USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > A history of Van Buren County, Michigan a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume II > Part 34
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In 1873 Mr. Blashfield was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Smith, the daughter of Abida Smith, and they were the parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy. William H., and the only surviving one, is his father's business partner. William HI. was born June 7, 1875, and was educated in the Hartford public schools. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the jeweler's trade, at which he worked until 1911, owning a half interest in his business, while his mother owned the rest. He married Miss Edith Montague. of Alpena, Alpena county, Mich- igan. They have no children. He is a member of Florada Lodge. No. 309, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and both he and his father carry insurance in the order of the Maccabees. His mother passed to her eternal reward in 1897. Timothy Blashfield later remarried, being united to Mrs. Emily Taylor in December, 1899. She died in June, 1910.
Politically Timothy Blashfield is found in the ranks of the Democratic party. His election to the office of treasurer of Hart- ford township was upon the nomination of that party. His son also gives his allegiance to the party of Jefferson, Jackson and Cleveland.
The prosperous business of the Blashfields is made up of deal- ings in lumber. wire fence, cement, lime and brick.
WILLIAM R. SCOTT, M. D .- Prominent among the leading phy- sicians of Van Buren county is William R. Scott, M. D., who has been in continuous practice at Bloomingdale for thirty-eight or more years, during which time he has gained a large and lucrative practice, his natural talents and industry classing him among the successful members of the medical profession. A native of Can- ada, he was born in Farnham township, province of Quebec, a son of John Scott, whose birth occurred in the same province.
Richard Scott, the Doctor's grandfather, was, as far as known, a native of Canada, and was of pure Scotch ancestry. During his early life he was engaged in dairy farming in Canada, but later he migrated to Michigan, and for a time was engaged in agricultural and horticultural pursuits in Cooper township. Kala- mazoo county, where he became owner of forty acres of land. Dis-
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posing of his holdings in that locality, he bought forty acres of land in Trowbridge township, Allegan county, Michigan, and was there engaged in general farming and dairying, residing there until his death, at the age of eighty-six years. He married a Miss Healy, a native of Canada, and they reared seven children, as follows: Henry, Rodman, John, Edward, Mary, Mercy and Dorcas.
John Scott was brought up in Canada, and was there employed as a farmer and hotel keeper until after his marriage. In the early fifties he came with his family to Michigan, locating in Kala- mazoo county, where he embarked in business as a fruit grower, making a specialty of raising apples and peaches. A few years later he moved to Allegan county, Michigan, and having pur- chased forty acres of land in Trowbridge was there successfully engaged in tilling the soil until his death, at the comparatively early age of forty-five years. He married Rachel Johnson, who was born in Montreal, Canada, a daughter of William Johnson and his wife, a Miss Swails. She is still living in Allegan county, a venerable and highly respected woman of eighty-eight years. To her and her husband five children were born and reared, namely : William R., Rodman J., Henry H., Sarah A. and Mercy D.
But a small lad when his parents settled in Michigan, William R. Scott obtained his preliminary education in the public schools, and subsequently began the study of medicine with Dr. J. H. Ful- ton in Otsego, Michigan. Going then to Cincinnati, Ohio, he at- tended lectures at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, and in 1870 began the practice of his profession in Bloomingdale, where he has since continued, his success having been assured from the first.
Dr. Scott married first in May, 1882, Etta Allen, who was born in Pine Grove township, Van Buren county, a daughter of Henry and Caroline Allen. Two children have blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Scott, namely : Erma Aline and William A.
Fraternally Dr. Scott is a member of Bloomingdale Lodge. No. 221, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of Paw Paw Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of Lawrence Council, Royal and Select Masters; of Lawrence Commandery, Knights Templar, and also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Scott is likewise a member; of Bloomingdale Lodge, No. 161. In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Bonifoi Lodge, No. 382, Daughters of Rebekah, to which Mrs. Scott also belongs.
CHARLES W. ASHBROOK .- An enterprising and thriving agricul- turist of Van Buren county, Charles W. Ashbrook, owning and occupying a valuable farming estate in Bloomingdale township, has brought to his independent vocation excellent business methods and sound judgment, and in his undertakings has met with well deserved success. A son of Joseph R. Ashbrook, he was born April 6, 1855, in Goshen, Elkhart county, Indiana. His paternal grandfather, Elias Ashbrook, was an early settler of Ohio, and for many years owned and operated a tannery near Zanesville. Migrating from there to Indiana, he conducted a tannery in the vicinity of Goshen for some time. Selling his tannery, he moved
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to Milford, Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he was engaged in the grocery business continuously until his death, at the vener- able age of eighty-seven years. He married Jane Smith, who was born in Scotland, and died in Milford, Indiana, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-four years. Her parents were weavers by trade, operating hand looms in their native country. On coming from Scotland to America they brought a quantity of web with them, intending to weave it after they were settled in their new home, but could find in this country no loom fine enough to an- swer their purpose, and the web is now preserved as an heirloom by their descendants.
Joseph R. Ashbrook was born near Zanesville, Ohio, and when a young man learned the trade of a cabinet maker, which he sub- sequently followed for awhile in Goshen, Indiana. He afterwards operated a sawmill at Milford, Indiana, manufacturing lumber. Coming to Michigan in 1870, he, in partnership with Jonathan Sell. bought a hotel at South Haven, and conducted it for about four years. Selling his share at the end of that time, he bought land in South Haven township, where he was profitably employed in general farming for a number of years. Now, a venerable man of eighty-seven years, he is living retired from active business at Grass Lake, Michigan.
Joseph R. Ashbrook has been twice married. He married first Jerusha Flagert, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Jacob Flagert, a blacksmith, who spent his last days in Milford. Indiana, passing away at the age of four score years. She died in middle life, leaving five children, Charles W., Jonathan, Amanda, Joseph E. and Amos E. The father subsequently married for his second life Avis King, now deceased.
Charles W. Ashbrook acquired his early education in Indiana, attending the public schools of Milford and Goshen. After com- ing to Michigan he was variously employed for awhile. eventually. beginning his independent career as a farmer on rented land. For fifteen years he leased land in Columbia township, and in 1893 bought his present farm in section twenty-eight, Bloomingdale town- ship. Industrious, energetic and a wise manager, Mr. Ashbrook has made improvements on his place of great value, and is here profitably engaged in general farming and dairying, each year reaping a good income from his harvests.
Mr. Ashbrook married, in 1878, Alvina Baxter, who was born in Bloomingdale township, a daughter of James Baxter. Mr. Baxter was born in 1798, in Washington county. Pennsylvania, where his father William Baxter, a native of the North of Ireland, settled just prior to his birth. He was brought up in his native state. and thus learned the trade of a distiller. After the death of his first wife he moved to Ohio, where he was for several years employed in the butchering business. Coming to Van Buren county, Mich- igan, with his family in 1850, Mr. Baxter was a pioneer of Bloom- ingdale township. Purchasing from the government a tract of timber land in section thirty, at one dollar and twenty five cents an acre, he erected a log house and began the improvement of a farm. The country throughout this section was then in its original
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wildness, and he had but three neighbors within reasonable distance from his clearing. Paw Paw was the nearest market and depot for supplies, and as there were no roads in this vicinity a trip there was somewhat of an undertaking. He cleared a large part of his land, and was just preparing to erect a frame house when, in 1872, his death occurred. Mr. Baxter was twice married, by his first wife having five children, Daniel, William, Catherine, Sarah and John. The maiden name of the second wife of Mr. Baxter was Mary Hull. She was born in Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Pyles) Hull, natives of Ohio. She died in 1898, leaving five children, namely: Mary Ann; Alvina, now Mrs. Ashbrook; Emily; Joseph; and James. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter have six children, named Mina, Sidney, James, Mabel, Irwin and Fern. Mina married George Confer and have two children, Ross and Hope. Sidney married Georgie Arnold. Mabel married Conrad Beach and they have two daughters, named Mona and Lucille. Mrs. Ashbrook is a charter member of Bloomingdale Lodge, No. 148, Order of the Eastern Star, and her son James is both a Mason and an Odd Fellow.
CHARLES LINTON .- A prominent business man of the village of Bloomingdale, Charles Linton holds a position of note in manu- facturing and mercantile circles, and as proprietor of both the Bloomingdale and the Berlamont Creameries is an important factor in advancing the dairy interests of this section of Van Buren county. A son of Abel Kaye, he was born in Saint Croix county, Wisconsin, of English lineage, his birth occurring in 1869.
Born in England, Abel Kaye was there brought up and edu- cated. Immigrating to America in early manhood, he spent a few years in Minnesota, and then went to Dunn county. Wisconsin, where he bought land and was engaged in tilling the soil until 1900. Selling out in that year, he migrated to Ridgefield, Oregon, where he has since resided, being employed in general farming. Mr. Kaye married Eliza Wilson, who was born in New England, the birthplace, also, of her parents, who were among the pioneer settlers of Minnesota. She died in 1871, leaving four children, as follows : John, residing at Umatilla, Oregon; Nettie, wife of Charles N. Weber, of Ridgefield, Oregon; Charles L .; and Maude, who died at the age of twenty years.
But two years old when his mother died, Charles Kaye, as he was then called, was adopted by Francis M. and Hannah ( Adams) Linton, and was legally given their name. Mr. Linton was a native of Indiana and Mrs. Linton, of Ohio. They were engaged in farm- ing for many years in Saint Croix county, Wisconsin, but are liv- ing in Minneapolis, retired from active pursuits. Charles Linton was given good educational advantages as a boy, and while assist- ing in the care of the Linton farm developed a taste for agricult- ure in all of its branches. Desirous of becoming proficient in the art of making butter and cheese, he entered the dairy department of the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, where he studied faithfully a few months. Locating then in Saint Clair, Minnesota, Mr. Linton worked in a creamery a year, obtaining a practical
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knowledge of his chosen work, after which he took another course of study at the University of Wisconsin, still further advancing his knowledge. Going then to Illinois, Mr. Linton operated a creamery in Shabbona for a year, after which he had charge of the Polar Creamery in La Fayette, Indiana, for a year. Coming from there to Van Buren county, Michigan, Mr. Linton operated the Berlamont Creamery for nine years, and then purchased the plant. Three years later, having met with eminent success in his field of endeavor, he bought the cheese factory in Bloomingdale, converted it into a creamery, and has since operated both plants most successfully. Although he manufactures butter and cheese at both plants, his principal production is butter, for which he finds a ready market in Michigan, much of it being sold near home and the remainder in Detroit.
Mr. Linton married, in 1893, Vielda Stafford, who was born in Berlamont, Michigan, a daughter of Anson and Diana (Curtis) Stafford. Mr. Linton is a well-known and valued member of both the Michigan Dairymen's Association and the National Creamery Butter Makers' Association. Fraternally he belongs to Blooming- dale Lodge, No. 221. Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and to Bloomingdale Lodge, No. 161, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Linton is a member of Bloomingdale Chapter. No. 158. Order of Eastern Star, and of Bonifoi Rebekah Lodge, No. 382.
GEORGE B. CONNERY .- Noteworthy among the enterprising and successful agriculturists of Van Buren county is George B. Con- nery one of the leading farmers of Bloomingdale township and a fine representative of the native-born citizens of this county, his birth having occurred here December 1, 1866. His father, George W. Connery, was born in 1832 in Rutland. Vermont. a son of Henry Connery, who was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Learning the blacksmith's trade when young, Henry Connery followed it in Vermont for several years. In 1839 he came with his family to Michigan, from Buffalo to Detroit coming by way of the Lake. Starting from Detroit with an ox team, he journeyed through the wilderness to Hudson, Lenawee county, where he was a pioneer settler, and there. it is said, built the second chimney put up in the village. After following his trade there for a time he bought a farm lying four miles south of the village, and was there engaged in tilling the soil until his death. To him and his wife eight children were born, five sons and three daughters.
But seven years old when his parents settled in Lenawee county. George W. Connery was reared among pioneer scenes, and when old enough to work in the woods assisted in the pioneer labor of clearing a homestead. Succeeding to the occupation to which he was brought up, he came to Van Buren county in early manhood and bought from the government the south half of the northeast quarter of section five, in Pine Grove township. The country roundabout was then almost entirely in its pristine wildness, with here and there an opening in which the pioneer had reared his log cabin. He built a small log house, cleared a few acres of his purchase, and then sold out and bought the west half of the north-
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east quarter of the same section, on which he made the first clear- ing. Improving a large part of his land, he resided there until 1880, when he disposed of his farm at an advantage and bought land in section seven, in the same township. Selling that a few years later, he bought a farm in section one, Bloomingdale town- ship, and at the end of five years sold out, and for a time resided in Gobleville. Returning then to Pine Grove township, he pur- chased land and was there employed in tilling the soil until his death.
The maiden name of the wife of George W. Connery was Cor- nelia Rockwell. She was born in Seneca county, Ohio, a daughter of Russell R. and Hannah (Foster) Rockwell. Her father came from Ohio to Michigan in pioneer days, making his way on foot through the dense woods from Paw Paw to Trowbridge township, Allegan county. Buying a tract of government land bordering on Bare Line Lake, he erected a log cabin, returned to Ohio for his family, and was afterwards engaged in farming on his newly- purchased land until his death. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Con- nery reared four children, as follows: Elmer, Luella, George B. and Homer.
Growing to manhood beneath the parental roof-tree, George B. Connery obtained his education in the district schools, and be- came acquainted with the many branches of agriculture while as- sisting his father on the home farm. In 1891 he located on the farm he now owns and occupies, and on which he has made prac- tical and valuable improvements. It is pleasantly located in sec- tion one, Bloomingdale township, on the shores of Sweet Lake. By dint of industry, energy and good management Mr. Connery has converted his land from its primitive condition to a highly cultivated farm, with a good set of frame buildings, his property in its appointments and equipments ranking with the best in the vicinity.
Mr. Connery married, in 1891, Florence Lucelia Sage, who was born in Bloomingdale township, a daughter of William Sage. Her grandfather, Patrick Sage, was born in county Limerick, Ireland. where his parents, William and Catherine (O'Brien) Sage, were life-long residents. Soon after his marriage Patrick Sage settled in county Clare, Ireland, and began farming on rented land. Dur- ing the three years' famine in the forties he managed to support his family, but being unable to pay his rent was evicted. His wife in the meantime had died, leaving him with six little children. Placing these children under the care of their grandparents, he came to America to begin life anew. Landing in Boston, he worked as opportunity occurred for a time, and then went to New York state, where he was employed in laying stone on the Erie Canal, making his home in Manlius. As soon as he had acquired the means he sent for his children. In 1860 he came to Van Buren county, Michigan, bought land in section twenty-seven, Bloom- ingdale township, and having erected a log cabin in the wilderness began the improvement of a farm, on which he resided until his death, at the age of seventy-five years. Patrick Sage's wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Ryan, was born in county
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Clare, Ireland, a daughter of John Ryan, who served for twenty years in the British Army, and, having lost his sight in India, received a pension during the later years of his life. William Sage, Mrs. Connery's father, was but a boy when he joined his father in New York state. Coming to Van Buren county with the family, he subsequently bought a tract of land in section twenty-six, Bloomingdale township, where he was successfully en- gaged in farming for many years, but is now living retired from active pursuits in Paw Paw, Michigan. He married Sarah Gay, who was born in the state of New York, a daughter of George and Mary Gay.
Mr. and Mrs. Connery usually attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Connery formerly belonged to Bloom- ingdale Lodge, No. 221, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, but demitted from that and joined Gobleville Lodge, No. 393, of the same order.
JACOB S. EASTMAN .- Numbered among the active and well-to-do agriculturists of Van Buren county is Jacob S. Eastman, whose highly improved farm is located in Bloomingdale township. A native of Michigan, he was born October 2, 1844, in Cass county, where his father, John Eastman, was a pioneer settler.
Born and bred in New England, John Eastman acquired a good education in his home town, and as a young man came to Michigan ere it had yet put on the garb of statehood, locating in Cass county. The greater part of the territory was then owned by the govern- ment and on sale at one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre. There were then no railways in this section of the country, and the dense forests were inhabited by wild animals and game of all kinds for many years after he came here. He rented land and carried on general farming with satisfactory results, in addition to man- aging his estate operating one of the first threshing machines intro- duced into this section of the state. On the farm which he im- proved he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1847.
John Eastman married Maria Gilbert, who was born in New England and, like her husband, there received an academical edu- cation. Surviving him, she married for her second husband Hiram Richardson, of Cass county, and in 1863 removed with him to Allegan county, Michigan, and there spent her last years in Cheshire township. By her marriage with Mr. Eastman she reared six children, as follows: Alfred, Mary A., Rozene, Horace, Adelaide and Jacob. She had two children by her second marriage, but neither are now living.
Two and one-half years old when his father's death occurred, Jacob S. Eastman lived with his mother until he was ten years old, when he became self-supporting, at first working for his board and clothing and winter schooling, having some winters to walk two and one-half miles to attend school. He began receiving wages after awhile, and in 1862 enlisted as a soldier, but on account of his youth was not accepted for service in the army. He was em- ployed, however, by the government as a teamster, and in that capacity accompanied General Grant's division, being for a long
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time with the First Kansas and Eighth Missouri Regiments in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. Early in 1865 Mr. East- man enlisted in Company B, Ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served in "Pap" Thomas' army, much of the time being at the General's headquarters. Being honorably discharged from the service in October, 1865, he returned to Michigan and entered the employ of D. A. Blodgett, a lumberman, working for awhile in the woods. In 1879 Mr. Eastman bought one hundred and eight acres of land in Bloomingdale township, in sections one and two. About twenty acres had been cleared and a log house and stable had thereon been erected. Assuming its possession, he began clear- ing the timber from the remainder of the tract, and since that time has carried on general farming with eminent success. As he ac- cumulated money Mr. Eastman wisely invested it in other lands, buying first forty-eight acres adjoining his original purchase, and afterwards buying the fifty acres on which he now resides, his holdings now amounting to two hundred and six acres, on which he has made improvements of an excellent character.
Mr. Eastman married, in 1872, Elizabeth Long. who was born in Summerville, Cass county, Michigan, a daughter of David Long and granddaughter of Jacob Long, whose father, Adam Long, and grandfather, John Long, were life-long residents of Virginia. Jacob Long was born in Virginia, November 20, 1791, and after his mar- riage with Elizabeth Keplinger moved to Reno, Indiana, which is still the home of some of his descendants. Born in Virginia, David Long removed to Michigan, locating in Summerville, Cass county, where he practiced medicine a number of years, being the pioneer physician of that part of the state, traveling on horse- back to visit his numerous patients. On retiring from his pro- fession, the Doctor purchased land in Calvin township, Cass county, and there resided until his death. Dr. Long married Sarah Russey, who was born in Indiana, February 20, 1826, and died April 14, 1883. Her father, William Russey, a son of James and Sarah Russey, was born December 12, 1785, and was married. October 14, 1806, to Mary Talbot, who was born December 22, 1785, a daughter of Jacob and Susanna Talbot. Dr. David Long survived his wife some years, dying August 25, 1889. To him and his wife six children were born and reared, as follows: Mary Caroline, Winfield Taylor who died on the 9th of August, 1901; Ambrose Henley, Ann Elizabeth, Martha J. and Minnie Merritt.
Mr. and Mrs. Eastman are the parents of three children, namely : Sarah Elma, who married Albert James, has one daughter, Frances James; Zelda Arrissa, wife of William Pullen and has one daugh- ter named Violet Elizabeth; and Arba M., born in 1877, married Ethel Leach, and died in 1907, leaving five children, Mildred, Rolla, J. G., Emma and Charlie. Mr. Eastman is a member of Calvin Post, No. 59, Grand Army of the Republic. Religiously he was reared in the Swedenborgian faith, while Mrs. Eastman's mother was a Quaker and her father, a Presbyterian.
HON. HARVEY H. HOWARD .- A venerable and highly esteemed resident of Bloomingdale village, Honorable Harvey H. Howard
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has been a resident of Van Buren county for upwards of three score years, during which time he has been actively identified with the advancement of the agricultural and industrial prosperity of his community and has established for himself a hne reputation as a thoroughly honest man and good citizen. Having as a farmer ac- complished a most satisfactory work, he and his good wife are now living retired, enjoying to the utmost the fruits of their earlier years of toil. A son of Barnard M. Howard, he was born September 6, 1825, in Sweden township, Monroe county, New York, of New Eng- land ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Rev. Timothy Howard, a native of Massachusetts, was educated for the ministry, and for many years was a Free Will Baptist preacher in Oneida county, New York, where his last years were spent.
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