 40 acres to his original 
 purchase, and of the aggregate he now has 50 acres 
 in an advanced state of cultivation, and the i)lace 
 furnished with good buildings, etc. 
 
 In his views of national policy Mr. Brown main- 
 tains the Republican platform, and in his township 
 he has been entrusted with the office of Highway 
 Commissioner. He and his wife attenil the Method- 
 ist Episcopal Church. 
 
 ^*-^^ 
 
 ;l|l^[|[( ohn P. Patterson, late farmer on section 
 I^Bft' 16, Hojje Township, was born in County 
 
 Bright's disease, Oct. 22, 18S3. He was the 
 son of John and Martha (Watts) Patterson. 
 The parents were born, lived anil died in 
 County Antrim, and reared five children, named 
 Fergus Watt, Matilda Jane, David Moore, Mary Ann 
 and John Paul. 
 
 The last named, the youngest of tlie family, re- 
 mained on the paternal farm in Ireland until i860, 
 when he emigrated to Petersborough Co., Can. There 
 he purchased 300 acres and fixed his home for a 
 time. For five years he was engaged in the whole- 
 sale licjuor and grocery trade. There he lived until 
 1 868, when he sold out and came to this State and 
 county. He bought 30 acres in Hope Township, 
 and afterwards added 40 acres. All this was in its 
 primitive condition at the time of purchase, but tiiere 
 are now improved all the original 30 acres, and 20 
 acres of the second purchase. 
 
 He was first married in County Derry, Ireland, 
 when 21 years old, to Jane Clark, who died after one 
 year, leaving a daughter, Mary Smw, now the wife of 
 Benjamin Lee. His second marriage occurred in 
 1842, in County .Antrim, to Mary .\nn McMullen, 
 daughter of John and Kate (Murjihy) McMullen. 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 Antrim, Ireland, in 1818, and died, of v*'* 
 
 ( 
 
 \ 
 
 1 
 
 \^^^^^ 
 
 J^ 
 
 <^D!i:^^liii>> 
 
 A 
 
 «^^jf 
 

 Z2^&K — 6-i<myM'^> 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 333 
 
 '^ 
 
 4 
 
 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. McM. are deceased. Of their 
 14 children, eigln became men and women, and their 
 names are Daniel, Charles, Bridget, John, William, 
 Mary Ann, Katie and Elizabeth. Mrs. Paltersoii 
 was born about 1827, and has been the mother of 13 
 children, seven of whom are living. Following is 
 the record: David, born Nov. 22, 1859, in County 
 Antrim; John 1'., Sept. 16, 1862, in I'etcrsboroiigh 
 Co., Can.; Wui. James, Feb. 5, 1865, in same county; 
 Charles Alexander, May 6, 1867, in same county; 
 Elizabeth k., Se|)t. 22, 1868, in I'ort Hope, Can., 
 and died A[)ril 30, 1869; George Thomas, Feb. 16, 
 1 87 1, in Hoi)e Township, this county; Katie Ann, 
 May 8, 1873, in same township; Daniel, Sept. 23, 
 1876, in same township. Five others died in 
 infancy. 
 
 Mr. P. was politically inde[)endent. He was High- 
 way Commissioner one term, and held some school 
 office for nine years. 
 
 •V-i.*' uc 
 
 '\ 'iT-?r- 
 
 eorge W. Abbey, jeweler at Midland City, 
 was born March 15, 1849, in Ashtabula 
 ^ Co., Ohio. His father, Eli S. Abbey, was 
 born Oct. 9, 1823, at South Uidge, Ashtabula 
 Co., Ohio, and was the son of Shubal Abbey. 
 'he eariiest traceable ancestor was Abner 
 Abbey, who was born in 1739, at Amherst, Mass ,and 
 married Sarah Sweetland, also a native of the Bay 
 .State. He died at the age of 44 years, leaving ten 
 sons and daughters, all of whom reached mature life 
 and became heads of families. Shubal Abbey, his 
 son, was born June 17, 1793, in Granby, Mass. He 
 was a resident of his native State until he was 22 
 years old, when he came to what was then Salem, 
 Ashtabula Co., Ohio, but is now Conneaut. He 
 went thence to Norwalk, Ohio, where he is yet living, 
 at the age of gi years. He was married Dec. 25, 
 i8t6, to Sarah Sanford, a native of Litchfield, Conn. 
 Ten children were born to them, only two of whom 
 survive. Mrs. Harriet (Abbey) Farnham, widow of 
 Elisha Farnham, is the oldest child; she was born 
 Oct. 24, 1817, at Salem, and now resides at South 
 Ridge, Ohio. Aaron Abbey was born Sept. 11, 1825, 
 at Salem, and is now a resident of Norwalk, Ohio. 
 His father is a member of his family. Eli S. Abbey 
 .resided nearly all his life in the place of his nativity. 
 
 and married Maiia S. Cheney. He was a farmer by 
 occupation, and about a year before his death his 
 health became seriously impaired, and he went to 
 ('ohimbus, Ohio, where he died, Aug. 10, 1.S4S. His 
 wife was born Dec. 8, 1825, in Stratford, Orange Co., 
 Vt., and died May 5, 1S65, in Spring Township, 
 Crawford Co., l^a. 
 
 Mr. Abbey, of this skelcli, rciuained on the farm 
 at home until he was 15 years old, and in 1864 lie 
 went to Conneaut, Oliio, for the [lurjiose of acquiring 
 the details of tlie business in whicli he has since en- 
 gaged. He passed three years in completing a thor- 
 ough knowledge of the minutiae of the trade, and in 
 1868 came to Bay ("ity, Mich., where he oljtained 
 employment. A few months later he went to Clio, 
 Genesee County, and opened an establishment for 
 the prosecution of his trade in his own interest, where 
 he continued four years. 
 
 While there he was married, Sept. 22, 187 1, in 
 Tittabawassee Township, Saginaw County, to Sarah 
 J. Elden. She was born May 27, 1847, in New York, 
 and is the daughter of James and Angelica (Sigsby) 
 Elden. In the fall of 1872 he opened his present 
 establishment at Midland, where he is the oldest and 
 leading representative of his calling. His stock is 
 valued at $5,000, and includes clocks, watches, sil- 
 ver-ware,]optical goods, fine jewelers' wares, diamonds, 
 musical merchandise and all sundries ccjnnnon to a 
 first-class jeweler's house. He occupies a fine brick 
 building, which he erected in the fall of 1879, two 
 stories high and iS bj* 60 feet in dimensions. lie 
 owns a fine residence, with grounds including three 
 village lots, two building lots variously situated, 200 
 acres of land in Lincoln Township, and is also a 
 stockholder in the Star Flouring Mills. 
 
 It eorge Starks, lumberman, section 23, Ho- 
 mer Township, was born May 4, 1854, in 
 '^ Genesee Co., N. Y. He is the son of 
 George and Catherine Starks, who came to 
 Homer Township in 1854, and, after a resi- 
 dence of six months, returned to the State of 
 New York. They came back to Midland County in 
 1856, where their son has since resided. His father 
 died when he was 12 years old, and he was thence- 
 forward under the guidance of his mother, who later 
 
 
 I 
 
 Vi:^ 
 
 J 
 
 C'l 
 1=3 
 
 
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 ms: 
 
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 334 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 ^¥^^(srvM 
 
 
 >^ 
 
 became the wifeof Cliailes Cronkright. He remained 
 at liome until he was 22 years of age. His marriage 
 to Dora Smith occurred April 3, 1876. She was born 
 in Homer Township, Feb. 14, 1855, and is thedaugh- 
 ter of Stephen and Harriet Smith. Her mother died 
 in her early childhood. The children who constitute 
 the issue of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Starks 
 were born as follows: George, April 21, 1877; Me- 
 linda, Feb. 25, 1880; Catherine, born Sept. 29, 1882, 
 died March i, 1884. 
 
 Mr. Starks is a Republican, and has been Highway 
 Commissioner two years. He owns 40 acres of land, 
 and has 24 acres under improvements. Within the 
 last eight years he has put in 10,000,000 feet of logs. 
 
 -•es- — 
 
 'homas Nickels, superintendent of the lum- 
 ber camp of Wright & Ketcham, in the 
 r^ northern part of Lincoln Township, was 
 born Sept. 19, 1848, in the city of Montreal, 
 where his parents still reside, his father being 
 engaged in farming. In 1864 Mr. Nickels came 
 to Saginaw, and since then has been engaged in lum- 
 bering; for the last seven years he has been con- 
 nected with Wright & Ketcham, of Saginaw, who 
 have extensive interests in this county. 
 
 (^ 
 
 m 
 
 i7 
 l^harles Oswald, carpenter and joiner, and 
 
 11?^ farn-.er on section 19, Jasper Townsliip, 
 
 was born March i, 1849, in Trumbull Co., 
 
 ■9 'Ohio, where he lived until his marriage. When 
 
 ,-S^ 18 years of age he was api:)renticed for two 
 
 years to learn his trade under David Keefer, 
 
 after the expiration of which time he worked as a 
 
 journeyman until he was married. This latter event 
 
 took place Jan. 8, 1873, the lady of his choice being 
 
 Miss Amanda Murberger, who was born in Warren 
 
 Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, Oct. 9, 1850. From 
 
 the age of 16 until she was married she taught school. 
 
 She is a member of the Church of United Brethren. 
 
 The children of Mr. and Mrs. O. are Chloe B., Mary 
 
 E. and Clyde H. 
 
 After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Oswald resided in 
 
 Trumbull Co., Ohio, three years, he following his 
 
 trade; thence, in August, 1876, he came to this State 
 
 and settled on an unimproved tract of 76 acres, where 
 he now resides. He has since cleared and inijiroved 
 about 40 acres, erected good farm buildings, etc. 
 
 Mr. Oswald votes with the Republicans, and has 
 been honored, by liis fellow citizens, with the office 
 of Justice of the Peace. 
 
 j {benjamin T. Puffer, farmer and lumber- 
 man, resident on section 17, of Porter 
 
 ^ 
 
 <^D!1 
 
 g)(¥'''" Township, was horn Oct. 27, 1844, in 
 
 ® Erie Co., Pa. His father and mother, Eras- 
 tus and Diana (Catlin) Puffer, are natives of 
 \'ermont, of New England origin, and are 
 now living in Crawford Co., Pa., and are aged re- 
 spectively 90 and So years. Of 10 children born to 
 them but one is deceased. 
 
 Mr. Puffer is the youngest son and eighth child of 
 his parents, who removed, when he was nine years 
 old, to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where he remained until 
 he was 22 years of age, working on his father's farm 
 and obtaining his education in tlie manner common 
 to farmers' sons. When he arrived at the age named 
 he decided on the calling of a builder for a vocation 
 in life, and spent three years in its pursuit in Ashta- 
 bula ('ounty. In the fall of 1868 he came to 
 Michigan, and in the sinin" following he purchased 
 the property he now owns, in Porter Township, com- 
 l)rising 70 acres of unimproved land. The family 
 were among tlie first permanent settlers in the town- 
 sliip, which was not organized until the year follow- 
 ing their arrival. When the election of the officers 
 of Porter Township took place, Mr. Puffer was 
 elected Town Clerk. In addition to improving his 
 farm he has engaged to a considerable extent in 
 lumbering, and has met with a reasonable reward for 
 his efforts in both directions. The value and appear- 
 ance of his farm is materially enhanced by a new 
 stock and grain barn, 36 by 46 feet in dimensions, 
 which is now in process of erection. Mr. Puffer is a 
 Republican in political affiliation, and has served a 
 number of years in the more important local offices 
 of the township. He has been Clerk four years, 
 Supervisor four years and Highway Commissioner 
 two years. 
 
 He was married Nov. 16, 1866, in Erie Co., Pa., to 
 
 ^IDi1>-^ ^^^ 
 
 /' 
 
 A 
 
 c^: 
 
 
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 I 
 
^^^ 
 
 -^^^^ — ©v<^ll n :^: n lis>r 
 
 ■55$^^^^ 
 
 
 >5 
 
 V 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Elizabeth Grover, who was born April 30, 1847, at 
 Hoosac Falls, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. The children 
 now comprised in the household are Benj. J., born 
 Dec. 30, 1869, and Lizzie M., May 30, 1874. 
 
 fohn Grace, farmer on section 3, Lee Town- 
 ship, was born in Ireland in 1829, and 
 when ten years old he came by himself to 
 Ontario, after having spent some time as cabin 
 boy on Atlantic vessels. After passing a short 
 lime in Ontario, he went again upon the sea, 
 and was upon Atlantic ships for 15 years; then was 
 several years '"before the mast" on lake vessels, mak- 
 ing his headquarters at Oswego, N. Y. ; next, was 
 upon the great ocean again, serving on transports 
 carrying army supplies during the Crimean war, and 
 after making two trips from England, he came again 
 to Oswego, and thence to Rochester, N. Y., where 
 he began again as a sailor on the lakes; tlien, at 
 East Saginaw, Mich., for 14 years, he was engaged 
 principally upon the docks. 
 
 Li the summer of 1876, he came to this county 
 and jjought 80 acres of land where he now resides, 
 having about 20 acres improved. Politically, Mr. 
 Grace votes with the Democratic party, and he and 
 Mrs. Grace are both members of the Catholic 
 Church. He was married in 1864, in Ontario, to 
 Miss Mary O'Brien, who was born in Ireland in 1849 
 and came to Ontario about two years before her mar- 
 riage. Mr. and Mrs. G. have had seven children, 
 two of whom are deceased, — Johnny and an infant. 
 The living are Robert, Mary, Katie, William and 
 Martin. 
 
 }| oger W. Clason, Treasurer of Midland 
 County, and senior member of the livery 
 firm of Clason & Haley, of Midland, was 
 ^VSf born Aug. 13, 1853, in McHenry Co., 111., and 
 is a son of Charles and Polly (Thompson) 
 Clason. 
 
 His father was a farmer, and he was reared on the 
 home place, attending school winters until he was 16 
 years old, when he came to Midland and spent a 
 winter in the lumber woods. His nexi engagement 
 
 was in a saw-mill, where he remained in the same 
 employ ten years, three of which he operated as a 
 sawyer, and the remainder of the time as a con- 
 tractor, cutting shingles, bolts, etc. This engage- 
 ment continued until the spring of 1880. In Jan- 
 uary of that year he became proprietor by purchase 
 of an interest in a livery establishment, the firm 
 taking the style of Clason & Avery. The last named 
 sold his moiety in May, 1882, to John Haley, and the 
 firm style became as at present. The business of 
 the concern, besides its regular livery interests, in- 
 cludes undertaking, and is the only establishment 
 dealing in the wares of that avenue of business in 
 the county. They keep 20 horses and livery fixtures 
 suitable to the demands of their patronage. Mr. 
 Clason is a Republican, and in the spring of 1880 he 
 was elected Village Treasurer on that ticket. He 
 held the position three years. He was Clerk of the 
 Township at the same time two years, and, in the 
 spring of 1882, he was elected Supervisor, officiating 
 one year. In November, 1882, he was nominated 
 for the position of County Treasurer, and ran against 
 Daniel Chase, prosecuting a successful campaign, 
 being elected by 19 majority; and was re-nominated 
 for the same office for the second term, Aug. :i, 
 1884. He belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows. 
 
 Mr. Clason was married at Midland, in June, 1873, 
 to Sarah, daughter of Harrison and Sarah Ellsworth. 
 Two children, Emery and Roger G., have Ijeen 
 born of this marriage. 
 
 The portrait of Mr. Clason, which may be found 
 on the opposite jwge, will be welcomed by the pa- 
 trons of this work. 
 
 / 
 
 c^: 
 
 
 
 I- 7 ' 
 
 r .A I 
 
 J^janiel Casey, farmer, section 26, Mt. Haley 
 
 ''}\. Township, was born in October, 1847, in 
 
 ^ the south part of Ireland. His parents. 
 
 S 
 
 ^^m^t 
 
 ^m^^M^ 
 
 f<<< John and Johannah (Dillon) Casey, were also 
 ,ij natives of the "land of the harp and sham- 
 
 4 rock," and emigrated to Ontario, Can., where JL^ 
 
 they belonged the rest of their lives to the agricult- V 
 ural class. | 
 
 Mr. Casey is the fourth of eight children born to -4' 
 
 his parents, and accompanied them to America when Wd 
 
 he was ten years old. His fatlier died when he was ^^ 
 
 12, and upon him devolved a share of the mother's ^j 
 
 support, until her death five years later. After that ^ 
 
-^1^^ — ^v<^iio^:oii^>^ 
 
 ^i-^ 
 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 (h 
 
 >0 
 A 
 
 
 event he continued his struggle in life as a laborer 
 and farm assistant. He was married May 9, 1858, to 
 Margaret O'Donnell. She was born in Septemlicr, 
 1845, 'i"<^ 's "1^' diuightcr of Michael and Catherine 
 (Cronan) O'Donnell, who tiled in Ireland, the land 
 of their nativity. The deatli of the father occurred 
 in 1847. Tlie niotiier died when the daughter was 
 i6 years old, and when the latter had reached the 
 age of iS slie made her way alone to Ontario, Can., 
 where she was married one and a half years later. 
 
 After marriage Mi. and Mrs. Casey located on a 
 farm in Crav Co., Out., wliere they resided until the 
 fall of 1872, when they came to the United .'states 
 and located in tlie city of East Saginaw, Mich. Mr. 
 Casey found emiiloymcnl in tiie railroad shops of 
 that place, where he remained until the sining ol 
 1878, when he came to Midland County and pur- 
 chased 50 acres of uuimprovetl land. On tins he 
 has lived and labored since the date of iiis settle- 
 ment, and has cleared and otherwise improved 20 
 acres. He is a Democrat in his political views and 
 connections, and has held several local offices. The 
 family are Roman Catholic in their religiotis faith. 
 Of 1 1 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Casey, four are 
 deceased, all of whom died in early infancy. Tiiose 
 who survive are named: Hannah, Catherine, John, 
 Mary, Maggie, Klla and Daniel. 
 
 ^^M illiam Kelly, merchant at MiiUand City, 
 -; one of the earliest of the permanent 
 ^i-^'''" pioneer settlers of Midland County. He 
 ^) was born Dec. 18, 1832, in the City of New 
 York. His parents were natives of Ireland, 
 and emigrated in early life to .America. 
 Mr. Kelly is the eldest of the chddren born to 
 them, and accompanied them to Cortland County, 
 N. Y., when he was but tliree years old. He re- 
 mained in tliat county until he reached the age of 
 8 years, when he went to ^V'yolni^lg, Pa., where he 
 attended a seminary nearly one year. In the (allot 
 1853 he came to Saginaw, Mich., and proceeded 
 thence to Midland County. 
 
 The site of the village known as Midland City, 
 then called "The Forks," was situated on a liigh, 
 sandy ridge, covered with an undergrowth of small 
 
 timber, and was without i)lan or outline, having 
 neither streets nor houses. A few families were scat- 
 tered about on the north side of the river, while half 
 a mile down the stream, on the south side, there 
 were resident nearly 300 Indians, engaged in the oc- 
 cu|)ations common to aboriginal inhabitants, — hunt- 
 ing, fishing and raising a little Indian corn. They 
 belonged to the Chippewa tribe, and were to some 
 extent civilized, having a church and trading post. 
 Mr. Kelly vividly remembers the jjleasing appearance 
 of the locality, whicii formed a wide contrast with its 
 present cxliibit. The forest foliage presented a deep 
 green, most gratifying to tiie vision. The Titlabawas- 
 see and Pine Rivers llowed through a belt of meadow, 
 their clear waters sparkling and rippling in the sum- 
 mer sun, in a channel whose banks were uniform 
 and well-defined. 'i"he air re-echoed the trillings of 
 forest songsters through the day, the whippoorwills 
 made the nights delightful with their clear, sweet, 
 plaintive melody. Now the din of business deadens 
 the sweetness of the bird songs, and the whistle of 
 the solitary whippoorwill is a mournful note, as if its 
 author bewailed the march of progress which has 
 stripped the place of its primitive beauty. The 
 rivers are now sluggish, muddy streams, wiiose banks 
 have been worn away and cut down by the passage 
 of the logs, cut along their courses and floated to 
 market through their channels. The first settlers 
 had little hopes that agriculture could be suixessfully 
 prosecuted, and beyond the raising of a limited 
 iiuantity of potatoes and corn, farming was decidedly 
 at a discount. The earliest attempts at growing grass 
 and grain were practically failures; but people perse- 
 vered in their efforts, and as the forests disappeared 
 the soil yielded lo the efforts expended and a better 
 state of things resulted. The prosecution of tiie 
 lumbering interests at first was largely responsible 
 for the tardy progress of agriculture, and for some 
 years produce was scarce and of exorbitant price. 
 
 In 1856, Mr. Kelly began to clear a farm not far 
 from the junction of the Pine and Chippewa Rivers. 
 There were neither roads nor bridges, and the passage 
 of the streams was accomplished by fording. .\s it 
 often became necessary to do this in the dead of the 
 night, it was at times an undertaking of no common 
 importance, as the stream was more frequently at 
 flood height than otherwise. The feat to be accom- 
 plished was to keep the nose above the water while 
 the feet touched the bottom of the river bed. This 
 
 1 
 
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 I 
 
 ^i,: 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 was no trifling matter, when the darkness was of the 
 Cimmerian order, thick enough to be felt. 
 
 A long time ela|)sed before bridges were built. 
 The first change was the establishment of a ferry 
 across the Tittabawassee, which proved a sore aggra- 
 vation when the boat was on the wrong side of the 
 stream and the necessity was urgent. Physicians 
 and supplies were obtainable only from Saginaw. 
 The latter was brought to the settlers in boats and 
 canoes, and there was generally a stock in advance 
 of need ; but when the doctor was needed, a special 
 journey was inevitable. On one occasion, when 
 Mr. Kelly started to bring a doctor, he found the 
 ferry-boat on the wrong side. He went to an old 
 fording-place about <So rods below, and found the 
 channel full to the top of the banks and the current 
 running at a fearful rate of speed. He had an ex- 
 cellent horse, and he believed he could urge the in- 
 telligent beast across the channel. The animal en- 
 tered the stream, but the rushing water swejjt him off 
 his feet and he plunged in every direction, until horse 
 and rider were near drowning. They finally landed 
 where they went in, and went back to the ferry. 
 Mr. Kelly removed his clothing, and tied the bundle 
 to the head of his horse. He then took hold of the 
 tail, and the animal plunged into the water and both 
 swam across in safely! But with time, tlie tribula- 
 tions of the pioneers vanished ; their efforts brought 
 order and harmony out of the chaos of the natural 
 condition of things, and fine farms and modern im- 
 provements became the predominating condition. 
 
 The estate of Mr. Kelly contains 250 acres, a large 
 proportion of which is in a highly creditable state of 
 cultivation, with excellent buildings and valuable 
 farm appurtenances. He pursued lumbering in con- 
 junction with his agricultural interests until 1872, 
 when he came to Midland City and opened trade in 
 groceries and feed. This enterprise e.xisted until 
 1875, when he sold out and returned to his farm. 
 In 188 1 he again established himself in commercial 
 business at Midland City, in which he is still en- 
 gaged. His stock represents a value of $10,000, 
 and comprises dry goods and groceries. He also 
 deals extensively in lumber products. 
 
 Mr. Kelly was married Sept. 15, 1855, in Midland 
 County, to Elizabeth Barton. She was born Jan. 7, 
 1842, in Allegany Co., N. Y. To him and his wife 
 have been born ten children, in the following order: 
 
 William Henry, July 2, 185S (died March 16, 1871); 
 Morris, Oct. 24, i860; Maggie, .A.pril 25, 1864; 
 Jennie, March 16, 1866; Cora, July 2, 1870; Anna, 
 Dec. 30, 1873; Willie, Nov. 30, 1875; Ladorna, 
 July 2, 1878; Libbie, May 18, 1879; Dotty Dimple, 
 Sept. 25, 1880. 
 
 acob S. Bisbing, fanner, section 10, Lee 
 \if Township, was born in Monroe ('o., Pa., 
 Nov. 16, 1825, and was brought up there 
 as a farmer. When 25 years of age he married, 
 in that county, Miss Julia A. E. Smith, a na- 
 tive of that State, and by this marriage have 
 been ten children, named Mahlon, Emma (deceased), 
 Stewart, Melchor, Ida J., Sarah E., Anna, Harriet, 
 Willie and Lizzie. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. B. followed agriculture in 
 his native county until the winter of 1867, and then 
 until March, 1874, he was engaged in lumber mills 
 in Saginaw Co., Mich., and then he came and home- 
 steaded 80 acres where he now resides. Here he is 
 improving the land, erecting buildings and putting 
 the place into a desirable condition. 
 
 Oct. 16, 1862, Mr. Bisbing enlisted in the 176th 
 Pa. Vol. Inf., of the Army of the Potomac, his com- 
 pany commanded by A. A. Lecheler. He served out 
 his time, being neither ca[)tured nor wounded, and 
 was honorably discharged. 
 
 He is now Highway Commissioner, and in his 
 political views is a Republican. 
 
 ames J. Stanton, farmer, section 36, Mt. 
 Haley I'ownship, was born Oct. 28, 1842, 
 in Leeds Co., Ont. He remained a resi- 
 dent of his native province until he was 22 
 years old, when he went to the State of New 
 'I'' York and located in the city of Oswego. After 
 a stay there of four years, he returned to Leeds 
 County. One year later, he removed to Port Austin, 
 Huron Co., Mich., where he operated a short time as 
 assistant in a saw-mill. He went thence to East 
 Saginaw, where he was engaged in running logs in 
 the summer seasons, and in the lumber woods win- 
 ters, for three years. In the fall of 187 i he came to 
 
 i^is- 
 
 ■^-mmm>^ — ^^^^ 
 
6V<^IIIl^DDi^v 
 
 -*^^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 I 
 
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 Midland County, where he entered a claim of 120 
 acres of land, according to the regulations of the 
 Homestead Act. At thai date the township of Ml. 
 Haley was almost wholly in its primitive condition 
 and practically unsettled. Mr. Stanton lias improved 
 and placed under creditable cultivation 20 acres of 
 his farm, and is making all possible haste with more 
 extended improvements. 
 
 He was married Nov. i, 1865, at Oswego, N. Y,, 
 to Sarah A. Howley. She was born Nov. 14, 1843, 
 in Ontario, Can., and is the daughter of Hugh and 
 Catherine (Carey) Howley, also natives of the Do- 
 minion of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Stanton have nine 
 children, born as follows: James H., July 12, 1866; 
 Walter R., Nov. 5, 1868; Katie B,, June 25, 1870; 
 John F., Feb. 5, 1S73; Nellie M., Dec. 27, 1875; 
 Sarah A., Feb. 9, 1877; Mary A., March 5, 1879; 
 Anthony J., March 23, 1881 ; and Lizzie B., Jan. 26, 
 1884. 
 
 Mr. Stanton is a Republican in political connec- 
 tion. He has served two years in the capacity of 
 Highway Commissioner, and is now fulfilling the 
 duties of that position. The family are membeis of 
 the Catholic Church. 
 
 -< #^ '- 
 
 l^amuel D. Gaskill, farmer, section 24, In- 
 gersoU Township, is a son of Silas and 
 Jane (Brown) (iaskill, wlio passed their 
 lives in their native State, New York, she dy- 
 ing in April, 1866, and he in the spring of 
 1878. 
 Of their eight children, the subject of this sketch 
 was the second son. He was born in what is now 
 Wyoming Co., N. Y., Sept. 30, 1826; attended the 
 Wilson Collegiate Institute, in Niagara Co., N. Y. 
 From the age of 21 to 24 he was clerk in a store at 
 Lockport, N. Y., and for two seasons was engaged in 
 stock business and in teaching scliool during the win- 
 ters. In 1853 he came to Lapeer Co., Mich., and 
 three years and a half afterward, in 1856, he came to 
 this county, settling in Ingersoll Township, on 80 
 acres, which he had taken one year previously, under 
 the Graduation Act. He built a shanty and began 
 to clear the ground. He afterward added to it by 
 purchase 80 acres more, and of that farm he has 70 
 acres in a good state of cultivation. About 1872 he 
 
 purchased 40 acres of wild land on section 24, where 
 he now resides, and in 1882 built a fine residence. 
 
 Mr. Gaskill has held the office of Probate Judge 
 12 years, has been Supervisor six years. Justice of the 
 Peace one tern, besides holding the various school 
 offices. Politically, he is a Republican, and in re- 
 ligion he inclines to the Baptist faith. 
 
 Judge Gaskill was married in Niagara Co., N. Y,, 
 May 8, 185 1, to Maria, daughter of William and 
 Julia Ramsey, and born in Essex Co., N. Y., .April 23, 
 1827. Her father was a native of New York State, 
 and died in Niagara Co., N, Y., Dec 25, 1856. Her 
 mother was born in New Hampshire, of Scotch de- 
 scent, and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Gaskill have 
 two children, — Frances L. and John L. 
 
 E$«-^fe^E 
 
 Stj^^j^l^enry B, Stowits, farmer, section 26 (N. E. 
 
 J.003i. ]2 of N. E. '/{), Homer Township, was 
 
 iiK^ born June 15, 1814, in Montgomery Co., N. Y., 
 
 7)5; the son of Michael and Elizabeth (Bellinger) 
 
 I Stowits. His grandfather, Philip P. Stowits, 
 
 was a private in the patriot army during the 
 
 Revolution, and his maternal grandsire, Frederick 
 
 Bellinger, was a Lieutenant Colonel in the same war. 
 
 Both fell at the battle of Oriskany, N. Y., and their 
 
 names are now on the monument erected in memory 
 
 of the heroes of that battle. 
 
 The death of Mr. Stowits' father made him the 
 chief support of his mother and sister, and he was 
 a resident upon the home farm until 1841. In the 
 spring of that year, he located in Greece, Monroe 
 Co., N. Y., where he remained until the fall of 1S47, 
 when he came to Michigan and bouglit 40 acres of 
 land in Grand Blanc, Genesee County. He continued 
 tlie management of the place until the close of 1865 ; 
 Dec. 9, of that year, he came to Midland County 
 and rented a farm in the township of Ingersoll. A 
 year later he purchased 40 acres of land in the same 
 to\vnshi[). He resided some time on the Tittaba- 
 wassee River, and in 1878 he came to Homer Town- 
 ship and purchased the property he now owns, which 
 then included 80 acres of unimproved land. He has 
 50 acres cleared and under a creditable degree of 
 cultivation, and has built a stock and grain barn, 36 
 by 50 feet in extent. 
 
 When the family settled in Midland County, its 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 condition was so primitive that wild game, fish and 
 deer were almost unlimited in abundance. The 
 latter were so tame that they came to feed almost in 
 the presence of the members of the family. 
 
 Mr. Stowits is a Republican in political connection 
 and has discharged the duties and trusts of the most 
 important local official positions. He and his wife 
 are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 and he has been for many years connected with its 
 official department. His education, habits and 
 tastes fit him to do credit to any position, and he is 
 an extensive and discriminating reader, ranking 
 among the best informed men in the Saginaw Valley. 
 
 Mr. Stowits was married Dec. 15, 1847, '" Gene- 
 see Co , Mich., to Caroline, daughter of Johnson 
 and Nancy (Parks) Huff. Her parents were natives 
 of Montgomery Co., N. Y., and were of English and 
 Scotch parentage. Her father died in New York, at 
 the age of 50 years ; her mother's demise occurred 
 in Michigan, when she was 72 years old. Mrs. 
 Stowits was born July 17, 1825, in Montgomery Co., 
 N. Y. She accompanied her parents to Genesee Co., 
 Mich., in 1846, and remained with them until her 
 marriage. Four of the nine children born of her 
 marriage are deceased, — Louisa, Hiram, Francis and 
 an imnamed infant. George H., Elizabeth S., Elijah 
 F., Nancy K. and James H. are the names of the 
 survivors. 
 
 J!^®Killiam H. Young, farmer, section 26, In- 
 llg gersoll Township, is a son of Frederick 
 y.y^ and Betsey (Ketchum) Young, who were 
 y natives of New York State. He was born 
 "■ in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Dec. 12, i8ig, in 
 the first frame house ever built in that county. 
 He lived in his native State until the spring of 1857, 
 when he came to Michigan and bought a farm in 
 Oakland County, where he lived nine years. Selling 
 out there, he went to Lapeer County and engaged in 
 agricultural pursuits for ten years. In the spring of 
 1876 he came to Midland County and purchased 80 
 acres of partly improved land in Ingersoll Townsliip, 
 wliere he now lives. 
 
 Mr. Young was married in Monroe Co., N. Y., 
 May 13, 1845, to Philinda Ketchum, who was born 
 in that county, Jan. 4, 1826. They have had four 
 
 children, namely: Reuben F., Clista J., Elizabeth 
 P. and Mary. Clista and Mary are deceased. 
 
 Mr. Young has been School Director for four years, 
 in politics is a Republican, and is a member of the 
 Baptist Church, as is also his wife. 
 
 "l^^l eorge W. Wardell, farmer, section 29, 
 
 i t^Ml Jerome Township, was born Aug. 4, 1839, 
 
 1^,1^ i'' Albion, Wellington Co., Can. His par- 
 
 ^y?\nts, William and Nancy (Stooks) Wardell, are 
 
 \ respectively of English and Canadian birth, and 
 
 I descendants of parents who belong to the 
 nationality known as Pennsylvania Dutch. They 
 reside in Tuscola Co., Mich. 
 
 Mr. Wardell found himself at liberty to construct 
 his own fortunes at the age of 13 years. He served 
 three years' apprenticeship in the business of cloth- 
 making, and worked as a journeyman until April, 
 1858, when he enlisted in the looth Prince of Wales 
 Royal Canadian Regiment and was sent to England 
 for military drill. The regiment was ordered to 
 Gibraltar, the depot of supplies for the East Lidies 
 during the Sepoy Rebellion. The mutiny was 
 quelled before the command received orders to pro- 
 ceed to Lidia. While the regiment was at Gibraltar 
 Mr. Wardell was sent to England on recruiting 
 service and operated in that capacity two years, re- 
 joining his regiment in 1864. \w the summer of 1865 
 the command was ordered to Malta, where it 
 remained until November, 1866, when it was trans- 
 ferred to Canada. Mr. Wardell enlisted for ten 
 years, and on reaching Canada had one and a fourth 
 years to serve. He went to Collinswood to drill the 
 seventh company of the 37 th Regiment at Clarks- 
 burg. He remained at that place three years and 
 came thence to Oakland Co., Mich., where he re- 
 mained until 1872. He bought three acres of land 
 in Davisburg, Oakland County, which he sold in the 
 year mentioned and went to Bay City, where he 
 remained until November, 1881. At that date he 
 came to Jerome township and entered a claim of 80 
 acres under the Homestead Act. In February, 1882, 
 he removed his family hither, and has improved 18 
 acres of his land. 
 
 While in England on recruiting service he was 
 married to Miss Margaret, daughter of Thomas B. 
 
 9 
 
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 I — r 
 
 
 % 
 
 '^^^^^ 
 
MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 (^ 
 
 <7S 
 
 >5 
 
 and Margaret (Bennett) Huntley. She was born at 
 Dover, Aug. 14, 1840, and was married on the Isle 
 of Wight. Her parents were natives of England 
 and are both deceased. Tlie record of the 14 chil- 
 dj^n that have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wardell 
 is as follows: Lydia Ann was born Jan. 12, 1864, at 
 Parkhurst Barracks, Isle of Wight, and died Aug. 9, 
 1865, at Gibraltar; Anna E. was born March 12, 
 1865; Margaret A. was born March 19, 1866; Rich- 
 ard was born Dec. rS, 1866. (Tlie three last named 
 children were born at Malta.) Emily Jane was born 
 Nov. 24, 1867; Minnie M., April 8, 1869; Beatrice 
 M., April 17, 1870. (Tliese children were born in 
 Canada.) Clara was born May 24, 1871; Cora 
 Nancy was born June 24, 1873. (These were born 
 in Oakland Co., Mich.) George W. was born Aug. 
 24, 1874; Georgiana Victoria was born Aug. 14, 
 1875; Ava Clement was born April 25, 1876; Ed- 
 ward James was born Jan. 27, 1878; Phebe H., June 
 8, 1880. These last named were born in Bay 
 County. 
 
 Mr. W'ardeU's portrait ai)pears on a preceding 
 page. 
 
 Ijjlilas W. Drew, farmer, section 12, Ingersoll 
 
 -^ Tp., is a son of John and Nancy (Huff) 
 
 v^.? Drew, natives of New York, who lived and 
 
 died there. He was born.' in Cattaraugus Co. 
 N. Y., Aug. 10, 1S40; when 16 years of age 
 he began to work on the New York .S: Erie rail- 
 road, and afterward on the Atlantic & Great Western 
 railway, as track hand and section foreman, — opera- 
 ting in those capacities altogether about ten years. In 
 September, 1867, he came to Midland County and 
 for six months was employed in a saw-mill and six 
 months on a farm. He next worked at dairy farming 
 a year in New York State, and in the fall of 1870 re- 
 turned to this county and rented a farm for one year. 
 In 1S71 he bought 20 acres of section 12, where he 
 now lives, to which he has added by purchase 31 J^ 
 acres from section i ; he has about 30 acres in a 
 state of good cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Drew has been School Treasurer of his district 
 for two years, and takes Democratic views of national 
 questions. 
 
 He was married in Ingersoll Township, April 19, 
 
 \mm^^^ ^^^ ~K^:tl 3 : 
 
 1868, to Miss .\nna. daughter of Charles and Laura 
 (Graves) Blodgett, who was bora in Lorain Co., Ohio, 
 Oct. 20, 1849. 
 
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 ..2^g-v> J- 
 
 fei# 
 
 ', illiam McNeil, farmer, section 2, Porter 
 Township, was born Feb. 9, 1845, in Can- 
 ada West. When lie was two years old 
 his parents came to Ionia Co., Mich., where 
 he passed the entire period of his minority. 
 He celebrated the arrival of the age of his leiial 
 freedom by establishing himself in married life. He 
 was married in Berlin Township, Ioni,a County, to 
 Abigail McCreery. She was born March 14, 1844, 
 in Kent Co., Out., and cani'i with her parents to 
 Ingham County, this State, when she was four years 
 old. They still reside near Lansing. 
 
 Soon after his marriage, Mr. McNeil removed to 
 Wiieeler Township, Gratiot County, wliere he jnir- 
 chased 160 acres of wild hind on section 26 : here 
 he resided one year. On coining to Midland County 
 he settled first in Mt. Haley Township, but later pur- 
 chased 160 acres of land on section 2 of Porter 
 Township. It was a valuable piece of pro|)erty, 
 heavily wooded with hard and soft timber. He has 
 developed a fine farm, with 80 acres cleared and 
 under good improvements. He is a Democrat in 
 political connection, and lias held the office of Town- 
 ship Treasurer seven years, Justice of the Peace 
 three years. School Inspector four years, and is now 
 serving as Supervisor. He has also officiated in the 
 various positions connected with the school affairs of 
 his district. 
 
 The several children born tckMr. and Mrs. McN. 
 are named William A., Charles A., George C, Orin 
 C, Sarah A., Cora A. and Lavinia B. 
 
 :. eil McDougall, general farmer, section 17, 
 
 ^ Jasper Township, was born near Toronto, 
 
 Ont., Dec. 30, 1844, and when he was 
 
 quite young the family moved to the village 
 
 )'(> of Newfield, Cliemung Co., N. Y., afterward to 
 
 f Bridgeport, that county. 
 
 Feb. 25, 1862, he enhsted in the Fifth N. Y. Heavy 
 
 Artillery, Co. C, in the Army of the Potomac, and 
 
 I 
 
 
 
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 r-c 
 
 ^i 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 345 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
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 /K^ 
 
 
 
 V 
 
 %_ 
 
 two years afterward he was discharged for re-enlist- 
 ment. Accordingly he re-enlisted, Feb. 27, 1864, 
 and was in five active engagements, viz.: Piedmont, 
 Lynchburg, Snicker's Gap, Winchester and Martins- 
 burg, — all in Virginia. Mr. McD. escaped unhurt, 
 further than exhaustion and exposure to hardships 
 from over-marching. Having served over three 
 years, he was honorably discharged, Jnly 19, 1865, at 
 Harper's Ferry. 
 
 After spending a short time in Chemung Co., N. 
 Y., he came to Jasper Township, this county, where, 
 Feb. 2r, 1866, he married Miss Anna S. Anderson. 
 (Tliis was the first marriage in that township.) Mrs. 
 McDougall was born in Grand Isle Co., Vt., March 
 5, t85o, and when she was but three weeks old her 
 father died, and when about five years old her mother 
 moved with her to Clinton Co., N. Y. Sulisequently 
 she returned to Vermont, and one year later to 
 Steuben Co., N. Y., and finally, in 1865, to this 
 county. Mr. and Mrs. Mel), have one child by 
 adoption, — Sophronia S., who was born May 27, 
 1878. 
 
 Mr. McDougall owns 86 acres where he now re- 
 sides, with 20 acres under good cultivation. Con- 
 cerning national questions he holds Republican 
 views, and in this county he has been Constable, 
 Justice of the Peace, Health Officer and School In- 
 spector. He is a member of the 1. O. O. F. and 
 G. A. R. 
 
 •vejeae?©^"'— §^^ 
 
 ^i^4— «/^®^3OT*v. 
 
 5 illiam D. Gibbs, general farmer and lum- 
 berman, section 18, Jasper Township, was 
 ,y^ born in .\ddison Co., Vt., March 22, 1859. 
 V His parents, Trumans and Frances R. 
 (Straight) Gibbs, were natives of the Green 
 Mountain State, of New England parentage and 
 of English ancestry. His father, now aged 61, is 
 a farmer, residing in Greendale Township, this 
 county, was the first permanent settler in that town- 
 ship, and was the oii/y resident there for six tedious 
 years. His wife died in that township in 1869. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the second son, and 
 second child, in the above family, of seven children, 
 and was about 1 2 years old when they emigrated to 
 this county. At that time there was not so much as 
 50 acres of improved land in the whole township of 
 
 Jasper, — 6 miles by t8 in dimensions. He has since 
 been engaged in farming, and up to 18S0 also in 
 lumbering. About a year after marriage, he settled 
 on a farm of 80 acres, where he now resides, and 
 where he has erected a fine dwelling and made many 
 substantial improvements upon the place. 
 
 Mr. Gibbs is now Deputy Sheriff, and in politics is 
 a Republican. 
 
 June 9, 1S80, at Mt. Pleasant, he married Miss 
 Lucy ^^, daughter of Reed and Samantha (Straight) 
 Bohannon, natives of Vermont and of English de- 
 scent, and now residing in Jasper Township, on a 
 farm. She was l)orn in Grand Isle, Vt., Sept. 16, 
 1856, and came with her parents to this State when 
 2 1 years of age. There are two children in the 
 family of Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs, — Carrie P., born 
 Nov. 19, 1882, and Florence M., March 8, 1884. 
 
 /j''|Cn^',aniel Weed, genenil 
 
 n fe^al lL Lee To.vnship, was born m Chautauqua 
 
 farmer, section iS, 
 l l|. Lee To.vnshq), was 
 ^ USV" ^o-' ^- ^ ■■> Sept. 27, 1846, and was nine 
 W*> years old when the family removed thence to 
 Warren Co., Pa. Remaining at home until he 
 was 26 years old, he enlisted m Co. F, 151st 
 Pa. Vol. Inf., Sept. 20, 1862, which was attached to 
 the Army of the Potomac. He was in the famous 
 battles of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, and was 
 wounded while standing sentinel near Woodward 
 Ford, Va., by being shot through the left leg with a 
 musket ball and buck-shot, the latter remaining in 
 the flesh. Having served his term of enlistment, he 
 was discharged Aug. r3, 1863. 
 
 Returning to Crawford Co., Pa., he followed farm- 
 ing for a while, then the same vocation in Berrien 
 Co., Mich., for six years; then going to Jackson Co., 
 Kan., and canvassing that State for a patent right, he 
 returned to Erie Co., Pa.; and one year later he 
 came to this county and establislied himself on 120 
 acres of unimproved land, where he now lives, 
 which he took under the Homestead Law. He now 
 owns 80 acres, one-half of which is finely improved. 
 
 Mr. Weed has held tlie school offices of his dis- 
 trict and that of Highway Commissioner, and in his 
 political views is a Republican. 
 
 Sept. 10, 1865, in Warren Co., Pa., Mr. Weed was 
 married to Miss Jane Vanciske, a native born and 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY 
 
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 bred in Crawford Co., Pa. She had four children, — 
 Maria M., Jane, James and Martha, the latter de- 
 ceased. Mrs. Weed died at her home in Crawford 
 Co., Pa., about 1867, and Mr. Weed was married 
 again, in 1876, in Saginaw Co., Mich., to Miss Nancy 
 L. Boyce, who was born in Lapeer Co., Mich., and 
 brought up in Oakland and Saginaw Counties. She 
 is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 flkii^ff oring S. Winslow, deceased, was a farmer 
 on section 35, IngersoU Township. His 
 "^ parents, Joseph and Anna (Curtis) Winslow, 
 were natives of New York State. He was 
 born in the same State, March 12, 1S07, and 
 early in life learned the blacksmith trade, of 
 his uncle, in ]3arnard, Vt. He also was engaged in 
 stone-cutting some years. At the age ot 21 he mar- 
 ried Joanna Richmond, who died two years and a 
 half afterward. After five years of widowerhood he 
 married Mary, daughter of Josiah and Submit (Per- 
 ham) Brown, natives of New England. She was 
 born in Goshen, Vt., May 21, 18 17, and became the 
 mother of seven sons, namely: Joseph J., Charles 
 H., Loring S., Curtis J., John E., Willie G. and 
 Frank P. 
 
 In the fall of 1867 Mr. Winslow came to Midland 
 County, and settled upon 200 acres of land, which 
 he had '' taken up " several years previously. Here 
 he remained until his death, which occurred March 
 26, 1876. In connection with his other business, he 
 also practiced medicine for some time. He also 
 held the office of Justice of the Peace in IngersoU 
 Township. He took an active part in iiolilical affairs, 
 being identified with the Democratic party. 
 
 |fl|iroseph Lain is a farmer on section 2, Inger- 
 
 J^yjJ,, - sollTownship. His parents, Archibald and 
 
 '' ■' '^ Mary (Camj)) Lain, are natives of England, 
 
 tR where they still live. Joseph is the eldest of 
 iL the children, was born in England Aug. 15, 
 1827, and by the time he was 22 years of age 
 he had put in five years of time "before the mast" 
 as a sailor, part of this time as " mate." At the age 
 mentioned he came to America, and in t852 to Mid- 
 
 land County, first purchasing 40 acres of Government ^If 
 land. For the first ten years he spent the summer ', 
 seasons on the lakes, and the winters in clearing his 4'* 
 land and catting wood. He has since added another t 
 40 acres to his possessions, and of the total he now . ^ 
 has 60 acres in a good state of cultivation, with fine 
 buildings. On national questions he is independent. 
 Mr. Lain was married in Midland City, June 10, 
 1865, to Clara, daughter of Henry and Mary Ran- 
 dall, who were natives of Canada. Mrs. Lain was 
 also born in that dominion. May 13, 1849. Of the six 
 children born in this family, one died in infancy, and 
 the five living are, Willard A., C'ora E., Emma A., 
 Bertha E. and Laura. 
 
 
 orton W. Ellsworth, farmer, section 24, 
 1]^ Jerome Township, and clerk with Wells, (V] 
 X Stone iV Co., at Sanford, was born April ^ 
 15, 1841, in Genesee Co., Mich. He is a son /^ 
 of Arthur L. and Caroline E. (Chapin) Ells- i=t 
 worth. His father died in Saginaw m 1S74. Aa.' 
 His mother resides in Memphis, Macomb Co., Mich. ^ 
 
 When Mr. Ellsworth was 12 years old he went to 
 Flint, Mich., whither his parents removed and settled 
 on a farm. He attended the High School at Flint for 
 some time, and when the mining excitement at Pike's 
 Peak arose, he went there and engaged in gulch min- 
 ing. He operated with the varying fortunes common 
 to the majority of miners, sometimes with success, 
 sometimes otherwise. When the civil war broke out 
 he became a soldier, enlisting Dec. 23, 1862, in Co. 
 G, Second Col. Vol. Cav., and was mustered out of 
 service in September, 1865. His regiment was chieflv 
 engaged in the frontier service. One of its first 
 operations was in fighting General Price in .South- 
 western Missouri, and during the period of enlist- 
 ment it was engaged in numberless Indian skir- 
 mishes. On leaving the military service of the United 
 States, he returned to Michigan and engaged as sales- 
 man with the grocery and jsrovision house of Mosher 
 & Mickley, of East Saginaw, where he remained three 
 years. At the expiration of that time he and his 
 brother went to Watrousville, Tuscola Co., Mich., 
 where they established mercantile relations, wiiich 
 existed until the fires of 1880 and 1881 forced the 
 firm to suspend. Mr. Ellswoith returned to East 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Saginaw and engaged as clerk with H. N. Doty in the 
 grocery business, in whose employment he remained 
 three years. He then rented a farm near East Sagi- 
 naw, on which he lived one year, when he entered 
 upon his present employment, and is now general 
 manager of the mercantile business of the firm at 
 Sanford. He is a Republican, and has served as a 
 member of the School Board. 
 
 He was married Dec. 5, 1867, at East Saginaw, to 
 Roselle, daughter of Ira and Roxana (Clark) Mason. 
 Her parents were natives of the State of New York, 
 and died in Wayne Co., Mich. One son and two 
 daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kllsworth, 
 as follows: May R., Aug. 24, 1868; Ida M., Jan. 
 24, 1873; Ray N., Jan. 31, 1884. The two elder 
 children were born at East Sairinaw. 
 
 -IG 
 
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 €>- 
 
 ohn Larkin, senior member of the firm of 
 
 % Larkin OS: Patrick, manufacturers and deal- 
 
 ,-->'-'?' ^jyg j,-^ lumber, shingles and salt, resident at 
 
 Midland, was born in Phelps, Ontario Co., N. 
 iT ^1 Oct. 10, 1826. He is the son of Bradford 
 
 and Martha (Ellsworth) Larkin. His father 
 was a farmer and passed his life in the pursuit of 
 that vocation. He died at Midland, Aug. 11, 1870. 
 The mother is still living, in Midland. 
 
 The building of the Erie ("anal in tlie near vicinity 
 of his home was a momentous event at the time when 
 Mr. Larkin was receiving his impressions of the 
 march of progress in the world, and at the age of 15 
 years he left home to engage in the service of the 
 canal. He passed through the various grades of as- 
 sistants, and at the age of 20 was captain of a pass- 
 enger line boat plying between Buffalo and the city 
 of New York. When raihoads superseded transport- 
 ation by canal, Mr. Larkin decided on a wider field 
 of operation, and, in the spring of 1850, came to 
 Saginaw City to take a prospective view of l)usiness. 
 Finding that the outlook met his views, he removed 
 there in the fall of i85r. One of the motives which 
 incited him to investigate the probaliilities of this 
 section of Michigan were the fabulous accounts of 
 the profits accruing to hunters and trappers, who plied 
 their craft in the woods of the counties now consti- 
 tuting the lumber region of the Peninsular State. 
 During the winter ensuing his arrival in Saginaw 
 
 K®)5«§^ 
 
 jLi- 
 
 County, Mr. Larkin spent some time in hunting, up 
 the Tittabawassee River. He was thoroughly equip- 
 ped for the work, having brought with him a com- 
 plete outfit of dogs and hunting paraphernalia. His 
 home for about a year was at a point below " Free- 
 land's, "eight miles above Saginaw, and Dec. 7, 1852, 
 he and Mrs. Larkin removed to the "Bluff's," a point 
 on the river three miles from Midland, where they 
 remained about si.\ weeks. In January they came 
 to the jiresent site of Midland. Mr. Larkin cleared 
 a small piece of ground, now occupied by the pail, 
 tLibe and hoop factory and residence of Mr. Peters, 
 built a log house, the first structure in the place, 
 and entered it Jan. 14, 1853. It was simply laid up 
 and chinked ; and V'ankee ingenuity and providence 
 devised ways and means to make it comfortable. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Larkin are, par excellence, the repre- 
 sentative pioneers of Midland City and a tract of 
 surrounding country several miles in extent. They 
 were the sole individuals "this side " the river, and, 
 at intervals, months would elapse in which Mrs. 
 Larkin did not see the face of a white woman. All 
 the society she had were Charles H. Rood and his 
 daughter, half-breed Indians. Wild animals were 
 abundant but not troublesome. The same fact was 
 true of the Indians — plentiful and harmless, save 
 when intoxicated, when they were a source of dread. 
 The Indians were all located across the river because 
 of the tietter quality of the land. But one individual 
 among them inhabited a log cabin: the remainder 
 lived in bark shanties. When Government deeded to 
 each of them five acres of land they advanced some- 
 what in civilization, but a few years later, by another 
 of the wise regulations which have distinguished the 
 American Government in its operations with the 
 noble red men, they were removed to Isabella 
 County. The family occujiied the log house three 
 years, living in true pioneer style, entertaining lum- 
 Ijermen and land-lookers, and sharing with all comers 
 their supplies of the necessities of life. The cabin 
 in the woods was frequently filled to overflowing with 
 temporary sojourners, and often the family resigned 
 the last lied and divided the domestic sup[)lies, even 
 to depriving themselves of couch or coverings to 
 render comfortable for a night those who, on the 
 following day, would pass on to encounter sharper 
 privations and hardships. Mr. Larkin Ijought 52 
 acres of land where his house was built. He had 
 cherished from the first the purpose of obtaining a 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 4^^c(®vii 
 
 s5^ 
 
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 tract of 62 acres where his present residence is lo- 
 cated and which constitutes tlie main portion of what 
 is now Midland City. It was owned by the Ameri- 
 can Fur Company, and he was unable for a long time 
 to obtain a clue to either owner or title, and he only 
 became its actual possessor by repeatedly purchas- 
 ing the so-called titles of the respective claimants, 
 whether fraudulent or otherwise. In 1S58 Mr. 
 Larkin built a steamboat called the Midland City, to 
 ply between the place for which it was named and 
 Saginaw. Not long afterward he bought the "Belle 
 Seymore, '" for the same purpose. Both boats were of 
 light l)urtlien and were used for purposes commen- 
 surate with their construction and capacities, some- 
 times being employed as tugs for laden boats on the 
 river. When the country became the field of opera- 
 tion for the extensive lumber interests which have 
 been pjosecuted since its resources in that direction 
 have been understood, these steamboats, as river 
 craft, fell into disuse, the booms and saw logs mo- 
 nopolizing the stream to the exclusion of all other 
 ventures, and the channel being practically ruined 
 through the same means. In 1855 he erected a frame 
 building on block 11, where is now the Reardon 
 Block, where he established himself as a landlord. 
 This was really the first building worthy the name 
 in Midland City. In the changes which have suc- 
 ceeded each other in the place, all traces of this 
 building have become obliterated. Within the first 
 year of their life in the new hotel all the voters of 
 Midland County, — seventeen in number, were there 
 at dinner on the occasion of a county election. The 
 hotel business was prosecuted six years, when, in 
 i860, Mr. and Mrs. Larkin became a part of the 
 general community which had grown up about them 
 and, so to speak, through their instrumentality, to a 
 considerable extent. The second building in the 
 jilace was erected by L. P. Bailey, to whom Mr. 
 Larkin gave a lot on the condition that he should 
 build a store thereon, which was fulfilled, the build- 
 ing serving the two-fold purposes of residence and 
 place of business. The houses of Dr. Jennings, 
 John McLean, Harvey Lyon, Daniel Wilson and 
 George Turner were built next in order, after which 
 the construction of residences and influx of popula- 
 tion at Midland City became general. In the winter 
 of 1853 Mr. Larkin engaged in lumbering in com- 
 pany with E. G. Buttles, his brother-in-law. The 
 same fall he bought So acres additional of [line land 
 
 in the county. He had previously purchased 52 
 acres, now lying in the southeast portion of the vil- 
 lage of Midland. He afterward made considerable 
 purchases of land now included in Midland. The 
 platting of the village was nearly all accom[)lished 
 under his management. He continued one year in 
 company with his brother-in-law. In 185S he, in 
 company with Philo Sumner, built a saw-mill on the 
 site now occupied by the mill where he is operating, 
 which he afterwards took down and replaced by one 
 on a larger scale. This was burned in the fall of 
 1874, with a loss of $40,000, partly reimbursed by an 
 insurance of $17,000. He at once rebuilt and put 
 his works in first-class running order. In 1877 he 
 formed an association with William Patrick, under 
 the firm style of Larkin & Patrick. In 1878 they 
 erected extensive salt works and sunk two wells, 
 which have yielded incessantly 150 barrels daily. 
 They have a considerable export and local trade and 
 ship their products West. Their working force in 
 the lumber works include about 80 men, besides be- 
 tween 30 and 40 in the woods, and they manufacture 
 all varieties of lumber products. They also conduct 
 a retail lumber yard. The firm of Larkin & Patrick 
 own about 6,000 acres of timber land in Clare 
 County, besides extensive tracts of farn-\ing land. In 
 1S64 Mr. Larkin erected his residence, which was, 
 at the time of its construction, probably the best in 
 the county. 
 
 When Mr. Larkin became a resident of Midland 
 County, it included about 20 voters. It was organ- 
 ized in 1S55, and he was a prominent factor in the 
 arrangement of its municip.al aff;rirs. In 1856 he 
 was elected County Treasurer and was successively 
 re-elected lo terms to the same position. He served 
 as Supervisor in 1883. He was married in August, 
 1847, in Lyons, Wayne Co. N. Y., to .Amanda But- 
 tles, born Feb. 14, 1829, in Phelps, Ontario Co., N. 
 Y., daughter of Isaac and Ariett Buttles. Of the 
 marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Larkin two children — 
 Lewis and Eugene — have been born, both of whom 
 died in early infancy. They have three adopted 
 daughters. The two eldest are sisters. Mary is the 
 wife of B. Y . Bradley, merchant at Midland. Eliza- 
 beth married Samuel Foster, a merchant at Midland. 
 Nellie is aged 14 years. 
 
 The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Larkin may be 
 found on other pages. They are those of pioneers, 
 pure and simple. The East, from which they came 
 
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 1 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 353 
 
 when life was in its full flush of hope and ambition, 
 seemed to narrow in its possibilities for all they de- 
 sired to achieve. With cheerful heroism they sought 
 a satisfactory field for their life work; they formed 
 the nucleus of the incoming population of Midland 
 City, and they still sustain thai relation to its com- 
 munity. They have aided and encouraged the ad- 
 vancement and progress of Midland City and County 
 and lent substantial countenance to all projects cal- 
 culated to enhance the best interests of the place 
 and people. 
 
 i^W;|3harles Cronkright, farmer and lumber- 
 pw-a^ man, resident on section 22, Homer Town- 
 ^ ship, was born June 11, 1837, in Genesee 
 :? Co., N. Y. His parents located in Midland 
 Co., Mich., when he was five months old. 
 Theirs was one of the first families that made a 
 settlement in the county. They afterward removed 
 to Saginaw County, where the father was killed, at 
 Vestaburg, by the explosion of a saw-mill steam 
 boiler, a fragment of which passed through the house 
 where he was sleeping, killing him instantly. The 
 mother died in Midland County, in July, 1866. 
 
 When the family came to Midland, the " staple 
 product" of this section was Indians. The children 
 had only Indians for playmates and companions, and 
 they readily acquired the Indian language, which 
 they still retain. Wild game was plentiful and 
 served for food. Trapping wolves was easy and 
 fascinating sport, as they were a great annoyance in 
 carrying off pigs and other domestic animals. Deer 
 were to be found in considerable herds, and bears 
 were frequent visitors to the clearings. The family 
 grew up in the woods under circumstances which 
 required all their efforts to make a living, with little 
 to incite them toward obtaining an education, which 
 was then difficult to secure. 
 
 At the age of 22 Mr. Cronkright entered a claim 
 of 120 acres of land in Bethany Township, Gratiot 
 County, but never took possession of it for a resi- 
 dence. After making some improvements, he ex- 
 changed the property for 123 acres on section 22 in 
 Homer Township. On this he has since resided and 
 has improved about 20 acres. He has sold a con- 
 siderable portion and only retains 40 acres of his 
 
 original purchase. He has been occupied in real- 
 estate traffic and has engaged extensively in lumber- 
 ing. One season he put in upwards of a million 
 feet of logs. Mr. Cronkright is independent in 
 political opinion, and has officiated in all the more 
 prominent local offices in his township. 
 
 He was married Oct. 12, 1862, in Homer Town- 
 ship, to Mrs. Catherine Starks, widow of George 
 Starks. She was born Sept. 16, 1S36, in Genesee 
 Co., N. Y., and came to Midland County before the 
 death of her first husband, by whom she became the 
 mother of five children. Four are living and married, 
 and are residents of Homer Township. Their names 
 are George, Martha, Ennna J. and Hiram. The five 
 children born of her second marriage are Lydia L., 
 Charles E., Ida, Catherine and Frederick. The 
 eldest of these is married and lives in this township. 
 
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 „^^%il^3TSi-^ 
 
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 .^Jjlamuel Turner, general farmer, section 19, 
 -^Sv Jasper Township, was born in Rensselaer 
 P"^ Co., N. Y., April 25, 1816, and remained 
 \\^ with his parents until their death, in that 
 county. He was married, in his native county, 
 June 6, 1849, to Miss Grace McLaughlin, who 
 was born in Washington Co., N. Y., March 16, 1827, 
 of Scotch parentage. 
 
 A year after their marriage they moved to Jeffer- 
 son, Co., Wis., where he followed farming for 14 years ; 
 then they resided a year in Lapeer Co., Mich., and 
 in January, 1865, they settled at their present place, 
 being pioneers in that part of the county. To his 
 original purchase of 80 acres, he subsequently added 
 100 acres, which he has since divided between his 
 two sons. These lands were obtained from the State, 
 under the Swamp Land laws, which required five 
 years' residence before giving » deed. Mr. Turner 
 has improved about 25 of the 80 acres which he now 
 owns. Much of the land in this vicinity is low and 
 swampy, and Mr. T. has had to encounter an un- 
 usual number of hardships as a pioneer. Sometimes 
 the water covered the ground in places from one to 
 two feet deep. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Turner are the parents of three chil- 
 dren, namely: Robert A., born Sept. 11, 1851 ; Dan- 
 iel, Jan. 29, 1854; and Mary A., Oct. 28, 1857. The 
 
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 ^ 
 
^DIl^IiO^> 
 
 354 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 V^ parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
 ChLirch. Mr. T. has held the office of Township 
 
 .'^^ Clerk, Justice of the Peace two years and Township 
 Treasurer two years. On national issues he votes 
 the Democratic ticket. 
 
 — ? /WA,; 
 
 I'i 1 "J l^j, ohn McCormick, farmer and lumberman, 
 , '^\'!'| resident on section 17, Porter Township, 
 "'^) '•'■■' was born about the year 1S30 in Dublin, 
 Ireland. At the ai,'e of seven years he began 
 a seafaring life, under the guidance of an uncle 
 who was a sailor, and siteiit seven years ac- 
 quiring a thorough knowledge of nautical affairs. At 
 the end of that time he returned to his home, and 
 soon alterward shi]jped as a seaman on a whaling- 
 ship. His cruises continued three years, and he 
 ■( ) experienced numberless hairbreadth escapes and ro- 
 "^ ^ mantic adventures in the waters of the Northern and 
 /^ Atlantic Oceans. He next came to Boston and sailed 
 ■a on a fishing vessel to Nova Scotia and the Bay of 
 vi Fundy, which occuiiied his time for one year. The 
 1=3 ne,\t year he went to the West Indies, stop[)ing at 
 ■^ Kingston, on the island of Jamaica. His vessel en- 
 jT countered slii[nvreck while returning to Halifax and 
 every soul on board was lost but two, — Mr. McCor-. 
 mick and a man named Cota! They clung to the 
 wreck and jjassed eight days without food or drink, 
 and only retained life by chewing bits of a greasy 
 moccasin which came by chance within their reach! 
 They were rescued by an American vessel and 
 brought to Boston, Mass. The ship proceeded to 
 New York and sailed thence to the coast of South 
 America, finally arriving at New Orleans, where the 
 crew was discharged, and Mr. McCormick received 
 $1,800 in gold for his services. He came to Chicago, 
 where he entered the lake service and continued thus 
 occupied until his marriage, Aug. 11, i860, to Mary 
 Benson. She was born Nov. 17, 1832, in Saginaw 
 Co., Mich. 
 
 ) 
 
 V^* After marriage Mr. McCormick located near the 
 1 village of Midland, and in the fall of 1865 became 
 '" the first settler in the part of Porter Township where 
 he now resides. He bought 100 acres of land, of 
 
 ^[^ which he has improved 50 acres; and his place affords 
 
 neer life, wild game abundant and wolves more 
 numerous than welcome, their starved condition and 
 rapacity making it necessary to continue to keep 
 large fires burning through the night to protect the 
 young stock on the farm. The story is one oft-re- 
 peated, but loses none of its vividness of reality by 
 repetition. 
 
 Mr. McCormick is a Democrat in jjolitical views 
 and connections, and has served several terms as 
 Township Treasurer. The family attend the Metlio- 
 dist Episcopal Church. 
 
 Following are the names of 15 children born to 
 Mr. and Mrs. McCormick: Frank, Charles, Ellen, 
 Thomas, John, Mary A., Flora, Emily, William, An- 
 drew, Charles, Alif, Patrick, Peter and Alexander. 
 The five last named are deceased. 
 
 
 
 ^lt®ft]lan R. McMillan, farmer, section 14, Iiiger- 
 
 iii iw ■ 1 1^ ^'^" Township, is a son of Hugh and Jean- 
 
 SJI-iy nette (Cameron) McMillan, who were natives 
 
 S of the county of Glengary, Out., and changed 
 
 'r their residence to the county of Ottawa, same 
 
 dominion, wliere they passed the remainder of 
 
 of their lives. 
 
 He, too, was born in the county of Clengary, Sept. 
 30, 1832, and lived in Canada until 1870, following 
 an agricultural life. He then came with his family 
 to Midland County and bought 40 acres of unim- 
 proved land in Ingersoll Township, to whicli he has 
 since added about 53 acres, and has now altout 55 
 acres in a good tillable condition. In 1882 he built 
 a fine residence. 
 
 Mr. McMillan is now serving his fourth term as 
 Township Supervisor, has been Township Treasurer 
 three terms. School Inspector two terms, and has held 
 the other school offices in his district. In politics he 
 sympathizes with the "National" party. He and his 
 wife are members of the Catholic Church. 
 
 He was married in the county of Ottawa, Ont., 
 April 14, 1859,10 Margaret, daughter of Jolin R. and 
 Catherine (McPhee) Cameron, who were also natives 
 of the Dominion. She was born in the county of 
 Glengary, in February, T837. Mr. and Mrs. McM 
 
 ((*; the strongest possible contrast to the early days, 
 
 ^^ when he was surrounded with all the features of pio- are the parents of 1 2 children, eight of whom survive. 
 
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 »v- — crv^^O U^; M^^P-v 
 
 -;^^^i^Kr 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 ^ viz.: HukIi, Jane A., Catherine, Mary A., Margaret, 
 ^^ Allan, John and Ida E. The last mentioned mar- 
 5^^ ried Michael \V. Ryan, and died April 3, 1S80, leaving 
 one child, Sarah A. The other deceased are John 
 O., John A. and Florence I. They are also the foster 
 parents of Sarah A. Ryan, bringing her up as one of 
 their own children. 
 
 •jharles Oscar, proprietor of the Oscar 
 House at Midland, was born Oct. 15, 
 1 84 1, in Somerset Co., Maine. He is the son 
 pis' of William and Jane (Drummond) Oscar, and 
 (K was reared on a farm, attending school winters. 
 At the age of 16 he went to Lowell, Mass., 
 and engaged in a cotton factory, where he was em- 
 ployed in the position usually assigned beginners. 
 ,'' ) He gradually advanced to the place known in cloth- 
 ^ manufacturing establishments as " second liand." On 
 <^ leaving the mill, he learned the barber's art and fol- 
 ^ lowed it as a business several years. When he was 
 ?^ 23 years old he returned to Maine and again tried 
 = farming, but found it distasteful. Two years later, 
 ;^ in the fall of 1868, he came to Midland and opened 
 a barber shop. After continuing its management 
 about two weeks, he opened a billiard room, which 
 he conducted some time and engaged in the business 
 of a wholesale and retail liquor dealer, in which trade 
 he was interested about a year, when he sold out. 
 He was elected Marshal of the village, and filled the 
 position about six months. In the fall of 1874 he 
 was elected Sheriff of the county on the Republican 
 ticket by a majority of 150 votes. He was re-elected 
 two years later, with a majority of more than 900 
 votes. In 1878 he went to Chicago, and soon after- 
 ward received a serious injury by jumping from a 
 carriage while the team was running away. He 
 broke his left leg, and before it was fully healed, he 
 contracted typhoid fever, from which he barely re- 
 covered. Five physicians pronounced his case hope- 
 less, and his burial outfit was provided. 
 
 But he recovered and returned to Midland, where 
 he purchased the grocery stock of A. Bacon. He 
 conducted its afifa'rs a few months and ne.xt found 
 employment in a billiard room, where he remained a 
 few months, after which he leased the " Findlater 
 House " for two years. During the time he built the 
 
 hotel which he is now managing. The building is of 
 brick, two stories high, 60 by 100 feet in size, with 
 accommodations for 50 guests. The establishment is 
 fitted with all modern appliances for the accommoda- 
 tion and comfort of its patrons. A fine brick barn, 
 40 by 60 feet in dimensions, two stories above the 
 basement, is located in the rear of the hotel. Mr. 
 Oscar owns 40 acres of farming land in Ingersoll 
 Township. He is a member of the Order of Odd 
 Fellows, and has held all the subordinate and camp 
 offices. He belongs also to the Order of Patrons of 
 Husbandry. 
 
 Mr. Oscar has been twice married, and has two 
 sons — Charlie J. and Earl. 
 
 '^ijEv"^ «ej 
 
 ■f'^Cflcohn W. H. Brooks, farmer, section 12, 
 , ■'^'\ ' Jerome Township, was born Oct. 3, 181 1. 
 |j&''~ ^ As he was deprived early of the care of his 
 mff^ parents, he is uncertain as to his birth-place, 
 but believes he was born on the sea. His 
 earliest years were spent in the care of a man 
 named John Patterson, near New Castle, Delaware, 
 but being cruelly treated by him he ran away, intend- 
 ing to make his way to the city of Philadelphia. He 
 supplied himself against possible want by laying in 
 a stock of johnny-cake and molasses, stopping nights 
 in stables. On reaching the city of his destination, 
 he made the acquaintance of some boys whose 
 fathers were machinists, and through their instru- 
 mentality he obtained employment in a machine 
 shop and learned his trade. He went to a school in 
 Plymouth, Montgomery Co., Pa., taught by Allen 
 Carson. He remained in the Quaker City and in 
 other Eastern cities until he was about 25 years old, 
 when he went to sea. The line of navigation with 
 which he was connected combined the coasting trade, 
 wrecking and fishing. 
 
 When the issues between the United States and 
 Mexico came up for adjustment and war was deter- 
 mined upon, Mr. Brooks enlisted in the regular army, 
 enrolling at ('arlisle Barracks, Pa., in the Second 
 U. S. Cav., in the company of the (afterward) cele- 
 brated Captain May. He was in the famous cavalry 
 charge at Palo Alto and received a severe sabre cut 
 in the left temple. He was a participant in the 
 battle of Monterey, and was present at the capitula- 
 
 v© 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
356 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 % 
 
 • >. 
 
 i 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^) 
 
 i 
 
 'A) 
 .^9 
 
 tion of the city of Mexico. In 1S49 he went to 
 Japan with the expedition under Commodore Perry 
 to negotiate the terras of the treaty between that 
 country and the United States, and was on the "St. 
 Lawrence," which bore the dispatches to the United 
 States squadron. This enterprise terminated in 1 85 2, 
 and Mr. Brooks went in 1854 on the Walker expedi- 
 tion, proceeding to Central America in the famous 
 "Star of the West," commanded by Admiral Holling- 
 broke. He was present at the bombardment of 
 Graytown. His next engagement was as engineer on 
 the "General Rust," a steamer connected with the 
 mail service at Galveston, Texas. 
 
 When the civil war broke out Mr. Brooks re- 
 sponded to the first call for troops, and enlisted at 
 Norristown, Montgomery Co., Pa., in Co. A, Fourth 
 Pa. Vol. Inf, Col. Hartranft, enlisting for three 
 months, under Capt. W. Bolton. He was wounded 
 in the contest with the celebrated Black Horse Cav- 
 alry at Fairfax Cross-Roads, below the right knee, by 
 a minie ball. He came home and spent some time 
 and a considerable sum of money in endeavoring to 
 raise a company for the service, but the enterprise 
 was successful only in the loss of his investments. 
 He returned to Pennsylvania and enlisted in Co. E, 
 in the 2d Pa. Vol. Cav., under Col. B. R. Price, of 
 Philadelphia, going out as First Sergeant. The regi- 
 ment was assigned to the command of Col. Buford. 
 At the second battle of Bull Run, Mr. Brooks re- 
 ceived a wound above the ankle of the left leg, and 
 was discharged Oct. 27, 1862, at Howard Hospital, 
 Washington. Sept. 7, 1863, he again enlisted, in 
 Co. H, 2Sih Pa. Vol. Inf, better known as "Geary's 
 Old Regiment." He was wounded May 18,1864, at 
 Buzzard's Roost, receiving an injury in his left side 
 from a piece of a shell, and a wound on the left 
 ankle, which left the foot completely paralyzed. He 
 was also wounded in the right thigh by a gunshot. 
 He was in the hospital about a month after his regi- 
 ment was discharged, and was mustered out of the 
 military service of the United States Jnly 18, 1865. 
 He carries in his body three bullets as credentials of 
 his bravery in action. 
 
 Mr. Brooks made his first acquaintance with the 
 State of Michigan in 1858, and passed two years at 
 Detroit. On his return from the war he went to 
 Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1S69, when 
 he came to Saginaw and resided about a year. In 
 
 1870 he came to Jerome Township and entered a 
 soldier's homestead claim of 160 acres. 
 
 Mr. Brooks was married Oct. 20, 1858, in Wilming- 
 ton, Del., to Mary, daughter of Andrew and Mar- 
 garet (Stewart) McClelland. Her parents were of 
 Scotch nativity and are dead. Following is the rec- 
 ord of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brooks: 
 Mary Jane, born July 9, 1861, died Dec. 13, 1882; 
 Andrew John, born June 8, 1862, died the same day. 
 Willie J. was born Dec. 12, 1863; Margaret A. was 
 born Dec. 12, 1S66 ; Alfred Henry was born Oct. 9, 
 1S69, and died the same day; Samuel Kosciusko 
 was born March 8, 1870, and was the first child born 
 at the Grand Army Post at Norristown, Pa. 
 
 Mr. Brooks is a Republican in political affiliation, 
 and has served three terms as Justice of the Peace, 
 has been School Inspector and Township Clerk three 
 times, and in 1873 was appointed Notary Public, the 
 duties of which position he is still discharging. 
 
 ^|&* ratten A. Visger, farmer on section 7, Lar- 
 iJlSJl '^i^'' Township, is a son of Jacob and Elea- 
 -flKg-'"^ nor (Baubier) Visger, natives of the State 
 ^'x' of New York, who came to this county in No- 
 vember, 1865, and settled in Averill. They 
 now reside in Larkin Township. Mr. Visger 
 owns 120 acres, of which 30 are improved. 
 
 The subject of this notice, the second son, was born 
 in Jefferson Co., N. Y., July 2, 1858, received a good 
 common-school education, and lived at home until 
 18 years old. He then bought 97 acres of wild land 
 in Larkin Township, where he now lives, with 18 
 acres improved. 
 
 "^^^k^i^V 
 
 =*H^»^ 
 
 ■ IT:.: , 
 
 blO* 
 
 ohn Maxell, farmer on section 14, Hope 
 Township, was born in Pittsburg Township, 
 •" Can., March 3, 1844, the son of William 
 and Alice (Lavery) Maxell, natives of Ireland. 
 TP Mr. M., senior, is now living in Hope Town- 
 ship. His wife died in the same township, in 
 October, 1878. 
 
 Their son John came to Midland County in April, 
 1873, and bought 40 acres of wild land in Hope 
 Township. He has sine? sold ten acres to his brother 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 3S7 
 
 William E., and of the remainder he has improved 
 20 acres. 
 
 May 24, 1867, was the date of his marriage to Miss 
 Martha Jane Lawrence, daughter of Henry and Eliz- 
 abeth (Parsley) Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. L. died 
 when Martha was a child, the former in Canada, the 
 latter in Ireland; Mrs. M. was born in Ireland, in 
 1844, and came to this country with her father when 
 four years old. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Maxell have seven children living, 
 and four dead: Margaret A., born March 17, 1S6S, 
 in Galway, Can.; Wm. Noble, Oct. 23, 1869, in same 
 place; Susan, June 6, 1870, in same place; Mary A., 
 June 22, 1871; Robert and Anthony (twins) April 3, 
 1872, and died three days later; Jane Elizabeth, 
 May 16, 1873; Robert Henry, Feb. 27, 1876; Alice 
 Susan, June 4, 1878; Leonora Victoria, May 24, 
 1880; and John L., May 17, 1S82. 
 
 Mr. M. is a Republican, and has been a school 
 officer for seven years. He and wife are members of 
 the Christian Church. 
 
 l^ilas W. Lines, farmer on sec. 25, Larkin 
 Tp., is a son' of Elijah and Olive (Whee- 
 ||\5i' lock) Lines, natives of Vermont and Con- 
 necticut, and was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Dec. 
 30, 1845. His parents removing to this State 
 three years later, he was reared and educated 
 in Oakland County. 
 
 In 1864 he enlisted in the Fifth Mich. Vol. Cav., 
 and served six months, when he was discharged on 
 account of disability. Returning to his home in 
 Oakland County, he afterwards enlisted in the Third 
 Mich. Vol. Cav., in which organization he served 
 until March, 1866. After his return from the army 
 he removed to Genesee County, which was his home 
 until the spring of 1S77. At that date he came to 
 Midland County and purchased 40 acres in Larkin 
 Township, where he has since lived, with the excep- 
 tion of about two years in the city of Flint. Aug. 20, 
 1869, in Genesee County, he celebrated his nuptials 
 with Miss Nellie R. Cody, a native of the State of 
 Ohio. She was born Aug. 7, 1849, in Huron County, 
 that State. Of three children born, only Silas A. 
 
 He 
 
 survives, as the two remaining died in infancy 
 was born August 6, 187 i. 
 
 Mr. Lines is a member of the Republican party. 
 He has been at different times Township Clerk, 
 School Director and Overseer of Highways. 
 
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 ohn Schearer, farmer on section 22, hope 
 Ji^^ll' Township, was born June n, 1843, in 
 1^^ Liberty Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, the 
 son of Felix and .\nna (Magley) Schearer, and 
 is the sixth of a family of eight, all living. The 
 father was born in September, i8ri,in Switzer- 
 land, and the mother is also a native of that country. 
 Both are of German descent. The subject of this 
 sketch emigrated to Ohio when 16 years old, with his 
 father and grandfather, and he lived at home until 
 24 years old, working his father's farm on shares 
 during the three years after he attained his majority. 
 He then came to this county, and, after working 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^F®iC eorge Brown, farmer, section -i,^, IngersoU 
 ii i^JliC Township, is a son of Aaron and Submit 
 " "^ (Howe) Brown, natives of New Hampshire. 
 ' ^^ He was born in the town of Westmoreland, 
 N. H., June 6, 1797, and was ii years old 
 when he went to Montgomery Co., N. Y. He 
 lived in different parts of the State until he came to 
 Michigan in the fall of 1S60, when he bought 80 
 acres of land in Saginaw County. After living there 
 a year he exchanged the place for 40 acres in Inger- 
 soU Township, on which he setUed and where he 
 has since lived. The entire "40 " is under cultiva- 
 tion. 
 
 Mr. Brown was married in Monroe Co., N. Y., 
 Aug. 29, 1824, to Julia Stebbins, who was born in 
 Sherborn, Conn., Dec. 16, 1808. Of their seven 
 daughters and two sons, eight grew up to years of 
 maturity. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Brown are pioneers of IngersoU 
 Township and Midland County, and are members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. B. is a Re- 
 publican in his political views. 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 -«s^i 
 
MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -,^^ 4^^^(®^'•<^ 
 
 y> three years in John Larkin's mill, homesteaded 80 
 /^ acres on section 22, township 16 north, 2 east. Here 
 rl he lived five years ; but after receiving his patent he 
 '% bought 60 acres on section 22 of the tov/nship west 
 J of that, in order to live near other people, his first 
 "- -^ selection being several miles from a settlement. 
 
 He was married Oct. 14, 1869, to Miss Sarah 
 
 Freidiger, daughter of John N. and Lizzie Freidiger. 
 
 She was born Dec. 24, 1843, in Licking Co., Ohio, 
 
 where her parents yet reside. She has four brothers 
 
 and sisters living. 
 
 Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. S., 
 
 in Midland Township: Katie S., Feb. 14, 1S71; 
 
 and Willie C, March 27, 1874. Mr. S. has been 
 
 Township Treasurer two years, and is in political 
 
 faith a Republican. 
 
 ^^^lenry P. Linton, editor of -the Coleman 
 Advocate, first saw the light of day at Co- 
 lumbus, Bartholomew Co., Ind., on the 27th 
 day of July, 1847. His father was a successful 
 
 i physician of that place, where he and his wife 
 
 I are still living, al a ripe old age. 
 Mr. Linton was educated in the common schools 
 of that town and studied the higher branches under 
 the tutelage of a Presbyterian minister. Being of a 
 disposition that sought to be posted in the general 
 news of the day, he spent most of his spare moments 
 about the newspaper offices of his native town, and 
 thus attained a fondness for the fascinatin g " art 
 preservative." At the early age of 11 years he began 
 setting type in the office of the Columbus Democrat, 
 of which I. C. Dillie was editor. In this office Mr. 
 Linton worked between school hours for about three 
 years, or until the breaking out of the war, when the 
 office was closed that aU hands might enlist in the 
 defense of their country. For the next two years the 
 suljject of our sketch attended school, but early in 
 1863, when scarcely 16 years old, he too was seized 
 with a war fever, and hurried to the front, taking part 
 in the battles of the Army of the Cumberland and of 
 the Tennessee, until after the fall of Atlanta. Hav- 
 ing had a taste of war, he could not rest contented at 
 home, and after a short stay he again enlisted, and 
 with his regiment did valiant service in the Shenan- 
 
 doah Valley, in Virginia, until again discharged, in the 
 fall of 1865. 
 
 Again he entered a printing-office (a job-printing 
 establishment in Louisville, Ky.) and remained at 
 work until the fall of 1866, when he entered the law 
 office of Col. A. W. Prather, where he studied for two 
 years that he might better prepare himself for the 
 newspaper business. During these years he was a 
 regular paid correspondent of the Indianapolis and 
 Cincinnati daily papers, and in 1868 made a trip 
 through Kansas, New Me.xico, Colorado and the other 
 Western States and Territories as a newspaper cor- 
 respondent. While at Lawrence, Kansas, in the 
 spring of 1869, he was admitted to the Bar, after a 
 strict examination conducted by ex-Gov. Shannon 
 and Judge James Christian. Being "in love" with 
 the newspaper business, however, Mr. Linton had no 
 idea of engaging in the practice of law, and soon re- 
 sumed his journeying as a newspaper correspondent, 
 and since that time has been an almost constant 
 traveler, principally through the States of the South 
 and West, except part of the time when he was 
 engaged in office work on the Indianapolis (Ind.) 
 Sentinel, of which he was news editor for some time. 
 About six years ago Mr. Linton came to Michigan, 
 and, becoming enamored of one of the daughters of 
 the State, he concluded to settle down and lead a 
 "quiet life!" In the year 1878 he was married, and 
 for a time was engaged in publishing a paper in 
 Southwest Michigan; but, not being successful, he 
 accepted the city-editorship of the Columbus (Ind.) 
 Rcpuhliian, to which place he removed ; but his wife 
 not having good health there, he resigned his posi- 
 tion and returned to Michigan, and again attached 
 himself to a Michigan paper. 
 
 In 1883 he received propositions from the people 
 of Coleman to establish a paper in that thriving little 
 village. After a careful survey of the town and its 
 surroundings, Mr. Linton made up his mind that 
 there was a bright future for the village and accepted 
 the offer, and on the nth day of August, 1883, he 
 issued the first number of the Coleman Advocate, 
 which has been a more successful venture than he 
 dreamed possible to attain for several years. Being 
 so thoroughly in earnest in his belief in the future of 
 the town, Mr. Linton is preparing to spend the com- 
 ing years in the village by building one of the finest 
 and most convenient residences in that region. 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Being, also, of an active disposition, he has pUinged 
 into a hearty support of the vital interests of his 
 adopted State, and by his aggressiveness is making 
 his part of the county kr.own and felt in business as 
 well as m political circles, and is fast moving to the 
 front in the ranks of Republicanism in his county. 
 The only secret organization to which Mr. Linton be- 
 longs is the G. A. R., of which he is an ardent mem- 
 ber. 
 
 'enjamin P. Dean is a farmer on section 
 ll>. 22, Midland Township. His parents 
 were Benjamin and Jerusha (Dewey) 
 Dean. (See sketch of Benj. Dean.) He was 
 born in Peru, Mass., July 12, 1839; attended 
 the common school and Lee High School 
 until 20 years of age. Li 1862 he came to Sanilac 
 Co., Mich., where he followed farming ten years, and 
 then came to this county, settling where he now re- 
 sides, taking possession of 70 acres of land. He 
 now owns about 570 acres, in Midland Township, 
 almost 25 of which is under cultivation. 
 
 In politics he is in sympathy with the Republican 
 party. 
 
 In Watertown, Ont., April 3, 1874, Mr. Dean was 
 married to Miss Jane, daughter of Henry and Jane 
 (Smith) Baker, natives of Ontario. Mrs. Dean was 
 born in Erin, Ont., July 13, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Dean are the parents of six children, born as follows: 
 Edna N., Jan. 10, 1875; Carrie O., Nov. 12, 1876; 
 Ward A. R., April 19, 1878; Cecile E., Nov. 19, 
 1879; Jessie F., Dec. 20, 1881; Nelson K., Jan. 3, 
 1884. 
 
 The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Dean appear on 
 preceding pages. 
 
 ouis H. Wesson, farmer, section 14, Homer 
 Township, was born Sept. 6, 1845, in Flint, 
 Genesee Co., Mich. His parents, Leonard 
 and Elizabeth (Sherwood) Wesson, were natives 
 respectively of Massachusetts and Michigan, 
 and of English and Welsh descent. His father 
 was a druggist and conducted his interests in that 
 branch of merchandise at Flint, Saginaw and Pon- 
 
 tiac. He is now engaged in the culture of small 
 fruits in the city of Flint. The mother died at Flint, 
 June 6, 1854. She bore seven children, — six sons 
 and a daughter. Two of the former are deceased. 
 
 Mr. Wesson is the second child and eldest son of 
 his parents. He attended the union school in his 
 native city until he was 16 years old. The civil war 
 had awakened in his young mind an interest in the 
 great issues before the country, and he enlisted in 
 January, 1862, as a bugler in Co. G, First Mich. Vol. 
 Cav., under Col. Broadhead. The regiment was as- 
 signed to the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. Wesson 
 was in all the engagements in which the regiment 
 was involved throughout the entire campaign. He 
 spent two years in the capacity of bugler, and in 
 February, 1864, he was detailed private Orderly to 
 Gen. Ward, and held the post six months, when he 
 was transferred to the Army of the Shenandoah 
 Valley, as private Aid to Gen. Wright. On the 26th 
 of September, 1864, while private guard over a 
 building near Harrisburg, he was captured and taken 
 to Libby prison, at Richmond, where he was incar- 
 cerated for five months and suffered all the oft-told 
 hardships and privations of that modern Baistile. 
 The effect upon him was to reduce his avoirdupois 
 from 150 to 70 pounds. In February, 1865, he was 
 paroled, and immediately received a furlough of 30 
 days, which he spent among his friends. He re- 
 joined his regiment the night previous to the surren- 
 der of Gen. Lee, and was present on that memorable 
 occasion. The regiment proceeded to Wheeling, W. 
 Va., and thence went to Leavenworth, Kan., where 
 they remained 30 days. At the expiration of that 
 time they went to Salt Lake City, and were there 
 engaged in defending and protecting United States 
 mail routes and officials. Mr. Wesson received an 
 honorable discharge July 5, 1866, having been four 
 years and six months in the military service of the 
 United States. He had participated in about 40 
 important battles, besides numberless skirmishes, 
 among which were about 60 frays with the Indians, 
 while engaged in frontier service. 
 
 Mr. Wesson returned to Flint, where he was em- 
 ployed for a time as a clerk in a store. Later, he 
 interested himself in engineering and farming, and 
 extended his operations in the former to Petrolia, 
 Can. He again took up his abode at Flint, and in 
 1872 came to Midland Co., Mich., and spent three 
 
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 364 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 years in the occupation of builder, when he took 
 possession of a small farm held by his wife on section 
 14, in Homer Township. It was in a wholly unim- 
 proved condition, as was the surrounding country. 
 Mr. Wesson was placed his entire acreage under im- 
 provements and creditable cultivation. In the 
 cyclone of Sept. 6, 1882, his house and barn were 
 entirely destroyed, necessitating the construction of 
 new farm buildings. 
 
 He was married Oct. 23, 1872, at Midland, to Mrs. 
 Sarah Fineout, daughter of Henry and Gertrude 
 (Sawyer) Tice. Her parents were natives of the 
 State of New York, where they passed their entire 
 lives, the mother dying in 1845, and the father in 
 1 87 2. Mrs. Wesson was born Nov. 20, 1838, in 
 Sullivan Co., N. Y. She grew to womanhood in the 
 place of her birth, and came to Michigan in 1869. 
 Willie L., born Sept. 16, 1874, and Blanchie M., 
 born Dec. 9, 1876, are the names of the two chil- 
 dren of Mr. and Mrs. Wesson. Their mother is a 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
 Wesson belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows, and is 
 a member of Dwight May Post, No. 69, G. A. R. 
 He is a Republican of the most decided type, and 
 cast his first vote for President in Libby prison, in 
 November, 1864. The proudest inheritance he can 
 leave to his son is the fact that he exercised the right 
 of a freeman for tlie first time in favor of Abraham 
 Lincoln in defiance of the rebels who held him in 
 the jaws of death. He was United States Census 
 Enumerator for his district in 1880; has served three 
 years as School Assessor, and five years as Township 
 Clerk. 
 
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 ohn P. Baleh, Jr., is a general farmer on 
 
 section 9, Jasper Township. He was born 
 
 fio"^ in Trumbull Co., Ohio., June 5, 1858, and 
 
 is a son of John P.,Sr.,and Elizabeth (Savage) 
 
 Balch. (See sketch.) 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the fourth 
 child and third son in a family of eight children. 
 When two years old the family settled on section 20, 
 Jasper Township, this county, where he grew up to 
 years of maturity. Sept. 7, 18S1, at St. Louis, Mich., 
 he married Theresa Davis, a daughter of E. and 
 Matilda (Huff) Davis, natives of Ontario, and of 
 
 German and French descent, and now residents of 
 Jasper Township. Mrs. B. was born in Ontario, 
 Aug. 14, 1858, and was 21 years of age when the 
 family settled in the above named township. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Balch have one child, Mabel A., born Feb. 
 15, 1884. 
 
 A year after his marriage Mr. B. located on his 
 80-acre tract on section g, Jasper Township, where 
 he has commenced substantial improvements. 
 
 In his political status he is counted a Republican. 
 
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 I^fon. James Van Kleeck, attorney at Mid- 
 land City, and Representative from Mid- 
 j^f^ land, Gladwin and Roscommon Counties, 
 © was born Sept. 26, 1846, in E.xeter, Monroe Co., 
 
 { Mich., and is the son of Robert Van Kleeck. 
 
 I His earliest traceable ancestors were of the 
 sturdy race known in the primary history of the ^ 
 State of New York as "Holland Dutch," and were 
 pioneers of Dutchess County in the Empire State. 
 Tliey were royalists, and when the Colonies revolted 
 they betook themselves to Canada. Barnabas Van 
 Kleeck, paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Van Kleeck 
 of this sketch, married in the Dominion and reared 
 his family, consisting of five sons and two daughters, 
 — Barnabas, Peter, John, Jeremiah and Robert, Mer- 
 cy and Cecilia. Robert Van Kleeck was the son of 
 Barnabas (2d), and was born Aug. 25, 1807, at Van 
 Kleeck's Hill, a village in Prescott Co., Ont., in whose 
 cognomen is perpetuated the family patronymic. He 
 married Catherine McManus, who was born in Buf- 
 falo, of Irish descent, and removed in 1832 to La 
 Salle, Monroe Co., Mich., and later to Exeter in the 
 same county. He returned to Canada in 1837, to 
 participate in the revolt against the British Govern- 
 ment known to history as the "Patriot War," or 
 Mackenzie's Rebellion. He came back to the Penin- 
 sular State when the futile attempt to secure inde- 
 pendence proved a failure. His children are all 
 living. Cecilia, the eldest, is Mrs. Moses Fountain, 'S) 
 of Monroe Co., Mich. ; Eliza is Mrs. William Simons, i 
 and is a resident of the same county ; Judith (Mrs. ^ 
 David Potter) lives in Washtenaw Co., Mich. ; Kate ^ 
 (Mrs. Herbert O. Brown) resides in Van Buren Co., ^ 
 Mich. Their mother died in 184S; their father's :V 
 demise occurred in January, 1881. m^ 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 4^^c(®vii 
 
 365 
 
 
 ^ Mr. Van Kleeck is the only son born to his i^ar- 
 '|;\ ents, and is the fourth child in order of birth. He 
 ;':, secured a good preliminary education in the common 
 I schools of Monroe County and studied at the High 
 r?, School in the city of the same name. 
 
 He was a mere lad when the Civil War broke out, 
 and early within the first year of its existence he 
 made an attempt to become a soldier. A very boy 
 in fact and appearance, his application was rejected; 
 but a few months later he made a more successful 
 i assault on the sympathies of the enrolling officers, 
 f% and in June, 1862, found himself in regulation blue 
 and brass buttons, and duly recorded as a soldier for 
 the Union, in the 17th Mich. Vol. Inf, Co. D. The 
 command was assigned to the First Brigade, First 
 Division, Ninth Army Corps. Mr. Van Kleeck re- 
 ceived his credentials of bravery on the field of An- 
 tietam, Sept. 17, 1862, where he was wounded in the 
 left side by a missile supposed to be a minie-ball. 
 The wound was similar in character to that of Presi- 
 dent Garfield, and was very severe, the shot lodging 
 in proximity to the dorsal vertebrse, where it still 
 =1 "holds the fort." He was reported killed, and the 
 <9 surgeons decided that he could not live. He was 
 t=a: eventually transferred to the general hospital at Fred- 
 ericksburg, whence he was discharged in January, 
 1863. He was practically disabled for several years, 
 and when sufficiently recovered resumed his studies 
 in the High School at Monroe. 
 
 In 1868 he entered the Law Department of the 
 University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was 
 graduated in 1870. Soon after that event he was 
 nominated for the position of Register of Deeds for 
 Monroe County, running against Col. Constant Luce, 
 formerly Colonel of his regiment, but was unsuccess- 
 ful. In the same fall he came to Midland City and 
 opened on office for the practice of his profession. 
 In the spring following he was elected Clerk and 
 Attorney of Midland City. In the fall of 1872 he 
 was elected Prosecuting Attorney, in which office he 
 has served six years, being re-elected three alternate 
 (^ times, in 1872, 1876 and 1880. In 1882 he was 
 1 nominated to represent the district in the Legislature 
 s^s of Michigan, at a RepubUcan Convention held at 
 (^ Midland City, and took the field against H. H. Wood- 
 Q^ ruff, nominee of tlie Independent-Republican ele- 
 ■^ ment, and Dr. Aldrich, Fusion candidate. He ran 
 ^ ahead of his ticket in his own county by 600 votes, 
 
 v^) 
 
 
 \ 
 
 and made a successful campaign by a majority of 
 400 votes in the District. He served on Committees 
 on Judiciary and State University, and discharged 
 his duties with credit to himself and honor to his 
 constituency. 
 
 Mr. Van Kleeck was married July 3, 1872, to 
 Juliet C, daughter of Thomas J. and Juliet (Clarke) 
 Carpenter. She was born in Orion, Oakland Co., 
 Mich. (See sketch of T. J. Carpenter). Three 
 children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Van 
 Kleeck, as follows : Edith, Julys, 'S76; James C, 
 May 28, i88r, and an infant. 
 
 harles M. Card, farmer on section 16, 
 f. Hope Township, was born in Old Hick- 
 bridge, Berkshire Co., Mass., Dec. 16, 
 1825, the son of Elisha and Susanna Card, 
 i|^ natives of Rliode Island. The father died 
 Dec. 16, i860, and the mother in 1844. Mr. 
 Card's palernal and maternal grandfathers were both 
 Revolutionary soldiers. 
 
 The subject of this biography was reared on a 
 farm, and, leaving home at 18 years of age (1843), 
 went to Medina, Orleans Co., N. Y., to learn the 
 wagon-maker's trade. He remained there until 1848, 
 and then went to Utica, where he worked at his trade 
 for two years. In that city, Jan. 28, 1849, he formed 
 a life partnership with Miss Jane Olds, daughter 
 of Martin and Mary A. (Prim) Olds. Both parents 
 are now deceased, having ended their lives in Can- 
 ada, whither they had emigrated from England. 
 Mrs. Card was born in the last mentioned country, 
 Oct. 29, 1826. 
 
 After marriage, Mr. C. removed to Medina, where 
 he was employed at his trade two years. His next 
 move was to Kingston, Can., where he lived through 
 one winter; and then he moved to Wolf Island, 
 Can. Here he worked at his trade for a time, and 
 then on a rented farm for two years. At the expira- 
 tion of this time he purchased 40 acres of land. He 
 lived at this place altogether seven years; then sell- 
 ing out, he lived in Kingston again from spring to 
 fall. Thence he went 20 miles to Camden, and 
 lived two years in that village and five years on a 
 farm in the vicinity, which he purchased. He then 
 made his last move to his present home in this 
 county, in i868. He purchased 120 acres of wild 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 land, and had to cut down trees before he could find 
 a space to build a house. He now owns 60 acres. 
 He is a Democrat and has been School Treasurer. 
 He and wife are members of the "Church of God." 
 The following is the record of the six children 
 added to this family : Mary Jane was born Oct. 24, 
 1849, in Utica, N. Y., and married John Partridge; 
 Maria S. was born Aug. 25, 185 i, in Medina, Orleans 
 Co., N. Y., and was married April 3, 1869, to George 
 Erway ; Leander W. was born Dec. 15, 1853, on 
 Wolf Island, Ontario, Can., and was married in 1S7S 
 to Phebe Rooker; Maggie A. was born Nov. 26, 
 1857, on Wolf Island, and married Amos A. Has- 
 kell; Harriet E. was born Feb. 11, i860, at Camden, 
 Can., and was married in March, 1882, to William 
 Rooker; Charles M., Jr., was born March 11, 1867, 
 at Camden, Can., and was married April 20, 1884, to 
 Irzettia Burgess. 
 
 |€l; eorge Smock, farmer, section 19, Jasper 
 
 -„____„ Townsliip, was born in Livingston Co., N. 
 
 tH^I^^ Y., March 16,1838. His parents, Adam 
 
 hf^ P. and Eleanor (Vanderbeek) Smock, were 
 
 X natives respectively of New Jersey and New 
 
 * York, and of New Jersey ancestry for several 
 
 generations. His father, a farmer during life, and 
 
 now aged 72, and his mother, aged 65, are living with 
 
 him. 
 
 George was about three years old when his parents 
 went to Allegany Co., N. Y. He visited Gratiot Co., 
 Mich., in 1857, but continued an inmate of his 
 parental home until of age, when, Sept. 24, 1S62, he 
 married Miss Emily, third child and second daugh- 
 ter of Thomas and Mary (Craig) Martin. (See 
 sketch of Andrew J. Martin.) She was born in Por- 
 tage Co., Ohio, March 24, 1841, and came to Michi- 
 gan with her parents when 20 years old. After 
 marriage, Mr. and Mrs. S. owned and occupied an 
 80 acre farm in Pine River Township, Gratiot Co., 
 Mich., till the summer of i87i,when they came to 
 this county and settled on a quarter of section 19, 
 where, they now reside. Here Mr. Smock has im- 
 proved 65 acres and erected fair farm buildings. In 
 his township he has been Highway Commissioner, 
 Health Officer, etc. In political matters he is a 
 staunch and active Republican, and he belongs to 
 
 the I. O. O. F., at Salt River. He is a popular 
 citizen. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Smock have had five children, 
 namely: Willis, born Feb. 27, 1864; Oscar, April 
 7,1866; Freddie, June 26, 1875; and an infant, 
 March r6, 1884; and Minnie, born April 25, 1868, 
 died Sept. 19, 1875. 
 
 ' '^''3'" amuel D. Shaffner, farmer, section 11, In- 
 1 . __ .,crsoll Township, was born in Pennsylvania 
 ■|ijiV<? ~'' Dec. 19, 1847. His parents, Henry and 
 m\\^ Abbalenia (Willman) Shaffner, were natives of 
 Switzerland. He lived in Pennsylvania until 
 1880, engaged in farming and lumbering, and 
 in February' of that year he came to Midland County, 
 first buying a tract of 60 acres, to which he has since 
 added 40 acres. He now has about 12 acres under 
 cultivation. 
 
 Mr. S. has held the office of School Director, and 
 in the spring of 1884 was elected Drain Commis- 
 sioner. He is a Republican, and in respect to relig- 
 ious belief he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, as also does his wife. 
 
 Mr. Shaffner was married in Pennsylvania, Aug. 
 10, 1869, to Frances M., daughter of Thomas and 
 Mary J. (Mann) Craven, the former a native of 
 Pennsylvania and the latter of the Empire State. 
 Mrs. S. was born in the Key-stone State, Nov. 11, 
 185 I ; and to Mr. and Mrs. P. have been born three 
 children, namely : Lauren O., Annie M. and 
 Thomas H. 
 
 Mr. S. enlisted in July, 1864, in Co. D, First Bat., 
 Pa. Vol. Inf , and served until November of the same 
 year. 
 
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 '5 elson Hitsman, farmer and lumberman, 
 -^I'^'^l" section 21. Lee Township, was born in 
 JF^ Russell Township, Ottawa Co., Ont., March 
 '^ §i i7i 1845. When ten years old he went to 
 1^ St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., with his parents, and 
 two years later he left home and was employed in 
 various occupations. He bought 40 acres of land, 
 and when 21 years of age he sold it, left that county, 
 and came to Lapeer Co., Mich., afterward moving to 
 
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 -*«^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 367 
 
 ft 
 
 Tuscola County, where he bought a farm of 1 20 acres, 
 worked it for seven years, then managed a farm in 
 Lai)eer County again for two years; then, in 1S76, 
 he went to Clay Co., Kan., and about three years 
 I'f). later he returned to this State and purchased 80 acres 
 of timbered land on section 21, Lee Township, where 
 lie has since improved 30 acres. In politics Mr. 
 Hitsman is a Democrat, and he has held the minor 
 offices of his district. 
 
 Mr. H. was married in St, Lawrence Co., N. Y., 
 Sept. 6, J 863, to Miss Eliza A. Lanway, who was 
 born in that county June i, 1848. Tht^ children of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hitsman are : George L., born Aug. 24, 
 1864; Mary E. E., March 26, 1869; Dora R., June 
 17, 1880; and William N., who was born July r, 
 1873, and died Feb. 3, 1875. 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 f'j H. Ketcham, junior member of the lumber 
 jii!====|i firm of Wright & Ketcham, resident at 
 J'lfS^ ^^^"^ Saginaw, Mich., was born Feb. 22, 
 jiljf ^ 1845, on Staten Island, N. Y., and is a son of 
 ■^■1^^ Ira G. and Fannie M. Ketcham. His father, 
 a farmer, settled in DeKalb Co., 111., where he reared 
 his son to the age of 20 years, instructing him in agri- 
 cultural pursuits. In 1866 the latter came to Sagi- 
 naw, Mich., where he engaged heavily in lumbering 
 in the interests of Ketcham, Edsell &] Dunning. 
 The enterprise lasted ten years, when he became 
 connected with the lumber firm of Wright & Co. 
 After four years the present business relation of 
 Wright & Ketcham was formed, and has since 
 continued. The senior member of the firm is the 
 most prominent man in the Saginaw Valley, Ammi 
 W. Wright. The lumber interests of the firm in 
 Midland County are extensive. They own r 0,000 
 acres of hard and soft timber lands, and instituted 
 their business at the point where the village of 
 Ketcham stands, May i, 1881. They commenced 
 business to secure a large amount of pine lumber 
 for themselves and also in the interest of Messrs. 
 Rust & Hay, of Saginaw. During the last three 
 years they have placed 100,000,000 feet of lumber 
 on the banks of the Tittabawassee River, and have 
 125,000,000 feet to secure, which will require be- 
 tween three and four years. They constructed a 
 
 ^6^# 
 
 .25J^y^ 
 
 MM 
 
 narrow-gauge railroad in 1882, built of iron rails, 20 
 pounds to the yard ; but the track is now laid with 
 3o-l)ound steel rails, the old ones being utilized for 
 branches and siding. The road is about 22 miles in 
 extent, and its rolling stock includes three coal-burn- 
 ing engines and 75 log cars. The road is in use 
 about nine months in the year. It is deemed more 
 economical and safe to use coal-burning engines in 
 a wood country. The facilities afford a banking 
 capacity of about 300,000 feet of lumber daily. The 
 working force during the winter includes about 500 
 men. During the summer the operations require 
 about 100 men, making an average of 325 men 
 through the year. The yearly running expenses 
 amount to $200,000. 
 
 Ammi W. Wright, who is now a resident of Sara- 
 toga, N. Y., formerly lived at Saginaw, where he still 
 has extensive business relations. He owns a saw- 
 mill there and is President of the Wright Lumber 
 Co., of Wellstime & Co., of Wright and Davis, of 
 Otsego Co., Mich., and is a member of the lumber 
 firm of Giles, Gilbert & Co., of Montcalm County. 
 He holds large interests in Gratiot County, and is 
 the principal owner of real estate at Alma, in that 
 county, where he owns the Wright House, one of the 
 finest establishments for the entertainment of the 
 traveling public in the State of Michigan. Mr. 
 Wright has large landed interests in Minnesota, and 
 owns considerable property in Minneapolis. He is 
 a heavy stock owner in the First National Bank and 
 the Home National Bank at East Saginaw, and also 
 in the bank at Alma. He is a partner in the firm of 
 Taylor, Wolfenden & Co., of Detroit, and is heavily 
 concerned in the Lansing, Alma & Mt. Pleasant 
 Railroad, now in process of construction. He is one 
 of the most notable examples of what one man may 
 accomplish who sets out in life with empty hands 
 and a head sufficiently well balanced to recognize 
 and grasp opportunities, — a much better capital than 
 inherited wealth. It has placed him among notable 
 millionaires and incited him to widely diffused and 
 varied business investments. Among these is an ex- 
 tensive sheep ranch in Texas. Mr. Wright is about 
 63 years of age. 
 
 The village of Ketcham is the outgrowth of the 
 operations carried on there by Messrs. Wright & 
 Ketcham. The mercantile establishment of the firm 
 and the {wstoffice are under the management of 
 James G. Ketcham, brother of one of the proprietors. 
 
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 MIDLAJSin COUNTY. 
 
 ^^p^rwin Inman, farmer on section 28, Hope 
 
 "y^'^ Township, was born in Ray Township, 
 ^T.^- *' Macomb Co., Mich., June 22, 1854, the 
 son of Charles and Amanda M. (Green) In- 
 man. The father was born in October, 1826, 
 in New York State, and the mother in 1825, in 
 the same State. They now reside in Lincoln Town- 
 ship, this county. Their family include Erwin H., 
 Luella, Oscar F., Winslow J. and Orville B.; and 
 Mrs. Inman has two children by a former marriage, — 
 David M. Wilcox and Sarah Wilcox. 
 
 The subject of this sketch commenced when only 
 16 years of age to earn his own support. He 
 worked in the lumber woods in the winters, and on 
 neighboring farms in the summer seasons. In 1876, 
 shortly after reaching his majority, he purchased 40 
 acres where he has since lived. 
 
 July 4, 1877, in Lincoln Township, he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Emma J. Conner, daughter of Isaac 
 and Laura (Brown) Conner. Mr. and Mrs. C. are 
 residing on a farm in Grout Township, Gladwin 
 County, and have had nine children, of wliom Brit- 
 tannia is deceased. She was the eldest. The living 
 are Martha, Mary A., Rhoda, Emma J., Margaret, 
 Lillian, Philip R. and William N. Mrs. Inman was 
 born Sept. it, 1861, in Mariposa, Can., and is the 
 mother of three children, as follows : Charles W., 
 born Oct. 19, 1878; Isaac C, April 15,1881 ; and an 
 
 infant, Feb. 23, 1884. All were born in Hope Town- 
 ship. 
 
 Mr. I. is a Greenbacker, and in religious inclina- 
 tion belongs to the Church of God. 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 
 ohn Haley, fanner, section 26, Mt. Haley 
 ""'^/l Township, was born Jan. 15, 1842, in 
 Frontenac Co , Ont. His father, John 
 Haley, died in July, 1862, and after that event, 
 -jiL his family, including his wife, one daughter 
 \ and two sons, came to Saginaw County. In 
 the springof 1868, they removed to Midland County 
 and fixed their residence on 160 acres of land, for 
 which Mr. Haley had entered his claim in the previ- 
 ous year. It was all in heavy timber and the owner 
 has sold 80 acres of the original tract, and finely im- 
 proved a portion of the remainder. Its soil is of the 
 best character. The mother died in November, 
 
 1875- 
 
 Mr. Haley was married Oct. 12, 1870, in East 
 Saginaw, to Alice Howley, a native of Ontario, where 
 she was born, Feb. 18, 1842. Eight children have 
 been born of this marriage, all of whom are living 
 but one. 
 
 The family l^elong to the Roman Catholic Church, 
 in which they are in full and regular standing. Mr. 
 Haley is a Democrat, and has held the most important 
 local official positions. He has been Treasurer and 
 Justice of the Peace, and has officiated as Drain and 
 Highway Commissioner. 
 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 INTRODUQTORY. Mk 
 
 yto) 
 
 
 
 
 NLY a few years have passed 
 since any attempt has been 
 made to convert the unbroken 
 
 H- - JK5«.-^ ■^i—^.r^i^-. forests of Northern Michigan 
 t^l v^'^^j^ss^^w^^^S into an agricultural district 
 and homes for civilized man. 
 The early surveyors which Government 
 sent out to make the survey of 
 this part of the State reported that it 
 was an irreclaimable waste and not fit 
 for cultivation in any quarter, the soil 
 being of that character which pre- 
 cluded the propagation of cereals. 
 The rapidity of settlement and enor- 
 mous crops of everything in the line of cereals 
 demonstrated conclusively their mistake, for no acre- 
 age surpasses Northern Michigan in productiveness. 
 Notvifithstanding the oft-repeated tales of want and 
 hardships told by their sires, men of energy, with 
 their families and all their earthly possessions loaded 
 upon wagons drav/n by oxen, pushed their way step 
 by step, through the unbroken forests of Midland, 
 until they found suitable locations. With a spirit of 
 heroism have they toiled until the forests were laid 
 low, and their herculean labor is manifest in the 
 broad acres of highly cultivated land, upon which 
 stand palatial residences and outbuildings of the 
 most expensive character. Over the grounds where 
 the red man chased the bounding deer, and the 
 wild-cat and wolves held their nightly vigils, may be 
 seen the husbandman gathering the golden harvests ; 
 where the Indian's wild war-whoop was heard, stands 
 
 the stately house of worship. Transportation of 
 goods by ox teams has given way to the power of 
 steam, and a commerce has been opened up with all 
 parts of the civilized world. Prosperity in a high 
 degree has smiled upon her people, who are fortunate 
 in living in the most healthful, beautiful and pro- 
 ductive State in the Union, taking age into consider- 
 ation. 
 
 The history of this county is possessed of no small 
 degree of interest. While other counties were con- 
 nected with the frontier with large bodies of excellent 
 lands, these seemed shut off from the gaze of shrewd 
 speculators by reason of its heavy growth of timber. 
 They were destined to become the heritage of an 
 honest, industrious people, and the income derived 
 from the timber and products of the soil has given 
 many of the first comers a handsome competency. 
 
 -5— vVW; 
 
 C?) 
 
 ca: 
 
 
 Value of Local History. - 
 
 ji ERY few of the present generation realize 
 ' the great value of local history, living as 
 they do in an age of industry and thrift. 
 Tlie opportunities for speculation and the 
 haste to become wealthy take precedence of 
 everything else, and the fact is not taken into 
 consideration that the pioneers are rapidly passing 
 from the scene of their labors, leaving but little time 
 for the compilation of biographical sketches which 
 constitute the heretofore unwritten history of Midland 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 County. Their children have heard from the Hps of 
 their aged sires the'storj' of privation and toil of 
 those who were first at the front in the settlement of 
 the county, but thfir children will lose sight of the 
 facts unless they be recorded in such manner as to 
 become intelligible and kept fresh in the minds of 
 succeeding generations. 
 
 Surrounded, as we are, with everything which 
 wealth and taste can suggest, the fact is almost lost 
 sight of that here were the best years of the lives of 
 our ancestors devoted to the development of one of 
 the best agricultural counties in the State. As the 
 virtues, privations, 'toil and hardships of the pio- 
 neers of Midland are well worthy of a more fitting 
 memorial than can be secured by a granite monu- 
 ment, the design of the publishers is to record a his- 
 tory of inestimable value to every citizen. 
 
 The facts mentioned have been carefully culled 
 from every source ; neither pains nor expense has 
 been spared in the compilation of this work, which, 
 although not without error, is as correct as can be 
 gathered from the pioneers themselves. 
 
 Upon local history depends the perpetuation of 
 facts heretofore unwritten, as well as the biographical 
 sketches of every worthy pioneer'in the county that 
 could be procured. Each sketch speaks volumes; 
 and a history of one man's life, perhaps of an entire 
 family, is nov recorded where naught can eftace or 
 destroy it. From this will all future volumes of like 
 import take their data. Those who have volunteered 
 the information from which this work is compiled, 
 will live in the history of this county as long as time 
 lasts. No manlier hands e'er drew a sword than they 
 who faced privation and danger while engaged in the 
 subjugation of the dense wilderness which once 
 covered this now beautiful land, and to them is this 
 volume dedicated. 
 
 How Our Fathers Lived. 
 
 HE young men and women of to-day have 
 very little conception of the mode of life 
 among the early settlers of Midland Coun- 
 ty. In but few respects are the manners of 
 the present time similar to those of. a quarter 
 of a century ago. The clothing, the dwell- 
 ings, the diet, the social customs, etc., have under- 
 
 gone a total revolution as though a new race had 
 taken possession of the land. Pioneer life in Mid- 
 land County finds its parallel in almost every county 
 in the State and throughout the entire Northwest. 
 The land was to be cleared of forests, and the skill 
 of human art used to transplant to the fertile re- 
 gion the civilization of the East. Cabins were to be 
 erected, wells dug, and the rivers and creeks made 
 to labor for the use of mankind. 
 
 .\s many living citizens can well remember, the 
 pioneers had many difficulties to contend with, not 
 the least of which was the journey from civilization 
 to their forest homes. The route lay through a wild 
 and rough country ; swamps and marshes were 
 crossed with great exertion and fatigue ; rivers were 
 forded with difficulty and danger ; nights were passed 
 in the dense forests, with mother earth for a couch 
 and the trees and foliage for a shelter ; long, weary 
 days and weeks of travel were 'endured, but finally 
 their eyes were gladdened and their hearts beat 
 faster when a vision of their future home burst upon 
 them. 
 
 The first thing upon arrival was to set about build- 
 ing a cabin. While this was being done the family 
 slept in their wagons or upon the grass, while the 
 horses or mules, tethered to prevent escape, grazed 
 on the grass around them. Trees of a suitable and 
 uniform size were selected, felled and prepared for 
 their places. The day for the raising was announced 
 and from far and near came other pioneers to assist 
 in the labor. The structure went up, a log at a time, 
 those engaged in the work stopping now and then to 
 "wet their whistles," and soon it was ready for the 
 clapboard roof, which was held on by huge weight- 
 poles. A door and a window were cut where the 
 good wife directed, a chimney built, and the building 
 was ready for its occupants. The space between the 
 logs was filled in with split sticks of wood, called 
 "chinks," and then daubed over, both inside and out, 
 with mortar made of clay. The floor was some- 
 times nothing more than earth tramped hard and 
 smooth, but was commonly made of "puncheons," or 
 split logs, with the split side turned upwards. The 
 roof was made by gradually drawing in the top to 
 the ridge-|)ole and on cross-pieces laying the clap- 
 boards, which, being several feet in length, instead 
 of being nailed were held in place by weight-poles, 
 reaching the entire length of the cabin. 
 
 For a fire-place, a space was cut out of the logs on 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 373 
 
 one side of the room, usually about six feet in length, 
 and three sides were built up of logs, making an off- 
 set in the wall. This was lined with stone, if con- 
 venient ; if not, tlien earth was used. The flue, or 
 upper part of the chimney, was built of small split 
 sticks, two and a half or three feet in length, carried 
 a little space above the roof, and plastered over with 
 clay, and when finished was called a "cob and clay" 
 chimney. The door space was also made by cutting 
 an aperture in one side of the room of the required 
 size, the door itself being made of clapboards secured 
 by wooden pins to two cross-pieces. The hinges 
 were also of wood, while the fastening consisted of a 
 wooden latch catching on a hook of the same ma- 
 terial. To open the door from the outside, a strip of 
 buckskin was tied to the latch and drawn through a 
 hole a few inches above the latch bar, so that on 
 pulling the string the latch was lifted from the catch 
 or hook, and the door was opened without further 
 trouble. To lock the door it was only necessary to 
 pull the string through the hole on the inside. Here 
 the family lived, and here the guest and wayfarer 
 were made welcome. The living-room was of good 
 size, but to a large extent it was also kitchen, bed- 
 room, parlor and arsenal, with flitches of bacon and 
 
 rings of dried pumpkins suspended from the rafters. 
 The old cabins are rapidly being superseded by 
 modern frame and brick structures, yet with almost 
 tearful eyes we watch them disa[)pear. Every log 
 and chink has a history; could they speak, they 
 would tell us of tlie days of toil and privation under- 
 gone by our fathers, of the days made sacred by the 
 birth or death of his children, of the religious services 
 which were held there when no church was yet built 
 in the neighborhood, or the merry-makings at which 
 the neighbors for miles around attended, when logs 
 were to be rolled, and a dance given in the evening; 
 the whole to conclude with a supper, the delicacies 
 of which consisted of venison, maple sugar and corn 
 bread. One by one the old log structures are being 
 removed, but it seems almost a sacrilege to tear them 
 down, so closely have they been connected with the 
 success of our pioneers, many of whom now state 
 that although they are now wealthy and have every 
 comfort and luxury that money can procure, yet the 
 days spent in their primeval home and the kindness 
 which everywhere prevailed among neighbors, brought 
 more happiness than is now enjoyed, although their 
 b^.rns are filled with grain, their pockets with gold 
 and their lands doited witn herds of cattle and sheep. 
 
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 BOHIGINAL history in this 
 
 county is somewhat limited. 
 
 Although these were their 
 
 lands, and among the best 
 
 ___________ hunting grounds, they were 
 
 (^!j t^>. --/,,■ it) ^11 removed to a reservation 
 in Isabella County, which had 
 been ceded them by the Govern- 
 ment in 1855, which lands are 
 yet possessed by the remnants of 
 the tribes, now nearly extinct. 
 Nearly all the Indians living in 
 this portion of the State belonged to 
 &iS the Chippewa tribe, although the 
 
 I 
 
 (c^ 
 
 Pottawatomies and Ottawas were so 
 mixed with them by intermarriage that compara- 
 tively few full-blooded specimens could be found of 
 either tribe. There was always a kindly feeling ex- 
 isting between the Indians and the whites of this 
 county, and no disturbance of importance was noted 
 during the early history of this section. Their time 
 was spevit in hunting, fishing and trading, having only 
 a few acres of cleared land, which was cultivated 
 very poorly. Their dances were the occasion of much 
 hilarity, and every one who desired was made wel- 
 come as a looker-on. The " sugar dance," the "green- 
 corn dance," " harvest dance" and " war dance" 
 were the only recreations indulged in, unless it were 
 an occasional " horse race," and these were tame 
 affairs, the ponies following each other along a trail 
 in single file. 
 
 Their manner of burial was peculiar. The corpse 
 
 was wrapped with bark and deposited in a shallow 
 grave, which, when filled with earth was covered with 
 bark. A pipe, tobacco, and hatchet were put at the 
 head of the grave; and quarterly, during the first 
 year, a squirrel or other small animal was buried, 
 that the warrior might have sustenance for support 
 until he reached the happy hunting grounds. 
 
 The Indians could many for " a moon " or life, just 
 as they liked. The marriage ceremony consisted 
 only in presenting the bride a necklace, blanket, or 
 any trinket, which if accepted constitvited marriage. 
 Their number of wives was not limited, some having 
 three or four. 
 
 Pay-mos-ega, the aged Chippewa chief, died at 
 " Indiantown," near St.Louis, and his body was kept 
 " lying in state " for several days ; plenty of whisky 
 was furnished the Indians from some quarter, and 
 riot and revelry prevailed. During the c ;rnival of 
 drunkenness three squaws were murdered and their 
 bodies burned. 
 
 Me-gon-gay-wan, a daughter of the chief men- 
 tioned, afterward married Henry Ashman, who rep- 
 resented the people in the .State Legislature at a 
 later date. Two of his sons live in Isabella County, 
 and are both intelligent and worthy men. Mrs. 
 Mary Gruett, wife of James Gruett, who acted as in- 
 terpreter at the Indian Mission, still lives near St. 
 Louis, and is possessed of (]uite a fund of informa- 
 tion regarding Indian life. 
 
 The old Iroquois blood is flowing in the veins of 
 many of them, and here and there one can trace a 
 descendant of the Miamis, the Senecas, and oftener 
 
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 -#i^ 
 
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 vC^DO^nu^^v 
 
 -^^^(< 
 
 MIDLANn COUNTY. 
 
 the old and once powerful Pottawatomies. The old 
 Etowah and Ojibway (now corrupted into Ottawa 
 iv5» and Chippewa) are also represented largely; so the 
 ( present tribe, designated as " Chippewas of Saginaw, 
 (z)j Swan Creek and Black River," is an amalgamation of 
 - several tribes which were once distinct. In the 
 Detroit treaty of Nov. 17, 1807, the lands in the 
 Saginaw territory were set apart for the Ottawa, 
 Chippewa, Wyandotte and Pottawatomie nations of 
 Indians, as part of a general and divided concession 
 ^ from the Government; but it is not until the treaty 
 ;% made at Washington, May 9, 1836, that we see In- 
 dians classified as "Chippewas of Swan Creek and 
 Black River." The Wyandottes and Pottawatomies 
 wandered westward, though many of the latter tribe 
 settled in the Michigan Territory south of what is 
 now the line of the Michigan Central Railroad. 
 
 But among the new tribe of Chippeways of Swan 
 Creek and Black River, there was a large number 
 still of Wyandottes and Pottawatomies, although the 
 prevailing number were divided between Ottawas 
 and Chippewas, while occasionally, to tliis day, a 
 Seneca Indian can be found. 
 
 Civilization has been driving them remorselessly 
 before it, — first from the beautiful valley of the 
 Miami, up toward the Maumee; from there to the 
 river Raisin, where Monroe now stands; from there 
 towards the Detroit River, but urging tliem both west 
 and northward from there to the Flint and Saginaw 
 Rivers; but with all these temporizings urging them 
 westward by offers of large annuities, which many of 
 them accepted on arriving at Swan Creek, Black 
 River and Saginaw, this conglomeration of tribes, 
 under their new name, began to clear land, to hunt . 
 and to fish ; but even in what was then a wilderness, 
 they were not allowed to remain undisturbed; for the 
 American Fur Company began the erection of trad- 
 ing posts, and buying their valuable furs of the In- 
 dian hunter and trapper. They and the subsequent 
 traders paid them off in poor whisky and cheap 
 goods at an exorbitant price. 
 (3^ As civilization advanced, many of the whites took 
 i Indian women as concubines, living in this unholy 
 ^ alliance as long as it suited either their convenience 
 W. or inclination to do so, thus giving to these untutored ■ 
 ^ people their first lesson in civilization by teaching 
 them the prostitution of their young women ! 
 
 After a while this land became valuable to the 
 
 
 s 
 
 whites ; the steamboat appeared where before the 
 waters of the Saginaw and Tittabawassee had known 
 no more disturbance than the paddle of the Indian 
 in his canoe. Business began to prosper, settlers to 
 come in, and in 1855 these Indians were all called 
 together and told that it was to their interest to give 
 up land then worth one hundred dollars per acre 
 and to move again northward into Isabella County, 
 then almost a wilderness. To this they consented, 
 and moved from their possessions to the lands along 
 the Tittabawassee in this county, and to the reserva- 
 tion in Isabella. There were fully 2,000 Indians 
 living along the Tittabawassee when the first white 
 settler came, and the Wymans, Whitmans, Townsends, 
 Cronkrights and others had no other neighbors for 
 years. 
 
 All speak of the Chippewa Indians in the kindliest 
 manner, and when the last ones left Midland County 
 for their new home in Isabella, many tears of regret 
 were shed by the whites at the necessity which 
 caused their parting. 
 
 Fifty years ago the Chippewas had undisputed 
 possession of this territory, and the Sauks, another 
 powerful tribe, endeavored to dispossess them of 
 these beautiful valleys, which were such fine hunting 
 grounds. A bloody battle was fought about two and 
 one-half miles west of Midland City, at a bend in 
 the river known as the "Ox-Bow," and many lives 
 were lost on both sides, the "Chippewas" however 
 coming off victorious. Their dead are now lying in 
 the old Indian burying-ground a couple of miles 
 southwest of Midland City. 
 
 There were two other burying-grounds immediately 
 east of Midland and inside its corporate limits where 
 many of the aborigines were buried. Wliile exca- 
 vating along the line of the Flint & Pere Marquette 
 Railroad, the workmen unearthed many bones and 
 utensils which had been placed in the graves to aid 
 the warrior upon his arrival at the happy hunting 
 grounds. 
 
 They have gone from this county, and had it not 
 been for the efforts of Major James W. Long, who 
 for several years was Indian Agent in Isabella 
 County, and was instrumental in securing them 
 their patents in fee simple, the probability is that ere 
 this they would have been removed to Isle Royale 
 in Lake Superior, or some other equally undesirable 
 locality. As it is, their present condition, as com- 
 
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 A^>D!i^nn;^-^ 
 
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 TT- 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 pared with the past, is bad enough. They are 
 dwindling away, or migrating each year to their old 
 relatives, the Ottawas of Lake Michigan, the straits 
 of Mackinac and Sault Ste. Marie. Others can be 
 found among the Chippewas of Lake Superior, while 
 those who remain earn a precarious living in amateur 
 farming, hunting, fishing and the manufacture of 
 baskets. They are undoubtedly the victims of fate; 
 but it seems hard that they, the original owners of 
 this land, have been compelled to give up so much 
 when they have received so little. At present about 
 600 Lidians are living on the reservation in Isabella 
 County under the provisions of the treaty of Oct. 18, 
 1864, which was supplemental to the treaty of Aug. 2, 
 1855, when the tribe was in the fullness of its glory 
 here. The last families left Midland County in 1865, 
 and occasionally some of them come during the 
 summer months to gather huckleberries, which grow 
 in such profusion along the marshes. 
 
 The treaty of 1864 gave to each head of a family 
 80 acres of land, and to every Indian, male or female, 
 upon arriving at the age of maturity, 40 acres, with 
 the proviso that the Indian Agent shall classify them 
 as "competent " or " non-competent." In case they 
 are reported as "competent," a patent issues in fee 
 simple, and they can transfer their land or alienate 
 the title the same as any other freeholder. The 
 ''non-competent," while having a patent, cannot 
 transfer the title without consent of the Secretary of 
 the Interior. 
 
 The reservation embraces the following Congres- 
 sional townships in Isabella County, all being in 
 towns north, by ranges west of the meridian line: 16, 
 3entire; 15,3; 15,4; 15, 5 entire; 14, 5 entire, and 
 the north half of 14, -3 and 14, 4. The principal 
 value at that time attached to these lands was the 
 magnificent pine timber which grew so luxuriantly 
 upon it, while this value was enhanced by its prox- 
 imity to the Chippewa and Salt Rivers, by which the 
 logs could be floated to Saginaw and Bay City. 
 
 Lumber speculators soon bought the pine, coupled 
 with the right of removal, at nominal figures, after 
 which land speculators purchased the land. Some of 
 the Indians kept their land, but none of them the 
 timber. 
 
 It is as well, perhaps, as it is. The theory of the 
 Indian Commission and the would-be humanitarians, 
 that the North American Indians can be turned into 
 a set of civilized farmers, is a phantasy long since ex- 
 
 
 ploded. A percentage of them may be converted to 
 civilization by schools, etc., but an Indian is an In- 
 dian still. His romantic habits and the pleasures of 
 the chase are more to hiui than "castled halls," and 
 the delights of out-door and field sports cling to him 
 still as they did his ancestry. Locality is one uf their 
 chief attributes. Although ihey are entitled to land 
 in the reservation, not only land, but the means ot 
 having permanent and comfortable homes — notwith- 
 standing all this, which any while man would have 
 accepted greedily, the Indian will not take, but even 
 now can be found in his old haunts, rendered doubly 
 dear to him by habitation and the traditions of child- 
 hood. The Indian problem has had a fair, honest 
 and intelligent trial among the Chippewas of Sagi- 
 naw, Swan Creek and Black River, and as far as 
 ameliorating their condition is concerned, it has been 
 a failure. Schools have been furnished them, with 
 patieni, earnest teachers. The gospel has been 
 preached to them, by hard-working, self-denying min- 
 isters of Christ. Many can speak English; some can 
 "write, read and cipher;" some are members of the 
 Church, and all are peaceable and quiet. Civiliza- 
 tion has done this much; but it has all been for the 
 benefit of its own cupidity and protection. As for 
 the Indian (!), in the wild woods, unbroken by the ax 
 of the pioneer; by the shim.nering stream, full ot 
 sustenance to him, with nature at his command, with 
 his bow and his arrow on his shoulder, or his fishing 
 pole or net in his hand, — the Indian of primitive 
 ages was more one of God's noblemen than the non- 
 descript produced by the hypocrisy of civilization. 
 
 The inter-marriage of the race has so reduced 
 them ])hysically that a few more years will find but 
 a mere handful of tiie noble (?) red men who were 
 formerly owners of this beautiful land. When they 
 are gone who will mourn ? Who will drop a tear in 
 memory of their former greatness? They have been 
 dispossessed slowly but surely until a mere spot of 
 land includes their possessions. Their end is near; 
 their race is nearly run. No more is seen the smoke 
 curling from their wigwams; no more is heard the 
 "tom-tom," as its monotonous sound marshaled the 
 braves for the "war dance.' Their camp fires have 
 gone out; their hunting grounds are transformed 
 into luxuriant meadows and highly cultivated fields. 
 Nothing is left save this humble memorial to indicate 
 that the aborigines ever inhabited this country. 
 
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 PECULATION is easy regavd- 
 iiii; the date of the coming of 
 the first actual settlers to the 
 territory embraced by the Mid- 
 land County boundaries, but 
 absolute knowledge of these 
 facts is hard to obtain. There were 
 many Indians and French half-breeds 
 living here as early as 1830, although 
 their location could hardly be called 
 permanent one, they being chiefly en- 
 gaged in hunting, trapping and fishing. 
 The first actual white settler who came 
 stay was John A. Whitman, whose ar- 
 rival dates back to the spring of 1836. 
 Not until the autumn of that year, however, did he 
 bring his family and erect his house, but at that early 
 date his was the first house built in the county. This 
 was located on the east half of section i in Inger- 
 soll Township, and for convenience was built near 
 the river. The only neighbors Mr. Whitman had for 
 several years were Indians, of whom he speaks in 
 highest terms. They were living in bark shanties 
 and tents made of skins, but the winters were passed 
 in comparative comfort, and very little sickness was 
 knovi'n among them. 
 
 Charles Fitzhugh came two years later and pur- 
 chased a large tract of land about the junction of the 
 Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers, and near by 
 built a log cabin, which was occupied in 1837 by 
 John Wyman. In this cabin, on the sixth day of 
 
 
 July, 1837, Julia A. Wyman was "born. This event 
 was of no small importance, for hers was the first 
 birth occurring in Midland County among the white 
 settlers. She is now living in Midland City, the wife 
 of John McLean. The cabin previously mentioned 
 stood on the site now occupied by the fair grounds, 
 and was the first house built in Midland Township. 
 
 For several years less than half a dozen white ^ 
 families were living in the county. The Indians and *^ 
 French traders were numerous, but no attempts toward 
 improving the land were made except to clear a few ( '- 
 acres of the underbrush and " deaden " the large 
 trees. A few potatoes and other vegetables were 
 grown, but the chase was depended upon for supplies, 
 which were obtained from Saginaw by means of a 
 canoe, there being no roads for transportation of 
 goods. 
 
 Frank S. Burton was one of the early comers to 
 this county, he having arrived in March, 1856. To 
 him we are indebted for many interesting items con- 
 cerning tht early settlements. The Townsends, 
 Cronkrights, and a few others, were squatted along 
 the Chippewa at that date, and John Larkin had 
 made his location here a year or two previous. 
 
 Charley Rodd, the half-breed Indian who was 
 afterward the first Sheriff of Isabella County, started 
 a saloon in 1855, in a little store in a small clearing 
 on the " Indian Reserve," which now constitutes a 
 part of the farm of Mr. Geo. F. Ball. 
 
 Doubtless there were others that still survive, who 
 at that time were domiciled in log cabins niched in 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 small clearings, the whole of which was surrounded 
 ^ by and embosomed in the old, solemn and seemingly 
 i'^ everlasting forest. The locality now designated as 
 Midland City was at that day only a lumbering 
 camp, which bore the euphonious title of "The 
 Forks." The only buildings standing at that time 
 inside of the present corporate limits, were a rude 
 lumber shanty, with stables and other outbuildings, 
 which occupied the site of the cemetery. The camp 
 belonged to the Copelands, Ripley and Stewart, who 
 employed Timothy Jerome as their agent. He, al- 
 though a resident of Saginaw, is one of the best 
 known men in Midland County. 
 
 There were two or three other points upon the 
 Tittabawassee where the company above mentioned 
 had begun catting and hauling pine and maintained 
 camps. One was below the junction of the Tobacco 
 with the Tittabawassee, in township i6 north, of 
 range i west. This camp was called " Sixteen;" and 
 although it has enjoyed other and better titles since, 
 and is now appropriately styled " Edenville," still the 
 old name clings to it, and many will never call it by 
 any other cognomen than " Si.xteen." 
 
 The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was 
 held Aug. 13, 1855, — H. C. Ashman, Chairman; Ed- 
 win P. Jennings, Clerk; and John A. Whitman, 
 Treasurer. The assessment roll for the entire 
 county, embracing all the territory described further 
 on, amounted to $514,292.04. This assessment was 
 approved Oct. 8, of that year, and a tax of one-half 
 of one per cent, was levied to meet current expenses. 
 
 The first marriage in Midland County was that of 
 Sylvester Erway, so long a Supervisor of Edenville 
 Township, and Julia Bowman, daughter of Daniel 
 Bowman, one of the first settlers. The ceremony 
 was performed by Esquire Abraham Egbert, April 6, 
 1855- 
 
 Midland County was organized March 29, 1850, 
 but no officers were elected until the amended act of 
 the Legislature of Feb. 8, 1855, which provided for 
 holding an election. All the territory now included 
 in Midland, Bay, Gratiot, Isabella, Clare, Gladwin 
 and Roscommon Counties, were then included in 
 her boundaries. The first election was held at Mid- 
 land, in November, 1855. The officers elected were, 
 G. W. Whiting, Sheriff; E. P. Jennings, Clerk; H. 
 C. Ashman, Prosecuting Attorney; J. A. Whitman, 
 Treasurer; Solon Kumvill, Register of Deeds; Sam- 
 
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 uel Gaskill, Judge of Probate, and George Turner, 
 Surveyor. 
 
 The first term of Circuit Court was held in the o'd 
 school-house which stands at the corner of Ashman 
 and EUswortli Streets. The members of the Bar at 
 that time consisted of Henry C. Ashman, Wilbur F. 
 Woodworth and G. F. Hemmingway. 
 
 Midland Township was organized in 1853, and the 
 first election was held at the house of Joseph Town- 
 send, Sr.; the Inspectors of this Election were 
 Thomas T. Townsend, Charles Fitzhugh and John 
 A. Whitman. 
 
 Below the mouth of l^obacco River about five 
 miles, is the farm located by the venerable Abraham 
 Egbert, in the year 1851. He was a Canadian, and 
 a shrewd although eccentric man. He took great 
 pride in the distinction of being the first pioneer of 
 the township whicli bore his name, and never lost an 
 opportunity of making reference to the fact. This 
 township consisted of Congressional townships 16 
 north, I west and r and 2 east, and 15 north, i west. 
 
 This territory now comprises the towns of Hope, 
 Edenville, Warren and Jerome. When, by an act of 
 the Legislature, the name was changed to Jerome, it 
 nearly broke the old man's heart. We maintain that 
 this was a grievous wrong, and as an impartial his- 
 torian we desire to enter our protest against such in- 
 justice even at this late date. 
 
 There were many incidents connected with pio- 
 neer life with which every reader is familiar, and for 
 the present a few incidents relating to the first things 
 of importance in the county are noted. 
 
 John A. Whitman was the first Justice of the 
 Peace, being elected in 1853. He performed the 
 first marriage ceremony in IngersoU Townsliip, while 
 officiating in a legal capacity, the parties being Mr. 
 John Armon and Miss Margaret McGregor, who were 
 married at his house in 1854. 
 
 The first lawsuit in the county was brought before 
 him, but the case was settled before coming to trial. 
 The plaintiff, a Mr. Hall, suing a man named Chap- 
 man for wages due. 
 
 The wolves were quite numerous, and to rid the 
 country of the noxious animals, the county paid a 
 bounty of $8 for every wolf scalp which was present- 
 ed to the County Clerk with a certified statement 
 that the wolf was killed in Midland County. The 
 first claims of this character were paid Jan. 15, 1856 
 
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 to Alvin Marsh, Charles Simmons, Sha-gwon-a-bee, 
 J. Ock, Miik-ciid-da-kew, Ah-me-me-quong and Naw- 
 ge-zick. The county from that date to January, 1S70, 
 paid bounties on 296 scalps, amounting to $2,368. 
 
 Nearly all the meat used consisted of venison and 
 bear flesh, while the streams abounded in fine fish 
 and the forests in wild fowl. 
 
 While the early settlers were not in easy circum- 
 stances, yet they fared better than many people who 
 lived in adjoining counties remote from a navigable 
 stream. There were no wagon roads, it is true, for a 
 number of years, but the wheat raised was trans- 
 ported to Saginaw in canoes, and flour, groceries and 
 dry goods brought home on the return journey. Dan 
 Osborne, one of the old veterans now living near the 
 village of Midland, was one of the first to run a 
 "pole" boat between Midland and Saginaw. He 
 worked for a man nearly a year who was running a 
 " pole " boat, but, getting no pay, concluded to build 
 and run one of his own. He made three trips weekly, 
 to and from Saginaw, having two men only to help 
 him. He did his own piloting, running his boat 
 down streatr. at night while his men slept, thus sav- 
 ing a i2-hours run during the day. His scow car- 
 ried seven tons, and he had all the work he could 
 do. Dan would undoubtedly have become a mill- 
 ionaire, had not John Larkin and Capt. Philo Sumner 
 built a boat. This was a steamer of 25 tons burden, 
 which made three trips each week to Saginaw; but 
 it proved too heavy for the river at low water. The 
 name of this steamer was "Midland City," with Philo 
 Sun.ner, Captain and Dan Osborn, pilot. She was a 
 " side-wheeler," and not a very fast boat. The owners 
 sold her, and purchased, at Cleveland, a new boat_ 
 named " Belle Seymour," which was of very light 
 draught, drawing when empty only 18 inches of 
 water. Trade was excellent, and this boat made 
 regular trips from'the time of her purchase in i860 
 until the completion of the Flint &: Fere Marquette 
 Railroad. 
 
 The first steamer that ever came as far up the 
 Tittabawassee as Midland, was tlie " Buena Vista," a 
 stem wheeler, which carried the household goods and 
 family of Charles Fitzhugh to the junction of the 
 Chippewa with that river. The waters in the spring 
 of that year were veiy high, and large boats could 
 navigate almost any of the streams. Fitzhugh came 
 in 1838, and did some lumbering near the river. He 
 
 is now a resident of Bay City, but is entitled to the 
 honor of being the first lumberman in Midland 
 County. Of course this was done on a small scale 
 compared with the manner in which it is conducted 
 to-day. 
 
 The first meeting-house erected in Midland County 
 was built one mile south of Midland City, by the 
 Methodist fraternity, who were then doing missionary 
 work among the Indians that lived on the south bank 
 of the river opposite the village of Midland. This 
 building is still standing, but is occupied by a family 
 who are tenants on the farm of G. F. Ball, Esq. The 
 minister spoke in the English language through an 
 interpreter, and his labors were very successful, 
 nearly all of the ("hip[)ewa and Blackbird Indians 
 living in this county at that time being devout 
 Christians and an honest, happy people. James 
 Kent and wife, who live at this time on the river 
 bank opposite where the aforesaid church stood, re- 
 marked that no kinder or better neighbors ever lived 
 than the Indians who were residents of this county 
 at an early day. If any of the family were sick the 
 Indian women were always ready to wait upon them. 
 Did the men folk need an extra hand to help in 
 clearing or other work, the Indians always lent a 
 hand. Was a fine buck killed by an Indian, or a 
 large fish caught, Mr. Kent's family were sure to 
 share in the choicest bits. The minister whose 
 labors were crowned with great success, was famil- 
 iarly known as " Elder Johnson," and to him is ac- 
 corded the honor of being the first man in Midland 
 County to preach salvation to either the white man 
 or the Indian. 
 
 Captain Philo Sumner and Snyder built 
 
 the first saw-mill in the county, on Snake Creek, 
 about three miles north of Midland. This was 
 erected in 1858, but, not being very remunerative, 
 Snyder became discouraged and sold his interest to 
 John Larkin. who moved it to Midland, where it, or 
 at least a part of it, is doing duty in the extensive 
 mills of Larkin & Patrick. 
 
 Dr. Edwin P. Jennings was the first physician that 
 settled in the county. His services were sought for 
 by the pioneers for mmy miles around, there being 
 no physician nearer than Saginaw. Dr. Jennings 
 was also the first county physician, being employed 
 in 1856 to do the county business, at the handsome 
 salary of $25 per annum. This was not a princely 
 
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 sum, yet it must be remembered that very few per- 
 sons were living in the county, and most of these 
 were able to care for themselves. 
 
 The first school-house in the county was built on the 
 northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 
 1 8, in Midland Township. In this, Henry C. Ashman 
 taught the first school. He was one of the earliest 
 settlers, and without doubt was one of the most in- 
 telligent men that ever lived in the county. He was 
 scrupulously honest, and enjoyed the greatest 
 esteem and confidence of the people. He was the 
 first Supervisor of Midland County, also the first 
 Prosecuting Attorney. It is related that when teach- 
 ing school during his younger days, he carried his 
 rifle wtth him and frequently would kill one or two 
 deer before school hours in the morning. His 
 father. Judge Samuel Ashman, was stolen, when a 
 child, by the Indians living in the Lake Superior re- 
 gion. He lived among them for many years, and 
 married a squaw, by whom he had several children. 
 Henry Ashman was the only one of them that came 
 to this county. He was first married according to 
 the Indian custom, but when his wife died, was mar- 
 ried to the Chief Pay-nios-e-gay's daughter, whose 
 Indian name was " Me-gon-ga-wan," signifying red 
 head, she having bright red hair. Mrs. Ashman was 
 only a half-breed, and was very intelligent. One of 
 her sons is now a resident of Isabella County, and is 
 numbered among her best men. 
 
 Joseph Townsend, the drayman at Midland City, 
 is one of the oldest residents of the county. He is 
 perfectly conversant with its early history, and to him 
 the historian is indebted for many valuable facts. 
 In this connection our thanks are tendered John A. 
 Whitman, the oldest living resident of the county. 
 
 Midland Township was the first one organized. 
 Henry Ashman was its first Supervisor, and in loca- 
 ting the county seat he showed considerable shrewd- 
 ness. Visiting Lansing while the Legislature was in 
 session, he succeeded in manipulating that body un- 
 til an act was passed authorizing the Board of Super- 
 visors and Prosecuting Attorney of Midland County 
 to designate the location and drive the stake which 
 fixed ihe county seat beyond question. This gave 
 him absolute power in the matter, he being both 
 Supervisor and Prosecuting Attorney. A fellow 
 living in Bay City offered him $4,000 to drive it on 
 his lands, l)ut Ashman said Nay. Being a resident 
 
 of Midland, and having some land near the place, 
 he, together with a number of chums, Billy Vance, 
 Thomas and Joseph C. Townsend, Charles Fitzhugh, 
 E. G. Buttles and H. M. Ellsworth, of this county, 
 Timothy Jerome and Dan Davis, with other friends 
 from Saginaw, were present, and a grand time was 
 enjoyed. The Saginaw party came up on a steamer, 
 and brought along a basket of champagne, which 
 was freely disposed of, and the stake was driven 
 upon the site now occupied by the court-house. 
 The whole party became gloriously full without ex- 
 ception, and the stake was baptized with a generous 
 portion of the precious grape juice, Billy Vance be- 
 ing the first to break a bottle of champagne upon 
 it. The location and certified designation of the 
 county seat was filed Oct. 13, 1856, and no effort 
 was ever made to remove it from Midland until 
 March 6, 1872, when Supervisor L. F. Smith, of 
 Lincoln Township, offered a resolution to the Board 
 of Supervisors praying that the county seat be re- 
 moved to Averill Station in the township of Lincoln. 
 Tlie resolution was tabled, and to this day has not 
 been taken up. Mr. Smith did what he could for 
 his constituency, but the people of the county are 
 not yet ready to take the county seat from Midland 
 and drop it in any of the neighboring villages. 
 
 Midland County was attached to Saginaw County 
 for municipal and judicial purposes until its organiza- 
 tion in 1850. At that date only one township (Mid- 
 land) was organized, but others were soon erected. 
 Egbert Township was the second, Ingersoll the third, 
 which was followed by the organization of Coe and 
 Chippewa Townships, both of which are now a part 
 of Isabella County. The territory embraced in Eg- 
 bert has been previously mentioned. The first elec- 
 tion was held Oct. 20, 1855, at the house of Abra- 
 ham Egbert, in honor of whom it was named. The 
 judges of that election were Abraham Egbert, Jacob 
 Hagar and Daniel Bowman. David Burton was the 
 first Supervisor, followed by Daniel Davis, who served 
 in 1856-7 and until its re-organization in 1858. 
 
 The aggregate valuation of the county, both real 
 and personal, in 1855. was $574,292.04, and the sal- 
 aries of county officers amounted, all told, to $600: 
 $250 supplied the wants of the poor, and the cur- 
 rent expenses of the county were defrayed by the ex- 
 penditure of $1,721. 
 
 John Larkin's house was used by the county 
 officers, there being no court-house. The Super- 
 
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 MDILAND COUNTY. 
 
 381 
 
 visors' record shows that in 1856 $6,000 in county 
 bonds were voted to be negotiated, and money there- 
 by procured to erect a suitable building for county 
 purposes. Henry C. Ashman was Deputy County 
 Treasurer at that time, and was appointed a com- 
 mittee of one to attend to the matter. 
 
 Plans and specifications presented by Timothy 
 Jerome were adopted, but no definite contract was 
 made until the spring of 1857, when Jerome took the 
 $6,000 in bonds, drawing 10 percent., payable in 10 
 years, and commenced the erection of the present 
 building. This when completed was objected to by 
 the Board of Supervisors, and Jerome was obliged lo 
 make some alterations before they would accept it. 
 
 There being but few roads and no bridges, the 
 county was asked by her people' to make a ferry 
 across the Tittabawassee, and the Board of Super- 
 visors appropriated $150, in October, 1857, for the 
 purpose of building a ferry scow. 
 
 The line of crossing was to be the State road lead- 
 ing from Midland through Isabella County. Charles 
 Cronkright built the boat, and Leonard Wilkinson 
 was appointed to attend the same. Rates were also 
 fixed at that meeting for ferriage. Footmen were 
 charged three cents; single teams, six cents; double 
 teams, ten cents ; cattle, sheep and swine, ten cents. 
 This rate was to last from April 20 to Nov. 20, after 
 which double the above rates were to be charged. 
 The ferry was made free in 1858, but for years it was 
 a source of annoyance to the Board of Supervisors, 
 it being a hard matter to get a good man to attend it. 
 The penuriousness of the Board in the expenditures 
 for this ferry is surprising, they always appropriating 
 only money enough to pay about half the wages that 
 would have secured a fit man for the place. 
 
 The first county election was held in Midland 
 July 3, 1855, at the house of Dr. Edwin Jennings. 
 Less than two dozen votes were cast. Dr. Jennings' 
 house was a small log cabin, which stood near the 
 upper bridge. The unpretentious structure has long 
 since been torn down to make room for more modern 
 improvements. 
 
 Li 1856, the names of Dan Davis and Charles 
 Perkins both appear on the pay-roll of the Supervisors' 
 journal as Supervisors of Egbert Township. As 
 neither of them is living it cannot be decided which 
 was entitled to the honor. 
 
 After the court-house was completed, a spasm of 
 
 public improvement came over the Board of Super- 
 visors, and they were determined to have things fixed 
 up in grand style about the county capitol. They 
 passed the following resolution : 
 
 Resolvci/, That a committee be appointed to ac- 
 cept of the ferry and scow, and they also have power 
 to procure the neccessary rope to stretch across the 
 river upon as advantageous terms as possible. Also 
 that they have power to cause the rubbish around the 
 court-house square to be cleared off, and all un nec- 
 cessary trees, etc., and to cause the rubbish to be 
 carried off tlie s(]uare. 
 
 D. M. R. Wilson, Clerk. 
 Coe Township, in Isabella County, had been for 
 several years under the jurisdiction of this county 
 previous to the organization of Chippewa Township, 
 which was done Oct. 12, 1858. It was a part of Coe 
 and within the limits of Midland. The first election 
 held in this township was at the house of William F. 
 Payne, who, with Langdon Bently and John Fraser, 
 were Judges of Election. 
 
 Jan. 4, 1S60, a settlement was made between the 
 counties of Midland and Isabella, the latter county 
 having been organized by an act of the Legislature. 
 Midland agreed to account to the State for all State 
 tax liable to be paid by Isabella in 1859 and i860. 
 Charles D. Searrin, Sylvester Erway and Samuel D. 
 Gaskill appended their names as members of the 
 committee from Midland, and P. H. Estee and N. C. 
 Payne, from Isabella. After this settlement, Isabella 
 County recovered $10,408 from Midland County 
 which at the date of settlement neither county had 
 ever dreamed of. This money built the present 
 court-house in Isabella. 
 
 The territory now embraced in Clare, Gladwin and 
 Roscommon Counties-was formerly attached to Mid- 
 land County for judicial and municipal purposes, and 
 was detached at the date of their organization as 
 counties. 
 
 Previous to March 16, 1S63, the then unorganized 
 county of Clare was attached to the county of Isa- 
 bella for judicial and municipal purposes. At the 
 same date, the east half of the then unorganized 
 county of Gladwin, and the east half of C^are County, 
 was organized and named the township of Gladwin. 
 This township was attached to Midland County for 
 governmental purposes. This town was continued 
 for two years, when the east half of Clare was divided 
 into two townships, called Grant and Sheridan. Clare 
 was formally organized as a county by an act of the 
 
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 382 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Legislature March 16, 187 i, at which time the towns 
 of Grant and Sheridan were detached from Midland. 
 For the two years which these towns remained at- 
 tached to this county, she had to pay a total of $7,- 
 134 32. This was rather an expensive luxury. Ros- 
 common was detached from Midland County entirely 
 in 1874, since which time lawsuits and other costs 
 have accrued between the counties, they being un- 
 able to compromise upon the amounts due Roscom- 
 mon. In the Hill of 1883, the committee appointed 
 to settle the matter compromised, Midland County 
 greeing to pay $6,000 in full of all demands to date. 
 
 The disbursements of the county for 1855 was 
 $1,721, which included every cent of expense attach- 
 ing to official salary, etc. 
 
 In 1883, the increase shown by the clerks' record 
 foots up the handsome sum of $55,925.70, wliich 
 amount only pays current expenses. Yet this in- 
 crease is not out of proportion to the rise in real 
 estate and the need of expenditures as the county 
 becomes more densely populated. Indeed, Midland 
 County is managed by her officials in the most econ- 
 omical manner, as proven by her records. 
 
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 by IngersoU 
 numbers and 
 
 the most interesting 
 
 t- Jl features of this woik is a brief 
 
 (■■7 but concise histoiy of each 
 
 ;jjj Township, from the date of 
 
 ■ t^^ its organization, together with 
 
 the coming of its first settlers, 
 
 so far as can be ascertained. Perhaps 
 
 errors may exist in some unimporlaiit 
 
 particulars, but in such cases nothing 
 
 more definite can be procured. .\11 
 
 the .Supervisors' names appear attached 
 
 to the townships in wh'ch they have 
 
 served, which, with the number of 
 
 terms, make it especially interesting. 
 
 g first organized, heads the list, followed 
 
 and the others in the order of their 
 
 Midland Township. 
 
 5IDLAND Township is numbered 14 south 
 |S and 2 east, and is bounded on the north 
 i|S}£l '^ by Larkin Township, on the east by Bay 
 J ,^'A\ County, on the south by IngersoU Township 
 •j''" and on the west by Homer Township. The 
 Pine, Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers unite 
 inside its boundaries, and millions of feet of pine 
 logs are annually floated down these streams, where, 
 uniting with the Tittabawassee, a jam of logs is 
 formed extending to Saginaw. From Midland City, 
 which is the only village in this township, the river 
 flows in a southerly direction through IngersoU Town- 
 ship, at the southeast corner of which it enters Sag- 
 inaw County. In Midland Township are several 
 fine farms, but Hope and Edenville Townships are 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 more largely devoted to agriculture than even tliis 
 township, lying in such close proximity to the county 
 seat. 
 
 All cereals grow well in Midland, and better soil 
 for the production of vegetables cannot be found in 
 the county. It being the first town organized in the 
 county, and the first settled, it naturally follows that 
 Midland Township should take a front rank. 
 
 The first settlers are mentioned elsewhere, and all 
 of them were men of sterling worth. Of all the 
 people who have lived in the county from its organ- 
 ization, none perhaps has done so much to push her 
 business enterprises as John Larkin. He has always 
 been first to favor any measure looking toward the 
 advancement of mercantile or social interests, and 
 has always aided with time and money everything 
 which benefited or added to the growth of the village. 
 
 The gentlemen who have ably represented Mid- 
 land on the Board of Supervisors, together with tiieir 
 terms of service, are mentioned below : 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 Henry C. Ashman ... 1855-6 
 
 E. G. Buttles 1857 
 
 Charles D. Searrin 1858-60 
 
 N. T. Carr 1861-2 
 
 Asa Bacon 1863-4 
 
 Sherman Olmstead 1865 
 
 Asa Bacon 1866 
 
 Henry D. Rogers 1867-8 
 
 Sherman Olmstead 1869 
 
 E. P. Jennings 1870 
 
 Lyman Church 1 87 i 
 
 Henry Hart 1872-3 
 
 E. P. Jennings 1874-5 
 
 J. \V. Cochrane 1876 
 
 D. W. Chase 1877-80 
 
 George Patrick 1881 
 
 R. W. Clason 1882 
 
 John Larkin 1883 
 
 Ira Fales 1884 
 
 i-. 
 
 Ingersoll Township. 
 
 f NGERSOLL Township lies in the south- 
 eastern corner of Midland County. It is 
 numbered 13 north and 2 east, and is 
 bounded on the north by Midland Township, 
 on the east and south by Saginaw County and 
 on the west by Mt. Haley Township. 
 The northeastern part of this township is crossed 
 
 by the Tittabawassee River, which flows south, then 
 east into Sagniaw County. Ingersoll is reckoned as 
 one of the best agricultural townships in the county, 
 the east half being an especially fine farming district. 
 Ingersoll contains no towns; it being so short a dis- 
 tance from Midland City, that point is made its chief 
 market. Smith's Crossing, on the boundary line be- 
 tween the two townships as well as jjetween Midland, 
 Saginaw and Bay Counties, is a stopping place for all 
 passenger trains, making it convenient for the farmers 
 going to and from Midland City. 
 
 At one time Pay-mos-e-gay, the chief of the Black- 
 bird Indians, made his headquarters on the banks of 
 the Tittabawassee, opposite the farm of John Whit- 
 man. The Indians lived there for at least 30 years 
 in undisturbed peace. The bottoms along this river 
 afforded tliem abundant pasturage for their ponies 
 and abounded with game of all kinds. These lands 
 were accounted their choicest hunting-grounds, and 
 hundreds of deer, bear and smaller game have been 
 captured in its precincts. 
 
 John Whitman was the first settler in the townshi|). 
 He located here in 1844, and his daughter, Jane 
 Whitman, now Mrs. Jos. Barton, of Homer Town- 
 ship, was the first white child born in Ingersoll 
 Township. This event occurred in 1844. John 
 Annabel settled here in 1867. Among other comers 
 were Geo. Davis, Eli Bailey, L. P. Bailey and 
 Joseph Lane. 
 
 The township was organized Oct. i, 1855. The 
 first election was held at tlie house of David Cramp- 
 ton, Oct. 20, 1855. Charles S. Blodgett, Martin P. 
 Crampton and Esial Chamberlin were the Inspectors. 
 
 The history of the liunber interest in Ingersoll is 
 but a repetition of that of the other townships in 
 Midland County. Hundreds of acres of dead pine 
 still cover the ground in some localities, which will 
 in due time be manufactured into fencing and build- 
 ing material. 
 
 The Supervisors of this township have all been 
 good and intelligent men, and many of them have 
 served a number of terms. Their names and terms 
 served are annexed : 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 Martin P. Crampton 1855 
 
 Wm. A. Copeland 1856 
 
 S. D. Gaskill 1857 
 
 Charles S. Blodgett 1858 
 
 S. D. Gaskill 1859-60 
 
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 <^Dil^{lil^> 
 
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 384 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 Augustus Crownover 1S61 
 
 S. D. Gaskill 1862-4 
 
 Wm. P. Phetteplace 1865-7 1 
 
 S. D. Gaskill 1872 
 
 Wm. Atcliison 1873 
 
 S. D. (iaskill 1874-5 
 
 Wm. P. Phetteplace T876 
 
 C T- Winslovv 1S77 
 
 A. R. McMillan 1878-9 
 
 Joseph T- Winslow 1880 
 
 A. R. iNIcMillan 188 1 
 
 Joseph I. Winslow 1882 
 
 Steel E."lX-an 1883 
 
 A. R. McMillan 1884 
 
 
 >'tY^<- 
 
 Jerome Township. 
 
 jfcf EROME Township is located near the cen- 
 ter of the county of Midland, being num- 
 bered 15 north and 1 west. It is bounded 
 on the north by Edenville, east by Lincoln and 
 Homer Townships, on the south by Lee Town- 
 ship, on the west by Geneva Township. 
 The Tittabawassee River flows into Jerome from 
 Edenville Township on the north. The stream takes 
 a southerly and then easterly course, and leaves this 
 township at the point where the line separates Lin- 
 coln from Homer. The Salt River rises in Isabella 
 County, flows east and enters Jerome near tlie north- 
 eastern corner of the township, whence it takes a 
 southeasterly direction and empties into the Titta- 
 bawassee. 
 
 The productions of Jerome are lumber, grain, 
 vegetables and game, such as bear and deer, the 
 former valuable for its flesh, which is used as food, and 
 for its skin, of which robes are made ; also, bear oil 
 in large quantities are obtained from this animal. 
 From the deer, venison is procured, and the hides 
 are used for making gloves, moccasins, etc. 
 
 Jerome contains the village of Sanford, situated in 
 the eastern part of the township, on the Tittabawas- 
 see River, and at a place where this stream is crossed 
 by the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, thus giving 
 to this town the advantages of both river and railroad 
 traffic. Communication is kept up between this 
 
 point and the village of Edenville several miles north 
 by means of the stage, which carries all mail both to 
 the latter place and Wright's post-office. Sanford 
 was platted in the summer of 1870, by Charles S. 
 Sanford. Wells, Stone & Co. erected tiie tirst store 
 in the village; Geo. Higgins was the first blacksmith; 
 the first physician was A. E. Rockwell; the first ser- 
 mon was preached by Rev. Cogsall, of the Metho- 
 dist denomination, in tlie school-house. Jacob Se- 
 guin opened the first hotel, and Charles S. Sanford 
 built one soon afterward, which was destroyed bv 
 fire May 15, 1884. The Flint & Pere Marquette 
 Railroad was completed as far as Sanford in the 
 spring of 1871. The first postmaster was Phineas 
 Hamilton. 
 
 This village has about 100 inhabitants, and is a 
 convenient trading point for lumbermen and agri- 
 culturists in that vicinity. 
 
 A salt well was sunk on section 24, in 1841, under 
 the supervision of Prof Douglass Houghton, the 
 State Geologist. This was the first salt well dug in 
 the State. 
 
 Geo. Butts was the first settler in the township, 
 and located on section 25 ; Charles S. Sanford came 
 next, locating on section 24, where the village named 
 in his honor now stands. The Board of Supervisors 
 erected the township of Jerome in the year 1856. In 
 1862, a resolution was passed by that body by which 
 townships 15, 16 and 17 north, of range 1 west, and 
 townshiji 16 north, of range 2 west, were added to 
 Jerome. These tracts were afterward organized into 
 separate townsliiiis. 
 
 Jerome has been successful in electing mer. of 
 good judgment and ability to represent her in the 
 county Board of Supervisors. Tlieir names are : 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 Charles Perkins 1S57-8 
 
 Sylvester Erway 1859-64 
 
 Geo. B. Bard well , 1865-7 
 
 Sylvester Erway 1868 
 
 Geo. B. Bardwell 1869-70 
 
 E. N. Burton 1 87 1-2 
 
 Geo. B. Bardwell 1873 
 
 L. G. Miner '874-5 
 
 Wm. Magee 1876-7 
 
 L. G. Miner 1S78 
 
 Wm. Magee 187 9-84 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 Lincoln Township. 
 
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 INCOLN Township is numbered 15 north 
 
 and r east, and is bounded on the north 
 
 by Hope, on the east by Larkin and on the 
 
 south by Homer Township, and partly separated 
 
 from the latter by the Tittabawassee River, and 
 
 on the west by Jerome and Edenville Town- 
 
 The surface of Lincoln generally is just sufficiently 
 undulating to afford the soil good drainage. Some 
 of the finest farms in the county are to be found in 
 this township, the soil being especially adapted to the 
 cultivation of wheat, oats and potatoes. Clover 
 grows in abundance, thus giving good pasturage to 
 cattle, horses and sheep. Wool is also an important 
 article of merchandise, and large flocks of slieep are 
 grazing in the beautiful meadows. 
 
 Averill is the largest village in the township, and 
 is located in the southern part, on the Flint & Pere 
 Marquette Railroad. Harrison Averill gave to the 
 railroad company the right of way through that sec- 
 tion, and the village was named in liis honor. It is 
 on the Tittabawassee River and millions of feet of 
 lumber pass through this point for the lower mills 
 and .Saginaw. Wells, Stone & Co. built the first 
 store and put in a large stock of general merchan- 
 dise. The village was platted in 1870, the samj 
 year the railroad was completed to that point. M. O 
 McFarland has a store and hotel near the depot, and 
 is doing a good business. He is Postmaster also; 
 the office is in his building. N. T. Stratton is pro- 
 prietor of a good hotel, and also keeps a full line of 
 dry goods, boots and shoes and groceries. 
 
 Wright & Ketcham's headquarters in the north- 
 ern part of the township comprises a small village of 
 less than 100 inhabitants, the buildings, barns, store 
 houses, etc., belonging to the firm. This is not only 
 a convenient supply depot for the employes of this 
 firm, but the farmers living within reasonable dis- 
 tance from it also make it their trading point. We 
 
 yd make only a brief mention of it here, as a full de- 
 
 ^fv scription is given elsewhere. 
 
 \~^ The township of Lincoln was organized March 20, 
 
 ._? i86r, and the first election was held at the house of 
 
 Elien Wright, who, with Charles Liman and Orville 
 Hosmer, were Judges of Election, which took place 
 in April, 1861. Lincoln was disorganized by an act 
 of the Legislature and attached to Hope in 1877. 
 Li October of the following year it was again erected, 
 and the first election after its re-organization was held 
 on the first Monday in April, 1879, at the residence 
 of L. F. Smith, who, with Frank S. Stratton and 
 Harrison Averill, were appointed Inspectors of Elec- 
 tion. 
 
 The names of the Supervisors of this township 
 and the terms each has served are as follows : 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 Charles Inman 1861-3 
 
 Francis Green 1864-5 
 
 Charles Inman 1S66-7 
 
 James W. Riggs 1868-9 
 
 " J. Brewster 1870 
 
 L. F. Smith 187 i 
 
 Wm. Tinker 1873-4 
 
 G. W. Horn 1875 
 
 L. F. Smith 187 6-7 
 
 H. B. Hamilton 1879 
 
 Charles Inman 1880-t 
 
 H. B. Hamilton 18S2-3 
 
 Charles Inman 1884 
 
 Jasper Township. 
 
 ASPER Township occupies the southeast- 
 
 _ ern corner of Midland County, and is 
 
 3^' ^ bounded on the north by Greendale and 
 
 east by Porter Townships, on the south by 
 
 Gratiot, and on the west by Isabella Counties. 
 
 It is numbered 13 north and 2 west. The 
 
 Pine River crosses the southeastern corner of Jasper, 
 
 and is the principal stream. This township ranks 
 
 with those that are second in the production of 
 
 grains, vegetables, etc. 
 
 Nicholas Depue was the first settler in Jasper. 
 He bought land here in 1854 and settled on section 
 31. Soon after his arrival his two sons, Marshall 
 and Wm. T. Depue, came. In i860 Thomas Mar- 
 tin arrived and settled on section 30. Both Martin 
 and the Depues came from Warren, Trumbull Co., 
 Ohio. In i860 Alson L. Bailey found his way to 
 Jasper and settled on section 34. 
 
 Ida, the daughter of Wm. T. Depue, was the first 
 
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 <^llin;t:llll>>^ 
 
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 386 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 >5 
 
 child born in the new township. Her birth occurred 
 in tlie spring of 1S60. 
 
 I Miss Emily Martin, now Mrs. Geo. Smock, taught 
 Ihe first school in Jasper. 
 
 I The township was organized March 2.0, iS6i. 
 The first election was held at the house of Alson L. 
 Bailey, on the fust Monday in April, 1S61. A. L. 
 Bailey, Levi Caldwell and Nicholas Depue were 
 Judges of this Election. Mr. Bailey was elected 
 first Justice of the Peace. At a meeting of the 
 Board of Supervisors held Feb. 4, 1862, townships 
 14 and 15 north and 2 west were added to Jasper. 
 Later these townships were organized into Greendale 
 and Geneva. A town house was erected in 1873 for 
 the convenience of the citizens of the township. 
 
 This is one of the most promising townships of 
 Midland County. It contains many farms which 
 are well cultivated and improved. The soil in this 
 section is excellent, and in quality it is second to 
 none in the count)-. 
 
 The names of the Supervisors of Jasper, together 
 with the number of terms served in this capacity, are 
 given : 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 \\m. T. Depue 1S61-3 
 
 Marshall S. Depue 1864 
 
 John P. Balch 1865-7 
 
 John C. Sias 1 868-70 
 
 k. C. Martin 1870-2 
 
 John C. Sias 1876 
 
 A. J. Martin 1873-84 
 
 'onasnm^' 
 
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 Homer Township. 
 
 r. 
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 T 
 
 LOMER Township is situated in the eastern 
 part of the county of Midland, and is num- 
 bered 14 north and i east. It is bounded 
 on the north by Lincoln Township, and partly 
 i separated from it by the Tittabawassee River, 
 I on the east by Midland and south by Mt. Haley 
 Townships, and on the west by Lee and Jerome 
 Townships. 
 
 The Tittabawassee, Chippewa and Pine flow across 
 Homer, the first forming part of the township line 
 between Lincoln and Homer, the other two flowing 
 
 northeast and uniting with the first in the township 
 of Midland. Homer ranks with Jasper, Porter and 
 Mt. Haley in importance and extent of agriculture. 
 
 Charles Cronkright came to Homer Township 
 June I, 1837, liaving walked all the way from Sagi- 
 naw with his " bundle " on his back, in company with 
 Samuel Gordon, who now lives in l\[idland Town- 
 ship. Mr. Cronkright was the first se'.tler in Homer. 
 Jacob Wiliz came in the year 1852, and about this 
 time Anthony Barton, Wni. Kelly, Sylvester Vibber, 
 Seneca Wells, Sullivan Bugby, John E. WiUard, 
 Leonard Fletcher and Levi Foreman settled in this 
 township. 
 
 Wm. Cronkright was the first male child born in 
 Homer, and also in the county, his birth occurring 
 June 25, 1839. 
 
 The first wedding was that of Wm. Kelly and Eliz- 
 abeth Barton. 
 
 The first minister was the Rev. — Green, of the 
 Methodist persuasion. He preached the first sermon 
 in Homer Township, at the school-house in District 
 No. 2. 
 
 This township was organized Jan. 13, 1862. The 
 first election was held at the house of Chades Cronk- 
 right, on the first Monday in April, 1862. Wm 
 Kelly, Sullivan Bugby and Charles Lyde were Judges 
 of ihe Election. Jacob Wiltz, Anthony Barton, Wm. 
 Kelly and Sullivan Bugby were the first Justices of 
 Peace. 
 
 Below are appended the names of all of the Super- 
 visors of Homer, together with the number of terms 
 served by each. They are all men of undoubted 
 ability and their manifest interest in the progress and 
 development of their township has been well appre- 
 ciated by those who have chosen them to this oflice. 
 They are : 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 A 
 
 c< 
 
 
 ^V^:^^^f|- 
 
 William Kelly 1862-5 
 
 F. E. Willard 1866-7 
 
 Sullivan Bugby 1S68 
 
 F. E. Willard 1869 
 
 A. M. Allen . ..1870 
 
 O. Hosmer r87 i 
 
 A. M. Allen.. 1872-6 
 
 H. G. Fountaine 1877-80 
 
 William Kelly 1881 
 
 H. G. Fountaine 1882 
 
 Joel H. Brown 18S3 
 
 J. Brewer 1884 
 
 
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 V 
 
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 % 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 387 
 
 ..<^^|,^^.. 
 
 Mount Haley Township. 
 
 OUNT Haley is situated in the southern 
 part of the eastern lialf of Midland 
 ^Sl ''^ County, and is nuniliered 13 north and i 
 east. Its northern boundary is Homer, and 
 its eastern Ingersoll Township ; its southern is 
 .Saginaw County, and its western Porter and 
 Lee Townships. 
 
 The nortliern half of Mt. Haley contains some 
 low land; the southern half is liigher. The only 
 river of importance is the Pine, which crosses the 
 northwest corner of the township. A large portion 
 of the land is a good, heavy clay, and in the ex- 
 cellence of agricultural products it is destined to be- 
 come one of the best in the county. The most 
 thickly settled parts are the eight southern sections. 
 
 The first settlers were Joseph Barton, who came in 
 1865, and is now livingon section 4; Michael Doyle, 
 who came in 1868, and has a farm on section 34; 
 Edward McGowan, now residing on section 26 ; John 
 and Patrick Hines, Philip Phahee, Thomas Wilson, 
 Philip Dougherfy, Edward Girard, Champ Utter and 
 G. W. Frost. The first settler between Alma and 
 the Chippewa River was Father Anthony, of Mt. 
 Haley Township. 
 
 Joseph Barton, in relating his experiences of pio- 
 neer days, says he hauled 1,600 pounds of provisions 
 in a wagon from Saginaw to Alma, the trip taking 
 him four days, and Mr. Ely, his ejuployer, paid liim 
 $3 per day and $1.50 to another man to hel|) him. 
 
 The first birth in the township was that of Ellen 
 Barton, Nov. 17, 1865. The first marriage was in 
 the same year, when Mr. Champ Utter and Mrs. 
 Amelia (Smith) Welton were united in matrimony. 
 The first death recorded was that of the infant of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Utter in 1867. 
 
 This township was organized June 19, i87r, and 
 the first election was held at the house of Philip 
 Dougherty, Aug. i, 187 1, with Edward McGowan, 
 Jno. Haley and Jno. Hines as Judges of Election. 
 
 The Supervisors of Mt. Haley, in the order of 
 their election, are given below, and among them may 
 be traced a number of Irish-Americans, who make 
 the best financiers in the country, as proven by the 
 
 % 
 
 excellent manner in wliicii Mt. Haley's affairs have 
 been conducted. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 P. H. Murphy t87i-3 
 
 Ed. McGowan 1874 
 
 John Martin 1875 
 
 M. W. Rockford 1876 
 
 P. H. Murphy 1877 
 
 A. J. Ingersoll 1878-9 
 
 Ed. McGowan 1 880-3 
 
 Duncan Wayne 1884 
 
 -5— '^/V^S|••|^ ^ 
 
 Porter Township. 
 
 \ ORTER Township is situated in the south- 
 ern part of Midland County and is num- 
 ered r3 north and i west. It is bounded 
 
 jTD on the north by Lee 'I'ownship, on the east by 
 
 )^ Mount Haley Township and Saginaw County, 
 on the south by Gratiot County, and on the 
 west by Jasper Township. 
 
 It is a finely wooded section, but the natural order 
 of events will transform the fine forests into fields of 
 corn, wheat and oats, and gardens of fine vegetables. 
 The Pine River crosses this township diagonally from 
 southwest to northeast, its course being northeast, 
 and in Midland Township it unites with the Chippe- 
 wa. Along this river many settlers have located 
 their homes, and lumber camps are scattered over the 
 tract drained by it and its tributaries. 
 
 Porter contains no towns or railroads, and but 
 one post-office, bearing the name of the township. 
 
 Porter was organized Jan. 6, 1868. Lewis K. 
 Brewer, Samuel Sias, Theodore A. Brewer, David and 
 Almison Robinson, Geo. A. Smith, Wm. McNeil, 
 Wm. E. Wilson, John McCormick, Geo. W. Cole 
 John McCummon, Wm. Jarvis and R. T. Puffer were 
 residents and free- holders at the time, and their 
 names appear as petitioners asking that the territory 
 above described be organized into a township. The 
 first election was held Jan. 25, 1869, at the house of 
 Lewis K. Brewer, who, with Geo. A. Smith and B. T. 
 Puffer, were Judges. 
 
 Porter ranks among those second in inipwrtance in 
 the county, and will soon become a fine agricultural 
 region. 
 
 It is needless to add that the names of the Super- 
 visors attached to this brief history are men of enter- 
 
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 ^mM\i<>^- 
 
 1 
 
 V '■■■' 
 
 I 
 
 yifi 
 
MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 #^f(®vK 
 
 prise, who have developed the town; but ere long 
 they will pass away, and it is fitting to remark that 
 ^ no better men ever graced the Board tlian were those 
 I from Porter Township. 
 
 (C)j SUPERVISORS. 
 
 \V. E. Willson 1869-71 
 
 J. D. McCunimon 1872-5 
 
 B. F. Pufier 1S76-7 
 
 Rgbert Potter 1878-81 
 
 B. F. Puffer 1882-3 
 
 Wm McNeil 1884 
 
 Hope Township. 
 
 i^ 
 
 V 
 
 OPE Township lies in the northeastern cor- 
 ner of Midland County, contains double 
 ""^ the number of acres of any other township 
 in the county, and is numbered 16 north 
 and [ and 2 east. Its north boundary is Glad- 
 win, and its eastern Bay County, its south- 
 ern Lincoln and Larkin Townships, and its western 
 Edenville Township and Gladwin County. 
 
 Hope contains many nice farms, well cultivated 
 and producing fine crops of grain. Much of the 
 township is covered with a heavy growth of timber, 
 principally hard wood. The choice pine trees are 
 being rapidly sacrificed in the interest of the lumber 
 trade, although not less than fifty millions of feet 
 will yet be taken from this township. 
 
 Besides the immensfe quantities of lumber which 
 are procured from Hope and the good farming lands 
 that are developed, some of the settlers find time in 
 the dull season of the year to go bear- hunting, and 
 these hunts often result in the capture of a good 
 supply of bear meat. John Schearer has had con- 
 siderable e-xperience in this line, and his expeditions 
 generally end successfully. In the fall of the year 
 1872 he killed three black bears; in 1874 he sliot 
 eight more from trees in the forest where they were 
 busily engaged in eating acorns. In the course of 
 five years he killed 16 in all. He sold the skins of 
 these animals for from Is to $8 apiece, and the bear 
 oil for %\. per pint. From one bear he obtained five 
 gallons, or 40 pints, of oil, but the average amount 
 yielded by a bear was from two to three gallons. 
 
 The first settlers in Hope were Orrin Maltby and 
 Joseph Rooker, who located on section 15 in 1856. 
 
 rv®)>«^#^« ^^^^ — ^^■in n 
 
 Wni. McCrary, the oldest resident now living in the 
 township, settled in 1856, on section 22, where he 
 has since lived, superintending the work on his mag- 
 nificent farm, which he has cleared by his own hard 
 labor, and now lives in the enjoyment of one of the 
 finest tracts of land in the township. 
 
 The first marriage that occurred in Hope was that 
 of Silas Wright and Louisa Erway, in i860. The 
 ceremony was performed by Justice Egbert. 
 
 The first school was taught by Alfleta Green, in a 
 log cabin near the house of Mr. Harding Mills. 
 
 Clyde Hosner's was the first male birth, — occurring 
 in the fall of 185 i. The first female birth was that 
 of Sibyl Wright, in 1861. 
 
 The first religious society organized was the Bap- 
 tist, and Nelson Fraser preached the first sermon for 
 that society. Their meetings were held in the old 
 log school-house which has been mentioned before. 
 
 The first township meeting was held in the little 
 log house now occupied by Silas Wright. The citizens 
 established a postoffice in 1S74, and called it "Hope." 
 Marshall Carr was the first Postmaster. He carried 
 the mail, or paid some one else to do it for him, for 
 two yeais. 
 
 The settlers in this township had great trouble in 
 procuring provisions. They used teams of oxen, 
 with which they crossed the swamps, always carrying 
 about a liundred feet of rope and chains to pull them 
 out of the mud. The oxen were compelled to swim 
 across the rivers, and then the wagons and carts were 
 floated over. 
 
 In the year 187 i, E. J. Brewster, with a number of 
 others, sent in a petition to the Board of Supervisors, 
 beseeching them to organize the township of Hope. 
 Their prayer was granted, and the first township elec- 
 tion was held Nov. 20, 187 i, witii E. J. Brewster, H. 
 Mills and Charles Inman as Judges of Election. 
 Hope was formerly included in Midland Township, 
 and only the territory known as 16 north and i east 
 was first organized as the town of Hope. March 1 1 
 1876, township 16 north and 2 east was detached 
 from Midland and added to Hoiie, thus making of 
 the latter a double township. \\\ the year 1877 the 
 town of Lincoln was disorganized by an act of the 
 Legislature and attached to Hope; but during the 
 fallowing year, 1878, it was re-organized as a separate 
 township. 
 
 Hope ranks among those towns first in importance 
 
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m 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 and she has always had capable and intelligent men 
 to administer her affairs. There are a number of 
 good district schools, provided with excellent teach- 
 ers, who are successful educators. 
 
 The Supervisors of Hope are here given, with the 
 number of terms eacli has served : 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 E. J- Brewster 1872-6 
 
 A. J. Raymond 1877-8 
 
 Simon Gleckler 1879-80 
 
 A. J. Raymond 1881 
 
 Timothy Fillmore 1882 
 
 Simon Gleckler 1883-4 
 
 Geneva Township. 
 
 ENEVA Township is situated in tiie west- 
 j— jg;^ em part of Midland County, and is num- 
 f. bered 15 north and 2 west. Its northern 
 j^ boundary is Warren, its eastern. Jerome, its 
 southern, Greendale Township, and its western, 
 Isabella County. Salt River flows northeast 
 across Geneva Township, making fertile the whole of 
 this section. This stream abounds in fish, thus af- 
 fording to the settlers, as well as to those who come 
 to this part of the country every year, recreation and 
 fine sport. 
 
 Tlie only village in Geneva is that of North 
 Bradley, sometimes called '' Buttonville," in honor of 
 Wm. Button, a man who was intimately connected 
 with the early advancement of the township and vil- 
 lage. The favorable situation of North Bradley, on 
 the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, midway be- 
 tween the villages of Sanford and Coleman, and its 
 pro.ximity to the Salt River, attracts to it good busi- 
 ness men, who are fully alive to its interests and prog- 
 ress. A good hotel, several store buildings, whose 
 owners are carrying on a prosperous business, and a 
 postoffice are among the many conveniences which 
 the residents and visitors of the village enjoy. 
 
 Wm. Button, together with several other early set- 
 tlers, desired that this territory be detached from 
 Jasper, of which it was formerly a part, and erected 
 as a township. Accordingly, a petition signed by 
 these men was handed to the county Board of Super- 
 visors, and on June 24, 1873, they organized the 
 township of Geneva. The first election was held at 
 
 the school-house, on the first Monday in Aj^ril, 1874, 
 with Wm. Button, W. P. Button and Cyrus (Jarr In- 
 spectors of Election. 
 
 The Supervisors who have so ably attended to the 
 interests of Geneva have been gentlemen of worth 
 and integrity, and we here append their names and 
 the terms each has served. 
 
 SUPKRVISORS. 
 
 Cyrus T Carr 1874 
 
 W. H. H. Gee 1875-6 
 
 L. Babcock 1877-8 
 
 Wm. Babcock 1879-80 
 
 L. Babcock 1881 
 
 Silas Harcourt 1S82 
 
 L. Babcock 1883-4 
 
 -rSi- 
 
 Warren Township. 
 
 ■(''jjOK ARREN Townshi[j lies in the northwest- 
 j^^aL em corner of Midland County. It is 
 ^ti^'L * numbered 16 north, of range 2 west, and 
 <> is bounded on the north by Gladwin County, 
 on the east by Edenville, on the south by 
 Geneva Township and on the west by Isabella 
 County. 
 
 Much of the land in Warren Township has been 
 robbed of its fine forest of valuable timber; and 
 where this felling of trees has not been immediately 
 followed by an attempt to clear out the stumps that 
 remained, a thick growth of underbrush and species 
 of poplar has taken their places. In point of agri- 
 culture and development of the soil, Warren ranks 
 among the second best townships in the county. 
 Many of the farms are well developed and highly 
 cultivated for this section of the country, it being 
 comparatively new. A number of years are required 
 to cut down trees, clear the land of stumps, stones, 
 etc., before the beautiful fields of waving grain, the 
 fine orchards of richly laden fruit-trees and the 
 lu.xuriant pastures can be brought to a state of per- 
 fection. 
 
 The first township meeting was held on the first 
 Monday in February, 1872, at the Exchange Hotel 
 in ("oleman. Jonathan Pierce, who was the first 
 settler in the township, N. S. Furgeson and L. H. 
 Higgins were Inspectors of Election. The first 
 Justice of the Peace was W. S. Hubbell. 
 
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 MIDLAM) COUNTY. 
 
 
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 The first marriage was that of Levi McComb and 
 Lucinda Brown. The ceremony was performed by 
 Justice Hubbell, in the summer of 1873. 
 
 The Rev. — Cogsall, a Methodist minister, de- 
 livered the first sermon, in the winter of 1872. 
 
 The first Postmaster was Jonathan Pierce. The 
 office was kept in the room in which Delia Pierce 
 taught the first school. 
 
 The first cider and beer sold in the township was 
 kept in a little building where Simon's store now 
 
 stands, and was sold by Enos Barnes and 
 
 Mitchell, in 1872. 
 
 COLEMAN 
 
 Is the only village in the township, and deserves 
 more than a passing notice, it being the second 
 village in the county both in size and commercial 
 importance. The land around the village of Cole- 
 man was purchased of the United States Govern- 
 ment by A. W, Wright. Mr. Wright bought the land 
 for speculation, but the country was not settled very 
 fast, and, after holding his purchase some years, he 
 sold about a thousand acres to Seymour Coleman, at 
 a slight advance on the price which he had paid the 
 Government. 
 
 In 1870 the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad was 
 completed to this point, then a dense forest, and on 
 the first construction train that reached Coleman 
 was also the first actual settler, Jonathan Pierce, 
 who came to look at the country and seek a home. 
 Being favorably impressed with his observations, Mr. 
 Pierce concluded to remain here, and went to house- 
 keeping in a shanty built by the railroad com[)any 
 for the accommodation of the men working on the 
 road. The company contracted with Mr. P. to 
 board their men, which he did during tiie winter of 
 1870-1, iiis wife, who was living at Midland, prepar- 
 ing and cooking the food and sending it to this place 
 every day. Later in the season he employed a man 
 and wife to do the work for him at the boarding- 
 house while he gave his attention to building a saw- 
 mill and dwelling, which latter is now part of the 
 " Coleman Exchange " building. The dwelling was 
 completed and occupied by his family during the 
 holiday season of i87o-i,and in it they have since re- 
 sided, adding to it as occasion required. 
 
 In the meantime Mr. Coleman had 1*60 acres of 
 the land surveyed and the town platted, giving to 
 the railroad company one-half of the town site on 
 
 condition that a station should be built and main- 
 tained on the spot it now occupies. 
 
 The ne.\t move was to induce persons to come 
 here and locate, and he finally i)revailed upon 
 Messrs Wise, Bean iS; Shultz to establish a saw- 
 mill here. Work was pushed on this mill, and it 
 was completed early in the spring of 1871, a short 
 time before Mr. Pierce had his mill ready for work. 
 The firm of Wise, Bean & Shultz continued business 
 only a few years. Mr. Pierce continued to operate 
 his mill until it was destroyed by fire in 1874. 
 
 At the time of the settlement of this place a man 
 named Hubbell was running a shingle-mill about a 
 mile below, and a Mr. Adams was operating a [lort- 
 able saw-mill two miles away. 
 
 The first school in the village was tauglit in 1871, 
 by Miss Delia Pierce, and was in a room about 12 
 feet square, which now forms a part of the dinijig- 
 rooui of the "Coleman Exchange." 
 
 During the year 187 i a postoffice and mail service 
 was also established here. .\t first the conductors 
 on the railroad carried the mail to and from the town 
 in their pockets. 
 
 Tiie village had but slow growth after the first lit- 
 tle spurt of e.xcitemenc was over; in fact, the place 
 seemed dead for several years. Occasionally some 
 one would start up a saw or shingle mill, run it a 
 short time and then pull up and move on. Finally 
 the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad Company built 
 a branch road from here to Mt. Pleasant, the first 
 train running into that village on Monday morning, 
 Dec. 15,1879. Business men then became attracted 
 to the town, mills sprang uj) and the town enjoyed a 
 resurrection from its former lethargy. Geo. Miller is 
 now running a saw and shingle mill and hoop factory. 
 He employs 41 men and manufactures 15,000 feet 
 of lumber, 35,000 shingles, 15,000 hoops and 16,000 
 headings a day. Geo. Cooper has a saw and shingle 
 mill and stave machine, and gets out 6,000 feet of 
 lumber, 25,000 shingles and 5,000 staves per day. 
 T. B. Simons operates a shingle mill, in which 25 
 men find employment and turn out 45,000 shingles a 
 day. Mr. Embury also does a thriving business in 
 the manufacture of lumber. 
 
 The Coleman Advocate was established in 1883, 
 the first issue of which bears date Aug. 11, of that 
 year. H. F. Linton is the editor, and through his 
 enterprise this paper has been an influential factor in 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 attracting attention to the advantages possessed by 
 Coleman as a business center. 
 
 R. A. Baskerville has a new dry-goods and grocery 
 store. T. B. Simons has a $6,000 stock of general 
 merchandise ; J. Embury has a large stock of goods, 
 consisting of dry goods and groceries. S. Bowdish 
 has a splendid line of fancy and staple groceries; in 
 this store is also located the postoffice, which he 
 superintends. 
 
 The "Coleman Exchange" is an excellent hotel, 
 the only one in the place without a bar, Mr. J. 
 Pierce, the landlord, being a radical lem|)erance 
 man. Harvey Deuel is proprietor of the "Deuel 
 House," which contains 15 rooms; a livery barn is 
 kept in connection with it. A stock of wines, liquors 
 and cigars is one of the attractions of this hotel. 
 The Junction House, of which James Judge is pro- 
 prietor, is a good hotel, containing nine rooms and a 
 bar. 
 
 The first harness-maker was Horace J. Knight, 
 who commenced business in the village of Coleman 
 on Jan. i, 1884. 
 
 The medical profession is represented by 1 )r. 
 Budge, the resident physician, and Mrs. C. W. Taylor, 
 of Loomis. 
 
 \V. A. Chatterton carries a very large stock of 
 drugs and medicines and a complete stock of station- 
 ery as well as a full line of cigars and tobacco. Dr. 
 Budge has just opened a new drug store and is do- 
 ing a good business. There is but one school-house 
 in the village ; it is a good and substantial one, but 
 is too small to give to all the pupils the benefit of 
 comfortable quarters. This lack of room has led to 
 the necessity of constructing a new building, which 
 will be done next year, and the schools will then be 
 graded. 
 
 The religious welfare of the citizens of C'oleman 
 has not been neglected. A handsome church edi- 
 fice, which cost $1,200, belongs to the Episcopal so- 
 ciety, and the Methodists have a fine building, 
 erected during the summer of 1884, at a cost of 
 $2,000, and seating comfortably 400 persons. Rev. 
 W. N. Younglove is the Pastor. 
 
 Coleman has now (1884) about 700 inhabitants, 
 and is increasing in population more rapidly than 
 any other village in the county. Its growth during 
 the past twelve n.onths has been truly surprising. 
 During the past year there have been erected in the 
 
 village 52 buildings, at an aggregate cost of $50,000. 
 The plank road now completed between Cedar, the 
 county seat of Gladwin County, and Coleman, will 
 do much to develop and bring to Coleman a large 
 amount of trade which otherwise it would be de- 
 prived of. The township of Warren appropriated 
 $5,000 to build the road through their township, the 
 whole line costing over $2,000. 
 
 The following gentlemen have served as Super- 
 visors in Warren Township, in which the village of 
 Coleman is located : 
 
 S. W. Hubbell 1873-6 
 
 L. Howard 1877-8 
 
 George Miller 1879-80 
 
 L. Hoivard 1881 
 
 George Miller 1882 
 
 Floyd L. Post 1883 
 
 George Miller 1884 
 
 .=ij 
 
 Edenville Township. 
 
 DENVILLE Township is located in the 
 northern part of Midland County, and is 
 bounded on the north by Gladwin County, 
 on the east by Hope and Lincoln Town- 
 ships, on the south by Jerome, and on the west 
 by Warren Township. Edenville is drained by 
 the Tittabawassee River, a large stream which finds 
 its source in the southern part of Ogemaw County, 
 and, taking a southerly direction, enters Edenville 
 at its northeast corner, flows southwest for a short 
 distance, and, receiving the waters of Tobacco Creek, 
 continues its course southward into Jero.ne. 
 The village of 
 
 EDENVILLE 
 
 is a neat little place on section i, at the junc- 
 tion of the Tittabawassee River and Tobacco Creek. 
 It was platted in 1878 by Henry Church, who also 
 kept the first hotel, which was built in the spring of 
 T863. Daniel Bowman built the first house on the 
 village plat, of logs. David Burton followed with the 
 construction of the first frame house. Kingsley Bab- 
 cock was the proprietor of the first store, which con- 
 tained a stock of general merchandise. The Rev. 
 Francis Green delivered the first sermon in the village, 
 in 1864, at the school-house previously erected on 
 the site of the present one. Elizabeth Jacobs taught 
 
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 392 
 
 MIDLANU COUJMTY. 
 
 the first two terms of school, in the dwelling house of 
 Daniel Bowman. 
 
 The manufacturing interests of Edenville are rep- 
 resented by the following industries: Swanton Bros, 
 operate a saw-mill which was built by C. W. W. 
 Baker, and has the capacity of sawing 10,000 feet of 
 lumber per day, and employs six men. A large black- 
 smith and carriage shop is controlled by Norris Gill, 
 The best hotel in the village is owned and managed 
 by Thomas Moore, and is known as "JSIoore's Hotel." 
 A livery barn is kept in connection with the hotel. 
 The "Axford House" is run by Luther G. Carter. The 
 postoffice was established in 1869, and Henry Church 
 appointed the first Postmaster. 
 
 There are three religious societies in Edenville, 
 the Methodist, Advent, and "Unions." The latter 
 have by far the largest assemblies, and their meetings 
 are held in the school-house; the other two societies 
 have neat frame church buildings, with beautiful 
 grounds surrounding them. 
 
 This little town at one time, between the years 
 t866 and 1880, became noted for the many famous 
 encounters between the would-be champions of this 
 part of the State and the Saginaw Valley, among 
 whom were Jack DriscoU, alias "Silver Jack," Jack 
 Shepherd, Dan Drum, — Burk, Murray Rankin and 
 other roughs of more or less note. Here, too, lived 
 Charlie Axford and Tom Moore, the two rival land- 
 lords who aided not a little, wiih either wit or mus- 
 cle, to give the place a reputation throughout the 
 State. There are few m.en in Michigan at the pres- 
 ent day who have not heard of "Sixteen;" it is, per- 
 haps, the smallest town with the largest reputation of 
 all in the State. Although blood flowed freely on 
 numerous occasions, and many and desperate were 
 the conflicts between rival aspirants for pugilistic 
 honors, human life was not taken until 1877, when 
 Dr. Rockwell killed Ben Wilbur in a dispute over the 
 possession of a horse. 
 
 Here, too, resided some who were skillful and 
 adroit in appropriating other people's goods to their 
 own use without the consent of the owner. Jas. Rem- 
 ick, now president of the Boom Company, once came 
 down the river with a drive of logs. It is customary 
 to make a float of logs pinned together to carry the 
 cooking utensils, provisions and other necessaries, as 
 well as a tent for camping on shore. On this occa- 
 sion Mr. Remick came within a mile or two of "Six- 
 teen," pitching his tent on the bank directly opposite 
 
 the float in the river. During the afternoon he visit- 
 ed the village and remarked that he had heard that 
 the place was noted for thieving, but he would risk 
 all they could steal from him. He slept that night 
 with his crew in the tent, kept a fire on the bank 
 between the tent and float, and left a man to watch. 
 Judge of his surprise in the morning when he awak- 
 ened to find his provisions, hams, pork, flour, tea and 
 even bread and fried cakes all gone! He was obliged 
 to go to the village to buy something for breakfast. 
 
 This, however, is a picture of the village of Eden- 
 ville in the past, but not as it now is. The citizens 
 are all quiet and peaceable, and have attained that 
 high state of morality the chief aim of which is 
 manly uprightness of character. 
 
 Abraham Egbert was the first settler in the town- 
 ship, and first Justice of the Peace. David Burton, 
 Daniel Bownan and Aaron Havens settled here in 
 1855. Timothy Jerome, built the first saw-mill in 
 the township, on the river one mile above the village 
 of Edenville, in 1853. 
 
 This township was formerly a part of Jerome. A 
 petition signed by David Burton and others was pre- 
 sented to the county Board of Supervisors, and on 
 the 24th day of June, 1873, that body granted the 
 request of the petitioners and erected the township. 
 It is numbered 16 north and i west. The first 
 election was held at the school-house in District No. 
 r, on the first Monday in April, 1874. G. B. Bard- 
 well, H. H. Morgan and John W. Swanton were the 
 electors. The Supervisors have served as follows : 
 
 StJPERVISORS. 
 
 ■ S. Erway 1S74 
 
 A. Marsh 1875 
 
 S. Erwav ...'..... 1 876-80 
 
 T. Moore 18S1-2 
 
 L. G. Porter 1883 
 
 T. Moore r884 
 
 A 
 
 <-^D!l 
 
 Larkin Township. 
 
 S<aK: ARKIN Township lies in the eastern part 
 
 of Midland County, and is numbered 15 
 
 north and 2 east. Its northern boundary 
 
 ,x^ is Hope Township ; its eastern Bay County 
 
 rS its southern. Midland, and its western Lincoln 
 
 Township. 
 
 The settlers in this township occupy their time in 
 
 
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 A' 
 
 V 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 f^^« 
 
 393 
 
 winter in lumbering, and in summer in improving 
 their lands; and most of them have very fine clear- 
 ings. A large number of logs is cut out in this town- 
 ship and hauled to the Tittabavvassee River and 
 then floated down to the mills below, where they are 
 converted into lumber, lath and shingles. There are 
 no towns, villages or postofifices in Larkin, the town- 
 ship being new and as yet sparsely settled. It lies 
 just north of Midland, and has all tlie advantage as 
 regards capabilities of the soil that any other town- 
 ship in Midland County possesses. It was settled 
 in 1876, mainly by immigration from Lincoln Town- 
 ship. There are a number of school buildings, new 
 and substantially constructed. The township is one 
 of the best regulated in the county, one great advan- 
 tage in its government being the strictly temperate 
 principles of nearly all its denizens, most of whom 
 are exact adherents of "the pledge." 
 
 Game of all kinds has been abundant in this 
 township until recently. Deer, which frequendy 
 were found in large herds, are now quite scarce ; but 
 bears are as numerous as ever, it being no uncommon 
 thing for a hunter to kill three and four bears in one 
 day. 
 
 Larkin was named for John Larkin, a man who 
 has been closely connected with the interests and 
 progress of this county for many years. His name, 
 with II others, were appended to the petition asking 
 the Board of Supervisors to erect the new township, 
 which was accordingly done, on the 24th of January, 
 1 87 9. The first election was held at the residence 
 of John Maloney, April 7, 1879, with VVm. Dougherty, 
 David P. VVqldo and Archie Farron as Inspectors of 
 Election. 
 
 Larkin Township ranks third in the lowest grade, so 
 far as development is concerned. Much of the land 
 consists of what is known as " stump land," the tim- 
 ber of which is being converted into fine lumber at 
 the numerous mills which are scattered through the 
 township. In a few years, however, this section will 
 be more highly cultivated, and will challenge the ad- 
 joining townships in the race for developments. Coal 
 has been found in the vicinity of Sturgeon Creek, a 
 small stream flowing through the township. At one 
 time Mr. John Larkin decided to operate on the 
 strength of his belief that this mineral could be 
 found in abundance, and sent a force of men into 
 the township to bore for coal; l)ut unfortunately tlie 
 
 drill broke, and the coal fever having somewhat sub- 
 sided, owing to the many other enterprises in which 
 the business men of the county were engaged and 
 which took up most of their time and attention, the 
 coal project was abandoned indefinitely. There is, 
 however, no doubt in the minds of many of the lead- 
 ing citizens here that it exists in abundance, and at 
 some future time coal mining will be one of the im- 
 portant industries of this county and State. 
 
 The Supervisors of Larkin have been men of in- 
 tegrity and uprightness, and it is with pleasure we 
 note them below in the order in which they have 
 served their townships: 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 D. P.Waldo 1879 
 
 William Dougherty 1880-1 
 
 W. P. Shepherd 1882-3 
 
 F. S. Burton 1884 
 
 9 
 
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 Greendale Township. 
 
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 l|/p|C REENDALE Township is situated in the ^ 
 l lMi[^ western part of Midland County, and is (- ,) 
 "clilj^i" numbered 14 north and 2 west. Its north- 
 '^' em boundary is Geneva, its eastern, Lee, and 
 
 \ its southern, Jasper Townships; its western, 
 
 f Isabella County. 
 
 The northern half of the town of Greendale is 
 drained by the Chippewa River, which flows across it 
 from Isabella County on the west. The Little Salt 
 River drains the southern portion, coming from the 
 eastern part of Isabella, where it finds its source, and, 
 flowing across Greendale, empties into the Chippewa 
 in Lee Township. 
 
 Truman Gibbs, of New York, settled on section 28, 
 in this township, in the year 1864, and has ever since 
 that time resided on the same tract of land. He is 
 the present Supervisor of the township. Only three 
 men subject to military duty were residents of the 
 township at the time the draft was made in 1864. Of ' 
 these three, Lincoln and Isaac^Ball were drafted ! 
 
 The organization of this township was effected 
 Jan. 5, 1882. The application was made by Chas. 
 F. Wheeler, Harry L. Voorhees, Geo. W. Tooker, - 
 
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 T<i>wmm> 
 
 '394 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 (oN 
 
 James B. Kelly, Alonzo Converse, Jas. H. Osborne, 
 Chas. J. Bradford, Clifton Smith, David J. Zook, 
 Seneca J. Williams, L. \V. June, Jas. H. Arnold, 
 Abram W. Ball and Truman Gibbs. The first elec- 
 tion was held at the school-house in District No. 8, 
 April 3, 1882, with Truman C. Gibbs, Clifton Smith, 
 and David J. Zook as Inspectors of Election, The first 
 election for Justice of the Peace resulted in tlie 
 choice of Isaac Ball. 
 
 The first school-house was built of logs on section 
 27, and the first session of school was taught by Mrs. 
 — Smith. 
 
 There are a number of lumber camps in this town, 
 the pine in this section of the county being of the 
 finest quality. In a fe.v years, however, it will all be 
 removed, when the main interest will center in agri- 
 cultural products. Greendale stands with those 
 townships fourth in rank in the importance of its 
 lumber interests and richness of its soil, much of the 
 latter consisting of sand. 
 
 CENTRAL CITY 
 
 Was platted by a company of Ohio gentlemen, who 
 endeavored to establish a city, and by advertising 
 undertook to give the place a " boom." Central City 
 is as near the center of a township as a village can be 
 built, and is just half way between Midland City on 
 the east and Mount Pleasant on the west, and is 
 exactly in the center of the southern peninsula, 
 through which runs the old State Road, and over 
 which the great travel of the State, by private convey- 
 ance, east and west, is dally passing. 
 
 The Supervisors of Greendale, whose names are 
 here given, have each served one term. The settlers 
 are all trustworthy men, who will take care that those 
 selected to represent them will act for the best inter- 
 ests of their town. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 Henry L. Voorhees 1882 
 
 Oscar A. Clark 1883 
 
 T. H. Gibbs 1884 
 
 Lee Township. 
 
 EE Township is situated in the southern 
 part of Midland County, and is bounded 
 on the north by Jerome, on the east by 
 Homer and Mount Haley Townships, on the 
 A, south by Porter, and west by Greendale Town- 
 ^ ship. The Chippewa River crosses Lee a little 
 south of the center of the township. The Little Salt 
 empties into the Chippewa in tlie western part. The 
 Pine River flows northeast from Gratiot County and 
 across the southeastern corner of Lee. 
 
 This township was organized Oct. 13, 1880. The 
 first election was held at the Mallory school-house, on 
 the 4th day of April, 1881, with Henry J. Yates, Wm. 
 D. Watlan and Walter J. Higby as Inspectors of Elec- 
 tion. The petition which was presented to the Board 
 of Supervisors, asking them to set apart the territory 
 known and described as number 14 north and i west, 
 and call it "Lee Township," was signed by Jno. .Suiter, 
 Walter J. Higby, H. J. Yates, Hans P. Lawson,Thos. 
 F. Baker, Hans Sersen, Geo. Spens, Wm. Dape, 
 Dan'l Weed, Justus C. Perry, Jno. A. Mallory, S. H. 
 Webster, Nelson Hitsman, Hezekiah Weller and Jno. 
 Gateman. 
 
 Lee is classed witli tliose towiishi|)S which are 
 fourth in rank in point of agriculture. The timber 
 consists of oak, ash and hard and soft maple. Wells 
 of good and pure water can be obtained in this town- 
 ship at moderate depths. The river furnishes plenty 
 of water for stock, and were it not for the continuous 
 jam of logs some prime fish might be captured. 
 
 A number of good school buildings are located in 
 Lee, mention of which is made in the chapter devoted 
 to educational topics. 
 
 Land commands a price averaging better than most 
 localities in the county, although many acres can yet 
 be purchased at prices averaging from $5 to $10 per 
 a:re. 
 
 We api)end the names of her supervisors for the 
 past four years. 
 
 A. J. Davis 1881-3 
 
 A. L. Bellinger i{ 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 
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 HE largest *own in the coun- 
 ty is Midland City. It is 
 situated on both banks of 
 the Tittabawassee River, in 
 the township of Midland, 
 and is the county seat. The 
 larger and more important 
 part of the village is on the north 
 bank of tTie river. The streets are 
 broad and straight, and some of 
 them have been graded and paved 
 with cedar blocks, thereby dispens- 
 ing with the annoyances brought 
 about by the very sandy soil of 
 which this location consists. Mid- 
 land City lies in the center of an 
 immense timber district, and the 
 manufacturing interests are cen- 
 tered chiefly in lumber and salt, large quantities of 
 which are manufactured in this village. 
 
 Midland is located almost in the geographical cen- 
 ter of the Lower Peninsula, and is practically the hub 
 around which the villages of Mt. Pleasant, St. Louis, 
 and the lesser towns in the neighborhood revolve. It 
 is distant i8 miles from Bay City, 24 miles from Sagi- 
 naw, 26 miles from Mt. Pleasant, and 20 miles from 
 St. Louis. All these are lively towns, which are 
 struggling hard for supremacy in commercial im- 
 portance in the future; but the resources of Midland 
 surpass most of them, and falls scarcely short of those 
 of Saginaw or Bay City. Midland enjoys with them 
 all the advantages of a fine climate, and has a better 
 natural location than anv one of the smaller villages 
 
 named. She stands at the junction of two noble 
 rivers, which, with their tributaries, drain an exten- 
 sive and fertile region, comprising a large portion of 
 the best territory of Central Michigan. She is sup- 
 ported by an excellent agricultural region lying im- 
 mediately around her, is in the very center of the 
 great salt basin of the State, and is surrounded by 
 a territory which possesses forests that are still 
 capable of furnishing an untold wealth of pine, hem- 
 lock, oak, bass-wood, maple, elm and other varieties 
 of timber, which by means of the beautiful streams, 
 the Tittabawassee, Chippewa, Pine, Salt, Tobacco, 
 Sturgeon and others, are conveniently accessible. 
 She enjoys the advantage of one railroad, the State 
 roads and other good highways, and is the county 
 seat of a county that is rapidly being settled by an 
 industrious, sober and energetic people. 
 
 The Beginnings. 
 
 It MONO the first business enterprises of 
 
 ^^^ Midland was the hotel erected by John 
 
 Larkin. This was built in 1856, and was a 
 
 ty small, unpretentious wooden building, located 
 
 'j" near where the present Reardon Block now 
 
 stands. The patronage of this inn was immense, 
 
 and money was coined for its owner. 
 
 Samuel Sias built the first grist-mill, which was 
 
 located near where the bromine factory now stands. 
 
 h man named Lloyd was the first blacksmith. 
 
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 whose shop stood where Reardon Bros.' mill now 
 stands. The oldest inhabitant cannot remember his 
 given name, although many are now living here that 
 kne>v him. 
 
 The first store in the village was opened by James 
 Eastman, who is now in business next door to the 
 Oscar House. Lou Eastman sold goods and was the 
 first clerk in this store. It was situated near the dock, 
 which at that time was the commercial center of the 
 village. 
 
 The second store was kept by L. P. Bailey, in a 
 small building near Lloyd's blacksmith shop. 
 
 E. G. Buttles built the first residence on the north 
 side of the river. Although several families were al- 
 ready living on the opposite bank, that locality was 
 not at that time reckoned as being apart of Midland. 
 Charles Rodd, previously mentioned, had a store on 
 that side of the river, the stock of which consisted of 
 a small assortment of groceries and dry goods and a 
 large supply of whisky and tobacco! 
 
 The Methodist Church was the first church edifice 
 erected. This building was removed to its present 
 site from its first location on the corner of Gordon 
 and Main Streets in 1S83. 
 
 From the date of the permanent location of tlie 
 county seat, Midland assumed a healthy and vigor- 
 ous growth. Stores were opened, and men came in 
 for the purpose of locating lands, and business of every 
 kind was thereby enhanced. Some good residences 
 were built, among them being one erected by Dr. 
 Jennings where the Oscar House now stands. 
 
 Tlie jail was tlie first structure erected in the county. 
 This was completed and accepted June 14, 1S69. 
 John Larkin was the contractor. 
 
 N. T. Carr was the first printer in the county. He 
 established the Midland Sentinel and conducted it 
 successfully for several years. He was afterward 
 Supervisor of Midland Township, and was consid- 
 ered one of her most reliable business men. 
 
 During the progress of the late war a home mili- 
 tary company was organized here, with Harvey Lyon, 
 a Mexican veteran, as diill-master. The members 
 were drilling one Sunday morning, after which sev- 
 eral of the company went to the printing-office of 
 Mr. Carr to talk a few moments. Charles Searrin 
 picked up a shot-gun which was standing near, and 
 went through the " manual of arms." Mr. Carr took 
 the gun after Searrin had put it down, and remarked 
 
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 that " he guessed there was no danger, as the gun 
 was not loaded." After going through the "manual 
 0/ arms," he pointed the gun at Searrin, pulled the 
 trigger and both barrels were discharged full in his 
 face! Searrin lived only a few hours, and it was re- 
 garded as an unfortunate affair, ('arr disposed of 
 his office during the year and left the village, taking 
 with him Belle Huntington, the sister of Mrs. Sear- 
 rin, leaving his own wife behind! He is now living 
 in the southern part of Michigan, totally blind, and 
 has both his wives with him, the one left behind 
 coming when hearing of his infirmity ! 
 
 Harvey Lyon, the old Mexican veteran, was the 
 first man to engage in the manufacture of wagons 
 and carriages. He is still engaged in the business, 
 and is better conversant with the early history of Mid- 
 land than any other man living in it, except it be 
 John Larkin. 
 
 Charles Searrin, the man who so unfortunately 
 lost his life, was the first carpenter and builder. 
 
 E. H. Beardsley put in the first stock of hardware 
 and furniture, and still continues the business. 
 
 Henry C. Burt was also engaged in business at an 
 early day. His stock consisted of general merchan- 
 dise, there being no specialties in a mercantile way 
 in the pioneer history of Michigan merchants. 
 
 James Foster, who still carries on the business, 
 was the first harness-maker in Midland. 
 
 The Hinds Bros, opened the first stock of drugs 
 in 1S64. The firm consisted of William and James 
 Hinds. 'I'iiey occupied a small frame building where 
 Harris & Rockwell's building now stands. 
 
 Alfred Avery, who was accidentally killed while 
 serving as Deputy Sheriff, by John Ryan, was the 
 first livery-man in the village. His barn occupied 
 the site now the property of Clason & Haley. 
 
 The first Surveyor was George Turner. He had 
 plenty of work and light pay. 
 
 William Patrick built a tannery at the foot of the 
 upper bridge in 1863, which was the first enterprise 
 of the kind attempted in the county. 
 
 G. F. Hemingway was the first attorney practicing 
 in the village. He is yet a resident, and liis opinions 
 on legal matters are considered correct. He has also 
 been elected to the State Legislature, and served his 
 constituents with much honor. 
 
 John Larkin was the first Postmaster, and had the 
 office located in the bar-room of his hotel. The 
 
 
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 mail was brought in from Saginaw once a week, and 
 was kept in a little cupboard three feet sijuare. 
 
 The first school-house was erected at the corner of 
 Ashman and Ellsworth Streets. Mrs. Flanders 
 taught the first school, in 1859. Tlie building is 
 still standing, but it is not used for educational pur- 
 poses. 
 
 The " Harris Block " was the first brick business 
 block erected in Midland. The second was built by 
 Reardon Bros. Both of these are handsome three- 
 story buildings, and are a credit to any village or 
 city. 
 
 
 
 Midland as an Incorporated Village. 
 
 '■I^W-.'lDL.^ND was incorporated in 1869. The 
 '% t^'M^ ^ territory included in said corporation 
 ||1^^ commences at the quarter post of the 
 j^^\'\V\ west line of school section 16, thence west 
 'r^ to the quarter line of section 17, to the east 
 bank of the Tittabawassee River ; thence 
 down the river as it trends to the quarter line; then 
 southerly on the quarter line to the center cpiarter 
 post of section 20; thence easterly on the quarter 
 line one and a half miles to the quarter post in the 
 west line of section 22; thence north on the section 
 line one mile, to quarter post in the west line of sec- 
 tion 15 ; thence west on the quarter line of school 
 section 16 one mile, to the place of beginning. All 
 this territory is in town 14 north, range 2 east. 
 
 The first election was held April 19, 1869, the 
 Inspectors of which were James W. Cochrane, James 
 Major and E. J. Hinds. The officials composing the 
 first Board were ; President, Solomon Heald; Clerk, 
 Wm. Cressey ; Treasurer, Wm. Sinclair; Marshal, 
 H. M. Ellsworth; Trustees— ist Ward, L. Church 
 and J. A. Dorr; 2d Ward, A. Findlater and J. W. An- 
 derson ; 3d Ward, Harvey Lyon and C. C. Ball. 
 
 The first meeting after the incorporation was held 
 x^pril 26, 1869. 
 
 The present village officers are : President, Benj. 
 F. Bradley ; Clerk, Charles Hecox ; Treasurer, 
 Chades A. Webster; Marshal, J. W. Blackmar; Trus- 
 tees for two years, John McKay, Warren L. Sias and 
 
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 Daniel F. Straker; Trustees for i year, James S. 
 Allen and Charles P. Turner; Village Attorney, 
 D. W. Hitchcock. George P. Mickley held over 
 from 1883. 
 
 A great deal of enterprise has been manifested i)y 
 the officials of Midland City, the streets being nicely 
 graded, Main street paved its entire length, which, 
 with the introduction of the Holly system of water 
 works, give the village quite a "city-fied" air. It is 
 largely in debt, however, the total, including water- 
 works bonds and street paving, amounting to $37,- 
 795.31. The city valuation is about $500,000, which 
 makes the rate of taxation quite heavy. 
 
 The village has suffered some heavy losses by fire, 
 the heaviest one occurring May 27, 1876, when 52 
 houses were burned! The fire was originated by 
 sparks from a passing locomotive, and the devouring 
 flame carried everything before it from where Rear- 
 don's Block stands entirely through the village, in a 
 northerly direction. 
 
 THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 
 
 is now well equipped, and another outbreak could be 
 efficiently checked. In 1864, a "Button" hand en- 
 gine was purchased, at a cost of $2,200. This in- 
 cluded 500 feet of hose and the cart. It is still 
 owned by the city, and is in good working order, 
 although reckoned among the things that were. 
 
 The first fire company regularly organized was 
 formed in March, 1872. It consisted of 30 volun- 
 teer firemen, with B. F. Wilcox, Foreman. Their 
 outfit consisted of five ladders and 20 buckets. 
 The following summer, a Babcock extinguisher was 
 purchased, at a cost of $2,400. This was a poor in- 
 vestment, it never proving of much service. It was 
 sold in 1880 for $75. The department now consists 
 of two hose carts and 2,500 feet of hose. True 
 Hart is Fire Marshal, and Edward Lyon Assistant. 
 Forty-four men and four torch boys are enrolled on 
 the Company's books. The present system of Holly 
 water-works have thus far proved very satisfactory, 
 the pressure being strong enough to throw water over 
 any house in the village. The men are divided into 
 two companies : Hose company No. i, under the 
 care of Wm. Reardon ; and No 2, under the care ot 
 George Selley. The village owns the engine whicli 
 furnishes the power. It is located on the opposite 
 bank of the Tittabawassee, near the junction of the 
 Chippewa with that stream. 
 
 
 
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 MJJJLANV COUNTY. 
 
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 Business. 
 
 'HE Mineral ^Vell has been for several years 
 a great attraction for pleasure-seekers from 
 abroad. It was bored in 1867, soon after 
 '^P^ the discovery of the mineral well at St. Louis. 
 This was done by a joint stock company com- 
 posed of the following persons : Lewis East- 
 man, J. S. Eastman, Alex. Findlater, Wm. Harris, 
 
 Roderick Russell, Benj. Dean, and Barker. 
 
 There were three other persons interested whose 
 names cannot now be ascertained. The shares 
 were rated at $200 each, which amount completed 
 the well and erected a commodious bath-house. 
 The same was under the supervision of Lewis East- 
 man, who managed it quite successfully. The ladies' 
 department was superintended by Mrs. ISLaggie Cun- 
 ningham, a well known lady of tliis village, whose 
 courteous manner added largely to the patronage be- 
 stowed. The property has been transferred to Wm. 
 L. Stearns, who has erected a comfortable boarding- 
 house. This bath-house is kept in operation only 
 during the summer months, but it adds largely to the 
 attractions of Midland as a summer resort. 
 
 An analysis of the water made by Prof. Duffield, 
 of the State .Agricultural College, shows the number 
 of grains of solid matter to one imperial gallon, as 
 follows . 
 
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 Sulphate of Lime 4.45 
 
 Sulphate Potassa 32.19 
 
 Sulphate Soda 32 06 
 
 Phosphate .Muniina 1.72 
 
 Chloride Calcium. 6.21 
 
 Chloride Magnesium 2.19 
 
 Chloride Sodium 32.7c 
 
 Silica 2.96 
 
 Organic Matter 2.46 
 
 Loss 3.2 I 
 
 Total 110.30 
 
 The benefits which must naturally follow the use 
 of this water are readily recognized by every physi- 
 cian. As an alterative and deobstruent, they are 
 unexcelled by any waters in the State, and in many 
 diseases of the stomach, bowels, kidneys and blood 
 they act almost specifically. 
 
 The manufacturing interests of Midland City are 
 second to no village of its size in the State. 
 
 The most extensive industry is the large lumber 
 
 and shingle mills and the mammoth salt works of 
 Larkin & Patrick. The mill manufactures annually 
 6,000,000 feet of lumber, 25,000,000 shingles, 33,126 
 salt barrels, r, 283, 425 staves, 102,675 headings and 
 5 1,337 flour barrels. 
 
 Their salt well was tlie first one sunk in the village, 
 and was dug in 1878. It is t,3oo feet in depth, and 
 the flow of brine surpasses in gravity that of any 
 well in t1ie salt region except llie others now in op- 
 eration at this place. The average salt production 
 of this firm amounts to 54,000 barrels annually. 
 
 They also operate a bromine factory and manu- 
 facture 4,500 pounds of this product yearly; 140 
 hands are employed, the amounts paid them aver- 
 aging $49,010.01. In r883 this firm shipped 526 
 cars of lumber, 325 cars of shingles, 371 cars o( 
 salt and 28 cars of other products. They expended 
 $20,862.25. The benefits derived by the village of 
 Midland from this firm is infcalculable. The wages 
 paid are almost entirely left in the hands of her mer- 
 chants. 
 
 The firm of J. Herrick & Co. manufacture 2,200 
 barrels of salt annually, John Maloney 1,656, and 
 Samuel Foster 1,241. This makes the annual salt 
 production of Midland City 59,097 barrels, to which 
 may be added 4,500 pounds of bromine. In addition, 
 the Merchant Flouring Mills of James Herrick & Co. 
 and the Star Mills of Reardon Bros. & Co. do a large 
 business. The other manufacturing establishments, 
 wagon, buggy, furniture, etc., add largely to the list 
 and are well represented. 
 
 Peters Bros, have located just outside of the cor- 
 poration an extensive building for the manufacture 
 of hoops and headings. The firm is composed of 
 R. G. and J. H. Peters, both men of wealth and 
 energy. This factory was recently put into opera- 
 tion, and at present employs 35 hands. When all 
 the machinery is set in motion they will employ 140 
 hands, and with r2 planers will turn out r, 540,000 
 finished hoops per week. 
 
 The hardware and agricultural implement trade is 
 well represented by Geo. A. Janes, C. F. Russell 
 and Reardon Brothers. Very few houses in much 
 larger cities carry a larger stock of goods than these 
 gentlemen. 
 
 The largest line of clothing and gents' furnishing 
 goods is carried by Starker & Co. Reardon Brothers 
 have the most extensive mercantile establishment in 
 
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MIDLAND COUNTY 
 
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 the village, carrying a line of hardware, groceries 
 and dry goods in three separate apartments, the 
 whole being connected by entrances leading from 
 one to the other. 
 
 All the merchants carry a stock of boots and 
 shoes, there lieing no store in the village devoted en- 
 tirely to this branch of trade. 
 
 Three splendid millinery stores, replete with every- 
 thing in that line, are kept by Mesdames A. M. A. 
 Mahana, J. S. Allen and J. Hays. The ladies of 
 Midland are unexceptionally well dressed, due no 
 doubt to the prosperity that is manifest in all branches 
 of trade. 
 
 George W. Abbey has an elegant stock of watches, 
 clocks, diamonds, jewelry, etc. He also deals in 
 music and musicians' supplies. His competitor in 
 this business is E. A. Clark, who reports trade satis- 
 factory in every respect. 
 
 There is only one bank in the village, the "First 
 National of Midland." The company was organized 
 Sept. I, 1883, and commenced business on the 8th 
 of that month. The bank is a great convenience to 
 the business men of Midland, besides being a good 
 investment for its stockholders. Connected with the 
 office is a fire-proof vault, in which is the fire and 
 burglar proof safe, fitted with double time lock. The 
 officers of this bank are : President, M. P. Anderson ; 
 Vice President, Maxon Anderson; Cashier, W. D. 
 Marsh. 
 
 The drug trade of Midland is well represented by 
 four firms, who carry a large and well selected stock 
 of goods. Rockwell & Harris, Anderson Bros., Hinds 
 Bros, and John W. Day have on an average S4>ooo 
 each invested in the business. 
 
 The physicians are all doing nicely, and the most 
 of them are making money. Drs. W. G. Harris, W. 
 
 E. Burtless, A. Magill, W. W. Fountaine and Dr. 
 Day are members of the " allopathic," and Dr. E. B. 
 Bockes, of the Eclectic school. 
 
 The members of the Midland County Bar all re- 
 side in this city, except Floyd L. Post, who lives in 
 Coleman. The active members are Hemingway & 
 Ricketts, Stanford & Van Kleeck, D. W. Hitchcock, 
 Gordon & Fales, H. L. Fairchild, Byron Burch and 
 Myron Gue. Those who are not engaged in active 
 practice are F. S, Burton, Ed. J. Carey, J. W. Coch- 
 rane and E. P. Rice. The first three attorneys in 
 this village were Henry C. Ashman, Judge Wilbur 
 
 F. VVoodworth and G. F. Hemingway. 
 
 Midland City is well provided with hotel accom- 
 modations, having three large and commodious build- 
 ings. The " Exchange Hotel " was destroyed by fire 
 in April, 1884. The "Oscar House" is a neat two- 
 story brick, comfortably furnished throughout, and 
 contains 40 rooms. The proprietor, Charles Oscar, 
 is one of the most courteous landlords to be found 
 anywhere. Marshall Smith is clerk of this popular 
 hotel. The only fault which can be found with the 
 " Oscar House " is the lack of room, many being 
 turned away who are thus forced to seek quarters 
 elsewhere. This house is a favorite stopping-place 
 for traveling salesmen, there being a sample room ad- 
 jacent for the display of their goods. A billiard and 
 dram room is attached to the office. The hotel is 
 well managed, and is an excellent paying investment. 
 
 The "Sherwood House " is a handsome three-story 
 brick structure fronting on Main Street. F. J. Barry 
 is the accommodating landlord, and guests of the 
 " Sherwood " find not only pleasant and ample ac- 
 commodations, but also all the comforts of a home. 
 There are rooms enough in this building to accom- 
 modate 60 transient guests, and the table is well 
 supplied with the best the market affords. A free 
 carriage attends every train, and those who make the 
 " Sherwood " headquarters are loud in their praise of 
 its management. 
 
 The " Findlater House " is centrally located in a 
 pleasant portion of the village, convenient to business 
 and easily accessible. The present proprietor, Mr. 
 Frank B. VVilkins, assumed control in May, 1884. 
 He is quite popular with the traveling public, and the 
 excellent reputation this hotel has always borne will 
 be enhanced by his connection with it. The building 
 is a two-story frame, with airy rooms, well furnished 
 and well patronized. 
 
 Messrs. Clason & Haley lead in the livery business 
 and their stock of buggies and carriages equal those 
 kept by city liveries. They have selected their driv- 
 ing horses with great care, and the roadsters owned 
 by this firm are noted for speed and endurance. In 
 addition to their livery, Messrs. Clason & Haley 
 are engaged in the business of undertaking. 
 
 Charles Anderson has a very fine livery and a good 
 patronage. In fact, Midland supports enterprises of 
 this character quite well. 
 
 George Covert is not eclipsed in his efforts to 
 please the public, and his barn contains some speedy 
 roadsters. The aim of all these gentlemen is to fur- 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 nish the finest turn-outs to be found in Central Mich- 
 igan at reasonable rates. 
 
 Midland City has one of the finest postoffice build- 
 ings, and the neatest furniture and equipments, to be 
 found in Northern Michigan. E. J. Brewster, the 
 present Postmaster, is a gentleman as courteous as 
 he is popular, and the affiiirs of the Midland post- 
 office under his management cannot be improved. 
 The transformation from the first postoffice, which 
 was kept by John Larkin in the bar-room of his 
 hotel, to the elegant quarters it now occupies, is com- 
 plete, and adds largely to the attractive business 
 houses of this beautiful village. 
 
 Church History, 
 
 FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 "'^^W CIRCUIT was organized bearing the name 
 of ■' Midland " at the session of the Detroit 
 ^1^^"°* Annual Conference held at Port Huron in 
 Jilj^ September, 1857. It was the first religious 
 % organization in Midland. The circuit consist- 
 j ed of the following places : Midland City> 
 Bluffs, King's, now in Freeland Circuit, Higgins', Swan 
 Creek, Shields' and Crook's. The first quarterly con- 
 ference was held in the fall of 1857, by S. Clements, 
 then Presiding Elder of the Flint District. The first 
 class-book was dated Feb. 5, 1858, and contained the 
 names of 13 persons, four members and nine proba- 
 tioners. 
 
 A board of trustees was appointed in June, 1863, 
 and a donation of lots for a church site received from 
 John Moore, of Saginaw city. In May, 1864, the site 
 of the church building was located on lot 4, block 15. 
 In 1866 a building committee was appointed and the 
 erection of the present church edifice commenced, a 
 frame, 40 x 70 feet. The building was completed in 
 1869 and dedicated on October 4th of that year, by 
 Rev. J. M. Reid, D. D., of Chicago, John Hamilton 
 being Pastor. The completion of the church build- 
 ing was largely due to the efforts of Pastor Nelson 
 Green, who was Mr. Hamilton's immediate predeces- 
 sor. In the fall and winter of 1883-4, daring the 
 Pastorate of C. M. Thompson, the church edifice was 
 moved from its original site to the corner of Fitzhugh 
 
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 and Main Streets. A brick basement was placed 
 under it, at a cost of $1,400, which amount is fully 
 provided for. In the exchange of lots Thos. J. Car- 
 penter, Esq., canceled a claim of $1,600 which he 
 held against the property, and now it is entirely free 
 from debt. The new basement is nicely furnished 
 and very commodious, and the new site on Main street 
 preferable to the old one. 
 
 The first pastor was Rufus H. Crane, who received 
 as a year's salary $114.02. The following is a list of 
 the pastors: Rufus H. Crane, Robert Johnson, Alan- 
 son Herrick, M. S. Leet, L. S. Tedman, Samuel Kits- 
 miller, Nelson Green, John Hamilton, L. L. Hough- 
 ton, F. \V. May, Duke Whitely, James H. Curnalia, 
 W. H. Osborne, C. H. Talmadge, John O. Bancroft, 
 J. B. Atchison, H. W. Hicks and the present Pastor, 
 C. M. Thompson. 
 
 The Board of Trustees consists of Theo. J. Car- 
 penter, Milton P. Anderson, James B. Burtless,Chas. 
 S. Barber and Aaron T. Gillick. Thos. Pick and John 
 B. Smith are the Class- Leaders. There are 68 full 
 members and 24 probationers, making a total of 92. 
 The congregation and Sabbath-school are in a healthy 
 condition and steadily increasing in numbers and in- 
 terest, and the outlook for the Church is very hope- 
 ful and cheering. 
 
 FIRST PRESBVTERI.AN CHURCH. 
 
 This Church was organized Sept. 4, 1867, by 
 Rev. M. Gelston,T. L.Waldo and Wm. Ure. The orig- 
 inal members were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McCartney 
 and Miss Esther Doyle, who were received on confes- 
 sion of their faith, Mrs. Ellen Cressy and Mrs. E. Per- 
 kins, who presented letters of dismission from other 
 Churches. The Confession and Covenant of the 
 Presbytery of Saginaw were adopted, and the election 
 of Elders was deferred for two years, until July 2, 
 1869, when John Hoynes and Sherman Olmstead 
 were elected and installed as Elders of the Church. 
 
 A church building was erected on the corner of 
 Larkin and Townsend Streets, but soon afterwards it 
 was struck by lightning and received much damage. 
 It was soon put in good repair, however, but in 1876 
 it was entirely consumed by fire. From that time 
 till 1880 the Church had neither house nor pastor. 
 In October of that year the present Pastor, Rev. P. 
 S. Davies, was installed and took charge of the scat- 
 tered flock. The new minister set about to devise 
 means by which a church could be built. His 
 
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 faithfulness and energy were soon apparent in the 
 lively and substantial interest which the members, as 
 well as outsiders, took in the matter, and in 1882 the 
 church which they now occupy was completed, at a 
 cost, including furniture, of $6,000. This new church 
 was dedicated Sept. 25, 1882; Rev. Chapman, of Bay 
 City delivered the dedicatory sermon, assisted by the 
 resident minister, Rev. P. S. Davies. The succession 
 of ministers from the first is T. L. Waldo, E. Swift, 
 E. W. Borden and P. S. Davies. The Church now 
 consists of 99 members, and is organized for work in 
 the several departments indicated, as follows: 
 
 Church Session — Rev. P. S. Davies, Pastor : Sher- 
 man Olmstead, James Peters, E. Anderson and E. P. 
 Rice, Elders. D. P. Waldo, E. P. Rice, G. W. Abbey, 
 Wm. Reardon, M. Anderson and E. Anderson, Trus- 
 tees. 
 
 Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society — Mrs. Rev. P. 
 S. Davies, President; Mrs. G. \V. Abbey, Vice Presi- 
 dent; Mrs. D. A. Huyck, Recording Secretary; Mrs. 
 Dr. W. E. Burtless, CorresfXinding Secretary; Mrs. 
 Jno. McKay, Treasurer. Ladies' Aid Society— Mrs. 
 Rev. P. S. Davies, President; Mrs. S. Olmstead, Vice 
 President; Mrs. Dr. J.S. Herries, Secretary ; Mrs. VVm. 
 Reardon, Treasurer. Sunday-school — J. G. Culver, 
 Superintendent; D. P. Waldo, Assistant Superintend- 
 ent; T. W. Crissey, Clerk; Stewart Gordon, Libra- 
 rian; Mrs. Elizabeth McKizie, Treasurer Band of 
 Hope — J. G. Culver, Superintendent; Harry Starker, 
 Treasurer; Carrie Huyck, Librarian; Chas. Burt, 
 Secretary. 
 
 BAPTIST SOCIETY. 
 
 A meeting was held in the Presbyterian church 
 June 2, 1869, for the purpose of considering the 
 propriety of organizing a Baptist society, there being 
 20 or 30 persons in the village who were Bajjlists in 
 sentiment. Mr. — Myers was appointed Moderator 
 and Mr. — Hough Secretary. The society was or- 
 ganized under the name of the " First Baptist Church 
 of Midland City." At the first covenant meeting, 
 held at Mr. Hough's, July 10, i86g, Mr. and Mrs. 
 — Green, Mr. Hough, Minnie Hough, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Pratt and Mr. — Smith were received into the soci- 
 ety by confession and baptism. 
 
 On the 7th of August, 1869, a meeting was held 
 at the house of Mr. Joseph Townsend, for the pur- 
 pose of deciding upon some means by which they 
 might obtain aid in building a house of worship. Mr. 
 
 Myers and William Harris were appointed to pro- 
 cure a deed of land suitable for a church site and 
 parsonage. They commenced work at once, and Jan. 
 15, 1870, they held their first meeting in the new 
 church. The first communion service, was held 
 March 6, of the same year. The society since that 
 time has steadily progressed and rapidly increased 
 in numbers and influence, and the outlook for its 
 future is a very promising one. The Rev. Mr. 
 Leonard is the present pastor of the flock, and it is 
 thought that when his work is well under headway 
 he will, by the interest and energy which he takes in 
 the welfare of the Churcli, attract many more to the 
 already large congregations which assemble there 
 every Sabbath. A collection is taken up on the last 
 Sunday of each alternate month for the aid of for- 
 eign missions, home missions. Publication Society, 
 State missions and Christian education. 
 
 EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 The first Episcopal services held in the village of 
 Midland were conducted by the Rev. John Leech, 
 Rector of the St. John's Parish, Saginaw City, in 
 October of the year 1867. Mr. J. W. Cochrane was 
 mainly instrumental in procuring this minister to 
 preside over and conduct the services, which were 
 held in Cochrane's Hall. The Rt. Rev. S. A. 
 McCoskry, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese, held con- 
 firmation in November following, at which time four 
 persons were confirmed. Services were continued 
 with more or less regularity through the following 
 winter, by Revs. Leech, G. B. Eastman, of St. Paul's 
 Parish, East Saginaw, Fayette Royce, Rector of Trin- 
 ity Church, Bay City, and John W. Birchmore, 
 Rector of St. Paul's Parish, Flint, together with lay 
 reading by a member of St. Paul's Church, East 
 Saginaw. 
 
 In March, 1868, the Rev. W. R. Tillinghast was 
 put in charge of St. John's Mission, of Midland 
 City, by the Bishop of this Diocese. Rev. Tilling- 
 hast was a resident of East Saginaw, and visited the 
 mission two Sundays in each month. The society 
 continued under this arrangement until its organiza- 
 tion. In the meantime the Church proper fitted up 
 a pleasant chapel in Eastman's Hall, and services 
 were held in this place after the organization of the 
 Parish. The first Church family was that of Geo. 
 A. Janes, a former member of St. Jolin's Parish, 
 Detroit. 
 
 vJ^ 
 
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 V^' 
 
 9 
 
 1=1 
 
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 4<ii 
 
 MIDLANB COUNTY. 
 
 ri^^ :r^s|^l^(sV#P 
 
 Among the first confirmed were Jas. G. Farwell, 
 Mrs. Gertrude W. Farwell and Mr. John McGregor. 
 
 '^ These faithful Church people labored constantly and 
 J earnestly for the building up of the Parish, the organ- 
 
 '^1 ization of which was effected in March, 1870, under 
 the direction of Rev. Tillinghast. The corporators 
 were Geo. A. Janes, John \V. Cochrane, Jas. Hayes, 
 Edward Corcelins, Cooley E. Ball, J. W. Anderson and 
 Robert C. Richmond. The first Vestry consisted of 
 the following gentlemen : G.^ A. Janes and Jas. 
 Hayes, Wardens ; C. E. Ball, R. C. Richmond, E. Cor- 
 celins and J. W. Cochrane. The Parish was admit- 
 ted to union with the Diocese at the Annual Council 
 held at Jackson June 1 1, 1870. 
 
 Rev. W. Richmond Tillinghast was the first Rector 
 elected to this Parish. He accepted the call and 
 entered upon his duties May 15, 1870, and after 
 ministering to the people of this Church for the 
 space of one year he resigned, in May, 1S71. 
 The second pastor was Henry McClory, who re- 
 mained five months. Meanwhile the newly erected 
 chapel stood unfinished for nearly one and a half 
 years. No S.abbath-school had been held, and only 
 occasional Church services. At this time Henry J. 
 Brown, a candidate for holy orders, was appointed by 
 the Bishop to take charge of the Parish as Lay Read- 
 er. He resigned his charge July 13, 1873. Then 
 Rev. Arthur M. Backus, a missionary, was sent here 
 and entered upon his duties July i, 1875, and con- 
 tinued in the pulpit one year, resigning July i, 1876. 
 For two and a half years the society was without a 
 pastor; interest flagged, the members became dis- 
 heartened, and the l-.\ck of some one to lead them 
 proved almost fatal to the society. While affairs 
 Tvere in this condition. Gen. Runkle took hold of the 
 Church as Lay Reader, July 11, 1881. The com- 
 municants were few in number; they were scattered 
 and discouraged, but they quickly rallied and made a 
 noble and successful effort tore-establish the Church. 
 The building was sadly out of repair and rapidly 
 going to ruin. A subscription of several hundred 
 dollars was raised and the Church again made com- 
 fortable and attractive; the social life of the congre- 
 gation was revived and kept up with spirit and good 
 feeling. The Bishop confirmed a class of 25 per- 
 sons on Wednesday evening, Feb. 8, 1882. At this 
 time there were 41 baptisms, of which 11 were 
 adults. 
 
 In April following this confirmation Gen. Runkle 
 
 ) 
 
 >^ 
 
 {) 
 
 resigned, and for some months they were again with- 
 out a rector. Rev. R. W. Rhames was then called 
 and remained with them for more than a year. His 
 successor. Rev. Samuel F. Myers, took charge of the 
 Parish in February, 1884. Under his management 
 the congregation is gaining renewed strength and life. 
 A Ladies' Aid Society has been recently organized. 
 Its object is the promotion of the charitable and spir- 
 itual work of the Church. The President is Mrs. S. 
 F. Myers; Vice-President, Mrs. Dora Henry; Secre- 
 tary, Mrs. Mary A. Maxwell ; Treasurer, Mrs. Wni. 
 Patrick. The members'are divided into committees 
 for caring for the sick and poor, for looking after 
 strangers who come to the village, extending the hos- 
 pitalities of the Church, and for seeing that the gen- 
 eral Church work is not neglected. 
 
 CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
 
 Wm. B. Kelly came to this county from Canada 
 in 1866, bringing his family with him. They were 
 earnest and devoted believers in the Catholic faith, 
 and, finding no society of this denomination in the 
 new village, he, together with John Haley, Edward 
 Haley, D. Chism, — Hogan, — Glasco and a few 
 others, met at his house for worship. In October, 
 1870, Father Scutchin, of Bay City, said the first mass 
 in the county, at Mr. Kelly's residence. 
 
 The society, having gained in numbers, began to 
 think of building a church as a more convenient place 
 of worship. Accordingly, Mr. Kelly went to John Lar- 
 kin and asked him if they could buy a lot of him 
 on which to erect a church. Mr. L. replied, "Go and 
 select any part of my land that you wish and take it 
 free of any charges." This generous offer was ac- 
 cepted, and two lots were chosen in the east part of 
 town. Mr. Larkin afterwards donated $100, besides 
 lumber, etc. This act of generosity was followed by 
 liberal subscriptions from many of the citizen^ of 
 Midland. The church building was begun in 1870, 
 and was ready for occupancy in one year. 
 
 Father Vanderhaven, of Saginaw City, was the first 
 pastor, his visits to the new mission occurring only 
 at intervals. Two years afterward Father Sweeney, 
 of East Saginaw, held services, and his successor was 
 Father McCarthy, now of Mt. Pleasant. The first 
 resident pastor was Father Burns, followed by Father 
 McNamara, the present pastor. The first class pre- 
 sented for confirmation was in 1880, at which time 
 
 ^ 
 
 A 
 
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 1 
 
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 I 
 
 -A* 
 
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 /7s 
 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -^ 
 
 Bishop Burgess, of the Grand Rapids Diocese, pre- 
 sided. About 40 apphcants were confirmed. 
 
 The church, which was built at a cost of $i,8oo, is 
 paid for, and the society entirely free from debt of any 
 kind. A lot adjoining the church premises has just 
 been purchased, at a cost of $420, and a modern and 
 convenient house will be erected for the residence of 
 the pastor. John Haley, James O'Neill and Michael 
 Ryan are the present Trustees of the Church. Mrs. 
 Wm. B. Kelly, her daughter, Mrs. John Haley and 
 Miss Mabana have been zealous and untiring work- 
 ers for the cause which they espouse, and it is mainly 
 due to their efforts that the society enjoys its present 
 prosperity. Under the leadership of their Pastor, 
 Father McNamara, they will undoubtedly continue 
 in progress and advancement. A choir of ten little 
 girls has been organized by him. Miss Lizzie Haley, 
 a miss of 13 years, presides at the organ. The Par- 
 ish over which the control of Father McNamara ex- 
 tends includes Williamstown, Mt. Haley, Hope, 
 Ingersoll and Freeland Townships. On the 22d of 
 May, 18S4, confirmation was held at the church and 
 conducted by Bishop Richter. A class of 30 was re- 
 ceived into the Church. 
 
 Secret Societies. 
 
 S^M^ 
 
 K^.ECRET orders are not well represented in 
 Midland, there being only two orders now 
 |1[!:3' in existence here, the I. O. O. F. having 
 met with such disastrous losses by fire that the 
 society was discontinued indefinitely. But, 
 doubtless, the various beneficent associations, 
 with their secret signs of mutual recognition, will in- 
 crease in numbers with the increase of population. 
 
 CENTRE LODGE, NO. 273, A. F. & A. .M. 
 
 received its dispensation Nov. 22, 1869. The fol- 
 lowing officers served under dispensation : L. Church, 
 W. M.; S. Olmstead, S. VV.; W. H. Gallenger, 
 J. W.; H. T. Olmstead, Sec; G. A. Janes, Treas.; 
 J. V. Lownsbury, S. D.; Edwin M. Witham, J. D.; 
 Dan W. Chase, Tyler; Wm. McCreight and James 
 W. Allen, Stewards. 
 
 The following gentlemen were charter members : 
 Hiram F. Olmstead, James S. Allen, James V. 
 Lownsbury, Sherman Olmstead, S. A. Bacon, Geo. 
 
 ^3^^^ ^^C^O 3 
 
 Robson, E. M. Witham, Geo. A. Janes, Thomas N. 
 Mcintosh, E. H. Beardsley, B. F. Bradley, William 
 Patrick, W. H. Gallenger, Wm. McCreight, W. H- 
 Reindscoff, Isaac D. Bailey, John W. Anderson, 
 E. F. Gould, Mack Anderson, D. W. Chase and 
 L. Church. The charter was received bearing 
 date Jan. 13, 1870, and the first election under 
 the same was held Jan. 20 of that year. Their 
 lodge room was dedicated February 3, with appro- 
 priate ceremonies, by Deputy Grand Master S. C. 
 Warren and Acting Deputy Grand Master J. B. F. 
 Curtiss, of Flint, Mich., assisted by Acting Deputy 
 Grand Master James Hays, of St. John's Lodge, and 
 Acting Deputy Grand Chaplain J. D. Bailey. The 
 ceremonies closed with a public installation of the 
 following officers : L. Church, W. M.; S. Olmstead, 
 S. W.; W. H. Gallenger, J. W.; H. L. Olmstead, Sec; 
 G. A. Janes, Treas.; J. V. Lownsbury, S. D.; E. M. 
 Witham, J. D.; D. W. Chase, Tyler. 
 
 This lodge has always enjoyed the highest degree 
 of prosperity and numbers at this time about 75 mem- 
 bers. They have in Midland the finest lodge room 
 west of Saginaw, and are out of debt. 
 
 The officers for 1884 are: Rufus T. Clason, W. 
 M.; Charles Fournia, S. W.; Ed. Smith, J. W.; Byron 
 Burch, Sec; W. L. Sias, Treas.; Edwin Witham, S. 
 D.; Maxon Anderson, J. D.; Thomas King, Tyler; 
 Geo. A. Janes, Chaplain; Samuel L. Voshell and 
 Robert Cluff, Stewards. 
 
 ROYAL ARCANUM. 
 
 Midland Council, No. 671, of this beneficiary or- 
 der was instituted April 13, 1882, with 21 charter 
 members. From the date of its organization it has 
 enjoyed the greatest prosperity, and the members 
 are highly delighted with its work. 
 
 The first officers were : J. W. Cochrane, Regent ; 
 W. D. Marsh, Vice Regent ; Geo. C. Presley, Orator ; 
 Henry Hart, Past Regent; Fred T. Reed, Sec; 
 Sam '1 Foster, Collector; Abram Horton, Treas.; Rev. 
 Geo. T. Ellis, Chaplain. 
 
 The present officers are: W. D. March, Regent; 
 William Kelly, Vice Regent ; Clark G. Russell, Ora- 
 tor; Henry Hart, Past Regent; F. T. Reed, Sec; 
 H. L. Fairchilds, Collector and Treasurer; Rev. 
 Geo. T. Ellis, Chaplain. 
 
 KNIGHTS OF LAROR. 
 
 This order, so extensively distributed throughout 
 the United States, is largely represented here. As 
 
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 4^^f^Jl 
 
 404 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
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 (d\ 
 
 sembly No. 2,973 ^^'^^ instituted June 23, 1882, and 
 the growth has been both steady and rapid. The 
 first officers elected were: Wm. Brown, M. W.; 
 Paul Marrin, W. F.; Benjamin Baker, V. S.; Henry 
 Cotes, W. F.; Wm. McGill, A.; Judson W. Coon, R. 
 S.; John W. Ross, F. S.; Harry W. Beacom, W. T.; 
 Robert Murray, S.; Edwin Hodgson, V. K.; Wm. S. 
 Norton, I. C; Chas. Foster, O. C; John McKinney, 
 J.; Daniel McDonald, J. A. 
 
 The above named gentlemen, with Jeremiah Ward, 
 Wm. Cotes, John S. Ayers, James McBaine, James 
 Golden and Aaron Hygate, were charter members. 
 The order now numbers over So persons, all men of 
 intelligence and worth. 
 
 The election of officers for 1884 resulted in a 
 choice of Judge Willard, M. W.; John Mitchell, W. 
 
 ) 
 
 
 F.; Paul Lingal, V. S.; Benjamin Baker, W. I.; John 
 Matthews, A.: Wilson Beardsley, R. S.; H. W. Bea- 
 com, F. S.; John McKay, W. T.; John Bailey, S.; 
 John McKinney, V. K.; Patrick Killian, I. C; Mal- 
 colm McKizie, O. C; Benj. Freeland, J.; Paul Mar- 
 rin, J. A. 
 
 Midland must take a high rank among the villages 
 of Northern Michigan. Outside of the Saginaws and 
 Bay Cities it would be hard to find a place in these 
 northern regions where so many signs of enterprise 
 show themselves. Main Street, with its large brick 
 blocks, filled with all kinds of merchandise, is an 
 honor to her citizens, and of these they may justly 
 be proud. It is the third city of importance on the 
 line of the Flint & Pere Marquette, Saginaw and Bay 
 City alone shipping more products, and that not 
 greatly in excess of Midland. 
 
 V®)g^<®A<2)(2>^^ 
 
 '^^C»^^/^®)g^V<5)(S)€^fG) 
 
 Ej^H^S^ 
 
 ROM the first, the political 
 |» complexion of this county 
 has been strictly Republican. 
 The changes in political sen- 
 timent have for the past few 
 years assimied a more liberal 
 phase, and the old party lines 
 are not so closely adhered to at 
 this time as in former years. 
 The "Greenback" element has 
 grown rapidly among the labor- 
 ing classes, due very largely to 
 the stirring appeals made by the 
 Midland Sun, a staunch advo- 
 cate of that faith. A summary 
 is given below of the officials elected in Midland 
 County since its organization in 1S55, the years of 
 their election being given: 
 
 S. D. Gaskill 
 J. E. Willard 
 
 PROBATE JUDGES. 
 
 1 85 6-68 IF. S. Burton 
 
 1868-76 I James Murphy 
 
 REGISTERS OF DEEDS. 
 
 Solon Kumvill 1856 Asa Bacon 
 
 Geo. Turner r858-6o Geo. C. Presley 
 Nathan E. Carr 1862 Thos. B. Main 
 
 CLERKS. 
 
 1876-80 
 1880 
 
 1864-76 
 1878-80 
 1882 
 
 D. M. R. Wilson 
 Henry Thomson 
 J. L. Eastman 
 James Bean 
 
 John Larkin 
 
 E. J. Brewster 
 
 A. A. St. John 
 \V. Plummer 
 Wm. Davidson 
 
 D. G. W. Whiting 1856-8 
 H. M. Ellsworth i860 
 Geo. Bartlett 1862 
 
 .Alfred Avery 1864-6 
 
 B. F. Keating 1868 
 
 1856-8 
 i860 
 1862-4 
 1866 
 
 TREASURERS. 
 
 1856-74 Roger W. Clason 
 1876-80 
 
 SHERIFFS. 
 
 Alfred Avery 
 Charles Oscar 
 John y. Ryan 
 M. Wl Ryan 
 
 1 868 
 
 1870-4 
 
 1876-82 
 
 1882 
 
 1870-2 
 1874-6 
 1878-80 
 1882 
 
 V^ 
 
 6-=.; 
 
 
 
 <<3 
 
 ^nmniif^ 
 
V 
 
 > 
 /N 
 
 *^: 
 
 s 
 
 b 
 
 MIDLAND cou.vry. 
 
 f? 
 
 CIPXUIT COURT 
 
 J. G. Sutherland 1856 
 
 L. P. Bailey 1858 
 
 C. T. Atvvell i860 
 L. P. Bailey 1862 
 
 ^ T. P. Tucker 1864 
 
 Henry Hart 1 866 
 
 D. \V. Hitchcock 1S6S 
 
 COMMISSIONERS. 
 
 Henry Hart 
 C. W. Tindall 
 Byron D. Burch 
 Wm. Pluuimer 
 Wm. D. Gordon 
 H. L. Fairchild 
 
 1870- 
 
 1874 
 
 1876 
 
 1878 
 
 1880 
 
 1882 
 
 Harvey Lyons 1856 
 G. F. Hemingway 1858 
 D. M. R. Wilson i860 
 L. P. Bailey 1862 
 
 C. B. Wright 1864 
 
 Henry Hart 1866-8 
 
 G.F.Hemingway 1870 
 
 PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 
 
 J. Van Kleeck 
 M. H. Stanford 
 J. Van Kleeck 
 D. W. Hitchcock 
 J. Van Kleeck 
 Wm. D. Gordon 
 
 1872 
 1874 
 1876 
 [878 
 18S0 
 
 - <«« 
 
 -l^w "i..;. ■"~ ^— *- 
 
 >»» 
 
 . ^a.^Slkl i 
 
 (^ 
 
 
 mwsv^ 
 
 ''in 
 
 EMINISCENCES of great in- 
 terest are related of the early 
 pioneers, some of which are 
 here published to perpetuate 
 still further the characteristic 
 traits with which those who 
 have been residents of the 
 ty for a quarter of a century are 
 ;e familiar. Among those who 
 in the village of Midland is Jo- 
 Townsend, who was reared from 
 ifancy in the woods of this county, 
 his youthful days were spent in 
 ting, with Indians, the game 
 ^ which at an early day abounded in 
 
 the forests. Some graphic accounts have been given 
 the historian of his exploits in the chase, a few in- 
 stances of which are here published. 
 
 Capture of Cubs. 
 
 HEN a lad 14 years of age he, in company 
 
 with young Pay-mos-ey-gay, the son of 
 
 the noted chief of that name, started one 
 
 morning to hunt for small game, having no 
 
 '' weapons save a bow and arrow. Proceeding 
 
 only a short distance, they came upon an old 
 
 ■bear with her two cubs. The boys gave chase 
 
 and the bears took to trees, each climbing separate 
 ones. Wishing to capture the cubs, it was decided 
 that Pay-inos ey-gay should watch the trees while 
 Joseph went for his father, the house being only a 
 half mile distant. Arriving there, Joseph learned 
 that his fatlier was away, and he started for the 
 home of his companion, which was only a few rods 
 distant. 
 
 Stating the facts to the mother of Pay-mos ey-gay, 
 she accompanied him, taking her blanket along. 
 Making their way as rapidly as possible to the place 
 where the lad was engaged in making noise enough 
 to keep the animals from descending, they found the 
 bears still in the trees, but evidently very anxious to 
 come down. Mrs. Pay-mos-ey-gay hastily stripped 
 off some birch bark, and the young hunters ascended 
 the trees upon which the cubs were seeking safety. 
 Pay-mos-ey-gay shook the cub quite easily from the 
 limb upon which it had taken refuge, and it was 
 caught by his mother in the blanket as it fell. Tying 
 it securely to a tree, arrangements were made to se- 
 cure the other in a similar way. This was not so 
 easily done, however; for the cub showed fight, and 
 attacked 3'oung Townsend quite savagely, biting and 
 scratching him until his hands and arms were cov- 
 ered with blood. Being quite plucky, Joseph main- 
 tained his position as well as he was able, and at last 
 succeeded in shaking it from the tree. 
 
 Vto; 
 
 9 
 
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 D)4^?fss>- 
 
 ^^iia^nii^^v^ 
 
■^rr^K-. 
 
 <m^m>7 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 i' 
 
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 The two cubs being well secured, the boys started 
 homeward highly elated with their success, Mrs. 
 Pay-mos-ey-gay bringing up the rear. The old bear 
 came down from her perch and followed close be- 
 hind, growling and snapping her teeth. When she 
 came too close, the old lady would brandish her 
 tomahawk and shout, which for the time kept her at 
 a distance. The old bear grew bolder as they neared 
 home and ventured to come within a few feet of them. 
 The party were debating the question of dropping 
 ihe cubs and making good their escape, when a rifle 
 shot rung out upon the morning air and the old bear 
 tumbled to the ground. Mr. Townsend had re- 
 turned, and, his wife informing liim of the game the 
 boys were after, he had started to aid them and 
 made his appearance just in time. The scars young 
 Townsend received that day will be carried as long 
 as he lives, and will ever remind him of his first ven- 
 ture in the capture of a live bear. 
 
 1 ^— si^— ^ ? 
 
 Townsend Chased by a Deer. 
 
 sIfSMt another time Mr. Townsend started off for 
 sJ^h a hunt, but had gone only a little distance 
 6^ from the house before he heard a deer coming, 
 followed by a hound which had taken the trail. 
 Taking a stand behind a tree, he espied the 
 deer, a large buck, coming, and, hastily putting 
 up his gun, fired, the ball striking the deer in the 
 head, knocking out one of its eyes. The wound 
 crazed the deer and he began turning around with 
 great rapidity. Townsend proceeded to reload the 
 gun, but the bullet became lodged, and despite his 
 efforts would not go down. The deer espied him at 
 last, and, maddened by the wound, attacked him with 
 great fury. Townsend ran around a tree, closely 
 pursued by the deer, until, weakened from pain and 
 fatigue, the buck lay down a few feet from Joseph, 
 who now again tried to force the bullet down in his 
 gun. 
 
 At this juncture the dog came up and caught the 
 deer by the nose, when a rough-and-tumble struggle 
 commenced. Townsend threw down his gun, and, 
 running to the deer, caught it by its hind legs and 
 endeavored to throw it down. This he failed to ac- 
 complish, and, becoming tired and fearful that the 
 deer might escape in spite of himself and the dog, he 
 
 halloed for help. It happened that Henry Potter 
 and Daniel Cronkright had just arrived at his house, 
 and, hearing the shot and baying of the dog, were 
 upon the eve of starting to the spot when the hallo 
 for help reached their ears. It being no uncommon 
 thing for hunters to be attacked by bears, they made 
 "all possible speed and reached the spot as Town- 
 send's strength was nearly gone. Their united efforts 
 finally succeeded in throwing the animal on its side, 
 when it was dispatched, even then with difficulty. 
 The dog had not relinquished his first hold, and had 
 ground its nose to a pulp with his teeth. 
 
 Deer-hunting with Townsend was a perfect speci- 
 alty, and he had slaughtered scores of them. The 
 last instance in which the task of throwing a deer 
 was attempted cured him of all desire for that kind 
 of sport, and is here related somewhat briefly. 
 
 -tS!" 
 
 A Deer Chased by Townsend. 
 
 SitAVING only a couple of bullets in his 
 ii pockets, he started out to kill a squirrel. 
 >d>t About half a mile above where the village of 
 Midland is now located he saw a deer and 
 fired, wounding, but not entirely disabling it. 
 The deer made for the river, into which it 
 plunged, but, seeing the dog on the opposite side, 
 continued swimming down stream without attempting 
 to land. Townsend fired the remaining ball, but the 
 deer continued its course. Having no more bullets, 
 he made up his mind to catch the buck when it made 
 an attempt to land should it come out on his side. 
 Following it down the river for almost a mile. Town- 
 send saw the deer making for the shore, and, running 
 down to the bank, squatted in the pea vines which 
 grew in abundance. The buck gained the shore and 
 came clambering up the steep bank directly toward 
 Townsend, who, when it nearly reached him, sprang 
 forward and caught it by both fore-legs. The deer 
 gave a tremendous leap and gained the top of the 
 bank with Joseph still hanging to its legs! Then 
 commenced a struggle for the mastery, in which first 
 one then the other was on top. The deer kicked 
 nearly all the clothes off Townsend's body and 
 bruised him quite severely, yet he held on. After a 
 long struggle he succeeded in opening his knife and 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 •';^^^^ 
 
 --^^((gvil) 
 
 407 
 
 cutting the deer's throat. When this was accom- 
 plished he stood up, and, putting his foot upon the 
 dying buck, remarked as he glanced at his torn and 
 muddy garments, "D — n ye! I've got ye at last." 
 Just at this moment a ringing laugh at his side 
 startled him, and his uncle, Charles Cronkright, 
 stepped from behind a tree, — " You've done pretty 
 well, Jo," said he, " for I've watched the wliole per- 
 formance." 
 
 .The fact tliat this was done without lending a 
 heliiing hand made Tovvnsend angry, and he would 
 not allow his uncle to have any of the venison wliich 
 lie had labored so hard to secure. 
 
 — #^^iB-<^€~ 
 
 Thirteen Deer in a Snow Prison. 
 
 ' NE other incident is related of early days, 
 lift which is true, although seemingly incredible. 
 In 1S54 there was a tremendous snow- 
 storm, lasting for several days, and the snow, 
 when it ceased, was four feet deep en a level. 
 A cold, drizzling rain set in, which, freezing as 
 it tell, formed a hard crust upon the snow, and travel, 
 except upon snow-shoes, was impossible. 
 
 Close to the Townsends lived a number of Indians, 
 one of whom was observed to come home every day 
 dragging behind him a deer. This was something 
 out of the usual order of things, and he was watched 
 by the Townsends. The next day he returned with 
 another deer. Joseph and his father sat out in quest 
 of the bonanza, and soon found the trail made by 
 the Indian, which was followed only a few rods into 
 the forest when they came upon a drove of deer 13 
 in number! They were hemmed in by a snow wall 
 nearly five feet in height, the space which they occu- 
 pied being less than 50 feet square. A trail led from 
 that to a clump of small pines near by, where a sim- 
 ilar enclosure had been formed, the deer having 
 taken refuge among these pines wliile the storm was 
 in progress, and in walking about had kept the snow 
 beaten down. The animals had evidently been thus 
 imprisoned for several weeks, subsisting entirely on 
 the pine boughs. The Indian had found them while 
 hunting, and instead of killing them with a rifle, had 
 been knocking them in the head with his hatchet, to 
 avoid letting his neighbors know of the " find." 
 
 The Townsends carried one home that and the 
 next day, when a warm rain came, melting the crust, 
 and the deer were liberated. 
 
 Surprise to Gov. Begole. 
 
 VY another time the present Governor Begole 
 -j-^^^ came to Mr. Townsend's house to stay all 
 ,&§/ night, being in the neighborhood looking after 
 i?,r his lands. They had a venison steak for sup- 
 per, which Mr. Begole enjoyed "immensely.' 
 Expressing a desire to have a piece of nice venison to 
 take home, Jo told him that perhaps a deer might be 
 secured in time, although he intended returning the 
 next morning. Arising early, Mr. Town send shoul- 
 dered his rifle, and, as good fortune would have it, 
 he had not been gone more than a half hour wlien he 
 brought down a fine buck. The deer was taken 
 home, dressed, and some savory steaks \vere frying 
 when Mr. Begole came out ready for breakfast. He 
 expressed much surprise that a deer could be found 
 so early in the morning, and enjoyed the satisfaction 
 of knowing that he was to carry home the "saddle" 
 of a prime deer. 
 
 Townsend had since then forgotten all about the 
 affair until the Governor casually mentioned it a 
 short time ago. 
 
 Hard Times. 
 
 
 pir^i 
 
 I 
 
 ' — ' 
 
 I — r 
 
 
 x?lOME of the early settlers had very hard 
 t times in making a living for their families. 
 ''' Teams were scarce, and the land was 
 covered witli stumps to such a degree that 
 farming could hardly be thought of. 
 
 Uncle Jacolj Wiltz, one of the pioneers of 
 Homer Township, had an old ox that he called Tom, 
 which did all his own work and much also for the 
 neighbors for two or three years. Old Tom was used 
 for plowing, log-rolling and going to mill ; and Uncle 
 Wiltz yet remarks that Tom made the handsomest 
 team he ever owned. 
 
 Mr. Wil'z used to split shingles, tie thn bunches 
 
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 ■^m'wm>^^ — ^^ 
 
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 )(^tl 
 
 ^9- 
 
 T<-:llIl^llllr>-rT^ :^^^ #^§^((®VS 
 
 408 
 
 
 t 
 
 
 :^: 
 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 together with a rope and float them to Saginaw, 
 guiding them by means of his canoe, which was tlie 
 usual method of conveyance to and from Saginaw. 
 The shingles, after being thus made and taken to 
 market, only brought §3 per thousand, and tlie goods 
 purchased were sold at exorbitant figures, thus mak- 
 ing it hard to support the family with even the most 
 rigid economy. 
 
 Indian Small-Pox. 
 
 HE first frame barn erected in the county 
 was built by Charles Fitzhugh, at a point 
 tsJ&S"'^'* opposite the town of Midland. 'I'heie 
 ■^. were no carpenters in the country, and Fitz- 
 T hugh employed a man by the name of Cham- 
 I berlain, who lived ten miles below, to build it. 
 Chamberlain frequently walked home nights, as his 
 family were alone and the small-pox was at that time 
 raging fearfully among the Indians, and likely to 
 make its appearance at any time in his family. Tlie 
 mortality among the Indians was enormous, the 
 "medicine man" being powerless to relieve them. 
 Delirious, burning with fever, they would crawl from 
 their huts along tlie river bank to the edge of 
 the stream, where, drinkmg their fill, many 
 of them died, and their bodies were often found 
 floating in the river. 
 
 But to return to the story. Chamberlain was com- 
 ing from home early one morning, and, feeling 
 thirsty, stopped below a clump of willows which 
 grew along the river bank and took a hearty draught 
 of the cold water. As he continued his journey he 
 espied two dead Indians floating among the willows 
 hot 30 feet from the place where he had been drink- 
 ing! The remembrance of this event effectually 
 cured him of drir.kmg river water. 
 
 ^feuMA, 
 
 Indian Etiquette — Ugh! 
 
 \ N the spring of 1S46, John A. Whitman was 
 t making sugar, and the trees were running 
 copiously. The Indians on the opposite 
 Wiy side of the river had made preparations for, 
 p*; and were just beginning, their " sugar dance," 
 when Whitman was sent for. As he was then 
 engaged in " sugaring off, ' it was impossible to leave 
 
 his kettles. The Indians were determined to have 
 him come, however, and sent two young squaws over 
 to attend the kettles. Mr. Whitman crossed the 
 river in the canoe used by tlie squaws, and found the 
 Indians having a "high old time." Wliisky in 
 abundance had been procured, and nearly all of 
 them, both male and female, were already drunk, 
 wjiile the old squaws were busily engaged making 
 sturgeon soup in huge iron kettles. Whitman was 
 handed a dish, and an old squaw poured in a gourd- 
 ful of soup, which was too hot to drink. After hold- 
 ing it a short time in his hands, the squaw came 
 back to ascertain if it had cooled enough, and while 
 trying to taste it she, being quite drunk, fell forward 
 and stuck her face into the dish up to her ayes. To 
 refuse eating tlie soup would have been a breach of 
 etiquette which an Indian would not have overlooked, 
 and Mr. Whitman swallowed it like a martyr. His 
 taste for sturgeon soup has never been so good 
 since ! 
 
 •se'-- 
 
 k 
 
 A Bear's Vengeance. 
 
 ~ M. Davis, while out hunting near John 
 Whitman's, came up to a number of In- 
 i^i^ ' dians that had gone into camp near the 
 V river. Davis had been unsuccessful in the 
 chase, and told the Indians if they would 
 find a bear they should be paid for their trouble, 
 as he was quite anxious to kill' one. Two of them 
 started out, and soon returned with the information 
 that a fine cub was in a tree about half a mile distant. 
 The place was described, and Davis started, feeling 
 quite elated at the prospect of securing such noble 
 game. Reaching the place indicated, he saw the cub 
 extended on a limb, lazily sucking its paw. In his 
 hurry to fire, the aim was not accurately taken and 
 the cub but slightly wounded. It set up a howl as 
 it tumbled from the tree, but, falling in a clump of 
 briers, Davis could not see closely enough to get 
 another shot. As he was cr.-'.wling about upon his 
 hands and knees to get another shot, the old bear came 
 tearing through the bushes and attacked him furious- 
 ly, grabbing him by the seat of his trousers and shak- 
 ing him as if he were a rat. This scared Davis so 
 badly that in his fright the gun, which was already 
 cocked, was discharged, leaving him comparatively 
 
 
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 MWLANn COUNTY. 
 
 409 
 
 at the mercy of Mrs. Bruin. Davis called loudly for 
 help, and struggled so manfully that he finally escaped 
 from the old bear's clutches, minus the major part of 
 his trousers and vest. Mr. Whitman, having heard 
 his first cries, went to his relief, and the two managed 
 to dispatch both the old bear and the cub. It was 
 providential that Mr. Whitman was so near, else the 
 second attack of tiie old bear might have resulted 
 disastrously for Davis, such animals frequently becom- 
 ing ([uite vindictive while protecting their young. 
 
 Three "Immense" Bears! 
 
 fjn'rOHN Whitman tells a story about a fellow 
 named Wm. Perkins, who used to live in 
 ' Edenville Township. Perkins came down 
 to Whitman's neighborhood, and while roaming 
 in the woods espied three bear cubs in a tree. 
 Although he had a gun, he was quite cowardly, 
 and seeing so many bears at once frightened him so 
 badly that his gun was discharged by accident. He 
 ran as fast as his legs could carry him to Mr. Whit- 
 man's house, and imparted the information that he 
 had seen three immense bears out in the woods, and 
 asked Mr. Whitman to go with him and help kill 
 them. When they arrived the cubs were still on 
 the tree, but were so small that they more nearly 
 resembled raccoons than bears. 
 
 This occurrence was esteemed ([uite a joke in 
 pioneer life, for bears were so numerous and the men 
 so fearless that to run from a bear, much less a cub, 
 was considered disgraceful. 
 
 Over-ruling the Verdict. 
 
 MOME of the most amusing things happen- 
 ing in an early day were the dicisions given 
 by some of the local justices of the peace. 
 
 One of the first justices in the county was Tom. 
 K. Townsend, who attended to most of the 
 legal business in the neighborhood of Midland. 
 A case of assault and battery was brought before him 
 at an early day and the parties demanded a trial l)y 
 jury. Alfred Willie had struck James Hill, and the 
 
 parties were arrested by Joe Townsend, who was 
 then acting as constable. Being men of note and 
 having considerable money, both the parties to the 
 suithad employed counsel from Saginaw, and the case 
 was heard upon its merits, a great deal of sharp firing 
 being indulged in by the lawyers. Their pleas to the 
 jury were masterly efforts, and these tried and true 
 men retired to deliberate and bring in their verdict. 
 After being out a short time they decided that the 
 provocation was ample enough to allow Willie to 
 strike Hill, and as but little physical damage had 
 been done the damage was placed at " six cents." 
 This raised the ire of Esquire Townsend, who gave 
 the jury to understand that "six cents" would not 
 settle the matter, and, over-ruling their verdict, 
 promptly fined Willie $2, and costs of suit. 
 
 Indian Shrewdness in Court. 
 
 I^^ENRY C. Ashman, although a half-breed 
 || Indian, was, in his day, accounted the most 
 shrewd lawyer in Northern Michigan. The 
 Bar of Saginaw would rather meet any lawyer in 
 the State than Ashman, for his legal tricks al- 
 most always proved more than a match for their 
 eloquence. 
 
 Henry went to Saginaw one day "on a bum," and it 
 happened that an Irishman had stolen a pig from 
 some one in the neighborhood, and was then arraigned 
 before his honor, Seth Willie. The complainant had 
 employed eminent counsel, and the pig having been 
 found in possession of the Irishman, his conviction 
 seemed certain. The poor fellow from Erin did not 
 seem to understand the gravity of the offence, and 
 had not employed any lawyer to defend him. Henry 
 Ashman, seeing a number of men gathered about the 
 cabin where the Justice held his court, sauntered up to 
 see what was going on. Esquire Willie happened to see 
 Ashman coming, and called him in. He told Henry 
 to take charge of his prisoner's case, as he had em- 
 ployed no lawyer. Ashman said he would do it, but 
 as he knew nothing whatever about the circumstances 
 leading to the arrest, would first have to talk a few 
 minutes with the Irishman. As there was but one 
 room, in which the Esquire, counsel for the plaintiff 
 and the loafers were crowded. Ashman asked that 
 the prisoner be allowed to step outside for a few 
 
 ^ 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTS 
 
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 minutes. Leave being granted, they withdrew, and 
 Ashman, taking the fellow around the corner of the 
 house, said : "Did you steal that hog ?" "Yes," said 
 Pat. "Have you got any money," asked Ashman. 
 "Tin dollars, me frind," answered the Irishman. 
 "Then give me half of it," said Ashman, "and skip 
 for the woods, and don't stop, for they'll have you 
 sure if you are caught." The fellow handed him five 
 dollars and fled like a frightened deer for the woods, 
 and to this date has never been heard of. 
 
 Ashman sat down on a stump outside and com- 
 placently lighted his pipe. After waiting, as the Jus- 
 tice thought, quite long enough for the necessary in- 
 formation to be obtained, a messenger was dispatched 
 to tell them to come in. Ashman responded promptly, 
 when the Justice, seeing him alone, asked where the 
 prisoner was. "Gone to h — 1, d — n him!" said Ash- 
 man. "The d— d Irishman stole the r.og and I 
 wouldn't have anything to do with him. He con- 
 fessed to me that he stole the hog. Let him rip, and 
 enter a verdict of guilty." This announcement was 
 a poser to everybody but Ashman, but as the prisoner 
 was "non est," nothing more could be done. 
 
 Swallowed the Account. 
 
 l{^^«!l,T another time Mr. Ashman was employed 
 ^^S^^'L hy Frank Cole to defend his c ause. P. C. 
 '3'!®'^ Andre, a merchant, had sued him for a bill 
 ':^-^P which had been accumulating for some time, 
 •K and Cole refused to pay. Andre had kept no 
 1 book account, but simply marked the items 
 on a sheet of paper. He had every lawyer employed 
 that resided in Saginaw, hoping by this means to keep 
 Cole from employing any but a shyster; but in this 
 he was mistaken. The trial commenced, and the 
 lawyers for Andre chuckled with satisfaction as they 
 imagined the discomfiture of Ashman. As no books 
 had been kept, the account was brought into court 
 and was lying on the table, around which was seated 
 the legal luminaries with their books already marked 
 at every point whicli had a bearing on their case. 
 
 Ashman's quick eye discerned the important paper 
 which contained the items, dates, £tc., and knowing 
 that his client's case was hopeless unless this paper 
 could be secured, cautiously reached out his hand, 
 
 and, while the attention of the attorneys was engaged 
 elsewhere, he slipped the paper into his mouth in 
 bits, and calmly chewed and swallowed the entire ac- 
 count! He was just finishing the last piece when one 
 of his opponents noticed the manneuver and also 
 missed the account. 
 
 "We are ready for trial, your honor," said Ashman, 
 as he coolly expectorated the last mouthful of the 
 well masticated account into the cuspidore. "If there 
 be no objection I should like to look at the account 
 against my client," said Ashman. A search for the 
 paper failed to produce it. Tiie lawyer who had 
 noticed him manipulating the paper declared that 
 Ashman had swallowed it. "Prove it, tlien," said this 
 erratic individual. Tlie account being thus disposed 
 of, the case was dismissed at complainant's cost, and 
 another victory, although somewhat dishonestly 
 gained, was checked up against the Saginaw lawyers. 
 Ashman was then and there voted the most adroit 
 knave among them all. 
 
 The Champion Drinker. 
 
 Tg e '/'■'■ -^ 
 
 T; pf;: ARVEY LYON, one of the oldest veterans 
 
 *:->-/; now living in Midland, relates with great 
 
 -' , ■'■" yusto some of the old-tune remmiscences 
 
 ^■v* • ■ 
 
 (JJ lii which he look an active part. According to 
 
 i his story, every one of the early settlers was a 
 
 I lover of whisky, and it formed a staple article 
 
 of sustenance in many cases. In the days that 
 
 canoes carried all the provisions from Saginaw, every 
 
 one upon his return journey brought back a gallon or 
 
 two of whisky. Vovagers going down would row 
 
 across to the canoe that was coming up, and the jug 
 
 was put into circulation, thus making merry all hands 
 
 around. 
 
 A lot of the fellows living in the neighborhood of 
 
 Midland had been down to Saginaw, and did not 
 
 arrive home until almost morning. They put up at 
 
 Larkin's Hotel, all of them being pretty well "corned," 
 
 which of course added nothing lothe quietness which 
 
 ought to prevail in a well regulated hotel so early in 
 
 the morning. Yarns were told, songs sung and a 
 
 general revelry continued until almost daylight, when 
 
 those who were fullest became drowsy, and most of 
 
 them went to sleep. 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 Among the wide-awake ones was William Mc- 
 Crary. A stranger came into the bar-room about 
 daybreak with a jug to get some liquor. The jug 
 proved too small to hold the contents of the measure, 
 and a glassful was left, — not one of the kind that 
 holds a " thimbleful," but a good old-fashioned one 
 that encircles a pint of the precious fluid. The cor- 
 dial stranger, wishing to appear social, passed around 
 the glass to the boys who were yet awake, but all of 
 them declined on the score of having already as 
 much sail as they could carry, until the fellow came 
 to McCrary. When the glass was proffered to "Mac" 
 he said, " I don't like to see ye drink alone, stranger; 
 so, go ahead and I'll help you out." The fellow in- 
 sisted upon McCvary taking the first draught, which 
 he declined but subsequently accepted, as he "didn't 
 want to hurt the feelings of the stranger." Without 
 drawing a breath or removing his lips from the glass 
 he drained it of its contents, and, turning to the as- 
 tonished looker-on, said, " I should call this pretty 
 good liquor." "Yes, it is," said the stranger, " and I 
 think you have the best throat for it I have ever 
 seen!" 
 
 McCrary still lives, despite the pernicious effects of 
 the " thistle dew," and is one of the greatest temper- 
 ance advocates of Edenville Township and one of 
 her most respected men. 
 
 At an early day it was considered just the thing to 
 be able to knock a man out in four rounds, and to 
 stand up after drinking the balance of the boys 
 drunk was an accomplishment to be proud of. Sun- 
 days were always spent at " The Forks," as Midland 
 was then called, in jumping, wrestling, shooting at 
 mark, and other athletic sports, and men would come 
 for miles away to have a jolly time together on that 
 day. 
 
 Another Liquor Story. 
 
 1 
 
 WO brothers-in-law, Nathaniel Huntley and 
 George Eldridge, were residents of Eden. 
 _ ville Township at an early day. They had 
 
 ■ U^i* a dispute about some trivial matter, and Hunt- 
 ley made a pass with his fist as though he in- 
 tended knocking Eldiidge down. Eldridge, not 
 to be thus intimidated, let fly with his "right duke" 
 and Huntley was knocked senseless. After recover- 
 
 ing consciousness, Huntley picked himself up and 
 called at the office of Justice Geo. Baker, who, after 
 hearing a recital of Huntley's wrongs, issued a war- 
 rant for the arrest of Eldridge. The parties with 
 their witnesses came up for trial, and after the 
 evidence had been heard and sifted by the legal 
 functionaries, he decided that both parties were 
 equally guilty, and fined Huntley $5 for assault, and 
 Eldridge $5 for battery, and each one to pay half 
 the costs. The latter refused to pay his fine, and 
 the Justice issued a commitment. John Nottingham, 
 the Constable, started with his prisoner to Midland. 
 They had proceeded as far as Edenville, when they 
 stopped at the saloon to get a drink. The boys who 
 were congregated around joined in a "health to Eld- 
 ridge," a " successful journey," etc., until the consta- 
 ble became very much intoxicated, — so much so that 
 he could travel no farther, and consequently remained 
 a guest at the hotel for a couple of days. In the 
 meantime Eldridge returned home, and when Not- 
 tingham had sufficiently recovered from his spree he 
 did likewise. This ended the case nothing more be- 
 ing done by Esquire Baker, he seeming to be well 
 pleased with the fine and costs paid by Huntley. 
 
 A Fine to be Paid in Liquor. 
 
 ^mMM. 
 
 
 Vto; 
 
 9 
 
 V) 
 
 ' I r,LY McCraiy, at an early day in the his- 
 '\ tory of Averill, started a saloon and lunch 
 ' counter in that burg, which was known as 
 the "Red Keg." Averill being the terminus 
 for some time of the Flint & Pere Marquette 
 Road, every one that wanted to come to 
 Midland on the cars made that place an objective 
 point. A number of men from the lumber camp at 
 "Sixteen" came to Averill one day "on a bum," and 
 the "Red Keg" was headquarters, of course. 
 
 Among the men who were imbibing most liberally 
 was a woodsman who at last did something which 
 ve.xed McCrary, .and the latter with a well-aimed 
 blow knocked the fellow out of time and tune. A 
 constable standing near arrested "Billy," and was 
 just starting over to the office of a Justice, when 
 Charley Axford, one of the most widely known men 
 in the county, stepped up and said, "What are you 
 taking him to a Justice for .' Try him before me; I 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 am in the business and can do it as well as any- 
 body." To this the parties agreed, and they ad- 
 journed to Avery's hotel. "Stand up, Billy; God 
 Almighty made you," said A.\ford. "Are you guilty 
 or not guilty.'" "Guilty, your honor," said McCrary. 
 "Then I fine you $3 and whisky for the crowd," was 
 Axford's reply ; "we will now adjourn to the 'Red 
 Keg' and collect the fine and costs." The boys took 
 a drink, and 'Squire Axford, laying the $3 on the 
 counter which McCrary had just paid, said, "Let's 
 put the fine with the costs. Set 'em up, Billy, as 
 long as the money holds out." Thus was justice 
 meted out and everybody satisfied! 
 
 Did Not Pass. 
 
 ^^^MrHE second candidate for admission to the 
 Bar was Leonidas P. Bailey. He had been 
 Justice of the Peace several terms and had 
 ;r„v> read souie in the statutes of Michigan. Judge 
 Turner presided, and Bailey came up smiling 
 to the front to be questioned. Hon. John 
 Moore and two other gentlemen were appointed a 
 committee to examine hi.n, and it was observed that 
 Bailey answered promptly and correctly. 
 
 One of the others was then asked to question him, 
 and the answers suddenly became defective and less 
 brilliant than before. Judge Turner noticed Bailey's 
 confusion and suggested that Mr. Moore should pro- 
 ceed with the questions, as Mr. Bailey was quite 
 bashful. " Your Honor," said Mr. Moore, "I have 
 already asked him all the questions he gave me, and 
 I fear what I should ask would nonplus the candi- 
 date more than those already propounded!" 
 
 It is needless, perhaps, to add that the candidate 
 did not pass. 
 
 Liquor Still Ahead. 
 
 rii/ !«^^vENRY W. Patterson employed Ashman as 
 T jii;^; counsel in a case in which damages were 
 ^ claimed by reason of Charles Fitzhugh's 
 horse coming through a fence and destroying 
 Patterson's wheat. The horse was confined in- 
 side a brush fence, but, breaking through, had 
 opportunity to do the mischief. It was not denied 
 
 that the horse did the damage, but Fitzhugh claimed 
 that his was a "legal brush fence." The trouble 
 seemed to be in establishing what kind of a fence 
 constituted a legal one of the kind mentioned, sev- 
 eral witnesses testifying as to their opinion regarding 
 it. Ashman swore that a brush fence, to be legal, 
 must be "four rods high and six rods wide !" The 
 case was decided against Patterson, who took it to 
 the Circuit Court at Saginaw, leaving it in charge of 
 Ashman, who, when the case was called, was so full 
 of "tanglefoot" that he forgot to appear, and of course 
 it was decided atjainst Patterson the second time. 
 
 Divorced by a Justice. 
 
 Abraham Egbert, the pioneer of Egbert 
 ir Township, was its first Justice. It is rela- 
 ..;* " ted of him that he married a German by the 
 name of Jacob Hagar, to a German woman 
 li^" fresh from the old country. After living 
 1 together for several months in rather an unsat- 
 isfactory manner, they again appealed to Egbert, who 
 divorced them, as he supposed, in a legitimate way. 
 The leaf of the docket containing a full history of 
 the affair was abstracted from that record by Timothy 
 Jerome and given to a friend in Detroit, who had it 
 framed and kept it for years as a relic. This was un- 
 fortunately lost. 
 
 
 Inquest, Liquor, Peculation. 
 
 HILE Axford was acting Justice, a man 
 _ by the name of Johnson was found dead 
 
 Pi^ ' uix)n the ice a few miles above "Sixteen," 
 ■ and a team was sent up to bring the body 
 down to the hotel, that an inquest might be 
 * held, as it was too intensely cold for the same 
 
 to be conducted where the body was found. The 
 remains were placed in a room at the hotel, a jury 
 was empaneled, Tom Moore acted as clerk, and the 
 inquest proceeded. Johnson was quite well known 
 at "Sixteen," and the boys were bound to do the fair 
 thing at the incpiest, if they never had while John- 
 son was one of their number. 
 
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 At the beginning of the inquest there was a ten- 
 gallon keg of whisky in the 100m, but it disappeared 
 very rapidly, and testimony Ijecame harder and 
 harder to procure. One of the witnesses was a 
 teamster who was anxious to go on with his logging, 
 and the evening of the second day he hitched up his 
 horses and started for the camp. Moore told Esq. 
 Axford that it was against the law for a witness to 
 leave before the trial was over. A cajjins was issued 
 and an officer dispatched for the fellow who had so 
 signally offended the dignity of the court. The 
 officer returned the next day with the unwilling wit- 
 ness, and he was given a hearing before the magis- 
 trate, who imposed a fine of $10 and costs for his 
 "contempt of court." 
 
 The inquest then proceeded, and as the last drop 
 of whisky was drawn out of the keg on the evening 
 of the third day a verdict was reachedj which de- 
 termined that Johnson came to his death from natural 
 causes, he being too drunk to withstand the cold 
 which then prevailed. 
 
 Axford agreed to give Tom Moore half the fee be 
 received from the county, and put in his bill for $120; 
 but the Board of Supervisors allowed only $40, which 
 he kept, insisting always that he could not collect 
 Moore's half! 
 
 
 A Sheriff Done For. 
 
 [S most business affairs were conducted at 
 %, "Sixteen," a ereat many reminiscences cen- 
 |ll^^?^ ter there. Many of the men were a lawless 
 set, as inentioned in the history of Edenville, 
 
 .;(^ while others were peaceable and law-abiding 
 
 I citizens. 
 
 Charley Axford had given a mortgage upon his 
 team, which Sheriff Rankin, of Saginaw, came to 
 Edenville to close. Axford not being at home, sev- 
 eral of the boys concluded not to let Rankin take 
 the team. Waiting until the Sheriff went to the barn 
 for them, Will McKeever, Thomas Moore and Dan 
 E. Grover locked the door and gave Rankin to un- 
 derstand that his fate would be slow starvation unless 
 he consented at once to leave and never show his 
 face in the township again. To this Rankin con- 
 sented, and Moore let him out at the door. Rankin 
 
 did make tracks as lively as possible, leaving the 
 team behind, which to this date has not been called 
 for. 
 
 <«Aeer!s^g-«— ^^^^ 
 
 .^^%iU7P!i^ 
 
 Serio- Comical. 
 
 ^Js^^ 
 
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 <^I1!1 
 
 STORY is told about Tom Snj der, of Eden- 
 ville, that is well worth preserving. He was 
 one of the greatest cowards when he came 
 the into woods that ever lived, and feared even 
 the rustle of the wind through the pine trees, 
 detecting in every breath the steps of an ap- 
 proaching bear or a wily Indian. 
 
 Tom had a few dollars in money when he arrived 
 at " Sixteen," but, like many other fellows, had spent 
 it nearly all before making an effort to do anything. 
 Instead of working, Tom decided to become a hunter, 
 and, purchasing a long rifle, one large and one small 
 revolver, a dirk knife, with plenty of tobacco and 
 ammunition, he made his way into the forests border- 
 ing on Tobacco Creek. Here he tramped and hunt- 
 ed and fished for more than a month, frightening away 
 the small amount of game accidentally stumbled upon, 
 but killing nothing. H§ had boarded during the 
 time with a family living in the woods, who, despair- 
 ing of getting their pay, seized his rifle for the debt. 
 Tom having neither gun nor ammunition, thought 
 best to go down to "Sixteen " and get a job. He 
 started down the Tobacco in a canoe that he had 
 built with boards, detetmined to leave nothing behin'd, 
 and feeling much safer on the water, for there neither 
 Indian nor prowling lynx could creep upon him un- 
 awares. His knife was carried in his belt, the small 
 revolver in his breast pocket, the large one in the hip, 
 or pistol, pocket of his trowsers. 
 
 It was late in the afternoon of a November day 
 that Tom embarked. The ice was rapidly forming 
 along the banks of the stream, and the wind howled 
 disrnally through the tree-tops. He was lazily drift- 
 ing along when a splash in the water behind him 
 arrested his attention. " What if it should be an 
 Indian throwing at me?" feaifully soliloquized Tom. 
 Feeling for his revolver, he was horrified to find it 
 gone. It occurred to him that perhaps it had fallen 
 into the water when the splash was heard. He con- 
 cluded to tie up the boat, take off his clothes and feel 
 
 
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 414 
 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 around for it, as most of his wealth was represented 
 by it. Acting upon this idea, Tom waded into the 
 freezing water up to his chin, but the most patient 
 search failed to restore it. 
 
 Hastily dressing, he hurried on his way, when he 
 espied an old trapper named Dumont, who for years 
 had lived in that neighborhood. Dumont was a hard- 
 looking specimen, wearing his hair and beard for 
 years without cutting or combing, and his hailing 
 Tom almost scared the latter out of his wits. "Where 
 are you going?" inquired Dumont. "Down toSixteen," 
 answered Tom. "Come ashore, then," said Dumont; 
 "the dam below is too high for a boat to go over." 
 Tom declined to do as suggested, believing the old 
 fellow wanted to rob and perhaps murder him. So he 
 plied the paddle vigorously, and the old man was 
 soon out of sight. 
 
 Presently the roar of the water-fall warned Tom 
 that it would be policy to go ashore and examine the 
 dam. Sending his boat up to the bank, Tom leaped 
 out, when by his side was Dumont. "Vou had better 
 go home with me and finish your trip to-morrow," said 
 the old man; I live only a mile below." Tom dared 
 not refuse, feeling that death was certain in either 
 case. He therefore consented, when Dumont said, 
 "Let us send the boat over and we can pick it up be- 
 low." The canoe was then pushed into the river, but 
 it unfortunately filled with water and sank. Dark- 
 ness rapidly coming on, Tom scarcely knew what to 
 do. His knees smote together, and he became more 
 convinced at every step that Dumont intended to kill 
 him. "What other reason could he have for pushing 
 the boat into the river?" thought Tom. 
 
 Following along until Dumont was 50 yards ahead, 
 Tom darted into the woods and ran for dear life. He 
 soon came to a fallen tree, under which he crawled, 
 his joy at thus escaping death being almost greater 
 than he could bear, when Dumont's voice was heard 
 calling him. Not daring to reply, he huddled still closer 
 and prayed for darkness, which soon came. Dumont's 
 footsteps could be heard as he moved off toward his 
 cabin, and Tom breathed easier. By this time it had 
 grown intensely dark and a drizzling sleet and rain 
 storm set in. Tom became soaked to the skin, and 
 fearing that he would freeze to death, concluded to 
 risk building a fire if it could be accomplished. While 
 thus engaged, the remaining revolver dropped from 
 his pocket to the ground and the fire was built upon 
 
 it. As he stood by the cheerful blaze warming his 
 benumbed hands, one chamber of the revolver ex 
 ploded, scattering the burning brands in every direc- 
 tion. Supposing it was Dumont concealed in the 
 brush (!) and firing at him, his fright increased in a 
 ten-fold ratio. Kicking the burning sticks in every 
 direction, hoping thereby to put out the fire which 
 had betrayed his location, he then took refuge behind 
 a tree, hoping to contrive some means of skipping 
 away unobserved, when he was startled the second 
 time by another loud report, as the coals were whisked 
 toward him. This made his conviction certain 
 that Dumont would kill him unless he removed far 
 from the fire light, and he executed a flank move- 
 ment through the dense underbrush to what he con- 
 sidered a safe distance from the assassin's bullet. 
 
 Daylight came at last, and Snyder, almost per- 
 ished with cold, mustered uj) courage enough to ap- 
 proach the spot where a few coals were yet smolder- 
 ing, when he saw the barrel of his revolver peeping 
 from the ashes. The cause of the firing was thus 
 made intelligible, and Tom cursed his cowardly legs 
 which ran away with his brave body. He made his 
 way to "Sixteen," and little by little told the story as 
 above related. Tom still tells the story, but has long 
 since learned that a lively imagination is tlie greatest 
 cause for fear. 
 
 -.^.v^/V/V' 
 
 Too Much "Cross Haul." 
 
 HE jokes played on the greenhorns that 
 ^ came to the lumber camps to obtain em- 
 ployment were many and varied. One of 
 ^_,^_ the best was that which was played upon a 
 y fellow who came to Leon Pryor's camp. The 
 I proprietor " sized ' the fellow up and detemiin- 
 ed to have a bit of fun should he ask for a job. That 
 being the stranger's business, Pryor told him that he 
 had men enough in the woods but needed one to go 
 to "Sixteen " for a " cross liaul." (This term needs no 
 explanation to a resident of Northern Michigan, but 
 for the information of readers living remote from 
 lumber camps, we would say that a "cross haul" is a 
 road cut opposite a tram-way upon which logs are 
 loaded.) 
 
 Tlie fellow, whom we will call " Jones " to preserve 
 his identity, agreed to go, and was given a note of in 
 
 V_ 
 
 A 
 
 Co: 
 
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 44^f 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 "^^^f^iZT 
 
 sf* 
 
 troduction to Tom. Moore, who was expected to carry 
 out the joke without further instructions. Jones 
 came walking in and proffered the note to Moore, who 
 readily caught the inspiration. Loading a sack with 
 80 pounds of old iron and giving hiiii a 24-pound 
 dumb-bell to carry in the other hand, Moore dismiss- 
 ed him with the injunction to carry the bag carefully, 
 so the machinery would not be disarranged. Jones 
 promised to be particular, and trudged wearily over 
 the eight miles of sand and stumps before the camp 
 was reached. He told Pryor as he entered, almost 
 exhausted, that he didn't intend to carry any more 
 "cross hauls." "You don't?" exclaimed Pryor; "then 
 what are you doing here? I only need you for this 
 purpose." 
 
 Jones left tlie camp at once, determined to seek 
 more congenial employment. 
 
 Hough and Tumble. 
 
 ^f HERE has always been more or less feeling 
 
 existing between Tom Moore and Charley 
 
 ^W^""^ Axford, they being rivals in the hotel busi- 
 
 aJn)> ness and many other enterprises. Moore is 
 
 Y quite a practical joker, and often indulges this 
 
 I trait in his character, which has been the oc- 
 casion of many a hearty laugh. 
 
 Moore, Axford, Dave Porter and Ben Howard were 
 returning from Midland, where they had been trans- 
 acting some business matters, and all were pretty well 
 "corned." Three of them sat on the spring seat, the 
 other on a barrel of lime in the back part of the 
 wagon. The driver struck a stump before reaching 
 Edenville, and the tongue was broken quite badly. 
 Repairing it as well as they were able, they traveled 
 along quite well until they reached the steep hill 
 near the Edenville school-house. Moore suggested 
 that they all walk down the hill for fear the broken 
 wagon tongue would not stand the strain. Axford 
 insisted that the team was his own, that the broken 
 tongue was perfectly safe and the driver should let 
 the horses run at full speed down tlie hill. The lat- 
 ter plan was agreed upon and the horses were given 
 the whip. Away they flew, but the ride, like Gilpin's, 
 was very brief. Half-way down the hill the wagon 
 tongue broke again, and the wheels, veering suddenly. 
 
 overturned the wagon upon the driver, while Ben 
 Howard, who was sitting upon the lime barrel hold- 
 ing a large mirror on his lap, was precipitated into 
 the creek below. Axford was thrown almost off the 
 bridge and would have fallen into the creek but from 
 the fact that the lime barrel was across his legs. 
 Moore landed on his feet just in time to see the 
 horses flying up tlie hill with the whiffletrees dangling 
 at their heels. Mr. Moore then turned liis attention 
 to the rescue of his companions. Porter being still 
 imprisoned under the wagon box, was yelling vocifer- 
 ously for aid. He was liberated, and Charley Axford 
 helped upon his feet. By this time Ben Howard had 
 scrambled out of the creek, and upon comparing 
 notes it was found that all had escaped serious in- 
 jury. 
 
 Dan Grover and Philip Flock, seeing the horses 
 coming without a driver, thought something must be 
 wrong, and hitching them to another vehicle, started 
 in search of the party. Charley Axford was consider- 
 ably overcome by the effects of " thistle dew," as well 
 as shaken up by the fall, and was laid in the wagon, 
 after which the remainder of the freight was trans- 
 ferred from the broken one. In doing this, Tom 
 Moore hurt his hand severely, and it bled freely. 
 Thinking it a good time to play a joke on Charley, he 
 rubbed the blood over his face, which when com- 
 pleted looked gory enough to strike terror into the 
 heart of a Comanche Indian. Driving up to Ax- 
 ford's house, he was carried in and laid on the bed. 
 The boys, knowing nothing serious was the matter, 
 thought it good fun to frighten the old lady any way. 
 The dame known as "Biddy Norman" made her 
 home at Axford's, and she remarked, while taking in 
 the situation, "An' sure, an' its a bad head he'll have 
 upon him in the marnin'!" The joke leaked out 
 after Charley was washed up, and Tom barely es- 
 caped a licking for his fun. 
 
 
 I 
 
 C< 
 
 
 EfiTect of Eating Bear Steak. 
 
 g^'fe^gfc 
 
 [ GOOD story is told on Alex. Bowman, who 
 
 ' came to Edenville Township soon after its 
 
 organization. "Alek " sat around the hotel 
 
 and heard the stories told by lumbermen abou t 
 
 the quantities of game that could be found in 
 
 the woods. His ambition to become a hunter 
 
 ^rew day by day until he determined to take a hunt. 
 
 ^^m^ — ^^:A4^D a % Dni>^^ 
 
 ■-4^^C^. 
 
I 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -*4^^f® 
 
 I=Z 
 
 His first venture proved satisfactory, he killing three 
 large bears. He dressed them all nicely, and bear 
 steaks were disposed of quite largely at supper. In 
 fact, Alek ate bear meat so freely that it made him 
 quite sick during the night. Feeling very uncomfort- 
 able, he arose and tried to dress. By mistake he got 
 hold of a pairof his little boy's pantaloons and thrust 
 his foot as far through the leg as he was able. Failing 
 in the endeavor to get them on, he became alarmed 
 and danced over the floor, knocking the chairs right 
 and left. He was suffering such pain that he became 
 almost frantic, and vociferated loudly, " Get up, Jane, 
 for God's sake, and make a light; I am swelled so big 
 I can't get «iy panes on." The joke was too good to 
 keep, and Alek is yet laughed at frequently about his 
 first experience in eating bear steaks. 
 
 A Canuck "'Hoodooed." 
 
 ^Ull! CARPENTER came down in the woods to 
 do "tinkering" for EUsmore at the camp 
 ^f on "Sixteen." He was a "Canuck," fresh 
 from his native sod, and the boys soon learned 
 that he was as " verdant " as he was cowardly. 
 They told him " bear stories " when sitting 
 around the camp fire at night, and also spoke of the 
 
 "gallipoo," a very large bird which infested the north 
 woods, and had an especial fondness for "Canucks," 
 three of them having been found in the craw of one 
 that was killed the previous winter. He was in- 
 formed that could he succeed in escaping its clutches 
 for one year and become " acclimated," he would be 
 in no danger, as it was never known to attack a man 
 born here or who had lived a year in the State. 
 
 A deep snow came on soon after, and the tinker 
 went into the woods to find some " Dray Crooks." 
 Marvel Secord, an old hunter who for many years had 
 hunted and trapped in that vicinity, always wore very 
 large snow-shoes when atteading his trap in winter, 
 and the Canuck came upon the old man's trail while 
 wandering through the woods. The size and sh.ipe 
 of the tracks verified the stories told by llie lumber- 
 man of the dreadful " gallipoo," and he became 
 terribly frightened. Following the trail until it passed 
 into the logging road that was well beaten down, he 
 lost sight of it and made his way hurriedly to camp 
 and told the men that he had found the place where 
 the " gallipoo " had roosted and had followed its trail 
 to the log road where he had become frightened and 
 flown away. He left the camp at once, declaring his 
 intention of going back to Canada, where such birds 
 were unknown. 
 
 
 (■ 
 
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 ^^^Dll^tltlf^ 
 
MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -it^^^^ii 
 
 417 
 
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 - OOP . 
 
 ,, HE greatest industry of Mid- 
 |y_ land County from its organiz- 
 ation has been the lumber 
 trade, and it yet shows little 
 diminution. The finest pine 
 lands in Michigan were in 
 Saginaw, Bay and Midland 
 Counties ; and when we estimate 
 the annual cut of pine alone, 
 which has beern harvested from 
 Midland for the past quarter of 
 a century, it seems almost incred- 
 ible. The most meager estimate of 
 logs which are put into the Tittaba- 
 wassee in this county alone, gives 
 the annual total of 48,700,000 feet, 
 while the Flint & Pere Marquette 
 i Railroad frequently transports 4,000 
 cars of logs per month, which aver- 
 ages for that time 13,928,900 feet. 
 Multiply this by 12, and we have 
 the grand total of 167,147,520 feet 
 carried annually by the railroad in 
 rough logs. Add to this the logs 
 floated down the Tittabawassee, and we have in tlie 
 (q^ rough 215,847,520 feet, while the different mills in 
 I the county manufacture and ship on an average the 
 5^% amount accredited to each. 
 
 fLarkin & Patrick do the second largest business, 
 llieir mill being located at Midland. Their cut 
 (^ amounts annually to 6,000,000 feet of lumber, 25,- 
 V^ 000,000 shingles, 1,283,425 staves and 102,694 head- 
 
 ings. In addition to this they manufacture annually 
 84,463 barrels. 
 
 Geo. Miller, of Coleman, manufactures 700,000 
 feet of lumber, and 4,000,000 shingles; J. & F. L. 
 Post, 1, 100,000 feet of lumber and 2,000,000 shin- 
 gles; F. B. Simons, 7,000,000 shingles; John Ma- 
 loney, 19,600,000 shingles; C. W. Stearns, 300,000 
 feet of lumber; J. Thorington, 500,000 feet of lum- 
 ber and 2,250,000 shingles, and C. M. Waldo, 
 2,500,000 shingles. Geo. Cooper, of Coleman, also 
 cuts 40,000 shingles and 100,000 staves. 
 
 A. W. Wright and P. H. Ketcham do the largest 
 lumbering business in the county, and have eight 
 camps. The amount of pine logs they are getting 
 out is not enumerated, but they employ at least 500 
 men. They got out in 1883, in addition to their 
 pine lumber, 400,000 feet of hard wood, and had on 
 hand 300,000 feet of the same kind, with 100,000 
 feet of oak logs in their yard. The amount of pine 
 logs handled annually by this firm is 40,000,000 feet. 
 They own 14 miles of logging railroad in this county, 
 which is fully equipped with locomotives, cars, etc. 
 This road transports all their own logs, except hard- 
 wood, to the Tittabawassee, where they are dumped 
 into the river. In addition to their own work, this 
 firm has handled 25,000,000 feet of logs annually 
 for other parties during the past two years. At their 
 headquarters in Lincoln Township they have a gen- 
 eral stock of merchandise, where their men and 
 many families in the neighborhood come to trade. A 
 postoffice is also established there, making it c]uite 
 convenient for everybody living near. 
 
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<^^i]n^iiD^>T- 
 
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 -«8^ 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 The adept in figures can 'add this yearly estimate, 
 then multiply by 25, or the number of years in which 
 lumbering has been pushed on an extensive scale, 
 vvlien the wealth of the pine \\\ Midland County can 
 be estimated. Very few tracts of really excellent 
 pine lands can now be found, but her soil is rich and 
 productive, and agriculture will be promoted by the 
 destruction of lier forests. In 1880, 580,000,000 feet 
 of logs was rafted on the Tittabawassee, and the 
 jam of logs this year extends a distance of 40 miles 
 above, with an estimate of 5,000,000 feet to the 
 mile. 
 
 The Pine and Chippewa Rivers converge at Mid- 
 land, each carrying a wealth of logs on its bosom 
 nearly equaling that of the Tittabawassee. When 
 we tliink of the number of years that this wholesale 
 destruction of valuable timber has been going on, 
 and see the millions of feet yet standing, it seems 
 scarcely possible that the whole State, much less a 
 few counties, could produce it. Yet the facts, as 
 demonstrated by carefully compiled statistics, show- 
 that fully one-half of our timber is yet merchantable. 
 
 t 
 
 :^ 
 
 (^ 
 
 Life in a Lumber Camp. 
 
 ji EAL life in a lumber camp is so unique that 
 a brief account of a visit to such a place 
 may not be out of place. Every one who 
 '*V?. can do so should visit a camp, and see how 
 the work of cutting and putting in logs is 
 conducted. That is one thing that should be 
 seen before wandering in foreign lands to feast one's 
 eyes on strange and wondrous things, for nowhere 
 abroad will he find wliat we have near home. The 
 camp visited we found under tlie immediate super- 
 vision and management of two gentlemen who had 
 the contract for cut'ing and putting into the river 
 the limber from 240 acres of land. The camp was 
 in the midst of the forest, and consisted of six build- 
 ings, situated conveniently near together, and of 
 sufficient capacity to accommodate 70 men, 20 pairs 
 of horses and 7 pairs of oxen. 
 
 The first is the "cook shanty," 20 by 52 feet in size 
 and one story high, which serves for a kitchen and 
 dining-room for the entire crew. Tlie work of this 
 department is performed by four girls and a chore- 
 
 boy, the latter bringing wood and water and making 
 himself useful in a thousand ways. Two long tables, 
 covered with enameled cloth, enable 42 men to take 
 their meals at once. Two large cooking-stoves are 
 kept constantly in use, and when told the amount of 
 provisions consumed per day or week, the query 
 naturally arises how so few hands can prepare such a 
 quantity of food with only two stoves. Work in the 
 woods creates an appetite like a furnace, and provis- 
 ions disappear before a crew of seventy men like dry 
 leaves in a whirlwind. The bill of fare consists of 
 potatoes, beans, pork, bread and molasses, and other 
 substantial food, one meal seldom varying materially 
 from another, with strong tea three times a day. A 
 full force of men consume each week about five bar- 
 rels of flour, five barrels of pork, from fifteen to 
 twenty bushels of potatoes, and other things in like 
 proportion. In one end of tliis building a room is 
 partitioned off which serves one of the contractors as 
 a private residence and the sleeping apartments of 
 the female help. An alarm clock at least three-quar- 
 ters of an hour ahead of the true time awakens the 
 inmates of the shanty at four in the morning, and 
 the day's labor cominences at once. The teamsters 
 are first called, and while breakfast is being prepared 
 they feed and harness their teams ; while they are 
 at breakfast, the choppers and other workmen rise 
 and fill the second table. The teamsters are off to 
 their work long before daylight, and usually make 
 one trip to the river, a distance of two miles, and 
 back before darkness disappears. Five trips consti- 
 tute the day's work, and when that is accomplished 
 they unhitch and do no more till the next morning, 
 although it may be several hours before sundown. 
 
 The "men's shanty" is 26 X36 feet in size and one 
 and a half stories higli. It is provided witli thirty- 
 two bunks, eighteen on the first floor and fourteen in 
 the chamber, each designed for two men, though 
 three can sleep in them very comfortably. They are 
 made of boards, ranged on either side of the room, 
 in tiers one above another, and are provided with a 
 straw tick and blankets. The building is warmed 
 with a large box stove and lighted at nights with 
 kerosene lamps. 
 
 The barn proper is 30 X52 feet, with a stable on 
 either side fourteen feet wide, making it 52x58 feet 
 on the ground. It is made warm and comfortable, 
 and furnishes stabling for 40 horses and 14 oxen. 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Near by is the granary, a small building, where the 
 grain for the teams is kept. 
 
 In another building a blacksmitli and a worker 
 with edge tools, sometimes called a "wood-butcher," 
 find employment, — the latter doing the wood-work 
 on the logging sleds, putting in ax-handles, etc., 
 while the former does the horse-shoeing, irons the 
 sleds, repairs broken chains, etc. 
 
 In a small building near the cook shanty, the 
 other contractor resides, with family, and "keeps 
 store," his stock consisting chiefly of tobacco, lum- 
 bermen's clothing and such other commodities as tlie 
 hands require. A large bell, susi)ended on a pole, 
 the strokes of which can be heard for two or three 
 miles, calls the men to their meals. 
 
 A logging sleigh is an institution deserving more 
 than a passing notice, for it never fails to at- 
 tract the attention of the novice. In appearance it 
 resembles a cross between a pile-driver and a toll- 
 gate. It consists of a pair of "bobs" with runners 
 three inches thick, and shod with iron three inches 
 
 
 wide. The beams and other parts are correspond- 
 ingly heavy; crossv/ise each sled is a beam of timber 
 called a "bunk," seven feet in length, with a huge 
 spike in either end to prevent the load from sliding 
 off. They are built low and wide, the runners being 
 from four to five feet apart, to prevent capsizing on 
 uneven ground. On this vehicle an ordinary pair of 
 horses move a load of from five to fifteen logs, scal- 
 ing from 1,500 to 2,500 feet, board measure, and 
 making a load in bulk nearly or quite as large as a 
 load of hay. To haul such loads th? roads must be 
 in good condition, and it is well-known that the 
 logging roads are the best in Michigan. 
 
 This description of one camp will give an idea of 
 all camps, though of course no two are alike. This 
 camp had turned into the river 4,500,000 feet in three 
 months, and 1,000,000 feet more had been cut and 
 rejected by the scaler, for soma defect. The labor 
 on this 1,000,000 feet was all lost. 
 
 With this for a sample, some idea may be formed 
 of Wright & Ketcham's camps in this county, where 
 from 400 to 600 men are employed. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^f<S) 
 
 
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 ►}- 
 
 
 INCE the first schools were or- 
 ganized in Midland County, the 
 system of education has under- 
 gone a complete change. The 
 vast difference between the old 
 and new metliods is plainly ap- 
 parent. In "ye olden times" the ])re- 
 ceptor's word was supreme law in 
 his little kingdom, and this law was 
 enforced by a generous distribution 
 of strokes from the well seasoned birch 
 rod. To execute a pencil sketch upon 
 a slate was deemed a misdemeanor, or 
 one which merited at least twelve strokes 
 from the same reformer, wielded by the 
 sturdy arm of an incensed pedagogue. To ask assist- 
 
 i^mm\^^ 
 
 ance in the solution of a perplexing problem in math- 
 ematics more than twice during school hours, con- 
 signed the unfortunate pupil to a seat on the "dunce 
 block," the most observed, but not the most envied, 
 personage in the room. 
 
 The old straight-backed benches and pine desks, 
 smeared with butter and molasses, and defaced by 
 the big boys' "jack-knives," have been superseded 
 by the the modern single desk, where each student 
 has all the comforts and conveniences he can desire. 
 
 The text-books were, at that date, of a miscellane- 
 ous character, nearly every family having preserved 
 the remnants of books which their fathers and moth- 
 ers had studied during their school days, and were 
 now brought into use by their children to save 
 expense, being deemed by the parents quite good 
 
 Vto} 
 
 / 
 
 0) 
 
 i 
 
4ZO 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 -ss^ 
 
 
 enough for anybody. Every pupil possessed a 
 *Bj Ray's Arithmetic, the only text-book of which there 
 ,^ were a half-dozen alike. Geography was represented 
 
 by "Peter Parley" and Monteith's Manual; readers, 
 
 '"Si by McGufTey, Saunders, Eclectic and National series; 
 grammar, by Pinneo, Clark's Easy Method and Brown's 
 Parsing Lessons. Webster's Elementary, Cobb's, 
 Worcester's and the Eclectic Spellers were used in- 
 discriminately. The scholars could hardly be classi- 
 fied, much less graded. Now, the systematic man- 
 ner of grading pupils, the uniformity of text-books, 
 with improved methods of teaching by object lessons 
 and otherwise, give pupils of this day advantages 
 not dreamed of 20 years ago. Students i2yearsof age 
 are in many instances further advanced in rhetoric, 
 physiology and mathematics then were the less for- 
 tunate pupils who attended public schools during the 
 entire time perscribed by law not two decades since. 
 
 ) 
 
 > 
 
 The Facts in This County. 
 
 ^^=S^. 
 
 [IDLAND County is rapidly advancing in 
 an educational way. The Township of 
 
 '^^^■'^ Midland leads with the number of pupils 
 ^.Vy^Vx and value of school property. There are 
 '^ two brick, four frame and one log school-house, 
 
 j with a total valuation of $28,500. The num- 
 ber of scholars enrolled in the several districts is S63. 
 The amount paid for tuition last year was ^,642.20. 
 The largest school building in the county is at Mid- 
 land City; this is a magnificent brick structure, three 
 stories in height, exclusive of the basement, which is 
 large and airy. The building is heated by furnaces, 
 and especial regard has been paid to ventilation and 
 obtaining proper light in its construction. It was 
 erected in 1869, and cost, with its furniture §23,000. 
 Si.x teachers are employed, in as many, departments. 
 A handsome and valuable library, containing 70S 
 volumes, belongs to this building, thus adding largely 
 to the interest of school work. 
 
 In Hope Township there are two whole districts and 
 two fractional ones. The number of children in the 
 township between the ages of five and twenty years 
 is 209. There are two frame school-houses and two 
 log, and the total amount of money paid out for 
 wages of teachers for the year 18S3 was $938.25. 
 
 Edenville contains two whole districts and one 
 fractional. The number of children enrolled is 140. 
 One of these three districts is furnished with a frame 
 and the other two with log school-iiouses. The 
 amount of wages paid to teachers was $718.75. 
 
 Warren has three districts, two of which are whole 
 and one fractional. The number of children enrolled 
 in the township is 154. Two of the school buildings 
 are frame structures, with modern conveniences, and 
 the remaining one is of logs. The total amount of 
 money paid to teachers is $610. 
 
 Larkin Township paid a total of §940.50 to its 
 teachers for the year 1883 ; in this township we find 
 five districts, all entire. The number of children en- 
 rolled is 94. Tiiree of the school-houses are frame 
 buildings, while two districts still use the log school- 
 house. 
 
 There are but two organized school districts in 
 Lincoln, both of which are entire. There are only 63 
 children in the township who are entitled to school 
 privileges, and of these, only 48 attend. One of their 
 school-houses is a frame and the other a log building. 
 Three hundred and forty-five dollars was disbursed 
 during the past year for the payment of teachers' sal- 
 aries. 
 
 In Jerome Township there are but 91 children wlio 
 are privileged to attend school, and only 45 of these 
 take advantage of the privilege. One of the buildings 
 is a frame and the other a log scliool-Iiouse, there 
 being but two districts in the township. The total 
 amount of wages paid to teachers during the year 
 was S303. 
 
 In Geneva 62 children attend school regularly out 
 of 104 who are entitled by law to these benefits. 
 There are but two districts, both of which are provided 
 with substantial and commodious frame buildings. 
 The total amount paid teachers, male and female, for 
 the past year was S369. 
 
 Homer has three whole districts, all of which are 
 supplied with good frame buildings. Five hundred 
 and seventy-two dollars was paid out for teacher's 
 salaries for the school year of 1883. There are en- 
 rolled in this township 572 school children. 
 
 Lee has paid out to its teachers of 1883 the sum 
 of §467.45. It is divided into four districts, all of 
 which are entire and all together enroll only 54 
 scholars. Two frame and two log school-houses 
 com[)rise the whole. 
 
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 "^S&'li^''-^^ 
 
 f 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 421 
 
 (ireendale has but one school district, it being an 
 ungraded one. H. L. Voorhese is Director for the 
 present year. Eighteen pui^ils are enrolled, 12 of 
 whom attend reguarly. A handsome frame building 
 was erected in 1884, costing about $500. The school 
 property is valued at $500, and $120 was paid the 
 teachers of 1883. 
 
 IngersoU contains one fractional district and four 
 whole ones. 'I'he number of pupils as shown by the 
 last school census is 322. Each district is provided 
 with an excellent frame school building, fitted up 
 with all modern conveniences. IngersoU paid to her 
 teachers last year the sum of $1,043.83. 
 
 Mt. Haley registers 103 children between the ages 
 of five and twenty years, and the three fractional 
 school districts which she controls are provided with 
 log houses for school purposes. The total wages of 
 teachers for the last school year was $530.70. 
 
 The four whole districts into which Porter Town- 
 ship is divided are furnished with frame school build- 
 ings, which are large and roomy and well ventilated. 
 The amount of wages paid to teachers for 1883 was 
 $651.78. The number of children enrolled was 136. 
 
 Jasper Township has expended the sum of $833 in 
 teachers' pay for the last school year. It contains 
 five districts, all of which are whole. The total num- 
 ber of children enabled by law to attend school in this 
 township is 161. Out of the five buildings designed 
 for school purposes only one is built of logs, the rest 
 of frame. 
 
 For a county containing less than 7,000 inhabitants 
 the above statement is quite flattering. It is now being 
 settled up with good citizens more rapidly than at 
 any time in its history, and the next ten years will 
 nearly double the figures given above. 
 
 
 vy.^y^-^^^' ' y- ^- ' '^:^ ■ v- 3v\^'rv ^ v=v ^gs}i ^s-jL:i \ s a ■• 't- v- \^v v - an • v s-^^l^ 
 
 "oSjo 
 
 .^r{,^^^^^'n.E press of Midland County 
 " '' has had a checkered career. 
 
 Newspaper enterprises have 
 done more to develop pub- 
 lic interests than all other 
 means combined. Through 
 the papers come first the 
 iCws of any and every locality; in 
 it the moral, theological and politi- 
 cal sentiments of all are given voice. 
 Through the press of Midland 
 County the untold resources of 
 this beautiful county have been 
 given to the public, and from far 
 and near have hastened men of 
 every clime and nation to enrich 
 themselves and develop more thor- 
 oughly the splendid body of agri- 
 cultural lands contained within her boundaries. 
 
 Midland Sentinel. 
 
 ^ 
 
 \^ 
 
 HIS paper was established in April, 1858, by 
 Nathan T. Carr. When the proposition to 
 organize this village was made, he changed 
 the name to "Midland City Sentinel." In 
 1862, Carpenter & Bailey purchased the same, 
 under whose management it was continued 
 until 1865, when George H. Gies purchased it and 
 changed the name to " Midland Joi4rnal" He con- 
 tinued it only a few weeks, when Geo. AV. Hughes 
 purchased the outfit and the name was again changed, 
 this time to The Indepe?ident. Mr. Carpenter still 
 held a mortgage upon the press and material, but 
 subsequently sold his claim to F. F. Hopkins. In 
 1866, W. H. H. Bartram purchased Hughes' interest 
 and associated with himself Mr. Hopkins as a part- 
 ner. In 1868, Bartram disposed of his interest to 
 Hopkins, who soon afterward disposed of a half in- 
 
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 MinLAND 
 
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 teiest to James Porter and John Haines. They con- 
 tinued the paper until 187 i, when M. W. Ellsworth 
 purchased Porter's interest. Subsecpiently F. S. Bur- 
 ton purchased a half interest from Haines, and later 
 he, together with Ellsworth, purchased Haines' entire 
 interest. In the fall of 1872 E. N. Burton bough 
 Ellsworth's share, and the succeeding spring, F. S. 
 Burton purchased his brother's interest and continued 
 its management alone until disposed of, Jan. 1, iSSi, 
 to T. W. Crissey, who changed the name of the paper 
 to the "Midland Republican" 
 
 The Republican is not only a fine paying invest- 
 ment, but in direct line of succession is the oldest 
 paper in the county. 
 
 Midland Times. 
 
 &00N after Mr. Bartram sold the Independent, 
 ^^!, he established another paper in the village, 
 f*5*"W^ ^jjicii was christened "The Midland Cily 
 
 Times" This had an ephemeral existence, 
 living only a few weeks. Upon the ruins of 
 this venture in journalism he commenced the 
 publication of another journal, which was appropri- 
 ately named " Bartranis Cheek (.')," which flourished 
 for a few months and was removed to Saginaw, where 
 it was soon engulfed in obscurity. 
 
 Bartram was full of energy, and would not down ; 
 and, coming back to Midland, secured the financial 
 aid of a few leading citizens, who purchased a fine 
 outfit — the best, in fact, that Midland had ever 
 known — and a new paper was launched upon the 
 journalistic sea, and was called " The Midland 
 Times." This was in the spring of 1872, and the 
 effort gave every appearance of success, backed as 
 it was by the leading men of the village. Geo. W. 
 Hughes was associated as editor, and soon as- 
 suming that position purchased the interest Bartram 
 had in the concern and continued the pajjer under 
 his own management until the office was sold under 
 a chattel mortgage three years later. 
 
 Midland Sun. 
 
 THE next venture in journalism was tlie 
 j establishing of the " Midland Courier" by 
 ^^ George McConnell, in 1878 
 
 He sold this 
 
 ■M paper to Snialley and the Stair Bros., who ve- 
 T named it " 7//t' Review" and made it purely 
 I Democratic in tone. Edward Cornelius ptir- 
 chased the Review in 1880, and the name of course 
 was changed, this lime to " The Midland Democrat!' 
 The Democracy of this county not being strong 
 enough, or else unwilling, to support their party 
 organ, allowed it to starve for want of sustenance, 
 and it faded away like frost before the morning sun. 
 F. S. Burton, thinking this a good opportunity for 
 investment, purchased the material, and, adding 
 $2,000 wortli of new material, launched the " Mid- 
 land Sun." This paper is the Greenback organ of 
 this county, and with it Mr. Burton has done effective 
 work for his party. The Sun was at the beginning 
 purely Republican, but time with its changes has 
 wrought a complete conversion of its editor and 
 manager, Mr. Barton. .\ splendid job office is a 
 part of the Sun's outfit, and the patronage of the 
 same is excellent. 
 
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 Coleman Advocate. 
 
 HIS paper, edited by H. F. Linton, is a 
 spicy, interesting acquisition to the press 
 #1^^ of Midland County. The Advocate is do- 
 & ing more to build up the interests of Coleman 
 T and the western part of the county than any 
 and all means heretofore used by individuals. 
 Mr. Linton is a live man and a working editor, as the 
 columns of his paper attest. Fully alive to the in- 
 terests of his patrons, he has left no means untried 
 to give them a valuable journal, and well has he 
 succeeded. 
 
 The first issue of the Advocate bears date of Aug. 
 1 1, 1883, and its columns contain a well written arti- 
 cle upon the merits of Warren Township. We are 
 pleased to record Tire Coleman Advocate as the most 
 enterprising journal in the county. 
 
 
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 S a concluding chapter to this 
 work, we class under the 
 above head several interest- 
 ing articles which, although 
 brief, are none the less impor- 
 tant. Such are the material 
 resources and developments of the 
 county, in respect to agriculture, 
 railroads, finances, wild game, and 
 also the county buildings, poor 
 farm, the part taken by Midland 
 County in the war, the Woman's 
 Christian Temperance Union, etc. 
 The accounts here given are sub- 
 stantially correct, and from them the 
 reader may glean much information 
 that will be of service. The principal material in- 
 terest, however, — that of lumber, — has been already 
 treated in a distinct department. 
 
 Agricultural Society. 
 
 'HIS society was formally organized Feb. 22, 
 1877. Several enterprising gentlemen met 
 ^ together and after a short deliberation 
 formed themselves into a society by electing 
 "I" James S. Eastman President, Thomas McCul- 
 I loch, Vice President, Dwyer W. Hitchcock, 
 Secretary, and E. W. Davis, Treasurer. After pro- 
 viding for the several committees and officers neces- 
 
 sary to conduct its affairs, it was determined, at a 
 meeting held later, to have an agricultural fair in the 
 autumn of that year. Grounds had been previously 
 selected and negotiations entered into between the 
 proper committee acting for the society and D. H. 
 Fitzhugh, for the purchase of the land which is now 
 the property of the society. Some buildings were 
 erected, not very ample, it is true, but all the avail- 
 able space was taken ; and the fair, which was held 
 Sept. 26 and 27, proved a splendid success. The 
 grounds have since been cleared up, plenty of nice 
 stalls and pens for stock hive been built, and every- 
 thing connected with it put in good shape. The 
 grounds have been paid for with the income from 
 subsequent meetings. 
 
 The floral hall was built by a number of ladies 
 who were banded together as a secret society and 
 for quite a while kept the real name of their society 
 from the public. They gave a literary entertainment 
 finally, with the understanding that the great secret 
 should be revealed at the close of the entertainment, 
 the proceeds of which should be used m erecting a 
 floral hall on the grounds of the Agricultural Society. 
 The plan met with favor, and a handsome amount 
 was realized, enough, in fact, to complete the build- 
 ing. The name, or initials by which the ladies were 
 known, were the K. T. I's, which, when interpreted 
 to the astonished multitude who were assembled to 
 hear the great secret unraveled, were the initial let- 
 ters of " Key to Industry," a motto selected as the 
 distinguishing cognomen of their society. 
 
 The floral and agricultural halls were both erected 
 in 1883, the first agricultural hall having blown 
 
 
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 424 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 ^ down. To erect a new one and make further im- 
 ^ provements upon the grounds, a loan of $1,200 was 
 ^ effected. The track is a full half mile in length and 
 T is in e.xcellent condition, the Horse Association of 
 (^j Midland keeping it in repair for the use of the 
 grounds at their semi-annual meetings. 
 
 The grounds, comprising 22 acres, are well watered, 
 nicely shaded b}' pine and hard-wood trees, and are 
 located on the bank of the Chippewa River, less 
 than a mile from the corporation line of Midland. 
 They were purchased and paid for by the society in 
 1883. The price paid was $33 per acre, although 
 the land to-day is worth at least $75. The location 
 cannot be improved, and, under the able manage- 
 ment of the present officers, the indebtedness will be 
 largely reduced this year. 
 
 The present officers are M. H. Stanford, President ; 
 Thomas McCuUoch, Vice President ; Milton P. An- 
 derson, Treasurer; and H. L. Fairchilds, Secretary. 
 
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 Soil and Its Productions. 
 
 |ijTfi™i>ANY of the most valuable and fertile 
 t'l^ci— 4-^. farmincr lands are of those classed as 
 
 fife; "stump," or "stripped lands." .Some of 
 ^ these are creek flats and ancient beaver 
 meadows, having alluvial soil for the most part, 
 and surpassingly rich in all the elements requi- 
 site to constitute farming soils. Then there are 
 ridges — genuine pine ridges — where the soil is sandy 
 and the subsoil a deep-red clay, which the plowshare 
 reaches in nearly every furrow. In this, corn, clover, 
 all varieties of roots and vegetables and some of the 
 smaller cereals can be successfully grown, the yield 
 in many cases being prodigious. 
 
 The black ash and tamarack swamps possess the 
 most fertile and deepest soil, and when drained make 
 the very best grass lands, as well as for various other 
 crops. These lands are susceptible of being drained 
 at a very cheap rate, and only a few acres of lands 
 in ISIidland County can properly be classed as waste 
 lands. Taking it all in all, only a few counties in the 
 State can surpass this in the advantages furnished 
 the industrious and intelligent husbandman. 
 
 Located as Midland County is, between two great 
 lakes, her climate is so modified that the warm sea- 
 
 son averages nearly as long as the inland counties in 
 the Southern part of the State, and they possess no 
 climatic advantages over her. Probably drouths are 
 not so fretjuent nor so destructive here as with 
 tliem. Given a fair test upon almost any crop, thor- 
 ough diainage, culture equally thorough, and the soil 
 of Midland County will produce crops not excelled 
 by any county in the State. 
 
 Some may doubt this statement and turn to the 
 statisticians' tables and quote "that figures will not 
 lie." Those tables are not reliable in speaking of 
 Midland County. Most of these lands are yet cov- 
 ered with stumps, and the grounds are "run over" 
 more than tilled, while more attention has been given 
 to getting off logs than in draining or manuring the 
 land. The farmers are in many instances a cross 
 between the farmer, lumberman and hunter, and the 
 occupants do not engage in agriculture upon a scien- 
 tific basis. Those who do, and most of the town- 
 ships are now well represented by this class, are 
 rapidly becoming wealthy. Lands may be pur- 
 chased for a small sum that are well watered, fairly 
 timbered, and accessible to schools, churches and 
 towns ; but another decade will find them doubled in 
 valuation. 
 
 Wealth of Midland County. 
 
 !f*Bfiix N estimating the growth of Midland County 
 t from its organization until the present time. 
 
 s 
 
 I 
 
 it is only necessary to give the valuation 
 of both real and personal estate in the several 
 townships as shown by the October report of 
 the Board of Supervisors in 18S3: 
 
 TowMsliiiis. Ai'i-es. 
 
 Edenville 22,677 
 
 Geneva 22,945 
 
 Greendale.. ..22,209 
 
 Homer 14,063 
 
 Hope 37-632 
 
 Ingersoll 23,210 
 
 Jasper 22,776 
 
 Jerome •9>285 
 
 Larkin 29,296 
 
 Lee 21,1 13 
 
 Lincoln r3 290 
 
 Midland 21,455 
 
 Mt. Haley 14,678 
 
 Porter 22,900 
 
 Warren 21,340 
 
 Keal Estate. 
 $140,635 
 
 53.110 
 63.95° 
 60,955 
 
 185,023 
 
 201,820 
 
 104,815 
 
 41,620 
 
 54,35° 
 67,080 
 44,690 
 265,677 
 44,360 
 
 127,585 
 123,100 
 
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 Personal. 
 
 $ 5.33° 
 
 4.785 
 
 3.56° 
 
 958 
 
 23,502 
 
 5.6°5 
 2,678 
 
 3.370 
 
 1,680 
 
 1,100 
 
 26,030 
 
 94,785 
 
 610 
 
 I.99S 
 7.630 
 
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 The first assessment of Midland County was made 
 when Gratiot, Isabella, Clare, Roscommon and a part 
 of Bay Counties were attached, the entire tract then 
 not furnishing as many dollars in both real and per- 
 sonal estate as Midland Township does to-day. 
 When taken into consideration that assessment rolls 
 show at least 40 per cent, less than the lowest cash 
 vahiation, the wealth of Midland County may easily 
 be estimated. 
 
 Game. 
 
 AME has always been very plentiful in this 
 county. Even now, with all its improve- 
 ments and large settlements, scores of bears 
 and deer are killed every year. Alvin Marsh, 
 a resident of Edenville Township, has averaged 
 30 bears each year since coming to Midland 
 County, besides large numbers of deer and smaller 
 game. In 1883 he killed 38 bears, all within ten 
 miles of Edenville. Only two years ago a large buck 
 came running up Main Street in Midland City, having 
 crossed the river opposite Joseph Townsend's house. 
 It jumped over the fence surrounding John Larkin's 
 door-yard and made its way through the chicken-yard, 
 coming into the street again near Reardon's store. 
 It was pursued by an excited crowd of men and boys, 
 armed only with sticks and brickbats, to all of which 
 it paid no attention. Lewis Eastman chased it close- 
 ly for several blocks with his team, but having no 
 weapon it finally escaped into the woods. 
 
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 Bailroads. 
 
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 ^HE subject of transportation has been and 
 is now one of the vital questions in the 
 r^ growth and development of a country, be 
 it new or old. Midland County was for several 
 years shut off from civilization except by means 
 of the river, there being no wagon roads lead- 
 ing out of the county. Even the despised " corduroy ' 
 was unknown until the county had been settled for 
 many years. 
 
 V§) 
 
 THE FLINT &.PERE MARQUETTE RAILROAD 
 
 Was the first and only line to date that has been com- 
 pleted in the county. This was secured by liberal 
 inducements offered by the citizens of Midland and 
 a few individuals along the line. John Larkin gave 
 the right of way through the village. J. W. Coch- 
 rane was also quite active in this enterprise, which 
 has been of so great benefit to Midland County. 
 This railroad was completed to Midland City and 
 opened for business Dec. 1,1867. Six months later 
 it was extended to Averill, which place was its west- 
 ern terminus nearly two years. The line was then 
 pushed rapidly to Clare, and thence to Reed City, its 
 present western tern.ination. A branch road, under 
 the control of the Flint & Pere Marquette, extends 
 southerly from Coleman to Mt. Pleasant, in Isabella 
 County. Added to this is a line extending several 
 miles into the woods north of Coleman, which carries 
 logs to the Flint & Pere Marquette. 
 
 With the railroad, came prosperity to this county, 
 and the men who so energetically managed the mat- 
 ter will never receive half the credit they deserve. 
 
 THE BAY CITY & MIDLAND RAILROAD 
 
 Was comtemplatedin 1870, and prospects for an east 
 and west road were never better between two villages. 
 A company was organized in the spring of that year, 
 consisting of such well known men as John Larkin, /• }^ 
 J. W. Anderson, Geo. A. Janes, Thomas J. Carpenter, 
 Benj. Dean and Wm. Patrick, of Midland, George 
 Campbell, the Manger Brothers, W. H. Miller, James 
 Shearer, Wm. Westover, J. R. Hall, Pitts & Cran- 
 age and Judge Holmes, of Bay City, as stockholders. 
 
 The assessment of ten per cent, was paid up. 
 Capt. E. R. Craw was elected President, John Haines, 
 Secretary and Geo. Campbell, Treasurer. Work was 
 pushed during the year, and the road was graded and 
 culverts built along the entire line. As the work 
 progressed, further assessments were made, but, owing 
 to the mismanagement of the secretary and treasur- 
 er, the company ran out of funds and operations were 
 suspended indefinitely. 
 
 In the spring of 1882, Bay City parties made this 
 proposition to the stockholders: That Midland raise 
 $10,000, and some one be authorized to act as attor- 
 ney for the original stockholders ; that the right of 
 way be thus secured and Bay City would raise the 
 balance necessary to complete the line. This was 
 done by the people ot Midland, and Wm. Mann, of 
 
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 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
 
 Bay City, given authority to act for the stockholders. 
 This venture was also a failure, Bay City failing to 
 raise the amount necessary to complete the contract. 
 The right of way is still secure, but no efforts are 
 made toward finishing the road. There is little doubt 
 but it will be taken hold of by seme company ere 
 long and carried to completion. 
 
 The County Buildings. 
 
 iCHE court-house is a plain two-story frame 
 jj^^^?- structure, built in the ancient style of arch- 
 ^^iL^i* *^ itecture, and is hardly good enough for a 
 county possessing the wealth of Midland. It 
 was erected in 1857, and was at that time con- 
 sidered an elegant building. It cost $6,000, 
 and was built by Timothy Jerome. All the county offi- 
 cials have their offices in the court-house except the 
 Sheriff. 
 
 The county jail is a substantial brick building, to 
 which is attached the Sheriff's residence. It was the 
 first brick structure erected in Midland County, and 
 was built by John Larkin. It was completed and 
 accepted June r, 1865. The jail is well ventilated, 
 and constructed with such material and in such a 
 manner that it is ne.xt to impossible for a criminal to 
 escape. 
 
 COUNTY POOR KARM. 
 
 Among the many things needful in every county 
 is a poor farm, where those who have become old 
 and helpless, as well as unfortunate in ac(iuiring an 
 adequate store of this world's riches, may find a 
 home, and be well taken care of Midland County 
 was organized in the year 1855, and in 1865 the 
 Board of Supervisors bought of Sam'l P. Chapman, 
 for the protection of her poor and unfortunate, a farm 
 and building, at a cost of $2,500. 
 
 This farm has a very pleasant location in Midland 
 Township, on the bank of the Tittabawassee River. 
 Since its purchase by the county, the house has been 
 enlarged, and at present consists of a north wing and 
 main building, each containing nine rooms, besides 
 kitchen, dining and sitting rooms, a workshop, cellar 
 and closets. There are two large barns, in good re- 
 pair, and these are well filled, the one with grain and 
 
 the other with horses, cows and pigs. The inmates 
 are neat and cleanly, the river on the boundary of 
 the farm being utilized for bathing in summer, while 
 ordinary tubs are used in winter. The rooms are 
 heated by stoves, and wood is used for fuel. The 
 paupers are treated with consideration and kindness, 
 and all who are able to work render material aid in 
 helping about the farm and buildings. They are plenti- 
 fully sujiplied with common farm food, such as meat, 
 vegetables, bread, butter, syrup, milk, etc. They are 
 provided with good, stout woolen goods for winter, 
 and cotton for sunmier. A county physician is em- 
 ployed for the treatment of the sick, besides their 
 having the personal care of the overseer and matron. 
 For the insane and idiotic there are six properly fur- 
 nished cells, and inducements are held out to get 
 them to perform light labor. The children are sent 
 to a dristrict school a'oout 90 rods distant. 
 
 The house is surrounded by a farm of 130 acres of 
 good land, 80 acres of which is under cultivation. A 
 number of fruit-trees have just been set out, and in 
 due time will produce a good supply of fruit. 
 
 The present overseer is Wm. Babcock, who, with 
 his competent and amiable wife, manages the farm 
 in the most successful manner; and their care of, and 
 kindness to, those placed in their charge cannot be 
 too highly commended. 
 
 The average yearly amount expended by the coun- 
 ty for the support of the poor is $3,125. The farm, 
 with buildings, live stock, farm implements and all 
 other property is estimated to be worth $9,500. 
 \ At present there are 15 inmates, — seven females 
 and eight males. 
 
 
 
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 Midland County Patriotism. 
 
 '^' 
 
 HE Michigan soldiers were counted among 
 ;ll " the best and bravest troops in the field dur- 
 '' ing the War of the Rebellion, and Midland 
 County, which had been but a few years organ- 
 ized, was not lacking when it came to the test- 
 'I'* When the first enrollment of those subject to 
 military duty was made in Midland County, 152 men 
 were reported. Of these 129 enlisted, and three 
 were drafted during the continuance of tire war, thus 
 leaving o'nly 21 able-bodied men in the county ! The 
 
 
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 ■^VKIIIlSDDS>-r*- 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 gallant and loyal sons of Michigan responded nobly 
 to the call for troops, but in no locality more promptly 
 than in Midland County. Leaving their wives and 
 little ones behind, the husbands and fathers hurried 
 to the front, anxious to be the first to aid in the pro- 
 tection of their country's honor and the preservation 
 of the Union. Ladies, who by reason of birth and 
 education were more fitted for the drawing room than 
 a life of toil, bravely took charge of the farm, and 
 while the reality of life was thus forced upon them 
 they uncomplainingly put their hands to the plow, and 
 in some instances wielded the ax, to attain a living 
 for themselves and children. 
 
 The Supervisors of this county appropriated $6,550 
 for the relief of soldiers families. " IThis allowance 
 was to be made at their discretion, but not to exceed 
 $15 per month ; and in the case of the death of a sol- 
 dier, it was to continue one year thereafter. This 
 relief was unquestionably administered with that 
 generous liberality which the laiv contemplated. Yet 
 the law was neitlier easy nor desirable, as it required 
 much labor, good judgment, discrimination and deli- 
 cacy, at the same lime giving opportunity for much 
 censure. While imposition on the counties hadtobe 
 guarded against, respect for the claims of applicants 
 were 'demanded, and in its distribution there was a 
 degree of delicacy requisite in barring the least idea 
 of a charily and in establishing one of a right. The 
 people, however, have very sensibly given the author- 
 ities due allowance for the'delicacy of the situation. 
 
 Rejoicing at the end of the war was fully as great 
 in Midland County as elsewhere. The soldiers re- 
 turned to their homes, and laborers, who before had 
 been so scarce, were plentiful. Business of every 
 character was increased ; new business houses were 
 built; saw-mills and other manufacturing establish- 
 ments erected, and the county assumed a phase of 
 activity never",before experienced. Ministers who 
 had worn the blue now donned their ministerial 
 robes, and glad tidings of peace on earth and good 
 will toward men were heard from every pulpit in the 
 county. The brave men who survived this struggle 
 have as true sentiments of patriotism within their 
 breasts to-day as when tliey left mother, father, wife 
 and family for tlie desperate front. And as patriot- 
 ism seeks to be effective to the interests of a State, 
 to vindicate its rights, redress it wrongs, and secure 
 ts prosperity, these can never be better left than 
 
 with those men who braved death for the preserva- 
 tion of tlie Union, — 
 
 Men who tlieir iliitii's know. 
 
 Ami also know their rij^hts. 
 
 Anil, knowino-. ilai-e maintain them. 
 
 DWIGHT MAY POST, NO. 69, 
 
 Was mustered June 28, r882, with the following gen- 
 tlemen as officers : D. W. Hitchcock, Commander ; 
 True Hart, Sen. Vice Commander; Wra. Simmons, 
 Jr. Vice Commander; J. W. Snell, Adjt.; Wm. David- 
 son, Q. M.; D. A. Huyck, Chaplain; E. W. Davis, 
 Surgeon; T. B. Main, Officer of the Day; R. J. 
 Waldon, Officer of the Guard; C. L. Jenney, Gr. M. 
 Sergt.; H. F. Olmstead, Sergt. Maj. 
 
 The charter members, including the officers men- 
 tioned, were : J. B. Atchinson, S. Burch, F. E. But- 
 ters, A. L. Bellinger, Chas. E. Call, M. Dunning, 
 Thos. G. Fraser, O. D. Gotham, J. M. Hall, S. Kent, 
 N. Norton, J. C. Pressley, G. G. Richardson, A. J. 
 Raymoiid, B. Stockwell, M. H. Stanford, L. A. Tryan, 
 C. H. Thorns, James Van Kleeck and E. Walters. 
 All these gentlemen were Michigan soldiers, and the 
 number of members have increased to upwards of 80 
 veterans. Their arms and accouterments were pur- 
 chased by the Post, and the Adjutant, J. W. Snell, 
 reports the sanitary and financial condition in good 
 order. The worth of the present officers is shown 
 by the unanimous re-election of all to their several 
 positions, no change having occurred since the or- 
 ganization. 
 
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 I 
 
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 Woman's Christian Temperance Union. 
 
 4 
 
 jHIS society was organized July 26, r882,by 
 Mrs. Judyvine, of Flint. An election of 
 officers is held semi-annually, in January 
 \^ and July. The result of the first election was 
 as follows: Mrs. P. S. Davies, President; Mrs. 
 T. J. Carpenter, rst Vice President; Mrs. Rev. 
 Ellis, 2d Vice President; Mrs. Rev. H. W. Hicks, 
 3d Vice President; Mrs. Ellery Anderson, Rec. Sec; 
 Mrs. Abner Horton, Cor. Sec; Mrs. Wm. Berryman, 
 Treas. 
 
 At the time of its organization the members of the 
 the society numbered 20, and since then many names 
 have been added to the list. 
 
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 42S 
 
 MIDLAND COUNTY. 
 
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 In January, 1884, Mrs. P. S. Davies was elected 
 President; Mrs. T. W. Crissey, Mrs. H. B. Harring- 
 ton and Mrs. Cordelia Elmer, Vice Presidents; Mrs. 
 M. McKizie, Recording Secretary; Mrs. E. Ander- 
 son, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. C. L. Jenney, 
 Treasurer. These ladies devote themselves and 
 their influence to the noble work of suppressing in- 
 temperance in the village of Midland. They are 
 working quietly and slowly, but are surely gaining 
 ground; and they intend to insist upon having their 
 voices heard and their requests fully considered, and 
 through their active work they hoi>e to free their vil- 
 lage of this dreadful vice. 
 
 Y 
 
 1 
 
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 A Terrible Necessity. 
 
 HE most fearful transaction in the history 
 of Midland County was enacted on the 
 morning of Sunday, Nov. 9, 1879, in the 
 township of Homer. The place adjoining thai 
 tJ of M. B. Marsh was owned by a morose, 
 I fractious Frenchman named Mazak. He had 
 been a disagreeable neighbor, and at times resisted 
 the common administration of the municipal regula- 
 tions of the township, making it necessary some- 
 times to enforce the law in collecting taxes, etc. It 
 was known that his severity in his family approached 
 brutality, but beyond discontented growling at being 
 compelled to satisfy the legal demands upon him, 
 he did not seem dangerous to the community. 
 
 But a few days before the date named he had 
 seemed to be ill, and his movements were so peculiar 
 that his wife called a physician. On Saturday he 
 sat all day in the middle of the floor without speak- 
 ing or eating. Toward niglit he came out of his sin- 
 gular condition, roused up, and spent the evening 
 pleasantly with his family, finally retiring to appar- 
 ently peaceful slumber. Just at the approach of 
 dawn the family of Mr. Marsh were aroused by the 
 cries of the children of Mazak, that their mother 
 wanted Mr. Marsh to come to her assistance. He 
 dressed hastily all but his coat, and on leaving the 
 house met Mrs. Mazak, who told him her husband 
 was killing her mother. Mr. Marsh passed out into 
 
 the road and had gone but a short distance when 
 Mazak sprang upon him from the corner of the 
 fence. The Frenchman had no clothing on except a 
 heavy woolen shirt and his stockings, and he had in 
 his hands a bludgeon of hard wood. He seized Mr. 
 Marsh and threw him. A large new clasp knife 
 flew from the pocket of the latter, which Mazak 
 seized, opened and commenced to slash the fallen 
 man. In Mr. Marsh's attempts to ward off the 
 knife, his left hand was severely injured by a cut 
 across the back, which laid bare the bones and ten- 
 dons. The desperation of his situation nerved him 
 to make a tremendous effort to throw off his antago- 
 nist, which he did, and he then jumped over the 
 fence and ran. The Frenchman followed him and 
 encountered his mother-in-law, who had followed 
 him, and again attacked her with the' knife, inflicting 
 severe wounds. 
 
 Mr. Marsh went to her assistance and obtained 
 possession of the knife, which he threw towards the 
 road. The Frenchman darted to the wood-pile and 
 returned with an ax. Mr. Marsh immediately closed 
 with him and took the ax from him. The infuriated 
 maniac fought like a wild beast compelling Mr. 
 Marsh to defend his life, which he did, but at the 
 dreadful extremity of putting an end to the existence 
 of the lunatic, which charity must suppose him to 
 have been. No help came until all was over, and 
 when the neighbors arrived Mrs. Marsh was endeav- 
 oring to bind the wounds and relieve the sufferings 
 of her husband and the woman, who had several se- 
 vere wounds besides the bruises from the blows she 
 had received at the beginning of the terrible affair. 
 Mr. Marsh had nine wounds and kept his bed seven 
 weeks in consequence of his injuries. He had, and 
 continues to receive, the sympathy of the entire 
 community. 
 
 An item of interest to the speculative in consider- 
 ing the above incident, is the fact that Thursday 
 night previous, Mrs. Marsh dreamed that Mazak lay 
 frying in a coffin which floated in a lake that filled 
 tlie door-yard to her house. The curious part is that 
 on Friday Mrs. Mazak repeated her dream of the 
 previous night to Mrs. Marsh, the details being nearly 
 identical. This fact was known to several persons 
 before the catastrophe. It is, doubtless, one of those 
 numerous examples of coincidence with which the 
 public is firmiliar. 
 
 
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 ■■■^:^-^ 
 
 ^-A^^ 
 
 BI0GrifIl:?r;I(3fIIx 
 
 i 
 
 f 
 
 
 V 
 
 ) 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 Alil>cy, <icori4C W 333 
 
 Adum*, John 23 
 
 AdaiiH, JohnQuincy 39 
 
 A 1^4111 r«:, I'hilip «28 
 
 Alien Win. W 13 
 
 Arthur, Chculcr A ^9 
 
 Anhby. Richard m8 
 
 \; 
 
 liabcock, L. F Ji6 
 
 liagtey, John J "57 
 
 Hailcy, B. li «7 
 
 liailcy, l-<:»t«r M J53 
 
 Halch, J. J'., Sr 286 
 
 liakh, J.P.. Jr 3*4 
 
 lialdwin, Henry F 153 
 
 liankn, K. I,. O a4' 
 
 Harry. F. J 3'9 
 
 Barry, John S 113 
 
 liarton, Frank M9 
 
 Barton, Joieph 297 
 
 Bcdcn, V,. G 238 
 
 BcKok, Jo»iah W 169 
 
 Bellinger, A. L ....250 
 
 Berry man, E. C 200 
 
 Bcrthunc, David 209 
 
 Bingham, Kin«lcy S 137 
 
 BUbing, J. S 339 
 
 Blair. Aimin MS 
 
 Boie., Milton M 225 
 
 Bower*, John G 304 
 
 Bowman, A. J., M. D aoo 
 
 Bra/iley, EgUrt 244 
 
 Braley, Aiuo» 194 
 
 Brewer, Joel A 241 
 
 Brewner, E. J 297 
 
 Brine, Thomas ••224 
 
 Brook*, J.W. H 355 
 
 Brown, Charlei G 226 
 
 Brown, C. S 257 
 
 Brown, George 357 
 
 Brown, Gtorge K... 332 
 
 Buchanan, James 75 
 
 Burch, Byron >8o 
 
 Bunlets, J. B »>2 
 
 
 JJurilci.*, Wm.U,, M. \i ^^ 
 
 burton. K. N 240 
 
 JJurtoti, iJavid. 315 
 
 Burton, Frank S 280 
 
 liurton, Krcd M .,..343 
 
 Jiutton, A, M 312 ' 
 
 Hutton. Wm. k 270 
 
 (J 
 
 C;tJy, i)rb<ju ,313 
 
 Campbell, J.I. . . .23i 
 
 Card, Charlc« M ^^5 
 
 Carpenter. '1. J ji'y 
 
 Carrow, John i32 
 
 Cafccy, Oanifrt y^j 
 
 Cliarnt^erlain. I). 1 ,y>j 
 
 Clianil>«rfain, John M 353 
 
 Chaint/crlatn, Jxivi IJ ,,,.367 
 
 Chamlwrro. Win. M, V 334 
 
 Chattcrtvn, W. A 293 
 
 Claion. Kogcr W 337 
 
 Cochrane, Hon. J. W 3(6 
 
 Cody, Kol^ert l) 27S 
 
 Covert, Geo. W , ^u^ 
 
 Cradit, JoKph K-.. 383 
 
 Crapo, Henry H . . , 149 
 
 Crawford, K, J 287 
 
 Cronkriifht, C'harlc* 353 
 
 Cronkright, I. K 237 
 
 CrUscy, T. W, . ,,,,..,.,.,,»65 
 
 CroswelJ, Charle» M i6f 
 
 Cunutngfaafn, 'J'homas 197 
 
 Currle, John 2J3 
 
 Corric, Oill^rt 391 
 
 Currie, Dougald - 363 
 
 D 
 
 UagJe, Anthony 210 
 
 DavU, A. J 2S7 
 
 Day, E. S aoi 
 
 Dean, Bcoj .,. itj 
 
 Dean, Benj. F 363 
 
 Dean, S. K «9' 
 
 . Dean,.St<«:l E i'^ 
 
 Depue, Win, T 274 
 
 Depue, M. h 278 
 
 l-io/r, Arli.i.r VV '/jy 
 
 Orew, Sila» W 344 
 
 IfunUf AIkx 191 
 
 Dunning. Wm , 2$i 
 
 l>union, k 3IO 
 
 E 
 
 KlUworth. S,W W^ 
 
 Kinbury, K. P.... ,-.*-- 1170 
 
 Emory, K fJ ,,,..... ^384 
 
 England, Geo, W 331 
 
 y.rwdy. SylvcMcf . .. ...33i 
 
 K 
 
 Felcli, Ali,i.c.i(, 117 
 
 Fillnwre, Millard '/J 
 
 Flock, Bhilip Kys 
 
 Fran»;n. Andrew 248 
 
 ¥r-A*Ki, Abraham ,269 
 
 Fro«t,G.W. ...312 
 
 Fulrner, l-evi. .273 
 
 G 
 
 Garfield, James A 95 
 
 Gatkill, Saml. D 340 
 
 GibU, Win.D 34s 
 
 Gleckler, Simon 311 
 
 Good»peed, E, C, 294 
 
 Coff. G. B -293 
 
 Goold, H. W 1.32 
 
 Gorman, John 322 
 
 Gotham, F-, S 332 
 
 Gotham. K. B 312 
 
 Grace. John 337 
 
 Grant, Ulyste* .S 87 
 
 Greenleaf, W, A 208 
 
 Greenly, William L 121 
 
 G rover, U. E 244 
 
 H 
 
 Hager. Jaeob 255 
 
 Haley. John 33> 
 
 llaky, John 3*8 
 
 HalWrl.S. B 211 
 
 Hall, John M -.,»4 
 
 Hanley, J^tn^t 'i ^ 
 
 Hannah, Andf ■■ ;-/i 
 
 Hare, D. A., y/j 
 
 Harris, Wal»</ii ,2:^1 
 
 Harriw^n, Will. H ........ 51 
 
 Hart, Hon. Henry.,.., ..,....(77 
 Hafekink, Will, R,,,, ,,.,,,,, .sag 
 Havenk, Aaron,,/, #,,,#«#,... 279 
 
 Hawley, A. M ,..,,.., ...^ 223 
 
 Hawley, J>ennit 225 
 
 Hayes. Kiitberford H 91 
 
 Haywood. John,,,,. ,,,,205 
 
 Hewiu, W. K 2)8 
 
 Hewiti. Zachariah M 179 
 
 Hiickling, Arthnr 242 
 
 Higgins, Alljer' . "«97 
 
 Higgins, Win .221 
 
 Higgink, (/cofgc 292 
 
 Hitkinan, Nelson ^y/t 
 
 Holman.F. J »« 
 
 Holmes. I,. .S ,,,,,«, 224 
 
 Jfooper. Joseph,,,. J^ 
 
 Hosner. Orville B,..- 27 j 
 
 Howard, Cornelius ^cc 
 
 Howe, James ^' . -282 
 
 Howe, Wm. Jl ..229 
 
 Howley, John (^ >(» 
 
 HubUrd, F,)i 282 
 
 HdbWl. Charles H, L 2i<. 
 
 Hughes, James 274 
 
 Hutchins, S, T i8« 
 
 (nman, Krwin 
 
 ./>? 
 
 5?DD^'>^ 
 
 -25^^ 
 
 Jadoon. Andrew 4i 
 
 Jefferson, Thomas 27 
 
 Jerome, David H ««s 
 
 Joboson, Andrew 83 
 
 Johnson. J. B 243 
 
 Johnson. J, S,,,, 3^4 
 
 ■'' 
 
 A 
 
 r>.' 
 
 r 
 
 
 ^ 
 
H^/®))^^* 
 
 (' ) 
 
 ]=X 
 
 1=1 
 
 (!) 
 
 '\ 
 
 i 
 1 
 
 432 
 
 K 
 
 Kane, Michael E 236 
 
 Kelly, M 2og 
 
 Kelly, Wm 338 
 
 Kent, Simeon =39 
 
 Ketcham, P. H 367 
 
 Kime, J. W 268 
 
 Kirby, Charles ^94 
 
 Kranick, C 303 
 
 Lain, Joseph 346 
 
 Laiiphierd, Wilbur 301 
 
 Larkin, John - 351 
 
 Lee, Benjamin . 213 
 
 Leonard, Sylvester 214 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham 79 
 
 Lines, Silas W 357 
 
 Loyer. John . ■ ■ -311 
 
 Linton, Henry F 358 
 
 M 
 
 Madison, James 31 
 
 Magee, Wm 288 
 
 Major, James 211 
 
 Marcy, Alanson 207 
 
 Marcy, C. F 27Q 
 
 Marsh, Alvin 207 
 
 Marsh. Moses B 263 
 
 Martin, Andrew J 258 
 
 Martin, L W 281 
 
 Martindale, Charles-- igo 
 
 Mason, Stevens T 105 
 
 Maxell, John 356 
 
 McClelland. Robert i2g 
 
 McCormick, John 354 
 
 McCrary, Ferdinand ^311 
 
 McCrary, Wm 283 
 
 McCune, E. D 304 
 
 McDougall, Neil 344 
 
 McFarland, M. O 265 
 
 McGowan, Edward 320 
 
 McGregor, John 302 
 
 Mclntyre, D. C ig6 
 
 McKay, Wm 208 
 
 McKinnon, Daniel 283 
 
 McMillan, Allan R 354 
 
 McNeil, Wm 544 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 McWil!i.ims, Hugh 2^2 
 
 Miller, George 247 
 
 Mills, Charles 267 
 
 Mills, D. A 326 
 
 M ills, Harding 284 
 
 Mills, Sjmuel 255 
 
 Mills, Wm. H 299 
 
 M ills, Wm 238 
 
 Mixer, Wm iSo 
 
 Monroe, James 35 
 
 Moore, Thomas 239 
 
 Morrison, Joseph A 230 
 
 Murray, Mrs. Hannah S 313 
 
 N 
 
 Nickels, 'l'h«imas ^i\ 
 
 O 
 
 Uiiu!!, James = 35 
 
 O'Donnell . Daniel 198 
 
 Oliver, Francis 324 
 
 Openo, George 285 
 
 Openo, J. E 294 
 
 Oscar, Charles 355 
 
 Ostrander, John C 198 
 
 Osrrander, John W 284 
 
 Oswald, Charles 334 
 
 Oswald, E. E 321 
 
 Overton, Charles 24y 
 
 Parker, John O 193 
 
 Parker, Solomon ' 227 
 
 Parmelee, C, M 322 
 
 Parsons, Andrew 133 
 
 Patterson, John P 332 
 
 Peck. W. H 279 
 
 Peer, Charles B 201 
 
 Perry, J. C 178 
 
 Phelan, Wm 266 
 
 Phetteplace, Wm 303- 
 
 Phillips, Wm 285 
 
 Pierce, Franklin 71 
 
 Pierce, Jonathan 252 
 
 Pierce. Phineas F 314 
 
 Plumer.Wm. C 195 
 
 Polk, James K 59 
 
 Post, F. L 243 
 
 Post, John 229 
 
 Potter, Robert 272 
 
 Powers, E. P 199 
 
 I'lifTer, Uenj . T .134 
 
 R 
 
 Ransom, Epaphroditus 125 
 
 Raymond, Alex. J 249 
 
 Raymond, Henry. 249 
 
 Raymond, J. P 253 
 
 Richardson, Thos. T 192 
 
 Riefenberg, Louis 278 
 
 Roberson, John 3:'0 
 
 Rockwell, George O 264 
 
 Rockwell, Henry 197 
 
 Rockwood, Urial 234 
 
 Rogers, Lewis 263 
 
 Rooker, James 219 
 
 Rose, John F 179 
 
 Salsbury, John . . 
 Sanford, Charles S. 
 
 Schearer, John 
 
 See, Alfred 
 
 Shaffner, S. D 
 
 Shepherd, A. J 
 
 Shively, A. J 
 
 Short, Joseph D 
 
 Sias, John 
 
 Sias, John C 
 
 Sias, Samuel 
 
 Simons, Edwin 
 
 Simons, T. B 
 
 Simmon*!, Wm 
 
 Skyn, Peter 
 
 Slough, B. F 
 
 Smith, Charles 
 
 Smith, M. H 
 
 Smock, George 
 
 Stanton, James J . . . 
 
 Starks, George 
 
 Stearns, Wm. L. . . . 
 Stowiis, Henry B .. 
 
 Stuart, Henry 
 
 Sugnet, John 
 
 Suiter, John 
 
 Swanton, John. . ... 
 Swanton, Young. .. 
 Swift, Phineas. - 
 
 T 
 
 Taft, Kthan 
 
 Taylor, Zachary. 
 
 ■314 
 ■357 
 .226 
 .366 
 .214 
 .28S 
 .215 
 .182 
 •277 
 5C9 
 
 .258 
 
 .181 
 
 .209 
 
 .2tO 
 
 .248 
 .254 
 . .298 
 
 ,.366 
 
 ■ 339 
 ■333 
 •325 
 ■340 
 , . 190 
 . .220 
 ..302 
 ..236 
 ■•'99 
 ■■277 
 
 Thompson, G. C 226 
 
 Thornlon, H. G 299 
 
 Thnrbcr, David E 235 
 
 Thurber, Geoige A 222 
 
 Tice, Wm. H 315 
 
 Timmons, James F 310 
 
 Townsend, Joseph C 237 
 
 Tremper, Peter L 222 
 
 Tripp. Joseph H 228 
 
 'I'rowbridee, S. D 324 
 
 Turner, Daniel M 291 
 
 Turner, Mark E 294 
 
 Turner, Robert A 298 
 
 Turner, Samuel 353 
 
 Turney, Amos 202 
 
 Tyler, John 55 
 
 Van IJuren, Martin 47 
 
 Vance, Wm 256 
 
 Van Kleeck, Hon . J 364 
 
 \'an Wet;en, G . W 322 
 
 N'isger, G. .\. . . .* 356 
 
 w 
 
 Wallace, Wm. M 192 
 
 Warden, Geo. W 343 
 
 Washington, Geo 19 
 
 Watts, John J 194 
 
 Wayne, Duncan 256 
 
 Wayue, J. A 321 
 
 Weed, Daniel 345 
 
 Wesson, Louis H 363 
 
 Whitman, James 240 
 
 Whitman, John A 233 
 
 Wilcox, Daniel 240 
 
 Wilcox, David M 310 
 
 Wilkinson, Samuel 220 
 
 Windover, John 315 
 
 Windover, Wm 209 
 
 Winslow, Charles H 273 
 
 Winslow, C. J 223 
 
 Winslow, J. J 287 
 
 Winslow, Loring S 34^ 
 
 Wismer, Abram L 292 
 
 Wismer,J.H 301 
 
 Wisner, Moses 141 
 
 Woodbridge, Wm .109 
 
 Woodcock, Philip 250 
 
 Wright, Eben 266 
 
 Wright, Silas E 265 
 
 I 
 
 •f ■ 
 
 T 
 
 ■f^^ 
 
 <^^ii!]^iiti;i>' 
 
^tl^ 
 
 /JVD£X. 
 
 -4^^(<®VM 
 
 433 
 
 
 ■^^ 
 
 
 /: 
 
 ) 
 
 Adams, John 22 
 
 Adams, John Quincy 38 
 
 Arthur, Chester A 98 
 
 Bagley, John J 156 
 
 Baldwin, Henry P 152 
 
 Barry, John S 112 
 
 Begole, Josiah W... . 168 
 
 Bingham, Kinsley S 136 
 
 Blair, Austin 144 
 
 Brewster, E.J 296 
 
 Buchanan, James 73 
 
 Burtless, Wm. i 204 
 
 Carpenter, T. J 318 
 
 Clason, Roger W 336 
 
 Covert, Geo. W .....218 
 
 Crapo, Henry H 148 
 
 Croswell, Charles M 160 
 
 Currie , Gilbert 290 
 
 Dean, Eenj 18:; 
 
 De.in, Mrs. Jerusha 184 
 
 Dean, Benj. F 360 
 
 Dean, Mrs. Jane 361 
 
 Felch, Alphcus itf, 
 
 Fillmore, Millard 66 
 
 Garfield, James A 04 
 
 Grant, Ulysses S 86 
 
 Greenly, William L 120 
 
 Haley, John 328 
 
 Haley, Mrs. John 329 
 
 Harrison, Wm. H 50 
 
 Hayes, Rutherford B go 
 
 Jackson, Andrew 42 
 
 Jefferson, I'hos. J 26 
 
 Jerome, David H 164 
 
 Johnson, Andrew 82 
 
 Larkin, John 348 
 
 Larkin, Mrs. Amanda 349 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham 78 
 
 Madison James 30 
 
 Marsh, Moses E 260 
 
 Marsh, Mrs. Nancy 261 
 
 Mason, Stevens T 104 
 
 McClelland, Robert 128 
 
 Miller, George 246 
 
 Monroe, James 43 
 
 .132 
 
 Parsons, Andrew 
 
 Pierce, Franklin ^q 
 
 Polk , James K ^8 
 
 Ransom, Epaphroditus 124 
 
 Sias, Samuel 306 
 
 Sias, Mrs. Mary E 307 
 
 Swift, Phineas 276 
 
 Taylor, Zachary 62 
 
 Tyler, John g^ 
 
 VanBuren, Martin 46 
 
 Warden, Geo. W .., 
 
 Washington, George 18 
 
 Whitman, John A.. 232 
 
 Wisner, Moses 140 
 
 Woodbridge, William 108 
 
 
 INTRODUCTORY 
 
 Value of Local History 
 How Our Fathers Lived 
 
 INDIAN HISTORY 
 
 EARLY HISTORY 
 
 TOWNSHIPS 
 
 Midland 
 
 Ingersoll 
 
 Jerome 
 
 Lincoln 
 
 Jasper 
 
 Homer 
 
 Mounty Haley 
 
 Porter 
 
 Hope 
 
 Geneva 
 
 Warren 
 
 Edenville 
 
 Larkin 
 
 Greendale 
 
 Lee 
 
 MIDLAND CITY 
 
 The Beginnings 
 Midland Incorporated 
 
 Fire Department 
 Business 
 Church History 
 
 Methodist Episcopal 
 
 Presbyterian 
 
 Baptist 
 
 371 
 371 
 372 
 374 
 377 
 382 
 382 
 
 383 
 384 
 
 38s 
 385 
 386 
 
 3S7 
 387 
 3S8 
 
 389 
 389 
 391 
 392 
 393 
 394 
 
 395 
 
 395 
 397 
 397 
 398 
 400 
 400 
 400 
 401 
 
 Episcopal 
 Catholic 
 Secret Societies 
 Masonic 
 Royal Arcanum 
 Knights of Labor 
 
 POLITICAL 
 
 County Officers 
 
 REMINISCENCES 
 
 401 
 402 
 
 403 
 403 
 
 403 
 403 
 
 404 
 404 
 405 
 
 i^VD)^# 
 
 Capture of Cubs 
 Townsend Chased by 
 
 Deer 406 
 
 Deer Chased by Town- 
 send 
 Thirteen Deer in Prison 
 Surprise to Gov. Begole 
 Hard Times 
 Indian Small-Pox 
 Indian Etiquette 
 A Bear's Vengeance 
 Three Immense Bears 
 Over-ruling the Verdict 
 Indian Shrewdness 
 Swallowed the Account 
 The Champion Drinker 
 Another Liquor Story 
 Fine to be Paid in Liquor4ii 
 Did not Pass 412 
 
 Liquor Still Ahead 412 
 
 - Divorced by a Justice 412 
 
 405 
 
 406 
 407 
 407 
 407 
 408 
 408 
 408 
 409 
 409 
 409 
 410 
 410 
 411 
 
 Inquest, Liquor, etc. 
 A Sheriff Done For 
 Serio-Comical 
 
 412 
 413 
 413 
 
 Too Much "Cross Haul" 414 
 Rough and Tumble 415 
 
 Eating Bear Steak 415 
 
 A Canuck Hoodooed 416 
 
 LUMBER 417 
 
 Life in a Lumber Camp 4 1 8 
 
 EDUCATIONAL 419 
 
 The Facts in this County 420 
 
 THE PRESS 
 
 
 
 Midland Sentinel 
 Midland Times 
 Midland Sun 
 Coleman Advocate 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS 
 
 Agricultural Society 
 Soil and Products 
 Wealth of Midland Co. 
 Game 
 Railroads 
 County Buildings 
 County Poor Farm 
 Midland Patriotism 
 Dwight May Post 
 W. C. T. U. 
 A Terrible Necessity 
 
 421 
 
 421 
 
 422 
 422 
 422 
 
 423 
 
 423 
 424 
 
 424 
 425 
 425 
 426 
 426 
 426 
 427 
 427 
 428 
 
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