I w PAST AND PRESENT OF ISABELLA COUNTY MICHIGAN BY "^ HON. ISAAC A. FANCHER I L'L'U S T R A T E D 1911 B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS. INDIANA 9 DEDICATION. This work is respectfully dedicated to THE PIONEERS, long since departed. May the memory of those who laid down their burdens by the wayside ever be fragrant as the breath of summer flowers, for their toils and sacrifices have made Isabella County a garden of sun- shine and delights. ;7> PREFACE All lite and achievenient is evolutii)n ; present wisdom comes from past experience, and present commercial ])rosperity has come only from past exer- tion and siifYering. The deeds and motives of the men that have gone liefore have heen instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and states. The de\elupmeni of a new ct)untry was at once a task and a privi- lege It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the pres- ent conditions of the people of Isabella county, Michigan, with what they were one hundred years ago. From a trackless wilderness and virgin land, it has come to be a center of prosperity and civilization, with millions of wealth, systems of railways, grand educational institutions, splendid industries and immense agricultural and timber productions. Can any thinking person lie insensible to the fascination of the study which discloses the aspirations and etTorts of the early pioneers who so strongly laid the foundation upon which lias been reared the magnificent prosperity of later days? To perpetuate the story of these people and to trace and record the social, political and indus- trial progress of the community from its first inception is the function of the local historian. A sincere purpose to preserve facts and per.sonal memoirs that are deserving of perpetuation, and whicli unite the ]iresent to the past, is the motive for the present ijublication. The work has been in the hands of able writers, who have, after much patient study and researcii. produced here the most complete biographical memoirs of Isabella county, Michigan, ever ofi'ered to the public. A specially valuable and interesting department is that one devoted to the sketches of representative citizens of this county whose records deserve preservation because of their worth, effort and accomplish- ment. The publishers desire to extend their thanks to the gentlemen who have so faithfully labored to this end. Thanks are also due to the citizens of Isabella county for the uniform kindness with which they have regarded this undertaking and for their many ser\ices rendered in the gaining of neces- sary information. In placing the "Past and Present of Isabella County. Michigan." before the citizens, the publi.shers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out the plan as outlined in tlie prospectus. Ever>- biographical sketch in the work has been submitted to the party interested, for correction, and there- fore anv error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was prepared. Confident that our eiiforts to please will meet the approbation of the pul)lic, v e are. Respectfully, THE PUBLISHERS. CONTENTS OHAI'TEK 1— TOl'OCatAl'HY AND GEOLOGY OF ISABELLA COrNTY 25 Course of Rivers and Streams — Drainage — Surface Geoiogy — Geographical | Location — Civil Divisions— Topofrrapuical Survey — Kegion in (ieueral — TUe Moraines — Terminal Moraines — Tlie Ground Moraine — Tlie \Vasli — Geolofiical Conclusions — Contact of tbe Ice Lobes — Lalje Saginaw — River Terraces. CHAi'TEu II— Gi:o(;itAriii(Ai- ani> other names 40 Derivation of County Name- Indian Designations — Eminent I'ulilic Men Com- memorateil — Indian Names for Wlilte Men Derived from Traits of Cliaracter — Indian Superstitions. CHAPTER III— EARLY HISTORY 45 Lavisli (Irants of Land — Ordinance of ITST — Acts Relative to Michigan — .Vssent of the State of Michigan — .\dnnssion of Michigan as a State — Organization of the Territory — -Early Governors — First State Constitutional Convention — — Boundary Line Misunderstanding — The State Caiiital — Erection of New Capitol Building. CHAPTER IV— INDIAN TREATIES AND PATENTS 61 Treaty with the Chippewas of Saginaw, Swan Creek and Blacli River — Amend- ments — Indian Land Certlticate — Treaty of 1864 — Contention as to Kind of Patents — I-and Entry ('onipli<'ations — .\n .\ttempted Fraud and Us .Vnuulmcnt — Indian Industrial School — Congression:il .Vets Relating Tliereto — Growth of the Institution — Superintendents — Inilians as Civil War Soldiers — Isabella County Indians Industrious. CHAPTER V— ORGANIZATION OF ISABELLA COUNTY 83 Act of the Territorial Council Setting Ott" Isabella County — Sul)seriiment .Mill— Saw-mills — iJreat Quantities of Timber Saweil— Lumber .Mills Disappear— Grist Mills — Gorbam Brothers Company — Electric Light Pl:int— Ml. Pleas.int Lluht :ind Fuel Company. CONTENTS. CHArTKK VIII— COUKTS, BENCH AND BAR 121 E;irl.v Territorial Laws — The Circuit — Judicial Districts ami Their Boundaries — CUanses — The County Seat — The Court Houses— The Bench — Brief Mention of the Circuit Judges — Members of the Bar — Personal Mention — The Local Bar Noted for the High Order of Its Legal Talent— Probate Judges— Early Cases in Circuit Court— First Jury Cas^First Divorce— Interesting Cases in Circuit Oourt— The Hursh Case— The Sha\vb(X)se Case — The Williams Case. CHAPTKU IX— KAILROADS IN ISABEIJ.A COUNTY 139 Early Need of Railroads — Flint & Pere Marquette First to Enter County— A Boon to Lumbermen — The Ann Arbor Line — The Detroit. Lansing & Northern — Branch Roads — The County Now Well SupiJlied With Transportation Facil- ities. CHAPTER X— EDUCATION IN ISABELLA COUNTY 143 Paramomit Importance of Education — First School House — Other Early Houses and Pioneer Teachers — First Teachers" Institute — Schoul Statistics — First Dis- tricts Laid Off— Text-books Used— Mt. Pleasant Schools— First Buildings — School Census — Change in School House Site — Election — Erection of Building — Growth of Village and Increase iu School Accommodations — Educational Pro- visions tor the West Side — The Shepherd School — Mt. Pleas;int High School — Course of Study — Conunereial Dei>artment — Manual Training and Domestic Science — Mechanical Drawing — Proposed Agricultural Department — (Jraduates of Mt. Pleasant High School — Some of the Early School Teachers — The Sacred Heart School — Courses of Study — Graduates. CHAPTER XI— CENTRAL STATE NORMAL SCHOOL 175 Necessity of Facilities for Fundamental Education — Formation of Mt. Pleasant Improvement Company — Suggestion of the State Normal School, as Told by S. W. Hopkins, the First Secretary — Many Difficulties Met and Overcome — Erec- tion of Building — A Flourishing School — Appeal to the State — Legislative Efforts— Opiwsition — Final Passjige of Bill — The Bill — First Courses of Study — Sitecial Purpose, the Preparation of Teachers — Liberal State Appropriations — Building Improvements — Schedule of Classes, lltH) — The Summer School — Faculty — Extent and Efficiency of Work. CHAPTER XII— JOURNALISM 191 Importance of Local Newspaiiers — The Northern Pioneer — Isabella Enterprise — Northwestern Tribune — Mt. Pleasant Times — Mt. Pleasant Democrat — Isa- bella County Courier — Central Michigan Times — The Observer — Isabella County Republican — Isabella County Herald — Morgan's Watchtower — District School Journal — Evolution of the Newspaper Business. CHAPTER NIII— BANKS AND BANKING 196 Rufus Smith the First Banker- — Hicks, Bennett & Company — Webber & Ruel — Isabella County State Bank — Dusenbury. Nelson & Company — Exchange Savings Bank — Brown, Harris & Company — Commercial Bank — People's Sav- ings Bank — Shepherd Banks— Conmiercial State Bank — The Ryan Bank — Rose- bush Banking Company — Weidnian Banking Company — Central State Savings Bank — Farmers and Merchants' Bank. CONTENTS. CHAl'TKK XIV— THK MEIHCAI. I'UOi'KSSIOX - 202 Pliysieiiiiis nn Iniport.-iiit r:ict(ir in Society — Wesley J. ("iirhus. the First I'liysi- ci.-in in ls;il>ell.i Cnnnty — otlicr K.-irly iHK-tors— Men of Aliility anil U'lgh Char- acter — Brief Mention of Isal)ella Coiiiity Pliysiclans. I'ast ami I'reseut — I'reseiit Hosier — Uentislry — Veterinarians. rll.M'TKi: XV— CHfRCH HISTOItV 217 Cluirch History Coincident Witli First Settlement— First Clitircli Huilt for the Indian.s — Methiniists l^arly in the Field — Krection and Dedication of First I'hnrch -History of M. K. Siniety at Mt. Pleasant— First Sunday School- Ministers of this Society — I're.sbyteriiins — A New Chur<-h Krected — Minister.s — The Baptist Church — Kpi.'»co|«il I'hurch — Free-will Baptists — Free Methodists —Church of (iod — The Kisciples — M. K. Church at Salt Kiver — Other Methodist Churche.s — Wesleyan Methodisls — i"niteay .Vdventists — Kv:ingelic:il Church — (Jerniaii Lutherans — I'hurch of the Open Itihli' — Holiness Church — Evangelical I^utheran Trinity Church — Tile Honierites — Catholic SiK-ieties iiud Schools — Christian Science Church — An Indian Prayer — Fni- tariau Church. CILVPTEK XVI— CIVIC AX1> ItK.VKVOI.EXT .SOCIETIES . 244 Free and Accepted Slasons — Salt Hiver Lodge No. 388 — Wabou Lwige Xo. 305 — Mt. Pleasiiut Chapter Xo. Ill, K. .V. M.— Order of the Eastern St.ir — Cedar V.-illey Lodge Xo. 3s:j. F.& A. M. — Masons at Weidiuan — Independent Order of Odd I'ellows — Mt. Pleas.-int Lodge Xo. 217— Coe Lodge Xo. 2;!'.>. Salt Kiver- Cedar Itidge Lodge Xo. '>4i>. at Wiini — Odd Fellows at Blanchard — Ihiughters of Bebekah — Knights of the Maccabees — lijidy Maccabee.s — Cleaners — Gold Ue.>ierve Association — Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks — Knights of Pythias — Modern Woodmen of America — Xatioual Protective Legion — Court of Honor — Knights of Columbus — Isabella County Humane Societ.v. CHAPTER XVII— MAXIFACTIKES 263 Value of Original Forests — Condition of Isabella County in 1.854 — First Saw Mill — Water Power — Amount of Lumber Cut and Shipped from Isabella County — Timber Floateil on Chipiiewa Kiver — Value of Timber — Much Timber De- stroyed by Forest Fires. CHAPTER XVIII— AlWtlClLTIKAL INTERESTS 266 Am Imiiortant Subjec-t — Waste of Soil and Its Effect ou I'osterity — Agriculture An Up-Hill Business in the Early Days — The First Clearing iu Isabella County — Erectiou of a Pioneer Cabin — Clearing of the Land — First Crops — Lumbering — Forest Fires — Early Lack of Transportation Facilities— .\dvent of Railroads — Population Statistics — Stalisti — Coldwater Townshiii — Sherman Township — Gilmore Township — Wise Townshii) — Deerfield Towusliii) — Xottawa Township — Denver Township — The First Settlers — Cities and Villages — Isabella City — Salt River — Vernon City — ■Long\vood — Loomis — Sherman City — Dushville— Blanchard — Winn — Delwin — Rosebush — Calkinsville — Elm Grove Addition — Weidman — Beal City — Cald- well — Leaton. . CHAPTER XXIII— CITY OF MT. PLEASANT 1 343 Purchase of Original Plat^ — The Morton House — Other Hotels — Beginning of Commercial Life — Fire of 1875 — Plats and Additions — Mt. Pleasant Improve- ment Company — Early Business Houses— Growth of the City — Old Business Firms — Present Commercial Houses — City Official Roster — Improvements — Water Supply — Bond Issues — Sidewalks — Public Parks — Municipal Indebt- edness. HISTORICAL INDEX A Admission of Michigan 57 Agricultural Society 205 Agriculture 2(50 Ann Arbor Railroad 140 Arnold, I. K.. Ueminiscences of 101 B Kanks and Banking 196 Baptist Church 223 Bar, Meiubers of the 126 Beal City 342 Bench and Bar 121 Bench, The 125 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks - 258 Benevolent Societies 244 Big Salt Kiver 27 Birth, the First IK) Blaiichard 33« Bond Issues 377 Boundary Line. Ohio 52 Boys' Corn Club 290 Broonjtield Township 330 Brown. Harris & Co. 198 Building a Cabin 268 Itusincss Houses. Early 348 C Cabin Building 268 Caldwell 342 Calkinsville 341 Capital. State 58 Capitol. New State 5S Catholic Church 235 Catholic School 171 Celebrations 89 Census of County. 1860 87 Central Michigan Times 193 Central Sf.ite Normal School 175 Central State Savings Bank 20<1 Character of Chippewas 79 Chippewa Indians, Treaty with 01 Chippewa River 25 Chippewa Town.ship 328 Chippewas. Character of 79 Cliristlaii Science Church 239 Church History 217 Chunh of Cod 226 Church of tile Open Bible 233 Circuit Court. First 121 Circuit Judges 125 Cities and Villages 335 City Official Roster 373 City of Mt. rieasjint 343 Civic .Societies 244 Coe Township 327' Coldwater River 26 Coldwater Township 331 Commercial Bank 199 Commercial State Bank 200 Condense«l Milk Company 277 Constitutional Convention 57 Contentions as to Patents 74 Convention, ConstitutioiuU 57 Corbus, Wesley J. 202 County Drains 281 County Officers, First 85 County I'oor Farm 307 County Seat 123 County Seat, Location of 86 County Seat, Removal of 86 Course of Study, Normal School 184 Court Houses 124 Court of Honor 260 Crops 275 D I>aiiyiiig Interests 277 Oaughters of Rebekah 252 Deertield Township 332 Delwin 341 Dentists - 214 Denver Township 333 Determined to Marry 91 Diary. An Old-Tinie 97 Didnt Relish His Bed.. -— 92 HISTORICAL INDEX. Discii»les Churfh 226 I)istrk-t School .Tourual ISH Districts, Judicial 122 Domestic Science 155 Draining 281 Duseubury, Nelson & Co. 197 Dushville 339 E Karly Business Houses 34^ Early Cases in Court 134 Early Celebrations 89 Early Educational Facts 105 f:arly Hardships 89 Early History 45 Early Mail Uoute-s 'M Early Physicians 203 Early KeiuUiiscences ^U Early Koads 107 Early School Teachers 169 Early Schools 103 Early Settlement 99 Early Settlers 100 Early Taverns 111 Early Transportation lOT Eastern Star 246 Education in Isabella County 143 Educational Facts 105 Electric I.iKht Plant 119 Elks 258 Elm Grove 341 Episcopal (^'hurch 223 Evangelical Church 2.32 Evangelical I.uth. Holiness Church__. 233 Excluinge Savings Bank 197 F Faculty of Normal School 18.8 Fairs 302 Farm Statistics 271 Farmers & Merchants' Bank 201 Farmers Clubs 293 Farmers' Schools 295 Fences 279 First Birth 90 First Church 217 First Circuit Court 121 First Clearinii 2G7 J'irst County Officers 85 First County Order 88 First Court House 124 First Divorce Case 135 First Jury Case 134 First Land Entry 91 First Legislature 57 First Marriage 90 First Mills 107 First National Bank, Mt. Pleasant,— 190 First Physician 202 First Postoffices 90 First lioad 107 First School House 143 First Settlers 334 First State Convention 57 First Teachers' Institute 145 First Things 90 Flint kV Pere Marquette Railroad 141 Free and Acceiited Masons 244 Free Methodist Church 225 Free-will Bapti.st Church 225 Fremont Township 329 Ci (leographical Names 40 Geology, I.sabella County 25 German Lutheran Church 233 Gilmore Township 331 (ileauers 255 (iuld Reserve Ass<}ciatiou 257 (iorhani Brothers 117 (iovernors. Territorial 56 • Jraduates of High School 161 (irand Army of the Republic 316 (irange 292 (Jravel Roads 109 (Jround Moraine 34 H Hicks, Bennett & Co. 196 High School at Mt. Pleasiint 153 High School Graduates 161 Holine.ss Church 233 Hornerites 234 Huuiiine ScK'iety 261 Hunting Squabs 93 Hursh Case 135 I Improvements 375 li'debteilness. Municipal 379 HISTORICAL INDEX. Iriili'in'iidi'iicf l>:i.v Ci'li'lmitions 89 IiKlcpciKltMit Older of (tdit Fellows.- 240 Iiuliaii Iiulustriiil .School 76 IiuUaii lyiiiul Certificate G8 IndiMii Xmiiios 43 Iiidi.-iii r:ilcMts 74 Iiidi;m Pniyor 240 Iiidi.'iM Siipcrstitioiis 44 Indi.'iu Treaties 61 ludiistriMl School 70 Isjihell.i City 335 IsMliellii County Agricnltunil Society 295 Isaliella County Courier 193 Isahella County, <;eolof;y 25 Isaliella County Herald 194 Isaliella County Humane Society 261 Isaliella County. Location 28 Lsatiella County. Orfjanizatiou of .S3 Is;iliella Coiuity Uepublican 193 Isaliella County Soldiers 310 Isaliell.i County State BanU 197 Isaliella County. Survey of 2s Isabella County. Topography 25 Is;diella Kullstuients 314 Isabella Knterprise I'-'l Isaliella, Origin of Xauie 4o l.snbella Township 327 J .THUriialisiii 191 .Indies of tile Circuit Court 125 .ludires of the Probate Court 133 Judicial Kistricts 122 •Tury Case, the I'Mrst 134 .Tiislice .\uiid I ijtlii-iillies 93 K I\iii;.'hls 111' ( 'dlunilius 261 KuIkIiIs of I'ythias 259 Kni^'lils iif llie Maccabees 253 L Lake Sagin.-iw .'{8 Lund Certificate, Indian lis Land Entr.v. First 91 Land (irants 45 Lawyers, I'ast and Present 12(> Leatou 342 I,egislature. First 57 Little Salt Uiver 27 Live Stock 274 Ix)oation of County Seat 86 Location of Isjibella County 28 Longvj-ood 337 Loomis 337 Lutiiberiug 263 Lunilieriug Statistics 264 M .Maccabei'S 253 .M.iil lioutes 90 Manu.al Training 155 Manufacturers 263 .Maple Sugar and Syrup 280 Marriage, the First 90 .M.isonic Order 244 .Medical Profession 202 Members of the Bar 126 .Methodist Kpiscopal Church 217 .Michigan, .\dniission of 57 .Michigan Territory Organized 55 .Military Kecord 310 .Mills 113 .Mills. lOarly 107 .Modern Woodmen of America 260 .Mor.iin.al Lakes 29 .Mor.iines 29 .Morgan's W.itclitower 194 .Mt. Pleasjint 343 Mt. Pleasant I>emocrat 192 .Mt. Pleasant High School 153 .Ml. Ple.isant Improvement Co 175, 347 .Mt. Plea.sant Light & Fuel Co 119 .Ml. Pleasant School Census 147 .Mt. Plea.siint .Sihools . 145 .Mt. Ple.isant Times 192 .Municip.al Indelitedness 379 X Xanies. Origin of 40 Nalional ProUn-tive Legion 200 Necrological Kecord 319 Xoniial School Cour.se of Study 184 Normal School. F.i.ulty 188 Normal Sdiool Legislation .- 182 Normal School, State 175 Northern Pioni*er 191 Norlhwestern Tribune 192 Nollaw.i Townslii|i 332 HISTORICAL INDEX. o Observer 1*^3 Odd Fellows 250 orticers. First County S5 OtIifiiU Koster, City 373 Ohio Bovmdiiry Line 52 Old-Tiuie Diary 97 Order of the Eastern Star 246 Ordinance of 1787 45 Organization of Isabella County 83 P rarks, Mt. Pleasant 378 Patents to Indians 74 People's Savings Bank 199 Pliysicians. Early 203 Physicians, Present 206 Pine Kiver 27 Plucky Woman 94 Poor Farm 307 Postoffices 90 Prayer, An Indian 240 Presbyterian Church 219 Present Court House 124 Present School Districts 145 Principal Crops 274 I'robate Judges 133 Public Parks 378 R Kailroads in Isabella County 141 Kcligious History 217 Ueniarkable Record 313 Reminiscences 89 Reminiscences by I. E. Arnold 101 Removal of County Seat 86 Roads, Early 107 Rolland Township 330 Rosebush 341 Rosebush Banking Co. 200 Roster of Physicians 214 Royal Arch Masons 245 S S;icred Heart School 171 S.iginaw, Treaty of 122 Salt River 336 Saw Mills 263 School, Central State Normal 175 School Districts, Present 145 School House, the First 143 School Teachers, Early 169 SchooLs, Early 103 Schools in Mt. Pleasant 145 Settlement, Early 99 Settlers, Early 100 Settlers, First 334 Seventh-Day Adventist Church 232 Shawboose Case 135 Shepherd School 152 Sherman City 338 Sherman Township 331 Sidewalks 378 Soldiers" Bounty 311 Soldiers from Isabella County 310 Streams and Branches 25 Squab Hunting 93 State Capital 58 State Convention, First 57 State Normal School 175 State Roads 109 Statistics, Agricultural 271 Sugarmaking, Early 98 Superstitions, Indian 44 Surface Geology 27 Survey of Isabella County 28 T Taverns 111 Teachers, Early School 169 Teachers' Institute, First 145 Terminal Moraines 30 Territorial Governors 56 The Bench 125 The Wash 36 Timber, Value of 265 Topogniphy, Isabella County 25 Town.ship Farm Statistics 272 Townships 327 Transportation, Early 107 Treaties, Indian Gl Treaty of 1864 69 Treaty of Saginaw 122 Treaty with Chippewa s 61 U I iiidu Township 328 Unitarian Church 242 t'nited Brethren Church 2.32 IIISTIIUUAI. INDEX. V WcIiImt .V; liUfl I'JO WcidiiiMii 341 \Vi-i(liii.iii li.-ilikiiiK Co. 200 Wcslc.v.m .McIIkmH.sI Cliiil-eb 232 \\liilii»'.vT;iyli)r ("omiiauy 117 Williimis I'ase i;i5 W Winn 340 Wiilk.T Crci'li 20 Wise Township 332 War Meetings 313 Wonnins Relief Corps 314 Wilier ,Suni>l.v 375 Woodmen 260 \l^^. Lewis I). 4!)6 Co.vne. Daniel 698 Crotser. Ein.-inuel 555 Cinlis, .John W. 477 D Damon. .lohn .\. .398 Davis, Aaron 723 Davis, James 419 Dersnah, Bernard E. 4.56 Devereaux. Michael 447 I>il.l.le. William L. 5.51 Dodds. Francis H 403 Dodds. I'eter F. 464 Dallett. IJeorfje A 684 DuBois, Edward 675 DiiKgan. Edward 643 Dnu'san. Michael .562 Dniin. Kobert 677 Dnsenbiiry. Frank H. 401 Dusenbury, (Jeorge A. 408 E Edmonds. John H 646 Ellis. Franklin W. .507 Estee. Claude H. 683 Estee. IJuus I>. 715 Estee. Perry II.. Jr. 601 Estee. Perry II.. Sr. 589 Exchange Savings Bank 592 F Fanclier. Isjiac A. 528 Farner. Ennl D. 706 Fate. Joseph W. 714 Ferris. Eli L 417 l-"erris. George A. 417 Field. Clark C 624 I'r.ve. .Sol F 010 G Gorham. .\rwin E 381 Gorham. Cliester R 4 Hopldn.s, Samuel 383 Hopkins. Samuel W, 383 Houghton. M. Earl 619 House. Alfred G. 546 House. George 489 House, Henry S. G. .524 Hou.se, .John G. 484 Hou.se. Joseph W 479 Hullinger. William O. 6.56 Hununell. William 719 Hyslop, Uobert 690 J Jackman, John 577 Johnson, (Jilbert .535 Johnson. Oren W. .536 Johnston, Hugh D. 516 Johnston, John Y, 657 K Kane, Michael E. 470 Kane, Patrick 470 Keller, J. W. 5.57 Keller, Michael 557 Kellogg, Chester A. 440 Kenned.v, James M. It. 621 Kennedy, Robert L. 708 Kinney. Arnold 43.3 Kinney, John 433 L I.apearl, Tx)nis 547 Laubenthal, Nicholas 4.82 Leighton, Charles H. 654 Leonard, Solomon G. 494 Leonard, Rev, William 494 Little, Alfred 591 Mc MacDonald, Uev. A. P. 500 MacKersie, James 473 McAllister, Rev. John J. :__ 692 McCullinn, Willard 710 McGregor, Thomas A. 539 McLaehlan, Dan 608 McMillen, WiuHeld S. 505 McNamara, Francis 449 McNamara, Michael 449 McNerney, John 650 M Marthey, Peter J. 721 Matthews, Roy D, 403 Maxwell. William J. 639 Mead, Lyman F 726 Menere.v, Martin 454 Miller, Albert 678 Miller, Anthony W. 682 Miller, Harry G. 406 Miller, Lawrence B. 626 Milks, Thomas 498 Miser, George ^. 633 Miser, Joseph 633 Moody, Ansel L. 694 Moody. Clarence E. 527 Moody, William H. 588 Moor. David K .567 Murphy, Emmet A. 491 Murtha, S. P. 712 Myers, Irving 697 N Xeelands. Robert 538 Neff, Jacob 424 O O'Connor, I!ev. Thomas 405 BIOGUArillCAI. INDF.X. P I'.i.viu'. I.oiou (". 695 IVrkiiis, \Vilr;iiii (.'. 581 I'icrpi'nt. Wilbur N. 563 Pitts. Gel Smith, Oscar 585 Stevens, Beujamin B. 623 Stickle. George B. 671 Struble. Albert G. 603 Struble. Henr.v .549 Struble. .Jason H. 549 Sirulilf. .Joseph A. 475 Sirulile. Kenneth E. :__ 652 T Ta.vlor. Frank M.. .572 Tevcns. Joseph 722 Tiee. Williain .M. 430 Tilmaiin. Atitlion.v 57t> V V.iii I..'uven. KlloM J 649 W W.-illiiifT. \Villi;im H. 029 WalliiiKtoii, Frifi C. . 445 Walton, Harry K. 659 Walton. .John 673 Walton. .John B. 659 Walton. Terry 660 Wanlrop, Uobert C. 437 Warwick. Alfred B. 493 Watsy. Xathaiiiel 668 Wild. Henry 661 Willie. Eudelmer E. 412 Wing. Warren 513 Wood, James E. 606 Wood. Thomas 541 Z Zugelder. li.-v. Alexander F. 553 HISTORICAL CHAPTPZR I. TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF ISABELLA COUNTY. The general topography of Isabella county would l)e what is called level, witli a general trend downward from the west to the east. This is indicated by the course of the rivers and smaller streams flowing through the county. The Chippewa river, which is the principal one in the county, enters the west line thereof about six miles south of the northwest comer. The upper part of the ri\er and before it enters this county is made u]) of two branches, the south branch and the north branch. The south branch has its head in the Chipi)ewa lake, in ^Mecosta county, in township i6 north, range 8 west, and from thence runs in an easterly direction until it intersects the north branch, which has its head in the lakes and swamps near Chippewa Station in township 17 north, range 7 west, and runs thence in a south direction till it joins with the south branch and is then the Chippewa. Entering the count}' at Sherman Citv. it runs south and some east through Sherman township, leaving the town- ship on .section 34: coming back across the line in section t,^. it runs northerly about a mile and then takes a south and easterly course, leaving the township at the southeast corner. About two miles south of Sherman City it is fed by a group of four or five small lakes, from the west, and is also fed at Bundy, which is on section 3 in Broomfiekl township, by Indian creek, which also comes in from the west. As you come down the river an-- ^^ '^ entirely surroumled by wash and bordered on its eastern side by swamp. In shape it is an irregular ridge (or succession of ridges) and rises to a consider- able height at its southern end. The only southern moraine which would seem to correlate with this isolated piece is in section 26, Sherman, five miles south. This, though cut by the valley of Indian creek, continues south to the edge of the county. In section 26, lunvever. the moraine is composed mostly 32 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. of clay and is very hummocky. It continues southeast and in section ^2i- Deerfield, is separated from the third moraine treated of by the Chippewa valley. In the northwest corner of section 32, Deerfield, a small tributary of the Chippewa in draining a small lake has cut a deep V-shaped valley in the moraine, giving it the appearance of high relief. From this point it extends southward to section 7, Fremont, where it divides, one part ending in section 31, Fremont, the other cutting the southern boundary of the county in section 32 of that township. The material between those two parts has the character of ground moraine, though wash predominates in the \alley between. The moraine varies in width and height, its width being from one-half to two miles. It is impossible to say with certainty whether this rather irregular moraine belongs to the moraine toward the east or not. though at one place at least it nearly connects with it, there being only a narrow wash l>elt between. The moraine, or group of moraines, farthest west presents the most interesting data. One patch occupies nearly the whole township of Coldwater and extends eastward into sections 9 and 19, Gilmore, and south into sections 7 and 10, Sherman. How far it extends north into Clare county and west into Mecosta county could only roughly be estimated. That part of the moraine in this county is ver}' high, being two hundred feet higher than the wash in the valleys to the east. It is veiy hummocky in places and in sections 20 and 29, Coldwater, it assumes the form of ridges. In its southern portion in northern Sherman it has much the appearance of high ground moraine, yet near its edge it becomes higher and then drops off into a high wash terrace. Nearly all the northern and northeastern portions are sandy and the soil poor, but near Brinton the soil is clay. From the character and size of this moraine it would seem to be more truly terminal than those farther east. The Chippewa valley cuts through sections 6, 7 and 17, Sherman, and south of this the moraine narrows, scarcely reaching the center of section 28. It again narrows, passing through the center of section 31 and gradually rising toward the south, till in sections 5, 6. 7 and 8. Broomfield, it reaches its highest point, over thirteen hundred feet, in Bundy's hill. This is an irregular shaped hill, rising four hundred feet above the wash and having thin crests. These crests shape gently to the west and finally die out as ground moraine in Mecosta county. The eastern slopes are steeped, sometimes twenty and thirty degrees, and have a series of ''foothills" or knobs, which do not seem to be entirely the work of erosion, for there are some undrained depressions. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 33 At nearly the liiglicst point tliere is a lx)ulder of granite which measures forty feet in circumference and probal^ly weighs twenty tons: tliere are sev- eral more, slightly smaller, near it, and others of the same type appear farther south. None of these are found in the moraine farther east. The hill proper is composed mostly of sand, though there is clay near its borders. It sloi)es rapidly down until, in section i6, tlie moraine apjiears as a low. narrow ridge, scarcely onc-iialf mile wiili-. h ^liJ^htly widens ,ind dies out in section ^6. Between this and the ne.xt eastern moraine there apijcar three small, yet marked, ridges less than a mile in lengtli : tiiese are separated from the eastern moraine by wasii, from the western ground moraine. In sections 2 and 11, Sherman, there are two small oval hills. They are probably remnants of the large moraine, which ha\e been isolated by erosion. South of the Bundy moraine, and separated from it at its eastern end by the Pine river valley, lies a high moraine whose long a.xis is roughly east and west. It occupies sections 31, ^2. t^t,. 34 and t,-^. Broomfield. and is about one and one-half miles wide. It slopes down on the south to the Pine river valley. It is composed of a series of ridges, though at its eastern end and near its base it is quite hummocky. In composition it is clay, though some- wiiat mi.xed with sand. Its soil is generally good. It shows many of the characteristics of the Bundy and Coldwater moraines. South of the Pine river (which is tributary to the Chipi^ewa) another high moraine occupies sections 7, 8, 9 and 15. Rolland. It is composed of one central ridge, though at its eastern end and along its base it becomes hum- mnckv. It slopes rather abruptly down into tiie valley of a tributary of the Pine, and on the south side of the valley there appear patches of a lower moraine having a ver\- hummocky appearance. At the western end of these moraines in Mecosta ccninty the valley Ije- tween them disappears and they join and form one. 'I'luis it would appear as though the Pine and its tributary had beaded up into a moraine and dis- sected it, forming tongues. There is comparatively little wash in those val- leys and they present rather young characteristics. South of Skunk creek, in sections 34 and 35. Kolland. tliere is a wide ridge of moraine, sandy on its northern edge, but good clay near the edge of the county. It runs southward for a considerable distance into Montcalm county. In section 29 there is a small oval hill which seemed marked enough to designate as terminal. (3) 34 ■ ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. THE GROUND MORAINE. The ground moraine tisually occurs Ijehind the tenninal and next to it. In several cases, however, it has been necessary to designate areas which do not occupy this regular position as ground moraine. Again it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between terminal moraine and ground moraine on the one hand, and ground moraine and wash on the other, as sometimes the wash is but ground moraine rehandled slightly by running water. There is a narrow belt of ground moraine east of the first terminal in Coe. Its surface is rather rolling and it is composed largely of boulder clay. It is bounded on the east by a veiy marked beach ridge. Southeast of Mt. Pleasant there is a belt of ground moraine about four and one-half miles wide situated between the two narrow terminal ridges. It is cut through near its southern edge by the narrow wash belt of the Salt River ^allev. It has a rolling topography and has several small swamps. It contains the three small morainal ridges already spoken of. The same belt apparently continues north of the Chippewa valley. It takes a northeasterly course and leaves the county at the north through sections 4, 5 and 6. Wise. It has a rolling topography and is composed of boulder clay. South of Mt. Pleasant, and west of the second terminal, there is a belt of ground moraine about three miles wide. Towards its southern edge it is separated from the second and third terminals by wash. North of the Chip- pewa valley this belt continues, though dissected by the North Branch valley- In fact, it is entirely cut away from the second terminal north of section i, Deerfield. It joins for a short distance north of Stevenson's lake, and leaves the county as a narrow belt about a mile wide. It is very irregular and ap- parently made more so by the wash belt cutting it lengthwise. In sections 11, 12 and i, Deerfield, there is a peculiar ridge about a mile and a half long and thirty feet high. Its form is eskar-like, yet at its eastern end, in section i, it is composed of boulder clay for about a quarter of a mile. Then it assumes a true ridge-like character, though with several irregular off- shoots toward the north and west. From here westward it is composed of sand and gravel, in many cases beautifully stratified as shown by sections in gravel pits. One of these especially showed a distinct dome-like character and the stones were rounded by water action. Although this ridge could not be called a true eskar, yet it showed the characteristic of a serpentine kame. North of Stevenson's lake the ground mtn-aine is quite level, though it is clay, even at the surface. In this moraine there are sex'eral tlow ing wells, one just north of the lake and several as far south as the Chippewa \alley. ISABELLA COLNTV. .MICHIGAN. 35 Tlie patch of ground moraine in eastern Fremont is a low belt of rolling country trashed on either side i)v the tongues of tlie terminals described abo\c. Near its southern boundary it is bordered on the west by a wash l)elt. In sections 20 and 29, Fremont, there is an oval patch entirely surrounded by moraines, though a narrow wasli belt has cut in on the west. It is rather rolling, yet it is n(it high nor hummocky enough to l)e classed as terminal. Its position is at least unusual. In sections i and 12, Rollancl. there is a narrow strip of moraine sloping from the terminal on one side to tlie wasli on the other, yet it is composed of clay and has a rolling topography. Directly east of the lUmdy moraine there is a strip of ground moraine five miles long and one wide, which, though bounded on the east by wash, would seem to belong to the terminal east of the Bundy terminal. North of this the ground moraine does not appear in the county, though it probably appears a few miles west in Mecosta. \\'est and south of the Bundy moraine there is a wide tract of rolling ground moraine which tits snugly against the Bundy moraine on the north and the terminal moraine on the south. It is rolling and slightly sandy and contains some swamp land. South of Blanchard there is a large tract of ground moraine which ex- tends back into Mecosta and Montcalm counties. It is somewhat sandv, though as a rule the land is good. It is rather rolling, but is lower than the terminals on the east. It can now readily be seen that the general trend of the moraines is north and south; that the terminals increase in height and tlimensions toward the west, and that the eastern ground moraines cover a much larger per cent of the morainal area than the western ground moraines. It may also be re- marked that east of the Chippewa valley the ground moraines are on the east side of the terminals, while on the west side of the valley they are on the west side. Moreover, the character of the moraines west of the \alley is different from that on the east. The western moraines are more sandy and contain very large boulders of granite and a quartzite conglomerate which were not found east of the valley. .Ml the drainage is east or southeast w ith the exception of a small stream in northwest Coldwater. The streams have cut valleys across the moraines, and in most cases the valley narrows in passing across them. In nearly all ca.ses the original trend of the moraine can be readily seen. 36 ISABELLA COUNTV, MICHIGAN. THE WASH. As before stated, the term "'wash" has been used for both glacial wash and river wash. In some parts of the region they are distinct, in others they are so intermingled that any line of separation is impossible. The wash is usually more or less stratified sand or rounded gravel. It usually follows the river valley, though there are notable exceptions. The swamps have been classed as wash, though the large ones have been differentiated. The lake bottom, flat in the eastern part, has been classed as wash, for it shows quite a depth of sand upon the clay beneath. In many cases the rivers come from the moraines in comparatively young valleys and distribute the wash in their lower courses. In a few cases, notably in front of the high terraces near Weidman, the lower flats are made from rehandled glacial wash. Along some of the valleys the glacial wash terraces look much the same as the lower river terraces, though their surfaces are much' more uneven than tiie river terraces and present the appearance of pitted plains. The strip of wash immediately around Littlefield lake consists of low, marshy land, and near the lake and somewhat farther south there are extensive marl beds. On the east side of the small strip of terminal the wash is some- what santly, tlnnigh close to the moraine there are a series of small swamps. A narrow strip of wash follows the valley of North Branch eastward and combines with the Stevenson's lake wash. Directly north of the Coldwater moraine, and fitting snugly against it, are a series of high glacial wash terraces. Near the moraine they are very little modified by erosion and form a ^•ery good example of a pitted plain. Abiiut a mile north of ^^'eidman these are dissected Ijy erosion and from this point south nearly to Coldwater lake another lower terrace has been cut from the high one. Both terraces are, of course, dissected by erosion, and from this point south nearly to Coldwater lake another lower terrace has lieen cut from the high one. Both terraces are, of course, dissected by the important drainage lines. The southern edge of the high terrace swings westward and joins the Coldwater moraine close to the Chippewa valley. Remnants of this high terrace can be noted in section 6. Nottawa. The land being dissected by erosion, it was impossii)le to note any remnants south of Coldwater lake, the lake itself being on the same level as Weidman. The lower terrace gradually blends into the wash in the Chippewa valley. The wash in the valley of the Pine River system seems to be rehandled glacial material brought from the dissected moraines toward the west. It is ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 37 a broad, rather flat valley, containing a good soil. In section i8, Fremont, there is a small swamp whose drainage is south through a wash belt into the Pine. In the valley of the north branch of the Pine there is considerable wash, and north of Winn it assumes the character of swamp land. The wash in the southern end of the valley is rather sandy. Soutii of Stevenson's lake the wash belt narrows and swings through a narrow pass into the valley of the north branch of the Chippewa. This valley is apparently cut from the ground moraine and the inroads made by tributaries in the southern part of the valley show that the work is still in progress. How nuich of the terminal moraine on the east has been cut away can only lie judged from the e\idence furnished by the existence uf the rem- nant on the south end. In section 17, Lincoln, there begins a large swam|) whicli drains soulJi- warcl. It continues about two miles wide and still appears as markedly swamp on the southern edge of the county. In the eastern part of Lincoln a l)elt of wash a mile in wultli at its source gradually narrows as the ri\'er a])proaches the lake flat. At Mt. Pleasant the wash widens rapidly and its southern boundary extends east to section 21, Chippewa, then nearly southeast to the southeast corner of the county. The northern boundary of the wash is marked only. l)v the change from sand to clay, as the till plain is as level here as the wash. The line of separation is an irregular line passing through sections 31, 2c;. 21. 16. 10 and 13. Denver. The till plain has been mentioned and it does not seem out of place here to continue the discussion. The line of separation from the moraine on the west is not at all satisfactory, it being very marked in ])laces and entirely dis- appearing in others. In a few places there appears even the semblance of a beach ridge, vet it is only local and always dies out within a short dis- tance. Yet the till plain is so level and grades .so imperceptibly into the wash on the south that it is at least probable that the lake covered this also, at lea.st for a time. The flat plain of wash proper is co\ered on top with a sandy loam, which varies in deiith from a few inches to several feet. Its surface is almost level except where drainage lines have dissected it. In section 36, Coe. there appears at the eastern edge of the lake flat a low riilge of sand and gravel, which extends along the lake border to section 21, Chippewa. It has an even crest and slopes with an even angle out into the lake flat. In places it has been destroyed by erosion, but it is clearly trace- able along the edge of the flat. .'\t its northern end it divides and forms two 38 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. projections, one behind the other. This would indicate a sort of spit forma- tion. Moreover, about a quarter of a mile toward the east there is a low ridge running out from the end of the terminal. It is apparently a spit formed when the waters of the lake at a slightly higher level were blown as a littoral current northward off the end of the moraine and into deeper water, where the spit was deposited. Then the waters of the lake fell, due, probably, to the shifting of the ice, and the beach ridge was formed, the little spit first, then the eastern one. The beach ridge seems at no place to have been a barrier, though modifications since may have destroyed the evidence. As stated earlier in this report, no attempt has been made to give more than a descriptive statement of the surface geology of the region. There are a few conclusions which might, however, be suggested. It was probably in the western part of the county that the Michigan lobe and the Saginaw lobe of the ice siieet came together. Perhaps the only legiti- mate evidence of the point of contact is the fact that the Chippewa valley separates the moraines by a comparatively wide wash basin, and that west of this basin the ground moraines are west of the terminals, while east of the valley they are ea.st of the terminals. Moreover, the terminals east and west differ in material and in the size and numl)er of the large boulders. The fact that the whole valley near Weidman was filleil with high wash sloping eastward would tend to indicate wash from the west. Then in many cases the lower terraces fit into the uneven edge of the dissected terrace and slope westward. There is a probability that the Michigan lobe advanced and deposited the western moraine, and that the wash was formed in front and sloped toward the east, and that then there was cut and formed a high terrace. Later the Saginaw lobe advanced to the position of the terminal east of Weidman and its wash sloped away from its front and fitted into the erosion lines of the high wash. Lake Saginaw was formed when the ice had retreated from the reces- sional moraines farthest east, and the water was held betwean the moraine and the retreating ice. How far it extended westward at Mt. Pleasant is only a matter of conjecture, for the wash from the Chippewa has destroyed the ridge if there ever was any. The absence of the Ijeach north of Mt. Pleas- ant may be explained by the fact that the lake remained only a short time, and that it had washed over very little material is shown by the absence of sand on the till plain. The question of river terraces and the correlation of levels would be an interesting problem, Init would require a careful study of all the surrounding rivers and nf the lake shore both north and south. It is probal)le, howe\'er. ISABELLA COfNTY, .MICHIGAN. 39 that the terraces in the valleys correspond to the fluctuations in lake level, which were in turn caused by the advance and retreat of the ice. It is hoped that the work done in this county will be some small aid in the solution of the more general problem of the Great Lake region. [7"he above article on the geology of Isabella county is entirely the pro- duction of Fabian Bouton Dodds. and to him is to be given all credit for his thorough and painstaking labor, as well as Iiis knowledge of the suljject. — I. .\. Fa.xciikr.] CHAPTER II. GEOGRAPHICAL AND OTHER NAMES. The geograpliical names in the count}' are not many. The tirst of the names was that of the county itself, called Isabella, and is supposed to have been named at the time the lands of the county were set apart from the rest of the state and given a name by those in authority. The territory comprised within the limits of the county being of the best, if not the best, as a whole in the state, it would be but natural that they should look about for some good person whose name it should bear and when they came to that of the good Queen Isabella they cried "Eureka" and named it Isabella. The first township organized in the county was that of Coe. This town- ship was organized at the time, in 1855. when George A. Coe was lieutenant- governor of the state and this township was named after him. the law being- approved February 13, 1855. In the very early days of Michigan the territory- of the Saginaw valley was inhabited by the Chippewa Indians and the river now known by the name Chippewa was then, as now, flowing peacefully down to the bay and was a highway of travel by the native in his canoe and was known to be a territory well stocked with fish as well as inhabited by wild game and the fur animals. There are still today many evidences of the habitation of the beaver, and all of the old settlers can vouch for the deer, wildcat, hedgehog, mink, marten, muskrat : so when the white man came the river had nothing to do but retain its old name. There was also the Pine river, named from the fact of its running through a wilderness of pine forests. The Coldwater river is named from the fact that it is noted for its clear, cold spring water as it flows from the lake of that name, which also is a body of pure, ice-cold water and was formerly bordered by dense cedar swamps, which in this country are a sure index of pure, cold water. Chippewa township was set up October 12, 1858, and was named after the river, which crosses the town from west to east. Isabella township was set up in 1857 and was named after the county, and in its first organization was nearly co-extensive with the county boun- daries. ISABELLA COLNTV. MICHIGAN. 4I Union township was organized in 1861. when tlie clund ot disrnption of the union of states were rising in the east, and the patriotism of the lx)ard of supervisors rose to the occasion and the new organization was named L'nion. which, under the circumstances, was a most sensible and patriotic tiling to do. Fremont township was given Hfe and \igor in i8<)3 and was named after Gen. Jolni C. Fremont : and at the same session of the board of supervisors the townsliip of Lincoln was organized and named after the then President of the United States. .Abraham Lincoln. It was at a time when every eye and thought was turned toward the great struggle then going on between tlie North and the Soutii, and these great men were constantly before the people. \'ernon was set apart in June. 1866. and its name is supposed to liave been suggested by some one who had settled there from tiie town of Vernon in the more southern portion of the state. In October of tiie same year Rolland was organized and named Rcilland. but why we are uninformed. Broomfield was set apart in Marcli. 1868, and was named after one of its oldest and most respected settlers, William Broomfield. We are pleased to note that the old gentleman is still with us and has been permitted to enjoy the respect and esteem of his friends and neighbors for these nianv vears. Coklwater was given life the same day that Broomfield township was and was named after the lake of that name. Gihnore, which is township 16 north, range 5 west, was organized in 1870 and was named after .\dmiral Gihnore. ^\'ise township, organized in January, 1872, was named after George W. Wise, one of the first settlers and one who contributed very nnich in an early day toward the development of that section of the county. Sherman was brought to life and light in October, 1868, and was named after the great general of that name. Deerfield was set up in 187') and some of tiie Indians claim that its name was given it on account of the fact that it used to be a great runway for deer and, in fact, it is general! v known that it was a wonderful field for tlie beautiful animal. Xottawav was erected in 1875 '"i'' ^^'"^^ named after the old Chief Xot- to-way, who, after the Indians had laid by their roving habits, had settled in that town and became one of its citizens. Denver township was the last to be organized, which was accomplished in Januar}-, 1876, the centennial year, and it is said that it derived its name from some one who had l)een or lived in Den\er, Colorado. Salt river, in the southeast part of the county, is said to derive its name 42 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. from the fact that there used to he some deer-hcks on the upper portion, places where the deer used to go to get their salt, and some say that that is the place that the lesser politician migrates to when he can't lick salt in the ])arty any longer. There are the Little and Big Salt rivers in the northeast portion of the county, hut whether they derive their names from any such source or not we are uninformed. The Littlefield lake derived its name from a Mr. Littlefield who some years ago was interested in a large tract of pine timber located in that vicinity. He was a native of New York and was considered at one time one of the foremost men of his section of the state. Stevenson's lake derived its name from an English gentleman who came to this state and county for the purpose of securing a tract of pine timher that he might bu_\-. cut, run to Saginaw, cut it for shipment or ship the logs to England and there cut and build a castle for himself out of that native timber of Michigan. He bought and cut the timber here, but was unable at that time to get it down the north branch of the Chippewa and afterward aban- doned the project, but the lake still bears his name. Aside from geographical names, there are others that will probably inter- est some at least. Among the first of the settlers that came to Mt. Pleasant and vicinity were several for whom the Indians carved out a name signifying some peculiar trait of character possessed Iiy them and thev expressed it in their own language as follows: Judge William H. Nelson, who was also a hotel keeper at Isabella City, they called Mack-saw-gay, meaning "a big bird." The Rev. George Bradley, who was their missionary preacher for several years and one that did a good deal for their benefit, they called Mack-tay-quo- me-ya. Francis S. Babbitt, the man that sold them goods for many years at Isabella City in an early da}- of their settlement here, they called Ah-gach-go- daw-gaw, being "sharp voice." he having a fine, clear voice. Cass Mosher, who was the son of Nelson Mosher, the first lawyer to settle in the county, they called Mo-she-zhismh, meaning "young Mosher." One of the first settlers in the west part of the township of Union was A. M. Merrill, who cut liis way through the wilderness and made him and his family a home and who was one of the very early men of affairs in the county ; him they called Ah-gah-che-go-daw-gaw, which, in plain English, means "little head." Phil Gruett, one of the oracles of the tribe and one who had as extensive and perfect knowledge of the Indians and of their names and ancestors as anv one of the tribes, thev called Mu-sob. ISABELLA COL'NTV. MU IIICAX. 43 Josei)h Bradley, another of tlie Ijright ones antl who is al tlie present time unearthing some of the lapses of tlie government in regard to their pay- ments to the Indians under the treaties and who is getting considerahle of that money for his i)eople, they call Kak-kak-naw-hay. Gay-bos-se-gay, or Dan Covert, or Dan Sunshine. tiic\' c;dl on account of his brightness of countenance, bright sunshine : and l)y the way he was a sharp- shooter ill the wai- of the Kclicllinu and mm ilu- right side, as he enlisted from Isabella county. Pay-baw-mash was one of the good Indians and one w iio accompanied the writer on many of his joinmeys in the woods while surveying lands and locating state roads, one of the reliable ones; they called him. in English. Alonzo Barrows. Shaw-shaw-wan-ne-beece. the great chief. of the whole tribe, was called. in English. Green Bird. .\nd surely he was a most powerful and elocpient man as well as a great orator. O-saw-waw-bon, interpreted into Juiglish. is Gall. John Irons was Xaw-gaw-nway-we-dung in Indian. John Collins was Maw-che-che-won. and William .^mitli is Xin-keens. Charles Kodd. who was for some time United States government inter- ])reter in Isabella and was interpreter at the time of the treaty of 1864, was, in Indian, She-she-bons, which means ■"little duck," and Thomas Chattield. who was an Indian doctor, was .Sha\-l)o-nay-be. These Indians used to have their yearly feast, when they wouUl all get together and have the best there was and go through their religious rites. They have a Great leather, called by them W'in-do-go, meaning a "giant" or '"big man." At these meetings was the time when every Indian donned his best and most costly wearing apparel. They washed up as best they could, just as white folks do about Easter time, and if they had anything good or costly or nice they had it on. as they expected that \\in-do-go might come at any time and was sure to come some time. Where they got this no one knows; it has been handed down to them from time out of mind. Shaw-shaw-wan-ne bcece many years ago told Phil (iruet that the L'nited States government had borrowed of these Indians some fifty thousand dollars and had never jiaid liut twd ;nnuiities of that amount, and that the balance was now due to this tribe. Quo-c|uo-cum-a-gaw means "broken stick." Pork, in Indian, is Ko-kosk, but one old gentleman who used to trade with them a considerable always insisted on calling it Coc-koo-se. Cold water is interpreted as Chic-sin-nah-bish. 44 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. These Indians also have their superstitions, hke most Indians and some white folk. We remember being with a party of them in the woods over in Mecosta county on a survey when a certain one of the Indians lay down on the ground at his bed time and. as usual with most of the Indians, he lit his pipe for his last smoke of the day and proceeded to take his sleep, but in his dreams he was aroused and when fully awake found that the camp was quiet, so he thought he would take another smoke, so reached over on a root where he had last laid his pipe and it was not there. He arose, lighted a torch and proceeded to hunt for the lost pipe, but it could nowhere be found, so he lay down for another nap. When he awoke in the morning the first thing he thought of was his pipe; he put out his hand to the root where he had laid it the night before and, lo and behold, there it was, but to his surprise it was warm. Finding it in this condition, he immediately assumed that some wild Indian had borrowed his pipe, taken a smoke after he had searched for it and had laid down and fallen asleep, and had returned and laid his pipe in the place where he had first placed it. AA'hile the camp was at breakfast, cooking and eating our broiled ham and crackers, there appeared to be some commo- tion among the Indians and on inquiry we discovered what had happened. The Indian had been looking for the track of the wild Indian and had found what appeared to him to be that of the track or footprint of some giant wild Indian, and they all took up the story and trouble was in the air. ^Ve finished our meal as soon as convenient and packed and started for the east toward home. Noon came and we desired to send two of the Indians for water some distance south of our camp, but no Indian could be prevailed on to leave the camp, so all had to don their loads and march south about a mile to water. The march was kept up all the afternoon and by night time we had crossed the county line into Isabella, and then the Indians were relieved. At another time John Irons' family, who lived just west of the now Indian School farm, had laid down a walk of bark leading to the spring where thev got their water for culinary purposes, and evidently the wind had scat- tered the bark, but the family laid it to evil spirits and for a long time could not be prevailed on to replace them and obtain their water from the spring. After a long time it wore away, the scare was remo\ed and the water again sought, as of former times. CHAPTER III. EARLY HISTORY. It is amusing and also instructive tn Imik back over the distant past and see liow la\ish tlie people of this country and tliose assuming authority were with tlie broad acres of this, then an unknown wilderness. On October 1 1 , 1 6 14. the Xew Xetherlands were granted to the Amsterdam Company, em- bracing all of the territory between latitude forty and fifty degrees, and extend- ing from sea to sea. In 1620, not to be outdone, a great patent was granted to the Plymouth Company, extending from the fortieth to the forty-eighth degree north latitude and extending from ocean to ocean. In 1628 came the Endicott grant, extending from three miles south of the Charles ri\er t<> tiiree miles north of the Merrimac river and from ocean to ocean. Then, in 1784, N'irginia ceded to the general government all her territor)- from forty-one degrees north latitude south to the Ohio ri\er. In 1785 Massachusetts ceded to the general government her western ter- ritory, lying l>etween parallels forty-two degrees two miinites and one second and forty-three degrees and thirty minutes: and in 1786 Connecticut ceded to the general government the territory between degrees forty-one and forty- two and two minutes. Following these cessions, the general go\ernment, on the 27,(1 day rif July. 1787, passed the following ordinance : Ordin.\nce of 1787, For the Government of the Territory of the U.nited States North- west OF THE River Ohio. 1. Be it ordained by the United States, in Congress assembled, that the said territory, for the purpose of temporary government, be one district, su!)- ject. however, to be divided into two districts, as future circumstances may. in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. 2. Be it ordained by the authority aforesaid, that the estates both of resident and non-resident proprietors in the said territory, dying intestate. 46 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. shall descend and be distributed among: their children, and the descendants of a deceased child, in equal parts ; the descendants of deceased child or grand- child to take a share of their deceased parent in equal parts among them ; and where there shall be no children or descendants, then in equal parts to the next of kin in equal degree; and among collaterals, the children of a deceased brother or sister of the intestate shall have, in equal parts among them, their deceased parent's share : and there shall, in no case, be a distinction between kindred of the whole and half blood; saving, in all cases, to the widow of the intestate her third part of the real estate for life, and one-third part of the personal estate; and this law relative to descendants and dower shall remain in full force until altered by the legislature of the district. And until the gov- ernor and judges shall adopt laws, as hereinafter mentioned, estates in the said territory may be devised or bequeathed by wills in writing, signed and sealed by him or her in whom the estate may be (being of full age), and attested by three witnesses ; and real estate may be conveyed by lease and release, or bargain and sale, signed, sealed and delivered by the person, being of full age. in whom the estate may be, and attested by two witnesses, pro- vided such wills be duly proved, such conveyances be acknowledged, or the execution thereof be duly proved, and be recorded within one year after proper magistrates, courts and registers shall be appointed for that purpose; and personal property may be transferred by delivery, saving, however, to the French and Canadian inhabitants, and other settlers of the Kaskaskias, Vin- cents, and the neighboring villages, who have heretofore professed themselves citizens of Virginia, their laws and customs now in force among them relative to the descent and conveyance of properties. 3. Be it ordained by the authority aforesaid, that there shall be appointed, from time to time, by Congress, a governor, whose commission shall continue in force for the term of three years, unless sooner revoked by Congress ; he shall reside in the district, and have a freehold estate therein in one thousand acres of land, while in the exercise of his ofifice. 4. There shall be appointed from time to time, by Congress, a secretary, whose commission shall continue in force for four years, unless sooner re- voked; he shall reside in the district, and have a freehold estate therein in five hundred acres of land, while in the exercise of his office. It shall lie his duty to keep and preserve the acts and laws passed by the Legislature, and the public records of the district, and the proceedings of the governor in his executive department ; and transmit authentic copies of such acts and pro- ceedings every six months to the secretary of Congress. There shall also be appointed a court, to consist of three judges, any two of whom to form a court. ISAUKI.I.A COUXTV. MRllK.AN. 47 wlio sliall lia\c a cuinmoii law jurisdictii m, and resiilc in llii.- district, ami have each therein a freelmld estate in the hundred acres of land while in the exer- cise of their offices: and their commissions shall continue in force din-iiig good behavior. 5. The ro\ed of by Congress: but afterwards the Legislature sh;ill ha\e authority to alter them as they shall think lit. T). 'i'he governor, for the time being, shall be commander-in-chief of the militia. ;ii)point and commission all officers in the same below the rank of general ofiicers; all general officers shall be appointed and commissioned by Congress. 7. Pre\ions to the organization of the (jencral Assembly the governor shall appoint such magistrates and other civil officers in each county or town- ship as he shall find necessary for the preservation of the peace and good order in the same, .\fter the General Assembly shall be organized the powers and duties of the magistrates and other ci\-il officers shall be regulated and defined by the said Assembly: but all magistrates and other civil officers, not herein otherwi.se directed, shall, diu-ing the continuance of this teiuporary govern- luent. be ai)pointed by tho governor. iS. Vov the pre\'eution of crimes and injiu'ies. the laws to be adopted or made shall have force in all parts of the district, and for the execution of process, criminal anil civil, the governor shall make proper divisions thereof: and he shall proceed from time to time, as circuni.stances may require, to lay out the parts of the district in which the Indian titles shall have been extin- guished, into Counties and townships, subject, howe\'er, to such alterations as may thereafter be made by the Legislature. 9. As soon as there shall be live thousand free luale inhabitants of full age in the district, upon giving proof thereof to the governor, they shall receive authority, with time and place, to elect representatives from their counties or townships to represent them in the General .Vssembly : provided, that for e\ery five hundred free male inhabitants tiiere shall be one representative, and so on progressively with the uumlier of free male inhabitants shall the right of rep- resentation increase until the number of representatives shall amount to twenty- five, after which the number and pro]iortion of representatives shall be regu- lated by the Legislatme : provided, that no person be eligible or (|ualitied to 48 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. act as a representative unless he shall have been a citizen of one of the United States three years, and be a resident in the district, or unless he shall have resided in the district three years, and in either case shall likewise hold in his own right, in fee simple, two hundred acres of land in the same : provided also, that a freehold in fifty acres of land in the district, having been a citizen of one of the states, and being resident in the district, or the like freehold and two years' residence in the district, shall be necessary to qualify a man as an elector of a representative. 10. The representative thus elected shall serve for the term of two years, and in case of the death of a representative, or remo\al from ofiice, the gov- ernor shall issue a writ to the county or township for which he was a member, to elect another in his stead, to serve for the residue of the term. 1 1. The General Assembly, or Legislature, shall consist of the governor, legislative council and a house of representatives. The legislative council shall consist of five members, to continue in office five years, unless sooner removed by Congress ; any three of whom to be quorum. And tiie members of the council shall be nominated and appointed in the following manner, to wit : As soon as representatives shall be elected, the governor shall appoint a time and place for them to meet together, and when met they shall nominate ten persons, residents in the district, and each possessed of a freehold in five hundred acres of land, and return their names to Congress ; five of wiiom Con- gress shall appoint and commission to serve as aforesaid: and wiienever a vacancy shall happen in the council, by death or removal from ofifice, the house of representatives shall nominate two persons, qualified as aforesaid, for each vacancy, and return their names to Congress ; one of whom Congress shall appoint and commission for the residue of the term. And every five years, four months at least before the expiration of the time of ser\-ice of the members of council, the said house shall nominate ten persons, qualified as aforesaid, and return their names to Congress ; five of whom Congress shall appoint and commission to serve as members of the council for five years, unless sooner removed. And the governor, legislative council and house of representatives shall have authority to make laws, in all cases, for the good government of the district, not repugnant to the principles and articles in this ordinance established and declared; and all bills, having passed by a majority in the house, and by a majority in the council, shall lie referred to the gov- ernor for his assent ; but no bill or legislative act whatever shall be of any force without his assent ; the governor shall have power to convene, prorogue and dissolve the General Assembly when in his opinion it shall be expedient. 12. The go\ernor, judges, legislative council, secretary and such other ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 49 officers as Congress shall appoint in the district shall take an oath or affirma- tion of fidelity and of office; the governor before the president of Congress, and all other officers before the governor. As soon as a Legislature shall be formed in the district, the council and liouse assembled, in one room, shall have authority, by joint ballot, to elect a delegate to Congress, who shall have a seat in Congress, with a right of debating, but not of voting, during tiiis temporary government. 13. And for extending the fundamental principles of civil and religious liberty, which form the basis whereon these republics, tlieir laws and their constitutions are erected; to fi.x and establish those principles as the basis of all laws, constitutions and governments, which forever hereafter shall be formed in the said territory; to provide also for the establishment of states, and permanent governments therein, and for tiieir admission to a share in the federal councils, on an equal footing with the original states, at as early periods as may be consistent with the general interest. 14. It is hereby ordained and declared, by the authority aforesaid, tliat the following articles shall be considered as articles of compact between the original, and the people and states in the said territory, and forever remain unalterable, unless by common consent, to wit : ARTICLE I. Xo person, demeaning himself in peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship or religious sentiments in the said territory. .\RTICLE II. The inhabitants of the said territory shall always be entitled to tlie ben- efits of tlie writ of haljeas corpus and trial by jury; of a proportionate repre- sentation of the i)eople in the Legislature, and of judicial [)roceedings accord- ing to the course of the common law. All persons shall be bailable, unless for capital offenses where the proof shall be evident or the presumption great. .Ml fines shall be moderate, and no cruel or unusual punishment shall be inflicted. Xo man shall be deprived of his li!)erty or proi)erty but by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land: and should the public exigencies make it necessary, for the common preservation, to take any person's property, or to demand his particular .-serv- ices, full com[>ensation shall l>e made for the same. And in the just preserva- tion of rights and property, it is understood and declared that no law ought (4) .50 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ever to be made, or have force in the said territory, that shall in any manner whatever interfere with or afifect private contracts or engagements, bona fide and without fraud previously formed. ARTICLE III. Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall for- ever be encouraged. The utmost good faith shall always be obseiwed toward the Indians ; their lands and property shall never be taken from them without their consent, and in their property, rights and liberty they shall never be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful wars, authorized by Congress; but laws founded in justice and humanity shall, from time to time, be made, for preventing wrongs being done them and for preserving peace and friend- ship with them. ARTICLE IV. The said territory, and the states which may be founded therein, shall forever remain a part of this confederacy of the United States of America, subject to the articles of confederation, and to such alteration therein as shall be constitutionally made, and to all the acts and ordinances of the United States in Congress assembled, conformable thereto. The inhabitants and settlers in the said territory shall be subject to pay a part of the federal debts, contracted or to be contracted, and a proportional part of the expenses of gov- ernment, to be apportioned on them by Congress according to the same com- mon rule and measure by which apportionments thereof shall be made on the other states ; and the taxes for paying their proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the Legislatures of the district or districts, or new states, as in the original states, within the time agreed upon by the United States in Congress assembled. The Legislatures of those districts or new states shall never interfere with the primary disposal of the soil by the United States in Congress assembled, nor with any regulations Congress may find necessary for securing the title in such soil to the bona fide purchasers. No tax shall be imposed on lands, the property of the United States ; and in no case shall non-resident proprietors be taxed higher than residents. The navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and St. Lawrence, and the carry- ing places between the same, shall be common highways and forever free, as well to the inhabitants of the said territory as to the citizens of the United States and those of any other state that may be admitted into the confederacy, without any tax, impost or duty therefor. ISABELLA COUNTY. MICIIIGAK. ARTICLE V. There shall he formed in the said territory not less than three, nor more than five, states ; and the boundaries of the states, as soon as Virginia shall alter her act of cession, and consent to the same, sliall become fixed and estab- lished as follows, to wit: The western state in tlic said ifrritury shall l)e Ix)nnded liy the Mississippi, the Ohio and Wabash ri\ers, a direct line drawn for the Wabash and Post Vincents, due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada : and by the said territorial line to the Lake of the \\'oods and the Mississippi. The middle state shall be l)ounded by the said direct line, the W'aljash from Post Vincents to the Ohio, by the Ohio, by a direct line drawn due north from the mouth of the Great Miami, to the said territorial line, and by the said territorial line. The eastern state shall be bounded by the last-mentioned direct line, the Ohio. Pennsylvania and the said territorial line: provided, however, and it is further understood and declared, that the boundaries of these three states shall be sul)ject so far to be altered that if Congress shall hereafter find it expedient, they shall have authoritv to form one or two states in that part of the said territory which lies north of an cast and west line drawn through the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan. And whenever any of the said states shall have sixty thousand free inhabitants therein, such state sli;dl be ;idniittcd. bv its dele- gates, into the Congress of the United States, on an ecjual footing with the original states in all respects whatever, and shall be at liberty to form a per- manent constitution and state government. Provided, the constitution and government so to be formed shall be republican and in conformity to the i)rin- ciples contained in these articles ; and. so far as it can be consistent with the general interest of the confederacy, such admission shall be allowed at an earlier period, and when there may be a less number of free inhabitants in the state than sixty thousand. ARTICLE vi. There shall be neither sia\ery nor inxoluntaiy servitude in the said terri- torv. otherwise than in the piinisliment of crimes, whereof the party shall have l)een duly convicted; ])rovided always, that any person escaping into the srune, from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed in any one of the original states, such fugitive may lie lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or service, as aforesaid. Be it ordained bv the authority aforesaid, that the resolutions of the twenty-third of April, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, relative 52 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. to the subject of this ordinance, be and the same are hereljy repealed and declared null and void. Done by the United States in Congress assembled, the thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of their sovereignty and independence the twelfth. William Grayson, Chairman. Charles Thompson, Secretary. ACTS REL.\TIVE TO MICHIGAN. An act to establish the northern boundary line of the state of Ohio, and to provide for the admission of the state of Michigan into the union, upon the conditions therein expressed. section I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, that the northern boundary line of tlie state of Ohio shall be established at, and shall be a direct line drawn from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly cape of the Maumee (Miami) bay, after that line, so drawn, shall intersect the eastern boundary line of the state of Indiana and from the said north cape of the said bay northeast to boundary line Ijetween the United States and the province of Upper Canada, in Lake Erie : and thence with the said last-mentioned line to its intersection with the western line of the state of Pennsylvania. section II. .Vnd be it further enacted, tliat the constitution and state go\-ernment which the people of Michigan have formed for themselves be. and the same is hereby accepted, ratified and confirmed ; and that the said state of Michigan shall be. and is hereby declared to be one of the United States of America, and is hereby admitted into the union upon an equal footing with the original states in all respects whatever ; provided always, and this admission is upon the express condition, that the said state shall consist of and ha\e jurisdiction over all the territory included within the following boundaries, and over none other, to-wit : Beginning at the point where the above-described northern boundary of the state of Ohio intersects the eastern boundary of Indiana, and running thence with the said boundary line of Ohio, as described in the first section of this act, until it intersects the boundan' line lietween the United ISABELLA COUNTY. MK'HIGAX. 53 States and Canada, in Lake Erie ; thence, with the said Ixjundary line between the United States and Canada, throng^h the Detroit river. Lake Huron and Lake Superior: tlience in a direct hue thmugh Lake Superior to the nioutli of the Montreal river; thence throufjh tlie middle of the main channel of the said river Montreal to the Lake of the Desert : thence in a direct line to the nearest headwater of the Menominee river; thence tlirough the middle of that fork of the said river first touched hy the said line to the main channel of the said Menominee: thence down tlie center of tlie main channel of the same to tlie center of the most usual ship channel of the Green bay of Lake Michigan; thence through the center of the most usual ship channel of the said bay to the middle of Lake Michigan: thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to the northern boundary of the state of Indiana, as that was established by the act of Congress of the nineteenth of April, eighteen hundred and sixteen; thence due east with the north boundary line of the said state of Indiana to the north- east corner thereof; and thence south, with the east boundary line of Indiana, to the place of beginning. SECTION III. r And be it further enacted, that, as a compliance with tiie fundamental condition of admission contained in the last preceding section of this act, the Iioundaries of the said state of Michigan, as in that section described, declared and pul)lished. shall receive the assent of convention of delegates elected by the people of the said state for the sole purpose of giving the assent herein required: and as soon as the assent herein required shall be given, the Presi- dent of the United States shall announce the same by proclamation ; and there- upon, and without any further proceeding on the part of Congress, the admis- sion of the said state into the union, as one of the United States of America, on an equal footing with the original states in all respects whatever, shall be considered as complete, and the senators and representatives who have been elected by the said state as its representatives in the Congress of the United States shall be entitled to their seats in the Senate and House of Representa- tives, respectively, without further delay. SECTION IV. And be it further enacted, that nothing in this act contained or in the admission of the said state into the Union as one of the United States of America, upon an equal footing with the original states in all respects what- ever, shall lie so construed or understood as to confer ujion the people, Legis- 54 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. lature or other authorities of the said state of Michigan, any authority or right to interfere with the sale by the United States, and under their authority, of the vacant and unsold lands within the limits of the said state ; but that the subject of the public lands, and the interests which may be given of the said state therein, shall Ije regulated by future action between Congress, on the part of the United States : and the said state of Michigan shall in no case, and under no pretense whatsoever, impose any tax, assessment or imposition of any description upon any of the lands of the United States within its limits. ASSENT of the state of ^lichigan to the act of Congress of June 15, 1836, given in con\-ention at Ann Arbor, on the 15th day of Decemlier, 1836: Whereas, by an act of Congress of June 15, 1836, the constitution and state government wliich the people of Michigan have formed for themselves is accepted, ratified and confirmed; and whereas, the admission of the state of Michigan into the union as one of the United States is provided by the said act to be upon the express condition that the said state shall consist of and have jurisdiction over all of the territory included within the following boun- daries, and over none other, to wit: (See description in section 2 in last act. ) And whereas, no authority or power is designated in the said act of Congress, by which such convention shall \x called or convened ; but in the third section of said act, the right of the people of Michigan to elect said dele- gates, without any pre\'ious action of their constituted authorities, is clearly recognized and manifest: and whereas, the convention originated with, and speaks the voice of a great majority of the people of ^tlichigan : and whereas, it is provided and enacted in said act, that as soon as the assent therein re- quired shall be given, the President of the United States shall announce the same by proclamation, and thereupon, and without any further proceedings on the part of Congress, the admission of the said state into the union, as one of the United States of America on an equal footing with the original states in all respects whatever, shall be considered complete. Now therefore, this convention are of the opinion, that the Congress of the United States had no constitutional right to require the assent aforesaid, as a condition preliminary to the admission of the state into the union. Nevertheless, as the Congress have required such assent to the condition, and as the interest and prosperity of the state will be greatly advanced by our immediate admission into the Union, as one of its sovereign states: and the people of the said state are solicitous to give to her sister states, and to the ISABELLA COUNTV. MICHIGAN. 55 world, unequivocal proof of her desire to promote tlie tranquility and liarniony of tlie confederacy, and to perpetuate tiie unity, lil>erty and prosperity of the country. 'riiercfdre. lie it resolved, liv tiie penplc nf .Michis^an in cinuention as- senil>lcd. tliat tlie assent required in tiie foregoing recited act nf the Congress of the L'nited States is lierehy given. AN ACT to admit the state of Michigan into tiic union. u])nn an e(|ual fodlint;' with tiie original states. Whereas, in pursuance of the act of Congress nf June 13. 1H36, entitled. "An act to establish the northern boundary of the state of Ohio, and to pro- vide for the admission of the state of Michigan into the union upon the condi- tions therein expressed," a comention of delegates, elected by the people of the state of Michigan, for the sole jjurpose of gi\ing their assent to the boundaries of the said state of Michigan, as described, declared ami established in and by the .said act. did on the 15th day of December, 1836. assent to the ])rovisions of said act, therefore : .SECTION I. Be it enacted by the Senate aiul House of i\epresentati\es of the L'niled States of America, in Congress assembled, that the state of Michigan shall be one, and is hereby declared to be one, of the I'uited States of America, and admitted into the union on an eiiual footing with the original states in all re- spects whatexer. SECTION II. And be it further enacted, that the secretary of the treasury, in carrying into effect the thirteenth and fourteenth sections of the act of the 27,i\ of June. 1836. entitled, "An act to regulate the deposits of the public money."' shall consider the state of Michigan as being one of the l'nited States. Ap|iroved, January 26, 1836. The territor)' of ^lichigan was duly organized by the governor and judges at Detroit on the 4th day of July, 1803. This form of government continued until 1824, when Michigan entered upon its second grade of government. The first was to us the no\el method of a governing power I)eing reposed in a gov- ernor and judges, who were the executive, legislative and judicial, and con- sisted of C.overnor William Hull, Chief Justice .\ugustns R. Woodward and Senior .\ssociate lustice Frederick Bates. 56 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Their first legislative act was "An act concerning the temporary seal of the territory of Michigan :" "Be it enacted bv the governor and the judges of the territory of Michi- gan, that the description in writing of the temporary seal of the territory of Michigan, deposited and recorded in the office of the secretary of the territoiy, shall remain a public record, and shall be and continue the temporary seal of the territory until another permanent seal shall l>e provided ; and the person ad- ministering the government of the territory of Michigan shall have the custody of the said seal, and all such matters and things as issue under the said seal shall be entered of record in the ofifice of the secretary of the territory ; the same being adopted by the laws of one of the original States, to wit, the state of New York, as far as necessary and suitable to the circumstances of the territory of Michigan. Adopted and published at Detroit, the ninth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and five. William Hull, Governor of the Territory of Michigan. Augustus B. Woodward, Chief Justice of the Territory of Michigan. Frederick Bates, Senior Associate Judge of the Territory of Michigan. Attest : Peter Audrain, Secretary of the Governor and the Judges in their Legislative Department. The laws of said territory of Michigan continued to be enacted and pub- lished during the year 1805 up to October 8th, and during that period the said governor and judges passed thirty- four acts for the government of the said territory of Michigan. Gen. William Hull continued to be governor until his surrender of Detroit to the British August 16, 181 2, for which he was court-martialed at Albany, New York, January 3, 1814, and was sentenced to be shot, which sentence was remitted. Many of the territorial records were destroyed by the British at the cap- ture of Detroit and much of the official data was lost. On October 29, 1813, Gen. Lewis Cass was appointed governor, and con- tinued as such until August i, 183 1, when he resigned to go into the cabinet of President Jackson as secretary' of war. ISABELLA roi'NTV. MICHICAX. 57 Under the governorship of General Cass we have what is known as the "Cass Code or Digest of Laws of tlie Territory of Micliigan." wliicli comprise the acts of the governor and judges during the Cass regime. August 6. 1831, George B. Porter was appointed governor of the territory of Micliigan and held tiiat position until his death, which occurred July 6. 1834. At the time of the death of Governor I'orter, Stevens T. Mason was secretary and by virtue of his office became acting governor of the territory of Michigan and retained that office until Michigan adopted her state constitution in 1835, when he was elected as governor and was inaugurated as such Xoveml^er 3. J 835- The first state convention to adopt a state constitution for Michigan was held in Detroit in May, 1835. The territory had acquired the necessary popu- lation to entitle it to he admitted into the union of states, to wit, sixty thousand, as provided in the ordinance of 1787. .\ constitution was formed by the con- \ention of May, 1835, and an electit)n was proxided for and duly called for the ratification of said constitution and for the election of state officers, to be held on the first Monday of the following October. At said election, the consti- tution was duly adopted, and Stevens T. Mason was elected governor, Edward Mundy, lieutenant-governor, and Isaac E. Crary, representative in Congress. The Legislature met in November, 1835, and proceeded to elect John Xor- vell and Lucius Lj-on, United States senators for Michigan. All was now ready for statehood and admission into the Union. At this juncture a misunderstanding arose between the state of Ohio and the govern- ment of Michigan as to the boundarv line between them. Through careless- ness or inadvertence Ohio had lieen admitted into the Union with an uncertain boundary in 1802. The act of 1805, organizing Michigan territory, fixed the boundary at a line running due east from the southern end of Lake Michigan. This included Toledo and a considerable strip of land which Ohio claimed. In 1835 the governor of Ohio issued a proclamation assuming control and the state Legislature passed an act to organize the county of Lucas. Acting Governor Mason of Michigan called out the militia and proceeded to Toledo to prevent the Ohio officers from exercising control oi the disputed land. A few shots w^ere fired, but no blood was shed. Congress than took the matter in hand, held up Michigan statehood, oflfered Michigan the lands now known as the L^])per Peninsula, provided she would relin(|iiish her claim and allow the southern line to be established where it now is. This e.xplains how Michigan became possessed with the L'pper Peninsula. This dispute being settled. Michigan was duly admitted as a state and liecaine the twenty-sixth in the galaxy of states, just doubling the original thirteen. The final act was ap- proved January 26. 1837. 58 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. THE STATE CAPITAL. The seat of government was at Detroit from the time of Cadillac's oc- cupancy of Fort Ponchartrain, 1701 to 1847, '^"t in the latter year the Legis- lature decided to locate the permanent capital of Michigan at Lansing, then covered with a dense forest and forty miles distant from any railroad. The project at first seemed to the people visionary and much adverse criticism was heard all aliout the state. As time elapsed and buildings and clearing was had, roads and railroads laid out and constructed, it was found not to be so poor a place for the seat of government as first supposed. The people be- came reconciled to the change of location, the city of Lansing began to grow so that there was accommodation for those desiring to do business at the capital. The state was acquiring some reputation as an agricultural, manu- facturing, mining and lumbering entity and railroads were projected and built to the capital city, thus giving them an outlet and inlet for business and tra\el. The old capitol building was getting old and insecure as a place for valuable records such as state naturally and necessarily owns and possesses, so that in 1871 the Legislature, feeling the necessity of a more secure repository for the records of the state and a more suitable and convenient place for the Legisla- ture to meet during their sessions, as well as suitable and convenient places for the state officers and all employees, passed an act entitled "An act to pro- vide for the erection of a new state capitol and a building for the temporary use of the state officers," approved jNIarch 31, 187 1. By this act the governor was authorized to appoint a building committee of three suitable men and he appointed as such committee E. O. Grovenor, James Shearer and Alexander Chapoton. They met at the office of the governor on the nth day of .-\pril. 1871, took the constitutional oath of office, filed their bonds and completed their organization by the election of Commissioner Grovenor as vice-president of the board, Governor Baldwin being e.K-officio the presiding officer. On the 5th of June the committee met and advertised for plans and specifications for a building. Se\-eral plans were presented to the commission and finally, on the 24th day of January, 1872, the commission, out of twenty sets of plans, unanimously adopted those presented by Elijah E. Myers of Springfield, Illinois. On March 20th the board entered into an agreement with Elijah E. Mvers to act as architect and general superintendent of the construction of the new capitol, at a compensation of twenty-fi\e thousand dollars. On the 20th of May the detail drawings and specifications were completed by Mr. Myers and on the 21st advertisements were sent to the papers at Xew York, ISABELLA COLNTV. MICHIGAN. 59 Chicago. Detroit and Lansing soliciting proposals from Iniilders and con- tractors for erecting and completing the capitol in accordance witii tiie plans and specifications adopted. The bids were submitted July 8th, and on the 15th the commissioners entered into a contract with X. Osburn & Company, of Rochester, New York, and Detroit. Michigan, to construct and complete the capitol. in accordance with the plans, specifications and detail drawings, for the sum of $1,144,057.20, all four fronts to lie constructed of Xo. 1 Am- herst, Ohio, sandstone. The building was to be completed December t. 1877. and the contractors entered upon the work at once. The Legislature by a joint resolution, in 1873. apprt)ved April J4tli. pro- vided for a public celebration upon the laying of the corner stone of the capitol and for the appointment of a committee to provide appropriate arrangements therefor. The committee was to consist of the governnr. who should be its chair- man, the members of the board of state building commissioners and ten citi- zens of the state, to l)e appointed by the governor. The committee so appointed consisted of the following persons : Gov- ernor John J. Bagley, chairman. Detroit: Ebenezer O. Grovenor, vice-presi- dent. Jonesville: Allen L. Bours, secretary. Lansing; James Shearer, Bay Citv; Alexander Chapoton. Detroit; David Anderson. Bear Lake Mills; John P. Hoyt. X'assar; William H. Withington. Jackson; Augustus S. (iaylord. Saginaw; Ellery I. Garfield. Detroit; John Hibbard. Port Huron; Leonard H. Randall. C^irand Rapids; Oliver L. Spaulding. St. Johns; William H. Stone. Adrian ; John S. Tooker, Lansing. The Ixjard of state building commissioners was directed by the Legis- lature to procure a suitable corner stone and to cause the following inscrip- tion to be caned thereon with raised letters in sunk panels ; On the east face. "A. D. 1872." and on the north face, "A. D." and the year of com- pletion. Xew Hampshire granite was the material selected for the corner stone, and the design was prepared by .\rchitect Myers and the contract for preparing it was awarded to Struthers & Sons of Philadelphia. The corner stone of the capitol of the state of ^Michigan was laid on Thursday, the 2d day of October. 1873. A procession was formed under the direction of Gen. William Humphrey, chief marshal, consisting of the military, civil officers, commanderies of Knights Templar. Masonic fraternity, encampment and fraternity Independent Order of Odd I'ellows. after which an introductory address was delivere H w z o > z z a H > r en O z o r a z 2 H r p) > CO > Z H ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHICAN. '"J The people of Isabella county, and especially the Indians, feel very grate- ful for the efforts of Colonel Bliss in securing this school, for without the ap- propriation we could not have hoped to locate one here. The interior department sent out its agent to secure a suitable site for such a school, and. after a good deal of examination and investigation of difTferent places for a site, they finally located on the present plot of ground, which lies just to the northwest of the city nt Mt. T'leasant, on a higli and commanding s|)iit of groimd, roiling and witii a good descent to the east and with sjjlendid drainage \.o the Chippewa ri\er. The first Iniilding erected for the school was built in 1892-3 and was completed on or about the ist of Jul\-, 1893. The goNcrnment had anticiijated somewhat tlie building and completion of their building and had opened a school in the Commercial block in Mt. Plea- sant, w itli thirteen pupils as a nucleus for a larger attendance w ben their rooms should be ready for occujiancy. Dr. E. E. Riopel. as superintendent; Mrs. raker. laundress; Miss Olie Lett, seamstress; Miss liolliday. a graduate from tlie Indian .school of Carlisle. Pennsyhania. as teacher: E. E. Xardin. as farmer, and Charles Slater, as carpenter. The rooms they occupied were not well adapted for such a purpose, but the\- remained, doing the best they could under the circunrstances. for alxuit two months, when they moved into a dwelling house on the farm which they had remodeled for the purpose, and remained there uiUi! the first of July, when they moved into their own builcl- ing. The first building erected was a brick structure. alK)ut one hundred and twenty feet by forty-five feet, two stories high with basement and attic, w hich was used as a dormitory, making the structure equivalent to a four-story building. They started with three horses and a light equipage of farming utensils. The growth of the institution has been marvelous, considering the com- mon sentiment in regard to the Indian and his education. L:ui(ls have been added to the first original purchase until now thev have three hundred and twentv acres, or half a section, being the east half of sec- tion 9 in township 14 north, range 4 west, Isal)ella county. Their outfit of buildings at the present time consists of eleven brick stnic- tures which are, one building oTie hundred and twenty feet by forty-five feet, with two full stories, a basement and an attic, all utilized; an assembly build- ing, eighty-five by forty-five feet, with one wing forty feet by forty feet and another wing fortv-five bv eightv-five feet, all two stories and basement; 78 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. a girls' dormitory, ninety by ninety feet, two stories and basement : a bo\'s' dormitory of the same size and dimensions: a building for a dining room, domestic science, and bakery, with a capacity for three hundred students : a hospital building, thirty-five by forty-five feet, with basement : power house, fifty by forty-five, one story and basement, equipped with three boilers, engine and dynamo ; a laundry, forty-five by seventy-five, one story, fully equipped and sufficient for the needs of the school ; a storehouse, twenty-five by fifty, one story; an industrial building, including blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, tailor and shoe shop, also a I)and room ; a cluli house for the teachers and cook ; this is devoted to the use of the six lady teachers and the lady cook. There are also several wooden buildings, to wit : A barn, forty by one hundred and twenty-four feet; a store building, forty by fifty; a storage build- ing, thirty-two by fifty; driving shed, twenty-eight by one hundred; three cottages for the employees, viz: clerk, tailor, discijjlinarian and carpenter; an ice house, t\\-enty-four by thirt}- feet: a pigger}". twenty-two by eighty: a farm barn, forty by eighty, and a farm house, thirty by forty, for the assistant farmer; a dwelling for the night watch, upright sixteen by twenty-six. with a wing fourteen by twenty feet. This scho(.)l has had a marked effect upon the Indians of this and other counties in the state. Their numbers have steadily increased until they now average something o\'er three hundred students, which is the normal capacity of the school. Quite a number of the students have gradtiated and are now holding good positions in the government employ. As fast as they become proficient in the branches taught here, they may go to Carlisle, or, if sufliciently equipped, may seek employment in some other like institution, the government being at all times anxious that they should continue the work and thus stimu- late others to a better life than that which they were wont to live. Here they are remo\-ed to a large extent from their natural haunts and come in closer touch with a better ci\ilization. one that serves to change their environment and will in time modify their heredity. Knowing the tribal life of the Indian, one is surprised to see how soon the\' change to a large extent from their roving life to one of industry and good husl)andry. In their school all of the com- mon branches are taught, besides which they have domestic science and man- ual training. Many of them ha\-e good \-oices and become quite proficient in music. The school supports a good brass band, and they can play base ball and foot ball with proficiency. The government is doing what it con- sistently can to better the condition of a race that is fast disappearing and will soon be among the peoples that were, unless by the change in their habits and modes of li\ing the}' shall mercome the tendencx' to obliteration. ISABELLA COUNTV, MICHUJAN. 7y 'riie suptTiineiidents tliat have at times cuiKlucted tlie husiiiess aiwl looked after the interests of tlie selinnl are. tirst. Dr. E. E. I\iiii)el ; tlien came Kndnev S. Graham, w lio was followed hy E. E. Nardin, and he by the present incum- bent, R. A. Cockran. The superintendent's salary at first was one thousand five hundred dollars ; this has been increased to one thousand seven hundred diillars. Tile teachers receive from six hundred to eis^lu hundred ami forty dollars. The clerk. J. ^^ • Baunian, who was formerly a student in the school, receives one thousand tlollars. Two assistant matrons, one assistant cook and the g;ardener are each graduates here, and John Williams, present farmer, and Samuel (iruett. disciplinarian, have each been students in the schncil. Charles Slater, carpenter, is the only person who has remained in the cnqjloy of the school ever since it opened, which speaks volumes for his effi- ciency and faithfulness. One thing the authorities of the school are to be com- plimented for is the ])reser\;ition of the forty acres of nati\-e forest situated just north of the plat on which the buildings arc located. It is one of the finest pieces of green timber in the county, in fact I doubt if another such can be found. There are about seven hundred nice hard maple trees on the plat and the school is guarding these trees with jealous care. It has been said by many that the Indian was a warlike creature, but we do not think tliat a])p!ies with much force to the Chii)])ewas of the ])resent (lav. The Indians liere Iiaxe been a peaceable people for se\eral generations at least. Yet, when our country was in need of soldiers to put down the Rebellion, none were more ready to enlist than the native American. We ha\e tried to obtain a full list of those enlisting. Init have been unable to procure one. We herewith present a partial list, secured direct from some of those who went into the service, and have personal knowledge : John Jackson, Thomas Smith, Dan Sun.shine (or Covert). Abram Brock (son of the great Chief Shaw-shaw-waw-naw-beese), James Gruett, William Chatfield, Charles Chatfield, John Waw-be-naw . George Corbin. .\mos Chamberlain. JNIarcus Otto, Joe Fisher, Samuel Fisher, Ke-go, William Westbrook, John Ch'itfield. William Kay-ne-go-me, William Isaac, Dan Ashman (a drumiuer), Dan Pay- mos-se-gay, Thomas Waw-be-naw, Sag-a-tup, James Quaw-be-way, John Col- lins ( sharpsliooter ) . J(ibnn\ Collins (sharpshooter), Xot-to-way. Peter Barnes, Peter Campau ( Sexenth Miciiigan Ca\alry), Lewis Pe-che-ka. Peter I'cnnett, Peter Jolms, John .\ndrew, .Mart Xe-omc. The story would not be complete without mention of another attempt made by tlmse wlm undertn'ik to despoil the Indian of his rightful possessions. During the time that the lands were held by the Hall interests, a bill was intro- duced in the Congress of the United States, inteniled to confirm title in Hall 80 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. and his grantees. The bill was carefully and ingeniously drawn, and when it came up for action the question was propounded as to how much land was involved, and the congressman from this district flippantly replied, about one hundred and sixty acres. The answer, for some cause, was not satisfactory; action was postponed and the bill was never passed. The evasive or untruth- ful answer cost the congressman his oiifice, and he was not returned. Soon after the treaty of 1855, to-wit, in 1856, the Intlians commenced to move to their reservation in Isabella county. Some of them came by the way of St. Louis in Gratiot county, there being a few families living on the banks of the Pine river just below St. Louis; among them were the Gruets, Chatfields, Rodds, Bradleys, Lyons, Smiths, and others coming into the county by the pony route, packing upon the pony or upon their own backs all of their belongings. Others came into the county by the Chippewa river route with canoes, dug out of pine logs. Li these canoes they stored away all that they possessed, including the wife and pappooses: as one Indian expressed it, "the river was full of canoes, and we brought all that we possessed." They landed at or near what was afterward Isabella City, where the mill was built, made their selections of land under the treaty of 1855 and settled upon the same. They luiilt small wigwams out of birch bark or of logs, covered them with bark to keep out the inclement weather and proceeded to make some clearing, cutting down the timber and burning the same. It will be remembered that the lands were all covered with a dense growth of timber and underl)rush. Most of the older selections and settlement was made in the summers of 1856-7. Their history is that most of the Indians cciming in those years were quite industrious, desiring to make a home on the reservation, and for four or five years made considerable improvement upon their lands. Not getting their patents at the end of their first five years, as they supposed they would, and the fact that the idea of making the reservation perpetual had become noised about among the Indians, their enthusiasm for clearing and subduing land that some shrewd or designing paleface should afterward reap the bene- fit of his hard labor began to abate and the longer it continued the less did poor Lo crave the job of enriching the white man by his voluntary labor ; so that they began again to neglect their clearing and improvement and many of them left their land to again seek a livelihood by hunting, fishing, trapping and the making of baskets by the female portion of the family, gathering the ma- terial for baskets and woven articles wherever most convenient. The Indians report that when they came to Isabella county in 1856-7 there was an abundance of fish in the streams and lakes of the countv, and JACOB TIPSICO Chippeway Indian, Born in McCoiiil) County, Michigan, March 1, 1827 ISABELLA LOr.NTY. M If 1 1 KiA.N . 8l great c|uaiitities of wild fowl in the timber and on the laUes, with deer, Ijear, mink, musk-rat, coon, heaver and fox in great plenty, with some wolves, wild- cat, lynx and pole-cat thrown in to gi\e flavor to the list. .\11 or nearl\' all of these have now passed away or been legislated beyond the reach of any one. except he desires to liask for a time in tiie county jail or take a trip to the workhouse in Detroit. The Indian is not supposed to have inherited anv great desire to work, but is accredited with having a great longing for lire-water. In this tiie sup- position is not altogether correct, for T think it can be truthfully said that the Indians who came to Isaliella under the said treaties were greatly above the average in their desire to be good, sober citizens and that but a small percent- age of them were addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors to excess. On the whole, they were a very quiet and peaceable class of citizens. The writer of this article has had mucli to do with the Indi.m in this county, having spent a great many days and nights in the timber in the earlv days of the settlement of the county, running out state roads and public high- ways, generally working with one white man and front eight to ten Indians. They make good chainmen and axe-men, as well as flagmen, in a surveying party. They were very good workers in the woods, cutting logs, and especial- ly good in driving logs down the river in the spring to their destination at Saginaw and Bay City. The Indians were possessed of guns for hunting at tlic time the\- came to Isabella: some had ponies, but no wagons or other con\eyance by land and only the ordinary dug-out canoe for transportation on the lakes and rivers. In employing them for work in surveying roads and for like work in the woods, they were not difficult to satisfy in the line of provisions: their lirst re- quirement when starting on a surveying tour through the forest was a goodly supply of tobacco and pipes: these were absolutely es.sential and nothing could take their jjlace. Xext was a sutificient supply of ham. bacon and bread or crackers: after that you could chink in almost anything of the eatable class and there would be no grumbling. In the treaty of 1855 there were made certain provisions for the education of the Indian children, and to carry out that portion of tlic trcatv se\eral school houses suitable for tb;U purpose were built. ]r\ing E. Arnold had the contract in 1S58 to build four school houses to be used for the Indians, and as soon as they were completed teachers were secured to conduct them. These sciiools were continued for several years, w ith more or less success. The principal difficulty was in the poor attendance, w ith the further fact that as a rule the teacher did not understand the Indian (6) 82 ISABELLA COUXTV. MICHIGAN. language and the children could not understand the teacher, with the further fact that as soon as the school closed for the day the child returned to its home, there to talk Indian until the school hour the next day. My observa- tion has been that but little benefit was deri\Td from the schools as then con- ducted. At a later date it was thought that the Indian was entitled to further con- sideration in the educational line and an attempt was made by some of the good citizens of Isabella county toward establishing an industrial school. CHAPTER V. ORGANIZATION OK ISABELLA COUNTY. The lands comprised witliin the houndaries of Isahella county were duly laid off hy an act of the Territorial Council in the year 1831, by "An Act to provide for laying off into separate counties, the district of country adjacent to Grand River, and for other purposes. "Be it enacted by the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan. "Section 13. That the country included within the following limits, to-wit : west of the line between ranges 2 and 3 west; east of the line between ranges 6 and 7 west: south of the line between the townships 16 and 17, and north of the line between townships 12 and 13 north, containing sixteen town- ships, be and the same is hereby set off into a separate county, by the name of Isabella. "A])pr<)vcd March 2. 1S31."' The countv at this time was an unbroken wilderness of timber, de\'oid of inhabitants, white or Indian : up to this time !iot a tract of land, great or small, had been entered Ijy anyone. In the year 1853 an act was passed attaching Tsal)ella county to the county of Saginaw for certain purposes, to-wit : "Section 1. The people of the state of Michigan enact, tjiat the counties of Midland. Arenac. Gladwin. Isabella and Iosco, be and the same are hereby attached to the county of Saginaw, for judicial and representative i)m"])oses. "Sec. 2. The counties of (iladwin, .Arenac and Isabella be and the same are hereby attached to the township of Midland for the purposes aforesaid, and for the purposes of taxation, until set off and organized into other town- ships : and that the county of Iosco be and the same is hereby attached to the town.ship of Hampton, in the county of Saginaw . for like purposes. "Approved February 3, 1853." In this act there is no provision made for the return of any vote f)n any sul)ject, and it is evident that there were no settlers in the comity at that time. Further that no township had been organized in the county. 84 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. The Legislature of 1855. by act No. 98, "An act to attach the counties of Isabella and Gladwin to the county of Midland for judicial and municipal pur- poses. "Section i. The people of the state of Michigan enact, that the counties of Isabella and Gladwin be and the same are hereby attached to the county of Midland for judicial and munici]3al purposes. "Sec. 2. All acts or parts of acts controvening the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. "Sec. 3. This act shall take efifect immediately. "Approved February 12, 1855." The same session of the Legislature organized the township of Coe in Isabella county. "No. 151. an act to organize the township of Coe, in county of Isabella. "Section i. The people of the state of Michigan enact, that the surveyed townships described as town 13 north, of range 3 west, and 14 north, of 3 west, in tlie county of Isabella, lie and the same are hereby organized into a township by the name of the township of Coe, and the first township meeting therein shall be held at the house of Mr. Campbell, on section 17, in town 13 north, range 3 west. "Approved February 13. 1855."" In 1859, bv act "No. 1 18, to-wit. an act to organize the county of Isabella : "Section i. The people of the state of Michigan enact, that the county of Isabella shall be organized, and the inhabitants thereof entitled to all the rights and privileges to which by law the inhabitants of other organized counties of this state are entitled. "Sec. 2. Provides for an election of county officers, to be held on the first Monday of A\m\. 1859, such officers to enter upon their duties on the first Monday in Alay, 1859. Sec. 3. Board of canvassers to meet at the house of John M. Hursh on the second Tuesday of April next after the said election, to canvass and de- clare the result of said election." In the same act the county of Clare was attached to the county of Isabella for municipal and judicial purposes, and to the township of Isabella for town- ship purposes. Approved February 11, 1859. An election was held as provided in section 2, the board of canvassers met according to requirement and canvassed the vote and declared Richard ISABELLA COl'NTV. MKllIGAN. 85 Hoy elected as county treasurer. Irving V.. Arnold, clerk. Charles H. Rodd (Indian), sheriff. James Wilsey. judge of jirohate. Malcom D. Davis, county surveyor, and Xelson Mosher, prosecuting attorney. The first meeting of the Ix)ard of supervisors was held at the house of John M. Ilursh. on May 9, 1859. Supervisors Perry H. Estee, of Coe, X. C. Payne, of Chippewa, and A. G. Ferris, of Isabella, were present, they rep- resenting all of the then organized townships. 1. K. Arnold, county clerk, was clerk of the board, and V. TT. Estee was elected chairman. Their first official act was to appro\-e the bond of Richard Hoy. county treasurer: the second act was voting to Ijond the county for one thousand five hundred dollars for the relief of the destitute of the county. William 1\. Robhins, of Coe. was appointed agent to negotiate said bonds and purchase provisions, to he sold on time to the suft'ering and needy settlers. He was not to sell said bonds for less than seventy-five cents on the dollar. ;md h\- his report he used but fi\e hundred dollars and returned the balance into the treasury : Robbins w as instructed to take security, cither real estate or ap- proved notes, for the provisions he distributed, to lie made ])ayable on or l)efore two years. There was turncet\veen said counties. Provided, the above resolution shall in no way effect a settlement between the said county of Midland and the several towns of Isabella county, but the same shall 1)e accounted for and paid over by the said treasurer of Midland county to the several towns of the county of Isabella according to law. "Dated at Midland City, Januaiy 4, i860. "Charles D. Searrin. (L. S.) "Sylvester Erw.ay. (L. S.) "Samuel D. Gaskill. (L. S.) "In behalf of Midland County. "P. H. ESTEE. (L. S.) "N. C. Payxe. (L. S.) "In behalf of Isabella County. "Upon motion, the board adjourned without day. "Irving E. Arnold, "Clerk of Isabella County." The place selected by the commission appointed by the governor was at the geographical center of the county. There was no settlement there what- ever, not so much as an Indian, the nearest settlement being on section 22, township 14 north, range 4 west, just on the south side of Mt. Pleasant. The land on which the county seat was located was not bought from the United States until December 15, 1855. REMOVAL OF COUNTY SE.AT. On October 10, 1859, the board of supervisors met in regular session at the center and, after transacting the October business, adjourned until the second Tuesday of January, i860. On January 10, i860, they met pursuant to adjournment, and after trans- acting some business, adjourned to the 20th of February. After allowing some bills and a couple of wolf bounties, they adjourned till the next day. when the following resolution was offered by P. H. Estee : "Resolved by the board of supervisors of Isabella county, that the following described piece or ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIC.AX. 87 parcel of laud he and hcrel)y is designatco. he ilesired to know what he had gotten for his monew so 92 ISABELLA COUXTY, MICHIGAN. he and a friend rigged up a team of horses, attached them to a hght two-horse wagon and, putting in their saddles and their provisions for a week's journey, they started for the woods. Arriving at the quarter house and not heing able to go farther with their rig. they stripped their horses of their harness, put on their saddles and started out. After having been out for several days and on returning, they found that their wagon and harness had departed. On making due inquiry, they learned that a couple from Isabella City, being over ■ desirous to become married, had saddled a couple of ponies and started out in search of a minister or justice of the peace who could relieve their distress; had found that horse-back riding in a wilderness was not the most pleasant pastime so they unsaddled their ]iiinies, donned the harness of Rust, hitched the ponies onto the wagon, seated themselves and drove for Midland. Arriv- ing there in safety, they soon found the proper official, who joined them for better or for worse. They then sent the ponies and wagon back to the place from whence they got them and went on their way rejoicing. The wagon re- turned in good season and Air. Rust now tells the story with a good degree of zest. didn't relish his bed. There are some ludicrous things that liappen in a new and woolly country as this was in the early days. There was to be a dance in a distant part of the county and at the appointed time the merry participants began to congre- gate for the occasion. It so happened that it was not a prohibition place and the spirits soon became over jubilant, so much so that one, at least, lost him- self to the pleasures of this world and became oblivious to time and his sur- roundings, so the other spirits deemed it but proper that he be made comfort- able and safe from harm. In looking about for a suitable place, they dis- covered that it was hog-killing time and that a large porker was lying just outside the partition of the dance hall, and in a place that was convenient so that they might visit it occasionally and see that no harm came to their sub- ject. So they lifted the subject, carried him to the spot and there deposited him inside of the porker that lay with outstretched arms to receive him. There he lay till the morning dawn, when, on awaking, he discovered his place and companionship. Naturally he felt humiliated and he resolved to ha\e re- dress for the great wrong done to a human being. So he started for a place where he could obtain the redress he felt he was entitled to. Arriving at the office of the proper officer, he demanded in imperious and ineloquent terms for a warrant for the miscreants who had humiliated him. The officer very meekly asked who it was that he wanted the warrant for and his reply was neither ISABELLA COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 93 elegant nor genteel, luit still it granches of the tall trees. seeking out their proper home and family, bringing with them the food gath- ered during the hunt of the day. Gathering a few sc^uabs before it was too dark to seek out the nest, the party built a fire of sticks and brush and after cleaning the little beauties proceeded to impale them upon sharp sticks and roast them in the fire until the scent of the frying meat was too much for a famished cannibal and then they proceeded to devour the delicious morsels. This was continued until all of the captured birds were dispatched, when a bed was made on the ground under the trees where the pigeons were roosting, and there they lay down for the night. All went well until about daylight when the buzz and whir of the birds going out upon their hunt for food for themselves and their young became too exciting for further sleep, for the hunters also must be up and doing in order to secure a sufficient number of squabs for a breakfast, together with a few to carry home to their families. This job was soon accomplished and after a repast such as a king might be proud of, the horses were saddled and the home journey entered upon. All day the air was full of the faithful pigeons on their pilgrimage for food. This roost was the last in this section and substantially the last of the wild pigeon. For many years none have been seen migrating north in the spring or south in the fall and today they are extinct so far as can be ascertained. Who can tell the cause of their disappearance from off the face of the earth? We say extinct, for the reason that large bounties have been ofifered by several parties for the recovery of a single pair of the once plentiful wild pigeon and so far as we are informed no one has succeeded in furnishing anv of those beautiful birds. .\ PLUCKY WOMAN. On one occasion in the early si.xties a young woman was left with two small children to do the work at home, while the husband had gone to the front to fight the battle for freedom and had left a patch of turnips and also a small field of potatoes to harvest. No help could be had, so she was com- pelled to go into the field and pull the turnips and dig the potatoes with the aid of the oldest boy, a lad of nine. They harvested the crop and then sold seventy-five bushels of the turnips for twenty cents a bushel. ISABEI.I.A COLXTV, MICHIGAX. 95 These were used by many oi the fatnihcs as tlieir staple food. The bal- ance was fed to the stock, as there was no hay in tlie settlement at the time and the stock was compelled to browse upon the brush and limbs in the woods. The hard work and exposure in the field and in caring for the stock in winter caused a felon to ap])ear on the woman's hand and. after four days and nights of intense pain and suffering, she started one starlight night for tlie doctor's house, some two and one-half miles away, following the trail through the woods, timid and fearful of meeting some ferocious wild animal, as the forests contained at that time many bear, some wolves, catamounts and occasionally ivnx. Fortune faxored tlie hra\e woman and after a long tramp she arrived at the doctor's residence about three o'clock in the morning and she rapped at his door. He soon appeared, invited her in and after examining the hand, probed it WMth a lance and relieved the pain and after applying some soothing applications she felt relieved and started back to her little ones at home. At another time, not long after the above incident, a family living in the forests of Isabella, whose ])arents resided in western New York state, the wife learned that her parents had sold their farm and were coming to Isabella. It was in the month of March and they had made their journey by rail to the then \illage of St. Johns, some forty-five miles distant from the home of her daughter, and, coming into the county by wagon over the corduroy and mud roads of the countr\-. on arriving were \ery niucii wearied and nearly exhausted so that it seemed necessary that the old lady at least should have a good strong, soothing cup of tea. She did not know that tea in the wilder- ness was a great luxury. The daughter knew, however, that her mother would expect it. but what could she do? There was nothing left, as it seemed to her. but procure the tea. The nearest store was at Salt River, so she donned her bonnet and shawl and started out for the beverage. It was a long journey to walk six miles and more in the month of March, but she made the trip and returned with the article, made the tea and her mother enjoyed it very much. She remarked that she thought that she must have some very good neighbors that she should sta\- so long and visit, or else they must be a good ways off. In the year '61, I remember it well, Wp (•••uiip to the .MichisriUi forests to dwell. No sigiis that the white man hafl .vet passed that way Where Natni-e. most ininiitive. fnlly held sway. First a few trees were felled and a small space was cleared Where a little lop-cabin was speeilily reared. With just one small window to let in the light. .\nd a woodcn-liinfKMl door that we m.ide fast at nijrht. We lironcht with lis lieddins. a stove and some food, .\nd the .-ixe — most important — our chief ally stood: We were then younf; and healthy, with courage quite keen. Though Indians and wild beasts were frtipiently seen. I 96 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. The opening aronnd us grew broader each day, Letting in the blue sky and the snnlighfs bright ray, Then the birds came to greet us and sing "ujiing the leaves And build tiny nests 'ueath the cabin's low eaves. Other settlers came in and took up a claim And the township received then its first legal name. Which was Lincoln, and passable roads were cut through Where each built his eablu and started anew. Then the women found time to make calls — I should say — Going oft in the morning and staying all day; With knitting in hand they thought it no labor To walk a few miles to visit a neighbor. It may interest you to know how we made Our pastry and puddings fi-om things that we had; But the maxim was just as true tlu^n as to-da.v That "where there's a will, there's always a way." We made good miuce pies without apples or meat, And the elder bush furnished us berries to eat. Baked in pie, with a few leaves of sorrel to sour it. You would know it was good had yuu seen us devour it. Our cookies and cakes would just take the lead. Made of nice maple sugar and caraway seed, Cut out with a teacup or fashioned by hand. Our pioneer cakes were the best in the hind. From barley and i]eas nicely roasted and ground A fine cup of coffee could always be found: It wasn't quite Mocha and Java, 'tis true. But preferable far to to-day's I'ostum brew. Some used the wild strawberry leaves for their tea. And the white inner barlv of the fragrant pine tree: Its medicinal virtue no tea can excel And the use of it dail.v kept each of them well. How well I remember our first home-grown foods — Cucumbers and turniiis grown there in the woods, And tame, juicy berries, delicious and sweet, We now had abundance of good things to eat. If a wood-liee was planned all the men turned out strong And women and children of course went along: Each carried a basket or pail full of dinner And made no distinction between saint or sinner. But all joined together: and while the men worked. We women just \isited — never one shirked In doing her share of the talking and greeting That made of that day an experience meeting. Well, times somewhat changed as the .vears rolled between When fine farms .appeared, and nice homes were seen. And fashion crept in according to station. And visits were made only by invitation. Some even dropped out — I am sorr.v to say — And became more exclusive, like scune are toda.v. While a spirit of rivalr.v if not of .strife Drove out of our midst the old simple life. ISABELLA CDLNTV, MICHUiAN. 97 There is one more experieiioe I will expliiiii Thoufrli I never sliiiiild wisli to expl.iin it .-i^iiiin. The time for tlie wateh-meetinc service drew near To wjiteh out the old nud to jireet the New Ye:ir. I Inid never iittended m nieetin;; like this. And tli(iu;rht it was soni"tliinjr I on;;ht not to miss. Though, to tell just the truth. I didn't feel right In le.ivin^ m.v husband and children at niKlit. But a neiirhhor. his wife, .ind anuthcr dear friend. Who had alwa.vs .accustomed Iheniselves to attend. Had said they would call for me if 1 would so. And so I di'iided 1 would not .say no. 'Tw.as a hitler ccilil nit:lit-\vilh an old open sleisrh r>r.iwn liy oxen, and lilled in with straw or with hay, Willi hl.anUets for rohes to protect from the slorm. Wliicli were quite insuMicicnt in keepins: ns warm. Then the slow jiace hes.an. for some three miles lielow. To the Chippewa schoolho\ise where we had to go. It seemed we would never the meetiniiiilace reach. Or hear ait.v sermon the i;ood man niisht preach. Rut we reaehiHl there at last, with no time to spare. Quite chilled from the ride in the cold, frost.v air. The .stove jiave out warmth most grateful to .-ill. But no seats were provided except near tin- w.all. So I sat in a corner, a heiich for a seat. .\nd the cracks in the floor save no warmth to my feet. "Twas a small consresation with only a few Who h.ad r.illicil t

crs. as witness the two closed schools; a treaty looking to the stopping of the annual jiaynients and giving the Indians deeds to their lands, or so many of them as were competent, was then l)eing discussed. Miss Alhright was present at one of the council meetings, when Mr. Leach, the agent, and a committee of three gentlemen from Washington, of whom Doctor Arnokl was one. were laying the matter hefore the Indians. Charles Rodd, a half breed, acting as government interpreter. In 1865. I think, Mr. Leach resigned as agent. Mr. Smith, his secretary, taking his place. In 1866 he told Miss Albright that the schools were to be closed, .\cting upon this statement, she engaged to teach a six months term of the White school at Isabella City. His plans were evidently not carried out as promptly as he expected, as the schools were carried on for a number of years after, more or less regularly. The school building in which Miss Albright taught has been remodeled and is now a comfortable farm house, owned by Joseph Ray. The one at Xippising was burned. The old chiux'b is still standing as a barn on the farm of Mrs. Thomas Carroll and 1 am told that tlie Mission school is now used as a stable by Mr. Barnard. Mrs. Captai.n Moshkk. EARLY F.nrCATIOXAL FACTS. It is worth while to note some jieculiarities of the old school system and some of the parties that partici])ated in them. .Away back in the sixties there was a superintendent of schools. Albert Fox was superintendent as early as 1866. John B. Young in 1869 and C. O. Curtis in 1871. The office was abolished in 1875. and after that each town was a law unto itself as to schools. Then came the county school board, consisting of three members, one of wliich was elected and served as school examiner. Fred Russell being the first and T. Knox Jeffords next. S. J. Jamison was, in August, 1890. elected secretary of the board of county examiners, this being the title under wdiich the executive officer administered supervision of the rural schools. Mr. Jamison was the last of the examiners to act under this title, for during the year of his incumliency of the office the Legislature changed the title to commissioner, and Mr. Jamison was elected to the same office under the new title, hence was the first commissioner of schools for Isaliella county. For nianv vears the educators and teachers of the state had advocated that the rural schools be classified and graded and enough had been said to I06 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. arouse tlie opposition of the farmers, who thought such a classification meant added expense. One of tlie first duties of the new secretary and commis- sioner was this innovation and, while he met with determined opposition he- fore the end of the first year, every child in the rural schools had been classi- fied, a complete record of the classification of every school made, and Isabella countv could boast of the first classified and graded rural schools in the state. Mr. Jamison held the position until 1893, when Air. Bellinger was elected and held it until 1897, wdien he was followed by Orin Burdick and he by H. A. Graham in 1901, he holding the position until 1907, when E. T. Cameron, was ajipointed and still holds the office. ha\ing" l)een elected in the spring of 1 9 T T . CHAPTER \'TI. KAKI.\' IKA.NSl'ORTATIO.V. TA\1-.K\S. KOAliS, I-'IKSI' .MILLS. Tliese arc interesting topics and of much importance, especially to the early comer. Isabella county being originally a heavy timbered country, and of a comparatively level surface, together with the fact that the timber was so dense that the sun did not penetrate to the ground cm niucli of its surface. and being to some extent of a level and marshy character, the reader will appreciate the fact that making roads was a matter fraught with much diffi- culty to the early inhabitant. The \ery first road, or, more properly speaking, trail, was cut frnm the south line of the county north to Salt river, to the center of section y, now in the township of Coe. in November, 1854. by William B. Bowen, William Adams. James Shepherd ( father of Isaac X. Shepherd), J. B. \\'alton, George and l)(iw Greenfield. William P>. Br>\\en driving the fu'st horse team and wagon over the line to Salt river. William ]',. ISowen was the father of the late Eugene Bowen of Mt. Pleasant and William .\danis was the father of Oliver H. Adams and Ed Adams, both of Shei)herd. The ne.xt day after Bowen and company came, Jacob Middaugh. W. W. Middaugli and John Hendershot came over the same trail with an o.x team and cut a ncid on to section i in the same township. On the 7th of November. 1834. Joseph Rob- erts, ."^r.. wife and family. Patrick Fanning and family and Thomas Roberts moved upon the northeast ([uarter of section 10, in said township, they I'.eing the first families to move into the county. On Xoxember 21. 1854, Daniel Hrickley and Joseph Stewart came with their families to Salt river and then cut their wav west to the west side of C He and there located. In Decem- ber of the same year George Hursh and Lewis Jenner cut a trail from Brick- ley's in a northwest direction to section 22. township 14 north, range 4 west, and on February 25, 1855. John ^l. Hursh came with his family and settled upon the west (jne-half of the northeast quarter of said .section, this lieing the same piece of land that the Normal school is now located upon. In 1856 John Eraser had the pleasure of cutting a road some forty miles or more that he might bring his family and goods into the county : he came by the way I08 ISABELLA COUNTV, MICHIGAN. of Saginaw and Midland through to section 31, in Cliippewa. About tlie same time A. M. Merrill, who had purchased section ^2. township 14 north, range 4 west, came up the Chippewa river by the way of ^Midland, navigating the stream with a scow to a point some nine miles Ijelow Alt. Pleasant and from there cutting his way through the woods to his land. The theory of making this kind of a road was to keep as much as possible on the high, dry ground and cut and remove just as little of the timber and underbrush as one could and still pass over the ground with a team and wagon. As soon as lum- bering liecame profitable, the lumbermen opened up what they called "tote" roads, which were roads of the same general character, just sutificient for them to "'tote'" in their supplies. One such was built in the west part of the countrv known in an early day as the Merrill tote road, named in honor of Charles Merrill, of Detroit, one of the successful lumbermen of Michigan, This road extended from the south line of the county north, keeping on the west side of the Chippewa ri\-er until the}' got above Two Rivers, there crossing the Chippewa and continuing to Merrill's camp, a few miles up the river ; from there it was afterward extended up the river to Sherman City and thence on up the said river to the forks in Mecosta county. One was also opened up from Isabella City to Midland and Saginaw, keeping at all times on the north side of the river. This was used for a good many A-ears by our people, gen- eralh', as the only thoroughfare to Saginaw in fact, until 1870, when the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad was opened for traffic. After a few years of this kind of roads, the farmers who had located and commenced to improve their lands, converting them into farms, began to ha\-e something to sell and take to market, and something was done toward laying out and ci instructing ])ul)lic highwa^•s. It was a tedious and costlv pro- cess, for the cutting out of a mile of road meant the chopping down and clear- ing away the timber and underbrush of eight acres of land. And when that was done you had only made a good start toward a road ; it was then to be graded and drained. Most of the early draining was done by cutting what we called cross-way timber and either split that into rails or put them into the crossway whole, being careful to mismatch the logs as to size so that those who used the road would surelv know that he was passing over a made roadwa)'. ^^'e have seen miles of such corduroy road, some of it Iniilt by laying stringers made of large logs along the roadway and then placing the shorter logs on top of the stringer crosswise so that the top of the road would be from two to three feet above the ground. About 1865-6 the state took hold of the matter and authorized some of the swamp land of the state to be used for the laxing out and construction of state roads in the several counties. ISABELLA COUNTV. MICHIGAN. IO9 C^nc was I)iiilt from St. John's, in Clinton count), t' i llliaca. in (Iratiot county, and then extended to Ahiia and from there to Mt. I'Icasant; later it was continued to Isal)e!la t'ity and from there turned west, goinjj througli to tlie west line of Isabella and then continued in a northwesterly course to Rig Rai)ilanchard had been started and had then the ])i-os- pect of a si'dden and healthy growth, it being in a wonderfully rich pine (lis- 112 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. trict. They were not mistaken as to the pine and a party from Howard City purchased lots and built a very large and commodious hotel. It proved too large for the place and was not a paying investment. It being a lumbering town, where there are more or less chances for fire, they kept it well insured and it is well they did as it was not a long time before it took fire and was totally destroyed. Soon after this was destro\-ed the Londaville Hotel was built and that, too, met the same fate and then the Penobscot was built and lasted for a time and that al-so went up in smoke. In 1873 the village of Sherman City was started and soon thereafter a second plat was laid out by Johnson and Ellis and \-ery soon afterwards a hotel was built. It was at a time when the lumbering operations were begin- ning to be at the best and it was well patronized as long as the lumbering lasted and after that it continued, but not so prosperous. In 1 87 1 the Pere Marquette railroad was built through to Clare from Saginaw and the village of Clare was started, .\bout the same time a state road was built from Mt. Pleasant to Clare: that being only fifteen miles dis- tant, it was the nearest railroad station. .\ stage route was established and very soon after 1873 James L. Bush built and conducted the Half Way House at what is now Roselnish. This hotel served a very good purpose and con- tinued for a number of years. About 1878 Oscar T. Brinton located at what is now known as the village of Brinton, and laid out a village and Iniilt a number of coal kilns. As soon as the village was started, a hotel became necessary and one was built and has been continued to the present time, although the coal business has long since ceased. In 1882 James C. Caldwell, then a resident of Fremont, removed to Deer- field and in May of that year opened up the hotel at Caldwell, sometimes called Two Rivers, and a hotel has existed there ever since. In 1885 the Ann Arbor railroad was built to Shepherd and a village plat was laid off to be known as Shepherd. Veiy soon thereafter a hotel was built at that place and has since continued, and in fact a second one has been built there. This is a village not likely to go into disuse as it is in the oldest settled portion of the county. The hotel at W'eidman is of a later date, as the village did not take on full dress until 1895. but as soon as it did a hotel was built and has been main- tained to the present time. The lumbering interest, which was the foundation of the town, has disappeared, but agriculture has taken its place and the village is retaining that business and has made a very satisfactory growth. ISABELLA COUNTY, MUHIGAX. II MILLS. Mills are a very necessary class of improvements in a new country, and especially in a heavily timbered country such as this was before the improve- ments commenced. It is true that the settler can avail himself of the timber to make himself a log cabin as well as log stables and barns, but they are not satisfactory as a general thing. The thrifty farmer desires something neater and cleaner, and where there is plenty of good timber and mills to saw the logs into lx)ards and timber for frames and roofing, as well as shingles for the covering of the roof, it gives much greater satisfaction to all concerned. The first mill built in the county was erected by John Reynolds in the year 1856 and was located on the Salt river about two miles below Shepherd. It was said to he the first frame building erected in the county. It did busi- ness for several years and then was sold and removed to old Salt River village. Afterward it burned and there is nothing left but the nieniciry of what it was in its palmy days. The next mill to be built was erected in the year 1857 and was built by the United States government for the Indians of the Chippewas of Saginaw, Swan creek and Black river, under and by \irtue of the treaty of 1855. This mill was both saw and grist-mill. The buhrs were brought from Saginaw up the Tittabawassee and Chippewa rivers, lashed on two canoes decked over. In fact all of the machinery was brought uj) the rivers in the same way. The dam to create the power was built across the Chippewa river on section 10, township 14 north, range 4 west. It was considered a good mill power. The mill continued to do business for the Indian, also for whites who desired to patronize it. It had a capacity of about four thousantl feet of sawed lum- ber and twenty bushels of wheat or corn. The capacity was sufficient for the purpose for which it was built, as the Indians did not become farmers to an alarming extent. Mr. Penmont was the contractor and completed the mill in time, but did not get it accepted until the next spring. .\. M. ImIcIi was then Indian agent and lived in Cleveland. Ohio, and it was not convenient for him to come up and inspect the work until the spring of 1858. This mill also burned in the year 1870 and no attempt was made to rebuild. The dam also went out, so that there is now no mill on the ilam site nor dam on the mill site. The next mill built was one at Salt River, built by George W. Miller. For this mill the power was derived by damming the Salt river, thus creating a pond of water, which dam was just south of the highway and east of the four corners at old Salt River village. This null was afterward sold to (8) 114 ISABIiLLA COUXTV, MICHIGAN. Stahlman & Young, who operated it for some time, when it changed hands several times and finally met the fate of the others and went up in smoke. The dam also departed this life and is now numhered among the things that were, but are no more. In 1866 a saw mill \vas built by the Hapner Brothers at Mt. Pleasant, the power being obtained by damming the Chippewa river at that place, and after- ward, in 1872. the Harris Brothers built a grist mill on the power. The saw mill cimtinued for several )ears and then the power owned and controlled by the owner of the saw-mill, George W. Brower, was sold to the owners of the flouring mill and the saw mill dismantled and remox'ed from its location and a steam saw mill was Ijuilt upon the grounds of the one now owned bv the Gorham Brothers Company. That was built liy Owens & Clinton and after- ward it changed hands several times and about 1881 it was sold to A. B. Upton and soon went into the firm of Leaton & Upton, who converted it into a mill ha\ing a capacity of forty thou.sancl feet per day. They continued to operate it until abnut 1889, when the_\- turned it over to some of their creditors, who formed the Alt. Pleasant Lumber & Manufacturing Company who operated it until the panic of 1895, when that also went to the wall and the property was sold and dismantled. Some time after this the Gorham Brothers Compan\- |)urchased the mill site and grounds, including liooming and floatage in the mill ijond, and erected the sawmill now lieing operated by their company. This is now the only saw mill of anv considerable importance in the county. There are perha])s three or four small portable mills, but none of large capacity. The county used to be a regular beehi\-e of saw and shingle mills ; now the timber is substantially e.xhausted and there is no call for such mills. Even the Gorham Brothers ship in bv rail abcjut all of the logs they cut, and the clav of saw and shingle mills has passed and gone. There have been some important saw and shingle mills in the county other than the one at Mt. Pleasant, \iz. : In the spring of 1871 George W. Wise erected a saw mill at what is now the \-illage of Loomis and commenced the manufacture of lumber, and also added to that a shingle mill and com- menced the manufacture of shingles, running the saw mill day times and the shingle mill nights. There were then great quantities of pine and cedar tim- lier in the \icinit\- of the mill. This mill burned in 1875, Init was rebuilt and remained until the timlier was exhausted and then it was dismantled and re- moved. About 1875 a mill was built at Blanchard for the purpose of cutting out the timber in that \icinitv. which was one of the most hea\'il\' timbered por- ISABELLA COfNTV. MUIIKIAX. II5 tions of the county. Some of tlie most thickly timherecl land we e\-er saw was found in Rolland township. One sectii)n alone cut over twenty-two million feet of pine timlier : that section could have been bought at one time for two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and were the timber standing; upon the land at the present time and in as j^ood condition as it was at that time it would ])ring the neat sum of not less than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, some say three hundred and fifty thousand dnljars. The mills remained in Blanchard until the lumljering was exhausted, and then went out. At Bundy, on the Ciii])pewa river, another large mill was built for the pm'pose of cutting a large tract of timber in Broi^mfield township, and what might he brought down the river from above. This lasted but a few years, until the tract was cut and removed, when the mill was removed also and the town or \illage of Bundy disappeared from the face of the map and Bundy is no more. There was another of our princijial saw mills, also a shingle mill. l)uilt in the northern part of the township of Vernon soon after the I'lint & I'ere Mar(|uette railroad was built. Tt remained for se\"eral years until the timlier sup])ly was exhausted and then this mill was also dismantled and removed from the county. The last named mill was owned and operated by the Wil- son Brothers. So. one after another, the saw and shingle mills came and went as long as timber could lie found sufficient to o])erate them. One of the \ery last of the principal saw and shingle mills was that of John S. W'eidman. who came into the countx' about the \ear 1X9,^ ;uid purchased a tract of timber, largely hard wood, at and near what is now the \illage of W'eidman: he oper- ated there until about a year ago, when he. too, having exhausted the timber supply, dismantled his null and closed out his lumlier interests at tiiat place. This was one of the most prosperous lumber enterprises in the county. The saw mill cajiacity was forty thousand feet per day of mixed timber, the shingle mill had a cajjacity of fifty thousand daily, and a jjlaner, with a cajiacity of thirty thousand feet. He cut in all about oiu- bundi'cusliels. This mill has a good reputation and is doing a flourishing business. The other mills along the line of converting timber into some useful article were the stave and heading mills, also hub mill. i)asket factory and veneering factor)'. In the early eighties one Prentis l)uilt a sta\c mill U>y cutting staves, principally from water elm. which at that time was very plentiful in the county and had no commercial value e.xcept for staves. His mill was built upon the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 15, township 14 north, range 4 west. This mill run fi)r sdiiic years and finally went (nit of business for want of timber, 'i'here was also a heading mill in the north part of the city conducted by Hornung & Son, that run for soine years and then burned down, was rebuilt and conducted for some time and then burned again. The last fire was about 1907: after this last tire, the timber being so nearly ex- hausted, the owners concluded not to rebuild and that industry ceased. There was also a stave mill built at Shepherd about 1885 and was successfully oper- ated for several years. The Gorham Brothers Company purchased grounds for a ])Iant in Decem- ber, 1887, and commenced to build in February, 1888, and iiave been iiere ever since. Their first enterprise was that of making fruit baskets and in tiiat thev still continue, onlv to a small amoinit, however. They l)ranrhed mU into making trunk slats quite early in their transactions, then added veneering, and then a saw mill, which they now operate. More recently they have been very extensive makers of veneer panels. The company has been a stable and pros- perous institution, employing at times as many as two hundred and seventy employees and are employing about one hundred and seventy at the present time. Something may be judged of their business also by the amount of power it requires to run the plant. Their present power is rated at two hun- dred and fifty horse power and the company is now installing another boiler with a capacity of three hundred and fifty horse power. .\ large quantity of the material used in their factory has to be shipped in from other states and some even from foreign countries. Their capital stock is one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars with seventy-four thousand seven hundred sub- scribed and paid in; present worth of real and personal property, about two hundred thousand dollars. .Another important industry established in the county and at Mt. I'lca^ant was a hull null. This was built about the year 1900 by the Whitney-Taylor Com|)any. a corporation with capital stock of two thousand five hundred dol- Il8 ISABELLA COUXTV, MICHIGAN. lars and operated for several years, then tlie hub machinery was moved away and the Imilding sold to Mt. Pleasant Body \\'orks. They remodeled the factory, put in different machinery, something suitable for making buggy bodies. This was a corporation, incorporated March 31, 1902. with twelve thousand dollars capital. This company also purchased what was known as the "Priest Patent"' for making a plugl.ess buggy body, supposed at the time to be the best and most substantial buggy body on the market. They com- menced to mmufacture buggies about July, 1902, continued for a time and then hnding that they needed more capital, they voted to raise it to thirty thousand d(.)llars. though it was afterward reduced to twent}' thousand dollars. After this increase of stock they went on with the work and it seemed to be getting along tine, so that the parties were jubilant over their success in the venture, so much so that on January 15, 1903. a meeting of the stockholders was called to v(ite upon the proposition of raising the capital stock to fifty thou- sand dollars. The vote was had and the stock authorized. It only took a short time to print and e.xecute the stock and get some of it on the market. .-\11 were now ixioyant and things were going along swimmingly. It was one of the conditions of the last increase that the old stockholders were to have gratis an amount of the new stock equal tn the amount of stock then held liy them Thev then employed a man to spend some of his time in selling the surplus stock and he went out and succeeded in disposing of some of it. The scheme then looked so light and airy that it began to inflate some of the stock- hnlders and one of them, one Mason Bambrough, came forward with a proposi- tion to increase the stock to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, he and one Leeb, of Chicago, to be the promoters. They were to pay into the corpora- tion thirty-one thousand dollars in cash, give to the old stockholders one hun- dred and twentv-six thousand dollars in the new stock for their holdings and they to take the balance. They were then to Iniild a new and complete fac- tory, to cost fifteen thousand dollars. Bambrough was to have six months to complete his organization and get matters in shape. Then the company, thinking that they would operate the factory but a short time, reduced their force and run light handed. .\t the end of the six months the big scheme did not materialize and the plant was finally sold to Bambrough by order of the stockhnlders fur the sum nf twenty-five thousand dollars, taking a mort- gage on the plant for the entire amount of purchase money. He took over the plant and held it till the spring of 1904, when the mortgage was foreclosed and sold at public auction fo'- two thousand one hundred dollars. It was after- ward sold to J. F. Butcher & Company, who operated it for a short time and then dismantled and mo\ed the machiner\- out of the countv. ISABELLA COL'NTV, MK'IIIGAN. IIQ About two years ago llie luib mill was moved hack to Ml. i'leasant and put in o])eration and has been doing a good business. The parties who are the owners and (Operators of tliat plant have also added a very much needed plant, viz: a tile mill, where all kinds of cement tile are made. They are making a good appearing tile and if it shall jjrove a success, so far as the last- ing ((ualities of the tile are concerned, it w ill prove to be a most needful con- cern. We are informed, and it Inoks most reasonaijle. that there is abso- lutely no question of the lasting qualities of the tile and ivmw nur knowledge of the material we have no (|uestion of their goodness. ELECTRIC LIOIIT IM.AXT. On December 6. i88q. a franchise was granteil b\ the common council of Mt. Pleasant to the .Mt Pleasant Electric Company to build and install an electric light and ])ower [)lant. .\n organization was formed December 3. 1889 to take over the franchise and build a plant. This organization was known as the Mt. Pleasant Electric Company, with cai)ital stock of twenty- h\e thousand dollars, dixided into one thousand shares. This comi^any be- came the property of Walter S. Xewberry, who really built the plant and oper- ated it until about the ist day of May, igo8. when he .sold to Ed Harris. Mr. Harris is still operating the plant and is giving good service to his patrons. It has been a growing business from the start and is well patronized. It furnishes incandescent as well as arc lights for both citizen and city. The city is principally lighted by electricity, having forty-two of the arc lights at fifty dollars each per year; four all-night Tungsten lamps, at thirty dollars each per vear; se\en series at fifteen dollars each and twn lamps at twent\-five dollars each. In all. the city is paying this company tw(j thousand three hun- dred and seventy dollars per year for lights. The other electric lights in the city are at the Gorham Brothers Companx' and at the Indian school. They each have their own dynamos and furnish their own lights. There is also a dynamo in the mill of the Holmes Milling Com])any at Weiert A. Preston, who lived just across from the northwest corner of the court yard, and this care extended for the period of five years. The grounds have since been improved by building cement walks at all ])laces where needed. THE BENCH. Wilbur F. Woodworth, of Midland, who had been elected circuit judge on the creation of the tenth judicial circuit, was the first judge to hold court in the county. }ic ])resided at the two t.erms commencing January 24th and July 24th, respecti\cly. in i860. He was a young man. with l)ut little experi- ence in practice, and remained on the bench ])ut a short time when he re- signed and went West. James Birney. who succeeded him. was a resident of Bay county, and a man of affairs and aliility. lie had been elected lieutenant-governor and was inaugurated April 3, 1861, but soon afterward resigned to accept the place made vacant by the resignation of Judge Woodworth. He completed the re- mainder of that term of office and held the terms of court in this countv from the J.^rd day of July. i8(ii. to and including the term commencing June 12, 1862. Judge Birney afterwards (from iSjU to 1882) served as minister of the United States at The Hague, and was a member of the state constitutional convention of 1867. Jabez G. Sutherland followed Judge Birney and held his first term of court in the county on the 21st day of January. 1863. anti his last term. Julv 17, 1870. He had been a meml^er of the constitutional convention that framed the state constitute of 1850, and also of the con\ention for the same purpose helfl in 1867. He was nominated and elected to the house of representatives of the forty-second Congress. He afterwards become the author of several law bocjks of great merit, among them his w(3rk upon Damages, considered of high authority by the bench and bar of the nation. . On the resignation of Judge Sutherland, to take his .seat in Congress, J<^hn Moore, of Saginaw, succeeded him. He held court in the countv from 126 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. July i8, 1871, until the term commencing January 20. 1874, when he resigned and went back to the practice of law. Judge Moore was a lawyer of large experience and great legal attainments. He has always been considered one of the strongest judges that has served upon the Michigan bench. ^\'illiam S. Tennant, also of Saginaw, followed Judge Moore on the liencli of the tenth circuit, and presided at all terms in this county from May 4, 1874. to the creation of the twenty-first circuit (of which, as shown above, this county formed part) and the election of a judge in the spring of 1875. At the spring election of 1875, Hemy Hart, of IMidland, was elected to fill the remainder of the term, which would expire with the year, and also for the full term to begin Januar}- i, 1876. He was re-elected in 1881. and again in 1S87. Judge Hart was a man of great strength of character, had high ideals, and profound respect for the "majesty of the law." He had in a wonderful degree that peculiar possession known to the bar as a "judicial mind " and this, with his Ijroad knowledge of humanity, made him the ideal judge. Peter F. Dodds, of 'Sit. Pleasant, the present incumbent, began practice of the law in this county in 1875 and continued the same to the time of his election to the bench in 1893. He was re-elected in 1899, and again in 1905, the last being without opposition. He served as prosecuting attornev of the county in 1881 and 1882. THE BAR. Nelson Mosher was the pioneer attorney of the county and it was well for the people and the liar that he was the first, as well in leadership as in residence, that he might, as he did. direct in the formati\-e period of the county's legal history. He was "a gentleman of the old school" and Nestor of the bar. Somewhat reserved and unassuming, he was a splendid specjmen of that type of lawyer who believes that his is among the most honorable and useful of the professions, and that it is incunilient upon e\"erv member thereof to keep himself fit to be enrolled in its roster. He was the first prosecuting attorney and circuit court commissioner of the county, serving in both otifices in 1859. He held the office of county treasurer from i860 to 1864, and again fnjin 1868 to 1872. in which latter vear he died. James P. Mosher, son of the last above, was elected prosecuting attorney and circuit court commissioner and succeeded his father in i860, and held said offices for two years. He remained in the county but a few years. He enlisted in Company C. Twenty-sixth Michigan, served during the war. re- turned here for a short time, going thence to Califi)rnia. where he afterwards died. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I27 TIic records show tliat Moses Tonipkiiis was elected prosecuting atturne\- and circuit court commissioner in i86j. hut liow long he served or when he left the count\' does not appear to l)c known to an\one whose e\idence is ob- tainable. Isaac .\. I'^ancher came to the count}' in 1863 and was elected as prose- cuting attorney and circuit court commissioner for a two years' term. He was again elected to both offices in 1870. In 187,^ he was called to the lower house of the Legislature, w iicre he served one term, and in 1875 he was elected and served a term in the state Senate. He is and has been for many years the honored president of the County Bar Association, and. since the death of Xelson Moslier. has always been known as the "Father of the Bar." Cornelius Bennett came to the county in \H()^. after graduating from tile law department of the State Uni\ersity. Me was elected as circuit coiu^t commissioner for the tenii commencing Januar\- 1. 1876; as count}- clerk and register of deeds for 1871-J, and as register of deeds again for 1873-4. He held the office of judge of probate from 1881 to 1888, and the office of justice of the peace in the township of L'nion and in the city of ^It. Pleasant for more tlian twenty years. No man had a tinner place in the respect and affection of the community. While he was seldom seen in trials in the circuit court, he was considered ;i sound counsellor, and is said to have settled more cases than any other attorney in the county tried in the court. He departed this life in 1896. Albert Fox came soon after Mr. Bennett. For some time he engaged in the active practice of the law, but later became interested in other pur- suits and was at one time editor of the Enterprise. He was prosecuting attorney from 1866 to 1868, and again in 1872. in which latter year he also served as circuit court commissioner. He held the office of county superintendent of schools in 1867-8. His death occurred in 1878. Christo])her C. Foutch was admitted to the bar February 29. 1868. in Mt. Pleasant, and engaged in the active jiractice of the law for several years. He afterwards removed to Cdaflwin county, where he engaged in the practice of the law and other ])urstn'ts until his death. Myron Mcl.arran came in the late sixties from f.enawee count\- and served as circuit court commissioner in 1868 and 1869. He was here but a few years and gave but little attention to law jiractice. being engaged in other business. He returned to Lenawee county and died there a short time afterward. John C. Leaton graduated from the L'niversity of Michigan in 1870 ami came here in 1871, and uj) to the time of his death, in 1894. was in the 128 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. active practice of tiie law, although a large portion of the latter years he was also engaged in real estate and lumbering. He has been universally judged to have possessed the brightest legal mind of any member of the bar. He served as president of Mt. Pleasant, but always refused any other office. Samuel W. Hopkins was graduated from the law department of the State University, and was admitted to the bar at Grand Rapids in 1872. Soon afterward he came to this county and began the practice of the law as a partner with Mr. Fancher. Later, he was associated in law successively with [Michael Devereaux, Wade B. Smith and Free Estee, hereinafter men- tioned. During the later years he gave the greater part of his time to real estate business. He served as prosecuting attorney in 1875-6 and was a member of the state House of Representatives in 1877-8-9 and 1880. He represented this senatorial district in the state Senate in 1893-4, and was chosen president pro tem. of that body for the term. Henry H. Graves graduated from the law department of the Louisville (Kentucky) University in 1869. He came here in 1871 and was admitted to the practice in January, 1872, and for many years was one of the most active practitioners at the bar of this and adjoining counties. He is con- sidered one of the ablest criminal lawyers in central Michigan. William X. Brown graduated from the State University in 1872, and soon afterward came to this county and entered into copartnership with John C. Leaton, above mentioned, and for many years the firm did a thriving law business, being engaged in much of the important litigation of the county. He was nominated by the Republican convention as a candidate for the state Senate in 1883, but declined the nominatinn. He has been extensively engaged in real estate and lumbering. Asa M. Tinker came to this county from Ohio in the middle seventies. He was prosecuting attorney in 1877 and 1878, and circuit court commis- sioner in 1875-6, 1879-80, 1881, and 1882. He was also justice of the peace for several years, as well in the township of Coe as in the city of Mt. Pleasant. In the middle eighties he moved to Harrison in Clare county, where he resided until the time of his death. Albert Coe came to the county from Eaton county and continued in the active practice of the law until a few years before his death. He was prosecuting attorney in 1889 ^"^1 1890. J. Rufus Smith came to the county early in the seventies from the county of Lenawee. He was a man of learning and, while well versed in the law. he never entered into the practice thereof in this countv except in ISABELLA COUNTY. M U II ICAX. I29 connection with his uwn business, whicli was that of prixalc liankinsi;. He removed from here to Denver, Colorailo, wlicrc liis deatli occurred. I ). Scoll i'artridge was adiuitted to practice in \e\\ ^'ork in 1S74 and adnntted here in i'^75. He served for some years as justice of the (leace in Mt. Pleasant, practiced for some time, was at one time a member of tiie linn of l-'ancher. Dodds & Partridge, and after\v;ird> was for a numljer of years casliicr of tlie First Xational I'ank of .\ll. I'lc;i>ant. He removed from Iiere to CirantI Rapids, where lie now resides. jolm Maxwell came to the county in 1863 and was admitted in Janu- ary, 1S7O. He had lielil the office of sheriff in 1870 and afterwards the ofiice of county treasurer for seven years. He was elected judsjc of ])robate in 1888 and has held the office e\'er since. Michael l)c\ereaux graduated from the State L'ni\ersit\- in i87() and immediately came to this county. In 1878 he was elected pro.secuting attor- ney and afterwards served as secretary of the board of school examiners. For a great number of years he served as justice of the peace in Mt. Pleasant. Simeon C". lirown came to the county in the early seventies. He served as justice of the peace in the township of Coe and in Mt. Pleasant for several years. Was admitted in January. 187^1. and afterwards served as circuit court commissioner. He also served as clerk of the tax commission during a legislative term at Lansing, and was afterwards editor of the Xorlliwcstcni Tribune. Charles A. Brown, a son of the last above, was admitted in 1877. but never gave nuich attention to practice and died a few years after his admis- sion. He was a very bright young man. but was a victim of ill iiealth. Charles T. Rus. Imld that dflice in this county. He li\ed during the last years of his life on his farm in the township of Union. Cornelius Bennett, who has been mentioned above, was elected in the fall of 1880 and re-elected in if<84. He was the first lawyer to occupy the oflfice. 134 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. John Maxwell, a sketch of whom has been given above, w^as elected as successor to Judge Bennett in 1888 and has held the office to the present time. EARLY CASES IN CIRCUIT COURT. As stated alxjve, the first cause on the law side of the court was heard at Isabella Center on the 14th day of January, i860, ]>y Hon. W'illjur F. Woodworth, then circuit judge. The cause was entitled "Charles B. Young, Plaintiff, vs. Township of Isabella, Defendant." L. P. Bailey, of Midland, appeared for the plaintiff, and Nelson Mosher for the defendant. A motion was first made to amend the declaration, which being granted, the cause proceeded and judgment was finally entered in favor of the plaintiff, Charles B. Young, for the sum of one hundred and one dollars and two cents. No jury was empaneled. Ir\ing E. Arnold was then county clerk and entered the judgment, which was in the regular form. The next proceeding that shows upon the calendar was on July 23, 1861. when Isaac Marsten, who was not a resident attorney of the county at the time, was appointed prosecuting attorney for the time being, no other prose- cuting attorney being present. Mr. Alarsten was afterwards elected attorney general of the state, and later, a justice of the supreme court, where he served for many years. The first jury case, as sho\\n liy the journal, liegan on the 28th day of February. 1862. This entry, however, is evidently an error, and it should have read the 28th day of January, as the following days in the journal show. The court was presided over by Judge Birney, who, before proceed- ing with the regular work of the court, approved the appointment made by William H. Nelson, then clerk of the court, of Douglas H. Nelson as his deputy clerk. The cause was entitled "Louis Bright, Plaintiff, vs. George Hursh, Defendant," and the action was one of trespass. A jury was em- paneled, consisting of A. M. Merrill, Patrick Cleary, H. Sherman, Horace Handy, John B. Walton, Samuel Leonard, John Alouser, L. D. Handv, George W. Jeffries, Silas Fosgate, R. J. Hill and Henry Gulick. The cause M-as submitted to the jury on January 29th and on January 30th thev gave their verdict, "Guilty of Trespass," and awarded the ])laintiff damages of six dollars above his costs. Nelson Mosher appeared for the plaintiff and Tompkins & iMarsten were attorneys for the defendant, Hursh. Afterwards, and at the same term, was tried the first criminal case ever tried in the circuit court in the county. It was entitled "The People of the State of Michigan vs. Tnlm \\'ade." The charge was larcenv. A isahei.i.a corxTV, Michigan. 135 jury was empaneled consisting of H. Gulick, I. E. Arnold, A. G. Ferris, A. M. Merrill. C. A. Atkins, S. Fosgate. J. R. Walton. II. Handy, S. Leonard. Tatrick Cleary, L. D. Handy and R. J. Hill. Jo.seph Miser was the officer swnrn to take charge of the jury, who, after being absent for a time, retnrned into conrt and gave their \erdict of "Guilty." Afterwards, and ui)on the same day, the defendant was sentenced to serve eighteen months at the state prison in Jackson. The hrst chancery ilecrce was made on the 24th day of January, i860, by Judge Woodworth, hereinbefore mentioned. It was entitled "Caleb Ives and Albert Ives vs. Josh T. Copeland, May I. Copeland. Simuel Copeland. Timothy Baker, Jr., and Xelson P. Stewart." The bill was filed to foreclose a mortgage upon the west half of the southeast (juarter and the northeast (|uarter of the southeast quarter of section 10, and the south half of the southwest quarter and the southeast (juarter of the southeast quar- ter of section 11, and the north half of the northwest quarter of section 14, in township 14 north, of range 4 west, which township. is named the township of Union. The report of the commissioner submitted to the judge, com])uted the amount due on the mortgage as one thousand five hun- dred se\enty-two dollars and forty-two cents, antl the decree was for that amount. The sale was to be made on or before January 18, 1861. George F. Hemingway, of Midland. Michigan, appeared as solicitor for the com- plainant. The first divorce case as ap]:)ears on the calendar was filed on the j()th day of August, 1865. \\'illiam Chatfield was complainant and May Chatfield was defendant. Xelson Mosher appeared for the complainant, but no one appeared for the defendant. The decree was made by Judge Sutherland, then judge of the circuit, on the 12th day of January, 1867. The parties were both Indians. On the same day a decree of divorce was granted to May .\. Sanders from her husband, Thomas Sanders, though the bill was filed after the Chatfield case. J. A. I-'ulmer appeared for the complainant and the case was heard by default. INTERESTING C.'VSES IN CIRCUIT COLRT. — THE "hURSh" CASE. The land upon which the Central Michigan State Normal School is located has a history. It was patented to John M. Hursh on March 10. 1856, and afterwards, in 1871, was conveyed by him to his wife, Elizabeth Hursh. through certain mesne conveyances. In 1872, Mrs. Hursh gave her said husband a power of attorney to sell and convey all her real estate 136 ISABELLA COrXTV, MICHIGAN. within the countv. Afterward, and in the said year, said John M. Hursh made and execnted to one John Jeffrey an instrument, in form a deed, of said lantl with other lands, and received back an instrument, in form a land contract, for the reconx'eyance upon condition of the repayment of three thousand five hundred forty-one dollars and forty-six cents. There were mortgages upon said land at the time of the transfer from Hursh to liis wife, and a part of said consideration went to pay them. After the death of John Jeffrey, a portion of his estate, including above instrument, was purchased by John Scriven of St. Johns. Michigan, and in 187C) he filed a Ijill for the foreclosure of the same as a mortgage, and a decree was rendered upon default. Afterward, however, application was made to open the case, and upon appeal to the supreme court the defendants were given the right to answer (39 Mich. 98). Thereupon the complainant dismissed his case and an action of ejectment was begun liy the same attor- neys in the name of the minor heirs of said Jeffrey, deceased, against Elizabeth Hnrsh and Robert Hillock, the latter having, in the meantime, purchased from Mrs. Hursh upon a contract. At the trial of the eiectment suit, when the e\idence was all in, the court left it to the jury to determine whether the transaction between John M. Hursh and John Jeffrey was a mortgage transaction or a sale upon con- dition. The jur}' found it a mortgage and gave their \-erdict for Hursh and Hillock, but on appeal to the supreme court the judgment was re\'ersed on the stated grounds that the instrument, being a deed in form, carried possession, and holding that if defendants had any remed)-, it was in equity (42 Micii. 563). The case, when it came on for trial the second time, inxohed the validity of a tax title which the supreme court held on appeal was not a good defense in the hands of the defendants (45 Mich. 59). On the third trial in the circuit, the defendants contended that inasmuch as the instrument between Hursh and Jeffrey was intended as a mortgage, it was \oid because the power of attorney from Mrs. Hursh to her husband gave no power to mortgage. On ap]3eal this position was sustained by the supreme court and the case was returned for trial. This Cjuestion was never l;efore decided in this state (49 Mich. 31). At the next trial the defendants prevailed and thereupon the plaintiffs l^aid the costs, and under the statute took a new trial. The case was then on the application of said plaintiffs transferred to the county of Bay. In the Bay circuit the jur_\-. under the charge of the court, found the instrument a deed and judgment passed for plaintiffs, but upon appeal it was reversed, the supreme court holding that on the questions in\oIved, the instrument ISABELLA COUNTY. MI( UlCAN. 1 3" nnist lie lield to be inteiuled as a mortgage as a matter of law. and final judgment was entered for defendants in tlie court below (58 Mich. 246). TIiereu])cin Jnhn Scri\cn again filed his bill in eciuit\-. and decree ])assed for him for such amount of the consideration of three thousand rive hundred f(5rty-one dollars and forty-six cents as had been used to pay the former mortgages, and the title was forever <|uieted in Kulicrt Hillock, who in the meantime had received a full warranty deed from Hursh (68 Mich. 176). In the above litigation. Spaulding & Cranson. of St. Johns, represented the Jeffrey-Scriven interests, and Brown & Leaton and Fancher & FJodds that of Hursh and Hillock. THE ■'shawboose'' case. The above case was of great im])iirtance in this cnunty, where six t. Previous to this time it had been the custom to assess for taxes Indian lands that had been classified as "not so competent." The ])ateuts to these lands contained the following clause: "That the land shall 138 .ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. never be sold or alienated to any person or persons whomsoever, without the consent of the secretary of the interior, for the time being." The auditor- general's department had maintained that these lands were subject to taxa- tion. They had been taxed for years, and returned and sold for the taxes. For the purpose of having the matter judicially determined, a friendly suit was maintained, and the court held that these lands were not subject to taxation. The case is reported under the title "Auditor-General vs. Sarah Williams," and reported in Vol. 94, page 180, of the Michigan Reports. H. A. Sanford represented the auditor-general, and I. A. Fancher and United States District Attorney T. F. Shepherd, who was directed to rep- resent the Indian department, appeared for the Indian woman, Sarah Wil- liams. This decision was afterwards discussed by the cabinet at Washington, and declared in harmony with the ideas of the federal government. CHAPTER IX. RAILROADS IN ISABELLA COTNTV. Let tile dirt roads be as good as they may, yet they do imt meet all of the necessities of a growing, thriving country. Cheaper and ([uicker trans- portation is needed for both business and travel. Isabella began, along about the seventies, to feel tlie need of a railroad. One was headed toward the county, but was to only touch the northeast portion of it. This road was the Flint & Pere Afarquette, a land grant road, where a strip of land embracing each alternate section for six miles on either side of the center line of said road was granted by the United States government to the state of Alichigan June 3, 1856, to aid in the construction of railroads in the state, and by the state accepted by an act of the Legislature of Februarj' a corres|ionding amount of land turned over to them. The line was graded through this county in 1870 and the track laid in 1871. The line entered the county at or near Coleman, about three and one-half miles south of the northeast corner of the county, running thence in a west and northerly direction, leaving the county about one and one-half miles west of the north- east corner of the township of Vernon, thence running along west near the north county line to Farwell, thence continuing a little north of west until it left Clare county some four or five miles north of the northwest corner of Isabella county. It will be seen that it embraced quite a scope of country l>elonging to Isabella. It was a great road for lumbermen. Its full capacity was at times used for the transportation of logs from the pineries to the great banking grounds along the Titabawassa river and the Saginaw. It was of small benefit to Isabella except it was an outlet that was finally reached liy building first a narrow gauge from Mt. Pleasant to Coleman, a distance of fifteen miles. This road was constructed in the year 1879 under the name of the Saginaw & Mt. Pleasant. Jesse Hoyt, of Xew 'N'ork, was president : I. A. Fancher. of Mt. Pleasant, vice-president, and William L. Webber, of Saginaw, secre- tary and treasurer. It was afterward widened to a standard gauge and became a part of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railway system, now the Pere Marquette. It was a happy day for the i)en til Mt. Pleasant: a consi(leral)le pnrtiDii of the liiK' had also hcen tietl hut at'tcr this hai\ the road that the Michigan Central Railroad Conipan\- would .guarantee the honds and furnish the iron and rolling stock, the said coni[)any tlatly refused to do anything of the kind and the project proved a failure. The Toledo S: Ann Arhur road, finding it in tiiat condition, proposed to take the fran- chise, stock and road hed and complete the same. This heing what the ])cople desired, they readily turned o\cr all to them and the Tcjledo & .\mi ArlxM- proceeded to construct the same from Owosso to Ithaca. .\t that ])oint thev proposed to run to St. Louis instead of continuing on the old line to .\lma. Th;it did not please the .\lma i)eoi)le. and .Messrs. .\. W. Wright. W. S. Tin-k. James dargett. \\'illiam X. Brown, John A. Harris and others organized the Lansing. .\!ma. Mt. Pleasant and Xorthern Railroad Company. They conseipiently ahandoned the old line to Alma and ran their line to St. Louis, and from there turned west and ran on the north side of Alma and thence to Mt. Pleasant, reaching that point ahont 1885. The northei-n tenniini> remained at .Mt. I'leasant until thc\- located an extension to the city of Clare, some fifteen miles north, where they crossed the Pere Marquette road: from there they continued the line on to Cadillac and thence to Frankfort on Lake Michigan. Xot long after they had com- ])leted their line of road to the lake they felt the necessity of an outlet across the lake and then it was that the Ashlc\s conceived the idea of Iniilding a ferry boat of sufficient power and capacity to trans])ort a train of loaded cars across the lake without h.reaking hulk. The\' built a boat, made the trial and it proved successful. It then became a demonstrated fact and will remain so for all time to come. .\l)out the year 1875 a branch of the Detroit. Lansing & Xorthern was started from Ionia, running to Stanton. Edmore. Blanchard. Millbreak and thence northwest to Remus and Big Rapids. I'his road ga\e an outlet to the south and west portion of the count}' and was afterward, about 1893. increased by a branch from Remus to Bundy and W'eidman. a distance from Remus of thirteen miles. This branch serxed as an outlet for the lumber of the country in and about W'eidman and also for the farm products raised in a large i)ortion of Xottaway. Gilmore, Sherman. Deerfield and Broomfield townships, 'fhere was also a branch ])ut into Brinton from the Pere Manpiette for the ])urpose of shii)i)ing out the charcoal made at the village of Brinton. That branch was of much service and profit to the people in and around the \illagc. as it gave labor to a large number of people in cutting, hauling and burning the word into charcoal. This industry also 142 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. made a market tor tliousands of cords of wood that otherwise would ha\-e had to be cut and burned in fallow without the owner recei\'ing an}- revenue from the timber. It lightened the burden of the farmer and enabled him to more quickly convert his timber land into crop-producing condition, where- by he could obtain some revenue from his land as a husbandman. The last branch of road was, after it had served its purpose, discontinued and remo\'ed. CHAPTER X. l-.|irc.\ ■ lOX I.N ISAI'.KI.LA COLXTV. Education is. 1 believe, paramount to almost any other subject that w ill be written about in this history. It is a matter that should and does interest the great mass of people. There is no other matter that can take hold of the people as strongly and ner\e them to action so effectuall\- as this. The thirst for it came with the early settler when he moved into the county, and it has continued and has grown with the growth of the country. If \\e go back to the early settlement of the county and examine the means of education witiiin the reach of the children, that were destined to form one of the principal elements in our social system, we shall necessarily find it crude and uncongenial. Nothing to invite the youth by a log building and plank seat, without map or chart, and almost without a teacher: with no guide through the \\o(^ds liut an Indian trail or a blazed line. Lkit. crude and uninviting as it was, it found young America with his usual amount of force and will, equal to the task, and bent on preparing himself for the burdens yet to be borne by him when he should take upon himself the responsibilities of full citizenship. The first schoolhouse built was in the township of Coe. on the southeast quarter of section 9. township 13. range 3. and was taught by Caroline Kilburn, who received her certificate from Richard Hoy and George W'. Miller, inspectors, and was dated May 5, 1857. From this time they spread over the county as the settlements acquired sufficient number of school children to demand. One was l)uilt on the north- west corner of the northeast quarter of section 27. township 14. range 4, at a i)oint about where William Crowley now lives, and was taught by Elizabeth Gulick. In 1858-9 I. E. Arnold built four schoolhouses for the United States government for the use of the Indians. One was called the Mission school and was just west of the present Indian school. This one was taught for three or four years by a Miss Hinds, she boarding witii i\ev. George Bradley. This school was afterwards taught by Addie Wilder. About i860 a schoolhouse was built in Coe township, on the west side of section 7. and known as the Drake schoolhouse. Also one on the south- 144 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. west corner of section 2, and kni:)\vn as the Abljott schoolhouse. Also one on the northeast corner of section 35. and known as the W'ilhanis schoolhouse. In Chippewa there was the Taylor schoolhouse. situated on the northwest corner of section 29. Also one on the east side of the same section, known as the Landan schoolhouse. As the settlement worked west into Union township, other schoolhouses were built. In the early si.xties one was huilt on the west side of section 26. known as the Bouton schoolhouse. This is a district that has acquired some prominent as being where Judge Dodds taught for some time, and where he wooed and won his helpmate. Going a little farther west, we have the Gulick schoolhouse. and a little farther west the Johnson schoolhouse, named after John 0. A. Johnson, one of the oldest residents and one who held se\-eral important offices, among them judge of probate, also sheriff, as well as justice of the ])eace. Then _\'ou get further south into the township of Lincoln, we ha\e the Hoover schoolhouse, on section 14. Also, in the same township, the Center schoolhouse, on section 16. A little farther west was' the Pine schoolhouse and on the south side of section 19 the Titus schoolhouse. ]\Io\'ing west into the township of Fre- mont, we have the Caldwell schoolhouse, on section 2, and. crossing the swamp west of Winn, we get the Garner schoolhouse. and southwest from there the Peterson schoolhouse, in the township of Roliand, named after W'iUiam M. Peterson, one of the first settlers of that part of the county. Going north into Broomfield, we have the Broomfield schoolhouse. named after the father of that township, and who is still living in the western part of the county. As we journey on north with the tide of emigration, we next come to the Hummel settlement, where is located the school named after them: going- then into Sherman, the next early school was the Wooden school, named after Henr}- Wooden, one of the early pioneers of that town, and who was energetic and liberal in school matters. Going farther up the Chippewa river to Sherman City, we find the school located at that burg. Along in the sixties there was a small settlement established in Gilmore township, and with it a school district or districts formed ; one known as the Glass district, after Rufus F. Glass, on the south side of section 14: one on the southeast corner of section 26, known as the Scofield, and one on the southwest corner of section 2. known as the Beach. These were established as the settlements were formed and are known as the earlier schools estab- lished, and also as the central places where each second _\"ear the various ])o- litical parties would hold their political school for educating and persuading the inhabitants to meander over into their particular fold. The schools did not increase very fast until after 1871-2, when the Indian ISABELLA COl'NTV, M HI! IC.W. I45 lands Ijcjjan lo Ijo sold and lunibercd ov sclllod upon, and Ihc pine lands of the county were being lumbered ; then the fanners began to occupy and develop the farming lands more rapidly. As soon as ie taught, as well as the amount that should be raised per scholar for teachers" wages, ^\'allace W. Preston was elected director. On the 30th of November, 1868, the district made a contract with Christopher Columbus Foutch to teach the school, to commence on that day and contiime for four months at tiftv dollars ])er niduth. And the tiext May Charles Curtis was emploved to teach four months' summer school at fifty dollars ])er nKinth, beginning on the 19th day of .\pril. 1S69. The matters in the school district continued to go on about as they had for some time until the l)uilding became too small for the increased number of pupils. So at the annual school meeting of 1871 it was moved that I. A. Fancher. E. G. Chatfield and C. Bennett be appointed a committee to make examination, estimates and plans for an addition to the then present building. They accepted the task and reported at an adjourned meeting that an addition of about the same size as the original one could be built for seven hundred and fifty dollars. The money was ordered raised and the committee was requested to contract for and superintend the building of the addition, which they did. Matters then moved along for ;i time, eacJi vear the annual school meeting voting six hundred and fifty dollars for teachers' wages until the year 1875. when TT. TT. Graves suggested that the di.strict should begin to look forward lo the time when we should need more room and tliat now was the time to iimcure lots. A committee was appointed, but nothing was finally accomplished in that direction. In 1873 the school census was one hundred and sixteen and in 1876 it had increased to two hundred and thirtv-three. At tiie aimual school 148 ISABELLA COfXTY. MICHIGAN. meeting a proposition was made to organize the district into a graded school district and, after due deliberation, it was put to a vote and H. H. Graves and P. F. Dodds were appointed to count the vote, which resulted in thirty for and two against the proposition. This district being now a graded one, it was necessary that the meeting elect six trustees and this meeting, held on the 3d day of September, 1877, proceeded to elect M. Deveraux and John Maxwell trustees for one year. I. A. Fancher and P. E. Richmond for two years and S. W. Hopkins and J. A. Harris for three years. On the 4th of Septeml)er, the trustees met and organ- ized by electing S. W. Hopkins, moderator, i\I. Deveraux, director, and I. A. Fancher, assessor, each for one year. The board then proceeded to employ teachers for the several departments, as follows : A. L. Deuel, as principal, at eighty dollars per month for nine months ; Miss P. Delia Pierce as inter- mediate teacher at three hundred and seventy-five dollars for nine months, and ]\fary C. \'edder, to teach the first primary department. The board, on the 3d of October, 1877, decided to build an addition to the east end of the East school, to be thirty-eight feet long and to correspond to tlie old Iniilding. On account of the increase of students, it was found necessary to employ another teacher and Miss Frankie Relyea was hired to teach the B primary department at si.x dollars per week. As the cit\- increased in population, S(i also the school advanced in num- bers and importance. Additions were made from time to time to the old school building until we had three additions, called by Maj. J- ^^ • Long "warts." Matters ueut on in the school until the annual school meeting of 1880, when \[v. Deveraux introduced the following resolution: "Whereas, our present school Iniilding has been inadequate to accommodate the number of pupils who were in attendance during the past school vear, and, whereas, the o\'ercrow(led condition of our school rooms impairs the usefulness of our .school and is injurious to the health of the children; therefore, resolved, by the legal voters of school district No. i of Lhiion township that said district do borrow ten thousand dollars for a term of ten years, at a rate of interest not to exceed six per cent per annum, for the purpose of erecting on the site recently purchased by the district a brick school building of suitable dimensions to accommodate the wants of our growing community," The resolution was seconded by I. A. Fancher and, after some discussion, on account of the late- ness of the hour the meeting was adjourned until the next evening. July 13, 1880, at se\en-thirty P. M. to further consider and give opportunity to vote upon the resolution. ISABELLA tor N TV, MKIIUIAX. I 49 At tlic acljounied hour the vote was taken and resulted in tlie adoininn of the resolution by thirty to four votes. The idea of a change in the school house site had been liefinu the people for some time and at a meeting of the district as early as March 28: 1878, a vote was taken as to the adxisahility of making a change, which resulted in fa\-or of the proposition forty-ti\e to t\venty-eight. hut no place was named. Afterward .ind on the heels of the hrst resolution, a \ote was taken to nunc tile site, which resulted in favor of the removal, seventy-nine tn thirteen, being a \ote of more than two-thirds in favor. ]t was declared carried. Then came the (piestion as to what place it sliould he removed, and the 4th of April, 1878. was tixed for the time In settle tiiat question. .\ meeting was called and a \ote taken, which resulted in seventy-eiglit votes for Ijjock 26. l\inne\'s addition, the present site : twenty-eight for block 34, old plat, the block where the Sisters' home is now located: four votes for block 18. and two votes for block 3. iUock 26 was declared tn be the nne selected, at a cost of one thousand three hundred dollars, as follows: six hundred and iift\' dnj- lars in one year and the balance in two years. The Ijonds were negotiated witii l)a\id I'reston & Comp:iny, bankers, of Detroit, for the net sum of ten thousand and fifteen dollars. Plans and specifications were solicited and architects iiotihed and on the 28th day of Septemljer, 1880, a meeting of the board was held for the pur- pose of examining and choosing plans. Hdiis meeting resulted in the choice of the plans presented by F. W. Hollister, of Saginaw. Bids were then called for, for the erection of the foundation wall. October 13, 1880, the b(»ard met and received four bids. After considering the bids, the contract was .-'.warded to J. M. Shaffer at one tlious;uid four hundred eighty-nine dollars and fifty cents, the contract to be completed on or before November 20, 1880. February i, 1881, the board met to consider and award the contract for the erection of the superstructure. The contract was awarded to Lance & Whitney at the sum of nine thousand eight hundred and ninety dollars. The building was completed in 1881, at a final cost of about thirteen thousand five hundred dollars. To meet this deficiency, the district, on the i4tb day of July, 1882, voted to bond the district for three thousand five hun- dred dollars to finish paving for the building. The vote as can\assed stood fourteen for to one against the bonding. These bonds were to draw six per cent, interest and were sold to David Preston & Company of Detroit for the sum of three thousand fi\e hundred twenty-six dollars and twenty-five cents net. Lance & Whitney lia\ ing claimed for some time that by a certain mis- 150 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. take made in the calculations of their contract they had lost something over three hundred dollars and wanted the school district to reimburse them in that amount, the board finally, on the 28th of August, 1882, compromised and allowed them three hundred dollars and closed the matter. The building was occupied for school purposes at the opening of the term in September, 1882. and filled the wants of the district for a long time. It was an eight-room building, with a basement for installing a heating plant sufficient for the needs of the building. For the time it was considered rather a superior building for a new county, and we justly felt proud of it. July 22, 1879. the position as principal was tendered Henry C. Wilson for the coming year at a salary of six hundred dollars. July 5. 1880. the place of principal was given to Prof. E. A. Wilson at seven hundred dollars for the school year, with Blanche Cudworth. Xellie Morrison and Eva Kishler as teachers. May 20, 1882, the old school buildings and site were sold, the buildings to Thomas Pickard for four hundred dollars and the site to Doctor King for six hundred dollars. In !May, 1882. M. Deverau.x was made a committee of one to look up a principal for the coming year, and he secured the services of Prof. H. K. Warren, who continued to hold the place of principal for the space of one year. He was then engaged for another vear. but. receiving a better offer in Missouri, he was released and Prof. L. A. McLouth was engaged. Time rolled along as usual, the \illage and the school census both grow- ing until, at the annual school meeting held Jul}' 11, 1887. an efifort was made to induce the district to provide more school room. A report was made by Mr. Deveraux for the school board to the efifect that there were one hundred and eighty-four children on the primaiy list and that the room for their ac- commodation was inadequate, but as it was reported that the Catholic people expected to build a school house for their accommodation the proposition was abandoned for the time and a resort to renting rooms for school purposes was continued. This continued until July 22, 1889, when a proposition was made to bond the district for five thousand dollars for the purpose of purchasing two school house sites, one in the first and one in the second ward. This proposition was placed before the district and voted upon by the electors July 24th and carried Ijy a vote of thirty-one for to five against. Afterward sites were selected, une on block 7, lots 6 and 7, Smith's ail- dition, in the first ward, and one on the corner of the southwest quarter of the first block north of Kinney's residence in the third ward. The first ward site was afterward changed to lots i and 2 of the same block. On August 24. 1889. tiie school board met and awarded the contracts for ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. I5I tlie Imilding of tlie two ward buiUlings. I'he one in the first ward was awarded to William H. Carpenter for the smn of two thousand eight hundred dollars and the one in tlie third ward to Robert Ballard for the sum of two thousand eight luuidred dollars. These were to he each four-room buildings and two stories high, with a basement under the whole building of sufficient height to admit of the putting in of a heating plant or plants of sufficient capacity to heat the building. This gave us sufficient school rt)om for some lime, the Catholic peo|)le having built a schoolhouse on their church grounds. Tiie time came, however, when, the west side being isolated somewhat on account of being on the west side of the Chippewa river and across the Ann Arl)or railroad track, it was thought best to build a school building on that side of the river. A couple of lots were purciiased of S. W. Hopkins to-wit : Lots i and 2. block lo. Hopkins & Lyons" addition to the city of Mt. Pleasant, and a school building was erect- ed of sufficient capacity to accommodate about forty pupils. These buildings, with the training school of the Normal, have kept us pretty well equipped for school room all along up to 1906 or '07. when the school board began to feel the necessity of more room. Tlie\- had introtluced into the high school a course of business education, consisting of stenography, typewriting and com- mercial arithmetic, and had begun to introduce a course of manual training, and were contemplating a course of domestic science, with more apparatus for the science department, which to the board meant a great deal uKjre room. They therefore began to save where they could and were able to lay by a consitlerable sum without increasing to a great extent the burden of school taxation until, in 1908, a proposition was made by the school board that the district bond itself for the sum of ten thousand dollars, to be addetl to what had been accumulated and with said funds jjroceed to Iniild an addition to the high school building and equip it so that domestic science and maiuial training could i)e taught and so that our commercial department could also have better facilities and I)e in the high school building. The proposition was well re- ceived bv the people. The proposition to bond being submitted to the people, they voted the amount of ten thousand dollars without any hesitancy. The bonds were negotiated through Detroit parties. Fisher Brothers, of Pontiac. Michigan, were awarded a contract for plans and specifications; John T. Hidy was awarded the contract for the construction of the building, except the heat- ing and plumbing, the heating being let to the- Leitolt Iron Works, of Grand liapids, and the plumbing to J. B. Clark, of Mt. Pleasant. The whole cost of the building complete was about twenty-two thousand dollars. The build- ing is complete in its arrangement and ought to supply all needful wants of the district for a long time. 152 ISABELLA COVNiY, MICHIGAN. In carrying out our intention of a full report of tlie scliouls we believe that we should make suitable mention of what the ward and training schools are doing in the way of laying the foundation to the higher education in the high school and the normal. All of the lower grades are taught in these grade schools as well as in the training school. Prof. John Kelley has the superintendence of the training scIiodI and, with the aid of the faculty of the school, is doing a good work. The faculty is as follows : Critic teacher in the first grade, Frances Burt ; in the second grade, Emma Robertson, B. S. ; third grade, Louis Wilson: fnurth grade, Carrie A. Proctor; iiftli grade, Myrta \\'ilson : sixth grade. Emma L. Hol- brook, A. B., B. Ph.; seventh grade, Mrs. \l. I. Termant : eighth grade. Lulu B. Chase. In the Fancher school Ida Crego is principal and teacher in the sexenth grade; Loretta McDonald, sixth grade; Mrs. Francis Jamison, fifth grade. The eighth grade has been moved to the high school building, with Fred Everest as teacher. In the Kinney school, Miss Nellie Ballaster is the prin- cipal and teacher in the first grade, with Emma Pybus in the second grade, Agnes Nelson in the third grade and Elizabeth Sullivan in the fourth grade. In the West Side school there is Miss Mary McGuire as teacher, witli first, second, third and fourth grade classes. These are all supervised by the superintendent of the schools of the city. With this outfit du]_\' arranged and with the proper material in the hands of the teachers, it may safely be taken for granted that good work will be done — perhaps not all that the ad\-anced thinkers of the times would wish, but approximately so. It must be taken into account. that while some are anxious that we should go faster, others are feeling that the world is too fast now and that it would be better that we go slowly and feel our way. We think the best is none too good and that the trend of the times is to move for- ward just as fast as we can feel that our ground is firm and stable. THE SHEPHERD SCHOOL. The school at Shepherd is one that deserves a special notice, not because it is so much [letter than the others, but more on account of its size and prominence in the county. Its evolution has been something like the one at Mt. Pleasant. It started in a very humble way and has had a gentle and steady growth according to the growth of the village. It was incubated as a log school house and remained in that line for a number of years and then when Salt River \-illage obtained some prominence, the log structure was dis- ISABELLA COINTV, M Kl 1 KIAX. 15,^ posed of and a frame l)uildiiig erected in the villas;e, llial leniained iinlil jnst recentlx . When it had ceased to be of sufficient capacity for the needs of the district, the good peoi)le, who are always alert as to the hest interests of the rising generation, took it upon thenisehes to erect a line brick structure of sulticient size to meet the needs of the district for many years to come. They purchased a site in a central and convenient ])lace in the village and erected a tine structure costing complete something like fifteen thousand dollars. The school has a superintendent and a ])receptrcss. with Lou H. Melson teaching the seventh and eighth grades. (Irace Struble in the iifth and sixth grades. Edna Brown teaching third and fourth grades and Vera Boyer in the first and second grades. The superintendent is Cie(5rge I. Leave.ugood and the preceptress is .\lta Prescott. Mrs. .Mien Orser has charge of the kinder- garten and Ivah Maher teaches music and drawing. The school has in all ten grades and the superintendent and the precep- tress take care of the two upper grades, so it will be seen that they are nearly up to high school standard : this will be reached in a short time, when the school will be full Hedged. If the unit svstem shall prevail in this county, there will be no reason \\h\' there shall not be established in Shepherd a full fledged high school and then it can be equipped with all of the modern appliances for more extendetl work and with better .success. There is nothing like a school nxjm equipped with all of the appliances that are necessary for the best results. MT. PLKASANT HIGH SCHOOL. The high school of the city of Ml. Pleasant is rated among the foremost in the state. It is on the accredited list of the University of Michigan and also of the Xorth Central Association of Secondary Schools. This means that our graduates are admitted without examination ( prt)vided they have pursue en > Z H ISABELLA COUXTV, MICHIGAN. l6l GRADUATES OF HIGH SCHOOL. CLASS OF 1880. CL.\SS OF 1886. E. A. Wilson. Principal. Flora A. Bouton. Kittie G. Fessenden-Wilsim. Harmine H. Dodds (deed). Anna E. Myers (dec'd). CLASS OF 1881. E. i\. Wilson, Principal. Byron B. Lower. Will Taylor. Worth Preston. J. \\ . Harris. Superintendent. .\. Dwight Kennedy. May Loveland Sherman. John j. Richniiind. CLASS OF 1887. G. .\. Sharton, Superintendent. Edna .M. Bouton-Meneng;. Sarah Gorham-Balnier. Stratton D. Brooks ( superintendent Boston schools). CLASS OF 1882. CLASS OF 1888. E. A. Wilson. Superintendent. Xo graduates. CLASS OF 1883. H. K. Warren. Superintendent. No graduates. CLASS OF 1884. L A. McLouth. Principal. Helen Sterling Bowen (dec'd). Ellen Ma.wvell (dec'd). Anna M. Moss. May Lower (dec'd). CLASS OF 1885. J. W. Harris, Superintendent. .\'o list of graduates. (II) J. T,. Skinner, Principal. Kittie Duel-Granville (Saginaw). Carrie Coons-Allenbaugh. Bessie R. W'ightinan (drawing teacher in Xornial) . .Michael Leahy (Medical Lake, Wash). Louise Garrett (stenographer. De- troit. Mich.). .■\nna B. Preston-Mitchell (Battle Creek, Mich.). Fred Bellinger. CLASS OF 1889. Orion Burdick (real estate. Shep- herd. Mich.). Lizzie Looniis. CL.\ss OF i8go. Xora liellard ( dec'd ). 1 62 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. Gertie Robinson. Princie Peak-Carnahan. Maggie Richmond. CLASS OF 1 89 1. H. G. Blodgett, Superintendent. Mabel I. Bi,shop, Principal. Delia Bui-dick (dec'd). Edna Saunders. Mamie Kinney. Emma Saxton (teaching in De- troit). CLASS OF 1892. H. G. Blodgett, Superintendent. W. M. Siierrick, Principal. Joe McCue (physician in Hudson, Mich.). James Kennedy. Frank Russel ( general entertainer, Ashland, Ohio). Clara Hunter-Butcher (Vassar. Mich.). Ethel Conlogue ( milliner, Cleve- land, Ohio). • Herbert Rose (attorney, Chicago). Christina Sterling- Vowels. CLASS OF 1893. James Butcher (lumber, Detroit). Lester Kinney (dec'd). Belle Miller. Claude Tremper (dec'd). Mason Bamborough ( attorney, Chicago). Beulah Kimliall (dec'd). Etta Smith. Addie Thayer-Dayton-Coons ( Aber- deen, Wash.). CLASS OF 1894. Patrick H. Kelly, Superintendent. Mabel I. Bishop, Princi])al. Pauline Foster (Spokane, Wash.). Bernard Richmond ( physician. Terre Haute, Ind.). John McGann (dentist. bmia, Mich.). Fred Vowels ( rural carrier. Mt. Pleasant ) . CLASS OF 1895. Patrick H. Kelly. Superintendent. Mabel I. Bishop, Principal. Allen Dusenberry ( real estate. New Orleans, La.). Elizalieth Dusenberry-Loomis (Bat- tle Creek, Mich.). Bruce Short (attorney, Seattle, Wash.). Janet Doughty-Hornung ( Michigan City, Ind.). :Mabel Vowels (Detroit, ]\[ich.). Raymond Collins ( postoffice clerk, Mt. Pleasant). Jesse Parker (physician. Owosso, Mich.). John Sours (druggist, 01i\'et, Mich.). Thomas Bamborough (dentist). CLASS OF 1896. Patrick H. Kelly, Superintendent. Mabel I. Bishop, Principal. ISABELLA COUNTY, M K 11 IGAX. '63 Ward Ahlidt 1'utchcr ( lunilicr. De- troit). Mary Adeline Cassady-ButcIit-r. Grace Ruth Tliaver. ^[aude Louise Bergy. Pearle Mae Carnahan (bookkeeper. Mt. Pleasant). Rol)eit James McCann (dentist). .Alice Mae Brown. Grace Beth Dayton (^ teacher. Del Rio, Tex.). Alice Leroy Nelson-I-'itch (Socorro. W. Va.). Robert Joseph Kane. Howard Monroe James. Raymond Alberta Horning (denti'^t. Mu.^kegon. Mich.). Josephine .Almira Jameson-Lahloiul (teacher). Helen Cornell Jeffords-Kinch ( I'on- tiac, Mich.). Mary Mabel Slater. Anna B. Preston. Hannah M. Shorts. Ella Kelly. -Nddie Dayton. Eva Hawley. Amrilla Norton. Sophia Bunn. Laura Kinne\'. Clara Saunders. Effie Bozer. Emma Sa.xton. Lucy Whitlock. Carrie Simpson. Gertrude Robinson. Mary McCue. Eva Mc.Mlister. Charles E. Gamblin"-. CLASS OF 1897. Patrick H. Kelly. Superintendent. H. .\. Graham, Principal. Jessie .\lniira Manners (teacher, Detroit). Clare Dean-X'eamier. John Eranklin Gardiner (dec'd). Iv.i JuJany Ellis (dec'd). l-aniiie Elizabeth Partridge (Ithaca) iManklin Eraser Potter (professor, Ann .Arbor). Anii,-i Ethel Slater. Lillian .May X'owcis (dec'd). Edith May Gulick-Terrel. CLASS OK 1898. Patrick H. Kelly. Superintendent. C. E. Tambling. Principal. Corylin Burr. Xellie Bennett-Wood (Los Angeles, Calif.). Minnie Coffey. Erank Dusenberry (attorney. Mt. Plea.sant). Luella Dimon. Elorence Kennedy. .\nna Murtha-Rogers ( San Eran- cisco. Calif.). Ralph Case. Effie Campbell. Emma Clark (East LakeL Ralph Renwick. l-'aith Robinson. Bessie Slater (Porto Rico). Perry Shorts (insurance. Saginaw. Mich.). Clyde Sheline ( ilenii-i. Mt. Pleas- ant). i64 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Maude Wightman (teacher). Tilden Whitney. Blanche Garvin. Ross McDonald. Floyd Oliver (banker. Farwell. Mich.). Daisy Wells. Bernice Cook-Wells (Clare). CL.\ss OF 1899. W. V. Sage. Superintendent. \\'ill Anderson (banker. Shepherd. Mich.). Roy Barnuni (hypnotist). Herbert Bailey (painter. Mt. Pleas- ant). Ross Dusenbury (banker). Mabel Garrison. Grace Hall. Virgiline Doughty-Collins. Grace Jameson- Ackerman (teacher, Lansing). Harry Miller (Editor Courier). Dennis Alaloney. Jennie McDonald. Will McDonald. Dora Ruegesegger. Allan Sheldon (engineer. Washing- ton). Louvene Smith. George W. Taylor. Elton Young. Evarard Wilson. Anna Kerns. CL.^ss OF 1900. W. V. Sage. Superintendent. Francis Richmond (teacher, De- troit). Belle Richmond (teacher. Detroit). Gertrude Ayling. Fanny Brown. Hattie Clark. Richard Curtis (Sand Point. Idaho). Mabel Gray (teacher, Seattle). Walter Hamilton. Bessie Houghton. Florence Phiel. Ethel Redfield. Glen Riley (real estate. Mt. Pleas- ant). ^^'alter Snider (real estate, ex- mayor, Mt. Pleasant). Clarence Meade. CLASS OF 1901. W. V. Sage, Superintendent. Nella Marian Barnum (dec'd). J. Frank Collins. Fabian B. Dodds (attorney, Spo- kane, Wash.). Charles W. Gibbs. Nellie E. Maurer-Rosencranz. Edith A. Morrison-Gibbs. Xellie G. Pi.xley. Hazel D. .Saylor. Charles R. W. Southwick (dentist, Mt. Pleasant). Archie R. Gilpin (teacher, Cheboy- gan). Nellie Kennedy. CLASS OF 1902. A\', \'. Sage. Superintendent. M. M. Sherrick, Principal. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. i6; Olive Berg)'-Wager (Beaverton, :\Iich.). Will Cox (dec'd). Mabel Cox-Allen (Florida). Dalph Clark (teacher). Blanche Doughty (teacher, (irand Rapids). Roljert Hidey (engineer. Detroit). Harry Hudson (postofficc clerk. Mt. Pleasant). Ethel Johnson (teacher, Lansing). Johanna Leaton-Caldwell (Berke- ley, Calif.). Sadie Murtha-CIark (San Fran- cisco, Calif.). Lee Newton (teacher). Mary Royal (Des Moines. Iowa). Lester Royal (Des Moines, Iowa). Luhi Stanton-Mosher. Bianciie \\'right-\\'alker. Ciinrles Dunlap. Bessie Elmore. Harry ^laurer (teacher. Lansing). Ruby Russell fmusic teacher, San Diego, Calif.). Harry Smith (cartoonist, Chicago). Cora Shafer (teacher). Fred Young (implements, Sas- katchewan ) . De Be Voise Roval (Des Moines, la.). Bertha Lee (teacher). Michael Brondstetter (teacher). Harold Kellogg (vocalist, Xew York City). CLASS OF 1903. \V. \'. Sage, Superintendent. Ralph Wayne Dusenbury (second lieutenant U. S. Army). Samuel H. Hess (teacher). Mildred Hess (teacher). Ralph Harris (bakery. Mt. Pleas- ant ) . Tim T'. Janiisun (professor, Clifton, Ariz.). Hazel Livingston (teaching). Sophie Murtha-Barnard. Valentine B. Sampson-Barnum. W. Warren Shorts (Seattle, Wash). Earl \\'hitcomb. Zar T. Crittinden (postofifice clerk, Butte. Mont.). Mae Bnffum (teacher). Mattie Maude Hart (teacher). Ida M. Cassady-Garvey (Detroit). Eolah Slater (teacher). Carrie L. \^owles. .\nna Ratliff. Kittie Moore. Howard D. Jeffords. Bertha Cooper-Kenney. rirant W. Busii (teacher). F.arl F. Riley (civil engineer with Grand Western R. R.). CLASS OF 1904. W. \'. Sage. Superintendent. Edgar H. \\'hite. Principal. Louise Bennett (teacher, Pasadena, Calif.). Xellie Coffin (teacher). \'ivien Dodds-Brown. Hazel Horning (teacher, Detroit). James K. Jamison (teacher). Douglas Nelson (attorney, Seattle, Wash.). 1 66 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Christine Thiers (music teacher, Phoenix, Ariz.). Pearle Myers-Youngs (Iron Ri\-er, Mich.). Frank Young (rancher, Saskatche- wan). Myrtle Allen-Harris. Allie Marsh (teacher. Ironwood. Mich.). Chester Riches (banker. Mt. Pleas- ant). Faye Hankins (teacher). Hugh Barnard (bookkeeper and buyer, Chicago). Ethel Anderson-Keate. Judd P)rubaker. William Craig. Howard Gilpin (teacher. Rogers City, Mich.). Lewis String (dec'd). Howard Schnell. Dennis TifYany (teacher). Floyd Taylor (farmer). Charles Keenan (insurance. Iron River. Mich.). CLASS OF 1905. W. V. Sage, Superintendent. Edgar H. White, Principal. Francis Riches (teacher). Gladys Struble-Leeman (Petoskey). Vera Berg. Lura .Snider (teacher). Gertrude May Lee (teacher). Earl Miller (editor. Clifton. Ariz.). Alta Prescott. Frances Crooks- Jamison. Grace McDonald-^^'ismer (Mid- land, Mich.). Myron Demoray (teacher). Gerden McBain. Florence Crittenden (teacher). Ralph Hidey (in LTniversity of Michigan). Walter Russell ( real estate, Mt. Pleasant). Walter Slater (dec'd). Grace Smith-Leffingwell (Owosso, Mich.). Hattie Ratliff (teacher). Harold Ward (teacher. Alma, .Mich.). Myrle Rowlader (teacher). Glen Crowley (teacher, Saginaw). Joseph Stevens (teacher in govern- ment Indian School, Carlisle, Penn.). Marie DeWolfe (teacher). Grace Riley-Dersuch. CLASS OF 1906. .\. F. Wood, Superintendent. Charles E. White, Principal. Pearl Archer. Addie .\rnold-Elden (Clare, Alich.). Nora Coffin (bookkeeper). Florence Coutant (teacher). Carrie Harrison (teacher). Maude Harrison. Jessie Meade (teacher, Albion), Harriet Nelson. Ruth Newberry (in Chicago Uni- versity ) . Arlie Redfield (teacher, Owosso). Bernice Sherman (teacher, Char- levoix). ^larie Swindlehurst. ISABLI.I.A COl'NTY, MICH Il.AX. 167 Kthcl Taylor (teacher. Coleman) Ruth Thiers (teacher. Phoenix. Ariz.). Buell Van Leuven (teacher). Sue Walsh (teacher). Grace Wright-Rather ( .\nii Arhur. Mich.). Margaret McCirahani ( teacher. Wis- consin). Lansing Archer (teacher). Flossie Burley. Charles Crandall (teacher). Kathryn Crane (attending Xornial). Corr\iii Dickerson (hasket factory). Phil Dusenhury (lunilierman). Jessie Hatcii ( teaciier. Onaway). .\niia Kane. Gertrude Lee (teacher). Ivan Livingston. Gertrude Maurer (teaciier). Reulai) Morrison (teacher). \'era Parkhill (teacher). Queena Veit (teacher). Maynie Johnson. Olive Johnson. Bruce Stickle (professor at Central Xormal). Bernard Dersnaii (real estate, Mt. Pleasant). Edna Hudson (teacher). Peter McFarlain (druggist, Mt. Pleasant). Mildred \\'aldni!i 1 teacher). CLASS OF 1907. Charles E. White. Superintendent. J. W. Kelder. Principal. Xora Coffin (bookkeeper. Mt. Pleasant ) . I'dorence Dixon. lone Hatch (teacher). Howard Johnston. John McXamara. (iladys Miller (teacher of domestic science. Mt. Pleasant). Xellie .Myers-Xeff. Harriet i'reston (teacher, h'.lk Rap- ids. Midi. ). .Mae Richie. .Malcolm Wardrop (teacher). Elmer Lyons (teacher). Grace Harrison. Marshall Gorham (at Ferris Insti- tute). Xettie Cowin (teacher). Cecil McFarrin. Ward Ruegsegger. Roy Cowin (attending Centra/ Xormal). CLASS OF 1908. Charles E. While. Sui)erintendent. J. W. Kelder, Principal. Elizaheth Bennett (in Uiiiversitv of Michigan). Delia Rriggs. Myla Clark (teacher). Wallace Coutant ( in I'niversitv of Michigan). Bessie Craig. Carrie Dean. Rn]]ih Ciil]')in. Bruce Graham (teacher. Hnwcll, ^licin'gan). Elizaheth Harris (teacher). Roliert Kennerly. ixulpli l.ance. 1 68 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Archie Livingston. Alta Loyd (teacher). Jessie McDonald (clerk). Villa McMillan. Lovertie Page. Clarence Palmer. Minnie Prescott. Mabel Rice (teacher). I,ottie Rowlander. Aura Sanford (teacher, Niles, Mich.). Ruth Slater (teacher). Mildred Smith (in Normal School). Nina Struble (teacher). Frank Sweeney. Bertha Tice. Rov Whitehead (teacher). CLASS OF 1909. J. W. Ivelder, Superintendent. R. S Swigart, Principal. Meroe ,\dgate. Harry Atkins. John Barnum. Jessie Baunigart. Blanch Bowen. Herbert Brookens. Thor Crittenden (jewel, clerk). Harry Dean. Harold Demoray (clerk in book store). Orlo Dickerson. Myron Elmore. ]\Iame Feather. Beulah Garvey. Glen Gerard. Jennie Gilchust. Merle Goolthrite. Sate Harris (in Normal School). Carrie Hoag (in Normal School). Emmot Hulihan (in Normal School). Jennie Jackson. Kenneth Jamison (in Normal School). Josephine Kimball (nurse). Ralph McDonald. Stanley McGillis (in University of Michigan). Bernard Marsh. Ted Morgan (San Diego, Calif.). Ruth Orse (in Normal School). George Parkhill (in Normal School ) . Loyd Prescott. Delia Pope (Albion College). Ella Ratliff. Edna Robertson. Oral Seipp. Edward Sprague. Allen Struble (teacher). Zetta Termaat-Ent. Phil Van Alstine. Ruth Van Leuven (in Normal School). Henry Van Omeron. Margarethe Weiler. Merle Woodworth (musician). Lucile Wright (in Normal School). Herman Frazer. CLASS OF 1910. J. \\". Kelder, Superintendent. R. S. Swigart, Principal. Edith H. ?\Iartin. Teacher. C. Snutherlnnd, Teacher. ISABELLA COUXTV, MKllK.AN. 169 Louise Pray. Teacher. Grace Fasquelle, Teaclier. Loretta McDonald. Teacher. M. Murtha. Teacher. Elizabeth Sullivan. Teaclier. H. Dutt. Teacher. Kathryne E. Crane. Teacher. Lillian B. Smith. Teacher. Bessie Abbott. Teacher. Harry A. Craig. Teacher. Fred S. Everest. Teacher. Xellie Ballister. Teacher. Hilary McCiuire, Teacher. Lee X. Griggs. Teacher. Roy Cowen. Teacher. Gladys Miller. Teacher. Ruth Auspaugh. Fred Barnum (in Normal School). Don Chamberlin (in Xormal). Alice Chapman. Malcolm Crawford. Edmund Crawford. Harriet Collin. Gertrude Cassady ( in Xornial ) . Ida Cowin. Eugene Dersnah (teacher). Lena De Pore. .Adeline De Pore. John Douoghuc. Glenn Ettinger. James Fitzpatrick. Gretchen Granger (in Xormal). Lucile Hagan (in Xormal). Flora Holcoml). Ella Johnson. Ciiester Gorham (in X^ormal). .\tiiold Johnston. William Jackman. Mildred Marsh (in Xormal). Cecil Morrison. Glen McGregor (Pheris Institute). Ethel McDonald. Louise Xewberry (in X'ormal). Ellen Xeelands. Margueriete Preston (in Xormal) Fred Peterman. Janet Renwick (in M. A. C). Edna Ritchie. Sophia Tice (in Xormal). Blanche Townsend. .Stewart \'eit. Mutnn Wiliet. Harold \\'aldron. Xina Wooley. Richard Davis. David Barnard. SOME OF THE EARLY SCHOOL TEACHERS. Among the first schools was one taught by Mrs. Arty Walton, generally known as Mrs. J. B. Walton, who settled in a very early day on section 4. in Coe township, where the family still reside and where F. Walton, now supervisor of that town, was born and still lives. Mrs. Walton says she taught that school in 1857, using the first story of their log house as a school room, and taught six days in each week, receiving therefor the munificent sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents per week. She had for scholars the Bigelow children. Murphy children. Eraser and Harnes children and others. 170 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAX. The old lady still li\es on the place and was seventy-six years old December 31, 1910. She has been hale and hearty for all these many years and never called a doctor until in the winter of 1909. Where is the youngster of today who expects to accomplish so much work with so little sickness to call them from their active labor? The first ballot box used in the township of Coe was preserved by the late Jndge P. H. Estee and is now in the possession of his son, P. H. Estee, Jr. It was a rough box about eighteen by twelve by ten inches and was made out of 'a rough board. The first school taught in the township of Fremont was by Grace Mc- Leod and the first sermon preached in the town was by John Q. A. Johnson. Some of the other early school teachers in the sixties were, at the Estee or Drake school house, Celia E. Preston in 1863, she going over a mile through the dense forest from her boarding house to the school and return. She after- ward taught in the school north of Salt River during 1863-4 and summer of 1864. Her sister, Emma Preston, taught in the Payne district in the sum- mer of 1864. Wallace W. Preston taught in the winter of 1864-5 in the old Fay district. The school house was built of logs, as most of them were in those days, and was located on the northeast corner of section 32 in Chip- pewa township. At Salt Ri\-er there were several persons wlio presided over that school in an early day. T. E. Harbison was one of them and Jehial Gulick, who was afterward a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Peter E. Richmond, who was afterward and for a long time a physician at Mt. Pleasant. The first building was an old log school house situated about eighty rods south of the Salt River Corners. C. C. Foutch was a teacher, and Harry L. Voorhees, also one Harrington and Eunice Childs. After Salt River was platted they built a school house in the village. This was built of lumber instead of logs. This school house remained and served the people well until very recently. Daniel E. Lyon taught in Salt River, also E. J. ^^'iley and Charles O. Curtis, who was afterward county school superintendent. .\lso Lucv Drake and .\lmira Sawyer. Peter F. Dodds in his younger davs was a school teacher. He commenced in Isabella county in 1868 and taught in the Estee or Drake district two terms or about one year. Then he went to Bouton district in Union township, where he taught first in the new school house two terms and from there went to the \\'illiams district in the south part of Coe township, where he taught one term of five months. He then came to Mt. Pleasant and taught something over three vears and then back to the Estee district for one term in the fall of 1874. ISABELLA COINTV. MKIIKIAN. I^r Ji)sc]ili A. (Iraliain taufjiit in the Salt River district ahuut 1S7O-7 and Hugh A. (irahain about twelve years tliereafter. F. H. Dodds was also one of tlie early teachers in tiie county. He commenced in about 1874, when he was but sixteen years old. and continued to teach in the rural districts of the county and in Mt. Pleasant fur about three years. Irvin Williams taught in the Estee district in the sixties. Sarah Corbus taught in I.sabella City district. John W. Ilance taught in 1868 or "69 in Hance's district, ea.st of Shepherd, and at the same time Miss Church taught in the district north of Hance's. Till'. SACRRl) I1I-:AUT SCHOOL. The excellent school bearing the above name is situated at Mt. Plea.sant and was established about 1889 and as soon as the new church had been sufliciently completed that they could u.se it for church purpcxses ; then the old church building was converted into a school building and the school was opened .August 30, 1889. Five Dominican Sisters from the mother house in Xew ^'ork, with Sister M. Lignovi as superioress, were chosen to take charge of the school, which numbered at that time about one hundred and fifty children. Since then the school has gradually increased and at present it numbers three hundred children and nine Sisters are engaged in the work of teaching. The academy is now organized in si.x courses of study, namely : Classi- cal, Latin, scientific, English, music and art. Over one hundred students have graduated fnmi the school since it first opened. ;is shown 1)\ the names and year of graduation in this report. Sister M. .Mphonsus. who is at present in charge of the academy, has worked in connection with it for the past twelve or thirteen years, has watched its progress step by step and has now the pleasure of knowing that it is aftiliated with the University of Michigan, the Central State Xor- nial. the Vpsilanti College and Trinity College. Washington, I). C. The curriculum of studies and their purposes will give a good idea of the extent and scope of the education to be received at the school. The first introduction of the child is in the sub-primary grade and commences with the primer, then with the spelling, numbers, geography, history, language, physiology, writing. Palmer system ; .science, color and quality. These are brought out in their more simple fonn. but thev give the child an idea of the begintu'ng of the study of matters and things so that at the end of the first year i>f their school life they are prepared to take up the branches in the first grade, the subjects of which are the cate- 17-2 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. chism, reading, spelling, langnage. numbers, geography, history, physiology, writing, drawing and science. This is substantially the same, only it is one step in advance of the last. The second grade is the same as to topics, adding music to the list and still advancing a little deeper into the theme than they did in the last. Third grade subjects are the same, except the adding of morals and manners. Still advancing into the depths of the several themes still deeper. The fourth grade subjects are the same, except that they have substi- tuted arithmetic for numbers, penmanship for writing and nature study for science. In the first semester they finish the third reader and during the second semester they enter upon the fourth reader. The third reader used is Benz's. In language they take up in the first semester Metcalf's and proceed to the 50th page and during the second semester master from the 50th to the 98th page. In spelling they take up and master twelve lessons of Reed's word book and the second semester from the i8th to the 37th page. In arithmetic, first semester. ^Milne's, from page 136 to 187 and second semester from 162 to 204. In geography, first semester, from page 44 to 88, and second semester, the work is completed. History, Mont- gomery's, from page i to 60, and second semester, from page 60 to 116. Physiology. "The House I Live In." And in nature study, plants — a care- ful study of roots, fibers ; simple multiple. The fifth grade subjects are a continuance of the fourth except that penmanship is dropped and drawing. And they take up science for one semester. The sixtli grade still continues most of the sub)ects, changing historv for sacred history and placing morals and manners in the regular course, and taking penmanship again. The seventh grade continues most of the former subjects and takes up United States history, civil government and geometry. The outline of this grade is as follows: Reading, fifth reader, and for second semester, supplementary reading, "Vision of Sir Launfal" knd "Evangeline," etc. Grammar, first semester, Harvey's Elementary Lessons in Language and grammar completed. Second semester. Harvey's new English grammar, from page i to yj. Arithmetic, Alilne's Standard, from page 231 to 262, and second semester, from 262 to 282. Geometry, one lesson per week and second semester, complete the work. Spelling, Reed's work, part III. to page 129. Second semester, from 129 to 148. Physiology. Brand's ele- mentaiy. from page 173, completed, and Stowel's, to page 180. United States history to national period. Science, electricity, sound, two semesters. ISABKLI.A CDLNTV. MICHIGAN". 1/3 Civil government, tliree recitations a week. School district. tf. Devercaux, (i. A. Dusenhury. L. X. Smith. I. A. I'anchcr. W". i)ouglit\, S. W. Hopkins. F. D. Patterson. J. W. Hance, M. Fower. .\. .S. Coutant. Free Estee. O. F. Sheldon. Charles T. Russell and Cornelius lieunelt. On May 24. 1892. the followinjj gentlemen were duly elected directors: D. H. Xelson. M. Devereaux. I'. D. Patterson, 1. A. F^ancher. W. Doughty. S. A\'. Hopkins, G. .\. Dusenlnuy. C. M. Brooks and J. W. Hance. On the same day the said directors met and organized bv electing D. H. Xelson as president. M. Devereaux as \ icc-])resident. S. W. FIo])kins as secretary and F. D. Patterson as treasurer, and on the next day the directors met and elected C. ]\F Brooks as manager of the association, at a salary of two dollars and a half per day. Mr. Hopkins acted as secretary a long time for the company and being asked to communicate to us how the Central State Normal was first suggested and inaugurated, he has consented to give his knowledge in connection with it. and w itli his consent I give his version in his own words : "I ha\e been a.sked so many, many times how 1 came to think of such an institution and of building it in the way we did. that i)erhaps I had better explain. In 1890-1891 and along those years, Toledo, Muskegon, Saginaw and other towns were buying lands, ))latting and selling the lots and using the proceeds for the establishment of manufacturing plants. It 176 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. was common talk that towns that would do this would increase in population rapidly, though everyone I know of failed in such an effort. The fact that I had been interested in several additions to the city gave me a knowl- edge of values along this line. A number of years of service as a niemljer of our city board of education and as school examiner and prexiously as teacher, gave me a knowledge of the needs and a large interest in the cause of education and the general welfare of our young people. I liad been greatly interested and active in the establishment of our Government Indus- trial School for Indian Boys and Girls. The telegrams and correspondence in this matter between the government at \\'ashington and myself, repre- senting the people of this community, are now in my office and may be seen if desired: and, so I know the necessity of more normal work and saw the opportunity for the establishment of such an institution of learning. Accordingly I penciled a plat of the south sixty acres of the Hursh farm, the north twenty acres having been platted as the Brown & Leaton addition, and counted how many lots it would make, estimated a price and learned in this way that enough funds could be obtained for the erection of a build- ing if the lots could be sold. I laid the matter before Charles M. Brooks, an associate of mine for years on the board of education, who espoused the cause with all the ardor and devotion of his nature. We then laid the matter before J. W. Hance and M. Devereaux, and I talked the matter over with A. S. Coutant. We five then called in I. A. Fancher. D. H. Nelson, G. H. Dusenbury, L. N. Smith, ^I. Lower, W. Doughty and F. D. Patterson, and after consultation we twelve decided to purchase the land where the school now stands. It was thought wise to engage W. W. Pres- ton to make the purchase, which he did for us. But before the deal was closed the College Hill addition and the Martin's addition were platted, the two occupying eight acres, so that we got only fifty-two acres of land and eleven lots of Martin's addition, we agreeing to pay therefor the sum i^f eight thousand dollars. We had no money. We borrowed five hundred dollars of Mr. Brooks, giving him our note in payment for it. By paying five hundred dollars and giving a mortgage for seven thousand five hundred dollars on the land and we twelve signing the note accompan_\ing the mortgage, we got a deed for the fifty-two acres and the eleven lots. After- ward one hundred and forty-five citizens took stock and became stockholders. Nelson soon resigned as president of the company and C. M. Brooks was dulv elected in his stead and occupied the position to the end of the year, when M. Devereaux was chosen to the place of president, D. H. Nelson, vice-president, S. W. Hopkins as secretary and F. D. Patterson as treasurer. > CO c r a z P z > > w z o > r H r > C/} > Z H !,1 I ISABELLA COUNTY. MICIIIGAX. I77 and ncitlier tlie directors nor the execntive officers have been changed, Ijut remain tlie same to this day Brooks served the first year as manager and collector, S. I), lirooks as collector the second year, and Devereanx as man- ager. After the second year the collections as well as the soliciting was done unofficially, and P. F. Dodds and C. T. Russell devoted much time to this work, rendering substantial aid to the b z z a a C/5 >J n s c o r ISABELLA COUXTV, MICUIGAX. l8l our time and sufifeied tlic chills to creep up and (K>\vn our sjjine until the time came for tlie taking up of the l>ill. It was so carefully managed liy those in charge that it was to be taken up before the other liiil. wliich was thought to give it some precedence at least. Tlic time came, the measure was taken up, read a Uiird time, the roil call ordered and the clerk commenced to call the names of the members. As the members responded l)y aye or nay we could easily follow the trend of the \ote. It was not long before we discovered that the friends of the measure were largely in the majority and that the bill was safe. The votes were counted by the clerk and the result announced in favor of its passage. Ordinarily we should have felt that now we were assured tiiat the measure was perfectly safe. l)ut it was in the air that it must lie signeil In- the Governor l^efore it became a law. The Governor, as to the measure, was to us an un- known (juantity. He was very reticent and was not forward in expressing his ajiproval or disapproval of the measure. We understood him to be fairly liberal in the matter of education and tiiat bis dispositir)n toward the farmer was fair and perhajis liberal. So we must wait and watch and see what we could hear as to his disposition toward this measure. The time passed day by day and yet no sign of the Governor appro\ing the liill. Finally, the last day on which tlic Goxeriior could approve it came and our best information was that he did not intend to. A telegram was sent to the .senator of this district, Hon. E. O. Shaw, of Newaygo, asking him to go to Lansing and interview the Governor, and ascertain his purpose and see if there were any obstacles in the way that could be removed. The Senator made haste to reach the Go\ernor and to remove any obstacle that might be troul)ling the e.Kecutixe. He reached Lansing on the last day, re- paired to the executive office, interviewed the incumbent of that office, re- moved the last obstacle and came away with the assurance that the Gov- ernor would approve the measure, which he did, not, however, until he had obtained the assurance that the citizens here would continue their finan- cial support of the school until a certain specified time. It was considered rather severe treatment, but we took our medicine and pronounced it good, supposing that this would be the last dose. In this, howe\er, we were really nii.staken. There was still another condition to be met, to-wil : In the bill it was provided that the title to the block of land was to be accompanied with an abstract and tax history of the lot and that this was to l)e submitted to the attorney-general for his apiiroval. So it fell to a couple of our worthy citizens to repair to Lansing with the deed, abstract and tax historv, and present the same to the worthy attorney-general. He received the same and l82 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. after scanning it seemed to be taken with ciiills. he turned cold and soinewliat irritable, whether from the length and intricacy of the document or from a desire to escape the labor necessary to compass the matter we don't know; an\-wav, after quite a full explanation of the documents, it being the noon hour, they separated and retired to get a warm meal. It must be remem- bered that the land of which this was a part had passed through a long and interesting litigation. It having been four times tried in the circuit court and as many times in the supreme court of the state, it [jerhaps might 1)e expected to stagger any ordinary person. An}- way returning after luncheon to the office of the said attorney-general, they found him in a more appreciable mood and with a few more kinks taken out of the snarl of seeming knots and snarls he saw the light, donned his specs, picked up his pen, immersed it in the inkstand, and deliberately indicted "John Doe, Attorney-General." The child was an animated being, of full stature, with all of his faculties, a living entity, full of energy and hope for the future. THE BILL. Act 261 of Laws 1895 — An Act to estaljlish a Normal School in Cen- tral Michigan. Section i. — The People of the State of Michigan enact, That a normal school for the preparation and training of persons for teach- ing in the rural district schools, and the primary departments of the graded schools of the state, to be known as "Central Michigan Normal School," be established and continued at the city of Mt. Pleasant, in Isabella county, to be located upon block 10 of the Normal School addition to said city, known as "Normal Campus"' and being a block of land in area between eight and ten acres. -Sec. 2. — The state board of education is hereby authorized and directed to procure a good and sufficient deed of conveyance, to be accompanied with abstract of title and tax history, to be approved by the attorney- general, convex'ing to the said board of education and its successors a good and unincumbered title in fee simple to said lands and buildings thereon, for such school, and a proper article of sale of all the library, school furni- ture and apparatus therein, said lands and buildings, and personal property to be donated to the state of ^Michigan, in consitleration of the establishment of said school, and to be conxeyed within .... da)'s after the passage of this act. Sec. 3. — Said school shall be under and subject to the control of the state board of education, according to the provisions of Act 194 of the ISABELLA COUNTV. M UK IllAX. 183 public acts of eiglitecn huiKlred and eiglny-nine «>l .Micliigan. entitled "An act to revise and consolitlate tlie laws relative to the state board of educa- ation, and amendments thereto," which is made applicai>le to this school, except as herein otherwise provided. The provisions in the former act referred to are the fojhnving. to-\vit : "Section 5. — Said board shall pro\ide all necessary courses of study to be i)ursued in the normal school and establish ;ui z z o a CO > en n K O o r ISABELLA COUNTV, MICHIGAN. I S3 "Special pains are taken to adapt tlie scIkkjI to the wants of indixidual students. Personal work occupies a large place in addition to the general work of the classes. To do each pupil as much gocnl as possible is the great end always in view. "Signed, C !■'. R. Bicllows, Principal. " The spirit and guidance of this circular has followed the school from its inception, and lias been departed from only when there seemed to be some opportunity to improve upon tlie same. It lias at all times been the purpose of the principal and faculty of the school to seize upon every ad- vance thought that has been promulgated and after due deliberation and investigation thought to be for the best interests of the school student. The state, ever since it took upon itself the management and supporf of the school, has been very lilicral in its appropriations, not only for the j)ay and support of the school, but also for its improNemenl and extension. They have added to its capacity by adding wings to eitlier side of the original building, fully doubling its capacity and effectiveness. When the building was first built the heating plant was in the basement of the building. Since tiiat time a new and independent heating plant has Ijeen erected on an adjoining block of land at an expense, including the land, of some twentv- five thousand dollars. This plant is connected with the main school building I)y a tunnel which is covered so the pipes can l)e iiung up and made easv of access. It is also used for the heating of the training scliool building, w hich is a large and commodious building of ca])acity to accommodate .some three liundred students, being distributed into nine grades. At first it was very inconvenient to ha\e the use of the city schools for training school purposes, and it was considered somewhat (piestionable whether the schools of the city siiould be used for that purpose. Our pecjple had no (juestion but it would be an excellent idea to have some pupils for the normal student to practice upon, but whether it would be best for the cliild that was used for the practice was quite another (juestion. It was finally decided that a trial might be made and if it was found to be not for the Ijest interest of our school children we would stop the practice. .\ trial was made and after all things were properly adjusted and it was found that no deleterious effect could be discovered, it was allowed to continue. .\t first, the normal having no school rooms for the purpose, the teachers were obliged to go to the ward schools of the city, .\fterward and after it was decided that the practice was advantageous to the normal student and was also found to work no disadvantage to our children, the state was asked to make an appropriation of sufficient funds to erect a suitable building for training school purposes. l86 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. The Legislature of 1901 very generously appropriated the sum of thirty- two thousand dollars for such a l)uilding and for the purchase of some grounds for such purpose. The building was erected and found to be a good acquisition for our school purposes. It has lately been somewhat overhauled to make it more convenient and efficient, as well as being beau- tified bv a nice porch on the west side of the building facing upon Xormal avenue. The Legislature had, in 1899, appropriated the sum of forty-three thou- sand dollars for an addition to the normal school building and for the purchase of some extra land, .\fter the addition to the building, it was still too small and in 1901 they ap[)ropriated another eighteen thousand dol- lars for the erection and completion of the east wing of the main building. This addition gave them, as they then thought, all that they would need for son-»e time. But. as we all know, the matter of education is an e\-ei- ad\-ancing proposition and one that calls fur impro\'ements all the time. A school can no longer stand still and e.xpect to keep up with the times. Stag- nation is as much death to an institution of learning as to any other business. The surplus energy of the child has to ha\e \ent or the child is stunted, and while he ma}- be able to con o\-er books for a considerable length of time without material injury, the time is coming sooner or later when nature will assert itself and the child must have physical e.xercise or fail to come up to the best that there is in him. None of us are satisfied with less than the \ev\ best attainalile. so grounds were secured and put in proper condition for baseball, football and lawn tennis, at con\'einent places so that the stu- dents could a\'ail themsehes of the practice without too much loss of time. Now they ha\e two tennis courts and a jjlat of ground which answers the double purpose of a baseball and football field, all convenient to the school buildings. You can easily see that with all of the improvements made at the school and grounds there ought to Ije and have been large additions to the attendance at the school and this has not onl_\- filled up the empty space, but has called loudly for further improx'ements and additions, so that it became necessary to go to the Legislature of 1907 and ask for some fifty thousand dollars for a physical training building. Also some six thousand dollars for other improvements to make the old buildings \\hat they ought to be. The pre\-ious Legislature had appropriated the sum of five thou- sand dollars to purchase a block of land west of the main building and the north half of block 7, Normal School addition, conditioned that the citizens of ]\It. Pleasant donate suflicient to purchase the property desired, which they did, amounting to something o\-er three thousand dollars. The physi- ISABELLA COLXTV. MKIIIGAX. iBj cal training huikling- was built as per plans and specifications by tbe state architect and is considered one of the best in the state. They provided in that for a large promenade hall sufficient for all of the students to be on ■ their feet at the same time and to move around with proper decorum. A swimming pool, gyriinasium ])ractice for boys and girls, with proper dress- ing r(ioms and the paraphernalia accompanying tlie same. Also recitation rooms and places for all tiic apparatus re(|iiircd in a first-class physical training department. Another metiiod of ascertaining the progress made in the last fifteen \ears can be attained by a careful perusal of the curriculum of studies and list of teachers, as follows : SCHEDILE OF CL.JiSSES FOR IHi: ^ iAK I()in I'oK r (IK CKXI'RA:. .STATE .\()KM.\I.. Biology — Teacher, W-oldt : Botany and zoology in tiieir several dixisions. Drawing — Teaclier. W'ightman : Drawing comi)osition and design. M.iiiion: Training school, mechanical drawing. English — Teacher, Lowe: Masterpieces, .\merican Literature. F.nglisli, Composition. Tate : Grammar. Composition. English Literature. Sabine : Rhetoric, Classics, Grammar. Geography — Teacher. CalUins : Geography, .\strononiy. Piiysiugraphy. Stickle : Elementary Geography. Historv — Teacher Larzelere : History. Political Science. V. S. Civics, Mich. Gov. Burt: General. L". S.. Greek and English History. Kindergarten — Teacher, .Merriam: Training .school, literature for child, kindergarten. Latin and Grammar — Teacher, Barnard: Latin and (ierman generally. Allen : Latin and Grammar generally. Manual .Arts — Teacher. Miller; Training School and Manual Arts. Michaels: Sewing. Training School. Manual Training. Cooking. Mathematics — Teacher. Bellis : Trigonometry. Arithmetic. Wdrden : Geometry, .\rithmetic and .Algebra. Stickle: Algebra. Music — Teacher. .Maybee: Music, Composition. History of Music, A'oice Culture. Swen.son : Music. Elements of Music. Training School. George : Harmony. Psvchology — Teacher. Rowe : Psychology. History of Education. Bill- ings: Experimental Psychology and School Management. Renan : Physi- ology. Physical Training. l88 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Physical — Teacher, Ronan: Physiology and physical training. Education — Teacher, Anderson : Physical Training and Training School. Helmer: Elementary Gymnastics, Foot Ball. Reading and Public Speaking — Teacher, Beddow : Reading, elements of elocution, public speaking. Science of Agriculture — Teacher, Cobb : Physics, chemistry, agricul- ture and nature study. In connection with the general work of the Central State Normal is the summer school, which is designed to meet a great want of teachers who feel that in some matters they are not in as good form as they ought to be to give satisfaction to themselves in their teaching or to the district. This course for the summer is one that has been installed within the past ten years and has proved to be of great importance. It has grown from the first, and will continue to grow as time goes by for the reason that it is founded to meet a great necessity found among teachers. They all get dull on all subjects that are not constantly before them, and if they are to keep abreast of the times they must of necessity go through the polishing process, and then they come out fresh and bright. Not only that, but they will have a store of knowledge that they could not acquire in any other way. The growth of the institution also shows its importance. In 1901 when the summer school was first put upon its trial the enrollment was one hundred and fifty-six students, while after it had been in being nine years it has grown from six hundred to seven hundred for the last four years. The faculty for the last year was as follows : Charles T. Grawn, A. M., Al. Pd., president, with Lucy A. Sloan, M. S., English language and literature: Elizabeth R. Wightman. drawing: Anna M. Barnard, A. AI., Latin and German; R. D. Calkins, M. S., geography; Claude C Larzelere, A. M., historv and civics; Eugene C. Rowe. Ph. D., psychology and edu- cation: Harper C. Maybee, music: William D. Miller, manual arts; Lillian K. Sabine, A. B., instructor in Engli.sh ; Orpha E. Worden, A. B., instructor in mathematics; Bertha M. Ronan, instructor in physical training; Maude E. Allen, A. B., instructor in Latin and German; William H. Wentworth, A. B., instructor in physics; Lucy S. Norton, A. B., instructor in history: Minnie I. Termaat, instructor in geography and English: Emma M. Hol- brook, A. B.. B. Pd., instructor in English; Harriett L. Sherman, instructor in drawing; ;\Iyrta AI. Wilsey, instructor in arithmetic; Irene Swenson, instructor in music: Elizabeth ]\Ierriam. kindergarten ant! literature for chil- dren: E. C. Warriner. A. B., superintendent of schools, Saginaw. Mich., ISABF.U.A COLNTV. MKIIUIA.N". 189 instructor in school supervision and liistory of education ; L. L. Forsythe, A. B., superintendent of schools, St. Louis, Mich., instructor of history and civics; J. E. Porter, A. B.. ])rincipal of higii school, Cadillac, ^fich., instructor in chemistry and pliysics : M. D. Jerome, superintendent of schools, Everet, Mich., instructor in mathematics; J. W. Kelder, A. B., superintendent, Mt. Pleasant schools, instructor in mathematics; Helen B. King Ph. B., department of biology, Saginaw, E. S., high school, instructor in biological sciences; Jessie A. Long, department of domestic science and art, Saginaw higli school, instructor in cooking and sewing: Alabama Brenton, super\isor of drawing, Muskegon, Mich., instructor in drawing; Lucetta Crum, A. M., Clark L'niversity, Worcester, Mass., instructor in psychology and pedagogy; E. T. Cameron, commissioner of schools. Isa- bella county, Michigan, instructor in institute courses, with M. Louise Con- verse, A. B., as librarian; Elizabeth Saxe, assistant librarian, Sylvia Halsey, assistant; with Bessie Gaunt, secretary, and Lena B. Pollex, stenographer. To this should be added a well-selected library of something o\'er thirteen thousand volumes. With such an equipment there can be no question as to the efficiency of the school and tlie incalculable good it is to the people of the state of Michigan. Something may be gained as tu the efficiency anil extent of the good work done at the Central State Normal since its advent in this community l>y a reference to the nuuihcr and class of graduates. The total number of graduates up to December, lyio, is one thousand nine hundred and eighty-two. They are di\idcd as follows: Three in drawing and manual arts, four in drawing and manual training. ti\e in manual arts, nine in music and drawing, two in sj^ecial music, seven in music, fifteen in public school music, forty-three in kindergarten, three hundred and eighty-six have taken life certificates, seven, hundred and seventeen have finished the rural course and seven hundred and ninety-one ]ia\e finished the gradeil course and been awarded certificates. The school has adopted another and \ery i)enelicial practice which re- quires the professors, after they have been engaged a number of years continuously, to take a year off and attend some up to date university and there spend a school year in brushing up on old matters and taking in all tiiat is new and advanced in the various lines in which they are principally en- gaged. This puts them in touch with the foremost thought of the time and the better prepares them to communicate these better and more recent investigations to their pupils. It is a well settled idea that no one can impart any knowledge to others tiiat they do not themselves possess. Under igO ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. t these arrangements President Grawn has spent a season in New York, Miss Sloan, Miss Wightman, ^liss Barnard. Professor Calkins, Professor Lar- zelere, Professor Rowe. Professor Maybee, Professor Tambling, Professor Bellis and others that we do not now recall. Some are now absent under the same arrangement, among them Professor Tambling, who is in New- York City. CHAPTER XII. TOrUXAI.ISM. Journalism is today one of the most important enterprises known to man. The general diffusion of knowledge among the masses and the improvement in facilities for quick transportation and delivery of mail as well as the insatiable desire of every one to see the newspajjer. whether he be a minister of the gospel (except on Sunday and possibly some of them take a peek at it after church), lawyer, school professor, foot ball crank, base- ball, basket-ball, or what not. all want to see the news. In a slight degree it was so back in the sixties when the town was \ery new. (). P.. Church started a weekly paper called the \ art Item Pioneer, the first issue of which was dated November 30. 1864. It was Republican in principle and has al- ways maintained that allegiance to the present time. It has changed its name to that of the Isabella liiilerf^rise. and is now owned and cimtrolled by B. M. (lould and is located on the west side of North Main street, just north of the Donovan hotel. It has written its own history and has had several different pro])rietors. Mr. Church sold a half interest to James P. \\'elper and afterward the other half to Myron McLaren, who afterward bought out \\'elper. He then sold to I. A. Fancher, who sold to Albert Fox. who owned and controlled it until the time of his death, in February. 1873. It was then sold to John R. Doughty, in July. 1873. who owned and con- ducted it until 1885. when he sold to .\. S. Coutant. who has continued to pul)lish the paper with marked success until November 29. 1909. when he sold and transferred llie pajier to B. ^K Cmuld. who is now the owner and ])ublisher of the same. Mr. (iould is a ])ractical ])rinter and a splendid editor and is faithfully kee])ing uj) the reputati(^n of the sheet and adding to the long list of subscribers, so that at the present writing it boasts of a subscription list of some two thousand five hundred. It is still Republican in politics and an advocate of sound ])rinciples in party as well as in busi- ness. It is a paper worthy of the support it receives. In 1875, while it was yet f)wned by Mr. Doughty, the office was destroyed by fire of an in- cendiary nature. Having no insurance, it was a total loss, but Mr. Doughty, 192 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. not daunted, ordered a new outfit, set it up in his residence and issued the paper on the regular day in the next week. In 1884 he reduced the price to one dollar a year. In September, 1879, the Nortlnvestern Tribune was established at Salt River by Dr. S. C. Brown & Sons and was conducted there until March, 1 88 1, when it was transferred to Mt. Pleasant, where they continued to conduct it with the same zeal and energy that they had at Salt River. The Doctor being a red-hot Republican, was not content to live at so unsavory a political town as Salt River on account of the class that he was obliged to associate with during the years after the Rebellion. He was a natural- Ijorn politician and liked it as well as a small boy likes doughnuts. They continued to conduct their paper until 1886, when they took in A. X. Brown as a partner. The paper was run for a time and then it went into the hands of a company which turned it over to A. N. Brown and he run it for a time and then sold it to W. E. Preston and E. S. Bowen. Jul\- 10, 1890. They continued the publishing of the paper till May, 1891, and then Preston sold to Bowen & Son and it afterwards got into the hands of McConnelly & Co., of Chicago. This company sold to A. S. Coutant, and he continued to publish it until he sold to B. M. Gould November 29, 1909. He continued to publish the paper as before imtil January i, 1910. when it was merged in the Enterprise, and ceased to exist. Inuring the soldiers" encampment in 1890, W. E. Preston published a daily paper for about ten days. It was called the Daily Tribune and was highly appreciated and liberally patronized. The Mf. Pleasant Times was the production of Henry H. Graves, who established it in 1877, he being the proprietor and James \\\ Long, his brother-in-law, editor. It was at first Democratic, the owner being of that political persuasion. After continuing in that line for some time, it was changed to a Greenback paper and run as such until November 19, 1879. wlien Major James W. Long became its owner and proprietor. Major Long ran the paper for a time and then sought a better job and went away from the town, leaving the printing press and material packed away. Then Fred Russell and William T. Whitney purchased the said ma- terial and started the .1//. Pleasant Democrat. Russell remained for a time and then sold his interest to Whitney. Whitney conducted it for a time and then sold to J. W. GritSth, who conducted for a time and he sold to Brandon & McGrath, who published it for a time, when McGrath went out and Brandon continued it until he died. After his death, Mrs. Brandon, with her daughter. Miss \\'illmoth, conducted it until 1890, when it was sold to ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I93 Frecl Russell and 11. A. Miller, who coiidiicted it for a while, wiieii Russell sold his interest to .Miller. Miller published it until the Mt. Pleasant Pub- lishing Company was formed and the paper was turned over to it. It has since run under that organization, but of late Harry Miller, a son of H. .\.. has the managing of the matter. Somewhere during its devious travel its name was changed to that of the Isabella County Courier. It still retains its |)olitical complexion and is a strong ad\'ocate of all that is good in politics. The present Central Mieliiyan Tiuies was started by one Theron A. Johnson about Septemlier, 1894. He issued four numbers and then sold the paper to F. C. Crego and Fred Olmstead, who continued to publish for about a year and a hall. It was started as a Populist paper and con- tinued as such for a time. They then sold to Fred Russell and Clayton Bowen, who conducted it for about two years when Russell disposed of his interest to Bowen, who carried on the enterprise until 1901, when the Mt. Pleasant Publishing Company was formed and took over the paper and for a time i)ublished that and the Courier. Tiien the Tinnw was sold to one C. H. Rorabacher, who carried it on until .\pril, 1894. when he sold to \\\ O. Hullinger, who is still the owner and ]iroprietor. It is now and has been ever since Mr. Hullinger tonk hold of it a stanch Republican sheet and stands for all that is good in Republicanism. It is one of the strongest of the papers in the place. It publishes weekly a full report of the special items of interest from the various localities and the several towns of the county, which makes it of interest to all of the people. It is a good. clean issue and worthy of the patronage it enjoys. Its circulation is now one thousand eight liundred and fift\'. which means that it reaches about ten thousand people a week with its message of information and knowledge, to entertain and instruct the wear\- tra\eler as he journeys along through life. Away back in the early eighties there was a ])aper started by one Fred Lewis, of Saginaw, and conducted largely by his son. It was called the Observer, and was located in the north part of town on lot i, block 5, Mt. Pleasant. It was Democratic in politics and contiiuied to issue for a short time and then departed. The l.s-abella County Republiean was started by \\'. E. Brown & Son on December 13. 181)3, and has continued ever since. It was then and is now published at Shepherd Michigan. It is Republican in politics, as it naturally wnuld be from the fact that tiie owners are son and grandson 194 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. of Dr. S. C. Brown, who started the Northwestern Tribune. The Browns are running a good, strong paper and are giving good satisfaction to their patrons and are giving all that could be expected in that community. They have a good iield. as the township and village are largely Re]niblican and comprise a stanch, well-to-do and prosperous community. The thirteen hundred papers issued and distributed from week to week give to their pa- trons a fund of knowledge and information that would not be accessible but for this weekly sheet. They deserve all the patronage and popularit}' that they now possess and enjoy, and it is hoped they may continue in spreading the good news and instruction to the people of that bright burg and the sur- rounding country for many years to come. They have a power press known as the Prouty power press. They yet fold the paper l:)y hand. In the fall of 1874 another newspaper was started by a company in the interest of the Grange, which then was prosperous and flourished in this county. It advocated the principle of the Grange, and so far as could be discovered it was Democratic in its political tendencies. It was named the Isabella Coiiiitx Herald, but afterward took upon itself the interesting and impressive cognomen of Morgan's ll'atclitoicer. This paper, under Morgan, gained a most notorious reputation. Its hand was against e\'eryl>ody and everybody's hand was against it. It was a scurrilous sheet, each week belch- ing out foul and malicious odors through its columns until the people could stand it no longer, when criminal proceedings were commenced and in the end the paper was discontinued and the editor skipped the country and, so far as the historian knows, never returned. The JJ'atchtmcer died and has been forgotten, if not forgiven. It must not be forgotten to mention the issue of the District School Journal, published by the then county school superintendent, Charles O. Curtis. It was a journal worthy the cause it advocated, that of the educa- tion of the youth of the time. It had three issues of alx)ut one thousand two hundred each, and continued until the office of superintendent was abol- ished. The issue was a movement in the right direction, and had the pleas- ing effect of stimulating all to renewed energy in the cause of education. The evolution of the newspaper business has kept pace with the ad- vancement in other classes of business. All will remember the did hand- lever ]5ress which required a good strong '■de\ir" to work it. That has been replaced by the power press, which is largely operated by electricity and which will print about fifteen hundred an hour as compared with tlie hand press that started the ])erspiration at two hundred and fifty. .Xnd then the\- are setting t_\-pe now as _\-ou would run a typewriter and the same machine IS.\1!ELI,A COLXTV. MKIIIGAX. I95 takes away all of the i)lcasi;rc of distributing type, as the pesky thing does its own (hstrilnnini^ of type. Tlien again that backaching luxury of fold- ing papers is now all denied the printer's "dex il" by a machine which picks up the ])apcr and folds it a gocMl (pnckcr than one can tell vou about it. It is feared they will yet come to the ])oint where they will dispense with the "de\ir" altogether, especially in the printing shop. In another ot'tice one may see a tall machine, wiiich looks something like an aeolian bar]), with a gentleman at the side of it thinking oul what he wants the thing to sa\- and as fast as he decides the thing picks out the proper type. i)uts it in ])Iace. carries it around to the other side of the ma- chine, puts it in place, melts some tyi)e metal, puts that in its proper place, chucks the type against the metal and you have a line of printed matter to set in a frame, carried to the forms, jjlaced in shape, carted to the power press and then, touch a button, the thing begins to move and out comes the printed thought of the typesetter just as if the whole thing was alixe and working to a given end. Xow slide it along to the folder and it folds them for the mailer: it puts on your name and address, it is carted to the postoffice, where it is handed to the rural free delivery man and next day at ten o'clock you ha\e all the news at yom- home, fifteen to tweiit_\--five miles in the country. A\'hat next, you exclaim! Well, what do you want next, for in all hutnan i)robability it will be yours in a very limited space of time. CHAPTER XIII. BAXKS AND ISAXKING. Banks are generally considered of prime necessity in any well-eqnipped business community. Mt. Pleasant is no exception to this rule. The first venture in that direction was about the year 1873-4, when one Rufus Smith established a very mild I:)usiness in lianking. He was located on the west side of Main street, north of the Donovan house. He carried on something of a business for some time and then closed out. The next venture was that of Hicks, Bennett & Company, who organ- ized, in April, 1875, as a private banking institution, with Robert Young as cashier. They conducted the business under his supervision until 1876, when Albert B. Upton came to Mt. Pleasant and took the position of cashier, with some personal interest in the concern. Upton remained in the active control of the bank until January i, 1884, when he retired and went into the land and lumbering business. The bank was then reorgan- ized into a national bank, under the name of the First National Bank of Mt. Plea.sant. with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. Robert M. Steel, of St. Johns, ^Michigan, held the controlling interest in the stock, with his son, George Steel, in charge of his interests. There were also some lesser stockholders in ]\It. Pleasant, George L. Granger, F. \\'. Carr and D. Scott Partridge, a stockholder and also cashier. This was also a bank of issue and put out twelve thousand five hundred dollars in bills. It continued in business until the panic of 1895. when, on account of the strin- gency- of the money market and the embarrassment of Mr. Steel, the bank closed. It was placed in the hands of a receiver, Charles Wilson, of Grand Rapids, a fine man but with but little if any knowledge of the value of assets and but little tact in handling such commodities. He held the position for some time, when he resigned and George Reed, of Mt. Pleasant, was put in as receiver to close up the concern, which be did. selling in a bunch all of the assets left. In 1899, June 20. \\'ebl)er & Ruel formed a copartnership, with a capital of ten thousand dollars, and oi>ened up a bank in the old National Bank buildins;. with Elton T. ^'an Leuven as cashier. This bank continued ISABELLA COfNTV, MICHIGAN. I97 to do a fair business until about June, 1903, when the Isabella County State Bank was organized, with a cash capital of thirty tliousand dollars, with John S. Weidman, a capitalist, with a controlling interest in the concern. With him are connected some of our strong financiers as follows: A. Z. Campbell, F. G. Theirs, F. Mitchel, E. J. \'an Leuven, F. H. Dodds. T. Gray, J. Kelley, L. D. Cole and J. S. Weidman, Jr. It is a strong and conservative body of business men. calculated, by their \ery presence, to convince the public that they are good bankers. With \'an Leuven installed as cashier, no one need worry about tiieir money not being safe in that bank. From their report of November 10, 1910, it appears that their resources are five hundred thirty-two thousand nine hundred fifty-three dollars and forty-three cents. This bank is also considered a stanch and substantial institution and worthy of liberal patronage. They, too, own their banking building, which is a substantial and commodious building and well equipped for banking purposes. It is centrally located in the city and also contains the Mt. Pleasant Opera House, as well as a store and office for the piesi- dent of the banking company. George A. Dusenbury and Iiis brotlicr William, in tlie year 1881, engaged in the business of private banking and loaning money on real estate security. This they continued with marked success until 1888. when the business was organized into a joint stock company with a twenty-five thou- sand-dollar capital, divided into two Innidrcd and fifty shares of one hundred dollars each, and the name was changed to that of Dusenbury. X'clson & Company. This was a strong combination, the business being supervised by G. A. Dusenbury. in whom exery one had liie utmost confidence, he being known to be a very careful and ])rudent financier. The bank continued to do business under this name and direction until March 19, 1894. when it was organized into the Exchange Saxings Bank, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The stockholders were then George A. Dusenbury, D. H. Xelson. J. Kinney. W. C. Dusenbury, L. N. Smith, C. M. Brooks, O. M. Sheldon, C. A. Kellogg and A. E. Gor- ham. They were all good men and conservative in business. In 1895 George A. Dusenbury was renioxcd from thcni by death and since then the com])iexion of the bank has somewhat clianged. For all that, others of strong standing in the community have purchased stock and become influ- ential in the bank, .so that today it is still a very strong and influential banking institution. It still retains the confidence and support of the people, as is shown by the steady increase in deposits and enlargement in business. The present status of the i)ank, as shown by its sworn rei)ort to the state bank- 198 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ing department for September. 1910, shows resources of four hundred fifty-six thousand one hundred eighty-nine dollars and forty-one cents. This is indeed a very flattering showing for a city of the size of Mt. Pleasant, with another bank with equal resources, and is not only a good index for the bank, but is also a flattering index of the prosperity of the community. When the Dusenbury bank \\as first started it was located on the north side of Broadway street and when Dusenbury, Nelson & Company com- menced they located in the Nelson building on the west side of North Main street, four doors south of Broadway, where they remained until May 15, 1909. They had, however, in the year 1908, purchased the lot on the north- east corner of block 18, it being at the corner where Broadway and Main streets intersect. It is one of the most central and conspicuous parts of the city and is a very convenient and conspicuous place for a bank. The bank people had for some time felt that they had outgrown the building they were in and, finding at last that this property could be pur- chased, they seized the opportunity and purchased it. They tore down a good brick structure and erected on the site a very fine cut stone structure, designed especially for Ijanking purposes. This building, after the outside structure was completed, was finished internally with offices, sitting and waiting rooms. Aault, timelock, 1>urglar alarm and all other appliances to make the work easily done and with dispatch. All in all. it is a very complete and up to date banking outfit and worthy the effort of the owners in their desire to possess a beautiful and commodious banking home. The cost of the lot was ten thousand dollars, and the new structure is estimated to be worth about fifteen thousand dollars, not including the furniture and fixtures, which cost about ten thousand dollars, making the whole outfit worth about twenty-five thousand dollars. All this is well worthy the effort and is now and will be appreciated l)y the generous public in increased business, as is shown by the addition of assets since last report of September, 1910, which amount has now grown to be substantially four hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars. The banking business of Brown, Harris & Company opened up on the iJth day of January, 1883, in a neat banking building on the northeast corner of the block where the Commercial Bank Ixulding now stands. Tlie company was composed of the following well-known persons : William N. Brown, Amelia S. K. 'Sla.y. M. Devereaux, JNlinnie K. Brown, Samuel W. Hopkins, Elizabeth G. Kellogg, D. H. Nelson, John C. Leaton, Harris Bros, and John W. Hance, Cash Groves was cashier for a time, then Mr. Devereaux for a month. John A. Harris after that was their cashier. ISABELLA COUXTV, Mil IIKIAX. I99 Tliey did a thriving business for some j'ears. and then tlie Commercial Bank was chartered and took over the assets and l)usiness of Brown, Harris & Company. The Commercial was composed of Ami W. Wright, a capitalist of Alma, Michigan, with most of the parties forming the company of Brown, Harris & Company. Tlie capital stock was fifty thousand dollars, all paid in. so that the new l);uik started dli" witli a better e(|uipnK-iit than the old one possessed. It was organized in 1S85 and continued to do a thriving business for a long time and was considered one of the best in this part of the country. Some time after the establishment of the Commercial Bank, which was located in the Commercial Bank block, about April. 1888, John F. R\an. W'ilham X. Brown and other of the citizens here and some capi- talists and prominent men of Saginaw proposed the organizatit)n of a savings bank and, acting on the suggestion, a number of them proceeded to organize a bank to be known as the People's Savings Bank, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. Some of the stockholders were the follow- ing: Minnie K. Brown. James S. Brown. Rev. J. A. Crowley. R. Kempf, Dr. F. H. Tyler. I. A. C. Tyler. M. Dcvereaux. J. F. l\\an and about twenty- five others, making it a strong bank. It took up its (|uarters in the Com- mercial Bank building, taking the offices and vaults in the basement of the said block. This bank was active in securing business and was able to loan a large amount of money on real estate securities. This it continued to do until Xovember. 1895. when some of those interested in the two lianks thought it would be better to consolidate the Commercial Bank and the People's Savings Bank under one organization. Notice was given to the stockhold- ers, a meeting was held and the two decided to join forces as one Ijank on tlie iith day of Decemlier. 1895. with a capital stock of one hundretl thou- sand dollars, divided into one thousand shares of one hundred di)llars each. The bank was duly organized and new stock was issued and exchanged for stock in the old concerns, share for share. This bank continued to do busi- ness until May, 1897. when it closed its doors and was wound up by a receiver. Their estimated assets at the time of closing were figured at one hundred forty-eight thousand four hundred four dollars and fifty-one cents. These were finally disposed of and the business clo.sed up. On Sep- tember 13. 1897. tlT'ee receivers were appointed by the court to wind up the concern. E. J. Van Leuven, W. F. Preston and L. E. Royal were the receivers, 'iiiev took possession and began the efYort to .settle the business with the creditors of the bank. December jo. 1897. \'an Leuven resigned and the other two continued until July 21, 1898. when they resigned and Charles T. Russell was appointed and filed his Ixand. taking possession July 200 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 27, 1898. He finally closed by selling the assets to the highest bidder, finally paying sixty-six per cent, to creditors. Shepherd is one of the growing villages of the county and is located in the oldest settled part of the county. In December, 1894, feeling the necessity of a bank, several of the prominent business men organized the Commercial State Bank, with a capital stock of seventeen thousand dollars, divided into one hundred and seventy shares of one hundred dollars each, and the following persons became the purchasers of the stock : Isaac N. Shepherd, Thomas Hannett, 01i\'er H. Adams, W. E. Adams, ^^'. H. Kinter and L. D. Estee. It has been a strong and successful bank and has met the necessities of the locality to a good degree. It is conservative and safe, and can be relied upon as a reliable institution. This was the only bank in Shepherd for some time, but finally John F. Ryan, who was interested in the People's Savings Bank of Mt. Pleasant, started a private bank in Shepherd and opened it up in the back part of a brick store. It ran for a time, but finally closed. Rosebush, a thriving burg about seven miles north of Alt. Pleasant, in 1908 was looked upon by some of the Mt. Pleasant bankers, who started a private bank, composed of the following persons: J. S. W'eidman, A. Z. Campbell. F. L. Keeler, F. G. Thiers, E. J. Van Leuven and Floyd Mitchell. Homer Campbell is their cashier and is doing a fine business for them. It is called the Rosebush Banking Company. The proprietors visit the bank often and the people patronizing it may well feel safe and secure in their Inisiness relations with the bank. It is located in one of the rich farming districts of the Cdunt}-, the farmers l:)eing generall_\- well- to-do and thrifty. The village of Weidman, located toward the western part of the county and the scene of J. S. Weidman"s lumbering operations, also was in need of banking facilities. On August 3, 1908, the Weidman Banking Company was formed, composed of J. S. ^^'eidman, A. Z. Campbell, F. L. Keeler, F. G. Thiers, J. A. Daman. E. J. Van Leuven and Floyd Mitchell. This is a good combination and the company is doing a prosperous and safe business. They are a great accommodation to the western half of the county and deserve the patronage of that section. The Central State Savings Bank, located at Shepherd, was formed in April, 1910. and is composed of the following persons: J- L. Upton. J. H. Struble. M. B. Axtell. M. L. Faunce. W. C. Myres. K. E. Struble. A. G. Struble, J. Kratz. George A. Reese. E. S. McClellen, A. G. Andrews. W. Anderson. B. M. Adams, J. Allen, L. E. \\'etsel and A. R. Cole. Their capital ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 20I Stock is twenty thousand dollars, divided into two hundred shares of one hun- dred dollars each. This bank has made a good start and will undoubtedly add to their business, as they are composed of some of the best men in Shepherd and vicinity. The onl}- other bank organized in the county was the Farmers & Mer- chants' Bank of ]\It. Pleasant. This was a private copartnership with E. C. Vermillion as the manager. It had some very good men in its organiza- tion, but the manager failed to impress the people generally with his ability as a banker and, with the competition of two banks, with aliout half a mil- lion of business eacli, it was not a paying enterprise and the manager de- camped between two days and failed to be present on a Monday morning at the opening hour of tlie bank. As he was the only one in the county who knew the combination of the safe, the bank remained closed so far as business was concerned. The copartners are now settling up the busi- ness of the venture. CHAPTER XIV THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. Surely a history of the county would not be complete without some ref- erence to the medical profession. They are an important factor in society and at times seem to be the most important of all. Whenever we are ailing, our thought runs out to the doctor and we begin to speculate as to what we may expect if we call one or what the outcome will be if we do not, and it usually ends in our calling upon the doctor of our choice and then make the liest we can out of the attempt to live. If we are strong and of a long-lived family, the chances are that we may pull through despite the medicine of the good physician and the microbes that are swarming around to assist the good doctor. Many a tussle have we had and so far have come off \-ictorious, but as we are in the rut and see no way out. we shall in all probability continue in our course and by and by we e.xpect that he will get the better of us and then our only hope will be in the good minister, to take charge of what is left of us. But the doctor we must have, say what vou will : he is on the ground and there to stay, so try and be prepared for whatever shall come and make tiie best of it. Wesley J. Corbus was the first physician to enter the then wilderness of Isabella count\-. He had prepared liimself for his profession by reading some four years with Doctor Chauncey at Girard Center, Branch county, Michigan. He commenced his practice at Warsaw, Ind., was there about three years, when he returned to Michigan and opened an office at Union City, Branch county, remained there for several years and then went to Tekonsha, Michigan, where he remained until April, 1863, when he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 13, in Lincoln, Isabella county, and settled upon the same, made himself a home, which was no light task, as it was heavily timbered by mostly hard wood timber. He cleared about sixty acres and gave the most of the rest to his children. He entered upon the practice of medicine just as soon as he was settled in the county and continued his practice as long as he remained in the county. He was a good practitioner and very successful, for he was not only a good doctor, but he was a natural nurse, and it almost seems that this (|ualihcation ISABELLA COLNTV, Mil IIIC.AN. 2O3 was equal to his knowledge and use of drugs. The iloclor was also some- thing of a dentist, as we remember of seeing liini operate on a poor fellow suffering with the jumping toothache one iiol day in June. 1(863. The man was on a survey of a highway numing in front of the doctor's house, his tooth got iuimanageal)Ic and the doctor tackled it with a pair of common forceps. With these he made h\e attempts to remove the brute, but each time tlie critter slipped oft and it seemed {<> liccome scrinus. The doctor in the goochiess of his heart went into tiie house and, not i)eing in a dr\- county, ifrouglit out a tumbler full of wliisky and told the fellow to swallow that, and while he was imbil)ing the licpior the doctor was tying a couple of linen handkerchiefs around a singular looking instrument he called a turnkey, but which looked to me more like a swi\el and cant hook combined. Anvway, when he at last saw that the fellow had (lisi)osed of his whisky, he hitched u])i>n that stubborn tooth. an came to tlie county when it was new and but thinly settled, and put out his sign in Dushville. He was another of those noble representatives of the medical profession who was always at his post of duty. He was a graduate of the Penn Medical College. He was an eclectic, and settled here about 1876. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 20^ Dr. Loren A. Houghton, a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical College in 1872, old school, located at Blanciiard very soon after his graduation and entered upon the active practice of his calling. He re- mained in the discharge of his duties as such practitioner until the time of his death, whicli was about March, 1908. He was a good physician, very successful in liis jiractice. and was mucli sought for in all intricate cases wliere it re(|uired not only great knowledge hut good judgment and skill. Jason M. Casjier. one of the earlv physicians to settle in Isabella and at l.iionns, went there in 1875 and commenced the practice in that place and vicinity. lie was an excellent physician and very soon was possessed of a splendid practice. He was a scliolar and tiiorougiily versed in his pro- fession. He continued there until his death, vvliicli overtook him on June 21. 1882. He was a graduate of the University of Micliigan and his deatii was a lianl blow to liis friends and accpiaintances. Dr. Celia W. Tavlor was another of the early doctors to settle at Loomis, She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1880 and settled in Loomis about 1882 and entered upon the practice of her pro- fession. Siie was a successful practitioner, and verv much liked l)v the people generally. l)ut Loomis was too small a place for her talent and after a successful stay of about eleven years she removed from there to Saginaw. Dr. F. H. Spencer settled at Loomis about 1884. He was a graduate from College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, in March. 1883. and immediately settled in Loomis. He was a bright fellow, and soon estab- lished a good pra-ctice, but seeing better things at Cdadwin, he moved to that place after being in Loomis about one vear. b'rank ii. Tyler was a homeopathic practitioner who settled at Ml. Pleasant about 1881. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan in July, 1880. He practiced for some time at ;\lt. Pleasant with marked success. He was a genial fellow and was much sought after by the Ml. Pleasant society. After remaining there for several years, be moved to Kalamazoo where he is still in practice and with the same success that at- tended his efforts at Mt. Pleasant. James H. Hudson was a graduate from the medical department of the L'niversity of Michigan June 23, 1883, and settled at Shepherd, Isabella comity. Michigan, immediately thereafter. He was a bright fellow and soon built up a good practice. He remained in that community for some years and llien moved away. Dr. J. L. Petz was a graduate from the Philadelphia L^niversity in Feb- ruary. 1879. and settled in Mt. Pleasant in 1883. He was a physician of 206 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. no mean proportions. He practiced here for a time with good success, but the town seemed too small for him and after three or four years of a resi- dence and practice he moved awa}-. Frank M. Gross was a doctor from Pennsyhania who settled for a time in the village of Loomis. He went there about 1884 and remained some four or five years and then moved back to Pennsylvania. He was a graduate from the Eclectic Medical University of Cincinnati. Ohio. He was a good physician, a hearty, jolly good fellow, enjoyed all that there was good in life and made everybody happy arounfl him. He was very much missed when he took his departure. Dr. T. Cook Royal w-as a graduate from the Xew York Homeopathic College, in March. 1883. and very soon thereafter settled in ^It. Pleasant, where he followed his profession for some time with marked success ; was there about five years and then moved to Ballston Springs. New York. He was a bright fellow and had in him the making of a good physician. His work here was highly appreciated and he was very much thought of. About 1876 Jesse J. Struble located at Salt River and commenced the practice of medicine. The record does not show that he was a graduate of any school of medicine. He was accounted a good physician and enjoyed a good practice while he followed the profession. The record of 1883 shows that at that time he had been in practice over sixteen years. He died In March, 1876, Allen J. Struble graduated at the Ohio Medical Col- lege in Cincinnati. Ohio, as a regular physician and soon came to Salt River and entered upon the practice of his profession. He was a bright and natural physician. He enjoyed a fine practice during all the time that he was in the practice, which w-as up to the time of his death, which occurred December 18. 1893. Dr. John B. Lavery is an eclectic and has been in practice for about thirty-five years. He came to Isabella about November 29. 1883, and settled in Lincoln. He is now located in Mt. Pleasant. He is a quaint and peculiar personage, and follows largely a peculiar line of practice. He is especially notable for his success in treating chronic and peculiar cases, many of them cases that other physicians have abandoned or pronounced incurable, and with such he has had wonderful success at times. Dr. J. J. Stoner was a student at the Hahnemann Medical Institute in Chicago, w'here he graduated in 1880. He either came to Mt. Pleasant soon after or lived here when he graduated. He was a homeopathist and practiced here with fair success for some time and then moved West. Dr. ^^'arren A. Sayers was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, ISAUKl-I.A COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 20J takiiijj liis degree June 30, 1874. He belonged to the regular sciiool of physicians. He settled at Shepherd about j8(S4 and remained for some time. He enjoyed tlie confidence of the people, who ga\e him a tine prac- tice. He is a very studious man and keeps abreast of the times, going often to the colleges for a short term to brush up and accpiire anything new in the line of his practice. He was for a time located in Mt. T'leasant and then returned to Shepherd, where he now is in the acti\e i)ractice of his profession, and enjoying the confidence of his neighbors which he has .so justly earned. I)r, James McEntec is a graduate of the Detroit Medical College, tak- ing his degree March 4, 1885. He soon thereafter commenced tlie practice of medicine in Mt. Pleasant and has been in active practice e\er since. The doctor is a good scholar and stands well among his lirethren. He has also in later years made a specialty of the e_\e and ear. He is considered among the best of the physicians and enjoys a fine practice in this and adjoining communities. He is still in the harness and is good for some time to come. \'armen H. W'orden claimed in 1885 to have graduated by practice, and claimed to be a honieopathist of ten years" practice. He was a ro\ ing in- dividual and had a faculty of drawing people to him. He was at Rlanchard. also at Brinton. and several persons have claimed to be students of his or practicing under his tutorage. He came to the county about 1885 and was here for some time and then sought a more congenial climate and did not return. His practice was, h'ke his person, very much varied. Dr. J. E. (iruber, of Shepherd, was graduated at Fort Wayne, Indiana, about 1874 and filed his certificate at Mt. Pleasant Augu.st 23, 1886. He is of the regular school and has enjoyed a lucrati\e practice e\er since he commenced. He is one of the standbys at Shepherd. He is judicious and careful, not dis])osed to take unnecessary chances. He has the confidence and respect of the community, and his ability, integrity and conduct in the community justly entitles him to the same. He has l)een a successful prac- titioner and seeks to keep abreast of the times. Dr. .A. T. (ietchell is a prominent practitioner since March. 1884. He is of the regular school and a graduate of the I'niversity of Michigan. Fie has enjoyed a lucrative ])ractice since his first settlement in tjiis community. He is counted one of our foremost practitioners, and his reputation for skill has continually grown and is still growing in the commnnit\'. Dr. [. v.. Shaw was a graduate from Toronto. Ontario, and came to Rosebush and took his brother's place for a time and then returned. He was coinited a good ])hysician. 208 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Dr. B. C. Shaw, a brother of the above, located at Rosebush and com- menced the practice of medicine and after following the practice for a while he suspended for a time to attend lectures at a medical school, returning, filed his certificate June 22, 1898. He is of the regular school and is enjoying a splendid practice at the present time. He is very much thought of at and around Rosebush, where he has operated for a long time. S. F. Fry, of Brinton, made his certificate on December 21, 1891, that he had practiced the profession for fourteen years. He did not claim to be a graduate from any reputable college of medicine. He has done some- thing toward relieving the distressed in liis town and neighborhood. He is a kind gentleman and has done as well as he can. Dr. Charles D. Pullen is a graduate of the Michigan University and has also made a specialty of the ear, nose and throat. He took his degree as a homeopath physician on the 30th day of June. 1892, settled in Mt. Pleasant, commenced the practice of his profession and has continued the same from that time continuously, saving an occasional vacation in taking post-graduate work. He has had very fine success in his work and now stands as one of the leaders in the profession in this part of the county. He is kind, affable, patriotic and liberal. His work has given good satis- faction and he has a host of friends as the result of his success. He is a good citizen as well as a good physician. Dr. C. S. Park was a graduate of the Detroit Medical College and belonged to the regular school of physicians. He came to Mt. Pleasant about January i. 1894, and entered upon his practice here. He was classed among the best and was also considered a \ery fine surgeon. He made good progress in his work and made many friends in the community. He died very suddenly, which terminated the labors of a bright man and a talented physician. Dr. W. R. \\'eagart, a graduate of the Physio-Medical College of Chi- cago, received his certificate May 18, 1883. He came to Loomis county about 1902, remained there for a short time, then went aw-ay, but returned again and re-entered the practice, but for some reason was not content and moved away from the county. Dr. Arthur E. Sweatland settled in Shepherd aljout April. 1895, and entered the practice of medicine. He was a graduate of Bellevue Medical College. New York. March 25. 1895. He was a man of considerable ability and built up a good practice. He stayed only a few years and sold out and moved away. Dr. Frank Taylor came to Shepherd al:)out 1901 and build up (|uite a practice, but soon got dissatisfied and sold out and went west. ISABELLA COUNTV. MKlllCAX. 2O9 Dr. diaries E. Goodwin boiiglit out Doctor Taylor and entered upon the practice in 1905. He was a good plivsician and a si)!endid man. He huilt up a fine business and was well thought of by all. lie continued the ])ractice until he died in 1910. Dr. C. r. Graves was another physician to enter the practice of medicine in Shephenl. He came about 1902 and remained about one year, when his talent was learned by the United States naval authorities and he was tendered and accepted a position as surgeim in the navy, where he now is. He was .said to be e.xtreniely briglit and well deserving of the position he obtained. Doctor King was another of the bright men that practiced medicine at Shepherd. He came about the year 1900 and remained in the active prac- tice for .some time with eminent success. He remained until about 1906. when he concluded to enter a more extended field and also decided to make a specialty of nervous diseases, so pulled up and moved to Detroit where he is now located and doing a fine business. .\my .\. Holcomb first studied at Owosso and Chicago and then in 1894 filed her certificate and practiced under the supervision of Doctor Pulien. She afterward took further lectures at the Hahnemann .Medical College of Chicago and graduated there March 28. 1895. She has been in active prac- tice in Mt. Pleasant for a number of years with marked success. She is active, attentive to her profession and has l)een credited with a number of pronounced successes. She is a good general practitioner and commands the respect of her accpiaintances. Dr. Benjamin F. P. Johnson is a graduate of Detroit Medical College, taking his degree May 3. 1895. He located at Rosebush and has enjoved a lucrative practice there. Pie is well qualifie I I active ])ractice from the time lie entered tlie practice and has given splendid satisfaction. lie is one of the busiest of the profession and has been for a long time, lie is wedded to his profession and is affal)le and kind hearted and very sym]3athetic with his patients. He has all that lie can do and only seeks a vacation when he needs rest. He has a host of friends and is just the right kind of a person to hold them. Sam 11. W'etly was a graduate frcmi the Detroit Medical College. He graduated March 3, 1896, and came to Tsal)ella county in 1899. He com- menced business at Beal City where he continued w ith good success for some time and then removed to Rlanchard. where he has ])racticed with good suc- cess. He is a person of good ability and genial in his practice. Xortnn D. Coons was a graduate from the University of Michigan and was a resident of ]\It. Pleasant when he entered college. Howe\er. lie unly remained here a short time after his graduation, which was June 13. 1898. He then went west and is haxing good success as a practitioner in the west- ern country. \\'. ^^'. Kerr, a graduate of the Medical School df I.ouis\-ille. Kentucky, came to Shepherd in 1895. having gradualelanclrn-(l. practicing his profession and then nioxed away. With what success he met. we are not informed. Dr. John F. Taber filed his certificate of graduation in Isabella countv on January 22. 1900. and settled at Leaton. where he was in the practice for a year or more. He was a man of some ability, but just how much he might have accom!)lislied if he had remained we cannot tell. He made friends while there, but for some reason he decided not to remain and moved aw'ay. Dr. J. L. Brubaker was graduated from the W'ashington University June 30. 1S74. and established himself in Lsabella county in 1885. at Winn, and practiced there for a number of years with good success. He was a man of good ability and presence, and made man\- friends in his practice and the neighborhood and he was missed when be went away. He removed to Altoona. Pennsylvania, and is there now. Doctor Maynard is entitled to notice in this history from the fact that he was one i)f the first men to practice in the north part of the county. He first went onto a new farm in the now township of \'ernon in about the year 1867. and l)etween clearing up a new piece of land, "keeping bach" and re- lieving the distress of the people in sickness you would say that he was one of God's noblemen. He is withal a mo.st genial gentleman and a good phy- sician. .\fter following this life for a time he moved to the city of Clare where he now resides an honored and resjjected citizen. There was a Dr. L. 11. Dickerson located at Shepherd about 1907. but the ])eople do not seem to know anything about him. Dr. S. C. Bi'own was located at Sbei>bord and afterward at .\it. i'leasant 214 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. He started in Shepherd or old Salt River about 1869 and entered upon the practice of medicine : he did not claim to be a graduate from any particular school, but he was a man of exceptional ability and soon after he commenced at Salt Ri\"er he built up a good practice and was well liked. He was for a time in partnership with Dr. Jesse J. Struble. Brown remained in the prac- tice until about 1878, at which time he commenced the publication of the Nortlm.'cstcrn Tribune at Salt River, continued that for a couple of years and then moved to Mt. Pleasant with his paper. The physicians and surgeons ni)w in jiractice in the county are as follows: Mt. Pleasant— Dr. J. F. Adams, Dr. C. M. Baskerville, Dr. L. J. Burch. Dr. S. E. Gardiner, Dr. A. T. Getchell, Dr. Amanda Decker Holcomb. Dr. A. Keene, Dr. J. D. Lavery, Dr. James McEntee, Dr. C. D. Pullen. At Shepherd— Dr. H. V. Abl)ott, Dr. J. E. Gruber, Dr. \\\ A. Sayers, Dr. G. S. Foden and Dr. H. H. Ennis. At Winn— Dr. C. J. Abbott and Dr. C. J. Powers. At Blanchard— Dr. Sam. H. ^^'atly. At Leaton — Dr. C. H. Lavar. .\t Beal City— Dr. D. H. McRae. At Weidman — Dr. L. C. Payne. -At Sherman City — Dr. E. S. Rondot. At Rosebush— Dr. B. F. P. Johnson, Dr. B. C. Shaw, and Dr. M. Sweeny. There were also the Chase brothers who settled in 1871 in Salt Ri\-er and practiced for some time with success, but were not satisfied with the future outlook and they moved away. At Isabella City in 1871, Dr. D. B. Allen located for a Ijrief period when he too moved to some other place. DENTISTRY. Dentistry has become one of the important professions and is receiving the amount of care and supervision that it merits by the state and also the profession. One of the \er)' first to enter the profession in Mt. Pleasant was Dr. G. A. Goodsell. He was the son of one of the first settlers under the home- stead act and he settled on section 28 in Union township. The Doctor commenced the practice of dentistry September 18, 1879, and continued in the practice imtil he died. He was a very humane and tender hearted person and sympathized w ith his patrons. He was successful ISABELLA COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 2I5 in his practice and had, as lie descr\ed, tlie confidence and respect of all who knew him. He died Jniie 23, 1899. Dr. G. F. Richardson is also one of tlie old liniers in the profession. He studied dentistry some years hefore he came here and practiced for several years and then came to Isabella county and to Mt. Pleasant, arriving here in August, 1884, and opened an office for business and very soon had his share of the patronage. He has continued and still is in the active prac- tice of his profession every da\' e.\cei)l during the trout season and during that time if you wish to see the Doctor all you have to do is to hunt up the best trout stream in the state and you will rmd him offering the finest de- ceptive bait that a trout ever jumped after. The Doctor is a good ilentisl. is genial and desirous of relieving his patients from pain and give them a [jerfect job. He is doing a good business and deserves what he gets. Dr. C. O. Sheline is one of our later arrivals. He studied for some time with Doctor Richardson and then after getting his diploma, in January. 1901, he commenced the practice with Doctor Richardson and is still in business at the old stand. He is a genial young man, wedded to his pro- fession, and is doing a nice business, giving good satisfaction and is bound to make good. He is a studious fellow and will surely keep abreast of the time. Dr. Charles Soutbwick graihiatcd froiii llie ilentistrx' dei)artment t^f the University of Michigan in June. 1895, and located at Mt. Pleasant July 20. 1895, and has been here continuously from that time to the present. He is having a run of patronage and is giving satisfaction to his customers. He will always keep u]) with the advanced ideas of his ])rofession. He attends strictly to business and merits the conlidence and trust imposed in him by his patrons. Dr. Fred \'andercook is a graduate from the University of Michigan, receiving his diploma in 1900. and soon thereafter, in September, 1900. set- tled in Mt. Pleasant and commenced the practice of his profession. He has since that time been in active practice and has been reasonably successful and merits the success he has attained. He is a very generous fellow- and desires to ])lease his patrons and so far has given good results. He is a growing. l)rogressive person and will keep abreast of the best there is in the profes- sion. He is sure to retain the good position he has accpiired among his brethren. Dr. Fred H. Swartz was born in Isabella county and was raisetl and attended school in the county. He finally took up the profession of dentistry. He graduated at Indianapolis, Indiana, and afterward came to Mt. Pleasant and practiced for a time and also practiced some time in Montcalm county. 2l6 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. then came to !Mt. Pleasant and after a time mo\ed to Gladwin, returned again to Mt. Pleasant and soon thereafter died very suddenly. He also took a post-graduate course at Detroit, Michigan. He should have been well equipped for the business. He seemed to have an unsettled mind as to location and did not remain long enough here to acquire a steady practice. There was a Dr. J. B. Van Fossen here some years ago who remained for about a year and then moved to Ypsilanti where he acquired some repu- tation in city afYairs. We haven't the exact date of his arrival or departure. He was a man of more than ordinary ability. His mind finally became un- settled and he passed out at his own suggestion. .\bout twenty years ago Doctor Sangster located here for a short time, but, not being satisfied with the outlook, he moved away. Dr. W. F. McDonald is a graduate of the dental department of Univer- sity of Michigan, having received his diploma in 1905. He settled in Mt. Pleasant in 1906 and has followed his profession since that time. He is well qualified and has built up a good practice which he holds and properly so, as he is counted a good dentist. He is pleasant and afifable to his patrons, is always agreeable and has a good word for all. Doctor Robinson came and located in Mt. Pleasant about 1902 and re- mained until about 1906 when he mo\-ed out of the county. He was a good dentist and enjoyed a good practice. He made many friends and fairly deserved all that he had as he was pleasant and afifable as well as a good practitioner. Robinson sold his business to Doctor Wismer, from Midland, who located in Mt. Pleasant for a time and then he too left the county. VETERINARIANS. The firm of Walkington & Consaul are both veterinarians and both graduated from the Toronto School, Ontario. Joim J. ^Valkington grad- uated in 1888 and located in Mt. Pleasant in 1905 and has been in active business ever since that time. He is well qualified for the business and is making a marked success of it. He is reliable and responsible and active in business. He has made many friends on account of his promptness and abil- ity. Dr. Consaul is also active and punctual in his profession and is counted thoroughly competent in the practice. They make a grand team together and always pull straight. Dr. F. J. Enimer, residing at Shepherd, is another veterinarian and is a graduate of the same college at Toronto, Ontario. He commenced the practice of his profession at Sliepherd in 1909 and is doing a fair business for the time he has been located there, and it is a good field for the business and lie will be to blame if he doesn't make good. Cii.\i'ri-;K w. CHlUCIl MISTOKV. The cluircli history of Isabella county dates hack to pretty near the first settlements. The first church was built on the southwest (|uarter of section 4. in township 14 north, range 4 west, Michigan. It was built in the year i860, by I. E. Arnold, for the benefit of the Indians. This one burned down in June, 1861. It was afterward rebuilt and for some time it was used not only for church purposes, but was used for a mission school for the Indians. In the same summer of 1861 said .\rnold superintended the building of another church at Xe-be-sing. which is still standing. These churches were built out of funds realized iron^ the sale of Indian mission lands in other reservations and were erected solely for the benefit of the Indians. The Indians were largely under the supervision of the Methodist Episcopal church in the early days of their settlement in this county, and these churches were of that persuasion. Our old friend, Rev. George Bradley, was in these days the leading spirit among the Indians here. In 1864 two lots were donated by the Mortons to the Methodist Episco- pal people of this then village of Mt. Pleasant, on which to erect a church edifice. Elder Bradley chose lots i and 2 of block 7. Mt. Pleasant. \'ery soon after the donation and selection, those interested commenced to gather material for the erection of a church building and in the year 1865 they erected a fair sized and commodious l)uilding which answered their purposes for several years. This building was dedicated on August 18, 1866. by Rev. Joslyn. president of Albion College, assisted by Rev. F. B. Bango, presiding elder of Lansing district. Sul)se(iuently they purchased the lots where the Methodist Episcopal church edifice is now located and soon thereafter com- menced the erection of the present beautiful and commodious church Iniild- ing. Their first church was duly dedicated, the Rev. George B. Joslyn lireaching the dedicatory sermon. The church has been well sustained ever since its organization and is now the largest church in the county, .save the Catholics. Their first bell was the gift of John R. Buchtel. of .\kron, Ohio. It was a munificent gift and has been a faithful monitor for the people <>f Mt. 2l8 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I'leasant for tlie past forty-five years in reminding tliem each Sabbath morn- ing of the duty they owe their Creator. The history of the Methodist Episcopal society of Alt. Pleasant dates back to about January 23, 1863, when the record says that Horace Hall, of the Lansing district, being its presiding elder, organized a church known as the First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mt. Pleasant. Five trustees were appointed : Milton Bradley, Edwin Burt, Henry Gulick, George Bradley and Andrew J. Goodsell. The first Sunday school was organized in 1865 in the old log building belonging to John Kinney and was a union school, as those interested be- longed to various religious denominations, such as the Methodist, Disciples, Baptist and Presbyterian. This school was conducted as such until in 1868 when the Methodist Episcopal society felt that they were strong enough to go by themselves and organized a Sunday school, which has continued to the present time and is now the strongest and most numerous that it has ever been, numbering at the present time six hundred and fift_\' members with Rev. C. W. Campbell as superintendent. They also sustain a fine orchestra with their school and the other accompaniments which attach to a first-class organization. They have a Ladies' Aid Society of about eighty members and it is doing heroic work for the church. This society is the oiif spring of one organized in the fall of 1864 then known as the Ladies' Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. J. Saunders was president, Mrs. L A. Fancher, vice-president, Mrs. L E. Arnold, secretary. Mrs. D. H. Nel- son, treasurer. In the spring of 1865 they adopted a set of by-laws. This name continued with them until November 2. 1885, when the name was changed to the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first church building and lots were finally sold or rather traded by the society to D. H. Nelson for the present site and afterwards the building was sold to the city of Mt. Pleasant for a council room and fire department and is still occupied for these purposes. The lots were afterwards sold to W. E. Preston, on which he has built a large and commodious residence which he and his famil}" still occupy. The line of ministers who have carried on the good work of the Metho- dist Episcopal church in this community since its first organization has been an illustrious one, and their names are substantiall\- as follows: Rev. George Bradley, old Father Sheldon, as he was familiarly called: L. ~M. Garlic, D. O. Fox, J. \\'ebb, T. J. Spencer, \\'. T. Williams, in the sixties ; Eli West- lake. G. \\'. Gosling, E. H. Sparling, A. C. Beach. ^^■. \\'. Ware, J. H. ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 21CJ Bready, in the seventies; J. W. Halienbeck, J. K. Stark. 1883: Ciei L. Height, 1884-3-6: Robert Shorts. 1887-8; C. A. Odhnii, 1889; E. L. Kellogg. 1890-1 ; G. A. Buell. 1892-3-4; R. A. Wright, 1895-6-7; Addis Albro, 1898-9-1900; Joseph Dutton, 1901-2-3-4-5 ; Hugli Kennedy. 1906-7-8; Thomas Cox, 1909-10, and still here, and doing spleiiditl work. The society has grown from a very small beginning to nnmber some three hundred and fifty com- municants and about twenty i)r()l)alinnisl>. li lias also tlic usual young people's society, the Epworth League, with a niem])ership of about fifty, and a Brotherhood of St. Paul, numbering some fifty, .all in active operation. Also a Foreign Missionary Society of some forty-five members, with Mrs. H. Morrison as president, 'ihey have also a Home Missionary Society, with fifty-five members, with Mrs. E. M. Jeti'erson as president. They are both doing a good work in the line in which they are engaged. Their church building cost, with the lots on which it stands, something like fifteen thousand dollars and. with the minister's residence, something like four thousand dollars more. It is centrally located and holds a com- manding place in the community. PRESBYTERIANS. In March. 1867. the Presinterian Ministerial Aid Society was funned. Its object was to aid in the raising of the minister's salary and such other work in the church as such society might find to do. The ladies who organized the society are as follows: Mrs. I. A. Fan- cher. Mrs. E. G. Wilder, Mrs. Emma Fo.x. Mrs. .\. W'illey. Mrs. W. Trim. Miss Jennie Hapner. Miss Sadie Hapner. Miss Angregated at the church. lia\iiig witb them the Rev. Middle- mus. of Saginaw, who i)reacbed the dedicatory sermon. Rev. C"al\in Clark. 222 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. Rev. Mr. \\'illett, Knott. Sparling. Turrell and others assisting. This build- ing was. for the time, a very respectable edifice and answered the purpose for which it was built for many years, to-wit, until about 1907. April ist. when they sold the property to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the meantime the society had negotiated for the lot on which their present church is situated and soon thereafter commenced the erection of a very beautiful and commodious structure, it lieing on lot 8, in block 32, in the city of I\It. Pleas- ant, original plat. The new church is a fine structure, of a modern style of architecture and verv commodious, is well lighted and heated, is in a central place and is an ornament to that part of the city. The structure cost about eight thousand dollars. They now have about one hundred and twenty-five members, wliich is a good showing considering the small commencement. The organization was made back in the early days of Mt. Pleasant \\ hen it too was in its infancy. January 10. 1871. another effort was made and the society was organized. Rev. E. Wishard and Rev. Luke Xott being present to assist. The meml>ers to form the society were James Brodie and Mrs. C. Brodie. Alexander Gray, Henry S. Bouton and ]Mrs. C. A. Bouton, ]\Irs. Sallie Hapner. Emily H. Case, Mrs. Jane A. \\'arner, Mrs. A. 'SI. Fancher, !Mrs. ^lary F. Doughty. Mrs. Sallie A. '\^'elper. ]\Irs. Huntress. Alexander Gray and H. S. Bouton were marie elders. Afterward and in January. 1873, \\'illiam Slater and wife and Charles Slater united and afterward Charles Slater was made an elder : these two elders have remained such ever since and are now acting as such. The first minister ha^•ing charge of the church was Rev. Luke Xott, commencing back in 1871. He remained until about 1871'). when Rev. Charles A. Ta}lor took his place. Then came Rev. E. \\'. Borden in April. 1878, who remained about a year and then was followed by Rev. Campbell, who re- mained for some time and was followed by Rev. E. G. Cheeseman, who re- mained until aliout April. 1885. when he severed his connection with the society. He was followed by Rev. F. A. Bissell about Xovember, 1885, he remaining for a couple of years, when Rev. Melvin Frazer was engaged and took the pulpit about June. 1888. He remained until about March. 1890, when bis resignation was accepted and in December. 1890. Rev. W. H. Hoff- man took the pulpit and remained until October, 1895, when he severed his pastorial connection and moved away. After Mr. Hoffman left they had no regular preaching until about 1896 when Prof. Charles McKenney, of the Central X'ormal, occupied the pulpit for a time and then, in April, 1897, Rev. H. Vanommeron was secured. He remained till about January. 1898, or ISABELLA COI.'NTV. MKIIUiAN. 22^ '99 ami then lie withflrew and aldiiit .May. i89(;. \\ . 11. Simmons came to the church and he remained for some time, .severinj^ his connections with the church about Xovember. 1902. and was followed by Rev. M. Grigsljy January 27. 190,^ He remained until about September, 1905, and was followed by Rev. J. .\. McGraham September 25. 1905. He remained and was a strong mover in the erection of the church. After the ciuirch was built he rcmaineil for a time and then moved to Wisconsin and Rev. \\'. 11. Long took up the work and is still in the active discharge of his duties as pastor of the church. The church has the usual societies that go with and are really a part of the working force of the church. Their Sunday school numbers about one hundred and twenty-five, with Prof. John Kelley as superintendent. They have a Home and Foreign Mission Society: a Christian Endeavor Society, of about twenty members, with Miss Ethel Preston as president: a Ladies .-Xid Society, of some fifty members, with Mrs. Keeler as president am! Mrs. r)r. Sheline as secretary. These are all active and necessary adjuncts to the church and are doing a good work. The present session is composed of Charles Slater, George Snider, H. S. Bouton, F. C. Crego, ^L F. Brown, with Prof. C. T. Grawn as clerk. The lx)ard of trustees are Prof. C. T. Grawn, B. L. Parkhill, R. Doughty, C. E. Hagan. John Kelley, Dr. J. F. Adams, Dr. G. F. Richardson, W. S. McMillan and Charles Slater. THE BAPTIST CIIURril. The next church to be erected in Isabella county was the Baj^tist church at Salt Ri\er. now called Shepherd. This church was built in 1872, by a few men and women of the Baptist persuasion with others who felt that a church in a new countr}- was a good acquisition and would well rejiay any effort in money or labor that they might make. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. In 1883 the Episcopalians, feeling the need of a stable and consecrated place of worship, began the building of a ncit and commodious chapel in the south and west part of the city, upon a lot generously donated to the church b\- Gen. Dwight May, father of Mrs. William X. Brown. It was largely through the efiforts of William X. Brown that the church was built. It was completed at a cost of about four thousand dollars, and was duly dedicated and conse- crateil on January 10. 1884, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop George D. Gillespie, of Grand Rapids. Michigan, assisted by Revs, W. A. Masters, of Detroit, B. F. 224 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. Mattraii, Stears. Pritchard, and Rhames. The ceremony of consecration was \erv solemn and impressi\-e and left a lasting impression on every one present. After the dedicatory services the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to all who were pleased to partake and a great many ac- cepted the very generous invitation. After these solemn ceremonies were concluded the invited guests were invited to repair to the Bennett House to a sumptuous dinner at the request and as the guests of William X. Brown, who treated them royally. The building is a neat structure, of frame, veneered with brick, and is copied largely from one of the old English churches. The church is well and centrally located, is nicely finished inside, the pews are com- modious and easy of seat, and it has sufficient capacity for about two hundred persons. The chancel is furnished with both a reading desk and a communion table, with also a vestry room with all the necessary vestments. The present rector, the Rev. Herman J. Keyser, has been in charge since September i, 1910. Since his arrival there has been \ery much active work performed. In all, six working organizations have been organized, sujjple- menting the strongest organization in the parish, the Ladies Guild. The par- ish organizations are the Ladies Guild, the Daughters of the King, the Girls Friendly Society, the Junior Auxiliary, the Woman's AuxiHarx'. the Knights of St. Paul and the Little Helpers. The parish is alive and has a number of great plans for the future. The rector, like the congregation, is intensely interested in the develoijment of the civic life of the city. The Baptist people formed a societ_\- in 1883 of some six members and had preaching from time to time as places could be found to hold services in. until, in 1885, the society had gained in numbers and strength sufficient to warrant them in undertaking to build a church edifice of sufficient size and capacity for their present and future needs. So in the year 1886 they com- menced the erection of a building, having purchased lot 9 in block 12, Kin- ney's addition to Mt. Pleasant. It is a fine location, on the north side of Broadway street and conveniently and centrally located as to population. They completed their building about 1886 and occupied the same for church ptu'poses. The building was duly dedicated with the solemn dedicatory ser- vices usual in that organization. They have a fair attendance at their weekly services and have the usual Sunday school and other auxiliary societies connected with their church. All of them report a good attendance and are pleased with their growth and out- look for the future. The Baptists have an organization and church building on section 30 of ISABELLA COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 2^5 Lincoln townsliip. It was estal>lislie(l some years ago and is still prosperous and lias as supporters such families as l)a\id Bush, the Hapners, I'iggs and others, which is a guarantee of stability and growth. Rev. .Mlenhaugli is their pastor and is an efficient and ardent worker. .\bout eighteen years ago Milton Forbes, an ardent Baptist, was instru- mental in the forming of a society of tiiat persuasion and in building the Bap- tist churcli. known as the k'urbes churcli. It was a tine and commodious building and served all of the necessities of the organization. Mr. Forbes afterward died and the .society has ceased to occupy the !)uilding and the Dunkards are now occupying the property. rRKF.-WII.l, I!.\PTISTS. There is a l-'ree-W'iil Baptist organization in CiihiKjre, organized in 1881, and their church is located on section 22 of that town. The church is a .small one, but sufficient for the accommodation of its memliers and supporters. Mrs. Sifton. John P. Sifton. Mrs. I-^lliott and others are the stable persons in the society. They ha\e no stated preacher now. Like man\- others, they are not able at all time to secure competent preachers for tiie money they can afford to ]iay. FREE METHODISTS. The Free Metliodists have a churcli organization in Lincoln. The build- ing, which is on section 9, has been l)uilt quite a number of years and was at one time very active and prosperous, but the memliers have died or scattered so that at the present there are l>ut few. William Tomlinson is one of tiie standbys and to him is largely due the credit for keeping up preaching at the church. It meets a certain need of religious worship in the community and they are entitled to much credit for their perseverance and .self-sacrifice. There was another organized some years ago in iiroumtield. i'he church is located on section 34, on East Side, and its i)rincii)al sujiporters are John Packard and several ladies. In this case, as others, the ladies are largely the mainstay and support of the feeble churches. They have no stated preacher, Init hold services and have a minister when convenient. A Free Methodist church was organized in Deerfield some time ago and a church built at the Reynolds corners on section 4 in the southeast corner. It is a good building, well built and well seated, but the interest seems to have ceased and tiie building is closed. O5) 226 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. Also on the Stucky farm there was a church of the denomination IniiU and a society formed some years ago. The church is on section 7,^. In Weidman, May 27, 1899, John Cline, Thomas Farquer and Jacob Wiley were elected trustees of a Free Methodist organization. THE CHURCH OF GOD. The Clnurch of God is represented by an organization in tlie Delo settle- ment in the town of Fremont. Their church is on the southwest quarter of section 17. They have a good church and a good following and their mem- 1jers are among the stanch people of the town. They bii\e a stated preacher, and keep up a good religious atmosphere in the vicinity. The Holiness people organized as the Church of God in Jesus Christ on the 26th of March. 1891, at the meeting house on the southeast corner of section 32. W. M. Allen, Jennie Allen. T. McShea. Cora Bailey and sixteen others formed the organization and are still working and worshiping there. Some years ago a Union church was built west of Winn. It was used for some time and then went into disuse and the Methodist Episcopal people later used it, though it is unoccupied at present. THE DLSCIPLES. The Disciples were among the earliest to hold church services at i\It. Pleasant. As far back as 1863 Langdon Bentley and a few other members of that persuasion were in the habit of holding occasional services in the city and as early as 1863 a few of their people organized a society in Mt. Pleasant. It was during this year that one Goodrich came and preached a few days to the peo])le. His plea was a union of all Christians on the Bible alone. ".A faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God," being the only creed. "A repentant attitude toward God for all sin." "A confession of His name before the world."' "An actual baptism of the whole body," as the primary act of obedience, and these followed by a life of love and purity. This organization was kept up for a time and then ])ecaiue lukewarm and ceased for a time to meet. About 1876 Elder R. R. Cook, of Shepherd, preached for the scattered few for a time and effected an organization. Dur- ing the year 1882 Mrs. Mary R. Peak, who was an ardent Disciple, settled in Mt. Pleasant with her family, several of whom also were of that faith. This gave the cause some further strength. Things moved along in aljout the same wav until 1888. when ReA\ C. ]M. C. Cook moved here and went into business. ISABELLA COINTV, MICHIGAN. 2^7 For four years more things went on al)OUt as usual until Elder E. R. Coburn and wife moved from Winn to Mt. Pleasant. Soon thereafter these two elders. Cook and Coburn. made a canvass and found seventeen persons that were of tlicir f.iitlu So on tlie uth of Xoscniber, i8<)j, these seventeen per- sons met at the residence of Mrs. Peak and. after a .short talk In- Rev. Cook, a permanent organization was formed. Elders Cook and Coburn being made elders and Reugsegger and ^Irs. Peak, deacons. On December 3d a meeting was iield at Elder Coburn's ;ind tlie work of organizalinn was cumplcted. .\ committee was authorized to negotiate witli the Unitarian people for the rental of their cliurch building, wliich was accomplished, and on the loth of Decem- ber tliey took possession an'- liody a clue to his preconceived idea of God and the universe so that he may enjoy in this free country any or all of the peculiar religious beliefs that may come to him. This .society has been established about eight years and beside the church ISABELLA LOIXTV. MKHUIAN. 235 l)roi)ei" they suppnrt ;i Sunday school, not a large one. hul mie that is enthu- siastic in its way. There was established at \\'eidnian in 1904 a Free -Methodist clnn-ch and H. C. Pritchard was instrumental in the building of the edifice. It was a wooden structure alraut thirty-six feet by fifty feet, and was i)ut u]) in a neat and cnniniodious manner. .Mthougli the congregation was small, it was made up of some of the best of the village. Mrs. Mary Rathbm-n. Mrs. Wet- more and others. \\'ith the alwve are to be classed S. E. Taylor. S. H. Car- penter. Thomas Obis and \\'. H. Switzer and others. After the above came the Methodist people and in 1903 the_\- organized and commenced to build a church. G. H. Middlesworth was chairman of the building committee. J. A. Damon was secretary, and J. S. W'cidman was also on the committee, while J- B. McGinnis was pastor. Among the first trustees were J. S. Wcidman. G. H. Middlesworth. J. A. Damon. James A. Clift and John McClenathan. The church was dedi- cated about September or October, 1903. by Dr. Levi P. Master, with the usual impressive ceremonies, the church being full to overflowing with the members and neighbors. It has been a beacon light in that conimunitx' ever since. It has a fine basement under the church for the purposes rc(|uired and is now in prime working order. The number of the communicants are from about fifty to sixty and they also have a good Sunday school in connection, with about seventy members, and have Su])erintendeut Scbaiip])ner to lead them. They also ha\e an Epworth League as an auxiliary wiiich is verv much alive and in earnest in the work. The Free Methodists of Mt. Pleasant organized a societv on the i8th day of November. 1907. with fourteen members. The following are among the first organizers: Lafayette Demming. Flla Crooks. Maria Demming. Clara ^'incent. Sarah Hoag. .Mbert P>. Puchart. Lydia Hall. These, with the others, make a very nice small church and are filling their jjlace in the Christian world. The L'nited Pirethren in Christ have held services in the Stuckv church building. They commenced on February 15. 1902. The trustees elected were Edward Riggle for one year. A\ illiam Luit for two years. Charles Demln for three years. J. Master for four years and I'red Delo for five vears. C.XTHOLIC SOCIETIES AM) SCHOOLS. The Catholic people have a number of churches in the countv and they are generally well attended and are prosperous. Beside the one at Mt. Pleas- 236 ISABELLA COLNTV, MICHIGAN. ant, wliich is one of the most important as to numbers and w liich has a large and prosperous school also, there is one in X'ernon township, located on sec- tion 3v This church cost something like three thousand dollars and has also a priest's residence, a very fine one. valued at about four thousand dol- lars. Father Crowlev built the church and the first priest after him was Father Edward Kozlowski. He was followed by Father James Moher and at a time when he was indisposed Father O'Conner took charge, but as soon as the Father was restored to health he returned and after a time he departed and Father Ruessmann took the charge, then next came Father John Engra- mann, and then Father Thomas \\'halan and then Father F. D. Malone and then Father O'Connell. About three years ago last November 15th. Father John |: [McAllister took the field and has remained since. Their church is thriving and has about one hundred families in the parish, numbering about five hundred souls. They are in a thriving condition and their charge is well sustained. They are a thrifty class of people and are living in one of the best portions of the county. There is a church also in Xottaway. which was established al)out 1892. They built a church about that time which they afterward used for a school and in 1897 built a fine church building. This was struck by lightning and burned. In 1 90s thev built a very fine church and priests" residence and in connection therewith is a large and prosperous school of one hundred sixty students under the tutelage of four Sisters. They also have a good school house, as well as a fine Sisters' residence, built in 19 10. They also have a resident priest. Father Alexander Zugelder. These people are largely German and have a fine, well improved and thrifty farming community. At Blanchard there is also a Catholic organization and a church building. It is a frame building and is suitably adapted to the wants of the people there. They have a fair congregation and the priest is stationed at Remus and sup- plies this pulpit. It is well sustained and meets the demand of the people. The Catholic society built a church building some four years ago at Leaton. which is well .supported. It was organized [March 24, 1906, and the land was inu'chased of Joseph Kerky. There are some twenty-four families attending there, which means some one hundred and twenty persons, and they are sui)plied bv Father 0"Conner. who attends one week day in each two weeks. At Shepherd they bought the Baptist church about two years ago and transformed it into a properly arranged Catholic church and are now occupy- ISABELLA COLXTV. MKllIGAX. 23/ ing it. Tliere are alwut forty families, luiiiiljeiiiig two luindred nieml)ers. and they ha\e I'^atlier John Mulvey. who supplies their spiritual necessities, and they are happy in their acquirement. The Catholic people at Mt. Pleasant were quite early on the ground in Isahella county and soon after their arrival felt the need of a church organ- ization and also of a building to worship in. After looking around for a time for a location, they secured the gift of three acres in the southwest part of the city and the 7th day of August. 187J, a deed was made of the chosen ground to Casper H. Burgiss, of Detroit. This was accepted and on the 5th of September was placed on record in the county. The church organization was formed about this time with the following meml)ers: John McDonald. Rosy McDonald. Feli.x Lafnjnilwise, Thomas Thompson. William Baniber. Thomas Judge. Michael Kane. Cornelius Bogan. who acted as secretary and ke[)t tlie minutes of the meeting, which was held at the Bamber Hotel in Mt. Pleasant. The first mass was had at Thomas Thompson's house, southeast of town (the farm where John Warner lives), ])y leather \'an Der Haden. the priest (ifficiating. .\ meeting was called on the 9th of September. 1874. for the purpose of electing a Iniilding committee. At this meeting there were elected president. Thomas Judge; secretary. W. H. Richmond, and treasurer. \\'illiam Bamber. The Ijuilding committee were Thomas Judge. R. E. McDonald. Michael Kane and John A. Kehoe. At the same meeting it was arranged that the congregation should meet on the church grounds on September 2(iih. to clear off tlie ground, and it was further given out that Father Sweeney would be here at Mt. Pleasant on October 14. 1874. On October 31, 1874. it was "Resolved as foljiiws by tlie building com- mittee of the Catholic church, that we bniild a church at Mt. Pleasant on the said church grounds at Mt. Pleasant, the size of the church to be thirty-eight by sixty feet, the height to be twenty-four feet between joists, the frame to l)e of square timber: offered by R. E. McDonald and carried." .\ committee to consist of John McDonald and Felix LafromlK)ise was appointed to raise monev for said churcli Die work tlien really commenced in earnest and in the winter. January 25. 1875. they entered into contract w ith P>ro\ver & Main for twenty-live thousand three hundred and twenty-five feet of common lumber and thirteen thousand five hundred feet of clear lumber, seven thousand feet of black ash aned L. Keeler, E. Kerkpatrick. M. E. Kane. Oliver Keck, Jacob W. Kelder. A. A. Loveland. William H. Lloyd. Frank M. I^imb, C. S. Larzelere. Daniel E. Lyon. Thomas Lawrence. John Maxwell. Samuel Morrison. George McDonald. Lewis X. Marsh, John Meyer. Samuel May, John W. Morrison. Peter Morrison. Wallace H. Marsh, Robert !!. Mcl.aughlin. Charles I'". Owen, jnhn i'aiker, Frank D. Patter- son. Burt L. Parkhill, Loren C. Payne, Charles D. Pullen. I). A. Pease. Loren Post, L. E. Roycl, F. Rhodes, Charles T. Russell. F. W. Robinson. W. W. Riches. A. W. Reigel. Chester \\'. Riches. W. A. Starkweather. Thomas Sampson, William A. Smith, F. M. Smith. Paul Smith. William V. Sage. William A. Shackelford. Bruce C. Shorts. D. Trevegno. James L. Thorn. W. J. Taylor. C. F. Tambling. Frank G. Thiers. Robert E. Tubbs, W. W. Taylor, Edward Turner, E. J. Van Leuven, Buel H. Van Leuven. G. B. AX'hitney. E. L. Wells. Arthur Wright. Trum.ui Wynian. A. X. Ward, J. S. Weidman, F. S. \\'ood. Inan 1). Wallington, George Waterman. W. J. Walton. Charles F. Westman. and Jolni A. Wiley. ROVAI, ARCH MASONS. Mt. I'leasant Chapter Xo. iii. Royal Arch Masons, was organized February 4. 1884. under a dispensation granted them to work April 9. 1883. The charter members were Robert Laughlin, Mark F. Fasquelle. John R. Robinson. Silenus A. Simons. D. Scott Partridge, C. O. Curtis. P. F. Dixlds. E. F. McQueen. William A. Osborn. Cicero Kimball. 1. X. Shepherd. John Maxwell. Samuel Kennedy. Richard Hov. James 1>. Kenncdx. Ilenrv Struble. 246 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. The first officers elected were the following: Robert Laughlin. higli priest; M. F. Fasquelle, king: John R. Robinson, scribe: S. A. Simons, treasurer: D. Scott Partridge, secretary: Charles O. Curtis, captain of the host: P. F. Dodds, principal sojourner: E. F. McQueen, royal arch captain: William A. Osborn, grand master of the third veil : C. Kimball, grand master of the second veil: John Maxwell, grand master of the first veil, and I. X. Shep- herd, sentinel. The first person to be initiated into the Imly mysteries of the Royal Arch was William T. \\'hitney. The lodge has been a prosperous body ever since its organization and still retains its prestige in the community, and numbers many of the most popular and successful citizens in the city. It not only comprises many of our successful business men. Ijut also of the professional fraternit}'. Doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers and retired capitalists all seek the mystic rights of the fraternity. Their lodge rooms are centrally and pleasantly located, easy of access and as the blue lodge of Masons occupy the same rooms they have furnished them beautifully with everything that goes to beautify and adorn not only the halls but the work as well. Well may they entertain a modest pride in their fraternal and social surroundings. They enjoy a membership at the pres- ent time of about one hundred, but as all are graduated from the blue lodge it seems hardly necessary to give a list of their present members. ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR. We all recognize the fact that there are but few things that are really and genuinely enjoyed by the male fraternity that the female class are not also desirous of participating in, and so we find that after the establishment of these Masonic bodies, the ladies met and considered the advisability of their also establishing a fraternal association. It was finally decided to organize a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and a chapter was formed, to I>e known as the Mt. Pleasant Chapter No. 55. At present the officers are : Ellen V. Keene. worthy matron ; J. J. Cowen, worthy patron : Effie G. Graham, assistant matron : Florence N. Ward, secretary : Clara L. Pullen, treasurer ; Laura B. Taylor, conductress : Lettie Trevegne, assistant con- ductress : Ethel Taylor. Adah : Nettie A. Cowen. Ruth ; Mary D. Keen, Esther : Mabel Ferris, Martha : Nora L. Loveland. Electa : Rebecca Wells, warder : Samuel Bemrose, sentinel : S. Louisa Cowin, chaplain : Clarissa Marsh, marshal : Ella Parkhill, organist. The past matrons are A. Elizabeth Chatterton, Helen E. C. Balmer, Nora L. Loveland. Elizabeth Van Leuven. Minnie Leaman. Elva Reed and ISABELLA COLNTV, MICHIGAN. 247 I'ldR'iuc X. W anl. and the past patruiis are II. Mdwarcl Deuel, (ieurgc Mc- Donald. Richard 1). Balnier. .\rthur S. Coutant. George A. Chatterton, and Edward L. Wells. The nitmher of the present menihershi]) is ahout one Innidred and twenty- live. The list of nieinliers shows that the organization contains many of the leading ladies of the city and bespeaks for them a delightful social and fra- ternal organization. MASONS AT WINN. The earliest records of Cedar Valley Lodge No. 383. Free and .Accepted Masons, at Dushville. now Winn, Isaijella coimty, Michigan, show that under date of July 2, 1886, Michael Schumaker. grand master of Masons of Mich- igan, afifi.xed his signature and seal to a dispensation empowering the follow- ing brothers, as charter members: John W. Curtiss. .\llen Keene. John Starkweather. David Moor, Marshall .\])bott. James Maxwell, Charles F. Curtiss. Thomas H. Lowe and Shurman D. Eldred. to meet and practice all the rights of ancient craft masonry. The above Masonic brothers continued to meet and work under the al)o\e mentioned dispensation until Januarv 26, 1887. at which time tiie grand lodge of Michigan issued a charter, which created Cedar \'alley Lodge Xo. t,S^. Free and Accepted Masons. On March 23. 1887. the most worshipful grand master. Reuphes C. Hathaway, did con- secrate and dedicate and install the tir.st regular ofticers. at which time Cedar Valley Lodge No. 383 assumed all the responsil)ilities and burdens incidental to a new lodge in a new and sparsely settled part of Isal)ella county. At this time the lodge occupied the .second story of a building at the east end of the village, and on the north side of Main street, owned by William A. Starkweather, which they continued to occupy until April 9, 1890, when, by permission of the grand master, the lodge was moved to the hall owned by P. Allyan. at the west end of tiic \illage. where they remained until suitable rooms could be arranged for. At this time S. J. Ulam had a two-story building under construction, the lodge arranging to lease the upper story. After this building was completed and furnished. Past Grand Master Arthur M. Clark, acting grand ma.ster. did. on January i, 1891. duly dedi- cate this the third home for Cedar V^alley Lodge, where for seventeen years the fraternity peacefully labored in laying a foundation, broad and deep, which should later support her future fraternal and material edifice. In the early part of 1907 the meml)ers of Cedar Valley Lodge began to feel the need for more room, and piu'chased a location on block 2. according to the village plat, and perfected such arrangements that would e\entuallv enable the local body to erect and own. in fee simple, tiie proposed home. 248 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. On August 28, 1907. the worsliipful master appointed a committee consisting of E. H. Allyn, Fred M. Sanderson and Burt M. Adams, to draft articles of association and do such ether duties as would be necessary to incorporate. So well did the above committee discharge their important duties that on January 7, 1908, the Masonic Temple Association of Winn. Michigan, held its first regular organized meeting and became a factor in securing worthy, more pretentious environments. The above meeting is worthy of more than a passing notice, for it was at that meeting that this small band of Masons assumed the burdens and responsibilities of erecting a temple of solid brick thirty-seven by eighty feet, and two stories high with basement, two store rooms on first floor. The entire second floor is used for Masonic purposes, and divided into seven rooms, consisting of lodge room, preparation room, ante- room, parlor, kitchen, dining room, and committee room. The entire build- ing is fitted with steam heat and the light is generated by an acetylene gas plant in the basement. On December 17, 1908, the most worshipful grand master, Herbert ^lon- tague, assisted by nearly all the grand lodge ofiicers, dedicated the new temple to Freemasonry, virtue and universal benevolence. The new temple cost eight thousand dollars, and the drawing of the material from ten to sixteen miles was a heavy burden on the membership, which was met with fortitude becoming Masons. And today they have the comfort and satisfaction of owning the first Masonic temple, entire from foundation to roof, in Isabella county. It is worthy of note that at no time has there ever been one cent against the temple, as all obligations have been assumed and carried by the membership. The Masons of Cedar Valley Lodge have been abundantly blessed. In the twentv-six years of its existence and of the ninety-five members that have from time to time belonged, but four have died, and only two of them initiated members, the other two having joined by dimits from other lodges. The first officers of Cedar Valley Lodge were: Hon. John W. Curtiss, worshipful master; Allen Keene, senior warden; John Starkw-eather, junior warden ; David K. Moor, treasurer ; Marshal F. Abbott, secretary ; James Manwell, senior deacon : Charles F. Curtiss, junior deacon; Thomas H. Lowe, tyler. The present officers are: Cassius J. Shenk, worshipful master; Henry L. Smith, senior warden; Charles A. Spicer, junior warden: David K. Moor, treasurer; S. J. Ulam, secretary; William Glen Osborn, senior deacon: Jacob Burher, junior (.leason ; ]\Iiles S. Fuller, tyler. The roster of past masters is : John W. Curtiss, three years ; Allen Keene, ISABELLA COLNTY. MK'HIGAN. J49 seven years; John L. Rruluiker. one year; Jolm W. Crane, six years; Charles F. Curtiss, five years; Birt M. Adams, one year; Einlon A. Sanderson, two years. Tile first officers of the Masonic Temple association: John W. Crane, president; David K. Moor, treasurer; S. J. Ulam, secretary. The first hoard of trustees: John Delo, cliairnian, Ciiestcr J. I'crkins. C'lifford J. Abbott. The present nunihcr of members of tlie lodge is seventy. ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR. A chapter of the Order of the Ea.stern Star was established at Winn, Michigan, March i8, 1909. The charter members were Mrs. Maggie .\dams. Mrs. Lucy Lowe, Miss Alta Taylor, W'ilber X. Pier])ont, Mrs. Georgia T'ier- I)ont. Mrs. Almina Perkins, Mrs. Mary Kinney. Asa Delo. Eugene il. Alien. Mrs. Julia .Allyn. Cassius J. Shenk. Mrs. .Vila Shenk. Mrs. Emma Moor, Mrs. Li;^zie Xohl, Mrs. .\nna Hunt. Charles A. Spicer. John Keen. John W. Crane. Rufus C. Gifford. Mrs. Agnes Giflford. Miles S. Fuller, Mrs. Ola Fuller. Ger- ald S. Fuller. Mrs. Bertha Fuller. Mrs. Jennie Sullivan. The first officers elected were as follows: \\'ortiiy mtitron. .Mrs. Almina Perkins; wortiiy patron. W'ilber X. Pierjiont; associate matron, Mrs. Georgia Pierpont ; secretary, Mrs. Celia Delo; treasurer. Mrs. Julia Allvn; conductress. Mrs. Mamie Stutting; associate conductress, Mrs. Ellen Shenk; chaplain. Mrs. Maggie Adams; organist. Miss Esther OslK)m; .\dab. Mrs. \'ila Fuller; Ruth. Mrs. .\gnes (lift'ord; Esther. Mrs. Bertlia Fuller; Martha. Mrs. Mary Kiney ; Electa, Mrs. .Anna Hunt; warden. Mrs. Lucy Lowe ; sentinel. John S. Keen. This chapter is made up of most of the enterprising, energetic and social ladies and gentlemen in that community and they are exerting a mighty in- fluence for good social and fraternal feeling in the community, whicli is an element sorely needed in a village and country community. They have laboreeen here and mingled with strnggling huni;niit\-. All this and more they are doing. There is also an encampment, as well as a Rehekah lodge, who meet in the same building. This lodge has also been honored liy having one of its members electerl to an honorable ot¥ice in the grand body of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, ^\'illiam R. Kennedy, who was in 1908-9 elected to be grand master of the grand lodge. The present ofificers of the home lodge are: A. C. Crapo, noble grand: F. L. Klunsinger, vice-grand: Charles 1). Rrown, recording secretary; W. C. Perry, financial secretary: H. H. Hinilei. treasurer, with C. L. Patee, past grand. In 1874 at old Salt River was established an Odd b'ellows lodge. The charter was given October 5th of that year and they commenced w ith a goodly number of members and have been in a nice condition e\er since and are now enjoying a degree of prosperity. Their number is 239 and is called Co€ Lodge. The charter members were: Thomas .\ustin. mible grand: j. M. R. Kcn- nery, vice-graml : S. (j. Leonard, secretary: Henry Struble, treasurer: Samuel Kennedy, Lester W'ilsey. Philander Childs. A. F. Swan and William .\. Smith. Allen E. Clark is the present noble grand, and sends these minutes. They are in a good thriving condition, are having good attendance and are growing with the growth i>f their pretty and substantial village. WIXX ODDFELLOWSHIP. Cedar Ridge Lodge Xo. 540, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Winn. Isabella county, Michigan, was organized July 22, 1908. Its charter members were lohn Henderson. William L. Delo. Lester Briggs. Walter Ci. Starkweather Le\i L^nderwood. Fred C. Gifford, Lindly T. Booth, John Malish, Frederick Delo, Delliert D. Richardson. Charles Riggle, John Fox, George Russell. Percy T. Spicer. Clifford J. Abbott, sixteen in all. The first officers were Lester Briggs, noble grand: Charles Riggle. vice-grand, and W. G. Starkweather, secretary and treasurer. The lodge is a strong and growing institution, having grown from six- teen charter members to a lodge of seventy-six members, and is still increas- ing IxHh in membership and in influence in the community. They have and 252 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. mav well feel a just pride in the fact that their lodge is made up of a large per cent, of the stanch and thrifty men in the community, and the lodge gives them an opportunity to meet together and become more social and cultivate a stronger spirit of brotherly love and a kindlier spirit toward one another and the race generally. Long may they have the privilege, of their social meetings. The present officers are John Henderson, noble grand; Thomas Sand- brook, vice-grand ; Clinton Cazatt, recording secretary ; Clift'ord J- Abbott, financial secretary: Ward Foglesong, treasurer. The lodge have their meet- ing place in the hall of S. ]. Ulam, and meet on Thursday evening. BLANCHARD LODGE. Blanchard has a lodge of Odd Fellows, established in 1903. They are as prosperous and substantial as any in the county, numbering at the present time one hundred and seventeen members, with Henry Moke as noble grand ; George Wood, vice-grand : E. Allen, financial secretary. This lodge is on the high road to success. They have built and own their hall, which is twenty- six by eighty feet and two stories high, costing about four thousand dollars, nearlv all paid for. The society occupy the upper story and the lower story is an opera house. The charter members were as follows : Fred Standish, Jay Rogers, New- man Fitzgerald, Claud Rogers. W. H. Shepherd, E. W. Reeder, Henry ]\Ioke, N. C. Mason, Riley King. Frank Garrison and Amos Dixon. D.\UGHTERS OF REBEKAH. There was a Rebekah lodge organized at \\inn, formerly Dushville. on .\pril 2, 1909. bv Hannah Bailarge. with ten charter members, and the name Locust was given it by Sabia Gifford. To be precise, the name and number were Locust Rebekah Lodge No. 226. The charter members were Jennie Sullivan, Emily Smith, Sabia Gififord, Pearl Edmonds, .Almira Perkins. Walter Smith. Fred Gifford, William Edmonds, Walter G. Starkweather. The first officers were Sabia Gifford, noble grand : Pearl Edmonds, vice-grand : W. G. Starkweather, secretary ; Emily Smith, treasurer ; Almina Perkins, right sup- porter of the noble grand : J. W. McNutt, left supporter of the noble grand ; Lottie Gififord. warden; ]\Iamie Stutting, conductor; Wallace Richardson, inner guard ; Walter Smith, outer guard ; Catherine Haas, chaplain, with Olive Foglesong, right supporter of vice-grand, and Pearl Barden as left supporter of ISABEI.l.A COINTV. MICHIGAN. 253 vice-graiul. This lodge has prospered wonderfully well and now miml^ers one hundred meml)ers. Their present officers are: Xoble grand, Ola Fuller; vice-grand, Effie Caszatt ; secretary, Sadie Gifford ; treasurer, Emily Smith ; right supporter of the noble grand, Delia Starkweather; left supporter of the noble grand. Almina Perkins ; warden, L(Jttie Gifford. At Brinton, about twenty-two years ago. there was established on Odd Fellows lodge which fnr some time was a ourishing institulidU. The origi- nal was named Silver Link and Doctor Worden was largely instrumental in getting it started. It flourished until at one time it had about one hundred and thirty-one members, but since the village has declined somewhat it has iiad an effect upon the number of lodge members, yet it is doing good work at the present time and numbers about fifty members. The present officers are: Edgar Robert, noble grand: John Fitch, vice-grand; H. V. Koble, secre- tan,- ; S. Atchinson, financial secretary ; Henry Rogers, treasurer. In 1906, at Rosebush, a lodge of Odd Fellows was organized with about sixty members, with F. G. House as noble grand. D. Mussel, vice-grand, and John House, secretary. It is a strong and active organization and is doing goofl work, increasing in membership and in the good intluence it exerts in the community. At W'eidman they have a first-class lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which is in a very prosperous and fine working condition. Thev own their own hall and ha\e their sessions regularly, doing good wruary lo. 1908, with the following as charter members: Earnest Gulp, George Christorphenson. Clarence Stafford, Albert Tate, Joseph Fate, Edward Houghton. Carl Mason, Nathan Munn. Chester ^McDonald, C. J. Nohlas, Arthur Puryljery, O. J. Rey- nolds. Jessie Robert, J. A. Ramey, Earl Swayze, Vern Russell, H. M. Swift, William A. Walker, Leuten Stafford. William F. Wood. Doctor Watley, This list of names gives to the village of Blanchard and vicinity a strong organization and one that is making good in the fraternal work they have entered upon, and, barring unforseen stumbling blocks, should continue for nianv years to come and prosper in their good works. They also have at Blanchard, beside the above, a camp of Royal Neighbors of America, organized March 4, 1909. with sixteen charter mem- bers, as follows: Mrs. C. Holbrook. Mrs. Leo Aldrich. Mrs. F.. Meyers, Mrs. E. Crawford, Mrs. H. Luimell, Mrs. E. Robinson, Airs. George Kimball, Mrs. M. Konkle, Mrs. N. Hotchkiss. Miss June Hill, Mrs. Leola Ayers. Mrs. J. Metz, Mrs. C. McDonald, Mrs. Judd Morgan and Mrs. William Snyder. This is called Rolland Camp No. 5561. NATIONAL PROTECTIVE LEGION. Blanchard has also a National Protective Legion, organized December II, 1906, with the following charter members: Neuman Smith. Tom Scott. Morris High, Kate Dagle, Leumie Engle. Charles Sanders, Elizabeth Robin- son, Minerva Scott, Ralph Sanders, James A. Engle. The list of names of the charter members of the last two organizations ought to inspire confidence with any one who desires to become a member of either of the lodges. It is a sure index that they will accomplish whate\er they undertake. COURT OF HONOR. A Court of Honor. Chippewa District No. 41, was organized at Mt. Pleasant about 1890. They are also a fraternal and insurance organization. This society has been an active and prosperous one up to the present time. It commenced with a limited number of charter members and has steadily increased until now thev number al)out one hundred fifty memliers in good standing. This sucietv accepts ladies to their nieml)ership antl tlie\' meet at ISABELLA COUNTV, MKIIIGAX. 261 tlie Odil Fellows' hall every two weeks, on Muiulav evenings. The present principal officers are : Charles Reen, chancellor ; A. W. Bush, past chancellor ; Mrs. Thomas Dougherty, vice-chancellor: Mrs. Kittie Reen. chaplain; J. L. Crittenden, recorder, and Jessie Sheldon, conductor. Their meetings are well attended and they are having a \ery nice social time at their gatherings and arc also privileged to take out insurance and are able to carry the same at a reasonable cost. Tlicy are all pleased with it and hope to continue. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. >Jt. Pleasant Council Xo. 1297, Knights of Columbus, was duly organ- ized on the 9th day of February, 1908, with about seventy charter mem- bers. The first officers were: Grand knight. Dr. James McEntee; deputy grand^ knight, Frank Keenan ; recording secretary, P. Cory Taylor: financial secretary. William F. ^IcDonald; warden. M. J. McCue: chancellor, J. Harry Kane: trustees. P. Breidenstein. James E. Joiin.son and H. F. Hoffman. This is a fraternal, social, insurance and charitable organization, its membership being confined to the memljershi]) of their ])articular church. They can take out insurance for sums of one thousand, two thousand or three thousand dollars, according to circumstances, and those wiio ha\e taken ad- vantage of that feature number now about si.xtv. The order has grown wonderfully since it first started, so that at tlie present time they have about one iuindred si.xty-five members and others have applied for admission. The present officers are : Grand knight, Frank A. Sweeny: deputy grand knight. William O. Bartz : recording secretary, P. L. McFarland : financial secretary, \\'. J. Somer\iIle: warden, Hugh Mur- phy: chancellor. J. Harry Kane: trustees, James Johnson. John Johnson and James F. O'Brien, with H. F. Hoffman as lecturer. This is a strong and growing organization and one that is entitled to the good will of all, as the objects of its being are to be cherished as some- thing worthy of respect and encouragement. Their social meetings are to be recommended as bringing the members more in touch with each other and the charitalile proposition can not be too highly recommended ;uid that. with the insurance, which is intended to pro\ide for that rainy day tJiat so often comes, that too is to be recommended. ISABKM.A fOlNTV lir.M.V.NIC SOCIKTV. The Isal)ella County Humane Society was organized March 9, 190^- •'""' incorporated under Act 171 of the laws of 1903, Its purposes or objects, as 262 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Stated in tlie articles of incorporation, are "The impressing and diffnsing of the principles of humanity and mercy and the enforcement of laws for the prevention and punishment of cruelty to children and animals, birds and fowls." The term of its corporate life was fixed at thirty years. The fol- lowing named persons joined in incorporating the society : W. E. Preston, Marilla J. Preston, H. Van Ommeren, Mrs. H. Van Ommeren, N. J. Brown, Ferris Holcolm, Amanda Decker Holcolm, Susie L. Chatterton, Ella Potter, A. S. Coutant, A. T. Getchell, Ella Getchell, Nora L. Loveland, May L. Sherman, Augustus Borden and Mary E. Borden. The following named persons have joined the society by subscribing to its by-laws since the incor- poration of the society : W. F. Newberry, C. F. Tambling, W. E. Lewis, L A. Fancher. J. W. Hance, B. M. Gould, W. O. Hullinger, Minnie I. Termaat, F. H. Dodds, Charles Coddington, Charles Slater, Kate Feeney, C. S. Larzalere, Edna M. Bouton, Palmer Landon, Virginia Westlake and Mrs. Ross San- ford. The first election of officers of the society occurred March 28, when W. E. Preston was chosen president, Nora L. Loveland, vice-president, A. S. Coutant, secretary, and H. Van Ommeren, treasurer. During the short life of this society man\- cases of cruelty to children and to animals have been brought into court by its officers and received pun- ishment, many cases of cruelty and distress have been relieved without bring- ing the matters into court, and a marked dimunition of the number of in- stances of cruelty is noticeable since offenders became aware that this society existed and its officers prepared to enforce the law governing offenses of the kind. The date for holding the annual meetings of the society is fixed at the first Monday in March of each year. W. E. Preston is the present presi- dent of the society and the office of the society is at his offices in the Commer- cial Bank building, ]Mt. Plecsant. CH.\rTi:R x\i[. MANUFACTURES VALUE OF ORIGIXAI, FORESTS. This would certainly he a most interesting^ chapter if we were able to portray the country just as it was in 1854 when the first white settler set foot on Isabella soil. It was then an unknown and unbroken wilderness of timber, not one acre of [)rairie and but a \ery few acres of niarsli land. It was all timber and a large amount of it was densely covered with the original forests. Xot a stick had been cut for any [)urpose. not even a trail through the woods. We have known a single forty-acre lot to have as high as two million feet of timber on it. Many of the first saw mills were small mills intended only for the local needs of the farmer, not dreaming of what \alue the timber would be in the fiUurc. I low little the farmer realized in those days what the result of his cutting down and burning up the timber on his land was to ha\-e upon the value of the land. The first mill was locattd on the Salt ri\er just l)elow Salt River village. It was a small one and ne\er cut any lumber for s]ii])nK'nt. Tlie one built at Isabella City was of the same stamp, they being a combination of saw and grist mill. The.se were built about 1857, and in 1867 there was one built at Mt Pleasant by Hajjner Brothers, and in 1868 Lamb & Tracv built one in Mt. Pleasant, but it remained but a short time. Tliere was also one built by Samuel Kennedy in an early day about one mile south of Salt river and contiiuied for a number of years and one in the town of Lincoln by J. Darrow . wliicb remained for a number of years. Then there was one. called Beckley's mill, in Rolland, with one on section 30 and one on section 26 in Fremont. Most of the early ones were water power mills, but some of them were steam. There were two at Duslnille, both steam, one of which blew up. and there is a saw and shingle mill there now, but the timber is mostly e.x- hausted so that there is not much for it to do. There were also in Lincoln one on the old Hance farm, on section 25. and one owned by J. M. R. Ken- ncdv on section i t. 264 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. In Deerfield there was one just south of Caldwell and one on section II. In Nottawa there is one at Beal City, and there was one some years ago at Vandecar, which was torn down and removed from the county. In the township of Gilmore there was one located on section 27, which was a good deal of a convenience on account of being some distance from the railroad or any lumber market except the home market. In 1868 Henry Wooden came to the county and settled on tlie Chippewa in the township of Sherman and built a saw and grist mill combined, which was run by water power. This mill is still standing, but is largely out of commission. There was also one built at Shoards. about one mile up the river, and another in an early day at Sherman City ; this one only lasted for a short time and then was put out of commission. There were some others scattered about the count}- that remained for a time and then were removed to some other place until now there are onlv a ver}' few of the original that were built and operated for the benefit of the local community. Of those that were built to cut lumber for shipment was the one built by Wise & Loomis at the \illage of Loomis and operated for several years. This mill shipped most of its lumber and shingles. It proljably cut some 50,000.000 million feet of lumber and about the same in shingles. .At Wise was the Richmond & Feeney mill that cut lumber and shingles. Wilson Brothers were located for several years in the township of Ver- non and operated a saw and shingle mill. The}- cut aliout 50.000.000 feet of lumber and some 50,000,00 of shingles. The Mt. Pleasant mill cut some 60,000,000 feet of lumber and the one built at Bundy to cut out tlie tract of timber purchased of Edmond Hall by the Bundy Company, manufactured about 75,000,000 feet and the one built by John S. Weidman at ^^'eidman. manufactured 140,000,000 feet of lumber of all kinds and about 100,000,000 of shingles. There was a mill built at Blanchard about the time that the railroad was built through that place and was located on a branch of the Pine river. This mill cut nut about 150.000,000 feet of lumber and was one of the best of the mills in the county, as it had a location that could rely upon a good supply of pine timber. There was manufactured by all of the mills for shipment not less than 550,000,000 feet of lumber during the time that the timber lasted to be cut for the outside market, and a good many million feet cut and consumed in the county in the way of building houses, barns, outbuildings, fences and for articles manufactured in the county. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 265 As to amount of timber floated down the L'liipi)e\va ri\er, down the Btg and Little Salt and down the Pine that was was cut in tlie county it can not be less than 1.550,000.000 feet and that, added to the amount cut by mills in the county. 550.000.000. would make a strand total of 2.100.000,000 feet. Or, if you choose to approximate by taking each forty acres of land in the county and allowing 560.000 feet of lumber to the forty, you would get the neat amount of 2,292,000.000 feet of lumber. This amount of timber, at $15 per thousand feet would amount to the sum of $34,380,000. while the county is now. with all of its improvements, assessed in the anmunt of $8,772,465, and the personal at $946,304, being a sum total of $12,957,358, and if we concede that the property is not assessed for more than three-fourths of its value and you add one-fourth you will have the sum of $16,196,697. which then would be not one-half as much as the timber would be worth were it now standing on the land. \\"e ought also to take into account that quite an amount of timber was destroyed by the forest fires of 1871, and in the early days a number of millions of feet of timber was burned in the clearing of the land for agricultural purposes, also the amount that has been consumed in the form of \\ood for domestic ])ur- poses. Taking all of these together, the reader will get some slight idea of the tremendous value of the Isabella forests and the amount of labor it took to clear it off of the ground and make it available for agricultural purposes. CHAPTER XVIII. AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. Tlie matter to be covered by this chapter is certainly one of the most im- portant of any in this history. The matter of agricuhure lias been a para- mount subject ever since man emerged from his state of barbarism. And when we look back o\-er the nations of the world and ask ourselves the reason of the lands becoming a barren waste, may we not ask with some degree of reason if man has not been somewhat to blame for this great destruction of the fertility of the soil and its abandonment? And m-i\- we not ask ourselves what might the consequences have been to the human race above what it was had that soil been fertilized and kept in a condition to support mankind and thus rendered the environment of the peoples of that time far more inhabit- able? Or shall we be allowed to come closer to our own time and ask ourselves why is it that the Eastern and some of the Southern states are so largely thrown out to the commons as waste land when it was once a fertile and inhabitable country? And coming closer home, may we not ask ourselves what is to be the result here in our own county and state if we continue to take so much out of the soil and return nothing to it to repair that tremendous waste. If we go back in our county only the short space of fifty-six years, we will find here a dense wilderness of timlier where nature had been at work for hundreds and thousands of years in forming and shaping the country and producing and building up that noble forest of timber and fertilizing the soil, preparing for man's good. And what have we done to assist nature since we came or do we think that nature can take care of herself without any assistance from man ? \\'ell, it looks very much to us as if man did think that the God of nature was able and possihl\- willing to take care of all this and that man could go on in his blind way and abuse the work of nature all he wishes to and at the same time expect that nature will give to him for his pusillanimous course nothing but good in return. Xo, gentlemen, you have got no such God of nature and you abuse the use of the soil and take from it all you can and then return nothing to it. Time will inform you that you are not wise and you and your posterity will suiYer the consequences and pay the penalty. ISABELLA COUNTY. MU HICAN. 267 In Isabella county agriculture was an up-iiill business in the lirst in- stance, for all should know that it was necessary first to clear the land from its mammoth growth of timber, which occupied every acre. The cost of such clearing and fencing was in the early days put at twenty dollars [>er acre. That was no easy jol), especiall\- to tlmse — and there were very many of them — who came here with nothing luil their strong arms and niigiity will as an equipment for the work. It was a good eight or ten days' work to chop and clear and fence one acre of land; and that was not so bad if you had the wherewith to feed and clothe the wife and babies at home while you were doing it, but when it was necessary to work one-half of tlic time at least to keep soul and body together before you could tackle your own work it then became a more serious question. Again, we must remember that there was absolutely no market for a stick of that timber that was on your land, but all of it had to be burned Ijefore you cnuld dare to put out vnur seed for a crop. It would have been so much better if all of that wood could ha\e been allowed to decay on the ground and the material that it had taken from the soil been allowed to go back to mother earth. They say that fire is a great purifier. l)ut I would rather have it done in some other wa\' and sa\e tlie original element for, to me, a better puri)ose. I am aware thai it left some pot-ash. but that is what was done, ^'ou will readily see then that the people that cleared up this county are entitled to a good deal of credit for the great amount of labor that it cost, say naught abnut the waste of muscle and the many backaches that were thrown in. Those that had some means to secure the work done bv nthers were soon repaid, for the first crops brought a good price generallv for what the farmer could .spare after laying aside sufficient for the needs of himself and family. The first clearing commenced in the southeast corner town of the county for the reason that there was where the first land was secured l)y William B. Bowen. William .\dams, James Shepherd, J. P>. Walton, George and Dow Greenfield, who located and cut the first road through the woods from the south line of the county to section 9, where Miller's addition to Old Salt river was afterward located. This road was cut out about tlie ist of Xovem- \xr, 1854. Others, to wit: Daniel Brickley, John Stewart, .\ndrew V. Childs, James Wilsey, Daniel Childs, James Campbell, (korge Reasoner. Charles F. Young and M. J. Hall had, on the loth day of October, of that year, pur- chased lands under the graduation act at fifty cents an acre and soon there- after also went into the wilderness and commenced to clear the land for buildings and for crops. Then came John M. llursh and Mr. Jenner in the 268 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. winter of 1854 and Judge Perry H. Estee, who settled on the northwest quarter of section 18 in Coe, and cut the first tree on his land on the 4th day of July of that year. Then later came Uncle John Fraser and settled on the south half of section 31 in Chippewa, then Woodworth and A. A. Preston, also James and William Hoag, in Lincoln, and Bouton, Goodsell, Loveland, Ferris, Sherman and others. In i860 the census shows a population of one thousand four hundred thirty-three, of which there were five hundred seventy- seven whites and eight hundred and fifty-si.\ Indians, and the whites were dis- tributed as follows : Sixty-seven families in Coe, twenty-four families in Chip- pewa, there being one hundred sixt}--seven persons, with twenty-eight families, in Union and Isabella. The first thing to do in such a country was to cut the necessary logs and roll them up in the form of a house. Slit out some shake for a roof and rive out some boards for a door and make and hang it on wooden hinges. Then find some clay, which was not a ditificult jol), mix it into a plastic condition, make a wooden trowel and plaster up the chinks in the wall and make it wind and squirrel proof. Rive out some plank for a floor, and lay them down and your house was ready for occupation and you today would be surprised how nice and neat and clean some of them were. There being no foundries, it was necessary that a fireplace and chimney should be built, so some short sticks were split out, laid up in a square or oblong form ; make some more clay mortar and plaster it outside and in, and you have it. These were the ]3ioneers" mansions, and also their barn and stable buildings were made in the same way, minus the chinking and chimney. Now they were ready for the timber and for that all he required was a good sharp axe, a strong will and lots of muscle. The trees were felled to the ground, the limbs cut from the body of the tree and then piled into large brush piles and allowed to remain until they should have an opportunity to dry. when a fire was set and the brush consumed. Then came the logging bee, when the oxen hauled the logs to a given place, where the men with hand spikes rolled them into mammoth piles, waited thett until a dry time and put fire into the log pile and waited until the fire had consumed the timber, when the farmer pro- ceeded to Ijrand up the chunks left and then it was ready for the shovel plow. Another wav was to fall the trees into a windrow as far as possible, lop down the large limbs and cut ofi those that reached over too far and pile them onto the winrow, then wait until a dry time, set fire to the brush and burn out as much as would burn, then cut up the timber into logs and roll up the logs as before and clear them off by fire, and you are ready again for the shovel plow. One fault in this process was the destruction of all the vegetable mould, tiie little limbs, leaves and rotten wood that was a covering for the ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 269 ground and contained a large amount of fertility for the soil, .\notlier way was to girdle the large timber and allow it to die and then fall it and remove the same witlimit burning the ground over, leaving all of the refuse to go back to mother earth and thus enrich the soil just as nature had intended that you should. After your ground is cleared of the timber, the (|uestion arises, what shall the crop \)e'f What is of most importance? Well, the first thing neces- sary was something for the family, and wheat was the crop that would come nearest to meeting that want. And then in these early days if you could raise more than needed for food you could sell the surplus to your neighbor less fortunate than you and for a goodly price, many times as much as two and three dollars per bushel. Then, again, hay was necessary if you kept horses; if cattle, then the straw and some browse in the timl)er would suffice. Com and oats were necessary, also potatoes were also a good crop, for potatoes were as high as two dollars per bushel, corn one dollar and fifty cents per bushel, hav sixtv dollars per ton. beans as high as seven dollars per bushel and other things in proportion. These prices were paid often, but not all of the time. l)ut there was no time ikuing tlie fifties and sixties that the}' did not bring a good price to those who could raise such to spare. Another thing that affected agriculture during the sixties was the matter of lumbering. About i860 was the time of the first of the lumbering in this neighborhood and all of their supplies liad to be raised here or carted from the outside, say Saginaw or St. John's, and with nothing but tote roads cut through the woods, with no graded roads and nobody to build bridges or culverts, it was a costly matter to haul in goods and supplies, it costing as high as three dollars per hundred for any kind of goods. Another thing that then prevailed was that the would-be farmer felt obliged to work for wages in the woods to support his family, so that he could not cut nuich timber on his own land for clearing. Also in those days no logs would sell for any price except a Xo. I or Xo. 2 pine, and a Xo. i was a perfect log with no crook, no knot, in fact, no defect of any kind and a Xo. 2 log must be ])erfect on one side at least. A common pine log was of no value \\ hatexer. X'either was any other class of timber of any value. The result was that a great many of our farmers neglected the work of clearivg their land on the farm ;uid worked most of the time in the lumber camp, or upon the river in the spring in running the logs to the Saginaw lx)om, which often carried the work well up to June. But time went on and one by one the farmers got back to their legitimate calling and the forest began to disappear. Another element stepped in in 1871 and that was the tremendous forest 270 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. fires of that year. The whole country seemed ablaze with fire and the people were almost suffocated, so dense was the smoke. The destruction of prop- erty was enormous, houses^ barns, fences, crops, timber and in some cases all that the people had in their houses or barns. But the greatest destruction was tlie timber and soil. A large percentage of the timber overrun was killed by the heat and fire so that it was ruined unless it could be cut the com- ing winter and that was impossible. As you go through the county today and find such a small amount of timber land you are led to incpire the cause unless you were familiar with these forest fires. Another emljarrassing element in the development of the county agriculturally was the fact that so much of the lands had more or less pine timber upon them and the timbermen were very much averse to having the farmer settle near them on account of the fire that was liable to occur in their timber, so that until their lumbering was completed they would not part with the title of their land that had already been lumbered. So also was there another drawback — five townships, or 100,000 acres of land, em- bracing a large percentage of fine farming land, had been in 1855 withdrawn from market as an Indian reservation and until that could be selected and conveved to the Indians who should be entitled to it by the treaty of 1864, nothing could be done on any of that except by the Indian, as, by the Shaw- Boose decision of our supreme court, no Indian could alienate his land until the government had pronounced him competent and that was not done until 1871. I mention these obstructions to the earlier clearing of the land for the reason that some may think that fifty-fi\e years is a long time to clear up a county and remove all of the timber therefrom, and so it would have been in this case had it not been for the hindrances that came to the farmers in this case. It was al)out 1879 o^' 1880 that the hard woods and hemlocks began to ha\'e a value as lumber or staves or something of the kind and from that date the clearing and subduing of the lands were more rapid. -Another great drawback to its rapid development was lack of transpor- tation. The first railroad was not built until 1871 and then only accommo- dated a very small portion of this county, as it crossed the extreme northeast portion of the county and then crossed into Clare county and kept gradually retiring farther from the north line of this county until at the northwest corner of this county it was several miles distant. The first one we were favored with was the road from Coleman in 1879 and later, in 1885-6, the Ann Arbor road, which gave us an outlet from the south. ISABELLA COINTV. MICHIGAN. 27I By tliis time tlic luiiihcrman's tleiiiaiid for produce had so far diniinislicd and tlie crops in tlie county so nuicli enlarged tliat we needed an outside market very badly and these roads gave us relief, so that from that time may be marked the great impulse to agriculture. In 1870 the population of the county had increased to 4,113. of which 2,211 were males and 1.902 were females. This was exclusive of Indians and government emi)lo_\cs. The census was again taken in 1H74 and at this time there were 6,059, with ^,2/^ males and 2,786 females, an increase in four years of 1,948. This shows that increase was not rapid in the county along these years. The number of males twenty-one years and over, not married, was 420: married, 1.201 : divorced or widowers. 78. Of the female portion, the showing is more bright and lovely, for the single numbers is re- duced to 139, while the number married is 1,162. This is somewhat marred by the fact that 85 are divorced or widowed. The number of males of the age of ten and under twenty-one is 688. of females. 503, while of the males we find six married and of the females there were 2^. STATISTICS OF FAKMS A.M) FARM PKODITTS. Ha\-ing gi\-en something of tlie difficulties of early extcnsixe development of the county, we desire now to show something of the acKance made firim 1880, after the lumliering !'ad began to decline and transportation had lie- come more easy and convenient. There are approximately 23,040 acres of land in a township. This county has sixteen townships and therefore 368,640 acres in the county. Of this, there were cleared and cropped in 1880, 55.316 acres, divided into 1,679 f^mis, of which 1.591 were worked by tiie owners and 31 were rented for money rental, while 57 were rented for shares of the crops. In 1884 the number of farms had increased to 2.038; of these 1.857 were farmed by the owner, j^ rented for cash and 108 for a portion of the cro]). The total acreage had then increased to 76,399 acres. In 1890 the acres of cleared land was 99.419, divided into 2.456 farms: of these, 2,180 were tilled by the owners, while 57 were rented for cash and 219 were on shares. 1894 the improved lands were 114,614. divided into 2,642 farms, and of these 2.316 were worked b\' the owner, while iO(; were rented for cash and 217 for a portion of the crop. In T904 the farms had increased to 3,103: t)wned by whites, 3.043. and by colored, 60. Of these, 2.772 were operated by the owner, 7 by a manager, 79 by cash renter and 245 on shares. Total acreage in farms, 250.556; im- proved, 152,360: unimproved. 98,196; owned, 215.610: and leased. 34.64r>. 272 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Total value of farm property $8,653,014; land and improvements except buildings, $5,059,958: buildings, $1,826,436; implements and machinery, $358,611 ; live stock, $1,408,009. The farms by townships are as follows; Broomfield has 168 farms, con- taining 14,034 acres, of which there are 7,498 improved and 6.536 unim- proved; owned, 12,014, and leased, 2,020; total value, $324,280. The im- proved lands without the buildings, $148,739, and the buildings, $80,865; implements and machinery, $25,530, and value of live stock, $60,146. Chippewa has 198 farms; total acreage 14,976; improved, 9.029, and unimproved, 5,947; owned, 11,779; rented, 3,197; total value, $560,641 ; land and improvements except buildings, $335,725: buildings, $108,700; imple- ments and machinery, $21,425, and live stock, $94,791. Coe. the oldest of the counties, has kept in the lead as to \alue. but not quite as to number of farms. Coe has 261 farms, all containing 20,231 acres, with 14.996 acres improved and 5.235 unimproved: owned, 16,861, and leased, 3.370; total value, $1,006,568; lands without the buildings, $85.- 695, and the buildings at $252,407; implements and niachiner\", $34,125, and live stock, $134,391. Coldwater has 171 farms, of 16,312 acres; improved, 7.579 acres, and unimproved, 8.733; o^vned, 15,205, and leased, 1.107; valued at $285,155; the land, less the buildings, $162,475, and the buildings at $46,115, with live stock, $66,099, 'i"'^ implements and machineiy, $10,466. Deerfield has 226 farms and in them 17,345 acres of land, of which 9,841 are improved and 7.504 unimproved; owned, 14,755, ^"d leased, 2,590 acres; total value, $511,966; land and improvements, except buildings, $299,700, and buildings. $100,578; implements and machinery, $19,035. and live stock, $92,653- Den\-er has 179 farms and 12,686 acres; improved. 7.403. and unim- proved. 5.283: owned, 10,961, and leased, 1,725; total value, $481,371. with land and improvements, except buildings, $289,598; buildings, $85,505; im- plements and machinery. .$19,140, and live stock, $87,128. Fremont has 192 farms and in them 17,401 acres; improved, 9,863, and unimproved, 7,538; owned, 14,726, and leased, 2,675; total value $515,891; land and improvements, except buildings, $325,640, and buildings $87,310; implements and machinery, $21,215, ''"f' ^'^"^ stock, $81,816. Gilmore has 112 farms; 10,146 acres; improved, 5.467, and unimproved, 4,679: owned, 8.687, ^"^ leased, 1,459; *^otal value, $224,343; land and im- provements, except buildings, $117,675: buildings, $44,150; implements and machinery, $10,585. and live stock, $51,933. ISABELLA COLNTV. MICHIGAN. 273 Isabella has 150 farms, total acreage in farms, 13.01 1 ; improved, 8,690, and unimproved, 4.321 ; owned, 11. 551, and leased, 1,460: total value, $476,- 526; land and improvements, less buildings, $311,300: buildings, $101,900; implements and machinerj-, $13,600. and live stock, $49,726. Lincoln has 273 farms, in all 20.687 acres: improved. i4.44<;. and unim- proved, 6,238: owned, 16,771, ami least'd. 3.<)U>. all of the \aliR' of .S()i 1.471 : land and improvements, less buildings, $557,445, and buildings, $202,025; implements and machinery. $28,956, and live stock, $123,035. Nottawa has 217 farms, acres 16,138; improved, 9.633, and unimproved, 6,505; owned, 14,878, and leased. 1.260; tutal value. $642,349: land and im- provements, except buildings, $393,911 ; i)uiidings, $124,750; implements and machinery, $31,245, and live stock, $92,443. Rolland has 147 farms of the average size of 94 acres each, and in all 13.776 acres; improved. 8.465, and unimproved. 5.311: owned, 12,836, and leased, 940 acres; total value, $340,528; land and imjjrovements, less build- ings, $184,250, and buildings, $79,230: implements and maciiinery, $14,200; live stock, $62,848. Sherman has 158 farms. 11.957 acres; improved. 6,005, and unimproved. 5,952: owned, 10,777; leased. 1,180; total value. $240,191; land and im- provements, less buildings. $123,625, and buildings, $45,675; implements and machinery, $14,094, with live stock at $56,749. Union, with 231 farms, total acreage of 16,980: improved, 12,399, and unimproved, 4,581; owned, 15,442. and leased, 1,528; total value, $992,103; land and improvements, except buildings. $600,400; buildings, $227,966; implements and machinery, $46,505, and live stock. $117,232. Vernon, with 231 farms, of 20.236 acres: improved. 13,077: unim- proved, 7,159; owned, 16,298, and leased, 3.938; total value, $724,003; land and improvements, less buildings, $385,420. and buildings, $168,410; im- plements and machinery. $32,010. witli live stock at $138,163. Wise has 205 farms, with 13.639 acres; improved, 7,683, and unim- proved, 6,256; owned, 11. 131, and leased, 2,508: total value, $351,285; farms, without buildings, $204,450. buildings, $53,000; machinery and implements, $14,030; live stock. $78,805. Mt. Pleasant has 13 farms and 1,001 acres; 583 improved and 418 un- improved: owned, 928, and leased, jTf: total value, $64,253; land, without buildings. $33,850. and buildings, $17,850; implements and machinery-, $1,- 450; live stock. $11,103. (18) 274 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. PRINCIPAL CROPS. It is a difficult matter for us to say what the principal crops of the county are. The crops differ in different localities. Some townships have a light loamy or sandy soil, some have rolling land, some have quite heavy clav soil and others have a black loam, and so it goes. If they are to be gauged by the crops they raise, perhaps that would be as good an inde.x as we can give. The best crop, so far as money goes to prove the fact, is live stock. There was sold in 1904 — arid these are the last records available — in cattle of all kinds and grades, $378,277. Beside those sold as above, there were slaughtered on the farms during the year $80,349 worth. Of the above amounts, there were in dairy stock, $340,000. The corn crop was the next in value, being $290,210. The potato crop was next and brought $248,665. Clover hay stood at $221,340, and wheat was valued at $201,150. Then follows oats at $162,211. Timothy hay was valued at $118,187, and the horses sold at $103,000; sheep for $90,000, and beans at $79,460, with sugar beets at $64,260 and apples for $36,212; rye for $34,248; barley at $9,445. and buckwheat for $9,477. The clover .seed sold for $17,276. Below will be found a lietter index as to where the larger proportion of these crops and animals were raised : LIVE STOCK. June I, 1904, Isabella county contained 595 colts under one year of age, worth $17,705, and 730 between one and two years of age. worth $67,955, with 8,062 over two, worth $756,835; also 31 mules of the value of $3,105. Of sheep, there were 16,651 under one year of age. worth $25,304. and 22.~,j8 one year and over, worth $64,290 ; rams and wethers one year and over, worth $7,420. Of swine, 22,232. value $83,078, and goats, 27, value $96. Of pure blooded horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, registered or eligi- ble to registry on hantl Jun.e I, 1904. in Isaliella county, were as follows: Percherons, 6, valued at $2,650; French draft. 2, value $550: Clydesdale, 2, worth $1,400 ; Hambletonian, 9, of the value of $2,330. Of cattle there were : Holstein. 11. value $440: Jersey, 6, value $295; Shorthorn, 85, value $5,235; red polled. 4. value $210; Herefords, 8, value $1,710; Aberdeen-Angus, 23, at $1,850. Of sheep there are 136 Shropshire, of value of $1,097; Hampshire, i. ISABELLA COL'NTV, MKIIIGAN. 275 value $15; Oxfords. 13, value $145. Large swine. 16 Berkshire, at $^15; Poland China, i". at $252; Duroc-Jersey. 24, at $260; Chester-White, 2, at $45, and lit" small swine, i X'ictoria. at $20: ^'(lrkshire. 5. at $100. CKOPS. Acres, yield and \aluc of corn, wheat, oats, liarlcx and rye produced in the county in the year 1903: 20.918 acres of corn, bushels 597,081. at $290,- 810: I4,33''i acres of wheat, 262.147 bushels, at $201,156: oats, 14,456 acres, bushels 481.158, value $162,211; barley, 694 acres, 17.956 bushels, value $9,445 : rye, 5.005 acres. 66.664 bushels, value $34,248. Coe and Lincoln are the townships having the greatest acreage of corn and the largest yield. \'ernon and Coe Iiad tlie largest acreage and greatest yield of wheat. In oats. Coe. Vernon. Isabella and Union had the largest acreage, and Coe, Vernon, Union and Lincoln the largest yield, in the order named. In liarley. Denver and Wise ha\e the larger acreage and \\'ise and Denver the larger yield. In rye. Sherman. Broonifield and Coldwater the largest acreage and Coldwater. Sherman and I'roomtield the larger number of bushels. Of buckwheat. Isabella county had 1.507 acres, yielding 18.086 bushels, of tlie value of $9,477: clo\cr seed. 3.229 bushels, value $17,276: grass seed, 106 bushels, value $172: clover hay, 23,024 acres, yielding 34.125 tons of hay, value $221,341 : also 10,312 acres of timotiiy. yielding 15.052 tons of hay. value $118,187: wild hay. 155 acres, yielding 190 tons, value $972; millet and Hungarian. 95 acres, tons 149. and \alue $866; alfalfa. 4 acres, with 3 tons, value $2j : grain cut green. 46 acres, 61 tons, value $361. The towns ])utting out tlie largest acreage to tiiese several products are as follows: Fremont put out the most and Ilroomlield the next in buckwheat and received the largest amount of money for the cnij). In clover seed. Fre- mont has almost double that of any other township: Lincoln is next and Rolland next. Of grass seed. Deerfield is first and Denver and \'ernon a tie. In clover hay. Union is at the head, with Isabella a close second. With timothv hay. Coe stands tirst and \"crn(in a close second. With wild grass, L'nion is first and Sherman stands next ; with millet. Fremont is first and Sherman second. With alfalfa. Broomfield is the only town having any. With grain cut green. Sherman is at the head and Coldwater next. In potatoes, Broomfield is at the head with $56,509 worth, and Rolland with $38,802 and Sherman with $35,038: in beans. Lincoln has $16,531, and Fremont, $13,228: in peas, Vernon has 3.437 bushels, worth $1,718. and Cil- 2/6 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. more has 1,448 bushels, worth $1,018: of maple sugar, Broomfield made 300 pounds, Coldwater 500 pounds, and of maple syrup, Lincoln made 660 gallons and Union 270 gallons. It is about ten years ago that the first sugar beets were raised in the county as a field crop. In 1904 the report is that the crop in the county reached the sum of $64,269, Coe furnishing $18,944, Union $11,182 and Denver $9,123. In cabbage, Denver takes the lead with 4,225 heads, worth $236, while Wise has 5,000 heads for $100, Coe 4,137 heads, for $192, and Lincoln, 3,925, worth $175. Isabella county, for an inland one, is a \-ery good county for fruit, espe- cially the hardier kinds. The county had, in 1904, 3.079 acres in apple orchards, with 89,731 trees, bearing 140,827 bushels of apples, worth $36,- 212. Coe has the most trees, with Lincoln second and LTnion third. In peaches, there were 98 acres, with 8,152 trees and 1,730 bushels of fruit, value $1,952. Here Broomfield is first, with 1,576 trees, 24 bushels, worth $25; Lincoln, 1,104 trees and 295 bushels fruit, worth $292; while Coe has 1,057 trees, with 16 bushels, worth $16. The county is somewhat of a dealer in antl possessor of fowls. June i, 1904, there were in the county 127,895 chickens, 850 turkeys, 818 geese and 930 ducks, of the value of $44,248, and the farmers raised during the year in poultry $55,418. The eggs produced were 720,874 dozen, of the value of $106,793. There were 1,183 swarms of bees on hand June i, 1904. valued at $4,332, and produced that year 47,495 pounds of honey during the season, and of wax 878 pounds, the honey and wax being worth $4,728. In 1904 there were in the county 7 silos, with a capacity of 746 tons ; I in Coe, 3 in Union, 2 in Vernon and i in ^It. Pleasant. There were 23,266 fleeces sheared, weighing 168,015 pounds, worth $,^5773- The farmer paid for outdoor labor on the farm at the average rate of $1.46 per day, including board, and an average by the month of $35.82. The milk produced for the year was 5,116,596 gallons: they sold 220,- 827 gallons for $21,643; they produced 67,500 gallons of cream and sold 67,300 gallons for $28,789; they produced 92,509 pounds of butter and sold 34,604 pounds for $7,165; produced 400 pounds of cheese and sold 300 pounds for $40; they consumed of the dairy product on the farm $155,150. It will be seen bv the above that but a small amount above one-half of the total acreage of the county was in farms in 1894, and of the farms, com- prising 194,031 acres, only 96,711 acres were being farmed and 17,903 acres were taken up in permanent pasturage, meadow, orchard, vineyard, nur- series and market gardens, with 48,125 taken up in forest and woodland. ISABELLA COINTV. MICHIGAX. 2-J-J DAIRYING INTERESTS. A large portion of Isabella county is natural grazing land. W'c have seen in the early days of the settlement, when passing through the timber, pony grass a foot high and thick on the ground; have seen the timothy in the old lumber roads growing as high as a man's head, and also clover all along the track. As soon as tlic timber is cut down and the sun gets to the ground, it will be but a very short time before the ground is covered with wild grasses. This adaptation to grazing has caused many of our good farm- ers to turn their attention to the dairying business. A few years ago there were two creameries in Mt. Pleasant, one at Shepherd, one at Rosebush, one started at \\'eidman. John Landon had a cheese factory on his farm, wiiicb is still standing. These and others have met with varying success, but a number of them have ceased to do business. About 1907 the Condensed Milk Com])any commenced to build a fac- tory for the condensation of milk and started the work of condensation in tiie spring of 1908. and liavc continued the business e\er since. The plant is a good one and is doing a thrixing business and they are paying a lilieral price for milk from the farmers, so that for the last season they liave used about forty thousand pounds of milk per day. The price has been such that a great many farmers liave invested in cows for the purpose of selling tlic milk to tliis factory. It is a scheme that appeals to the farmer's wife as well as to the farmer. As one man expressed it, "We used to keep a few cows and made butter at home; that made a lot of hard work for the women, as they were oliliged to set the milk in open pans for the cream to raise, then skim the cream and em|)ty tlie milk, then wash all of the milk pans and pails, and then when the cream was thought to be ripe for the churning, empty the same into the churn and wash the cream holder and scald that out. Then for the churning — well every house- wife, hired girl, Ix)y around the house and some of the girls know what that means, and especially when the cream gets on a rampage and will not Ijutter for the world, and they commence to put in hot water because the cream is too cold, and then try it again, but no butter, and so douse in some cold water because the cream nnist be too warm, .nid at it again, and so on. un- til patience seems to be exhausted, and tiien tiicy jjull up tiie churn handle, and, lo and behold! there are some specks on tlie handle; so call mother to get her judgment of what that means, and after she has passed her opinion take new courage and at it again w itb a vim until mother stops him for fear he will spoil the whole outfit, and then he settles down for an all-day job. 27S ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. when, to his utter astonishment, the dasher begins to Hit harder and liarder until at last the butter is there. "Well, by this time some crazy fellow announced that it was just as well to separate the butter fat from the milk while it was fresh as to let it stand in open pans for the ugly microbe to be fooling with it; so he brought out the separator, and they were soon in the homes of a large numlier of the farmers, and they were happy that they might milk and immediatel\- repair to the house and proceed to separate the milk from the butter fat and then put the cream away to ripen and feed the milk to the pigs. Then the cream- ery came along, and it would come to your door and take your cream off your hands and giye you its yalue, and that was better still : but now comes the condensary, anil it takes your milk from your yery door and pays you what would ha\e lieen. a few years ago, a big figure for it, and you haye no further trouble with it. It is surely a grand moye in the right direction, and all that the condensary asks is that your milk must test to three per cent. of butter fat, be not watered and be kept clean; that is, it means that the stables must be kept in a sanitary condition and the cows kept healthy and in good condition, all of which is reasonable and right. The result of this change is that our farmers, many of them, are being educated to knuw how to care for a good cow. and they are beginning to know a good cow when they look into the face of one, and the amount of money the\- are getting out of a good cow creates ?. kindly feeling between them and they take liet- ter care of them and treat them more as they should. It is nothing now to go out and find plenty of cows that it takes from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars to buy." .\nother thing it does for the county is that it keeps a large per cent, of the bay and grain to be fed upon the farm and the ingredients returned to the soil that are absolutely necessary to keep up its fertility. One of our dairy farmers remarked a few days ago that he had se\en- teen cows, mostly Holsteins, and gave a little history of how he managed his herd. It was very interesting to hear him state the care that he took of his stock and what he received in return. His method of feeding and caring for his cows was as methodical as if he were running a steam mill. Everything just at the minute and the rations all weighed out. so that there was absolutely no cjuestion of what each one got, and then when the milking time came they were just as careful of how they treated the cows and the number of iM)unds of milk that each cow gave at each milking: and then, to sum up. be quietlv remarked that he was able with those cows, after pay- ing all exiienses, to put away in the bank a straight one hundred dollars each month. ISABELLA COUNTY. MUHIGAX. 279 This factory has a capacity for handling one hundred thousand pounds of milk per day, and now reaches out in some directions tifteen miles. It ought, and we are sure it will, if kept up to the present standard, add at least twenty-five per cent, to the value of e\ery acre of tillable land within the radius of its reach. FENCES ON THE FARM. Fences on the farm have always been a very great necessity. In the early days of the county there was perhajjs a great necessity, for, unless fenced in. you could hardly know whether you were to ha\e fresh milk for the hahy or for vour own mush in the morning; liesides. it jjrohahK' meant a long hunt for the cow at night or for your oxen in the morning. Many a farmer has spent many a long search for his stock, and it soon became a l)rime necessity and he began to devise means for some manner of keejiing the cattle within bounds. So thev commenced bv felling what thex' called a uinrow of trees, lopping down the large limbs and piling some brush upon the winrow. until it should be of sufficient height and closely enough piled to make a defense to the cattle and horses. Xext was the rail s])litting and clearing of a space to la\- up tlie fence. This, too. was a job of no small amount, as it took eighteen rails to lay u|) one rod of fence, and it cost considerable to hire the rails split, besides the cost of hauling and laying uj). This method of fencing was followed for some years: in fact, there are a great many rods of rail fence in the county at the present time. Along about 1880 rail timber began to lie quite scarce and the farmer began to look around for some cheap and substantial material for a substi- tute for rails, and the American genius, seeing the necessity, invented barbed wire, and then a large quantity of that material was used. This, however, did not ])rove entireh' satisfactory, as it was destructi\e to cattle as they came in contact with it. and often to horses that would get their feet or legs tangled in the wire or allow one of the barbs to catch them in the eye. which meant an eye out. More recently the woven-wire fence seems to ha\e taken the place \ery largely of all others, and surely this class of fence is more humane and is very lasting when properly put up. and at the present time would seem to be the onlv one that should be used. There seems to be no scarcity in the sup])lv, as vou may see at every little burg piles of it ready for the buyer. Pine stumps is another material in localities where they are sufficiently plenti- ful. Thev are raised from the grouml. hauled to the line of the fence. 28o ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. where a trench is dug, and then they are raised upon edge, trimmed off and the long roots lopped off until, when well put up, they form a very formidaljle fence and one that will last just as long as you desire, and should you e\er get short of fuel or kindling, all you have to do is to go to the fence and get a supply, and you may be reasonably sure that as long as you need such ma- terial it will be there for you. There was also a time when post and board fence was quite extensively used, say along in the eighties and forepart of the nineties. At this time lumber was very cheap and also posts. This combination made a good fence, l)Ut it was not lasting, as the posts soon rot out and the boards sun check, the nails become loose and the fence goes down. After it once gave out there was no remedy, as lumber went so high that no one would think of trying to continue that kind of a fence. MAPLE SUGAR AND SYRUP. From the date of the very first settlement this industry was an important one. The county was full of the finest of maple trees and the seasons were generally favorable to the industry. Almost every farmer had his sugar bush, and each spring as the time for tapping the trees came they were active in getting their spiles, troughs or pails ready and the boiling place repaired, unless this work was done at the house. As soon as it would do to tap, the family were out gathering the sap and getting it to the place of boiling, wherever that might be. Some tapped a few trees and some tapped hun- dreds. Those tapping many generally had a boiling place in the woods with a shanty to keep their tools and supplies in, and sometimes a bed for com- fort. The sap was gathered in pails by the party and carried to the place of boiling, or he rigged up a sleigh with a barrel or large can in which he could pour the sap, and sometimes when the snow got deep, which it often did in those days, he would be obliged to gather the fluid by wearing snow shoes to prevent his sinking in the snow. In these ways hundreds of pounds of maple sugar and thousands of gal- lons of maple syrup were made by the farmer. In fact, it almost took the place of all sweets for the family, and many of the earliest ones that had settled upon the homestead lands were obliged to depend e.xclusively upon this for all the sweet they had. Many a family in those early davs of the county lived for days and v.eeks upon the maple sugar that they made, and the leeks that they were able to gather as the snows went off in the spring. The good old days of maple sugar and the fun in making it ha\e now \an- ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 281 ished only to a very few tliat liave been al>le to save a few mai)le trees an,. the Bachelder drain, in Lincoln and Fremont, applied for in 1898. is 1,971 rods long and cost $3,571.67. No. 34, the Hutchinson drain, in Coe, applied for in 1899. is 1,106 rods long and cost $2,456.95. No. ^i,. the Granger drain, in Chii)|)e\\a. ;i])plied for in 1898, is 640 rods long and cost $856.57. No. 36. the Rarden & Ross drain, in Coe, a|)])lied for in 1S99, is 336 rods long and cost $369.80. No. 37, the McKinnon drain, in X'ernon. ap])lied for in 1899, is 192 rods long and cost $460.93. No. 2^, ihe Gorr drain, in \'crnon, applied for in 1900. is ij8 rods long and cost $434. No. 39. the Lo\e drain, in Xott.awa. applied for in 1898, is 1,028 rods long and cost $2,640. Xo. 40, the McDonald drain, in Nernoii and Wise, applied for in 1899. is 779 rods long and cost $2,413.54. Xo. 41, the North Branch Extension drain, in Union, \'ernon. Deer, Isahella, Xottawa and Gilmore. applied for in 1898. is 2.624 rotls long and cost $20,846.76. 284 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. No. 2, the Burgess Extension drain, in Nottawa and Gilmore. ap]ilied for in 1902, is 78 rods long and cost $153. No. 43. tlie Willow Lake Extension drain, in Vernon, applied for in 1902, is 184 rods long and cost $407.05. No. 44, the Seely drain, in Vernon, applied for in 1899, is 590 rods long and cost $1,439.30. No. 45, the Saunders New Improved drain, in Lincoln, applied for in 1899, is 505 rods long and cost $2,133.30. No. 46, the Wyant drain, in Lincoln, applied for in 1899, is 924 rods long and cost $1,264.30. No. 47, the Stanly Improved drain, in Fremont, applied for in 1897, is 1,630 rods long and cost $4,435. No. 48, the Calkins drain, in Isabella, applied for in 1899, is i.ioo rods long and cost $2,737.40. No. 49, the Nevil drain, in Vernon, applied for in 1899, is 764 rods long and cost $1,858.01. No. 50, the Wise drain, in Wise and Denver, applied for in 1899, is 1,845 ''ods long and cost $4,033. No. 51, the Ewing drain, in Coe, applied for in 1900, is 1,224 rods long and cost $2,395. No. 52, the Horning drain, in Nottawa and Vernon, applied for in 1900, is 945 rods long and cost $3,504.57. No. 53, the Mitchell drain, in Coe, applied for in 1901, is 1,648 rods long and cost $5,937.11. No. 54, the Best drain in Coe, applied for in 1901, is 734 rods long and cost $1,854.94. No. 55, the Struble drain, in Coe, applied for in 1901, is 1.382 rods long and cost $4,905.90. No. 56, the Gilbert drain, in Vernon, applied for in 1902, is 489 rods long and cost $887.49. No. 57, the Dixon drain, in Vernon, applied for in 1899, is 1.157 rods long and cost $5,649.64. No. 58, the Vincent Creek drain, in Isabella and Nottawa. applied for in 1898, is 1,099 I'ods long and cost $3,506.60. No. 59. the Kempter drain, in Chippewa, applied for in 1900, is 417 rods long and cost $687.90. No. 60, the Quarter Line drain, in Union and Chippewa, applied for in 1 90 1, is 597 rods long and cost $1,707.11. No. 61, the Herring drain, in Vernon, applied for in 1899, is 330 rods long and cost $1,800. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 28 Xo. 62. the Burgess drain, in Xottawa and Gilmore, applied for in 1900. is 639 rods long and cost $2,181.45. No. 63. the \\"hite drain, in Nottawa, applied for in 1900, is 649 rods long and cost $2,535.13. Xo. 64. the Burdick drain, in Lincoln, applied for in 1901, is 212 rods long and cost $571.05. Xo. 65, the Hnnt drain, in Fremont. ripi)lie(l for in 1901, is 480 rods long and cost $2,020.81. Xo. 66, the Coe and Lincoln drain, in Coe and Lincoln, applied for in 1902. is 640 rods long and cost $2,358.82. Xo. 67, the Forest drain, in Xottawa, applied for in 1903, is 160 rods long and cost $372.42. X^o. 68, the De Pugh drain, in Chippewa, applied for in 1902. is 400 rods long and cost $2,002.11. Xo. 69, the Hance Im])roved drain, in Chippewa, L'nion and .Mt. Pleasant, applied for in 1903, is 1,344 rods long and cost $3,600, Xo. 70, the Figg drain, in Lincoln, applied fur in 1903, is 1,600 rods long and cost $8,000. Xo. 71, the Bickerton drain, in Wise, applied for in 1903. is 1,000 rods long and cost $4,400. Xo. "ji, tlie Hill drain, in Cliippcwa, ajiplied for in 1903, is 560 rods long and cost $1,500. Xo. "JT^, the Jordon Creek drain, in Isabella, apiilied for in 1903, is 1,460 rods long and cost $5,200, Xo. 74. the Fair drain, in Chippewa, applied for in 1903, is ^J^J^^ rods long and cost $765. Xo. 75, the Hannett drain, in Coe. applied for in 1903. is 271 nxls long and cost $725. Xo. 76. the Mission Creek drain, in Union, applied for in 1903, is 1,016 rods long and cost $4,200. Xo. "jy, the Davis drain, in Deertield, ap])lied for in 1904, is 536 rods long and cost $2,000. Xo. 78, the West Side drain, in Union and Mt. Pleasant, applied for in 1904, is 336 rods long and cost $2,150. Xo. 79, the Upton drain, in Union, applied for in 1903, is 672 rods long and cost $1,550, No. 80, the Flood drain, in \'ernon, applied for in 1904, is 88 rods long and cost $470. Xo. 81. the Loomis drain, in \'ernon and Wise, applied for in 1903. is 2.662 rods long and cost Si 7.000. 286 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. No. 82, the Joliii Xeff drain, m Isabella, Deer. Xottawa, Denver and Union, applied for in 1903, is 2,752 rods long and cost $12,500. Xo. 83, the Lewis drain, in Isabella and Den\er, applied for in 1903, is 2,152 rods long and cost $16,000. No. 84, the Salt River drain, in Lincoln and Coe, applied for in 1903, is 3,184 rods long and cost $20,000. Xo. 85, the Riggle ]\Iarsh drain, in Broom, Roll and Fremont, ap- plied for in 1904. is 1,280 rods long and cost $4,900. Xo. 86, the Huber drain, in Xottav.a, applied for in 1903, is 304 rods long and cost $950. Xo. 87, the Tice drain, in L'nion, applied for in 1904, is 728 rods long and cost $2,300. X^o. 88, the Dnncan drain, in \*ernon, applied for in 1903, is 1,644 rods long and cost $1,400. Xo. 89, the Forest drain, in X'ottawa, applied for in 1903, is 1.056 rod.s long and cost $4,700. Xo. 90, the Knight drain, in Fremont, applied for in 1904, is 1.456 rods long and cost $3,300. X'^o. 91, the Williams drain, in Fremont, applied for in 1904, is 560 rods long and cost $1,400. No. 92, the Church drain, in Coe and Chippewa, applied for in 1903, i.s 1,176 rods long and cost $3,700. X'^o. 93, the Miser drain., in Union and Chippewa, applied for in 1903, is 1,472 rods long and cost $2,500. Xo. 94, the Lowe drain, in X'ottawa, applied for in 1904, is 280 rods long and cost $240. No. 95, the Cotter drain, in X^^ Ottawa, applied for in 1904, is 256 rods long and cost $650. X^o. 96, the Howard drain, in Rolland and Fremont, applied for in 1904, is 480 rods long and cost $1,600. No. 97, the Grimm drain, in Lincoln, applied for in 1904, is 176 rods long and cost $400. No. 98, the Stiwell drain, in Fremont and Union, applied for in 1904, is 544 rods long and cost $700. X'o. 99, the Pitts drain, in Nottawa, applied for in 1904, is -/Z rods long and cost $163. Xo. 100, the Thorp drain, in Coe, applied for in 1904, is 144 rods long and cost $435. ISABELLA COLNTV. M ICIIKIAX. 287 No. loi. the Curtis drain, in Wise, applied for in 1903. is 944 rods long and cost $3,500. No. 102, the Seiter drain, in X'crnnn. apjjlied for in 1904. is 608 rods long and cost is pending. No. 103, tlie 1 lowland tlrain. in Xernon. applied for in 1903, is 608 rods long and cost $1,700. No. 104, the \\'agner drain, in .Xottawa. a])plied for in 1904, is 1,248 rods long and cost $5,393. No. 105, the (iriiett di'ain. in Xottawa and Isabella. ap]ilied fi>r in 1904. is 3J0 rods long and cost $880. No. 106, the Barden & Ross drain, in Coe, appliey the drain, and when the drain is completed these are to belong to the farmer and kept in repair by him. These, however, are all neces- sar}- to complete the efficiency of the drain. There are now in the hands of the county drain commissioners ten new drains that are nearly ready to let, of about 4,000 rods in length and will cost when completed something like $15,000. We may say here, in passing, that a large proportion of the large drains have already been constructed. It is true that many of the old ones will have to be cleaned out from time to time and some of them enlarged as the farmers continue to lay tile drains in their farms to carry off any surplus waters which they are sure to have as long as the rains fall and the snows and ice melt in the spring. Our county drain commissioners have lieen. first, Alexander Brodie. then Anson R. Arnold, J. M. R. Kennedy, Allen S. Clay, Sherman D. Eldred, C. H. Freeman, W. E. Dersnah and Cecil I\I. Johnson, the present incumbent of the office. boys' corn club. \\'e are pleased to record another new and interesting departure from the old beaten track and that is the formation of a Boys' Corn Clul). which was inaugurated this year for the first. It is another step in the right direc- tion and if continued, and it will be, we shall reap a rich reward far beyond our highest expectations. This club was organized in 1910 by a few progres- sive educators, who are disposed to climb out of the old rut and, if possible, induce the boys to spend some of their spare time in the eflucation of the agricultural propensities of their natures. The week commencing with January 16. igio. was a week of institutes. Monday, the i6th, was a day set apart for the Teachers' Association Institute, and it pro\-ed to be a \-ery interesting day, there being some six hundred stu- ISABELLA COUNTY. MKHIGAX. 2y I dents and teacliers present tci listen to the addresses of Professor Harvey, uf Stont Inslitnte, and 1 'resident Lancaster, of Olivet College. There were fnlly one hnndred of the rural teachers present to listen to the messages of these older and more experienced teachers and we are sure that it was an inspiration to them. Tuesday was dexxited to the Corn Clul) ;nid tlie Iidvs lh(in)Ughly enjoyed it. There were ninety-eiglit ho\'s wlin tcmk diinier and lisicni'il to the talk of President Grawn, of the Normal School, subject. "The Boys;"' ahso Judge Dodds. who spoke on the subject of "The Law." William Cooper sang "Jamie Ryan:" Rev. C. W. Campbell also gave an interesting and instructive talk to the boys. There were thirty-four charter members in the clul) and thirty-four ex- hibits were presented. We here give a li.st of the boys wild won prizes; i. Clayton Taylor of Fremont. No. 7 ; 2, Kenneth Bandeen. Chippewa, No. i ; 3, Norman Salsbury, Chippewa, No. 6; 3, C. Wood, Uninn. training school, Mt. Pleasant; 4. Howard Zufelt. Fremont, No. 4; 4, Lloyd Rowlander, Lin- coln. No. 2; 4. Harold Waldron. L^nion, No. 3; 4, LeRoy Judy, Lincoln, No. I ; 4, Kenneth Cole, Union, No. 3; 4, Charles Richardson, Fremont. No. 2; 5, Floyd na\is. I'remoiit. No. 4; 5. I'rank Ouinlan, Sacred Heart .Academy; 5, .Alfred Hann. Lincoln, No. 7; 5, Charles Richardson, Broomticld. No. g; 5. Arthur .\cheson. Coldwater. No. (>; 3. .Mien McNeil, Gilmore, No. 2; 5, Leon Hart, Gilmore, No. 4- 5, Franklin Graham, Gilmore, No. 2; 5. Jeet Heinzelman. Broomfield, No. 9; 5, .\rthur Alanausa, L'nion. No. 5. The first prize is ten dollars and a scholarship at Michigan .Agricultural College; the second prize, five dollars and a scholarshi]) at Alichigan .Agricul- tural College; third prize, three dollars: fourth prize, two dollars, and fifth prize, one dollar. Each contestant gets five walnut trees free. The Exchange Savings Bank gave a large, beautiful United States flag to the Fremont dis- trict No. 7. whose boy won the first i)rize. H. C. Cassette is the teacher in that district. Clayton Taylor is thirteen years old. The method he employed in his prize effort will be interesting to others. Master Taylor plowed his one- eighth acre .April 15, harrowed it May 4, 7. 16, 21, 26 and 2-. Planted it May 19. Cultivated it June 7. 14. 13. 20, 23 and July 1. 13. z}, and 30. Used l)arn- yard manure for fertilizer b'irst tassel api)eared July 4. First ripe ear September 6. Cut the corn October i. Yield fourteen forty-pound crates. Estimated cost, two dollars and twenty-eight cents. The soil was clay. There were eighty-six boys enrolle>l during the year and more will surely be enrolled for the coming vear, as the scheme seems to suit the boys. There is thought in the direction now of organizing the girls also. 292 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. THE GRANGE. The Grange is an important institution and one that has done much to- ward a better understanding of farming. It has been very productive of a better understanding of the rights of the farmer and has served to make them more social and better acciuainted than ever before in the historv of the race. It is lainentable tliat more of the farmer population do not join in these societies and accept the advantages they might have by contact with their neighbors and get more of the spirit of advancement in farming as well as in the matter of education in other matters. We all desire to see a better and more intelligent state of society and yet many we find that have such a fund of self-complacency that nothing but dynamite can evuv raise them out of the rut their forefathers run in. A good start, howe\'er, has been made and, with agriculture in the schools, we hope to see the dawn of a better condition of things. A Grange was organized about six or seven years ago in Lincoln, with such farmers as Edward Decker, Charles Proudly. Charles Hand, F. Kyes and others of the progressive men of the farm, and is now swelled to about seventy-fi\e members. They meet every month and are prosperous in numbers as well as in social and agricultural information. They are thrifty and proud of their success as an institution for the betterment of its members. There is also one in the township of Fremont, of about twent\' memljers. who are doing what they can to improve their condition and make life on the farm more pleasant and less irksome than it was in former days. They meet in the Maccabee hall. Union township has a Grange organization in the south part of the town. They have no hall, but have a good class of live farmers in it, consisting of C. Mead, E. R. Waldron. W. H. Wood. John Maxwell, Jr., \Mieeler Bandeen, Edward Salsbury, J. Kennedy, Lee Miller and others. They meet and can- vass the best means of improving their conditions and the best way to get the most out of their efforts. It is a good organization and worth}- of all the efforts they can give to it. There is also a Grange hall and society on the south side of section 4, in Union township, with T. Walton as master and Dan }iIcLaughlin. o\'erseer, Fred Earner, secretary, and tliirty-fi\e members that pay state dues. They are in fine condition and are getting all and more than it costs out of the organization. In Denver township there is a Grange at Delwin. J. W. Keller, master, and T. M. Gregor. secretary, with a fair number nf acti\e and substantial members. ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 293 At Rosebush, in Isabella townsiiii). there is another (iran<(e order. In Brinton there was a Grange established some time ago. W. F. Clark, Richard Murphy and B. B. Stevens are among the leaders, which is a guarantee that it is a good one and doing good work in that neck of the woods. In iQOO an organization was effected in (lilmore and they are located at the same place as the Baptist cliurcii. 1. E. Gamble, master, G. A. Pitts, over- seer, H. A. Perry, secretaiy, Frank Rawson, treasurer, with about fifty mem- bers, and all working together for the good of the order and the improvement of their own condition as farmers. They all seem to imbil)e the same spirit as to tlie value of such an organization and the benefit it is to them and to their children. Long may this good cheer permeate that community. Mt. \'ernon Grange was organized some time ago in Vernon township. Their hall is located on section 14, and is a good one for the purpose. With William McKav as master, and one hundred and twenty members as a sup- port, we can well imagine that they have one of the very best in the county. They are doing fine work, are prosperous and happy in their prosperity. They all feel that there is nothing along the line of improvement to the farmer that can compete with the Grange unless it l)e their twin sister, the Farmers Clul). farmers' clubs. The Farmers" Clubs, organized and sustained among the farmers of the county, is another advance step toward the betterment of farm society and is an educator in more ways than one. It cements the farm interests, it gives the men and women a better and more intimate ac(|uaintance with one another, gives them ease in society and enables them to express themselves in public and when on their feet. It gives them an invitation and desire to express their views on any subject before the audience. Many today are among our most entertaining speakers, who only a siiort time ago felt that they could not rise in public and express their tlioughts. Long may the Farmers' Club be a thing of interest and ])rofit to the people and long may it be before it shall lag or die out unless th.e ingenuity of men or women shall devise some- thing better to take its place. Lincoln township boasts of a Farmers' Club, which meets monthly at different farmers' residences and discusses important matters pertaining to the farmer's calling and, don't forget, they not only talk and learn from one another, but they have music, declamation and dinner, and such a dinner as can be found at no other place but a farmer's. They embrace such families as George Wilse. Mel Castle, Ed Decker. Wilson and many others. 294 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. In Broomfield township they have had a Farmers" Club for tlie past ten years. E. W'. Woodruff is president and is supported by about fifty members. They meet every month and are prosperous and happy. Union township also has a Farmers' Club, which has been running ever since 1895, and is still keeping up its interest and numbers. It is supported by the following as some of the influential members : W. E. ^Valdron, W. H. Wood, W. Prescott, J. Maxwell, Jr., W. W. Preston and others. They ha\e their monthly meetings and have a good time generally. They have no desire nor intention of discontinuing their meetings, for they find it a great source of information as well as pleasure. In Wise and Vernon townships they have a joint Farmers' Club, which is well patronized, and each year they hold a picnic at Stevenson's lake and ha\'e a good time generally. They announce the time of their picnic so that the people generally have knowledge of the time and they generally have some speakers of prominence from outside of Isabella and sometimes some of the talent of the county. Thousands congregate on some of these occasions and are very much interested in their gatherings. The Deerfield Farmers' Club was organized February 21, 1895, with the following as charter members : William and Clary Redfield. Franklin and Clarasa Rhodes, Columbus Coles and wife, Mary E., N. V. Coomer and his wife, Ella A.. John D. Gulick and wife, Mary G., F. M. Boyden and Lucy B. Boyden, George D. Brown and Mary B. Brown, Sam Johnston and wife, Sarah B., George A. and Eliza L. Lucas, William R. Hollowat and wife, Sarah H., Samuel Topley and wife, Eliza, Alva D. and Nancy Weston. The second meeting they added twenty-six new members. The first meeting was held at the residence of John D. Gulick and they had royal good time. The first officers were Columbus Coles, president ; F. Rhodes, vice-presi- dent ; Ella A. Coomer, recording secretary ; N. V. Coomer. corresponding secretary; Mary Gulick, treasurer, with F. 'Si. Boyden and George D. Brown as directors. They keep up their meetings from month to month and at their annual election they appoint the places of their meetings for the coming vear so that each one knows when their turn comes to prepare for a feast. They all feel proud of their society and think that it has done more toward breaking the ice between the farmers than any other method e\er devised. They have now been at work for sixteen }ears and there is as much interest and enthus- iasm as at first. Samuel Craft, one of their old members, used to be an en- thusiast and was very much taken up with the work. Sam was also a great lover of fine swine and used to raise some very fine ones, so when his time came to spread the feast he selected the finest of the herd and proceeded to ISABELLA COUXTV. MUIIICAX. 295 prepare and iMast it. wliicli lie could do to the queen's taste and when the Iiousetul iiad arrived and dinner was called there was presented a feast suffi- cient to regale the gods. At one of their gatherings the guests numhered one hundred and thirty-six and a number of times it has exceeded one hun- dred. They take in a radius of ahout eighteen miles, so that they lia\e a good large country to draw from. Another thing they are claiming is that their organization is not a secret one. hut entirely a mutual, social and beneficial one. No secrets to keep or divulge, but a good time socially and one thai shall make them all more social and intelligent: a sort of a brotherly love institution that also includes the ladies. Long may it live and do good. This claims to be the oldest society of the kind in the county and it looks as if it was, as they organized in February, 1895: however, the one in Union township was organized in 1895. but we have not the exact date. farmers' schools. There is one more innmation in the old methods among the farmers or rather want of method, and that is the recent o])ening of a school f(jr farmers where the best scientific as well as the l)esl posted and most successful farmers meet and conduct a regular school of instruction. Any and all of the farmers are invited to attend and it is proving to be a wonderful advantage to all those that attend the school. That and the introduction of agriculture in the day schools is sure t(j be repaid four-fold in the near future, ihe old idea that any fool can be a good farmer is fully exploded and now the man that can make two blades of grass grow where formerly grew but one is con- sidered a philanthropist. \\'hat shall the man be who can raise two bushels of wheat or corn where l)ut one is raised today or that can add one-half to the production of the soil of all kinds and of all kinds of crops? Remember that we as a country are very near the boundary line when we shall pass by the time when our country will raise all of the food grains demanded for the wants of the .American people. KSAIiELI-A COrXTV Ai;UU L LTURAL .SOCIETY. .\bout the first day of March. :88o, a citizens' meeting was called to take into consideration the advisability of forming an agricultural society for the county of Isabella. At such meeting ([uite a number of the farmers and citizens of Mt. Pleasant met at the court house and, after some consultation. 296 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. it was thought advisable to undertake such an organization and a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws and to present them to an adjourned called meeting. Hon. John Maxwell was the chairman of the first meeting and called a meeting to be held at the court house on the 20th day of Alarch, 1880, to receive the report of the committee on constitution and by-laws. At such meeting Major J- W. Long submitted the following as the report of the committee : "Articles of association of the Isabella County Agricultural Society. Know all men by these presents, that on this 20th day of March, A. D. 1880, at J\lt. Pleasant, Michigan, in pursuance of the statute in such cases made and provided, "We, the undersigned citizens of said county and state, have formed ourselves into an association to be called and known as 'The Isabella County Agricultural Society of the State of Michigan.' "The business and object of such society shall lie the promotion of the agricultural interests of Isabella county, Michigan, by the dissemination of knowledge among its members, the holding of fairs, and such other means to this end as may seem best to those having the matter in charge. "The officers of the society shall consist of a president, sixteen vice- presidents (one from each township in the county), a secretary and treasurer, such ofificers to constitute, ex-officio, the board of trustees, directors or mana- gers, the secretary to act as secretary of such board." The report as read was accepted and adopted and the society p/oceeded to elect officers as follows : President, Isaac A. Fancher: Mr. Maxwell then vacated the chair, giving it to Mr. Fancher, who proceeded with the election of vice-presidents as fol- lows: Broomfield, John Hutchinson: Chippewa, Ephraim .\. Salisbury: Wise, George M. Quick; Isabella. Joseph Graham. Sr. : Lincoln, Zerah Burr; Deer- field. Samuel Craft; Gilmore, Prince H. Robbins; Sherman, James H. Tinker; Coe, William B. Bowen ; Den\'er, Jesse H. Jordan; \'ernon, James A. Con- verse; Union, Thomas J. Root; Fremont, John Ulam ; Xnttawa, ]\Iichael ]\IcGihan; Coldwater. William B. Forbes: Rolland, William Beckley. The society then proceeded to the election of secretary and treasurer, resulting as follows: Secretary, James W. Long, and for treasurer, John Maxwell. The following original members signed the articles of association : I. A. Fancher, James W. Long, John iVIaxwell, Samuel Craft. Zerah Burr, W. B. Bowen. Thomas J. Root, Henry Burr, E. .-\. Salsbury, J. W. Hance, Lewis ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 297 Hawkins, John RowlaiukT, Micliacl Mc(jilian and William lliiMniilield. four- teen in all. The customary affidavit of acknowledgment was attached to the arti- cles. The following paid the membership fee of one dollar to the secretary, which was by him handed to the treasurer: Samuel Craft. Thomas J. Root, Zerah Burr. W. l'>. Rowen. John ^la.xwell, Henry Rurr. E. A. Salslniry J. W. Hance. William Rroomtleld. M. McCiihan: total, ten dollars. The meeting thereupon adjourned to meet again at the same ])lace on Saturday. April lo, 1880, at ten o'clock a. m. At Mt. Pleasant. .Xpril lotli. the society met i)ursuant to adjournment, President Fancher in the cliair. A. S. Fay ])aid liis membershi]) fee to the secretary and received his certificate. Called to order and the minutes of previous proceedings read bv the secretary. On motion of Samuel Craft, tbcv were accepted and adopted. Samuel Craft addressed the meeting in regard to the appointment of a committee, and also in relation to the selecting of grounds for the joint pur- poses of a driving park association and fair jnirposes. On motion of Samuel Craft, the president was instructed to appoint a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws. The following were ap- pointed as such committee : Samuel Craft. Henry Burr and James A\'. Long. .\pril .23. 1880. the society met at ten a. m. and adjourned to one p. m.. at which time it again assembled, with President Fancher in the chair. The minutes of previous meeting were read and approved. Major Long, from the committee on constitution and by-laws, made the following report, which on motion w;is accepted and adopted, as follows: CONSTITUTION. .\rticle L This society shall be called "Isabella County .-\gricultural Society." auxiliary to the "Michigan State Agricultural Society." and the same is organized and established for the encouragement and advancement of agriculture, manufacture and the mechanics arts. .\rticle n. Any person may become a member of this society by paying one dollar ($1.00) into the treasury. Life membership may be obtained on payment of the sum of ten dollars ($10.00). .\rticle HI. The officers of this society shall consist of a president, six- teen vice-presidents (one from each township), a treasurer and .secretary, such officers to constitute, ex-officio. tiie board of directors or managers, and be called the executive board, the secretary to act as scretarv of such board. 298 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Article 1\'. Duties of Officers — Sectiun i. The president, or in his ab- sence, one of tlie vice-presidents, and in case neither are present, such one of the members as the society may elect, may preside at all meetings of the society. Sec. 2. The secretary shall keep a record of all members of the society and of its proceedings, and shall also be secretary of the executive board, and shall attend to such other business as usually pertains to such office, and shall turn over all books, monies and papers belonging to such office to his successor. Sec. 3. The treasurer shall receive all monies of the society and expend the same only by direction of the executive board on the order of the presi- dent, countersigned by the secretary. He shall keep a correct account of all receipts and exi)enditures, and make a full written report, .at each annual meeting of the societ\-, of his affairs as treasurer, and shall give bonds for the faithful performance of his duties in such penalty and with such securitv as the board may direct. Said bond to be filed with the secretarv within ten days after such election, and shall turn over all monies, books and papers belonging to such office to his successor. Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the executive board to exercise a general supervision over the affairs of the society: to appropriate the funds of the same in such a manner as shall, in their judgment, best subserve the interests and forward the objects of tlie society; to call special meetings when necessar}-, to appoint marshals, superintendents and examining committees. Said board to designate the days for holding the fair and the premiums to be awarded, giving at least ninety days' public notice of the same, and to make the neces- sary preparations for holding said fair, and to adopt a code of Ijy-laws, and publish the same with the constitution, for the l^enefit of the society ; and they may, from time to time, alter or amend said by-laws, by a majority of the board present. Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the vice-presidents to receive and distribute in their several townships premium lists, circulars, and such other matter as shall be forwarded to them from time to time, and to encourage the bringing forward articles for exhil)ition, and to look after the welfare and interests of the society in their townships. Article V. The annual meeting of this society, for the election of officers and the transaction of other necessary business, shall be held on Saturday following the 20th day of March, in each year (unless otherwise determined by the executive board), at such place as the board shall appoint, the}- giving suitable notice thereof. Article VI. The society shall hold an annual fair and general exhibition ISABELLA COUNTY. MICfllGAN. 299 of animals, agricultural and horticultural products, articles of domestic manufacture and of the mechanic arts, and also such other matters as the executive hoard shall determine. Article \"II. Xo premium shall he given to any one not a memher of the society. Article \'III. Any vacanc\- in the office of the society may he tempo- rarily tilled hy the executive Ijoard. Article IX. The constitution may he altered nr amended at any regular annual meeting of the society h\' a two-thirds \(ite of the mcmhers present. .\rticle X. It shall he the duty of the several officers to ohtain the names of persons wishing to hecome memhers of the society, and to jiay over to the treasurer all monies received for memljership and as donations. BY-L.\\VS. Section i. It shall he the duty of the marshal to maintain order, to assign to the superintcnilenl>^ the places to he occui)ied In- the classes under their supervision: and at all times shall he suhject to the direction of the e.xecutive hoard. Any memher who shall refuse to ohey the marshal, when acting within the sphere of his duty, shall he expelled from the society. Section 2. Xo article shall lie entitled to a premium Init such as helongs to and hona fide propertx' of the competitors, .\pplicants. when re(|uired, shall give written statements relative to the article exhiljited. and shall he prepared to give satisfactory evidence to sustain them. Section 3. The viewing committees shall he attended to the pens by the superintendent, and any owner of stock or memher of the society who shall attemjit to influence the decision of the committee shall forfeit all claim to a premium. .\ny niemler who shall refuse to obey the superintendent, when acting within the sphere of his duty, shall he expelled from the society. Section 4. All reports of viewing committee shall be in writing, and signed by the members of the committees assenting thereto : and premiums shall be conferred on the award of the majority of the committee. Section 5. X"o animal ])resented for competition shall be entitled to re- ceive more than one premium annually in any one class, and shall not show in more than one class, unless it be herds of cattle, special and sweepstakes premiums, drawing, walking or trotting. Section 6. \\'hen there is but one exhibitor in a class or subdivision of a class, the article or animal will be awarded the first or second premium or none at all. as the judges shall tleem it worthy. 300 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Section 7. Tlie executive board shall audit the accounts of the treasurer and, if found correct, shall certify to the same, prior to its submission to the annual meetings of the society. Section 8. It shall be the duty of the president, upon application of five members of the executive board, to call a meeting of the same for the transaction of business. Section 9. No person shall be entitled to vote unless he shall have com- plied with the provisions of the constitution. RULES AND REGULATIONS MEMBERSHIP, ADMISSIONS AND ENTRIES. 1. The payment of ten dollars at once constitutes a life member, who is entitled to receive (on presentation of his ticket at the treasurer's office) all of the privileges of the society grounds during the exhibition, and also en- titles them to enter articles for exhibition under the rules of the society. 2. Any person paying into the treasury the sum of one dollar previous to the closing of the books, shall be entitled to four single admission tickets to the annual fair and to make any entries under the rules of the society. 3. Persons wishing for passes for necessary attendants on stock, will be furnished with such passes upon application to the superintendent of the grounds, which passes will be good only at the exhibitors' gate and for the person named therein. Any attempt to use such pass b)- any person not entitled thereto will be regarded by the society as a forfeiture thereof. If partners or joint owners of articles entered are present, each one must be a member of the society. 4. All persons renting booths, stands or grounds, for the purpose of fur- nishing articles for sale, or for any other speculative purpose, shall furnish themselves and their attendants with passes. PRICE OF ADMISSION. For each admission $ .25 For children between eight and twehe years 15 For admittance for single horse and carriage 25 For two horses drawing carriage 50 For one horse 25 5. Each person in a carriage must have an admission ticket, and all admission tickets will be taken up at the gate, before person or team are al- lowed to pass. No check or other ticket will be given at the gate and n>< money allowed to be paid at the gate for admission under any pretext what- ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 3OI ever. The foregoing regulations of admission and L-ntries are adopted 1)\' the executive board. 6. The secretary will furnish complimentary tickets to clergymen and such \isitors from abroad as the executi\e 1)oard shall direct. 7. -Ml articles or animals offered for premiums nuist Ijc entered 1)\- the owner, iiis agent or a memlier of his famil\- entitled tn adniissiim under his ticket, and must be owned in the county, except foreign stock. 8. All articles and animals intended for exhibition must l)e entered in the secretary's office before entering the fair ground.s, and receive a card w ith a number, as entereil upon the books. 9. -Ml articles for exhibition to be designated by the name of the cxiiib- itor. instead of numbers. 10. Exhibitors are requested to ni.ike their entries on or l)efore the first day of the fair. The Iiooks will pnsitiveK' lie closed (ill the evening of the second day. 11. Xo animal or article can lie taken from the ground during the con- tinuance of the fair without permission from a member of the executixe board. 12. Feed will be furnished upon the fair gnmnds at the expense of the society, for animals entered for exhiliition. 13. When there is but one exhibitor in a class, or subdixision of a class, the article or animal will be awarded a first or second premium, as the judges may deem it worthy, and no premium shall be awarded when the article or animal is unworthy, though there be no competition. 14. .Ml discretionary premiums recommended by the jiulges shall be subject to the approval of the executixe board, and iiie\ ma\' modifv or refuse to allow the same as they deem proper. 15. The judges are requested to file their re|)ort with the secretary at or before ten o'clock in the forenoon of the last day of the fair. 16. All stock entered as thoroughbred must be accompanied w ith a con- cise written statement, certified to by the owner, showing their age, breed and pedigree. 1 7. -Ml horses entered as matched horses must be owned by the same person and kept as a span. 18. Cards or ribbons will be furnished liy the judges, to lie ])laced on articles or animals, when decisions are made. First jirize. blue; second jirize. red ; third prize, white. 19. Under no circumstances shall any liooths or stand be rented for the sale of intoxicating li(|uors on the ground, nor shall any such sale be alh^wed. Xor shall any game of chance, lottery or prize package scheme be allowed. .\fter the adoption of the constitution and by-laws, on motion of Major 302 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Long, a committee of five was appointed by the chair to look up a suital)le ground and ascertain the price and terms. The foHowing gentlemen were then appointed: Messrs. A. S. Fay, T. J. Root, Joseph A. Graham, Jessie H. Jorden and Henry Burr. The secretary was instructed to have printed five hundred copies of the constitution and by-laws, after which the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the president. Another meeting was called to meet on the 26th day of June, 1880. They met as per call, but, the committee on grounds not being ready to report, the meeting was adjourned until July 3d, at which time the committee reported in favor of the purchase of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 10, township 14 north, range 4 west, being about one niile from the village of Mt. Pleasant in a north direction. The price to be paid was seven hundred dollars. At a meeting of the society held on the 8th day of October, article V of the constitution was amended so as to provide for holding the annual meeting on the last day of the fair in each year. The fair grounds were partially cleared 1)y the citizens and farmers by means of bees, and on June 21, 1881, a meeting was held of the society, at which meeting it was decided to hold a county fair for that year and also that the county should be represented at the state fair for that year. At this meeting Henry A. Dunton was made a committee to let the job for clearing twenty acres more of the grounds. At the meeting on June 4, 1881, Mr. Fancher tendered his resignation as president of the society and John T. Landon was elected in his place. The first fair was held on October 18, 19 and 20, 1881. The following were the division superintendents : Division A, horses, V. L. Brown ; division B, cattle, John D. Richmond ; division C, D, E, sheep, swine and poultry, Michael Flaley : division F, G, grain and vegetables, Joseph A. Graham ; di- vision H, fruits, John Fraser; division J, mechanics arts, William R. Crow- ley, also for division K. musical instruments; division L and M. dairy and domestic manufacturers, P. F. Bennett; division N and O, fancy work, draw- ing and painting, Mrs. J. T. Landon; division P, plants and flowers, Mrs. William E. Harris; division O, boys and girls, no selection; di\^ision R, music, Mrs. J. W. Long. At a meeting of the society held at the court house in Mt. Pleasant on Alarch 25, 1882, the following were adopted as amendments to the constitu- tion : "Article IIL This society shall consist of a president, a vice-president for each township, a secretary, a treasurer and an executive committee of five members (exclusive of the president and secretary, who shall Ije members ISABELLA COUNTY, MICUUIAN. 3O3 ex-ofificio of the committee). Three shall constitute a (luorum for the trans- action of business at any meeting of said committee: provided, that each member shall have been notified in the usual manner of such meeting. .\I1 of the above ofificers to l>e elected annually, excepting the executive committee, who shall be elected respectively for fi\e. four, three, two and one years, so that one vacancy shall occur annually." "Article IV. Sec 4. The executive board shall be the iudici;d body of the society, and shall enact all laws, rules and regulations governing the society, and shall have full charge of the annual exposition and shall fix the salaries of the officers. The board shall have power to displace any officer for neglect of duty or abu.se of position, and shall fill all vacancies by ap- pointment. Meetings may be called l)y the president, or ijy a majority of the members of the board. It shall be the duty of the board to look after the general welfare of the society; devise new methods of impruvement ; keep the society upon a sound financial basis and provide for every necessity as it shall arise. All measures of importance shall be sul)mittcd to this board but may be referred back to the society.'" "Article TX. .\ny addition or revision of these laws may be made by a two-thirds vote of the members present at an\- annual meeting of the society, one month's notice having been given." "Article XI. This society in its regular or special meetings shall be governed liy ordinary parliamentary usages." "Article XII. This society may hold real estate and i)ersona! property, to the amount of twenty thousand dollars." The above amendments and additions to the constitution were accepted and adopted by a vote of all present excepting one, S. Craft. At this meeting the retiring secretar}-, James \\'. Long, made his final report of the society, as follows: "John T. Landon, president of the society. Sir — At the close of my term of office as secretarv of this association, 1 have the honor to submit the fol- lowing general rei)ort ; This association was organized into an agricultural society March 20. 1880, with Hon. I. A. Fancher as president. J. W. Long as secretary and John Maxwell as treasurer. "Xo grounds having been purchased, the fir.st fair was held on grounds in the corporation limits of the village of Mt. Pleasant, and notwithstanding every discouragement, a creditable showing was made. The total receipts were five hundred twelve dollars and seventy-four cents, and the total dis- bursements were five hundred twelve dollars and twenty-six cents, leaving a balance of forty-eight cents." After reviewing and reciting the different meetings of the society he further says that "it was decided, on Xo\ember 19, 304 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 18S1, to give a note of the society or rather of its individual members for the sum of one tiiousand five hundred dollars, running five years, in order to raise money for current expenses. This note was negotiated witli Hon. John Moore, of Saginaw, and of the amount of seven hundred thirty-fi\e dollars was paid to Cutler & \\'alker as purchase money in full for the grounds, being the principal charges and interest to date. "The balance of five hundred sixty-five dollars was turned over to the treasurer, I presume, but as it did not pass through my office as it should ha\ e done. I have no official record of it, sa\e that I placed the deed on record. "The following orders, passed as correctly as possible. ha\e been drawn on the treasurer : For lumber and material $589.82 For fair, including premiums 302.75 For contingent expenses, including purchasing of grounds 788.66 Total $1,621.23 "Respectfully submitted, "James W. Long, "Secretary." The treasurer then submitted the following re]jort : "John T. Landon. President. Sir — On September 17th, 1881, I assumed the duties of treasurer of the society. There was a balance of fortv-eight cents due from the late treasurer, which I have received. I have receix'ed the following amounts : From sale of membership certificates $ 66.00 From sale of tickets at fair 256.75 From J. W. Long, secretary 45 00 From note by Hon. John Moore i .300.00 From .-\lexander Brodie, county treasurer 369. 17 To which add balance on hand .48 Total receipts $2,037.40 Disbursements on orders $1,599-33 Balance on hand $ 438.07 "Respectfully submitted, "^^'ILI.I.AM E. Harris. Treasurer. "James \\'. Long, Secretary." ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 305 At Mt. I'leasant. on April 15. iS8_'. tlie executive committee met jjui- suant to a call by the president, with all of the members present. .\t this meeting- it was decided to hold the next connty fair on the 13th, 14th and 15th of Se])tember, i88j. Also pro\isions were made for fencing the grounds. The board met again on July 13, i8S_', and made contract with Taggart & Bartlett for the building of a hall, tu he twenty-six by sixty-six feet, at a cost of one himdred twenty dollars. On September _>. i88j. the association entered into a contract with the Drixing Park .Vssociation by which they leased to said association the grounds for a term of ten years, the association to make a suitable half-mile track and providing as to the relative conditions on which each should enjoy the grounds. .\ very good half-mile track was constructed and maintained for several years. The annual fairs were kept up for a numl)er of years and generally with a good deal of interest and very well attended and supported. But it finally proved that the location and the conditions of the lands were such that interest .seemed to fall of? and the attendance declined so that in the end the attendance was not sufficient to warrant its continuance and it was finally discontinued. .Another incident that perhaps had some force was that it was discovered that underlying a portion of the grounds there was a strata of bromide which was finally tested by the Dow Chemical Company of Midland Cit\'. Michigan, and the north portion of the grounds were finally sold to that company and they put down several wells and have been operating a plant for se\eral years and with profit to them. The Driving Association also ceased to be an acti\c and paving invest- ment and has become of little if any value. The south half of the grounds are still owned by the society. Init they ha\e been granted ])ermission In' the circuit court of the county to sell the same whenever they can obtain a satisfactory price for the same, and the society is now trying to negotiate with the city of Mt. Pleasant for certain privileges on the ]3ark grounds for jjlace and conveniences for the holding of agricultural fairs. The city has sufficient grounds that they could set apart for that use if it was thought best and the location would then l>e an ideal one, being w ithin the corporate limits of the city and within a stone's throw from the center of the business portion of the city. Tlie matter of agriculture is of such prime importance that it seems there should be some way devised to the end that there might be agricultural, horti- cultural and kindred subjects exhibited each year to the end that tiie farmers could come together once a year and compare notes as well as samples of (20^ 306 ISABELLA COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. grain and animals of all kinds, so that it, in connection with our annual gath- erings in the winter, might serve to encourage and strengthen the love and interest in the farmer's profession. The day is coming, and not far distant, when the ability of the farmer to supply the nourishment for the nation will be sorely taxed unless the soil can be made more productive and yield a larger supply of the necessaries of life for our people. CHAPTER XIX. COUNTY POOK KAR.M. A county poor farm seems to be a public necessity. It is saiil. and with mucli truth, that "The poor you have witli you always;" so that among the first of the important things of a new county was to provide for the jjoor. .\t the session of the hoard of supervisors in October, i860, the board, consisting at that time of William R. Robbins, of Coe township. X. C. Payne, of Chip- pewa, and C. H. Rodd, Isabella, with Robbins as chairman and I. E. Arnold as C()unt\- clerk. (3n motion of Supervisor Payne. Albert G. I'erris, of Isabella, James Muwser. of Chipjjewa. and Cyrenus Kinter. of Coe, were appointed as county superintendents of the poor for Isabella county. At the same session the board of su]ier\-isc)rs set apart a tund ot unc Inui- dred ninetv dollars for the support of the poor. The superintendents entered upon their duties and disbursed the funds as the necessity occm-red. The first vear thev spent ninety-one dollars and twenty-five cents and in i86j the sum of twii hundred sixty-one dollars and thirteen cents, and in the next year the sum of two hundred sixty-five dollars and sixty-two cents. This method con- tinued until the October session of the board of supervisors. 1864. when the following resolution was passed : "On motion of Stephen lluniphrcy, a majority of the board \i)led to purchase a farm for the use of the county i)0(M-. The vote stood, yeas, Stephen Humphrey, F. J. \\'illiams. W. H. Nelson, William Tiffany and A. G. Ferris, and navs. James W'ilsey. At the same session a resolution was passed to raise the sum of three thousand dollars to i)urcha.se and improve the farm and Fer- ris, Humphrey and Tiffany were appointed a committee to purchase a farm." On January 2, 1865, the committee reported the following: "^'our com- mittee visited and inspected the farms of the following named persons; the sums set opposite is the i)rice asked for said farms at the time of inspection: William F. Payne, wheat on the ground and farming tonls included. $3,000; M. Bradley and J. h'outch. $2,100; H. T. Sherman, wheat on the ground and farming utensils included, $3,000. "Your committee did not make a selection of either, but left that open for vour action. Signed. .\ d. l-'erris and Ste]>hen Humiihrey. Committee." 308 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Januan- lo, 1865, the offer of William F. Payne of his farm for a poor farm was unanimously adopted and on the same day a resolution ordering the chairman and clerk of the board to draw orders on the treasurer of the county for three thousand dollars and deliver the same to William F. Payne on the delivery of a good and sufficient deed of the farm and the delivery of the pos- session thereof. On October 12, 1865, the board of supervisors authorized the superintend- ents of the poor to engage a suitable person to care for the poor farm. The farm consisted of one hundred sixty acres of land, with fair ])uildings for the time, as it was only ten years after the first settler came to the county. About four years ago the county purchased forty acres of land adjoining at one thousand eight hundred dollars. The farm has been run ever since and has been a good paying investment to the county, and has served a noble pur- pose in pro\'iding a good home, with nourishing food and care and medical attendance when sick to those so conditioned that they are unable to care for themsehes. The farm has increased in value and is now worth about twenty thousand dollars. The a\erage number of inmates to be cared for last year was twenty- two. It cost last year to run the farm and care for the inmates as reported liy the superintendent of the poor the sum of $1 1,461.98. Paid out for Physicians and Medical Services $759.58 For Permanent Paupers 498.91 For Postage and Telephone 24.66 For Transportation 59-4- Hospital Expenses i39-30 Total $1,480.8: / They further report that they turned into the county from the farm $1,491.61 and had a balance on hand on October 11. 1910, of $238.88. The county farm expenses were as follows: Salary of keeper, $700; hand labor, $385.95: help in the county house, $145.50: food, $616.06: clothing, $263.30: drugs and medicine, $62.20; burial expenses, $51; coal and wood, $183.70; turpentine, $7.75; insurance, $27.15; telephone, $33.66; newspapers. $4; farm tools and repairs, $159.48; grain and seeds, $54.11 ; stock, $24; phos- phates, $179.93; ditch tax, $60.06; transportation, $87.82; fruit trees, $17; threshing and bailing hay, $64.34: binder twine, $13.04; fencing, $75; build- ing bam and painting, $1,392.66; putting bath and closets, $200: tile for farm and laying, $242.69 : total, $5,050.89. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3O9 Beside the expenses at tlie poor farm, there was expended in temporary relief b_v the supervisors of their townships the following anionnts : Township. Food. Coe $97.62 Chippewa . 180.61 Denver 300.61 Wise 150.63 Lincoln 15.43 Union 106.47 Isabella 82.76 Vernon 78.64 Fremont 56.10 Deerfeld _. 86.46 Nottawa — 242.04 Gilmore — 138.62 Holland 66.62 Broonifield 16.13 Sherman _. 95.98 Coldwater _ 162.33 1st Ward .. 170.17 2d Ward — . 232.25 3d Ward — 246.47 • Other Clothing. Fuel. Nurse. Burial. E: xpenses. Supervisor .Total. ?19.30 $37.00 $9.00 $162.92 36.49 11.25 42.00 $7.00 19.50 313.12 31.00 55.70 $64.00 19.50 470.81 14.52 130.00 3.00 298.61 4.00 12.00 31.43 24.35 16.00 14.00 160.S2 22.06 57.00 5.25 167.07 16.95 95.59 21.88 10.50 77.70 3.00 169.SS 34.67 21.00 20.00 18.00 180.13 32.61 11.75 16.14 61.00 4.05 366.59 31.19 4.25 110.00 9.38 28.40 321.84 48.86 14.12 96.50 31.50 10.00 267.75 51.90 „.. 6.00 74.03 28.45 3.25 155.89 20.00 36.00 338.57 9.75 55.15 33.00 7.50 267.73 12.00 58.65 37.50 30.00 13.50 392.88 55.50 85.78 9.30 10.00 5.00 392.88 44.45 189.51 40.75 4.00 41.50 566.68 $2,526.09 $486.14 $404.06 $807.28 $397.50 $49.40 $267.65 $4,940.12 The present superintendents are Charles Cassady. J. .\. .Stnihle and l\. H. Gardner. The present \alne of the farm and impro\ements is about thirty thousand dollars. They have now about twenty-six inmates to care for. The amount appropriated for the support of the poor for the year 191 1 is the sum of nine tiimisand dullars. CHAPTER XX. MILITARY RECORD. Today is Washington's birthday anniversary and our minds naturally recur to the events of that time and the Hfe of the Father of liis Countr)'. Who can dare to dixine wliat this country and nation might or would have l)een had it not been for that great man, and his leadershi]) in the tremendous events that followed during his active life. He helped to carve nut and preser\'e, all things considered, the greatest nation on earth. Isabella count}' can not boast oi any great e\'ents in the Ci\il war for which she can take credit, but she can claim that according to her population at that time she gave more men in proportion to her population than any other county in the state, if not in the nation. Her total population in uSfio was but one thousand four hundred forty-five, dix'ided about equally Ijetween whites and Indians. The government took from us about sixty-seven Indians who enlisted in the various departments of the army, many of them going into the service as sharpshooters. Of the wliites, the record shows that fifty-three enlisted into the army untler the enr(.)llment system, and that si.\ re-enlisted in the field, and that the product of the draft was twenty-six, besides one drafted man commuted. There were of the one-year men forty, and of the three- year men forty-six. The total credit under the enrollment system was eighty- six and those enlisting liefore September 19, 1863, were fiftv-one. making a total of one hundred thirty-seven. The number enrolled for draft September 10, 1862, between the ages of eighteen and forty-fi\-e, was two hundred seventy-one. Another enrollment w-as made in the summer of 1864, divided into two classes; for the first class there were one hundred fift)--three. and in the second class, si.xty-one. The order was then made to draft one-fifth of the first class so enrolled. In June. 1864, the draft took place. The credits then stood for Isabella, the number enlisted prior to January, 1864, as si.xty-one and from January to October 31, 1864, fifty-five, with three more that were credited as having enlisted prior to January i, 1864, making a total of one hundred nineteen. The enrollment for draft stood, December 31. 1864, as one hundred twenty-three and the quota under the call of December 19, 1864, was fifteen for Isabella county. ISABKM.A COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3 II There has always i)een in the county a sentiment ami helief that the county of Isahelia did not get her proper credits for all the men tiiat enlisteil and entered the army, hut tliat (luite a numher were xirtualh' sulci or ^i\en to other counties anil that they recei\e(l the credit that isahelia should have heen enitled to. Let he as it may. there were times during the continuance of the Ci\'ii war that there was scarcely an able-bodied man left in the county. Who can estimate or measure the pri\-ations that the families of the soldier under- went while the heatl of the family was away ti^htinj^ for the perpetuity of the government? Could the reader of this article ha\e been here and seen the various families of the soldier who had gone to the front, living in the woods in a little log hut, with barely the absolute necessities of life, digging her fire- wood from under the snows in the winter and caring for the cow in the stable or hunting the cow in the summer in a pasture as wast as the boundario oi' the township or ctninty, trudging through the woods and listening for the sound of the bell jingling from the neck of the almost entire support of herself and little ones. Or while she was sitting in the corner of her cabin, waiting and watching for the mail carrier, who should liriug her a letter from her husband, with the jHttance that L'ncle Sam should have given him ftjr his services in defense of his country; or to watch the tears trickling down her cheeks when the carrier goes by, leaving her neither money nor tidings of the dear (_)ne at the front. In our pros|)erity lodax'. 1 fear we think too lightlv of the days long gone by when the boys were at the front and the families de- pendent upon them were left behind to get along as best the\' might. .Manv of our i)est and most able-liodied men went to the front, and manv failed to re- turn ; they remained a sacrifice to the cause of freedom. This day the remnant left of those brave boys of the si.xties are now holding a meeting in commemoration of the birthday of the Father of our Ci>imtry. The post of Mt. Pleasant has invited the Shepherd post, with the Relief Corps, to meet with them and to be their guests, to sup with them and enjoy such hospitality as they ha\e, and none can have better. They are enjoying the music, the speeches and the children's presentations. Yet every meeting finds their ranks thinner than they were at the last one. and some sadder faces on account of the absence of one dear to them who has ceased to answer the roll call. The peo])le at home tried to make the burden a little less to those who went to the front, or at least some of them. The board of supervisors. I'ebru- ary 8. 1864. passed a resolution granting a bounty of two hundred dollars to each one who enlisted and was credited or who was drafted and credited and acce])ted. One hundred dollars was to be paid in one year and the other one hundred dollars to be paiil in twt) years. 312 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. A REMARKABLE RECORD. It may be a little irregular, but I think that I shall be pardoned for in- troducing this bit of history for the benefit of the younger generations who know l)ut little if anything about war, and because the soldier is a citizen of Isabella county. He was a member of the One Hundred and h''ift}"-first Regi- ment, Xew York State Volunteers, First Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps. Army of the Potomac, and these are the battles he was engaged in : Pirandy Station, Virginia, June 9, 1863; ^^'apping Heights. Virginia, July 20, 1863; ^McLean's Ford, Virginia. October 5, 1863; Catlet's Station. Virginia. October 15. 1863; Kelly's Ford, Virginia, November 7, 1863: ]\Iine Run. \'irginia, November 26, 1863; Locust Grove. Virginia. November 2/, 1863; Wilderness, Virginia, May 5. 6, 7, 1864; Spottsylvania Court House. Virginia. Maq 8-9, 1864; Spottsyhania, and Laurel Hill, Virginia. May 10 and 21, in- clusive, 1864; North Anna, Virginia, ]\Iay 22 and 26, inclusive, 1864; Tolo- potomy, \'irginia. May 27 and 30, inclusi\e, 1864: Hanover Court House, Virginia, May 31, 1864; Cold Harbor, Virginia, June i. 2, 3, 1864: before Petersburg, Virginia, June 17 and July 5, inclusive, 1864: W'eldon Railroad, Virginia, June 21, 22, 23, 1864; Monocacy, Maryland, July 9, 1864; Snickers Gap, West Virginia, August 11, 1864; Berryville, West Virginia, August 10, 1864; Winchester, West Virginia, August 11, 1864; Middletown, West Vir- ginia, August 12, 1864; Strausburg, West Virginia, August 13, 1864: Charles- town, West Virginia, August 21, 1864; Leetown, West Virginia, August 28-29, 1864; Smithfield or Berryville, West Virginia, September 3, 1864; Opequon Creek. West Virginia, September 19, 1864; Fisher Hill, West Virginia, Sep- tember 22. 1864; Mount Jackson, West Virginia, September 24. 1864; Strausburg, West Virginia, October 14, 1864: Cedar Creek or Sheridan's Ride, West Virginia, October 18. 1864; Appomattox, Virginia, April 9, 1865 ; Sailor's Creek, Virginia. April 6, 1865 ; Petersburg Works. X'irginia. March 25. 1865, and fall of Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, 1865. This is a part of the war record of William H. Salsbury, of Deerfield township, Isabella county. And a most remarkable record it is. WAR MEETINGS. During 1863-4, after many had enlisted and the call was made for more troops, the people became very much exercised, as it began to look as if a draft was sure to follow. The government was sending out recruiting officers and one came to Isabella county to see what could be done here. He was ISABELLA COL'NTY, MICHIGAX. 3I3 escorted thioiij^li the settlements by S. W'oodwortti. wlio enlisted wiili others and went to the froyt. They held war meetings, where tiie men were per- suaded to join tlie army of the United States. The first war meeting was held at the house of Azariah Dunham, in the township of Lincoln, he having the most commodious one of the settlement, and, although it had neither door or window in it, answered the purpose and the meeting was the means of several enlisting. The meeting had Ijeen well ad\ertised, as tlie\' had distributed notices and had nailetl them to the trees along the trail through the timber, so that a good crowd was secured. Chairs in those days were .scarce, so that logs were sawero\\nstetter ; color bearer Xo. _'. Rebecca Wells; color l)earer .\o. 3, .\nna E. Lea; color bearer Xo. 4. Malissa Stevenson. The present number belonging to the corps is 45. The objects of these auxiliary organizations are grand and noble. They are to specially aid and assist the Grand .\rmy of the Rei)ublic and perpetuate the memory of their heroic dead; to assist such L'nion veterans as need our help and protection, and to extend needful aid to their widows and orphan.s; to find them homes and employ- ment, and assure them of sympathy and friends; to cherish and emulate the deeds of our army nurses and of all loyal women uhn ren attend the sessions of the board, a distance of some sixteen or eighteen miles as the crow flies, but any distance you may desire through the woods, swamps and marshes. .At the general election, 1836. there were sixty-six votes cast, all of which had to be written with ])en and ink. ISABELLA TOWXSIIIP. .\fter the nrganization of Coe, and about 1837, the balance of the countv was organized into a township called T.sabella. Charles .\. Jeffries was the 328 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. first supervisor. He lived at the center of the county, where the county seat was first located. He was also obliged to go to Midland to meet with the board of supervisors, which was not a task to be sought for the pleasure there was in it. It will be seen that he was much farther from the place of meeting than the supervisor of Coe, who was located in the southeast part of the county, while Jeffries was at the center. Jeffries' constituents were mostly Indians, as the Indians had just commenced to move to Isabella county and settle upon the lands set apart for them by the treaty of 1835. Up to this time there was no settlement in this part of the county save possibly one settler at the center, John M. Hursh, who had located just south of where Mt. Pleasant now is, and A. M. Merrill, located on section ^2, township 14 north, range 4 west. CHIPPEWA TOWN.SHIP. Afterward, and on or about the 12th day of October, 1858, the town- ship of Chippewa was organized out of township 14 north, range 3 west, and the election to be held on the first Monday of April. 1859, at residence of \\'il- liam Payne and Langdon Bentley. ^^'illiam F. Payne and John Fraser were inspectors of election. At the first election Xorman C. Pa_\ne was elected supervisor. These were the three townships organized at tlie time of the organization of Isabella county in 1859. UNION TOWNSHIP. Union was the next township to be organized, which was done by the board of supervisors at their session March i [, 1861, on petition of Langdon Bentley and others, asking that the following territory he organized into a township, to be called Union, to wit: Commencing at the southeast corner of section 12, in township 14 north, range 4 west, running thence west to the southwest corner of section 5. in township 14 north, range 5 west, thence due north to the northeast corner of section 4, in township 16 north, range s west, thence due west to the northwest corner of said county of Isabella, thence south to the southwest corner of township 14 north, range 6 west, thence east to the southeast corner of township 14 north, range 4 west, thence north to the place of beginning. The first township election to be held in the school house in .school district No. i, on the first Monday of April, 1861, at eight o'clock in the forenoon, and Hiram Sherman. Andrew J. Goodsell and Albert G. Ferris to be inspectors of the election. At this meeting ^^^ R. Robbins was chairman and Douglas H. Xelson, deputy county clerk. At said election Langdon ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 329 Bentley was duly elected supervisor. The school house referred to was a log school house, and stood on tlie ground about wliere the residence of William Crowley is now situated, on the nurtiiwcst corner of the nortiieast (juarter of section 2"], townsliip 14 nortli, range 4 west. The south part of the county was beginning to settle c|uite rapidly on account of the passage by Congress of the Homestead bill, which gave to the settler one hundred sixty acres of land substantially free, only requiring of him a small entry fee and a settlement and residence upon the said land for the term of five years; when he had performed that and had improved the same in good faith, he was to have a patent in fee simple of the said land. The Homestead act was passed by Congress and approved May 20. 1862. Section 2289. United States statutes, provided, that every person who is the head of a family, and who has arri\ed at the age of twenty-(jne years and is a citizen of the United States, or who has tiled his declaration of intention to become such as provided by law. shall be entitled to enter one cpiarter section or a less quantity of unappropriated public lands. As soon as it was known that tliere were tracts of land in Isabella county that could be taken under the homestead law. settlers began to tlock into the county, and the lands were eagerly sought for and settled u[)on. This brought in many permanent settlers and they spread through the south and west part of the county. On the loth day of January, i860, the board of supervisors being in session and notice ha\ing lieen given in due form, a resolutierts. At the time appointed the said election was held and J. J. Colley was elected its supervisor. SITF.RM.VN TOWXSIIIP. October 13. 1868. the board of supervisors, on the petition nf Miln T. Dean, Cyrus Dunliar and others, praying for the erection of a townshi]) out of township 15 north, range 6 west, to be known as the township of Sherman, by resolution offered by P. H. Estee, the prayer of the said ])etitioners was duly granted and the time for the first township meeting for the election of town officers was fixed as the 29th day of October, 1868, at the house of Cyrus Dunbar, and Cyrus Dunbar, Milo T. Dean and Aaron Oshern were duly a])pointed as inspectors of said election. At such election John T. Cohoon was elected tn the office of su])crvisor. GILMORE TOWNSHIP. .\pril 13. 1870. the ap])!ication of citizens of tnwnshi]) \f) UDrth, range 5 west. ha\ing been i)rescnted to the board of supervisors and ha\ing been duly considered. John Maxwell, then supervisor of the township of Lincoln, of- fered a resolution ordering the erection of such a township, which was adopted, and named dilmore. after General Gilmore. which name was sug- gested by Rufus Glass, the first township meeting to be held at the residence of Rufus Glass, on the northeast quarter of section 24. he being one of the first settlers of that town: said township election to he held on the 28th dav 332 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. of April, 1870. and Rufus Glass. Amos F. Albright and Jessie Wood were made inspectors of the election. At which election Rufus F. Glass was elected supervisor. WISE TOWNSHIP. Wise was the next township to he erected, and to consist of townships 15 and 16 north, range 3 west. Such a petition was presented to the board of supervisors at their session on January 4, 1872. and was duly granted, the election to be held on the first day of April, 1872, with George W. Wise, Benjamin L. Loyd and Cornelius V. Hulburt as inspectors, said election to be held at the school house in tlie village of Loomis, which resulted in the choice of Isaiah Windover as their supervisor. DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP. Deerfield was ne.xt added to the list of organized townships and was composed of township 14 north, range 5 west, and was authorized by the said board of supervisors on the 14th day of October, 1874, pursuant to a petition of William M. Peterson and others, after an investigation and report of a committee of said board, duly appointed to investigate the legality and suffi- ciency of the proceedings. Such report being favorable to the organization of the township, on motion the said town was duly organized, to be known as the township of Deerlield, the election for township officers to be held at the house of Joseph S. Brazee en the 5th day of April, 1875, and William M. Peterson, Frederick M. Sanderson and Maiden R. Beach to be inspectors of election. A super\isor demanded the yeas and nays on the adoption of the resolution. The result of the vote was yeas, Messrs. Bogan, Bown. Brodie, Broomfield, Davis, Doxie, Estee, Fordyce, Grinnell, Mattison, Richardson and Voorhees ; nays, none. At the April election for town officers \\'illiam Peterson was chosen as supervisor. NOTT.\W.\ TOWNSHIP. On January 8. 1875, a petition was presented to the board of supervisors for the organization of the township of Nottawa, to consist of township 15 the yeas and nays was demanded, and on roll call resulted, yeas, Messrs. Bogan, Bown, Brodie, Broomfield, Doxie, Estee, Fordyce, Wooden, Mattison, Richardson and Voorhees; nays, Mr. Davis. The first Monday in April, 1875, was fixed for the first election in said township and to be held at the house of ISABELLA CdfXTV. MICIIICAN. 333 Eli Ford; Eli Ford, Michael McGehan and John Hyslnp were to act as in- spectors of election. At said election Michael McGehan was elected their supervisor. There were thirty-three votes cast, five white and twenty-eiglit Indian. This township is named after an old Intlian chief of the Chippewas of Saginaw, Swan Creek and Black River Indians. At the same session a petition was presented by H. H. Graves and eighteen others, asking that the board detach from the township of Isaliclla sections i to 12 inclusive, in township 14 north, range 4 west, and attach the same to the townshii) of Union. Also a petition to the same effect by I'eter Jackson and thirty-six others from the township of Isabella. Said petitions were duly referred to the proper committee and after due consideration the said committee reported in favor of granting their request, and by a resolution offered by Supervisor Bogan the request was granted. This action left the county duly organized into townships of one full township of land of thirty-six sections each, except the township of Wise. DENVER TOWNSHIP. Centennial year is at hand. The board of supervisors are in session. A petition is presented to said board for the organization of the township of Denver, which was at that time a part of the township i)f Wise. They asked that the territory known as township 15 north, range 3 west, be detached from Wise township and lie organized into the township of Den\er, which, after due deliberation, was granted, the first meeting to i)e held at the house of Robert Pearson, on the 3d day of April, 1876, with James Render, Anson Fitchet and Robert Pearson as inspectors of election. At said election R()l)ert Pearson was elected supervisor. Tills rounds out tiie full list of township organizations for the couiit\' and gives to each its full quota of sections of land, namely, thirty-six sections, or approximately twenty-three thousand forty acres of land, to the township, or three hundred sixty-eight thousand six hundred forty acres in the countv. For ready reference, coniniencing at the southeast corner of the countv, and following the township and range, we have first the township of Coe, named after Lieutenant Governor George A. Coe. He was lieutenant-gover- nor at the time of the organization of the township. The next one west of Coe is the township of Lincoln, named after the martyred President. The next one west is Fremont, named after General Fremont. Xext is Rolland. Then returning to the east side of the countv and north of Coe lies Chippewa, named after the river of that name passing 334 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. east and west tlirough the said township. Next west is Union, and west of that comes Deerfield, deriving its name from tlie prevalence of deer in the early days of its settlement. West of that comes Broomfield, named in honor of one of her earliest and most respected townsmen, William Broomfield, a citizen of the town wlien organized and still living near his old home. Returning again to the east side of the county and north of Chippewa, is located Denver ; west of Denver is Isabella, of the same name as the county ; next in order is Nottawa, named after the old Indian chief Nottawa. West of this lies Sherman, named after General Sherman. Returning again to the east side of the county and north of Denver, we ha^'e the township of Wise, named after the pioneer of the town, George W. Wise. Going west. A'ernon is the ne.xt, and next to that is Gilmore. And finallv the sixteenth and last er of merchants and business men remained to supply the wants of the community and they now have a bright little village and ha\'e a very good country about them. WINN. On November 21, 1885, one Samuel C. \\'illiams laid off a plat consisting of eight blocks of eight lots each, it being on the north half of the northeast cjuarter of the northwest quarter of section 15, township 13 north, range 5 west, and being an addition to the village of Dushville, which is now called Winn. In 1885, when the Ann Arbor railroad was laid out and built through the lands of I. N. Shepherd, west of the village of Salt River, it was thought that it would be a proper thing to do to build up a burg between the railroad and the old \illage, so A. W. Wright, I. N. Shepherd, J- M. Kenter, Sidney Clark, E. Gruber, James Campbell, W. E. Wessels and John V. Struble platted a large tract of land and divided it into some twenty-four blocks and about four hundred Icits, there being about eightv acres of land on either side of the section line between sections 8 and 17 in the township of Coe. The result has show'n their foresight, as they now have one of the finest little villages in the state. The main street has grown up with first-class busi- ness houses and with good mills. They have a fine farming countiy about them, with many of the most prosperous farmers found in the county. E\ery- thing about the burg indicates thrift and prosperity. Oscar T. Brinton, in 1887, platted seventeen and one hundred and furty- four one-thousandths acres cf the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 15, township 16 north, range 6 west. This plat was afterward vacated. Again in 1889, on the -5th day of February, O. T. Brinton. Joseph Gerard, Lewis George, with their wives, platted a portion of the same forty acres into four blocks and seventy-two lots. This was first started as a home for those that had congregated there to work at the coal kilns. This part of the county was at that time covered largely with hard wood timber. The timber was several miles from any market and Mr. Brinton conceived the idea of cutting the timber and converting it into charcoal, which at that time bore a good price. The industry was carried on as long as there was an\- timber ISABELLA COINTV. MICHIGAN. 34I that CKuKl he reached and he made availaljle. Tlie Tere Marcjiiette raih'oad huilt a spur from their main line into the village, principally to carry out the charcoal and such other commodities as were there to convey. The charcoal business lasted for se\eral years, but was finally exhausted aiul then the little village declined until the farmers could get a start. A considerable of the village went out, but enough were left to fonn a center of trade in that vicinity, and now tliey have a few business houses. The unfortunate feature is that the railroad company removed tlieir track and all of their belongings, Icaxing the village without a permanent and sulistantial market. OTHER VII.I,AGi:S. Delwin. a small burg located on the I 'ere Marcjuette, between Mt. Pleas- ant and Coleman, about eight miles out of Mt. P'ieasant. was platted February 18, 1888, and consists of five blocks and forty-four lots. It has a station and a few buildings. It has a very good country around the ])lace : has good rail- road facilities and will grow some as the country shall de\elop. Rosebush was platted by James L. Bush on the 28th of December. 1888. and was laid off with twelve and thirty-six one-hundredths acres of land on the south half of the south half of the southeast quarter of section 10, township 15 north, range 4 west, and is near the line of the Ann .Arbor rail- road and is accommodated by that road. It consists of four lilocks and fifty- four lots. Calkinsville is an addition to Rosebush and was platted by Elias B. Cal- kins, January 12, 1890. and consi.sts of four blocks and fifty-three lots. This is located on the southeast corner of section 11. township 15 north, range 4 west. These two places really form but one village. It is a good, smart little place with a hotel, bank, elevator, hardware and diy goods stores, with all other kinds of shops and places for business, is located in a first-class fanning country', well improved, and are now awake to the building of good gravel and macadam roads, which, with their railroad facilities, will make it an ideal place for a farmer to buy and hold farming land. Elm Grove addition was platted November 8, 1894. and is laid off in the form of outlets, is situated on the west side of the railroad and depot. It is fine land and may some time become part of the village, but it is probably some time in the future. It is what its name indicates, elm bottom lands, very rich and i)roducti\e. but not enough as at present to warrant much of a city built upon it. The village of W'eidman is another of these burgs that sprung up when lumbering was the principal industry in the county. The village was platted 342 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. September 15, 1894. lay J. S. Weidman and E. F. Guild. It lies in two town- ships, a part in Sherman and a part in Xottaway, on section 18 and the balance on section 13 in Sherman. It consists of some thirty-four blocks, divided into about four hundred and fifty lots. There are sufficient lots to warrant a good sized village. They ha\e alieady a fine nucleus for a considerable of a town. They have a good, safe bank, with several moneyed men at their back. Have a good flouring mill, elevator and the usual number of thrifty stores. It also has had to pass through the ordeal of changing from a lumljer town to a farming village and they have passed the ordeal much lietter than most of them ha\'e. The railroad is still there to gi\'e them a good outside market for their surplus products and to bring anything they may need from the outside world. Bissell's addition to the \illage of Shepherd was platted by Electa M. Bissell. It contained si.\ty-se\ en and one-quarter acres of the southwest quarter of section 9, township 13 north, range 3 west. This was platted in the form of outlots. It is a good piece of land and if the \'illage of Shepherd shall grow very fast, in time this property may be used for building purposes. It seems to be quite a distance from the business portion of Shepherd. Lawrence addition to Brinton was platted by George Lawrence January 3, 1890. consisting of two blocks of thirty-three lots in all. It lies on the sotith side of the princiijal street in the burg and has its share of business and business houses. Beal City is another small hamlet of a few houses, store and post office, a Catholic church and parochial school. It is in the center of one of the \'ery best of farming communities. It is settled largely witl: Germans, a thrifty, prosperous and intelligent class. This is one of the places in the county that you can stand on a raise of ground and count from one spot nine large oval- roofed farm barns, a sight that is seldom witnessed anywhere in the state, or in any other state. It speaks \olumes for their industry and thrift. Caldwell is another little hamlet, the lands sold off by metes and bounds. It is located jtist east of the Chippewa river on section 7, Deerfield. It also has the usual concomitants cf a small village. It is away from any general thoroughfare save a common highway and is located abf)ut ten miles west of Mt. Pleasant and about si.x miles from Weidman. Leaton is another of the small places that ha\e sprung up along the Pere Marquette railroad, and is located about si.x miles northeast of Mt. Pleasant. It has a station, stores, a school house with two or three churches : has a won- derful fine farming country west of them and a fairly good soil on their east. It is a thriving little place, with good railroad facilities, and nothing but good work required to make them a liappy and jirosperous people. CHAPTER xxnr CITV OK M r. ri.EASAXT. In tlie summer of 1863, Har\c\- and (ieorge Morton, of Xew York, pur- chased of David Ward the original plat of ground where the village of Mt. Pleasant (now city) was located, and caused it to he platted and recorded, which was done in February. 1864. At that time there were in buildings the old court house; a residence on lot 10 of block 7. l)uilt and owned by Doctor Burt, afterward bought and occujiied by William I'reston and family: it is still standing: also a house built by Joseph Miser, built on the bl(jck where now stands the Fancher block. During the summer and fall of 1863 the Mortons built a hotel on the lot where now stands the Donovan hotel. The old Morton house was a wooden structure of the style and finish of a village hotel of fifty years ago. consisting of twentx-twn rooms, and was of sufficient capacity for the wants of the public for some time. It was run for a time by the builder. Harvey Morton, and tlien, in May, 1S64, Wallace W. Preston rented it and ran it for a time, when John M. Hursii bought it. He conducted it for a time and then, about May, 1865. sold tiie pro])erty to Wal- lace W. Preston, who took possession and conducted the hotel business for aljout three years, and then rented it to David Morse, who run it for about two years, when Preston .sold it to William Bamber. He conducted the busi- ness for a time and then sold to I'rank and Mike (THoro, who ran it until 1883. when Patrick Donovan purchased the pro])erty and conducted it till 1890. when he commenced the erection of a forty-fi\e room brick structure, heated with steam and finished in a commodious and attractive manner. He finished and opened his new building in 1891 and is still conducting the busi- ness Jt is the best situated of an\- hotel in the city. It has been a good ])ay- ing investment. The next hotel was built by Henry Dunton on South Main street. al)out half a block ofif of Broadway. It was first used as a store building. He used it as such for a time and then turned it into a hotel. He afterward sold the property to John Xicols. This hotel finally burned under peculiar circum- stances. It had a mortgage upon it. the mortgage was foreclosed and sold by the sheriff in the forenoon, and at ten o'clock at night of the same day it was binned to the ground. 344 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Mt. Pleasant commenced her commercial career in an humlile way. Henry Dunton opened a small store in 1864, run it a short time and then sold it to John Kinney. In the summer of 1864 J. C. Groves brought in a small stock of goods and also sold to John Kinney. In the winter of 1864-5 Moses Brown Avas running a peddler's wagon ; the roads were simply trails through the woods, just so one could with great caution and perseverance get along. He broke down at Patrick Clary's, on the south line of Union township, and Mr. Clary hitched up his ox team and brought Moses out of the wilderness into the city. Moses placed his goods in the hotel Morton and proceeded to lay the foundation of what was afterward a successful business. Soon after Alexander Stevenson built a store and dwelling on North ]\Iain street and opened up a store of groceries and dry goods. He remained in business for a number of vears and then closed out his business and moved away. Not long after Stevenson opened up business he was followed by William N. Harris,' about 1866, who rented for a time and then, in 1869, built upon the block where the Commercial block now stands. He put in a stock of dry goods and groceries and continued in business for several years. Soon after Harris came. Babbitt & Nelson moved their store building and stock of goods from Isabella City to the lot where the Foster furniture and hardware store is now located. Then came the Doughty brothers, Wilkinson and Jared H. They opened up a store where the Fancher block now stands, and remained there until they were burned out in 1875. In 1876 they built a double store on the south side of Broadway, it being of brick and tlie first brick store in the city. Theirs was the first hardware store in the county. They remained in business for many years, but when they moved into the new stores divided the business, Wilkinson taking the dry goods and Jared the hardware. Jared afterward built a three-story building farther east on Broadway, moved out of the store on the corner and rented it to Marsh & Lewis. In the fire of 1875 thirteen business houses were destroyed, among them the store of Carr & Granger, which was situated at that time on the north side of Broadway, so in 1877 they built their brick store on the south side of Broadway and moved their stock of drugs and groceries into their new build- ing, and they are still doing business at the old stand. Carr & Granger and the Doughtys are the only parties that have continued in business continuously since 1869 and 1871. PLATS AND ADDITIONS. Business houses and residences kept dropping here and there so that tlie old plat was filling up. and enterprising men thought that it was opportune ISABELLA COUNTY. MICllIC.AX. 345 that additions slunild be added, and Langdun Hentlev, l^lisha II. Brooks. F. C. Babl)ett, W. H. Lockwood. Lucius R. Parker, Emily L. Case and John M. liursh platted wliat is known as the Bentley adchtion to tlie \ illage ( now city) of I\It. I'leasnnt. This was in Deccmlier. 1867, and comprised a part of tiie southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 15, township 14 north, range 4 west, consisting of ffteen blocks and eighty-one lots. It is today one of the best built portions of Mt. Pleasant. July 13. 1875. j. Kufus Smith platted twenty-three and one-quarter acres of the southeast (piarter of the southwest (|uartcr of said section 15, into nine blocks, containing eighty-six lots, now known as Smith's c-ddition to said city of Mt. Pleasant. This joins the old plat on the soutlnvest. This proved to be a judicious proceeding, for the reason tiiat it is nearly all built upon, there being scarcely a vacant lot. A little later Hon. Samuel W. Hopkins, desiring to better his worldly tondition, conceived the idea of adding to his luaterial wealth a few more shekels, and to add glory in the perpetuation of his name did, with I. 1".. Arnold, Sarah C. Huntress, C. AI. Brooks and E. J. Wiley, on the 15th day of Octoljer, 1875, plat a portion of the south part of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 15, aforesaid, into what is known as IIo])- kins' addition to said city of Mt. Pleasant. This consisted of six blocks and fifty-one lots. This, too, is now all or nearly all built upon, with many of the finest residences in the city. Among those now living on the said plat is Mr. Hopkins, Howard Chatterton, of the firm of Chatterton & Son. Roliert C. \\'ardrop, F. J. Thiers. Hon. F. H. Dodds. Samuel Morrison, ^^'hile the city was building up on the south, it was also extending east, and on June 2~. 1877, John Kinney platted the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter and the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of said section 15. into thirty- one blocks, having two hundred and fifteen lots. A large [lortion of these lots are now occupied by residences, among them some of tlie most costly and elaborate of any in the city. It contains tlic (|uiet part of the city, not dis- turbed by the presence of the large number of normal students that are found in closer proximity to the normal school on the south side of the city. Hall's addition was the next to be added, platted by Alexander Hall and wife March 29, 1880, and was a part of the southeast quarter of the south- east quarter of section 15, aforesaid. It consisted of eight blocks and thirty- one lots, block eight consisting of but one lot, as that was the location of his home where he lived for a great many years. Partridge addition lies west of Hall's and is ])art of the southwest (juarter of the southeast quarter of section 15 aforesaid, and consists of five lilocks and is divided into twenty-two lots. It was platted by D. Scott I'artridge. 346 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. Frank and Jared Doughty. S. A. and Fred Huntress. S. W. Hopkins, Francis L. Brooks and Sarah E. H-enderson. April 9, 1880. It adjoins Normal avenue on the east, and has several residences of the normal professors, among them President Grawn. Professor Calkins. Professor Bellis and Bessie \\'ightman. head of tiie drawing department. Bennett's addition \\'as laid out by Cornelius Bennett and wife un May 5, 1882, being the east thirty-three and one-third acres of the northwest r|uar- ter of the northeast quarter of section 15, and consisted of sixteen lilocks. divided into one hundred and twelve lots. This is pretty well built up with residences and lies just east of the grounds of the Pere Marquette railroad. July 31. 1884. Thomas J. Fordyce and C. Bennett platted fifteen and ninety-two one-hundredths acres of the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 10. in township 14 north, range 4 west, into eight blocks, divided int(j fifty-one lots; some of these have been built upon, while the rest' are still vacant. Jnhn Kinney platted his second addition September 15. 1884. covering a part of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of said section 13. into nine blocks and seventy-two lots. This addition has been partially built up. but there are still some lots suitable for good residences. A few houses had been built on the west side of the Chippewa ri\er. Leaton & Upton, owning some lands on that side, thought it would be a good idea to plat the land and on the iith day of October, i88G, they laid off a part of the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 15, into four blocks, containin,g thirty-six lots. INIost of these lots are now occupied by per- manent residents. Hopkins & Lyons seem to have been impressed with the same spirit, for on the next day. the 12th day of October, they platted a part of the south one- half of the north one-half of the southeast quarter of section 16. into twelve blocks and one hundred lots. These are nice, rich garden lands and also good residence property. November 5, 1887, Young & Vedder platted a part of the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 15, into lots and blocks and known as Young & Vedder's addition to Mt. Pleasant. There were thirty-two lots in six blocks. Douglas H. Nelson was the owner of the northeast quarter of the north- east quarter of section 22. within the city limits, and on the i8th day of May, 1888, he platted thirteen and thirty-eight one-hundredths acres of the forty into eighty lots and six blocks. A few good houses have been built upon the property and the l^alance is suitable for city property or for farms. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 347 Addition of Stones outlots were ])latte(l 1)\- Marv and Celia lleatlier, in connection witli Stella G. Leaton. May 15, 1891. It consisted of sixteen lots on East Broadway, being a part of tlie north half of the southeast quarter of section 14, township 14 north, range 4 west. These lots arc quite well built up, they are good grounds for gardening and some of them are used for that purpose. The old gentleman. William Bamlier. some years ago, bought and built up on a part of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 15 aforesaid, which property afterward came to his son William, who on Octol)er 5, 1891, platted his holdings into twenty-two lots. Most, if not all, has been sold and largely built upon. The ne.xt addition was that of Martins, which was a part of the north half of the northeast quarter of section 22, known as the Hursh farm, it being the first piece of land settled upon in the towushi]). The People's Sav- ings Bank. l)y its president. Henry Uittman. and its secretary. John F. Ryan, executed the plat on the 21st day of March. 1892. There were twenty-two lots. It is well located and has a number of good residences upon it. College Hill addition was added about the same time, consisting of two blocks, and being also a part of the old John M. Hursh farm. This was platted May 26, 1892, is a fine level piece of ground, and largely built over, being in close proximity to the normal school, wiiere large numbers of students find rooms and board. Bennett & Burrows added another plat to the city Jwne 22, 1892, con- sisting of sixty-eight lots in eight lilocks, and being a part of the northwest quarter of the .southwest (piarter of section 14. and lying on East Broadway. The soil is good for gardening as well as for building purposes. John W. Hance was the next to seek his fortune by laying out an addition to the city. This time it was on the southeast part of the city, and was a part of the northeast quarter of the northeast (piarter of section 22. in said township. On the 3d of October, 1892, Hance and W. W. Preston perfected the plat, consisting of fifty-five lots in three blocks. This plat is also near the normal school buildings, is of good soil and is building up as fast as could be expected. The Mt. Pleasant Improvement Company was formed in the vear 1892 for the purpose of building ? normal school Imilding and equipping the same to be used for the purpose of conducting a normal school, especiallv to pre- pare teachers for teaching in tlie rural schools of the state. .\ p.irt of the old John M. liursli farm was secured and divided into lots and blocks, being ])Iatteil necember 21. i8()2. There were two hundred and se\entcen l^ts 348 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. and twelve blocks. Ten acres of the said ground were laid out in one block and donated to the normal school. The school building was built upon that block, which was numbered on the plat as block 10. The school building was placed upon this block, the balance of the block and a considerable portion of the plat in fact was and still is covered with native hardwood timber and is as fine a park in its natural state as can be found in the state. More will be said about the normal school under a separate head. On December 27, 1892, Moses Brown laid off into lots and blocks a part of the southwest cjuarter of the northwest quarter of section 14, in town- ship 14 north, range 4 west, there being sixty-eight lots in four Ijlocks. There is also in this plat a part of the south half of the northwest (piarter of the northwest charter of said section 14. This is also good fanning land. It was built up some and the rest is used for farming purposes. October 16, 1893, Edward S. Crowley and wife platted two ]jieces of land, one addition to Mt. Pleasant and the other in outlets, the lands being a part of the north half of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the other a part of the north half of the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 23, township 14 north, range 4 west. John F. Ryan, in April, 1896, laid out the east third of the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 14 aforesaid, into two blocks. Lea's addition was added in 1898, being the north half of the south half of the northeast quarter of section 16, and divided the same into twelve lots. Not many of these have yet been built upon. John Kinney and Dr. Peter E. Richmond, in July, 1904, platted the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 15, into se\"en blocks; this was so recent that not much has been done upon the addition. In 1894 and 1895, the then Commercial Bank platted what was called South Mt. Pleasant and an addition to South Mt. Pleasant, being a part of the southwest quarter of section 27, and being located about two miles south of the center of the city of Mt. Pleasant. It is so far from the city that it has not met the hopes and anticipations of the founders. It has one redeem- ing quality — it is good land and can be utilized for farming purposes by its founders, and as the bank has busted, it makes a good place for the officers to retire and reflect upon the uncertainties of life. EARLY BUSINESS HOUSES. Dennis R}an commenced the grocery business in Alt. Pleasant on South Alain street in the year 1878 and continued for a time, when he was burned ISABELLA COLNTV. MICHIGAN. 349 out, which occurred April i. 1885. He tlien bought a buihhng which was being constructed on Soutli Main street. Tliis he finished and finally moved into it, where he reiuained doing a good business until 1889, when he was elected county treasurer and went out of the grocery business. B. Grossefent coninienced business for himself in 1902 in the confec- tioncrv and bakerv business. He continued in that business about one year and then added groceries and has been engaged in that ever since. He is having a good run of trade and has bought the building that he occupies as a grocery and the one adjoining, so that he is \ery nicely situated. In the year 1870 H. H. Graves came, in the government employ, to Isabella City and finally located there for a time. Soon after he came. Maj. J. W. Long was sent up by the government to designate the Indians as to their competency and he, too, finally settled there. He built a store build- ing which was occupied by Crane & Gilman as a general dry goods store. They remained there until 1874 and then moved to Mt. Pleasant with their families and stock of goods and remained here for some time. 'riie Major also bought a piece of land on the east side of the river at Isabella and built a store tiicre and Long & Westlake opened a drug store which they carried on for a time there and then moved to Alt. Pleasant, where they went into business. The Major finally took chnvn his store buildings and moved them to Mt. Pleasant, ha\'ing secured the lot where the Commercial Bank block now stands and put them on the lot. one on the east side of the lot, which was occupied by Angell & Wood, and Long & Westlake put their stock of drugs in the west one. next to the Carr & Granger lot. These buildings were moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1874 and the .Major had also bought the lot that Doctor Richmond's office is on and had built a dw elling house there for his family. There being a necessity for a court room, the Major conceived the idea of taking his two stores, removing the roof of each facing each other and then putting up rafters that should reach from the peak of each to a peak common to both so as to cover the space l)etw een the two stores and thus make another store and also have a number of rooms in the second and third stories and this was done and completed and turned into a hotel called the St. James, which remained there until the fire which destroyed the St. James hotel, about i8Sj, after which, alx)ut 1885, the Major sold out and moved away. The burning of the St. James hotel caused some changes to be made, as Thomas McXamara was occuping one of the stores and Fred Pferdsteller another. McXamara removed to the Tunis W. Swart store, on the southeast corner of block 16. where Swart had, in 1879. built a brick store building. •J50 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Abovit 1 88 s the principal men and firms in business in Mt. Pleasant were Carr & Granger, in the drug and grocery business ; in dry goods, John Maxwell. E. E. Wood, A. E. Chatterton. E. A. & W. E. Ward : in staple and fancy groceries, D. H. Gilman, W. S. Hunt, D. Ryan, E. G. Curtis, F. L. Davis & Company, and Kane Bros. ; in dry goods, boots and shoes were T. McNamara. H. M. Angell and W. Doughty; strictly boots and shoes, W. H. Yerrick and Alex Hall: in jewelry were C. H. Thompson and D. Switzer; in hardware, L, X. Smith. J. H. Doughty and George Falkner & Company. The hotels at that time were the Bennett house, built in 1883 by Cornelius Bennett and run by F. A. Stebbins and Marvin Richardson; the Bamber house, at the corner of ]\Iain and Broadway streets; the Peninsular house, operated by J. N. Vancise; the Union hotel, by M. S. Gar\'in, and the Exchange hotel, by Linus D. Estee; the Bamber house, conducted by Pat- rick Donovan, who built the present Donovan house in 1890. And, by the way. he is the onlv landlord now in business who was in the hotel business in 1885. All of the rest are away and out of business and most of them are now deceased. Of the drug men in business in 1885 there is now W. \\'. Cox and Gran- ger. Charles Westlake run the city drug store in the early eighties and McQueen & Ralph the ]\Iain Street drug store. They, too, are out of the business. At that time J. E. \\'ilcox and Fred Pferdsteller were in the furniture and undertaking business. The millinery business was represented by Mrs. C. Kimball. O. S. Stanton and Ruth :\I. Davis. For clothing we had Sam May, and he is here still and in the same business; Wadhams & Farrell and Frank F. Foster, both of the last gone. Russell & Whitney were in the insur- ance work, and in real estate were Hopkins & Lyons. Hance & Devereaux, Brown & Leaton, A. B. Upton and W. T. Cutler. V. F. Conlogu.e was the lone dealer in agricultural implements and in farm wagons and buggies. The dentists at that time were Dr. G. A. Goodsell and J. B. Van Fossen. Of liveries, we had George McDonald and Whitney Brothers, with V. K. Brown. .\bout these days. Proc & Bamber were running a foundry and planing mill, which has long since gone out of commission. F. E. Prince & Com- pany had a hoop and novelty mill and were doing a good business. That, too, has gone, and Fred has gone to Texas, where he has made a small for- tune. Mt. Pleasant at that time boasted of a novelty works owned and oper- ated Ijy Charles Jeffords and Charles C. Whitney. They manufactured doors, sash, blinds and did scroll sawing and ornamental work. ISABKI.I.A LULNTV. MICHIGAN. 35 1 The city of Mt. Pleasant has liad a slow and steady growth. After the great fire of 1875, which destroyed nearly every business house in the city, the parties losing their property hy tlie incendiary fire did not lose courage. Although but few of tiiem had any insurance, still they went to work with a will and some of the burned district was rebuilt with brick. The Doughty Brothers built a double store of brick two stories high in 1876 and what gave them additional courage was llie building of the then new court house, wiiicii is still standing. In 1877 Carr & (hanger ])uilt a large two-story brick store which they soon thereafter occupied with their grocery and drug store and are still at the old stand, except tiiat Mr. Carr was removed by death about the 27th day of December. 1910. In the \ ear 1877 the b'ancher brick block was erected on the southwest corner of block 18. It is a two-story building, intended for two stores and with ot'Hces in the second story. The east half was fitted for a iiardware store and was rented to L. N. Smitli, a hardware merchant, who remained in it for seventeen years. Then he built in 1894 on South Main street wiiere he continued in business for sexeral years, when he sold the stock to Frank B. Clark, who remained for a time and then Clark purchased the hardware stock of Jared H. Doughty and rented the Doughty hardware store and mo\ed in, combining both stocks. Clark continued the business for some vears. when he sold his stock of hardware and business to Johnson & Harper. They continued for a time and then Johnson bought out 1 l.irper and is still conducting the lousiness. Smith has retired from active business, but still owns his store and it is now rented to a clothing firm. One of the first of our merchants was iMancis C. Babbitt. He came to Tsabella City at first and when the Indians first settled there. He was from Cleveland, Ohio. Starting with a very .small capital, by saving, and prudent management and the full trade of the Indians for several years, he was able to amass quite a competency. He remained for a few years at the mills and then moved his buildings and business to Mt. Pleasant and established him- self in the northeast corner of block iT). where the firm of Babbitt & Xelson continued in business until the death of Mr. Babbitt about 1875. About August 31. 1897. tlie building and lot was .sold by Xelson to the Foster I'urniture and Hardware Company and thev took possession and commenced to improxe and beautify the jjroperty i)rei)aratory to i)utting in a new stock of goofls. which, as soon as it was comjjleted. were put in and they com- menced an acti\e and very profitable business and kept it up for a long time and until a disastrous fire overtook them in June, 1905, destroying the build- ing and injuring many of the goods. As soon as the insurance matters were 35^ ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. adjusted they commenced the erection of a fine three-story brick building, which was finally completed about December 9, 1905, and they moved in with a fine stock and have been doing business ever since. They now have one of tlie best corners for business in the city and one of the finest store buildings and they are doing a nice and safe business. With their furniture and hardware, they have conducted an undertaking establishment and have done a handsome business in tliat department. Another old firm was that of Doughty Brothers, who came about 1869 and opened a hardware Inisiness on the southwest corner of block 13, where the Fancher block now stands. They continued in business there until the fire of 1875, when they, with others, were burned out. They then bought some lots on the south side of Broadway, opposite where they had been in business, and in 1876 they completed a double store of brick and two stories high with Ijasement. They then divided their stock, Jared H. Doughty taking the iiardware and Wilkinson Doughty taking tlie dry goods, he drawing the east store, where he continued in business up to the time of his death, which occurred on February 7. 1909, and after his death his son, Ralph Doughty, continued to carry on the business and is still at his post waiting upon his customers as of yore. They have always been considered a good and reliable business house, and have in the time they have been in business done a very extensive amount of trade and today Ralph is enjoying liis full share of patronage of the city and country. Jared H. Doughty took the west and corner store and continued his hard- ware business for a number of years and then, finding his quarters too small for the business, he, in the year 1883, purchased a lot just east and adjoining Carr & Granger and built a three-story building of brick and adapted it espe- cially for the hardware business. As soon as it was completed he moved his stock into it and continued to carry on the business until he sold his stock to F. B. Clark and rented the store building to him. Mr. Doughty was a constant man in Imsiness, was alwa^'s at his post and did a fine business all of the years he was so engaged and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor and care, which he is justly entitled to. The business when sold to Clark was a union of the L. X. Smith stock and the Doughty stock. Clark continued in the business for a time and tiien sold to Johnson & Harper and then Johnson took over the Harper interest and is still conducting the business. Alexander Stevenson came September 17, 1867, and built a store and dwelling combined directly opposite and west of the court house and put in a stock of groceries and some dry goods. He continued for a number of years and then closed out and went to Ann Arbor, where his children were then in school, and finallv died there. MAIN STREET, MT. PLEASANT, LOOKINCJ SOC 111 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 353 William N. Harris was an early merchant here, locating in the city about January, 1866. He rented a store on the southwest corner of block 13. Mt. Pleasant, and opened a dry goods and grocery store. He remained there for about three years and then built a store on the northeast corner of lot 4, block 17, and moved over tiiere. He continued doing business as before and remained several years, when he closed out and moved to Britisli Columbia, where he died and was brought back to Mt. Pleasant for burial. Moses Brown was another venturesome individual who commenced business in an early day, as noted above. After he made his start lie pros- pered and carried on a lively and paying business. He changed locations several times and finally, with Mr. Balmer. built wliat was for some years known as the Brown block, located on the northwest comer of block 24. Mt. Pleasant, a three-story building of brick, well constructed, but at the time too far from the center of business in the city and, times being dull, there was not much to invite a change to that particular place, so that it did not prove to be as good an investment as they had expected and after a time the property was disposed of and Mr. Brown went out of mercantile business. He had invested somewhat in real estate and laid out an addition to Mt. Pleasant known as M. Brown's addition. He built a brick dwelling house upon a part of his addition where he made his home up to the time of his death, which occurred April 8, 1907. Worden & Gavitt came to Mt. Pleasant from Ohio about 1867 or 1868 and erected a building on the north side of Broadway, on block 13, for a drug store. They commenced business in that line and continued tlie same until 1871, when they sold the store and stock of drugs to F. W. Carr. They remained but a short time and then went back to Ohio. Mr. Carr having bought and entered upon the business, soon thereafter George Granger took an interest in the business and the firm name was Carr & Granger and has remained so ever since. They remained in the first building until the great fire of 1875. \vhen they, with the rest of us. were burned out. They commenced immediately to rebuild and in sixty-six days they moved into tlie new building, 'ibis was a wooden building two stories high. They remained in this store while they were building tlie one they now occupy, which they commenced soon after the fire and continued at it until 1877, when it was completed and they moved from the wooden building to the brick and have been tliere e\er since. They have been \ery busy men and have done a very large business in the retail of drugs and medicines and also of groceries, carrying at times thirty thou.sand to forty thousand dollars worth of stock and doing at times a large wholesale business. (23) 354 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Mr. Carr died very suddenly on the 27th day of December, 1910, and since that time Mr. Granger has gone on with the business. It is a great load on Mr. Granger and as he has richly earned a rest he is reducing the stock with an idea, we understand, that as soon as it can be done with proper regard to all concerned the business will be closed up and Mr. Granger will take a long-needed rest from the active business of a store and spend more time on his farms and with his fat cattle and occasionally take a stroll up the river where the trout are always pleased to see him and seldom refuse to nibble at the tempting bait that he casts before them. He has a competency and as there is no need of his further spending his time over the books of a store he ought, in justice to himself and his family, save his strength and take especial care of his health. In 1875 the Fancher store was burned with the rest. In 1877 he built a double brick building suitable for two stores and offices above. As before stated, L. N. Smith occupied the east portion for seventeen years as a hard- ware store. The west store was rented November i, 1877, to Angel & Wood to be occupied as a dn,' goods store. They continued in the business until November i, 1881. It was afterward rented for a time to E. Angel and he continued for some time and after he went out then Alpern & Company took possession and remained for some time, when S. J. Harrison went in with a stock of dry goods and ran the business for some time and then went east to New York state ; after which Seitner & Company went in and remained for some time, doing a large business, when he concluded that he ought to be in a larger city and moved to Toledo, Ohio. In 1901, when Seit- ner moved away, it was rented to F. D. Graves for a racket store and he continued in that for a time, when he sold to the Wattermans. Watterman had taken the east store, having bought out the stock of Mr. Zank, the firm being then Watterman & Hagan Company. Limited. This firm continued in business at that place until February 15. 1903, when the \\'attermans bought out F. D. Graves and they took posession of the west store and have continued in that store ever since and are still occupying it. The Watterman Brothers have since enlarged their business to such an extent as to require more room and when the Kennedy Brothers and Patrick Leahy \-acated the two one-story buildings north of the Fancher block they rented those and added to their business to correspond to the extra room. This change was made about November, 1907. They continued for a time in this way until they and the Hagan Company each of them desired more room and neither desired to relinquish what the}- had, but finally Mr. Hagan, seeing no prospect of obtaining more room where he was, bought a ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 355 double lot across the street and in 1910 built a fine double store of modern st\le and finish and about the 15th of last October moved his stock 01 goods to his new quarters. As soon as he moved out the Wattemian Brothers took possession of that store also and commenced to remodel it to suit their purposes and are now running a large department store of many kinds of articles such as are generally found in such a store. They are all good work- ers, attend strictly to business and are doing an excellent business and are reaping their reward in an advanccil patronage. They are introducing sev- eral new lines in their now extensi\e stock, which has already an extensive variety. When they have all of their lines in place they will have a model store and one where all can get a fair deal and their money's worth. Mr. Hagan started in willi Mr. W'atterman, as above mentioned, and continued in that name until W'atterman liought out Graves and then Hagan took in Mr. Proud and the firm was Hagan & Proud. This continued until about the first of January. 1906, when Mr. Proud went out of the firm and Mr. Hagan ran the business alone. He continued until about January. 1909, when the business w as taken over i)y Hagan & Company, a joint stock com- . pany witii ten thousand dollars capital, all paid in. This organization is still conducting the business and in their new store they surely have a fine show and are doing a clever business and displaying a fine line of goods. They are progressive and will surely, with their advantages of a fine store and good location, reap a good reward from their business. Away back, aljout 1^77. W- S. Hunt and his mother-in-law. Mrs. Mary M. Henion. came to ^It. Plea.sant and i)urchased each of them a business lot where the Kane Brothers are now located. They each built a building for business and Hunt started in the grocery business. He was a bright and alert individual and very eager to do business. He kept a good stock of goods and was alert to keep the best and freshest in tlie market. He pros- l)ered and some time after built a fine brick dwelling, the one where John Nefif now lives, .\fter awhile and about 1879, he purchased another build- ing lot and huih the 1)rick store now owned by Mrs. McXutt and occupied by her brother, Mr. Harris as a bakery. Mr. Hunt, after building his brick store, moved his stock of groceries into the new building and continued in the business until about 1883, when lie .sold his stock of groceries to Chatter- tons and the building to Gruner. who established a bakery there and con- tinued it up to the time of his death and after that his widow continued in tlie business up to 1909, when she turned the business over to her l)rother, Ralph Harris, who is still running the business. It has been a fine business and a fine place for the business. 356 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. In 1883 the Kane Brothers came to Mt. Pleasant to start in business and bought the Henion building and also the east building formerly owned by W. S. Hunt, he having sold the property and Mrs. R. S. Johnson then owning it. The Kane Brothers started in the grocery business and con- tinued in that for the space of eighteen years, doing a good and profitable business. Then they sold out the groceries and opened up a boot and shoe store. In 1902 they concluded to build a brick block and entered upon the work. Having completed that, they then moved their stock of clothing into the new building and also opened up a clothing department and have since that time continued to handle both departments and with eminent success. They are reliable and steady workers, always accommodating and anxious to please and satisfy their customers. They have done a handsome business and have built up a good and substantial trade and stand today among the strong men of business. They have made good money and today are on easy street. Palmer & Taggart, druggists, started in business together on December 20, 1902, in the building where they are now located on East Broadway, north side, and have continued and are always at their place of business. Palmer had been employed for about eight and one-half years with Carr & Granger just before he started in the present enterprise and Taggart had been in the drug business for himself in the city of Olivet for some six years before coming to Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Palmer is at present city treasurer and has held that office for some time. They are attentive to business and are doing a good business. They do not carry a large stock, but are credited with having good fresh drugs and medicines, and as being honest and competent in their deals. Will Lewis, the clothier, is the next on the street east in the clothing business. He started in Mt. Pleasant twenty-eight years ago clerking for Thomas McNamara and continued with him for six years, when he formed a partnership with Lew Marsh and they together bought out the clothing stock of Frank Foster, who was then in business here and had been for some time and was then located in the Hance & Deveraux block on the north side of East Broadway street. They remained at the same stand for some six years and then bought the J. H. Doughty store on the south side of Broadway and moved their stock of clothing into that building. There they remained until March 8, 1908, when they sold the buildings to the Exchange Savings Bank and the firm then dissolved, dividing their profits and the business and each went their way. Mr. Lewis took a short rest and then opened another gents' clothing ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 357 and furnishing store wliere he is now located in the Dusenhury block on the north side of Broadway and is having a tine trade and doing a splendid business and following the old plan of a fair deal with all who come. Mr. Marsh, after a short rest, rented the John Neff building on South Main street and put in an up-to-date stock of clothing and gents' supplies, put in new and ui>-ti>date fixtures and furniture and is doing a very satisfac- tory business. He has been in the city for a long time until everybody knows him, as he clerked for Foster for a long time before he and Lewis bought him out in about 1889. W. W. Cox, the druggist, is located in the Deveraux block on the north side of Broadway street. He is one of the ancient business men of the town, having started in business here in 1884. He started on the south side of East Broadway and was there two years when he moved to his present quarters. He is a good, reliable and substantial ditiggist and business man, attends strictly to business and has made a success of it. You will always find him at his post ready to wait upon his customers, keeps a good stock and pleases his customers, and what more can anyone do. The Normal Drug and Book Company is an organization formed a few years ago as a successor of tiie Fox & Thiers and afterward the Thiers drug and book store. Fox came here and located in 1895 and Thiers fol- lowed the next year and they were together until 1898, when Fox went out of the firm and moved to the north. F. G. Thiers then continued the business up to 1907, when he and others formed a stock company of tiie business and it has continued in this form u[) to the present time. Mr. Cowdrey & Row- lader are the principals in charge of the business and have been for some time, as Mr. Thiers has been interested in other classes of business, being connected with the Isabella County State Bank and dealing in real estate and loaning money on his own account, so that Cowdrey & Rowlader are now in charge of the business and are well adapted to it. They are punctual and well informed in tliat class of work and seek to satisfy all customers and are surely making a success. Their stock is full and complete in both drugs and books, also stationer}- — in fact as to all that is expected to be found in such an estab- lishment. Continuing east on Broad-\vay, we come to another of the old estab- lished and well res])ected l)oot and shoe firms, Henry Diittman & Son. Henrj' Diittman started in business some twenty-eight years ago on the south side of East Broadway in the stand where Alex Hall was located. He remained there one year and then bought a wooden building where he is now and moved into that. This was in 1883. He continued in business at this place 258 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. until the fire of 1894, which burned his building. They immediately com- menced to rebuild with brick and soon had a fine brick store completed and moved into it and have remained there, one of the reliable dealers in boots and shoes. In 1901 the business was taken over by H. Diittman & Son, the son being Edward Diittman. This is the present form of the firm. They surely get their share of the business and are as surely entitled to it, as they are considered as one of the most reliable of business firms. They carry a large stock from which their customers may select. They are reasonable in charges and reliable in recommendations. They intend to furnish you with just what you want and at a fair price and in all things be square and upright in their deals. Sam May, the clothier, is anotlier of the solid men of the city. He has been in Mt. Pleasant over thirty years and in business all of the time. He is very attentive to his lousiness and ready at all times to meet you at the door and show what he has for sale. He will treat you as a gentleman and give you the worth of your money. He came when he had to come by stage from St. Louis to Mt. Pleasant. Sam has some knowledge of pioneer life as well as mercantile business, having had long experience in both. Frank A. Sweeney came to Isabella county some thirty-eight years ago when the country was wild and not much settled. He had the pleasure of coming on foot from St. Louis to Salt River and there he secured an old gray horse to help in the balance of the journey. His mission was looking land and timber, which he followed for some time and then, in 1881, he concluded to enter the mercantile business at Mt. Pleasant and located on the spot where he is now doing business. He put up what then seemed to him to be of sufficient capacity for what he expected to do, but after being in busi- ness for a time he saw that he needed more room and in 1897 he remodeled and enlarged his building. His business has been general groceries and with that he has an elevator and handles beans and seeds. He has had a good business in his store and ele\'ator and has also dealt some in real estate and timber and lumber and, being a genial, happy and companionable fellow, has occasionally united business and politics and is now enjoying the honor of being one of the aldermen of the first ward of the city. P. Cory Taylor, the druggist, settled in Mt. Pleasant on September 11, 1888. He came from Williamston, Michigan, and, with his brother, started in the drug business on the spot where Keenan & Son are now located on the west side of South Main street. They remained there until November of that year and then moved north on that street to the store where Minto Woodruff Company are located, next to Foster's furniture block. There ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 359 they carried on the business for one and one-half years and then P. Cory bought out his brother and continued the business. He was in all fifteen years in the Nelson building and then moved to the Jacob Neff building, remained there six years and then, when the Exchange Savings Bank changed location, they fixed up their \acant bank building into a modern store build- ing and Mr. Taylor took possession of that and is still occupying it. He car- ries a large stock of drugs and medicine, wall paper, books and stationery, school supplies, kodaks and phonographs and other things too numerous to mention. He is doing a large and prosperous business, gives good satisfac- tion and is considered one of the stanch merchants of the city. On the same street and on the same side of the street is located Johnson Brothers' shoe and clothing store. John H. Johnson and James P. Johnson came to the county about 18S3 and were employed in lumbering, which they followed until about 1893, when they built a store on the west side of South Main street and in 1894 put in a stock of shoes, both ladies and men's wear, and followed that for eight years, when they added men's clothing and furnish- ings and have continued the same from that time. They have made a success and are doing a capital business, making money for themselves and doing good to others. They have a large and convenient store, two stories and a basement, all occupied by themselves and whoever calls on them will be nicely treated and surely made better and happier. John A. Kenney & Son are another of the prosperous firms of the city. They have been in business for the past eig'hteen or nineteen years and are carrying a large stock of groceries, dry goods, clothing and shoes — in fact, a general assortment of almost anything in that line that you may want. ^Ir. Kenney carried on the business alone until about ten years ago and then his son Mike became a partner in tlie business. They are cariying on a very large and lucrative business and probably have as many customers as any in the town. They are rushing all the time to keep up with the trade, are generally liked and are bound to succeed if fair dealing will do it, and it surely will. Keenan & Son commenced liusiness in Mt. Pleasant in 1893 in the line of meats and canned goods. They built their lirick block in that year and continued the business. Their store is a two-ston,' and basement building, with all of the appliances for the meat market business. After continuing in that line, they then added groceries, so that for some years past thev have been carrying both these lines and have made a success of the business. They are good business men and look after their affairs personally. When you go to the store and ask for any article that they have for sale you may be quite 360 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. sure that you get what you call for and will at all times be nicely treated so long as you appreciate the favor and return the compliment. Jesse Struble also has a meat market on the same street which is located in tlie L. N. Smith building which has been fitted up so as to be a model market building. He opened his business during the last year and is carrying on a good and satisfactory market. He has been for years a dealer in cattle and other fat animals and is a good judge of all kinds of meat and can furnish you anything that your appetite may crave. Although he has been but a short time in this particular line, he is doing a very satisfactory business and giving good satisfaction. On the corner of South Main and Michigan streets, in the McNamara building, is located the firm of Pappas & Terkos, Greeks, who are engaged in the candy business and run a soda fountain in connection, also make and dis- pense ice cream, all of their own make. Their fountain is of the latest style and make, behig the 191 1 style. It manufactures its own ice, so that they do not have to depend upon the city ice. It is really a very nice, commodious and up-to-date piece of work and in warm weather will no doubt be an at- tractive and wholesome portion of their business. They are experts in making candies and are doing a fine business and say they are here to stay. They purchased the business of Patterson Brothers in October, 1908. Pat- tcr.'^nn Brothers were here some four or five years and had made a very good settlement, when they sold out and removed from the city. On the opposite side of South Main street, and south of Michigan street, is located one of the principal milliners, Mrs. Ella Fishley. She located in Mt. Pleasant something over a year ago, coming from the village of Clare. S'he carries a good stock of millinery supplies and is doing a good business, considering the time tliat she has been in the city. She is bright and alert in her business, gives good satisfaction and her trade is increasing to her great satisfaction and that of her customers. Thomas Dougherty, the music man, has been in the city for some t\\ enty-fi\e years and has all of the time been in the music trade in some form. He started in a small store just north of the Donovan hotel and reniained there for two or three years and then moved to the building that McMillan now occupies on South Main for a coal office. There he remained some five years and then moved to a store just north of the Fancher block where he remained about a year and then went back to the Welsh store, which he bought. He remained there two years and then sold the store to Sam Cover- stone and moved into the second story of the Neff building, where he remained for a vear and then moved back to the old stand north of the Dono- ISABELXA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 361 van hotel, where he remained for five years and then moved to his present quarters in the Doctor McEnte brick store, just south of Micliigan street. Here he is now snugly located and doing a large business. He has not been asleep, for if he had been he couldn't have moved so often, but it seems tliat he is like the hoy's sno\\l)aIl. that every time it rolls o\er it adds one more layer of material ; so with Tom — he just accumulates and now has everything you want in the music line from a jew's-harp to a piano and it will surprise you to go into his place of business and see all that he has and the splendid bargains you can make with him. He has guitars, mandolins, violins, organs, pianos, phonographs, l^oth Victor and Edison, sewing machines, a cart load of records, sheet music till you can't rest — in fact, it would be easier to give a list of what he hasn't got than of what he has. .'Xnd he runs the United States Express besides. Now just give him a call and see if he doesn't make you happy, and if he can make a little out of you he will be happv also. Martin Welsh is another groceryman that has lieen here for some time. He came to Mt. Pleasant about twenty-four years ago, clerked for a time for Dennis Ryan and then bought a new stock of groceries and went into busi- ness for himself and has continued in that ever since. .Vbout five or six years ago he moved into tiie brick building where he is at present and has continued there, doing a fine business and one that is steadil\- increasing in volume and in profits. He keeps a good class of goods and gives general satisfaction to his customers. The next one on that side of the street is that of Morrison & Dains. They have the honor now of being the oldest firm in continuous business in Mt. Pleasant. A few weeks ago it was Carr & Granger, but on the death of F. W. Carr they, ranking second, became first. Mr. Morrison came into the city in 1871, when the place was very small, and went into the lumber and shingle business and has been an active business factor ever since. If any one can tell what he hasn't been into that is legitimate, we should be glad to note it. He was for himself for some time and then took in a ])artner, Mr. Dains, about twenty-six years ago. They have handled real estate, mortgages, all kinds of lumber and shingles, driven logs on the river, clerked, run an agricul- tural implement store, lx)ught out all kinds of broken and l)ankrupt stocks, sold bicycles, run a repair shop for the past twenty years, had a garage for the past sixteen years, sold automol)iles for several years, and bought a brick store building in 1894 where they are now in business. Sam has acted as under sheriff for a time and may be considered as an all-round man of busi- ness. The only way that we can account for his versatility in business is that he was born on the banks of the Kenneliec river, in P>ath. Maine, and if we ^62 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. were sure that he would not object we would say in the year of our Lord 1846. They are successful operators and have the ready money always to take any good thing found laying around. They are good citizens and are entitled to all of the prosperity that they enjoy. Mr. Dains, desiring to keep abreast the times and the ambitions of his partner, accepted the position of under sheriff last winter and is now enjoying that distinction. Daniel Anderson was in the grocery and shoe business commencing in 1884. The first firm was Anderson & McLellan, who occupied the present Anderson block on South Main street. The company continued for about two years and then Anderson bought out his partner and for fourteen years con- tinued the business alone. He then sold his boots and shoes to Morrison & Dains and the groceries to Will Hapner. Hapner continued in the business for some two years and then sold the stock and it was removed out of the city. Mr. Anderson remained for a couple of years in Mt. Pleasant, then moved to Detroit, where he remained for two or three years, and then returned to Mt. Pleasant, where he still lives to enjoy the fruits of his toil for the time he was in business. He was a careful, prudent trader and made many friends while in business and money enough to keep the wolf from the door. Anderson built 'his brick block the same year he commenced business at Mt. Pleasant, and owns it still. The Minto Woodruff Company is another clothing, shoes and furnishing business house, located on the west side of South Main street, next the Foster furniture and hardware store. They have been in business here about eight years. Mr. Woodruff, who is in charge of the business, was originally from Union City, Michigan, and an old head in the business. They are carrying a good stock and doing a fine business. They have a centrally located place for business, being so near the main crossing of Broadway and Main street that they catch the eye of all persons coming to town. They are fair dealers and will give you a generous price if you want to buy and, by their square dealing, they are justly entitled to the reputation that they have earned since they came into the community. Stephen Dondero is another dealer who is entitled to favorable notice in this history on account of his faithful and efficient work done here in his line of work. He is a dealer in fruits and confectioneiy, together with all kinds of nuts. He came here from Owosso in 1899 and commenced his trade in a small way in a small store building on South Main street, east side, and sec- ond door from Michigan street. There he located and there he is still doing a prosperous business. At his post at all times, with a smile that says to everj^ comer, "Buy my candies, for they are sweet, and my oranges, for they will ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 363 suit you. and the price is just right and will please both of us." If you go into that place you are sure to buy and as sure as you do you will come away satis- fied. Don will take religious care of the nickel you leave w'ith him. We have never known of his departing from his legitimate business but once, and then he got back as cjuick as he could, and soon had nickels enough to fill that little gap and 1 pity the chap that shall undertake to tell him how to get rich quick again. C. F. Marsh, the grocery man. went into business in the city in 1900. He commenced business on the south side of Broadway, next to Davy Rod- man's store building, in a place rented of George Granger, lie remained there for about four years and then moved to the north side of the street in the Deveraux building, where he is now located. He has been actively engaged in the business since he first started and has built up a large and prosperous trade. He keeps up a good fresh stock and his prices are reasonable. The volume of his trade marks the success of the business. Ed Ward came here in June. 1880. At the time his father had located in Blanchard. Isabella county, but remained there but a short time, coming to Mt. Pleasant soon after Ed came. The father. C. A. Ward, commenced busi- ness here in 1880. in connection with one Christopher Chrysler. Chrysler only remained for a short time anil then turned over his interest to Mr. Ward. After that the father, Chester A. \\'ard. joined with William E. Ward, and the firm was known as C. A. & W. E. Ward. They continued doing business lor a long time and were located on South Main street in what is now the McNamara store building. They did a large and lucrative business and were at the time considered one of the strongest firms here. They continued their trade until the old gentleman died February 13. 1891, and after that W. A. continued the business for some time when he sold out the business and lived on the money they had accumulated. Taylor & Ralliff are comparati\ely a new firm in liie grocery business, having established themeshes in the business June 18. 1907, in the present place opposite the Bennett house to the east, where they are doing a good and safe business. Mr. Ratliff has been here for the past twenty-nine years and Taylor was born here and was one of the very first in the county, having been born cm the old Charles Taylor farm in Chi])|)c\\a township on the jist day of October, 1855. Their citizensliip in Isal>clla county gives them a right to expect generous and fair treatment, which they are receiving. Fred Stebbins was in the county in 1883, coming from Ithaca and going into the Bennett house with Marvin D. Richardson. They remained for a time and then he went into the jewelry business and followed that for a time. 364 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Then he sold out to J. C Freeman, who carried on the business for some time, when he sold to Mr. Palmer, who conducted it for a time and then sold to Charles E. Hight. The latter conducted the business for about five years and then turned it over to Russell & Folen, August i, 1905. Since that time it has been largely increased by the adding of several new branches, so that now it is one of the best and largest establishments of the kind in this section. They carry a large assortment of all kinds of jewelry, diamonds and precious stones, cut glass, watches, and fancy clocks. They also keep two men at work on repairing, so that it always has a lively and prosperous as well as attractive look. They are doing a fine business and are justly entitled to the patronage that they enjoy. Thomas Lawrence opened up in Mt. Pleasant in the coal and agricultural business in 1905 on East Broadway, where he is still carrying on his trade and is doing a satisfactory business. He occupies one of the stores of the C. Ben- nett estate and is in the very same place where he started. Just across the street is the Howard Harkins block, built in 1903. The building is a three-story building, the upper story occupied by the Masons, the second one by the Pythians, the east portion by the Mt. Pleasant postoffice. The west portion is now occupied by Mr. Harkins as a bakery and grocery. He commenced in June, 1909, having bought out Veeder and he in turn pur- chased the business of James Lynch. He is doing a satisfactory business and is well pleased with his outlook for the future. O. H. Longcor is located just west of the Harkins block. He has been in business there for the past thirteen years, having migrated to this place at that date. He has a resaw, small planer and tools for making door and window frames, also boxes for the use of the condensed milk factory. It is a busy place and he seems to be happy. He built and occupies his own build- ing. Alfred B. Warwick owns and carries on a harness shop just west of Longcor's. He built his building in 1901 and has occupied it since that time. He has been in the business in Mt. Pleasant sixteen years in May next, having for a time been located on the east side of North Normal avenue, opposite the Bennett house. He has had a good business for many years and is ready to retire to a good farm just as soon as he finds a man that desires to take his place. He has a good location and a good business for some younger person to now step into. Gray & Lathrop commenced in the drug business in 1909. Lathrop has been a citizen of Mt. Pleasant for the past thirty-four years and Gray was a clerk for Carr & Granger for about seventeen years before he formed a part- ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 365 nership with Latlirop and launched out in the drug business. They have a large and commodious Inisiness place finishetl in the modem style and method and are doing a thriving and successful business. They carry a large stock and it is fresh and gives satisfaction to their customers. Mitakos & Lianos are comparatively a new concern. They started in business of catering to the public in the Barber building, April 20, 1 910. They conduct a restaurant, ice cream, candies and soda and are doing a very satis- factory business. Their prices are reasonable and very satisfactory, and they appear to be entirely satisfied with the patronage they receive. They are men of experience and attend strictly to business. Roy S. Dean, jeweler, is located in the Opera House block, in a fine and commodious store ecpiipped with modern and convenient appliances. He is having a fine trade and is in a prosperous condition. He expresses himself as well pleased with his trade and outlook. He has a good stock of watches, jewelry and all things connected w'ith the business. ' He is an artist in his trade and is receiving the patronage that is his due. He opened up his business in September, 1907, and has been steadily increasing in popularity as well as in his trade. Marsh & Graham, dealers in dry goods, carpets and ladies' furnishings, have been in business now about eighteen years. They first started in a one- room store about twenty by fifty-fi\e feet, but they soon outgrew their quar- ters and then added a room at the rear of the first room. They continued after that for a time and then again their business outgrew their c|uarters and they took on an addition to the west of their first room. In that they con- tinued and finally, in 1909, they induced the owners of the building to remodel and make it more convenient and attracti\e and they did so and now they ha\e one of the most attractive places of business in the city. Tliey carry a good line of goods, are fair dealers and are enjoying a lucrative trade. Every thing looks prosperous and they seem happy in the fact that they have accom- plished \\ bat they set out to do in the commencement of their career as mer- chants. Theison & Boland started in tiie grocery business some four or fi\e years ago and continued until September 10, 1910, when J. J. Theis<-)n purchased the interest that Boland had and then continued the business and is still in the business, carrying a good stock of goods and having his share of the trade in the city. He enjoys the confidence of the ])e r z c •e r M > > Z _H r o o 7i ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 369 F. L. Klutizinger located liere in 1907. having honght out the stock and jewelry business of S. W. Rogers, who liad been in the business in Mt. Pleasant for the past twenty years, but who took a notion to go West and did so, settling in Portland. Oregon, where he now resides. Mr. Klunzinger followed in the steps of a good jeweler and took up a line long and favorably known. He is doing a very satisfactory business and is having a nice line of customers and a splendid repair business. He keeps a full and complete stock and is giving good satisfaction to his customers. He also keeps a line of optical arti- cles and is doing a fair business in that line. He is located on South Main street in the brick owned i)y Thiers & Keeler. 'I'lic millinery firm of Larson (S: McDonald also carry on their lousiness in the same store building. They are good milliners and ha\e been here about a year, coming from .\lpena to this place. Benjannn (Joldman is just across the street in the Jacob Xeff Iniilding. He came from Cadillac, where he had been in business for the past ten years. He carries a full line of dry goods, shoes and clothing and is doing a good business. He has a full stock to select from and although only here since the loth day of October. 1910. he has established a satisfactory trade and is well satislicil. He has made no mistake in his selection of a place and location for business. .\. D. Butterheld is engaged in tlie tailoring business and is located in the building so long occupied by Hon. S. W. Hopkins on East Michigan street. He came here from Gladstone, Michigan, in April. 1910. He is having his share of the trade and expresses himself as satisfied with his prospects and business. Tiie ne.xt door east of him is located the steam laundry now owned and operated by L. Holman, win; bought out Emmett Cole in January, 1910. This is the same laundry that Clement owned, having bought it of Kinch. Holman is doing a nice business, having a good trade and is well satisfied. His busi- ness has grown so that it requires as many as four to six emi)loyees to handle the trade. Kennedy brothers commenced in Mt. Plea.sant about 1891 in the draying business and continued in that for some time ; then they engaged in the feed business and afterward added coal to their list of trade. On Octol)er 15, 1901. they mo\ed to the store building just north of the Fancher block, where they remained until November. 1907, when they purchased the building and lot where they are now' located on North Main street. They have a very commodious store and barn building, where they keep all kinds of feed and hay. also cement, lime, brick and tile, with a full supply of coal and coke of (24) 370 ISABELLA COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. all kinds. They are doing an extensive business and are giving satisfaction. Thev are now located on a paved street, which gives their business a city air and better conveniences for handling their coal, feed and other commodities kept in their business. Mrs. Munro is located just south of the Kenned)' Brothers' place of busi- ness. She came with her husband to Mt. Pleasant in 1881 and commenced business at the stand she now occupies as a boarding and rooming house. At that time her husband was with her, but he fell sick and in November of that year he died and she has continued the business ever since. She has been a hard worker and prudent manager and has received, as she deserved, the con- fidence and support of the people and has saved a nice sum for a rainy day should it overtake her. She is surely deserving of a great deal of credit and all of the success in business that she has acquired. Mrs. William O'Brion is another deserving of remembrance on account of her faithfulness and fidelity. She and her husband came to Mt. Pleasant twenty-two years ago and started in the grocery business. They were carry- ing on a good business up to 1901, when the husband sickened and died, leav- ing her with quite a family of small children to care for and the business to conduct. She has struggled along until now the children are some of them at least large enough to be of help to her and together they are still carrying on the store, adding to the business feed, hay and draying. She boasts of a plate glass front in her store building and is prospering to a very satisfactory degree and no longer fears the wolf or dire distress. Patrick Leahy also came to Mt. Pleasant some years ago and, with Dono- hue, ct)mmenced the business of grocerymen. They continued for a time and then Donohue went out of the firm. Then Leahy bought out Tim Battles and moved into the store north of the Fancher lilock. He remained in that loca- tion until 1907, when he moved across the street to where Bringard is now locating, remaining there for about one year, and then bought the building and lot where he now is, remodeled that and moved in about April, 1908, and is still there. He has recently been confined to groceries, but is now preparing to increase the business and to add feed and hay. Pat is attentive to business and now has his son William with him and together they are doing a prosper- ous and satisfactory business. H. H. Hunter, on December i, 1897, opened up a bazaar store on South Main street, on the west side, in the O'Horo store building. He carried a full line of common bazaar supplies and continued the business up to February, 1908, when he sold to R. C. Damman, who had been in the superintendency of a bazaar stock in Ithaca, Michigan. He has continued the business and is now ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 37I doinsf a good and thriving trade, is well patronized and is having his share of the patronage of the city in tl'at line of goods. McMillan & Son are in the coal and feed business on Soutli Main street. They started in business about 1904 and were then located in tlie Nelson office building. .\t that time it was a coal business, but after a time, in 1907, they added feed to the business and continued in that until 1909, when they added groceries and are now located with their store and office on the east side of South Main street in the building ne.xt south of the Ryan store building. They are square dealers and are doing a large business, especially in coal. There are se\cral persons that are in the business of manufacturing and selling cigars. D. Trevegno, who has been in it for the past twelve years; George Dillon, about four years; C. C. Allen, who has been in the business about ten years, and Frank Bringard, who has run a factory but alwut one year. They are all doing considerable business and some of them employing several hands in the work. They supply the city largely and do quite a job- bing trade with the outside cities and villages. When the county was new and but few settlers in the city, Cicero Kim- ball came from western New York and about 1869 he commenced in the butcher and meat market business. In the fall of 1869 he bought a lot on East Broadway and put up a good store building and shop, twenty-two by forty feet, and two stories high and com])leted it in a good style and finish and then opened his meat market, which he continued until the fire of 1875, which destroyed his building with the others on that street. lie had no insurance, so that it was a total loss. In 1877 he and his brother Adell^ert started in the same lousi- ness and followed it for a long time. This has been a lively town for men of the blacksmith and wagonmaking trade. In the early days of the county, while the lumbering operations were being carried on, there was great demand for the kind of iron work that went with that business, and then the roads were of such a character that much repairing had to be done to such vehicles as were then in use. If you should step into a shop at that time you would see it lined with log chains, pevies, pikes, cant hooks, horse shoes. cle\ises and such other articles as were in con- stant u.se. In the early sixties not a buggy could be found in the county and but few double wagons. New scarcely a farmer is without his buggy. Then there were but few horses, even on the farms, but now the oxen are no more to be found on the fann. Occasionally one drives into town with an ox team, but at the time aforementioned they all drove o.xen on the road, to mill and to meeting. I presume some of our ladies that are sporting their automobiles would feel queer to step into a lumber sleigh drawn by a sleek yoke of oxen and 372 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. proceed to make her social calls, but such was the style at one time in this neck of the woods. Milton Bradley was the first blacksmith to locate in Alt. Pleasant, his shop being east of the court house square. He only followed the business for a short time. Thomas Turnbull came here in 1866 and opened up a shop and continued in the business until 1874, when he went to Dushville in the hotel business. Afterward, about 1888. he went into partnership in the blacksmithing business with George Osborn. which continued for about three years and then quit the business. Peter Gardner found Mt. Pleasant October 14. 186S, and liked it so well that he is still here. He first located on the south side of Broadway on the spot where D. Rodman's store is now located, remained there a year and then Went onto South Main street about where the .\nspaugh picture show is. He remained there until 1876, when he bought the lot he is now located upon, Iniilt a shop, moved his forge and tools into it and has been there ever since. Mr. Gardner has been a long time in the business and from the amount of hard work he has done it would seem that he should l>e granted a rest. He is a good workman, very accommodating and, withal, a genial neighbor. Lew Maxwell is another old timer in the business. As a boy he worked at the trade in Mt. Pleasant in the early seventies. He worked for Peter Gardner in 1871 and in 1876 he built the shop on Washington street, where he is now located in his blacksmithing business. He, too, is a good workman and generally finds plenty to do. He is well liked, which is proven by the fact that he has remained so long in tliat calling. Renwick & Westervelt came here on Jul}- 14, 1875, and started in the business of blacksmithing and wagonmaking. They liought a lot and built the shop which is still standing and is the place where Mr. Renwick is still carrying on the business. After they had been in business about five years Westervelt went out and for alx)ut a year Mr. Renwick run the business alone and then he took in William Hovey and they were together for about ten years and then' Mr. Hovey went out and since that Mr. Renwick has conducted the business alone. Mr. Renwick is a good workman, thoroughly capable and honest and, withal, is a good citizen. He has done an immense amount of good work and is entitled to the esteem and friendship of the community which he has. There is also a blacksmith shop on the corner of Michigan and \\'ashing- ton streets, now conducted by Mr. Barnes, who lately bought and took posses- sion. He bought of Joseph A. Meyers, who operated it for some time. It ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 373 was at one time the headquarters of William Manners. There have Ijeen others, for instance Pat Stapleton and one I'atrick Sullivan; also Peter Haw- ley, who had a shop in the north part of town. There is also Uncle David Lett, now on North Main street, who has heen there for a long time and is one of the hest of workmen in that line: in fact, he is in .some things a sort of a genius. There is also one situated on the north side of Michigan street, between Main and Normal avenue, conducted by I-'rank Drew, who bought out Robert Richie one year ago last T'"el)ruai-y. And also one owned by William McDon- ald, located east of the Bennett house. He has been there some three years is having a good run of business and is prospering. CITY OFFICI.\L ROSTER. Mt. Pleasant was first platted in 1863 b\- David Ward, who was then owner of the lands, hut this plat was not recorded and in the spring of 1863 he sold the property, except ? few lots that he had sold before to the Indians, to H. A. Dunton and Joseph Miser and to Harvey and Cieorge Morton of the state of New York. Harxey Morton came on with his family and took possession of the property and immediately commenced to build a hotel on the lots on which now stands tlie Donovan house. When the writer of this article came to Mt. Pleasant, in the latter part of June, 1863, he found the old court house, built by Ward, on the location of the county seat at Mt. Pleasant; the house now standing on lot 10, block 7, just across from the northwest corner of the court house square, and a dwell- ing where the Fancher block now stands, built by Josepli Miser. The present plat was drawn and recorded in February, 1864. The plat remained in that condition and was still a portion of the township of Union and was assessed and taxes collected the same as in the township until 1875, wlicn. ])y act of the Legislature, it was organized into a village. The first election after the incorporation was held on May 1 1, 1875, and resulted in the election of John Maxwell as president of the village and as trustees there were elected Cornelius Bennett, William Richmond. John .\. Harris, Wilkinson Doughty, Daniel H. Gilman and George W. Brower; as clerk, George N. Mosher; assessor. L E. Arnold; street commissioner. John Fox; marshal, Cicero Kimball. John Maxwell held the office for two terms, when Dan. H. Gilman was elected and held it two years, then John C. Leaton was elected and held it for one year. Then T. F. .\rnold for one year. Charles T. Russell for one vear. 374 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. John A. Harris for one year. Then George L. Granger was elected in the spring of 1883 for one year, Robert Laughlin for one year, Thomas J. Fordyce one year, D. H. Nelson for one year, John Kane one year, John Kinney for one year and Warner Churchill for one year, 1889. In 1889 the village was organized into a city, under the laws of 1873 ap- plying to the government of cities and the reorganization of villages into cities, providing they have a population of three thousand or more. At the first election there were elected the usual officers, as follows : Lewis E. Royal as mayor, with L. D. Newton, J. H. Doughty, C. Kimball, D. Rod- man, William Bamber and D. G. Robinson as alderman. On April 15, 1890, M. Deveraux was elected mayor, with aldermen as follows : John Richmond, William H. Manners and Tobias Hornung, as new ones, and Rodman. Kim- ball and Bamber holding over. The next year Deveraux was re-elected as mayor and Peter Gardner, P. J. Stapleton and Phil Garvey as the new alder- man. In 1892, E. D. Wheaton was elected as mayor. In 1893 it was C. Bennett; in 1894, Tobias Bergy; in 1895, I. A. Fancher; 1896, M. Deveraux, and again in 1897; in 1898. C. M. Brooks and he was re-elected the next year. At this juncture the people decided to become a city of the fourth class and accordingly reorganized as such under the laws of 1895 and amendments thereto. Under the new arrangement Levi Schaffer Avas elected mayor in 1900 and again in 1901 ; he was followed by A. N. Ward in 1902, and he by H. Edward Deuell for three successive years, when he was followed in 1906 by H. A. Miller and he by M. Deveraux ; he by Walter L. Snider and he by H. E. Deuel for two terms and he, in 191 1, by Fred Russell, just elected at this April election. The present aldermen are : First ward. F. A. Sweeny and Elmer Walsh ; second ward, James W. Hersey and E. W. Crandall ; third ward. George Powers and W'. E. Ratliff, with Horace H. Hunter as clerk, E. E. Palmer, treasurer, and C. E. Russell and W'illiam Starkweather as justices of the peace. IMPROVEMENTS. The city has made many and valuable improvements since the first organ- ization as a village in 1875. At that time we had no public water system, no sewers and but a small number of sidewalks and they of lumber. Our fire department was very inferior and our streets were very sandy. A water ■works system was inaugurated about 1882 and two wells were dug on the east side of the Chippewa river, just south of the Ann Arbor depot, and a pumping station was installed near by and water mains laid from the pump house south ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3/5 to Michigan street and thence east to the main portion of the city and from tlience in various directions so as to accommodate tlie most of our citizens. The largest of the pipes was at that time eight inches in diameter and a large portion of them were of logs made at Bay City, Michigan. The first bonded indebtedness for water purposes was ten thousand dollars issued about July 15, 1882, payable in ten years, drawing five and one-half per cent, interest. The resolution providing for the issue of these bonds was passed I)y tlie com- mon council in due form and a vote of the electors authorized lo Ijc lield, which vote was taken and the bonding authorized, and the council met and rati- fied the action and authorized the execution of the bonds, whicii was done. The avails of these bonds were used for the purpose of digging a public well and in.stalling a pumping outfit just north of the Harris mill. The lx)nds have been refunded two or three times, but are all paid except one bond of one thousand dollars. During the said year of 1884 tlie \illage commencetl the matter of sewer- ing and a contract was let to one McSloy to build a sewer to commence at the Bennett huriingame (Arnold) Hopkins. Tlie father was lx)rn in Coventry, Rhode Island. January' lo. 1803, the son of Rufus and Amy ( Shippee) Flopkins. Rufus Hopkins was the son of Esquire Samuel Hopkins, who was the son of Joseph Hopkins. Tradi- tion says that the last named married a daughter of Edward W'iialley, one of the regicide judges who fled from England upon the restoration of Charles II, and according to tradition. Judge Whalley lived in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, and is buried upon Hopkins hill in that township. Mr. Hopkins says that w hen a Iioy he visited the hill and was shown the grave of Judge Whalley. It is from this ancestor that Mr. Hopkins takes his middle name, spelling it with but one "1." Most of the Hopkins family have been engriged in the great industry of Rhode Island cotton manufacturing. Sanniel Hopkins, father of tiie immediate subject of this sketch. li\ey rail in addition to the day's walk, so the whole day — the walk, the ride, the office work — was a very busy one. After his graduation, in March, 1872, he visited bis old home for a few weeks, after which he returned to Michigan and located at Grand Rapids. There he was admitted to the bar and was principally occupied in settling the estate of a Mr. Gardner. This w'ork took him through the central and northern parts of the state. While at Clare, Clare county, making collections for the estate, he met Hon. I. .\. Fancher, of Mount Pleasant, who induced him to come to Isabella county and make it bis future ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 38/ Ikiiik'. These two gentlemen were partners in the practice of law for three years. Mr. Hopkins was then for two years in partnership with Michael Devereaux; commencing witii January i. 1875, his i)artner was for nearly two years Wade B. Smith. He tiien associated himself with Free Estee, who had previou.sly studied law with him. Mr. Hopkins' health having failed, princi- pally from over-work, and lieing a member of the state Legislature, his busi- ness was looked after almost wliojly liy his partners, first Mr. Smith, tiien Mr. Estee. He spent two summers at lliggins Lake, Roscommon county, in search of rest and health, and in tiie winter of 1881 and 1882 visited his mother at Coventry, Connecticut, where he remained for six months. With he.-dlli impmxed. lie returned to .Mt. Pleasant and the first of lanuary. 1883, tormed a co-partnership with Daniel E. Lyon and entered the real estate and insurance business; the outdoor life being congenial to him, he gained much of his former strength. They did a large insurance and loaning busi- ness, the latter amounting to one hundred thousand dollars in 1883, secured on im])rci\ed farms. Mr. Hopkins is a Republican in politics and has always taken a great interest in public matters. When twenty-two years of age he was elected a member of the board of education for Coventry, Connecticut, his name having been jjlaced unanimously on both the Republican and Democratic tickets, and he served three years. In the early part of 1873 1'*^ "'^^ appointed clerk of L'niou township. Isabella county. Michigan, and in the spring was elected to the position, and was twice re-elected. He ser\ed seven years as justice of the ])eace, and two years as deputy township clerk while attending to the duties as justice. He was for one year superintendent of .schools at Mt. Pleasant for Cnion townshi]) and also for the city; and for si.x years he was a member and president of the board of education for the city, and was the first village attorney. When only seventeen years of age he was president of the Young Men's L\ceum and Debating Society in Coventry. Connecticut, and while a student at the Michigan l'ni\ersity president of a literary society known as the jetYersonian. which was connected with the law department. In 1875 to 1876 inclusive he served as prosecuting attorney of Isabella county, this term being a particularly busy one, several imirortant matters claiming his attention, the one of most interest to the public being the case in which the county was defendant in a suit brought by Vernon townshi]) to recover ten thousand dol- lars of tax moneys. I-'ormerly Clare county had been attached to \'ernon township, and previously to Midland and Mecosta, one-half each. Mr. Hop- kins succeeded in sustaining the county's position, and afterwards, while a member of the Michigan Legislature, again defended the countv in a claim 388 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. brought by Midland and Mecosta counties and after a hard effort extending over four weeks, he won again for his county. He was elected to the Legisla- ture as representative from Isabella county in 1876, and, having made such a worthy record, he was re-elected in 1879, serving four years. During the first term he was a member of the committeee on judiciary, also public lands and liquor traffic. During the second term he was a member of the judiciary and educational committees, and was chairman of the sjjecial committee on taxation and of the special joint committee of the House and Senatd on taxa- tion. This was the most important committee of the session, and Mr. Hop- kins was the youngest member of it. Messrs. Hall, Stanchheld, Ferguson and Kuhn, of the House, and Senators Childs, Cochrane and Farr were the mem- bers. A bill to reorganize the tax matters of the state passed the House, but failed in the Senate. A year later a commission appointed by the governor prepared a bill carrying into effect provisions similar to those of Mr. Hopkins' bill. He was offered the senatorial nomination, but declined to run, as his health forbade. He served for six years as chairman of the Republican county committee. In all these positions of public trust he served very faith- fully and ably in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In 1874 Mr. Hopkins platted the Hopkins addition to the town of Mt. Pleasant. In 1877, while in attendance to the Legislature, he was nominated without his knowledge for village president, but was not elected. In 1882 he was accorded the unanimous nomination on the Republican ticket for prose- cuting attorney of Isabella county ; he made no canvass and was not elected. In 1884 he was an alternate and attended the Republican national convention held at Chicago which nominated Blaine and Logan. In 1892 Mr. Hopkins, as chairman of the executive committee of the Business Men's Association, had charge of the work of locating the United States Indian Industrial School in Isabella county, and carried on the correspondence concerning it with the authorities at Washington and with the member of Congress for the district. Colonel Bliss, afterward governor, and succeeded in locating it at Mt. Pleas- ant. He then conceived the idea of platting land, selling it and applying the proceeds for the erection of a normal school. This was done, the present Central State Normal being the result. A company was formed and incor- porated and Mr. Hopkins has always been its secretary. The school is the pride of the city. Mr. Hopkins has been interested in four additions to the city and is the owner of two. In 1892 Mr. Hopkins was elected to the state Senate and he served during the session held in 1893. He was president pro tem. of the Senate, and was ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 389 chairman of the special committee of the Senate and joint committee of the House and the Senate on taxation, and he introchiced a l)ill revising the tax laws of the state wliich became a law and, with sdnie changes, i.s the present law of the state. He was a member of the judiciary committee and the university committee, also the committee on education. He was appointed chairman of the last, but resigned in favor of another member, still ser\ing, however, on the committee. In 1896 he esiwused the cause of bimetallism and supported Bryan and Sewell for the leaders of the national ticket. He was chairman of the Silver Repul)lican committee for the eleventh congressional district, and was chairman of the Silver Republican convention held at Bay City and vice-chairman of the joint convention of Sihcr Republicans, Populists and Democrats held there, and at the union of the parties he and Senator W. R. Burt were api^ointed to name the candidates for governor and lieutenant-gov- ernor, which they did. In a convention of three hundred delegates, Mr. Hop- kins needed onl\- orn to them on April ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 391 20, 1885. She was married to Jay Harris Buell. September 3. 1907, and they have one child, Harris Hopkins Buell, born November 12, 1909. Their home is at Gaylord. Michigan. The commodious, modern and attractive home of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins is a park-like place, the wide, spacious lawns being shady and inviting, orna- mental and fruit trees, shrubbery, vines and flowers being in profusion, and because ten stately oaks grow near this l^eautiful residence the place is known as Oakten. It is on Normal avenue and in the most desirable residence portion of the city. Here the many friends of the famil}- often gather, finding an old- time hospitalit}- and good cheer ever prevailing. The house is equipped with a splendid and carefully selected library, where Mr. Hopkins spends many pleasant hours, losing himself "in other men's minds." and is familiar with the world's best literature. While a member of the board of education for the city. Mr. Hopkins took part in locating three sites for schools and erecting five school buildings. He assisted with work and liberal contributions in the erection of the county court house, the railroads which enter the city and the chemical works, as well as manv other industries. He has delivered many Fourth of July addresses, also made Memorial day orations, many of which have lieen published, and ad- dresses before state religious conferences, state and county fairs, high school and college graduating classes and on many other occasions, often addressing audiences composed of thou.sands of people at Lansing, Grand Rapids, Port Huron, .\lnia. St. Louis. St. Clair, Marine City, Midland. Mayville, Big Rapids, Reed City, Mt. Pleasant, Shepherd, Clare, Cadillac, Traverse City, Barraga, Hancock, Calumet, Lake Linden, Escanaba, Menominee, Ludington, Scottville, Lake Odessa, and other cities. Many of these addresses have been published. His letter to Mr. Bryan has also been published and may be found in the Central State Normal Library at Mt. Pleasant. As a speaker he is logical, earnest and often truly eleing a registered pharmacist. Mr. Damon has always been deeply interested in jiolitical matters and his genuine worth and public si)irit has ])een recognized and appreciated l)v leaders in tile l\c])ul)lican party. Whik' at Weidman Mr. Damon was active in or- ganizing the fir.st school district and later in the graded school district served on the school board continuously while there. He was a member of the school Iward in Millington al.so. He was selected as the party's candidnte for the state Legislature from the tirst district, Tu.scola county, in 1886. and wris dulv elected, .serving four years in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, winning a record in that im- portant body of which anyone might well be proud. He will long be remem- bered, among other things of service he did tliere for the general public, liv introducing the Damon li(|uor bill, designed to regulate the general liquor busi- ness of the state. In 1890 he was in charge of branch of recorded indebted- ness of the state of Michigan the eleventh census, having one assistant in each congressional district. The financial interests of the state were carefullv gone over in this work, and six months were spent in this undertaking. In the fall of 1891 Mr. Damon sold out his business and went to the state of Georgia, where he engaged in the manufacturing business, but re- turned to Michigan the following year. He purchased a stock of drugs and wall pajier at Hubbardston. Ionia county, where he remained two years, then mo\ed his goods to W'eidman. Isaljella county, in the fall of 1894. where he put in a line of groceries. He was burned out in June. 1897, but immediately rebuilt on a more extensive scale than formerly, and engaged in a general mercantile business, handling nearlv evervthing but harflwarc. He continued 400 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. here with his usual success until December, 1906. In the fall of that year he was elected county treasurer, and was re-elected in 1908, having made a splendid record during his first term and he is now the incumbent of this office. Selling out his business at Weidman, this county, he moved his family to Mt. Pleasant and he intends to make his future home here, though he has retained some business interests in Weidman, being connected with the Weid- man Banking Company as vice-president. He is also connected with the Holmes Milling Company there, being vice-president of this company also. Since coming to this county he has been successfully engaged in business. Mr. and Mrs. Damon have been for many years consistent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. CHESTER R. GORHA.M. In reviewing the history of those who have been instrumental in the upbuilding and advancement of the material growth of the city of Mt. Pleas- ant, the name of Chester R. Gorham will rank among the first. Coming to Mt. Pleasant in 1888, he with his brother and son established the plant now known as the Gorham Brothers Company, giving employment to many, and the homes which have been built and the improvements which have been brought about through the influence of this great work will be a lasting monu- ment to his ability, quiet and unassuming ways, and honest industry. After long years of faithful service and toil, he rests from iiis labors, in the silent grave, the resting place of all mankind, where he sleeps the sleep that knows no waking, but the forces he set in motion liere for the material and moral good of the community w ill never die away, and the example he set the young men of Mt. Pleasant in the way of a successful battle against odds and obstacles and of wholesome living in all the relations of life, is far-reaching and will continue to grow. Chester R. Gorham, widely known as the president of the Gorham Broth- ers Company, was the scion of a sterling Eastern family, his birth having occurred in Chenango county. New York, in 1846. When but a child his parents moved to Ohio, settling at Euclid, near Cleveland, and now a suburb of the Lake City, and there he received his education and gre\v to maturity. When eighteen years of age he commenced the manufacture of baskets. In his humble workshop was laid the foundation for the present extensive busi- ness of the Gorham Brothers Company. At first the working force was very C^/h'Ci/^^-^ ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4OI small, and fri'(|iR'iitl\- Mr. Gorhani himself was the only man on the pay- roll, the payroll itself l)cing somewhat irregular and uncertain, lie was not easily discouraged and he pushed forwanl in the face of all obstacles, relent- lessly persevering until ultimate success crowned his efforts, becoming in due course of time the head of an institution of which he had just cause to feel proud, which will ever stand as a fitting monument to his industry, sagacity and foresight. Mr. (Jorham maintained a home at Cleveland where his family preferred to reside, but the major portion of his time was spent in Mt. Pleasant. His death occurred on March 13, 19 10. FRANK II. nUSENBURY. It is the progressive, wide-awake man of atYairs that makes the real his- tory of a community, and his influence as a potential factor of the body politic is difilicult to estimate. The examples such men furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what it is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always full measure of satisfaction in ad\-erting even in a casual way to their achievements in advancing the interests of their fellow men and in giving strength and .solidity to the institutions which tell so much for the prosperity of the community. Such a man is I'rank H. EHisenbury, one of the leading attorneys of southern Michigan and at present representa- tive in the state Legislature. Such a life as his is an inspiration to others who are less courageous and more prone to give up the fight w hen obstacles thwart their way. or their ideals have been reached or definite success has been at- tained in any chosen field. In the life history of Mr. Dusenbury are found evidences of a peculiar characteristic that always makes for achiexement, — persi.stency coupled with fortitude and lofty traits. — and as a result of such a life he has long stood as one of the best known, most influential and highly esteemed citizens of Isabella county. Mr. Dusenbury was born in Mt. Pleasant, this county, on Mav 26. 1878. He is the scion of an excellent old pioneer family, being the son of Frank H. and May \'. Dusenbury, the father born in Marshall, Michigan, and the mother born in Coldwater, this state. The father .served his countrv during the Civil war as assi.stant paymaster on the giuiboat ''Prairie Bird."' L'nited States navy. .\t the close of the war he received an honorable discharge. The son, Frank H. Dusenljurv. grew to maturitv in his home town and (26) 1 402 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. received his primary education in the public schools, also attended the high school at Mt. Pleasant and at Saginaw. He was always a student and made rapid progress, and, having early in life decided to enter the law, he accordingly began to bend every effort in that direction, and after he had a general literary education, entered the law department of the University of Michigan, where he made a brilliant record and from which he was graduated, in the class of 1902. Soon afterward he returned to Mt. Pleasant and opened a law office. His success was instantaneous and his clientele has continued to grow until he has long since taken a place in the front rank of attorneys in this and adjoining counties, figuring in most of the important cases that come up in the local courts. He is a painstaking, resourceful, energetic and fearless advocate, and keeps abreast of the times in every respect, especially in the matter of important decisions and state rulings, and he is a vigorous and in- dividual investigator. Mr. Dusenbur}' was elected prosecuting attorney of Isabella county, and served the same with much credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned, the court records standing as evidence of his eminent success as an incumbent of this important office. Having long been interested in the welfare of his county in a general way and taking an abiding interest in politics, he vvas elected representative from his district in the state Legislature in 1908, serving until 1910, when, having made a brilliant record, he was re-elected. He has made his influence felt in the House for the good of his constituents and is ever alert for the interests which he represents. As a speaker he is earnest, logical, forceful and often eloquent. So far, his rec- ord has justified the wisdom of the Republican party, which he has so faith- fully advocated, in placing him in this high office. On December 27, 1906, ]\Ir. Dusenbury led to the hymeneal altar Edith E. Gorham, a lady of culture and refinement and the daughter of Ezra S. and Mary M. Gorham, a respected and influential family of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Dusenbury one child, Anne, was born on June 17, 1909, but died in infancy. Fraternally Mr. Dusenbury is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Maccabees. Mr. Dusenbury is a young man of ability and talents, honest, conscien- tious and conservative. He believes, and has proven this belief by his record, that justice should be impartial, and that the arm of the law should be wielded alike in the enforcement and defense of every citizen, regardless of politics, race, religion or financial standing. Although he believes that the safety of ISABELLA COUNTY, MRIIIC.AN-. 4O3 society rests in the prompt and successful prosecution of crime, he yet believes that the machinery of the law should be set in motion only after due delibera- tion and careful investigation. lie is truly making a name for himself, and his conduct in office has been sucli tliat lie has not only gained, but retained, the confidence of all concerned, and, judging from his past record of honor, one would predict a future of much promise. FRANCIS H. DODDS. Francis II. Dodds, of Mt. Pleasant, was born in the township of Louis- ville, St. Lawrence county. New York, June 9, 1858. He moved to Isabella county with his parents in 1866, where he attended the public schools and obtained his early education. He began teaching when he was but sixteen years of age and pursued this calling for three years, in the rural schools of the county, in the village schools of Mt. Pleasant and in the village schools of Farwell. in Clare county. Mr. Dodds is a graduate of Olivet College; was graduated from the law dej-artment of the University of Michigan in 1880, and was elected president of the law alumni of that institution for the then ensuing year. He has been engaged in the practice of law continuously since then— from 1884 to 1886 at P>ay City, Michigan, and during the rest of the time at Mt. Pleasant, and has served as city attorney and as a member of the board of education of the latter place. Mr. Dodds is a Republican, and was elected to Congress from the eleventh congressional district in November, 1908. and was re-elected to the sixty-second Congress in November. 1910. He is married and has four children. E. Nugent. Daphne A.. Dorothy E. and Gertrude Mae Dodds. ROY D. M.'\TTHE\VS. The present popular and efficient prosecuting attorney of Isabella county, Roy D. Matthews, is now moving along the pathway of professional success with mmy years of profitable activity before him. He is a man of thought and .study and finds essential nutriment in dining and supping with the legal authorities. His life has been a busy and useful one. and he is a man of un- shrinking integrity, rigid honesty, technical in his definitions of right living in all walks of life. 404 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Mr. Matthews was born in Thornapple township, Barry count}', Michi- gan, February 11, 1878. He is the son of C. P. Matthews, who was born in Russell township, four miles from Chagrin Falls, Russell county, Ohio. From there he moved to Barry county, Michigan, when he was twenty-eight }ears of age. While living in Ohio he was married to Celinda Reed, at Chagrin Falls. From Barry county, Michigan, he moved to Owosso, this state, where he followed teaming, and he is still a resident of that place. His children are as follows: Arthur G., who lives in Shiawasse county, Michigan: Roy, of this review ; Iva E., Bert L., Lilah and Pearl, all living in Shiawassee. Roy D. Matthews was ten years of age when his parents moved to Owosso City and there he sold papers for several years. He had attended tJie district school in Barry county and he finished the graded schools at Owosso. He then worked continuously without missing a day until the following Sep- tember, for E. F. Dudley, in the produce business in Owosso. In the fall of 1899 he entered the University of Michigan, took the law course, working his way through college, and was graduated with honors in 1902. He won the admiration of his fellow students, for he was not assisted by anyone and he had many obstacles to overcome. After his graduation he went to the office of W'atson & Chapman, of Owosso, and remained there until January i, 1903. He then established an office at Shepherd. Isabella county. While in the Uni- versity of Michigan he won an "M" on the baseball team. While in the office of Watson & Chapman he was appointed by Governor Bliss as circuit court commissioner, which position he held with credit until his removal to Shepherd. He remained in that place until 1908. He enjoyed a very satisfactory prac- tice and won a wide reputation as a careful, painstaking and well informed lawyer. The first month he was in Shepherd he made no more than expense money; the second month showed a small increase, and after that his busi- ness grew steadily until he became one of the leading memljers of the local bar. Being an ardent Republican and a public-spirited man. his aljility and worth were soon recognized by party leaders and he was elected prosecuting attorney in the fall of 1908. He mo\ed to Mt. Pleasant and since assuming charge of the duties of this office he has proven the wisdom of his selection, for he is always found at his post and has made a record of which his friends and constituents may well be proud. Mr. Matthews was president of the \-illage while living at Shepherd and he did many things for the general good of that community. On October 27, 1903, Mr. Matthews married, at Owosso, Michigan, Fannie C. Crawford, daughter of Robert D. and Olive Crawford, natives of Michigan and Massachusetts, respectively. Mrs. Matthews was born in 1882 ISABELLA COLXTV. MICHIGAN. 4O5 at Owosso, Micliigan. This union has Ijeen graced hy the l)irtli of one child. Ohve Louise, who was born April i"]. 1909. Mrs. Matthews graduated from the high school at Owosso in 1900. Fraternally Mr. Matthews is a meml)er of the Free and Accepted Masons. Lodge Xo. 2S8. of Shepiicrd. the Independent Order of Odd I'ellows of Ml. Pleasant, the Kniglits of l'\ thins at Owosso. and the Modern Woodmen of America at Shejiherd. being clerk of the latter for two or three years. Selling his property in Shepherd, he purchased very desirable property at Mt. Pleasant when he moved here. While in Shepherd he promoted and established an insurance business, which be sold when he moved to Mt. Pleasant. FATHER THOMAS O'CONNOR. The intluence of b'ather Thomas O'Connor, worth}' and well-known Cath- olic priest of ^It. Pleasant, has long been mo.st salutary in Isabella county, where he has labored earnestly for the amelioration of his people, content in following the example of the low ly Naxarene and caring little for the admiring plaudits of men. He is eminently deserving of the high esteem that is re- posed in him bv evervone. for bis career has been that of a man whose ideals are high and whose heart is in his work. Father O'Connor was born on June _'S. iSfiJ. on a farm near Huntington. Onebec. Canada, remaining there until he was eight years of age. and there he began his educational tr.iining. He then moved to Albany county. New ^■ork. in 1870. In 1879 he entered St. Lawrence College at Montreal. Canada, finishing the classical cour.se there, then took two years' philosophical course with the Francescans at Brooklyn. New \'ork. He then took theology at Latrobe. Pennsylvania (Benedictine's). He was ordained on July j6, 1888. at (irand Rapids. Michigan, and was appointed assistant at St. Mary's church. Muskegon. Michigan. In January. 1891. be was appointed to Midland, and during the same year he was transferred to (irand Haven. On .August i. 1899. he came to Mt. Pleasar.t. Michigan, where he has contiinied in the wDrk to the present time, having i)nilt up the congregation in a manjier that rellects much credit upon his earnestness of purim.se. his genuine ability and his power to inspire confidence in his parish. He was instrumental in .securing the paro- chial school, and be bought the Sisters' property. Being an ardent advocate of education, he has built here Sacred Heart .\cademy at an expense of about twentv-hve thousand dollars. It is beautiful in all its aiipointments. substan- 406 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. tial, convenient and well suited for every purpose. Here are eight Dominican Sisters. It is a diploma school of the University of Michigan, and here are to be found about three hundred pupils, and the school is in a very flourishing condition and wields a powerful influence in this section of the state. It is under splendid management in every respect. When Father O'Connor came here he found the church unfurnished; he had it remodeled, at an expense of probably ten thousand dollars, making it a splendid edifice, and he also raised money to repair the Sisters' house. Since he came to Mt. Pleasant he has raised about fifty thousand dollars for buildings. He has a congregation of about three hundred families. These facts are certainly criterions enough of his indomitable energ}' and unswerving zeal. He has taken a great interest in all movements calculated to benefit the city in any way, such as inducing various enterprises to locate here. He is well liked and popular, and justly so, by the people of this vicinity — of all classes and creeds. Personally he is a very pleasant gentleman, kind, genial, a fluent conversationalist and a man who at once inspires confidence and respect, never courting publicity, plain and unassuming. HARRY G. MILLER. It is not everyone who makes a success as a journalist or publisher — in- deed, there are perhaps more failures in these lines than in any other avenue of human endeavor. Like the poet, the newspaper man must be born — gifted by nature. Hundreds enter the ranks who, after a struggle against great odds, are borne under by the current and e\entually take up something else as a life work. Thus he who makes a success as a devotee of the art preservative, over the "case" or in tiie sanctum of the editorial room, demonstrates that he has powers peculiar to himself, and also that he has Ijeen a \ery liard worker. Very likely he is a public-spirited man, for it has doubtless Iseen necessary for him to declare himself on questions and issues on which men and parties divide, and it is certain that he is an advocate for everything that goes to promote the upbuilding of his community. Such a man is Harry G. Miller, editor and joint owner of the Isabella County Courier, the popular Democratic paper of this vicinity, and which, under his able management, is regarded as a molder of public opinion and a power in promoting the principles of the Democratic party. Mr. Miller was born on January 9, 1880, near Vassar. Michigan. He is the son of H. A. Miller, long a prominent citizen in that section of the state. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4O7 who at the time of the suljject's birth was editor of tlie P'assar Times. He went to school in Vassar, and when about ten years of age the family moved to ]\It. Pleasant, the father becoming editor of The Democrat, whicii paper he l)m-cliascd at tliat time and developed into a valuable property, and later was called the Isabella County Courier. The son thus grew up in a newspaper "atmosphere" in Alt. Pleasant, and under the judicious traininjr of a wise sire he was early in life fitted for a career as journalist, and while now young in years he is an able and ex- perienced publisher. Here Harry G. Miller attended high school, and later the State Normal. Ijeing graduated from the latter, with a life certificate, in 1901. having made a splendid record for scholarship; but he did not make teaching his life work. He assisted his father in tiie office of his paper the summer after his graduation. In tlie fall of i()02 he entered the law depart- ment of the University of Michigan and spent one year there. During the ne.xt four years he turned his ;ittention to the stage and traveled as an actor throughout the country unlii igoj. e\incing much talent in this line, and be- coming well known in tiieatrical circles. However, he did not enter the pro- fession in a serious manner, desiring to gain a knowledge of the world first handed. 1 le gave up theatricals on account of his father removing to Saginaw and he was thus enabled to get a good business footliold in Mt. Pleasant, which he did by taking cbai-ge as editor of tlie paper ow ned by ins father, with his brother, l-larl M.. as business manager. The father is still working in Saginaw with the United States Healtli and Accident Insurance Company, holding the position of purchasing manager of the institution and also is editor of The .Iccidcnt .liif. 'I'iie mother makes her bonie in Mt. Pleasant. The sons have l>een \ery successful in their management of this paper, tiie circula- tion having rapidl\- increased and the prestige of the same become well estab- lished. .\s stated, it is the only Democratic newspaper in the county and as a party organ it is most valufible, being well edited and judiciously managed. It is rendered \aluable as an advertising medium and has a bright, clean ap- pearance from a nieclianical standjioint. Its columns teem w itii the latest. choicest and crisi)est news and it is read with pleasure and profit by a wide and ever increasing circle of patrons. In the spring of 1910 (.\pril) Earl Miller went to Clifton. .Xrizona, beconn'ng editor and manager of the Copper Era. leaving Harry (i. Miller as editor and manager of the local paper. W liilc at the uni\ersii\ Mr. .Miller became a nieniber of the University Comedy Club. This led to liis position with a theatrical troupe, giving him an opportunity to see the United States and to l)roaden his mind in many ways, but he was not reluctant to leave the stage when he saw an opportunity to eiUer his cbo'^en life work. 408 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Mr. Miller is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Mt. Pleasant, also the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Phi Delta Pi of Central Normal, and he is a member of the Episcopal church. He is deeply interested in the growth and welfare of Mt. Pleasant and the general develop- ment of Isabella county and stands ready to aid in any movement for the good of the masses. GEORGE ABRAM DUSENBURY. This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force and eminence, for George Abram Dusenbury. whose life chapter has been closed by the hand of death, was for a long lapse of years one of the financial leaders and prominent citizens of Isabella count}' and one of the leading pro- moters of the city of Mt. Pleasant, having come to this section in pioneer times, and he assisted in e\'ery way possible in bringing about the transforma- tion of the country from the wild condition found by the first settler to its later-da\' progress and improvement. While he carried on a special line of business in such a manner as to gain a cumfortalile competence for himself, he also belong to that class of representati\e citizens who ]jroniote the public welfare while advancing indixidual success. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is today honored l)v all who knew him and is enshrined in the he.'irts of his many friends. Mr. Dusenbury was the re])resentati\e of a fine old faniil\- of the Wol- verine state, his birth lia\ing occurred in Marshall. Calhoun county. Michigan, on February 21, 1845. He was the son of John and Elizabeth (Butler) Dusenbury, natives of Broome county, Xew York. The father was a mer- chant and in 1836 he came to Michigan and settled at Marshall where he engaged successfully in the mercantile business until his death in 1857. He was a man of excellent business qualifications and a man of honor and in- tegrity, well known and highly respected. When sixteen years of age George A. Dusenbury, of this review, hav- ing received a good common school education, launched out in the commer- cial world by taking a position as bookkeeper in the mill of E. B. Walbridge at Kalamazoo, this state. He then went to the United States and American express companies, and later spent four years in the Chicago office of the American Express Company, giving eminent satisfaction and gaining much general and practical knowledge in a business way. In 1866 he assisted in ISABFLXA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 40g Starting a local express company in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, and after one year there he sold out and went to New York wliere he found employ- ment in the office of the American Express Company, where he remained, giving his usual high-grade service, until 1876, when he returnetl to Michigan and engaged in tlie mercantile business with increasing success for four years at Homer, Calhoun county. His brother, iMruik. dxing in Mt. Pleasant, in lanu.Trv. i88c, and his widowed mother and sister having already located tliere, he moved to this city and engaged in the real estate and loan business, and in 1881 established a private banking enterprise, in partnership with his brother, William C. Dusenbury, under the Inni name of (i. .\. Dusenbury & Compan\ , and they operated the same with success from the first until 1888, when it was succeeded by Dusenbury. Xel.son & Com])any. the two Dusenburys retaining their interest in the institution. 'Ihis lirm continued the business as a private banking institution, but ado])ted the name Exchange Bank. In Mav, 1894. the Exchange Saxings Bank was organized and incorjiorated as a state bank, under the law s of the state, succeeding to the l)usincss of Dusen- bury, Nelson & Company. In its list of first officers, (]. A. Dusenburx- was cashier and William C. Dusenbury was assistant cashier. These officers con- tinued in charge of the bank until January 19. 1900, when another change was made in the officers, but the subject retained his old jiosition. and in 1903 he was elected president and contimied in that important capacitv in a manner that reflected much credit upon iiimself and to tlie entire satisfac- tion of all concerned until his death, on September 22. 1905. This is the oldest bank in the county and one of the most popular in this section of the state. It is in the market at all times for good loans, and makes a specialty of loaning its funds on Isabella county real estate, where the security is ample, and loans to school districts, the constant aim of the management having ever been to throw around each loan every safeguard consistent with sound and conservative banking, and its sa\ings department is a very popular and important one. Nothing creates a stronger and more last- ing impression among commercial and financial circles with regard to the importance and prosperity of a city tiian the condition of her banks and financial institutions. In this respect the Exchange Savings Bank has con- tributed its full share toward ])lacing Mt. Pleasant in a very enviable position w ith the outside world. Therefore, too much credit cannot be given to George A. Dusenbury nor too much reverence paid his memory for establishing this hank, but there are many other reasons why he deserves a conspicuous place in the history of Isabella county. in 1884, in company with J. M. ShafTer, .Mr. Du.senbury erected a sub- 4IO ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. stantial block at Gladwin, Michigan, and engaged in the mercantile business, being very successful. He was a man of fine business acumen, keen discern- ment, and exercised sound judgment and was by nature an organizer and promoter. Straightforward and honest in all his transactions with his fellow men, he commanded their utmost confidence and respect and was popular in all the relations of life. Personally he was a man of pleasing address, a genteel gentleman and charitable in his impulses. Mr. Dusenbury was married on June 24, 1875, at Evanston, Illinois, to Ida S. Perry, a lady of culture and refinement, and the representative of an influential and highly respected old family. She was bom at Lacon, Marshall county, Illinois, in 1850. Five children were born to this union, Elizabeth, Allan T., Ross Butler, Ralph and Philip George. FRANK B. WHITEHEAD. The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch holds an important and responsible position with one of the largest business firms of central Michigan, and the manner in which he has discharged his duties in- dicates that the trust reposed in his ability and faithfulness has not been misplaced. William Whitehead, the subject's father, was a native of North- amptonshire, England, as was also the mother, who ijrevious to her marriage was Betsey Mead, .-\fter the birth of three of their children, Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead came to the United States and settled in Wayne county. New York, where they made their home until about the year 1867, when they moved to Isabella county, Michigan, and settled on a new farm four and a half miles southwest of I\It. Pleasant. William Whitehead's motive in coming to Michigan was to secure more and cheaper land, but the failure of his crops on account of early frosts the first two years greatly discouraged him. A fine crop and good prices the third year, however, put him upon his feet and from that time on his circumstances greatly improved, although the family suffered severely for several years on account of the ague, a dis- ease common to nearly all new countries, especially those heavily timbered. With the assistance of his sons, Mr. ^Vhitehead in due time cleared a good farm and established a fine home in Isabella county, where he spent the remainder of his days, his first wife dying before the family moved to this state. He subsequently married Ann Reed, who accompanied the family to Michigan and who survived him a few years, leaving one of the three chil- ISABFLLA COUNTY, MICIIIGAX. 4II dren born to thein, namely. Carrie, widow of the late Noble Moss, and who now lives on a part of tlie homestead. By his marriage with Betsey Mead Mr. Whitehead was the fatlier of seven children, namely: Mary, who mar- ried Francis Nichols, a carpenter, and both are now deceased; Jennie, the wife of C. F. Marsh, whose occupation is farming and fruit evaporating; Charley, a carpenter by trade, and a successful superintendent, having served the Bickford & Hoofman Grain Drill Company for a period ot twenty-nine years, dying in their employ; (leorge William, a fanner of Union township near the home place; Matilda, wife of Charles Slater, whose sketch appears elsewhere; Frank B., the subject of this review, and Estella, who married Henry Ellsworth and li\ ed at Rapid City, this state. lx)th being now dead. Frank B. Whitehead was born November 7. 1857, in Wayne county. New York, and came to Michigan with his parents when ten years of age. He remained at home until twenty years old and at intervals in the mean- time attended the public schools. When strong enough to be of service in the woods and fields, lie was put to work and in the clearing and developing of the farm in Isabella county he faithfully and energetically bore his part. At the age of seventeen, he worked as a farm hand for several of the neigh- bors, and three years later accepted a clerkship with the Daugherty mercan- tile firm, which position he held during the five years ensuing. About 1 89 1 Mr. Whitehead entered the employ of the Gorham Company at Mt. Pleasant, and remained with the firm during the ensuing seventeen years, first as foreman, and subsequently as superintendent, in addition to the duties of the latter position, also buying and selling timber lands, send- ing as superintendent about fi\ e years. Severing his connection with the firm, he went to the Pacific coast, where he spent two years buying timber lands, principally in Oregon, but at the expiration of that time returned to Mt. Pleasant and again engaged with the Gorham Company, whose yard work, manufacturing, purchasing of timl)er. mill supplies, etc.. he has managed since the fall of 1909. being at this time general superintendent of the busi- ness with an average of one hundred and thirty men under liini. a number which during busy season is not infrequently increased to two hundred. Mr. Whitehead possesses executive ability of a high order, as is demonstrated by the manner in which lie manages important trusts and the responsible position which he now holds with one of the largest concerns of tiie kind in the central i)art of the state indicates his faithfulness as well as efficiency as a man of mature judgment, keen sagacity and wise foresight. By making his firm's interests his own and never losing sight of the rights and privileges of his subordinates, he has gained the unbounded confidence of his employers. 412 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. while his courteous and gentlemanly treatment of those under him have won their loyalty and friendship and bound them to him as with bands of steel. In his political faith Mr. Whitehead supports the Republican party, but has never posed as a partisan or seeker after the honors or emoluments of office. He has served on the cit}- board and board of public works, in both of which capacities he labored zealously for the interests of the municipality and was instrumental in bringing about a number of improvements which have been highly prized by the public. Fraternally, he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also a member of the Masonic order of Mt. Pleasant. Mrs. Whitehead, who prior to her marriage was Faithful McClure, was reared in Ohio, and is a lady of beautiful life and character, well fitted to be the wife of the enterprising man w Ikjsc name she bears and honors. One son has blessed their union, Roy Brooks Whitehead, who was graduated from the Central State Normal School at Mt. Pleasant, and is now principal of the public schools of Lakeview, this state. EUDELMER E. WILLIE. E. E. Willie, superintendent of buildings and grounds of the Central State Normal School at Mt. Pleasant, and for manv vears a leading citizen of the various localities in which he has resided, is a native of New York and a son of William and Mary (Hosmer) Willie, the foniier born September 8. 1 8 19, in New York City, the latter in Niagara county, that state, in the year 1847. The father departed this life November 23, 1902. while the mother, who is still living, is spending the evening of her life at Mt. Pleasant, where she has a large circle of friends who ])rize her f(ir her man\- estimable quali- ties of mind and heart. Eudelmer E. Willie, who was born in Niagara county. New York, on the 8th day of December, 1850, attended the public schools in his youth and later pursued his studies for some time in a country academy. Leaving his native county in the fall of 1871, when twenty-one years old, he came to Shiawassee, Michigan, where he taught school the following winter and in the spring went to Genesee county, this state, where he also devoted the winter months to educational work. The next spring found him in Faj-well, Clair county, where he remained until his marriage, which was solemnized in ISABELLA COUNTY, MICIIIGAX. 4I3 the county of Genesee. June lo, 1873. ^^''''^ Emma Knickerbocker, whose birth occurred in Xew York state on tlie 4th day of October, 1856. After spending the summer of 1873 in Genesee county, Mr. Willie, the following fall, came to Isabella county and settled in section 7, Vernon town- ship, where he bought eighty acres of land which he at once proceeded to improve and culti\ate. tlie nu-anwliik' dcxnting his spare time to carpentry, which trade he had previously learned and which for some years he had carried on in connection with teacliing. In due time he cleared up his land and de- veloped a good farm, later purchasing other real estate in the vicinity and during his residence of nine years in N'ernon township he prospered as a mechanic and tiller of the soil besiiles ac(|uiring considerable reputation as a teacher. .\t the expiration of the period indicated he was made superintend- ent of the county poor farm, which pcjsition he held during the ensuing twelve years, the meanwhile, as opportunities afforded, working on his own land and adding to its improvement and value. Resigning the above post at the end of his twelve years of efficient service, he returned to his own fami where he followed the \()catinn of agriculture for a ])eriod of se\en years and then rented the place and remo\ed to Mt. Pleasant, and one year later became superintendent of buildings and grounds of the Central State Normal School, at Mt. Pleasant, which responsible position he now holds. In his present cajjacitx'. Mr. Willie has charge of all the buildings of the institution with which he is connected and looks after the grounds, which he sees are kept in condition as is required by the state, inspects all contracts for work and repairs on the premises, besides making all necessary incidental purchases and exercising supervision oxer the janitors. While a resident of \'ernon township, Mr. Willie sened three years as supervisor of the same, and for a like period was superintendent of the schools of that jurisdiction. He keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought on all matters of interest, is fully abreast of the times on the leading questions of the day. and takes broad and liberal views of political issues, although a Republican and firm in his con\ictions and opinions. As a man and citizen, he has always stood high in the community in which he lixed. and those who know him best speak in high praise of his many qualities and sterling worth. Mrs. Willie is the daughter of .Xndru.s and Mary (Bander) Knicker- lx)cker. natives of the state of New York, the former born October i . iSj^, the latter on the 22nd of June, 1834. Mrs. Knickerbocker died January 24, 1906, and her husband, who survived her, is living at the present time in the city of Mt. Pleasant. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Willie include the following 414 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. children: Alma, born May 30, 1875, is a teacher by profession, now holding an important position in the schools of Washington; she was a member of the first life class graduated from the Central State Normal and has achieved signal success in her chosen calling. Iva, who was born June 30, 1878, married Abe Vogel and lives in Montana. Stanley, bom July 13, 1882, married Mary Park and is now a contractor and builder in Idaho. Glenn, whose birth occurred on the 17th of April, 1885, is unmarried and for some years has been living in San Francisco, California. Fay, the seventh in order of birth, is now pursuing her studies in the high school of Mt. Pleasant. All the above offspring have enjoyed excellent educational advantages and are intelligent and well fitted for the spheres of life in which they are engaged or for which they are preparing. They have tried to keep untarnished the family escutcheon and thus far their conduct has been a credit to the hon- orable name bequeathed to them by a long line of ancestors. CHARLES D. PULLEN, M. D. The subject of this sketch, a leading physician of Mt. Pleasant, is a native of Allegan county, Michigan, born in the village of Allegan on the 20th (lay of August, 1864, being a son of a farmer and merchant who moved to that part of the state a number of years ago from Wayne county. New York. After receiving his preliminary education in the schools of his native town, the subject completed the high school course in 1887. Being the oldest of the family, he was early obliged to contribute to the general support of his parents and the younger children, accordingly, while still a mere youth, he made himself familiar with the mercantile business and a little later could do almost a man's work at any kind of outdoor labor. Actuated by a desire to improve his education, he worked among his neighbors for means to prosecute the same and when sufficiently advanced in his studies, engaged in teaching, which calling he followed for several winter seasons in the rural districts of Allegan county. While thus engaged, he yielded to a desire of long standing by taking up the study of medicine in the State University at Ann Arbor, which institution he attended until completing the prescribed course in 1892. receiving, on June 30th of this year, the degree of M. D. from the College of Homeopathy. After his graduation Dr. Pullen located at Mt. Pleasant, where in due time he built up a large and lucrative practice, which he still commands, being ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 41^ at this time one of the best known nicchcal men of the city, willi much more than local repute as a skillful physician and sur^^eon. Like others of his school, he has to contend with the prejudices of older practitioners, but his success compelled them to acknowledge his abilities and he now commands the respect and confidence of the medical fraternity of the city as well as of the general public. By a courteous, manly deportment, and by the gentle- ness and skill with which he treats his patients, he has greatly extended the area of his professional business and today occupies a conspicuous place among the leading physicians of the county besides standing high as an enterprising, public spirited citizen. Doctor Pullen has availed himself of every laudable means to add to his professional efficiency, including post-graduate courses in the cities of Chicago and New York, where he profited by the instruction of some of the ablest medical men of the day. He also belongs to the countv, state and American medical associations and keeps in close touch with their delil>era- tions. A close and critical student, who believes in the honor of his calling, he has labored conscientiously to make himself a true healer, and, being in the prime of life with vigorous mentality, his many friends predict for him a bright and promising career in the future. Doctor Pullen was married. October 12, i8q2. to Clara L. French, of Otsego, Allegan county, this state, who has borne him two children, Dwight French, an intelligent and manly youth of fourteen, and Marian Clarice, who is five years of age. In addition to his general professioml duties. Doctor Pullen has been medical attendant of the Indian Industrial School at Mt. Pleasant, and for five years served as secretary of the United States pension examining board at Mt. Pleasant. Aside from his profession, he is interested in whatever makes for the material prosperity of his city and county, takes an active part in all measures for the general welfare of his fellow men and meets his every responsibility as one who knows his duty and. "knowing, dares maintain." WARNER CHURCHILL. This well-known retired farmer and business man and ex-soldier is among the many substantial citizens of Michigan whose birth occurred under another than the flag for whose honor he rendered such faithful and valiant service. Warner Churchill was bom January 11, 1841, in Prescott. Ontario, and at 41 6 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. the age of five was lirought to Oakland county, Micliigan, wliere he grew to maturity, spending the years of his childhood and youth in the village of Orion and Oxford. His father heing a merchant, the lad went into the store at an early age and continued Ijehind the counter until the former's death, which occurred when Warner was about seventeen years old. He then began working as a farm hand and a little later found employment in a saw- mill at Greenville, to which place he went in 1859, the year after his father died. In 1861, with the spirit of patriotism which animated so many young men throughout the North, he entered the service of his country to assist in putting down the rebellion, enlisting in a company recruited from the coun- ties of Whitewater, Lake and W^ashtenaw for the Third Michigan Cavalry under Colonel Misener. Shortly after his enlistment Mr. Churchill accompanied his command to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, thence the following year to the scene of conflict in Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and other states. He was with his regiment throughout all of its \-aried experience of campaign and battle, took part in the action at Island No. 10 and various other engagements and participated in the ill-fated Red River expedition under General Banks, during which he realized in all of its significance the meaning of war. Later he was at the fall of Mobile and at the close of the war marched back to Baton Rouge, thence overland via Shreveport, to San Antonio, Texas, and on to the Mexican border during the anticipated trouble with Mexico in i860, on account of the French invasion. In March of the latter year he was mustered out at San Antonio, and sent back to Jackson for his discharge, receiving which, he returned to Montcalm county, Michigan, and, locating six miles north of Greenville, began clearing a farm from the hea\y woodland of that section of country. During the four years ensuing Mr. Churchill worked hard, removing the forest growth and getting his land in condition for tillage and some idea of the extent of his labors may be obtained from the fact that by the end of that time he had one hundred acres in cultivation, besides making a number of improvements. He did much of his farming in partnership with Henry Harris, his brother-in-law, and in 1873 the two came to Mt. Pleasant and joined the latter's brother, William Harris, in operating the grist mill at that place. Mr. Churchill bought an interest in the mill which he still owns, although he remained in the business as a partner but four years. During that time the firm did a very thriving business and became widely known on account of the superior quality of their brands of flour, which always commanded ISABELLA COUNTY; MICHIGAN. 417 the highest market prices. Retiring at the expiration of the period indi- cated, Mr. Churchill has since resided in Mt. Pleasant, wliere he has a beau- tiful home, with a full complement of conveniences and comforts, and is now well situated to enjoy the many material blessings which have come to him as a result of his labors and the judicious management of his business interests. He has been acti\e in municipal affairs and was largely instru- mental in bringing about the incorporation of Mt. Pleasant, his efforts in the mo\ement leading to his election as the first mayor of the city, which office he resigned after a short time. He also served as supervisor of the village prior to its being incorporated, and for several years represented his ward in the citv council, where he was intiuentia! in promoting nuich important munic- ipal legislation. In politics lie is a Democrat and in religion a Methodist, being a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Mt. Pleasant. Fraternally he belongs to Wabano Post No. 250, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he now holds the office of post commander, and his name also adorns the records of the Knights of Pythias, Knights Templar and Maccabees, in the city where he resides. The marriage of Mr. Churchill was solemnized on the 25th day of Feb- ruary. tSCh, while he was at home on a furlough, with Sarah Harris, sister of William, John and Henry Harris, esteemed citizens of Isabella county, who are mentioned elsewhere in tliese pages, the union being without issue. VAA L. FERRIS. The subject of this sketch, an hunored representative of one of the early pioneer families of Isabella county, has been a life-long resident of Union township, having been born cm the farm where he now lives .\ugust 29. 1864. George .\. Ferris, his father, a native of Broome county, Xew York, was l)oni Xovember 18, 1835, and at the age of twenty he came to Michigan and spent the four years ensuing at Saginaw, where he achieved considerable reputation as a carpenter and Imildcr. At the ex])irati(iu of the i)eriod in- dicated he caiue u]) the Chippewa river by canoe to Isalwlla county, being accompanied by five Indians who carried provisions through the woods to the place where Mr. I'erris had previously decided to make a settlement. Leaving the river, he was obliged to cut a path through the dense forest to his destination, on reaching which he and the Indians hastily constructed four rude sheds or wigwams lor the accommodation of the latter, after which, (27) 4l8 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. with their assistance, he proceeded to erect a simple log cabin for himself and family. This, according to the most reliable information obtainable, was doubtless the first permanent settlement in what is now Union township, Mr. Ferris taking possession of his land merely as a squatter, as this part of the state at that time was not subject to entry. In 1862, when the homestead act became a law, he laid claim to the quarter section of land which his son now owns, paying one dollar per acre as the fee for recording the entry. Addressing himself to the task of its improvement, Mr. Ferris worked early and late in all kinds of weather, subjecting himself to many hardships and privations in order to establish a home for himself and those dependent upon him. In due season his labors were rewarded and the farm which he developed from the wilderness was long a landmark, later becoming one of the finest and most desirable farms in the township. After a strenuous life, during which he made a comfortaljle liume and accumulated a competency, this brave pioneer and estimable citizen was called from the scene of his lalxjrs and triumphs, dying in June, 1881, at the age of forty-six years. Susan Miser, wife of George A. Ferris, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, March 4, 1835, '^"'^1 departed this life in Isabella county, Michigan, in October, 1897. The children of this excellent couple, four in number and all living, are as follows: Laura A., born February 13, 1863, married Walt Ferris and resides in the state of Washington; Eli L., the subject of this review, is second in order of birth ; George Irving, born October 16, 1865, married Frances Sangster and lives in Alberta, Canada; Nettie E., the youngest of the family, was born April 22, 1870, and is now the wife of Albert Hany and makes her home in Midland county, this state. As indicated in a preceding paragraph, Eli L. Ferris first saw the light of day in the family homestead where he now resides and his earlv life in- cluded the experience common to the majority of lads reared amid the active duties of the farm. As soon as old enough to be of service he was put to work in the woods and fields and it was not long until he became an expert axman as well as an efficient helper at all kinds of manual lalxjr required to clear the land and fit it for cultivation. While thus engaged he attended, as opportunities afforded, the public schools of Union township, and in due time acquired a fair knowledge of the common branches, this training, sup- plemented by reading and intelligent observation in later years, making him one of the well informed men of the community. Having a predilection for the soil, he early decided to devote his life to agriculture and that he has suc- ceeded in this laudable endea\^or is attested by the fine farm which he now owns and the prominent place to which he has attained among the representa- tive men of his calling throughout Isabella county. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 419 In ig04 -Mr. l*"erri.s lurncd his land u\er tu oilier liands and niu\e(l to Ml. ricasant, Inil. after a residence of four years in that city, yielded to a strong desire to resume as^ricullural ])ursuils hy returning to the farm where he has since followed his chosen vocation with most gratifying results. In connection with tilling the soil, he is also ([uite largely interested in the rais- ing of fine live stock, devoting especial attention to Holstein cattle, with which high grade animals he has stocked a very successful dairj-. the proceeds from which form no small part of his income. .Xmong the various impro\ements he has made from time to time is the tine commodious barn, thirty hy thirtv- two feet in dimensions and well adapted to all the purposes for which such structures are used, his other buildings being up to date and in excellent repair, his fencing first class and everything on the premises bespeaking the energy and oversight of a pro])rietor who understands his vocation and stands high among the leading men of tlie same in his i)ai-t of ihc state. Mr. Ferris is a Republican in politics, but not a partisan in the sense of seeking office or aspiring to leadership, although he has filled with credit various local positions of trust, having served as commissioner of his town- ship and discharged the duties of the same with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. I'ratcrnallv. he is identified with the Knights of Maccabees, Lodge Xo. 129, and Grange No. 814, and, religiously, .subscribes to the creed of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which body his family also belong. Mary Lowe, who became the wife of Mr. Ferris in 1890. bore him two children. Bessie Mae and George. Ixith deceased Mrs. Ferris died March 4, 1901. .Mr. l-"erris" second marriage was solemnized on July 3, 1904, with Mrs. Ida M. (Miser) Struble, the union being without issue. By her pre- vious marriage Mrs. Ferris has two children. Coral L. and Gertrude M. Struble, the former born March 12, 1887, the latter on the 13th of November, 1895, both being nienibers of the home circle. JAMES DAVIS. Few if any men are as widely known throughout Michigan and other states of the central and northwestern part of the union as the gentleman whose career is briefly sketched in the following lines. In the business en- terprise with which he was formerly identified he controlled the markets in the northern part of the L^nited States and Canada and since engagi?ig in his 420 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. present undertaking his name has become a household word among horse dealers throughout the entire country. Like so many of the substantial citizens of Michigan, Mr. Davis is a Canadian, having been born in Oxford county. Ontario, on the 27th day of December. 1847. At the age of nine years he moved with his parents to Huron county, in the same province, where he remained until nineteen years of age, working on a farm the mean- while and during the last four years devoting a part of his time to the manu- facture of staves. At the e.xpiration of the period indicated young Davis went to Door county, Wisconsin, whither his parents soon followed him, and during the en- suing four years dealt in cedar fence posts, working by the job. Being con- vinced of the feasibility of the stave business if conducted upon a somewhat extensive scale, he left Wisconsin at the end of four years and, going to Tuscola county. IMichigan, engaged in the manufacture of staves in 1872, in partnershi]! with his brother, Michael Da\-is. the firm thus constituted lasting one rear when the business was divided and the subject continued in the same line. After continuing one year longer at that place, he moved to Saginaw. ]\lichigan. where during the six years ensuing he built up a very extensive trade and became widely known as one of the leaders of that line of business in the state \Miile thus engaged he employed upon an average of one hundred and fifty men during the winter months and for awhile manu- factured more staves of the Canada pipe kind than all the other firms combined in the entire Northwest. In 1878 he mo\ed his plant to Mt. Pleasant where he continued the business with marked success for ten years, making thirteen cnnsecuti\e years in an enteqjrise in which he had little competition and which returned him a fortune of no small magnitude. In the meantime he turned his attention to farming which lie carried on for several years in connection with his manufacturing interests, graduall}- drawing the latter to a close in order to give his attention to another and entirely different kind of enterprise. In the year 1888 ^Ir. Davis discontinued the stave business and, in part- nership with F. J. ^IcCrae. began dealing in fine blooded horses, but at the end of two years the firm was dissolved and since that time the subject has been in the business alone. He owns a valuable farm of three hundred and sixtv acres in Deei-field townshii). where lie keeps his horses, devoting special attention to the Percheron breed, in the raising and handling of which he has met with success such as few horsemen attain. At one time he had nine fine stallions, which represented a large amount of capital, seven being kept on the road, and the number of high grade animals on his farm varies from fortv to fifty head, which he disposes of at fancy prices. While de- ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 421 voting special allciui<.)n to I'cicheruiis. he raises aiul handles various breeds of heavy draft horses, the demand for which he sometimes experiences con- siderable difficulty in supplying. He has exhibited his animals at various horse, county and state fairs and wherever shown they invariably have taken the first prizes, four successive medals from as many state fairs indicating the character and standing of his horses and his own reputation as one thor- oughly conversant with the Ijusiness. Mr. Davis is a wide-awake man of sound, practical intelligence and ma- ture judgment and his efficiency in the business to which his talents are being devoted has given him an honorable reputation among the leading horse breeders of the United States. His farm is visited by dealers and buyers from all parts of the country and such is the high reputation of his animals that he invariabh^ gets his own price and that, too. without overmuch dis- cussion or debate. While in his former business he led all competitors and during the interim between 1880 and 1885 controlled the stave market at Quebec, manufacturing and shipping more staves than all others combined. In a single year he shipped as many as seven vessels of staves to the European markets, and there, as on this side of the Atlantic, was known as the greatest of American stave makers. All of his enterprises ha\e proven successful and he is today one of the financially solid men of his county and state, and as a citizen exhibits the spirit and interest in public and general afifairs which characterize the natural leader of men. Personally, he is held in high esteem and wherever known his name is synonymous with fair and honorable deal- ing and his character and reputation ha\e e\er been above reproach. In his own community his influence, which is acknowledged by all, has had much to do in moulding and directing opinion not only in business circles, but in matters of general interest and it is a com[)liment worthily bestowed to class him with the noted men of his day and generation in the city of his residence. Mr. Davis is a Democrat and, while well informed on the leading ques- tions of the times, his business interests have been such as to prevent him taking a very active part in politics. On state and national issues he votes in conformity with his party, but in local affairs is indepenaent, giving his support to the man best fitted for the ofilice he seeks. Reared a Roman Cath- olic, he has ever been a true and loyal son of the mother church, and as such has great influence among his parishioners, being a liberal contributor to the church at Mt. I'leasant and a leader in its various lines of good work. ^fr. Da\is' wife was formerly Mary Sweeney, and their marriage has been blessed with four children, whose names are as follows: Mary C, a 422 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. graduate from the Sacred Heart Academy and a singer of considerable note, married Dr. William F. Sheehan and lives in New York City, where her husband practices dentistiy ; Margaret L.. who also was graduated from the above institution and from the normal school at Mt. Pleasant, is unmarried and still a member of the home circle: Helen E.. also at home, was a gradu- ate from both the above institutions, and is a young lady of fine mind and varied culture; Richard J., the youngest of the family, was graduated some time ago from the Alt. Pleasant high school and is now pursuing his studies ;;i the State Central Normal School. GEORGE L. GRANGER. One of the influential citizens of Isabella county is George L, Granger, well-known merchant at Mt. Pleasant. A man of excellent endowments and upright character, he has been a valued factor in local affairs and has ever commanded uneciuivocal confidence and esteem, Ijeing loyal to the upbuilding of his community and e\er \-igilant in his efforts to further the interests of his county along material, moral and civic lines. Mr. Granger was born in Kent county, Michigan. May 5, 1846. The subject's paternal grandfather was born in Scotland and he married in Eng- land. They came to America in an early day and their son, ^^'ill^am L, father of the subject, was born in Troy. New York, five weeks after his parents landed. The subject's maternal grandparents were both bom in Londonderry, Ireland, and they, too, emigrated to the United States in an early day, and their daughter, Miranda Carr, mother of the subject, was born soon after they landed on our shores. When he was only one year old his parents moved to Prairieville. Barry county. Michigan, and located on a farm. He remained there until 1854 when the family moved to Hastings; there he went to school, and there his father was engaged in the mercantile business until 1857 when he moved to Charlotte and engaged in the same line of business, remaining there until 1862. Then the subject proved his mettle and his love of country, although a lad of only fifteen years, by en- listing in the Federal army, as a member of Savage's brass band, playing a baritone horn, this band being with Custer's cavalry, and he remained in the same until it was dispensed with just before the battle of Gettysburg. He was then given duty as a clerk, remaining as such until the close of the war. He remained in the same line of work after the close of hostilities and was ISABKLLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 423 sent to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and was mustered out of the service on June ij, 1865. He tlien went to Cirand Ledge, Michigan, and engaged in the mercantile business for four or five years, making a great success there. In December. 1S71. lie came to Mt. Pleasant and cnntinued in the mercantile business until the present time. His place of business burned in 1876, but, nothing daunted, he built again on a more pretentious scale, a two story structure. He built his present substantial block in 1876 and has been in his present location ever since. He at first handled drugs and groceries alone, and while he still handles both lines he has added others. His store is in shape like an L and faces Main street and Broadway, drugs being on one side and the other entrance is to the groceries. He has a substantial, con- venient and well arranged store, three stories high, built of brick, and he has a modern and well furnished building, the store being twenty-two by one hundred feet. He owns considerable property both in the city and county and has been \ery successful as a business man. making a success of whatever he turned his attention to. He has always managed well and has made what he has unaided and in an honest manner. He is well known throughout the county and his trade extends into remote parts of the same. He has been in partnership all the while with F. W. Carr, since coming here. Their store is always well efjuipped with a carefully selected stock of goods and their aim is to give full value received. Mr. Granger was married on Februan- 2. 1891, to Emma Loomis. at Mt. Pleasant. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Loomis, of Indian Mills, as the place was formerlv known. This union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Gretchen, born February 10, 1892, is a graduate of the local high school and is living at home; Barbara was born August 18, 1895, ^"d 'S attending school in Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Granger has always done what he could toward helping the institu- tions of the county, particularly the normal school, the Indian school, the .Ann .Arbor railwav, the Pere Marquette and many smaller enterprises. He is a noted follower of Izaak Walton, delighting in fishing, frequently going to the best streams in the northern country where the best fish abound. He votes politically as he chooses, generally for the man whom he deems worthi- est to fill the office sought. Personally he is somewhat reserved and never makes a donation to charity or does anything, in fact, for the sake of the notoriety it may bring him — indeed, he has always avoided publicity, desiring to do what good he could for the sake of doing good alone. He is a very pleas- ant and agreeable gentleman at all tinies and ha-^ a bust of warm ])crsonal friends, and his large success in the business world is well merited. 424 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. JACOB NEFF. The proud title of self-made man has been fairly and honorably earned by the enterprising citizen whose career is briefly sketched in the following lines. To begin the struggle of life without capital or the prestige of family or friends, to surmount obstacles calculated to hinder and impede our progress, and finally to rise superior to all opposing circumstances and reach a condi- tion of financial independence in business circles and a position of honor and trust in the sphere of citizenship, indicate ability, judgment and initiative such as few possess. Jacob Nefl:' is essentially a man of aft'airs, practical in all the term implies, and it is with more than ordinary satisfaction that the following review of his active and eminently successful life is placed upon record, so that others, whose careers are still to be achieved, may imi- tate the example which he so worthily affords Mr. Neff was born June 13, 185 1, in Lorain county, Ohio, where his parents, natives of Alsace, France, now Germany, had located some years before and where their respective deaths also occurred. When about fourteen years old he came to Ionia county, Michigan, where his two older brothers were then engaged in the boot and shoe Imsiness and began learning the shoemaker's trade under his brother, Louis, with whom he remained three years, receiving for the first year four dollars per month, and eight and twelve per month, respectively, for the third and fourth years. During the period indicated he became very proficient in the work and it was while plying his trade that he also studied music and achieved a wide reputation as a skillful violinist. Mr. Neff had a natural aptitude for music, as had his brothers, also their father, having been a musician in the French army and an accomplished player on nearly all kinds of instruments. While in the militarv service he taught music to such as desired to learn, and also imparted instruction in various languages, having been a linguist of considerable note and able to converse fluently in seven tongues. While still a youth. Jacob was able to play for dances and other social functions and in this way he added materially to his income. Of a thrifty and economical nature, he saved his earnings with scrupulous care so that by the end of the third year with his brother he had succeeded in lading rside four hundred ninety-nine dollars and ninetv- nine cents, a handsome sum to be accumulated by a youtli whose surround- ings tended towards extravagance. With the above capital young Nefif embarked in the boot and shoe busi- ness at Sheridan, Montcalm county, in partnership with his brother, George, and it was not long until their store became the leading establishment of the ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 425 kind in the town. In connection with merchandising they did a thriving business, buying and selling all kinds of peltry, furs, hides, etc., and during the three or four years spent at Sheridan they accumulated considerable means and were among the financially strong men of the place. While living there Mr. Xeff. at the age of twenty-four years, was united in marriage with Ruth B. McDonald, a native of Pennsylvania, though reared in Ionia, Michigan, shortly after which he disposed of his interest in the store and, in partner- ship with his brothers, John and Louis, bought the Glenn lumber mill, which they moved from Sheridan to 2^1cBride, in the same county, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber and shingles. Purchasing three hundred and sixty acres of timber land in the vicinity of the town. tJie XelT brothers began operations and in due time built up an extensive lumber business, buy- ing land the meanwhile and purcliasing limber from various parties. Dur- ing the twelve years they remained at McBride the firm sawed all the timber from a large area of territory and in addition thereto also did a large and lucrative business manufacturing shingles, which in time became their chief interest. They sold nearly all the latter product in Xew York, Pennsyl- vania, and other eastern markets, gave employment to an average of about twenty-three or twenty-four men and soon forged to the front among the leading shingle makers of the state. The Neff brothers embarked in the lumber business with a capital of eight thousand dollars and at tlie expiration of the period indicated, w-ith a surplus considerably in excess of one hundred thousand dollars, they closed out. With no previous experience, they successfully did business alongside of old lumbermen, who failed and who frequently predicted the same fate for them, l)Ut they owed their success to the persistency with which they pushed their Ijusiness and by always looking on the bright side. The sub- ject made several judicious investments in real estate, a part of which was a fine farm of one hundred sixty acres on which he erected good buildings and made various other improvements. He li\o(l in this place until 1891, when, desiring better educational advantages for his children, be moved to Mt. Pleasant, where be has since resiilcd. Since taking up his residence in the above city, Mr. Neff has de\oted ins attention very largely to real estate, which, like his other enterprises, proved quite successful. He has purchased and improved several city properties, erecting four neat modern dwellings, besides other buildings, and among his various holdings are two store buildings in Mt. Pleasant and two fine farms of eighty acres each, one two miles east, the other three miles southeast of town, a third farm of eighty acres in Mt. Pleasant township, one of two hundred and forty acres in 426 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. the township of Nottawa, and a tract of three hundred and twenty acres on the St. Louis river, in the state of Minnesota. In addition to these large and important interests, he is also actively engaged in agriculture and stock rais- ing, giving special attention to the Ijreeding of high grade Holstein cattle and other blooded stock, and realizing handsome returns from the same. He is always in close touch with all of his properties, keeps his various buildings in excellent repair and managed his afifairs with the skill and fore- sight which lia\e characterized all of his dealings and which have been in- strumental in making him the shrewd, broad-minded business man that he is today. As indicated in a preceding paragraph, Air. Xeff began life a poor boy and the success which he lias since achieved shows him the possessor of ability and acumen such as few under similar circumstances would have displayed. His career, though marked bv continuous ad\ancement. has been eminently honorable and praiseworthy and among his neighbors and fellow citizens his character is above reproach and his simple word as sacred as a written ob- ligation. He has always kept clear of political and public affairs and attended strictly to his own business, being independent in the matter of voting and never aspiring to the honors of office; nevertheless, he manifests a li\-ely in- terest in the welfare of his city and its people, encourages all laudable meas- ures for the public good and is ever ready to lend his influence and support to better the condition of his fellow men. He is a member of the Masonic brntherhood, I^elonging to Edmore Lodge No. 260, aside from which he is not identified with any other fraternal or social organization. Mr. and Mrs. Neff have four children, the oldest being a son. Norma, who married Libbie Demings McKay and is engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mildred, the second in order of birth, is the wife of Clarence Spooner, of Isabella county. Florence is still with her parents and Walter, the voungest, is a married man, doing for himself, his wife having formerly been Helen Myers, of this county. HENRY G. HARRIS. The subject of this sketch, who is now living a life of honorable retire- ment in the city of Mt. Pleasant, was born in London, England, September 9, 1846, and in 1852, when about six years old, came to America with his par- ents, ^^'illiam S. and Sarah (Heath) Harris, who settled in ^Montcalm countv, Michigan, where the lad spent several ensuing years in close touch with ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 42/ nature on a farm. Both of his parents were nati\es of the great city in whicii liis birth occurred, tlie father being inikiceil to inunigrate to this country in expectation of securing either land or remunerative employment, though not at his trade, as he was an expert cork cutter, a calling for which there was little demand at that time on this side of the Atlantic. On coming to Micliigan. William Harris settled in the woods of Montcalm county and spent the remainder of his life cutting out a farm and establishing a home for himself and those dependent upon hiuL He did not live, however, to enjoy the fruits of his labors, dying two years after securing his land, leav- ing a widow and five children, all small and able to contribute but little to the support of the family, the oldest being al)out thirteen years of age when deprived of a father's care and guidance. Actuated by a laudable ambition to make the most of her opportunities, the mother took charge of the farm and. the children working with her and to each other's interests, the family was kept together and in due time .succeeded in getting a fair start in the world. The sons remained on the farm, and as soon as old enough attended to the cuhivation of the same, the daughters working out the meanwhile and contributing their earnings to a common fund. In this way they made substantial progress, and in the course of a few years were in comfortable circumstances with well defined plans for the future. They built the first mill in 1873 in Mt. Pleasant, which, under the tirm name of Harris Brothers, did tlien and has since done a remunerative business which added very materially to the general income. In the spring of 1873 the Harris family transferred their residence to Isabella county, though still retaining the farm in the county of Montcalm, the farm being in charge of a brother and a lii-other-in-law by wiioni it has been operated with gratifying success, the earnings from the mill alone mak- ing all of them practically independent. William Harris is now the miller, Henry G., however, being able to take charge of any part of the work, as he is a skillful mechanic and faniihar with e\crv pjiase of the milling busi- ness, as he is also with tlie pursuit of agriculture Henry G. Harris grew up with proper conceptions of life and the duties and responsibilities of man- hood and by industry and judicious management has succeeded in accumu- lating a sufficiency of this world's goods to enable him to retire and spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of the ease and comfort which he has so nobly earned. He has private interests which require the greater part of his time and attention, among which is the raising of ginseng, an enterprise in which he ventured a few years ago upon a small scale, but which, notwithstanding the limited area of forty by sixty feet on which the plants grow, now yield him in excess of three hundred dollars per year. 428 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Encouraged by such returns, he proposes to engage in the business more ex- tensively hereafter and his neighbors and friends are now watching with great interest an enterprise which promises such large returns Mr. Harris was married April 2, 1874. in ]\Iontcalm county, to Mrs. Annie V. Stilwell, a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and the widow of Andrew J. Stilwell, an ex-soldier of the Civil war. Prior to her first mar- riage she bore the name of Mankin. her parents having come to Michigan a number of years ago and settled in the county of Montcalm where she grew to womanhood and received her educational training. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Harris, a son answering to the name of Alfred M., now a lad of twelve years who is pursuing his studies in the city schools. In his religious faith Mr. Harris is a Methodist and a zealous worker in the church at Mt. Pleasant, as is also his wife, who for five or six years has been one of the stewards of the congregation. She is likewise interested in all the social functions of the church and good work under the auspices of same, is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps and of the Pythian Sisters, in both of which societies she has been honored at intervals with important official positions. Mr. Harris believes in getting all the legitimate enjoyment out of life there is in it, to which end he spends the greater part of the winter months in Florida, where in the cpite pursuit of angling he finds rest for both body and mind, the summer season usually finding him in the northern woods of his own state. ^MLLIAM CARNAHAN. Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Isabella county within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth and de\-elopment of this favored locality and whose interests are identified- with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number is he whose name appears above. ^^Mlliam Carnahan, well known auctioneer and liveryman of Mt. Pleas- ant, was born on July 31, 1844, in Caledonia township, Livingston county. New York. He is the son of Elijah and Catherine (Dingman) Carnahan, the father born in Bath. Steuben county. New York, and the mother in Cato town- ship, Allegany county. New York. They were married in Livingston countv. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 429 New York, and after their marriage spent the balance of their hves in that county. The father died in Cleveland. Ohio, in 1902, having survived his wife a half a century, licv death liaving occurred in Livingston county, New York, in 1851. The father was a cooiier by trade and followed this all his life. Three children were born to them: Charles died in Andersonville prison in 1863, having been captured while a soldier in the Federal army; Mary died in 1850; William of this review. William Carnahan worked on the home farm until he was seventeen years old. He then sliowed his patriotism by enlisting in the Twenty-fourth New York Battery, \\hich was formed at Perry, Wyoming count\-. that state, his enlistment bearing the date of August 28, 1862. He was un.ler Captain Lee. and was in the battles of Xewburn. North Carolina, Kingsl.m. Whitehall. Goldsboro, Weldon. Peletier's Mill, Newport and others. He was taken pris- oner at Plymouth. North Carolina. April 20. 1864. He was in the Middle Department of the Army of North Carolina. He was wounded when captured and was taken to Salisbury-, North Carolina, later to prison at Savannah, Georgia, also Milan and Andersonville. His brother was capture.l at the same time and the two were taken to prison together until the death of the brother, already mentioned. This was five months and ten days after they were cap- tured. The subject was in prison thirteen months in all. When captured he weighed one hundred and seventy-five pounds, and when released his weight was eighty pounds, showing that he had undergone great privation. He was paroled and later exchanged at Savannah and was given furlough to go home. So he returned to New York and was home three months, returning to the army in time to take part in the Grand Review in Washington City. He was discharged at Syracuse, New York, on July 7. 1865. Later he came to Michigan and settled at Hubbardston. Ionia county. In September, 1866, he married Nannie Proseus. daughter of Anson and Susan Proseus. She was born in 1848. in Sodus, W^iyne countv". New York. The family moved to Michigan, and lived for a time in Bloomer. Montcalm county, later at Hub- bardston. Ionia county. Mr. Carnahan meeting his wife in the latter place. To this union these children were born: Charles, born June 17. 1867. married Princie Peak, of Mt. Pleasant, in which city Mr. Carnahan is now assistant postmaster: Pearl was born in Hubbardston. Michigan. Mr. Carnahan was for several years engaged by a lumber company in Hubl)ardston, tlriving a team. He also drove a stage from Pewaumo to Hubbardston and Carson City for several years. He conducted a livery barn at Hubbardston. but was finallv burned out. He then, in 1888. moved to Mt. Pleasant, buying property here and began a livery business in the McDonald barn on Broadway and 430 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. lived over the barn for eight years. He then purchased the house in whicli he now Hves and built a barn ; the former faces Lansing street and the latter, whicli is just back of the house, faces Franklin street. He owns both lots and both buildings. His barn holds about twenty-five horses, and he is well equipped to do a good business. He began auctioneering about thirty years ago, in 1880, and he has continued in a very successful manner to the present time, and he is widely known, being the principal auctioneer of his county. Probably no man in the county is better known. He was deputy sheriff of Ionia county for twelve years, and he has been superintendent of the third ward in Mt. Pleasant for the past ten years, still holding that office. Politi- cally he is a Republican. He belongs to the ]\It. Pleasant post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and fraternally he is a member of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons at Mt. Pleasant. WILLIAM MORGAN TICK. The gentleman whose sketch is here submitted is an honored member of one of the old and highly esteemed families of Union township, Isabella county, and as such is worthy of being represented among the leadings citizens of the same. Like many of the substantial yeomanry of central Michigan, he is of Canadian birth and first saw the light of day in Dunn\ille, Ontario, September 2, 1861. His parents, \\'illiam and Elizabeth (Markle) Tice, were reared in Canada and remained in the province of Ontario until 1866 when they moved to Saginaw county, Michigan, and spent the ensuing nine years carv- ing out a home from the wilderness in which they settled. At the expira- tion of the period indicated the family moved to Isabella county and located on land about one and a half miles west of old Council Room or Indian Mills, the place having been an Indian reservation on which but little improx'ement had been made. William Tice bought one hundred and twenty acres of this land and at once took possession, moving into a little frame shack, fourteen by twenty-four feet in dimensions, and containing a single room, quite lim- ited quarters for a family of nine members. The nearest neighbors were Indians, there being but two white men within a radius of a mile from the cabin. These men, a Mr. Loomis and a man by the name of Wait, both afterwards died where they originally settled. In the fall of 1875 Mr. Tice put in a small crop of wheat and during ISABI-XLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 431 the luUowing winter experienced not a few liar(l^hii)S. owing to the scarcity of food and the long distance to the nearest market place, it l)eing eighteen miles to Clare and twenty-four to Alma. He made several trips to those villages, cutting a road through the woods the greater part of the way and encountering many obstacles in other places where the timl)er had been re- moved by lumbermen. lea\ ing the branches and portions of tlie trunks oi trees in promiscuous confusion. He purchased the first threshing machine ever brought to his part of the county, hauling it (ner one of the indefinite roads described alxJve, and operated the same until his death, which occurred on the i8th of October, 1876, at the age of forty-nine years. On the death of their father the two older sons, Byron E. and William M.. took charge of the farm on which they worked during the spring and summer months, devoting the winter seasons to laljor in the lumber camps. During the greater part of the winter lime William remained in the woods, Byron and the younger brothers clearing and improving the farm, which in due time became one of the best and among tiie luost desirable homes in the locality. Mrs. Tice departed this life in the spring of 1893, aged sixty- two years. She was a kind and loving mother, an excellent manager, and during the years of her widowhood, when she was the head of the family, the farm was well tilled and everything connected therewith appeared to prosper. The early experiences of \\'illiam M. Tice while clearing the home farm, working in the woods and mingling with the Indians, were always interest- ing and at times quite thrilling. As long as his mother lived he worked for her interests and by every means within his power ministered to her comfort, proving under all circumstances a true and loyal son, who lost sight of self in his efforts to promote the welfare of others. Some time after the death of his mother he went to Dakota, in which state and northern Minnesota he spent the summers, but inheriting forty acres of the home place he re- turned and, taking possession of the same, for some years thereafter devoted his attention very closely and successfully to the pursuit of agriculture. Suij- sequently he purchased forty additional acres of the homestead, thus making a beautiful and improved farm on which he li\ed and prospered until 1901 when he hired a man to operate his farm and engaged in the ice business at Mt. Pleasant, which enterprise he still carries on, the success of which having more than met his most sanguine expectations. From a modest Ijeginning in the above year, Mr. Tice has greatly en- larged the scope of his business, handling at this time about seventeen hun- dred tons of ice per year, which affords constant employment to four men 432 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. and during certain seasons to a much greater number. He furnishes the city with an abundant supply of fine, wholesome ice and, his business increas- ing with the increase of population, he has been obliged to enlarge the capacity of his houses from time to time in order to meet the growing demands of his customers. Mr. Tice votes with the Republican party and has served two years as supervisor of the first ward, though by no means an office seeker. He be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Maccabees and the order of Woodmen, in all of which he is an active and influential worker, besides having been honored at different times with important official trusts in the dift'erent organizations. Mr. Tice was married December 13, 1888, to Ida May Newberry, of Midland county, Michigan, the union resulting in the birth of seven children, namely : Bertha E., wife of Prof. Lee N. Griggs, a teacher of manual train- ing in the Mt. Pleasant high school ; Sophia, Arthur, Ruby, Clara, Joyce, Ida and Morgan, all living except Ida, who died when eighteen months old. The following are the names of the subject's brothers and sisters in order of age: Mary E. married Thomas McCartney and lives in Midland county, this state: Murray died at the age of thirty-six; Byron E. lives on a part of the family homestead in Union township : William M. of this review is the fourth in order of birth; Helena, widow of John Swanson, lives in Nottawa township: Levi is a resident of Enimett county, Michigan, and Fred, the youngest of the family, lives in the town of Kalkaska, Michigan. EZRA S. GORHAM. The name of Ezra S. Gorham will be one of the best remembered in the histor}' of Isabella county of the present generation for it was long very closely associated with her business and financial interests, and although he is today numbered among the silent inhabitants of ''God's acre," the good he did, his many little acts of kindness and the influence of his wholesome life still live and are potent in the lives of many who were associated with him. Ezra Gorham was well known as the treasurer of the large firm of the Gorham Brothers Company, of Mt. Pleasant. He came of an excellent fam- ily of the old Empire state, his birth having occurred in New York in 1848, but he was reared in the state of Ohio whither he moved with his parents when a child, and he received his education and earlv business training at 9 mdm ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 433 Euclid, in the vicinity uf tlie present great city of Cleveland. He started out on a business career early in life, in fact, devoted his manhood years to the upbuilding of the present vast business of the firm mentioned abo\e, an account of which is given in detail in another part of this work. He took up the manufacture of baskets when young and made constant progress in this line, joining his brother, Chester R. (jorhani ( wh'isc sketch appears else- where), and he put his shoulder to the wheel, whetlier the road was rough or smooth, contributing his full share to their joint enterprise, and these two brothers pulled together in perfect harmony during all the l)usiness history of the firm, and by a very careful application to all the details of the enterprise succeeded in gaining a very successful commercial position. Ezra S. Gorham continued to reside in Cleveland. Ohio, until 190J. when he mo\ed with iiis faniil_\- to Mt. Pleasant, .Michigan, where they have since resided, honored and respected by all who knew him. and here his death occurred on Thursday, February 17, 1910. JOHN KINNEY. The gentleman whose name appears above occupies a conspicuous place in the business circles of central Michigan, and to him and such as he is this part of the state largely indebted for its present advancement and pros- perity. For many years identified with the lumbering interests of St. Clair, Isabella and other counties, he was instrumental in clearing large areas which are now among the finest and most productive agricultural districts in the state and he has also been an influential factor in local affairs, as his efforts in promoting the material interests of Mt. Pleasant attest. John Kinney was born in St. Clair county, Michigan. October 13, 1837, being a .son of Arnold and Laura M. Kinney, both natives of Steuben county. New York, .\rnold Kinney was born in the year 1804 and came to Michigan in 1828, locating in Clyde township. St. Clair county, where he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer, dying on the 8th of December, 1872. Laura M. Babcock. whose birth occurred in 1810, moved with her parents to Monroe county, Michigan, in 1830. and three years later became the wife of .Arnold Kinney, with whom she li\e(l in happy wedlock until her death, on March 9, 1849. Some time after her demise Mr. Kinney married Mrs. Louisa Vincent, of Clyde township, who survived him several vears. On coming to Michigan Arnold Kinnev entered the emplov of the gov- (28) 434 ISABEL.I_\ COLXTY. MICHIGAN". emment to assist in the construction of a turnpike road to Fort Gratiot and various other roads in different parts of the state. He also purchased land in Qvde towTiship which he subsequently cleared and developed into a fine farm and from time to time bought other tracts which he cleared and re- duced to cultivation. At one time he owned four hundred acres of tillable land in a single body which is said to have been the largest farm in the count}' of St. Clair at that time. WTiile prosecuting his lumber interests he bought a large tract of fine land west of ^It. Pleasant in Isabella count}-, from which in due time his son, the subject, cut the timber and reduced the soil to culti- vation, it now being mostly sold. He also bought considerable land in other parts, including about two thousand acres in the coimt}- of St. Clair, for which he paid the government price of one dollar and a quarter per acre, for one himdred and sixt\" acres, the balance being secured from other par- ties, and which he subsequently sold at a handsome profit, after disposing of the timber. Arnold Kinney was a man of intelligence, judgment and line business capacity and for many years was a leading spirit in the public affairs of the county in which he lived. He served thirt>- years as township treasurer, was a prominent \\'hig and. when that party ceased to exist, became one of the influential Republicans of his part of the countrv". He came to Michigan when the greater part of the territon,- was a wilderness, and shonly after his arrival engaged to work in a saw mill, but had no money with which to pay his board until he could earn it by his labor. In this dilemma he solicited a small loan from a friend suflicient to tide him over until pay day. but the re- quest was refused. However, he lived to see the day when he could buy and sell his former friend a dozen times and then have means to spare, for at his death he was one of the wealthiest men of his township as well as one of the most influential citizens. The family of Arnold Kinney consisted of seven children : Daniel, the oldest, who died at Grand Rapids in 1907. was a leading contractor of that city : George, the second in order of birth, died in childhood : Tohn. the subject of this review, is the third in number: Charles died some years ago in Gyde township. St. Clair county: his widow subsequently be- coming a renowned temperance worker in :Michigan and other states, being at this time one of the board of managers of the State Girls" School at Adrian, though still making her home in Clyde township : Frank lives on the old farm in St. Clair county : Chester, the next in succession, lives in Seattle, Washing- ton, and Laura, the youngest of the family, married \\illiam Gardner, and died near the old Kinney homestead in St. Clair count}-. The earlv life of John Kinney was spent in the woods and on the farm ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 435 atid amid such surrouiKlings he grew up strong antl rugged and well ahle to meet the varied experiences wliidi he encountered during the early days in the county of his birth. In such schools as the country afforded he obtained the rudiments of an education and later, in the stern scliool of practical life, learned lessons of much greater import than those acquired witiiin the walls of college or university. His first visit to lsal)el]a county was in ie driven from his conclusions or ])ropositions. As a citizen lie is public spirited and progressive and has shown himself to be worthy of the trust and confidence reposed in him. Mr. McNamara was born in Lapeer. Michigan, on August 24. 1861. He is the son of Michael and Mary McNamara, both born in county Clare, Ireland, the father on August 18, 1820, the mother in 1819. While \oung in vears they emigrated to America with their parents. The father settled in New- York and came to Michigan in 1856, locating in Lapeer county. The Mc- Namara family located in the state of New York upon coming to this country, and there the parents of h'rancis McNamara of this review were married, at the town of Lockport, in 1840, and it was only a short time until tiiey followed the tide of emigration then setting in strongly for the West and took up their abode in the Wolverine state. Michael McNamara was a contractor and stone mason there until lyoo, then, his faithful life companion being called to her rest, he came to Mt. Pleasant and made his home with his son. I-"rancis. until his death, which occurred in 1901. Francis McNamara remained in Lapeer until 1881. He attended the city schools and was graduated fr(^m the high school there, then, on the date last referred to, he entered the literary department of the L'nixersitv of Michigan and received a good education. He began life for himself by teach- ing in the high school at Port Huron, Michigan, where he remained for foiu" years. He was principal of the high school and was very succcessful as an educator, being popular with both patron and pupil. But believing that his true bent was along legal lines, he took up the study of law, and after spending (29) 4SO ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. one year in a law office, where he made rapid progress, he was admitted to tlie bar in Detroit in 1886. Then he came to Mt. Pleasant and for two years served as deputy county treasurer, having been appointed by his brother, who at that time held the office of county treasurer. He was then cashier of the Commercial Bank .at Mt. Pleasant for three years. For several years he en- gaged very successfully in the practice of law here with Charles T. Russell, and since 1901 he has been practicing alone. He was successful from the first and his practice has known a gradual increase until he now has a very satisfactory clientele. Mr. McNamara is a Republican in politics and he has always been active in partv affairs. Local leaders at once recognized his ability and singled him out for local offices which he filled with much credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of bis constituents, including that of prosecuting attorney for one term, and he has been city attorney of Mt. Pleasant for a number of terms and is holding that office at present. He has been a member of the local school board for a period of nine years and is now president of the same. He has done a great deal to bring the school system here up to a high standard, being deeply interested in educational matters. He is attorney and director of the Exchange Savings Bank of Mt. Pleasant. He is one of the attorneys of the Ann Arbor Railway Company. He has dealt some in real estate, in which he has been veiy successful, as he has in whatever he has turned his at- tention to, being a man of keen discernment and with an analytical mind and sound business principles. His home in Mt. Pleasant is a commodious, mod- ern and beautiful one and is known as a place of hospitality to the many friends of the family. He owns several lots in this city and consideralile wild land in the county. Mr. McNamara was married on October 28, 1890, in Mt. Pleasant to Anna Dibble, daughter of Thomas and Ellen Dibble, of Mt. Pleasant, a well- known and highly respected family here. She was born in Spring Lake, Ottawa county, February 21. 1865, and moved with her parents to Isaliella county about 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. McNamara the following children have been born : Thomas, who is attending the normal school at Mt. Pleasant, was born on October i, 1891 ; Josephine. l)orn December 2^. 1893: Catherine, born .\ugust 31, 1899; Frances, bom April 6, 1902; James, born December 6, 1906. They are all members of the home circle and are attending the local schools. ■Mr. McNamara has been scribe of the Ben Hur lodge: also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; was commander of the Knights of the Maccabees : was advocate of the Knights of Columbus for se\-eral years. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICIIIGAX. 45 1 and was president of the Catholic .Mutnal benevolent Ass(Jciation. In all these orders he takes an abiding interest and is well known in fraternal cir- cles. He and his family are members and faithful supporters of the Catholic church. He is well known throughout the county and has figured in all im- portant law suits liere during the jiast ten years, in Iwtli the city and county. 1IEK11I".RT A. SAXFORD. Holding worthy prestige among the leading members of tlie Isabella county bar, the suijject of this sketch has achieved distinctixe success in his chosen calling and it is eminently fitting that iiis record. l)Oth officially and in tlie general practice of his profession, be |)laced upon the printed page. Herbert A. Sanford is a native of Jackson county. Michigan, where he was born on March i8. i860. His grandfather, .\braham Sanford, was a pioneer of Lib- erty townshi]). that county, moxing to Michigan when the country was almost a wilderness and the feet of liie red men still iiressed ihe soil. George II. Sanford. the subject's father, a lad five years old when the family located a home amid the wilds of Liberty township, grew up amid the stirring scenes of jiionecr life, later became an enterprising tiller of the soil, and when a young man he married Ruth E. Begel. whose birth occurred in Steuben county, Xew York, and removed to Jackson county, Michigan, when she was two years old. Her parents were also early settlers of Jackson county. Michigan. .After living in the above county until 1868, George H. Sanford moved his faniiK to I'lint. .Michigan, and again removed to Isabella county in 1870 and took up a homestead in section 17, Lincoln township, which he improved in due time. In connection with the cultivation of the soil he also engaged in lumbering in the vicinity of his home and in Clare county. Moving to Clare county in i8y8, he spent the remainder of his life in that county, dying there two years later at the age of si.\ty-nine. leaving a widiiw and three children to mourn his loss, the names of the latter being as follows: Clarence F.. a farmer of Clare county; Dr. I'red (,'.. a practicing physician of the city of Clare, and Herbert .\., whose name introduces this review. Herbert A. Sanford received his preliminary education in the public schools of Lincoln township and Mt. Pleasant, this training being afterwards supplemented by a course in Hillsdale College, where he prosecuted his studies for a period of three years, having taught school in the meantime to assist in paying his ex]ienses and made an lionoral)le record as a student. \\'ith this 45^ ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. excellent mental discipline as a basis, he took up the study of law in the office of Hon. H. H. Graves, of Mt. Pleasant, under whose able instructions he continued until his admission to the bar, fourteen months later. Mr. Sanford was formally admitted to the Isabella county bar September 7, 1887, by Judge Hart and immediately thereafter engaged in the practice of his profession, which he has since continued with gratifying success. For two and a half years he was associated with Hon. Fred Estee, and in 1890 was the Democratic nominee for prosecuting attorney, defeating liis competitor in the ensuing election and entering upon his official duties under \-ery favorable auspices. Mr. Sanford proved an able and judicious prosecutor, his career while in the office meeting tl^e expectations of his friends and fully justifying the party in the wisdom of its choice in again making him a candidate. He was elected prosecuting attorney again in 1892. He discharged iiis duties creditably and fearlessly, took high rank as an industrious and faithful ])ublic servant and during his incumbency prosecuted a number of impdrtant cases besides attending to a large amount of legal business that did not come within his official sphere. After serving with credit to himself and to the satisfac- tion of the people of the county for a full term of four years, he retired from the office with a creditable record and. resuming his private practice, soon built up a large and lucrative professional business which is still growing in magniturle and importance. He has sened several terms as city attorney and as such he was unremitting in his efforts to conserve the interests of the municipalitv and from time to time prior thereto and since, his name has l^een connected with many of the most important cases adjudicated at the Mt. Pleasant bar. In his practice Mr. Sanford is eminently a lawyer of resources. Always a student, careful in the preparation of his case and quick to see and anticipate difficulties which are or may be encountered, he is never discomfited by them, being able to shape his cause so as to avoid them when it is possible to do so. Vigorous and at times aggressive, he is also always kind, courteous and gentlemanly in dealing with witnesses and opposing counsel, and however interesting and momentous the cause at issue may be, he never allows himself to fall below the standard of a gentleman. In politics he is an ardent Demo- crat and for a number of years has been one of his party's trusted leaders and judicious counsellors in Isabella county, besides becoming widely acf|uainted in political circles throughout the state. He has been an influential factor in making platforms and formulating policies in both local and state issues, hav- ing long served on the county committee, of which he is now secretary, and he is also a member of the Democratic state committee, where his opinions alwavs give weight. In a strongly Republican county be has lieen instrument- ISABFLLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 453 ;il in rcduciiii,' tlic I;irge normal majorities and electing; Democratic candi- dates from lime to time, being an indefatigable worker and iiaving few eqnals as a shrewd and skillful, though honorable, campaigner. ^Ir. Sanford has been quite successful financially and is now in inde- pendent circumstances, the earnings from his practice being liberal, in addition to which he is interested with his brother in Clare county farm lands. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Knights of the .Maccabees, the Knights of Pythias, the order of Woodmen, the National Guards and other organizations, aside from which he keeps in touch with all laudable means for the social and moral good of his fellow men. The domestic chapter in the life of .Mr. Sanford liears the date of Sep- tember 6, 1888, at which time was solemnized his marriage with ilaggie Peak, of Mt. Pleasant, daughter of Irving C. and .Mary R. Peak, natives, re- spectively, of Michigan and Kentucky, the father and mother being now de- ceased. Two children have blessed this marriage, the older. Aura Peak San- ford. being a graduate of Mt. Pleasant high school and the Central State Nor- mal at Mt. Pleasant and at this time a teacher in the schools of Niles, this state: Mary Ruth, the second in order of birth, is a bright young miss of ten years, who is now pursuing her studies in the city schools. Mrs. Sanford and her elder daughter are members of the Christian church of Mt. Pleasant and zealous in all lines of good work connected with the same. While indejiendent in matters religious and not identitied with any church, Mr. Sanford has profound respect for the church which he believes to be a powerful factor for good and one of the great controlling forces in civilization. AMl'.S WATSOX. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is a native of Middle- sex county. Ontario, and the third of a family of six children whose parents. James and Ro.sella ( Roseliu.-h ) Watson, are noticed elsewhere in these pages. He was born in the year 1871 and when alx)ut four years of age was brought to Isabella county, where he spent his early life on his father's farm, attending at intervals, during his childhood and youth, the district schools of his neighborhood. He was reared imder excellent home influences, learned while a mere youth the value and dignity of honest labor and grew up to the full measure of manhood with the idea that it is honorable to earn one's daily bread by the sweat of his iirow. .\fter assisting in cultivating the farm for 454 ISABILLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. some years, he became a clerk in a mercantile establishment in Clare county, but seven years' experience satisfying him with the goods business he spent a short time in the \\'est. Returning to ^Michigan he bought eighty acres of land in Isabella township and at once addressed himself to the task of its improvement. Mr. Watson has a fine farm in an excellent state of tillage, all but fifteen acres being susceptible to culti\'ation and his buildings of all kinds are substan- tial and up to date. In 1903 he erected the large barn, thirty-six by sixty-five feet in area, which is well finished and admirably adapted to the purposes for W'hich intended, and by a judicious system of tile drainage he has reclaimed considerable land and added greatly to its productiveness. His farm is not only well tended, but is neat in appearance and its e\ery feature bespeaks the home of a prosperous, progressive, well-to-do agricultvu^ist of today wdio takes pride in his vocation. ]\Ir. \\'atson \'otes with the Republican party, but has ne\er entered the domain of politics as an ofiice seeker: nevertheless he has been honored by his fellow citizens from time to time with important otificial positions, having ser\'ed two years as treasurer of Isabella township, and for the same length of time was a member of the board of re\iew. He discharged his duties in a manner highly creditable to himself and to the satisfaction of the public and in both positions earned an honorable reputation as a capable and trustworthy ofificial. Mr. Watson married October 5, 1905, Anna Kennedy, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, July 19, 1876. To them were born two children. Florence Ruth and Beulah May. Mrs. A\'atson's parents were both born in Carroll county, Ohio, and mo\ed to ^Michigan in 1878, Mr. Kennedv being proprietor of a saw mill until his death, October 15, 1893. MARTIN MEXEREY. Martin Menerey. register of deeds, Mt. Pleasant, is one of Michigan's native sons and dates his birth from March 26, 1869. His father. Jacob Menerey, was born in the province of Ontario, and his mother, whose maiden name was Annie K. Brown, is a native of Quebec. These parents were mar- ried in St. Clair county, Michigan, in 1863, where they made their home until their removal in 1893 to Isabella county. Jacob Menerey purchased a farm in Wise township, which he still owns and cultivates. is.\ni:Li,A c(HXi^'. MIC iiic.AX. 455 Martin Mcncrcy first saw the liglil uf day in St. Clair county ami there sjient the years of his childhood and youth, while still young learning the lessons of industry and thrift on the family homestead, .\fter completing the common school course, he entered a high school, where he made com- mendable progress in his studies, in tiie meantime assisting his father with the work of the farm and proving not oiiK- an industrious l)o\-, l)ut a true anil worthy son. He accompanied his parents upon their removal in 1893 to Isabella county and remained at home, looking after the farm until his election, in 1908, to the office which he now liolds, since which time lie has lived in Mt. Pleasant, in order to give his attention to liis jxililic duties. X'o sooner had Mr. Menerey become a resident of Wise township than he began manifesting a Ii\cly interest in the affairs of the same and it was not long until his fellow citizens selected him clerk of that jurisdiction, a position for which, lie seemed peculiarly fitted. He also served as supervisor of the township for eight years, being chairman of the hoard for four years, and in this, as in the offices referred to. his ability was such as to bring him to the favorable consideration of his friends for something preferable to nominal local positions. Accordingly, in kjdS Ik- was ncmiinated by the Republican party for register of deeds, to which office he was trium])hantl_\- elected in the fall of that year. Since entering upon his official duties Mr. Menerey has fiilK- met the expectations of his friends and his course thus far has been eminently creditable to himself and satisfactory to the public, thus justifying the wisdom of his election and bespeakin.g for him still further honors at the hands of his fellow citizens in the future. Careful, prudent and courteous to all wiio have business to transact in his office, he has strengthened his hold upon the people of the coumy, all of whom, irrespective of political affiliation, repose confidence in his integrity and hold him in high personal regard. He possesses the faculty of winning and retaining friends whose loyalty cannot be questioned and it is not presumi)tioii to state that there are today few as pojuilar young men in Isabella county as this intelligent, wide-awake young gentleman, to whom the i)eople have entrusted one of their im])ortant official interests. Mr. Menerev has a farm in Wise township, to the management of which he gives considerable attention, and he is also interested in whatever tends to promote the material development of the townshii) and benefit the people. He is public spirited and progressive, uses his influence to further all moral and humanitarian enterprises and endeavors to realize within himself his high ideals of manhood and citizenship. With the laudable object in view of lienefiting his fellow men as well as himself, he has become identified with 456 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. several secret fraternal orders, in all of which he has been active and influen- tial, striving by all means at his command to make them answer the purposes- whicli they are intended to subserve. He is prominent in the ]\Iasonic brother- hood at Mt. Pleasant, belonging to the chapter of Royal Arch Masons: has served as worshipful master of the Blue lodge and represents the same in the grand lodge of the state. He also holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Knights of the Maccabees and Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, in which he has held important offices from time to time. On September 4, 1909, Mr. Menerey was happily married to Edna M. Bouton, of Mt. Pleasant, daughter of Henry S. and Cornelia A. (Swart) Bouton, who moved from Calhoun, Michigan, to Isabella county about the year 1862 and settled in Union township. After living in that locality until 1907 Mr. Bouton retired to Mt. Pleasant, his wife having died two years prior to that date. Mrs. Menerey was born December 23, 1868. in Union township, this county, and is an intelligent and estimable lady, and all who know her speak of her many excellent qualities. BERNARD E. DERSNAH. Although a man young in years, Bernard E. Dersnah, of Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county, is a man of marked business enterprise and capability, and he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He is an important factor in business circles and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unabated energy, unbending integ- rity and industry that never flags. Mv. Dersnah was born in Harrison City, Clare county, ^Michigan. Novem- ber 25, 1885. He is the son of William Dersnah, who was born in Ada, Ontario, Canada, in 1861, from which place he was brought to Michigan by his parents w'hen four years of age, and he lived at Saginaw until he was twelve years old, then came to Clare county with his parents, where the latter lived until 1886. He was employed as assistant superintendent of a lumber concern in Clare county. He purchased eighty acres in Vernon town- ship, Isabella county, and lived on it twelve years, the family remaining there longer, the father. \\'illiam, having moved to Mt. Pleasant to become assistant drain commissioner. He was supervisor of Vernon township three terms, then elected county treasurer two terms, after which he spent a year in Lans- ing, having been appointed a committee clerk at the capitol. After returning ISABELLA COLNTV, MICHIGAN. 457 home lie was elected drain commissioner, and he was holding this office at the time of his death, on June i8, 1909. He was a very faithful public servant, serving in various capacities in the county for a period of twelve years con- secutively. He married Maria Rrazington. daugliter of Seymour and Malinda (Wickins) Brazington. of Gilmore township, this county. She was born in Oakland county. Michigan, and moved to Gilmore with her parents about 1877. where slie lived until her marriage, in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Dersnah lived at Farwell. Clare county, tor a short time, and tliey lived at various places until they finally located on their farm in Vernon township. The fol- lowing children were born to them: Hattie married Ed. Hornby; Bernard, of this review ; Eugene, who has remained single, is attending school in Mt. Pleasant ; Seymour is living at home ; Thelma is also a member of the home circle. The mother of these ciiildren is residing in Mt. Pleasant. William Dersnah was for many years prominent and influential in politics. He was an ardent Republican and was highly honored for his many sterling character- istics. Bernard E. Dersnah was fifteen years of age when his parents moved to Mt. Pleasant. He attended the district school and was graduated from the local high school in 1906. He was a noted football player anil always took an interest in general athletics. The year after he left high school he took a course in the Michigan Agricultural College, and while there he was the moving spirit of the football team. I le returned to Isabella county, and taught school at Winn. Fremont township, one term, then assisted his father in his work as drain commissioner during the summer, and in the fall began teaching at Indian school, filling a vacancy for awhile, at the same time coaching the Indian football team. On the following January he purchased the loaning business of J. A. Livingston at Mt. Pleasant: to this he added real estate and has continued both lines to the present in a ven- satisfactory manner. Consid- ering the short time he has been in business, he has built up a very satisfactory real estate department, and the loaning department has increased noticeably. As a real estate dealer he hns been instrumental in raising the price of lands in the county, principally l)y advertising the land in different ways and in various states, thereby bringing in many buyers. He has tluce l)rancli offices in Ohio, each of them soliciting buyers for the land in Isabella county. Fraternallv Mr. Dersnah is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 1164. at Mt. Pleasant: the Modern Woodmen of America camp at Mt. Pleasant : also the Loyal Guards of Mt. Pleasant. Politi- cally he is a Republican. On February i. 1908, Mr. Dersnah was married at Mt. Pleasant, to (irace 458 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. A. Riley, a lady of education and refinement, the daughter of L. P. and Allie Riley, a prominent family here. Mrs. Dersnah was born in February, 1887, in Avery, Ohio. She moved to Isabella count}- with her parents in 1893 ^nd settled in Union township, just outside Mt. Pleasant. This union has been graced by the birth of one cb.ild. Helen. ALFRED C. ROWLADER. A conspicuous figure in the political history of Isabella county and hon- ored with important official trusts, the subject of this sketch fills a large place in the public eye and to a marked degree enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. Alfred C. Rowlader, county clerk and one of the prom- inent men of Mt. Pleasant, is a native of Michigan and a son of \\'ashington and Permelia (Myers) Rowlader, the former born in New York of Wurtem- berg German ancestry, the latter born in Pennsylvania, both coming to Michi- gan a number of years ago and settling in Barry county, where the subject was born on April 21, 1856. Alfred C. was reared under excellent home in- fluences, early became accustomed to the duties of farm life and at the proper age entered the public schools, where his progress was such that when nine- teen years of age he was sufficiently advanced in his studies to pass the req- uisite examination and obtain a teacher's license. Mr. Rowlader remained with his parents until his twenty-third year, but in the meantime taught several terms of school in Ionia county and in 1S78 severed home ties and came to Isabella county with the object in view of en- gaging in agricultural pursuits. Purchasing eighty acres in section 15, Lin- coln township, shortly after his arrival, he at once began improving the same and one year later returned to his native county, where he married the lady of his choice in the person of Cora Cooper, whose parents, Israel and Eliza- beth (Smith) Cooper, natives of Nev,' York, moved to Barry county in an early day and died there in the years 1864 and 1867, respectively. Mrs. Rowlader was born March 26, 1858, at Woodland, Barry county, and at the early age of sixteen began teaching, which calling she continued until her marriage, in the year 1878, achieving marked success in the meantime and a notable place among the popular and influential teachers of her county. Setting up his domestic establishment on his land in Lincoln township immediately after his marriage, Mr. Rowlader applied himself with renewed energv and diligence to the matter of improvement and in due time succeeded ISABELLA COl'NT'i'. MUIIICAX. 459 in removing tlie forest growth and fitting the soil for cnllivation. He lalxjred to snch advantage that it was not long until his farm was in first-class condi- tion, with suhstantial hnildings, his dwelling heing comfortable, commodious and e(]uip]ie(l witii a full C(ini])lenient of modern conNcnicnccs, iiis liarn, also a large and stable structure. com|)aring favorably with any nthor edifice of the kind in the township. As a tiller of the soil he was industrious and energetic, seldom if ever failed to realize handsome returns fmni his lal)ors and by his progressive ideas did much to arouse an interest in modern agricultural methods and advance the farmer's vocation to tiie higii place it now holds in the minds of the people. Mr. Rowlader is a Republican and for a number of vears has been a leader of his party in Isabella county. He early began taking an active part in public matters and when only twenty-four years old became township clerk, which office he held two years, and for a period of ei.ght vears served as supervisor, discharging the duties of both positions in a capable and satisfac- tory manner and proving a most faithful and judicious ])ublic servant. His activity and influence in political circles, together with the ability displaved in the positions referred to commeiiding him lo his party iln-ougbout the county as an axailable candidate for something higher than mere l warrant the high esteem and confidence in which he is held In- all who know him. Mr. Chatterton was married on April 28, 1867, to A. Elizabeth Adams, of Shiawassee county, Michigan. The junior member of the firm of J. E. Chatterton & Son, Howard E. Chatterton. a man of marked business aliility and commendable attributes of both head and heart, was born at Hubljardston. Alichigan, on March 16, 1872. where he recei\ed his early schooling, later attending the Michigan Agri- cultural College, at Lansing, and the Central Michigan Normal College in Mt. Pleasant. He made a splendid record in these institutions and earl\- in life launched out in a successful business career. is.\hi:li.a lolntv. Michigan. 463 In 1895 the younger Cliatterton engaged in tlie grocery business at Bowling Green, Ohio, two years later disposing of his mercantile interests and engaging with a large wholesale house at Toledo as salesman and purchasing agent. Here he continued with his usual success until 1898. when he re- turned to Mt. Pleasant and became a member of the lirm of Chattertcju & Son. j. E. Chatterton died on August 3, 1907. and Howard then incorporated the business of which he is manager and principal stockholder. He has also bougiit an interest in and is president of the \\'hitney-Taylor Companw manufacturers of hul) blocks and concrete tiling, being the largest tile (con- crete) manufacturers in the world. He is an indefatigal)le wnrker and tiie notable high grade and honorable methods which he ever employs in his busi- ness life, and in fact in all the relations with his fellow men, have brought the rewards due him, and he stands today .second to none in the industrial world, and is popular with ;ill classes of citizens, being a good mixer and a straight- forward, unassuming gentleman of correct principles. Mr. Chatterton was married to Minnie H. Harris, of this city, in iNc;-. She is a ladv of culture and refinement and the representative of one of the old and influential families here. R.MJ'll (i. H.\KRIS. In the constant and laborious struggle for an honorable C(jmi)etence and a creditable name on the part of business or professional men, there is some- thing to attract tlie reader in the career of an individual who. e;irly in life, gi\es e\idence of traits that lead to ultimate success, when properly directed, as they have evidently been done in the case of Ralph G. Harris, a well known and progressive business man of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. With little other means than a sound nn'nd ;;nd fertile ])erception, he has won a place in the industri.'d world, and, what is to be more highly esteemed, the conhdence and gocjcl will of his fellow men. Mr Harris comes of ar excellent old fann'K- which is given proper men- tion on another page of this wurk. He was born in Mt. Pleasant. Januarv Z"/. 1884. and here he grew to maturity and attended the local schools, grad- uating from the high school, b^arly in life he gave evidence of ability along journalistic lines, especially the l)usiness side of it. and started in the magazine business in 1904. For a period of three years he was connected with the ad- vertising dejiartment of the Outing Publishing Companv and was managing 464 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. editor of the Retailer and Advertiser Magazine for a period of four years, during which time this popular trade magazine gained rapidly in circulation and general prestige. He wrote for various trade papers and his articles never failed to attract an interested audience. He resided at Deposit, New York (the famous magazine center), two years, also lived in New York city four years successfully engaged in his chosen line of endeavor. He is an in- dependent thinker, a wide reader, familiar with the world's Ijest literature and keeps abreast of the times in modern thought and investigation. Mr. Harris resigned his position in New York and returned to Mt. Pleas- ant, Michigan, in 1908, and purchased a general bakery and refreshment par- lors, which he is now successfully conducting, enjoying a very extensive patronage in the city, county and adjoining localities. He has a beautiful and well-equipped soda fountain and his place of business is always filled with customers. On December 18, 1906. Mr. Harris was united in marriage with Cecil M. Wright, of Deposit, New York, a lady of culture, education and refine- ment and the representative of a fine New England family. This union has l:)een graced by the birth of two children, John G. and Catherine H. Fraternally, Mr. Harris is a member of the Masonic order, ha\ing at- tained the Royal Arch degree, and he belongs to the chapter at Mt. Pleasant ; also the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Mt. Pleasant. JUDGE PETER F. DODDS. Standing out distinctly as one of the central figures of the judiciary of southern Michigan is the name of Judge Peter F. Dodds, of Mt. Pleasant. Isabella county, the present able and popular judge of the circuit court. Prominent in legal circles and equally so in public matters beyond the con- fines of his own jurisdiction, with a reputation in one of the most exacting of professions that has won him a name for distinguished service second tn that of none of his contemporaries, there is today no more prominent or honored man in the locality long dignified by his citizenship. Achieving success in the courts at an age when most young men are just entering upon the formati\-e period of their lives, wearing the judicial ermine with laecoming dignity and bringing to every case submitted to him a clearness of perception and ready power of analysis characteristic of the learned jurist, his name and work for years has been allied with the legal institutions, public enterprises and political HON. PETIiR F. UODDS ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 465 interests of the county and state in sucli a way as to earn liini recognition as one of the distinguished citizens in a community noted for the high order of its talent. A high purpose and an unconqueralile will, vigorous mental pow- ers, diligent study and dex'otion to duty are some of the means by which he has made himself eminently useful, and every ambitious youth who fights the battle of life with the prospect of ultimate success may peruse with ])n)fit llie biography herewith presented. Judge Dodds is a scion of a sterling old family, and he was born on Janu- ary 4, 1849, '" S*^- I^awrence county, Xew York, the son of John and Catherine (Hoy) Dodds, who, after spending their early )-ears in that state, emigrated to Coe township. Isabella county, Michigan, in 1866, and thev took up their abode in Mt. Pleasant in 1875, the father's death occurring here on December 3, 1879. He was a man of honor and integrity. His son. Peter F., had re- ceived a good primarj^ education in his native state. He was seventeen vears of age when he came to Isabella county, and here he soon began life for him- self as a teacher, when nineteen years old, continuing successfully for several years. Deciding to turn his attention to the law. he attended the State Nor- mal School in order to lay a broader foundation and was graduated from the same in 1874, after teaching some time, having read law while thus engaged. In 1875 he was admitted to the bar at Ithaca, and he l>ecame a partner of I. .\. Fancher, and D. Scott Partridge was also for a time associated with them. In 1880 Mr. Fancher having moved to Detroit, his brother. Francis H. ( now a member of Congress ), and later his older brothers, George E. and Wil- liam I., were partners. In 1880 the subject was elected prosecuting attorney and served one term. He also .served on the county board of school examiners. In .\pril. 1893. he was elected judge of the circuit court and since January i, 1894, has dis- charged the duties of this important trust in a manner that has brought the highest encomium from all, irrespective of party alignment. Fraternally, the Judge is a memlier of Lodge Xo. 305. Free and .\ccepted Masons, Mt. Pleasant Chapter Xo. 1 1 1. Royal Arch Masons, and of the Ithaca Commandery. Knights Templar, and one would judge from his dailv walk l)efore his fellow men that he endeavors to carry their high precepts into his every relation with his fellow men. In 1882 Olivet College conferred upon him the degree of P.achelor of .\rts and later the degree of Master of Arts. On April 20, 1876, Judge Dodds was married to Minnie E. Bouton. the re])resentative of a highly honored family, being the daughter of Henrj' S. and Cornelia A. Bouton, of Mt. Pleasant. She was born in Homer. Calhoun countv, Michigan, March 12. 1859. ' (30) 466 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. They have one son, Fabian Bouton Dodds, born December 18, 1884, who graduated from 'Sit. Pleasant high school at sixteen years. He afterwards graduated at Central State Normal School, life course: at twenty he gradu- ated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts at the Uni\ersity of Michigan ; at twenty-two he graduated from the University of Michigan as ]\Iaster of Arts and Bachelor of Laws. He is now practicing law at Spokane, Washington. He married Nell Garnett Hclden, of Spokane, August 3. 1910. WILBER E. PRESTON. A well known and successful real estate dealer of Mt. Pleasant, who has long enjoyed distinctive prestige among the enterprising citizens of Isabella county is Wilber E. Preston, who has fought his way onward and upward to a prominent position in industrial circles, and in every relation of life his voice and influence has been on the side of right as he sees and understands the right. He has always been interested in every enterprise for the general welfare of the community and liberally supports every movement calculated to benefit his fellow men, and he therefore has the confidence, the esteem and the good will of all who know him, and his office is always a busy place. He may be found at No. 191 Chippewa street. Mr. Preston is the representative of a sterling old Eastern family, his birth having occurred in Java township, Wyoming county, New York, on October 21, 1854. He is the son of Albert A. and Martha A. (Nichols) Preston, the father born .-\ugust 16, 1827, at Stratford, Orange county, Ver- mont, and died at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, July 25, 18S3: the mother was born at Keene, New Hampshire, April 16, 1833, and died at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, in February, 1900. Albert A. Preston's father, William Preston, was born at Stratford, Orange county, Vermont, June 2S. 1803, and died at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, November 10, 1881. The latter's wife, known in her maidenhood as Mary Fisk, was born January 31, 1806, and died in Mt. Pleasant, this county, February 10, 1888. William and Mary (Fisk) Preston were married September 7, 1824. and removed to Java, Wyoming county, New York, in October, 1835. William Preston's father, Robert G.. was born August 12, 1766: he married Hanna Brown, born December 6, 1770, their wedding occurring at Chester, New Hampshire. May 11, 1786. Robert G. Preston's parents, Edward and Edna (Greenough) Preston, were married January 2y. 1763. Marv (Fisk) Preston's father was born at Boscawen, New ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 467 Hampshire. April i8. 1773. and Iier mother was born at Xewberry, Massa- chusetts. May 28. 1777. 'I'hey were married June 22. 1795. Albert A. Preston grew to manhood in Wyoming county. New York, acquiring a good education, and there he met, won and married Martiia A. Xichols. the daughter of George and Mary (Robinson) Xichols. They were married Ajiril 13, 1851, and this union resulted in the birth of five children, namcl}': Mary E., born in Ja\a township, Wyoming county, Xew York. De- cember 15, 1852, married Arthur R. Caldwell and they are now living in Moneta, Los Angeles county, California; Wilber E., of this review, was next in order of birth ; Alice .\., l)orn in the same locality in Xew York, F'ebruary 20, i860, married William Atkins, of Isabella county, Michigan, and her death occurred at Mt. Pleasant, October 27,, 1907, and her husband is also deceased; David D., born in Lincoln township, Isabella county. Michigan. May 19, 1864. died when three and one-half years of age: B. W. Preston, born in the same locality, December 16, 1867, married Xellie Calhoon, and is now living at Xo. 504 South Fancher avenue, Mt. Pleasant. Albert A. Preston came to Isal>ella county, Michigan, in March, 1863, and purchased from a man named Smith his "squatter" rights to the south- west (|uarter of section 2, Lincoln township, for fifty dollars. Smith had cleared three acres and erected a log cabin, roofing the same with elm bark. Returning to Xew York for his family, Mr. Preston sold his modest home there and with a team of horses and a "democrat" wagon brought the family to Buffalo, where they all embarked for Detroit by boat ; arriving at Detroit, the family drove the one hundred and forty miles, much of the way through woods and over corduroy roads, to their new home in Isabella county, coming by way of St. Johns, reaching Isabella county May 18, 1863. W lun entering the southern portion of Gratiot county, Mr. Preston met his fellow settlers on their way to Ionia, where they hoped to be able to prevent the ''speculators," as thev were called, from buying u]) their lands before they, the actual settlers, had opportunity to prove up their squatter claims and get certificates showing thev had a right to their lands for homesteading. Only two weeks were to be allowed settlers in which to prove up their claims, after which the lands were to be oi)ened for purchase regardless of squatters' rights. Learning this fact. Mr. Prestnn hurried his family on to the home of his sister, Mrs. Samuel Woodworth, then living on the southeast quarter of section 11, Lincoln town- ship, where he left them and, taking one of the horses, rode back to Ionia to join the others and prove u]) his claim or rights to the land purchased from Mr. Smith, .\rriving at Ionia, Mr. Preston learned that only those settlers' rights would be recognized whose families were at the time living on the land claimed, which fact must be proven by at least one reputable witne.ss. 468 ISABFLLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. Thereupon ]\Ir. Preston's brother-in-law, Samuel Woodworth, started back home, mounted on the same weary horse, to take the family over to the log cabin in the woods with its elm bark roof, and leave them. Fitting up the "democrat" wagon, Mr. Woodworth hitched the same horse to it and took the family to their new home, ate dinner with them, cooked over a camp-fire out of doors, returned to his home and, mounting the other horse, rode back to Ionia and testified that he had seen the family of Albert A. Preston in their home on their farm, and had eaten dinner with them there. Mr. Preston thus secured his certificate and. in due course of time, his patent for the land, which remained for over forty-five years in possession of his family. It is needless to say that the family followed 'Sir. \\'oodworth back to his home as . soon as they felt certain that he had departed for Ionia again and remained there until the husband and father returned to them. Albert A. Preston developed a good farm here and became an influential citizen, honored and respected by all. From 1881 he made his home in Mt. Pleasant and assisted in erecting many of the first buildings in the place, in- cluding the first three stores, and he did much for the general development of the town and community. \\'ilber E. Preston grew to maturity on the home farm and earh- in life knew the meaning of hard work. He received a good education in the public schools of his community and in the graded schools of Mt. Pleasant, and in a persistent study and reading of his pri\-ate lilirary. one of the best in the city of Mt. Pleasant. In 1870, when eighteen years of age. he taught his first school near where the village of Winn now stands, then an unbroken wilder- ness of woods. The following winter he taught in what was known as the "Green district." boarding round among the patrons of the school. He next taught one year in what was then known as the Williamson school, one mile west of the present village of Winn. Thereafter Mr. Preston taught only during the winter months, working upon the farm during the summer time and attending the schools of Mt. Pleasant for a short time each fall under the instruction of Samuel Clay, Charles O. Curtis and Peter F. Dodds. the latter being the present circuit judge of the district in which Mt. Pleasant is located. Continuing his work as teacher and student for ten years, Mr. Preston then abandoned teaching and devoted his entire energies to his farm until July 10, 1890. when he, in company with the late E. S. Bowen. purchased the Northzi'cstern Tribune, a weekly newspaper published in Mt. Pleasant, and took charge of the paper as editor. In the fall of 1890, during the soldiers and sailors' encampment at Mt. Pleasant, Mr. Preston edited and published the first and only daily paper that city has so far had. In the spring of 1901 ISABilLLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 469 Mr. Preston sold liis interest in {heXortlrnrslcni Tribune to Iiis partner and accepted a position as secretary of tiie Land, Loan and Title Guarantee Com- I)any. This company owned the only abstract Ixjoks of the county, furnished abstracts and ta.x histories, guaranteed titles, loaned money and bought and sold real estate. In 1897 Mr. Preston resigned his position and accepted an appointment as one of the receivers of the defunct People's Savings Bank of Mt. Pleasant, in company with Elton J. Van Leuvan and L. E. Royal, Mr. \"an Leuvan resigning his post to accept the position of cashier of anotiier bank just organized. Mr. Preston shortly afterwards resigned his position as receiver and opened an aljstract, loan and insurance office, in the fall of 1898, which jjusiness he has followed very successfully to the present time, his office comprising a neat and convenient suite of rooms in the Commercial Bank block, known as "Bank Chambers." Mr. Preston has always been in- terested in farming and still owns a tine farm of one hundred and thirty acres which is well improved and which he personally superintends. .Mr. Preston is a Republican, lie has been twice elected commissioner of public schools of his township, three times elected as superintendent of schools of his township, once elected as justice of the peace of his township, four times chosen as treasurer of the same and twice as supervisor while re- siding in Lincoln township, resigning the office of supervisor in 1890, when he removed to Mt. Pleasant. He was chosen chairman of the Business Men's Association of Mt. Pleasant, served three years on the board of educa- tion and five years as a member of the board of public works, and now holds the position of the county agent of the state board of correction and charities imder a])pointment of the governor. In c\en- position of public trust he has proven himself an earnest, able and conscientious servant of the peoi)le and given the utmost satisfaction to all. regardless of party alignment. In religious matters Mr. Preston is a member of the L'nitarian churcli, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Maccabees and the Court of Honor. In March, 1908. Mr. Preston, with others, organized and had incorporated the Isal)€lla County Humane Society, the purposes of which, as stated in the articles of incorporation, are "The impressing and diffusing of the principles of humanity and mercy, and the enforcement of laws for the prevention and punishment of cruelty to children and animals, birds and fowls." Mr. Preston was chosen president of this society and still fills the position. On February 22, 1877, Mr. Preston was united in marriage with Marilla J. .\bbott. daughter of an excellent and highly respected old family, and she ac- quired a good education and taught one term of school before her marriage. She is a member of tlie Unitarian church and the Ladies of the Maccabees. 4/0 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Her fatlier, Harrison Abl>ott. died September i8. 1907. and lier mother, known in her maidenhood as Martiia \\'aning. is now H\ing at Shepherd. Michigan. To Mr. and ]\lrs. Preston the following children have been born : Harold A., born June 30, 1884. is a graduate of the School for the Deaf of Michigan and of Gallaudet College of Washington. D. C, married Belle \'an Ostrand, of Mason. Michigan, October 27, 1910; she was a former student of Gallaudet College, and later a teacher in the Michigan School for the Deaf; they reside in their own beautiful home at No. 1106 Lyon street, Flint, Michigan, in w hich city Harold A. Preston is engaged as one of the assemblers and finishers of the automobile bodies at the Buick automobile works. Ethel I. Preston, born March 31, 1886, is a graduate of the Central State Normal School; she prepared herself for a teacher, but is at present homekeeper for her father and younger brother and sister, during a visit of her mother in southern Cali- fornia. Harriet Fisk Preston was born October 21. 1889, is a graduate of the Central State Normal School, and is in charge of music and drawing in the schools of Elk Rapids, Michigan. Isabella, born November 16, 1893, died in infancy. Marion Morse Preston was born October 21, 1895, and is a high school pupil. Bliss Abbott Preston was born August 2, 1900. and is now a student in the fifth grade of the Normal Training School. MICHAEL E. KANE. The notable success achieved by the subject of this review, together with his honorable record as a public-spirited citizen, has made his name al- most a household word throughout the township in which he lives and as one of the notable men of his day and generation in his adopted county, it is hoped that the following review of his life may influence some young men at the parting of the ways to imitate his example. Patrick Kane, the subject's father, was a native of Londonderry county, Ireland, but when a youth he came to America and grew to maturity in New Brunswick, where he began life for himself as a lumberman. He married in that country about the year 1835 and a little later secured a homestead in western Canada, to which place he had remo\'ed shortly after his marriage This homestead consisted of one hundred and thirty-five acres, which he con- verted into a fine farm and on which he and his good wife spent the remainder of their days, both dying a number of years ago. Their family consisted of ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 47 1 six cliildren : Mary nianicil Joliii Cdlcmaii and li\es in Canada: John died some years ago on a ImmestA-ad in Ontario: James, whose wife was a Miss Hudson, is living in the latter proxince. as is Daniel, who has remaineil single; Michael, the subject of this sketch, is the fifth in the order of birth; the sixth was Mrs. Anna McRae, who died in Canada; the youngest being Margaret, who is unmarried and occupying a Canada homestead. Michael E. Kane was liorn on December 20, 1845. ''i ^I'ddlesex county, Ontario, and remained in his native pro\ince until eighteen years old, attending school in the meanwhile and making rapid advancement in his studies. Pos- sessing a fine mind and an aptitude for learning, he was enabled, at the early age of sixteen, to pass the required examination and obtain a license entitling him to teach in the public schools. He taught two terms before his eighteenth year, after which he attended school 'until sufficiently advanced to obtain a first class license, securing which he went to New Brunswick, but not to engage in educational work, as he took up the trade of harness making in the citv of Frederickston soon after reaching that province. .After l^ecoming a skilled workman he returned home and during the six months ensuing stayed with his parents and helped with the labor of the farm. At the end of that time he started to California, but owing to scarcity of means only got as far as Detroit. Michigan, near which city he found employment during the sum- mer of that \ear on a farm and the following winter worked on Cedar ri\er in Gladwin county, this state. For the next ten years he devoted his time to farm labor and log driving, the latter principally, and during that period saved sufficient money to buy one hundred and ten acres of land southwest of Mt. Pleasant, in Isabella county, for which he paid the sum of three thousand dollars. By the end of the summer he bad expended in improvements the remaining si.x hundred of the amount he had saved and one hundred dollars more, but the money was put to good use and in due time returned a hand- some margin on the investment. In Jimc. 1875. at .Ann Arbor. Mr. Kane was united in marriage to Mary Hagen and immediately thereafter brought his bride to Lsabella county and, setting U]) his domestic establishment on his farm in L'ninn township, began giving his entire attention to agriculture. F>om time to time he added to his land and made a number of improvements, among which were twD large barns, fortv by sixty feet each and basements, a third barn, twenty by forty feet, for young cattle, and an imposing brick residence, the main body thirty bv thirty feet, the wing sixteen by twenty feet, the building complete in every part, hanrlsomely finished and sujiijlied with the latest modern conveniences. All of his buildings are up-to-l' llu- premises, besides maiiv' iitlu-r iniprnxemi'iils, suc'li ,is men nl his ample means and enterprising spirit ean atli>rd and as lew ntlier larms in this pari tii" the slate contain. Among the later accessions tn Mr. Kane's est.ite .ire the two eiglUv-acre tracts adjnining the place on the east, which hi' ]inich;ised snnie wars ;ig(i, making twu luindretl ami se\ent\' .acres in a single h(id\. all exceeilingly line land with inndern imprnvements cm tlie differ- ent parts, lie al.so honght twenty acres across the road from the original farm .and later an additional (Hie hnndred and thirty acres in the same sectimi. thus swelling his realty to four hnndred and twenty acres, whicii w;is among the Largest indi\idnal holdifigs in the county. P>y reason of advancing age and the desire lo free himself from the cares and responsihilities of tnanaging such a large estate, Mr. Kane, in January, ujio. sold the two hundred and seventy acres for the handsome sum of twenty-two thousand dollars, ractically retiring from active life, he has kept no live stock, only looking after the gen- eral management of the farm ami attending to his other interests, which, hv the w.ay, are large and imiioitaut. hut not of sufficient magnitude to keep him from enjoxing the rest and leisure which he has so ahly earned and to which he is so ln)norahly entitled. flie large price which he received for the farm recently sold was not oiiK a surprise, hut a re\el;ition to his tellow citizens thionghout the couiitw as it oiieiied their eyes to the merits and \alne of land in this part of the state and slimiilated many oi them to imitate his examjile in the matter of impnnements and proper agricultural methods. Mis suc- cess came to him as the residt of well directed lahor and judicious manage- ment, and wli.il he has accomplished he helieves others can accomplish, pro- vided their efforts be controlled 1)\' sound jmlgment and wise fiiresight. Mr. Kane has long been one of the leading farmers of Isabella county .ind has .ibniidant reasons to be proud of his record as such, lie has also been inlluential in the affairs of his township and county and. possessing many of the elements of leadership, his judgment has frequently l)een consulted by his neighbors and friends and his o]iinions hax'c ex'cr carried weight and com- ISABELLA COUNTY, MUIIIGAX. 473 manded respect aincmg his fellow citizens. Integrity and a high sense of honor have ciiaracterized his relations with others, and his personal popularity is lx)unded only hy the limits of his acquaintance. Few citizens of the county have as many friends and none ha\e shown themselves more deserving of friendship and confidence, .\mong the ])ul)lic enterprises witii which his name is associate*! are the l^'armers Mutual Insurance Compan\-. n\ Isaliella cnunty, and the Gold Reserve Insurance Company, having heen president of the latter ever since its organization, ahout twenty years ago. He has served si.xteen years as supervisor of Union township and pro\ed a most capable and faith- ful official. gi\'ing to the duties of the pnsition the same care and consideration dis])layed in the management of his own interests. Fraternally, he lielongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mt. Pleasant, and the Knights of the Maccabees at the same place, and ever since old enough to exercise the right of citizenship he has wielded a strong influence for the Democratic party. For fourteen years he has been chairman of the Democratic county committee and for sixteen years he has been President of the Isabella County Agricultural Society. Mr. and Mrs. Kane are the parents of four children, namely: Sarah, who married John Carl and died some years ago in Pennsyhania ; John, who is in the West; Xellie, wife of Merrill Gee, lives in Lakeview ; Arthur, who is the youngest of the family and unmarried, is at Big Rapids attending school. JAMES MacKERSIE. The sul)ject of this sketch is one of the widely known citizens of the township in which he resitles. having come to this part of Isabella county forty-three years ago, since which time he has been acti\ely identified with the \aried interests of his community. James MacKersie was born January 15, 1838, in Glasgow, Scotland, and when five years of age accompanied his parents to the city of Perth. Ontario, where he sjient the five years ensuing. .\t the expiration of tliat lime he emigrated with the family to \\'aterloo county. Ontario, where he remained four years, removing thence to the county of Huron, where he made his home for a period of eight years, in the mean- time, 1861, having united in marriage with Maria Johnson, who was born in England. Shortly after his marriage Mr. MacKersie came to Michigan and for one }ear worked as a farm hand near Detroit. He then moved to a point about 474 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. four miles from tliat city wl'.ere he supported liimself and wife by daily labor for a peri(jd of two years, removing at the expiration of that time to Clinton county, where he devoted the ensuing year to farm work and the manufacture of staves. In October, 1866, he made a tour through Isabella county and, being pleased with Coldwater township, located a homestead in section 28. immediatel}- after which he went tcj Ionia to pay the gox'ernment fees on his land. Returning to his homestead in Xovember, he erected a log cabin to which he brought his faiuily, consisting of his wife and two children in Febru- ary, 1867. After li\ing on his homestead six years and making a number of improvements, he discontinued farming to enter the employ of Amos John- son, a merchant of Sherman City, for whom he clerked during the ensuing six years, becoming familiar with every phase of the goods business in the meantime. Later Mr. MacKersie worked for several years at different vocations, a part of the time being manager of a store on the Chippewa river, and when John Cameron started a general mercantile establishment at Sherman City he entered that gentleman's employ and continued as his chief clerk for a period of nine years. He served twenty-eight years as justice of the peace and still holds that office, has been a notary public for thirty-five years, and wdien Coldwater township was organized he was appointed its first clerk, in addition to which position he also filled the office of super\-isor one term. Some years ago he sold his farm and purchased a half acre of ground ad- joining the village, on which he erected a commodious and comfortable mod- ern dwelling, besides making a number of other improvements, his home at this time, with its attractive surroundings, l.ieing one of the most beautiful and desirable places of residence in the communitw Mr. MacKersie is an accomplished business man and as such is frequently consulted by his neigh- bors and friends to whom his judicious counsel and advice have been especially valuable, leading to the amicable adjustment of not a few difficulties and mis- understandings and preventing much expensive litigation. He is well read and widely informed, keeps in touch with the leading cpiestions of the day and abreast of the times on all matters in which the public is likelv to l)e interested. Personally, he is held in high esteem b}- his neighbors and fel- low citizens, his character and integrity having ever been above criticism, and he has ahvays kept unsullied the luster of an honorable name. I\Ir. and Mrs. MacKersie are the parents of children as follows: Anna E., wife of William Powers, lives in Isabella county; Ste|)hen J., who married a lady by the name of Nelson, lives in Leeds, North Dakota, his wife dving a few years ago ; George A., also a resident of Leeds, married Mildred Tap- ISABrLLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN'. 475 pon : Ellen J. is deceased, as is Maggie, the litth in order of liirih; Jessie, now Mrs. Clayton Koch, lives in Grand Rapids, where he is yard master for the Pere Marqnette railroad: Charles W. married Anna Loomis and lives at Barreton, this state, where he is engaged in the meat business; Flora B., un- married, is a stenographer and typewriter at Portland, Michigan: Ciordon F... also single, holds ;i position in a grocery store at (Irand Rapids, and Raymond A., who is unmarried and li\es in San Francisco. California, is .'i litter nt electric machinerv. JOSI-.PIl A. STRUBLE. The subject of this sketch belongs to an old and well known family of Isabella count}-, and combines in his personality many of the sturdy char- acteristics for which his aiUecedents were noted. A farmer by occu])ation, he has succeeded well at his calling and as a citizen he has always lieen inter- ested in the progress of the community, taking an active pari in forwarding all legitimate means to this end. William W. Struble. the subject's father, was l)orn in Kno.x county, Ohio, November fi, 1822. Me married, in that state. Mary Murphy and in the fall of iella count)-. Michigan, and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Chippewa township which he purchased and which in due time he and his sons cleared and reduced to cultixation. He served four years as probate judge: was five \-ears supervisor of his township, and later served the same length of time in a similar capacity in the second ward of Mt. Pleasant. William Struble was an intelligent, public spirited man and during his life in Isabella county did much to promote the material welfare of the com- mumly in which he resided and advance the interest of his fellow citizens. He died on the 30th day of July. igo8. his wife in the year 1878. The follow- ing are the names of the children born to this couple: John, who married Marv Oberlin: Josejjh .\.. of this review: Mary Sabine, deceased: Harriet, wife of Wavne I-"osgett. of Ml. Plea.sant : William, deceased: James, who married Mary Stearns and lives in the Upper Peninsula: Frank, a resident of Chicago. Illinois, married l-'lizabeth Lacock : Elmer, who was accidentally killed in the bank at Shepherd: Rachael, deceased, and I'. S.. who married Izora Cole and lives in the city of Mt. Pleasant. Joseph A. Struble was born January 16. 1848. in Kno.x cipuniy. Ohio, and lived in his native state until the removal of the family to Michigan in 4/6 ISABIXLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. the year 1864. In the meantime he acquired a common school education and during the spring and summer months worked on the farm and proved of great assistance to his father in the cuhivation of the soil. When abnut twenty-one years of age, he received from his father forty acres of the family homestead which he cleared and otherwise improved and on which he lived for some years, later selling the land and mo\'ing to a farm in section 22, Chippewa township. After residing a few years on the latter place, he moved to the old Sheldon farm, in the same township, where he has since made his home, owning at this time forty acres of as fine land as there is in the county, his improvements of all kinds ranking among the best in the neighborhood, while his standing as an agriculturist is second to that of none of his con- temporaries. For some years after beginning life for himself. 'Sir. Struljle experienced not a few vicissitudes and, to make both ends meet, was obliged to work in the lumber woods during the winter months, devoting the rest of the year to clearing his farm and making his improvements. In the meantime he was married to Lucretia T. Grinnell, an intelligent and estimable young lady who taught in the pul)lic schools and who proved a true wife and helpmeet in getting a start in the world. During his early struggles and trials, she as- sisted him with her counsel and encouragement, and to her advice and co- operation is- much of his later success directly due. I\Ir. Struble has a fine farm, a comfortable and attracti\-e home and is the possessor of a sufiiciency of this world's goods to place him in independent circumstances. He has been honored from time to time with important official trusts, having served eight years as township treasurer, three years as .school director, eight years as as-. sessor. and for a period of four years held the position of super\-isor in his township, and is now superintendent of the poor of the county, in all of which positions he displayed business ability of a high order and proved a faithful and conscientious public servant. In politics he is an unswerving Republican and, judging by the number of times he has been favored with public places, it is easily perceived that he is an active worker for his party and an influential factor in winning success at the polls. Fraternally he belongs to the Chip- pewa lodge of Gleaners, and all worthy enterprises for the general good find in him an enthusiastic advocate and liberal patron. Enjoying to a marked degree the confidence of his neighbors and friends, esteemed for his integrity and high ideals of manhood and citizenship, his purposes have ever been up- right and honorable, his life fraught with good to those with wliom he mingles, and he is today one of the notable men of the community in which he resides. yir. and Mrs. Struble have a pleasant home which has been blessed bv ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 477 tlie hirtli uf the following cliililrcn: Xeilie J., who married Frank Ilardgrove, is living in Mt. Pleasant, her husband lieing deceased: Cora E., who married A. J. Olson, is living in Wisconsin; Myrta married Corwin Ilardgrove, and she is working as a stenographer in Mt. Pleasant: .\ll)ert married Maud l^llis and lives in Chippewa township: Mary and Hattie died in infancy. There are seven grandchildren anil one great-grandchild. JOHN' W. CURTIS. The success achieved by the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch entitles him to a prominent place among the representative men of the countv in which he resides and his influence in the various s])heres of activity to which his talents have been devoted has won for him a large place in the esteem of the public and marked prestige as a citizen. John W. Curtis is a native of New York, a state to which not only Michigan but the entire central and northwestern parts of the repul)lic are largely indebted for the class of substantial, enterprising men who add solidity to the body politic and consti- tuted so much of the moral bone and sinew of the populace. His birth oc- curred in Genesee county, February i_^. iS4(). being a son of Waldo W. Curtis and .M.'irgaret McHugh, the former born at Naples, Xew \'ork. in 1S20, the latter in Ireland about the year 1825. These parents were married in the Empire state and there spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in the month of December, 1857, the mother following him to the grave in .\ug- ust of the year 1875. The early life of John W. Curtis was spent in the county of his birth and at the pnjper age he entered the district schools, the training thus received being afterwards supplemented by a course in the Cary Collegiate Seminary where he made substantial progress in the higher branches of learning. He was reared to agricultured pursuits and while still a youth decided to devote his life to that honorable calling, but the high price of land in Xew York caused him to look elsewhere for a more favoralile place in which to seek his fortune. Having heard and read much of Michigan and its advantages in the wav of cheap lands, he finally decided to ascertain for himself; accord- inglv. in the fall of 1868. he came to this state. .After living at various places during the seven years ensuing, he moved, in the spring of 1875, to Isabella countv and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in .section 4, Fremont township, where he has since lived and prospered. When Mr. Curtis took 478 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. possession of his land there were sixty acres cleared and otherwise inditYerent- ly improved, but in due time he cut away the forest growth and reduced the greater part of the place to cultivation, besides inaugurating a series of im- provements which have added greatly to the beauty and value of the farm. During the past thirty-five years Mr. Curtis has dealt quite extensively in real estate, making judicious investments from time to time and realizing handsome profits from his sales; meanwhile he cleared in excess of three hundred acres and now owns a valuable tract of three hundred and ninety acres which is devoted to general farming, and in which are some of the best improvements in the locality, his buildings of all kinds being first class and in excellent repair and everything in the premises indicating the close attention and progressive spirit manifested by the proprietor in the prosecution of his labors. In connection with agriculture Mr. Curtis is still interested in real estate and his deals have resulted largely to his advantage, as is indicated by his independent circumstances and solid financial standing. He is essentially a self-made man, as he came West with only meager means and during the interval between 1875 and 1883 worked for monthly wages in the lumlier woods, the earnings from this source enabling him to add to his original purchase, as stated above, and obtain the start which since then has made him one of the well-to-do men of his adopted county. Mr. Curtis served two terms of two years each as official surveyor of Isabella county, three terms as supervisor and in 1892 was elected to repre- sent the county in the state Legislature, making the race on the Independent party ticket and defeating his competitor by a veiy decisive majority. He made an honorable record in the General Assembly, serving on several im- portant committees, where his opinions and judgment commanded respect, and he also took an active part in the general deliberations on the floor of the chamber, proving under all circumstances a judicious legislator who looked carefully after the interests of his constituents and was instrumental in the passage of a number of laws of great advantage to the state. He has always manifested an active interest in public affairs and his influence in moulding thought and shaping opinion is second to that of none of his contemporaries. Like the majority of enterprising men, he is identified with the Masonic fraternitv and for some years he has lieen a leading member of Cedar Valley Lodge No. 383. and Mt. Pleasant Chapter No. iii. Royal Arch Masons, in both of which branches of the order he has been honored from time to time with important official trusts. In the vear 1880 Mr. Curtis contracted a matrimonial alliance with Mina Hev, who was born June 17. 1865. in Jackson county, Michigan, being a ISABKLLA COfXTY, MKIIIGANr 4/9 daughter uf Charles lley and Mary W ieter, both natives of Germany. These parents were born in the years 1840 and 1842, respectively, and have spent their married life in the Uriited States, their ln)nie at the present time being the village of Montcalm. Isabella county, where they are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are the parents of fifteen chil- dren, as follows: One born January 6, 1882, died May 24, 1882. unnamed; liemy W'.. bnrn August 29. 1883. married Marjorie E. Croskery August 10, 1910. and is employed as salesman in the B. M. Adams store at Winn : James C, born June 9. 1885. married Bculah A. Curtiss March 9. 1905, and is also employed at the B. M. Adams store: Dwight Z.. born April 20, 1887. married Pearl O. Riggle December 2~. 1905: Ida M.. torn December 27, 1888, died February 2. 1889: Margaret M., born May 11, 1890. married F. Lenon Ray- mond March 25. 1909: Fannie L.. born May 26. 1892. who is li\ing at home, as arc all the other children: Carrie M.. born June 10. 1894; W. White, born February 29, 1896: Agnes S. and Adaline B., twins, born July 20, 1898; .Adaline B. died July 21, 1906: Clara E., born April 3, 1901 : Oscar O.. born Januaiy i. 1903; Myron S. and Myriam, twins, born January 15. 1907: .Mvriani died at birth. JOSEPH WILLIAM HOUSE. The subject of this sketch, a well known and highly esteemed farmer of Isabella county and one of the enterprising citizens of the community in which he resides, is an older brother of H. S. G. House, whose sketch appears elsewhere in these pages, and a son of George and Sarah A. House, who are also noticed in this volume at some length. Mr. House is of English blood and first saw the light of day in the town of Walton. Somersetshire. Eng- land. March 8, 1853. He accomjjanied his parents to America in iSfiq, and remained with his father, helping with the work of the farm until 1880, when he began the struggles of life for himself as a laborer in the pineries. He worked in the woods during the winter time and having purchased fortv acres of land in Isabella township the above year, devoted the summer months to clearing nnd improving the same. Mr. House began operations upon quite a modest scale, but in a few years, not only succeeded in reducing nearly all of his fortv acres to cultivation, but bought other land in the vicinity from time to time until his realtv amount- ed to one hundred and sixty acres, all partially wooded when he made the different purchases. When he bought his first forty acres, he was obliged to cut a way through the dense woods in order to reach it, the only semblance on the land of a road being a faintly defined trail over which Indians had 480 ISABELLA COrXTV. MICHIGAN. formerly been accustomed to travel. Slight improvements had been made on the several other tracts, but on taking possession he pushed the work of clearing and improving until his fann was finally among the best and most valuable in the township, a reputation which it still sustains. In the year 1900 Mr. House added greatly to the appearance of his farm by erecting a fine barn, forty by fifty feet in size, which has since been re- modeled. His dwelling, which was built at an earlier date, though small, is comfortable. At the present time he has one hundred and twenty-six acres in cultivation and well drained, and raises all of the grains, vegetables, fruits, etc., grown in this part of the state, also an abundance of hay, which is one of his most valuable crops. He has four hundred rods of fine wire fencing on the place, which, with other improvements, adds much to the appearance of the fann which to the owner and his family is a home in which they take a pardonable pride and which to them is the happiest and most desirable place the world affords. Margaret Marlin, who became the wife of the subject on January 2~. 1892, was born in Hastings county. Ontario, on the 6th day of October, 1862. Her father. James Marlin. a native of Canada, was born June 22, 1832, and lives in Isabella county at the present time. Her mother, who previous to her marriage bore the name of Margaret Brandon, was born Febru- ary 2}^. 1S40, and departed this life in Isabella county in 1901, both having resided for a period of thirty years in that part of the county. Mr. and ]Mrs. House have four children, namely: Albert J., born December 30, 1892; Ella B.. September 30, 1894; Edwin A.. November 12. 1904. and Emma P.. whose birth occurred on iMarch 28, 1907. Religiously the subject and wife are devoted members of the Baptist church, he having filled different offices in connection with the church and Sunday school. Politically he is a Republi- can, though by no means an active politician. GEORGE \V. COLE. Conspicuous among the successful self-made men of Isabella county is George \V. Cole, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Lincoln township and a public-spirited citizen whom to know is to esteem and honor. He was bom October 2. 1842. in St. Lawrence county, Xew York, and is a son of Benjamin and Eunice (Calkins) Cole, both natives of that state; the father was bom in 1809 and died in the month of June. 1876, and the mother was bom in 181 6 and died in her eighty-second year, in 1897. When the subject was quite young his parents moved to Ohio where ISABILLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 481 they spent tlie four years ensiiins:;-, at tlie expiration of \vliicli time they changed tlieir residence to Allen county. Indiana, where they made tlieir home until their rcnin\al. twch'e _\-cars later. In ls;ii)cll.i county. Michigan, settling in Lincoln township in the winter of 1864-5. Grown to maturity the mean- while, the suhject was a strong, active young man, well calculated for the duty of clearing a farm and establishing a home in what was then a com- parati\cly new and undeveloped country, lie purchased, in iS()5. the eighty- acre tract in section 10 which had been ])reviously hnmesteaded by James Hoover, of Ionia, but two acres being cleared when he took possession and little if any other improvement attempted, .\nimated l)y a laudable ambition to succeed. Mr. C'dIc at once addressed himself to the fnrnu'dable task of re- moving the den.se forest growth and fitting the soil for cultivation, and in view of his present beautiful farm, with its fine buildings and other evi- dences of prosperity, it is needless to state that he succeeded in his undertak- ing and in due time forged to the front among the leading agriculturists and representative citizens of tlie community. Mr. Cole has been enterprising in all the term implies and successful both as a tiller of the soil and breeder of fine li\'e stock, making a specialty of Pcrcheron horses, for which there is a great demand by the farmers of Ins own and other localities. His impro\ements rank among the best in the countv, the commodious barn thirtv-six by si.xty-si.x feet in size, with cement basement, and his modern residence, being fine buildings and well adapted to the purposes for which ir:tended. While first of all a farmer and making everything else subordinate to his calling. Mr. Cole has alwa_\-s found time to devote to the public and to discharge the duties and responsibilities which every good citizen owes the community in wbicii he lives. He has fille'l various local offices, serving one year as township clerk and three years respectively as highway and drainage commissioner, proving in these respon- sible positions true to the interests of the people and discharging his duties with credit to himself and to the .satisfaction of all concerned. In his political allegiance he is a pronounced Republican and as such has been an infiuential factor in the affairs of his party ever since Ijecoming a citizen of the countv. although his zeal has never been in the way of ofifice seeking nor aspiring to leadership. Tn the summer of 1866 Mr. Cole went back to Ohio, where, on .\ugust 1 2th of that year, he was married to Rebecca J. Waters, whose birth occurred in 1849. she being a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Byrle) Waters, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. Immediately after his marriage he returned to Isabella countv w ith his bride ;md setting up their domestic estab- 482 ISABELLA COUXTY, MICHIGAN. lisliment on tlie farm in Lincoln township, they entered upon the mutually happy and prosperous life which has made them popular in the community and which their friends trust may be continued many years in which to bless the world by their presence and influence. The children of Mr. and ]\Irs. Cole are as follows : Alzada, born July 3, 1867. is the wife of Aimer Servose, of Coe township ; Warner S., born Decem- ber 13, i86g. married Cora Bellinger, and lives on a farm in Union township: IMuzetta ^I., now Mrs. Chase Hann. was born July 23, 1872. and resides in Lincoln township: Vernon D., lx)rn February 12, 1875. married Anna Camp- bell and departed this life in the state of Washington July 17, 1908: Joseph \\'.. whose birth occurred on September 15. 1879, married Ethel De Kron and lives in the township of Lincoln: Elmer ^I., the youngest of the family, was born April 23, 1883 : he is a farmer of Denver township, also a married man. his wife having formerly been Blanch Collier. Mr. Cole is a finn believer in revealed religion and his study of the sacred scriptures leading him to accept the doctrine of the second advent of Christ, he is now an influential member of that church and a pillar of the local congregation to which himself and wife and several of his children belong. XICEIOLAS LAUBEXTH.\L. As indicated by the name, the subject of this sketch is of foreign birth, being one of the sturdy citizens who came to this country from Germany and, like so many of his compatriots from the fatherland, he inherits the sterling qualities which distinguish his nationality. Nicholas Laubenthal, farmer, of Nottawa township and an ex-soldier in one of the greatest ci\il wars in the annals of time, was born in Prussia in the year 184 1. When ele\en vears old he came to America with his parents and during the ensuing ten years lived in Lorraine county. Ohio, where he grew up on a farm and received a common school education. At the breaking out of the great rebellion he was among the first young men of the above county to tender his services to the government, enlisting, at the age of twenty-one, in Company G. One Hun- dred Seventh Ohio Infantrv\ with which he served for a period of three years and fqur months, during which time he took part in a number of cam- paigns in Virginia. Maryland and elsewhere and participated in some of the most noted battles of the war. His regiment was with the Army of the Potomac and he shared with his comrades the vicissitudes of warfare in ISABI'LLA COUNTYj MICHIGAN. 483 many tlirilliiig and dangenms experiences. In the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded by a niu.sket l>all in the right arm and right hand, whicli necessitated his lieing taken to a hospital in Baltimore, where he remained but two days, going thence to a riiiladelphia iiospital, in which he recei\ed treat- ment for aliout ti\e weeks. iM-om the latter city Mr. Laubenthal was transferred to a hospital at Cincinnati, thence to Covington. Kentucky, and two weeks later was re- moved witii a number of otl^ers to Camp Dennison. Ohio, wliere he remained ncari\- one \ear in the in\alid corps. During tlie greater part of that time he received treatment, but when his wound improved, he was made master of one of the hospital wards. At the expiration of the period indicated lie with thirty others of liis own company, was removed to a hospital in the city of Cleveland, where he remained on duty for ten montlis and tlicn re- turned to Camp Deiuiison, wiiere, three weeks later, he received his discharge. His military career was an active and eminently honorable one, and he left the ser\ice with a record of which any soldier might well feel proud. While at tile front, he was always ready for duly, nexer shirked a responsibilil}- and whetlicr on the marcli, in camp, or amid the din and confusion of battle his conduct was ever above reproach and right nobly did he sustain the reputation of a brave and gallant soldier. For sonic time after the war Mr. Laubenthal was employed by a gentle- man in Lorain cc^unty. Ohio, to o\-crsee the latter's farm and nurser}-, in con- nection with which he subsequently took charge of a general store also. Still later a saw and shingle machine were added, and for several months he looked after and managed these several lines of enterprise and that, too, in a manner entirely satisfactory to the proprietor. He remained in Ohio for a number of years, devoting his attention principally to agricultural pursuits, but in 1899 he disposed of his interests in that state and came to Isabella county, Michigan, settling in May of that year in the woods of Xottawa township and liegan operating a saw mill. He also purchased a tract of land in that township, from which he cut the timber, and which he later cleared and ini- pro\cfl. making a good farm, on which he siill resides. Mr. Laubenthal has been a very industrious man and has alwavs made his labors count, as his present fine farm of one hundred and si.xty acres with its up-to-date improxements aljundantly attest. He erected all of his buildings, principally by his own labor, enclosed his farm with first-class fences and In- artificial drainage has increased the productiveness of the soil in no snvill de.gree. He is an excellent farmer, in that he has made a careful study of soils and their adaptation to the different kinds of crops and by judicious 484 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. rotation and tlie use of modern methods of cultivation, he seldom, if ever, fails to realize ample returns for his time and lalxjr. In politics he is an in- dependent, refusing to be bound by any strictly party ties, and in religion is a Roman Catholic, belonging with his family to the local church at Beal City. He served as three years as supervisor of his township, ten years as school director, and at the present time holds the ofifice of school treasurer, in all of which positions he discharged his duty with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public. In the year 1867 Mr. Laubenthal and Mary Cotton were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, the latter being a native of Lorain county, Ohio, where she was born XovemJjer 18. 1850, being a daughter of George W. and Eliza Cotton. The children that ha\-e blessed this union are as follows : Anna C, wife of Stephen Schon, of Ohio; Joseph G., who married Emma Simmer and lives in Nottawa township; Elizabeth M., now Mrs. Mat Diet- rich, li\es in Henry county, Ohio; Emma T. li\'es in Nottawa township and is the wife of Joseph Zimmer; Frank J. married Christine Pung and lives in Cadillac, this state; William J., of Xottawa township, married Helena Dolli ; Myra J., wife of James Mead, resides in the township of Nottawa; Clara J., who married Albert Giesige. lives in Henry county, Ohio; Elnora, of Henry county, that state, married to Walter W^estrick, of Henry county, Ohio; Mary L., unmarried, is still with her parents. JOHN G. HOUSE. John G. House, the oldest son of George and Elizabeth (Chancellor) House, and a representative farmer and stock raiser of Isabella township, was born in England on May 15, 1859, and in 1869, when ten years old, ac- companied his parents to .America, spending the ensuing six years in the dominion of Canada. Removing with the family to Michigan at the expira- tion of that period, he lived with his parents in Monroe county until 1879, when he accompanied them to Isabella county and assisted in clearing and im- proving the farm in Isabella townshi]), where they still li\e, in the meantime, as opportunity afforded, attending sch.ool at his se\'eral ])!aces of residence. Reared in the country and early inured to the practical tluties of the farm, he grew up strong, vigorous and well calculated for the \-ocation of agricul- ture, which he chose for his life work, and on attaining his majority he began cultivating soil for himself on the family humestead. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 485 In 1885. Mr. House was iinitcil in the hoiuls of wedlock with Charlotte .\nnstroiig. whose hirth occurred in I'ccl cnuuty. Ontario, in I'\'l)niary, i860, and who came to Michifjan with her parents, John and Mary (Baker) Armstrong;, natives of Ireland and Canada, respectively. The former, born in 1810, died in 1876; the latter, born in 1822. departed this life in the year 1905, the family lieing among the early pioneers of \'ernon tow nship. Shortly after his marriage Mr. House moved to forty acres of land in section 3 of the above township and five years later increased his holdings by an additional forty acres adjoining the original purchase. lx)th of which he improved and brought to a high state of cultixation. Still later he bought twent\' acres more, making the farm of one hundred acres, its present area, in the mean- time commencing and carrying to completion many additional impro\ements, thus increasing the value of his lantl and adding greatly to its attractiveness as one of the desirable places of residence in a part of the county long noted for its beautiful homes. His dwelling, a fine two-story brick edifice, sul> stantially constructed and of imjxjsiug appearance, is furnished with the usual modern conveniences, and the barn, erected in 1903. compares favorably with the best structures of the kind in the locality, its dimensions being forty- four by sixty feet, with a large stone basement and every feature of the building bearing evidence of first-class workmanshi]). He has also recently bought eight yacres of good land at Stevenson Lake, \'ernon townshi]). which he proposes to devote to pasturage. In all that constitutes a modern farmer of progressive ideas, Mr. House is the peer of the most enterprising of his fellow agriculturists of Isabella countv. lie devotes careful attention to the soil ; the maximum ])roductiveness he aims to retain by artificial drainage and the judicious rotation of crops, and in comiection with general farming he markets every year considerable live stock, being a successful breerosperitv of the community in which he resides, takes an active ])art in all that makes for the social and moral good of his fellow men and keeps in 486 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. touch with the times on pohtical matters, being a RepubHcan in his views, but in matters local voting for the man rather than the party. The domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. House has been gladdened by six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Mary, October 5, 1887; Chancellor, August 21, 1889: Flossie Mae, April 7, 1893; Grace I., December 23, 1895; Emily F., April 4, 1898, and Esther C, who was born on March 6, 1901, all living and memliers of the home circle. GEORGE H. ALLEN. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is a prosperous busi- ness man and public-spirited citizen who for a number of years has been identified with the development and growth of Isabella county, especially with the township now honored by his citizenship. George H. Allen, a native of Clinton county, Michigan, was born in the year 1855 being a son of Philip P. and Mary A. Allen. His father, whose birth occurred April 21, 1829, mar- ried, when a young man, Mary A. Sawtelle, who was born Jul}' 2. 1830. both parents being natives of New York. In March, 1854, they moved to Maple Rapids, Michigan, where Mrs. Allen died on January 10, 1865, .some time after which, though in the same year, Mr. Allen went to Gratiot county, where he remained diu'ing the starvation period in that and other parts of the state. About the year 1884 he became a resident of Isabella county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying on the 15th day of December, 1908, lamented by all who knew him. In many respects Philip P. Allen was more than an ordinary man. He early became prominent as a politician and while living in Gratiot county took a leading part in establishing the public school system and arousing an interest in the cause of popular education among the people. On coming to this county he also took a deep interest in educational matters, besides becom- ing an influential factor in local politics and a leader in the Methodist Episco- pal church, of which he was a member until a short time before his death, when he united with the Seventh-day Adventists. In all of his dealings he was the soul of honor and his memory will long be cherished as one of the leading citizens of his day in the several communities where he resided. When an infant, George H. Allen was taken to Gratiot count\- by his parents and there grew to manhood and received his education. At the age of twentv-one vears he went to Muskegon and, after working seven vears in ISABELLA COUNTY. MrCHIGAX. 487 tlie mills (if that city, came to Isabella county, and in ijartnership with his brother bought forty acres of land in Coldwater township. He worked for some time cutting wood in this township and lumbering, and later, in July, i8y6, started a general store at the village of Brinton, of which he is still proprietor. In his mercantile business he has been quite successful, having a large and well-stocked establishment and commanding a patronage which from the beginning has grown steadily in magnitude until he is now one of the leading merchants of the county with encouraging prospects of still greater success in the future. Mr. Allen votes with the Democratic party and, like his father l:)efore him, manifests a lively interest in public and politi- cal matters and keeps abreast of the times on the leading questions and issues before the people. He ser\ed three terms as treasurer of his township, one term as superintendent and during the second administration of President Cleveland was postmaster at Brinton, holding the position four years and proving a very capable and popular official. He has always been greatly interested in the cause of education, in recognition of which he was elected school director, which position he held, with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned, for a period of nine years. For a number of years he has Ijeen (|uite active in Odd Fellowship, having passed all the chairs in the local lodge with which he holds membership, besides representing the organization four times as a delegate to the grand lodge. lie is also identified with the Order of Gleaners, in which he has been lionored with official trusts from time to time and lends his influence and assistance to all other enter- prises for the social and moral advancement of his fellow men. As already in- dicated, he has met with encouraging financial success, owning, in addition to his store, a nuiuber of lots in Brinton and other property elsewhere and is today one of the suijstantial, well-to-do men of the \illage and township. SYLVESTER C. HAMMOND. The subject of this review was born in Clinton county. Michigan. December 7, 1854, and is a .son of Carmi and Mary Ann (Willitt) Ham- mond, natives of \^ermont and New York, resi)ectively. Carmi Hammond, whose birth occurred in the year 1807, grew to manhood among the Green mountains of the Granite state and later came to Michigan, where he spent the residue of his life, dying in the year 1883. Mrs. Hammond was horn in 1814, passed her early life in her native state, and died in Michigan in 1876. 48S ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Sylvester C. Hammond grew up on the home farm in Essex township, Clinton countv, attended at intervals during his minority the district schools and at the age of twenty came to Isabella county and settled in Coldwater township on eight acres of land. In his youth and early manhood Sylvester Ham- mond learned carpentry and after moving to this county he worked at the trade in connection with clearing his land and cultivating the soil. For some years there was great demand for his services as a builder and a number of dwellings, barns and other edifices in his own and other townships still bear witness to his mechanical skill. Mr. Hammond's farm, which was originally homesteaded by his father- in-law, M. M. Ryerson, from whom he bought it, lies in one of the finest agricultural districts of Coldwater township, and the eighty acres which he has reduced to cultivation produces abundant crops of grain, hay, fruits and vegetables, such as are grov.n in this part of the state. The place is enclosed and subdivided with good Viire fencing, the buildings are modern and in ex- cellent repair, the barn, thirty-two by forty-foiu' feet in size, with stone basement, erected in 1909, being one of the best structures of the kind in the township. Mr. Hammond takes great interest in agriculture and his pride in his home indicates his contentment with his lot. Everv'thing on the farm bears evidence of prosperity and it is not too much to claim for him distincti\-e prestige among the leading agriculturists of the county as well as a worthy place among the representative citizens of the community in which he lives. He has been honored from time to time with various local offices, including those of township supervisor in which he served eight years, township treas- urer two terms and one term as township clerk, in all of which he performed his duties faithfully and well and proved a most capable and painstaking puljlic servant. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all the chairs of the lodge which holds his meml^ership, his wife being a member of the Rebekah degree and, like himself, active and influential in dis- seminating the principles of the order. Mr. Hammond was happily married on March 5. 1876, to Jennie Ryerson, who was born October 11, 1859, being a daughter of M. M. Ryerson, the original owner of the home where she and her husband live. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hammond : Orton C. died February 26, 1898, aged twenty-one years: Orville, who married Lelia Kilburn and lives in Berrien county, this state, where he is general manager of a large lumber company ; Mary Bell married Ed. Gorden and lives in Coldwater township, her husband being a farmer by occupation ; Lena, now the wife of Ben Gordon, lives in California; Lillie, who married Wade Suylandt, lives ISABELLA COUXTV, MICHIGAN. 489 in tlie city of Saginaw; Martin died in Septemljcr. 1884, aged five niuntlis ; Bessie is the wife of Ed. Teall, a farmer of Coldwater townsliip; Earl, wiiose wife was formerly Edna Wiley, lives with his father and helps run the home farm, and Maude, the youngest of the family, departed this life Decemher 26, 1907. aged nineteen years. Mr. Ilammond and family liave always com- manded the respect and confidence of the community and wherever known the name is above reproach. Interested in the development and prosperity of his township and county and standing for upright manhood and citizenship, he has wielded a wholesome inlluence for morality among his neighbors and friends and those who enjoy his accpiaintance speak of him as an intelligent, broad-minded American who makes duty paramount to every other considera- tion and frequently loses sight of self in his efforts to promote the interests of his fellow men. GEORGE HOUSE. The prosperous farmer and enterprising citizen whose career is briefly sketched in the following lines is a native of Somersetshire county, England, and a son of William and Sarah House, the father, a baker by trade, dying when the subject w-as quite young, the mother surviving him until 1864. George House was born December 11, 1828, and at the proper age entered the schools of his native place and in due time acquired a liberal education. In his sixteenth year he entered a mercantile house at Walton, Somersetshire county, where he remained for a period of eight years, during which time he developed fine business capacity and met with gratifying suc- cess as a salesman. On May 6, 1852, he married Sarah Adeline Petvin, who was iiorn in the above county .\pril 15. 18.31. Mr. House's first marriage was bles.sed with two children, the older of whom, Joseph William, was born in England on the 8th of March, 1853, and lives in Isabella township, being married and engaged in agricultural pursuits ; Alfred George, also a native of England, was born Januarv 11, 1855. He married Miss Yager, and is one of the enterprising farmers and esteemed citizens of the above township. Mr. House's wife dying October 3, 1857, he subsetiuently chose a second companion and helpmeet in the person of Elizabeth Chancellor, to whom he was iniitcd in marriage on the (ith day of May. 1858. and with whom and with his entire family, consisting of eight children, decided that he could do better in the \ew World where land was cheaper and expenses not so high. He disposed of his interests in 1869. and in the spring of that year emigrated 490 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. to Canada. During the ensuing year lie li\-ed in the county of \^'elHngton, but removed at the expiration of that time to York county, where lie resumed the pursuit of agricuhure and met with encouraging success as a tiller of the soil. After a residence of five years in the latter county, Mr. House moved to Monroe county, Michigan, where he purchased two hundred and sixty-fiv^e acres of land, on which he li\-ed until 1879, when he sold out and came to Isabella county, investing in one hundred and sixty acres in section 4, Isabella township, all thickly timbered and as nature had created it. Mr. House at once addressed himself to the formidable task of improv- ing his land and in the course of a few years had a goodly number of acres in cultivation and a very comfortable home established. By energetic and continuous toil he finally succeeded in reducing all but ten acres of his land to successful tillage and found himself the possessor of one of the finest and most desiralile farms of the township, his impro\ements of all kinds being first class and bearing evidence of the care with which he cultivates his fields and the good judgment displayed in the management of his business aft'airs In 191 o he remodeled his barn, ]nitting in an excellent stone and cement basement, and now has a commodious structure, in size forty-two bv seventy- eight feet, and admirably adapted to the ends for which intended, while the present fine brick dwelling, equipped with all modern conveniences, was built in 1903, and is considered one of the best edifices of the kind in the locality, being substantially constructed, neat and tast}- in point of architecture and answering all the purposes of a comfortable home. Mr. House has met with success commensurate with his energy and labor and now, as the e\ening of life comes on apace, finds himself the pos- sessor of a competency ample for the needs of himself and those dependent upon him and sufficient to insure a comfortable old age. He is greatly es- teemed by his neighbors and fellow citizens, commands the respect and con- fidence of all with whom he comes in contact and his life has been such that he now looks back over the past and perceives little that he could wish changed. He is a Republican in politics, a Baptist in religion, as are also his wife and children, all being active church workers, and deeply interested in the propagation of the Gospel both at home and in lands which have not yet received its light. The subject's present wife was born January 29, 1836, in the same village where he was reared, being a daughter of William and Mary Chancel- lor, both natives of England, in the soil of which their bodies now rest. Ten children have resulted from the second marriage, namely: Alexander J. G., of Isabella township, born May 15, 1859. in England, married ]\Iiss Arm- ISABEU-A COUNTY, MKHIC.AN. 49I Strong, ami by occupation is a tiller of the soil; Mrs. Sarah J. Wallace, also of English birth, first saw the light of day on December 28. i860, and lives in the to\vnslii|) of Isabella, where her hnsband is engaged in agriculture; James ("r.. born in England August 12. 1862. married Edna Wilder and li\es in Union township; Henry Cieorge. whose birth occiUMX'd in the old country on the 8th day of June. 1864, married Mary i'dlcn jasmin, of Isabella town- ship; Eerdinand G., also a resident of the alxive township, was born in Eng- land May 6, 1866. and is a married man. his wife ha\ing formerly been Hem'ietta Munia. of this county; Mary C. the last of the children born in England, dates her birth from Eebruary 29. 1868. and is now the wife of George Savage, of Isabella townshij); Eustace C. was l>nru June (), iSfx). in Canada, married Edith Maybe, of Isabella county, and is one of Isaljella townshii>'s enterprising farmers; Elizabeth M.. whose l)irth occurred in Cana- da Eebrunrv 7. 1872, is the wife of William Teeter, of Isabella count\'; Emily A., now Mrs. Emily A. Archer, and a resident of the above township, was liorn in Canada April 7. 1874; George, the youngest of the family, was born in Monroe county. Michigan. Jidy 6. 1876; he married Rose Sophia Schug and li\cs 1 in the hnuie farm. EMMET A. MURPHY. l-jumet A. Miu-phy. dealer in ])roduce and member of the tirm of Mur]jhy & Muhey. Shepherd, is a native of Washtenaw county, Michigan, where his birth occurred on May jj. 1861. lie was reared to agricultural ])nrsuits in Dexter township. n{ the aljove county, and grew up with the conxiction that man should earn his bread by the sweat of his face and that willful idleness is not far remoxcd from crime. On arriving at an age when voung men are presumed to lay plans for their future, he engaged in the livery business at Pinckney. Livingston county, this state, and after spending two years in that town disposed of his interests and came to Shepherd, where he again em- barked in the li\erv Ijusiness, though ujion a much larger scale than formerlv. Purchasing a commodious bfrn, which he enlarged and greatly improved, and keeping from six to eight excellent roadsters and the best type of modern vehicles, he was soon in the enjoyment of a lucrative |)atronage and from the beginning the business prospered and fully realize>• the day. later i>y llie job, contracting joljs in all parts of the state, and as a contractor he stood second to none, his work always giving the utmost satisfaction. He has built large public buildings all over the state, notably at the Soo. Owosso and Mt. I'k-asant, erected many of the buildings at the Indian school, built the gymnasium, training school and heating plant, besides other buildings, and he repaired the normal school buildings, built the Carnegie Librarv at Soo, also the high school and an addition to the court house there, and built the high school at Owosso and also at Ovid, Michigan, besides many other important buildings at various points. His own modern, attractive and commodious residence on Xormal avenue, Mt. Pleasant, testifies to the high quality of his own mechanical skill, for a large part of it was built by himself. He left a large number of unfinished contracts in igio. among the most imjjor- tant of which were the Training School and the chicory plant at Ml. I'leasant, w hich were finished by his brother and son. When twenty-one years of age. Mr. Cole was married to .\lice M. .^tell. a lady ot' culture and the rei)resentative of an excellent old I'amily. being the daughter of Jacob and Sarah Stell. natives of Germany and pjigland, re- spectively. She was born in Hillsdale county, [Michigan, February 19, 1868, and when seven years of age she accompanied her parents to Shepherd and lived there until her marriage. Her father is deceased and the mother lives on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs Cole were married on r^Iarch 2. 1889, and this union has been graced by the birth of these children ; Leo Ray, born Septeml)er 2, 1891, is living at home: Jesse L. was born April 26, 1894; Lyle S. was born February 28, 1896: Reuel Gerald was born August 7, 1909. .\fter their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cole lived in Shepherd, where all the children but one were born. They moved to Mt. Pleasant in March. 1905, and Mr. Cole here built the beautiful home mentioned above. It has every modern convenience, is elegantly furnished and neatly kept and the lawn is a thing of beautv. .\fter coming to this city, Mr. Cole continued contracting, becoming one of the best known and most popular of the city's business men. His several years of residence here has indebted the community to him for his busi- ness enterprise and official worth when he served the second ward as alderman. Many large buildings stand as a monument to his honesty and skill as a con- tractor. In the prime of life the city lost one of its best citizens and ablest contractors and his loss was keenly felt in business and social circles. He (32) 498 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. met death bj- accident while driving iiis automobile on July 25. 1910, on the road near Alma, Michigan, his lifeless body being found in the early morning beside his overturned and partly wrecked auto, which, it is believed, had be- come unmanageable and, in overturning, crushed out his life instantly. He had started to Croswell, where he had a new building under way. Mr. Cole was a very successful business man and had accumulated a very comfortable competency, owning considerable property in Mt. Pleasant and he was a director in the Isabella County State Bank. He formerly- owned an excellent eighty-acre farm in Lincoln township, which he sold in 19 10. He was a man of ambition and a hustler. Fraternally Mr. Cole was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past grand master of the latter, all of Mt. Pleasant. He was quite prominent in these orders, taking an active part in them. ^fr. Cole was formerly a mem- ber of the Rebekahs. Personally, Mr. Cole was interested in the general development of Isabella county and was always ready to do his full share in supporting and furthering any laudable movement looking to the general good. He was charitable, kind, genteel, and because of his known honest and straightforward methods of business, he easily won and retained the confiflence and good will of all who knew him. THOMAS MILLS. One of the owners of valuable and extensive farming interests in Gil- more township, Isabella county, is Thomas Mills. His splendid property has been acquired through his own efforts, his persistency of purpose and his de- termination, and the prosperity which is the legitimate reward of all earnest eft'ort is today his. He is a man who believes that the things worth while in life must be fought for. that nothing of much consequence comes to the inac- tive and the castle builder, his slogan having always been. "Keep busy and be honest." Mr. Mills was born in Oxford county, Ontario, September 10, 1863, and is the son of James and Ann Mills. The father, who was a native of Canada, died when his son Thomas was two years old : the mother was born in Oxford county, Ontario, Canada, in 1840, and is now living in Ionia countv, Michigan. These parents were married in Oxford county and be- came the parents of these children: Will; Jennie died in 1886: Thomas, of ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 499 tilis review, Mr. and Mr.s. James Mills lived in Canada until the father's death, then the mother came to limia county, Michitjan, married a second time, and her last husband is also deceased. She experienced many hardships after the death of her first husband, supporting her children by taking in washing and working out. but, l)eing a woman of rare courage and stal)iiity. she suc- ceedeil in rearing her family in respectability. Thomas was about seven years of age when she brought him to Ionia county, where the father had purchased a farm, and there the subject received a limited education. He assisted iiis step-father clear the farm, working there until he was thirteen years of age, then worked out, receiving seven dollars per month. His brother, who left home with him, received eight dollars per month. For two years he hired out in the summer and attended school in the winter, doing chores for his I)oard on a farm. He then returned to Canada and worked on a farm for his uncle until he was seventeen vears old, receiving ten dollars per month and board. Having heard that conditions w'ere good in Isabella county, he came here by way of Detroit and Reed City. He had a short time previously worked three weeks, braking on a railroad at London. Canada. He had about se\'enty-five dollars when he reached this county. He remained at the home of his uncle in Gilmore township until he could find suitable employ- ment. He worked in the woods at intervals for nine years; then he and his brother took up eighty acres of land, for which they jiaid the sum of eight hundred dollars, on the installment plan. The place was dixided into fortv acres each. Thomas finally buying bis Ijrother's interest. l'])on moving to the farm his sister kept house for him for three years or until her death in i88t. This place was hea\ily timliered with tlie exception of a few acres, and there was not a building on it. He erected some meager shanties, includ- ing a stable just large enough to hold a yoke of oxen and .i cow. the hay being kept outside. The country roundabout was wild and deer were fre- quently seen near the house. When twenty-seven years old, in 1890, Mr. Mills was married to Eliza- beth Wright, for whom he went to Canada, and there they were married on |;mu;ir\- <)tli of the year mentioned, after which they came to Isabella county to reside. Mrs. Mills, who is the daughter of David and Rachael Wright, was born in Oxford county. Ontario, on a farm. May 14, 1864. Mr. Mills set to work with a will and gradually brought his land under cultivation, and in due course of time had a very comfortable home and a good farm, al- though not until he had passed through much trying experience. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, his other forty being in section 27, Gilmore township, which he uses for pasture, through which a creek flows. 500 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. and this is excellent land. He has kept his eig^hty acres under cultivation, rais- ing abundant crops. He deserves great credit for what he has accomplished as a farmer and for the hard work he has done in developing a place from the wilds until it ranks with the best farms in the township. He has built three different barns on his place, the last one being one of the largest and best in the neighborhood, and also built several large sheds. The first log house he built was burned, this being replaced with a better dwelling, in which he lived until 1903, then moved to his present place, a very substantial. con\'enient and attractive building, finished in red oak, a very desirable grade of wood for this purpose. He has a good cellar, basement, windmill, circular-roofed barn — in fact, evervthing about his place indicates that a gentleman of excellent taste and good judgment has its management in hand. He has prospered by reason of hard work and good management and has laid by a fair competence for his declining years. Mr. Mills is preparing to rent his farm and take life easier, since he is evidently entitled to a little respite, owing to his former years of hard work. The last few years have brought prosperity to him. He has li\-ed to see a vast change in this country, for when he first came here there were no roads, only Indian trails, and he helped chop out the first road through this vicinity. He has taken much interest in the general development of the locality and has done his full share in this line. Politically, he is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for office. He is a member of the Disciple church in Gilmore. Having lived here so long, he is well and favor- ably known throughout the county. He has belonged to the Grange for eleven years and has taken a very active part in the local lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have no children. They are both popular and influential in the neigh- borhood and have a host of warm personal friends. REV. A. P. MacDONALD. The writer of biography, dealing with the personal history of men en- gaged in the various affairs of every-day life, occasionally finds a subject whose record commands exceptional interest and admiration and especially is this true when he has achie\ed more than ordinary success or made his influence felt as a leader of thought and a benefactor of his kind. The Rev. A. P. Mac- Donald, now engaged as a farmer and stock raiser in Wise township, where he maintains one of the "show places" of Isabella county, is eminently of that class who earn the indisputable right to rank in the van- of the army of pro- ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 5OI gressi\e men and 1)\' reason of a long and strenuous career devotetl to tlie good of his fellows he occupies a position of wide influence and has made a name which will long live in tiie hearts and affections of the peojjle. having heen engaged in the work of the ministry for many years. Rev. Mr. MacDonald was born in Colborne. Xorthumljerland ci)unty. Ontario, in 1857. lie is the son of James G. and Catherine ( Morrison) Mac- Donald, both born in Canat'.a. The paternal grandfather was a Scotchman. The subject grew to maturity in Canada and was reared on a farm until lie began to prepare himself for a wider and greater sphere of influence. For eight years he was successfully engaged in general blacksmilhing and carriage making, disposing of this business in 1S77 for the purpose of entering school for the preparation of the Ciospel ministry. He came to Port Huron, Michi- gan, in 1 88 1, where he remained some two years, supplying the First Baptist church of Brockway and Columbus while further preparing himself for his future work, and was ordained December i, 1881, in Columbus, St. Clair ciiunty. Michigan. He became pastor of the First Baptist church of Lyons, Ionia county, in 1883. Leaving there, he moved to Mt. I'lerisaui in 1886 and was for four years pastor of the First Baptist church there. During this pristorate he organized seven other Baptist churches and built five houses of worshi]) and the memlicrship at Mt. Pleasant increased from si.xteen to one hundred and fifty during the fi>ur years. He resigned to accept the district sec- retaryship of the Baptist state missions, and he continued in that work with much credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned for a ])eriod of thirteen years. Resigning that position to take charge of the chapel car "Herald of Hope" for the .American Baptist PuWication Society, of F'hiladclphia. Pennsylvania, was manager of the same for five years and seven months, making a great success of the enterprise. While secretary his district covered the north half of the state of Michigan. He was a very assiduous worker and carried to a successful issue whatever he undertook. .\s a pastor he built up the congregation he served, greatly strengthening the various charges en- trusted to him, and as an expounder of the doctrines of the Xazarene he was earnest, learned and often truly eloquent, and, being a man of humanitarian impulses, he was faithful in his altentions tn those in need in iiis congregation. thus winning the esteem and love of all who knew him. But such ardent zeal and persistent endeavor began to undermine his health and he was compelled to give up his work, and he retireil Id his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 21. Wise township. Isabella county, in June, 1905. Since tlien he has carried on general farming very successfully, but he is gradually transforming his place into a stock 502 ISABELLA COLXTV. MICHIGAN'. farm. He raises an excellent grade of stock, registered Berkshire hogs, mixed cattle, inclining to the Hereford breed, and at present has a fine regis- tered bull. He has laid four hundred rods of tile and has his place well fenced, with four miles of wire. He has made many substantial improve- ments on his place, removed his barn, cleared fifty acres, now having one hundred acres under cultivation. He has placed a large basement under his barn, and. in fact, has made all necessary improvements to make a valuable and desirable farm. He is a member of the Wise Farmers" Club. Rev. MacDonald was married May 4, 1882, to Bertha Pearce. who was born in Columbus, St. Clair county. Michigan. She is a woman of many estimable traits of character and has been of great assistance to her husband in his various lines of endeavor. The subject assisted in the organization and establishment of the Central State Normal, before the state owned it. Politically, he is a Republican. He still preaches at intervals, but has no regular work, devoting his attention to his farming and stock raising. The following children have been iDorn to Rev. MacDonald and wife: Clarence P.. who will graduate from the dental department of the State University at Ann Arbor in 1911, is a member of the Delta Sigma fraternity; Grace, who married Dr. W. H. Wismer, lives in Grand Rapids ; she is highly educated, having graduated from the high school and normal at ]\It. Pleasant and also from the Conservatoiy of Music at Detroit : Ralph H.. who graduated from the ]\It. Pleasant high school in 1909. is living at home and is carrier on a free rural delivery route : Xorris B. is living at home. CHARLES CODDINGTOX. The subject of this sketch is a native of Michigan, having been born in St. Joseph county, in the year 1842. He spent the boyhood years of his life near the place of his birth, attended, as opportunity afiforded. the public schools and grew up strong, vigorous and well fitted for the future and the duties and responsibilities which he subsequently encountered. In .\ugust, 186 1, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company A. Eleventh Michi- gan Infantry, with which he served three years and one month, during which time he rose by successive promotions to the rank of captain and participated in a number of noted campaigns and battles. The Eleventh Regiment was in the Fourteenth Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, and experienced much ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 5O3 hard service, includint^ the battle of Stone River, tlie various engagements around Atlanta and other fighting elsewhere, in all of wiiich the subject received only a slight seal]) woimd and was not absent a day from duty. .\t the expiration of his period of enlistment, September 30. 1864, he was hon- orably discharged and. returning to Michigan immediately thereafter, bought eighty acres of land in Kalamazoo county, wliich lie at once proceeded to clear and improve. Mr. Coddington labored hard but ettectively on this land and in due lime had the greater part under cultivation and substantial buildings erected. After living on the farm until 1868, he sold out and moved to Washington county, Kansas, where he ])urchased a half section of land which he afterwards in- creased by an additional hundred acres and on which he lived until 1876. After the death of his wife in'that year, he rettu-ned to his native state and during the ensuing two years farmed in St. Joseph county. Having been elected sherifT of that county, he discontinued agricultural pursuits at the expiration of the period indicated to attend to the duties of his ofitice which he held one term with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public. On quitting the shrie\alt)- b.e again sold out and went to Colorado, where he engaged in mining, a venture which did not prove a success, as he had antic- ipated. During the two \ears which he devoted to mining, he not only failed tn realize a fortune, but, on the contrary, lost all he possessed, so that wJK-n he returned to Michigan he was obliged to begin at the bottom of the ladder and make his waj' by slow degrees. From the time of his return from tiie West until 1890 he sold goods on the road, but in the latter year resigned his position and bought fortv acres of land in Union township, Isabella coinitv, which he im])r died at the age of twentv-three. CHARLES SL.VTER. Charles Slater, teacher of carpentry at the Indian Industrial School. Mt. Pleasant, also instructor in that branch of mechanics, was born in Halderman county, Ontario. October 27, 1846, having first seen the light of dav in the town of Caledonia, where his father, William Slater, of Derbyshire, England, settled some years before. \\ illiam Slater came to America in 1828, when about fourteen years old, and located at Johnstown, New York, where he sub- secpiently married Sarah Matilda Horton. the daughter of a veteran of the war of 1812 and granddaughter of a Revolutionary soldier. Later he went to Canada, where several of his children were born, and in July. 1868. mo\ed to Saginaw, Michigan, where he worked for some time at carpentry. Charles Slater spent his early life in his native province and when a young man learned carpentry under his father. He accompanied his parents upon their removal to Michigan in the year indicated above, worked w itli his father and brother at Saginaw until October, 1872. when the family, consisting of the parents and several children, moved to Isabella county. Michigan, and set- tled about three and a half miles southwest of Mt. Pleasant, on a tract of land of which but ten acres \\ere improved. Here, amid surroundings not altogether inviting, the father and sons addressed themselves to the task of developing a farm, and in due time their laljors were crowned with success, the home which they established being among the best in the locality and still in the family name. W'illiam Slater ended his days in this place, dying about 1883 or '84, at the age of seventy years, his widow, who survived him until ir)o6, deiiarting this life in I'.er eighty-first year. Charles Slater remaincc' with his parents until the farm was well umler 5IO ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. way and in 1875 came to Mt. Pleasant, where he resumed the carpenter's trade. His proficiency as a mechanic was not long in being recognized and shortly after his arrival he became one of the leading builders of the city. When the Indian Industrial School was established he assisted in erecting the various buildings and at the opening of the institution he was given charge of the carpentry department, which position he has since filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the management. In addition to looking after buildings, keeping them in repair and doing various other kinds of work in his line, Mr. Slater teaches carpentry to tlie students and to his credit be it said that not a few Indian youths have left the school first-rate mechanics and are now maintaining themselves and families by their trade. During the seventeen years which he has devoted to the post he now holds he has been unremitting in his duties, faithful to every trust reposed in him and today there is no one connected with the institution who stands higher in the esteem of the students and management or enjoys to a greater degree the confidence of the public. From 1875 until 1909 Mr. Slater lived in Mt. Pleasant, but, the better to attend to the duties of his position, he removed in the latter year to tiie campus where he now occupies a small but comfortable home well suited to the needs of his family, which has been constantly decreasing in numbers the meanwhile. While in Saginaw he united with the Presbyterian church and for a period of thirty years has been an elder of the same, in addition to which he is also a member of the board of trustees, holding both positions in the church in Mt. Pleasant, to which he transferred his membership upon his removal tn the latter city. His life has been consistent with his religious profession, being active in all lines of church and charitable work and ready at all times to lend his influence and support to enterprise and measure for the good of his fellow men. Mr. Slater, in the year 1876, was united in the bonds of wedlock with Matilda Whitehead, whose father was William Whitehead, a native of Lincoln- shire, England, who located in Wayne county, New York, and came to Isa- bella county, Michigan, in 1865, engaging in farming near Mt. Pleasant. For some years previous to marriage. Matilda Whitehead taught in the schools of the county and ranked among tlie most efficient and popular teachers in the city of Mt. Pleasant. She is a lady of fine mind and exemplary character, and by her culture and beautiful life has attained to a prominent place in the best social circles in the city in which she formerly resided. Mr. and Mrs. Slater have six children, all well educated, the majority holding important positions which they have dignified and honored. Mary, the oldest of the family, began ISABELLA COl'NTY, MICHIGAN. 5II teaching in Isabella cuuiity. ruul is now on her seventeenth consecutive year as an educator, holding at this time the chair of English in the liigh school of Elk Rapids, Anna E., the second in order of birth, was for five years stenog- ra])her with the Daugherty mercantile firm of Detroit, and later went to IV)rto Rico to accept a similar position in the city of San Juan, where she is at present located. Bessie E. went to Porto Rico as a teacher in the employ of the government and is liow supervisor of the schools of San Juan : she married John W. Zimmerman, who is in the insular service, both being highly esteemed in the city of their residence. Eolah C. also a teacher by profession, taught in the schools of Bayport and Traverse City and now holds a ])osition in the high school of the latter place. Walter C. like his sisters, took kindly to educational work, but his promising career was cut short by his untimely death at the age of twenty-one while principal of schools at Boyne Falls, this state. Sarah Ruth, the youngest of the family and a teacher of more than local reputation, holds an important position in the schools of Grayling. Michigan, where her work is bighl_\- appreciated. All of Mr. Slater's children enjoyed the best available educational advantages, finishing the public school course in Mt. Pleasant, and later being graduated from the Central Normal School of that city. They have made commendable advancement in their chosen spheres of endeavor and the res])()nsible positions which they now occui)y bear ample tes- timony to their intelligence, liberal culture and sterling worth. Air. Slater is well versed on the c|uestions of the day. while in point of general information he is recognized as one of the most intelligent men of the community. He holds membership w itli the Masons of Mt. Pleasant, having attained the Knight Templar degree, and, though devoted to the duties of the position he holds, he finds time to meet the responsibilities which every true citizen owes to the public. WILLI AM WEST. For a number of years the subject of this sketch was a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, but having accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods to enable him to discontinue active lalwr, he recently turnetl his farm over to other hands and mo\ed to Mt. Pleasant, where he is now living in honorai)le retirement. William West is a native of Kingston, Ontario, and dates his birth from the year 1849. When about seven years of age, he was taken to Perth county, in the same province, by his parents and there spent his early life, attending at intervals the public schools and learning in his young man- 512 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. liood tlie trade of carpentry. Leaving Canada in 1869, he located in York county, Michigan, where he worked at his trade until 1871, when he returned to his native province. After spending about one year there, he again came to Michigan and from 1872 until after the panic of the following year lived at the town of Caseville. Huron county, and supported himself by his labors as a Iniilder. In the latter part of 1873 ^^''- West again returned to Canada, where he followed agricultural pursuits during the ensuing seven years, in the mean- time, 1875, jjeing united in marriage with Mary Ann Hennessey, who was born and reared in the province of Ontario. In 1880, with his wife and three children and accompanied by his parents and two brothers, he moved to Isa- bella county, Michigan, and bought eighty acres of land in section 25, Isabella township, all in the woods and presenting any but an inviting prospect for a home. He at once addressed himself to the task of clearing and improving his land and was obliged to work single-handed, his father, who was a painter by trade, being unable to render him any assistance in the cutting of timber, grub- bing andother hard labor required to fit the soil for cultivation. By persever- ing effort, however, he finally succeeded in not only developing and improving a very valuable farm, but in adding to his realty from time to time, until he now owns two hundred and forty acres of as fine land as the county of Isabella affords, besides a beautiful residence in Mt. Pleasant and four city lots wliich are constantly growing in value. Mr. West cleared the greater part of his land with his own hands and made all of his improvements, including three large, commodious barns and an imposing modern dwelling, the main part twenty by thirty feet, the wing eighteen by thirty feet, two stories high and a model of architectural skill. By a successful system of drainage he has greatly enhanced the productiveness of his land and, as already stated, his farm is today among the best improved and most valuable in the tov.-nship. For some years, Mr. West, in addition to general farming, has devoted a great deal of attention to the breeding and raising of Durham cattle, a branch of farming w hich proved highly remunera- ti\e, but of recent years he has been more interested in the Holstein breed, of which he now has a number of very fine animals, including a registered bull which represents an investment of no small magnitude. He also raises high grade sheep and hogs, and his horses, which are of the best breeds, always command high prices. Mr. West has been prosperous far beyond the majority of farmers, his success being due entirely to his persevering labors, economical thrift and good management. In the full meaning of the term, he is a self- made man, also an enterprising citizen whose efforts to promote the ad\ance- ISABELLA COUN'TY. MICHIGAN. 5I3 nient of tlie ciiminunity lia\e l)een unsparing and whose iiitUience has ever been exerted in behalf of what he deems for the Ijest interests of his fellow- men. He is one of the leading Democrats of Isal)ella county, prominent in the councils of his party, and an active and successful worker for its success in campaign years. He served two terms as treasurer of his township, aside from which he has held no elective office, neither has he desired any such ex- pression of public favor. Religiously he was burn and reared a Catholic and has ever remained true to the teachings of the mother church, belonging at this time to the congregation worshiping in Mt. Pleasant, with which his family is also identified. As already indicated. Mr. West now resides at the county seat, where he removed about three years ago and where he is now well situated to enjoy the material comforts and blessings which he has so faithfully earned and u> which he is scj nol>ly entitled. He is highly esteemed by his fellow men and. though practically retired, still gives personal attention to his business interests and keeps abreast of the times on all matters of ])ublic import. Mr. and Mrs. West have a family of eight children whose names are as follows: John B., a sketch of whom ajipears elsewhere; Anna, a professional nurse now in Chicago ; Alice T.. who is engaged in the telephone service at Mt. Pleasant: Minnie, wife of Sydney Soules. of Boyne City, Michigan: Thomas, who married Hazel L\nn. and li\es at West Branch, this state: Will- iam, who was accidentally killed in a railway collision when eighteen vears of age; George, who married Ethel ]\IcKenzie. li\es on and manages his father's farm: and Fred, who .is unmarried and makes his home with his brother George, with whom he is interested in farming and stock raising. All of Mr. West's children are intelligent and respected, and those that ha\e left the parental roof to establish Immes of their own or engage in various lines of enterprise, are doing w ell and are highly esteemed in their several pldCes of residence. W.\RRKX WIXG. Among the older citizens of Isabella county is Warren \\ ing. a prosper- ous farmer of Fremont township, where he has maintained his residence since the close of the great Civil \>ar, in w liich he participated. Long an influential factor in the affairs of his community, he has become widely known and in the various relations of farmer, soldier and citizen his record is without a blemish and he occupies today a conspicuous place among the enterprising (33) 514 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. men of his dav and generation in the township which he assisted to develop anil in which he still makes his home. \\'arren Wing was born in Chantanqua county, New York. May 5, 1842, being the fourth son and fifth child of Wesley and Salina Wing, both natives of the Empire state. The Wing families in America are all descended from one family that settled in Massachusetts over two hundred and thirty years ago. David Wing, the subject's great-grandfather, was a patriot soldier in the Revolutionary war. Wesley W'ing, the subject's father, whose birth oc- curred in the year 1800, was married in New York about 1830 to Salina Wil- cox and after farming in Chautauqua county until 1850. moved to Iowa, where he remained two years, returning to his former home at the expiration of that time. Later, 1863, he again moved West, with Alichigan as his des- tination, and in due time arrived in Isabella county, where he bought two tracts of government land of one hundred and twenty and one hundred and sixty acres, respectively, the one hundred and twenty acres being located in Union township, where he and his wife died some years ago. He made some improvements on his land, clearing in all about seventy-eight acres. Their children in order of their birth are as follows : Williard, \\'inthrop, William. Anna, who married Levi Williams ; W' arren, Walter, Elmira, wife of Delbert Merrill; Angeline, wife of J. K. Wellman ; and Amelia, all deceased, e.xcept the subject, and Mrs. Merri" and Walter, both residents of Union township. Warren Wing spent his early childhood and youth in his native county and when si.x years old was taken to Iowa by his parents, where the family lived about two years. Returning to New York at the end of that time, he remained in Chautauqua county until 1863, when he accompanied his parents to Isabella county, Michigan, locating on the one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 2, which his father had previously homesteaded, where he soon became accustomed to the hard work and numerous vicissitudes which neces- sarily attend the planting of a home in a new and sparsely settled country. In .February of the following year he enlisted in Company H, Eighth ^lichigan Infantry, and within a short time thereafter accompanied his command to the scene of hostilities in Tennessee, where the regiment became a part of the Ninth Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. Later the Eighth was trans- ferred to the Eastern army, and by reason of the different commands in which it served was subsequently known as the wandering regiment, the men not knowing one day whither they would be moved or ordered on the morrow. Without following Mr. Wing's military experience in detail, suffice to state that he shared with his comrades the vicissitudes and fortunes of war in a number of campaigns and participated in not a few notable battles, among ISAUI.l.UA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 515 wliicli was tlic bloody engagement or series of engagements in ilic W ilderness. where he was sorely wounded in the riglit arm, tliat menil)er being still stiff as a result of the injury. He spent several months in a hospital, wiiere his wound was treated and where he also was detailed as nurse. Some time after the l)atlle of the Wilderness he was transferred to the First Battalion, Six- teenth W'teran Keser\e Corps, where he remained alxnil four months, during which time his command rendered effectual service in the .\Ileghauy mountain region, also assisted in ridding the county of the Ku-Klu.x-Klau, besides being detailed at intervals to search for and bring in deserters. He was with his com- pany among the .\lleghan\- mountains when General Lee surrendered and later was a member of the detachment that searched railway traiiis for John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln. .After being mustered out of the service in Pittsburgh, Pennsybania, in August, 1865, Mr. Wing returned to his native state, where he shortly after- wards married Lucinda P>iu-t, of Chautaucjua county, immediately following which he brought his bride to Isabella county, Michigan, and set up his domes- tic establishment on one hundred and twenty acres of land which he had homesteaded prior to entering the army. By energetic and continuous toil he cleared the greater part of his land and in due time had a good farm in suc- cessful culti\'ation and a number of substantial improvements made. He has added to his real estate from time to time until he now owns two hundred and five acres, the greater part susceptible to tillage and well improved, his farm being among the most productive and valuable in the township, and it is not too much to say that there are few, if any, more beautiful or more desirable rural homes in the county than the one he has established and occupies. Mr. Wing has been quite successful financially and is today among the well-to-do men and representative citizens of the community in which he re- sides. He is enterprising in all the term implies and public-spirited, lending his aid and influence to further all laudable measures for the general wel- fare, no worthy project ever ai)i)ealing to him in vain. In addition to his own im])rovements, which include a comfortable and commodious dwell- ing, a large, modern barn, granary, tool house and various other buildings. he has been of great assistance to some of his neighbors in the clearing and improving of their farms, besides constructing roads in different parts of his own and other townships and helping promote various other utilities which have proven beneficial to the public. Mr. Wing is a close student of political, social and industrial questions, and has intelligent and well defined views relative to these and other matters of interest before the people. He is inde- dependent as a thinker, a clear and logical reasoner and his opinions carry 5l6 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. weight and command respect among his fellow men. A gentleman of strict integrity and high character, he is held in great esteem by all who know him and the confidence which he commands has been fairly and honorably earned. Mrs. \\'ing, who was born in 1843. died a few years ago, having borne her husband three children, nan^ely : Williard, who lives on part of his father's farm and is a successful tiller of the soil ; Leon is deceased ; and Nellie, who is now a widow and lives with her father and manages the home. Mr. Wing has served his township in various public capacities, though never a seeker after the honors or emoluments of office. He was justice of the peace for some years and proved a very capable and judicious official; also served as road commissioner and school inspector, in both of which positions he was unremitting in his duties to the people. HUGH DAY JOHNSTON. Farmer and mechanic and for thirty-eight years an honored resident of Isabella township, the subject of this sketch is a native of Peel county, Onta- rio, and a son of Frank and Elizabeth (Newhouse) Johnston, both of Canadian birth. These parents were born in the years 1819 and 1830, respectively, and were married in Ontario. The father died on May i, 1875, the mother, who survived him, making her home at this time in tlie village of Rosebush, Isa- bella county. Hugh Day Johnston was born in the month of December, 1848, spent his earlv life on his father's farm in Peel county and remained there until his removal to Isabella county, Michigan, in 1873. On coming to this part of the state, he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 16, Isabella township, all wooded, and addressing himself to the task of clearing and de- veloping the same, spent the several following years at continual toil, much hard labor being required to remove the forest growth and fit the soil for cul- tivation. In due time, however, his efforts were rewarded and he now has a fine farm with up-to-date improvements, his dwelling, erected in 1875. and a commodious barn, in the year 1898, being the results of his own mechanical skill. In connection with general agriculture. ^Ir. Johnston from time to time has (lone considerable carpentry work for his own and other localities, his proficiencv as a builder causing his services to be in great demand. He fol- lows the trade at the present time when he can be spared from the farm and ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIUAN. 5I7 today a munber of dwellings, bams and other edifices in different parts of the country bear witness to his skill as a first-class mechanic. It is as a tiller of the soil, however, that his greatest success has been achieved, his farm at the present time being among the best in the township, and his home the dwelling place of a family happy amid their surroundings and contented with their lot. Mr. Johnston is an excellent neighlior. a praiseworthy citizen and keeps in touch wilii ail matters of general interest to the community. He stands for law. order and good government, uses his influence on the right side of every moral issue, and though quiet and unostentatious in demeanor and always attending strictly to his own affairs, his life has been fraught with good to all with whom he comes in contact. In his political faith he is a Re- publican, in religion a meml)er of tlie Methodist Episcopal church, and frater- nally is identified with the Masonic brotherhood, belonging to the blue lodge and the chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Mt. Pleasant. .Mrs. Johnston, who previous to her marriage was Elizabeth Johnson, was Iwrn March 9, 1S50, and has [iresented her husband with eight children, namely: .Abigail, who is stil! with her parents: Mary married Weslev Mc- Knight and lives in Isabella township; Frank married a Miss Strickle, and is a resident of the above township, as is also Maria J., now Mrs. Fred Madison; Sarah is the wife of George Xolan, and Susan married Ed. Graham, both gen- tlemen being farmers of Isabella townshij) ; Benjamin, the seventh in order of birth, runs the famih' homestead, and Athold, the youngest of the number, after being graduated from the high school at Mt. Pleasant, entered the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he is pursuing his studies prepara- torv to a career of hiinor and influence. JOHN WATSON. One of the sterling citizens of Isabella county is John Watson, a name well known, especially in Denver township, where he has a splendid and at- tractively kept landed estate, being regarded as one of the leading agricultur- ists of the same. As a result of his industry, integrity and genuine worth he is held in high esteem by the people of this vicinity, mainly as a result of his principles of modern fanning and progressive and ujiright citizenshi]). Mr. Watson was born on November i. ICS65. in Hastings county. On- tario, Canada, and he is the son of James and Rosella (Bush) Watson, who 5l8 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. are mentioned in a separate sketch in this volume. They moved with their son, John, into Middlesex county, Ontario, when he was eighteen months old and made that their home for six years, at which place the son attended school awhile. Then the family moved to Isabella county, Michigan, locating in Isa- bella township. Here John grew to manhood and assisted his father with his general work, remaining at home and attending the neighborhood schools in his early youth. In fact, he did not leave his parental roof-tree until his mar- riage, on April i6, 1902, to Martiia Robert in Mt. Pleasant. She was born in Erie county. New York, on July 6, 1874. When a child she moved with her parents to Livingston county, Michigan, and from there to Isabella county, and here she and the subject went to school together. The latter was eight years of age when he moved to this county, and the school he attended was the Roy district school. He helped his father on the home place, with the e.x- ception of four winters, until 1891, when he bought his present place. During the four winters referred to he worked in Missaukee county one winter, and three winters in Clare county, in the woods. He and his father cleared the home farm of about two hundred acres, so he knew what hard work meant all his life and he has succeeded as a result of his habits of persistent industry, which have been well applied. He bought his present farm of eighty acres, as stated, in 1891, for which he paid eighteen hundred and fifty dollars. A year later he bought an adjoining forty acres, for which he paid seven hun- dred dollars. The place had at that time forty-five acres cleared, but no buildings or fences, and was, in fact, entirely unimproved. He worked on his place, but boarded at home until 1902, the year of his marriage, after which he moved to his place, erected a con\'enient, substantial and attractive dwelling of \eneer brick and a large and convenient barn, also other good outbuildings, built fences and made all the necessary improvements, and de\eloped his place in a manner that stamps him as a twentieth-century farmer of the first grade, and his place now ranks with the best in the county. He has, in fact, two barns, both large and substantial, a good granary, a sheep barn, and is well equipped to cany on general farming and stock raising in a successful man- ner. He has put in six or seven miles of tile. There are three fine flowing wells on his place, the water being cold and of the best cjuality, no windmill being needed. He devotes his attention to grain farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, handling horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. He also has forty acres of good land, which he uses for pasture, lying two miles east of his farm. It is nearly all wooded. Mrs. Watson is the owner of forty acres of good land in section 23, Isabella township, making a total of two hundred ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 519 acres.owned In- tlic family. .Mr. Watson cleared about twenty-five acres of his tirst purchase. It liad been neglected and was "run down," but under his management it was soon built up and made productive. He has so skillfully rotated his crops and built up the soil that it has been greatly strengthened, as is shown by the fact that his first oats crop here averaged only eighteen bush- els per acre, whereas now sixty bushels per acre are i)roduced. He has worked hard and has been successful, achieving a competency unaided, literally "digging" it out of the ground. He now has his splendid property out of debt. Mrs. Watson's parents, Edward and May Robert, are now living on a good farm in Isabella township, this county. ha\ing made their home in sec- tion 36 of that locality for the past thirty years, where they are well and most favorably known. Mr. Robert has dexoted his life to agricultural pursuits, owning a fine farm of two hundred acres. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson: James, born Decemlier lo. 1903: Robert. John Alexander and Arline. all living at home. Mr. Watson is connected with the Illinois Life Insurance Company. Polit- ically, he is a Republican, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He was township treasurer two years, performing his duties very faithfully. He is influential in this township and has an unblemished reputation. JAMES A. CLIFF. Success has l>een worthily won by the gentleman of whom the biogra])her writes in the following lines, a man of strong will and determined purpose who has contributed his share to the material development of the county in which he lives and forged to the front among the leading citizens of the same. James A. Cliff, present deputy sheriff of Isabella county, was born January 12. 1850. in Leeds county. Ontario, where his father. Samuel Cliff, a native of Limerick. Ireland, .settled about the year 1S42. Agnes Cochran, wife of .Sam- uel Cliff and mother of the subject, was also of Irish birth, and first saw the light of day in the town of Xewey, county Armagh. These parents were mar- ried in their native isle and in the year indicated above came to America and spent the remainder of their lives in the province of Ontario. The father and mother moved to Michigan in 1874 and located in Onondaga, where they died and were buried. lames A. Cliff was reared to farm labor and remained in his nali\e land 520 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. until attaining his majority, wlien he severed home ties and came to Michigan, locating at Onondago. Ingham county, whither a brother had preceded him. For some time after his arrival in this state he worked at clearing land and in the lumber woods, spending the ensuing winter at Morley and Millbrook, where he was variously employed. During the following six years he worked at different occupations and at the expiration of that time was married at the town of Onondaga to Ida Buckland, of Ingham county, the ceremony being solemnized on the 13th day of September, 1877. Mrs. Clifif's father and mother, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively, came to Michigan about 1830 and were among the early pioneers of Ingham county. They stood high in the esteem of their neighbors and friends, lived good honest lives and their memory is still cherished in the community which they helped to estab- lish and from which they were called to their final reward not many years ago. He worked at Jackson at the cooper's trade, at which time there were but six houses in the town. He remembers the first prison enclosure, which was made by placing tamarack poles on end in a trench, making a sort of stockade. ^Irs. Clifif was reared and educated in the above county. For some time before taking unto himself a wife Mr. Cliff held the position of guardian in the state prison at Jackson and served in that capacity until the month of March following his marriage. He then severed his connection with the institution and went to southern Kansas and took a homestead in Bourbon county, which he at once proceeded to improve. Owing to the hot winds which destroyed his crops and almost literally burned up the country during the two years of his sojourn, he abandoned his claim at the end of that time and, sending his wife back to her friends in Michigan, went to Colorado in search of something to do. Shortly after reaching that state he found re- munerative employment as a miner, at first by the day and later by the job. He continued that kind of work until his earnings amounted to about five hundred dollars, when he decided to return to Michigan. His brother, who was with him in the ^\'est. dying about that time, he started home with the body, but meeting with a serious reverse, found himself with barely sufficient means to reach his destination and not enough to enable him to return to the West. During the next seven years Mr. Cliff lived at Onondaga and devoted his time to various kinds of labor. In 1888 he went to Washington territory for the purpose of locating, but not being pleased with the country he returned to Michigan at the end of a couple of months and took a pre-emption in Houghton county, later took another claim in the same locality, both containing fine tim- ber and excellent soil. He proved up on these claims and during the five years ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 521 following not only improved his own land, hut hought land for others, meet- ing with gratifying success in these transactions. He afterwards sold the above land at a good price and his dealings since then have also resulted greatly to his financial advantage as is indicated by the fact of his having realized something in excess of six thousand dollars, within the last three or four years. Returning to Onondaga after closing out his interests in Houghton county, he lived in that town until 189.^, when he changed his residence to Mt. Pleasant, removing thence the following year to Weidman, where he now makes his home. In 1895 Mr. Clif? liought, near the latter place, a small tract of land from which the timber had been cut, and at once set to work to remove the stumps and roots and tit the soil for cultivation. In the fall of the same year he bought an additional eighty acres of stuni]) land, later a forty-acre tract of the same kind, both of which he has since cleared of obstructions and other- wise improved. Within a few years he has brought this land to a high state of cultivation, erected good buildings and at this time has one of the finest farms and among the most desirable homes in his part of the county. Mr. ClifT has done much to promote the material prosperity of the thriving little town near which he lives and is public-spirited in all the term implies. His life has been a very active one and, though experiencing not a few reverses, he has been quite successful in the main and is now among the well-to-do men and in- fluential citizens of the community in which he resides. He has served on the school board from time to time and in other public capacities has used his in- fluence for the benetit of his town and the social and moral advancement of the community at large. In politics he supports the Republican party and in religion the Methodist E])iscopal church represents his creed, both himself and wife being active members in the local congregation at Weidman. I-'ra- ternally he is identified with the Masonic order, being a charter member of Xottawa Lodge, Xo. 424. at Weidman. of which he was the first worshipful master. He has been prominent in the work of the order, representing his lodge in the grand lodge and standing high in the confidence of his brethren of the mystic tie. In addition to the above lodge, he belongs to Chapter No 360, Order of the Eastern Star, and the cha])ter of Royal .\rch Masons at Eaton Rapids, his wife being a member of the Eastern Star also and at this time is .serving as the treasurer of the chapter with which identified. Mr. and Mrs. Cliff have three children: Claude S.. living on the home- stead in Saskatchewan, western Canada: .\melia, wife of E. C. Wiley, of Weidman, and Hlanche, who lives at home. 522 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. H. L. ROBERTS. Standing out prominently among the leading farmers of Coldwater town- ship is H. L. Roberts, who was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1848. Hosea Roberts, his father, whose birth occurred in the above state on May 5, 1826, moved to Isabella county, Michigan, in 1867 and homesteaded the farm of eighty acres in section 26, Coldwater township, which the subject now owns. He did not live long enough to prove up on the land, dying in 1871, follow- ing w hich the subject took the homestead and procured a deed for the same during President Cleveland's first administration, since which time the place has been in his name. Lucy M., wife of Hosea Roberts and mother of the subject, never came to tliis township, Init ended her earthly career a few years ago. It was at the home of Hosea Roberts that the first rehgious services in the township were conducted and the .first Sunday school was organized. The township organization was efYected under his. roof, and it was at the same place that the first election of officers was held. Hosea Roberts was highly esteemed and his untimely death so soon after moving to this county, was greatly deplored by his neighbors and friends. H. L. Roberts came to Isabella county with his father in 1867 and since that time has been an honored resident of the township in which he now re- sides. He was reared to farm labor, grew up an industrious and energetic young man and, taking possession of the family homestead on the death of his father, has since developed and managed the same, besides purchasing other land the meanwhile, his real estate at the present time amounting to two hun- dred and forty acres, of which one hundred and fifty acres are in cultivation and highly improved. He made all of his improvements, brought the land to a high state of tillage and, as already indicated, is today one of the leading farmers of the township, also an enterprising, public spirited citizen, whii has done much to promote the material resources of his section of the country. While raising all the crops grown in this part of the state, he devotes special attention to hay, potatoes and beans, which he markets in large quantities every year, and he is also interested to some extent in li\e stock, which he finds a veiy profitable branch of farming. Mr. Roberts has been thrice married, the first time to Elizabeth Ryerson, whose death occurred after bearing him one child, a son, Charles, now a hotel keeper in Shepherd, and a man of family, his wife having formerly been Sara Longton, of Isabella county. The subject's second marriage was with Stella Wooley. who bore him children as follows : Alonzo, who married Florence Sniitli anusiness circles and is today the leading man in his line in the territory to which his operations are principally confined. He also carries all his notes, the interest on the same bringing him a nice income. Mr. House began life with no help other than native talents and willing hands, and the success which he has achieved and liie honorable [)lace to which he has attained among the leading business men of his county are due entirely to his own efforts. He posses.ses keen practical intelligence, mature judgment and discreet foresight, and while aggressive in his dealings and ever rcadv to take adxantage of opportunities, his relations with his customers ha\e always been honorable and liis reputation without a stain. Mr. House was married in 1891 to Mary Ellen Jasmiss. whose birth occurred in Coe township, Isabella county, on the 8th day of January, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. House are the parents of the following children: Gladys, born December 9, 1892: Delia, born .\ugust i. 1894: I*!lizal)ctii, born I'ehruary j, 1899; Harry, born .\pril 8, 1903: Reuben and Roy, twins, died when fifteen months old: Marie, born in September. 1906, and Ruth, who died at eight months old. Politically, Mr. House is a Republican, but his business inter- ests are such as to prevent him from taking a very active part in politics. He 526 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. keeps himself well posted, however, and abreast of the times on all matters of public import and on the leading questions of the day has well grounded opin- ions which command the respect of his fellow citizens. Mr. House, with all the business he has done has only been in court once as a witness. He lives in peace and his motto is to look after his own affairs and expects others to do the same. STEPHEN M. RAU. This enterprising business man is a Canadian by liirth but. as the name indicates, he is of German descent, his father, Fred Ran, coming from the fatherland a number of years ago and settling in the pro\ince of Ontario. About 1885 he moved to Isabella county, Michigan, and since that year has been living on a farm in Xottawa township. Margaret Newbecker. the sub- ject's mother, is a native of Ontario, where she married Mr. Rau and the two now reside on a forty-acre farm where they are spending the closing years of their lives. Stephen M. Rau was born in the month of December, 1871, in Bruce county, Ontario, and when about seven years of age ac- companied his parents to Greenville, Michigan, where he received his edu- cational training and learned the tinner's trade. After becoming a proficient workman he went to Grand Rapids, where he was employed for some years in a tin shop, in connection with which was a hardware department, in which also he worked when his services as a salesman were in demand. After remaining in that city for a period of fifteen years, he went to Soo, Canada, where for one and a half years he was in business for himself, at the expiration of which time he came to Weidman and engaged in the gen- eral hardware trade, which he has since carried on with encouraging success. Mr. Rau began business at this point on a somewhat modest scale, but by patient industry, efificient management and honorable dealing, he has suc- ceeded in building up quite an extensive establishment, as is indicated by his sales which amount to something in excess of fifteen thousand dollars yearly. He carries a full and complete stock of hardware such as the general trade demands, is careful and methodical in all of his transactions and bv treating his customers' fairly and courteously he has gradually enlarged the area of his trade until it now includes the greater part of the country for a number of miles around the village. In connection with his hardware business he man- ages the local Bell Telephone Company, the central office of which is in his store and which, from twenty subscribers when the enterprise was established. ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 527 five years ago. lias grown until there are now two lumcired ami litty ]jatrons, with prospects of many more in the near future, lie also deals some in real estate, in which he has (|uite a renuinerati\e business, and since locating at W'eidman his several lines of enterprise have resulted greatly to his financial advantage. In addition to three good liuildings in the town, which rent at fair figures, he owns an eighty-acre farm in Nottawa township, the proceeds from which add considerably to his yearly income. Mr. Rau is a member of the Catholic church at Beal City and is zealous in upholding and defending his religious faith, lie belongs to the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal society under the auspices of the church, and is also identified with the Knights of the ^^accabees and Modern Woodmen of .America, being an active and influential worker in both organizations. Marie C. Kubry, who became the wife of Mr. Rau in the year iS(jS. was born in Perth county, Ontario, on February ii. 1877. ^^^^' parents. Michael and Regina (Schnurr) Kubry, both natives of the above county, were horn December 3, 1844. and September 3, 1853. respectively. They were mar- ried in Ontario and for some time past ha\e been making their home with the subject. Mr. and .Mrs. Rau have no children. They are interested in the social and religious life of their town, and assist to the extent of their abilities all charitable and humanitarian enterprises and enjoy the friend- ship of the large circle of acquaintances with whom they are accustomed to associate. CLARENCE E. MOODY. Among the well known citizens of Holland township whose interests in the affairs of the community have given them character and prestige, is Clarence E. Moody, a gentleman of excellent repute, whose influence and popularity have made his name familiar in every household of the township in which he resides. He is a son of William H. and Rachel Moody, whose sketch appears elsew-here, and a younger brother of A. L. Moody, who also has a biographical notice in this volume. Mr. Moody was born December 10, 1870, in Eaton county, Michigan, and spent the first nine years of his life on his father's farm in Benton township, attending for a couple of years the district school not far from his home. In 1879 he removed with the family to Isabella county and for .some time thereafter continued his studies until sufficiently advanced to pass the required e.xann'nation and secure a teacher's license, when he took charge of a school and devoted the two 528 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. years ensuing to that line of work. In the meantime he also turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed with most gratifying success and at this time he occupies a prominent place among the leading farmers of Rolland township, owning one hundred and twenty acres of fine land, seventy of which is in cultivation and well improved. Mr. Moody cultivates the soil with the latest improved machinery and implements and may properly lie termed a scientific farmer. His work is judiciously conducted and in the management of his afYairs he exercises sound judgment and wise discretion and rarely fails to realize handsomely from his time and labors. Public spirited and intelligent, he takes an active interest in whatever makes for the material prosperity of his township and every enterprise or movement having for its object the social advancement and moral good of the community' finds in him an earnest advocate and liberal patron. He has shown himself worthy of the confidence of his fellow citizens, as is indicated by his frequent election to positions of honor and trust, among which were those of township treasurer and various school offices, and as justice of the peace he has proved a capable and popular dispenser of the law. For some years he has been an influential worker in the Masonic fraternity, including the Eastern Star degree, and he is also a member of the Order of Gleaners. On the 29th day of November, 1894, Mr. Moody was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Cedonia E. Merillat, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 10, 1872, a daughter of Paul and Lydia Merillat, the union being without issue. Mr. and Mrs. Moody are among the most highly esteemed people of the county and enjoy the confidence and good will of all who know them. Kind and courteous in their relations with others. in private life and in the atmosphere of the home, they shine with a spirit which is always wholesome and elevating to those who come within the range of their influence. HON. ISAAC ALGER FANCHER. Much has been written with regard to the self-made men of Michigan, yet there have been but few more striking examples than that presented by a careful consideration of the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical re\-iew. a born leader of men, but, being entirely unas- suming, he does not court that distinction. However, the accomplishments of Hon. Issac Alger Fancher, attorney at Alt. Pleasant, who is too well ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H ^^^^B ^^^^H iv^ m ^HL ^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^F K^^^* .^^^^^^^^^^^^^1 HSr '^^^^^^^^^l y HON. ISAAC A. FANCHtR ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 529 known in Isabella and adjoining counties to need any introduction here, have forced him into a widespread notoriety which his modesty does not seek. The principal capital with which his parents endowed him was a rujjged con- stitution, a stout heart and a determination to succeed, which, no doubt, has proven a more desirable capital than would have almost any amount of money, unless the latter could have been accompanied with the same traits of char- acter. Thus, from an enxironmeut none too auspicious, he has forced him- self to the front and made for himself a name which is unanimously accorded a very proud position among the foremost citizens of the Wolverine state Mr. Fancher's enterprise, his force of character, his sterling integrity, his forti- tude amid discouragements, and his marked success in bringing to comiiletion large schemes of tratle. ha\e contributed very largely toward the de\elopment of this section of Michigan, strong in his friendship, good in the generalities of business, a most able advocate, unswerving in his convictions of right, his integritv stands as an unquestioned fact among friends, acquaintances and business associates. Born to lead, his experiences have made him a safe counselor and guide. He is independent in thought, and. when con\iction has been once reached, tirm and unchanging. He stands today mature in years, yet a strong man. and a worthy example for young men to pattern after, as showing what intelligence and probity may accomplish in the way of suc- cess in life. Mr. Fancher is the scion of a prominent old family of sterling worth, and he was born in Florida. Montgomery county. New York, on the old home- stead of one hundred and twenty-five acres, on September 30, 1833. He is the son of Jacob S. and Eunice ( Alger) Fancher, the father born at Florida, New York, in 1803, died at the place of his birth in 1838: the mother was born in Niskayuna, Saratoga county. New York. They grew to maturity in their native communities, were educated and married there, in fact, spent nearlv all their lives there. The son. Isaac .\., Ixuight a small house and lot at Braman's Corners for his mother on wiiich she lived for some time, then made her home with him and with a daughter. The following children con- stituted the family of these parents: Caroline: Richard died at tiie age of eighteen years; Lsaac .\. n\ tiiis review: Orin Schuyler: they are all deceased but the subject. Isaac .\. Fancher grew to maturity on the old homestead, and went to school two or three summers when a child. He was four and one-half years of age when his father died, leaving the family in somewhat strained circum- stances. Thev lived one whole year with no wheat flour in the house, sub- sisting on barlev flour. After the father's death the boys hired a man for (34) 530 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. seven vears wlm finally married their sister. Isaac A. knew the meaning of hard work very early in life, assisting with the general work on the farm when hut a mere lad. When eleven years of age he did all the fall plowing on one hundred and twenty-five acres. Until he was about fourteen years old he attended school during the winter months. His sister lived near a better school on the Western turnpike and when he was sixteen years old he attended that school, boarding with his sister for three months, being compelled at the end of that time to go home and work on the farm. He continued to work on the home place until he was nineteen years of age. then went to Princeton Academy three months, returning to the farm during the summer, and the fol- lowing fall returned to the academy for five months, then farmed all summer ; in the fall he went to Amsterdam Academy for nine months, taking a general course. The next summer he left the farm and started for Wisconsin in September, hiring out at the town of Delton. He also taught school there and traveled during the summer. He then taught two more years, traveling dur- ing the summer months, covering the state of Minnesota during the second summer, also Missouri and Iowa. He traveled for the purpose of locating land for other parties. He had long desired to take up the study of law, and he accordingly entered the law office, at Delton, Wisconsin, of Jonathan Bow- man, remaining in the same one year, then went to a law school at Albany, New York, for one school year, then returned to Wisconsin and located at Kilbourn City, opening an office alone and remained there until the spring of 1862. He had a very satisfactory start in his profession, but on the last men- tioned year he and three companions started across the plains, making the long and somewhat hazardous trip to Nevada. They went over to Snake river, finding upon their arrival there about six hundred wagons that had failed in their attempt to cross the mountains, so Mr. Fancher and his party turned southward, went through Nevada into the Humboldt mountains, silver having been discovered there just the year previous. They prospected in those mountains about a month and a half, but were unsuccessful, but they located claims. Mr. Fancher took the mules of the party into California that winter and remained there about a month. He fell ill with Panama fever and was sick for several weeks ; then, after making further arrangements regarding the mules, he went to San Francisco where he remained ten days, then started home by way of the Isthmus of Panama, coming to New York by ship, the trip from the Isthmus requiring ten days. He had the same fe\er in New York that attacked him in California. He came home and was sick seven weeks. After recovering, he went to Wisconsin where he remained a few months, then came to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He built a little place and went back home to settle up his business and get his family, whom he loaded ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 53I in a two-liorse wagdii and ivade the retnrn trip by way of Milwaukee. Chi- cago, Niles and other principal cities, the trip requiring about three weeks. Tliey moved into tiie house he liad built here. Mr. Fancher was married on June 6, i860, to Althea Preston, at Java, Wyoming county, Xew ^'l)rk. This was after he left the law school. They met in Dclton, Wisconsin, where she had come when a girl, and during his western trip she returned tn her parents in New York. To this unimi was born Preston S. Fancher, who is at present making his home in Detroit, and is running a mill near Howell, Michigan; Bessie R. married Prof. Tambling, director of athletics at the Central Xormal School at Mt. Pleasant ; Blanche died in 1873. Mr. Fancher was admitted to the bar at Allianw Xew York, and later at Piaraboo, Wisconsin, and in Mt. Pleasant, in January. 1864. He was later admitted to the United States courts (circuit and district) in Detroit, and still later in Grand Rapids. Soon after coming to Mt. Pleasant he was made deputy register of deeds. He did considerable practice considering the fact that there was but little for lawyers to do in this locality at that early day. The follow- ing \car he took u]) survexing and running out roads. The ne.xt year he was appointed deputy state swamp land road commissioner. He spent a large part of his time during the summers of 1865, 1866 and 1867 in locating state roads, having located over two hundred miles of roads and superintended the build- ing of one hundred miles nn^re. Most of the three summers spent in sur\-ey- ing roads was in Isabella and Gratiot counties, also surrounding counties. He was then employed as register of deeds and he practiced law at the same time. About 1865 he built a store, two .stories high, at about the corner of what is now Main and Broadway in Mt. Pleasant. This store and thirteen other buildings were all l)urneeople, cosmopolitan in his ideas, and in the best sense of the word a type of that strong American manhood, which commands and retains respect because of inherent merit, sound sense and cor- rect conduct. He has a state-wide rejiutation and is one of the leading citi- zens of the commonwealth, having so impressed his indiviiluality ujjon all clas.ses as to win their confidence and esteem and has become a strong and influential power in leading them to high and noble things. 534 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. FRANCIS BONE. This prosperous farmer and gallant ex-soldier is a native of Ireland, where he was born in the month of April, 1845. When he was three years old. his parents immigrated to the United States and settled at Geneva. Xew York, removing three years later to Wayne county, Michigan, where Francis spent his boyhood and received his education. His father dying the mean- while, he chose his own guardian, under whose directions he continued until eighteen years of age when he tendered his services to the government by enlisting in Company E, Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry. It was not long after entering the army until he was at the front rendering valiant service for his adopted country and during the three years he was in the South he took part in some of the most noted campaigns and battles of the Civil war. Mr. Bone's regiment was in the Eastern department and saw much hard service during the Virginia and Knoxville campaigns. In the bloody battle at Spottsyhania Court House he received a painful wound in the left shoulder, and from May 12th until the following November he was an inmate of the Campbell Hospital. Washington, D. C, receiving treatment for his injury. When sufficiently recovered he rejoined his regiment and from that time until the cessation of hostilities, did his duty faithfully and well and earned an hon- orable record as a soldier. He was honoraljly discharged at Washington. D. C, on Noxember 9, 1864, and returned home. In October, 1866, Mr. Bone came to Isabella county and spent the greater part of the ensuing six years in Broomfield township. He drove a team for some time and did any other kind of labor to which he could turn his hands and later worked on the Muskegon river, and for seven or eight winter seasons was employed in \-arious lumber camps, in the meantime assisting in the construction of a state road. About 1885 he homesteaded eighty acres in Coldwater township, which he cleared and improved in due time and on which he still lives, the meanwhile adding to his holdings at intervals until he now owns three fine farms of eighty acres each, all in a high state of cultivation and well improved. As a farmer Mr. Bone is energetic and progressive, ranking among the most successful men of his calling in the county, and he also stands high as an intelligent and public-spirited citizen. He manifests a commendable in- terest in e\erything that tends to advance the community along material lines lends his influence to all laudable measures for the general welfare, and in private life, as in his relations with his fellow men. his integrity has never been questioned nor his character impeached. He is a member of the Grand ISABfl.LA COUNTV. MICIIIC.AX. 535 Ainiv (if tlie l\e|)ul)lic. Post i6, at Everett, Michigan, in whicli he lias held every office within the gift of the organization, besides taking a leading part in the general deliljerations of the body. He is also an Odd Fellow, a mem- ber of the Grange and his name likewise adorns the records of the Sons of Veterans, in all tif which he is a zealous and influential menil)er. Mr. Bone's wife was formerly Minerva Powell, of .\thens county. Oiiio. She has borne him the following children : Patrick, who married Rose Beecher and lives in Coldwater township: Mary, now Mrs. William X'alentine, lives in Osceola county, Michigan; Empson lives in Coldwater t(jwnshi[). his wife prior to her marriage having been Maud HufTman :' Louise is unmarried and at home: John is also a meml)er of the home circle, and Maud, wife of Frank Holmes, lives in the town of Clare, this state. GILBERT JOHXSOX. F'or a number of years the subject of this sketch has ranked among the leading citizens of Isabella county and in the township of his residence he occupies a place second in importance to none of his contemporaries. Xo other resident of the community has been so actively identified with its devel- opment and progress, and none has so indelibly impressed his personality upon the minds of the people or exercised so potent an inriuence in directing and controlling public afifairs. Gilbert Johnson, lumberman, farmer and business man. was Ixirn in Xew York in 1S45 and spent his early life in his native state. In 1870 he went to East Saginaw, Michigan, where he engaged in lum- bering, and during the ensuing six years did well in that city, besides acquir- ing considerable reputation as a discreet and highly honorable business man. Disposing of his interests in East Saginaw in 1876, he came to Isabella county and. in i)artncrshi]) with his brother and Mr. Pettibonc. |)urchased fifteen hundred acres of land in Coldwater township, upon which during tJic ten years following they cut the timber and did an extensive and \er\- lucrative lumber business there and elsewhere. At the expiration of the time indicated, Mr. Johnson discontinued lum- bering to engage in merchandising with his brother, the two opening a gen- eral grocery store at what is now Sherman City, which they conducted as, partners until the .subject purchased his brother's intere.st, after which he ran the establishment with encouraging success until 1903, when he sold his stock, and retired from business. He is still one of the largest owners of real estate 536 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. in the county, his holdings in the township of Sherman and Coldwater amounting to over seven hundred acres, two hundred and forty of which are in cultivation. The improved land, which is largely devoted to the raising of hay, he rents to other parties and since the illness of his wife, who is now a confirmed in\-alid. he has been gradually winding up his business interests, with the object in view of permanently discontinuing all participation in active life. Mr. Johnson has long been prominent as a local politician and, as a Republican leader in Isabella county, has made his influence felt in making platforms and formulating and directing the policies of his part}' in this part of the state. He has been a delegate to several district and state conventions. where his judicious counsel and leadership have had weight and his judgment, which is frequently consulted in local affairs, has seldom been at fault. He is a widely known and deservedly popular citizen, prominent in all ma'ters hav- ing for their object the material advancement of his township and county, and in his immediate community no man is more highly esteemed or enjoys in greater degree the confidence of his neighbors and fellow citizens. He was formerly an active and influential member of the Masonic fraternity, but of recent years has taken but little part in the deliberations of the order, al- though manifesting its principles in his relations with others, as well as in his daily life and conduct. Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Clara Dotson, a lady of marked personality and, like himself, possessing many sterling qualities of mind and heart. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have no children, but shortly after their marriage they adopted a young orphan girl whom they raised as their own daughter, and who is now the wife of E. Cameron, a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere in these pages. They also opened their hearts and home to an adopted son, Willonby Knapp, who remained with them until his twenty- first year, when he engaged in the drug business at Saginaw, where he is now the head of one of the leading establishments of the kind in the city and doing well. OREN W. JOHNSON. The gentleman of whom the biographer writes in this connection is one of the oldest citizens of Isabella county, there having been fewer than thirty permanent settlers here when he arrived, forty-eight vears ago. He has seen the country developed from a wilderness into one of the most pros- perous counties of the state and to the extent of his abilitv has contributed to ISABELLA COl-XTV. MICHIGAN. 537 bring about conditions tbat now obtain. Oren Johnson is a native of Pennsyl- vania and oldest in a family of six children whose parents were Lewis and Elizabeth Johnson. The father was born at Pine Hill, New York, the mother in Crawford county. Pennsylvania, their deaths occurring in the years 1872 and 1867 respectively. The following are the names of tlie cliildien l)orn to this couple: Sarah, who married Steven Humphrey, both deceased; George H. lives in Oakland county. Michigan; Nancy, wife of Maffot McGinis, of Mackinac, this state; Mahala married G. Goodman and lives in Crawford county, Pennsylvania; James Lewis, a resident of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Oren W'.. of this review. Oren W. Johnson was born March j8. 1835, in Crawford county. Pennsylvania, and when fifteen months old was taken to Michigan, the family making the journey to this state principally by water and landing at Detroit. Leaving his wife and children in a little log hotel in that city the father w^ent to Oakland where he procured a yoke of oxen and. returning after an absence of two weeks, moved his family to the latter place. The subject grew to maturity in Oakland county and remained in that part of the state until about the year 1862, when he came to Isabella county, which has since been his home. As already indicated, there were but few settlers in the county when he arrived and for some years he ex[)erienced tlie usual vicissitudes incident to pioneer life. With the sum of three hundred and fifty-eight dollars he bought forty acres of land in Chippewa township, where he now lives, a condition of the deal being the support of the owner of the land for a period of years in addition to the purchase price. This provision was faithfully carried out. Mr. Johnson in the meantime bending his energies to the improve- ment of the place besides manifesting a lively interest in the settlement of his part of the county and the development of its resources. On .\])ril 8. 1865. he responded to one of the last calls for volunteers to help put down the Re- bellion, but the war ending within a short time, he saw no acti\e service, re- ceiving his discharge at Nashville. Tennessee, the same year, after which he returned home and resumed his labors as a tiller of the soil. Mr. Johnson has a fine farm in excellent condition and the improvements, which are first class and in gocKl condition, are among the best in the town- ship. The dwelling is commodious and comfortable, the large barn, forty by seventy feet in area and equipped with all the means devised by modern ingenuity- to lighten Ial>ir. compares favorably with any other structure of the kind in the community, the other improvements, including two large sheds, a wind mill, several outbuildings, fences, drainage, etc.. adding very 5^8 ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. materially to the \-alue of the farrtii which is conceded to be one of the best of its size in Isabella county. Mr. Johnson believes in progress and, by cul- tivating the soil according to modern methods, seldom fails to realize abund- ant returns from the time and labor expended on his fields. Being in com- fortable circumstances, with ample means for the future, he is no longer obliged to labor as diligently as in former years ; nevertheless, he dislikes to be idle, hence makes the most of his time, gives personal attention to his affairs and in the main is one of the busy men of his neighborhood, as well as one of the most contented. Mr. Johnson is Republican in politics, a Baptist in religion and a mem- ber of the Grand .Army of the Republic post at Mt. Pleasant. He is a devout Christian and a faithful worker in the local church which holds his mem- bership and' among his neighbors and fellow citizens he is held in high esteem on account of his many estimable qualities. Mr. Johnson was married September 27, 1868. to Sarah Staggers, a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, but who for many _\ears had been living in Isabella county, Michigan. The union was blessed with two daugh- ters : Rena M.. who, in Februar}-, 1891, l>ecame the wife of Franklin B. Ripley, and Libbie E., who died February 19, 1890, being the older of the two. ROBERT NEELANDS. The gentleman whose name introduces this article is a citizen of the United States by adoption, being a nati\e of Peel county, Ontario, where he was born in the year 1833. He was reared to maturity near the place of his birth, received his educational training in the public schools and grew to manhood in close touch with nature on the farm. His early experiences included the usual routine of labor in the fields and on arriving at the age tfjjjua,ke a choice of a vocation he, selected agriculture as the one best suited to his tastes and inclinations. Mr. Neelands followed his chosen calling in the land |Of his birth until forty-three years of age, when he disposed of his interests there and in 1877 came to Isabella county. Michigan, and purchased one hundred acres of unimproved land in section 10, Isabella township, which in due time he cleared and put in condition for tillage. He made all of his first im'pro\-e-. ments with his own hands and that, too. with a common chopping ax. and for several years he experienced the various \icissitu(les which usualh- at- ISABI-LLA COUXTV. MICHIGAN. 539 tend settlers in a new coiintrv, to say nothing of lirirdsliips wiiicli doubtless would have discouraged one of less faitli and energy. By diligent applica- tion, however, he finally overcame such obstacles as were calculated to deter and dishearten and in liic course of a few years the results of his well tli- rected labors became apparent in tlie fine farm and substantia! inipnixenients which he now owns and on which lie is living a prosperous and contenteil life, surrounded l)y tiie many material blessings wiiich contribute to his comfort and ease Mr. Xeelands' present dwelling, a substantial and commodious brick edifice fully supplied with modern conxeniences, was erected in 1903 and the Iiarn, a forty-four by sixty-six feet in size, was built fourteen years prior to that date. Neither pains nor expense ha\e been spared in other improve- ments such as wire fencing, of which there are now three hundred and forty rods of the latest pattern, while the close attention given to the soil has greatly enhanced its productiveness, the farm at this time ranlN-ing among the best in Isabella township and affording a home in wliich few comforts and conveniences are lacking. Mr. Neelands is a Republican on state and national issues, but in local matters votes for the best c|ualified candidates irrespective of party affiliations. He has a firm and abiding faith in the Christian religion and for a number of years has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, in which he is now serving as class leader, iiaving formerly been one of the trustees. His domestic life, which was a happy one, dates from the year 1874, when he was united in marriage with Margaret Caesar, whose birth occurred in Peel county. Ontario, in 1840, the union being ter- minated by her death in the year 1900. Three children were l)orn to Mr. and Mrs. Neelands. namely: Leuella G., James E. and Ollie, ail living under the jjarental roof and with their father constituting a mutually happy and contented household. THOMAS A. McGregor. The history of Isaljella county is not an ancient one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness in the last centur)- and reaching its magnitude of today without other aids tiian those of a continued industr}'. After all, the history of any locality is but a record of tlie doings of its people. The story of the plain, common people who con- stitute the moral bone and sinew of the countn- should ever attract the at- 540 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. tention and prove of interest to all true lovers of their kind. In the life ston,' of Thomas A. McGregor there are no striking chapters or startling in- cidents, it being merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals, and be- cause of which fact it has become a potent element in the life of the community, he being well and favorably known in Isabella county where he maintains a pleasant and attractive home and works an excellent farm. Mr. McGregor was born on November 3, 1859, in Ontario, Canada. He is the son of Robert and Isabella (Elliott) McGregor, the father born in Scotland, from which country he emigrated to Canada in an early day and ran a stage route, and there he met and married his wife. Two children were born to them, Thomas A., of this review, and Robert, who is living in Fen- ton township, Genesee county ; he married a Miss Burr. When the sub- ject was a child his father went into the Union army as first lieutenant of the Twenty-second Ohio Volunteers, and he never returned, no one knowing whether he was killed, lost or captured. The mother married again, her second husband being John F. Skyring, in Canada, and four children were born to them: Charles: Frank, of Lansing, Michigan: Belle and Emma; the first named and the two daughters all reside in the state of Washington. Mr. Skyring died in 1900 at Loomis. Thomas A. McGregor remained in his native community two years, then was taken to Cleveland, Ohio, where his step-father was engaged as a bookkeeper, and there Thomas A. attended school. From Cleveland the family moved to Loomis, Wise township, Isabella county, and here Mr. Sky- ring engaged in the mercantile business, keeping a general store, and bought property there. Thomas A. continued to go to school after coming here, the step- father maintaining his store five years. The countr\' was then wild; there were no roads and not many houses dotted the almost interminable expanse of woods, and there was but one mill for miles around. From there Mr. McGregor went to Fenton township, Genesee county, and worked on a farm for seven years. When twenty-one years of age he went to South Dakota where he remained one summer working at farm work, then re- turned to Loomis, Michigan, for one year, working on the Pere Marquette railroad. On July 28, 1882, Mr. McGregor was married, while living in Loomis. to Lucinda Fish, daughter of David and Prudence (Havens) Fish. She was born on April 3, 1859, in Ontario, Canada, and moved to Isabella county with her parents and here met Mr. McGregor, in Loomis. One child was born to them, a daughter who died in infancy. After his marriage Mr. McGregor moved to Fenton township. Genesee ISABELLA COrNTV. MICHIGAN. 34 1 county, wliere he rented and worked a farm for tliree years, being fairly successful and laid by a competency. He then moved to Loomis and worked on the Pere Marquette railroad for a year, as a member of the section gang He moved onto his present place of sixty-five acres in 1886. buying the same from William Brown of Mt. Pleasant. Mr. McGregor cleared this farm and it is all now under cultivation. He has placed substantial and excellent improvements on it, including a barn thirty-si.x by eighty-six feet, and a house twenty-five by thirty-two feet, the latter of cobble stones, in iqot). It is a most attractive dwelling, beautiful in every appointment and in the midst of nice surroundings. His cottage is one of the most substantial and de- sirable homes in the vicinity. He formerly had a frame dwelling. He also has one of the best dug wells in the community. He is a member of the Grange, and politically he is a Democrat. He was a highway commissioner for seven years, and township clerk for three years, also sened as justice of the peace for three years. He has always been much interested in school work and for nine years has been inoderator of his school district. Was re-elected township clerk in 191 1. Is also in- terested in the Farmers' telephone line, helping build sixteen miles of tele- phone line connected with the Michigan .State Company at Ro.sebush. In all these positions he discharged his duties in a most worthy manner and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is a member and liberal sup- porter of the Methodist Episcopal church in Denver township. THOM.VS WOOD. Among the well known citizens and successful farmers of Gilmore town- ship, Isaljella county, is Thomas \\'ood, who has lived to witness great changes since coming here. Towns and villages have sprung up and fertile farms have been developed from the wilderness and the swamp, and marked progress has been made along educational, social and moral lines. W^hat has been accomplished for the substantial benefit and material improvement of the county has been of much interest to Mr. Wood, and the active co-o]>eration which he has given to measures for the general good is worthy of notice in the reckoning of what has been accomplished here. For he has always stood ready to do his full share in general development, and his life has been such as to command the respect of his fellow citizens, honest and ever busv. 54- ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. Mr. Wood is a descendant of a sterling old Pennsylvania family, he himself having been born in the old Keystone state, the date of his advent being recorded as November 17, i860, and the place as Greene county. He is the son of Jesse H. and ]\Iartha (Leonard) Wood, the father born in Pennsylvania in December. 1838, and the mother in that state in 1842. They were the parents of the following children : Thomas, of this review : Walter died March 6. 1910; Hiram lives in Gilmore township, this county. Hannah, Edward, and Henry are also living in Gilmore township, Isabella county ; Effie lives in Shepherd. Michigan; Jesse lives in California. Thomas Wood was brought by his parents from Greene county, Penn- sylvania, to Coe township. Isabella county. Michigan, when he was five years of age. remaining there about four years. Then his father moved to sec- tion 34, Gilmore township, and homesteaded a farm of eighty acres, which his son, Thomas, helped clear and improve, remaining there until he was twenty-one years of age. He then bought his present place of eighty acres, for which he paid six hundred and forty dollars. It was first growth timber land and had no buildings cr other inip(^rtant improvements on it. but Mr. Wood was always a hard worker and he soon had the place under a high state of improvement, which he has continued to develop, and it is now well worth the sum of eight thousand dollars. He cleared the entire tract and built a substantial and cozy home, two stories, sixteen by twenty-six feet, and lived there until three years ago. He now owns one hundred and fifty acres, one hundred and ten acres in one tract and forty acres nearby ; besides his eighty acres, which is under a high state of cultivation, the land is mostly in pasture and not cleared to a great extent. His eighty acres are well drained, having on it seven hundred yards of tile, and other tile is being laid. He makes cement tile for others. He erected a substantial cement block house in 1907. in two parts, each sixteen by twenty-six feet, one and one-half stories, and has a splendid cellar. In 1906 he built a convenient and substantial barn, forty-four by sixty-four feet, with a basement. His place is well fenced and improved in an up-to-date manner. He has been very successful as a farmer, having started in with nothing, and he has made what he has unaided. He has a small orchard of fine fruit, and his entire place presents a splendid appearance, showing that a gentleman of excellent tastes and good judgment has its management in hand. He is a general farmer and stock raiser. He is familiar with pioneer life in all of its trials and vicissitudes, having worked in the woods ten or tweh-e winters upon coming to this county. PolitiCfilly Mr. Wood is a Republican. Although he has never sought iSAni-;i.LA corxTV. m hi new. 543 offices and cares little for them, he has held a iiumher of niin.ir local ottices, but always in a very faithful manner. He is inlluential in the ciininninity and has a host of friends wherever he is known. Mr. Wood Was married May 9, 1887, to Mary E. Mount, daughter of Benjamin P. and Adeline' (Kiella county and set up their domestic establishment in the month and year indicated alx)ve. Mr. Crotser at once l)egaii imjirov- ing his land and in due time had the greater part under cultivation. Sub.se- quently he increased his realty by the purchase of an adjoining forty acres, which, under his effective labors and judicious management, has also been improved and made productive, the farm, which now contains eighty acres, ranking among the best farms of its size not only in the township, but in the countv. 556 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Mr. and Mrs. Crotser have labored to good advantage in the making of a home and they take a pardonable pride in the result of their efforts. A beautiful and imposing brick dwelling, seventeen by twenty feet, upright, sixteen by eighteen feet in the wing, and containing eight commodious rooms, was erected in 1896 and is one of the most substantial and comfortable country residences in the county. A large barn, forty by sixty feet, was erected in 1893, these with the usual outbuildings, good fencing and ample tile di'ainage, adding much to the appearance and value of the place and making it a home creditable alike to the owners and to the locality in which it is situated. Mr. Crotser has been prosperous as a tiller of the soil and from the beginning until now his career presents a series of successes and advancements which prove him a man of progressive ideas and a master of his calling. In all of his efforts he has been heartily seconded iw his wife who has proven a helpmeet indeed and worthy to bear the name which she has long honored. Both are highly esteemed members of the social circles in which they move, and all enterprises and measures for the good of the community and the moral betterment of those with whom they mingle are sure to enlist their co-operation and support. Owing to her illness, which occurred while the farm was being developed, it was found necessary for Mrs. Crotser to seek a more healthful locality, accordingly she was moved to a distant locality where she remained three years, returning at the end of that time with bodily powers fully restored. During the period indicated Mr. Crotser fell considerably in arrears with his work, which with the necessary expenses incurred threw him somewhat behind financially, ne\-ertheless the end justified the means, as the continued good health of Mrs. Crotser ever since abundantly attests. Mr. Crotser was one of the first farmers in Isabella township to intro- duce the sugar beet into this part of the state and for a period of fifteen years he gave constant attention to its culture, being influential in inducing others to engage in this branch of farming. The industry proved quite re- munerative and he still devotes a portion of his land to the raising of these vegetables, which promise ere long to become one of the country's most im- portant crops. He also raises li\e stock of the better breeds, his horses, cattle, sheep and hogs ranking among the best in the township and yielding him every year a handsome profit on the capital thus invested. Politically he votes the Republican ticket and religiously holds to the Baptist church, to which his wife also belongs, both being active and influential cliurch workers and deeply interested in all legitimate means for the spiritual good of the community in which they reside. ISABELLA COrXTV. MICHIGAN. 557 A number of years ago, when there was no Baptist organization in Isabella township, Mr. and Mrs. Crotser united with the Presbyterian so- ciety which met for worship in the government .schoolhouse alx:)Ut two miles from their home. Tliey took a leading ])art in the services until a Bapti.sl churcli was established, wiien tiicy jciincil tlu' latter and have ever since been faithful and devoted members. They contriinited liberally of their time and means toward the erection of the house of worshi]) in 1908. and at this time Mr. Crotser holds various official positions in the organization, his wife being one of the most efficient teachers in the Sunday schnol and a leader in the Ladies Aid Society. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Crotser consists of two children, Clarence and Floyd. The former was born January 6, 1880, received a high school education in Mt. Pleasant and now owns forty acres of land in Chippewa township, this county, though still living with his parents; Floyd, whose birth occurred on the i8th of June, 1893, bnisbed the common school course and is now pursuing his studies in the Mt. Pleasant high school where he lias made an honorable record as an industrious and critical student. David Kindy, father of Mrs. Crotser, was born in Canada in the year 183 1, and when a young man married Flizabeth Cult, a native of Medina county, Ohio, where her birth occurred in 1838. The latter died in 11)04: the former, who survived her, is now living in Kalamazoo county, Michigan. Mrs. Crotser was born in Medina county, Ohio, in i860, and when one year old was taken to Kalamazoo county, where she grew to womanhood and married. I. W. KELLFK. To a great extent tiie ])rosperity of the agricultural sections of our coun- try is due to the honest industry, the sturdy persistence, the unswerving ])er- severance and wise economy which so prominently characterize the farming element in the Wolverine state. Among this class may l)e mentioned J. W. Keller, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only actpiired a well-merited material ])rosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he has associated, and he is re- garded as one of the leading agriculturists of Denver township, Isabella county. Mr. Keller was lx)rn in Huron county. Ontario, Canada, February 5, 186^. He is the son o( Michael Keller, who was born in i8j8 in Germnnv 558 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. and who emigrated to New York city in 1848. He drifted tlirough several Eastern states, finally reaching as far west as Louisville, Kentucky, thence back to Ontario, where he settled on a farm and was married to Eliza Hol- man in 1861, at Exeter, Huron county, Ontario. They remained there until the spring of 1880, when he came to Michigan and bought one hundred and twenty acres which is now divided among his three sons and being part of their homes. The older Keller put up a small log house on his land here, then returned to Ontario for his family, moving to Michigan the following fall, and he lived on this place the rest of his life, dying in 1894. He was an honest, hard-working man, highly respected in his community and who pro- vided well for his family and was kind to all, withholding charity from none in need of same. The mother is now living with her children. Thev reared a large family, named as follows: Martin lives at Stevenson Lake, Michigan: John, of this review ; Jennie, who married Robert Ervine, of Coleman, Michi- gan ; Eliza married J. H. Trip and lives in Kalkaska, Alichigan: Mary mar- ried Delbert Morris, of Chicago, where they still make their home : Michael lives on the old home place in Denver township : George R. is living on a part of the old homestead : W. Joseph is living in Toledo, Ohio ; Esther died in the spring of 1909; Eleanor married and is living in Mexico. J. W. Keller was fifteen years old when his father moved to Michigan. He went to school in Canada and assisted his father in his farm work. He worked at home for five years after coming to this state, and when he reached his majority he went to Minnesota and the Dakotas to see the country, spend- ing over a year there engaged in carpentering, then returned home, where he remained until 1888, working on the home place and at carpentering in that \-icinity. In 1888 he went to Oregon and followed his trade and worked also as a millwright, remaining there until the summer of 1890. He made good money there considering the length of time he was engaged. The father be- came seriously ill and he was summoned home. The following fall he was married to Mary Rolfe, daughter of B. H. and Emily Rolfe, who was born on July 27,, 1869, in Ingham county, Michigan. Her parents moved to Isa- bella county when she was young and her marriage occurred in Denver town- ship at her home. His father gave them forty acres of wild land and they moved on it and improved it. Two children were born to this union. E. Irene, who is a graduate from the Central Michigan Normal, and Gladys M., both at home. Mr. Keller is now the owner of one hundred and forty acres of land, forty acres being bought in 1889 and the other twenty in 1902, also a fine dwelling property in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He built all the build- ings on the place, including an excellent, large and attracti\e dwelling and KSAHKLl.A COL'NTV. MICHIGAN. 359 two spleiuliil Ijanis. tlic latter one in 1906. Being a carpenter of niiirli >\<'\\\ lie erected his own l)ni]ilin.L;>. lie was conipelletl to clear his land of hea\y timber and to stnnip it. He lias jilaced many substantial improvements on the place, inchiding many ontbiiildinj^s. He carries on general farming and stock raising, keeping large nuniliers of Durham cattle and a fine drove of hogs, also some good horses. While he does not mingle much in political affairs, he is always inter- ested in the affairs of the township, county and state, and has held several of the local ofifices, such as justice of the peace, which office he is now holding; he has for years held the office of super\isor and countv cainasser and high- way commissioner, and also has held .school offices. lie belongs to the I'ap- tist church, the Independent Order of Old Fellows at Rosebush and Mt. Pleasant and has held some of the chairs in the same. He has been a mem- ber of the Grange for several years and with the exception of one year has always held the office of master, and while a member of the Gleaners he was a chief for four years. Politically he is a Republican. Having lived here the major part of his life and been more or less active in public affairs, he is well and favorably known throughout the county and is well liked by evervbodv. GEORGE T. CLARK. The subject of this sketch is a native of England, born in Gloucester- shire on the 3d day of May, 1856. He remained in the land of his birth until fourteen years of age, at which time he accompanied his parents to Oxford county, Ontario, where he grew to young manhood and acquired a fair education in the public schools. When twenty years old he moved with the family to Ionia comity, this state, and after remaining one year in that part of Michigan, came in the fall of 1876 to Isabella county and diuMug the ensuing ten years lived in the township of Isabella, devoting his attention the meanwhile to farm labor. In 1886 Mr. Clark moved to his present place of residence in section 30 of the above township, the eighty acres which he then purchased being all wooded antl requiring much hard work to clear and fit for cultivation. He helped cut roads through the forests, assisted in mak- ing various other public improvements and did his full share in developing the section of the country in which he lives and making it one of the finest agricultural districts in the township. In the course of a few years he had the greater part of his land cleared and in cultivation, besides adding to his 560 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. original purchase from time to time until his real estate now amounts to two hundred acres of fine land, on which are some of the best improvements in the locality. Mr. Clark has made all the improvements on his farm and. as already indicated above, he now has a beautiful and attractive country home and is well situated so far as material prosperity is concerned. By industry and good management he has succeeded in accumulating a sufficiency of this world's goods to place him in independent circumstances, being one of the leading farmers of his township and a public-spirited citizen who manifests commendable interest in all measures having for their object the social ad- vancement of the community and the moral good of his fellow men. \\'hile well informed on the leading public questions of the times and the issues concerning which men aixl parties divide, he is not a politician, though on state and national affairs he generally votes with the Republican party, being independent in local matters. Religiously, he w^as reared in the church of England and still adheres to the Episcopal faith, though liberal in his views and ready to accord to every man the same right of pri\-ate judgment wliich he claims for himself. The presiding spirit in Mr. Clark's home is the lady of intelligence and gentle presence who bears his name and who previous to her marriage was Mary Stutter of Gloucestershire, England. Their family circle is composed of eleven children, whose names are as follows: Jesse, Frank. Mabel, Albert, Emma, Jennie, Ina, Gladys, Thomas, Charles and Rosilie, a son, George, who was the first in the order of birth, Ijeing deceased. HON. JOHX W. HAXCE. The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and incentives to those whose careers are yet to be achieved. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and consecutive endeavor strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. The gentleman whose life history is herewith brieflv set forth is a conspicuous example of one who has lived to good purpose and achieved a definite degree of success in the various spheres to which his talents and energies have been devoted. Mr. Hance being widely known in this section of Michigan as a citizen of high rank, a public spirited man who has ever manifested a willingness to serve his fellow men, a man who made a most commendable record as state senator, and at present the postmaster at Mt. HON. JOHN W. HANCE ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 561 Pleasant. ha\ iiig long maintained his home in Isabella county, whose interests he has ever sought to promote in every way possil>le and which he evidently has at heart. He is known as a man of unshrinking integrity, rigid honesty, technical in his dctinitions of morality, unbending in his fidelity to them, championing the right witli zeal and cntluisiasm. Mr. Ilance, who is tlie scion of a sterling old pioneer family, was born on .\ugust 2. 1848. in Marengo. Morrow county, Ohio, lie is of German descent, his ancestors Quakers, having emigrated to the state of New Jersey in an early day. He is the son of Adam Hance. who was born in Knox county. Ohio, and Mary A. (Morrison) Hance who also was born in Ohio, of Welsh ancestry. In 1863 the family came to Isabella county, Michigan, and engaged in farming. John W. Hance of this review was the third son. The father and ])atenial grandfather were loyal to the Union cause and assisted in the work of tile "underground railroad." helping many a slave to rcacli free soil and freedom. .Mr. Hance recei\ed a good education and began life as a school teacher, which profession he followed with much success for a period of six years. In January. 1873. he became de])uty county clerk and register of deeds under Joel C. (iraves, whom he met by cliance and who at once said to him: "I recently dreamed that you were my deputy in office, and I now api)iiint \ou to that place." Mr. Hance accepted. Mr. Graves served two years and then Hance was elected and Graves was with Hance. In 1882, having long mani- fested an abiding interest in ])ublic affairs, he was elected state senator for his district, which included Isabella, Gratiot. Midland and Clare counties. He made a commendable record in this important office. He was chairman of the committee on state iniblic sch.ools, a meml)er of the committee on canals, rivers and harbor improvements, also banks and corporations and federal relations. Mr. Hance came to Mt. Pleasant in January. 1875. He was for a num- Wy of venrs interested in the real estate business, also in lumbering. He has been fairly successful in whatever he has turned his attention to, and is now the owner of a well improved and valuable farm adjoining the city. He lives on this place, having a large, modern and attractive home. In 18S3. in i)art- nership with Michael Devereaux, be erected a large brick block, in connection with many enter])riscs. He is a business man of keen discenunent and sound judgment. Mr. I lance was married on May J4. 1889, to Sarah C. Marshall, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. W. J. Corbus. a fine old family of this county. This union has l)een without issue. (36) 562 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.. ]\Ir. Hance was appointed postmaster at Mt. Pleasant on Feljruary 13, 1902. This is a second-class office and Mr. Hance is now serving his third term. He has given entire satisfaction both to the department and to the citizens here, being faithful to duty at all times. He has two commissions from Roosevelt and one from Taft. Although the office takes much of his time, he is still engaged in tlie real estate and loan business with Mr. Devereaux. MICHAEL DUGGAN. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of six children whose parents, Edmond and Margaret (Qwin) Duggan. were natives of Ireland. The • father was reared in his native island and. when about thirty-five years of age, came to the United States and settled in New York, where he remained a few years and then went to Ypsilanti, Michigan. Later he moved to Isabella county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land in section 36, Lincoln township, on which he built a log house, pur- chased a yoke of oxen and began clearing the farm. Two years later, about 1857, his marriage with Margaret Qwin was solemnized. With the aid of his sons, he subsequently cleared and converted the land into a good farm. He spent the remainder of his life on this place and at his death, in the year 1899, it was willed to his si.x children, seventy acres falling to the subject, who afterwards purchased the entire tract, less thirty-six acres. Michael Duggan was born on the family homestead in Lincoln town- ship, Isabella county, October 20, 1859, and received a common school educa- tion. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and early in life formed the habits of industry and thrift, which made him a valuable assistant to his father and later enabled him to lay broad and deep the foundation of his own success as a tiller of the soil. Inheriting a part of the estate at his father's death, as indicated above, he proceeded at once to improve his land, which in due time was brought to a high state of cultivation and later, by pur- chasing his brother's and sister's interests, his farm was enlarged to its present area of one hundred and twenty-four acres, nearly all susceptible to tillage and well improved. Mr. Duggan's career as a farmer has been satisfactory in every respect. He has succeeded admirably and is now one of the well-to-do men of his township, with a comfortable and attractive home and a sufficiency of material wealth to make him independent. He has improved his farm with good buildings, fences, drainage, etc., and with ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 563 all the modern accessories of agriculture at hand, he makes his laliors re- munerative and adds every year to tlie ample competency which he has accuiinilated. Mr. Duggan has ever manifested a lively interest in the development and prosperity of his township and in point of continuous residence he is now one of its oldest and most highly esteemed citizens. He enjoys to a marked degree the confidence of his fellow men and l)y a life singularly free from faults his influence has always made for the good of those with whom he has mingled. From time to time he has been honored with various local ofHces. in which, as in his relations with his fellow citizens, his integrity was never impeached nor his veracity questioned. In politics he supports the Democratic party and takes an active part in promoting its success; he be- longs to the organization of Gleaners at Summerton and is a loyal and devout member of the Catholic church. Mr. Duggan, in the month of October, iSgo, was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with llannah O'Brien, who has borne him the following children: Edmund. Paul, .\rthur, Marie. Bernice and Beatrice, the two last twins. WILBUR N. PIERPONT. Holding worthy prestige as a citizen and distinctively one of the leading farmers of the township in which he resides, the subject of this re\iew occu- pies an im])ortant place among the representative meii of Lsabella county and it is with much satisfaction that the biographer presents in this connection the following outline of his career and a modest trilnite to his worth. Wilbur X. Pierpont is a native of Livingston county. New York, born in the town of Lima, September 28. 1865. \\'hen eight years old he was taken by bis parents to Owos.so. Michigan, where he grew to maturity in close touch with the soil and until attaining his maiority worked at farm labor in the summer time and during the winter months he attended the district schools, also the high school at Owosso, graduating in 1885. Reareella' county 568 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. and assisted his father to clear and improve the farm in Fremont township, to which reference is made in a preceding paragraph. Leaving tlie parental roof a few months later, he homesteaded his present farm in section 21, consisting of eight}' acres, to the improvement of which he at once addressed himself and which under his effective labors and judicious management was in due season cleared and reduced to cultivation. While thus engaged he en- dured many vicissitudes and hardships not a few. among others being the high prices at which groceries and other necessities sold, flour at one time conimantling as much as twenty-five dollars per barrel, the barrels having to be rolled through the woods to the houses where ordered. With the passing years success attended the efforts of Mr. Moor and it was not long until he was comfortably situated, with bright prospects for the future. By energetic and continuous toil, he succeeded in bringing his land to a high state of tillage and later increased its value by a number of substantial improvements, including a fine modern brick residence erected in 1906, also a good barn and outbuildings, besides a large amount of fencing. He now has one of the best farms and among the most attractive and desirable homes in the township and is certainly well situated to enjoy the many material bless- ings by which he is surrounded. Beginning life in the woods, with no means worthy of mention and no help from influential friends, he has with his own strong amis, backed by a determined purpose, carved out a comfortable com- petency, his farm being conservatively estimated at six thousand five hundred dollars, to say nothing of valuable live stock, machinery', implements, etc.. and a surplus capital which insures his future against the proverbial "rainy day." Mr. Moore served his township twenty terms as treasurer and proved a most capable and faithful official, besides holding for one year the position of road commissioner. He has been active in political circles and is one of the leading Democrats of Fremont township, still wielding a strong influence for his party, keeping in touch with the leading cjuestions and issues of the day and abreast of the times on all matters in which the public is interested. On November 5, 1865, he was united in marriage with Ellen Callwell, whose birth occurred November 12, 1845, in Putnam county, Ohio, being a daughter of David and Eve (Ferine) Callwell, natives of that state, the father born in 1823 and the mother in 1825. These parents spent nearly, if not all, their lives in Ohio and died there in the year 1884 and 1846, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Moor have reared a large family, fourteen children in all, whose names are as follows: William, born October 17. 1866, is deceased, being survived by a widow who prior to her marriage was Issa Estella ; Melissa, born August 16, 1868, is the wife of Joe Rundell and lives in Owosso, ISABELLA COL'NTY, MICHIGAN. 569 this state: Rol^ert was born November 7. 1870, and lives at Hen in. .Mi)ntana. his wife iiaving formerly been .\niv Rol)€rts; Letitia, l)i>rn i'Vliruary J2. 1871. married Enoch Smith and resides at P)ig Rapitis. Michigan; Jolin, whose birth occurred on November 13, 1873, married Emma Vicory and is a farmer of Fremont township: Charles, who married Nellie Delo and who is also a resident of Fremont townshi]). was horn May 2~. 1875; Anna. l)orn January 13, 1877, is the wife of Earl Jordan, of Detroit: Mary, now Mrs. Walter Hardy, was born August 25, 1878, and lives in Big Rapids: Emmet. Ixun February 2, 1880, works on an ore steamer plying the Great Lakes, but makes his home with his parents; Lottie, wife of Norm Mathews, was born January 28, 1881, and lives in the city of Big Rapids; Stella, born January 18. 1884, married Minor Walton and lives in Mt. Pleasant ; George A. C. was born Manh 6. i88f^). and is also married, his wife iia\ing formerly been I-'dith Con- rad; (irace. born Octolier 17. 1887, is deceased : Edward, whose birth occurrerl on April 23. 1891. is unmarried and a memljer of the home circle. PETER BELTLNCK. As the name suggests, the subject of this sketch is of foreign liirth. his native land being the kingdom of Belgium, where he first saw the light of day on June 8, 1854. He spent his early life near his native town of Ousbeekee, in the schools of which he received a fair educational training and later began earning his livelihood as a tiller of the soil. Mr. I'eltinck labored diligently on a farm, but owing to the small wages wliicii unskilled lalxir in his country commanded he did not succeed in getting anything aiiead, accordingly he decided to cjuit the land of his forefathers and try his fortune in the great American republic beyond the sea. With this object in view, he married, in 1875, the young lady of his choice and the day following the ceremony took ship for his distant destination, being twenty-nine years of age at the time, and with but little means above the price of his and his wife's passage across the water. Immediately after landing. Mr. P.eltinck made his way to Frankfort, Michigan, near which place he spent the first years as a lalxirer for monthly wages, and at the expiration of that time became foreman in a lumber camp, which position he filled during the nine years ensuing. Severing his connec- tion with his employer in 1893. '^^ came to Isabella county and purchase*! eighty acres of woodlaml in Union township, going in debt for the same, as he 570 . ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. was able to save little above bis living from bis wages as a lumberman. Ad- dressing himself to tbe task of improving his land, he labored diligently dur- ing the following years and in due time had a goodly number of acres cleared and in cultivation, besides making \'arious improvements in the way of build- ings, fencing and ditcliing, which added greatly to the productiveness and value of the farm. Without following his career in detail, suffice it to state that in the course of time his land was cleared and otherwise improved and the last dollar of indebtedness paid, and in addition to bis original purchase he has since bought an eighty-six acre tract near by which under his effective labors has also been brought to a successful state of tillage. Mr. Beltinck paid for his first eighty acres the sum of one thousand six hundred and fifty dollars, but with improvements since made it is now worth over six thousand dollars, fur every cent of which he is indebted to his own efforts and thrift. Among tb.e improvements are a fine modern barn forty by fifty feet in dimensions, several outbuildings, which are substantial and in first-class repair. One thousand five hundred rods of eight-inch, one thousand rods of six-inch and four thousand rods of three-inch tiling, making in all si.x thousand five hundred rods of ditching, by means of which a number of acres of very fertile land have been reclaimed and the productiveness of the rest of tbe farm greatly enhanced. Financially, Mr. Beltinck has met with success commensurate with tlie labor and time which he has expended on his lands and he is now among- the well-to-do farmers and substantial citizens of his township and county, living in independent circumstances with sufficient means at bis command to insure a prosperous and "comfortable future. In , connection .with tilling the soil lie gives niuch attention to live stock.. making a specialty of cattle of the Holstein breed, of which superior animals he now has cjuite a number, including a dairy of thirty cows and a fine bull which represents a value of several, hundred dollars. During the last few years he had devoted considerabje attention to the building of high grade cattle and his. reputation in this important branch of farming has made him widely and favorably known among the leading stock men throughout the central part of the state. Mrs. Beltinck, whose maiden name was Leona Adelia Rommel, was born on April 23, 1858, in Belgium, and, as already stated, became the wife of the .subject the day before starting for the United States in 1875. She has borne her husband children, as follows: Florence, wife of Charles Culpert, of To- ledo, Ohio; Ona, who married Mary Allen and has one child, Florence, lives on the home farm, which he helps culti\'ate: Romman is married to Miss ■ Edith Faber and lives on the farm homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Beltinck have ISABELLA COINTV, MICHIGAN. 57I moved In Mt. Pleasant, retired fiMin farniing. lea\iii,<^ tlieir sons in cnnifurlaldc circumstances. I'raternally. Mr. I'eltinck holds membership with I live Xo. 129. Kinghts of the Modern Maccabees, and politically votes with the Demo- cratic party. Himself and wife were reared Catholics and now belong to the church of that order at Mt. Pleasant, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. THOMAS \V. ROBIXSOX. M. D. Prominent in the affairs of IsalicUa county and distinguished as a jjhy- sician and citizen far beyond the limits of the localitv honored bv his resi- dence, the name of Dr. Thnmas W. Robinson stands out cunspicunusly anmng the successful and representative men in his chosen line of endeavor in cen- tral and southern Michigan. Characterized by remarkable breadth of wisdom and strong indixiduality. and in all his undertakings actuated by noble mo- ti\es and high resolves, his success and achievements represent the result of fit utilization of innate talent in directing effort along those lines where mature judgment, professional skill and rare discrimination lead the way. He is a studious man and is tireless in his research in an effort to keep abreast of the times in e\eryt]iing. especially his profession, and as a result of such habits, coupled with bis native tact and gentlemanly attributes, he is held in esteem by all who know him and has the utmost confidence of all classes. Doctor Robinson was born on February i^v ■<'^4i. i" Canada. He is the scion of a sterling ancestry, being the son of Jnhn and Margery ( Mnntcreaf ) Robinson, both nati\es of the state of Xew York, and peoi)le highly respected and induential in their community. They moved to Saginaw. Michigan, when their son, Thomas \\'., was eight years of age. and the\- remained there four years, then, in 1851, the subject went to Iowa and worked chiefly as a teamster until he was twenty-three years of age. Then he returned to Hartings, Peterborough county. Canada, and remained there until 1871. when he came to Saginaw, Michigan, and there he worked as check clerk for the b'lint & Pere Marquette Railroad Company until the fall of 1873. when he located in Loomis, Wise township. Isabella count v. He was interested in the iumiier business at first. In 1880 he liought eight}' acres of land in section 8 and settled there in the s])ring of 1882. and he still runs this place and has been very successful, having develojied an excellent farm. He also has sixty acres in section 4. He has |)laced many valuable and substantial improvements on these farms and thev rank v> ith the best land in the countv. 572 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Doctor Robinson was married on February 25, 1862, at Norwood, Ontario, to Eliza Weston, who was born in England, of an excellent family, on February 22, 1845. Her death occurred on January 18, 1876, at Loomis. This union resulted in the \nx\\\ of the following children: George, who married Miss Davoe, is a veterinary surgeon and lives in Clare, Michigan; Violet married Robert Atkinson, and they live in Niles, Michigan ; Sheldon is single and resides in the state of Washington ; Beverly is married and lives in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. On February 22, 1900, Doctor Robinson mar- ried Mrs. Tellie Webb Walker, of Alma. Michigan. Doctor Robinson had the advantages of a fairly good early schooling and he has since supplemented the same by extensive home reading and study. He took up the study of medicine and has specialized im the eyes and dis- eases of the head and has been very successful, being widely known as a spe- cialist, and he has numerous patients from other states. He always has about ten patients in Loomis and vicinity, where he maintains his office. He is well versed in this line of work and keeps abreast of modern science. He al.so maintains an office at Clare. Michigan, where he goes two or three times a week and where he has numerous patients. He has been health officer of Wise township for the past ten years and has been very faithful in the dis- charge of his duties in this connection. He is a meml>er of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been a notary public for two years, school director for three years and justice of the peace for thirty-four years. He is known to be a very conscientious and able public servant and always discharges his duties to the best of his ability. He has seen this country grow from the wilderness to its present advanced stage of civilization, and he has played well his part in this development. Fraternally, the Doctor is a Mason, and be- longs to the Knights of Honor, Court No. 1772, at Loomis. FRANK M. TAYLOR. The subject of this sketch, a well-known dealer in general merchandise and one of the leading business men of Shepherd, is a nati\-e of Jackson county, Michigan, and a son of John F. and Angeline (Williams) Taylor, the father born in England, the mother in Jackson county, both being now deceased. Frank M. Taylor first saw the light of day July 24, 1865, and spent his child- hood and youth on the home farm in his native township of Hanover, where at the proper age he entered the public schools, which he attended until sufficiently ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 573 advanced in his studies to secure a teacher's license. He remained in the county of liis birtli until alxnit twenty-two years old. when he came to Tsa- jjclla county, where from 1S87 to 1891 he was engaged in teaching, discon- tinuing the profession the latter year to accept a clerkship in a mercantile house at Shepherd. After sjiending two years as a salesman, he engaged in husiness upon his own responsibility and at the expiration of one year he removed his stock from the old building which he first occupied to his present location, where he has since built up one of the largest stores in the town, his stock of general merchandise including dry goods, boots, shoes, hardware, groceries, indeed everything complete and filling the two commodious apart- ments which he finds necessary for the successful prosecution of his business. Mr. Taylor is a self-made man and as such occupies a commanding place among the enterprising merchants of his town and county. Possessing busi- ness ability of a high order, his career from the begimiing has lieen character- ized by continuous success and the influence which he now wields in commer- cial circles may be accepted as an earnest of still greater achievements in the larger sphere of usefulness which he is destined to till in the nn disi;uit future. Public-spirited in the most liberal meaning of the term antl deeply interested in whate\er makes for the material prosperity and sticial achancement of the community, he takes a leading part in all worthy enter[)rises and it is to him and such as he that Shepherd is indebted for the standing which the town enjoys in other parts of the state. In his political allegiance he is a Democrat and as such has filled a large place in the pul>lic eye not only as an inHuential leader of his party but as a capable official in various important positions. He served one year as township clerk, twelve years as town assessor and for a period of nine years was chairman of the local school board, during which time he lal)ored diligently for the cause of education and made the schools of Shepherd compare favorably with those of any other town in the state. In common with the majority of wide-awake enterprising men. he belongs to the ancient and honorable order of Freemasonry, holding membership with Salt River Lodge Xo. 288. and he is also identified with Hive Xo. zyj. Knights of the Maccabees, in both of which societies he has been honored from time to time with important trusts. In the year 1892 Mr. Taylor was hapjjily married to Irene Peterson, whose birth occurred in 1886. being a daughter of Daniel and Susan Peterson and a lady of intelligence who is well worthy to be the wife and helpmeet of the gentleman whi>m she honorec'i,^'m life fur himself on the family homestead, which he has since operated, purchasing his brother's inter- est in the place some years ago and becoming sole owner. He has made a close and critical study of agricultural science, understands the nature and adaptability of soils and by applying his knowledge of practical ends has met with encoin-aging success in his chosen calling, occupying at this time a place in the front rank of Tsal)ella county's representative farmers. Since taking possession of his farm, be has added a number of improvements, including the remodeling of the residence, the erection of a fine barn, forty by eighty-one feet in size, and putting up n:any rods of fencing, besides beautifving the same so that his home is now among the most valuable and desirable in the section of country where it is situated. On October 14, 190J. Mr, Graham entered the marriage relation with Ida Byron, who was Ikihi May 24. i8rand Rapids. On January 13, 1885, while living in Grand Rapids, he was married to Anna Theisen, who was born Dcccmlier 8. 1863. in Germany, the daughter of Nicholas and Kate 'riicisen. She was four years old when her parents brought her to Big Rapids, but she niet Mr. Gruss in (irand Rapids, whither she had later moved. This union has resulted in the birth (if the following children: F.lizabeth. bom September 20. 1888: Emma, born March 9, i8go: Joseph, born April (\ 1891 ; Frederick, born July 31, 1893: Frank, born January 9. 1895: Margaret, born August 6. 1897: Marie, born July 6, 1900. The oldest child, a son. died when one year nld, in the fall of 1886. The alx)ve named children are all single and are living at h(ime. excepting Elizabeth, who was married November 8. 19 10. After his marriage Mr. Gruss li\ed in (Irand Rapids two weeks, moving to his present place on January 28, 1885. He bought eighty acres, for which he paid twelve hundred and fifty dollars. This was timbered land and he ha.s had plenty to do in clearing and de\cloi)ing it, but he has now one of the best impro\ed places in the township, lie has since added to his original purchase as he has prospered, first, fortv acres, later ten acres, all adjoining. .At present he has about fifteen acres in the woods. He has almost every kind of fruit known in this latitude, but none in large ([uantities. He raises a great deal of wheat, which, under his skillful management, axerages a yield of twenty-five bushels per acre. He has built a sulistantial and convenient house, with a good cellar, a large and well arranged barn with a basement, also built tool shed, sheep pen, granary and many other outbuildings and general improvements. He keeps some good stock of various kinds and is a very successful farmer and stock raiser. He uses up-to-date farming implements, has a good wind-mill, and he usually feeds cattle in the winter, selling them in the spring. 588 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ]\Ir. Gruss is a member of the Catholic church at Beal City, was a mem- ber of the church committee three or four years. He was pathmaster for two terms and has held some of the school offices, though he is not an office seeker, caring but little for public positions. Politically he is a Democrat, but he usually votes for the best man. The subject's father, P'eter Gruss, was born in Germany in 1813. He married Elizabeth Weiber. who was born in the same neighborhood in 182^. The father's death occurred in 1905. having survived his wife twenty years, her death having occurred in 1885. They spent their entire lives in Germany Avhere the rest of the subject's relatives reside. WILLIAM H. MOODY. The subject of this Ijrief biographical mention was born May 13, 1838, in Washtenaw county, Michigan, and has spent his life within the limits of his native state. In 1841, when three years old, he was taken to Eaton county by his parents where he grew to maturity amid the invigorating breezes and wholesome discipline of rural life, the meanwhile doing his proportionate share of the farm work, and attending the schools of the locality as oppor- tunities afforded. Reared to habits of industry and early impressed with the idea that idleness is almost equivalent to crime, he reached the age of young manhood with proper conceptions of life and well founded plans for his future course of action. Accustomed to farm labor from his youth, he chose agri- culture for his vocation, and on attaining his majority engaged in the same in Eaton county where he continued to reside until his removal, in 1879, to the county of Isabella. On coming to this part of the state Mr. Moody pur- chased the tract of land in Rolland township where he has since lived, a part of which he has improved in the meantime and established a comfortable and attractive homestead. He has been a diligent worker and a good manager and the one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land now in his possession represents the labor of his own hands. Mr. Moody has held various offices in his township from time to time, in which he displayed sound judgment and a commendable interest in the wel- fare of the public, and aside from these he has always given his aid and in- fluence to all worthy measures for the advancement of the community and the good of his fellow men. His neighbors esteem him highly for his many sterling ciualities and in all the elements of honorable manhood and citizenship he stands a worthy example. ISABFLLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 589 While a resident of Eat(5n couiit\. Mr. Moody married tlie lady of his choice, who Iwre the maiden name of Rachel Doxsie. and whose l)irth occurred in that part of the state on the uth day of April, 1841. Tlie family of this worthy couple originally consisted of five children, all hut one living, their names heing as follows: Charles; Efclda, wife of William Delo: .\nsel L. and Clarence E.. the last two mentioned elsewhere in these pages; Stephen, the second in order of birth, died some time ago in Fremont townshij). this county. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Moody are members of the Methodist E])iscopal church and zealous in the \arious lines of work under the aus])ices of the local society with which identified. He possesses much more than ordinary ability as a public speaker, which with his activity and zeal has been the means of causing many to repent of their sins and seek the better life. PERRY H. ESTEE. SR. This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force and eminence, for Perry H. Estee. Sr.. whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits all mankind, was for a long lapse of years one of the prom- inent men of Isabella county. ha\ing come to this section among the earliest of the pioneers. — in fact he is supposed to have been here before the Indians made this their place of abode, by some two years, and he had the honor of placing the center stake on the site of the present thriving city of Mt. Pleas- ant, for while he was not a surveyor by profession he occasionally followed that line of work. He was present at both the noted treaties of Dogtown. He assisted in every way possible in bringing about the transformation of the county, especially Coe townshi]). where he maintained his home, from the wild condition which he found upon his advent here to its later day progress and improvement. While he carried on his chosen line of endeavor in such a manner as to gain a comfortable competence for himself, he also belonged to that class of representative citizens who promote the public welfare while promoting individual success. There were in him sterling traits which com- manded unboundetl confidence and reganl, and his memory is today honored by all who knew him and is enshrined in the hearts of his many friends. Perry H. Estee. Sr., who was named by his parents Oliver Hazard Perry, after the great na\al commander on the Great Lakes during the war of 1812. changed his name himself to Perry H. when he grew up. He was born in \\'ater Valley, Erie county, New York, on September 9. 1824. the 590 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. son of Silas and Mary (Hodge) Estee, who were among the very first families to emigrate to Coe township, this county. The father died when the subject was seventeen years of age and the latter started in life for himself. He had the advantage of a very good education and he taught school for three terms in New York state. In Chautauqua count}-, that state, he bought one hun- dred acres of land. After farming five years he sold his place and emigrated to Iowa. Mr. Estee and a party of men were coming into Isabella county, Michigan, to settle and they were met in the northern part of Clinton county by seventeen men who were returning from Isabella county, who informed the immigrants that all the land in Isabella county was good, advising them to lose no time in getting possession of some of the land there before it was all taken. One of the party of seventeen produced a plat of Coe township and advised Mr. Estee to take up a certain tract at once ; he hastened back to the land office, a distance of sixteen miles, and selected the northeast cjuarter of section i8, Coe township. Two days later found him camped on the banks of Salt river in Isabella county. The following day he and his travel- ing companions examined their land, and for their supper that night they had but one water biscuit apiece. They later returned to Erie countv, Xew York, where Mr. Estee taught school one year, after which he returned to his land in Isabella county and cut the first tree in the section on which he located, his nearest neighbor being a mile distant. Mr. Estee assisted in the erection of the first frame building of the county, the saw mill of John Rey- nolds, in section 9, Coe township. He became very successful, owning one hundred and fifty-four acres at one time and eighty-four at the time of his death, which was equally di\ided between his son, Perry H., Jr., whose sketch appears herein, and a daughter. He took the first assessment of the county, and he was the second supervisor of Coe township, which was the first town- ship organized in the county. Mr. Estee was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1867. He was judge of the probate court four years, and was the first township clerk of Coe township. He was justice of the peace for eight years. He was an Abolitionist, and after the organization of the county he was a Republi- can. As a public servant he did a great deal of good, being a man of ability and watchful in discharging his duties to the general good, and he won the confidence, the esteem and hearty commendation of his constituents and all concerned. He was a man of the people, broad-minded, alert, and capable. Mr. Estee was married in Eden, Erie county, New York, on October 24, 1848, to Carrie Dole, who was born in Eden, September 13, 1825, and this union resulted in the birth of these children : Linus D., Mary E., Hattie. Free and Perry H., Jr. ISABKLLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 59I Mr. Estee. as stated above, was a very important factor in the affairs of Isabella county in the early days of its history, politically and industrially, and was highly respected by all classes. The death of this excellent citizen occurred March 31. 1907, his wife, a woman of beautiful attributes, dying May 13. 1901. ALFRED LITTLE. This worth}- old pioneer is one of the none too numerous cinniecting links between the jjresent and that picturesque period now almost buried in the mists of the past. He has been a witness of Isabella county's development from the virgin forest to its present prosperous condition. Homes and villages have sprung u]) on every hand since he first saw the county: forests have disap- peared before the axe wielded by the strong arm of the woodsman : farms, with fertile, well tilled fields, fine orchards, comfortable buildings, and all the adjuncts of civilization, have taken the place of the tangled wilderness which sheltered numerous beasts of prey and the painted Indian. L'seless to add. he has taken no small part in the development of this locality. Alfred Little was born on Noveml^er 3. 1844. in Wayne county. Ohio, where he remained until he was ten years of age, but most of his life has been spent in Isabella county, Michigan, his residence now being in Denver town- ship. His father, John Little, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1813, and re- mained there until after his marriage to Catherine Smith, who was born in the same neighborhood in Pennsylvania, in 181 5. The father followed team- ing in his native county, also after his removal to Ohio. They remained in the latter state several years, then came to Ionia county, Michigan, having made the long journey overland by team in typical pioneer fashion. The present large city of Lansing was at that time unthought of, the site of that city then being a field of stumps; the following year the railroad was built to Ionia. The father bought eighty acres at first, for which he paid four iumdred dollars. It was good land and he established a very comfortable home here in time. When the hnmestend law bev ame effective, he secured eighty acres more, this being swamp land. He rented a place of one hundred and ninety-eight acres, later buying the same, paying the sum of four thousand and five hundred dol- lars for the land, tools and crops. The following year his two oldest sons went to war, leaving four sons at home who assisted with the farm work. The parents died on this place, the mother's death occurring about 1886 and the father about 1895. he reaching an advanced age. He was an honest and kind-hearted man whom evervlwdv liked. 592 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. The children sold the farm at a fairly good profit, receiving fifteen hun- dred dollars more than he gave for it. His family consisted of the following children : Andrew is living at Belding, Michigan ; Margaret lives in Montcalm county, this state ; William lives in Denver township, this county : Dorothy lives in Belding, Michigan; Alfred, of this re\iew. Alfred Little received his education in the public schools of his native community in Ohio and Ionia county, Michigan, working on the home farm during the summer months, and remaining there until he got a start in life, or for a period of twenty-eight years. When he was thirty-three years of age he was married to Ellen Rock, in Palo, Ionia county, on January 20, 1877. She was born in 1853 in Shiawassee county, ^Michigan, and accompanied her brothers to Ionia county when young. Mr. Little remained on the home place until he purchased the farm where he now resides. His brother came to this county with him. Alfred bought eighty acres, all in timber with the exception of seven or eight acres, for which he paid eleven hundred and fifty dollars, cleared all the lantl himself, built a barn thirty-six by fifty feet, also built several sheds and made many substantial improvements. He works about fifty-five acres, has twenty acres of woods, and he raises principally corn and beans. He keeps horses, cows and sheep and has a good place and comfortable home. Politically, Mr. Little is a Democrat. He has served very ably as town- ship treasurer for nine years, and as justice of the peace for four years. EXCHANGE SAVINGS BANK. A bank means something more to a community than simply a medium of exchange. The convenience afforded the public by a banking institution is only one of its many functions. It is, in a real sense, an educator, a counselor and a friend. When one chooses his banking home, he does wisely when he thinks over the character and motives of the men with whom he will come in close contact while transacting his ordinary commercial business with the institution. No man is a complete tower of strength unto himself as he passes along the highways of industry in this world. He is strengthened or weakened by his associates, and there always comes a time when friendly counsel will be valuable to him. In performing the function of a business friend the banker is filling his most important place in the community. One of the most popular and sound institutions of the state of Michigan -iSP^*!^ KXCHANtJE SAVlNCiS HANK, MI HLKASAN r, MU IllGAN ISABEI-LA COUNTY. MICHIGAN'. 593 is the Exchange Savings Bank of Mt. I'ieasant, and tlie good it has done Isabella county is far-reaching and inestimal)Ic, as it has maintained a splendid record for a period of upwards of thirty years, gaining a \ery solid standing in the commercial and financial world. It has l)een conducted in a safe and conservative manner, so as to gain and retain the unfunded confidence of the people, having thrown around its patrons every possible safeguard and has \ieeu up-to-date in all its business methods. This bank was first established as a private enterprise in 1881 by G. .\. Dusenbury & Company, the members of tlie lirm being George A. and William C. Dusenbury. and operated by them until 18S8, when it was succeeded by Dusenbury. Xelson & Company, that firm consisting of George A. Dusenbury, William C. Dusen- bury, Levi X. Smith, John Kinney and D. H. Xelson, which firm continued as a private institution, but adopted the name of Exchange Bank, in May, 1894, the E.xchange Savings Bank was organized and incorporated under the laws of the state, succeeding to the business of Dusenbury, X'elson & Com- pany, its first ofificers being Douglas H. Xelson. president ; John Kinney and L. X. Smith, vice-presidents; George A. Dusenbury, cashier: William C. Dusenbury. assistant cashier. The officials of this bank continued to change from time to time until, upon the death of George A. Duscnlnu-y, on Septem- ber 22, 1905. .\rwin E. (iorham (a complete sketch of wiiom ai)pears else- where in this work) was elected president. The capital stock at that time was fifty thousand dollars, witli a surplus and undivided profits of fifteen thousand dollars. Under the able, conscientious and judicious management of Mr. Gorham and his associates, it has gradually increased in all its depart- ments. Besides Mr. Gorham, the other ofificers of the bank in 191 1 are as follows : Charles T. Grawn and Frank B. Whitehead, vice-presidents : Ches- ter A. Kellogg, cashier: Chester W. Riches, assistant cashier: Ella L. Frazer, assistant cashier, savings department: directors. C. M. Brooks. William E. Lewis. .A. E. Gorham. C. T. Grawn. Frank B. Whitehead. I>ancis McXamara and C. A. Kellogg. L'p to 1909 the bank remained in its old building, when new and more commodious quarters were planned, and an elegant, substantial, modem and attractive building was erected, thoroughly equipped. The bank moved into its new i|uarters in June, 1909. The management planned, in arranging the new building, to meet the needs of both employes and custom- ers, and have succeeded in meeting all the requirements of a tidy, convenient and attractive banking ofifice, cozy at all seasons, having been quite solicitious with regard to the homelikcness of every appointment. Here business men who can waste no time find an air of prompt business methods which ought to satisfy their ideals. l)ut at the same time the management wishes to engen- (38) 594 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. del" a feeling in all of its patrons tiiat every employee, as well as every appoint- ment, has in mind the comfort and happiness of all who make these offices their banking home. Among the conveniences of this banking house which are worthy of specific notation are the safety deposit boxes; the ladies' room, ecjuipped with every convenience ; the men's room, for purposes of writing, consultation, etc. ; telephones, writing tables, equipped with stationery, etc. ; a notary public always 'at hand in connection with the acknowledgment of papers, and every employee is instructed to be, in a sense, an information bureau ready to assist any patron of the bank in any possible way. The commercial department of this institution offers as liberal terms as are consistent with the principles of conser\ati\e banking, makes loans on approved securities, discounts commer- cial paper, buys and sells exchange and gives especial attention to collections. This bank has an exclusive savings department, for handling savings deposits and certificates of deposit. This money is loaned exclusivelv on bonds and mortgages, on property worth at least twice the amount loaned and which is set apart, under the law, for the protection of savings depositors, whose interests this bank has jealously guarded. Lady customers having business with this department will find a courteous attendant in charge and can be waited on at a window opening into the ladies' room, a special feature, with every convenience, for the accommodation of lady customers. Special pains are taken to make this department attractive to the little people, and, in a sense, schooling is given to those who desire to know how to do banking busi- ness correctly, and every opportunity is given them to learn the principles of banking as ap]3lied to the duties of this depository. In this department drafts are bought and sold on the leading foreign cities of the world, having arrange- ments by which this bank's own drafts are drawn direct. Corporation statis- tics and financial papers are always on file and at the service of the depositors, as is also any data or knowledge the management and employees may possess on financial subjects, not held confidentially. Here is to be found two custom- ers' rooms, equipped with easy cliairs, writing desks and telephones, solely for the use of the patrons of this bank, for in planning and equipping the new building the purpose of the management has been not merely to give them- selves a better home but to provide more convenient and attractive quarters for the patrons of the bank and to erect a building which would be an archi- tectural addition to Mt. Pleasant. Following is a condensed statement of the business of the Exchange Savings Bank, which is criterion enough of its standing in the financial world: Resources: Loans and discounts, $201,315.26; bonds and mort- ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAX. 595 gages, $163,188.50; banking liouse and fixtures, $16,000.00; overdrafts, $1,059.10: in transit, $5,244.66: cash in vault. $32,670.98: cash in reserve banks, $90,613.15: total, $510,091.65. Liabilities: Capital and surplus, $75,500.00: undivided profits, $3,516.05: deposits, S431.075.60; total, $510,091.65. The Exchange Savings Bank is the oldest financial institution of Isabella C(.iunty, and its intluence in the upbuilding of this locality cannot be estimated. It is in the market at all times for good loans, and makes a specialty of loaning its funds on Isabella county real estate, where the security is ample, and loans to school districts, the constant aim of the management being to throw around each loan every safeguard consistent with sound and conser\ative banking. This institution has greatly aided saving people whose deposits are received and interest i)aid upon them. The Exchange Savings Bank has certainly contributed her full share toward placing Isaljella county in a very enviable position with the outside world in regard to her importance and prosperity. JOHN B. WEST. The subject of this sketch, who is the oldest son of William and Mary Ann (Hennessey) West, was born November 19, 1875, in St. Mary's, On- tario, and since his fifth year has been living in Isabella township. Isabella county. Michigan. l)eing at this time one of the leading citizens of the town- ship in which he resides. Like all boys reared amid the inspiring scenes of country life, he early became acquainted with the active duties of the farm, attended school during the winter months and grew up strong of body and with a well defined purpose to make the most of his opportunities so as to become of some use in the world. He assisted in the cultivation of the home farm during his youthful years and on attaining his maturity engaged in the pursuit of agriculture for himself, though it was not until 1900 that he ])ur- chased his present farm in .section 18. Isabella township, and began tilling the .soil upon a more extensive scale. Mr. West's farm consists of eighty acres of very fine land which he has reduceel, born May 2^. 1890, is a member of the home circle, as is also Willard S., the youngest of the family, who was born on the 20th day of December, 1899. Mr. Chajjuian votes with the Prohibition party, is earnest in the support of his principles and an uncompromising enemy of the licpior traffic. He has long been active in religious work, being a devout member of the Methodist -Episcopal church and \ox si.x years served as .steward of the local society with •which identified, al.so holding the position of trustee for a period of seven years. Mrs. Chapman, who is also an earnest and consistent Christian, has been superintendent of the Sunday school for two years and during the past 600 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ten years lias served as president of the Ladies' Aid Society. She is a woman of fine mind and marked individuality, very capable in public religious work and one of the valuable members of the church to which she and her husband belong. EDGAR W. ALLEN. Indi\idual enterprise, which is justly the l)oast of the American people, is strikingly exhibited in the career of the gentleman whose name forms the introduction to this sketch, for the well improved and well cultivated farm and splendid home which he has accumulated by his own efforts in Wise township, Isabella county, would indicate that he has let no obstacle thwart him. He has been a very active man in the development of this part of the county. He has seen the rapid growth of this locality from the primeval woods, inhabited by red men and wild beasts and the part he has taken in this growth entitles him to a place in his county's history. Edgar W. Allen was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, March 13. 1841. When sixteen years old he moved with his parents to Genesee county. Michi- gan, and most of his life has, therefore, been spent in the Woherine state. He is the son of Samuel and Nancy A. (Douglass) Allen, the former born in Vermont, and his death occurred on July 31, 1868, in Tuscola county, Michigan; the mother was born in Connecticut in 1800 and her death oc- curred about 1886. These parents grew to maturity and were educated in the East, lived for some time after their marriage in northern New York, then moved to Ohio. Their son, Edgar W., was sixteen years of age when the family moved to Genesee county, Michigan, being the only son. He at- tended school in Ohio until he was sixteen years of age. He knew what hard work was early in life, being the main support of his aged parents. In the spring of 1871 Edgar W. Allen came to Saginaw, Michigan, and re- mained there two years, and engaged in various kinds of work, on the dock, on farms, etc. In 1873 he came to Isabella county, and located in section 17, Wise township, when the country was wild and there were no established roads. He purchased eighty acres of land, all in the woods, sixty acres of which is now under cultivation. He has been very successful as a general farmer and fruit grower, has a well improved place and has erected substan- tial and comfortable buildings. He has made a great success as a horticul- turist, being one of the largest fruit growers in the county, raises apples, plums, grapes and small fruit, and has twelve acres in fruit of \-arious kinds. ISABELLA COrNTY. MICHIGAN. 6oi E\erytliing about liis place shows that a gentleman of good taste and indus- triiius hahits has its management in hand. He has maile all the improvements iiiniself and deserves tlie success he has attained. Mr. Allen was married while living in Genesee county, on September y, 1862, to Minerva A. Parker, who was born August 25, 1864, in Livingston county, New York. She is the daughter of Eden B. and Minerva (Bacon) Parker, natives of Vemiont. Mr. .Mien is a Reiiuhlicaii in pnlitics and he belongs to the (iranger lodge. In .\ugust, 1883, lie was appointed supervisor of Wise township to fill tlie vacancy of James McLeod, and he was re-elected to this office in 1884 and served very faithfully for five or six years. He was later highway commissioner for one year, and he has also held school oftices. such as school inspector. He is now justice of the peace, ha\ing lield this office in a very satisfactory manner for several years. He is one of the oldest settlers in the township and he is well known and highly honored by all classes. He has done his full share in the development of the community and is a man who has always performed very faithfully every task reposetl in him. Tn his family are the following children: Maud M., who married W. T. Tubbs, lives in Alpena, Michigan; Ruth S. married L. E. Mcintosh and lives with her father; Ralph C. married Ida Tucker, a jeweler and druggist at Harbor Beach, Michigan; Clyde C, who married Edna Kidd, is a |)ainter by trade and lives on his father's farm. PERRY H. ESTEE. JR. It is projjcr that the descendants of the old settlers, those who cleared the land of its primitive woods, should see that the doings of the early years are fittingly remembered and recorded. Could the lives of the first settlers be fully and truthfully written what an interesting, thrilling and wonderful tale it would be. Think of the ])rolix journey from the North or East, of the hardships of clearing the soil and the difficulties of i)roperly rearing the family. A native of Coe township. Isabella county, and one of the best known and highly honored citizens of the same is Perry H. Estee, Jr., a progressive farmer and stock raiser, who came to us from those picturesque days of the pioneer, who has lived to see and take ])art in the wondrous transformation of this locality, a man of many sterling attributes and worthy characteristics, like his distinguished father before him, and a man who, for varied reasons, is 602 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. eminently entitled to conspicuous mention in a work of this character. Mr. Estee was born on his father's farm in Coe township, this county, on June 27,, 1866. He is the son of Perry H. and Carrie (Dole) Estee, who are mentioned at proper length in another part of this volume. The subject, who was the youngest member of the family, grew to maturity under his parental roof-tree and attended school one-half mile north of his birth place. He worked on the home farm during the summer and attended school in the wintertime, in fact he has always engaged in farming. The father's place consisted at one time of one hundred and fifty-four acres, but he sold twenty acres ; to his son he gave forty acres, then sold ten acres more, owning eighty- four acres when he died, of which the subject received forty-two acres and the sister the other forty-two acres. Perry H., Jr., having the one-half on which the buildings stand, which were erected by the father. He has a windmill and the place is well improved in every way and is under a high state of cultiva- tion. He keeps considerable good live stock of various kinds, and about three acres of his land is in fruit of a fine variety and quality. He sometimes has as nnich as twenty-five acres in beans, which nets him a good profit. About seventy acres of his farm are under cultivation. He has a most excellent farm and he manages it with such skill that the best results possible are ob- tained. Mr. Estee is a member of the Gleaners, being a charter member of the arbor at Shepherd. He is school director at the present time and he takes an interest in whatever tends to promote the general good of his community. Mr. Estee was married to Ellen CoiTman, who was born on February 5, 1866, in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where her parents lived and died. The brother of the subject, whose wife had died in Pennsyhania, induced Ellen CofTnian to come and make her home with his parents and keep house for them, and she was here two years before her marriage, which occurred in the present Estee home on March 12, 1887, and she and Mr. Estee have resided here continuously to the present time. Mr. Estee recalls the incidents of the early days here when he assisted in clearing the home place. He cnvns a farm of eighty acres in section 17, Lincoln township, on which he built a small house and a barn. He bought this place from his brother in 1892, for which he paid twelve hundred dollars, and it is now worth four thousand dollars. Fifty acres are cleared, the rest being in timber, beech, maple and pine, the timber being worth over fifteen hundred dollars. He has now on this place fifteen acres of oats, twenty-six acres of clover, which he threshes for the seed. The rest is in pasture and miscellaneous crops. He intends to stock this farm with sheep. Mr. Estee ISABELLA COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 603 has worked Iiaid and managed well and lie has been amply repaid, being now very comfortably fixed and l>eing one of the leading fanners and stock men of Coe township. To Mr. and Mrs. Estee the following children have been born: Marion D. lives in Shepherd, having worked in Taylor's store for tiie past five vears ; Sadie L. \'., Ivan and Iva (twins). Mary E., Perry H.. Jr.. Rush C, Merrill M. and Frances J. are at home. .V child died in infancy wiicn ten davs old. unnamed. ALBERT G. STRUBLE. Tlie success acliie\ed by the gentleman wliosc name introduces this re- view entitles him to honorable mention among the representative citizens of Isabella county and it is with much satisfaction that the following outline of his career and tribute to his worth are accorded a place in these pages. Albert G. Struble, second son and third child of Henry and Eliza (W'ickham) Stru- ble (see sketch of J. II. Struble). was born October i, 1864. in Williams county. Ohio, and in the spring of 186S was I>r( night to Isabella countv. Michigan, by his parents who settled in the village of Shepherd, in Coe town- ship. Isabella county, where the lad spent his childhood and youth. Reared to habits of industry and thrift, he early ])ro\cd a valuable assistant in a general store and at farm work. etc.. and while still young he made plans for his future, resolving to be something more than a mere passive agent in the world. .\t iiiter\als during his minority he attended the public schools of Coe townshi]) and in the fall of 1885. when he was married, he moved from Salt River, now called Shepherd, to a farm in Lincoln township and in the fall of 1888. when twenty-four years old, began dealing in agricultural im- plements and macliinery. at Shepherd, Michigan, which business for about thirteen years he carried on with success such as few attain. In addition to his regular business Mr. Struble, from time to time, has been and is now identified with various enterprises, including the Central State Savings Bank, at Shepherd, which he took the leading part in organiz- ing, also the Winn Banking Comiiany. which he hel])ed to establish, and of which he is the heaviest stockholder, director and vice-president in both banks besides at one time being a stockholder and director of the Isabella State Bank at Mt. Pleasant, of which he was one of the fir.st directors. Tlie other utilities with which he is identified are the Union Telephone Company, of Alma, this state, the \'alley Telephone Company, at Saginaw, in both of 604 ISABELLA COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. which he is a heavy stockholder, and he also has various otlier interests in different places. Financially his success has been commensurate with the energy and judgment displayed in his undertakings, and at the present time he ranks among the large property holders and well-to-do men of central Michigan, among his possessions being the finely improved farm of tw(j hun- dred acres in Coe township, valuable business property and a number of lots in Shepherd and other places. During his residence of the most of his life time in Salt River and Shepherd, he lias taken a leading part in the develop- ment and growth of the town, ser\'ed fi\e years in the council, and was fore- most in every movement which had for its object the welfare of the com- munity and the general good of the populace. Such a man would naturally become interested in political and public affairs and for a number of years Mr. Struble has kept pace with the times concerning all matters on which men and parties divide, and holds tenaciously to opinions which he forms only after deliberation. He votes the Republican ticket and is an influential factor in his party, though not a partisan, much less a seeker after the honors and emoluments of office. He holds member- ship with Salt River Lodge No. 288, Free and Accepted Masons, and for several years served as secretary of the same, besides contributing in many other ways to bring about the flourishing condition for which the organization now is noted. Mr. Struble, on October 7, 1885, was united in marriage with Jennie E. Morris, born January 11, 1868, whose parents, Franklin and Mary J. ( Annis) Morris, were born in the years 1830 and 1836, respectively, the father dying in 1897; the mother, who is still living, makes her home in Lincoln township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Struble have two children, the older of whom, Edna Alberta, born January 19, 1890, is a teacher and lives with her parents, and will graduate in June, 1911, at the State Normal School in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan ; Lena Belle, who also is a member of the home circle, was born October 17. 1903. and is now attending the Shepherd, Michigan, public school. HARRISON ABBOTT. Few residents of Isabella county were as widely known and as highly esteemed as the late Harrison Abbott, of Coe township. Coming to Michi- gan in an early day, he bore an active part in the development of the section of country in which he settled and by a long life singularly free from fault ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 605 and largely devoted to the welfare of those with wliom lie mingled, he earned the confidence of his fellow men and left to his descendants a name alx)\e the suspicion of dishonor. Mr. Abbott was a native of New England and inherited many of the sterling characteristics of a long line of sturdy ances- tors. He was born in Shi: ftsbury. \'ermont, October 4. iS-W and when eight years old accompanied his parents, Adna and Cynthia Abbott, to Wash- ington county, Xew York, where he grew to maturity and received his edu- cational training. On May 26. 1853, at Hartford, New York, he was united in marriage with Martha A. Walling, whose birth occurred at Gouverneur. that state. January 8, 1828, she being a daughter of William and Polly (Smith) Walling, the father a well known resident of Gou\erneur and for many years proprietor of a shoe simp in tiie place of his residence. In the year 1868 Mr. Abbott disposed of his interests in New York state ami moved to Isabella county, Michigan, purchasing a section of fine land in Coe township for which he paid the sum of thirty-five dollars per acre and which. l)y persevering and well directed lal>or, was in due time improved and became one of the most beautiful and desirable farms in that locality. He raised abundant crops of all the grains and vegetables common to central MichigaiL besides devoting considerable attention to live stock, and from the splendid maple orchard on his farm he was known to make as high as eight hundred pounds of sugar a year, the greater part of which was sold at the neighboring store or exchanged for such commodities as the family needed. In all that constituted a successful agriculturist and enterprising man of affairs. Mr. Abbott was easily tiie ])eer of any of liis fellow citizens and. though of (|uiet demeanor and a true type of modest worth, he exercised a strong influence for good in his neighborhood and alw ays stood for the right and for the strict enforcement of law and order. In his relations with his fellow men he was the sou! of honor ;uid wlierever known his simple word had all the sanctify of a written obligation. His ideals were always high anas started for Libby Prison, where he arri\ed in due time, his weight at the time of his entrance into that infamous pen being one hundred and seventy-six pounds and when exchanged, four months later, he barely tipped the beam at sixty pounds, and that too when heavily clothed. While in durance vile he was taken with diphtheria, which necessitated his being treated for three weeks in the prison hospital in Richmond and after his exchange, which took place on the 22(1 of February, 1862, he was sent to the Soldiers' Home in Washington, where he remained six weeks. By reason of sickness while in Libby, his throat became so afYected that he could not speak and after becoming a patient in the Soldiers' Home the physicians devoted special attention to the treatment of his throat. On being dismissed from the latter institution, Mr. Frye secured a furlough for twenty-four days and went to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where, by special order of Gov- ernor Curtin, he was api)ointed recruiting agent. After discharging the duties of the position until the expiration of the period indicated, he returned, in March, 1862, to his regiment at Yorktown, where the following month he was seized with smallpox while on duty and four days laid exposed to the rain with no covering other than his blanket to protect him from the furv of the Sturm. On being rescued he s])ent one day in an old brick church and was then taken in a dilapidated ambulance through the rain to Fortress Mon- roe, where he arrived at night in a condition better imagined than described. After remaining in the smallpox hospital near Fortress Monroe until the 20th 6l2 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. of the following June, lie was transferred for one month, wlien lie rejoined his command the day preceding the battle of Mal\-ern Hill, in whicli he partic- ipated. One month later he was discharged, being a mere skeleton at the time with scarcely sufficient strength to walk. During the years following his discharge Mr. Frye suffered greatly, al- though he tried hard to work, as he did not like to be dependent upon his friends for his lix'elihood. When sufficiently recovered he accepted the posi- tion of watchman on the steamer "Starlight." plying the Ohio river, but being taken sick at St. Louis, he was obliged to resign the place, after a short time and again seek relief under the physician's care. Later he engaged as watch- man on the steamer "Allegheny Belle No. 4." but did not long retain the posi- tion, resigning after a few months and going to the city of Pittsburg, where he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Central road, in which capacity he continued during the ensuing two years. Severing his connection with the road at the expiration of thet period, he went to St. Louis, Michigan, thence, on March 13th of the year 1866, came to Isabella county, locating in Coe township, where he made his headcjuarters while de\oting the several years following to dififerent pursuits. Mr. Frye attended high school at St. Louis for some time, subsecjuently worked at Lidian Mills in L'nion township and was also employed for some months in a hotel at Indian Mills, kept by John Campbell. Later he looked up timber in Isabella county for Joel Graves and also taught school for four years in Gilmore township and elsewhere. In 1888 he moved to Brinton and engaged in the drug trade, to which he has since devoted his attention, being at this time proprietor of a well stocked establishment and doing a safe and lucrative business. In addition to the se\-eral business and other relations referred to, Mr. Frye taught school for two years in his native state and for two years was in the general grocery trade at Farwell, Michigan, in partnership with P. M. Shumway. Disposing of his interest in the winter of 1877, he engaged as clerk in a hardware store kept by Mr. Todd, in whose employ he continued until the following spring, when he embarked in the drug business at Altona in partnership with Dr. J. E. Gruber, to whom he sold his interest in May, 1882. In October of that year he was appointed postmaster of Altona by President Arthur and held the position during the ensuing ten years, also thirteen years as township clerk and became one of the leading Republican politicians of Mecosta countv. Since mo\ing to Brinton he has been active in promoting the interests of the \illage and adjacent country and he is today not only one of the popular business men of the community, but also among the most es- ISABELLA COUNTY. M K 11 K ,A.\ . 613 teemed citizens of the township in whidi lie Ii\cs. lie has serxed fmirteen terms as clerk of Coidwater township, two years as director of school district Xo. 6. and has been a notary public for a period of thirty-two years. He is still interested in politics and, like all good citizens, keeps in touch with the trend lit public thought and well informed on the great questions and issues concerning which men and parties divide. In 1884 he was enumerator of the state census for the township of Hinton. county of Mecosta, and in 1910 was appointed enumerator of Coidwater township for the national census, the duties of whicli position lie discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner Mr. l-'rye was married March 3. 1867. to Lucy Letjnard, daughter of Da\id and Sarah Leonard, natives of Pennsylvania, the union resulting in the follow ing children : Edward R. and Edwin, twins, who were born June 5. i860, the latter deceased, the former a farmer of Kalkaska county, this state. Archibald was born July 2. 1876. in I'arwell. Clare county, and Edith, wife of Wayne Parker, who was born August 13. 1882. Mrs. Parker and her Inislnind achieved a national reputation some years ago as aeronauts, having traveled over the greater part of the United States making l)alloon as- censions from nearly all the large cities. The mother of these children dying in 1882. Mr. Frye. in March. 1890. married ^linnie AL Lawrence, who was born October 20. 1868. The pledge of this union is a daughter. Beulah, whose birth occurred in the year 1894. and who is now pursuing her studies in the normal school at Mt. Pleasant. LE\"1 SEVMOCR. The efforts of Levi Seymour, well known and successful farmer of Gil- more township. Isabella county, which have been practically unaided, a fact that renders him more worthy of the praise that is freely accorded him by his neighbors, have resulted in much good to himself and family and to the comniunitv in general, for his life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance. Mr. Seymour was born in Oswego county. Xew York. March 16. i860, and he is the son of an excellent and highly honored couple, Elem and Har- riet Seymour, the father a native of the state of Xew York. Besides Levi, their children were : Mary, who married G. A. Pitts, is living in Gilmore township, this countv : All^ert E. works in the state of Washington and is married to Chloic Temple: Adelmcr is deceased. 6l4 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Levi Seymour grew up in Oswego county. New York, and attended school there. His father, who died when the son was two years of age, was a saw-mill man. Thus deprived of a father, Levi was early in life thrown upon his own resources and knew the meaning of hardships and hard work, being employed on farms and in the woods. He was seventeen years of age when he came to Michigan with his brother, Albert, having heard of the excellent prospects in this state for young men, but he had no thought of making it his permanent heme. He first went to Muskegon, then to Far- well, but a few days later went into the woods and began work, engaging in this line of endeavor at frecjuent intervals for about sixteen years. He arrived here without means, but he was economical and saved his money and in due course of time Had a start. He purchased forty acres of land a half mile north of his present place in Gilmore township, Isabella county, two years after his arrival here, paying two hundred dollars for the same, having earned the money with which to pay for it by work in the woods. It was all first growth timber and there were no buildings on it. He set to work with a will and cleared about half of the forty acres and erected a small house which he later added to, making that his home until he came to his present place, which, although he has not lived here all the time, he has called his home. Mr. Seymour was married, when twenty-one years of age, to E\-a Rob- bins, daughter of P. H. and Isabelle Robbins, who was born in Nova Scotia in September, i860. They were married on the farm where they now reside, her father having owned the place at that time. Mr. Seymour was in the Northern Peninsula two and one-half years engaged in lumbering. In 1908 he traded for fort}' acres west of his present place, subsequently purchasing the forty on which he now lives at sheriff's sale, later Iniying more land across the road, making in all one hundred and twenty acres. This constituted a very desirable farm in every particular and one of the best in the community. His farm is nearly all cleared, and he has placed on it most excellent improvements of every description. The former dwelling having burned, he replaced it with a substantial and attractive ce- ment block house in 1909, before which date he had lived in a rented house. He has also erected a large, substantial and convenient barn. He has a good cellar under his house, in fact, has everything about his place to make it attractive and desirable. When he took charge of this land it was far from being what it should have been in point of productiveness, but Mr. Seymour is a skilled agriculturist and he has built up the soil until it now produces abundant harvests of almost all kinds known in this latitude. ISAHII.I.A corxTV. michigax. 615 To Mr. and Mrs. Seymour the folhnviiig children have been born: Pearl, who married W'ilHani Murphy, lives in Saginaw: Bessie married lierl). Glass and lives in Gilmore ; Millard married Cora Robbins and lives in Minne- sota: Ruth married George Pitts and lives in Gilmore: Lena, who is now thirteen years of age, is still a member of the family circle at home. Politically, Mr. Seymour is not a ])arty man. i)refcrriiig to \ote inde- pendently. He takes an aliiding interest in whatever tends to ad\ance the general good of his community and count\-. llLGli W.\TSOX. The subject of this rc\iew is descended from sturdy Scotch ancestry and inherits many of the )>terling (|ualities of head and heart for which his nationality for generations has been noted. His father. James Watson, whose birth occurred in Cromarty, Scotland, in 1835, came to America at the age of twenty-one and settled in Hastings county, Ontario, where he spent the ensu- ing eighteen years as a farmer and miller, having learned the latter trade be- fore leaving his native land. In 1865 he \isited various ])arts of central Michigan and, being pleased with Isabella county, spent one summer in Mt. Pleasant, returning to Canada at the end of that time and remaining there until 1874. In the latter year he returned to that county and Ixnight a quar- ter section of land in Isabella township, which he de\eloped from a wil- derness condition into a fine farm and to which he subsequently added until the place now contains two hundred acres, nearly all improved and in a high state of cultivation. James Watson is still living and at the present time is one of the old and highlv esteemed citizens of Denver township, where he is now spending the closing vears of a well spent life in honorable retirement. Pie married, when a young man, Rosella Rosebush, who was born in Hastings county. Ontario. in 1841. the union resulting in the birth of children as follows: John. William. James, whose sketch appears elsewhere, Minnie. Hugh, the subject of this review, and Catherine, all of whom grew to maturity and became well known and greatly esteemed in their respective places of residence. Hugh Watson was born in January. 1877. in Isabella county. Michigan, and his early experience en^braced the usual routine of farm labor, varied during the winter seasons by attendance at the district schools. .\mid the wholesome and inspiring atmosphere of the country he grew up to a well- 6l6 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. rounded man. capable of grasping the problems of life and well (jualified to fill the place in the world wh.ich, while a mere lad. he had chosen. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he naturally selected that calling for his vocation and as a tiller of the soil he has been quite successful, owning at this time a beau- tiful and well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Isabella township, where he raises abundant crops of all the grains, vegetables and fruits for which Michigan has long been noted. He also has a fine sugar grove on his place and every spring manufactures large quantities of maple syrup and sugar, for which there is always a ready demand and good prices. Mr. Watson was married in the year 1903 to Edith Cooper, whose birth occurred in Mt. Pleasant on the 27th day of January. 1881, and who, for three years following her graduation from the State Central Normal School at Mt. Pleasant in 1900. taught in the district schools of Isabella county. Her father, Henry Cooper, was born March 8, 1855, in Canada and died in Sanilac county on April 16, 1898. The maiden name of her inother was Nellie \\'eller. She was born in Washtenaw county. Michigan. October 10, 1864, and some time after the death of Mr. Cooper she married George Gil- pin and is now living in Union township. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have one child, a daughter, Ethel Marie, who was born on March 28, 1908. Politically, Mr. Watson is a stanch Republican and religiously belongs with his wife to the Methodist Episcopal church, in wliich he holds the position of trustee. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and mani- fests a li\-ely interest in the local lodge which holds his membership. JOHN BUCKBOROUGH. One of the leading citizens and representative farmers of Den\-er town- ship, Isabella county, is John Buckborough. His has been an eminently active and useful life, but the limited space at the disposal of the biographer forbids more than a casual mention of the leading events in his career, which, in our opinion, will suffice to show what earnest endeavor and honesty of purpose rightly applied and persistently followed will lead to — ultimate success. He is looked upon as a man thoroughly in sympathy with any movement looking to the betterment or advancement in any way of his communitv. wliere he has always been regarded as a man of sterling honesty and worthy of the utmost confidence and respect which his fellow citizens have been free to accord owing to his upright and industrious life. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 617 Mr. Buckborough was born on January 13. 1863. in Windham town- ship, Norfolk county, Ontario. He is the son of James C. antl Ivachael (Smith) Buckborough. the fatlier born in 1824 at Beverly, Ontario, and the mother in Brant county, Oi.tario: they were married in Beverly. Ontario, in 1854 and there her death occurred in 1901 : the father is still living on his farm of one hundred and fifty acres in that province, having devoted his life to farming. The following children were born to them : Sarah, Phoebe. George, .\mclia. John, of this review. Rachael, Sydney. Edward, Seigal and Laura. JoJin Bucki)orough remained al liis ])arental home in Canad.'i until lie was eighteen years of age. assisting with the work on the home farm and at- tending the district schools during the winter months. He also worked in a cheese factory two years, dm-ing which time he learned the "ins and outs" of this business. He came to Michigan in 1881 by way of Saginaw, which was at that time a great lumbering town: he came on through Midland to Wise township. Isaliella county, where he Ijonght eighty acres in Den\er township, which still forms a i)art of his farm and for whicli he paid the sum of six hundred and fifty dollars. After remaining on the place about a month he went to Forest Hill, Gratiot county, and worked for J. W. Doan on his fami for alx)ut two months, then returned to Wise township. Isabella county, and worked in the lumber business, in the woods all winter and during a part of the following summer, only a small part of his work being on the river. He remained there a year and a half, or until about 1884; he then came to his place, which he had neglected for the most part, and proceeded to clear it, remaining on it three \'ears. li\ing with a friend on an adjoining farm, doing tiieir own cooking aufl housekeeping, lie rented eighty acres and went to work for the Chippewa Luinl>er Company. Chippewa Lake, Mecosta county, Michigan, remaining with them one year. He took up blacksmithing there and worked mostly in the woods, then went to work in Clare countv. doing blaeksmitiiing and nnming a hoisting engine for hoisting logs onto a train, following this in the summer and his trade in the winter. He remained in Clare county two years, then went to Lake Odes.sa. Ionia county, where he remained one year, working for his brother George as a blacksmith, then re- turned to Clare county and took up his former occupations, remaining there until August 17, 1893. While living there, he was married, on October 16. 1891, to Ida Cramer, who was born in October, 1866, in Norfolk county, Ontario. She came to Saginaw to work aneen constructed under his sui)ervisieen above reproach. WILLIAM HEXRY WALLIXG. Prominent among the old and well-known residents of Isabella county is William Henry Walling, who has been identified with this part of Michi- gan about forty years, during which time he has not only seen the country developed from its original wilderness condition to a very garden of beauty and plenty, but to the extent of his ability has contributed towards making the township in which he resier 16. 1841. in Washington county. Xew York, the daughter of .\m!)y and Lydia Ann Brayton, natives of that state, tlie union resulting in tlie birth of one child, a son. Charles H.. who first saw the light of day in Hartford, Xew York, October 12. 1861, and who is now a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Coe township. Isabella county. He has been twice married, the first time to Halley Stahl- man : sul)sec|uently he contracted a matrimonial alliance with his present wife, whose name was formerl\- Anna F>abber. Mr. Walling is essentially a man of the people. deei)ly interested in all that concerns the welfare of the community, and although in his eighty- first year, he retains to a luarked degree the ])ossession of his faculties, both physical and mental, and keeps abreast of the times on the leading questions and issues before the public, being ever ready to defend the i)rin- ciples to which he has pledged allegiance. Among his neighbors and friends he is held in great respect, as his life has ever been along the lines of iiv tegrity and probity and he always maintained inviolate the iionorable repu- tation for which his famil\- lune alwavs been distinguished. lOHX S. WEIDM.\X. Success i* not necessarilv a matter of genius, as held by many, but rather the outcome of clear judgment, persistency and rightly applied en- ergy. The successful man is he who plans his own advancement and ac- complishes it in spite of oiiposition. Difficulties and obstacles will- always disappear before determination and unfaltering energy, and. while the road to prosperitv does not seem ])lain, there can e\er be found a i)ath leading to the goal, of one's hopes: but one must be willing to fight, for the l)attle of life is never won by the timid and. hesitating, at least in anything. but a mediocre degree. Among the worthy and progressive citizens of Isabella countv us folm S> Wcidman. well-known lumlierman and Itankcr. who has 632 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. gained a prestige in the business world through his own efforts — sheer force of his individuahty, a truly deserving, self-made man. Mr. Weidman was born in Kenockee township, St. Clair county, Michi- gan, May 10, 1852, where he continued to reside until fourteen years of age, when his parents moved to a fami in Mecosta county, twelve miles south of Big Rapids, on the Muskegon river. Mr. Weidman attended school in winter until he was seventeen years of age, starting in life as a river driver at that time, going out into the world to make his own living, and his ambition, physical courage and endurance manifested all along the road of life, has resulted in winning large success and accumulating a compe- tency. He worked on the Muskegon river during the summers as a log runner until he was twenty-five years old and in the woods in the winters, being foreman of various lumber operations. On July 3, 1877, at Big Rapids, was performed the ceremony that united Mr. Weidman and Mar- garet A. :\Iitchell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William G. ]\Iitchell, of that city, and this union has resulted in the birth of six children, namely : Lenora D., Mildred A., John S., Jr., Robert, Lucille and Evan, all of whom are living, the oldest son, John S., Jr., being engaged in the lumber business in upper Michigan. After his marriage Mr. Weidman engaged in the lumbering business six miles south of Morley, taking contracts on which he cleared $1,000 during the first winter. He continued lumbering for the next nine years, in the meantime developing the farm which he had previously purchased. In 1887 he had added very largely to his farm, and, as there was considerable good timber, he erected a saw mill which he successfully operated for the next si.x years, cutting his own timber and buying other in the neighborhood, cutting in all about twenty-five million feet. In 1892 he purchased a large tract of timber land in Hinton and Millbrook townships, Mecosta county, which he afterward sold. In 1893 he purchased a tract of several thousand acres of timbered lands in Isabella county, where he erected saw, shingle and planing mills, founding the village of Weidman, and where for sixteen years he conducted very extensive lumbering operations, cutting ten million feet of lumber annually. In addition to cutting into lumber the logs which came from his own land Mr. Weidman purchased very extensively from ad- joining ow'uers. The village of Weidman is now recognized as one of the most thriving villages of this section and, with the fine farming country which surrounds it, it is destined to become a place of considerable importance. In 1903 Mr. \\'eidman purchased the private bank of Webber & Ruel in Mt. Pleasant, which was later incorporated as a state bank under the name ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 633 of the Isabella County State Bank, of which institiUuMi he is the largest stockholder and president. He is also president of tlie Weidman. Hanking Company and the Roselnish Hanking Company. In Sei)teml)er, 1905, Mr. Weidman moved his family to Mt. Pleasant, where he resides at the corner of Main and Maple streets. .Mr. \\ei(hii,in is a tliirty-second-degree Mason, and in politics a Repul)lican. lie is an attendant at and a supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Weidman is regarded by all as a man of unusual business qualifica- tions, keen, alert, far-seeing and a man who is capable of predicting with remarkable accuracy the outcome of a present transaction. He is straight- forward and honest in all his relations with his fellow men and is in every way deserving of tlie high esteem in which he is held by everyone. His word has never been questioned, his integrity in all things being well known and he. therefore, has the confidence and good will of all classes. JOSEPH ^HSER. George Miser, the father of the gentleman whose name appears above, was born in Maryland in 1812 and when about eighteen months old was taken by his parents to Ohio where he spent his childhood and youth amid the wholesome di.scipline of country life, the meanwhile acquiring a limited education in the indifferent schools of those days. In 1R58 lie came to Isabella county, Michigan, and purchased the southwest quarter of section 5, Coe township, which he improved in due time and on which he carried on general farming until his death, in August. 1866. His wife, whose maiden name was Sophia Reidler. a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, sur- vived him until 1886. on June T4th of which year she too was called to her eternal rest. The family of this couple consisted of six children, of whom the subject is the oldest, the others in the order of their birth being as follows: Win, who married .\bbie Wanch: Susan, who liecame the wife of George Ferris: Mrs. Salome Shaffrey: Solomon, who never married, and Mary, wife of Charles Bennett, of Mt. Pleasant, all decea.sed except Joseph and Mrs. Bennett. Joseph Miser was born January 28, 1831, in Holmes county. Ohio, and when al>out four years of age was taken to Wayne county, that state. There he grew to maturity and while still young learned the carpenter's trade. He worked at his trade in Tuscarawas county for a period of six 634 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. years and in 1854 entered the marriage relation witli Wealthy Ann Minard, whose liirth occurred in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1836, fol- lowing wliich he came to Isabella county, Michigan, and in April, 1858, settled on a farm in Coe township with his parents, with whom he li\-ed one year. He then purchased forty acres of land in section 7 of the same township, a part of which he cleared, but in January following he discon- tinued work in the woods and took up his residence at Indian Mills, the oldest town in the county, where he entered the employ of the government to construct a bridge across the Chippewa river and erect a council cham- ber, in which the Indians and whites could hold their public meetings, make treaties aufl transact other kinds of business. He remained two and one- half years in that town, during which time he erected a store building and hotel in addition to the work mentioned, besides doing various other kinds of mechanical labor and proving one of the useful citizens of the place. At the expiration of the period indicated, Mr. Miser, in 1862. moved to Mt. Pleasant and built the first dwelling on the northwest corner of the courthouse square, which he occupied while attending to his duties as sheriff, having been the second man in the county elected to that office. Although a Democrat, his name was not placed on a ticket, the citizens indicating their choice by \oting for whom they, pleased, the result of the balloting showing a large majority for Mr. Miser, who appears to have been a favor- ite with the people of the county irrespective of, party. , His term expired in 1863, and shortly after quitting the office J;ie| , piitepf|d, the army enlisting on August 26th of that year jn Company M. First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, in which capacity he served until •September,: 1,865. .when he ^^'^is discharged on account of physical ,di6abiUty„ after- spending, .about four months in a hospital in Louisville, , Kentucky,-. ■ Returning hon,ie.,at the ,c]ose of, the war, he traded his, property in ,,Mt. ■ Pleasaiit ,for, an rcighty-acre farm, in Union township on which, he lived as an industrious and prosperous tille;- of the soil until about the year 1897, ^^'le" be discontinued active, labor. to spend the remainder of his- life in retirement.- Mr. Miser has, evei" mani- fested a commendable, i.nterest- in.- public affairs, served, one year as con- stable and foin- years- as commissioner of -highways, besides taking an active ]5art in promoting enterprises for the material a.d\-ancement .of his township and county and the social and moral welfare of his fellowmen. A firm be- liever in the Christian religion and a faithful member of the church of God, his daily life has been consistent with his profession and his influence is ever on the side of right where moral issues are involved. He stands for law and order and a high standard of manhood, and as a citizen is enter^ ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 635 prising, puhlic-spin'ted. and always ready to lose sight of self in his efforts to help others. He was a prominent factor in county affairs in an early day and it was largely through his efforts that the seat of justice was moved from Indian Mills to Mt. Pleasant. In the fall of 1838 he helped gather three bushels of blackl)erries on the site of llie present courthouse, and among his other early experiences was the maUing of a trip to Detroit to obtain money with which to i)urchase lantl. going as far as St. Joiiu on foot and tliere taking a train to his destination. Witli two tiiousand dollars tied in a handkerciiief. whicii he fastened around his body, he returned in safety, but felt not a few misgivings lest somebody might learn of the sum in his possession and relieve him of the burden. Mr. Miser has not only seen Isabella county d(.'\elo])c(l from a wilderness into its present proud ]xisition among the most i)rosperous counties of the state, but to the extent of his al)ility lias contributed to th.e Ijringing al)out of conditions that now obtain. He takes pride in the county, has faith in the future, and hopes ere long to see it the rival of tlie most enterprising and progressive counties of the commonwealtii. Mrs. Miser's parents were John and Mary (Hoagland) Minard. Iwtli natives of New \\)rk. Iwrn in the years 1812 and 1813. respectively; the father died in the year 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Miser have children as fol- lows: Leandcr O.. wlio married Mary Converse, and lives in Hillsdale countv. Micliigan; Ella, wife of Thomas Hannett. lives in Coe township. Isabella county: Ida May married Eli Farris. a farmer of L'nion township: Ely. who lives in Solon, this state, is also married, his wife having formerly been Carrie Teel : William D.. the youngest of the family, married Celia Greacher. and resides in Coe. ORIOX L. BURDICK. .\mong the enterprising, progressive and public-spirited men whose ac- tivity in l)usiness and private circles as well as public affairs has made Isabella countv one of the best sections of the great Wolverine state and the town in which lie resides an important trading center, is the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical review, who is now en- gaged jjrincipally in the real estate business in Shepherd, but whose reputa- tion rests principally as an educator, in which line of endeavor he holds rank second to none. 636 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Orion L. Burdick was bom on October 15, 1865, and is the son of Daniel and Mary (Hackett) Burdick. his father born in 1843 '^ ^^ ihiams county, Ohio, and the latter born in Jamestown, Ontario, August 15, 1847, but she came to the United States when a child and was reared in Ohio. The parental grandparents were Lewis and Rachael (Cook) Burdick, na- tives of Massachusetts and New York, respectively. Daniel Burdick re- mained in his home country until he was thirty-eight years old. He served through the Civil war in the Federal army, principally in Tennessee. He was with Sherman on his Atlanta campaign. In 1865 he bought eighty acres in Lincoln township. Isabella county. He took charge of the land when it was a wilderness, through which he had to cut roads and clear and improve in general, erecting a splendid set of buildings. The place is now owned by the brother-in-law of the subject and the father is now living in Lincoln township on a farm. Mar}^ Hackett was born in 1850. in Ontario, Canada, and she and Mr. Burdick were married in Ohio about 1862. The following children were born to them: Orion, of this review; Ernest E., Theron D.. Grace, and Bessie. The mother of these children is still living. Orion L. Burdick, of this review, received his education in the district school and he worked on the home farm during the summer months in his youth. He attended the high school in Mt. Pleasant and was graduated from the same in 1889, completing what was known as the English course. Then for three years he taught in the district schools, two years at Loomis, in Wise township, and one in Lincoln township. He had a second grade certificate and served five years on the board of examiners for teachers. After he finished teaching at Loomis he attended the Ypsilanti Normal School for two years, graduating with a life certificate. He then taught in Shepherd one year, was superintendent of schools there, and he was elected school commissioner, serving two terms of two years each, in a manner that brought him much praise from all classes, and during that time he did a great deal to promote the cause of education here. Mr. Burdick was married on June 19. 1897, to Lotta Hibbard. at Alma. She was born July 10. 1878, in Mt. Pleasant. This union has been graced by the birth of one daughter. Frances Josephine, born December 30, 1907. Mrs. Burdick's mother, who is now living in Shepherd, is a sister of Frank and Judge Dodds. of Mt. Pleasant. After attending the literary department of the University of Michigan one year. Mr. Burdick taught one year in the normal at Mt. Pleasant, teach- ing civics, English, United States and general history. He made a splendid ISABFLLA COUXTV. MICHIGAN. 637 record as an instructor and liis services were in great demand. Init lie gave up teaching to go in business with his father-in-law. Frank Hibbard, in 1903. He has been very successful in this, carrying on insurance, loan and real estate business on an extensive scale: he also does a little law business in justice courts, but because of lack of time he does not go into the law very extensively. This partnership was continued until February 8. igo8, when Mr. Hibbard died, since which time Mr. Burdick has continued the business alone in Shepherd, but he has a real estate office in Mt. Pleasant with his brother. Tie is a Republican in politics, and he takes an abiding interest in all matters looking to the general good of his county. ALLEN E. CL.ARK. .\llcn E. Clark, lumber dealer at Shepherd, and one of the leading business men of his part of the country, was born February 8, 1834, at Fort Covington, I'ranklin county, Xew York. When about three or four years old. he was taken by his parents to St. Lawrence county, that state, and at the age of ten accompanied the family to Michigan, making the journey from Qgdenburg to Saginaw by boat and from the latter place to Isabella county by dri\ing overland. He remained with his parents until reaching the years of manhood and in the meantime attended at intervals the ])ublic schools of Isabella county, devoting the larger portion of each year to various kinds of manual labor. At the age of twenty-five. Mr. Clark married I'hene .Austin, who was l)om in Ingham county, Michigan. January i^, 1857, being a daughter of Thomas and Lucy (Hull) .\ustin. early residents of that part of the state and among the esteemed people of the town of Leslie where Mrs. Clark spent her childiiood and youth, .\fter the subject's marriage he settled on his father-in-law's place, where he remained one year and then purchased forty acres of land in Lincoln townsln'p. Isabella county, for which he paid the sum of five hundred and fifty dollars, and which he sold three years later for one thousand dollars. On leaving the latter place he went to Reed City where he was engaged in the lumber business about one year wnth another party, during which time he did fairly well, clearing about eight hundred dollars, part of which he invested in two town lots at Shepherd. Erecting a commodious dwelling on one of the lots, he made the i)lace his home for a period of three years, about one-half of which time he worked 638 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. on the railroad, devoting the remainder to the manufacture of lumber in partnership with a friend, whose interest in the mill he purchased at the end of two years. During the ensuing five years. ]\Ir. Clark operated a saw mill in Lincoln township and did a thriving business, but at the expiration of that period he moved the mill to the town and took his brother, Sydney, as a partner. Under the firm name of Clark Brothers, the enterprise was continued for four years when the subject bought his partner's interest and during the six months ensuing conducted the business alone. In 1901 he sold the mill and em- barked in the lumber business at Shepherd, where he has since built up a large and lucrative patronage, his sales, which amounted to about five thou- sand dollars the first year, having gradually increased until they are now considerably in excess of eighteen thousand dollars per year, with encouraging prospects of still larger gro^vth in the future. iMr. Clark owns the only lum- ber yard in the town and. having no competition in his line, his advancement has been very encouraging. He handles lumber, lath, shingles, moulding and \arious other kinds of building material, also brick, cement, lime, wood pulp, etc., and owns the yard, sixty-six by three hundred and sixty-six feet, on which his business is conducted. He has other town property, including three substantial residences, one of which he occupies, and manifests an active inter- est in all that concerns the material prosperity of the community and the social and moral well being of his fellow men. Mr. Clark stands high in business circles and as a citizen is enterprising, public spirited and alive to all that makes for the good of the community. He holds membership with Salt Ri\er Lodge No. 288, Free and Accepted Masons; Shepherd Lodge Xo. 239, hitlependent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined at the age of twenty-one, and is also identified with Tent Xo. 237, Knights of the Maccabees, at Shepherd. In religion, he is a Methodist and for a number of years has been an active and influential worker in the church, being a leader in the congregation at Shepherd and zealous in disseminating the gospel among his fellow men both at home and abroad. His father was a life-long Democrat and from boyhood he was subject to the iniluence of that party, but of recent ye?rs he has been independent politically, \oting for the best qualified candidates, regardless of party ties. Mr. Clark has been honored from time to time with important public trusts, and in everv relation of life has shown himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He served four years as secretary of the school board, was justice of the peace one term and a member of the school board at the present time. He is a stockholder in the Commercial ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 639 State I'.atik of Shepherd, and is also interested in tlie canninjj factory at tiie same place, besides being it'entitied with utiier utiHties and enterprises which tend to the grmvth of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have no children of their own, nevertheless they are deeply interested in the young people of the community and do all within their power to inculcate in them the .sterling principles of manhood and womanhood, to the end that they may grow up to useful lives and fill honorable positions in the world. Like her husband. Mrs. Clark is devoutly religious and her activity in the church has made her life a strong influence for good among all with whom she mingles. Robert Clark, father of the subject, was born in Franklin county. .\ew York, in 1807 and remained in his native state until 1864. In the latter vear he moved to Isabella county. Michigan, and purcha.sed one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 14. Coe townshi]). all wooded and rec|uiring much labor to clear and improve. Later he disposed of half of the tract and in due time cleared up the remaining eighty acres and converted it into a fine farm and comfortable home. He lived on this place about twenty-one years, when, owing to advancing age, he discontinued active labor and mo\ed to Shepherd, where he spent the remainder of his days in retirement, dying in 1903 at tlie ripe old age of ninety-six years. His wife Martha, the daughter of Francis and Betsey , was born in Cornwall, Canada, in 1820, and when young accompanied her parents to New York where, in 1840, she be- came the wife of Robert Claik. She bore her husband the following children : Myron, deceased: Sydney died in tiie fall of 1909; Hudson died in the year 1862. while in the army; ^liIton li\es in Coe township and took care of his mother, who died November 9, 1910, at the age of ninety-one; Daney died in 1908; .\llen of this review; Robert, who married Sarah Dunn and resides in Isabella county: .Anna, wife of Charles Belch, of Shepherd; and Henry, who departed this life at tlie age of twenty-three. WILLIAM J. MAXWELL. One of the most evident things to the thoughtful farmer is the fact that life at no stage is a bed of roses. There are thorns, and many of them, along the path of farming life, and the luckiest ones are they who are pierced by the fewest and avoid the most. .\nd this being the case it often becomes necessary for us to help one another along the road of life. William J. Maxwell, popular and successful farmer of Wise township, Isal>ella county. 640 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. is one who believes in the motto, "Live and let live." He believes in honest emulation and fair competition and is willing to march side by side with his fellow creatures and take his chances with the rest, giving them their dues and taking his own. He was born in Hastings county, Ontario, Canada, in 1852, the son of Robert and Jane (Joyce) Maxwell, both natives of Ireland. He never had an opportunity to attend school, for when he was six years of age he was taken by his parents into the woods where there were no schools, so the opportunity ne\'er presented itself until he was past school age, but he has become a well posted man by actual contact with the world. He remained with his father on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, then was apprenticed at six dollars per month for two seasons to learn carpentering; he also studied general textbooks at the same time. The next season he received twelve dollars per month, then worked as a millwright for five years at twenty dollars per month. In 1879 he came to Isabella county and settled in section 6, Wise township. His father bought eighty acres in section 5 ; the son's land, forty acres, was all in timber and there were no roads here then. He continued to work as a carpenter and builder and bridge builder imtil 1891. He built bridges for the Ann Arbor railway for three years at eighty dollars per month, working from Clare to Frankfort. He was regarded by the company is an expert in his line and one of their most valued and trusted employes. As a carpenter his work was in great demand, being of a high grade. Mr. Maxwell was married, first, in 1882 to Christina Marlin, of Hast- ings county, Ontario, and subsequently to Augustes Wheeler, also of Hast- ings county, Ontario, and she died five months aftenvards ; his third mar- riage was to Clara Mc James, and was solemnized in 1891. She was a native of Essex county, Ontario. Two children were born of his first marriage, George, who has remained single, owns a "bus" line in Duluth, and operates the same ; Jane A. married John Horden and lives at Flint, Michigan. The children by his third marriage were Bertrand, Carl, Nellie. Arthur, Grace, Ralph and Marion. In 1891 Mr. Maxwell came to his father's old farm and has resided here ever since, carrying on general farming in a very successful manner on his one hundred and twenty acres, having seventy-eight acres under cul- tivation ; he raises corn, oats, wheat, sugar beets and hay. His land is all well fenced ; the county ditch runs through the place and it is well im- proved in every respect. He has a substantial, cozy and attractive dwelling and excellent outbuildings and e\erything about his place is neat and well kept, showing good management. ISABELLA COLNTY, MICHIGAN. 64I Mr. Maxwell was the first school director in district Xo. 3. when it was formed, and he was again elected in 1891 and remained director until this district was consolidated with district Xo. 2. He still holds office as director. lie was township treasurer two terms and for three years lie was secretary and treasurer of the Gleaners. He was secretary and treasurer of the Herrickfull Cream Cheese Company for three years, was a stockholder and on the board of directors. Politically, he is a Republican, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church : for the past twenty years or more he has lieen a trustee of the church, also served as steward and in other capacities. He has been an influential factor in local affairs ever since he came here and he is well and favorably known and has a wide circle of friends. REUBEX WELLMAN. This representative citizen and gallant soldier of the greatest civil war in the annals of time, is a native of Genesee county, Xew York, and dates his l)irth from September 18, 1833. He was reared to maturity in that state and after the death of his mother, which occurred when he was eight years old. was apprenticed to a farmer of his native county, with whom he remained until attaining his majority, the meanwhile during the winter months attending the public schools until well versed in the branches constituting the usual course of study. After serving his term, he came to Michigan with his brother, Almon. His brother John had preceded him three years before and during the two years ensuing he was in partnership with the latter in the manufacture and sale of clinin pumps, in wliicli business he traveled in vari- ous parts of the state and met with fair success as a salesman. While thus engaged, he formed the acrp'aintance of an estimable young lady l)y tiie name of \'elissa Godfry, whom he subsequently married, after which he returned to his native state, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1862, when he exciianged the implements of husbandry for the death-dealing weapons of warfare, enlisting that year in Company G, One Hundred Sixtieth Xew York Infantry, with which he served with an honorable record until his discharge, in 1865, after giving two years and nine months to the defense of the national union. Mr. \Vellman"s regiment formed part of the .\rmy of the Potomac and participated in some of the most noted battles of the \'irginia campaign, in one of which, the engagement at Cedar Creek, he fell into the hands of the (41) 642 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. enemy and for three weeks thereafter he was incarcerated in tlie old Liliby prison at Riclimond, Virginia. At the expiration of that time he, with many others equally unfortunate, was removed to Salisbury, North Carolina, where, on February 22, 1S65, he was paroled, immediately after which he returned to Michigan and has since made his home in this state. Mr. W'ellman's wife died while he was in the service, and later, on re- ceiving his discharge at the close of the war, he located on a forty-acre tract of land in Coe township. Isabella county, which he cleared and improved and in due time found himself the possessor of one of the best farms and among the most attractive homes in the section of country in which his place is situated. He moved to his land in July, 1865, and in the following September was united in marriage with Myra Sawyer, who has proven a true wife and helpmate, assisting him in his efforts to improve the farm and encouraging him in seasons when fortune did not always pave his pathway with favor. After spending ten years on the farm and accumulating a comfortable competency, Mr. Wellman removed to the town of Shepherd, where he is now living a life of retirement, although still in touch with his various enterprises and abreast of the times on rll matters of local and general interest. Twenty- seven years ago he was elected justice of the peace, which position he still holds and in which he has earned a creditable record as an officer of the law, much important business being brought to his court and so able and impartial ha\'e been his decisions that but few of them have been reversed bv higher tribunals. He also served three years as township treasurer and a similar length of time as constable, proving in these offices, as in that of justice of the peace, a wise and judicious public servant who made his duty paramount to every other consideration. Mr. Wellman votes the Republican ticket and has long been an active worker and influential adviser in the councils of his party, and to the various conventions, township and county and district and state, he is invariably chosen a delegate. He is a member of Salt River Lodge No. 288, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has served as tyler and is also a leading spirit in Ralph Ely Post No. 150, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has been honored with every position within the gift of his com- rades of the order. Mr. Wellman's first marriage was blessed with two children, Carrie S., wife of Clarence Struble, of Mt. Pleasant, and Hattie, whose hu.sband, I. N. Fordyce, died in July, 1910, since which time she has lived in the village of Shepherd. His present wife has borne him children as follows: Minnie, who married Noah Lyons, and made her home in Shepherd, died in 1900; Charles A., also a resident of that town and a married man, his wife having ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 643 formerly been Bertha Wilson: Winifred 1). and Wilfred are twins, the former being single and li\ing with her father, the latter an eniplov of the Ann .\rbor railway, and lives at Owosso. where he has a home presided over by an intelligent and poi)nlar young lady, who. before marriage to him. resided in St. Louis, i\lichigan, and bore the name of Minnie Reed. EDWARD DUGGAN. The subject of this sketch was born .\ugust i6, 1863. on the Duggan famil\- homestead in Lincoln township and has been a resident of Isabella county all his life. His father, a native of Ireland, was born in 1822 and at the age of thirty-eight came to the United States, settling first in New ■N'ork where he farmed a few years and then sold out and migrated to Isabella county, Michigan, locating on one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 36, Lincoln township, which he purchased from the government for fifty cents per acre, sixty dollars ])er acre being a conservative estimate of its value at the present time. Mr. Duggan and sons cleared the place of timber and by continuous toil succeeded in reducing the greater part of the land to cultivation besides making a number of substantial improvements in the way of buildings, fencing, etc., and reclaiming some of this farm by means of artificial drainage. When the father died he willed the place to his sons, by whom it is still owned. The mother of the subject, whose birth occurred in 1832, was a native of Ireland. She first met the man who after- wards became her hu.sband in Ypsilanti. Michigan, their marriage being .solemnized in that city in the year 1857. The following are the names of their children: Michael, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; William, F.dward. Mary, wife of lames O'Brien: Katie, now Mrs. Henry Freeman, and Ella, who married John Fanning. Edward Duggan grew up on the homestead and as soon as his services could be utilized to advantage he was put to work in the fields, where he was soon able to do a man's part at almost any kind of manual later lie obtained a fair education during the years of his childhood and youth and remained at home until two years after his father's death, when he took posses- sion of the farm in Lincoln township which he now owns and on which he has achievern June 7, 1891, is also an alumna of that institution; Theresa, who was born June _'6. 1892. is also a graduate of the same school; Anna, the youngest of the family, was born March i. 1894. and. like her sisters, is preparing herself for teaching, being at this time a student of the Central State Normal and standing high in her classes. Mr. McXerney is a Democrat in politics and. being a reader and thinker, is well informed on the (|ucstions of the day and is an influential worker for the success of his party. He was reared a Catholic and has always remained true to the teachings of the mother church. M the present time he belongs 652 ISABFLLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. to St. Henry's church, \'ernon, with wliich his children are also identified, and is a liberal contributor to the support of the parish. He has never been an office seeker nor aspirant for public honors, nevertheless the voters of his town- ship some years ago elected him township clerk, which position he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the citizens of his jurisdiction for a period of eight years, besides serving four years as superintendent of the township schools. KENNETH E. STRUBLE. This prominent and public spirited citizen has richly earned the esteem and confidence which he now commands and it is by no means presumptuous to claim for him a larger place in the public view than any other of his con- temporaries in the community where he resides. For a number of years he has been more or less actively identified with the varied interests of the thriv- ing town of Shepherd, and has contributed to its advancement, not only in a material way, but along social, educational and moral lines as well. Ken- neth E. Struble is a native of Williams county, Ohio, where his birth occurred on November 17, 1867. He was brought to Isabella county, Michigan, when but six months old, spent his childhood and youth at Salt River, Coe township, and in the public schools which he attended during his minority he received an intellectual training which served as a foundation for his subsequent career in the \arious lines of business to which he has devoted his talents. Mr. Struble's first practical experience was as a salesman for his broth- ers, N. \Y. and J. H. Struble, in their mercantile establishment at Shepherd, in which capacity he continued until the dissolution of the partnership, when he accepted a position with J. H. and remained in his store for a period of fifteen years, during which time he dexeloped business ability of a high order and gained the confidence of all with whom he came into contact. On November 30, 1901, he was appointed by President Roosevelt postmaster of Shepherd and, entering at once upon the duties of the office, has continued them to the present time, earning the meanwhile an honorable reputation as a capable and popular official — indeed, the most efficient of the many who have held the position. W'hen Mr. Struble received his first commission Shepherd was a fourth class office, but in July. 1902, it was advanced to the third class, since which time it has more than doubled its capacity, being now the center of a large rural delivery, which includes fi\e routes and takes in as many townships, ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 653 besides touching parts of three others. He has received three commissions from President Roosevelt and on March 17. 1910. was reappointed by Presi- dent Taft, his long retention in the office speaking well for his efficiency, also for the confidence reposed in him by the department, as well as by the general public which he serves. Mr. Struble represents a class of citizens distin- guished for tiiose measures of public policy which bear directly upon material interests, and he enjoys a iiigh rejiutatiou for business sagacity and integrity, his opinions and views being worthy of the highest consideration and regard. He is identified with a number of enterprises and utilities whicli make for the material prosperity of the town in which he lives and in all that concerns the social and moral welfare of his fellow townsmen his influence and co-operation have been unsparing and constant. He is a stockholder and director of the Central State Savings Bank of Shepherd, and is likewise identified witli the banking company at the town of Winn, to the success of both of which insti- tutions he has contributed in no small degree, being recognized as a discreet business man whose judgment and opinions have weight with his associates and command the respect of the public. Since old enough to read intelligent- ly, he lias kept in touch with the leading questions and issues of the people and a careful investigation of the principles of the opposing political parties led him into the Republican ranks, since which time he has been unremitting in his advocacy of its policies and an untiring worker for the success of its candidates. .Active and influential os Mr. Struble has been in political work, he has never sought office for himself, his first thought being for his friends whom he has assisted from time to time by e\ery legitimate means within his power. To his efforts the success of not a few candidates has been due and his judicious advice in party councils and activity during the progress of campaigns have helped to win victory for the entire ticket in a number of hotly waged contests. He was a member of the county committee one term and rendered efifective service in that capacity and also served for some time on the Republican congressional committee, where his judicious counsel was likewise appreciated. Before President McKinley's first nomination, he as- sisted in organizing a McKinley Club and served as president of same and during the campaign which followed rendered valuable service in winning the large majority which that popular candidate carried in Isabella county. Mr. Struble has been (|uite successful in his business affairs and in addi- tion to his interests in the banks referred to in a preceding paragraph, he owns valuable real estate in both town and country, the former including a fine modern residence on Wright avenue, the principal street of the city. 654 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. His home is imposing and attractive and. being situated in the Inisiness dis- trict, the property is growing rapidly in value. Mr. Struble is an enthusiastic Mason, belonging to Salt River Lodge No. 288, in which he has been hon- ored with four terms as worshipful master. In addition, his activity in the general work of the order is manifested in that he is now serving as president of the Masonic Building Association, which has control of the Masonic temple in Shepherd and various other interests connected therewith. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, in which he sen-ed seven years as worthy patron, and he likewise belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he now holds the title of past consul. In the year 1897 Mr. Struble was happily married to Coral C. Hibbard. the accomplished daughter of F. E. and Louisa Hibbard, of Isabella county, the union being without issue. At the time of her marriage and for some time prior thereto, Mrs. Struble was a teacher in the public schools of Shepherd. Later her husband appointed her assistant postmaster, a position which she has since tilled with credit and satis- faction, being prompt and courteous in attending to the duties of the office and popular in her relations with the public. CHARLES H. LEIGHTON. In nearly every community are individuals who by innate ability and sheer force of character rise above their fellows and win for themselves con- spicuous places in public esteem. While Charles H. Leighton, a progressive farmer of Rolland township. Isabella county, does not court such a distinction, yet it is evident that he has won a larger amount of success than the average farmer and that this has bten done by his own unaided efforts, since it has never been his nature to depend upon anyone. During the long period of his residence in this vicinity his life has been closely interwoven with its material growth and development, while his career as a man of affairs has been synon- ymous with all that is upright and honorable in citizenship. Mr. Leighton is the scion of a sterling old New York family, of which state he himself is native, his birth having occurred at Sodus, Wayne county, on August 30, 1843, on a small farm, on which he worked when he became of proper age, attending the district schools during the winter months. In March, 1853, when ten years of age, he came to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where the father purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered land in Wakeshma township, which he cleared with the help of his sons. Here Charles H. did ISABELLA COfNTY, MUIIU;.\X. 655 his first re:il Iianl work, and liere he received some additional scliooiing. lie remained in that county twenty years and jjurchased a small farm of twentv- inn acres, which he later sold and came to Isabella count v in the sprint,' of 1872. believing that here were the better prospects. He settled on his present excellent farm of sixty acres in .section 8. Rolland township. In tvpical pioneer fashion he made a little clearing; in the dense woods and started the nucleus ot a home anest and brightest news of the day and its value as an advertising medium has been greatly augmented and is now widely recog- nized. The plant is well etpiipped with the latest mechanical devices known in the "art preservative." The value of the equipment has, in fact, more than doubled under the control of Mr. Hullinger, until now, with the building which he owns, it is a valuable piece of property. The circulation is rapidlv increas- ing. Here is to be found the only linotype machine in the countv. and his paper is the largest in the county in size. The Times plant is seventy-two by thirty-three feet and extends on two lots. The Times is a strong defender of Republican principles. Mr. Hullinger owns a very pleasant home in Mt. Pleasant. Although a loyal Republican, he has not taken an aggressi\e part in political matters since coming here. Fraternally he belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Mt. Pleasant and was noble grand of this order while living at Perry. He also belongs to the Knights of Pvthias. JOHN Y. JOHXSTOX. The subject of this sketch, a leading farmer and representative citizen of Isabella county, is a Canadian by birth and a son of Francis and Elizabeth Johnston, both natives of the province of Ontario, the former born on May I, 181 7, the latter on the 2i.st of September, 1830. Francis Johnston came to Isabella county, Michigan, in 1873 and purchased the farm in Isabella town- ship which the subject now owns, the latter succeeding to the place on the death of his father in 1874. Mrs. Johnston, who is still li\ing. resides at Rosebush, this county, where she is spending her declining years in the en- joyment of the quiet and comfort to which her long and active life entitles her. John Y. Johnston was born in Peel county, Ontario, where he also spent his bo)hood and obtained his education. He was reared as a farmer and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits in his native country until 1875 when he came to Michigan and spent the summer of that year in Isabella county. Three years later he went to California where he remained three and a half years variously employed, working a part of the time on a farm and during certain seasons operating a header in the wheat fields of that state. Returning to Michigan at the expiration of the period indicated, he took possession of the place in (42) 658 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Isabella township referred to above, and since then has added to his real estate until he now owns a fine farm of one hundred twenty acres which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and on which are some of the most valuable improvements in the county. On January 29, 1883, Mr. Johnston was married in Ontario to Alary J. Steele and immediately thereafter brought his bride to the new home in Isabella county, which at that time consisted of a small log house and about five acres in wheat and thirty acres of starting. Animated by a laudable am- bition to succeed, he addressed himself resolutely to the work of clearing his land and fitting it for tillage, his good wife the meanwhile assisting him with words of encouragement and cheer and presiding with true grace and dignity over the humble home in which they spent some of the happiest times of their lives. Without narrating in detail his labor and progress, suffice it to state that since the time indicated, Mr. Johnston has converted his land into a splendid farm, which in point of cultivation and improvements ranks among the most desirable homesteads in the central part of the state. He has been unsparing of his means in adding to its beauty and value, erecting substantial buildings, including a commodious barn forty-four by sixty- four feet, and an. imposing brick dwelling, containing ten rooms and supplied with every con- venience calculated to augment the comfort of the occupants and render rural life desirable. The former building was erected in 1892, the latter in 1905, and recently the barn has been remodeled and greatly improved, water being supplied by wind power and various modern methods adopted to facili- tate and lighten labor. j\Ir. Johnston displays commendable public spirit in matters pertaining to the material progress of the community and the social and moral advancement of the populace, being at the present time chairman of the Law Enforcement League of his township and a leading worker in the cause of temperance. In the recent campaign to decide the question of local option, he was largely in- fluential in carrying the county for that measure and since the election he has been untiring in his efforts to enforce the law and drive the drink evil from the land. For a period of twenty-five years he was an active and consistent member of the ^Methodist church, but i's now identified with what is popularly called the Holiness movement, a religious society which insists upon a higher standard of religion than obtains in the older and more numerous bodies and greater consecration to the cause of the Master in daily life and conversation. In his former church connection he was a local preacher, besides holding various other offices, including those of steward, Sunday school superintendent and trustee, he being a leader of the congregation with which identified and a ISABELLA COUNTY, MICIIIGAX. 659 zealous advocate of all reformatory and humanitarian projects, indeed any movement calculated to benefit his fellow men and lead them to a higher life is sure to enlist his hearty sympathy and support. Mrs, Johnston, whose birth occurred in Peel county, Ontario. October 24, 1859, is a lady of high character and sterling worth and a zealous and faithful Christian and her hr.sband's able helper in all of his efforts to advance his own interests and those of his neighbors and fellow citizens. Iler father, George Steele, was born April 7, 1827, in England and is now living in I'eel county, where he has made his home for a number of years. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary Ann Armstrong, was born in Canada, her birth occurring on September 5, 1832. She married Mr. Steele in Ontario and departed this life at her home in Peel county on the 12th day of Septem- ber, i()oo. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are the parents of five children, whose names are as follows: George F., born October 9, 1883. is unmarried and lives at home: Elizabeth, born August 18, 1885, is the wife of Clyde Craig and lives in Montreal, Canada; Mary J., whose birth occurred on April 24, 1889, is single and a member of the home circle: Ruth, who is also with her parents, was born August 10, 1894, and I-'aitli M., the youngest of the number, first saw light of day on July 3, 1902. HARRY E. WAETOX. This enterprising farmer belongs to the younger generation of Isabella county's substantial citizens and is eminently worthy of notice among the representative men of the townshi]) honored by iiis residence. He belongs to an old anil highly esteemed Michigan family, the record of which in this state dates from the birth of the grandfather, John B. \\'alton. which occurred in the town of Sterling. McComb county, November 30, 1833. This ancestor grew to manhood near his native place and later, in the fall of 1835, came to Isabella county and took uj) land under the graduation act, selecting the south- east (|uarter of section 4. Coe townshi]). which he at once proceeded to im- prove and on which he lived until his death, in 1879. Sul)se(|uently he mar- ried Artemissia Blount, who was born in Oakland county. Michigan, Decem- ber 31. 1834, and by her he had children as follows: Mina. wife of Myles Abbott, lives in Coe township; Fred married Lily \'ining, and is also a resident of Coe township: Perrv married Martha L. Harry and is the father of the subject of this sketch; Charles married Teressa McGrath and lives on the 660 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. family homestead, which he now owns ; Frank is not married and makes his home with his brother Charles; Willard. whose wife was formerly ]\Iabel Hamilton, is proprietor of a bakery in Gladwin, this state, he being the young- est of the family. John B. Walton enlisted February 17, 1864, in Company E, Eighth Michigan Infantry, and ser\ed until the close of the Civil war, taking part in the \^irginia campaigns and participating in a number of noted battles, in one of which, the bloody struggle in the Wilderness, he received, on June i8th of the above year, a severe wound in the hand. After the surrender of the Confederate forces under General Lee he was honorably discharged and. re- turning home immediately thereafter, resumed agricultural pursuits, which he continued with encouraging results until his death, on June 15, 1879. Mrs. W^alton, who survived her husband, is still living on the home place in Coe township, having reached the age of seventy-six years, and still retaining possession of her mental and physical powers. Perry Walton, the third in order of birth of the above children, was born July 26, 1866, and spent his life as a tiller of the soil. After living in Coe township until 1890, he mo\ed to Clare county, this state, where he remained two years, anrl then changed his residence to the county of Missaukee, where he purchased a farm of forty acres on which he spent the remainder of his days, departing this life on October i, 1892. Martha L. Harry, who became the wife of Perry Walton, was born June 29, 1868, and for the past eight years has made her home in Alberta, Canada. The children of this estimable couple, two in number, are Harry E., whose name introduces this sketch, and Alta, whose birth occurred August 24. 1886, and who now lives with her mother in Canada, having in the meantime become the wife of Joseph Poniter. Harry E. Walton was born June 12, 1885, in Coe township, Isabella countv, and grew up amid the bracing airs and under the wholesome influence of rural life, becoming inured to farm labor at an early age and obtaining a practical education in the public schools. At the age of sixteen he discon- tinued farm labor to accept a clerkship in a hardware store, and after filling t-he position seven years and demonstrating commendable business capacity, became a partner of H. M. Wetzel in the hardware trade, the firm thus con- stituted purchasing the stock of the Shepherd Hardware Company, which establishment is now under the management of the firm of Wetzel & Walton. The above firm carries a large and well selected stock of general hardware and by close attention to the demands of the trade and judicious management has built up quite an extensive patronage, which from the beginning has grown ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 66l steadily in inagniliulc and iiiiportance, their store at tliis time being among the most successful business houses of the kind in the county. As indicated in a preceding jjaragrapli, Mr. Walton has made commendable progress as a business man, his career presenting a series of advancements such as few achieve, and he now occu])ies a conspicuous place among the rej^reseiitative merchants of this part of tlie state, liis past success bespeaking a l)riglit and promising future. In his relations with his fellow men, business or otherwise, he has been actuated by motives of honor and integrity, and in the communitv which has been his lifelong home his name represents the highest standard of manhood and citizenship. Fraternally he belongs to Salt River Lodge No. 288, Free and .\ccepted Masons, and he also holds membership with Camp No. 8178, Modern Woodmen of America, in both of which societies he has held positions of honor and trust and been an active and influential worker. Mr. Walton is a married man. but has no children, his wife having for- merly been Florabell Shepherd, daughter of H. D. and Mary She])herd, the father living, the mother dying December 12, 1905. Mrs. Walton, whose birth occurred at Ashley, Michigan, December 25, 1887, is a lady of intelli- gence and beautiful character, a tit companion for the enterprising man whose name she bears and over whose home she presides with grace and dignity be- coming one who makes her hu.sband's interests her own, and spares no reason- able effort to make their married life mutually agreeable and happy and to the largest degree useful. They move in the best social circles of the com- munity and their popularity is only bounded by the limits of their acquaint- ance. HENRY WILD. The gentleman whose career is here made public is an .\mcrican bv naturalization, being a native of Switzerland, where his birth occurred in the month of April, 1859, and where he spent the first twenty-one years of his life. In his youth he learned the trade of dyeing and coloring clothing, which he fnlbiwed in his native land until attaining his majority when he de- cided to seek his fortime in the great repulilic across the sea of which he had read so much and heard so many favorable reports. .Accordingly, in 1880 be bade farewell to the romantic scenes of his childhood and youth and in due time landed in .\iTierica and made his way direct to Saginaw. Michigan, where he spent the ensuing eight years variously employed. In the spring of 1888 he left that part of the state and settled on a tract of land in X'enion town- 662 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ship, Isabella county, which he obtained by trade and which at the time re- ferred to was as nature had made it. With his characteristic industry and energy Mr. Wild at once proceeded with the work of clearing his land and getting it in condition for cultivation, a task of no small magnitude, consider- ing the dense woods with which it was covered, and the difficulty of remov- ing the roots and stumps after the timber had been cut. By continuous and well directed toil, however, he finally succeeded in reducing the greater part to tillage, besides making a number of substantial improvements in the way of buildings, fences, etc., and planting certain pastures with fruit trees. In 1897 Mr. Wild suffered quite a heavy loss in the destruction of his dwelling house by fire, but he at once rebuilt upon a more extensive scale, the residence which the family now occupy being decidedly superior to its pred- ecessor. His barn and outbuildings are substantial and in excellent repair and in his farm work he has aimed to keep pace with the times, using improved machinery and implements and cultivating the soil according to the latest modern methods. He has been very successful in all of his undertakings and is now in independent circumstances, his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres yielding him not only a liberal livelihood, but an ample surplus each year to lay up against any emergency that may arise, also to insure an easy and comfortable old age. Mr. Wild is a public spirited man and since becoming a citizen of Isabella county has been quite active in public and political affairs, having served three successive years as supervisor of Vernon township and two years as treasurer of the same. In both offices he demonstrated business ability of a high order and a faithful regard for the interests of the public. He is a stanch Republican in politics and an influential worker for the success of his party, being one of its leaders in Vernon township, where his opinions and counsel always command respect. Fraternally, he belongs to the Grange, in the deliberations of which he has ever taken an acti\e part, and he also holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees, having from time to time been honored with important official positions. Mr. Wild married in his native country Emma Kundig, whose early life was spent near his own birthplace, and who has proven a faithful companion and helpmeet in his labors and struggles and is now able to rejoice with him in the fortune that has crowned their mutual efforts. They have four living children, one dying in infancy, the names of the survivors being Herman, Frank. William and Harry. Although of foreign birth. Mr. \Mld is as truly American as if born on American soil, and as a citizen he is highminded, in- telligent, a great admirer of the institutions of his adopted country and ready ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 663 to (lefeml tliem witli his life's blood shoulil the necessity arise. He is his^iiiy esteemed l)y a large circle of friends and the confidence reposed in him by his neighbors has never been misplaced. EUGENE H. ALLYN. The subject of this re\ie\v is widely and fa\orably known and for a num- ber of years has been one of the enterprising, public spirited men oi the town- ship honored by his citizenship. Eugene H. Allyn, who is a native of Cier- many. first saw the light of day in the year 1859 and when six months old was brought to America by his mother, his father dying six months previous to his birth. Owing to the peculiar circumstances surrounding his mother after reaching this country, she found it well nigh impossible to rear her child : accordingly, he was adopted by a Mr. .\l!yn, who with his good wife looked after the lad's interests as if he were of their own blood and spared no efforts to have him grow up an honor to himself and them and a blessing to the world. His own mother lived for a number of years after coming to the I'nitetl States, dying at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1907. In 1867 Mr. Allyn's foster father mo\-ed from Ohio to northern Michi- gan, where he lived until 1876. when he transferred his residence to Ohio, since w hich time he has made that state his home. Young Allyn attended the public schools as opportunities afforded, the meantime devoting the summer months to labor on the fann. He grew up a strong, well developed young man. with proper conce])tions of the duties and responsibilities of life, and on arriving at an age to plan for the future he came to \\'inn, Fremont township, Isabella county, and went into the mercantile business, which he followed for ten years, but finding the confinement undermining his health he bought a farm and sold his store, the outdoor work greatly benefiting him. He owns \alu- able real estate in Isabella county and is otherw ise well to do, the farm of one hundred acres on which he lives being among the best improved and most desirable in Winn township and leaving little to be desired in the wav of modern con\eniences and comforts. Mr. .\llyn is a gentleman of progressive ideas and fine taste and during his active years not only cultixated the soil with success and profit, but was uns])aring of his means in improving and l>eautifying his home. The com- modious dwelling which his family now occupy is furnished with the various conveniences calculated to reniler rural life happy and desirable, being heated 664 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. by the hot water system and equipped with other modern iinpro\ements. the barns, outbuildings, fences, etc.. being first class and in excellent condition, the farm and everything pertaining thereto being up to date and bearing evi- dence of the intelligence, enterprise and public spirit of the proprietor. As a tiller of the soil he stands in the front rank of Isabella county's progressive agriculturists and as a citizen is energetic and wide awake, keeping in touch with the trend of current events and abreast of the times on all matters of public interest. In politics he is a Democrat, but not an office seeker, although for twenty consecutive terms he served as clerk of his township and discharged the duties of the position in an able and eminently praiseworthy manner. He is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic brotherhood, belonging to Cedar Valley Lodge No. 383, in addition to which he encourages all benevolent and humanitarian projects, being always ready to assist worthy enterprises and never turning a deaf ear to the cry of suffering or distress. Mr. Allyn, in 1881, entered the marriage relation with Julia Allyn, who was born in the year i860, being a daughter of Phineas and Celia (Butler) Allyn, natives of Connecticut, where their births occurred in 1829 and 1831, respectively. Phineas Allyn came to Michigan about the year 1879 and is now living in the city of Mt. Pleasant, his wife having died in 1870. One child has blessed the marriage of Eugene H. and Julia Allyn, a daughter, Nellie, who was born February 25, 1896, and who is now pursuing her studies in the public schools. WILLIAM BADGLEY. j\.mong the men of influence in Isabella county, who have the interest of their locality at heart and who have led consistent lives, thereby gaining definite success along their chosen lines, is William Badgley, a successful farmer of Wise township, having there a valuable and highly productive landed estate, which he manages with the care and discretion that stamps him as a twentieth- century agriculturist of the highest order. Mr. Badgley was born October 29, 1845, '" Hastings county, Ontario, Canada, the son of William and Abigail (Garrison) Badgley, both natives of that place, and there he passed his boyhood and attended school a short time. He remained on the farm, which he worked until he was thirty-two years of affe. He was married to Elizabeth Presley of his own community in Ontario, tjorn in 1847. At the age mentioned above Mr. Badgley came to Saginaw, IMichigan, where he remained three months, then came to Clare Citv, Clare ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 665 county, aiKl lised two years, working on the section of a railroad, also in the woods. He then moved to section 8, Wise township, and bought sixty acres of timbered land, through which and around which there were no roads. — in fact. Mr. Badgley was one of the first settlers in that township, coming here when the great forests were inhabited b\' Indians and wild beasts, but he set to work with a will and in due course of time had a comfortal)lc home and well cultivated farm. In 19 lo he purchased an additional forty acres, making his farm now one hundred acres, which ranks with the best and most attractive in the township. He has. as intimated, a neat and well arranged dwelling which he remodeled in 18S8 and in 1910 he erected a good barn, thirty-si.x by eighty-two feet. His place is well fenced with wire and is well drained. He has eighty-five acres under a high state of cultivation and is carrying on general farming in a manner that brings abundant success. He is also very successful as a stock raiser, paying special attention to full blood shorthorn cattle and he has other good stock. This year he has ten acres in beets, seven acres in beans, besides wheat, oats and barley, and has one acre of fine fruit. He uses the latest models in farming machinery. He is a stockholder and a member of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Society of Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Badgley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a trustee of the same, having held this office for the past two years. His family also belongs to this church and all are very faithful in their attendance on the same. Mr. Badgley has also been a steward of this church for several years. Politically, he is a Rc])ublican, but has never sought public office. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Badgley : I'rank. who married a Miss Goodnough, lives in Flint, Michigan, where he is em- ployed as bookkeeper; Anna, who married a Mr. Vandelindy, lives in Pembine, Wisconsin; Thomas A., who married a Miss Smith, lives with his father on the home farm; John Leroy is married and is engaged in railroad work in North Dakota. Xo family in Isabella county is respected more highly than the Badgleys and thev are influential in their communitv. DAXIEL BUCKLEY. The interesting career of the subject of this sketch entitles him to worthv notice among the representative men of his township and county and it is with no little satisfaction that the following review of the leading facts of his life 666 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. is herewith presented. Daniel Buckley was born r^Iarch 21, 1845. in X'orfolk county, Ontario, and at the early age of eight years death deprived him of a mother's loving care and guidance. Shortly after this sad event he was bound out to learn the tailor's trade, but not being pleased with the prospect of so long a period of ser\'ice, and with little or no love for his master, he soon decided to cut loose from his environment and make his own wav in the world; accordingly, when a favorable opportunity presented itself he stole away and in due time arrived in Detroit, where he hired to a pai'ty of men to help take a drove of horses to St. Louis, Missouri. On recei\ing his pay the lad went from the latter city to Nashville, Tennessee, where he entered the employ of the government as teamster, but at the expiration of three months resigned the position, and returning to his native province, spent the follow- ing year at home. Becoming weary of inacti\ity and longing for the wild free life of which he obtained but a slight experience, young Buckley, in 1865, again se\ered home ties and going to Detroit, enlisted in Company .\, Nineteenth United States Infantry of the regular army, subsequeiUly being transferred to Company A, Thirty-seventh Regiment, and still later to Com- pany K, Third Infantry, as corporal. Mr. Buckley served six years in the regular army, during which he footed it across the plains, took part in a numjjer of raids against the hostile redskins, did garrison duty at not a few frontier outposts and passed through many other experiences in the West and other parts of the countiy ere the ter- mination of his period of enlistment. While in the West he was detailed for duty, carrying United States mail dispatches, driving stage coach, etc., be- tween Fort Wingate, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Trinidad and other forts. On the trip across the plains '"Wild Bill" was scout and a part of the command was the famous Seventh Cavalry commanded by General Custer, this being the latter's first trip across the plains. His time having expired, he returned to Ontario, but after spending about a year there, decided to seek his fortune in Michigan, accordingly, in 1872, he came to Isabella county and for some time thereafter assisted his brother, who was conducting a store at Isabella cit\'. He also worked for some months in \-arious lumber camps and later purchased the forty acres of land in section 36, Isabella township, on which he has since lived and prospered. Mr. Buckley has not only cleared and re- duced to cultivation the farm on which he now resides, but has carried to com- pletion several improvements, erecting a fine barn, thirty-six by se\ent\- feet in dimensions, in 1899, a commodious modern dwelling" in 1901, besides lay- ing a great deal of drain tile, enclosing the greater part of the place with im- proved wire fence and purchasing an atklitional fort\' acres near bv. He has ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 667 tiiet willi gralitviiig success as a tiller of the soil, and is now in comfortable circumstances with a sufficiency of this world's goods in his possessicjn to as- sure a future free from care. ^ Mr. Buckley has been twice married, the first time to Maria Annis. who bore him four children, and departed this life in the year 1905, the names of the children being as follows: Ilarrv, a railway engineer with hcad(|uartcrs at Proctor, Minnesota; Ra}-, who is also engaged in the railway service at that place; Thomas, who lives at Indiana Harbor, Indiana, and Kate, who makes her home in the state of Miiuiesota. By his second wife, who previous to her marriage was Ann McClaine, Mr. Buckle\- has one child. Herman R. AARON S. BEACH. Though uneventful, the life of the subject of this review has been eminently honorable and to him and such as he tlie body politic is indebted for much of its moral bone and sinew and the community for the respect for law and order which insure happy homes and a contented people. Aaron S. Beach, a native of Oneida coimty, New York, was born in the year 1847 and spent his early life near the i)lace where he first saw the light of day. He was reared amid rural scenes, early became familiar with the duties of the farm and in the public schools of his neighborhood received a fair educa- tion. He remained on the home place in his native county until his father's death, which occurred in 1862, and later, when nineteen years old, accompanied his widowed mother to Connecticut, where he remained one summer. Going to Ulster county, New York, at the expiration of the time indi- cated. Mr. Beach devoted the ensuing two years to farm labor, and then came to Clinton county, Michigan, where he spent the following sixteen years, work- ing by the month for dififercnt parties, although owning a farm of his own from which he received a fair rental. Disposing of his farm in the above count\- in 1885, he came to Isabella county and for two year.s thereafter worked principally by the day, his main object in coming to this part of the state, howexer, being the desire to benefit his health, which at the time referred to was in a ])recarious condition. In 1887 he purchased eighty acres of land in section 3, Nottawa townshij). all in the woods and presenting any Ijut an allur- ing ])rospect for a home, but under his effective labors, the forest growth grad- ually disappeared and in due time he had a goodly part of his farm cleared and in cultivation. 668 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. During the past twenty-three years ]\Ir. Beach has succeeded well as a farmer, the greater part of his land being in an excellent state of tillage, with good improvement^including a commodious barn erected a number of years ago, but remodeled in 1908, a comfortaljle and substantial residence equipped with the usual conveniences, up-to-date outbuildings, the place being enclosed and subdivided with first-class wire fencing, and the productiveness of the soil enhanced by a judicious system of drainage, four hundred rods of which is by means of tiling. All in all, liis success has been \-ery gratifying and he is today in com- fortable circumstances with a sufficient competency in his possession to render his future free from care. He has always been a hard worker and having no one but himself to provide for, being free from the duties and responsibilities of matrimony, he gets all the enjoyment out of life there is in it. assists his neighbors and friends in their efforts to promote the general welfare and uses his influence for the right as he sees it and understands it. He is a gentleman of pleasing address, and those who know him best speak in high terms of his many estimable qualities of mind and heart and of his sterling worth as a neighbor and citizen. NATHANIEL WHITNEY. Conspicuous among the leading farmers and representative citizens of Isabella township is Nathaniel Whitney, who was born in Northumberland county, Ontario, on November 22, 1859. He was reared to farm labor in his native province, received a good common school education and at the age of twenty left home and came to Evart, Osceola county, ]\Iichigan, where he spent one year, devoting the spring and summer months to farm work and the winter season to labor in the woods. At the expiration of the period indi- cated he came to Isabella county and, being pleased with the appearance of the country, purchased forty acres of land in section 21, Isabella township, after which for several winters he worked in various lumber camps, while devoting the other months to clearing his land, fitting it for cultivation. Without narrating in detail Mr. Whitney's efforts in making a farm and establishing a home in the forest of Isabella township, suffice it to state that, by well directed industry and good judgment, he finally succeeded in clearing the greater part of his original purchase and erecting substantial improve- ments thereon, besides adding to his realty at intervals until he now owns two hundred and fortv acres of as fine land as the county can boast, one iiundred ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 669 and fifty acres Ijeinji in culli'.aiiiju. all but fifty acres of the latter representing the labor of his own hands. In 1908 he built an imposing modern dwelling, the upright thirty by sixteen feet, the wing twenty-two Iiy sixteen feet, the edifice being com[)lete in all cf its parts, fully e(iuipped with conveniences and well calculated to make life within its walls comfortable and desirable. After remodeling the barn and converting it into a first-class structure, he erected two other similar buildings, seventy by thirty-six feet and thirty by forty feet, respectively, besides enclosing his place with fine wire fences, and greatly enhancing the productiveness of the soil by a successful system of drainage. As a farmer Mr. Whitney ranks among the most enterprising of his neighbors similarly engaged and since becoming a resident of Isabella county his success has been continuous, being at this time the possessor of sufficient means to make him independent and to pro\ide amply for his children when they see fit to sever home ties and begin life for themselves. A Democrat in politics and having implicit faith in the principles of his party, he is not a partisan, and has never sought nor desired office, being content with the quiet and successful life of a tiller of the soil and satisfied with the simple title of citizen. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, holding membership with the church in ^It. Pleasant and contributing liljerally to its material support, also to the \arious benevolences and other lines of good work under the auspices of the parish. The domestic life of Mr. Whitney dates from May. 1889. ^^ which time was solemnized his marriage with Laura Fortin. who was born in Northum- berland, Ontario. November 19. 1872, being a daughter of Joseph and Bridget (O'Donnell) Fortin, both living in Isabella township at the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the parents of the following children. Josejjh. William, Helena. Fugene. Loretta. Edwin. Marie and Beatrice, all living and commanding the esteem and confidence of their friends and associates. WILLIAM J. (;RAHAM. The gentleman whose career is briefly sketched in the following lines has achieved success such as falls to the lot of few. and as a farmer, stock raiser and citizen he occupies a prominent place in the community and com- mands in a marked degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow men. Wil- liam J. Graham is a native of Canada, born in Peel county, Ontario, in fnly. 1853. At the tender age of one and a half years death deprived him of a 670 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. father's care and guidance and from that time until reaching the years of maturity lie spent the greater part of the time with his brothers and mother on the Canadian homestead, the meanwhile obtaining a practical education in the public schools and becoming familiar with the rugged duties of rural life. In the winter of 1874-5. when twenty years of age. he came to Isabella countv. Michigan, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of wild land in sec- tion 10, Isabella township, and during the next few years applied himself to the clearing and developing of the same, making a number of substantial im- provements in the meantime and meeting with gratifying success as a tiller of the soil. Since taking possession of his land he has reduced one hundred and eight acres to cultivation and added good buildings, including a commodious and comfortable modern dwelling erected in 1884, a large barn, forty-four by sixty feet, with basement, the following year, besides five hundred and fifty rods of wire fencing, which, with other improvements, have greatly aug- mented the value of the farm, which is now conceded to be one of the best in the township. Mr. Graham is a progressive farmer, being familiar with the nature of soils and their adaptability to the different crops grown in this latitude and by judicious rotation and careful tillage he ne\er fails to realize ample re- turns from his time and labor. In connection with general agriculture he pays considerable attention to live stock of the finer breeds, his horses being high grade and among the best in his section of the country and his cattle, of which he keeps quite a number, including from eight to ten fine milch cows. having long been noted for their many points of superiority and excellence. By his industry, energy and thrift, backed by sound judgment and rare fore- sight, he has so managed his interests as to acquire a handsome competency and he is today among the most successful farmers of the county with a sufficiency of this world's goods in his possession to make him independent. Mr. Graham was marr'ed October 26. 1882. to Minnie McXeill. who was born in Middlesex county, Ontario, February 7, 1862. being a daughter of John McNeill and Jannet Cameron, both nati\-es of that province. These parents were born in the year 1820 and 1825, respectively, married in Ontario and spent their lives principally in Middlesex county, where they also passed to their final rew'ard. The father died in London in 1892, the mother came to this country two \ears before she died, in March, 1910. In her youth Mrs. Graham attended the public schools of her native county and later pursued her studies in London, Canada, and was afterward graduated from the high school of Strathroy, Ontario. In 1880 she taught the school in district No. 3, Isabella township, and the following year had sole charge of IS.\15i;i,I.A COUNTY, MICHIGAX. 67I the Xippesing Indian schools on the reservation in this connty. in which work she was associated four years with Mrs. J. R. Robinson and Miss Snyder, wlio taught at the other two Indian schools on this reservation. During her five years' experience in the schools of Isabella county, before and after lier marriage. Mrs. Graham acliicxcd market! distinction for tlie tliDroughnesss of her work and the reputation she enjoyed as one of the most successful teachers the county has ever known was fairly and honoralily won. She is a lady of fine mind and varied culture and her beautiful life and character have made her popular among her many friends and associates. She belongs with her husband to the order of Gleaners and is also a member of the Pomona Society of the Grange, which she and Mr. Graham helped to organize and to the success of which they have largely contributed. Mr. Graham is a Demo- crat in politics and an iiilluential worker in his party. He served four years as township clerk, two years as township treasurer and proved a very capable and popular official. He enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens, irrespec- tive of political affiliation, is a public-spirited man in the most liberal meaning of the term and in every relation of life his conduct has been such as to com- mend him to the favoralile consideration of his fellow men. Mr. and Mrs. Graiiam have si.x children, the oldest being Linna, who was born April 9, 1885, and is now the wife of John W. Kramer, of Isabella township. Laura, born December 19, 1887, was graduated from the Central Normal Institute at Mt. Pleasant, after which she taught three years in Michigan and in 1909 went to the state of A\'ashington. wliere she is now engaged in educational work. M. Kenneth was born November 24, 1889, and lives with his parents. .After completing the common school course he entered a business college at Lansing, from which he was graduated in due time with an honorable record. Jeannette, born June 10, 1891, is still at home, as are also Martha L., who was born December 24, 1892, and H. Kendall, whose birth occurred on the /th of August, 1902. GEORGE B. STICKLE. George B. Stickle, farmer and fruit grower, as well as one of tiie enter- prising men of the township honored by his citizenship, is a native of Ontario, Canada, and a son of .\. X. and Elizabeth Stickle. The former, born in 1816, died in 1893: the latter, whose birth occurred in 1817, departed this life in the year 1906. George B. Stickle was born December 6, 1839, in Hastings county, Ontario, attended the schools of Sydney township in his youth and 6/2 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. grew to maturity familiar with the duties of farm life. He was reared to habits of industry, grew up with a proper appreciation of what the world expected of a young man and, like a dutiful son, remained at home assisting his father on the farm until old enough to make plans for his future course of action. Having decided to devote his life to agriculture, he engaged in the same on attaining his majority and continued in his chosen calling in his native country until his removal, in 1878, to the state of Michigan. In the meantime 'Sir. Stickle took to himself a wife and helpmeet in the person of Elizabeth Munn, to whom he was united in the bonds of wedlock in 1841 and with whom he traveled life's highway until her death, in the year 1872. Later he married his second wife, whose maiden name was Sara Thorne and whose birth occurred on February 19, 1843. On coming to this state, Mr. Stickle located near the city of Flint, where he farmed during the ensuing three years, and then moved to Isabella county and took charge of a farm in Chippewa township, on which he lived for a period of two years, at the expiration of which time he purchased forty acres of land in section 7, Isabella township, on which no improvements of any kind had been made, the land being thickly wooded and presenting any but an alluring prospect for a home. With his characteristic energy and industry. Mr. Stickle ad- dressed himself to the task of clearing and improving his land and in the course of a few years had the largest part in cultivation and substantial build- ings erected. He continued his labors as the time passed until he now has one of the most desirable little farms in Isabella township, with impro\e- ments comparing with the best in the locality, his dwelling, a fine brick edifice, erected in 1904, being modern and a model of architecture and convenience, and his barn a commodious structure in size forty by sixty-eight feet, con- trasting favoraljly with any other building of the kind in the township. His other improvements, wliich mclude a wind mill, three hundred fiftv rods of wire fence and fise thousand tile, have added very materiallv to the value of the farm. Recently Mr. Stickle has been giving considerable attention to fruit growing, for which his lands seems peculiarly adapted, and he now has a half acre of trees that yield abundantly every year and another orchard of one and a half acres, from which he will soon be gathering fruit from which he will doubtless derive handsome profits. In his political views Mr. Stickle is a Republican with Prohibition ten- dencies and of late years he has taken an active part in opposing the liquor traffic, which he considers the crying evil of the times and an ulcer on the body politic to be gotten rid of only by drastic legislation. In matters relig- ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 673 idiis he is a Methodist ami for three years he served as trustee of Center church in Isaiiella townsiiip. also helped build the present h(5use of worsiiip. He has always been interested in tiie i)rogress of agriculture and to this end united with the Grange some years ago and is now a zealous and influential worker in that excellent organization. He lield the position of school treas- urer fifteen years, aside from which he never sought official ])relermcnt nor aspired to jiublic recognition. Mr. Stickle's first marriage was blessed w ith tw o children, nanielv : .Ar- thur, who was born Xovember 4. 1863, in Canada, and who married .\nna Doolittle. of that country, and at the present time lives in the citv of Toronto: Olive, horn Jnne 28, 1872, is the wife of J. K. Johnson and lives at Rosebush, this county. His present wife has presented him with one child, a daughter bv the name of h'rankie, whose birth occurred on ]-"el)ruar\- 4. 1877, and who is now the wife of Frank Johnson, of Isabella township. TOHX WALTOX. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is one of the leading farmers of Isabella townshi]), while his fame as a breeder and raiser of fine stock is not only state wide, but extends to every part of the Union. As a man and citizen he is also well known and since becoming a resident of the county in which he now lives he has been actively identified with its agricul- tural interests and foremo.st in promoting means and measures for the social and moral advancement of the community. John Walton was born X'ovember 2, 1852, in North Middlesex countv, Ontario, and is a son of Xicholas and Sarali (Hughes) Walton, the former born -April 22, 1826, in England, the latter in Wales in the vear 1830. The mother departed this life in Isabella county, Alichigan, in 1889, being survived by the father, who is now living in Isabella township. John Walton spent his boyhood in his native county, attended the public schools of the same and grew to maturity amid the active duties and whole- some discipline of the farm. While still young, he began paving attention to live stock, his father having l)een a successful rai.ser of the same, and on attaining his majority he decided to make stock raising his vocation. In 1874, when twenty-two years old. he married Jamesena Craig, of Ontario, and two years later. 1876, came to Lsabella township and bought one hun- dred and sixtv acres of land in section 8. all in the woods except one acre (43) ' 6/4 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. which had been practically cleared. Going in debt for the greater part of his land and obliged to pay the exorbitant rate of twelve per cent, for money, he sold eighty acres, but later repurchased it and. in order to free himself from debt, subsecjuently reduced his farm to its present area of sixty acres, which is well named "Phoenix Stock Farm." ^Ir. Walton has been an energetic worker, a successful farmer and in the matter of improvements has kept pace with the most enterprising and progressive of his fellow agriculturists of the township in which he lives. He has greatly advanced the productiveness of his land by tile drainage, of which he now has over three hundred rods, also four hundred and eighty rods of woven wire fence, while his buildings, including a comfortable modern dwell- ing and a large barn, forty by fifty-three feet in size, and a barn twenty- four by thirty feet (the above barns being built on stone and cement walls eight feet high with stabling underneath), together with the usual outbuildings, are up to date and compare favorably with the best in his neighborhood. Impressed with the idea that stock farming would prove more satisfactory and remunerative than the mere cultivation of the soil. Mr. \\'alton early turned his attention to sheep and ever since becoming a citizen of Isabella county he has made a specialty of the Shropshire and Leicester sheep, in the raising of which he has achieved almost national repute. He has exhibited his animals at a number of state fairs and stock shows throughout the coun- try and has taken more prizes for high grade Leicester sheep than any other man in the United States, a fact of which he feels deservedly proud. The high reputation of his animals creating a good demand for them among the leading sheep raisers of the country, he has sold in nearly every state of the Union, and to him also belongs the credit of having won five of the eight champion cups awarded at the Michigan state fair in the city of Detroit for the best ram and ewe on exhibition. But it is not by sheep alone that he has acquired an enviable reputation as a stock raiser, having been almost as suc- cessful in the matter of swine of the Berkshire breed, which he has been rais- ing for the last thirty years, and from the sales of which he has acquired no small share of the comfortable fortune now in his possession. He also takes great interest in poultry and keeps a large number of very fine Plymouth Rock fowls, which have won their due share of prizes wherever exhibited. Mr. Walton manifests pardonable pride in his success as a raiser of fine domestic animals and poultry and the high reputation which he now enjoys has been fairly and honorably earned. He deserves great credit for his efforts to improve the live stock of his own and other states, and his example is being imitated by many of his fellow farmers of Isabella county, who have ISABELLA COUNTY, MUIIKIAN. 675 IcariK'd liy experience tliat it is just as easy to raise first-class animals as poor and indifferent breeds and much more remunerati\e. Mr. Walton's first wife, to whom reference is made in a preceding para- graph, was Ixirn in December. 1853, and died July 28, 1878. She bore her husband the following children: Sara J. married Emory First, an \\TLBERT W. BROPHY. Those who belong to the respectable middle classes of society, bein early taught the necessity of relying upon their own exertions, will be more apt to acquire that information and those business habits which alone can fit them for the discharge of life's duties, and, indeed, it has long been a notable fact that our great men in nearly all walks of life in America spring from this class. Wilbert W. Brophy, well-known citizen of Denver township, Isabella county, is a worthy representative of this class from which spring the true noblemen of the republic. Wilbert \V. Brophy was born on April 22, 1858, in Columbus township. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 68l St. Clair county. .Michigan. He is the son of John and Cynthia (Youngs) Bropliy. who came to Michigan from Ontario in 1855 and settled in Columbus township, St. Clair county, their present home. He grew to maturity in his native community and attended school there, assisting his father with the work on the farm until he was nineteen years of age, then, in 1877. he came to Lsabella county and worked here tliat fall, and the following spring he bought forty acres of gotxl land in section 19, Denver township, most of which was timbered, all but si.\ or eight acres. There was a .small log house on the place when he purchased it, but there were few other improvements. He did not use this, but erected a board shantv, si.xteen by twenty-four feet. He did not settle on this place until after his marriage, haxing. up to that event, worked at various jobs, principally doing farm work in summer with his brother. Norman, who resided in Isabella county at the time, and working in the lumber woods in Clare county in the winter months. When Mr. Brophv first came to Denver township there were but seven w bite men besides himself li\ing here. He assisted in cutting out many miles of roads and en- dured many hardships incident to pioneer life. He married Elizabeth Gardi- ner at Alt. Pleasant, on March 8. 1882. She was born March 11, 1856, in New Boyne, Leeds county, Ontario, from which country' she mo\ed with her parents, Joseph and Alicia (Rogers) Gardiner. They settled at Vassar. Tus- cola count)', Michigan, in 1867. and in A])ril. 1876. they removed to Isabella countv. .About three years after his marriage Mr. Brophy built a good house on his place, but. renting his farm, moved onto his father's place in St. Clair county and farmed there three years, then came back and settled on his present place and has been here ever since. In the fall of 1890 he added forty acres, w bich joined his original forty and he now has eighty acres. He cleared most all of his second forty. He has a substantial and convenient dwelling and a good barn which he erected himself: he has made many other substantial improvements on his farm, including the laying of some two hundred rods of tile. Since erecting his dwelling he has veneered it with brick, making it very attractive in a])pearance He has a basement under all of his house, and a flowing well sup])lies his need in this direction. He has two acres of bear- ing ai)])les, some grapes, plums and cherries. He carries on general farming, raising wheat, oats, beans, corn, beets, hay. Sixty-seven of his eighty acres are cleared and under a high state of cultivation. He keeps some good live stock, horses, cattle, bogs and sheep. He has i)ut up fi\e hundred and fifty rods of woven wire fencing, and he uses up-to-date farming machinery. He has one of the best farms in this township. 682 ISABELLA COUXTY, MICHIGAN. Politically. Mr. Brophy is a Republican. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, and he belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, Eldorado Tent Xo. 559. at Rosebush. To Mr. and Mrs. Bro]>hy one child has been born, whom they named Irene Blanche, her birth occurring in 1886. She married Arthur Muters- baugh, and is living in Denver township. They are the parents of two children. Mr. Brophy is known to be an honest and neighborly man. good to his family and his friends, consequently he has the good will of all. AXTHOXY \V. MILLER. This well-to-do farmer and representative citizen is a native of Ohio, born in Tuscarawas county. June 7, 1850. His parents, Barrett and Margaret Aliller, were also natives of that state and spent their lives in its borders, both dying in the county of Defiance, where they had made their home for a num- ber of years. Anthony \V. Miller is the oldest of a family of nine children, which fact accounts for much of the labor of the farm falling to him at quite an early age. He was reared on the homestead in his native county and remained with his parents until about twenty years of age. when he started out to make his own way, with [Michigan as his destination. He arrived in Mecosta county, this state, in 1870 and for some time thereafter worked in a timber camp, later discontinuing that kind of work to enter the employ of a railway company in Allegan county. After spending four winters in the latter capacity, he re- turned to Ohio where, on ^larch 31, 1874, he was married to Louisa B. Clark, the ceremony taking place in Paulding county, where the bride's birth occurred on December 4, 1849. During the five years following his marriage, Mr. [Miller de\'oted his at- tention to farming in the counties of Paulding and Defiance, at the expiration of which time he returned to Michigan and purchased eighty acres of land in Rolland township, Isabella county, on which he settled in February, 1879, and on which he has since li\ed and prospered. [Mr. Miller's land was wild when he moved to it and much hard work was required to remove the timber and stumps and get the soil in proper condition for tillage. By dint of long, con- tinual work, however, the forest gradually disappeared and in due time good improvements were made, fine orchards and shade trees planted, to say noth- ing of the many other evidences of prosperity which now make the farm one of the finest in the township, and his home second to few in the entire county. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 683 In the prosecutiun of his laliors he has iiiani tested not only conimendaljle zeal but judicious management and as a tiller of the soil he is up to date, pro- gressive in iiis ideas and ranks among the most enterprising men of his call- ing in the coniniunity where he resides. .\ gentleman of good tastes as well as of industrious habits, he has not been sparing of his means in beautifying and adding to the attractiveness of his home, as the appearance of the niddern dwelling with its surrounding of smooth lawn, grateful siiade trees, tine shrub- bery and other pleasing features al)uudantly attest. Mr. Miller is a Democrat in ])olitics and as such lias been elected to various local offices from time to time, having ser\ed four years as township treasurer and for more than a quarter century he has held the position of school assessor. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd I'-ellows and the order of the Gleaners and. with his wife, holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, in wlu'ch at intervals be has been honored with various trusts. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of seven living children, whose names are as follows: Xellie, wife of X. V. Turney: Flora, who married F. A. Oswalt: Carrie, now Mrs. James Welch: Lena, wife of O. W. Swisher, anil three who are members of the home circle. Anna. Rachel and (irover. CI..\rnK TI AXXKTT FSTEE. Among the enterprising and successful young business men of Isabella county none stand higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than the gentle- man whose name heads this sketch. Persistent industry, well-directed effort and sound business judgment have been the concomitants which have con- tributed to the success that has crowned his labors, and his sterling integrity and upright life have gained for him universal respect. Claude Hannett Estee was born on March i8. 1879, in Coe township, this county. He is the son of Thomas Hannett and Caroline ( Rurlingame) Hannett. When a babv be went to li\c witli L. D. Estee and wife, who re- sided west of Shepherd. Me attended the district schools until he was four- teen years of age and worked some on the farm. He went to the high school at Shepherd one year, and taught school part of a year. He worked in a grain elevator at intervals. Mr. Estee having purchased the elevator belong- ing to Hannett & Estee. Mr. Estee went to school at Big Rapids after his first experience at teaching : he pursued a commercial course for a time, then re- 684 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. turned to his home and entered into partnership with Mr. Estee, when lie was twenty-one years of age. He had a good education, especially in a business line. Thus well ec^uipped. he entered his life work in the fall of 1901. He assumed complete management of the business upon the death of Mr. Estee on September 6. 1907. However, he did not have entire charge of the elevator until the following January. He has greatly increased the business and under his capable and judicious management it has become widely known in this locality. Claude H. Estee has added wholesale and retail flour and feed : he also buys produce from the farmers, which they bring him, often from remote parts of the county, and he is also successfully operating a retail yard, handling coal, cement, etc. He has a very satisfactory and extensive patronage throughout the country, and he is regarded as a business man of honest principles and one who believes in a square deal. On June 26, 1903, Mr. Estee was married to Nora Bent, in Shepherd, Michigan. She was born on July 20. 1879, in Waterloo. Jackson county, Michigan. One child, bearing the name of Helen Elizabeth, now five years of age,, has graced this union. As a business man Air. Estee has been \'ery successful. He is also a stockholder and director in the Commercial Bank of Shepherd. He takes a great interest in fraternal matters, belonging to the order of Free and Accepterl Masons, Lodge No. 288, of Salt River, Mt. Pleasant Chapter No. iii, Royal Arch Masons, and the Knights Templar Commandery No. 40 in Ithaca ; also the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Detroit. GEORGE A. DRALLETT. Among the well known business men of the thriving town of Weidman is George A. Drallett, who in se\eral lines of trade has built up quite a lucra- tive patronage and is now proprietor of one of the largest and most successful commercial establishments in the place. Mr. Drallett is a native of Washing- ton county. New York, and dates his birth from the year i860. When only three months old he was taken to Eaton county, Michigan, where his parents lived for a number of years and it was in that part of the state that he grew to manhood and received his education. He was reared to farm labor and on reaching the years of maturity turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in coimection with which he also bought and sold considerable live stock, the latter enterprise taking the greater part of his time until his thirty-second vear. taking horses north and exchanging for cattle. ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAX. 685 In 1S72 Mr. l^rallctt went to Kalamazoo county, where lie remained one year, going tlience to Stanton, this state, where lie continued two years, when he oi)ened a meat market at AX'eidman, wliich town lias since lieen his^ place of residence. After running the market for some time, and seeing a favorable opening for other lines of business, he added a stock of groceries which found readv sale, and a little later began dealing in boots and shoes, gradually increasing his stock until in due time he found himself proprietor of a large general .store, the success of which more than realized his highest ex- pectations. As time passed he turned his attention to the buying and shipping of wool and the handling of everything in the way of produce the farmers of the vicinitv raised to sell, his establishment being highly prized by them by reason of bringing a good market almost to their doors. Having had con- siderable experience with live stock, he soon began buying and shipping cattle and hogs and hardly a week passes that he does not ship from one to two car loads of stock to the leading markets of the country. Mr. Drallett possesses unusual energy and judgment, and since locating at Wcidman liis Inisiness interests have brought him prominently before the peojile as one eminently worthy of the success which he has achieved. He carries a complete assortment of all kinds of merchandise so as to meet the demands of the general trade and as a buyer and shipper he has built up a business of large magnitude, as great perhaps as that of any other man in the countv similarly engaged. He has done much to promote the material growth and general prosperity of Weidman and give it its present reputation as a thriving business center, and has also given his influence and assistance to further all movements having for their object the social and moral advance- ment of the community. Xotwithstanding the pressing claims of his vari- ous business interests, he fine's time to devote to public matters, having served two terms as supervisor of Nottawa townshii). and he is now on his second term as school treasurer. He votes the Republican ticket on state and na- tional questions, but in township and county affairs he is independent of party control. Mr. Drallett has accumulated a handsome competency since embarking in business at Weidman and is one of the well-to-do men of the place, owning in addition to good town property one hundred and forty acres of land in Sherman township, which lie is having cleared for tlie pnrjjose of pasturage. He takes great interest in secret fraternal work, holding membership with the Masonic order, in which he served as junior and senior warden, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the 686 ISABELLA COUNTYj MICHIGAN. chairs. IMr. Drallett was happily married to Nina Dunn, who has borne him three children, namely: \\'innie, wife of Adam Scott, of Sherman township: Miles married Albertice K. Holmes and lives in that township also, and Mitchell, who, with his parents, constitute the home circle at tiie present time. JOHN BEUTLER. Improvement and progress may well l;e said to form the keynote of the character of John Beutler, a well known and influential farmer and stock raiser of Sherman townsliip, and he has not only been interested in the work of adx'ancement in individual affairs but his influence is felt in upbuilding the community. He has been a very industrious man all his life, striving to keep abreast of the times in every respect, and as a result every mile post of the years he has passed has found him further advanced, more prosperous, more sedate and with a larger number of friends than the preceding". Mr. Beutler was born at Brighton, Livingston county, Michigan, .\ugust 30, 1864 He is the son of John Beutler, Sr., who was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1823. He was drafted in the army, but on account of a crippled foot was not compelled to serve. He married Caroline Fuss, who was born in the same locality in Germany, a year after his birth, and they knew each other about two years before their marriage. The elder Beutler was a jour- neyman blacksmith, and while thus engaged met his wife. He was a skilled blacksmith and made good money at it. He came from Prussia to America in 1849, and located in Livingston county, Michigan, his wife, whom he had married in 1847, following him here a year later. Mr. Beutler had been fol- lowing his trade in Hamburg, Livingston county, two years, then moved to Brighton, a few miles from there, where he maintained a blacksmith shop for ten years, then moved to Weberville, Ingham county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres, also ran a blacksmith shop, hiring the work done on his farm. He was there three years, then sold his farm and moved to Handy, Livingston county, where he had a shop and bought five acres of land. Re- maining there five years, he then moved to Amsden, Montcalm county, where he lived two years, then to Wood's Corner, Ionia county, where he also had a shop two years. He came to Isabella county on January 9, 1877, a"*^ bought sixty acres of land in Sherman township, and his oldest son now lives on this place. He bought eighty acres more and on a part of this his son, John, of this review, now lives. The father was also engaged in the lumber business ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 687 for a time. l)cing agent for a company in Saginaw. His deatli nccurreil in 1897, and the death of hi.s wife occurred on Fel)riiar\- u, 1892. They liotli died at Wooden".^; Mills, where their last home was. The following children were born to them : I'^redericka, who married Robert Appleton, lives in New York: Herman. \\ho marriod Mary Mull, lives in section 27. Sherman town- ship, this county; Theresa, ahu married John Hine, lives at W'ooden's Mills: Matilda, who married Stephen Morey, lives in the state of Louisiana: John, of this review. John Rentier lived at a numher of places before coming to Isabella county. being then thirteen years of age. He attended school in Sherman township. and from the age of sixteen to twenty he kept a store next to the I'cutler dwelling, and got an excellent start for a boy. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age. On May 5, 1886, ]\rr. Beutler was married to Eliza Brooks, daughter of William and Xancy Brooks. She was born in Jay county, Indiana, Septem- ber 20, 1867, and she mo\ed to Isabella county about the same year that marked the advent of Mr. Beutler. This union has resulted in the birth of the following children : Blanche, born in 1887, lives at Beal City, Michigan, and is the wife of Doctor McRae ; George, born in 1889, is living at home, assisting his father; Clyde aiul Hervex', the former horn in 1S95 "i"'' ''^^ latter in 1904, are both living at home. Mr. Beutler is the owner of three hundred acres of excellent farming land, forty acres of which formerly belonged to his father, as stated in a preceding paragraph. It was only half cleared and was not improved, .\fter his marriage he lived in Manistee, Michigan, two years, working principally at the carpenter's trade, then he returned to Isaliella county and worked in a lumber mill one year, living on section 32. In the spring of 1890 he built a very substantial and convenient dwelling on his place. He also built two good barns and other outbuildings, including a work-shop, under which is a cellar, also a tool house. He has a modern system of water works in his house, pumping his water by gas engine. He uses up-to-date farming imple- ments, and his place indicates in every way that he is a twentieth-centiu\v agriculturi.>-t. He has stumped one hundred and twenty acres, on which were over five thousand stumjis. He has fi\e miles of stump fence, four miles of woven wire fence, and he has under cultivation at the present time one hun- dred and twenty-five acres, the rest being in pasture, and he has some first- growth timber. Xo small part of his income has been derived from handling various kinds of li\e stock, of which he is regarded as an excellent judge, keeping large droves of sheep and fine cattle, shorthorn Durhams, horses anfl 688 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. hogs. He has been an extensi\-e potato raiser and has I)een \'ery successful as a general farmer. In 1902 he raised three thousand and four hundred bush- els of potatoes, for which he received the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars. He averages raising two thousand bushels of potatoes annually. He has a small orchard of choice fruit. His place is one of the model farms of the county, is well kept, well improved and skillfully managed. Mr. Beutler is interested in the Rural Telephone Company, being presi- dent of the same, and its widespread popularity is due in a very large measure to his efficient management. He is also connected with the Weidman Imported Percheron Horse Company, which breeds horses extensively, and he is also interested in the Union Hall Company, being secretary and treasurer of the hall which this company erected in Sherman township, which is rented for various purposes. Mr. Beutler does his own carpentering, blacksmithing and mason work, having full kits of tools used in these trades. He raises all kinds of small fruits and he raises on an average of twenty bushels per acre of rye. He uses clo\er as a fertilizer. Fraternally Mr. Beutler is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Wabano Lodge No. 376, of Weidman, also belongs to Lodge No. 800, Hoor Arbor of Gleaners. Politically he is a Republican. He has held se\eral school offices, was highwa_\' commissioner two terms, township supervisor one term and two years township treasurer. CHARLES T. RUSSELL. This utilitarian age has been especially prolific in men of action, clear- brained men of high resolves and noble purposes, who give character and stability to the communities honored by their citizenship, and whose influence and leadership are easily discernible in the various enterprises that have added so greatly to the high reputation that Isabella county enjoys among her sister counties of this great commonwealth. Conspicuous among this class of men whose residence is in this county is the progressive citizen under whose -name this article is written, and to a brief outline of whose career the biograi^her is herewith pleased to address himself; but only the most salient facts will be given, owing to the well known aversion of Mr. Russell to undue laudation and also because of the fact that his record is already familiar to all classes, being a lawyer of recognized ability and a public-spirited citizen. m flf •■''''■■>■ ^^^^^^^^^^^ft '^ ^^^^■bu^^>«^aan^^B ^^^^F^ ^^1 F "^^^H ^ 1 .^li^l ^^^^^^^■> m Mi^l ^^P^l ■ ^aJ^^H CHARLES T, RUSSELL ISABfLLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 689 Charles T. Russell was Imni May i~. 1853. at Grand Ledge. Eaton county, Michijjan. His father was a fanner and the son remained on the home place, assisting with the general fann work and attended the district schools during the winter until lie was twenty-one years of age. Later he attended school in Eaton, taking a general literary course. After liccomiiig of age. he took uj) the study of !;iw, teaching sclmol the meanwhile in the district schools for four \\ inters, under a second grade certificate. He was very successful as a teacher. l)ut he gave it up to continue the law. studying in an office in Grand Ledge. He was admitted to the bar at Charlotte. Michigan, in 1877. and he came to Mt. Pleasant in 1878 and began the practice of his profession alone, enjoying a very satisfactory clientele from the first. Taking an interest in iniblic affairs, he was soon in line for positions of public trust, and in 1882 he was elected prosecuting attorney and served in a very faithful manner for two terms. He was also president of the village for a time and was post- master under Cleveland's administration. In igo6 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Isabella county a second time. Politically, he is a Democrat. In 1903 he was candidate for circuit judge, but the party was in tlie minority that year and he went down with the rest of the ticket. Mr. Russell was married in March. 1882. in Burlington. Vermont, to Nettie M. W'iiite. who !i\e04. in his fifteenth year, and Florence R., whose birth occurred on the 4th day of May, 1902. LOREX C. PAYXE. M. D. .\ life devoted to the alle\iation of human ills is the record of the well- known physician and surgeon whose name introduces this sketch, a gentleman whose professional career has made his name a household word in hundreds of homes and who is endeared to the man\- patients whose sufferings have yielded to his skill. Dr. Loren C. Payne was born in Salem. Washtenaw county. Michigan. February 17, 1848, and is a .son of Barton and Maria (Cronkheit) Payne, natives of Ontario. N^ew York. These parents moved from the latter state to Michigan as early as 1838 and settled at River Rouge, near the city of De- troit, where they li\ed until returning to Xew York, four years later. Sub- sequently they again came to Michigan and for some years Barton Payne operated a flouring mill at Farmington, Oakland county, but, owing to failing health, he afterwards discontinued that line of work and engaged in lumbering in the county of Shiawassee, where he was accidentally killetl at the age of fifty-two. Ijiren C. Payne spent his childhood and youth at the various places mentioned above and was fifteen years old at the time of his father's death. Meanwhile he received such educational discipline as the common schools afforded and after the de;itli of his father he began working on a farm for six dollars per month, with the promise of an increase of wages as he grew older. The money thus earned went to the support of his mother, whose mainstay he continued to be until her second marriage, a few years later. When seventeen years old. he was employed in a woolen mill at Pontiac where in due time he learned the trade of weaving, receiving for his services the sum of fifteen dollars per week, the wages of a skillful workman. While 696 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. tliiis engaged he concei\ed a strong desire for the medical profession and as soon as the opportunity admitted he began preparing for the same at Ovid, in the office of Doctor Leonard, a successful physician of that town, under whose instructions he continued until entering the Bennett Medical College, Chicago, where he made rapid progress in his studies and researches. On leaving that institution in 1S75. h^ opened an office at Eagle, Clinton county, where he remained six years, during which time he built up an extensive prac- tice and achieved honorable repute in his profession. At the expiration of the period indicated Doctor Pa)-ne located at West- phalia, in the same county, where he spent the ensuing two years and in the spring of 1883 transferred his office to Beal City, a new town just being started in Isabella county, which at that time consisted of about forty families, the majority from Westphalia, for uliich reason he decided to move with them. When he first saw Beal City the place presented anything but a cheer- ful outlook as a field for practice, and he almost decided not to remain, but, taking counsel of his better judgment, also from the opinions of a number of his friends and former patrons, he finally opened his office and it was not long until his practice taxed him to the limits of his bodily powers. During his sojourn of nine years at that place his patronage, which grew rapidly from the beginning, took a very wide range and in a region fifteen miles in every direction from the town he was the principal practitioner and his services were in constant demand. For several years he rode almost day and night and was out of the saddle only long enough to feed his horse and catch a few minutes' sleep, then away to see other patients clamorous for his help or to answer calls in localities remote from his place of residence. At the end of nine years Doctor Payne moved to Caldwell, or Two Rivers, a town ten miles west of Mt. Pleasant, but after spending two years there he sought a more favorable field for the exercise of his talents in the latter city, where he located at the expiration of the time indicated and where during the nine years ensuing he enjoyed an extensive practive which was successful financially and professionally. The Doctor bought a beavitiful home in Mt. Pleasant which he still owns and was well situated to enjoy the fruits of his professional labors, but in 1902 he was induced to make another change, perceiving, as he thought and as time fully demonstrated, a fine opening at Weidman, then in the palmy days of its lumbering interests and giving promise of future growth and prosperity. Since moving to Weidman the Doctor has fully sustained his reputation as a safe and skillful physician and surgeon, and his practice, which is one of the largest in the county, is still increasing, and the place he occupies in his ISABELLA COUXTV, MICHIGAN. 697 chosen calling is second to that of few it any of his professional brethren in the central part of the state. He is still a student, keeps in touch with nicjd- ern professional thought and abreast i)f the times on all matters relating to the healing art. being a member of the Isabella County Medical Society and various other organizations which iia\e for their object the advancement of medical science. Fraternally, he is a Mason of high degree, witli whicli order he has been identified for thirty years, belonging to W'acousta Lodge at .Mt. Pleasant. iXIt. Pleasant Chapter, Royal .Arch Masons, the Independent Order of Odd P^ellows and Knights ot the Maccabees at the same place, in all of which he is an acti\e worker and inlluential in carrying out the ])rinciples upon which the societies are founded. Doctor Payne, in the year 1871, contracted a matrimonial alliance witli Frances Lyons, of Oakland county, Michigan, tiie union resulting in the birth of one child, a daughter, Minnie, who married Bert Leadman and who still lives with her parents. Doctor and Mrs. Payne hold to the Methodist creed and are acti\e workers in the church at ^^'eidman. Socially they are highly esteemed not only in their own community but in tiic various places where from time to time thev ha\e resided. IRVIXG :\IYERS. The subject of this sketch, the well known foreman of the Edwin Bell Company stave factory at Shepherd and deputy sheriff of Isabella county, is a native of Fulton county, Ohio, horn on the 13th day of December, 1863. When (juite young he was taken to Paulding county, in the latter state, where he attended school until fourteen years of age, at which time he went to work in a stave mill, with which line of manufacture he soon became familiar and to which he has ever since ilevoted his time and attention. Leaving Ohio in 1892, he came to Shepherd and accepted a position with the E. Bell Sta\e Company and after working in various capacities during the eight years en- suing and demonstrating more than ordinary skill and worth, he was pro- moted in 1900 foreman of the mill, which position he has since filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his employers. When a young man Mr. .Myers resolved to do well what his hands found to do, and by adhering to this resolution he in due time became master of the calling which he has so long followed and now holds a position which com- mands a liberal .salary. By thrift, economy and good management, he has 6g8 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. made several judicious iuvestments, owning, in addition to a beautiful home in Shepherd, a good farm of one hundred twenty acres in Midland county, Michi- gan, which he rents and from which no inconsiderable part of his income is derived. Since Ijecoming a citizen of this state he has manifested commend- able interest in public matters, kept in touch with political issues and current events and taken an active part in promoting the material prosperity of his town and county, besides filling from time to time important official positions. In 1906 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Isabella county, which ofifice he still holds, and during the last six years he has been a member of the city council, doing much to promote various municipal interests in the latter capacity. Mr. Myers is a man of strong personality. positi\e in his convictions, though broad minded and liberal in his relations with his fellow citizens. Of pleasing presence and easily approachable, he has a wide circle of friends, among whom he is cpiite popular and by the general public he is held in high esteem. His has been a very active life, amid the pressing claims of which he finds time to devote to social matters and to discharge the duties which e\'ery true citizen owes to the community. He is a married man and the head of a vei-y interesting household, his domestic life dating from the year 1885, when he was united in marriage with Etta Montroy, a native of Canada, who has borne him children as follows : Jennie, Clarence, John, Irving, lone. Don- ald and Lucille, all li\ing and, with the exception of John, who holds a position in the citv of Flint, this state, still members of the home circle. DANIEL COYNE. Among the prosperous business men of Isabella county, ^Michigan, the subject of this review occupies a deservedly conspicuous place and the follow- ing brief outline of his career and tribute to his worth should be perused by those whose life work is yet a matter of the future. Honorable in all of his dealings, considerate of the rights of others and a man whose influence has ever been on the side of right, his life has been fraught with good to his fel- lows and the world made better by his presence. Daniel Coyne is a native of Canada and a creditable representative of the large and respectable class of citizens who from time to time have moved from that countrv to the L^nited States and taken a prominent part in the development and progress of the \arious localities in which they have settled. He was born November ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 699 14, 1861, in Peel countw Ontario, and is a son of Edward and Mary ( Jolms- ton) Coyne, holli of Canridian birth, the latter deceased, the former still a resident of Peel county where the greater part of his life has heen passed. Daniel Coyne spent his childhood and youth in Brampton, a town of the above county, early became familiar with the various duties of the farm and at intervals attended the public schools until acquiring a fair knowledge of the branches usually taught. I'ntil eighteen years old he remained at home, assisting his father with the labors of the farm, but at that age he came to Isabella county, Michigan, and located on eighty acres of land in section 21, Isabella township, Xot knowing what it was to eat of the bread of idleness. Mr. Coyne grew up to the full stature of well rounded manhood and with proper conceptions of life, which to be successful he realized should be directed along the line of inilustry. Accordingly he bent all of his energies to the development and imi)ro\ement of his land and in due season was rewarded with a farm which in point of i)roductivcness and all the elements of a pleasant home was not excelled by any other place ii: the township. During the ne.xt quarter of a cen- tury he lived and prospered as a tiller of the soil, but at the expiration of that time sold his farm and purchased of Thomas Gray & Son the elevator at Rosebush, where he has since been engaged in the grain business. Tlie ele\ator which he operates is twent\'-four l)y one hundred feet in dimension and equii)ped with the most approved machinery and all appliances for the handling of grain and it is needless to state that during the busy season its capacity is taxed to the utmost and that as much wheat, oats, barley and corn are shijiped from Rosebush as from an}' other town of its size in central Michigan. In addition to grain. Mr. Coyne deals quite extensively in lumber, salt, cement, etc., in all of which he has built up a large and lucrative trade, his success since engaging in his present business fully meeting his expectations and re- turning him a handsome income. At one time he ran a meat market which proved quite remunerative. Lnit at the end of one year he disposed of the busi- ness, though retaining the building, which he still owns. He then began buv- ing ant! shi])ping cattle, which he carried on four or fi\e years, in connection with agriculture and only discontiiuied his efl'orts in that line when he sold his fariu and engaged in the business to which he now gives his attention. Mr. Coyne is a Democrat in politics, a Baptist in his religious belief, and for several years has held the office of deacon in the congregation with which he is identified. He belongs to the Gleaners and is an acti\e member and influential worker in the Knights of Maccabees lodge at Rosebush, in addition 700 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. to whicli he lends his influence to all worthy measures for the social advance- ment and moral good of the community in which he resides. Hannah Walton, wife of Mr. Coyne, was born in the year 1862, and has presented her husband with two children, the older of whom is Lome, whose Ijirth occurred in 1894. After finishing the common school course, he entered the high school at Mt. Pleasant and he is there pursuing his studies at this writ- ing. \^elma, the second in order of birth, saw the light of day in the year 1905 and is a bright little miss and the light of the household. CHRISTIAN L. HOKEMEYER. The gentleman whose career is briefly outlined in this sketch is one of the substantial Germans who have become Americans by naturalization, but who nevertheless are loyal to the land of their adoption and ready, if need be, to make any sacrifice for its defense and perpetuity. Christian Hokemeyer was born October i. 185 1, in Hanover, Germany, and received a good education in the schools of his native place, which he attended until his sixteenth year. Like many of his fellow countrymen, he early decided to seek his fortune in the United States, accordingly at the age indicated he bade farewell to the scenes of his childhood and youth and, taking ship in 1875, arrived at his destination in due time, proceeded direct from the city of New York to Chi- cago, Illinois, near which place, a little later, he engaged in farming. After tilling the soil until 1880, he started a creamery which he operated near the lat- ter city during the seventeen years ensuing, at the expiration of which time he closed out his interests in Illinois and came to Shepherd. Alichigan, where he found a fa\orable opening for the same kind of business. Shortly after his arrival here Mr. Hokemeyer erected a fine creamery which, equipped with the latest and most approved machinery and appliances for the manufacture of butter, he has since operated at its full capacity, doing a large business and realizing handsome profits from the enterprise. His patronage includes both the local and general trades and the average weekly output of thirty-five hundred pounds of first-class butter, which commands the highest market price, is not sufficient to supply the rapidly growing de- mand, hence he is considering the advisability of increasing the capacity of the plant at no distant day. Mr. Hokemeyer is familiar with every detail of the business in which he is engaged and has so conducted it that he is now on the high road to independence. Industrious, thrifty and economical, he makes ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 7OI the most of his opportunities and tliose who know him l)est speak in liigh praise of liis well halanced judgment and business acumen and predict for him a prosperous career in the enterprise to which his time and attention are I)eins; devoted. Personally, he jjossesses many of the sterling characteristics for which his nationality is distinguished, and since becoming a resident of Shej> herd lie lias been interested in the prosperity of the town and lends his in- fluence and sujjport to all budable measures for the general welfare. Ere moving to Aliciiigan, he was a regular attendant of the German Evangelical ciiurcli. w itii w liich lie has long I)een identified, but there licing no organization of that body in Shepherd, he now attends the various Protestant congrega- tions of the town besides contributing of his means to their support. Mr. Hokemeyer has been twice married, the first time to Minnie Bushe. after whose death he contracted a matrimonial alliance with Louise Schwer- man. his present wife, who was born in Hanover, Germany, .\pril i, i860. The following are the names of Mr. Hokemeyer's children: Minnie. Lydia. Tillie. Mamie, Albert, Louis and Francis, all living and affording bright and pleasant hopes for the future JAMES E. SMITH. .\lthough among tlie younger citizens of Isabella county, botii as to age and time of residence, the subject of this review has achieved distinctive suc- cess in the line of liis calling and a position of influence in the township where he lives. Tames E. Smith was l.orn in Williams county. Ohio, on the lOth of March, 1876. and is the youngest of six children whose parents. Benjamin and Sarah (Cares) Smith, were also of Ohio birth and among the esteemed and well-to-do people of Madison township, Williams county. The early ex- perience of the subject on Iiis father's farm was similar in most respects to that of the majority of country lads, his time in summer liaving been taken up with labor in the fields and during the winter months he pursued his .studies in the district scliool near his home. .After obtaining a preliminary education, he completed a high school course, the discipline received being supplemented by a normal school training at Wauseon. Ohio, where he earned a creditable record as a student. While attending the above institution, he lived at home and contiinied his labors on the family homestead until after attaining his ma- jority, the meantime forming plans for the future and laying broad and deep 702 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. the foundation for his subsequent career as an enterprising farmer and in- fluential man of affairs. After remaining in his native county until thirty years old, ^Ir. Smith came to Michigan and, in April, 1906, purchased seven hundred and twenty acres of land in Rolland township, Isabella county, about four hundred acres being improved, and on this farm he has since lived as a prosperous tiller of the soil and made his influence felt in all matters relating to the ad\ancement of the community and the welfare of the populace. Though comparatixely a recent comer and averse to any kind of publicity, the people of his township have not been slow to recognize his ability and sterling worth, with the re- sult that he has been honored from time to time with various official trusts and is today in no small degree a leader of thought and moulder of opinion among his neighbors and fellow citizens. Mr. Smith is pronounced in his allegiance to the principles and tradiiions of the Republican party and his wide general information and familiarity with the leading questions and issues of the day give him considerable standing and influence as a local political leader. He keeps in touch with all matters upon which men and parties divide, has well grounded convictions concerning public affairs and his opinions, which he expresses freely and fearlessly when necessary, always carry weight and command respect. A believer in re\ealed religion, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church a number of years ago and since then his daily life and conversation have been consistent with the faith he professes, his \^ife being a Methodist also and deeply interested in the work of the local church where the two hold membership. On March 11. 1896, in Williams county. Ohio, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Smith and Dora Cummins, a native of the same county ai:d state, the union resulting in the birth of three children, namely: Homer C, Everett S. and Benjamin N., who. with their parents, constitute a mutually happy and contented family circle. WILLIS E. BROWN. Among the strong and influential citizens of Isabella county the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical record oc- cupies a prominent place and for years has exerted a beneficial influence here. His chief characteristics seem to be keenness of perception, a tireless energy, ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN. "03 honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common-sense, which have en- abled him not only to advance his interests, but also to largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community. Willis E. l'>rt)\vn. editor and publisher of the Isabella Comity Republican at Shepherd, was born in Ohio, May 6. 1856. He is. the son of Dr. Simeon C. Brown, who was born in 1825, and who became a prominent practitioner. Willis E. Brown went to school in Ohio before coming to Isabella county, Michigan. He went to school here until he was sixteen or seventeen years of age, attending sclmol with iMaiicis T)(ulniwn has been the guiding genius of the institution, .\mong her public utilities there is none of which Mt. Pleasant has more just cause to be proud than the service which is given by the Mt. Pleasant Light and Fuel Company. It is one of the most modern and up-to-date plants to be found in the state, while the (juality of the gas, together with the service reiulered. is of that char- acter which i)leases the people and insures good dividends for the stockhoklers. The companv is a close corporation, w ith a cai)ital stock of seventv-five thou- 706 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. sand dollars, Mr. Brown controlling a majority of the stock. They secured their franchise September 21, 1903, and work was begun the following De- cember. The mains were laid in 1903, and the supplying of gas to the patrons began February i, 1905. The company has ten miles of mains, and maintains a first class office on Broadway. Mr. Brown was married in Montcalm county, Michigan, December 21, 1876, to Anna B. Pitcher, who was born in the state of New York in the year 1852, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Pitcher, whose parents were pioneers of Michigan. To them came two children. Lula M., born February i, 1878, and \Vells B. Brown, who is associated with his father in the Mt. Pleasant Light and Fuel Company, being vice-president of the company and a director of the same. He was born December 4, 1883, and received his education in the schools of Muskegon and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He spent three years in the clerical department of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company offices at Grand Rapids, and in 1904 came to Mt. Pleasant with his father. He was married July 5, 1906, to Vivian Dodds, daughter of William Dodds, of Mt. Pleasant. Like his father, he is a man of fine business aptitude, Mrs. Anna B. Brown died July 5, 1906, and on October 23, 1908, N. J. Brown was married to Mrs. Eppa A. (Rich) Brown, of Grand Ledge, Michi- gan, a schoolmate of his boyhood. Fraternally, Mr. Brown is a Mason and an Elk. As previously stated, Mr. Brown has been an influential factor in promoting the growth and de- velopment of his home city. He was the prime organizer of the Mt. Pleasant Board of Trade and was its first secretary. He takes an especial interest in everything that will conduce to the industrial improvement of the community, and few cities can claim a more thoroughly progressive, public spirited, broad- minded citizen than he. FRED D. EARNER. This well known and esteemed citizen of Lhiion township hails from Ohio, the state so prolific in great men, having been born in Maumee, Lucas county, on May 7, 1874. His father, John E. Earner, also a native of the Buckeye state, was born February 7, 1840, and when a young man married Catharine Dill, whose birth occurred on February 12, 1850. John E. Earner joined the One Hundredth Ohio Infantry at the breaking out of the Great Rebellion and served the full term of three years, during which he participated in some of the most noted campaigns and battles of the war and earned an ISABl LLA CULNTV, MICHIGAN. "07 honorable record as a brave and gallant soldier. He and his estimaljle wife ha\e been residents of Isabella county, Michigan, for some years and at this time live in tlie town of Mt Pleasant, where they enjoy the confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Of their family of two children, the subject of this sketch is the first in order of birth, the second, a daughter, Maude, being the wife of D. R. Myers, a hardware merchant and respecteil citizen of Maumee, Ohio. The early life of Fred D. b'arner was spent on the home farm in Lucas cornty, where in due time he became familiar with the varied duties of agriculture and while still young matured plans for his future course of action and conduct. In the public schools of his native locality and the Da\ is Uusiness College of Toledo, Ohio, he laid the founda- tion of a sound practical education and after assisting to cultivate the home place and helping manage the dairy until attaining his majority he began life upon his own responsibility, choosing for a vocation the honorable calling of agriculture which he has since followed w itli the success and profit character- istic of the master of his calling. In the year 1903 Mr. Farner came to Isabella county. Michigan, and located on what is known as the l'~err)- place, one of the oldest farms in Union township, the first improvements on which were made by the Indians a numljer of years prior to the advent of the w bite man. In addition to the eighty acres in this place, he purchased forty acres adjoining and now has a beautiful and well culti\ated farm of one hundred and twenty acres where he carries on general agriculture, besides devoting considerable attention to dairying, which adds very materially to his income. Since moving to his present place he has made a number of valuable improve- ments, including a fine barn, fifty by thirty-six feet, which admirably answers all the purposes for which intended, also an eighty-five-ton silo, besides a large amount of fencing and ditching, the latter consisting of something in excess of four hundred rods, resulting in the reclaiming of a number of acres of fine land and greatly enhancing its productiveness. As a farmer, Mr. Farner is easily the peer of any of his neighbors similarly engaged, being industrious and progressive in his ideas and belie\ing in modern improvements, various kinds of which be has adopted to his great advantage from a financial point of view. By well directed labor, good management and economy he has not only gotten his farm in splendid condition and made it one of the most de- sirable rural homes in L'nion township, hut with conimendalile thrift he has added continuously to his means, until he is now in independent circumstances with a sufficiency of material wealth at his command to insure his future against any ordinary contingency that may arise. Interested in all that relates to agriculture, he has been a leading spirit 708 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. in I'nion Grange No. 1220, which organization he served six years as secre- tary and to tlie success of which he has contributed in various ways. He also held the position of school director for six years, besides having served as trustee and clerk of the local branch of the United Brethren church, to which he and his wife belong. Mrs. Farner was formerly Daisy Rowe, the accomplished daughter of Re\'. Jacob A. and Nancy (Drake) Rowe, the father born May 13, 1850. in Shelby county, Ohio, the mother in the year 185 1, in the same state, their residence at the present tiuie being Chapin, Michigan, where Mr. Rowe is engaged in the ministerial work of the United Brethren church. After re- ceiving a preliminary training in the public schools Mrs. Farner completed a high school course in Swanton, Ohio, and, as already indicated, she is a lady of culture and refinement whose beautiful life and gentle influence have not only made her home a very happy one, but also rendered her quite popular in the community where she resides. She too is an active worker in the Grange and since childhood has been deeply interested in the church and Sunday school, also being at this time a respected member of the congregation with which identified and zealous in pron:oting all worthy movements for the intel- lectual and moral advancement of those with whom she mingles. No citizen of Union township stands as high in public esteem as Mr. Farner. Although comparatively a young man, his career has been signally successful and what he has already achie\ed bespeaks for him a bright and promising future. In- telligent, enterprising and public spirited, he stands for progress and improve- ment, and on all moral issues his voice and influence are on the side of the right as he sees and understands the riglit. ROBERT L. KENNEDY. Tf» the person traveling by railway across Isabella county in this day it seems almost incredible that only a few decades ago almost every foot of land was covered with a dense forest through which even the light of day scarcely penetrated. But such was the fact. The tide of civilization swept westward and innumerable hands ha\'e removed the great woods, but not without toil and hardship. This would ne\er have been done had it not been for the fertile soil beneath and the comfortable homes that awaited the efforts of the settlers. The task was a long one, but repaid the pioneer well for his trials and labor. Robert L Kennedy, one of the well known and progressive farmers of Isabella ISABKI.I.A COL'NTY, MICHIGAN. 7O9 township, passed througli just such experiences. He has certainl\- played well his part in letting in the sunhght to the fertile acres and causing the wheat and corn to tlirive on the site of the virgin forests, and because of his life of in- dustry and honesty and his public spirit he is justly entitled to rank among the leading citizens of his locality and have a place in its history. Mr. Kennedy was born of a sterling old Canadian family, his birthiilace being in Oxford county, Ontario, Canada, and the date April lo, 1842. Me grew to maturity in his native community and was educated there. He has made farming his chief life work and has been very successful in this line of endeaxor. He left Canada when twentv-eight years of age and went u> Kan- sas where he remained six years engaged in farming. He then came to \\ ash- tenaw county. Michigan, where he lived three years. He then came to Isabella county, and settled in section 7, Isabella township, on one hundred and twenty acres of timbered land. There was not so much as a road through it or around it. But he set to work with a will and cleared it and soon had a very comfortable home and an excellent farm which he has kept imj^roving from time to time until it ranks with the best in the township. In 1900 he built an excellent barn, forty-four by eighty feet, with a basement beneath. He has eight hundred yards of wire fence, and has a splendid and cozv dwell- ing, in fact, everything to make life desirable in the country. Mr. Kennedy is a well educated man and keeps well posted on current events and abreast of the tin;es in modern thought. Besides a good common school education he attended the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Buffalo, New York. He is a faithful member of the Baptist church and a liberal supporter of the same and is a deacon in the local congregation. He is also a Bible class teacher and superintendent of the Sunday school, ha\ ing held these offices for several years, in fact, he is a pillar of the local church. His wife is also a great chuich worker, is president of the Ladies Aid Society and teaches in the Sunday school. Like her hu.sband. she is influential in the community and has a host of warm personal friends. Politically. Mr. Ken- nedy is a Kepul)lican, but he has never figured prominently in political matters. Mr. Kennedy was married in Canada when twenty-six years of age to .\lt;i M. bitch, who was born of a fine old family, in 1848. This unif)n has been blessed by the birth of the follow ing children : James S.. who married b'lizabeth Lyon, is principal of the East Saginaw central school. He was the first male graduate of the Central State Xormal : Frank, a printer, married -Mice Cummings and lives in Los .\ngeles. California: Hattie. the eldest, mar- ried Orcn Culver and lives in Frankfort. Michigan: Gertrude married George Robinson and lives in Seattle: Robert, a graduate of the Central State Xormal, y\0 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. married Edna Wier and lives in Bay City ; Howard, who has remained single, lives in the state of \\'ashington : Florence married R. F. Hughes and lives in Los Angeles. These children were all given the advantages of a good education, were reared in a most wholesome home atmosphere and are well launched in the affairs of the world, all highly respected in the communities where thev reside. WILLARD McCULLUM. The descendant of sterling Scottish ancestors, whose many fine traits have come down to him, W'illard ^IcCullum has directed his efforts along such legitimate lines as to be worthy of ranking with the leading agriculturists and citizens of Nottawa township, Isabella county. He has shown himself to be a man of courage, self-reliance and of the utmost integrity of purpose, as a result of which, he has, during his entire life, stood high in the estima- tion of his neighbors and friends and is therefore deserving of a place in thiS book. Mr. McCullum was born on June i", 1859, in Franklin countv. New York. He is the son of Jnhn McCullum, who was born in Scotland. He was a seafaring man and came to New York city as a sailor. He married Evaline Martin, a native of the state of New York and their union resulted in the birth of these children : Lily Jane is living in Jackson county, Michigan; Calvin lives in Clinton county, this state; Henry lives in Jackson countv; Willard, of this review. The subject of this review remained at his parental home until he was twenty-one years of age, working on the home farm and attending the neigh- boring schools. He then came to Jackson county, Michigan, and, liking the prospects there, decided to cast his lot in that county. While li\ing there he met and married Emaline Towne, who was born March 17. 1883, at Jackson City. To this union these children have been born : Inez is living at home and is teaching school ; Sabry, w-ho married Bennet Humbret, is living in Nottawa township; Mildred is teaching school and living at home; Iva and Irene are living at home. Mr. [McCullum remained in Jackson county six years, engaged in farm- ing principally, and he bought one hundred acres of first class land. This was during the panic of 1883 and 1884. In April, 1887, he came to Isabella county, and after he had lived here a year he settled on the place which he now occupies and which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and culti- lSAlUI.r,.\ COUNTS'. MICHIGAN'. /I I vatioii. It consisted of forty acres of timbered land. He cleared it unaided and built, at first, a small log house. His dwelling is now well worth two thousand dollars, is well furnished and has a good cellar and a furnace, and a wind-mill stands nearby. He has modern farming macliinery and his place indicates that he is a \cry progressive agriculturist. His one hundred acres is high grade land and yields abundant harvests, is well fenced and in good shape in every way. He has a splendid orchard of two acres and some other small fruit. He keeps various kinds of live stock and a considerable part of his income is derived from them. His land is all under cultivation and in a high state of improvement. Politically. Mr. McCulium is a Republican and he attends the Disciple church at Gilmore. He has held se\eral minor offices in his township, but is not a ])olitician. He has, besides his house and barn, another dwelling and barn on his place in which his daughter Sabry and her husband live. In the fall of 1900 he built an excellent barn with a basement, thirty-six by sixty feet. He raises mostly hay. corn, beans and wheat, liesides large numbers of live stock, as already indicated, and he is very successful in all his opera- tions. C1I.\RLES H. GOULD. The gentleman whose name appears above is a nati\e of Branch comity. Michigan, and a son of George and Lida Gould, both of this state. The father, whose birth occurred in 1856. died in the year 1893; the mother, who survived him, is living at this time in the county of Van Buren. Charles H. Gould was born April 12, 1880. spent his childhood and youth ou the family homestead in California township of his native county, received a common school education and remained with his parents until his twenty-first year. On attaining his majority he severed home ties and went to Macosta county, but after spending a few months there he came to Mt. Pleasant and engaged with Mr. Rogers to learn the jeweler's trade. During the four years he was under the instruction of that gentleman he became quite a skillful workman, and at the expiration of the time indicated he e.s- tablished himself in busines* at Rosebush, where he has since remained. In addition to conducting a general jewelry establishment and doing the work which necessarily belongs to that line, he also conducts an undertaking business, having become familiar with the latter while learning his trade. From time to time he added other lines of goods, such as hardware, furniture. 712 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. etc., and is now the proprietor of a general store, with a custom which is steadily growing in magnitude and importance. Mr. Gould is a young man of great energy and fine business talent and his success since locating at Rosebush has more than justified his venture, as the rapid advancement of his establishment attests. He is enterprising and public .spirited, takes an active interest in all that pertains to the growth of the town and lends his influence to every lauclaljle measure for the general welfare of his fellow men. Fraternally, he holds membership with Lodge No. 519. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs, and religiously is identified with the Church of Christ, Scientist, at Mt. Pleasant, to which organization his v.ife also Ijelongs. Since old enough to exercise the rights of citizenship, he has manifested a li\ely interest in political matters and as a Republican he wields a strong influence for his party in his part of the county, being one of its leaders and trusted counselors in the community where he resides. He is now serving his third term as township clerk, in which office he demonstrates ability of a high order, as well as proving faithful to every trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens. On the 1 2th day of October, 1906, Mr. Gould entered the marriage rela- tion with Gertrude Jeffords. She was born August 25, 1878, being a daugh- ter of Jason and Evalyn Jeffords, of Isabella county. Mrs. Gould is a lady of intelligence and varied culture, highly esteemed by the social circles in which she moves and by her beautiful life and amiable qualities has gained the friendship and good will of all with whom she comes in contact. S. P. MURTHA. Among the leading farmers and stock raisers of Coe township is the gentleman whose name appears abo\-e. He also holds worthv prestige as a citizen and is a creditable representative of that large and eminently respectable class of people who by deeds rather than words give stability to the body politic and by their influence honor the communities in which they reside. S. P. Murtha was born August 6, 1846, in Ionia county, Michigan, being a son of and Ann ( Hoy) Murtha, natives of Ireland, but for a numlier of years prior to that date residents of the United States. When the subject was eight years old, his parents moved to Isabella county and settled on a quarter section of land in Coe township which the father bought, later secur- ing an additional eighty acres which, with the original purchase, he sub- ISABELLA COUNTV, AIICHIGAN. "13 se((iiently divided among his children. Young Murtha grew up in close touch with honest toil and received a fair educational training in such schools as were taught in this part of tlie country in an early dav. Reared a farmer, he early decided to make agriculture his vocation, accordingly when old enough to hegin life for himself he received eighty acres of land from his father wliich he at once hegan to improve and which by his effective labors was in due time cleared and in cultivation. Mr. r^hntha's career as a tiller of the soil has been entirely satisfactory as his fine farm and excellent improvements attest, and it is no disparage- ment to others to claim for him a jilace in the front rank of Isabella county's most enterprising and successful agriculturists. In connection with general farming he devotes considerable attention to the breeding and raising of lu'gh grade live stock, which returns him a hnudsome income, and he also realizes no small sum from the fine cows which he always keeps, there being about ten of these superior animals on his place at the present time. Mr. Murtha is a member of Lodge Xo. 239. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Shepherd, and has passed all the chairs in the same, besides repre- senting the organization twice as a delegate to the grand lodge. He. belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees at the above place, also l>eing an influential worker in the society and at intervals has been honored by his brethren with important official trusts. The domestic life of Mr. Murtha dates from December 9, 1877, at wbicli time was solemnized his marriage with Catherine Gruber, of Coe town- ship, this county, fi\e children resulting from the union, namely: Montel, decea.sed : Nellie, who lives in Idaho: Mildred, wife of Harry Wetzel: Ar- thur, a student in the medical department of Michigan University at .\un Arbor, and Dale, who li\es at home. The father of the subject came to .\merica when eleven years of age and for some time thereafter lived in Vermont. From that state he went to New "S'ork. thence, after some years, removed to Ionia county. Michigan, where he engaged in agricultural jiursuits and where be resided until his re- moval to Isabella county a- already stated. Here be secured valuable real estate which he (li\ided among his children and during his residence in this county he became widely and favorablj' known and stood high as an intelli- gent and public-spirited citizen. Ann Hoy, mother of the subject, was born in the same part of Ireland in which he first saw the light of day and both made the voyage to the L'nited States on the same vessel. Thev knew each other from childhood and were married in New York, the following children being the fruits of their union: Thomas, Michael and Elizabeth, who are 714 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. deceased ; S. P., of this review ; George, who married Hilary Stouble and Hves in Alt. Pleasant: Arthur, also a resident of Isabella county; Sarah, wife of John Young, lives in California, and Richard, who married Elizabeth Rodder, makes his home in the latter state. JOSEPH W. FATE.' The suliject of this .sketch is essentially a business man and as such has matle his influence felt among his contemporaries, besides rising to a promi- nent place as a public spirited citizen. Like many of the enterprising men to whom Michigan is greatly indebted for its material prosperity and present proud position among its si.^ter states, he is a native of Canada, having been born in Bruce county, Ontario, on the 7th day of July, 1871, being a son of Joseph H. and Rachel (Schwoob) Fate, of English and German descent re- spectively. When Joseph W. was about two and a half years of age his par- ents moved to Mecosta county, Michigan, and settled on a tract of land which had been partially cleared ?nd on which he grew to maturity, assisting his father with the labor of improving and cultivating the farm when old enough for his services to be utilized. In the di.strict schools he obtained a fair knowledge of the branches taught, and at the age of sixteen began making his own way in the world by working in the lumber woods. During the fourteen consecutive years which lie devoted to that kind of labor, he was employed principally in drawing logs, which experience, although hard at times and rough, served to develop a strong, vigorous physique and aroused in him a self reliance and spirit of manly independence which have served him well in his subsequent career as an enterprising and progressive business man. .\t the expiration of the period indicated above, Mr. Fate discontinued lumbering and engaged in the grain trade at Remus, this state, in partnership with D. M. Mansfield, the firm thus constituted lasting six and a half years, during which time they greatly extended the scope of their operations, built up a large and lucrati\-e patronage and became wideh' and favorably known as enterprising and eminently honorable business men. Severing his connection with his partner in the spring of 1905, Mr. Fate came to Blanchard, where he was instrumental in erecting the large warehouse which has proved of such advantage to the village and adjacent country and which, occupied at the pres- ent time by T- ^^ • Fate & Company, has made the town one of the most im- portant local trading points in Isabella county. ISABLLLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN'. 715 Tn a(l(litii)ii to han(llin